The Kovenant: Doc Placebo
The Andorran Gambit: Scene I
Doc Placebo, “Shall we begin?”
Erica, “Do we really have time for this? Conspiracy of One is coming up and some of our games last… some time.”
Doc Placebo, “Such is the price of good entertainment, Pet.”
Erica, “Fine then… I won’t go easy on you, if you miss the PPV like you did Minds Eye…”
Doc Placebo, “We won’t.”
Erica, “…your move.”
No longer dressed within his previous attire the Doctor and Erica have donned on yet another pair of clothes which appear to not be of their regular wardrobe selections. Although we have seen the Andorran wear dress suits before this particular time the Doctor has decided to add a little bit of flair to his attire with a purple velvet cape lined with white fur. Your subconscious takes note that the Doctor’s suit and dress shirt, and tie are all white as are his shoes with only the wrestler’s cape breaking the monochromatic color scheme of his attire. Adding to the ensemble the Kovenant member has prominently displayed his half of the TPW Tag Team Championships across his waist, in his hand is his signature Spanish Rapier. Stepping up to his line and positioning himself on a black square the Doctor examines those on his side of the board shouting a volley of words to those assembled around him.
Doc Placebo, “So it is… Queen’s Pawn to Queen’s four.”
Those in the front row are shackled so that they are forced on their knees. The one standing to his left is merely wearing a white straight jacket as are all of those assembled on his side except for the unknown female to his left standing on her color. Following suit adjacent to her square another minion slave is shackled this time on all fours while a smaller minion rides atop him like a knight. Following that oddity is a single enormous fat Minion wearing a straightjacket, chains, and various pad locks akin to something the spiritual Jacob Marley might have worn in A Christmas Carol. Answering the Doctor’s heed a shackled pawn moves forward two steps filling the morgue with the sounds of rattling chains.
Erica, “Hmm… a conservative opening…”
Stepping up to her lines and resting on a square equivalent to the color of her dress Erica on the other hand is no longer sporting her black 60’s style silk velvet cocktail dress. Her young body is now dressed within the confines of a heavily layered Victorian style dress which however, is also equally black as her previous attire. Looking at those surrounding her you note that those on opposite sides of the board when compared to those surrounding Placebo are bound in an similar fashion with the only notable difference being that those serving her all have black straightjackets.
Erica, “Let’s see how long you’ll keep your strategy from me… I’ll match you; Queen’s pawn to Queen’s four!”
Grinning the Doctor glances towards the square diagonally to his right where yet another minion pawn stands at the ready.
Doc Placebo, “You’ll see soon enough… King’s Pawn to Kings Bishop four!”
While yet another shackled pawn advances Erica’s brow furrows as Placebo’s moves remain tentative and yet with just these two pawns he has effectively taken limited control of the middle of the game board. She could match his pawn yet again but it would not serve her purposes to mirror his moves forever…
Erica, “Let’s hope you don’t wrestle Bonds as weak as this Sunday… Kings Pawn to King’s three.”
Doc Placebo, “Weak? Ouch… that hurts, you know I’ll make him suffer, that much is assured. However, that does not mean I will show my full hand until I am ready…”
Erica’s black pawn proceeds to move towards Doc’s side of the board by one space creating a defensive slant which when combined with Placebo’s pawns severely limits any movement on the right hand side of the board if you were observing from the Andorran’s side that is. The Doctor does not hesitate and issues forth another order to his pieces.
Doc Placebo, “Queens Knight to Queen’s Rook three.”
One of the Doctor’s “Knights” advances to a position just ahead of the Andorran’s line of pawns on the far left of the board no doubt in the hope of eventually making a bid for the left side of the board now that the right was effectively out of play. Erica too counters with a quick response sending her bishop sprawling across the board placing the Doctor himself in check. Slightly perturbed at the quickness of her actions the Doctor blocks this assault on his person with a bishop of his own and removing himself from check. Erica who is now grinning as the pace of the game has sped up orders her combo of minion slaves who are working together to create a “knight” into action placing it as a defense on square Queen’s Bishop three to her offensive bishop which had just had the Doctor in check less than a minute ago.
Erica, “Now lets see how long you keep that strategy of yours hidden Doc, I’ll force it out of you if you want to win.”
Doc Placebo, “We’ll see… after all you know what they say about the best laid plans…”
Erica, “Mmm… well I’m sure Bonds will come up with some witty remark, he seems to have fallen silent while waiting for you to do something, anything.”
Doc Placebo, “That’s expected, he needs me, he thrives on me. Without me there can be nothing to talk about, I on the other hand do not need him, and thus it falls to me, to us… of course, to innovate. Amos played his game; you’re more fun, I’d rather play with you…”
With a nod the Doctor motions towards a pawn to move forward to the position of Queens Rook three which places added pressure on the already threatened black Bishop which Erica has placed on Doc’s side of the board.
Doc Placebo, “Your move.”
Erica, “My move…”
Erica, “You’re right, it is MY move after all…”
Erica herself advances to the other side of the board walking diagonally with all of the movement rights afforded to the Black Queen. Her new position on Kings Rook five now places the Doctor once more in check as her next attack can come from the direct opposite of the attack her Bishop that had threatened to do earlier in the game. Fighting with her dress which she seems to be having some slight difficulty with the Doctor begins to asses his option as he is now flanked however Erica interrupts his chain of thought.
Erica, “Check!”
Returning the sentiment with a smile this time the Doctor blocks Erica’s personal strike at him with yet another pawn this time moved to King’s Knight three allowing it to directly strike at the black queen should she decide to linger there for another turn.
Scowling at Placebo she once again makes use of her ability to move in any direction and takes up resident in a black square that had been two squares behind her to her left diagonally near her pawns while Placebo contemplates his next action, another pawn moves forward. This pawn moves along the right side of the board creating a defensive “V” formation which further limits movement on the left side of the board for Erica and the Doctor.
Erica, “Well… I guess you don’t want me on that side of the board…”
The Young woman in a black dress’s eyes level on the first pawn which the Doctor had decided to advance while one side of her lips curl into a semi smile.
Erica, “He looks lonely doesn’t he?”
Doc Placebo, “…perhaps…”
Moving diagonally once more Erica confronts the Doctor’s pawn who is shackled on his knees before her Victorian splendor. Producing a small mace Erica viciously strikes at the cowering pawn smashing her weapon’s blunt end into the Doctor’s pawn’s shoulder sending the slave sprawling on the game board, blood leaking from the freshly inflicted wound. Placebo does not twitch at the sudden loss of one of his minor pieces as he retaliates sending his pawn which he had previously positioned at Queen’s Rook three to threaten Erica’s Bishop. The Pawn staggers towards its target sinking its teeth into the black Bishop’s calf muscle inciting an animalistic howl from Erica’s power piece. Rolling her Eyes the Black Queen looks onward as her power piece falls to the Doctor’s Pawn who continues to gnaw at her piece’s flesh. Shaking her head Erica snaps her fingers gaining her Knight’s attention.
Erica, “Queen’s Knight to Queen’s Knight Five!”
Pulling on the straps of his “horses” straight jacket the mounted Knight prods his beast of burden into a frenzy and charges at the lowly pawn while it is still chewing the flesh of Erica’s downed Bishop. The mounted Knight collides with the Pawn trampling it and the Knight’s fallen comrade. The Doctor wastes no time and sends his Bishop that had been used to protect him previous from the first time he was placed in check. The straight jacketed slave Bishop charges at the Knight and launches itself like a torpedo jumping headfirst at the mounted Knight knocking it off of its ‘horse’. The Doctor nods towards Erica who returns the gesture to him with a smile.
Erica, “I’m not done yet.”
Doc Placebo, “I should hope not!”
Moving with a purpose Erica takes several strides horizontally towards the seemingly ever growing pile of bodies and raises her mace. The Doctor’s Bishop never turns around to see the weapon slash into the backside of his head nor does he see the trail of blood that arises from his skull as the blood caked weapon is withdrawn. Looking at the pile of collapsed shackled bodies at her feet Erica smiles and appears quite satisfied with herself before glancing back at Placebo with a quizzical expression on her face as if she were trying to find the right words to say but cant.
Erica, “Now what was it I’m supposed to say?”
Doc Placebo, “Hmm… maybe I shouldn’t have taught you to play…”
Erica, “Oh yes! CHECK! Yes I believe that’s it, Check. You’re in check.”
Doc Placebo, “Fascinating... Queen to Queen’s One.”
Stopping Erica’s third attempt at placing the White King in danger the Doctor smiles back at his opponent while Erica’s eyes lock onto the White Queen knowing she has lost her opportunity.
Erica, “So is this how you plan on playing for the Super X Title? Losing one piece… or grapple at a time?”
Doc Placebo, “Now now… little pet, you know I play to win in EVERY game I play…”
Erica, “Well, it doesn’t look like it here…”
Doc Placebo, “The Super X Title is different… my opponent here is determined, Bond’s productions are nothing more than a multitude of jokes equating himself to a joke as well. I plan on attaining my second little piece of TPW Gold on Sunday however, in this game tonight I have my own little prize which I’m playing for… you’ll just have to see what it is.”
Erica, “Not if I win…”
Doc Placebo, “We’ll just have to wait and see wont we?”
While the Doctor and his little favored mace wielding Victorian Black Queen Pet eyes lock with each other while they trying to second guess each other’s motives and moves the scene slowly begins to dissolve into darkness. The two Kovenant figures maintain said death stare even while all of the fallen chess pieces which surround Erica’s royal stature leave a trail of blood as they stagger off of the game board before the final pieces of the scene are eaten away and replaced with nothing but the icy shadow of the dark.