I sighed as I tapped my pencil against the desk. Glancing outside the window behind me, I caught a glimpse of the Connecticut sky growing dark as the last few weeks of what had been a brutal winter were coming to a close. I was the newest addition to the World Wrestling Entertainment's Digital Media department and with that promotion had come an office with a real view. Digital Media was the section of the corporate office that was in charge of mobile and broadband services, all the websites, and of course video syndication. The WWE was a global sensation and the Internet was its most lucrative marketing tool. I was just a Houston, Texas native who had started with the corporation only two years before as a low level web designer, one step up from an intern. My talent and hard work paid off and within my first 19 months of tenure, I had been promoted to a senior level position reporting directly to the Executive Vice President of Digital Media, Brian Kalinowski. It was a dream job, filled with multiple opportunities of all kinds and the paycheck wasn't bad either. Though my particular role kept me off camera and off the road, just being affiliated with the premiere sports entertainment promotion was more than enough for me.

"And how are we doing in London?" I asked directly into the speaker.

I waited with bated breath for an answer that seemed to take forever to come.

"…And we are up and running. Everything looks good to go."

I smiled and let out a small breath, thankful that all my prayers had been answered. A few hours before there had been a major and unexpected crash with the WWE web. None of the sites were running, which in a very short time had caused millions of dollars of loss in revenue of merchandise and ticket sales alike. The WWE brass was freaking out and the mini catastrophe was the first test in my burgeoning career. The task of fixing the problem and fixing it quickly had fallen right into my lap. After a day of nonstop international calls, troubleshooting and not a food of bathroom break in sight, finally all was right with the world. I had actually done it. Leaning back in the chair, I yawned but quickly shook off the signs of fatigue and finished up several projects that had accumulated on my desk. It was well after midnight when I was finally done. Grabbing my laptop and purse, I put on my winter skully cap and coat and headed out to the parking lot. The lone figure in the hallway startled me.

"Oh my God," I gasped, putting her hand over my heart.

"Cynthia, I apologize if I frightened you."

It was the boss.

"You did but it's okay, sir. I just didn't realize anyone else was still left in the building."

"I just spoke with Mr. McMahon. He has just spent the last few hours on the phone with the heads of several of the WWE global corporate offices. They are very pleased to see that the Internet glitch has been taken care of and much sooner than originally expected. We owe that all to you and I just wanted to say thanks and a job well done."

I, a closet bookworm and self-proclaimed nerd, blushed and looked away as I pushed my black framed DKNY glasses up on the bridge of my nose.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Kalinowski."

"It has been a long and hard day," he noted. "I see you were just leaving."

"Yes but if you need me…"

"Actually, I am glad I caught you. There is something I needed to speak to you about."

That was all I needed to hear. I turned on the lights and opened up the office again. I set down all my belongings and motioned for the boss to sit on the comfortable leather sofa, which he did. I took a seat behind the desk and folded my hands.

"What's going on?"

Brian frowned.

"A matter has come up…"

"What kind of matter?"

"Something involving the talent. Normally this kind of thing doesn't affect us here but it seems that Vince has made a decision that has put our department in a bind, so to speak."

"How can I help?"

"I am glad you asked. It is quite last minute, but Vince has requested that we do a piece on one of the wrestlers, something that can be used in a special edition magazine, perhaps at a later date. Right now it is just a photo shoot. As you know, Wrestlemania is three weeks away. For 14 days leading up to Wrestlemania week, Vince wants every waking moment and beyond of this guy's life captured on film."

"May I ask why? I mean, I certainly understand the basis for the project but normally we have more time and more notice. And to do this so close to the biggest week of the year for the company. I'm not complaining but…"

"I share your sentiments, believe me, but this is a special case. How can I put this? We're all human with flaws and faults…the WWE Superstars are no exceptions. They aren't heroes or super human even. They're just real people with real emotions. And one of them is not a happy camper right now. Feels, shall we say, neglected by the company. It's negotiation time and we want everything to go as smoothly as possible. I won't get into a whole spill about it. Yes, this is coming at a rather chaotic and hectic time and it will be a major pain in the butt, but in the end it will be worth it. The ends certainly justify the means, or at least they do in Vince McMahon's eyes. And he is the boss. He says it, we do it. Bottom line."

"Of course."

"The problem is, we're tapped for staff. I have been racking my brain, even looking at who we have available overseas. Everyone's schedule is so swamped right now but I am having real trouble finding a photographer to get the job done in the timeframe that was requested."

"Oh my."

"Any ideas?"

I exhaled.

"I, I don't know. Let's see. We have five people on assignment already. What about Meggan, the photo editor for WWE magazine?"

"She's tapped."

I chewed at my lip, a habit I often indulged in when I was nervous or just thinking really hard.

"We could always pull that Adam kid from the Tokyo headquarters…"

"That's not the most practical idea."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Kalinowski. I'm all out of suggestions."

He looked around.

"It is somewhat impossible but I do remember you having some photography experience..."

I swallowed hard, feeling as big as ant in that expensive leather swivel chair.

"Yes sir. I, um, I had a portfolio and it is a hobby but it isn't something I have worked seriously on since college…"

"I have seen your work and like most everything you touch, it is brilliant."

"That's very kind of you…"

"I know you are busy here, Cynthia but I know I can trust you to handle this. You'll be on the road, traveling with the RAW brand and on the days off, you would be in Chicago…"

"Chicago?"

"Yes. That is where our little subject resides."

"Oh. I, I see. So the assignment requires tailing this person even on their off days?"

"I'm afraid so but I imagine there would be a lot of down time. With your laptop and Blackberry, I don't see why you can't take care of that and still handle your duties here in Stamford. Just consider it being on location, so to speak. It would almost be like a mini vacation."

I tried to force a smile. I was a homebody. I didn't need excitement or travel or big, bright lights. I loved the simple things in life. My interest in the WWE had stemmed from a sincere desire to work for an important corporation where my talents could be utilized and there would be plenty of room for advancement. I wanted something that would look stellar on a resume and it didn't get any better than WWE or the McMahon family name. But that was where my curiosity and attention stopped. I hardly ever watched the shows and had never been a big fan of sports entertainment. I of course knew who the wrestling characters were but I didn't follow the storylines or know any of the talent personally. That was all fine by me. And all of a sudden being asked to infiltrate a Superstar's private life with the ever invasive lens of a camera and follow this person even during their sacred off days seemed a little much.

"Sounds…great."

What else could I say? No? That wasn't even an option. That would be the kiss of death. That was the type of response that ended careers before they even started. There was no way I could turn down that assignment even as much as she wanted to.

"You say that now but I am going to level with you, Cynthia," Brian's face grew serious for a moment.

I swallowed hard. That for sure didn't sound good.

"Okay…"

"Some of the talent is what you call…difficult. Some are nice, professional, easy going, even tempered while others are, are…"

"The opposite?" I finished for him as he seemed to have trouble finding the right words to do so.

"Well, yes. Demanding, high strung, not so easy to deal with it. It happens. We are dealing with different personalities here."

"Yes…"

"I won't beat around the bush. This person is not exactly known for their sunny and upbeat personality."

"Who, who is it?"

I tried to think as several well-known names flashed in my mind. Randy Orton was famous for his mood swings and quick temper but rumor had it that marriage and fatherhood had calmed him down. Mark Henry was known for being gruff and hard to get along with but then again, it could have been one of the Divas. Kelly Kelly and Melina had notorious reputations for being bitches, among other titles. But it could have been anyone.

"Phillip Brooks, better known to the WWE Universe as CM Punk. You've heard of him?"

I nodded. I was familiar with faces and names, I just didn't follow their careers or watch them devotedly every Monday and Friday night.

"Yes. The Straight Edge guy with all the tattoos and the long dark hair."

"The hair is gone but you've got the gist of it. You will be accompanying Mr. Brooks."

"Okay. Sounds like a plan. Just tell me when and give me an itinerary and we'll be good to go."

Brian liked me a lot, I could tell. Still he sensed my trepidation and probably knew I was putting on a brave face.

"I will get that information for you."

"Thank you."

"You will be fine, Cynthia. Brooks is a little sarcastic and mouthy and he likes to be a hard ass sometimes, pardon my French. He can rub people the wrong way. It won't be so bad. Just handle yourself, stay professional and do your job. The two weeks will fly by before you even know it."

"I'm sure it will be fine, sir. I, I'm up to the challenge and you and Mr. McMahon will not be disappointed."

"I'm sure we won't. I knew I could count on you, Cynthia. Thank you and please let me know if you need anything. My secretary will have your travel arrangements ready for viewing by tomorrow afternoon. You leave in three days."

I nodded. And there it was. Within ten minutes my professional career and life had been turned upside down. Not only had I been given additional duties that I would have to balance with my other pile of responsibilities, Brian looked like he was giving me the kiss of death every time he mentioned Phil Brooks. That CM Punk must have been one hell of a character in real life as well. But what could I do? I was on assignment, apparently picked to tail WWE's most anti-social Superstar. It must have been my lucky day.