[Hard wood floors met shelving that held books. Lots of them. From one side of the room to the other, wrapping around to the other side, taking a break for natural light to enter the room via a window from floor to ceiling and then continuing to the corner where Edward White sat. His associate Thomas Hunter stood next to the champion who was busy reading.]

[Thomas was especially happy and as he should be. He held the Fist of Defiance championship belt in front of him. The championship was brand new, it sparkled and shined, however the name plate that should be etched with the champion's name was left vacant.]

Thomas Hunter:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Defiance fans all over the continental United States and the rest of the world...

"Allow me to introduce the FIST of DEFIANCE. A belt that was designed in CAD, constructed in a factory by a pressing machine for it be produced in duplicate for children, fanboys and wrestling enthusiasts to parade around their house and live out a fantasy, never achievable."

[Edward White puts down his copy of "The Metamorphosis" by Kafka on the table next to him, exchanging it for the old WWA World Heavyweight championship.]

Edward White:
"And this, is the WWA World Heavyweight Championship.

"A championship that meant something, carried prestige and respect from any man who held on to it, from fan favorites to the most notorious blood thirsty maniac one thing was held constant, the upmost respect for that championship. A work of art that was struck out of precious metals, encrusted with gems and diamonds and bound to real authentic leather.

"That THING over there was pressed in Pakistan with synthetic stones made out of plastic completed with the stench of pleather. The only difference from it and what some juvenile delinquent can purchase from a vendor is that for just a moment, it hung around my waist.

"Despite it being made in a factory, soulless and cold, it's history starts out bright.

"It won't be salvaged for scrap, melted into a gaudy paperweight or donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation."

[He grins for a moment but it turns sour.]

Edward White:
"No because the cost of doing either of those three actions are not worth the cost of the belt."

[Edward White scoffs, turning his head away from the belt in disgust.]

Thomas Hunter:
"Admittedly, this could have been the perfect insurance policy to assure the belt was not in fact melted down for the market price of gold, silver, platinum or whatever other metal would have gone into the construction of the belt.

"A plan that would have been put into immediate action if Mr. White's jeweler did not notify that it was not in fact a legitimate piece of jewelry."

[Mr. Hunter sighs, still holding the championship in front of him, balanced in both hands.]

Thomas Hunter:
"Needless to say, we were all very disappointed.

"Mr. White works too hard for this company to be disrespected like this.

"And yet, rather than an apology from Jeff Andrews or some acting force authority in Defiance -- He is set to defend a plastic toy belt against two men who treat that strap as something worth fighting for.

"One of those men, Bronson Box, attempted to murder him in the ring for a belt with actual prestige, something with meaning, something --"

Edward White:
"Perhaps we're looking at this wrong Mr. Hunter."

[Silence.]

[Edward White sits up from his chair, World Heavyweight Championship in one hand, the other hand open to take the Fist of Defiance from Thomas.]

[With both hands grasping a championship, Edward lifts them both up, weighing them subjectively.]

Edward White:
"One feels better than the other in weight and aesthetic, one looks more becoming of the caliber athlete that I am. But unfortunately one of these is not fiat. It's not accepted or recognized by Defiance."

[He drops the WWA World Heavyweight Championship, still holding the FIST of Defiance high.]

Edward White:
"I know why Aleco Dentari and Bronson Box want this championship.

"I mean, isn't obvious?

"I am the only respectable and legitimate world heavyweight champion."

[Edward White grins, lowering the championship to waist level.]

Edward White:
"I survived the the thirty-three competitors to win this championship and not a person in the locker room can say I didn't do exactly what I said I would. I won the belt, so Jimmy Kort couldn't rest his PBR next to it. I won this belt to establish it on a higher plane of existence, out of reach from the Killtakers, Chris Cannons and Jake Donavons that polluted early Defiance history.

"I won by pinning Bronson Box, a former Defiance heavyweight champion.

"But on the same night, well before I did Defiance a favor. Jeff Andrews appointed himself World Heavyweight Champion. A selfish act, unfounded and with out cause other than he said he deserved it.

"Jeff Andrews did not win. He didn't struggle for that championship. He did not earn it."

[This doesn't bother Edward White, there's not even a hint of anger, contempt or malice. Instead, he smiles wider.]

Edward White:
"And that's perfectly fine. His championship means nothing to me because it's his. I do not recognize it as authentic.

"This championship, made of cheap Pakistani steel, encrusted with cubic zirconium diamonds and held together by pleather is more authentic than anything Jeff Andrews could buy. Even his inaugural defense of the championship against Christian Light cannot give it meaning.

"Jeff Andrews is a champion of nothing.

"Aleco Dentari is a smart man and I don't say that vary often about my opponents. He knows that the belt Jeff Andrews had wrapped around his waist isn't the prize. THIS, THIS is the prize. If he can pin my shoulders to the ring for the three count, he will be the recognized, established and sanctioned champion.

"Bronson Box knows this to be true as well. However, he's motivated by the taste of my blue blood. He wants to taste the rich iron again. He wants to reign over Defiance once more, doing what he wants, when we wants."

[White laughs to himself looking back at Thomas Hunter.]

Edward White:
"But that's just not going to happen. It's not part of the Business Plan.

"Thomas... Tell them the Mission Statement."

[Thomas walks forward.]

Thomas Hunter:
"Edward White will win...

"BY_ANY_FUNDS_NECESSARY"

[Edward White grins.]

Edward White:
"Amen."

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