EXT. "JAKE LAMOTTA'S" - NIGHT (1956)
[The name "Jake LaMotta's Lounge" is emblazoned in neon across a lounge/liquor store on Collins Avenue, Miami's main drag. JAKE's bar is across from The Rooney Plaza, one of Miami's more prestigious hotels.]
[Fifties cars are parked outside the club.]
CUT TO: INT. "JAKE LAMOTTA'S" - NIGHT
[JAKE LAMOTTA, 34 years old, wearing a tux, steps in front of a large painted wall mural of the Cerdan fight as he enters his club.]
[The Lounge is dominated by a large circular bar. Featured entertainers perform on a raised platform in the center of the bar.]
[The club is half filled with SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT and MOB TYPES.]
[The small BAND plays a routine fanfare as JAKE steps onto the platform. He takes the mike with one hand and silences the BAND with the other. The applause dies out as he speaks:]
JAKE: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's a thrill to be standin' here talking to you wonderful people. In fact, it's a thrill to be standin'. I haven't seen so many people since my last fight at Madison Square Garden. After that fight a reporter asked me, "JAKE, where do you go from here?" I said, "To a hospital."
[About HALF THE PATRONS are listening; of them, HALF are laughing, SOME a little too loud.]
JAKE: I fought one hundred and six professional fights and none of them bums figured out how to fight me -- they kept hitting me in the head! *calls to the bar* Will somebody at the bar -- Linda? -- get me a drink. I figure if I'm gonna work to drunks I might as well be one of 'em! I like this place. It's a family type club... every night I see a lot of fathers sitting out there with their young daughters! That's nice.
[LINDA hands him a drink.]
JAKE: Thanks, honey. -- She's terrific. The kinda girl you wanta take home to meet your father. Especially if your old man's a degenerate! -- Here's a toast! "To your health! You only live once. But if you play it right, once is enough." I shouldn't be drinkin' like this 'cause I'm tryin' to lose weight. I'm on this terrific diet -- I'm allowed to eat anything I want. As long as I don't swallow it! Well, I never had much luck with my weight. In fact, -- I never had much luck with anything -- until about a few years ago, when this happened --
[He indicates the blow-up behind him and waits for applause, of which there is some.]
JAKE: ... thanks, I'm glad to see you remember. For those of you that don't... that's me takin' the title from Cerdan. You know, the tough thing about winnin' the title... the next thing you gotta do is have a rematch... just to show it wasn't no fluke. So what happens? Marcel Cerdan, a really great champ, after I beat him... he gets himself killed in that airplane crash... a pretty rotten break for him. That's why I don't like to fly. People say to me, "Look, Jake, when your time is up, your time is up." And I say, "Yeah, but suppose I'm on the plane and the pilot's time is up?" As good as Cerdan was, I could've taken him again. But I never got the chance to prove it wasn't no fluke. He got killed but he got to be what they call a legend. I don't know what's worse -- bein' a fluke or bein' a legend. -- That's the kinda luck I got. That's why I quit the ring and moved down here from New York. My wife said, "You gotta get outa this town, Jake." Come to think of it... the boxing commission said the same thing! But I don't miss New York. Give me Miami any day.
[The AUDIENCE applauds.]
JAKE: Miami's a great place. I get along with everybody in this town... even the police force... They got the best cops here money can buy! -- Only kiddin'. By the way... me and my wife Vickie's gettin' ready to celebrate our eleventh wedding anniversary.
[More applause.]
JAKE: We get along real great. We fight a little but I never really belted her on purpose. Once in a while I'm standin' there doin' little shadow-boxin' and she happens to walk right into the shadow... I can't help that. She says, "Whataya hittin' me for?" I says, "It's nothin'. It's only a love tap." She says, "It's a good thing you're not crazy about me!" -- I am crazy about her. I heard her talkin' to a friend on the phone and she was sayin', "After eleven years, I'm still in love with the same guy." -- If I ever find out who the bum is, I'll kill him! Women. You can't live with 'em, you can't live without 'em.
[Then, suddenly, falling into character... he quotes lago's speech in Othello.]
JAKE: "'Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate, loves not his woronger; But O, what damned minutes tells he o'er who dotes, yet doubts -- suspects, yet fondly loves!" -- That's from somethin' called "Othello" --
[OR, ALTERNATE SPEECH:]
JAKE: Is whispering nothing? Is leaning cheek to cheek? Is meeting noses? Kissing with inside lip? Stopping the career of laughter with a sign? -- A note infallible of breaking honesty -- horsing foot on foot? Skulking in corners? Wishing clocks more swift? Hours, minutes? Noon, midnight? And all eyes blind with the pin and web but theirs, theirs only, that would unseen be wicked? Is this nothing? Why, then the world and all that's in't is nothing; The covering sky is nothing; Bohemia nothing; My wife is nothing; nor nothing have these nothings, if this be nothing." -- That's from something called "The Winter's Tale" -- Shakespeare! You all remember Shakespeare. He wrote all them famous plays one after the other, then he went into a big slump and he ain't done anything good in years. That speech is about jealousy -- jealousy's a bad thing. Jealousy bothers a lot of guys... take me... I almost killed my brother... I love him... he's my family... I mean, there's nothin' he wouldn't do for me. And that's the way we been goin' thru life -- doin' nothin' for each other! Anytime he got in trouble when we was kids, I got him out of it. You know, he used to steal little things when we was growin' up. But he was particular... only stole things that begin with an 'a' -- a watch, a car, a suit, a ring... But I was wrong... I shoulda never hit my brother. Afterwards, I was sorry. Now every time I need somethin' I gotta go shoppin' for it! A psychiatrist once told me, "When you hit your brother you're really hittin' your mother, but you can't admit it to yourself." He's really crazy. I woulda never hit my mother. I mean, only in self-defense!
CUT TO: INT. JAKE'S LIVING ROOM - DAY (1950)
[JAKE is struggling with his later model ten-inch RCA TV. He fools with the dials, then slaps the side. The bluish video image comes and goes. JOEY watches JAKE fix the TV.]
[JAKE has a half-eaten sandwich in his hand.]
[VICKIE enters the house, surprised to find JAKE home.]
VICKIE: Jake, you're home.
[JAKE looks up at her. (She goes over to him and kisses him.)]
[JOEY gives VICKIE a polite peck on the mouth.]
JOEY: Hi, Vickie.
[JAKE watches JOEY kiss VICKIE. VICKIE notices JAKE'S reaction.]
VICKIE: What's the matter with you?
JAKE: Tryin' to get this fuckin' TV to work. Paid all this money for it and still can't get a station a mile away. And Mr. Wizard here ain't no help.
JOEY: Screw you, Jack.
JAKE: *to Vickie* Where you been?
[VICKIE goes into the bedroom to take off her coat. On the stairs, MOVING SHOT:]
VICKIE: I went out.
JAKE: *to Joey* What's that kissing on the mouth shit?
JOEY: What? I just said hello. Since when I can't kiss my sister-in-law?
JAKE: Ain't a cheek ever good enough for you? I never even kissed Mama on the mouth.
JOEY: Well, you're not supposed to kiss your mother on the mouth.
JAKE: Well, that's what I mean.
[JAKE leans over the TV.]
JAKE: How's that?
JOEY: I can't tell. Your stomach's in the way.
[JAKE stares at JOEY.]
JOEY: Don't give me those looks. I'm just your manager. The minute you start to be champ, you start eating like there's no tomorrow. And you giving me looks. All I know is that I don't have to defend my title next month.
[JAKE looks up at JOEY.]
JAKE: Answer me somethin'. What happened at the Copa with Salvy when I was out of town?
JOEY: When?
JAKE: You know, when you gave him a beatin'.
JOEY: *being as vague as possible* Nothin'. Salvy was out of line. He was drunk or somethin', I dunno. Anyway, the windup was I gave him a beatin'. Tommy called me down, and we straightened it out. It's all forgotten about.
JAKE: Why didn't you tell me about it?
JOEY: It didn't have nothin' to do with you.
JAKE: Didn't it have nothin' to do with me?
JOEY: No, I just told you what happened.
JAKE: *he obviously knows* Who did it have anything to do with... Vickie?
JOEY: Jack, no. I just explained the whole thing to you. It was just between me and Salvy, if it had anything to do with you and Vickie, I woulda told you about it.
JAKE: Well, I heard some things.
[MOVING in on JOEY, JAKE'S P.O.V.]
JOEY: "You heard some things." Will you stop worryin' about that shit? Forget about it. You know you got a title fight comin' up.
[PAUSE.]
JOEY: *referring to the TV* Whatever you touched, that's good now.
JAKE: Did Salvy fuck Vickie?
JOEY: What?
JAKE: You're supposed to keep an eye on her for me. I'm askin'...
JOEY: *interrupting* I did keep an eye...
JAKE: Then why did you give him a beatin' if he didn't do anything? You and him been friends a long time.
JOEY: Some things changed between us. Now, he thinks who the fuck he is. He's been passing certain remarks that I don't like.
JAKE: *interrupting* Don't bullshit me, JOEY. You ain't tellin' me the truth.
JOEY: What bullshit? Hey, I'm your brother. You wanna believe me - you trust me?
JAKE: When it comes to her, I don't trust nobody. I'm askin' you somethin'.
JOEY: Well, you're wrong Jack. I'm tellin" you what happened. He got outta line, we had a fight, and it's staightened out now.
[There is a pause. (Move in on JOEY, JAKE'S P.O.V.)]
JAKE: *suspicious* You givin' me that look. I gotta accept your word, but if I find out anythin', I'm gonna kill somebody...
JOEY: *yelling* So, go ahead. Kill everybody. Kill Salvy, kill Vickie, kill Tommy Como, kill me while you're at it. What do I care? You're killing yourself the way you're eating, the way you worry about things you don't have to worry about.
JAKE: *interrupting* What do you mean, "you"?
JOEY: What?
JAKE: *interrupting, catching Joey* What do you mean, "you"?
JOEY: *caught* I meant, kill everybody. You or me or anybody. You're a big shot. Kill, kill... g'head.
JAKE: But you said "you."
JOEY: So what?
JAKE: Eh, Joey, even you don't know what you meant. You mentioned Salvy, Tommy Como, you -- that means somethin'. Why'd you say them? You coulda said anybody.
JOEY: You're worried about this girl, you're gonna let this girl ruin you're life for you... You wanna worry, worry about your fuckin' stomach that you can't bend over -- that you gotta step in the ring in a month.
JAKE: Did you ever fuck my wife?
JOEY: What?
JAKE: I don't mean now. I mean before -- before we met.
JOEY: Whadda ya mean?
JAKE: Did you ever fuck my wife?
JOEY: Whatsa matter with you?
JAKE: You're very smart, JOEY, very smart. Nobody gives me a straight answer around here. You're givin' me these answers, but you still didn't answer my question. Did you fuck Vickie?
JOEY: *fed up, he starts to leave* I gotta go. I gotta get outta here. I can't take this shit. Lenore is waitin' for me. I gotta go. You're a definite wacko. You're fuckin' crazy, you know that, crazy.
[JAKE'S P.O.V., MOVING SHOT as JOEY leaves. JAKE goes into the bedroom.]
CUT TO: INT. THE BEDROOM
[JAKE walks over to VICKIE. (MOVE in on VICKIE - JAKE'S P.O.V. becomes her shot.)
JAKE: Where you been all day?
VICKIE: I took the kids to my sister's.
JAKE: I called. You weren't there.
VICKIE: I got bored so I went to the movies.
JAKE: What'd you see?
VICKIE: I went to the movies.
JAKE: What'd you see?
VICKIE: "Father of the Bride."
JAKE: What was it about?
VICKIE: Oh, c'mon. For Christsake, do I have to tell you everything?
JAKE: Did you ever go to the Copa when I was away?
VICKIE: What're you talking about?
JAKE: Answer me when I talk to you. What happened that night?
VICKIE: *interrupting, yelling* I am answering...
JAKE: *hits her* What do I have to do to get a straight answer around here.
[JAKE holds onto her, but she gets away.]
VICKIE: JAKE, no --
JAKE (as he chases her around the room): Do I have to kill you, eh? *hits her* Do I have to kill somebody to get an answer? *hits her* I know about you at the Copa. I know all about it.
[JAKE catches her.]
VICKIE: I didn't do anything wrong. I swear. I just had a few drinks.
JAKE: *pins her down, hits her* With Salvy, eh?
VICKIE: I went with Sandy and Vera. Salvy was there. *gets hit* Stop it. I just had a drink, that's all. I didn't do anything wrong. *gets hit*
[VICKIE escapes and locks herself in the bathroom.]
JAKE *by bathroom door*: Come out of there! Did you fuck Salvy? *punches door* Answer me. Open this fuckin' door, you fuckin' cunt! *punches door* Who've you been fuckin'?
VICKIE *from inside bathroom*: Nobody, I tell you. Jake, stop it.
JAKE: You're a fuckin' liar.
[He breaks down the door.]
JAKE: Who've you been fuckin'? Salvy? *hits her* Tommy Como? *hits her* I can't trust nobody. *hits her* Did you fuck Joey? *hits her* Who you been fuckin'?
[She finally manages to push him away.]
VICKIE: All right, I fucked everybody! Go ahead, kill me, kill me.
[VICKIE takes JAKE's hand and hits herself. JAKE is stunned.]
VICKIE: I'll say anything you want me to say. I fucked Salvy. I fucked Tommy. I fucked your brother. I fucked everybody! What do you want to hear? I sucked your brother's fuckin' cock!
JAKE: You did?
VICKIE: Yeah, I sucked his cock.
[JAKE starts to walk away. VICKIE goes after him.]
[JAKE is gone.]
CUT TO: INT. JOEY'S PELHAM PARKWAY HOUSE - DAY
[JOEY is at the kitchen table eating lunch with his family. His wife, LENORE, her hair done up in pin curls, sits next to him. JOEY's TWO KIDS sit across the table from them, bickering.]
JOEY: *to kids* Don't hit your brother! Be nice.
[Suddenly, JAKE comes through the front door, goes directly to the table, grabs JOEY, lifts him into the air, and starts hitting him.]
JOEY: Jake, stop it.
[JAKE keeps hitting JOEY. The KIDS start to cry. LENORE wants to stop the fight, but is afraid to get too close.]
JAKE: Was VICKIE part of the deal with Tommy? Was my wife part of the deal? Tell me, was that it?
JOEY: Stop it. What're you, crazy?
[JAKE drags JOEY into the living room, and pushes hi m onto the floor.]
JAKE: *kneeling over JOEY and hitting him* You didn't tell me. You didn't tell me. You let me marry her. You let me marry her.
[VICKIE rushes into the house, past LENORE and the TWO KIDS who are screaming even louder now.]
VICKIE: *hitting JAKE on his back as he hits JOEY* You're killing him. You're killing him for nothing. Stop it.
JAKE: *hits her* Get the fuck outa here. Whadda you mean nothing'? You stupid bitch!
VICKIE: *still hitting JAKE* Nothing is what I said! Go on, kill me. *hits him* Kill me. *hits him* I'm not afraid of you anymore. I don't care if you kill me like you're killing him. You're a sick animal.
[JOEY is knocked out. LENORE goes over to him and holds him.]
JAKE: *to VICKIE* You're the fuckin' animal! You ran around with every guy I knew while I was breakin' my ass for you.
VICKIE: *as she pushes and hits JAKE to the front door* You're not only an animal, you're a stupid animal. *pushes and hits him out the front door* You're rotten. *hits him* Rotten. *hits him* Rotten. *hits him* You're a sick maniac. A maniac! You belong in a mental hospital.
[CUT TO: EXT. JOEY'S PELHAM PARKWAY HOUSE - DAY]
[VICKIE gives JAKE a final push out the door and then slams it in his face.]
[JAKE is left alone on the front steps.]
[DISSOLVE TO: INT. JAKE'S PELHAM PARKWAY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EARLY EVENING]
[JAKE sits alone in the darkness.]
[VICKIE lets herself in. She comes and stands behind him.]
VICKIE: Well, he ain't dead in case you're interested. *pause* I'm leaving you. And I don't care if you do try to kill me. Go ahead. I'm not afraid of you anymore. There's worse things than being dead and one of them's living with you -- *pause* I'm leaving tonight. I must have been crazier than you are for stayin' with you this long. You're hopeless. You're not gonna let anybody love you. I kept thinking that you'd change when you got to be the champ... But I just can't take it anymore. I'm taking the kids and I'm leavin'.
[There is a pause.]
JAKE: Aw, Vickie, aw Vickie, please no. Vickie, no... don't leave me. Christ, I'm pleading... I know, I know all the bad things, but I need you. I'm a bum without you and the kids. I'll change. Aw, Vickie, maybe I don't do it the right way, but I love you. I love you.
[There is a pause.]
VICKIE: You know, if there's one thing -- I just don't understand you, not one single little bit. You love me?
JAKE: Yeah --
[DISSOLVE TO: INT. STEAM BATH - NIGHT]
[The steam is oppressively thick. It must be 140 degrees.]
[JAKE, nude, does push-ups on the floor. His body is bathed in sweat.]
[He pushes himself up, then collapses. His eyes are glazed over from lack of strength.]
[He makes his way to the door and pounds on it.]
[TONY opens the door and gets on his knees beside JAKE.]
TONY: It ain't worth it, Jake. Get out.
JAKE: *barely coherent* What time is it?
TONY: Nine o'clock.
JAKE: At night?
TONY: Yeah. At night.
JAKE: How many pounds I gotta lose?
TONY: Three more, I figure.
JAKE: Just give me a chip of ice to put in my mouth. Just a chip of ice.
TONY: I'll give you anything you want, JAKE. I think you should come out for a few minutes -- give yourself a break.
JAKE: *barely audible* Are you outta your mind? If I come out, I'll lose the title.
CUT TO: INT. JAKE'S PELHAM PARKWAY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
[VICKIE is seated on the sofa, reading newspapers. JAKE is pacing.]
VICKIE: Jake, why don't you just try lying down and get some rest.
JAKE: I don't know what it is. I dunno, it's the kind of thing that -- the words won't come out.
VICKIE: JAKE --
JAKE: What?
VICKIE: I want to say something to you without you blowing your stack.
JAKE: OK. Talk.
VICKIE: *pause* Why don't you just call him up?
JAKE: What do I say to him? Call him up on the phone and say, "JOEY, I'm sorry about that little trouble we had. How about havin' dinner?" Is that what I say?
VICKIE: No, not that.
JAKE Then what?
VICKIE: *pause* I don't know.
CUT TO: INT. OLYMPIA STADIUM, DETROIT - NIGHT (SEPT. 13, 1950)
[The LAMOTTA-DAUTHUILLE middleweight championship is told through the eyes and words of the RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER. JAKE is not doing well.]
RINGSIDE ANNOUNCER: ... Ladies and gentlemen, I've sat in front of these microphones for over twenty years but this is the strangest championship bout I've ever seen. With two minutes to go in the final round, the champion, the mighty Bull from the Bronx, is just simply taking punch after punch from the challenger. Dauthuille scores a combination, then backpedals. LaMotta pursues him. One minute to go. Laurent DauthuiLlle, who has already beat Lamotta in a non-title bout, is about to fulfill a dream -- to bring the middleweight crown back to France.
[In the ring, JAKE looks like he's on queer street. Bouncing off the ropes, opening his jaw to DAUTHUILLE. But DAUTHUILLE's punches lack strength. JAKE is playing possum.]
RINGSIDE'ANNOUNCER: Thirty seconds to go. The Bull starts to swing. LaMotta comes in for a brutal body combination: one, two, three, four punches. LaMotta has landed a solid left hook to the Frenchman's jaw! Dauthuille seems confused. LaMotta is swinging wildly now: right, left, right, left! Dauthuille is backing off! Everyone is on their feet! I can hardly see, ladies and gentlemen. Dauthuille is on the ropes. LaMotta hits a right -- Dauthuille is down! Dauthuille is down! Referee Lou Handler is counting him out -- three, four, five -- if Dauthuille can stand, he'll win the decision -- eight, nine -- Dauthuille is on one knee -- ten! It's all over! With thirteen seconds left on the clock, JAKE LaMotta has retained his middleweight championship in one of the most remarkable combacks in boxing!
[Dauthuille is standing now, confused. But the fight is over.]
[AN ANNOUNCER holds up JAKE's victorious hand. He seems as surprised as everyone else.]
[TONY throws JAKE'S robe around his shoulders as THE ANNOUNCER calls out:]
ANNOUNCER: The middleweight champion, and still champion by a knockout in fifteen rounds, the Bronx Bull, the Raging Bull, Jake LaMotta!
[The CROWD cheers. JAKE raises his arms in victory.]
CUT TO: INT. JAKE'S DRESSING ROOM - OLYMPIA STADIUM - NIGHT
[It is after the fight. TONY, VICKIE, and OTHERS are in the room. Some PEOPLE are leaving. Congratulations are heard.
[TONY puts away JAKE's fight gear.]
[JAKE, half-dressed, looks troubled.]
JAKE: *to Vickie* I miss Joey. I wish Joey was here.
VICKIE: Why don't you just call him?
JAKE: I dunno.
VICKIE: Tell him how you feel -- you miss him. Tell him you're sorry.
JAKE: *pause* Ok, all right. Telephone's in the hall. Dial his number.
[VICKIE goes to the pay phone in the hall, and dials long distance.]
[JAKE is nervous, but follows VICKIE.]
CUT TO: THE HALLWAY
[As the number starts to ring, VICKIE hands the phone to JAKE.]
JOEY *O.S.*: Hello... hello...
[JAKE can't answer.]
JOEY (O.S.): What's this, a joke? Hello... Hey!
[JAKE can't answer.]
JOEY (O.S.): Well, if there's somebody listenin', their mother's a fuckin' whore who takes it in the ass.
[There is a click as JOEY hangs up.]
[JAKE stands there, and finally hangs up the phone.]
CUT TO: INT. "JAKE LAMOTTA'S" - NIGHT (1956)
[JAKE gulps down the last of his Scotch.]
JAKE *continuing his monologue*: I shoulda never hit my brother. Afterwards I was sorry. Now every time I need somethin' I gotta go shoppin' for it! A psychiatrist once told me, "When you hit your brother you're really hittin' your mother but you can't admit it to yourself." He's really crazy. I woulda never hit my mother. I mean, only in self-defense! A lot of people wanta know who was the best guy I ever fought. Let's see... there was that one I fought twice... the other Frenchman... you know who I mean... *having trouble pronouncing the name* ... Dauthuille! He was tough, but I beat him... I had to! I mean, how would it sound losin' to a guy whose name you can't even pronounce? But... Robinson. I can say that alright. I fought Sugar Ray so many times it's a wonder I don't have diabetes! Linda... get me another drink! Linda's the most popular waitress here... you can tell by her tips! She's the kinda girl I go for. You oughta see the ones I get.
[LINDA brings him another Scotch.]
JAKE: ... Thanks, babe. She's a nice kid. She'll only do it with a guy if she really likes him. She's got a lot in common with Will Rogers -- never met a man she didn't like! ... I was talkin' about Sugar Ray. Some of you think I was better than him... but you know, it's a toss up. Except the last fight... February 14, 1951.
[JAKE sips his drink.]
JAKE: Valentine's Day. The anniversary of the St. Valentine's Massacre. Robinson didn't use a machine gun but it was still a massacre...
[JAKE takes another drink.]
JAKE: Actually, I was doin' okay at first. In fact, by the end of the fifth round I really had him worried -- he thought he killed me.
CUT TO: INT. JOEY'S PELHAM PARKWAY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (FEB. 14, 1951)
[LENORE, JOEY's wife, watches the 6th Robinson-LaMotta fight on JOEY's new television console.]
[JOEY walks by on his way to another room, but stops to watch.]
[LENORE is not a fight fan, but is caught up in the fight, anyway.]
LENORE: Look at that. The sonofabitch is outboxing Robinson.
JOEY: I can't believe he's getting that jab in.
[The bell sounds, and a Pabst commercial comes on: PABST COMMERCIAL "Friend, the quality that has carried Pabst Blue Ribbon around the world is yours for the asking. Next time that friendly bartender says, 'What'll you have?' give him the answer the whole world gives, Pabst Blue Ribbon!"]
CUT TO: INT. CHICAGO STADIUM - NIGHT
[TONY is wiping JAKE off in his corner.]
JAKE: He ain't hurting me, but I can't get him down.
TONY: Don't talk. Keep at it. Jab, jab, jab. You're ahead on points.
[In the other, SUGAR RAY'S TRAINER pats down ROBINSON's pompadour as he says:]
S.R.'S TRAINER: He's going, Sugar. He's old. He ain't Jake LaMotta no more. Make your move, Sugar. Kill him!
[ROBINSON nods.]
[The bell sounds and the FIGHTERS step onto the canvas. They look at each other before the boxing starts -- they both know the inevitable outcome. ROBINSON smiles.]
CUT TO: INT. JOEY'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
[ROBINSON makes his move. His arms are a blur, swinging rapidly but accurately.]
[JOEY and LENORE are suddenly silent.]
TV ANNOUNCER: LaMotta's on queer street, but he's still standing. Robinson throws a right, a left, a right, a right and a right again! How can LaMotta stay on his feet?
[On the TV, WE SEE that ROBINSON has JAKE up against the ropes. He's giving JAKE a pier six beating. It's the Fox fight for real.]
[JAKE's face is so soaked in blood that it's impossible to pinpoint the cuts.]
TV ANNOUNCER: No man can take this kind of punishment. LaMotta is just a rag doll now. God knows what's holding him up. This is an historic beating. Sugar Ray staggers LaMotta with a left and comes across with a blackjack punch to the champion's head. The referee is stepping in, Robinson has LaMotta on the ropes. That's it! Sugar Ray Robinson, former welterweight champion, has taken the middleweight crown from Jake LaMotta.
[As the REFEREE stops the fight, JOEY sighs with relief.]
CUT TO: INT. CHICAGO STADIUM - NIGHT
[LAMOTTA, a bloody and beaten fighter, walks over to the victorious ROBINSON and puts his arm on his shoulder.]
JAKE: You never knocked me down. You could never knock me down.
[ROBINSON, receiving congratulations from every direction, takes time to turn to JAKE and say:]
ROBINSON: So what?
CUT TO: EXT. JAKE'S MIAMI HOUSE - DAY (JUNE 2, 1954)
[ESTABLISHING SHOT: The house is quite large, and has beautiful landscaping and a swimming pool.]
CUT TO: INT. JAKE'S MIAMI HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
[JAKE, wearing sportclothes that can't hide his paunch, and VICKIE, wearing a dress and looking her best, sit in the living room with their THREE CHILDREN (the TWO BOYS, and also a GIRL, about two years old).]
[A still PHOTOGRAPHER clicks pictures of JAKE and VICKIE as TWO REPORTERS talk with JAKE.]
JAKE: I'm pulling out of next Wednesday's TV bout 'cause I can't make the weight. I'm fighting at light heavyweight, and I still can't make the weight.
REPORTER: Does that mean...
JAKE: It means I'm through with boxing. I'm tired with tryin' to make the weight anymore. I'm sick of thinkin' about weight, weight, weight.
REPORTER: You sound bitter.
JAKE: Why should I be bitter? Boxing's been good to me. I got a nice house, three kids, a beautiful wife -- take a picture of her. VICKIE.
[VICKIE poses dutifully.]
JAKE: Ain't she beautiful? Coulda been Mrs. America if I didn't pull her outta the contest. Didn't want her wearing a swimsuit for nobody but me.
REPORTER: What do you think of JAKE's retirement, Mrs. LaMotta?
[JAKE cuts in:]
JAKE: I also bought a club on Collins Avenue, and I'm gonna open it real soon. Know what I'm gonna call it? "Jake LaMotta's."
CUT TO: INT. "JAKE LAMOTTA'S" - NIGHT (1956)
[JAKE, an empty glass in his hand, stands on the bar platform. He's wearing a white tuxedo jacket with a red rose in the lapel. His tuxedo shirt is stained. He continues his monologue.]
JAKE: Valentine's Day. The anniversary of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Robinson didn't use a machine gun but it was still a massacre... *takes another drink* Actually, I was doin' okay at first. In fact, by the end of the fifth round I really had him worried --- he thought he killed me. You know, I could keep tellin' you this brilliant material all night -- but you'd only laugh. Now I'm gonna sing. -- Any requests? I mean, besides "don't"! *then to piano player* -- In the key of H. *then to audience* You're laughin'. Give me the right key and I'll play in anybody's flat! I sing for a reason. When I finish, you'll be so sobered up, we'll sell a lot of booze.
[JAKE's onstage version of "That's Entertainment" differs from the backstage version. It's not just that he's a little drunk -- no, his voice is defiant, sadly defiant. He is singing at the PATRONS rather than to them.]
JAKE: "When the fighter's not engaged in his employment, his employment, although he was Champ and quite the rage, he must go somewhere else to seek employment, seek employment. So what does he do? He goes upon the stage and meets his true adversaries, all you members of the human race. But a fighter's life is not a bowl of cherries, still I'd rather have an egg than a fist upon my face... That's Entertainment!
[JAKE brings the BAND to a crescendo with a wave of his hand, then silences it. The spotlight goes out and there is a hearty round of applause.]
[JAKE receives the kisses, glad handshakes and congratulations of the PATRONS as he works his way around the club.]
[JAKE's new friends love him. They are PARTY GIRLS, SPORTS FIGURES, COLUMNISTS, MOBSTERS, B ACTORS, and OTHER "CELEBRITIES."]
[JAKE poses for a still with TWO BUXOM YOUNG LOVELIES. ONE GIRL giggles as he fondles her. After the flash goes off, the GIRLS admire his "small, delicate" hands.]
[JAKE steps over to a table and greets J.R., a newspaper columnist, and his COMPANIONS.]
JAKE: J.R., glad you could make it.
J.R.: You were great, Jake. Just like old times. Good thing SUGAR RAY wasn't here tonight. Oh JAKE, this is State's Attorney Bronson and his wife.
[JAKE shakes his hand, then holds it up -- showing an empty palm.]
JAKE (joking) Sorry, empty! Heh, heh! Oh, I didn't mean that. If I don't give your husband no money, he won't have enough to buy you a drink. To show you I'm a nice guy, this one's on me. The last one was your payment for this month.
[BRONSON is embarrassed. He doesn't think the joke is funny, but he manages a smile. His WIFE gives a nervous laugh. JAKE leans over and kisses her.]
JAKE: You're a good sport, lady.
J.R.: I saw you fight Bob Satterfield in '46, JAKE. In Chicago. You were great.
JAKE: Yeah, I really cleaned up on him.
J.R.: Where's your wife, Jake?
JAKE: Do you think I'd let her in a place like this with guys like you hangin' around?
[JAKE feigns a few jabs, and they all laugh. He walks off.]
[As JAKE leaves, J.R. whispers to his FRIEND:]
J. R.: You ought to see his wife.
[JAKE steps over to a table where some of the "BOYS" are sitting. RICKY is the Miami 1956 version of Salvy.]
JAKE: Hey, Ricky, glad you came.
RICKY: Wouldn't miss it, Jake.
[JAKE calls a WAITRESS over.]
JAKE: Hey, honey, give these fellas a round on me. I can tell they're gonna be regular customers.
[The WAITRESS says to a clearly underaged GIRL:]
WAITRESS: I'll have to ask for your I.D.
[JAKE leans over and gives the young GIRL a long kiss on the lips. She enthusiastically reciprocates.]
JAKE: Whew! Any girl that can kiss like that can drink in my club any time!
[They all laugh as JAKE moves on. The life of the party.]
CUT TO: EXT. "JAKE LAMOTTA'S" - DAY
[JAKE, hungover, his tux wrinkled, walks out of the club to the adjacent parking lot.]
[VICKIE is sitting in her yellow Cadillac outside the Club. The curbside window is halfway up. She calls to him:]
VICKIE: Jake.
[JAKE, chagrined, steps over to the car.]
JAKE: I'm sorry. I had to work late last night. Slept at the club.
VICKIE: I'm leaving you, Jake.
JAKE: Sure, what else is new?
VICKIE: No. This time it's true. I didn't bother to tell you until I had everything worked out.
[JAKE tries to open the door. It's locked.]
JAKE: Open the door, Vickie.
VICKIE: No. I won't talk to you where you can use your hands on me.
JAKE: Aw, c'mon. Don't say that.
VICKIE: I got a lawyer, Jake. We're getting a divorce. I'm getting custody of the kids.
JAKE: Aw, c'mon, Vick --
VICKIE: I'm sick of it. I can't watch you this way. You're too drunk all the time. There's too many girls. I can't... I don't wanna talk about it. I made up my mind.
[JAKE tries to reach in the window, but VICKIE hits the power switch, closing it and catching his hand. She now has to yell to him:]
VICKIE: You got three days to get your stuff out of the house. After that, the cops will be there. I have the kids with me. I never want to see you again.
[VICKIE turns her face and drives away.]
[JAKE grabs at the Cadillac, but it is bigger and stronger than him.]
[JAKE is left alone in the parking lot. The car is gone.]
CUT TO: INT. JAKE'S OFFICE - DAY (JAN. 9, 1957)
[JAKE has an office above the lounge. Ever since VICKIE left, it's also been his apartment.]
[The place is a mess. JAKE sends his laundry out when he runs out of clean clothes. Dirty socks, shorts and shirts are scattered randomly. Empty whiskey bottles on the desk, empty beer cans in the wastebasket.]
1ST DEPUTY: Let's go, JAKE, wake up!
JAKE: Huh? Whadda ya mean, get up?
1ST DEPUTY: *showing badge* We're from...
JAKE: *interrupting* I know where you're from. You guys look the same every place.
1ST DEPUTY: They wanna talk to you.
JAKE: About what?
1ST DEPUTY: I don't run the joint. They just told me to bring you in.
JAKE: For what?
2ND DEPUTY: C'mon, get dressed.
[JAKE hunts for his clothes.]
JAKE: Hey, I'm a big tax payer down here. Don't that entitle me to some information what this is all about?
[The SECOND DEPUTY shows JAKE a photo.]
2ND DEPUTY: You recognize this girl? She been in the club?
JAKE: I dunno.
2ND DEPUTY: She says you introduced her to men.
JAKE: I introduced a lot of people to men. So what? What does that mean?
2ND DEPUTY: She's fourteen.
[CLOSE UP of picture.]
CUT TO: EXT. JAKE'S MIAMI HOUSE - DAY
[JAKE, wearing a suit, walks up to the door and pushes the bell.]
[VICKIE opens the door and looks at him over the chain.]
JAKE: Vickie, open up. I need to come in.
VICKIE: Are you drunk?
JAKE: No. Open the door.
[JAKE tries to touch her face through the doorway crack, but she steps back.]
JAKE: Please, Vick. I won't bother you. I'm out on bail. You can send the kids next door. I just gotta pick one thing up, then I'll get outa here.
[VICKIE thinks a moment, then opens the door and lets JAKE in.]
VICKIE: The kids are sleeping.
JAKE: I promise I just gotta pick up one thing.
VICKIE: All right, just don't make any noise.
CUT TO: INT. JAKE'S MIAMI HOUSE - DAY
[JAKE walks directly past VICKIE into the living room. VICKIE watches from a safe distance.]
[JAKE removes his jewel-studded championship belt from the glass bookcase and carries it into the kitchen.]
[In the kitchen, he takes a hammer and screwdriver out of a drawer, places the belt on the counter top, and starts digging the jewels out of it.]
[VICKIE appears in the doorway.]
VICKIE: What are you doing?
JAKE: I need ten thousand dollars. My lawyer says if we can spread ten thousand bucks around, we can get the case dropped.
VICKIE: But they don't have a case against you.
JAKE: *digging at the belt* Are you kiddin'? Did you ever see a 14-year-old testify in court? Did you see the papers? "LaMotta on Vice Rap." Everybody likes a shot at the Champ.
VICKIE: Jake, be careful! What're you doing to the belt?!
JAKE: Don't make no difference no more.
VICKIE: Can't you get the money from your friends?
JAKE: What friends?
[JAKE, frustrated by his task, turns the belt over and hammers at it. The jewels scatter across the counter top and floor. JAKE collects the jewels and puts them in his pockets.]
CUT TO: INT. JEWELRY SHOP - DAY
[JAKE stands at the counter of a small jewelry store. The JEWELER examines the stones.]
JEWELER: Didn't you also wish to sell the Championship Belt, Mr. LaMotta?
JAKE: That's it. Those are the jewels that were in the belt.
JEWELER: But where's the belt?
JAKE: You want the jewels or the belt?
JEWELER Both. These stones are worth about fifteen hudred dollars, but the belt of a champion is a very rare item. The belt with the stones untouched would have been worth near five thousand dollars.
[JAKE seems to despair of the whole thing: the belt, the attempt to raise 10 g's, the vice case, his life.]
CUT TO: EXT. PHONE BOOTH - DAY
[JAKE places a call from a booth outside the jewelry store.]
JAKE: *on phone* I can't raise the ten thousand. Fuck 'em. Let 'em put me on trial.
