IT IS 2.30 p.m. Friday and Dennis Lawrence has just returned to the Crowne Plaza on Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. He needs to be at Piarco International Airport at 3.30. His visit home following his return on Thursday from Bahrain, where he scored the historic World Cup qualifier goal for Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday, securing this country a place in Germany 2006, is over.
Greeted by the Sunday Express, he reveals it was a hectic day and he's in a rush, but, still, the lanky and articulate 37-year-old keeps his promise to be interviewed.
"You just sit there on the bed," he says as he completes a call on his mobile, instructs one of the four young men in his company, one of them his brother, to go to another room and check someone for something, and asks about someone else who was supposed to bring him something, it sounded like clothing.
A lot was happening at once.
Well, Dennis, how was your day?
"I thought I would have laid in a bit but I woke up much too early. My luggage was lost, I had no clothes, so I had to go into town and do some shopping. I also had to go to the barber and there were some other matters of business I had to take care of. Things just got hectic.
"The phones kept ringing, people were asking me to make five-minute visits to schools but, of course, they were not five minutes. I managed to visit my old school, Malick Senior Comprehensive, but it was unplanned and it was a short visit. I wish I had more time to spend with them."
Dennis seemed surprised by all the attention he has received.
"I went into Port of Spain and everywhere I went people were mobbing me, asking me for my autograph. It was crazy. I went to the same places I have been going to for years and the interest now being shown in me...it is great."
He is still overwhelmed by the nation's welcome for the Soca Warriors on Thursday evening.
"I could never imagine it would take so long to get from the airport to the Brian Lara Promenade!"
The team left Piarco around 5 p.m. and arrived in Port of Spain near 10 p.m.
"We were tired, but it was worth it to see all the people.
"When we were finished I came into the hotel room to get a shower and get some rest, but then my brother came and told me I had to go home to Morvant that very night. I could not understand why they were insisting until I got there. It was unbelievable!
"When I turned into Marigold Crescent, there were lines of cars and people in the street waving flags, and I got there at 12.30 a.m. But they were all waiting," he recounted, sounding as if he genuinely could not understand what all the fuss was about.
"I want to thank them all for it though," he added.
He said he was certain that his mother, Gail Lawrence Williams, was the driving force behind what took place on Coconut Drive, Morvant, that night.
But in spite of all the attention being heaped on the team and him in particular, Dennis is keeping it real.
Asked if he was relieved that he scored the winning goal in Bahrain, following the save by the Bahraini goalkeeper which came off of his strike at the Port of Spain leg of the qualifier the Saturday before, he replied: "I am relieved that the team has gotten through the campaign to qualify for the World Cup, that is my relief, but not about my scoring the goal."
And even after his magnificent contribution to that historic success, Dennis does not see himself as an automatic pick for Germany.
"I don't know about my going to Germany. If I keep fit then I will be up for selection, but there is no automatic pass. Remember, anything can happen. I have to now work to maintain a condition that would allow me to be selected."
Yeah right! Surely this is all for public consumption?
"No! That is how I am all through my life. I have never taken anything for granted. I think being in the Army for awhile helped with that. Today is just one day for me, but it is not about Dennis Lawrence. That goal was scored as a team effort. People need to remember there were other players on the team in that game, and there is a coach and a manager. Don't make it about me."
In fact, if Dennis had had his way, he would be out extinguishing fires.
"Since I was a little boy, what I really wanted was to be a fireman, but I guess not everything you wish for you can get."
His entry into the football arena was really through "kicking ball".
"I never went to any of those football coaching schools but I was always playing football. I played with the village team, then I joined Barataria Ball Players, and it was there I met Jamaal Shabaaz."
His game took off and finally landed him at Wrexham, Wales, where he plays professionally. And, now comes the prospect of playing in the World Cup.
His accomplishment is surely a "big up" for Morvant, one of several areas plagued by violent crime. Dennis told the Sunday Express that he knew "one or two" persons who have died as a result of violent crime.
Does he have any suggestions on how to tackle the crime problem?
"I can't say how people should do their jobs, the only thing I know is sports. And, look at it. Look at the way people were greeting each other in the streets, people they don't know-it was because the team qualified. They put everything else out of their minds."
He knows he has done his part to lift the image of his home town.
"When people mention Morvant they will say Dennis Lawrence is from Morvant."
So, how would he like to be recognised- "to be honoured", to quote Prime Minister Patrick Manning-for his role in the Trinidad and Tobago's success?
Dennis laughs. "That is a hard question, about being honoured. Having been on that motorcade, seeing people lined off in the streets, all the love, at the end of the day nothing can substitute for that.
"I mean we all love to have new cars and big houses, but really it is up to the man above to decide on honours and rewards. I mean I am not overly religious, but I believe in God."
So does he desire to move his family out of Morvant.
"I feel it is the best place for them to be. They are at home, happy and comfortable. And hey, if it ain't broken...."
His wife, Gloria, and eight-year-old daughter, Celine, live in Wales. The couple's fourth wedding anniversary was on November 15, the day before his famous play. He has not yet had a chance to celebrate his anniversary or victory with his wife and daughter.
"I play pro football, I am on the road a lot and sometimes I feel as if I see them off and on," he said.
So, when he gets back to Wales, he has some making up to do?
"Well I get home on Saturday (yesterday). We will probably have a nice meal and just chill out for the weekend. That is all I am going to say, some things must just be kept behind closed doors."