Leon: “Hey, George, how long have we been waiting?”

George: “About twenty minutes… Why?”

Leon: “Do you think that Thurston stood us up?

George: “I doubt it. He said that he wanted some promo time pretty desperate today.”

Leon: “Hit the camera, I think I hear him coming…”

Leon takes a position to the side of the door as the camera rolls. The door creaks open...

Leon: “Yes, Thurston can I… hey, you’re not Thurston…”

The door opens fully to reveal a confused looking football player. He looks back and forth from Leon to the camera.

Football Player: “No, I’m not… I’m Jake Simmons, I play football here… who the hell is Thurston?”

Leon: “Er, a, well I…”

The football player shakes his head and walks away. Leon turns away from the door, only to whirl around again as he hears the latch turn once more.

Leon: “Thurston?”

Thurston: “What do you want? You one of those autograph seekers that have been following me? Is that it, you want a frickin’ autograph?”

Leon: “But… I… a…. I…. umm”

Thurston glances at the camera, then back at Leon. He ponders the combination for a moment, then looks back at Leon.

Thurston: “Aren’t you that interviewer from the GWA, one of their field reporters, Leon Stinks or something?”

Leon: “Leon Sphinx, at your service…”

Thurston: “What, I’m not good enough for them to send out one of their better reporters? I couldn’t get Ross Bobby… or even Howard Plather? I get stuck with you, you sniveling little low-class pile of shit?”

Leon: “Well sir… I, ah…”

Thurston: “Stop sniveling and ask your damn question. You’re not being paid to stand here and whimper all day. Grow some balls, man.”

Leon: “Sorry sir…”

Thurston raises an eyebrow at Leon, who shifts backwards a bit.

Leon: “Well, a lot of us want to know, what do you think of the GWA now that you have been around for a month or so?

Thurston: “Overall? I think the GWA is in good shape. The heavyweight class is very entertaining, to say the least. There is a lot of talent there already, with better wrestlers coming in every day. Things are going up in the heavyweight division. People such as Odyssey and Ashram, Doom, Drakestone, and the others are veterans of the business, and they know how to put on a good show.”

Leon: “And your own division, the Falconers?”

Thurston: “I was about to get to that, if you hadn’t chosen to interrupt.”

Leon shrinks back even more at this, almost cowering.

Thurston: “The Falconer division is lackluster at best. Very little worthy competition… Yes, I know that The Icon is the champion, but beyond him and myself, the competition is average at best. Sexton and Jackson have forgotten their roots, have taken leave of competition in this division. Chambers was very promising, and we had a good match against Maher and Robinson, but then, after Avalanche, both he as well as Lou Wang dropped off the radar screen. Maher Reims? Yeah, he’s been around, hasn’t really done much. Same with his buddy Azra’il Rosuto, who I face on Wednesday. Rade? Haven’t dealt with him. And then we have a crop of new and returning people, including Drake Maxwell and Tempest.”

Leon: “It seems that you have a bit of a feud with Maher and Azra’il… could you explain?”

Thurston: “No explanation needed. They were simply my first opponents. They were the first to stand in my way and oppose me, thus they are my first and sure to be lasting enemies. Maher, he lost the triple threat match which introduced myself and him to the GWA… I could have easily won the match, but I felt it was in the best business interest that Chambers would get the win. Then myself and Chambers defeated Maher and Robinson. Easily, I might add… and then last week, I easily defeated Robinson. Now, I face the third stooge, Azra’il. He better leave his two pals and their little whore of a manager, Sara Slutego…”

Leon: “Sutego, sir”

Thurston: “Whoever… he’d better leave them in the back, because I want this to be a one on one ass-whipping. If they get involved, there will be hell to pay in the future… and just as a gesture of trust, I’ve instructed my brother as well as my lady, Missy, to stay away from the ring. So please, do the same.”

Leon: “What are your thoughts on the Midnight Syndicate?”

Thurston: “I’m not worried one bit… As long as they don’t interfere in my business, I won’t interfere in theirs…”

Leon: “But what about the rumor that is circulating that you have been paid off by an un-named person to ensure that Chris Cane does not win the Falconer title this Wednesday…”

Thurston glares at Leon, but continues to answer the question anyways.

Thurston: “It’s simply a rumor. Granted, I’d rather fight Daher for it, but if he should win the title and I have to face Cane for it… so be it.”

Leon: “That brings me around to another question. Why have you been so inaccessible since joining the GWA? Being as this is your first public interview since Avalanche, I’m sure people are interested as to what you think about Daher beating you for the title, as well as the actions of the Midnight Syndicate members later on in the show.

Thurston: “As far as Daher is concerned, I don’t know where he is coming from, saying that I’ve been whining about losing the title to him. Yes, it was my second match of the night, and yes, I wasn’t happy about the fact that he won, but hey, I’ll deal with it. I’ll win it back eventually. But I don’t know where he’s getting his supposed insider information that I’ve been whining about not getting the title and not getting a match the week after… I’m Thurston Edward Marshall the Third. I don’t whine. I don’t talk about things, I do them. If I wanted the title match, I would have taken it before Cane got a chance.”

Leon: “Regarding the title match on Wednesday…”

Thurston: “I believe I already answered this… if Cane wins, so be it. I only hope that he will choose to defend the title as Jim Daher is.”

Leon: “So what can we look forward to in the future with you, Thurston?”

Thurston: “Well, I’d look for a new Falconer champion in the next few weeks. And, maybe even a new Gladiator Champion within the next few months. Never count me out. People have made that mistake before, and the results were not desirable for them. That’s all for now, Mr. Sphinx… thank you for the time and opportunity.”

Leon: “And thank you, sir for the interview… good luck in your match on Wednesday, I wish you much luck…”

Thurston: “Stop kissing my ass… and turn the camera off.”

George turns the camera off, and Thurston turns to him.

Thurston: “You are going to edit that, correct?”

George: “Yes sir…”

Thurston turns to Leon and lays a hand on his shoulder. Leon leans backwards, shaking, looking like he will turn and run away at any one moment..

Thurston: “And you, Leon....”

Leon: “Y…y….yes?

Thurston: “Good job.”

Thurston turns and walks away, leaving Leon with a confused look on his face. George chuckles to himself at the sight of Leon being so afraid as he begins to back up the equipment.