Chapter 01
Uncle, Uncle tell a story. Such began the story. Well if the little boy wants a story it takes a cold heart to deny him.
-Well alright, I’ll tell a story but there will be not snow white, dwarves, hobbits..
-But uncle I like hobbits!
-Listen. I will have nothing of chubby little men with furry feet or anything of that sort. No my boy this story is about blood, sweat and tears (and when you are a little older we will throw in some women).
-I hate girls!
-Well trust me boy there is a big difference between girls and women but let’s leave that for later. Right - so back to the story. It begins in a country much to the south where interest rates are high and the sun always shines - which indecently ties in nicely with the women but again I digress. A rather chubby fellow is having a coffee.
-I hate coffee!
-Yes well grownups like coffee and never mind. He’s at his desk shuffling paper.
-Homework!
-No not homework - but to be honest if he had done his homework maybe things would have turned out otherwise for him. You see my boy he is in a foul mood. The door flies open and one of his henchmen enters out of breath.
-What is a “henchmen”?
-It’s the same as a lackey.
-What’s his name?
-The lackey doesn’t have a name, that sort never does (unless maybe Oddjob) and the other fellow ...I don’t know let’s call him Manolo Shusss - and now be quiet boy. This lackey comes in and looks concerned; maybe almost pale.
-How do you know that?
-Well I don’t actually know it per say but it’s for dramatic effect.
-My mother says you go to hell if you lie.
-I’m not lying; I’m telling a story. Now do you want to hear the story and do you want to go to bed?
-**hummmm** the story.
-Right then – Sunny country, chubby fellow at desk and pale hench…sorry lackey. The lackey is concerned about some rumors and asks Manolo if it’s true, are they out. Manolo looks dishearted as he mumbles “Si”. The very next day all the papers had the story “Manolo out – Unknow Filét in”.
-What’s a fillet?
-Usually a very nice piece of meat; but in this case our hero – a young accountant from very close to here. And so the story takes its beginning with our hero entering into the world of pro cycling as a team manager.
-So definite no hobbits in the story?
-NO. And it’s off to bed now. I can hear your mother calling.
-So boy; are you ready to pick up where we left yesterday?
-OK we can do that.
-Thank you for at least trying to seem exited. Actually I brought along a couple of snapshots from back when the story starts. You see our hero – young Dallas Filét – had been appointed the team manager of a pro cycling team. Exited as he was, he was also ever so slightly concerned by the fact that he knew close to nothing about cycling. So what do you think he did?
-Lackeys!
-That’s right. He went out and got himself some lackeys. Only thing is they are really called directeur sportifs in cycling but basically the same thing.
-What about the pictures!
-Photos, yes right. You see the big star back then was a Frenchman called Laurent. Now there was a star if you ever saw one. He could sprint, he could climb, he could timetrial well basically he could do everything. His main problem was that several other riders could do it better than he could – but let’s not get into the details. Not only was he a good rider, he was also a hit with the ladies due to his dashing good looks as you can see from this picture.
-Did he win a lot uncle?
-Oh yes. Just see some of these snapshots.
-So he was really very good?
-Ohh yes. Basically the only thing which could stop him would be something like this:
-Which could really throw a spanner in the works. But luckily Laurent was an artist on the bike - a real joy to watch - so Dallas was not worried about crashes. So my boy this will have to do for today. Sleep tight now.
- Sweety your uncle is traveling and won't be back for another 10 days.
- Travling? Why?
- Well it seems this young man from the southern parts needed a little career advice.
- Hummmmm.....but mom why is that?
- Remember how I always tell you to keep your hands out of the cookie jar. Well it seems this nice young man didn't listen to his mother and now look at the mess.
