Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 8 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: Malmo are blowing it. They've drawn 2 matches in a row (away to Elfsborg, home against Norkopping), ceding the advantage to Djurgardens. Brutal. Even as a spectator, I feel a bit sorry for Malmö. Having managed them and brought them to the heights they reached, it must be a bit of a gut-punch for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 1 minute ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Even as a spectator, I feel a bit sorry for Malmö. Having managed them and brought them to the heights they reached, it must be a bit of a gut-punch for you. It's awful. They had so many advantages when I left, and even Mankini (for all his faults) kept them winning. Utterly dominant domestically. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Malmo win, while Djurgardens lose. It'll come down to the final matchday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Who have they on the last day? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 19 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: Who have they on the last day? Advantage, Djurgardens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 6 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: Advantage, Djurgardens. Damn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 4 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: Damn. Malmo!!! They dared to Zlatan. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 That's more frickin' like it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 3 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: That's more frickin' like it. #SpiritOf22 #UpDiBlae They also won the Svenska Cupen this year...perhaps a reversal in fortunes? They haven't played in the Champions League knockout rounds since 2032/33. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheriff7 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Only one point for Slovenia in Group??! This embarrassing... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) I read it all, every word, and I still can't understand a thing. What had you heard? Fenerbahçe / Scotland November 2053 Mini-Update A solid (albeit underwhelming on the scoresheet) win over Sivasspor had me thinking that the troubles were starting to pass. When we hit the post 3 times in the first 10 minutes against Cukaricki, I thought the floodgates were about to open. Wrong. A 2-nil reverse at home to the Serbians followed, with a shaky 1-0 win away over lowly Samsunspor. We just need to get through this rough patch, as the side gels, and we'll be rampant. My 2nd XI's 4-nil win over Gaziantepspor could easily be a false dawn. Or not. We demolish Cukaricki in Belgrade, a vital 3 points which draw us level with both Valencia and the Serbians in the Group. Two tough matches remain, but that's more like it, lads. A massive 2-nil win over top-of-the-table Kasimpasa means that we're only 4 points off the pace. Much, much better. Qualification for England 2054 seems all but assured as we head into the final matches, barring an epic collapse. My goal? Win both matches, keeping cleansheets so that we qualify without having given up a single goal. Estonia at Hampden. Extremely straightforward 2-nil win, even if our finishing was absolutely dire. GNev called it "Heskey-esque." Grim. But, qualification is secured due to the result in Bucharest, where Ireland conspired to lose. The Irish remain 2nd on goal difference. They need a win at the Aviva to qualify via the 2nd place table. It's as simple as that. As much as I am tempted to give them a gift, we're going to play a strong side, albeit a young one. Before the Ireland match, Caldwell announces his retirement at the end of the season. He's earned 169 caps, an epic number. United have asked him to reconsider... This is not entirely unexpected, though the urgency to develop McLaren has intensified. At the Aviva, Ireland are unable to get out of the starting blocks. A comfortable 1-nil win, without a shot on McLaren's goal, means that they're eliminated. And we're through without having given up a single goal. Solid. Roy Keane explodes on me in the tunnel, his face purple with incoherent rage. His nursing aide tries to sooth him, but to no avail as Roy manages to heave his colostomy bag in my direction, missing me entirely and smacking poor Darren Fletcher right in the face. There's something poetic in the moment, but Fletcherinho doesn't see it. Edited June 21, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 21 minutes ago, Sheriff7 said: Only one point for Slovenia in Group??! This embarrassing... They finished with 4, if that makes it any better...a 1-0 away win over Estonia on the final matchday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 *Shakes fist* Really man? I'm sure the game was telling you something when Malmo won again for you to leave in a goal or ten so that Roy and the lads could take a trip to England. Things are getting back on track domestically. Insane number of caps for Caldwell. He's done very WELL. *gets coat* Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 20 minutes ago, Keano16 said: *Shakes fist* Really man? I'm sure the game was telling you something when Malmo won again for you to leave in a goal or ten so that Roy and the lads could take a trip to England. Things are getting back on track domestically. Insane number of caps for Caldwell. He's done very WELL. *gets coat* Roy lost all good will with that colostomy bag. Poor Darren. Now, if your lads had just taken care of business in Bucharest... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 It's official. The last time this happened -- a retirement scheduled for the middle of the World Cup -- I couldn't select the player. I'm pretty sure that happened with Greece...I don't think I made a note of it in here, though. I guess we'll see -- Caldwell is coming to England if I have anything to say about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 #DareToHakan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Strange, usually they wait until after a competition if an active international. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Just now, BoxToBox said: Strange, usually they wait until after a competition if an active international. Yep. I thought the problem had been fixed, but when it came up before I wasn't too bothered. This time, I will be...we'll see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) I read it all, every word, and I still can't understand a thing. What had you heard? Fenerbahçe / Scotland England 2054 -- World Cup Draw I hate Switzerland this time of year. It's too...festive. And I have no interest in making small talk with former has-beens and wanna-bes. I just want to get back to the private chalet with Emma. Messi is always here, begging for managerial advice. He's a bit thick, you see. The last time I saw him, at the Champions League draw, I told him that the broken-down escalator in the hotel was voice-activated... He sat there for 20 minutes, cursing a blue streak because he couldn't get it to work. In the end, he filed a complaint with hotel management for national origin discrimination, as it didn't understand his Argentinian accent. You think that's bad? A few years ago, Ludwig convinced him that the lines on the bottom of the hotel pool were scratch-and-sniff, and smelled like watermelon. Poor little guy almost had to be hospitalized..."it smells like burning," he says! Still makes me chuckle. For the draw, we're in Pot 1. Mexico seems to the be side to avoid in Pot 2...Brazil, Colombia and Cote d'Ivoire from Pot 3...Italy and Ze Germans from Pot 4. We land in Group B, which is fantastic for scheduling purposes. It also sets up a potential 2nd round match against England...Australia joins us from Pot 2, a very welcome draw. Then Colombia pops from Pot 3. Ouch. It's Russia from Pot 4. Not a bad draw. Group F is going to be a fight to the death -- Argentina, Mexico, Cote d'Ivoire and Italy. All told, I'm pleased. Assuming we progress, we'll likely face the Czechs or England. That Colombia match will be key. Edited June 21, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 I want to see what people saw, I want to feel like I felt before ... I want to see the kingdom come, I want to feel forever young Fenerbahçe / Scotland December 2053 Mini-Update Time for the fixture congestion, lads! That's right, just back 'er up right here and unleash hell. The next few months are going to be busy, to say the least. In Europe, a solid draw away to Reims seemed to set us up for the last matchday...until we saw that the Serbians had won 1-nil at Valencia. Suddenly, we're third with the Spaniards on the docket...lose and we're out of Europe. Big ask. Nothing ventured, nothing gained....and we went at them, earning a massive win and eliminating Valenicia. An even bigger shock? Cukaricki beat Reims in Belgrade, claiming 2nd in the Group. We're off to the Europa League. Bottom line, after our dire start, things are starting to come together. We've clawed our way into 2nd, one point off Galatasaray. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 A quick glance at Europe... Frankfurt seem to be the only side running away with things at the moment. Elsewhere, some pretty fierce battles are being waged. Of particular interest...Liverpool are once again flirting with relegation, while Saint-Etienne have staked a claim on remaining in Ligue 1 after promoting back into the top tier. As always, just let me know if you're interested in seeing anythingin particular. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) Speaking of Liverpool flirting with relegation...they sacked their manager, Graham Gauld, as one does in this situation. Only for Man City to hire him less than 3 weeks later. This is...bizarre...to say the least. Can you imagine that discussion in the boardroom? What about Gauld?! Ehh...the guy with less than 3 years experience, who had bravely led Liverpool to an 11th place finish one year, and then adroitly maneuvered them into the relegation battle, a battle they were losing? Yeah! That guy! We sit 13th...we need to get to 11! Hahaha...this club goes all the way to eleven! Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder? Well, it's one louder isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most clubs...ehhh...hahaha...I lost it... Hahaha...I love that movie... Well, this Gauld won't be available for long...stop joking around, we need to sign him up, quick like! Edited June 22, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Another one who shows up in random places...likely, a better overall record than Messi. Wrap your head around that. Yeah. I know. Say it with me...Fellllaaaayyneee! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriole01 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 A bit confused about the World Cup qualification in your save. Why is it different than the current format, since it's also 54 teams competing? There should just be 9 groups of six instead of 4 groups of six and 6 groups of five. Also, how are the likes of China, Thailand, Honduras, Iran, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali seeded higher than Germany and Italy in the World Cup draw? Things must really change drastically in 40 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 1 hour ago, oriole01 said: A bit confused about the World Cup qualification in your save. Why is it different than the current format, since it's also 54 teams competing? There should just be 9 groups of six instead of 4 groups of six and 6 groups of five. Also, how are the likes of China, Thailand, Honduras, Iran, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali seeded higher than Germany and Italy in the World Cup draw? Things must really change drastically in 40 years. I don't think the seeds really mean anything other than the top seeds. It just gets regionalize after the first pot so there's no more than 2 European teams in a group. You'll notice pot 4 is entirely European while Pot 3 is a mix of other regions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 14 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: I read it all, every word, and I still can't understand a thing. What had you heard? Fenerbahçe / Scotland November 2053 Mini-Update. Estonia at Hampden. Extremely straightforward 2-nil win, even if our finishing was absolutely dire. GNev called it "Heskey-esque." Grim. But, qualification is secured due to the result in Bucharest, where Ireland conspired to lose. Heskey-esque was my Fantasy Football team name for the past two years. Also, what are some of Colombia's best players like? They always seem to produce really good regens in my saves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 6 hours ago, andychar said: I don't think the seeds really mean anything other than the top seeds. It just gets regionalize after the first pot so there's no more than 2 European teams in a group. You'll notice pot 4 is entirely European while Pot 3 is a mix of other regions. @andychar nailed it, @oriole01. As far as the qualification groups are concerned, I really couldn't say. As best I can recall, it has been this way for each qualification campaign I've had with a European nation. 3 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Heskey-esque was my Fantasy Football team name for the past two years. Also, what are some of Colombia's best players like? They always seem to produce really good regens in my saves. Colombia's regens are top class. I had their long-standing keeper and AMC at Monaco. I'll pull screenshots when I get to my laptop in a bit. Great name for a fantasy side! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 @Fer Fuchs Ake from the Monaco squad review in May 2052 (above), two of Colombia's finest. I'll post more later Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 More Colombian screenshots. I'd love to manage them at some point... They're not as deep as some of the European nations (as their domestic league is inactive), but they're extremely strong. 3 straight appearances in the World Cup semifinals - 2042, 2046 and 2050. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Just catching up here. Malmö! <3 And Elfsborg took a huge drop this season having one so much the past seasons. Pleasure. An okay group at the WC. Think you'll get through with ease and then slam it into the Q-finals before you hit a speedbump. Ultimately I'm expecting you to get to the semi's at least. And that "Heskey-esque" comment triggered me. I've had 'Heskey' as my alias on a lot of pages, so whenever he is mentioned I feel like I'm getting mentioned too. Confuses me at times. Columbia are neatly packed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 26 minutes ago, Benjoe said: Just catching up here. Malmö! <3 And Elfsborg took a huge drop this season having one so much the past seasons. Pleasure. An okay group at the WC. Think you'll get through with ease and then slam it into the Q-finals before you hit a speedbump. Ultimately I'm expecting you to get to the semi's at least. And that "Heskey-esque" comment triggered me. I've had 'Heskey' as my alias on a lot of pages, so whenever he is mentioned I feel like I'm getting mentioned too. Confuses me at times. Columbia are neatly packed. To be fair, I'd never mistake you for Heskey. You're way too composed under pressure. Elfsborg...I kind of kept waiting for them to make a run in the knockout stages of Europe, but it hasn't happened. Colombia are solid! 3 straight WC semifinal appearances under AI management...that's saying something. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 3 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: To be fair, I'd never mistake you for Heskey. You're way too composed under pressure. Colombia are solid! 3 straight WC semifinal appearances under AI management...that's saying something. Not sure I can agree about being gold under pressure. I did the worst bottle job in my last two seasons with Celta in my last thread. That's screaming for a Hakan adventure soon, surely! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) Oh, and Bob = yer dead Edited June 22, 2017 by Benjoe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 This note was delivered to my house, placed beneath the pizza Ludwig and I had ordered to watch the latest Eurovision competition. The doors are locked. I dare not call the authorities. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Colombia got decent players in the squad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Made this tough call earlier. 32 years old...on $80k/week. He went nuts when I rejected an earlier bid, and he only would have had another year left anyways. Bottom line, we may have another summer of transition ahead. With any luck, I'll be able to sign a handful of my current loanees (either to another year on loan, or on a permanent deal). I need to get some long-term youth prospects in -- even if they're not Scottish. Last summer was all about player development for the national side, but I can't keep doing that and expect to progress at Fener. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 26 minutes ago, john1 said: Colombia got decent players in the squad Yep -- shame the national team position hasn't been open when Hakan has been available. I'd jump right on it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: Wtf? 7 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: More Colombian screenshots. I'd love to manage them at some point... They're not as deep as some of the European nations (as their domestic league is inactive), but they're extremely strong. 3 straight appearances in the World Cup semifinals - 2042, 2046 and 2050. God, some of them look absolutely brilliant. Gomez and Sanchez, Oritz and Boiga in particular seem great. 6 hours ago, Benjoe said: Just catching up here. Malmö! <3 And Elfsborg took a huge drop this season having one so much the past seasons. Pleasure. An okay group at the WC. Think you'll get through with ease and then slam it into the Q-finals before you hit a speedbump. Ultimately I'm expecting you to get to the semi's at least. And that "Heskey-esque" comment triggered me. I've had 'Heskey' as my alias on a lot of pages, so whenever he is mentioned I feel like I'm getting mentioned too. Confuses me at times. Columbia are neatly packed. It's weird seeing a name I've been using for my ever-struggling fantasy team being used here. I might try a pun name next season. Something like “Who Divock Is Origi?” if the character limit allows it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 2 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Wtf? God, some of them look absolutely brilliant. Gomez and Sanchez, Oritz and Boiga in particular seem great. It's weird seeing a name I've been using for my ever-struggling fantasy team being used here. I might try a pun name next season. Something like “Who Divock Is Origi?” if the character limit allows it. There's no accounting for Bob. He's the very definition of a "loose cannon." Who knows what he'll get up to next... It's no surprise that Colombia has done so well. I really hope it isn't a one-off generation. "Who Divock is Origi?" Brilliant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Not sure he's a loose canon, fairly sure it fell off a long time ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 I want to see what people saw, I want to feel like I felt before ... I want to see the kingdom come, I want to feel forever young Fenerbahçe / Scotland February 2054 Mini-Update Yes, that early-season wobble is well and truly fixed. We're in the thick of it now, matches coming right, left and center. I'm as happy as pig rolling around in ****. I need to find a better way to put that. Top of the league. Progressing in Europe, with Bilbao up next. The 2nd XI into the cup quarterfinals. No complaints whatsoever, as I turn my eye towards the summer transfer window. I've decided that extending loans will be a high priority. The Scottish lads are good enough, and if I can keep them...I'd kill 2 birds, with 1 stone. No, Ludwig...not kill. You know what I mean. Ok, I'll find a better way to put that one, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 I want to see what people saw, I want to feel like I felt before ... I want to see the kingdom come, I want to feel forever young Fenerbahçe / Scotland March 2054 Mini-Update A solid come from behind victory in Istanbul had me hopeful...and then McCabe scored an own goal in the 1st minute at San Mames. A missed penalty, followed by another own goal...and we were all but done. We had to chase the game...and ended up giving up a 4th. This is just a couple days after my 2nd XI got hammered in the league. I don't want to talk about it. At least we're still atop the league. 4 points clear with a game in hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Ouch. I'm sure Hakan getting knocked out of both European competitions is one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 7 hours ago, andychar said: Ouch. I'm sure Hakan getting knocked out of both European competitions is one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse. Bob romping around Istanbul in a kilt is surely the second... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) A quiet, unseasonably warm evening in Istanbul. Ludwig has called it a night. My mind won't rest. We need to do better. Especially in Europe. Squad building...am I focused too much in the Scotland project? We've discussed this at length. There are no easy answers here. To ease my mind, I decide on a stroll along the waterfront at the Caddebostan Dalyan. The sea breeze is refreshing, as is the anonymity among the sparse crowd, more focused on living life than what has transpired on a football pitch. A life no less complicated or stressful - I'm not that arrogant - but a quieter life, from my self-centered vantage point. The grass is always greener, after all. Footsteps behind me. A sense of being watched. But no one is there...that I can see. The first time I feel it, I shake it off and ascribe it to a life in the spotlight. An irrational, albeit learned, fear. The second, and I chuckle at my own sense of self-importance. But now, it's been 20 minutes. Yes, the alarm is growing inside me. Back to the walled house I share with Ludwig. But I can't sleep. Hiding in the shadows, I watch. The street, the backyard. I can't see it all at once. I resist the urge to wake Ludwig or call for security...it's all in my head. Isn't it? Then, in the corner of my eye, I see it. The flicker of light, on the far side of the pool. Flaring brighter momentarily, a cigarette...and a...man...sitting. Casually smoking. I watch him for 5 minutes. 10. Why won't Ludwig wake up? In silence, I walk outside. Without waking Ludwig. Without summoning security, who sit less than 100 yards away in blissful ignorance. I can't say what compels me to be so foolish. Silently, the shadowed figure offers me a cigarette. I decline, and our silent detente continues. As the smoke curls from his cigarette, the tension becomes more palpable. Another drag. A flare of light. And the recognition hits me. "Jared...Leto? What...I mean...why...?" "Don't play dumb with me, Telleus." I chuckle nervously, in shock. "Seriously, mate. What the...I don't...why are YOU of all people, sitting in my yard? Have you been following me?" A moment passes in silence. And then another, as the lithe American rock star takes another drag, and leans in, his blue eyes seeming to shine in the dark as he measures me. "You really don't know do you," he says, leaning back after several minutes. Confusion abounds. I stammer wordlessly. He does not respond. Just sits there, weighing and measuring me. I fall silent. And, with a word, he breaks me. "Valencia." One word. The realization crashes down on me. "That was...you?!" Incredulity strains me voice. "But...why? What purpose...you didn't even know Shakira, did you?" Calmly, he stubs out his cigarette. On his own arm. Leaning in, he whispers ominously, with a contorted look on his face, "do I look like a man with a plan?" I sit back, and ponder the question. The years of silence. The apparent misdirection. The stalking in Istanbul. The absence of law enforcement. The 'ombre highlights in his glorious mane of hair. "Actually, you kind of --" "Shut it. I don't want to use your excuses." "Then...what do you want?" "An end to this...cold war...between us." Back to utter confusion. "Honestly, brother, I have no idea what your talking about." His eyes never leave mine. It is unnerving. I suddenly realize I haven't seen him blink. Not once. "The 'Swedish Jared Leto,' I believe you called yourself. For years. What is that if not a challenge?" His arched eyebrow unnerves me. "I haven't...the thing is...that was years ago, an offhand comment. Too much coffee. An arrogance. But a compliment, given...you know...the height, facial features, our relative success in our respective fields...the hair alone!" With that, Leto leans in, as if seeing me for the first time. Silence once again reigns supreme. Eventually, he leans back. Lighting a cigarette and breaking eye contact for the first time. And speaks six words that cut me to the bone. "The resemblance? I don't see it." We sit in silence. I can feel the bitterness dissipating between us. "I'm sorry," I offer. "All those months in the embassy must have been horrible." "Are you kidding? Album sales went through the roof, bad boy of rock and roll and all that. And the embassy had an epic secretarial pool ... Very...liberal. At first, I was mad. I wasn't even in Valencia, much less Spain, that night. But, it's not like the embassy was torture, and it lifted us to another level, musically. I should be thanking you, honestly." "So, why the retribution? The menacing stalker stuff?" He takes a drag and shrugs awkwardly. "Why didn't you go to the police and tell them it wasn't me?" I shrug awkwardly. Silence resumes. "Want to get kebabs and play FIFA?" Leto asks. "I know a place where they serve them on little swords." I nod slowly, taken aback by the strange twists and turns of the night. "Sure...but let's not wake Ludwig. He always plays with Leeds. It's basically cheating." Laughing, we head inside as Leto begins to regale me with stories about the secretarial pool. A can opener? That's pure filth. Edited June 23, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: A quiet, unseasonably warm evening in Istanbul. Ludwig has called it a night. My mind won't rest. We need to do better. Especially in Europe. Squad building...am I focused too much in the Scotland project? We've discussed this at length. There are no easy answers here. To ease my mind, I decide on a stroll along the waterfront at the Caddebostan Dalyan. The sea breeze is refreshing, as is the anonymity among the sparse crowd, more focused on living life than what has transpired on a football pitch. A life no less complicated or stressful - I'm not that arrogant - but a quieter life, from my self-centered vantage point. The grass is always greener, after all. Footsteps behind me. A sense of being watched. But no one is there...that I can see. The first time I feel it, I shake it off and ascribe it to a life in the spotlight. An irrational, albeit learned, fear. The second, and I chuckle at my own sense of self-importance. But now, it's been 20 minutes. Yes, the alarm is growing inside me. Back to the walled house I share with Ludwig. But I can't sleep. Hiding in the shadows, I watch. The street, the backyard. I can't see it all at once. I resist the urge to wake Ludwig or call for security...it's all in my head. Isn't it? Then, in the corner of my eye, I see it. The flicker of light, on the far side of the pool. Flaring brighter momentarily, a cigarette...and a...man...sitting. Casually smoking. I watch him for 5 minutes. 10. Why won't Ludwig wake up? In silence, I walk outside. Without waking Ludwig. Without summoning security, who sit less than 100 yards away in blissful ignorance. I can't say what compels me to be so foolish. Silently, the shadowed figure offers me a cigarette. I decline, and our silent detente continues. As the smoke curls from his cigarette, the tension becomes more palpable. Another drag. A flare of light. And the recognition hits me. "Jared...Leto? What...I mean...why...?" "Don't play dumb with me, Telleus." I chuckle nervously, in shock. "Seriously, mate. What the...I don't...why are YOU of all people, sitting in my yard? Have you been following me?" A moment passes in silence. And then another, as the lithe American rock star takes another drag, and leans in, his blue eyes seeming to shine in the dark as he measures me. "You really don't know do you," he says, leaning back after several minutes. Confusion abounds. I stammer wordlessly. He does not respond. Just sits there, weighing and measuring me. I fall silent. And, with a word, he breaks me. "Valencia." One word. The realization crashes down on me. "That was...you?!" Incredulity strains me voice. "But...why? What purpose...you didn't even know Shakira, did you?" Calmly, he stubs out his cigarette. On his own arm. Leaning in, he whispers ominously, with a contorted look on his face, "do I look like a man with a plan?" I sit back, and ponder the question. The years of silence. The apparent misdirection. The stalking in Istanbul. The absence of law enforcement. The 'ombre highlights in his glorious mane of hair. "Actually, you kind of --" "Shut it. I don't want to use your excuses." "Then...what do you want?" "An end to this...cold war...between us." Back to utter confusion. "Honestly, brother, I have no idea what your talking about." His eyes never leave mine. It is unnerving. I suddenly realize I haven't seen him blink. Not once. "The 'Swedish Jared Leto,' I believe you called yourself. For years. What is that if not a challenge?" His arched eyebrow unnerves me. "I haven't...the thing is...that was years ago, an offhand comment. Too much coffee. An arrogance. But a compliment, given...you know...the height, facial features, our relative success in our respective fields...the hair alone!" With that, Leto leans in, as if seeing me for the first time. Silence once again reigns supreme. Eventually, he leans back. Lighting a cigarette and breaking eye contact for the first time. And speaks six words that cut me to the bone. "The resemblance? I don't see it." We sit in silence. I can feel the bitterness dissipating between us. "I'm sorry," I offer. "All those months in the embassy must have been horrible." "Are you kidding? Album sales went through the roof, bad boy of rock and roll and all that. And the embassy had an epic secretarial pool ... Very...liberal. At first, I was mad. I wasn't even in Valencia, much less Spain, that night. But, it's not like the embassy was torture, and it lifted us to another level, musically. I should be thanking you, honestly." "So, why the retribution? The menacing stalker stuff?" He takes a drag and shrugs awkwardly. "Why didn't you go to the police and tell them it wasn't me?" I shrug awkwardly. Silence resumes. "Want to get kebabs and play FIFA?" Leto asks. "I know a place where they serve them on little swords." I nod slowly, taken aback by the strange twists and turns of the night. "Sure...but let's not wake Ludwig. He always plays with Leeds. It's basically cheating." Laughing, we head inside as Leto begins to regale me with stories about the secretarial pool. A can opener? That's pure filth. I didn't see that coming! My suspicion was Ludwig (far-fetched I know). That he had found out about Hakan and Emma. I know it wouldn't be very Ludwig-like though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedese Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I don't know how else to put it but: Huh. You are absolutely insane, my friend. I love it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: I didn't see that coming! My suspicion was Ludwig (far-fetched I know). That he had found out about Hakan and Emma. I know it wouldn't be very Ludwig-like though. Not in his late 60s, no! Glad it wasn't telegraphed too clearly 59 minutes ago, Jupjamie said: I don't know how else to put it but: Huh. You are absolutely insane, my friend. I love it. Much obliged Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I always knew it was Leto, even when it was Pique I knew it was Leto. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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