unusual was going on. The people around him,
however, were in a state of total panic! The Young Speaker went to bed
early and slept late. He got up, dressed, and drove out to the arena.
An area for the contest had already been staked out. He approved it,
checked over his equipment, then sat down to wait.
89 About him, the arena was filling rapidly. The participants had
agreed that the proceeds from tickets would go to their favorite
charities. Everyone seemed nervous except The Young Speaker.
90 His opponent arrived , laid out his own weapons. A man arrived with
two machine rifles and four clips. He called Bullet and the other
second. He handed each the rifles, then turning his back, rotated the
clips in his hands, turned back around, and each man took one. Each
man popped several rounds out of the clip, rotated them in their hands,
reloaded the clips, put one round in the rifle and nodded they were
ready.
91 "You may test fire," announced the official. Both men fired a single
round into a target.
92 "The weapon is satisfactory," agreed Bullet.
93 "Mine, also," agreed the other man.
94 "You understand the rules?" the official asked, "It is a fight to
the death. But if either person wins a clear victory and does not
choose to kill, he may withdraw. You may at that time, defend or, if
you see the use of any illegal weapon by either opponent. It is sword
and shield only. Call the participants forward for a check of weapons."
95 The City Speaker and The Young Speaker came forward, The Young
Speaker dressed in shorts and
tunic in the fencing style, The City Speaker in shorts and a fluffy
shirt. Bullet examined The City Speaker's sword and shield. "Give me a
rag," he insisted, "there's grease on this shield."