The Pub
by Hall1
A group of friends and I were regular attenders at the local pub, usually on a monday night a when trivia night was held. Over a period of time you get to know the regulars, and of course there are those teams that you get to like, those you tolerate, those that you dislike. At times there maybe one or two individuals within teams that fit into these categories even if you like the rest of the team.
My friend Joy had found that there was definetly a girl in one if the teams that she found that she continually had "problems" with, the girl just seemed to be continually in the wrong place in the pub whenever Joy was around. For example, Joy waiting to be served at the bar, the other girl pushes in and is served first, the ladies, they were walking out, with Joy following her, and the girl doesn't hold the door open - result one swinging door nearly in Joy's face,etc etc, little niggles like this had happened a lot over the last few months, not every night but just every now and then.
It was wellknown amongst our lot that Joy did not like the, girl, whose name we had found out to be Carla. This week on the way too the pub, Joy said, "you know I think I've had it with Carla, if anything happen's tonight she just might find herself getting a fist sandwich." We laughed it off, but Joy said "I'm serious, don't be surprised if I deck her. Afterall she is my size, I reckon I could take her." "Actually", I said you are much the same height, about 5'3 , though I think she might have a few pounds on you." Yes I am 5'3, but whilst she might have a couple of punds on me, i'd say my fitness would help, and besides one good punch and she'd be on the floor, and that would be that." You'd have to make it one good punch, otherwise you might get more that you bargained for."Oh do you reckon She can fight, asked Joy. "Look she comes across pretty confident, I wouldn't be surprised. ".
"Well" said Joy, "you know I'm not afraid to have a crack, afterall I've given Paulette a couple of good goes, I handled that neighbour of yours Dora, and whilst I lost to Liz recently, she did have the advantage of 3yrs green belt karate".(in fairness to liz though she hadn't practised in 20 years.) Yes I thought Joy certainly was prepared to have a go and whilst there had been more losses than wins, out of her last 4 fights she'd lost two and won two, Paulette and Liz were the losses, Dora and kate were the victories. All were about Joys height and within a few pounds weight wise, though Joy was always the smaller framed.
"Well I did wonder awhile back why you hadn't yet had a crack at Carla, but then I figured you can't go around punching everybody"I said. Joy by heart was a very nice lady and certainly didn't have a "bitch persona" about her.
Joy said" no I'm not in the habit of fighting, I've only fought a few times in my whole life, but I will stick up for myself if absolutely necessary." I made a mental note to ask her about the other fights !, I'd seen the ones with Paulette (*2), for two losses, the fight with blonde liz( Joy and liz just hadn't got on from their first meeting a mutual immeadiate dislike), the fight with dora in the backyard of dora's house , it had started in the front yard, Joy had chased dora through the house and had caught her in the backyard and given her a thrashing, and the fight with the much younger and inexperienced kate, though kate had put up a good battle before losing.
As we pulled into the carpark I said "we we might all be in for an interesting night !" Joy looked at me and said" I'm not joking any crap from her tonight and it will be on !"
Inside the pub we settled in had a couple of drinks, a quick meal and quite a chat with the other six in our group (usually we had between six and eight in our group) which sometimes made it hard for us to get the answers right to the trivia questions !!, too many inputs. I looked around the room and saw Carla's group on a large table in the far corner, there were only 3 of them so far, but they too had one of the bigger tables. Joy looked across and saw them too, she looked at me and winked. I thought well at least they are a fair bit away from us, though as I had that thought I saw Carla talking to the blonde waitress, and then the waitress looked around the room and pointed over in our direction. I wondered what was going on. Joy was chatting away to the rest of the group and I watched in amazement as Carla and her two buddies picked up their drinks and wended their way through the pub to the table directly behind us, which was a four seater ! The tables in the pub are usually packed in pretty tight cause the night is pretty popular. The four seater table was on a slight angle to us, but of course where did Carla sit, between her two friends on the end of the table and in the closest seat position to Joy!.
In a break in conversation I leaned across to Joy and said " don't look now but you'll never guess who's sitting behind you". Of course she looked !, "i don't believe it" she whispered to me and went on to say "well this might be interesting".
The night got underway, consisting of 3 rounds of 20 minutes of questions, with about 15 minutes between each round for score checking , it meant that generally we could be finished by 9.30pm and home by 10pm, not too late for a monday night.
At the end of the first round Joy got up to buy a drink as did Carla, I looked at them at the bar, they were standing alongside each other both had extremely flat shoes on and yep they did look to be exactly the same height though Carla was slightly broader across the back and seemed to have a bit more weight in the bum, though it was perhaps a little bit hard to tell in that Carla had blue denim jeans on, whilst Joy had a blue denim skirt on which went to her calves. Carla looked to be about 124 pounds with small breasts, but definetly larger than Joy in the breast department. Joy I knew to be 116 pounds in weight, with one of the smallest set of breasts you'd see, though Liz who had recently beaten her was even smaller in the breast department.
Joy came back from the bar, served first "that went alright" said she, though then a moment later there was a bump to the back of Joy's chair as Carla pulled hers back to sit down, "oh sorry " she exclaimed, at the exact same time as Joy said "do you mind !!, "oh sorry "said Carla again, to which Joy said " just be more careful and show more consideration", Joy was twisting in her chair as she said this, "I'm really sorry I didn't mean it, did I hurt you or spill you drink" Joy's drink had slightly spilled as it had been a hard knock to her chair and she had been mid-sip. The spillage was only slight and Joy said "look not to worry please just be more careful". Things seemed to settle, Carla sat down, and I said to Joy "are you sure your ok, ? she said "yeah, but thats one, just as well none of my drink ended up on me." (it was a glass of red wine that Joy was drinking.)
Round two ended, at the end of round two we all stood to play a simple game, of course you can guess what happened, both Joy and Carla pushed chairs back at the same time and bang, chairs collide, they both stood and turned to each other, Joy saying "I wish you'd be more careful, Carla saying "you did that on purpose" " how dare you "exclaimed Joy, "you did that just to get me back for before" said Carla, " now look here" said Joy, "I've had just about enough of you" said Carla "you've had enough of me, I 've had more than enough of you"said Joy, "oh do you want to get it on" asked Carla, "Gladly lets " said Joy, as I and Carla's male friend stepped between them both, "Calm down" we both said, getting between them, "look I'll sit there and you can sit in my seat "said I to Joy, I noticed Carla's friend swapped seats as well. It was only a short exchange, and I didn't think too many had noticed, and the game which involved the flipping of a coin and heads and tails called had begun and was played out with last one standing the winner. Joy was one of the first out and as the others at our table started to be eliminated and begun sitting down, they started to ask Joy, who's face was red just what had happened.There was of course a lot of chatter, and then Joy said to me "thanks for that but you should have just let me handle her !" "Look that wasn't the place to get physical, with the chairs and tables wedged in so tightly there's no room to manouvere," " I don't need room, just one punch, and then I would be slamming her head into the table "said Joy, "well I didn't want it to be the reverse with her slamming you in to the table". "Look do you want a drink ? I asked her, She said "yes" and then went to the ladies whilst I went to the bar, whilst at the bar I kept an eye on Carla, thinking I didn't want her heading to the ladies now, I was sure something would start!. As I turned from the bar the manager Michael asked me what had happened, I explained and he said not surprising he'd heard Carla say a few weeks back in passing to her friends that she didn't like Joy,I asked him a bit more and whilst he couldn't say much more other than knowing Carla didn't like Joy either, he did surprise me by saying well perhaps we can help them settle it!!
Round 3 continued on, though during the round i'd noticed Carla's male friend had gone to the bar and had been having a chat whilst buying drinks to Michael. I recounted to Joy the conversation that I had had with Michael, he had suggested they could settle the dispute in the pub after hours. Of course you know what women are like Joy thought it was the perfect opportunity. At the conclusion of the night Michael came over to me, he said that Carla had agreed. The deal was that we were all to leave the pub and then Joy and Carla and one male friend each could come back after closing time at 10pm. Being a Monday night staff generally left early. We queried him re the liscencing laws, but he'd said after 10pm was fine, it could be considered a "private function" and that he wouldn't be selling any booze anyway.
So we all left and then Joy and I returned at 10pm, I'd asked her whether she was sure she wanted to do this and she was adamant that she would go ahead.
Michael let us in and took us through to a smallish meeting room, table and chairs in the room had been pushed to one side leaving a clear area. Michael then left the room and returned with Carla and her friend. He asked them whether they wanted to do this, both nodded. Then I asked Carla, so have you done this before, "yep" and I'm pretty good at it, 5 fights for 4 wins one loss, I'm going to kick her arse." Do you have any martial arts training, or fight training, ? none really though i've done some group kickboxing classes, but no specfic stuff. Joy was standing there quietly, removing her long dangly earrings.
Carla was in the same clothes as earlier, denim jeans, flat shoes, white cardigan with a red and white horizontal striped top beneath. Joy had a bright red top on, buttoned all the way down her front, her denim skirt, flat shoes and she also had a green and yellow and red spotted scarf around her neck. They both stood 5'3 with dark-skin, Joy I knew was Anglo-Indian, Carla looked to have a touch of asian about her but was predominatly anglo. Both with dark hair, Joy's short but curly, sort of like an afro, Carla with a long pony tail to her mid back.
I asked Joy again whether she was sure that she wanted to do this, she was sure she did. Joy then handed me he earrings, at the same time saying that she too had had her share of fights and that she would kick Carla's arse. Michael asked Joy whether she had had any formal training saying he wanted a fair fight between both, Joy replied that she had no formal training, which I knew that she hadn't.
Michael said they were right to go whenever, no rules, and they would be separated if one cried that she gave.
At that Carla moved like a flash, and swung a stinging right hand slap at Joys cheek, it made full contact and Joy recoiled, Joy was off balance and Carla was on her with a knee to her stomach and then she grabbed a handful of hair, as Joy reeled away from her, Joy shrieked "my hair" and Carla kicked her in the bum and Joy went to ground.
There was no let up from Carla, she bent over Joy and then her right hand grabbed at Joy's scarf, Carla tightened it around Joy's neck, Joys hands went to her neck but she couldn't budge the tightening scarf, Joy was slumped face first on the floor, Carla was behind her, pulling hard on the scarf,Joy tried to twist back and around but couldn't loosen the grip, Joy thrust herself wildly, throwing herself around and Carla lost her grip on the scarf, Joy rolled clear, pulling the scarf away from her neck gasping for air, Carla had lost her balance and fallen to the floor, but whilst she was quicker to recover she got to her feet first, she looked at Joy who was laying on her back gasping for air, "had enough bitch ?" asked Carla, "well even if you have I'm not done with you yet, i'm going to strip you, and hopefully i'll save that red top, i quite like that top " said Carla, Joy was still gasping for breath, but at least she seemed to be starting to breath better. Carla moved around her, trying to get behind her, Joy still on the floor edged around on her bum, as she started to rise , Carla gave her a shove, Joy went backwards on her bum, she squealed, Carla stood back and laughed, "ooh not so tough now" she quipped, Joy said" oh its not over yet" and quickly scrambled to her feet, she looked now like she had recovered, Joy is very fit, she is a runner and has run marathons and half marathons so not surprising she was able to recover her breath.
They circled each other, both lunging with little grabs of their hands, but neither fully committing themselves and making contact, then Joy changed tack, she swung a right foot kick, which landed on Carla's left thigh, and then Joy followed up with a left kick which caught Carla in the stomach, Carla cannoned back into the wall, Joy rushed in pinning Carla to the wall swinging a right slap across Carla's face then another, it was Carla's turn to squeal, then Joy threw a left into Carla's stomach, Carla returned fire with left and rights and lunged out with her on kicks, fighting her way off the way, Carla's hands went to Joys hair, Joy's to Carla's hair as Carla pushed Joy across the room, both were trying to swing kicks and punches, it was a real slugfest with squeals and cries coming from both the girls, Carla's superior weight and it seemed strength was pushing Joy back across the room, Joy felt her bum and then back hit the wall she let out an "oomph", both were trying to grab each others arms, slowly Carla was twisting Joy to the right, but the their legs tangled, both tripped over each other and they went to ground, Joy somehow was on top, she released Carla's hands, and went again for Carla's hair pulling hard, it was Carla's turn to squeal, somehow Joy was sitting on top of Carla's breasts, Carla, squealed" get off of me "Carla twisted and bucked and suddenly Joy was thrown clear,both got to their knees and resumed the battle there were slaps and punches being thrown by both,Carla reached for Joys top and pulled her hands slid down the top and all the buttons on Joys top ripped apart, exposing a slim red bra beneath, Joy screamed" you'll pay for that" and threw herself on Carla, Carla went over backwards, with Joy on top of her , the force of Joys thrust though carried her over Carla.
Joy was sort of on top of Carla, but her head and torso was past Carla, Carla reached at Joy's waist, pulling at her skirt, Joy let out a squeal as Carla's nails raked her across her stomach and then as Carla rolled clear, Joy found her skirt being pulled from her, Joy kicked out as Carla staggered to her feet and pulled Joys skirt off her, exposing Joys black panties, Joy rolled clear, as she did so a kick from her left leg caused Carla to drop the skirt and step back clutching her left arm.
Joy staggerred to her feet, she was looking a mess, she'd lost some of her tight curly hair, her bra was half off exposing her small left breast, she had blood coming from the left of her mouth and she'd had her top and skirt ripped off her, across her lower stomach you could see the red welts and traces of blood where Carla's nails had connected.
Carla on the other hand was still fully clothed, whilst you could see red marks on her face from Joy's slaps and punches,she seemed to have worn the battle well though she was still though rubbing her left arm.
Both stood and were catching their breath, " have you both had enough ?" I asked. " No this isn't over "said Joy,
Carla was equally adamant "there has got to be a winner"
They moved forward again both clutching at each others hands, both pulling and pushing at each other again the test of strength was going Carla's way, until she suddenly let out a squeal, it seemed that she did have an injury to her left arm, as Joy fell to the floor being overpowered by Carla, she maintained her grip, Carla squealed again, and Joy somehow threw Carla over her shoulder, Carla landed on her back still clutching her left arm, "ooh" she screamed.
Joy got to her feet, as she moved forward I grabbed her, saying " I think thats it for Carla" her friend agreed, I pulled Joy back she was a handful to hold, she was saying " let me at her, let me finish her, let me strip her".
Carla's friend went to her aid, she was clutching at her left elbow, which looked to be dislocated.
After a few minutes things calmed down, Carla was still sobbing, and Michael the bar manager said "thats it Joy's the winner, Carla can't go on". Carla said " no, I want a rematch, I was kicking your arse, you just had one lucky kick that did this."
Michael left the room for a minute, he came back with a blanket which I wrapped around Joy, her top and skirt were both unwearable the buttons on the back of the skirt waist had been ripped off too.
Joy said" maybe in a couple of months I'll give you a rematch, But I'll see you next week for trivia.
Driving home in the car, we discussed the fight, "look I may have been a little bit lucky with that unintentional kick, But I was trying to keep her off me, whilst she was ripping off my skirt and she got what she deserved. Mind you she was tough but I was holding my own, despite her ripping my clothes off. "Yes you were still keeping at it, and she couldn't finish, so as Michael said, we will have to chalk that up as a win for you". I said.