Tuesday.

At California University, or C.U. for short it is time to get back to work.  Being able to watch Dana win the race hours earlier was nice, but does not let him sleep earlier or embrace waking up so early for the daily morning exercise.  Tim Haspel however is a disciplined man and is in no mood for excuses.

He checks in with his assistant coaches, Randy Jackson and Trish Peverell, herself a recent graduate from C.U. and former star of the Bluejays women’s swim team are watching coverage of high school meets for scouting purposes.  Randy sees Tim as he enters.

Randy: Another late night?

Tim: Wasn’t that bad.  By the way, I might be a little late coming in tomorrow.  I need to drop the car off for a tuneup.

Randy: It’s a pretty good time to do it before we start getting into the semester and that first practice.  Is it gonna be an in-and-out or something that might take a while?

Tim: I don’t know.  Depends on how many are there.

Randy: If all else fails, I can have Trish go by and get you.

Trish looks from the monitor to Randy.

Trish: Hm?

Randy: Would be alright picking up Coach tomorrow from the body shop tomorrow?

Trish looks at Tim, then back to Randy.  Tim looks away momentarily.

Trish: Sure.  I can do that.

Randy checks his phone.

Randy: Hey, I need to get this.   It’s Carolyn.

Tim: Yeah, go ahead.

Randy exits the office to speak with Carolyn, his girlfriend on his cellphone.  There is an uneasy silence between Tim and Trish as the video plays on, ignored.

Trish: We really need to talk about-

Tim: Trish, there’s nothing to talk about.

Trish: Coach Haspel… Tim?  We need to talk about it.

Trish looks down.

Trish: Is it because I’m your assistant?  Or because I was one of your swimmers?  You still see me as this student.  Is that it?  And now it’s all awkward, because we-

Tim: Trish!  That’s enough.  I’ve gone through enough these past few months already.  I’m not in the mood to talk about mistakes that shouldn’t have been made.

Trish: Oh.  So it was a mistake.

Tim: It was.  Look, I want you to still be a part of this team.  You’re looked up to here.  You’re already up for C.U.’s Athletic Hall of Honor.  Everyone likes you, including Phyllis Kroll herself.  I think you’re great and yes, you’re smart, you’re… attractive.  But this relationship needs to be strictly professional.  Okay?