Selling Out Second draft

8/14/2019 Selling Out Second draft

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Clark Palmer about 7,000 words

[email protected]

Selling Out

by Clark Palmer

Joe had one last chance to punch the ball into the end

zone to avoid his ninth straight loss to Jack Roberts flag

football team. But when he looked downfield the remaining

15 yards, he realized that the end zone might as well have

been 100 yards away with a 10-foot concrete wall in front

of it. Joe saw Jacks head superimposed on the wall, a

typically mocking smile on his face.

Alright. Joe clapped his hands. Huddle up, he

said emphatically.

Slowly but surely his teammates arrayed themselves in

a loose semicircle around him. Joe dropped to one knee on

the patchwork yellowish-green grass of the multipurpose

field at Frank Schmidt Community Park.

Wish I had a Jacuzzi at home, said Jake, the

center/nose tackle and owner of the worst knees on the


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Palmer / Selling Out / 2

eight-player team. Like many of the men on his dads side

of his family, his knees were shot because he weighed more

than 300 pounds.

I hear that. I need a dip in a Jacuzzi and a beer,

said Fred, Joes best friend and the fastest player on the

team. That was pretty sad because Fred probably wouldnt

be the fastest man on any team, in any sport.

Cmon guys, Joe said. Its not over yet.

Calvin chuckled.

Joe sighed. I know. He paused. But maybe we can

outsmart Jack on one play.

Lemme throw it. Lateral back to me, Fred said.

Theres no way hell be ready for it.

Yeah, hell never expect you to throw the ball into

the woods, Jake said.

Ill call the plays, alright? I got us all the way

down here, Joe said. There was absolutely no way Joe

would allow someone else to throw the pass that could win

the game.

Fred smirked. You called all the plays the last

eight times we played Jack.

Joe gave Fred a serious look. How many touchdowns

did you have in all those games?

Oh, so were goin there?


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Tom spoke up, Jesus guys.

Sorry Fred, Jakes right. Youre a terrible

thrower, Calvin said.

Fred sighed and looked away while Joe remained silent.

Calvin turned to Joe. And this isnt just your

team.

Alright, can somebody just tell me what were doin?

Jake asked.

Joe looked at a few of his teammates. He spoke

slowly, I was just thinking...if we could get Jack to

blitz...thered be a much better chance of somebody getting

open around the end zone.

After a few tense moments, Fred broke the silence in

the huddle. Thats a good point. Fred gave Joe a

friendly pat on the back.

Joe quickly laid out his plan. When he was done he

took a deep breath and quickly released it. We can do

this, guys. I know youre all worn out...but... The

weird looks he received from some of his teammates ended

his attempt at a stirring motivational speech.

Forget it, Joe sighed as he spoke. Lets just beat

that prick, huh?

Well said, Fred replied.


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On two on two. Ready...break. Joe clapped as he

finished speaking. The huddle broke and the team started

lining up, Fred to the left of the three-man offensive

line, Tom, Steve, and Calvin to the right.

As both teams lined up, their fans stood and voiced

their support, either by yelling positive or negative

sentiments or doing more organized cheering in groups.

There werent very many people in the 12-row aluminum

bleachers to the right of the field sitting silently.

Joe got into position to take the shotgun snap and

searched the defense for Jack. When he found him, they

made eye contact for a few moments. Jack smiled deviously.

Every time they played each other, Joe wished hed

told Jack to go to hell when he asked to join Joes flag

football league. Joe started the league as a fun

alternative to watching professional sports, which he had

steadily lost interest in since his teens when the NFL,

NBA, NHL, and MLB lifted their bans on performance-

enhancing drugs. Unfortunately, everything seemed to

change when Jack came along. To add insult to injury, Joe

couldnt beat him.

But Joe knew if he didnt let Jack join he probably

wouldve started his own league and stolen some of Joes

teams just to spite him.


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He rotated his throwing arm around a few times and

moved his head back and forth to crack his neck. It was

partly an act but his middle-aged muscles desperately

wanted the physical exertion to be over with.

You feelin old McCloskey? Maybe somebody else

should throw this last pass, save your kid the

embarrassment.

Joe chuckled. Youre a real piece of work.

Well, my parents are proud, Jack said. I dont

know how yours could ever look at you.

It took Joe an extra second to respond after that

comment. But he kept the sarcasm going. Am I getting to

you?

Dont flatter yourself, Jack said.

Joe imagined that Jack was on the edge of a cliff.

The edge was the line between Jack doing what he planned to

do and acting on impulse. Joe knew that a light shove was

all it would take to send Jack tumbling over.

Alright, blitz Jack. Shut this loser up, one of the

defensive linemen said.

Joe smiled. You guysre pretty irritable for a team

thats beaten us eight times in a row.

Itll be nine in a few seconds, Jack said as he

approached the defensive line.


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Whatre you worried or something?

Joe felt like he was playing poker and hed just slid

all of his chips to the center of the table. If the move

worked hed look like a genius. If it didnt Joe wouldnt

be able to talk about it for a few days. Hed get an

empty, sick feeling in his stomach every time he thought

about it.

Set! Huuut! Set! Joe rubbed his hands together.

Hut! Hut!

It was all instinct from that point forward. Jake

snapped the ball. Joe bobbled it for a second. When he

got a good grip on it he looked to his left.

Luke was all over Fred, who had already cut to the

left to complete the out Joe told him to run. Joe stared

at Luke then looked right.

Tom was struggling to keep Jack at bay. Fortunately

Jack had decided to blitz from Toms side.

Meanwhile Steve had stumbled into the person covering

him. They lay in a heap just a few feet in front of the

line of scrimmage. Steve clutched his ankle, his face

scrunched up and his eyes squinting.

Joe reared back and started to throw. He brought the

ball forward but stopped his throwing motion when the ball

got past his head. Unfortunately, when Joe tried to tuck


7/39


the ball back in to his body he dropped it. It rolled down

his left leg and tumbled end over end away from him.

Joe stumbled forward, somehow keeping his balance, and

quickly bent down and scooped up the ball. He saw Fred

running all by himself toward the end zone. That was the

advantage to being just 15 yards away-Fred didnt take

forever to get there.

Joe lobbed the ball toward the back of the end zone,

putting what he hoped was just enough zip on the pass to

get it to Fred before Luke or anyone else on the defense

could interfere with it. A split second after Joe released

the ball Jack ripped a flag off his belt. But Joe was too

focused on Fred to notice.

Fred whipped his head around to find the ball and

started backpedalling into the end zone when he realized he

didnt have to run as fast as he could to get to it. But

Fred tripped over his own feet and started falling

backwards.

Joe put his hands over his head and gritted his teeth,

thinking the ball would sail over Freds falling body. But

Fred stuck his hands up and snagged the ball out of the

air. He hugged it to his body as he fell to the ground.

When Fred put his arms up to catch the ball Joe held

his breath and started raising his arms to celebrate.


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When Fred hit the ground he looked left and right to

make sure he was in the end zone. Then he held the ball up

to prove to everyone that he had possession of it.

Touchdown! Joes team wins! the scoreboard operator

called into his microphone, his voice projecting from the

speaker in the rusted out scoreboard on the opposite side

of the field from the crowd, which after the touchdown

seemed to be completely in Joes corner.

Calvin belly flopped onto Fred in the end zone.

Joe raised his fists. Yeaaaahhh! Woooooo!

A teammate slapped him on the back a few times.

Great throw man.

Joe smiled at him and raised his hand to do a high-

five. We did it baby! After they high-fived Joe noticed

Jack in his peripheral vision.

He turned around and looked down at Jack, who was

lying on his stomach tightly clenching one of Joes flags.

Jack stared at the end zone, his face expressionless.

The look on your face is priceless, Joe said.

Jack frowned. Lets see if you can do it two times

in a row. Jack dropped Joes flag and walked away.

Joe searched for Fred and found his best friend

running full speed at him. Joe jogged at him and they

hopped into the air and bumped chests. When Joe came back


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down he landed awkwardly, lost his balance, and fell to the

ground. Fred quickly helped him up.

We did it baby. Joe grabbed Fred by the shoulders

and shook him a couple times as he spoke.

You did it man. Great play, Fred replied.

One of the reasons Joe loved his league was that it

allowed him and his teammates to forget about the struggles

in their daily lives for at least a few hours. Fred was

going through a messy divorce that was taking a heavy

emotional toll on him.

Joes teammates huddled around him to congratulate

him, except for Steve who was still lying on the ground

nursing his ankle. Joe exchanged high-fives and pats on

the back with everybody. They decided to meet at Happy

Hour, their favorite bar, to celebrate over drinks after

work the next day. Then they dispersed.

Dad!

Joe looked in the direction of the voice. Zach was

jogging toward him. Joe waited until Zach was only a few

feet away then he leaned down, lifted the nine-year-old

over his right shoulder, and spun around a few times. Zach

giggled.

Joe put him back down and messed up his hair. Pretty

neat huh buddy?


10/39


That was awesome. Great throw, Zach said.

Memories of all the nights and afternoons hed spent

watching sports with his father flashed before Joes eyes--

all the cheering, yelling at the computer, and jokes they

made. Joe deeply resented the fact that he couldnt create

those kinds of memories with his son. He hoped that having

his son watch him play a sport and being able to celebrate

together would be close enough.

But Joe was glad that Zach was getting to see what

sports were supposed to be about: imperfect people finding

ways to overcome their physical limitations and do whatever

they could to win.

Meanwhile, professional sports were played by

biologically- and mechanically-enhanced athletes and were

mind-numbingly predictable. Joe stopped watching in the

mid-2030s and could only imagine how bad each of the four

major sports had gotten in the intervening 10-15 years,

given the astronomical drop in the prices of joint

replacements and other performance-enhancing treatments for

athletes.

Joe groaned. Im glad that was the last play.

He started rubbing his throwing shoulder and rotating the

arm around. Joe stopped immediately when he saw his wife

Kristin approaching.


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He turned to her, his face quickly brightening. Hi

honey.

Youre icing that down tonight, Kristin pointed at

him as she spoke.

I know. Joe nodded as he spoke, a hint of annoyance

in his voice.

Kristin said, Ive heard that before. She didnt

speak with the most playful sarcasm.

Joe looked away and rubbed the back of his neck right

below his hairline.

That was a nice play huh?

It was. Im glad Fred got the touchdown. There

wasnt as much annoyance in that statement as everything

she had said up until that point.

Joe exhaled. Yeah, he said very seriously. They

made eye contact for a couple seconds. Joe bit his lower

lip and looked away, while Kristin looked down at Zach.

And you need to get home and go to bed. Youve gotta

get up extra early tomorrow so you can go in and get some

help from Mrs. Romar.

Zachs shoulders sunk forward. Awwwright...

Kristin put her arm around Zach. Well pull the car

around.


12/39


Joe nodded. Kristin and Zach turned and left. Joe

could remember a time a year or more past when he and his

wife never walked away from each other without a kiss, even

if it was really quick.

Most of his excitement over finally beating Jacks

team had been sucked out of him. He stood in the middle of

the field watching his teammates and his wife and son get

farther and farther away from him.

Joe reattached the flag Jack had ripped off his belt

and started heading to the parking lot. Jack and another

man were right in his path discussing something.

The other man pointed at the top of the bleachers and

a few other places on the field. That elicited a frown

from Joe.

The man talking to Jack looked to be in his 50s. He

had a white goatee; he wore a white designer dress shirt,

high-end jeans, and a thin, slightly tacky gold chain-link

necklace. The fact that the other man seemed to be running

the conversation made Joe anxious to say the least.

Joe, wait a sec, Jack said before Joe could

interrupt them.

This is Connor Thompson. Hes VP of program

development at Florida Sportscast. He wants to Webcast our

league.


13/39


Joe didnt know what pissed him off more: the word

our or the concept of Jacks friend webcasting his

leagues games.

Connor Thompson. Thompson stuck his hand out. Joe

grabbed it to shake and Thompson squeezed it way too hard.

Joe McCloskey, Joe said in a grim voice.

Thompson talked so fast. I was just telling Jack

where wed put the cameras. The top of the bleachers looks

good and we could se--

--Hold on. Joe put his hands up. Hold on a

minute. Jack told you you could webcast my league?

He said youd be on board. Ive been telling him

about the horrible ratings were getting for the NFL and

other pro sports. Ive been looking for other sports to

webcast. I mean, I looked at youth sports and other local

sports.

Jack told me I should check out this little league

you guys started. I think we could really make a killing

on it. The response you guys got from the fans was

incredible. I--

--I started this, Joe said, making sure to enunciate

very clearly.

Right, right. Were gonna pay you of course.

Jack looked away grimacing.


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You really think people would watch this? Joe

couldnt deny that he was intrigued by the idea, even

though Jack was involved.

Jack started talking with his hands. I think this is

what sports fans are looking for. They want to see

personalities. They want celebrations. Watching pro

sports is like watching two computers trying to outsmart

each other. Thats why this is could be such a big hit.

Thompson shrugged. Who knows, if we get really good

ratings and we get some big-time sponsors on board maybe

you guys could do this full-time, he said.

Cmon man, dont be an idiot, Jack said, as if he

and Joe were good friends and he had a right to be

insistent.

Joe frowned at his longtime rival for a moment. He

imagined a series of events that turned his fun little flag

football league into something closely resembling the NFL.

He thought of practices a few times a week. He saw his

league become more and more complex. He saw the games get

faster. He felt pressure from outside sources to

commercialize more aspects of the league. He thought about

tough decisions he would be forced to make that would

corrupt his original intentions.

Joe shook his head. Im not int--


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Thompson held up his hands and interrupted Joe, --

Sleep on it and gimme a call. K? He smiled like a crooked

used car dealer.

You can reach me through Jack.

Joe exhaled. Alright.

Thompson smiled, unperturbed. Well Ive gotta get

going. Ill talk to you later Jack. Thompson turned

around and left.

See ya Connor.

Joe watched Thompson leave, while Jack stepped forward

and breached the outer limits of Joes personal space.

Dont stonewall me, Jack said firmly. We could

make a lotta money on this.

Joe chuckled very briefly. Even if I decide to do

this what the hell makes you think youd be getting any

money?

Dont you even think of cutting me outta this. Your

league was nothing before I came along. Besides...you

dont even own the rights to your league. All Ive gotta

do is file a claim and its mine.

Go ahead. Ill withdraw my team from the league.

There goes your biggest rivalry. And youll have an odd

number of teams.


16/39


Dont tempt me. Besides its not a rivalry when one

team beats the other eight times- Jack was interrupted by

Kristins car horn.

Jack looked back at Kristins car then at Joe and

walked away.

Man... Joe muttered to himself. He was reminded of

Jack stealing Lily from him more than 10 years earlier.

Joe wouldve married her if Jack didnt convince Lily that

Joe had cheated on her with a flight attendant when he was

on a business trip. She found out years later that Jack

had lied about Joe and she apologized for leaving him, but

by that time Joe was about to marry Kristin.

Joe slowly walked to Kristins car, wishing he was

still playing a simple game of football. When he sat down

in the passenger seat Kristin asked, What did he do this

time?

Joe shut the door and put his seat belt on. Ill

tell ya later. I just wanna get home and get some sleep.

Who was with him? Kristin asked as she drove the

car out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

Can we just...I...

Fine, Joe.

Joe sighed. He could almost her thinking: We cant

live separate lives, you know.


17/39


Jack threatened to buy the rights to my league if I

dont let Florida Sportscast webcast our games. Then he

can workout a contract with the network. Hes good friends

with the VP of program development. He introduced us.

Whatd you say?

I told him Id think about it.

If Jacks involved itll just be another thing for

you two to fight over, Kristin said exhaustedly.

You know...I dont sit around looking for ways to

compete with Jack.

No, but when he comes after you, you always push

back.

Well, I have to push back on this one. He could

destroy my league.

Kristin rolled her eyes and checked on Zach in the

rearview mirror. He seemed perfectly content staring out

the window at the scenery. Kristin relaxed a little.

Joe sighed. Im sorry. Its just...hes done some

things Ill never forgive him for. I just get caught

up... Joe shrugged.

But if you let Florida Sportscast webcast your games

cant you keep Jack out of it?

Yeah, I guess. But Im not sure I want my league to

be webcast.


18/39


Why not?

I wouldnt mind making some extra money. We could

improve the field. Fix the goalposts. But...what if its

a hit?

Kristin chuckled. You really think that many people

would watch you guys.

Well, look at how many people showed up to watch us

tonight.

Kristin nodded.

The guy from Florida Sportscast, Thompson, said that

the NFL gets really bad ratings. And were the exact

opposite. I mean, if they promote us enough I think we

could be really successful. He joked about getting support

from big-time advertisers and playing football as a full-

time job but I think theres a good chance it could

actually happen.

So whats wrong with that?

We could morph into the NFL.

Kristin gave her husband a confused look.

If were on the Internet all the time Ill bet well

wanna start practicing so we play well. Wed start

studying game recordings. Well start getting more and

more creative...

OK. But you still wont be the NFL.


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Well, not right away. But it could start a chain

reaction. If people kept watching thered be nothing to

stop us from trying to get better and better. Then one

day...were seriously considering growth hormone injections

and muscle-memory shock treatment. Joint replacements

wouldnt be too far off.

But that stuff could be decades down the road.

Right. But it all starts with letting my league get

webcast. This is my baby. I started it as the anti-NFL.

I didnt realize you had put so much thought into

this.

Joe eyed his wife curiously. What... He looked

away. A sick feeling formed in the pit of his stomach.

Ill talk to my team about it. Were gonna meet for

drinks at Happy Hour tomorrow after work.

Kristin nodded.

Whaddyou think Zach? You wanna see your dad play

football on the Internet? Joe turned his head to look at

his son.

Yeah. Thatd be cool.

Joe smiled at his wife. Well, thats good enough for

me. Looks like Ill have to go through with it.

Kristin smiled briefly.


20/39


When they got home they put Zach to bed and got ready

to go to sleep. As Kristin sat down on her side of the bed

she asked, So when are you coming home tomorrow night?

Joe slid his legs under the covers and adjusted the

ice pad wrapped around his throwing shoulder and mulled it

over for a second. A little after seven.

When after seven? 7:30? 7:15?

I dont know. Ill leave Happy Hour at 7. It could

take me 10 minutes to get home or 30 depending on traffic.

Why?

Kristin sighed. Cant you just tell me when youll

be home? Why cant you just tell me a specific time?

Joe rolled his eyes. OK. 7:20, Joe said firmly.

Why is that so hard?

Joe held his breath for a second. Alright... He

shook his head, dreading what was about to happen. Lets

clear the air right now, he said calmly.

Alright. Your flag football teams more important to

you than your family. You care more about beating Jack and

protecting the purity of your league than our sex life or

Zachs problems in school.

I mean, youre either playing two games a week or

having drinks after a game or youre meeting to talk about


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the next game. And your leagues almost the only thing we

talk about.

Joe sat up and leaned against the headboard. Thats

not true.

Yes it is! Kristin looked away angrily. And if

you dont know that were in a lot more trouble than I

thought.

Look, I know Zachs having trouble with math.

Did you know the other kids have been making fun of

him? They wont play with him during recess. He just goes

off and sits somewhere by himself.

He never said anything to me.

Thats because you never ask about it. And you dont

talk to him about school. He doesnt think its important

to you.

Well...well talk about it when I get home from Happy

Hour tomorrow.

He couldve used your help months ago, Joe. Now hes

probably gonna have to go to summer school. Or he might

get left back.

Well...be patient. It might not be that bad.

Youre just saying that because you dont know whats

going on. Kristin exhaled loudly.


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I almost hope Jack does buy the rights to your

league. Itll force you to pay attention to us. She

rolled over on her side and shut off the lamp on her

nightstand. Joe stared at her back for a few seconds then

looked around the room, thinking.

Joe spoke carefully. Youre right, he said. I

guess Ive been too focused on my games lately. But its

not just about me. Its a way for Zach and I to bond. We

dont watch sports on the Internet like my dad and I used

to.

Kristin looked back at Joe. OK. But beating Jack is

completely personal. And it seems to be more important

than keeping your family together. So dont try to act

like youre not being selfish.

Well...thats mostly true. But preventing Jack from

buying the rights to my league and webcasting the games

does have a little to do with Zach. Im protecting the

integrity of something I created. I wanna show Zach that

its important to fight for what you believe in.

Kristin rolled onto her back. Youre reaching Joe.

This is all about you and you know it. If youre really

concerned about Zach looking up to you youll let them

webcast your games.


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She adjusted the pillows under her head. Oh, and if

you really cared about Zach youd be talking about how to

help him with math. You wouldnt have changed the subject

back to your league.

Kristin looked into Joes eyes. You better take a

long, hard look in the mirror. She rolled back over onto

her side.

Joe shut off the lamp on his nightstand and went

downstairs to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer out of the

refrigerator, went to the living room and flopped down on

the couch. He sank back into the cushions and took a big

sip of his beer before setting it down on the coffee table.

Joe wished Jack had sprung Connor Thompson on him in a

few weeks. Then he wouldve been able to enjoy beating

Jack for a little bit longer.

Of course, beating Jack at flag football was little

consolation for everything the man had done to Joe. For

instance, when they were in college, Jack tried to get Joe

expelled after Joe reported Jack to the police for hazing

and nearly killing one of his friends at a secret

fraternity initiation-Jack and his fraternity brothers

water-boarded Joes friend and forced him to drink

excessive amounts of liquor.


24/39


Joe didnt know if the league was more important to

him than his family. Thats why he couldnt just take a

leave of absence from it. He hoped his teammates could

help him resolve the situation quickly. Then he could

scale back his involvement with his team so he could focus

on his family. Hed have time to take a long, hard look at

himself. At that moment, he didnt know how to describe

what he saw in the mirror.

#

As Joe approached the entrance to Happy Hour he looked

at the sign above the door. He remembered frequenting the

establishment when it was called Game Time. The owners

changed the name to attract a broader demographic. Going

to a bar to drink beer, eat chicken wings, and watch sports

wasnt a very popular thing to do anymore.

After they all toasted Jack, Joe got down to business.

He cleared his throat loud enough so all his teammates

could hear him. I ahh...hate to break up the party,

but...we gotta talk about something.

His teammates looked his way. Jack threatened to buy

the rights to the league if I dont let his friend at

Florida Sportscast webcast our games.


25/39


Well, just buy the rights before he does, Steve

said.

Thats what I was thinking, Joe said.

Would his friend pay us? Jake asked.

Yeah. He didnt say how much, but...

Jake took a sip of beer. Thatd be great. I dont

know about you guys but my knees are really sick of that

field.

What about those goalposts? Tom asked.

Fred said. And maybe we could pay somebody to be a

referee-stop Jack from playin dirty all the time.

Thats true. Thats what I was thinking. But...I

dont know. This whole thing makes me uneasy, Joe said.

Why? Calvin asked. I mean, once you get Jack outta

the picture whats the problem? I think itd be kinda

cool.

Thats what Im talking about. What if we really got

into this? I mean, practiced more, created a playbook, came

up with audibles. The games became even more entertaining.

I think this would get pretty popular. I mean, we could

end up doing this full time.

Steve spoke up. Oh, you think were gonna start

turning into the NFL.


26/39


Yes, Joe said immediately. I mean, thats probably

years down the road but this is the first step to that

happening.

People wanna watch us? Jake asked.

Joe nodded. If I wasnt playing Id probably watch.

I mean, thats why I started this league. Think about that

game yesterday. We won on the last play. Fred caught the

ball while he was falling down. You saw the bleachers last

night, it was packed. This is gonna be the new thing.

Fred said, Cmon man. Im sure Zachll love seeing

you on the Internet.

Yeah. I mean, youre taking a pretty big leap of

faith, Steve said.

Besides, if that does happen well all be dead by

then. Itll be somebody elses problem, Jake added

through a mouthful of peanuts.

Joe put his hands up. I cant believe this. I

thought at least you guys would get where Im coming from.

This could ruin everything.

Joe felt like he was in a car that was careening down

a ravine and no matter what he did he couldnt slow it down

or get control of the wheel.

I cant believe Im the only one here whos really

thinking things through, Joe said. I never intended for


27/39


our games to get webcast when I started the league. I

never wanted it to be that big of a deal. I mean, I dont

even think we shouldve gotten six teams.

Fred set his beer on the bar. Now wait a sec. We

started this. Fred twirled his index finger around to

indicate the rest of the team. And youve got to think

about what the other teams want too.

Calvin added, This isnt just your decision Joe.

What do you wanna do? Keep the league the exact same

way forever? Fred asked.

Yes, Joe thought.

Toms brow furrowed and he bit his lip. Maybe we

could vote on it. Thats fair.

Calvin tilted his beer toward Tom. Thats a great

idea. Well get the other teams together.

Well I think we should at least discuss it before

just voting on it. I want to tell everybody why we

shouldnt do this. Joe spit the words out.

Jake finished the peanuts in his hand. Sounds good

to me. But I dont think itll make a difference Joe.

Joe sipped his beer angrily. Well see.

Relax man. Youre acting like this is one of the

most important decisions of your life, Fred gripped Joes

shoulder.


28/39


Thats weird comin from you. I thought this little

flag football league was the best thing youve got goin

for you.

Fred stared at Joe, his face like a stone. Youre

unbelievable man. Do you know what its like to go through

a divorce you...

Fred guzzled down the rest of his beer and set it on

the bar. Look, Ill see you guys at the game on Friday

night. He turned and started walking away.

Fred? Come on man... Jake watched him leave.

He turned back to Joe, Thanks. Were supposed to be

celebrating. Jake wiped his hands off on his pants.

Youre gettin the check.

Jake looked at everyone else. Lets go guys.

Joe sighed. Guys...Im sorry...cmon...

Jake, Calvin, and Tom turned and left. But Steve

stayed behind. He rested his elbows on the bar and leaned

on them. Theyll be alright. Just call em tomorrow and

apologize. But you better call Fred tonight. You really

crossed the line. For a second there you sounded like

Jack.

Joe mouthed a curse and pounded on the bar. Some

women on his left turned to look, eyes wide. Sorry, Joe

said.


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Whyd you stay? Joe asked Steve, his eyes curious.

Well, I didnt feel like walking outta here just yet.

My ankle still hurts a little from last night. Steve took

a sip of beer. And I wanted to let you know that I think

I understand what youre talking about.

Joe leaned on the bar. Youre the first.

Youre right. If we let commercialism creep in it

could cause other things to happen and us to have to make

decisions and turn the league into something we never set

out to create. But I dont think thats a foregone

conclusion.

Joe looked at Steve. Im just trying to prevent that

from happening and I dont know the best way to do it. I

mean, we created something so great.

Joes mouth hung slightly open for a few moments as he

searched for what he was trying to say. Its pure...I

guess I felt like you guys didnt think thats important.

Thats why I lost it.

Joe got the bartenders attention and asked for

another beer.

Youre right. We did create something pretty cool.

But no matter what, it wont stay that way forever.

Joe sighed lightly. Yeah, youre right. I guess you

can really only ask for something to be really good for a


30/39


little while. Enjoy it while it lasts huh? Joe stared at

the bar.

Steve took a sip of beer. Thats a good philosophy.

I wish my dad couldve been around to see it. He

wouldve really liked it.

Yeah, you guys were pretty close right?

Joe nodded. We used to watch football and basketball

and hockey before it really went downhill--once the

mechanical enhancements got more practical for most

franchises. It probably sounds a little melodramatic...but

I created the league in his honor.

No, man. Thats great.

Joe could hardly wait for Steve to finish speaking.

I dont want this to turn into something hed hate.

Do you think hed be mad at you if he were still

here?

It took a second, but Joe shook his head slowly.

He mustve been around before the NFL and those other

leagues started letting their players use steroids and HGH.

He was. He used to tell me how exciting everything

was. Teams werent always equal physically. Almost every

year there were upsets that nobody expected. Stats were

important but a lot of times things would happen that went

against the numbers.


31/39


32/39


to recover from yesterday. I could barely get outta bed

this morning.

Alright Steve. Thanks for stickin around, Joe

said.

No problem. Hey, dont let this stuff get you down

too much. Steve started to walk away.

Hey Steve?

He looked back. Yeah?

How are you gonna vote?

Steve shrugged. Dont know. Ill have to think

about it.

Joe nodded. Have a good night.

You too. In the back of his mind, Joe was hoping

Steve would tell him how he was going to vote because he

would probably just go along with him. He was weary from

thinking about everything.

While Joe slowly drank the rest of his beer he noticed

an NFL game starting on one of the Internet screens above

the bar. He rested his elbows on the bar and watched for a

few minutes before he paid the bill and went home.

The Miami Dolphins were playing the New York Jets on

what looked like a high school soccer field. Joe

remembered that the Dolphins stopped playing on McDonalds

field 15-20 years ago because the owner at the time


33/39


couldnt afford it anymore. But he didnt realize theyd

been reduced to playing games at local high schools. Joe

found it pretty depressing that two once-proud NFL

franchises were forced to play under those conditions.

Joe still had trouble comprehending how a league that

was so unbelievably successful at the beginning of the

century had fallen so far. But he could see one advantage

to playing at a high school: the bleachers were full so to

viewers it looked like the game was a pretty big deal. At

least, thats probably what the producers hoped.

The game was actually played on Sunday afternoon.

Florida Sportscast was re-airing it. Even though football

was getting terrible ratings it was still doing better than

hockey or basketball. If that wasnt the case, Joe knew

Florida Sportscast would have aired live hockey or

basketball games.

Joe really hated kickoffs and punts. The kickers were

so skilled and could put so much hang time on kicks and

punts that their teammates would be on the person receiving

the kick seconds before he ever caught it. That meant that

nobody ever tried to block punts because otherwise they

would never have a chance at a return. So the receiving

team would array itself around the returner and the game

turned into rugby for 5-10 seconds. Except, nobody would


34/39


lateral because they were afraid the kicking team would

intercept it or cause a fumble. Nobody ever ran a punt

back for a touchdown.

The NFL was still trying to figure out what to do

about the problem. Unfortunately, the NFL wasnt a

successful business anymore so it didnt attract smart

employees who could figure out a good solution.

Everything was so precise. The defense could pick up

on exactly what the offense was doing before the

quarterback snapped the ball. Defensemen had retinal

implants that allowed them to zoom in on the backfield.

They could pick every little movement before and after the

snap.

Trick plays wouldnt work so they had become a thing

of the past. Receivers couldnt get all alone deep in the

secondary. Cornerbacks didnt take chances because they

didnt need to.

Everything happened so fast that the viewer could

hardly keep up. At least in baseball you still knew what

was going on, even if you were bored out of your mind.

And they thought the parity in the league at the

beginning of the century was bad, Joe thought.

Joe watched one last play before he left the bar. The

Dolphins quarterback snapped the ball and quickly threw a


35/39


pass. They were trying to do some type of screen. There

were two other receivers on the same side as the one the

quarterback threw to. They were supposed to block the

defensive backs while the receiver caught the pass and ran

down the field. But the cornerbacks recognized the play

immediately after the snap. Before the receivers could

block, the cornerbacks were in the backfield tackling the

receiver who caught the ball. Joe remembered thats how a

lot of plays ended.

Joe was back at the poker table. He could either put

all his chips in the center of the table, thereby sticking

to his deeply-held principles about the league, or he could

fold and just be happy going with the flow. And the other

players were staring at him or tapping their fingers on the

table waiting for him to make a decision.

#

Hey mom? Zach asked as his parents got out of

Kristins car in the parking lot of Frank Schmidt Community

Park before Joes next game.

Yes?

Can I get a cookie?

Kristin looked confused.


36/39


Over there, Zach pointed toward the side of the

bleachers. Joe and Kristin both looked in that direction.

They saw what appeared to be a mother and her 7-11-year-old

daughter selling cookies. There was a slowly expanding

line stretching into the front of the parking lot.

Why dont you ask your father, Kristin suggested.

Joe smiled worriedly. Time was up. Bet it all or

fold, Joe thought.

His instinct was to stop the mother and daughter from

selling cookies because he didnt want people selling

things at his games. It was his league and he made the

rules. But that would piss off his family, his friends and

everyone in line who hadnt gotten a cookie. He guessed

they were pretty good because so many people were in line.

Sure Zach. Go ahead. Why dont you go with your

mother and get one for me too.

Kristin asked, You sure?

Joe nodded at her and she and Zach headed for the back

of the line. Ill be on the field so just bring it to me

alright?

OK, Kristin said.

Oh well, Joe muttered to himself. Its out of your

hands, he thought. Joe knew that Steve was absolutely


37/39


right. It was almost laughable to think he really had any

control over the future of the league.

After warming up with his teammates for a few minutes,

Zach sprinted onto the field with Joes cookie in his hand.

Zach had some chocolate on the corners of his mouth.

Was it good? Joe asked as Zach handed him his cookie.

Yeah, can I get another one?

Whatd your mother say?

No, Zach stared at the ground.

Well, I dont want you up all night so I have to

agree with her. Besides, you need to get some sleep

tonight. Weve gotta work on your math homework tomorrow.

Maaannn... Zach trailed off.

Hey, youll have the whole rest of the weekend to

yourself. We dont have that much to do. Joe ruffled

Zachs hair.

Okay, Zach said as he walked away.

Joe took a big bite out of the cookie. Joe nodded and

looked down at it. It was pretty good. The mother and

daughter were smart for trying to make some money off of

them.

Joe watched Zach sit down next to Kristin and tell her

something. Probably what Joe just told him. Kristin


38/39


looked at Joe and Joe gave her a smile that was worth a

thousand words.

Hey Joe whered you get the cookie?

Joe turned to see Jake approaching. Joe pointed

toward the front of the parking lot. Theyre selling them

over there.

Is it good?

Yeah, Joe said as he took another bite. Jake

hurried off.

Joe finished the cookie and rubbed his hands together

to get rid of the crumbs.

Joe rejoined his teammates. Hey we were thinking of

practicing tomorrow for the next game against Jack, Fred

said.

Ah, you know what, maybe next time. I gotta help

Zach with his homework. And I think Kristin and I might go

out. You can be the quarterback.

Alright man, Fred said matter-of-factly.

But tell me if you come up with any great plays or

anything. Well definitely use them in the next game.

Hey when do you guys wanna do the vote? Jacks really

been getting on my case about it. I figure itll be nice

if were all together on this. That way we can keep him

out of it if we decide to webcast the games.


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Calvin said, We can tell Burts team to vote on it

and tell us what they decide before we leave. And I think

some people from the other teams are here. Ill just tell

them at half time and they can get back to us.

Sounds good, Joe said.

As the other team started walking over for the coin

toss, Joe thought about his dad and what Steve had said at

Happy Hour.

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Selling Out Second draft