"Material things," Elias replied softly, bending down to right the bucket. "They can be washed. Or replaced. No harm done."
"No harm done?" Marcus stepped forward, invading Elias's personal space, towering over the older man. "You disrespectful old fool. You’re nothing. You’re a ghost with a mop. I am the future champion of the world. You should be on your knees apologizing to me."
"Respect," Elias said slowly, meeting Marcus's fiery gaze without a flinch, "is earned in the ring, son. Not by yelling at the man who cleans your floors."
Chapter 4: The Wager
The gym erupted in a chorus of low murmurs. No one spoke to Marcus "The Apex" Thorne like that. Not his coach, not his manager, and certainly not the janitor.
Marcus’s face turned a dangerous shade of crimson. The hangover, the heat, the bruised ego from the sparring session—it all boiled over. He wanted to destroy something. He wanted to humiliate this old man so thoroughly that no one in the gym would ever forget it.
"You think you know something about the ring, old man?" Marcus sneered, puffing out his chest. "You think you know about respect? You watch us bleed while you wipe up the mess, and you think that makes you a fighter?"
"I never said I was a fighter," Elias replied calmly, leaning slightly on his mop. "I just said you need to learn respect. A true champion controls his emotions. He doesn't let them control him."
"Shut up!" Marcus snapped. He looked around the gym, making sure everyone was watching. A cruel, arrogant smile spread across his face. He had an idea. An idea that would entertain his crew and put this janitor in his place once and for all.
"Alright, old timer," Marcus said loudly, his voice echoing off the high ceiling. "Since you’re an expert on boxing, let’s play a game. Let’s see what you really know."
Elias sighed, a deep, tired sound. "I have floors to mop, Marcus. Leave it be."
"No, no, no. You wanted to lecture me," Marcus taunted, taking off his heavy 16-ounce sparring gloves and throwing them to the side. He stood there with only his hand wraps on. "You want to teach me about respect? I’ll give you a chance to earn it."
Marcus stepped back and spread his arms wide. "I’ll make you a bet, janitor. Right here. Right now. You put down that mop. I am going to throw one punch at you. Just one. I won't even throw it at full speed. If you can dodge my punch... if you can make me miss... I will bow to you. Right here in front of everyone. I’ll get on my knees and bow to the janitor."
The gym erupted into laughter and jeers from Marcus's crew.
"He’s gonna kill the old man!"
"Don't do it, Pops, you'll break a hip!"
Marcus’s head coach, a grizzled veteran named Sal, finally stepped forward, looking nervous. "Hey, Marcus, come on kid. That’s enough. Leave Elias alone. He’s an old man. You’re gonna catch an assault charge."
"Back off, Sal!" Marcus barked, not breaking eye contact with Elias. "He brought this on himself. What’s it gonna be, old man? You gonna stand by your words, or are you gonna go back to scrubbing toilets?"
Elias stood perfectly still for a long, agonizing moment. He looked at Marcus—really looked at him. He saw a young man blessed with immense physical gifts but cursed with a fragile ego. He saw a boy who equated fear with respect.
Slowly, deliberately, Elias let go of the mop. It clattered loudly against the concrete floor.
The laughter in the gym instantly died.
Elias didn't say a word. He simply took two steps forward, moving into the open space of the floor. He didn't raise his hands. He didn't get into a traditional boxing stance. He just stood there, his arms hanging loosely by his sides, his shoulders completely relaxed.
"I don't want your bow, son," Elias said, his voice carrying clearly through the silent gym. "But I will teach you a lesson."
Chapter 5: The Phantom Movement
Marcus grinned, a predator playing with its food. He bounced on his toes, rolling his shoulders, showing off his physique. He fully intended to pull the punch at the last millisecond—just enough to terrify the old man, maybe graze his nose, make him flinch and fall over in front of the whole gym.