Mastermind walks into an establishment that he usually does not frequent, because he's usually on the road, he's usually at home preparing to be on the road, he's actually wrestling, or he's focusing.

But today seems to be different. A few days out from the most important rematch of his career so far in the XWF, against Bobby Zi, in Houston, Texas, in America of all places, to face him for the opportunity to win back the X-treme Championship.

He's in a penguin suit, a tuxedo today. He feels so out of place, so over dressed. He walks up to the front counter.

The Booker looked up: "Can I help you sir?"

"I've got a Table for 2 booked."

"Certainly sir, what name sir?"

"M."

The Booker looked down at his table list.

"It's ready sir, but you're the first to arrive?"

"That's okay I'll wait here.."

"Very well, you can have a seat."

"Thanks."

Mastermind walks over to the waiting area and sat down. He hate waiting but tonight was different.

Two minutes later... The waiting was over. In came a sight he had not seen before, she looked beautiful and stunning in her Red dress, as she walked through the door. It was like watching an Angel walk out of the light.

It was Maria, the girl he met a week or so ago at a bar, that he was sort of told to go to, to have a drink or two. He connected with her there, got her number, and now she organized a date. She got her way.

Mastermind stood up as Maria walked over.

"Wow you look stunning."

Maria smiled "Thank you, you look different yourself."

"In a good way or bad way?"

"A good way of course. Shall we go in?"

"Certainly."

Mastermind nervously stood up, and they walked to the front counter. The Booker smiled when he saw Maria.

"I take it sir, this was who you were waiting for."

"Yes."

"Let me show you two to your table."

Mastermind and Maria followed the Booker to the free table, and sat them down.

"Your waiter will be right with you."

"Thank you."

The Booker walked off. Mastermind looked across at Maria.

"Thank you for suggesting this, this is so way outside my comfort zone it's not funny."

"That's okay I appreciate that you could take time out of your busy schedule for this meal. I just wanted to see you again."

Mastermind went shy.

"And I wanted to personally celebrate with you for ending your losing streak against Woeful last week. I knew you could beat him."

When Mastermind had met Maria in the bar, she had told him, that she knew him as a Wrestler, and was his number 1 fan.

"Although I did lose again in the Mini Gauntlet, so I'm back on a losing streak."

"Not for long, you'll beat Bobby Zi. Although in saying that I did a promo by the guest referee for your match just before I left home.."

"Tommy Gunn? What did he say?"

"Yes Tommy. He basically called you and Bobby losers and disrespected the Belt because of who came before you two. He even called you out because he thinks you have links to other people and going to get people to interfere for you on your behalf. Like a guy called Manu the Maori Warrior did."

Mastermind shook his head.

"I haven't paid anyone to cheat on my behalf, I believe in working my own match 100 percent, some people have others interfere on their behalf. Not me. And as for that Manu dude showing up in my match with Swagmire, I believe he called Swagmire out and wanted to wrestle him, and Swagmire said no or told him to become traditional. That would have been my guess for him to show up, because he wanted to get Swagmire's attention. Not mine. I had nothing to do with that."

Maria smiled.

"I believe you."

A waiter walked over, and handed Maria and Mastermind menus.

"Hi good evening I'll be your waiter for tonight, I'll come back in ten minutes."

"Thank you."

The waiter walked off. Maria and Mastermind looked at their menus.

"I must admit I did see Bobby's latest Promo before I left."

"What did you think of it?"

"Another confusing Promo, I don't think he knows what he's talking about, I think the pressure of holding the prestigious X-treme Title is becoming too much. It is hard at times defending against people who find out where you are and try and pin you every 12 hours or so."

Maria laughed.

"You did keep the belt for two weeks, what do you get for that?"

"A tag team or a Trios title shot. When I'm ready I'll call the boss, and let him know when I'll cash that in. I have a match against Gator next week for his Television Title. So I have title shots coming out my ears."

"Don't you have a fatal four way in Perth on Wednesday, you haven't done a promo for that yet.?"

"I do but no one else has shown up yet, and I'll get one or two in, over the next few days."

"Perth is like a 10 hour flight from here just a skip and jump across the ditch from Auckland. Would you mind if I went to watch you?"

"Of course I don't mind, I could get you backstage passes."

"Wow, no that's okay I'd prefer you to stay focused, I'm okay being in the stadium."

Mastermind smiled and looked at Maria, she looked back. There was obviously a spark there..




For the rest of the evening there was no more 'wrestling' talk, they enjoyed their meal, and then Mastermind walked Maria to her car.

"Thanks 'M' for a great meal, a great night, and great conversation."

Mastermind smiled.

"Thanks for getting me out of my comfort zone. I have to get going so I can get to Texas. I'll see you in Perth?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll phone you before your match with Bobby."

"I hope you do."

They looked at one another, and then Mastermind went in for the kiss, and Maria reciprocated. They then parted.
]\
MARIA WHISPERED: "Stay focused.."

"I will."

Maria gave Mastermind a hug, and then got in her car, and she drove away. Mastermind watched her go. He felt things were definitely changing in his life. He's just been focused on himself for far too long. Did he want to bring in someone else? That was what he was asking himself on his way to his car.