A Christmas Gift For Fort Zack

"Great!" Parker said, opening his drawer and pulling out a sheet of his personal stationery. "Let's sign a memo of agree—" Suddenly one huge black hand covered Parker's, almost covered the whole sheet of paper. Parker raised his eyes to look into the other man's.

"Yeah, all for Double T, but one thing for Fort Zack," Double T said.

"What do you mean, Doubs?"

"Sandy, my man, if I signs for six years, I wants you to sign that you'll keep the Rapids in Fort Zachary for six years."

Parker freed his hand and gulped down the rest of his eggnog. "Now hold on, Doubs, I can't tie my hands like that. Attendance is only up 4%...."

"There be a lotta folks outta work."

"That's not my concern, or yours, Doubs. And the local TV—"

"Hey, I know you got home games on the cable now."

"The hell I do, Doubs. I was lucky to get six away games on UHF. And the Coliseum rent...."

Double T rose to his feet. He did not shoot up, but climbed slowly, menacingly to his full height, and stood there, hands on his waist. He said, "Hey, no more jive, Santa Claus. Now that be the deal."