Devin Johnson and Don Manning walk into a room after a long walk from the apartments. Quips are exchanged as they take off their pullovers.

“BOUT TO SHOW YOU WHO THE CHAMP IS DEVIN”

They stare each other down as the both pick up small paddles. A small white ball is bounced on the table and the match begins. Each begins swinging furiously at the ball as they slowly back away from the table.  The onlookers in the room watch in awe as the match intensifies.  Johnson’s dreads fly around hiding his face as he moves from one side of the table to the next. He misjudges the balls speed and misses it. The score is now 1-0.

“SEE I TOLD YOU TO BRING YOUR A GAME DEVIN!”

“YOU GOT LUCKY, BUT NOT NO MORE!”

Each man stares each other down and the match continues. The crowd continues to watch as each athlete smacks the ball across the table. The sounds of the ball smacking the paddles echoes throughout the room, Kla plap Kla plap Kla plap. As the match intensifies so do the players.  Each one gaining point after point against each other until they are both tied at 10-10.

Both men are sweating and breathing heavily as if their lives depended on this game. The crowd watches as Don serves the ball to begin the final set. They smack the ball with all their might, hands tightly gripped around their paddles.  Devin smacks the ball a little too hard and it seems the ball will land out of bounds. As Don begins a victorious cheer the ball smacks the very edge of the table before landing out, point Devin!

“Yeeeaaahhh,” he yells passionately as he looks at his audience.

“I TOLD YOU I WOULD WIN!”

The two then meet at the center of the table with a handshake, smiles, and laughter.  The crowd congratulates Devin as he is now the reigning champ in ping pong amongst the football players at Gardner-Webb University.