Chapter 19

Alex didn’t object when someone called over a doctor who was watching over the players. The diagnosis managed to bring everyone down. The medic decided to take the injured to the hospital for observation and X-ray.

Adam standing next to him, the culprit of all the fuss, looked no better than the injured Alex. He didn't want to knock out his friend, he just wanted to distract him. Now, he felt remorse and had a moral hangover.

Faced with the requests and pleas of his colleagues, Alex ended up sitting on the stand with an ice pack on his head. It was the only thing he could do for his colleagues. Stay on the sidelines until the end of the tournament. Observe and support them in spirit.

The last discipline of the competition turned out to be extremely dramatic. It was attended by the entire ‘Man’ team except for the injured Alex and Alice, who sat worriedly next to him.

The injured person didn’t feel well, but kept a cool head and didn’t move from his seat.

Despite the weakened composition, the ‘Man’ editorial team fought bravely. Unfortunately, they took the last place anyway.

It wouldn’t be so bad if it were not for Michael, who realized just before the end of the first half of the game that he was not playing basketball and that the ball should be thrown into the goal, not into the basket. Good thing he rarely had the ball in his hand so the spectators didn't pay attention to it.

Nicolas, watching the game closely, decided that the editorial office's honor should be saved. In the second half of the match, he played for Michael.

The one with the undisguised happiness joined Alice and Alex. He had lost his mood when he saw Alex's puffy face. He wanted to take him to the hospital, but the injured man insisted on staying until the end of the event.

All in all, they did quite well. Later, the ceremony of awarding diplomas, symbolic prizes and donating the collected money to the orphanage and a ceremonial banquet were held with great pomp.

Unfortunately, the ‘Man’ editorial team came in improperly dressed because the chief editor hadn’t informed them that they were to be dressed in gala outfit. Having no choice, they gave up on the banquet.

They were also tired, and they didn’t feel like arguing with other journalists from other mass media representatives present at the event.

At the first opportunity, they sneaked out and returned to their editorial office. However, they were surprised by the failure of the elevators upon reaching there. Grumbling all the way, they climbed the stairs to the seventh floor in silence. They fell down to the floor from exhaustion, but were happy that they would now be able to rest in peace and quiet.

“Hello, gentlemen!” In the doorway, with a cup of fragrant coffee in her hand, they were greeted by the chief editor, who had also slipped out of the banquet.

"I must admit, you all look lame!" She could hardly refrain herself from laughing. “But you fought bravely!”

"Sure…" Michael murmured, clearly dissatisfied with his sports achievements.

“Gentlemen, there is no reason to complain!”

“We did very well taking into account that we didn’t train before the competition.” Jack summed up, barely conscious out of exhaustion.

“We played in a weakened squad!” Simon saved the remnants of honor. “We played without our best contestant.”

“Because, you fool, you injured him!” Michael attacked Adam who was sitting at the table.

"But I was saving the team's honor, unlike you!" Adam grunted at him.

“Really?” Michel enraged shouted in his face. “You only looked for women and showed your butt and torso.”

“Why are you throwing on a tantrum, man?” Adam defended himself. "When did you realize that we were throwing the ball into the goal and not into the basket, you fool? When did you sit in the spectator stand? I wish it had been sooner!”

“You bastard! You...you are really ungrateful!” Michael sputtered in anger.

“Gentlemen, enough! Truce!” The situation was starting to become dangerous, so Thomas, alert as always, tried to save it. “Enough, I said!” He stood between Michael and Adam once again. “Stop it! It wasn't that bad!”

The chief editor was watching them closely. She decided that a moment more and they would jump at each other's throats. Lest, the dispute evolved into something to be resolved with the use of physical prowess, thus she decided that it was time to step into action.

“Gentlemen, please give me a moment of attention!” She said.

Michael temporarily let go of the reproaches of his colleagues and politely sat down next to Adam. He tried to be serious.

"A few minutes ago, we had new equipment brought." As she spoke, she could see the joy on the faces of her subordinates, but only for a moment. “The elevators are not working. If you don't mind, I would like to ask you for help.”

“What, again?” Michael screamed.

“Mr. Michael Johnson, behave as befits an adult, please.” This time the chief editor couldn't stand it.  “Or please think about a change of job!”

It got really hot. Michael's face turned green first, then purple. One moment more, and he would have jumped for the chief's editor throat this time.

“Let's go!” Adam said, trying to prevent the storm. “With pleasure! Was a good equipment purchased for us?” He asked, not expecting an answer.

“Much of it?” Thomas asked, kicking Michael under the table with all his might in the leg, because judging by his expression, he was going to say something and it wouldn’t be anything nice.

Michael grew even worse, this time from pain. There was a real chance he would refrain from commenting for a while. He sat furious with clenched teeth. He decided that as soon as Alice left the premises, he would explain to his colleagues by hand that he was not a ‘digging boy’.

“Not much. A few computers. Mr. Davis, we bought good branded equipment, but we will evaluate the quality of it in a few months, when it proves to be good at work!” She explained.

“Let's go!” Adam said, getting up from the table. Seeing no other way out of a situation that was starting to become really dangerous, he deftly twisted Michael’s hand until he turned green with pain and forcibly pulled him out of the room.

“Gentlemen, please give me a moment of attention. Let me remind you that Mr. Thomas Evan is flying to London on Monday evening for the pre-premiere of a new car. Please do not come to the editorial board that morning.” She turned to Thomas, who was following Adam and Michael out.

At that exact moment, her phone rang. After a short conversation, she quickly shut down the computer on the table, said goodbye and left.