Lenny's Rough and Tough Lounge

Chloe unlocked the doors to the Lounge and began to move the chairs from the tops of the tables to the floor. Her Father had fallen ill and well couldn’t make it tonight. It would be her first night here without him….The thought scared her quite a bit,she hated to be placed in the spotlight. If things went bad tonight it was on her shoulders. And what if someone got killed again? What if not all the workers showed up? Those what ifs would be the death of her one day she just knew it….

She was there much earlier than any of the employees would be but she wanted to make sure everything was ready. Not to mention eager young fighters sometimes came quite early to speak about a match. She didn’t see how those men did it…she could barely throw a decent punch. She rolled her eyes, her little fits would barely make most men her wince at all. No matter though she would get through the night. She was a Taylor…so infamous around these parts as go-getters and for their determination. Determination yes…but she could only sigh at the go-getter part. Her shyness was near paralyzing at times…especially around the better looking men who stopped in here.

There it was…a perfectly set up club…she was done. Satisfied with her work she climbed up on a bar stool and poured herself a bit to drink, more to settle her nerves before anyone came in. It would indeed be a long night but it was her chance to prove she could handle the family business. She could right? I mean…she had been helping for so long and the townfolk were good enough people to help her out with what she needed.

Strutting in humming a tune, Alisa Perne greeted Chloe. Alisa was the only woman Chloe could speak to without getting shy.
"Aye girl. You nervous? Judging by the way you're downing that shot."
Laughing and shaking her head, Alisa unlocked the swinging door leading behind the bar, and locked it behind her. Loading her gun and unblading her knife, Alisa set them both under the counter. After setting up the booze behind her on the display shelf, Alisa sat on her stool behind the bar, and propped her head up on her arms which were resting on the table.
" If you ever need backing up in a 'tough situation', you come find me Chloe. And don't be shy with me around. And don't take that; making yourself vulnerable?"
Snatching the drink from Chloe, Alisa drunk it in one swig.
"You'll be okay. Just avoid eye contact with any of the men. Your daddy aughta teach you to throw a punch. If not, I could"
Smiling, Alisa set the empty glass under the bar on the shelf.

Chloe's mind had been running through all the "what ifs" when she spun around on the barstool,letting her soft gaze fall upon Alisa. It sent a wave of relief from her body…anything she couldn’t handle Alisa could. Chloe admired Alisa so much, her strength and at the same time her kind heart…not to mention her fighting skills. She did agree though…the drink would impair her senses even more than her nervousness did. And well she needed to be as alert as she could possibly be tonight…it was a rough line up of fighters.

Chloe simply nodded to Alisa’s words, always seeming to be the voice of reason in these situations, but she couldn’t help but let those rosey lips of hers curve into that infamous soft smile…rarely seen but a stunning sight indeed. “I might take you up on that one day…I have had so many close calls it’s enough to make me too nervous to go anywhere alone heh” She chuckled softly and shifted around just enough to regain comfort in her seat. “Thanks…I wouldn’t be able to handle tonight without you”

Nodding, Alisa looked at Chloe.
"You have the most beautiful smile.. What a shame you don't show it more often."
Pouring a watered down glass of red wine, Alisa slid it over to Chloe. "Drink this. It won't make you terribly lightheaded, but you look like you're dreading tonight. A basic oral lesson, Sweetie--Use the bottom of your palm and ram upwards on the guy's nose. Then run, cause he'll be terribly pissed with a broken nose. Run to me, and I'll finish it."
Alisa smiled at Chloe, as the first fighters came ambling into the Club.
"No eye contact. You'll be just fine."

Brandon Price drove his blue Chevy Caprice up to the establishment known as Lenny's Rough and Tough Lounge. Officially, it was just a lounge, but according to some informants he had met on his way into town, this was the place to go for bare-knuckles, underground fighting. Brandon had been a champ back home, but he was looking forward to switching up the venues. This place seemed like just the place to get started. Stepping out of the car, he walked in, and looked around. The place was pure country bar.

Everything from beer signs to country music was present, and the atmosphere was definitely foreign to somebody who had been born and raised in New York. His clothes, a gray hoody and blue jeans, definitely stuck out from the more country-apparelled regulars. He looked around, and zeroed in on a female patron who looked too young to even be inside the lounge. He approached her and smiled charmingly.
"Hello, little lady. Do you know where I could find the owner of this establishment?"

After he said that, he leaned in conspiratorally.
"I'd like to talk to him or her about the side business that you have going on."
After that, he leaned back and stood there. He leaned against a pole while he waited for her answer.

Chloe chuckled at Alisa’s advice, knowing well she was a source of backup no matter what went down. She was about to respond when she noticed a male figure step in and want to speak with the owner. It took her a second, because her Father had always spoken up in those instances but it was all her tonight. She knew well before he asked, that he wanted to inquire about the fighting part of the business. For him to be so secretive about was quite humorous considering the whole town spoke of the lounge outright as a “fight club.”

With a slight tilt of her head,brushing her silky blonde tresses behind her shoulder she spoke in that soft timid tone she just couldn’t seem to overcome. “My Father is the owner but he is unable to be here tonight…if you wish to fight you are welcome to. We will be fixing up the roster later once the rest of the fighters are here….basically the people who have been here longer get first pick on who they fight” As she spoke her tone became more solid and even confident, enough to where she slid off the barstool, smoothing down her yellow sundress as her tattered boots made impact against the hard wooden floor beneath them.

She extended her delicate hand as her rosey lips curved into a soft smile “I’m Chloe….Chloe Taylor. You want anything to drink while you wait?” Her blue eyes shimmered just a bit as she spoke, mostly with pride. She was normally too nervous to speak to any of the fighters especially the more handsome male ones….but here she was almost sounding like her Father.

Laughing, Alisa spoke to Chloe. She was surprised Chloe hadn't choked on her own words.
"I'm gonna go to the back and change, try not to attract the whole town while I'm in the back, okay?"
Shaking her head, she opened the door to the backroom. Stepping out of her jeans, she slipped on a pair of black denim shorts and a black and gray plaid flannel shirt. Alisa was in the mood to fight, and she could only hope a good competetor would be showing up tonight.
Walking out from the back, Alisa let herself in behind the bar, and poured herself a drink. Downing it in four gulps, Alisa reached for her knife, and slipped it in her back pocket. Sitting down on her stool while Chloe and the guy were talking, she waited to see if the guy would be tempted to order a drink requested by the beautiful Chloe Taylor, who shouldn't be caught anywhere near this lounge.. Sighing, Alisa decided she would make Chloe a fighter too. Alisa had an uncanny feeling that Chloe would be hurt someday by these drunken men who stumbled upon her.

Brandon watched as the girl got up. She was quite beautiful for her age, and he could see how many men who frequented this sort of place would try to take advantage of her. She extended her hand, and he took it in a business-like handshake.
"Brandon Price, nice to meet you."
When Chloe asked him if he wanted a drink, he politely turned her down. No real fighter should take anything to dull the senses.

He sat down at the bar and looked at Chloe.
"If you wouldn't mind, however, I could go for a nice Pepsi. I haven't had one since the truck stop thirty miles back."
He noticed that there was another woman in the bar, and her knuckles revealed that she was a fighter. He had no idea what her relationship was to Chloe, but he guessed that it did not really matter. Turning around in the stool, he leaned his arms on the bar and looked around.

There seemed to be a few fighters all ready here, and many of them looked just like the ones he had encountered in New York. They were cocky, muscular, and wearing the kind of outfits that showed off their bodies. Some were missing teeth and fingers, and some wore casts for broken noses. To sum up, they were street fighters, the kind accustomed to either bar room brawls or fights out back. They were not the kind of professional fighters that he really had a reason to be weary of. Nonetheless, it did not pay to underestimate them.

He could feel his adrenaline starting to course through him, and the feeling in his blood was rising. This feeling was what drove him to fight in the underground instead of a professional fighting circuit, like the UFC. It was a desire to fight for real, with no rules or regulations. To see what he was really made of, and how far his skills could really go. The teachings of his father had seen him become a champion pit fighter in New York. Now, it was time to see what they could do here in good ol' South Carolina.

Alisa slid over a Pepsi to Brandon, as he sat down at the bar. She spoke quietly as she tended to other fighters gathering at the stools.
"Smart. Dulled senses lead to a broken face."
Laughing, Alisa's free hand clenched as a man snatched a shot from her. Leaning over the counter to face the man in a split second; she spat at him.
"Snatch from me again, and it'll be me and you first round on the roster."
Alisa smacked him once across the face, automatically reaching for her knife in the pocket she had put it in.
When the man didn't retaliate, Alisa walked back over to her stool and sat down, taking out a magazine covered in advertisements from front to back cover.

Chloe nodded as she turned from the man smiling softly as Alisa served his drink “Thank you….I’m going to step outside get some air before things start getting to crazy in here…” Without another word she turned on her heels, the skirt of her dress twirling with her movment. As she walked her delicate hips swayed with her motion as did her honey blonde locks,her beauty was innocent and never intended in face there were times she wished she could just blend into the background.

As she gracefully stepped outside she noticed a stray dog which she quickly bent down to pet. With a soft smile she ran back inside, grabbing a slab of meat, then ran outside feeding it to the rugged looking dog who ate it graciously. As she was standing back up she heard a rough voice behind her asking what she was doing all alone out here. It was a man well known for his rather unmentionable dealings with young women.
“I…was just going back in…thank you” Chloe said in a shaky tone as she turned to walk back in,stopped only by the large hand grasping her delicate wrist in a violent manner. “Let…me….go…” She cried out as she swiftly placed a kick to his groin causing him to loosen his grip. As she leaped away he snatched a piece of her dress causing it to tear a bit as she bolted inside.

“Alisa! It was him…” The tear in her dress could clearly be seen as she leaped over the bar shaking her head. “He is out there…” Right as she pointed the man walked inside and innocent look on his face,not even realizing he still held the ripped piece of fabric from her dress in his massive hands.

Shaking her head, Alisa pulled out her knife from the back pocket. She lept over the bar, landing swiftly on her feet. Standing up to her full heighth-nothing compared to this man-, Alisa strutted over to him, and kindly smacked him twice across the face. Snatching Chloe's torn fabric from his hand, she shoved him against the outside of the Fight Club. Pulling the knife to the bewildered man's neck, she spat at him.
"Do not touch the daughter of the owner. Or I'll see to it myself that your body's lying in a ditch somewhere. Understood?"
With that, she placed her palm over the stupified man's face, and clenched her fingertips against his skin. Pulling his head towards hers, Alisa slammed his head back against the wall of the Fight Club with enough force, the man's eyes rolled in the back of his head, and he slumped to the ground.
Running back inside, Alisa jumped over the bar again, and looked at Chloe.
"You need to learn how to fight. It's not a need anymore; it's a must. I've spent too many a day in here seeing you so close to being hurt, and I can't take it anymore."

All Chloe could do was nod as her honey blonde curls bobbed with the motion of her head. She ran over and hugged tightly to Alisa “I know I gotta learn…but what if I’m not good at it? I don’t like hurting people…” She bit her lip as she glanced to the man slumped on the floor… “I would like to do that though…” She said with a rather mischievous smile as she nudged him gently with her boot.

She turned around to some of the fighters staring at them, then made her way over to the bar and rested her head down on the hard surface. “Agh…why must men be so darn ridiculous…” She glanced over to Brandon “No offense…it’s not all guys…just most of the ones that decide to come on in here” She said with a soft sigh as she rubbed her temples “I just want tonight to be over with…so Daddy can come back and make everything better…”

Brandon nodded as the woman bartender, who he thought was named Alisa, said what was on his mind. Apparently, she thought just like he did. Putting the Pepsi aside, he watched as Chloe charitably gave a piece of meat to a stray dog. Then, a rather large man tore a piece of her dress off as she kicked him in the groin. Alisa vaulted over the bar and came to her rescue, slamming the large man's head against the wall. Her choice of combat maneauvers would probably not have worked on a sober man of his size, but given that he was drunk, they proved sufficient.

Alisa was apparently Chloe's guardian, in a sense, and they appeared to be good friends. When Chloe complained about the behavior of men, he laughed softly. She was quick to correct herself, a notion he found considerate, and he noticed that she was stressed. He couldn't blame her, with all the drunk guys hanging around, itching for a fight. She seemed to have a good deal of faith in her old man, a sentiment he shared, to a certain degree.
"Do you have a room I could sue to warm up in?" he asked as he turned to her,
"I don't think I'm ready for a no-holds-barred fight in my condition."

She nodded and pointed to a back room “It has some equipment in there…I could show it to ya” Chloe swiftly slid down the hallway unlocking a door to a workout room and opening the door,with a soft yet nervous smile “Here it is use whatever you need…” She nervously looked to the door,then to Brandon, then to the window. Oh this was going to be such a long night.

“If you don’t mind I would like to stay here and watch…I need a break from up there…somewhere where I don’t have to worry about creepers…” She chuckled and sat down on a weight bench, her golden tresses flowing with her graceful movement. “How long have you been fighting? It seems like such a dangerous hobby to have I could never do it”

Brandon nodded and followed Chloe into the back room. There were some weights and a punching bag inside, which was good enough for him.
"Thank you," he said with a smile, when she told him that he could use whatever he needed.
When he stepped inside, he removed his hoody, folded it, and placed it on the bench next to her. Underneath his hoody, he had on a black tank top, something he would remove when it was time to fight. He understood her desire not to be around the other patrons.

He removed his shoes and socks, placing them by the folded up hoody. He wore the gray hoody to disguise his physique, since many people liked to pick fights with him because he looked tough. Most martial artists are pacifists, and even though he did not quite fit that bill, he tried to discourage people from fighting him outside the ring. It was better for them, so that they did not get hurt, and better for him, so that he did not have to waste his time. When he was ready, he began to do his martial arts exercises, flowing into each one with ease. He noticed Chloe sit down with grace, then begin speaking to her.

"I started fighting in martial arts tournaments when I was thirteen. Back then, I was a green belt, but more talented than even the black belts of the division. I was better trained, I suppose. After I became a black belt, I started teaching my dad's class while he was away competing in the Karate Masters Tournament in Okinawa. Of course, I wanted to do much more than just teach."
He began to do the seven count exercise.

"I began hearing about this underground fight club somewhere in New York. I had my dad's former manager, Roger Adlon, look into it for me. I found out that there was a huge arena in the basement of an emerging business in Manhattan. I started fighting there, and earning big money."
He finished his exercises and walked over to her, sitting down next to her. Picking up a towel, he started to wipe the beading sweat from his body.

"For two years, I competed in the underground. I made champion before long, but I soon got bored of the lack of variety. There are only so many styles that you can fight in New York, and I wanted more diversity. So, a year later, I decided to give up my title as New York's "Dragon of the Underground", and begin a new training regiment. After four months of hard training, I decided to use all the money that I have made to travel the country, searching for a new arena and a greater challenge. That's why I've come to this sleepy little town."

After taking a sip of Evian water, he turned to her with a smile.
"So, why did your father decide to open up a fight club in a small town like this? He could make more money in the big cities."
Setting down the water, he waited for her reply.

Chloe shuffled in her seat, her blue eyes locking on him as he told his story. She had been listening so intently when she realized he had asked her a question “Oh…well…it used to be just a country bar like square dancing and everything when I was little…I loved the mechanical bull and all the cowboys who took a turn…but my Mother well she got sick…and passed away..” She choked on her silence a bit as she wiped away a small tear from her cheek.
She wanted to continue…nobody ever asked her about her and her Father…it was always them them them….

“Daddy took it hard…and one night a fight broke out and people started placing bets and all…he figured out he could make bunches of money off their fighting…” She stood up,smoothing out her dress as she walked over to a punching bag nudging it lightly. Each time it came back towards her she gently pushed it away…turning the whole process into a game. “I don’t know what to think of the fighting,” she says while still playing her game with the heavy bag.

“I suppose it fits the tastes of some and when done fairly it can be entertaining to watch…but people here rarely fight…Do watch out for yourself please…If you fight Danny he always has a pair of brass knuckles. And well Kenny he killed someone last week on ‘accident’ with a switchblade…and don’t both calling the cops on anyone who does that kind of stuff. In all honesty they don’t care, they bet on those fighters….you can’t count on anyone but yourself, your family, and your friends around here..”

Brandon listened as she talked about the club before her father made it a fight club. It did not sound like his kind of place, but he supposed that it fit in with the atmosphere. Of all the places to get into a no-holds-barred fights, he never figured that it would be in a country western club. Brandon watched as she walked over to the heavy bag and started nudging it. The fighters she talked about sounded dishonorable, but it did not bother him. He just figured that fighters like that would get what was coming to them.

"Well, don't worry about me. I'm a strong believer in karma, and believe me, it can be a bitch. If Kenny takes out his little toy, I'm going to shove it where the sun doesn't shine."
He gave her a little smile, and as he walked up to her, he said,
"You can count on that."
As she pushed the weight bag, he remembered what Alisa had said.
"Would you like for me to show you how to throw a punch?"

She had begun to nudge it once more before turning to him,her honey colored tresses flowing with her turn “That would be…I mean…yeah…I would like that.,” she finally managed to finish as she steadied the bag and turned to face him. “I don’t really suppose I am dressed correctly… but I will try” She smiled softly and twirled her locks around her delicate fingers as she waited patiently.

She didn’t know if she was ready for this…she would most likely make a fool of herself. Her hands had started to shake…her darn anxiety had a knack for showing up at the worst possible moments, enough to devastate whatever mood she was in. But she would indeed try this and see where it went…she needed the defense lesson and maybe it would go the way she hoped it would and she would learn how to defend herself…Lord knows she needed it.

Brandon nodded.
"OK, so the first thing you need to do is get into a stance."
He bent his knees and raised his hands in a left seishan, similar to a boxer's stance.
"From there, lower your dominant hand to your waist, and keep your other hand up, so as to defend your face."
Brandon lowered his right hand to his waist, keeping his right hand at face level.
"Then, allow your fist to turn 180 degrees as you put your whole body into it."

He demonstrated by punching the heavy bag, and it went sailing into the air, before he steadied it with his hand.
"Eight joints are used in a true fist strike, and you gain much more power when you strike from the stance. One more thing: Do not punch to your target. Imagine that you are punching something behind him, and that he's just in the way. Punch through your target, not to your target, and your punch will be much stronger."
He then stepped away from the bag, allowing her to practice the punch that he had taught her.

Chloe listened carefully and prepared herself to punch the bag…scared to death she would make a fool of herself. She shot a hesitant glance towards Brandon then followed the advice,punching the bag. But err…she didn’t exactly follow through the exact way…or she assumed she didn’t. Mostly because as she made impact she heard a horrible sound come from her knuckle and she drew her fist back to her face whimpering softly.

She was beyond made as she sent a rough kick into the bag, knocking a small hole into the wall from the force of the heavy object. She placed her hands over a shocked face, trying to hide her mouth that had become gaped open. “I…uhhh…I didn’t do it…” She couldn’t help but break into a fit of giggles as she leaned against the bag. Her knuckle had already turned s light purple, indicating a slight bruise but she couldn’t stop laughing.

Brandon walked over as she started to hold her bruised knuckle in her hand.
"Yeah, it was probably not such a good idea to let you do that on the weight bag, especially since your skin is still soft."
He led her over to the bench, sitting down with her.
"My advice is to just practice that punch in the air until you get it down. Then, hopefully, you'll be all right when some drunkard tries to handle you next time."
Patting her on the shoulder, he got up and went over to the weight bag.

From there, he began to practice a variety of moves. He started with a variety of punches and other techniques performed with the hand. After that, he practiced elbow strikes, knee strikes, and all manner of kicks. He decided that he would save his signature technique for the actual fight. Walking into the bar, he grabbed his Pepsi and came back. From there, he began to violently shake the Pepsi bottle.

When he had shaken it up enough, he walked over to the sink, then opened the bottle. Soda sprayed everywhere, leaving some liquid left. While cleaning up the area with the towel, he chugged the liquid. Soda is a great energy booster, but the carbonation hampers the intake. By shaking it, he removed the carbonation, keeping only the liquid that would give him more energy. Tossing the bottle into the trash, he removed his shirt, showing off his impressive build.

His eyes hardened, and he dashed at the weight bag. Jumping, he twisted in mid-air and hit the bag with a flying kick. The rope holding up the bag snapped, and the bag hit the wall, where it settled there. He landed and turned, facing the door.
"Well, what do you say? Let's go meet my competition."

She smiled softly amazed at the gentleness with which he took a hold of her delicate,injured hand. She couldn’t help but blush…not used to being so close to any males besides her Father. Her hand began to tremble in his grasp and she turned away a bit watching with the utmost curiosity as she watched him. She was amazed by the elegance and grace he carried out such difficult maneuvers with…most of the men were so barbaric in every movement but he made it look almost like a dance. She chuckled at the thought nearly in a trance.

Her trance was broken as he gave his cue to walk out and meet the other fighters…she nodded and led him down the hall. She walked a bit ahead of him, afraid he may see the flushed color still upon her cheeks. Her lips had yet to cease that girlish smile as she walked amidst the small group looking to the floor. “There they are…I will leave you to meet them…” She said nothing else as she turned on her heels and walked away…the comments they often said about her made her quite uncomfortable…a confidence boost for most it just made her want to crawl into a corner.

Brandon stepped into the room, and was immediately the subject of many death glares. Obviously, conversation was out of the question. One of the men was playing with a knife, and he guessed that was the Kenny guy that Chloe mentioned earlier. He noticed that she had had a bit of a blush on her cheeks, and he deduced that she had never been in close proximity to a male like that, outside of her family. Given that she was young, he did not want to encourage anything. Nonetheless, given what a good person she was, and the fact that she was beautiful, he did not wish to not encourage her, either.

For now, he would play it cool and focus on the fights. This was a good idea, since he did not wish to be the next one stabbed. Sitting down, he kept a close eye on all of the fighters, making sure that none of them got antsy and tried to strike at the new guy. All he could do now was wait until it was his time to fight.

She took a pen and the roster, passing it around with an arched brow “That’s my good pen…if it comes back with blood on it Imma be mad…” The men chuckled a bit one or two of the fighters staying close to Chloe…out of protection. Not all of them were bad some thought of Chloe as a sister and would protect her with their life…some on the other hand would grab a hold of her as soon as they got the chance. She stayed close to the two fighters looking to the floor…a habit she learned early, if you didn’t pay attention to the more rough and tough fighters they wouldn’t make as many passes.

She was about to get a bit nervous when she heard the familiar laughing from the door…a couple scantily clad women who’s occupation was quite obvious as soon as they were in sight. They had a nasty habit of earning their money from the cocky freshly victorious fighters looking to celebrate. Chloe knew of their profession and was quite appalled…her outlook on romantic relations took on a storybook fairytale aspect…she believed whole heartedly that some handsome prince would come and sweep her off her feet…she had told her fantasy far too many times to Alisa…who she figured was tired of hearing all the non-sense.

Brandon saw Chloe give a clipboard to one of the fighters, and it was passed around. As soon as it was his turn to sign the roster sheet, he signed "Brandon 'The Shadow' Price". After deciding to change the venue that he fought in, he had also decided to change his nickname. The nickname would be explained as soon as he had a chance to fight, and he knew now that that would be soon. He was the last guy in his row, so he handed the clipboard and pen back to Chloe with a smile. His eyes then stared straight ahead, hardening into the eyes of a true warrior.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that there were two prostitutes hanging around in the doorway. They were probably going to seize on the jubilant celebratioins of a fighter, then take his money from him. Brandon had no intention of selling himself like that. He had too much self-respect for that.