Summer League Prologue

By PatFooty
May 20 2006

Summer league…………………. Prologue.

The rain swept across the lonely windswept moor. Lightening punctured the eerie gloom with forks of death that threatened the trees in the forest below. At the edge of the forest, and at the foot of the mountains that leered overhead, a bleak light shone from the top window of the small, almost desolate cottage.

They had come from far and wide, and now, their dark shadowy figures converged around the cottage.
Inside, amidst the plumes of cigarette smoke, two men sat at the table. The conversation over, one now stood. “You know what to do,” he said. “Yes boss” came the reply.
“Then send them out now”.

He walked down the stairs, and out onto the porch. The howling wind and rain made it almost impossible for him to see, but he knew they were there. Above the rolling sounds of the tempest his voice rose, “It is time”, he shouted, “Go forth!”
They briefly lingered in the shadows by the trees, and then disappeared, each fully aware of their instructions and what was now expected of them.
Back in the gloom of the upstairs room, he sat down and waited. This was going to be a long night……..

It was raining in Stevenage, and the nightclub was in full swing. The girl staggered out, laughing and singing, still clutching on to her bottle of drink. As she stepped off the main street, she slipped and almost fell, but managed to grab on to the lamppost to stop her falling completely. As she looked up, she suddenly became aware that the street was now deserted. She turned to walk back towards the nightclub, but he was there! She couldn’t see his face, as his mackintosh was pulled up, covering most of his face.

“Lady, listen up good. Sober up and make sure you take this all in!”
“Take what in”? She slurred
“The boss sends you his regards”!
“The bosh”? She stammered.
“Listen little lady. If you want to keep your cool little lifestyle, the boss is very insistent that you do not play so well in the summer league ok”??
She started to think of what to say, but he was gone. She looked all round, but all she could see were revellers queuing at the kebab shop on the corner.
“Fook ‘’im” she murmured, and swigging more of her beer, she staggered back into the nightclub.

Meanwhile, in Auckland, it was late morning. The bank was very busy, and he was fed up with having to queue everywhere. His short-lived celebrity status from last summer had obviously now waned, as people didn’t open doors anymore, or let him to the front of the queue. Still, his turn for fame would come, he was sure of that. He was always planning, watching and waiting, so the others had better be very afraid this year!! He knew he could do it, he had been so close last year. He smiled. He was ready!
As he got to the counter, he was surprised to see a tall man behind the till. He couldn’t quite see his eyes, but….
“The boss says you better make sure you finish higher than last year, or else”! said the low sinister voice.
“Who h h woo are you”? He stammered.
“Never you mind, just listen. The boss says you are a big poopy if you do not do as he says. So do not make him unhappy”!
He was stunned, but he wasn’t going to take this
“Fook off and leave me alone you tosser” he shouted at the slightly amazed young lady sitting behind the till.
“Can I help you sir”? She asked sweetly, “sir?”
But it was too late, he had already fainted.
At the same time, in Plymouth, a young man was pressing his favourite pinstripe suit when the phone rang. He picked it up and went pale.
“Listen smart boy, the boss wants you to dress more casual for the summer league. Ignore this message, and your Trilby hat will get it, ok?”
Shocked, he put the phone down.

Meanwhile, in Leeds, a young man was taking some cash from the cash point, when he felt a presence behind him. The voice in his ear chilled him.
“You’d better not win the summer league ok? The boss will not be happy”!
“I go to every game and pay good money so watch it!” he stammered, but when he turned round, there was no-one there!

What is going on??? Who are these threatening people, and who is behind this??

From Chennai to Los Angeles, and from Yorkshire to Chicago, find out more next week……….


The summer league is coming!