THE FIGHT
By Dennis Mui
FADE IN
INT. BOXING CLUB RING - NIGHT The BELL RINGS signaling the end of the round.
CHARLIE (40s) an African American referee goes to separate the two boxers, both in full boxing attire and gear.
CHARLOTTE (27) an Asian American female, is muscular and stands at six feet tall, wearing all black. She is undefeated with a record of 11 and 0. Her face is red, cheeks puffy, and she has a small cut over her slightly swollen left eye. Before the ref can get to her, she throws a hard right. The cheap shot connects with the left ear of LAUREL (23) a Caucasian female and a relatively new boxer with only three fights under her belt, wearing all yellow. She stands five inches shorter than Charlotte. Her right eye is severely swollen and her nose is broken. She falls to the mat.
OLIVER (65), Laurel’s manager/trainer is a veteran of the sport of boxing with 45 years of experience. He quickly jumps up to the ring apron and grabs the ring ropes, shaking them furiously.
OLIVER (screaming at the referee) What the fuck is that?! You see that bullshit?! You haven’t taken control of this fight all night long. What are ya gonna do about that cheap shot? huh? What are ya gonna do!
Charlie struts over to the judge’s table, instructing the judges to deduct a point. Oliver gets the stool and places it in the corner.
OLIVER (to the referee) One fucking point? Do your job ref. You shoulda disqualified her amazonian ass!
Laurel gets up and stumbles over to her corner and sits on the stool. Oliver gets in the ring, faces and crouches in front of Laurel. Oliver grabs a bucket and water bottle. He takes out Laurel’s mouth guard and pours some water in her mouth. Laurel swishes the water and then spits it out into the bucket.
OLIVER How ya doing there, sweetheart?
LAUREL Don’t call me sweetheart.
OLIVER There’s my sweetheart. If you were one of my other boys, I’d tell ya to hit him in the balls, but you know... How’s that left ear?
LAUREL It’s ringing like the bell, but we only have one round left. I’ll be fine.
Laurel looks over at the RING DOCTOR, who doesn’t move.
LAUREL I guess I don’t look too bad...or he doesn’t give a shit.
Oliver leans over to Laurel’s right side and gets closer to her right ear.
OLIVER I’ll talk to this one then. You’re doing exactly what I told you to do. You’re moving around, using that speed of yours. Keep doing it. Keep putting your left arm up and protect that left side of your head. That eye is about to shut and you don’t want to go deaf in one ear.
Laurel nods her head.
LAUREL So I move around until I get a good shot and knock this bitch out!
OLIVER (shaking his head) Not the plan.
LAUREL (confused)
But, but I need to knock this bitch out.
OLIVER Too risky. Opens ya up for a counter. Just get some jabs in and move. We take it to a decision. If you get enough shots in I think we can win without a chance of ya gettin’ fucked up.
LAUREL I’m too far behind. I’ll never catch up with jabs.
OLIVER She just lost a point! It’s the right play here. The god damn smart play.
LAUREL I have to knock her out!
OLIVER Just keep listening to me and we got this.
The BELL RINGS. Charlotte’s MANAGER and Oliver leave the ring. Charlotte and Laurel get up from their stools and walk towards each other. Laurel speeds up her stride and cocks her right arm back.
LAUREL (battle cry) AHHHHHHH
Laurel throws a hard right hook aimed at Charlotte’s chin,
looking for the knock out. Charlotte side steps the punch and connects with a left jab, followed by a right uppercut. Laurel drops with a THUD.
Oliver buries his face in his palms. Charlie counts to ten, then motions for the bell. The BELL RINGS.