DMO: Chorus Line!

[KiyoshiKyokai]

Here's a collected and cleaned up version for your approval:

I removed a little of Phonie's slapstick comedy from the script, in an attempt to shift the focus of the comedy to the conversation rather than the antics of the two new characters.

I didn't understand Phonie's "you'll give it away" line, so I sort of dropped that part.

I'd like to cut the "Sailor Moon wannabe" line, just to minimize pop culture references (we're in the 1950's, after all). However, Chorus Line may be silly enough that we can get away with these sorts of things without breaking the setting too much. What do you think? It's something to decide here at the beginning, before we do any more of these sorts of things.

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Syn: Welcome, everyone, to Dark Magical Orchestra: Chorus Line! By special request, I've been asked to bring Ms. Knale onto the stage for an in-depth interview! Oh, I'm such a big fan of hers! This will be delightful!

Phonie: Hey, don't steal away my audience! WAA~~~! As Synnie here was saying, Mistress Knale, the aspiring Queen of all Hell, is to join us today! Our ratings are going to go through the roof!

Syn: I think more the appropriate term would be "through the floor". And I told you, It's [The Nitemare Beauty] Syn! Not "Synnie"! Don't make a scene like you did last time!

Phonie: I can't help it, I'm a Dramatist!

Syn: No one's debating that, you little Sailor Moon wannabe--

Phonie: *gasps* Ahh--! How dare you--!

We will return with Overlord Knale after these brief messages.

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The scene returns with Overlord Knale, dressed in her usual brown cloak, hood down, reclining in the squishy talk-show chair at the center of the stage. As the camera pans back in, she takes a disinterested glance at her large watch, then turns back to Syn and Phonie expectantly.

Phonie: *utterly speachless* Uhmmm....

Syn: Welcome, Overlord Knale, and thank you for gracing our stage tonight. Tales of your beauty and grace do not do you justice. And I read that you were thousands of years old! That can't be right...can it?

Phonie: She's an Overlord, stupid! Of course it's true. Just to reach that level requires thousands of years of training and dedication! But perhaps an introduction is in order! *swings staff in an arc over her head, making a rainbow* I'm Phonie, a first-class magickal girl! I specialize in Love magic and potent Charms.

Syn: In other words, she looks like an angel and plays like a demon. I am [The Nitemare Beauty] Syn! A fallen angel with a tragic past, all the powers of an angel priest, and all the strength of a demon warrior. *poses* And you probably thought my only skills were my good looks.

Phonie: Oh, Synnie! Don't pout, I really do respect you, see!

Syn: *shakes head, and looks at Knale, at peace with the world and appearing mildly amused to their antics* Perhaps the future ruler of all hell should introduce herself...?

Knale: "And interrupt this...what's a good word... singular display of showmanship?"

Knale: "Well, my full title is Grand High Overlord of the Pit, Knale Sye Kolor. But perhaps there's some confusion I should clear up for the audience. I actually rule all of hell--the other overlords simply lack the insight to realize the true nature of affairs. I'm a bit of a fanatic for strategy games, collecting art, Baroque music, long walks before sunset... I have varied interests."

Syn: Well...that's all very well, Overlord Knale, which of course, answers the question of interests and hobbies....

Phonie: Showmanship? *shakes head* So arrogant as well as ambitious, huh? I suppose it's a good quality for any demon to have, but...I don't know, Miss Knale, I never really thought you the...arrogant type.

Knale: I imagine there are a good deal of things you've not thought about, my dear. *smiles kindly*

Syn: And talk about some...provocation. You must be confident to make an open invitation for challenges. But after all, I'm just a fallen angel, right? *flashes white teeth in a perfect smile and shrugs* What do I know about the politics of demons?

Phonie: So, Miss Knale, is there a man in the picture? Or a woman? It's well-enough-known that you spend more than a fair bit of time with the Dark Empress herself. Are you following the demon tradition of mixing business with pleasure?

Syn: Wow...Phonie, that was...a good question.... Miracle of miracles.

Phonie: What's that supposed to mean!? So, Miss Knale, what's the real story, here?

Knale: Straight to the point, I like that. It's unfortunate to disappoint, but I don't have 'intentions' with my dear pet, Cosette. However, I certainly believe that romantic relationships are important--so far as they can be used. Humans are most prone to 'inspiration' when they are motivated correctly... much in the way the first Dark Emperor was 'inspired' to build his Realm. But dear me, I'm just saying all sorts of things now, aren't I?

Syn: *exchanges look with Phonie* I think everyone is interested to hear about your thoughts on romance. And what's more, if there's a beating heart deep within that fine demon bosom of yours.

Phonie: YES!!!!! Miss Knale, have you ever known the touch of LOVE?????~~~ WAH!?!

Knale: 'Overlord Knale', or simply 'Master', if you please.

Knale: I think this is a good point to stop and caution all of my minions out there upon the dangers of love--of any sort at all, mind you. Love is a luxury of the human world. When you're a mortal, with a pathetic eighty or so years, and no real direction or reason for existence, it's nothing to throw away your soul at the feet of some other stranger in the cold world, vainly searching for a tiny shred of meaning and acceptance.

Knale: I've seen demon romances in my time, but they're never something that's appealed to me personally. *flashes a cynical smile* I'm not a close acquaintance of Failure. Business and pleasure--perhaps so. True love--I think not.

Syn: No one said you were, Overlord Knale. In fact--

Phonie: Miss Knale--I'm sorry, Overlord Knale--it sounds to me as though you don't believe in love. As if it's only a passing fancy for mortals, and there is nothing immortal to it.

Syn: Phonie....

Phonie: But...in this at least, you aren't correct. If anything, true love is a longer-lived force than anything--you or me, or even humans or demons. Or angels. *smiles at herself self-consciously* Or little magical girls with pink staffs on talk shows.

Phonie: You claim to be the ruler of all hell, and you're strong, brilliant, tactful--you fit the bill pretty well. But I wonder, do your ambitions stop there? Or do you seek to add the human world to your ever-growing list of territories? If so, you will need to learn-if you haven't already--not only to play on the emotions of humans, but also to learn to feel them as well. Or at least, so thinks this little magical girl.

Syn: Ah...well...let's remember tact now....

Phonie: What's a tact?

Syn: *sigh* Overlord Knale?

Knale: It seems that our little hostess has some strong opinions about things. But I like to let people believe what they wish. Folly has its merits, as do all things. Still... I hope you didn't mean to imply that my opinion was somehow... invalid. *Presses the tips of her fingers together pensively*

Knale: Of course, earth is a certainly on my to-conquer list. I wouldn't call the acquisition of earth difficult per se, it's really all just a matter of timing. Of course, were you a Strategist, and could you predict quite reliably several centuries into the future, you would be as confident as I am that the event is inevitable. Things are already beautifully in motion, in fact. But again, there goes my mouth. *chuckles*

Syn: Invalid! Never, never! I think what Phonie meant to say was--

Phonie: Was only that humans are driven by feeling as much as by logic. Not all things are within the reach of Strategists' reason. *she winks* Some things are just unreasonable.

Syn: Like my co-host's insistence on Love and Feelings. *rolls eyes* I apologize for her...ah...mouthiness. But please, tell us, how go things in The Pit these days? It was such a lovely place last time I saw it. I trust that having such a beautiful and graceful master has only improved its charm?

Knale: Hell is hell, let's not skirt the issue, Syn. *laughs*

Phonie: Mmmm.... Miss--ah...Overlord Knale--tell us, won't you, of your greatest military exploit? And reveal a thread of your intentions in the greater scheme of things?


Knale: As I mentioned with the conquest of earth, it's a matter of timing. Most of my free time these days is devoted to convincing the other Overlords that I in fact am the uncontested master of this... godforsaken piece of real estate.

Knale: My greatest military exploit? That takes a bit of considering... I suppose I could give a representative example--this is for the benefit of you lower-level strategists out there, so listen well.

Knale: There is an interesting story of a time when I was at odds with the Fatespinner Overlord Decarabia. Now, this was only several millenia ago, so my older minions may still have the event fresh in their memories. You see, we had been collaborating for some time to overthrow a third party, and there was a unsettled question of how the armies of the defeated group would be split between us. Of course, I had predicted the event a few centuries earlier, and had planted a little seed of discord in his forces... just a few words of dissent whispered in the dark to one soldier a few hundred years before--nothing dangerous. In the end, my planning proved perfect--the rumors, doubt, mistrust, betrayal--all blossomed into beautiful fruition. When the time came for battle, all of his minions new and old, were standing on my side of the battlefield, unwilling to support their master against me!

Knale: The battle itself was, unsurprisingly, rather disappointing. Most tend to fall into that category. A crushing victory is the sign of a brilliant strategy.

Syn: Wise words from a great leader. I think we should end on that note--what do you think, Phonie?

Phonie: Aww, and I was having so much fun, too!~~~ *pouts prettily* Well, it's been fun, Mi--ah, Overlord Knale. I hope to see you again soon! *puts a finger to her lips* I get the feeling that we will, in time. I'm glad. You know, Miss Knale, you really grow on people. It's a rare and admirable quality, especially for a demon. *sigh* You would have made a great magical girl.

Syn: *shocked silence*

Phonie: What? Is there something on my face?