Chapter 4 - Teaming Up #4

Ace: "What's up? Why are you calling so early? My alarm hasn't even gone off for school yet."

Hao: "Bring me the money before you go to school. It's urgent there are less than 50 spots left for registration. I'm calling you first because Vinny and Daniel aren't answering. I need them to help find another player for us. Let's meet at Ahmud Kebab so you can give me the money. Are we agreed?"

Ace's Inner Voice: "Oh man, what do I do now? Should I lie and say I have the money, then tell him in person that I messed up and spent it? I thought I'd sell my computer parts by the end of the week and have enough money. Or maybe I could try borrowing 120 euros from my parents, but they'll probably just tell me to focus on school. Another option is to meet up with Vinny and try to double the money on roulette again, but I probably won't have time for that."

Hao: "Hey, are you still there? Do we have a deal?"

Ace: "Yeah, we're good. I'll see you at Ahmud Kebab."

Hao: "Great, see you then."

Meanwhile, Vinny and Daniel headed to the restaurant where Kobbie works as a waiter. When they arrived, Vinny called him on video call and asked him to come out for a minute. Kobbie stepped outside. In front of them appeared a figure about 6.6 ft tall, wearing a black shirt and elegant black pants, with medium length messy wolfcut hair. Anyone seeing him would think he was a model, but he was just an ordinary waiter.

Kobbie: "What's up, Vinny? Speak quickly, my shift is about to start."

Vinny: "Listen, I'll keep it short. We're signing up for the Basketball Summer League, and we need one more player. You seem like a great option."

Kobbie: "You know I stopped playing basketball after high school. I live alone and have to pay for my apartment and all my living expenses, so I can't miss work."

Vinny: "But look, the prize is a lot of money and a chance to get into the NBA."

Kobbie: "I'm telling you, I can't. If I joined you, I'd have to miss work, so it's not really possible."

Vinny: "In the worst-case scenario, you can stay at my place. You won't die if you live with me over the summer. If we don't succeed, you can always find another job. Bro, you're acting like a bird in a cage, letting everything be dictate because of work. You're only 19 don't be a bird in a cage, be more like crow. Even though no one looks at crows the same way they do at parrots in a cage, at least crows are free. So it makes sense for you to join us. You can always work, but this might be the only chance you have for an opportunity like this. Do you agree with me, Daniel?"

Daniel: "Come on, Kobbie. If you play, we have a chance to win the tournament."

Kobbie: "First, let me ask who is on the team, because I won't quit my job if you're not 100% serious about this tournament."

Vinny: "Well, I'm planning to play point guard, and you and Daniel would be the wings. Hao, since he's the tallest, would play center. I know you don't know him, but he's a good guy. You also don't know little Ace, but we planned for him to be PF since we have no other option."

Kobbie: "Are you kidding me? Okay, I understand you two aren't that desperate, but who are this little Ace and Hao? Well, Hao can't be that bad if he's tall. Where does he play and how tall is he? Also, where does Ace play and how tall is he?"

Vinny: "Listen, Hao plays college basketball. He usually plays PF, but we don't have anyone else to play center, so he'll do. Little Ace has never played basketball in his life. He's just here for the vibes and we want him to get out of the house because he'll rot if he only plays video games. We planned for him to be a sub, but since we're short on time, it's hard to find someone else to play PF."

Kobbie: "Okay, the team isn't as bad as I thought, but you can't play someone who's never played basketball at PF. I'll try to call Alvaro. His season is over, and he just got back from America yesterday, so if he agrees, I think we'll have a solid roster. But I still think we need at least one more player on the bench, ideally two. Have you tried asking Samuel? Another wing from the bench would be good. If Alvaro plays, we won't have to worry about him getting tired because he plays in the G-League, so this will be like any regular game for him."

Vinny: "Wait, Alvaro is back from America? Why didn't he tell me? We would have asked him, but I think it's better if you ask him since you're besties. He'll probably agree. I forgot about little Samuel. We'll go to him, just let us know if you agree or not."

Kobbie: "Come to the court in the neighborhood tonight. I'll convince Alvaro, so you bring Samuel and the other two. I have to go now; my shift is starting. See you, Vinny and Daniel."

Vinny and Daniel: "See you."

Daniel: "Wow, we might actually have a chance to win the tournament now. Alvaro is in this year's NBA draft. If Kobbie had continued after high school, he'd probably be in the same position as Alvaro, but he's too slef-sacrificing."

Vinny interrupted him mid-sentence.

Vinny: "Alright, don't mention Kobbie's situation now. Let's go to Samuel. I think that kid probably has nothing to do over the summer, so he'll join the team."

At that moment, Vinny got a call from Hao. He answered, and Hao spoke in a worried voice.

Hao: "Vinny, we have a huge problem."