Ducksworth, Saveur & Grosse, the office of Gerald Ducksworth
Gordon Bombay was curious why Gerald Ducksworth, his former boss, wanted to see him. He was still on the high from the previous Saturday, when his hockey team, the Ducks, won the Minnesota State Pee-Wee Hockey Championship against their rivals, the Hawks. During the game, one of his players, Adam Banks, who came over to the Ducks from the Hawks when it was discovered that he actually lived in the Ducks' district(a move which resulted in Mr. Ducksworth firing him from the law firm) was injured by a Hawks player.
"Have a seat," Mr. Ducksworth said, as Gordon entered the office. Along with Mr. Ducksworth, Phillip Banks and his son Adam(who had his arm in a sling from when his shoulder was dislocated during the game on Saturday) were in the office. "You're probably wondering why I called you here today," Mr. Ducksworth said.
"The thought had crossed my mind," Gordon said.
"I learned more about good sportsmanship from you in a week than I learned from Coach Reilly in an entire season," Adam said. "Coach Reilly's the one who did this to my shoulder, he wanted me out of commission."
"Which is why I'm dropping my suit against the Pee-Wee league," Phillip said. "I do not want my son playing for a coach that would order his players to be not just goons, but thugs."
"But that's not why I asked to see you this morning," Mr. Ducksworth said. "I asked you here in order to give you your old job back."
"I appreciate the offer," Gordon said, "but I'm about to..."
"Try out for a minor league hockey team?" Mr. Ducksworth asked. "Adam told me about that bet you made with your team, if they won the Pee-Wee championship, you would try out. To be honest, when I first made that deal with the courts to keep your drunk driving and reckless endangerment case from going to a jury trial, the last thing I expected was for you to attempt a career as a professional hockey player."
"I realize that, sir," Gordon said. "You wanted me to learn good sportsmanship, and to play fair. Not only did coaching the Ducks do that, but it also made me fall in love with the sport of hockey all over again. I'm not doing this for money, or fame, I'm only doing this because I want to know if I'm still good enough to make it."
"You do realize that nothing is guaranteed," Mr. Ducksworth said.
"If you mean I may not make the cut," Gordon said, "I can live with that, just as long as I know I gave it my all. And I also realize there's a chance for injury."
"So you do know what you're getting into?" Mr. Ducksworth asked.
"Yes," Gordon said. "I'm willing to take that risk."
"In that case," Mr. Ducksworth said, "I wish you luck. I also want you to remember that if it doesn't work out, my offer still stands."