Panning around, the camera focuses on Heinrich von Richtoven, attired in a comfortable set of slate grey jeans, Caterpillar branded Vern boots and a plain white t-shirt underneath a hoped purple, deep blue and grey combination jumper. The wounds suffered at Havoc are either faded, or hidden from view…
Ignoring the camera, he sips appreciatively from a cappuccino, while his other hand flicks the pages of a large paperback book, ‘The Iron Jackal’ visible in brief spurts as the pages flex up as his hand relents in the pressure in order to turn another page.
Little else happens for several moments, until the distinctive voice of Heinrich’s elder brother comes from off camera.
(Hans): Ah, there you are!
Stepping into view, Hans; attired in a pair of Levi 501’s, Fly London branded buckle boots and a grey and black striped turtleneck sweater, pulls back the chair across from his brother, setting down a manila folder onto the table, followed by his iPhone and car keys.
(Heinrich): Driving? Someone’s being brave this morning.
(Hans): Parked three blocks up, I don’t know what I was thinking when I took the keys this morning…
Heinrich gets up, and embraces his brother.
(Heinrich): Glad you could make it!
He gestures at the manila coloured folder that Hans sets on the table as he settles himself down into the chair opposite him.
(Heinrich): What’s in there?
(Hans): Oh this…?
Tapping the folder twice with his left hand, Hans’ eyes gaze on it momentarily before rising to focus on his brother’s face, who settles back down into his own chair.
(Hans): This, might well be nothing more than me seeing a conspiracy where none exists… but…
Catching the eye of a passing waiter, he gestures at his brother’s drink, and then raises two fingers. Nodding, the waiter scoots off to complete his order.
(Hans): You want a refill, yes?
Nodding his head, Heinrich raises up his cappuccino taking another sip, before responding.
(Heinrich): Danke.
(Hans): Anyway, where was I?
With a snap of the fingers, he resumes.
(Hans): Right, anyway, this might be nothing, but I’ve been doing some investigating recently.
He taps the manila folder with his left index finger.
(Hans): Remember McNeil injecting me with tha… of course you remember! Anyway, I’m still no closer to finding out the results of what was in that injection and it’s been months now. Each time they seem closer to finding out, they hit a dead end.
(Heinrich): Who have you gone to again?
(Hans): Who haven’t I gone to Heinrich…
At this point, the waiter returns, settling down both drinks in front of their respective drinkers to thanks from each brother.
(Hans): So, I started looking for second opinions on what I was being told. I got nowhere with that…
Giving in, he takes a sip of his own cappuccino, sighing with appreciation, as his brother finishes his first.
(Hans): … but one thing led to another, and I got in touch with some people who started digging. I don’t know any of the doctors I’ve dealt with regarding this personally, I was referred to them. But every time I went to someone new, it always seemed so promising for the first fortnight, and then, then it would just nosedive into the ground… and I mean, every time. At first, it was disheartening, then frustrating, and I was getting quite ‘verbal’ with one of them at one point, but there’s only so many times it can happen before even I get suspicious…
(Heinrich): So what did they find?
(Hans): Five million being wired into offshore accounts in the names of each doctor I spoke to, before I was referred to them and after I moved on to another.
A low whistle involuntarily escapes Heinrich’s lips, as his eyes widen at this revelation.
Settling back into his chair, Hans nonchalantly takes a sip of his drink, before dropping his gaze down onto the folder.
(Hans): Loose change for certain people, no?
The implications begin to sink in, as his younger brother forces out words.
(Heinrich): Jah… loose change… for sure…
Eyes falling upon the folder, he looks up his elder brother who is now deep in thought.
(Heinrich): Where do we go from here then?
(Hans): Good question... and one I wish I could answer right now…
Heinrich tilts his head at the camera.
(Heinrich): Because of this?
(Hans): Partly... I’ve not even had time to fully read what’s in this though…
(Heinrich): Well neither of us have to be anywhere for the next hour or so, and it’s nearly lunch time…
(Hans): Concern for your brother, or your stomach?
(Heinrich): What is it they say…? I plead the fifth, jah?
Both brothers share a laugh.
(Hans): Curiosity killed the cat you know little brother.
(Heinrich): Yeah, yeah, now give it here!
He swats his brother’s hand off the manila envelope, and lifts it up onto his side of the table.
(Hans): You’ve got all the reading material you know… stop being selfish…
(Heinrich): You wouldn’t like my book; it’s got humour in it…
Snorting with amusement, Hans takes another sip of his drink.
(Heinrich): Tell you what; I’ll do my best at multi-tasking. I’ll read this, and listen to what you’ve got to say about what you’re going to do against Ronnie and Talon…
(Hans): *Dryly* How generous of you.
(Heinrich): I do try…
The camera pans out, their voices becoming indecipherable as the scene fades to black.
To be continued…
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