Pulp Fiction, 1943 · page 56 of 116
12 Sports Aces, January 1943 — page 56: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Page 54 from *12 Sports Aces* This page contains story prose—specifically a section of a boxing fiction narrative. The visible text depicts a conversation between Rowdy Madden, a boxer who has recently won a championship through questionable means, and his manager Frosty. Rowdy struggles with guilt over using a dirty trick and considers renouncing his title, but Frosty convinces him to defend it instead. The passage concludes with Rowdy demanding a fight against the top challenger, Gunner Borklund, rejecting easier exhibition matches, and spending two days in the hospital before being cleared by doctors, though appearing mysteriously feverish.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
of 12 SPORTS ACES Fo OOH Bes Bre Donn BG Ho 909 Bo oer Bo PG oH B00 G01 Bee Bor Por Der Ger Ger GoD Gp Boo B rr Bsr Bor Be Dore Gre Os Ser Ber Ger Gre Bee Gre Ger GeO rir Oi Per Orr Pv ar OrrGes o forever be the uncrowned champ in this ob- server’s books. Rowdy Madden finished the story, For a long time he sat leaning back on his elbows and staring at the ceiling. He could understand why they hated him now. He had been guilty of one of the dirtiest tricks in the fight game. He had taken advantage of another man—the champ—while the other man was fall- ing. Rowdy closed his eyes and he was sick. They hate you, Rowdy, boy. Frosty made them hate you in the first place. They were waiting for you to prove that you were kiil-crazy. And you proved it. You didn’t know what you were doing. But theyll never believe that, Rowdy. They hate your guts. it'll never change. ... Rowdy’s face was white as he looked back at Frosty. He said, “There’s only one thing I can do. I don’t want a title I won like that. I’m gonna step aside, I’m gonna renounce my claim to it!” | Roan instant Frosty was incredu- lous, He recovered quickly. “That wouldn’t solve anything. People would only say you got scared, that you backed out because you didn’t have the guts to defend it. Besides, you need dough. You can earn a jackpot as champ, This is the chance you’ve wanted.’ Rowdy considered that statement. There was logic in it, he hated to admit, The fans hated him. They were, in all probability, waiting for him to defend that title, waiting for him to get carved to ribbons. If he quit while he was under fire, they’d call him yellow. It wouldn’t solve anything, Particularly since Marty Allen could not come back to retake the title. Rowdy said, “I don’t know what to do. - I’m stumped.” Frosty’s eyes had a glow in them. “It’s simple. People think you’re lucky, that youre a powder-puff champ. You’ve got a chance to prove that you’re worthy of the title.” Rowdy nodded. “Yeah. If I could win a few fights—if I could convince ’em I don’t have to pull dirty stuff to stay in there—” Frosty said, “Yli get you some fights, Plenty of fights. The fans want to see you defend that title. You’ll clean up.” “The sooner the better,” Rowdy said. “Gunner Borklund is the top challenger. I want to meet him.” Frosty leaned forward and his tone was that of the father trying to tell his kid to keep his fingers out of the lawnmower. “Borklund is too tough. You’re champ. You can be choosy. First thing we’ll do is go on an exhibition tour. We'll play the whistle stops and we’ll clean up. And you won’t be risking your title.” Rowdy swore. He reached out a big hand. “Maybe,” he said, “you’d like to have your necktie twisted.” Frosty sat back out of reach. “Now wait a minute—” Rowdy said, “I can still walk!” His brown eyes had a glint in them. “I’m no powder-puff champ. Hither I’ve got the stuff or I haven’t. I want to know my- self. Get me Borklund. Nobody else, I don’t want any setups!” Frosty shook his head sadly. “We got a chance to eash in a lot of blue chips.” He shrugged, got up. “But I never argue with my fighters. If you think you can take Borklund, I’ see what I can do to schedule it.” | Rowdy said, “Borklund’s a better fight- er—right now. Ill want plenty of time to get ready. Maybe three months. I’ll be ready for him when the time comes!” Rowdy Madden was in the hospital for two days. When they discharged him their tests showed there was nothing the mat- ter with him. But there was a feverish glow in his eyes. He was sick. But.no doc- tor could help him. Rowdy called the ex-champ. When he heard Marty Allen’s voice, he said, ““Mar- ty—this is Rowdy Madden. I got some- thing to talk over. with you. I know what the papers say. You’re sore as hell and I don’t blame you. But—” Marty said, “I’m not sore.” Marty sounded tired. “You took advantage of me and maybe I ought to hate you for it. But I don’t. I feel sorry for you, champ! You loused up a great sport and now you’re gonna have to pay for it. Maybe ‘I can’t read the papers to my kids any more, But I can sleep nights, You made a Eomichbooks