Tie-break

Out! 6 all. Five minute break.
Nothing to do, we go to the tie break. Let's drink something first, I feel dehydrated.
I can't believe it! A tie break against Raffaele and Ludovico! It's science fiction, Kerllermann, we usually throw them out with a triple bagel. And then those four consecutive lets...
You're right, I'm not really having the day.
It's not a question of having the day, Kellermann: it's that you've lost your aggression and malice. You used to hit hard, now you've gone soft. You're not becoming a baseline player, I hope.
I don't think so, come on: I also got some winning slices.
However you have lost too much weight, you have lost muscle strength.
Just a couple of kilos. I need to start doing some weights again: I haven't been to the gym lately, I wasn't in the right mood. And then tennis is more about the mind than the muscles.
Your mind isn't in great shape either. Now, drink some of this: it's an energetic concoction that will cheer you up in five minutes.
It really sucks, Freddy!
I know, but it will do you good. Come, let's sit in the sun: it's quite cold today.


Anyway, yes, I'm a little distracted. I have some problems, work and family.
They tell me you changed job.
No, not really: let's say I added a new job to the old one. I'm not giving up my father's factory.
As long as you can, you'll do well, old boy.
As long as I can, of course. The economic situation is becoming more difficult every day and we are governed by a bunch of crazy people, but I'm not a newbie, you know: I chose to fight.
This does you credit. They also told me that you are no longer with your wife, is that true?
Yes, we broke up a couple of months ago.
I'm sorry, but you don't have to feel so bad about it.
Sorry, why shouldn't I feel bad? The failure of a marriage is no small thing.
Oh, I know.
You know?
I mean, no, I don't know. I imagine. Besides, it's none of my business: I just don't like seeing you so down.
Don't worry, I'll get over it: sport helps too. However, you're right, this stuff is the bomb: it tastes disgusting, but it really cheers you up.
It is a cocktail of mineral salts and vitamins. Can I tell you something?
Sure, tell me.
I always thought she was the wrong woman for you.
Or maybe I'm the wrong man for her.
Kellermann, don't blame yourself, you don't have to: I believe that woman has some psychiatric problems.
What do you know?
I remind you that I am the son of a neuropsychiatrist: I must have learned something. I also had to study quite a bit to understand my many psychopathies, and this helped me recognize those of others.
Listen, Bergamelli, I sincerely appreciate your intention, but everyone in his place, okay? Forget about my wife's psychopathy.
She's not your wife anymore, right? Now you're with someone else.
No, you're wrong: I'm with someone else, but she's still my wife.


Put it however you want. In my opinion it was lucky for you that she left.
Lucky for me?
Yes, Kellermann.
Sorry, what do you mean?
The five minutes are up, we better get ready to get back on the field.
I don't care about the five minutes, they'll wait: it's not an official tournament! What did you mean?
Well, I don't know if I can afford to be honest with you.
I don't know, Bergamelli: it depends on what you want to tell me.
It doesn't matter, come on: let's focus on the match and try to study a winning strategy.
Oh no, now you can't get away with it like this: spit it out.
Are you sure you want to know?
What?
Simply put, you married a nymphomaniac. Well, what are you laughing at?
Antonia nymphomaniac? Sorry, but I really think I would have noticed, all these years.
Maybe ask your brother, if you don't believe me.
You don't know anything about my brother, Bergamelli! Nothing at all. Strange as it may seem to you, theirs was a love story: nymphomania had nothing to do with it.
Kellermann, perhaps we didn't understand each other: I know exactly what I'm saying.
What do you know? That story is a secret between me and her, how do you know they were together? Maybe you will have understood it from some look, from some attitude, I don't know: you are evidently an excellent observer. But I assure you, you know nothing about it.
Nothing? I know it by heart, the story of Antonia and your brother!
By heart? What are you saying?
Antonia gave me such a headache with that matter...
Did she give "you" a headache?
Yeah. Mind you, I also told her from the first moment that it would end like this. I always told her, "Little sister, you're going to crash into a concrete wall at two hundred miles an hour," but she was so stupid that she didn't believe me.
Little sister?
Well, yes. We were quite on good terms.
What kind of good terms?
I don't know whether to tell you. But sincerity pays off in the end, right?
Get to the point, Bergamelli!
The point is that I fucked her a few times too.
What?!
Obviously before your wedding. Then I stopped, I have too much respect for institutions.
Respect for what?!
But now you're no longer together, right?
Right what?
Kellermann, stop saying "what" and listen, man to man: where did you want to go with a woman like that by your side? All she needs is a little muscle, longer hair than usual, a glass of champagne. By the way, she doesn't stand up to champagne, the Dom Perignon knocks her out straight away: and to think that it wasn't even a great vintage, a modest 1992. And then bergamot, pepper, sandalwood.
Bergamot, pepper, sandalwood?? What are you ranting about?
Men's aftershave: fresh and woody fragrance with green notes, mandarin, bergamot, cardamom, flowers, pepper, vanilla, sandalwood, guaiac wood, musk and amber. A deadly mix, women fall at your feet like flies. However, to return to the topic, that woman would have compromised your career, she would have made you ridiculous in everyone's eyes. A wife accompanies you in public, accredits you or disqualifies you in the eyes of society. I'm considering getting married too and I realize the delicacy of the choice; I already have the potential candidate in mind, a Swiss noblewoman: she has style and class, and above all she is indifferent to aftershave. I can introduce you to a German friend of hers if you want, a von Reibnitz, she would be the perfect wife for you. Class is everything in a woman, and Antonia doesn't even know what it is: besides, you can't expect much from a woman from Vankillia area, especially one of southern origins. I understand you, huh? It's not that I don't understand you: she's a redhead, and we know that redheads are arousing, she's pretty enough and you probably didn't feel like quitting after all those years of dating, but you shouldn't let yourself be influenced by compassion in choices like this. If you really want to see her, you could consider the possibility of meeting her secretly: think about it, Kellermann, it's not a bad idea. As a lover she is passable, I tell you from direct experience, but as a wife she is unacceptable.
Hey, hands off, Kellermann! What's wrong with you? Do you want to smash my face? Go ahead, just know that I have a black belt in karate. Plus I'm bigger than you. However, let's try not to make ourselves ridiculous, please. You disappoint me: it doesn't do you honor to not be able to accept the truth, it's not like a man. I was honest with you, I told you things as they are. I don't like you letting yourself be treated like an idiot: it's time you open your eyes, everyone knew it except you.
And now enough childishness, let's be serious people. The break is over, let's get back on the pitch and try to win. After the match we have a drink and talk about men's things: I have some change to invest and I've got my eye on an online sales company that has just gone public. Amazon, I think. My accountant doesn't trust it, but it seems promising to me: I want to know what you think, as you are now an expert in the sector.
Where the fuck are you going, Kellermann?
Come back! So we're giving them the win by default!