She knew just what to say, and just what to do to get want she want from him. Later, she even pushed her luck, by flirting with the male employees she recognized, but they couldn't detect the ruse. Betty was invisible. To them she was Raven. The anonymity was freedom. She struggled to suppress her laughter, and stay in character. No one could hurt her, if they didn’t really know her.
She took the job.
She told her manager that she’d take the weird guys who weren’t necessarily interested in sex. Betty knew what kind of men would be interested in Raven. She’d attract a certain type of customer; the ones who liked it rough, the ones who wanted to be dominated, the ones who needed to be punished.
Over time, she built up a new clientele of men seeking her special services. There were more interested parties than she would have guessed. She crushed one every night.
She used them to tryout her new fighting skills. She practiced Isamu’s techniques on them. Violence had more then one application. Her clients loved it and so did she. There was a safe distance in this type of play and it allowed her to have fun.
When it came to the money Raven was all business. She charged more then Betty. She even negotiated a better percentage of the take. The money was rolling back in and she was relieved. Before long her bank account was replenished. She was back on track to recover the family farm.
The Raven disguise put a safe distance between Betty and her associates. She preferred that type of relationship to anything intimate.
Mimi and Betty never sat down for a meal again. Betty established a new boundary and Mimi accepted it. They weren't sisters. Betty wouldn’t allow herself to become apart of another family, but she could have a business relationship with them. After all everything was paid for.
She was the patron they were the employees. Her obligation was over, now they just focused on the training. Betty learned quickly and the class evolved. Speech was minimal. Most communication became physical; a demonstration, a point, a glance, and a nod were all that was really needed.
Over time, Betty became more confident. Her body was changing. One night at the hospital a nurse attempted to hang a glass bottle of blood for a patient. It slipped from her hand. Betty caught it before it could strike the floor and shatter. Her body knew what to do before she thought it. The speed of her reflexes surprised her.
She was also developing a sense of the space around her. Without looking she could detect people’s presence. She knew it wasn't magic, but it sure felt like it. She was also feeling hints of paranoia, like she was waiting for everyone to attack her. She started seeing people as a collection of pressure points and weak spots where she could do the most damage. Her body spoke to her. She now understood it was becoming a weapon that could be used on her mission, and she was anxious to get started.
In class it was harder for Mimi to lay a hand of Betty when they sparred. They were evenly matched. Before long her second graduation was upon her.
One evening Isamu stopped the match between Betty and Mimi. He told Mimi to step out and he entered the combat. He was going to fight his student. Betty's heart raced.
On his command they started. He was loud and aggressive. He came at her like a lion. She allowed the fear to fuel her heart, but kept a clear head and she defended herself. His fists flew at her like arrows. Student and teacher zigzagged across the mat. Isamu conducted the fight like he was running through a mental checklist. He gave her an opportunity to use everything he had taught her against him. Occasionally, he would smile as she threw something innovative, or something she invented, at him. She was a clever adversary and he knew that anyone who attacked this little white girl in the future was going to get a surprise. He knew she was ready for the street.
Isamu stopped the match, and respectfully bowed to Betty. Then he said in Japanese. "You can train forever, but I think it is time to stop. You are an excellent student, you have learned much. You are a formidable opponent. Now you are able to protect yourself in any situation. It is time for you to go back into the world, Pandora."
Mimi translated through watery eyes.
Betty was confused. She didn't beat him in the fight. The moment felt like a milestone but didn't feel like a victory. As they battled she could tell he was testing her. He was never threatened. He controlled the whole thing. He said she was ready, but she needed proof. She needed to test herself.
It had been months since Betty last entered Murdock's Gym, but it could have been yesterday. It was exactly the same as she remembered, even the smell. The space was littered with the same players doing the same things. The Anvil was even sleeping in the same metal folding chair. He wore the same clothes and snored the same tune. Betty approached him and tapped his shoulder cautiously. "Excuse me, Anvil?"
He turned to her while asleep then opened his eyes. As he woke up Betty came into focus, and he said with a big smile, "Lila."
Betty didn't remember what fake name she had given him, but she responded nonetheless. The Anvil stretched and grunted. The giant spun a vacant chair around to face him. Then wiped off and patted the seat inviting her to sit. “Sit down honey. So what brings you back here? You must have missed me, huh?"
Betty smiled, sat down and told him. She was excited to have someone to talk to about her training discoveries with Isamu. Anvil liked stories and he soaked up every word. He understood her enthusiasm about learning to fight. It reminded him of the time he spent training with his father as a kid. He taught Anvil how to fend off playground bullies. After his first victory he felt charged by knowledge. He felt confident, unstoppable like Hercules with a super human power he could use for survival.
As Betty spoke, he was engaged and asked questions. He understood most of the answers except for all the Chinese mumbo-jumbo. The Chinamen taught her how to fight, and she wanted to fight someone in the ring, to test herself. Suddenly he stopped listening to her. He got goose bumps as a chill ran up his thick neck. An idea began to take shape in his imagination. It was like a revelation. He interrupted her story. She was startled as he clutched her by the arms and invaded her personal space. He wanted to confirm something she said. He asked intently. "You're positive you can fight just like the Chinaman?"
With her heart racing, Betty nodded. "Yes."
"Ok, ok. Let me take it from here." He said.
He looked around the room anxiously like he misplaced something. The Anvil knew that life boiled down to a few extraordinary moments that you would never forget, and the rest of if was pretty boring. To the Anvil, he had just been handed the makings of the greatest practical joke he could ever pull in his life. It would be historic. He would be famous. He just needed to work out a few details before unleashing it on the members of Murdock's gym.
The black hunchback, Earl, was sweeping the room. Anvil spotted him and called him over. They huddled in secrecy as Betty waited patiently. Anvil relayed what Betty had told him. The hunchback saw the situation as an opportunity too. He wanted in. Together they devised a scheme. They spoke back and forth in low voices. They plotted their strategy. Periodically the hunchback looked up and scanned the scattered gym occupants for possible contenders for their ringer.
They plotted some more. Anvil asked Betty if she had a five-dollar bill. She removed it from her purse to stake Anvil’s plan. When they were ready they broke from the huddle. Anvil removed her coat and checked out her shoes. She wore a pair of Converse, Jack Prucell sneakers. Then he motioned for her to follow him.