by EverSoul on Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:13 pm
Chapter 2
Daniel gulped. Wendy had grown up to become a very attractive lady.
”Are you just going to stare at me the entire time?” She asked.
She was decked out from head to toe in black. Her eyes were oriental, benefiting from having a Japanese father and an American mother. She had the figure of a model; probably from all the yoga and cross-country running she used to do.
“Come on, they are going to have the meeting soon. Don’t look like such a fool!” Wendy nudged Daniel in the ribs.
“Ow! Okay, I got it!” Daniel hissed. He was not going to get bossed around by a female. The room was already seated with 7 people, one of whom was Mike, sitting in the centre. Daniel knew that the rest of the staff will also be here and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was unsure to how to make his presence felt later. Two people caught Daniel’s eyes. One was be-spectacled and had a beard while the other had well-built muscles, probably a coach. They were whispering and gesturing in his direction, sniggering occasionally. Daniel knew that the joke was on Wendy and him. Daniel had prepared himself mentally for this treatment. He himself was doubtful of Wendy but after an interview with her, he was sure that she had the credentials and the mentality to lead the Grizzlies to greater heights. Daniel turned his attention away from them. Seeing all the seats were filled up, Mike cleared his throat and stood up.
“Welcome to the meeting. Almost everyone here is new and I believe that this spells a new era for the Memphis Grizzlies. First of all, let us welcome the new General Manager, Daniel please." Daniel saw the be-spectacled man sneered and once again whispered something to his partner. Daniel ignored him.
“First of all, I like to thank mike for giving me the opportunity to lead the team. As such, I will do my best to build our team. Our team has immense potential and im sure with a few pieces and trades; we can trade for the future. With Rudy Gay as our foundation, I’m sure that we will have a championship contender team within 5 years.” Daniel’s words drew many whispers from the crowd. The bespectacled man cleared his throat and stood up.
“I’m sorry to interrupt but I have an excellent piece of news to share. A few days ago, I had the chance to meet up an agent of a player and he is interested in joining our team as long as we can pull off the trade. That player is none another than Kobe Bryant.” The bespectacled man grinned when he heard the entire boardroom break out in applause and cheers.
Daniel was about to retort when Wendy held him back. She shook her head. “Not here!” Daniel unwillingly sat back down. The rest of meeting went without incident, with majority of the content about the sales of jerseys and merchandise. After the meeting, Daniel confronted Mike about the bespectacled man.
“He is the assistant general manager, in charge of the advertising and sales. I’m not the only one with 33% control of the franchise. See that guy in black? He has 30% and that guys with the spectacles, he has 2% shares so I can’t sack him.” Mike sighed.
“But Kobe! HE would not be beneficial to us! He is aging already! Can’t you do anything?” Daniel shouted.
“No I can’t. I already told you that the board can veto any transfer and I might have the final say but they can override my decision. Kobe Bryant is a good proposition, if he pulls it off; I doubt anyone on the board will refuse. I suggest you try to hijack the trade. Lakers aren’t going to give Kobe up without getting in return. If you trade away the pieces for the trade, he can’t trade for Bryant.” Mike smiled “I’ve got to go. Bye”
“Easier said than done!” Daniel mumbled.
“Hi, my name is Joseph, Joseph Yane.” The bespectacled man reached out his hand. Daniel moved in front of him, staring straight into his eyes. “I’m the General Manager, I call the shots around here. You got it?”
“Unfortunately for you, I also have own backing and I doubt you will last long. If you need a woman to help carry the load that is” Joseph burst out in laughter and walked away. Daniel clenched his fist, he knew that he couldn’t hit him and that didn’t make him feel any better. The job as a General Manager was tougher than he thought it was.
Later in the afternoon, in the Memphis Headquarters
“Rick, can you believe it? That guy wants to bring Kobe Bryant in! I have no idea what he is thinking!” Daniel continue to rant, Ricky was one of his financial advisors and was an avid fan of basketball and requested to be transferred here.
“Well, Kobe is a great player and a great leader, and he is going to sell tickets, what’s wrong with him?” Ricky asked, flipping through a folder. Daniel had ordered him to source for potential trades which could rival Joseph’s.
“Well, firstly he cannot fit in and second, I don’t like anyone Joseph brings in!” Daniel fumed.