Letting go of the club, so that it swung by its thong, she reached out, catching Fanquist’s ears. Fanquist was wearing big pearl stud earrings. Myra wrenched them away, splitting the lobes as she did so. Fanquist let go of her and put her hands over her ears, screaming like a train going through a tunnel. Blood ran through her fingers, down her neck.
Myra hit her across her eyes with her open hand, sending her reeling backwards. A sharp kick got Myra in the clear. Fanquist crawled up on her hands and knees. Myra stiffened, then launched herself at her again. They went over in a heap, upsetting a small table and sending two chairs flying with a crash. Myra’s clutching hands ripped Fanquist’s dress down the front, and as Fanquist, screaming wildly, tried to roll clear, Myra clawed her down her bare back, making four long deep grooves.
Fanquist was terrified. She was half-crazy with pain and panic. She just wanted to get out of the room, away from those claw-like fingers. Somehow she managed to wriggle loose and get to her feet. She ran with unsteady steps to the door. Myra heaved up and collared her round the knees, bringing her crashing down on the floor again.
“Let me go… let me go… let me go!…” Fanquist screamed twisting and kicking.
Again Myra clawed her, ripping her clothes, stripping her to the waist.
Fanquist tried to fight back, making a lunge at Myra’s eyes with her nails. Myra jerked her head away, and hit her across both wrists with the club. She put a lot into that blow. Fanquist fell on her knees, her head swimming with pain.
“Now you two-timin’ floosie,” Myra panted, “here’s what’s comin to you.” She kicked Fanquist in her side, sending her over hard. Fanquist was past squawking. Her eyes wide with terror and pain, she crouched there, moaning Blood glistened on her body like paint.
Myra said, “Get up before I start on you again. Go on, get up you heel!”
Fanquist dragged herself off the floor, her breath coming in great heaving sobs. “Don’t… hit me…” she whined. “I’ll… play ball…”
Myra sneered. “I ain’t finished with you,’ she said. “I’ve got a long way to go before I’m through with you.”