From: Subject: [TG_Fiction] SRU: Dan's Redux Date: Tuesday, January 04, 2000 12:08 PM Hi all, Just another SRU story I hope you all enjoy. Once again my thanks to Bill Hart for creating such a fun and interesting universe. And also thanks to everyone who has written to me regarding the last three or four stories I have written. I have been lurking for quite sometime and have enjoyed all of your efforts so much. I am glad that I finally have some time to contribute a story or two of my own. Any comments and suggestions are always welcome, and feel free to post my story on your site if you feel it's worthy. Now, for the fine print. All of the usual legalese applies. Blah, blah, blah... SRU: Dan's Redux By JDCopyhack Wisps of dust billowed from the floor as the wizard moved impatiently between the front counter and the back storeroom. The last of the Christmas decorations had finally been put away and business would soon get back to normal. The holiday season was an exceptionally busy time of year for Spells R Us, with so many people looking for that last minute novelty gift. Little did they know what surprises awaited them on Christmas Day. The wizard chuckled at this thought, then turned his attention to setting up a new floor display. There would be a lull in business for the next couple of weeks, but Valentine's Day was fast approaching and he had to get his shop ready. He was struggling to put Tab B into Slot 2 when his attention was diverted by the sound of the bell signaling that a customer had entered his store. When he looked up, he saw a familiar face, but not because it had been plastered on the cover of countless sports magazines or was regularly featured on the ESPN highlights. It was because he was a former customer. The hair was shorter than it had been when he first walked through the wizard's door some 16 years ago, and the face had lost its youthful exuberance. But the eyes told the true story. Bags were formed beneath each one and the sparkle had disappeared. This was a man in obvious despair. As the man strode toward the counter, the wizard noticed his limp was more pronounced. Then he spoke. "I've been looking all over for you old man," Dan Marino said. "I've been to every mall in every city we have played in the past three years." "Remember, I told you I move around a lot," the wizard answered. "So, how do you like Seattle?" "It's cold and it's rainy and I can't wait to get out of here," the aging quarterback of the Miami Dolphins answered. "I'm just glad the Seahawks play in a dome." "Ah, yes, the playoffs start this week." "Yeah, that's why I'm here. I'm sure you have heard that people think I've lost it." "Yes, I watch SportsCenter on occasion." "Well, then you know everyone thinks I should retire. You should hear the jerks on the sports talk radio stations. Saying that I should hang it up before I embarrass myself. What do they know about football? And you should see the headlines in the papers. Even my coach thinks I'm shot." "You mean Jimmy," the wizard interjected. "He has no room to talk. He must have forgotten how I helped him out with that Herschel Walker trade." "Yeah, well, that's not exactly my problem, is it?" "No, it's not. So, tell me Dan, how can I help you this time?" "Jimmy's sure to cut me or trade me after this season, and I don't want to finish my career with the Saints. Or worse yet, the Bengals. So, this is it, I've decided. But I want to go out a winner." "But you are a winner, Dan. Look at all you've accomplished. Over 61,000 yards passing. More touchdown passes than anyone has ever thrown. You're a legend." "Hey, the records are great, but after you gave me that spell, I expected to win championships." "That's not what you asked for, Dan. Remember? You specifically told me you wanted to be the greatest quarterback of all time. And many people regard you as such. Isn't that enough?" "Not now it isn't. Everyone thinks Joe Montana and John Elway were the greatest. I can still throw a football 20 yards farther than noodle arm Montana ever could. And Elway? Everyone thinks he's a god now that he's won two Super Bowls. But he couldn't win squat until Terrell Davis came along." "But, it's not like you haven't had your chance." "You mean the '85 Super Bowl? Our defense played like Swiss cheese that day. Besides, I always thought I'd get another chance. Hell, Jim Kelly got four shots. Even Jim Plunkett played in two Super Bowls. I just want one more chance at winning a championship." "So, it's really that important to you?" "Yes." "Okay, let me see what I have in the back." A few minutes later, the wizard returned clutching a bottle of Gatorade. "Here, this should help." Dan took the bottle from the wizard's hand and examined the label. It looked like an ordinary bottle of Gatorade, but the liquid was a color he had never seen before. "I must warn you, my friend. The magic inside that bottle is very powerful. All it will take is just one sip right before game time." "So, this will work? Guaranteed? "Didn't my previous spell work?" "Umm, okay. How much?" A glint filled the wizard's eyes. "One million dollars." "What, are you crazy? Last time you only charged me a thousand." "Last time you weren't a multi-million dollar quarterback, who makes even more through endorsements." "I don't exactly carry that kind of money around with me, you know." The wizard handed him a phone. "Here, call your business manager. He can have the money wired to my account." Dan looked at the bottle again. "It's guaranteed to work?" "Guaranteed to help you win your championship, or your money back." Dan took the phone from the wizard's hand and dialed. *** As both teams took the field, the pre-game hype was exactly as Dan expected. Both ESPN and CBS ran lengthy features on his record-filled career. The newspapers countered with headlines like "Is this Dan's last fling?" His wife, Claire, would surely get a chuckle out of that one. When his name was announced as part of the starting lineup, the Seahawks fans him a respectful ovation. As the murmur died down, Dan reached into his equipment bag and took out the bottle of Gatorade. Putting the bottle to his lips, he took a healthy sip, then placed the bottle back in his bag. But when he started to jog out onto the field, he noticed the pain in his shoulder, the result of an injury that kept him on the sidelines for over a month, was worse than usual. Disregarding the wizard's instructions, he returned to his equipment bag, removed the bottle, and took another sip. *** It took Dan half the first quarter to find his rhythm, but when he did, things really started to click. Despite an early 7-0 deficit, he guided the Dolphins to three quick scores to take a 21-7 halftime lead. He felt younger and stronger than he had in years. He had little difficulty avoiding the rush and was throwing with pinpoint accuracy. "Hey, Dan, you need to stop looking downfield so much," Jimmy Johnson unexpectedly demanded amidst the halftime euphoria. "Safe passes, remember? I don't want any turnovers in the second half." "Damn him," Dan thought as his coach walked away. "I'm playing my best game of the season and he's still not satisfied." Dan then reached into his locker for the bottle of Gatorade. Considering the wizard gave him a 32-ounce bottle, he would have plenty left to help the Dolphins make their Super Bowl run. He took another sip. *** The second half started much the same as the first half ended, with Dan leading his team quickly downfield. But with his team facing a second and eight from the Seahawks 22 yard-line, Dan started to feel woozy. And as he barked out the signals, he felt a tingling in his hands that caused him to fumble the snap from center. The Seahawks recovered. Sitting on the bench along the sidelines, Dan flexed his hands in an effort to stop the tingling, to no avail. When he looked down, he noticed they seemed smaller and finer. The tingling sensation started to spread up his arms and into his upper body. Suddenly, his shoulder pads felt lose and he felt an uncomfortable itching in his chest. But there was no time to adjust his equipment as the Dolphins regained possession of the ball on the Seahawks 35-yard line following an interception. Dan trotted back onto the field looking to make amends for his earlier mistake. As he did, he noticed the ever-present ache in his knees, something he had felt since his days at the University of Pittsburgh, had mysteriously disappeared. Leading his team back to the line of scrimmage, Dan once again barked out the signals, only to hear his voice crack. Once again he fumbled the center snap, but was fortunate to recover the ball. Jimmy Johnson fumed on the sidelines and signaled for Damon Huard to start warming up. Dan noticed the activity on the sidelines and was determined to show-up his egotistical coach. Johnson had called for a running play, but Dan changed the call in the huddle. Approaching the line of scrimmage, he felt a strange tickle creeping down the back of his neck followed a sharp tug within his groin, causing his cup to slip out of place. This time, when he called out the signals, his voice was soft and lyrical. For the first time in three plays, he handled the center snap cleanly and dropped back to pass. He could barely see downfield and by now, his uniform seemed practically huge. The large helmet spun on his head, further obscuring his vision. To avoid the on-coming rush, he decided to throw the ball deep downfield, where it would either be caught for a touchdown or fall harmlessly out of reach. The ball barely traveled five yards. At that same moment, Cortez Kennedy crushed Dan to the turf. Everything went black. *** Two years later, Salt Lake City Olympics... The applause of the crowd reached a deafening crescendo as the tiny figure on the ice completed her program. It was a flawless presentation that propelled her past Michelle Kwan into first place. Later, tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as the Gold Medal was draped around her neck. Sixteen year-old Daniela Marino finally won her championship. *** In a nearby mall, the wizard turned off the television set and smiled. A few minutes later, a hulking figure stepped into his shop. Karl Malone, the great forward of the Utah Jazz, had grown tired of finishing each season as an also-ran and decided to seek the wizard's help. "Wait here," he told the NBA All-Star Forward. "I may have just the thing..." The End.