Adam looked at Lu-Ti and  then to  Cindy. LU-TI giggled.

 well..i was  an American  football player on a Japanese football team.. they had  , only a 40 man roster, so we had to do alot of extra stuff... I played DB sometimes, was on all the special teams, and was 2nd team QB...which was  fun? It was like cheating, because the  Defensive coaches there, didn't know how to deal with a  guy who  could run and throw,

 But? this  lead to  some...um...er....on and off the field  encounters  with people who didn't like me 'attitude'. Coach Sims had to address those issues in the press over there... By  Mr Amota bringing me into his household, it appeared as  if he was reining me in...That, as well as I couldn't  bring home  any girls there. Truthfully..i never  did it much at Coch Sims's  house either...but the press over there seemed a bit too eager  to focus on the ' gaijin'  he  shrugged.

 LU-TI  flinched at the word, her  smile  dropped a bit.

   Sipping his soda,..They seemed to   have more pictures of mewith woman, then they  had of me catching the   football..it sorta  worked in my favor..i  learned  enough  Japanese, to understand Insults... I  had  fun making  DBs  pay for shooting off thier  mouths... anyway... None of the press would dare insult  The Amotas..so? once  I was under thier roof, i was untouchable...but..i couldn't do stupid stuff  either..that would be
  an Insult  in its own way...

 LU-Ti smiled weakly...Adam became, My  Father's  Samurai ... Playing  hard, with Honor and No remorse ..asking or giving, no quarter. ...she rubbed a had on his arm brief,It set the Tone for the rest of the  Team. We begam, very  successful..and teams
 did not like to play us.

 Adam changed the Subject...Your turn..how did you get here? he looked at  Lindsey

"Me?" She quickly swallowed the sip of drink she had just taken.
Lindsey was a bit startled by the turn of the table. She was usually the only one asking, and no one had ever seemed interested in asking her questions. At least not on the job. But were they really on the job? As a reporter, she was always in that mindset, but this was an informal setting. She wasn't going to quote anyone or keep remarks on the record. It was an informal setting  to get to know the people she would be working with. It wasn't that she was against answering. To the contrary, she was delighted Adam even asked. It's just that she wasn't used to it.

"I'm sorry." her eyes lit up. "You caught me off guard." She giggled. "I guess that's your job, isn't it. So, yeah, me. I was born a coal miner's daughter.... " She sang that, showing off her clear beautiful voice, then giggled again.

"Okay, seriously. I was a new reporter and was originally assigned to Leisure and Travel. You know, the guest list at the players resort, spring break beaches... the exciting stuff. You know, rookie reporters like any other rookie have to pay their dues. Anyway, I am a huge football fan and I heard that Cindy needed help with her beat. It was a support role, but what I was doing was already second string - third maybe - so I caught her in the hall and swore my eternal loyalty if she would give me the chance." Lindsey huffed a short laugh. "Cindy, she's great. She extended her arm like this." Lindsey suck her arm straight out with her hand flat like a spear and moved it up and down. "She touched me on both shoulders and said, I dub thee squire. We shall slay dragons." She affected a deep formal tone as she mocked Cindy's play. "Then she told me that no oath of fealty was needed. All I had to was ask and that she wouldn't hold me to my pledge for all eternity. I love her. Anyway, yeah so it was still second string, but she kept me involved. We collaborated. We discussed. I had input on how present certain stories. I watched and I learned. She kept me in the loop all along the way and I made sure she shined at every step. She looked off, a bit wistful. I am sad to see her go. But she deserves this chance..." She pause a moment before popping back to her previous perky posture with a bright eyes and a smile. "And here I am. Rubbing elbows with the coolest kids in the school and loving every second." She put a hand on Adam's arm. "But seriously, thank you for asking."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Wed 13 Apr 2022.

 Adam chuckled,..no one ever things   players  are interested in the people who covering them. Its  worse then Actors... actors, have thier roles, and people identify  with those.. Players  have a few  years, then the shine wears off..some never get to shine.

 Now as  for being the Coolist kids?  I dunno? I mean... The 'rich kids' would  be LA, Cowboys... The Cool kids  would be the New York Teams, Vegas, Sandiego.. you got the  'RV Club  kids' in Seattle  and  maybe, arizonia..everyone esle  is the  working kids... I think we are more ,like the 'The Name Kids'...everyone is watching  us..only  a few like us, and none of the parents want thier kids around us, 'cause  we might be  a bad Influence.

Lindsey offered a good-natured laugh to Adam's humble deflection. "What you described there... that's exactly what makes you the cool kids. I really hope time and success doesn't change any of this. You guys are amazing. To come out of nowhere - at least in America's mind -  with the assemblage of talent no one previously recognized, and to do what you've done, winning like you have? It's the quintessential underdog story. A fairytale come true. No matter what anyone says to the contrary, no matter how many detractors you have, America loves you. For now, at least, you're definitely the coolest kids in the school."

Lindsey called over the waitress and ordered another round, including whatever Ben and Lu-Ti wanted.

"So, back to your first statement. What do you find interesting about reporters? We hang around and ask a lot of questions. The stories aren't always as flattering as you'd like. We reveal what the viewers and reader want to know, but that doesn't always align with what you would want them know. I hate to admit it, but I'm not so sure I would want me around all the time. I mean it is all part of the game of being in the public eye, but still the picture we paint isn't necessarily the image some are trying to convey." She glanced at Ben. "Unless you really are the 'take me as I am' kind of people you appear to be. Because that would be refreshing... and would also be much more appealing to most people. Hmmm. I think I'm coming up with my next team profile story. Yeap. You guys really are cool. But you still have to answer my question."

  there's  another chuckle,well? No... we don't like having  reporters  around  all the time, and  Sims  has  found  a way around the  'repoters in the locker  room' thing.. From what i understand?  and I wasn't here yet for that, he  Had   a setion Biuld with a smaller  locker room, for Ladies,next to the Bigger  room for Men... I don't know if he anticipated  Women trying out, or whether it was for  Lady Coaches... in the end..Lady Caoches ..and we only really have on, she Hlep coach fry with the  Special teams...but  the Lady players   dress there.. in between the  two  rooms is a place  for  reporters to talk with player.....who feel  like talking... He has  went on record saying , if  we get to the playoffs  he might allow reporters access to the lockers  room  'as long as  the players don't get trapped'

 LU-TI  spoke up...yes..they added sections  for  both team's locker rooms, for  women to  dress and prepare.... None of the other teams  have such  areas.. so when  we go on the Road, Caoch Sims   allows them use of his  Office and shower, while he  prepares   in the  assistant's  areas.

 Now?  and you will  forgive me  for the  pigeon holes, But you have   three types of reporters...1... The Cold , facts, stats people who rarely smile, yet some how get offended  if you don't... the second group is the  Bubbly smiley folks  who..'nothing is ever wrong',and? if you have a bad game, they can get on your nerves  as much as the Next group... The last group are the Assassins, they wait for a chance to cut your through, then  will complain on air, about you bleeding too much...

 now?  the Good  ones..they don't belong to a group.. The go out, dig up tibits...they say when  we screw up...they  report  when we do good, and , prhaps  find  some thig, 'around' the   Team, that either  the Team affects....or the team is affected by?

 Network guys who are  stuck with us?.. they were given out games, I guess low guys on the totem pole?... anyway.. they do a great Job..Thier sideline  chick, Winie..she started out being a wanna be assassin, buy she has  come around....we played in the snow
 against the Giants.... Heather Had her  come out  and try to  Kick a field goal... it wasn't  pretty, and Winnie laughed at her own attempts, sure? it was post game 'fluff'..but the feedback was great...now? the first team  talking heads, what to do Jacksonvile
 games because  we're getting shifted to prime time, end of december, i bet we play
 Sunday night games, the rest of the way through...but those  guys?  I'm proud of them..they aren't afraid to slap the  'old NFL' across the face, when people question out play... so? they get the Last laugh, I'm better they move up the ladder net season, but this season.. they are , our   play by play guys...

  he  hands the waitress his empty and takes a fresh soda...maybe? after all of that... the best thing i can say is this.... Be real..you're not going  up the ladder by  reporting that ...

 He leans back and says a bit more louder,Hane sleeps with a Teddy bear!

 Kane waggles  a  thick finger at him,Its a Kangaroo! people laugh...

 you find  tidbits to interest folks for  every day..or  pregame  snippets , I find it  disgusting, that  some cities  reporters  are More interested  that I am a DIII college  guy, and sorta ignore the cheap shots   I have taken, but thier 'glorious ' DI  folks, just because  i  made them look very, very bad on national TV..but? reporters are like players, they all have their own goals...

 I will warn you this? Peple get the  think in their heads, that being the  'anti'' somethign  will get them ahead, ebcause of   angry callers, views   all that stuff....but, while you may make money and get attention, the only people who are goign to 'like' you, are players  and  celebrities  who have the same  Mindset... You watch...  if  i have to do antoher  'head to head"...

 LU-Ti  broke  in... You do..  head to head  with CB Steve Cob ?   Grany Hampton , is hosting.

 ..fuu,,, I mean, dammit... al well, get in his head  early i guess.

 Yuto  came over  for a Moment...Adam? I have  a call from from Lana's Band Mates... they are in  Nashville for  Concert , and wish tickets to the game...

 Really?   Tell their  new   'hot  dang' band leader  to pull strings  and get the some....

you have   10  tickets to use?

 I'll see, if there  are other Guys  who  need them for  Family.. Linda   and her  group already  are going  be in the Owners  box... if  i have any left over, I'll look for  people wearing Dragon's   jerseys  as we enter the stadium.

 Yuto  nods,As you say....

 LU-TI looks  at Adam...what?..they knew  what was going on, I treated them like  part of the team..no one said  a word... so? they must like him better then me..he is  better Lokign  and about  4 inches taller...can sing better them me.. has   3 manions...damn? Maybe i should date him!

"Did i understand that right? Your ex is asking for tickets? That seems a bit... inappropriate. Anyway, it looks like it's winding down here. Is someone driving by the TV station? otherwise I'll just call an Uber."

"Sorry," said Ben, "We came in a taxi, we'd had wine with dinner at home before we came out."

He looked in his pocket for Kaleem's card.

"Probably about time we were off anyway. Lu-Ti, where do you want to go?"

   Adam Lookes at his cell phone for the time,I'll take you. I wnat to  get some film  time in before bed.

 Adam? will you be  watching film in the  main room?

 I was going to?  Why...

She looked at him...

 OH!..ya?  You know what.. I'll watch it in my room.. that way if a  fall alseep i won't be in the  way...

 she smiled.

  Adam    nodded to Lindsey,whenever you're  ready then...

Lindsey turned to Ben and Lu-Ti. "Good night. It was a pleasure. Thank you for answering my questions, and.... we'll be seeing a lot more of each other soon. Take care."

Lindsey finished her drink, leaning over to get the last bit as she set it down. "Thanks Adam. I really appreciate it." She double checked that she had her purse, which was over her shoulder the entire time. "I'm ready. Lead the way."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Thu 14 Apr 2022.

    Adam  waved to Yuto... People waved to and shouted to Adam, They walked into the 'wall of fame' area,  He  Pointed to the Dinner.

  You  Hungry?  They have great food here? Adam ponted to the Diner's  door..on the  Diner  side  wall was a  marquee   A Big   Cartoon , Jackie the Dragon... in her right hand was  a  Knight  held  Above her  Open Mouth..the   Knight has a  slifr in sign that says 'Titans'

 in her belly  were  13 other  Knights  with thier names on ( including the  first titan)..there was room  for more.

..........

 well..  two more  dances, and a  drink at the BAr, and we will go, Yes? LU-TI says.

Lindsey looked over at where Adam was pointing. She hadn't even thought about eating since lunch. "Sure." She nodded. "Thanks for asking. I probably should have thought about eating before I had those drinks. It looks like these guys are fans too. Who in Jacksonville isn't a fan at this point I guess?"

  Adam chuckles,This is the  Diner section of the club.... Yuto's  own Business  interests are under the banner 'Rising Son'.. he named his clubs after the parent company....all  clubs  have a fine  dining  place inside as well.

 A waitress  approached Adam  with a Smile.Two please.  in a booth.. I had  more then mu share of  fandom for today?

 She Giggls and  leads  them to a Booth at the back corner,Order what you want, Save  room  for  thier cheesecake...goes great with thier coffee,

 he looked over the menu,The Paprikash  for me, and a  Milkshake? And whatever  Ms Garret wishes.

  After the waitress takes her order,  Adam chuckled,Ben made meatloaf at out  town house, but   someone hinted  i should be  'on my way'... You should check into  the townhouses.. Its gated.. only Dragon  folks are allowed there... cheaper then  any of the places  i checked out when i came down here...  you got  a main  door,, separate steps leading up to one paratment,  and the   door on the floor  for the other.. Shared Kitchen and massive living room , a TV i could lay on  for a bd.., there is  another  'rounded' stairs that leads  down from the  upper apartment...

Lindsey slid into the the booth across from Adam, picking up the menu and scanning it quickly for what she already had in mind. After Adam ordered his Paprikash - an item she would not have expected to see on a diner menu - she ordered a grilled chicken with broccoli and an unsweet tea. It was a light enough entree, so the heralded cheesecake was still a possibility.

"Thank you, by the way, for your polite formality, but please call me Lindsey. I'm not the formal kind of girl.
I wasn't thinking of moving. My current apartment is comfortable, if a little expensive, but I can look into the townhouses. The question I have on that is, do I even qualify? I'm not a Dragon. I'm just a reporter. But on that topic - and forgive me if I'm overstepping - it seems like maybe Ben and Lu-Ti were negotiating for their privacy. Why do you even have a roommate? I don't think communal housing is a requirement on any other team. Again, feel free to tell me to butt out."

     Adam  nods  as she  speaks, he  says,Lindsey then...
 he  looked around , for  the time of night there were alot of people, most of them were fans now, as players were getting in thier last party  moves, or have already headed home.

  Now, Having  the  gated ComUnity, solves a whole bunch of problems  at once.... first off, we only have to play for things Like Cable..Its  rent free, for players and support people. There are  Jacksonville Natives who have thier own homes, but none of them are players . A few players  Like   Worth  ,Payne  Miles and Sloan live  near the   community, but they have homes they bought when they were Jags,

 secondly he  stopped  as the waitress put Lindsey's  food  down  first, then Adam, along with her  drink and  his.. After  another smile   she left....secondly, no one  can dare have a reason  to miss or be late for practice.. it  about 3/4 of a mile to the stadium...sometimes  I'll even  run  to the stadium, but its not very smart to do with  my laptop and  disc albumns....

 Needless to say, The Dragon's player's  contracts are strange...through won't be strange long, but  there were players who laughed ay  Yuto and Sims in the face, walked out of the office, and never became Dragons..never will either. Yuto doesn't forget a slight.

 but its a  hidden benefit.. I'm here in Jacksonvillie, i have a great apartment, Ben and I split the Cable  bill, buy groceries...and keep  most of our game check....heck, one of the Miami guys , was boasting about his 'crib' 5000 a month?, that's just the rent?  I'll take the townhouse anyday.

 we have to room on the orad, no reason  we can't room at home, save money...AND...Coach Sims has all his  chickens in the coop...damn hard for people to cause  us trouble  that way...though a few of the .....dumber.. players seem to find  a way to get the  wrong kind of press.

 now? ben and LU-TI..yeah?  They need time,  i make myself scarce when the time is needed...I assume , this summer they might  Move to the Amota's  estate, or get a
 house  somewhere .. If Ben wants to stay in the townhouses, I can room with someoneelse, or get my own..there's a few  emepty buildings  in the  community

Ben smiled at Lu-Ti.

"Dance? Of course we can... Come on then."

He jumped up and offered her a hand, then led her onto the dance floor.

Lindsey nodded along with Adam's description of the townhouse arrangements. It made sense in a way, not in others, but it was yet another interesting feature of the Dragons football team.

"So, tell me a little more about yourself. You seem very humble for a professional football star. What do you like to do in your off time, aside from watching game films? I mean, are there any movies that you won't miss, or do you like fishing? What are the other dimensions of Adam Bronk?"

 Adan chuckled  softly as his one eyebrow  rose,well, aside from this sounding like an interview.

 Finishing the bite he had, takes a sip of his Shake. I like  Sci-Fi , fantasy  and war movies... I hate 'slob humor' movies...i like  alot of  different music, but  not  real fond of country. Still? There are Rap songs and Country songs i like? he shrugs..

 I don't know  if you can call me a  'star'... I mean..  Ben has Broken  almost every record in receiving?  I thing, if he doesn't do it this  year, Next year he'll break some career marks.  I mean? I'm right  there behind him, But he way ahead there.

 Now?  You look back on tapes, or watch the head to head tomorrow? I can be as big of a jerk, as the next guy, and sometimes? i try to be even bigger....because it gets into thier heads...Nothing is better then telling   some  overpaid guy, that  you're gonna burn him on National TV..then do it  5 or 6 times in the game...

 That doesn't extend to fans too much.. I mean? I go out of  my way to get the our  fans  pumped up... i'll go further to get the Enemy fans   screaming...because...when we start to pull away, and   and the  scoreboard   start spinning like a one arm bandit...Then the Fans start to boo..sometimes they boo me?..but most times, they direct that at thier own team...and I'll feed that fire.... a

 then he gives her a  wink,...and i enjoy that. heck?  when i go in at  wildcat, at the end of the game, there  might be more dragon  fans  at Tennnesse , then Titan fans,  nad..we   never 'call off the  dogs'.. we did  it for the Jets?  cause the Jets supported the Amotas.... we'd do it  for San Diego, of the same reason...but  i'm trying to get us that last touchdown...


 with a bit of a sigh, he adds,I'm not Humble? I know  i'm god, I know  90% of the NFL thinks i'm a joke? You looks through the papers, see the talking heads on those  argument shows.  They say i'm doign what i'm doing because   peoploe worry about Bed....or That Duke has 'found a system'...or? I'm Coach Sims's Pet...

 and they are right?  Ben takes the heat of  me... i try to draw the attention of him and the other wide out.... Duke was always good..always.. you can hear it in the meetings..he's a Humble guy..a real Humble  guy... but he'll slice you apart on the  football field.  Sims's Pet..you bet.  I'm what he wants... play hard, play mean, play smart.. no oen ever wanted me as a  starter.... Highschool, i had to finish most games and or, Most seasons as a QB..because  guys would get hurt.... no college wants a  wide out  from a little  highschool... I got into  Mellon because  i was 'home town', and might be worth a few tickets..... I had to  play  some QB there  for the same reasons, so I didn't have the Numbers... so no NFL teams  even invited me as a free agent... Sims called me to Japan... and he did it because he knew what i could do..and? to help me out.... I got into  the Ti-Cats, because  my Highschool coach got a job there?..and now , I'm here....

 he stabs  a dumpling  and  rubs it around the sauce. he looks  up at her  and smiles,I'm not Humble... I'm angry...not just for myself, but  for every DIII guy out there who watched some millionaire drop passes  or miss  blocks , or miss tackles..know they are better, and that they'll never get a shot.  he shrugs,  I am told i have  some  skills in acting, because of  my talk shot stuff, and all that?  I don't know  about that..but i sure  can make folks mad!

"I do apologize for this sounding like an interview. It's really not. I'm just trying to get to know you." Lindsey chewed a piece of chicken, swallowing fully then washing it down with tea before continuing. "God, now you have me self conscious about how I sound when I ask questions." She hid a smile with her hand as looked off to recompose herself. "Okay, I'm better now."

"You're more humble than you think you are. At least in my opinion. In all that, I heard that you get into your opponents heads, and that you encourage your fans, and that you want to prove that players from Division III can do it better than the big shots. But humility isn't about whether you can be cocky about your talents or if you get aggressive with your opponents. It's about how you treat everyone else."

"I can tell from what you just said, you downplay your accomplishments, you're loyal, you're a good friend, a team player, and gracious and respectful to the people around you. That's a humility you can't fake. Don't worry, it's an attractive quality."

"On that note, I noticed you've been careful with your language. I appreciate that respect. It's really sweet. But if you do slip, I'm not going to be offended by that."

"Hm," she hesitated. "How can ask you things without sounding like a reporter? Let me think on that. How about you go ahead and do some asking."

  Adam smiled, wiping some of the  light  orange, creamy sauce  from  the corner of his mouth...

    Its how   you present it? I mean, I cool with it.  I can tell a 'reporter  question' from a  'just talking'  question...Some  guys  answer  question no matter who or why its  asked.. some get belligerent, again?  No matter who... Lets face it?.. two years ago,  the only people who would talk to be was the  College paper, or  some  poor  guy who got to interview the 'American' on their team.

 Right then, for  my 'asking"....How  does  a  chick, het into football, deep enough, that she wants to cover  the news  and such for that team... I mean? you saw the folks here, I assume you saw them lined up outside. Some of the Ladies  are as Nuts  about the team as the Guys... But  you don't see alot of them signing  up to  ask us questions

Adam's question was not what she expected. Lindsey wasn't sure what she expected, but that wasn't it. She almost wished she had an answer to match what seemed like a straightforward ask.

"My journey to the Dragons wasn't as storied as yours, I'm afraid. Yes, I'm a huge fan. But I didn't choose journalism with the idea I would someday be interviewing players in their locker room. My friends always believed I'd go into modelling or maybe acting. I almost believed that as well. But when I went to college I was actually interested in getting a degree and making something of myself that wasn't driven by my looks or my singing voice. I'm inquisitive, I love interacting with others, and I have an actual brain that is capable of more critical thought than how to interpret a script. I was always impressed by journalists. They always asked such good questions, always had insightful analysis. So I went in that direction. Like I said earlier, this was more of a lucky twist of opportunity. When I saw there was an opening, I thought, Wow. I love football. Getting to cover the Dragons full time would be like the best. I could go to the games, be in the eye of the storm and still get to do some real journalism. There are some political writers and pundits who might disagree that this is real journalism, but I do. I'm getting to dig into the things and report on something I love for others who love it too. And the fact that it's you guys... even better."

Lindsey flashed him a quirky smile and took another couple bites.

"Trust me. A lot of those fans out there would love to ask you questions. Doing this job has its perks. For example, I get to sit across from Adam Bronk and have a conversation with him." Her eyes flashed as sh ate the last piece of chicken from her plate. "Why wouldn't I want this job?"

  there was a  chuckle and a say of his head  as the last  dumpling in the sauce  was gone... he waited to  finish that bite, as he said,..ahh? Now you see? There is a Big Difference?   are you sitting across from Adam Bronk ..or  'The  Bomb'

  Taking a sip of his shake,You  talk with Ben?. Duke, Payne.. you get what you see... You wanna  have Fun? Talk to Smokey, the  dude is out there, but he's the most pure version of  himself as there  is on the team....

 Adam Bronk? he's kinda  Boring..Nose to the  screen  seeing which foot  the defensive back  shifts back when he's  goig  man or zone?....  The Bomb..well..he's just a nut  job... but on game day, they are all one guy..and , that's fun..

  Adam's Cell  beep with the of 'White Flag'... he  held his  hand  up...Its Yuto, other wise i wouldn't answer...

 what's  up?....no...no , I'm not leaving practice early   for   that show...tell them  the local station, or they can  send  Hampton and Cob down here? or even the Local station.. but i'm not leaving practice  early...Tell them  Bronk won't  leave practice, and he figures  Cob doesn't have the Guts to come to Jacksonville for the show....yeah?  No? tell them to fine..and tell them I'll go to the press , telling them i was fine for not leaving practice... Practice is over  3:00..we can do it in the Complex studio, or  I can?
 and they can be in Tennessee. I never   cut a practice in my life, I'm  not  doing it now, just to sit across from  a guy who's going to be reading the name on the abck of  my jersey most of the time.......OK..Thanks...

 A smile and a wink to Lindsey,  I wasn't supposed to know there was a speaker  Phone, and the other  two guys were listening  in.. Yuto tipped me off with a  key tone..but? they'll either Both  be  down here. or n I'll be sitting in the studio  talking at screens...Cob must be going nuts..he 's been in the league  3 years..made the all-star team last year... he's having a bad year, this year, and our last game didn't help his   standing.. I mean..he   either has to cover  me, or the other wise out.. They can't  afford to double up  ben and Me... so..whom ever  gets   single coverage is  going to make  hay.. he went to Notre Dame too... has   to be aggravating have some little DIII schmuck  dictate  to you..which, works in my favor on game day.

 ..Now? one tip I;ll give you...  its going to be cold  in Nashville.. wear something that  with be tight so the wind and snow, or rain..or whatever  we get  doesn't; distract from you sideline shots...

 And  watch   out  for Winnie... she  has   come around a bit, but she  still has her eyes on a gig in the booth...she's not going to like   a new chick  popping up..she sorta had Cindy trained.

Lindsey cocked her head, wondering where Adam was going as he talked about his teammates personalities, on and off camera. Eventually he got to the part where his humility shone through.

"Okay, for the record, I don't think Adam Bronk is boring at all. He's actually very engaging and insightful. I think the Bomb is just one of his personas. A role he play as part of his masterful command of the field." She paused when Adam held up his hand.

After the conversation with Yuto, and Adam's subsequent explanation of his reasoning and strategy, Lindsey was even more convinced that Adam was playing football on a different level. He knew how to get into his opponents heads. He was calculating and shrewd and was probably in his own teammates heads too. Was he in her head? She wasn't sure, but she definitely was finding him more and more intriguing.

"I'm not sure I have a good winter jacket. I'll have to go buy something tomorrow. But thanks for the tip. Now if you want to give me some really good intel, tell me all about Winnie. The way you just said that, it sounds like I might have my own Cob to deal with."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:23, Sat 16 Apr 2022.

   Adam looked at her, a slight  smile  as he began,Ok? First 'the Bronk Disclaimer'.... This is your job, your profession...My tips  are soley built of Profiling, and  the opposing thngs  actions. I don't expect for you to gush ay every play  i make, nor  do  i expect  to be beat up over 'stupid stuff' the  media and general  throws out there...Do your
 Job... if i screw up? call me out, chances  are, i am already beating myself up..and I'll do worse when  i see the films.

 Now? You can look back  at file   footage, and   Yuto may even allow you access in  his library,  in the office area of the Complex.

 The Best way I can describe doing   your  job...i don't care what job..is to think like you are playing chess.... the  main rule 'see the whole board"

 he was taping away on his phone, and turned it to Lindsey.here is   Cindy and Winnie during the Rain of   one of our Home games.... Look at Cindy's coat.. it  flapping away, and  even , causing her to keep her  feet.... Winie, looks miserable, she has  the  2000.00  coat that couldn't  keep a burger  warm at  Monarch  Burgers.

 Now? Here  is  Winnie , after the game against the Giants..she  hedged about  'another LAdy Kicker"...and  others have mentioned how  we gave  women a chance  and they  are crashed and burned... well.. The snow   was coming down hard..wind was blowing..and heather   constantly tried to put the ball where Coach wanted it. She got Winnie to ome on the  field after the game to  try a  Field  goal, they got her  spiles , stuck a helmet on her head, and she failed miserably. But look at the players in the backround... They
 sorta   sneered   or were laughing, Until she  tried the kick...That helped gain alot of acceptance with alot of the guys...

 Now here?  Buffalo  Game... even more snow! Fans  came in  to help shovel seats. and clear the  field...by  half time, they could only clear the  hashes  and the   yard stripes...  you would be running in 3 inches  of snow...then  Hit a  dry spot.....This is the first Have... Cindy with  the same coat... she  could hard    do 'on air' because she was shivering. She  finished the Game in the tunnel, thawing out....Winnie, and a 'real coat' , this  time. And  stood on the sidelines  and did her  Job... she got  some points  for that..Cindy became our 'party Reporter'... she didn't even do some practices?  she  waited until after  and  did interviews  in the  Complex's  studio..or   in the press area of  away stadiums... Winnie  started to stay out  on the field more. promising to 'share' insights  with Cindy/// Cindy  took the bait...maybe that helped  get her to  FLA's  flagship ESPN station. as a 'team player'

 I never  did  reporting, but  i know reporters...Winnie will feed you  a treat, while she takes the meal.. she'll pull rank on you,,she comment on your 'senority'..all that stuff.... You have  trouble , getting access, or she  tries to  horn in on your access you get....

  Now?  alot of reporters  and   TV folks  sit in the bleachers  during Practice, trying to figure out  who is going to start, and what we are doing... doesn't work that way here... Sim's play book is like an inch thick, compared to  other teams, at this time of year, is closer to 6inches  thick... we do what we  do well...and they have to stop it... if they don't. Jacksonville gets a bit  more happy.

 I know you know who they are , through your work..But here is Timmy Cless, He layed  10 years, the last 8 where for the RAiders at WR.... he's a good guy, and at first, he was confused by us  rolling up points on the Cowboys the very first game....now? he understand... Sims   is  doing his  own 'March to  Atlanta'..making  teams  pay  for the way he, and the Amotas  were  treated during their efforts to get into the NFL......He's not a house organ...

he'll question something, but he knows the score..the Pic   switched from the
 smiling Black Man to  an older white guy with thinning hair.This  is  Artie  Ogens..Play by Play guy. He  was relegated to the Drago9ns, as  the 'numbers' didn't like his   'man on the street' style..he's as good a person  as you'll find in your profession... and I never had issues  with anything he has  said..

 In a way, they have thier own axe to grind, because they got  shoved off  as  the   'local' booth  guys.... now? they can laugh in the  'big name guy's   faces, every time we win..

 They come to almost every practice ... you'll see  other  reporters  from around  the country, and you'll see the   radio guys too..both for us, and   the Titans ..Winnie  will be walking around the field, or at least where  SIms lets her.... You should do that..BUT....

 Sipping his shake...Tomorrow..you get into the bleachers... You  talk to Artie and Timmy..this gives you free access to them , while Winnie is trying to figure out what to ask some one when practice is over..they get to know you a bit, and Winnie can't
 butt in or chase you away.. Then? when you see me  and White, Mik and Klay start shagging kicks  from  Heather  and Smokey..you make your way down to the field, after  we
 return some kicks,  we all have to run the Mile, and practice is over...That's when Winnie hits the guys up, going into the Tunnels.. You hit the guys up at the Powerade  coolers..

 Shrugging,that's my pregrame he grins
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:28, Mon 08 May 2023.

"Mhm." Lindsey almost looked a bit offended when Adam gave his Bronk disclaimer. "Adam, Don't you worry. I call it how I see it. Good or bad, win or lose. If I wanted to be a cheerleader, I'd be working for Lu-Ti. I won't be questioning every little thing that happens on the field. I don't think there is any value there to the audience. That's your coach's prerogative, and his job. I'll ask about the big plays, whether they go well or not, and I'll ask about key decisions. I won't introduce my opinion. That's not my job either. Your opinion matters, Coach Sim's opinion matters, the audience's opinion matters. I'll ask, you all answer and the audience gets to decide. We all answer to them."

Maintaining eye contact she sipped her tea. "When I said I didn't think you were boring, that was my honest opinion. People are interesting. The Bomb isn't a person, he's a persona. Even by your own words, he's a character you play, like Batman. The crazy Bomb on the field, the 'jerk' who shows up to the Head to Head tomorrow, the intuitive strategist thinking about how to get into his opponent's heads, and the normal guy sitting across from me... They're all Adam Bronk, in his wonderful human complexity. But when I say that, I promise, it's not me kissing your ass." She smiled. "The chicken was very good, by the way." She sipped down the last of her tea.

Lindsey listened intently to everything he said about the other reporters and how practice is covered by them. Nodding as she understood his strategy. He was actually giving her a playbook to score points. They were good plays, but it was interesting that he would even do that. Of course she would take his advice, especially when it came to Winnie.

"Those sound like solid plays, Coach Adam." she grinned at him. "No, seriously. Thank you, for the pregame."

"When are we flying up to Tennessee?" Lindsey pulled out her phone. She pulled up the weather forecast. "Looks like you're right. The weather is going to be awful. I have a couple days. I do have some cold weather clothing, but it's all for Florida cold, not cold cold. I'll find a good jacket, but one that's also stylish. Matching gloves... maybe a hat... " She looked up, putting her phone away. "You said something about cheesecake and coffee?"

   Because its  one of the team that we don't get along with, we'll be  flying out Friday Night... we'll have  walk throughs  Saturday, sometime, ,  they  moved our  game , feon 1:00 to  4:00, I Image  we will be  shifted to Sunday  Night games    the  last couple weeks... people are   eager to see if  we can go undefeated... how many points  we'll score... But Nashville   won't be a friendly place  for us..at least the players... They aren't letting the Dragonettes  on th sideline, But Yuto bought up a Block for them to sit... on the other hand,  out team allows  the other teams   Cheerleaders to come... and use their team's  sideline...

 There is a  grin,Yuto  made an Issue of our  Ladies not  being permitted to go  on a rad  trip...in that same rant, He said   how  we pay our  Ladies, and they are covered by everything the players are covered by... this turned up the head on some teams... 6  Cowgrils  quit, the following week... i think many of the teams are fighting internal battles   as Yuto released  fact  and figures...There's alot of damage control to be done out there.

 Adam raised his hand,  it was easy to note, that the waitresses  left them alone, unless signaled...Coffee and  fixings, please, and cheesecake with out the crust?.... Please  to tell the lady  what toppings  you have today?

The waitress says,today is Blueberries, cherries  or  Strawberries..

...................

 LU-Ti was  smiling, and Tired.. she waved to the  bar,Let us have a  quick drink, and then  go to the townhouse...