Free Red or Dead by David Peace

ill-fitting suit stood in the doorway.
    Bill said, Can I help you?
    Mr Shankly, said the man. I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced, but my name is Eric Sawyer. I’ve just been appointed to the board of directors. I wondered if you had a moment?
    In the office, behind the desk. Bill smiled. Bill stood up. And Bill said, I’ve always a moment. Please come in, please have a seat. And would you like a cup of tea, Mr Sawyer?
    That would be very nice, Mr Shankly, said Eric Sawyer. If you have the time. Thank you very much, Mr Shankly.
    Bill went out of the office. Bill went down the corridor. And Bill asked one of the secretaries to bring in a pot of tea. Then Bill came back up the corridor. Bill came back into the office. Bill sat back down behind the desk. Bill smiled at Eric Sawyer. And Bill said, The tea will be just a minute. Now what can I do for you, Mr Sawyer?
    Well, said Eric Sawyer. Like most directors, I’m afraid I don’t know very much about football, Mr Shankly. Not very much at all.
    Bill laughed. And Bill said, That’s a very honest thing for you to say, Mr Sawyer. In fact, that’s the most honest thing I’ve ever heard a director say in my life. Maybe the only honest thing!
    But I know you know about football, said Eric Sawyer. I know you know a lot, Mr Shankly. Perhaps all there is to know about football. And so I also know you must be bitterly disappointed that we have not been promoted this season.
    I am, Mr Sawyer. I am.
    Well, I want you to know, Mr Shankly, that I am here to help you. I am here to help you gain promotion. To help you get Liverpool Football Club back into the First Division. That is why I have been appointed to the board of Liverpool Football Club.
    There were footsteps in the corridor again, a tap upon the door now. And one of the secretaries brought in a pot of tea. Two cups and two saucers. The secretary put down the tray on the desk.
    Bill said, Thank you. Thank you very much.
    As you know, said Eric Sawyer, Mr Moores is the chairman of Everton Football Club. But he also has a lot of shares in this club. InLiverpool Football Club. And so Mr Moores would like to see Liverpool Football Club succeed, too. Not just Everton, but Liverpool Football Club, too. Mr Moores believes this city deserves two successful football clubs. Not just one.
    Bill poured the tea into the two cups. Bill handed one cup to Eric Sawyer. And Bill said, I am listening, Mr Sawyer. Please go on.
    Eric Sawyer took the cup of tea from Bill. And Eric Sawyer said, Thank you, Mr Shankly. Now Mr Moores cannot sit on both boards of directors. Not as the chairman of Everton Football Club. So Mr Moores nominated me in his place. To sit on the board of Liverpool Football Club. I am an accountant by trade. And I have worked for Mr Moores for many years at Littlewoods. I am the executive in charge of finance at Littlewoods. That is my job.
    Bill smiled. And Bill said, So you know about money then, Mr Sawyer? You are one of the money men then?
    Yes, said Eric Sawyer. I am a money man, if you like. And so yes, I know about money. So I know the finances of Liverpool Football Club are a mess. I know they need sorting out. And fast.
    Bill sighed. Bill put down his cup. And Bill said, So I suppose you are here to tell me there is no more money, Mr Sawyer? No more money for new players? Is that why you are here, sir?
    Quite the opposite, Mr Shankly. Quite the reverse. As I told you, I do not know much about football. But I do know the players we have at Liverpool Football Club are not good enough to get us promoted to the First Division. So I know we need to buy new players. And that if we buy new players. The right players. Then Liverpool Football Club will be promoted to the First Division. And if Liverpool Football Club are promoted to the First Division, then the gates will increase. There will be no more average gates of twenty-odd thousand. Not if Liverpool Football Club are in the First Division. If Liverpool