Naked Hero - The Journey Away

back in the Hisense Arena tomorrow. First match - one o’clock.”
    “Jolly good,” said Lewis.
    “Scott will come along tomorrow morning and take you through your warm up - just a light session. I’ve got a court from ten till twelve, so we can pick and choose when to use it. He was very apologetic - I don’t think he’ll let you down again.”
    “That’s good as well.”
    “Did you see any of the tennis when we were out?” asked Jim, assuming this was very unlikely.
    “No, we were out by the pool,” replied Lewis.
    Jim accepted the story, as he didn’t want to know any different. “Scott told me that Chantal had lost. Sorry.”
    Lewis slapped his brow. “Shit! I’d best ring and see how she is. Thanks for letting me know, Jim.”
    Fiona returned with her sewing gear, then she and Lee started work on the clothes while Lewis made his call... It was Marie who answered, and the news wasn’t good. Chantal was trying to be philosophical about it, but the manner of the loss would not be easy to get over: nerves and self-doubt being the main factors that saw a winning position thrown away. It was agreed that Lewis would come round to the Langham, and bring his friend Lee along on the visit. Sod the reporters who’d be lurking in the lobby – let them make of it what they will.
    Lee had eavesdropped on this whilst he and Fiona attended to the clothing, giving a nod when his name came up to confirm that he was happy to go along. Whilst Lewis hit the sports channels to try and find some highlights, Lee continued with his work, appreciating that some rapid decisions would need to be taken. As he sowed patches of material over brand names and logos, his brain went into top gear, fine tuning a plan which he had been mulling around ever since Lewis had mentioned the sponsorship termination – a plan that he shared twenty minutes later when he made a call in the privacy of the outdoors...
    “Mr. Porter. I’m honoured, twice in one day. What further news from Melbourne?” asked Anthony Jenkins.
    “There’s been a development, Anthony. What price would you put on Lewis appearing in your tennis kit on finals day?”
    “None whatsoever!” answered the marketing man. “He would be in breach of contract. I could have nothing to do with it. It would compromise our campaign as well. Lawsuits would abound.”
    “His contract has been severed. He’s free to wear whatever he wants.”
    “How unfortunate for him!” joked Anthony. “Then I’ll gladly send Mr. Macleod some freebies if he’s struggling to clothe himself for the day.”
    “Good, because that’s precisely what I want,” retorted Lee, ignoring the sarcasm. “Now let’s get real, Anthony. I’m offering you a heads up here. When this becomes public knowledge, your competitors are going to be falling over themselves to have him wearing their kit at the final. I can land him for you - your only cost will be a few small gifts. But you have to match the best offer to use him thereafter - to have Lewis launch your campaign.”
    Anthony clacked down the line. “We’re too small,” he protested dismissing the idea. “I doubt if we could run to the sort of figure that others might offer.”
    “Work on a percentage,” suggested Lee. “The more you use him, the more you’ll make, and the more Lewis gets. Have a vision, Anthony. Lewis Macleod is the most exciting thing in tennis. He’s different, and he’s a winner! Lewis won’t launch you into Europe and America - he’ll explode you into it if we do this right. A percentage! Make him a partner in your success, make him important to you.”
    “This would change the whole nature of our launch. Your own importance would become seriously diminished, although the combined effect would be devastating.”
    “I know that.”
    “So what is it you want in return?”
    Lee smiled to himself. Why was it that people always assumed he was after something? Probably because he always was! And he wasn’t entirely innocent here, but not in the way Anthony might suspect. “Strangely enough, nothing,” was the answer he gave.
    Anthony chose not to debate. “It will certainly mean your friendship could be preserved.”
    “Yes. That would certainly be a worthy reward.”
    “Well, well – you have softened... Will he wear our clothing tomorrow?” asked Anthony at last betraying some excitement.
    “No. Only in the final, if you do as I ask. I’ll be open to offers from your competitors as of tomorrow.