“Really Annie? Retirement?”
David’s voice was partially blocked out by the sound of the water that sprayed onto the back of Anjou’s head. Her eyes were closed so none of the water or soap would find their way in and blind her. She didn’t have time to take a shower before the match so she was forced to quickly wash her hair in the sink. The crowd loved it when her hair flowed out as she fought. It was how she earned her nickname, ‘The Crimson Hare.’
“Yes, David. This is my last match. I’ve said this a thousand times now.”
David scoffed. “And I still can’t believe it. Your record is near spotless. You’re the second youngest champion, and your past two fights haven’t gone past round 3.”
Anjou pulled her head out of the sink and let her hair fly back. The excess water splashed onto her back and trickled down to the floor. “All the more reason to go out on top.”
She walked into the main part of the locker room where David sat on one of the benches with his arm crossed. Even though Anjou was currently topless he didn’t avert his gaze. He had been her manager so long that it no longer fazed him. Grabbing a towel she dried her hair and walked over to her locker.
“I just don’t get it Annie. Most of the others at the gym would kill to be where you are. Money. Fame. Endorsement deals. A supporting role in a major Hollywood movie.”
“I do have to admit, that one was pretty fun.” Anjou smiled at the memory of going toe to toe with Abraham Armstrong in the Pay Dirt threequel. She had played a henchwoman named Cotton Tail. “I might give acting another try.”
“But boxing…”
“Was nothing more than a hobby.” Anjou slid a gray sleeveless shirt on. “I never meant to make a career out of it. The fact I was able to make enough money from it to fuel my real passion was a stroke of good luck.”
“I don’t get how running a restaurant is a passion. Especially since you won’t be doing any of the cooking.”
Anjou sat down. “What’s not to get. I want to run a business and I like food. I’ll hire the best chefs and I’ll get to taste test their creations. Besides, why are you so worried about me? It's not like you’ll be out of a job.”
David shook his head. “Because you're wasting your potential. But I guess I can’t stop you. Just do me a favor and don’t announce your retirement right away. Let’s at least try to milk a little more money out of this.”
“Well, I suppose I owe you that much.”
—
“And now Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls of all ages. It is time for the main event of the evening. This is the championship match for the Undisputed Unified World Title.” The entire arena was dark except for the lights coming off phone cameras and the spotlight that illuminated the ring announcer. “Introducing the challenger.”
The spotlight disappeared and reappeared at the top of a ramp where a video screen began displaying an image of a gold star. Soft piano music played as the star swirled around the screen in a sideways figure 8 pattern. The piano music sped up rapidly as the star too gained speed and then there was an explosion of lights and color as a guitar began playing a rock riff. The screen then raised itself up revealing a woman wearing a gold robe with matching boxing gloves. Her dark hair was tied back into a tight braid and was adorned with a tiara that sparkled in the spotlight.
“Hailing from Hollywood, California. She is Trixie Starr.” The announcer held onto the second syllable for the woman’s name before finishing it with an audible flourish. When he had finished saying her name, Trixie bumped her fists together and strutted down the ramp towards the ring. The crowd’s reaction to her was mixed with some cheering and others booing which fit right along with her divisive personality and style.
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The spotlight followed her as she entered the ring and stood in the middle staring forward at the camera pointed towards with an intense smile on her face. This part was for all of the people watching at home. When she finished she walked out of the spotlight and leaned against the corner of the ring.
Walking into the now empty spotlight, the announcer spoke again. “And now introducing the Champion.”
Crimson fireworks exploded at the top of the ramp as all of the lights in the arena lit up. As the fireworks ended and the deep bass riffs of her entrance song began, Anjou slowly walked through the smoke to the delighted cheering of the crowd. She wore a bright red robe, with gold trimming and white boxing gloves. The robe was open so that the gold belt was on full display around her waist. Her hair, which would have to be tied up by David before the match began, flowed behind her from a wind that was blown from hidden fans in the stage.
“Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, she is the reigning and defending Undisputed World Champion. ‘The Crimson Hare,’ Anjou Desmarais.” Just like with Trixie the announcer elongated the end of Anjou’s name. Personally, she thought it sounded cooler when it was done with her last name instead.
As Anjou made it down to the ring a sharp pain ran through her head making her noticeably wince. The video cameras were currently trained on her so she did her best to turn the face she made into a deliberate move. The pain quickly went away but as she walked up the stairs she felt off balance and nearly fell off. Grabbing the robes she managed to right herself before stepping into the ring.
At this point she would normally head to the center of the ring and throw a series of rapid punches much to the delight of the crowd and those watching at home, but Anjou headed straight for the corner where David was standing on the ring apron waiting for her.
“Are you okay?” he asked as she approached.
Anjou took a moment to steady her breath and nodded. “I think so. Probably just prematch jitters.”
David frowned. “That’s not normal. This is your ideal environment. You're made for the crowd.”
“Hey, even Superman has a bad day sometimes.”
“I suppose. Are you going to be okay to fight?” Anjou nodded. “Okay then. Turn around so I can do your hair.”
—
Three rounds in and Anjou felt great. She was hitting hard and she was hitting fast. Trixie was a slower fighter, so it was easy for a faster person like Anjou to dodge her, even if she did get a couple lucky punches in. Her cheek stung, but it wasn’t enough to knock her off her game.
“You’re doing great out there,” David said, tipping the bottle of water into Anjou’s mouth. Sweat dripped off her body. “But I think you should end it here.”
Anjou swallowed and breathed out. “I think I run her for one more round.”
David shook his head. “She’s getting used to your movements. Those punches managed to get through, and I’ve no doubt the next ones will too.”
“Alright. I’ll get it done.” The bell rang and David stepped out of the ring and grabbed the stool Anjou had been sitting on.
As she got up Anjou pounded her gloves together and took a deep breath before meeting Trixie again in the middle of the ring. All she needed was one punch. A quick and powerful hook is all it would take. It was how Anjou took down all of her other opponents and it was how she would defend her title in her soon to be last match.
But as she went to take her first punch, everything flashed bright. The suddenness of it made her jump back and shake her head. Trixie tilted her head in a confused gesture before moving in and throwing a punch of her own.
Anjou managed to move out of the way in time but was stopped by another flash. This time however, when everything came back into view, Trixie was standing over her grinning. She had a belt thrown over her shoulder and she said something, but the words couldn’t reach Anjou’s ears.
Trixie then walked away and was replaced by David who kneeled over her and also tried to say something. His eyes were wide and he waved his hands in front of Anjou’s, but again she couldn’t hear anything.
She turned her head to the side and saw several people scrambling around the ring. They wore bright reflective clothing and carried one of those orange things ambulances used that looked like a surfboard. The word escaped Anjou’s mind. As those people climbed into the ring they too stood over her and tried to speak to her. But before she could even try and answer, there was yet another flash, followed by darkness.