The scene opens up onto an interview room at ABC headquarters, where Martin Bashir has just begun an interview with Hans von Richtoven.

(Martin Bashir): So, to start us off Hans, let’s go back to what Eddie K said during your match with AC James…

The large plasma screen TV between the two men flares to life, showing the scene in question.

(Vanessa): He’s not a kid Eddie….is there some problem you have with Hans.

(Eddie): I’ve got a problem with anyone who thinks they are going to challenge me for this World Title. I’ve heard him sneaking in little comments about going for the World Title.

(Vanessa): What of it? Hans deserves as much a shot as anyone else.

(Eddie): With all due respect there Vanessa, Hans is a midcarder. He’s in the exact same position as a Bryan Deas…been in HWA for years and still stuck at the same level. He’s a good athlete and all that, don’t get me wrong, but he I’ve been here two years and I’m world Champion. I think that proves my point right there.

The plasma screen fades to black, as the interviewer gestures towards Hans.

(Martin Bashir): Your thoughts on what he said Hans?

Hans takes a moment to compose himself, glancing quickly at the screen as a sly smirk tugs at one corner of his mouth.

(Hans): Well of course he's entitled to his opinion. That he call's me a 'mid-carder' and says that I'm stuck on the same level though, well, I think you'll have to look under a lot of rocks before you find someone out with his usual clique that agrees with him.

(Martin Bashir): He has become World champion however Hans. You've both been in the company for the same approximate length of time afterall.

(Hans): Yes, but my tenure has been split with that well documented four year gap, and competition for the World title was much more intense during my first stint. You had Buff Bridges on the top of his game alongside Butch Parker, Dredge, Thane Givens to name but a few. Eddie can rub his title in my face if he so wishes, but the simple fact is, had he been around four or five years ago, the only glimpse he'd get of the World title is when he passed whoever held it in the cafeteria, or on TV.

He takes a sip of his water to soothe his dry throat.

(Hans): As for this 'two year' deal that he's making, the time it takes you to earn that title matters little. AC James took twice that length of time did he not? I consider him, for all his faults, to have been the best champion HWA's had of late when it comes to the World title. You've also had people do it in a year or less; Butch Parker and Talon Wilkinson spring to mind, but of course, the outcomes and reigns of those two differed wildly. As for myself, in those two or so years, I've held four titles, including the one that I beat Eddie K himself for, the man I have a two – one record over might I add, so to say and act like the World title is something I can't have is poor thinking indeed.

(Martin Bashir): Might it be beyond your reach though?

Hans' eyebrows rise up, as he contemptuously passes his gaze over the interviewer.

(Hans): Have you heard what I've said?

A derisive note comes from the back of his throat.

(Hans): In fact, never mind. Don't answer that. Look, I've beaten Eddie K before, and in recent times, both Senester and AC James; wrestlers who I consider to be far more skilled than he. I've gone from strength to strength since I last faced him, whereas he had that train-wreck of emotions, and spent more time stalking both Logan's family, and his girlfriend, going missing, and skipping the odd show than training. That he's pulled himself together is commendable, but I'm not going to loose any sleep knowing that I'm going to be facing him again sooner or later.

(Martin Bashir): Might you loose sleep instead over the circumstances surrounding Butch Parker instead? Afterall, for the second event running, the commentary team have been subjected to assault by him.

(Hans): What's happening with Butch is something that, yes, preys on my mind, but to let it affect me to the extent that you're insinuating is something that I won't allow.

(Martin Bashir): On a related note, could the altercation you had with him during your brother's match have distracted you during your match with AC James? At times, your concentration wasn't there, and he managed to put you in some pretty tight spots.

(Hans): I'd disagree with that entirely. I'd put that down to AC James being one hell of a wrestler, and arguably the benchmark that this federation wrestler's judge themselves against. I had moments of dominance, he had his, I not only walked away the victor, but I learned a lot as well.

A dry smile forms.

(Hans): Such as to make sure that Veronique is barred from ringside if possible… *Laughs* And see if I can't put him through a few more kneebars or figure of four locks, as he really didn't look too good last time when he was being put through them.

(Martin Bashir): Given the friendship that you and Butch had, many are wondering why you remain so tight lipped when it comes to him; despite his recent actions. Your brother, by comparison, has openly derided him, and attacked him through the media.

(Hans): I've been where Butch is previously, under Senester's wing, and I know that nothing is ever what it seems. My brother knows this too, but as he's said, a line has been crossed, and that's his own decision to make what that line of decency is. I wanted to hurt Butch badly for what he done to Vanessa, and to an extent, I still do, but more-so, I want to know why he's in the situation he's in, and why he refuses to explain himself. I understand my brother's sentiments wholeheartedly, but for better or for worse, I'm holding out. *Shrugs* For now at least.

He takes another sip of water, a low sigh escaping his lips as he places the glass back.

(Hans): Frankly, I'm damned either way. If I follow my brother's example, I'm a hypocrite given my past, and if I don't, then I'm a coward unwilling to stand up and do the right thing. It's a fine balancing act, that's for sure…

(Martin Bashir): Moving on. I'm sure that you're aware of Wisdom's challenge towards Butch Parker. If it goes ahead, who's your pick for the winner?

(Hans): Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I'll leave it at that.

(Martin Bashir): Talon Wilkinson, Buff Bridges and Ronnie McNeil and yourself Hans. Now while you came out at the end alongside them, you didn't earlier on in the night. Any particular reason for that?

(Hans): Well in case you hadn't noticed, my brother had been put through what one could have been forgiven for thinking was a rabid dog attack, and I needed to see that he received prompt medical attention. There's plenty of TV screen's backstage, so I was aware of what was going on, and I found myself passing Talon on the way back to my locker room, and one thing led to another…

(Martin Bashir): How do you feel about being dependant on one another for a proper match however?

(Hans): Confident. Buff and I have a good rapport, bring out the best in one another and such, and on past occasions once the dust has settled, have only had good words for one another. Talon, well we're on better footing than we were last year; not that what we had said to one another at the time was anything truly severe, but with him being in Eddie's camp, there was always the potential for it. And Ronnie, well… I'd be lying if I said I'm on friendly terms with him…

(Martin Bashir): The enemy of my enemy is my friend then?

(Hans): I wouldn't say that either, too far towards the opposite spectrum.

A contemplative sigh escapes his lips.

(Hans): What I will say, is that given who's lined up against me, I'd be a fool to look for trouble elsewhere. If he needs a hold broken, I'll be that man. If he's up against two, then I'll be the one to even the odds.

(Martin Bashir): And if he doesn't reciprocate during the match?

(Hans): Well that's his problem then. I'd like to think that he'd be above such actions though, especially given his reason for being out there with Talon and Buff as 'the right thing to do'. Well, working as a team will be 'the right thing to do', so that's what I expect each one of us, myself included, to do.

(Martin Bashir): With Ringmaster coming up, will you be taking the opportunity to size up your potential opponents, whether they are on either your side or the opposing one this Havoc?

(Hans): For sure. These last few events, more so than usual, have seen their fair share of match analysis between my brother and I. I'd imagine that most, if not all the guys involved in my match will have been doing the same as well in their own way. It's natural, and to be expected.

He drains the water from his glass.

(Hans): I'll add that I'll be studying these guys more than the others, as I'd say that the next Ringmaster will be out of the participants of this match, myself included.

(Martin Bashir): A bit cocky of you to say that, no?

(Hans): I hold wins over nearly everybody involved in this match. No. It's not cocky to place yourselves amongst the contenders for Ringmaster IX when you have the recent history that I do. I'm one of the HWA's best. Who would you have in my place?

(Martin Bashir): …

(Hans): Go on. Who would you have in my place? Shakir the chubby chaser? Bryan 'I'm a broken record' Deas?

(Martin Bashir): I… ah…

(Hans): Exactly. This interview's over.

He contemptuously rips off the mic attached to his lapel, as he gets to his feet, and without a backwards glance at the stuttering interviewer, walks off camera.

The scene fades to black.