Kostas headed off with the ball, charging down the court until he got close to the end and then he shot, scoring off the backboard. Not bad. He collected the ball again and looked back to his advisor.
‘Talk quickly,’ Stathis said, removing his jacket, folding it and placing it neatly on the ground. ‘So my chances of tachycardia are reduced.’
Kostas tossed him the ball. ‘I will give you the chance for a head start.’
Stathis caught the ball and began to bounce. ‘I feel I am at a disadvantage with my shoes.’
‘You always dress for business. It is impeccable.’
‘Is that sarcasm?’
‘You know where business gets done?’ Kostas asked him. ‘Not inside the pockets of your Ralph Lauren suit.’
‘No?’
‘Sometimes it gets done in a treehouse,’ he said. ‘Now move with that ball or I’m just going to take it from you.’
Stathis span and began running down the court with the ball, already panting in the heat of the sun. ‘Talk.’
‘I want to change the project,’ Kostas said without prelude.
‘OK…’
‘You do not sound so surprised,’ Kostas said.
‘Well, it has been getting more elaborate from the stage of conception, so nothing surprises me,’ Stathis said, still in control of the ball.
‘No?’ Kostas weaved in front of him, trying to put him off.
‘But remember, if it’s a big change then we are going to need to talk to the planning guy again. I mean, he has to get these things passed and he’s not a miracle worker.’
Stathis was so open with his play and so off balance. Kostas struck, swiping the ball away from him and racing back up the court.
‘Hey!’ Stathis exclaimed. ‘You have to give me a chance! I did not play for my school, let alone my country!’
‘Catch me up,’ Kostas called. ‘It is good for you.’
He slowed his pace a little, waited until Stathis was nearer to him before he spoke again.
‘I am not going ahead with the project.’
‘Very funny,’ Stathis said. ‘I am not going to be fooled into being distracted, you know.’
Kostas smiled. ‘Ha! Well, I’m being serious.’
‘Of course you are,’ Stathis said, trying to get the ball away from Kostas but not having the best success.
He really didn’t believe him. Kostas stopped bouncing the ball, tossed it from palm to palm and then he threw it to Stathis.
‘I am being serious,’ Kostas repeated assuredly.
Stathis caught the ball and stopped, just staring at Kostas like he was speaking in a language he didn’t understand. ‘What?’
‘You said that nothing surprises you,’ Kostas remarked. ‘But you look surprised.’
‘I still don’t know if I believe you,’ Stathis said. ‘Is this some kind of trick? To test my reaction?’
‘No,’ Kostas said, quieter. ‘I mean it.’
