In a secluded corner of the Toronto Maple Leaf atrium, high up on the thirty-second floor of Toronto Maple Leaf tower, two generational super star phenom teens stare at each other across a table. A game of Connect Four sits between Auston Matthews  and Connor McDavid. No pieces have been played. Auston is playing red, Connor is yellow. It is Connor’s turn, he is reading his opponent. Auston endures the scrutiny with a casual ease that makes Connor feel a little bit uncomfortable.

After several more minutes Connor still hasn’t made a move.

“I’m going to order a milkshake.” Auston says. “You want one?”

Connor thinks for a moment. “Definitely.” He says.

Auston waits for a lot longer than he expects to. “What flavour?” He finally asks.

Connor thinks about it. “Vanilla.” He decides.

Auston nods and looks up to the ceiling. He clears his throat. “Hello, can I please get two milkshakes, please? One strawberry and one vanilla. Um, thank you.” Looking sheepish Auston smiles at Connor. “It’ll just be a minute.”

“Who are you talking to?” Connor asks.

“The Tower.” Auston answers with a grin. ” They are always looking after me when I’m here.”

Connor examines the Connect Four board instead of answering. After a minute a servant arrives with two comically oversized milkshakes complete with extra large  mixing tins. Both boys get up to help the poor fellow with the heavy tray.

“Thank you very much” Auston says. He shakes the servants hand and slips him a fifty dollar bill.

“I cannot take this sir.” The Toronto Maple Leaf wait staff says.

“Please.” Auston pleads. “I’m begging you, please, just take it. Tell them I made you,  buy some porno with it, or something.”

The servant smiles and bows, unable to resist the charisma of the young Leaf. Auston makes a point to look at the man until he is gone. Never once has the same person come back twice. Auston wonders at the inexhaustible resources of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Do they ever send you any girls?” Connor asks.

“I never asked.” Austin admits. “But my friend Mitch told me that he can always get girls if I want one. I’m a little nervous about it though. Mr. Lamoriello doesn’t like girls very much.”

“Really?” Connor asks.

“Yeah, I’m not sure a GM is allowed to tell us when we’re ready to start dating, but honestly I think Lou doesn’t give a tiny piece of fuck.”

“There are no girls in Edmonton.” Connor says. “It sucks.”

“It’s your move.” Auston reminds him.

Connor puts down his milkshake and wipes off his milkshake moustache. He picks up a piece and drops it in the third slot from the left.

Auston examines the board. He sees where his pieces will go and where Connor will answer. Move by move he plays it out in his imagination.

“Cats game.” Auston says. He sips his strawberry shake without picking it up. “Play again?”

“Sure.” Connor says. “Your turn.”

Auston slides the handle and clears the board. Quickly the rookie Leaf drops a piece in the far right slot.

“Cats game.” Connor says after a minute. “Play again?”