CF Traian manager Adrian Tudor was both excited and frightened at the fact that they were the only Borsolan team out of the three submitted to make the AOCL. Stuck in Group G with Krytenia's Ousevale Borough, Andossa Se Mitrin Vega's Vegai 4th Quad and the FC Segadors Bergamants of Pacitalia (which he assumed were all from fairly well-established countries in this world's footballing scene), he could barely imagine just what he'd need to put his players through in order to prepare them for these upcoming matches. He was not even aware as to who they would face off against first, meaning that more sleepless nights were surely on the way- not just for him, but for the entire association. This problem was only compounded by his high school friend, none other than the Governor-General Anton X himself, calling him personally one day during practice.
Without looking at caller ID, Mr. Tudor said, "Who might this be?" He asked this with an air of anxiety, for the draw had occurred that morning and he was still running over various scenarios in his head.
"Adrian, I bid you a good morning," the dark voice without any distinguishable Borsolan accent replied. "I do apologize in advance, for this must be very inconvenient timing; regardless, I have a question to ask." In spite of his rather modest upbringing, Anton's speech managed still to be as eloquent as anybody's in the Despotate's higher rungs; he did, however, stutter occasionally during speeches he gave to the public, indicating that he had not received any formal training in this art.
"Sir, do go ahead." Adrian was noticeably shocked about this confrontation, especially so early in the tournament.
"Do you believe your team has the right equipment?" Anton's voice was deep, monotonous, and fairly creaky as a result, but that's how he talked to everybody when he wasn't giving a speech.
"Do you want an honest answer, or do you want my polite answer in the negative with an undertone of shame?"
"You just gave an honest answer, Adrian." It was here that the idea was offered: Anton stated, "I am willing to send a million florins for your club."
His voice noticeably filled with dishonor now, Adrian said, "Sir, I don't believe I could take this."
"Adrian, don't get the wrong idea in your head - it's coming out of my own pocket, and not the government's treasury like some other public officials in this country have been known to do."
"That is not precisely why I was refusing- and do not get me wrong, that's comforting- but you only make a few million florins a year for your services to this country, and even then you blatantly refuse to take all of it. I can't let you do that to yourself for the sake of a private entertainment institution."
"Is that what they're calling sporting clubs nowadays?" Anton replied with a quick snigger. "Nevertheless, I'll let you think on this one. I note that your predecessor had left you with quite the lacking budget."
Adrian's predecessor as manager of CF Traian had led the club into a rather deep debt that the latter had only managed to get out the year before he was fired; Adrian was only finishing up his first year as manager of the club that had seen better days; with his leadership, they had managed to win the Championship, something not accomplished for 17 years. Still, despite the bonuses and the increased attendance now, the club continued in their financial woes.
"Alright, Anton. I'll... think about this unusual proposition." With that, he hung up. Normally, he wouldn't take anything from another person without having a guaranteed way to repay them anyways, but he had his doubts.
Adrian was becoming increasingly disillusioned with the antics of the Party, and on top of that was never particularly trusting of politicians in general. He thought Anton was a good man, but he was aware of the corruption that power could bring, and was also not aware if such corruption was happening to his beloved colleague; he held a strong distaste for Ioana Melinte (and so did Anton, albeit secretly and not as strongly), and was afraid of the lady and her morals. The Party did have a policy of ensuring that corruption in government would be dealt with swiftly, as aided by the opposition groups; nevertheless, he doubted such promises were always carried out.
With that in mind, he was not sure whether or not the money would purportedly come from the Governor-General's own pocket or from that of the office's accounts.
And then he realized he needed to get back to practice.
Damn, he thought to himself, this Championship thing is really getting to me. |
