"Yeah, it's Bennett. So what?"
"Uh... It's nothin'. This way," instructed Sid, pointing his arm in the direction of the office. For the second time in the last twenty four hours he was going to have to lie to a cop and cover for Johnny. "What can I do for the lovely Harmony P.D this time Chief Bennett?"
"Listen pal, I don't appreciate your attitude here. I'm just doing my job."
"Your job was already done last night. Now if you don'tmind- I also have a job to do."
"Actually, I do mind. I know you know something about the illegal activities of Johnny Spencer, and I'm not leaving here until my questions are answered, one way or another. Understand?"
Sid stood up and slammed his hands against his desk. "Obviously you're the one who doesn't understand palley. There ain't no way I'm answerin' any more of your questions without my lawyer present."
"I've had just about enough of your-"
"Boys, boys," a cool, deep voice came from the door. "Please, calm down. You're starting to scare the men in the gym. They can hear you clear as a bell you know."
"Johnny! Uh, what are you doin' here boss? I got this situation under control."
"I own this place Sid, if you didn't happen notice. Now if you'll excuse us, the officer and I have some business to conduct."
"Uh, yes, right away sir," he answered, making his way out the door.
Sam smiled at the cowardly little man who was once so tough. 'So this is Spencer,' he thought. 'About time I met the man I'm going to bring down.'
"Officer... I believe you had some questions about my establishment?"
"Kay!" shouted Sid. "KAY!"
"I'm right here," she replied, walking over to him and out of sight from his office. "Keep it down why don't you?"
"Mind explainin' to me what that was all about?
"What what was all about?"
"That cop. He's yer old man?"
"What's it to you?" she asked defensively.
"Don't get cheeky with me kid. Where'd you learn to talk back that-a-wayz, anyway?"
"You," she answered.
"Ah, right," he laughed. "Guess that was bound to happen sooner or later. I have a very contagious personality you know."
She smiled.
"But anyway, you still haven't answered my question."
Kay sighed. "Yeah, that's him. But he doesn't know about my boxing Sid, I swear. No one does. Promise me you won't tell him I'm here."
"All right. Just as long as you keep him outta my business, got it?"
"I'll try."
"Good. Holy Camoly! Will you look at the time? It's almost one thirty! We got some time to make up for. Give me your gloves, and I'll finish lacen' em'."
"Not a problem." She stuck her arm out, and watched as the determined little man finished the task he had began earlier.
"Now," he started, "We're gonna do something a little new."
"Wait..."
"What now!"
"My dad--"
"Left when you weren't looking," he finished for her. "Now can I continue? We're gonna do something new today. I think you're ready for a little more of a challenge. You've killed every woman we brought in this ring with you. So today, you're gonna face a man."
"A man? As in, a male boxer?"
"That's what I said, ain't it? You're not scared are ya? This ain't no time to chicken out."
"I'm not scared! I can do it."
"Damn right you can kid! You're gonna kick his toukus all the way back to where ever it is he came from!" Sid chuckled. "So let's hurry up and get in few warm ups while we still can."
"Sid, are you sure about this? I mean, do you really think I can take this guy?" Kay asked as she glanced over to the other side of the ring.
"Rocko? You've gotta be kidding me. You're gonna kill him! Trust me kid, you ain't gotta worry about anything out there; especially not with me in yer corner."
"Okay. Whatever you say. I can do this. I can do this," she breathed nervously. I can do this."
"Just remember to duck. He has a mean left hook."
"Right. Got it. Duck."
Kay punched her gloves together as Sid put her mouth piece in. 'I can do this,' she thought, 'I can do this. He's just like any other boxer I've ever faced. Just... with a little more testosterone. Well, unless you count Sheila. That chick was a man in a woman's body. Well, it looked pretty manly, I mean, but it's just that--'
The bell rang, signaling the start of the fight.
"All right Kay, get right into im' now!"
Both fighters glanced at each other, and Kay was sure she saw him smirk. If he thought this was going to be an easy victory, he had another thing coming.
Rocko's arm flew out as he tried to hit his opponent in the stomach. She moved sharply out of the way and got a quick shot in across his face.
"Did you see that?" someone from the crowd whispered. "That chick just got a hit in on Rocko! Either he's losin' it, or she's got spunk."
'Spunk,' Kay thought. 'I have spunk. What do you know?'
"PAY ATTENTION!" screamed Sid. "WATCH OUT FOR THAT HOOK!"
Rocko's fist flew into Kay's face, at what felt like 100mph. A tiny whimper of pain escaped her mouth as she landed a few feet in front of Sid.
"Get up kid! You're not gonna let one punch keep you down, are ya! You can do better than this!"
Shaking her head, Kay slowly began to climb her way onto her feet when an elbow connected with her back. She fell back down to the mat.
"HEY!" screamed Sid. "That's illegal!"
"Not in Johnny's gym," Rocko grinned. He bent down near Kay's face. "All's fair in love and war sweetheart," he whispered. "Now why don't you get up and go make me some dinner? Women shouldn't be out in the real world anyway. They might end up getting' themselves hurt."
As he turned and walked towards his corner, Kay felt her rage begin to take control. She jumped to her feet and raced over to where he was standing. A small tap on the shoulder was all it took to get his attention, and when he turned around to face her, a startled look evident on his face, he got exactly what he was asking for. His face met her fist in what was probably one of the hardest punches she'd ever given. He yelped in pain, and flew back into the ropes to rest his arms over them. "You little bitch! I'm gonna kick your ass!"
"Just try it! I'm right here!" she taunted, waving her arms and inviting him to get a piece of the action. "Come and get me."
Rocko grunted as he charged at her with his arm extended. She ducked and got two punches in against his stomach. He backed away woozily, but still determined. She walked towards him, and the two engaged in a punching match they'd never forget. Arms flailed, fists connected, blood spilled, but both fighters continued to stand their ground.
"Come on kid, just a little longer!" Sid's fuzzy voice echoed throughout Kay's head. She glanced at Rocko who looked just as beat as she felt.
'POW' Her fist connected with his eye. 'POW' His fist connected with her cheek..
'Hang on Kay,' she told herself. 'He's almost out. Just a couple more good shots!'
Rocko's dizzied mind spun as he observed his opponent. There was two of her now. No, wait- three. How was he ever gonna be able to fight three people?
"This is it!" someone's voice was heard over the cheers of the crowd. "He's gonna knock her block off!"
The tired, yet seemingly invincible man, stretched his elbow behind his head, ready to strike with the only remaining strength he could muster.
"DO IT NOW KID!" screamed Sid. "PUNCH LIKE I SHOWED YA!"
The fists of both fighters somehow managed to hit each other at the exact same moment, and they fell in unison onto the mat beneath them.
"Get up Kay..."
Everyone was silent for a moment as they observed the scene at hand. Rocko got beat by a girl! And beat bad too.
"They're both out!" a man shouted.
"Yeah, but who won!"
After several seconds of dead silence, a single eye fluttered open. It surveyed the blurry area around it. Rising to her feet, and using her last ounce of her strength, Kay walked over to where Rocko was lying. He was out cold. Everyone in the gym stood in shock as they watched her.
She managed a tiny smile as the ref signaled the end of the match, thrusting her arm into the air to signify her victory.
"Holy crap! How'd that chick get up after a blow like that?"
"YEEEEEEAAAAHHHH!" shouted Sid, as he raced into the ring. He grabbed a hold of Kay before she collapsed on the mat again. "THE WINNER! Right here!" He held her arm in the air, waving it around wildly. The obvious pride he felt surging through him was evident to everyone in the gym. Normally he wouldn't have exposed his feelings so openly, but after a win like this, how could he hold it in?
"Sid...? Wha... What happened? Did I do it? Did... Did I win?"
"You did more than win kid," he replied. "You knocked the snot outta that loser!"
Kay glanced over her shoulder and saw a man trying to wake up Rocko by slapping his face.
"I did it? I actually beat him?" she asked again, unable to believe that she actually took on a man- and kicked his ass.
"Don't act so surprised kid, I am your trainer after all. You know, this calls for a celebration! Me and you is going to the fanciest restaurant in town!"
"Okay. But... I think I need to sit down first. My head kinda hurts."
"Yeah, that kind of thing is sorta expected," answered Sid, and he lowered Kay out of the ring and into a chair. He took her gloves off and handed her an ice pack. "You fought good today kid. Listen, the Doc's gonna take a look at you now, okay? I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Sid practically skipped away from the chair that held his pride and joy, and entered his office. Johnny was sitting comfortably behind his desk.
"Did you see?" he asked.
"I saw."
"And? What do you think?"
"I think... I think you got yourself a winner here." He stood up and slowly walked next to Sid. Placing a large hand on his shoulder, he studied the tiny man before him.
"You mean--"
"You know what I mean. I'll book a match whenever you're ready. Your girl's gonna make you some big bucks Sid. The first woman boxer to join the underground ring." He waved his arm across the space in front of him as if both he and Sid could literally see the money pouring in. "The crowds are gonna go wild."