Redneck Dragon – Part XXXVI – Faith, right.

GYMNASIUM – REAR DOORS – CONTINUOUS

BOBBY LEE, LU, and JAKE stand watching the ring.

BOBBY LEE

Either of you ever seen this “Bear” fight?

JAKE

I haven’t seen him, but I’ve heard.  He’s slow, but very strong.  Usually takes a beating early on, but when he gets mad he hurts people.

LU

Very strong.

BOBBY LEE

And Cecil?

JAKE

That boy’s a snake.  He’s fast as lightning, and he’ll take full advantage of the fact there’s no fouls.  If he can ge away with it, he’ll take out an eye.

BOBBY LEE

But against Bear?

JAKE

My money’s on Winslow.

BOBBY LEE

He’s hurt.

Both LU and JAKE turn to face BOBBY LEE and stare.

JAKE

Who, Cecil?  What do you mean?

BOBBY LEE

His sister, Terri, told me.  He may have cracked ribs.  She asked me not to hurt him.

JAKE

(angry)

God damn it boy.  When were you going to tell us?  You remember that last question you asked me about your Pa?

BOBBY LEE

(nodding)

Yep.

JAKE

I’m tellin’ you now.  We’re all counting on you.  You need to win.  You aint’ sweet on that girl?

BOBBY LEE

Nope.

JAKE

You’d better be damn sure.  Me and Earl? We ain’t gettin’ another shot in this lifetime, you know?

BOBBY LEE

You bet on me?

JAKE

Why in hell you think we want you to fight, for the sport of it?

BOBBY LEE

I thought you brought me here to fight for my dad.  I thought, maybe, you figured since that asshole Cecil burned my dad alive, maybe I’d like a shot at kicking his ass.  Guess I thought wrong.

LU

No.  You are right.  You know why you are fighting.  We still bet.  We had faith in your father, and we have faith in you.

BOBBY LEE

Faith.  Right.

BOBBY LEE turns back to the ring. CECIL and BEAR are circling.  CECIL dances back and away every time they get close...the crowd grows restless.  Then, suddenly, BEAR lunges.  Somehow, in the effort, he trips forward.  CECIL dances to the side and without a thought spins and slams his elbow into the back of BEAR’s head.  BEAR drops like a stone, and CECIL is on him, kicking and punching.  BEAR rolls up and tries to get back to his feet, but CECIL is crazed.  He punches and kicks until with a frantic ring of the bell, OFFICIAL #2 drags him off.  Just like that, the first match is over.  CECIL retreats slowly to his corner.  He moves carefully, his face white.  The OFFICIAL turns to him to raise his hand, but CECIL has already slipped through the ropes and is moving up the aisle away from the ring.

OFFICIAL #1

Well, there you have it. Your winner in round one, match one, Cecil Winslow...

The applause falters as CECIL hurries away from the ring without acknowledging his victory.

OFFICAL #1

And now, our second match...

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