Two

                                    

                                          
Jungle Boogie by Kool & The Gang
                          
"We don't have Sprite but we do have Sierra Mist, is that okay?" Emerson asks the woman sitting at the booth. The sergeant looks at the clock with only five minutes left until she's off. Starting to feel impatient, Em begins tapping her foot while waiting for the customer's response. 
                          
"Ugh, whatever," the woman says with an eye roll. Knowing her shifts about to end, Em just smiles and walks away letting the next waitress deal with the woman's attitude. Emerson grabs her nightly tips from the front pocket of her apron before tossing the fabric into the laundry basket. She clocks out for the evening before making her way to the truck. Excited to be done with work for the day, she does a little dance on her way out. 
                          
After taking her father to his appointment, she drops him off back home before heading to the gym with her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. She comes in through the back door and goes straight to the locker room. She begins changing out of her work clothes to get into an outfit more suitable for her fight tonight. 
                          
"Em, glad to see you made it on time tonight. Say, there's something I need to talk to you about. I was right. There will be a big recruiter tonight, only there's a catch," her boss starts. From his stance, she can tell he's anxious to speak with her. She makes her way into the stall once again to finish changing into her uniform. 
                          
"A catch? Like what?" Emerson asks, pulling the sports bra over her head. 'What is he trying to ask me?' she asks herself, unsure what's going on. She normally doesn't mind doing favors but when he seems very anxious to ask, she feels hesitant to oblige. 
                          
"Well, you need to throw the fight. Too many people are paying a lot of money for this Jeremy kid to win. His father is ensuring he wins and in return, he will be recruited tonight. I hate to ask you to do this, Em, but I need you to," he informs her. 'Why would he think I'd oblige to throwing the fight?' she questions herself once more. She would never purposely let someone else win. If they want to succeed they need to put in the effort and work hard. If he wants to be recruited then he needs to fight well. In all of the years Em has known John, he has never asked her to do such a thing. She looks up to this man with respect and admiration so it feels odd having him ask her something like that. 
                          
"Did you bet against me?" The sergeant snaps, knowing damn well that he did. John seems to really need her to lose tonight. He hasn't ever bet against Emerson. Ever. "Honestly, it's really disappointing that you want me to lose. I'm sorry, John, but I need to make my money tonight. I don't care if this kid wins or loses. I will not throw the fight to please the masses," she huffs in anger before throwing open the stall door, pushing past John. She thought he had more respect for her considering he's been nothing but respectful towards her, but now he's asking her to do something she's never willingly done. She places herself on the bench and begins wrapping her hands and fists. She makes sure to wrap around her knuckles a few times to make sure they're fully protected and cushioned. 
                          
"I'm begging you. Please do the right thing. It will help everyone here," he pleads. 'Do the right thing?' she mocks in her head. The right thing is to fight fair and square. Emerson's never been one to pout over losing but she would never let anyone else win on purpose. 
                          
"I'm sure it will. I'd hate to let you down," She tells him sarcastically. It's true. She does not want to let him down. She looks up to him and hates being the one to disappoint him. He's only been kind and giving to the kid, Emerson. He just sighs as she makes her way to the door that opens up to the ring. She hears voices and loud cheering from the other side and she wonders how many people are here. Without needing to ask, John tells her as if he were reading her mind.