(J.T. turns to Rogie VACHON.)
"Alright, the first guy I want to trade for is someone this franchise shouldn't have let get away in the first place. You noticed that we didn't have a first Alternate Captain on that list of untouchables, didn't you?"
VACHON: "I did. You want our old Captain back. Yeah, I do too."
"Exactly right ..."
VACHON: "... Dave Lewis."
"What in the World happened there???"
VACHON: "I really don't know. It was Don Perry's and George Maguire's call. Maybe Dave was made out to be the one of the scapegoats of a team that didn't play well."
"Well, the two of them aren't here now. Can we contact him? Is there a number we have here on file?"
VACHON: "Yeah, I think so. Let me see ... okay, here it is."
(J.T. dials the number.)
VOICE: "Hello? Is this Mr. Maguire? I'm really not interested in talking right now."
"No, this is J.T. Dutch, the new General Manager here in L.A."
VOICE: "This is
who???"
"I'm here with Rogie Vachon. We're going in a different direction here."
DAVE LEWIS: "What does that have to do with me?"
"You were a Captain here. A lot of the guys would be happy to see you with the club again. I'm also looking to acquire a couple other guys who were on the club here last season and the season before. I think it was a big mistake to let you leave. Would you be interested in coming back?"
LEWIS: "Is Perry still there? What about Maguire?"
"Perry isn't. Maguire is, but ..."
LEWIS: "I'd love to come back, but I don't want to deal with George."
"Dave, listen to me. George doesn't have any say on this. He's only going to be dealing with the Entry Draft and minor league player development from now on.
I'm not only the General Manager, but I'm also the Head Coach. No one else will be involved with this. I need you back here. You're going to play regularly. I promise it'll be a better situation."
LEWIS: "Let's do it. If you can get me, I'm on board."
"I appreciate it, Dave. And we're going to make it happen."
LEWIS: "You said Rogie's there? Can I chat with him?"
"Of course."
(J.T. hands the phone to VACHON.)
VACHON: "Hello, Dave. I'm completely on board with everything J.T. has to say. We can't wait to have you back here."
VACHON: "We're taking a gamble here, and everything's going to depend on how healthy we are over the course of the coming season, but our goal is to show a winning record and make the playoffs in a more decisive way than squeaking in by the skin of our collective teeth."
VACHON: "I'm looking forward to it, too. See you out here. Take care."
(VACHON hangs up the phone. J.T. picks up the phone and calls the New Jersey Devils. The deal is made.)
(George MAGUIRE suddenly enters the office. He sees the paperwork on the desk.)
(VACHON sighs.)
VACHON: "Wasn't expecting you, George."
MAGUIRE: "Are you guys talking about bringing Lewis back?!? What the hell's that all about?"
(J.T. responds.)
"It's already done, George. Al Tuer's going to New Jersey in the deal."
MAGUIRE: "SEE, THIS IS WHAT I MEAN! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TH' HELL YOU'RE DOING! AND YOU'RE WANTING TO PICK UP SOME GODD*MN SWEDISH PLAYERS, TOO?!?! FOR ****'S SAKE!"
VACHON: "OH COME ON, GEORGE! CUT THI-"
MAGUIRE: "No, Rogie. Tuer's a young guy who's tough and can fight, and can be called up in a pinch. We're going to get pushed around out there. You're going to let him go and then bring in guys from Sweden, who will also get pushed around?!? This makes no sense!"
(J.T. scowls, and speaks up.)
"George, you're going to do this to me on July 2nd? There's plenty of time. The work isn't done; it's just beginning. The two free agents from Sweden that I'm looking at are probably going to be traded away for other guys. It's a process.
And, as for toughness, don't worry about it. I know a couple of guys. And we're going to do all we can to get them. One of them we should be able to get right away. He's young, and he's as mean as they come."
