In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed since the start of the new season. Nottingham Forest had one win, one loss, and one draw. The results were so mediocre that people did not know how to evaluate it.
Unless he went online, Tang En could rarely get news about Nottingham Forest. Because he was now in America.
In this half a month, he had also completed a major event — his second autobiography was finally out and released in many countries around the world. Tang En announced that this would be the last autobiography of his life. Since he had already retired, what was there to write about in the future?
This autobiography reviewed Tang En's entire coaching career. The difference from the previous one was that the national team took up a large part of it. At the same time, he also revealed the detailed process of his departure from Nottingham Forest for the first time in his autobiography, even though it had already been dug out by the media after he left.
Then he flew with Theresa to Los Angeles in America to participate in a book signing event for his new autobiography. After that, through the introduction of his wife Shania, his good friends Beckham and Tom Cruise, he met with some Hollywood stars and directors to discuss his other major event — making an autobiographical movie. The movie was produced by Tom Cruise's United American Film Production Company. Tang En and Shania also sponsored a large sum of money. After all, it was an autobiographical movie and not completely commercial. Such a movie did not have high expectations for the box office. It was mainly for the audience who liked Tang En. If they wanted to see the story of the world's most arrogant and successful manager being put on the screen, then this movie was not to be missed. As for whether he was popular with other audiences … that was secondary.
To put it bluntly, it was Tang En paying out of his own pocket and working with his friends to fulfill his little wish — to make his story into a movie.
As a producer, Cruise thought it was actually a good sports movie theme — because it reflected England's football culture very truthfully.
But after knowing the news, the media expressed a different opinion:
"… Quarreling with the opponent, spewing vulgarities, going against the Football Association, criticizing the referee, being arrogant and causing trouble … I'm really worried that such a movie will lead children astray after it's made. Anyway, I won't let my son watch this movie in the cinema!"
"This news shattered the last good impression I had of him because of his World Cup championship … Thinking of seeing his face on the big screen, I feel that it's really a tragedy …"
Cruise did not care about the ridicule from the media. On the contrary, this was the effect he wanted. As a controversial figure in the sports world, Tang En was accompanied by different voices wherever he went. But this was also his advantage, because he was eye-catching enough. The movie producers had already seen the benefits of his characteristics. Before the movie had even started shooting, many media outlets had already called the production company to ask about interviews. There were also many media outlets that acted as free promoters.
※ ※ ※
"As a movie with an estimated length of 100 minutes, we definitely can't film all of your 15 years of coaching. So, we need to cut out some scenes …" The producer of United Artists Film Production Company was telling Twain about the concept of their movie, while Tom Cruise, the boss of United Artists and a good friend of Twain and Shania, was accompanying them at the side. "This film is not purely a sports film. We hope to express a kind of thinking about football."
"We have carefully read your two autobiographies." Beside the producer's hand were two of Tang En's autobiographies. The lower one was Tang En's first autobiography, "Ten Years," which was published during his 10th anniversary as coach in 2013. The upper one was his new autobiography, "Champion," which had just been published and distributed in many countries around the world. "We think the most suitable story to film is your first season in the Forest team. To be exact, it's that half of the season. It's very dramatic, and at the same time, thought-provoking … I really like this sentence from Shankly: 'Football has nothing to do with life and death, but football is above life and death.' I think the story that you experienced in that half of the season is a kind of proof and reflection of this sentence … "
Fortunately, the producer was not an American who did not understand football, but a Scottish. Otherwise, the movie would have been neither fish nor fowl. Although Scotland did not produce any good players, they produced quite a few good coaches. They did have their own views on movies with coaches as the main characters.
Tang En, who was listening quietly, suddenly interrupted the other party's incessant chatter. "Sorry, can I ask a question? Did you just say that you want to use the story that happened in the second half of the 2002-2003 season as the basis for the movie? "
"Yes!" The producer replied. "Although your team failed to break into the English Premier League in the end, it doesn't matter. We can list all of your achievements one by one at the end of the movie …" He thought that Tang En was worried that the final failure of that season would not satisfy the audience.
Who knew that Tang En was worried about something else.
He pinched his chin and thought for a while, then shook his head. "I'm afraid I'll have to discuss this with someone …"
Tom Cruise looked at Shania, who was sitting beside Tang En. Shania gave him a helpless smile. She also did not know what was wrong with Tang En.
"Alright then, we'll come again next time …" Cruise glanced at the producer, who had gone to drive the car. He turned back and said to Tang En, "How long will you be here, Tony?"
"Don't worry, I'll be here for a while."
The producer drove the car over. Cruise hugged the Twains one by one and said goodbye. After he left, Shania asked, "Who are you looking for to discuss the movie?"
"An old friend." Tang En smiled at Shania. "An old friend that I haven't seen for many years … I wonder if he still remembers me."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Shania asked, nestled in Tang En's arms.
"No, it's been too long. I'm afraid it'll be awkward." Tang En gently patted Shania on the shoulder.
※ ※ ※
The little girl chased butterflies in the grass, occasionally letting out a cheerful cry. Meanwhile, Fiona Bernard sat on a white beach chair, flipping through a magazine, and occasionally opened her mouth to ask her daughter to lower her voice.
"Shannon, lower your voice. You'll disturb the neighbors!"
"Don't be afraid of dirtying your dress. I just washed it for you yesterday."
However, her daughter's cries had actually been reminding her, as a mother, what her daughter was doing. It would be wrong if she waited for the sound to disappear.
Now, Fiona felt that something was wrong because her daughter had not let out a cry of joy. She threw down the magazine and looked up to look for her daughter. She found Shannon at the entrance of the courtyard, timidly looking at a strange man standing outside the door.
The man was wearing a dark suit and a pair of sunglasses. He stood outside the courtyard door that was half the height of a person.
"We don't need a vacuum or anything else …" She got up and walked behind her daughter, holding her back.
"I'm not here to sell anything, madam. May I ask if this is Mr. Michael Bernard's home? "The man asked politely.
Fiona nodded.
A smile bloomed on the man's face. He took off his sunglasses and put them in his coat pocket. "Hello, madam. I'm a friend of your husband's. We've only met once. Maybe you don't remember me, but I've been friends with him for many years. My name is Tony Twain. "
※ ※ ※
When Michael returned home from work, he found a pair of men's shoes at the door.
"You have a guest?" He asked his wife, who came up to greet him.
"Your friend." Fiona took her husband's coat and briefcase.
"My friend?" As Michael changed his shoes, he wondered if it could be the bank executive he met at the golf club, or the lawyer he met when he went fishing last time … But when he walked into the living room and saw the person in front of him, he was stunned.
"Hi, Michael." Twain stood up and greeted Michael Bernard, who was standing in front of him.
Michael looked at the man in front of him in surprise. After a long time, he squeezed out a voice from the depths of his throat, "Tony … Tony? Why … Why are you here? "
"Fortunately, you haven't moved. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to find you." Twain smiled. "Actually, I also have a house in Los Angeles. Occasionally, I come here to accompany my wife — Shania, you know, right? But I'm sorry I haven't come to see you, because, well … Well, I was worried that I wouldn't know what to say when I saw you. "He shrugged, shook his head, and sighed. But then he showed a smile. "I'm also very happy to see you have such a lovely and beautiful daughter."
Shannon was holding her mother's skirt and leaning against her mother, watching curiously as her father talked to the strange uncle.
"Actually, I came to see you for Gavin …"
After Twain said the name, the Bernard couple were shocked.
Then Twain told the two of them why he came, hoping to get their answer. Ever since he came to Michael's house and saw Gavin's photos everywhere, Twain felt that he had made the right decision to come here. Little Gavin must still hold a very important place in the hearts of Michael and his wife.
Since he was going to put Gavin's story on the screen, he definitely had to ask his family's opinion.
To be honest, Twain thought Michael's wife would most likely object fiercely. He was even prepared to be scolded. He did not expect Fiona to actually get up and leave after looking at Michael. "I'm going to make dinner."
Then Michael stared at Twain and looked him up and down for a long time. "I heard you retired?"
Twain nodded.
"Why did you retire?"
"Uh … I don't have any pursuits anymore. I'm tired …"
Michael smiled. "I didn't expect the arrogant Tony Twain to feel tired one day. What a pity … The World Cup final was very exciting. "
Twain was a little surprised to hear him say that. "Didn't you stop watching football? Are you completely cut off from football? "
"It's not a big deal to watch the TV broadcast."
Twain secretly glanced at the kitchen. "Your wife …"
"I confessed to her. Speaking of which, I still have to thank you, Tony. "
"Thank me?" Twain could not make head or tail of it.
"Thank you for sending me tickets for every final. It wasn't until the UEFA European Cup final that I realized I couldn't live without football … "Michael sighed softly. "Although I won't go to watch the game live like I used to, I don't have to treat football as a scary demon anymore. My heart is finally at peace … You know what, Tony? If you had come to ask about this two years ago, I don't think Fiona and I would have agreed. Gavin was like a heavy stone weighing on our hearts, making it hard for us to breathe. Now … "He spread his hands." We agree that you will adapt Gavin's story on the screen, and I think it's a kind of consolation to Gavin. "
This was the answer Twain wanted. He was very happy and reached out to shake Michael's hand out of reflex. He did not expect Michael to give him a high five.
"Don't treat me as a negotiation partner. Do you remember how we met, Tony? "
Twain laughed when he heard him say that. "Of course, it's a really beautiful memory …"
That night, Twain called Shania and told her that he would not be going back that night and would stay at Michael's house. He told her and Theresa to rest early. Then he and Michael chatted until late. They had not had such a pleasant chat since Michael left England in the summer of 2003. Although neither of them drank, their faces were flushed as they chatted, as if they were drunk.
Sometimes they laughed, sometimes they cried. Two men in their fifties, but they were still like young people. Thinking of the dozen years that had passed in a hurry, they could not help but sigh. When they first met, the two were still enemies fighting each other. At that time, the two of them probably did not think that they would be able to sit together and chat like this in the future.
※ ※ ※
Early the next morning, Twain said goodbye to Michael, his wife, and their lovely little daughter, Shannon, and drove home.
Then Twain called and agreed to the plan proposed by the producer, telling him that he could shoot it that way and that he had nothing else to say. In short, there was someone more professional than him to handle it, and he could not be bothered to worry. Anyway, when the time came, he would just have a small cameo role to satisfy his cravings.
Next was the signing of the contract and other trivial matters. When he was done with these things and ready to spend some time with his wife and daughter at home in Los Angeles, Twain looked at the calendar and suddenly realized that it was almost September 9th.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
