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Shadows and Dust

Allan Onik

    The trainer finished taping Tab’s hands in the locker room. Tony sat in the corner smoking a cigar. He wore a red Italian suit.
    “You know how the Romans thought of their games?” Tony asked. He puffed a cloud of smoke into the air. “They thought that time on earth was only an illusion. That there was another plane, a more important aspect of reality—in which time and space did not exist. A life with God. In the Coliseum death didn’t matter, life was just as fleeting and intransient as sand in the wind. Shadows and dust they would say. Mortals are but shadows and dust.”
    “Is that supposed to make me feel better about all this?” Tab asked. He slid his hands into the red boxing gloves.
    “When you fall in the fifth you’ll will be well paid, and my Vegas wagers will all slide into the millions in profits. No one will suspect that the great heavyweight from Brooklyn could lose to a no name from Ireland. Do it for your daughter’s sake.” Tony took a blue stuffed elephant out of his pocket and placed it on the locker room bench. “I’m sure you’ll do what’s right. This isn’t about your legacy anymore.”

    Tab walked down the isle toward the Madison Square Garden boxing ring. Cameras flashed, fans whistled, floodlights blared, hooligans wailed. He rolled his hands and took a deep breath. Shadows and dust, he thought.

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