Mythology Lesson

[Iago [REBEL]]

(Darkness. Then, multiple spotlights. As they turn on, they reveal a desk, a blank portable chalk board, a globe, and finally, Iago. A school-bell rings. Iago tips his hat.)

IAGO: Welcome, class, to History and Mythology.

(The sinister ringmaster steps over to the chalkboard and flips it, revealing a crude drawing of a terrible looking beast. It has a squat body with six bear-like legs, all encompassed in a spiny turtle shell. It's lengthy, scaly tail ends in a scorpion stinger, and it has the shaggy head of a lion.)

IAGO: I don't expect any of you to be able to identify this creature on sight, for it is one of mythology's more obscure beasts. Are there any guesses?

(The camera cuts forward, right into Iago's wide smile.)

IAGO: No, it isn't a dragon. It's not a manticore, or a chimera. No other guesses? Very well, a hint.

(Another cut takes us to the globe. Iago, spins it, then lashes out with his cane, striking France expertly and stopping the spinning Earth dead with a loud crack.)

IAGO: France! The town of Tarascon. Anyone? No? Very well.

(The camera pans back it's original position as Iago walks to the chalkboard. He picks up a piece of chalk and writes a name over the image of the creature.)

IAGO: Children, I give you... the Tarasque.

(Iago places the chalk back on the lip of the chalkboard, and turns back to the camera, his smile widening sickeningly.)

IAGO: The legendary Tarasque. A juggernaut that was utterly invulnerable. It was a beast of such unstoppable ferocity, that no knight, no warrior, no engine of war could defeat it. It is a testament, class, to the power of raw physicality. There was no amount of training or determination that could stand up to it.

(Iago flips the board again. Was there a third side? Because there's a drawing of Caliban on this new side, and it sure wasn't there at the beginning.)

IAGO: Caliban. My juggernaut. A new testament to the power of raw physicality. Last week, Caliban manhandled a fool who thought he could get a measure of revenge against him. This week, it seems, Caliban shall be manhandling a fool who thinks that spirit and training can carry him to victory.

(Iago sits on the edge of the desk.)

IAGO: Murcielago. It amuses me that everyone in REBEL is either very blind, or chooses to rewrite history in such a fashion as to stave off the obvious. Yes, Warren is half the man you are. I'll grant you that. But don't imagine for a second that I am impressed with your posturing. Here's why.

(Iago pulls out a remote, aims it casually over his shoulder, and pushes a button. Behind the desk, a television screen flickers to life. On it, we see an image of Kenny Krenshov, 6'9", 368 pounds, standing in a ring. The still image comes to life, Caliban flashing into the scene and knocking Krenshov head-over-heels with a clothesline. The image freezes.)

IAGO: That's why I'm not impressed. That man that Caliban overpowered is twice the man YOU are. And he's not the only one. You've gone on and on - and on - about how you intend to dominate this industry... nay, how you are already dominating this industry, despite not having actually participated in anything of merit yet. That's admirable. It's a testament to your confidence, and that kind of unflappable confidence can take you a long way. However.

(Iago's smile widens even further.)

IAGO: You have made one minor error. You've somehow managed to enter into competition with my Caliban - a being who IS dominant. Who HAS dominated all of his competition. Who WILL dominate YOU. You are like the knight who throws himself up against the Tarasque, confident in his skill and his talent, without any understanding of the power he's up against.

(The camera cuts back into Iago's face.)

IAGO: But you will. All too soon, you'll understand.

(The camera cuts back to the classroom scene. A school bell rings again.)

IAGO: Seems class is over. I'd assign homework, but really, let's face facts here, there is little to nothing you can do to prepare for what is to come. You face an cunning and unpredictable foe, and you've made the choice to underestimate Caliban. Your funeral.

(Iago goes to leave, then stops. He slowly flips the chalkboard back to the drawing of the Tarasque.)

IAGO: Oh, the Tarasque was defeated, by the way. Interested in knowing how?

(The sultry Miranda walks out from behind the chalkboard, and leans up against it, smiling at the camera.)

IAGO: Let's just say it took something that you don't have Murcielago. Humility. Piety. And breasts.

(Iago laughs darkly. Then the lights all cut out. Iago's laughter slowly fades out... and we're left with darkness.)