Michael Balkind - Sudden Death

One by one, the players started slowly clapping. Gradually, they all joined in, culminating in a thunderous applause. As the noise slowly died down, Reid continued, “Thank you, Howard. Thank you all. I am going to play in this tournament and, in spite of this bastard, I’m going to do my best to beat you all. I may be a little more irritable than usual, impossible as I know that may sound. But I will try to represent the PGA as professionally as possible. For those of you who have been on the receiving end of my wrath, please accept my apologies. If any of them are not in here right now, please convey my apologies to them. If they want to approach me, I will certainly tell them myself. Once again, thank you for your support this week, and may the best man win.”

The room once again erupted in applause and cheers. Many of the play ers walked up and shook hands with Reid or patted him on the back, wishing him luck, obviously more so with the lunatic than with the tournament. The competitive edge that always looms throughout a PGA gathering was temporarily laid to rest. It was an uncommon moment in the PGA. Reid walked over to Howard and shook his hand. “Thanks for the help.” “Hey, things are tough enough on tour. We don’t need to give each other a hard time. By the way, you are doing the right thing, and I would be happy to play with you this week,” Howard replied. “You’re one of a kind, Howard.” “Will you be at the dinner tonight?” Howard was referring to the sponsor’s pre-tournament buffet. “Rumor has it, Donny Peret is supposed to perform.” Concert tickets for acoustic rock musician, Donny Peret’s shows were near impossible to obtain. His music was loved by three generations.

“I’m not sure. It’s up to Jay Scott.” Reid glanced at Joel. “There may not be enough room for my security team, and Jay’s not about to let me go without them. I’ll either see you tonight or tomorrow. Either way, thanks again, and good luck on the golf course.” “Thanks, Reid.” “See ya later, man.”

Reid went up to the lobby with Joel, Stu and the others on his tail. The room had the subtle scent of fresh flowers. To Reid’s surprise, Shane, Joan, Hunter, Jay and Buck were sitting there, waiting for him. “Hey, guys,” he said. “How’d you hit ‘em?” Hunter asked. “Let’s just say it was interesting out there today.” “That good, huh?” she said. “Well, if you must know, I started lousy and ended well. If I play the rest of the week like I played the last nine, I can take the tournament. We’ll see.” He turned to Jay. “What do you think about tonight’s festivities? Should we attend or not? As much as I prefer not, I really should be there.”

“I’d prefer not as well, but if they’ll make room for all of us, I guess we can go.”

“I’ll go ask the maitre d’. I’ll be right back.” He started to walk and the team went right with him. “Not even a moment’s peace, huh guys?” “Sorry, Reid, you’re stuck with us,” Joel said. “Yeah, I know, like glue,” Reid muttered, getting a little fed up. “Superglue,” Stu emphasized. Reid found the maitre d’ in the dining room and asked if there was room enough for his party. “The only way I can fit you in is at three tables back there.” The maitre d’ pointed. “That’ll be fine, thank you,” Reid said. The maitre d’ made the changes in his table assignment book. “All set,” he said. “Thanks,” Reid said. He turned and walked back to the lobby with the guys on his heels. “They’ve given us three tables in the back,” he told the group. That should be more then enough room for all of us. Dinner starts at 7. The entertainment starts at 8 and ends at 10. I need to go back to the hotel, and get a massage. Ladies, if you want to come back to the hotel I’ll treat you to facials, manicures and pedicures.”

Joan, Hunter and Shane all perked up. Shane said, “I’ve never turned down an offer like that before, and I’m not going to start now. Come to think of it, I’ve never gotten an offer like that. Come on, girls!”

Walking into the hotel a short time later, Jay said, “Everyone please be back here ready to leave by 6:45. I’d like to be discreet tonight, and a late entrance by a party of our size would draw too much attention.”

They all split up and went their separate ways. Reid, Buck and Jay went for massages. It was a little awkward getting a rubdown with bodyguards in the room watching.

The girls could not have been happier with their pampering. Joan got her hair done along with her manicure and pedicure. Luckily, Reid had thought to have the women bring their evening attire to the hotel, just in case.

Everyone was totally relaxed when they met in the lobby at 6:45. They went back to the club and entered the dining room without fanfare. During dinner, key executives from the hosting company welcomed everyone to the event and spoke about how proud they were to be sponsoring such a wonderful week of PGA golf.

Bill Taylor then went to the podium and, after thanking the sponsors, he thanked Tom Burnett, the president of the club, for hosting the tournament, making sure the course was in impeccable condition and providing such excellent weather. After a quick laugh from the crowd, he spoke about the interesting season the tour was having. He informed the crowd that there had been more tiebreakers than in any other season in PGA history. He said that every player in the room should be proud of such a competitive season with such close finishes. He spoke about how good it felt to be the commissioner of such a fine organization.

“I didn’t think that there was anything that could enhance my pride in the PGA until I witnessed something earlier today.” He asked Reid and Howard to come up to the podium. He described the difficult issues of the threats and the hardships that Reid was facing. He said, “Folks, I did not inform these gentlemen of what I am about to do. I was in a back office of the locker room earlier, writing this speech, when I overheard a remarkable few minutes of inspirational dialogue between these two men and a locker room full of PGA players. Luckily, I had my mini voice recorder with me and was able to tape it.” He held up the device. “If the two of you don’t mind, I’d like to play the tape right now for everyone to hear.”

Reid and Howard looked at each other and shrugged. Reid joked, “I hope you at least edited out some of my more colorful language.” “No Reid, this is the real you. Okay?” “I guess.” “Folks, let me set the stage,” Bill continued. “Reid has just walked into the locker room. As we know, he has had a difficult week and a half. With a lunatic on his tail and pressure from the media, he now feels like the players are not backing him. Listen to this.” Bill placed the recorder near the microphone and pressed play.

“Can I please have everybody’s attention? Look guys, I know

you’re all trying to give me room, but this is ridiculous…”

The tape rolled on, playing the rest of the locker room conversation. When it was finished, everyone in the room rose in a standing ovation. Bill let the applause continue for a full minute, then came back to the microphone, wiping tears from his eyes. “You’ll have to excuse me, I’m a little choked up. I’ve listened to that tape three times already and it’s gotten to me each time. Folks, these are remarkable men. I feel so proud that they are members of the PGA. Let them be examples to us all. Reid, Howard, good luck this week. Reid, I’m very glad you decided to play and as Howard said, it is the right thing to do. We can’t let terrorism run our lives into the ground; don’t mistake it, folks: This is terrorism.

“Jay.” Bill looked at the back table and spoke directly to Jay Scott. “Please get this nut before he hurts Reid or anyone else. The PGA and the country need Reid Clark alive.” He walked over and embraced Reid, then Howard.