The Scholarship : Part one by M.C. A working class girl gets a chance to fight for a free college education. "WHAM !" the sound reverberated throughout the nearly empty gym as the large, muscular girl smashed her fist hard into the punching bag." CRACK !" another blow slammed into it. After a long hard day of waitressing at the local Denny's restaurant, Shana Sanders always found this workout necessary; the perfect way to release all of the aggression that she had allowed to build up inside of her during her twelve hour work shift. "POW !" she really needed this. As it was now well past two in the morning at the 24 hour gym, the attractive, powerfully built nineteen year-old brunette - sure that she was now all alone - really began to wail away at the bag. As she did so, Shana thought about all of the rude, complaining and bitchy customers she had to serve that day as well as the cheap tippers. "THUD!, THUD!, THUD!..." "You pack quite a wallop there young lady," a female voice from behind her said as Shana pounded yet another series of powerful blows into the heavy bag,"have you ever considered taking up boxing as a sport?" The surprised girl turned around and faced her questioner."I thought I was alone here; I usually am at this hour. Who are you and why were you watching me?" "My name is Dr. Susan Watson. I'm the athletic director of the university." "I've heard of you, but what are you doing here at this hour of the night?" "Watching you work out. I was told I might find you here at this time." "Watching me work out...why?" "I was wondering if you'd like to try out for the university's boxing team; you seem to have what it takes." Shana stared in silence at her visitor for a few moments."The boxing team? You want me to try out for the women's university boxing team?" Susan smiled."Nearly correct. Unfortunately, the university doesn't have a woman's boxing team. I was referring to the *men's* boxing team; and there's a full academic scholarship waiting for you if you make it. Where did you learn how to punch like that by-the-way?" "My father taught me. He used to be an excellent boxer in his youth and still teaches kids at the YMCA." Shana slowly approached Susan. After another long pause she asked,"so, you're saying that if I can make the men's boxing team, I can attend your university...for free?" "That's exactly what I'm saying Miss Sanders. How much do you weigh?" "Around 200 pounds, give or take a few." "Excellent. That would put you in the heavyweight division - we seem to have a bit of a *problem* there." "What kind of problem?" "The heavyweight boxer - Steve Miller - is a real pompous ass and a male chauvinistic pig to boot. I'd like nothing better than to see him off the team. Unfortunately, there's no law against being a jerk and he also happens to be a pretty good boxer. So, if you can beat him, he'll be history and the heavyweight position will be yours; as well as the scholarship." "If he's so good then what makes you think I can beat him?" "Well, didn't I hear something about you getting into a fight with three of our better athletes in a bar near the university last Friday night?" Shana's temperament suddenly changed from calm to anger. "Those jerks got exactly what they deserved. At work I have to put up with assholes like them all day long but on my own time? No fucking way. They thought they could talk to me and my friends like we were a bunch of sluts. Well, they learned otherwise. How did you find out about that anyway? I'd have thought those macho jocks would rather die than tell you they got their asses kicked by a girl." Susan smiled again. "When several of the athletes showed up at school with black eyes and swollen jaws on Monday morning I inquired as to how it happened. They didn't tell me of course but some of the other students that were at the bar that night did. When I found out that they were all beaten up by a woman; well, I became intrigued. I asked the bartender about you and he gave me your name and said I could probably find you here at this hour. I have absolutely no doubt that those boys had it coming to them; they're boys after all.  I heard that you floored the starting tight end on the football team with just one punch; very impressive. I also took the liberty of checking out your record at Wilson High School. You were the star center on the women's basketball team and you also received pretty good grades...very good in fact. How come you never considered attending college?" Shana sighed. "Tuition to your university is over $15,000 a year. Ever since my father was injured in an automobile accident he's been unable to work. The coaching he does at the "Y" is strictly on a volunteer basis to give him something to do. I have to work twelve hours a day just to help my mom who's a cashier at the local supermarket. Otherwise we couldn't make ends meet. Who has time to think about college?" Dr. Watson thought for a few moments. "I can certainly sympathize with your situation Shana. But tell me this, do you expect to be a waitress all your life? With a college education you'd be in a much better position to help your family."  After a pause Susan continued. " I'll tell you what, if you at least try out for the boxing team I'll see if I can find some way to assist your  parents; as athletic director of the university I do have a few connections. So, what do you say Ms. Sanders; is it worth a try?" For the first time since she entered the gym, Susan saw a smile on Shana's beautiful face. After a couple minutes of thought she said," O.K. Ms. Watson, I'll give it a shot. What have I got to lose? Hell, it might even be fun to kick some ass and get a free education for it." "Good girl. Meet me tomorrow morning in my office at nine and we'll go over to the admissions office together and fill out all the necessary forms. The new semester begins next month. Tryouts for the boxing team will be a few days later. I'll tell you exactly when; I'll even accompany you there. Since Steve is the only heavyweight boxer enrolled, all you have to do is beat him and you're in." "Will do Dr. Watson...and thanks." "Don't mention it." One Month Later... "A girl? I ain't fighting no girl," the tall, well built man standing in the corner of the boxing ring said as he glared down at the university's athletic director and the powerful woman standing beside her. "I'm afraid you'll have to Mr. Miller," Susan Watson calmly replied,"or else you'll have to forfeit your position on the boxing team. Shana's a new student here and, according to the university rules, she has every right to try out for the team." "This is bullshit. A girl? I'll kill her. Will you take the responsibility for that Dr. Watson?" Susan and Shana looked at each other and smiled. "Yes Mr. Miller, I'll accept full responsibility for anything that happens to her in the ring. But frankly I'm more concerned about you. What will you do if she should happen to beat you?" Steve began to laugh. "If this androgynous bitch of yours should happen to beat me, then I'll pack my bags and be out of here by tomorrow afternoon. But I wouldn't worry too much about that; cause it just ain't gonna happen." Glaring down at Shana, he bellowed," so let's get our butts up into the ring and get it on girlie." If Shana was angered by his arrogance she hid it well as she climbed into the boxing ring. She tied her long brown hair back into a ponytail and held out her hands as the new assistant boxing coach put on - and then laced up - her boxing gloves. As he did so she looked at him and winked...and he winked back. Her boxing gloves securely fastened, Shana then turned around to face her opponent for the most important fight of her life; a fight that would, in all likelihood, determine her future. Staring up at the six foot-three inch, 220 pound boxer, the five foot-ten inch 200 pound girl smiled and softly said,"remember that 'androgynous bitch' remark you made Stevie; it might very well come back to haunt you." Her remark was met with a sarcastic grin. Shana put up her gloves and signaled to the referee that she was ready. Steve did likewise. The bell rang and the fight began. End of part one.