The official transcript of Samantha Phillip’s recorded interview with Kingsley Montivelo, the former President of Shiva and leader of the Killer Liberation Army (KLA)
Kingsley Montivelo --- Veran 5 1886
Third Interview with Kingsley Montivelo
Interviewer: Samantha Phillips
Copy 1 of 1
Samantha Phillips: You seemed disoriented, Mr. Montivelo.
Kingsley Montivelo: I was expecting Alex.
SP: I didn’t realize you were on a first name basis with him.
KM: I think I’ve spent enough time with him to earn that right.
SP: Do you enjoy talking to him?
KM: It is a nice distraction.
SP: You are unhappy with how the trial is proceeding?
KM: It seems like a waste when we all know what the verdict will be.
SP: That doesn’t seem to prevent you from relishing being the center of attention.
KM: Might as well enjoy myself before I hang.
SP: Does the prospect of hanging bother you?
KM: Very few people want to die.
SP: I have a friend who would agree with you. He believes that there’s no point in having a trial if the verdict has already been decided.
KM: I know, that’s why I asked him to be my lawyer.
[There is a pause]
KM: You didn’t think I’d agree to being interviewed by anyone without doing my research first, did you?
SP: No, I’m just surprised you’d dare to ask Eric to represent you after what you did to his mother.
KM: I didn’t do that. Rezan did.
SP: On your orders
KM: No one ever gave Rezan an order.
SP: Is that what you like? Someone who can’t be ordered around?
[There is a pause]
KM: You are crueler than Alex.
SP: I didn’t mean to be cruel. I want to understand.
KM: That’s what Alex always says.
SP: You don’t seem to mind explaining your side of the story to him.
[The sound of springs and someone walking away]
KM: Alex talks to me because he wants to be reassured the world still functions the way he expects it to. The prosecution talks to me because it wants to exert its moral superiority onto a growingly immoral world. Why are you talking to me?
SP: I am making you uncomfortable, but I don’t understand why.
KM: You’ve attended the trial?
SP: Parts of it.
KM: What do you think?
SP: I think you’re avoiding responsibility in an attempt to win a lighter sentence than death.
KM: That didn’t take much thought.
SP: During the cross-examination, you kept saying your actions during the Second Shadow War were done unwillingly. Do you truly believe that?
KM: You know I didn’t want to declare war against the Ferdarians and its allies? For a moment, I almost extended the olive branch to Leonidas.
SP: What happened?
KM: Rezan walked through my office door.
SP: Were you always terrified of him?
KM: Of course.
SP: Then why side with him over David and Emmy?
KM: Is that what they say happened?
SP: Didn’t it?
KM: Did Alex show you my memoir?
SP: He did.
KM: What did you think?
SP: When I first read it, I thought it betrayed the state of someone still struggling to overcome the immense trauma he has encountered in his life. You seemed to have carried a lot of guilt with you, guilt you unsuccessfully tried to pass onto others. You took a risk talking so openly about your own confusion about yourself and the cause and your deep rooted paranoia. It almost fooled me into thinking you were a victim of circumstance. The second time I read it, however, I knew better. I believe you actually suffered real trauma after Siegfried’s Day, but I know it’s not an open wound anymore. It’s a weapon, one you’re using not only to win the sympathy of the court, but Alex’s sympathy as well. You’ve sensed Alex’s need and desperation and you’re manipulating him, just as you manipulated Devin.
KM: And why would I wish to manipulate him?
SP: For three reasons. One, you know the prosecution is pressuring him to share his interviews and notes with them and you believe that if you can soft Alex up, even a little, he can argue on your behalf for a lighter sentence. Two, Alex is your back up plan should you be given a death sentence. Again, you win Alex over and he ensures you’re remembered on your terms. You’ve learned from the others, that if you can’t avoid Death, at least you can cheat it of its final victory by presenting a stirring narrative. Three, you enjoy his attention. I imagine it’s been a long time since someone’s given you their sole attention, especially a male. I think it reminds you of how Devin used to rely on you. Maybe it even reminds you of Oisin.
KM: You’re trying to score a fatal wound, but I don’t understand why.
SP: Or does he remind you of Kerry?
[Laughter]
KM: No, he is far more charming than Kerry ever was.
SP: Was Kerry your first crush?
[There is a pause and the sound of someone walking around and the sound of springs]
KM: They say yours was an artist-Nina I believe her name was.
SP: Why do you get defensive when I ask about your past? Isn’t that the point of your memoir?
KM: Because you’re not asking, you’re attacking.
SP: I’m just asking questions.
KM: Designed to get a rise out of me.
SP: Why would I want to get a rise out of you?
KM: The same reason I try to get a rise out of Alex.
SP: This is strictly professional.
KM: Is that even possible considering who I am? I can only imagine what your family thinks about me. I’m surprised any of you are talking to Alex after he started interviewing me.
[A distant noise in the background and the sound of metal]
SP: We both know there is no point in lying. You are there with us every second of our lives, but you can’t hurt us anymore, Mr. Montivelo. We’re learning how to move on from you and your associates and after a few more years, so will the world.
Kingsley Montivelo --- Veran 5 1886
Third Interview with Kingsley Montivelo
Interviewer: Samantha Phillips
Copy 1 of 1
Samantha Phillips: You seemed disoriented, Mr. Montivelo.
Kingsley Montivelo: I was expecting Alex.
SP: I didn’t realize you were on a first name basis with him.
KM: I think I’ve spent enough time with him to earn that right.
SP: Do you enjoy talking to him?
KM: It is a nice distraction.
SP: You are unhappy with how the trial is proceeding?
KM: It seems like a waste when we all know what the verdict will be.
SP: That doesn’t seem to prevent you from relishing being the center of attention.
KM: Might as well enjoy myself before I hang.
SP: Does the prospect of hanging bother you?
KM: Very few people want to die.
SP: I have a friend who would agree with you. He believes that there’s no point in having a trial if the verdict has already been decided.
KM: I know, that’s why I asked him to be my lawyer.
[There is a pause]
KM: You didn’t think I’d agree to being interviewed by anyone without doing my research first, did you?
SP: No, I’m just surprised you’d dare to ask Eric to represent you after what you did to his mother.
KM: I didn’t do that. Rezan did.
SP: On your orders
KM: No one ever gave Rezan an order.
SP: Is that what you like? Someone who can’t be ordered around?
[There is a pause]
KM: You are crueler than Alex.
SP: I didn’t mean to be cruel. I want to understand.
KM: That’s what Alex always says.
SP: You don’t seem to mind explaining your side of the story to him.
[The sound of springs and someone walking away]
KM: Alex talks to me because he wants to be reassured the world still functions the way he expects it to. The prosecution talks to me because it wants to exert its moral superiority onto a growingly immoral world. Why are you talking to me?
SP: I am making you uncomfortable, but I don’t understand why.
KM: You’ve attended the trial?
SP: Parts of it.
KM: What do you think?
SP: I think you’re avoiding responsibility in an attempt to win a lighter sentence than death.
KM: That didn’t take much thought.
SP: During the cross-examination, you kept saying your actions during the Second Shadow War were done unwillingly. Do you truly believe that?
KM: You know I didn’t want to declare war against the Ferdarians and its allies? For a moment, I almost extended the olive branch to Leonidas.
SP: What happened?
KM: Rezan walked through my office door.
SP: Were you always terrified of him?
KM: Of course.
SP: Then why side with him over David and Emmy?
KM: Is that what they say happened?
SP: Didn’t it?
KM: Did Alex show you my memoir?
SP: He did.
KM: What did you think?
SP: When I first read it, I thought it betrayed the state of someone still struggling to overcome the immense trauma he has encountered in his life. You seemed to have carried a lot of guilt with you, guilt you unsuccessfully tried to pass onto others. You took a risk talking so openly about your own confusion about yourself and the cause and your deep rooted paranoia. It almost fooled me into thinking you were a victim of circumstance. The second time I read it, however, I knew better. I believe you actually suffered real trauma after Siegfried’s Day, but I know it’s not an open wound anymore. It’s a weapon, one you’re using not only to win the sympathy of the court, but Alex’s sympathy as well. You’ve sensed Alex’s need and desperation and you’re manipulating him, just as you manipulated Devin.
KM: And why would I wish to manipulate him?
SP: For three reasons. One, you know the prosecution is pressuring him to share his interviews and notes with them and you believe that if you can soft Alex up, even a little, he can argue on your behalf for a lighter sentence. Two, Alex is your back up plan should you be given a death sentence. Again, you win Alex over and he ensures you’re remembered on your terms. You’ve learned from the others, that if you can’t avoid Death, at least you can cheat it of its final victory by presenting a stirring narrative. Three, you enjoy his attention. I imagine it’s been a long time since someone’s given you their sole attention, especially a male. I think it reminds you of how Devin used to rely on you. Maybe it even reminds you of Oisin.
KM: You’re trying to score a fatal wound, but I don’t understand why.
SP: Or does he remind you of Kerry?
[Laughter]
KM: No, he is far more charming than Kerry ever was.
SP: Was Kerry your first crush?
[There is a pause and the sound of someone walking around and the sound of springs]
KM: They say yours was an artist-Nina I believe her name was.
SP: Why do you get defensive when I ask about your past? Isn’t that the point of your memoir?
KM: Because you’re not asking, you’re attacking.
SP: I’m just asking questions.
KM: Designed to get a rise out of me.
SP: Why would I want to get a rise out of you?
KM: The same reason I try to get a rise out of Alex.
SP: This is strictly professional.
KM: Is that even possible considering who I am? I can only imagine what your family thinks about me. I’m surprised any of you are talking to Alex after he started interviewing me.
[A distant noise in the background and the sound of metal]
SP: We both know there is no point in lying. You are there with us every second of our lives, but you can’t hurt us anymore, Mr. Montivelo. We’re learning how to move on from you and your associates and after a few more years, so will the world.
