The camera opens up onto the open plan living room of Hans and Vanessa von Richtoven. Its early morning and the sun is up hight enough to stream through the three large windows, lighting up the whole room with a warm glow. This high up in the Empire State Building, you’d be forgiven you were on the ground floor and not several dozen stories up above Manhattan. (Hans): So I thought it was to be with Melissa? A somewhat pained look comes over Jason. (Jason): Well… it was… until it wasn’t… He searches for the word. (Jason): She’s a bit caught up in stuff… HR can handle it… (Hans): Ah… The two fall silent for a second, leaving it best unsaid. (Jason): Vanessa! Whirling round at the unexpected sound, her face lights up when she catches sight of her co-commentor. She walks overcoming to rest behind Hans. (Vanessa): Jason! She blows a kiss towards the camera, moving in to lean over Hans’ shoulder. Her flaming red hair falls over him, causing him to dramatically blow some strands out of face to still have sight of the camera. (Vanessa): What are you doing? I didn’t know Butch has you doing these interviews? (Jason): Well, not normally, no… (Hans): Something about HR… (Vanessa): Ah… A more knowing look passes between her and Jason. (Vanessa): Well it’s good to see you again Jason, are you recording now? (Jason): I am… so keep it clean. (Vanessa): You’re one to talk! (Jason): I am trying… He adjusts his top. (Jason): … to be professional here Mrs von Richtoven. He makes a shooing motion with one hand causing Vanessa to snort with amusement and just remain where she is. After a few seconds, Jason gives up and just carries on. (Jason): So I’m Jason Thatcher, with me today to answer some burning questions is Hans von Richtoven. Better known to long time wrestling fans as ‘The Baron’. Hans takes his cue and nods at the camera. (Jason): Anyway, so lovely to see you again Hans, it’s been far too long. (Hans): We had you round for dinner, what was it… His head cranes round to look over at Vanessa, one eyebrow raised up as he pauses, wracking his brains. Clearly getting his answer off-camera, he turns back, already speaking. (Hans): … three weeks ago? He mouths ‘thank you’ off-camera, clearly aimed at his wife. (Jason): Yes, you did, it was lovely and of course you’ll both be round at mine before too long, but you know what I mean. You’re such a pedant. Off camera, Vanessa can be heard laughing, Hans grinning as she comes back into view, kissing him on the cheek and tousling his hair causing him to playfully swat her away. (Vanessa): Oh you know he can’t help himself Jason. She flashes another smile at Hans before once more leaning in towards the camera. (Vanessa): Right, I’ll leave you two boys to it. Be nice to one another. The last few words trail off in an ominous tone, both men nodding their assent to her as Vanessa once again moves off camera in the direction of the kitchen. (Jason): Ready to go then Hans? (Hans): Jah, let’s do this. (Jason): So, first things first Hans. You’re no stranger to HWA, you’re a former World champion, you’ve held the All-Star belt, been a tag-team champion, Intercontinental champion and finally a United States champion… but what’s brought you back? Hans seems almost lost in thought for a moment, reflecting on the past titles and his history in the company. His eyes tilted down now glance up to look at Jason. Lips pursed, he swallows, composing himself before speaking. (Hans): That’s… that’s a difficult one to truly answer Jason… I… (Jason): Oh give it a go Hans! (Hans): I’ll try. I… A light chuckle escapes from him at the thought of his lack of words. (Hans): Ah, right… I can tell you some things that it’s not, some things that play their part… it’s not any one thing on its own. It’s not an easy response I can give you. (Jason): Oh well we like complex answers here Hans, way more interesting. It’s like interviewing Maniac, you never know where you stand with him… neither does he if we’re honest… Both Jason and Hans share a knowing glance at one another, the latter trying not to react to the shade thrown, the former acting innocent. (Hans): Well… He clears his throat, stifling any hint of a laugh. (Hans): … so… why am I back? (Jason): Yes, why are you back? (Hans): So, it’s a little bit of… maybe ‘back’ is a bit too strong a word for now… I’m not stepping into the ring on camera… (Jason): For now. Hans’ eyes narrow, though he wags his finger in a playful admonishment of his interviewer. (Hans): Let’s not get ahead of ourselves mein freund. What’s the saying? One step at a time. (Jason): Couldn’t resist, sorry, go on. From off camera, Vanessa’s voice can be heard once more. (Vanessa): I said play nice boys… On screen, Jason rolls his eyes back in mock defeat. (Jason): Sorry hun. He gestures at Hans to carry on, who by this point has a knowing look of his own, amused by his wife listening in and the easy rapport the three of them have. (Hans): Ok, look, I’m back for Vanessa. As much as Butch and Wisdom have set out their vision for what they want this version of HWA to be, it's all too easy for it to slip into the old ways. Just look at what happened on Havoc. Was it tame compared to some of the things that have happened in years past? Yes. Could it have easily gone off the rails? Also yes. You’ve got Maniac being Maniac, loose cannons running about back stage and people out for blood… it’s like the thug putting on a nice suit for a change. Still a thug at the end of the day… so I’m back for her sake. (Jason): Well I’d hope any heroic rescues you’d need to do would include me…? Before Hans can answer, Vanessa comes back into view holding a cup of coffee in each of her hands. She leans down, settling one of the cups in front of Hans who flashes her another smile as he squeezes her now free hand gently in thanks. (Vanessa): You don’t have to ask that one Jason, of course he’d be like a knight in shining armour, rescuing the dazzling heroine… and her comic relief sidekick. (Jason): Oh just you wait honey, you’re for it. Another kiss gets blown at the screen as Vanessa again saunters off camera, cradling her own cup of coffee, smirking from ear to ear. A few seconds pass as Hans waits to see if either of them have any other mock barbs for one another. On screen, Jason gestures at him to carry on. (Jason): We’re professional here Hans… Another bark of laughter from off camera. Ignoring it, Jason carries on. (Jason): You were saying? (Hans): I… er… He takes a sip of his coffee to compose himself, thoroughly amused at the pair of them. (Hans): Right. So I’m back for Vanessa. I’m back for my friends in Butch and Matthew. For Butch, yes he has Wisdom, he’s his own man and he’s done so well to bring HWA back to TV… But he’s as pig headed at times as he’s always been. Hans takes another sip of his coffee, reflective. A small shrug of the shoulders as he concedes the next point. (Hans): We all are. All of us. Another sip of coffee. (Hans): So if I need to be that dissenting voice in his head, I’ll do that just as much as if… or when, rather, I have to stand by his side or cover his back. (Jason): And Matthew? (Hans): It’s a little tied in to what I was saying about Vanessa and what HWA is like. There’s some from the academy who are ready, some who aren’t and some who never will. I think I’ve got something that I can teach all of them. (Jason): In-ring work? (Hans): Not just that Jason. That’s Matthew’s forte. Sure, I’ve got my skill set, I’m always looking to try and improve on it myself but there’s more to it than the boxed in world that wrestling brings. Now that HWA is back, there’s going to be avenues opening up that these kids haven’t experienced before, haven’t seen or been tempted by. Some of it harmless, some of it not. Hell, the amount of wrestlers who made out like bandits in their day only to find themselves addicted to painkillers and living in a spare room by the end of their days… I’ve got something to offer them on that front. Maybe smooth out some of the rough edges on their way through this career they’re embarking on. (Jason): Vanessa’s not wrong to say you’re a knight in shining armour. (Hans): Do you want me to call her through? (Jason): Oh god no, leave that beautiful crazy bitch next door. I get eaten alive most nights by her, don’t give her more ammunition. The two of them laugh, Hans glancing round to see if Vanessa’s heard, but on this occasion she’s none the wiser. (Jason): Anyway, just one or two more for this small segment. So, next up, if you’re not back to be a wrestler full time, do you categorically rule it out in future? Yes or no. None of this, one step at a time. I’m not asking how long a piece of string is, I just want a yes or a no. (Hans): Scheiße… He looks around as if for help, almost appreciative of the question. (Jason): Now you can’t plead the 5th here Hans. An exasperated noise escapes Hans’ throat. (Hans): Urgh… fine, nein, I’m not ruling it out. (Jason): Excellent, see, that wasn’t hard. Looking very much like the cat that got the cream, Jason plows on. (Jason): Next up, you’ve said you’re back for Vanessa, you’ve been helping at the academy this past week or so and you were backstage at Havoc. Are we going to see you become more involved? Maybe something like an enforcer? Butch can’t be everywhere at once and with Maniac and William Draconis causing trouble…? (Hans): Hah… no. I don’t think I’ll be doing anything like that. One, he’s a man who can look out for himself and as I said earlier, I’m very much my own man and have my own views. There were always some of the old roster who couldn’t see the nuances and thought we were joined at the hip back in the day, but no, I’m no enforcer. Maybe one dark time and for a man who we’re all better off knowing is gone, but no. He takes another sip of coffee, mulling over his words for a few seconds before carrying on. (Hans): Look, I never went looking for trouble. I’m not looking for it now. I’m here to look after my wife, though that’s probably more for my sake than it is hers. I’m intrigued in what Butch and Wisdom have done and a little apprehensive at the same time. I’m still match fit, I was over in Japan just a few months ago, so I’m ready for what the next few weeks and months bring… and if it comes to it… yes, ok Jason, yes I’d step into that ring. Jason claps his hands, beaming. (Jason): Wonderful! And that’s a wrap. He gestures behind Hans, pointing in the direction where Vanessa went. (Jason): Right, you go and say some nice things about me and I’ll do the same about you and we’ll all have dinner at my place next week, ok? (Hans): Works for me Jason. (Jason): We’ll have this up in the next hour or so Hans, thanks a million, bye! Hans raises his left hand up, palm open as Jason mirrors it, as the screen fades out on his screen, leaving Hans facing a blank TV. He mulls his thoughts one more time, before draining the cup of coffee. (Hans): Scheiße Hans, whatever happened to just sticking to ‘no comment’? Muttering to himself, he gets up out of the chair as the scene slowly fade to black.
Hans von Richtoven, attired casually in a plain slim fit black t-shirt and a pair of olive green cargo trousers is sitting comfortably on one of the couches. Facing him is a large TV screen, currently showing the counterpart to his wife on the commentary team; Jason Thatcher.
From off camera, walking between rooms at the back of the living room comes Vanessa von Richtoven.
Spying her, Jason lights up and shouts out.
Both men adjust themselves, getting comfortable as on screen, Jason brings up a set of question cards to work through over the coming minutes.
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