Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #2

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MASON:

Oh for sure. Hey me and D are just getting ready to leave the dog park, I’ll shout at you later alright? Drink some gatorade or something. Smoke a bowl. Whatever.

PETER:

Alright bro, tell your sister I said hi, for real.

MASON:

Alright man, later. Delilah come!

Delilah comes to Mason and sits in front of him. He leashes her, then stops and looks her in the eyes.

MASON:

What do you think, D? A little trip? You wouldn’t be able to come on this one. Japan again. (SIGH) Hopefully a little better than last time.

The two leave the dog park and start walking with some purpose down the street. Off in the distance we see Lake Washington below the Seattle skyline. A slow zoom out.

5 - INT. - SAKURA JAPANESE RESTAURANT, LUNCHTIME, BUSY - DAY

The restaurant bustles with lunch goers. It’s loud. A mix of Japanese and English, laughter and conversation. Dishes clanging and fires cooking an overwhelming potpourri of fresh food. Cherry Blossom’s are everywhere. A woman walks to a table with a tray of sake and other accoutrement for Japanese dining. As she arrives at the table we see Mason is seated. They bow their heads slightly to one another as she places the tray on his table.

MASON:

Arigato gozaimas. I’m sorry, is there a Reeni, that works here?

SERVER 1

Oh yes sir. (Accent) Reine?

MASON:

Sumimasen. Reine. Is she available, could I speak with her?

SERVER 1

I will see sir.

MASON:

Domo arigato gozaimas.

The server leaves while Mason begins to pour his sake. He seems to know quite well how to formally dine as Japanese. He is visibly tired. He rolls his head and shifts in his seat like his body is stiff. After watching Mason watch everyone in the restaurant, as if totally detached from humanity, a long haired Japanese woman in her late 20s walks toward his table.

REINE:

Konnichiwa.

MASON:

Reine, thank you for taking the time to meet with me.

REINE:

I’m sorry sir, is everything satisfactory for you here at Sakura?

MASON:

Oh yes, yes, ma’am. Everything is wonderful, I love it here. Would you like to sit for a moment?

She is puzzled by the request, as she is clearly working. She says nothing, but the look on her face speaks for her. Mason puts his hands up in defense.

MASON:

I’m sorry, you’re working, I just had a couple of quick questions.

She becomes apprehensive.

MASON:

I believe I met your father last night, but quite honestly I had a lot to drink and I don’t remember his name. (Uneasy laugh) I just wanted to talk with him again.

REINE:

My father drinks too much, Mr?

MASON:

Neely, Mason Neely.

She c*cks her head as if she knows that name.

REINE:

Mr. Neely, has my father done something wrong? His name is Sando.

MASON:

Sando. No ma’am. This may seem silly, but he told me a story. And I just want to hear more.

Reine becomes visibly embarrassed. She corrects her posture, very aware of how she has slumped into shame.

REINE:

Mr. Neely, my father speaks of what he should not. The myths he grew up with as a child are myths. He told them to me too. You mean Tengukuri Village, yes?

Mason nods, his mouth moves as if words are coming out but they do not.

REINE:

Tengukuri is real. It is a farming village that lives in the past. But it is not what you think. I have not spoken to my father in weeks, as he has been drinking.

MASON:

For weeks?

REINE:

I said, my father drinks too much. I’m sure you understand.

She looks down at his sake tray and raises her eyes back to him. Mason’s jaw drops slightly.

MASON:

Ok, well, uh, I’m a writer, and I just have a…

REINE:

I know who you are Mr. Neely. Your father train my sister Judo in Ballard, and I remember your article in Black Belt about fake martial artists and the damage they do. I never read article, only read about your work. I must return to my work, is there anything else I can do for you?

Now Mason looks ashamed. While he holds it together on the outside, his eyes illustrate that everything is falling off the walls inside.

MASON:

Where is Tengukuri?

His boldness seems to shock her.

REINE:

On the border of Kochi and Ehime, you will find the goblins you seek Mr. Neely. But only goblins. Sayonara, Mr. Neely.

Reine politely bows and walks away. Mason seems angry now, or unsettled at the least. He continues with his sake and continues looking at the people in the restaurant until the noise of it all begins to fade. A ringing ear is faintly heard. He looks outside at a large cherry tree in full blossom. The wind is blowing pale, pink blossoms all over. He finishes the sake and pulls his wallet from his back pocket. Pulling two twenties from his wallet and placing them on the table, he gets up and walks toward the entrance. Reine sees him on the way out and makes brief eye contact. He has offended or frightened her. Either way, this meeting did not go as planned and he is now disturbed. The scene fades as he walks out the door.

6 - EXT. - MEGHAN’S HOUSE - NIGHT

As we are looking at a particular suburban East Seattle house with much glass and a red front door, a motorcycle can be heard getting closer. Mason and Delilah are rolling up on an antique Harley with a side car. Delilah is in the side car with goggles on. Mason parks and removes his helmet. Then he unhooks Delilah from within the sidecar, leashes her and begins walking toward the house. He is carrying a bottle of Glenlivet 12 scotch. The front door opens and a 12 year old girl comes running out with a huge smile on her face.

MIKKI:

Uncle Mase!

She runs to hug him as he throws his arms around her and Delilah whines and licks her face.

MIKKI:

Hi D! Oh, it’s good to see you too girl. Lee is in a bad mood.

MASON:

Oh good, so just normal stuff. Lets do this then m’love.

They walk in together, still in an embrace. Meghan meets them with a smile at the door.

MEGHAN:

You brought Scotch? (Sarcastically) This should be fun.

The door closes and the tension can already be felt. *Their father would always bring a bottle of scotch when he was planning to make a mess.

7 - INT. - INSIDE MEGHAN’S HOUSE - NIGHT

We see Meghan and Lee cutting vegetables in the kitchen behind the living room while Mikki and Mason look through some of Mikki’s school work. She is bragging about how good she is doing, and Mason is indulging her with compliments and accolades. Delilah sniffs around them and attempts to drop a toy in Mason’s lap. Mikki picks it up and throws it.

LEE:

No fetch in the house!

MIKKI & MASON

Sorry! (Laughing)

MIKKI:

(Mouthing) He doesn’t like her.

MASON:

(Mouthing) I don’t care

They both laugh.

MEGHAN:

You turds go wash your hands and get to the table.

LEE:

Meghan.

Lee shakes his head disapprovingly. Meghan is unfazed by his demands.

MEGHAN:

Go now my loves.

MIKKI & MASON

Ok!

MASON:

You heard your mom, get outta here loser.

MIKKI:

She was telling you too.

MASON:

Ya ya, I’ll use the one upstairs. Go, loser! Race you to the table.

Mikki runs off to the bathroom while Mason takes a large, indulgent drink of what appears to be straight scotch. Makes that “strong drink face” and gets up and runs up the stairs, clearly trying to be obnoxious. Delilah follows, barking and growling. Lee makes some noise to try and stifle the behavior. Mason blows a raspberry and shakes his head while walking in to the bathroom and closing the bathroom door. Outside the bathroom we see pictures of Meghan, Mikki and Mason, all smiling, baby pictures, birthday pictures and pictures with Mason and Meghan’s father, Jeremiah Neely. Many of the pictures are at Judo events. Fade to clanging silverware and chatter around the dinner table. Meghan is telling a story. Mikki and Mason are having a side conversation about something. Delilah is under the table.

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