Post by Aurora Graves on Jul 2, 2024 16:16:49 GMT -5
Downtown Boxing Club
Panama City, FL
Monday, July 1, 2024
Just a short jaunt across St Andrew Bay, tucked into a downtown backstreet, an old, weathered hangar-like structure sits wedged between a nondescript warehouse and a small art gallery. The barely-visible street address is scrawled beside a rusty sliding door beneath a faded sign that provides the structure with its only visible means of identification. The sounds of bodies hitting canvas can be heard through the open front door before the camera eventually cuts to an interior shot.
A ring sits just on the inside of the door, allowing just enough clearance to run the ropes without slamming into the corrugated steel wall. Damon Graves can be seen in a pair of gym shorts sitting on a stool just outside of the ring, while Aurora is sitting on the top turnbuckle in the corner in a pair of black Harley Davidson leggings and a matching sports bra, her eyes fixed on a gargantuan figure standing in the middle of the ring. His hair is mostly jet black, with faint streaks of grey at the temples, but still boasting a physique most men his age could only wish they still had. Beads of sweat can be seen on the shoulders of both individuals in the ring as the larger man makes his way over to Damon.
Man: Hey, Damon… you mind throwing in a couple of bottles of Body Armor?
Damon smiles at the gravel-voiced man as he hops off the stool and pops open the lid of a nearby cooler, pulling out two bottles of the aforementioned beverage, tossing them into the ring.
Damon: You got it, Jason!
The big man catches them both effortlessly, tossing one of them to Aurora. She hops down from her perch on the turnbuckle as they both make their way out of the ring. Damon gestures toward a pair of empty stools nearby as another pair of fighters slip into the ring.
Aurora: You know, I can’t thank you enough for coming out here to help us train for this show, Jason.
She tips her bottle toward Jason as if saluting him before cracking the seal on the cap.
Damon: Well, we ARE using his jet, Harley.
Jason chuckles as he quickly cracks open his bottle, practically chugging the entire contents in one shot. He looks at the label and sneers a little before polishing it off.
Jason: Bah… I still prefer Blackout Berry.
He scoffs, tossing the bottle over his shoulder and into a trashcan.
Damon: Sorry… it was either Tropical Punch or Peach Mango.
All three of them cringe in disgust.
Jason: Noted. But anyway, I’d think you would know by now that I never turn down a chance to spar with you, or any of my other students, for that matter.
He glances across the gym to a pair of kids standing on opposite sides of a heavy bag, a boy with dark brown hair and a girl with black hair.
Jason: Darion, make sure you brace that bag properly. Remember what happened last time?
The boy rolls his eyes and the girl giggles.
Darion: Shut up, Jaina!
Jaina: Oh, lighten up, Darion...
The kids begin making faces at each other, as siblings often do. Seeing his kids goofing off, Jason’s brow furrows.
Jason: KIDS!
The sound of his voice booms through the gym, and for a moment, there’s an eerie silence before everyone goes back to what they were doing. Darion and Jaina both turn to their father, their shoulders slumped slightly.
Darion & Jaina: Sorry, Dad...
The kids once again take their positions at the heavy bag, with Darion properly bracing himself as Jaina starts throwing punches. Jason watches for a moment, then turns to Damon and Aurora, shaking his head.
Jason: Hmph… that’s twins for you...
Mr. and Mrs. Graves both laugh at their mentor’s comment.
Damon: Thankfully, only ONE of our girls is old enough to talk back.
Aurora: Still, I figured what better way to prepare for this match against someone that’s been in the business since I was in grade school...
Damon: Than to train with someone that’s been at it since before we were born...
Aurora: And could likely still give this guy a run for his money!
Jason: Hey! I appreciate it, but I’m more than content to sit back and let you kids take center stage for once. Knowing I had a hand in getting you there is all the glory I need anymore.
Aurora: Yeah, but don’t act like the thought hasn’t crossed your mind at LEAST once or twice...
Jason lets out a half-chuckle, half-scoff as he nods slightly, running a hand over his goatee.
Jason: Well...
He then shakes his head.
Jason: I can’t lie; it has. But then I look back at what I’ve done and I realize that I don’t have a damn thing left to prove. Three Hall of Fame inductions, and enough championships to open a damn museum...
Damon: Not bad for a guy that grew up in the hood.
Jason gives Damon a nod with a raised eyebrow, as if to say “you know it.”
Jason: And who knows? One day, it could be one of you two standing where I am, with a few protégés of your own...
The conversation is interrupted by the muffled sound of Type O Negative’s “Cinnamon Girl” playing from a bag on the ground at ringside. He reaches into the bag and pulls out his phone, holding a quiet conversation as Damon and Aurora look on. Damon leans in toward his wife and whispers...
Damon: I wonder what Alicia wants?
Aurora shrugs.
Aurora: I’m sure if it’s got anything to do with us, Jason will let us know.
Damon nods in agreement. As Jason ends the call and puts his phone away, they notice a smile across his face.
Jason: I know I don’t need to tell you who that was...
The Graveses shake their heads no.
Jason: Nah… I didn’t think so.
He turns to Aurora.
Jason: Anyway, she said for you to bust ass harder than you’ve ever done before, because he reminds her of someone else we used to know...
A pause… Aurora thinks back to what Slim had recently said, mouthing three words silently as if playing them back in her mind. Her expression sours.
Aurora: Now that you mention it, I DID pick up a hint of arrogance in his voice. Not that it really matters. He can pump himself up all he wants. The one thing I will NOT put up with is when people disrespect my family. He wants to tout himself as the ultimate test of my in-ring abilities… not when there are competitors out there that have forgotten more about what I can do in that ring than he’ll ever know.
Damon and Jason share a quick knowing glance at each other as they nod. As they stand there, they notice the flash of anger in Aurora’s eyes as she makes her way toward the women’s locker room. Damon steps into her path. With an exasperated sigh, Aurora glares at him.
Aurora: What?
Damon: Are you alright, Harley? You seem a little worked up.
Aurora’s voice, dripping with sarcasm, takes on an uncharacteristic growl that makes even Jason take a step back.
Aurora: Oh, I’m perfectly fine. There’s nothing I like better than people that don’t even fucking know me talking out of their ass when they don’t even have a clue. But it’s fine. We’ll just see who’s testing WHOM on Wednesday...
Before Damon can even respond, Aurora pushes past him and continues her walk to the women’s locker room. Damon follows her with his eyes as she disappears behind the door. Wide-eyed, Damon shakes his head.
Damon: I’ve seen that look on her face before…
Jason nods his head in agreement.
Jason: So have I… far too many times. Makes me wonder if this guy… what did you say his name was? Slim?
Damon nods his head.
Damon: Slim… yeah.
Jason: Forget if she’s ready for him… the real question is, is HE ready for HER?
Damon lets out a deep sigh as he stands with his hands on his hips.
Damon: One thing’s for damn sure… I don’t envy him in the slightest. He may think he knows what he’s in for, but honestly...
Jason: He has no idea...
Damon: The motherfucker wanted fire...
Jason: Someone should’ve told him to be careful what he wished for...
The two men shake their heads before Jason picks up his bag.