The Rock

 200.

"Brother, we'll have you hip-hoping a rocker step before too long." Harlan tosses the compliment like a pass in which he'll get the credit for an assist.

"Give me the rock," I return the code.

It is code for teamwork. Without relentless reinforcement among teammates, reminding them of the focus, effort, vision and sacrifice necessary for success at this level, we might as well take the poles down, fold the canvas, cage the lions and take the circus to another town, one with dramatically lower expectations. Where, perhaps all that is necessary are a couple of clowns and cotton candy. Child's play.

At the level we play, the very highest, one's ability to operate in a dynamic, constantly changing lethal environment with total focus and attention is the skill we stake our reputation upon. That reputation, often preceding us, is one of our greatest assets, in many cases more important than the size, armament or location of those we vow to keep distanced from those under our protective canopy. Should one not take all this with the seriousness of a judge, one should seek employment elsewhere. It is not for the faint of heart, the weak of knee or those adrift in the sea of doubt and indecision. One lapse of presence can cost a life, making it crucial that our partners, our teammates and especially our enemies, never questions our total commitment to delivering the business end of that code. No matter what and no matter where. Code says I Got Your Back.

Continuing with the hoop allegory, Harlan announces that we have a meeting scheduled with Hartaugh on Monday. "It'll be an away game for us, his place, but we have the numbers on him, three-on-one. I say let's fast-break his racist ass, take him to the cleaners for some bleach and starch."

"You, me and Julie?"

"We think anymore would limit our ability to control the situation and keep it on topic. Drysdale really wanted to go and Davis volunteered also."

"And the topic is?"

He takes a blow to consider the best way of saying the glaringly obvious.

"You got the rock, you tell us."