Barry “Any exits?”

Laurel “They’re all blocked off.”

Barry reaches out with his hands.

Barry “Grab me.  Put me in a headlock.”

Laurel is cautious at first, but agrees, reaching out with her hands and pulling him in with a side headlock.

Barry “Hold on to me.”

Laurel “What?”

Barry suddenly flips himself over, landing on the dirt below.  With Laurel keeping grasp, both roll around to the roar of the crowd above.

Barry “Gonna use my strength to pick you up.  Flip out, run to me, I’ll kick you into a front face lock.”

Laurel “Too many guards.”

Barry “Yeah, I see that.  Ready?”

Laurel “Ready.”

Barry lightly yanks Laurel by her hair and begins to stand up, picking her up in a cradle carry in the process.  Laurel lets go of Barry and flips back to her feet, then stumbling back to one of the guards.  The guard gives her a hard shove.  Sensing that the guard has sent her off balance, Barry foregoes the kick and stops her momentum with a knee lift to the midsection before applying a front face lock.  He bends his head down as the crowd continues to watch.

Barry “You good?”

Laurel “I think you bruised a rib on that one.  I can reverse this easy.”

Barry “Okay.  Do it.”

Laurel drops to her knees and uses the momentum of Barry bending down to send him up and over, landing back first on the ground.  Both scramble to their feet.  The sound of a horn is heard, bringing everything to a halt.  The crowd goes silent as a man in a full robes walks down the steps of this small arena.  He is Chinese and Barry spots him automatically.

Barry “Fang Gow…”

He approaches the short wall and leans forward, his hands pressed against its top.  His cold eyes are glaring.

Fang “I am not impressed with your exhibition.  Mister O’Neill…you wanted to get to know me better.  Know this.  I hear your words.  I hear your plan.  Your plan…is no good.  The two of you…you fight to the death.  Have some honor.  All bets are off for this match.  Consider this match modified.  Bring in the new entrants!”

Fang Gow points toward a guard below in the pit, who nods.  He opens a curtain and two women are shoved into the fray.  They are Betty Drake and Lorraine Lewis.  They have explored and have seen extraordinary things.  This sight however is one they do not wish to relive.