The scene opens out onto a view of the kitchen in the von Richtoven villa in Australia. The morning sunlight streams through the open windows, with the sound of children laughing as they swim in the pool somewhat discernable over the light jazz music being played, as Vanessa Lang, attired in a pink silk dressing gown, her long flowing red locks tied up into a loose ponytail, goes about making toast.

Heinrich von Richtoven enters the kitchen, hand covering his mouth to stifle a yawn. His nostrils perk up, as his attention focuses on the toast.

(Heinrich): Morning!

Vanessa turns her head towards Heinrich, hands still occupied with buttering her toast, a warm smile flowering.

(Vanessa): Hey. Did you sleep well?

(Heinrich): Kinda. Took me a while to get to sleep…

He reaches in for a slice of toast from the plate.

(Heinrich): What with all the thumping going on…

Quick as a flash, he darts backwards, as Vanessa rounds on him, the butter knife coming up in a threatening manner as a mortified look descends over her face.

Through a mouthful of toast, Heinrich protests his innocence, the hint of amusement discernable in his tone.

(Heinrich): It was the headache, I swear. *Taps his forehead* I didn’t hear anything.

(Vanessa): Uh-huh…

(Heinrich): Honest.

He swallows his toast hurriedly.

(Heinrich): Anyway, must be off, got some running to do…

He sidles out of the room, Vanessa calling after him

(Vanessa): Running? Yes, you’d better run Heinrich.

The scene fades out momentarily, before coalescing onto a view of the exterior of the villa. Heinrich von Richtoven, now dressed for a run, Puma running shoes, black shorts and a sleeveless white t-shirt adorning his body, steps into view. In his right hand is grasped an water bottle, while his left hand is sliding a pair of Oakley shades into place.

A spring in his step, he walks down the path towards the entrance of the complex in good time, before faltering somewhat, as he spies a camera crew waiting outside the iron doors.

(Heinrich): *Mutters* Just what I need…

As he nears the gate though, a suited man steps out from behind the camera crew, and walks towards the gate. A few seconds pass before it becomes clear that's it's HWA interviewer; Mike Anderson. A wry smile forms as Heinrich recognizes the veteran interviewer.

(Heinrich): Well maybe this won't be so bad afterall…

With a smile and jaunty wave in their direction, Heinrich exits the villa compound, the wrought iron gates sliding shut behind him automatically.

He places his water bottle onto the ground, as Mike approaches him.

(Mike Anderson): Good to see you back on your feet Heinrich.

(Heinrich): Thanks Mike.

The two shake hands.

(Heinrich): Been waiting long?

(Mike Anderson): Couple of minutes. Got the courtesy call from Vanessa, and we're staying ten minutes away, so…

Heinrich's attention is drawn back up the path towards the villa, a knowing expression forming as his eyes narrow. Blanking out Mike's words for a brief moment, he glares up at where he imagines Vanessa to be.

(Mike Anderson): … but I hear you're more or less symptom-less now.

Heinrich turns his head back around, focusing fully on Mike.

(Heinrich): There's still the occasional bout of headache brought on by… by 'rhythmic' sounds. But it's nothing that troubles me overtly.

Smiling an innocent smile, he once more glances briefly up the path at the villa.

(Mike Anderson): So you’d say you’re, more or less, ready to face Logan Neilson on Monday?

(Heinrich): Yeah, as ready as I’ll ever be Mike.

(Mike Anderson): You’re coming from a week where you’ve been having to curb your training somewhat, and take precautions elsewhere, doesn’t this bode ill for your chances of winning?

(Heinrich): Nah, to be honest Mike, I’ve been running close to the red line for weeks now, trying to show that I wasn’t a fluke who got to be the last eliminated from Logan’s Invitational by accident That I really was the real deal. I’ve gone through my fair share of wrestlers to get to this point, Merlyn and Wisdom obviously, two former champions in Medos and Lucas, and not to mention Davis, twice! I’ve needed a bit of a break from the relentless training it has to be said.

(Mike Anderson): Would you regard Logan Neilson as a friend?

(Heinrich): Oh for sure. I mean, I don’t think that we’re like what my brother and Butch used to be like, but… you know, if he’s in the area, and I’m free, then we’ll meet up and go for a drink, go see a game or something. The rest of the time I’m at the other end of a phone call.

(Mike Anderson): With that said, do you think it’ll be difficult to get that image of him, as your friend, out of your mind when you face off for his title?

A dismissive noise sounds at the back of Heinrich’s throat, along with a small shake of the head.

(Heinrich): Pfft! No.

He shuffles his feet slightly into a more comfortable position, bracing his left hand on his hip, while his right hand remains free to drop at his side, or occasionally move to articulate his points.

(Heinrich): I got that out of the way the first time we fought. Besides, I’d be more than willing to go up against Hans, and he’s my brother, you know, so facing Logan doesn’t hold any real fear that I won’t be able to separate my feelings from the job in hand. The truth of the matter is, I’ve progressed a lot since coming to the HWA. I’ve always been good, but after a few years of not being in ring, you tend to forget that. At the moment, before I even acknowledge that there’s gold on the line, I want to see where I come up against him this time.

(Mike Anderson): Logan’s been having a tough time of it lately; do you agree with that, and do you think he could see this as a chance to reassert himself?

(Heinrich): Yeah, I’d say that’s a fair conclusion. He’s not been taking the wins like we know he’s capable off, but on the other side of the coin, that happened when he joined the HWA. The talent and skill were all obvious, and still are, but maybe he’s had his mind on things. You could say the same for Talon. Hell, the only real champions out there just now by that definition are my brother and AC, the only ones flying the flag and such.

(Mike Anderson): Speaking of your brother. He’s in his own title match this Monday. You’ll be rooting for him I assume.

(Heinrich): Of course. He’s the man who has dragged that All-Star title up from the pits where Eddie K let it languish for months, defended it against damn near half the people on the roster, and frankly is making people forget that there even is a World champion were it not for a certain kiss. Even if it weren’t for the fact that we’re related, I’d still have my money on him.

(Mike Anderson): Hypothetically speaking, were you to gain the Spotlight title from Logan Neilson, what would be your ambitions for it when HWA returns to its regular haunts in America?

Heinrich’s right hand idly scratches the stubble of his neck as he takes a moment to go over his response.

(Heinrich): Well… erm, I guess trying to follow what Logan’s been doing with it so far. Getting people involved in title matches who normally wouldn’t be considered for such a shot as, sadly, the Spotlight is still seen as a rookie belt, so I want to continue to remove that stigma. And of course, I’ve got what my brother has achieved so far as an example of what can be done if you work at it.

(Mike Anderson): And if you don’t achieve gold?

(Heinrich): Re-evaluate what I need to work on, do so, and earn another shot. *Laughs* And see if I can’t win Ringmaster during that time period as well so I can definitely stake my claim to it.

Mike glances down at his watch, smiling.

(Mike Anderson): Well, I’d say that’ll do Heinrich; don’t want to keep you too long.

(Heinrich): Anytime Mike…

A sly look crosses his face, as he once more glances back up at the villa.

(Heinrich): You know, Vanessa’s free at the moment. If you want her thoughts on my brother’s chances on Monday, now’s the perfect time.

Mike glances off screen at the camera crew, obviously checking with them first, before turning back to Heinrich, shrugging.

(Mike Anderson): That’d be great Heinrich. Only if you’re sure though.

Waving dismissively with his right hand, he pushes in his code to the villa complex, and then stepping aside as the wrought iron door slides open to accept entry.

(Heinrich): I’m sure she’d be delighted to have a chat…

The scene fades to black as Heinrich shakes hands with Mike one last time before the crew begin the walk up to the villa.