Maneuvers

"Maneuvers" is the fourteenth episode of *Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One (Volume 3)*, and the fortieth installment of the series overall. It was performed on August 8, 2020 via Zoom as the second installment in Show LXII and streamed live on YouTube. It was released as podcast episode 309.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Samantha Stark

Previous episode: "Daniel Kravitz of Antique Shop vs. Geralt of Rivia"

Next episode: "Young Rufus"

## **The Story**

At a shady, dim bar called The Liquid Abyss, some miles outside the U.L.P. ranch, Rufus Reginald Rochester, Voldare, and Grezit the Green, the latter in disguise, wait in a corner booth. Grezit is there to keep an eye on Rufus as Daniel Kravitz's behest, and Voldare impatiently would like to leave.

Suddenly, Grezit smells the smell Rufus told him to smell for. Voldare shapeshifts into Daniel just before Marta approaches. She sees right through the disguise and demands to see who she's really talking to or she'll leave. Rufus tells Voldare to change back, but convinces Marta that Grezit should stay as he is, and she relents. Marta complains she was supposed to be meeting with the Chosen One. Rufus says he has something more than satisfactory for trade, and she decides to hear him out.

In the Subworlds, Alexis Augustus Armentrout, bruised and beaten, makes it back to his family. Amara Armentrout is worried, and asks why he can't stay with them, pointing out that the U.L.P. is gone so it isn't his job to save the world anymore. Amara is tired of hiding away from and for him. Alexis says when Monbo is stopped, he will come home. Amara argues that Monbo isn't his responsibility. Alexis refuses to sit out while Monbo kills his friends. Amara says she may not still be waiting for him if he goes into the fight, though they both know he's going. Alexis goes to see his daughter, Sophie, before he leaves.

At the ranch, Kai Akane approaches the cell holding not-Josh Wallace in the middle of the night. Not-Josh says he heard people were having trouble finding Kai. Kai comments that Not-Josh will soon be killing the people on the ranch. Not-Josh says they aren't all bad, and perhaps not all will need to die. Kai won't help him, as his work is done and he is leaving. But before Kai goes, he has come to free Not-Josh. Not-Josh says he isn't ready to get out yet, despite knowing that something's coming. Kai gives him the key anyway.

Not-Josh warns Kai not to take someone else's vendetta on as his own. Not-Josh says he's only working for himself these days, not owing anyone anything after what was done to him. Kai hopes Not-Josh succeeds. Not-Josh says Kai only hopes he makes things easier for 'her.' Kai says the next time they meet, he will kill Not-Josh. Not-Josh says he's welcome to try.

In Abby and Daniel's apartment, Abby Reynolds arrives home late. Daniel is still awake, fully dressed, and asks her where she was. She admits to have been working with Alfredo, but laughs when Daniel asks if he should be jealous.

Abby is tired and wants to go to bed. Daniel says she never talks to him anymore. The new group was supposed to provide trained newbies to help out so they'd have time together. Abby talks about the responsibility of the job, and Daniel suggests she hand over management to Rufus. She doesn't want to. She likes having something outside of him and serving a purpose. She doesn't want kids, and no longer wants only him, though she still loves him. Daniel chafes, not wanting to admit he has always had a purpose outside of her and doesn't like that she now has the same. He can't point to another thing that might be the issue between them, and she goes to bed.

Back at the bar, heading into the parking lot, Voldare and Grezit are drunk. Rufus is fine thanks to a spell, and Marta holds her alcohol. As the two approach Marta's station wagon, Marta reveals she is not human and threatens him. E'Kjo leaps out of the vehicle, Marta having promised he could kill Rufus. Rufus, unphased, taunts E'Kjo about his brother's death and says he planned for their betrayal. Marta laughs, telling him his help is drunk. Voldare and Grezit come to Rufus' defense anyway.

Grezit rants until E'Kjo attacks him. They tustle, and Grezit eventually rips E'Kjo in half. At the same time, Marta assaults Rufus. Voldare morphs into a large reptile and knocks her off with Voldare's tail. But Voldare can't stop spinning and pukes on Marta, who has impaled Rufus' shoulder with her talon. Rufus rolls away, and then pulls a spell on Marta. She refuses to surrender. Grezit reaches for the keys in Rufus' pocket so they can lock Marta up, but he accidentally cuts Rufus with his claw. Distracted, Rufus' spell falters and Marta escapes. Grezit and Voldare want to pursue her, but Rufus says to let her go, they don't always need to kill. Though he approves of what Grezit did to E'Kjo.

## **Guest Starring**

* Nick Arganbright as E'Kjo
* Rachel Bobbitt as Marta
* Helen Casebolt as Amara Armentrout
* Sam Clements as Kai Akane
* Aaron Crane as Voldare

## **Trivia**

* Rachel Bobbitt won a role in the show at an auction. She had performed with cast members on another project previously, and so a larger role was written for her than would have been awarded had a non-performer won the auction, as she was on the list of potential guest stars wanted for *Radio Hour* anyway.
* This was released out of performance order on the podcast because of a scheduling error.