Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Genesis of the Tournament
Woroner conceives the fantasy championship concept and surveys 250 boxing experts to select participants. Meyer asserts his instrumental role in the project's creation.
Key Events
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Woroner's Concept — Woroner conceives the fantasy heavyweight tournament.
Location: Radio Studio
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Expert Survey Launch — Woroner distributes surveys to 250 experts to select fighters.
Location: Office
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Meyer's Claim — Meyer asserts his instrumental role and idea ownership.
Location: SPS Office
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Match Pairing Selection — Woroner finalizes the first-round fantasy matchups.
Location: Planning Room
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Computer Hardware Setup — SPS supplies the NCR 315 computer with 20K memory.
Location: Miami Server Room
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Algorithm Development — Mathematician provides formulas, employee programs in Fortran.
Location: Lab
Digital Arena Construction
SPS procures the NCR 315 computer while mathematicians and programmers develop Fortran algorithms. Historical punch records are digitized and processed overnight.
Key Events
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Algorithm Development — Mathematician provides formulas, employee programs in Fortran.
Location: Lab
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Data Input Phase — Prime stats and fighting styles are converted into formulas.
Location: Data Center
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Software Execution — Program runs overnight, generating punch-by-punch codes.
Location: Data Center
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Tape Transfer — Tape manually transferred to Univac 1005 for printing.
Location: Data Center
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Radio Play Staging — Outcomes are dramatized into radio plays with commentators.
Location: Radio Studio
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Global Broadcast — Fantasy fights broadcast worldwide, listened to by living legends.
Location: Airwaves
Broadcast & Elimination
Computer outputs are dramatized into radio plays narrated by Woroner and LeBow. Living boxers tune in and commentate as elimination rounds progress globally.
Key Events
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Global Broadcast — Fantasy fights broadcast worldwide, listened to by living legends.
Location: Airwaves
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Commentator Participation — Some living boxers join as commentators during broadcasts.
Location: Studio
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Elimination Rounds — Series of computer-generated fights determine finalists.
Location: Virtual Arena
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Dempsey vs. Corbett — First fantasy matchup dramatized on air.
Location: Radio Drama
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Sullivan vs. Braddock — Second matchup staged with punch-by-punch detail.
Location: Radio Drama
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Louis vs. Willard — Historic heavyweight clash recreated via computer.
Location: Radio Drama
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Marciano vs. Tunney — Intense heavyweight rivalry simulated for broadcast.
Location: Radio Drama
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Ali vs. Schmeling — Modern vs historical styles clash in fantasy format.
Location: Radio Drama
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Final Matchup Revealed — Dempsey and Marciano emerge as the last two champions.
Location: Studio
The Ultimate Verdict
Dempsey and Marciano face off in the final simulated bout. The computer crowns Marciano as the all-time greatest, and Woroner awards him a championship belt.
Key Events
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Final Matchup Revealed — Dempsey and Marciano emerge as the last two champions.
Location: Studio
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Championship Fight — The ultimate fantasy bout concludes with Marciano's victory.
Location: Radio Drama
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Computer Verdict — Computer officially declares Marciano the all-time greatest.
Location: Data Center
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Championship Award — Woroner presents Marciano with a $10,000 championship belt.
Location: Ceremony Hall
