Naked Hero - The Journey Away

including Scott Taylor.”
    “Thanks! I’ll just nip into the bathroom and freshen up myself, if that’s okay.”
    Fiona gave him a smile. “Of course - you’ll want to look your best as well. Though I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You look very nice... especially with some clothes on. Now don’t be too long. The car will be here for us soon.”

Chapter 40
    Burns Night in Melbourne, but did anyone give a damn? Perhaps there were a few Caledonian Societies making an effort, but in the Rod Laver Arena with the Australia Day fireworks only a few hours away, the Birthday Boy Bard was far from people’s minds. Shame really, because his insights on life are still as relevant today as they were when Robbie wrote them. There was Fiona Murdoch’s favourite poem for example: An Ode To a Mouse penned in 1785 that applied to every human thereafter:
    ‘The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
    Gang aft agley,
    An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
    For promis’d joy’
    There were several men in the arena that night who seriously hoped their plans wouldn’t go astray - Scott Taylor being one of them. He kicked off his scheming in the ABC commentary box, where as part of the pre-match ramble, he fielded pre-arranged questions concerning his involvement with Lewis Macleod – setting the record straight, and hopefully himself as well. It was neat and clinical, like his play of old - and having put the matter to rest, the conversation turned to the encounter which was due to start soon.
    With Macleod’s supporters’ box of perennial interest, the arrival of Fiona Murdoch escorted by a rather hunky man in a snazzy suit was naturally caught by a sharp-eyed cameraman. And when Scott was asked if he knew whom it might be, he followed the plan that had been agreed in advance, before he’d created the current distance. “His name is Lee Porter - a friend from England.” That was all Scott had to say on the subject. He knew that by the end of the match, the media would have established all they needed to know about Lee Porter for the morning headlines.
    Scott continued previewing the match, following his plan: keep his opinions balanced, talking just about tennis, avoiding the other factors that might influence the outcome - one of which he held himself responsible for.
    Another Scot had a plan, which Mr. Taylor had helped to formulate. When the players emerged to the roars from the crowd, Lewis executed as agreed: one look to his supporters box, give them a smile and then they were gone; take in the crowd and the glorious arena that housed them, accept where he was, and the loyalties dictated by it, then that also was gone. But it was not part of the plan that there was a final look around, until he identified the area where the media was boxed. It was not part of the plan that he lingered his look in that direction before turning away from something else that was gone.
    Oh yes – the best laid schemes of mice and men often go astray, and leave us nothing but grief and pain for promised joy!
    Steeling himself, postponing the grief, Lewis followed the plan and started with focus. But Edwin Roberts, inspired by the home crowd, started with uncharacteristic fire and broke him in the crucial seventh game then held on to take the opening set. But it was the Aussie’s plan that ultimately went walkabout. As the match progressed, the Australian fire eventually diminished, and Lewis took control of the match. The second set was close, but few thereafter doubted the outcome. The home crowd had little to cheer in the third and forth sets, but plenty to applaud in the play that was exhibited. Lewis reached the quarter-finals with effort to spare at the end, and the grudging admiration of the host nation.
    Lewis’ s celebration on victory was muted, as per the plan. And he was full of praise for his opponent during the courtside interview that took place shortly afterwards. He remembered the advice: the crowd could still help him - there was no point in aggravating them unnecessarily. It was all part of the plan. Only one topic had not been planned for...
    “Do you think this win can be attributed to the help that you’ve been getting from Scott Taylor?” asked the interviewer.
    Lewis tried to stay calm, to maintain the control that he had held all evening. It wasn’t easy, but he found his voice. “Of course,” he replied, “Scott’s been a great help, and I really appreciate all that he’s