Spanked, then "whipped"

The Titan was delighted to receive the unexpected call from his usual doubles partner and occasional singles adversary, 'Slats,' mid-day on this hazy, hot, humid Wednesday. "Giddy-up" retorted TT, promising to finish the household chore he was involved in post haste and meet at Kinsley in 90 minutes for at least 2 sets before the aftenoon rains moved in. Titan fell quickly behind in the opener 1-4 to the determined and more physically fit defensive specialist. TT held in the sixth game starting his run of four in a row only to be broken back by 'Slats' when TennisTitan served for the set. A brief hiccup dear readers, as Titan proceeded to win 8 of the next 9 points running his opponent's ass ragged from side to side on the baseline awaiting the inevitable 'short ball' from Frankie. That was the "spanking" (7-5)! The "whipping," every bit as effective, was administered far more quickly in that 45 second phone call 'Slats" made to his beloved Patsy. The leash was yanked in much the same way as when Titan pulls 'Slats' off the court with a big, flat forehand and then deposits the weak return into the open ad side. Except, Frankie calls that TT tactic"my therapy" as the bombastic bloviator trumpets his prowess for all the neighborhood to hear! With Patsy it was, "Come on Titan, I can only play 3 more games, let's go!" As a chastened 'Slats' left the ball yard Titan was heard to say through the meshed fence, "Frankie, do you think you can ask Patsy for an extra $2.17 next week? I only got one set out of opening a new can of balls today, you know."