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at
your fingertips?
    Furthermore, Michael knew that “Daddy” was more
than pleased with his son-in-law. He introduced Michael to people and
situations most people only dream about. Then, only a year after the marriage,
Elliot approached Michael with a proposition: he would set up his son-in-law in
any business venture he wanted. He promised Michael he would make sure this
business would always be a success. Michael knew enough about Elliot Thomas by
that time to realize the potential of such an assurance. It was a win-win
situation. A gold mine for the asking.
    Thus began The Sports Page. Michael had
given considerable thought to what kind of company he would create. After all,
the inevitable age crunch would someday send him to the locker room for one
last time. He began dreaming of a line of stores selling sports equipment and
athletic wear for every conceivable sport. In addition, the stores would share
facilities with the ultimate athletic club. Michael would use only state of the
art equipment in his weight rooms, gyms, courts, and locker rooms. He would
cultivate a clientele that would give the club status and class. This would be
no sweat tank. The Sports Pagewould make history.
    And that’s exactly what it did. From that
initial conversation with his father-in-law to the grand opening of his first
facility, Michael personally oversaw every single detail to perfection. Even
before the balloons deflated and the last of the confetti was swept away from
the inaugural celebration, the empire of The Sports Page was well on its way.
In only a few short years, while still continuing his career with the Astros,
Michael witnessed his company’s growth as it exploded across the country. The
Page, as it was nicknamed, soon took residence in almost every major city in America .
Michael was indeed an American success story. After his retirement from
baseball, his picture was more likely to be found on the front page of Fortune magazinethan Sports Illustrated. He had tasted the best of both
worlds.
    Yes, life had been good to Michael Dean.
    Now, years later, playing a round of golf with
his old friend Jimmy was a welcome change of pace. Their usual teasing had
lifted his spirits considerably as it always did. Jimmy and Michael had been
good friends for many years. While Michael quickly worked his way up through
the farm teams, Jimmy had taken the sports broadcasting world by storm.
Whenever their paths crossed, they headed for the nearest golf course.
    Relaxing over his second beer, Michael sat back
on the barstool. Jimmy peered over his Diet Coke, casting a long hard look at
his burly friend.
    “If you don’t mind me butting in—”
    “I do, so don’t.”
    Jimmy smiled. “Michael, what’s eating you?
What’s going on? Buddy, you and I go way back. You may be able to pull off this
carefree façade with everybody else, but I can read you like a book. What is
it?”
    Michael toyed with a salt shaker for a long time
before answering. “I don’t know, man. Got a lot on my mind, I guess. Didn’t
realize I was so transparent. I’ll have to watch that.” His smile was
half-hearted at best.
    “C’mon, Michael. What gives? You and the queen
having problems?” Jimmy had never taken Michael and Amelia’s marriage too
seriously. He knew the old Michael Dean—the ball player with a
girl in every city on the league schedule and then some.
    Michael looked up and started to make another
wise crack but stopped short. He spotted a familiar figure in a dark suit just
over Jimmy’s shoulder, standing at the entrance to the grill.
    Jimmy, reacting to the change in Michael’s
demeanor, looked over his shoulder. “Friend of yours?”
    Michael shifted uncomfortably. “No, just one of
Elliot’s stiffs. These guys drive me insane,” he grumbled as he stood. “Listen,
Jimmy, I gotta go. I’ll give you a call in a couple of days.” He patted his
friend on his shoulder, “Good seein’ you, man. Keep working on that swing,”