“You gotta be on your guard if you’re ever goin’ to make a fighter. I could make a fighter outa you, buddy, honest I could. I could teach you how to box, and you’d be dynamite. You’ve got what it takes. You’ve got nerve. You got that chunk o’ courage in your guts that makes a fighter. I’d like to train you.”
I took his arm. “We may do that some day. Where can we talk?”
He led me over into a corner. “What’s on your mind, buddy?”
“I want you to do something for me.”
“Tickled to death. You know I took a liking to you the minute I hit you. You know how it is, buddy. Some people you’ll think you’re going to like, but the minute you shake hands with them, you freeze up inside. The minute you touch him, there’s some kind of electricity. Well, it was just like that, buddy. The minute my fist struck against the side of your jaw— Say, how is the jaw by the way?”
“Sore.”
“You’ve got what it takes, kid. You’ve got what it takes. Gimme six months and I’d make a fighter outa you.”
“Louie, I want you to do something for me.”
“Sure. I already told you that. Just say what it is.”
“Seen the morning paper?”