Rocky 4 (rewritten)
Based on a film of the same name.
It was nighttime on August 19, 1985. Rocky Balboa had come home late at night after a long afternoon of hanging out with Apollo Creed. They had been talking about past experiences from 1976-1982, laughing about it with each other, and even having a little faux boxing tournament with each other. Upon his arrival at home, he was greeted by his son named Rocky Jr. who was holding a camera. As Rocky and his son walked in, it was his brother-in-law named Paulie Pennino's birthday. "It's about time!" said Paulie. "Sorry I'm late" said Rocky. "Had we waited any longer, it would've been my next birthday," said Paulie. Rocky's wife and Paulie's sister named Adrian brought the cake in and set it on Paulie's lap. It had a bunch of lit candles on it. "We have a great surprise for you. You'll love this cake" said Adrian. "You'll love your present too, Uncle Paulie" said Rocky Jr. "Where is it?" asked Paulie. "Let me set the mood here. I have to turn the lights down" said Adrian. As Adrian turned off the lights, Rocky told Paulie "Watch this!" "It's in the driveway, just be patient" said Rocky Jr. "I'm so excited, I'm sweating!" said Paulie. Just then, a robot rolled into the room. Rocky, Adrian, and Rocky Jr. all shouted simultaneously "Happy birthday Paulie!" "What the heck is this?" asked Paulie. "Your present. What else would it be?" said Rocky. "I wanted a sports car, not a walking trash can!" said Paulie. "He looks great here. Since you don't have any friends, we thought you'd like it" said Rocky. "Pretend you're happy. It'll keep you company when you're all alone" said Adrian. "Please make a wish," said the robot. "It's creepy! The thing talks!" exclaimed Paulie. "Make a wish, like he said," explained Rocky. "I wish I wasn't in this nightmare!" shouted Paulie. "A very classy wish. What do you think?" said Rocky. "Very good. Now help me blow out these candles before they cause a house fire" said Paulie. "Sure! On the count of three-one, two, three!" said Rocky Jr. He sprayed whip cream all over the cake, putting out all of the candles. Some even got on Paulie. He had a disgusted look on his face and Adrian said "Don't worry, I'll clean that off for you." The four of them ate the cake and after that had ice cream. "Ok. I'm stuffed now. That and ready for bed. Goodnight everyone! I had a great birthday!" said Paulie. As Rocky and Adrian were in bed together, they had talked about their upcoming anniversary. Rocky even gave her a watch and told her that it may look like a snake but that it won't bite. She smiled and put it on, saying "I feel like a Roman princess!" "Happy early anniversary" said Rocky while smiling.
The next morning, Apollo Creed was wearing swim trunks and a swim shirt while sitting in his pool outside. He was throwing tennis balls to a pug, a boxer, and a French bulldog which were his pets. The pug and French bulldog dropped them for him while the boxer ran a little too far inwards and landed in the pool. However, he was okay, popped right back up, and swam right up to Apollo. Apollo chuckled and said "You one crazy dog!" All of the sudden, the TV that was on a stand nearby was broadcasting something that caught his eye. On the TV, the announcer said "A bar bouncer from Russia by the name of Ivan Drago has officially made his way to America and will be participating in world amateur heavyweight boxing!" There were a few government scientists shown on the screen as well as a Soviet diplomat named Grigori Ostrov, two other Soviet government officials named Victor Sergeev and Dimitri Puchovyk, a Russian Mafia boss named Nicolai Koloff, his advisor named Manuel Vega and his accountant named Sergei Rimsky, Ivan Drago, and his wife named Ludmilla. "So tell us, has Drago ever boxed against a real professional?" asked the announcer. "Having been trained by great coaches, Manuel Vega and Sergei Rimsky, we hope he's qualified to do so," answered Ludmilla. "I know he is but I don't want to sound too confident," said the announcer. "The average boxer has a punching force of 700 pounds psi. Allow us to demonstrate his strength" said Nicolai. He nodded at Ivan. Ivan then pounded a punching bag with full force while grunting. Everyone there, except for Ivan, Ludmilla, Sergei, Manuel, and Nicolai stood back in shock as his psi reached 1,850 pounds on a screen. "The results clearly indicate that whatever he hits, he destroys," said Nicolai. "How does that even happen?" asked the announcer. "I'm curious to know too," said Grigori. "Has Drago been under the influence of steroids or any other drugs?" asked the announcer. At those very words, Grigori, Dimitri, and Victor all grew suspicious. "Of course not!" answered Ludmilla. "Then explain the brutish strength of this man we allowed you to bring here" said Grigori. "Like the American Popeye, he eats his spinach" answered Ludmilla. Apollo just looked at the television and shook his head as he got out of the pool, dried off, and turned off the television angrily. All three of his dogs stared at him.
Later in the afternoon, Rocky was washing one of his cars with his son while Adrian handed him the phone saying "Rocky! It's Mr. Creed." As Rocky walked up to her and took it, Apollo was telling Rocky about what he saw on television and that he wanted to fight Ivan Drago. They discussed it further as Apollo was eating dinner with Rocky and his family. "Listen Rock, he may be big and strong but he's clumsy. I know I can beat him" said Apollo. "If you insist then sure. In fact, I'll be your trainer" said Rocky. "Now that's the Rocky Balboa I remember!" said Apollo. Rocky then told his son that he had to do his homework. "Ok. Later Dad. Later Uncle Paulie. Later Mr. Creed" said Rocky Jr. "Later big man" said Apollo. Soon after Rocky Jr. went off to do his homework, Rocky, Adrian, Paulie, and Apollo all got up from the table. "All we need now is to get my old trainer, Tony Evers and we are all set!" said Apollo. Rocky then turned to Paulie and asked him if he also wanted to be an additional trainer for Apollo. "You gotta be busting my chops!" said Paulie. "I'm afraid I'm not," said Rocky. "I'll have to think about it," said Paulie. "You think about it," said the robot in a feminine voice. "Thanks honey," said Paulie. "You're welcome sweetheart" said the robot. Rocky was shocked. "Paulie, who taught it to talk like that?" he asked. "She loves me," said Paulie. "Oh" said Rocky. "What? You got a problem with that?" asked Paulie sarcastically. Rocky shook his head slowly.
A few days later, Paulie agreed but not before Rocky and Apollo got Tony to help them out. Rocky, Paulie, Apollo, and Tony went to the press conference where Apollo stood right next to Ivan. One reporter asked him "What made you decide to put on an exhibition with Drago?" "Let's call it a sense of responsibility" answered Apollo. "Responsibility, but how?" asked another reporter. "I had to teach this young fella how to box American style" answered Apollo. "Isn't Drago a little inexperienced to be fighting in the same ring?" asked another reporter. "Well, ya know, some folks have to learn the hard way" answered Apollo while getting somewhat close in Ivan's face upon his last few words. "Rocky, how do you think Apollo should fight Drago?" asked a reporter. "Well, personally I think the first thing you'd better get Apollo is a ladder" answered Rocky. "Drago, how does it feel to spar with the former great champion?" asked a reporter. Ivan just glanced an evil eye at Apollo. "The man's tongue must've not come through customs" joked Apollo. "My husband is very happy to be given this opportunity. He is very grateful to both the American and Soviet governments. It is his dream" said Ludmilla. "Dream? What do you mean?" asked a reporter. "In our country, Apollo Creed is well known and very respected. It could be a good victory" said Ludmilla. "Whoa! Wait a minute, now. Hold on. Now you don't think he's gonna whoop me, do ya?" asked Apollo. "Well, he didn't come here to lose," said Ludmilla. "You hold your horses, little lady. Lose and lose royally is what he's gonna do" said Apollo. "How can you be so sure?" asked Nicolai. "I've been with the best. I've beaten the best. I've retired more men than social security" said Apollo then he chuckled. "Excuse me, you are not very realistic, Mr. Creed!" said Nicolai. "What do you mean?" said Apollo. "You can box, yes, but you are far too old to think you can win over Drago" said Nicolai. "Is that a fact?" asked Apollo. "Yes! And it could be a painful one!" said Nicolai sternly. "Put that big old bag with eyeballs in the ring with me and you're gonna see the definition of pain!" said Apollo. "Why do you insult us?" asked Ludmilla frustratedly. "How about you just hold on there? I'm not the bad guy. I just came to talk about a friendly exhibition until Comrade Big Mouth started up" said Apollo. "It is you who are the aggressor!" shouted Nicolai. "Enough! All three of you!" said Grigori. "I wish to say to the press in all fairness that Drago should not even fight this man because he is a has been" said Nicolai. "Hey! You get that chump in the ring right now!" shouted Apollo. "Stop this before somebody gets hurt!" Grigori told Dimitri and Victor. They nodded at him. As Ivan pushed Apollo, they held him back while Paulie and Tony held Apollo back. Apollo was shouting at Ivan, "We'll finish this in the ring, buddy! Mark my words!" There was a mighty ruckus. As Apollo and Rocky were walking out, Apollo asked him "How did I do?" "A little loud for my tastes, but alright I suppose" answered Rocky.
At the end of August, Rocky, Apollo, Paulie, and Tony all traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada. Rocky, Paulie, and Tony were all training with Apollo in a room. There was a photo of Ivan Drago with a drawn on mustache, fedora, glasses with tape in the middle, and a beard in there. Also written on it was "Apollo wuz here." While Sergei and Manuel were training Ivan in a different room, Nicolai and Ludmilla were sitting down in the crowd, waiting for the match to begin. "Las Vegas, a fine city for drug dealing, gun running, money laundering, and other businesses of ours" said Nicolai quietly to Ludmilla. "After all, they don't call it Sin City for nothing" said Ludmilla. Nicolai nodded in agreement. Just then, Apollo's wife named Mary-Ann Creed stopped by to greet them, introduce herself, and shake hands with them. They also introduced themselves. "I'm the wife of Ivan Drago," said Ludmilla. "And I'm his manager," said Nicolai. "Should be a good match" said Mary-Ann. She nodded her head at them then left them to go sit down somewhere else. As the match was about to begin, James Brown was performing Living in America with a bunch of dancing girls. After the referee announced both boxers, Apollo put his boxing gloves up. "Put 'em up" he said. Ivan just stared at him. "I'm sorry. Do you need a translator?" asked Apollo. Ivan then put his boxing gloves violently above Apollo's. "I will break you," Ivan told him. The announcers began talking as Apollo began throwing the first few punches. Ivan then punched Apollo and both boxers lasted for the first full round. Rocky, Tony, and Paulie gave Apollo some water. Sergei and Manuel did the same with Ivan. At the end of the second round, the announcers said that Ivan had a tremendous round. Apollo was very bloody. Rocky wiped his blood with a towel while Paulie and Tony gave him more water. After the third round, Rocky told Apollo "I've got to stop this thing. He's killing you out there!" "No. I'm here to fight him" said Apollo. "That was a pulverizing round for the ex-champion. Ivan Drago is definitely for real" said the announcer. As Apollo and Ivan fought a little more, Tony shouted at Rocky to throw the towel in order to stop the fight. Rocky was hesitant and grabbed the towel. Right as Rocky was about to throw the towel, it was too late. Ivan swiftly killed Apollo by punching him to death. "Apollo Creed is down and could be seriously hurt" said the announcer. "Apollo!" shouted Mary-Ann worriedly. "The winner is Ivan Drago!" said the announcer. Ivan got out of the ring as Manuel, Sergei, Nicolai, and Ludmilla were all celebrating with him. It was absolute pandemonium. "Somebody call the paramedics!" shouted Mary-Ann at the top of her lungs. As Ivan had the microphone to his mouth, he said "If he dies, he dies."
Rocky, his son, Adrian, Paulie, Tony, and Mary-Ann all attended the funeral of Apollo Creed. Mary-Ann was bursting into tears with Adrian and Tony comforting her. "There's a lot I could say... about this man. But I don't know if it matters now. I guess what matters is...what he stood for...what he lived for, and...what he died for. You always did everything...the way you wanted it. I know I didn't understand that, but...now I understand. I'll never forget you, Apollo. You're the best" said Rocky.
Someday later, Rocky was at another press conference with Tony, Paulie, and the Russian mobsters. "Rocky, is this decision final?" asked a reporter. "Yes" answered Rocky. "Is this the first time the champion has given up his crown?" asked the reporter. "I don't know about that," answered Rocky. "Doesn't the title still matter?" asked the reporter. "Not until this is over" answered Rocky. "Considering Rocky's punching power, do you still expect an easy fight?" asked the reporter. "Yes. Of course" answered Sergei. "Has the fight date been set yet?" asked the reporter. "Yes. December 25th" answered Rocky. "And where?" asked the reporter. "Anchorage, Alaska" answered Rocky. "Are you nuts?" asked Paulie. "We fight there or we fight nowhere," said Rocky. "I'm afraid for my husband's life. We have threats of violence everywhere. People try to run us off the road and we aren't even government officials. All I want is for my husband to be safe. You call him a murderer. He's a professional fighter, not a murderer" said Ludmilla. "That is no way to treat visiting foreigners! Especially ones like us! We love this country and just want to make a profit! Nothing else!" said Nicolai. "Exactly! Does the American Dream not apply to us just because of our government or something?" asked Manuel rhetorically. "I know you guys are mobsters using boxing as a front," said Rocky. "You have just proven to have chickened out from fighting Drago so you insult us!" said Nicolai angrily. Paulie shrugged and said "Eh. It's not like us Italians have it any better when it comes to that kind of bad reputation." "And who are you?" asked Nicolai aggressively. "Me? I'm the unsilent majority, big mouth!" Paulie told him. "That's great! Insult us even further after accusing us of being mobsters! Perhaps this simple defeat of a so-called champion will prove how pathetically weak he really is! We go!" said Nicolai.
Adrian was getting all kinds of questions from reporters and she kept telling them to leave her alone and that she doesn't know. As she walked into her house, she was discussing the matter with Rocky. "It's suicide. You know you can't win. You've seen him. You've seen how strong he is" said Adrian. "I have to do it. It's to avenge Apollo. I'm a fighter. In order to beat me, he's gonna have to kill me. To kill me, he's gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me. To do that, he's gonna have to be willing to die himself. I need some alone time" said Rocky. As he got in his car outside and began driving, he turned on the radio. There's No Easy Way Out by Robert Tepper was playing as he had various flashbacks of Apollo Creed, his former trainer named Mickey Goldmill, and his former boss named Tony Gazzo. The night before he left for Alaska, he tucked his son in and told him that he was going to Alaska in order to fight Ivan Drago. "Good luck, dad," said Rocky Jr. Rocky smiled and said "Thanks son."
In the middle of December, Rocky, Paulie, and Tony got in the car and drove to the airport. Paulie didn't leave without giving a farewell to his robot. On the airplane to Anchorage, the trio was listening to Burning Heart by Survivor. Once the airplane landed and the threesome left the airport, carrying their baggage, Paulie said "Jeez! What a horrendous flight! In case that wasn't bad enough, this cold weather is bothering my sinuses!" Once they got to their hotel and sat in a room, Paulie sat down and began watching television. There was a knock at the door. As Rocky and Tony answered, it was a capo and two soldiers for the Koloff crime family. "I am Alexei Orlov and this is Roman Krakoff and Vadim Menkin'' said the capo. The other said "Are you Rocky Balboa?" "Yes" answered Rocky. "And I'm Paulie Pennino and that's Tony Evers. What's it to you?" called out Paulie. "Hush!" said Alexei. "Our own government has grown suspicious of us ever since you opened your mouth" said Vadim. "Nicolai Koloff is not a man to be messed with!" said Alexei. Paulie got up, walked up to the others, and said "Yeah, yeah. Rocky and I used to be members of the Philadelphia crime family. We heard this a million times from Tony Gazzo. What's your point?" "Let's just say we've got our eyes on you" said Roman. "Yeah, don't let out any more words! Especially not in front of any reporters or government officials!" said Alexei. He slammed the door.
All those weeks up until the day of the fight, Rocky was training with Tony and Paulie while Ivan was training with Nicolai, Manuel, and Sergei. Ivan was hooked up to machines as he was working out. After a bit more training, Rocky took a picture of Ivan Drago off of a wall and crumpled it up. As Rocky was running through the snow, Alexei, Roman, and Vadim were chasing him in a car. He took a left turn and they got out of their car. However, they couldn't find him. Rocky was running up a mountain. As he was all the way at the top, he let out a loud cry. He then shouted "DRAGO!" a few times.
It was the day before the fight. Rocky was surprised and happy to find out that Adrian came. He also hugged Mary-Ann as she came too. "My husband died in the ring with that pathetic wretch! I have no other choice than to watch you avenge him!" she said. Rocky smiled and asked Adrian who was watching over his son. "The robot" answered Adrian. She chuckled with her husband.
On the day of the fight which was on Christmas, Adrian and Mary-Ann sat in the crowd. Rocky Jr. was watching it on TV with two of his friends. "You know my dad?" he asked them. "Of course. He's a famous boxer" answered one. "Who do you think we are? Nerds?" said the other. Everyone stood up and placed their hands on their hearts as The Star Spangled Banner played. Once it was over, Rocky and Ivan were both announced. Many people in the crowd were cheering for Ivan Drago. Some were also cheering for Rocky of course, but their voices weren't near as loud. As Rocky and Ivan both put them up, Ivan said "You will lose." Ivan and Rocky had a rather nail biting first round. "Remember, no pain!" Tony told Rocky. "No pain" Rocky repeated after him. Rocky and Ivan fought a little more for two more rounds. On round four, Rocky was brought down but immediately bounced right back up. He punched Ivan, sending him back into the corner and punched him a little more until he was pushed away. As Rocky was getting water from Tony and Paulie, Tony told him "You can do this, Rocky!" "Yeah! He's not a machine! He's a man!" said Paulie. As Manuel and Sergei gave Ivan some water, he swished it around in his mouth a little then spit it out. Ivan gave Rocky a swift punch in the fifth round. Rocky was down and the referee counted all the way to nine but Rocky got right back up and fought Ivan up to round nine. The crowd was then chanting Rocky's name. "Well, what do ya know? The crowd is now in Rocky's favor!" said the announcer. In between rounds nine and ten, Rocky was still being cheered on. Nicolai ran up to Ivan and angrily told him in Russian, "You hear that? That's the sound of them cheering against you! It's such a disgrace! You better get out there and box!" Ivan then held Nicolai in a chokehold and threw him to the ground. Ivan stepped up his game big time but Rocky still held on there. In the final round, which was round fifteen, Rocky was even more beat up than Ivan was. As the fight went on, Adrian, Mary Ann, Rocky Jr., and his friends were all hanging on the edge of their seats. Tony and Paulie were getting a little worried that Rocky was gonna lose. Rocky was getting even more beaten up despite throwing some punches. Nicolai, Ludmilla, Sergei, and Manuel were all mockingly cheering for Rocky. Ivan punched Rocky a couple more times. Rocky looked like he was about to fall over at any given moment. That's when Rocky performed a miracle by punching Ivan, who finally fell like a ton of bricks. As the referee was slowly counting to ten, everyone in the room was extremely apprehensive. Rocky was worried that his Christmas miracle would be spoiled by Ivan getting back up. Fortunately for him, that wasn't the case. "And the winner is Rocky Balboa! Unbelievable!" shouted the announcer. Rocky Jr. and his friends were all jumping for joy back at home. Paulie, Tony, Adrian, and Mary-Ann were all congratulating Rocky the moment he stepped out of the ring. As Ivan stepped out of the ring, Nicolai gave himself a facepalm. As Rocky made his speech of how well he performed, he said at the very end "I would like to thank my wife, my trainers, and my friend's wife for traveling all this way. I couldn't have done it without any of them. I would also like to say Merry Christmas to my son who is watching it on TV right now. I'll be home soon, little buddy. Don't worry."
The end.
