EPISODE 3: At the Lower East Side Fighting Club (2)

Joel: *glares at both Ben and Andrei* Oh, be quiet. There is no woman trouble! She’s just a good friend of mine. Please don’t accuse me of something I wouldn’t ever do. And I will tell her how I feel about her - it’s just that of a close childhood friend, nothing else. I am not that kind of man, frothing with lust whenever he sees a woman who shows him kindess. *crosses his arms and glares at Ben*

Benediktas: *his broad, jetty brows perk in indignant surprise, his thin, frowning lips part slightly, then his brows bend down in stern piquedness, but assumes a cool, composed manner, despite his spitfire nature* Frothing with lust? Whom are you referring to? I certainly hope it’s not the Colonel. He’s a man of high moral character. I wonder… do you have some bone to pick with me, Mr. Farber? You seem to give that impression… *eyes Joel with a sharp, accusative glare with his dark, glittering eyes and bites his lower lip in tension. Moving closer, he edges near Joel, trying to stand up to him. Ben is about the same height, but his carriage and glare seem to heighten him by an inch.* 

Andrei: Ah! Some bad blood between you two young stallions, eh? *laughs softly and slaps his hands on his knees* 

Joel: Maybe I do, maybe I don’t. I just don’t like your antagonistic attitude! *nostrils flare slightly with anger* I think you’re the one who has a bone to pick! 

Who the heck starts talking to someone at a gym about this sort of thing? Assuming that I don’t care about Malka and that I just want to discard her feelings like some silent stone statue. What kind of assumption is that? 

Are you talking about yourself??

*Joel leans forward slightly, his eyes burning holes into Ben’s*

Benediktas: Hey, Farber *deliberately drops the “Mr.” as a sign of subtle contempt*- you’re the one lashing out. You’re the one, for all this time, who’s been ignoring Ms. Spitzer. The problem was brought to my attention by my wife- how can I ignore a problem brought to me? So you see, I don’t ignore things, coldly like, as you so aptly describe, a stone statute. Maybe… maybe you’d like to settle some score, Farber? You’re drilling holes in me with your eyes like they’re red-hot rods! *breathes sharply and stand closer to Joel, stretching himself an inch taller out of growing, simmering anger* 

Andrei: Heh! *swings his fists round and round playfully in the air* How do you say? Settle the score! Bury the axe, eh?

Benediktas: *his eyes dart for a second at Andrei* Colonel, please stay out of this. It’s an affair between me and Farber. *Returns his piercing glare upon Joel* Isn’t it, Farber? 

Joel: I think it probably is, Lekert. I’m sick of your condescending attitude, to be honest. I don’t know what your problem is. You sure like picking on me, don’t you? *his lips twist into a snarl*

Don’t know what your problem is and don’t really care, but it seems like you just like arguing for the sake of arguing, to prove you’re right because you’re such a genius, right?

*He takes a step towards Ben menacingly*

Benediktas: *remains rooted in his spot, obstinate as hateful pride, unyielding, fixing his burning glare on Joel* Glad you’re honest, Farber. I guess I piss plenty of people off, don’t I? It’s usually guys like you, who think they can’t do anything wrong. Arguing? Well, you know what they say- a man’s got to argue for something, or else, how can a man have his share of enemies? 

*Darts his eyes over to Andrei for a split second* Isn’t that right, Colonel? A man’s got to have some enemies, don’t you think? *Returns to Joel, a small smirk of contempt pricks on his face* And I wonder… how much of a man are you, Farber? How many enemies you got? 

Joel: I’ve got a few. You’re one of them. *shrugs and gives the punching bag a few punches* You really want this to continue, don’t you? You’re quite fearless, then. *punches the bag hard - it hits Andrei’s shoulder*

And you think I think I can’t do anything wrong? Hah. Really? You need to get your head checked. I’m one of those guys, those little guys who doubt themselves all the time, and you say I’m a narcissist who thinks he can do no wrong? Come on, now! *his voice crescendos, catching the attention of all of the other people in the club* 

Benediktas: *takes a divisive step away from, snaps his fingers, summoning someone to bring a pair of gloves. Seeing no one run with the pair of boxing gloves, Andrei gives a short, rasp heckle of delight and runs to grab an obliging pair hanging on the wall, by another punching bag.* Well! Aren’t we theatrical, Farber? Kinda like your friend, that hot-head Sam… he’s very different from his Dad, that’s for sure. Just like you, too- you’re very different from your Dad, too. *Shoves his fists tersely in the glove with a deliberately quick action, to show his contempt* Well, seems we’re off to a great start, then! *Readies his body in an offensive position, eager to strike at Joel* 

Andrei: *playfully jabs the air, like he wants to guide or instruct these two on good play combinations*  Hell! This will be good! A howling good time, here, eh? Now, don’t draw blood or too many bruises-we need no weeping mothers here, tonight, you two! 

Joel: *puts his fists up defensively, knowing what’s going to happen next* Love how you just think you know everyone, you little prick. You were always so arrogant, even as a kid, always wanting to show off to the adults about how you’re so levelheaded and supposedly understood everyone’s intentions. 

In reality, you’re not that smart. You’re just good at talking, but unlike Sam, you don’t even have the modesty to spread cheer instead of talking shit. All you know is…making others feel worse about themselves? For what? Just to prove that you know everything and you’re smarter than everyone. 

*lunges at Ben with his right fist* Take that, armchair psychologist! There’s nothing I hate more than being told by a NON-PROFESSIONAL that I have problems. I’m sure you’re the one with a real personality disorder!

Benediktas: *swiftly dodges Joel’s right jab, ducks and rears up on the left, and jabs an underhook left, as Benediktas is left-handed, to his advantage* You talk a lot of shit for someone who likes passing judgement on people. You think I know it all? How ‘bout you? And double points for Fraud, Farber! There’s nothing falser than fake modesty, but everyone likes that shit. No one likes arrogance, because, even it is unjustified, it’s sure as hell honest. And cheer? What fake shit have you been dreaming up? This? Coming from you? You’re as sour as a 50 year-old brine patch from back home! And darker than a rain cloud in October! Don’t tell me about cheer, Farber. Hey, I call them as I see them, Farber! Even think about disorders? Takes one to know, eh? *jabs another left-hander from the side, this time, effectively padding Joel on the jawline, sending Joel staggering back a foot or so* 

Joel: *Rolls his eyes at Ben as he staggers to recover* Hey! 

*He stands up again and tries to hit Ben, but is too slow. Ben tries to lunge at him and Joel gets hit another time. He falls down and the next time Ben tries to hit him, he successfully dodges Ben’s next hits and snarls ferociously at him* 

*gasping for breath* S-s-s-shut up! Maybe I do have disorders, but at least I’m honest about that! Honest about the fact I’m not normal, and that’s why I hang around people like Sam, so I feel normal for once!

*aims a right-hander from the side with all his might - Andrei notices that Joel seems a bit more tired than usual and seems to have, at least spiritually, given up for some reason even though the fight’s barely started*

Andrei: *notices a weariness overtake young Joel. His brow, originally peaked in delight at the fight, thinking it was all in good sport, to let these two young men duke it out and vent off steam, realizes the conflict has hit some tender chords. Having yet to truly study Joel, Joel’s dark, young, sharp, and strong features evoke a poignant memory of Andrei’s young brother, Kolya. It’s been 8 years since Kolya’s death, the product of the chaos fomented by the Bolsheviks and opposing forces back in home. Andrei’s lower lip tremble. He blinks twice, slowly, as though weighed down by a sudden sharp pang of memory and wounded fondness. Slowly, but almost swiftly, Andrei swoops down between the two men, barricading himself between them. He pushes Benediktas away, and grabs Joel by the shoulders in a protective manner, bolstering the faltering young man up against the wall.*

Dostatachnye! *Russian for Enough- Andrei forgot the word for “enough” due to the sharp prick of emotion, he gives Benediktas a warning tap on the chest, bouncing the vehement man back a step while standing protectively in front of Joel, against Benediktas. Andrei darts an accusative glare at Benediktas* 

Benya! What’s your idea? You’re not fighting fair- you’re at this sport a lot longer than Yolenka! Damn you, you bully! I said good sport, not insulting each other, you fine stupid shit! 

*Turns to Joel, softening his usually robust, raw, and raging features to a surprising gentle and concerned expression and nature.*  

Eh, Yolenka? 

*taps Joel’s cheek softly, trying to rouse the young man with his head down* 

What’s all this bad blood between you two, hmm? Ah, you fought good. Benya is a fucking bully at times, like me, I guess.  What’s all this normal chat, eh? You’re normal, more normal than me and this stupid fuck behind me. You remember that, eh? Heh! You need some training, very badly! You’re strong, but you’re slow on reactants!

Benediktas: Reactions, Colonel. 

Andrei: *glares over his shoulder at Benediktas and growls loudly*  Fuck you, reactions! Reactants! Same damn thing. You leave us alone- you nearly axed this poor pup in the ground! Fair fight, my ass, Benya! Watch out I don’t pound your face against the wall as new paneling! 

Andrei: *turns back to Joel, still hovering protectively over the young man* So- take my offer? I bet in a few days, you can land Benya on his ass, how about it, Yolenka? *looks up, with a lowered head, with a pleading gaze, almost innocent and unlike his rough bullying self* 

Joel: *looks at Andrei with surprise in his eyes - he didn’t expect this outpouring of sympathy and understanding from him, since he was so excited about the fight and he had failed to deliver* S-sure. That sounds like a good idea. Thank you, Colonel. I-I-I didn’t expect that. I was supposed to deliver a good show, but I couldn’t d-d-d-d-do it. *looks down and sighs deeply*