Original X-roads-2003

In the Past…
 
    “Place your bets! Place your bets!” a tanned masculine bald man called out from the inside of the crowd.
    The crew members practiced every weekend in a battle of the fittest. You put your money on the crewman you thought most likely to be the sole victor. Then crewman after crewman battled to be the last man standing. After battling their way to the end, the last fight would be the previous week’s winner.
    It was quite brutal and took up the better part of the day. Most men would fail half way through.
    The money would only go back to you if your man won, otherwise the money went to the victor. Each man got different odds. The new recruits were always the long shot, and an excellent source of money well spent from time to time.
    Jamie smiled as he watched a new crewman stand up against a deck hand. Jamie had made himself and a few people rich when he had fought his first time. He was barred from using his powers now, it had to be a fair fight.
    The new crewman swung at his opponent and missed. The seasoned pirate went for a low round house kick and knocked the new crewman’s knees out from under him. This new one was undaunted, he rolled to the left and out of striking range and got back on his feet.
    The crowd went wild cheering him on.
    Naomi walked out on to the deck and watched the spectacle take place. The two crewmen fought for twenty minutes til finally the new crewman made a fatal mistake out of fatigue. Naomi shook her head and held up her hand with a thumbs down.