At least that was where he figured he was. He next heard the voice of a woman.

"You'll have to go now, Mr. Duncan. We're taking your boy into surgery."

"Make him well, doc. He's a good kid."

"If I make him well, will you keep him out of the ring?"

"Depends on how well you make him, I guess. He'll want to fight if he's up to it."

"I'm saying he should never be up to it. Even if we fix him, the next time they may take him out of the ring in a body bag. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I get it. But what the hell is he going to do for a living, then?"

"Become a trainer like you. Weren't you a fighter once? I seem to remember your name from when I was a kid."

"Got me there, doc. I was better than this kid. I quit undefeated. Wife made me leave it."

"Smart woman. I see you couldn't stay away from it, though."

"No, it's the only thing I know. I tried to be a rent-a-cop in a shopping mall, but I got shot by some Bravo Islam guys. I figured being around boxing was less dangerous."

"As long as you're not in the ring. Now, go to the waiting room. I'll come out when the operation is over to tell you how he's doing."