THE FIGHTER
Written by
Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
CREDITS OVER BLACK. Gradually hear the sound of metal
scraping against asphalt...
TITLE: Lowell, Massachusetts - 1993
FADE IN:
1 FIVE-CORNER INTERSECTION - LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS - AFTERNOON.
2 FORWARD MOVING WALKING STEADICAM WIDE ANGLE POV 2
Abandoned textile mills on both sides, a two-story flat-iron
style building splits the roads 100 yards ahead. Still hear
metal scraping against asphalt.. .then it stops.
BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF FRAME, a wheelbarrow filled with 250
pounds of black asphalt edges into frame, followed by the guy
sweating, struggling as he pushes it, GEORGE "MICKY" WARD
JR., 31, short, compact, close-cropped reddish-blonde hair,
little boy face, glancing over his shoulder, dumps the
wheelbarrow on old cracked cement.. .picks up a scraping-
spreading tool on a metal broom stick, and commences to
spread out the new asphalt. Trying to complete a newly paved
road to the right which ends in this intersection. The
scraping tool spreading the new asphalt. Micky sweating,
dirty from asphalt.
Now skinny bare arms start shadowboxing around Micky working.
Only the arms enter frame in combinations, shadow punches.
MICKY
(ignoring punches, keeps
SPREADING ASPHALT)
Will you help me finish this?
He turns and kinda smiles as leans away with the rake, then
slips and moves with the punches being thrown by RICHARD
"Dicky" ECKLUND JR., 38, Micky's half-brother, skeleton-like
arms, backwards baseball cap, shorts, work boots, enters
frame, shadowboxing around Micky, smiles missing teeth. The
two brothers play spar, joking, having fun. Micky throws a
and Dicky play snaps his head back. Then Dicky does it to
Micky. Then Micky throws an upper cut and Dicky pops his head
up, broken toy robot.
DICKY
You knocked my block off!
He resets his head, punches Micky.
MICKY
You knocked my block off!
(C.C)NTTNTTFT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 1A.
2 CONTINUED: 2
He resets his head, Micky throws again, Dicky mimes going
down, then gets up immediately.
MICKY
(counts like ref)
-six, seven, eight. [takes Dicky's
hands] Can you continue? [Dicky
nods] Who's the president?
DICKY
Five o'clock.
Micky waves his hands like Dicky's done. Dicky throws another
play punch and Micky hams up going down, getting knocked out,
feet flying up in the air.
(CONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 2.
2 CONTINUED: (2) 2
DICKY
He's down! Micky Ward is down! 4-
3-2-1, it's ovah! He's out! A
surprising ovahhand right! Dick
Ecklund Jr. is BACK, right hereon
HBO, ladies and gentlemen!
PAN REVEALS, HBO documentary camerman, and a PRODUCER taping
it all. Guys on the ROAD CREW crack up in the background.
DICKY
The Pride a Lowell is back!
He pulls Micky up INTO A BROTHERLY ARM BUMP/HUG HANDS
CLASPED. Micky smacks the back of Dicky's head as Dicky
raises Micky's arm in the air like a champ.
DICKY
(SHOUTS)
My brothah's gonna beat Mamby, next
week, on ESPN, sorry HBO!
Camera crew laughs as DICKY helps Micky up, HOLDS BROTHERS'
ARMS IN THE AIR, E.L.O.'S 'DON'T BRING ME DOWN' starts;
(RNNTTNTTFT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 3.
2 CONTINUED: (3) 2
CAMERA PULLS AWAY FROM THEM FAST DOWN THE STREET LEAVING THEM
SMALL IN THE DISTANCE --
SMASH CUT TO:
3 STREETS, LOWELL - DAY 3
Dicky walks like a hero down the streets of working class
Lowell, locals spilling out of storefronts, lunch counters,
HBO camera following him.
DICKY
(shadowboxing, moving)
Look who's here! I'm comin' back,
Lowell! Micky's gonna win, we got
HBO here! Look at this --
He walks down the street like he's running for office, people
shouting his out his name. . .most everyone knows him...and
even those who don't are charmed by this toothless Pied
Piper... some look confused, surprised by his comeback, some
hold memorabilia from his Sugar Ray Leonard fight to sign. He
kisses a girl, laughs his missing-toothed grin. Dicky high-
fives 19-year-old RAY RAMALHO, crew cut, body bent by
cerebral palsy.
DICKY
Ray Ray! Smile, you're gonna be in
my movie! HBO's makin' a fuckin'
movie about me! And my brothah's
gonna win next week!
He grabs Micky's arm again, they are trailed by the road crew
guys (one holds a boom box) walking behind Dicky shaking
their heads, smiling, following. "Don't Bring Me Down"
continues... Everybody shouting out Dicky's name, "Dicky!"
"Dicky!" "Dicky!" Some calling "Micky!" "Micky!" "Micky!"
CUT TO:
4 LOWELL MAN ON THE STREET INTERVIEWS. What Dicky & Micky meagh
to the city.. .What the city is all about, broken dreams, no
hope. . .How Micky & Dicky are both the pride of Lowell now &
forever... TAR AND DONNA COME UP AND SAY ARE YOU TALKIN ABOUT
MY FAMILY? THAT'S NOT RIGHT. Other sisters come up asking
questions: Pork, Little Alice. "Let's go to the bah!" Sherry
shouts.
TIME CUT TO:
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 4.
5 THE FOXTAIL LOUNGE - COUPLES SQUARE, THE ACRE - NIGHT 5
.Dicky moves through the crowd, punches the air dancing in
the dark crowded smoky club, old disco ball scattering light
on gray carpeted walls, "Don't Bring Me Down" still
playing...
DICKY
(shouts over the music)
Meet my muthah! We're back on HBO,
MA -
His mother, ALICE WARD, 57, caught off guard, smoking, waves
them away, hides her face.
ALICE
NO! JESUS! I'm not ready!
Catch a glimpse of her tough, sexy, fighter's nose, years of
hard life, bleached-blonde hair, sucking on a Lucky Strike,
drinking by at a white-topped table cluttered with empty beer
bottles, overflowing ashtrays, cigarettes burning out.
DICKY
(shouting over music)
My sistahs!
Six of Alice's seven daughters ARRIVE, look up as the camera
pans and pauses for each one: GAIL "RED DOG" (ECKLUND)
CARNEY, 35, skinny, red hair; SHERRY "THE BABY"; PHYLLIS
"BEAVER" ECKLUND, 32, blonde red, tall. CATHY "PORK" ECKLUND,
30, full breasts, bleached-blonde; "LITTLE" ALICE ECKLUND,
31, a mini-version of Alice; DONNA (ECKLUND) JAYNES; 36,
round face, bleached-blonde, CINDY "TAR" (ECKLUND) COOPER,
33, wasted; and They are like a bleached blond, cigarette
smoking Greek chorus that trails Alice everywhere. PAN FROM
ONE TWO the next as Dicky introduces them, seeing each
distinctive, hardened face.
DICKY
(as each nods to camera)
That's Red Dog, Sherry, the baby,
Beavah, Pork, Little Alice, Donna,
and Tar. They follow my muthah
everywhere!
MICKY
(Holding a napkin to his
FACE)
I'm Mary, the eighth sister.
Alice runs for the bathroom. Dicky chases after her through
the crowd and the smoke and the music.
(CONTTNTTFT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 4A.
5 CONTINUED: 5
Dicky grabs and pulls her onto the crowded little dance
floor.. .Dicky and Alice dance. Micky and the sisters join in.
(C ONTTNTJFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 5.
5 CONTINUED: (2) 5
THROUGH THE CROWD MICKY STARES AT CHARLENE FLEMING, 25, tall
long red hairy strong, serving drinks, guys encouragi ng her
to do shots, hesitates, they pull her around the bar, moves
in slight SLOW MOTION, Micky sees her ass, then her cl eavage
when she turns, bends over to do shots with them.
SMASH CUT TO:
6
EVERYONE SITTING TOASTING WITH DRINKS -- 6
Dicky, Alice, Little Alice, Donna, Red Dog (Gail), Beaver
(Phyllis), Tar (Cindy), Pork
(Cathy), HBO Producer, cameraman
laughing sit along the wall at tables. Micky just drinks
water and watches, from afar bartender CHARLENE FLEMING at
the BAR.
HBO PRODUCER
I'm confused, George's whose
father?
DICKY
(TOOTHLESS GRIN)
- Who knows how many fathahs,
Alice ain't prejudice, she gives
everybody a chance!
Alice punches Dicky in the arm.
LITTLE ALICE
(NODS)
Dick Ecklund Sr. is Dicky's father
(CONTTNTTFT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 6.
6 CONTINUED: 6
SHERRY
And Donna's, Gail's and Phyllis's
fathah.
SHERRY
And even though I'm an Eklund, and
so is Cindy and Cathy, George is
really our dad.
DICKY
George is my Poppa.
MICKY
But we got the Eklund name.
ALICE
(horrified by all of this)
Dick Ecklund and I were separated.
It's not like I was foolin' around.
Producer looks confused.
TAR (CINDY)
Georgie's fingahs are so fat he
can't dial the phone.
Pan to George Ward, holding a roofing invoice, trying to dial
the buttons on a pay phone next to them.
GEORGE
(trying to dial pay phone)
Shut up, Tah.
Alice and everyone laughs. George reading the roofing
invoice, holding the pay phone, and gives them all the
finger. Short & fat.
ALICE
That's not helpin', George.
RED DOG (GAIL)
Look at that fat thing!
They all crack up.
CAMERA TRACKS WITH GEORGE WALKING WITH MICKY A STEP TOWARD
THE BAR, STARING AT CHARLENE THE BARTENDER TENDING BAR 15-
FEET AWAY.
GEORGE
You can't beat that ass, come on.
George pats his son's shoulder as he stands behind Micky at
the bar, both looking at Charlene. Awkward.
(RNNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 6aA.
6 CONTINUED: (2)
6
She glances up at him once in the midst of her bartending.
He doesn't say anything. She ignores him. It's awkward.
CHARLENE
(works, not looking)
Are you gonna say anything? Are you
gonna order a drink? Are you gonna
just stand there lookin' at my ass?
Your father looks at my ass but at
least he talks.
Micky looks at her.
CHARLENE
(works not looking)
He thinks you're the greatest, but
he didn't tell me you're mute.
MICKY
You're Kenny Fleming's sistah.
(RUNTTNTTRT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 6A.
6 CONTINUED: (3)
6
CHARLENE
(works, not looking)
Oh, you talk. You pave streets,
right?
MICKY
I do, and I'm a fightah.
(CONTTNTTPD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 7.
6 CONTINUED: (4)
6
CHARLENE
(works, not looking)
I heard you're a steppin' stone.
MICKY
A steppin' stone?! I'm no steppin'
stone. What do you mean steppin'
stone?
CHARLENE
(finally turns and looks)
The guy -- they use -- against
othah fightahs to move the othah
fightahs up.
Micky and Charlene stare at each other. He is taken aback.
MICKY
Maybe I had a few -- tough fights,
but that's not who I am. [she
stares at him, gauging him]. Next's
gonna show who I am.
DRUNK GUY
(shouts from behind Micky)
He's gonna lose again! [Micky looks
away, pissed, like he's gonna
leave]. Scotch & soda one for me
and one for Charlene, move that
sugar ass and get the drinks!
Micky suddenly slaps the guy fast twice with one hand, the
guy kinda falls to the bar.
MICKY
Be nice! Be respectful. Don't
disrespect her.
Charlene watches, slightly turned on.
DICKY
(jumps in front of Micky)
Don't hurt ya hands, we got a fight
next week!
(turns to the drunk)
- What you say to my bruthah? What
you say to me?
OTHER BARTENDER plunks down the drunk's drinks.
DRUNK GUY
(peaking above the bar)
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Micky.
( CCNTTNTTPD 1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 7A.
6 CONTINUED: (5)
6
DICKY
And whatta ya say to me?
DRUNK GUY
I'm sorry, Dicky.
DICKY
(to Charlene, hugs Micky's
SHOULDERS)
That's right, and I'm takin' ya
drink. My bruthah's gonna beat
Saoul Mamby! This guy's gonna be a
champion, he's a great guy, a great
fightah.
(NNNTTNT7RT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 8.
6 CONTINUED: (6) 6
He takes the guy's drinks, kisses smiling Micky on the cheek.
Charlene stares.
MICKY
That's my big brothah. Taught me
everything i know. HBO's doin' a
movie about 'im.
CHARLENE
Everybody's talkin' about it. But
who are YOU fightin'? Saoul, Sal,
Saul? Mamby, Mamby. Momby. What
kinda name is Saoul Mamby?
MICKY
Black. And Jewish.
CHARLENE
Where'd they find a guy like that?
MICKY
He's no joke, Formah World Champ.
CHARLENE
Formah champ.
MICKY
But I match up good against him.
CHARLENE
What's that mean?
MICKY
I'm lightah, not gonna brawl him,
I'm gonna outbox him.
CHARLENE
I didn't know there was a
difference.
MICKY
Brawl, ya slug it out, I hit you,
you hit me; boxin', like a chess
game, I pick my punches to take him
down. I'm gonna go head, body,
head, body, see I go up his side, I
hit him here, arm comes down, I go
back up [demonstrates on her,
close, looks at her shy] I'd like
to maybe take you out some time.
(CNNTTNTIFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 8aA.
6 CONTINUED: (7) 6
Charlene smiles at Micky's awkwardness, drinks. A DRUNK GUY
squeezes her around the shoulders, she shoves him off, turns
away, guarded, takes care of business other side of bar.
CHARLENE
Are you married?
MICKY
Married? Would I ask you out if I
was married?
CHARLENE
It happens all the time, trust me.
MICKY
I'm not married. I wanna get to
know you bettah. I could take you
to dinnah and a movie, how 'bout
that? I'm not married. I got a
daughtah I see every othah weekend.
Let me take you out.
CHARLENE
When?
MICKY
Saturday I get back from Atlantic
City.
(CC)NTTNTTRD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 8A.
6 CONTINUED: (8)
6
She holds his gaze a moment. She picks up a pen and starts
to write on a white cocktail napkin. She writes "Charlene"
and her number on the napkin, then draws a lopsided heart
around it.
MICKY (CONT'D)
(takes the napkin, smiles)
Next Saturday. Dinnah and a movie.
(CNNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 9.
6 CONTINUED: (9) 6
A fight breaks out next to Micky, jostling him but he remains
oblivious, happily reading the napkin. George, cigarette
dangling from his lips, claps for Micky.
SMASH CUT TO:
7 RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM - RING, 1ST FLOOR - NEXT DAY 7
Micky jumps rope in the ring, stops, sweating, moves around
the ring. HBO producer sits bored, looks at his watch.
Dilapidated gym, peeling paint, exposed pipes. Owner, ART
RAMALHO, 60s, pushed-in nose, starts working a couple kids on
old duct-taped heavy bags, speed bags, including JOSE
SANTANA, 20s, middleweight. Micky, sweating, leans on the
ropes, glances at the clock, 11:25.
EXPLOSIVE LAUGHTER AND CACKLES of WOMEN - Micky looks across
gym: 4 SISTERS LAUGH UPROARIOUSLY AS HBO Cameraman tapes.
HBO CAMERAMAN
(SMILING)
Why is Gail the toughest?
SHERRY
Cuz she's quiet, but she'll
straighten anyone out.
Gail makes a fist, cracks up, covers her missing teeth.
HBO CAMERAMAN
Whose your mother's favorite?
TAR
The princesses.
SHERRY
The girls.
They all crack up.
RED DOG
They never had to do nothin', never
take out the garbage, or clean--
SHERRY
You can never wake 'em up, shhh,
the babies ah sleepin'.
MICKY
That's cuz we hadda train! Come on!
(RNNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 9A.
7 CONTINUED: 7
SHERRY
[STARTS CRYING] This is ah family
and they're makin' a movie, it's us
(MNTTNTTPD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 10.
7 CONTINUED: (2) 7
RED DOG
She's the baby, Sherry's the baby,
very emotional.
TAR
Ah mothah's excited about the
movie, Dicky comin' back. And we
hope Micky wins (crosses herself).
SMASH CUT TO:
MICKY
(MID-INTERVIEW)
Dicky's six years older than me.
(pause) I used to carry his bags
(pause) to his workouts, some of
his fights. He's a born fighter,
very natural talent. I always hadda
work harder, and he's been my
teacher. He's -- ya know - [real
love] Dicky, nobody talks like him,
moves like him, he fought Sugar Ray
Leonard, ten rounds, he's the hero
of Lowell. Everybody knows Dicky.
HBO PRODUCER
He's s'pposed to be trainin' you
right now, right? Is he still
coming or did we mix this up?
SISTERS
(OS)
He'll be here -- should be --
MICKY
He kinda goes on his own schedule
sometimes. He'll be here. --
MICKY O'KEEFE
(OS)
You know where he is --
They turn and look: MICKEY O'KEEFE, 50, COP IN UNIFORM, walks
up to the ring. Sisters react with bit of surprise, drama.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
You gotta fight next week, Micky,
you gotta be trainin' on time.
MICKY
He'll be here.
( C'.C)NTTNTT1 fl )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 10A.
7 CONTINUED: (3) 7
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Come on, I can do the mits for ya,
but then I gotta get back to work.
He jumps into the ring and holds the mits for Micky who hits
them, they work the mits. Sisters whisper, gossip.
Suddenly the door bursts open, EVERYONE LOOKS: Alice, made
un, hair done, high heels, gold earrings, new dress, grand
entrance with Dicky's scrapbooks under her arm...Two more
daughters, Little Alice and Beaver, follow her. She stops
when she sees the camera guys look up, unprepared.
ALICE
What's he doin'? Where's Dicky?
MICKY
Look at Alice! All dressed up for
the movie!
ALICE
Outta the ring, O'Keefe, you can't
do what my Dicky does!
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Your Dicky ain't here, Alice.
MICKY
(LAUGHING)
Where could he possibly be, Ma?
Undah the cabbage patch?
(CC)NTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 11.
7 CONTINUED: (4) 7
ALICE
(to the crew, laughing)
Oh, Micky. Micky's a clown. Dicky
went to the store for me.
MICKY
Yeah. He'll be here.
ALICE
Get outta the ring, O'Keefe,
Dicky's the numbah one trainah,
should be that way in the movie.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Jesus, I come by to help! I gotta
go back to work anyhow, it ain't
fair to Micky. He needs to be
trainin'. He's not bein' handled
right.
ALICE
(waves off HBO producer)
Don't -- he's not part of this,
forget him. He's numbah two man
O'KEEFE LEAVES UNDER ALICE'S GAZE; MICKY LOOKS KIND OF LAUGHS
TO HIMSELF SHAKING HIS HEAD. THEN EXHALES, SERIOUS, LOOKING
DOWN, BIT FRUSTRATED..
ALICE
You need me walkin' in again?
(turns back to the door)
- I wasn't ready last night, but
I'm ready today.
SISTERS
(LAUGHING)
She's all dressed up! Look at her!
MICKY
Alice is dressed up.
Producer nods for cameraman to turn to door. ALICE RE-ENTERS.
Alice turns to an old framed BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH on
the wall ...A row of 14 year old boys posed in fighter's robes
and gloves.
ALICE
That's the Golden Gloves, before
that the Silvah Mittens, Micky did
that too. Micky used to follow his
big brothah everywhere, Dicky
taught ya everything, right, honey?
(RNNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 11A.
7 CONTINUED: (5) 7
Micky raises eyebrows, nods.
MICKY
He's not only a great fighter, he's
also a pretty great trainer.
(C ONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 12.
7 CONTINUED: (6)
7
ALICE
(eyes lighting up)
My Dicky had went pro at 12,
Rockingham Race Track with a 26
year old jockey. Both weighed 106
pounds. Dicky lied he was 18.
In the ring, push in on Micky looks up, eyes wide.
MICKY
Tell 'im about Sugar Ray, Ma.
Dicky knocked down Sugar Ray
Leonard.
ALICE
(NODS)
In '78 -- we got the offah to fight
Sugah Ray Leonahd.
MICKY
He just won the Gold Medal at the
Olympics, Sugar Ray. He was the,
ya know, the big new welter weight
at that time.
ALICE
And Dicky was just a kid from
Lowell.
MICKY
Dicky was undefeated!
ALICE
Dicky had never been knocked down
in his professional career, neither
had Sugar Ray. They were both 21-
yeahs-old.
MICKY
It was Dicky's first ten roundah.
ALICE
(PAUSES)
I know ya could question the
judgement, first ten roundah
against Sugar Ray Leonard, right?
But as his managah, how could I not
take a Sugah Ray? Do you see what
I'm saying? It was the biggest
thing that evah happened to Lowell.
(MNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 12A.
7 CONTINUED: (7) 7
MICKY
It was huge. People still talk
about it to this day. It was a
great fight.
ALICE
AHT! WHERE'S YA VIDEO AT?
ACTUAL GRAINY 1978 VIDEOTAPE OF HBO OLD-FASHIONED COLOR
GRAPHICS INTRODUCE THE FIGHT. ALICE BEING INTERVIEWED.
ALICE
( 15 years earlier, already
HALF-IN-THE-BAG)
Tonight my son is gonna surprise
everybody and beat Sugar Ray
Leonard. Believe it, I know it.
Micky and Sugar Ray are described over HBO clips.
BACK TO ALICE AT THE GYM NOW:
ALICE
It's true! Sugar Ray had a hard
time hitting Dickie, didn't really
knock him down, but Dicky knocked
Ray down! I wore a new white
dress. This fight was gonna change
our lives forevah, and it did.
BACK TO VIDEOTAPE, 2ND ROUND, Dicky, 21, bobbing moving
versus Sugar Ray, 21. Hear Don Dunphy & Larry Merchant,
"Ecklund is fast, Larry. If his goal is to frustrate Leonard,
he's doing it. Leonard still hasn't solved his speed, still
hasn't been able to find him, I think in his own cute way
Ecklund is making Leonard be the aggressor.."
(CONTTNTTFM
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 13.
7 CONTINUED: (8) 7
BACK TO THE TAPE, Sugar Ray seems to either punch or pull
Dicky to the mat. "Ecklund smiling again, Ecklund is down!
Let's see if they call that a knock down." Dicky pops right
back up and they go to separate corners. "Let's see if they
call that a knock down. Nope, not a knockdown. And the bell
rings." "I didn't think that was a knockdown, Don." "I didn't
think so either Larry, he was wrestled down. Not a
knockdown."
8 LIVING ROOM - CRACK HOUSE, 48 SMITH STREET - DAY 8
DICKY
(shakes his head, holding
crack smoke in)
Wasn't a knockdown.
Dicky kneeling smoking a crack pipe. He exhales crack smoke
as he pops back to his feet where he bounces on his toes like
a fighter opposite GARY "BOOBOO" GIUFFRIDA, 40, a goofy
looking chubby crackhead, rotting teeth, trucker's hat;
WOLFIE, long sideburns, sunken eyes, 35.
Dicky inhales again from pipe, a refashioned plastic soda
bottle, lit with a Bic lighter. He starts sparring BooBoo.
SINGLE ON Dicky OVER BOOBOO'S SHOULDER, actual audio in his
head from the fight: "Ecklund has a bit of a reputation for
being a fast-liver, Don." "A what?" "A fast-liver. And they
think, at least Angelo said he thought that's what has held
him back. But of course with an opportunity like this perhaps
he's slowed down his living a little bit."
DICKY
(holding white dog)
BooBoo put ya hands up, stand like
Sugah Ray I gotta get ready for my
movie!
BOOBOO
Why they doin' a fuckin' movie on
you?
KAREN
(CAMDODIAN ACCENT)
Legend-a Lowell, BooBoo! Comeback!
Come on!
(CnNTTNTTF.D )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 14.
8 CONTINUED: 8
Karen, 33, Dicky's Cambodian girlfriend, sitting on a stained
suede couch with BECKY, 31, dirty blonde hair; BONNIE, tall,
35, mid-drift, high, moving, in the background. Dicky shadow
boxes BooBoo, while holding white dog.
DICKY
I stahted the ovahhand right in the
8th. Slippin' his left, settin'
him up for the knockdown in the
9th.
FAST CUTS OF BOOBOO, WOLFIE, KAREN, BRENDA, BONNIE, WATCHING
Dicky IN SUSPENSE. PUSH IN ON Dicky'S FACE, HEAR ACTUAL FIGHT
AUDIO IN HIS HEAD -- FLASH TO ACTUAL FOOTAGE, Dicky KNOCKS
SUGAR RAY DOWN. BACK TO Dicky ACTS IT OUT ON BOOBOO, WHO GOES
DOWN ACTING IN SLOW MOTION:
DICKY
THERE IT IS! First knock downa
Sugar Ray's career!
WOLFIE
(snaps to rare moment of
LUCIDITY)
Ain't ya 'sposed to be trainin'
Micky in the movie right now?
DICKY
(SHADOWBOXING BOOBOO)
That's not til 9.
BECKY
It's 11:45, Dick.
DICKY
What?!
SMASH CUT TO:
9 48 SMITH ST., CRACK HOUSE - DOWNTOWN, LOWELL - DAY 9
They scramble looking for the car.
DICKY
Where'd you fuckin' pahk the cah,
BooBoo?
BOOBOO
I didn't pahk it, you did!
They are on the street of row houses, CAMBODIAN IMMIGRANTS.
( C'.ONTTNTTF.n 1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 15.
9 CONTINUED: 9
DICKY
Fuckit, I'll run, I need the
ROADWORK -
Dicky starts running down the street ...BooBoo shakes his
head, "roadwork?"...Wolfie staring after Dicky in shock.
BOOBOO
Roadwork?! Are you crazy?
WOLFIE
He runs great even when he's high.
10 STREETS - DOWNTOWN, LOWELL - DAY 10
.Dicky runs in his crack clothes, shorts, work
boots... .Dicky runs in his crack clothes, shorts, work boots,
throwing punches in the air. HE PASSES A 'WARD ROOFING' TRUCK
and WAVES to his father GEORGE WARD ON A ROOF WITH WORKMAN.
DICKY
(RUNNING)
Hey, Pappa!
George looks up as he kneels, roofing, and sees Dicky. Kids
run after him shouting.
11 RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM - 1ST FLOOR - DAY 11
HBO camera crew in the background filming Micky working the
heavy bag, boom-boom-boom-boom! Tinny radio blares 'Voices
Carry' by Til Tuesday. ALICE LOOKS THROUGH SCRAP BOOKS WITH
THE SISTERS WHO LAUGH AND CHAT.
Dicky BURSTS THROUGH THE DOOR sweating out-of-breath, yet
still goes into his trademark pimp stroll. Nobody turns,
Micky's punches and radio too loud. His mouth drops, sees the
camera filming Micky.
DICKY
Quackah!
MICKY
Quackah! Look who decided to show
up, Dicky Donuts.
ALICE AND SISTERS
Ahh! Dicky! Quackah!
(CNNTTNTTFM
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 16.
11 CONTINUED:
11
DICKY
(notices Alice's hair,
TOUCHES IT)
- This is nice.
She slaps his hand away half coyly.
DICKY
(walks over to the HBO
camera, laughs)
You been talkin' to the camera,
Mick? Introduce everybody!
(laughs, points at Carlos)
Hoppy cut!
MICKY
(throws upper cut)
-Hoppy cut!
CARLOS GARCIA, 50, short, Puerto Rican, points back, laughs
DICKY
Goncho, goncho, no goo' for yooou,
Deeckie, no goo' for youuu!'
CARLOS
(thick Puerto Rican
accent, nods)
No goo for you, Deeckie!
Micky cracks up. Ray Ramalho, cerebral palsey limps up to
Dicky, high-fives him.
RAY RAMALHO
Dickyeeeee!
DICKY
Ray-Ray!
(sweetly holds Ray's head
to his to teach him)
Put ya hands like this, turn that
punch. Turn it. Ya ready for the
camrahs?
Micky's stands waiting, watching Dicky putting on a show.
It's always the Dicky show.
HBO PRODUCER
(TO MICKY)
Are you annoyed that Dicky's late?
Micky smiles, fades, a little annoyed, sorta covers.
( C:ONTTNURD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 16A.
11 CONTINUED: (2) 11
DICKY
Micky, how do ya make a girl sound
just like a porpoise?
MICKY
I don't know, how?
DICKY
Ya go for the back door [Looks over
his shoulder, shakes his head
'no' ]" "Eh-Eh! Eh-Eh!' [Everyone
cracks up] I had a lot of eggs this
mornin' I'm full of yokes!
Micky laughs as he punch/taps Dicky in the ribs.
DICKY
(holds his back)
My back! My back!
MICKY
(laughing, mimics Dicky)
"My back! My back! I'm full a
yokes!" Quackah!
DICKY
We got Saoul Mamby. Jewish, black,
formah World Champ. I think we got
all the bases covahed, right?
(laughs) Micky lost three fights in
a row, he can't get used to losin',
it becomes a mental thing, we're
gonna break it with Mamby, right?
MICKY
Yeah, let's train!
(CONTTNTTRD
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 17.
11 CONTINUED: (3)
11
DICKY
Enough a you wastin' time, Mick,
half the fuckin' day's gone, we got
work to do!
Micky glares at Dicky like he's going to fucking hit him.
DICKY
Oooh, Alice, he's mad now, look at
him. Ya hit one those guys like ya
wanna hit me right now maybe ya
woulda won one of them fights!
(laughs to HBO producer) See? He's
a quiet guy, he needs the fire.
SMASH CUT TO:
12 RING, RAMALHO'S GYM - DAY
12
Micky, mad, motivated, works mits with Dicky. As they flow
together, Dicky's movement is, impressive, fluid and more
intense.
DICKY
(calls out combinations)
Work, work, head, body, head, body.
[To camera] Set it up sneaky,
switches stances inside. No!
[shoves Micky] That's too far out,
switch inside, see, he switches
outside, I'm gonna catch him like
this, [upper cuts Micky, nails
him], don't switch OUTSIDE!
Micky, mad, throws a fast combination back but Dicky leans on
the ropes and SLIPS IT ALL, clinches Micky, smiles at camera,
pops his hips forward.
DICKY
(CLINCHING)
Gimme Jose!
SMASH CUT TO:
.Micky sparring Jose in the ring, headgear, mouthpiece.
Dicky on the apron, shouting out instructions. Alice and his
sisters standing behind him. HBO documentary camera filming.
(CC)NTTNT7Fn )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 18.
12 CONTINUED: 12
DICKY
(shouting at Micky)
Micky does everythin' I tell him,
he's goin' all the way to a world
title! Now move, that's why you
dropped the weight! We're gonna out
box Mamby. [Now to Producer] Three
months. I can get myself back in
shape in three months.
ALICE
(hand on Dicky's shoulder)
My Dicky can do anything!
Micky looks over annoyed.
DICKY
Hook-- Head-Body-Head! C'mon!
That's ya fuckin' combo, head-body-
head!
ALICE
Dicky taught him that!
DICKY
(throwing the combo himself)
Ya know Sugah Ray's gonna be there
callin' the fight for ESPN. I ain't
seen him since since I knocked 'im
down 14 yeahs ago.
(shouts at Micky in ring)
You don't wanna embarrass yaself in
front a Sugah Ray, do ya Mick?!
Micky scowls at them, gets inside, unloads a vicious hook to
Gilberto's ribs. Jose crumples down to the canvas.
.Micky's eyes go wide as he looks down at Jose on the
ground. Micky's surprised himself, that was good!
DICKY
That's ya punch, Micky.
(CNNTTNTTRD)
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 19.
12 CONTINUED: (2)
12
ALICE
(nods, clapping)
Both my boys are gonna do it!
MICKY
(hiding a young smile)
Hey Jose, I'm sorry. [helps Jose
UP]
DICKY
That's a kidney punch, shuts the
whole body down. Right heah -
[pokes HBO producer on the spot and
he bends over in pain, Dicky
laughs].
13 STREET, RAMALHO'S GYM - DUSK 13
.Micky & Dicky head out of the gym, showered, dressed, hair
still wet. Alice walking up ahead of them heading for her
' 88 white Lincoln Continental parked on the street, Little
Alice and Beaver (Phyllis) following after her. HBO cameras
gone.
MICKY
(energized, hopeful)
I feel good. I feel lightah.
DICKY (CONT'D)
You look good! You can definitely
do this. You look good in there,
Micky, real good. [false teeth
sideways, crazy face]. I'm Saoul
Mamby, Micky Ward hit me -
Dicky arm around Micky, walks up to Alice at her car, Little
Alice and Beaver getting inside. He shoves his dentures coo-
coo sideways --
(RLNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 19A.
13 CONTINUED:
13
Micky smiles as Dicky acts crazier, zinging him in the sides
a little; Micky zings him back, two brothers, they mash into
Alice and sisters and against the car, all laughing, Dicky
tickles Alice.
(CNNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 20.
13 CONTINUED: (2) 13
ALICE
(scrunches her neck &
shoulder, squirms away
LAUGHING)
I can't stand that, Dicky, JESUS,
STOP!
14 ' 89 SILVER FORD TEMPO (MOVING) - NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE - DAM
.Micky driving his banged-up old car, parking in the
driveway of a large beautiful house, upper-class
neighborhood.
15 EXT. BEAUTIFUL HOUSE - FRONT DOOR - DAY 15
Micky knocking on the door. His ex-girlfriend's husband,
JIMMY, 45, well off, answers the door.
LAURIE'S HUSBAND
(WHISPERS)
Micky, how's it goin'? Ya know I
don't think Laurie's expecting --
LAURIE CARROLL, 32, dirty blonde, thin walks up.
LAURIE
What's he doing here? This isn't
your visitation day, Micky.
MICKY
I just wanna say hi to Kasie.
LAURIE
It's not your day, goodbye.
MICKY
I'm not around next weekend --
LAURIE
Now you're ditchin' the days you DO
have?
MICKY
I have a fight I told you that. (To
Jimmy) Jimmy --
( NNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 21.
15 CONTINUED: 15
JIMMY
I can't get in the middle.
MICKY
I'm asking YOU, Jimmy. I can't talk
to her, so I'm asking YOU.
JIMMY
Kasie, talk to your father.
.Micky's daughter, KASIE WARD, 10, curly hair, cute, comes
up to the door, hugs her father hello.
LAURIE
Goddamnit, Jimmy!
JIMMY
Don't put me in the middle-a this
KASIE
(through the doorway)
Daddy's gotta fight Saoul Mamby-
MICKY
That's right, and I wanna tell ya
that after I win --
LAURIE
Talk to her on your days!
MICKY
I'm gonna staht makin' good money
LAURIE
Hah! That's a good one!
MICKY
I'll move to a biggah apahtment so
you can live with me more days like
we talked about.
LAURIE
Don't hold ya breath, Kasie. It's
cruel to mislead ya child, Micky.
She closes the door, arguing inside with Jimmy.
KASIE
(shouts through door)
Good luck, Daddy!
( C'.nNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 22.
15 CONTINUED: (2) 15
MICKY
(shouts to door)
Thanks, Kasie.
16 EXT. MICKY'S APARTMENT ABOVE GARAGE - MORNING - LATER IN THIB
WEEK
Micky's apartment above a two-car garage, next to a gray
Victorian house, lower-class neighborhood.
17 BEDROOM, MICKY'S APARTMENT - EARLY MORNING 17
Micky fixes himself in the mirror, straightening his button-
down shirt, wears an ill-fitting sports coat, looks like a
little boy playing dress up. Suitcase open on his bed. This
is it, the day before the big fight.
18 ' 89 SILVER FORD TEMPO (MOVING) - LOWER HIGHLANDS, LOWELL -18
EARLY MORNING
Micky parks in front of his parents' house; a limo out front.
Micky opens the door, grabs his suitcase...
19 ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE, BEDROOM - 28 HAWTHORNE ST., 19
LOWER HIGHLANDS - EARLY MORNING
Alice checks her hair, smooths her dress in the mirror.
George, dressed nicely, struggles to close their suitcase on
the bed, whistling. Both smiling, excited about the day, the
fight. LITTLE Dicky, 5, redhead, Dicky's son, runs in,
followed by Pork.
ALICE
(embraces Little Dicky)
Little Dicky, listen to Mummy, you
be good for ya Aunt Cathy so ya
daddy can help ya Uncle Micky win a
fight, OK?
20 LIMOUSINE (PARKED) - ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - EARLY 20
MORNING
.Micky, Alice, George, Pork, Sherry, and Red Rog standing
around the limousine. All dressed nice for their travel.
They exchange looks. George shakes his head and mutters
something to himself. No sign of fucking Dicky.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(lowers his voice)
It's none a my business, but I been
goin' to meetin's, and they say let
go and let Gahd. You don't need
this shit, Micky. Let's just go
without 'im.
(RONTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 23.
20 CONTINUED: 20
MICKY
(looks down at his feet)
- thanks, Mick, but Dicky taught me
everything, he's been in my cornah,
ya know. I can't do it without 'im.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
You're already doin' it without
him.
A21 EXT. CRACK HOUSE - EARLY MORNING A21
Micky walks down the driveway of the crack house as Alice
walks up to the front porch.
21 CRACK HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR - LIVING ROOM - EARLY MORNING 21
.Dicky open mouth makes out with Karen, his Cambodian
girlfriend, BooBoo sits next to them smoking crack. They've
been up for days, eyes racing, high.
WOLFIE
(shouts from downstairs)
Dicky, YOUR MUTHUAH'S OUTSIDE!
DICKY
(real fear in his eyes)
I'm not here!
Bonnie laughs as Dicky rushes for an open window in the back
of the kitchen, 2nd floor of the crack house. Dicky climbs
out the window and jumps...
22 BACK ALLEY, CRACK HOUSE 22
.Dicky flying, falling... lands hard on top of some garbage
bags...Bounces onto the filthy ground. He rolls over, his
back fucked. Stumbles up to his feet, grimacing...
Micky stands there waiting in the back yard, watching.
MICKY
What the fuck are you doin'?
DICKY
(WHISPERS)
Don't tell Ma I'm here, pick me up
back at the house, I'll go through
the yahds -
MICKY
We gotta go to the airport now.
You know how important this fight
is.
(CNNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 23aA.
22 CONTINUED:
22
DICKY
(WHISPERS)
Pick me up at the house!
Micky gives Dicky a boost onto a fence to climb over.
MICKY
(BOOSTING DICKY)
Hurry up, she's out front, and we
gotta flight to catch.
But as Dicky struggles to climbing over, George comes
charging toward them.
(CONTTNTIFT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 23A.
22 CONTINUED: (2)
22
(CNNTTNTTFT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 24.
22 CONTINUED: (3)
22
GEORGE
This is what you do to ya brothah
the day we travel?
George pulls Dicky off the fence, swings at him with a big
punch; Dicky slips the punch and nails George in the eye with
an overhand right, George goes down. Micky rolls his eyes.
MICKY
Could we please just go to the
airport for once?
Alice comes around the corner.
ALICE
(SCREAMS)
Ohmygawd, Dicky, why do you come to
this place?
DICKY
(walks her, arm around)
No, no, I just came to check on
some friends, I'm not mixed up in
this.
Micky looks at his mother in disbelief, his father down on
the ground behind him... . his brother high out of his mind.
MICKY
Help ya husband up, Alice. Ya
husband's on the ground there.
Instead Dicky helps Alice up the driveway to the limo. Micky
helps his father to his feet.
23 LIMOUSINE (PARKED)
- CRACK HOUSE - MORNING 23
Everybody sits in the limo in silence looking out different
windows as Micky helps George settle into his seat and hands
him a can of Coke George holds to his punched eye.
MICKY
Close the door.
DICKY
Hold on.
BOO BOO STARTS TO CLIMB IN, 'COSMO' written on forehead.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
What the fuck is he doin' here?
( NNTTNTIFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 25.
23 CONTINUED: 23
DICKY
We got a promotional thing we're
doin', for the bar, it's gonna be
good, you'll see.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
No. That's distracting for Micky.
DICKY
Nobody asked you!
MICKY
No. No BooBoo.
BooBoo looks to Dicky who rolls his eyes; BooBoo leaves.
Micky stares in disbelief.
24 RESORTS INTERNATIONAL CASINO - ATLANTIC CITY - DAY 24
Alice leads Dicky, Micky, George, Mickey O'Keefe through the
ringing slot machines of a casino.
25 MICKY HOTEL'S ROOM - RESORTS INTERNATIONAL - NEXT MORNING 25
Next morning, day of the fight. Micky & Dicky hanging out in
Micky's room, sitting on the bed watching a video of "Mamby
vs Meekins" on TV.
DICKY
(excited, jumps up off the
bed, showing Micky)
See his right ahm goes leaves his
side open, light him up like a
pinball machine, he'll be pissin'
blood, no way you lose, no way -
.Alice and LOU GOLD, 40s, balding, mustache, the matchmaker
for ESPN, walk into the room, "Mamby vs Meekins" still
playing on TV. Alice looks serious.
DICKY
(stretches out his back)
ESPN couldn't get us bettah rooms
than this, Lou?
LOU GOLD
I wouldn't worry about the rooms,
Dicky, we gotta bigger issue.
( NNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 26.
25 CONTINUED:
25
DICKY
Like what?
ALICE
(SADLY)
The doctor won't let Mamby fight.
MICKY
Why not?
LOU GOLD
He's got the flu.
MICKY
Mamby got the flu?!
MICKY
feels his whole fight plan go out the window.
LOU GOLD
We can still have a fight, Micky.
Micky stares at him.
MICKY
With who?
LOU GOLD
Mike Mungin.
MICKY
Mike Who? Mungin?
DICKY
The guy from Philly, ain't he in
prison?
LOU GOLD
He's been out a few months. It's
the only guy we could find, I
called everybody.
MICKY
The last few fights were rough,
Lou, this one's 'sposed to be a
little easiah.
LOU GOLD
The guy just got off the couch
today, it's an easy win for Micky.
Dicky and Alice nod, Micky unsure.
LOU GOLD
Joey Ferrell knocked this guy out.
(C_nNTTNTTT?T)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 27.
25 CONTINUED: (2) 25
ALICE
Micky knocked out Joey Ferrell.
LOU GOLD
Exactly, and Mungin just got off
the couch. He can't make weight, of
course, he's a bit over.
ALICE
How over?
LOU GOLD
Maybe 162, 165.
MICKY
(EYES WIDE)
165?
DICKY
He's a fuckin' middleweight, Ron!
ALICE
Micky got light! He's 146!
DICKY
We're gonna box Mamby, not slug it
out with a middleweight!
LOU GOLD
He's fat! He just got off the
couch!
DICKIE
(exhales, thinks)
OK. And Joey Ferrell knocked him
out. I gotcha.
MICKY
Hold on, 165's big.
DICKIE
You knocked out Joey Ferrell.
MICKY
So what? The guy's a middleweight.
DICKIE
He just got off the couch.
MICKY
He's 20 pounds bigger than me.
(CONTTNIWN 1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 27A.
25 CONTINUED: (3) 25
DICKY
Joey Ferrell knocked him out! You
knocked out Joey Ferrell.
MICKY
You just said that.
DICKIE
You can't be scared.
MICKY
How 'bout you go fight him? He's a
middleweight.
DICKIE
He's fat. You knocked out Joey
Ferrell.
MICKY
How many times ya gonna say I
knocked out Joey Ferrell? A beats B
B beats C so A can beat C? But what
if it rains that day, anything
could happen --
LOU GOLD
You don't fight, nobody gets paid.
Whoa. Micky sees Alice and Dicky looking at him.
MICKY
OK. Joey Ferrell knocked this guy
out. And I knocked out Joey
Ferrell.
They all nod.
ALICE
You gotta pay us somethin' extra
for the change, Lou. [He nods]
26 AUDITORIUM - RESORTS INTERNATIONAL - 26
TITLE: Ward vs. Mungin - Resorts International, Atlantic
City. MICKY CLIMBS INTO THE RING WHILE WE HEAR ALICE DIALOG
OS ENDING PREVIOUS NEGOTIATION.
Micky's in white trunks, robe with "'Irish' Micky Ward" on
the back, following Dicky, Mickey O'Keefe, 2nd in the corner,
cutman ED ALIANO. Micky sees his name spelled wrong on the
back of the white corner men jackets, "Mickey Ward."
MICKY
I don't spell my name with an 'e.
(CNNTTNTTF N'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 28.
26 CONTINUED: 26
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Don't fuckin' ask me. I just take
what ya give me.
O'Keefe turns back to Micky who's staring at MIKE "MACHINE
GUN" MUNGIN, 27, 5'9", 158 lbs, red trunks, in the opposite
corner: HUGE, and in prison shape, big biceps, shoulders,
neck. Micky's eyes widen with fear.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
That guy's not a welter weight.
MICKY
(whispers to his brother)
Dicky, look at that guy.
.Dicky's not listening, waving to the HBO cameraman filming
ringside... sees SUGAR RAY LEONARD, now 38, sitting ringside,
calling the fight for ESPN with AL BERNSTEIN, 40s, salt &
pepper hair, mustache.
DICKY
Ray! Sugah Ray! Ovah heah!
Sugar Ray doesn't respond to Dicky. He's talking to the ESPN
camera, still looks young, handsome, not a mark on him.
DICKY
We gotta talk latah!
MICKY
Dicky, listen to me. I can't lose
again. Look at that guy.
DICKY NOW LOOKS AT MIKE MUNGIN AND HIS HEAD SNAPS A LITTLE.
DICKY
Holy shit. [rubs Micky's neck]
MICKY O'KEEFE
Yeah, holy shit, stop lookin' at
Sugar Ray and wake up.
We'll hafta run the first few
rounds, get 'im tiahed, he can't be
ready, right? He just got off his
fuckin' couch.
MICKY
He did not just get off his
fuckin' couch.
DICKY
Look at me, Mick, don't look away.
(CNNTTNTTFV) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 28A.
26 CONTINUED: (2) 26
He grabs Micky's chin and makes Micky look him in the eye.
((''CNTTNTTPT)
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 29.
26 CONTINUED: (3) 26
DICKY
You can't go back to fightin'
scared, you gotta hit back like you
know you can and I know you can. I
don't care who that guy is, you're
Micky Ward.
Micky nods, but we see he's scared; it's not a fair fight.
27 RING - RESORTS INTERNATIONAL - 8:16 PM 27
TITLE: Rd 3 - :49 (time running down). Mungin muscling Micky
into a corner, blood already dripping from Micky's nose.
Hook to the body--Hook to the body--Hard uppercut ...Bam! Bam!
Bam! Micky stumbles, hurt, almost goes down, blood spilling
down his nose, mouth, face, hear AL BERNSTEIN, "Oh, he hurt
Micky Ward!"...Micky ties Mungin up, holding on.. .Sugar Ray
Leonard, "This would be a huge upset! I'm not sure what Micky
expected from a last minute substitute, but he surely
couldn't have expected this."
.Dicky screaming from ringside for Micky to move.. .Alice,
George sitting behind him can't look. . .Micky tries to fight
back ...Mungin's just too big, too strong, unloading hard
shots to Micky's head, big uppercuts ...Micky's getting the
shit kicked out of him...All he can do is cover up, holding
his gloves close to his face.. .The bell rings. End of Rd 3.
ALICE IN THE CROWD LOOKS AWAY, CRYING.
28 MICKY'S CORNER, RING 28
.Micky heads for his corner, blood running, Dicky jumps
into the ring, Mickey O'Keefe puts down the stool.. .Micky
sits down, ED ALIANO starts to wipe the blood from his face,
Dicky takes out Micky's mouthpiece.
DICKY
- Button it up, Ed. If you can't
stop the bleedin', we'll fuckin'
sue ya.
.Ed Aliano smiles, sticks swabs up Micky's nose to stop the
bleeding, get everything cleaned out. . .Dicky pours water into
Micky's mouth. Micky swishes it around, spits it out...
DICKY
You okay?
(C_C)NTTNTTTT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 30.
28 CONTINUED: 28
MICKY
(looks up at his brother;
knows he can't win)
YUH -
DICKY
What're you doin' out there? You
feel like fightin' or what? You
gotta jab and move. Don't stand in
front of this guy, keep 'im off ya,
jab and move -
(shows him, jabbing the
air, moving back & forth)
Jab and move. What are you ascared
of? You're fightin' scared again!
Micky just nods.
29 RING - RESORTS INTERNATIONAL - 8:31 PM 29
TITLE: Rd 6 - 2:01 (time running down. Micky covering his
face with his gloves, gash open, bleeding above his left
eye.. .hear Al Bernstein, "Micky's taking a beating. He's
standing there taking those shots from Mungin.I'm not sure
why." Leonard, "I don't know, Micky was once one of the most
promising light welterweights around, but he's had some tough
luck losses, and sometimes after a fighter loses a few times
it becomes a mental thing." Mungin hits him with hard left
uppercut and an overhand right right on the chin. . .Micky goes
sprawling across the ring, stumbling backwards... Falling down
hard onto the canvas!
.Micky gets back onto his feet, looks into his corner at
Dicky screaming, "Hold on! Hold on!"...Micky bleeding from
his nose, above his eye, looks lost. . .Referee JOE CORTEZ
gives him a standing eight-count, "One... Two... Three..."
.Micky wipes blood from his nose with the back of his
glove..."Six... Seven..." He glances into the crowd, blood
smeared on his face, gloves, sees his mother covering her
face with her hands...
30 RING - RESORTS INTERNATIONAL - 8:49 PM 30
Post-fight, crowded. Ring doctor checking the cut above
Micky's left eye, another deep gash open on his cheekbone
just under the eye, still bleeding from his nose, his face a
bloody mess.. .Dicky wiping Micky's face with a sponge,
glancing down at the HBO crew, shaking his head, Mickey
O'Keefe rubbing Micky's neck ...Mungin smiling in the
background, everybody waiting for the decision...
(CONTTNTIRT)
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 31.
30 CONTINUED: 30
.Blood, sweat dripping into Micky's eyes, he knows he lost,
he knows he fucking lost again...
31 MICKY'S DRESSING ROOM - RESORTS INTERNATIONAL - NIGHT 31
Micky sits on the trainer's table in the middle of the room,
showered, dressed, face bandaged. Alice gently touches the
back of his neck, whispers in his ear. He nods. She holds his
head a few moments. Dicky comes in. HUGS HIS BROTHER.
DICKY
We nevah shoulda fought that guy.
Forget about it. Alice, HBO's
waitin' for us. Sugah Ray's out
there! C'mon you come too, Mick.
Dicky heads back out. Alice looks at Micky, pats his cheek
and follows after Dicky, leaving Micky sitting alone on the
trainer's table.
32 RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, CASINO - NIGHT 32
Dicky walks toward Sugar Ray Leonard who is with A PRETTY
WOMAN AND A BODYGUARD signing autographs for fans.
DICKY
RAAAAAAAY! Hey, Ray,--
The bodyguard stops him. Sugar Ray sees Dicky and waves him
over.. .Dicky smiles, missing teeth. The HBO cameraman
following after him. Sugar Ray shakes Dicky's hand.
SUGAR RAY LEONARD
Tough night for your brother, he
shoulda jabbed more, stayed away.
DICKY
That's what I was tellin' 'im! I
told 'im, Ray. But Mungin weighs
like 160 pounds! ESPN fucked us,--
(stretches his back, turns
to Sugar Ray's girl)
Ya know I knocked Ray down.
SUGAR RAY LEONARD
(laughs, smiles his
million dollar smile)
Come on, Dick, I tripped.
( C''NNTTNTTFT))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 32.
32 CONTINUED: 32
DICKY
Oh don't say that now. I know I
look like shit, but,-- I went 10
rounds with you, Ray, I knocked you
down. C'mon, lemme buy you guys a
drink.
SUGAR RAY LEONARD
Thanks, Dick, but we have to get
going, I have a plane to catch.
DICKY
(points to the HBO
CAMERAMAN)
HBO's doin' a movie on me, Ray.
And I'd like to call ya sometime,
I'm gonna get a fight, and I'd like
ya to be there for old time's
sakes, ya know, maybe you can
commentate on it or somethin'.
SUGAR RAY LEONARD
OK, Dick, you let me know. What's
the movie about?
DICKY
(looks at Sugar Ray like
he's fucking crazy; what
ELSE)
My comeback.
Sugar Ray just nods at Dicky, sees Alice walking up to them.
SUGAR RAY LEONARD
- You look great Mrs. Ward, hope
you're well.
ALICE
Nevah bettah, Ray, nevah bettah.
God bless.
Sugar Ray smiles and slips out of the casino with the girl
and his bodyguard, leaving Dicky & Alice standing alone under
the bright neon lights. HBO camera still filming...
DICKY TURNS AND SEES MICKY TALKING TO AN OLDER GUY,MIKE TOMA,
30 FEET AWAY. TOMA'S ENTOURAGE STANDING NEARBY.
DICKY
What's he talkin' to Mike Toma for?
He starts to head over.
(RNNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 33.
32 CONTINUED: (2) 32
ALICE
(holds Dicky back,
lowering her voice so the
camera doesn't hear)
Stay heah, Dick, stay heah, don't
go ovah thayh.
CUT TO:
33 MICKY TALKING TO MIKE TOMA; TOMA'S ENTOURAGE NEARBY. 33
MIKE TOMA
(shakes his head, gruff
BROOKLYN ACCENT)
You goin' to the hospital?
MICKY
(NODS)
They said I need stitches.
MIKE TOMA
(pulls Micky in closer,
lowers his voice)
Listen, Mick, I'm just gonna cut to
it, you never shoulda fought that
guy. You should be doin' better.
With all due respect, I don't think
you're bein' handled properly. I
wanna give you a real shot. I want
ya to come with me. I wanna pay ya
to train with my guys.
MICKY
Where?
MIKE TOMA
Las Vegas. Do it right and make
one last run at this thing before
it's too late.
MICKY
You'll pay me to train in Vegas?
MIKE TOMA
Change of scenery's good, get outta
Lowell.
Micky looks at him, eyes widen as he looks over Toma's
shoulder; he seems to feel a touch of VERTIGO AS CAMERA
CIRCLES so we can see what he's looking at: ALICE AND DICKY
30 FEET AWAY WATCHING.
( C'_NNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 34.
33 CONTINUED: 33
MICKY
What about my brothah?
BOB ARUM
(shakes his head)
With all due respect, he's too much
trouble. You owe it to yourself to
come to Vegas.
CAMERA CIRCLES BACK TO MICKEY STARING AT HIS FAMILY,
THINKING, deciding.
34 LIMOUSINE (MOVING) - LOWER HIGHLANDS, LOWELL - SATURDAY 34
MORNING
Hear his mother and father and brother laughing, kibbitzing,
smoking cigarettes.
ALICE
What did Mike Toma want?
MICKY
(looking out window,
DISTANT)
He wants to train me in Vegas.
Alice and Dicky glance at each other, and study Micky.
DICKY
You can't trust that guy, Micky,
you don't know 'im. Did he say
anythin' about me? Did he say I
could come?
MICKY
(looking out window)
No, he didn't mention you.
ALICE
Who's gonna look out for ya in
Vegas, Micky? They're all crooks
out there. What would you do
without Dicky? Or the family?
MICKY
(looks at Dicky)
Yeah I know. That's what I told
'im.
Micky looks back out the window, face bandaged, no emotion.
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 35.
35 EXT. ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - LIMOUSINE (PARKED) - 35
MORNING
Everyone walking away from the limo, suitcases in hand.
Micky heading for his shitty car parked on the street, Dicky
walking to Alice's house with his mother and father. Micky
O'Keefe stands nearby at his car. Pork, Tar, Beaver, Sherry
and Red Dog are also there.
DICKY
(calls out to Micky)
Take care, Mick, we'll talk
tommorrah.
Little Dicky runs out of the house into Dicky's arms.
DICKY
Hey, champ! Daddy's home!
LITTLE DICKY
Did Uncle Micky win?
DICKY
Not this time, Dicky, try and gimme
a sock in the nose--
Micky, lost in thought, stands at his car watching Dicky
playing with Little Dicky.
ALICE
(TO MICKY)
We'll get you anothah fight, Micky.
MICKY
Nah, I don't think I wanna do this
no more.
ALICE
What?
DICKY
(looks up as Little Dicky
tags him in the nose)
What're you talkin' about?
George walks over to his Micky sympathetically as Dicky grabs
his brother by the shoulders.
DICKY
ESPN screwed us, they owe us.
We'll get anothah fight. Just get
healed up, Micky, you're okay -
(RNNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 36.
35 CONTINUED: 35
ALICE
Listen to your bruthah, honey, they
owe us big time. Maybe they could
even do Dicky's comeback fight too.
Micky just nods okay. Dicky pats him on the back as Micky
gets into his car.
GEORGE
Christ, Alice, he's been through
the wringah -
ALICE
What're you talkin' about?
(to O'Keefe who's staring
AT HER)
- And what's your fuckin' problem?
Mickey O'Keefe shakes his head and walks away.
36 MICKY'S APARTMENT, ABOVE GARAGE - NIGHT 36
PAN of photographs of Kasie, Micky & Dicky in the ring after
fights; red & white boxing gloves; boxing magazine;
flickering TV. Micky lies sleeping in his clothes on the
couch, bandages on his head. He sits up, TV playing.
He gets up and walks into the small kitchen, grabs a beer out
of the refrigerator, swallows some PAIN pills. And picks up
the cocktail NAPKIN WITH CHARLENE'S NUMBER AND HEART ON IT.
Picks up the phone, starts to dial, stops, looks at the
number. Hangs up the phone. Goes back into the living room
and lies down on the couch and falls asleep again. FADE OUT.
37 FADE IN. NEXT MORNING. MICKY'S STILL SLEEPING IN HIS 37
CLOTHES ON THE COUCH, TV STILL ON, MORNING LIGHT BLEEDING
THROUGH THE SHADES. HE IS WOKEN BY BANGING ON HIS DOOR.
MICKY SNAPS AWAKE, SITS UP, LOOKING AROUND.
MICKY
(groggy, out of it)
What,-- What is it?
He gets up off the couch and peeks through the shade.. .AND
SEES CHARLENE STANDING ON HIS DOORSTEP. Scared, he ducks
back down, crouches behind a chair. KNOCKING continues.
(RNNTTNTTFT))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 37.
37 CONTINUED: 37
CHARLENE (OS)
I saw your shadow. And I heard you
talk two seconds ago!
Micky doesn't move.
CHARLENE (OS)
Why don't you open the door and
tell me to my face why you didn't
call me yestahday?
Micky thinks, goes to the door, opens it. Charlene is
slightly taken aback by his bandaged face.
CHARLENE
- Why'd you stand me up last night?
MICKY
I was gonna call, I started to
call, but I couldn't call.
CHARLENE
'Cuz you lost the fight?
MICKY
(PAUSE)
Maybe, yeah, 'cuz I lost the fight.
They stand there looking at each other.
MICKY
How'd you know my house anyway?
CHARLENE
I asked my brothah,--
(sees one of the bandages
on his head peeling away)
Your, ahhh, your thing is comin'
off.
She points to his face. He touches the right side bandage.
CHARLENE
No, the othah thing. It's a mess.
It IS a mess.
CHARLENE
Ya got any tape?
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 38.
38 MICKY'S BATHROOM - DAY 38
Micky sits on the edge of the tub while Charlene carefully re-
bandages the left side of his eye and cheek bone. It is
quiet for a few moments while Micky looks into her face.
CHARLENE
(QUIETLY)
Did the Jewish black guy do this to
you?
Micky looks away. Charlene fixes the bandage.
MICKY
I didn't get to fight the Jewish
black guy.
CHARLENE
You didn't go head-body-head.
MICKY
(shakes his head)
He got the flu, the guy who took
his place had 16 pounds on me, I
nevah shoulda fought him.
CHARLENE
So why'd you fight him?
MICKY
Nobody woulda got paid. Everybody
said I could beat 'im.
CHARLENE
Who's everybody?
MICKY
My mothah and my brothah.
She looks at him as she takes this in.
CHARLENE
So are you gonna take me to dinnah
and movie tonight or what?
CUT TO:
39 ' 89 SILVER FORD TEMPO (PARKED) - CHARLENE'S APARTMENT - DUS9
Sun starting to set. Micky stands next to his car, checks
himself in the side view mirror, hair still wet, combed, new
bandage on his face, pauses.
(CINTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 39.
39 CONTINUED: 39
CUT TO: He opens the passenger door for Charlene, she's in a
tight top, short skirt, fancy flip-flops. Her large yellow
Victorian house behind her.
MICKY
Wow, you look great. You got a
nice house.
CHARLENE
Thanks. It's an apahtment building.
MICKY
Oh.
CHARLENE
There's five of 'em in there, one-a
my old roommates lives in one.
MICKY
(closes the door, gets
into the car)
Old roommates from where?
CHARLENE
College, but a lot a good it did
me, I'm workin' in a bah.
MICKY
You seem to enjoy it. You're very
populah down there -
CHARLENE
Uh yuh. Popular. I need to get
the hell outta that place. If I
don't drink while I'm workin' I'd
kill myself -
MICKY
(starts the car, looks
over at her)
What college?
CHARLENE
U.R.I. Full boat.
MICKY
Scholarship? For what?
CHARLENE
I was a high jumpah.
(CNNTTNTIFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 40.
39 CONTINUED: (2) 39
MICKY
A high jumpah?! You gotta be
kiddin' me.
CHARLENE
Fuck you, I cleahed 5-10, I was
New England Champ, but so what, I
nevah graduated. I pahtied too
much.
MICKY
(drives looks at her
raising an eyebrow)
You?!
Charlene laughs lightly through her nose.
40 ' 89 SILVER FORD TEMPO (MOVING) - ART-HOUSE MOVIE THEATER - 40
LEXINGTON- NIGHT
Night. Micky pulls up to an art house movie theater in
another city, state (right next door), "hip" part of town.
They get out of the car.
CHARLENE
(looking around the
theater, street)
What the hell we doin' in Richie
Rich Lexington? You come to this
theatah a lot?
MICKY
Oh yuh, it's a good movie theatah.
They have good movies.
CHARLENE
Like what?
MICKY
(MUMBLES)
Bell-ah Epa-cue.
The marquis says "BELLE EPOOUE" is playing.
CHARLENE
I think Belle Epic is how ya say it
and I nevah heard of it. Is it only
playin' up here in Lexington?
MICKY
Oh yuh. And I heard it's a good
movie.
(RNNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 41.
40 CONTINUED: 40
CHARLENE
From who?
MICKY
(walks ahead of her)
Guy at work -
She looks at him puzzled as she they enter the theater.
41 INT. LEXINGTON ART-HOUSE MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT 41
Four people there - movie in progress. Charlene sit watches,
looks at Micky asleep with his head back, mouth open.
42 EXT. LEXINGTON ART-HOUSE MOVIE THEATER - NIGHT 42
After movie, Micky and Charlene exit the theater. Neither
says a word for a moment.
CHARLENE
That's what you wanted to see?
There wasn't even any sex. What
Lowell guy on a road crew saw that
movie in Lexington and recommended
it??
Micky walks quickly ahead to the car, can't find his keys.
MICKY
(GROWING ANXIOUS)
Where's the keys, I musta lost 'em
in the theatah, I'm a dummy [WALKS
TOWARD THEATER]
CHARLENE
Micky. [He stops, turns] They're
in your hand.
Micky looks at the keys in his hand, embarrassed.
43 ' 89 SILVER FORD TEMPO (PARKED) - NIGHT 43
.Charlene stares at him as he starts the car. He starts to
back out, looking over his shoulder.
CHARLENE
What's going on? You afraid to run
into your girlfriend? You have a
girlfriend, just say it, that's why
you took me to Lexington.
then stops, puts the car in park and turns the engine off.
f nNTTNTTFT)'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 41A.
43 CONTINUED: 43
MICKY
I don't have a girlfriend. I came
here because I don't wanna show my
face in Lowell.
(CNNTTNTTFT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 42.
43 CONTINUED: (2) 43
Charlene stares at him. He doesn't look at her.
CHARLENE
- What do you have to be ashamed
of?
MICKY
(GROWS DARK)
I told everyone I was gonna win
that fight and get back on track.
I told Kasie we'd get a biggah
place so she could move in.
CHARLENE
(stares at him a beat)
You said you never shoulda fought
that guy, but your mothah and your
brothah wanted ya to do it.
MICKY
What's the difference, I'm alone in
the ring anyway.
CHARLENE
You think your family's lookin' out
for ya?
MICKY
(finally looks at her)
You can't say that about my family.
CHARLENE
What else could I say after what
you told me? Look at your face,
look at you.
Beat. He suddenly leans in and kisses her. The kiss builds
with confidence and passion to a very intense level of
connection and abandon and promise.
44 LOWELL MAN ON THE STREET INTERVIEWS. YEAH, WELL, HE LOST 44
AGAIN, YA KNOW, SO MAYBE HE'S GONNA BE DICKY ALL OVAH AGAIN,
NO CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR LOWELL, HE'S LIKE THE REST OF US I
GUESS. THE TOWN'S SEEN BETTAH DAYS, SO HAVE OUR FIGHTAHS.
45 ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - DAY - WEEKS LATER 45
CAMERA CIRCLES Alice talking on the phone, sitting at her
dining room table control center, long Lucky Strike cigarette
in her hand.
(RNNTTNTTRT))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 43.
45 CONTINUED: 45
Most of the sisters sitting and walking around her, center of
their universe, some drinking some smoking, all chattering.
ALICE
(INTO PHONE)
- Bullshit, Lou, I'm not gonna stop
callin' til ya make it right and
give us a fight that's fair! My boy
coulda got killed last time. . .Like
what? ...What else?... OK, what is
it? Mm, mm. Now you're talkin',
that sounds very interesting, I'll
get back to you. [Hangs up] We
gotta a great opportunity, we gotta
find Micky.
PORK
Nobody seen him for like a week.
ALICE
Jesus, it used to be Dicky was the
one we couldn't find, now it's both
of 'em?
TAR (CINDY)
I think Micky's with that girl from
the bah.
ALICE
What girl?
RED DOG (GAIL)
George was all fuckin' eagah for
them to get togethah.
BEAVER (PHYLLIS)
I heard she's into threeways.
SHERRI
With othah girls.
PORK (CATHY)
Yeah like one of them MTV girls -
ALICE LITTLE ALICE
(puts her hand over the (screws up her face)
phone) MTV girl?
MTV girls? What're you
talkin' about, Cathy?
PORK (CATHY)
Wild.
(C ONTTNTT1 fl
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 44.
45 CONTINUED: (2) 45
TAR (CINDY)
She acts all superiah 'cuz she went
to college.
ALICE
Just find Micky and tell him we
have business to discuss.
I'm gonna go find Dicky myself.
46 SMITH STREET, CRACK HOUSE - '88 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL (PARKEI4}5 -
DAY
Alice, trailed by Dicky holding the white dog, walks back to
her car from the crack house, trying not to cry. Dicky,
behind her like a kid in trouble, looks like shit, up for
days. She pauses at the car, crying. Dicky hugs her
shoulders with one arm.
47 ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY 47
Mid-handshakes, awkward Charlene, with Micky, meets Alice,
Tar, Beaver, Pork, Little Alice, Red Dog, Sherri. Cuts on
Micky's face healed. Charlene does a double take on Alice's
staring and studying her as Charlene has moved on to the
sisters, she and Alice share an icy wary look.
ALICE
(looks Charlene up & down)
- I've heard a lot about you.
CHARLENE
Really? I heard a lot about you,
too.
ALICE
What's that supposed to mean?
CHARLENE
The same thing you meant.
Micky shifts uncomfortably toward the sofa.
MICKY
Why don't we sit down and hear
what's goin' on businesswise?
CUT TO:
48 THEY ALL SIT IN THE LIVING ROOM 48
ALICE
(smiles, excited again,
proud of herself)
(MORE)
(C ONTTNTTFT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 45.
48 CONTINUED: 48
ALICE (CONT'D)
I got ya anothah fight, Mick, just
like I said I would. Lou Gold and
ESPN made it right.
DICKY
(holds white dog)
Just like I told ya! Against Joey
Belinc in six weeks at Foxwoods!
Kid's like 10-8. He's nuthin'.
And they're payin' us 25 grand!
ALICE
(nods, still smiling
PROUD)
17.5, Dick.
DICKY
17.5, I thought you said 25,
anyway that's still good money,
Mick.
MICKY
Oh yuh. That's good, Dick, I'm
just, ya know, trying to figure
out what's best for me--
Micky tilts his head, cat's got his tongue. They all look at
him. Alice lights a cigarette, exhales, tense.
ALICE
(exhales cig smoke)
Like what?
DICKY
What!?
Charlene looks at Micky, as if to say, "speak. is He looks at
her, she starts to open her mouth, stops.
ALICE
(looks at Micky, hurt)
I don't know why you're not more
excited, Mick. I thought ya'd be
more excited. That's good money.
It's a good fight. I got tough
with Lou Gold, Micky, I told him he
owes us.
MICKY
Yeah, I know, Ma. It's just,-- I
don't want things goin' the way
they been goin'.
( CONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 46.
48 CONTINUED: (2) 48
DICKY
(mouth open, wild-eyed)
Why, how they been goin'? You're
the one in the ring, Micky, yeah
that last one was unfair, but we
ain't gonna repeat that, so it's up
to you in the ring.
MICKY
I know, but I don't want things to
go like they been goin' HERE.
ALICE AND DICKY
Where?
MICKY
Here, this, us, Lowell. The
routine.
ALICE
We're workin' very hard for you,
Micky, I don't know what more you
want.
DICKY
What's his problem?
Micky sits back and folds his arms, a bit frustrated.
CHARLENE
I don't know, maybe you not showin'
up on time to train. Maybe Micky
havin' to come find you in a crack
HOUSE--
ALICE
Crack house?!
CHARLENE
--when you're sposed to go to the
airport.
ALICE
(glares at Charlene)
I'm sorry, I don't understand who
you ah or why you're talkin' -
CHARLENE
My name is Charlene, you just met
me, I'm datin' Micky. Should we do
it again? Hi, my name is Charlene.
(CENTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 46A.
48 CONTINUED: (3) 48
DICKY
What do you know about anythin'!
We don't even know who you ah.
MICKY
You just met her -
(C()NTTNTTFT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 47.
48 CONTINUED: (4) 48
ALICE
(sits back, laughs)
YOU just met her!
DICKY
(laughing with his mother)
He don't know who she is!
MICKY
We're togethah.
CHARLENE
(nods, getting pissed off)
We're together, don't insult me and
don't insult Micky.
ALICE
You gonna listen to some MTV girl
who works in a bah. What does she
know about boxin'?
CHARLENE
(CONFUSED)
MTV girl? I might not know -- much
about boxin' - but goin' to Vegas
an' gettin' paid yeah round --
sounds much bettah to me -- than
what you got 'im doin' heah.
ALICE
(looks over at Micky)
- Ah you gonna let 'er talk like
that to your muthah?
PORK (CATHY)
C'mon, Micky!
MICKY
I told you we're together! This is
my girlfriend, I want her here.
ALICE
(TEARING UP)
I have done everything [pauses] I
could [pauses] to help you. And for
this -- MTV girl --
CHARLENE
Stop callin' me a MTV girl,
whatever the fuck that means.
SISTERS
Wild. [Charlene makes a face]
WNNTTNTTFN 1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 48.
48 CONTINUED: (5) 48
ALICE
(wipes a tear)
I been doin' this for ovah 15
years, she comes in and disrespects
ME--
DICKY
And me.
MICKY
She don't mean no disrespect. I had
a chance to get paid to train year
round, that's all she's talkin'
about. I think everyone can
appreciate that.
Dicky stares taking this in, wheels turning.
DICKY
Of course! Of course, Micky, I
coulda had that! I know what
you're talkin' about. You think
I'm stupid?
ALICE
He knows, we know --
DICKY
Ma, please, let me say this
(PAUSE)
I had opportunities like you're
gonna maybe have. I had a girl I
wanted to be home with.[Sad for a
moment] You should have that. No
one's sayin' you shouldn't have
that. But I can't have you goin'
to Vegas, we gotta stick together,
Micky, please. I can get ya money
to train yeah 'round, if that's
what ya want. I'll handle it.
Dicky looks at Micky. . .then turns to Alice and nods his head
at her. He's got it. She's puzzled. Micky nods.
Uncomfortable awkwardness as everyone looks at him and
Charlene.
49 EXT. CRACK HOUSE IN LOWELL - DAYS LATER 49
CAMBODIAN GUY
(OS, TALKS IN CAMBODIAN)
(CNNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 48A.
49 CONTINUED: 49
DICKY
(OS)
You put in $200, then you get ten
OTHER people --
50 INT. CRACK HOUSE IN LOWELL - DAY 50
Dicky and BooBoo sit amid an ASSEMBLED GROUP OF ABOUT 10
CAMBODIANS. Karen, his CAMBODIAN CRACK GIRLFRIEND AND 6 YEAR
OLD SON IS NEXT TO HIM HOLDING HIS HAND LOOKING A BIT STRUNG
OUT. BOOBOO is behind Dicky.
(CC)NTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 49.
50 CONTINUED:
50
DICKY
-- to give YOU $200 each, and now
you have your $2,000.
KAREN (DICKY'S CAMBODIAN CRACK
GIRLFRIEND)
Translates to Cambodian.
DICKY
Understand?
PRAN
Everyone give you 200 dollah?
DICKY
Not everyone, just 10 a you.
BOOBOO
Ten lucky ones.
Karen shouts at the others in Cambodian.
PRAN
You rip us off!
DICKY
No no no no. I'm givin' you an
OPPORTUNITY!
CHAN
You give ME $200!
DICKY
You get that from TEN OTHAH PEOPLE
you offah the opportunity to.
PRAN
You think Cambodian people STUPID.
BOOBOO
White people do this! To othah
white people! It's what makes the
world go 'round.
DICKY
(puts an arm around Karen)
I love Cambodian people!
They all yell in Cambodian at Dicky who looks aggravated,
still holding onto Quackah.
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 50.
51 CRACK HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY 51
.HBO crew filming Dicky smoking crack, Bic lighter in his
hand, leaning against half of an old dining-room table in a
filthy kitchen, faded strawberry wallpaper. BooBoo, Karen,
Becky, Wolfie, standing around. Bonnie in background.
DICKY
(mumbling fast to camera,
high out of his mind)
They didn't understand. They're
practically my gang, they usually
listen to me but didn't understand
the opportunity, anyway, where were
WE--
HBO PRODUCER
Before you fought Sugar Ray --
DICKY
Oh, yeah, all the money I coulda
made if we just fuckin' did it
RIGHT, they threw me in too early.
We didn't know, my mothah didn't
know, Sugar Ray was too much, too
soon. I needed to build slow. If I
had Micky's discipline, with my
talent, forget about it. My wife
Debbie was the prettiest girl in
Lowell, and my daughtah Kasie, I
mean Kerry, I want Kerry to be
proud a me. [Lights pipe]
KAREN
Why you let them film you smokin'?
What this movie about again?
BONNIE
Hey's crazy!
HBO PRODUCER
I told you it's about crack
addiction. Showing what can
happen, what it really is, so kids
can see it for real.
BOOBOO
I can tell ya about the way it
works in the brain--
(CONTTNTTFT))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 50A.
51 CONTINUED: 51
DICKY
Excuse me, BooBoo, it's still my
movie, and this part [lights pipe]
will make me and Micky's comeback
more dramatic. I'll tell ya how
crack works [inhales from pipe].
(MORE)
(C'ONTTNTIFF 1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 51.
51 CONTINUED: (2) 51
DICKY (CONT'D)
When it entahs ya blood, ya get a
peaceful energetic feeling ovah ya
body, a kinda happiness -
As his words continue we PUSH IN ON Dicky'S FACE and CUT TO
FLASHBACK: medium shot, Dicky sits by a window, high; from
this dissolves a second Dicky who dances a slow happy, funk
dance across the room; out of this second Dicky dissolves a
third Dicky who lies on the couch, Karen comes and makes out
with him --
DICKY
(OS over the above)
-all the mistakes and the regrets
of the past melt away, you feel so
much lightah like when you were
young and everything's in front of
you. Then it fades and you gotta
get high again.
All three Dickys in the flashback - by the window, dancing,
making out on couch -- flicker and vanish to the grating
sound of aphone left off the hook.
PULL OUT FROM Dicky's face in present
DICKY
(EXHALES SMOKE)
Fuck I gotta find money for Micky.
What time is it?
52 EXT. CHARLENE'S YARD - DAY 52
Charlene stands alone on the lawn with her arms crossed.
CHARLENE
Why aren't you at work? Is ESPN
paying you to train?
MICKY
(OS)
Dicky's handlin' it.
CHARLENE
Dicky? Alice would be better than
Dicky.
MICKY
(OS)
Would you jump for Chrissakes?
Kasie's bein' very patient.
(CONTTNTTFT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 52.
52 CONTINUED: 52
PAN REVEALS: MICKY, IN RUNNING CLOTHES, HOLDS ONE END OF AN
OLD BAMBOO GARDEN STICK, 5' ACROSS, LIKE A HIGH JUMP BAR; HIS
DAUGHTER KASIE, 10, HOLDS THE OTHER END, A PILE OF tattered
chez pillows on the lawn beneath it.
KASIE
Maybe it's too hard for her. Maybe
there's not enough cushions.
MICKY
It's only 5'1", she did 5'8" as a
champ, right Charlene? 5'8"?
Charlene jogs a little curve to the bar and LEAPS backwards,
clearing 5'1," landing on the pillows.
MICKY AND KASIE
Yes!
He claps with Kasie as Charlene stands rubbing her ass.
CHARLENE
Fuck, those pillows barely did the
job, pardon my French, Kasie.
MICKY
Hey, we gotta get you home Kasie, I
gotta business dinnah with Nana.
53 EXT. ABANDONED LOWELL CRACK CORNER - NIGHT 53
Skinny Karen stands on the corner in hooker hot pants, high
heels, halter top. A new Volvo station wagon slows down and a
nervous-looking upper middle class NPR-type businessman, 45,
in a suit and tie, cruises and toots the horn. Karen walks
up to the window.
KAREN
You wanna date?
The businessman swallows and nods as he looks at Karen's
nipples and body.
54 EXT. SHADOWY DEAD END STREET - NIGHT 54
The Volvo wagon is parked by the side, lights off.
55 INT. BUSINESSMAN'S VOLVO STATION WAGON - NIGHT 55
Karen starts to go down on the businessman while he leans
back and closes his eyes.
(RNNTTNTTFT)
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 53.
55 CONTINUED: 55
Suddenly a beat-up station wagon pulls in behind them with
its brights shining.
BUSINESSMAN
Oh shit.
DICKY
(through cheap megaphone
SLURRING)
Get outta the cah put ya hands on
the roof!
The business man gets out, nervous, hands up, pants undone,
puts his hands on the roof. All he sees are bright lights
and Dicky's silhouette holding up a wallet like a badge.
Still hear Quackah barking.
BUSINESSMAN
(puts his hands on roof)
Please, God, I never did this
before, I have two kids, a wife and
I support my mother and my aunt.
DICKY
Empty ya pockets, put everything on
the roof, ID, wallet, cash. Your
wife know you're here, huh?
BUSINESSMAN
(confused, starts to turn)
No, what? Are you - are you a cop?
DICKY
(swaying, wasted drunk)
Don't turn around! Empty ya
pockets!
The guy empties his pockets onto the roof of the Volvo.
BooBoo sits in Dicky's station wagon.
DICKY
Walk to the sidewalk, we have to
take the vehicle. [Takes cash,
mumbles to Karen] Take half, get us
some rocks.
BUSINESSMAN
How will I get home?
Suddenly the BWOOP-BWOOP of a police siren and the flashing
lights as a COP CAR PULLS UP AND ANOTHER BUSINESS MAN, bald,
gets out and POINTS AT Dicky.
(RNNTTNTTT T) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 54.
55 CONTINUED: (2) 55
BALD BUSINESSMAN
THAT'S THE GUY, HE GOT ME AND HE'S
DOIN' IT AGAIN!
Dicky takes off running away...
56 STREETS - DOWNTOWN, LOWELL - NIGHT 56
Dicky running down streets... running through backyards,
driveways...
57 INT. OLYMPIA RESTAURANT - DOWNTOWN, LOWELL - NIGHT 57
Alice pulls out a LOBBY CARD, "WARD VS. BELINC - FOXWOODS
RESORT as she sits in a large booth with George, Mickey
O'Keefe, Red Dog, Sherry. Micky arrives with Charlene --
ALICE
(excited, smiles proud)
What do ya think, Mick? Looks
good, right?
MICKY
(kisses his mother hello,
SITS DOWN)
Oh, yeah, Ma, it looks great.
Dicky comin'?
ALICE
(looks at watch)
He'll be here.
GEORGE
(nods, kisses Charlene
HELLO)
Yuh. Hey, Charlene didja quit the
bah?
ALICE
Didn't she just staht workin'
there?
CHARLENE
She did. But she's wants to quit
to go for teachah certification.
ALICE
(CHUCKLES)
I thought she was plannin' to live
offa Micky.
Charlene gives Alice a look.
(CONTTNTTFT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 54aA.
57 CONTINUED: 57
MICKY
C'mon, c'mon, this is 'sposed to be
about the fight, let's just talk
about the fight --
(C'_C)NTTNTTRT))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 54A.
57 CONTINUED: (2) 57
ALICE
What?! I was just makin' a joke for
chrissakes. I'm sorry, Charlene.
CHARLENE
It's OK, I know you been tryin' to
live offa Micky for years.
MICKY
Can we talk business?
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(changing the topic)
Is there gonna be a press
conference?
( RNNTTNTTT Y )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 55.
57 CONTINUED: (3) 57
ALICE
Yeah, five days before the fight --
58 STREET - COSMOPOLITAN CAFE/OLYMPIA RESTAURANT - DOWNTOWN, 58
LOWELL - NIGHT
.Dicky running down the street toward the restaurant,
passing the COSMOPOLITAN CAFE, crowd of people out front,
BOUNCER, 6'4", 230 lbs., sirens in the air.
BOUNCER
(puts his hand up, shakes
HIS HEAD)
Whoa, spucky teeth, I thought you
were smokin' rocks, now you're
gargling with 'em?
DICKY
(looks away, mumbles)
You're 'bout to lose your breath.
BOUNCER
I'm about to lose my what?
And Dicky nails the bouncer in the gut, drops him to his
knees, wind knocked out of him, then Dicky hooks his
jaw... 6'4" guy dropping fast, hitting the sidewalk, sickening
thud. COP CHASING HIM on foot runs up, Dicky PUNCHES HIM
OUT. Busting open his nose, blood pouring. Dicky takes a
swing at ANOTHER COP. More police cars pull up. Officers
jump out and slam Dicky to the ground! Dicky screams,
fighting back, kicking and punching the police arresting
him...
59 OLYMPIA RESTAURANT - NIGHT 59
MICKEY O'KEEFE
We were lookin' at tape today on
Belinc and I think if Micky cuts
off the ring in most rounds --
GUY IN DINER
Dicky! IT'S Dicky ECKLUND!
ALICE
(STANDS UP)
Ohmygahd! Dicky!
Mickey O'Keefe jumps up, starts for the door. Charlene just
shakes her head, what the fuck. Alice still holding Micky's
lobby card, heads outside with George, Sherry, sisters.
Micky stands up. Charlene pulls him back down.
(RNNTTNTTRT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 56.
59 CONTINUED: 59
CHARLENE
Whoa.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(glances back, shouts)
Don't, Micky! I don't want ya
gettin' hurt before the fight!
He rushes out after Alice, George, Red Dog, Sherry leaving
Micky and Charlene behind. Hear more SIRENS, SCREAMS from
the street.
Micky can't take it, jumps up.
CHARLENE MICKEY O'KEEFE
Are you kiddin' me? Are you Are you for real? Sit down.
serious? Sit down, sit. Sit down.
She grabs the back of his pants.. .he drags her a little,
pushes her hand off, leaves her outstretched, hair fallen
over her face.
60 COSMOPOLITAN CAFE - DOWNTOWN, LOWELL - NIGHT 60
Alice, George running across the street. Red Dog rushes
toward the fight, tries to pull the cops away from Dicky,
kicking & clawing... Another officer grabs her. Dicky's
thrashing handcuffed on the ground, struggling against the
officers keeping him down, crying out for help...
.Micky runs out as cops bang Dicky up outside the paddy
wagon. Micky runs into the middle of it all, grabs a cop's
arm.
MICKY
Just put him in the wagon.
Police tackle Micky to the sidewalk, start beating, subduing
him with their flashlights... Crack! Crack!
ALICE
(SCREAMS OUT)
They didn't fuckin' do anything!
Get off my boys!
.Micky raises his arm defending himself from the long black
metal flashlights, head split open bleeding.
CHARLENE
Mickyyyy! Nooooo!
(CCNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 56A.
60 CONTINUED: 60
.Hear a cop yell, "He's a fightah, break his fuckin'
hands, break his hands!" Crack! Hard metal breaking bone in
Micky's left hand. Micky screams out in pain...
(C'C)NTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 57.
60 CONTINUED: (2) 60
CHARLENE THROWS HERSELF between the cops and Micky and starts
shoving them off him.
CHARLENE
LEAVE HIM ALONE! [swings at cops]
Back the fuck up!
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(pulling fellow cops away,
trying to keep the peace)
Guys, come on, back up.
Cops back up from Charlene and O'Keefe... Blood spilling into
Micky's eyes, holds up his left hand, which Charlene looks
at.
CHARLENE
(CRYING)
- Micky, your hands! Your hands!
COP
Separate cells, don't let' em work
up some bullshit defense story.
Alice runs up to Dicky as he's put into one police car, Micky
into another; she drops the lobby card which is trampled on
'til it's no longer visible.
FADE OUT
FADE IN: PULLING OUT ON MICKY'S BANDAGED HAND...
61 LOWELL DISTRICT COURT - 1ST FLOOR - MONDAY MORNING 61
Micky is led in through one door where he stands before
judge; Dicky led in separately through another door to stand
15 feet from Micky -- they exchange looks -- both shackled,
handcuffs, leg irons, both still wearing their bloody clothes
from the fight. Hear the laundry list of charges against
Dicky, "Ward one count of disturbing the peace, released on
your own recognizance. .Ecklund. Three counts of Assault &
Battery on a Police Officer. One count of Resisting Arrest.
One count of Larceny from a Person. One count of
impersonating a police officer."
Alice holding 4-year-old Little Dicky in her lap starts to
sob, sitting in the gallery with Tar, Pork, Sherri, Little
Alice. Daughters try consoling Alice. No sign of Charlene.
Karen there, ignored by Alice. HBO camera crew filming...
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 58.
62 ATRIUM OUTSIDE COURTROOM - MORNING 62
Micky stands while his cuffs are unlocked by an OFFICER;
Dicky comes led down the hall by ANOTHER OFFICER, he slows
down and leans to Micky, and stops --
DICKY
We gotta talk, it was self-defense,
right, say it was self defense, ya
come outside, ya seen 'em beatin'
on me, I didn't do nuthin' --
MICKY
You didn't do nuthin? Look at my
hand ya selfish prick.
OFFICER
(PULLING HIM)
Let's go, Dicky -
DICKY
(leaning back to Micky)
I was doin' it for you!
MICKY
What were you doin' for me?
Officer pauses so Dicky can listen.
MICKY
This? Do me a favah, don't do
nuthin' for me.
DICKY
(stung, eyes well)
What ah ya gonna do without me?
Micky stares as Officer pulls Dicky away, sad.
63 HOLDING CELL - BEHIND COURTROOM - MORNING 63
.HBO cameraman filming Dicky shaking his head, being placed
into a holding cell behind the courtroom.
DICKY
- I can't believe they let Micky
go. What about me?
(CONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 59.
63 CONTINUED: 63
HBO PRODUCER (OS)
What'd you expect, Dick? You
violated your parole.
DICKY
What'd I do? They're aftah me.
I'm fuckin' Dicky Ecklund. I'm
gonna have to plead out, right, get
like three yeahs. Could HBO help
talk to 'em? What's gonna happen
to my movie? I'll be out in a yeah
or so, maybe less with good
behaviah. We can finish it then,
RIGHT -
HBO PRODUCER
Your part will just end with you
bein' arrested.
DICKY
(tears in his eyes)
What about my comeback? I didn't
do nuthin'. Who's gonna take care
a Little Dicky and, what about
Tommy?
64 MICKY'S APARTMENT ABOVE GARAGE - NIGHT 64
Micky sitting alone drinking a beer, left hand in a cast,
staring at the floor.
65 CHARLENE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT 65
.Micky finishes another beer, throws it into the bushes and
walks up to the entrance. Rings the intercom.
CHARLENE (OS INTERCOM)
Who is it?
Micky doesn't say anything.
CHARLENE (OS INTERCOM)
I don't wanna see you, Micky.
MICKY
CHARLENE-
CHARLENE (OS INTERCOM)
I can't take it, I'm not gonna let
you or your family drag me down.
( C''nNTTNTW.1) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 60.
65 CONTINUED: 65
MICKY
I'm quittin', Charlene, OK? I'm
done fightin' I don't need it no
more.
CHARLENE (OS INTERCOM)
That's fuckin' stupid.
MICKY
What?! Why?
CHARLENE
Because it's sad you let them take
it away from you, with all their
stupid bullshit.
MICKY
- What else could I do, Charlene?
CHARLENE (OS INTERCOM)
There's a lot you could do, Micky.
Ya fathah's gotta guy he wants ya
to meet. You just don't think you
can do it without Dicky -
Micky looks at the intercom... doesn't say anything... looks up
at the apartment building. Walks away.
65aA INT. DICKY'S CELL - BILLRICA HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS- NIGHT 65aA
Dicky shivers through crack withdrawal, clinging to his bed,
sweating. SCREAMS, scratches at himself, SCREAMS in agony.
PRISONER'S SHOUT OS 'SHUT THE FUCK UP.' Time lapse shows day
night day night as Dicky shakes, screams, shivers. Til he
stops - exhausted. Clean.
65A FADE IN - EXT. ROOF OF HOUSE -- DAY 65A
2 MONTHS LATER - Micky, depressed, one hand bandaged, roofs
with George and Beaver. FADE OUT - FADE IN --
65B INT. ALICE'S HOUSE - 3 WEEKS LATER - HBO PROMO FOR 'HIGH EB
CRACK STREET' PLAYS ON A TV
66 LOWELL MAN ON THE STREET DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEWS. REAL 66
INTERVIEWS WITH REAL LOWELL. TALKING ABOUT "HIGH ON CRACK
STREET" AIRING THAT NIGHT... HEARD IT MAKES THE CITY LOOK
BAD...MICKY & DICKY BAD FOR THE CITY... DREAM IS DEAD...
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 60aaA.
67 DUNKIN' DONUTS - CHELMSFORD ST., LOWELL - DAY 67
Raining. Micky runs into a crowded Dunkin' Donuts, tired,
dark circles, out-of-shape. HAND HEALED, HABITUALLY
STRETCHING AND CLENCHING IT.
(CUNTTNTTRT) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 60aA.
67 CONTINUED:
67
Everybody looking at him, some whisper. Micky's eyes wide,
catches sight of Mickey O'Keefe in the back drinking coffee,
reading the newspaper, still in his police uniform.
MICKY
Hey!
(C'NNTTNTTRT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 60A.
67 CONTINUED: (2)
67
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(stands, hugs Micky hello)
How's ya hand?!
(MORE)
( NNTTNTTP FL
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 61.
67 CONTINUED: (3) 67
MICKEY O'KEEFE (CONT'D)
Looks bettah.
MICKY
It's good, gettin' there.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Why don't ya come down to the gym
if ya want? Ya fat fuck, look
atcha.
MICKY
(looks at people staring)
Now I gotta worry about this movie
tonight on HBO, everybody lookin'
at me like I did somethin' wrong,
ain't my fault he's on TV.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
It's bettah for ya if ya don't see
it, Micky, it's just gonna make ya
feel bad. [turns to everyone] What
are you lookin' at? He ain't gonna
be on TV, it's his crazy brothah.
People stare at them.
68 BILLERICA HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS - VISITOR'S ROOM-1ST FLOOR 68
- DAY
.Dicky playing with his 4-year-old son, sitting across from
Alice smoking a Lucky, three newspapers in her lap, room
crowded with convicts, visitors, thick with smoke.
ALICE
Everybody's talkin' about the
movie, Dicky, it sounds.
DICKY
(regretful, wary)
I know.
(shakes his head)
They're lettin' everybody on the
first two tiers watch it tonight.
C'mon, hit daddy with a kunckle
sandwich. Bang-bang. Right in the
mouth.
(takes Little Dicky's
hand, hits own mouth)
C'mon, a knuckle sandwich!
.Little Dicky hits Dicky in the mouth again. . .And Dicky
pops out his fake teeth. Little Dicky cracks up laughing.
(CENTTNTTF.T))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 61aA.
68 CONTINUED: 68
DICKY (CONT'D)
(laughing with his son)
- My teef, my teef, Dicky, you
knocked out my teef!
ALICE
They're sayin' it makes you an' the
city look bad. What'd they make ya
do?
DICKY
(pops his teeth back)
It wasn't supposed to work out this
way. Say we did it for the kids,
ma.
ALICE
What kids, Dicky?
DICKY
About drugs, and all that. Is Micky
gonna watch it? You ask 'im why he
don't come to see me? All I do in
here is think about comin' back and
workin' with Micky, that's what
keeps me goin'. I want a second
chance to do it right for him and
win a title. Will ya tell him that
for me?
They hear a guard, "C'mon, five minutes Dicky, wrap it up."
Little Dicky reaches out and gently cups his father's nose..
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 61A-62.
69 PRISON CORRIDOR 69
Dicky escorted by GUARD walks past 6' of bars where guys
crowd and yell: "Dickyeee!" "Hey, Dicky! Dicky!" "Can't wait
for tonight, brothah!"
70 HALLWAY, RE-ENTRY ROOM - 1ST FLOOR, B.H.C. - DAY 70
.Dicky heading back to his cell down the long tunnel-like
hallway, stopping at the checkpoint for his strip search.
The guard, Corrections Officer 1, 30s, short, stocky, opens
the door to the small closet-like room, handprints on the
wall.
Dicky turns back around, bends over and separates his
cheeks...
CORRECTIONS OFFICER 1
Lookin' forward to seein' your HBO
movie tonight.
71 DICKY'S CELL, 1ST TIER - 2ND FLOOR, B.H.C. - NIGHT 71
.Dicky pacing his 6-by-10 cell, solid stone walls, black
iron-barred door, stainless-steel sink, toilet, crucifix
hanging on the wall. Dicky starts throwing punches in the
air, dancing around a rope stretching from one wall to the
other, make-shift clothesline drying underwear, white
socks.. .over the loudspeaker, "15 minutes to movie time."
Dicky glances in a small mirror hanging on the wall...
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 63.
72 DAY ROOM - 2ND FLOOR, B.H.C. - NIGHT 72
Two prison guards supervise. Convicts cheer when they see
Dicky walk in. Dicky raises his hands above his head...
73 MICKY'S APARTMENT ABOVE GARAGE - KITCHEN/LIVING ROOM - NIGHTl3
.Micky sitting in the tiny kitchen, drinking beer alone,
dead drunk, ON TV, HBO's "High on Crack Street," a Tour Guide
says, "Lowell was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
in America, a place people came to find the American dream."
BooBoo riding in a car, pointing, "That house sold crack,
that one sold heroin, the one on the cornah sold crack."
MICKY SCRAMBLES FOR THE PHONE, DIALS FRANTICALLY.
MICKY
(INTO PHONE)
Jimmy, hey, sorry to rush, but I
wanted to make sure Kasie's not
watchin' HBO, okay?
74 LAURIE & HER HUSBAND'S LARGER HOUSE - NIGHT 74
LAURIE'S HUSBAND
(INTO PHONE)
OK, Mick, I got it --
LAURIE
(GRABS PHONE)
I want her to see it! Let her see
who her uncle is! Who you ah!
MICKY
(INTO PHONE)
Who I am? What are you talkin'
about? Turn it off, Laurie, turn
it off.
Laurie up, joins Kasie, Jimmy as she watches eyes wide ...ON
TV, Dicky talking to camera, missing rotting teeth, hollowed-
out eyes, skeleton-like arms, fucked-up high, tries to spark
a lighter, "Whoa,-- there's Richard Pryah for ya."
75 B.H.C. - DAY ROOM, 2ND FLOOR - NIGHT 75
.Dicky laughing, sitting in the room, wall-to wall noise,
cigarette smoke, convicts whistling, cheering, watching his
life playing back in front of him on TV, "You shoulda seen me
then! My wife Debbie was the prettiest girl in Lowell, and my
daughtah Kerry, I want Kerry to be proud a me now. Who knows
what my life woulda been like, ya know." Convicts hollering,
"Dickyge!" "Dicky!" "Dickyeee!"
(C ONTTNTTRN
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 64.
75 CONTINUED: 75
Dicky jumps up & puts on a show, grinning, throwing punches
in the air... ON TV, Court officers leading Dicky out of the
courtroom. Camera zooming in on Alice holding Little Dicky in
her arms, both crying, sobbing. Zooming tighter on Little
Dicky's face, tears falling down his cheeks, snot dripping
from his nose...
DICKY STOPS PUNCHING, GRINNING... STANDING IN THE NOISE AND
THE SMOKE... WATCHING HIS 4-YEAR-OLD SON CRYING FOR HIM ON TV,
THEN, his own face behind bars in a holding cell, tears in
his eye, "I didn't do nuthin'. Who's gonna take care a Little
Dicky and, what about Tommy?"
.Dicky stands there for a moment watching himself, his son,
his life on TV... starts shaking his head no no no no. He
turns still shaking, and heads for the payphones in the back
of the room, ignoring all the noise, cheering, yelling. He
picks up one of the phones, dials 0 + his mother's number,
hears the operator, "Operator."
DICKY
(INTO PHONE)
Collect call from Dicky.
He hears a busy signal, operator say, "Sorry, that line is
busy, sir." Dicky looks back up at one of the TVs, Alice and
Little Dicky sitting in the living room watching a tape of 24-
year-old Dicky fighting Sugar Ray Leonard on HBO.
He hangs up the phone and walks out of the day room...
76 CAFETERIA - 2ND FLOOR, B.H.C. 76
.Dicky drifts through the cafeteria, darkness lit only by
fluorescent lights from the open kitchen, three inmate cooks
chatting, cleaning. Nobody even sees Dicky, a ghost floating
through the gloom. He opens a large unlocked black metal mesh
door in the back, heads down the stairs, at the bottom
another large door. Dicky opens it...
77 INT. TRAP, 1ST FLOOR - B.H.C. - NIGHT 77
.He steps into.. .the Trap, the room in which inmates arrive
to be processed, where a guard, Corrections Officer 2, 30s,
tall, sits.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER 2
(stands, surprised)
Dicky!? What're you doin' here?
( CONTTNTTFD'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 65.
77 CONTINUED: 77
DICKY
I gotta go home, Harry. I gotta
tell Dicky it's gonna be okay, he
don't gotta cry.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER 2
(steps out, puts a hand on
DICKY'S SHOULDER)
Get back upstairs before I write ya
up.
DICKY
- He don't gotta cry no more.
CORRECTIONS OFFICER 2
I don't know what you're talking
about, Dicky, but you can't be
here. You gotta go back up.
Dicky looks at Corrections Officer 2, turns and heads back.
78 CORRIDOR, 2ND FLOOR - B.H.C. - NIGHT 78
.Dicky walking down the dimly lit hall, shadows dancing off
walls, distant cheering, screaming echoing... stepping into
the dark kitchen... Dicky sinks to his knees.. .onto the hard
grey cement floor.. .and bows his head to pray.
79 ALICE'S & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 79
.Alice cries as she watches "High On Crack Street" with
George and couple of her daughters. Little Dicky comes in.
ALICE
(wiping away her tears
DIALING PHONE)
No, sweetheaht, go back upstairs,
you can't watch this. [into phone]
Micky, can you believe what they're
doin' to us?
80 MICKY'S APARTMENT ABOVE GARAGE - LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN 80
- NIGHT
.Micky on the phone, upset, watching HBO.
MICKY
(INTO PHONE)
Ma, I know, but he did it to
himself.
(CNNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 66.
80 CONTINUED: 80
ALICE
(ON PHONE)
What was he thinkin! They set him
up!
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, HE OPENS IT AS HE LISTENS TO
PHONE..CHARLENE IS THERE. Micky's eyes widen with surprise.
He hasn't seen her in a while.
ALICE
(ON PHONE)
Maybe they got the drugs far 'im
an' the movie --
MICKY
(staring at Charlene)
It's very sad, ma, I gotta call ya
back.
He hangs up. He and Charlene stare at each other, taking it
in, emotional, awkward. She laughs a little through
tears. - .they hug.
Micky crying into her shoulder and hair, Charlene holding
onto him, she backs him into his BEDROOM, the fall to the
bed, kissing. FADE OUT -
81 FADE IN - MICKY'S BEDROOM - EARLY NEXT MORNING 81
Next morning. Micky's hands grab dingy white boxing wraps
out of the darkness of his messy closet, faded red gloves,
throws them into an old blue gym bag, leaves. Charlene sits
up in bed, groggy, gets up in Micky's t-shirt, goes out.
81A STAIRS - MICKY'S APARTMENT ABOVE GARAGE - EARLY MORNING 81A
Micky stands at the top of the stairs, old blue gym bag slung
over his shoulder, early morning. He looks out at morning...
82 EXT. MICKY'S 2ND FLOOR APT. PORCH - CONTINUOUS 82
Charlene runs out; Micky pauses on stairs.
MICKY
(pauses on stairs)
I wanna meet that guy George told
you about. [pause] The one with the
cab company.
Charlene nods, Micky disappears down the stairs; she runs to
the edge of the balcony, looks down, waits, in a moment
Micky's back appears from under the porch, walking away. She
watches him go.
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 66A.
82A EXT. LOWELL STREET NEARY MICKY'S - DAY 82A
Micky walks -- silently -- camera tracks with him, on his
face. Then let's him go into distance.
(CC)NTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 67.
82A CONTINUED: 82A
TICK TICK TICK WE HEAR JUMP ROPE BEFORE WE DISSOLVE TO:
83 OMITTED 83
84 RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM - DAYS 84
Days later: MICKY JUMPS ROPE; MICKY DOES ABS WORK under
Mickey O'Keefe's watchful gaze.; MICKY HITS SPEED BAG; MICKY
MOVES IN RING. JUMPS ROPE AGAIN. Pan reveals: Charlene,
George, and SAL LONANO, 45, Italian, dark, mustache, tinted
glasses, thick dark hair, watch.
.Micky stops jumping, catching his breath. Kisses Charlene
hello.
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Nobody keeps tryin' like this kid,
I swear to God someone up there's
watchin' over him, he's far from
done. He'll take five punches to
land one, that's how he fights,
that's who he is. Micky this is Sal
LoNano.
Micky shakes Sal LoNano's hand.
MICKY
You own a cab company, you're a
good businessman, right?
SAL LONANO
(NODS)
I already made some calls. Spoke
to Bobby Tags and he says we can
get a small fight, somethin' local
to staht back with.
MICKY O'KEEFE
Get ya confidence back.
SAL LONANO
Right, go from there. [claps his
hands together in an idiosyncratic
WAY]
MICKEY O'KEEFE
- Micky, I know ya dad wants this
guy to manage ya, and I'll train ya
on one condition.
CHARLENE
No crazy-time nonsense.
(RNNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 68.
84 CONTINUED: 84
MICKEY O'KEEFE
No Dicky, no Alice. If they come
back, I'm gone, Mick. I can't deal
with the bullshit, no offense
Georgie.
GEORGE
None taken, I'm the one who's gonna
get his balls cut off anyway.
85 ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY 85
George holds his arms up as pots, plates come flying at him.
Alice looking around for something else to throw at him.
George grabs her and holds on before she can hit him...
ALICE
You traitor motherfucker!
GEORGE
Those pans hurt, you crazy bitch! I
hadda help Micky!
ALICE
With that scumbag LoNano?! Now I
gotta save Micky!
86 ' 88 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL (PARKED) - ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S 86
HOUSE - DAY
Alice and most of the sisters piling into Alice's car.
87 OMITTED 87
88 CHARLENE'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - DAY 88
Micky and Charlene make out in their underwear on the bed
when a car screeches up outside. The intercom rings.
.Charlene looks out her window, sees TWO SISTERS on her
porch while Alice and FOUR OTHER SISTERS pile out of the car
and up her walk.
CHARLENE
Holy shit. Your mothah's here with
your sistahs.
MICKY
Don't answah the door.
CHARLENE
I'm not hidin' from your crazy
fuckin' family, Micky!
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 69.
89 FRONT DOOR - CHARLENE'S APARTMENT - DAY 89
THE DOOR OPENS...and Charlene stands there with Micky
slightly behind her.
CHARLENE
Hi.
ALICE
Well, well, well, look at this.
CHARLENE
Look at what?
ALICE
You can't hide from us, Micky.
CHARLENE
He's not hiding.
ALICE
I wasn't talkin' to you, I was
talkin' to my son. What're you
doin' Micky?
MICKY
I'm not hidin' from nobody -
ALICE
Ya not helpin' yaself with ya
fathah's scumbag friend, and ya
can't turn ya back on Dicky, all he
evah wanted was for you to be World
Champ.
CHARLENE
Micky's a grown man, he can make
his own decisions.
ALICE
Keep ya mouth shut. I'm his muthah.
You need Dicky, no one trains you
like him, ya can't do it without
'IM -
CHARLENE
(LAUGHS)
What else can he do, Dicky's in
prison!
(CNNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 70.
89 CONTINUED: 89
MICKY
Why ya always lookin' out for him,
Ma? Wes? Why's it always Dicky,
Dicky, Dicky -
ALICE
I'm lookin' out for YOU. My boys
are everything to me. I had nine
children, I loved all a you the
same.
CHARLENE
You got a funny way a showin' it --
MICKY
Yeah, a funny way, Ma, Dicky's a
great trainah, I love him to death,
but do ya evah think all the othah
damage he's done?
CHARLENE
Lettin' him get beat up, get his
hand broken.
ALICE
(lunges at Charlene)
Are you crazy, Micky's my baby!
Micky grabs her before she gets to Charlene.
MICKY
Don't ever lay a hand on Charlene.
TAR (CINDY)
Skank.
PORK (CATHY)
She's a fuckin' bah skank!
CHARLENE
Don't call me skank, I'll rip that
hair right outta ya fuckin' head!
Red Dog lunges at Charlene and takes poke at her; Charlene
grabs Red Dog's face and shoves her.. .then backhands Beaver,
who's grabbing her hair, sloppy like a bar fight.
MICKY
(lets go of his mother,
breaking up the fight)
HEY! HEY! For the love a Christ!
(CNNTTNTTFF '
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 71.
89 CONTINUED: (2) 89
ALICE
(quiet, crying)
MICKY --
They look at each other, tearful, heartbreaking. Red Dog and
Beaver put their arms around her and walk her to the car.
ALICE
(crying as they walk)
What's happening? My God, what is
happening to everyone? I don't
undahstand it.
George pulls up in roofing truck, starts to get out, sees
Alice and sisters, looks scared, pulls out.
90 SHERATON INN LOWELL - GUEST ROOM, 4TH FLOOR - 7:00 PM - 90
FRIDAY
TITLE: Ward vs. Castillo - Sheraton Inn Lowell - August 19,
1994. Micky getting undressed, getting ready for the fight.
Charlene sitting on the bed watching him. CLOSE ON: Micky
stands till in the mirror, muttering under his breath as he
goes over combinations and scenarios in his head.
91 HALLWAY - SHERATON INN LOWELL - 8:28 PM 91
Hour later. Micky leaving his room, head moving side-to-
side, warmed up, sweat dripping, gloves, robe on. . .Charlene
next to him, Mickey O'Keefe, Art Ramalho, andcutman Ed
Aliano walking in front of him.. .Micky sees "'Irish' Mickey
Ward" on the back of O'Keefe's corner jacket.
MICKY
(shakes his head, on edge)
I do not spell my name with a
friggin' "E."
92 ELEVATOR, SHERATON INN LOWELL - DOORS OPEN 92
Micky stands in his robe, boxing trunks, gloves, in the
elevator with the others, nods to a young couple and their
two kids, rolls his neck, shakes his legs, Mickey O'Keefe
rubs his shoulders. Young couple not sure what to make of
it..Ding! The elevator finally arrives. Micky lets the
family out first, then he, Charlene, Mickey O'Keefe, Art
Ramalho and Ed Aliano step off.
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 72.
93 RING - BALLROOM, SHERATON INN LOWELL - 8:58 PM 93
TITLE: Rd 4 - 2:08 (time running down). Micky's chin almost
atop LUIS CASTILLO's, 33, 5 9", 144 lbs, shoulder... throws a
left hook to Castillo's ribs...Mickey O'Keefe shouting from
ringside... Charlene cheering with Sal LoNano...George ...Micky
follows with a short right uppercut, then a hook.. .And
Castillo goes crashing down to the canvas! Tries to get up,
stumbling... Referee waves the fight over... hometown standing-
room-only crowd explodes cheering, screaming for Micky...
.Micky raises his hands in victory for the first time in
years, looks over to his corner...no Dicky. Micky O'Keefe
ducks through the ropes and hugs Micky, whispering something
in his ear. Charlene follows, hugging Micky.
94 INSIDE YARD, 1ST FLOOR - B.H.C. - DAY 94
Weeks later. Dicky's running, shadowboxing around a track,
gray hooded sweatshirt soaked with sweat, noisy crowded
square 75-by-75, solid brick up 20-feet, razor-spiraled
barbed wire. He slows down, walks, alone, quiet within
himself. We watch him for a moment. Over loudspeaker,
"Visit for Dicky Ecklund."
95 VISITOR'S ROOM - 1ST FLOOR, B.H.C. - DAY 95
.Micky and Dicky sit facing each other.
MICKY
I know you know what I'm doin'.
I'm sure Alice, everybody else,
told you, I wanted to tell you to
your face, myself. I got new
management, I'm workin' with Mickey
O'Keefe, and it's going good.
DICKY
Yeah, sure, they got ya fighin'
Alfonso Sanchez.
MICKY
(PROUD)
On HBO.
DICKY
(makes a face)
Yeah, HBO's all invested in the
Mexican, Micky, wake up, they don't
care if you get killed. Toma did
it. He's usin' ya like a steppin'-
stone for Sanchez.
(RNNTTNTTPN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 73.
95 CONTINUED: 95
MICKY
Of course, how could I stand a
chance without the Great Dicky
Ecklund in my corner? You didn't
care if I got killed with Mungin,
now all of a sudden, you're worried
Sanchez is gonna hurt me, why? Cuz
you're stuck here and you can't be
center of attention no more.
DICKY
I seen that Mexican fight, Micky!
He hits very hard! 15 knockouts!
Undefeated! Are you crazy? That
idiot LoNano went right for it!
He's usin' you to steal money!
MICKY
(PISSED)
I wasted my 20s in bad fights set
by you and Alice! I finally gotta
good thing goin', shut up and be
happy for me!
DICKY
What's ya plan, Mick? How ya gonna
fight Sanchez?
MICKY
I ain't here to talk about that!
DICKY
Oh yeah, you are.
MICKY
Watch the fight, you'll see the
plan.
DICKY
They won't let us watch the fight
cuz it's 'violent'! They let us
watch the stupid documentary on
crack but not my own brothah
fightin'! [people look at them].
Are ya scared? Are ya embarraassed
cuz ya don't even have a plan? Just
tell me.
MICKY
Ya gonna shit on it no mattah what
I say!
( C'.ONTTNTTFT)'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 73A.
95 CONTINUED: (2) 95
DICKY
I won't shit on it. Come on, just
tell me.
MICKY
(thinks, then, grudgingly)
Go toe to toe; ovahhand right in
the middle rounds. He's weak
against the overhand right.
DICKY
(EYES WIDE)
Who came up with that? Fatty
O'Keefe?
MICKY
Fuck you. I'm gonna go. (Stands]
DICKY
Ya gotta run against this guy!
Move, let 'im punch himself out
(MORE)
(C''ONTTNTTF:F )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 74.
95 CONTINUED: (3) 95
DICKY (CONT'D)
Take 'im to the body, Micky! Get
inside. Switch stances like ya
workin' his right, hit 'im on the
left. Be careful, don't switch
outside.
MICKY
(starting to go)
You're not me. You can't be me. You
had a hard enough time being you
when you had your chance. I'll
fight Sanchez the way I fight.
Walks out.
DICKY
(stands and shouts)
I'm TALKIN' about the way you
fight, you moron! You know I'm
right!
As Micky opens the door his face registers Dicky's words.
96 THOMAS & MACK CENTER, LAS VEGAS - AISLE - 9:02 PM 96
TITLE: Sanchez vs. Ward - Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas.
Micky making his way down the aisle for the Sanchez fight,
emerald trunks, robe with white trim, "Mickey Ward" spelled
wrong on the back, crowd cheering, HBO. . .Mickey O'Keefe and
cutman ED ALIANO, 62, gray hair, glasses, right behind Micky,
emerald "Mickey Ward" corner 'aackets.
97 RING - THOMAS & MACK CENTER- 9:28 PM 97
TITLE: Rd 5 - :48 (time running down). Micky beat up,
running away, face red, scrape on his left cheek, cut above
his left eye.. .Hard punching ALFONSO SANCHEZ, 25, 5'7", 140
lbs, black trunks, chasing after him.. .Charlene screaming
sitting ringside with Sal LoNano, George, Donna, Beaver,
their husbands, sitting behind them.. . .crowd all around
booing Micky, hear one of the HBO announcers, LARRY MERCHANT
(the real audio), "I mean, Ward's just running away.
(RNNTTNTTFD'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 75.
97 CONTINUED: 97
It's awful. I know Sanchez is strong, really strong, but I
can't understand why Ward's not fighting back. This fight's
supposed to be a reality check to see where he's at. He's a
better fighter than this. He lust keeps running away."
.Sanchez catches Micky, lands a right and a left ...Bam!
Bam!...Micky reels against the ropes... Sanchez hits him with
a right--Right--Left hook--Left hook.. .Micky tries to tie
Sanchez up...Bam!...Left hook! The bell rings. End of Rd 5.
98 RING APRON, MICKY'S CORNER - BETWEEN 5TH & 6TH RDS-8:29PM 98
.Charlene watches Micky stumble to the corner. Mickey
O'Keefe inside the ring pouring water into Micky's mouth, Al
Gavin leaning over, working to stop the bleeding above
Micky's left eye.
CHARLENE
(stands up, shouting)
Come on Micky! Stop dickin' around!
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(kneels in front of Micky)
Breathe, Mick, breathe. Catch this
sunovabitch with an ovah hand
right, ya hear me? He won't see
it comin'.
MICKY
(nods, spits out water)
He hits like bricks. When he
misses it hurts.
99 RING - THOMAS & MACK CENTER - 8:31 PM 99
TITLE: Rd 6 - 2:01 (time running down).Micky running again,
around & around the ring.
100 ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS 100
Alice stands holding the phone to her ear as she watches the
fight on HBO. Little Alice, Sherri, Tar, Pork, all watching
the fight with her.
ALICE
(ON PHONE)
He's fightin' scared, Dicky.
Runnin', not hittin' back, O'Keefe
looks mad. He's gonna get hurt -
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 76.
101 B.H.C. - DAY ROOM - CONTINUOUS 101
.Dicky on a pay phone, convicts on all the phones, more
waiting their turn behind the yellow line.
DICKY
(ON PHONE)
No, Ma, it's okay, it's okay, he's
doin' what I told' im. He's doin'
it!
INTERCUT as necessary:
ON TV, Micky switches stances outside...Sanchez counters with
a booming left uppercut ...Bam! Micky drops to one knee!
ALICE
(ON PHONE)
Oh Jesus!
DICKY
(ON PHONE)
What happened?!
ALICE
(ON PHONE)
Knocked down with an uppah cut
changin' stances outside!
DICKY
(on phone, screaming)
I told 'im inside, c'mon, Micky!
CUT BACK TO:
102 RING - THOMAS & MACK CENTER 102
.Micky gets back to his feet. . .Referee MITCH HALPERN gives
him a standing eight-count, "Three... Four...Five..."
REFEREEE MITCH HALPERN
(looks at Micky)
You alright?
MICKY
(eyes wide, blood
DRIPPING)
Yuh.
.Halpern motions to start fighting. Micky immediately runs
again, staying away from Sanchez, hear another HBO announcer,
ROY JONES JR., (the real audio), "The referee should just go
ahead and stop this fight.
(RNNTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 77.
102 CONTINUED: 102
He knows that Micky doesn't want to be here." Hear JIM
LAMPLEY, "This is really one of the saddest kinds of fights
in boxing. Micky Ward is 32-years-old. He's here because he
needs the money. He's taking a beating. Getting humiliated."
Micky just keeps running.
The bell rings. End of Rd 6.
103 ALICE & GEORGE WARD'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM 103
ALICE
(ON PHONE)
They're sayin' they should stop the
fight, they never seen such an
embarrassin' performance, oh it's
awful, Dick.
104 B.H.C. - DAY ROOM 104
DICKY
(eyes wide, starting to
get nervous, on phone)
He's gotta go inside, Ma, he's
gotta go inside when the time's
right. He's gotta -
105 MICKY'S CORNER, RING - THOMAS & MACK CENTER 105
.Micky makes his way over to his corner, bleeding from
above his left eye, left cheek.. .Mickey O'Keefe jumps into
the ring... Sal LoNano leaves his seat and goes to the corner,
Charlene follows him.
SAL LONANO
(shouts at Micky)
Why you running around so much?!
Don't run around no more
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(yells back at Sal)
Shut the fuck up, Sal!
SAL LONANO
You're blowin' it!
.Mickey O'Keefe pours water into Micky's mouth. Referee
Mitch Halpern comes over to the corner.
REFEREEE MITCH HALPERN
Ya gotta show me somethin' soon,
Mick, or I'm gonna stop it.
(CONTTNTTRT)
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 78.
105 CONTINUED: 105
MICKEY O'KEEFE
He's good! He's good!
CHARLENE
(looks up at Micky from
RINGSIDE)
They're gonna stop the fight!
MICKY
(leans out ropes, angry))
Don't stop the fight,-- I got it.
CHARLENE
(SHOUTS)
THEN LET'S GO, BABY! Let's GO! Get
ya frickin' punches off!
MICKEY O'KEEFE
(through the ropes)
Will ya siddown, I got it! I know
what I'm doin', Jesus --
(wipes Vaseline over
MICKY'S FACE)
I don't know what's happenin' out
there, maybe you wanna fuckin' tell
me, cuz we're losin' all six
rounds. Is that what ya want? You
want me to stop it? I'm gonna stop
this fight, Micky. I sweah to
Christ, I'll stop it. I don't know
what ya doin' but ya bettah do it
soon.
CUT TO:
ALICE
(tense teasrs, holds
phone, watches TV)
Round 7. Sanchez'll try to finish
'im right now. (tearing, wipes
EYES)
CUT TO:
Dicky on the phone at prison, leans head on wall, tense,
muttering to himself, shakes his head, tearing up. Prisoners
watch, SAD.
DICKY
(SAD)
Aw, come on, Micky.
CUT BACK TO:
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 79.
106 RING - THOMAS & MACK CENTER 106
TITLE: Rd 7 - 3:00 (time running down). Sanchez comes out
from his corner, no fear of Micky. The bell rings. Micky
meets him in the middle of the ring...Sanchez COMES OUT HARD,
TRYING TO END IT, pounds Micky's body ...Bam! Bam!
Bam!...Micky shakes his head, unloads a hard left hook and
takes a step closer...
SUDDENLY EVERYTHING SLOWS DOWN.. .Micky sees excactly what
Dicky told him-mapped out like dance steps on the canvas.
Micky moves inside on Sanchez He switches stances workin'
his right.. .Then he hits him on the left. That's his punch.
He owns it. He and Dicky worked it a million times.
BACK TO REGULAR SPEED. Sanchez goes down to his hands and
knees like he's been shot! Hear Lampley, "What am I looking
at? This is one of the most extraordinary things I've ever
seen in boxing!"...Sanchez crawling on the canvas in pain.
Halpern counting him out, "Six... Seven..." Micky runs to a
neutral corner; then jumps with his arms in the air when
Sanchez does not move.
CHARLENE
(jumping up & down)
YEAHHHHHH! FUCK YEAHHHHHHH!
CUT TO:
ALICE
(shocked, eyes wide)
HE DID IT! BODY SHOT! IT'S OVAH!
CUT TO:
DICKY
(SCREAMING OUT)
YEAHHHHHH! MY BRUTHAH DROPPED
SANCHEZ! Just like I told 'im!
PRISONERS AND GUARDS EXPLODE INTO CHEERS.
CUT BACK TO:
Mickey O'Keefe HUGGING MICKY, jumping up and down in the ring
together as Sal LoNano and George jump up in Micky's corner.
Charlene jumps up and down crying and laughing. Sal hugs him,
Micky pushes him off.
.Micky drops to one knee in his corner and crosses himself,
blood dripping down his face.
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 80.
107 DRESSING ROOM - THOMAS & MACK CENTER - NIGHT 107
Micky sitting on a table, Ed Aliano fixing up his face,
cleaning up the blood. Charlene, Mickey O'Keefe, George,
Donna, Beaver, husbands, other hanger-onners, celebrating,
happy, drunk. Sal LoNano walks in.
SAL LONANO
Micky, Mike Toma just told me
something very interesting.
Micky, Charlene look at Sal, unsure.
SAL LONANO
Remember Alice told ya Mike Toma
was usin' ya like a steppin stone
for Sanchez and I said she was
fulla shit? Turns out she was
right. Toma said Sanchez had a
title shot if he won tonight.
Micky and Charlene look unsure as they take this i
MICKEY O'KEEFE
Holy Christ, that's beautiful.
CHARLENE
Why? Why is the beautiful?
SAL LONANO
Now it's Micky's shot. Shea Neary
in London for the title.
Charlene kisses Micky. Everybody slapping Micky on the back,
hugging him, jumping up & down around him, celebrating him, a
world title shot. Micky smiling in the middle of the
celebration, then, distracted, something's missing.
108 LOWELL MAN ON THE STREET DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEWS. REAL 108
INTERVIEWS WITH REAL LOWELL. EXCITED TALK ABOUT SANCHEZ KNOCK
OUT: BAM, LIKE HE WAS SHOT! MICKY PROVED EVERYONE WRONG. . .AND
NOW SHEA NEARY! WORLD TITLE! HOPE IS BACK...DREAMS RENEWED...
109 B.H.C., FRONT DOORS - NORTH BILLERICA, MASS - DAY 109
Months later. Dicky walks out of prison into the bright sun,
three-story brick building high on a hill, wearing the same
clothes he was arrested in over a year ago... stretches out
his back, heads down the stairs toward the driveway, 30-foot
chain-link fence, high razor-spiraled barbed wire.
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 81.
110 VISITORS PARKING LOT, B.H.C. - '88 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 110
(PARKED) - DAY
.Dicky sees his mother's Lincoln parked at a security gate,
starts to run. Alice gets out of her car, Little Dicky, now
6-years-old, jumping out the other side.
ALICE
(gives Dicky a big hug)
Oh Dicky, thank Gahd, everythin's
gonna be OK again.
DICKY
(hugging his mother)
Easy, Ma, my back's killin' me.
ALICE
Thank god you're out! Charlene and
that LoNano charactah are robbin'
'im blind, Sal's sayin' ain't no
money for spahhin' pahtnahs!
DICKY
I'll make it right with Micky, I'll
apologize, it'll all be okay.
ALICE
(looks at Dicky like he's
CRAZY)
What are you talkin' about? You're
Dicky Ecklund. You got nuthin' to
apologize for.
CUT TO:
111 ' 88 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL (PARKED) - RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM,111
SCHOOL ST. - DAY
.Dicky closing the door to his mother's car, Little Dicky
in his arms, McDonald's in his hands.. .Alice gets out after
him. Dicky looks up at the decaying brick warehouse, still
abandoned except for the 1st floor, broken windows still on
all the upper floors.
112 RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM - 1ST FLOOR - DAY 112
NOTE: SISTERS WILL COME IN WITH CAKE AND WELCOME BACK DICKY
SIGN AT WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT WE FEEL AND CHOOSE TOMORROW.
Dicky steps through the doorway, holding Little Dicky,
McDonald's, Alice behind them...sees Micky hitting the pads
with Micky O'Keefe in the center ring... Charlene, George,
Sal, Art Ramalho watching ringside, Ray Ramalho cleaning up
the place.
(RNNTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 82.
112 CONTINUED: 112
DICKY
(looks around, shouts)
Quackah!
.Micky stops punching, smiles when he sees his brother,
sweat dripping... and jumps out of the ring, leaving Mickey
O'Keefe behind holding the pads... Charlene, George, Sal, Art,
Ray, other fighters in the gym look at Dicky, some call out,
"Dicky!" "Dickyee!" "Dicky!" WHILE MICKY AND ALICE HAVE
AWKWARD EYE CONTACT; ALSO CHARLENE AND ALICE, then Micky and
Charlene.
MICKY
-- Dicky Donuts lookit ya! They let
ya keep the new teeth!
DICKY
(nods, smiles)
Hey, why ain't Micky spahhin'!?
Georgie, what're you doin' outta
the house?
Charlene just shakes her head at Dicky. Micky kisses his
mother hello.
GEORGE
(puts a short beefy arm
around Dicky's neck)
Dicky, meet my friend Sal LoNano.
Dicky glances warily at Sal for brief eye contact.
DICKY
(emotional, defended)
Hey. (turns to Ray Ramalho) Ra
Ray! (high fives Ray)
O'Keefe stares, fuming, looks to Micky, who glances
nervously, but says nothing.
DICKY
I wanna make an amend to everyone
here, I know I done a lot of stupid
things, and I wanna say I'm sorry,
and that's ovah.
They all look at him.
DICKY
I'm very grateful to be back in
this gym with you all. I gotta
lotta time to make up for, and I
wanna make the best of it.
(MORE)
(CNNTTNTTFT)'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 82A.
112 CONTINUED: (2) 112
DICKY (CONT'D)
You deserve the best, Micky, you
have a chance to go all the way and
I'm ready to be there for ya.
Charlene and O'Keefe look upset. Awkward, everyone looking at
Dicky who nods, pleased, and walks into the locker room.
O'Keefe and Charlene stare intensely at Micky, who looks
somber.
(RNNTTNT7FT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 83.
112 CONTINUED: ( 3) 112
Micky goes into the locker room.
113 LOCKER ROOM, RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM - DAY 113
Dicky changing, Little Dicky watching him, both still
eating McDonald's. Micky walks into the locker room.
DICKY
(CHANGING)
I can't tell ya how good it is to
be back.
MICKY
You look good, your eyes are clear.
DICKY
I look good, right? Alice said lock
up mighta been the best thing to
happen to me. I got clean. I got
clear up here (taps his head).
MICKY
That's beautiful, Dick. There's
somethin' we gotta talk about.
DICKY
Hold on, I wanted to say' I been
waitin' for this day, Micky, I been
waitin' the whole time I was away.
It kept me goin', it kept me alive,
the idea of us workin' togethah
again.
Micky looks at him, nods. It's breaking his heart.
MICKY
I made a promise to them that I
wouldn't work with you again.
Dicky takes this in. Stunned.
(CNNTTNTTFF'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 83A.
113 CONTINUED: 113
DICKY
Ever?
MICKY
I had to. After everything that
happened. I'm sorry.
Dicky is hurt, stunned.
DICKY
The whole time I was away --
MICKY
I'm glad you're back, I'm glad
you're doing good, I don't know
what else to say.
(RNNTTNTTFT)'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 84.
113 CONTINUED: (2) 113
Micky, tears in his eyes, stares at Dicky a moment, nods,
leaves the locker room.
114 INT. GYM - CONTINUOUS 114
All eyes watch Micky messed up now -- Charlene, O'Keefe,
George, Alice, Little Dicky, others. He steps back into the
ring with O'Keefe.
O'Keefe looks unsure as he holds the mits. Micky's about to
throw when O'Keefe turns, looks.
(CnNTTNTTF. )1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 85.
114 CONTINUED: 114
Dicky walks back into the gym as Micky is about to work out
with O'Keefe.
ALICE
What happened?
DICKY
He says I can't work with him.
ALICE
That's not right. [Dicky starts to
leave] He never woulda won Sanchez
without me!
MICKEY O'KEEFE
That's fuckin' bullshit! Take that
back!
DICKY
Don't talk to my mother my mother
like that.
ALICE
Why don't you ask Micky?
MICKEY O'KEEFE
They gotta go. If we're gonna
train.
CHARLENE
They have to go, Micky.
ALICE
Why don't you ask Micky if he
woulda won Sanchez without Dicky?
Ask him.
They all look at Micky. He is torn up over this as he
considers it before he speaks and they all watch, tense.
MICKY
I wouldn'ta won Sanchez without
Dicky.
CHARLENE
How can you say that to O'Keefe?
MICKY
Because it's true. I went in with
our plan and it wasn't working, I
switched to what I learned with
Dicky.
Micky looks at O'Keefe, who is hurt.
(CNNTTNTT' N
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 85aA.
114 CONTINUED: (2) 114
MICKY (CONT'D)
I wouldn'ta won it without you,
either, O'Keefe, you know that.
CHARLENE
You got the focus and confidence
from O'Keefe and Sal and your
father and me!
ALICE
You were lucky to win that fight,
Dicky saved him!
CHARLENE
We saved him! Dickya junkbag!
(C ONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 85A.
114 CONTINUED: (3) 114
DICKY
Fuck you, Charlene, I'm 8 months
sober.
CHARLENE
I'm sure you'll need somethin' for
your back now that you're out.
DICKY
O'Keefe's in the same boat I am,
one day at a time, why's it all
right for him to be here, but not
me? I'm blood.
MICKY
I'm the one fighting, not you, not
you, and not YOU. I know what I
need.
CHARLENE
(GETS SHRILL)
And you need Dicky?
Micky roils as he makes this decision.
MICKY
I want Dicky back. And I want you,
Charlene, and I want O'Keefe, and
my family.
CHARLENE
You can't do that to us.
MICKY
You sound like them now.
CHARLENE
Maybe you're just like them and
that's where you belong.
She looks at him, turns and walks out of the gym, followed by
O'Keefe, who looks sadly back at Micky.
ALICE
Everything happens for a reason,
this could be for the best, honey.
Micky watches Dicky get geared up with gloves, headgear,
mouth guard by Art Ramalho. ANOTHER BOXER gears up Micky.
(CNNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 86.
114 CONTINUED: ( 4) 114
Alice's eyes glow.
RAY RAMALHO
Dicky Ecklund, the pride a Lowell!
This rankles Micky as he and Dicky square off.
DICKY
I was trainin' in jail, so I'm
ready.
The two brothers spar, falling right back into it as Alice,
George, others watch. Dicky moving around the ring...
He snaps Micky's head with a combination. Micky starts
banging him with body shots...Bam! Bam! Bam!...Dicky tries to
make Micky miss. Micky grabs him tying him up.. .Dicky pushes
Micky away, ducks, jabs.. .Micky traps Dicky's left under his
elbow/arm, pulling it. . .Turning Dicky so his back is exposed,
drilling him in the kidney. Dicky goes down on one knee in
pain...
And Micky comes over the top with a straight right off the
back of Dicky's head.. .Dicky SLAMS down hard! Face hitting
canvas, blood running from his nose into his mouth...
(CONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 86A.
114 CONTINUED: (5) 114
LITTLE DICKY
(CRIES)
Daddy, Daddy!
(CUNTTNTTF.n'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 87.
114 CONTINUED: ( 6) 114
ALICE
(holds Little Dicky)
Alice, take him home. [Little Alice
leaves with Little Dicky]. What're
you doin', Micky? What's the
matter with you!
MICKY
Can this be my fight, for once,
Alice, huh, just once, maybe just
this one time, not for Dicky? I
know you think he's comin' back,
he's 40 years old and doesn't have
a tooth in his head that's his own--
DICKY
(GETTING UP)
I can go ten more rounds, let's go-
ALICE
Let your brother talk.
DICKY
I'm Shea Neary, let's go, I'm Shea
Neary, how ya gonna work me?
MICKY
Shut up!
DICKY
Shea Neary --
MICKY
Shut up!
Dicky, hurt, stops.
DICKY
I'm the one who has this fight,
this is my chance for a title, and
I won't get another one after this.
Am I being selfish? Am I saying
Micky, Micky, Micky? I'm sorry, I
thought I was fighting for a
championship.
He throws his gear off and starts to go when she runs to him,
embraces him.
ALICE
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't
know.
(MORE)
(CONTTNTTRN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 87aA.
114 CONTINUED: (7) 114
ALICE (CONT'D)
I didn't know what I was doing, I
don't know why I did what I did, I
did the best I could, I'll do
better, I don't want to hurt you,
Micky, I love you so much.
As she holds him, Micky looks frustrated, but tears up in
spite of himself and nods.
THEY HEAR WOODEN FOLDING CHAIRS THAT WERE PROPPED BY THE CAKE
FALL BY ACCIDENT, AND LOOK TO SEE Dicky throw gear as he
leaves via the main door.
A115 EXT. RAMALHO'S WEST END GYM - CONTINUOUS A115
George runs after Dicky outside the gym, shouts.
GEORGE
(trying to keep up with
DICKY)
Come on back--
DICKY
No, I gotta take care a something.
GEORGE
Micky wants you, I want you.
DICKY
Do ya, Georgie?
(CONTTNTTFD'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 87A.
A115 CONTINUED: A115
GEORGE
We gotta do this for Micky, come
on. You're my son, too, Dick.
Come on.
DICKY
You're my poppa, George.
DICKY
I gotta take care a something.
He takes off, leaving George behind.
GEORGE
(SHOUTS)
I know what that means, don't do
it, Dick. Come back.
But Dicky keeps going. George watches, sad.
(CNNTTNTTFT)1
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 88.
A115 CONTINUED: (2) A115
(CONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 88A.
A115 CONTINUED: (3) A115
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 89.
115 STREETS - DOWNTOWN, LOWELL - LATE AFTERNOON 115
Sun starting to die in the sky. Dicky limping down the
street, still sweaty in shorts, t-shirt, hears people
shouting out his name, "Dicky!" "Dicky!" "Dicky!"
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 90.
116 EXT. CRACK STREET - CONTINUOUS 116
Dicky walks down the street, waves to familiar Cambodian
faces and others. Approaches the crack house. BooBoo,
Wolfie, some other crackheads hanging out front.
BOOBOO, WOLFIE, KAREN
(see Dicky, shout)
Dicky's back! Hey, Dicky!
Dicky limps toward them, slows down, looks at BooBoo, the
house behind then continues to walk-then starts to run.
Dicky running down the street...
117 CHARLENE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON 117
Dicky pushes the buzzer, sweat dripping.
DICKY
(INTO INTERCOM)
Charlene, it's Dicky.
CHARLENE
Get off my porch, you piece of
shit.
Dicky presses the buzzer and won't stop.
CHARLENE
(over the buzzer)
You fuckin' asshole!
118 FRONT DOOR, CHARLENE'S APARTMENT - LATE AFTERNOON 118
Charlene opening her door...Dicky standing in the doorway,
sweating, agitated.
DICKY
I know you can't fuckin' stand me.
CHARLENE
Really? What makes ya say that?
DICKY
I got no use for you eithah, but my
bruthah loves ya and ya can't walk
away 'cause a me. He don't deserve
that. If you want me to quit, I'll
quit.
CHARLENE
You're full a shit.
(CNNTTNTT D'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 91.
118 CONTINUED: 118
DICKY
Sweah to God, I'll quit if it makes
you go back. Micky's got a chance
to do somethin' I nevah did -
CHARLENE
(MOCKING)
Oh, the Sugah Ray Leonahd fight was
my chance, I was great, I fought
Sugah Ray Leonahd---
DICKY
Fuck you, Charlene. I came here to
make things right -
CHARLENE
OK, let's make things right, numbah
one: Ya didn't knock down Sugah Ray
Leonahd, he tripped.
DICKY
(PAUSES)
I was in the fuckin' ring with 'im,
Chalene, don't you think I know
what happened? But I went ten
rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard, what
the fuck have you evah done? Is
your life so great?
She doesn't say anything.
DICKY
Your eyes are red, you're hung
ovah, don't tell me you're not. Ya
life sucks.
CHARLENE
Maybe, the part without Micky
sucks. Maybe I never did anything
special like you, but I love Micky
and I want him to have his chance.
DICKY
Then leave me alone. He needs me,
you heard him, and I know he needs
you, so let's spare him the
bullshit from either one of us.
She looks at him. Nods grudgingly.
(CC)NTTNTTFF )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 92.
118 CONTINUED: (2) 118
CHARLENE
OK. I'll see ya in Micky's corner,
otherwise go fuck yourself.
Dicky nods, walks off the porch.
119 STREET - CHARLENE'S APARTMENT BUILDING - LATE AFTERNOON 119
.Micky slams the door of his car, walks to see: Dicky
leaving.
MICKY
(SURPRISED)
- What the hell are you doin' here?
DICKY
We worked it out fah you. Ask her.
It's all together.
Micky looks up and sees Charlene standing in the door. She
nods. He looks at Dicky.
MICKY
Good. Get O'Keefe back, too.
DICKY
Micky nods, heads toward Charlene.
DICKY
- hey, Mick, you think I knocked
down Sugah Ray Leonahd?
Micky pauses, looks at his brother, says nothing.
MICKY
You went ten rounds, and he never
hurt you. You were my hero.
DICKY
(walking away, back
TURNED)
I was...
He walks away.
(CNNTTNTTFF '
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 93.
119 CONTINUED: 119
MICKY
(calls after him)
Do you want a ride home?
DICKY
(shakes his head, limps
AWAY)
Nah, I'm good. I'm good.
Micky watches his brother walk away; Charlene hugs Micky's
arm.
120 HILTON LONDON OLYMPIA HOTEL - CONFERENCE ROOM - LONDON, 120
ENGLAND - NIGHT
TITLE: Neary vs. Ward, WBU Light Welterweight Title Weigh-In -
Hilton London Olympia Hotel, London.
Dicky, Alice, Charlene, George, Sal, O'Keefe bicker as Micky
stands on edge of press conference.
DICKY
I should be the one standin' there
next to him, I'm his trainah, his
brothah and my mothah--
ALICE
Been there from the staht --
CHARLENE
Me and O'Keefe got him through
SANCHEZ --
MICKY
HEY. Nobody goes on stage. Just
me and the manager, that's how it's
done by the professionals. I don't
wanna hear anothah word.
Micky & Dicky standing together watching SHEA "SHAMROCK
EXPRESS" NEARY, 30, 5'8", 140 lbs, hard looking, flat nose,
short-cropped hair, square jaw, shirt, pants off, underwear
only, being weighed-in by British Boxing Commissioners, WBU
officials. Neary's manager, JOHN HYLAND, 41, bald, glasses,
by his side, yapping at reporters, microphones, cameras.
JOHN HYLAND
(thick Liverpool accent)
- Shea's been sleepin' on a
concrete floor in an empty
apahtment, livin' by 'imself away
from 'is family.
(CNNTTNTTFN )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 94.
120 CONTINUED: 120
Dicky whispers intoMicky's ear...Micky smiles, putshisarm
around his brother.Sal LoNano standing behind thescale,
hear a commissioner shout, "Neary,-- 9 stone, 13 pounds!"
Photographers snapping shots, reporters shouting questions,
"Hey, Micky, what about you?"
MICKY
Nah, I ain't gonna sleep on no
floor. I like my bed an' my
girlfriend too much -
He waves at Charlene in the crowd. Reporters laugh. Neary
glares at Micky and steps off the scale. Micky sees Alice
squeezed way in the back of the room with George, both all
dressed up, new clothes, hair done up.
MICKY
(SHOUTS OUT)
Hey, Ma, Dad, come on up here!
Alice and George start heading toward the front of the room,
Alice looking at all the cameras, smiling, she's back in the
spotlight. She's the belle of the ball.
MICKY
(to the reporters)
My muthah used to manage both of
us, me and Dicky both. Neithah of
us would be here if it weren't for
her, right?
DICKY
No shit, Mick, she's our muthah -
Reporters laugh, shout, "How long were you their manager for,
Mrs. Ward?"
ALICE
(smiles at all the
cameras.. .her one well-
REHEARSED LINE)
I been managin' both of 'em my
whole life, honey.
Reporters laugh. Micky & Dicky laugh. Micky sees Charlene
shake her head and smile despite herself.
SHEA NEARY
(Liverpool accent, snaps)
Why the hell's ya mothah up here,
this ain't no place for old ladies.
(C Y)NTTNTTT?T) )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 95.
120 CONTINUED: ( 2) 120
Alice turns to Neary like she's gonna fucking hit him. Dicky
puts an arm around her. Photographers yell, "Let's eeta
Picture, boys!" "Face off!" Micky shakes his head, stands
across from Neary. Neary glares at Micky trying to
intimidate him. "Micky, it's your first fight overseas, and
it's in Shea's hometown, you worried about that?"
MICKY
(SHRUGS)
- You can have the whole country
behind ya, but it's only gonna be
me and him in the ring, right?
121 OLYMPIA GRAND HALL - 9:10 PM 121
TITLE: Neary vs. Ward, WBU Light Welterweight Title -Olympia
Grand Hall. Crowd streaming into Olympia Grand Hall,
stunning Victorian architecture, barrel-vaulted roof. Neary
fans singing, waving Irish flags, painted green faces.
122 HOLDING AREA, AISLE - OLYMPIA GRAND HALL - 9:11 PM 122
.Micky & Dicky stop at the top of a long aisle down to the
ring, both looking out at the screaming crowd, 11,000 Neary
fans ...an HBO producer with a headset holding up a hand.
Micky pops his yellow gloves together, white trunks, robe,
black trim, "MickyWard spelled right, Dicky stretches out
his back, kicking the nervousness out of his legs, "Micky
Ward" on his white corner jacket. . .Sal LoNano, the 2nd in the
corner, and cutman Al Gavin behind them.
DICKY
(turns to Sal, on edge)
Where's his song, Sal? You gotta
be good for somethin'. I dunno why
you gotta be in the cornah anyways -
SAL LONANO
Make sure you don't do somethin'
stupid.
.Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" begins playing over the
sound system...
DICKY
Why dontchya try singin', Sal,
maybe you can do that -
MICKY
(nods, singing the song
quietly to himself)
"Now I don't know where I'm goin'
But I sure know where I been."
(CC)NTTNTTRT)'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 96.
122 CONTINUED: 122
Dicky looks at his brother and starts quietly singing along
with him. . .walking down the aisle together, crowd booing,
whistling, screaming... Sal LoNano and Al Gavin following,
Whitesnake singing, "And here I go again on my own/Goin' down
the only road I've ever known. Like a drifter I was born to
walk alone."
123 RING 123
.Micky climbs into the ring, Dicky helps him take off his
robe... lights go dark, green spotlights shine, the Pogues
rollicking "The Irish Rover" plays...Micky & Dicky watch Shea
Neary making his way down the aisle, black trunks, no robe,
green gloves, handler behind him holding up the WBU title
belt, another waving a big Irish flag. .. Crowd cheering,
dancing, singing along...
.Dicky crosses himself, kisses his fingers... Micky sees
Charlene sitting ringside in the dark, flashing green lights,
and gives her a little wave... Charlene waves back, mouths, "I
love you. Kick ass!" Alice and George sitting a couple rows
behind her. Neary walks toward the ring, pounding himself
hard in the face, jaw, forehead with both gloves...
124 RING - OLYMPIA GRAND HALL - 9:19 PM 124
.Micky and Neary standing face-to-face in the middle of the
ring, Dicky rubbing his brother's neck ...Neary leans in and
presses his forehead against Micky's forehead...Referee
MICKEY VANN, red shirt, black bow-tie, giving the fighters
pre-fight instructions.
REFEREEE MICKEY VANN
(LEEDS ACCENT)
Come out when ya hear the bell, and
don't piss about. Shake hands, both
of ya.
.Micky reaches out to touch gloves with Neary...Neary will
not touch gloves, instead, to Micky's surprise, he pushes his
forehead into Micky's. Ref separates them, Micky again
reaches to touch gloves but Neary will not.
MICKY
(walks to Dicky in his
CORNER)
- You see that? I'm gonna kick his
ass.
DICKY
Good. Go right at him, staht early
for once!
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 97.
125 RING, OLYMPIA GRAND HALL - 9:20 PM 125
TITLE: Rd 1 - 3:00 (time running down). The bell rings.
Micky and Neary meet in the middle of the ring, hear one of
the HBO announcers, JIM LAMPLEY (the real audio), "The big
challenge for Ward is to get off to a faster start than is
customary for him. Micky Ward a notoriously slow starter,
Shea Nearv an ultra-fast starter. And that's the question
that hovers over round one, will Ward be ready for the
fight." Neary takes it right to Micky, whistling shots
hammering his body ...Bam! Bam! Bam! Micky stands his ground
and catches Neary with short uppercuts... Standing forehead-to-
forehead in the middle of the ring. . .Micky taps Neary on the
side of the head, drops down and drills a left hooks into
Neary's ribs ...Bam!...Neary grimaces, lowers his elbow...
1:47 (time running down) ...Micky throws another hook--
Uppercut--Uppercut--Hook...Neary fires back, unloading wide
rights into Micky's body...Bam! Bam! Bam!...Micky takes the
punches and answers. Both fighters in close, trading back &
forth, hear HBO's Larry Merchant (the real audio), "Forehead-
to-forehead. And Ecklund I'm sorry, Ward's,-- the right side
of Ward is red from the body punches being thrown by Neary."
Hear Lampley, "Ward's coming out trying to match Neary blow
for blow! And now Neary starts to come on and take the last
30-.seconds .Nearv fires
Ward!" Micky goes
sprawling into the ropes, almost falling out of the ring,
only the ropes holding him up! Crowd on its feet screaming
for blood... Charlene, Alice, George all yelling for Micky.
Dicky screaming, "COVER UP! COVER UP!"
:20 (time running down) ... Lampley, "Ward's still hurt. He's
trying to hold on. He eats an uppercut. A fighter cannot be
saved by the bell in any round "...Neary moves in for the
kill.. .Micky trying to hold onto him, hear HBO's GEORGE
FOREMAN (the real audio), "Ward should stay still. His legs
aren't under him.". Neary attacking wildly...Micky's out on
his feet, stumbling drunk. The bell rings. End of Rd 1.
126 MICKY'S CORNER, RING 126
.Dicky jumps onto the apron, forgetting the stool...hear
Lampley, "Ward is out on his feet." Micky standing unsteady,
hear Merchant, "They don't have the stool up there fast
enough!" Dicky holding up Micky, blood from Micky's mouth
spilling all over Dicky's shoulder, chest, white corner
jacket...
(CC)NTTNTTFM
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 97A.
126 CONTINUED: 126
DICKY
(TO MICKY)
You got the Elvis leg, Mick, jump,
c'mon, Micky, jump with me, we
gotta get ya legs back, jump with
ME -
(CNNTTNT7FD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 98.
126 CONTINUED: (2) 126
CHARLENE
(screaming at Sal)
Give him the stool! Where's the
stool!
DICKY
Shut up! Get outta here!
CHARLENE
He needs to sit!
DICKY
(TO MICKY)
Jump with me!
(CNNTTNTTRT))
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 99.
126 CONTINUED: (3) 126
Micky jumps with Dicky ...two brothers lumping, jumping like
little kids.. .Referee Mickey Vann motioning Micky back into
the center of the ring...
DICKY
(leans close into his
brother before he goes,
TALKING FAST)
Go aftah 'im so he don't think ya
hurt, Mick, stay off the fuckin'
ropes!
.Dicky heads out of the ring... crosses himself, kisses his
fingers and climbs out through the ropes, his brother's blood
all over him.
127 RING, OLYMPIA GRAND HALL - 9:24 PM 127
TITLE: Rd 2 - 3:00 (time running down). Neary comes out of
his corner ready to put Micky away... crowd still standing
screaming for blood. He gets Micky right back on the ropes.
DICKY
Go aftah 'im! Get off the ropes!
Micky throws a right, going right after Neary. Neary caught
off-guard, steps back, letting Micky off the ropes. Micky
keeps throwing, legs still unsteady. Neary flicks out a jab,
keeping his distace. Foreman, "I think Neary's making a big,
big mistake. He's allowing Micky to recover. He knows Micky's
a veteran who's been hurt before, knows what to do when he's
hurt. But he doesn't know if he's still hurt or not."
.Micky waking back up, getting his legs back under him,
hitting Neary with a left to the body--Left uppercut ...Neary
answers, landing a left hook to Micky's chin--Left hook--Left
hook.
(RNNTTNTTRD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 100.
127 CONTINUED: 127
Lampley, "And now Neary comes back again, and now Ward!"
Micky answers with a short right--Uppercut...Bam! Bam!...hear
Merchant, "This isn't entertainment. This isn't business.
This is fighting!"
CUT TO:
128 MICKY'S CORNER, RING - BETWEEN 2ND & 3RD RDS - 9:28 PM 128
.Micky taking deep breaths, Al Gavin in the ring working on
a two-inch gouge under Micky's left eye, Dicky leaning
through the ropes, pouring water in Micky's bloody mouth.
DICKY
(inches from his face,
just the two of them)
Don't take unnecessary punishment,
you're not a punchin' bag, don't
let him abuse you! You hear me? We
been waitin' our whole lives for
this! It's all been leading up to
right now, Micky! This is your
time, Micky! I blew it, but you
don't have to. Take all ya emotion
and pain from me all we done and
use it out there right now. Don't
let 'em take it away from you,
Micky! Do you hear me?
Micky looks at his brother, nods, turns spits out blood and
water. Dicky TAKES MICKY'S NECK IN HIS HANDS AS HE PUTS HIS
FOREHEAD TO MICKY'S; THEY CLOSE THEIR EYES A MOMENT; BELL
RINGS FOR THE NEXT ROUND.
Micky stands, turns to Charlene sitting ringside; Dicky puts
the mouth piece into Micky's mouth. She's on her feet staring
at her man. Alice and George on their feet, staring as well.
129 RING, OLYMPIA GRAND HALL 129
TITLE: Rd 3 - 3:00 (time running down). Micky stands up and
crosses himself, cut, bruised, swollen face.. .sees Neary
standing across the ring... Dicky starts bouncing on his toes
ringside, looks up at his brother in the ring. Micky starts
bouncing on his toes.. .walks toward Neary...
CUT TO:
2:28 (time running down). ..Micky and Neary toe-to-toe trading
punches, neither backing down, hear Larry Merchant, "They are
trying to hurt each other with every punch. This is a test
now of will." Neary swings hard hitting Micky's temple with
a big right...Bam!...Micky's hurt, legs dancing about!
Lampley, "Ward wobbled there by a right cross from Neary!
(C.ONTTNTTF.n'
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 100A.
129 CONTINUED: 129
Neary goes to the body and to the uppercut as he tries to
finish Micky!"
A130 INT. ALICE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY A130
THE SISTERS WATCH THE FIGHT ON TELEVISION, TENSE, chatting
about it.
(CONTTNTTFD )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 101.
A130 CONTINUED: A130
.Crowd standing, screaming...Charlene and Alice can't
watch ...Neary backs Micky up against the ropes, hitting him
with everything he's got, pounding hard right after hard
right ...Bam! Bam! Bam! Merchant, "Vicious body shots from
Neary!"...Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!...Micky covering his face with
his gloves, bleeding from his mouth, under his eye.. .hear
Merchant, "And Micky Ward is in trouble again!"
.Dicky's on his feet ringside, leaning on the ring apron,
mirroring Micky in the ring... covering his face with his
hands, bobbing his head.. .starts punching, screaming, "Punch
ya way out of it. Punch out of it!"
.Micky starts firing at Neary, hear Lampley, "Ward trying
to trade his way back!"...Neary steps back...Micky slips off
the ropes and raises his hands over his head, letting Neary
know he survived. . .And fires a left hook--Right uppercut!
Lampley, "And Ward hurts Neary with a body shot! Ward hurts
him again with that left to the body! Neary is wobbled!"
Micky rocks Neary with another left hook to the body ...Bam!
Micky follows with a huge left uppercut... Bam!
Neary stumbles backwards and goes crashing down to the
canvas! Hear Lampley scream, "Big uppercut by Ward! First
time in 22 fights that Shea Neary has been down!" Neary gets
back up to his feet at "Four..." Referee Mickey Vann giving
him the standing eight-count, "Six... Seven... Eight."
.Dicky shaking his fist, screaming Micky on, "This is it!
This is it! This is it!"
.Micky walks back in and unleashes a huge left hook--Left
hook--Right uppercut--Left hook. Neary backpedaling. Right
uppercut. Neary trying to cover up. Another left uppercut
sends Neary reeling across the ring! Sprawling out of
control, landing with his head CRASHING down in Micky's
corner!
Dicky raises his hands over his head, white corner jacket
stained with Micky's blood...
.Charlene, Alice, George all on her feet screaming, crowd
now cheering for Micky ...Lampley, "Neary down for the second
time! Mickey Vann's gonna stop it!"...The referee waves it's
over, it's over, hear Merchant, "He's done it! Micky Ward's
done it!" CUT TO: SISTERS EXPLODE TO CHEERS WATCHING AT HOME.
.Micky throws his hands in the air, blood dripping down his
face...he can't believe it...he can't believe it...he can't
believe it...he screams with joy. . .Dicky jumps up into the
ring, runs to his brother... Charlene... Alice... George all
screaming with joy outside the ring...
(C_fNTTNTT1 f )
The Fighter 8/28/09 GREEN DRAFT 102.
A130 CONTINUED: (2) A130
MICKY
(looks down and hugs his
brother's head between
his gloves, laughing)
Dickyeeee!
DICKY
(holding Micky up off the
ground, looks up at
him.. .tears in his eyes)
Ohmygahd, Micky, you're the world
champion! You're champion a the
whole world!
.Dicky holding his brother up in his arms...Micky raises
his fists above his head... the two brothers together in the
middle of the crowded ring... FREEZE FRAME ON MICKY IN THE AIR
HELD ALOFT BY Dicky. Credits start. Then TEXT: 'Micky Ward
went on to three epic fights with Arturo Gatti. bringing
Micky his first seven-figure paydays. He retired in 2003."
UNFREEZE: Dicky turns as he holds Micky and now we see
Dicky's face, scrunched against Micky's hip as he holds him
aloft. FREEZE FRAME ON Dicky: "Dicky lives with Alice and
Little Dicky a few blocks away from Micky, and trains
fighters in Lowell. Free from crack, he battles his addiction
every day.' UNFREEZE: Alice steps into the ring, BEAMING,
followed by George.
ALICE
Both my boys are champions, Micky
you're a champion! I love you!
She touches Micky's hair and neck, loving eye contact with
him, when Micky is pulled toward Charlene, who grabs his face
and kisses him deeply, leaving Alice to turn and lovingly fix
the collar of Dicky's cornerman jacket. FREEZE ON MICKY
CHARLENE KISS: 'Micky married Charlene in 2005. They live in
Lowell with his daughter Kasie in the house he bought with
the money he made from the Neary fight. Credits continue.
CUT TO:
130 LOWELL MAN ON THE STREET DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEWS. 130
Credits continue over real interviews with real Lowell;
followed by the sisters. Micky & Dicky are champions of the
world. . .the dream is alive in Lowell...
|
