Jawbone Page #3

It's a lovely article.

But you was a lovely boy.

Mm...

A buffoon at times.

But you was an 'appy boy, you know.

Always had this big smile.

And you was polite.

Well, you still are. Very polite.

A very, very polite boy you were.

I don't know what happened to you.

Is everything alright, Bill?

I got the big 'un, son.

They tell me I got

a few weeks to live, you know...

It's all been confirmed.

Well, it could be tomorrow,

it could be next week, you know...

I'm dying, son.

You being serious?

I don't know what to say.

Well, there's nothing

you can say. I mean, you know...

What does one say?

Who knows? Does Eddie know?

Well, of course Eddie knows.

But no one else.

I don't want my boys to know.

I mean, they'll know

when the time's right, but, er...

I just need to spend a bit of time

with my Carol, you know.

She'll let Eddie know if anything happens.

Right. I'm... I'm tired.

I ain't got time to f*** about here

so I'm gonna say something to you now

and I... I want you to hear me.

You listening?

Yeah.

I know you've been sleeping here

and so does Eddie.

No... It's not a problem.

I just want you to stay close to Eddie.

Now, this place is taken care of.

You know, erm... everything's kosher.

It's in good hands.

I mean, Eddie's a good man.

But I need you to keep your eye on him.

Maybe he can help you

with this training for this fight.

What?

Did you think I wouldn't hear about it?

I'm alright, Bill.

I wanna go up there on me own.

- I'm alright with it.

- No, no, no, no...

I don't know what demons you're fighting.

And I don't know how much

they're paying you to go up North

to get your brains bashed in

by this kid. That's your business.

But I'd like to give you

a little bit of advice.

Now, you can take it or leave it,

that's down to you.

My advice is that when it's done,

when this fight is done and dusted,

just walk away.

Just walk.

You see, it's...

Sometimes you need to give in

to win, Jimmy.

You can't fight it forever, son.

Right, erm... I'm gonna go now.

Ah... Give us me smother.

Right.

Here's your keys.

Don't forget to lock up.

Fix that window.

You're early.

- Eddie.

- Don't say anything.

So when's your fight?

It's just over two weeks.

- I could do with someone up there.

- No, no, no.

Don't start with that.

I don't have time for this, Jimmy.

This gym doesn't run itself.

These kids just don't turn up

and everything's magically in its place.

It takes graft. It takes somebody

coming in day in, day out.

- The last thing I need...

- Hold on.

No, no, no, no, you hold on cos I don't

have a minute to hold on to. Okay?

If you wanna go up there and fight

unlicensed, that's your prerogative.

That's your choice to go and get

smashed to bits if you want to.

But I promised Bill.

I gave him my word that I was gonna

get you ready for this fight

and I'm gonna honour that.

But I am not going up there with you.

I don't wanna see it.

Now, I've got a gym to run

and I need to be here.

Just like he's been here for us.

So why don't you get yourself wrapped up

and we'll get back into this ring

and do some work, okay?

- Alright, fine.

- Let's get it done, yeah?

- So, left, right, right to the body?

- Yes.

Bang! Bang!

Hands up. Get your hands back up.

Bang! Bang!

And again.

Bang! Bang!

- Hands up.

- Alright, mate.

Come back out and get your hands up.

Give me two minutes.

Bang!

- Bang!

- Keep your hands up, Jimmy.

Get him working, Daz.

Keep going.

- Can I get some water?

- Look, you've only just started.

You'll get it at the end of the round.

Come on, concentrate.

Bang! Bang!

- That's it.

- Left hook.

- Bang! Bang, bang!

- Jab.

Bang, bang!

Good. Again.

Bang, bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Bang, bang!

- Let it flow, Jimmy.

- Bang, bang!

Bang! Bang!

Nice, Jimmy. That's it.

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Go on, go on, go on.

Go on, son.

Six, five, four, three,

two, one.

Good lad. Good lad, well done.

Youse two are late. Hurry up, get changed.

Put your money in the box

as well this time.

Get up in the air!

That's it. Keep those knees up.

High knees!

Double time! Come on, give me

high knees double time! Show me!

Get those knees up, man!

It's not Weight Watchers!

Go, go, go, go, go, go!

Get it going!

That's it. You want to look like

you're running away from the cops!

Come on, Ginger! Get those knees up!

Right. Look up.

You heard anything?

Bill, how is he?

You only got a couple of days left.

Why don't you deal with the job in hand?

I'm asking about Bill, that's all.

And I'm asking you to box. Alright?

Come on, use your feet, Jimmy.

Use your feet.

It's like target practice out there.

Move forward. Move your feet!

Jimmy!

Stop! Stop!

But I'm just getting f***ing going, Eddie.

Tommy, do me a favour, will you?

Take three large steps backwards.

One, two, three. Thank you.

Jimmy. Do me a favour, son, will you?

Take three large steps forward.

One, two, three.

How hard is that?

- Don't patronise me, Eddie.

- What do you mean, patronise you?

It's not a f***ing windy walk.

You're here to work, son.

I'm telling you,

if you don't put it in this ring,

when you get up there,

that wee lad's gonna empty you.

He's gonna empty you, son.

You're gonna get hurt.

Or maybe that's what you want.

- To get hurt. Is that it?

- F*** off. F*** off.

Big bad Jimmy McCabe, always in pain.

Is that it?

The only one f***in' hurtin'.

Maybe you're running away, big lad.

Alright, Eddie, whatever.

Away you go, Jimmy.

I don't have time for this now.

- I don't have time either.

- Do you not?

It really breaks my heart

to see what you've become.

- What have I become?

- I'll tell you what you've become, son.

Boring. You've become boring.

Just another boring drunk

who had it in the palm of his hand

- and pissed it up against the wall.

- F*** off, Eddie! Alright?

Don't f***ing push me cos you don't

know what's f***ing going on in here!

You're f***ing boring!

You live your life under a f***ing arch

with a load of kids!

Don't take it out on me!

You're f***ing boring!

Now, f*** off!

Can you f*** off now?

- I've got training to do here.

- Piss off!

You've been stinking

this place up for weeks.

- F*** off!

- Close that door behind you.

- I f***ing will!

- Go on, f*** off!

Right, nothing to see here.

Everybody back to work.

Get me a fighter in here

that wants to train, now!

- Youse two, back on the pads.

- Come on.

I'm really sorry youse had to see that.

That was disgraceful behaviour.

And I apologise for my language.

But I tell you something now!

This is the Union Street Boxing Club.

It's not a pub.

And that is not

how you go about your life!

Do you understand me?

Now, get back to work.

Touch gloves.

Bill?

He's gone, Jimmy.

Come here. Come here.

It's alright.

It's alright.

- Happy?

- Thank you.

Jab. One-two.

Backhand. Backhand hook.

Backhand. Three shots.

Right, Jimmy.

You happy?

Jimmy, keep warm, son.

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