They had no game and no practice that first day in New York City. Mr. Dillinger had arranged a terrific introduction to the Big Apple for them. They toured the city in a double-decker bus, stopping at the Empire State Building and then taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
“What’s wit’ dis city and heights?” Nish asked the tour guide at the statue. “You wanna see me hurl, or what?”
Travis could hardly believe his ears. Ever since the back-alley meeting with the mysterious Big, Nish had been talking like he was the twelve-year-old head of the Mob.
They drove through Central Park and saw the outdoor rink where, Muck said, they might be holding one of their practices. Muck seemed genuinely excited by the prospect of getting out in the open air. Travis liked the idea, too. He could see skaters from the bus window, and none of them could skate very well. The Owls would be like an NHL team coming in to this little outdoor rink.
They journeyed through the theatre district and then, just off Times Square, Mr. Dillinger pointed out an old building called the Ed Sullivan Theatre where, he said, “The Late Show with David Letterman” was produced every night. Some of the Owls had seen the program, and they scrambled to the windows hoping to catch a glimpse of Letterman, the host. But all they could see were people walking fast with umbrellas held up to keep off the snow. No one in Tamarack ever used an umbrella against anything but rain. Travis thought it looked silly.
“I’m gonna be on dat show,” New York Nish announced from the back of the bus.
The rest of the Owls turned to stare questioningly.
Fahd asked the obvious: “How?”
“I’ll be famous – day after New Year’s Eve.”
“You won’t be famous, “said Sam, “you’ll be in jail!”
“This is the United States,” Nish said, as if he was explaining something difficult to a child, “not Canada. In America, you get in the Guinness Book of World Records, you’re an automatic star.”
“Your butt will be the star, not you!” laughed Sarah.
“Laugh now – I’ll be the one laughing later,” Nish said with a sneer. “I’ve even worked out my own Top Ten list for when I’m on.”
Most of them knew about Letterman’s Top Ten list. Each school-day morning back in Tamarack, the local radio station played a tape of the previous night’s list just before the eight o’clock news.
“What is it?” Fahd asked. Fahd always asked, even when others knew better than to play along with Nish’s mad schemes.
“ ’The Top Ten Reasons Why Nish Should Be Captain,’ ” Nish announced.
Sarah’s eyes went wide. As far as she or anyone else knew, Nish had never been considered for captain. Except, of course, by Nish.
Nish was in his glory, a deep red colour moving up into his face and making him all but glow as he began his countdown.
“Number ten,” he began, “because he’s won more most-valuable-player medals than anyone else on the Screech Owls.”
Travis’s first instinct was to try to figure out if that was so. He didn’t think so. Surely it was Sarah.
Sam held up her hands to form a trumpet around her mouth and booed.
Everyone laughed.
“Number nine,” Nish continued, “because he’s got the best shot.”
“Boo!” several Owls called at once.
“Number eight, because he’s Muck’s favourite.”
“Boooo!” more Owls joined in.
“Number seven, because he’s the fan favourite.”
“Booooooo!”
“Number six, because he’s the only Screech Owl who will ever make the NHL.”
“Booooooo!”
“Number five, because he’s the best-looking of the Owls.”
“Booooooo!”
“Number four, because he’s Paul Kariya’s cousin!”
“Booooooooooo!”
“Number three, because his equipment smells the best.”
“Booooooooooo!”
“Number two, because if he doesn’t get it he’s gonna hurl!”
“Booooooooooo!”
“And number one,” Nish announced, his eyes closed in private delight, “because he’s the only peewee hockey player in the entire world listed in the Guinness Book of World Records!”
“BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
Travis had to cover his ears. The Owls were all booing and laughing at the same time. Nish was crimson, his natural colour whenever he was the centre of attention – which was almost always.
It was already an incredible trip.