Match Point

Majuro is a city of tennis fanatics.

Everywhere you look, you see a tennis court. This was the first thing I noticed on my way to the hotel the night I arrived.

Even my office here has a tennis court. My hotel has one, too. Rafter is one happy boy!

I met the US Ambassador to The Marshall Islands and he, too, is a big tennis aficionado. He’s a pretty cool guy. Really nice. The following day, he lent me one of his rackets.

The Ambassador also invited me to play with him. You never say no to a diplomatic official.

Right after work, I headed straight to the tennis court to practice my serve. Raft3r was rusty. I haven’t played in ages and I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of the Ambassador.

The Deputy Chief of Mission arrived first with his spouse. While waiting for the Ambassador, we decided to play doubles. I was paired with a local.

After the match, still no sight of the Ambassador. He was a no show.

I smelled fear.

Post script: Raft3r got a chance to play with the Ambassador the following evening. He whooped my sorry ass. Big time.