HICKORY
"Hickory! Hickory, listen to me. Let me throw in the towel! Do you really want to go another round with this kid, stop before both eyes swell shut."
"I’m gonna kill this guy!" Said a battered and exhausted Hickory Miller.
"Yea, right, you look like your killing him, he isn’t even breathing hard.
Come on Hickory, get out of there before you get some serious damage."
I’ll get him, give me some time!
"Time you haven’t got. Said the cut man, He’s slipped everything you’ve thrown for 6 rounds. You’ve got 4 rounds, 12 minutes to make your big move and I just don’t see it happening, but have it your way."
"15 seconds!" the timekeeper yells.
"What have you heard from Sandy?"
"I told you, No news is Good news."
"Keep that left arm out, stuff that glove in his face, and move a little, have you got rocks in your shoes?" Said Bugsy Bates as he lifted the stool over the ropes.
BONG
"Well Radio fight fans, Hickory Miller came out for the seventh, a little slow, but he’s out there and Bayou Barns has a big smile on his face. Oh, Barns just sent a solid left to Hickory’s mid-section followed by 2 quick straight rights to the kidneys."
"John, were you surprised to see Hickory continue the fight?"
"Dale, Hickory has taken a heck of a beating, but he has never stopped a fight yet when he had any choice. Oh, Hickory just took a left in the ear that would have sent most men to their knees. This veteran of 126 bouts has always given the crowd their moneys worth and, Hey - Hickory just got a good jab in there, I wish he would have hung the gloves up 2 years ago. He had a splendid record and he could have went out in his prime."
"We all know about the very unpopular split decision that cost Hickory a chance at the title and I for one thought he got robbed. That disputed loss seemed to take something out of Hickory and he just hasn’t been the same. It’s been nothing but bad luck since then, in the ring and out."
"I agree about the poor judging. I had Hickory well ahead of San Padres
on my card, but you and I don’t count when they add up those cards at the final bell."
"I think Hickory is blocking most of those shots, he’s not letting many of those land right now."
"Well a few are hitting the mark and they add up to points and I just don’t see Hickory coming out of this on top! Well, he just threw a uppercut that made Barns move back a couple of steps, he’s got spirit if nothing else."
An usher handed the cornerman a note "Hey guys, this came down from up stairs."
Mr. Miller – Your daughter is asking for you and the physician suggests you make every effort to be available promptly, things have become critical. Even knowing this is coming, it is never easy and it could mean so much for Sandra to see you at this time. Please hurry!
Metropolitan Medical Center, room 826. Gloria Graham RN
