Standing Eight Count

INT. BOXING RING (practice facility)- Early morning

We see a series of practice boxing rings. They are all empty, the whole place is dark in the wee hours of the morning... except ONE RING where we can see light and a boxer busy PRACTICING.

We hear his hustle, we hear his punches...

He is GEORGE SALINGER, 37, white, good built, he practices the punches against the punching bag. He SWEATS it out. The punches get more rigorous and stronger... it's as if he is in a real fight. His eyes reveal enormous amount of concentration. His Maroon boxer short is half wet with sweat.

TIME CUT

It's George again... this time he practices with the speed bags. He PUNCHES them at maximum speed, his boxing fist almost invisible in the frame. He changes his style, starts pushing the speed bag with the back of his palms... The speed is maintained...

TIME CUT

George wipes off the sweat with the towel. He takes a breather, sips a drink. The clock on the back shows 6:10. In the background the lights comes on. Couple of training ASSISTANTS start their day.

George packs his gloves and other stuff into his bag. He walks away towards exit, sipping the drink.

The two assistants wait to greet George...

GEORGE

Morning fellas...

Assistant #1

Morning Champ... Big day huh?

GEORGE

Not really!

(turns back)

Just another day!

The assistants look at each other. George leaves the facility.

ASSISTANT #1

(to the other assistant)

Practice makes the man perfect! I've seen him start at four in the morning.. for the last 13 years... It's amazing...

ASSISTANT #2

Sounds so weird and... and eccentric ... like them boxers!

EXT. training facility- day

George approaches towards his car. Two photographers come out from no where and click pictures of George. George is not too happy.

GEORGE

(checking his watch)

Stop it freaks! Even at this time of the morning huh?

The paparazzis smile.

INT. GEORGE'S CAR - DAY

George drives the car as the sun is about to rise on the horizon. He looks outside.He sees his own picture on a huge hoarding. It's a commercial figuring himself.

int. george's house (Bedroom)- That morning

The time shows 6:30. KIM SALINGER, 33, white, attractive, George's wife is sound asleep like a child. George reaches to kiss her. Kim is still sleepy, she acknowledges the kiss with a lazy smile...

KIM

(sleepy)

Hmm... what time is it George?

GEORGE

(huddling and kissing)

Time to start your day hon...

INT. George's house (Toilet)- Moments later

George takes shower. His body looks muscular and well toned, which most men can only dream of.

He comes out of the shower with a towel wrapped. He stands in front of the mirror, checking himself. Water drips from his face.

There is a small flip calendar next to the mirror. On the calendar there is a big circle marked around the date 17th. Next to the date it's written THE FINALS.

George stares at the calendar...

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (children BEDROOM)- EARLY MORNING

The room looks colorful even in a dim bed light. Dolls, toys, soft toys lying around... On the bunk bed we see JULIA, 6, cute girl in deep sleep on the upper berth.

The door opens gently, George enters.. still afresh from the shower. He quietly goes near Julia...

He splashes his wet hair against her face. Droplets of water fall on Julia's face. She is distracted, but it's not good enough to wake her up.

George looks around the room. He takes out the Barbie doll, plucks a strand of hair from it.

He gently moves the hair into Julia's ears, it tickles her ears. She is distracted again. George does it again, this time firmly against her ears. Julia is completely distracted, she is about to wake up -

GEORGE

(as she wakes up)

BOOOO....

Julia wakes up, but she isn't scared...

JULIA

I won't be scared if you do that thing everyday Dad!

GEORGE

Good morning sweetheart!

On the lower berth of the bunk bed we see a basket, inside the basket there is a cat. He is DOLLAR, brown cat, it wakes up to see George.

Dollar

Meow...

George pets Dollar... Dollar likes every bit of it.

Julia picks Dollar.

GEORGE

Lets go sweetheart...

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (dining)- that MORNING

On the table we see lots and lots of food. There is Yam, beans, whole wheat grain, tuna, eggs, white bread, french fries.

George takes a good look at the items. He takes out bread and separates it from the rest.

GEORGE

(to Kim)

Bread is processed carbs!

He then takes out french fries...

GEORGE

(to Julia)

Fries are fat!

He puts rest of the stuff on his plate and starts to eat.

JULIA

(to Kim)

Why is Daddy picky about the food?

KIM

Coz.. Daddy has to condition himself!

GEORGE

And daddy wants to remain a middleweight! ... that's why!

Julia almost gets it... they continue eating...

JULIA

Who's dropping me to school today?

KIM

It's going to be Mommy honey... Daddy needs to sleep before match!

INT. KIM's car - later in the day

Kim drives away, Julia is seated in the backseat. Dollar rests nice and cozy in the basket.

A school bus stops in front, the stop lights come ON. Kim stops the car, other cars stop too.

A bunch of kids get into the bus. Juila sees it from behind.

JULIA

I want to take the bus to school!

Kim thinks for a moment...

KIM

Next year honey! You're too young now!

JULIA

James and Noel take the bus! They're my age! ... why can't I?

Kim thinks again...

KIM

Honey... your dad is a celebrity! He's very cautious about lots of thing we do in public...

JULIA

What's a celebrity?

The bus leaves. The car starts moving again. Kim drives on, checks the road.

KIM

Celebrity is someone who is very famous... whom a lot of people can recognize...

JULIA

How many people exactly?

Just then a fire truck whistles and comes across the street. All the cars move aside and give way.

Julia watches the truck with utmost attention...

JULIA

(pointing to the truck)

I just love these guys!

The truck moves ahead and disappears.

JULIA

I wanna be fire fighter when I grow up!

KIM

There aren't too many ladies in that profession!

Julia thinks..

JULIA

Whatever!

KIM

You are too young to decide that Julie!

Car reaches the school. Julia picks her stuff, she is ready to leave..

JULIA

Bye mommy!

KIM

Have a nice one Julie..

JULIA

(looks at Dollar)

Take care Dollar...

The cat looks up, that's his style of saying good bye.

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (BEDROOM)- same day

Kim is back from school. George is in deep sleep. He snores...

Kim takes out the news paper which is tucked to his chest.

It's opened to sports page... the sports page reads "The Ultimate Clash". We see picture of George in boxing ring, the other half of the picture is occupied by JOE KING, 29, similar built as George

int. boxing ring(super gloves championship)- night

HUGE CHEERS from the crowd. Every one roots for their favorite star of the night. A placard reads "MIGHTY YOUNG JOE". The buzz inside the stadium befits a final. The huge banner at the background reads "SUPER GLOVES CHAMPIONSHIP, CHICAGO 2006"

Inside the ring we see the contenders Joe and George seated at their respective corners. Their corner men keeps them busy... constantly talks to them...

commentary (O.S)

(shouting loud)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen... behold your breath... the much awaited clash of the year is finally here. Are you ready for the ultimate combat?

HUGE ROAR from the crowd, it's deafening...

COMMENTARY (O.S)

On our left we have... the hands of steel... the quickness and zeal... the man who has been stealing the thunder in many middleweight boxing circuit... the youngster from Ohio... MIGHTY JOE THE VENOM KING!

JOE KING, drops his towel. UPROAR from the crowds. He waves at the crowd with all the pride in the world. He fists his own chest, shows a lot of confidence within himself.

George watches the proceedings from the other side of the ring.

COMMENTARY (O.S)

(as the crowd settles)

On our right we have... the undisputed champion at the super gloves... the man who has conquered the summit of boxing for four straight years... the undefeated, undoubted, unmatched champion of the world... GEORGE JUGGERNAUT SALINGER

The crowd cheers even louder. George drops his towel, jumps one time and shows off his powerful muscles and abs, smiles like an assassin, shows off his transparent mouth guard.

The referee is ready, the front bench gives a nod. The fight is about to begin.

THE BOXING BELL GOES OFF.

The two boxers get off from the corners, they step forward to the middle.

CROWD

(in one section)

Knock'em off! SALINGER.. SALINGER

CROWD

(in another section)

Punch'em... Go JOE...

The fight starts. They both screen each other casually testing their reach against the opponent. Nothing looks devastating. The fighters are separated by at least a couple of feet.

The first real sign of aggression by Joe, his fist almost meets George on the face, but George is a pro, he wades it.

Joe moves to his left, then right and a right jab at George... this time it hits him...

COMMENTARY (O.S)

and the first sign of aggression from the last year's runner up!

Nothing damaging so far... George is still on his feet, quick and agile. His gloves covering his face, trying to be defensive.

Another bout of left, right and right combination by Joe. He sure looks good today... George is struggling.. he is HIT... he falls down.

The referee starts the eight count.

REFEREE

(hits the floor)

Eight... Seven... Six...

CROWD

Joe King... Joe King...

But George recovers quickly...He gets up...

Back on their feet, two fighters hurling across each other. George gets his bearings back... He manages one punch on Joe's chin...First signs of aggression from George...

The Crowd shouts constantly... the battle is getting intense!

THE BOXING BELL GOES OFF

COMMENTARY (O.S)

And that's the end of round one... Based on what we've seen so far... it's not gonna be easy for the defending champion!

The stool is placed at the corner, George sits with a THUD. His mouthpiece is taken by one of his ASSISTANTS. CORNER MAN is giving his piece of advice...

Joe on the other corner is very excited and restless. He is desperate to hit the ring again.

THE BELL GOES AGAIN..

Fighters start again, this time both of them show signs of hurry.

Both the boxers manage punches here and there... Nobody is dominating anyone. They are both waiting for an opportunity for a killer punch... The boxers are strangled for a few second... referee comes and separates them...

TIME CUT

COMMENTARY (O.S)

We're done with the round three... both boxers sweating it out there... who will be the last man standing? you just need to wait and watch this one heck of a contest tonight!

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (HALLWAY)- NIGHT

TELEVISION

Welcome back to the American idol... let's meet our contestants...we have five of them tonight -

Kim watches the show sipping a soda can, Julia time shares between the television and a Rubik's cube

Kim taps her fingers on the can, she gets up... walks up and down... she is clearly anxious...

JULIA

(twisting and turning the cube)

I have never seen Daddy's fights live!

Kim looks at Julia for a moment.

KIM

Next year Julie!

Julia looks disappointed.

KIM

There are so many things you've promised for next year!

The meaningless show on TV continues...

JULIA

Have you seen him fight?

KIM

A few times!

Julia thinks for a minute... She twists the Rubik's cube again...

JULIA

Are you scared to watch him?

Kim looks on, refuses to answer...

INT. BOXING RING(SUPER GLOVES CHAMPIONSHIP)- NIGHT

We are back in the middle of action...

It's in between the rounds... George's men attend him... so is Joe by his men...

CORNER MAN

(to George)

He's comin at ya.. He's makin all the moves... Don't take it too easy... understand that?

GEORGE

(splashing water down his face)

Hold on man... I'm just warming up... lemme start the real game!

George winks amidst sweaty face of his... He gulps down lots of water and splashes some more on his head!

THE BELL RINGS

COMMENTARY (O.S)

And we start the sixth round... Joe is sensational today... Can George stand up to him? Is he up to the challenge? Let's wait and see...

The fighters go around in circles...They look at each other like hungry wolves.. their eyes screen every inch of opportunity behind the gloves. They breath heavy.

George jumps up and steps in, HE LANDS A PERFECT JAB ON JOE. Joe recovers quickly... George steps forward and attacks again.. it's ONE MORE JAB...

He follows it with a HOOK... that HURTS Joe...

The crowd sighs... George's supporters cheer...

CROWD

GS.. GS... GS...

George watches Joe closely and in comes a quick UPPER CUT from George... Joe LOOSES BALANCE... George grabs the opportunity, throws in a series of left, right and left jabs...

Joe is struggling... he holds George by his chest, tries to prevent further attack..

Referee interferes, separates the fighters...

George is charged up.. he quickly moves ahead and another UPPER CUT lands on Joe... A hook, jab and punches on his face...

It's raining shots on Joe...and ONE POWERFUL KNOCK ON HIS FACE...

Joe struggles to stand or see anything... he COLLAPSES in slow motion..

COMMENTARY (O.S)

That is a decisive blow by the former champion.. Joe has hit the ground... how much damage did it do?

Referee comes running, starts STANDING EIGHT COUNT hitting his palms on the wooden floor...

Referee

EIGHT... SEVEN...

COMMENTARY (O.S)

It's the standing eight count now! can he really stand it?

CROWD

(along with ref)

FIVE.. FOUR...

Joe is done, he is barely able to lift his head, getting up is next to impossible!

COMMENTARY (O.S)

TWO... and ONE... and we have the WINNER...we have the winner... the defending champion has done it again... This is incredible... George Salinger is the Super Gloves middleweight champion for the fifth consecutive year!

(huge roar from the crowd)

What an achievement!

George goes to the corner... stands on the ropes facing the crowd... raises both his hands ... he is too excited...

GEORGE

(shouting to the crowd)

ARE YOU LISTENING? ... anyone wants to dare?... anyone out there?

Crowd cheers...

CROWD

SALINGER.... SALINGER... GS .. GS...

Joe gets up from the floor, he is helped by his assistants. Lots of black spots under his eyes already...

The boxers shake hands... Joe does it reluctantly though...

George takes out his white towel... he swings it around three to four times over his head... and then THROWS it to the cheering crowd.

The towel FLOATS through the air, the people in the stands wait to catch... who is the lucky one?

MANISH SHARMA, 33, lean built, Indian origin, GRABS the towel from thin air as if his life would depend on it. He is excited to catch it, others around him repent a narrow miss.

MANISH

(shouting to George)

Thank you champ!

Manish opens the towel. It is printed "George Salinger" on the towel. Delight on his face knows no bounds.

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (HALLWAY)- NIGHT

The television beams the same boring reality show. Julia looks sleepy, Kim casually walks around.

The Rubik's cube is lying on the sofa. It is solved on one side, all green squares are on one side.

Kim sees the cube. She is surprised at what she is seeing.

KIM

(holding Rubik's cube)

Did you solve this?

JULIA

It's just one side!

Next to the cube, there is a card. Kim opens it. It's a nice Thank You card.

KIM

(reading the card)

I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom... Thank You!

She looks at Julia.

KIM

Did you do this at school?

Julia nods affirmative.

KIM

Who is it for?

JULIA

I can't think of anyone right now!

Suddenly we see a ticker on the television... The ticker reads "Defending middleweight champion George Salinger has won the Super Gloves Championship"

Kim reads it... She does not know how to react... happy tears rolls down her eyes and slides down her cheeks.

KIM

(hugs Julia emotionally)

He's won... he's won again...Daddy has won it again Julie!

Julia is all alert now. She too is excited...

JULIA

(excited and cheering)

Yeah! Yeah! ...this is awesome! I knew he would win! Daddy is the best!

Kim hurriedly searches for something... She finds what she was looking for, her cellphone... she dials...

Phone rings on the other side, but no one picks it up.

KIM

Pick up... pick it up George...

The rings end... Kim takes out the TV remote and switches channel... it is the sports channel showing live pictures of the Super Gloves Championship... George and the crowd still celebrating...

Julia runs to the television and kisses the screen...

JULIA

Love you Dad! Love you...

INT. some room (post match press interviews)- NIGHT

George looks at a swam of journalists behind the bee line of microphones. Several camera CLICK on the champion.

JOURNALIST #1

(posing a question to George)

You're so used winning this now? How does it feel?

GEORGE

The same way I felt when I won the first one.. it's a great feeling... way beyond words...

JOURNALIST #2

Joe was dominating in the first five rounds-

GEORGE

Ya.. he was good today

(with a smile)

in fact better than last year!

Few of them smile...

JOURNALIST #3

You have equaled Tim Chambers record of five consecutive super gloves ... How confident are you of breaking it next year?

George thinks for a while..

GEORGE

You know they say.. winning and loosing is like two sides of the coin... and I guess...

(firm face)

I have a one sided coin!

Everyone giggles..

GEORGE

(pause)

I mean.. where's the competition? I'll come back next year and sit in the same room, talk to you fine folks... with another title in my hand... George Salinger will break the record of most number of titles... Gosh... I can't wait -

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (HALLWAY)- NIGHT

TELEVISION (Contd)

(George speaking)

- for another year. Nothing can stop me from winning.. nothing!

Over confidence brimming on the face of the pro in TV.

Kim and Julia watch it... Kim frowns at her husband's over confidence...

JULIA

When will Dad come? Why isn't he answering the phone?

KIM

He'll be late Julie... why don't you brush and go to bed?

EXT. BOXING STADIUM- night

Black limousine makes its way among hoards of supporters. George waves to them from inside. Some of them try to touch the hands of the champion... some try to keep pace with the car...

The car speeds away...

INT. LIMOUSINE - night

GEORGE

(on phone)

Hon... sorry I'd to stay away from phone for a while... did you see it?

The limo cuts through the highway as George continues on the phone...

INT. GEORGE'S HOUSE (BEDROOM)- later that night

GEORGE

(screaming in pain)

oouch... it hurts!

Kim applies cotton and medicines on George's face. We see the typical bare chest of the boxer. Kim slowly cleanses the bruised areas of his chest.

Julia is asleep on their bed, George looks at her.

GEORGE

Why did you let her sleep? I wanna wake her up... talk to her... this is a happy moment...

KIM

She waited for you...

George thinks...

GEORGE

I've won everything ever since she came into our lives! She's my lady luck!

INT. George'S CAR - next day

GEORGE

and then I punched him on the left... he moved to his right

(holding steering and enacting the fight)

then I came from right... BOOM another punch...

Julia is all ears to the conversation.

GEORGE

and then I punched him one last time... he fell down...

JULIA

What happened after that?

GEORGE

then the referee started standing eight count -

JULIA

What's standing eight count?

GEORGE

It's a time given by the referee for the fallen boxer to get up... Joe never got up. and I won!

Julia is happy with the explanation...

JULIA

Have you ever fallen down while fighting?

George negotiates a turn...

GEORGE

Ya... few times...

JULIA

Did they do standing eight count on you?

GEORGE

ya.. ya...

JULIA

have you lost a standing eight count?

GEORGE

nope.. never! Daddy is a strong man.. no fighter could dare win standing eight count against him!

The car stops. Juila takes her school bag and other stuff...

GEORGE

Bye... sweetheart...

JULIA

(getting down from the car)

Bye.. Daddy...

(touching Dollar)

Bye.. Dollar

Julia moves away... George sits and watches from his car until she disappears into the crowd of students.


==================================================================================
Note: Rest of the story available on request. Please write to me invidually.
==================================================================================