The pen lingered for just a fraction of a second longer than it was required.
One more look was given by Kenji Jinkawa at the last page of the contract because it means that the closing of a chapter which he has been attempting to conclude for many years has finally come to fruition.
Once Jinkawa signed his name, it meant that the ownership of Vox had changed hands.
The contract itself was voluminous; it included many schedules and annexure to it as well—but essentially, the contract outlined three things very clearly:
Value of Acquisition - 138 Million 500 Thousand Dollars, including cash, debt assumed by Maston Holdings and repayment of Vox's liabilities (approx. 60 million dollars).
The transfer of Ownership - 100% stake of the Company now belongs to Vince Maston.
The Creative Autonomy Clause - Full Creative Control of Vox's Entertainment & Broadcasting Divisions through Vince Maston.
The legacy of liabilities - Legal and Tax liabilities held with the previous owner have now been released from Vox after the change in Ownership.
Jinkawa shut the file and took a deep breath; it was as if he had been holding his breath for the last few years.
"It's now yours," he said quietly.
Vince nodded slightly, his expression calm, almost detached. He rested his casted right hand on the table, with faint bruises still visible along his jawline. He was aware of the pain throbbing in the background; however, he chose to ignore it. Pain is temporary; control is forever.
They stood and shook hands, firm and professional.
Jinkawa smiled, genuinely this time. "I wish you success where I could not."
"I will," Vince said.
-----
One hour later, Vince sits alone in the office he now owns.
The top floor has floor-to-ceiling glass, and underneath Vince lies an infinite city.
Gavin Lindman quietly walked in and closed the office door.
For a few seconds, both men were silent.
Then Gavin broke the silence. "So, what now?"
Vince leaned back in his newly upholstered leather chair and enjoyed the smell of the new leather on his arms. "Now," he answered, "we survive being almost broke."
Gavin let out a humorless chuckle. "Almost?"
Vince smirked. "OK. Close to broke."
Gavin rubbed his temples. "You just bought a national broadcaster while you're practically broke and making enemies of half of the wrestling world here."
Vince looked surprised. "What do you mean by saying you monitor all the other promotions?"
Gavin paused for a moment. "Ever since you got attacked."
This caused Vince's injured hand to twitch.
"...Tell me what's going on," Vince requested.
Gavin took a deep breath. "As of the new owner of NPJW - Isagi. About the same age as you are and has an outgoing and anxious personality. He is always boasting."
"Boasting about me?" Vince asked.
"Boasting about Zen," Gavin answered. "Boasting about how Zen defeated you. Boasting about the weaknesses of the IRW. Boasting that now they can do whatever they want to."
This reaction from Vince was the opposite of what Gavin expected.
"Okay, please go on," Vince said.
"And I want to know how you plan to deal with that," Gavin said. "Because from where I'm standing, you just bought Vox and painted a target on your back."
Vince tapped the desk lightly with his good fingers. "While reviewing Vox's existing clients, I found something interesting."
Vince opened up a file and took out a page of paper with the initials on it.
"N.P.J.W."
Gavin looked surprised. "They are with Vox?"
"For now," Vince responded. "In a few months, their contract will end."
Gavin stared wide-eyed. "You are not suggesting—"
"I already called Nicholas," Vince said calmly. "Asked him to bring their ratings."
Gavin stared at him. "This isn't just about a TV deal, is it?"
"No," Vince replied as Vince shook his head. "That is just one layer of what is happening."
As he spoke, Vince rose from his seat and walked over to the window to look out over Dodge.
"Promotion wars," he said. "I plan to win one. Completely."
Gavin swallowed hard, "You're talking about destroying NPJW."
"They're the ones who threw the first punch," Vince said. "Now it is up to me to pick the time and place for the battle."
As they spoke they heard a knock on Vince's door.
Nicholas Branchett walked into the office with a calm demeanor and a thin folder tucked under his arm.
"Here are the ratings," Nicholas said, handing Vince the papers.
Vince quickly read over the papers.
"Before I ask you any other questions, what package does Vox sell that makes the most profit?" Vince asked Nicholas.
Nicholas stopped briefly to think before he responded without hesitating, "The NBA deal. They are the only part of VOX that is always profitable."
"Okay, and what about entertainment?"
Nicholas conceded, "We're bleeding money." He included in that, "Theatrical Movies. Scripted TV Shows. Variety Shows."
Vince was satisfied with this, and nodded.
His gaze returned to the rating sheets. The NPJW ratings were… awful.
Rating spikes were localized, but had little national reach, and trends were going down.
When compared to the IRW ratings, there is no comparison.
"What is it?" Gavin asked, leaning in.
Vince set down the papers. "It's easier than I thought."
"How so?"
"NPJW isn't a national brand," Vince said. "They're a local brand. They're very limited in their TV presence and that's the only thing keeping them alive at all.
He turned to Nicholas. "I want you, Vox, to be broadcasting IRW."
Nicholas did not even flinch. "I anticipated that."
He then pulled out a second document. "This is the contract we prepared. It's for a two-hour weekly slot during prime-time."
Vince smiled. "Excellent. You know how to please the new owner."
He looked at Nicholas with renewed interest. "You were awfully quiet during negotiations, Nicholas. Why?"
Nicholas hesitated. "I do not like boardrooms. I like to focus on creative output. The previous head was more of the former, that's why we are in this situation."
Vince chuckled softly. "You are in the right place then."
He gestured between himself and Nicholas. "You are in charge of the creative side of Vox, and Gavin is the director."
Gavin blinked. "Wait…what?"
Vince turned. "You're the CEO of Maston Holdings. You think I bought Vox to micromanage?"
Gavin stared at him for a long moment… then slowly nodded. "You're insane."
------
Later that evening, Lance Dawson was buried in paperwork, coordinating next show, when the door opened.
He looked up—and froze.
Vince stood there.
Cast. Bruises. Smiling.
"You're supposed to be resting," Lance said.
"I get bored," Vince replied. "How's everything?"
Lance shook his head, still processing. "Busy. RedTV's been silent, only two more shows left."
Vince nodded. "They will be."
Lance narrowed his eyes. "Did you…?"
"Vox," Vince said simply. "It's ours."
Lance's breath caught.
"And IRW?" he asked carefully.
"Two-hour show," Vince said. "National broadcast."
Lance sat down heavily.