The scene opens up onto your bedroom.

It’s early morning and you’re in the midst of packing for the travel ahead of you.

You’d been through in Kai’s room seeing to him, rattling a small toy plane in front of him as he sought to swipe it from the air.

Adorable really and it tore at you to let Vanessa take over while you had to pack.

But here you were, back in the room, letting the routine of it wash over you.

A small buzz from your phone on the side table draws your attention from folding your clothing up.

Walking over and picking it up, you see you’ve a series of missed calls from Jeremy and a voicemail.

The next few minutes pass with your phone on speaker, Jeremy’s voice filling the room.

It ends suddenly, but that unsettled feeling only grows deeper.

He’s one that you can rely on though, a kindred spirit in many ways. A student of the art.

You had a lot of time for Jeremy and it pained you that you’d missed this call.

You’d address that now though.

You dial his number. As you expect, it to goes straight to voicemail.

‘Jeremy, mein freund.

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind, jah.

I am sorry for not answering your call earlier. Packing mein bags for Fatality, Kai needed changed und a million und one different other things all happening at the same time.

I’ve not seen you at das Academy for a while. We don’t always have time to spar, but I see you around, und jah, I’ve not recently…

But then mein freund, perhaps I’ve not been there as much myself und that’s been the reason. I got sick of the ‘what will you do to Wolfy’ questions from everyone und just wanted peace und quiet.’

You go silent for a moment.

‘This federation… it’s such blödsinn at times. I’ve not spoken to Butch… or rather, I have, und… I’m sick of it. I want to wrestle Jeremy, wrestle… das ist it. I want to be the best und I’m sick of being struck from behind by people who aren’t fit to lace mein boots und who have to hold onto mein coattails for any chance of recognition.

I want what we have shown can be done. Scheiße, what Erica und I showed can be done in das tag match. Nein quatsch. Just respect.

Another pause, one hand running through your hair while the other rubs at the corner of one eye in an attempt to get the sleep out.

You really were going to need that nap later before your flight.

‘As for Wolfy… I don’t know what to believe. The convenience of it… Herr Chaos gunning for an Oscar I heard at the funeral… Du hurensohn… I needed my pound of flesh for what he did, for what he threatened to do… und I’ve been denied it… scheißdreck!’

You make a gesture down at your bag, knowing full well that Jeremy wouldn’t know you had done so.

‘I don’t even know why I’m packing. If he is dead, then I don’t have a match… I should be here with mein family… but I’m sick of not being in control of mein destiny Jeremy.

So I understand when you see someone skip free of consequences, have them slide off like water down a ducks back… jah, infuriates me too.

I saw your challenge to him. I saw him get to be on the other side of it for once. I hope he tasted das hypocrisy.

I’m not going to say that Herr Chaos is not worth it, because you more than most have suffered from him.

But Bryan Deas? Mein freund, he ist das epitome of ein coat tail rider. Don’t give him relevance.’

A deep sigh escapes you as you think back on the few times you’ve had cause to engage with Deas in the past.

‘You und I, we’re both far better than he.

Listen though Jeremy… give me a message when you get this. I’ll let you know when I land in Dallas, und we’ll catch up then.

Speak soon.’

You end the call, letting the phone slide from your grasp onto the duvet next to your bag, exhaling slowly.

Yes, these next few days will be no different from the last you know… and fear…

The scene fades slowly to black.