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THAT'S THE END OF IT!!! Brisbane-based Finance Officer, Darren McCulloch (38) isn't staying at his desk one minute past 5pm today.
Because what's the point of a Suncorp Decider if you aren't parked up the Caxton before peak hour?
With a neck-and-neck men's State of Origin series to be decided on the hallowed turf of Lang Park this evening, Darren has organised to meet all of his mate's in 'Brisbane's Bourbon Street' at 5:09pm sharp.
With five other blokes descended upon the front bar of The Caxton from all different sides of the city, the boys are, in fact, back in town.
As Queensland hosts a stacked New South Wales side, Maroons fans are very wary of a possible upset. That's why they need as big of window as possible between knock-off and kick-off - to make sure they are prepared for what ever sporting fairytales lays ahead.
And while Queensland is a heavy favourite, a Blues victory is not impossible. The NSW side have won a decider at Lang Park three times before - including their most recent crack.
All of this is a lot to think about for Darren, which is why he needs to close his laptop and get to Caxton Street immediately - so he has a clear mind to ruminate on all of the possible outcomes that may present themselves tonight.
After an frustratingly delayed elevator journey to the ground floor, he officially leaves his workplace 5:01pm.
From there, he hits the streets on foot. At pace.
He's left all of his belongings at work for the evening. It's just him and the big three. Phone, wallet, keys.
His Maroon scarf that is now flailing in the wind as he sprints through Roma Street like Matty Bowen in the final seconds of game I, 2005.
What was a mild-mannered white collar worker just minutes ago is now a fully-fledged banana-bender pulsating with the Queensland Spirit. He's in open space. It's as though he's just plucked a Brett Kimmorley pass out of thin air in the dying seconds of a golden-point extra time. He's approaching Petrie Terrace like the Murri fullback from the Far North.
The place is already awash with a sea of maroon. The crowd is cheering. He's heading right between the posts for a schooner of Bitter.
This is ORIGIN.
