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#Post#: 1506--------------------------------------------------
A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: RampageSports Date: May 20, 2015, 8:36 pm
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A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
It was late as I made my way into the women's locker room at
RSI. Yes, it's necessary for me to specify the women's locker
room, because there is a small men's locker room across the
hall. When I was laying out the plans for the facility, I felt
it just made sense to put one in. In the years since then, no
one but the cleaning crew has set foot in there.
That makes sense, right?
The crowd in the locker room was thin, but the subject of my
interest was still there, sitting sullenly in front of her
locker.
"Hey there," I said.
"Oh sh*t," Brittany Tacy replied. "Was I that bad?"
"What do you mean?"
"I get my ass kicked, and now I get a visit from the boss?"
I shook my head.
"I'm not here because you lost."
"Oh? Then, why?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"That's funny," she said sharply. "You've never checked up on
me before."
I blew out a sigh.
"Fine. I'm checking up on you because of the fight, okay?"
"Yeah, well... I'm great, thanks for asking."
10... 9... 8... 7...
"Let's try this again. You got got your ass kicked a few days
ago, and I'm here to see how you're handling it."
She started to speak, but I stopped her.
"I know you're in a sh*tty mood. I get it. But, if you don't
drop the attitude, you're going to get your ass kicked again
right here in this room."
She gave me a hard look as she considered her options.
I was pretty familiar with what happens when a fighter gets this
kind of angry. I had been there many times, myself. The desire
to lash out and hit something... or someone... can be pretty
strong. By pushing her this way, I had basically volunteered to
become her target.
On the other hand, I had shown in the past that I could back up
my threat. So, lashing out at me would have some consequences
attached.
While she mulled it over, I decided to make her decision a
little easier and soften the blow.
"I didn't come here to get in a fight with you," I said. "I saw
what happened, and I know how it feels. So..."
"You wanted Steph to stop it," she said, cutting me off.
I had expected that. The moment I tried to paint myself as a
kindred spirit, she slapped me down with the fact that I had
broken the unwritten rule. Clear proof in her mind that I was
not a legitimate member of the club.
"I did," I said plainly.
"So then you don't really know."
"Don't hand me that bullsh*t," I said. "I've been through it,
and I DO know. But, I also remember I was pretty stupid back
then. Too stupid to know when I was beaten."
My choice of words gave the impression I wasn't stupid, anymore.
I know a few people who might take issue with that.
In fact, if this were a movie, this is the point where Danni
would walk into the room and make just such a comment. I even
went so far as to take a quick glance around, but there was no
sign of her.
I took a moment to lament the lost opportunity.
"I knew how bad it looked," Brittany said, "but it only takes
one punch."
I couldn't help but smile.
"The 'puncher's chance,'" I said wistfully. "I told myself that
same thing quite a few times."
"There's a reason they call it that."
"Yeah," I said, "it's meant to describe the last desperate hope
of someone who's doomed to fail."
She laughed a little... reality chipping away at her veil of
obstinacy.
"That's not a very hopeful way to look at it."
"Shocking, I know. Not at all in tune with my normal jaunty
personality."
That drew another laugh from the blond fitness beauty.
The chances to mock me were coming fast and furious, now. Danni
was really missing out.
"What about Steph?" Brittany asked as her smile faded.
"We're fine," I said.
"You were giving it to her pretty good."
I shrugged.
"I was p*ssed, and I took it out on her. I probably shouldn't
have, but she's done it to me, too. It happens. We're past
it."
"You let Steph yell at you?"
I smiled again as I tried to imagine what my other options might
be. I don't think anyone 'lets' Steph do anything. She either
does, or she she does not. Then, you decide if you can live
with it. On it's face, that might not sound very appealing.
But, I've found Steph's decisions are never selfish or
arbitrary. Call her principled. Call her obstinate. Or, just
do what I do and call her a pain in the ass. Whatever your
preference, it doesn't change the fact that the reasons behind
her decisions are always good.
In other words, I decided long ago that I can live with it.
"If you have any suggestions as to how I could stop her, I'd
love to hear them," I joked.
Brittany nodded as she saw my dilemma.
"I could fire her," I continued, "but that feels a little like
shooting myself in the foot."
"We'd be lost without her."
I nodded.
"I trust Steph. I count on her. And, I know I put her in an
impossible situation the other night."
"Then, why do it?"
I paused a moment to consider my answer.
"I know what it feels like... that promise you make to yourself
to never give up. Every one of you does it. I get it, but I
hate it, at the same time. Since I know you won't watch out for
yourselves, I sometimes feel like it's my job to do it for you."
"Did you have someone watching out for you?"
"No."
"Then, why?"
"Because maybe I should have. Maybe things would have been
better if I did have someone keeping an eye on me."
That wasn't the answer she expected, and she really didn't know
what to say after that. So, we just dropped it and moved on.
"You got someplace to be?" I asked her.
"Not really."
"Feel like putting the gloves back on?"
"With you?"
I shrugged.
"I'm sure we can find some way to pass the time."
"Okay," she answered, a little too eagerly.
No matter the profession, there's always something appealing
about the idea of punching your boss in the face.
"Just let me get changed," I said.
[hr]
Character Reference
HTML https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjMxOhMMXhVcF82aG5SXzA/Richelle_100x120.jpg
Name: Richelle Winterfeld
Nickname(s):
Background: Owner of the RSI stable, former underground fighter
HTML https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjMxOhMMXhVcF82aG5SXzA/Danni_100x120.jpg
Name: Danneel Harris
Nickname(s): Danni
Background: RSI stable leader, reigning DEF welterweight
champion
HTML https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjMxOhMMXhVcF82aG5SXzA/Brittany_100x120.jpg
Name: Brittany Tacy
Nickname(s):
Background: FAC lightweight contender
#Post#: 1507--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: Dragons Den Date: May 21, 2015, 8:26 am
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Richelle certainly is a glutton for punishment. :P
But, hey, can't fault her results!
I always do like a good heart-to-heart. And this was no
exception. Nicely done! :)
#Post#: 1508--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: RampageSports Date: May 21, 2015, 9:02 am
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On the punishment thing, I can't deny that Richelle still hasn't
truly overcome her natural tendency to solve problems with her
fists. But, she managed not to get her head knocked in the last
time she helped Emma. So, we'll have to see if her learning
trend continues. :)
Thanks for the feedback. ;)
#Post#: 1519--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: Raccoon Date: May 22, 2015, 10:37 am
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Sigh... Dragon and Rampage are doing what I hoped to do with
this rp section.
Not related to this, but just found out that Danneel is maried
to Jensen Ackles.
#Post#: 1521--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: RampageSports Date: May 22, 2015, 11:16 am
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[quote author=Raccoon link=topic=231.msg1519#msg1519
date=1432309038]
Sigh... Dragon and Rampage are doing what I hoped to do with
this rp section.
[/quote]
What's holding you back? If you've got stories to tell, tell
them. The more you do it, the clearer your characters will be.
That will let others find places where your stories and their
stories intersect.
The stuff I do takes a lot of time. It's fun for me, which is
the only reason I do it. I don't think anyone should feel
compelled to do as much as I do, but I also don't think they
should shy away from doing whatever they want to do. That's why
these boards are here. :)
[quote author=Raccoon link=topic=231.msg1519#msg1519
date=1432309038]
Not related to this, but just found out that Danneel is maried
to Jensen Ackles.
[/quote]
Not in my world, she ain't. :P
That brings up another interesting point. You only need to use
as much reality as you want to in your stories. I bend reality
all the time. No, scratch that. I don't bend it. I completely
throw it away. For example...
All of the RSI women live near Oceanport, NJ? Yeah, not likely.
Dragon's Den and RSI train literally down the road from each
other? Uh, no... I think the Den was originally supposed to be
in Australia. That would have to be one very magical road.
There are plenty of other crazy things I've done (some of which
I wish I hadn't), but you get the idea. The UMMA is it's own
world. Do what you want with it.
As for Danneel, I have some ideas for where her character is
going to go. And a married mom from Malibu isn't going to work
in those plans. ;)
However, I will give you this nod to reality... Danneel and
Jensen have apparently known each other for a long time.
Married 5 years, dating for 3 and it seems they were friends
before that. Obviously, I don't know them, but, from what
little information is publicly known, they seem very happy and
real. That certainly is a pleasant deviation from most
celebrity relationships, and I hope it continues for them. :D
#Post#: 1522--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: Raccoon Date: May 22, 2015, 12:11 pm
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[quote author=Rampage Sports link=topic=231.msg1521#msg1521
date=1432311400]
[quote author=Raccoon link=topic=231.msg1519#msg1519
date=1432309038]
Sigh... Dragon and Rampage are doing what I hoped to do with
this rp section.
[/quote]
What's holding you back? If you've got stories to tell, tell
them. The more you do it, the clearer your characters will be.
That will let others find places where your stories and their
stories intersect.[/color][/quote][color=green]
Time. It's one thing to visit the messageboard several times a
day and make a short comment, but to write a full story takes
time. I'm sure John can attest that I'm the last one to send my
magazine submission.
[quote author=Rampage Sports link=topic=231.msg1521#msg1521
date=1432311400]The stuff I do takes a lot of time. It's fun
for me, which is the only reason I do it. I don't think anyone
should feel compelled to do as much as I do, but I also don't
think they should shy away from doing whatever they want to do.
That's why these boards are here. :)
[quote author=Raccoon link=topic=231.msg1519#msg1519
date=1432309038]
Not related to this, but just found out that Danneel is maried
to Jensen Ackles.
[/quote]
Not in my world, she ain't. :P
That brings up another interesting point. You only need to use
as much reality as you want to in your stories. I bend reality
all the time. No, scratch that. I don't bend it. I completely
throw it away. For example...[/color][/quote]
[color=green]You're not the only one. Some examples of altering
reality:
[list]
[li]The whole idea of UMMA[/li]
[li]Hayden Panettiere.[/li]
[li]Shay and Naya.[/li]
[li]I never mention ages. Some of my fighters act half their
age.[/li]
[li]Tiny actresses/models being physically stronger than large
athletes.[/li]
[li]No fighter in my stable seems to have husbands, boyfriends,
children etc.
[/li]
[/list]What I like to do is take as many real world facts and
yet tell MY story. Just look at my and Pye's Interview -story
(Yes the story is finished...it just takes a lot of TIME to post
it, mainly because of the images.) I thought it was fun to try
to locate information that was not readily available and then
use it, but at the same time taking into account the UMMA
reality.
[quote author=Rampage Sports link=topic=231.msg1521#msg1521
date=1432311400]All of the RSI women live near Oceanport, NJ?
Yeah, not likely.
Dragon's Den and RSI train literally down the road from each
other? Uh, no... I think the Den was originally supposed to be
in Australia. That would have to be one very magical
road.[/color][/quote][color=blue]
I always think that the stables have temporary offices and
training facilities in whatever city UMMA is in. (And looks like
I run out of green color...doesn't work anymore)
[quote author=Rampage Sports link=topic=231.msg1521#msg1521
date=1432311400]There are plenty of other crazy things I've done
(some of which I wish I hadn't), but you get the idea. The UMMA
is it's own world. Do what you want with it.
As for Danneel, I have some ideas for where her character is
going to go. And a married mom from Malibu isn't going to work
in those plans. ;)
However, I will give you this nod to reality... Danneel and
Jensen have apparently known each other for a long time.
Married 5 years, dating for 3 and it seems they were friends
before that. Obviously, I don't know them, but, from what
little information is publicly known, they seem very happy and
real. That certainly is a pleasant deviation from most
celebrity relationships, and I hope it continues for them. :D
[/quote]
#Post#: 1523--------------------------------------------------
Re: A Puncher's Chance - Chapter 3 - The Membership Test
By: RampageSports Date: May 22, 2015, 12:19 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Raccoon link=topic=231.msg1522#msg1522
date=1432314667]
Time. It's one thing to visit the messageboard several times a
day and make a short comment, but to write a full story takes
time. I'm sure John can attest that I'm the last one to send my
magazine submission.[/color]
[/quote]
I understand that one, completely. That's why I say just do
whatever you feel like. Maybe write shorter stories. That's
the approach Dragon often takes. It works just fine. :)
Oh, and I hope you find another bottle of green ink. I know how
much you love your colors. :P
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