S1

“Looks fun,” I say from the archway.

They turn to me, suddenly serious, like they’re in the military or something.

They were in the act of seeing which one could lift different weights propped horizontally on a long pole with one hand.

“Who’s managed to do this one?” I ask.

“Just Muli,” says Tushabe. “But Cord hasn’t tried.”

“All right, Cord. Then it’s my turn.”

That surprises them, but Cord gets to grinning about it. He handles the weight successfully.

As do I. In fact, I win the contest. And I win enough of the other contests that I end up swallowing the majority of that bottle. Of course, the winner of the contest gets to pick the next one, so I make sure to choose contests for slightly older folk like me.

The next morning I have one hell of a hangover. But at least none of my athletes do. I ask them to please do me a favor and not hold such a contest before important training.

Draw a small circle in Cord’s AND Muli’s Sway box.

Draw a small X in the “Salute” box.