Episode 2

Chapter 3

Kevin

10:30am, October 28^th, 2006.

I watched Jacob's ship land at the side of the school field. He got out and came over. As he limped my way, I saw he was dressed in his normal outfit.

That was going to have to change.

Then again, I really wasn't comfortable with what was going down here anyway. Jacob had little sports experience outside of watching the Olympics. It was true he was the manager of the soccer team. Sports wise, that's mainly a social job. He didn't need any sports knowledge for that. In fact, I was seriously worried about the damage he could cause our great record. The guy is a genius in science. I'll give him that. That might help in certain parts, like throwing. Maybe. But there was a whole side of sports that cannot be reduced to science.

"Good morning Kevin."

"Morning Jacob."

"I am glad I met you. I've had a few thoughts about the team."

"Oh?" I'm sure I sounded worried.

"Yes. I have a problem. Your football team, no make that our foot ball team is great. It fights it's games excellently from what I have heard. But also a lot of those games seem to be closer than the individual player's reputations have me expecting. I had a few ideas about using science to increase the odds of our well earned victories."

Ut oh. Trouble.

"Anything else on your mind?"

"Yes. I have skills in many fields of science, but I'm not used to this field." He indicated the football field.

"That I can help you with. I called several team members last night and we talked. The main question is, did you want a symbolic victory over Koke, or do you intend to actually run the football program?"

"Symbolic. I'm not so deluded as to think that I'm an expert at football."

"Good. Then you will need an advisor to help you with the running of things, while you just give a symbolic nod here and there."

"Exactly what I thought about on the flight over here. I came up with two names. Fred. He's helped me a bit last week and was the first football player to earn my trust. Also you, Kevin. What you guys did last Friday, and in a couple of the team meetings showed that while we might not agree on everything, in this case we do agree. We want the football team to win."

"That's scary. We guessed the same."

"So who should I choose?"

"Well, Fred is uninjured. He is also one of the stars of the team. On the other hand with my arm broken, I can't play. If you can put up with me, the team asked that I try to become your advisor."

"Great. That's one less problem. So what do we do next?"

"The players will start showing up soon."

I led Jacob into the meeting room next to the locker room. "Wait here."

Jacob went in and sat down. He had one of those looks on his face again. One of those looks that inspires fear or faith.

And I had no clue which one I should be feeling.

Then the other players started to show up.

Fred was one of the last to arrive. "Is he here?"

"Yep. I've talked with him already."

"And?"

"He will not cause too much trouble. As we expected he wanted to put the team on a more scientific system. But he also realized that he did not know enough about football to coach us."

"So why did he want the job?"

"He called it a symbolic victory. We talked, and he's agreed to let me run the football team and he'll just be the figurehead. I think the word he used was figurehead."

"That's the word. I heard it in history class."

"Ok. But we need to get him to look the part."

"Don't tell me. He showed up in his regular gear as if it was just another thing in his life."

"You got it, Fred."

"Isn't there some extras somewhere?"

"Extras?"

"You know. Sweat suits with the school logo and team mascot on them."

"Exactly. Spirit gear like that." Kevin replied.

"I think I know where some are."

"The closet next to the coaches' offices?"

"That's it."

"Great. I'll take care of that. You get the team ready for the away game I'll get Jacob to look like he belongs on the football field. I'll meet you guys in the locker room."

Fred nodded and moved off to get the team ready.

As I moved towards the closet, I met one of Koke's under coaches. "Can I talk to you?"

"Can you make it quick? I've got to finish getting Stone and the team ready."

"That's the problem. I can't have the team being run by kids. Koke's gone. That's a good thing. But the school hired assistant coaches like me to take over if he was ever unable to do his job."

"Sorry, sir, but I'm sticking with Stone. At least for now. You were there on Friday. The good news is that he knows his limits. He put me in charge of actively running things because he knows that football is not his strong suit."

"I was there for last week too. But let's face it. Stone's not interested enough in football to make a good team leader."

"True. Let's get through this game first."

I went to the closet and looked through the boxes. Sure enough I found what I needed. The sweat suit even had a coach label.

That would certainly amuse Jacob.

I went back to where I left him.

He was wearing the speculating look again.

Scary as whatever he was thinking about might be, I had to ask.

"What are you thinking about?"

"A couple of bugs in the frequency cloak I'm building."

"Oh ok." I hope he didn't expect me to understand what that meant. "Put these on." I tossed the pile of gear I brought with me onto the table in front of him.

Jacob looked at the sweat gear on the table. "Why? I'm dressed perfectly for the weather."

"True. But you're not dressed for the job you took."

"I.E., I have to look like an athlete."

"Right."

"Clothes are that important?"

"In sports they are. You'll like this." I showed him that the sweat suit had coach on it.

Jacob gave it a look. "Why not? But what am I going to with the clothes I'm wearing?"

"I'll find you a locker."

He changed, which was good. Then he put his coat back on over the sweat suit, which was not as good.

"Jacob, about your coat and hat."

"I know, I know. It's a bit chilly out there, at least for us thin people."

"I'll see if I can get you a team jacket and hat."

"Ok. So now what is happening?"

"The players are being taped as they get ready."

"Taped? They are being recorded in the locker room?"

"No." I laughed at that. "No. They are having their ankles taped for safety. It stabilizes them and protects the players from being hurt to easily."

"Having heard of some of what you guys do, I'm surprised you guys do not wear suits of armor. Are the knees the only things you guys get taped?"

"No. Sometimes we tape other areas if recommended by the team doctor."

"Good. Injuries, I have heard are not a good thing."

"Having had a few, I agree with you on that."

"What's next?"

"A pregame meeting. While I've been getting you ready, Fred had the team doing a light practice outside."