Finito il Manzana Roja, Gallagher si versa un dito di rum in un bicchiere con un cubetto di ghiaccio, quindi si accomoda su una poltrona in vimini nel patio della villetta messagli a disposizione dal presidente Arkaninov.
Un'occhiata rapida verso il portatile sul tavolo in sala, dentro cui stanno tutti i documenti di lavoro, poi scuote la testa: no, we'll speak heart to heart. no business talk, no bullshit.
A Bali sono le 6 del mattino, alla Barriera 23.00: la telefonata ci sta tutta.
Gallagher fa un respiro profondo e quindi si decide a lanciare la chiamata a Murray:
-Hey, were you sleeping?
- Of course not, you asshole! I tried to reach you something like a million times, where the fuck were you motherfucker?
- Andy, calm down please. You already now that. I'm in Bali and you knew my phone would have been off for a week. Now PLEASE, if you're calm enough, can we talk?
- Uh... Well, I guess I might have overreacted a little... It's been a long and tough week, you know.
- I can guess, but I don't know exactly. So, please, tell me: what's going on?
- Well, I had a couple phone calls with Mr. Sciacca, and I explained him that my place is no longer with the team. I told him I hold your coaching skills and your friendship in a very high regard, and that I want to join you in your new adventure.
- Ok, that's what I already knew. What else?
- He was fine with that, mainly because he wants Corelli to join him over here and he would take my place... But here's where the problem began: Buscaglione wanted me to replace Corelli
- And are you willing to play with that madman?
- Of course not!
- So where the fuck is your problem?!?
- Wait. There's something more.
- What else?
- Buscaglione is a weirdo, Tarli was waiting for his response but then Marcomanni broke in the scene...
- And what did he do?
- He publicly put me on the trading list to start a bidding war!
- Fuck! My creature revolting against me! Shit! I knew he was good for this position, but I didn't think he would have been so good so soon... Ok, and then what?
- Virtute presented an offer...
- Oh, the pariahs... but that's not a problem, it cannot be! So what's next?
- ... I don't know how to say it.
- Just say it, for fuck's sake!
- ... Anselmo Conti.
- Fuck, fuck, FUCK! Fuck and shit and fuck! How much did he offer?
- I don't know. They didn't tell me. But I know your managers raised their offer, twice. Some say they're bluffing, some say they're not. Do you know anything about it?
- Of course I do, bitch! They're not bluffing, we agreed on a certain reserve to which we could get some money from the budget... But there's a limit. We can't spend half our budget on you, or we're not getting the other players we need and then we're going back to Serie B. So we gotta find a way out.
And when I say "we", I mean YOU have to do your fuckin' part, man!
- Yes, yes, I know, but...
- But what, Jesus Holy Fuckin' Christ, what's that? Wait, wait, wait a minute... Are you REALLY trying to say what I'm thinking that you're trying to say?
- Err...
- Andy, speak out for fuck's sake! Spit the truth out or I swear, honest to God, I'll rip your fuckin guts off as soon as I get back from this fuckin island!
- I mean... We discussed it... But it's a great occasion... They won the cup this year...
- Ok, we knew this could happen. So let me calm down and second so that we can discuss it with all the due calm.
- Ok...
Gallagher allontana il telefono dell'orecchio, lo appoggia su un tavolino e si alza dalla sedia. Fa qualche passo in circolo, scandendoli con dei respiri molto profondi, quindi si risiede e riporta il cellulare all'orecchio:
- You still there?
- Of course I am.
- Ok. First of all: you're right. It's a big chance you got here. Really, I won't deny it.
But think about it.
Let's just strictly focus on what happens on the field. First of all: Darebo. He is the golden star: you know that, I know that, everybody knows that. But that's not all: then, there is Saoj, who is the silver star. And once again, we both know I'm telling the truth and everybody know this is another fact.
Then, and only then, MAYBE there'll be you. But I wouldn't be too sure about that too: who knows who else they're gonna buy? You could easily end up being the fourth violin in a four violins orchestra, are you sure it's this what you want to do?
Second thing: let's be honest... They won't win the title. Borussia will send Bombarda to retirement and they'll probably get Arkhan to replace him, and they'll just simply kick everybody's ass. You know it shouldn't be as simple as this, but you also know that it actually is. Second is just first loser, don't ever forget it.
- Well, you're not wrong but...
- Wait there. I'm not done yet.
Now, if we widen our focus a little bit now, and think about next season, here's the thing: Del Colle will be fired because of this year's failure, a good team will call him and he'll bring some of his lieutenants with him, so Sporting U.B.A. will have to start a revolution. What part could you have in it? Really hard to say. What future will the fate hold for that team? Even harder to say it.
On the other hand, here on the Dinamo side, we'll have to work our asses out to save ourselves, but I'm one hundred percent sure that with you we can make it. And if we make it, it'll mean that the many young and talented players here have succeeded in exploding like supernovas, and we'll be ready to give assault to the third or even the second place, taking advantage of the void left by Sporting U.B.A..
Then, in three years from now, we'll be ready to aim for the big shot.
- Do you really, truly believe in what you said?
- I absolutely do. I could have take the easy way and accept the offer the Bulldogs made me, but they're not a team with the future on their side. Ferrari made a half miracle last year and now they're blinded by success and too short-sighted to see they can't go any further than this.
-... So you actually believe all the things you just said.
- Yes, I truly do. And now, let's put an end to this drama: whatever it is the number that Conti is putting on your contract, I'll tell Arkaninov to double it and he'll do it without beating an eyelid. You know, there are very strict financial rules which bind our hands when it comes to pay for a player's transfer, but if we talk about your paychecks... from Russia to England, via Cayman Islands and Croatia and then Liechtenstein, we basically have no limits.
That being said, there is one last thing I want to say before you make your decision.
- And what is that?
- We always did very, very good together, and you're a precious friend of mine. It's not just football... please, don't let me down.