Chapter 173: I Hate Hospitals Even as a Visitor

"My name Sue Ling," The korean woman said when she returned. "You Maxine Stone?"

"Yes I am Maxine Stone," I said. I was surprised that she recognized me. It was something I was going to have to get used to.

"Where camera?" she asked.

"Somewhere in the parking lot, I'm sure." I replied without giving it much thought.

"You want them in?" she asked. She showed me that she understood how things worked.

"If you don't mind, I am sure they would like to be in here," I replied.

"No problem," she replied returning to the front door to wait for Willy to show up.

When Willie came in she was carrying one of the large cameras. The images would be much better and it handled difficult lighting situations much better as well. The three of us went into the one large room of the Martial Arts school.

"I would like to be clear about what I want. I don't plan to compete in any tournaments, or anything like that. I just want to know how best to use this cane as a defensive weapon." I stated yet again.

"Understand, I will not make you bow to the east or make funny noises," she said smiling. When she smiled, I was able to judge her age a little better. She was more youthful than I had thought. Her age did not matter or whether her belt color matched her Gi. All I wanted to do was prevent some drunk from beating the shit out of me.

Willy most likely had a ball watching Sue Ling slap me around for the first thirty minutes of the lesson. What Willy most likely missed, but I didn't, was that Sue Ling was watching me like a hawk. Every time she attacked me, she also showed me how to parry it. First it was one attack and one parry move then it was a different variation of the same attack and just a slightly different parry move. It went on and on until my cheeks were red from her not so gentle slaps.

When a half hour passed, we took a break. "You are quick of mind and movement except your feet are stiff," she informed me.

"I know my leg is weak and stiff. I will get better, but maybe not much better." I said.

"When the body is weak, the mind must be strong. You have to will that you win, before you can win. When you do that, you teach your body how to make it happen. I will help you teach your body how to make it happen."

"No thank you, I know how to win, trust me. I just need to know how to use this weapon," I said holding the cane up to her. I had to admit that she had already taught me a great deal about how to move and parry with the cane.

She nodded her head first, then said, "Americans always in hurry."

"Instant oatmeal is to blame," I said.

"Did you ever notice how bad instant tea is?" she asked in almost accent free English.

I smiled broadly. "Ah ha, I thought so."

"Nothing gets past you," she said. "Now let's go back. I am enjoying beating the crap out of you." she said.

"Let me go get my tools and we can do this for real," I said with a laugh.

"Oh no, my place, my rules," with that we went back into the studio.

For the next half hour the blows got harder but she landed fewer of them. Since she was striking me open handed I parried her with much less force than I would have with someone who was intent on injuring me. Even so I'm sure I gave her a bruise or two. The real thing she did for me in that first hour, was teach me that the cane was a real weapon, not a novelty. As an offensive weapon I needed very little training, since I already knew how to use a police baton, but the thrust and parry, I had badly needed. Especially with the gimp leg. Even the baton moves were hard with the stiff leg.

Willy and I left Sue Ling after a total of an hour and a half. I paid her a hundred dollars. She and I also agreed that I would stop by at the same time of day again in a few days ... Since her first class wasn't until noon, she could fit in private lessons almost any day. At least any day that she happened to be in the studio early. I could also call for an appointment, if I so desired.

"Sue, the TV people will be by to get a release, so that they can use this footage. It will make good TV, I think. You might want to negotiate a good price for your release." I winked at her.

When I turned my cell phone on I had two messages. One was from my latest cop friend, Mike Dawson ... Ms Stone call me, I have some news.

I dealt with each of my messages, before I move on to the next one. It's an old military habit. "Don't you ever sleep?" I asked when he answered the phone.

"I bet you were up before me," he replied.

"No bet, so what is it that you have for me."

"Don, is so very sorry that he made an ass of himself and just wants it all to go away." The sarcasm just dripped from Mike's voice.

"And did we expect anything else from the prick," I asked.

"Of course not, but I think you put the fear of got into him. He seems to have been impressed by his first encounter with a stungun." he said.

"Yeah, how long you figure that memory will be strong enough to make him behave?" I asked.

"I'd give it a week," he said.

"You are an optimist," I replied. "Thanks for the info. I guess that means I can come down and pick up my tools?"

"Yeah, come down and see me around noon. I'll have them and the release for you to sign. Bring the cute redhead with you."

"Sorry Mike, I don't get to choose which camera person I have with me." I said.

"You already have a fan club," I said to Willy. She just nodded. I expected her to be a little off balance for a while, so I paid no attention.

The second message was from Lindsay of all people ... We need to talk. it read. "Son of a bitch," I said aloud. I dialed her number anyway.