Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #26

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MASON:

What?

She giggles wickedly.

MIKKI:

You beat up four ninja.

They chuckle together. Mason says nothing.

MASON:

I’m gonna miss that place, but I’ll be glad to be home too. Even though, I don’t really have a home any more.

MIKKI:

You’re gonna stay with us though, right? That’s what mom said before we left. Osaka.

MASON:

Sounds like it, for a few days at least. Kelly might need a roommate, and uh…the memorial, lots to do when we get back, work to be done.

Mason is calm about it all.

MASON:

What did you miss most about home?

MIKKI:

Awww…Mom. Yeah. Delilah. My friends….English.

The two laugh in sincere agreement.

MASON:

Yes, I could use some old fashioned English. And a new M’s hat.

MIKKI:

What are you gonna write about them?

Mason sighs deep, probably a change of music here, slight tension.

MASON:

Nothing.

Mikki seems to deeply understand everything Mason is saying and why he is saying it. She is grown. 6-8 weeks of deep and different living. No distractions, just life. Mason now has short hair and a light beard. They are quiet for a few.

MASON:

Hey did you…finish your haiku? That was a fun night.

MIKKI:

Ya, Yua’s aunt was really good.

MASON:

Oh ya? She was so goofy that night. Quite the actress.

MIKKI:

She spoke a little English.

MASON:

Really? Only to you apparently.

MIKKI:

Ya, uh, so I got ‘em right here.

Mikki fumbles through her notebook and turns to the page with haikus written on it. As she reads them, they both count the syllables on their fingers.

MIKKI:

This one’s about you.

Mason looks excited for praise.

MIKKI:

Can’t believe this nerd.

Can’t be related to me.

Cant live without him.

MASON:

Awwwwww! Baby girl.

She mocks him and they laugh together, she gives him a side chair hug.

MIKKI:

Alright, alright. Two more:

This place is magic.

Everything talks to me here.

I’m very lucky.

Mason counts again. He’s counting 8.

MASON:

Uh, that’s very good, but uh…I’m counting eight in the middle.

MIKKI:

No, no, no, no. “Everything” is 3, I knew you were gonna do this.

MASON:

Oh my gosh, you’ve gotta be kidding me, Ev-e-ry-thing, four. I’m no mathematician, but I do happen to be a writer!

MIKKI:

Well you’re a wronger right now sir!

MASON:

You’re friggin killing me kid!

Mason feigns being truly distraught by this. They laugh hard together.

MIKKI:

Okay, one more:

Tiger in the dark

Something about the day time

Makes him less crazy.

MASON:

Ouch.

MIKKI:

Sorry.

MASON:

No, it’s really good. Thank you for sharing. Love you.

MIKKI:

Love you. What’s yours? You didn’t even do one did you?

She jests. He mocks her.

MASON:

Not only did I do one, but I memorized it.

Mason clears his throat.

MASON:

Pens write black and blue.

Squiggle my whole sad story.

Running out of ink.

They pause and she thinks about it. Mason says it again, neither count it on their hands.

MASON:

Pens write black and blue.

Squiggle my whole sad story.

Running out of ink.

MIKKI:

That’s really depressing Uncle Mase.

He agrees and they laugh as we zoom out, and end song begins. I WILL SURVIVE.

75 - EXT - MEGHAN’S HOUSE - DAY

As the song plays, first we see a Seattle skyline view at late day. A black Toyota Prius pulls up to Meghan’s house. Meghan opens the front door, she sees the car and squeals with excitement then heads back in, her and Lee come to the door, Delilah is with them too. She is on a leash, and she sits by Lee with her happy panting mouth. Apparently they have made up too. All three smile. In slow motion Mikki gets out and runs to them. Delilah begins freaking out. She embraces her mother and almost takes her down. Delilah jumps on them and joins the dog pile. Mason finishes pulling the bags out of the car. He walks slowly to the house. They are stunned by what they see, he gets to the door, grabs Lee and they join the dog pile in the doorway. The four laugh and hug, with Delilah jumping all around and licking. Cut. END CREDITS.

76 - INT - BAR - NIGHT

We see a man sitting at a bar, he has short dark hair, a black bomber jacket, blue jeans and tan g.i. boots. His face is turned away from us. The camera walks toward him slowly. Mason is behind the bar, clearly he is the bartender, he pours drinks and interacts joyfully with people. Words are inaudible. Mason approaches the man. He has some pictures in his hand. We can see a dog that looks a lot like Delilah.

DYLAN:

She’s big now, like 45 pounds. Just a little wolverine. She works, but, not the family dog I was hopin’ for.

MASON:

She’s beautiful. I wonder if she’d get along with Delilah now, if they’d remember each other. You know what bro, sounds like she’s a good girl in some different ways. It’s so good to see you brother. I’ll come over for dinner soon, ya? Will be good to see Keely and the kids.

DYLAN:

Yeah you too my man. Do that. Bring Mikki, would love to see Meghan too actually. And thank you for this. This is really special. It’s timely, and just perfect, I know exactly how it’ll get used.

The camera has moved to the back of the man’s head. Then slowly moved down to the bar on top of which we see the tengu mask.

DYLAN:

I’ll get it back to you - and your family - when I’m done.

End.

Tengukuri

By Darin R. Pearson

1st - 11/2022 - 4/16/2023

Revision 1 - 4/22/2023

CAST:

Mason Neely - 40 year old white male. 5’11,” 160 pounds. Long black hair, clean shaven and keeps his body hair shaved or trimmed as well. A balance of feminine curves and flexible muscularity. He maintains the masculinity of an 80’s big hair rock star. Dark Eyes, Irish-Italian features. Black belt in Judo. Loves kickboxing too. Wears Jeans and tall boots, a peacoat with a scarf or shemagh. He loves the Mariner’s and baseball. Often wears an M’s hat. Was raised in Judo, in Seattle, he hunted and fished and his best friend was his sister. Mom died when they were young. He fought a lot in school, he’s tough. Loves motorcycles, Seattle music and food. Vegetarian. He’s a most excellent writer. Family is absolutely everything.

Meghan Neely - 38 year old white female. 5’7,” 125 pounds. Long black hair with red highlights, she’s very beautiful. She is a warm and energetic mom, friend and sister. Romantically she is reserved or even sometimes combative. Black belt in Judo. Loves kickboxing too. Dresses business casual with unyielding confidence. Raised right next to Mason, she adores her big brother. She never fought socially as Mason was her ever present protector. Loves Seattle music, food and wine. She is a beautiful mom.

Mikki Neely - 12 years old. Looks like a little Meghan. She is stout though. Really smart kid. The look in her eyes is almost always present. Hungry for knowledge. Her dad left them when she was just a couple years old. She is almost always energetic and enthusiastic about life. Uncle Mason kinda took the place of her dad, the utmost that an uncle can.

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