21st of May, 2008. 1
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Of Booze and Morons.3
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It's that time of year again. The time when a bunch of men head to a field to play with their balls... Er... I'm sorry, did I say that? I meant to say play with a ball. Honest. I did.5
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State of Origin, they call it, football game of the year for Queenslanders and New South Walers. The Booze and the Morons fight it out for their state's honour. If honour is the word.7
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My husband is reading over my shoulder, he says it's the "Blues and the Maroons." Booze and Morons, however, is more fitting; it better describes these men on the field, and off... 9
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*** 11
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Agatha stopped typing and looked at her husband, Walter. 'Look,' she said, 'if you want to read my blogs, would you please not edit everything I say.' 13
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'Alright, alright!' Walter whined, 'but there's no need to make fun of Rugby, it's just a harmless game. And there are plenty of other things to ridicule.'15
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Agatha just shook her head. Harmless game indeed... she thought.17
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***19
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Football, or rugby if you like, is a game with the goal of beating the hell out of the other team (maiming seems to be allowed). My husband informs me (again) that the goal is to get the ball in the opponent's hole... ah... goal. 21
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*** 23
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'Did you want something?' Agatha snapped, 'Or are you here to remove the humour from my blog?' 25
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'Actually, yes,' Walter said, 'I did have something to tell you.' A toothy grin split Walter's face. 'Boss was so happy with my work, he gave me two tickets to tonight's game!' 27
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Agatha nodded. 'I'm happy for you. Really, I am. Which of your brain dead friends are you taking?' 29
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Walter ignored the jab. 'Well, I was thinking you might like to come.' 31
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Agatha blinked. Oh my goodness, has he completely missed all I've said of his beloved sport? she thought.33
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'Um. Don't you think one of your friends might enjoy it more?' she pressed. 35
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'Oh, yes, they'd enjoy it. But they've all got tickets. Either way, I really would love it if you'd come. It'll be great!' 37
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Agatha wasn't sure she heard right. Her? At a football game? 39
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'Oh all right,' she said, 'I'll come.' 41
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'Yes!' He punched the air happily. 'We leave in 20 minutes.' 43
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Sighing, Agatha slammed her laptop shut. She'd finish the blog later; maybe she'd have something interesting to add from the game. Hah! 45
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*** 47
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They'd found their seats without too much trouble, although it'd taken awhile. The game was just about to begin.49
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'That's our team, the Blues, there,' Walter said, pointing to the row of blue-garbed thugs. 'They have to get the ball in that goal to score tries.' He pointed to the goal on the other side of the field. 51
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'I have grasped the basics of the game,' Agatha replied coldly, but her comment was lost as the game began and the crowd roared. 53
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Her attention wandered shortly after the first try was scored. 55
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***57
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Oh goodness, how I hate comb-overs... so ugly... 59
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A gasp from Walter made her look up from the close study of the head of the man below her. 'Hmm?' 61
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'The Maroons are about to score another goal. The game will be theirs if they do!' Walter explained, seeing her puzzled expression. 63
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'Oh.' Agatha was just returning to her study of the head, when a thought struck her. 65
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The smile on her face grew in size and wickedness as the thought expanded gleefully. Oh how he's gonna hate this... 67
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As the tension in the crowd grew, Agatha let herself become excited. Reaching out, she found Walter's hand, and squeezed it. 69
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One of the Maroons broke through the Blues defence, and made a spectacular, break for the goal.71
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Before the ball even hit the ground, Agatha leapt to her feet, dragging the dumbfounded Walter with her. 73
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'GO THE MAROONS!' she screamed, waving her hands wildly, along with Walter's. 75
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By the time Walter realised just what she was doing, the avid Blues fans surrounding them had turned on the apparent turncoats with looks of hatred on their faces... 77
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*** 79
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...We made it out in one piece, though it was a dash to the car; someone wasn't very happy with my little stunt. But, I can tell you, I wouldn't have missed the look on Walter's face for anything. 81
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*** 83
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Agatha smiled with satisfaction as she hit the post button on the blog. She'd gone back to typing it as soon as they'd got home. Walter had retired, sulking, to their room. He'd get over it... eventually. 85
Silver trophy winner
Gold trophy winner
Honorable mention
Bronze trophy winner
Adding your comment:
I can't stand it for the most part, I take very much the view of Agatha on sports. 
Of course, it seems like an awful lot of my stories have male main characters, so it's possible I know nothing at all. 
I think it's mostly self-preservation - I mean, look at what happened to Agatha. Do you have any idea how scary enraged Red Sox fans are? *laughs* 
). Keep trying new things...just don't lose your sense of humor! 
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If I was her, I wouldn’t have gone home with him.
Geri
