EXT. SHOREHAVEN POOL - DAY *1942-43*
[The Shorehaven Pool, spic-and-span in the summer sun is the closest thing to a country club in the Bronx. An eight foot fence stands between the pool and the street.]
[JAKE, wearing slacks and a sportshirt, hangs out with the "boys" near the bar area. Older, "made" men play cards. A young fan walks by and says:]
FAN: Hey, Jake.
[At the opposite end of the pool where the girls gossip, and sunbathe, JOEY swaps small talk with VICKIE, a school girl, about 15. VICKIE is a knockout.]
[SALVY, Frankie and Junior are with VICKIE and her friends. They joke with JOEY.]
[JAKE watches SALVY and VICKIE.]
[JAKE'S P.O.V.: JOEY is talking. PAN to VICKIE. VICKIE giggles. JOEY stands and walks over to JAKE.]
JAKE: *referring to Vickie* Who's that?
JOEY: Whadda you care?
JAKE: Whadda ya mean, whadda I care? Who is she? What's a matter? You afraid I'm gonna take her on you?
JOEY: No, I'm not afraid. Why? You wanna meet her?
JAKE: Yeah --
JOEY: Cause I'll go right over there and bring her here.
JAKE: Go 'head.
JOEY: You sure you wanna meet her? Don't make me go over there, you change your mind and you make me look bad, cause she's really a knockout. She's 15, this kid -- a great piece of a**.
JAKE: How do you know? You know her that good?
JOEY: No, I see her around the pool. I know her. I know her like that -- not like that.
JAKE: *gesturing to his bandage* Nah, not now... I wanna wait. I don't feel right...
[JAKE watches VICKIE.]
CUT TO: INT. JAKE AND IRMA'S APARTMENT, LIVING ROOM - LATE NIGHT
JOEY: *to JAKE* I'm tellin' you, she'll be there, I know she'll be there.
JAKE: 'Cause I wanna catch her alone.
JOEY: How you gonna catch anybody alone at a dance?... I don't know if she'll be there alone... She'll probably be there with her girlfriends or something.
JAKE: She ever go with them? Like Salvy?
JOEY: Nah, she don't go with nobody. She's only 15 years old.
JAKE: What does that have to do with it? She don't look 15 to me. I heard somethin' with Salvy. She was with him once or somethin', I think. It was like some blonde. That's the one...
JOEY: Probably. You know she talks to everybody, and not just him.
JAKE: Yeah, she's nice.
JOEY: Ah, some piece of a**, I'm tellin' you.
JAKE: You wasn't with her, were you?
JOEY: Huh?
JAKE: You wasn't with her?
JOEY: With her? How?
JAKE: You know, like bang her or anything?
JOEY: Ah, no, no. I didn't bang her. I know her from around here, that's all. You want to meet her or what?
JAKE: Nah, not now -- all those hard-ons around. I'll wait. Not now.
[The scene ends on VICKIE as JAKE watches her.]
CUT TO: INT. JAKE AND IRMA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - LATE NIGHT
JOEY: *to Jake* I'm tellin' you, she'll be there, I know she'll be there. Dressed up and everything.
JAKE: I don't like all those other clowns around. That's all I know.
JOEY: C'mon, hurry up. We're never gonna get outta here tonight.
JOEY sips a drink as JAKE knots his tie. IRMA enters from the bedroom.
IRMA: Where you going at this hour?
JAKE: What're you, a cop? I'm goin' out - business.
IRMA: You f**in' worm, if you're going out, I'm going out.
JAKE: And where you goin'?
IRMA: None of your f**in' business.
[JOEY lifts his eyes up.]
JAKE: Eh, go out. Do what you're gonna do. What do I care?
[JOEY opens the door to leave. JAKE follows.]
IRMA: That's right -- run out. I ain't gonna be here when you get back.
CUT TO: INT. JAKE AND IRMA'S APT. BUILDING - HALLWAY - LATE NIGHT
[JAKE and JOEY hurry down the stairs. IRMA shouts after them.]
IRMA: Bunch of guys. You all hang out together. Yeah, you're all going out on business. You're all gonna s** each other off.
CUT TO: INT. JAKE AND IRMA'S BUILDING - GROUND FLOOR - LATE NIGHT
JOEY: What a mouth on her -- you shoulda hit her -- no good f**in' Jewish c*nt -- breakin' our balls. You shoulda hit her with a chair.
JAKE: Hey, watch your mouth. Don't talk like that. She's still my wife.
JOEY: No, but Jake... how much abuse can you take.
JAKE: *interrupting* How many times do I have to hit her? I hit her enough.
[They exit to street.]
CUT TO: EXT. JAKE AND IRMA'S APARTMENT BUILDING - STREET - LATE NIGHT
[JOEY and JAKE come out of the building and start walking down the street.]
[IRMA opens the window on the second floor right above them, and shouts out to them:]
IRMA: Go ahead -- that's all you're good for -- to go out and leave me here like a dog. You and your brother! You don't even look like brothers. You look like f*ggots! That's what you look like -- f*ggots!
[JAKE and JOEY walk faster down the block, pretending that IRMA must be shouting at someone else.]
[She throws a bottle at them. It smashes in the street.]
CUT TO: EXT. WEBSTER HALL - NIGHT *AN HOUR LATER* ESTABLISHING SHOT. INT. WEBSTER HALL - NIGHT
[A neighborhood dance is in progress. A small band is playing while mainly older couples dance. There are two priests present. The younger people are divided into two groups -- the boys, who are dressed in suits and ties, and spend most of their time at the bar area -- and the girls, who are in evening dresses, and spend most of their time dancing together.]
[Some of the more popular girls are surrounded by "wise-guys." There are tables near the dance floor with "set ups" *bottles of Scotch, rye, and a bucket of ice* on them. These tables are the "bases of operation" for different neighborhood groups, as if they were street corners.]
[JAKE and JOEY are walking toward a table. Vera, a young neighborhood girl, blocks their way as she bends over to talk to some GUYS at a table. Vera's well-built, and knows it.]
[JOEY tries to move one way; Vera again blocks his way. This little game goes on for a few seconds, then:]
JOEY: Look, could you move a little. Would you mind, darling?
VERA: Mind what, Mr. Big Shot?
JAKE *annoyed*: Eh, girlie, take a walk.
[JAKE starts to move forward; JOEY stops him.]
JOEY: *to Vera* All right, darling, I'll just stand here and wait.
[JOEY cups his hands and grabs Vera's breasts. Vera squeals, covers her breasts, and moves back. JOEY and JAKE walk past her. JOEY smiles.]
[JOEY and JAKE sit down at an empty table.]
JAKE: Do you see her yet?
JOEY: Give me a chance. Let me look.
CUT TO:: MOVING SHOTS
[JAKE tries to find her -- Camera pans until we find her. JOEY points out a distant table. He spots VICKIE with a couple of other GIRLS. VICKIE locks beautiful and is obviously having a good time.]
JOEY: There she is over there on the other side. What did I tell you? Oh, ain't she nice? Ain't she a f**in' doll?
[As they watch, we see, from JAKE's pov: SALVY, FRANKIE, and JUNIOR show up at VICKIE's table. They are in overcoats and hats and don't sit down. They are obviously on their way to bigger things than a neighborhood dance -- and VICKIE and her GIRLFRIENDS are glad to go with them. They get up to leave.]
JAKE: Be right back.
[SALVY, Frankie, Junior, VICKIE and the other two girls leave the dance hall. JAKE, unseen, follows them to the entrance way, as they go out onto the sidewalk.]
CUT TO:: EXT. WEBSTER HALL - NIGHT
[JAKE watches as SALVY ushers everyone into his Cadillac, and then drives off.]
[JAKE stares after the car for a moment, then goes back inside.]
CUT TO: EXT. SHOREHAVEN POOL - DAY *1942-43*
[JAKE and JOEY get out of their Packard convertible and walk over to the fence surrounding the pool. VICKIE is by the pool.
JOEY: *calling out to Vickie* Hey, Vickie, c'mere. Don't be afraid. C'mere. Just say hello. This is my brother.
[VICKIE comes over to the fence.]
JOEY: Vickie, I want you to meet my brother, Jake. He's gonna be the next champ.
[JAKE puts his fingers through the fence.]
JAKE: JOEY said you wanted to meet me. Is that right? You wanted to meet me?
VICKIE: *to Joey* I just wanted to say hello.
JAKE: You wanted to say hello, eh? I can't believe it. When did you fall outta heaven? Anyone ever tell you you're the most beautiful one here, princess of the pool. You got a baby face. Look at mine. Whatcha wanna meet me for?
VICKIE: I don't know. 'Cause you're cute.
JAKE: *to Joey* Ya hear, Joey? She thinks this face is cute? Hey, whatcha doin' now? You wanna go for a ride?
PAN TO: CAR
VICKIE: Sure. Gimme a few minutes.
[She starts to go.]
JAKE: Hey...
[She turns. JAKE kisses his hand and holds it up to the fence by her lips.]
CUT TO: EXT. SHORE ROAD - DAY
[JAKE drives his Packard convertible down Shore Road. VICKIE sits in the pa**enger seat, her blonde hair blowing in the wind. VICKIE feels JAKE's eyes all over her, and loves it.]
[On the radio, Bing Crosby sings "Just One More Chance."]
CUT TO: EXT. MINIATURE GOLF COURSE - DAY
[JAKE parks across the street from the new miniature golf course on Shore Road. The Shore Road course is one of the best. The first green features a pink windmill.]
[JAKE and VICKIE get out to cross the street.]
VICKIE: You don't talk very much.
JAKE: I ain't ever talked to a movie star before.
VICKIE: *giggles* I ain't no movie star. I'm just in high school.
JAKE: Oh no? I thought you was a movie star.
[A bus heads toward them.]
VICKIE: JAKE! The bus!
[JAKE holds up his hand.]
JAKE: Any bus gives you trouble, I knock it out for ya.
[The bus stops for them as they cross the street.]
CUT TO: EXT. THE FIRST GREEN - DAY
[JAKE sets VICKIE's ball on the tee facing the windmill.]
VICKIE: You go first. Let me watch how to do this.
JAKE: You don't get nothin' done by watchin'. You just gotta do it. Here, I'll help you.
[JAKE hands VICKIE the putter, then moves behind her and puts her hand on the club.]
JAKE: That's it. Just grip up a little tighter. That's it. You're gonna be real good at this. How does that feel?
VICKIE: It feels real good.
JAKE: Just keep your eye on the ball.
VICKIE: Should I hit it?
JAKE: Just give it a nice little tap.
[VICKIE swings and the ball rolls into the center of the windmill. VICKIE breaks free and follows her ball. JAKE follows.]
VICKIE: I can't find my ball.
JAKE: Can you see it?
[VICKIE bends and looks under the windmill.]
VICKIE: No.
[JAKE bends and looks.]
VICKIE: Can you see it?
JAKE: No.
VICKIE: What does that mean?
[JAKE takes VICKIE by the arm.]
JAKE: It means the game is over.
[JAKE throws his putter on the next green.]
JAKE: Let's get outta here.
CUT TO: EXT. ARTHUR AVENUE APARTMENT BUILDING - BRONX - DAY
[JAKE and VICKIE pull up to a tenement.]
[JAKE dashes around the car to open the door for VICKIE.]
[They enter the building.]
CUT TO: INT. ARTHUR AVENUE APARTMENT - DAY
[Joseph Lamotta, Sr. is finishing his Sunday dinner with a gla** of wine as JAKE and VICKIE enter.]
JAKE: Hi Pop. This is my new girlfriend, Vickie. V for victory. How do you like that Pop?
JOE LAMOTTA: V for victory.
VICKIE *nervous*: It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. LaMotta.
JOE LAMOTTA *in Italian*: Sit down. Eat something.
[JAKE is anxious. VICKIE is scared.]
JAKE: C'mon, Pop. You've been in America so many years. Speak English.
JOE LAMOTTA: *joking* You want me to speak English -- f** you. That's English.
JAKE: Pop, don't curse. There's a girl here. I'm gonna show her around the house. Why don't you just finish your wine?
[Joe stares at him. JAKE grasps VICKIE's arm firmly.]
CUT TO: INT. ARTHUR AVENUE APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
[The bedroom is a few rooms away from the kitchen. JAKE closes the door. *There is a warm light in the bedroom.*]
VICKIE: JAKE, this is your father's bedroom.
JAKE: That's all right. He don't mind.
[The room is sparsely furnished. On the bureau, there is a large framed photo of the boxing brothers: JAKE and JOEY Lamotta. *JOEY wears a suit in the picture.*]
[JAKE puts VICKIE on the bed and removes his jacket and tie.
VICKIE: Jake...
JAKE: It's OK.
[He pushes her against the bed and gently undresses her. They make love.]