HWA Message Board: How To Respond?

11:17 A.M.
Radisson Plaza Hotel, Sydney Australia

The scene opens up outside of Hans von Richtoven and Vanessa Lang’s penthouse suite in the upper floors of the Radisson. Warm sunlight filters through the teak shutters mounted across the large windows in the hallway, casting their rays across the crème carpets, and the red pair of Converse All-Stars walking across them.

The camera pans upwards, bringing the dark grey cargo pants clad legs, white fitted Superdry long-sleeve top and eventually the face of the wearer; Hans von Richtoven into view. A small white plaster lies above his left eye, which alongside a slight swelling of his right cheek are the most obvious examples of his recent bout.

The camera follows behind him as he makes his way to the door to the penthouse, reaching inside his pocket for the key card to the room, wincing slightly as bruises hidden from sight make their presence felt. One hand on the door knob, he slides the key card down the magnetic slot next to it, causing an audible click as the lock disengages.

A slight grimace fleets across his face as he pushes the door to the penthouse open with his shoulder, allowing the door to swing shut on its own accord. He takes a few steps into the room, before pulling up his left sleeve slightly, allowing him to see the time on his watch. More to himself than anyone else, he airs his thoughts verbally.

(Hans): Nearly 12 o’clock… I can grab a quick shower, maybe a shave…

He runs his right hand across his chin, feeling his stubble.

(Hans): Maybe not then...

He turns his head and attention towards the large wardrobe set into the wall, and crosses the floor to it, sliding the mirrored doors open upon reaching it. He appraises the contents for a few seconds.

(Hans): She’ll be out later tonight, so that’s what, a top and a loose pair of jogging bottoms?

He rifles through the selection of clothing, before pulling out a black Elegance silk sleeveless top and a Beck and Hersey pair of white jogging bottoms. Draping both items over his extended left arm, he reaches down to the shoe rack, picking out a solitary pink plimsoll. Leaving the wardrobe door open, he moves across the room and around to the side of the bed out of view of the camera. Leaning down once more, Hans this time brings a small black duffel bag into view, dumping it unceremoniously onto the bed covers before unzipping it.

A knock at the door stops him in his tracks, halfway through placing the items of clothing on the bed.

His head turns to the door.

(Hans): *Loudly* Who is it?

The muffled response of his brother can just about be made out through the thick wooden door.

(Heinrich): *Muffled* It’s me you idiot. I said I’d only be five minutes tops!

Hans lays down the items of clothing, and crosses back across the room to the door, opening it for his younger brother, who steps inside quickly.

(Heinrich): That’s the porter aware you’ll need a hand with the luggage later on tonight, and the BMW’s tanks now full.

(Hans): Thanks Heinrich.

He pats his brother on the arm as he walks past, intent on resuming his work.

(Heinrich): Don’t mention in. Oh, I drove past that place Vanessa was talking about, there’s a few car spaces just down from it, so we can get her something to eat when we head back to the hospital.

Hans nods his head at this, as he expertly folds the blouse and jogging bottoms, before packing them gently into the duffel bag atop the plimsoll.

(Heinrich): Need a hand?

Hans pauses, before a grateful smile breaks on his face.

(Hans): Yeah, that’d be great. Can you check in the bathroom and see if there’s a small toiletry bag next to the sink.

As Heinrich enters the bathroom and goes off-camera, Hans continues to speak.

(Hans): It’s pink and white. You can’t miss it.

Heinrich re-enters the camera view, a pink and white toiletry bag in his hand. He passes it to his brother.

(Heinrich): Odds and ends you forgot to take down last night?

(Hans): Yeah. She wants to look her best for the flight…

He slides it into the duffel bag, zipping it up.

(Heinrich): *Chuckles* Who’s going to see her aside from you and I? We’re using the family jet last time I checked…

Heinrich flops down onto the corner of the bed, fixing his attention squarely on his brother.

(Heinrich): You sure she’s ok?

(Hans): Doctor Hopkins said she’d be fine once she’d had some rests and a few precautionary tests. The man’s the reason Matthew’s on the long road to recovery, so I do trust his opinion.

(Heinrich): That wasn’t what I meant.

A puzzled look crosses Hans’ face, his mind seemingly elsewhere, before he grasps what his brother was meaning.

He shrugs his shoulders along with making a dismissive palm open gesture with his right hand.

(Hans): She seems… fine about it. Whether that’s because I’ve been hovering around like an overprotective mother hen since she was admitted to hospital and she didn’t want me out of sight, or maybe… I’m not sure…

He runs his hands through his hair, leaning back against the wall.

(Hans): She can’t be ‘fine’ with it.

The pair fall silent for a second, Heinrich watching his brother in a concerned manner, while Hans’ eyes flutter shut, as he goes over what happened in his mind.

(Heinrich): Are you ok?

(Hans): *Snorts* Of course not. I saw how thin my best friend’s skin is. I saw him verbally berate Vanessa, and then assault her and Jason right before my eyes.

His eyelids fly open.

(Hans): If it weren’t for that bloody cage, he’d never have dared come down like he did.

He points at his brother, his expression taut, a glint of steel in his eyes.

(Hans): ‘Nothing to do with you Hans’ says he. Oh I beg to differ.

(Heinrich): He still not responding to your calls?

(Hans): *Laughs* Right now, the last thing I want is an explanation from him. I just want to wrap my hands around that neck of his for what he did…

The motions his hands go through make it clear his thoughts on the matter.

Heinrich glances at his own watch, and with a slight groan, gets to his feet, picking the duffel bag up as he does so.

(Heinrich): Right, well before that can happen, let’s get this, and some lunch to Vanessa. We’ll deal with that little scheiße when the time is right.

Heinrich points towards the bathroom off camera.

(Heinrich): Now I’ll take the bag down to the BMW, so get yourself into that shower and sorted, ok. I’ll be about ten minutes.

Hans exhales slowly, clearing his head.

(Hans): Deal.

The scene fades to black as Heinrich opens the door onto the hallway, and steps out.