Arch-Nemesis

*Arthur Wingate is in his office at Royal Wingate Hall when there is a rather frantic knock on the door. Rather then wait for a formal welcome, the door is opened and we see a nervous Drake Yoshida.*

[Arthur:] "Destiny?"

[Drake:] "Nope. Emergency Code #2."

*Arthur looks dead serious and moves from behind the desk to get a better view of who is in the hallway. When he sees what he appears to be expecting, he nods and ushers someone in. A middle age blonde man with a strong but deteriorating physique walks into the office and gets into the face of Arthur. Drake looks concerned.*

[Arthur:] "Mr. Snow."

[Mr. Snow:] "Mr. Wingate."

[Arthur:] "That's Sir Wingate."

(Yeah, wrestlers wear their gear everywhere, I know )

*After Arthur's patronizing finger-waving, Mr. Snow starts laughing. A few seconds later, Arthur does too. Drake is confused.*

[Drake:] "You said...you said he was a security breach!"

[Arthur:] "Oh Drake, I expected you to put a little more research into those instructions. This is Archibald Snow."

*Drake takes a few tentative steps toward Archibald.*

[Arthur:] "Let me introduce you two. Archie-"

[Archibald:] "Haven't I told you not to call me Archie, Artie-"

*Arthur recoils at that nickname for him but smiles again.*

[Arthur:] "Likewise. Archie, this is my half-brother Drake."

*Archibald extends his hand in a very gentlemanly fashion to Drake, who shakes it and nods.*

[Drake:] "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Snow. I still don't understand-"

*Archibald holds his hand up, cutting off Drake.*

[Archibald:] "Let me field that one. Your half-brother and I just happen to have the biggest rivalry in all the Commonwealth."

[Arthur:] "The whole of Europe, really."

[Archibald:] "Why not the world itself?"

[Drake:] "Apparently you two have a personality rivalry as well."

[Arthur:] "We have spent most of our careers winning each others Championships, a little banter never hurt anyone."

[Archibald:] "It is unfortunate that many in the States have not learned that your greatest rival need not be an enemy. If I am not mistaken, you have presided over such blood feuds, Mr. Yoshida?"

[Drake:] "If you're referring to Geese and Thunder Strike-"

[Arthur:] "Or Geese and Kyle Walker-"

[Drake:] "Yes. Those both certainly... got out of hand."

[Arthur:] "The two feuds almost tore apart an entire promotion. But alas, as Drake is friends with Geese, I can understand him not wanting to be lectured as to how us Brits handle rivalries better."

[Drake:] "That would be appreciated. So what brings you here, Mr. Snow?"

[Archibald:] "Call me Archibald, please. I am here to propose a business deal. As Arthur knows, I am close to retiring before I sully my legacy but I have kept a keen eye on the future of this great sport."

[Arthur:] "Transitioning to a talent scout, are you? That seems a prudent move for those old bones."

[Archibald:] "These old bones got you to tap out last time we met-"

[Arthur:] "After I defeated you in the match."

[Archibald:] "Time can be relative."

[Drake:] "So, you have your eye on the regional talent?"

[Archibald:] "Both eyes. And by that I mean one eye on the sunrise and one eye on the sunset."

*Drake sighs.*

[Drake:] "Please, I have enough people on this roster that speak in solar riddles."

[Archibald:] "There are many wrestlers whose star *smirks* are on the rise that would love to burn their energy here, and many veterans who still have some gas left to add to the existing competitive fire.

[Arthur:] "And how many wrestlers are you currently in contact with?"

[Archibald:] "Five. You are familiar with the Bricklayers, of course, having been on the receiving end of many 'Mortar Drivers.'"

*Arthur cracks his neck side to side.*

[Archibald:] "Exactly. While they are salty and ornery veterans, they still have much to offer for your level of competition."

[Arthur:] "And you can sign them?"

[Archibald:] "We have all toured together recently. They were going to go back home to the United States for good but I promised that I would talk to you on their behalf. You know what they are capable of, Arthur. And while I am very impressed with the success you have had here, the truth is that your tag division, what do you call it, Bath Lion-"

[Drake:] "Battalion."

*Drake is serious but Arthur and Archibald both laugh.*

[Archibald:] "The truth is that it is considerably thin in number. It could also use an influx of experience and explosiveness.

That brings me to my next offer: A team of completely new wrestlers named the 'Eruptshunned.' They are so new that they have not even met each other yet. I scouted them separately and realized they could be put together into a formidable force. If you will allow me to set up a try out using your gym, I am sure you will be pleased."

[Arthur:] "These are generous offers, too generous from you. What do you want in return? You have enough money."

[Archibald:] "That, I do. I'm practically set for life after I won the 2000 Eurasian Cup. I recall defeating you for that, actually."

[Arthur:] "Your memory is a bit foggy, even for London. I won in 2000, you won in 1999."

[Archibald:] "That is right, I did dominate you in the 90's-"

*Drake clears his throat.*

[Drake:] "This trip down memory lane has been very educational. But as Sergeant, I'd like to remind you that I actually am in direct control of hiring wrestlers and would like to hear what you have in mind for talent scout compensation. That is, if you are just scouting and not expecting to manage them."

[Archibald:] "Very astute of you. The two mentioned teams will not be under my guidance once they are signed. And I have full confidence they will be signed once you see them both. But before we discuss compensation, allow me to introduce a man I do want to oversee. He has become my personal bodyguard. Wang-"

*A giant of a man walks into the room, the floor actually shaking from his presence.*

[Archibald:] "This is Wang Gom-bu. I met him on a trip to Nepal. As you can see, he is a warrior of imposing physique-"

*Both Drake and Arthur are in awe of the stoic look on Wang's face.*

[Archibald:] "And more importantly, of focus. This man singlehandedly took this old bag of bones up the Himalayas."

[Arthur:] "You aren't that out of shape-"

[Archibald:] "It wasn't the physical challenge. Could you deal with me for the entirety of a trip up a mountain range?"

[Arthur:] "My old friend, I can barely deal with you now."

*The two laugh as Drake continues to stare at Wang.*

(Nope, not changing that line.)

[Archibald:] "This man can not be mentally broken. And with my in-ring guidance, he will rise to the top of UBL's mountain."

[Arthur:] "All right, I can recognize potential when I see it. And poor Drake here is memorized. So let's talk compensation."

[Archibald:] "In exchange for my duties as scout and Wang's entry here, I request three simple things: One final match with you, one match for the NEXUS Championship, and a UBL contract so that I can wrestle here until I decide to finally retire."

[Arthur:] "The second and third condition will be met...but-"

*Drake snaps out of his stupor.*

[Drake:] "But nobody gets automatic Title shots, Mr. Snow."

[Archibald:] "Let us be realistic. Once I defeat Arthur, everyone will see that I am the best wrestler on the roster. I recall your current Champion, a young Mr. Rivers, being quite comically disposed of by Arthur-"

*Drake looks genuinely angry.*

[Drake:] "Enough. Anytime you are in a room with me, you will show respect to Matt Rivers. He, more then anyone else, saved this promotion's spirit and legitimacy during its darkest time and Arthur can attest to that."

[Arthur:] "That is correct, I most certainly can."

[Drake:] "Second of all, Matt lost to Arthur a number of years ago. Regardless of who would win now, Matt has undoubtedly earned his Championship belt and respect here. That it is not something we make light of."

[Archibald:] "Please, I did not mean to slight your promotion or it's Champion. I merely meant-"

[Drake:] "Matt's reputation or ability is not up for debate. If you want to wrestle Arthur, that is fine. If you want to wrestle here and earn your shot at the NEXUS Championship like anyone else, your are invited to prove your worth. But no automatic Title shots. Even Corey O'Brian, the former Champion who never actually lost his Title, has to earn his shot again.

And with all due respect, Mr. Snow, you are no Corey O'Brian."


*Wang takes a step forward but Drake doesn't back down. Archibald puts his arm in front of Wang and then nods to Drake.*

[Archibald:] "Mr. Yoshida, I respect the promotion you helped build. Your relation to Arthur is very clear in the backbone you display. I relinquish my condition to face your Champion. Please accept my apology for-"

[Drake:] "Your other two conditions can be fulfilled. If Mr. Gom-bu is any indication, you will serve as well as a scout. And even if you are no longer in your prime, if you truly once rivaled Arthur in the ring, then I believe you can still give plenty of people on this roster a run for their money. But make no mistake, even though Arthur owns this promotion, I helped build it. And I will tolerate nothing but admiration for a place that has, quite frankly, survived sh*t that you can't even begin to realize."

*Arthur looks on in shock that the usual formal Drake used profanity but the look on Drake's face seems even more focused then the look on Wang's. Archibald reaches out his hand to Arthur who shakes it.*

[Archibald:] "I am glad we can do business again, old friend. If I walked into this room with any lack of appreciation for this promotion and its leadership, I have been relieved of that condition by your brother. I look forward to working with you both."

*Archibald holds his hand out to Drake who shakes it quickly and nods. Then Archibald walks out with his head held high andh Wang following him. A few seconds after the door closes and Drake has a chance to calm down, he looks at Arthur.*

[Drake:] "There's something I don't like about that guy."

*Arthur cocks his head back and laughs for a few seconds. Drake seems annoyed.*

[Arthur:] "Naturally. He reminds you of me when I first came to UBL in the United States."

*Arthur grins widely and Drake shakes his head looking frustrated but with a hint of a smile on his face.*

[Arthur:] "Don't worry, I will keep Archibald in line. Let us just rejoice that more world class talent is on the way."

[Drake:] "And on its way to us, not Destiny."

*Arthur grins and nods at Drake as the scene fades.*