THE OLD PROS
Zelmo Harek, Olympic Kite Flier
Old
Broadcaster:
Hello out there, sports fans, and welcome once again to another edition of The
Old Pros! I know it’s been awhile since you’ve seen us, so let’s get you
up to date on what’s been going on with the three of us. Let’s start with
my good friend Sal, The Old Sportswriter…
Old
Sportswriter:
Thanks, OB. The doctors call it a “loose plumbing.” They gave me some
medicine, but it doesn’t always work. It’s not so bad, though. In my
singles ad in the personals, I just added “spontaneous” to my list of
qualities.
Old
Broadcaster:
That’s the spirit. Now let’s hear from our colleague, that Master of
Motivation, The Old Coach!
Old
Coach:
I
just had a liver transplant, OB. I feel like a new man!
Old
Broadcaster:
Another one? How many does that make?
Old
Coach:
Eight, I think. Me and Flo and the gang celebrated afterwards at The Main Street Tap.
Almost drank the joint dry!
Old
Broadcaster:
Pardon me for asking, Coach, but are you sure that’s a good idea? All that
drinking, I mean. If you cut down on the booze, your liver or should I say
livers may have lasted a little longer.
Old
Coach:
Hey,
don’t lecture to me! I don’t nag you about all your Internet porn and
black-market Viagra and that rash you picked up in –
Old
Broadcaster:
- Moving right along, it’s time for this week’s guest.
Old
Sportswriter:
And we are all a-twitter, OB. Who’s this week’s loser?
Old
Coach:
Probably has the same rash.
Old
Broadcaster:
Shut up, both of you. This week’s guest happens to be an Olympic
medal-winner…
Old
Sportswriter:
Well, I’ll be damned! Could it be somebody legitimate?
Old
Coach: I’ll
reserve judgment until I found out who…and for what.
Old
Broadcaster:
Please welcome the 1952 Bronze Medal winner in kite-flying, Zelmo Harek!
Old
Coach: Told
you.
Old
Sportswriter:
Are you serious, OB? Kite-flying? Like Charlie Brown?
Zelmo:
Hey, it’s a legitimate sport! I still got scars from where the string cut
into my fingers!
Old
Coach: Well,
boo-hoo for you. Want to see the scar from where I got shot in the head during
WWII? Or the other shot in the head I got in Korea? Or where they had to put
the steel plate in my head after I took a mortar round? All while you were
flying kites?
Zelmo:
I was in the Army too!
Old
Coach:
What
did you do? Serve donuts at the USO?
Old
Broadcaster:
Coach, there’s no reason to be insulting. Zelmo is our guest and –
Zelmo:
That just shows what you know, big shot! It was danish.
Old
Sportswriter:
OB, I hate to interrupt the conversation between Coach and El Twerp-o here,
but how exactly does one compete in kite-flying?
Zelmo:
Well, you’re judged by altitude, time in flight, and style.
Old
Coach:
Yeah,
I’ll bet you had it flitting and swishing all over the place you limp-wristed
little pantywaist piece of –
Old
Broadcaster:
Coach, please!
Old
Coach:
- In
fact, why don’t you go back to San Francisco or Greenwich Village or
wherever to your boyfriend Bruce and quit wasting our time?
Zelmo:
His name isn’t Bruce, it’s Herbert! I’ve half a mind to scratch your
eyes out, you big bully! I think I’m going to cry…
Old
Broadcaster:
Gentlemen, please! This is getting out of hand! Sal, help me out!
Old
Sportswriter:
Uh-oh.
Old
Broadcaster:
What? What is it?
Old
Sportswriter:
Er, um, nothing. Nothing at all. I just have to go backstage for a minute. Is
there a washing machine back there by any chance?
Old
Coach: Wimp!
Zelmo:
Neanderthal!
Old
Coach:
Flit-boy!
Zelmo:
Troglodyte!
Old
Coach: I don’t
wear women’s clothes!
Old
Broadcaster:
See you next time on The Old Pros! Will you two knock it off?
Zelmo:
I’m out of here! I’ve got front-row seats for Annie Get Your Gun.
Old
Coach:
Really? That’s one of my favorites!
Zelmo:
Want to go? I’ve got an extra ticket.
Old
Coach: What
are we waiting for? Let’s get going before we miss “Doin’ What Comes
Naturally!”
Zelmo:
I’ll get a cab.
Old
Coach:
I’ll
get my flask.
Old Broadcaster: And I’ll get sick. Only on The Old Pros, folks. Only here. Anybody got any Viagra?
Ó2002
Bill Klein. All Rights Reserved. Return
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