Katrina Petrov and her cameraman intercept Campbell as he enters the hallway.
Petrov: Jeffrey!
Campbell (big smile): Katrina. How's it going?
Petrov: I'm well, thank you. You just confirmed that Vito Montani is still in contention for the World Dominion Championship?
Campbel (still smiling)l: That I did.
Petrov: Even after he stole a tranquiliser from medical, used it on Paul Grizzly, the World Champion and got arrested on camera?
Campbell (still smiling): Yep.
Petrov: ... Why?
Crowd: Oooh,
Petrov: ...
Campbell: Any more questions?
Petrov: ... Are you able to share the whereabouts and statuses of Montani and Grizzly?
Campbell (stops smiling): Chucked out the charges on Vito, but he's under house arrest. Not in like a legal sense, yeah? More like, 'He'll get plugged if he as much as bloody breathes near this joint' sense.
Petrov's go wide. The crowd splits into gasps, cheers and boos.
SDS: The General Manager not playing games tonight.
Campbell: As for Paul? Buggered if I know, love. No shout, no text, nothin'. Bloke's gone walkabout, and tell ya what, I'm half thinkin' I couldn't give a stuff, long as he's here when I tell him to be.
Petrov: And if he's not?
Campbell: Well, then-... Oh, crikey.
The GM looks out at something or someone. Both Petrov and the cameraman turn to see who it is.
It is, in fact, 3 someones. Kaivao Manu, Hunapo Henare and Lulu Asovale, the Madness. They are clad in casual streetwear and almost look well-adjusted. The crowd boos.
DS: What are they doing here?!
Asovale (outstretched arms and big toothy smile): JEFFERS!!!!!
Before he can respond, she sprints forward and uses all 178 centimetres and 109 kilograms to envelop him in a crushing embrace. Petrov steps completely out of frame while gesturing for the cameraman to keep recording.
Campbell: Lulu... can't... breath...
Asovale: Whoops! (steps back while readjusting his shirt and putting his hat back on his head) There you go.
Campbell (takes several deep breaths): Thanks.
Asovale (hands on hips): No worries.
Campbell (collects himself): So, how you lot been keepin'? Shabani treatin' alright?
Asovale: Oh, she's bloody riot, that one.
Manu (nodding): Yeah.
Henare (frowning directly at Campbell): She also makes certain we get our dosh on time.
Manu (nods slowly, looking away): Yeah...
Crowd: OOOH!
DS: Get their what?
SDS: Money, I think.
Campbell squints.
Asovale (slaps Henare on the arm): Why'd ya have to bring all that up for, eh? (eyes Campbell) Just ignore him, he's a real drongo. Anyways, (gets serious and inches closer to his face) you already know why we're here.
Campbell (unbothered): I do. Tình Nhân and her boys aren't here yet, but when they are? Be my guests. Just keep in mind, I've got a whole bunch of teams trying to claim their shot, including the former champs, Team Wallace.
Asovale (tilts her head): Is that right?
Campbell (holds up a finger): I'm only gonna say this once, love. Pull ya head in.
DS: What?
SDS: Behave.
Asovale (leans back and gasps): Jeffers, I'm absolutely ropeable, mate. We're fair dinkum pros, aren't we, fellas?
Henare (smiles): Right.
Manu laughs and nods.
Campbell: I'm serious. One incident and you're out.
Asovale leans in again, even closer, forcing him to bend backwards: What, reckon you're gonna have us "plugged" too?
Campbell jams two fingers in her forehead and slowly straightens: Right between the squinters.
DS: The what?
SDS: Eyes! For goodness sake, that was an easy one.
Asovale: Crikey, someone's got the wobbly boots on, eh? (Holds one hand high and another over her heart) I promise, no funny business.
Campbell looks sceptically at Henare and Manu, who quickly mirror Asovale's pose.
DS: I think I can see halos, Darryl.
SDS: That's because the Devil was an angel, Diogo.
Campbell (shakes his head): Right, you lot just enjoy the show, yeah?
Asovale (smiles and lowers her arms): Oh, we will.
Manu: Where's the food?
Campbell throws a thumb over his shoulder, and the Tongan sprints past.
Asovale (gives chase): Slow down, Manu!
Henare: Damn hungus is going to clean the place out!
The camera lingers on them as they head for catering. It pans back to see Campbell watching them with a nostalgic smirk. Seth is suddenly standing behind him, also watching them with his hands in his pockets.
The crowd pops at the sight of the big Angolan in his signature glasses, headphones and basketball shirt.
Campbell (turns around): Seth.
Seth (holds out hand): Boss.
They clasp hands with a loud clap and snap fingers.
Campbell: What's up?
Seth: You saw what happened last week. Zázrak. Khan. I want dem.
Campbell: Both?
Seth: Tonight.
Campbell (scratches his nose in thought): Tell you what? Find yourself a partner, and you got 'em. If you can't-
Suddenly, Sara Blood Jr rushes into frame. The reception from the crowd is not so inviting.
Sara: Jeff! Jeff! Please, can you gimme-
Campbell (looks at her): Be with ya in a sec, love. (back to Seth) Right, so, as I was sayin'. If ya can't snag a mate, it's gonna be a Handicap Match, mate.
SDS: A Handicap Match?
DS: Hey, Khan had to fight one last week. It's only fair.
Seth points at Sara Jr, who looks confused.
Campbell (wide eyes, looking between the two): You want Sara to be your partner? Against Khan and Zázrak?
Seth shrugs. Sara Jr's confusion becomes excitement.
SDS: Oh no...
DS: Oh, hell no!
Campbell: Absolutely not.
The crowd LOUDLY cheers. Sara Jr is crestfallen.
SDS & DS: Thank God.
Seth shrugs again and leaves.
SDS: I guess it'll be a Handicap afterall.
DS: I can't wait.
Campbell puts a hand on Sara Jr's broad, slumping shoulders: Look, Sara, that Tectonic Title piccy is a bit too much for ya, right now. I'm sorry.
Sara Jr: B-But if you gimme a chance-
Campbell: The answer is no.
Sara Jr: Aight, how 'bout dese Thunderweight matches? I'm a Thunderweight, ya know, I t'ink I can—
Campbell: That's a no, too, love.
The crowd cheers again.
Sara Jr: But why?
Campbell: Some of these blokes and sheilas 'ave been waitin' since the draft.
SDS: That's a very good point.
DS: I guess he's not a complete idiot.
Sara Jr looks down, frowning.
Campbell: Look, you did alright last week against Torti Gal-
Sara Jr: I lawst in five minutes!
Campbell: I only gave you five minutes, and you used it to showcase yourself. Torti Gal's a hard nut to crack, no worries.
Sara Jr: So, why'd I gotta scrap wit' her, huh?
Campbell (frowns): You wanted a match last week, and I gave you one.
DS: Spoiled brat.
Campbell (holds up hands) Look, tonight, just keep ya eyes peeled, right? Take some notes, suss things out, and when you get another crack at it, you'll be sweet as, yeah?
Sara Jr just storms off.
Campbell shakes his head and looks into the camera: Oi, this is the Fight Pit! Somebody get out there and FIGHT!
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