RAH-RAH

It was Monday, January 19, 2009 – almost noon.

Brian fidgeted in his booth at the diner – wondering why he was even there – that is, why Justin had left him a message - practically ordering him to be there - under penalty of – whatever. Justin knew he had an appointment to speak to a group of important Pittsburgh business-people that very afternoon – in just a couple of hours actually. Brian wondered why Justin would interrupt his preparation for that important meeting – knowing that Brian had hopes of generating some work for Kinnetics among the contacts to be made there. It had to be something really important. And Justin was not usually given to panic. So Brian just waited and fidgeted – wondering what was up.

Justin’s eventual appearance as he finally entered the diner only served to increase Brian’s puzzlement. “Geez, Taylor,” he said. “A damn Steeler hat? Aren’t you afraid it will ruin your hairdo? The ten or fifteen minutes you spend to mold your hair into perfection - shot to hell?”

“Cut it out, Brian,” Justin advised him. “My vanity is not the issue – and I don’t have time to argue with you about that either. Our Steelers are going to the Super-Bowl and all us fans need to support them. It’s like - our civic duty.”

“Well I guess we supported them all season,” Brian recalled, “Even if we didn’t mention them all that much. You’re not making a play to go to Tampa, are you? I guess we could if you really wanted to ….”

“Nope,” Justin told him. “I don’t think we can get away. We’ll just have to watch it on TV like most loyal Pittsburghers. The Steelers won’t know we’re not there so they won’t be disappointed.”

“OK, Baby,” Brian asked. “You commanded my presence here for some crazy reason. It can’t be that hat. Please tell me it wasn’t just to show off that weird hat. You know I have that meeting this afternoon. I could have seen the hat later, you know. There’s stuff I need to do to prepare for …”

“Which is exactly why I needed to meet you before that, Kinney,” Justin assured him. “This hat is not for me, Honey. It’s for you.”

“That hat is for me, JT?” Brian recoiled. “Like I need a Steeler hat? Like the Steelers don’t know what a great fan I am without me wearing a Conference Championship hat? I don’t even like hats as you well know – and like - maybe I’m not really the rah-rah type either. And couldn’t we have fought over this hat in the loft this evening – after my important meeting? Seems to me that would have been better timing …”

“Absolutely wrong, Brian,” Justin pointed out. “That would not have been better timing – not at all. You gotta have this hat now.”

“You think I’m gonna put that hat on now, Taylor,” Brian seemed surprised. “Like I’m gonna ruin my hair before I give that presentation. Not like I’m the vain type either. I just didn’t think even you were that crazy. Well at least it’s not a jersey – or a Terrible Towel – but I still don’t quite get it …”

“Cause you don’t see the big picture, Kinney,” Justin told him. “You’re the best at what you do – but for an advertising guy, you’re not always aware of your own image. That’s why you kinda need me around – cause I’m kinda practical …”

“OK, Baby,” Brian laughed. “Even if I were willing to admit I needed you around, I don’t think it would be because of my image – or your practicality. And I don’t think you’re gonna get me to put that hat on either.”

“Whether you put on the hat, Brian,” Justin pointed out, “Or whether you don’t put the hat on - that will be entirely your business. What I am humbly insisting on is that you take it with you to the meeting. A lot of those people will be big Steeler fans – and big Steeler fans are pretty rabid too – and things are running pretty hot now Steeler-wise – since they won the big game yesterday. You just might want to be able to pull this hat out and put it on during your presentation. You’ll figure out whether to wear it or not - but it just might help you sell Kinnetics to that gang. Sorry Bri - gotta run. Thanks for coming over.”

And the spritely twink was gone - as quickly as he arrived – leaving Brian still in the booth – staring at the gold and black cap staring back at him from the table – just as puzzled as he had been when he came in

“Say Kinney,” Debbie moved in from behind him. “I see you’re a Steeler fan like us real Pittsburghers. Not like the you that I know at all. Didn’t expect you to be so smart. I guess sometimes I do underestimate you.”

“Yeah you do, Ma Novotny,” Brian told her. “See - I’ve got this meeting this afternoon. I hope it will drum up some business for Kinnetics – and this hat will help me sell myself to those folks. I didn’t have much time to get out and get a Steeler hat for myself but the trusty twink volunteered to get one for me and bring it over here. He can be really helpful sometimes, Deb.”

“Yeah he can, Brian,” Debbie agreed, “But if I knew you needed some Steeler stuff, I would have lent you my giant terrible towel. It’s like 5 feet by 10 feet. You could wear it like a cape. If you want it, Mikey’s over at my place now. He could have it here in fifteen minutes. That would really wow your crowd …”

“Geez, Deb,” Brian demurred. “I can’t really wait fifteen minutes. I’m behind schedule already – damn - but thanks for the offer …”

“Well I wouldn’t want to out-shine your own little Sunshine anyway, Mr. Kinney,” Debbie opined. “So maybe you ought to stick to the hat. The kiddo might be disappointed if you don’t. He likes to think he takes care of you, Brian. And we wouldn’t want him to think otherwise …”

“No we wouldn’t,” Brian grinned as he got up - implanted the Steeler cap on his head - and headed out to his meeting.

Debbie was grinning too.
 

Feedback for Dale

or email to xxzz5552000@yahoo.com
 

Return to Hat Challenge