He shook his head without looking around. "Uh-uh, man," he said. "They've been grooming that babe for weeks for this bout with Little Zirk."
Infuriated, I reached forward, but my companion caught my arm. "Please," she whispered frightenedly, shaking her head.
I settled back, frustrated. She was closer to me now, but silent and for a few moments I watched the heaves and contortions of the powerful masked girl and her wiry masked opponent on the screen. His frantic scrambling at her reminded me of a male spider.
I jerked around, facing my companion. "Why did those three men want to kill you?" I asked sharply.
The eyeholes of her mask faced the screen. "Because they're jealous of me," she whispered.
"Why are they jealous?"
She still didn't look at me. "Because of him."
"Who?"
She didn't answer.
I put my arm around her shoulders. "Are you afraid to tell me?" I asked. "What is the matter?"