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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/27797-h.zip b/27797-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ae283af --- /dev/null +++ b/27797-h.zip diff --git a/27797-h/27797-h.htm b/27797-h/27797-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b6c9a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/27797-h/27797-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1202 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Vital Ingredient, by Gerald Vance + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2,.figr {text-align: center;} + h2 {margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .rgt {text-align: right; margin-top: 2em;} + .figr {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; width: 363px;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: justify;} + img {border: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Vital Ingredient, by Gerald Vance + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Vital Ingredient + +Author: Gerald Vance + +Illustrator: Llewellyn + +Release Date: January 21, 2009 [EBook #27797] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VITAL INGREDIENT *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figr"> +<img src="images/001.png" width="363" height="550" alt="" title="" /> +<b><small>Pop's lightning brain reacted. He sent in the haymaker.</small></b></div> + +<p><i><big>Frankie was ready for the big test—Ten-Time Winner +of the world title. He was young and fit and able; +also, he had Milt's cunning brain to direct every feint +and punch. This left only one thing in doubt, the——</big></i></p> + +<h1><big>VITAL INGREDIENT</big></h1> + +<h2><small>By GERALD VANCE</small></h2> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">"Champ</span>, what's with ya +lately?" Benny asked +the question as they lay on +the beach.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," Frankie answered. +"Just fight-nite miseries, +I guess."</p> + +<p>"No it ain't, Frankie. It's +something else. You losin' confidence +in Milt? That it? Can't +you hold it one more time? +You guys only need tonite and +you got it. One more to make +Ten-Time Defenders—the +first in the game, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"We won the last two on +points, Benny. Points—and +I'm better than that. I keep +waiting, and waiting, for my +heels to set; for Milt to send +it up my legs and back and let +fly. But he won't do it, +Benny."</p> + +<p>"Look, Champ, Milt knows +what he's doing. He's sending +you right. You think maybe +you know as much as Milt?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe I just do, Benny. +Maybe I do."</p> + +<p>Benny didn't have the answer +to this heresy. By law +this was Frankie's last fight—as +a fighter. If he won this +one and became a Ten-Time +Defender he would have his +pick of the youngsters at the +Boxing College, just as Milt +had chosen him fifteen years +before. For fifteen years he'd +never thrown a punch of his +own in a fight ring.</p> + +<p>Maybe because it was his +last fight in the ring he felt +the way he did today. He understood, +of course, why fighters +were mentally controlled +by proved veterans. By the +time a fighter had any real +experience and know-how in +the old days, his body was +shot. Now the best bodies and +the best brains were teamed +by mental control.</p> + +<p>Benny had an answer now. +"Champ, I think it's a good +thing this is your last fight. +You know too much. After +this one you'll have a good +strong boy of your own and +you can try some of this stuff +you've been learning. Milt +knows you're no kid anymore. +That's why he has to be careful +with you."</p> + +<p>"I still have it, Benny. My +speed, my punch, my timing—all +good. There were a dozen +times in those last two +fights I could have crossed a +right and gone home early."</p> + +<p>"Two times, Frankie. Just +two times. And them late in +the fight. Milt didn't think +you had it, and I don't think +you did either."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Milt, Frankie's master control, +came down to the beach +and strolled over to join them. +Milt had been a Five-Time Defender +in the Welter division +before his fights ran out. Now +he was skinny and sixty. His +was the mind that had directed +every punch Frankie had +ever thrown.</p> + +<p>He studied the figure of +Frankie lying on the sand. +The two-hundred-pound fighting +machine was thirty years +old. Milt winced when he +compared it to that of the +twenty-two-year-old slugger +they would have to meet in a +few hours.</p> + +<p>Benny said "Hi," and ambled +off.</p> + +<p>"Well, boy, this one means +a lot to both of us," Milt said.</p> + +<p>"Sure," was all Frankie +could answer.</p> + +<p>"For you, the first Ten-Time +Defender the heavyweight +division has ever produced. +For me, The Hall of +Boxing Fame."</p> + +<p>"You want that pretty bad, +don't you, Milt?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah, I guess I do, +Frankie, but not bad enough +to win it the wrong way."</p> + +<p>Frankie's head jerked up. +"What do you mean, the +wrong way?"</p> + +<p>Milt scowled and looked as +though he wished he hadn't +said that. He turned his head +and stared hard at his fighter. +"There's something we +maybe ought to have talked +about, Frankie."</p> + +<p>"What's that?"</p> + +<p>Milt struggled for words. +"It's just—oh, hell! Forget it. +Just forget I said anything."</p> + +<p>"You figure we win tonight?"</p> + +<p>"I think maybe we will."</p> + +<p>"You don't seem very sure. +On points, huh?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah, maybe on points." +Milt turned his eyes back on +Frankie's eager face. "Frankie, +boy—there's something +about being a Ten-Time Defender +that's, well—different."</p> + +<p>Milt took a deep breath and +was evidently ready to tell +Frankie exactly what he +meant. But Frankie broke in, +his voice low and tense. +"Milt—"</p> + +<p>"Yes?"</p> + +<p>"When I get in there tonight—turn +me loose!"</p> + +<p>Milt was startled at the +words. "Release <i>control</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Yeah—sure. I think I can +take Nappy Gordon on my +own!"</p> + +<p>"Nappy can stick his fist +through a brick wall—all +night long. And Pop Monroe +knows all there is to know and +some he makes up himself. +They'd be a tough pair to +beat. Our big ace is that they +have to beat us. We <i>got</i> the +Nine-Times."</p> + +<p>"I can take him, Milt!"</p> + +<p>There was a strange light +in Milt's eyes. He did not +speak and Frankie went on. +"Just one round, Milt! If I +slip you can grab control +again."</p> + +<p>"You just want a try at it, +huh?"</p> + +<p>There seemed to be disappointment +in Milt's voice; +something Frankie couldn't +understand. Milt seemed suddenly +nervous, ill-at-ease. But +Frankie was too eager to give +it much attention. "How +about it, Milt—huh?"</p> + +<p>Milt had been squatting on +the sand. He got to his feet +and looked out across the +water. "All right. Maybe we'll +try it."</p> + +<p>He seemed sad as he walked +away. Frankie, occupied with +his own elation, didn't notice ...</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>In the studio dressing +room, a few hours later Milt +and Frankie were warming +up. Frankie in the practice +ring and Milt perched on a +high chair just outside the +ropes.</p> + +<p>Everything was just as it +would be in the fight. Three +minutes work, one minute +rest. Frankie noticed how +slowly and carefully Milt was +working him, and how he +watched the clock.</p> + +<p>Frankie had nothing to do +now but watch, as a spectator +would; watch as Milt moved +him around. Milt could control +every muscle, every move +and every reflex of his body. +It had taken them five years +to perfect this routine. That +was the training period at the +College of Boxing, and was +prescribed by law.</p> + +<p>In their first fight they had +been at their peak. Frankie +was Milt's second boy and +Milt knew boxing as only a +Champion Welter with thirty +years of experience could +know it. For fifteen years he +had watched and studied +while a good veteran had directed +his body. And for another +fifteen years he had +been the guiding brain to a +fine Middleweight.</p> + +<p>As a Welterweight, Milt +had learned to depend on +speed and quick hands. In +Frankie he had found the +dream of every Welter—a +punch. Frankie's body could +really deliver the power. At +first, it had been the heavy +hitting that had won the +fights; lately, Milt had relied +more and more on the speed +and deception he had developed +in Frankie.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>Frankie felt the control +ease out and knew the warm-up +was over. He slipped on +his robe and he and Milt went +to join the others in the TV +studio.</p> + +<p>There would be no crowd. +Just the cameras, the crews +and officials. The fight would +be televised in 3-D and filmed +in slow motion. If a decision +were needed to determine the +winner, it would be given only +after a careful study had been +made of the films.</p> + +<p>There was little to be done +in the studio and Milt had +timed Frankie's warm-up +right to the minute. The fighters +and their controllers took +their positions: the controllers +seated in high chairs on +opposite sides of the ring; the +fighters in opposite corners.</p> + +<p>As the warning buzzer +sounded, Frankie felt Milt +take control. This one he +would watch closely.</p> + +<p>At the bell Frankie rose +and moved out slowly. He noticed +how relaxed, almost +limp, Milt was keeping him. +There was only a little more +effort used than in the pre-fight +warm-up. His left hand +had extra speed but only +enough power to command +respect. The pattern was just +about as he had expected. As +the fight went along the left +would add up the points. But +his thoughts were centered on +a single question. <i>How is it +going to be on my own?</i></p> + +<p>In the early rounds he was +amazed at the extreme caution +Milt was employing. +Nappy Gordon's face was beginning +to redden from the +continual massage of Frankie's +brisk left and occasional +right. But Frankie felt that +his own face must be getting +flushed with eagerness. The +glory of going in and trying +to do it by himself; of beating +Pop Monroe without +Milt's help. He wondered if +Milt would have to clamp on +the controls again. He sure +hoped not. But there wasn't +anything to really worry +about. Milt could beat Pop +Monroe and he wouldn't let +Frankie take a beating by +himself.</p> + +<p>Frankie's attention was +caught by some odd thoughts +in Milt's mind. Milt didn't +seem to be sending them, yet +they were clear and direct: +<i>You really think you've got it, +boy? That vital ingredient?</i></p> + +<p><i>What you talking about?</i></p> + +<p><i>Huh? Me? Oh, nothing. +Take it easy.</i> But Milt's +thoughts were troubled.</p> + +<p><i>When you going to let me +go?</i></p> + +<p><i>I said, take it easy. We'll +see.</i></p> + +<hr /> + +<p>The sixth round came and +Frankie felt no weariness. +Milt was working him like he +was made of fragile glass. +Nor was Nappy tiring so far +as he could notice. Pop Monroe +was trying for just one +solid blow to slow down the +Champ. So far nothing even +jarring had come close to +landing.</p> + +<p>In the seventh Frankie noticed +a little desperation in +Monroe's tactics. To win now +Monroe and Gordon needed a +knockout. Frankie had only to +stay on his feet to be home +safe. But when was Milt going +to let him go? Milt had +turned in a masterpiece of +defensive fighting. The left +had deadly accuracy and now +the openings were truck-sized +as Monroe had come to ignore +the light tattoo of the +Champ's punches.</p> + +<p>Milt withdrew the control +in the middle of the seventh +round. It hit Frankie like a +dash of cold water, the exultation +of being on his own! +He looked over at Milt, perched +rope-high in his control +chair at ringside. Milt was +looking at him, his face tight +and grim; almost hostile.</p> + +<p>Frankie circled warily, a +touch of panic coming unbidden. +What to do? He hadn't +known it would be quite +like this. He tried to remember +how it was—how it felt +to move in the various ways +Milt always sent him. Funny +how you could forget such +things. The left hook—that +jab—how did they go?</p> + +<p>A pile driver came from +somewhere and almost tore +his head off his shoulders ...</p> + +<p>He was looking up at the +ceiling. He rolled his eyes and +saw Pop Monroe's face—smiling +a little, but also puzzled. +Even with his brain +groggy, Frankie knew why. +He'd stepped wide open in +Nappy's looping right and +Pop couldn't figure Milt doing +a thing like that.</p> + +<p>Pop looked over at Milt. +Frankie followed Pop's eyes +and saw the look Milt returned. +Then the spark of understanding +that passed between +them. Odd, Frankie thought. +What understanding could +there be?</p> + +<p>He was aware of the word +seven filling the studio as the +loud speaker blared the count. +He was up at nine.</p> + +<p>Nappy swarmed in now. +Frankie felt the pain of hard, +solid blows on his body as he +tried to tie up this dynamo +Poppy Monroe was releasing +on him. He couldn't stop it, +dodge it, or hide from it.</p> + +<p>But he finally got away +from it—staggering. Nappy +came at him fast and the left +jab Frankie sent out to put +him off balance didn't even +slow the fury a bit. Frankie +took to the ropes to make +Nappy shorten his punches. +It helped some, but not +enough. No man could take +the jolting effect of those ripping +punches and keep his +feet under him. Frankie didn't—he +was down when the +bell ended round nine.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>In his corner the seconds +worked quickly. He looked at +Milt and saw a dead-pan expression. +Milt wasn't sending +him anything. Punishing him +of course. Frankie took it +meekly; ashamed of himself. +Milt would take over again +when the bell sounded. Frankie +knew that he couldn't stay +away from Nappy for another +round. Nobody could. Monroe +smelled a knockout and +Frankie was never fast +enough to run away from the +burst of viciousness that +would come at him in the +form of Nappy Gordon. No, +Milt would take over.</p> + +<p>At the bell, Frankie moved +out fast, waiting for the familiar +feel of Milt expertly +manipulating his arms and +legs and body; sending out the +jabs and punches; weaving +him in and out.</p> + +<p>But Milt didn't take over +and Pop sent Nappy in with +a pile-driver right that +smashed Frankie to the floor. +Frankie rolled over on his +knees and shook his head +groggily, trying to understand. +Why hadn't Milt taken +over? What was Milt trying +to do to him?</p> + +<p>Milt's cold face waved into +focus before Frankie's blinking +eyes. <i>What was Milt trying +to do?</i> Frankie heard the +tolling count—six, seven, +eight. Milt wasn't even going +to help him up. Sick and bewildered, +Frankie struggled +to his feet. Nappy came driving +in. Frankie back-pedalled +and took the vicious right +cross while rolling away. +Thus he avoided being knocked +out and was only floored +for another eight-count.</p> + +<p><i>Milt—Milt—for God's +sake—</i></p> + +<p>The round was over. +Frankie staggered, sick, to +his corner and slumped down. +The handlers worked over +him. He looked at Milt. But +Milt neither sent nor returned +his gaze. Milt sat looking +grimly off into space and +seemed older and wearier +than time itself.</p> + +<p>Then Frankie knew. Milt +had sold him out!</p> + +<p>The shocking truth stunned +him even more than Nappy's +punches. Milt had sold him +out! There had been rare +cases of such things. When +money meant more than honor +to a veteran. But Milt!</p> + +<p>Numbed, Frankie pondered +the ghastly thought. After all, +Milt was old. Old men needed +money for their later years. +But how could he? How could +he do it?</p> + +<p>Suddenly Frankie hated. +He hated Nappy and Pop and +every one of the millions of +people looking silently on +around the world. But most +of all, he hated Milt. It was a +weird, sickening thing, that +hatred. But only a mentally +sickening thing. Physically, it +seemed to make Frankie +stronger, because when the +bell rang and he got up and +walked into a straight right, +it didn't hurt at all.</p> + +<p>He realized he was on the +floor; the gong was sounding; +he was getting up, moving in +again. There was blood, a +ringing in his head.</p> + +<p>But above all, a rage to kill. +To kill.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>He remembered going down +several times and getting up. +Not caring how he had swung +under Milt's control—only +wanting to use his fists—to +kill the thing weaving in +front of him.</p> + +<p>Nappy. A grinning, weaving, +lethal ghost.</p> + +<p>He felt a pain in his right +fist and saw Nappy go down. +He saw Pop's face go gray +as though the old man himself +had felt the force of the +blow. Saw Nappy climb erect +slowly. He grinned through +blood. Frankie—ghost-catcher. +He had to get him.</p> + +<p>He was happy; happy with +a new fierceness he had never +before known. The lust of battle +was strong within him and +when Pop weaved Nappy desperately, +Frankie laughed, +waited, measured Nappy.</p> + +<p>And smashed him down +with a single jarring right.</p> + +<p>The bell tolled ten. Pop got +wearily off his stool and walked +away. Frankie strode +grimly to his corner, ignored +Milt, moved on into the dressing +room.</p> + +<p>He knew Milt would come +and he waited for him, sitting +there coldly on the edge of the +table. Milt walked in the door +and stood quietly.</p> + +<p>"You sold me out," Frankie +said.</p> + +<p>There was open pride in +Milt's eyes. "Sure—you had +to think that."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, think? +You didn't pick me up when +Pop flattened me. I saw the +look between you and Pop."</p> + +<p>"Sure." Milt's eyes were +still proud. "You had to know. +That's how I wanted it."</p> + +<p>"Milt—why did you do it?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't do it. I just had to +make you think I did."</p> + +<p>"In God's name—why?"</p> + +<p>"Because I'm sentimental, +maybe, but I've always had +my own ideas about the kind +of fighter who should be a +Ten-Time winner. All my life +I've kept remembering the old +greats—Dempsey, Sullivan, +Corbett—the men who did it +on their own, and I wanted +you to get it right—on your +own—like a real champion."</p> + +<p>Frankie was confused. "I +wanted to go on my own. Why +didn't you tell me then?"</p> + +<p>"Then you'd have lost. +You'd have gone down whimpering +and moaning. You see, +Frankie, all those old fighters +had a vital ingredient—the +thing it takes to make a champion—courage."</p> + +<p>"And you didn't think I had +it?"</p> + +<p>"Sure I did. But the killer +instinct is dead in fighters +today and it has to be ignited. +It needs a trigger, so that was +what I gave you—a trigger."</p> + +<p>Frankie understood. "You +wanted me to get mad!"</p> + +<p>"To do it, you had to get +mad—at me. You're not conditioned +to get mad at Nappy +or Pop. It's not the way we +fight now. It had to be me. I +had to make you hate me."</p> + +<p>Frankie marveled. "So +when Pop looked at you—"</p> + +<p>"He knew."</p> + +<p>Frankie was off the table, +his arms around Milt. "I'm—I'm +so ashamed."</p> + +<p>Milt grinned. "No, you're +not. You're happier than you +ever were in your life. You're +a real champion. Great feeling, +isn't it? Now you know +how <i>they</i> felt—in the old +days."</p> + +<p>Frankie was crying. "You +are damn right! Thanks."</p> + +<p>Milt looked years younger. +"Don't mention it—<i>champ</i>."</p> + +<p class="rgt"><b>THE END</b></p> + +<div class="trn"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> +This etext was produced from <i>Amazing Stories</i> September 1956. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note. +Informal spellings remain as printed.</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Vital Ingredient, by Gerald Vance + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VITAL INGREDIENT *** + +***** This file should be named 27797-h.htm or 27797-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/7/9/27797/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Vital Ingredient + +Author: Gerald Vance + +Illustrator: Llewellyn + +Release Date: January 21, 2009 [EBook #27797] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VITAL INGREDIENT *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Pop's lightning brain reacted. He sent in the haymaker.] + + + _Frankie was ready for the big test--Ten-Time Winner of the world + title. He was young and fit and able; also, he had Milt's cunning + brain to direct every feint and punch. This left only one thing in + doubt, the----_ + + +VITAL INGREDIENT + +By GERALD VANCE + + +"Champ, what's with ya lately?" Benny asked the question as they lay on +the beach. + +"Nothing," Frankie answered. "Just fight-nite miseries, I guess." + +"No it ain't, Frankie. It's something else. You losin' confidence in +Milt? That it? Can't you hold it one more time? You guys only need +tonite and you got it. One more to make Ten-Time Defenders--the first +in the game, Frankie." + +"We won the last two on points, Benny. Points--and I'm better than that. +I keep waiting, and waiting, for my heels to set; for Milt to send it up +my legs and back and let fly. But he won't do it, Benny." + +"Look, Champ, Milt knows what he's doing. He's sending you right. You +think maybe you know as much as Milt?" + +"Maybe I just do, Benny. Maybe I do." + +Benny didn't have the answer to this heresy. By law this was Frankie's +last fight--as a fighter. If he won this one and became a Ten-Time +Defender he would have his pick of the youngsters at the Boxing College, +just as Milt had chosen him fifteen years before. For fifteen years he'd +never thrown a punch of his own in a fight ring. + +Maybe because it was his last fight in the ring he felt the way he did +today. He understood, of course, why fighters were mentally controlled +by proved veterans. By the time a fighter had any real experience and +know-how in the old days, his body was shot. Now the best bodies and +the best brains were teamed by mental control. + +Benny had an answer now. "Champ, I think it's a good thing this is your +last fight. You know too much. After this one you'll have a good strong +boy of your own and you can try some of this stuff you've been learning. +Milt knows you're no kid anymore. That's why he has to be careful with +you." + +"I still have it, Benny. My speed, my punch, my timing--all good. There +were a dozen times in those last two fights I could have crossed a right +and gone home early." + +"Two times, Frankie. Just two times. And them late in the fight. Milt +didn't think you had it, and I don't think you did either." + + * * * * * + +Milt, Frankie's master control, came down to the beach and strolled over +to join them. Milt had been a Five-Time Defender in the Welter division +before his fights ran out. Now he was skinny and sixty. His was the mind +that had directed every punch Frankie had ever thrown. + +He studied the figure of Frankie lying on the sand. The +two-hundred-pound fighting machine was thirty years old. Milt winced +when he compared it to that of the twenty-two-year-old slugger they +would have to meet in a few hours. + +Benny said "Hi," and ambled off. + +"Well, boy, this one means a lot to both of us," Milt said. + +"Sure," was all Frankie could answer. + +"For you, the first Ten-Time Defender the heavyweight division has ever +produced. For me, The Hall of Boxing Fame." + +"You want that pretty bad, don't you, Milt?" + +"Yeah, I guess I do, Frankie, but not bad enough to win it the wrong +way." + +Frankie's head jerked up. "What do you mean, the wrong way?" + +Milt scowled and looked as though he wished he hadn't said that. He +turned his head and stared hard at his fighter. "There's something we +maybe ought to have talked about, Frankie." + +"What's that?" + +Milt struggled for words. "It's just--oh, hell! Forget it. Just forget I +said anything." + +"You figure we win tonight?" + +"I think maybe we will." + +"You don't seem very sure. On points, huh?" + +"Yeah, maybe on points." Milt turned his eyes back on Frankie's eager +face. "Frankie, boy--there's something about being a Ten-Time Defender +that's, well--different." + +Milt took a deep breath and was evidently ready to tell Frankie exactly +what he meant. But Frankie broke in, his voice low and tense. "Milt--" + +"Yes?" + +"When I get in there tonight--turn me loose!" + +Milt was startled at the words. "Release _control_?" + +"Yeah--sure. I think I can take Nappy Gordon on my own!" + +"Nappy can stick his fist through a brick wall--all night long. And Pop +Monroe knows all there is to know and some he makes up himself. They'd +be a tough pair to beat. Our big ace is that they have to beat us. We +_got_ the Nine-Times." + +"I can take him, Milt!" + +There was a strange light in Milt's eyes. He did not speak and Frankie +went on. "Just one round, Milt! If I slip you can grab control again." + +"You just want a try at it, huh?" + +There seemed to be disappointment in Milt's voice; something Frankie +couldn't understand. Milt seemed suddenly nervous, ill-at-ease. But +Frankie was too eager to give it much attention. "How about it, +Milt--huh?" + +Milt had been squatting on the sand. He got to his feet and looked out +across the water. "All right. Maybe we'll try it." + +He seemed sad as he walked away. Frankie, occupied with his own elation, +didn't notice ... + + * * * * * + +In the studio dressing room, a few hours later Milt and Frankie were +warming up. Frankie in the practice ring and Milt perched on a high +chair just outside the ropes. + +Everything was just as it would be in the fight. Three minutes work, one +minute rest. Frankie noticed how slowly and carefully Milt was working +him, and how he watched the clock. + +Frankie had nothing to do now but watch, as a spectator would; watch as +Milt moved him around. Milt could control every muscle, every move and +every reflex of his body. It had taken them five years to perfect this +routine. That was the training period at the College of Boxing, and was +prescribed by law. + +In their first fight they had been at their peak. Frankie was Milt's +second boy and Milt knew boxing as only a Champion Welter with thirty +years of experience could know it. For fifteen years he had watched and +studied while a good veteran had directed his body. And for another +fifteen years he had been the guiding brain to a fine Middleweight. + +As a Welterweight, Milt had learned to depend on speed and quick hands. +In Frankie he had found the dream of every Welter--a punch. Frankie's +body could really deliver the power. At first, it had been the heavy +hitting that had won the fights; lately, Milt had relied more and more +on the speed and deception he had developed in Frankie. + + * * * * * + +Frankie felt the control ease out and knew the warm-up was over. He +slipped on his robe and he and Milt went to join the others in the TV +studio. + +There would be no crowd. Just the cameras, the crews and officials. The +fight would be televised in 3-D and filmed in slow motion. If a decision +were needed to determine the winner, it would be given only after a +careful study had been made of the films. + +There was little to be done in the studio and Milt had timed Frankie's +warm-up right to the minute. The fighters and their controllers took +their positions: the controllers seated in high chairs on opposite sides +of the ring; the fighters in opposite corners. + +As the warning buzzer sounded, Frankie felt Milt take control. This one +he would watch closely. + +At the bell Frankie rose and moved out slowly. He noticed how relaxed, +almost limp, Milt was keeping him. There was only a little more effort +used than in the pre-fight warm-up. His left hand had extra speed but +only enough power to command respect. The pattern was just about as he +had expected. As the fight went along the left would add up the points. +But his thoughts were centered on a single question. _How is it going to +be on my own?_ + +In the early rounds he was amazed at the extreme caution Milt was +employing. Nappy Gordon's face was beginning to redden from the +continual massage of Frankie's brisk left and occasional right. But +Frankie felt that his own face must be getting flushed with eagerness. +The glory of going in and trying to do it by himself; of beating Pop +Monroe without Milt's help. He wondered if Milt would have to clamp on +the controls again. He sure hoped not. But there wasn't anything to +really worry about. Milt could beat Pop Monroe and he wouldn't let +Frankie take a beating by himself. + +Frankie's attention was caught by some odd thoughts in Milt's mind. Milt +didn't seem to be sending them, yet they were clear and direct: _You +really think you've got it, boy? That vital ingredient?_ + +_What you talking about?_ + +_Huh? Me? Oh, nothing. Take it easy._ But Milt's thoughts were troubled. + +_When you going to let me go?_ + +_I said, take it easy. We'll see._ + + * * * * * + +The sixth round came and Frankie felt no weariness. Milt was working him +like he was made of fragile glass. Nor was Nappy tiring so far as he +could notice. Pop Monroe was trying for just one solid blow to slow down +the Champ. So far nothing even jarring had come close to landing. + +In the seventh Frankie noticed a little desperation in Monroe's tactics. +To win now Monroe and Gordon needed a knockout. Frankie had only to +stay on his feet to be home safe. But when was Milt going to let him go? +Milt had turned in a masterpiece of defensive fighting. The left had +deadly accuracy and now the openings were truck-sized as Monroe had come +to ignore the light tattoo of the Champ's punches. + +Milt withdrew the control in the middle of the seventh round. It hit +Frankie like a dash of cold water, the exultation of being on his own! +He looked over at Milt, perched rope-high in his control chair at +ringside. Milt was looking at him, his face tight and grim; almost +hostile. + +Frankie circled warily, a touch of panic coming unbidden. What to do? He +hadn't known it would be quite like this. He tried to remember how it +was--how it felt to move in the various ways Milt always sent him. Funny +how you could forget such things. The left hook--that jab--how did they +go? + +A pile driver came from somewhere and almost tore his head off his +shoulders ... + +He was looking up at the ceiling. He rolled his eyes and saw Pop +Monroe's face--smiling a little, but also puzzled. Even with his brain +groggy, Frankie knew why. He'd stepped wide open in Nappy's looping +right and Pop couldn't figure Milt doing a thing like that. + +Pop looked over at Milt. Frankie followed Pop's eyes and saw the look +Milt returned. Then the spark of understanding that passed between them. +Odd, Frankie thought. What understanding could there be? + +He was aware of the word seven filling the studio as the loud speaker +blared the count. He was up at nine. + +Nappy swarmed in now. Frankie felt the pain of hard, solid blows on his +body as he tried to tie up this dynamo Poppy Monroe was releasing on +him. He couldn't stop it, dodge it, or hide from it. + +But he finally got away from it--staggering. Nappy came at him fast and +the left jab Frankie sent out to put him off balance didn't even slow +the fury a bit. Frankie took to the ropes to make Nappy shorten his +punches. It helped some, but not enough. No man could take the jolting +effect of those ripping punches and keep his feet under him. Frankie +didn't--he was down when the bell ended round nine. + + * * * * * + +In his corner the seconds worked quickly. He looked at Milt and saw a +dead-pan expression. Milt wasn't sending him anything. Punishing him of +course. Frankie took it meekly; ashamed of himself. Milt would take over +again when the bell sounded. Frankie knew that he couldn't stay away +from Nappy for another round. Nobody could. Monroe smelled a knockout +and Frankie was never fast enough to run away from the burst of +viciousness that would come at him in the form of Nappy Gordon. No, Milt +would take over. + +At the bell, Frankie moved out fast, waiting for the familiar feel of +Milt expertly manipulating his arms and legs and body; sending out the +jabs and punches; weaving him in and out. + +But Milt didn't take over and Pop sent Nappy in with a pile-driver right +that smashed Frankie to the floor. Frankie rolled over on his knees and +shook his head groggily, trying to understand. Why hadn't Milt taken +over? What was Milt trying to do to him? + +Milt's cold face waved into focus before Frankie's blinking eyes. _What +was Milt trying to do?_ Frankie heard the tolling count--six, seven, +eight. Milt wasn't even going to help him up. Sick and bewildered, +Frankie struggled to his feet. Nappy came driving in. Frankie +back-pedalled and took the vicious right cross while rolling away. Thus +he avoided being knocked out and was only floored for another +eight-count. + +_Milt--Milt--for God's sake--_ + +The round was over. Frankie staggered, sick, to his corner and slumped +down. The handlers worked over him. He looked at Milt. But Milt neither +sent nor returned his gaze. Milt sat looking grimly off into space and +seemed older and wearier than time itself. + +Then Frankie knew. Milt had sold him out! + +The shocking truth stunned him even more than Nappy's punches. Milt had +sold him out! There had been rare cases of such things. When money meant +more than honor to a veteran. But Milt! + +Numbed, Frankie pondered the ghastly thought. After all, Milt was old. +Old men needed money for their later years. But how could he? How could +he do it? + +Suddenly Frankie hated. He hated Nappy and Pop and every one of the +millions of people looking silently on around the world. But most of +all, he hated Milt. It was a weird, sickening thing, that hatred. But +only a mentally sickening thing. Physically, it seemed to make Frankie +stronger, because when the bell rang and he got up and walked into a +straight right, it didn't hurt at all. + +He realized he was on the floor; the gong was sounding; he was getting +up, moving in again. There was blood, a ringing in his head. + +But above all, a rage to kill. To kill. + + * * * * * + +He remembered going down several times and getting up. Not caring how he +had swung under Milt's control--only wanting to use his fists--to kill +the thing weaving in front of him. + +Nappy. A grinning, weaving, lethal ghost. + +He felt a pain in his right fist and saw Nappy go down. He saw Pop's +face go gray as though the old man himself had felt the force of the +blow. Saw Nappy climb erect slowly. He grinned through blood. +Frankie--ghost-catcher. He had to get him. + +He was happy; happy with a new fierceness he had never before known. The +lust of battle was strong within him and when Pop weaved Nappy +desperately, Frankie laughed, waited, measured Nappy. + +And smashed him down with a single jarring right. + +The bell tolled ten. Pop got wearily off his stool and walked away. +Frankie strode grimly to his corner, ignored Milt, moved on into the +dressing room. + +He knew Milt would come and he waited for him, sitting there coldly on +the edge of the table. Milt walked in the door and stood quietly. + +"You sold me out," Frankie said. + +There was open pride in Milt's eyes. "Sure--you had to think that." + +"What do you mean, think? You didn't pick me up when Pop flattened me. I +saw the look between you and Pop." + +"Sure." Milt's eyes were still proud. "You had to know. That's how I +wanted it." + +"Milt--why did you do it?" + +"I didn't do it. I just had to make you think I did." + +"In God's name--why?" + +"Because I'm sentimental, maybe, but I've always had my own ideas about +the kind of fighter who should be a Ten-Time winner. All my life I've +kept remembering the old greats--Dempsey, Sullivan, Corbett--the men who +did it on their own, and I wanted you to get it right--on your own--like +a real champion." + +Frankie was confused. "I wanted to go on my own. Why didn't you tell me +then?" + +"Then you'd have lost. You'd have gone down whimpering and moaning. You +see, Frankie, all those old fighters had a vital ingredient--the thing +it takes to make a champion--courage." + +"And you didn't think I had it?" + +"Sure I did. But the killer instinct is dead in fighters today and it +has to be ignited. It needs a trigger, so that was what I gave you--a +trigger." + +Frankie understood. "You wanted me to get mad!" + +"To do it, you had to get mad--at me. You're not conditioned to get mad +at Nappy or Pop. It's not the way we fight now. It had to be me. I had +to make you hate me." + +Frankie marveled. "So when Pop looked at you--" + +"He knew." + +Frankie was off the table, his arms around Milt. "I'm--I'm so ashamed." + +Milt grinned. "No, you're not. You're happier than you ever were in your +life. You're a real champion. Great feeling, isn't it? Now you know how +_they_ felt--in the old days." + +Frankie was crying. "You are damn right! Thanks." + +Milt looked years younger. "Don't mention it--_champ_." + + +THE END + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + This etext was produced from _Amazing Stories_ September 1956. + Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. + copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and + typographical errors have been corrected without note. 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