Meanwhile, Salome was living in luxury in New York. While she was not reluctant to take her sponsors' money, she was loath to improve her skills.    Many people had seen her squander hundreds of dollars on exotic pleasures of the flesh. Few had seen her rigorously training in a gymnasium, though she did put in a few hours every week just to keep somewhat in shape.    Word had gotten back to Salome's sponsors that their champion was using their money for purposes other than it was originally intended.

Then two weeks before the championship was scheduled, Salome did a complete turn-about. She spent several hours every day down in the gymnasium working out. She put herself through intensive exercises in order to get her body into top physical condition. When she flew to Chicago in one of her sponsor's private jets, she felt ready to take on anyone. Salome knew she could easily beat Tara.    When Tara arrived in the Windy City, she had several months of rigorous training behind her. She had practiced

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