That one lands differently.
Less football. More personal.
I write:
Now we get to the real questions.
Jack doesn’t hesitate.
“I think most people are less interesting than the stories written about them,” he says.
That makes a few people look up from their keyboards.
“That includes me.”
I look up too.
That is not a standard answer. That is someone choosing not to play the game.
Another journalist pushes.
“So no big lifestyle changes planned?”
Jack gives a small shrug.
“I plan to work very hard and try to win football matches.”
The room laughs lightly.
He doesn’t laugh with them.
He just waits for the next question.
Interesting.
A man in front of me asks about tactics. Formations. Pressing systems. Words I understand individually but not collectively.
I write anyway:
Everyone asking football questions.
I pause.
No one asking people questions.
That feels more interesting.
I find myself watching him instead of listening to the specifics.
How he pauses before answering. How he looks directly at whoever asked the question. How he never interrupts even when someone clearly tries to interrupt him.
He listens properly.
That is rare.
I write:
Listens fully before answering.
