At the base of the chestnut hardwood staircase lay four rooms separated only by pillars reaching from floor to ceiling. The entire basement is underground and is lit by adjustable orange-yellow lights. The beige walls lined with six-inch espresso wood paneling compliment the shining hardwood floors. Directly to the right of the stairs is where the entertainment room rests.  The reclining leather chairs envelope whoever choses to sink into their russet skin. Set up in two rows of three accompanied by a matching couch. The pillows on the couch bulge like the breasts of a man who spends too much time in the gym. Its arms are cylindrical and smooth. Every edge is lined with round stud-like bolts, the back edge resembling a French-style mustache extending to only three inches off the ground. Below the couch is the maroon and beige Persian rug. Its fringes on either end cuddle in a knot on the floor. The rug holds the rows of furniture, hiding the threaded flowers and their cris-crossing stems. There are folded blankets placed on one chair in either row and on the couch. Two of which are closely stitched blankets with dark, bright, and tarnished green, white, blue, and yellow detailing; their images disguised by the symmetrical folds. The third blanket is a furry purple throw, significantly thicker than the stitched blankets.

In front of the chairs hangs three TV’s in an upside-down pyramid formation. Two thirty-two-inch TVs occupy the top tier and bellow sits a wide seventy-five-inch screen. This wall is completely covered with espresso wooden paneling. Each TV is accented with 2” framework. Black speakers fill the space available adjacent to the TVs. The speakers are also framed.

On the wall perpendicular to the TV hangs six framed jerseys signed by their designated sports star. One on top of another in a row of three, each clean and pressed for display. Their numbers and styles differ, as does each scribble of a signature.

On the opposing wall is a row of five showcases. One-foot-deep, three feet wide, and seven feet tall, the cases meet just below the ceiling at an arch. The cases match the espresso paneling that lines the walls. The paneling that follows the arch from end-to-end extends an inch away from the wall and in four inches wide. Each case is unique decorated by the memorabilia behind the glass. They are illuminated with a warm light from the top of each arch. There is a case dedicated to Hank Arron, lined with photos, news clippings, and a signed baseball and bat. Next, a signed Dan Marino Dolphin’s jersey and helmet, photograph, and a signed football. Then, there is a glass shelf three feet high holding two signed baseballs and a sparkling Brave’s World Series ring. The ring sits up in its vinyl holster, glistening. The gold band is overwhelmed by an iron stained square display. It reads the date and name of the winning team around the outside of the display. A stampede of diamonds lines the inside of the square, surrounding a shimmering blue stone that fills the center of the display like a swollen sea. Below rests a signed Brave’s jersey and a third base plate. The base is stained with clay smudges in some places and cleat imprints in others. The next two displays carry signed football and basketball jerseys.

The owner of the house, Ralph, and his son Andrew are watching multiple football and baseball games, and a golf tournament. They are in the entertainment center with the lights at their brightest setting. Their skin glows and eyes dance in reflection of the flashing TV monitors. The air carries the smell of a tobacco and wood scented candle from another room. They both sit in center row of seats with a spare in between them. They are reclined, torsos and legs completely limp, heads rested on the swollen cushions, breathing slowly and rhythmically. Simultaneously their eyes are alert and stern, arms gesturing at plays, and mouths are running constantly. Both crinkle their noses and squint to see. Their smiles force a crescent moon out of their squinty eyes and lines in the exterior corners. Gravity has a more apparent effect on Ralph’s skin than on Andrews. His hair is salted and his creases do not retract when he is rested. Andrew keeps his beard shaved close but still casts a five o’clock shadow. The remote control is firmly held in Ralph’s hands, ready to flip between events during various commercial breaks. The two men talk excitedly back and forth about every play. The buzz of sports entertainment and laughter fill the room. They speak with projection and excitement. Andrew flicks his wrist to check the time. He migrates to the couch in the front of the room and capes himself in a stitched blanket.  He plops down, landing horizontally to completely occupy the couch. Conversation is diluted with fatigue and they eventually slip into a peaceful slumber.