Title: Off the Record

Author: Samara McDowell

In: Sport 32: Summer 2004

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, December 2004

Part of: Sport

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Sport 32: Summer 2004

Flattery

Flattery

‘A,’ Jonathan mouths to Riki and Rio. ‘E.’ They play. ‘E flat.’

Havana again, and enough of a crowd to have Jonathan in an expansive mood.

‘Sponsored by Rex Wheels and Castors, Limited, Petone,’ he will announce, apropos of nothing at all, from behind the organ; and take a swig of his drink.

‘That tune was called “The Long and Winding Road”.’ Which it most certainly was not. A long pause. ‘Sponsored by Transit New Zealand.’

‘That was a very famous tune called “Black Market”.’ Pause. ‘Sponsored by Social Welfare.’

Yes; and from the punters, knowing, insiders' laughter. This kind of messing around between numbers, at the audience, is a subtle and effective form of flattery: it draws you in.