American Shaolin Page #2

KWAN:

Why didn't you come to class? Why waste time with this... Should study tapes of opponent.

DREW:

I'll still win. Besides, the Shaolin monks never had tapes to study... they did it this way... right?

KWAN:

Not quite – our drills at the temple had meaning. If we had tapes, we would have watched them.

Drew starts to protest, but Kwan doesn't even let him start.

KWAN (CONT'D)

"The warrior who knows himself and his opponent will win 100 times in 100 battles." Study the tapes I gave you. All these years of one on one training – you're the best I've ever taught.

DREW:

The best?

KWAN:

Best white boy, maybe. Just fight like a Shaolin warrior – the rest will take care of itself.

(picks up tape)

Face reality, before it breaks your jaw!

Drew holds out his hand for the tape, and Kwan slaps it into his hand. Drew smiles a defeated smile and turns toward the VCR, when Drew's stepfather, BOB, walks in. He is a big, overweight man, and he is very angry.

BOB:

(shouting)

Are you screwing around with this stuff again?

DREW:

Look, Bob, I'm not bothering you, am I?

BOB:

It's your attitude that bothers me, son.

DREW:

I'm not your son, Bob. Lay off.

It is a threat, one that Bob almost takes up. Kwan feels the tension in the room, and starts to say something.

BOB:

(cutting him off)

Don't say a word, yellow man.

REACTION SHOT OF KWAN

Closing his already opened mouth.

BOB (CONT'D)

You're here because I told your Mom I'd see you were taken care of... after. At least respect my wishes, and make something of yourself... Stop wasting your time!

DREW:

(sarcastic)

When I'm the best fighter in the country, I'm not going to let you be part of my entourage...

BOB:

You mean when you're in jail...

DREW:

Just leave me alone, Bob, OK? I NEVER asked for anything from you.

He spins and kicks one of the hanging bags, then walks out of the workout room, leaving Bob and Kwan standing alone.

Kwan looks at Bob, who towers over him, and smiles sheepishly.

KWAN:

Pressure. Big tournament this weekend.

He starts to walk out, but Bob follows him.

BOB:

How would you have liked having to take care of a kid you never really wanted... ?

KWAN:

I wish I had the chance...

Kwan exits, and we...

EXT. TREVOR ESTATE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TREVOR GOTTITALL ESTATE, A HUGE PALATIAL SPREAD.

The grounds are immaculate and huge, exquisitely kept and beautifully laid out. A gathering is around the pool and lawn area, where TREVOR and his team are having an exhibition for their guests. Polite applause is

COMING FROM THE CROWD, ALL WELL-DRESSED AND OBVIOUSLY WELL-HEELED.

ANGLE ON TREVOR:

As he knocks out an opponent.

ANGLE ON CROWD:

Applauding.

ANGLE ON TREVOR:

Taunting a different opponent. Trevor executes a beautiful technique and puts the guy down and out.

ANGLE ON TEAM:

(Psychologist, therapist, masseur, etc.) who are cheering Trevor on.

ANGLE ON TREVOR:

As he plays with the next fighter.

TREVOR:

They said you were good... ha!

He knocks the guy out with a picture perfect kick. There is no denying that he's a superior fighter.

TREVOR (CONT'D)

Can't you get me any quality sparring partners?

The next guy comes up, but before they can start, the psychologist, DR. PFEELGUT, calls for "Time" and motions Trevor over.

PFEELGUT:

It's not enough just to win, Trevor. You have to destroy your opponent completely, mentally and physically. Beat him once, he's a threat. Humiliate him, and he'll fear you forever.

Trevor listens to this, nods his head once, and when Pfeelgut goes to leave, Trevor pushes him into the pool.

Pfeelgut comes to the surface, smiling.

PFEELGUT (CONT'D)

Exactly!

Trevor goes back to the ring. He really takes it to this guy, alternately playing with him and hurting him. As the guy tries to hold his own, the string to his pants comes loose and they start to fall down. He grabs for them with both hands, and Trevor starts to back up, laughing with the rest of the group.

ANGLE ON PFEELGUT

Toweling off, who is yelling to Trevor.

PFEELGUT (CONT'D)

GET HIM! NOW!!

Trevor looks at him for a moment, not really understanding, then sees what the psychologist is saying. He lunges immediately forward and (in SLOW MOTION) knocks the guy out while he is still trying to pull his pants up.

ANGLE ON CROWD AS THEY ENJOY THE SHOW IMMENSELY

Trevor has learned the lesson of the day, and he walks off.

INT. TREVOR HOUSE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF TREVOR BEING PAMPERED BY HIS ENTOURAGE

The masseur is massaging his shoulders, a woman is doing a pedicure and another is doing a manicure. An exercise physiologist is going over a computer print out with Trevor, when an old Korean master, MASTER KIM, comes into the room.

TREVOR:

Ah, Master Kim.

(to physiologist)

I'll look at these stats later.

Trevor indicates a seat near him, much lower than the one he is sitting in. The Korean master prefers to remain standing.

TREVOR (CONT'D)

Are all you guys named Kim? So, what did you think?

KIM:

(thick accent)

You velly good fighter...

TREVOR (CONT'D)

Learn English, will ya? And, tell me something I don't know...

KIM:

A mountain lion doesn't ponder his weakness, and is therefore vulnerable.

TREVOR:

(after a beat)

Well, I'm pretty damn tired of this fortune cookie crap.

(beat)

You're history. Chaunce, get ride of the bum.

The butler, CHAUNCY, comes forward and walks up to Master Kim.

CHAUNCY:

Very good, sir.

TREVOR:

Don't come here any more, you hear? Over a little more to the left, Sam.

The masseur nods and adjusts his technique accordingly.

TREVOR (CONT'D)

It's hard being me, you know. So much pressure...

EXT. COLISEUM – DAY

People are streaming into the large building. The marquee out front reads "Diamond Nationals".

INT. COLISEUM – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING MONTAGE OF TOURNAMENT: CROWDS AND COMPETITORS.

(SOME IDEAS, NOT IN ORDER)

Competitors warming up (wall front stretch, very high; one guy kicking another in the head – tap, tap, tap; two man routine practicing – another one jumps in?; two beautiful girls sparring; crowd assembling; group of kids waiting – call comes over public address system, they run off; stand outside selling high tech equipment; different styles of fighter's clothes – camo, stars & stripes, "headhunter"; stern 9 year old girl doing kata; two toddlers barely seen through their safety equipment fighting furiously; two twins doing identical kata; breaking; etc.)

ANGLE ON DREW AND KWAN

Walk into the area – Drew is dressed in the ill-fitting handmade suit by Mrs. Rodriguez. People recognize him as he walks past.

ANGLE ON TREVOR:

Making his entrance. He is in a perfectly laundered and pressed suit, and his assistant is carrying another suit pressed and ready to go.

COMPETITOR:

Hey, Trevor! What's the 2nd uniform for?

TREVOR:

The finals.

COMPETITOR:

(after he's gone)

Cocky bastard...

ANGLE ON TREVOR:

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes