Don't Hold Back

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

Montage of boxing matches with main character knocking out opponent after opponent. Ref announces Marita Martez winner time after time. Ringside at each match is a prominent cross dressing fan.

FADE IN:

INT. BOXING TRAINER'S ROOM - NIGHT

MARITA MARTEZ, 28, sits on table after fight.

ANTOINE STALLION, 32, her trainer, stands in front of her and takes off her gloves.

MARITA
I feel so bad pounding these opponents so hard. She wasn't prepared to fight me. I actually held back and still knocked her out.

ANTOINE
Hey, glory can be gory. Don't go getting sensitive on me.

MARITA
But I'm getting so tired of knocking women out. I mean it's great being undefeated and I love boxing more than anything but this just doesn't seem fair.

ANTOINE
Well, boxing ain't for the faint hearted. Whether you're hitting or getting hit. And, the more you get hit, the tougher you get.

Quick knock on the door and then it opens.

ROCKO, Antoine's assistant, sticks his head in the door.

ROCKO
Hey Antoine, Channel 5 is here to cover the fight and they want a spot with Marita.

ANTOINE
We'll be through here in a minute. Rocko leaves.

Antoine turns attention back to Marita, walks around behind her, and starts massaging her shoulders.

ANTOINE
See. The press loves you. What are you worried about.

MARITA
I'm worried about ever getting a real challenge Antoine. I'm worried about really letting myself go in the ring. No holds barred. Antoine quits massaging Marita's shoulders and walks around to face her.

ANTOINE
Look, this is a fairly new sport for women. The women will get tougher and become better opponents.

MARITA (voice heightened)
Why can't I make you understand Antoine! Half the time I'm pulling my punches just to keep the fight going. I pace myself and gradually give it MOST of what I've got or they wouldn't last 5 rounds.

Antoine starts unwrapping Marita's hands which are still taped from the fight.

ANTOINE
So now you think you're Wonder Woman. That's great! Look, you've just been doing this a lot longer than anyone else out there. Not many women start kick boxing at age 4.

Knock on the door again. Rocko sticks his head in and asks if they're ready yet. Marita hops off the table and says yeah, I'm ready. She signs then takes a deep breath and heads toward the door. Antoine puts his hand on her shoulder and tells to relax and be patient.

INT. MAIN LOCKER ROOM LOCATED RIGHT OUTSIDE TRAINER'S ROOM. -- NIGHT

A film crew and reporter from Channel 5 is set up and waiting. They are speaking with a male boxer about the impact female boxing has made on the sport but quickly cut to Marita when she appears.

DAN DUNN, 40,
newscaster approaches Marita and pushes microphone in her face. Marita you really had a good fight out there tonight. How does it feel to have your tenth straight knock out?

MARITA
I feel that I'm ready for a new challenge Dan.

DAN
Well, Marita, it like you have something specific in mind.

At this point a boxer walking in the background in his underwear grabs his crotch and seductively runs his tongue around the outside of his mouth toward Marita. She does not see this but keeps talking.

MARITA
Well Dan, you may as well be the first to know that my next major fight will be against a man.

Antoine has emerged from the trainer's room and is standing off to the side. His face registers shock and disbelief at her announcement.

Antoine's POV.

Male boxers wandering around in the background stop what they are doing and listen dumb struck.

DAN (facing his camera)
I don't believe it. You heard it here first. Marita Martez, undefeated female boxer, will go up against a male contender. This will be the match of the century.

Turns back to Marita.

DAN
When will this happen? Where will this take place?

Antoine shoves in between them and grabs Marita by the elbow.Dan shoves the microphone in his face.

DAN
Antoine, as her trainer, how did come to this decision? Who will she fight?

ANTOINE
No comment.

Antoine grabs Marita by the elbow and leads her back into the training room. He grabs his head with both hands. He balls his fist like he wants to hit something and then lets it drop to his side.

ANTOINE
Why did you do that? There's no way I'm going to let you fight a man. For one thing, I doubt there is a man out there who would fight you. For another thing, anyone crazy enough to take you on would either pull their punches or kill you just to teach you a lesson.

Marita gets pleading look in her eyes and reaches out to Antoine.

MARITA
I talk to you and talk to you Antoine and you just don't listen. At least I finally got your attention. Besides, it's not your decision to make anyway.

ANTOINE
What about your manager? Shouldn't he have some say so in this.

Marita goes over to Antoine and grips him on each side of his arms.

MARITA
He doesn't know. It just came out Antoine. Honest. I didn't even plan it. The timing just seemed right and I ran with it.

Antoine shrugs off her hands on his arms and gestures emphatically with his arms and hands.

ANTOINE
Why don't you think Marita? You can't just go around making your own decisions. This sport is complicated. More complicated than I think you realize.

MARITA
I'll make this work Antoine. I promise. I don't have to tell you that the promoters will love it. And think of the money you'll make. Plus, I can finally go all out when I fight.

Antoine goes very tense and balls hand in fists. You tell he is restraining himself when he next speaks.

ANTOINE
What made you do this Marita! I won't let you go through with this.

Marita goes to wall and points to poster with a picture of her in a boxing pose announcing one of her fights.

MARITA
Determination is what got me into this sport and I will not back down simply because my trainer is being an asshole.

Antoine lunges toward her and rips poster off of the wall. He angrily starts screaming and losing control.

ANTOINE
Your career's over as far as I'm concerned. I want no part of it. You do this - you do it without me.

Marita's face registers shock and hurt.

MARITA
Please Antoine. Don't do this to me.

Antoine stands rigid with legs slightly apart and arms crossed in front of chest. He has a hard glint in eye and does not respond.Marita takes a deep breath and gets a determined edge to her voice.

MARITA
Fine. I'll look for a new trainer then.

She hangs her head and turns to leave the room but stops in her tracks when Antoine speaks behind her.

ANTOINE
You better find a new manager too because there is no way George is going to support this. We're a team and if I quit he quits.

Marita is visibly shaken as she walks out of the room, through the open locker room, and through a door to a small dressing room with a single shower. She is seen in the shower with her head down and crying.

FADE IN:

EXT. BOXING ARENA - NIGHT.

Marita is seen dressed in a pair of jeans and a worn leather jacket exiting the building. She carries a gym bag with her and throws her head back, exhaling slowly. Wendy, the cross dresser seen ringside during the montages, is leaning against the outside of the building watching Marita exit and start walking away.

WENDY
Good fight tonight!

Marita looks startled and glances back to see Wendy. She mumbles a reply.

MARITA
Thanks.

WENDY
Mind if I walk with you?

Marita shrugs and puts head back down. She shifts gym bag to other hand.

MARITA
I don't think I'll make very good company tonight.

Wendy ignores this, wanders over and starts walking with Marita anyway.

WENDY
I've been to everyone of your fights. My name is Wendy Night. It used to be Wendell Nightingale, III but it just didn't suit my new image.

MARITA
Look, I don't really feel like talking.

Wendy stops in front of a red Mazaratti.

WENDY
How about a lift? My cars right here.

Marita looks at car and whistles. She looks through the passenger side window at the leather interior. Her voice registers disbelief.

MARITA
That's your car!

WENDY
Yes, it goes with everything in my wardrobe.

Marita sighs but looks wary.

WENDY
Look, you look like you could use a friend. Why not come back to my place for a drink.

MARITA
I don't drink but I do feel like I could use one tonight.

WENDY
Come on. I don't bite.

Marita and Wendy are seen getting in car and Wendy puts in loud Dave Brubeck CD. She speeds through the streets of Chicago and they remain silent. Marita leans her head back and closes her eyes. The car is seen arriving at a large four story warehouse on the edge of the city near the waterfront. It looks unassuming from the the outside but a large garage door seems to magically open as they approach. Wendy drives the car through and the door starts sliding back into place.

INT. GARAGE - NIGHT

MARITA
Hey, where are we?

WENDY
Well, you never gave me directions to take you home so I brought you back to my place.

Wendy gets out of car and slams door shut.

MARITA
Look, I don't know what you want from me but I don't like this. I'm just not thinking straight. I need to go home.

WENDY
If you ask me, home by yourself is the last place you should be. Come up for five minutes. I think I have something that will relax you.

Marita sighs again and rolls her eyes.

MARITA
All right. But no funny stuff.

Wendy looks amused and indicates with her head for Marita to follow her. They enter an elevator flush against one wall. Wendy pushes the 4th floor button. The elevator opens to an expensive, tastefully decorated loft apartment. One wall is flush with windows which overlook the water. Lights sparkle in the distance. Marita looks around and whistles. Her mouth drops open and walks to the middle of the room to survey the apartment.

Marita's POV.

A state of the art chrome kitchen is in one corner of the large loft. To the left is a brass bar with an impressive selection of drinks and glasses. In front of the bar is a contemporary setting of furniture. A spiral staircase leads to an open 2nd floor sleeping loft that can be seen when Wendy looks up. In the background Wendy can be seen in the kitchen area preparing something. She comes over and hands Marita a large steaming cup.

INT. WENDY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

MARITA
What's this?

WENDY
Camomile tea. I told you I had something that would relax you.

Wendy continues over to the bar and mixes herself a drink. She hits a button and more jazz fills the air. She strolls over to a Herman Miller leather couch and pats the seat.

WENDY
Have a seat. Marita cautiously approaches the seating area and chooses a matching contemporary leather chair across from the couch.

Wendy throws back her head and laughs.

WENDY
You are a mistrustful little thing, aren't you?

MARITA
Look, I don't even know you and you sure as hell don't know me.

WENDY
Relax. I just want to be friends.

Marita sips her tea and sighs again.

MARITA
I've never had time for many friends. All my free time was spent perfecting my kick boxing technique growing up and that eventually led to boxing.

WENDY
Sounds like a serious childhood.

MARITA
Well, I never really felt like I fit growing up.

Wendy gets up and walks over to window and looks out. She turns and twirls the ice in her drink slowly nodding her head in agreement.

WENDY
Well, we have a lot in common. A buzzer sounds and the elevator can be heard ascending. Wendy strolls over and stands in front of the elevator.

TINY, a black midget body builder, enters the room.

TINY
Hi.

WENDY
I want you to meet someone.

Wendy and Tiny walk over to where Marita is seated.

WENDY
This is Marita Martez.

TINY
I'm a big fan and I have a real treat for you.

He goes to the bar, pulls out a blender and starts making a protein drink.

TINY
You are being covered on every channel tonight. Your little announcement stunned everyone.

He pours the protein drink into two glasses, walks over and hand Marita one.

TINY
Drink this. It's good for you.

MARITA
Well, that announcement may have been a little premature.

TINY
Why, because your trainer and manager have abandoned you. Don't let that worry you.

Tiny gestures to Wendy when he states the latter.

MARITA
What? How did you know?

TINY
The walls are pretty thin in that locker room and we have our sources.

Marita starts shaking her head.

TINY
Wendy and I would like to make you an offer. I'll be your new trainer and Wendy will act as your manager.

MARITA
I just don't know what to say.

WENDY
Think about it. It's been a long night. I'll take you home.

The Mazaratti is seen winding through the streets of Chicago and pulls up in front of a brownstone building with window shutters.

FADE IN:

INT. MARITA'S BEDROOM-MORNING

Marita is seen waking up and jumping out of bed wearing a pair of gym shorts and a tee shirt. She pads through a sparsely furnished apartment with hardwood floors and boxing posters on the wall.

She goes to the kitchen and turns on a small TV on the counter while she starts making coffee. Her attention rivets on the TV when she sees her trainer being interviewed on the Good Morning show. He states that Marita is not going to fight a man and that her ego in the way of reason. He says she'll be taking a long vacation if she sets her sights on fighting a man.

Her manager then comes on the air and states that he would never support a match between the sexes. "It ain't ethical. Men and women are just made different."

Marita is furious. She goes back to her bedroom and fumble for her blue jeans on the floor. She pulls out a piece of paper from the pocket and looks at a phone number. She goes to the kitchen phone on the wall and calls Wendy.

She shouts into the phone that she will take Wendy and Tiny up on their offer and wants to know when they can start.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. BOXING MANAGER'S OFFICE-DAY

GEORGE, Marita's boxing manager, beefy,50, is seated behind a massive oak desk. A view of the city can be seen in the windows behind him. ANTOINE, Marita's coach, is standing in front of the desk.

GEORGE
What made her do it? Has this broad gone crazy or what.

ANTOINE
Look, I think she is on to us. She kept complaining about opponents who were too easy to beat.

Surprised, George looks questioningly at Antoine. He picks up a massage ball and starts squeezing it in his hand.

GEORGE
How would she know?

Antoine starts pacing the room and running his hand through his hair.

ANTOINE
Look, I don't know. But a string of mismatches are pretty hard to hide.

George rises to his feet and angrily pushes his chair out behind him.

GEORGE
I've put blood, sweat, and tears into making that bitch a star and this is how she repays me.

Antoine approaches the desk and lays his hands on top of it.

ANTOINE
She's sensitive George. Yeah, she likes to box but she hates that every fight is an uneven matched blood bath.

George's voice raises and he starts pounding his desk.

GEORGE
Blood bath! I call that entertainment. Women want to box - they have to dance to the music.

ANTOINE
But George, if she only knew where some of those opponents came from she would kill us.

George walks around the corner of the desk and stands in from of Antoine threateningly.

GEORGE
Look, Antoine, if word of this ever gets out, I'll kill you!

Antoine squirms in his chair in an agitated manner but looks up at George defiantly.

ANTOINE
This whole thing has gotten too big George. Too many people know. What about the sleazy trainers you've found to transform these hookers and exotic dancers to go in the ring.

George starts shouting and walking around in circles while he calculates a plan.

GEORGE
They'll never talk. I pay them too damn much and that goes for these women too. I'm giving them a second chance at life. A way to make quick money and a clean career.

Antoine stands up and gesticulates with his hands.

ANTOINE
I don't believe you. I just don't fucking believe you. You call broken noses, knocked out teeth, and ruptured blood vessels in the brain a clean career.

George stops walking around in circles and starts to look panicky.

GEORGE
Don't put me on the defensive Antoine. You're twisting things around here.

A buzzer rings on the desk and a voice comes on announcing that Marita is in the waiting room and wants to come in.

GEORGE
Oh, shit! What could she want?

ANTOINE
You brought this on yourself George. First you set her up with a string of mismatches to make her an instant star and then you dismiss her on national television when she proposes a match with a male fighter.

George presses intercom and tells voice to hold Marita for a few minutes.

GEORGE
She'll get creamed if she fights a man. She's not as good as she thinks she is.

ANTOINE
Look no one is going to manage her now. She's made a fool out of herself and the league will never support an opposite sex match anyhow.

George goes and stands with his back to Antoine as he gazes out the window. He sees an airplane go by with a banner reading "Match of the Century: Open call for male opponent to fight Marita Martez. George turns to face Antoine with mouth agape.

GEORGE
This isn't happening.

ANTOINE
What! What are you talking about?

George points out window and motions for Antoine to come over. Antoine reaches window and looks out astounded. George starts talking really fast.

GEORGE
Look, we've got to get her back. I don't know who or how she is getting sponsored but you've got to talk to her Antoine.

ANTOINE
After we dissed her on national TV. We're the ones who look like fools. She's probably here to tell us off.

GEORGE
What about her contract! She's got a contract damn it and that's our leverage.

ANTOINE
But we quit her George. There has to be a clause or something. I resigned as her coach, remember.

George runs over to file cabinet and starts rummaging through a drawer.

GEORGE
Here it is! I made that girl and she is not getting away from me that easily.

ANTOINE
But she could destroy us if she knows we deliberately set up mismatches...

George starts waving file over his head and talking excitedly.

GEORGE
We don't know that she knows. In fact, I'll bet she hasn't a clue. She wants to fight a man because she thinks none of the women are good enough to fight her.

Antoine grabs his chin and starts rubbing it. He nods slowly and speaks deliberately.

ANTOINE
Weeellll, I see what you mean. It would be to our adavantage to get her back.

GEORGE
Exactly! Exactly! Now use your smooth powers of persuasion you have over th opposite sex and convince her.

George walks over to the intercom and presses it down. Sarah, send in Marita. We're ready for her. The door opens and Marita slowly walks into the room. She looks angry.

MARITA
How dare you! You went on national television and humiliated me.

George pushes contract at Marita and stabs finger at page.

GEORGE
I think you have a little matter of a contract you should have considered before spouting off like that.

Marita pushes contract out of her way.

MARITA
I think that contract dissolved when you guys resigned as my manager and trainer.

GEORGE
Says who. I don't see that in writing anywhere. It's all hearsay at this point young lady.

MARITA
I hate you! You can't do this to me.

Antoine comes over and gently tries to put his arm around her.

ANTOINE
Look, we can make this easy Marita. I'll get you better opponents. Just give us time to work this out.

Marita pushes out of Antoine's way.

MARITA
I hate you! I hate you both.

She storms out of the office and is seen out on street hailing a taxi.

FADE IN:

INT. WENDY'S APARTMENT - DAY

Wendy is jumping rope with full make-up but no wig. She is wearing skin tight bike shorts and a tight fitting workout tank. An intercom comes on and Marita announces herself. Wendy picks up a remote and turns on a screen showing Marita standing at the door. She hits a button on the remote and the doors to the garage open. Marita walks through and is seen riding up elevator.

The elevator doors open and Wendy is standing waiting for her.

WENDY
Are you ready to work out?

Marita looks taken aback at Wendy's state of dress.

MARITA
Your look this morning is kind of freaking me out but we have a problem.

Wendy throws her head back and to one side.

WENDY
Well, I wasn't exactly expecting visitors but it must be serious for you to show up unexpected.

Wendy starts jumping rope again.

MARITA
It is.

WENDY
Well, dish. I think better when I'm moving.

MARITA
I woke up to the happy tune of my manager and trainer dissing me on national television and now they won't let me out of my contract.

Wendy stops jumping rope.

WENDY
Is that all that's bothering you sugar? My company has some of the best lawyers in the city. That little prick can't control you. The world seems to be full of men who think it is their mission to tell women what to do.

MARITA
But this is a legal contract. I signed it.

WENDY
Contracts are meant to be broken honey and I have over a dozen ways of making it happen.

Marita looks relieved, starts smiling and looks at her in wonder.

MARITA
I can't believe how easy everything comes to you.

Wendy goes over to kitchen area and starts squeezing fresh oranges for juice.

WENDY
I've paid my dues honey. I've been pushed around plenty in my life and decided I could sit back and be fucked or learn to fuck back.

Wendy pours juice into two glasses and hands one to Marita.

WENDY
It started with getting this fortune from my old man. When he died, there were plenty of people trying to prove I was not worthy of running his company. I even ended up in a private psychiatric hospital due to my confused state of identity.

MARITA
Oh, my God! Nightingale Sports is your family business, isn't it? I wondered where all the money came from.

WENDY
That's right, honey. We were here long before Nike ever entered town.

Wendy takes the juice empty juice glasses and rinses them out. She hangs the jump rope on a hook near the door and then turns to Marita.

WENDY
Come with me. I want to show you something.

Wendy hits the button on the elevator and the doors open. They enter the elevator and take it down to the 3rd floor. The doors open on a fully equipped gym with gleaming equipment and polished silver weights. Four people are working out. One person spots another bench pressing and three others are working out with free weights. Rock music plays in the background. Wendy walks with Marita over to the bench pressing station. A medium built smooth muscled body builder with a well trimmed beard looks up from the bench.

INT. WENDY'S 3RD FLOOR GYM - MORNING

WENDY
This is Joe. Joe used to be Joanna and is through stage 3 of her hormone replacements for a sex change.

Marita's mouth drops open as the gazes at the body builder who looks every bit the male until he answers in a high pitched voice.

JOE
Hi. You must be Marita. We've all heard about you.

MARITA
Uh, nice to meet you.

A man stands behind the bench press spotting Joe. He is well muscled and good looking but his features are soft like a woman's. Wendy beams up at him with her next introduction.

WENDY
I'd like you to meet Devon. Devon is 100% male but he is gay.

Devon smiles and answers in a soft but serious voice.

DEVON
I used to get beat up quite frequently due to my sexual persuasion but Wendy helped me change my life.

Wendy reaches over and puts her hand affectionately on Devon's shoulder.

WENDY
One of my prize pupils. He became quite obsessed with body building when he learned it was the one thing he could control about his body. No one beats him up anymore.

Wendy and Marita then walked over to a tall, slender person with a buzz cut doing curls in front of a mirrored wall.

WENDY
Marita, meet Mark. Mark this is Marita.

Mark nods in Marita's direction but does not stop doing curls.

WENDY
Mark was formerly known as Mary but Mary had her jaw broken by her husband and vowed she would never be hit again.

Mark finishes her set and turns toward them.

MARK
I'm hiding out from my husband as a man. The disguise is temporary but the bastard's a cop and could easily locate me as a woman.

Wendy puts her arm around Mark and gives her a half hug.

WENDY
Mary is gaining her self confidence back by taking self defense training and will slowly gain her life back.

Behind Mary Tiny can be seen running on a treadmill. He is wearing head phones and watching a movie on a screen in front of him.

Wendy and Marita turn and walk back toward the elevator.They enter the elevator and go down to the 2nd floor. The doors open on a floor with a boxing ring, punching bags and a virtual reality training center with a boxer fighting an imaginary opponent.

They exit the elevator and Marita looks around in stunned amazement.

MARITA
Wow, you really put your family money to good use.

WENDY
Well, my father always wanted me to be a boxer but all I ever wanted to do was date one.

They walk over to the virtual reality training center. A boxer is wearing a virtual reality head mount and tight black gloves with wires coming out the back.

WENDY
This is our virtual reality trainer and I know we are the only one who has one. It was created by Joe, who is a programmer at the University of Chicago.

Marita walks around the trainer and whistles.

MARITA
I've never seen anything like it.

WENDY
I know, we are the only one who has one. It was created by Joe, who is a programmer at the University of Chicago.

They then walk over to the boxing ring where two boxers are sparing. A trainer is at the ring shouting instructions.

MARITA
Who are all these people?

WENDY
Everyone here has a story. My goal is to help people who have given up on themselves or been treated badly. I guess I am a philanthropist at heart.

They head back to the elevator and go down to the first floor. Marita exits as the garage door is lifted. She is seen walking away and through the neighborhood through warehouses and gradually toward the docks on the edge of Chicago.

FADE IN:

INT. WENDY'S HIGH TECH BOXING GYM ON 2ND FLOOR OF WAREHOUSE - DAY

We see Marita wearing the virtual reality headset and boxing gloves with wires attached to them. Tiny is standing in front of her. We see from her POV as a virtual opponent throws a punch right at her. She puts her arm up to block and wobbles backwards.

TINY
Just relax. It takes a little getting used to. We can speed our buddy up or down to your liking.

Marita's POV - We see the virtual boxer coming at her slower and Marita makes a punch that seems to connect. This time the virtual boxer staggers backwards.

Tiny can see what she is seeing from her POV from a small hand held screen. He sees her make contact with the virtual opponent.

TINY
Good. Good. Now your getting the hang of it.

Marita starts getting into the workout and throwing her punches faster.The camera zeros in on her foot work. We then see her body moving from side to side. She starts breathing harder and working up a sweat before she stops. Tiny reaches over and helps her off with the headset.

MARITA
That's unbelievable. I can't believe what a hard workout that is when I'm not even hitting a solid target.

TINY
Well, you won't feel any impact when you hit, that's true. But, you will greatly increase your speed and really improve your footwork with this baby.

We then see a montage of Marita working out with Tiny in the weight room, jumping rope, doing sit-ups, etc.

FADE IN:

INT. WHIRLPOOL BATH - DAY

We see Marita sinking into a whirlpool bath with a two piece athletic looking bathing suit on. Plants surround the bath and soothing music is playing in the background. She gets in lays her head back just as another enters the whirlpool. It is one of the boxers she saw working out in the ring earlier. EARL - well built, sun tanned, and buff. Late 20's.

EARL
Mind if I join you?

MARITA
Uh, no. I'm Marita Martez.

EARL
I know. I've seen you box at the arena. I fight there too.

MARITA
Sorry I don't recall seeing you.

EARL
Well, I kinda of blend in with the sea of men you see there. You, on the other hand, really stick out.

MARITA
Oh, I never thought of it that way.

EARL
I know your trainer and manager too.

MARITA
Make that ex trainer and manager. I'm breaking company with them.

EARL
I don't blame you after all those fixed fights. I don't know how you stood it so long.

Marita tenses up in the whirlpool and leans forward.

MARITA
What are you talking about?

Earl stands up in whirlpool and walks back and forth.

EARL
You mean you didn't know where they were getting your opponents?

MARITA
They were in the boxing federation. They had to be. Right.

Earl stops pacing and sits back down right beside Marita.

EARL
Hardly. I hate to be the one to break this to you but your sleaze ball manager was pulling prostitutes off the street, strippers, anyone he could find that he thought he could train to box. He had a couple of sleazy trainers who worked with these girls a few months and then he through them in the ring with you.

MARITA
Not Antoine.

EARL
Antoine too, I'm afraid. It was all about money Marita. He got you top billing as the knock out queen and then split the profit enough to make it worth everyone's while.

Marita puts her head in her hands and looks shocked. She slowly stands up and gets out of the whirlpool. She is working herself into a rage.

MARITA
Damn it! I'll kill them both. How could they do this to me.

Marita rushes from the room and we see her quick changing into street clothes. She then runs to the elevator and out of the door on the first floor. We see her running a few blocks and then hailing a cab. The cab pulls up in front of a boxing gym. We see her pay the cabbie and bolt up the steps of an older building.

She enters a workout area with punching bags and a boxing ring. There is a stark difference between this and Wendy's layout. We see Antoine working with a boxer and Wendy stalks angrily toward him. She starts pounding him with her fists and screaming.

INT. BOXING GYM WHERE MARITA USED TO TRAIN - DAY

MARITA
How could you! I trusted you. I worked my ass off for you and George and you repay me by putting me in the ring with whores and strippers.

Everyone head turns and all workouts stop as people in the gym turn and stare. Antoine restrains her by holding her by both shoulders.

ANTOINE
Marita. Calm down. You don't know what you're talking about. Let's take this outside.

MARITA
You can take it outside with my lawyer you bastard!

Marita turns on her heel and runs from the room.

We see in the headlines of a newspaper that Nightingale Sports is sponsoring first ever male/female match between Marita Martez and an unknown challenger.

We then see a shot of all the male boxers sitting in Marita's old locker room listening to the radio when an announcer comes on and declares a $100,000.000 purse to the winner of the match. A call for challengers is made for welterweight boxers in Marita's weight class. We then see a shot of a long line of guys outside of Wendy's warehouse waiting to go in.

Guys are heard saying they can beat a broad easy. Earning this money should be a piece of cake. Etc.

FADE IN:

INT.BOXING RING IN WENDY'S WAREHOUSE - DAY

Marita is in ring with sloppy fighter. He is swinging wildly and charging her in the ring. Wendy rings the bell to stop the round.

We then see a montage of opponents and all of them perform poorly in the ring. An outside shot shows the line dwindling.

A shot of Marita in the ring with another opponent shows her getting knocked down and the opponent standing over her saying "Come on baby. Is that all you've got.

Wendy intervenes and addresses opponent.

WENDY
Shut up and get out of here.

Wendy then addresses Marita.

WENDY
Go get cleaned up. This is enough for one day.

FADE IN:

INT. WENDY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Wendy and Marita are sitting at the table eating take-out Chinese food. Wendy is wearing a peignoir set and maribou feather high heeled bedroom shoes.

Marita is bruised and mused looking. Jazz is playing softly in the background.

WENDY
Today was a joke! A lot of losers and non pros showed up thinking they could make a fast buck.

MARITA
I'm starting to have my doubts Wendy. Maybe I'm not that good a fighter. Since my old manager fixed all those fights, I'm not sure of anything anymore.

WENDY
Look, don't let what those jerks did to you shake your confidence. My lawyers will expose that asshole and make sure he never does it again. At least in this town.

Wendy gets up and goes to the refrigerator. She gets out two bottles of Perrier, puts ice in glasses, cuts up a lemon and brings them to the table.

MARITA
But these contenders today were pathetic. People think this match is a joke and it is turning into a circus almost as bad as my fixed fights were.

Wendy gets a look on her face like a light bulb has just went off.

WENDY
Don't you worry sugar. I just thought of the perfect guy to fight you.

MARITA
Who is it? Where have you been hiding him?

WENDY
It's a surprise darling. You can meet him tomorrow.

FADE IN:

INT. WENDY'S BOXING RING AT WAREHOUSE - MORNING

We see Marita dressed out to box waiting by the ring. She looks at a large clock on the wall and starts stretching.

A boxer enters the room. He is a handsome man with soulful eyes. He looks familiar to Marita but it takes her a few minutes to realize it is Wendy without all the makeup. Marita's face registers surprise.

MARITA
Wendy? Is that really you.

WENDY
You better address me as Wendall in this persona.

MARITA
I don't understand. Is this a joke?

WENDALL
No, I'm quite serious. I've watched you box since you started your career. I know your every move. I'll give you a good and fair fight.

MARITA
But this is ludicrous. I can't fight you!

Marita goes over to a bench against the wall and puts her head in her hands. She looks up and gazes open mouthed at Wendall.

WENDALL
My old man always wanted me to be a boxer. He trained me all through junior high and high school but I was always afraid of letting him down. Maybe he'll be up there watching. Maybe he will finally be proud. Marita gets up silently and goes in the ring. Wendall follows her and they start sparring.