The scene opens out onto a view of Hans von Richtoven’s apartment in New York City, high up in the Empire States Building. Dressed casually, a barefooted Hans, clad in a ¾ length pair of urban camouflage shorts, and the home kit of VfC Stuttgart is sitting on one of the black leather couches, ready for the promo to begin.

Nodding at the signal from off-camera, he starts.

(Hans): Listening problem Ronnie? Throwing stones in glass houses Ronnie?

An almost imperceptible shake of the head.

(Hans): You accepted my 'farce' of a challenge did you? I beg to differ. At no point during your brief and infrequent promo's have you actually stated a time and place. Of course while you’ve reiterated your ‘anytime and anyplace’ remark; sadly it doesn’t shed light on the matter. Standing by a statement you made before the challenge was given doesn’t really cut it as a suitable response I’m afraid. Perhaps I should have been clearer, and perhaps you shouldn’t expect me to dance to your tune like a child to the piper. On that note…

He moves forward on the couch, edging closer to the camera.

(Hans): … You ask why you should do what everyone wants you to do? Perhaps it could be because you don’t deserve to dictate in return? You play the victim, and it would be amusing, if it wasn’t for the chances you’ve been given to throw off that image.

His right arm moves to rest on the arm of the couch, fingers idly tapping away lightly on the leather.

(Hans): As I said in December. Whenever you feel ready to show that the last few months of your previous tenure here wasn’t the sad but inexorable decline of a former great, then I’ll have a title shot waiting for you. Whenever you feel that you’re ready to actually meet me face-to-face, rather than hit me in the back and then run as you so frequently did with AC, then I’ll have a title shot waiting for you. Whenever you feel ready to be beaten emphatically by someone who you claim hasn't progressed in over four years, then I'll have a title shot ready for you. Whenever you feel ready to step into the ring knowing that your hollow words of bravado are about to be torn asunder, then I’ll have a title shot waiting for you.

He kneads his fingers together.

(Hans): I don’t feel you’re ready, so why would I jump the gun and book you for a match? Why bother giving you another thing to claim mistreatment over, why bother giving you yet more reason to air your woes on being hard-done by, why give you more reason to draw attention away from yourself? All that talk you had about being able to beat me easily would conveniently be forgotten about, and I’d be held up as a manipulator. I’m no such thing; I’m a giver, not a taker. Yes, what’s on offer has conditions, minor ones at that. What’s on offer involves you being decisive, and specific. Let’s try and pin down an actual date shall we? The ball’s in your court Ronnie, always has. But then, I guess you’ve not been able to see it thanks to all the roadblocks…

Fingers unclasping, he leans back in his chair.

(Hans): And now to my opponent. I hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl result Buff. Personally American football has never held much appeal, I prefer a sport that flows, and isn’t set up to be an advertisers dream, but to each their own.

His head nods as he continues.

(Hans): You’re certainly right in that the All-Star can be in a league of its own. I remember the words that one of the former HWA Managers said, that the All-Star division can be just that, through skill, and not brutality. Skill…? I’ve certainly got it. But allow me to put forward a question to you. You’ve done well in this competition, you’re through to the finals, and you’re in with a genuine chance of gold for the first time in years. Why now? Why not in the World title scene? Why is it that the Buff Bridges of yore only comes alive now? Why is it that? Were you in that division for the ‘shits and giggles’? Were you in there to ‘play’?

His voice drops, his next words being articulated clearly and concisely.

(Hans): Let me say it so that I won’t confuse you. You have been downgraded to the All-Star division Buff. You were able to get momentum against Ronnie because he’s no longer of the calibre that could cause Talon or AC any trouble, men whom you are no longer able to run with on a regular basis. And you got through to face Ronnie by means of Lunatik, hardly a measuring stick with which to indicate your current level.

He idly scratches at the stubble on his chin, musing.

(Hans): Your theory however, does have a few flaws. Firstly, it assumes you’ll be wanting my title more than me. Wrong. Secondly, ‘has-been’ is a word with meaning. Take some time to consider my questions, and you’ll realize that that term applies to you rather neatly. So leave your ‘Dark Angel’ and ‘Real Stuff’ personas at home if you wish, and whip up the almightiest storm you can. This All-Star title of mine is not for the taking.

The scene fades to black.


OOC: Sorry for taking so long to get a response together, had the g/f's birthday at the weekend, and along with my money, it seems she's taken my writing mojo too... ;-)