The scene opens out onto the interior of Heinrich von Richtoven’s Mercedes-Benz W221, where he’s deep in conversation on his phone, as he waits for his brother and Vanessa Lang to exit the hospital.

(Heinrich): She’s doing well by the sounds of things. She’ll be taking things easy for a few more days though, but yeah, no long term damage thankfully.

He pauses as the person on the other line speaks.

(Heinrich): Yeah, that’s putting it mildly. So what you upto at the moment then mate, seems a bit too quiet in the background, what’s up?

He chuckles at the response.

(Heinrich): Well, after Havoc, I guess you’re due a bit of peace and quiet!

Again, he pauses.

(Heinrich): He was lucky to get away with the win mate. You had the upper hand…

He bursts out laughing at the response, his free hand covering his mouth as he tries to stifle it. Grinning widely, he responds to what’s said next.

(Heinrich): Yeah, good luck to you too Logan… all the best. Bye!

He disconnects the call, sliding it into his pocket, before glancing out of the window and up at the hospital, waiting for Hans and Vanessa to show…

The scene fades out momentarily, before resuming onto a scene several hours later of Hans von Richtoven’s apartment. Heinrich is seated on one of the dining table chairs, while Hans is in the process of gently shutting the bedroom door behind him.

(Heinrich): What's in the briefcase then?

Heinrich gestures at the briefcase lying beside the travel bags full of Hans’ clothing.

(Hans): Uh, wha…

Shaken from his thoughts, his head drops down, as his eyes roam over the briefcase before him. His gaze rises to look at his brother.

(Hans): Oh, in there? It's my contract.

(Heinrich): Any reason you're carrying it about? And perhaps more importantly, how the hell did you get it?

(Hans): Senester thought I should have it.

He pats his brother on the shoulder as he walks past him, causing a mystified look to blossom on Heinrich's face.

(Heinrich): Care to explain that for me?

(Hans): He wants me to be crystal clear on what my contract entails.

A look of realization dawns in his brothers eyes, as he digests the meaning.

(Heinrich): Vanessa?

(Hans): Yeah, a gentle reminder you might say.

(Heinrich): You going to look over it then? Or have you already?

Hans picks up the briefcase, and walks across the room to the couches, plopping down on one, before setting the briefcase down beside him, and opening it up.

(Hans): Glanced at it while I was waiting for Vanessa to wake up, but I’m going to need my lawyer to have a look over it… again… just in case…

He taps his head.

(Hans): Legal stuff like that goes in one ear and out the other. Never been a strong point with me.

He sighs.

(Hans): But I get the hint alright.

The scene fades out momentarily, before returning, this time onto the now familiar sight of the HWA Roundup interview room. Mike Anderson, as usual, is seated on the left, while the two brothers are across from him on the right, separated by a low glass table.

(Mike Anderson): Hello, and welcome to another edition of the HWA Roundup. The countdown to Blood, Sweat & Tears continues in earnest, with the main event being announced late last week, and with others sure to follow. But first of course, is this week's Havoc! Now with me in the studio, are two of HWA's premier stars, so please welcome, Hans and Heinrich von Richtoven.

The camera pans out, bringing all three men into focus.

(Hans): Pleasure to be here Mike.

Heinrich tilts his head towards the interviewer in greeting.

(Heinrich): Mike.

(Mike Anderson): Now before we get onto this upcoming show and beyond, let's take a minute or two to go over what happened at the last Havoc. Firstly, TNT; what prompted you two to do that?

(Hans): Our utter disgust at the actions that they and Ronnie perpetrated.

Nodding in agreement, Heinrich begins to speak as his brother ceases.

(Heinrich): We're hoping that it goes someway towards giving the families of those that were killed a small measure of satisfaction in the meantime. We're not appointing ourselves judge, jury and executioner by any means, that'll be for the proper authorities to deal with once they're through all the red tape that surrounds them, but neither will we sit and do nothing while our so called 'co-workers' get away with what they did.

(Mike Anderson): So are you planning anything else?

(Hans): No… well, not now at least.

(Heinrich): That could easily change though.

(Hans): Yeah. We made our point; they were ridiculed and embarrassed in front of a television audience of millions, not to mention what's happening now that it's on YouTube… not that they don’t do that to themselves half the time anyway, but still, at this moment, we’re satisfied with what’s done…

(Mike Anderson): You’re facing one of them this Havoc anyway!

(Hans): *Laughs* Exactly. And Talon can easily deal with the other one.

(Mike Anderson): Next up, Miss Vanessa Lang; how’s she doing?

(Hans): Much better. She’s back on her feet, getting into the normal routine of things quickly, and… y’know, glad that she’s able to put it behind her.

Hans shuffles in his seat and into a more comfortable position.

(Hans): I’d also just like to say a quick thank you to the staff at both the Altru Hospital and Alerus Center for the care and attention they gave Vanessa.

Mike gestures towards Heinrich.

(Mike Anderson): Do you feel the same way Heinrich?

The corner’s of Heinrich’s mouth begin to turn up, as he flashes a knowing look at Mike.

(Heinrich): Of course… tainted as it is by the way I, personally, was treated.

(Mike Anderson): You’ll be rooting for Wisdom to win this upcoming match then I assume?

Heinrich merely smiles predatorily in response.

Mike glances at the camera.

(Mike Anderson): I think that look says it all…

The three men share a laugh as Mike shuffles through his notes, before continuing.

(Mike Anderson): Of course, one of the defining moments of that Havoc, and quite possibly the reason for your upcoming match at ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ Hans, was Eddie K placing Vanessa between him and that cobra. Having had time to look over it, and think on it, what comes to mind Hans?

Hans’ jaw line hardens noticeably.

(Hans): Firstly? How cowardly and utterly pathetic our so called ‘World Champion’ is. Using a woman as a shield? How much lower can you stoop than that? Secondly, that he would place a belt above the life of a woman says it all about his moral character, and thirdly, running for the exit rather than face up to the consequences of his actions only means that when we face off, I’m giving no quarter.

(Mike Anderson): Paraphrasing a little, but you said at the time, that you ‘can only expect Senester to be Senester’. Does this mean that you’re overlooking him? Placing the blame solely on Eddie?

(Hans): Oh no, Senester is equally to blame, but Eddie had the choice.

Heinrich leans forward, gesturing with his left hand as he does so.

(Heinrich): What would Hennessey think?

Hans’ eyebrows arc upwards, lips drawn tight in a thin line, while his eyes stare straight ahead.

(Hans): Mm, exactly.

(Mike Anderson): Heinrich. This one’s for you. This shot at the World title your brother has. Does he deserve it?

Heinrich glances over at Hans, a cheeky smile forming for a brief second, as he teases his elder sibling, before turning back to face Mike.

(Heinrich): Well, yeah of course he does. He’s lauded as the best All-Star champion that this federation’s ever had and has had recent wins over some of the biggest names in the fed.

(Mike Anderson): So you wouldn’t put it solely down to Senester playing his hand? Giving your brother a chance at the man who put Vanessa into hospital through his actions?

(Heinrich): Well if he was really playing his hand, he’d give him a match against his ‘Gladiator’! But yeah, you can argue he’s up to his usual tricks here. I think it’d be doing a disservice to my brother to say that his skill and performance over the last year or so aren’t the main reason he’s got his title shot at ‘Blood, Sweat & Tears’ though, but nothing get’s the ratings up like someone out for blood…

He snorts derisively.

(Heinrich): Besides, what’s the highlight of his title reign? The sight of him running through F.A.O Schwarz; that’s what!


To be continued…