The Hunter's Burden, Page 2
Jamie McKinven
SCENE 2
Jack Norton sits behind a desk covered in papers, a laptop, and an old touch key phone. His office is decorated in relics from his past glory. A couple of championship trophies collect dust on a shelf. A framed jersey, a few old pictures, and a large rink board hang on the surrounding walls. Jack Norton is stressed and overworked. As he sits at his desk, talking to himself about strategies and line combinations, the phone rings.
JACK
Birmingham Brahmas, Jack Norton.
Jack rolls his eyes and slumps in his chair. He is clearly annoyed with the caller, who is a fan. We don’t hear the caller’s voice through the conversation, just Jack’s.
JACK (CON’T)
Yes. Yes you can get tickets either by going online and ordering them through our website or by...
(Pause)
Yes, that’s right.
(Pause)
No, you need to open up the browser
(Pause)
No, it’s the icon picture with the “E” on it. Yep.
(Pause)
OK, It’s WWW dot Birmingham Brahmas dot...
(Pause)
No. Birmingham...
(Pause)
Yes, then Brahmas, no dot before Brahmas. Yes...
(Pause)
Yes, then dot com. That’s right. Once you’re on there you will see a tab that says “Tickets”.
(Pause)
It’s up at the top of the screen.
(Pause)
No below that.
(Pause)
Ya, it says Tickets. Click on that.
(Pause)
OK now you can select where you want to sit and then go...
(Pause)
Ya, just select the seat and section.
(Pause)
OK. Now select “Proceed with payment.”
You don’t have a credit card? Do you have a PayPal account?
(Pause)
No, you won’t be able to book them now and then pay for them at the gate. You can go to the box office and buy a ticket there if you like.
(Pause)
Well I’m sorry you feel that way.
(Pause)
Yes I know we have been losing lately but hopefully we’ll turn that around tonight.
(Pause)
Well I don’t think that’s fair.
(Pause)
OK, you listen here now, you...
The caller hangs up on Jack. Jack is agitated and thinks about slamming the phone receiver but thinks better of it and places it back on the console.
As Jack hangs up the phone there is a KNOCK at the door.
JACK
Come in!
The door opens and DRAKE CARMODY pokes his head in.
DRAKE
Hi Mr. Norton, I’m Drake Carmody.
JACK
Ah, yes Drake. Come on in and have a seat.
Drake walks in and sits in the chair beside Jack Norton’s desk.
JACK (CON’T)
How was the trip down?
DRAKE
It was good.
JACK
You got checked into the hotel OK?
DRAKE
Yes I just came from there. Nice place.
JACK
Did you meet Sticksy? He’ll get you sorted out with gear and whatever else you need.
DRAKE
Yes, Mr. McGavin already got me set up.
JACK
That’s good. Well we’re happy to have you up here with us Drake. It’s been tough sledding lately. We’ve had a few guys banged up and the schedule has been tough down the stretch. I’m going to probably start you out on the 3rd line tonight and see how it goes from there.
DRAKE
Sounds good coach. I’m really happy to be here. It’s been my dream all my life to play pro hockey.
Jack opens up his top drawer and pulls out a contract and a pen for Drake to sign.
JACK
I almost forgot you’ll need to sign this in order to get paid. Now this is just the standard PTO contract. It’s different than the one you signed with the big club.
Drake stands up, leans over and signs the contract. Jack stands up and shakes Drake’s hand and dismisses him.
JACK (CON’T)
Alright. Welcome aboard Drake. I’ll let you get back to the team to get acclimated.
DRAKE
Thanks Mr. Norton.
Drake walks out of the office, closing the door behind him.
As Drake leaves the office, Jack gets out of his chair and starts talking to himself while writing, erasing and re-writing names on his depth chart on the wall. Amid his strategizing, the phone rings again. Jack begrudgingly sits back down in his chair and answers the phone.
JACK
Birmingham Brahmas.
(Pause. Jack slumps his shoulders and rolls his eyes)
Oh, hi Lorna.
(Pause)
Ya.
(Pause)
Ya, I sent it out last week.
(Pause)
It should be in your account.
(Pause)
No.
(Pause)
No that was the amount agreed upon.
(Pause)
Yes, once he turned 18 that was what was agreed upon.
(Pause)
Look at the agreement!
(Pause)
I don’t care. Call your lawyer. I hope you do.
(Pause)
Better yet, just get that rich husband of yours to read it to you.
(Pause)
You’re lucky you get anything. The only reason I even still send the cheques is to pay for his schooling. Lord even knows if that’s where it’s going. Maybe I’ll just start sending the cheques straight to him. You know what? That’s exactly what’s gonna start happening.
(Pause)
Oh, ya.
(Pause)
Ya, you call him.
(Pause)
Good.
Jack slams the receiver down. He is clearly flustered.
Jack returns to the white board where he gets back to changing line combinations and muttering to himself.
Soon after, the phone rings again and Jack sits back down and answers the call.
JACK
Birmingham Brahmas.
(Pause)
How are you doing?
(Pause)
No, we’re still playing tonight.
(Pause)
No, I haven’t heard of any severe weather warnings.
(Pause)
Yes.
(Pause)
Yes, the game will definitely start at 7:30.
(Pause)
Well if we had to cancel, which we won’t, we would issue refunds or free tickets to a makeup game for all ticket holders. But I can assure you that that won’t be necessary.
(Pause)
No, you will still be able to park in the lot.
(Pause)
Yes, it’s been a tough stretch but we’re getting guys back from the Injured Reserve and I’m confident we’ll get things turned around.
(Pause)
Yes, that’s definitely an idea.
(Pause)
Yes, he’s a good player and that’s maybe something we’ll be considering.
(Pause)
Yes.
(Pause)
I appreciate the advice.
(Pause)
Well, he’s been struggling a bit but we believe in him and he’s a professional.
(Pause)
Thanks, we’ll take that into consideration.
(Pause)
Alright well enjoy the game tonight. We look forward to your continued support.
(Pause)
Alright. Take care. Bye
Jack exhaustedly puts down the phone and shakes his head. He lets out a big sigh and then returns to the white board to continue strategizing.
The lights begin to fade out on Jack Norton’s office and the lights rise on the main dressing room.
SCENE 3
In the dressing room, the players are getting into their pre-game routines. CHARLIE MAGILL is on the trainer’s table getting his shoulder wrapped by STICKSY. TRENT and LANCE are warming up on two stationary bikes. DRAKE is unpacking his gear and arranging his stall. MOOSE is helping DRAKE with protocol and a few tips about how to stay out of the fine book.
TRENT
Hey, Rook. Where do you get a pair of gloves like that?
DRAKE
These are the gloves we used this year in Lethbridge.
TRENT
Yikes. I think Buzz Lightyear might have an APB out on those.
DRAKE
Ya, I guess they’re a bit loud, eh.
TRENT
Loud? I’ll say. Those gloves would get you kicked out of a Metallica concert for disturbing the peace.
LANCE
White skates eh? Really?
DRAKE
Ya. The new Grafs. They feel unreal!
LANCE
You gotta get rid of those. I hope you can fight kid, or else Moose is gonna wear out his meat hooks sticking up for you parading around in those.
TRENT
Hey Chuckie. Take a look at shmeltie’s skates!
Charlie looks over at the skates and winces.
CHARLIE
Ugghh... Don’t worry kid, I think Coach has you playing with Moose. Better get a good stretch in Moosey. I gotta feeling you’re gonna earn it tonight.
MOOSE
One of these days I’m gonna teach you all to fight so I can try and get my modeling career back on track.
LANCE
Jeez Moose, I didn’t know you used to be a model.
TRENT
Don’t you remember him from those commercials? He even starred in a movie once. You remember. Harry and the Hendersons.
Everyone laughs and Moose grunts and waves a fist at Trent.
CHARLIE
Great flick!
LANCE
No, no. That wasn’t it. It was the one where the kids go hunting for treasure and that old lady and her sons go chasing after them.
CHARLIE
The Goonies?
LANCE
Ya, that’s it!
TRENT
Hey you guyyyyyyyyyyssss!
(Mimicking the character “Sloth” from “The Goonies”)
LANCE
Didn’t you know? We’ve got a team full of former movie stars. Sticksy got his big break staring in Grumpy Old Men.
Everyone laughs. Sticksy turns and jabs back at Lance and Trent.
STICKSY
At least I got to make out with Sophia Loren. I gotta admit though. You two monkeys were pretty funny in “Night at the Roxbury.”
Everyone erupts in laughter.
Amid the laughter, team goalie MIKKO KOISTINEN walks in looking very European. Immediately the players start into razzing tactics.
CHARLIE
Mikko! Looking sharp, buddy.
MIKKO
(Removes his headphones)
What you say Charlie?
CHARLIE
I like the suit, pal.
MIKKO
Ya, it’s tight, man. Armani, brother. Custom-made.
LANCE
Hey Koisto. Does that suit come in men’s?
Lance and Trent share a laugh
MIKKO
This is style, brother. You North Americans have no sense of style.
MOOSE
I agree with you Koisto. These hyenas don’t know how to dress for success.
TRENT
Really Moose? You buy your suits from a guy named Digger who works at a mortuary.
STICKSY
Back in the day when hockey players were real hockey players...
LANCE
(Interupting Sticksy)
Here we go.
STICKSY (CON’T)
They dressed like professionals. Guys like Toe Blake, Maurice Richard. That’s what a real pro looked and acted like. You guys walk around like punks with your hair long and messy. Wearing toques and sloppy ties. No respect.
TRENT
Sticksy. Are you really going to stand there and lecture me about dressing like a pro while wearing those crusty pajamas? With how tight those things are, you aren’t leaving much to the imagination.
Everyone starts laughing.
STICKSY
Ya, laugh it up you mutts. I have forgotten more about this game than you’ll ever know.
LANCE
Sticksy, that’s called dementia. Whatever you do, don’t go towards the bright, white light.
CHARLIE
Sticksy has a point. I remember how embarrassed I was when I got called up and all I had was a JC Penny special with a wrinkled tie and a dirty white shirt.
DRAKE
You played in the show?
MIKKO
I didn’t know you played in the NHL, Mags.
Everybody is suddenly glued to every word Charlie says. The group gravitates in to hear his tales of glory.
CHARLIE
It was the best month of my life. I’ll never forget it.
MOOSE
The ultimate dream.
CHARLIE
I got the call on a Thursday after a game like every other one. I didn’t even play well. I was on for the winning goal against late in the third. After the game, coach called me into his office. To be honest I thought I was getting traded. He looked up shook my hand and said, “Congratulations kid. You’re playing for the Leafs tomorrow night in Chicago.”
LANCE
Unreal.
CHARLIE
I was 24 years-old and in my fourth year as a pro. I was pumped and thought, “I’ve made it.” I headed straight for the airport and boarded a flight to Chicago to meet the team. When I exited the terminal in Chicago, a man holding a sign picked me up from the airport and drove me to the hotel. It was a palace.
TRENT
Was it a Marriott?
CHARLIE
Even better. A Westin.
LANCE
No way! I stayed at one of those when I was in college. They give you a robe to wear and even put mints on your pillow.
CHARLIE
After I checked in, about an hour later, the rest of the Toronto Maple Leafs checked into the hotel. I heard a key card in the door and in walked my roommate for the trip, Darcy Tucker.
DRAKE
No way! Darcy Tucker?
CHARLIE
Yep. He had a huge gash down the side of his face from a fight earlier that night against Cam Janssen. He glared right at me and I froze. He said, “You Magill?” I choked out an answer. Then he said, “Get the hell outta my bed!”
MOOSE
(To Drake)
You see rook, it’s nothing personal.
CHARLIE
The next day, I go down for breakfast and there is a buffet the length of a school bus in a private room just for us. There were egg-white omelets, French toast, waffles, steaks, eggs benedict, smoked salmon and anything you can name. Matt Stajan always ate cream of wheat with pomegranate so they had special orders brought in. It was like eating breakfast at the pearly gates.
LANCE
Sure beats the silver plate special at the Waffle House.
TRENT
Where does a one-legged waitress work?
Everyone shrugs
TRENT (CON’T)
IHOP.
Moose moans and throws an empty paper cup at Trent.
CHARLIE
After breakfast, we hopped on a bus and headed to the rink for pregame skate. We pulled up to Chicago Stadium and I started to get goose bumps. That place is a cathedral. I walked through the concourse past massive murals of Bobby Hull, Stan Makita and Michael Jordan. I made my way up one of the tunnels to the rink. As I stepped out into the open arena, the smell of the big time hit me like a punch in the face. I could still smell the popcorn from the night before and almost hear the roar of 20,000 screaming fans. The ice looked like a tranquil po
nd. Clear and glistening in the darkness. It was cathartic.
TRENT
My dad took me to a game there once when I was a kid. Jeremy Roenick got a hat trick. You could feel the vibrations of energy through the seats.
MIKKO
You cry a little bit?
TRENT
(Making a sniffing noise)
Ya… Maybe a little.
CHARLIE
Pregame skate was terrifying. Everyone was so fast and crisp. I felt like I was trying a new sport. It was so overwhelming. Right when I was almost ready to break down and quit, Bryan McCabe grabbed me by arm and said, “Relax kid. You earned the right to be here.” After that, everything came back to me.
LANCE
McCabe. Pure savage.
TRENT
Oh, I’ve heard the stories. Ultimate beauty.
CHARLIE
That night, they put me on a line with Chad Kilger and Tie Domi. Before the game, Domi pulled me aside and said, “Hit everything that moves and don’t worry about consequences. I’ve got you covered.”
MOOSE
Domi. Now that was a hockey player.
CHARLIE
Ya he is a lot better than people give him credit for. He could skate like the wind. He ended up hitting everything that moved because I was too slow to get there first.
LANCE
Domi! Classic beauty.
TRENT
Ya, I heard he hooked up with Cassandra from Wayne’s
World.
MOOSE
She’s so hot.
LANCE
And that politician chick too.
TRENT
Pays to have friends in high places.
LANCE
Ya, it’s called alimony. And it’s his wife that gets that.
CHARLIE
After the game, we hit up this classy restaurant in downtown Chicago. I mean it was 15 bucks for a domestic beer.
TRENT
15 bucks!?
CHARLIE
Ya, they had a waterfall behind the bar. Even Koisto would look underdressed in this place. So I sit down at a table with Domi, McCabe, Andrew Raycroft, Darcy Tucker and Tomas Kaberle. About 5 minutes in, Raycroft bumps me on the shoulder and points over to the bar area. One by one, girls who look like they were taken out of the pages of Maxim magazine start saddling up to the bar and smiling over at our table. Raycroft leans in and says, “They’ll wait there for 3 hours if we make them.” After a long, expensive dinner, the waitress brings over a bill. McCabe points over at me and says, “He’s gonna pick up the tab tonight.” I look down and the bill reads, “$1,434”. Immediately I start sweating. I fumble around trying to see if I even brought my credit card when Tucker punches me on the shoulder and snatches the bill away from me and says, “How about I pick up this one and you get the next one, rook.” After paying the tab, we head over to the bar area and immediately get swarmed by 12 models all looking to get a piece of a Leaf.
LANCE
Unreal Mags. And here I thought I had it made when I walk into Buffalo Wild Wings and the ugly drunk girl in the corner winks at me.
CHARLIE
I was riding the high wave. I never thought it would end.
DRAKE
What happened?
CHARLIE
That season ended and I went back home. In the off-season the Leafs non-tendered me and I ended up signing with Washington. Another year went by in the American league and then I signed with Tampa. After another year it was Carolina and then the following year Washington again. I never made it back up to the NHL, always got stuck behind some younger, faster prospects.
MOOSE
(To Drake)
That’s the nature of the game kid. Don’t ever take it for granted.
TRENT
Just when you think you’ve made it, the carpet gets pulled out from underneath you.
LANCE
Hockey’s a love/hate industry.
CHARLIE
It sure is.
Sticksy heads into Jack Norton’s office.
LANCE
So kid. You said you played in Lethbridge?
DRAKE
Ya.
LANCE
Who is the coach there now?
DRAKE
Lefty Scales.
TRENT
Scales? Oh man I heard that guy is a real ball buster.
DRAKE
Ya, he can be pretty tough on guys.
LANCE
You heard anything about Jack Norton?
DRAKE
Not really. I just met him when I went in to introduce myself. He seems like a really nice guy.
Trent, Moose and Charlie all share a subtle and quick smirk.
MOOSE
He puts on a good show.
TRENT
Ya, especially with the new guys. He wants you to feel safe in the beginning.
MOOSE
But, be careful kid. He can lose it at the drop of a hat.
LANCE
Ya, remember Hutchinson?
CHARLIE
Shit. Don’t talk about Hutchinson.
DRAKE
Who is Hutchinson? What happened?
MOOSE
It’s OK, we can talk about it now. Enough time has passed.
LANCE
Well, Chris Hutchinson was a player who got called up two years ago from Roanoke. He made the mistake, one game, of going lazy on the back check and it resulted in the winning goal. We got back in the room and everything was silent.
TRENT
You could literally hear a pin drop.
MOOSE
Everyone knew something bad was going to happen.
CHARLIE
We just didn’t expect what happened next.
LANCE
So, the next thing we know, Norton comes in and says one word. “Hutchinson”. Then he motions with his hand and then walks out into the hallway.
TRENT
Hutchinson got up and nearly fainted on the walk out to the hallway. His knees were shaking like crazy.
MOOSE
It was like watching a man take his last walk towards the electric chair.
TRENT
So Hutchinson disappears into the hallway and then nothing. There was no screaming.
CHARLIE
We all expected to hear Norton dress him down. But there was nothing.
TRENT
Until that dreadful noise.
CHARLIE
It was like a muffled cry.
MOOSE
Almost like a squeaky gurgle.
TRENT
We all sat there silent. It seemed like hours passed. Then Norton came back into the room and walked past everyone into his office and closed the door.
CHARLIE
No one ever heard or saw Hutchinson again.
LANCE
There are rumors that Norton buried him in the fields out behind the rink.
DRAKE
Jesus! That’s crazy! That can’t be true.
MOOSE
It is kid.
LANCE
Ya, just be careful. Don’t piss him off.
TRENT
Back check hard and don’t lose your man in our end. And salute him during his pre or post-game speeches if he mentions your name.
CHARLIE
Ya, he’s ex-military. He really values that shit.
LANCE
He served in Nam. I think that’s why he’s all messed up.
MOOSE
(Slapping Drake on the back.)
Keep all that in mind kid and you’ll be fine.
Drake nods nervously.
Sticksy emerges from Jack Norton’s office.
STICKSY
Any of you wimps need anything else taped or wrapped?
LANCE
Ya, can I get a few Sudies?
MOOSE
Ya, me too.
STICKSY
What’s wrong with you guys. Getting all hopped up on t
hat crap. You should be born ready to play.
LANCE
This is coming from a guy who needs to take four blue pills to have a good time.
JACK enters the room and walks over to a whiteboard and starts writing. The players begin to get settled in for the pre-game speech. When he finishes writing on the board, Jack turns and addresses the players.
JACK
Charlie. What is the saying written on the board?
CHARLIE
The Hunter’s Burden.
JACK
The Hunter’s Burden. Any of you know what that means?
MOOSE
If aren’t successful, you don’t eat?
JACK
That’s right. If you aren’t successful, you don’t eat. If you don’t eat, you can’t survive. That’s where we are at as a team right now. We need to eat, but lately our aim hasn’t been very good. There are plenty of deer and wild boar available. We’ve had plenty of opportunity, but we haven’t been making the kills. We haven’t been seizing the opportunities presented to us. We have the skills to get the job done and we have the manpower to make it happen. But what we are lacking is the hunger and urgency to put food on our table. Well, I’m here to tell you right now that the pangs of defeat are starting to dig deep into us. I don’t want to start making people feel uncomfortable but the bottom line is that hockey is a business, boys. If we don’t start executing, we’re going to starve. We’ve got to start realizing that results puts food on the table and roofs over your kids’ heads. Moose how many kids do you have?
MOOSE
Three kids, Coach.
JACK
What would you be doing if you weren’t making a living playing a game that you love?
MOOSE
I’d probably be driving a truck or bouncing at a bar.
JACK
What would you rather be doing? That, or playing hockey?
MOOSE
Hockey. It’s all I know. I love it.
JACK
I don’t want to put him on the spot here but all of you have had a chance to meet Drake.
Drake salutes Jack, who does a double take and gives a strange look. All the rest of the players snicker quietly.
JACK (CON’T)
All of you were in Drake’s shoes at one point in time. He’s one of many to follow. The new breed of pros that arrive in the game every season. If you want to keep the roofs over your family’s heads and keep eating, you have to take it upon yourselves to secure your future. You’ve got to start executing. It’s a cold-hearted business. Trust me. No one knows it better than me. Don’t let it slip away from you without putting up your best fight. You don’t ever want to look back and say, “If.” If I only worked harder. If I only sacrificed more. Those are questions that haunt me every single day of my life. And I can tell you that they’ve caused more grief in my life than any pain you could ever imagine. So I want you to think about what you want the rest of your life to be as you go out there tonight. Think about your families and the ones who depend on you. Empty the tank tonight and walk away after 60 hard minutes with no regrets.
Jack pauses and the looks down at his lineup card.
JACK (CON’T)
Koisto’s shutting the door tonight. Hux and Lance on the backend. Mags, Moose and Carmody up front.
Drake salutes Jack after hearing his name. Jack shakes his head and laughs.
JACK (CON’T)
Let’s go bring home dinner boys!
Jack heads out the door STAGE LEFT after his final comment.
Everyone gets ramped up, hooting and hollering and they all filter out the door STAGE LEFT, led by Mikko, hitting a dented tin sign on the way out that is emblazoned with the motto “Heart and Desire”. Charlie stands at the door, tapping gloves with everyone as they head out and then follows up the group of players.
END OF ACT 1
