SFSD-X

My Kingdom for a Thermonuclear Missile

'Let this document bear witness to my supreme ambition and cunning! No one suspects me! I am the incorrigible fool, the disappointment in my father's eye. A failure! I abide through the pity of those that hoped for a warrior, an heir to the throne, but were delivered instead a mutant.

But whilst they have felt sorry for me, they have allowed me to plan and plot, to drift into my current position with ease. If I looked normal, if I was handsome and dashing, well then I would have had to work harder. I would have had to compete with the others in Court who vie for favour from the Crown. Instead, I have been treated dismissively, but with indulgence, and that has allowed me to scheme my way to this opportunity. They believe I am harmless.

They pride themselves on their charity towards me, and bask in the approval of the Courtiers that would not have tolerated such a wretch in their midst. And I have made them complacent with my engaging demeanour, my wit, my charisma. They do not fear me, because I am nothing; and that will be their undoing.'

Richard of Gloucester hears a knock at the door to his chambers.

"Enter!"

The door opens and Lady Margaret flounces in followed by her entourage. She is dressed elaborately, as always, with a veil that shifts to reveal her face when she speaks, then falls back again so that her expression cannot be discerned when she hears the reply.

"I do not call upon you by choice, Richard, as I'm sure you must be aware. If I were to call upon you by choice, it would be with a weapon that would see your death!"

He is not moved by her histrionics. He has been expecting this visit, and is well prepared. He has risen from his Memoirs, and at her arrival has fallen to his knees. He looks up when she finishes her entrance, and speaks in a manner which he is sure the Cameras will judge sincere.

"My Lady, you honour me with your presence! I am your humble servant, as always. If it would be beneficial to our Kingdom, then you must know that I would offer my breast to you, that you would pierce my heart with poison and watch me die before you!"

She is not impressed; Margaret is in mourning for her son, who died at Richard's hand just a few weeks earlier. He Knows that it will take more than a few words to turn her towards him. But turn her he shall, and the more difficult it is to do so, the more he shall relish the victory.

"Spare me your contrition! You know very well I cannot kill you today, or tomorrow! Circumstances have bestowed your existence with value. And I am powerless as a result. But I shall kill you, Richard, the moment your existence realises its rightful price!"

Two of her entourage have broken away now, and are aiming Cameras at the two of them, so that their meeting is relayed across the Kingdom in intimate detail. She is already glowing; standing over him as he kneels before her. The Screen at the end of his Chamber is several seconds behind the events taking place before them; it shows them exactly what those across the Kingdom are seeing. He notes with some satisfaction that his hat is looking particularly splendid, having been delivered by drone just an hour earlier from the foremost fashion-house of the City.

"My Lady! Believe me! My contrition is sincere!"

He looks to the camera that is training on him, catching the operator by surprise. It's too late for her to pan away; He is an expert at pulling focus.

"Let me promise you this, My Lady. There will come a point, soon enough, when I must die for the good of the Kingdom. And when that time arrives, I promise. I shall arrange for yourself, in person, to be the one that takes my life!"