The Toughest Man in the World (1984) - full transcript

[ THE WORLD'’S TOUGHEST MAN
PLAYING]

♪ On the streets
Of south Chicago

♪ There'’s a struggle to survive

♪ You can play to win
Or just give in

♪ And let the city
Eat you alive

♪ You can make it to tomorrow

♪ If you take care of today

♪ You will have a shot
If you have got

♪ What it takes to break away

♪ Because the toughest man
In the world

♪ Is the one who knows
The right way to go



♪ Toughest man in the world

♪ Is strong inside
He don'’t ever hide

♪ Brother'’s code of honor
When he'’s up against the wall

♪ The man who tries
Who won'’t say die

♪ Is the toughest man of all

♪ The toughest
The toughest man in the world

♪ The toughest
The toughest man in the world

♪ It'’s a hard life in this city

♪ It can bring you
To your knees

♪ The town is poor
It has no soul

♪ It'’s concrete and steel

♪ You'’re face to face
With trouble

♪ Looking danger in the eye

♪ You'’re on your own
But never alone



♪ With courage on your side

♪ Because toughest man
In the world

♪ Is the one who knows
The right way to go

♪ Toughest man in the world

♪ Is strong inside
He don'’t ever hide

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

♪ Toughest man in the world

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

♪ Toughest man in the world

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Hey!

MAN: Hey, thief!
Hey, stop!

♪ Toughest man in the world

[DOG BARKING]

♪ Toughest man in the world

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh

[DOGS BARKING]

♪ Toughest man in the world

♪ Toughest man in the world

Hey.

[YELLING]

[CLAMORING]

[TURNS OFF MUSIC]

Leave the man alone.

Hey, pal, get out of here.
This ain'’t none
of your business.

When punks start
hassling decent people,

I make it my business.

Now give the man
his money back.

No, that'’s not gonna happen.

Now get out of my way.

Put the knife away, son.

I said get out of my way.
Now you gonna move,

or am I gonna finish off
that goofy-lookin'’ haircut
of yours?

[GRUNTS]

[GROWLS]

Now give the man
back his wallet.

Now.

Give it to him.

Thank you, mister.

Don'’t mention it.
Glad I can help.

You boys ought to be
ashamed of yourselves.

Save the violins.

Come on, guys, let'’s blow.

Man, that wasn'’t worth it.

Hey, pal, what do you say
you give me back my knife?

Let'’s talk about it.

Come on, it'’s special to me.

Ain'’t nothing special
about those things.

Any fool could find trouble
with them.

Come on, I need it.

My father gave it to me.

Do it mean enough to you to
show up at this place tomorrow
afternoon at four o'’clock?

Francis Wilard Junior High?

I'’m dead meat on this turf.

If anybody hassles you,
you show them that card.
Four o'’clock.

I can be their earlier.

No skipping school.

Not if you wanna
see your knife again.

Four o'’clock.Maybe.

What'’s your name?

They call me The Dude.

Come on, you can do
better than that.

Billy Greene.

Okay, Billy Greene.

I'’ll see you tomorrow.
Four o'’clock.

Hey, what'’s your name?

They call me Bruise.

[DISCO MUSIC PLAYING]

Hi, Bruise. How did the kids
do in the game?

We won.Oh, good, good.

Now you get to work
before I report you
to the management.

Okay, I'’m going, I'm going.

Oh, too late.
The management
has arrived already.

Good evening,
Mr. Richard, sir.Hi, Mom.

Are you gonna supervise
your restaurant, or are you
just passing through?

I'’m supervising, Mom,
I'’m supervising.

Bruise, go look like
a bouncer.

Hey, uh, how'’d you
do in the game?We won.

Hey, great! So the kids
are in the finals, huh?

Next week.

Man, some day I'’m going to
learn not to bet against you.

What do you think
you'’re doing?

Don'’t start again, okay?

Get decent and get home.

And do what?

Wait while you'’re out
beer-drinking with
your bowling buddies?

Hey, you guys,
keep it down.

He'’s just jealous 'cause
I'’m a big attraction.

Man, I hate
her working here.

Yeah, I know.

Hey, what a night.
Guess who'’s here?

Donna Summer?

Oh, no. Much better.

Tanker Weams.

Tanker Weams look better
to you than Donna Summer?

Come on, we are talking
about the three-time
defending champion

of the Toughest Man
in the World competition.

So? What'’s he doing here?

He'’s in town to promote
this year'’s contest.

Uh, feel free to
go to work, huh?

[DISCO MUSIC PLAYING]

Steve, give me the usual.

Straight up,
or on the rocks?

Don'’t be cute.

Hitting the bar a lil'’
kind of hard, aren'’t you?

I hate it.
My ulcer loves it.

Ulcers? Man, what you
got to worry about?

My ulcer.
Also the price of
doing business.

This place has got something
though, you know?

[BOTH LAUGH]

MAN: Come on!

I can'’t even
see the girls, man.

I paid good money for this.
Of course I wanna
see some dancers.

Oh, it'’s too early
for this.

Look, I hate to
tell you this,

but the guy with
the big mouth has also
got muscles to match.

That'’s Tanker Weams.

I don'’t care who he is,
he still don'’t have to
act like a fool.

Just be careful.

TANKER: I didn'’t come here
to listen to music, I wanna
see some dancing!

Let'’s have the girls. Come on!

Excuse me, sir, won'’t you
mind holding down to
World War III, please?

Listen, little man,
you get that dancer
back here,

or you'’re gonna wish
World War III was
your only problem.

I'’m sorry, he's gonna
have to leave.

Let'’s get out--Sit down!

You think you'’re muscly enough
to throw me out?

Well, champ, it would
be more dignified if you were
to walk out on your own.

"Dignified"? You know,
where I come from, dignified
don'’t sell many tickets.

Are you ready to get down?
Huh? Come on.

You ready to get down?
Come on.

Easy, champ,
you had too much to drink.

He is right, Tanker.

Besides, we don'’t need
a lot of bad publicity.

There are a lot
of people here.
Let'’s go. Come on.

TANKER: Well, looks like
you got on a long list to place.

Dicky, what'’s going on?

It'’s okay, Ma, it's okay.
Bruise and I took care of it.

You got a car?Yeah, it'’s over there.

Hey, champ,
why don'’t you go home
with your manager, okay?

That'’s a good idea.
Come on. Let'’s go.

BRUISE: Good, all right.Okay, Bruise?

Oh, yeah--Look out!

[GRUNTS]

Oh, you'’ve made me mad now!

Knock it off, knock it off.[GRUNTING]

[INDISTINCT YELLING]

You need any help?

Hi, Ernie.

You want me to book this guy?Oh, hey. Wait.

Listen, please,
don'’t let him book him.

It'’ll really pile things
up for us.

How long you in town?

Well, we'’re here for
the Toughest Man contest.

What, several weeks.

I'’ll tell you what.
I run a center for kids.

They'’ll be really impressed if
the toughest man in the world
comes by someday.

Sober.

You got a deal. We'’ll do
a weight demonstration.
Anything you want.

All right,
I'’m holding you to that.Okay. Come on!

Come on.

Thanks, Ernie.
Everything is cool.

I can tell by
looking at your boss.

Hey, Dick, you all right?

Yeah, yeah,
I'’m okay, I'm okay.

Just tell my mom I was
ahead on the points, huh?

Yeah. Points.

BRUISE: All right,
all right, defense,
defense, get this man.

Get this man. Hands up.

Come on, come on,
come on, get in there!

Aw, come on, what kind
of stuff is that?
Aw, come on.

Aw, come on,
move your arm, man.

[BOYS YELLING]

All right, set it up,
set it up. Set it up,
all right.

Pass it, pass it.
Keep it moving, keep moving!

Make a second feint.
Beautiful one. Drive, drive!

[CHEERING]

All right. All right.

Now that'’s what I call
getting down with
our own bad selves.

[CHEERING]You guys are beginning
to look good.

Now you see the difference
when you wait for the shot?ALL: Yeah!

Outside, we'’re not so strong,
but inside, we'’re deadly.[CHEERING]

Don'’t forget
your appointment.

You'’re right. I gotta
meet the landlady.
Look here,

you practice for
about 10 minutes
and I'’ll be right back.

ALL: Okay. Let'’s go.

BOY: All right,
start the ball.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Hey, you found us.

So, you run this joint?

I wouldn'’t put it like that.

But they do let us
use the facilities.

Maybe you wanna stick around,
play a little basketball?

Nah, I didn'’t come here
to bounce no ball.

My knife, remember?

Oh, yeah. Knife.

Figured me for a no-show,
didn'’t you?

No, I never
sell a kid short.

I expect the best, '’cause
any of them can do it.

Great. Now that we'’re
done with the chit-chat,
where'’s my sticker?

Somewhere.

Somewhere? No, no,
don'’t give me "somewhere."

I come all the way to
this cesspool and you give me
"somewhere"? Where is it?

Why? Who do you
need to stick?

I ain'’t going naked, man.

Too many guys who'’d like
to chop my butt.

Big man in the streets, huh?I carry some weight.

They want to see if there'’s
a guy I'’d like to use on
a basketball court

till I get back.
Just a few minutes.

When do I get my knife?Sometime.

"Somewhere, sometime."
Yo, fathead,
what are you try--

Just a minute.
Let me lay down the rules
of this establishment.

I deal with every kid
with an even hand,

and nobody ever
give me no back-talk.

Now go play.

All right.

All right.

For a little while.

[PLAYFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

Well...

look who we'’ve got here.

Bet he'’s spying on us for
the Colonel'’s game next week.

BOY 1: So what is it?

Just killing time.

BOY 2: Yeah, we got
an important game
coming up.

Maybe you ought to
kill time
somewhere else.

ALL: Yeah.

Maybe I like it here.

What'’s to like?

I like your leader'’s haircut.
I'’m thinking of getting me one.

ALL: Bruise?

How do you know Bruise?

He'’s my cousin.

Very nice outside shot.

Oh, Mr. Brubaker, you'’re late.Yes, ma'’am, but I was--

Please, come right in.

Excuse me. This will just
take a moment.

Won'’t you have a seat?

Thank you, ma'’am.

Now you have been
supervising the youth center

since Mr. Denker
resigned, correct?

Yes, ma'’am. I've been
the coach and water boy, too.

Are you aware that
the youth center
was supposed to

be closed
when Mr Denker left?

But Miss Easton, the number
of kids have more than tripled
since I took over.

I don'’t take no salary.
Don'’t even want to.

Yes, well, I'’m afraid that's
beside the point, Mr. Brubaker.

You see, the city feels that
without a certified and trained
supervisor, a program like--

You don'’t need
no certificate to tell
when a kid'’s in trouble.

Well, that may be,
but this is a school facility.

Can'’t no kid stay
in my center unless
he'’s doing well in school.

Mr. Brubaker, I feel that
your efforts and your policies
are commendable.

But I'’m afraid the city
has a very closed mind
about these things.

Ain'’t nobody closing down
my center for my kids.

They already did.

What do you mean?

I mean that the funding
has been cut off.

And unless you can
come up with a great deal
of money very quickly,

I'’m afraid you're
out of business.

I'’m sorry, but you'll
have to excuse me.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Bruise, you know, that new guy,
he'’s a real wise-ass.

He sure can shoot.
I mean, we'’re talking
downtown playground.

All right, I played.
Now fork it over.

So why don'’t you
play for us in the finals?

Then we'’ll talk
about your knife.

What are you
trying to pull?

I'’m trying to pull you off
the streets, lil brother.

Maybe you can do us some good,
maybe we can do you some good.

Great.

You want your knife back?
Think about it.

Bruise, the guy with
the team shirts came by.

He said if we buy 24,
they'’re $9.50 each, plus tax.

Well, how much is that?Beats me.

$241.68.

How'’d you work that out?

It'’s easy. It's the same as
a $24 bet payed in
nine and a half to one.

Instead of subtracting
six percent minus commission,
you add it up.

Not only is he Freddie Brown,
he'’s Nick the Greek, too.

Don'’t matter how you figured,
we still don'’t have the money.

Why not?

Miss Easton told me that
the city is trying to
close us down.

Well, what are
we gonna do?

First thing in the morning,
I'’m going down to City Hall
and try to get some answers.

MAN: The complaint is
about tax expenditure.

You should take it up
with your district councilman.

It took me three days
just to get in to see you.

[PHONE RINGING]

I told you, Mr. Brubaker,
we don'’t deal with
budgeting matters here.

You'’re gonna have
to take it up with
the school board.

But yesterday you said--That was yesterday.

Uh, wait a second.

The school board
didn'’t help you, huh?

Why don'’t you try
the Department of
Parks and Recreation?

Mister, I'’ve been here
four times,

and you sent me to
four different places.

Every one of them
sent me right back here.

I'’ve got to see
the Deputy Mayor.

You'’re gonna
have to wait.

I'’m prepared.

Oh, hi, Peggy.
Go right on in.

Yes, sir, I will.
Have a nice weekend.

Mr. Brubaker, I'’m sorry,
the Deputy Mayor won'’t
be able to see you.

But he suggests that
you try the Department
of Social Services.

Mr. Aide, I'’ve been social.

Now I'’m gonna get some service.

[STAMMERING] Mr. Brubaker,
you can'’t do that.

DEPUTY MAYOR: What'’s the
meaning of this? You can'’t just
barge in here like this.

Mr. Brubaker,
you'’re in trouble now.

[SIRENS WAILING]

Oh, no.

What are you
doing here, ma'’am?

Well, when the Deputy Mayor
called up my school

to tell me that
one of my employees,

who is, in point of fact,
not one of my employees,

is tearing up city property,

I feel that I had to
at least come down
and see what'’s going on.

If you will sign here,
we can get out of this place.

Um--And don'’t thank me.

Right there, sir,
and also, you have to
sign out for your things.

Yes.

Don'’t you wanna
check that first?

That'’s okay.

It says here he has keys.
Where are his keys?

Yeah, keys.

I can assure you,
Mr. Brubaker,

that this kind of
irrational behavior

is not going to
accomplish a thing
at city hall.

Yes, ma'’am. But--These are bureaucrats.

They'’re used to professional
form filers and grant getters.

They respond to the kind of
people who make up their
grocery lists in triplicates,

the kind of people who are
experts in detailed budgets
and proposals.

Yes, ma'’am, I just--

I bet you don'’t even know
how much you'’re asking for.

Do you have any idea

how much it costs to run
your operation for a year?

Do you have
even the slightest clue?

No, ma'’am.

Here are your keys.

Thank you.

[COUGHS]

What'’s going on?
Somebody die?

Just our shot at
the title is all.

While you were down
playing cops and robbers
in the slammer,

something didn'’t kind of
slip your mind?

Like the finals game today?

Today? So what happened?

Nothing. We didn'’t have
no adult supervisor
to sign us in.

So they gave us the bum'’s rush.

Forfeited seat.

We just hung around
to say thanks a lot.

Hey, hey, man, I'’m sorry.
I'’ll make it up to you.

Thanks in advance.

Come on, guys,
let'’s get out of here.

Damn!

Well, coach, kinda
let the team down.

Yeah.

So what you gonna
do about it?

I'’m always preaching to
you guys about the importance
of learning from your mistakes.

I'’ve been sitting here
a while, trying to figure out
how to learn from this one.

So what did they
tell you downtown?

Downtown.

You know what
they got downtown?
Bureaucrats.

And bureaucrats want you to
fill out budgets, and forms,
and proposals.

That'’s all what Denker
was good at.

Denker, where'’s he at?He split.

Said he didn'’t like
the atmosphere in
this part of town.

Boy, could he
make out a budget.

Is that what you'’re doing,
a budget?

This ain'’t no budget,
this is a mess.

But you are Nick the Greek.

You can take the mess
and turn it into a budget.

Oh, I don'’t know about that.

Look, Billy, they got
an adding machine
down at my job.

So why don'’t you
come to my job,

and help me
get this mess organized?

Uh, I don'’t--
I don'’t know, Bruise.

You, know, it'’s getting
kinda late. I got
other obligations.

Look, this won'’t take long,
and I'’ll even buy you dinner.

Oh, but, Bruise--Don'’t "but" me.

If they want grocery lists
in triplicate, then
that'’s what they'll get.

Whatever they want,
we'’ll give it.

If they want detailed budgets,
we'’ll give them that, too.

Whatever they want,
that'’s what they're
gonna get.

And we'’re gonna
get some money
to save the center.

BILLY:
You ain'’t turning into
a bureaucrat, are you?

BRUISE:
With your help, I am.

How fast he is!

This child is going to be
either a very successful
accountant,

or a very successful crook.

Better be an accountant.

These your initials?Yeah.

Yeah, you authorized
payment on the same thing
three times.

This is the receipt.
You kept on paying it.

That'’s what you're here for.

[YELLING]

[EXCLAIMS]

Bruise, don'’t go.
Let me call the cops.

Benny'’s out there with
three guys and they'’re
looking for trouble.

The way I feel right now,
they'’ve come to the right place.

[PEOPLE YELLING]

Sally, I'’m telling you
for the last time.

Tell this!

You'’re going with me.
Come on.

[SALLY GRUNTING]

Hey, Benny,
you take it outside
or bring it to me.

[SALLY SHRIEKS]

Right here.

[GRUNTING]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

[GRUNTING]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

Heads up, Bruise.

[PEOPLE CHEER AND APPLAUD]

Man, you evened out
the odds.

Yeah, not bad for
a bureaucrat, huh?

[LAUGHS] Yeah, right.

Did you finish what
you were doing in the back?

Uh, no, not yet.

Well, let'’s go, lil' brother,
there ain'’t no breaks
around here.

[PEOPLE APPLAUDING]

Okay, here it is.

Read it and weep.

What'’s the bad news?

25 Gs, no matter
how you slice it.

You'’re gonna have to get
$25,000 to keep that joint
going for a year.

How'’re you gonna raise
that kind of money?

Well, if you had 100
Jewish mamas instead of
100 street kids,

you'’d have a fund-raiser.

What kind of fund-raiser?

Oh, you know, a carnival,
a benefit,
some kind of a fiesta

that you charge
people to attend,
and then sell things.

Oh, that sounds cool.

Sounds like exactly
what we need.

But right now
it'’s getting late.

You better get home
before your mother starts
to worry about you.

What about my dinner?

Dinner'’s right here.
Eat it on the run.

I wanna talk to
some of the dancers--

Don'’t you worry about
them dancing girls.

You just get to the center
tomorrow, we got
a benefit to plan.

All right.

All right, I'’ll see you
tomorrow, then.
I'’ll be going.

Sell tickets?

People pay to stay out of this
part of town. They don'’t
pay to come to it.

[ALL MURMUR IN AGREEMENT]

Sounds like it will work out
about as good as
the basketball championship.

Hold it right there, Jason,

I made a mistake, and we got
aced out of the finals.

But right now we got
a bigger fish to fry.

Yeah, we probably
would have lost anyway.

I don'’t know about that,

but I do know ain'’t nobody ever
accomplished anything by being
caught up in self pity.

That'’s not what I'm about,
and that'’s not what
I want you to be about.

Now what do you say,
are we gonna get down
with our own bad selves?

ALL: Yeah!

All right.

I can dig that,
but I still don'’t see how
we can sell tickets.

Maybe I can get
a celebrity to come by.
They always draw.

Yeah, Bruise.

Just exactly which one of
your celebrity buddies
did you have in mind?

How about old Tanker Weams?

[ALL LAUGH]

You'’re going to get
the toughest man in the world
to come down here?

Hey, we'’re like this.

Right.

And besides,
he owes me a favor.

How many tickets we gotta sell
for this shindig anyway?

As many as we can.

I was hoping that
Nick the Greek'’d come by
and help us with that.

How come he'’s not here?

I don'’t know.
He said he was coming.

Mr. Brubaker.

Yes, ma'’am.

[BOYS HOOTING]

[SNICKERING]

I didn'’t realize that
you would come up with
such an ingenious solution

to your problem so quickly.

What do you think?
A carnival'’s a pretty
neat idea, huh?

Well, it would'’ve been nice
if someone had asked me.

After all,
it is my gymnasium.

That'’s right.
If you don'’t want us to--

You can use the gym.

However, you are aware,
of course, that you have
to have a license?

License? Just to
hold a benefit?

Absolutely.

You have to register
as a charity, otherwise
it'’s illegal.

Oh, boy, I'’m not too good
with those City Hall deals.

Yes, I recall.

I suppose that I could
help with that part.

I appreciate any help
I can get.

Well, very well.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Oh, Miss Easton.
No, no, ma'’am,
I'’ve been up for some time.

Oh, that'’s great.

So now we'’re a legal charity.

Thank you.

I was wondering, did you
get to make that call
on Billy Greene?

Yeah, we haven'’t
seen him all week.

Okay, I'’ll check it out.

Thank you.

No, no, no. I'’m what
you call an early riser.

[ALARM CLOCK RINGING]

[MUFFLED RINGING]

Yeah.

Thanks a lot. All right.

[DOGS BARKING]

[BABY CRYING]

WOMAN: I told you
not to bother me.

Oh, who are you?

Call me Bruise, Mrs. Greene.
I came to see Billy.

What'’s he
been up to this time?

Nothing, I--MAN: Who is it?
Who'’s there?

Nothing, honey.
Be just a minute.

Listen, I'’m busy. Okay?

Where is Billy?

Who knows, and who cares?

Did he sleep here
last night?

Nobody slept.[MAN YELLING]

Yeah, I guess
I ought to get going.

No, please,
there'’s no need, honey.

Is there?

No, guess not.

MAN: I ain'’t paying for
trouble like that...

MRS. GREENE: It'’s all right,
it'’s all right.
Everything'’s fine.

Yo, Bruise. What are you
doing here, man?

Billy, I'’m looking for you.

You sleep here?

Yeah, sometimes.

Hey, no need for that.
I got plenty of room
at my place.

I ain'’t no charity case.

Who'’s talking charity?
I need help
with this carnival.

It'’d be pretty handy to
have Nick the Greek
with me all the time.

Okay.

I travel light.

[CHUCKLES]

Sorry I haven'’t been around
lately, but I'’ve had some
business to take care of.

But I have been thinking
about the carnival a lot.

Good. Boy, did we miss
your knack for numbers.

Okay, look, I figured
we'’re gonna sell about
3,000 tickets, right?

Why not raise the rate
to $5 a ticket,

turn it into a couple
of draw prizes,

like a thousand bucks
first prize, couple of
smaller prizes.

You know, in a place like this,
hope sells real great.

Everybody'’s looking
for a way out.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Well, lookie here.
If it ain'’t The Dude.

You'’re a day late on
your collections, Dude.

It ain'’t like you.

Now Matty don'’t want
his best runner getting
into bad habits.

I got it right here.
I just didn'’t get around.

Hey.

You'’re leaning on my car.

Oh, really?

You'’re causing
static on my set.
I can'’t get the scores.

Mmm.

Maybe your antenna
needs adjusting.

Hey. Hey--See how that works.

Hey!

[YELLING AND GRUNTING]

The name is Bruise.

And this kid don'’t need
no more of your chump change.

He just retired
from the numbers game.

You listen to me, slick dog,
you'’re messing with something
that'’s way out of your league.

And you, kid,
you'’re making a big mistake.

I'’m the only friend you got
in this neighborhood.

Who is that guy?

It'’s Matty Toddson.

When you live like I live,
Matty'’s the man you deal with.
Know what I mean?

No, I don'’t.
Why don'’t you tell me?

He'’s a kingpin.

The whole neighborhood'’s
got them, it'’s just that
he'’s bigger than most.

More fingers in more pies.

He'’s always on the lookout
for something extra.

So what about the law?

Come on, man, he'’s smart.
He'’s got a legitimate business
he uses as a front.

A restaurant supply place
or something.

It'’s a good cover
to wheel and deal.

So he knows
all the angles, huh?

BILLY: Oh, you bet.

But you know, Matty is
usually cool. I'’ve never
seen him blow up like that.

You know what you did
to his car back there,

well, he'’s a mean man
with a grudge.

BRUISE: Well, he don'’t
scare me much. In fact,
he don'’t scare me at all.

How'’d you get
mixed up with him?

Did you hear of
a thing called money?

It'’s that simple. Money.

Just like you need money
to run that center.

Well, some people need money
just to simply survive.

You know, to eat
and stay alive in
this crummy world.

Quite a speech.

[BILLY SIGHS]
You asked me, I told you.

[PATS BACK]

[BILLY SIGHS]

BILLY: Hey, this place
is pretty cool.

Yeah, I like it.

Why don'’t you
put your clothes
by the rack?

I gotta change. I got
an appointment.

So...

Your mother have
a lot of company, huh?

No, not as much
as she used to.

She is getting too old
and the competition'’s getting
a little too hot.

You done playing Dick Tracy?

Yeah, I'’m through.
Sorry.

So, you pump a lot of iron?

I try to stay in shape.

Can you lift this one?

No, as a matter of fact,
I can'’t.

It'’s good in life
to have a reminder

that there are some things
you just can'’t do.

"From us to Bruise.
Without you
there would be no '’us'."

I can'’t read all
them signatures.

Hey, easy with that.
It'’s one of a kind.

So, what'’d you do,
save their lives
or something?

Are you
some kind of hero?

Nope, I didn'’t do nothing
they wouldn'’t have done
in the same situation.

So tell me, man,
what'’s with that haircut?

It'’s part of
my African heritage.

It'’s from
the Mandingo tribe.

I wish I got a trim.

You'’re looking awful sharp.
I mean, that must be
some errand you got to run.

Yeah, Miss Easton called.
Said she got a license for us.

Oh, great. You'’re going
to pick it up?

Yeah. She'’s working today.

On Saturday?

And I suppose you just
happened to have them
flowers lying around, too?

Yeah.
Flowers are a nice way
to say "Thank you."

Are you sure you don'’t need
me to come along now?

No, no. I think I can
handle this alone.

Well, don'’t get yourself in
anything you can'’t handle.

Right.

Miss Easton.

Hi, what a nice surprise.

I thought I might come by
and pick up the license.

Well, I'’m glad you did.

This big barn gets
pretty lonely on Saturdays.

I just happen to
have these for you.

Oh, they'’re lovely.

How nice. Thank you.

Would you like
a cup of coffee?
I have some made.

Yes, ma'’am.

Good.

These are gonna be perfect
on my mantel. [LAUGHS]

Here you go.

Nice lookin'’ dude.

That'’s my husband.

He was killed in Vietnam.

It wasn'’t
a nice place to be.

You were in Vietnam?Yes, ma'’am. The marines.

Then you must
have enlisted.

Only to stay out of jail.

This judge gave me the choice
of signing up or doing time.

Doing time? I see.

I'’ve been on my own
since I was ten.

I wasn'’t exactly
your model citizen.

Well, you certainly seem to be
making up for that now.

Just trying to do right.

It'’s a promise I made
to myself when I was
in Vietnam.

Not everybody
keeps those promises.

That'’s why that carnival
is so important.

It'’s part of the promise.

Well, at least
you have your license.

Now all you gotta do is
get people to come.

I'’m afraid it won't be easy.

No, it won'’t.

Come on, what are you talking?
You don'’t need a thousand bucks?

Hey, everybody needs
a thousand bucks.

Don'’t kid yourself.Fine.

All right. Now you'’re
exercising your right
to good judgment.

25 tickets.
Have a nice day.

Ah, ladies, we'’re talking
a major event.

That'’s right. We're talking fun,
we'’re talking games,
we'’re talking music.

We'’re talking muscle,
you know, Tanker Weams,

the toughest man
in the world?

Big muscles!

Yeah, now we'’re talking money.

Steve, why don'’t you
just pretend it'’s an offer
you can'’t refuse?

[SIGHS] All right, Bruise.

What about the date?

Don'’t you wanna
bring a date?

Sure. Why not.

All right.

What about another couple?
Don'’t you have some friends?

Another couple? Yeah,
that'’s a good idea.

I'’ll bring another couple.

Uh, Steve,
what about your mother?

No, Bruise. Not my mother.

I definitely do not
want to bring my mother.

You'’re all right, Steve.
I like you.

I talked to the guy
at Ready-Meats, he'’s gonna
deliver the hot-dogs

directly to the gym
tomorrow afternoon.

Good, good.
We still got a lot to do.

What'’s the count?

Esther Richards, 91 tickets.

Uh, Andy Castillone,
29 tickets,

Slick Bartholomew 36,

Eddy Morgan, 42,

Billy Greene, 365--Wait a minute!

How'’d you sell
so many tickets?

Charm.

All, right, let'’s hear it for
charming Billy Greene, huh?

[LAUGHTER]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

It'’s pretty good,
don'’t you think?

I feel like I'’m
being used.

Tanker, I told Bruise--Hey, man, he'’s building
a carnival around me.

And I don'’t like it.I made a deal!

Charlie, are you my manager?Of course.

How many other clients
you got?

None.Then don'’t forget it.

Tanker, we'’ve gotta--We'’ve gotta nothing.

Brubaker, you got
30 minutes tomorrow.
Understand?

One half hour,
and I'’m outta here.

Better than nothing.

BILLY: All right, guys,
take it back up.

What a jerk.

Yeah, some people don'’t handle
that celebrity thing too well.

Man, you ought to enter
that contest, take him down
a notch or two.

Hey, man,
that'’s a tough dude.

You'’re crazy.

I'’m not crazy.

I saw what you did to them
poor guys at the club.

Ain'’t no way Tanker Weams
is tougher than that.

It'’s true he may not be
my favorite person
in the world,

but that still don'’t give me
a reason to fight him.

How about
a hundred thousand dollars?A hundred what?

Top prize in
the tough man contest.
Think about it.

Hey, Bruise,
somebody wants to
see you in your office.

It'’s the man.

Well, better not keep
the man waiting.

What do you mean,
give all the money back?

It'’s obtained under
false pretenses.
It'’s got to be returned.

After this, if there are
no complaints, we just
might not prosecute you.

I got a license
from the city.

Yeah, but it'’s not
a license to swindle.

I don'’t know what you're
talking about, sergeant,

and that'’s the truth.

In fact, I don'’t think
I wanna know.

Brubaker, right now,
there are at least
20 people who know.

Who know that they'’re gonna
win that thousand-dollar draw.

What do you mean they know
they'’re gonna win?

Your gang told them
the draw was rigged.

It'’s not a gang.

All right. One of
your little angels, then.

Told them if they bought
25 tickets, that their number
was guaranteed to come up.

His name was Billy Greene.

Billy?

That'’s the name.

Got yourself a real
loser there, Mr. Brubaker.

Right now, you better get busy
and make sure that everybody
gets their money back.

And I'’ll take that.
It'’s been revoked.

Billy Greene!

Boy, you'’re a liar.

You swindled those people
with tickets and now you'’re
trying to swindle us.

I...I just--

You just killed any hope we had
at keeping this center alive.

I thought--You didn'’t think about
nothing but yourself.

We trusted you, boy.
Everyone in this center
trusted you.

Then you bring
the cops in thinking
we'’re part of your scam.

Now get out of here!

Get out of my center.

Get out of my apartment.

And get out of my life!

[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]

Your center.

I'’m gone.

[EASTON] Why don'’t I
just warm this up?

BRUISE: Yeah... what?

Oh...

[EXHALES]

Oh...

What is it?

Just a picture.

You know...

somewhere out there,
there is a way for you to
keep the center going.

Billy seemed to think that
you might have a chance
at the tough man contest.

I don'’t know about that.

Well, he'’s been bragging
about what you did to
those four men at the club,

and I saw what you did to
that door at the mayor'’s office.

I ain'’t too proud
about that, ma'’am.

Well, no,
and you shouldn'’t be.

But it does show a rather
strong propensity
for self-actualization.

What'’s that?

[LAUGHS] That'’s what
my mom used to call
bullish determination.

You know...

I really don'’t have
much of an appetite.

Maybe I better leave.

Just don'’t
sell yourself short.

$100,000 would
go a long way.

See you, okay?

[MOTIVATIONAL MUSIC PLAYING]

[GRUNTING]

[DICK] Thousand dollars?Call it advertising.

The prize is a hundred grand.

That'’s enough money to
keep my center open
for four years.

You are my friend,

and you are the toughest man
that I know.

But in the world,
I don'’t know.

Hey, Dick,
I gotta give it a try.

And I need
your help, buddy.

You want my help?

Come on, I'’m gonna
show you something.

[DICK] You know,
if you make it through
the preliminary competition,

you'’re still gonna have to
face Tanker Weams.

And those aren'’t fists at
the end of his arms,
those are wrecking balls.

That man knows
his way around the ring.

If you still feel you can do it
after this little demonstration,
I'’ll back you.

Now a good pro
has got a dozen ways
to embarrass you.

His feet, his gloves,
his experience...

How do you know
about all that stuff?

I'’ve been coming to places
like this every Saturday morning
since I was nine-years-old.

I'’m what's known as
the boxing aficionado.

What'’s that?

It'’s a guy who likes to watch
other guys hit each other.

Man, I can'’t fight
that little guy.

Don'’t you worry about him.
He can take care of himself.

You just worry about you.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[GRUNTS]

[DICK] Come on, now.
Put the pressure
on him, Bruise.

Stay on your feet now.
Come on, come on, come on,
good balance there.

Let'’s go, Bruise.
Come on.

[GRUNTS]

Come on, Bruise.

You should hit him
for a change. Let'’s go.

Come on, come on,
don'’t back up.

That'’s it.

Get him now, Bruise.

Get him.

Look at that guy.

Whoa![WHISTLE BLOWS]

Bruise, Bruise, Bruise,
stop, stop. It'’s over.
The round is over.

See what I mean?
Even that little guy can
blacken your eyes at will.

I was born with black eyes.

Don'’t get technical on me.
You had enough?Of what?

Of this, your lesson.
I wanted to show you
that boxing is a science.

Man, Tanker ain'’t no science
compared to that flea flicker.

He'’s bigger, slower,
and more stationary.

Fighting him is gonna
be rough and tumble.
Watch what I mean.

See what I mean?

MAN: Sex?BRUISE: Man.

MAN: Height?BRUISE: 5'’11".

MAN: Weight?BRUISE: 213.

What are you doing?
Taking a physical?

Uh, no, Mom. We are
entering Bruise in the Toughest
Man in the World competition.

Oh, terrific!
Why didn'’t I think of that?

Look at those muscles.

And that invincible personal--
What do you mean
"we" are entering him?

We'’re sponsoring him.

How much?

Thou.A thousand dollars?

Tell me you'’re kidding.

A thousand dollars?

Sonny, what were
you thinking about?

Ma, I took him
to the gym today,
and he'’s not bad.

"Not bad" is not good enough.

Oh.

All right, buster,

if we'’re putting up our
hard-earned money,

you'’re going to go to work,
and I mean now!

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

BOY: Come on, Bruise.

Come on.

That'’s it. Come on!

[CHEERING ON]

No, no, no. He gotta
do it by himself.
He gotta do it by himself.

It'’s okay. It's okay.
One more time.
We'’ll get it. We'll get it.

One more time.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

Cover up. You don'’t
wanna be hit.

Then you'’re gonna get him.
You'’re gonna hurt him
really bad.

Here he comes.
Here he comes.

Hah! There he is.

Hah! There he is.

All right, second line,
take over.

Come on, guys.

Let'’s go! Get up!

Hang on.

Remember, no gain
without pain.

Fifty-eight, fifty-nine,
sixty,

sixty-one, sixty-two,
sixty-three...

Three, four, five, six
seven, eight...

[GRUNTING]

[BOYS CHEERING]

[BOYS CHEERING]

Everyone decent?

I need the mirror.

Now look, watch me.

[GROWLING]

Now your turn.

[GROWLS]

Bruise,
the prelims are tomorrow.
You gotta think tough.

You gotta defeat their minds
before you can
defeat their bodies.

You gotta go in there
thinking like a tiger!

Or you'’re gonna get killed.

Meow!

[GIRLS CHUCKLE]

[ALL GROWLING]

[GROWLING]

More!

That'’s it. That's great!
We got that.

Now, we gotta do something
on the visual image.

Let'’s see.

Welcome back, folks.
Once again, this is
Larry Burrows.

reporting on the final phase of
today'’s grueling Toughest Man
in the World Elimination.

As you can see, it'’s been
a rough afternoon for
many of the contestants.

But the stakes are high in
this $100,000 tournament.

To see who earns the dubious
distinction of the chance
to go one-on-one

with our defending
three-time champion,
Tanker Weams.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]Dubious distinction takes on
a whole new meaning

when you'’re in the spotlight
in the ring with this

former marine drill sergeant,

lumberjack, and
pro football player in Canada,

until a minor altercation with
the law forced his retirement.

Tanker, tell me,

Is it true that it took half
the police force of Moose Jaw
to arrest you that time?

No, it'’s not true!

It took the whole force.

And 27 of those pipsqueaks
are still in the hospital.

There you have it, folks.

Right from the champ himself.

But think about it.

Would you wanna climb into
the fight ring with Mr. Weams

for a measly $100,000?

Not me.

But now let'’s talk to
the men who will.

We started out here this morning
with over 200 contestants
from around the world.

Now the field is less than 20,

and after the power-lifting,
even fewer will remain.

Power-lifting is one of
our key events--

How'’s he doing?Shh, shh.

So far so good.

Weight selection is made--

WOMAN: Ah, there he is!
Look at him.

He looks gorgeous.
I got that costume made.

[HOST] Bruise Brubaker,

ex-street fighter,
former enlisted man,

and presently,
Sports Director for one of
the local youth centers.

Hey, you guys,
look at this clown.

Brubaker is rated high
as a major contender.

Isn'’t that your friend?

He ain'’t my friend.

MAN: That'’s the turd
who wrecked up your car, Matty.

MATTY: Yeah,
and you along with it.

Making a real jerk of himself
in that Halloween getup.

I don'’t know.

What do you think, kid?

About what?

He got a chance
in this competition?

I saw him down at
the South Chicago gym.

Some welterweight really
made a fool out of him.

A welterweight, huh?

[LAUGHTER]

And here we go,
the strongest men
in the world.

[CROWD CHEERING]

[GROWLING]

[GROANING]

[ALL LAUGHING]

[GRUNTING]

There'’s Bruise!
There he is!
There he is!

Come on, Bruise!
You can do it.

Come on, Bruise!

[GRUNTING]

[CHEERING]

We'’re proud of you!

There you have it.
That'’s it folks.
Eight have qualified

to return here next Saturday
for the final event.

I don'’t know.

This Bruise character
looks pretty good to me.

What do people think of him?

He'’s pretty popular
on the South Side.

That right, Fox?

Oh, yeah.

Shoeshine boys, grocery clerks,
cleaning ladies.

You'’re gonna lay out
$250,000, $300,000 easy.

So, uh, what'’re you
thinking, Matty?

I'’m thinking maybe we should
get together with Tanker
and his manager and uh...

talk a little business.

[LAUGHTER]

[CHEERING AND YELLING]

We gotta save something
for Tanker. We gotta
save some for Tanker.

All right!Hey, Bruise, Bruise!

If you need a manager,
I'’m available.

I'’ll remember that, Bobby.

Hey! This was
Nick the Greek'’s idea.

Too bad he'’s not
still around to enjoy it.

Yeah. That'’s the only
thing that'’s missing.

I'’m telling you, kid,
it'’s easier to catch flies with
honey than it is with vinegar.

All right.[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Let him in.

Charlie, come on in.

Tanker.

Huh?

So,

how are things?

It'’s great.Yeah.

So great, in fact, I don'’t
know why we'’re here.

You'’re here because
they could be great.

Well, let me ask. Um...

What does this title thing
do for you?

100 Gs.Plus endorsements.

And Auto shows.

And all like that.
We'’re doing okay.Yeah...

if you got a taste
for chicken feet.

How would you like to be
in on a half million action

we think we can move
on you against Bruise?

Being he wins
the prelims.

If they'’re doing odds

ain'’t worth the trouble.I'’m talking even odds.
Maybe better.

Who'’s the chump?The whole South Side.

I got an idea that'’ll sucker
every loose buck in town.

How does it work?

Huh?

You tell me you'’re interested,
I'’ll tell you how it works.

We'’re interested.

All right then.

Now what I'’m proposing is this.

What would happen if
Tanker here looked like

he wasn'’t going into
this title match
in a number one shape?

A little showbiz twist I got
buzzing around in my head.

This Bruise character is
already doing half our work
for us with his monster act.

What are you talking about?

Ever hear of a little thing
called whiplash?

You'’re gonna have an accident.

And this good Samaritan
citizen I happened to know

gets you this doc
I happen to know.

Press grabs it,
makes a big deal
about Tanker'’s condition.

And everybody lays every
money on Bruise, because
he'’s in better shape.

In the meantime, we got
ourselves the real winner,

in our pocket,

healthy and happy.

Simple.

Hey, Mom. If I give you
this money, you'’re gonna
spend it on food or...

or you want me to go buy it
and bring it for you?

Where are you coming up
with so much loot these
days, Mr. Big Shot?

[EXHALES]

I'’m putting it in
your purse, Mom.

Just don'’t go spending it
on booze or anything. Okay?

What'’re you doing
snooping around here?

The door was open.
Can I talk to you?

You said it all
at the center, man.

I mean, no way
I deserved that.

I'’m sorry, Billy,
I just lost my cool.

Yeah. I know you lost
your cool, in front
all of them guys, too.

Still, I only did it for you
and them. I wanted
you guys to like me.

I realize that now, Billy.
You were just trying too hard.

I had my hopes too high.
So we both blew it.

Don'’t touch me.

Don'’t come near me,
you muscle-bound fake.

I see right through you.
You'’re always preaching
to them guys,

"Now you gotta go to school
and you gotta learn."

You can'’t read or write
two words, can you?

You can'’t read and you
can'’t write. I saw what
you did to the bills.

It'’s true, Billy.
I can'’t read or write.

That'’s why I refuse
to let you or any kid
from the center

go through life with
the same handicaps that I got.

Well, you'’re just
breaking my heart, man.

I don'’t need you or
your stupid philosophies.

We need you.

This whole tough man thing
was your idea.

I'’d like for you to see it
through with me.

[HORN TOOTING]

I gotta go.

I'’m coming up in
the real world.

You mind?

I got company coming.

[GRUNTING]

Hey, Bruise. How'’s it going?

[EXHALES]

I don'’t know, man.
I think I'’m licked.

Ah, come on.Hey, man, I mean it, Dick.

I'’ve trained real hard,

I'’m faster, I'm stronger,

but this wall got me beat.
I don'’t know why.

Hey, Bruise, look,
come on,
you gotta keep at it.

Hey, man, I'’ve been here
since 6:00 this morning.

Here you come up at 10 o'’clock,
trying to give me some pep talk
and get me to work harder.

I don'’t know about you, buddy.

Just get over there.
You got a wall to climb.

Okay, come on.
Get ready. Get tough.

And... go!

Go!

Go, go, go!
Now, get it, pull!

Pull, Bruise, come on!
Pull!

[GRUNTS]

All right, now pull.
You got it.

Pull!

Okay, that'’s better. Okay.

Okay, pal.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Oh, hi.Hello.

Come in.

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

The boys said that
you went to see Billy.
What happened?

Uh, he didn'’t want
nothing to do with me.

Says he'’s gonna make it
on the streets now.

Seems that'’s my enemy.

I'’m always
fighting the streets.

You sure are.

The only chance you got to
keep the fight going
is to concentrate on tomorrow.

Yeah.

What a long shot.

Bruise, you'’ve been
a long shot all your life.

Um...

My mother gave me this charm
when I went away to college.

Here.

You carry it with you
tomorrow.

For luck.

This is Larry Burrows,
at the Chicago Colosseum.

What an air of excitement
and anticipation

as we await the arrival of our
eight finalists in the Toughest
Man in the World competition.

Right now our contestants
are in the final leg
of the 10K run,

which will end right here
in the stadium.

But the real news today
is the man one of them
will face in the ring

two weeks from today in
a free-for-all boxing match.

Tanker, I don'’t think there's
a person watching

who hasn'’t heard or read
about your auto accident

and the medical updates
on your whiplash.

How do you feel?

Oh, Larry, I'’m standing
on my own two feet.

I guess we can say,
"So far, so good."

What'’s the doctor's prognosis
for your readiness in two weeks?

I don'’t think there's
any spinal injury.

The doctor let me pretty much
decide for myself whether
I'’ll be in that ring.

The rules say that
if you fail to show,
you forfeit the match.

I can tell you one thing,
I'’m not losing this title
by default.

Isn'’t that great, folks?
That'’s what true champions
are made of.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Oh, I'’m so excited! [LAUGHS]

Now, Tanker, let'’s talk about
how this competition works.

As you know, Larry,

it'’s supposed to be a test
of endurance to see if there'’s
a stamina to go against me.

As I understand it,
there will be no recuperative
breaks between events.

The competitors will
go directly from one
exhausting event to the next.

Ladies and gentlemen,
the contestants are
entering the arena.

[CHEERING]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

LARRY: As you know, Tanker,
each of these events is timed
against performance.

The highest number of points
going to the man who
accomplishes the most

in the allotted time.

[BUZZER BUZZES]

[CROWD CHEERING]

[DICK] Okay, Bruise.

You'’re looking good.
You'’re looking good.
How do you feel?

I'’m real tired.
Real tired.

Okay, you need to breathe.
You gotta get the oxygen
for your muscles.

Thanks, Dick.
I don'’t know what
I'’d do without you.

Sorry, I'’m just
getting excited here.
Now long, steady pulls.

Hang in there.
Long, steady pulls.
Come on, let'’s go.

Why do they make them
do everything so fast?

Why don'’t they
let them rest?

It'’s the way it's designed.

They'’re trying to
wear them out.

Oh.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Aw, kid, looks like
your man'’s losing his grip.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Folks, this has to be
one of the toughest fields of
contenders I have ever seen.

Four of the eight contenders
have just tied with
an incredible 111 push-ups each

in two minutes.

Tanker,
it certainly looks to me,

like you'’re gonna have
your work cut out for you.

TANKER: Sure. That'’s true.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Stop, Bruise. Stop!

Stop it. He whistled. Stop!

If that guy'’s brain is
as big as his muscles,
he'’d be a millionaire.

LARRY: Doyle just turned in
129 chin ups,

followed by Casey at 124,
and Brubaker at 121.

Brubaker got a bad break
at the start when he
slipped off the bar.

Yes, he did.

Bruise, defeat their minds.

Remember what Mom told you?
Defeat their minds.

[CROWD CHEERING]

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Come on, Bruise.

LARRY: Of course,
arm wrestling has no timer.

The contest runs until
four men have won
and four men have lost.

It is the final event
before the all-important
obstacle course.

[DICK] Come on, Bruise,
come on.

[CROWD CHEERING]

Come on, Bruise.
Defeat their minds.

[GRUNTING]

[CHEERING]

Thanks, Bobby.
I needed that.

You played wonderful, buddy.

What'’s the count?

It'’s not the best, Bruise,
but it'’s definitely
not the worst.

Just tell me what I got to do.Win.

Right now there'’s two guys
ahead of you by a point.

Second place isn'’t gonna
do you any good.

But if you win
the obstacle course,
you move into first place,

then you'’ll have
your shot at Tanker.

CROWD: Hey, Bruise!

Get down with your bad self!

[CHEERING]

Okay, guys,
let'’s go, let's go.

[MURMURING]

Gonna get him.

He'’s the one.
Come on. Come on.

Come on.

We'’ll get him.

TANKER: All assume positions.

Take your mark...

set...

[PISTOL FIRES]

[CROWD CHEERING]

Whoa!

Put your helmet on.

Put your helmet on--

Who'’ll be the first
out the pit now?

Doyle, Casey, and Brubaker
are all out at the same time.
They'’re out together

and they'’re racing
toward the wall.

Coming toward the wall,
Casey and Doyle...

What happened?

What'’s the matter?
What'’s going on?

Brubaker...
What'’s Brubaker...

I don'’t know.
I don'’t know.

Oh, my God, Brubaker has
run in through the wall,
ladies and gentlemen!

Absolutely incredible.

[CROWD CHEERING]

You did it!

Hey.

This is going down
just the way we wanted.

Let'’s get out of here.
Come on.

Hey, Matty.Hey, it'’s The Dude.

Looks like we struck gold,
one block alone.

That'’s great, but I got
a guy here I think
you should talk to.

Remember I told you about
that little welterweight that
gave Bruise a hard time

at South Chicago gym?

Hmm.This is him. Gus.

He'’s got something
to tell you. Go ahead.

I kinda think old Bruise might
be able to take Tanker.

He'’s putting 20 bucks
on Bruise.

Wait a minute.
The way I heard it,

you danced his pants off,
took out the stitches.

Well, true enough.
The kid should have
stuck around though

'’cause Bruise has got a flow,
a natural sense of boring in.

And he'’s training real hard.

Thought you should know.

Great.

Great. Fine time to find out.

I'’m gonna need
some insurance.

A no-show forfeits
the match, Matty.

If he'’s a no-show,
all the bets are off.
We don'’t make a dime.

Oh, yeah.

[SIGHS] Bruise has got to show.

We just got to make sure
he'’s not in such
a good shape. Right?

Right.

Right.

BRUISE:
Ain'’t nobody closing down
my center for my kids.

LESLIE: They already did.
They already did.
They already did.

Somewhere out there,
there is a way for you to
keep the center going.

BILLY:
How about $100,000.

Top prize in
the tough man contest.
Think about it.

BRUISE:
I can'’t read or write.

That'’s why I refuse
to let you or any kid
from the center

go through life with
the same handicaps that I got.

DICK: Ma, I took him
to the gym today,
and he'’s not bad.

ESTHER: "Not bad" is
not good enough.

LESLIE: Bruise, you'’ve been
a long shot all your life.

DICK:
You'’re still gonna have to
face Tanker Weams.

And those aren'’t fists at
the end of his arms,
those are wrecking balls.

[EXHALES]

Bruise, you are my friend,

and you are the toughest man
that I know.

But in the world,
in the world,
in the world...

MATTY:
Lose the kid'’s name.

You'’re move in inside,
upstairs.

How about
"Big Time Billy Greene"?

BILLY: Sure, why not?

You got any butterflies, kid?What for?

That a boy.

You sure he'’s gonna be there?

Hey, I do my homework.
He'’s gonna leave from the club.

You guys go over
to the club and wait.

Give '’em a couple of minutes
to get over there and then
you make the call.

Yeah, sure. The call.

Everybody, listen up
and listen good,

because I'’m only
gonna say this once.

Whatever happens out there
today, I want everybody
to see and say

that the kids at my center
reflect the good of
the neighborhood. Okay?

[ALL MURMUR IN AGREEMENT]

Hold it, hold it!

I don'’t mean "okay" like
I'’m asking for your
opinion or something.

I mean "okay" like
you better get it through
your thick skulls. All right?

[ALL SHOUT IN AGREEMENT]

All right.
This is for us.

All right. All right.
This is for us.

We can do it!

Oh, kid...

when he gets here,
there'’s gonna be
a small tussle.

We'’ll slip a needle to him.
He won'’t even know it.

Then we apologize
all around.

You go off with him,
and Tanker beats him
to a pulp.

Get Bruise over here, kid,

you got yourself
a real great future.

We'’re gonna win it
for the center.[PHONE RINGING]

We'’re going to win it
for ourselves!

[ALL CHEERING]

[PHONE RINGING]All right, all right.

This is it, for us.

Bruise, telephone.
You better get this.

Come on, hurry up.
Come here. Come on.

It'’s Billy.

Hello?

Hello, Bruise.
Yeah. Yeah, this is Billy.

I am kinda in trouble.

Matty'’s got me locked up.

Oh, wait a minute.
Come on.

This is Matty.

Your kid isn'’t joking.
You want what'’s good for him?
Get over here right away.

Never mind where here is.

If it'’s all taken care of,
I'’ll let him go with you okay?

I just wanna
talk to you first.

Don'’t worry.
We'’ll get you to the fight.

Just go out. My limo'’s
waiting for you.
They know where to take you.

Yeah, sure.
I'’ll put him back on.

Bruise?

Billy, stay cool.
I'’ll be right there.

He'’s coming.

All right.

I don'’t have time
to explain.

You all take the bus
to the stadium.
I'’ll meet you there.

Where are you going?

It'’s Billy. I let him down once,
I can'’t do it again.
I'’ll see you all later.

[ALL MURMURING]

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
there'’s been a--

Hang on, hang on,
there'’s been a little
change in plans.

We'’re gonna wait here,
he'’s gonna go on ahead.

We'’ll take the bus over
to the stadium later.

[ENGINE STARTS]

All right, Billy boy,
let'’s get downstairs, huh?
The party'’s about to go.

I think you should
get the point, huh?

Yeah. There.

Yo, Matty, what'’s with
all the muscle, man.

I thought you were just gonna
zing him with the needle.

Billy boy,

I'’m a man who
believes in insurance.

Depends on how much
steam he lets out of him.

Yeah, a good punch in the belly
don'’t leave no permanent damage.

What kind of permanent damage
is a needle gonna do?

Nothing you gotta
bother your head with.

Hello, Matty.

Why aren'’t you guys
at the Colosseum?

I, uh...

think we ought to talk
a little business.

Wait for a minute.

What kind of business?

Well,

you kept on about insurance,

suddenly we ask ourselves,
"Hey, what about
our insurance?"

We'’d like a down payment
before he gets to the ring.

MATTY: [SARCASTICALLY]
I carry 50 to 100 Gs
in my wallet.

Mm... this looks like
a prosperous business.

Do you have a safe here?

Okay... Okay...

Twenty five big ones will
show you I'’m sincere?

Uh, yeah. I'’d, uh, call that
a nice gesture on your part.

Dick, hurry.

Hey.

Who'’d you call?Nobody.

Really?

Ma, call the police and
tell them to get down to
Matty Toddson'’s office

as quick as possible.

[YELLING]

[LAUGHS]

Grab that kid.
Grab him!

Come on.

Billy, you okay?

Yeah.Tanker, what you doing here?

No, he'’s with them.

They'’re trying to dope you up
before the fight,

and he'’s on it with them.

The kid is leaving with me.

You and the kid are leaving
when and how I say.

Grab him.

[YELLS]

[GRUNTING]

Billy!

Stay out of it.

Come on.

Bruise!

[BRUISE GRUNTING]

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

Get down.
Everybody, down!

Come on.

[INDISTINCT YELLING]

Come on, get them, get them.Let'’s go.

Come on, over there.

Aw, sorry.

Here, come on.

Come on.

Help me!

Take care of the kid.
He knows too much!

Let go of him!

All right, Brubaker.
This is it.

Get him, get him!

[YELLING]

Tanker, no!

Boy, it'’s good to
have you back!

Duck!

[ALL CHEERING]

ALL: Do it, do it, do it,

do it, do it, do it,

do it, do it!

[ALL CHEERING]

How'’re you doing?Fine, how about you?

Never better.

Well, looks to me like
you just won $100,000.

We just won.
Let'’s go collect.

I guess it'’s about time
to give your knife back.I don'’t need it.

I thought you said
your father gave it to you.I lied.

But I'’ll never
do it again.

[SIRENS WAILING]

[INDISTINCT
POLICE RADIO CHATTER]

Bruise, sorry
we missed the action.

That'’s okay, Ernie.
We handled it ourselves.

Look, I got enough
colleagues here,

lemme take care of these bums,

I'’ll give you a ride
down the Colosseum.Okay.

Come on, guys, let'’s not
keep our money waiting.

Yes, because you have
a youth center to run.

Hey, who is that guy?You don'’t know?

That'’s the toughest man
in the world!

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]