EPISODE 2:

(At the Lower East Side Fighting Club)

It’s a quiet evening at the Lower East Side Fighting Club. 

A brawny, toweringly tall man, has himself throwing forceful jabs on a punching bag. Each blow he strikes with a remarkable force of strength, iron-like and sure. Clothed in only an undershirt, boxing shorts and boots, the man’s body shows an impressive brutishly strong frame, well-muscled with a certain brawn and hardness. From the look of it, he seems to have been engaged in very rigorous exertion of his practice- his swarthy skin is sheened with perspiration, and his dark, curly hair is damp, with a few curls plastered to his sternly bent forehead. This is Andrei Danilovich Novokshonov, and he finds himself in fierce practice and work-out for the day. A dark cloud of resentment grimaces his sinewy face.

Holding the punching bag in place is a trim, wiry man, possessing piercing dark eyes and broad, jetty brows set in a severely sculpted brow upon his forehead. He is neater, more slicked back in his hair and clothing than Andrei, but his eyes belie an equal ferocity, though more refined, like a surgeon’s scalpel. He at once seems judgmental and confident, as though he expects a fight from anyone, a potential opponent. This is one of Andrei’s many new friends he’s befriended in the City, a political organizer named Benediktas. 

Benediktas: (In Russian) : Andrei- slow down! You’ll tear the bag right off the ceiling- what has you so pissed? (Holds the bag in place with his whole frame, impressed yet irked at Andrei’s sheer brute force in each blow.) 

Andrei: *holds back his fist before he lands another blow, this one, weak, as though he’s so vexed, he thinks his efforts are futile* Ah, you can see it, too, eh, Benya? *Andrei stands still, straightens himself, and leans with one heavy hand against the wall, panting a bit* It’s a mix of things.

Benediktas: What sort of mix? Your problems back home, or things here?

Andrei: Ah, everything here! I’m mighty pissed at that Sullivan, smug bastard. He’s unprofessional, that son of a bitch. The way he acted with the press this morning. He’s sure of his speed. Well, I told him speed won’t do piss on a barn fire if he has to survive me when he’s got me seeing red like a bull. And then… well *Andrei sighs* I’ve got woman troubles, Benya! 

Benediktas: You’ve got a woman to give you troubles now? You’ve been here three days, Andrei! So quick and impetuous! 

Andrei: I can’t help it! It’s that pretty little Georgian, Tatusya. God, she’s a hard woman to wrap your arms around! 

Benediktas: She… is… you know! A woman of the night!

Andrei: Hell, I know that! She’s a woman of everything that women should be! Like I care. But she’s always eluding me, that damned flying bird she is! 

Benediktas: You better focus on your fight- women will cause headaches and leave you with an empty purse!

Andrei: Ah, go to hell, Benya! Now hold the bag, before I mistake you for the damned bag itself! 

(Through the door, a young, dark-haired man, with sharp eyes enters the Lower East Fighting Club) 

Joel scans the Lower East Side Fighting Club, hoping that he doesn’t run into anyone. For some reason, he is highly anxious today and thinks that he might run into someone he’d rather not run into. Not someone innocuous like Frankie - no, he was actually okay with running into him. He could just stop the conversation after a few nods and tell him curtly that he wanted to focus on the task at hand - training his body and putting those awful thoughts that were tormenting him to rest.

He passes by Andrei, not noticing him at first. However, he seems to have caught Andrei’s attention.

Andrei: *perks up, lands a thoughtless punch which jerks back Benediktas and the bag with a shaking jolt on the suspension hook. Andrei stares at Joel for a moment, brow bent in inquiry, and then a grin splits on his strong, swarthy face as he recognizes his new yet strange friend from Marco’s bar!* Hey! You! Joel, (pronounces like “Yoll”), right? Ah, you come here, too! So did you come to get training from me, eh? 

Joel jerks his head back, surprised to hear a somewhat-familiar voice calling out to him. He turns sharply towards Andrei and scowls.

Joel: …W-Who are yo- Oh. *his eyes squint as he recognizes Andrei* You from the bar, huh? Well, fancy seeing you here. *he crosses his arms* Not sure if I came here to be trained by you, however. I’m here to just practice by myself. 

Joel puts his bag down and unbuttons his shirt, too lazy to go to the changeroom. He shrugs off his shirt and places it neatly into his bag, revealing a tight-fitting tank top underneath.

Joel: So you’re practicing for the upcoming match with Sullivan, huh? *watches Andrei closely*

Andrei: *grins and lets a jolly, deep laugh erupt from his broad chest and throat* Hah! Hah! You remember me! Yes, it’s me, the colonel! *pronounces it like the French, at which Benediktas rolls his eyes at Andrei’s affected accent.* So! You practice on your own, eh? Good! Good to see young men doing something useful for their bodies! And by the look of it, you work out much! Are you a boxer, then? You never told me, you devil! *goes over and slap Joel firmly on his back with his glove playfully*

Benediktas: *eyes Joel sharply* 

Joel returns Benediktas’ glare with an equal burning intensity. 

Joel: *at Andrei* Yes, I do some boxing, but I’m obviously not a professional. It’s just a hobby. *small smile that soon fades* Anyways - *at Benediktas* What are you doing here? You know him?

*go ahead*

Benediktas: *eyes Joel with a sharp, searching look* Of course. Our committee was quite pleased to hear of the Colonel’s arrival, so I volunteered to show him and his officers around the Lower East Side. So, Mr. Farber, I had no idea you were into boxing too… 

Andrei: Neither did I! Well, if you want to train with me, Yolenka, you can! I’d like to see your jab and punches! *laughs heartily* 

Benediktas: By the way, Mr. Farber, there’s a matter I’ve been meaning to discuss with you, but you seem so elusive? I haven’t seen you at the meetings for some time… are you trying to avoid us, by any chance? 

Joel: *raises an eyebrow* I’m not sure what you mean *speaking quicker than he intended*. I’m not avoiding anything. I’ve just been very busy at work, you know, with tax season coming around. I’m no longer a student, and I’ve got a family to feed, so it’s normal for me to spend a lot of time away at work. *turns around sharply to face Andrei, not wanting to continue this conversation with Benediktas*

Benediktas: No need to get defensive, Mr. Farber. But I think a man of your organization and level-headedness, I would think you’d make time for at least one meeting. My wife tells me you’ve been having some friction with someone… I’m a little concerned, as you can understand…

Andrei: Ah, what’s wrong, Yolenka? Friend trouble? You owe someone something? I bet I know what it is! I see it, it’s coming right now, through the door! A pretty girl! Woman trouble, eh? *pokes his mighty elbow into Joel’s side with a hearty jest and deep laugh, Benediktas rolls his eyes again.* 

Joel stiffens and glares at Andrei. 

Joel: What do you mean? Woman trouble? That’s none of my business. That’s something you get involved in all the time, right? Not something I’d care about. Anyways - *nervously looks back at the punching bag* didn’t you say you wanted to show me how to box? You going to do it?

Joel senses that Andrei might be right about something and that a certain young woman might be heading into the Lower East Side Fighting Club at any moment. 

Andrei: Now! Don’t be mad with Benya! He’s like a hawk, seeing things around he thinks he needs fixed. Ah, Yolenka! Are you blind? Don’t you see the pretty little devushka coming through the door? *Andrei points to the door with a gloved hand, as a young, fresh-faced, blue-eyed woman with glossy red locks softly enters through the door, appearing quite nervous* 

Benediktas: Well, it’s Miss Spitzer! What are you doing here? *Assumes a manner that is calm, civil, charming for Malka* 

Malka: Benya! I didn’t expect to see you here! I was just about to give Joel something he left behind by accident. *she produces a thick book with notes inside* This is your accounting book, isn’t it? For a client of yours?

Joel looks extremely anxious and his eyes widen as he sees Malka produce the book.

Joel: *stuttering* Y-yes, that’s right. Thank you. *quickly extends his hands and gently takes the book from Malka* Thanks, I forgot I left it behind. I was in such a hurry…I’m very sorry for the inconvenience. *he looks down, ashamed of something*

Andrei: *takes off his gloves, slicks back his damp hair, trying to “straighten up” in the presence of a young lady* Ah, Benya! Introduce me to the little lady here.

Benediktas: * glances over his shoulder, irked at Andrei’s forwardness, since he really wanted to discuss and confront Joel* Of course, Colonel. Ms. Spitzer? This is Colonel Novokshonov, he’s visiting from Russia, a sort of athletic ambassador venture he’s in. Colonel? This Ms. Spitzer- she and her family are well-known figures in the Lower East Side. As you can see, all of us here in the Lower East, we’re quite fond of Ms. Spitzer, aren’t we, Mr. Farber? *darts a sharp glance, expectant almost, at Joel* 

Joel: *nods stiffly now that’s put on the spot* Of course, she’s a wonderful friend. *emphasizes the last word a little bit more than he should* Colonel, as we all know here, I’ve been friends with Malka since we were children, and I’ve long appreciated her friendship. She is one of the kindest, sweetest, and most considerate people I’ve had the fortune to meet. 

*flashes Malka a warm, genuine smile* Thank you so much for getting the book for me. That really saved me. If those papers and bills went missing, I would be in a lot of trouble. 

Malka: *blushes and smiles back at Joel* Not a problem. So are you training today with these two? 

Joel: Yes, I am. *gives the punching bag a little punch* The colonel’s going to show me what it’s like to be a real professional. He’s going up against Sullivan soon.

Malka: *at Andrei* Wow, really? That’s amazing! Good luck. Well, thanks for everything, guys, but I have to get going now. My mother needs me to help her out with something, and then I have a shift at 4 PM. See you! 

*her eyes linger on Joel for a few more seconds before she leaves*

Andrei: Ah, good to meet you, Ms. Spitzer! *struggles to remember how to say good-bye nods and bows his head civilly, winking a charming smile that is softer than his usual robust flirting* Bye! 

Benediktas: *tenses up a bit and narrows his sharp eyes at Joel, observing Joel’s tension, especially on the emphasis “friend”* Yes, good day, Ms. Spitzer. Good seeing you. Tell your mother I said hello. *watches her leave, and then redirects his sharp glare, almost accusative and expectant right back upon Joel.* 

Andrei: (unaware, still cheered by Malka’s presence) What a nice girl! So this is your girl, eh, Yolenka? 

Joel: W-what? She belongs to no one but herself. She is herself, Colonel. Anyways, when’s the match with Sullivan coming up? *wants to change the topic to avoid further discussion about Malka*

*Joel puts on his boxing gloves*

Benediktas: Typical of you. *scoffs at Joel and whittles his sharp glare down on Joel, expecting a response* 

Andrei: What’s wrong, eh, Benya? You got something to say to Yolenka, here? 

Joel: I already know what he’s going to say. He’s going to say something snarky and something about ‘personal responsibility,’ right?

Because you’ve always loved lecturing others about things. Things that you won’t and don’t understand because they’re none of your business!

*Joel punches the punching bag emphatically*

Benediktas: *crosses his arms and simmers down with his glare, settling in for firm position to launch his strike on Joel* Jumping to conclusion, aren’t we, Mr. Farber? You like, I’ve noticed, to take words and put them in people’s mouths before you even know what they’re going to say. I was going to ask you something. My wife, you know her, Gerda at the bakery on Delancey… well, Ms. Spitzer has confided some sensitive things… well, let’s be blunt, shall we? She likes you very much, Mr. Farber. I can’t fathom why, but she does. You could do, and it would benefit you, to be warmer with her. Perhaps clarify what you regard her as. It’s like my wife says, “You can’t dangle a sword over someone’s head for an eternity!” It’s only a suggestion, Mr. Farber. A heavily advised and encouraged one, I might add. 

Andrei: *listens, gazing at Benediktas with wide eyes, and then glances in surprise, and then a mischievous grin at Joel* Well! I was right! Woman trouble! Ah, we’re in the same boat, then, eh, Yolenka! You’re lucky, though! Your woman wants you, you lucky devil! Mine keeps eluding me!