04x10 - The Fighter

[bunniefuu]

[Piano playing and
woman laughing]

[Pouring water]

You ain't coming, huh?

No.

This could be the one, you know.

It only takes one.

Good luck tonight, pa.

Thanks, son.

Can I wait up tonight?

Well, we'll see.
If I ain't too late.

Go back to your studies, tim.

Yes'm.

You going to wish me luck?

Good luck, joe kagan.

[Piano music continues]

[People shouting and whistling]

Come on! Come on!

Come on! k*ll him!

Come on, come on!

[Moaning softly]

[Slurring] is... Is tim asleep?

Yes.

I'm glad you didn't
see it tonight.

I don't know what happened.

I caught a punch early.

I couldn't get my head clear.

It could've gone the
other way easy enough.

Oh, stop it!

Just stop it.

Honey, I'm sorry.

I know it looks bad.

I mean, what can I say?

Just wasn't my night.

Listen, if you say that
again, I will scream!

Listen to... Listen to me.

I have been listening to you.

It's time you started
listening to yourself.

What's that mean?

The way you talk,
and don't pretend

Like you don't know
the difference.

I swear, after every fight,
it gets just a little bit worse.

It ain't so. I'm groggy
from the fight...

Oh, that's a lie! That's a lie.

No, it ain't.

Then read it.

Remember how you
always used to read

The bible to me, joe,
before every fight?

Then read it.

Go on, joe.

I'm tired.

Read it.

[Haltingly] "I love the lord..."

"Because he hath
heard my voice...

And my supplication."

"Because he hath
inclined his ear..."

"U-upon me.

"Therefore... Will
I call upon him

As long as I live."

[Slurred] "the sorrows
of death compassed me..."

"The pains of hell..."

"Got hold upon me...

[More slurred] "I found
sorrow and trouble."

"Then I called upon...

The name..."

[Sobbing]

I can't hardly understand me.

I can't. I...

Shh, it's all right.
It's all right.

You know I didn't
want to hurt you,

But you got to stop now.

You can't go on fighting.

I have to. It's what I do.

No, but you can't do it anymore.

It's what I do!
It's all I can do!

No, honey, you can go out and
you can get yourself a regular job.

Doing what?

Anything.

Anything.

Anything is better than this...

k*lling yourself
night after night.

Promise me, joe, you'll go out

And you'll look
for a job tomorrow.

Promise me, joe.

Joe, I swear, if you
don't promise me,

I will leave you,

And the boy will go with me.

Joe!

I can't.

Then we'll leave for
chicago in the morning.

Good luck, joe kagan.

[Woman laughing]

Hi, mr. Oleson!

Oh, hello, laura, andrew.

What you nailing up there?

It's a poster that
came in the mail.

Probably bring some
business into town.

Golly! A fighter
coming to walnut grove?

Yeah, a real professional.

Should be something to see.

$ Prize? What you
got to do to win that?

Just last one round is all.

- Well, how long is that?
- Minutes.

Minutes for $ ?

I'll bet president
rutherford b. Hayes

Doesn't make that
much money in minutes.

Well, no, I suppose not,
but he doesn't have to

Get punched in the
nose all day, either.

[Both laugh]

Who's going to fight him?

I don't know yet. Anybody
who wants to enter.

You going to fight, mr. Oleson?

Oh...

Harriet: nels! Get in here!

No, andrew, when you fight as
much as I do, you need a day off.

Bye, mr. Oleson.

Bye, mr. Oleson.

Gosh!

$ For minutes.

I bet my pa would whip him.

He's the strongest man
there is in walnut grove.

How do you know?
My pa is strong!

He can't be as strong as my pa

'Cause my pa is way bigger.

Then my pa is the strongest

Smaller person in walnut grove.

Who cares? A horse is
stronger than both your pas.

Probably smarter, too.

I wish they were offering $

To punch you, nellie oleson.

What are you talking about?

This poster. You
can read, can't you?

I'm going to go tell
my pa about this.

We can be rich! Are you coming?

No. I've got to wait for mary.

Ok. See you.

See you.

You're pa going to enter, laura?

Your family could
certainly use the money.

I don't know. Maybe
he is, maybe he isn't.

My father could win easily.

He boxed in college. He told me.

Well, your pa's not entering.

How do you know?

Because we already
asked him, that's how.

Well, he could win.

We just don't need the money.

Your pa won't enter
because he's scared.

He is not!

- Is too.
- Is not.

- Is too!
- Is not!

- Is too!
- Is not!

Come on, laura.

I'm coming. We'll see
who's pa is scared!

What were you and
nellie fighting about now?

About fighting.

What?

Never mind.

So when I told nellie

That her pa wasn't
going to fight,

You know what she said?

She said that you
were afraid to fight.

Hey, what do you know?
Nellie's right for once.

Laura: what?

I would be afraid.

You're teasing me, pa.

Half-pint, I'm a
farmer, not a fighter.

But you're not
afraid of nothing!

Your father's not
afraid of anything.

That's right, ma.

Half-pint, your mother is
correcting your english.

I'm correcting your statement.

Everybody in this world
is afraid of something.

Even pas?

I'm afraid so, even pas.

Now, if you're finished

Talking about this
fighting nonsense,

I'd like you to eat your supper.

Yes, ma'am.

So then that nellie says

A horse is stronger than you.

And then you know what she says?

No. What?

She says, "and smarter, too."

I wanted to punch her.

Andrew, you know that

Men don't go around
punching women.

I know. I just
wanted to, is all.

I bet you could
b*at this boxing man.

Well, no way to know
unless we tangle.

Big as you are,

I bet you could whup
a grizzly bear, pa.

Now, that would be
a pretty tall order.

I don't think anybody
could do that.

I heard you had a pretty
good fight in mankato once.

All right. That's enough.

I don't want to hear any
more talk about fighting.

Oh, ma!

No "oh, mas!"

You get to your room
and do your studies.

Yes, ma'am.

Go on, boy.

Bet that nellie wouldn't
say nothing smart aleck again

If you were to b*at
that boxing man.

To your studies!

Yes, ma'am.

[Sighs] that boy!

Want some more coffee?

Yeah. I'll get it.

What you working on?

Oh, just figuring.

The bill at the mercantile?

Mm-hmm.

Prices are going sky-high.

You know they're asking
cents a pound for coffee?

I'm going to have to start
drinking dandelion tea.

I'll bet you could
buy all the coffee

In the state of
minnesota for $ .

Jonathan.

Now, what's wrong with it?

You know how I
feel about fighting.

Well, yeah, but this ain't even

The same kind of thing.

I don't want you hurt.

I ain't gonna be hurt.

And I don't want you
hurting somebody else.

How can anybody get hurt?

We're only gonna be
fighting for minutes.

Minutes for $ .

Heck, I've fought for an
hour before for nothing.

Besides, if I was to win,

The boy would be mighty proud.

I don't see anything to
be proud of about fighting.

Well, I know you don't,

But menfolks feel
differently about that.

Alice, it's only minutes.

Minutes or not,
it doesn't matter,

Because you don't have the
$ . To enter in the first place.

I was, uh... I was just kind
of saving it for a rainy day.

You're gonna win him, pa!

You go do your homework!

And then laura told me
you weren't going to fight.

Well, I told her her
father was afraid to fight.

Do you know what she said then?

No. What?

She said, "we'll see whose
father is afraid to fight."

Oh! I don't know why you bother

To listen to that girl.

Your father's
not afraid to fight.

After all, he was the boxing
champion in college for...

What, how many
years was it, dear?

What, dear?

I said how many years were you

Boxing champion in school?

Oh, um... . Years.

You mean nobody ever won you?

Of course not.

He was undefeated.
Weren't you, dear?

Yes. Oh, yes. Yes,
indeed. I was undefeated.

- Were you bigger then?
- No.

Must have been a lot of small
boys where you went to school.

Now, let me tell you
something, young man...

Size has got
nothing to do with it.

It's, uh... It's a science.
Boxing is a science.

It's a matter of skill

And speed of hand and foot.

Foot. Are you allowed to kick?

No. Of course not!

Here. Let me show you.

[Clears throat]

Huh? Now, watch.

Yeah. See, you
got to keep moving.

Huh? Moving, moving,
moving. That's it. You see?

You got to jab, jab, jab, jab.

- Ooh!
- Jab.

See? It's a science.

Ooh!

[Grunting]

You got to be able
to hit the other guy

And not let him hit you back.

Could this professional hit you?

Not a chance.

Then you must do it.

Do what?

You must fight that man.

Oh, now, harriet...

But you said he
couldn't hit you.

Yes, but...

And you're not afraid.

No, but...

Well, then, you
must do it, nels.

You'd be the hero
of walnut grove.

Children, a toast...
To your father.

[Thunder]

Is that him?

Well, it must be.

He doesn't look fast
enough to hit you.

[Chuckles]

Sure am glad

You don't have to be big.

Whoo-ee! Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Boy, this sure is one hick town.

You know you can't even
buy a bottle of liquor here?

Can you imagine that?

[Slurring] did you
send the money?

What?

The money, you sent it?

Yeah. I sent the
money. I sent the money.

I don't know why
you keep on sending it.

They never write you,

Never say thank you or nothing.

Why don't you just
forget about them?

Besides, that boy of
yours is years old.

He's old enough to
take care of her now.

I owe it to her.

You don't owe her nothing.

She walked out on you, remember?

She did the right
thing. I don't blame her.

Wouldn't want my
boy to see me like this.

Now, hold on a minute.

I done did the
best I can for you.

As a matter of fact,
if it wasn't for me,

You wouldn't be
making no kind of living.

I know. I know.

Is it bad?

Yeah.

What about the eyes?

Come and goes.

It be all right.

How many you got so far?

Well, of them done
put their money down,

And I've been nosing
around town a little bit,

And only one of them
looks kind of tough.

His name is garvey.

Now, see, we're going to put him

In the ring first,
while you're still fresh.

Cut the ring down
another couple feet.

What ails you, joe?

There's hardly enough room
to move around there now.

Cut it down!

Ok, joe. Ok.

Everything's going
to be all right.

And stop worrying
about them eyes, you hear?

It's going to pass. Nothing!

Well, looks like it
done stopped raining.

I guess I better go
on back out there

And see if I can't drum
us up some business.

All you fight
managers, you prey.

You want anything?

You girls all ready for bed?

Mary: yes, sir.

All righty. I'll
just tuck you in.

There you go. Have
a good sleep, darlin'.

Thank you. Good night, pa.

Good night, honey.

Are you sure you
won't change your mind?

About fighting that fighter man.

Now, half-pint, we've
been through this.

I know, but it's different now.

Nellie's pa is
going to fight him.

Oh, I know. I saw nels
in town this afternoon.

He doesn't look
very happy about it.

Well, nellie sure is.
She's bragging all over

About how brave her pa is
and that you're a scaredy-cat.

Half-pint, sticks and stones...

I know, but names
do hurt sometimes.

Well, my advice to
you is don't listen.

Now, get some sleep.

Yes, sir.

See you in the morning.

- Good night, pa.
- Good night, pa.

Good night.

I wish I wasn't a girl.

Why?

'Cause then I'd be a man and
I could fight that fighter.

Well, you're not a
man, so go to sleep.

All right.

At least when I'm asleep,

I don't have to
hear nellie oleson.

- Good morning, mr. Hanson.
- Charles.

Yeah. In the athletic club.

In the what?

Go up to the storage
room, see for yourself.

And simpkins need
that grain right away.

I know. That's what I want to
talk to garvey about. Thank you!

[Panting]

What the heck are you doing?

Oh, practicing for the fight.

What, are you really
going to go through with it?

Oh, got to. I paid my $ . .

Well, I hope you win enough
to pay your doctor bill.

Thanks for the
vote of confidence.

Look, I want to
ask a favor of you.

That fellow moody wants
me to put up a ring for him

- In the old farlow barn.
- Yeah?

Said he'd pay me $ . . Problem
is, he wants it done this morning,

And I got that simpkins
order to deliver.

I'll load it up. Go ahead.

Hey, thank you very
much. I owe you one.

Yeah, you do.

[Grunting]

[Door shuts]

I never realized a
boxing ring was so small.

Oh, yes, sir. They come
in all different sizes.

I must say, it must
be an exciting life,

Traveling from town to town.

Yeah. If you can call
walnut grove exciting.

[Laughing]

Oh, joe, this here's
mr. Charles ingalls.

Mr. Kagan.

Make it smaller.

Oh, come on, now, joe.

Who fight in that
ring, you or me?

Make sure there's
plenty of lanterns.

Don't worry. I will.

Sorry. You're going to have
to move in them ring posts.

It's no problem.

[Sawing]

How long has mr. Kagan

Been fighting professional?

Too long.

Yeah... Too long.

[Breathing hard and grunting]

Hyah!

How bad is it, doc?

How bad does it feel?

Awful bad.

That's how bad it is.

Hanson just told me. Oh!

Kid garvey's out of the fight
game for at least weeks.

I'm sorry it happened, but
you're probably a lot better off.

Better off? My hand all
busted up, I'm out my $ . .

How can I be better off?

Come on. I'm sure they'll
give you the $ . Back.

No. I already checked it out.

Look on the bottom line there.

It says once you've
paid your money in,

Fight or no fight, it's gone.

I worked for months
to save up that $ . .

You never should have
signed the darn thing.

There's nothing you
can do about it now.

I guess you're right.

Maybe there's something
you can do, though.

What?

Listen, old buddy, this
never would have happened

If I hadn't been helping...

- Oh, no...
- And you said you'd owe me one...

Now, wait a minute...

You only have to
be in there minutes,

And I'll split the prize
money with you - .

- ? The man
outweighs me by .

Big as he is, he'll never be
able to catch up with you

In that big old ring.

Big old ring? The ring is
about the size of a closet.

Charles, you got to help me.

If I give up on that $ . ,

Alice is never
going to let me...

No, no. Jonathan,
I'm sorry, but I'm not...

Charles, now listen.

You said you owe me one.

I'm holding you to your word.

I was planning on

Taking the day off
tomorrow, charles,

But I think I better stay open.

After all, what are friends for?

Of course, seeing
as it's saturday,

I'll have to charge you double.

Moody: tickets, gentlemen.

All tickets here.

Tickets, gentlemen. Tickets.

Uh, ticket, mr. Ingalls.

I don't need a ticket. I'm
one of the contestants.

I'm going to replace garvey.

Don't make no nevermind, sir.

It'll still be cents.

Spend cents
to take a whipping.

Tickets, gentlemen.
All tickets here.

Charles, how you feeling?

I'm so nervous, I can't
breathe. Otherwise, I'm fine.

Where's caroline?

She took the girls
down to church to pray.

My missis didn't come either.

Hey, got great seats here.

We'll be able to
watch the first fight,

Maybe analyze his weaknesses.

You go on second.

Oh, good. Hey, nels,

How you doing?

Nels?

[Applause]

[Bell ringing]

Ladies and gentlemen,
this evening's first bout

Will feature one of walnut
grove's leading citizens...

Mr. Nels oleson!

Come on! Go get him, nels!

[Cheering]

You got him!

- Go get him!
- [Whistles]

Go, nels!

If you'd be so kind
as to toe the line, sir.

Come on, sir.

Yes, sir.

Now, gentlemens, are you ready?

If you will, sir.

[Bell rings, thud]

Oh, nels! Nels!

Moody: one... Two...

Did you notice any
of his weaknesses?

... ... ...

Nels! Count slower!

! Out!

[Gasps]

We'll see you at home.
Come on, children. Hurry.

All right, now.
Let's clear the ring

And get ready for
the next contestant.

The next fighter is jonathan...

No. Ingalls. Ingalls.

[Voice cracks] ri...

Right. Charles ingalls.

Mr. Charles ingalls.

[Applause and cheering]

[Whistles]

Go get him, charles.

Go get him! Go get him, charles!

All right. Sir, if
you will toe the line.

[Sighs] yeah.

Gentlemen, are you ready?

If you will, sir.

[Bell rings]

Did I miss it?

No. Your pa just got started.

Where you been?

Ma didn't want us to
see. She's in church.

I told her I had to
go to the outhouse.

Go get him. Go get him, charles.

Moody: ... ...

...

Is he getting up?

He's trying.

Please, pa... Please get up.

Get him!

- How much more time?
- I don't know.

Laura ingalls! You get back
to that church this minute.

Yes, ma'am.

Come on, joe, you
got one minute.

Oh, yeah!

Huh!

Charles! Charles!

Moody: ...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

.

[Bell ringing]

[Cheering]

All right! We won!

Yeah!

Charles, you won!

Ha ha! Hey!

Yeah! Yeah!

Hey, jonathan, get dr. Baker!

He'll be all right for now.

Thank god.

What's the matter
with him, anyhow?

I think you already
know that, mr. Moody.

He's been examined by other
doctors recently, hasn't he?

Hasn't he?

Well, they don't tell you
nothing. You know that.

They told you he
shouldn't fight.

Well, they said he ought
to take a little rest

And stay away from the
fight game for a while.

And did he?

Well, now, how we gonna do that?

That ain't exactly john l.
Sullivan we got in there.

We got to eat.

If he continues fighting,

He won't have to
worry about eating.

He'll be dead.

Help me get him up to his room.

Help me with his feet, charles.

Yeah. Got him.

[Moans]

Is there anything
we can get him?

No. All he needs is rest.

We'll stop back later, then.

I want you to stay in this
bed for at least days.

It'll give you time to decide

Whether you want to live or die.

It's your life, mr. Kagan,

But if you decide
to fight, it's over.

Mr. Moody.

Doctor.

I'll be back later.

Hey, [indistinct].

What do you want?

I'm thirsty.

Yeah, well, there's a
pitcher by your head there.

Oh, yeah.

Maybe I'll get better
if I rest a while.

Yeah, maybe.

What you doing?

Packing.

I got to stay in bed, doc said.

Well, you do like the
doc said and stay in bed.

[Sighs]

Look, joe,

I did the best I could for you,

But you heard the
doctor... It's all over.

I... I could get better.

I picked you up when you
had a little bit of a name,

But that don't mean
nothing anymore.

Besides, even if you got better,

I'd still have to
get another fighter.

Years. We been
together years.

You just go like this?

Joe...

I'm a manager, not a nurse.

And besides, these
hicks here, they like you,

And they're going to take

Real good care
of you, real good.

Hey, moody...

Huh?

I got to be honest, too.

I never did like you.

[Laughing]

[Laughing continues]

He's going to be all right.

He's going to have
to rest for a while.

Doc said he was sick.

He shouldn't have been in
the ring in the first place.

I just thank god he didn't die.

You couldn't have
known he was sick.

I suppose.

[Sighs] you've
been up all night.

Now, get some rest.
We'll go on to church.

We'll come straight home.

No, no. I want to go with you.

You sure?

Yeah. It will help me.

It will just take me
a minute to wash up.

Doc.

Charles.

Are you going to
stop in on kagan again?

Yes.

I wonder if you'd do me
a favor and give him this.

It's the prize money.
Caroline and I talked it over,

And we figured he might need it.

Why don't you give it to him?

Oh, no, I don't want
to give it to him.

You give it to him for me.

I think he'd want to
thank you himself, charles.

Come on.

All right.

Caroline, you take the
children on home. I'll be along.

All right.

Mr. Moody?

[Crash]

What in the world happened?
What are you doing out of bed?

Doc.

Let's get him into bed.

Where's moody?

He gone.

I can't blame him.

It's all... All over for me now.

Just leave me be.

Just leave me be.

He's exhausted, that's all.

Quite a fellow, that moody.

Doc, I'll stay with him.

I'd appreciate it if you'd
ride out and tell caroline.

All right.

I'll be back later.

Charles...

Just happened to be you.

Could have been anybody.

But it wasn't
anybody, doc. It was me.

[Moans]

You're still here?

Yeah, I'm still here.

I don't need you.
Just leave me alone.

I'm sorry. I can't do that.

Please, get...

[Coughs]

Get out.

[Coughing]

Here you go.

Come on. Try and drink this.

Just drink a little bit.

There you are.

There you go.

There you go.

I think you and me

Better get a few
things straight.

Whether you like it or not.

Doc said it's gonna
take a few months,

But you're gonna be all right.

When you are, you can do

What you want with your life,

But until then, you're
going to do just what I say.

That means you're going to rest,

And you're gonna get
used to me being around.

See, right or wrong, I
feel responsible for you.

I can take a little
bit of guilt in my life,

But you're not going
to put any more on me.

When you're well
enough to travel,

And that will be the end of it.

The missis sent over a pot
of soup. I'll get you some.

I ain't hungry!

You'll eat it.

Yeah.

Kagan!

Kagan!

Kagan!

Kagan!

[Humming]

What's the matter? You
afraid I was going to jump?

Oh, come on, now,
mr. Jake. You owe me one.

Plus you got a whole
stable of fighters out there,

And I'm just asking you
to, kind of, push one my way.

Look, he can be
raw, just as long as

He got a little
bit of potential.

Look, moody, I don't
owe you nothing.

And I ain't layin' off
any fighters on you

That I think I can
make money with.

Oh, come on, mr. Jake.

I thought you was
a friend of mine!

Well, we ain't.

And without me as a
friend, you ain't got none.

All right.

Look, he don't have to be
one of your good fighters.

You got a boy out there
that can take a punch?

Yeah.

Yeah, if it'll get
you off my back.

Hey, moody, didn't you
used to handle joe kagan?

Yeah, a while back.

I got his kid out here.

What? Come on, now, mr. Jake,

You're fooling me.

No, no. Tim kagan.

That's him. That's him
over there, in the ring.

Is he any good?

Well, he's got a lot of guts,
you know, like his old man,

But... Nah, he
ain't got it. He's...

He's too slow and hasn't
got that k*ller instinct.

Yeah, but he'd be real
big on the hick circuit.

What you want for him?

For free. He's all yours, see?

Just so you promise me you
won't bother me anymore.

Thank you, mr. Jake.
Thank you kindly.

Hold it! Hold it! That's enough.

Boy, them sure are
some heavy punches.

What's your name?

Tim kagan.

What? Tim kagan?

Lord have mercy.
My name is moody.

I used to handle your daddy.

Oh, yeah? You seen him lately?

No, not for a while now.

Me neither.

I do recall your daddy
telling me he had a boy.

Yeah? Did he tell you that
he ran out on me and my ma?

He wrote her a couple of times,
said he was going to send some money.

Never sent a penny.

Well, I don't recollect
nothing about that.

My ma worked in a
laundry till it k*lled her.

Look, why don't you
stop punching that bag?

See, I might be able
to give you a break.

How?

I'll tell you what.
You go wash up,

And then we'll go someplace
where we can talk business.

Go on, now, son.

Ok.

Ooh! Boy. Plowing sure is work.

Feel like I just went
rounds with paddy o'neill.

Ha ha! Did you win it?

No. I never could
whip that irishman.

Ha ha ha!

But you know, it's, uh,
a good feeling, though.

Yeah. I know what you mean.

It gets even better
when you see that corn

Standing over the
top of your head.

How long that going to take?

Too long for you
to be able to see it.

What's that mean?

It means you're fit to travel
now, anytime you want to go.

You, uh, sure I'm well enough?

Doc baker thinks so.
I bet you're glad, too.

Get some privacy
for a change, huh?

Oh, yeah, yeah. Sure will.

My stomach tells me it's
time for supper. You ready?

Oh, yeah. Be right in.

Don't be late if you
want a hot biscuit.

Mm.

You sure you won't
have some more, joseph?

Oh, no, ma'am. Thank you.

You sure can eat a lot.

Laura.

[Joe laughs]

Oh, that's all right.

You can blame that on her father

And the good clean
air of walnut grove.

Haven't felt this
good in years.

We're glad.

And I owe y'all a lot.

Come on. You don't
owe us anything.

Oh, yes, I do. I
been well enough

To move on down the
road a long time ago,

But the truth is... I...

I like it here. I'd
like to settle in...

Permanent.

Well, in that case, I think
I'd better give you something

I've been holding for you.

Here we go.

What's this?

It's your money... $ .

I've been keeping
it in a safe place.

That's the purse. It ain't mine.

Look, no arguments. You want
to settle in here, you need a stake,

Get a little piece of land.

Charles, i...

You're supposed to do
what I say, remember?

Besides, I want you to
have your own place.

I'm tired of bunking with you.

You snore, joseph.

Thank you.

Listen, that harper
farm is for sale.

It's a good piece of land.

They're holding the paper
in the bank at springfield.

If you want, we can ride in there
next week and close the deal.

You bet I want.

Caroline, I think I'll
have some more food.

[All laughing]

How much longer we got?

About another hour or so.

Getting a little
anxious, are you?

I suppose so.

I never have owned
anything in my lifetime.

Never settled down
anywhere long enough,

Just fighting from
one town to another.

How old were you
when you got started?

I had my first
money fight, I was .

Had me a white owner then.

Fought year so I
could buy myself free.

Did you like it? The
fighting, I mean?

Yeah. Yeah, I did.

Onliest way I could hit a
white man and not get hung.

Ha ha ha!

Never dreamed back then
I'd end up being a farmer.

There's a lot of things to do
in this world besides fighting.

Somebody told me that once.

There's the bank
right over there.

I'll put the team up at the
livery and then meet you.

Right.

Now, the bank
manager's name's carter.

You can go in and get
started without me if you want.

I think I'll wait.

I ain't spent too
much time in banks.

All right. Suit yourself.
Just be a few minutes.

Hold it very steady,
now, mr. Kagan.

Thank you.

Just a few more
questions, mr. Kagan.

Yes, sir, just a few more,
but we do have a big night.

Mr. Moody here says
your father was a fighter.

Yes, sir, he was.

Is that why you started boxing?

I started fighting
'cause we had no money

Except what my mom made.

Does she approve
of your fighting?

She's dead. She
d*ed working till

She couldn't work no more.

I'm sorry.

Why are you sorry?

She was just another n*gg*r
doing white folks' laundry.

Easy, now. Easy, now, son.

You don't have
to print that, sir.

You know, when a fighter gets a
little nervous, he might say anything.

What about your
father? What does he think

Of your following
in his footsteps?

[Laughs] I don't know.

I haven't seen or heard from
him since I was years old.

I see. Well, why are
you fighting like this?

I mean, you're a professional.

Why not box in regular matches?

Mr. Moody's taking
care of all that.

He's bringing me
along. I do what he says.

Matter of fact, I am looking
out for the boy's welfare,

And as you know, you can't
bring a fighter along too fast.

Oh, come on, now,
sir, that's enough.

Look, I tell you what. Why
don't you just tell the folks

We're going to take on
all comers, right, boy?

Whatever you say, mr. Moody.

All right. I tell you what,

Why don't you go on
back to the hotel now

And get a little rest?

I'm going to take care
of some business here.

Moody: gentlemen, gentlemen,
taking all bets right here.

Yes, sir. Got you covered,
and I got you covered.

Thank you very much,
gentlemen. Thank you kindly.

See you tonight, gentlemen.

Good afternoon, ladies.

Good day to you.

All those years you said
you sent the money... All a lie!

You had no money to
send. I told you that!

Now you want to make a
punching bag out of my kid!

- Look, joe...
- Now, you look!

You're gonna tell him
he ain't good enough.

You're gonna tell
him to quit right now.

If'n I do, he's just gonna
go to somebody else.

You tell him!

You tell him. You're his daddy.

No. I don't want him seeing me.

Oh, man, what you
expect me to do?

That boy thinks he can fight,
and I sure can't change his mind.

Maybe I can.

God knows I owe
his mama that much.

You never go around
my kid again after tonight.

Dump him.

I ever hear about you
going around him again,

I'll k*ll you, you understand?

Yeah. Yeah.

I'll be the first one
on the card tonight.

The name is holiday.

My boy find out
anything different,

Your mammy ain't gonna know you.

You can put up
the $ . Entry fee.

You owe me that much.

Whew.

Kagan: charles.

Hey!

Where the heck you been?

Oh, I'm sorry. I ain't
been in a town in so long,

I just got to wandering.

I asked for you inside.

I was just going to be a minute.

It's too late now.
They're closed.

Oh, I'm sorry. I...

Look, there's no use you
hanging around an extra day.

I'll take care of it in the
morning and take the stage back.

Well, I hate to see you do that.

No trouble. My fault anyway.

I'll see you back in town, then.

Right.

See you.

See you.

[Indistinct conversations]

[Bell rings]

Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.

May I present, in this
corner, fightin' tim kagan.

[Cheering]

And in this corner, the
challenger... Joe holiday.

[Cheering]

Gentlemen, gentlemen,
if you please, toe the line.

Are you ready?

[Bell rings]

[People cheering and yelling]

Come on, kid! Come in!

Come on, punch him! Hit him!

[Loud cheering]

...

Moody and crowd: ...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

!

[Bell rings]

[Crowd cheering]

Boy, you just cost me $ .

And I thought you could fight!

- Look, i...
- No. You look.

You better find a new
way to make a living.

I'll see you around.

[Crowd cheering and whistling]

There you go... One-way
ticket to walnut grove.

Thank you.

Hey, son, I'm sorry
about last night.

Oh, yeah.

You still going to keep trying?

What for? I can't
even b*at a farmer.

[Chuckles] don't sell
this farmer short.

It's a good life. It
toughens you up.

That it must.

What you going to do now?

Well, my mom's sister's
got a place in denver,

A little store.

Mom always wanted
me to settle there

And help run things.

Looks like she was right.

Womenfolk usually are.

Man: all for denver!

Well, that's me. See you.

See you.

Kagan.

Good...

Good luck, son.

Same to you.