It's a cold day in 'the city that never sleeps'.  The kind of cold day that keeps one indoors and swaddled underneath layers of blankets.  So cold that one would stay by the fireplace and curl up with a good book, or snuggle with a significant other and decipher the latest mystery movie.

Sam is hard at work with a training partner, sweating amidst the tundra like conditions of the Dojo.  Engrossed in learning the nuances of his craft, he's barely noticed the haze of steam that hovers over the stiff ring he trains in.  A testament to the sweat of his calling, and sinew of  his discipline.

Jeanie walked up to head instructior who himself was adorned in nothing more than a t-shirt and sweatpants.  "So Matt, how're we looking?"

"Still a little rough around the edges, Jeanie."  Matt nodded with approval,  "Nothing that a couple of matches can't fix.  You never told me his wrestling and Judo background was so detailed.  Taking falls, transitioning, his submissions; from a technical standpoint, he's way ahead of the curve."

"That's good to hear.  So you think he'll be ready soon?"  Jeanie watched Sam bounce off the ropes to leap frog over his training partner.

"Actually Jeanie, he's ready."  He tried to lower his voice so as to not throw off his charge.  "He can take care of himself in the ring.  The showmanship side, will come around; just a matter of doing it live and getting the butterflies out."

"Phenominal."  Jeanie's electric smile could power Las Vegas for a month. "Is it possible we could turn the heat on in here, Matt?  It's freezing in here."

"Absolutely not, Jeanie."  Matt sternly rebuked her.  "Warmth is a luxury that must be earned in here.  You earn it by working hard, sweating...

He deliberately raised his voice for the last part.

"...Focusing on the task at hand, instead of listening to your agent and instructor talk!"

"My bad, Matt."  Sam said quicking removing his mouthpiece.

Enter Matthew McMarin.

If the past few months are any indication, Matthew may have very well succeeded.

"How about we close this match out, eh Sammy-boy!?"  Matt boisterously shouted from the floor.  "I must say, I really do love the way he explodes into the finish."

Sam who was wearing a long sleeve, white rashguard, red mesh shorts and blue wrestling sneakers, nodded.  He and his training partner circled around each other, with his partner being very cautious. After Sam narrowed the gap more to his liking, he exploded, rushing towards his training partner.  With great coordination, he stepped on his partner's upper thigh, springing off it to deliver a hard knee to his opponent's face.  Even with headgear on, his partner fell to the mat stunned.

"To be honest I showed 'im tapes of this fella from Japan, when he saw the move, he says to me, 'He's doing it wrong.'  so I said, 'Well show me the correct way.' and out came this gem."  Matt explained excitedly.  "They call what we had on the tape 'The Shining Wizard,' but his was so distinct it needed it's own name.  What did we call it again, Sam?"

It was as if everything Matt just said fell on deaf ears, for both Sam and Jeanie who stared at each other.  This wasn't a moment between agent and client, but between best friends who grew up together as kids.  She knew what that look in his eye meant, and braving the cold she took off her pea coat, revealing a black turtleneck sweater. 

Jeanie rushed towards the ring, and after clumsily parting through the ropes, she stood in front of Sam.  Breaking from her usual demanor, she hugs Sam--tightly.

"I know, sweetheart.  You okay?"  Jeanie pressed herself against him more, to the point she could feel him nod, 'yes'  "It's a perfect finish.  He'd be proud of you, today.  We all are."

At that point, Sam returned the gesture, wrapping his arms around Jeanie.  Under the quizzical eye of Matt, they embraced each other in the center of the ring,  When they parted, Jeanie gathered herself, wiping her eye.  She kissed his cheek before leaving.

"Black Magic."  Sam said from the ring, a sly smirk now crossing lips. 

Matt snapped out of his trance, trying to put the emotional outpouring between the two out of his mind. "Oh, right.  Black Magic.  Devil of a delivery, I must say."