Locomotive to the Past by George Schultz (iphone ebook reader .TXT) 📕

But, these playoffs were different! Really different—at least, in 1942! Jason had never remembered the old man advising him—of any of those facts! There were—in the early-forties—three playoffs series! Not the “normal” two—which had been the case, till the league had expanded (had gone from 6 teams to 12), in 1967!

The first two series—of these surprising playoffs—had the winner prevailing in best-two-out-of-three games, The Stanley Cup Finals, however, were still comprised—of the “normal” best-four-of-seven!

Thank God something is normal!

The Wings would vie with the Canadiens, in the initial series. Beginning March 22nd.

Our Hero’s “Grand Plan”—vis-a-vis Mr. Stackhouse—could not have begun, any later than it had—due to the fact that the “campaign” was to revolve, almost entirely, around the playoffs! Big time!

To “kick off” his nefarious “program”, Our Boy had sought out Hurley Stackhouse—and offered a $10.00 bet, on the Wings! This was for the season’s finale—on the 19th—vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. A wager—which Jason won!

He’d been tempted to call Valerie—on his new phone—and invite her to attend the game with him! But, he’d refrained—knowing, full well, that he’d be too pooped, to devote any energy, to the endeavor! (Friday was coming, after all!)

Stackhouse paid his “Debt of Honor”—willingly! Almost happily! Then, condescended to accept another $10.00 bet, on the opening playoff game! To be played, on Sunday—versus the Montreal Canadiens!

Jason did his best to secure a pair of tickets, to the contest. No luck. He’d believed the “hockey industry” to be “not all that popular” in the early-forties! The Red Wings games were not even broadcast, on radio, that year. He was halfway shocked, to learn, of the multitude of Detroiters—rabid Wings fans—forming lines, outside Olympia’s box office! And this was taking place—on the afternoon, and evening, before!

Instead, the couple had dinner at The Blue Ribbon—accompanied by Jason’s high hopes, that the couple would’ve blundered upon the Piepczyk family’s “regular” Sunday night dinner! Didn’t happen! At least. it didn’t appear to have taken place! Actually, who could tell? Given the fact—that Our Boy didn’t really know, exactly, what he’d be looking for! Not exactly! Well, he’d consoled himself, Valerie would know—and, presumably, recognize—them! Advise him—of their presence! No luck!

The couple wound up making their way to The Great Lakes theater—where they were able to take in an absolutely wonderful movie: Random Harvest—one of Grandma Piepczyk’s all-time favorites! The flick had starred Ronald Coleman and Greer Garson.

Jason was positive that his fiancée had enjoyed the classic flick! Probably much more, than would’ve been the case—had they actually wound up, at The Olympia. (Despite the fact that the home team had eked out a 2-1 victory—over the Canadiens.)

The following day, Hurley Stackhouse’s path did not cross Jason’s—till 3:30PM. Was the “Great Man” trying to ignore him? After losing two, in a row? Would “twenty lousy bucks” have made that big a disaster—for Stackhouse (and his “organization”)? Obviously not! For the enigmatic man did show up, and—again, almost gleefully—he’d paid Our Hero! Then, he went on, to accept another “ten-spot” wager—for Game 2, of the series, to be played Tuesday night, in Quebec!

This time, Jason lost! The Canadiens prevailed—by a score of 5-0! A shutout—for, soon-to-be-released, Goalie Paul Bebaulte!

On Wednesday, Stackhouse was even later—in seeking out our beloved loser! But, he did appear—and seemed somewhat relieved, when Jason paid him the ten-spot! Another bet was confirmed—for Thursday night! It would be the series’ deciding game—and would be played, in Detroit!

Huzzah! The home team won! Fairly easily! By a 6-2 score! The Wings would advance—to another best-of-three series! Against the Boston Bruins! Mr. Stackhouse showed up early Friday morning—and laid Jason’s winnings, on him! Again, with much exterior enthusiasm!

The series opener, versus Boston, would take place, on Sunday—March 29th! In Boston! Another ten-dollar arrangement, was entered into! The Wings would get off—on “the right foot”! Detroit 6-Boston 4!

The two parties, to the wager, would meet, on Monday morning—and the finances were promptly settled! Game 2 would be played—at The Olympia—on Tuesday night! The, by-now-traditional, ten-dollar arrangement was, once again, agreed to!

As it happened, Sunday—March 29th—turned out to be not devoted to hockey—playoff game or not! Nothing close!

On the preceding Wednesday night, Jason had been invited to that little white—that wonderful white—house, on Sussex! Eric had informed him—that morning—that he’d been ordered “to not take ‘no’ for an answer”. Susan would expect their former boarded, for dinner! A sure-fire “banquet”—the likes of which Our Hero had (obviously) missed! Badly!

While passionately partaking, of the opulent, did-not-disappoint, feast, his hostess “kind of unloaded” on him!

“First off,” she’d begun, “when are we . . . going to get the chance? The opportunity… to meet this fabulous Miss Valerie?”

“Uh… well, soon! I didn’t know… that you guys, would be that interested,”

For the first time—that he was aware of—his former landlady had become upset, with Our Boy! She’d been seated, across the table from him. But—though he’d been unable, to see the gesture—he was certain, that she’d had her hands, on her hips! Had kept them there—for the duration, of this, out-of-the-blue, “confrontation”! Another first! At least the initial time she’d directed the suspected gesture—at him! As much as he’d ever been aware, of such things!

“Jason!” she’d exclaimed. “Jason, Honey! Jason… I think you’re allowing yourself, to become a little bit selfish!”

That shot-across-his-bow shocked the guest! Especially coming—as it did—from his absolutely-favorite person, on earth!

“Me?” he’d gulped. “Me? Selfish? I’m being selfish?”

“Yes,” she responded. “This girl… Valerie! You take her out… how often? Once or twice a week? How chivalrous!”

“Susie! I work! I do! I work… hard! Ask Eric!”

The latter appeared to want—big time—to be left out, of the conversation.

“I realize that,” responded Susan! “But, does it always have to be about you? Another thing… and this is even more important… where do you take her? To a stupid hockey game? To a lot . . . of stupid hockey games?” She was clearly upset, with him. “Has it ever occurred to you… that she might not