INT. – GYMNASIUM – LATER
The Bell rings. BOBBY LEE steps out of his corner. Across the ring, NABOB glares at him. The man’s eyes are set too close together, and his shoulders are broad and strong. He sneers. BoBBY LEE meets his gaze, and they circle.
NABOB
You don’t look like much.
BOBBY LEE
Maybe not, but I have something you don’t.
NABOB
(eyes narrowing even farther)
What?
BOBBY LEE
(leans in)
Two eyebrows.
BOBBY LEE ducks right, plants his foot and slams his fist into the side of NABOB’s head. NABOB staggers back, shakes his head, and bellows in anger and pain. He charges. BOBBY LEE ducks again, but doesn’t make it all the way this time. He catches a glancing blow to the ribs that sends him back toward the ropes. NABOB swings around and lashes out with a vicious kick. BOBBY LEE slides along the ropes, barely avoiding losing his nuts. BOBBY LEE bounces off the ropes and goes for NABOB, but the big man is fast, and angry. The attack costs BOBBY LEE a second shot to the ribs, and he returns to the ropes.
EARL
(from the stands)
Think about the jug, boy. The damned jug.
BOBBY LEE shakes his head. He half turns toward EARL, realizes the mistake this would be, and skitters away down the rope. The confusion fades from his face, and he smiles. NABOB closes in again. BOBBY LEE staggers to the left. NABOB stops and stares, then his own grin widens. NABOB slows and begins moving deliberately after BOBBY LEE, who dips one way, and then the other, as if out on his feet.
BOBBY LEE
You ain’t
(beat)
Nothin’
BOBBY LEE staggers again, and NABOB moves in. BOBBY LEE trips sideways. He seems ready to fall. NABOB swings, and misses.
NABOB
What the hell?
BOBBY LEE Turns and, as if catching his balance, drops to the floor. He balances on his hand, and as NABOB stares at him, he launches a sudden, whiplash kick that drives the bigger man’s feet out from under him. NABOB hits hard, the back of his head slamming into the mat. BOBBY LEE springs up and drops a knee onto NABOB’s chest, pinning him momentarily. NABOB grits his teety, his face going mean, and he glares up, struggling.
NABOB (CONT’D)
Heard about your pa.
BOBBY LEE
Don’t say it.
NABOB
Heard he went Wh...
BOBBY LEE raises up and drops his knee hard on NABOB’s chest, driving the air from his lungs before he can finish the word. NABOB lets out a choking sound, and BOBBY LEE drives a fist down flat into his nose. Blood spurts, and NABOB rolls, clawing toward the edge of the ring. BOBBY LEE launches a final kick that plants in NABOB’s ass and drives him out under the ropes. OFFICIAL #2 raises BOBBY LEE’s hand. BOBBY LEE glares down at NABOB, now up, crouched, and running toward the locker room.
OFFICIAL #2
Your winner. Bobby Lee Bunch.
BOBBY LEE turns once, taking in the crowd one face at a time. He finds COLIN WINSLOW in the crowd, and stops. He stretches out a hand and curls his finger, beckoning. COLIN starts up from his seat, but friends drag him back. BOBBY LEE shakes his head, slips out of the ring, and returns to his locker room without a word. This time, there’s not a single Whoof! In the crowd.
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