Moving in on the dazed man, he jerked Smith to his feet, then pulled him into his arms.Moving in on the dazed man, he jerked Smith to his feet, then pulled him into his arms. The mat shuddered as Bradley body slammed him hard to the mat. He lay dazed and incoherent, shifting his arms and legs as Bradley climbed to the top of the turbuckle. With a smile and wave to the crowd, he leaped; his elbow slammed into Smith's sternum, forcing the air from his lungs. The crowd roared its approval as Bradley hooked a leg and covered Smith for the three-count. "Lookin' good, my man." Tiger Jackson high-fived Tom as he returned to the dressing room. "'Course, Smith ain't exactly a contender, but you put 'im away pretty well." "Yeah, I thought so, too." Bradley took a towel from a nearby stack, and began wiping sweat from his arms. Other wrestlers passed between the lockers and suited up as they prepared for their matches. "Besides, I pinned him two and a half minutes faster than you did." "Hey, I was pacin' myself. All that counts is who took home the winner's share." "True." "You gonna hang around?" Jackson secured the knot on his striped bandana. "I got a match with Crusher King comin' up. Even a boy wonder like you might learn somethin'." Tom pitched the towel into a hamper, then shook his head. "Nah, I'm gonna shower and go home. I wanna catch my highlights on ESPN." "Whatever. Later, buddy." Jackson waved and left the dressing room. Bradley slipped out of his tights and boots, and wrapped himself in a fresh towel. Though he'd won the match, Smith's initially vigorous performance had left him looking forward to a strong water massage. He was nearly to the showers when a voice behind him called out, "Bradley." He turned, a little annoyed at being stopped short of his destination. Leonard Harris, match promoter and notoriously poor dresser, shook a handful of contracts at him and said, "You were sharp out there, Tom. You got potential." "I've got more than potential, Harris, and you know it. If you'd set me up with someone important for a change, the rest of the world would know it, too." Harris straightened the lapel on his polyester sportjacket, and walked closer. |