Bison

The players are all seated in the bleachers. All of the coaches stand on the floor. Coach Saunders is in the foreground. The gym is deafeningly quiet. Coach Saunders has everyone's attention.

Coach Saunders- I have over 200 players here, but only 50 will stay. Following that, I will keep 30 men. Only ten of you will remain after the third cut. On the fourth and final day of camp, when we have the big scrimmage game, I will select the top five players for Summer League to play with some of the guys from the main roster.

The players continue listening. Some are feeling anxious. Others start to worry. A few players appear to be at ease. Lance, on the other hand, is depressed.

Coach Saunders- When you see your name on the board, you know you've made it. Meet me back here in the center of the floor if you made the cut. Those who did not make the cut can try again next year.

The players start to leave the bleachers. They start walking towards the wall near the basketball courts' baselines. Lance tries to join the other players as they approach the list.

Coach Saunders- Carter, come here.

Lance turns around, expecting the worst, and approaches Coach Saunders. Coach Saunders remains emotionless as Lance approaches. He stands expressionless, as still as a spring pond. Lance, on the other hand, is as depressing as a single weeping willow on a rainy day.

Coach Saunders- I'll just keep it simple, son. You didn't make it. You know that, right?

Lance - Yeah, thanks.

Coach Saunders- Aren't you Demarco's cousin?

Lance- Yes.

Coach Saunders- What happened, kid? Did you ever play ball as a kid? What exactly are you doing here?

Lance- I joined my friends. We all came together.

Lance turns his gaze to the wall and notices two men standing near the list. One of them is his friend DRE JACKSON, a tall and lean dark-skinned man with a flat-top fade, brown eyes, and clean shaven. JOE BRODY, the other friend, is a tall and stocky Caucasian man with brown hair, brown eyes, and clean shaved.

Dre- (ecstatic) Yeah! I made it! Yes!

Joe- (excited) I made it, too!

Lance watches his friends celebrate with dismay.

Coach Saunders- I'm not sure why, but you're not a basketball player. You aren't good enough for the park district league. You are polar opposites to your cousin.

Lance exits the court and returns to the bleachers to retrieve his belongings before making his way to the exits. Derek grins as Lance walks out of the gym, and then he celebrates with some of the other players who made the cut.

Lance walks out of the building and onto the sidewalk, depressed. It's a long walk to the bus stop. Lance walks in shame. He finally arrives at the bus stop and waits for the bus. He sighs as he scrolls through his phone, his heart heavy with sadness.

Lance dials a number and waits for a response. The call is routed directly to voicemail.

Voicemail- Your call has been forwarded to the voicemail for ...

Lance ends the call.  He locates a phone number associated with Trinity and types the message before clicking "send."

The bus finally arrives a few moments later. Lance boards the bus and pays his fare. He walks quietly to the back of the bus and takes his seat as it pulls away from the station. Lance is sitting, his head bowed. His heart is filled with melancholy. His thoughts are completely blank. Lance simply wishes to return home to Trinity.

... To Be Continued.