It's the last minute. Spectators glance at their watches. Beckham takes a deep breath and steps up, totally focused. Can he do it? Yes! He's signed the contract.
Marketers have a tendency to talk about 'innovation', but when it comes to devising World Cup strategy, they simply sign up David Beckham.
"It's a no brainer", chorused sponsorship and marketing executives across the UK. "He's talented, he's good looking, he's going to play in the World Cup. What could possibly go wrong?
Er, well ...
For one, does anyone actually remember which brands he endorses?
Imagine the faces of the Pepsi team, who have spent a fortune making Becks their own, when a Coke bottle appeared featuring you-know-who. And picture Umbro execs when David arrived at an FA press conference sporting an Adidas hat.
It has even (allegedly) led to marital problems. Posh is said to have stymied talks between Beckham and Golden Wonder over plans for him to endorse new snack Goalden Balls. The reason? Mrs Beckham has signed with rival Walkers' Sensations crisps.
And then, just as World Cup fever was really hotting up, he went and broke his bloody foot. '£10m of sponsorship deals at risk', screamed the tabloids.
Well, hardly. Becks now looks well on the road to recovery and, oxygen tents and ultrasound allowing, could well lead England on to the pitch on June 2.
Meanwhile, as he is unable to cavort around, bending balls, he has recently been pictured wearing a rather silly (unbranded) hat. Why? Because he's having a number of 'exclusive' haircuts for front covers of magazines.
He will be the first male to grace the cover of Marie Claire in its 14-year history and he has cultivated a brand new barnet for GQ, and smeared himself in baby oil
It takes more than broken bones to stop our Becks making money ...
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