Mike Gillis walks into the room, a sheen of morning dew awash his face. He is wearing a rumpled sweatsuit, ready to hit the gym when business is finished. Jannik Hansen is already seated. He's wearing a Christmas sweater and corduroy pants. Jannik smiles widely.
"Hello Jannik. Why don't you take a seat"
"I'm already seated? (awkward laugh) Uh, hi Mike..." (Jannik voice squeaks when he says 'Mike'.)
"No, please, call me Mr. Gillis. I insist"
"I --"
A look of alarm bordering on bewilderment begins to creep across Jannik's previously calm face. This isn't what he expected at all; it's nothing like what Daniel told him would happen
"Yes?" Gillis looks like a ravenous-but-overfed wolf.
"Noth -- nothing, Mike. Mr. Gillis. Where's my agent? You said he'd be --"
"You don't trust me?" Gillis's eyes are inky black. They gleam as he leans forward and places his hands on the desk.
"You really should trust me, Jannik. I have the best wishes of the family at heart. You're part of the family aren't you?" His eyes are an oilspill, Jannik a fledgling seabird struggling to free himself.
"Of course I do? I mean of course I do." He catches himself and hastily adds a "Mr. Gillis" to the end of his sentence.
"Good. That's real good, Jannik. Here's Chris Higgins contract. Sign here."
"My agent and Daniel told me I should get more. I like Chris, but I am a better player, and younger."
"You don't hug as much."
"What --"
"Chris hugs everybody. People like that. He has a beard. He's very taciturn when he's not hugging people, which makes his hugs that much more meaningful. That's worth something."
"I don't understand."
"Let's talk about something else, Jannik. You had twins recently?"
"Yes!" palpable relief etches on Jannik's face.
"You named one Daniel?"
"Yes, after my best friend, and mentor, Daniel Sedin."
"And the other is named?" Gillis's oilspill eyes are now on fire. Jannik stops struggling, his shoulders slumped.
"Lucas."
He's mumbling now. Gillis presses a button on his phone and speaks quietly. Jannik hears the words "send him in now" but is too dejected to pay attention. When he looks up, he sees that Henrik Sedin has entered the room. He is inexplicably wearing his Captain's jersey. He sits beside Jannik. Uncomfortably close. He smells like Jannik remembers, like hard iron. There is something unwell about Henrik. Henrik stares at him with cold, discerning eyes. Jannik begins to feel a sour knot in his stomach.
Several uncomfortable minutes pass before Henrik speaks:
"Sign."
"My agent --"
"Sign." Same inflection.
"Daniel told me --"
Henrik cuffs Jannik not lightly behind the ear.
"Ow! What the -- that hurt!" He touches his head gingerly. "I'm seening stars here..."
The previously quiet Gillis intercedes:
"No, Jannik. You're seeing STAR. And its name is Henrik."
Jannik sighs and signs the contract.
Gillis embraces him warmly.
"Call me Mike."
/Scene
