American Shaolin Page #21

SAN DE:

Only one trial remains before you become full fledged fighting monks. The Wooden Man Chamber.

ANGLE ON THE DISCIPLES

They are remembering the stories they have heard about the chamber.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

I warn you all, any monk who fails must leave the temple forever, and will NEVER be called Shaolin.

San De pauses, letting this remark sink in.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

Disciple Drew Carson, as you will return to America, and never intended to live as a monk in the temple, you need not enter the chamber.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who rises to the challenge.

DREW:

Master San De, I am part of the disciple class, am I not?

San De nods.

DREW (CONT'D)

Then I must pass this final test. Furthermore, I request that I be the first one through.

SAN DE:

(very proud)

Your request is granted.

ANGLE ON DREW:

In front of the entrance to the Wooden Man Chamber. San De and D.S. are flanking Drew as he pauses in front of the door. Drew turns to look at San De, and the D.S. smacks Drew in the back of the head.

DREW (CONT'D)

What did you do that for?

D.S.

My last chance – when you come out the other side, we will be equals.

Drew smiles at the D.S.'s attempt to lighten him up. He turns to look at the others from his disciple class, then opens the door and goes through.

INT. WOODEN MAN CHAMBER – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF WOODEN MAN CHAMBER.

Drew pauses for a moment, examining the room. It is filled with wooden statues of monks, all in different fighting positions. The carvings are precise and incredibly beautiful. Their arms, open hands, fists and legs are fashioned out of hard wood, and they look very dangerous indeed.

Drew gathers himself for a moment, then starts into the chamber.

ANGLE ON DREW'S FOOT

As it presses down on one of the stones of the floor.

The attacks start – from all sides, as the wooden statues COME TO LIFE, spinning, lunging and striking.

Drew is caught off guard, and is hit several times, driven back to the door of the chamber. The statues stop moving.

Drew, a little scared, tries to remember the sequence of the statues, letting his arms practice for the attacks.

There is fear in his eyes.

He starts in again, and the attacks come again, but they are different this time.

Drew is clobbered.

Driven back to the door, Drew slumps against the wall. His face is already bruised and bleeding.

DREW:

(whispering)

I can't do it.

FLASHBACK TO D.S.

D.S.

There is no can't, only won't.

FLASHBACK TO SEVERAL D.S. ATTACKS

Including the one where Drew succeeded in evading them.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who gathers himself, straightens up and takes a deep breath, forcing it out in a breathing exercise.

DREW (CONT'D)

I am a Shaolin monk.

He enters the chamber again, and the attacks start again.

Drew, however, is prepared (both mentally and physically).

He blocks, avoids, rolls, jumps and redirects the attacks on him, making his way across.

He is about halfway across when an especially fierce and large statue comes crashing towards him. Drew, caught a little off guard, quickly adjusts and manages to jump and spin out of the way.

Suddenly, as he turns and tries to get his breath, two huge, deadly spears are streaking towards him. Drew blocks the SPEARS with his arms, misdirecting them into the wall behind him.

They THWOCK into the wall, sticking there.

As he rounds a particularly difficult series of statues, a volley of ARROWS comes HURTLING towards him. Drew blocks some, avoids others, and catches one in each hand. He throws them down and continues on.

He goes past the few remaining statues, and is out of the Wooden Man Chamber. All that is left is to walk down a little hallway and out the door.

Drew looks behind him, then starts to walk. He goes cautiously, expecting a trap or a trick.

Nothing happens.

He gets to the door and looks for a handle on the door. He spots a handhold near the top of the door, and pulls it with his hand.

Immediately, his hands is locked in and a panel in the ceiling DROPS right onto his arm, forcing it down. Drew fights back with his muscles, the veins popping out in his arms and neck.

Behind him, a statue has started coming towards him, spinning like a dervish. Its fists and legs are extended, and they are deadly.

The panel drops lower and lower.

FLASHBACK TO UNBENDABLE ARM SEQUENCE

ANGLE ON DREW:

As he relaxes his face, and forcibly relaxes his arm and entire body, letting his inner energy take over.

ANGLE ON PANEL:

As it slows with a GRINDING NOISE, then stops.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Holding up the heavy stone panel with his arm, his face and body completely relaxed.

The panel goes back up into the ceiling, and the door opens.

The whirling statue slows, and then stops altogether. Drew reaches up with a hook kick and taps it in the face.

DREW (CONT'D)

Not this time.

Drew quickly walks through the door.

EXT. TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF CHEERING ASSEMBLAGE, SAN DE AND D.S. AT THE FRONT. HE HAS MADE IT!

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. TEMPLE – SAME DAY

MONTAGE OF SHOTS OF OTHER DISCIPLES – GAO, LI AND WU MAKE IT THROUGH, JOINING THE OTHERS AS FULL-FLEDGED FIGHTING MONKS.

Drew is there each time to embrace them and congratulate them.

EXT. TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF SAN DE AND D.S. STANDING BEFORE THE ASSEMBLED DISCIPLES.

There are a few missing from their ranks, monks who did not make it through the chamber, but the majority of them are there. The entire temple is gathered to watch the ceremony.

San De and D.S. are dressed in elaborate ceremonial robes.

After he goes through some complicated ceremonial movements, including the waving of smoking incense over them, San De spreads his hands

SAN DE:

You are now Shaolin. We welcome you into our ranks as fighting monks...

A roar rises from the assembled monks, and fireworks go off all around.

ANGLE ON REAR OF COURTYARD

Where a huge red sheet is pulled back to reveal tables laden with Chinese dishes, wine and other foods.

The party gets going and is soon in full gear.

ANGLE ON DREW, GAO AND LI

As they congratulate themselves, and gorge themselves on the huge tables of Chinese food.

ANGLE ON THE ENTIRE GROUP

They are enjoying themselves.

This only happens once every couple of years, and the monks are intent on enjoying themselves.

ANGLE ON SAN DE (DREW'S POV)

Who is walking towards the side of the temple, away from the party.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who sees him leave. He excuses himself from his group.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAMBOO GROVE – SAME EVENING

ANGLE ON SAN DE:

Who is walking in the bamboo grove, his hands behind him. Drew walks up to him and they bow.

SAN DE:

Congratulations.

DREW:

I wouldn't have made it through without you.

(beat)

You once asked why I came here, why did you let me in?

SAN DE:

Do you remember the story you heard about the monk who would not leave?

DREW:

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