The camera pans around, bringing Hans von Richtoven, sat in a seat directly across from them; into view. Allowing his gaze to pass over each individual before him, he silently assesses them.
Such attention creates a palpable sense of unease in the room, and slowly the fidgetting and side glances begin to rack up.
Several more moments pass, as Hans allows a smile to form, clearing his throat as he does so.
(Hans): Thank you all for joining me here.
Muttered pleasantries come from those opposite him in response.
(Hans): I’ve asked you all here for what one hopes isn’t too much of a stretch for your skills.
Once more, he allows his gaze to fall on each of them individually.
(Hans): You see, I need to know what another man is thinking, and I hope that you…
He begins to gesture at each of them individually as he continues to speak.
(Hans): … an astrologist… you, a psychic… you, a card reader… you…
A pained expression forms on his face, as he snaps his fingers, trying to jog his memory, much to the discomfort of the person he’s pointing at.
(Hans): Sorry, what is it you do again?
In a distinctly unimpressed tone of voice, Hans gets his response.
(Man): Bone reader.
(Hans): That’s it!
He stops pointing, and settles for placing his hands in the palm of his lap.
(Hans): Now then, I’ve cast my net far and wide. All in the hope of finding out what exactly Ronnie McNeil is thinking...
Allowing this to sink in for a moment, he then carries on.
(Hans): Now then, can any of you help me?
A babble of rushed speech erupts as the various people assembled clamour to make their response heard.
Holding up a hand in request for silence, Hans waits until his voice can be heard above the din before adding.
(Hans): Consider this an audition, if you will. Let’s start of with telling me what it is I’m thinking just now… anyone?
Silence.
The pregnant pause continues for what seems like an age, none of them daring to utter anything. Eventually, a young man at the end of the row pipes up.
(Young Man): You’re thinking that we’re all frauds?
Chuckling in amusement, Hans tips his head in deference at him, as the scene fades out momentarily, before resuming on Hans as he walks down a corridor, his iPhone held to one ear.
(Hans): … Nein, was a nice try though. Jah, I’m on my way now… The doctor’s not saying anything new… I’ll take that as a good sign? Of course I will… Fine, we’ll focus on your workouts today… See you soon little brother…
Fading out once more, the scene now resumes with Hans; attired appropriately, just finishing up a sparring competition with his brother; Heinrich. Fist bumping as they break off, and head for their respective corners, Hans notices the camera, and with a few words in his native tongue back at his brother; heads for it.
He grabs the a towel out of the bag set in the corner, wiping off the sweat from his face, and then drapes it over the top rope, before settling into a comfortable position with his arms braced on the rope itself as well.
(Hans): Well well well, it seems that I have a challenger. A rather insignificant, bitter and attention-deprived at that, might I add…
Maniac. What good would it do me to face off against you in the ring anytime soon? You’ve insulted me, yes, and commited faux pas by saying I deserved to be injected by Ronnie. Nothing a little backstage attack won’t address however.
Fight you, one-on-one? After you spend almost an entire year scraping the bottom of the barrel with Deas? I know you fancy your chances against Eddie and whoever else you’ll face for the All-Star, but me? Really? I don’t think so.
Just because you’re now fulfilling your promotional obligations, and making a few outrageous statements into the bargain, doesn’t mean you get to face the World champion, let alone demand anything of him.
I get it though, you want to get back up to where you feel you belong, and the quickest way to do so if with the man at the top of the ladder. Tough. Once I’ve negotiated the challenge that Ronnie McNeil will present me at ‘Declarations’, then we’ll see if your name will be drawn from the tumbler. But not before then…
Speaking of the tumbler actually… Eddie. I’m not even going to spend much time refuting your latest take on the ‘truth’, but suffice to say, your name is still very much in that tumbler my friend. I do like it how you trot out the ‘gimmick’ line, given that everyone knows you wouldn’t shut up about how you couldn’t get a rematch against me in the first few months of my reign. You give me more credit than I’m due Eddie… apparently the random drawing of names from the tumbler was somehow manipulated into only releasing the names of those distracted by future matches or feuds…
He rolls his eyes exasperatedly.
(Hans): Suffice to say though, you’d have cashed in that rematch the moment you thought I’d be distracted by someone else, and off-guard; so spare us the soapbox preaching.
Now then, excuse me, I’ve got a match to train for…
The scene slowly fades to black.
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