There was a collective sigh of relief, and, at the news, Walter snapped into business mode.
“We need to make sure it’s advertised well and that people know to buy tickets,” Walter said. “I have friends at the local and national papers, so I can call in some favors there, but your station should start running ads right away.”
“We’re already on it,” someone from the network said. “We need this to be a success as much as you do; we’re going to run TV and radio ads nonstop to get the word out.”
“What about sponsors?” Adele asked. “At matches I used to play, there were often posters and banners from businesses local to the area of the tournament. Can someone contact businesses in the area and see if they’d be interested?”
“I can do that,” Walter said.
“You’re perfect for that, Walt; you know everyone.” Sylvia was happy to see Walter taking charge again; he’d been moping around looking distraught for too long.
“I’ll be in charge of food and beverages,” Sylvia said. “I’ll contact the vendors and make sure we’re well stocked for that day. And I’ll ensure that we have enough staff.” There’d be some confusion, as she’d already broken contracts with their suppliers and let most of the staff go, but she’d explain the situation and make it work.
“What about merchandise?” Milly piped in. “I don’t know a thing about putting on a tennis tournament or running a club, but I do knowfashion and I know people love to shop. I imagine they’ll pay good money to take home a souvenir from the biggest women’s tennis match of the last two decades. What about cardigans or sweaters with The Island Club on the back, or sun hats? If it’s a hot day, we could sell paper fans.”
“I love the idea, Milly,” Sylvia said. “But ordering personalized items takes weeks, months maybe, and we don’t have that kind of time. And it requires money up front that we don’t have at out fingertips.” Walter nodded and Milly looked disappointed.
“What about items from our local boutiques? Could we set up a makeshift gift shop with items on loan from stores in town?” Milly asked. “We only pay for what we sell; they get a cut and we get a cut.”
“I like it,” Sylvia said. “Can you be in charge of that?”
Milly nodded, looking happy to participate.
The meeting went on with people chiming in making arrangements, assigning jobs. The camera crew talked about specific needs they had for filming—they discussed building a platform structure they could film from—and Walter brought up the need for additional seating around center court.
“What about national tennis brands?” Jonathan asked. “If we secure one of those brands, they could cover any structural additions.”
“I had thought of that,” Adele said. “Babolat strings, Wilson rackets, Dayton, Spalding—but I don’t know if they’re going to sponsor an event with two washed-up tennis players.”
“Don’t say that,” Sylvia said. “Why don’t you and I work on that together, Adele, and we can talk to them about sponsoring you and Margery too.”
Sylvia had always loved to plan a party, to chair a committee, organize a charity gala—that’s where she excelled—but this was intensely personal. As crazy and improbable as the whole thing had sounded at first, it was actually beginning to sound feasible, and, dare she admit it, quite exciting. She knew it was unlikely they could save the club, but she liked being part of a team in this way and loved working in partnership with Walter. Judith would see her parents working together to pull offthis near-impossible feat, and they could at least walk away from it all with their heads held high.
When the meeting ended, Adele approached Sylvia and Milly.
“I need to train,” she said. “I haven’t played an actual match in twenty years, and I’ve only got a few weeks to catch up.”
“Yes,” Milly said. “But who will you train with?”
Adele laughed. “Robbie is not exactly my biggest fan, but I’ll see what I can do to convince him or the other coaches to hit with me. But until they agree, I was hoping I’d practice with you,” she said to Milly, then turned to Sylvia: “And you.”
“I hardly think we’re at your level,” Milly said and laughed.
“No,” Adele said, “absolutely not, but I have to take what I can get for now, and you two are it.” She shrugged. “So will you play?”
“Well, sure,” Milly said.
“All right,” Sylvia said. “Between putting on the biggest event I’ve ever attempted and preparing to uproot my family and move to the desert, sure—why not take on some extra tennis too?” Sylvia said.
“Good,” Adele said, not missing a beat. “Sylvia, you can be my eight o’clock. Milly, be ready at nine.”
