GERRY: It’s a question. I wouldn’t know whether we need him or not. I’m just the administrator and you’re the expert. There’s no need to get angry. I’m merely posing a question.

LAURIE: We need him.

GERRY: Fine. A few of the wise heads around here seem to think he’s looked better than he really is for years because he hasn’t exactly been playing in a team full of champions. They’re worried that if he plays too many more games like last Saturday a lot of people will start to realise it and his market price, or whatever you like to call it, will plummet.

LAURIE: Which of the “wise heads” around here believe that little theory?

JOCK: I do. I say sell him while he’s still worth something. Let’s face it, Laurie, when we were winning our medals it was in a team full of champions. Danny’s little more than a talented hack.

LAURIE: Come off it, Jock. He’s bloody near as good as either of us were in our day. I know what’s worrying you. If he stays around for another couple of years he’ll beat your two hundred and eighty-two games.

JOCK: Yeah, well you couldn’t beat it and he’s not going to either. Bloody leaves his wife and kids for an Avis girl. When my record goes it’ll be to someone with a bit of moral fibre.

LAURIE: Moral fibre? I don’t seem to recall that you were famous for your celibacy in the old days Jock. In fact if my memory serves me—

GERRY: That’s enough. Laurie, what if I told you I could swap Danny for Tony Marchesi?

LAURIE looks at GERRY.

That’s made you stop and think, hasn’t it?

LAURIE: Can you?

GERRY: No, but it made you stop and think, which goes to show that the central assumption of the science of economics—that we’d all sell our grandmothers if the price is right—isn’t all that far wide of the mark.

LAURIE: (defensive, irritated) The only reason I’d want Danny to go is if Danny wanted to go. I don’t care if you could swap him for Jesus Christ.

JOCK: With the team we’ll have next year, Jesus Christ will be pushing to make the reserves.

There is a knock at the left door.

That’s probably Geoff. How do you want to handle this, Laurie? I’ll have a chat to him first if you like.

LAURIE: I’ll talk to him, if you don’t mind.

JOCK: Suit yourself. I just thought that a fresh viewpoint might help break the deadlock. I was a coach for fifteen years myself and I have had the odd bit of experience with troublesome recruits.

LAURIE: (tersely) Clear out and let me talk to him.

JOCK: Suit yourself.