"What's wrong Heavy, aren't we winning enough for you?" he said, flashing his Ivy League smile that bespoke of many long hours spent alone with Howard. Wally knew I had caught the last three games against Atlanta, Toronto, & Cleveland -- all winners.

"I'm fine with that," I replied, "but how come you lied to me about Vin?"

"Oh that," Wally offered, "I didn't think you were ready to hear the truth at that point; but I got satellite for you, didn't I?"

Actually I wanted nothing more than a look at how Wally had cooked the books THIS time. Had he hid the NBA game package under medical, communications, or public relations? No matter. Watching us win unspectacularly, but with guts & soul against the Hawks & Raptors; then the enthusiasm of the unexpected blowout against the Cavaliers had my mental health coming back in leaps & bounds.

"That you did, my good friend. But knowing how I feel about Vin, why would you think I wanted to hear stuff about how well he was doing instead of how he'd friggin' injured himself again"?

"Well see, you're still upset even though we've won 6 of 7 without the big fella. I knew you would have looked at it in the worst possible light before we knew how well it was gonna turn out."

"Hell, I'm LOVING this," I said. "I like the unselfish fast paced brand of basketball I always KNEW we could play were it not for Vinderella. Think where we'd be if he'd lost his glass slipper earlier in the year. What are you gonna DO with him"?

"What do you mean"?

"You know what I mean. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to force feed Vin back into the rotation of this team. People don't WANT him here any more if it means stagnant play & sorry excuses for losing to inferior teams. People are tired of the rationalizing; they just want to see a team play with hustle & desire; a team we can be proud of because of their heart -- win or lose. Do you know how tired we were of this yellow brick road to the playoffs you had us on? No courage, no heart, no brains. Hell, Toto could probably rebound better."

"Now Heavy, have you been taking your medications?"

"Of course I have! That bitch Ratchett stands over me like a big black storm cloud raining nothing but negativity on my parade. If I don't want to take it orally, do you know what the alternatives are around here? She almost LUSTS after the option to traumatize me. What ever made me think she was nice?"

"Well they're obviously doing you more good than you want to admit, Heavy. You'll be back at SonicsCentral in no time if you keep improving like this."

"Ya think so?" I asked, wondering if my improvement was a metaphor for the improved play of the team.

"Sure. In fact I brought a colleague to cheer you up, Nubio Numbnutsio."

At this point a small scuffle broke out between Nubio & Heavy while Wally, true to form, looked on helplessly. Several orderlies were called. They were about to shoot Heavy up with tranquilizers, but relented with the warning that even the slightest further provocation would result not only in Heavy losing visitation privileges, but additionally that he would be remanded restrained & untranquilized to the "yellow submarine" room. Recognizing instantly the significance of this threat, Heavy was subdued post haste.

Nubio: "So Heavy, they tell me you're making SIGNIFICANT progress."

Heavy stares in disbelief.

"What are the CHANCES you'll be out of here soon?"

Another brief scuffle ensues which ends immediately as the orderlies take notice.

"What IS the PROBABILITY that you'll 'see the light' in the near future?"

Heavy: "Wally, what'd you bring this baffoon for?"

"That's it, I'm out of here. I'm not gonna sit here & be insulted by some third rate hack who doesn't even get paid for what he's doing."

"Better than getting paid for letting other people put words in my mouth . . . or WHATEVER."

Another scuffle. This time the orderlies return but are waved off by Wally as Nubio leaves gesticulating madly.

Wally: "What'd you have to do that for after he took the time & effort to come out here & see you?"

"To insult my intelligence with snide inferences?"

"Well he has paid his dues, Heavy. Who are YOU to judge?"

"Who am I? I'm one of the guys who pays you a salary to screw this team up. I don't need one of your sidekicks or henchmen to mess with me. Maybe when someone starts payin' ME to make politically correct statements about the team, I'll start sayin' what you want to hear. But until then I'll be writing what I BELIEVE, & ONLY what I believe." At this point Heavy wanted to get up & salute someone -- ANYONE -- & perhaps sing a couple of choruses of God Bless America, but he knew the orderlies were now on high alert.

"Well Heavy, as usual you act like everything is my fault. You know I'm not even the GM anymore. I'm just a small part-owner & numbers cruncher."

Many inmates turned and stared as Heavy burst out laughing nearly uncontrollably for several seconds.

"It's true, Rick makes all the decisions now."

Heavy's crying now, he's laughing so hard. "And you & Mr. Doubletall Skinny have no input?"

"Well a little, but basically we're just advisors. Most of the decisions are made by Nate & Rick."

"OH, is that so? And I suppose it was their idea to go after Calvin?"

"Sure was."

"The thought of a guy like Nazr never crossed Nate's mind?"

"Well,we were under certain financial restraints."

"Uh huh. And that's your department, right?"

"Well sort of. Listen Heavy, if you're just gonna sit here & insult me, I'm gonna have to leave. I thought you'd be happy we were winning & all."

"OH, I AM! It's just that we seem to be winning IN SPITE of you. Look at what they're doing in Dallas. Why can't YOU be making moves like that to improve the team? Why can't YOU understand the correlation between talent & victories? Why can't YOU compile a team that has all the pieces needed to win instead of crossing your fingers & hoping for a bunch of gutsy young overachievers to take us deep into the playoffs? Why can't you understand that Portland never had the kind of coach before who commanded the kind of respect that Nate does? Look at the Lakers before Phil got there. You've got the coaching part of the equation in place now; there's no reason NOT to give him the necessary tools to work with. This group can only get so much better."

Wally stood up to leave. "Well, I better be going now, Heavy. I think you need to rest. I really thought you'd be happy that we were winning & not be so combative."

(SIGH) "I am. But do you remember why I came here? I came here because I gave up. Sort of like you. I found myself becoming so cautious, I was afraid to challenge conventional wisdom any more. I accepted everything that people told me. I even believed you when you told me I could drive your car. But now I'm questioning things again. Now I feel like the thoughts in my head are my own, & not someone else's."

"Maybe that's the trouble, Heavy."

Heavy's status is week to week now.Before he can be released,we are told he must demonstrate an ability to fit in. Knowing Heavy, that may be easier said than done. It may be a while.

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