Emma laughs a little at that. "Well, it could be worse than watching the Braves, depending on how well they're doing in a given season. I suffered through some awful Tigers seasons growing up." The Tigers were one of those perpetually bad teams that sometimes had a decent few seasons mixed in with the mediocrity.

She listened to the man talk about his side business and nodded. "I've done powerlifting and I'm planning on competing in the Olympics in the offseason." That wasn't anything that wasn't public knowledge, so she felt comfortable saying that. Plus all the details were working out reasonably well. "Smaller sports definitely have trouble putting things together financially. Most of those athletes only get their shot once every year to four years, depending on the sport and how often their big events happen. In powerlifting, there is an event virtually every weekend of the year, but most people don't know about it. The financial burden is tough, so lots of those athletes work regular jobs too."

  He looks at her and  hands her a    Card from his wallet,..if... you are goign to give it a shot?... Give me a CAll.. I might be able to  clear some roadblocks, and it wouldn't  hurt the  other   'minor' Athletes  , two have some one  who is a name,  shine a light , on thier  efforts... too many  wealthy Families out there pushing    thier  kids through the  'right trials', when there are better  Athletes  who simple..don't have the  clout, or the clash?

Ben smiled at the Asiatics.

"That's great, that you are making your own equipment so people don't have to rely on American imports. The hospital certainly seems to be doing good for the youngsters who need care. I have visited several times, although it's really the Dragonettes' baby. They visit often and do stuff for the youngsters."

  They  both bow slightly once more, we are  Akki  and  Wosara... the man said pointing to himself and  the woman.

  ..You please?  Take us over to wishing well, so  we may give?


 …………..


 The wishing well had Smokey there again, with two  Men, each wearing  the medals they were lughing  as they talked , one was  writing out his  check.

 The woman  that was with  Adam  went off  with a  fellow  who  mwas dressed like Loses..or..a shepard? hard to tell.

 Adam  was  talkign  to   a Man and his   Wide, they were  both Like College Cheerleaders.

Ben bowed in return.

"Of course, it's just over here..."

Ben led the way, showing Akki and Wosara where the wishing well was. As they made their donations, he got out his checkbook and added one of his own.

  Two  women came over  , Greeting  Ben,  the DArk haired  one  Dressed  as  a  Flapper, and  a Blonde  one, dress in a skimpy Barbarians costume,   with a  small  prop axe.

  both wore medals   as the DArkhaired One  said,..Hello.. You are Ben Hope.. have to be..right?.. no one else that tall..I'm Asta.. this is  my  friend  and Co-owner  Frida... we sell scents, oils  and all sorts  of Holistic  Healing  and  Meditation items...we have a  few shops  all over Florida?...Tell me Mr  Hope? How Much of This Amota  Industries  is real... and how much , for the press?


  The Blonde  looked at him and gave him a Finger Wave.


…………………………….

 Adam   lead  the    folks he was taking  to over to the wishing well and they  wrote thier   checks , bot laughing at  what  Bronk  was   saying.

Emma took the card with a smile, looked at it and slipped it away into a small satchel that was appropriate to the costume and character. "I'll certainly give you a call when I've worked out all the details on my end. It's important for those who can remove roadblocks to do so, I agree. It's one of the things I appreciate about the team; they do a lot of community work. The area around the stadium has taken on new life, I'm sure you've seen," she replied with a smile. That was, of course, part of what this event was all about. And even if she hadn't been around here long, she knew enough about the city to know how it wasn't nearly as vibrant before the Amotas came in.

  , The Fellow  said,..So ..I believe its  time for you to lead  me to the Wishing Well.. so I may help this Venture, and the Kids?

 he will follow   Emma.. She and see   Ben talkign to  two woman, and   Smokey   watching  some guys  write  checks.

Ben grinned.

"Hello, Asta and Frida. Nice to meet you. I suppose I ought to have come as a dwarf to throw everyone off the scent. No, with the Amotas, what you see is the real deal. They believe in giving something back, to supporting the community. It makes life better for everyone. I feel the same way, don't you?"

  The Blonde  Girl  smiles a  bit,  Putting her  ax on her shoulder  as she says,well?.. we get  all kinds of things... then we check it out and  find  out it is some dodge to make  Money?

 ..we have seen the developement in the area.. and   lots of peope  have jobs... but.. the Hospital thing?.. I mean?.. how   much to they get out of that?...it  seems to me,  the costs   overun would be high?

"Always a good idea to check things out... but you'll find that every dollar that goes into that wishing well gets passed on to the hospital, if that's what you are concerned about. What does anyone get from contributing to a good cause? It's that warm fuzzy glow of knowing you've helped..."

Ben was getting a bit confused. Why had these two come along if they were not interested in the children's hospital?

"I can certainly walk with you there," Emma replied as she walked with the man to the wishing well, making some additional small talk along the way.

   The Brunette  smiled,well... That  gives us  some  bit of comfort.. You must  realize  that  not all  Owners  and developers  have people in mind  when they do things like this?

 The Blonde  girl  nodded her head  rapidly,.. we could not believe there was no charge ..or  a cover charge.. and Look at this  place , its  like a  disneyland...

 It was Dark enough now that the  'bouncy house  ' was  lit up , it looked like   a scary  castle  and    attendants were dressed as  skeletons.

 ..I think.. we  can take a chance on this one... if we  find out later, ti was a con.. we wil  know better next time..  they   thank  Ben  and head to the  Wishing Well


  The well   was a Metal contain, painted to look like  stone.. there was  a Cover  over  top, locked  down  by  pad locks, and a  slit  about   10 inches  long and  4 inches  wide in the middle.

 There were   three  books  attached  to the   well  for   donors to sign.. with amount  and   check number, so they  could  get  receipts if they requested them, for tax purposes.


 Abover the  well was a canopy  with  a Fairy  in the air..blowing   a Kiss.. Under the Fairy it said.. WISHING.... at the other  end of the canpoy, were  two  drawings  on a boy and a Girl  with  lipstick on thier forehads... Under  them it  said...WELL


 Adam     was  Just leavign the Well After  Bring a slim Black man who had sunglasses on and dreads, and a Big old   smile. He was   dressed like Charlie Chaplin, and was a  Rap singer, who does some Business  with Yuto.. He Gave Adam  a fistbump  as he  went to signing his check  and the Book..

  Grabbing   a  tray of  drink  Adam went to the Gazebo   and    offered it to   The  Band  and Lana

 Eddie  grinned his  thanks  as  did the  other Bass  player   and the drummer, and keyboard  woman.


 Lana    smiled   as she    stood next to Adam as they saw folks talking  to players, some  folks walked  away.. others  followed players to the wishing well...so?.. Bomb?  that's what they call you?

Adam shrugged  as he sipped from his  drink,..started in Highschool, when i would catch these deep  passed..    a newspaper  Guy  put  Atom Bomb.. into Adam Bomb.. KInda  like it..makes  DBs  nervous , none of them what to be on an Adam Bronk Highlight  film,

 ..so?.. how do you think the fund raising is going?

 ..I dunno, I took a few folks over.. didn't see what they gave... Saw  some players  toss in some cash? Night's  young though..Lost of  them little  gold medal  people walking around....

  sooooo.. You know  where doing Halftime of your game sunday.... right?

 what?.. No ..I didn't, normally its some Local folks

 ..That means...  I'll be in  town all week.... You know? she looked at him... Adam  Nodded  as he kept lookign around.

 Eddie    smacked his forehead,..DUDE!.. do I have to sing the song again!

 Adam looked at him, then a Lana  who  had a  Hand On   one hip and her   head titled.

 what..oh..OH!.. Um.. gee... There's the Pregame  party on Friday  Night at the Rising Son....

 Ummm Hmmmm.. but that's not a Date.. really... its more like a GAthering...

 Eddie turned an looked at   the Keyboard  chick, who was  shaking her  Head,

 .. I...   there's  Films to study..and...

 ..Ok  Bomb?.. You leave  me  No  Choice....

  yeah , Dude?  she   says that.. you have  no Choice...

 comon' dude?.. WTF? the Keyboard  chick said..

  the  drummer just did a beat and  cymbol hit...

 Lana faced the Crowd  and   called out...Alight Folks.. I need Your Help here....

 everyone turned to the  stage.. Adam  just whispered..'oh damn'....

 ..Now.. Mr  Amota  is  paying us very well,  and?..   My  band folks, some have families... they are gonna  keep thier share, because i won't let them give up a payday....

 Adam Looked to   find  away off the gazebo   But Eddie  was in his  way and just winked at  him...

 So... Here's  what  I'm gonna do...  If  You  Kind  folks... Can get Adam  Bronk.. to ask me out on a date  fro thsi week.. I will donate ...MY..Cut of the Gig.. to the charity... She grinned at Adam.. his eyes  were  wide  as , people he never even saw before   were Pumping  the air with thier hands   saying "...DATE....DATE...DATE.... even   Mr and Mrs   Amota were chanting... Lu-ti  was with a Mexican Bandit  and they were  chanting....

Ben came over, raised his wizard's staff and pointed it at Adam.

"Do I have to cast a spell on you to make you take Lana out?"

   Lana  was   Giggling    as  The drummer   had a    drum roll as they waited  for  Adam to do something.


   Eddie pointed at Ben, and    nodded his head.

 The Commish and His wife   watched  with   smiles... The Titans Owner seemed  a bit..'out off'  by all this..or maybe..he just wasn't used to this  kind of gathering?

 a few more people moved to the Wishing  Well  writing checks  and signing the books.

 MiK  came up  to  Ben and called out,..eh?.. Hoser  partner... I reckon you get  the better of the deal  ..'eh?

Emma had just finished some small talk and with one of the investors over by the wishing well when the whole scene with Adam started. She found herself a little bit of wall to lean against and crossed her arms over her chest. She just fixed him with a casual look and a tilted head, as if to say it was his move now.

    The chanting  and cheers   kept Up..  Lana  put  her free arm around  his shoulders, the Mic  In between both of them.

   Adam   had to clear his throat,..I..Um... would  be ..Happy to Take   Lana  on a Date...

 the   Drummer hit the cymbals.

  Lana  looked over the   crowd  with a big  smile,..Thank you folks!... Money well spent!.. now? lets go over  details?

  ..wait?.. what?

 she  chuckled into the  mic.....now?.. not a  team thing....
 she held the  mic to him,

 ..um.. no team thing.... Movies or something?

 ..Movies    are good... Dinner?

 yeah..yeah, we can do dinner...

 Mik called out  LaTonni's !!!! Lots  of folks   cheered..

 ..oooooo... LaTonni's?.. Can you spring for that, Hot shot?

 um..yeah?..  I guess.. well Have to  get reservations and...

 ''eh... Bambino!.....  You tell me tonight..  what night you want.. For You.. I make sure you have reservations! The owner Of LaTonni's  was there, dressed as a Pizza  chef.. he was grinning   with his  curled  and  Waxed Mustache...

 ..My My My.. Mr  Bronk.. you have some Juice in this town.. don't you??  Mr  LaTonni?  You  find us after this next dance.. I'm not letting him wriggle off the   hook...

 The   Many Nodded   his   head, the   Puffy chef's hat went back and forth,..I will be  at the Wishing Well.. You come , we  talk..eh?

 so?.. Eddie?  Give  us a Date  song.. and  we'll go see   Mr  LaTonni after... she tossed   Eddie the Mic  and   her   and a  rather  embarrassed   Adam  went  down to the portable dance  floor  , again.

  Eddie  waved to the Crowd,..lets get some  dancing , You didn't bring  these ladies  here to eat  shrimp!...

   Lana    was beaming   as she  danced with Adam, who didn't seem to unhappy  about  dancing with her.


  The  Key board   Girl joined in  the  song at the   appropriate  time..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBVGlBWQzuc

 Bing     Nudged   Emma, .. Hey... you heard the  Guy... unless you want to eat shrimp?  he  held out his  hand to   Emma


  Lu -Ti popped up   By  Ben  with her   hands behind her back waitign for him to ask.

  Mik was dancing with an Egyptian Pricness…  Klay was   with a   Balck  woman who was  about  4 inches  taller  and  Dressed like a Voo Doo  woman.

   Sims and His wife   were Dancing.. Lofton  and his  wife    joined  in as  did the Commish and his wife  as well.

Ben lowered the staff and turned to Lu-Ti.

"Would you like to dance, my love?"

He propped the staff against the gazebo and held his arms out.

    Lu-ti  Grinned and Nodded  quickly      and they began to dance... when that Sound  was  done, the Band  Played a slow instrumental  to allow    folks     another   close  dance.


  ..this is  much nicer then  I thought?... I am thinking  the  Children will get much  funds from this night.    It is  nice to see   everyone dressed up.. we must do things like this  in Japan!

…………………………………….

 Bing   Danced , His shiled on his back. ..Man.. they got this thing Going now? They have that Big Trick or  treat  thing tomorrow night?... I  can't wait  until   i see what  they  do for Christmas!


……

 Lana     was  comfortable     dancing with  Adam Her head  on his shoudler,..so?  Mr Bomb?  You having  fun?

 ..tonight has been a ...surprsie.. to say the least...

 ..yeah.. well.. If it wasn't for your   'theme song'..I didn't know how i was gonna get to talk to you...

  Adam Laughed,..So?.. while you have  100's  of Thousands    cheering   you in  stadiums..  You needed  an accidental  fight song, to talk to a  free agent  wide reciever?

 ..whatever.. but  you know  folks  want to talk  to you.. and Your  stats ..well.. Lots  of wideouts  would like those  stats...

  Stats?.. You look at Stats?

 ..hey?.. I'm a New York Girl, I like to follow  my   people..  besides, Jackosnville has been nice to us... that's one of the reasons  why we are doing Half time and a pregame  this sunday.

 ..one of the  reasons?

 Her    Hand  Just patted his shoudler,..Yeah..one of them...

Ben enjoyed dancing with Lu-Ti - even if it was just an excuse to hold her close and that in public!

"Do the Japanese like fancy dress then? Or do they just go for traditional Japanese clothing instead?"

So much to learn.

  ..there is lots   of  fancy Traditon..with robes  and such..pace paint..... there is modern dressup, like  Comic  Cons, and Sci-fi Cons.. Yuto and I mis those.. there is not  as many in this  country.... But there is  more  western  things   taking Hold...

 She nestles  in to Ben,..  We  are goign to have  Thanks Giving  In New York , since we play the  Giants   in the late game there?... goign to be  Big ..all team coming... since we  will be out tehre... Father is  goign to fly  famiily members  to take  part, if they want to come... or  Fly  Players home who want to go  to special home  dinner?.. though.. those players  will have  Late   ..like..one  day..Yes?

"That sounds fantastic. We usually meet up with the Henrys - you haven't met them yet, it's Mom's sister's family - but they are out in Hawai'i, so we weren't sure what would be happening, what with my playing schedule and all. Maybe my parents can come to New York - Dad is stationed in Maryland at the moment."

Ben was more interested in holding Lu-Ti close and breathing the heavenly smell of her.

Emma laughed. "Well, no shrimp tonight at least," she replied as she took Bing up on his offer to dance. "It'll be interesting, the trick or treat thing. I can't recall doing a lot of events around Halloween before, so I'm curious how it'll go. You hear any details about it?" she asked. She, too, had her shield across her back, along with her sword.

 Lu-Ti  nods against his  chest, ..it  will be  a  tough thing. Playign Thanksgiving Night.. so we have very late   Dinner?... Team wis to have off Friday, Saturday   and Sunday... Coach Sims  wants to stay in New York.. because  we have to Go to Buffalo...we  will  work out  in college  Here.. then  fly to Buffalo Thursday Night.

  She  Looks up,..But we have   2 games  here   Titans.. Teh Texas.. before  we go to New York

...........................


   Bing   shrugged,all I know?  They are lookign for Volunteer  Players, Dragonettes  have to go... but  they have the Booths all set up..  and Players   will  man booths, or games... Kids   can win prizes..  they wander through the stalls..... There is gonna be a Petting Zoo... another Bouncy house?..maybe the same one?  who knows

Ben took the opportunity of Lu-Ti looking up to steal a kiss.

"So we are in New York state for about a week? I need to make sure the youngsters know I won't be there for flag football then..."