Linda Mancer, aka "The Manager"

“Linda, is everything alright?” Linda’s coworker Marty had asked her, standing in the doorway of her office. The suit-clad woman glances at her subordinate from her desk, having been browsing her emails prior to his entry. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she dismissively waves him off.

"Fuck off, I'm busy." Her eyes speak non-verbally. “I’m fine.” Linda vocalizes, holding back as much of her inner venom as possible.

To say that Linda was irritated would be an understatement. Davenport Industries was undergoing a massive firestorm, thanks in part to the allegations lobbed at one of the company’s founders, Ken Davenport. She was one of the few that was tasked to keep the ship sailing while he tried avoiding prison time for his various explicit - and not to mention highly illegal - affairs, both with clientele and staff alike. Of course, this 'promotion' that had been gifted to her was probably because the dumb perverts who ran this place enjoyed staring at her modest, but still noticeable curves. Right now, though? She almost wishes she was one of the people that got let go for ‘budget cuts’. Almost being the operative word there.

“Are you sure, boss? Because you look really stressed,” Marty insists, offering a soft smile to his boss. “Maybe you should head home a bit early tonight? Go out, have a couple drinks. You know, try to loosen up a bit?”

“Of course Marty is the one to suggest going out for a couple drinks.” Linda thinks to herself, remembering how Marty had been one of the countless employees to have failed the company's annual **** test. Of course, since it was just weed, Marty was let off without a warning, given its legalized status. Others, though? Linda shakes her head, feeling slightly amazed at how people could even get cocaine nowadays, let alone manage to use so much of it that they fail a yearly **** test announced weeks in advance. "It's almost like this company is trying to go under..."

Linda tries to turn him down as politely as she can, simply shaking her head without saying another word. However, he lingers in the doorway, causing Linda's eyes to narrow to a glare. "I'm fine, Marty. Have a good night." Linda states, leaving no room for discussion.

Finally, Marty closes the door behind him, and Linda lets out a huff. Sinking into her desk chair, Linda’s huff turns into a groan, and then a short-lived scream.

“God, I am too old for this shit. I’m hurt, I’m tired," Linda growls. "And it feels like I’m working with nothing but a bunch of goddamn children around here!” She complains to no one, before pinching the bridge of her nose, a migraine already in its beginning stages.

“How did things get this way? What happened to my ambition? My drive? Why am I just sitting idle in this god forsaken office, when I could be out there, making a name for myself?”

She turns to the back wall of the room, the wall itself removed for a single glass window, overlooking the supposed view her office provides. Catching her reflection, Linda growls. The golden glow her skin once held is already starting to fade, and her short black hair looks like it's graying by the second, despite the fact she was still in her early-to-mid 30s. She couldn’t even be bothered to try and hide the bags under her bright amber eyes anymore, and why should she? It’s not like she has anybody she was looking to impress. After all, nobody wants to be with a thirty-something year old with a steady income and sensible set of morals. They all just want to be with a bunch of college thirst traps who they could knock up and leave behind, offering child support payments in exchange for their silence. "Oh wait, no they don't. Because if they did, then Ken wouldn't have failed to make his fucking payments, and gotten this shit leaked out in the first place!"

Linda collapses deeper into her chair. Her migraine worsens. “Shit… Maybe that pothead is right, after all…” Linda thinks to herself. "I should’ve gotten myself those tickets. At least then I’d have something to look forward to…”

Linda looks back to her computer, pulling up a tab she had purposefully been keeping out of sight for the past couple of hours. On it, a ticket website reminds her that her session has expired, but Linda ignores it. Instead, she focuses in on what she was looking for, and lets out a dry chuckle. It wasn't very often that a big-time company like this one came to town, even if it was just for a house show. In fact, the last time she could recall them coming to her hometown, it had to have been at least six or seven years ago, back when things seemed more lucrative than they truly were. Catching herself frowning, Linda closes out of the tab, sighing as her emails return to the forefront. "I wonder how they're doing, after all these years..." Linda thinks to herself, silently reflecting on some of the friends she had made. The ones from way back when, when she was still able to actively keep up with the ongoing product, rather than having to catch up on it with articles and videos online. Sure, she knew some things, but compared to her fandom back then? It's completely negligible. Enough to make her hesitate on getting back into it, putting it off each and every time... And that means each. And every. Time.

Before Linda can accomplish any more self-reflecting, her stomach abruptly churns. Nausea hits her, but she remains steadfast. “Nnngh… Come on!" Linda groans. "Come on, Linda. You can get over this. You haven’t taken a sick day in three years. It’s not like a little bit of nausea is going to…” Linda’s thought is never finished, as her empty chair is left facing the office view. Those left in the office, however, would find it interesting, given how in the past three years of them working for this company, today was the first time that Linda had ever taken even a little bit of time off solely for herself…

“...One of the current managers within Davenport Industries, Linda Mancer!”

Once again, the collective attention of those in the ring turn towards the entrance ramp, as a rather haggard-looking woman comes walking out to silence, save for the canned applause that rings out as normal.

With Linda equal parts alarmed and furious, the camera cuts away from her right back to Serenity, who turns to the others, lips curled into a smirk.

“Now, unlike our lovable underdog Kehlani here, there’s actually a good reason as to why Linda lacks theme music of her own.” Serenity explains. “You see, in most wrestling companies, most managers only come out to the theme of their current client, rather than having their own entrance music. And considering that Linda doesn’t have a client of her own, well…”

As Serenity trails off, Linda finally makes her way into the ring, stepping through the bottom rope and staying by the nearest turnbuckle. Looking between the others in the ring, Linda’s scowl only deepens as she takes in her newfound environment, before her eyes lock onto Serenity. She storms up to the host, hands curling into fists.

“Excuse me?!” Linda screeches. “Who the hell are you? Who are any of these people, actually? Where the hell am I? Where is my phone? How am I supposed to be able to-”

“Okay, that’s enough questions there, Miss Mancer.” Serenity steps in, forcibly guiding Linda into an open chair. “There’ll be plenty of time for questions after I welcome you… To Harem Hotel!”

“What?!” Linda cries out, her voice being drowned out by the sounds of the canned applause.

“Simply put, you and seven other women, four of whom you are sharing the ring with currently, are going to compete for the love and affection of your new Master, Christian Wheeler.” Serenity leans in, preventing Linda from speaking. “Or, as you might know him better as, username ‘CTKW_3000’. Am I right?”

Linda’s jaw drops, as she turns towards Christian.

“Wait, you-, hold on.” Linda stands up, brushing past the host. Ignoring Serenity’s shaking of her head, Linda strides up to Christian, eyes blazing. “You... You’re the one I was talking with online all those years ago? You?! What the hell happened to you?”

Christian averts his eyes, while Linda starts pacing.

“One day, everything’s going fine between us. I finally have a good friend that can help me forget about work for a little while. There’s someone I can talk with about an interest without them trying to get in my pants. Then, all of a sudden, you drop off the face of the goddamn Earth!” Linda ceases her pacing, getting in Christian’s face. “Do you have any idea how messed up that is? To just suddenly ghost someone without any explanation, and make them think they were the ones who did something wrong?!”

“I… I’m sorry? I… Didn’t know it would affect you that badly.” Christian mutters. “It wasn’t your fault, though-”

“Yeah, I know that now! Thanks a lot, by the way. Really means something for you to apologize to me six goddamn years after the fact.”

Although thoroughly enjoying the ongoing drama, Serenity steps in-between Christian and Linda. “Alright, alright, break it up, you two. I still have a show to get through, so-”

“No, you can hold on a damn minute!” Linda cuts in. “I don’t care about whatever dumb show it is that you’re running here, I demand an explanation! How the hell did I get here, and why is he here?!” Linda points to Christian.

“Well, if you would just calm down for a second, I’d tell you, Miss Mancer-”

“Then get to it already!” Linda demands, crossing her arms.

Serenity takes a deep breath, trying not to let Linda’s bossiness get the best of her. "It's for the sake of the game, Serenity. It's for the sake of the game."

“Miss Mancer, like I tried to explain to you before, you have been recruited to be part of the hottest game show on interdimensional television, the latest season of Harem Hotel!”

The cheering audience does nothing to lift Linda’s mood.

“Once again, you and seven other women will be vying for the affection of Christian, and competing in challenges for a spot in the Master’s harem.”

Upon hearing this, Linda’s eyes widen into pinpricks. “...What?” She mutters, barely audible.

“It’s exactly as I said, Linda. You, seven other women, vying for Christian’s affection.” Serenity reiterates.

Falling backwards into the same chair she was previously guided into, Linda’s head goes into her hands, her body trembling. Kehlani reaches out to her, but gets met with a slap of the hand by Linda, who forcefully brushes off Kehlani's attempt at help.

“Get your hands away from me, you… You harlot!” Linda spits out, Kehlani bringing a hand to her heart in response. “All of you… You’re all sick in the goddamn head! Especially you!” Linda stands up, getting in the host’s face.

“Me?” Serenity asks, acting in exaggeration, as if this accusation would be enough to have her be fired. "You're accusing me of being sick in the head? Me?"

“Yes, you! You… You kidnapped me from my job!” Linda exclaims. “And for what? To serve as some basement dweller’s sick, perverse fantasy?!”

Despite feeling clear offense at the term she used, Christian says nothing in response, having now experienced this comment twice over. Instead of giving her a response, Christian keeps his eyes firmly on Serenity, almost begging her not to do anything too harsh.

“You… Bring me home, right this instant!” Linda demands, only for Serenity to shake her head.

“I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Miss Mancer.” Serenity says, smirking at the ongoing outburst, which only pisses Linda off even further.

“What are you even talking about?! It HAS TO BE that simple, considering how you managed to kidnap me!” Linda pauses for a second, folding her arms. “What the hell was it, huh? Some secret knockout gas or something? You put something into the ventilation systems in my office? Is there somebody else that you are working with?” Linda continues her interrogation, jabbing a finger towards Serenity’s chest, as the host’s smile slowly starts to fade into a look of regret and exasperation.

“Miss Mancer, like I told you before, it’s not as simple as a mere gassing of the vent system-”

“Then what the hell is it, huh? What illegal things did you do to get me here? Were you secretly drugging my food? Was it some sort of… Subliminal cyberattack?” Linda asks, her voice cracking, desperation seeping in, oozing through her anger. “Tell me! Tell me what the hell you did to even manage to get me here in the first place, you bitch!”

Serenity takes another breath, and glares at Linda.

“It’s magic, Miss Mancer.” Serenity icily responds. “Stuff that’s way beyond the comprehension of you, or anyone else here on this show.”

Linda blinks. The host’s answer simply did not make sense to her mind, at this point. Her eyes narrow, her lips thinning in disgust, affronted by the possibility of being lied to once more.

“...Magic? You used magic to get me here?” Linda asks, drawing out her words slowly. Carefully. Decisively.

“Yes! It’s honestly really not that complicated. I simply used my magical ability to transport you here. Same thing I did to get everybody else you see here. Now, is that a good enough answer for you? Can I finally go back to continuing my explanation?”

A few seconds pass in silence, nobody daring to speak. Still seated in his chair, Christian urges Serenity not to do anything too rash, something the host seems to notice, and answers with a slight nod. Christian sighs in relief, grateful that she’s willing to put aside Linda’s temper for the sake of-

WHAP!

Christian’s eyes widen. The others stare in disbelief. Mere inches from Serenity’s face, Linda's hand stops dead in its track, mere inches from its target. Serenity's hands remain by her side, having barely even moved an inch. Linda's eyes dart towards her own hand in disbelief, before anger slowly seeps into her gaze.

Unable to move her hand away, Linda verbally attacks her once more, her voice brimming with fury. “You… Y-You complete moron! There’s no such thing as magic, you… Dumb bimbo! Now, you better start telling me the goddamn truth, or else I’m going to-”

Suddenly, Linda is shoved backwards into her chair, crying out in shock. She goes to stand up, only to find herself unable, no longer having permission to speak, let alone move. Serenity looms over her, scowling. The pendant on her chest gleams, causing Linda to shrink into herself, desperately trying to avoid the host’s wrath. From his seat, Christian watches on, shocked at Linda’s actions. However, what prevents him from getting up to try and help Linda is the fact that he's afraid. Afraid of what the follow-up might be to his own assistance. Just the same as he's afraid of what exactly Serenity's going to do, now that Linda's swung at her like this.

“...So,” Serenity clicks her tongue, “I was hoping to save this for when our eighth and final contestant arrived, seeing as how I know who it is." Serenity shakes her head. "But it’s clear that someone needs a lesson in respect," Her gaze narrows, falling squarely onto Linda's own. "And I need to be the one that teaches them how exactly a Manager is supposed to act.” Serenity states, her voice unnervingly calm. “So, allow me to show you all exactly what happens when you try to make things difficult for me.”

With just a mere flicker of her eyes, the amethyst’s gleam brightens momentarily, and an unfamiliar sensation begins building within Linda’s body and mind. A deep-rooted urge begins itching at her brain, causing her to silently cry out. Her voice is still left on mute by Serenity from her earlier actions, but that doesn't change the fact she must scream in fear. Begging and pleading fall upon working ears as she continues feeling her will being drained away. Strengths in personality are shredded like paper, as her screams of terror turn into soft whimpers. While nothing visibly changes about the woman in question, an odd haze begins forming in the pupils of her eyes. Their brilliant amber coloration dampen and fade, draining of color, until it’s finally left as a more subdued shade of its former self. Within her far-off gaze, flecks of amethyst dance from within; A reminder of exactly what has happened to her, and a reminder to those who wish to avoid the same fate as her.

As the transformation finally runs its course, Serenity backs off from Linda, allowing her to move once more. Shakily, she brings her hands to her face, feeling around to make sure nothing’s changed. But as she goes to speak, she lets out nothing but a soft squeak, clamming up immediately and pulling her knees up straight to her chest, shivering in her seat as the other contestants can’t help but to stare.

“Well, I guess I should explain what just happened, then?” Serenity turns to the others, drawing their attention away from Linda momentarily. A mixture of shock, awe, and horror - and, in one case, **** - each meet Serenity’s gaze, as she solemnly shakes her head. “Linda here demonstrated what happens when a contestant decides to try and break one of the show’s few golden rules - Do not attempt to physically harm either the Master… Or the season’s host.” Serenity’s lips curl into a gleaming grin. “Therefore, I simply had no other option but to dish out a punishment, to ensure such behavior would be corrected going forward. Therefore, Linda has officially acquired the first transformation of the season, ‘Meal Ticket’.”

As soon as Serenity name drops what Linda has just endured, a visual pop-up not unlike that of a video game notification appears, showing to not just the audience, but the contestants and Master exactly what Linda’s new transformation fully entails.

Meal Ticket: While some might be more physically involved than others, in the pro wrestling business, there is one universal constant: Managers aren’t fighters, they have people to do that for them. From now on, Linda will be unable to fight back against, or raise her voice at someone without explicit permission from one of her clients, and will instead look to others to try and fight their battles for them, be it physically, or otherwise. (Punishment)

“W-Wait, Serenity…” Christian trails off.

“That… That punishment, does that mean-” Serenity giggles before Gail can even finish speaking.

“Yep, it means exactly what you think it means, Gail. No more unnecessary threats of **** or brutality. No more harsh demands or shrill, piercing cries. Just sweet, sweet submission~. Just like all good managers do for their clients.” At this, Serenity crouches down next to Linda, a single finger tracing up her chin. "But don't fret, Linda. It's not all that bad! In fact, you should really be thanking me, you know?" Serenity's tracing turns into a cup of the chin, forcing Linda's eyes to meet her own. "Contestants like you have been eliminated for far less than what you tried to do to me, you know? You should really be thanking me. Now." Serenity's voice turns into a stern command.

Lisa stammers incoherently, tears welling in the depths of her eyes. "Th-Thank you..." She whimpers, bringing a smile onto the face of the host.

"See? That wasn't too difficult, was it?" Linda shakes her head, desperately trying not to enrage the host any more than she already has. "Now, tell me how sorry you are."

"I-I'm s-sorry... I'm s-so... S-So, so sorry... I-I'll never think about hitting you, ever again. I promise, o-on my very life. I'll never hit you again, S-Serenity." Tears start to fall from Linda's eyes, showing her lack of makeup as not a single speck of her face is ruined. Serenity goes to pull away, but Linda continues babbling. "I-I'm sorry for calling you a bimbo, or a bitch, or for s-saying you were sick in the head. I-I'm sorry for not believing that you were magical, in any way. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Linda's breathing hastens, each inhale becoming more shallow than the last. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'm-"

Before she can continue on, Linda's breathing hitches. Serenity pulls her into a hug, enveloping her in a sense of calm that, in most other situations, would only serve to numb their brains to the point of near-inability to function. Instead, though, Linda simply cries into Serenity's shoulder, her breathing slowly stabilizing, as tears continue to pour out of her eyes, and onto Serenity's skin. For a few seconds, the two simply remain there, until Linda's tears come to a mere trickle. As the calming spell fades, Linda's body slouches backwards into her chair. Her sounds of terror reduce themselves to mere occasional whimpers, her body language reading hollow. Her eyes are near-entirely devoid of any light, instead reduced to mere orbs of amber. The amethyst flakes are completely gone, but their presence is still being felt within her.

A few seconds pass in silence, the rest of the contestants looking between each other, frightened of the power that had just been revealed. Only Christian seems unperturbed by the display of what Serenity’s truly capable of, but even that is simply because of him bottling up his fear, just as he’s done since she prevented his escape before. The only sound made between the five of them are the sounds of slight whimpering coming from Linda, who clamps up as Serenity lets go of her hug, giving her a passing glance. Thankfully, the host’s gaze doesn’t linger for too long, as she looks back towards the hardcam, allowing Linda to curl inwards upon herself. After another beat passes, Kehlani outstretches an arm, trying to comfort her once more. This time, Linda accepts, no longer able to fight against such an action.

“Now then, with that piece of business out of the way." Serenity breaks the silence, her voice returning to that of its natural bubbly self. "Where were we…” Serenity trails off, counting under her breath. “Aha! That’s it! The Monster!” Serenity calls out, before glancing back at Linda, who shrinks under her gaze. “Dang, if it wasn’t for you, I would’ve had a perfect segue into this introduction." She jokes humorlessly. "Given how often we see monsters utterly decimating helpless little underdogs as a showing of their dominance.” Serenity points out, turning her eyes towards Kehlani, who pulls away, not wanting to be punished. “But, I guess it’s also good to mention how so often those who are billed as the biggest, baddest members of the entire roster tend to have people at ringside to help cover up their glaring flaws.”

With her returning to full-on host/shill mode, Serenity steps towards the center of the ring.

“Whether they be a supernatural menace, a horror-adjacent psycho, or just have a really, really big body for them to utilize, there are countless examples of workers who excelled at destroying those around them, causing countless injuries and making little kids cry all over the world! But then again, maybe this new contestant would prefer to be a more ‘gentle giant’ type of performer? The kind of sort that likes to dance, or to… I don’t know, kiss fat chicks, or whatever. Not that there's anything wrong with it, just...” Serenity trails off once more, groaning out in annoyance. "Ugh, let's just get this OVER WITH already! I already ruined the intro, and we've still got two more of these to do afterwards, so just bring out 'The Monster' already!"

"As if she isn't already here..."