staged as a performance in front of the Underground dwellers. With satisfaction, she glares at Julian, as if she has come up with a perfect solution for a low violence outcome—fighting in a ring in front of an audience. Does she even understand what fighting is? Julian gazes at her with amused tenderness.
“Staged?” Wild asks Mia. “So is it a real fight or fake?”
“Most definitely a real fight,” says Finch.
“No, it’s a fake fight,” says Mia, staring down Julian. “It’s for their entertainment.” She points to out there.
“Those people have been baying for a fight for weeks,” Duncan says. “Only real blood will quench them.”
“Entertainment or not, we’ll actually be fighting, dove,” says Finch.
“No, Finch,” Julian says. “We won’t be.”
“I don’t blame you for being afraid,” says Finch.
“Because that’s what I am.”
“You don’t think I can deck you?”
Julian allows that Finch can.
“You don’t think I can beat you?”
Julian doesn’t reply for a moment. “Last thing I want to do is insult you, Finch,” he says. “It’s still on my list, though.”
Wild and Duncan guffaw.
“I’m taller than you and bigger than you,” Finch says loudly. “I have both my hands. I heard that a boxer needs his hands to fight, but what do I know about such things, right? Plus I’m not all lame after a little nail scratched my leg. Get in the ring, buddy. I’ll kick your arse.”
“Okay, Finch, let’s get in the ring.” Julian turns to Mia. “Even if you think the fight isn’t real,” he says to her, “the stakes should be real, don’t you agree?” There’s a twinkle in his eye. He can’t help himself. If there’s going to be a fight, it might as well have some positive consequences for him.
“I’m not fighting for what you said earlier,” Finch says. “I’m not going to leave my girl alone.”
“Wild, how about this,” Julian says. “If Finch wins, I take the entire gang to the Savoy Grill for dinner.”
The passageway gets quiet.
“All of us?” Duncan says in a thrilled gasp.
Even Nick Moore stirs. “Fuck off!” says Nick.
“Yes,” says Julian. “If I lose, I will take all of you to the Savoy for a meal. Wine, cover charge, all food off ration. Anything you want. On me.”
“Don’t fall for it,” Finch says. “I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.” The young man is so gangly and earnest, and Duncan and Wild are so excited about the Savoy, that Julian almost feels bad. “What do you get if you win?” Finch narrows his eyes.
“If I win,” Julian says, with a smile at Mia, “and if it’s okay with Mia, I get to sit next to her tomorrow night at Gone with the Wind.”
Mia beams. “Fine by me,” she says.
Vehemently Finch shakes his head. “Absolutely not,” he says.
The gang descends on him.
“Isn’t it my choice who I get to sit next to, Finch?” Mia says.
“What’s wrong, Finch?” Julian asks. “I thought you were going to win?”
“Finch,” Mia says, “I’m a small price to pay for a chance of a dinner at the Savoy. Tiny risk for a lot of reward.”
“It’s not a risk I’m prepared to take,” Finch says loftily.
Duncan, Wild and Nick berate Finch. Don’t be a ninny, Finch. Folgate’s right. It’s for a great cause.
“No,” Finch says. “We don’t need the Savoy. Let’s just fight for the principle of it. For the satisfaction of victory.”
“Oh, sod off,” Wild says. “You better not frigging lose.”
“Hey, buddy!” an indignant Julian says to Wild. “I thought you were in my corner.”
Wild walks over, gives Julian a slap on the back, a manly embrace. “Swedish,” he says, “we had a good run, you and I. But it’s over. Our friendship against dinner at the Savoy? Like it’s even a choice. Nice knowing you. Tonight, I’ll be actively working against you, and I don’t feel bad about it one bit. Finch, come. Dunk and I will show you how to beat the crap out of him.”
“Okay,” Finch says, allowing himself to be led to the empty platform, “but I don’t want to fight for what he said.”
“If you win, it will be the greatest day of our lives,” Duncan says. “But if you lose, well, first, we’ll beat the shit out of you for losing, but second, all you’ve given up is a few hours of sitting silently next to a chick at a theatre watching a stupid picture. He’s not asking to shag her, Finch. He’s asking to sit next to her in public. It’s a no brainer. Swedish