11/11/2012: Seoul, South Korea – Hyakujuu Shinkansen General Manager John Leonard pulls up conspicuously outside the headquarters of the Seoul Crushers in his Boeing 747 jet limo, ironically shaped like a shinkansen bullet train.  As they pull to a stop, the driver puts the limo in park and opens the door.  Passers-by watch and wait for someone to exit the ridiculous showing of arrogance, but no one comes out.  Nothing but giggles and laughter echo from the limo as Leonard entertains his entourage.  Through the laughter, one of the women asks a question.

Woman: What are we doing here, Johnny?  I thought we were going to party in Seoul, not sit outside some building.

Leonard (Johnny): Sit back, love.  I am here to pick up a new friend.  You ladies will love him.  He is quite the high roller, and I want you welcome him and show him a good time.

Women: Alright, Johnny, whatever you say!

Leonard: Do not worry.  I expect him any minute.

As Leonard finishes his last word, a security alarm begins to go off inside the Crushers’ headquarters.  Like a bat out of hell, a man comes running out of the building, chased by security.  Former Crushers left fielder Jon Wood sprints and dives in to the limo.

Wood: Holy ****!  Let’s go!  Move, Move!

Leonard: Great to see you, Jon!  Ladies, are we ready?  Okay.  Driver, we are ready to go.

Wood: Damn!  I can’t believe it.  I beat the heck out of him.  He lied to my face after I was so loyal to him.  Yeah, I got hurt last year, but who else on that team came through.  Nobody! I could have gone to bat blindfolded and hit better than anyone on that team.  I would take any of their pitchers deep.  Kierstead deserved it.  This isn’t over; I can’t wait until we play them.

Leonard: Sit back and relax.  Your time will come.  Ladies, can you get this man a drink?

Wood sits back and takes a deep breath, gazing around the limo, mesmerized by the company he is embraced by along with Leonard.  Taking a sip of his drink and sinking back into the plush interior, a smile comes across his face.

Wood: This is how you guys roll in Hiroshima?  I took a cab ride home when I flew into Seoul for the first time.

Leonard: That big budget of ours comes into play in more than one way.  We might not be winning on the field all the time, but we sure know how to win off the field.  Though times are a-changing with the Shinkansen, all we can focus on is the present.  Trust me; the present is going to get better real quick.

Holding up his cup and motioning to the women sitting across from him, the ladies refill Wood’s glass and then sit down next to him.  Wood shakes his head in amusement.

Wood: I like the sound of this.  I am starting with a new team, new country and a boatload of money to play with.  I guess life isn’t so bad, right?

Leonard: That is the attitude I am talking about, my friend.  This is a new day for you and the Shinkansen.  Right now, the moment is good.  Let’s roll with it.  Let’s leave Seoul on our terms tonight, and leave it with some style.

Wood: I can get down with that!

Leonard: Let’s start off with a toast!

As everyone in the limo holds their glasses up to toast, Leonard looks at Wood and to the rest of the party.

Leonard: To new beginnings!  And to new friends!

Entire Party: Cheers!

As the glasses tap each other and slowly empty, business is forgotten for the moment.  Random conversation and laughter fill the back of the limo as it cruises down the freeway and is lost in the lights and the high-rises on a beautiful night in Seoul.