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“Right now, the other coaches and I have narrowed it down to Chicken Run or Newsies,” Ted said. They were in her office, and she’d already managed to make it halfway through her biscuits, but he’d still only barely gotten to the point. “I’d ask the team, but last time we gave them a choice, they ended up arguing for an hour about David Fincher’s best work. I was worried Isaac might punch something when Jan suggested Gone Girl was better than Fight Club, which y’know, is kind of ironic given that Fight Club is all about–”
“Yes, Ted. I get it,” Rebecca replied. “My question is not what you will be watching, but why? Most importantly, why there?”
“Why, for team morale of course,” Ted replied jovially, as if that explanation should suffice.
“Didn’t you just say that it almost resulted in a fist fight the last time you did this?”
“Nah, I don’t think anyone would’ve actually resorted to violence. At most, there would’ve been some property damage, but that’s all part of the process. You gotta trust it, Sam Hinkie-style, you know what I’m saying?”
As usual, Rebecca did not, but she didn’t have time to stick around for the rant she was sure to be subjected to if she asked him to elaborate. She sighed, not bothering to hide her exasperation. “Will they be drinking?”
Ted shrugged. “I mean, yeah, probably.”
“Will there be press, fans, people who can see them?”
“The press I’ll do what you can to keep out, but you gotta let the fans in once in a while, Boss. That’s all part of the—”
“Proces, yes. So I gather.” Rebecca sighed again, louder this time, but mostly for old time’s sake. His enthusiasm didn’t bother her quite the way it used to. “Why am I allowing this?”
“Because you believe in me and you’re still looking to make up for how you brought me on to begin with and all that?” he asked, giving her those impossible puppy dog eyes.
Rebecca was a little taken aback by that. “Theodore Lasso, are you using my guilt about my scheming to get your way?”
“Mmmaybe,” Ted replied, a little playfully.
She couldn’t help but laugh in response, even though she had a strong suspicion she’d regret this.
The Crown and Anchor was filled to the brim. It was a relatively large pub for Richmond standards but the addition of 24 rowdy footballers and a whole flock of fans, who were doing their best to not bother them but all seemed much more intent on watching them than the film they'd put on made it feel rather cramped.
“I see we went with Newsies?” Rebecca whispered at Ted, who gave her a look that somehow conveyed that he was both elated that she decided to come to movie night and little hurt that she’d arrived so late.
“Hard to compete with the universal appeal of a young Christian Bale struggling to carry a tune. Doesn’t seem like he’s managing too well, but still, I figure it’s got some good messages and all that, you know?”
“Pulitzer may own the World but he don't own us!” blared from the speakers they’d set up last-minute along with a projector after protests that the usual screens wouldn’t suffice. Colin had fully fallen asleep on Isaac’s shoulder, but most were immersed in the story, attentively watching every movement on the screen like a group of cats around a laser pointer. Bumbercatch was enraptured, seemingly somewhat conflicted, mumbling something about the Disney corporation producing such a strong work about class consciousness. Ted eyed him with concern.
“You know what, thinking on it now, this may not have been the best fit,” Ted muttered, just softly enough that the players wouldn’t be able to hear. “It would have probably been better to go with Sister Act.”
“Usually is,” Rebecca agreed.
“Huh. I’m not sure I would have pegged you as a fan of that movie."
“Why?"
“I don’t know, I just figured you’ve got a sophisticated palate and all that. I mean if you insist on calling it a film…"
“That’s what we call them!" Rebecca protested, raising her hushed voice just enough to turn a few heads before lowering it again, leaning a little closer as she continued. "Well, anyway, It’s a perfect movie. I know you find me terribly up-tight, but my expensive taste doesn’t translate to my filmgoing habits. I've never been able to stay awake through a Goddard film, but Whoopi Goldberg always delivers."
“I don’t think you’re uptight, Boss,” Ted said, completely earnestly. “And you're right about Whoopi. She stole the whole show in Ghost, which you know is impressive because Demi Moore's a real super star. Anyway, I didn't mean to offend or nothing. It's nice to learn something new about you is all."
It still took her by surprise sometimes, just how easily Ted would open up to tell her the truth as he saw it, and how even though he never seemed the least bit deceitful, he always expressed his opinion of her with the utmost kindness. And it was nice. Having people in her life who wanted to get to know her. It was even nice to spend a bit more time with the team, to feel like she was a part of something.
A fan wearing a Richmond t-shirt and a starstruck expression approached Dani then, who'd been following the plot intently, tapping along to each song.
“Uh, Mr. Rojas?” the fan asked, holding a pair of kitchen scissors. “I was just wondering if I could have a lock of your hair? Just a tiny bit. You know, for good luck?”
“Oi,” Mae shouted from all the way from the other side of the pub. “Leave the poor lad alone. If you cut a single hair off that man, I’ll cut you off from ever getting another pint here again.”
“Sorry!” he replied, clearly scared off by the threat.
“That’s it,” Rebecca sighed. “The next time you decide you want the team to have movie night, we’re doing it at the club.”
Ted nodded, seeming to understand her logic. “Whatever you say, Boss.”