Craig

Craig aka Hanson's Sidekick

Craig

Behind every great douche bag is another great douche bag.

Oh, Craig, why can’t you just shut up?

Lifelong friend of Hanson, Craig grew up getting picked on as a youngster, that is, until he met the future champ on the playground way back in second grade.  Tired of hearing his crying, in fact, annoyed by his crying, Hanson stuck up for Craig and beat up the bully that was torturing him.  Oh, how the tables then turned…..

From that day forward Craig has seemed to never leave Hanson’s side.  He remains Hanson’s most trusted friend, doing whatever is necessary for Hanson’s safety and needs.  If you ask Hanson, Craig is his brother and nothing less, holding the loyalty Craig has shown him throughout his life very near.  Craig would say the same.

The two together are sure to always rile a crowd, with Hanson Hansome Kelly serving as the arrogant enforcer and Craig dishing up a seamlessly never ending meal of words.  Craig’s talent for vocal annoyance, aka a big mouth, has blessed him as much as it’s caused him trouble though.  One of his many duties has been to act as Hansome’s hype man.  He has also made a nice side career as a promoter and business entrepreneur.

Craig once may have been the kid everyone picked on, but Hanson made sure Craig learned to hold up his dukes long ago when they were still kids.  So, Craig is actually not a bad boxer himself, although it’s always been more of a hobby for him and a way to further help Hanson through being able to train with him.

When Hanson began training with Henry Page it was actually Craig that introduced the two.  Even as a teen Craig could see Henry was the best option for his friend.  And he continues to only want the best for Hanson.  It’s just too bad for Henry with Hanson came Craig, and with him years of utter pain in his @$$!  But Henry’s learned to deal with Craig.  He’s had to for the sake of Hanson because the champ would rather eat glass than ditch his loyal companion.

The only point anyone can make against Craig’s devotion to his friend is why he wouldn’t speak against Hanson’s decision to sign notorious slime ball Cecil Claremont as his manager.  The truth is Craig talked this over with Hanson to a great extend.  Both decided it was for the right reasons as long as they came at it with an angle in mind.  The two friends agreed Craig should learn as much as he could from Cecil while he managed Hanson, getting on the good side of the well connected manager and infiltrating his network so that one day Hanson can just drop him and have Craig step in, keeping it all in the family.  This is a major step in building their own promoting and entertainment empire.

Not too dumb for a couple of labeled punks.  Maybe there’s more to them than meets the eye.  The question is how well Craig has executed this part of he and Hanson’s “master plan”, as Cecil’s reputation shines with the ability to spot schemes from two miles away.  The snakey Cecil is an expert game player.

Indeed, all in all, Craig’s loyalty to his friend is unquestioned.  The confidence instilled in him from his years with Hanson now busts at the seams, just as his verbal tenacity seems like a beacon everyone can spot from a mile away, often rubbing people quite in the wrong way.  He could care less what people think about him and does what he wants without a care in the world.  After all, as long as he’s got his boy Hanson by his side what does he have to worry about?

The sky’s the limit.  The world is theirs.  All is in place.  Time will only tell….

 

 

Henry Page

Henry Page Contemplating

Henry Page

Henry has a lot of confidence in his prodigy, Hanson.  Despite the bad attitude Hanson displays constantly, Henry stays true to his disciple, regularly having to aid in covering up Hanson’s mishaps and poor decisions and getting the brandishing champ out of the trouble that he seems to search for.  It doesn’t help that Hanson demands the company of certain people Henry would rather not have around, like his leeching companion, Craig, who often interferes with Henry’s training of Hanson and who also never seems to shut up.

Henry knows he shouldn’t be feeding into his protege’s recklessness and ill temperament.  But he’s taught himself to just look the other way.  His pride has made him put the morals and good nature he grew up having to the side for the sake of winning, something he himself could never quite accomplish during his boxing career, at least not to the level he desired…to the level of Hanson.  Henry is a perfect example of someone living his dreams through another person.

Just ask his old pal Tony, Henry’s not a bad guy.  He’s just afraid to lose.  And he’s caught up in the hype of everything.  He’s allowed himself to be over influenced and largely controlled by the wrong people.  His love for the sport has played second string to his hunger for success.  Tony feels Henry officially sold his soul once he allowed Hanson to sign with Cecil Claremont as his manager.  “Sure, Hanson might get a fast road to the belt.   But nothing good will come from it but a bag of shit,” Tony was quoted saying.

Henry’s craving for success has diminished his path, often clouding his better judgment.  But when his pupils are successful he feels like he is too.  So, he justifies his actions, or lack there of, with the results he obtains.

Furthermore, no matter what it might seem to outsiders, Henry does share a special bond with Hanson, as the champ has always remained loyal to his longtime trainer.  Henry put his neck, and financial well being, on the line for Hanson more times than once during Hanson’s come up.  And Hanson, despite his lack of apparent good nature, is not one to forget who has his back….hence people like Craig.

Deep down Henry knows Hanson’s time is coming though.  He recognizes the potential Fleet has in taking down his champion.  And it scares the crap out of him.

 

 

Cecil Claremont

Cecil Claremont

Cecil Claremont

We’ve all heard the stories about talented athletes that make millions of dollars only to have those millions blown from reckless spending and poor management.  Often these stories end with the athletes having nothing, yet, their managers walk away very, very well off, having used and manipulated the athlete the entire time to fill his or her own greedy pockets.  These types of managers are utter and complete scumbags…..Well, Cecil is one of these kinds of managers.

Always looking out for his own grander horizons, Cecil Claremont seems to be in the mix of everything involving money.  People might question his character, but they cannot deny his pizazz for financial gain or his ability to recognize talent.  It was no surprise to the boxing world he signed the current champ, Hanson Hansome Kelly, the first chance he could, becoming the gifted, yet egomaniacal, boxer’s manager.

One would think there would be some sort of loyalty between the two with everything each has contributed to the other….nope.  Hanson might be a punk, but he isn’t dumb.  He sees right through Cecil’s act.  Their relationship is one based more on necessity and greed than trust and love.  Hanson’s trainer, Henry Page, is too prideful of his protege’s place in the spotlight to let anything disrupt the good’s going.  So, he too turns the cheek to Cecil’s manipulation and thirst for financial gain.  As long as Hanson keeps getting the right fights and his title is secure Henry is content.

Cecil’s had his eye on Hanson’s up and coming rival, Fleet Blackwood, for quite a while.  Over the years his attempts to win over Fleet have been derailed by Fleet’s team.  The temptation to move ahead more quickly using Cecil’s influence and power has at times been difficult for Fleet to resist, especially earlier on in his career.  Luckily, Fleet has had proper guidance by way of his mentor, Ahiga, who’s always provided great advice.  And Fleet’s trainer, Tony, well, there’s history between him and Cecil, and let’s just say he sees the kind of animal Cecil is…..and he’s not a fan. 

Who is to know if the dirty dog will ever win over the stoic boxer.  One thing is certain…..Cecil is quite persistent.

 

 

Grace Justice

Grace Justice

Grace Justice

Grace is a local Sacramento newspaper reporter well known within the surrounding communities.  Since her earlier days of striving to be a film and television actress, she’s always pushed to make a name for herself.  But don’t let her desire for stardom fool you.  This tenacious, but always professionally-minded and respectable, lady of the press is in love with her work, having a real passion for truth.  She never lets her own vanity get in the way of what’s right.  And she is quite selfless when it comes down to it.

In fact, Grace’s main flaw, if you want to call it a flaw, is her conscience and good spirit often get the better of her, not allowing her to do a lot of things her colleagues would in order to move up the ladder.  Her sense of righteousness often annoys her peers and tends to make her the laughing stock as they regularly mock her behind her back.  However, those of her colleagues that would mock her know doing so behind her back is the only viable option.  Facing Grace face to face means battle because she’s quick to defend herself with her intellect and will often go overboard in her defensive debates, not letting things go lightly.  She is the last person you want to get into an argument with!

Grace isn’t all talk though.  She can easily bite back with more than just words, furthering her wits to her advantage.  She is quick to pick up on things through observation and especially through speech.  So, you’re not going to pull one over on her easily.

Knowledge is power.  This is the creed of Ms. Justice.  Always calculating, Grace has used her natural intelligence to make up for her lacking qualities.  A perfect example would be how she studied case files, tagged along with local detectives and even went as far as to live on the streets for intermittent periods, all for the sake of learning some valuable street smarts so to better understand where to find the most grimy underground stories.

All in all, Grace possesses the perfect reporter’s attributes, aside from the inability to give in to the dark side of news to get ahead, which, sadly, could make things so much more simple in her quest to be the best.  But her persistence, never ending tenacity and pursuit for the ultimate story keeps her going.  She’s determined to find her success, but only through being good at her work, not by selling out.

An obsession for years, Grace finds the story of Fleet and his boxing rival, Hanson, very intriguing.  She has been following their feud, as well as their separate journeys, for some time.  When the time came for the two young men to meet while still amateurs she was there to get the story of the locally long-awaited sports event.  However, when things went down a different road she was left disappointed, like so many others.

Due to her commitment to professionalism, she can’t take sides.  But deep down she likely is routing for Fleet, as she’s witnessed his road to this point, and knows quite well the type of person he is.  She’s of course seen Hanson’s ascension as well.  But let’s just say Fleet has been the kinder of the two towards her throughout the years.

Grace has become sort of a regular around Tony’s gym, always being welcome around Team Blackwood.  If it was up to Bobby, a member of Fleet’s corner team and Tony’s right hand man, Grace would never leave.  He’s had his eyes on her since her acting days.

Now, with Fleet finally meeting Hanson in the ring, this diligent reporter named Grace Justice is there to witness an ending to her story that has been years in the making.  This is the finale she’s been waiting for.  This is her story, her baby, and it will finally be complete.  And no one is going to get in her way, or dare not steal it from her!  Her career depends on it.

 

 

Ms. Blackwood

Ms. Blackwood with Fleet (Boy)

Ms. Blackwood

Fleet’s caring mother, Ms. Blackwood was very tentative in allowing Fleet to start boxing when he was a boy.  But she realizes now it was one of the best decisions she ever made for her son, and for herself.  Even though she knows Fleet’s advanced abilities protect him in the ring, it still doesn’t stop her from getting nervous as all heck when he fights!  Fleet is her life.  And his safety and well-being is at the top of her priority list.

Ms. Blackwood went through a lot of struggle with raising Fleet, with his father leaving them not long after Fleet was born.  She decided immediately when this happened that she would not cry and she would not make excuses.  She fought her personal demons along the way and made things work, not allowing her circumstances to overcome her family.  Few people understand that it’s really from his strong-willed mother that Fleet gets much of his determination, work ethic and inner power.

Once turned off by the idea of her son throwing fists in the ring for a career, Ms. Blackwood has allowed herself to “get use to it”, realizing Fleet’s talent.  She owes so much gratitude to Ahiga for finding Fleet, seeing something in him.  All these years of his service to her son has earned her undying respect and appreciation.  She thinks of both Ahiga and Tony as family.  Without them, she doesn’t know what would have happened to Fleet….or herself.

 

 

Mr. Jenkins

Mr. Jenkins

Mr. Jenkins

Mr. Jenkins is that neighborhood market owner everyone wishes they had….and rarely do.  His father started up shop way back in the day and he only saw it right to continue the family business after his pops passed.  Things also didn’t pan out for him in his previous career.  So, everything just kind of fell in place and he’s been the face of the corner store ever since.

The Jenkins Family Market truly is a staple in the community.  And Junior, as his dad always called him, takes great pride in that.  He makes sure he learns everyone’s name and that everyone feels welcome.  An active member of the neighborhood watch, Mr. Jenkins also is no pushover.  The common thief has learned all too many times Mr. J’s nice guy attitude quickly changes when he has to protect his store.  Indeed, at this point most people in the neighborhood know that his pleasant personality is only equaled by his feisty spirit, which he learned to control, for the most part, as a youngster through the local boxing gym…the same local boxing gym Tony “The Tiger” Mercado took over years later and still owns and operates to this day.

Mr. Jenkins is a huge contributor to Tony’s gym, always has been.  But when he learned a local boy by the name of Fleet Blackwood was making a name for himself by way of Tony, Mr. J upped his support even more and has played a huge role in the development of the neighborhood’s boxing program ever since.

Whenever Fleet comes into the store it always brings a smile to Junior’s face, knowing his sponsorship has helped in some way.  He and Fleet often go back and forth, trading stories.  Ever the enthusiastic storyteller and supporter, Mr. Jenkins regularly has a hard time controlling his excitement as he details this tale or that memory of his own adventures, or recalls the fine points of one of Fleet’s past fights.  It always cracks Fleet up how worked up the guy gets.

Mr. Jenkins is Fleet’s biggest fan.  His sponsorship has helped the stoic boxer so much along his road and he remembers the happenings of pretty much every fight Fleet’s ever had.  But what Mr. J doesn’t recall is that it was in his very market Fleet met who was to become his mentor, the man truly responsible for putting the once troubled boy on the path that made him the powerful man he is today.

 

 

The Bums

The Bums

The Bums

There are those persons that genuinely are good people, but have just had a rough time of life.  The short end of the stick has been chosen by them on one too many occasions.  You pass them on the streets everyday.  Down on their luck, mentally and emotionally broken, addiction-ridden….there are often immensely sad tales that are connected to their lives.

And then there are those persons that bring such a life onto themselves, those that welcome and relish in a lifestyle filled with unruly behavior and darkness.  They take what they want when they want and have no regard for human decency, human compassion….human life.

 

Enter the bums…

 

How they fell from grace is unknown.  But one thing is certain, these two men have no good left in them.  Greed has taken control, twisting their moral compasses and feeding their selfish desires.  This psychotic duo mean only to harm Fleet during his night’s quest.

 

Will he escape them?

 

 

Black Leavz

Black Leavz

Black Leavz, Grand Oak of the Dark Oaks

Black Leavz is the eccentric gang leader supreme of the Dark Oaks, a feared and numerous community of thugs, bandits and stone cold killers.  Although he might come off as a bit outlandish, don’t take his peculiar nature as a weakness.  He’s not a dude you want to catch in a bad mood.  And he’s likely to flip any second.  So, watch out!

Smarter than he looks, Black Leavz is constantly trying to prove his intelligence to those around him.  But this often makes him eat his own tongue, as his overcompensation can lead to him making himself sound less intelligent than he would like.  Nevertheless, he is a man of many words, which can be quite overpowering for most people as he uses his speech and bizarre ways to execute mind games.   These tactics are very often mistaken for him being a buffoon or just plain crazy.  Rest assured, that’s exactly what he wants, always keeping his victims on their toes, as well as giving them false comfort, never sure what to make of him, or overly sure of what to make of him.  There’s nothing better to this unique man than to…

 

“….fuck over a smarty nitty willy mutha fucka that thinks he’s too good for Black Leavz.”

– Black Leavz

 

However, Black Leavz isn’t all about himself.  He is also a man who has come to appreciate a good mind, showing admiration and respect for such.  For those he sees as having lesser minds, well, that’s a different story.  If you do fall into his “dumby list”, you will find it better to avoid him altogether.  He tends to look down on those persons who aren’t as intellectually savvy as he, or at least he views himself to be, especially the lesser ranked members of his own gang.  His demeaning treatment can be, uuuuh…..harsh.  And when you’re in his world you better expect nothing else.  Black Leavz plays by his own rules.

Holding the highest rank of Grand Oak, Black Leavz has built an empire throughout the city.  His strategic mind and tactics are unmatched by his rivals, earning him relentless loyalty from the people he considers more of a family than mere gang.  Such loyalty is demonstrated through his right hand and left hand men, E Bud and Rootie-too, who never leave their leader unprotected.

The fact that Black Leavz openly chooses to remain in the cradle of the streets rather than hide away in a more luxurious abode also brings much respect from his subjects, living with “the people” and all.  Some say this proves he is real to the cause, that he is true and hard.  Some say this just further shows he’s cray-cray!  He’d say it’s strategy….and that he just feels more comfort in the streets, where he was born and raised.

But little known to many, Black Leavz doesn’t just aim to maintain his empire at its current state.  His sites are set on expanding well beyond the streets and underground outlets his Dark Oaks openly roam.  Who knows where he has had his vast network of soldiers infiltrate….

With his Dark Oaks following his every word, Black Leavz is a force to be reckoned with.  Yes, his army has grown strong and notoriously intimidating.  One thing he always holds true to though, no matter the situation or his foe, is respect.  Question is, is Fleet intelligent enough to figure this out?

 

 

E Bud & Rootie-too

E Bud and Rootie-too

E Bud and Rootie-too

Black Leavz has seen to it that the Dark Oaks run thick with quality soldiers.  But with such an immense gang network he needs to also have trusted leaders he can rely on to ensure operations run smoothly.  There are various levels of leaders withing the Dark Oaks ranks, with the title of oak general being the top of the totem pole, right below Black Leavz himself, the Grand Oak.  The Dark Oaks generals report directly to their leader supreme.

In addition to his oak generals, Black Leavz also knows he should always have dependable men at his side to help him take care of the nitty gritty…..so comes in his right hand and left hand men.  Each of these men hold a rank on their own.  Each has a specific purpose.

 

E Bud

E Bud, Oak General of Battle and Black Leavz’s Right Branch

Black Leavz’s right hand man, or right branch, E Bud, is a cold mutha…”SHUT YO MOUTH!”  Known as Black Leavz’s hardened muscle, E Bud is the Oak General of Battle.  It is his job to ensure the street muscle game of the Dark Oaks is on point.  He is entrusted to train the Dark Oaks in the many ways of street combat, with and without weapons.  He also is the highest voice when it comes to enlisting new Dark Oaks members with valuable skill sets involving combat.  E Bud also serves as Black Leavz’s personal body guard, protecting his leader nearly at all times.  When E Bud has no other choice but to attend other duties away from his Grand Oak he always makes sure Black Leavz is left well guarded with his most trusted soldiers, such as the dependable SloGrow.

Many of the Dark Oaks consider E Bud as Black Leavz’s true successor, the true number 2 in charge.  But, as there are many other oak generals, this isn’t fact, for Black Leavz has many prospects to take his place if the day comes for his departure as the Grand Oak.  And the last thing on Black Leavz’s mind is the relinquishing of his power.  In death do they part.

Lucky for Black Leavz, E Bud is his most loyal soldier, having been raised as a Dark Oak from the time he was seven.  Nevertheless, some say the reason Black Leavz keeps him so close is because he fears the potential of his Oak General of Battle.  But these are whispers in the night.  If anyone were to openly let Black Leavz or E Bud catch wind of this theory they would be handled…..severely.

 

Rootie-too

Rootie-too, Cedar Captain of Entertainment and Black Leavz’s Left Branch

Black Leavz’s left branch is a more interesting choice, and demonstrates the Grand Oak’s often odd ways.  Rootie-too is the type that can’t keep his mouth shut.  He’s a joker, a clown.  And many of the Dark Oaks have a hard time respecting him when respect is such an honored element to the Dark Oaks’ code.  So, why then has Black Leavz made Rootie-too his left hand man?

The way Black Leavz sees it, there should always be an example of what not to be.  There should always be someone by his side that makes him look good in comparison, just as there should always be someone by his side that demonstrates the success of his leadership, as with E Bud.  Rootie-too is Black Leavz’s outlet to show his power to his Dark Oaks.  It’s like he is Black Leavz’s punching bag, his way to take out frustration.

“Do this Rootie-too.  Do that Rootie-too.  Mutha Fucka, shut the fuck up!”  This is what it is to be Rootie-too.  But why does he take it?  Why does Rootie-too serve when he is often made the fool?  Simple answer….opportunity.

Despite the lack of respect he might get from his position, he has more respect than he would without it.  He knows he has the chance to make something of himself.  He knows Black Leavz must see something in him.  And he does.

There is more purpose to Rootie-too for Black Leavz than simply being his court jester.  He also recognizes the loyalty in his left branch.  He sees his sturdy spirit and undying determination to make something more of himself.  After all, not everyone can get clowned on as much as Rootie-too and still keep their head up and keep pushing forward.  There is promise in him.  He just needs to learn how to control that mouth of his!

So, in a way, Rootie-too also serves as Black Leavz’s personal experiment.  He aims to make something great out of this comedian, further exemplifying his greatness as a leader.  Black Leavz’s strategic mind is only rivaled by his creativity.  For only someone with such creativity sees the strategy of giving someone such as Rootie-too a prominent position.  He knows his left branch would never get to where he is without an open hand out to get him there, as he has given him.  And he also knows Rootie-too will continue to be one of his most loyal subjects, pushing himself to excel beyond the expectations of his peers, because of it.

As it is now, Rootie-too holds the rank of cedar captain.  His full title is Cedar Captain of Entertainment.  He sees to the social activity side of the Dark Oaks.  Many might consider this to be an unneeded role in the gang.  But Black Leavz understands how important it is to keep his family happy.  A happy family equals a loyal family.  So, Rootie-too makes sure everyone is well taken care of by way of social events, technology, human entertainment and other more alcoholic and medicinal based activities.

 

E Bud and Rootie-too

E Bud and Rootie-too

It’s like ying and yang with E Bud and Rootie-too.  But through these two men Black Leavz knows he has security and a tighter grip on his empire.  By having them by his side, along with the divisions they see over, he demonstrates his intelligence and control.  And he gains further respect and power.

If Fleet ever comes face to face with Black Leavz he better be certain he’ll be meeting E Bud and Rootie-too as well.

 

 

Ghost Crew Leader

Ghost Crew Leader

Ghost Crew Leader

Mysterious and silent, little is known about this ghostly figure.  Like a campfire story he has become, mythical and spooky.  Urban children get chills at the mentioning of him, a sort of modern day Grimm fairy tale.

For what is known, the account is always the same…….as the Pied Piper has his flute, so does this being have the rhythm of his body, beckoning those that might come across his path, magically enticing with flow and style.  There is no limit to his expression.  There is no pattern to the beats of his body.  It is as though his movements are endless and hypnotic, putting those near him in a deep trance…..and this is where the story of the one called the Ghost Crew Leader takes an unfortunate turn for those souls that stumble upon him.

No face can be described by those that he has visited.  No voice has been heard by those that have paid witness.  But the inner music he projects is powerful and other worldly.  It is said you cannot resist his flare.  And wherever there has been reported a sighting of this eery specter, so too has there been with him a crew of following spirits.

His Ghost Crew follows him throughout the darkness of the night.  As if a collective of one mind and soul, an extension of the Ghost Crew Leader himself, the group of mischievous beings have been said to plague the streets few embark on in the weary hours of the moon’s shadows.  They glide throughout the urban sprawl, searching for their leader’s next battle for entrapment.

Tales of how this haunting presence has built his crew are things of nightmares.  Many people believe they are the disappeared victims of his cryptic web.  He feeds from their life energy, empowering his essence and absorbing them into his being, controlling them, for they are now him.

It is not known where exactly one might run into the Ghost Crew and its leader, nor when.  But if you are alone, drifting through the streets, accompanied only by the blackness around you, and you hear music……run.  For the few that have escaped have done just that….aside from one.

One woman is known to have survived her supposed encounter with the Ghost Crew.  Legendary, she now teaches dance at an after school program for underprivileged youth, driven to spread the knowledge of the dancing arts.  Never one with words, she has been mute since a babe.  Only through her bodily movement and expression does she talk.  Only to her own song does she dance.  In this independent wisdom lays the key to her survival.

Fleet has never met this woman…..if only he had.