Dressed casually in a pair of ¾ length camo shorts, and a plain black t-shirt, he looks at ease as his fingers manipulate the controller grasped in his hands.
On the armrest of the sofa rests his phone, which starts to ring, causing him to mutter a curse as his left hand quickly darts from the controller to the phone, lifting it up so he can see the caller ID, and then switch on the speaker.
(Heinrich): Hey Hans.
(Hans): Hey. You busy?
(Heinrich): Kinda…
With another muttered curse, he misjudges a corner, sliding his car off the track and into the gravel traps beyond.
(Heinrich): Well… not anymore.
He quits the game, returning to the game lobby, and muting the TV with the remote at his side.
(Heinrich): I forgot how bad you can become when you don’t play online for a while...
With a knowing tone in his voice, his brothers responds.
(Hans): Ahhh…
Heinrich gets to his feet, walking up to his PS3 and ejecting the disk from it, plopping it back into it’s case.
(Heinrich): So, what brings you to call me?
(Hans): Just wanted a quick chat before I head out.
(Heinrich): You and Vanessa going somewhere nice?
(Hans): Not today, no. She’s out having lunch with friends and I’m just having as much time as possible to myself as I can manage.
Heinrich flops down onto the sofa, before stretching out and folding his arms behind his head for support.
(Heinrich): You seen the card announcement then?
(Hans): Vanessa didn’t exactly give me the option of not knowing it.
Heinrich’s chest judders as he laughs.
(Heinrich): What did she think of your match then?
(Hans): She seems quite happy that it’s Buff. Was pretty pleased he got that three year old monkey off his back by winning the All-Star belt as well actually.
(Heinrich): You thinking the same?
(Hans): Pretty much the same, yeah. Been a good few months since our last match as well, and both of us are coming in on the back of significant wins.
He pauses briefly, even through the phone line his relaxed and happy tone clearly translating.
(Hans): Yeah, this’ll be the perfect match to set the standard of what we’re capable off for our respective reigns. *Scoffs* Not that I’m sure it matters to a certain ‘man’…
(Heinrich): Heard what he said as well then?
(Hans): Yeah, another thing Vanessa didn’t give me an option in…
He trails off laughing.
(Hans): Seriously though, I’m ’on notice’?
The sound of him crossing the wooden floor of his apartment becomes audible momentarily, as he goes about getting ready.
(Hans): Hold on, I’m just going to put the phone down while I get my shoes on.
A muffled thump sounds from the speakers as Hans places down the phone, followed by the sound of laces being drawn tight and knotted. The phone is soon picked up once more.
(Hans): Right, back. Anyway, yeah, ‘on notice’? Fair enough, I just hope he bothers to actually turn up for our next match, because I was far and away the better man, worked harder for that win than he did and came out the better competitor last time.
(Heinrich): You spoke to management about your proposal yet?
(Hans): Yeah, I managed to squeeze in the general gist of it during one of those many phonecalls you get. *Sighs* Seriously, my schedule has become full fast.
Heinrich makes an appreciative noise as he stretches out, holding it for a good few seconds, before responding to his brother.
(Heinrich): Ah, my sympathies. You’ll be pleased to know that I’m in exactly the opposite position from you, and my next pressing concern if whether I want to eat in, or out tonight, and quite probably what PS3 game I want to play next afterwards, rather than worrying over some merchandising approval or photo-shoot.
He grins, waiting for a response that’s not long in coming, sarcasm oozing from every syllable.
(Hans): Thanks for your support.
(Heinrich): Remember though dear brother, with great power, comes great responsibility…
He trails off cackling with laughter, while a low chuckle comes from the speaker.
(Hans): You’re a real schweinhund sometimes, you know that?
(Heinrich): Yeah. I do…
He trails off once more laughing.
(Hans): Seriously though, what have you got planned for today?
(Heinrich): I’m thinking I’ll head down to the gym in the next hour or so, work the weights for a bit… erm, I’ll see where it goes from there I suppose…
He makes a small sound at the back of his throat as he swings his body round on the sofa, moving his legs off it and onto the floor and manoeuvring himself into a normal seating position.
(Heinrich): No point in taking things too easy due to who I’m facing. A little pain now, a little less pain later.
(Hans): Good. That’s the spirit.
(Heinrich): Plus… y’know… *Sighs* I guess it’ll mean I won’t be focusing on Ricky for a while.
(Hans): There was nothing you could have done Heinrich, nothing at all.
Both of his hands run through his hair as he listens to his elder brother’s words, and as he responds.
(Heinrich): I know, but… you know I’ve always been the one that’s easily guilt-tripped over even the smallest of things…
He bites his lower lip briefly.
(Heinrich): It was the look in his eyes that got me though, when he was being carried off by the EMT’s… it’ll stay with me, it really will.
His brother’s voice, edged with sadness, comes across again.
(Hans): We all know the risks that are involved Heinrich. We step out from behind the curtains fully aware of the potential outcomes that a wrestling match brings. What happened is nothing that you did with malice. You were on your back in the ring, the ref came to check on you, blocked your line of sight, Ricky went for a move and landed badly when Zero rolled out the way. If the referee didn’t know what happened until Zero could actually tell him, then how the hell were you to know?
A lull descends on the conversation, as Heinrich takes in his brother’s words. Exhaling loudly, he scratches the nape of his neck with his left hand as he gets to his feet.
(Heinrich): Yeah, you’re right.
His lips draw taut, his facial expression hardening.
(Heinrich): And just in case you’re wanting to keep on this topic of being right, I’d really appreciate you not bringing up his name right about now.
A low sigh comes from the speakers.
(Hans): I wasn’t going to actually.
(Heinrich): Good.
He glances at his watch.
(Heinrich): Anyway, listen Hans, thanks for the call, but if I’m going to hit the gym then I’d best start getting ready.
(Hans): Ok. Speak soon.
(Heinrich): Bye!
He walks across to the phone, thumbing the disconnect button, as the scene fades to black.
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