Description: Another interview, another request! What does today interview have in store for us?
The Chairman of the Neo League's office once more has cameras strewn about it, this time a rather plush and expensive seeming chair sitting infront of the desk that Ken Master's usually calls home while he's on the clock. The man behind it all is sitting behind his desk, idly chatting with one of the camera technicians, most of which just seems like endless technobabble.
The main technician gives a signal towards Ken, and starts the countdown to the live broadcast.
"Welcome again to another special episode of the Neo League Lightning Week Road to the Championship interviews. Once more, I'm Ken Masters, chairman and owner of the Neo League. Today, our guest is a former top ten participant, who has been out of action for a bit of time it seems. After climbing the ladder of the Two-Thousand Six Champsionship to the rank of Seventh in the league, joining us today will be Howard Rust, who if you remember had a very close match with Zach Glenn, and was thought to be out of commision for good due to severe injuries to his hand. So, if you'd all be so kind, please welcome back Howard Rust."
Ken stands up from his chair, and motions towards the door, which is then opened for the returning combatant to step forth through.
A number of Pacific's teachers were called to Seattle for some sort of staff meeting. When the opportunity seemed to present itself, he decided to capitalize upon it and called in for an interview. Then again, a drive of a couple of hours could've seen him going to visit his dad after he got out of the hospital yet again... it's kind of a tough pill to swallow.
"Do I go now?" He looks to another guy behind the door. This can barely be heard on the cameras.
"Go," the guy says with a nod as he gestures to the door.
There doesn't need to be any clever arranged orchestral theme music for this guy, when the sudden pop of one of his knees is enough to announce his presence as he walks into the office wearing a pretty nice red suit - the stuff Pacific teachers wear formally, all the way down to power ties that are on so tight as to suffocate. He doesn't really look much the part of the man he is, and there is a distinct lack of trademark toolbelt and rusted length of pipe. It's all business.
The combover, sadly, is still present. It has not improved in the passing time. The hairdresser tried to convince him to do something else, which of course he rejected staunchly.
He clears his throat as he draws closer, waving to the cameras once with his left hand. He extends his right to Ken Masters, who might be able to see the scarred right hand from severe burns and deep lacerations - his handshake grip in said hand is not as strong as his build might suggest.
"Thanks, Ken, it's... it's, ah, it's good to be back."
"Welcome back Howard." Ken firmly shakes Rust's hand, taking care to ensure he doesn't put too much pressure upon it. "So, tell me Howard, how does it feel to be back? I know for sure that I missed having you in the league itself." The words are geniune, as is the smile that rests upon the chairman's face, as he moves to sit down, motioning for Rust to just the same.
"Most of all, how is your hand doing? From your handshake, it seems like you're still trying to hold back."
"Well, ah... I haven't, haven't organized a fight with anyone yet, but... y'know, aside from the paperwork... 'n my insurance provider balking at me for getting back into, y'know, this stuff," he moves his left hand a bit as he mentions this while he has himself a seat, one of his shoulders popping as he rolls the kinks out of it.
He nods at the note about his right hand, raising it up. "I can... I can still punch with it, but, but my grip's not what it used to be. If... if you recall, I'm-- ah, maybe was," he lowers his head a little, "a weapon guy, so that kind of... made things really hard, Ken."
"But... but I've been getting some lessonss, some... some training, over at the Kyokugen Dojo in Southtown." A shout-out!
"Oh? I know of that dojo. I've heard some really interesting things about them." Ah, Mr. Karate, how your little ass-beating comes back to haunt Ken Masters. The blonde man grins slightly at Rust, glancing at some of the paper work on his desk. "So, tell me. What made you decide to come back to the Neo League? Did you really miss us that much?"
"'s... a really tough school," in which the older man repeats what is well-known. The Kyokugen school is harsh. Not many people who enroll stay there for long. They make 'em tough there, but you have to be tough to get tough. The older man leans back a bit in his chair as Ken asks the all-important question as to why.
"Well... 'bout that, I admit... I always really wanted to, to be a pro fighter, but... y'know, some things in life just, just didn't always go the way you want 'em to. When I finally did... ah, you know 'bout the invasion, I'm sure."
Everyone should, that was a national crisis over in Japan right there.
He holds up his right hand again, as an idle gesture. "I mean... my day job's tough, I'm a high school teacher, takes... takes a lot of ya. Five days a week, sometimes six... all the grading," he shakes his head.
"But... but y'know, I got invited to the King of Fighters recently, got a, got a whole team together... I went 'n enrolled in Kyokugen to, to get me back in fighting shape, and... and I look here and think, hey, I'm not getting any younger, maybe I still got what it takes."
"I have nothing but respect for those who help shape our future minds, and for you to try and continue to persue your dream truly is an inspiration. It's something each one of us can take to our hearts." Ken seems to be truly touched by all of this, and motions towards the cameras. "The Neo League will always welcome you, and be glad to have you call us home. Which now leads me to the most important question of all."
There seems to be a little bit of showmanship in his motions as he reaches for a pen, and starts writing things down upon a pad of paper that sits before him. "So Mister Howard Rust, what is it you hope to get if you were to become this session's champion?"
"Thanks." He nods at the compliments, although sometimes he kind of wonders if he really is having much of an effect. On average, his kids aren't doing great in his class. When that's going on, your superiors really start to bear down on you. Considering his class is not part of the main focus of Pacific High... well, it just goes double.
"I'm, I'm gonna be realistic here, Ken, I think I've, ah, I've rejoined the league a li'l late for that." The teacher shakes his head as he lifts up his hands. "I mean... there's a whole lotta young men and women, ah, mostly women," reflecting the current state of the race for the pole position in the league, "who basically... that's all they do, I don't think, I don't think I can compete with that point-wise with only... only a couple days to go. I got a job to worry 'bout too, y'know!"
He's also curious as to how well Miu's doing with her studies with all those fights, and that ninja girl with the sword - Ibuki? She seems really young, kind of resembles that girl he came across some days ago.
"Even if, if I don't think I can... y'know, mathematically win, I still want to see how I measure up against 'em, I mean, they're the hottest names right now... hell, that girl with the sword took down the, the two-time champion Adon." The two-time champion Adon whom berated him and kneed him in the torso when he was helping to set up something for a match later in that day. "I've... I've been hit by him before, Ken," this was a brief news highlight on that evening some months back, "and if she can, she can overcome that..."
He straightens himself out a bit in the chair. "Y'know what I'm getting at, right?"
"I see." Ken leans back in his chair, his eyes closed as he seems to mull things over for a few moments. "All right. How's this sound then Howard? You show me some real intent, and I'll do you this."
Ken stands up from his chair, dramatically pointing his finger now towards Rust, the cameras pointed solely upon the two. "If you manage to make a real push in the rankings, in the time we have left before the Champion has been crowned, then you will have your wish. I will not only make sure you get a match with Ibuki, but a match with Miu as well."
The older man turns his head as Ken talks about doing him a favor of some sort - for him, really, even if he doesn't win?
With the dramatic point, Ken makes the goal clear - to arrange a match with Ibuki and Miu, wow! They are both extremely talented - he's not even sure Marisol could take them now.
"If... if I don't get any fights with them in the time we have left, I'd... sure!" He nods his head. "I mean... I know there's, there's been a lot of noise the last day or so for, for Raiden and Miu to fight, they're... they're the two frontrunners, right?" They are, but the rankings have been fluctuating a hell of a lot. "I mean, even if I don't get a shot, I don't intend to, to miss that fight if it happens."
"Hell, I should, I should probably ring up Zach again, ah, I don't think I mentioned but, but he's one of my teammates for King of Fighters, Ken." There's a fun nugget of information for King of Fighters enthusiasts there! "I mean... I haven't forgot our fight from back then, but, he 'n I get along fine."
"Miu may be in the lead for now, but that could change at any moment. The Neo League is as wild as they come." Ken grins at Rust as he says this, extending his hand out towards him. "Strive for the Top Ten once again, and I'll make sure that you get your wish. Anything is possible if one puts their mind to it. Consider this a challange from me personally."
It truly could, although she is holding onto a really big lead right now! The only one who probably could overcome her now is Raiden or Maki at this rate, barring a sudden miracle from some particularly determined people who wouldn't allow their bodies much in the way of rest.
As Ken extends his hand, Howard extends his. The handshake is again none too strong, but it's probably not something he personally can help all that much.
"I will, Ken, ah, I sure will," the teacher nods his head.
Log created on 21:21:28 01/13/2011 by Ken, and last modified on 23:26:37 01/13/2011.