September 20, 1935: Toronto, ON:
"Jack, come on in," Charles Tattler said, stepping back and sweeping an arm towards the open door to his office.
Jack Barrell was a bit nonplussed. He had requested a meeting with David Welcombe, the Toronto Dukes' owner and instead was "invited" to a meeting with Charles Tattler who was, officially, the General Manager of the club. Unofficially, it was rumored that he was the true power in the organization and that Welcombe had given him stock, making him a minority owner. Jack... well, Jack had not been given stock.
Jack said, "Thanks, Charles," knowing better than most that it was always Charles with Tattler - never Charlie and heaven forbid, absolutely, positively, never ever Chuck.
Tattler was a former player like Jack himself was. Tattler had been a centerman, and a well-traveled one, at that. His first pro club had been the Toronto Silver Skates, owned by John Connolly - Senior, not Junior. He'd also played with the New York Shamrocks in Connolly's 'rebel' USHA and then Boston, Chicago and the Montreal Nationals before finishing his career in Des Moines, Iowa of all places. He and Jack had briefly been team mates in Chicago, though Jack had been on the top line and Tattler, fading by then, had been on the third. For whatever reason, Jack had always felt that Tattler disliked him.
Tattler closed the door and asked Jack to take a seat. As Jack settled himself, Tattler moved behind his desk and seated himself, then placed his folded hands in front of him on the desktop.
"I suppose I should mention that I know why you're here," he said.
Jack tried to read his face, but Tattler would have made an excellent poker player. Whatever he thought about Jack and his talks with Junior Connolly, he wasn't showing it.
"The hockey community is a small one," Jack said with a lopsided grin.
Tattler gave a quick, almost imperceptible bob of his head. "That it is," was his reply.
Jack decided not to beat around the bush. "Does David know?" he asked.
Tattler frowned and said, "Yes, I informed Mr. Welcombe myself. We discussed it and decided that it would be best if you met with me, rather than him." Tattler paused and stared Jack in the eye. "Frankly, he was hurt by what he sees, rightly I might add, as a betrayal on your part."
"Betrayal? I hardly think..." Jack said, but Tattler raised a hand and interrupted. "It doesn't matter what you think, Jack. All that really matters is how Mr. Welcombe sees it, right?" He spread his hands.
Jack frowned, but said, "Yes, I suppose that's true."
Tattler gave that tiny nod again and continued, "He was of a mind to refuse to let you go. You are under contract for this coming season and Mr. Welcombe sees no reason why the Dukes should release you from your contract."
Jack had assumed that would be the case. He said, "I'm aware of my contract. And that's why I told Junior no."
Tattler couldn't keep the surprise off his face. Jack chuckled and said, "I guess the hockey community might be a little behind on that particular piece of the puzzle."
"You said no," Tattler said, disbelief coloring his tone.
"I did. I don't break contracts," Jack replied coolly.
Tattler sat back, lost in thought. "Hmm. I see," he murmured, the fingers of his right hand tapping on the blotter.
Jack decided to let the other shoe drop. "But I did tell him that I would be interested when my contract does expire," he said.
Tattler frowned again. "Well... so one lame duck season and then you'll leave us high and dry, is that it?"
"That's not how I'd put it, but... well, the offer from Junior was quite generous."
"Yes, well owning several silver mines does tend to put money in your pocket," Tattler said, the wry tone back in his voice. "Precious metals being somewhat... Depression-proof," he added.
Jack's lips compressed in a near frown but he held his tongue. Everyone was aware of just where the Connolly family's fortune rested.
Tattler sat forward again and grinned. There was no joy in that grin that Jack could see. It looked... feral.
"That being the case," he said and the grin widened. "You're fired," he said.
Now Jack was surprised. Firing him meant that they'd have to pay him for the balance of his contract, for one thing, and for another... "Who's going to coach the team?" he sputtered.
Though Jack had thought it wouldn't have been possible, Tattler's grin somehow grin even wider. "I am," he said.
.
[NOTE: If you're interested in reading about the hockey piece of the Figment Universe, there are seasonal recaps going back to the beginning on Legendsport.com]