Tweet
*This is the first chapter of my new book. I've always liked some of the great names the USFL generates, so I "borrowed" a few for this story.
- Jason
Chapter 1
“Come on, Susan,” yelled the large man, “We're going to miss the plane!”
“For God's sake, George, we have plenty of time to get to the airport,” answered the woman, shaking her head in disgust. “It's a ten minute drive.”
George Fox remained standing at the front door, keeping it propped open with his shoe. Sweat began to bead on his reddening forehead and drip onto his thick wire rimmed glasses. His thin gray hair was plastered onto his head as if he had been standing in front of a powerful fan. His growing impatience with his wife, Susan, was threatening to explode. Susan, deeply tanned and without any grey hair to betray her age, ran around the kitchen double checking that all the appliances were turned off and that the answer machine was on. Finally satisfied, she picked up her last piece of luggage and dipped under George's arm to exit the house.
“Let me get that for you,” said John Reinhard, her son-in-law. John took her bag and tossed in the back of the SUV that was idling in the driveway. Quickly closing the back, he then opened the front passenger door allowing Susan to slide into the vehicle next to her daughter Sarah, who was driving. George climbed into the back seat with John and finally they were off.
“Mom, did you pack sunscreen?” asked Sarah, simultaneously changing the radio station and brushing her hair.
“Brakes,” said John from the back automatically, as he spotted the cars ahead of them begin to slow down. He was well aware that his wife was rarely looking out the windshield.
“Do you want to drive?” Sarah snapped.
“That's enough of that,” stated George. “If you kids are going to come to Hawaii with us, there is to be no arguing.”
“We're not arguing, George,” laughed John, “I'm just trying to get there in one piece.” John settled back into the seat and closed his eyes. If he couldn't see the car weaving across the road it was easier to keep his mouth shut while his wife drove.
Before Sarah could respond, Susan changed the conversation. “Do you think your sister is going to be all right by herself?” she asked Sarah.
“Mom, she's 19. She'll be fine. And she'll hardly be alone. I'm sure Fulton will be with her most of the time.”
“I'm sure he will,” whispered John from the back, keeping his eyes closed.
Shooting John a dirty look in the rearview mirror, Sarah continued, “Better Fulton than Tina.”
Fulton “Big Cat” Lyons was the boyfriend of Sarah's sister Miranda. Tall, muscled and bulky he had been a star linebacker in high school and was on the verge of being a starter his freshman year of college. John liked the young man well enough, but Sarah was very protective of Miranda and didn't want to see her settle down with her first serious boyfriend. She was disappointed that the couple had stayed together through Miranda's senior year, thinking that with Fulton away at college that Miranda's feelings would dull.
Tina Foster, on the other hand, was the bad influence in Miranda's life. Tina was pretty enough to catch any man's attention and she knew it. Tina drank, smoked, and if you listened to the rumors, did drugs and went home with just about any guy that gave her the time of day. Both Sarah and Susan tried to steer Miranda away from Tina.
“Well, maybe I should have Harriet check on them this week,” said Susan, referring to her sister.
“Mom, they'll be fine. The Fox Den is probably the safest place in the whole state.”
The Fox Den was the family “cottage.” Most Northern Wisconsin cottages were small two bedroom homes with a fireplace and if the owners were lucky, a bathroom. Many still used an outhouse. The Fox Den, however, was more of a mansion in the woods. Situated on Ballinger Lake, the Fox Den had six bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living rooms, a dining room and a bar. It had been in the Fox family since the day it was built. Over the years it had been added to and remodeled into the masterpiece that it was today. Owned by six brothers and sisters, they still managed to peacefully coexist. Miranda and some friends had asked permission to use the Fox Den while her parents and her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Campbell went on a cruise to Hawaii. George had to work hard to persuade his other family members that Miranda would treat the Den with respect. In the end, they had relented and she had been granted permission when George had agreed to allow Rachel and Campbell's son Wes to bring some friends to the Den in the future without supervision.
All the kids are growing up, mused George, as the car sped toward the airport.
Miranda Fox examined herself in the mirror. The 19 year old didn't like what she saw. Her hair had a reddish hue and curled toward the ends, near her shoulders. She didn't like the way her eyes sat farther apart than everyone else. Fulton called them “exotic.” Miranda thought she looked almost alien. Though she was thin and had ample curves, Miranda thought she looked fat. She turned to examine her rear end and focused on the miniscule ripples under her butt, below her oversized granny panties.
I'm such a cow.
Sighing in disgust, she turned away and quickly dressed. An oversized t-shirt and dark sweat pants allowed her to hide. She went back to packing her suitcase. Tossing in similar clothes, a moderate swimsuit, and pajamas, she was ready to go. She dragged the suitcase to the stairs and let it roll down the staircase into the waiting arms of her boyfriend, Fulton Lyons.
Fulton was a huge young man. Over six feet tall and all muscle, save a small paunch starting to form from his excessive consumption of beer. Small eyes made his head appear too large, even for his massive frame. His brown hair always looked unruly, as if he had just rolled out of bed and proceeded into the day without care. Today he was dressed in khaki shorts, bright white tennis shoes, and his football jersey which had is nickname “Big Cat” emblazoned on the back. He easily snatched up the rolling suitcase and waited to see if another was to follow.
He smiled as his beautiful girlfriend galloped down the stairs to him. He loved her red hair, curvy body and green hued eyes. He was particularly enamored with her full lips, though she didn't smile near enough for his liking. With his free arm, he encircled her waist and kissed her passionately.
“Is everyone else here?” asked Miranda.
“Sammi and Herc have been here for a while. Jade and Pete just pulled up. Of course, we're waiting on Tina,” answered Fulton.
They stepped outside and Fulton added Miranda's bag to the pile of luggage in the back of his truck. He motioned to his friend Steve “Hercules” Simoens to help him cover the bags with the large tarp he had purchased for this trip. Afterward, they rolled the truck bed cover back and snapped it into place.
“That'll keep things dry as a bone even if a monster storm hits on the way up,” said Fulton, satisfied with his work.
“Yup,” said Steve, in typical fashion. A large man but more evenly proportioned than Fulton, Steve rarely said much and he always agreed with Fulton. His bushy eyebrows overpowered his face, almost hiding his dark eyes.
Steve's girlfriend Samantha “Sammi” Johnson stood quietly nearby. She was even quieter than Steve. She was naturally tanned and had straight, thin brown hair that moved with even the slightest breeze. Heavy blue eyeshadow brought out the color in her eyes. Rail thin and extremely tall, she slouched to appear the same height as her boyfriend. She wore a sweatshirt and tight beaded jeans with her cellphone peeking out of her back pocket.
“I'm getting a little cold,” said Sammi. “Can we leave soon?”
“We have to wait for Tina to get here,” answered Miranda.
“Oh,” giggled Sammi, “Okay.”
Miranda rolled her eyes. She didn't care for the tall girl at all and made little effort to hide it.
“Why do you have to be such a bitch?” whispered Fulton.
“Why do we have to take that idiot with us?” shot back Miranda.
“Because she's Herc's girlfriend and Herc is my best friend. Just like we have to take Tina with us, because she's your friend.”
“You guys ready to party?” broke in Jade Currothers. Jade was a natural beauty. She sported a tight body with firm breasts, a perfect backside and flawless skin the color of dusky copper. She had a quick, easy smile and eyes that lit the room when she talked. Her hair was raven dark and voluminous. Jade was many a man's idea of the perfect woman. Today, dressed in a bulky sweatshirt and knitted pink hat she looked more adorable than sexy.
“If Tina ever gets here,” answered Fulton.
“You should have let me pick her up, too,” said Jeremiah “Pete” Peterson. “She doesn't live too far from Jade.” Pete was tall, lanky and heavily tattooed. It looked like he hadn't shaved in days. Despite the chilly weather, Pete was wearing a baggy white t-shirt and pants than hung off his hips.
“That was the plan, but when I texted her this morning, she had spent the night with some guy from the bar. Since she got her fake ID, she's been out almost every night,” explained Fulton. “But at least it was easy to get booze for the weekend. When the guy at the liquor store started to look closer at her ID, she just started flirting until he forgot about it. Hell, she even got a free bottle of Tequila by flashing him.”
A blue Camaro roared into the driveway. Tina Foster staggered out of the passenger door wearing her pajamas and carrying a duffel bag. Her blue eyes were glazed and her dirty blonde hair was wild. Still, she was smiling, her perfect teeth white as the snow. She turned and stuck her head back inside the car, laughed, and waved goodbye to the driver.
“I'm here, bitches!” she yelled.
“Are you drunk?” questioned Jade.
“I don't know. What time is it?”
“It's almost eleven.”
“Then I'm probably still drunk. I think the after bar party ended around seven,” laughed Tina, tossing her bag in the back of the truck and slamming the tailgate shut.
Fulton, Miranda and Tina sat in the front seat, with the other four making themselves comfortable in the back with the girls sitting in the middle. Fulton pulled onto the road and began the long drive to the Fox Den.
“You mean there isn't any internet access?” said Ryan, sounding worried. “How am I going to check on my auctions?”
“Your game will survive a few days without you,” said Dominic, sounding exasperated.
“But I just listed the Sword of Damocles!” whined Ryan.
“Ryan!” yelled Wes, “I'll take you into town. I'm sure you can get a wi-fi signal somewhere.”
“Ok,” said Ryan, sounding relieved, “It'll only take me a few hours.”
Dominic Fogarty shook his head and sighed. Where did I go wrong? He asked himself. Dominic was an average high school student. With just a few months left before graduation, he was looking forward to college and a chance to start his social life over. He didn't really mind being pegged as one of the “geeks” but Ryan made even a typical geek look bad.
Ryan Brunhard was short, chubby and wore glasses. He was probably the smartest person in the school, specifically including the teachers. However, what Ryan achieved academically was overshadowed by his abysmal social life. More comfortable playing games in an online universe than even the simplest social interactions in the real world, Ryan often embarrassed his friends. But after they had taken the time to get to know him, he had proven to be not only funny and adventurous, but loyal as well. When Dominic had needed money to buy parts for his truck, Ryan had simply opened his wallet and handed him a fistful of bills.
Wesley Fox was the center of this group. Average height, average weight, average looks. Some people mistook Dominic as his brother. Other than their eyes, they were remarkably similar. Dominic had small eyes and always had a clean shaven face. Wes had large eyes, made larger by the glasses he wore and often had a five o'clock shadow. His deep voice often startled people. His family always had money, so Wes usually got whatever he wanted. Despite a bedroom full of the latest toys and later on, the newest video games, Wes still had trouble making friends. Ryan's family had money too, and their parents ran in the same circles, so the boys gradually became friends as they grew up. Wes and Dominic had met at school when they were paired up in a science class. A discussion about the paperback book that Wes was reading led them to their similar tastes in fantasy and science fiction. When they decided to try a role playing game they needed another person and Ryan was the obvious choice.
They were driving North, to the family cottage that Wes' parents shared with his aunts and uncles. Neither of the other boys had been there before. With his parents headed to Hawaii, Wes originally had just planned to spend the long weekend at home. Dominic, however, heard about his chance to go to the Fox Den and practically begged for the chance to visit the “Mansion in the Woods” and ride the snowmobiles. Wes relented and then convinced Ryan to go with by promising a marathon weekend of role-playing. Ryan valued his pen and paper character almost as much as his online ones.
“I've been thinking,” started Ryan, “That Bromin might make the switch from his traditional broadsword to a battle axe if we find something good in the temple.”
Wes laughed. Dominic sighed.
20 years ago
“Man, I don't want to live in Louisiana,” whispered the young man dressed in a rented suit to the older gentlemen seated beside him.
“Leo, it's not like we have a choice about it. I've tried to convince them to trade the pick, but they are afraid of what their fans will say if they give up the chance to get the best player in the draft,” said his agent, voice pitched low enough that the many microphones and cameras filling the room could not pick it up.
“Damn it, Tom, you better plan on finding me someplace nice to live in that swamp of a city,” responded Leo.
The Commissioner stepped to the podium, shuffled some papers noisily before setting them down and leaning into the microphone.
Here we go, thought Leo, preparing himself to stand.
“With the first pick in the draft, the Louisiana Pirates select Buddy Sommer, running back from Indiana.”
“What the f-”, started Leo, before Tom managed to clap a hand over his mouth. Struggling free, Leo and said, “What the hell was that, Tom?”
“I don't know. They must have changed their mind since this morning.”
“So, I'm going to end up in fucking Wichita?”
“Shh, Leo. The cameras are on you!”
“I don't give a shit. I'm sure as hell not moving to Wichita!”
“Leo!”
“Fix it, Tom!”
Tom stood and sprinted to the corner and began furiously dialing on one of the courtesy phones provided by the league.
“With the second pick, the Wichita Harvesters select quarterback Kris Reeves from Texas State.”
“Son of a bitch!” yelled Leo, no longer caring which camera was focused where.
Leo sat quietly, his face red with anger. Tom sat next to him, sweat beading on his forehead.
“With the 18th pick in this years draft, the Portland Dragons select quarterback Leo Herrick out of Texas.”
Leo stood and waved to the crowd, trying to ignore the boos and catcalls. He obligingly proceeded up on stage to pose with the Commissioner and a Dragon's jersey featuring the number one on it.
“Damn it, Tom, this is not what we agreed to!”
“Leo, when we thought you would be picked number one overall a $30 million signing bonus was possible. It just isn't going to happen at number 18. It's already the preseason. You've missed all of training camp. Chances are that you will spend this season on the bench and they just aren't going to spend all the money for that. I think we take their offer. You get a $2 million bonus and a three year contract loaded with incentives. When you show them what you can do, all the clauses will kick in and you'll clear $15 million before the contract is up,” explained Tom.
“$2 million will be almost nothing after taxes!”
“This is the best we are going to do, Leo.”
“Fine. I'll sign the contract. Then you're fired.”
18 years ago
Portland Observer – Quarterback Leo Herrick finally got his chance to show why he was drafted in the first round two seasons ago. When starter George Sanderson went down to a knee injury, Herrick entered the game and quickly completed five passes in a row, topping it off with a touchdown pass to Robbie Page. Unfortunately on the next series, Herrick was sacked by Ben Banks and driven into the ground. He came up holding his throwing shoulder. Preliminary reports indicate a torn rotator cuff. Herrick's season is over.
16 years ago
Vancouver Daily – The Vancouver Vultures have announced the signing of quarterback Leo Herrick from the States. Herrick appears to have recovered from a terrible injury to his right shoulder. Passed over by the United States league, Herrick signed with the Vultures for a reported $25,000 per game.
15 years ago
Portland Observer – Former Dragon's quarterback Leo Herrick was arrested on drug charges in Vancouver, Canada today. Vancouver police reportedly found Herrick and several others passed out in a hotel room after other guests had complained about noise. Methamphetamine was seized at the scene.
10 years ago
Vancouver Daily – Leo Herrick, 32, was convicted today of murdering six young women at the University of Vancouver. Herrick, a former football player, was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. He will first serve out a 10 year sentence in the States for a manslaughter conviction for the death of Brett Sanders. Sanders was killed when Herrick's car struck him just south of the border.
Present
“Leo Herrick, huh?” said Marcus, “I think I drafted you for my fantasy team one year.”
“Don't talk to the prisoner,” ordered Larry, the older of the two guards. “Let's just get him to Canada as fast as possible. Then we can enjoy some beers before we have to head back.”
- Jason
Chapter 1
“Come on, Susan,” yelled the large man, “We're going to miss the plane!”
“For God's sake, George, we have plenty of time to get to the airport,” answered the woman, shaking her head in disgust. “It's a ten minute drive.”
George Fox remained standing at the front door, keeping it propped open with his shoe. Sweat began to bead on his reddening forehead and drip onto his thick wire rimmed glasses. His thin gray hair was plastered onto his head as if he had been standing in front of a powerful fan. His growing impatience with his wife, Susan, was threatening to explode. Susan, deeply tanned and without any grey hair to betray her age, ran around the kitchen double checking that all the appliances were turned off and that the answer machine was on. Finally satisfied, she picked up her last piece of luggage and dipped under George's arm to exit the house.
“Let me get that for you,” said John Reinhard, her son-in-law. John took her bag and tossed in the back of the SUV that was idling in the driveway. Quickly closing the back, he then opened the front passenger door allowing Susan to slide into the vehicle next to her daughter Sarah, who was driving. George climbed into the back seat with John and finally they were off.
“Mom, did you pack sunscreen?” asked Sarah, simultaneously changing the radio station and brushing her hair.
“Brakes,” said John from the back automatically, as he spotted the cars ahead of them begin to slow down. He was well aware that his wife was rarely looking out the windshield.
“Do you want to drive?” Sarah snapped.
“That's enough of that,” stated George. “If you kids are going to come to Hawaii with us, there is to be no arguing.”
“We're not arguing, George,” laughed John, “I'm just trying to get there in one piece.” John settled back into the seat and closed his eyes. If he couldn't see the car weaving across the road it was easier to keep his mouth shut while his wife drove.
Before Sarah could respond, Susan changed the conversation. “Do you think your sister is going to be all right by herself?” she asked Sarah.
“Mom, she's 19. She'll be fine. And she'll hardly be alone. I'm sure Fulton will be with her most of the time.”
“I'm sure he will,” whispered John from the back, keeping his eyes closed.
Shooting John a dirty look in the rearview mirror, Sarah continued, “Better Fulton than Tina.”
Fulton “Big Cat” Lyons was the boyfriend of Sarah's sister Miranda. Tall, muscled and bulky he had been a star linebacker in high school and was on the verge of being a starter his freshman year of college. John liked the young man well enough, but Sarah was very protective of Miranda and didn't want to see her settle down with her first serious boyfriend. She was disappointed that the couple had stayed together through Miranda's senior year, thinking that with Fulton away at college that Miranda's feelings would dull.
Tina Foster, on the other hand, was the bad influence in Miranda's life. Tina was pretty enough to catch any man's attention and she knew it. Tina drank, smoked, and if you listened to the rumors, did drugs and went home with just about any guy that gave her the time of day. Both Sarah and Susan tried to steer Miranda away from Tina.
“Well, maybe I should have Harriet check on them this week,” said Susan, referring to her sister.
“Mom, they'll be fine. The Fox Den is probably the safest place in the whole state.”
The Fox Den was the family “cottage.” Most Northern Wisconsin cottages were small two bedroom homes with a fireplace and if the owners were lucky, a bathroom. Many still used an outhouse. The Fox Den, however, was more of a mansion in the woods. Situated on Ballinger Lake, the Fox Den had six bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living rooms, a dining room and a bar. It had been in the Fox family since the day it was built. Over the years it had been added to and remodeled into the masterpiece that it was today. Owned by six brothers and sisters, they still managed to peacefully coexist. Miranda and some friends had asked permission to use the Fox Den while her parents and her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Campbell went on a cruise to Hawaii. George had to work hard to persuade his other family members that Miranda would treat the Den with respect. In the end, they had relented and she had been granted permission when George had agreed to allow Rachel and Campbell's son Wes to bring some friends to the Den in the future without supervision.
All the kids are growing up, mused George, as the car sped toward the airport.
Miranda Fox examined herself in the mirror. The 19 year old didn't like what she saw. Her hair had a reddish hue and curled toward the ends, near her shoulders. She didn't like the way her eyes sat farther apart than everyone else. Fulton called them “exotic.” Miranda thought she looked almost alien. Though she was thin and had ample curves, Miranda thought she looked fat. She turned to examine her rear end and focused on the miniscule ripples under her butt, below her oversized granny panties.
I'm such a cow.
Sighing in disgust, she turned away and quickly dressed. An oversized t-shirt and dark sweat pants allowed her to hide. She went back to packing her suitcase. Tossing in similar clothes, a moderate swimsuit, and pajamas, she was ready to go. She dragged the suitcase to the stairs and let it roll down the staircase into the waiting arms of her boyfriend, Fulton Lyons.
Fulton was a huge young man. Over six feet tall and all muscle, save a small paunch starting to form from his excessive consumption of beer. Small eyes made his head appear too large, even for his massive frame. His brown hair always looked unruly, as if he had just rolled out of bed and proceeded into the day without care. Today he was dressed in khaki shorts, bright white tennis shoes, and his football jersey which had is nickname “Big Cat” emblazoned on the back. He easily snatched up the rolling suitcase and waited to see if another was to follow.
He smiled as his beautiful girlfriend galloped down the stairs to him. He loved her red hair, curvy body and green hued eyes. He was particularly enamored with her full lips, though she didn't smile near enough for his liking. With his free arm, he encircled her waist and kissed her passionately.
“Is everyone else here?” asked Miranda.
“Sammi and Herc have been here for a while. Jade and Pete just pulled up. Of course, we're waiting on Tina,” answered Fulton.
They stepped outside and Fulton added Miranda's bag to the pile of luggage in the back of his truck. He motioned to his friend Steve “Hercules” Simoens to help him cover the bags with the large tarp he had purchased for this trip. Afterward, they rolled the truck bed cover back and snapped it into place.
“That'll keep things dry as a bone even if a monster storm hits on the way up,” said Fulton, satisfied with his work.
“Yup,” said Steve, in typical fashion. A large man but more evenly proportioned than Fulton, Steve rarely said much and he always agreed with Fulton. His bushy eyebrows overpowered his face, almost hiding his dark eyes.
Steve's girlfriend Samantha “Sammi” Johnson stood quietly nearby. She was even quieter than Steve. She was naturally tanned and had straight, thin brown hair that moved with even the slightest breeze. Heavy blue eyeshadow brought out the color in her eyes. Rail thin and extremely tall, she slouched to appear the same height as her boyfriend. She wore a sweatshirt and tight beaded jeans with her cellphone peeking out of her back pocket.
“I'm getting a little cold,” said Sammi. “Can we leave soon?”
“We have to wait for Tina to get here,” answered Miranda.
“Oh,” giggled Sammi, “Okay.”
Miranda rolled her eyes. She didn't care for the tall girl at all and made little effort to hide it.
“Why do you have to be such a bitch?” whispered Fulton.
“Why do we have to take that idiot with us?” shot back Miranda.
“Because she's Herc's girlfriend and Herc is my best friend. Just like we have to take Tina with us, because she's your friend.”
“You guys ready to party?” broke in Jade Currothers. Jade was a natural beauty. She sported a tight body with firm breasts, a perfect backside and flawless skin the color of dusky copper. She had a quick, easy smile and eyes that lit the room when she talked. Her hair was raven dark and voluminous. Jade was many a man's idea of the perfect woman. Today, dressed in a bulky sweatshirt and knitted pink hat she looked more adorable than sexy.
“If Tina ever gets here,” answered Fulton.
“You should have let me pick her up, too,” said Jeremiah “Pete” Peterson. “She doesn't live too far from Jade.” Pete was tall, lanky and heavily tattooed. It looked like he hadn't shaved in days. Despite the chilly weather, Pete was wearing a baggy white t-shirt and pants than hung off his hips.
“That was the plan, but when I texted her this morning, she had spent the night with some guy from the bar. Since she got her fake ID, she's been out almost every night,” explained Fulton. “But at least it was easy to get booze for the weekend. When the guy at the liquor store started to look closer at her ID, she just started flirting until he forgot about it. Hell, she even got a free bottle of Tequila by flashing him.”
A blue Camaro roared into the driveway. Tina Foster staggered out of the passenger door wearing her pajamas and carrying a duffel bag. Her blue eyes were glazed and her dirty blonde hair was wild. Still, she was smiling, her perfect teeth white as the snow. She turned and stuck her head back inside the car, laughed, and waved goodbye to the driver.
“I'm here, bitches!” she yelled.
“Are you drunk?” questioned Jade.
“I don't know. What time is it?”
“It's almost eleven.”
“Then I'm probably still drunk. I think the after bar party ended around seven,” laughed Tina, tossing her bag in the back of the truck and slamming the tailgate shut.
Fulton, Miranda and Tina sat in the front seat, with the other four making themselves comfortable in the back with the girls sitting in the middle. Fulton pulled onto the road and began the long drive to the Fox Den.
“You mean there isn't any internet access?” said Ryan, sounding worried. “How am I going to check on my auctions?”
“Your game will survive a few days without you,” said Dominic, sounding exasperated.
“But I just listed the Sword of Damocles!” whined Ryan.
“Ryan!” yelled Wes, “I'll take you into town. I'm sure you can get a wi-fi signal somewhere.”
“Ok,” said Ryan, sounding relieved, “It'll only take me a few hours.”
Dominic Fogarty shook his head and sighed. Where did I go wrong? He asked himself. Dominic was an average high school student. With just a few months left before graduation, he was looking forward to college and a chance to start his social life over. He didn't really mind being pegged as one of the “geeks” but Ryan made even a typical geek look bad.
Ryan Brunhard was short, chubby and wore glasses. He was probably the smartest person in the school, specifically including the teachers. However, what Ryan achieved academically was overshadowed by his abysmal social life. More comfortable playing games in an online universe than even the simplest social interactions in the real world, Ryan often embarrassed his friends. But after they had taken the time to get to know him, he had proven to be not only funny and adventurous, but loyal as well. When Dominic had needed money to buy parts for his truck, Ryan had simply opened his wallet and handed him a fistful of bills.
Wesley Fox was the center of this group. Average height, average weight, average looks. Some people mistook Dominic as his brother. Other than their eyes, they were remarkably similar. Dominic had small eyes and always had a clean shaven face. Wes had large eyes, made larger by the glasses he wore and often had a five o'clock shadow. His deep voice often startled people. His family always had money, so Wes usually got whatever he wanted. Despite a bedroom full of the latest toys and later on, the newest video games, Wes still had trouble making friends. Ryan's family had money too, and their parents ran in the same circles, so the boys gradually became friends as they grew up. Wes and Dominic had met at school when they were paired up in a science class. A discussion about the paperback book that Wes was reading led them to their similar tastes in fantasy and science fiction. When they decided to try a role playing game they needed another person and Ryan was the obvious choice.
They were driving North, to the family cottage that Wes' parents shared with his aunts and uncles. Neither of the other boys had been there before. With his parents headed to Hawaii, Wes originally had just planned to spend the long weekend at home. Dominic, however, heard about his chance to go to the Fox Den and practically begged for the chance to visit the “Mansion in the Woods” and ride the snowmobiles. Wes relented and then convinced Ryan to go with by promising a marathon weekend of role-playing. Ryan valued his pen and paper character almost as much as his online ones.
“I've been thinking,” started Ryan, “That Bromin might make the switch from his traditional broadsword to a battle axe if we find something good in the temple.”
Wes laughed. Dominic sighed.
20 years ago
“Man, I don't want to live in Louisiana,” whispered the young man dressed in a rented suit to the older gentlemen seated beside him.
“Leo, it's not like we have a choice about it. I've tried to convince them to trade the pick, but they are afraid of what their fans will say if they give up the chance to get the best player in the draft,” said his agent, voice pitched low enough that the many microphones and cameras filling the room could not pick it up.
“Damn it, Tom, you better plan on finding me someplace nice to live in that swamp of a city,” responded Leo.
The Commissioner stepped to the podium, shuffled some papers noisily before setting them down and leaning into the microphone.
Here we go, thought Leo, preparing himself to stand.
“With the first pick in the draft, the Louisiana Pirates select Buddy Sommer, running back from Indiana.”
“What the f-”, started Leo, before Tom managed to clap a hand over his mouth. Struggling free, Leo and said, “What the hell was that, Tom?”
“I don't know. They must have changed their mind since this morning.”
“So, I'm going to end up in fucking Wichita?”
“Shh, Leo. The cameras are on you!”
“I don't give a shit. I'm sure as hell not moving to Wichita!”
“Leo!”
“Fix it, Tom!”
Tom stood and sprinted to the corner and began furiously dialing on one of the courtesy phones provided by the league.
“With the second pick, the Wichita Harvesters select quarterback Kris Reeves from Texas State.”
“Son of a bitch!” yelled Leo, no longer caring which camera was focused where.
Leo sat quietly, his face red with anger. Tom sat next to him, sweat beading on his forehead.
“With the 18th pick in this years draft, the Portland Dragons select quarterback Leo Herrick out of Texas.”
Leo stood and waved to the crowd, trying to ignore the boos and catcalls. He obligingly proceeded up on stage to pose with the Commissioner and a Dragon's jersey featuring the number one on it.
“Damn it, Tom, this is not what we agreed to!”
“Leo, when we thought you would be picked number one overall a $30 million signing bonus was possible. It just isn't going to happen at number 18. It's already the preseason. You've missed all of training camp. Chances are that you will spend this season on the bench and they just aren't going to spend all the money for that. I think we take their offer. You get a $2 million bonus and a three year contract loaded with incentives. When you show them what you can do, all the clauses will kick in and you'll clear $15 million before the contract is up,” explained Tom.
“$2 million will be almost nothing after taxes!”
“This is the best we are going to do, Leo.”
“Fine. I'll sign the contract. Then you're fired.”
18 years ago
Portland Observer – Quarterback Leo Herrick finally got his chance to show why he was drafted in the first round two seasons ago. When starter George Sanderson went down to a knee injury, Herrick entered the game and quickly completed five passes in a row, topping it off with a touchdown pass to Robbie Page. Unfortunately on the next series, Herrick was sacked by Ben Banks and driven into the ground. He came up holding his throwing shoulder. Preliminary reports indicate a torn rotator cuff. Herrick's season is over.
16 years ago
Vancouver Daily – The Vancouver Vultures have announced the signing of quarterback Leo Herrick from the States. Herrick appears to have recovered from a terrible injury to his right shoulder. Passed over by the United States league, Herrick signed with the Vultures for a reported $25,000 per game.
15 years ago
Portland Observer – Former Dragon's quarterback Leo Herrick was arrested on drug charges in Vancouver, Canada today. Vancouver police reportedly found Herrick and several others passed out in a hotel room after other guests had complained about noise. Methamphetamine was seized at the scene.
10 years ago
Vancouver Daily – Leo Herrick, 32, was convicted today of murdering six young women at the University of Vancouver. Herrick, a former football player, was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. He will first serve out a 10 year sentence in the States for a manslaughter conviction for the death of Brett Sanders. Sanders was killed when Herrick's car struck him just south of the border.
Present
“Leo Herrick, huh?” said Marcus, “I think I drafted you for my fantasy team one year.”
“Don't talk to the prisoner,” ordered Larry, the older of the two guards. “Let's just get him to Canada as fast as possible. Then we can enjoy some beers before we have to head back.”
Comment