PART ONE
“Our assistant GM sure has a lot of great things to say about you, Pep,” Shoeless said, thinking a compliment might soften the man. If it did, Pepper sure didn’t show it. “For my part, I enjoyed competing against you throughout your career; Always knew you’d be bringing your best.”
Pepper removed the well-worn and faded Rockville Pikeman ballcap from his head, a relic from the first team he’d played for, but didn’t respond. Lifting his other hand, he absently scratched at his scalp, the hard, thick muscles of his arms and shoulders still in obvious playing shape, like he could grab a bat and glove today and still compete at a high level.
Pepper replaced his hat and pulled it low over his eyes.
The pair studied one another for several moments. With each awkward passing second, Shoeless found himself liking the man in front of him more and more. The Robins weren’t going to turn into a winner without a bit of tough love and serious coaching. Pepper’s demeanor was exactly what Shoeless felt was needed, reminding him of the guys who used to coach for him in Sacramento.
“You know, Pep, I .. ,” Shoeless said, breaking the silence.
Peppers quickly interrupted him. “I don't like you, you know. Never have."
“I’m sorry to hear ..,”
“I don’t like the way you run things,” Pepper continued as if Shoeless hadn’t responded at all. “I don’t like all the shady shit you always got going on behind the scenes. I don’t like this pathetic organization. But most of all, I bloody hate the idea of having to work for you.”
Shoeless sank back in his chair, his mind spinning as he tried to soak in what he just heard. It was, after all, Pepper who had reached out to offer his services in Cobble Hill, not the other way around. Why take the job if he hated me and this place so much? Any one of the other 31 BBA franchises would love to have this Hall of Famer instructing their next generation of ballplayers. Things weren’t adding up.
“If that's the case, I'm curious as to why you took the job.” Shoeless leaned forward in his chair and interlocked his fingers on the desk, imploring Pepper for an answer.
Pepper's answer was only laughter — deep, sinister laughter -- while moving his head from side to side. After a bit, he went quiet and removed his cap again. He wagged a thick finger at Shoeless.
“That’s a funny bloody question coming from you.” Pepper grabbed a Robins hat from a pile of new ones sitting on a small table next to the door; he immediately began forming the bill. “I guess we’re just going to pretend like me coming here was all my idea.”
“But it was your idea, Pep.”
It was, right? Shoeless thought, confused.
Pepper laughed again, louder than before, then gestured a sarcastic thank you with a tip of his new Robins' cap before grabbing the handle of the office door and slamming it shut on his way out.
