The Black Knight

[Iago [REBEL]]

Click. Snap. Lights on. The chess game is proceeding apace. The white bishop and the white queen have been moved onto the table, but white doesn't seem to have made much progress. Now, it's black's turn. The well manicured hand reaches over... and hesitates over a black knight.

---

Miranda sits in Carvers Creek, a fairly upscale restaurant in Raleigh. She's just finished off some manner of appetizer, and is nursing a glass of wine, slowly twirling the red liquid within. She smiles across the table.

MIRANDA: I hope the afternoon is to your liking so far.

The camera swings around the table.

Ryan Kingston and Stylin' Kyle Roberts. Kyle's all smiles, in his fancy pinstripe suit. Ryan Kingston looks more dour, fingers steepled in front of him.

KYLE: So far, so good. I must admit, if the appetizers were any indication these Raleigh hicks can at least cook. And the company... well, it's very easy on the eye. At least, you are. Ryan's being a sourpuss over here.

RYAN: May I remind you, Kyle, that this is a business lunch. I'd appreciate it if you were a little more observant of your candor. In addition, I would prefer if you deferred to me on any business discussion. I am your representation.

KYLE: Lighten up, Ryan! Live a little! We're having prime rib with a hot redhead!

Ryan rolls his eyes and sips his water.

KYLE: Bah. Ignore him. So, Miss. Miranda - uh, it is miss right?

MIRANDA: Indeed it is, Mr. Roberts. And you may call me Miranda.

Kyle's smile widens.

KYLE: Oh, please call me Kyle. So, Miranda, what did you want to discuss this afternoon?

MIRANDA: No doubt you are aware of whom Caliban is scheduled to face this upcoming Tuesday.

Kyle snorts - perhaps a little too loudly. A few surrounding customers glance at their table.

KYLE: Yeah. Bruce. NAPW's own goodwill ambassador. Seriously, what do I have to do get rid of that albatross. He's like herpes; every now and then, bam! There he is again.

Miranda smiles politely, but Ryan looks positively horrified. A number of patrons have again glanced at their table, annoyed. One woman looks a little unappetized by her meal suddenly. Kyle laughs a little uncomfortably.

KYLE: Just an expression, of course... I've never. Not that I've, you know...

MIRANDA: I'm interested to know a little bit about Bruce. Could you tell me a bit about him?

KYLE:[/b] About Bruce? Pheh. What's there to tell? The guy's become a huge sappy clown. I'd suggest that you check to see if he has a Myspace page, or a Livejournal. Seriously, he probably has a little internet journal where he can pour out his feelings.

MIRANDA: Perhaps I will. You make it sound as if he has emotional issues.

KYLE: And how! I mean, for months now! Even when we were still together it became one giant soap opera with him! And have you seen any of his recent promos? It's like watching a bad Kevin Smith movie! Like he wants to live in a romantic comedy, or something! God, I'm glad I broke it off with him when I did. He was dulling my edge.

MIRANDA: You dodged the question.

Kyle stops and sips his Corona. He takes a second to regard the young woman in front of him.

KYLE: Bruce is an angry man.

Kyle smirks... no, more like sneers. He glances at Ryan, who just regards him coldly.

KYLE: But lately he's been trying to control that part of him. He's trying to kill it or something. He wants to be more Bruce, and less the Beast. That's part of the reason why I got rid of him. Or, should I say, tried to get rid of him. Seriously, I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to get as far away from that embarrassment as I could... and he just followed me here like a lost puppy. What the hell?

MIRANDA:[/b] Does he have any weaknesses?

KYLE: Well... he's got a bad knee. Result of an injury last year. Probably never healed right. You want to hurt him though, it's not going to be physically. That's the mistake I made.

Miranda is suddenly very interested. She leans in, encouraging him to continue. Kyle can't help but let his eyes slide down toward her cleavage.

KYLE:[/b] See, I played fair with Bruce. I held back, and tried to beat him physically in the ring. But if you want to strike at him... if you want to hurt him... you go after the people around him. Tiffany, and Bill.

MIRANDA:[/b] Is that so...

Kyle's expression gets severe. For the first time all afternoon, he's deadly serious.

KYLE: But listen very closely. I've seen what that can do. Bruce the Pussy-Cat, and Bruce the Beast are two very different animals. If you attack Bill - or God help you Tiffany - you will unleash the Beast. I'd never seen Bruce more angry than after Anniversary Assault when Mark Millar attacked Tiffany.

Miranda and Kyle stare at one another for a lingering moment, then Kyle's expression returns to normal and he laughs.

KYLE: Course, I just want to send him packing back up to Edmonton with the rest of the losers, where he belongs.

Miranda smiles.

MIRANDA: As it happens, Kyle, I have a potential solution to our mutual problem.

Ryan clears his throat.

RYAN: Kyle, if I may. What is your proposal, Miss. Miranda.

MIRANDA: Iago would very much appreciate your... assistance this coming Tuesday.

KYLE: Is he afraid of Bruce beating Caliban or something?

MIRANDA: Not as such... he just... wants some insurance.

KYLE: And what do you want?

Miranda sips her wine.

MIRANDA: I don't follow.

KYLE:[/b] You've said what it is that Iago wants. What do you want?

MIRANDA:[/b] I want exactly what he wants.

KYLE:[/b] Figures...

Kyle takes a swig of his Corona, seemingly disappointed.

RYAN[/b]: So you would like my client to, what? Cheat on your client's behalf?

KYLE:[/b] Hey! I do not cheat! I'm the most legitimate athlete this company has, for chrissake! You don't see me waving around chairs or baseball bats! It's outrageous! These people call themselves wrestlers? Ugh! But on the other hand, I totally would if you wanted me to.

Kyle is dead serious. Miranda smiles.

MIRANDA: Nothing so dramatic. We just want to ensure that our interests are being protected. And having you... available... would be very satisfying.

KYLE: That's not the only way I'm satisfying.

Ryan clears his throat loudly. Kyle smiles and winks at Miranda.

MIRANDA:[/b] Please understand, Kyle, that Iago is a businessman. His business is fear. And Caliban is a stock that he has invested in very heavily. He doesn't want that stock to be damaged, because it damages his business. Warren and Bruce have been hurting his business. Hence, insurance. Satisfying insurance.

Ryan nods his head, and glances at Kyle. Kyle seems to be enraptured by Miranda's cleavage.

RYAN:[/b] I think we may be able to come to an agreement.

Miranda lifts her glass in a bit of a toast, just as the waiter arrives carrying a plate heaped with delicious prime rib, and places it in front of Kyle. Kyle grins and looks up at Miranda as a plate is placed in front of her.

KYLE: I think this might be the start of a beautiful partnership.

---

The well manicured hand picks up the black knight and moves it into play, suddenly putting pressure on both the white bishop and the white queen. Click. The black gloved hands of the white player tense up. It's white's turn.


_{- Stylin' Kyle and Ryan Kingston used with generous permission.}