Shorty McCabe

Shorty McCabe is a former prize‑fighter who’s swapped the roar of the crowd for the quieter life of a traveling trainer. He drifts from town to town, taking odd jobs and watching the world from the edges of the boxing ring he once dominated. The narrative crackles with his wry humor and the rough‑cut honesty of a man who knows the value of a hard‑earned punch.

When a chance horse‑racing bet lands him on a rattling train, he meets Leonidas Dodge, a fast‑talking “Commissioner‑at‑Large” with a mysterious pasteboard and a curious laboratory product. Their banter spirals from betting odds to an unexpected business proposition, hinting at a partnership that could pull Shorty back into a life of scheming and intrigue. The opening sets a lively, nostalgic backdrop—sidelines of the ring, the clatter of train cars, and the buzz of a city that never quite lets a former champion settle.