"What!"

Listen, Micheal, "We did, but now you're trying to back out."

Michael hollars, "No, I'm not trying to back out!" I'm just trying to do what's best for Jones. Eddie leans in closer to him, "And what's best for Jones is to sign with me. I'm the best agent in the business.

"I can offer him more money, endorsements, and more opportunities than you can."

Michael grimaces, "I know that, Eddie. But Jones is more than just a client to me. He's my friend. And I want to see him win and succeed." Eddie ponders what he said, "I get all that, and understand Michael. But friendship doesn't always mix well with business."

"I know, but I'm willing to take that risk Eddie."

Eddie looks at Michael with a cold stare. He knows that Michael is a tough opponent. But he is also determined to win.

"We'll see about that, Michael."

He walks out of the room, leaving him alone. Michael sits down in a chair and puts his head in his hands. He knows that he is facing a difficult decision.

Glamorous Lifestyle:

NBA agents can get to live a very glamorous lifestyle. We often develop real, authentic relationships with NBA stars, attend games, and enjoy many of the perks associated with the National Basketball Association.

Micheal takes a deep breath and stands up.

He knows that he needs to make a decision soon.

The NBA draft is only a few months away.

..........

Eddie knew that he needed to respond quickly. He couldn't let David, Michael or even Victoria gain the upper hand. He decided to target Alex's teammates. He started offering them lucrative contracts and promising them stardom.

One by one, Alex's teammates started to leave their agencies and sign with Eddie. Alex was devastated. He couldn't believe that his own teammates were betraying him.

Alex realized that he had made a mistake in signing with Eddie. He was now trapped in a contract with a ruthless negotiator who was only interested in using him for his own gain.

Alex tried to talk to Eddie about it, but Eddie had refused to listen. He told Alex that he was under contract and that he had no choice but to stay.

Alex was desperate. He knew that he needed to find a way out of his contract, but he didn't know how.

He reached out to Michael and Victoria for help. They were sympathetic to his plight, but they couldn't help him break his contract.

Alex was on his own. He had to find a way to outsmart Eddie and regain his freedom.

Alex started to think about his options. He knew that he couldn't beat Eddie in a straight-up fight. He needed to find a way to exploit his weaknesses.

Alex realized that Eddie's biggest weakness was his ego. Eddie was obsessed with power and control. He would do anything to be the best.

Alex decided to use Eddie's ego against him.

He started to leak rumors to the press about Eddie's many shady business dealings. He also started to spread rumors that Eddie was mistreating his clients.

The rumors quickly spread around the NBA.

Eddie's reputation started to suffer.

Eddie was furious. He knew that Alex was behind the rumors, and he was very determined to make him pay.

He tried to blackmail Alex. He also threatened to release damaging information about Alex's past mistakes if he didn't stop spreading these rumors.

Alex was scared, but he refused to back down.

He knew that if he gave in to Eddie's demands, he would never be free.

Alex decided to go public with his story. He held a press conference and told everyone about Eddie's blackmail attempts.

David and Eddie have been rivals for years. They were both top sports agents, but they had very different philosophies. David believe in building long-term relationships with his clients.

He wants to help them develop their skills, navigate the professional sports world, and achieve their financial goals. He is also committed to giving back to the community.

Eddie, on the other hand, is all about business. He is only interested in signing the biggest names and making the most money. He is also known for being ruthless and manipulative.

David and Eddie's rivalry came to a head when Micheal Jones, one of the top college NBA basketball prospects in the country, declared for the NBA draft. Both agents wanted to sign Jones, but Jones was torn.

Jones liked and trusted David, but he was also tempted by Eddie's promises of money and fame. In the end, Jones decided to sign with Eddie. David was devastated. He had spent years mentoring Jones, and he felt like he had betrayed him.

He also knew that Eddie was a dangerous man, and he was worried about Jones' future.

David was determined to get even with Eddie. He knew that Eddie's weakness was his ego.

Eddie was obsessed with being the best agent in the business, and David knew that he could exploit that weakness.

David started to spread rumors about Eddie. He told other agents and players that Eddie was unethical and that he couldn't be trusted.

He also started to leak stories to the media about Eddie's shady business dealings.

Eddie was furious when he found out about the rumors. He tried to stop them, but it was too late. The damage had been done.

Eddie's reputation soon started to suffer. He lost clients, and he was even investigated by the NBA. Eddie was forced to step down from his agency, and he was blacklisted from the sports industry.

David had won.

He had gotten his revenge on Eddie. But he also knew that Eddie was a dangerous man. He knew that Eddie would be back, and he was determined to be ready for him.

A Few Years Later:

David was sitting in his office when he received a call from Eddie. "Michael, it's been a while." "Eddie?" What do you want? "I want to talk about business."

Micheal stammers, I..I'm not really interested in talking to you at the moment. "I think you will be interested to hear what I have to say David."

I have a proposition for you.

"I'm listening."

"I want to start a new agency with you David." I know that we have had our differences, but I believe that we could be a powerful team together.

"Why would I want to partner with you? You're a snake Eddie!" "Oh, David, you cut me to the quick." Yes, I've made my mistakes, But I think I've learned from them. I'm a different man now. I'm ready to build a new agency that is based on trust and respect.

"You know what Eddie?"

"What?"

"I went to the zoo the other day and I met one of your cousins!"

"Oh, yeah, which one?"

"The chimpanzee!"

"Ha, ha, heh, heh.."

Ok, David, I probably deserved that one. But, now that it's out of your system. Take all the time you need David." But don't forget, I'm not the only one who could benefit from this partnership.

Eddie hangs up the phone. David sits back in his chair and thinks about Eddie's offer. He knows that he is a dangerous man, but he also knows that Eddie is a brilliant businessman.

He also knows that he could use Eddie's help to build his agency even bigger. David is torn. He doesn't want to partner with Eddie, but he also knows that it could be a good business decision.

David decides to talk to his trusted advisors about Eddie's offer. He wants to get their input before making such a decision. His advisors are all against the idea of partnering with Eddie.

They warn David that Eddie is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They tell him that he can't really be trusted. Michael listens to his advisors, but he is still undecided.

He knows that Eddie is a risk, but he also believes that the rewards could be great. David decides to meet with him again. He wants to get a better grasp and understanding of Eddie's plans for the new agency.

David and Eddie meet at a local restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. They talk for hours about their vision for the new agency. He is again impressed by Eddie's passion and his business acumen.

David still has some reservations about Eddie, but he is starting to think that perhaps a partnership could work. He knows that Eddie has a lot to offer, and he also believes that they could complement each other well.



© Charles Kemp