In front of him, arrayed in three rows of seats are assorted reporters and journalists, while off to the side are the cameramen. The camera pans around, bringing a large golden tumbler into view, set a few meters off to the side of the press table, currently filled with white plastic balls.
At a motion from someone off to the side, yet visible to Hans, he clears his throat, and leans forward to the mics, the reporters falling silent.
(Hans): Thank you for all coming. Before we get down to the questions that you want to ask me, I'd like to draw your attention…
He gestures at the golden tumbler.
(Hans): … towards that tumbler, and the names it contains in the plastic balls, as we're going to first of all find out who'll be facing me at the first Havoc of the year in a match with the World title on the line.
The voices from the press pit begin immediately, as one reporter leaps to his feet.
(Reporter 1): Why the need to do another draw Hans? You did it live at the last Havoc afterall.
A second reporter cuts across the first one.
(Reporter 2): Some might say that you're fixing the results Hans!
Various other voices add their weight to those already speaking, forcing one of the HWA technicians off camera to allow a wash of static feedback into the equation, forcing everyone to be silent.
Hans raises up his hands apologetically.
(Hans): I can assure you that there is, and will never be for that matter, any intentional manipulation of the results. The reason for this draw though, is that Angelus Payne was in fact the name drawn from the bowl at the Havoc past. Obviously, due to his current status, it's not possible for me to face him, and until certain legalities and negotiations were met backstage between his representatives and management, I wasn't able to announce anything.
He gestures over at the tumbler, and the various plastic balls contained within.
(Hans): His name is for that reason, withdrawn from the lottery for now, until such time that he can return to action.
(Reporter 2): Could you not have at least mentioned his name straight after the draw?
(Hans): I was made aware of potential complications with Angelus in advance of going out, in case his name was drawn. You'd have to ask the management themselves for specifics though, as all I was told was that if his name came out, to keep quiet, and move on to the next thing I had to say.
(Reporter 2): You didn't question that? At all?
A flash of irritation crosses Hans' face.
(Hans): We've got more people that just myself and Angelus on the roster. And I had a timescale to stick to. So no, I didn't. I'm in the HWA because I can wrestle, not because I'm good at playing '20 Questions'.
The reporter, somewhat cowed by the tone of Hans' voice sinks down onto his seat.
(Reporter 1): Will the other lottery drawings be similar to this one? Done at a press conference, and not on the show?
Hans shrugs his shoulders, exhaling a burst of air as he does so through pursed lips.
(Hans): I couldn't really answer that. As I've got the World title, I've certainly got enough press conferences scheduled that it'd be easy to manage, but again, there's a good reaction to be had by drawing it on a show as well. I guess it would depend on whether the breaks between the various matches clash with whatever cheap shot and sneak attack comes my way.
He shrugs again, looking around at the room in case of further questions. After a few seconds, he gets to his feet, moving across to the tumbler. He motions for a mic, and duly get's one passed to him.
(Hans): Now if my glamorous assistant would be so kind as to come out and draw a name, we'll make a start on this World Title Lottery.
From behind the HWA backdrop steps Vanessa Lang, who with a jaunty wave at the various reporters and cameras along with a mouthed 'assistant?' aimed at Hans to go along with a teasing expression, steps up to the tumbler.
(Hans): Glamorous though…
He catches himself, before sheepishly covering the mic with one hand, having forgotten that he was holding it.
Hans leans in close to her, moving the mic away from his mouth, but not far enough away as to render his next words unclear. A grin begins to flourish as he speaks.
(Hans): I don't need to tell you what to do, right?
Playfully pushing him away with a matching smile on her face, Vanessa places one hand on the handle, and begins to rotate it, spinning the tumbler, and the balls contained within.
After a good ten seconds of spinning, she slows the pace until the tumbler comes to a halt. She unclips the mesh door, and reaches in picking out on of the plastic balls. Fastening the mesh with one hand, she hands the plastic ball to Hans with the other. Clasping the mesh door shut, she then accepts the mic, and holds it up while Hans unscrews the ball, and unfurls the name contained within. His eyes look over the name, before looking up at the reporters, as he turns the paper round to face them.
(Hans): The name drawn out of the tumbler, and consequently the first challenger I'll face for my World title, is Gabriel!
The camera zooms in on the piece of paper clearly marked with Gabriel's name in bold font, as the scene fades to black.
To be continued…
Message Thread
« Back to index