The scene opens up onto a small café in Perth; Australia. It’s early morning, and the place is brimming with patrons having their breakfasts. The camera moves through the various patrons, coming out onto a shaded portion of the terrace, where Heinrich von Richtoven is currently sat, enjoying his own meal, and reading the morning paper.

The camera pans around to face back towards the entrance to the terrace, where Mark Spencer, an old friend of the von Richtoven’s enters. He heads straight for Heinrich, pausing as he gets to him. The shadow he casts covers part of the paper, causing Heinrich to falter in his reading.

(Mark Spencer): This seat taken?

Heinrich’s head snaps up at the familiar Texan drawl of his friend, a warm smile forming. He gestures with one hand at the seat invitingly.

(Heinrich): Not at all, be my guest.

Mark pulls the chair out, sidling in front of it. He extends his right hand out across the table which Heinrich reciprocates, shaking hands in greeting.

He settles himself down, stretching out his feet as he does so.

(Heinrich): Glad you could make it.

(Mark Spencer): Any excuse to see one of my best friends!

(Heinrich): That doesn’t sound like the kind of reasoning that your wife would let you get away with…

Heinrich’s eyebrows raise, an appraising look appearing on his face until Mark relents, grinning.

(Mark Spencer): Yeah, you’d be right about that. Officially, I’m here to scout some talent for the gym and federations back home. Unofficially, I had to promise to make amends to the mother-in-law as well for what I said last time…

He trails off, still grinning, but raises his hands to forestall any continuation.

(Mark Spencer): But I’d rather not speak about that. Both of those can wait though. I’ve got some catching up to do with you and Hans.

Heinrich plunges his fork down into his Caesar salad, picking out a piece of grilled chicken, and popping it into his mouth. He swallows hastily after only chewing briefly, and looks back at Mark.

(Heinrich): Well you’ll probably be waiting a few days before you can catch up with him.

(Mark Spencer): Why? What’s up with him?

(Heinrich): Didn’t take the news that he’s facing Senester very well.

Before Mark can respond, Heinrich continues.

(Heinrich): Actually, that’s not true. I think it was more what Senester said in response to their pairing, that actually threw him.

(Mark Spencer): Ah… right. So where is he then?

(Heinrich): God knows. Him and Vanessa decided to drive to Perth, via every detour possible no doubt.

He shrugs his shoulders as he takes a sip of his orange juice.

(Heinrich): And I wouldn’t bother calling him, he’s switched his phone off.

(Mark Spencer): For Hans that’s pretty dramatic.

(Heinrich): Tell me ‘bout it. Still, once he get’s his head around everything that’s been said, and straightened it out with Logan, I’m sure he’ll get into the spirit of things.

Mark nods in agreement, before catching the eye of a passing waitress with a brief raise of his left hand.

She saunters over, unclipping her notepad to take his order.

(Waitress): What can I get you dear?

(Mark Spencer): I’ll take a fresh orange juice if you’d be so kind darlin’.

He flashes her a smile, as she moves away to get his order taken care off.

Heinrich continues eating his Caesar salad, but notices his friends eyes follow the waitress. Through a mouthful of food, he breaks Mark’s reverie.

(Heinrich): *Muffled* You’re a married man…

Marks head turns round to face Heinrich.

(Mark Spencer): Hmm, what?

Heinrich swallows, rolling his eyes.

(Heinrich): Never mind. What brings you down here so early anyway? I thought we were going to meet up later?

(Mark Spencer): Ah, you know how it is. I can never stick to timetables at the best of times. Besides, I was curious to see what you’d be doing to prepare for Davis.

Heinrich gestures at his breakfast.

(Heinrich): Well it’s a bit early for that Mark.

(Mark Spencer): Not really. A good diet plays its part afterall.

Heinrich snorts with amusement.

(Heinrich): Well let’s reserve any true impressions until I’m in the gym, ok?

(Mark Spencer): Nice try, but no. We start now. Come on, tell me, how confident do you feel?

Somewhat reluctantly, Heinrich responds to his friends friendly goading.

(Heinrich): I don’t know. Very?

(Mark Spencer): Why’s that?

(Heinrich): Cos’ he’s facing a tag match not long after against the Sons of Anarchy. Obviously…

(Mark Spencer): Uh-huh, well ok Captain Sarcasm, that’s all good and well, but it seems that you’re overlooking your ability to beat him anyway, regardless of whether he’s in another match or not.

(Heinrich): I’m not overlooking it. It’s just that it’s not going to be the true deciding factor. It’s going to be what Davis decides to put into this match, and how much punishment he feels he can take without compromising his ability to back Anton up later.

(Mark Spencer): Go on.

(Heinrich): I have no doubt that I’m a better competitor than Davis, even more so when it comes to singles competition, but I don’t have to go for the inadvisable and risky moves in order to beat him in this one. He’s either going to extend himself going for the quick win, or realize that he’ll have to hold something back for the Sons of Anarchy and give in. Probably the former going by what I’ve seen before.

(Mark Spencer): But if you had to, would you go in guns blazing from the bell? Might be best. Senester seems to think Davis’ll try to use you as an example for Hans…

(Heinrich): He can try, and then duly fail.

(Mark Spencer): You sound just like your brother.

Heinrich breaks into a smile.

(Heinrich): I’ll take that as a compliment. *Sighs* Look Mark…

He takes another sip of his orange juice.

(Heinrich): … I’m more concerned at what Anton may do, rather that what Davis will get upto. I can take either one of them in a straight fight, but they’re inseparable, and a pair of cheating hacks to boot. I’ll go in guns blazing if I have to, but either way, the ball’s in his court with regards to how he wants to play it, but I’ve got the response to whatever he can try.

(Mark Spencer): Fair enough Heinrich. How soon do you think you’ll feel that way about Logan?

(Heinrich): How long is a piece of string?

(Mark Spencer): Touché. But indulge me anyway.

(Heinrich): If I can get a few sparring sessions with my brother, get through this match and the next one without injury; keep up my training, then maybe for ‘The Other Side’. I guess…

He stabs his fork once more into his salad.

(Heinrich): Truth be told, I’ll probably face Logan sooner than I’d really like to, regardless of what I do to prepare, so it’s irrelevant.

(Mark Spencer): What about by the time Ringmaster comes around?

(Heinrich): I’d be more likely to say I’m ready to face him, yeah. But I’d have other things on my mind, as will everyone else…

(Mark Spencer): You heard anything about the running order yet?

(Heinrich): Still hearsay and rumours at the moment.

He gestures behind Mark, to where the waitress with his glass of orange juice is making her way towards them.

(Heinrich): But enough about that, get that drink downed, and then I’ll show you firsthand my preparations for Davis.

Mark nods his head at this, a satisfactory grin emerging as he turns his upper torso around to better view the waitress as she approaches.

The scene fades to black.