Tengukuri...Copyrighted in the US 2023 Page #6

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MEGHAN:

Mikki, please, this is a big deal. That your uncle even asked like this. We aren’t talking about it any more tonight.

She stares Mason square in the eye and sets her jaw.

MEGHAN:

Ok, everyone?

Mason and Mikki silently shake their heads. All three push their plates away from themselves. Meghan goes to get up and gather her things. Mason looks deeply at Mikki and mouths:

MASON:

I’m sorry.

She mouths back.

MIKKI:

It’s ok.

They are sympathetic to each other. Mikki gets up. They work their way to the door.

MEGHAN:

Mason, do you need any help cleaning up?

MASON:

No, no, you guys are good. I’m sorry Meg. I’ll walk you guys out. Don’t forget your gi, loser.

He gives Mikki a big hug and kisses her on top of her head full of hair. She is clearly distraught. She feels in the middle of all the personalities of the adults in her life. She walks around torn. Mason leashes Delilah, looks at them and smiles a somewhat fake smile. He takes Mikki’s bag and throws it over her shoulder. No one is talking but they all look at each other as if to silently check in. They all head to the door. Meghan opens it and they all walk out. We are once again left with a closed door to look at.

14 - EXT. - AN URBAN STREET SIDEWALK - NIGHT

Mason is waving goodbye to the girls, without sound Mikki waves goodbye to Mason as Meghan focuses on pulling out of her parking spot. She throws a hand up out of respect and glances over to offer a good bye. As the car pulls off we see that Mason is standing in front of the bar outside his house. He turns to look at the happenings inside, clearly he is contemplating drinking some of the confusion away. He looks at Delilah as if to say, “Sorry girl.” He crosses the street to his apartment. He scans his keys and opens the security door, walks through, and we see, yes, another door close.

15 - INT. - THE BAR ACROSS FROM MASON’S - NIGHT

Jimi Hendrix, “Voodoo Child” is can be heard. Mason is STANDING at the bar alone, taking a large drink of something. He dances and moves his ass around rythmically a bit. A short blonde approaches him, smiling and egging him on to come and dance with her. Her friends look on from the background, pointing and smiling. He shakes his head no and mouths something to her. She is persistent. The song changes, the sound of breaking glass, “YOU MAY BE RIGHT.” They both share a moment, clearly agreeing that this song is a favorite. He leans in to her ear and says something inaudible. She places her hand on his chest and smiles, shaking her head. She walks away slightly disappointed. Mason has loved, once perhaps. He hardly thinks about it these days. He is not sure if it even matters. Romance is not exactly “on his radar.” As “You May Be Right” plays he seems to loosen up further and sings along, he flails his body around a bit, accidentally bumping in to a rough looking character at the bar. He loudly gives an apology.

MASON:

Sh*t! I’m sorry man! I love this song! This ass has a mind of its own, ya know?!

The man is pridefully infuriated. Three of his friends work their way to the scene through the crowd.

BAR MAN 1

What the f*** yo?!

MASON:

Hey, hey, I’m sorry man, seriously, can I buy you another drink?

BAR MAN 1

F*** you eh? Watch yourself, b*tch.

MASON:

Dude…?

Bar Man 1 pushes Mason, It’s weak though, Mason gets his footing quickly. The look in his eyes changes. He is taking inventory of the moment. Back in the corner of the room we see again, a figure in all black, still, and wearing a red Tengu mask. The large nose on the Tengu masks turns toward the scene. Mason physically stands firm, and clearly adjusts himself for the obvious fight about to happen. BM1’s friends surround him.

He removes his eyes from direct eye contact, he seems plugged in to another level of combat, one that he could fight blind in. Like fighting in pure darkness. The moment grows beyond tense in both excitement and anxiety. A single voice barks out beyond the tension.

PETER:

Angel, what’s up??

Peter approaches from the side, Kelly is behind him. He looks at Mason, pleading peace in his eyes.

PETER:

What’s up Mase?

BAR MAN 1

What’s up Pietro? You know this b*tch?

PETER:

Aww sh*t ya man. This is my boy, yo you don’t wanna do this at all eh…

BAR MAN 1

F*** that, I got my dogs! Forget this fool!

PETER:

Yo, your dogs are about to need a vet homie!

Peter drunkenly chuckles. Peter is scared. Mason was about to break stuff, and people.

PETER:

Yo, yo, tequila’s on me homie, Kelly’s got some clean yak bro, meet us back at our table dog. F*** all this. It ain’t sh*t.

Peter looks at Mason pleadingly. And looks back at BM1. He stares pridefully at Mason, until we see a brief moment in Mason’s eyes that describe how things were so dreadfully about to go down for these men.

BAR MAN 1

Alright dog, hell yeah. Lets party, Dicky. Where’s Kelly’s little sister?

The men turn and walk away. People around are tense. Mason takes a deep breath. Some of BM1’s friends try to turn and give hostile looks. Mason stares back at first then turns back to the bar. He looks for his drink, finds it, then chugs it quickly. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out some cash, lays it on the bar, looks at the bartender and shakes his head. The bartender reaches out and shakes his hand homie style. He pulls him in close and we hear:

BARTENDER:

Thanks Mase, sorry man, thank you for not doing that.

They look at each other, hands still locked together, and shake their heads. They are celebrating together that there is no broken property or people right now. Mason turns away and walks toward the door. This time the view follows him out the door of the bar and straight across the street. He does NOT look both ways. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and dials Meghan. The phone rings until he gets her voicemail. He sits on the curb across the street from the bar. Our view is over his shoulder. He hangs up and tries again. This time Lee answers.

LEE:

Mason? Really man?

Mason seems slightly stunned. His eyes are angry. He grits his teeth and buries his face in his elbow.

LEE:

Meghan’s sleepin,’ you’re making drunken phone calls…what the hell. Not a great case for taking Mikki to Japan, which, honestly, is really stupid, scary.

MASON:

Lee.

Mason somehow shocks Lee in only saying his name.

MASON:

Lee. Those girls mean everything to me. They are all that mean anything to me.

Mason sounds shaky, teary.

MASON:

I’m sorry for calling so late, I really am. I thought I’d reach my sister. She’s my sister you know?

LEE:

Mason, can you just do this tomorrow?

MASON:

Lee, listen! You take care of my girls, okay? You take care of my treasures, my father’s treasures, okay? Ya, Japan’s a crazy idea for her. I’d give my life for that little girl a thousand times over man. If you’re gonna watch over them, ok. Please put everything before them. Meghan is my best friend. Her love for you feels like losing her, to me.

Mason can hardly control his tears. But he is trying desperately.

LEE:

Mason, I don’t know what to say right now I…

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