Chapter Text
INT. XIALING TALKING HEAD - DAY
Having recently taken the reins of her father’s empire, XU XIALING (20) exudes power and a pathological level of self-confidence, staring straight down the camera.
All Xialing’s talking head sessions will be set in WENWU’S OFFICE, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Her father's office remains a time capsule of the previous era, despite major changes to the rest of the Ten Rings Compound. A practical decision rather than one of sentimentality, Xialing understands the benefit of presenting a sense of familiarity for old Ten Rings contacts that she wants to maintain.
XIALING
Xu Xialing. Boss of Golden--
(snickers)
No, it’s Ten Rings now. Ten Daggers. Golden....?
(a beat, she smirks)
I’m still playing with the name.
INT. JON JON TALKING HEAD - DAY
JON JON (35) is swagged out and grinning in front of black and white surveillance monitor feeds from across the compound. He's a technicolor eyesore amidst the monochrome displays - even before he speaks, Jon Jon just looks annoying.
All Jon Jon’s talking head sessions will be set in the OPERATIONS CENTER, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
This is also the first time that we hear who is behind the camera. TREVOR SLATTERY - actor from Liverpool, escaped felon, long term Artist in Residence of the Ten Rings.
JON JON
Second in command.
TREVOR (O.C.)
And tell us your name?
JON JON
Jon Jon.
TREVOR (O.C.)
Is that your first name or your last name?
JON JON
Yes.
INT. MATTIAS TALKING HEAD - DAY
MATTIAS (25) - the mercenary more widely known as RAZOR FIST - waits stiffly to the right of Xialing's wrought iron throne, the Ten Rings mural behind it obscured by scaffolding.
All Mattias’s talking head sessions will be set in the THRONE ZONE, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Mattias is quietly concerned as Trevor adjusts the camcorder, and when he speaks, he is uncharacteristically soft.
MATTIAS
Why am I doing this?
TREVOR (O.C.)
Because you're willing to humor the old man who introduced you to the timeless works of the Bard.
A flicker of a smile from Mattias, replaced once again by worry.
MATTIAS
You're not drinking again?
TREVOR (O.C.)
No, no, of course not, my dear boy! I am merely entering my "Documentarian Era." Now, if you please…
Mattias squares up and stands to attention, all traces of softness disappearing.
MATTIAS
I am Razor Fist of the Ten Rings.
TREVOR (O.C.)
But who are you really?
MATTIAS
I am a commander under Xu Xialing.
TREVOR (O.C.)
(impatient sigh)
I'm not just asking about your job. Tell me about you.
MATTIAS
My name was… My name is Mattias. When I was a child I lived on the streets in Romania.
TREVOR (O.C.)
Good, good. Go on.
MATTIAS
Xu Wenwu found me there. He adopted me. He gave me a home, a purpose. Now his daughter runs the Ten Rings, and my purpose–
JON JON (O.C.)
No one gives a shit about your tragic backstory, bro.
Mattias looks off-camera, pinning Jon Jon with a death glare as the man blithely inserts himself into the interview.
MATTIAS
Trevor asked.
TREVOR (O.C.)
I did ask.
JON JON
Alright then, did you tell the camera what made you such a special boy?
Grinding his teeth in grim silence, Mattias fantasizes about ripping out Jon Jon's spinal column.
TREVOR (O.C.)
Yes, yes, that is an important part of your story after all.
JON JON
Yeah! Tell everyone. Why wouldn't you want to mention that part, Razor Arm?
MATTIAS
It's Razor Fist.
JON JON
Tell us what you were doing. Tell us what you were doing. Come on, tell the people–
MATTIAS
Juggling. I was juggling.
A beat.
TREVOR (O.C.)
That is fairly impressive, given your–
JON JON
Juggling! Ha! Bro was a juggler!
The interview dissolves into chaos. Mattias growls and shoves Jon Jon hard, pushing him out of frame then rising to stalk after him.
TREVOR (O.C.)
No no no no, look out for the–
Someone knocks over the camcorder. The lens cracks at the corner and the short SCUFFLE that follows is seen only at the edges, from a low, tilted angle close to the floor.
Jon Jon scrambles around, LAUGHING hysterically. Mattias unsheathes the glowing razor at the end of his arm and a mechanical BUZZ fills the room.
JON JON
Whoa whoa, hey, bro. Bro! Remember that you are under explicit orders not to decapitate me. Xialing!!!
CUT TO:
TITLE CARD: TEN RINGS: MERGER
END COLD OPEN