Pub in St Kilda. It's Tuesday afternoon. The rain is pouring down on the seaside suburb and Nick Riewoldt has been drowning his sorrows for a good few hours (and the days preceding). He's sitting alone at a table next to the men's toilets. The bar staff have been meticulously topping up his schooner on the hour- they have of course watched this all happen before last year. Nick stares out of the window next to him and watches the people pass by and the shops take down their St Kilda flags for another year. The mood is quiet reflection.
In stark contrast Mick Malthouse has been boozing for days. He's on a Scavenger hunt that's been set up by Eddie Maguire and Nick Maxwell. Everyone has to get a coaster from underneath the beer that every St Kilda player is sure to be nursing on this sullen Tuesday afternoon. Mick's never been one to take a challenge lightly so he's gone for the big one- The Champ.
Begin Scene
The harsh light that pierces the dank of the St Kilda pub when the door is opened makes all the patrons look to the door- all the patrons bar Nick. Mick swaggers in.
Mick: G'day (sways on the spot)
Empty silence.
Mick: walks further into the bar I hope you all don't mind me popping in like this but I'm just looking for an old friend of mine.
His eyes pass over the whole bar until he spots the small figure of Nick in the corner who still has not looked up.
Mick: I just want a quick word. Won't be a minute.
Dennis, the local die-hard who's been at every St Kilda game for the last 18 years stands up quickly and steps in front of Mick.
Dennis: You're not welcome here boy. You're well behind enemy lines now. You're walking a dangerous path.
Mick: Oh come now, I just wanted to ask a little favour. I'm sure Nick will oblige me.
Dennis looks towards Nick. Nick lowers his glass, eyes forward still. The tension in the room is palpable.
Dennis: You can go. But I've got eyes in the back of my head Malthouse. One wrong move and you'll wish you had Harry O'Brien skipping up behind you. You'll have a concave head mate.
Mick: Steadies himself Too easy Matey. You just sit down and enjoy your beer. I'll be done with Nick in two blinks of the eye.
Mick saunters across the room. Nick does not look away from where his eyes have been the whole time, staring out the window. Mick gets to the table Nick is sitting at and waits to be addressed. An address does not come.
Mick: Well I would've expected more from you Champ. You could at least look at me.
Silence
Mick: Oh Nick, don't be like this. I can imagine how hard this must be for you but I just have a quick favour to ask. Mick is swaying dangerously on the spot. How was your weekend by the way? Mine's been a bit huge as you can probably imagine. Had a little success to celebrate.
Silence
Mick: Mate, mate, mate. I just wanna say. Good luck next season. I mean you can't win 'em all can ya? Can ya mate? Nah you can't. But we should let bygones be bygones you know? Course you do Son you're a good lad. Shame about Heath's smother wasn't it? He's a good boy. All my boys are good boys. But now, down to business. Can I. I mean would you mind, if I had your coaster. I've gotta get it back to Nick and the boys so they know I'm not soft. I mean, bloody hell you'd think coaching Collingwood to their 14th Premiership would make the boys cut me some slack but gee wizz they're pranksters aren't they! You bloody bet they are! So yeah I need your coaster Matey. I mean it's not like you've got a Premiership Cup to rest on it so you won't mind will you?
Nick takes a deep breath- acknowledging Mick for the first time. As his head starts to turn towards Mick, silent tears start flowing down his cheeks. He looks into Mick's eyes and lets him see him cry. Mick's bravado drops away. He is stunned. He takes a step back.
Nick picks up his coaster and hands it out for Mick to take.
Mick's discomfort is obvious. As the tears keep flowing down Nick's face the patrons of the bar start to look over. They can see the pain in their captain's eyes. They start to stand. They walk over and form a guard of honour around their wounded hero. The scene is peaceful and supportive. Mick is out of his element deeply now.
Mick: (Quietly, with his voice breaking slightly) What's all this then Nick? You need your boyfriends around you just to talk to me.
Dennis: Leave Mick.
Mick: I just wanna talk to Nick!
Dennis: (Slowly, menacingly) Leave now. Before it's too late.
Mick: Look if you St Kilda wusses can't face up to your losses that's not my fault. You're in the presence of greatness right now and Nick should feel bloody blessed I've even sunk this low to come down and see him.
The mood changes quickly. The quiet support the guard of honour has created is swapped immediately with blood-lust. The guard begins to circle around Mick. The feeling is ominous and hateful.
Mick: Right well I'm off. I've got Dale Thomas outside and I promised him I'd help him get laid today so I'll be going.
Dennis: I'm sorry Mick. I can't let that happen.
The scuffle happens quickly. Mick tries to break the circle but he is grabbed from all angles. He calls out but a St Kilda beanie is shoved in his mouth. His arms and legs are bound quickly with St Kilda scarves even though he is struggling. The pack has overpowered him and they drag him into the toilet. The beanie in his mouth falls out as he is dragged and from inside the toilet his screams can be heard. The blows are raining down. The St Kilda faithful have spoken.
Nick does not move whilst the scuffle occurs. After Mick is dragged into the toilet he sits down and regains his position looking out the window. He lifts his beer to his mouth slowly. His tears have dried and a sly smile breaks across his face.
Nick: Who's crying now Mick.
End scene.
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