A moment later, Larry heard the manager's harsh voice. "Blackmer here. Who's calling?"

"This is Larry. I'm ready for that fight, Blackmer," he said, hoping he'd have the strength to go through with it. "And after I get through with the Dornellian, I'm going to knock your teeth in. This is my last fight for you."

"Now Larry," Blackmer said. "Don't be hasty. I—"

"Shut up! We're quits! I may get killed in that ring, but I'll fight just this once and—"

"What? Haven't you heard? The fight's off!"

Larry blinked in astonishment. "How would I have heard?"

"I thought the news was all over. That's why I didn't bother to wake you. Fornax Kedrin is in the hospital. He got his jaw broken in a bar brawl last night. Nobody knows who did it. But I got another bout lined up on Domerang VI with—"

"Skip it," Larry said. "I'll discuss it with you some other time."

Larry slowly dropped the receiver back on the hook. He grinned. And then he began to laugh.

 Prev. P 7/7