Paris / Ted Lasso

34. Improv

"It's a profile on women in football. It's not a big deal." Rebecca corrected. "There's, like, four of us: me, Karen, Delia and Posh Spice."

"Not the best Spice so its not a big deal." Poppy agreed teasingly.

"Oh, come on, now. Being a role model's a huge deal." Ted corrected. "Don't you realize that there's probably a little girl out there somewhere rocking a tiny eggplant-colored power suit, and she's just dreaming about becoming a sports executive someday." Ted assured. Birdie looked up from her coloring book.

"Mommy, can I have an eggplant colored power suit?" Birdie questioned seriously. "For our next meeting with my polish." She clarified.

"We will go shopping." Poppy agreed. Ted chuckled.

"She's gonna read this article and she's gonna think, Holy smokes. My dreams are possible." Ted declared.

"In this scenario of yours, little girls read The Football Financial Quarterly?" Rebecca questioned.

"Well, who knows? Little girls are mysterious." Ted agreed looking at birdie. "And silly and powerful." Poppy chuckled. "I gave up trying to figure them out years ago. Tell you what, I wish Higgins was here to see this, 'cause he'd be real happy for you too." Poppy sighed. Becca had fired higgins for not wanting to be apart of her schemes.

"I don't know about that, Ted." Rebecca countered. "When Higgins decided to quit, he made it quite clear what he thought about me, and it wasn't supportive." Ted imitated a buzzer. Birdie looked up from her coloring book again.

" Nope. I'm filing that under stinkin' thinkin' right there. Okay?" Ted corrected. "I guarantee you, he'll come around."

"If Becca comes around with an easy fix." Poppy agreed. Rebecca pursed her lips.

"Right. I'm changing the subject."

"Go ahead."

"How's the team morale going into the final weekend?" Rebecca questioned.

"I mean, I'm still heartbroken about the last loss."

"Are you?" Rebecca questioned.

"Of course." Ted agreed. He tried to keep a brave face but he was upset about the loss. Poppy reached out grabbing his hand. "Oh Hey, Keeley." Ted said as the door opened.

"Hi, Ted."

"Hey, did those marketing folks from Tom Ford ever get back to you?" Ted questioned, Keeley had been doing marketing for the team and coaches.

"Yeah, they did. They said they're gonna stick with the models they already have." Keeley countered.

"Aw, nuts." He countered.

"Tom Ford?" Poppy questioned. Ted smiled to himself.

"I know. But they did say that if they ever do an everyman campaign or something satirical, your name's on their list."

"All right. There you go. That's not bad." Ted agreed.

"Poppy I have been getting a lot of inquiries about you however." Keeley remarked. "And a few for Birdie."

"Me?" Birdie declared.

"Trotters wants you as their model in the storefront window." Keeley agreed. Birdie gasped.

"Mama?"

"We will look over the offer." Poppy agreed.

"And... American girl doll." Keeley added. Birdie gasped. Ted chuckled.

"Yes! Tell them yes! I want to be paid in dolls!" She demanded. Keeley handed over a file to Poppy. Poppy opened it up happily. Ted chuckled seeing Birdies excitement.

"Can I borrow you for a second, Rebecca?"

"American girl doll." Ted hooted. "Thats a thing here?"

"Oh yes and Birdie loves it." Poppy agreed.

"American? Not British girl doll?" Ted countered. "What offers do you got in there?"

"Dark Sugars, Birdie Boo." Poppy read off.

"Whats that?" Ted questioned.

"Only the best chocolate in london." Poppy answered. "We will have to get some more when I accept their brand deal."

"You dont even ask they just flock to you." Ted realized. "Thats pretty darn cool."

"Comes with being a Welton and former footballer I suppose." Poppy agreed. 

"Now a mega perfume and soon to be nail polish star." Ted added.

"Speaking of business. You have a press conference to get to." Poppy recalled. "Come on we will walk with you."

Birdie was babbling about which doll she wanted as payment. Ted kissed poppy right on the mouth before they entered the press room. Poppy loved that he did that. He kept his hand on the back on her neck as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Got you this Ted Lasso." She whispered kissing him again. Birdie gave him two thumbs up.

⚽️

"You know, David, we got one final game this season against Man City, and our goal is to go out like Willie Nelson, on a high." Ted assured. The reporters chuckled. "Oh, how about Trent Crimm?" Ted requested. "And if memory serves, you're from the Daily Planet, yeah?" Ted winked back at poppy.

"Thats super man!" Birdie declared.

"Trent Crimm, The Independent." He corrected standing up.

"Ah, yes. That's the one. Okay What's your question, Trent?" Ted questioned.

"Many of your young players have improved during your tenure." Trent began. "Then there's Roy Kent. He played dismally last match. Thoughts?"

"Way to go for the jugular Trent." Poppy murmured. He shot her a charming smile before turning back to Ted.

"Well, I think you could ask Roy himself. He'd tell you it wasn't his best day." Ted agreed. "But I'll let you know right now that Roy Kent is the backbone of this team.'' Ted assured. "All right, let's mix it up in here a little. If you're an introvert, I want y'all to raise your hand. You guys get the next few questions." Hands flew up and Ted laughed out. "Ah! That was a trick! If y'all were really introverts, you would've been quiet as a church mouse. Unless that church was Westboro Baptist. Those turkeys won't shut up."

Poppy loved how easily ted made her laugh. Made her smile. Made everyone feel better without really trying.  She waited until thenpress conference was done. Walk ted to the coaches office. He kissed her again before she headed off. Birdie and poppy went to the cafe to grab a snack while ted walked in on Beard and Nate staring at him.

"I feel like y'all are about to do some improv comedy or tell me that you're dating each other. Either one's cool with me. 'Cause your suggestion is ally." Ted assured.

"We have to take Roy out of the starting lineup." Beard corrected.

"I see. Okay." Ted said slowly.

"It wasn't just one bad game, Coach." Nate added. "He's showing his age, and he's made significant mistakes in each of the last five matches."

"Do you love mr ted, mama?"

"I like him a lot." Poppy answered as they got Birdie a muffin  and juice box.

"When the season is over is he going to leave us?"

Poppy had been dreading that question and the answer ted would surely give her. He would go home to his son and his ex wife. Poppy would miss him and pray that he came back.

"We just haven't been bitten in the ass by them yet." Ted assured.

"But yesterday our butts had teeth marks." Beard corrected. "Deep ones. The kind you usually have to pay for."

"Guys... I'm not benching Roy. He's our captain." Ted corrected. "But I want you to know that I value each of your opinions. Even when they're wrong." Ted added. "I was really hoping it was going to be improv."