the atmosphere is identical to apollo's dressing room. adrian watches in silence as mike wraps rocky's hand.
rocky's other hand is being wrapped in a close-up. the only sound is the tape and rocky's mounting breathing pattern.
close-up of the drops being placed in rocky's nose.
grease is smeared around rocky's eyes.  in the extreme close-up several deep scars are seen.
close-up of mike's arms wrapped around rocky's waist and lifting his diaphragm up.  magnified breathing roars from the screen.
everyone present is motionless as rocky is in the bathroom. alone, rocky is on his knee praying. completing his silent prayer, he stands and looks at himself in the mirror. suddenly a wave of emotion sweeps over him as he thinks that in a few moments he will face the most overwhelming challenge of his life.
adrian is unable to remain alone.  she is lured by the growing roar of the fans.  she exits the dressing room.