Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #12

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MASON:

Konichiwa!

Mason bows, and the man speaks to them in Japanese.

MASON:

I’m so sorry, my Japanese is slow, we’re looking for Tengukuri, have you heard of iit? I hope we’re not trespassing. Sumimasen.

THE HORSEMAN:

Tengukuri?

The man stares at them intently. He gets down off of the horse, saying nothing else. The man is in his late 30’s, healthy, clean shaven, long hair, intense, dressed old fashioned.

He reaches for their bags and motions toward the horse, points the them and motions that they come with him. He speaks in Japanese. Mason looks at Mikki.

MASON:

He wants us to follow him. He’s gonna put the bags on the horse though.

MIKKI:

Are you sure?

The man almost seemed to understand and says something brief in Japanese then bows at Mikki. Mikki bows back.

MIKKI:

Uh…

MASON:

It’s alright honey, this is a good thing. It’s ok.

MIKKI:

Okay…

Mikki is apprehensive but gives her bag to the man. Mason attempts to help the man secure the bags to the saddle, he is kind but does not smile, as though he is hurried. He continues to look back in the direction that they came from. When the horse is ready, the man jumps on and motions for them to follow. He trots slightly ahead as the two, relieved by the lighter load follow bravely behind. They head toward a forest on top of a hill, it is almost dark now. SEE MAP

31 - EXT. - TENGUKURI - NIGHT

Torches light the way, a narrow dirt path into a quiet row of small buildings that look several hundred years old. Mason and Mikki look scared, and tired. People can be seen on porches, they turn to stare at their visitors, some people hurriedly go inside and slide doors shut. They slowly drag their feet through town, following the man on the horse, in cut frame, until they drift out of view into the dark.

32 - EXT. - A SMALL INN - NIGHT

The three are walking almost entirely in the dark except for intermittent torches lighting the ground. Out of the black zooms a wooden building, barely lit with lanterns and fire from within. The man dismounts his horse and heads toward a raised Inn, slides open a door and motions for Mason and Mikki to head in. They cautiously go inside. The moment is very tense. A stringed instrument can be heard. Along with pots and pans.

33 - INT. - A SMALL INN - NIGHT

A small and frail looking Japanese woman is sitting in a very European looking rocking chair in the corner of a very Japanese traditional Inn. Sliding paper doors on 3 sides of a short table meant as sort of a lobby front desk gesture. “Who the hell comes to stay here?” The woman pops up and motions at them to come in…she is clearly happy to see them. Meal? She questions them for a meal. Mason affirms and she steps out to fetch them some food. The man on the horse can be heard leaving.

MASON:

What have I done?

MIKKI:

What? Are you scared?

MASON:

What? No, I just mean, I can’t believe we’re actually here.

A few minutes go by as they walk around the open space in the front of the Inn. The woman comes around the corner with rice and tea. Mason and Mikki stand and eat right off the tray she is holding. It’s the best rice and tea they’ve ever had. Mason tries to take the tray.

MASON:

Domo arrigato gozaimas…I can take that.

The woman spins away. She’s serving them.

MASON:

Domo arrigato.

They finish the bowls, and tea. Mason reaches in his pocket and asks in Japanese if they can lodge for the evening. As he fans through bills, she grabs a few, bows and shows them to their separate but adjoining spaces. They settle and unpack their gear as she walks out and gently closes the door, she points to an old fashioned lock on her way out.

MIKKI:

Who do you think actually stays here?

MASON:

I don’t know. People like us? Hunters, wanderers? Drunks that are in the doghouse.

MIKKI:

Ha! Yeah. You think there’s a lot of people like us?

MASON:

No, I don’t. Lets get some sleep, I’m wasted.

MIKKI:

I feel so dirty.

MASON:

We’ll find somewhere to clean up in the morning.

Mason gets up and turns an oil lamp down until it goes out. The room is dark. They sit in the quiet for a moment. Deep breaths and yawns

MIKKI:

That was the best rice and tea I’ve ever had in my life.

They laugh hard together.

MASON:

Oh my god! Right?! I coulda eaten like ten bowls.

They laugh again and drift off…

MASON:

Love you Mik.

MIKKI:

I love you Uncle Mase.

34 - INT. - THE INN - DAY

Mason wakes up, the space is light but bare of much.

MASON:

Mikki!? Michelle!?

He gets up quickly, afraid.

MIKKI (OFFSCREEN)

Out here Uncle Mase!

Mason walks about the inn looking for Mikki, then comes to a back door that leads to a porch that sits in a garden. Mikki is working with the old woman from the inn with a bo staff. The old woman is moving the staff through her hands so elegantly. Mason is wowed. She finishes her technique and tells Mikki something in Japanese, Mikki does her best with a technique. The old woman praises Mikki with a large smile, then looks at Mason. Mikki’s face is lit up.

MASON:

You speak Japanese now?

MIKKI:

No, but I kinda get it.

They laugh while the old woman joins them in laughter. The three seem as if they know each other. She motions to the corner, where there sit several more bo staffs. She is telling Mason to grab one. We begin to see a universality in human communication.

MASON:

Oh no, I’m no good with a bo.

She reinforces.

MIKKI:

C’mon Uncle Mase.

MASON:

Alright, alright, you’ll see.

Mason goes and carefully grabs a bo. He twirls it with surprising care, but nothing compared to the old woman. She speaks to him in Japanese, demonstrating a certain technique. The technique does not seem particularly combative, but graceful, artistic. Mason tries the technique and knocks himself in the lip.

MASON:

Oh sh*t. Sorry…

She speaks in Japanese, laughs and motions to try again. He gets it this time and the woman stands between Mikki and Mason, beginning a demonstration for them to follow. They carefully and humbly follow the woman’s instruction for several minutes. As they finish peacefully, she praises them and bows. She returns her bo to being the walking cane she otherwise seems to need it for, and disappears into the inn.

MIKKI:

She’s so nice.

MASON:

Ya. How long have you been out here?

MIKKI:

For a while, I got up looking for a bathroom and she was still out here in her chair. I think she lives here. Do you think she’s a ninja?

Mason chuckles sarcastically.

MASON:

Uh, no. But I need to use the bathroom. Where’s it at?

Mikki points to a small hut behind the garden.

MASON:

Okay, I’ll be back. Go get your shoes and a jacket, we’re gonna find some food and go do some exploring.

MIKKI:

Ok.

They go their separate ways as we get a zoomed out shot of The Inn.

35 - EXT - THE MAIN PATH - DAY

Mikki and Mason walk through the main path through town. It functions like a main stalk flagged with small shops and buildings with smaller branches supporting similar fractals of structures. The area seems to be in the middle of a forest with quite a tall canopy, although plenty of light still gets through.

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