"You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war."

- Napoleon Bonaparte



Office of Doctor Louis D'Ville
Thursday

The office is dark with the usual red glow. The fireplace crackles and makes the shadows dance across the room. Our Doctor sits behind his desk, cigar and whiskey in front of him. No bruises and seemingly unscathed, the Doctor pulls from a portfolio, a profile of his next patient. As the Doctor looks through a few photos and a brief description of Douglas Delacroix, he laughs as he thinks about the previous weeks events.

Previously on Madness, the Doctor faced "Loverboy" Vinnie Lane. Although the Doctor prevailed, even with the interference from Lane's new bodyguard, Diesel, the Doctor was left for dead. The end of Madness showed Vinnie Lane and Diesel standing above the Doctor with their titles, celebrating their moment together.


Doctor D'Ville- Hello, my friends.

The Doctor pulls a hit from his cigar and blows the smoke into the air.


Doctor D'Ville- Well, Mister Loverboy, it seems to me that your little winning streak has reversed itself. It's a good thing you have big Diesel following you around now, worshiping you it would seem. He's managed to get involved in two of your matches that I know of. Your match with myself. And your match with Mister WGWF. Mister Pest. You see I've seen you at your so called "best", my friend. Well, your "best" could have possibly come out before my induction in the XWF. It's quite possible. I find it best to stay politically correct anymore, I'd hate for any of my patients to claim any errors in my details. Anyway, I've also seen you at what would have to be, currently, your absolute worst. But. This next week could perhaps be your rise out of this little slump. And no offense to you, Mister Pest, you were under a disadvantage as I was. And also, in my short time here in the XWF, I've failed to see you win a match. And mind you, I stay very much in focus for my own sessions, and usually mind my own business. If, perhaps, I've missed a victory, I apologize, my friend. I see you don't make friends well and are great at making people hate you, a quality I seem to have as well. A lot of times whatever you're involved in becomes a "cluster-fuck". So again, no offense to you, I just believe that after Mister Loverboy's victory, his slump remains stagnant. Beating Mister Pest doesn't impress me one bit. But wait! Things seem to be turning around for you, my friend! A title shot has finally peeked it's head up and presented itself to you. Was it awarded to you before the tantrums of the last few weeks? Again I try to be as straight with you as I can. I won battle royals to get my two titles shots. Whether half of those men are no longer on the roster, or if they've already fallen to a couple "Black Label Drivers", they were bodies. They were bodies and I disposed of them. My credentials after five matches in the XWF are quite high, my friend. Do you believe I dwell not winning the Television Title? If you do, you are wrong. One thing you've obviously failed to realize is that something your father should have told you years ago. "You can't win 'em all son". But I suppose it's hard to see that through your rock-stardom. You saying that you defeated Gator is a lie. Jacob was involved in a match that you won, Mister Loverboy, but you did not defeat him. The session Jacob and I had could've gone up or down. I could have easily left Denver the Television Champion. And I've told the world and I'm sure Jacob agrees, this war is far from over. Far, far, far from over. And I will wait my turn. You are quite popular as a champion, Jacob. So I will have patience. You do not have to be champion when I face you again, although it would be a fine bonus.

The Doctor reaches into his desk and pulls out another folder. He removes a few papers from it and throws the folder onto the one that already lays on his desk. He reveals a few pictures of "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel and sets them aside.

Doctor D'Ville- Now, onto the bodyguard. Well it's already been proven that this man has no idea where he is. Or when he is, I suppose. Interfering in my sessions, Mister Diesel, is not a very smart thing to do. Although, you've lacked smarts quite handsomely, as well. Your effete efforts to help your friend failed, Mister Diesel. And now, I've got my eye on you.

The Doctor winks with his one good eye. His glass-eye gleams as the fire from across the room reflects from it.





He lights another cigar and places it on the ashtray on his desk. Pouring another drink he gathers the papers on "Big Daddy Cool" and places them neatly back into a folder and into a file in his desk. He pulls the papers from the folder of his next patient.

Doctor D'Ville- Mister Delacroix, is it? Hello, my friend. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Doctor Louis D'Ville, I'm the current and acting Psychiatrist here in the XWF. Let me first start off by saying that your session, unfortunately, couldn't have come at a worse time. Not saying I have my hands full, but I have much larger fish to fry these days. Don't get me wrong, however, I do take our session seriously. Your debut victory over Mister Knight was impressive. I congratulate you. You've failed to be in much more than that... But what does that matter? You're here now and you're in good hands. As I say with all of my patients, friend, I'm here to hear you out. Surely there are things that depress you. Share the things that make you angry. And tell me of those demons hiding in the darkness that I see in you. My doors are always open, Mister Delacroix. Do not disappoint me.

---

---

---

**The above banner created by Azrael Erubus.
*Song "Pure Morning" by Placebo.