London July 23
I’ve been drinking myself into a stupor every night since that day I lost everything, but this morning I found salvation. I got a phone call asking me to meet these guys in a restaurant, but I thought they might be some more of Jef’s men, so I told them where they could stick this meeting. However, moments later, a knock at my door, and it’s the guy off the phone, wearing a mask, covering his face.
“We need to talk. Meet me in an hour at that restaurant, and I could save your life.”
“Why not just do it now?” I replied
“Have you got beer?” He asked of me. I nodded. “Great, lets get this over with.”
“Mr Smile, let me get straight to the point, you lost everything two weeks ago, and the way your going, in two weeks you’ll be in the gutter, penniless. I’m here to offer you your one chance to get back on track! I’m from the Team GLS board, and we are willing to offer you job. We believe in your ability, we believe that you were abused by your old board, but mostly we believe in YOU. We want you to lead our team and give them so glory. You’ve done it once with Cycling24, and you can do it again. Only you can make this team great, and we can offer you the chance to become a great person again, and get revenge!”
“Revenge?” I questioned.
“When you lead this team you WILL take them to glory and show that scum Jef De Bilde how a real time rides. The only thing is, we need you now. Here is a ticket with your name on it taking you to our HQ in Denmark. Are you ready?”
This was big. A chance to make it again. I will do it proper this time, and gain the trust of my team. “Yes, of course I will. Just let me pack my bags.”
“Already done, Mr Smile. There is a taxi waiting for you outside, and one will be waiting for you in Denmark.” He said, with a mysterious smile on his face.
“How did you know I would accept?” This was getting weird
“Mr Smile, you would be surprised just how much I know about you.”
“But…”
“No Mr Smile, the time for inappropriate questions is over, it is time for you to leave and begin your adventure.”
This was it, time for me to go and get everything taken away from me back. “Just one thing,” I asked, “Who are you?”
“Now that, Mr Smile, is the right question.” And with that parting riposte he left.
Hey crommy im a new member and i love your story, at your new team you need to sign kirk O'Bee i love that guy, can wait to see the new team in action. keep up the good work!!
Tour de France
Final Results:
Final General Classification:
1. Jan Ullrich T-MOBILE TEAM 87h34’22
2. Alejandro Valverde CAISSE D’EPARGNE – IB + 2’28
3. Alexandre Vinokourov ASTANA TEAM + 4’39
4. Igor Anton EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI + 5’35
5. Ivan Basso TEAM CSC + 9’08
10. Michael Rogers TEAM CYCLING24-2012 + 17’08
24. Dario Cataldo TEAM CYCLING24-2012 + 54’20
Points Jersey:
1. Oscar Freire TEAM CSC 193
KOM:
1. Igor Anton EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 312
U25 Jersey:
1. Igor Anton EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI
Team:
T-Mobile
London
Out of my flat, and I tried to follow my mystery caller, but he had disappeared. There was something vaguely familiar about him. Anyway, downstairs, and there was a taxi waiting for me, with a professional man in a suit holding the door, but when I tried to engage him in conversation, he said nothing to me.
After a silent journey, I arrived at Heathrow, with a heavy heart and a fair amount of reluctance. This was it, no turning back. Heart in my mouth, I stepped across into the terminal, and was pleasantly surprised when at check in I was bumped up to first class. I asked why, but the check-in staff were baffled, they didn’t have a clue. This oddity continued, when I was told to go through to a private check in, one reserved for celebrities and very important people. They served me champagne, and the suits in the lounge had a massage function. This was weird, but I wasn’t going to complain, as I boarded the plane and tried to get some sleep.
Copenhagen
A short flight later, and I had arrived in the Københavns Lufthavn, where I was immediately greeted by another silent guy in suit and tie, who escorted me to a waiting taxi. I went in, and sitting next to me was the same guy who interrupted me in my hotel room.
“Well hello Mr Smile, pleasant journey I take it?”
“Yes, I’ve got some more questions. How…”
“Those can wait Mr Smile, you’ve got a very busy day ahead of you. Your team is awaiting you, as is your board. We’re sorry to throw you straight into the job, but the transfer season has started, and your predecessor had little chance to become active before we hired your talents.”
A couple of minutes of silence followed, and he was just staring at me. Who was this strange fellow.
“Well, Mr Smile, we have arrived at your next destination.”
“But we are outside a tailor.”
“Yes, its been a hard day, and you most look good for the board. Your solitude has certainly made you look shabby, and your frequent drinking at the Lion Inn has given you an awful stench.”
“How did you know that?” This was more than weird now, I was starting to get angry
“You do not need to know that, we will pay for your expenses.”
“Damn it all, I want answers! How did you get here from London before me?”
“Now that, Mr Smile, is the right question.” And with that he left, leaving me shaken again. Who was he?
hmm i dont know. i think you showed to be a pretty bad person the last time. the days leading up to your trial and so. i couldnt help but wish that you got fired. i would want to do the same.
but still it doesnt make any sense why the board would want to start such trouble with a manager that clearly makes the team perform why better than it should.
also stop stealing lines from books. or movies if you didnt read the book. it makes your writing look bad i think.
i hope you will go back to team building and racing soon. that is what made your story interesting i think.
Anyway, I like to "borrow" (borrow is such a better word than steal) other lines or ideas from good books, it makes this story good when I run out of ideas. Plus, it is really effective in this story, as it builds up the story later on: you'll have to find out why later on.
Of course, there will still be the team building and race reports you like, but I like to inter weave a story line with this: that's what makes it stand out from other stories.
Anyuway, thanks for your opinion, always like to get some constructive feedback. I'll try to think of a line not taken from the book, otherwise, I'll have to stick with this.
Thanks for the great feedback from every one else though!
Another tip is you could have a race which is told by a rider in your team. Its been done in other stories and its quite effective. e.g if kirk O'Bee was in a breakaway have him talk about it himself to tell the story.
Team GLS HQ
I arrived in pouring rain at the GLS headquarters. Prepared to run as fast as possible indoors in my brand new suit, I’m greeted by an armada of umbrellas as I’m greeted by the board.
“Well hello Mr Smile, we’ve been expecting you”
I was half considering running when they said that.
Inside, and the board were very pleasant, and began to outline what they wanted from me. They seemed fairly awed by my ability as director sportif (as they should be), and really wanted to please me, telling me they would give me a lot of resources to reach the ProTour, although they were adamant ProTour status had to come within two seasons.
“Mr Smile, what it really comes down to is you are extremely talented, and we feel you are owed a second chance. But do not expect a third chance. If you fail, your fall will be worse than last time.” I felt a little less sure of myself after that, although they said that I would only see them again if they wished to congratulate me or if they wished to get rid of me. They made it abundantly clear which one it should be.
I left the board room and was told I could go out for lunch, but I decided not to, wanting to meet my staff and get into it staright away. I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
I entered the video room to find some coaches going over aerodynamic positions with some of the riders, and I sat at the back and watched. They really knew their stuff, and fortunately spoke English. After they finished, I met them. My new assistant shook my hand first, and introduced himself,
“Hello, I’m Kasper Busk, and I’ll be your new assistant, sir.” (Sir, who’d ever called me sir) “I see your wondering why I’m calling you sir. It’s because I went to Cambridge, and I expect the same respect from you.” I liked this man already, and we then spent half an hour arguing over which was better: Oxford (where I was educated) or Cambridge. I haven’ had so much fun in years, and he was grinning throughout. This was going to be the start of a great relationship.
The rest of the coaches then came in, and they were as friebdly as Kasper Busk, whom they all seemed to defer to. Kasper also takes on the role of head coach, and he has an IQ of 170, and belongs to Mensa. He is a valuable asset, and is liked by all the riders, as he is also a comedian.
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the team, their performance that season and the direction we should take it. It was obvious my predecessor wasn’t great, as some of the riders hadn’t ridden at all, and those who had had done little more than 5 days racing. They seemed to be on my wavelength, which is always a great base for a relationship.
However, as evening drew in, my stomach began to grumble, so I went to one of the many restaurants. However, at the door the maître d' greeted me,
“Why hello Mr Smile, we have heard so much about you. Please come in, a table is ready for you.” Before I could express my shock and ask what on earth was going on, he led me in a quick slalom through the tables to a two seater table in the corner. No surprise who was sitting there.
“Hello again Mr Smile,” The masked stranger greeted me.
“How did you know I would come to this restaurant?” was my immediate question.
“You would not believe just how much I know about you, Mr Smile, it was easy to get you here.” He was starting to annoy me.
“Just who are you?” I asked, annoyed.
“I’m disappointed you do not know me, Mr Smile. I would have thought better of you, but no worries. I’m here to tell you the truth about what the board wants, and how far they will go for success.”
“Now hang on, they’ve already told me that!”
“Mr Smile, what they gave you was some general requests, and they revealed very little to you. They are placing enormous trust in you, and you must understand just how far this trust goes.” He sounded fairly irritated here, but regained his composure immediately.
“Mr Smile, the board have gambled everything in you. They have taken on a director sportif who’s reputation lies in tatters, who is penniless, a drunk. They have risked scandal and ridicule because they believe in you Mr Smile. They have offered you salvation, and that alone merits your full commitement.”
“I never said I wouldn’t give all,” I replied. He ignored me and continued.
“But it goes further Mr Smile. The board have gambled everything they have just so you can succeed. If you do not achieve ProTour success, the team will fail and will have to fold. A loan of €1,000,000 has been taken by the board in preparation for you. If you fail, they will go bankrupt, and in offering you a second chance, they will destroy their own lives. Mr Smile, everything rests upon your shoulders, everything. This team, the riders, the board. You must be prepared to except the job knowing this. The board will risk all, their money, their reputation, their team, just because they believe in you. Will you accept this burden, Mr Smile?”
I started to sweat, I hadn’t realised all the implications of my appointment. They had risked all for me. I pulled myself together, faced the masked stranger and told him with utmost confidence, “I will.”
“I always had faith in you Mr Smile. I must leave now, the bill is already paid for, and your main course is about to arrive.”
“But I didn’t order anything.” He laughed.
“Mr Smile, you still underestimate me.” He prepared to leave
“One thing,” I said, “How do you know so much about the board?”
He stood up, and looked directly at me.
“Now that, Mr Smile, is the right question.” And he left.
I still know so little about this mysterious stranger. Oh well, I’ve got a team to run at the moment.
