Any Given Sunday
March 8th, 2021
Starring: General A, General B
A military camp: The Generals’ tent. The sounds of battle can be heard, steadily growing louder. General A is overlooking a large map, brow furrowed. General B enters the tent, joining General A at the map:
GENERAL A
Did we lose?
GENERAL B
We’re close. Clock’s running down, from the sound of it.
GENERAL A
Shit.
I have to say, I really wasn’t expecting that.
We were on such a hot streak.
GENERAL B
The favorites.
GENERAL A
All that coordination, teamwork, sweat. Still not enough.
GENERAL B
I wish it hurt less.
GENERAL A
It has to hurt. We’re the best.
…
GENERAL A
Do you think we got too comfortable? Or did they just outplay us?
GENERAL B
Suppose it’s a bit of both. We had a lot downtime coming off that last sweep.
GENERAL A
But a lot of traveling. No homefield advantage takes a toll.
GENERAL B
They also added a lot of guys down the stretch. We've had some big injuries.
GENERAL A
And some questionable fouls. Pretty physical on their side.
GENERAL B
Though we scouted them ahead of time. We knew their style.
GENERAL A
That’s true.
...
The biggest reason, I think? Winner’s fatigue.
GENERAL B
I was about to say, it’s real.
GENERAL A
So real. All that competing, conquering. It zaps a lot from you. But because we’ve been in it, we don’t fully realize it. Even if we’re the best, it’s hard to replicate that success year after year after year.
GENERAL B
It’s the nature of the game—
GENERAL A
So many factors—
GENERAL B
And still, we’ve dominated.
GENERAL A
Yep.
Sometimes you just come up short.
…
GENERAL B
Well, you know what they say: Any given Sunday...
GENERAL A
Mm.
I’m still proud. We had a good run.
GENERAL B
One of the best.
They share the moment, trying to cherish it. The sounds of battle have gotten much louder, practically coming from outside the tent.
GENERAL A
So shall we get on with it?
GENERAL B
After you.
General A reaches into a nearby crate and heaves out a large, round fuse bomb. General B stabilizes the other side of it, strikes a match, and lights the rope fuse. It catches fire and starts to burn out. 3…2…
Boom.