American Shaolin Page #14

Still moving and swaying to the music.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DORM ROOM – NIGHT

ANGLE ON DISCIPLES

Now asleep and in bed, still clutching their pillows like they were girls.

ANGLE ON DOOR:

As it opens. The D.S. looks in on the room, and sees all the kids holding their pillows. He shakes his head and then closes the door.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TWO BODIES FIGHTING, KICKING AND PUNCHING.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL Drew and Gao going at it. The other disciples are paired off as well, but the only real action is here in this ring.

Drew is getting tagged, hard, while the points he scores are all relatively controlled. After one particularly powerful shot, Drew stops.

DREW:

I thought this was light contact!

GAO:

Fight, you coward!

Drew stares at Gao, then looks around for the D.S. He is over at the other side of the training area.

DREW:

You got it.

Before he can move, however, Gao attacks, slamming him full power in the face. Drew almost falls to the ground, then attacks him and the battle is joined.

The fighting is fast and furious, and soon the others see what is happening, and gather around. One of the monks comes over and tries to break it up, but they continue fighting, wrestling, kicking and punching.

The D.S. finally gets over to them, and without moving a muscle, barks –

D.S.

Stop!

Drew and Gao immediately break apart, breathing heavy and staring daggers at each other.

D.S.

(to others)

Back to work.

He turns and walks off, motioning for Drew and Gao to follow him. Drew follows immediately, with Gao behind him. Gao shoves him once.

INT. SAN DE CHAMBER – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW, GAO AND SAN DE IN THE SHADOWS OF SAN DE'S ROOM.

San De is sitting down reading a Buddhist text. With a sigh, he puts it down. On the wall behind is hanging a Golden Sash.

SAN DE:

So soon?

(beat)

Tell me what happened.

Drew looks at Gao, and Gao looks at Drew. There is a pause, one that is very uncomfortable. Finally, Drew speaks.

DREW:

It was my fault. I started it.

ANGLE ON GAO:

Surprised at Drew's confession.

DREW (CONT'D)

Disciple Gao was better than me.

Drew pauses, and Gao is even more surprised at the revelation.

DREW (CONT'D)

I lost my temper. He was only defending himself.

ANGLE ON SAN DE:

Who nods his head and looks at Drew.

SAN DE:

Is this true, Disciple Gao?

Gao looks at Drew, wondering what he should say. Drew looks at him, nodding for him to say yes.

GAO:

Yes. But, I am not completely blameless...

SAN DE:

I didn't think you were...

(beat)

The Shaolin martial tradition is built on challenges. We challenge ourselves, but we do not fight with each other. Never do we fight to see who is best – we train to be able to right wrongs, not to let our hands and feet express emotions run wild. A Shaolin never throws a punch or kick in anger.

(beat)

Shake hands and let your emotions go.

Gao looks at Drew, knowing that the anger is already long gone, swept away in the shock of Drew taking the blame.

They shake hands.

Both Drew and Gao notice the Golden Sash hanging on the wall. It is occupying a place of honor.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

That is the Golden Sash, the highest honor of the temple. It is awarded to the monk who has attained the pinnacle of understanding.

DREW:

The best fighter?

SAN DE:

Among other things. Fighting is only a small part of being a Shaolin monk.

GAO:

Yours?

San De nods.

SAN DE:

Return to your training.

Drew and Gao get up, bow to San De and head for the door.

They get to the door at the same time, however, and for a moment they jockey for position, trying to be the first one through the door.

Finally, Drew tires of the game and opens the door for Gao.

DREW:

Ten more seconds and I would have kicked your ass...

Gao smiles and walks through the door. Just as he passes Drew, he punches him in the stomach.

GAO:

In your dreams...

INT. DORM ROOM – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DISCIPLES GETTING READY TO GO OUT.

They are dressed in "street" clothes and are just pulling on their hats. Drew, instead of wearing his temple-issue hat, pulls on a New York Yankees baseball cap!

DREW:

Now, we're ready!

He leads them towards the window of their dorm, but stops when he gets there. He turns to where Gao is standing, all alone.

DREW (CONT'D)

Gao, you coming or what?

There is a moment of indecision, then Gao frowns, shakes his head and comes jogging towards them.

GAO:

I'm coming, just to keep you out of trouble!

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF EMPTY COURTYARD BATHED IN MOONLIGHT.

Suddenly, a figure lands on the ground with a PUFF of dust.

In a crouch, Drew scans the area, then motions for the others to jump down.

Immediately, other figures land with PUFFs of dust all around him. As soon as they have all landed, they move off.

ANGLE ON GROUP:

As they sneak through the courtyards and training areas of the temple. They are about halfway across from the front door of the temple when a monk comes walking towards them. He is weaving and bobbing – he looks drunk.

Drew shoots Li and Gao a questioning look. Drunk? In the temple?

They take refuge behind a couple of the columns and watch as the monk makes his way past, weaving and throwing kicks and punches. It is a tense moment as the monk comes uncomfortably close to where Drew and Gao are standing, but he walks on.

GAO:

(whisper)

Drunken Kung Fu...

Drew nods and leads them out of the temple.

EXT. TEMPLE – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GROUP AS THEY HEAD DOWN THE DARK STREETS OF THE TOWN. EUPHORIA STRIKES, AND THEY ARE HAVING FUN (AD LIBS HERE) JUST BEING FREE AND A.W.O.L.

EXT. GIRL'S SCHOOL – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF FRONT OF GIRL'S SCHOOL.

It is the same school where Drew first met Ashema. The guys, still happy, arrive at the school, and the realization of what they are about to do sinks in.

They stop talking and are staring at the building. Drew starts toward the door, and nobody follows his lead. He stops and motions for them to join him. Nobody moves.

DREW:

Are we men or are we sheep?

A beat, then the entire group bellows:

GROUP:

SHEEP!

And they follow Drew, the shepherd, in through the front door, making noises like sheep.

INT. PARTY ROOM – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF PARTY.

It isn't happening. The boys are on one side, the girls are on the other. The music is bad Chinese rock and roll.

The only ones together are Drew and Ashema, who are talking in the center of the room. The disciples are all clustered together, staring at the walls and the ceiling. A group of giggle girls are standing around Drew and Ashema.

A group of toughs are standing at one side of the party room, observing everything that's going on.

ANGLE ON DREW AND ASHEMA

DREW:

Great party...

Ashema smiles a sheepish smile. Drew decides that if they are going to have a good time, he's going to have a hand in it. He pulls out a cassette tape, gives it to Ashema

DREW (CONT'D)

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