Lunarly: A Fire Sale Classic

Jimmy - Versus Gambler

Jimmy

"Versus Gambler"

       Georgie thought he should listen to them. A bunch of thugs, that's all they were. Bloody Jimmy doesn't listen to anyone! He doesn't get involved with the gangs, he doesn't do any deals. Jimmy Gordon just fights. And he wins.

       "Come on Jimmy, things have changed these past two years," said Georgie. "The gangs are growing in power. You can't just ignore them. At least tell the Chairmoon-"

       "I won," breathed Jimmy, fire in his eyes, "every fight because I was the best! Don't you forget that, Georgie."

       "Of course," said Georgie, taking a step back. A one-time fighter, but he let himself go. Now he was just old and wrinkly, cautious and weak. "But I just don't want nothing bad happening to you, that's all."

       "Those thugs are welcome to try and make me do anything. And they will see why I'm called Bloody Jimmy," he growled. "I don't throw fights, not for anyone!"

       Georgie had no response. The man was an excellent trainer, and a hell of a fighter some thirty years ago, but he no longer understood the importance of a name. If Jimmy fell to this young brat, all the young brats would think Bloody Jimmy wasn't so bloody anymore. Same with the gangs, if one thug could push Jimmy around, then all them thugs would come knocking for their cut.

       "C'mon, Jimmy," said Georgie, holding the tape. "Let me see your hands. Got the wraps."

       Jimmy held out his hands. He winced when Georgie started wrapping, the tape hurt when it fused with his skin. But a little pain now helped keep his fists from shattering when he was punching hard surfaces like metal or bone.

       When the taping was done, Georgie pulled out a needle the size of a normal man's forearm, filled with a bubbling purple liquid. "Time for your shot, boiling just as you like it."

       Jimmy hated the shot, and even more when it was boiling. But he didn't want his new legs falling off, or otherwise acting up in any way. It took those so-called scientists two years to regrow them, and they still didn't seem to fit quite right. He could have just gotten his legs reimaged and been back in the dome in just a few weeks, but reimaging wasn't much of an exact science. When it came to a fighter's legs, they can't be at all out of place. Rapidly aged clone transplant was the better, more natural, solution.

       Georgie inserted the needle in his thigh and pushed the button.

       It felt like every vein in his legs was on fire, but Bloody Jimmy never made a sound. No matter the pain, he never made a sound, even in a fight. That showed weakness and inspired hope in the other fighter. Instead he thought of Irene. His little niece. She would be watching tonight. He promised her another win. He promised.

       The pain died right before the bell. That was their cue to get to the dome. Georgie grabbed Jimmy's towel, all black with a red 'V'. The only towel Jimmy ever used.

       Outside the locker room was a short yellow hall with speakers broadcasting from the dome. The announcer was introducing the other fighter now. "All the way from Frontal, his first time fighting in the Exparite Dome! A real up and comer, having won the First Friday tournament in Frontal five times running, his latest claim to fame was bringing down the Old King Bossy last week in the Hallujah Shuffle. He likes to get dirty and bloody, but only if there is a risk. If you are checking the odds, then he's your best bet, 'cause no one in their right mind bets against The Gambler!" The crowd cheered, and some even started chanting the bastard's name.

       When Jimmy got to the door at the end of the hall he raised his hand over the panel. "Our other combatant this evening is a man you all know. A true legend, many claim he is the strongest man on the moon, on Earth, in the galaxy. One punch can topple a tower, wipe out a continent, or push a planet off its rotation. He likes blood, and you like blood, so ain't we all friends? Here he is, an Old King in the flesh, Bloody Jimmy!"