Kubo and the Two Strings Page #18

Kubo’s fingers pause over the top of the sword hilt. And then

withdraw.

And then, as quickly as he can, he deftly begins re-stringing

his shamisen, using both string and hair.

The Moon Beast thunders closer through the woods.

Two strings in place, Kubo stares at the empty space where

the final string should go.

The Moon Beast appears, and finds Kubo kneeling on the

ground, shamisen in hand.

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

86/92

MOON BEAST:

This is the end of your story. Now

take one last look with that lonely

eye. One last look at this wretched

place you call home.

Kubo stands up. Defiant.

KUBO:

I’m not leaving.

He then reaches up and plucks out a hair from his own head,

and stretches it across the shamisen.

The Moon Beast CACKLES.

KUBO (CONT’D)

For every horrible thing down here

there’s something far more

beautiful. My mother saw it. So did

my father. I see it, even with just

one eye.

The Moon Beast SNARLS, no longer finding this amusing.

MOON BEAST *

Then I’ll just have to rip it out

of your head again, won’t I?

As the Moon Beast goes to strike, Kubo plucks the first

string on the shamisen, producing a single BOOMING NOTE.

KUBO:

IF YOU MUST BLINK, DO IT NOW!

The Moon Beast stops, surprised.

All the dead paper lanterns in the river suddenly ignite

again, a trail of light snaking from the river all the way to

the broken lanterns scattered throughout the marketplace.

KUBO (CONT’D)

I know why you want my eye. Because

without it I can’t look into the

eyes of another and see their soul.

Their love.

MOON BEAST:

Everything you loved is gone!

Everything you knew has been taken

from you!

When Kubo speaks, his voice is stronger than ever.

DRAFT:
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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

87/92

KUBO:

No. It’s in my memories. The most

powerful kind of magic there is.

Kubo plucks the second string.

And now, emerging from behind trees and grave markers, come

the surviving villagers. They hold glowing lanterns as they

march to take their place alongside Kubo.

Kubo plucks the final string, producing a NOTE that echoes

endlessly, and the Moon Beast stares down with an expression

of shock. Yet more figures are joining the ranks of Kubo’s

army, but these are glowing with the same otherworldly light

that we saw surrounding the blue herons. These are the

spirits of the dead.

He gestures to his army.

KUBO (CONT’D)

It makes us stronger than you’ll

ever be. These are the memories of

those we have loved and lost. And

if we hold their stories deep in

our hearts, then you will never

take them away from us.

Kubo stands there defiantly, looking up at the Moon Beast,

who has clearly heard enough. The beast rears back and

strikes down at Kubo like an enormous snake.

But as his fanged head lunges at Kubo’s army, it is deflected

by a field of blue light that has appeared around them, just

like the glow that protected Mother’s boat in the prologue.

The Moon Beast is stunned. Shakes his head. Then he strikes

again. And again. Each time he is repelled by the field which

keeps on growing larger and brighter.

KUBO (CONT’D)

And that really is the least of it.

With that, he brings his hand down on his shamisen, STRUMMING

all three strings at once.

The blue glow explodes, and everything is swallowed up in a

blinding white light.

(3700 GRR) GRANDFATHER REBORN

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

88/92

EXT. CEMETERY

The glare slowly dissipates, and in front of Kubo now stands

the sweet-faced old man from Kubo’s dream. He looks around,

confused.

OLD MAN:

Where am I?

Kubo approaches him and kneels down.

KUBO:

Hello, Grandfather.

The old man stares at Kubo. Genuinely puzzled.

OLD MAN:

Hello. What happened to your eye?

Kubo stares at his grandfather, a little uncertain.

KUBO:

Don’t you remember?

The old man shakes his head.

OLD MAN:

I’m sorry, young man. But I seem to

have forgotten my story. Can you

help me?

It takes a moment for this to sink into the crowd, and then

Kamekichi pushes forward.

KAMEYO:

I’ll tell him. No, we’ll all tell

him. We’ll tell him everything he

needs to know.

As Kubo watches, the old woman approaches the old man, warily

at first, as if testing the water.

KAMEYO (CONT’D)

You... are the kindest, sweetest

man to ever live in this village.

The old man seems surprised.

OLD MAN:

Oh... Oh really?

Kameyo breaks into a grin and nods vigorously.

DRAFT:
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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

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KAMEYO:

Yes!

Other villagers around her are starting to get the idea.

MARI:

(stepping forward)

Every day, you walk around smiling

and handing out coins to

children... like me!

KAMEYO:

And old women!

OLD MAN:

(unsure)

Oh...

Soon, each of the villagers is shouting out details of the

old man’s “story.”

VILLAGER 1

You... you taught my kids to swim!

HOSATO:

And... you give blankets to the

poor!

HASHI:

You’re a good man.

VILLAGER 3

You fed the hungry.

VILLAGER 4

You always lend a helping hand!

VILLAGER 5

You’re a great example!

OLD MAN:

Oh. Turns out I’m pretty selfless.

YOUNG DAUGHTER:

That’s why we love you!

Kameyo leans in close to the Old Man.

KAMEYO:

You know, we have something in

common. We both adore your

grandson.

She gestures to Kubo.

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

90/92

KAMEYO (CONT’D)

His name is Kubo.

OLD MAN:

Kubo....I’m sorry, but I don’t

remember.

KAMEYO:

Well, your grandson’s a

storyteller. He’ll tell you all the

stories you’ve forgotten.

OLD MAN:

Really?

She winks at Kubo.

KUBO:

Of course.

DISSOLVE TO:

(3800 FIP) FINAL PRAYER

EXT. PATH DOWN TO CEMETERY - WOODS OUTSIDE VILLAGE - NIGHT

Under the tiniest sliver of moon, a long procession of

villagers heads down the forest path leading to the river.

They hold glowing paper lanterns as they move along solemnly.

Their departed loved ones walk alongside, identifiable by a

subtle “spirit glow” emanating from them in the moonlight.

When they reach the river, farewells are said and lit

lanterns set adrift once more.

EXT. CEMETERY - NIGHT

The last of the remaining villagers file back up the path as

Kubo assembles his new altar. On it, he places two unlit

lamps, then gets to his knees, facing them. He begins

speaking quietly.

KUBO:

Hello, Mother. Father. I know my

stories can tend to get a little,

um, long. So I’ll keep this brief.

Kubo pauses, thinking what he wants to say.

KUBO (CONT’D)

I am very grateful. I have had the

chance to meet you both.

(MORE)

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

91/92

KUBO (CONT’D)

Hear your wisdom. Feel your

kindness. Even eat a meal sitting

between you. This was a happy

story.

(a beat)

But...It could still be a whole lot

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