Getting Settled

Drago Cesar · July 12, 2023

The sun shines on a warm New York day. We find ourselves at the front entrance to the OCW Headquarters. A jeep pulls up to the parking lot with two figures stepping out of the car. And a big freaking lion. Bubba, the newly appointed COO Drago Cesar (sporting a light minty green dress shirt and pants with a dark blue vest. Oh yeah, and of course the sneakers) and former Women’s Champion Dragana Cesar walk up to the front door, barely able to carry all the luggage around. After struggling to get through the main entrance, they approach the secretary’s desk.

Secretary: Oh, Mr. Cesar, shall I guide you to your office?

Drago: Yes please.

LATER….

After leaving the elevator, the secretary shows the Cesars to the new COO’s office; the print on the window now reads, “CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DRAGO CESAR” in large bold letters. He unlocks the door.

Secretary: Should I get you two some coffee?

Drago: No that’s ok, you work hard enough. We get some later. Thank you.

Secretary: Oh. Uh, thank you….

The secretary steps away. The Cesar family steps inside the office. They put their luggage to the side. Bubba jumps up on the couch and makes himself comfortable. Drago steps up to the window overlooking the city.

Drago: Hell of a view.

He turns around to see Dragana smiling at him.

Drago: Let’s unpack all this.

LATER……

Drago adjusts the CRT on his desk. Placed on top of it is a VCR. An NES is hooked up right next to it. The walls are adorned with photos and posters of the Cesars’ greatest battles; Drago vs. Nate at Lution 11, Dragana vs. EMP at Summercide 2021, P3 vs. Wrex and B-17 at Animol House, among many others. The bookshelves are filled with old VHS tapes and Nintendo games. The name tag on Drago’s desk is adorned with an Amaryllis next to it.

Drago: Hope this works…

He pushes the power button on the NES and the CRT lights up with the Double Dragon title screen.

Drago: Ha! Yes!

Dragana pulls up a seat next to him, a look of amusement on her face. Before long though, the siblings are interrupted by a loud rapping at the door.

Drago: Uh…come in!

The door slowly opens, before Shianne Lovelace and Kameyo Hada enter the room. They cross the room in a few big steps before Shianne slams her fists down on the desk, knocking over Drago’s name tag. Shianne smirks devilishly as she stares daggers into the OCW legend. She doesn’t even seem to register the presence of Dragana Cesar beside her.

Shianne: So… you’re our new boss, yeah?

She pauses for a moment, before slamming her right fist on the desk once more.

Shianne: My loyalty isn’t so fickle, especially not for a man. Give her back. Give us Empress.

Kameyo leans forward and looks like she’s about to join in the protest, but she is cut off by Drago.

Drago: No.

He stands up from his seat, looking into Shianne's eyes. Dragana anxiously holds her breath.

Drago: If anything, I'm should have you both locked up. I'm hear Guantanamo Bay give more than just nice haircuts. In interest of kindness, however, I won't. But know this: I not gonna let anyone hurt innocent people here. You got a problem with someone? Settle it in the ring. This is sport.

Drago: What Kumiko did was wrong. And I'm had to make sure there were consequence for her action.

Dragana looks over at Kameyo, trying to find her eyes, if she even has them. Drago steps over and picks up his name tag. He dusts it off before placing it back on his desk. He leans back on his desk with his hands in his pockets.

Shianne’s glare narrows.

Shianne: Kumiko did what was best for business!

Drago: Doesn't make it the right thing to do.

Shianne: All we saw was profits and ratings, mister ‘nice’ guy. Not sure how nice one can be when they kill their opposition the way you do.

Drago: It stays in the ring. I'm not perfect. I was young once too. Being in war give you perspective.

Shianne scoffs.

Shianne: We all gots our shit guy. But you’re right about one thing, hear? You ain’t perfect. I known somebody who was, and that somebody’s named Kumiko. Empress. You wanna play hardball, we can play hardball. See how that goes, yeah? Your choice.

Shianne pushes herself away from the desk with a smug look on her face, as she and Kameyo start to head for the door but are stopped by Drago.

Drago: You know people called me crazy for trying to be friend with Kumiko and Larry? Everybody tell me it was bad idea. But I like to see good in everyone.

Shianne pauses for a moment.

Shianne: You tryin’ to get prophetic with me? Kameyo, you get this?

Kameyo shrugs, but isn’t able to reply anyway as Shianne continues.

Shianne: Guy, Cesar? That’s it, right?

Drago: Some call me "Best in the World". Others say Lion GOAT. But they can keep cute nicknames. I just Drago.

Shianne: Okay. Drago. I don’t care what you done or did or what the people think about it. I just want MY boss back. ‘Cause you ain’t her.

Drago lets out a smile before he reclines back on his chair. Dragana glares back at Shianne and Kameyo.

Drago: How you say in English? Them's the breaks.

She scoffs again before whipping open the door and ushering Kameyo out, before exiting herself with a middle finger directed at the Cesar siblings. She shouts something as she heads down the hall, barely audible to the pair in the room.

Shianne: This ain’t over, motherf**kers!

A few brief crashes can be heard in the hall, the pair kicking over trash bins as they leave the vicinity. Bubba is still sound asleep on the couch.

Dragana turns to her brother, looking worried. Drago gets a notepad and writes something down.

Drago: ….That is gonna be a few fines. Most of that gonna go to charity of course.