Rupert cursed under his breath. They were behind at half time, 21 to 10. The team headed en masse for the locker room and the inevitable lecture. Coach Hargrave was a tough, no-nonsense task master. Rupert settled onto the bench as the rest of the team filed in followed by the coaches.
"Rupert, what the hell were you doing out there? Is something wrong with your arm?"
"No sir, coach, I'm fine."
"Fine? Fine? You think 2 out of 11 is fine? It is pathetic. Are you sure you want to play football?"
"Yes sir, coach, I definitely want to play."
"You go talk to the quarterback coach. We have to do something different."
Rupert shuffled over to Mac Lindsey, the quarterback coach. "I guess I had a run of bad luck." He explained.
"Bad luck?" said Mac. "Bad luck? You have lost concentration. The first half, you couldn't drop a marble in a wash tub. Get your mind off the cheerleaders and back into the game or you'll be flogging your dong by yourself!"
"Yes sir!" Rupert replied. Coach was right. All he had been thinking about was ruby red lips and creamy white thighs. He knew he had to get his mind into the game if he wanted any more of that wonderful stuff.
Rupert and the team charged out onto the field to start the second half. This time, he went 21 for 24 and 4 touchdowns while their opponents were held to 1 touchdown and a field goal. Rupert's team won 38 to 31.
The team assembled in the locker room after the game. Coach was a lot happier this time. He congratulated the team, 'invited' them to the next practice and dismissed them.
Big time college football was taking a toll on Rupert. He had an excellent GPA. He knew he wasn't quite good enough to get into the pros, but he wanted to keep playing. 2 more years of school and it would all end. Then he would need his degree. As he walked to his house, two cheerleaders pounced on him.
"Hi Rupey," they chorused. "Can we come home with you?"
This is what made it all worthwhile. The collegiate bonus. Fresh, young cheerleaders.
"Sure, come on over," he agreed.
He knew what they wanted. They knew what he wanted. It was a great way to keep everyone happy. He walked hand in hand with the two cheerleaders. They kept looking at him and smiling. He smiled back. They smiled because they knew they had the right stuff to trap him. He smiled because he knew they thought he would be a pro football player someday.
"Did you guys bring your swim suits?" he asked innocently; knowing full well they didn't have suits.