THE UNCIVILIZED SERIES
THREE AND FOUR
(SMASHWORDS EDITION / Copyright Kenneth Guthrie 2011)
These stories are about 4300 words combined or 23 standard book pages.
BACKYARD BRAWL
(SMASHWORDS EDITION / Copyright Kenneth Guthrie 2011)
Joe has signed up to be the champion of both the underground scene and the legit pro-boxing world’s number one, but to do it he has to fight the three best fighters in the illegal fighting world and live to talk about it. It is the hardest fight of Joe’s life and one which will decide more than just his future, but the future of boxing itself.
BIG MONEY
"Joe, its $1000 up front and $2000 for a win," Sam said trying to convince him again.
"I know," he said quietly.
They hadn't done as well as he thought that they would after he got the championship. A year had passed and, although he had faced off with some excellent fighters, including Ted who had walked away with enough to buy that extension to his farm, no one had really challenged him. The mainstream just wasn't getting enough of the good talent and a lot of the fans were turning back to the illegal fights where a lot of the younger fighters were doing the rounds.
Joe knew that he was going to have to go back to doing the rounds again, but he wasn't so sure if he wanted to become the underground champion as well. If he fought well, and he knew by now that he was good enough to try, he could possibly take it, but how would it feel to have to do double duty. Illegal and legal, could they really be mixed like Sam was suggesting.
"Tell, Lord Thomson, I want to talk."
Thomson was the man who had taken him this far and he needed a heavy hitter like him to get him through the mush at the bottom of the underground competition. He had no intention of fighting his way through all the beginners.
Sam leapt for glee and ran out the door of Joe's little town house. He had earned enough to have this and a small farm, which he used for most of his training now. It was close to his daughter and he could visit under the guise of Ted's friendship. It was a good deal.
He turned back to his contemplation. He wasn't looking forward to dealing with Thomson again. He was the most annoyingly evil man he knew. It would not be fun to see him again.
Joe sighed and sipped his whisky. It could be worse he decided before sitting up and leaving the house.
BACK TO THE MANNER
"Joe, how long has it been?" Lord Thomson asked at the door to his mansion.
"One year or more, sir," Joe replied. It didn't hurt to be respectful to the man who had brought him so far.
Lord Thomson led him into the sitting room.
"Ah yes, time does fly, doesn't it?" Lord Thomson said as he settled back in a big leather chair.
“Yes, it does.” Joe said.
Joe sat back to wait for Thomson’s reply. It was time to get down to business.
"So, Mr. Crockfield has told me about your proposition. I am certainly glad to hear that you have reconsidered your position." Thomson finally said.
Lord Thomson sipped his wine and looked out the window a bit. He was likely hoping that this would make Joe consider his position. Unfortunately for him, Joe had met his kind a dozen times or more and knew this little game well. It would not strengthen his bargaining position.
"I can do it," Thomson finally said.
"But?" Joe asked. There was always a 'but'.
"But? But I need you to fight the top three all on one night," he replied.
Joe was taken back. Three of the best in one evening? Was this man mad?
Lord Thomson continued, "Of course, there is a reason. You see the tournament structure is such that you need to fight from the bottom up. You know that, I imagine."
Joe had fought his way to near the top before his luck changed. He knew exactly what it was like.
"Unfortunately, you can't just jump from bottom to top. There are hoops, you see. You have to jump through them if you want to fight at the top level," he said.
"So why all three? Couldn't I fight them one by one over a few months or even weeks? Why just one day?" Joe asked.
"Well, this is where the problem lies for you. You are the pro-boxing champion. Once you beat one of the underground top three the others are going to avoid fighting you. It would take you months to get to the top."
Joe saw the logic of it. He had avoided fighting people lower than him when he thought they might cause him injury or make trouble for him. It was no different.