Contents
1. Zanders
Overview
Evan Zanders and captain Eli Maddison board a new team plane for the season’s first road trip, highlighting their money-making good-guy/bad-boy dynamic and Zanders’s need for a contract renewal. Zanders’s cocky attitude collides with flight attendant Stevie’s no-nonsense professionalism, establishing immediate friction that promises ongoing tension.
Summary
Evan Zanders and Eli Maddison arrive at O’Hare for the Chicago Raptors’ first road trip. Zanders revels in road games and casual hookups, while Maddison focuses on his family. They spot a new team plane tied to a citywide charter deal, noting it will have a consistent crew all season.
As they board, Zanders recalls his past rivalry with Maddison, a dirty hit, mutual struggles with mental health, and their evolution into best friends and leaders. He emphasizes their profitable media personas—Maddison as golden boy, Zanders as troublemaker—which he intends to leverage to secure a contract extension.
On the plane, Zanders asserts veteran seating over second-year defenseman Rio and banters with Maddison about nightlife plans. Their agent texts about a pregame Tribune interview, and they agree to keep playing up their contrasting images for publicity.
A new flight attendant, Stevie, approaches for the exit-row briefing. Zanders dismisses her, assuming she wants autographs. Stevie shuts him down, insists on attention, and refuses special service when he’s rude. Maddison calls Zanders out as Stevie coolly finishes the safety talk. The encounter unsettles Zanders, who’s intrigued yet annoyed, and realizes she’ll be on every flight this season, signaling continued friction.
Who Appears
- Evan ZandersRaptors alternate captain; embraces bad-boy image, chases hookups, seeks contract renewal; clashes with flight attendant Stevie.
- Eli MaddisonRaptors captain and Zanders’s best friend; family-focused, steady leader; counters Zanders’s antics and supports their media act.
- StevieNew flight attendant; professional and unimpressed; rebuffs Zanders’s arrogance during the exit-row briefing.
- ScottTeam manager who explains the new charter deal and consistent season-long flight crew.
- RioSecond-year defenseman; tests seating hierarchy, quickly yields to veterans.
- RichAgent who arranges a Tribune interview and urges playing up the duo’s public personas.