"What makes you think you're a winner? Hell, you haven't played in a year."

"I've thrown two hundred practice passes everyday and run five miles every night the past year."

"You don't know our play book."

"Give me two hours, and show me three game pictures," I said. "This is only a farm club. That's why I'm here."

"Why didn't somebody pick you up this year?"

"Knock it off. You know why. With the kind of money and choices they have, who's going to take a chance on a former lush?"

"Me?"

"Why not? I'll draw a helluva crowd, win or lose."

"Maybe they never heard of you in Des Moines."

"They heard of me a year ago if they stay awake here for the ten o'clock news."

"Okay… if Vakos isn't ready."

"How much?"

"Nothing if you lose. A contract if you win."

"Crummy."

"Take it or leave it. I'm answerable to top management."

"Five hundred?"

"Nothing if you lose."

"If I win?"

"Contract and five bills."

"Okay. Who are the guards?"

"Post and Preston."

"Never heard of them."

"Tackles?"

"Neiman and Norton."

"Good boys."

Well, I thought, I won't get killed from the inside if the guards are as good as the tackles. Norton was a big hill billy and Neiman was just as big, about six-five, good enough for this league, and if they kept working they both might make it back to an NFL taxi squad.

"Right end?" I asked.

"Leighton."

"No thanks."

"He's the best we've got."

"I don't want him."

"You'll take what you'll get."

I looked at Binks, straight into stoney eyes.

"You know about me and Leighton."

"He'll work no matter who's in the pocket." "That's what you think."

"If he doesn't, I'll kick his ass off the field," Binks said.

"He'll make it look like he's working."

"You're asking for the chance," Binks said. "Do you want it or don't you?"