Claimed:Chemical Reaction [Reviewed]

[Evans 305]

 

"How great of a feeling was it to go number one overall?"

 

The ringing in my ears seemed to subside just enough for me to make out the words. The bright lights of the ESPN Sportscenter set engulfed me as if I were a small child in a tidal wave. The more you try to swim, the more it pulls you under. I can feel my eyes squint as I try to look as natural as possible.

 

"Well, Britt, it was a great feeling. Coming from my background, going first overall in this draft was something that many thought would never be possible. People thought that I didn't have the proper amount of experience to build a team around. I don't agree with those people, but it is very easy to see where they come from with that opinion. My favorite part of the night was definitely seeing the look on the faces of the guys who doubted me as I made my way up to shake the commissioners hand. I don't think it's a sight I'll soon forget."

 

Britt McHenry adjusted herself  to correct her posture. Despite the impression given on television that the entire Sportscenter telecast is live, this interview was being recorded to be inserted into the lineup during one of their later run times. I believe it was being recorded more so due to how unpredictable I am in their eyes. 

 

"The Riga Reign enter this rebuild rather aggressively, rather than just sitting back and waiting as talent develops. Do you like the way the GM has handled things?"

 

This seemed to be a trap questions for most people in my position. A hesitation or even a slight indifference regarding the moves of your GM is front page news, regardless of the sport being the lesser of the four majors. They knew I had no issue with how things were going. I wasn't going to let them make me look like a dick head.

 

"I was probably one of the biggest fans of the moves that we made. Many people don't take into consideration that when you are rebuilding, you must give the people on the roster a reason to stick around. Rebuilds aren't quick and flashy. Usually they are a slow and drawn out process. This can lead to the guys that were apart of the rebuild from the very beginning becoming very uneasy about their situation. If enough progress isn't made, you risk losing guys in free agency and the rebuild turns into a team in peril for five plus seasons. Maximoff was a top prospect this season and the move made sense. When a player like that is dangling in front of a franchise, you go get him. I would have had a problem if this deal was on the table and we decided not to do it to use the pick we traded on someone else."

 

Britt's eyes shift back to her papers that were sitting in her lap. The blue dress she wore perfectly outlined her figure despite being in a seated position. She wanted something interesting and she was going to find a way to get it.

 

"A recent article was published about your draft class where the consensus was that you would go 4th overall if the draft were to reoccur today. What are your thoughts on that?"

 

A smug smile slowly spread across her face as she knew the footage of her during my response would not be used. She almost seemed to be challenging me...daring me to speak my mind about it.

 

"People are always entitled to their opinions on things like that. It doesn't mean that they are right. I mean, many people expressed how they thought you were a stuck up bitch because of the way you treated that towing company employee. Do you think all of them were right with what they said? I would assume that you disagree?"

 

The smile quickly disappeared from her face and the set became silent. The camera kept rolling.

 

"That's what I thought. There is always going to be someone out there that says I'm not good enough to live up their expectations and that's something I know I am going to have to deal with. I am one of the best in the world at what I do, despite having put far less of my free time into it than other guys have. I am a genetic freak and it shows every single time that I step on the ice, the football field, or the weight room. People continue to debate how good I can be, but they don't say a damn thing about how good I currently am. They discredit my present because of what they think the future will be. Let them think and say what they want. I was the number one pick in this draft and nothing is going to change that. Their doubts provide motivation and with each great thing I do on the ice, I am going to turn my attention to them and rub it in their faces. They expect me to sit back and be humble, but that's just no fun. Where I'm from you don't just sit there and take shit....you react and make them regret coming at you the way they did. I am a god damn star. I am the reflection of perfection. I am the next face of this damn sport. How's that for a hot take?"

 

I stand up from my seat and use my left hand to knock it over. I smile directly into the camera before making my way off-stage and toward the parking lot. They want a reaction? I'll give them one every single time. Eventually, they'll stop asking me dumb shit. 

[Kesler 1,514]

Claimed

[JPL 151]

Reviewed! Can't wait to dominate with you in Riga!