Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #16

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Mason’s eyes are filled with tears, but they have not broken out yet. He is fighting it. Rage and sadness fill his face, he is turned away from the table, guarding his face from everyone.

MASON:

Alright. Alright. Alright.

Meghan is crying softly.

MEGHAN:

Mason…are you going to be okay? You can handle this Mason. One step at a time.

MASON:

Ya, no I’m fine. I’ll be fine.

MEGHAN:

You’re chasing ninjas, right? Focus on Mikki, ya?

MASON:

Ya, ya, of course. I’m glad you let me know little sis. I love you, I’m gonna get going, this is costing me a fortune. We’ll be in touch when we can. This phone call was a day’s ride on horse.

MEGHAN:

Ya, Mikki told me.

MASON:

I figured she told you everything. I love you sister, love you Meg.

MEGHAN:

Love you both! So much.

MASON:

Hug Delilah for me, and Kelly. Tell Mama Gueritta I love her, and I’m so very sorry.

MEGHAN:

I will, you just focus Mase. Focus on my baby, ok? I love you.

MASON:

Love you, bye boo.

MEGHAN:

Love you, bye.

MASON:

Bye.

Mason walks back over to the table, Mikki stands to meet him and hug him. He sinks in to her. Yua watches mournfully, but doesn’t otherwise know what to do. The table eats and is relatively silent for a few minutes. Mason appears vacant.

MASON:

How long do you think til sunset?

YUA:

Only a couple hours I think.

MASON:

There must be an inn here.

YUA:

There are two places we can stay, an Inn by river, or upstairs here.

MASON:

What about camping? Could we camp out?

Yua is surprised, and seems slightly scared.

YUA:

I never camp between Tengukuri and ***Village Name***

MASON:

Is it dangerous?

MIKKI:

Can we have a fire?

YUA:

Uh…yes, if you want camp, we can move until night then stop and camp. You want to camp?

Mason’s eyes are somewhere else, he nods as he plays with his food. Yua smiles at Mikki.

YUA:

Ok, we camp. We have fire. I buy candy here. Need candy for camp.

MIKKI:

Yes!! Wait…do we have a tent?

Mason nods. Mikki and Yua interact and try to make Mason happy. The sounds of the village overwhelm the ears.

MASON:

It’s too loud here.

Cut.

42 - EXT - CAMPFIRE - NIGHT

The three are sitting around a campfire in the middle of a large meadow. The sky is lit up with stars and the moon bright. Wind blows tall grass, the fire snaps and crackles. Yua and Mikki eat candy. Mason stares into the fire.

MIKKI:

You want something Uncle Mase?

Mason looks up at Mikki and stares, resentment is on his face.

MASON:

No. No thank you hon. I’m fine. Are you warm enough? Is the fire big enough?

He snaps back into life. They confirm the fire is enough.

MIKKI:

Are you okay?

MASON:

Ya. Ya, I’m just kinda thinkin about Dickey. Peter. He’s like, one of my oldest friends ya know? I can’t believe he’s gone. Dickey hated Lee.

MIKKI:

Why? I mean, I know, but not why.

MASON:

Well, we all went to high school together. Your mom was a freshman when me and Dick were juniors, Lee was a senior. He was a knucklehead then. Total white bread. A few years out of high school, Lee was a rookie with the Sheriff’s department. King County.

MIKKI:

Not Seattle?

MASON:

No, not yet.

MASON:

Any way, Dick and I were out all night drinkin and being dirtbags, uh, Kelly was with us, and at the end of the night, they were begging me to come to their house, stay the night, party more, and I just couldn’t do it, Meg had a tournament, I was her corner cuz dad was…here actually. So I made him take me home, and ya, he was drinking and driving and after they dropped me off at home, they got pulled over by guess who. Lee knew who he was, but they didn’t arrest him. They made Kelly start walking home alone, and then they beat the sh*t out of him right there. He said he remembered them calling him spic and beaner. They took him to the hospital and told them they found him that way. Dick said it was the guy that was training Lee that was really the one saying and egging on most of it. But Lee did nothing to help him, just went along with it. Dickey changed after that. He was more reckless, started carrying again, was a bit more of an outlaw. But he was always my brother, always watching out for me, always trying to keep me out of fights. Would have always died for your mom…

Mason breaks for a brief moment then pulls it together, he covers his face with his hand, breathes deep a few times and shakes his head.

MASON:

He had a thing for your mom when we were kids.

MIKKI:

Wow. I’m sorry you lost your friend Uncle Mase. I love you.

Mason smiles.

MASON:

Love you too. Thanks sweetie.

A long silence goes by.

YUA:

You leave Tengukuri now?

Another soul piercing stare from Mason. He inhales…

MASON:

No, definitely not. Dickey’s gone, they’re going to cremate him, do a memorial after we get back. My baby girl is all busted up and I don’t trust Lee to give a sh*t, but I trust my Meg. I just, I don’t, I don’t know, this is all so weird. I’m so far away, but can’t help feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be, like everyone is in their right place right now, like NOW NOW, right in this very moment now. But I feel like a storm is just over the hill too. Maybe these are just the first drops of rain.

YUA:

Blossom fall to ground, Sakura bloom again. Still connected.

Mason’s face turns to relief, and great trust toward Yua.

MIKKI:

Why did you call him Dickey?

MASON:

Uh…well…we knew each other since we were kids, immature little boys, Peter morphed to Dickey…couple of boys never grew up…

MIKKI:

Oh my gosh Uncle Mase! I just got it…boys are gross.

YUA:

Mikki is totally right, boys are gross! Totally gross.

All three laugh, there is a lightness in the air that wasn’t there before. Like a a good memorial service just happened. Yua continues to eyeball Mason.

MASON:

Gimme some of that candy. What do we got anyway?

Mason gets up to sit next to Mikki and Yua. Mikki instead moves away from Yua, making the open spot between them. Mason doesn’t miss a beat and sits down. Scene ends a very cozy and human moment. Everything is in its right place. Cut.

43 - EXT - CHERRY BLOSSOM PATH - DAY

The three ride in to Tengukuri. Mason rides in back. Lost in the blossoms. When they pass the meadow, Mason notices people off to the left, hiking up, down and through some trails that veer off into the forest. He c*cks his head in wonder. He stares. Someone disappears. Cut.

44 - EXT - THE INN - DAY

The Innkeeper is see out front with water, checking over the two, and talking non-stop. They are off their horses. Mason looks at Yua.

MASON:

Is she always like this?

YUA:

Sobo, is our village grandmother.

Mason walks over to Yua, and stands pretty darn close.

MASON:

I need a bath and a nap.

YUA:

Sobo will feed you. Then sleep. You safe to sleep. Should I come tomorrow?

Without hesitation

MASON:

Please. Please do.

YUA:

Rest, Mason-san. Get rest. Heal in village. Mikki!

Yua waves to Mikki and walks to her to give her a hug. Mason looks comedically disappointed. What, waiting for a kiss? You only love yourself dude. Yua walks back over and past Mason. The Horseman is there now to gather the horses. Mason turns and hands over the small katana, but his eyes are on Yua.

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