Chuckster strolled out in his latest ill fitting suit.  

As his playing days waned, it had been harder and harder to get a good suit made...having the height of a basketball player and the girth of a couple of sumo wrestlers.  His journey back to where it started had been tortuous. Tops, his erstwhile agent, had lured him to Vegas with a long list of churro sellers as well as the promise of riches and fame. All that transpired was a period of undignified servitude; taxed by his agent at 100% and being locked in a standard 40 ft container. West had rescued him and engineered a trade back to Seattle that suited all parties except Tops who had tried to sell him to other cities where even Grin-07 had placed him last on a shortlist of four to recruit into one space.   That was the cue to tell the normally oblivious Chuck, that his playing days were almost over. 

West called him over upon his arrival back in Seattle and relayed a discussion he had been having with Evelina. She had evidently experienced some sort of mild annoyance that the last time Chuck was in town her supply of dips and chips had disappeared...that it was no mystery about who it was and that murder would occur if it so much as happened again. 

Together Street Beef and West thrashed out a plan for a new Seattle franchise. One headed (shouldered, kneesed and toed) by the Round Mound of Rebound...the Clippers to West’s Lakers. 

Good afternoon dummies and assorted dignitaries. West has kindly asked me to head up this new venture alongside him in Pioneer Square.  Given its proximity to the great Grinble Beach golf course it was an easy choice. We thought briefly about what this should be named as and since he’s the boss he already had a great name that reflects the heritage we have here in Seattle. 

Chuckster pulled a cord to drop the green and gold curtain behind him to reveal the name and logo.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the Seattle Supersonics. There are practice facilities in Vegas, Detroit and here in Seattle where anyone can pitch up and try out for the team or just experience being beaten by a bona fide legend.

So the round mound Charles_Barkley was rebounding out of Tranquillity to start his own operation. At least West had been able to free him from his oppressive contract with Tops even if the buyout fee had cost him an arm and a leg. West had no doubt it would last Tops ' family for years, perhaps even generations. It really was hard to imagine how long it would take one man to spend or lose such a large quantity. 

What an honour to be part of this historic opening for the Seattle Supersonics. I'm sure you will have a long and storied career as  Owner/Manager/Coach/Player, at least until this thing of ours begins to have greater presence in Oklahoma City. Hopefully that day is still a while off.

After surviving the tyranny of Tops , Evelina and myself there is no doubt that you're made of strong enough stuff to run your own operation. Though I do fear for your members based on the examples your crew leaders have set for you so far. I can picture them running suicides in the gym already...

I wish you the best of luck, and I'll be sure to attend one of your training facilities so I know what's going on when I watch the Supersonics dominate the league. There's no offside rule in basketball right?

Well West, if you popped into the Pissed On Court in Detroit, you'd see that Tops encouraged the use of no rules at all!

He was an old man getting close to retirement. It's hard to keep track of the rules, as well as a few other things at that age.

Still, you've got that spry young man Right following you around now, very strong direction-based name as well. I bet he's a great player and will make a fine addition to the team!

Right!

Right burst into the gym with a red face, where the press conference was held..

Right! 20 Suicides, you said? And all the lines!? Right was looking angrily at Charles_Barkley
For crying out loud, many would not even survive one!

Right saw how the press was already gone, but Seattle's big boss West, after which the Western Conference was named, was speculating about senile old men, when he was suddenly named.

Right stepped up and extended his hand.

West, Right? Right, Right spoke, clearly impressed by meeting West at his first day at the Supersonics Office, before humbly adding

I will do my utter best to make sure everything inside Charles_Barkley will happen in the Right way!

VoxNeruda emerges from the nearby sewer he had slept in last night brandishing a rusted and slightly-bent golf putter.

Hey congrats and good luck Charles_Barkley.  Please accept this gift, a set of golf clubs, for you to enjoy among friends.  Not so much a full set as it is just one putter that I found last week.  It won't improve your drive too well so just swing real hard with it.  Also, if you ever need a caddy I'll carry the putter around for you for a few dollars or anything you can spare.  Maybe more than a few dollars if you've got it. 

Chuckster took the putter from VoxNeruda.  The resident pro at Grin-07’s deserted Grinble Beach resort had told him that he had a truly unique style of play.  Chuck took that to mean it was a killer swing.

Thank you kindly.  I can certainly mash the ball as far with this as with a real driver.

You are welcome to carry my putter at any point, especially if His Grin-ness can get off his arse and fly to Seattle for a round of golf.  

My trusty right hand Right could carry his clubs.

To keep the pungent smelling man at arm’s length, Sir Charles nudged Right to give VoxNeruda a token of his gratitude for the thoughtful gift.

Elodin, who was walking by with its hands full of newly found treasures, stopped when he noticed a group of people gathered around a fantastically tall and wide individual. Recognizing known faces, he safely hid his goodies before listening to Charles_Barkley's speech. Once it was done, he patiently waited to get Charles' attention to say a few words

Oh my god. YOU ARE SO BIG ! Uh. Give me a minute !

Understanding that he wouldn't be able to have a proper conversation without elevating a bit, he fetched his closest crew member, Zapata, and jumped on top of hid head, not unlike a certain Vince Carter would do if he was active in the mafia world.

Ok, ok, now that I see you above the knee : congratulations ! I cannot really play golf well considering my small stature, but I'll be sure to follow your exploits, especially if you beat that silly Mexican I'm standing on right now. I will remind Grin-07 about that round of golf by the way, he needs to get some exercise, that should be the perfect opportunity !