Talking to the one who does not talk

[The Immortal Arkken]

Monica is standing in what appears to be an arena corridor like every other.

My guest at this time is the number one contender for the GX World Heavyweight Championship, The Immortal Arkken!

The camera pans out, revealing Arkken in his ring gear. He smiles pleasantly.

This interview could be a bit unusual, since Arkken has vowed not to say a word until he wins the belt again. Are you still keeping it up?

The wrestler nods enthusiastically and seems curious to see just how Monica is going to deal with the situation.

Last week, we were shown a video of some of the most important moments in your career. In most of them, you acted like a jerk. In some of them, you were even maniacal. How did this change come about?

Arkken rubs his chin, pondering the problem of communicating his thoughts efficiently without words. Then, he taps his own chest and places both hands on his hips, adopting a more feminine pose before glaring at the interviewer.

Is that... Immacolata?

The challenger nods, then slowly spreads his hands in front of him, as if showcasing the wall. Monica looks slightly puzzled.

The people in the arena?

Arkken waves his hand, indicating that she is not right, but not entirely wrong either.

The fans?

He nods again. He points to his eyes, then to a spot in front of them. He gestures over his own waist, as if he were wearing a belt.

The champion? Black Spirit?

He points to her with a smile, as if congratulating her. Next, he repeats the belt gesture, but also does it over his left shoulder. Monica seems to be lost, so he gives her a million-dollar smile that also appears to be a little bit crazy.

Oh! Tommy Bones?

He confirms that she guessed right, then he points at his eyes again and to that same spot in front of them, before rubbing his chin in contemplation.

So your niece Immacolata and the fans got through to you, and you saw what Black Spirit and Tommy Bones were doing and you didn't like it.

Before Arkken can correct her, she adds:

Or, to use your own words from before, you saw yourself in them and didn't like what you were seeing.

The challenger claps three times, then bows.

We have heard this before, so here's a new one. Why should the fans believe you?

After a moment of reflection, Arkken places his right hand gravely on his chest.

You?

He shakes his head, then joins his hands together, holding them upright.

To pray? Oh, to believe, of course.

He maintains the gesture for a second before pointing once again to his eyes.

They have to believe in what they see?

He agrees, then seals his lips with an imaginary zipper.

And you're not talking, while you used to talk a lot before. And I mean a lot.

His expression is a little aggravated, but he shrugs and appears to wait on her.

How is this not-talking thing affecting the rest of your life? Is it hard to function sometimes?

He rolls his eyes, perhaps meaning that she does not know the half of it. He pulls a smartphone out of his pocket, taps and swipes a few times until it rings. He places it to his face, then pulls it away again, showing the futility of it all.

What do you think about Tommy Bones and Sebastian Saint Claire's rendition of Immacolata's dungeon?

The wrestler shakes his head like he could not believe what he was seeing. He slashes in front of his throat with his hand, his expression scared for the mad man. The interviewer smiles wickedly as she prepares to ask her next question.

Do you have a few words for Black Spirit, your opponent tonight?

Arkken nods smartly with a strained smile, acknowledging the question's humor, but then holds up his index finger. He taps a little on his phone, then hands it to Monica.

Muffins, egg rolls, panini... that's a few words, but it's all food.

He touches his stomach and makes a sad face. He takes back the phone, taps on it a bit more, then hands it back.

Black Platta versus LJG... Lady Jane Grey! I see.

Arkken pretends to have a belt again. He points to the camera, looking into it, and takes the invisible belt away from his own body. He then points at himself and grabs the belt back, raising it high above his head with his left hand.

You are going to take back the belt he took away from you. I wish you luck. It's about time for your match.

The challenger gives a two-finger salute, touching his forehead, then heads off-screen. After a couple seconds, Monica notices the phone in her hand and goes to call out, but apparently Arkken is already out of sight, because she stops. She shrugs.