The scene opens out onto Hans von Richtoven's apartment, high up in the Empire States Building early on Wednesday morning. Both Vanessa Lang, and Hans von Richtoven are moving around the lounge area of the apartment, making sure that they’re packed and ready for the flight to that that night’s Havoc.

The door bell rings, and Hans takes the few steps needed to get to the door, opening it aside to reveal his younger brother, Heinrich von Richtoven.

He steps aside to allow his younger brother in, before closing the door behind him, being clasped on the shoulder by his brother in greeting as he passes.

(Heinrich): Hey Vanessa, how you holding up?

Vanessa flashes a genuine smile at the younger of the two brothers, as she drops a small lip gloss into her clutch bag.

(Vanessa): Much better now thank you.

She shuts her clutch bag, and places it down on the table, before throwing an appraising eye over the travel bags laid out beside the table, and then turning to Hans.

(Vanessa): Is that everything…?

(Hans): I'd say so. We've both done this more than enough times now.

(Vanessa): Yeah…

She purses her lips, before taking a step towards the bedroom.

(Vanessa): I'll just have one more check anyway. You two ok to wait a few?

The two men make their assent known, as Vanessa steps into the bedroom off-screen. They turn to face one another.

(Heinrich): Is she holding up then?

Hans throws a quick glance sideways at the bedroom, where the sound of various drawers being opened and rifled through can be heard. He places an arm around his brother's shoulder, and steers him across the room until he's sure they're out of earshot.

(Hans): Not as well as she makes it out to be.

He reaches into the back pocket of his jeans, and brings out a folded letter, opening it before handing it to his brother.

(Hans): Take a look at that. She got that after handing in her resignation letter.

Heinrich's eyes skim over the writing, widening as they do so. A low whistle escapes his lips as he comes to the end, while his eyes flicker towards the bedroom, worry lines forming on his face.

(Heinrich): He certainly makes it clear that her refereeing role is mandatory…

He swivels the letter between his fingers, as his eyes dance over the words once more.

(Heinrich): And he's not skimping on the threats either…

A grave tone enters his elder's brother voice.

(Hans): No, no he doesn't.

Heinrich folds the letter back up, a low sigh coming from him, while his eyebrows arch up momentarily as he hands it back to his brother.

(Heinrich): And you say she got that after she handed in her resignation? Do you mean it was, like, y'know, waiting for her? Or, what…?

(Hans): Oh it was waiting for her. She threw the envelope out, but I managed to catch a glimpse of the stamps and postage marks before she did.

He leans in close, his face betraying a slight look of disturbance.

(Hans): This is what get's me though, he'd sent it the day he'd announced that she'd be the referee. He knew what she'd do.

Heinrich exhales loudly through pursed lips, as he shakes his head in incredulity of the situation.

(Heinrich): Not good. Not good at all…

(Hans): Mmm-hmm. Tell me about it.

He gestures at the large flatscreen TV mounted on the wall with his right hand.

(Hans): Add to that all the other nonsense that's been going on recently. It's getting harder and harder to find safe harbour to… to…

He sighs.

(Hans): To just get on with it. Do you know what I mean?

Heinrich nods slowly, a look of understanding on his face.

(Heinrich): Yeah. I know where you're coming from brother.

Heinrich takes a few steps over to one of the leather couches, and leans against the back of it, crossing his arms over his chest.

(Heinrich): No matter where you turn, there's always something going on that beggar’s belief. A World champion who day by day get's closer to being sectioned…

(Hans): I’ll say. What was it he said recently? He’s not doing promos because he doesn’t want to give us any ammunition?

Heinrich snort with amusement as he recalls it.

(Heinrich): Yeah, that was it.

(Hans): As cowardly and hypocritical as always is our Eddie. You seen his latest excuse for a promo incidentally?

(Heinrich): As painful as it was, yeah… I did. Here’s hoping the security folk tonight are being handed out straight-jackets along with their regular gear.

(Hans): God-knows what Talon’s playing at. It’s like he’s walking straight back in to a doomed relationship out of convenience. Just because Eddie’s seemingly changed back and is acting friendly… and much more besides, and says they’ve been through a rough patch and so on, he goes running after him like a dog chasing a stick.

(Heinrich): You got his phone number don’t you?

(Hans): Uh-huh.

(Heinrich): Give him a call and let him have some perspective. Where’s the harm in that?

Hans’ right hand moves to his pocket, clearly getting a hold of his iPhone. He toys with the idea for a few moments, before slowly retracting his hand.

(Hans): I’ll see.

(Heinrich): See that you do.

He smirks, allowing his arms to fall by his side.

(Heinrich): What else is there. Ah, yeah… the other two ‘champions’ riding their single titles into the ground among other… ‘things’....

Hans’ cheeks go taut, as his head moves from side to side slowly, his gaze somewhat blank as he thinks back on the atrocity committed several days previous.

(Hans): I still can’t believe that they done it.

He runs his hands through his hair.

(Hans): I hope they find one hell of a lawyer to get past all the stuff Senester will put up in their defence, and get them the punishments all three of them deserve.

Heinrich leans forward, his voice lowering as he takes in what his brother is obviously aiming at.

(Heinrich): You mean?

(Hans): Oh yeah. Death penalty. No less than they deserve. Shut down Ronnie’s gyms, injunctions on anything they can get their hands on, place them on the ‘no fly’ lists… the works. Get them in courts in front of the people, and let them hang.

(Heinrich): You do know not many states have the death penalty now.

(Hans): After what happened?

He shuffles his feet, flexing them until he’s balanced on the balls of them, before resuming a normal standing position. Disgust meanwhile coats his words.

(Hans): Yeah, like anything less will suffice.

He falls silent for a moment.

(Hans): Oh how I hope Logan takes it to him… schweinhund…

(Heinrich): What about TNT?

(Hans): Those two? After the mistakes they keep making, they’ll blow themselves up accidentally before too long. Hopefully tonight.

He takes several steps forward, passing parallel to his brother.

(Hans): There’s a line, and it’s been crossed.

(Vanessa): What’s been crossed honey?

Both Hans and Heinrich’s heads snap round as Vanessa exits the bedroom.

(Hans): Just talking about Maniac darling. No more time left to take in what Deas has been teaching him this last week. Point of no return and what not.

She smiles, before crossing the room, and kissing him gently on the cheek.

(Vanessa): You’ll do fine sweetie.

Hans embraces her, his brother making a mock look of disgust along with a slight retching noise at this, causing Vanessa to laugh lightly and Hans to stare daggers at him.

(Hans): As will you. If we’re not at ringside, we’ll be right behind the Havoctron.

Vanessa takes a deep breath, taking solace in her boyfriend’s words.

(Vanessa): Thank you.

She takes a look at the wall mounted clock, and then back at Hans.

(Vanessa): Right, we’d better get to the airport if we’re wanting to make this flight.

They break the embrace, and Vanessa moves to the bags. Heinrich moves off the couch, and stands beside his brother, leaning in close and speaking softly. The camera moves in obligingly.

(Heinrich): Remember how we used to play cops and robbers when we were little?

(Hans): Yeah…

Hans’ eyebrows rise up.

(Hans): What are you getting at?

(Heinrich): I’ve just had this idea for the show, that’s all…

The scene fades to black.