[The scene switches to the study of Lord Byron's Louisiana home.  
Byron himself is sat behind a large mahogany desk, on which lies 
the gleaming Intercontinental Title, folded neatly.  Across from 
him sits the figure of Tim Dross.]

TD:  Lord Byron.  Since you arrived in the IIWF at Ring Wars II, 
you've amassed an excellent record  and your skills in the ring 
have become well known, but very little is known about you 
personally.  Thanks for taking the time out to agree to this 
interview, on the eve of your anniversary here.

LB:  My pleasure, Mr. Dross.  There's been a lot of speculation 
about my history in the past, and I feel it's time to put some of 
the rumours to rest once and for all.

TD:  First of all, have you any word on the condition of the Lady 
DeWinter following the incidents of Saturday night?  Is she alright?

LB:  Milady was discharged from hospital early yesterday morning.  
The staff kept her in overnight through fear of concussion. (Byron 
takes a deep breath) I am happy to say that she made a complete 
recovery.  The hospital stay was more a precaution than anything 
else.

TD:  I'm glad.  Will she be accompanying you to Ring Wars III?

LB:  I advised against it following the accident, but she is 
adamant.  She will be with me, yes.  I am just sorry that I allowed 
the incident to occur in the first place.

TD: I don't think you can blame yourself for the accident, Byron, 
it was her feelings for Warnett that led her to ringside...

LB(eyes narrowing):  What would you know about her feelings? 
(Byron's face darkens) I advise you change the subject, Mr. Dross, 
and quickly, unless you want this conversation to end right now.

TD(clears his throat):  I'm sorry, Byron.  I didn't mean to cause 
any offence.  Now, some would say that you've led a sheltered life, 
and your upbringing seems to prove that to be true.  How did a man 
of your social stature get into the sport of wrestling?

LB:  Through sheer natural ability.  I took up amateur wrestling as 
a child, mostly through the prompting of my father, and my sharp 
mind quickly helped me to become one of the best at my school.  I 
had attended the Thorncliffe private school in Lancashire, and by 
the age of fourteen I was representing the school and my country at 
International level.  A prodigy, they called me.  I would have even 
made it into the junior Olympic team, but unfortunately, the 
trainers found me too hard to work with. (Byron smirks) Can you 
believe that, Mr Dross?

TD:  I can believe that you caused them a few problems. (Byron 
laughs quietly)  You then went to train in Japan, is that right?

LB:  Correct.  When my mother died, I had nothing left to tie me to 
my country.  I sold off most of the property, finished my education 
and left for Japan, where I quickly made my mark in the professional 
leagues.  I picked up a lot there, learning from a variety of styles.  
Amateur, Greco-Roman, catch-if-catch-can and even some Aikido and 
Judo, I took the best techniques from each and merged them into my 
own style. (Byron sneers) Of course, I was despised as a foreigner, 
but frankly, I couldn't care less.  What I wanted was the fame, the 
prestige...  (Byron smirks)  and the respect.  And believe me, Mr. 
Dross, I got it.

TD:  You have in the past claimed to be one of the best technical 
wrestlers in the world, and even some of your former opponents in 
this federation have attested to your abilities.

LB:  As well they might.  My ability comes from a great deal of 
natural talent - a sharp eye, lightning fast reflexes, co-ordination 
and timing, and an excellent understanding of what I do.  From the 
very beginning, I focused myself on not just learning a lock hold 
or throw, but mastering it in every possible way.  I practised until 
my repertoire became second nature, and I could turn almost any 
situation to my advantage.  The Aristoclutch is the product of 
years of work and practice, and my pride and joy.  It has been 
copied in the past, but only one man has truly mastered it, and 
that is it's creator:  Me.

TD:  Let's talk a little more about your past.  You were born in 
Bordeaux, France, of a father who was then a Field Marshall in the 
British Army, and a French Countess, is that correct?

LB:   Perfectly.  Due to his work in the army, my father was rarely 
able to stay in the same place for any amount of time.  I was sent 
to live in England, at the family home in Lancashire.  My father 
had decided I needed a 'proper English' education, which meant that 
I saw very little of either of my parents.  My father died in the 
Falklands conflict, and I lost my mother during my final year at 
Thorncliffe.

TD:  I'm sorry.

LB(shrugging):  As I said, I saw very little of them.  Most of my 
time was either spent training or studying. (Byron smirks) Mostly 
training.

TD:  How did you become to be aquainted with the Lady DeWinter, and 
become her guardian?

LB:  When I was twenty, and living in Japan, the word came through 
that Milady had lost her parents.  I won't go into the details, but 
her family were good friends of mine, and I had knew her for a long 
time.  As she was still too young to live on her own, I took her as 
my ward.  It was either that, or let her be taken into care. 
(Byron's face darkens) I wasn't about to let that happen.  In any 
case, it was for the most part just a matter of names on paper.  I 
was busy in Japan, and she was finishing her own education in 
England.  It was only when I came to America that she decided to 
join me.

TD:  Let's talk about your time here in the IIWF.  You've made a 
number of enemies since your arrival, and we all know of your 
rivalry with Marty Warnett.  The two of you seemed to take an 
instant dislike to each other.

LB(smirking):  He who surpasses or subdues mankind, looks down on 
the hate of those below. (Byron shrugs) One of my favourite quotes 
from my namesake.  I'm sure that the entire federation is well aware 
of our history by now, Mr. Dross.  The extent of our dislike for 
each other has been seen time and time again.  I for one would have 
been more than willing to let this go a long time ago, but no, the 
runt keeps bouncing back for more.  Maybe we'll finally bury the 
hatchet once and for all at Ring Wars III, and leave with a mutual 
respect for each other. (Byron sneers) Maybe, but I wouldn't count 
on it.

TD:  Aside from Warnett, you've been involved with a number of other 
superstars.  You had a short feud with Harlequin Tragedy, and two 
incredible matches with the Enigma.  Are there any loose ends that 
you would like to see tied up?

(Byron's face darkens)

LB:  Only two people have scored pinfall victories over me here in 
the IIWF, and I look back on both occasions as serious errors of 
judgement on my part.  Mistakes, Mr. Dross, mistakes I intend to 
right, and mistakes that I am determined will not happen again.

TD:  A certain 'Perfect' Dani Jarvier had a few words for you 
yesterday as well.  I take it there is some history there?

LB(sneering):  Not at all.  Dani Jarvier is quite simply an immature 
little pup who has been hanging off my coat tails ever since he 
first arrived on the scene five months ago.  He seems to think he 
can somehow compare himself to me, but while I ply my trade against 
the top athletes in the sport, he satisfies himself by making 
two-bit promotions and tired regional set ups his stomping ground. 
(Byron sneers) I'm sure Steve Roberts can give you the details, if 
you really need to know.

TD:  And what for the future of Lord Byron?  Obviously, you have the 
title defence at Ring Wars III coming up, and then the big 
interfederational match against Troy Walters, but have you any long 
term goals here in the IIWF?

LB(tapping the IC belt):  To keep doing what I do best, against the 
toughest competition there is. (Byron smirks) What else is there?