American Shaolin Page #10

INT. DORM AREA – NIGHT

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who is holding court.

DREW:

We came here to train, not to be slaves! We're free men...

MU:

But we swore to obey them...

DREW:

An uninformed choice is no choice at all!

MU:

Huh?

DREW:

We have to stand up for our rights! If they don't even know we're dissatisfied, things will never change.

GAO:

They haven't changed for centuries, why should we listen to you?

DREW:

Are we men or mice? Sheep or the shepherd?

WU:

I'm with you!

The others are with him too, except for Gao. They are ready to explode, and Drew has the match.

DREW:

I'm for going to the Headmaster right now!

They are all ready. They head for the door, but Gao doesn't move. Drew stops at the door and turns to Gao.

DREW (CONT'D)

You're either with us, Gao, or you're against us.

No answer from Gao. They exit the room.

INT. HALLWAY – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW AND THE BOYS RUSHING DOWN THE CORRIDOR, HEADING FOR SAN DE'S QUARTERS.

ANGLE ON D.S.

Heading for the same place but from a different direction.

INT. SHAOLIN HALLWAY – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GROUP ASSEMBLED OUTSIDE SAN DE'S CHAMBERS.

Drew goes to knock on the door, when it opens and San De is standing there. The D.S. has just arrived. He looks at San De for instructions, but San De indicates that he will deal with them.

DREW:

Master San De!

SAN DE:

Who else?

DREW:

We have something to say...

SAN DE:

This is an interesting coincidence, as I was just on my way to your sleeping quarters to talk with you all.

DREW:

I request permission to go first.

SAN DE:

I think I'd better...

DREW:

No, really, I want to...

San De holds up his hand. He is the final authority.

SAN DE:

Here at the temple, we use a period of intense physical labor to test your patience, and to teach you humility and self-reliance. As you continue training, you will be given chores every day – remember the first time you saw me I was sweeping? Physical labor keeps us humble.

ANGLE ON THE DISCIPLES

Who tonight have been anything but humble.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

You've all performed admirably, and have learned an important lesson – to obey your shr fu without question. Because of this, I've decided to begin your martial training sooner than what is prescribed. Tomorrow morning.

The disciples can hardly believe their luck.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

And, what did you have to say to me?

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who is sputtering now.

DREW:

I... I mean we, just wanted to... thank you for the opportunity to be part of the illustrious history of the Shaolin Temple.

(beat)

Yeah, that's it. Right, guys?

They all say "Thank you" as one, and then bow to the headmaster with their hands clasped in front of them. They turn away and head down the hallway.

ANGLE ON THE DISCIPLES

As they increase their pace, almost running through the halls with their excitement.

INT. DORM AREA – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DOOR TO THE SLEEPING QUARTERS.

Suddenly, it BURSTS open and in come the disciples, led by Drew. They fan out into the room, Drew in the center.

DREW:

Gentlemen, this calls for a party!

He runs to his backpack and pulls out a boom box with speakers, and puts on some good old American Rock 'N' Roll.

Everyone, but Gao, is moving in time with the music. Drew is the most accomplished dancer, but the others are pretty bad.

The entire effect of the bald-headed monks rocking out is very comic.

Drew starts showing Li and Wu a couple of dance routines (old stuff – the swim, the twist, etc.). Everyone is having a great time.

ANGLE ON GAO:

Glowering, as he moves toward the boom box.

He reaches for the "Stop" button.

Drew blocks the arm, and a pushing and shoving match starts.

GAO:

You're trying to get us all kicked out!

DREW:

I'm just trying to have a party. Chill out!

They push and shove into the middle of the room, a couple of kicks and punches thrown, then they face off, ready to duke it out.

The party is raging, while Gao and Drew are the only ones static, set to do battle.

Just then, the door starts to open. Everyone freezes and looks toward the door, including Gao. Drew, meanwhile, has the presence of mind to jump onto the boom box, shutting it off and hiding it with his body.

ANGLE ON DOOR:

As the D.S. opens it and sticks his head in.

He surveys the room, seeing the tableau of frozen monks, with Drew lying on his bed.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who waves to the D.S.

ANGLE ON THE D.S.

Who knows that something is going on.

D.S.

Go to sleep. Lights out.

He hits the lights and then closes the door. In the semi-darkness the room relaxes in a collective sigh. Drew stands up and packs up the stereo.

Gao walks over past Drew.

GAO:

It's not over, American.

INT. MAIN CHAMBER – MORNING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF CHAMBER FULL OF FIGHTING MONKS, ALL GOING THROUGH THE SAME SET OF MOVEMENTS.

Kick. Punch.

Kick. Punch.

INTERCUT of feet striking the stone floor, depressions in the floor testifying to the centuries of training this chamber has seen.

Through the door come the D.S., Drew and the others. They line up along one wall, watching the fighting monks go through their form.

It is beautiful:
powerful, graceful and intimidating.

Their form done, they file out of the chamber, leaving the D.S. with his group, along with one fighting monk. The D.S. motions for them to line up as the monks had.

D.S.

You will train 6 days a week, from 5 am to 9 p.m., alternating with work and meditation. Sunday afternoon is free time.

D.S. lets that sink in, then motions for the monk to take over.

MONK:

In order to keep our bodies strong, Bodhidharma gave us a series of exercises and breathing techniques. Because the times demanded action, we developed Shaolin style wu shu from these exercises.

He goes through a couple of martial movements.

MONK (CONT'D)

The spirit of Bodhidharma remains. Training is like meditation. Be aware of everything, but aware of nothing in particular. Think not thinking.

DREW:

What do you mean, 'Think not thinking'?

MONK:

Non thinking.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Confused.

ANGLE ON MONK:

Who doesn't explain any further.

MONK (CONT'D)

Your training begins today, in this most sacred of training halls. The floor bears witness to the efforts of fighting monks from centuries past.

ANGLE ON FLOOR:

Where there are depressions and worn spots, the result of thousands of hours of training.

MONK (CONT'D)

At the Shaolin temple, we forge our bodies in the fire of our wills. We adhere to a vow of non-violence, unless someone else is in danger... Follow my movements...

He starts moving through a series of techniques, and the rest of the disciples try to mimic his actions. He is moving around the room, and they are trying to do what he is doing.

Some are getting it, some aren't.

Drew, used to a more individualized type of training, isn't getting it.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING TIGHT SHOT OF WEDGE THWOCKING INTO THE GROUND.

A hand COMES INTO FRAME, grabs the wedge and pulls it back out of the ground.

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