The scene fades back in later in the day upon the HWA Academy media and promotional floor. Hans von Richtoven, now showered and changed into a pair of olive green cargo pans and a slim fit white t-shirt is at present making his way down the open plan room, two young new-starts following him.
Wide eyed and eager, they hang onto his words as he gestures periodically to different sections of the room as they make their way along the floor.
The camera follows behind as they wind their way through the small teams working in place on their laptops, through break out areas filled with comfortable looking leather sofas and chairs and towards a series of offices towards the back of the room.
Moving in as the trio comes to a halt, the camera catches the last few words as Hans shakes hands with both the others.
(Hans): … now remember, Marcus will be along shortly and get you introduced to your team mates, get yourself a drink from the coffee machines here while you wait.
He gestures behind them at one of the barista style machines set up.
(Hans): I can recommend them and that’s praise from me, my wife calls me a caffeine snob for good reason. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some things to attend to, but I’ll see you both soon, jah?
The two young staffers again thank Hans as he nods, smiling at them before making his way past them and towards one of the doors next to the row of offices.
Walking past one of them, he raises his hand in greeting at the occupant, the tag next to the door reading ‘Wisdom Parker’ flashes past the camera as it keeps pace with him.
Hans takes a left and through a door that enters a stairwell. Whistling to himself tunelessly, he sets off down a flight, nodding his head at another member of staff who passes him on their way up.
Exiting the stairwell, he’s in the section of the Academy used for the wrestlers to practice and record their own promos. Checking the room he’s come to is empty, he spies one of the rookies currently shooting.
Giving them a thumbs up to carry on, Hans pulls out his iPhone and settles himself against the wall, his left hand loosely gripping his right bicep for support while he taps away on his phone with his right thumb.
He spies a message having come through and with a low sigh, prepares himself for it.
A roll of the eyes and a low chuckle comes from him, as he takes in his father in law’s message.
The result of Stuttgart VfC, his home team in the final game of the season had left a lot to be desired and they were now being forced to go through a two game decider to see if they would remain in the Bundesliga for next season.
Typing away, he takes seconds to retort.
He thumbs the send button and goes to close his messages before thinking better and types out a further response and sends it.
Taking a mental note to speak to his wife later, the occupant of the promo room exits, holding the door open for Hans to step in.
Sliding the phone into his pocket, Hans exchanges a few brief words with him, patting him on the shoulder as he moves into the room.
Well accustomed to the room now, Hans wastes little time in switching the digital background back to the default ‘HWA’ logo, visible to him on the monitor before him, the green screen behind him allowing such things to happen.
One deep breath and he hits the record button, the counter flashing up giving him the 3… 2… 1…
(Hans): Maniac… Antonio… whoever. Thought I’d take a few moments out of my day to check in with you, see if you were threatening anyone here at the Academy again. To your credit, no, you’ve gone after your opponent for this Havoc; Draconis.
A small contemplative nod of the head as he pauses briefly.
(Hans): I have to say I’m looking forward to seeing you both face off. I put that down to you stating you’re after a clean match Maniac, very unlike you… colour me intrigued, as the saying goes.
Speaking of which…
You agreeing to keep back from Matt and the other members of the Academy. Gut. Sehr gut. But…
Making a ‘hmmm’ noise at the back of his throat, Hans looks into the camera, the index finger of his right hand waggling.
(Hans): I don’t believe you.
I mean, you cost yourself a quarter of a million in one night… you actively go on about how you embrace chaos… and on that point, I do believe you, it’s one of the few things I think we can find common ground on.
You alternate from gas lighting to sycophantic praise…
You’re in need of someone to help you take charge of things but don’t you dare get in my way or talk to me in that way…
A slight pause as an almost quizzical tone enters his voice with his next question.
(Hans): Rhetorical question, but does the left hand know what the right hand is doing?
A moments pause, he changes his stance slightly, loosening up.
(Hans): Your match against Draconis wasn’t scheduled to make you enemies of one another, but why let reality get in the way, jah?
But then, as you say, when you spend a lifetime, and I quote, being satisfied to just go out and take what you want without worrying about consequences, it can come as a rude awakening when something bursts that bubble.
Now…
His arms go wide, outstretched from his torso.
(Hans): … I know what you’ll say. I should keep my mouth shut, I’m not a competitor on the roster… jah, that’s true.
But last I checked you don’t make the rules… and again, even if you did, y’know… would you stick to them yourself? Herr Chaos?
He shrugs at this, an innocent expression crossing his face.
(Hans): What’s a man to do?
His index finger comes up, as if remembering a point.
(Hans): Of course, jah… act like we’re in high school… what was it, ‘brute violence and absolute chaos’ as you put it… I mean I’m a fan of the verbal sparring like this, mein vater always told me that to resort to fists was just to accept you had no defense to the argument… but he also told that there’s always a bigger fish out there…
So Maniac, you’ve thrown your weight around a lot, you’ve put your line in the sand and frankly thrown plenty of it in Butch and Wisdom’s eyes while you’re at it.
Just keep swimming mein freund, just keep swimming…
He thumbs the stop button and steps out of the booth as the scene fades to black.