American Shaolin Page #6

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – EARLY MORN

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF MIST-LADEN COURTYARD.

The sun is barely coming up, and only a few shafts of light are illuminating the darkness. A figure can be seen sitting cross-legged in front of the door.

It is Drew, backpack at his side.

The front door opens and a monk pokes his head out to look around, and he sees Drew sitting there. His eyes widen in shock, then he quickly disappears inside.

Almost immediately, the door opens again, and the Admissions Monk is standing there, surprised and angry to see Drew sitting there.

ADMISSIONS MONK:

Go home! You cannot stay here!

No response from Drew. He just sits there, staring straight ahead.

ADMISSIONS MONK (CONT'D)

Do you hear me? Go away!

Drew doesn't move.

San De, the sweeping monk, walks out of the open door, a monk behind him carrying a suitcase. He walks past Drew, noticing him sitting there. He walks on.

The Admissions Monk slams the door, angry.

EXT. TEMPLE – MONTAGE SECTION

ANGLE ON DREW SWEATING IN THE HOT SUNSHINE

Sweat is running into Drew's eyes, and he is trying to keep them from stinging.

ANGLE ON DREW BEING TORMENTED BY LOCAL KIDS

They are playing games around him, throwing stones at him, messing with his hair and his clothes, touching the things in his backpack (frisbee, football, walkman), etc.

ANGLE ON DRILL SERGEANT

As he comes out of the temple, chasing away the kids.

When they are gone, he turns to Drew.

DRILL SERGEANT:

Will you give up? I think so.

ANGLE ON DREW SHIVERING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT

His eyes are closed, and it is obvious he is very uncomfortable.

ANGLE ON SPIDER AS IT CRAWLS OUT TO SEE DREW

It lingers for a moment, then goes away.

ANGLE ON DREW BEING FED BY ASHEMA

She is giving him food, and all he is moving is his mouth. They do not speak.

ANGLE ON DREW SITTING IN THE RAIN

He is miserable, and he is looking at the relative comfort of the stands around the temple, where there is food, warmth and light. His spirit is wavering.

ANGLE ON DREW BEING FED BY ASHEMA AGAIN

ASHEMA:

Give this up, Drew! Please?

No response from Drew. Just a small smile.

ANGLE ON SPIDER, WHO IS BACK

This time it stays even longer. Drew looks down at it and smiles.

ANGLE ON MONKS FROM TEMPLE

Looking out the windows at the crazy foreigner in their courtyard.

ANGLE ON DREW IN COURTYARD

As a school group comes through the temple.

The children are tied together with a rope, and the teacher motions to the crazy American. Drew has become an attraction!

ANGLE ON DREW, SURROUNDED BY OLD MEN

They are marveling at his perserverance.

ANGLE ON DREW, WIND AND RAIN

This time it doesn't seem to bother him so much.

ANGLE ON DREW WITH ASHEMA AND HER BAU BAU THERE

Bau Bau speaks quickly in Chinese.

ASHEMA (CONT'D)

My Bau Bau says, keep it up! He is proud of you...

Drew nods.

ANGLE ON DREW SURROUNDED BY KIDS

They are no longer tormenting him, they are playing around and with him. Drew is not moving, but he is part of their group.

ANGLE ON DREW, THE SPIDER NOW SITTING ON HIS HAND

Drew stares at the spider, his companion in the vigil.

ANGLE ON DREW, BIRDS ALL AROUND HIM

The birds are keeping him company, and they are singing for him.

ANGLE ON DREW, THE FULL MOON IN THE B.G.

Drew's form is firm and solid, the determination in his eyes easily seen as he stares at the moon. He will see this through.

EXT. TEMPLE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW STILL SITTING IN THE COURTYARD.

The old monk, San De, comes back, the same monk following behind him with the suitcase. He looks at Drew, a little surprise showing in his face at seeing the American still there. He doesn't stop, though. He goes into the temple, shaking his head.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Same as the first shot, all alone in the temple.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF COURTYARD, DREW ALL ALONE.

The door to the temple opens and out comes San De, alone this time. He walks over to where Drew is, stares at him for a moment, then sits down across from him.

Drew tries not to look at him.

San De runs his hand across his bald pate and smiles.

SAN DE:

My head is shiny enough already, don't you think?

Drew, in shock at his ability to speak English, sputters

DREW:

You... You speak English? I'm sorry, I was just goofing... I apologize, master. I didn't mean to make fun of you...

San De shrugs it off. Apology accepted.

SAN DE:

What are you trying to do?

DREW:

I want to become a monk – they won't let me in... Hey, you're just a grunt, a janitor sweeping up and all, don't sweat it. It's not your problem...

SAN DE:

Why are you sitting here?

DREW:

I got the idea from a story about a monk who wouldn't leave. I thought...

San De nods.

SAN DE:

Has it been hard?

DREW:

It was at first. I was uncomfortable, in pain, actually, but as time went on, I got... into it, I guess. The sacrifice made me feel... in control, you know what I mean?

SAN DE:

(nodding)

Much of the training at the temple is in that direction – self sacrifice. Tell me more.

DREW:

At first I was really bored, and very lonely. But then, things changed. Maybe it's like hitting the wall in running – it was like I became part of the courtyard, and I felt powerful. Even the spider became my friend...

Drew opens up his hand to reveal a spider sitting in his palm.

DREW (CONT'D)

It was an incredible experience – I said I'd do it, and I did it.

San De, watching Drew intently, smiles at this last. He stands up and bows to Drew. Drew bows back, from his seated position.

SAN DE:

I wish you all the best.

DREW:

Same to you.

San De turns and goes into the temple, leaving Drew still sitting in the courtyard, the setting sun in the b.g.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF COURTYARD, DREW ALL ALONE.

O.S. comes the sounds of gongs and drums.

A crowd has gathered in the courtyard. Ashema and her grandfather are in the crowd, and they work themselves up to where Drew is.

Drew turns his head, and a procession of kids about his age (some older and some younger) come walking into the courtyard.

The front door to the temple opens wide, and a column of monks, all in their best saffron robes, are lined up waiting to receive them.

The young men who are walking in all still have hair, and they are carrying some baggage. They begin to enter the temple.

ASHEMA:

They are disciples. This is the last class for fighting monks at Shaolin.

Drew, very concerned, watches as the monks-to-be file through the temple doors.

The mothers and fathers of the boys watch proudly as the last ones go through.

The temple doors close.

ANGLE ON DREW:

Who is crushed. His chance is gone.

ASHEMA (CONT'D)

I'm sorry, Drew. It was a good effort.

Drew is sitting there, trying to understand what is happening when the door to the temple opens again. The Drill Sergeant appears in the doorway and impatiently motions for Drew to come in.

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