The Black Jester (Episode One, Kings of New Orleans Series)

The trainers watch Rose as she bows on her way out of the room and heads down the hallway towards the school’s entrance. They observe, and sense the oddness, of the way she carefully scans the parking lot before approaching her car.

  Johnny turns to Michael. “Rose White? It seems like I’ve heard that name recently, but I don’t remember where.”

  Michael gazes out the window moments after Rose drives away in her small grey car. She lied about why she wanted to learn self-defense. There’s a fearful edge to her that bothers him. Of the female students in his classes, at least half take self-defense as the result of domestic abuse. Naturally drawn to protecting women that are afraid, Michael gladly equips them with the training they need to ensure they’ll give anyone hell for messing with them again.

  “I think that girl might be in some sort of trouble,” he voices, concerned.

  Johnny looks up at him from his seated position on the mats as he stretches. “Really? Did she say something?”

  “No. It’s what she didn’t say. And the look in her eyes. Something was wrong.”

  “I wish I had your knack for knowing things like that, Mike.” Johnny chuckles, then sighs, his smile fading. He recalls the horrific crime scene at the Marriott. “There’s a lot that isn’t right in this town. You ready, or what?”

  A shadow darkens Michael’s face as his thoughts deepen and steal his mind away from the present. He’s thinking about the girl. What is it about her that seems off? He doesn’t hear his friend’s questions.

  Michael? Hey, have you been taking your medication? Michael? We can’t afford to lose you.

  Johnny stands up and claps his hands to snap Michael out of his trance.

  Michael blinks, then looks at his sparring partner, already squared up and ready to practice their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu moves.

  “Are you ready for the pain?” Johnny jokes emphatically with a huge grin.

  Michael cracks a half smile. “Bring it!”

  Johnny executes a leg sweep, quickly taking Michael down to the mats. “Wow, thinking about that girl is slowing you down, Mike!” Johnny says with a chuckle.

  “I wasn’t ready,” Michael retorts, rolling his friend into his guard and applying a triangle leg choke. Johnny is the only one he’s ever fought or sparred with that can escape his triangle before Michael can force him to submit. He defends the choke and somersaults, rolling Michael into his guard.

  Despite Johnny holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Michael almost always dominates him on the mats. Michael was training in BJJ for mixed martial arts fighting long before Johnny came into the sport. While Johnny was away in the Army, Michael racked up an impressive undefeated record of 22-0 and a Southern States Title Belt during his MMA days.

  Maneuvering himself to put Michael in an arm bar, Johnny takes the opportunity to leverage Michael’s undivided attention. “Mike, I asked you before but you didn’t hear me. You still taking your medication?”

  Michael briefly meets his friend’s inquisitive gaze. “No John,” he grunts. Johnny is taken off guard by the answer and his grip slips. Michael uses the hesitation to his advantage, rolling him into a headlock and forcing the submission.

  Johnny taps his friend’s arm and gasps for a breath when he’s released from the choke. They stop rolling, both breathing hard, and Johnny’s red face now showing concern.

  Michael chuckles at his friend’s dismay. “I’m kidding,” he says. “Yes, of course I’m taking it.”

  Johnny’s entire body shrugs with relief. “Good. I just want to make sure you’re keeping it up, all right? We all need you.”

  Michael nods and drops his gaze, briefly rubbing his left eye. Before he clears his thoughts, Johnny accosts him in another chokehold and rolls him around again.

  “Round two!” Johnny yells playfully.

  Rolling relieves stress and hones skills for both of the fighting friends.