In a small apartment, a man (also a mafioso) puts on a sweat shirt, gloves, running shoes, and shorts. He's been told he's nothing special. Been told he's not going to be big. Been told he'll never achieve anything! He then opens the front door, slams it behind him and runs.

Each step is as strong as his last and as he runs he punches the air and exhales sharply. He continues this around the block. People are seeing him and looking about. However, that man does not stop running. Finally the sun begins to rise after an hour of strenuous running and he makes it to his destination. Stephen's gym.




The Associate walks in and Stephen looks at him. He then begins to start talking.


"Associate, how's your training going!" Stephen shouts.


"It's going good Steve, you know I'm running every day and my form is good."

"Good? Good!? Good you son of a bitch you can't settle for good, you're

gotta' be great. You're going to be the greatest! You understand me?

You're an Ox, nothing can stop you, and most of all you got heart kid!

Now damn it, I'm not letting you settle for good!"

The Associate nods and Stephen points at the punching bag. The Associate begins pounding it as hard as he can. The bag swings wildly under the furious punches.

"Come on kid! Get that form better, keep those feet planted, quit dancing! Damn it you're going to have to learn to take a punch once in a while! You're agility won't save you all the time! Come on! This is where you go from good to great!!!"

Stephen ties rope around The Associate's feet to keep him to
stand still. Then, The Associate begins pounding the bag once again.


"There you go kid, that's a good form! No, that's a great form! So keep it up!!!"

After countless workouts The Associate is sweating hard and his breathing is

off rhythm. Stephen sits by him and begins to talk.



"Kid, you're going to go places. Now, that speed of yours will help, but damn it you can't let anything put you down. What you need is a catchy title."




"Sorry Steve, but I can't work out next thursday. I got jury duty."


"Kid, I know your name now!"


"What is it Steve?"


"The Verdict!"

The Associate smiles and then puts on his sweatshirt, and begins running home.

Meanwhile, Stephen is talking to a man who is in a nice suit and a hat.


"Look, that kid needs a fight. That kid will put everything he has and everything he doesn't into that damned ring. He's a fighter damn it! Now, give him an opportunity to become the greatest! I don't care who you have, just have somebody!"

After he is done with his speech, the man walks away with that in consideration. Then Stephen seems to be looking straight at you, wherever you are.




"Look you punk! You all think you can take him on. Prove it, tell me your story! (In a different topic). This kid needs a chance and maybe you do to. All I can guarantee is if you face that kid, it's going to be one hell of a fight."

Stephen looks around, waiting for people to sign up to fight his young protégé. A small smile creeps across his lips, and he wonders to himself if anyone would even dare take on the ox of a man.