BATTLE OF THE YEAR by Chris Parker

Labrousse

SCREEN GEMS CONTRAFILM Stephane 9.8.11 PLEASE NOTE: Dance sequences will be in italics Interstitials from PLANET B-BOY documentary will be in bold. OVER BLACK: Driving bass music. Follow that beat... FADE IN:

1 INT. GERMAN ARENA -- NIGHT 1 * A giant Sony plasma behind stage reads: BRAUN BATTLE OF THE YEAR. We see a crew of JAPANESE B-BOYS, MORTAL KOMBAT, attack the * stage... Super: BATTLE OF THE YEAR TOURNAMENT 2010. BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY PAN across to their KOREAN OPPONENTS, JINJO, unleashing a * Herculean response that bitch-slaps anything we’ve ever seen before. The Koreans are to b-boying what Russians were once to the Olympics, a potent, organized, fearless machine-- the best. PULL BACK TO REVEAL we’re no longer in Germany, but watching the frozen image on a plasma screenLabrousse at...

2 INT. BOARD ROOM - D-ENTERTAINMENT, INC. - LOS ANGELES - DAY 2 * Palatial. Walls of platinum records, movie posters, and urban pop art. Hip Hop’s equivalent to the Oval office. DANTE That right there... that’s a disgrace. The stylish man at the head of the conference table turns from the monitor to face a roomful of his EXECUTIVES. Meet DANTE, legendary hip hop mogul and charismatic captain of industry.Stephane He commands your respect. DANTE (gestures to the screen) We should be on that stage. We should own that stage! Goddamnit, we invented b-boying... TALL HIP HOP EXEC D, I’ve seen our crew, they’re doing great... 2.

CRAZY-HAIRED HIP HOP EXEC We’ve got a good chance to medal-- DANTE You’re not hearing me! To hell with chances, I want results! Everything you see here was borne out of b-boying-- the record labels, production studios, clothing lines, b-boying, b-boying, b-boying-- I built a billion dollar industry out of that flavor. Our crews have been getting punished-- but that’s all gonna change. Tell ‘em... He nods to a BALD EXECUTIVE, who looks up from a blackberry. BALD HIP HOP EXECUTIVE D’s breaking new ground... DANTE (too excited to let him finish) That’s right. We’re gonna do something that’s never been done before. We’re gonna hire a coach. Tighten this up, get back to the roots, the grind, the essence of the culture, you feelingLabrousse me?! BAM! He slams a palm on the table for dramatic effect. The executives take this in. Up until this moment, there’s never been such a thing as a b-boy coach. But the mogul’s raw energy is infectious. HIP HOP EXEC So who’s going to coach the crew, D? Off his cat that swallowed the canary smile. Stephane CUT TO: 3 EXT. HAWTHORNE BLVD - SOUTH CENTRAL - NIGHT 3 * A row of rundown tenements rise above a rusty chain-linked playground. A couple drunks on a stoop argue about nothing. A black Escalade pulls to the curb. Doors open. Out step two beefy bodyguards followed by Dante. Recognizing the legend, the stunned bums react, shouting over each other. 3.

THIN BUM HEADBAND BUM ** Oh, shit, you Dante! Check it, I got sick rhymes! ** CUT TO:

4 INT. SECOND FLOOR APARTMENT - SAME 4 * An outdated television tuned to ESPN. Snowy reception. KNOCK-KNOCK. Someone at the door. But no one answers. Dirty clothes, empty food boxes, unpaid bills, and booze bottles. Amid the mess, however, hundreds of books piled high. The apartment’s conflicted setting is a reflection of the tenant. On the couch, lies JASON BLAKE dressed only in boxers. Hasn’t shaved or showered in far too long. He pours gin into a 7-11 cup. Colorful tattoos run down his steel cable arms. But it’s his eyes that stop us, bloodshot, dull and empty. BZZZ-BZZZ-BZZZ! Blake is either deaf, or doesn’t give a damn. And he’s not deaf. KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK...! Surly and annoyed, Blake inches back his blind to spy the doorbell ringing asshole. To his surprise, Dante’s face is spying directly back at him. Two massive bodyguards in tow. BLAKE ...Dante? Labrousse DANTE (THROUGH THE GLASS) I guess your maid don’t do windows-- BLAKE What the hell you doing here, man? DANTE (THROUGH THE GLASS) You won’t return my calls, bitch! BLAKE Yeah, I been busy lately-- StephaneDANTE (THROUGH THE GLASS) Open the door, man, I’m not talking through this nasty-ass glass like this is a prison visit! ON THE DOOR OPENING - MOMENTS LATER Dante nods to Blake. The two old friends from divergent worlds and tax brackets stare at each other for a moment. Pulling Blake into a quick embrace, Dante regards the place. 4.

DANTE Guess she don’t do floors either. Blake blocks the threshold, not allowing Dante inside. DANTE You look like shit-- BLAKE If you came here to sweat me, D, you and the gorilla twins can turn around, ‘cause- DANTE Relax, I’m here to make a proposition. (off Blake’s baffled look) I might be outta my goddamn mind, but I want to get WB back in the game. Scratching his scraggly beard, Blake huffs a boozy laugh. BLAKE It’s just Blake now. DANTE You gonna let me in or what?

5 ON BLAKE - SHORT WHILE LATER Labrousse 5 * From the couch, Blake watches Dante attempt to insert a disc into his archaic DVD player. The play button keeps sticking. DANTE Does this old thing still work? BLAKE Sometimes. If you bang her right. (confused, irritated) What-what the hell is all this, man? StephaneDANTE You’ll see, just watch-- Dante BANG-BANGS the DVD machine. Got it. A snowy image of Battle of the Year 2010 brightens Blake’s depressing living room. DANTE This is last year, Japan versus Korea. Blake’s gaze narrows on the Korean crew. He’s impressed. 5.

BLAKE Those are some righteous ass Koreans. DANTE World champs. * BLAKE From Korea? DANTE It’s not like when we were b- boying. This shit blew up, WB, it’s global. In fifteen years, not one U.S. crew has even medaled. Nearly two damn decades of American humiliation and degradation-- BLAKE Well, somebody got a dictionary for Christmas. DANTE The Battle of The Year is coming up. (off Blake’s shrug) And I’m sponsoring the U.S. crew-- BLAKE What’s any of this got to do with me? Labrousse DANTE I’m getting to that part. The crew I got, L.A.’s Finest, they could take us back topside, they could... BLAKE (off Dante’s long pause) What? DANTE With you. BLAKE StephaneMe? DANTE I want you to coach my crew. BLAKE What are you talking about? A b-boy coach? That’s crazy... DANTE I’m willing to pay good money to prove it’s not... 6.

Dante lays down a one page contract on Blake’s table. DANTE The Freestyle Sessions are next month. Prepare my crew to battle. BLAKE D, I left that game a long time ago- - DANTE You didn’t leave shit. You just changed the venue. Coaching’s coaching. Whether it’s ballers or b-boys. And you were the best I ever saw. BLAKE Yeah, well, I’m not that guy anymore-- DANTE Come eyeball my crew. You don’t like what you see, fine, you walk, no pressure. BLAKE You don’t want me, D, I can’t even get my own shit straight-- DANTE Labrousse This is your chance. Look, I’m not gonna pretend I know what it’s like to lose your whole world in one night ‘cause I don’t. But whatever that thing is you had inside, WB, that gift, that need to win, that’s still in there somewhere. Guy’s like you, you don’t ever lose that. Above the TV, Dante picks up a framed photo that’s been turned face down. A picture of Blake his wife and son. Dante sets the photo back upright. So Blake can’t escape it... DANTE StephaneThink Lori and Sean would wanna see you like this-- BLAKE (furious) Don’t bring them into this, asshole- - DANTE Somebody has to! Get yourself together, WB, you had trajectory- 7.

BLAKE Well, life had other plans, didn’t it?! DANTE That’s just the shit that frightened people say. BLAKE (opens the door) We’re done here. Been good seeing ya, D- DANTE Know what, man, I was wrong. This was a prison visit. (re: the apartment) And you’ve made this your cell. Dante joins his bodyguards outside. Turns back to Blake. DANTE The only reason you and I took separate roads is ‘cause I started opening doors and you started closing ‘em-- SLAM. Blake shuts the door before Dante can finish. SERIES OF TIME LAPSES OF BLAKELabrousse OVER THE NIGHT Blake moves about the apartment. The ex-coach continues drinking as he walks past the frozen video image on his grainy TV. There’s a strange vibe going on. The video is a proverbial elephant in the room. Somehow, it’s taunting him, but he never attempts to unfreeze it or shut it down. He simply gives it passing glances. Gaze lifting up and down between the battle image and the photo of his wife and son. TIME LAPSE to Blake lying in a stupor on his bed. Can’t sleep. Hears the neighbors arguing through his thin walls. BLAKE (banging the wall) StephaneSHUT THE HELL UP, DAVENPORT! This only makes them SHOUT back at Blake through the walls. Burning with anger, Blake blares the music on his clock- radio. Speakers blasting Power 106. Loud. Raw. Fierce. FADE TO BLACK: 8.

6 INT. BLAKE’S BEDROOM - DAY 6 * FADE IN on morning sunbeams poling through the windows. Blake sleeps on his bed, the music still blaring. Bleary-eyed, he rouses slowly. Looks to the pile of unpaid bills. Then, the picture of Lori and Sean... staring back at him-- BLAKE Damn... A thought. Blake pushes himself out of bed. Opens a closet. Digs through the top shelf, stacked with basketball trophies. And plaques commemorating Blake’s four state championship hoop teams. Behind the illustrious hoop hardware, he finds a box. ON THE BOX - MOMENTS LATER Blake takes off the lid. Eyes thirty dime-store notebooks with snake-skin print covers. Memories rise in the air. Blake thumbs through ratty old notebooks of days gone by. On the pages he sees diagrams of b-boy routines written in pen. Notes on crews, weaknesses and strengths. He stops cold on one page. Spots a hand-written note by his wife. “Change how you think. Change your life. I love you, baby! - Lori” Water fills his eyes. A woundLabrousse that won’t heal. Too deep. He looks back to that photo of his wife and kid... CUT TO:

7 INT. D-ENTERTAINMENT BUILDING - WAITING ROOM - DAY 7 * Plush. Vast. A place designed to impress and intimidate. Rap videos play on HD plasmas. Assistants hustling to and fro, working in the fast lane. Blake sits on a suede couch, holding his notebook and sipping coffee from a 7-11 cup. StephaneDANTE (O.S.) WB! Peering up, Blake finds Dante. DANTE So what’s the story? Am I happy? Dante’s people regard the bearded white guy. Exchange silent glances. He’s the coach? Not what they expected. BLAKE Not yet... I got homework to do. 9.

Off Dante’s look. CUT TO:

8 INT. DANTE’S CONFERENCE ROOM - LATER 8 * CLOSE ON hundreds of DVDs stacked in a box. PULL BACK to see a young P.A., FRANKLYN, bringing in the box. He sets the box before Blake and Dante. FRANKLYN That’s it. About a hundred hours of footage, goes back four, five years. (to Blake) Anything else you need? BLAKE Hundred hours, huh? Maybe a pot of coffee and a couple sandwiches. Franklyn nods, heads back out. Blake sips from his 7-11 cup. DANTE (re: Blake’s 7-11 cup) That’s just coffee in there, right? BLAKE Yeah, that’s coffee. (pulls out a flask)Labrousse I keep the good shit here. (off Dante’s look) What? You expect me to plug the cork overnight? Doesn’t work that way. CUT TO:

9 INT. ARENA STAGE 9 * The Koreans perform an electric routine on stage. Three b- boys turning in windmills as five more b-boys fly over them like gazellesStephane in perfect synch to the music. Show-stopping! Pull back to reveal we’re actually inside...

10 INT. DANTE’S CONFERENCE ROOM - LATER 10 * Blake’s alone, jotting notes as he studies battle footage of the Koreans on the big screen. The room is dark, save for the light and pounding music coming from the plasma screen. Franklyn enters the room and refills a carafe of coffee as Blake continues to watch the enlightening footage. 10.

FRANKLYN All right, you got a fresh pot. Want me to order you any dinner ‘fore I punch out? BLAKE No thanks. You can go. FRANKLYN OH, SHIT, LOOK, DUDE’S AIR PROPPING! Spotting b-boys head spinning, Franklyn points to the screen. FRANKLYN Koreans came strong last year. No * lie, man, those K-boys are like superheroes! Taking a sip from his flask, Blake stares at Franklyn. BLAKE You b-boy? FRANKLYN Don’t I wish. My people... Not exactly chosen when it comes to breakin’. BLAKE Your people? Labrousse FRANKLYN Jews... We got three left feet. But I’m a big fan. Be dope to see a U.S. crew take back the BOTYs. BLAKE BOTYs? FRANKLYN Seriously? (off Blake’s blank stare) Can I ask you a question? Stephane(off Blake’s nod) How come D wants you to coach his crew? BLAKE (grins) Good question. FRANKLYN BOTYs stands for Battle of the Year, man. It’s like the World Cup of b-boying. 11.

Franklyn enthusiastically sits down beside Blake. Here we go... FRANKLYN (one rambling burst) All right, lemme drop a lil’ knowledge on you, the BOTYs is the big daddy of ‘em all, okay, the premier event in b-boying. It started during the 90’s in Germany, but the shit got so big and crazy they moved it to France-- why France, I got no idea-- anyway, twenty different countries send their number-one top crew to battle each other for the World Championship. BLAKE And a nice Jewish boy like you knows all this because? FRANKLYN How else was a fat, four-eyed, five- foot-nothing kid like me gonna pass for cool? Make no mistake. I’m Jewish. But my religion’s hip hop... Makes sense. Labrousse FRANKLYN (CONT’D) You ever check out Planet B-boy? (off another Blake blank stare) You gotta see it. That shit’s all about the BOTYs! A bad-ass documentary. And like one of the most popular on Netflix. Grabbing a laptop, Franklyn keys up Planet B-boy on YouTube. FRANKLYN Here, see this? Here on YouTube. StephaneThe trailer alone’s got over two million hits! (gestures to the screen) Put your seat belt on, man. SMASH CUT TO: PLANET B-BOY INTERNATIONAL LANDMARK TRAILER Crews of b-boys spinning, flipping, windmilling past famed world landmarks: The Eiffel tower. Piccadilly Square. 12.

Red Square. Times Square. Korean Buddhist temples. The bright neon lights of downtown Tokyo and Las Vegas casinos, etc. DISSOLVE TO: PULL BACK to see Franklyn’s still there, but he’s nodded off. Blake, too, is now asleep. On the plasma, more b-boy footage. We notice Blake’s notebook is filled up. VOICE (O.S.) Yo, WB? Blake awakens, finds Dante before him. Franklyn also rises. BLAKE What time is it? DANTE Nine AM. You hole-up here all night? BLAKE Hundred hours of footage, right? DANTE Guess you got your homework done then-- BLAKE (gestures to theLabrousse screen) Enough, anyway. When’d this shit happen? DANTE When you were raising a family and I was building a business. We got old, brother. BLAKE Not that damn old. The moves these guys are pulling off are phenomenal. And the Koreans? StephaneThey’re on fire! DANTE Yeah, well, that’s why you’re here. I need somebody to set MY crew on fire. So we got a deal or what? BLAKE Two conditions. First: I want Franklyn here to be my assistant coach. It’s the first Franklyn’s heard of this. He smiles stunned. 13.

FRANKLYN For real? DANTE Done. What’s the second one? BLAKE This, right here. I had to make a little addendum to the contract... (off Dante’s surprised look) See, I got a dictionary too. DANTE (takes the contract) WB, if this is about the money-- BLAKE Just read it, D, it’s one line! Dante eyes the pen-written addendum scrawled in the margins. DANTE “If I do... dotinun.” Your handwriting’s a joke, man. What’s that word there-- Snatching the contract, Blake reads his addendum aloud. BLAKE “If I do this, I gottaLabrousse do it, how I do it.” That’s it. Sign off on that, you got a coach. I drew a little line for your initials underneath, see there? The multimedia giant busts out laughing. Does a simple toprock step as he tugs a Mont Blanc pen from his jacket. DANTE HA-HA! Welcome back to the game, baby! Dante jots down his initials. StephaneDANTE Crew’s here in an hour. Can’t wait for you to meet’em. CUT TO:

11 INT. DANTE’S RECEPTION DESK - SHORT WHILE LATER 11 * Phones trill. At a desk, a wonderfully sexy JANICE fields the calls. Janice is Dante’s guardian at the gate. 14.

FRANKLYN (O.S.) Hey, Janice, how you doing today? JANICE (smiles up to Franklyn) I’m doing busy. You need something? FRANKLYN Can I see D? It won’t take a minute. (off her wary look) It’s important, Jan. For real. She nods. Keys an intercom. Franklyn grins, until... JANICE What’s your name honey? FRANKLYN (grin fading) Seriously? CUT TO:

12 INT. DANTE’S OFFICE - SHORT WHILE LATER 12 * The mogul surveys some CD cover artwork as Franklyn talks. FRANKLYN Labrousse (nervous) Sorry to bother you, I didn’t mean-- Dante picks out the cover art. Nods to his ART DIRECTOR. DANTE Use this one. But lose the roses. ART DIRECTOR They really wanted the roses-- DANTE Lose the damn roses! Stephane(calmly turns to Franklyn) You’re not bothering me. What’s up? The art director hurries out. Franklyn’s now terrified. FRANKLYN Ahhh, I just wanted to tell you, I didn’t know anything about him asking me to take the coaching job-- DANTE You saying you don’t want it? 15.

FRANKLYN No. I mean, yes. I definitely want it. That’s a dream job, D, but I didn’t want you to think I’d put WB up to it-- DANTE Nobody puts WB up to anything. (laughs) Not even me. FRANKLYN Alright, great, I-I just wanted to make sure you and me were still cool-- DANTE Cool? Like how? FRANKLYN (nods) You hooked me up letting me work here, D, I was just worried you’d think I was ungrateful or something, you know? DANTE Look, I’m gonna level with you... (drawing a blank) ...I don’t even knowLabrousse your name. FRANKLYN Seriously? Dante nods his head. Confirming. Franklyn dies a little. Ego deflating, he clears his throat. FRANKLYN Lot of that going around. (off Dante’s look) It’s Franklyn. Franklyn with a y. DANTE StephaneHow old are you, Franklyn with a y? FRANKLYN Be twenty-three in December. Dante points to a framed photo on the wall. A picture of his old crew b-boying on some graffiti-riddled handball court. DANTE You know who these guys are? FRANKLYN Of course. Back in the day, y’all were groundbreakers. 16.

DANTE Not at the start. Our crew was nowhere, total chaos. Then one night this skinny, foster care, punk comes in and he’s got this way about him. Just starts creating routines outta chaos. In the background, he points out a teenage Blake. DANTE Even then WB was a pain in my ass. But the moves he drew up, the style, the originality-- it left you wondering how the hell this lil’ white boy did it. FRANKLYN Guess I know what WB stands for. DANTE Yeah, that’s what everybody figured, but it’s not like that-- the sonovabitch was Wonder Bread and he always will be. (smiles, remembering) He built Pony Express into the top crew in America. FRANKLYN If he was that good,Labrousse why’d he give it up? DANTE He wanted to do the right thing... . Franklyn and Dante’s conversation continues as we CUT TO:

13 INT. DANTE’S CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME 13 * Blake studies more footage of the LA’s Finest crew. DANTE (O.S.) StephaneHe got his girl pregnant. Back then, we weren’t making any bank, so her uncle offered him a gig as an assistant basketball coach at this lil’ high school St. Marks. WB figured it was time to grow up. FRANKLYN (O.S.) St. Marks? Not the St. Marks that racked up all those state championships? 17.

DANTE (O.S.) WB was head coach by then. FRANKLYN (O.S.) Then what’s he doing back here? DANTE (O.S.) Starting over. Two years ago he lost his wife and son in a car wreck. Fell apart. Couldn’t figure out how to go on. They were his whole world. So, he checked out. (beat) But I’m hoping he’s back. Blake jots notes in his notebook as we CUT BACK TO:

14 INT. DANTE’S OFFICE - SAME 14 * Dante taps the photo of Blake in his b-boy days. DANTE And if he is, Franklyn with a y, you’ll learn more from him in five weeks, than you would in five years here. (pats Franklyn’s back) But, hey, if things don’t work out, you can always come back here. Where everybody knowsLabrousse your name... Franklyn holds. Considers the teenage Blake in the photo... MATCH CUT TO:

15 INT. D-ENTERTAINMENT - BATHROOM STALL - MOMENTS LATER 15 * Blake sips his flask. Considers his reflection in its shiny case. He’s not scared, he’s terrified. A terror screaming that he’s in over his head. He whispers, coaching himself. BLAKE StephaneChange how you think. Change your life. He takes a long drink as loud B-boy music punches the air... CUT TO:

16 INT. DANTE’S DANCE STUDIO - LATER 16 * Dante’s crew, L.A.’S FINEST, in a B-BOY BATTLE with each other -- electric dance skills on display. 18.

Our eyes go to the captain, GATLIN, warping his God-like torso to the point of snapping. His moves terrorize. Out-of-nowhere, ROOSTER and DIMES rocket forward to counter Gatlin’s moves. Hit the floor in a spin -- shoulders like a weeble-wobble, oscillating their bodies in crazy circles. Two other B-BOYS jump in, screwing themselves into headspins, spines bending til heels TAP-TAP the floor. GATLIN BA-BOOM! THAT’S HOW WE BLOW IT UP! Breaking from their poses, the crew hollers and flexes. PULL BACK to reveal Dante, Blake, and Franklyn applauding. Gatlin, dripping sweat, swaps dap with his sponsor Dante. GATLIN Didn’t I tell you, Didn’t I?! (beating his chest) Bring on the punk-ass Koreans! We ready to get you the gold right now, D! A chorus of “Hell yeahs” from the peanut gallery. The boys talk smack about the Koreans, and pull out cells, texting. DANTE (to Blake) What d’you say, coach?Labrousse BLAKE You saw me clapping. (hesitates) They’re... they’re good. GATLIN Good? (smiles) That was world-class, bro. BLAKE No disrespect, but wasn’t that the same world-class moves you took to StephaneGermany? GATLIN What? That wasn’t nothing like Germany, every flare, swipe and freeze is new. The rest of the crew chimes in, barking over each other. BLAKE (refers to his notebook) I’ve watched your tapes. (MORE) 19. BLAKE (cont'd) European Tour, Regionals, Nationals, BOTYs, same basic program. You downrock into windmills, then pop into a back planch or centipede-- yes, you alter the sequencing, but it still looks the same as four years ago-- GATLIN Then you need to look again! FRANKLYN Yo, Gat, man, the tapes don’t lie. GATLIN Hold up-hold up! You a P.A. here, right? (Franklyn freezes) Why’s this gopher even talking to me?! FRANKLYN I-I got promoted to assistant coach- - GATLIN WHAT THE HELL’S GOING ON AROUND HERE?! (glares at Dante) Did I not tell you this coaching thing wouldn’t fly--Labrousse DANTE Hey, you don’t get to tell me shit. This is my crew, MINE! And WB’s here to get my crew a victory, and put your damn face on a Wheaties box! GATLIN Look, D, I don’t wanna play the hard-case, but you know we got options, man. There’s other sponsors blowing up my phone all Stephaneday long, Adidas, Red Bull-- DANTE (darkens) For your sake, Gat, I’m gonna pretend I didn’t just hear you threatening me. (turns to Blake) Get it going, WB! SHOW ME SOMETHING! 20.

17 ON BLAKE AND THE B-BOYS - MOMENTS LATER 17 * The crew huddles on the dance floor as Blake corrals them. BLAKE Line up, fellas. Heel-to-toe. The b-boys spread, but don’t line up. Gatlin speaks in a hush. GATLIN You don’t last two damn days, clown- - BLAKE I’m sorry, son, did you not hear me? (blows his whistle) LINE YOUR ASSES UP! HEEL-TO-TOE! NOW! The crew looks to Gatlin. Their captain cues them to comply. BLAKE Everybody turn to your right... (the crew begrudgingly turns) Walk forward. Chins up high. (Blake opens the studio door) Keep going. Let’s takeLabrousse it outside. Gatlin shrugs, leads the crew out. As the last b-boy clears the threshold, Blake closes and locks the door. DANTE WHOA-WHOA, WB, YOU OUTTA YOUR MIND?! BLAKE Lucky thing they got options. Blake’s either finding himself or losing his mind. StephaneDANTE Listen, I know the fool’s got attitude... BLAKE Attitude doesn’t faze me. Hell, I want attitude, bring me your fight, I LOVE IT! Now realizing something’s up, the crew BANGS on the door. Blake regards their furious faces through glass bricks. 21.

BLAKE They’ve been a crew, what, five years-- DANTE Six! BLAKE Even worse. They hit a tipping point. It’s nothing new. Time passes and you stop putting all your attitude, sweat and fire into winning a battle, and start putting it into just NOT losing-- DANTE WB-- BLAKE No, don’t WB me. This shit’s real simple. Either let me build a team or cut my ass loose. One or the other. I already told you-- DANTE Yeah-yeah, if you’re gonna do this, you gotta do it like you do it... BLAKE Trust me, D, I got aLabrousse plan. DANTE Then let’s hear it! And you got ten seconds to impress the hell outta me! BLAKE Insanity is doing the same damn thing over and over and expecting a different result. That’s what we’ve been doing. (off Dante’s look) Every one of our competitors is going to bring the best in their country to Battle Of The Year, like StephaneKorea or Russia with their “Top Nine” crew. But the U.S., NO. Despite the fact that we got more b- boys in New Your City alone than in most of these entire places, we only take ONE crew from ONE city, like your prima donnas outside with two or three top-tier b-boys. That’s why we can’t compete, D. We should be cherry picking our Top Eight b-boys from every crew in every city across America. 22.

DANTE What, like b-boy all-stars-- BLAKE Exactly! A b-boy dream team. We did the same thing in basketball-- and we invented that game too. But the rest of the world started schooling us in the Olympics. Until... we put Jordan, Bird, Magic, Barkley and Ewing on the court. Our Dream Team. The b-boy world’s passed us by, D, and if you want to catch up, you want to light a fire, that’s how you do it-- DANTE Won’t work. The BOTYs are four months off, there’s no time for that now. BLAKE That’s the beauty of this. It’s all in place. (off Dante’s baffled look) Freestyle Sessions-- DANTE What about’em? BLAKE Labrousse Instead of a tune-up for LA’s Finest, turn it into a try-out for a new national team. Put the word out you’re sponsoring a dream team. It’s the chance of a lifetime, they’ll come in droves! DANTE So that’s your big plan, huh? BLAKE That’s my plan. Dante holds. A light brightening within. That’s a plan. The soundtrackStephane kicks into Redman’s Time 4 Sum Akshun... CUT TO: MTV HOST SWAY (PRELAP) Check it, Dante, the once legendary b-boy, now multi-media hip-hop impresario is putting out a nationwide shout... HARD CUT TO: 23.

18 B-BOYS ACROSS AMERICA MONTAGE - MONTAGE 18 * Rapid fire images of b-boys twisting, turning to the beat. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Crews from sea to shining sea, north, south, east and west, Dante’s on the hunt for America’s best b-boys. He’s hand-picking the top b-boys from across the nation to represent the U.S. in the world championships! Yeah, that’s right, we’re talking Dream Team! You got the skills to wear the red-white- and-blue? BRING IT!!! More images. BIG BOY RADIO JOCK (V.O.) My man D’s prowling for b-boy gold, the best of the best! Been too damn long since the U.S. represented on the world stage, playahs, time to bring it back home! CLOSE ON BIG BOY spreading the word via the air waves... BIG BOY If your crew has what it takes and is legit, then bringLabrousse it. Don’t matter how you get here, JUST GET HERE!!! CLOSE ON A NEON MARQUEE READING “FREESTYLE SESSIONS” PULL BACK to reveal we’re at a competition...

19 INT. CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD - SAME 19 * Madness. The place buzzes like an electrified beehive, fifty- plus crews from every major city. Emotions play on their battle-ready faces. Intensity. Excitement. Rage. Fans whoop andStephane holler. Note: This sequence will be shot at Freestyle Sessions 2011. Actual crews from across America will battle off as Blake, Franklyn and Dante scout the amazing b-boy talent. As the battle comes to a close, Blake hands Dante a list of twenty-six b-boys and a pile of their headshots. BLAKE Here’s our first 26. 24.

DANTE So what now? BLAKE Now. We see what they’re made of. FRANKLYN (O.S.) Coach... hold up-- Blake and Dante turn to see Franklyn hurrying their way. FRANKLYN I think you’re gonna want to make room for one more. BLAKE What are you talking about, Franklyn? FRANKLYN Mayhem’s here. BLAKE Who? Franklyn points to MAYHEM, a cool looking customer, standing by the door. FRANKLYN Labrousse Mayhem. Dude’s the best b-boy ever. BLAKE He didn’t tryout. FRANKLYN Yeah... He doesn’t really like to battle. BLAKE What crew’s he with? FRANKLYN StephaneHe doesn’t have a crew... Blake is confused. Franklyn pulls out his cell. Taps “Mayhem” into Youtube. FRANKLYN Watch... Blake and Dante are blown away by what they see. BLAKE DANTE ** Damn... Damn... ** 25.

Meanwhile, b-boys start to converge on Mayhem. Show him their respect. Except Rooster and Dimes, who noticeably stand apart. There’s history here.

20 INT. BATTLE STAGE - LATER 20 * The stage is empty. Crews wait outside as individual b-boys are interviewed by Blake, Dante and Franklyn. BLAKE Tell us your name and where you’re from? (Note: In a series of rapid-fire cuts we’ll see different b- boys answering Blake’s questions.) WIZARD Name’s Wizard. Representing Knucklehead Zoo. Viva Las Vegas... KILOWATT Kilowatt. Cincinnati Street Kings... one of the illest crews in the States or in the World, so get with it. GRIFTER Miami Viper Crew. Grifter in the house. There is no stoppingLabrousse me. THICKNESS Wassup? I’m Thickness from Motor City Madness Crew. Detroit! BOMBER Bomber. East Bronx Hellraisers! I was born to b-boy. ROOSTER (movie-star smile) Ladies and gentleman they call me Roo, L.A.’s Finest Crew, five star Stephanegeneral from Hollywood! I got the five elements of death: footwork, style, power, originality and soul. If you ain’t got that, don’t even get in the ring. A pair of b-boys share the stage. B-ONE B-One here... 26.

B-TWO And I’m his brother from another mother, B-Two... B-TWO Straight out of Brooklyn... B-ONE B-TWO ** Warrior crew! Warrior crew! ** DIMES Dimes. L.A.’s Finest. Rhythmically right. East L.A. MAYHEM (terse) Mayhem... Planet Earth. Another question. BLAKE Why do you b-boy? ROOSTER Growing up I had a problem with organized sports. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stand people telling me what to do or how to do it. Who’s to say I can’t kick Labrousseit this way or throw it that way? Some of the greatest athletes and artists were born going against the grain. That’s why I liked b-boying. There is no limit to it. There is no right, there is no wrong. I can take from anything and make it something. It’s limitless. SNIPER The battle’s like oxygen. Even in Afghanistan, if I went a week without it, I couldn’t hardly Stephanebreath-- ROCKIT It’s a way of life. I come down my stairs and my whole floor is wood purposely because I’ve made my apartment into my dojo. It’s where I live. It’s where I break. 27.

B-ONE We moved to NY when I was 3 because my dad got a job as a superintendent of a school. My dad was actually a Rabbi too. So I was the son of the Rabbi and the son of the principal... and trying to be cool. Blake and Franklyn share a glance. FRANKLYN I can relate. BLAKE Yeah, but he can dance. More answers. B-TWO I was never, ever, ever good at school. Talkin’ serious A.D.D., man. I couldn’t pay attention. I mean EVER. By the time I got into high school I was marked for failure. But I could break... DIMES We lived below the povertyLabrousse line. Know what I mean? Been through it all. My brother ended-up going to the military and he did his thing. He’s now on a whole different level. You know what I’m saying? So I found my thing and that thing was breakin’. My mom didn’t understand it at first, but now, where I am, what I’m doing, my whole family thinks I’m a celebrity. Breakin’ saved my life. No joke about it, man. It’s the only thing I got. StephaneJOKER When I was a teenager,I used to have a big problem with acne. People used to say it happened to everyone. But with me it was worse. It was up to a point I considered killing myself, ya know? The only thing that kept me going was breaking. I didn’t have much in terms of people and support. They didn’t understand me. Breaking understood. (MORE) 28. JOKER (cont'd) I used to break so fast. The reason was I didn’t want people to look at my face. I didn’t want people to see me and judge me. Eventually it went away. My face started clearing up because of some medication. But I know breakin’ had a lot to do with it. WIZARD I didn’t graduate high school. This is my major, this is my diploma, this is my masters degree. This is what I know. MAYHEM Why b-boy?... Why not? Another question followed by more rapid fire responses. BLAKE What do you think about when you battle? BOMBER Think about? I dunno... I... BLAKE Come on son, time toLabrousse shine here. BOMBER (clearly not a big talker) My life’s been kinda crazy... Last try. BLAKE What do you think about when you battle? BOMBER Every time I battle my focus is if I don’t win, I’ll have to go back to my old life. Back to those Stephanehomeless shelters and neighborhoods. Back to those type of people that don’t get it, you know... or don’t get me. ADONIS (doing the sign of the cross) My mother. May she rest in peace... SNIPER Kicking ass. 29.

DIMES How much I love breakin’. BLAKE You love it, huh? Then why were you out there battling like someone stabbed you in the heart with a pencil? (shakes his head) Sounds like a load of bullshit to me. DIMES Bullshit? BLAKE Yeah, bullshit. DIMES (reluctant) You want the truth-- I think about my old man. I see that twisted drunk wailing on my face. Sonovabitch is dead now, but I’m still punching back. Makes me wanna bury every asshole I battle into the ground. GRIFTER All that fine b-girlLabrousse ass! MAYHEM Sponge Bob. More questions. Blake talks to a b-boy gangster in a tight tank top, mindlessly flexing. Blake throws him a curveball. BLAKE You pick out that shirt yourself? COLDEYE Why? What’s wrong with it? BLAKE StephaneNothing, you like to workout, huh? Show it off, maybe even oil up a little? (off Coldeye’s look) Not that it matters, but are you gay? COLDEYE Am I what? YOU CRAZY, MOTHERFU-- ADONIS HA-HA! Look at this package, drink it in. The face, the body... (MORE) 30. ADONIS (cont'd) I’m beyond gay. I’m ecstatic! See this cloud under my feet, that bitch says number nine! Interviews have come to a close. Mayhem stands before Blake, Dante, and Franklyn one last time. Blake’s about had it with this mystery guest. BLAKE Why are you here? It’s now or never. Mayhem speaks up. MAYHEM I’m here to reach the zone. * BLAKE Really? Says the kid who doesn’t battle... MAYHEM Doesn’t mean I can’t... You want to match the Russians’ power? The Koreans’ skill? Japanese choreography? You need me... BLAKE That’s confident. Labrousse MAYHEM That’s the truth. Blake can see. There’s something about Mayhem. He ain’t lying.

21 INT. CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD - LATER 21 * The results are in. 26 b-boys on the stage. Some preen, some pray-- LET IT BE ME. Blake addresses the crews. BLAKE Stephane(holds up a clipboard) I got sixteen names here, gentlemen. (reads the names) First is, Daniel “Mayhem” Sullivan. Rooster rolls his eyes. Calls “Bullshit.” He and Mayhem exchange dark looks. Blake continues... BLAKE Marcus “Dimes” Walton. Dimes howls. 31.

DIMES YEAH! We’re in, Roo! ROOSTER Shhhh, hold up, let me hear my name- - ON THE B-CROWD - QUICK TIME LAPSES: We see the ecstatic faces as Blake calls their name. BLAKE Reese “Sniper” James. -- The ex-marine b-boy gets dap from crewmates. BLAKE Roberto “Bomber” Sanchez. -- Bomber’s crew hoots and hollers. EAST BRONX HELLRAISERS! BLAKE Steven “Grift” Greer. (b-boy reaction shot) Rich “Adonis” Koerner. (b-boy reaction shot) Devin “Kilowatt” Whatley. (b-boy reaction shot) Ralph “Beasty” Malala. (b-boy reaction shot) James “Rockit” King.Labrousse (b-boy reaction shot) David “B-One” Lefkowitz and Chuck “B-Two” Giovine. A voice from the crowd shouts out what everyone’s feeling. UNSEEN B-BOY PLEASE, GOD, CALL MY NAME. CALL IT! A thread of nerve-frazzled chuckles. Scattered “amens.” Rooster and Dimes swap looks, concern turning intense. StephaneDIMES Yo, if YOU ain’t in, I ain’t in neither-- ROOSTER Shut up, Dimes, I’M in! BLAKE David “Sledge” Brown. (b-boy reaction shot) Holden “Phantom” Baker. (b-boy reaction shot) Thomas “Wizard” Clark. (MORE) 32. BLAKE (cont'd) (b-boy reaction shot) Benson “Thickness” O’Neill. Rooster holds angrily. Only one more name to be called. BLAKE And, finally... Tre “Rooster” Smith. Dimes hollers. Rooster sighs, a mix of relief and irritation. Shouting, sighing, from the mass of disappointed b-boys. BLAKE If you were NOT called, thank you for coming. And if you were, see Franklyn, then prepare yourself to train harder, faster and longer than humanly possible. Over the next eight weeks only EIGHT of you will make the final Dream Team. That’s all. Blake turns away, but Rooster angles before him. ROOSTER Yo, man, you do that shit on purpose? Put me last, making me sweat it out-- Labrousse BLAKE You’re worried about being last already? (pointed nod) Know what, son, if I were you, I might remember that feeling... that worry. Blake walks. Got Rooster thinking. Exactly what he wanted. Rooster turns and there’s Mayhem. Smirking. This shit is on. Off Rooster’s face... Stephane DISSOLVE TO:

22 EXT. DREAM TEAM BUS - MOVING - DAY 22 * A bus carrying America’s top sixteen b-boys pulls into the entrance of a JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER. The facility’s been long closed due to budget cuts. Weeds sprout in the parking lot, garbage tumbles in the wind. Desolate. Hardcore... 33.

23 EXT. DETENTION CENTER - DAY - ESTABLISHING 23 * Collecting their bags from the bus, the disappointed Dream Team b-boys survey the time-ravaged buildings. GRIFT Dante’s like printing money-- why the hell does he got us holing up here? FRANKLYN Coach picked this place. Ran summer hoop camps here after it shut down-- PHANTOM For who, bums? This place is nasty! BOMBER Looks all right to me. (grabs his bag) Compared to how I grew up, this joint’s the goddamn Hilton! As the b-boys keep jawing, Franklyn makes his way over to Blake. FRANKLYN Hey, coach. I’ve been thinking on * some ideas ever sinceLabrousse you made me * assistant coach. I want to earn my * keep... * Blake let’s Franklyn continue... * FRANKLYN * Anyway, there’s this b-girl we * should bring in to help us * choreograph. If you’re serious * about making a splash at BOTYs. * Name’s B-girl Betty... * StephaneBLAKE * B-girl Betty... * Blake’s hard to read. So Franklyn keeps pitching... * FRANKLYN * She choreographs for major artists. * World tours and shit-- * BLAKE * Anything else, Franklyn? * 34.

FRANKLYN Where’s the coaches’ quarters? Blake points to a nice looking house, formerly the WARDEN’S RESIDENCE. BLAKE I’m staying there... Next, Blake points to the DORM where the b-boys are headed. BLAKE You’re staying with the team... FRANKLYN Seriously?

24 INT. DORM - SHORT WHILE LATER 24 * We hear Blake off camera as we PAN the b-boys’ faces-- all studs: Mayhem, Sniper, Kilowatt, Bomber, Grift, Phantom, B- One, B-Two, Thickness, Beasty, Adonis, Rooster, Dimes, Rockit, Sledge and Wizard. BLAKE (O.S.) Battle of the Year is three months away. Take a moment to think about that... In three months, eight of you will be back on Labrousseyour couches, while the other eight are in France, representing America-- center stage in a global arena. The choice is yours. Do this right, nothing in your life will ever be the same. Reversing the angle, we see Blake. BLAKE Don’t make the mistake of thinking I’m your friend. I’m not. I’m here for one purpose-- turn you Stephaneinto a team by whatever means I deem necessary-- period. Quick shots of various b-boys reacting to Blake’s address. BLAKE My rules are simple: Practice starts at six AM. Come at six o’ one, YOU WILL BE GONE. We train twelve hours a day. Everyday. God takes Sundays off. We won’t. (MORE) 35. BLAKE (cont'd) You have more to do in less time than HE did. This facility will be your world-- go outside that world, YOU WILL BE GONE. Bitch about my simple rules, YOU WILL BE GONE. Rooster raises his hand, smiling. BLAKE Ask a wise-ass question about “you will be gone”, and YOU WILL BE GONE. Smile fading, Rooster puts his hand down. BLAKE (holds up eight travel tickets) Over each of the next eight Fridays, I’ll hand one of you, one of these-- a Greyhound bus ticket to take you back to wherever you came from and YOU... WILL BE GONE. KILOWATT Yo, coach, tomorrow’s Friday-- BLAKE That is correct. And tomorrow, one of you... WILL BE GONELabrousse. The b-boys tense. Turn to one another. Casting icy glances. Rooster smirks, waves goodbye to Mayhem. Fucking with him. ROOSTER YOU WILL BE GONE... Off Mayhem’s face... CUT TO:

25 INT. CAFETERIA - DINNER LINE - NIGHT 25 * CLOSE ONStephane an OLD WOMAN in a plastic hair net serving food. PULL BACK to see our sixteen b-boys pushing trays down the buffet counter, grabbing food. Everyone tense, no one talks. Over the following scene, we’ll get a sense of the b-boys varied personalities and how they deal with the competitive pressure. Some brash, some fierce, some playing mind games. 36.

26 BUFFET LINE - DESSERT TRAY 26 * Rooster eyes a cherry pie under a heat lamp. Pointing, he laughs to Dimes, but talks loud so the other b-boys can hear. ROOSTER Check that out, son. DIMES What? ROOSTER That shit right there-- that’s what everybody here’s battling for, Dimes. DIMES Pie? Ladling himself a slice of pie, Rooster puts it on his tray. ROOSTER Pie. Sixteen starving dogs and only eight pieces of pie to go ‘round! DIMES Don’t mind if I do... Dimes, as always, follows Rooster.Labrousse Grabs the pie ladle.

27 DINING AREA - SAME 27 * Blake and Franklyn eat dinner at a table. Blake eyes the b- boys filtering in. Sitting in pockets at separate tables. Thickness carries a tray past Rockit, Grift and Phantom. Thick pauses, playing a headgame with his competition. THICKNESS Be sure to eat up, fellas, you won’t be getting free meals much longer. Big, strongStephane and gangster, Griff scoffs at the rival b-boy. GRIFT Bitch, please! My shit’s untouchable! Three months-- I’m swimming in French trim. Anybody going home, it’s you! ROCKIT You’ll be taking your tired ass moves back to Detroit. 37.

THICKNESS Tired? Please. I’m from the 3-1-3, the D and we run things. The b-boys swap heated barbs as we PAN TO... B-ONE AND B-TWO’S TABLE The friends go over their game plan to make the team. B-ONE Ice-grill, understand? We gonna ice-grill every one of these dudes! B-TWO Yeah, I know, I got it, I got it. B-ONE Everybody here’s the enemy-- we don’t talk to nobody, say hello to nobody, don’t even look at nobody-- Passing their table, Mayhem nods to the guys. MAYHEM S’up? B-TWO What up, May-- WHACK! B-One smacks his friendLabrousse upside his head. B-ONE Ow, damn! B-ONE You call that ice-grilling, fool?! B-TWO It’s Mayhem, man. WHAP! B-One smacks him again as we PAN TO...

28 ADONIS StephaneCARRYING A TRAY INTO THE DINING ROOM 28 * Hearing various arguments, the Chicago b-boy turns away. Spies Sniper and Bomber eating nearby. Pulls out a chair. ADONIS Is the chicken as tired as it looks? Picking up his tray, Sniper moves to another table. Adonis sniffs himself. Feeling disrespected, he eyes Sniper. 38.

ADONIS We got a problem? SNIPER You talking to me? ADONIS Yeah. We got a problem? SNIPER I ain’t got a problem. ADONIS Then why’d YOU get up when I sat down? SNIPER Where I’m from we don’t ask... And you don’t tell. You should try it. (long beat) We cool? ADONIS (sarcastic, pointed) Yeah... we cool. We PAN to...

29 BLAKE AND FRANKLYN’S TABLE Labrousse 29 * Blake eats as Franklyn surveys the b-boys about the dining hall. Thickness, Grift, Sledge, and Phantom calling each other out. It’s a powder-keg, ready to explode. FRANKLYN This shit’s about to get physical. BLAKE (shrugs, chewing his food) You stick sixteen lions in a cage, somebody’s bound to get bit, right? FRANKLYN StephaneSo what’re you gonna do? Rising from his chair, Blake picks up his tray. BLAKE I’m gonna have a drink. Take over. Have ’em in their rooms by eleven. Oh, and make sure they clean up their trays, too. Blake walks off. Franklyn calling after him, wide-eyed. 39.

FRANKLYN Hold up-- ME, ALONE? What if they start throwing punches? What do I do? BLAKE (doesn’t look back) Try not to get hit. FRANKLYN Seriously? As Blake heads out the door, we hear a loud CRASH-BANG! CUT TO:

30 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - NIGHT 30 * CLOSE ON a bulletin board. Sixteen Kodak head shots of Blake’s b-boys-- looks more like a mug shot line-up. Beside the photos, a calendar of the next three months side- by-side-- dates marked in red. Every Friday, GREYHOUND... another date, RUSSIAN EXHIBITION. And finally, BOTY, FRANCE. PULL BACK to see Blake in bed. Sips from his flask as he watches the Planet B-boy documentary.

31 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUALLabrousse FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY 31 * B-boy Joe listens as his father talks to the unseen camera. B-BOY JOE’S FATHER The truth is many parents from Korea still don’t get it. Is it tap dancing or something? It’s hard for us to understand. In a capitalist society you can’t do anything without money. I would have preferred for him to become a professor or a doctor. B-boy JoeStephane blows out a long breath. FREEZE FRAME CUT TO: Blake stares at the frozen image of B-boy Joe. After a reflective pause, he turns off the Sony TV and clicks off the light. 40.

32 EXT. DORM - NIGHT 32 * All is quiet. Bomber slips quietly out a window. Heads off into the night. Where he’s going, we have no idea. Yet. CUT TO:

33 INT. BLAKE’S BATHROOM - EARLY MORNING 33 * Steam rises from a sink. A hand wipes a fogged-over mirror. Blake eyes his reflection. Checks his wrist watch. 5:45 AM. Hand shaking, he grabs his flask. Takes a pull. Steadies. BOMBER (PRELAP) Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!!! CUT TO:

34 EXT. TRAINING ROOM - EARLY MORNING 34 * Bomber sprints to the doors in a mad dash not to be late. CUT TO: 35 INT. TRAINING ROOM - EARLY MORNINGLabrousse 35 * CLOSE ON an old-style WALL CLOCK. Hands pointing to 5:59. Franklyn and fifteen b-boys in their respective cliques, stretching, sizing up the competition. We note each b-boy’s now dressed in brand new Dream Team sweats. Only one missing is Bomber. Nobody says a word. Their frozen stares do all the talking. Bomber bursts through the door, panic-stricken. Realizes he’s made it before Blake. His demeanor changes. Relaxes... FRANKLYN (shakes his head) StephaneYou trying to be the first one gone? Pulling the last pair of sweats from a box, Franklyn tosses them to Bomber. His eyes light up, smiles like a little kid. BOMBER HA-HA! Dream Team! Dope! Check me out! 41.

GRIFTER (mimics Bomber) Dream Team, dope, check me out! (snickers) Look at this fool, all grinning! ADONIS Shut up, man! GRIFTER You telling me to shut up? You ain’t shit. None of you ain’t shit! Grifter wags a finger at all his competition as we CUT TO:

36 EXT. TRAINING ROOM - SAME 36 * Blake strides toward the door. Hears Grifter mouthing off. GRIFTER (O.S.) Can’t nobody here take my spot! Last fool tried to take from me-- they swept his ass up with a dustpan! I’m TOP DAWG HERE! Other angry b-boys shout back in heated response.

37 INT. TRAINING ROOM - SAME Labrousse 37 * Blake enters the room full of stud b-boys pushing and shoving. Blows his whistle! All head turns. BLAKE LINE-UP! SHOULDER TO SHOULDER! (they’re not fast enough) MOVE! B-boys form a line. A few purposefully bumping each other. BLAKE So this is how we begin-- at each Stephaneother’s throat? Still? You fools haven’t got that bullshit out of your system yet? (moves down the line, yanks earplugs from Sledge’s ears) There’s two ways to have the tallest building in the world. One: Build yourself a giant-ass skyscraper. Two: Tear all the other skyscrapers down. We are here to build, gentlemen, TO BUILD A TEAM! (MORE) 42. BLAKE (cont'd) The quicker you get that, the better your chances of making that team. (eyeing different b-boys) This is your shot to stand at the top of the world-- but, not if you keep thinking small. Not if you * keep trying to prove you’re better * than the b-boy standing next to * you... * Blake’s hard gaze falls on Rooster at the end of the line. ROOSTER Yo, coach, I ain’t trying to prove shit. (gestures to Mayhem beside him) I KNOW I’m better than the b-boy next to me. B-boys react. Mayhem’s cool finally breaks-- MAYHEM Still running that mouth. ROOSTER You want to try and shut it? Rooster shoves Mayhem to the wall. WHAM! Blake shoves Rooster back into the line. Labrousse BLAKE Enough! You two got a problem? Mayhem says nothing. Rooster smirks. BLAKE Okay, that’s the way you want it? We’re gonna split up into two teams. (off the b-boys baffled looks) If you gotta know which one’s the Stephanebest here-- let’s clear the decks and find out. Surprised hollers from the pumped-up b-boys. LOVING IT! BLAKE I need two captains. All sixteen alpha-lions raise their hands. Going even further, Grifter and Rooster step forward. 43.

BLAKE Grifter and Rooster. Pick your teams. As Rooster and Grifter pick out their b-boys...

SMASH CUT TO:

38 INT. TRAINING ROOM 38 * DREAM TEAM BATTLE MONTAGE - QUICK SHOTS * Franklyn presses play on an Ipod boombox. Music BLARES. Two eight-man crews push together on the floor, like warriors from rival clans. The battle is on... FAST AND FURIOUS SHOTS of the best b-boys in America going at it. Bomber and Sniper attack together. In contrast, Grifter goes it alone beating his chest, shouting to take on all comers. His moves are intense. Franklyn whispers to Blake as the b-boys continue to battle. FRANKLYN Coach, can I ask you a question? (off Blake’s look) If the idea is making these guys a team-- Labrousse BLAKE Why have them battle? FRANKLYN Yeah. Isn’t there already enough bad blood-- BLAKE You gonna ask a lot more questions? FRANKLYN I’m just trying to figure out why Stephanewe’re kicking the hornet’s nest, it’s not like these guys don’t feel the pressure-- BLAKE The wrong kind of pressure. (off Franklyn’s look) The right kind... will make them a team. Franklyn still doesn’t understand, but Blake’s done talking. 44.

More shots of the inter-squad battle. Mayhem is poetry in motion. Right on point. Thickness storms at B-ONE and B-TWO. Back-swiping angrily. B-ONE and B-TWO counter, ice-gliding together and talking smack. When they glide close to Thickness, he shoves them aside. TIME LAPSE to more intense b-boy battling. Drenched in sweat, each b-boy is hell-bent on being on the last team standing... CUT TO:

39 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY39 * The European B-boy STORM speaks to an unseen camera crew. STORM Incredible style. To see the Americans battle individually-- amazing! But you could say that is also their problem. We continue to hear Storm in V.O. as we CUT BACK TO:

40 INT. TRAINING ROOM 40 * On one side, Rooster and DimesLabrousse Applejack against Sledge. On the other side, we see quick shots of Grifter, continually pushing forward into the battle, talking shit as he takes center stage, forcing his own teammates to the rear. The energy builds as the screaming Dream Team encircle Grifter battling Rooster. The b-boys match each other move for move. Grifter flips into an Air Scorpion. Kicking out his Nikes an inch from Rooster’s face. Rooster counters with a dazzling one-handed Flag move. The two aggressive b-boys blast each other with sick combos. StephaneSTORM (V.O.) The Americans come into the battle with INDIVIDUAL dynamics... but the rest of the b-boy world is coming to the battle with an entire TEAM dynamic. Rooster does a series of Air Scorpions, but slips on his final landing. Smelling blood, Grifter goes after him with a flurry of spell-binding combinations. Raising his arms, Grifter points to each vanquished b-boy. 45.

GRIFTER AHHHHHHH! I DESTROYED ALL Y’ALL! YOU, YOU, AND YOU, AND ALL Y’ALL LIL’ BITCHES! (beating his chest) NO MORE QUESTIONS! NO MORE QUESTIONS! BLAKE No more questions. Grifter’s smirk falters as Blake hands the b-boy a Greyhound bus ticket. Other b-boys gape in silent shock. Ohhhh shit! GRIFTER What’s this, man, a joke?! BLAKE It look like I’m joking? Today’s Friday, Grifter. Somebody’s gotta go-- GRIFTER Not me! Hell, no, not me! (points to other b-boys) Any one of them! Take your damn pick! BLAKE You are my pick. (off Grifter’s fierceLabrousse look) I said we’re breaking into teams! Teams, Mr. Grifter, but you didn’t become a part of a team. Did you? GRIFTER I beat all them! I smoked their asses, I- BLAKE I-I-I! Everything outta you is I! You even know how to spell the word team? (off Grifter’s look) StephaneMight be a cliche, son, but it’s true. Is there any “I” in team, Franklyn? FRANKLYN (surprised to be involved) Ahhhh, nope. No “I” in team, coach. BLAKE And there will be no “I” in this team-- 46.

GRIFTER Don’t give me that weak-ass team bullshit! This ain’t a damn team, it’s a crew, and I’M BETTER THAN ANYONE ON IT! BLAKE Congratulations... * CUT TO:

41 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY41 * Storm finishes his observation on the state of USA b-boys. STORM The power of one versus the power of eight-- you do the math. It’s why the Americans haven’t won in so many years. (nods) Unless THEY change... THAT won’t change. CUT TO:

42 INT. CAFETERIA - NIGHT 42 * Blake eyes the fifteen b-boys.Labrousse Grifter’s departure has joined them together. And, also, divided them. Instead of sitting spread out and alone, the team eats in two distinct factions. ROOSTER’S GROUP... and MAYHEM’S GROUP. We CROSSCUT between the separate groups at separate tables having separate conversations about the same subject... ON MAYHEM’S GROUP Sniper, Beasty, Phantom, Kilowatt, B-One and B-Two. StephaneMAYHEM Didn’t see that coming... ON ROOSTER’S GROUP Dimes, Thickness, Bomber, Wizard, Rockit and Adonis. ROOSTER That was cold... MAYHEM’S GROUP 47.

SNIPER Sonovabitch fired off a warning shot... ROOSTER’S GROUP ADONIS You don’t give the man what he wants... MAYHEM’S GROUP B-ONE B-TWO ** You will be gone... You will be gone... ROOSTER’S GROUP BOMBER Congratulations, Grifter, you’re the best. MAYHEM’S GROUP THICKNESS Here’s your bus pass... ROOSTER’S GROUP DIMES You will be gone... Labrousse * CUT TO:

43 INT. DORM - NIGHT 43 * A tiny room not much larger than a closet. B-boy music blaring. Franklyn lost in the beat until he hears a voice. VOICE (O.S.) Am I gonna have a problem with those two? LookingStephane up, he sees Blake standing in his doorway. FRANKLYN (clueless) Those two? BLAKE Catch up, Franklyn. What’s the deal with Rooster and Mayhem? FRANKLYN Uh... how do I put this... oh I got it-- They’re like... (MORE) 48. FRANKLYN (cont'd) like Shaq and Kobe. Used to be tight. Even ran a crew together. BLAKE So what happened? FRANKLYN Different philosophies. BLAKE What do you mean? FRANKLYN B-boying’s an art to Mayhem. Pure expression of himself. To Rooster, it’s about who wins, who’s the best. Sport. Two different view points. Split’em up. Like oil and water. Blake takes this in. Wheels turning. Turns and leaves without a word. FRANKLYN (mocking Blake in a deadpan style) Thank you, Franklyn. You’re a b-boy encyclopedia. Great job. (dropping the voice) Like a ray of sunshine,Labrousse this guy. CUT TO:

44 EXT. DORM - NIGHT 44 * The moon is high. Bomber sneaks out a side door once again. CUT TO:

45 INT. BLAKE’S BATHROOM - NIGHT 45 * A hand Stephanewipes a fogged mirror. Blake eyes his reflection. BLAKE Change how you think. Change your life. Tugging at his beard, he takes a swallow from his flask. Blows out a long breath. Then, grabbing a razor, Blake starts to shave. Time for a change of his own... CUT TO: 49.

46 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - NIGHT 46 * CLOSE ON headshots of the sixteen b-boys. Blake, now clean shaven, pulls Grifter’s photo down. Puts it in the garbage. Takes another healthy drink. Calms himself. Turning to his Sony TV, Blake presses the remote. And we see what he’s seeing. CUT TO:

47 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY47 * BOTY president, T. HERGENROTHER talks to an unseen camera. HERGENROTHER B-boys invest energy and time, seven days a week to practice. They have a love for what they’re doing. And to win a World Championship, they have an opportunity to make a living doing what they love. The screen CUTS TO A GRAFFITI SUBWAY MAP OF THE WORLD. 18 countries are marked as station stops: England, France, Germany, Russia, USA, Thailand,Labrousse Korea, Japan, China, etc... HERGENROTHER (V.O.) The top crews from each country come together for Battle Of The Year. In the first round, they perform for the judges. The screen CUTS TO first round clips of the team competition. Wild, high energy CLIPS of international crews performing insane, gravity-defying moves as one. Crowds going berserk. HERGENROTHER (V.O.) The scoring criteria for judges is based on theme and music, Stephanecreativity, stage presences, and also, of course, how well the crew is synchronized or not. CUT TO: Various shots of our fifteen remaining b-boys getting ready * for bed. Rooster’s still talking shit, laughing. Mayhem’s got * headphones on, eyes closed. Dimes is stretching. Adonis is * reading. Rockit’s playing games on a PSP. B-One and B-Two are * fast asleep. * 50.

HERGENROTHER (V.O.) Only the top four crews from the first round are qualified for the second round which is the battle round, and from the battle round comes the World Champion. CUT TO: Blake is now in bed. Something about Hergenrother’s * explanation has Blake thinking. He stares at the frozen image on the television screen, a plan forming. Clicks off the TV. Turns off the light... *

48 INT. TRAINING ROOM - DAY 48 * Early morning. Start of practice. CLOSE ON the fifteen remaining b-boys. Blake and Franklyn stand before the team. BLAKE It’s simple, gentlemen... you don’t place among the top four teams in the TEAM PERFORMANCE... you don’t go to the second round... you don’t even get the chance to battle for a World Championship. FRANKLYN NO CHAMPIONSHIP! Labrousse BLAKE We will be one of the top four teams-- FRANKLYN TOP FOUR! BLAKE We must start thinking differently about who and what we are, gentlemen. We’re not a crew, crews are common. You each came from crews. The BOTYs will be filled Stephanewith nothing but crews! FRANKLYN NOTHING BUT CREWS! BLAKE (glances to Franklyn) And only ONE of us will talk, right now! 51.

FRANKLYN Only ONE-- (realizes, quiets) Oh. BLAKE We are a team-- A TEAM. Since we now know there is no “I” in team, the word “I” is now forbidden. We will hereafter strike it from our vocabulary. For every “I” that comes out of your mouth, the entire team will do one hundred pushups. (pointed) You become “WE” or you will be gone. (cues Franklyn) And this is HOW we become “we.” Opening a bag, Franklyn dumps out two long ropes affixed with velcro-straps. The b-boys stare bewildered. What’s this? JUMP CUT TO:

49 INT. TRAINING ROOM - DAY 49 * DREAM TEAM TRAINING MONTAGE - QUICK CUTS The fifteen b-boys stand connectedLabrousse at their waists by a rope. BLAKE These are THE TIES THAT BIND, gentlemen. (spewing instructions) Since this is a new drill for all of us, we’ll start off nice and easy-- eleven steps forward, ten back, seven right, six left, eight forward, nine back, then six right, seven more left and we’ll end up where we began, got it? (blank stares, they don’t) Good! On the left. MOVE! Blake blowsStephane his whistle. First few steps the b-boy’s tangle on the ropes. They stumble, fall to the floor. BLAKE This training is about synchronicity! WHISTLE! JUMPCUTS of the team falling forwards, backwards... BLAKE To succeed at this drill, we need to get creative. (MORE) 52. BLAKE (cont'd) We see the ropes as “ropes” they will take us down every time. WHISTLE! JUMPCUTS of tangled ropes. Hot, angry b-boys. BLAKE But if we can see them as a link to our teammates, a tie that binds our individual strength’s together as one... those ties will take us all the way. WHISTLE! Falling JUMPCUTS. Everyone sweating, frustrated. ROOSTER (eyeing Kilowatt) You stupid, man?! Seven right, six left! MAYHEM Shut up-- BLAKE RUN IT! * ROOSTER (at Mayhem) Keep talking, I’ll strangle your ass with these ropes! BLAKE Labrousse “I?” -- JUMPCUT TO the team doing push-ups. Glaring at Rooster. -- WHISTLE! Back to the synchronized drill. The team’s more fluid, getting better, but not good enough-- falls again. Dimes and Adonis huff. Cast accusatory glances at Bomber. BLAKE RUN IT! * BOMBER (to Dimes and Adonis) What’re you guys looking at? I Stephanedidn’t do it. BLAKE “I?” -- The team doing more push-ups, Blake leans down to Bomber. BLAKE The word you’re looking for is “we.” As in “we” are all doing push-ups because we don’t all think in the plural. 53.

-- WHISTLE! In perfect step, the team completes Blake’s “ties that bind” drill. B-boys double over in exhausted relief. THE B-BOYS YEAH, BABY! FINALLY, DAMN! THANK GOD! BLAKE Run it... * THICKNESS (breathless) Run it? But didn’t we just-- * BLAKE We’re just getting started, gentlemen. This is the Olympics of our sport and we will train accordingly. WE’ll do this drill three-hundred times a day, everyday! RUN IT! * Phantom glances to the ever-silent b-boy Beasty beside him. PHANTOM He say three-hundred? This shit’s crazy. BLAKE (overhearing) Labrousse What’s that Mr. Phantom? PHANTOM B-boying isn’t a sport, it’s a dance, a physical expression. Hell, it’s an art. BLAKE Art versus sport. Very philosophical, Mr. Phantom. What do the rest of y’all think? No takers.Stephane BLAKE You got something to say? Come on. Speak on it... ROOSTER We compete to win, for medals, for money. That’s a sport. 54.

B-ONE I don’t know. I feel like calling it a sport cheapens what we’re doing... DIMES. You seen me break. You gonna tell me I’m not an athlete?

THICKNESS I can see both sides... More opinions are heard. Mayhem’s burning up inside. Finally let’s it out-- MAYHEM I don’t care what y’all say... When I b-boy, I’m telling a story, painting a picture. That ain’t sport! Blake sizes up all the guys. Knows this is sticky territory. Dives in... BLAKE You ever hear of a guy named Magic * Johnson? He played basketball. A * sport. But watchingLabrousse him play, it * was art. Poetry in motion. * (beat) Why can’t it be both? * Mayhem’s still not sure. Blake continues. BLAKE Think of battling not as an * opportunity to be better than the * other guy or the other team, but as * an opportunity to rise and perform * to the best of one’s ability. To be * the best that one can be in that * moment. Therein lies the ultimate * Stephanevictory. And that victory serves to * inspire not only oneself but * consequently, by example, others. * This lands with Mayhem. BLAKE The words don’t matter, gentlemen. It’s about attitude. Change how we think. Change our lives! (enough talk) NOW RUN IT! * 55.

As the Dream Team runs it back, we PULL TIGHT ON BLAKE: BLAKE By the time we set foot in France, we will be the most united, best conditioned athlete-artist-warriors in the world... PULL BACK TO REVEAL BLAKE AND THE DREAM TEAM are no longer in the training room, but running on...

50 EXT. CALIFORNIA BEACH - DAY - MONTAGE CONTINUES 50 * Blake, Franklyn and the fifteen b-boys run the shoreline. Rooster and Mayhem head the two lines. The footing is awkward in the soft sand. BLAKE Stay in step! Bomber strides out of step... BLAKE Mr. Bomber, would we prefer running to the bus station? We may have been the shit back in the Bronx, but we ain’t shit here, son! MOVE! The sand-covered b-boys swap aggravatedLabrousse looks. -- JUMPCUT TO mile two. Sweating, unsteady b-boys trying to find the rhythm. A sand-coated Adonis grumbling. ADONIS Look at this, man, sand all over us. In our hair, our shoes, our asses-- -- JUMPCUT TO mile five. Four bikinied beauties step from the surf. Smile at the running team. Rooster waves to the hotties. BLAKE StephaneFocus! We don’t get in step on the sand, we won’t step on any stage! WE GOT FIVE MORE MILES TO GO! -- JUMPCUT TO mile six. The b-boys have stopped running for some reason. Off camera, we HEAR someone retch, throwing up. A second later, a sweating Blake appears, wiping his mouth. BLAKE Let’s go. 56.

THE DREAM TEAM (can’t help themselves) RUN IT! * Blake shakes his head as the Dream Team keeps going. END TRAINING MONTAGE

51 EXT. DETENTION CENTER - DAY 51 * In the parking lot, sits Dante’s Escalade. A bodyguard opens the door. Dante steps out, eyes narrowed, gaping at something we don’t see... DANTE’S POV On rubbery legs, Blake, Franklyn and the fifteen b-boys run back into the facility. The Dream Team b-boys, covered in sweat and sand, collapse to the grass. Total exhaustion. ON DANTE, BLAKE AND FRANKLYN OFF TO THE SIDE - MOMENTS LATER Blake and Franklyn suck wind as Dante regards the b-boys. DANTE What’s the deal, man? Shouldn’t you be getting started on the team routine? BLAKE Labrousse (wipes sweat, gasping) We... are. DANTE By running them like a chain gang? And where’s Grifter? * BLAKE Grifter’s gone. * DANTE Gone? StephaneBLAKE Cut him... * DANTE GRIFTER WAS ONE OR OUR BEST B-BOYS! * BLAKE Actually, he was THE best. 57.

DANTE Alright, stop, hold up! Am I mistaken, or was it not YOUR idea to bring America’s BEST B-BOYS to the Worlds? BLAKE You’re mistaken. (off Dante’s scowl) My idea was to bring our BEST TEAM to the Worlds. Which is what we’re doing-- DANTE ARE WE? BLAKE Back off-- DANTE You back off, bitch, I’M sponsoring this team! I stuck my neck out for you! And you don’t even return my calls, so now I gotta bring my ass down here to check up on things?! BLAKE We’re in training, D. You want * status reports, call Franklyn! * DANTE Labrousse (points to Blake’s feet) Is that vomit on your shoes? Blake looks down at his shoes. BLAKE Yeah. Blake walks on without further explanation. Dante turns and looks to Franklyn. DANTE (re: the Dream Team and Blake) StephaneHow bad these fellas hating on him? FRANKLYN Real bad. Well, bad as he wants ‘em to. (off Dante’s look) WB might be crazy, D, but he knows what he’s doing. He’s bringing ‘em together. DANTE How’s that? 58.

FRANKLYN The enemy of MY enemy is my FRIEND. Dante holds.

52 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY52 * The global subway map. DING. The train stops in France. We see shots of a French crew b-boying before the Eiffel tower. CRAZY-MONKEY (FRENCH/SUBTITLES) The battle represents my childhood and what I’ve been dreaming of for such a long time. It’s what pushes me to train. Shot of Crazy Monkey talking to the unseen camera. CRAZY-MONKEY (FRENCH/SUBTITLES) The most important thing for us is to show the whole world that people who come from nowhere-- who grew up with a minimum, really a minimum, can achieve the maximum. CUT TO:

53 INT. DORM BATHROOM - NIGHT Labrousse 53 * Steam fills the room. Sniper and Adonis stand side-by-side but worlds apart at two mirrors just outside the showers. Each equipped with a Braun cruZer electric razor, Sniper works his military fade while Adonis works his sideburns. Mayhem, Rockit, Beasty, B-One and B-Two, muscles aching, wash away the sweat and sand of the day. B-TWO OH, MAN, I’M STAYING IN HERE ALL NIGHT! B-ONE StephaneThat sore? B-TWO That HAPPY. (shakes his head) Didn’t have any hot water back home the last three months. ROCKIT Didn’t pay your water bill? 59.

B-TWO It was either empty stomachs or hot water. ROCKIT How the hell’d you wash your junk? B-TWO Quickly! B-One laughs, then winces in pain. Looks over to Beasty B-ONE You sore at all, Beast? The b-boy shrugs silently, as always. B-ONE Am I the only one? ‘Cause I’m hurting in places I didn’t even know I had-- ROCKIT Me too, man, my damn eyeballs are sore! That stupid-ass sand, all uneven. Sniper chimes in as he shuffles toward the shower with his slick new hair cut. SNIPER Labrousse Why d’you think WB had us out there? (off Rockit’s look) The sand gives under your feet, forces you to use every muscle to keep balanced. B-ONE Check out Professor Anatomy-- getting all technical. SNIPER We used to run the sand in StephaneAfghanistan. Mayhem regards a gnarled bullet scar in Sniper’s side. MAYHEM Is that where you got that? SNIPER Afghanistan? Nah, Boston. (laughs) Hell, I had to bring my ass back from a war to take a bullet. 60.

MAYHEM For real? SNIPER I’m in Southie one night, heading home from a battle, feeling good too, ‘cause my crew killed it. Then, wham, I run into a couple crackheads with a .45. I’m like you gotta be kidding me! B-ONE What’s that like, man, getting shot? SNIPER Like somebody set me on fire from the inside. Burning hot, but freezing cold too. And your mind starts doing things. (off their looks) I’m lying on the sidewalk, can’t move a muscle, bleeding, and I’m thinking-- damn, was tonight my last battle? I couldn’t move, but in my mind... I started b-boying there in my own blood. Sniper sees his teammates now gaping at him... like this motherfucker is for sure crazy.Labrousse CUT TO:

54 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - NIGHT 54 * CLOSE ON Blake’s face, wincing. PULL BACK to see he’s only grabbing a remote control but every fiber and muscle in his body is screaming in agony. FRANKLYN (O.S.) Feeling all right, coach? Seeing Franklyn in his doorway Blake covers. Nods. StephaneBLAKE Fine. You? FRANKLYN (jokes) Takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’... Blake clicks on the Sony TV. Planet B-boy plays. Blake’s eyes narrow. The documentary shows an image of a BOTY SCORE CARD. 61.

Blake notices Franklyn still hovering in the door. Presses pause. BLAKE If you’re about to ask me if you can ask a question, Franklyn, don’t. It’s a semi-annoying habit. You wanna ask? Ask. FRANKLYN Actually, I just wanted to say thank you. BLAKE For what? FRANKLYN For this. For everything. D told me I could learn a lot from you. He was right. BLAKE Yeah, well, he’s a wise man. FRANKLYN He also mentioned what happened to, you know, your family and I just wanted to say... * Blake’s face darkens. Brow furrowingLabrousse in quiet anger. BLAKE That’s none of his damned business * or your’s either. You understand that, son? FRANKLYN * Coach, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-- * BLAKE * (waves him away) Go on, get outta here, I’m watching tape. FranklynStephane nods. Turns away to leave. He’s hit a chink in * Blake’s armor. Old wounds that just won’t heal. * Blake glances back to the TV screen... narrows his eyes at * the frozen image of the BOTY scorecard. * BLAKE * Hey, Franklyn? * Franklyn turns back. Unsure... * 62.

BLAKE * B-girl Betty? * FRANKLYN * Forget it, coach. Bad idea... * BLAKE * Bring her in. * FRANKLYN * Seriously? * Blake nods. Franklyn can’t help crack a smile. * FRANKLYN * Will do... * Franklyn’s off and running. Blake lies down in bed. Clicks * off the image of the BOTY score card. Takes a long swallow * from his flask. Turns off the light. * MATCH CUT TO:

55 INT. TRAINING ROOM - DAY 55 * CLOSE ON FRANKLYN pinning up a placard-- a blown-up judge’s * score card from BOTY. PULL BACK to the b-boys, listening to * Blake. But the guys are a bit Labroussedistracted. Standing beside * coach is a newcomer. B-GIRL BETTY... * BLAKE The five commandments. We want to be champions? We burn these into our minds. (points to categories) Foundation. Artistry. Teamwork. Execution. Strategy. Put those together and what do they spell... Fates. Ours. (nods) We have the power to create our own fates, gentlemen. * Stephane(now looks to the lone * female in the room) * Towards that end, we’re making a * change... * The guys look to each other, confused. * Let me introduce the newest member * of our coaching staff. Betty... * B-girl Betty steps forward. The guys are openly staring. * Gawking. They can’t help it. The name fits... * 63.

BETTY * Glad to be here. * Whistles from the guys. They’re glad she’s here, too. * BLAKE * Betty is going to help us * choreograph our team routine. * More whistles. Applause... * B-TWO * That’s not all she can help us * with. * The guys laugh. Blake’s not liking it. * ROCKIT * Where’s she staying? We can make * room... * More laughter. * BLAKE * Dante’s arranged for Betty to * commute to and from the facility. * Boos now. Labrousse * ROOSTER * There gonna be any private * training? * More laughter. Blake is pissed. But before he can crack the * whip, Betty interrupts-- * BETTY * Okay. Let’s get this discussion out * in the open. Right from the start. * I hate to break it to you all... * but I’m not into boys. * Wow. TheStephane guys take this in for a beat. Not the end of the * world. Maybe even more interesting... * ROOSTER * Hey, that’s cool. That girl on girl * shit is sexy! * More laughs and catcalls. But Betty’s not done-- * BETTY * I’m into men. * 64.

No more laughs. No more catcalls. Ding! Ding! Knockout! The * guys are left speechless. * Meanwhile, Blake can’t help but crack a grin. Franklyn sees * it. * BA-BUMP! The soundtrack pumps as we CUT TO... *

56 INT. TRAINING ROOM 56 * FIVE WEEKS -- TRAINING MONTAGE * (NOTE: The purpose of this section is: Show the tension of * the cuts. See Blake’s distinctive team training. Track * Franklyn’s role as a coach and Betty’s team choreography. * Show SNIPPETS of the b-boys lives and passion for their sport). -- Synchronicity drills. The team gets faster and faster. * Too fast. Wizard falters. BLAKE RUN IT! * -- The guys doing pull-ups. Franklyn counts off. “Fifty, * fifty one.” -- The team runs along the shore. Thickness has trouble keeping up. Blake shouting atLabrousse him HUSTLE! -- Betty choreographs. Dimes flips Rooster, who flips * Sniper, who flips Mayhem, who flips Bomber. CUT TO:

57 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY57 * A Japanese b-boy talks about in-fighting and bickering within the crew. JAPANESE B-BOY We represented Japan. I remember Stephaneeverything about that year. Everything was about winning. Our crew fought the most that year because we wanted to win. JAPANESE B-BOY #2 We didn’t win anything. CUT TO: 65.

58 INT. TRAINING ROOM 58 * -- Betty choreographs. Mayhem, T-One, T-Two, Adonis, Sledge * and Rooster, perform spinning handstands. Incredible skills of strength and balance, but... hopelessly out of synch. Blake notes Rooster’s trying to outdo Mayhem. BLAKE Goddamnit, Roo, quit drifting! You’re point man on this. How can anyone follow you if you’re all over the damn place?! (blows his whistle) Get out! Get your ass out of there! ROOSTER What’d I do? BLAKE “I?” The team groans. Mayhem’s pissed. MAYHEM Who’s stupid now? The rivals do pushups side-by-side, talking shit in a hush. ROOSTER Labrousse You wanna catch a beating? MAYHEM Keep playing with fire-- ROOSTER You don’t have what it takes, son. MAYHEM (pops up to his feet) Get up. ROOSTER Stephane(flips up to his feet, pushes Mayhem) * You wanna go, we’ll go-- Before this escalates any further, Blake intervenes. * Separates the two. Forcefully-- * BLAKE So let me see if we have this straight-- we used to be friends, but some shit went down and now * we’re mortal enemies? * (MORE) 66. BLAKE (cont'd) Let me be crystal clear. History is exactly that. HISTORY. The fighting ends now, understand? NOW! (then, to everyone) Do we understand? The next person who even thinks about fighting? * YOU WILL BE GONE! The two b-boys eyeball each other. Clearly this ain’t over.

59 EXT. CALIFORNIA BEACH - MORNING 59 * -- Another morning. The team runs on the shore. Blake spies Thickness still not quite keeping up.

60 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM 60 * -- Friday. CLOSE ON the b-boy headshots. The coach takes down Thickness’ picture. Drinks. THE DREAM TEAM IS DOWN TO FOURTEEN.

61 INT. TRAINING ROOM 61 * Betty calls out b-boy moves as Blake and Franklyn look on. * First Rooster dances alone. ThenLabrousse Dimes jumps beside him... then B-One, B-Two and Mayhem-- a team gradually finding its rhythm. BETTY * Apache... Scissors... Elbow Chair... Virgin Flare, that isn’t a damn virgin, Mr. Dimes, keep your legs together... Air Anchor... One Hand Planche...

62 EXT. DETENTION CENTER - MORNING 62 * 5:55AM. Bomber comes back from another night out. Slips inside Stephanethe side door, already wearing his Dream Team sweats. FRANKLYN (O.S.) Have a good time? Bomber wheels around, finds Franklyn in the shadows. Busted. FRANKLYN Coach finds out... you will be gone. The b-boy gets in Franklyn’s face. He’s not happy. 67.

BOMBER Have I ever been late even once? Have I? FRANKLYN It’s not just about being on time-- BOMBER You think I don’t know that? DAMN! (off Franklyn’s look) The first b-boy video I ever saw was Battle Of The Year. I was just eight years old, but it was like BA- BOOOOM! (bangs a fist on his temple) Shit hit me like a lightning bolt! And I’ve never been the same. Been training every damn day since that day, Franklyn-- Blake walks around the corner. Sees Franklyn and Bomber. BLAKE We doing alright? FRANKLYN We’re fine, coach... just talking. Blake holds. Knows something’s up, but decides not to push it. Keeps moving. Labrousse FRANKLYN Be late one time. ONE TIME! Bomber nods gratefully. Sprints off to practice.

63 INT. TRAINING ROOM 63 * Franklyn videos the practice. Betty’s got the team moving in * rhythm. Until Bomber loses the step. Blake jumps in his face. BLAKE StephaneThere a problem? Why we draggin’, son? We tired? Franklyn and Bomber swap a quick look. BOMBER Nah, WB, I ain’t tired-- (catches himself) SHIT! Blake doesn’t need to say a word. The b-boys groan and grumble as they hit the floor and start doing pushups. * 68.

64 INT. TRAINING ROOM - LATER 64 * After practice. Blake leaves the training room. Stops. Spies Bomber, alone, working on his steps.

65 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM 65 * Another Friday. Blake eyes the b-boy headshots. Reaches toward Bomber’s photo, but moves past it. Takes down Wizard.

66 INT. TRAINING ROOM 66 * TIGHT SHOTS of Blake yelling commands, time going by... BLAKE RUN IT... * CUT TO: Betty choreographs. Head spins. Kilowatt is twirling like a * airplane propeller. Kilo loses his balance. BAM! Hits the floor hard. Shouts. B-boys wince. Spy Kilo’s arm broken at a sickening angle. LabrousseCUT TO: 67 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM 67 * Another Friday. Blake takes down injured Kilowatt. Gone.

68 INT. REC HALL 68 * Down time. Some b-boys play cards, while others watch a training tape of themselves at practice. ADONIS Look at that... Damn, that is one beautiful man, right there! REVERSEStephane the shot to see Adonis is mock raving about HIMSELF pulling an insane back-scratching move on the video. Nearby, Sniper shakes his head. Clearly bothered by Adonis. B-ONE (re: the training tape) I don’t know ‘bout the beautiful part, but you’re sure killing that shit, man! B-One and Adonis swap some dap. 69.

B-TWO Where the hell you get the balls to pull that shit? Adonis holds up his gold necklace. ADONIS Right here, man. B-TWO What the hell’s that? ADONIS It’s a Krugerrand. (laughs) First time I tried to battle, I’m fifteen. No idea what I’m doing-- no form, no style, no nothing. But my mother, see, she knows I’m not like the other kids-- I’m scared, I’m gay, and all I wanna do is b- boy. So after the battle, she gives me this. Sorta like her gold medal to me. She tells me, “Richie, never apologize for who you are. You are beautiful, just the way God made you. You are an Adonis.” Sniper doesn’t want to hear anymore. Pumping up the volume on his Walkman, he puts on hisLabrousse headphones and turns to Beasty. Talks loud over his headphones. SNIPER Figures he’s a mama’s boy. In one deft motion, Adonis flips backward over the couch and shoves Sniper hard into the lounge wall. BAM! Sniper’s Walkman slams away, its screen shattering into glass shards. ADONIS Say all you want about me-- but say one more word about my mother-- SNIPER Stephane(picks up busted Walkman) Crazy ass bitch, look at this shit! Sniper pushes forward toward Adonis, ready to brawl, until... BLAKE (O.S.) How we doing in here, gentlemen? Sniper pulls up short. Spots Blake entering the lounge. SNIPER ... We good, coach. 70.

BLAKE (knowingly) How ‘bout it, Adonis? We good? Adonis’s angry eyes shift to Blake. Pushing b-boys aside, he stalks out of the lounge. Gotta get away. CUT TO:

69 INT. TRAINING ROOM - LATE NIGHT 69 * -- Close on an R.I.P. tattoo. Pull back to see Adonis b- boying by himself. Pent up emotions pouring out of him... CUT TO:

70 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY70 * The quick clip of Katsu and his father. Shots of the Japanese b-boy working in the family’s traditional tea shop. KATSU My father died about three years ago. They found a tumor in his liver. KATSU’S MOTHER My husband wanted him to finish high school, then goLabrousse to college. Keep dancing as a hobby. KATSU When he was in the hospital struggling we didn’t get along very well. He didn’t understand me and we didn’t talk. (thoughtful) My father simply wanted me to grow up. Shots of Katsu in a b-boy battle, emotion pouring out of him. StephaneKATSU’S CREWMATE (O.S.) Katsu continued to b-boy after his father died. He needed it more than ever... battling can help release emotions. FREEZE ON FRAME CUT TO: 71.

71 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - LATE NIGHT 71 * Blake stares at the television from his bed. The frozen image of Katsu’s crewmate staring back at him. Katsu’s intimate story has conjured up a wide range of emotions in the coach. Memories of his own family. Thoughts of the boys he now leads. With a sigh, Blake leans over to the night stand. Turns off the light.

72 EXT. CALIFORNIA BEACH - DAY 72 * The team moves along the shore. Blake considers Sniper. Shouts to his team. BLAKE Change how you think, gentlemen. Change your lives! CUT TO:

73 INT. BASKETBALL COURT - NIGHT 73 * After hours. Mayhem’s group of b-boys practices. B-boying off the walls. Having fun...

74 INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT 74 * Rooster’s group is also training.Labrousse Spinning, flipping, grinding.

75 INT. TRAINING ROOM - DAY 75 * Blake and Betty have added complex steps and moves. * The team flies about, twisting, spinning and flipping together. The combo of artistry and teamwork is stunning. PULL BACK to see Franklyn watching with an awestruck Dante. DANTE StephaneWhen the hell’d this shit happen? FRANKLYN Been happening since day one. (off Dante’s look) WB’s got these guys thinking different, D. It’s working. Off to the side, Blake claps enthusiastically. BLAKE Excellent, I like what I’m seeing! 72.

The Dream Team all look up. Did he say “I”?! * -- JUMPCUT to Blake doing pushups. *

76 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - DAY 76 * Another Friday. Blake drinks. Eyes his b-boy headshots.

77 INT. CAFETERIA - DAY 77 * Cafeteria buffet line. The b-boys sliding trays. There’s a different feel to the Dream Team-- boundaries coming down. SLEDGE (smiles to Rooster and Dimes) You see the look on Dante’s face? All happy. Dude can see we’re on point. VOICE (O.S.) Sledge... The smiling b-boy turns finding Franklyn. FRANKLYN ...Coach wants to see you in his office. Labrousse Sledge’s smile falters. The call no one wants to get. The rest of the b-boys look away from their teammate. Dead silence. Nothing anyone can say. Sledge nods to them, leaving the line, walking off with Franklyn. Sledge is gone. Rooster eyes a cherry pie. Only eight slices to go round. ROOSTER These cuts are getting crazy... Rooster ladles out a pie slice as he glances to Dimes. StephaneROOSTER You know, I’m still wanting my slice of pie and all... but it’s not easy watching the other brothers go hungry.

78 INT. TRAINING ROOM 78 * Betty shouts out b-boy moves. The team performs the moves as * one. The breathtaking power of synchronicity. Speed. Power. Unity. 73.

BETTY * Airflare 1.5.... Twin-legged Flare... Shoulder Halos... Gatlin Gun... Handhop Pikes... Coin Drop... Turtle Scratch... Blake and Franklyn watch. It’s a thing of beauty. All eleven * b-boys phenomenal.

MATCH DISSOLVE TO:

79 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM 79 * Friday. Eleven b-boy headshots-- * VOICE (O.S)) Getting harder to pick, huh? Looking over his shoulder, Blake sees Franklyn at his door. FRANKLYN (re: Dream Team headshots) Every one of the guys has the moves down. BLAKE This isn’t about the moves anymore, Franklyn, it’s aboutLabrousse the chemistry. FRANKLYN (nods) Like which dudes are getting along? BLAKE Not about that either. The record books are filled with teams that couldn’t ever get along. Championship teams, too-- FRANKLYN StephaneSo what then? BLAKE Those teams had something else... the players pushed each other to greatness. (blows out a long breath) ...Tell Phantom I need to see him.

80 INT. DORM - SHORT WHILE LATER 80 * The ten remaining b-boys hug and say goodbye to Phantom. Give him his respect. 74.

The cuts have become gut-wrenching for the entire team.

81 INT. TRAINING ROOM - NEXT DAY 81 * The team is huddled around a Sony TV, watching footage of the Russian crew, Top Nine. They’re phenomenal. Blake eyes them like an NBA scout. Blake points out their strengths and weaknesses. Franklyn and * Betty take notes. *

82 INT. CAFETERIA - LATE NIGHT 82 * -- CLOSE ON a poster in graffiti script: D-Entertainment presents... USA Dream Team vs RUSSIA’S TOP NINE. PULL BACK to reveal we’re in the cafeteria. Blake’s holding a late-night strategy session with the team. Dante and Franklyn * are there. * On a table, Blake positions ten salt and pepper shakers about a makeshift stage. Shows the b-boys their transitions. The tired b-boys roll their eyes, been over this a million times. BLAKE Forget everything we think we know about battling. We’ll attack in two’s three’s and fours, understand? No man Labroussegoes solo! DREAM TEAM No man goes solo. BLAKE (points out b-boys) First line, Rockit, Rooster and Mayhem Apache. Step to the front. On each flank, B-One and B-Two will- -- where’s Two? Blake realizes B-Two is missing. Even B-One is surprised. StephaneBLAKE Where’s Two? A moment later, B-Two bursts through the door at a sprint. BLAKE How’s your watch, Mr. Two? It working? B-TWO Ahhh, yeah, coach, it’s good-- 75.

BLAKE Then what is so important to make the rest of us late? We battle Russia’s top-crew tomorrow. (B-Two holds, hesitant) WHY ARE YOU LATE, SON?! B-TWO (how to say it) Ahhh, well... “WE” had to take a shit. Everyone cracks up. Even Blake has to laugh. * The MONTAGE ENDS as we SMASH CUT to...

83 EXT. DREAM TEAM BUS - NIGHT 83 * The bus turns into the parking lot of...

84 EXT. CLUB VORTEX - NIGHT 84 * The bus rolls past a row of promo posters plastered on the walls: D-ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS B-BOY MADNESS. USA DREAM TEAM vs RUSSIA’S TOP NINE. Hundreds of hipsters, hotties and hardcore b-boys smoking and joking, streaming inside the club.Labrousse

85 INT. CLUB VORTEX - SAME 85 * The place is mobbed. The music bumping. The crowd hyped. Dante’s with his bodyguards taking it all in -- loving it. Dante watches Blake, Franklyn, Betty, and The Dream Team * filing through the club wearing matching Dream Team shirts, getting cheers from the crowd. This is a big moment. Out of nowhere a SEXY GIRL runs up calling Rooster’s name. She grabs Rooster and pulls him into a wet kiss.Stephane One of his groupies. ROOSTER Ohhhhhh, it’s on, baby. IT IS ON! Not everyone here is on the Dream Team’s side, however. VOICE (O.S.) Hope you brought yourself a mop, Rooster. 76.

Rooster and Dimes turn, find Gatlin and other members of L.A.’s Finest. Gatlin gives his former crewmates the once- over. GATLIN After these Russian boys bitch slap your asses, you gonna need one. ROOSTER (laughs, cups his ear) What’s that, couldn’t hear you, the crowd’s cheering so loud for me-- Blake listens, but doesn’t intercede. GATLIN You got the moves, but without me you ain’t shit. DIMES Don’t listen to him, Roo. You’ll be sending his ass a postcard from France. Blake corrals the team toward backstage. BLAKE LET’S GO, GENTLEMEN! FOCUS! Gatlin and his b-boys pantomimeLabrousse mopping the floor. GATLIN You playing yourself Roo. ROOSTER (moving on) Good to see you’re not bitter, Gat. CUT TO:

86 INT. BACKSTAGE WINGS - SHORT WHILE LATER 86 * TOP NINE shouts in Russian, clapping hands, bouncing in a huddle.Stephane Feeding off each other’s energy. The Dream Team, in turn, is spread out, preparing, stretching individually. Blake hurriedly calls his b-boys together. BLAKE Okay, boys, huddle up. We’re wearing these shirts for a reason! We know what to do, we know what they’ll do. And we know WE do it better. Gimme hands! (puts out his hand) Team, on three. ONE-TWO-THREE--- 77.

Before Blake can say “Team”, Beasty vomits. Sending his disgusted teammates recoiling away, breaking the huddle. DREAM TEAM OH, SHIT! WHAT THE HELL, BEAST?! The ever-silent b-boy wipes his mouth, unapologetic... BEASTY Never fails. Every damn battle.

QUICK CUT TO:

87 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - ACTUAL FOOTAGE FROM DOCUMENTARY87 * The iconic American b-boy, MR. FREEZE, waves his hands in the air. MR. FREEZE The battle is what the American b- boy is about. You eat, sleep, shit, piss, think, and dream about the battle... The image CUTS TO a strong, passionate, French b-boy, NABIL. NABIL (FRENCH/SUBTITLES) First time I saw a b-boyLabrousse in the movies-- moving and spinning-- it was like destiny saying “This is for you.” You are the movement of life. (pounds his gut, overcome) It’s very personal and emotional for me.

CUT BACK TO:

88 INT. CLUBStephane VORTEX - NIGHT 88 * WHOOOSH! A swirl of limbs and torsos flies through frame, the striking image of two b-boys pushing it to the extreme. B-One and B-Two killing it on the floor. Spinning like tops. We’re mid-battle. The crowd goes wild as they flip, spin, land and point-- challenging the Russian crew opposite them. The Russian b-boys shrug dismissive. Make hand gestures. Talk shit. Then go on the attack. And it’s something to behold. Showmanship to spare. 78.

JUMPCUTS OF THE RUSSIAN CREW Windmills, aerial flairs, spinning planches, one “in-your- face” move after another. The Dream Team waves off the Russian b-boys. Some of our guys respond with taunts, yawn, pretend to piss. Yell at the Russians, you got nothing! Blake sees this and is pissed. BLAKE HELL NO! CUT THAT SHIT OUT! (points) COUNTER TWO, BOMB, AD! GO-GO-GO! Bomber and Adonis join in the taunting. Beating their chests they flip into the battle... But it goes awry, Bomber slips on a wet patch of sweat and collides into his teammate. WHAM! Humiliating. The Russian crew and the crowd roar with laughter. Gatlin and his boys howl, point fingers at Rooster! * A shift occurs in the Dream Team. A thread of panic. ROOSTER This thing’s getting away! Franklyn and Betty look to Blake. * BLAKE (yelling off stage)Labrousse KEEP GOING! ROOSTER-MAYHEM, ATTACK! ON THE STAGE Rooster and Mayhem launch into a coordinated counter-attack. At first it’s fast and flowing. But it doesn’t last. Rooster wants to lead the charge. They fall out of synch. In the crowd, Rooster spots Gatlin screaming. GATLIN StephaneHA! WHAT YOU GONNA DO NOW, FOOL?! Rooster and Mayhem unchain a series of ferocious combinations -- hare-footed leg kicks-- swinging at impossible angles. GATLIN HE AIN’T SHIT WITHOUT ME! Though dazzling, Rooster keeps trying to one-up Mayhem. He’s battling Mayhem, instead of the Russians. No teamwork. BLAKE What’s he doing? 79.

Blake can feel the crowd shifting away from them. He shouts at the rest of the Dream Team watching Rooster and Mayhem. BLAKE WORK THE FLANKS! GET OUT THERE! (points at Roo) THEY’RE GONNA TRIPLE-UP! Unable to hear Blake, the confused Dream Team hangs back, unsure what to do. Exactly as Blake had warned, three Russian b-boys leap up, corkscrewing into impossible coffee grinder moves that leave them in Roo’s face. Dante watches the audience all around him going BALLISTIC! AUDIENCE TOP NINE! TOP NINE! TOP NINE! In the wings, Blake holds. Franklyn and Betty can also see * the battle is lost. AUDIENCE (O.S.) TOP NINE! TOP NINE! TOP NINE! QUICK SHOTS OF THE STAGE AND CROWD The Russian Crew celebrating... The Dream Team shell- shocked... Dante shaking his head... Gatlin and his boys laughing... Blake burning in anger, turning to Franklyn and * Betty. Labrousse * BLAKE Get’em outside. Now. CUT TO:

89 INT. CLUB VORTEX - SHORT WHILE LATER 89 * The Russian crew parties at the bar, enjoying the spoils of their victory. Dante weaves through the crowd. Calls to Blake, leaving. StephaneDANTE Wait, WB, we gotta talk! BLAKE Not now, D! I know what to do! DANTE Didn’t look like it! Blake keeps moving. CUT TO: 80.

90 EXT. CLUB VORTEX PARKING LOT - NIGHT 90 * The Dream Team, still confused, argues amongst themselves. ADONIS They were cheering the Russians? Nobody cheers the Russians-- DIMES We played ourselves-- VOICE (O.S.) Take off those shirts. The Dream Team quiets. Blake emerges from the shadows. BLAKE Take ‘em off, I said. DO IT! The confused b-boys do as ordered. Some have tank-tops or tee-shirts underneath, some are bare-chested. BLAKE You don’t deserve to wear those shirts! They represent something. What do you represent? ROOSTER Coach-- BLAKE Labrousse Shut up! Blake blows his whistle. BLAKE We’re running. Right now... The b-boys gape incredulously. What? BLAKE If you can’t be a team on the stage, you’ll be a team on the street. Stephane(blows his whistle) LET’S GO, GENTLEMEN! HUSTLE! Franklyn approaches Blake. FRANKLYN WB, you know it’s like a good twelve miles back home, right? Blake ignores his assistant coach, stays focused on his team. 81.

BLAKE How can you expect to be champions, if you won’t act like champions?! (mimics the team) ME-ME-ME! I’m Rooster, look at me. I’m Adonis, look at me grind! Act the fool, be the fool?! (rage growing) We are no longer just b-boys from America, when we step on that stage we are diplomats of America. And I’ll be goddamned if we’re gonna be ugly ones! People from the club filter outside. A crowd gathering, Gatlin and his crew among them. They laugh and catcall. GATLIN Dream Team, my ass! Y’all a nightmare! Blake doesn’t give a damn. His glare turns to Rooster. BLAKE You happy, superstar?! Did you show your old crew how special you are tonight?! You prove them wrong?! (in Rooster’s face) Some idiot says something and it throws off your wholeLabrousse game?! You that sensitive, son? You really that weak?! Rooster simmers silently. Blake now spins to Bomber. BLAKE You afraid of winning? IS THAT IT?! BOMBER Nah, the shit just got crazy-- BLAKE That’s your answer, the shit got Stephanecrazy? ‘Cause that’s not a good answer, you might want to reconsider that answer! ROOSTER We messed up, coach. BLAKE We didn’t mess up, son, we humiliated ourselves! We stopped battling our opponent and started battling Mayhem! (to the team) (MORE) 82. BLAKE (cont'd) The second we hit adversity, all our training went out the damn window. Well, that individual “look at me” bullshit didn’t work tonight, hasn’t worked for fifteen years, and damn sure won’t work at the BOTYs! Hell with it, I can’t even talk to you idiots, anymore! GET RUNNING! MOVE! The stunned crowd can’t believe their eyes. They holler as Blake and Franklyn lead the Dream Team down the street. Off * Betty’s concerned face-- * CUT TO:

91 EXT. STREET - NIGHT 91 * -- JUMPCUT TO the team, drenched in sweat, laboring up an impossibly steep hill. Blake, beside them, screams. BLAKE Why are we slowing down?! PICK IT UP! GO! -- JUMPCUT TO another hill. BLAKE GODDAMM CANDY-ASSES!Labrousse MOVE! -- JUMPCUT TO the bone-tired team running into the detention center. Blake sucks wind, wipes sweat. Still furious twelve miles later. BLAKE We cannot know how to win, until we know why we’ve been losing! What happened on that stage tonight-- that is why! It’s everything we need to know. (spits on the ground) Either get smart, gentlemen, or be gone! Out team may be a lotta Stephanethings, but stupid will never be one of them! Blake turns away and the Dream Team collapses to the grass. CUT TO:

92 INT. DORM BATHROOM - NIGHT 92 * Sighing in exhaustion, mind, bodies and souls spent, the b- boys undress for the showers. Sniper checks his watch. 83.

SNIPER Three and half goddamn hours. BOMBER That was some bullshit. ROOSTER What are you bitching about, man-- you’re why we ran. Bomber cranes, shooting Rooster a hard look. BOMBER Yo, number one: I wasn’t even talking about running, I was talking about the battle. And number two: MY FAULT?! ROOSTER You don’t crash into Adonis like some clown, none of this happens-- BOMBER Hold up? You seriously blaming me? ROOSTER Back me up, Dimes. Tell him. DIMES It WAS your fault, Roo.Labrousse ROOSTER See, that-- (realizes, turns to Dimes) What’d you say? Dimes doesn’t waver, stares his old friend in the eye. DIMES We ran tonight because of You, and we lost tonight because of You. The b-boys from Mayhem’s group perk up, nod in agreement. StephaneROOSTER (taken aback) You saw what happened, Dimes. If anything, I was trying to rescue his ass-- DIMES (shakes his head) C’mon, man, I’ve heard that same tired noise for years. Anything happens, it’s always-always somebody else’s fault. 84.

ROOSTER What’s up? Why you comin’ at me? WHAM! Dimes physically pushes Rooster in the chest. DIMES CAUSE MY FEET HURT, I STINK, AND I’M REALLY PISSED OFF! All the b-boys are stunned, but none more than Rooster. ROOSTER (flaring) You lost your mind?! MAYHEM Listen to your boy, Roo-- Eyes burning with rage, Dimes levels a finger at Mayhem. DIMES You shut up, too! You’re as bad as him. MAYHEM WHAT? Now you’re mad at the world? DIMES Nah, just you two assholes! (shakes his head) Since I walked in theseLabrousse doors, I’ve been putting everything I got into this team. My heart, my hopes, my soul! But coach was right, this team isn’t going nowhere if you two don’t start coming together right now! The b-boys from Rooster’s side, pipe up. ADONIS Damn straight, Dimes! Tell’em... DIMES StephaneLook around you. Look at these guys. WE got everything we need to win, RIGHT HERE. To be the best there is. And you’re too goddamn ignorant to see it-- MAYHEM (to Rooster) Your man needs to calm down-- 85.

DIMES Guys like you and Roo, you might get other chances, but for a dude like me, this shit is it! I’m never gonna get another shot at this, ever. So I’m taking it, even if I gotta bust your face or dog my oldest friend. I want to win, understand, I WANT TO WIN! (points at Rooster and Mayhem) Question is-- WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?! Breathing in jagged gasps, Dimes stalks off to the showers. CUT TO:

93 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - NIGHT 93 * Coach is still furious. Takes down the board of Dream Team b- boy photos on his wall. Heaves the board into the corner, WHAM! It snaps in two. Blake plops down into his chair. Grabs his flask on the desk. Takes a long stiff pull. Something, however, makes him Labroussepause. He regards the flask. A man reflecting on his demons. Exhausting a heavy breath, Blake shoots the flask into a garbage pail across the room. Blake sits in silence. But the demons inside still call. His eyes catch the busted board of photos on the floor. The b-boys look back at him. Mock him. Rising to his feet, Blake stalks to the garbage pail. Fishes out his flask. Mutters, fuck me. Drinks. CUT TO:

94 INT. TRAININGStephane ROOM - NIGHT 94 * The hour is late. Mayhem’s found some privacy. He’s got headphones on. Stares out into space. The door opens. Rooster stands in the threshold. Mayhem doesn’t bother to look Rooster’s way. ROOSTER I’ve been looking for you. We need to talk. 86.

MAYHEM Been too much talk already. Rooster holds. Unsure what to say. Then, Mayhem takes off his headphones. Turns to Rooster. MAYHEM You still here? ROOSTER I’m trying to tell you... Dimes was right. Mayhem’s listening now. ROOSTER Look May, you’re the best here. But rather than admit it, I talk shit. Act like I’m the man. Try to tear you and everything down in my way. MAYHEM Where you going with this? ROOSTER For whatever reason, the b-boy Gods gave you something extra. You see a move once, bam, you own that shit. Me, I gotta pump out twenty gallons of sweat justLabrousse to come close. I’ve always hated you for that! But the truth is, that’s what got me here, without that, without you, I don’t even make this team. (beat) Let’s wipe the slate clean. We can win this thing. If we work together... Mayhem takes this in. Roo’s not sure which way this is gonna go. StephaneMAYHEM You know you’re not the only one here ‘cause of the other. Roo looks at Mayhem like he doesn’t understand. ROOSTER Huh? MAYHEM I don’t like to battle cause I’m scared to lose. (MORE) 87. MAYHEM (cont'd) Scared to let everybody down. Scared to let myself down. You have no fear, Roo. I always wished I had your courage. It inspires me. Rooster’s touched. Can’t believe it. ROOSTER So I should keep talking shit? MAYHEM Wouldn’t be you if you didn’t... Rooster cracks a grin. Off Mayhem’s grin back. Boys again. CUT TO:

95 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - DAY 95 * Darkness. A door opens, casting hall light into the room. CLOSE ON a wall clock. 6:05 AM. On the floor, the broken b- boy photo board. Blake’s flask. On the couch, Blake lays asleep. Stepping inside the room, Rooster shakes his sleeping coach. ROOSTER Coach... coach, wakeLabrousse up... (Blake rolls open an eye) It’s after six. Time to practice. BLAKE Get out. No practice today. ROOSTER C’mon, coach-- BLAKE Get outta my goddamn office! ROOSTER StephaneNo. We’re not going anywhere. BLAKE WE? What d’you know about we, son? MAYHEM (O.S.) We, coach. All of us. We’re ready to practice. Blake’s eyes adjust. Clocking Rooster and Mayhem together. The entire team behind them. The b-boys stare at their coach. 88.

MAYHEM We got work to do, coach. ROOSTER To know how to win, we gotta know why we lost. After last night, we figure we got that losing part down. (pointed) Now we gotta learn how to win. Surprised by their solidarity, Blake pushes himself up. BLAKE (rises to his feet) Training room. Ten minutes. Bring * towels. Off the b-boy’s confused expressions-- * CUT TO:

96 INT. TRAINING ROOM 96 * CLOSE ON a bath towel flying down the floor. * BLAKE (O.S.) We want to win, we need to change how we think. Sound familiar? Success is a choice.Labrousse Not a some-of- the-time choice. But an all-of-the- time choice. PULL BACK to see a sweaty Beasty running stooped over, hands on the towel. A backbreaking drill. The rest of the team does the same drill. Coming and going, up and down. * BLAKE The most important muscle we can train is our minds. We can think we’re just cleaning the floors... or think we’re cleaning our minds. (nods) Do that, the drill becomes easier. StephaneA wise man changes his mind, a fool never learns. JUMPCUT TO...

97 INT. TRAINING ROOM - DAY 97 * Betty choreographs the team... * 89.

BLAKE ALL true champions know the mental game is the key. It’s their greatest power. JUMPCUT to more team choreography... * BLAKE Most people NEVER touch that power. Don’t even know they have it. They just do the same ol’ shit and think the same ol’ thoughts every damn day, year after year. It’s why those people will tell you, “same shit, different day.” The only thing permanent is change. JUMPCUT to more team choreography... * BLAKE Right now, instead of cursing about these drills, we should choose to say we’re giving these drills, our team, our country every ounce of ourselves! JUMPCUT to more team choreography... * BLAKE Choose to see ourselves as champions, think, eat,Labrousse breathe, talk, walk and act like champions. Do that-- something happens-- we start making the right choices. We become unstoppable, we become champions at EVERY THING WE DO! Sniper’s arms give. WHAM! He and Adonis fall to the floor. Rising to his feet, Adonis reaches down offering his hand to Sniper. The Marine b-boy hesitates. Then takes it. Blake notes the small gesture. Knows it wasn’t small... * Stephane CUT TO:

98 EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - NIGHT 98 * TWICK! A basketball arcs through a rusty chain-link net. PULL BACK to see Blake’s shooting baskets with Franklyn and * Betty. He’s a machine, drains shot after shot. * FRANKLYN * Tomorrow’s Friday. Last man down. 90.

BLAKE We can’t think of it as cutting the last man, we have to think of it as * choosing the final team. Blake shoots. TWICK! Betty passes him back the ball. * BETTY * That make it easier? BLAKE (shoots) Not really. CLANK! Blake finally misses. As he retrieves the ball his eyes narrow on something. Whatever he’s seeing, it isn’t good. His jaw tightens. The angle REVERSES... Blake’s spotted Bomber heading out of * the facility. The Bronx b-boy turns a corner to points * unknown. Without a word, Blake leaves Franklyn and Betty behind. No * explanation. * BETTY * He doesn’t like me much-- * FRANKLYN * It’s not you. Labrousse * BETTY * What is it then? He married? * FRANKLYN * Was... * Off Betty’s face. Tell me more... * CUT TO: 99 EXT. CROWNStephane MOTEL - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING 99 * A seedy low rent dump in the heart of the hood. We can hear the sounds of music, arguing, people partying it up.

100 ROOM 111 - MOMENTS LATER 100 * Blake BANG-BANGS on a door. A moment later, the door swings open. Bomber glares out furious, until seeing it’s Blake. BOMBER Ohhh, damn... 91.

BLAKE Are you really this stupid? BOMBER (hushed) Coach, look-- BLAKE The rules are very simple-- Before Blake can finish a baby cries. Off Blake’s look. CUT TO:

101 INT. BOMBER’S MOTEL ROOM - MOMENTS LATER 101 * Bomber’s girl, JOLENE, holds his crying infant daughter, ALEENA (nine months). Bomber takes the infant from her. Cradles his baby. BOMBER It’s okay lil’ girl. Daddy’s here. He tries a bottle, but the wailing infant doesn’t want it. BOMBER Coach, meet Jolene... and this right here is Aleena. Blake nods to Jolene. They shakeLabrousse hands. Awkward. The baby continues to cry in Bomber’s arms. BLAKE ...You ever hear of the four S’s?

102 ON ALEENA CRYING - MOMENTS LATER 102 * Blake wraps her in a blanket. Folding corners just so. BLAKE Swaddle. Side. Shimmy. Shush. Shows themStephane a little known parenting trick for wailing babies. BLAKE Swaddling soothes her. Tight, but not too tight. Then hold her to the side. BOMBER Yo, it’s not gonna work-- 92.

BLAKE Pay attention. Shimmy her like so, rocking back and forth. Then, real quiet, keep shush-shushing into her ear. Leaning to the swaddled infant, Blake “shush-shushes” to her. A moment later, as if by magic, baby Aleena stops crying. Her eyes close and she drifts off to sleep. Bomber gapes. It’s like he’s been shown a secret to the universe. BOMBER How’d you do that? Ever-so-gently, Blake places Aleena in her crib. The coach and b-boy speak in a hush, so as not to reawaken the infant. BLAKE (lost in thought) My son had colic when he was a baby. BOMBER You got a boy? Blake doesn’t answer. Glances at Jolene. The motel room. Baby toys and diapers neatly stacked and stored amidst the low rent room. BLAKE Labrousse Start talking. BOMBER (blows a breath) I couldn’t leave my wife and kid in the Bronx. Last three months, we’ve been living off credit cards out here. BLAKE You been sneaking out for three months? BOMBER StephaneI gotta be with my family, coach. It’s not every night, just when I can. (off Blake’s glare) If I told you, you would’ve bus- passed me. BLAKE There’s better ways to handle this. 93.

BOMBER (shakes his head) I’m a street rat. I didn’t even graduate high school. But I got a Phd in b-boying. I’ve bet my life on this. BLAKE You take care of your family first-- BOMBER (fiery hush) That’s what I’m trying to do! This team is my chance to give Aleena chances I didn’t have. You think I don’t want better for her? Bomber looks to his daughter. BOMBER I make it to BOTYs, I show her dreaming isn’t just some bullshit they put in fairy-tales. BLAKE No guarantee you get that dream. Team goes down to last eight tomorrow. BOMBER Coach, since I was twelve,Labrousse I’ve been a damn good b-boy-- best in the Bronx-- but I’ve never b-boyed better than right now. Never. This is my time-- BLAKE (cuts him off) Don’t think I won’t send you home. BOMBER If I’m not top eight, send me home. (sincere) I’m not asking for charity, all I Stephanewant is my fair shake. Blake regards Aleena sleeping. BLAKE ...Remember the four S’s. (to Jolene) Nice to meet you. And out Blake goes. CUT TO: 94.

103 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL 103 * B-boy Joe listens as his father talks to the unseen camera. B-BOY JOE’S FATHER (KOREAN/SUBTITLED) I got drunk one night and fell asleep. When I woke up I found an envelope by my head. There was one- hundred dollars inside with a note that said “Father I am offering you money for the first time. Please use it as pocket money. A grown man should not cry.” I was so moved... (eyes welling) ...I felt tears running down my face. CUT TO:

104 INT. BLAKE’S ROOM - DAY 104 * CLOSE ON a calendar. Friday. Final cut. PULL BACK to see Blake and Franklyn eyeing the broken board of b-boy photos. FRANKLYN Judgment day. How you gonna pick? BLAKE I’m not. You are. Labrousse FRANKLYN Me? BLAKE You. (holds up final bus pass) I know which man I’d send home. I wrote his initials on the back. FRANKLYN Great, lemme see, I’ll go get him-- StephaneBLAKE A coach has to know when his own judgment is biased. I can’t help but feel my heart’s talking louder than my head and that’s unacceptable. The guys have worked too hard, come too far. So I’m trusting your judgment. You’ve earned it, son. You know them as well as I do. (re: the photo board) Take one down, coach. 95.

FRANKLYN What if I pick the wrong guy? BLAKE You won’t. FRANKLYN (eyes the photos) Okay... it’s not like we’re cutting the last man, we’re picking the final team. (sighs) You’re right, it doesn’t make it easier. Blake watches his assistant coach take down a photo (we don’t see who it is). Franklyn then reads the initials Blake wrote on the bus pass. Looks up to Blake, surprised. FRANKLYN ... Same man. Franklyn makes his way out of the room. Blake looks to his flask. Reflects. And this time, throws it out for good... CUT TO:

105 INT. REC HALL - DAY 105 * CLOSE ON footage from last year’sLabrousse BOTYs. PULL BACK to see the Dream Team b-boys watching the footage. No one’s sitting or talking. A silent tension in the air. Everyone knows it’s Friday. The last b-boy is going home. Bomber, Sniper, Beasty and other b-boys pace back and forth. Spotting Franklyn enter through the door, the entire team stops cold. Here it comes. The assistant coach heads toward Bomber, Sniper and Beasty standing all together. FRANKLYN (gestures) StephaneCoach needs to see you in his office. We, however, can’t discern which b-boy he’s talking to... CUT TO:

106 EXT. DETENTION CENTER - LATER 106 * CLOSE ON the final bus pass. PULL BACK to see Beasty is holding the bus pass in his hand. 96.

BEASTY Doesn’t seem real... (voice cracks) Part of me knows the dream’s over, I should be mad as hell, but... b- boying with y’all... I loved every second of it. The entire Dream Team is gathered around him, embracing the heartbroken b-boy. Sending him off. Giving him love. Franklyn pulls a van to the curb. Grabbing his bag, Beasty looks to Blake. Nods a surprisingly grateful goodbye. BEASTY You taught me, coach... taught me a * lot. BLAKE Beast, you’re an outstanding b-boy and an even better man. Thank you, son. The coach and b-boy hug. Betty’s teary-eyed. Beasty heads * into the van. Turns. BEASTY (to the team) ACT LIKE CHAMPIONS, LabrousseBE CHAMPIONS! 107 OFF THE VAN - MOMENTS LATER 107 * Blake and the b-boys, Rooster, Mayhem, Sniper, Adonis, Dimes, Bomber, B-One and Two watch the van driving away. BLAKE (tight on Blake’s face) Well, gentlemen, congratulations, we have the Dream Team... PULL BACK to reveal Blake’s in...

108 INT. CAFETERIAStephane - NIGHT 108 * Blake stands at the head of table. Looks to his team. BLAKE ... We’re going to France! The eight ecstatic b-boys each hold up a piece of cherry pie. Symbolically toast the pie as if they were champagne glasses. THE DREAM TEAM YEAH! KICK SOME ASS! WOO-HOO! 97.

Overcome with emotion, B-One and B-Two hug each other. B-ONE We did it! France! B-TWO Hell, yeah we did it! I never even been on a damn plane before! Off the team whooping and hollering. They’ve made it. DISSOLVE TO:

109 EXT. MONTPELLIER, FRANCE - ESTABLISHING SHOTS - DAY 109 * A bustling old world city in southern France. Historical aqueducts. Arches. Churches. A bus weaves through the narrow streets. The Dream Team b-boys check out the sights through the bus windows. Snapping pictures with their cells. Super: MONTPELLIER, FRANCE, BOTY VILLAGE Turning a corner, the bus pulls to a stop at...

110 EXT. BOTY VILLAGE - MOMENTS LATER 110 * Blake, Franklyn, Betty, and the excited Dream Team exit the * bus. Dante and a BOTY officialLabrousse meets the team. BOTY OFFICIAL (FRENCH ACCENT) Bienvenue en France, l’equipe de reve. Welcome to the BOTY village. BLAKE Thank you. Glad to be here. DANTE Time to show the world what you got! ADONIS StephaneOh, yeah, check this place out! The b-boys eye where they’ll be staying. See the flags of twenty-two countries draped off the rooftops. Sponsor banners also fly, Sony, ESPN, Braun, Nike, MTV. DIMES We’re here, fellas. ROOSTER And it is ON! B-One and B-Two (still wearing wings from their flight) step to the BOTY OFFICIAL as they refer to a French phrase book. 98.

B-TWO Yo, man... ou est... la Eiffel Tower? BOTY OFFICIAL Paris. Four hours that way. BLAKE We’re not here to sightsee, gentlemen. Stay focused. The battle begins NOW. BOTY OFFICIAL (hands out itineraries) Over the next three days there is much to do. Time is tight. We have twenty-two crews from all over the world-- MAYHEM (winking to Blake) And one team. The b-boys spot a commotion up ahead. Three BOTY officials and a camera crew step to a bus off-loading another crew. The * Korean crew, REGULATORS. Bad-ass in every way. * BOMBER Daaaaaamn, what’s up with that? BLAKE Labrousse That is what happens when you’re * the best. Honor. Respect. * Their eyes narrow on the crew captain, RUSH. * ROOSTER Dude’s got the eye of the tiger. DIMES For sure. Off RUSH bowing to the officials. Honor. Respect. * Stephane CUT TO:

111 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL - DAY 111 * Rush talks to the unseen camera. * RUSH (KOREAN/SUBTITLES) * I’m the oldest member of my crew now. At times this is difficult, but I’m proud to represent Korea, to be the face of Korea. 99.

CUT TO: The DMZ, two-uniformed soldiers from North and South Korea cross the imaginary line. Start b-boying. RUSH (KOREAN/SUBTITLES) * In Korea, every male is required to serve two years in the army. Dancing is forbidden. My skills will naturally fall away. Yes, this will be my final battle. It would be a great honor to leave the sport I love as a champion. * Off Rush looking into the camera. The face of a warrior. * CUT TO:

112 SMARTPHONE: CLOSE ON A BOTY SCHEDULE 112 * The time-line reads: 1300 - 1500 -- MESS HALL

113 INT. BOTY CAFETERIA - DAY 113 * Every table packed. B-boys from around the world eat with their crews: England, Korea, France, China, Netherlands, Japan, USA, etc. Everyone sizes each other up. Tension in the air. They don’t speak the same language, but they talk with their eyes. ADONIS Labrousse Look at’em. Nobody thinks we got a shot to make the final four-- B-ONE HA! We’re not even in the conversation! SNIPER We’re Americans, automatically we’re the assholes. MAYHEM StephaneJust stay cool... The Dream Team nods. ROOSTER “And it’s like that, and that’s the way it is...” As Rooster continues, pan to the Koreans. Bang looks to the Dream Team laughing. Off his face... CUT TO: 100.

114 SMARTPHONE: CLOSE ON A BOTY SCHEDULE 114 * The time-line reads: 1500 - 1900: CREW PRACTICE

115 EXT. BOTY GYMNASIUM - DAY 115 * South African b-boys peer through windows. SOUTH AFRICAN B-BOY The Koreans are training. LOOK! Passing b-boys hurry over. They want to see...

116 INT. BOTY GYMNASIUM - SAME 116 * A basketball court. Many crews train, albeit lightly. Nobody wants to give away their moves. Except the Koreans. The Korean crew spins, flips and twists in practiced perfection. They’re machines. Swiss watch precision. Blake, Franklyn and the Dream Team watch the routine. Everyone in the gym stops and stares. BOMBER Why they showing us their cards? FRANKLYN Labrousse They’re not. They’re bluffing. That’s their BOTY routine from four years ago. BLAKE (to the Dream Team) It’s like we said, gentlemen, the battle began the second we got here. They’re trying to intimidate the competition. SNIPER It’s working. Look at these dudes, Stephaneall shaking in their Nikes. The Koreans have the other international crews gaping in awe. But just like that, mid-routine, the Koreans stop b-boying. Casually walk out. Mission accomplished. Attempting to lighten the mood, Betty downplays the Koreans’ * extraordinary skills. Yawns and stretches. BETTY * Somebody get me a blanket... that * tired old routine just made me sleepy! 101.

The Dream Team b-boys chuckle. But Blake can tell the Koreans have got them thinking, too. BLAKE Relax, fellas. We take care of our business, we’ll be golden. (off their looks) Go on. Go get ready for tonight. And don’t forget we’re diplomats. * CUT TO:

117 SMARTPHONE: CLOSE ON A BOTY SCHEDULE 117 * The time-line reads: 2000-0200: B-GIRL BATTLE, ROCKSTORE. CUT TO:

118 EXT. ROCKSTORE - MONTPELLIER - NIGHT 118 * A scene. Fans from the world over. Camera crews. We see MTV’s CHINA and a number of other FOREIGN TELEVISION * PERSONALITIES covering the festivities. * The international crews are Gods. None more so, than the * Korean crew. The Dream Team watch people fawn over them. Everyone wanting to rub elbows with the superstars. FRANKLYN Labrousse That’s where we wanna be fellas. The American team of b-boys heads inside the club.

119 INT. ROCKSTORE - DANCEFLOOR - QUICK CUTS 119 * Music pumps. B-GIRLS battle. Power, beauty, speed. The crowd erupts around them. The b-girl exhibition has every heart in the huge club racing. JUMPCUT TO the BOTY president, Thomas Hergenrother, commandingStephane everyone to join them on the dance floor. HERGENROTHER The BOTYs is in now in its twenty- second year. It began as a tournament to determine the best b- boy crew in the world. But, when all is said and done, the real purpose is come together as one, to put aside differences of the world, and jam together in peace, love and unity. This, for us, is the soul of b-boying. The heart of hip hop. * (MORE) 102. HERGENROTHER (cont'd) (holds up his hands) All around the world, same song! The DJ spins the classic, “All Around the World, Same Song.” The club goes wild. We see our guys grooving with b-girls, female fans, etc. JUMPCUT TO LATER-- Now “Billie Jean” is playing. Spontaneously, the Dream Team cyphers. Dimes takes center stage and busts off an incredible Michael Jackson tribute. It’s a sight to see as b-boys and b- girls from all over the world join in. Laughing, bonding, having a ball.

INT. BLAKE’S BOTY ROOM - SAME * Blake and Betty watch tape on a TV. Eat take out, talk * strategy... * CUT TO:

121 INT. ROCKSTORE - LATER 121 * Adonis is coming from the bathroom. A group of French b-boys corner him. Start talking shit. Adonis darkens, but shrugs it off. Moves on. Labrousse Sniper, however, confronts the French. Heated words exchange. Tensions flare. A big French b-boy shoves Sniper backward. Bad move. 123 Despite the ten-to-one odds, Sniper nails the big French b-123 boy with a stiff right. BAM! The French b-boys jump Sniper, wolf-packing him. On the dance floor, Rooster spots eight guys pounding his overmatched teammate. “Oh, shit!” A French b-boy kicks at Sniper’s face, but Rooster yanks him back just in time. CRACK! Rooster hammers him with a rapid- fire left-rightStephane combination. The brawl devolves to an all-out melee as WHOOOSH! Adonis goes airborne, leaps onto the lop-sided fight like Superman. Mayhem, Franklyn and the other Dream Team b-boys spot the commotion. Eyes firing wide, they shove clubbers aside. Jump into the crazed rumble, fists flying. Complete chaos. Off Hergenrother and other BOTY official’s horrified expression. So much for peace, love and unity... CUT TO: 103.

124 INT. BLAKE’S BOTY ROOM - NIGHT 124 * Silence. Darkness. Only the glow of a LCD clock, 3:10 AM. The quiet is broken by the b-boy RINGTONE of Blake’s cell. CUT TO:

125 INT. BOTY DORM - LATER 125 * CLOSE ON Blake’s face. The definition of rage. BLAKE One night! I give you clowns one night and you throw it back in my face! PULL BACK to see he’s yelling at Franklyn and the team. An ugly scene. FRANKLYN Coach-- BLAKE SHUT-UP! (eyes the team) I can’t believe this shit! You gave them what they expected. Ugly Americans.. Labrousse BLAKE It’s over! I talked to Dante. We’re sending your asses home! The b-boys hang their heads. All their training for nothing. FRANKLYN C’mon, coach, lemme explain-- BLAKE Goddamnit, Franklyn, I said SHUT- UP! You do not want to test me right now! Stephane(back to the team) You’ve learned nothing! NOTHING! You’re the exact same b-boys who walked in my door three months ago. (pokes Sniper’s chest) You started this little dance party! You like to hit people? Want to take a swing at me? Huh?! FRANKLYN WB, YOU NEED TO HEAR ME! NOW!! 104.

Franklyn’s unusual outburst finally gets Blake’s attention. CUT TO:

126 EXT. BOTY DORM - MOMENTS LATER 126 * Blake glares at his assistant coach. Franklyn swallows. FRANKLYN The French were looking to stir it up-- BLAKE That’s no excuse! FRANKLYN They were jumping in Adonis’ grill, calling him a faggot. That’s why Sniper stepped-up. Next thing you know, they’re surrounding him. (off Blake’s dubious look) Look, a few months ago, Sniper couldn’t even sit at the same table with Adonis. Hell, he couldn’t look at’m. Now he’s spilling blood for him. Say what you want coach, but down to a man, these are NOT the same b-boys who walked through your doors that first day! You wanted a team, coach, YOU GOTLabrousse ONE! Off Blake’s face...

127 INT. BOTY DORM - MOMENTS LATER 127 * The b-boys look like condemned prisoners waiting for the electric chair. Blake approaches. Before he can say anything, Sniper speaks up. SNIPER This is bullshit. It’s my fault, coach. Stephane(off Blake’s look) Mine. Only mine. Disqualify me, but not the whole team. Adonis tugs on his Krugerrand necklace. ADONIS Forget that, Snipe, if you go home, I go home, too. Rooster, Mayhem and the entire team echo Adonis’s feelings. 105.

THE DREAM TEAM Me too. And me. One goes, we all go. Blake takes this in. Looks to Franklyn. Then the boys. BLAKE Get some sleep, fellas. Big day tomorrow. Blake exits. Mayhem gapes to Franklyn. MAYHEM What the hell’d you tell him? FRANKLYN The truth. Off our b-boys’ surprised and relieved looks... CUT TO:

131 EXT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA - DAY - ESTABLISHING 131 * Rivers of people going every which way. A crowd over ten- thousand strong. B-boy and hip hop devotees the world over. Reporting on it, MTV’s China and other foreign television * personalities-- Labrousse * CHINA Twenty countries, twenty crews all battling for one crown-- the 2011 BOTY world championships! Welcome to Braun Battle of the Year in Montpellier France. As you can see, folks, the place is jumping! QUICK SHOTS OF... -- Cheering fans wearing the flags of their countries. -- French guys peddling hats, t-shirts, etc. -- An eight-year old Japanese kid b-boying. -- The Stephanecrowd loving every second, the place IS jumping.

132 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA - ANNOUNCER’S BOOTH - SAME 132 * Two HOSTS broadcast before a huge digital bracket board with all the names of the international crews. SWAY Thanks, China. For the next two days of battle-crazed insanity, I’m your host Sway, joined by b-boy icon Kenny Swift. You ready? 106.

KENNY SWIFT Word up, Sway. Most definitely! SWAY (re: bracket board) What crews should we be watching here, Kenny? As Kenny looks to the battle board... CUT TO:

133 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA - STAGE WINGS - SAME 133 * A door marked “BREAKERS ONLY” (in five languages) opens. Twenty international crews. Some stretch. Some rehearse. Some fix their hair. Some bullshit. (Note: In the chaos, we get to know which crew is which via Ken Swift’s commentary). KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) There’s lots of crews gonna be getting big love. Japan, England, Germany, Russia and their crew, Top Nine. (shots of the Russian crew) Definitely, Left Bank from France, * these guys put their blood, sweat, and soul into every Labroussestep and they’re on home turf. (shots of the French crew) Rio Loco crew, those bad-boys from Brazil, they can set the stage on fire. (shots of the Brazil crew) But Regulators, the Korean crew-- yeah, they look like the monsters * atop the mountain. (shots of Korean crew) They’re lead by Rush, * unquestionably one of the top b- boys on the planet today. Rush is * scary good. One of the best I’ve Stephaneever seen. Rush downs a Red Bull with his teammates. They’re fired up. * SWAY (OVER PICTURE) And in thirty years you’ve seen ‘em all. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) I’ve seen enough. 107.

SWAY (OVER PICTURE) No mention of the Americans, Kenny, don’t you like the Dream Team’s chances? The camera finds the Dream Team in the corner. We hold on our guys trying to stay loose. It’s not easy. They’re nervous. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Honestly, I’d love to say my red- white-and-blue brothers are in the hunt, but I’m not gonna lie -- their chances are slim to none. Bomber puts a photo of his wife and baby in his chest pocket. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) You don’t see them in the final four? Adonis says a quick prayer. Kisses his Krugerrand necklace. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Anything can happen, but I don’t see it. Most of these crews have been together for years. The Americans... months. They’d need to put on the performance of a lifetime. Labrousse We CUT BACK to Sway and Kenny Swift by the bracket board. SWAY “Oh daaaaamn?” KENNY SWIFT “OH DAAAAAAAAAAMN!” (mimics choking someone) A routine that just WHAM snatches the judges by the throat and keeps squeezing! The battle bracket board lights up, blinking. Music pumps so loud itStephane splits the air. The arena roars with excitement. TILT DOWN TO:

134 INT. THE PARKS & SUITES ARENA STAGE - SAME 134 * The BOTY emcee, TRIX, bounces about, pumping up the screaming fans. Massive Sony plasma screens play all about the arena. TRIX BOTYYYYYYY! BOTYYYYYY! BOTYYYYYYY! (MORE) 108. TRIX (cont'd) (crowd cheers) This is the Battle of the Year, people, are ya’ll ready to GET IT ON?! (crowd cheers louder) ETES VOUS-PRET?! I SAID ARE YOU READY?! (crowd screams even louder) YOU READY! THEN LET’S GET TO IT! GIVE IT UP FOR RUSSIA’S TOP NINE CREW! BRING IT! The big plasma screens flash a waving Russian flag as the Russian crew charges onto the stage, taking positions.

135 BOTY TEAM ROUTINE MONTAGE - QUICK CUTS 135 * (NOTE: The following crew sequences will be shot at the actual 2011 BOTY tournament in Montpellier, France). The Russian crew performs a phenomenal team routine. -- Fans cheering. Going crazy. Waving flags. -- BOTY judges blown away. Jotting down scores. -- Shots of crew routines. Japan, Germany, Israel, Thailand, England, South Africa, most all in synch, some not. -- The BOTY judges shaking their heads. -- Jumpcuts to flags of the world flashing on the plasmas. -- The Dream Team watching oneLabrousse amazing routine after another .

136 ON THE PARKS & SUITES ARENA STAGE - SAME 136 * A different sort of excitement in the air. Something big. TRIX HERE COME THE FAVORITES. THE * KOREANS! REGULATORS!!! * (MORE BOTY FOOTAGE). The Korean crew blasts into a team routine that blows away anything we’ve seen thus for. The crowd goes absolutely ballistic, they know this is something special.Stephane SWAY (OVER PICTURE) WOW! The Regulators are making a statement! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Every time I think they can’t, the * Koreans continue to surprise me. * Bang and his crew finish to a thunderous ovation. Throwing their shirts into the crowd, Regulators bow before the judges. 109.

SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Ohhhhhhhhhhh! You do not wanna be the crew who has to follow that! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Then you don’t want to be the Dream Team! SMASH CUT TO:

137 INT. STAGE WINGS - ON THE DREAM TEAM - SAME 137 * They watch the crowd howling for Regulators, a deafening roar. B-ONE (whispers to B-Two) Damn, they crushed that shit. Blake can see hints of worry in his b-boys’ faces. Doubts. BLAKE Wooooooo, guess they liked it! We got ourselves a tough act to follow, huh?! ROOSTER Yo, coach, this s’posed to be a pep- talk-- Labrousse BLAKE Look, I could tell you guys this is gonna be easy, but I won’t. Truth is, the odds and the audience are stacked against us. The b-boys and now Dante gape back at him incredulously. BLAKE But, gentlemen, WE don’t give a damn! This situation, this place, it’s exactly where this team is supposed to be. Everything we’ve ever done in our lives, every Stephanedecision we’ve made, every hour we’ve trained, every drop of sweat we’ve spilled has brought us right here to this exact stage, at this exact moment! This is our fate. And it’s giving us the chance at greatness! The chance to go out there and rip that stage back from the world champions! To make that stage ours! Make this crowd ours! 110.

Franklyn grins. Sees the team’s trepidation turning into * resolve. Blake has their minds heading in a new direction. A BOTY official alerts Betty they’re time has come. * BOTY OFFICIAL Ten seconds, Dream Team, let’s go! BLAKE Gentlemen, we were born for this moment! (puts out his hand) On three, Dream Team. As the team stack in their hands, we hear Trix on stage. TRIX FROM U.S of A, THE DREEEEAMTEEEEAAMMM!

138 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA STAGE - SAME 138 * American flags flash on the plasmas. The Dream Team runs onto the stage to a searing chorus of boos. It’s unnerving. TRIX Come on now, don’t y’all be like that! Trix motions the crowd to settle,Labrousse but the booing just gets louder and more sustained. People throw cups and debris on the stage. Nothing our b-boys can do, but to take it. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) This is some overt hating, Kenny. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) It isn’t pretty! After last night’s incident, we knew these guys were gonna have it rough, but not this rough. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) StephaneThey don’t have any friends here! TRIX Hey-hey, all you people booing out there, you’re on the WRONG SIDE OF HIP HOP! Even louder BOOS. Trix shouts to Mayhem and Rooster over the noise. TRIX They’re not gonna stop, fellas! 111.

MAYHEM They gotta do what they gotta do... ROOSTER ... And we gotta represent regardless. Let it fly! Trix shrugs, okay. As he runs off stage, all the lights go out. An arena in black. B-boy music pumps from speakers. A moment later, the plasma screens show Rooster’s face. The words “AFRICAN... AMERICAN” come up underneath. Next Bomber’s face and the words “SPANISH... AMERICAN.” Next B-One’s face and the words “RUSSIAN... AMERICAN.” B-Two, “ITALIAN... AMERICAN.” Dimes, “GERMAN... AMERICAN.” Mayhem, “ASIAN... AMERICAN.” Adonis, “IRISH... AMERICAN.” And Sniper, “ISLAMIC... AMERICAN.” The boos turn into silence. Even some applause. KENNY SWIFT The Americans are trying to make a point. They’re not the enemy... SWAY We call it the melting pot! Then four words scroll onto the screens: THE TIES THAT BIND... The words morph from English into French, then into German, Korean, Arabic, Chinese,Labrousse etc. CLICK! Stage lights brighten on the Dream Team. The crowd realizes the b-boys are now joined together at the waist by ropes. SWAY (OVER THE PICTURE) Ropes? What gives? Before Kenny can answer, the Dream Team bursts into a routine unlike anyone has ever seen before. It’s like the ropes aren’t even there. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) I don’t know... but I think I like Stephaneit! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) We can’t hear anyone booing anymore! Blake, Dante, Franklyn, and Betty watch spellbound from the * wings. BLAKE Sixty seconds. 112.

The Dream Team drops the ropes and launch into a series of combinations. Moves so inventive and unique, even the hostile crowd begins to voice their approval. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Look at them, Ken. They are in perfect synch. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) HA-HA! Ties that bind, okay, now I got it! These boy’s are putting out a message! Check it, Sway, last fifteen years people keep saying that U.S. b-boys are solely individuals, selfish, showy, blah- blah, they have no teamwork skills! The Dream Team powers into spinning handstands. The level of difficulty and synchronicity brings the crowd to its feet. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Not after this! WOW! The Dream Team is ELECTRIFYING THIS CROWD! Checking his watch, Blake looks to Betty. Shouts a command * from the wings. BLAKE TIME, ROO! HIT IT! In one fluid motion, our eightLabrousse b-boys back-flip as one into a one handed freeze. THE ARENA CROWD AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! The team maintains their stunning synch. A world-class display of unity and athleticism. Our b-boys are able to throw their bodies into a series of intense power moves, hand glides, floats, drops, suicides. Moves so sick, they turn the entire crowd into fevered fans. The music rises to a rousing finish. Our eight b-boys join hands asStephane they flip forward to the stage’s edge in one line. The crowd lift their arms up as the Dream Team let themselves FALL INTO THE AUDIENCE. The effect is awe-inspiring. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) SHOW STOPPING! Ohhh, my God, have you ever seen anything like that, Kenny?! The exhausted Dream Team hugs one another. Wave to the crowd, cheering them on. 113.

All the ill will they faced only minutes ago, has been supplanted by adoration and new-found respect. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Two words: OHHHHHHHH DAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Touche! I can’t tell you if the judges will put ‘em into the final four, but they deserve to go to the final four! In the wings, Blake, Dante, Franklyn, and Betty swap excited * hugs. * TIME CUT TO:

139 INT. THE PARKS & SUITES ARENA STAGE - LATER 139 * The plasma screens now display the empty final four brackets. Trix stands alone on the stage, reading the judges’ cards. TRIX Scores are in, y’all! I got the final four in my hot hands. The BOTY number one seed, numero un, KOREA... REGULATORS!Labrousse After each of the four seeds are called we see reaction shots from the audience and the elated crews in the staging area. TRIX The number deux seed: FRANCE... LEFT BANK! * (the crowd reacts) The number trois seed: Uh-oh, USA... DREAM TEAM! Shots of the American b-boys going wild. Blake, Dante, * Franklyn, and Betty. Tears in their eyes. They hit their * first goal. Their joy and relief is so strong we feel it throughStephane the screen. DANTE You did it, WB! You did it, brother! BLAKE (smiling at Franklyn and * Betty) * Nah, WE did it. And we’re gonna * have to do it even better tomorrow! 114.

Blake mouths a “thank you” to his assistant coach and * choreographer. They’re touched. * TRIX The number quatre seed, RUSSIA... TOP NINE! Off the final four brackets filling up with the four flags. DISSOLVE TO:

140 INT. BOTY CAFETERIA - NIGHT 140 * Blake, Dante, Franklyn, Betty, and the Dream Team share a * meal. Dante recounts the incredible events of the day. DANTE You should’ve seen the judges’ faces. (mimics a stunned face) Spell-bound. No lie, Storm and them, they were like what the hell is this? The b-boys crack up at Dante’s comical impersonation. ROOSTER First day you brought out those ropes, coach, yelling at us “Strap up!... Think of theseLabrousse ropes as the ties that bind... a link to your teammates”, I’m like dude must be outta his damn mind! DANTE HA-HA, me too! Like a chain gang! What is WB thinking?! MAYHEM Why didn’t you just say from the jump they’d be part of our routine? BLAKE StephaneThat was Betty’s idea. * B-ONE All I know is the show was AWESOME! * B-TWO For real, and on that stage, it felt like we were eight brothers! Shit was powerful! My whole body was humming! The teammates react in joy, high fives, swapping dap. 115.

BLAKE Remember that feeling. Use that power, gentlemen. We’ll need it tomorrow. FRANKLYN What’s our battle plan for the French? BLAKE Beat their asses... The guys cheer. High-five. But camera stays on Bomber’s face-- Because right now Jolene and baby Aleena enter the room. Bomber can’t believe it. BOMBER No way! The guys turn. Smiles all around. ADONIS We chipped in to fly Jolene and the baby over. To see you battle. Consider it a honeymoon... Bomber rushes to Jolene and Aleena. The team laughs. But then Jolene speaks up. Labrousse JOLENE Honeymoon? We’re not even married. BLAKE What? BOMBER We’re waiting. Til I can provide for them. Properly... It’s all over Blake’s face. That shit’s not gonna fly. Stephane CUT TO:

EXT. CHURCH - NIGHT Establishing shot. A beautiful old French church. 116.

INT. CHURCH - NIGHT The Dream Team is gathered. A PRIEST presides over Bomber and Jolene saying “I do.” Dante, Blake, Franklyn, and Betty look * on as Bomber and Jolene kiss. * JUMPCUT to post-ceremony. Hugs all around. Blake and Franklyn * stand to the side. Across the way, Jolene and Betty fawn over * baby Aleena. * FRANKLYN * She’s pretty great, huh? * BLAKE * Betty’s been a big help. Nice work, * Franklyn. * FRANKLYN * Girl’s not hard on the eyes * either... * BLAKE * No... she’s not. * Franklyn smiles. He senses something’s brewing here... * Then b-boy music drops in from nowhere. The call of an * excited crowd sounds. And we Labroussemorph from the wedding to... 141 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA - LEFT BANK ON STAGE - DAY 141 * WHOOSH! Three French b-boys Windmill, Flare and Freeze! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) It’s on! Left Bank versus the * Dream Team for the right to battle reigning world champs, Regulators, who, only moments ago defeated Russia’s Top 9. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Regulators didn’t defeat ‘em, they Stephaneran Top 9 out the building. Men against boys! PULL BACK to reveal we’re mid-battle with the Dream Team. Our b-boys hear the packed crowd scream for their native French crew. Once again, the Americans are persona non grata. 117.

KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Sway, each battle is scored by a specific criteria, similar to a boxing match. And that’s what we have here! An all-out brawl! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Everybody knows these crews got into it a few nights ago. There is a lot of bad blood here, Kenny. Pokemon’s come out swinging. They’re putting a beat-down on the Dream Team! What can the Americans do?! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Swing back harder! Left Bank is * home crew, if the Dream Team gets too far behind, forget it, there’s no coming back! The French finish their b-boy assault to wild cheers. CROWD LEFT BANK! LEFT BANK! LEFT BANK! * In the wings, Blake directs. BLAKE ROOSTER, MAYHEM, GO!Labrousse DOUBLE-UP! Rooster and Mayhem leap forward on the counter-attack. Taking control of the stage, they imitate the French b-boys moves, a step-for-step rendition. Only Rooster and May do the moves better. Adding new twists. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) That’s what I’m talking about! Keep ‘em guessing, get ‘em out of their comfort zone! The French crew swap looks. We note a hint of apprehension. Stepping forward, three Left Bank b-boys sweep onto their * backs, Stephaneexploding into a set of crowd thrilling Windmills. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) HA-HA! France says top that U.S.... top that! Now Adonis, Sniper, B-One and B-Two charge after them. Repeating their moves, adding to them, topping them. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) INCREDIBLE! I’LL SEE YOUR THREE AND RAISE YOU FIVE! 118.

A shift in momentum. The crowd can’t help but be impressed. The apprehension in the French crew turns into frustration. Left Bank strikes back with more sets. Only now they’re * playing catch-up. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Ohhhhh, the French are off their game now, Sway. Adonis, Mayhem, B-One and B-Two split the French crew apart with an assertive charge of Forearm Airflares and Criticals. The French crew attempt to counter the Dream Team’s assault. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Left Bank is looking desperate, * Kenny! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) They should be! The Dream Team’s all over them! Attacking in twos, threes and fours, using every angle! Sniper, Bomber, Adonis and Dimes push forward into a four pronged power move attack of Buddhas, Boomerangs and UFOs. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) This has to be the deathLabrousse blow! WHAM! Our b-boys land together, feet thundering the stage. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) OHHHHH! Dream Team just gave ‘em their last rites! That’s it! FINI! FINI! BAAAAAAAAH! The time buzzer sounds as the Dream Team hugs. Raise their arms in victory. Warriors as one. The arena’s plasma screens now display the judges’ score cards: Left Bank - 75. The Dream Team 94. * StephaneSWAY (OVER PICTURE) And there it is, Ken! THE DREAM TEAM WINS! THEY’RE GOING TO THE FINAL BATTLE! Endorphins on high, the Dream Team leaps in celebration. We note Rooster, however, stays grounded. CROWD DREAM TEAM! DREAM TEAM! DREAM TEAM! 119.

The stage floods with people. The Dream Team, led by Mayhem, go to their defeated opponents. Swap embraces. Bomber makes his way to Jolene and Aleena. Amid the crowd, Franklyn spies Rooster. Problem. Rooster grimaces in pain, a limp in his step. FRANKLYN Oh shit... ROOSTER It’s nothing! Dante and Betty celebrate with the team. Blake, however, * holds back in the wings, eyes Rush and the Korean crew * watching nearby. Emotionless. Focused. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Well, it won’t be easy, Kenny. Regulators are not just gonna give’em the crown! * KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Tooth and nail time! Each crew will have two hours to regroup. And then it’s on! HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?! For one quick moment, Blake and Rush lock gazes. The Korean * superstar grins, winks. Then with a nod of his head, Rush * motions his crew away. Labrousse * CUT TO:

142 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA LOCKERS/TRAINING ROOM - SHORT WHILE142 LATER * CLOSE ON an ice-pack wrapped about Rooster’s ankle. ROOSTER (O.S.) The swelling’s already going down, coach. I’m fine, it’s just a Stephanetweak. PULL BACK to see a FRENCH DOCTOR with Blake and Dante. FRENCH DOCTOR (FRENCH ACCENT) This is sprain-- ROOSTER Who is this guy? He’s wrong! BLAKE Doc, how bad? 120.

FRENCH DOCTOR Bad, but perhaps not impossible. If he performs, he’ll have pain. Much pain. ROOSTER Pain don’t bother me!. Hell, I’m a natural-born pain-in-the-ass-- BLAKE Son, I told you-- ROOSTER Since I was this high I’ve looked out for number one. It’s been all me, just me! But it’s not me anymore... Rooster motions to his teammates waiting outside the door. ROOSTER It’s us. All of us. And the craziest part is... us feels better than me. I gotta be out there with my boys. Win or lose... BLAKE You’re right. You are a pain-in- the-ass. (off Rooster’s look) I see you wince, evenLabrousse once, I’ll personally drag your ass off that stage! Hopping up, Rooster hugs Blake. He’s going on... CUT TO:

143 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA - ANNOUNCER’S BOOTH - LATER 143 * A large plasma reads REGULATORS versus DREAM TEAM. Sway and Kenny Swift report live amid a rabid group of boisterous fans. Stephane SWAY This isn’t big, Kenny, it’s behemoth! For the first time in fifteen years the Americans have a chance to bring a b-boy world championship back to American soil. Back to where it all began! The fans scream, hoot and holler. Mugging for the cameras. 121.

KENNY SWIFT Last time America won a championship, Clinton was President. Look at me, look at my arms, I got goose bumps! SWAY Only thing standing in their way-- KENNY SWIFT Regulators! Right now the best * damn b-boy crew in the universe! SWAY Led by the one and only, Rush-- * KENNY SWIFT One of the best damn b-boys in the universe! (pointed) Rush is nearly untouchable, he’s an * absolute beast!!! SWAY So what can the Dream Team do? KENNY SWIFT They have to be perfect. Off the sea of hip hop fans goingLabrousse berserk! CUT TO:

144 INT. STAGE WINGS - SAME 144 * Pan across Blake, Franklyn, Dante and the tense Dream Team looking out to the stage. Trix is already pumping up the anxious audience. The final battle is only minutes away. FRANKLYN Breathe, fellas. Three deep breaths. Our b-boysStephane do as ordered. Blow out three deep breaths. The team looks to Blake. Their coach smiles back to them. BOTY OFFICIAL Two minutes Dream Team! TRIX (O.S.) MESDAMES ET MESSIEURS! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE MOMENT Y’ALL BEEN WAITING FOR IS HERE! TIME TO BATTLLLLLLLLLE! 122.

Across the stage, in the opposite wings, our boys spy Regulators waiting as well. Standing like Korean assassins. BLAKE Hands in, gentlemen! Let’s go! (the team stack their hands) ACT LIKE CHAMPIONS, BE CHAMPIONS! DREAM TEAM DREAM TEAM! The audience ERUPTS as the Dream Team and Regulators charge forward from opposite ends. The crews face-off ten feet apart. Bracing, b-boys size each other up. Stare each other down. A modern day, O.K. corral. Sixteen steely-eyed gunslinger b- boys moments before the final shoot-out. Life and death. The big plasma blinks to life. REGULATORS - O DREAM TEAM - O. TRIX REGULATORS VERSUS THE DREAM TEAM! The b-boys’ hearts pump so strong you can hear them, BA-BUMP, BA-BUMP, BA-BUMP... And now the speakers THROB, BA-BUMP... SWAY (OVER PICTURE) THE BATTLE OF THE YEARLabrousse IS ON!!!! Flares by the stage shoot streams of fire in the air as...

145 THE FINAL BATTLE 145 * A filthy base beat. Against the roar of the crowd, B-One and B-Two break ranks. Take center stage. Pop off a succinct combination of powerful floor moves. Poetry in motion. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) B-One and B-Two know how to kick off. The judges gotta be digging Stephanethis! The Koreans shake their heads. Strike back with their own floor moves. Powerful, athletic, agile. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Octopus and Stony answer for the Regulators crew. Killing it! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Do the Koreans have any weaknesses, Kenny?! 123.

KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) No. To beat the Regulators, Dream Team can’t count on weaknesses, they have to be flawless! Adonis Uprocks, solo. Twists his body into an intense series of Hollowbacks and K-kicks. WHAM! Sniper and Dimes flip beside him. Mirror his moves better than we’ve ever seen. Adonis spinning into a physically impossible Flag move, his whole body horizontal. The crowd going mental. The Regulators come back with a vengeance. Four Korean b- boys unleash a violent combination mixing martial art moves and gravity-defying aerials. The Koreans end with spin- kicks. Freeze their feet inches from the Dream Team’s faces. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) TAKE THAT! SPECTACULAR! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) THE REGULATORS TAKE NO PRISONERS! From the wings, Blake HOLLERS commands. Bomber, Sniper, B- One and B-Two push forward. To our surprise, they’ve got a dazzling b-boy fight routine of their own. Kicking, punching, spinning, flipping. It sets the crowd on fire. WHOOSH! Bomber uncorks a series of rapid fire back flips. In an orchestrated move, Mayhem uses Bomber’s momentum... flips the Bronx b-boy twenty feetLabrousse into the air. Flying! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) B-boy Bomber just shot into outer space! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) SICK MOVE! THESE GUYS HAVE NO FEAR! NONE! YOU GOTTA LOVE IT! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Well, the crowd sure seems to! On Blake and Betty in the wings, reacting with awe. On * Jolene,Stephane holding Aleena. Screaming encouragement. Three lanky Korean b-boys counter immediately with an almost violent set of power moves. An ungodly display of skills. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Oh, back and forth, Sway! You could not ask for more! Top-dog heavyweights going toe-to-toe, blow- for-blow! It’s EPIC! 124.

Sniper and Adonis head-slide inches from the Korean crew. Moving with the beat, in a dazzling show of strength, they perform an impossible string of Hand Flares, into Elbow Flares, into Forearm Flares, then back into Hand Flares. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) That-that doesn’t seem humanly possible! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) It’s not! That’s super-human! Comic book strength! Years of training! Rush and two crewmates turn. Against all odds, the * Regulators trio mimic Sniper and Mayhem’s set of Flares, then switch hands and do it all over again! Insane! The crowd SCREAMS! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) OH MY GOD! That right there is why the Koreans have been unbeatable! Rooster and Dimes step to the challenge. Unleash a fast and furious set of spinning, twisting Supermans, Stipes and Highrises. On the final twist, however, Rooster’s ankle buckles underneath him. A stab of pain, but he shows nothing. Just grins. No way he’s leaving his teammates. KENNY SWIFT Rooster has brought Labroussehis game to a whole new level! We HOLD ON Blake. For a moment we see the battle through his eyes. And it’s not exactly what we might have expected... SLOW MOTION SHOTS OF THE EPIC BATTLE... The Regulators and the Dream Team go after each other. They’re battle takes on an elegance. A mystical mix of raw power and grace. The cameraStephane moves CLOSE ON Dimes and Rooster as we... 146 QUICK CUT TO DIMES AND ROOSTER TALKING TO AN UNSEEN CAMERA:146 * DIMES Imagine the best day you ever had, okay... then times that by a hundred... That’s what my everyday is like on this team, even the bad days. 125.

ROOSTER And we’ve had plenty of them. Doesn’t matter, it’s just part of it. We’re ALL brothers.

147 CUT BACK TO THE BATTLE STAGE: 147 * We see Adonis giving it all he’s got... ADONIS (OVER PICTURE) Before I left, I visited my mother’s grave. I had to tell her she was right all along, I’m heading to a world stage.

148 QUICK CUT TO ADONIS TALKING TO CAMERA: 148 * ADONIS Then I get here to Montpellier and I keep smelling Chanel # 5. That’s her perfume. I’m not kidding, either-- my mother is here. Think she’d miss watching her baby boy going for the gold? HA! You don’t know my mother!

149 CUT BACK TO THE BATTLE STAGE: Labrousse 149 * We’re tight ON Bomber mid-move...

150 THEN QUICK CUT TO BOMBER TALKING TO CAMERA: 150 * BOMBER Truth is, I’ve been scared. As a father, you question yourself. Am I doing the right thing? All I know is I’m not scared no more. I’m feeling like I can fly, baby! Now SNIPER:Stephane SNIPER Since this team, things have changed, my mind’s changed. We draw strength from each other. B-ONE AND B-TWO: B-ONE What makes b-boying unique is each individual interprets the beat differently. 126.

B-TWO But the magic is when it all comes together. MAYHEM: MAYHEM For b-boys the beat is blood. It pumps through their veins. It allows them to release themselves. The emotions, the pain, rage, joy... all comes pouring out. And, if you dig real deep within yourself, maybe, just maybe, you can graze the hand of God...

151 CUT BACK TO STAGE. 151 * We pull close on Mayhem’s flowing moves, sweat flying. The impossible balance and strength. It’s... God-like. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) Sixty seconds, Kenny! All tied up! WHOOSH! Exploding back to FULL SPEED we pull back to reveal Rush stepping forward alone. He points to Mayhem. Come on! * KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Rush is calling for the best * against best! He wantsLabrousse Mayhem! Mayhem glances to Rooster. Hesitant. ROOSTER (off Mayhem’s look) It’s your time! You can do this! KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Every battle takes on its own life, Sway! If the Dream Team doesn’t answer Rush’s call out, it’s all * for nothing! It’s heatStephane of the battle. Mayhem pushes forward, alone. DREAM TEAM GO MAYHEM, GO! The last minute is an all-out display of ultimate b-boy skills. And Mayhem doesn’t disappoint. Each superstar b-boy tapping into something above and beyond themselves. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) DING-DING! Mayhem’s going shot for shot with Rush! * 127.

Quick SHOTS of the crowd... Sway and Kenny Swift... Trix... judges... Blake, Dante, Franklyn, and Betty... all thrilled! * Mayhem and Rush top each other time and again. Busting out * one mind-boggling move after another. As the final buzzer sounds BAAAAAAAAAH. Mayhem and Rush both * collapse, exhausted. The frenetic crowd cheers both crews. An ear-drum splitting ROAR, louder than any we’ve yet heard. KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) OOOOOOOHHH DAAAAAMN! THE BEST! START-TO FINISH THE BEST BATTLE I HAVE EVER-EVER SEEN! I SWEAR, I’MA HAVE A HEART ATTACK! SWAY (OVER PICTURE) UNBELIEVABLE! A BATTLE FOR THE AGES! WHOOOSH! The stage floods from every angle. Madness. The b- boys swallowed by the crowd, cameramen and photographers. All eyes turn to the scoreboard as the judges final tally now registers onto the plasma... REGULATORS - 81 DREAM TEAM - 80 SWAY (OVER PICTURE) REGULATORS BY ONE POINT, KENNY! THE KOREANS WIN! Labrousse KENNY SWIFT (OVER PICTURE) Your heart’s gotta break for the Dream Team. Nobody deserved to lose that battle! You gotta give these guys big-big love! EVERY PROP! The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. From the wings, Blake considers the scoreboard. Blows out a breath. On the stage, Rush brings his b-boys together. In a show of * respect, the Korean b-boys bow to the devastated Dream Team. The Regulators crew and Dream Team exchange shirts and heartfeltStephane embraces. They know they’ve been part of something special. DISSOLVE TO:

152 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA LOCKER ROOM - SHORT WHILE LATER 152 * Rooster sits on a bench, his ankle raised. A dazed Mayhem, Dimes, Adonis, Sniper, Bomber, B-One and B-Two all about him. 128.

MAYHEM One point. One goddamn point... I feel like I let you guys down-- Rooster interrupts. ROOSTER May, look at me. (Mayhem does) THAT was art... A door opens. The b-boys look up. See Blake come in. Franklyn and Betty follow. * BLAKE Well, gentlemen, here we are... (nods) The Koreans were, well... just that much better. Fine, we tip our caps to them and carry on. This is not what the boys expected. Dante enters now. Nods at Blake. BLAKE But I want you to know... I don’t give a damn what the scoreboard says or what color the medal they give you is. Understand? Tonight, you put American b-boys back on the map. Labrousse SNIPER C’mon, coach, you don’t have to sugarcoat it for us. We didn’t accomplish what we came to do. Unexpectedly, Blake starts to choke up. Off the guys’ faces-- BLAKE Look fellas, all my life I had considered myself a fortunate man. No matter what, things just went my way. Stephane(hesitant) ...Two years ago, that all changed. I lost my wife and fifteen-year-old son in a car wreck. And when I lost my family... I lost my way. I... I just quit living. The guys are stone silent. Hanging on every word. This is hard for Blake. 129.

BLAKE (clears his throat) You’ve heard me tell you a million times, “Change how you think. Change your life.” But the truth is... you guys changed how I think, you changed my life. The team trades glances. BLAKE Our first day of training I had one goal-- teach a crew how to become a team. But we became more than that. We became a family. Something I thought I had lost forever. And, win or lose, gentlemen... long as you got family... it doesn’t matter. The b-boys are stunned by their coach’s words. They wipe moist eyes, inspired. A powerful, bittersweet moment. B-TWO But it wasn’t supposed to end like this. BLAKE Tonight wasn’t the ending, Two... It was the beginning.Labrousse ROOSTER Wait. MAYHEM What are you saying? ROOSTER You’re coming back? BLAKE Are you outta your goddamn minds -- of course I am. You think I did all this to come in second? Stephane(holds out his hand) Now on three... Each delighted b-boy stacks their hand atop Blake’s. BLAKE One, two, three-- THE DREAM TEAM DREAM TEAM! The Dream Team hugs their coach. Blake’s visibly moved. 130.

BLAKE ...I’m real proud of you guys. ROOSTER (wise-ass grin) “I?” As Blake and his b-boys laugh we hear music dropping in the distance. The beat to “All Around The World Same Song”... CUT TO:

153 INT. PARKS & SUITES ARENA STAGE MEDAL CEREMONY - SHORT WHILE153 LATER * It’s more of a hip hop celebration than a ceremony. The Koreans wearing gold medals, the Americans, silver, and the Russians, bronze, party down with the international crews. DANTE Thanks, man. BLAKE Thank you. The men hug. We see Franklyn soaking it all in. Rooster on * crutches, surrounded by hotties. Bomber kissing Jolene and * baby Aleena. Mayhem hanging with Rush. Sniper joking with * Adonis. And Betty making her wayLabrousse over to Blake. * BETTY * Congrats, coach... * An awkward beat. * BETTY * Now this is over, you’re gonna call * me, right? * Off Blake’s surprised look-- * BETTY * StephaneI mean when you’re ready. * Blake takes this in. Surprises himself-- * BLAKE * A year ago, I wouldn’t have * believed I’d be standing here. So, * it might be sooner than later, * Betty-- * BETTY * Good. I’ll be waiting. * 131.

Blake nods. * BETTY * Don’t make me come kick your ass, * coach. I’ll come find you... * Now Blake smiles a full smile. Might even blush, as we-- * CUT TO: *

154 PLANET B-BOY INTERSTITIAL 154 * The BOTY judge Sway talks to an unseen camera. SWAY Once the rival crews, once the finals are finished, they always discover this wasn’t really about competing...

155 BACK TO THE MEDAL CEREMONY - SAME 155 * A crazed celebration. The stage turned into an all-out jam. SWAY (OVER PICTURE) ...It was really about coming together for five incredible days, and jamming. Hip hopLabrousse has a power to unify the world’s youth. (laughs) All around the world same song! And the wild and wonderful b-boy party rages on as we FADE OUT... **

Stephane