Tuesday - 10/22
DIMERA MANSION
Rudolfo paced around Rolf’s lab, rubbing his hands together. André entered through one of the secret passageways.
RUDOLFO: There you are, Father.
ANDRE: Here I am.
RUDOLFO: Where have you been?
ANDRE: I was not aware that I had to report my whereabouts to you.
RUDOLFO: Something’s got you in a mood, clearly. It was merely a question.
ANDRE: As it happens, I have just come from a funeral.
RUDOLFO: A funeral? You went to John Black’s funeral?
ANDRE: I did, yes.
RUDOLFO: What did you do?
ANDRE: Merely observed from the shadows, nothing more.
RUDOLFO: No, but what did you do? At the funeral, I mean.
ANDRE: I know what you mean, and I did exactly what I said, nothing more.
RUDOLFO: So…you didn’t do anything? Nothing to mix things up a bit?
ANDRE: No, I didn’t.
RUDOLFO: Why not? Father, this would have been the perfect time to strike! From what little I know of John, he was loved by practically everybody in Salem! The Bradys, the Hortons, the Johnsons, Abe Carver-
ANDRE: Yes, I am well aware of everybody who was there, thank you. I do not need a list, I saw them all for myself.
RUDOLFO: I don’t understand you. You went to John Black’s funeral, where all of our enemies would be congregating in one central location, and you did nothing more than observe?
ANDRE: Is this line of questioning going anywhere? I believe I have already answered this question at least twice before.
RUDOLFO: Why did you not strike?
ANDRE: Now is not the time to strike.
RUDOLFO: Not the time?! Now is the perfect time! Father, don’t you understand-
ANDRE: Of course I do! Do you think I’ve not got any sense? I am well aware that all of the enemies of the DiMera family were together in one spot! However, now was not the moment. In chess, as with any game, one needs to be certain of the moment in which to strike, and this was not that moment.
RUDOLFO: How could it not be? Father, John Black has been a thorne in the side of the DiMera family for ages! The fact that he’s gone-
André gave Rudolfo a pitying look.
RUDOLFO: What? What is that look you’re giving me?
ANDRE: Oh, my boy, it is clear that you still have so much to learn.
RUDOLFO: What does that mean?
ANDRE: Yes, John Black may have caused our family any number of problems over the years, but his relationship to this family is far more complicated than that. We are the very reason that John Black came to Salem in the first place. For years, he was Stefano’s second most faithful servant.
RUDOLFO: I don’t believe this! You…you actually feel some level of affection for John. Father, I hate to say it, but I think you’re losing your touch.
Before Rudolfo knew what was happening, he found himself pinned against the wall, André holding a blade to his throat, staring him down with an evil look in his eye.
ANDRE: How dare you? You will not speak to me that way, is that understood?
RUDOLFO (quietly): Yes.
ANDRE: You will learn respect, my son. And speaking of respect, the only reason that I chose not to strike at the funeral this morning is out of respect. Yes, you heard me, respect. As much as our ideals differed, as many times as he tried to bring the family down, Stefano still had some level of respect for John, as do I. John Black is one of the few people, possibly the only person, that I would consider a worthy opponent. That is why today was not the moment to strike, it would be a cowardly move. You do not strike when your opponents are down. We must give the Marlena and the Bradys and everyone else time to grieve John. And then, just when they start to feel strong enough again, then will be the time to strike.
RUDOLFO (quietly): I understand, Father.
ANDRE: Good.
André let go of his grip on Rudolfo and put the blade back in his suit coat.
RUDOLFO: My apologies, Father. I did not mean to disrespect you. It is clear that I still have so much to learn from you.
ANDRE: You do, my son. And learn you shall.
RUDOLFO: Yes, Father.
ANDRE: Now come. The time is not yet right to strike, but that does not mean that we cannot prepare.
André led Rudolfo out of the Lab.
