HWA Message Board: The Interview Rounds

The scene opens out onto one of the interview rooms set up for media and private use at the HWA Academy.

It’s media day for you. A phrase that at times filled you with dread and at other times with a glee at what you’d be able to put across, the first moves before it got physical. I

Today is your first day back in LA since before the last show. You had stayed in New Orleans with the in-laws for a week, letting them see their grandson and allowing both you and your wife a moment of detachment from the current storm engulfing your life.

’Until that is, I plunge back in…’

You smile wryly at that thought, choosing this time not to focus on the suffering it will bring you.

’And the others that would cause it.’

Your inner dialogue ceases as your attention is brought back to the here and now. Into the room enters Roderick Sterling, making a beeline for you.

Getting to your feet from the chair that you’re sat in, you grasp and shake hands,

(Roderick): Hans! Good to see you again. How was the flight?

(Hans): Hallo Roderick, fine, it was fine.

(Roderick): I must say, it’s been weird not seeing a light on in that office of yours down by the training rooms for a while.

(Hans): Ah, take that up with Butch mein freund, he doesn’t pay enough for the good quality bulbs, jah. I work by candlelight most days.

You share a smile at that.

(Roderick): I’ll be sure to bring that up with him!

Smiles still intact, Roderick crosses to his own chair and settles himself down across from you. Meanwhile, you lower yourself down and cross your legs, relaxing into the leather.

(Roderick): Usual format here Hans, free form and then I’ve got some questions that have come in. Sound ok?

(Hans): Jah, sounds good to me.

(Roderick): Perfect, let me just get mic'd up.

An assistant moves in and starts to clip in a small microphone to Roderick’s tie.

You’re already wearing your own mic by this point, having been in the room for about 10 minutes by this point.

You’d come here straight from the airport with a view to getting a workout in and then these interviews done. Vanessa and Kai would be arriving later tonight, having declined to get up at the crack of dawn like you were keen on.

’And to spend more time with the in-laws. Can’t blame them for that now, can I?’

Your phone had pinged several times already that morning with pictures Vanessa had sent of Kai in various places and poses. The last one had seen him gazing at something in wonder and clearly in the midst of that burbling laugh he had.

God you missed them both something terrible.

Roderick is by now clearing his throat and settling himself into his chair properly. He’s checking you’re good to go to which you nod your head once in acknowledgement of.

He glances towards the camera team and gives them a thumbs up.

A few seconds pass before the intensity of the stage lighting goes up a fraction signalling that you’re now live.

(Roderick): Good day, HWA Fanverse! I’m Roderick Sterling and welcome to an exclusive HWA dot com interview with a very special guest. Please welcome Hans ‘The Baron’ von Richtoven!

You dip your head in acknowledgement towards Roderick as you can see out the corner of your eye the camera tracking to bring you into view.

(Hans): Hallo Roderick, glad to be here as always.

(Roderick): Well let’s not waste time shall we Hans. First things first, how are you?

(Hans): I’ve been better Roderick.

You shrug your shoulders and hold your palms out as you say this.

It is true, you have been better. Probably an understatement in truth.

Things have been worse, yes… but not necessarily by much.

(Roderick): I can’t begin to imagine. It’s great to see you sat here in front of me though!

(Hans): Danke Roderick, I appreciate that.

(Roderick): If you don’t mind, let’s walk through the events of the Fatality. Even before, we had the death of Wolfy, the funeral… I mean, he attacked you for weeks, you were booked a match and then…

(Hans): Jah, manic, eh? I’ve seen some crazy things in mein time Roderick. This is up there jah.

(Roderick): So no proper match at Fatality. There’s then talk of you facing Tommy Dreamer, how did that start?

(Hans): Butch or Wisdom… I mean, he was in the area, we have some of the greats and no so greats drop into each show… sometimes they’re guest commentating, sometimes they’re just backstage pre-show. Good to catch up at times und good to avoid if you know what I mean…

You shift a fraction in your seat, getting comfier.

(Hans): I turned up to Fatality not knowing what was going on und jah, then talk of Dreamer. I know him a little und he knows me a little… jah, would have been a good match I’m sure. One day soon I hope we can do it.

(Roderick): Exhibition or through HWA?

(Hans): Whatever… no preference, jah. He wanted to wrestle. I wanted to wrestle…

You pause for a moment, blowing the air out of your lungs through your nostrils.

’That’s all I want to do for f*cks sake. Wrestle. Not be in the midst of a circus.’

You tilt your head again towards Roderick.

(Hans): I’m sure he und I can figure something out. Perhaps outwith das HWA might make it more likely to go ahead.

(Roderick): Well, with that, moving onto what stopped it from happening at Fatality… DreamMaster’s return, seemingly possessing the body of Wolfy…

You grit your teeth at that, air forcing its way past them akin to the sound a punctured hose might make.

This again.

“DreamMaster.”

Wolfy.

Erica.

Maniac.

You were sick of it. Sick of the damage that they caused in turn, all under this ‘DreamMaster” facade.

(Hans): Roderick, I can’t explain all of what I saw. Wolfy is feral at times, jah… I’ve seen men have roid rage, jah, that wasn’t it… I’ve seen men fake death und then appear the next night on TV, their music ready to play the moment they reveal themselves… some of this und some of that, whatever it is, the man that has been trying to get to my child came within reach of me und I battered him, just like I would anyone who dared try to do the same as he tried. Next time, next time I will hold down the lid on das barbecue until das embers go out!

He und I are not done. I want him gone Roderick. Gone.

(Roderick): Do you mean Wolfy, or DreamMaster?

(Hans): They’re one und the same, jah? If what Herr Chaos says is true.

(Roderick): Looking to this upcoming Havoc card, DreamMast… Wolfy… no, he’s not taking part.

(Hans): He’ll be there. Herr Chaos und I square off… he will be there…

(Roderick): Speaking of that, you’re due to tag with Jeremy Branson versus the newly crowned World Champion as well as the former holder. Given Stu-E Price’s latest announcement, it looks like it’ll be a handicap match as it stands.

(Hans): Jah, I saw Herr Price’s announcement, und I will get to it in a moment Roderick.

Your tongue feels leaden, the taste of ash permeating it as you force out the next words.

(Hans): I have to commend our new World champion, jah. Herr Chaos und I…

You can’t mask it.

(Hans): To say I dislike him ist das truth. He is everything I am not und vice versa.

(Roderick): Joker to the Batman, right? Yin and yang.

(Hans): If you want to term it like that, then jah…

Another fractional pause.

’You’re being too polite Roderick. The man’s a colossal c*nt and we all know it. Those of us with eyes, ears and working brains at least. It’s all a facade, he’ll drop it before long, you know it, I know it.’

You smile at Roderick, even if it doesn’t reach your eyes.

(Hans): As I say, I commend our new champion. You can’t be the arsonist and the firefighter at the same time. I’m glad to see him pick just one for a change. As for our former…

Now this is one that tore at you somewhat.

(Hans): Herr Price was our first champion since HWA returned proper. His name is in the books, jah. Always will be. Just like he was always shaking hands, glad handing und being feted… his reasons for leaving were present months ago. Did he not see them? Did he not care for them then?

(Roderick): He certainly defended his title Hans.

(Hans): Jah, he did. Und he needed to be dragged to das ring from time to time to do so out of the bar.

You rub the bridge of your nose gently.

(Hans): Listen Roderick, I have been World champion. You are in a different bubble, jah, it’s true, but you don’t get to be immune to what else ist going on in das HWA.

You get to shake hands with people und they will bring up what else is happening. The others on das roster reflect on you as much as you reflect on them.

What has driven him away wasn’t new. The only thing that changed was that he lost his seat at the top of das table. Sure you’ll still get the calls to go talk with Stone Cold und sit in a bar with Beckham… but not as much as you were getting… und your diary starts to look a little emptier und emptier…

Another small exhale of breath as your shoulders rise and fall in a shrug.

(Hans): His choices are his choices Roderick. I find the timing suspicious und I’ll leave it at that.

(Roderick): Can you see him showing at Havoc?

(Hans): Nein. That man marched to his own drum Roderick. If he says he won’t be there, he won’t be there.

(Roderick): How is things with your partner for this match; Jeremy Branson.

(Hans): Jah, he’s not responded to my messages as much, but we’ve both had a lot of things going on. I have all the time in das world for Jeremy. Perhaps this match is what we both need.

(Roderick): He’s attacked Maniac on many occasions now…

You interject.

(Hans): Und he’s had good reason to.

(Roderick): My point is, do you think he’ll be able to focus?

(Hans): Jah, I do. He’s a professional.

(Roderick): He’s someone that’s been seemingly stalking Maniac the past few weeks.

(Hans): If we compare apples to oranges Roderick, das ist not so bad given what Herr Chaos has done to Jeremy in his time.

(Roderick): Are you condoning what he’s doing?

(Hans): What he’s doing is getting to the bottom of things Roderick. This whole thing with Herr Chaos, DreamMaster… it stinks.

(Roderick): Will you be able to focus?

A bark of laughter rips from you at that.

(Hans): Jah, of course. I enjoy my bouts with Jeremy. I did enjoy them versus Herr Price, he was always fair in das ring. I always love to beat Herr Chaos… jah, I’ll be able to focus.

There a pause from Roderick, before he nods at your words.

(Roderick): Thank you for what you’ve shared so far Hans. We’ve got a quick word from our sponsors now, but we’ll be back shortly with some more words with The Baron. Stay with us!

The scene fades to black slowly as an ad break takes over.

End of Part 1.