For Naught

"Well, Titan, maybe you should consider going back to work then." These were the not so comforting words of Bill 'EBL' Tully at net having just denied TT for the umpteenth time the pleasure of winning a set against him. Titan and Roy 'Mr Spin' had tried mightly for the second consecutive week to defeat the tandem of 'Big Al' Dio Dati and 'EBL.' As was the case last week TT/'Mr Spin' were unable to hold their early break and succumbed in the latter stages of the set (3-6). Titan had pop on his serve and some jump on his first step to the ball but poor placement serves were his undoing as the 'bloated behemoth' lost too many service points to 'Big Al's short cross court returns. 'Mr Spin' played considerably better than he had the previous week but still displayed errant tendencies on his once sure lobs and short droppers. But his hustle had returned big time. The first set turned on two terrific games - the seventh and ninth - that went to six and five deuce respectively, with the indefatiguable Tully pulling the chestnuts from the fire with superb retrievals. 'Big Al' was no slouch either, thwarting many of the blowhard's blasts reflexively at net and using Titan's power serve to supply enough pace to angle it out of reach over the net. Set 2 was another barn burner with 'Mr Spin'/Titan getting the early break back to draw the set even at 4. Titan was serving at 4-5, in the second deuce, when play was halted. Titan was lip synching his pitiful lament to the hearing impaired 'Mr Spin,' "Roy, all that effort and nothing to show for it. Damn" when 'EBL' zinged him. 'Big Al' had the final word "You three guys were employed by the education system, what would you know about work anyway?"