Fight Town: Inspiration

by Jinx, Hondo

  “And good for us,” Paul said. “Your riders are burning up the web-mind, and it’s working. New people are flooding in by the minute. You broke the Vicarus Top 100 for Movers & Shakers!”

  Annabelle nodded enthusiastically. “And you broke into the top 10,000 Scenarios for the first time. This is big, Johnny. Really big. That kiss did it, the kiss and the love profession. But it’s more than that.”

  “The fight,” Paul said, nodding.

  “No, not the fight,” Annabelle said. “That was cool. I’ve relived that several times myself. But I always unplug before you register the pain in your broken hands. That hurt!”

  Johnny nodded.

  “What I was talking about, the other thing that’s driving us up the charts, is the groundwork you’ve been laying. You were right all along. We’re used to Sylvia situations. Meet a hot girl, bang her, and then go kick some more ass. Which is fun and all. But by taking your time and building a real relationship with Freddie, you’ve given your riders something they didn’t even know they wanted.”

  “Good,” Johnny said.

  Paul cleared his throat. “Annabelle’s right,” he said, looking at his feet for a second. “And I guess I owe you an apology, Johnny. You were right. About Freddie. And about Sylvia.”

  Johnny nodded at him. “No problem, Paul.”

  “But here’s the thing,” Paul said, suddenly growing serious. “Last night, after the sparring match with Apollo Stevenson, you lost a quarter of your riders.”

  “Can’t blame them,” Johnny said. “That sucked. But I plan on rewarding the riders who stuck with me. Big time. I’m going to beat his ass next time.”

  “You’d better,” Paul said.

  “The good news, though, is that you’ve bounced back in a big way,” Annabelle said. “Your riders have really gone to bat for you on the web-mind. They are actively trying to build your base now. They believe in you, and they want revenge on Stevenson. Also, some of the females were touched by your vulnerability and the way you handled the loss.”

  “You’re an anomaly,” Paul said, shaking his head. “Remember when we mentioned female riders last time, how they were joining at unexpected rates? Well, it wasn’t a fluke. More have been streaming in. Tapping into that separate audience has really set the algorithm afire.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me so much,” Annabelle said. “I mean, a little, sure. But what really surprises me is the number of male riders you’ve retained. I thought they’d bail if you took too much time. Then, with the loss to Stevenson, I was really worried, but most of them are hanging in there and enjoying the ride, slow burn romance and all.”

  “Maybe we males aren’t the heartless, one-track-mind assholes people always say we are,” Johnny said.

  “Maybe,” Paul said. “But let’s not get carried away. At this point, you’re an outlier, Johnny. Guys still love winning and getting laid. Sure, but context matters. You’ve proven that. But now that you’ve earned a shit ton of credits, you should consider using some to hurry things along with Freddie.”

  Johnny shook his head. “Here we go again.”

  “Hear me out,” Paul said. “We need you to maximize the buzz while we have it and crank the algorithms, okay? Just spend a few credits on sex with Freddie. We’ll make a lot of money, and you’ll get a lot of credits. Think of it as an extremely wise investment with pleasant fringe benefits thrown in.”

  “Screw you, Paul. This is real.”

  “Again, I find myself agreeing with Johnny,” Annabelle said.

  Paul looked at her with a shocked expression. “But you said—”

  “I know what I said, but talking to Johnny, seeing him… he’s right again, Paul. I know this goes against everything we’ve learned, but Johnny’s onto something. Johnny, do what you think is right.”

  “I will,” Johnny said. “Now, you said I earned a ton of credits.”

  The prospectors nodded, grinning like a couple of chimps.

  “How many?” Johnny asked.

  “Welcome back to the Vicarus Rewards Store, sir,” Fiona’s sultry voice said. “It is a pleasure to see you. Your current balance is 2500 Vicarus credits.”

  “Nice to um… hear you, too, Fiona,” Johnny said.

  He couldn’t help but grin. 2500 Vicarus credits was a fortune. If he poured all those credits into power, he’d max out his stat… a light-heavy hitting as hard as a juiced-up Tyson.

  “First, select your rewards category,” Fiona instructed. “To begin, touch the interactive menu.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that every time,” Johnny said. “I’m not punch drunk yet.”

  “As you wish, sir.”

  Three categories appeared, pulsing pink.

  Gear

  Juice

  Experiences

  “Before we get started,” Johnny said, “can I see my current stats?”

  “Of course, sir.”

  The categories disappeared, and his stats appeared.

  Fiona read them aloud as Johnny scanned them.

  * * *

  Fighter: Johnny Rockledge

  Age: 21

  Height: 6’0”

  Weight: 179 pounds

  Reach: 76 inches

  Total Juice: 500

  Total Juice minus Heart: 400

  Agility: 53

  Chin: 79

  Endurance: 58

  Heart: 100

  Power: 76

  Speed: 64

  Strength: 70

  “Out-friggin-standing,” Johnny said. “I gained two points naturally.”

  “Yes. Well done, sir.”

  “I get the endurance stat going up. I’ve been training like a madman. But my power has never gone up on its own before. I would’ve expected strength before power.”

  “The fact that your strength remains 70 despite losing 12 pounds of body weight is actually remarkable,” Fiona said.

  Johnny shrugged. He hadn’t thought about it that way.

  “The power boost comes from a combination of training, diet, and improved technique as well as the boosts you put into agility and speed.”

  “Works for me,” Johnny said. He glanced again at the beautiful 2500-credit balance. “So if I spent all of my credits on power, I could max the stat, right? I’d even have 100 credits left over for other stuff.”

  “I am afraid not, sir.”

  “Hold on. Why not? It’s 100 Vicarus credits per stat point boost, right? So 2400 Vicarus credits would take me to 100 in power.”

  “No, sir. I apologize for the confusion, but the price of stat boosts is scaled.”

  “Scaled? So… what? Now that I have more Vicarus credits, you guys are jacking the prices on me?”

  “No, sir. The stat boost credit scale always existed. It’s just that until now you never had enough credits to matter. Would you like me to open the Points subcategory so you can see for yourself?”

  “Please.”

  A second later, his favorite subcategory opened… along with some unfortunate news.

  +1 Permanent Agility Stat Increase: 100 Vicarus Credits (up to Score of 90)

  +1 Permanent Agility Stat Increase: 500 Vicarus Credits (Scores between 91 and 95)

  +1 Permanent Chin Stat Increase: 100 Vicarus Credits (up to Score of 90)

  +1 Permanent Chin Stat Increase: 500 Vicarus Credits (Scores between 91 and 95)

  +1 Permanent Endurance Stat Increase: 100 Vicarus Credits (up to Score of 90)

  +1 Permanent Endurance Stat Increase: 500 Vicarus Credits (Scores between 91 and 95)

  +1 Permanent Power Stat Increase: 100 Vicarus Credits (up to Score of 90)

  +1 Permanent Power Stat Increase: 500 Vicarus Credits (Scores between 91 and 95)

  +1 Permanent Speed Stat Increase: 100 Vicarus Credits (up to Score of 90)

  +1 Permanent Speed Stat Increase: 500 Vicarus Credits (Scores between 91 and 95)

  +1 Permanent Strength Stat Increase: 100 Vicarus Credits (up to Score of 90)

  +1
Permanent Strength Stat Increase: 500 Vicarus Credits (Scores between 91 and 95)

  “Well, that sucks,” Johnny said. “So if I poured all my credits into power, I’d actually have…”

  “With your current balance, sir, you could increase your power to 92 with a remaining balance of 100 Vicarus credits. Is that what you’d like to do, sir?”

  Johnny shook his head. “That would make me one of the hardest-punching light-heavyweights in the world, but I’m not going to blow 1000 credits on boosting my power from 90 to 92. Not when my other stats all need so much improvement. Besides, I learned a lesson sparring Stevenson. Your power stat doesn’t matter if you can’t hit the guy.”

  “I concur absolutely, sir. I should also remind you that you might like to explore the rest of the menu prior to making your final decisions.”

  “Will do. Thanks, Fiona.”

  “My pleasure, sir. I literally exist to serve you. Shall I back out to the main menu, sir?”

  “Let’s skip a step. Open Experiences, please.”

  Fiona obeyed.

  The Experiences menu looked the same as last time.

  He was still tempted by the Fortuitous Meeting selection, but he wasn’t ready to burn 550 credits when things were already on a good course. He’d be better off boosting his stats first.

  Seeing the Pet a Three-Legged Dog in a Bar option, he frowned. “Man, I was really looking forward to petting that dog until shit went sideways.”

  “It was indeed unfortunate, sir. But you know what they say: live to pet a three-legged dog another day.”

  Johnny grinned. “Fiona, you’re developing a personality.”

  “Thank you, sir. I do hope you approve.”

  “I do. Lame joke. But I appreciate you trying.”

  “Would you have preferred every three-legged dog has his day, sir?”

  Johnny laughed. “That’s even worse. Let’s put these horrible jokes behind us and open the Gear menu.”

  “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”

  The menu appeared.

  Johnny ran through each subcategory. Mostly, he skimmed. His selections had expanded to include things like improved housing options, cars, and expensive jewelry.

  Happily, the conversion rate of 1 Vicarus credit per Fight Town dollar held steady.

  He could use more money. Hell, who couldn’t?

  After the bar fight, he was tempted by the protective shirts.

  In the Residential category, he was again interested in the 2-bedroom motel suite.

  But he would explore the entire menu before choosing anything.

  “Let’s check out the Juice menu.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  Fiona read the Juice menu subcategories aloud.

  Healing

  Modifiers

  Points

  Bling

  “Heh,” Johnny said. “Bling’s new.”

  “Yes, sir. Would you like to start there?”

  “Sure.”

  Unsurprisingly, the three choices under Bling were expensive.

  Scanning them, he smiled, knowing instantly what he would buy.

  At 1500 Vicarus credits, it was super pricey. But he didn’t give a damn.

  After a few clarifying questions, he made his purchase.

  “Very good choice, sir. Your remaining balance is 1000 Vicarus credits.”

  “Great,” Johnny said. He was stoked now and couldn’t wait to get his hands on that training bling. “I’ll spend 900 credits boosting my stats.”

  “Very wise, sir. And the remaining 100 credits?”

  “I want to buy another unit of Moderate Healing. That came in handy.”

  “Excellent, sir. And the remaining 80 credits?”

  He went to the Modifiers menu and scanned the temporary boosts. In the match against Stevenson, they hadn’t helped much. Not at all, truth be told. And afterward, he almost passed out, he was so wiped.

  Also, he was concerned that his base might not appreciate the use of temporary boosts, at least not in a fight. It undermined all the hard work, the slow but steady progress, the sweetness of a hard-earned victory, the thrill of riding with an underdog, the very idea of the persistent contender scrapping his way to the top through guts and determination.

  He got it. Somehow, even to him, temporary boosts felt more like cheating than smaller, permanent boosts.

  But that was stupid and prideful. If he was in a fight with everything on the line, would he rather lose with pride or boost his juice and win?

  Anyone who’s ever fought on after getting his ribs broken would trigger the boost.

  At least if he bought the boosts now, he would have them if he needed them. During a fight, whether it took place in the ring or the barroom, it wasn’t like he could call a timeout, visit the Vicarus store, and call time in again.

  Better to stock up while he had the opportunity, then only use them if he was in desperate need.

  “I’ll take a 10-minute Recovery to Full Juice for 20 Vicarus credits and spend another 30 credits on three 3-minute, 25% Stat Boosts, one for endurance, one for agility, and one for speed.”

  “Prudent, sir.”

  “I’ll convert the remaining 30 credits into cash.”

  “Cash is king, sir.”

  “Heh. You’re really loosening up, Fiona.”

  “Yes, sir. I do hope you approve.”

  “Definitely. Keep it up.”

  “That’s what she said.”

  Johnny laughed. “Well, I walked straight into that one. Let’s buy some juice points.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Fiona reopened the Points subcategory.

  He considered his options, tempted as always to dump every point into power. But the lessons of his loss to Stevenson echoed loudly in his mind.

  He had to be smart.

  Running out of gas in the ring sucked, especially when your opponent was still going strong. Exhaustion nullified all juice stats. Sure, he had been improving his weak-ass endurance naturally, but he needed to improve more quickly.

  “I’ll drop all 900 credits on endurance,” he said.

  Chapter 45

  The next morning, Johnny met Freddie outside Coffee & Chess.

  She wore a knee-length blue dress with big, white polka dots and had her long hair pulled back beneath a matching bandana. Two purple braids draped over her shoulders and ran down the polka-dotted swell of her bosom, against which she clutched a large cardboard box wrapped in newspaper comics.

  Her face was a little marked up from the boxing match, but her smile was brighter than the midmorning sun.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he said.

  “Good morning, handsome.”

  They hugged and kissed.

  “That was nice,” Johnny said, holding her in his arms.

  “Yes, it was. And oh, in case you forgot… I love you!”

  He laughed. “I love you, too. What’s in the box?”

  “You’ll see when you open it.”

  “A gift?”

  “Yup.”

  “Well, what do you know? I have a gift for you, too.”

  She gave him a dubious look. “I don’t see a box.”

  “Your gift’s in my pocket.”

  “Was that an innuendo? Because I haven’t even had my coffee yet.”

  They kissed again and went inside. Usually, the place was pretty empty because they went in so early. Now, it was packed.

  They waited in line.

  When Jenna the cowgirl saw them, she gave an excited wave. “Good morning! Great job last night, Freddie! You were amazing!”

  “Thanks,” Freddie said. “And thanks for coming out. That was really sweet.”

  “Of course! I mean, I see you guys in here every morning. I was so excited to watch you fight. The usual, two large cult coffees?”

  “Please,” Johnny said, pulling out a roll of cash.

  Jenna waved him off. “Not today. Your coffee’s on the house. Speaking of which, my dad wants to
talk to you.” She nodded to where the owner of the place, a big bull of a man who sometimes grunted good morning, was busy with one of the large, silver urns.

  “Sounds good,” Freddie said. “We’ll be here for a while. Speaking of which, could we borrow a chess set, please?”

  “Sure,” Jenna said, reaching under the counter and coming up with a rolled-up vinyl board and a bag of pieces.

  They thanked Jenna and found an open table at the side of the busy room, where they set up a game.

  It was Johnny’s turn to play white. He pushed his king’s pawn ahead two spaces, sipped his coffee, and said, “So… quite a night last night.”

  Freddie grinned, pushing her king’s pawn out against his. “Best night of my life.”

  “Mine, too.”

  “Despite Steve talking your ear off about how you should have handled that guy?”

  “Yeah, even with that. At first, he was so quiet. Like awkwardly quiet. But man, dude can talk.”

  “Steve has two modes: weird, quiet guy and know-it-all karate instructor. He’ll stand around all semi-creepy and not say shit. But if he spots what he considers a teachable moment, look out. He’ll talk your ear off.”

  “Yeah, I noticed. I would’ve rather fought another bunch of assholes than listen to Steve for one more minute.”

  Freddie laughed. “Sorry, Johnny.”

  He shrugged and moved out a knight. “Hey, I love you. If that means I have to put up with Steve blabbing from time to time, so be it. But I gotta ask, why is Lennie with him?”

  Freddie brought her knight out, too. “He was her sensei. Still is, I guess, though she’s outgrown him now. That’s why she’s always going off to training camps. Steve teaches traditional martial arts, not kickboxing. And Lennie’s all about real fighting now.

  “But to answer your question, Steve’s older, like twenty-four or something. He was a martial arts prodigy, went to Nationals a bunch of times as a teenager. Actually won the kata division a couple of times.”

  “Impressive.” He brought out a bishop, pinning her knight. “What’s kata? Some kind of weapon?”

  She shook her head and backed up her knight with her bishop. “Forms. The moves are choreographed. It’s like a cross between karate and dancing.”