Spirit of the Game Page #6

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Elder Condie,

I put my faith in you

to make good choices.

This was not one of them.

Did you even consider the danger

of what might have

happened there?

Sir, it's not like

we got stabbed.

Sir, there were guards

with us at all time.

Elder Condie, that is

hardly the point.

This game could set

the Church back years

if word gets out.

Now, these shenanigans must end.

Or you'll find yourself

door-knocking in the Outback.

I doubt they play

basketball out there.

Yes, sir.

Mmm.

These things are amazing.

How can he not see it?

I can't think of a better way

for them to accept us.

Otherwise, what's

the point of being here?

You know, Condie...

At the start, I was just

going along with you

because you were my companion.

But after the prison match,

one of the inmates asked

me to teach him about God.

I think you're

onto something here,

and it's kind of exciting.

Are you sure you

don't want some?

It's really good.

So, the Olympic Committee

won't allow nations

to play each other before

the actual games begin.

So, they want to put

together a tournament,

where countries can play

you boys or some local teams

to get some match practice

before the Olympics.

Us, play against

the Olympic teams?

If you can give them

some good warm-up games,

it makes for a better spectacle.

We'll have to run it past

President Bingham first.

I'm not exactly his

favorite person right now.

Wouldn't you want to go up

against the best in the world?

See how good you can be?

And see us get our trash kicked?

Oh, no, son.

No, you're

as good as I've ever seen.

We'll ask. But don't

hold your breath.

Excuse me...

Come here.

You boys have got a fan.

Excuse me, sir, could I

please have an autograph?

Sure. Do you play?

My brother and I only

really just started.

We usually play footy.

Well, basketball will be

a blessing in your life.

- What's your name?

- Lindsay.

Lindsay Gaze.

It's nice to meet you, Lindsay.

Thanks.

Don't worry. If Bingham's going

to flip, I'll take the heat.

No, you won't.

We're companions.

I'm with you all the way.

What is it, my dear?

That was Governor Souter

from Bendigo prison.

The inmates have asked that we

send missionaries there to teach,

at the prison!

Apparently, all this

basketball nonsense

may have its merits after all.

You have always chosen the right

and taken care of the underdog.

And the man I know

would never be afraid

to admit when he's

been wrong before.

They are our boys.

We better find out what

these games are all about.

With the

Olympics now just days away,

basketball fever appears

to be sweeping the nation,

with teams playing

exhibition matches

to showcase this growing sport.

Crowd favorites,

the Mormon Yankees,

are set to take on the Russians

after their

convincing win over China.

These boys look set to win hearts

and minds all across the country

with their on-court skills shining

against the best in the world.

When you're on defense,

you have to be on your man.

Use your body. Don't be

afraid to use your body.

That's right, that's good!

Nice. Really good.

Use your body. It's okay.

You're not gonna hurt him.

You just pass it off.

Dribble it across to me.

Good, good,

good. Really nice.

We should play these Americans.

Play against these Mormons?

They don't even

represent their country.

No, no, it's pointless.

But coach we need to train.

We haven't played

anyone since getting here.

Train with idiots?

This is the Olympics,

Beugnot, OK!

We're not going to church!

Come on.

You're gonna watch

any events, Frank?

I wouldn't know what to watch.

So many weird sports

I've never heard of.

You should still

support your country.

Really?

Well, when they have football

or cricket in there,

I'll go along and watch.

Think I'll go and watch

Dawn Fraser in the pool.

Hey!

Are you blokes

those Mormon Yankees?

Yes, sir, we are.

Fair dinkum?

That's you blokes in the paper?

We've got some

famous people in here, Syd!

No charge for you blokes.

- Thank you, sir.

- Hey.

Make sure you give those Ruskis

a run for their money

tonight, all right?

We'll do our best.

"So, I'll sign off now.

"Give my love to James

and the girls, and Mom,

"of course, and thank

you again, Dad.

"As always,

your loving son."

Oh.

Would you look at him?

That's great, that's

against the Russians.

He looks like

he's doing well, Pop.

Dear Dad.

Our exhibition games

have been going well

and have led to many opportunities

with the Australian people.

Their love of sport

is very strong

and has given us the chance to talk

to them in a more meaningful way.

It has certainly

lifted the spirits

of a lot of

the elders on the team.

I finally feel like

I know why I'm here.

Our game against the French team

proved to be one of the toughest

challenges we've had so far.

Their coach picked a disused

warehouse out of town

and kept

the press and public out.

He runs a tight ship.

I think a lot of his team

are actually afraid of him.

This is going to work in our

favor, Stan. I just know it, mate.

Nice.

We started strongly

and managed to get in

a few early baskets.

Come on let's go!

One, two, one, two.

But it's not easy

keeping one of the best

teams in the world behind you.

They didn't take too kindly to a bunch

of missionaries taking the lead,

that's for sure.

Very good, very good!

Come on, keep up, boys.

Keep it tight!

What's the matter?

This is rubbish.

Boys, if they're going to play

like that, watch yourselves!

What's going on?

Stay strong, stay strong!

Front and guard!

Let's keep focus, boys.

We need to...

Look, he plays like an idiot.

Front and guard!

Come on, ref!

Pretty soon,

we learned the hard way

that not everyone plays

by the same rules we do.

But we kept our cool, even when

the French were losing theirs.

Let's go! The game is up

the other end... look.

Keep your hands

to yourself, mate!

Focus. Put it in.

That was nice.

Good work.

Get ready, boys.

- Nice. Good work.

- Keep it up, man.

Let's go, boys!

He can't do that!

He can't do that!

Come on, come on.

Why is no one ahead!

Let's go! Come

on, boys, you've got this!

Game!

We're still aching

from the encounter.

But can you believe it?

We beat one of

the best teams in the world.

Thanks for the great game.

Pathetic...

Pathetic...

Losing to this religious bunch.

Coach, they are much better

than we thought.

You will not speak of this game. Not

to each other. Not to anyone! Ok?

- Just pass it off. Move across.

- Really good.

French are going around saying

that they beat you boys.

They can say whatever they like.

We know what happened.

They're insisting on a rematch.

Yeah, we'll play them again.

But this time

under our conditions.

Olympic Stadium, open to the

public, with Olympic referees.

And TV cameras.

They'll hate it!

But anything to see the French

get their knickers in a knot!

I'm sure we can arrange that.

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