No Ring Required

“An exhibition,” Ren said. “Three touches. No injuries. If you lose, you replace the hooks.”

The visitor laughed at the carpenter's apron. Then he noticed that the camera was still recording.

They marked a small circle with chalk. Ren asked the students to move the benches farther back. He made the injured instructor sit down. Only then did he step inside.

The first attack was fast and practiced. Ren shifted half a step. Two fingers brushed the visitor's shoulder.

“One.”

The second attack arrived with a feint. Ren caught neither fist. He touched the man's sleeve as his own feet quietly changed places.

“Two.”

The visitor stopped smiling. He rushed straight in, trying to force the older man beyond the chalk.

Ren's palm met his forearm. For one startled instant, the visitor felt as if he were leaning against a door someone had opened. He stumbled outside the circle. Ren caught his elbow before he fell.

“Three. Hardware shop is two streets east.”

No one cheered until Ren let go.

The oldest student stepped forward. “Teacher Ren?”

Ren wiped chalk from his shoe. “Carpenter Ren, for now.”

Behind him, the young instructor bowed. It was the first correct movement Ren had seen him make all day.