INT. BLUE DOOR FIGHT CLUB - NIGHT

SUPERIMPOSE OVER ACTION... "NOVEMBER 12, 1975 - PHILADELPHIA"

... The club itself resembles a large unemptied trash-can.

The boxing ring is extra small to insure constant battle.

The lights overhead have barely enough wattage to see who is

fighting.

In the ring are two heavyweights, one white the other black.

The white fighter is ROCKY BALBOA. He is thirty years old.

His face is scarred and thick around the nose... His black

hair shines and hangs in his eyes. Rocky fights in a

plodding, machine-like style. The BLACK FIGHTER dances and

bangs combinations into Rocky's face with great accuracy.

But the punches do not even cause Rocky to blink... He grins

at his opponent and keeps grinding ahead.

The people at ringside sit on folding chairs and clamor for

blood... They lean out of their seats and heckle the fighters.

In the thick smoke they resemble spectres. Everyone is

hustling bets... The action is even heavier in the balcony.

A housewife yells for somebody to cover a two dollar bet.

The BELL RINGS and the fighters return to their corner...

Somebody heaves a beer can into the ring.

The Black Fighter spits something red in a bucket and sneers

across the ring at Rocky.

BLACK FIGHTER:

(to cornerman)

... I'm gonna bust his head

wide open!

In Rocky's corner he is being assisted by a shriveled,

balding CORNERMAN, who is an employee of the club... He

works on Rocky without any enthusiasm.

CORNERMAN:

(lackluster)

... Ya waltzin' -- Give the

suckers some action.

ROCKY:

Hey --

CORNERMAN:

(overriding)

Ya movin' like a bum -- Want

some advice --

ROCKY:

... Just gimme the water.

2.

A FIGHT FAN rushes up to Rocky... He is sixty-five, with

yellow teeth and wearing sunglasses.

FAN:

Should I bet the fight don't

go the distance -- Ya feel

strong?

ROCKY:

Absolutely.

CORNERMAN:

... Ya want some good advice?

ROCKY:

... I just want the mouthpiece.

The BELL RINGS... Rocky makes the sign of the cross. The

fighters engage in battle. The other fighter grabs Rocky in

a clinch and purposely butts him... The butt opens a bleeding

cut on the corner of Rocky's eye.

Rocky becomes furious over the foul and drives a flurry into

the man's body... Rocky slams the man on the jaw and the

fighter is out for the night. The fans throw rubbish into

the ring. Rocky ignores it.

The fans loudly go about collecting bets. The referee does

not bother to even count the fighter out and drags him under

the ropes where he is placed on a stretcher. Two new

fighters enter the ring. Rocky slips on a tattered robe.

Embroidered clumsily on the back is, "The Italian Stallion."

ANNOUNCER:

Winner, Rocky Balboa -- Next a

six rounder between local

lightweights.

Without pomp Rocky climbs out of the ring and bums a

cigarette from a spectator... The fighter on the stretcher

passes behind him. He watches for a moment and continues up

the aisle... Before he even reaches the rear of the club the

BELL RINGS and the next fight has already begun... Rocky

fades into the darkness of the rear of the club.

THE TITLE CREDITS END:

INT. DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT

Rocky has nearly completed dressing and reaches into his

locker for his hat... Also in the dingy room are ten other

fighters... Two taped fighters talk shop in the corner.

3.

FIGHTER #1

... Tomorrow me an' my woman

are gonna tip on down to

Atlantic City, man.

FIGHTER #2

... It's cold, Bro'.

FIGHTER #1

... That's right, I got the

city to myself...

Another paces nervously... Two other fighters shadowbox and

spit nervously on the floor.

A young pug combs his hair and listens to a portable RADIO

that is BLASTING MUSIC.

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