A New Game for Costigan (synopsis)

Introduction

In the short synopsis (about 160 words) of “A New Game for Costigan,” Steve Costigan finds himself in a morally questionable situation in San Francisco. He enters a place where Mr. Clemants, a wealthy individual, is conspiring with Bill O’Brien, Mushy Hansen, Jim Rogers, and Sven Larson. Their plan involves kidnapping Clemant’s son, Horace, to take him to the Gulf of California in order to toughen him up. Mr. Clemants proposes to provide a boat and pay them handsomely for their efforts. However, Costigan, holding to his principles, declines the offer and leaves the group, disappointing the conspirators.

Following this, Costigan meets with Billy Ash, a reporter. He confides in Ash about his intentions to retire from boxing, having accumulated some savings. Ash, recognizing an opportunity, suggests Costigan write an article to hype up an upcoming boxing match between Bull Clanton and Flash Reynolds. This fight is being promoted by Shifty Steinmann and is set to compete with another major bout featuring Bill Hoolihan, the middleweight champion, and Panther Gomez, his challenger. The implication is that Mr. Clemants is also involved in promoting the Clanton-Reynolds fight as a strategic move to undermine Steinmann’s event.

See “A New Game for Costigan” for more details.

Characters and boats

  • Steve Costigan – The main character, a boxer contemplating retirement.
  • Mr. Clemants – A wealthy promoter involved in a scheme to toughen up his son.
  • Bill O’Brien, Mushy Hansen, Jim Rogers, Sven Larson – Associates of Clemants involved in the kidnapping plan.
  • Horace Clemants – Mr. Clemants’ son, whom they plan to kidnap.
  • Billy Ash – A reporter who interacts with Costigan about his career and writing opportunities.
  • Bull Clanton – One of the boxers in the promoted fight.
  • Flash Reynolds – The other boxer in the promoted fight.
  • Shifty Steinmann – A fight promoter opposing Mr. Clemants.
  • Bill Hoolihan – The middle-weight champion boxer.
  • Panther Gomez – The contender and logical opponent for Hoolihan.

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