Melanie and Daniel 17

Chapter One

'Move it, chump. Move it!' screeched Melanie C.

'I am fricking moving it, sporty,' retorted Daniel, as he grounded his bat for the quick single in the indoor cricket match they were playing.

'Slight chance!' yelled David Beckham from the stand.

The team was chasing down a target in the Zaphora Indoor competition they were playing, and Danielphon indeed had a chance. Their first victory in their new endeavours they'd been pursuing 5 years now was on the horizon, and neither Daniel nor Melanie nor the rest of the team wanted this one to slip. They were back in form. In past times they competed well, but the competition was ancient now, and getting back up to scratch took some effort and some training – what they had been doing for a while.

'Listen, D grade champion,' said Melanie. 'We're not going to let this one slip yet again. Keep your eye on the bloody ball, and get us a run.'

'I know how to play ruddy cricket,' replied Daniel. He made a mental note. Eye on the ball. Thanks Melanie C.

They played on, and of the first ball of the last over Melanie scored 2 runs, winning the team the match. They came off, not quite exhausted, but hot and sweaty and looking like champs.

'Well done, pommie lad,' said David Beckham, as Daniel sat down next to him. 'Not National level yet, but you're not bad.'

'He did fine,' said Victoria Beckham. 'Can probably improve still.'

'Indoor cricket,' replied Daniel, catching his breath. 'Is were I play cricket best. Not a huge amount of talent, it's ok, but I am able to rustle up the passion at times to compete.'

'My God,' said Melanie C. 'The once invincible Daniel the Seraphim admitting to mortality. He has changed.'

'Funny,' replied Daniel, using a towel to wipe off his sweat.

'3 more wins and we're off the bottom,' said Melanie.

'Don't get ahead of yourself,' said Daniel. 'These guys are only mid-placed on the ladder.'

'But we're improving, and it's second last place next week at home. We're a sure thing.'

'Maybe,' replied Daniel. He looked at Victoria. 'The Spice Girls up for phase 2 of our promotion?'

'I suppose,' said Victoria. 'I doubt it could get worse than phase 1.'

'Hey that turned out fine for you girls in the end,' said Daniel. 'Sales were up in several new micronations.'

'But our reputation tarnished forever,' said Melanie sarcastically.

'Take a lot to make it any worse,' quipped Daniel under his breath. Melanie poked him with the end of her cricket bat.

'Improve the star next time,' said David. 'David Suchet is fab, but you could use the top talent.'

'He is the top talent,' said Daniel.

'Mainly in dry and stuffy,' said Melanie.

'Branch out for a hipper market,' said Victoria. 'Spice Girls style.'

Daniel looked at them. 'I'll think about it. We have an image for the product we want to maintain, but maybe. I guess it couldn't get any worse.'

'Hey, when you are running last, you got to try something,' said Melanie.

Daniel looked up at the blackboard with their team last on the ladder. 'True enough,' he replied. 'Let's get some OJ.'

Melanie followed Daniel to the canteen and as they chatted lightly, Daniel kept the advice in mind. Maybe a brand new star and a brand new vision. Hey, it could only improve things. Couldn't it?

Chapter Two