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Post by coffers on Apr 24, 2008 14:47:58 GMT
Sub-Titled: Paranoia in Paranoá [/size][/center][/u] Quite how it happened I don't know, I can only put it down to the pressures of managing at the highest level finally caused something to snap in my brain. I remember at the time feeling lethargic and losing all interest in matters concerning football. I was bored, rundown and falling into a deep depression. The doctor said I should get away from it all, I needed complete rest, so I took leave of my post at Valencia, packed my bags and left. I took the first plane out of town and ended up in Brasilia, I hadn't thought much about it at the time, I'd just booked on the first flight I could actually make the check-in for and that's where it was heading, granted it was via Rio, but I didn't fancy going anywhere near a place that Rio Ferdinand was named after. At first everything was fine, I stayed in luxury hotels and toured the surrounding areas, doing all the tourist trips and then took time out to relax, I particularly enjoyed my time spent fishing on the local man made lake, known as Lake Paranoá: The days were hot and languid, the nights were fun and full of Samba, but when everthing is there for the taking, things start to get boring and you start to look for other distractions. I started searching parts of the areas I had never visited before and that is when things startd to go badly wrong.......................
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Post by coffers on Apr 24, 2008 15:03:07 GMT
The seedier side of life became a draw, visiting less celubrious areas gave my adrenalin a kick start. It was dangerous, but when you get away with it, you start to feel invunerable, it was that old feeling of: "nothing will happen to me, I'm not doing anything to draw attention to myself". But apparently I was.
I took to visiting nightspots in a suburb of Brasilia on the eastern side of the lake, the locals seemed pleasant enough, but there was a hint of a dangerous underbelly always lurking on the fringes. Quite a few of my excursions to the local nightspots inevitably ended in discussions about football. Many of them heated, maybe I was niaive but I just thought of it as the passionate nature of the fans coming out, when discussing their favourite past-time. Nothing could have been further from my mind than what happened next.
It was coming up to Christmas 2004, the addiction to the football discussions had me in their grip and once again I felt I was losing my sanity. Here I was discussing tactics, players and everything and I had no control over my ideas. I couldn't put them into practice, I had no team to manage, I think some of my arguements were turning into rants, and whilst I felt I was just a face in the crowd, I had been noticed.......
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Post by coffers on Apr 24, 2008 15:18:53 GMT
It was a fateful day 2 days before Christmas, that it happened, I'd planned a visit to Paranoa to watch a local talked about event reach it's conclusion. The demolition of a 13 storey building that had been illegally built on the shores of the lake. People came from far and wide to watch the apartment block blown into rubble, I actually chartered a boat and watched from the lake as the signal blew the explosives were detonated, a distant rumble and the block crumbled and crashed to the ground. The boat headed back to the shore to the fiesta planned to celebrate a victory over rogue developers. The streets were awash with people, dancing, drinking, singing, hugging, kissing, etc. etc. I was caught up in it just like everybody else, so much so I didn't notice a group of men dressed in white overall sneaking up on me from behind. The first I knew was a shout of Now (In Portuguese obviously) and I was bundled over in a mass of flailing arms and legs. People were shouting and pushing trying to get out of the way of what appeared to be, to all intents and purposes, a fight or a robbery taking place. There were five of them, all burly individuals and I was quickly subdued and hauled off. My attackers were placating the indignant crowd by claiming I was mad and had recently escaped from a maximum security mental institution. They were told to stay calm and continue with the celebrations. I had no option but to stay calm, they had me in a straight jacket by this point and the hood over my head, meant I couldn't do a lot about running away as I would more than likely run into a brick wall as find an escape route. Bundling me into a waiting car, the man who appeared to be a leader of some sort, told me not to struggle and I would be safe. He also added a sort of n apology, indicating that I was in more danger had I been allowed to stay for the celebrations. I personally didn't see his point of view at all, but that became by the by, the way things panned out over the next few days..........
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Post by Boony on Apr 24, 2008 15:58:06 GMT
I keep getting Magical Mystery Tour going through my head when I see the thread title.
Roll up....
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Post by coffers on Apr 24, 2008 16:57:46 GMT
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Post by DC on Apr 24, 2008 17:53:08 GMT
One of my favourite all time songs. When I started learning the backward lyrics from the B-side I realised maybe it was getting too much.
I can see this turning into a nightmare of gun running and drug mules. KUTGW!
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 9:24:11 GMT
So where was I? Oh yes in the bouncing around back of a car, trussed up like a Christmas Turkey and completely blindfolded. Terrible thoughts crossed my mind; a kidnapping for a ransom, but who knew that I was here? I'd upset some local big wig hoodlum, but I couldn't remember upsetting anyone. What was going to happen to me now? Horrific visions played through my mind as I tried to recall some news snippets that I had read some months previously about missing tourists and a grizzly find in a remote spot of the jungle not a million miles from here.
It's surprising what tricks your mind will play with you in a short period of time, the car journey didn't last long, I heard the crunching of gravel, the squishing of mud and then we came to a sudden stop. The car doors were thrown open and the heat of the day hit me like a train, I can't have been in the car more than 10 minutes and I had been so worried about my situation that I hadn't noticed it was air conditioned at the time. My captors hauled me out and I stumbled as I tried to gain my footing and balance. The ground underfoot felt hard, but uneven, My arm was grabbed, this kept me from falling and I was guided about 50 paces forward. I heard a metallic creak of a door opening and I was propelled forward once again and guided across what felt like a concrete floor and pushed onto a chair, It felt solid, hard in fact and my leg brushed across what seemed to be a metal leg. Somehow I had expected a something older, rickety, flimsy even, but no I sensed these weren't your normal everyday kidnappers. They hadn't hit me or roughed me up, more than was necessary to truss me up and bundle me into a car and they had been silent for most of the journey, apart from the warning not to struggle given as the journey started.
Suddenly the hood was lifted and as I blinked into the gloom I could see I was in the middle of what looked like a small dilapidated warehouse or storage facility of some sort. It was empty apart from myself, the chair and in front of me was a basic metal framed desk and a big fat grinning cigar smoking man sat on the opposite side of the desk. I couldn't see behind me but I presume my captor had strategically positioned henchmen in case I tried to make a run for it.
The desk was empty apart from an ashtray, a pen and two thick documents. I looked up from the desk and faced the man I presumed to be the leader of this strange group of kidnappers.
He looked me in the eyes and said "So we meet at last".........
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Post by Sonic on Apr 25, 2008 10:06:49 GMT
You've been found out. Time to find who squealed, and pay them a favour in return.
:thumb:
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 11:57:46 GMT
I had no idea what he was talking about, I didn't know who he was or what the hell I had got myself involved in, but his grin didn't look like the type of grin to be afraid of, that was the worrying thing, was it hiding something sinister? As he sat smoking his cigar he put a proposition to me: "You are in big danger, you are lucky we got to you first. You now have two choices; One, get out of Brazil fast, tonight if possible but we cannot guarantee your safety once you leave this place. Two, work for me, it is a good job I offer you and I think you will enjoy it. Whilst you are on my team you will be safe." I really didn't like the sound of this, danger? What and who from? I've never posed any danger to anyone in my life apart from the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid et al, no one knows I'm here anyway, what's this guy on about? I looked the old guy in the eye and said "If it's all the same to you I'll take option three and head back to my hotel, I intend to stay in Brazil until I'm bored of it." He surprised me with his reply; "Of course that is your choice, but you have picked the wrong option." He nodded to the guys stood behind me, they picked me off the chair, undid my strait jacket dusted me down and stood back. I was surprised to see 4 of them all about the same age as the cigar man, who broke the silence by saying "You can go now" pointing to a metal door that had seen better days, "but be careful my friend, there are people out there who want you dead". That visibly shock me, but I turned and walked to the door, nobody moved, I opened it and took a minute for my eyes to adjust to the glare of the afternoon sun and then stepped out into a barren dusty industrial landscape. I hadn't taken two steps when a shot rang out, there was a rattle of metal against metal as something hit the door behind me and I dropped to the floor like a stone. All I could see was a large concrete wall in front of me and way off to the right was a cloud of dust and the sound of a revving engine receding into the distance, it came from behind the point the wall turned out of my line of vision. Before I knew it someone had grabbed my legs and was dragging me back inside the building. The Red X marks the building I was originally taken to, the Yellow X is the approximate point I saw the dust cloud emerge from and where the sound of the revving engine came from.
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Post by Moo on Apr 25, 2008 12:00:46 GMT
Was it Professor Plum in the Library with the Candlestick?
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 12:02:10 GMT
Was it Professor Plum in the Library with the Candlestick? You've got the wrong game. :checkit:
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 12:32:54 GMT
Paranoiaas scared, did I say scared? I meant terrified, what the hell was going on? As I hauled myself to my feet I turned open mouthed to look at, my errrrr captors? Saviours? Before I could say anything Cigar-Man man spoke:
"I did warn you, from now on once you leave the sphere of our influence you are in serious danger. Now that they have shown their hand so to speak, I think you can kiss goodbye to option 1. Your only chance of survival is to work for me"
This was crazy and I told him so, I hadn't done any harm to anyone anywhere that I could recall.
He just shook his head and laughed "Do you think that that will bother these people? They think you are someone you are not and the only way to stop them gunning for you now, is to make them believe you are in my protection, this I will give you for a small favour."
What choice did I have? Not a lot, so I sat down and talked "OK its seems I haven't got much choice in the matter, but I don't want to get involved in anything dodgy, like drugs, gun running human trafficking or anything vaguely like it, tell me what you have in mind".
Cigar-Man laughed "oh don't worry about those things, you won't have to do any of that, and when I talk about my protection, I really mean our protection" as he swept his arm around the 4 others gathered in the room. "I, errrr we are the board of a small football team called Paranoá EC, we founded the team in 2000 and since that time we have done OK in the Brazilian National 3rd Division. Unfortunately we have recently lost a lot of players to, shall we say, other pursuits and we need someone honest and upstanding to rebuild this team. We have been watching you and you seem to know what you are talking about, what is more you are not steeped in the local ways of bribery and corruption."
He continued "What is more I have checked on your background and I know who you really are, I also know that whilst you have nothing to hide, you don't want to be found just yet. This task I offer you is out of the limelight, for the moment and may just give you the breathing space you want without the pressure you have seen in recent years. Once you have agreed to take our protection, nobody will touch you, you can bank on that. Without it you are a dead man walking until you leave Brasil, which will be difficult as at this moment you wouldn't get out of Paranoá let alone Brasil"
He pointed to the documents and said "Make your Choice."...........
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Post by Boony on Apr 25, 2008 12:35:13 GMT
:thumb:
Fantastic stuff, coffers. What's going on? Who wants you dead? Why? I'm rivted...
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 13:59:08 GMT
What's going on? Who wants you dead? Why? I don't know that's what I'm hoping to find out as the story develops. This could be a slow burner. I've looked at the staff & squad and baulked for the minute, hence the long pre-ramble.
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 15:07:11 GMT
I picked up the first document entitled: "Agreement to Leave Brasil Immediately", scanned through the pages with half a mind to sign it there and then, but mindful of the earlier incident I chanced to read the small print which indicated that any protection afforded to myself would cease before the ink was dry, should I decide to take that option. I casually tore up the document and tossed it into a bin at the side of the table. Cigar-Man's grin grew even bigger at that action and he said "Wise choice, I knew you would see sense", then looking at his colleagues he said "see I told you this one was not stupid, he knows where his bread is buttered.".
I picked up the second document and found it to be an agreement between the board of Paranoá EC and myself, the general gist of the document was pretty much of the standard of any managerial contract that I had previously seen, but with a few addition paragraphs that I would never have dreamed of in my life. The standard stuff covered expected duties, standards of behaviour and dress codes etc. etc. It also stated that the club would pay me £450 a month for my services and the contract would expire on 31st December 2005. So I was tied to them for a year, but before I could breathe a sigh of relief Cigar-Man spoke up "Obviously that contract will be extended if you do a good job, though you can leave at any time that you feel safe, whilst out of contract".
The extra information sounded ominous, further reading of the contract indicated that, whilst in the employ of the club then I would be under the full protection of the club and, could expect to be safe, wherever I traveled in Brasil. I'm not sure what sphere of influence Cigar-Man and his cronies had but it seemed to extend a long, long way.
The money wasn't fantastic, but I didn't need money I had more than enough for the rest of my life, however long it lasted. I'd be involved in football again, apparently with none of the associated pressures if the guy sat opposite me was to be believed, but first and foremost it would appear that I would get to live at least a year longer barring accidents and ill-health. If I didn't sign it there was a distinct chance that I would be dead within an hour. I definitely had no other option, I picked up the pen and signed. Two scruffy undernourished looking urchins were then wheeled in, fingerprinted and put their mark in the witness section underneath.
Cigar-Man grabbed the contract and wheeled away punching the air in triumph, I heard an almost whispered proclamation of glee under his breath "Yes, we have what we wanted, we have him now, Glory Will Be ours" He turned to me and said, you will be out of here within the hour and everything will be safe then". With that he marched out of the room leaving me with the rest of the board who hurried over to shake my hand enthusiastically, they were in the happiest mood I'd seen them in all day.
They even found time to make me a cup of tea and form somewhere in the bowels of this empty warehouse they found enough to make a sandwich of sorts. I hadn't realised how hungry I had become and eagerly devoured there offering whilst they gabbled away telling me about the great adventure we were about to embark on together...........
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Post by Boony on Apr 25, 2008 15:20:10 GMT
Ah, the "attacks" on you were set-up, they just wanted to find a way to bully you into managing their team.
God knows why, though, you're rubbish :thumb:
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 15:27:50 GMT
Ah, the "attacks" on you were set-up, they just wanted to find a way to bully you into managing their team. Not necessarily. God knows why, though, you're rubbish You could be right. :checkit:
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Post by coffers on Apr 25, 2008 16:11:15 GMT
Cigar-Man returned and proclaimed everything is in place, but it may take a little longer to leak out than I planned. He looked at me and indicated for me to follow him outside. As I got to the door I peeped out trying to assess whether it was really safe to venture forth. Cigar-Man laughed and said 'Come on, it's safe if I had wanted you killed I wouldn't have done it here". I tentatively stepped out and followed the old man to a large black limousine, he gestured for me to get inside which I did, he followed quickly and as we pulled away he poured a large whiskey for both of us. "Cheers" he said "To the future".
I raised my glass and then sipped at the drink, "Where are we going?" I asked.
"To your new home" was his reply "All your belongings are there now, it is comfortable, has a beautiful view of the lake and best of all it is completely safe. Tomorrow if you do not like it, you can make your own arrangements, until then it is better that we have guards close by and I don't need to make any hasty arrangements for where we are going tonight".
"Guards, what guards, I don't see any guards?" I blurted.
He looked at me as if I were a child "The people who protect us from harm" he replied, "Do you think it is safe out there? Let me tell you, it is a very dangerous place, some of the holes you visited prior to our meeting are best avoided during the day let alone at night, as soon as I realised who you were I had you followed and protected, until we could make arrangements for this contact. As for the guards, if you can see them they are of no use to me, they are not doing their job, they will always be in the background, keeping control, never letting danger cross our paths. Whilst you don't know they are there others do, even though they don't know where. That is sufficient for us to walk the city in safety. Things aren't quite in place for you yet, that is why I wish you to stay in our luxurious safe-house."
I shook my head, I had a sinking feeling in my heart. I had gotten into something that I don't would think would be easy to extricate myself from......................
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Post by Sonic on Apr 26, 2008 0:23:17 GMT
Run Coffer. Oh, it's too late.
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Post by coffers on Apr 26, 2008 0:45:58 GMT
From the minute I was bundled into a straight jacket I think it was too late. :checkit:
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Post by Moo on Apr 28, 2008 7:56:15 GMT
Paranoá? I know I've managed against them before, but what state championships are they in? Good luck trying to get out of the third division though, fella. Two places for 128 teams.
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Post by coffers on Apr 28, 2008 9:08:12 GMT
Paranoá? I know I've managed against them before, but what state championships are they in? No idea Moo, I've kicked it of and got the thing set-up but haven't moved beyond scene setting yet, all will become clear when I get a chance to root round the team properly. Well I think it will become clear. Oh ad 2 places for 128 teams, fook me! I've never managed in Brazil before so I wasn't aware of that potentially horrible piece of information. :moop:
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Post by Boony on Apr 28, 2008 9:18:30 GMT
Good luck :thumb:
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Post by Moo on Apr 28, 2008 9:31:21 GMT
OK, I'll give you the rundown if you want me to....
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Post by coffers on Apr 28, 2008 10:02:17 GMT
We drove for about 20 minutes generally following the lake shore and came to almost hidden turn, off the main road which took a route towards the lake. The turn was screened by trees and bushes, and the road we turned onto had a number of twists and turns so it wasn't until we were upon them that I noticed some intricately designed iron gates, as we slowed the gates swung open, but I could see no one anywhere that could have operated them. I wouldn't swear to it but I though I saw movement in one or two bushes from the corner of my eye, but I put that down to local wildlife disturbed by our presence.
Once we had entered the grounds of our destination the vista opened up and a long arrow straight drive led to a luxurious looking villa and I could see that it backed directly onto the lake despite there being some covering between the villa and the lake.
The car pulled up in front of the villa we got out and Cigar-Man gestured, "this will be your home until you wish to move elsewhere. It has everything you could wish for, security, luxuary, your own jetty on the lake and once we have fully secured your safety you will have use of the boat moored at the jetty, but until that point I should remain in the house and out of sight. The staff would ensure that I had a comfortable and pleasant stay. Oh and in case you didn't realise, this comes with the job, but should you choose to live elsewhare, then you will have to pay for your own accomodation from your own funds."
I was stunned to say the least, It certainly looked fantastic, well if I was going to be kept away from the watching world I supppose there were worse places to live. I decided there and then to make the best of it. Cigar-Man bid e a farewell until the next morning and I took some time to explore villa. In reality it was almost a mansion an a very comfortable one too. I met the staff all seeming a pleasant bunch though there may have been a bit more to one or two of the butlers than met the eye.
However after a what had become a long day, I showered, changed ate a superb dinner and settled down to watch TV in bed, before drifting off to sleep and dreams of what awaited me in the future.....
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