Kaz sat in the chair opposite the Governor's desk. Kaz looked around, she hated this office. So devoid of personality, almost like Governor Bennett knew she was on borrowed time. Kaz was annoyed because the Governor had kept her waiting. Kaz hated to be kept waiting, and even more so when she a revenge to plot.
Vera sat down, and looked straight at Kaz, it wasn't a good look when the Top Dog gets bashed. "How are you?" Vera asked firmly, she was in no mood for pleasantries. "How do you think?" Kaz spat back. She was tired and still in a lot of pain, not that she was going to let that show.
"Right, well I will get straight to the point. It is clear you have lost control of the women." Vera started flatly. Kaz snarled in response. "I haven't lost control of the women, its Smiths fault." Vera cocked her eyebrows in response.
"How do you figure it was Smith's fault?" Vera asked challenging Kaz to continue. It was not really a surprise to Vera, because she had heard the rumors. And as much as it would be easy to blame Bea, it just didn't sit right with Vera. "Really?! I thought you had more sense that than Governor." Kaz replied in a condescending tone.
"Do I need to remind you, Karen, who you are talking to?" Vera replied harshly, Kaz was already on a thin line with her and it wouldn't serve her to continue to push Vera's buttons. Vera matched Kaz's glare, which after a tense stare down, Kaz broke eye contact. "She walked away, she let me get bashed. There are witnesses." Kaz said firmly.
"I have watched the footage and began investigating the incident, it appears you are mistaken Kaz. Smith did not walk away." Vera said, sitting back in her seat. Kaz laughed sarcastically, "Of course you would say that, she's you little lap dog." Kaz replied, her blood boiling. 'The screws are all the same' she thought. "I do not have to prove anything to you Kaz, but ask yourself this. With everything you know of Smith, good and bad, has she ever walked away when a woman was so clearly outnumbered?" Vera explained.
Kaz just sat in silence. She hated Smith, she was the reason she was in here in the first place, and now she had taken Allie away from her. Why would Smith care if she got bashed? Vera pressed on, "I know you and Smith don't see eye to eye…" to which Kaz scoffed, "that's the understatement of the year." Kaz replied sarcastically.
Vera just nodded, before continuing, "…and it's easy to blame the person who you hate the most. But on this she is innocent." Vera finished. "Smith has everyone fooled. Everyone thinks she is a hero, but she is nothing but a murdering lunatic." Kaz lashed out.
Vera didn't flinch, "I seem to recall you once thought very positive of Smith as well. Looks can be deceiving Kaz." Vera answered firmly. "Yeah of course. She's little fucking red riding hood." Kaz snarled. She was so over Queen Bea and all the people swooning over her. Vera laughed in response, much to Kaz's surprise. "Look, I know Smith's methods aren't for everyone and I don't condone some of her actions. But she always has a reason, whether you agree with it or not." Vera answered, hoping Kaz wouldn't be so hot heated.
"She's a controlling narcissist, who manipulates the world around her for her own agenda." Kaz replied, challenging Vera right back. Kaz sat upright in her chair, her anger bubbling away just under the surface, ready to explode. Vera was unmoved by Kaz's outburst, and clearly Kaz was not listening to her. "Clearly nothing I say about Smith will change your mind." Vera explained, and when Kaz didn't offer anything to the contrary she continued "if you want to get the women back onside, you need to shift your focus off Smith." Vera said.
"Also, given you are so fond of revenge…" Kaz raised an eyebrow "…its well documented Kaz. Pick your target carefully, the women wont appreciate the Top Dog, bashing everyone just make sure she get's the right one." Vera said forcefully. The last thing she needed was medical full because the Top Dog was working her way through the prison.
"You aren't telling me not to take revenge." Kaz asked surprised. "You wouldn't listen even if I did. So I am not going to waste my breathe." Vera answered truthfully. "But I am warning you, you need to get control of the women and now. Otherwise, there will be chaos, and I want be able to help you or your crew." Vera said, hoping that Kaz would at least listen to that.
Kaz just nodded, in reply. "You're hot headed and react without thinking. Smith was brutal at times, but she always had a plan, even if you couldn't see it. There's a reason she was successful for so long." Kaz glared at the Governor again, 'another fucking comparison to Smith' Kaz thought. Vera knew she was pushing her luck, with the comparison, and although Kaz could be a real pain she meant well.
"Look, we both want what's best for the women. For them to get out of here and hopefully in better shape than when they came in." Vera said, her tone had softened, knowing that she had Kaz's attention. "But this is prison. And as much as I hate to admit it, violence is just part of it. It's your choice to use it to your advantage or not." Vera replied.
"Kill or be killed. Is that what you're saying Governor?" Kaz asked. "No, I'm not saying kill anyone. You used violence to your advantage on the outside, maybe consider here to." Vera answered; she was treading on thin ice. "You're giving me permission to hurt the women?" Kaz asked, she had always seen the Governor as soft, until now. "No, of course not. And if you say I did, I will adamantly deny it. But what I am saying Kaz is this…" Vera sat forward meeting Kaz's eye, neither woman flinching. "Prison is a harsh teacher, learn your lesson now, or you might not get another chance. The women need to be kept in line. And it's your job as Top Dog, to help achieve that." Vera said firmly and with conviction.
Kaz knew she had been soft and she was paying the price, emotionally and physically for it. She just didn't like it being pointed out to her. "I will take on board what you have said Governor. Is that all?" Kaz said standing. Vera stood as well, "let me know if I can be of assistance." Vera replied before signaling the guard to escort Kaz back to her cell.
