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Chapter 11 - Geniuses and Clowns

EPISODE 11 – "Geniuses and Clowns"

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Scene 1 – Flamengo Training Center – Cloudy Morning

The Flamengo U-16 team is gathered on the main field. Bruno Salgado holds a clipboard.

Bruno Salgado (serious):

– Today it's 11 versus 11. No slacking, no laziness. Starters against reserves. I want intensity, brains, and... (looks at Paulinho, Vitão, and Kadu) less clowning around.

Paulinho (mouth full of bread):

– Come on, coach... I'm so focused today it's scary!

Vitão (winking at Kadu):

– If Paulinho scores today, I'll change my name to Victor the Goal Scorer.

Kadu (laughing):

– And if I score, you shave your eyebrows.

Vitão:

– Deal. But only if the assist comes from Paulinho. That's rarer than an eclipse.

Bruno Salgado (yells):

– LET'S GO TO THE FIELD!

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Scene 2 – Lineups

Starting Team:

Goalkeeper: Marcão

Defenders: Tião, Gerson

Fullbacks: Renatinho Flow (left), Caio Maré (right)

Defensive Midfielder: Nicolas Agustin (captain, number 8)

Midfielders: Matheus Blake (number 7), Jeffinho Bahia

Forwards: Vitão (40), Paulinho (27), Kadu (42)

Reserve Team:

Goalkeeper: João Tiê

Defenders: Zé do Lanche, Léo Tanque

Fullbacks: Dudu Faísca (left), Juninho Metralha (right)

Defensive Midfielders: Joãozinho Pé de Pano, Iago Frio

Midfielders: Miguel Nakamura (number 10), Bruninho da Vila

Forwards: Teco Bala, Cauã Fumaça

Camila Ferreira, holding a clipboard, whispers to Bruno:

Camila:

– I bet Miguel's team is going to give them trouble.

Bruno:

– If those three don't mess around... maybe.

(Cut to Paulinho trying to juggle a cheese bread when no one's looking.)

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Scene 3 – Training Starts

The ball rolls. The starting team takes control. Blake and Agustin exchange quick, clean, intelligent passes. The field feels small for them.

Narrator:

– An Argentine genius. A Brazilian-English kid with the soul of a king. And on the other side... the Japanese brain starts warming up.

Paulinho receives a pass from Blake, shoots... it hits the post, bounces off the defender's back, comes back... and goes in.

Paulinho (shouting):

– I KNEW IT!!! GOAL FROM NUMBER 27!

Camila (laughing):

– That was more luck than skill...

Vitão hugs Paulinho.

Vitão:

– Now I just need that assist, and Kadu's eyebrows are history.

Kadu (worried):

– Lord have mercy...

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Scene 4 – The Reserves Fight Back

Miguel Nakamura starts commanding the game. He doesn't talk much. Just passes. Runs. Sees invisible spaces. In two touches, he puts Teco Bala one-on-one. Goal. Tie game.

Miguel (calm, looking at Blake):

– I don't need to shout.

Blake notices. Feels the challenge. The two exchange subtle glares.

Agustin (serious, composed):

– Pull two back. Their line's too high. Short transition.

Jeffinho Bahia:

– Captain doesn't talk much, but when he does, it's GPS.

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Scene 5 – Comedy Break

In the middle of the tension, Paulinho gets the ball again. Tries to dribble past three, trips, and falls flat.

Kadu points and shouts:

Kadu:

– Is that your boots or your talent?

Paulinho (on the ground):

– It's the wind. Really windy today.

Vitão (teasing):

– He went for the "ground dribble"... new trend!

Bruno covers his face, muttering:

Bruno Salgado:

– What did I do to deserve this front three?

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Scene 6 – End of Training

Score: 2-2. Blake shoots from distance. Goal. 3-2 for the starters.

But Miguel responds with genius: a sombrero flick over the defensive mid, a quick dribble past the center back, and a backheel pass. Goal by Cauã Fumaça. 3-3.

Final play: Agustin steals the ball, passes to Blake. Blake drives forward. Miguel intercepts. They collide. Training over.

Bruno (yelling):

– ENOUGH! Sixty minutes of art, slapstick, and a touch of miracle!

Camila (writing):

– Three geniuses. Three clowns. And one question... who really leads this team?

Narrator:

– In the middle of chaos, the kings of the future are born... and the clowns who make the game unforgettable.

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Final Scene – Locker Room

Blake, sitting next to Camila, stares at the ceiling.

Blake:

– Miguel's a baller. But he's not me.

Camila (smiling):

– And he doesn't have to be. 'Cause no one plays with your heart.

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