(S3) - PT #2 - Lucky Charms

[Roshambo]

Dominic Verns is a creature of habit. Since his Pop Warner days, the pre-game routine is the same, with only a few additions over the years. It is less based on superstition and more on preparation and peace of mind. He eats the same meal the night before a game, lemon pepper chicken with lightly buttered noodles, and drinks a gallon of water - always a new jug bought that day. He wakes up at 6am the morning of a game and gets a light workout in with mostly plyometrics and stretching. So far these things are fairly typical, but this is the end of that, during the early hours of the game day Verns’ meticulous prep begins. Dom is always the first to the stadium, in fact if it is a home game he does his morning workout in the Otter’s weight room. There is an understanding/deal with the equipment manager to have his uniform laid out the night before, rather than during pre-game prep, so that he may arrange it in his special way. Socks laid over each cleat, pants hung behind jersey, helmet shined and placed in front on the bench. Dom inspects and then leaves to check off the most random of his game day ticks… a dip in the Pacific if at home, the nearest pool if on the road. He has gone on record to say it’s a symbolic gesture for no one other than himself, washing away everything - nothing matters but what you do on the field this day or night. The past is the past, today is today.

266 words.