Verse XXV

The name on the door reads Carlyle Manzini, CEO, Controlled Substances Inc.

Manzini is looking at a huge Eyegasmatron in his office with Xavier's face streaming on it.

CARLYLE MANZINI

I made you Thorn and I can unmake you!

XAVIER

Everything is fine.

CARLYLE MANZINI

Everything, is not fine!

Did you see what she did downtown!?!

Manzini opens a window on his Eyegasmatron.

It begins streaming the Status Quo and a video feed of Alexis engaged in battle with General Grindcore.

CARLYLE MANZINI

She's like a one woman wrecking crew.

Manzini tosses the remote to his Eyegasmatron into his chair.

CARLYLE MANZINI

It's like her PMS gives her super powers or something.

Xavier is not impressed.

XAVIER

Scarzensky is taking care of it.

Manzini points his finger at the screen.

CARLYLE MANZINI

He'd better, otherwise our deal is off!

XAVIER

There's no turning back now Manzini.

CARLYLE MANZINI

Our agreement was that in exchange for all the cheap labor I needed, I'd supply you with the chemicals you needed to refine your Star Dust!

Manzini is foaming at the mouth he's screaming so loud.

CARLYLE MANZINI

Nowhere in that did I agree to be part of an assassination or take part in a coup!

Xavier is unphased.

XAVIER

Things have changed.

CARLYLE MANZINI

Things have changed! Things have changed!

The whole city is on the brink of collapse and all you can tell me is things have changed!

XAVIER

I told you once already, everything is fine.

CARLYLE MANZINI

It better be! Because if it isn't, I'm not going down alone when someone comes looking for someone to take the fall for all of this!

Manzini ends the video feed.

Inside the Capstone ov tha Pyramid ov tha Priestess ov Mars Xavier sees Manzini end the video feed on his Eyegasmatron.

He looks at Mystre the High Priest ov tha Cults ov tha Priestess ov Mars who is standing by his side.

XAVIER

Summon LaReaux.

Mystre bows his head in acknowledgment and begins to exit the capstone of the Pyramid ov tha Priestess ov Mars.