. I give you
a lady and you. Get. Just got
. What's the matter don't you remember me follow Jimmy follow.
All. Sure you thought back in forty nine at the arena.
Yeah yeah. You really know all you.
I remember oh I think you had to have been I. Know. You'll be me.
Yeah. Would you say your name was. Jimmy.
Yeah yeah what you do in these days Jimmy.
Yeah. I still in the ring I fight Patty Packard the money I had
to go to the board I think that the boys are going to live in there or you're going
to want to know I'm thankful come back myself. To do a couple of things.
Sure. Long time yeah yeah sure I would you say we for less
. Six years ago. Sure I remember that boy
you to it down at the five brown did you. Yeah. That's a lot.
Good luck yeah yeah come out clean boy keep pregnant they are in places.
Yeah. It's
OK and don't get it and get it right remember telling that I do I do.
Great perfect condition perfect. Well thanks thanks. I don't work out of the second
or. Well did you follow my instructions. Where is Jimmy. Anything wrong.
You know the way. You know he's coming around but today he's mad like
a hungry tiger everything I say everything I do so we jump it down my throat when he
shouldn't do that to me I'm on his side I'm afraid you're saying the afternoon
paper. Now something special yeah. Boy has been shooting off his face and
the same card are of all guys in an interview with the up and coming Jimmy Polo
he stated I will not pack it out in four maybe five rounds. We try to prove
you can read I let you out of my sight for a couple of minutes and. This is what
happened with your record only four K. O. is this kind of talking they'll take you
with us my only they'll try it in candy it's a look as little oh no wait a minute
you can talk rough to me and Max we understand you can feel big and you're
entitled to a couple of nerves just before an important fight but to every order
get off my back with you but spite you today I really don't order look Jimmy
those willy let him alone I'm going home go to sleep you see you know. Tomorrow's
the fight night we got a set list thing here and now and there's more. Polo
reiterated his prediction he said in the past I have always followed the
instructions of Willie Stokes my manager take it easy and go for the decision but
this time I am going for the long ball did you say that Sam Carter yeah so what
well it is too tough on the infighting you gotta stay away from me you know you
can also be number one contender on a decision to this time it's gonna be fast
when he one false move and he'll tear you head off we shut up all right you can't
talk to me like that same time and you're getting too big to your boxing
clothes and when I told you lay off of me it's hard to how did the how did the
workout go boy hey. Not me. Just look at your record look at your record
twenty eight pro fights twenty four wins four of my tail only four now why because
you're too good of a boxer to stand there and slug it out toe to toe. Some managers
hungry for a buck they take a chance with their lad rush him along and spoil
him but me I play it safe safe for you too Jimmy sure Jimmy you fight back at the
way you did price your ass each okay okay you're the boss only outside the ropes
inside the ropes you're the boss remember that. You see. I don't know
what's got into it but he think he was eating raw meat or something. Here.
And. Not quite got to be very salty. Hey Jackie not the whole box.
That is so good to make them hard. Just like.
Oh. Very funny I didn't hear you come in. What's
a big idea what's the harm it's bad enough I should have to do it. And I don't
want to really get scrapbook anymore with you what can you read comic books like
other kids when you started them on the book not me. Is it time for him to be in
bed come on Jackie. Your father got out of bed on the wrong side this morning.
He says you promised to box him. Whatever is eating you please don't take it out on
Jackie. I'm sorry. OK. Go on you can take
a fast. Place where. You're going to get.
A. Very fine OK from the shoulder shoulder shoulder shoulder for
a pretty pretty one to pick. Up.
I. Want.
I. Want.
I. Want.
I. Want.
But you keep. Washing face.
Yeah. I'm sorry
I got that job OK that's OK Daddy.
Good night sport.
And I. Right.
That you got. Yeah I'm great so I'm going to be ready in about twenty minutes.
Oh honey Mr McCormick the real estate agent call this afternoon and he said we can
have the house it's not wonderful I'll send him a check for the deposit tomorrow
and then when you get no I don't want to wait. But some of you said that I could
I change my mind got
a right to change my mind but it's a steal for the money and such a beautiful place.
I've been dying to get out of here for years and Jackie could play outside and I
wouldn't be worried half to death every second of the time I'm worried about the
kids future too but the answer for now is no I don't understand.
Oh boy. Hi Jimmy how
a book I know you're looking great I was good but he's fine look I just came over
to show you this column about. You know I saw that I thought I best I can say what
they cried is kind of read it like
a great push your back about that best boy you really feel bad guy off oh yeah
yeah thanks well into the next chance good luck.
No good now we're discussing it suffers how much are you sure the gate come to.
All I don't know eight ten grand I just defend my my but I kind of don't I step
into the ring that package used me for a punch and bang I'm not that step in front
of a train. Ten grand. Hey how about a little game I didn't really later huh.
For no thanks come on champ and relax you know we always play the night before
a fight but chance I'll even let you win because I know never chance up.
OK so what's
a matter of him. Oh yeah well. I got
a go. At night good night Tony. Good luck tomorrow Jimmy.
I. What's
a matter what's gotten into your best friend treating him like that just just
lay off of me with what's wrong nothing. Why don't you want to talk about
it you. Talk about what about what's bothering you sooner or later you do tell me.
But I it's not something you're right I. I just got out of
a rock out of bed this morning. Darling I know you're on edge before I fight and
who can blame you but I've never seen you like this yeah I know I know I know I'm
sorry. Just butterflies.
You had. You have a good life it's not like this. What is it. What.
With seven years. Third sweat noise that's taken gymnasium same old grind
a train and punch the bags in the road push up stay and they are over over again
crying. And then
a big night the slabs in the front row of screaming for blood. Nobody knows what
it's like to swallow your own blood. Every time I leave this house to go to a fight
I. Wonder whether I'm coming home again with our take a ride an ambulance. I've
seen you try to do you good you haven't been hurt so far and you won't be no you
see this if you're a man that's a cripple and for life and trade use this thing
like a weapon. So the other guy. Once with
a split second long time and then you got scar tissue here the chain reaction can
lead right to the undertaker. I said I let's do it and I watch that poor guy
sitting across from me. I know what's going on inside of his heart power just
like me but he comes up just like me. Trying to be brave. We're not best we're
not. That don't claim you've got a couple of scared animals and they're trying to
collaborate to the for what the money. Was nineteen turned for I didn't know
from being now I look around I see where it ends up to. A raw glory and
silver is fifteen years in the ring. Bell boy. George E. Mantell ten years in the
ring bus boy. That's a big deal number one contender today and.
Number one bartender tomorrow you're lucky if you're lucky.
From through this. I'm not fighting factor I'm not fighting anybody else I'm
quitting tonight.
I. Get
that's what I thought it was when your wife. How could you do a thing like this
to me how will it doesn't concern you. It's a business even the best partner split
up or give me a warning at least after all I've done for you.
Jimmy when you were working in that shipping office I said to you Jimmy if you
want to get anywhere you've got to fight full time I paid all the training
expenses and when you were living with your in laws many the time it was me who
slipped a double so above. You made it all back in the last couple of years you
stacked away plenty. All right forget the pattern.
The future Jim Fort Knox is waiting for us we are sure.
Jimmy the last minute it's no way to treat us well he's right he took you
practically off the streets he made a contender out of you Jim yeah I pick up
a novice and I get a kick in the teeth look it's past midnight he'll be dead
tomorrow we don't get no sleep. It was your hand Jimmy.
We got a contract with Ed for him even if I do what you want me to do what am I
going to tell you tell him I'm sick you can't pull a phony on a commission doc
will tell him anything you want to throw.
I've been through good and bad with you make me understand why it has to be
tonight.
Because I say so we've waited so many years and really think you've got a good
chance to win the title she's right absolutely one hundred percent right.
Do you think I want you hurt. To me when you started fighting we sat down and we
mapped out our whole future together and we knew someday you'd have to quit but
why now.
To me when you started fighting we sat down and we mapped out our whole future to get
when we knew someday you'd have to quit but why now.
If you come to me tomorrow night and say Beth I'm all through I'll understand but
I can't see why you have to walk out on every single person who's been decent to
you.
Who care to remember Jeff Gardell yeah it was
a good boy yeah it was a sweet fighter. Yeah was.
Well I ran into him today. He didn't even recognize me he was so punch drunk and I
helped him that that's me he was
a contender when I was
a kid too dumb to be afraid of him now selling handkerchiefs on
a street corner. So they're like a schmoe.
So I cry and. I don't know whether to buy two dozen.
Gave him some dough but he must have made money sure sure he made money so what
happens to it that's really how many end up with any money managers third taxes lay
off injuries goes it goes fast I know a lot of fighters with nice fat and you want
to know what I know a lot of fighters with nothing. But Jeff Gardell what
a waste I don't mind the guy selling handkerchiefs. You only have part of his
brain left. But it might as well be dead. Let's talk about you.
Never mind Jeff Gardell I know how it is Jimmy but why walk out on this fight this
minute now why oh really look I tell you I'm quitting the same time next year you
ask the same question. I get it you know. You have turned yellow
will actually don't I had let him hit me he won't fight back or maybe he can whip
me. OK it's
a truth. I'm scared scared silly Jimmy boy why didn't you say something but pilot
up look I play the clown I joke around about having butterflies but now. There
is nothing more to say tonight. There is it. Oh.
And that's what we're making a fuss about you get a good night's sleep you feel
good in the morning. Go on Max.
Good night. Jimmy is lucky to have you for
a wife Mr. You're a wonderful young woman. You've got no call the cause of this kind
of grief. Just keep up that's all keep up shows you the real
stamp I've never seen it come for you they start eating regular they become from
a dollar I have never seen it that way. I
have not a place. To panic but it's only nine oh five if I had an ounce of guts I
go to Mr. Boylan tell him that my fighter carved out on me. Jimmy doesn't show up
I'm killing take it easy. This way all my life all my life like a pattern every
time I get hold of something good it slips through my fingers like.
Sand. For under.
Six. Did you have any luck did you see him not
a word from him all day I'm worried sick Willie left the house early this morning
I should go and tell Mr. Boyle and you tell a matchmaker thing like that at nine
ten when I won't be any better knows that nine fifty five if I've got
a weak heart tonight I'll know it. That's why I'm all I'm sure bring your boy
and we ain't really. How do you do it how long. Come on being
being being my boys looking up at the lights count in the house while the referee
comes over him that's tough luck tough luck I don't know he's a bum lead him to
the last rags of the fight he does that comes out in the stretch just talk to see
look how you like. The bomb a bomb I'm washed up I'm through with you I do what
you told me to do it took you one more day I asked you to pivot like
a wooden ballet dancer me orders OK you go back to being a short order cock
orders Alex I don't shout out I'm throw it you I want aggravation I can stay home
and listen to my wife. Jimmy
where you been that's nearly out of our mind with work version to down there in
on baby sitting. You're supposed to be in bed on
a. Hey I'm going to go call your manager. But
the devil's the matter with you anyway what is this quitting at the last minute
a grandstand play on a look I had to expand the best and really and match it
I want to have to expand to you Tony I don't get it I just don't get it in your
position I consider myself the luckiest guy in the world. Why why you're only
twenty seven you got a good chance to be champ for the time you're thirty you can
put away a bundle you can send Jackie to a good school you can build
a house you can open a business. One of walking on my heels well I take that
chance the way you can fight I take a chance to see my kid got a real good start
yeah but what they got my brain's beating out to do it. Look Jimmy you and me we
had a battle from the day we were born why because our fathers came from the old
country with big families and worries they couldn't even speak the language
your own man's going to pick all his life yeah I know better for you the way
you want it better for Jack all of Jimmy I can't mess in your business but you
gotta get down to the arena tonight walking out and people isn't like you at
all you're not a quitter Jimmy. Come on open your eyes will you remember when
you look at the best family are you grateful the time that you want to place
your own when I got your own place but you can have more you can ensure Jackie's
future. Hey. This was the best Tony said I could watch television.
Please.
Jackie look.
What time is it nine twenty.
Nine twenty. Jimmy I'm so worried about you you are right. But when you said you
went out of your way it was terrible I didn't realize before maybe don't say
anything all day I've been walking around and tearing myself apart I got to go
through with it that's I got to fight tonight I'll get my car I'll drive you
down but I know where I stand with myself now I'm not scared anymore. See
I'm not going to trade my body and my brain for a pile of money after the night
I'm through and look baby I still got my hands and I still got this up here that's
all we need OK. I love you baby.
Come on call Willie tell him I'm on my way. Don't worry. Take it easy slugger.
I.
Speaking for Armstrong the modern fashion and floors with Jackson and for
low cost Armstrong Quaker odds Sandy Becker good night.
Next week the Armstrong Circle Theater will present a most unusual and gripping
drama filled with the impact of today's headlines. Be with us when Kim Stanley
Broadway's newest and most exciting star appears in H for hurricane written by
Kathleen and Robert Howard Lindsay especially for the Armstrong Circle Theater.
Mr Newman's coach by a question. You.