Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #11

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MIKKI:

Ok. (She adjusts) How much longer do we have?

MASON:

Uh, we’ve been at it for about two and a half hours, I think about three hours. Maybe. These trains run pretty spot on I think, I just don’t remember how long it said, like 5 and a half hours. I’ve never been this far south. This is all kinda new territory for me.

Mikki takes a deep sigh. The traveling is getting uncomfortable for her.

MIKKI:

Why are we chasing Ninja, again? And where are we staying tonight?

MASON:

Well, first, I want to prove that this place is baloney or not. If it’s not, maybe it has something to offer the world that the world may need right now. If it is, then it’s time we let the ninja, and ninjitsu die a good death. And, hell, I grew up loving ninjas. I mean for me we had Karate Kid, American Ninja, Storm Shadow & Snake Eyes, Ninja Turtles, Bloodsport, Stephen Hayes and all this ninja subculture that dominated the minds of little boys my age. A..and…and honestly still does for me. Papa always taught me, “Mason, in any room, there is someone bigger, tougher or meaner than you.” A ninja was always the pinnacle of bigger, tougher or meaner.

MIKKI:

My mom likes Ninja Turtles.

MASON:

You’re damn right she does. Somehow, the baddest thing in the martial arts world when we were growing up, was a ninja. That’s it. They were magical.

MIKKI:

But were they ever real?

MASON:

Oh sure. And for me, the truth has almost become something sacred and far more interesting and impactful to me. It’s a story of family, and having a people, and of humility. Ninja were most often farmers and peasants, everyday people by day, trained in the dark to use weapons against the enemies of their villages, that would otherwise look like average farming tools. All their glories hidden, tigers in the shadows. The beauty of that sure gets lost. I remember reading something in the Bible, with your Grams about when salvation comes, the people will “fashion their weapons into plough shares.” Like, farm tools, you know? The ninja did the opposite because they had a war to fight, but when peace comes, people will be able to go the other way. (Pause) I don’t know, I just want the truth, I just want to see the truth in life, to see people treat one another truthfully. See Mik, we live in a world today where everyone thinks they get to define reality for for themselves, thereby defining it for everyone else too, and that just doesn’t work. We have the right to do that, but it doesn’t make it right, correct, you know?

We’re in this together, and really need to think about our responsibilities more than our rights. I don’t know. What do I know? Maybe I just want to tell a cool story, hopefully get published again, or get a book deal, blah blah blah…

MIKKI:

So what if we don’t find anything cool? And where are we staying tonight?

MASON:

The journey’s cool Mik. It’s all about the journey. Look at everything that we’ve seen so far.

MIKKI:

I know, it’s already been cool. Maybe I just hope we find something we are looking for soon. And where are we staying!?

MASON:

Right, right, well, uh, I think we’re staying at an Air BNB run by students, in the last stop town before we hike into the hills. Which, will be interesting, and I hope reasonably short. Remember those hikes we used to take with Grampa?

MIKKI:

Yes. What do you mean “you think” we’re staying there?

MASON:

I just always worry about things being lost in translation. The good news being that if people are around…Japanese people, we’ll stay somewhere adequate.

Mason seems quite pleased with himself.

MIKKI:

Aw geez.

She pulls her hood up over her head. They both get a bit of a laugh. The scene fades back out of the train to view the Japanese countryside.

28 - INT. - JAPANESE HOUSE - NIGHT

Mason is brushing his teeth in a very small bathroom. Mikki screams. Mason stops.

MASON:

Are you okay?

MIKKI:

There is a bug flying around in here!!

Mason chuckles and finishes his teeth.

MASON:

But you gotta admit, it’s really clean in this place. Minus the bug.

Mikki goes running past the bathroom, freaking out and squealing a bit. Mason continues to brush his teeth.

MASON:

Oh stop being such a baby.

Mason walks out and goes the opposite direction Mikki ran. Our view is still in the bathroom.

MASON:

(Off screen) Oh my god! What the hell is that thing? Ah!

Mason runs the other way, a small black bug buzzing behind him slowly.

MASON:

(Off screen) It’s like a little pterodactyl.

MIKKI:

(Off screen) See! I told you! Kill it.

MASON:

(Off screen) I think that’s like, against the law here?

MIKKI:

(Off screen) To kill a bug? Where’d it go?

MASON:

(Off screen) No for me to kill a bug, or us. For us to do it.

Silence…then they both scream and run into the bathroom and slam the door. They look at each other and start to crack up.

MASON:

You can sleep on the toilet. I’ll take the floor.

Cut to black.

29 - INT. - JAPANESE HOUSE - DAY

It’s dawn, Mason and Mikki are shown in separate Japanese style beds, sleeping soundly. The house is silent, birds can be heard outside. The mood is very light. Their sleep is calming to watch. As the light in the room grows, a tension builds. Cut scene.

30 - EXT. - OUTSIDE JAPANESE HOUSE - DAY

Mason is going over Mikki’s bag checking to make sure everything is squared away. His hair has remained up since landing in Japan. His beard is starting to grow in. Mikki is excited. Mason looks nervous. Wild birds flit around them. He tugs her final strap.

MASON:

Alright. You ready for this?

MIKKI:

I’m ready. I’m excited.

MASON:

Ok. It’s really early, I’ve done my very best to figure this place out, if we keep our pace hopefully we’ll be there by night time and be able to find somewhere to stay. You really understand that if we find this place, we’re in these people’s hands for a little bit. But I don’t want you to be afraid of anything, ever. I live for you Michelle. I would kill and die for you.

MIKKI:

I know Uncle Mase. Don’t call me Michelle. It makes me think I’m in trouble.

They both laugh.

MIKKI:

I’m with you. I’m not scared of anything.

A long silent look at each other. Mason nods.

MASON:

Alrighty then. Lets go sweet stuff. We follow this road to a small creek or river or something, that’s where we break off and follow it upstream.

Mason is still giving directions as they begin to walk away from the house. A short montage of them hiking through the highlands, crossing obstacles, climbing, pointing out things along the way. At one point as they cross a big open hill, the man in black in the Tengu mask follows a great deal behind them, keeping pace with them.

As the sun sets, Mason is beginning to look slightly worried. Mikki is out of breath. Both are tired.

MIKKI:

Do you think we’re almost there?

MASON:

I hope so.

Over the hill in the distance, a man appears, bobbing on horseback. When Mason finally sees him. He stops, and throws a hand up. The man raises a hand high into the air. Slowly, the man rides up to them.

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