DOMINION OF THE COMMONWEALTH

Greetings to the common and wealthy!

It has been awhile since I have dialogued with you. Surely you've missed me. Not because we need each other--particularly me--but because my eloquent words give you meaning to rise everyday. Without the State of the Commonwealth, your common lives would always be mundane.

You are fortunate enough to have Tony Banner here with us. Last week at Purpose by Design, I addressed the audience about the Dominion of the Commonwealth. Today, we are not in our residence in your capital of Washington DC, but in Lucius Kaine's home in Birmingham. So come...

EXT: HOUSE OF KAINE - REAR ENTRANCE AND DECK

The camera pans over a set of tables with umbrellas set up. A red-haired servant wheels out a tray with two teapots and a stack of saucers. Churchill sits at the nearest table. Tony Banner joins him.

Weasley: Tea, Mr. Banner?

Tony Banner: No thank you. (Turns to Churchill) Now, Chancellor...

Weasley: Krumpet?

Tony Banner: Again, no thanks. Now...

Churchill: (sneered look) You refuse Lord Lucius' tea and hospitality?

Tony Banner: It's just that...

Tony stops speaking. Churchill gives a cold, piercing stare...

Tony Banner: I'll take tea.

Churchill: Very good.

Weasley places two teacups and pours the hot brown liquid into each.

Churchill: Thank you Weasley. Now you were going to inquire about the Dominion of the Commonwealth?

Tony Banner: Yes it was a very interesting topic.

Churchill: Of course it was. Everything the Commonwealth says and does is fascinating. It should be in all newspapers. You see, the Dominion of the Commonwealth is the second stage of our era. The first was the Iron Curtain. (looks in his teacup) Weasley, where is my cream?

Weasley: Sorry, Chancellor.

Churchill: *Sigh* Young fool. Only at the end...bah, wrong topic. See how important tea is? (Takes a sip) Ah, refreshed. The Iron Curtain phase was to expose the flaws and weaknesses in the XIP. First there was Amanda Alvaz...

Tony Banner: But didn't she defeat Lady...

Churchill: (Angry) That punch drunk wench had bricks in her gloves!

Tony Banner: I didn't see any bricks.

Churchill: That's the problems with Americans--you only see what you want to see. Then there was Li Zhang Lou with his claws. He nearly disgraced the Lord Lucius Kaine with that tainted victory.

Tony Banner: Tainted?

Churchill: Did you not hear me?

Weasley: You said tainted, Chancellor...

Churchill: Bloody hell Weasley, I was talking to Mr. Banner!

Weasley lowers his and head and turns around...and jumps at the sight of Bruce Kaine, who let out a bellow to scare the young servant. Satisfied, he puts an arm on Weasley's shoulder.

Bruce: Relax, Weasley. Why so wankering serious, chum?

Churchill: In the middle of a discussion, Baron Kaine.

Bruce: My apologies, Chancellor.

Tony Banner: So about the Dominion...

Churchill: Yes, the Dominion. We exposed the flaws of the XIP. Even this country. And now it is time to rectify them. The "F I am" is no more.

Tony Banner: But, how can you remove such a tradition among fans?

Churchill: Traditions are no good if they are insulting and demoralizing. Do you really feel...comfortable hearing that chant? It is degrading enough to hear such foul expressions among your youth in the streets and burroughs.

Tony Banner: We don't have burroughs. We have alleys, urban areas...

Churchill: Yes, the burroughs. Also, such a chant is unfitting for the Lady Allison.

Tony Banner: Also, you want to be addressed by your proper titles.

Churchill: Which is an imperative I gave upon entering the company, yet your announcers have not done an admirable job in honoring it.

Tony Banner: (Embarrassed) I...

Churchill: And of course, last but not least...the claiming of the prestigious championships. If you've been doing your reading and studied the Representation by Championship-tation, you were already aware of this goal.

Tony Banner: While I applaud seeing the interest in the International Championship, it would've been better if Lord Kaine had entered the fray for the title through rank instead of attacking Shadow and USA.

Churchill: Pfft...ranking? He's a Lord. There is no higher ranking. In fact, USA should surrender title to the better man instead of subjecting himself to the scrutiny we will place upon him.

Horse hooves pratter on the pavement of the deck before returning to the grass on the command of the rider, who dismounts and joins the men for the interview. He removes his riding cap, revealing long blond hair and replaces the cap with a top hat covered by the UK flag.

Churchill: Lord Lucius...

A black pony arrives next to the larger horse, and rider dismounts, taking off her black leather gloves, exposing her hands to the air and sun after being covered for so long.

Churchill: Lady Allison...

Allison: I require my manicurist immediately! I shall return.

Lucius: Don't be too long dear. Wouldn't want your tea to get cold.

Tony Banner: Lord Lucius, I was just asking Churchill...

Churchill: Chancellor...

Tony Banner: Chancellor Churchill, excuse me...about the Dominion of the Commonwealth.

Lucius: Why yes. (Takes a seat at the table. Bruce Kaine still stands over them.) Mr. Banner, securing gold is what we Britains do best. We did it in the 1908 London Olympic Games. We did it this year, and capturing 15 gold medals despite the communist conditions of the hosting company.

*Cues Commonwealth theme*

Lady Allison returns wearing her red leather gloves. John MacDougal comes in through the glass doors in the back, rubbing his hands together. Tony Banner shows apprehension as the group comes together.

Bruce: (pointing to John) We shall take the Tag Team Championships and raise them to London towering heights.

Lucius: Only in the hands of the powerful can gold really have value. Greatness must bleed on the titles to make them shine again. And I shall secure the International Championship and carry it to heights not visible to the human eye.

Allison: I shall do the same for the Lady's Championship...

John: And those in our way, will be broken.

Churchill: For God save the Queen...

Each grabs a cup of tea and raises it high. Tony Banner backs away.

ALL: And God save the Commonwealth!!