Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #19

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MASON:

That sucks.

They continue to head into deeper vegetation on a path that is narrowing. They get to a steep bank and carefully walk down, over their shoulders we see the Waterfall. But they are going the opposite direction. Finally they arrive at a pool off to the side of the main river. The water looks alive but calm. They are surrounded by trees and there is a grassy bank they head toward and sit down on. For a few moments they just look around. Mason closes his eyes and breathes slowly, perhaps reflecting on the waterfall. She looks at him…watching. His eyes open.

MASON:

Hey, I wanna thank you. You’ve been such a blessing since we’ve been here. I actually can’t imagine having been here without you now. So thank you. And I know Mik feels the same. She feels safe here because of you…largely. That means the world to me.

YUA:

Yes!! I’m so happy you come. I’m so…grateful…I have met you both. I will be sad when you go back home. Maybe you stay in Tengukuri? Grow squash?

They laugh - it feels contrived.

YUA:

What next, Mason? What you write? What will “story" be about Tengukuri?

He hangs his head a bit.

MASON:

I don’t know.

YUA:

See, you not here long enough. Need to stay longer.

MASON:

HA! Ya…No, it’s just that I came here for one thing, and I think I’ll be leaving with quite another.

YUA:

What you come for?

MASON:

Well…the truth…I don’t know. I heard there were ancient ways and ninja here, and I wanted to see it. But I’ve kinda turned in to this older cynic that can’t afford to believe in joys of my youth so I aim to dispel it, disprove it. The truth is so important to me, more important than anything, but after being here, I just don’t know.

YUA:

You will tell the truth though?

MASON:

Of course. There’s a social responsibility to truth. The world has to have truth tellers. Lies are not the problem, cuz they can be completely dismissed. Muddied, corrupted, partial truths…that’s where the devils are.

YUA:

Goblins. Tengu.

MASON:

Ya…Goblins. Tengu.

Mason, for the first time, stares at Yua in great depth, and we see the same Mason in his eyes, along with some change.

MASON:

I’m not sure the truth I’m supposed to tell. Which truth? You know. Does that make sense?

YUA:

Maybe you write truth about you. Maybe you write for you. Mikki or Meghan. Maybe not for whole world.

Mason seems puzzled…or troubled…or both. He’s lost for words.

MASON:

You’re one of the sweetest, most interesting people I’ve ever met.

Yua smiles really big. Mason lays down on the grass. A few moments later, we see Yua lay down next to him. Everything can be heard, the river, the waterfall, birds, bugs, the village, the wind. Sudden stomping through the brush can be heard. Something is coming at them. Yua gets up terrified.

YUA:

Bear!!

Mason gets up hurriedly and situates Yua behind him. Oddly enough, he looks legitimately ready to fight a bear for her. Mikki and Shoju crash through the tall grass and bushes.

MIKKI:

Hey!! What are you two doin?!!

SHOJU:

Mason-san!! ***Are you having love love time?***

MASON:

You f***ers! You scared the crap out of me.

Yua is now laughing hard. Motioning that her heart is racing.

MASON:

It’s not funny. Sh*t asses. And no…no “love love.”

Everyone is laughing but Mason who thinks this is ridiculous.

MIKKI:

Come on, we need two more for Hanetsuki.

MASON:

(Blows long raspberry). I don’t wanna.

YUA:

Come Mason-san. Today we play.

MIKKI:

C’mon, I’m on Shoju’s team.

The four walk over to the trail and head up the bank back to the village, laughing all the way. Cut.

53 - EXT - THE CHICKEN SHOP - DAY

Mason and Hakaima are inside the shop. Hakaima is making a large pot of something over a fire. He is older, early fifties with a well trimmed beard and friendly, wise and mature eyes. He moves with a strong body, shaped by work, but graceful and well cared for. Hakaima likes to drink sake. He speaks little English, but more than most here. The shop is a dirt floor, mostly open to the air. Mason can be seen taking a hammer to some boards at the side of the building, creating something for him. He goes over to a small table and grabs a net and begins to hang it from several points in the corner. Hakaima is adding seasoning and vegetables to his cast iron pot. He is pleased with himself. Out back chickens can be seen and heard running around. Mason finishes.

MASON:

Alright, that should be good, I think that’s gonna work great. So now…

He begins to grab some some burlap bags, nets, rags and other soft items and place them in the new hammock. Hakaima has come over to him.

MASON:

…You can get all this stuff up off of the ground, out of the way, and off of other stuff.

Mason is pleased with himself as well, they seem like old friends.

HAKAIMA:

Ah, Mason…

He shakes his head and taps it to imply it was a smart idea. He is pleased.

HAKAIMA:

Come.

Hakaima walks back to the steaming pot, Mason follows. He fans the aroma from the pot into his face then motions for Mason to do the same, he does. It is intoxicating.

MASON:

Oh my god!! That is like the best thing I’ve ever smelled. It’s like, floral but savory.

Hakaima smiles and agrees, he motions “just 1 moment” and walks outside. The chickens can be heard balking. Mason watches intently. He sees Hakaima make a quick motion and a moment later walk in with a live chicken. He holds it up and shakes it a bit, like a trophy.

MASON:

Oh, ok. Uh…that’s goin in there huh? I’m a vegetarian ya know?

Hakaima lowers his hand quickly in slight disappointment, the chicken makes a sound.

HAKAIMA:

Ohhh…no meat?

MASON:

Well, I mean, I have kinda a rule, just a personal thing, I don’t eat meat unless I kill it. Ya know?

Hakaima understands just fine. He reaches his arm out with the chicken, Mason can go ahead and kill it himself. Mason chuckles softly.

MASON:

I mean like, hunt it, work for it, ya know?

Hakaima tosses the chicken on the ground without breaking eye contact with Mason. He motions to Mason something like, “Well have at it.” The chicken scrambles outside. He is totally serious. Mason looks over at the pot, it smelled so good, and he could stand some meat. He walks outside. Hakaima heads back over to the pot, with his back turned toward Mason. He stirs it and adds a touch of cream and a couple seasonings. Mason can be seen running around behind him trying to catch the chicken, he’s struggling. Out of sight we hear him cussing. A rooster chases him into view then out again. Hakaima is laughing, just the sound of it is very pleasing to him. Mason is seen falling hard. Another few moments of this, and he finally returns inside his hands and knees are covered in mud, his Mariner’s hat now backwards and he is out of breath. He got one.

MASON:

Alright f*** it, lets do this.

Hakaima is laughing even harder and he applauds Mason.

HAKAIMA:

***Hunter should not struggle to catch animal in a pen.***

He continues to laugh, Mason walks toward him. Cut.

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