American Shaolin Page #18

Gao follows Drew's instructions, then they run the play. This time Gao is all alone and he catches the ball easily for a touchdown.

Drew runs up and high-fives Gao, then teaches him how to spike the ball.

They are playing some more, having a great time. This time Drew goes out for a pass, with Gao playing defense. Li throws the pass, and Gao intercepts. Drew, laughing, goes after Gao.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who goes long for a pass, which Gao lets fly.

It is immediately obvious that it is way too long.

ANGLE ON SAN DE:

Who is walking along through the stupa, meditating as he walks.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who stops running and sees san de. the ball is going towards San De.

ANGLE ON SAN DE:

The ball is heading right for his HEAD!

ANGLE ON DREW, GAO AND OTHERS

They are bracing for the impact, and the trouble it will cause.

ANGLE ON SAN DE:

Who at the last moment turns and catches the ball like a professional receiver. He holds the ball and looks right at Drew, a very stern look on his face.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Expecting the worst.

ANGLE ON SAN DE:

His stern face now taking on a mischevious look. He hefts the ball and puts his fingers on the laces.

SAN DE:

Go long.

Drew pauses for a moment, not sure what San De said, until San De motions with his left hand, like a NFL quarterback, for Drew to go out. He takes off sprinting, with Gao covering him like a blanket. San De throws the ball to him in a perfect spiral, to a spot where Gao has no play on the throw, and Drew catches it in stride.

San De immediately returns to his meditation, while Drew and the others stand around dumbstruck.

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GAO, LI AND DREW RUNNING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE.

They come to a stream, and there by a stream is a beautiful young woman who can't get across the stream without getting her clothes soaked.

Without thinking twice, Drew allows her to get on his back and carries her across the river. He deposits her on the other side and then continues running.

Gao and Li run up next to Drew, and together they go back to the temple. When they stop outside the temple, they are breathing heavily. finally catching his breath, Gao turns to Drew.

GAO:

I can't believe you carried that girl over the stream! After all the trouble you got into...

LI:

Are you crazy? You almost got kicked out once over that kind of thing...

Drew smiles slightly.

DREW:

I left that girl at the stream. Are you two still carrying her?

He turns and walks away, leaving Li and Gao to puzzle that one out. As he walks away, San De comes out from behind a pillar where he had been sweeping, smiling and nodding his head at Drew's answer.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TRAINING GROUND, WHERE SEVERAL GROUPS OF DISCIPLES ARE GOING AT IT.

The action is fast and furious.

ANGLE ON DREW AND GAO

Who are squared off and fighting. They are intense, and the techniques they are throwing are full power. Drew hits Gao, and he bends over. Drew closes, thinking that he has Gao at his mercy. At the last minute, Gao stands up and cold c*cks Drew, who sags to the ground.

TIGHT ON DREW:

Who is trying to get his bearings.

DREW:

Lucky shot, slant eye!

ANGLE ON GAO:

Who gives him a mean look.

GAO:

You stink, American!

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who stands up, mad.

DREW:

That's it! You're dead meat!

He comes at Gao, and they start fighting again, throwing all kinds of acrobatic kicks and techniques.

A gong sounds, O.S., and Gao and Drew stop, bow to each other, and then embrace, smiling.

DREW (CONT'D)

Saved by the bell...

GAO:

I had you...

Drew moves off to the side to get a drink of water, and to towel off. As he rubs his neck, D.S. comes up to him.

D.S.

San De wants to see you, in his chambers.

Drew raises his eyebrows, then looks over at Gao and Li. He rolls up his towel and snaps Gao with it as he walks by.

DREW:

I wonder what you did now...

INT. SAN DE CHAMBER – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW AND SAN DE SITTING ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER.

San De has an ornately embroidered golden box in his hand, and he is showing it to Drew.

SAN DE:

You are to deliver this scroll to the Arhat living on the Jade Mountain. This is your quest. The scroll that is in this box is more precious than life. Guard it well.

DREW:

I will, Master.

SAN DE:

If you deliver this, you may ask this master, the most advanced monk of the Shaolin tradition, any question you wish, and he must answer it.

San De takes out a map of the area.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

This map will lead you to the Jade Mountain. Let nothing deter from safeguarding the sacred scroll. You leave first thing tomorrow morning.

(beat)

You must return within three day... or don't bother to return at all.

San De stands and bows to Drew. Drew returns the bow, takes the map and the box, then leaves the chamber.

EXT. TEMPLE – EARLY MORNING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW WALKING OUT OF THE TEMPLE INTO THE MIST-SHROUDED COURTYARD.

He is off on his quest.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – SAME DAY

ANGLE ON DREW:

Walking strong. the sun is high in the sky, and the scenery behind is incredibly beautiful (Guilin?).

EXT. SMALL TOWN – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW STOPPING IN A SMALL TOWN, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OPEN AIR MARKET.

He goes over to a drink stand, and buys a cool drink. Just as he is about to drink it down, it is KNOCKED from his hand.

Drew turns around and see four dirty thugs and their leader – the one who hit the glass. They are yelling at Drew in Chinese, which he doesn't understand.

DREW:

OK, boys, just let me get my glass and...

Drew, not looking for trouble, bends down to pick up the glass, and the leader kicks him in the rear end, sending him pitching to the ground. Drew rolls to a standing position, and the five men close on him.

A crowd is now starting to form, eager to watch how the monk handles this situation.

The thugs come after Drew, and the leader throws a roundhouse punch, hitting Drew square in the jaw. They continue to attack, while Drew tries to avoid getting hit. Drew catches a haymaker, and he spins and drops, and the thugs laugh, kick him a couple of times, and then kick dust and dirt onto him. Drew doesn't get up.

They soon tire of the sport and move on, the crowd staring at Drew in pity.

DREW (CONT'D)

(to himself)

This humble, not fighting stuff is harder, and more painful, than it looks!

ANGLE ON THE THUGS

Who have now spotted a man and his young son. They are both loaded down with goods from the store, and the thugs stop them. They take the things from them, and start to walk off.

The father tries to fight back, but they easily beat him up, sending him into the dirt. The young boy runs forward. The leader of the thugs raises his hand, ready to slap the boy's face.

Before he can bring his arm forward, Drew's fingers come around his wrist, stopping it.

DREW (CONT'D)

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