He smiled ruefully at Valerie as she “spilled the beans” so to speak, on the not so lucrative contract they would all be signing.  But he was partially glad, anyone who would bargain for more, would simply be let go by management anyways, so he might as well find out who they were in advance.  He collected the three contracts that came sailing down the U table to him.  “Any other takers?” he asked waving Lilah’s contract in the air, “Come on, it’s nothing you shouldn’t have known or at least suspected before you came to the try-outs.”<br/><br/>Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jack inching closer to Rose along the wall.  He didn‘t really like the reporter to begin with, he wasn‘t hired by Jason.  The league assigned each team a reporter.  Part of his dislike was that Jack‘s fortunes weren‘t tied to the teams, win lose or draw he would still get paid the same salary by the league.  Jason didn‘t like that, everyone should be in the same boat.  It didn‘t help matters, that Jack was supposed to be allowed full access to the team; even though he wasn‘t, by the largest stretch of the imagination, part of the team.  He didn‘t want Jack in this meeting and it seemed Jack didn‘t really want to be there either, rather be outside trying to chat up the therapist.  He held his tongue, turning back to the players.  “Come on, you‘re going to let what Kill-joy over there said” he used the spin-off her last name “stop you from doing what you came here to do?” he asked rhetorically, nodding at Valerie.<br/><div class="floatleft">(http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/94/63/946333e7f3553da227a64e018b4ab785.jpg)</div><br/>Sooner than he had expected, he had a large stack of paper back beside him.  He patted the pile, heavily.  “So what now Coach?” he looked up to meet Allison‘s comment.  “Well,” he said in a  measured voice.  “First practice tomorrow at 3 o‘clock pm, I suggest you get here early, you’ll have access to the team change rooms, so you can leave your things in there, we don't exactly get practice gear but there will be pads and helmets in there for each of you, but we won't be using that really, not just yet, so wear anything you aren't afraid to get dirty.  Oh and don’t be late. Because, if you do get here late… well, don‘t get here late.” he said with a shrug, “Now that the business is out of the way; I would suggest, that you all go home, or go out, celebrate, get drunk, get to know each other whatever it is you do for fun, because tomorrow the work begins.” he clapped his hands together.  And then after a moment, “You can go now…” he said with a dismissive, little wave of his hand.<br/><br/>As the players began to clear, one of them hung back.  The sturdy looking blonde (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=121075.msg5300114#msg5300114), Elizabeth de los something.  She was one of his girls, one of the<em>players</em>.  He was suddenly worried, she had a look on her face and a contract in her hands, it didn’t look signed.  “Here, come with me.” he said grabbing the other contracts and leading her into his office.  He felt he was about to have his first “coach” talk.<br/><br/><hr/>As they emerged ten minutes later from his office, they both wore the grim expression.  Jason regretfully nodded as he watched one of the more promising athletes turn down the spot.  Life could really be a bitch sometimes.  But he affirmed the young Canadian:  "When you come back, as long as the team is still in Detroit, and as long as I'm still in charge, you still have a spot, if you want it"<br/><br/>Jason extended his hand and shook, a nice firm handshake, he couldn't help but frown a little out of disappointment more than anything else as his running back slipped out the door.