Post by Eden Morgan on Oct 18, 2014 12:53:26 GMT -5
The screen is dark.
Eden: Killian, your hand better not be going where I think it is.
Killian: And here I was simply being a gentleman and adjusting your seat for you.
Vain: Quiet! The voiceover's coming.
A voiceover by Rob Cartwright is heard.
Cartwright: This is the true story of a group of Entertainment Professionals chosen for superiority--
Eden: I never realized how generic this whole thing was.
Zane: I did.
Cartwright: -- who work together and have their lives taped--
Killian: Exactly how much of our lives are to be filmed?
Vain: Not that much.
Killian: Fantastic. I ask only for the sake of our viewers, of course.
Vain: Of course you do.
Cartwright: -- to find out what happens when life gets…pierced…
Eden: I seriously hate these lines.
Zane: Ba-dum-dum-chhhh!
Cartwright: The Piercing Life.
A flashy logo is shown.
Eden: Memo to me- fire whoever wrote this crap.
Vain: Noted!
Killian: On it!
Zane: Already done.
Eden: Really?
Zane: It was a pet project of mine.
Eden: Hmm. Glasses. He reached out a few days ago, showed interest in what we're building here. We could use him.
Cartwright: Previously, on the Piercing Media Network...
Scenes from Sin City cut in, showing Jet losing the title--
Raucous laughter cuts in from the assembled as Jet is shown on his knees, a look of dawning understanding on his face.
Eden: That expression would actually mean something if he didn't get it every time he has what he considers to be an epiphany.
Vain: How often did that occur?
Eden: Several times a day, I believe once it was over a change of air freshener.
Snickering moves throughout as the video continues.
Donovan reveling in his all-too-short victory before Eden snatched it away and showed her true colors--
Killian: Brutally done.
Eden: Thank you.
Zane: Shut up, favorite part!
Eden and Zane hit Travis and Jet with their finishers, Travis and Jet being overrun by PMN security as Eden and Zane walked out behind them, gloating. The scene switches to the previous week's Synergy and the match between the teaming of Eden and Zane against the team of Vain and Remi.
Vain: Isn't this a particularly long introduction to “The Piercing Life”?
Zane: It is.
Eden: There never really was much to show before now. PMN was stagnant. Really, Jet and Travis should be thanking me instead of all the bitching. Well, from Jet. Travis fell off the face of the Earth, apparently.
She chuckles to herself as the scenes continue.
Vain tying Eden up in the ropes. Killian coming down with the barbed wire bat. The beating to Dirge, Killian having to leverage the bat to pry the barbs free. The attack on Remi. And then... the final grouping of the four. The scene fades out to Eden by herself, seated in a high-backed chair with a red velvet cushioning framing her, illustrating her coloring vividly. A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she crosses one leg over the other, her pencil skirt clinging to her thighs and revealing the seamed stockings beneath, broken only by the ankle strap of her high heels.
Eden: Apparently Remi learned nothing from that exchange as he then went on to buy a title shot for himself. No matter, I suspected him of being a slow learner. Second lesson this week, Remi.
She winks at the camera and then settles back in the chair, a satisfied smile curling at her lips, her voice practically purring.
Eden: But they never... saw it... coming. Not a one of them. Not that they should have, I suppose. That's how a well-orchestrated plan works out. And this has been in the planning for quite a while.
Scene cuts to a video with the time stamp showing it goes back to just prior to Wrestlestock. Travis Pierce and Eden Morgan sit in a room watching a monitor.
Eden: Wow, you found some really old stuff on Vain. But who is that guy he's frequently with?
Travis shrugs.
Travis: Some guy he got really friendly with while he was over there. From what I've seen, they were apparently extremely vicious together, their matches ended in numerous healthcode violations and citations. Not the Vain we know now, that's for sure.
Eden: Hmm..
Scene cuts again to reveal Eden seated in an office surrounded by dark woods, their varnish gleaming even in the dim light. She leans forward, taking the proffered glass filled a quarter of the way with a rich amber liquid from a smoothly tanned hand.
Eden: Thank you, Mr. King.
Killian King takes a seat at his desk, clasping his fingers loosely together before him as he watches her appreciatively.
Killian: Don't mention it, Miss Morgan. So you say, Alan could use a reminder of who he is? That he's, as you say, receptive to it now?
Eden gives a short nod, a secretive smile in place. Killian chuckles to himself, replaying the video from his phone.
Killian: And what do you stand to benefit from his reacquaintance with himself? I should think that as his adversary, you would want to avoid that at all costs.
Eden: As his adversary, you would be correct.
Killian's smile grows to mirror hers as the scene changes once more to Eden alone in the 'confessional'. Her words are drowned out as, in the audience, Vain leans forward, looking around Killian at Eden.
Vain: You set him on me?
Before she can answer, Killian speaks up.
Killian: Well I damn sure didn't just miss your stellar personality.
Vain glares at him before sitting back, watching as the scene shifts once more on the screen to reveal Vain and Eden closeted in a meeting together. Vain grins as he watches himself.
Vain: Handsome devil. He should give himself a raise.
Eden: Would you shut it?
On the screen, Vain pulls a perplexed face as he watches on-screen Eden closely.
Vain: Correct 'The Vain One' if he's wrong, Miss Morgan, but this all seems a bit... out of character, wouldn't you say?
Eden: I suppose it might.
Vain: You suppose it might. Well suppose this, m'dear. Up until now I have considered you to be a stalwart enemy-- and now you propose not only a truce but a future alliance, something so nebulous as months from now?
Eden: I realize it's hard to believe, Alan-- can I call you Alan? Doesn't matter, I'm going to anyway-- but I see something in you. Something else other than the man you've shown to us. I could use a man like that with me. And he certainly isn't appreciated where he is.
Vain: And what do Somers and Pierce have to say about this?
Eden: You ask that as if you think they know, and I just can't believe you're that naïve.
Vain stares at her for a long moment.
Vain: You've changed. But will it last?
Eden watches him, pursing her lips.
Eden: We'll speak again, Alan, but as a show of good faith-- you won't have Travis and I to concern yourself with at Wrestlestock. I have... other... concerns then, completely apart from the Co-Op titles. Should it come down to our teams, there will be a slip. Count on it.
She moves out the door before Vain can respond as the scene fades out to show Vain seated in the confessional chair, his white suit pristine against all the red, the pink of his tie and the perfectly folded handkerchief at his pocket clashing and somehow overpowering the darker color.
Vain: What does one make of a sudden shift like that? And then, Vain also had Killian hounding him, pushing him, the issues with the other Puppet Masters. She kept her promises where they had not. 'The Vain One' felt more a part of a team that was composed of secrets than he did of the one that was out in the open. More an equal, less a soldier.
He pauses to lean back in the chair, a look of cunning growing on his face.
Vain: And no one saw it coming.
Vain fades out as the scene shifts to Travis and Eden clashing with Vain and Killian at Sin City during the match between Jet Somers and Donovan Hastings. Killian leaving Travis in a crumbled heap. Eden hitting Vain with 'Fall of Eden' and then moving to Killian. Jet ordering her out of the area. Cut briefly to Eden in the confessional, a hard glare in place.
Eden: Jet almost got taken out right there. I was tired of his orders and preachings.
Cut back to the scene, Eden turning and slapping Killian in the face and darting off, Killian in hot pursuit. Instead of showing the remainder of the match between Jet and Donovan, we see views we haven't previously seen. Eden bolting through the backstage area with Killian chasing her, the two of them dodging obstacle after obstacle and weaving up one hallway and down another. Finally Killian stops, leaning against a wall, panting as he yells.
Killian: Hey! The fuck are we still running for?
Eden stops, walking back to him, tossing her hair out of her eyes, a mocking expression in place.
Eden: What's the matter? Can't keep up?
Killian rolls his eyes but says nothing, the two of them glancing around to see no one around them to witness their interaction. A sound from one of the monitors distracts them as they look up to watch the rest of the match.
Killian: Ol' Alan is really selling that boot to the face isn't he?
Killian indicates Vain on the screen, Eden shifting uncomfortably.
Eden: Yeah, about that. I may have had a bit of an adrenaline rush and... not pulled back.
Killian turns slowly to stare at her, Eden shrugging. In the audience, Vain leans forward once more to glare at Eden.
Vain: No. She didn't.
Eden: Oops.
Eden's expression never changes from her nonchalant one as she responds to Vain. On the screen, Killian sits in the confessional chair now.
Killian: The woman... is infuriating at times.
Killian suddenly vanishes from the chair to be replaced by Zane, a sinister smile in place.
Zane: The woman is beyond infuriating at times. But damned if she doesn't have the most surprisingly diabolical schemes--
Zane disappears from the chair to be replaced by Killian.
Killian: In that delicious little head of hers.
In the audience, Eden looks over at Zane on one side of her and at Killian on the other, a hand raising to indicate between the two of them.
Eden: Do you two share lines or am I really that bad?
Nods all around, including Vain. Eden scowls at them. Zane leans toward her, whispering softly so only she can hear as the show continues on, Vain and Killian offering their commentary as it does so.
Zane: You know everyone's going to start asking 'why' soon.
Eden nods, her voice just as soft.
Eden: They already have.
Zane inclines his head to acknowledge her point.
Zane: If you retain your silence they'll only assign their own stories and reasonings to it. Jet's already bandying about that it's a lack of maturity, a fall from grace, inability to handle “the lifestyle.”
Eden rolls her eyes.
Eden: Let Jet spin it however he likes. He's struggling for relevancy. It's to be expected.
Quiet resumes between them as the four continue watching the screen before them.
New Orleans, DMW Clubhouse, Church
The motley group of bikers take their respective seats around the large, wooden table, Cypress Morgan seated at the head, Chaos at his immediate left and >\/< at his right. The rest fill in their seats, Cypress barely grazing the gavel against the desk as he watches them all thoughtfully. The doors start to close, Cypress speaking up.
Cypress: Where's Jet?
Silence greets his question, each member looking at the next in confusion.
Vinnie: Since when is Somers allowed in Church?
Cypress turns the gavel a few times before responding.
Cypress: We're not doing any voting today and I'm pretty fucking sure he'll be wanted in here for this.
The DMW President grits his teeth as he speaks, one of the other members moving away from the table to fetch his brother-in-law. In short order, Jet Somers enters the room, a questioning look on his face. Cypress nods toward the other end of the table, indicating an open seat.
Cypress: Have a seat, Jet. Seems we have a conference call to take.
Grumblings from around the table as Cypress reaches back, hitting the screen on the wall behind him. As it turns on, Jet stiffens in his chair as the PMN boardroom comes in view, Eden seated at the head of a long table, mirroring Cypress, Zane, Vain, and Killian seated beside her. Further down, papers shuffle as nondescript suits speak softly, sipping coffee, and going through paperwork. Eden smiles out at the assembly.
Eden: Awww, look at you guys! I've missed you... and is that Jet Somers, I see? Jet!
She gives a little laugh, clasping her hands before her.
Eden: Look at you. A few months ago you get your first tattoo and now it's like you have the DMW starter kit. Now, will you be growing a beard or drawing one on with a sharpie?
Chuckles from the three around her, Vain speaking next.
Vain: It's just so... Disney... how they've all taken him, accepted him as one of their own--
Killian: Well, it helps when the President of their little tricycle crew is putting it to his sister every night.
Zane: I had always heard there was a brand of honor among biker gangs--
Cypress: It's a goddamned motorcycle enthusiasts club!
Zane grins before continuing.
Zane: But I see no honor here. I see distrust.
Vain: Look at that face. A face like that-
Vain indicates Jet Somers.
Vain: Practically screams 'Narc!'
Eden: Now boys, let's play nice. They have their friends and we have ours.
Chaos: What's that supposed to mean?
Eden perks up at his question.
Eden: I'm glad you asked, Chadwick. I can always count on you to ask the truly important questions.
She looks around the table at all the unnamed suits, speaking quietly.
Eden: All of you out. It's movie time.
She waits until they have all dutifully filed out, leaving only herself, Killian, Zane, and Vain. She presses a few buttons on the touchscreen before her, the video feed changing to one of static and minimizing the view of the PMN boardroom. Suddenly a shaky scene flashes in to place, the time -stamp showing 7/5/14 with a running time showing this day had fewer hours in it than it had already been through. A glimpse of the inside of a wooden frame building, and then we see various members of the DMW. Chaos. Lucky. Nate Korpi. >\/<. Even nonmembers such as Gian Jones were in evidence. Each with weapons in hand. Jet Somers stands to the side, watching as Mickey Dragon is drug into the building by A-Dogg and Bloodhound, an ambulance glimpsed in the background. Cypress speaks to him, their lips moving but no sound issuing forth. And then the group surrounds Mickey Dragon, already injured and chained to the roof of the building by his wrists, brandishing weapons. The scene plays out before cutting to static once more, the video to the PMN boardroom increasing in size again. Eden taps her fingers on the desk as she watches the faces of each man at the table.
Lucky: How... does she have a video...
Eden: Does that really matter? Well, yes, I suppose it does. Because, you see, that video means that one, you have a mole in your group. Or moles. Could be more. I can't tell, a girl has to have some secrets.
Tension immediately fills the air, stares moving from one to another. Smiles form on the faces of the members of the Piercing Media Network, Eden looking particularly satisfied. She muses.
Eden: You know, Alan... you were right. Jet does look... kind of like a narc, doesn't he? Well... I mean he was visible on the tape so there's that, but he didn't participate, did he? Although that does make him an accessory--
>\/<: What's your point, Princess?
Eden focuses on Klaus, her small smile still in place. She doesn't answer his question, simply continuing on.
Eden: Which brings me to the second point this video makes. That mole that you have in the DMW? Acquired under the watch of your new Sergeant-At-Arms, Klaus vonKnorre. Correct me if I'm wrong, Klausy, but isn't that position supposed to protect the club?
Klaus gets to his feet, glaring at her, Cypress barking out the words “Sit down!” Klaus stares at his friend for a long moment before finally retaking his seat, returning his stare to Eden's amused one.
Eden: You know I really didn't want to do this. I never planned on this video ever seeing the light of day, but I feel it's my duty as an upstanding citizen to see that the proper authorities view this. Now, I realize that some of you have... items on your rap sheets that might make this look worse than it is--
Vain: How can it look worse than it is? They killed a man!
Vain gives the appearance of one overly-shocked while Killian smiles out at the assembly.
Killian: Love your work. Huge fan.
Eden: Now, Alan, we can't say for sure what happened to Mickey, what with there being no body and no weapons, because I'm sure they were intelligent enough to dispose of those... weren't you boys?
She grins into the camera again.
Eden: No, this lacks the ability to apply a concrete sentencing... but when have the Feds needed that to become a pain in someone's backside? Of course, if Cypress isn't concerned about that in the slightest, if all of his business is completely above board, then there are no worries. Right?
She glances around the table at each of them, Chaos' face turning green, Cypress' remaining emotionless, his knuckles showing the strain as he grips the table.
Eden: I'm not hearing any agreement. So I'll take that to mean that it would be best for all concerned if this little video never saw the light of day.
Silence continues. Eden focuses again on >\/<.
Eden: You know, Klausy, this wouldn't have been necessary had you and your trashy little tailbiter not orchestrated that little stunt you pulled after Synergy.
She presses a hand to her chest, appearing sincere.
Eden: It didn't bother me in the slightest. Anyone with half a brain knew that wasn't me, I mean really-- as if I'd be caught dead coming out of a public bathroom. That's more Harley's speed, but I suppose when you're only surrounded by classless whores--
She makes a shrugging gesture, as if to say 'that's to be expected.'
Eden: And the split ends were visible on that trollop from here! Now Klaus-- that hurts.
She pouts a little at the camera, reaching up to draw her own, shining, obviously well kept jet-black hair over her shoulder, running a few fingers through it smoothly. Suddenly she stops, all business once more.
Eden: But, my legal representatives have impressed upon me the underlying threat of your actions. That I shouldn't see them as simply the staged acting they were, but take them as something you plan to execute. Robert Ooley was notified formally that it would be viewed as such, and so your punishment on that end will reflect that. But now, Klausy, I have bigger fish to fry than yourself--
She stares hard at Jet, meeting his gaze and holding it as she speaks.
Eden: And so this video comes to light. To ensure that no more such incidents take place. Isn't that right, Cypress?
Cypress: I'll handle it, Eden.
He speaks through gritted teeth, glaring at Klaus and then at Jet. Eden smiles over his head.
Eden: See that you do. I'd hate for you to lose your little club because you can't control its members' actions. And Jet--
She catches his eye again, smiling mockingly.
Eden: See you Monday.
As the feed cuts out, silence heavily fills the room. Into the thick and almost choking aspect of it, Cypress speaks softly.
Cypress: Everyone out. Except Klaus.
The chairs shuffle as they all file out, Klaus and Cypress seated at the table alone as the doors to the Church close once more.
Eden: Killian, your hand better not be going where I think it is.
Killian: And here I was simply being a gentleman and adjusting your seat for you.
Vain: Quiet! The voiceover's coming.
A voiceover by Rob Cartwright is heard.
Cartwright: This is the true story of a group of Entertainment Professionals chosen for superiority--
Eden: I never realized how generic this whole thing was.
Zane: I did.
Cartwright: -- who work together and have their lives taped--
Killian: Exactly how much of our lives are to be filmed?
Vain: Not that much.
Killian: Fantastic. I ask only for the sake of our viewers, of course.
Vain: Of course you do.
Cartwright: -- to find out what happens when life gets…pierced…
Eden: I seriously hate these lines.
Zane: Ba-dum-dum-chhhh!
Cartwright: The Piercing Life.
A flashy logo is shown.
Eden: Memo to me- fire whoever wrote this crap.
Vain: Noted!
Killian: On it!
Zane: Already done.
Eden: Really?
Zane: It was a pet project of mine.
Eden: Hmm. Glasses. He reached out a few days ago, showed interest in what we're building here. We could use him.
Cartwright: Previously, on the Piercing Media Network...
Scenes from Sin City cut in, showing Jet losing the title--
Raucous laughter cuts in from the assembled as Jet is shown on his knees, a look of dawning understanding on his face.
Eden: That expression would actually mean something if he didn't get it every time he has what he considers to be an epiphany.
Vain: How often did that occur?
Eden: Several times a day, I believe once it was over a change of air freshener.
Snickering moves throughout as the video continues.
Donovan reveling in his all-too-short victory before Eden snatched it away and showed her true colors--
Killian: Brutally done.
Eden: Thank you.
Zane: Shut up, favorite part!
Eden and Zane hit Travis and Jet with their finishers, Travis and Jet being overrun by PMN security as Eden and Zane walked out behind them, gloating. The scene switches to the previous week's Synergy and the match between the teaming of Eden and Zane against the team of Vain and Remi.
Vain: Isn't this a particularly long introduction to “The Piercing Life”?
Zane: It is.
Eden: There never really was much to show before now. PMN was stagnant. Really, Jet and Travis should be thanking me instead of all the bitching. Well, from Jet. Travis fell off the face of the Earth, apparently.
She chuckles to herself as the scenes continue.
Vain tying Eden up in the ropes. Killian coming down with the barbed wire bat. The beating to Dirge, Killian having to leverage the bat to pry the barbs free. The attack on Remi. And then... the final grouping of the four. The scene fades out to Eden by herself, seated in a high-backed chair with a red velvet cushioning framing her, illustrating her coloring vividly. A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she crosses one leg over the other, her pencil skirt clinging to her thighs and revealing the seamed stockings beneath, broken only by the ankle strap of her high heels.
Eden: Apparently Remi learned nothing from that exchange as he then went on to buy a title shot for himself. No matter, I suspected him of being a slow learner. Second lesson this week, Remi.
She winks at the camera and then settles back in the chair, a satisfied smile curling at her lips, her voice practically purring.
Eden: But they never... saw it... coming. Not a one of them. Not that they should have, I suppose. That's how a well-orchestrated plan works out. And this has been in the planning for quite a while.
Scene cuts to a video with the time stamp showing it goes back to just prior to Wrestlestock. Travis Pierce and Eden Morgan sit in a room watching a monitor.
Eden: Wow, you found some really old stuff on Vain. But who is that guy he's frequently with?
Travis shrugs.
Travis: Some guy he got really friendly with while he was over there. From what I've seen, they were apparently extremely vicious together, their matches ended in numerous healthcode violations and citations. Not the Vain we know now, that's for sure.
Eden: Hmm..
Scene cuts again to reveal Eden seated in an office surrounded by dark woods, their varnish gleaming even in the dim light. She leans forward, taking the proffered glass filled a quarter of the way with a rich amber liquid from a smoothly tanned hand.
Eden: Thank you, Mr. King.
Killian King takes a seat at his desk, clasping his fingers loosely together before him as he watches her appreciatively.
Killian: Don't mention it, Miss Morgan. So you say, Alan could use a reminder of who he is? That he's, as you say, receptive to it now?
Eden gives a short nod, a secretive smile in place. Killian chuckles to himself, replaying the video from his phone.
Killian: And what do you stand to benefit from his reacquaintance with himself? I should think that as his adversary, you would want to avoid that at all costs.
Eden: As his adversary, you would be correct.
Killian's smile grows to mirror hers as the scene changes once more to Eden alone in the 'confessional'. Her words are drowned out as, in the audience, Vain leans forward, looking around Killian at Eden.
Vain: You set him on me?
Before she can answer, Killian speaks up.
Killian: Well I damn sure didn't just miss your stellar personality.
Vain glares at him before sitting back, watching as the scene shifts once more on the screen to reveal Vain and Eden closeted in a meeting together. Vain grins as he watches himself.
Vain: Handsome devil. He should give himself a raise.
Eden: Would you shut it?
On the screen, Vain pulls a perplexed face as he watches on-screen Eden closely.
Vain: Correct 'The Vain One' if he's wrong, Miss Morgan, but this all seems a bit... out of character, wouldn't you say?
Eden: I suppose it might.
Vain: You suppose it might. Well suppose this, m'dear. Up until now I have considered you to be a stalwart enemy-- and now you propose not only a truce but a future alliance, something so nebulous as months from now?
Eden: I realize it's hard to believe, Alan-- can I call you Alan? Doesn't matter, I'm going to anyway-- but I see something in you. Something else other than the man you've shown to us. I could use a man like that with me. And he certainly isn't appreciated where he is.
Vain: And what do Somers and Pierce have to say about this?
Eden: You ask that as if you think they know, and I just can't believe you're that naïve.
Vain stares at her for a long moment.
Vain: You've changed. But will it last?
Eden watches him, pursing her lips.
Eden: We'll speak again, Alan, but as a show of good faith-- you won't have Travis and I to concern yourself with at Wrestlestock. I have... other... concerns then, completely apart from the Co-Op titles. Should it come down to our teams, there will be a slip. Count on it.
She moves out the door before Vain can respond as the scene fades out to show Vain seated in the confessional chair, his white suit pristine against all the red, the pink of his tie and the perfectly folded handkerchief at his pocket clashing and somehow overpowering the darker color.
Vain: What does one make of a sudden shift like that? And then, Vain also had Killian hounding him, pushing him, the issues with the other Puppet Masters. She kept her promises where they had not. 'The Vain One' felt more a part of a team that was composed of secrets than he did of the one that was out in the open. More an equal, less a soldier.
He pauses to lean back in the chair, a look of cunning growing on his face.
Vain: And no one saw it coming.
Vain fades out as the scene shifts to Travis and Eden clashing with Vain and Killian at Sin City during the match between Jet Somers and Donovan Hastings. Killian leaving Travis in a crumbled heap. Eden hitting Vain with 'Fall of Eden' and then moving to Killian. Jet ordering her out of the area. Cut briefly to Eden in the confessional, a hard glare in place.
Eden: Jet almost got taken out right there. I was tired of his orders and preachings.
Cut back to the scene, Eden turning and slapping Killian in the face and darting off, Killian in hot pursuit. Instead of showing the remainder of the match between Jet and Donovan, we see views we haven't previously seen. Eden bolting through the backstage area with Killian chasing her, the two of them dodging obstacle after obstacle and weaving up one hallway and down another. Finally Killian stops, leaning against a wall, panting as he yells.
Killian: Hey! The fuck are we still running for?
Eden stops, walking back to him, tossing her hair out of her eyes, a mocking expression in place.
Eden: What's the matter? Can't keep up?
Killian rolls his eyes but says nothing, the two of them glancing around to see no one around them to witness their interaction. A sound from one of the monitors distracts them as they look up to watch the rest of the match.
Killian: Ol' Alan is really selling that boot to the face isn't he?
Killian indicates Vain on the screen, Eden shifting uncomfortably.
Eden: Yeah, about that. I may have had a bit of an adrenaline rush and... not pulled back.
Killian turns slowly to stare at her, Eden shrugging. In the audience, Vain leans forward once more to glare at Eden.
Vain: No. She didn't.
Eden: Oops.
Eden's expression never changes from her nonchalant one as she responds to Vain. On the screen, Killian sits in the confessional chair now.
Killian: The woman... is infuriating at times.
Killian suddenly vanishes from the chair to be replaced by Zane, a sinister smile in place.
Zane: The woman is beyond infuriating at times. But damned if she doesn't have the most surprisingly diabolical schemes--
Zane disappears from the chair to be replaced by Killian.
Killian: In that delicious little head of hers.
In the audience, Eden looks over at Zane on one side of her and at Killian on the other, a hand raising to indicate between the two of them.
Eden: Do you two share lines or am I really that bad?
Nods all around, including Vain. Eden scowls at them. Zane leans toward her, whispering softly so only she can hear as the show continues on, Vain and Killian offering their commentary as it does so.
Zane: You know everyone's going to start asking 'why' soon.
Eden nods, her voice just as soft.
Eden: They already have.
Zane inclines his head to acknowledge her point.
Zane: If you retain your silence they'll only assign their own stories and reasonings to it. Jet's already bandying about that it's a lack of maturity, a fall from grace, inability to handle “the lifestyle.”
Eden rolls her eyes.
Eden: Let Jet spin it however he likes. He's struggling for relevancy. It's to be expected.
Quiet resumes between them as the four continue watching the screen before them.
New Orleans, DMW Clubhouse, Church
The motley group of bikers take their respective seats around the large, wooden table, Cypress Morgan seated at the head, Chaos at his immediate left and >\/< at his right. The rest fill in their seats, Cypress barely grazing the gavel against the desk as he watches them all thoughtfully. The doors start to close, Cypress speaking up.
Cypress: Where's Jet?
Silence greets his question, each member looking at the next in confusion.
Vinnie: Since when is Somers allowed in Church?
Cypress turns the gavel a few times before responding.
Cypress: We're not doing any voting today and I'm pretty fucking sure he'll be wanted in here for this.
The DMW President grits his teeth as he speaks, one of the other members moving away from the table to fetch his brother-in-law. In short order, Jet Somers enters the room, a questioning look on his face. Cypress nods toward the other end of the table, indicating an open seat.
Cypress: Have a seat, Jet. Seems we have a conference call to take.
Grumblings from around the table as Cypress reaches back, hitting the screen on the wall behind him. As it turns on, Jet stiffens in his chair as the PMN boardroom comes in view, Eden seated at the head of a long table, mirroring Cypress, Zane, Vain, and Killian seated beside her. Further down, papers shuffle as nondescript suits speak softly, sipping coffee, and going through paperwork. Eden smiles out at the assembly.
Eden: Awww, look at you guys! I've missed you... and is that Jet Somers, I see? Jet!
She gives a little laugh, clasping her hands before her.
Eden: Look at you. A few months ago you get your first tattoo and now it's like you have the DMW starter kit. Now, will you be growing a beard or drawing one on with a sharpie?
Chuckles from the three around her, Vain speaking next.
Vain: It's just so... Disney... how they've all taken him, accepted him as one of their own--
Killian: Well, it helps when the President of their little tricycle crew is putting it to his sister every night.
Zane: I had always heard there was a brand of honor among biker gangs--
Cypress: It's a goddamned motorcycle enthusiasts club!
Zane grins before continuing.
Zane: But I see no honor here. I see distrust.
Vain: Look at that face. A face like that-
Vain indicates Jet Somers.
Vain: Practically screams 'Narc!'
Eden: Now boys, let's play nice. They have their friends and we have ours.
Chaos: What's that supposed to mean?
Eden perks up at his question.
Eden: I'm glad you asked, Chadwick. I can always count on you to ask the truly important questions.
She looks around the table at all the unnamed suits, speaking quietly.
Eden: All of you out. It's movie time.
She waits until they have all dutifully filed out, leaving only herself, Killian, Zane, and Vain. She presses a few buttons on the touchscreen before her, the video feed changing to one of static and minimizing the view of the PMN boardroom. Suddenly a shaky scene flashes in to place, the time -stamp showing 7/5/14 with a running time showing this day had fewer hours in it than it had already been through. A glimpse of the inside of a wooden frame building, and then we see various members of the DMW. Chaos. Lucky. Nate Korpi. >\/<. Even nonmembers such as Gian Jones were in evidence. Each with weapons in hand. Jet Somers stands to the side, watching as Mickey Dragon is drug into the building by A-Dogg and Bloodhound, an ambulance glimpsed in the background. Cypress speaks to him, their lips moving but no sound issuing forth. And then the group surrounds Mickey Dragon, already injured and chained to the roof of the building by his wrists, brandishing weapons. The scene plays out before cutting to static once more, the video to the PMN boardroom increasing in size again. Eden taps her fingers on the desk as she watches the faces of each man at the table.
Lucky: How... does she have a video...
Eden: Does that really matter? Well, yes, I suppose it does. Because, you see, that video means that one, you have a mole in your group. Or moles. Could be more. I can't tell, a girl has to have some secrets.
Tension immediately fills the air, stares moving from one to another. Smiles form on the faces of the members of the Piercing Media Network, Eden looking particularly satisfied. She muses.
Eden: You know, Alan... you were right. Jet does look... kind of like a narc, doesn't he? Well... I mean he was visible on the tape so there's that, but he didn't participate, did he? Although that does make him an accessory--
>\/<: What's your point, Princess?
Eden focuses on Klaus, her small smile still in place. She doesn't answer his question, simply continuing on.
Eden: Which brings me to the second point this video makes. That mole that you have in the DMW? Acquired under the watch of your new Sergeant-At-Arms, Klaus vonKnorre. Correct me if I'm wrong, Klausy, but isn't that position supposed to protect the club?
Klaus gets to his feet, glaring at her, Cypress barking out the words “Sit down!” Klaus stares at his friend for a long moment before finally retaking his seat, returning his stare to Eden's amused one.
Eden: You know I really didn't want to do this. I never planned on this video ever seeing the light of day, but I feel it's my duty as an upstanding citizen to see that the proper authorities view this. Now, I realize that some of you have... items on your rap sheets that might make this look worse than it is--
Vain: How can it look worse than it is? They killed a man!
Vain gives the appearance of one overly-shocked while Killian smiles out at the assembly.
Killian: Love your work. Huge fan.
Eden: Now, Alan, we can't say for sure what happened to Mickey, what with there being no body and no weapons, because I'm sure they were intelligent enough to dispose of those... weren't you boys?
She grins into the camera again.
Eden: No, this lacks the ability to apply a concrete sentencing... but when have the Feds needed that to become a pain in someone's backside? Of course, if Cypress isn't concerned about that in the slightest, if all of his business is completely above board, then there are no worries. Right?
She glances around the table at each of them, Chaos' face turning green, Cypress' remaining emotionless, his knuckles showing the strain as he grips the table.
Eden: I'm not hearing any agreement. So I'll take that to mean that it would be best for all concerned if this little video never saw the light of day.
Silence continues. Eden focuses again on >\/<.
Eden: You know, Klausy, this wouldn't have been necessary had you and your trashy little tailbiter not orchestrated that little stunt you pulled after Synergy.
She presses a hand to her chest, appearing sincere.
Eden: It didn't bother me in the slightest. Anyone with half a brain knew that wasn't me, I mean really-- as if I'd be caught dead coming out of a public bathroom. That's more Harley's speed, but I suppose when you're only surrounded by classless whores--
She makes a shrugging gesture, as if to say 'that's to be expected.'
Eden: And the split ends were visible on that trollop from here! Now Klaus-- that hurts.
She pouts a little at the camera, reaching up to draw her own, shining, obviously well kept jet-black hair over her shoulder, running a few fingers through it smoothly. Suddenly she stops, all business once more.
Eden: But, my legal representatives have impressed upon me the underlying threat of your actions. That I shouldn't see them as simply the staged acting they were, but take them as something you plan to execute. Robert Ooley was notified formally that it would be viewed as such, and so your punishment on that end will reflect that. But now, Klausy, I have bigger fish to fry than yourself--
She stares hard at Jet, meeting his gaze and holding it as she speaks.
Eden: And so this video comes to light. To ensure that no more such incidents take place. Isn't that right, Cypress?
Cypress: I'll handle it, Eden.
He speaks through gritted teeth, glaring at Klaus and then at Jet. Eden smiles over his head.
Eden: See that you do. I'd hate for you to lose your little club because you can't control its members' actions. And Jet--
She catches his eye again, smiling mockingly.
Eden: See you Monday.
As the feed cuts out, silence heavily fills the room. Into the thick and almost choking aspect of it, Cypress speaks softly.
Cypress: Everyone out. Except Klaus.
The chairs shuffle as they all file out, Klaus and Cypress seated at the table alone as the doors to the Church close once more.
