American Shaolin

ANGLE ON DREW AND KWAN

Walk into the area – Drew is dressed in the ill-fitting handmade suit by Mrs. Rodriguez. People recognize him as he walks past.

ANGLE ON TREVOR

Making his entrance. He is in a perfectly laundered and pressed suit, and his assistant is carrying another suit pressed and ready to go.

COMPETITOR

Hey, Trevor! What's the 2nd uniform for?

TREVOR

The finals.

COMPETITOR

(after he's gone)

Cocky bastard...

ANGLE ON TREVOR

As he wins a fight.

ANGLE ON DREW

As he wins.

ANGLE ON TREVOR

Drew watching, as he wins again.

DREW AGAIN

Winning. The stage is set for the finals.

ANGLE ON THE RING

Drew and Trevor are already inside, waiting. Drew fights in a mish mosh of gear (different colors, different makes), while Trevor is decked out in designer, personalized gear.

ANNOUNCER

Fighting for the Grand Championship: Trevor Gottitall and Drew Carson. 3 rounds, max point. Gentlemen, bow to the ref, to each other...

The referee gives them a signal and the fight begins. Drew is holding his own, but Trevor is scoring. After several flashy moves, the round is over.

Score: 6 - 1. We see Trevor's cheerleaders cheering.

ANGLE ON TREVOR'S CORNER

Where he is given mineral water to drink, his shoulders are massaged, etc.

ANGLE ON DREW'S CORNER

Kwan sheepishly offers him a sip of water from a battered paper cup.

2nd round: Drew's getting beaten worse than the first round. Nothing he tries works. The score at the end of the round is 15 - 4, in favor of Trevor.

ROUNDBREAK

Drew is exhausted, frustrated and worried. Trevor is pumped and ready to go on forever.

KWAN

You only lose if you give up.

ANGLE ON TREVOR'S CORNER

The psychologist is exhorting him to destroy Drew. Trevor leans back on his padded stool, smiling.

The 3rd round starts. In this round, Trevor is destroying Drew, making him look ridiculous. A clinch comes, and

(INSERT HERE) before they can break, Trevor grabs the drawstring around Drew's waist and pulls.

They face off ("20 seconds" comes the call), and Trevor charges. As Drew blocks, his pants begin to sag. Trevor, not trying to score, just trying to keep Drew's hands busy, keeps coming.

Drew's pants drop lower and lower.

When they get around his knees, he finally notices them, and reaches down to get them. Trevor drives and picks him up in a throw, effectively showing Drew's bare ass to the world.

CUT AWAY to crowd laughing, girls shocked, cameras poised and recording, one mom puts her hands over her daughter's eyes, etc.

Trevor dumps Drew and scores the final point, just as time runs out. A buzzer goes off, signaling the end of the round.

Trevor thrusts his fists into the air in celebration. Drew tries to crawl out of the ring, and everyone is watching him.

DISSOLVE TO:

ANGLE ON TREVOR

As he is being interviewed by tv reporters.

TREVOR

I was never worried. He's no match for me. I just hope the 2nd place trophy is a belt!

Crowd laughs, Trevor's entourage laughs the hardest.

ANGLE ON DREW

As he packs up his stuff.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. NEW YORK BRIDGE – NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW AND KWAN WALKING ALONG A BRIDGE, THE ENTIRE NEW YORK NIGHT SKYLINE IN THE B.G.

They are not talking, they are just walking, Drew kicking a can and contemplating the future, and the past.

INT. KWAN HOUSE – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF SMOKING ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLE, ITS TIP EMBEDDED IN DREW'S FOREARM.

Kwan's hand COMES INTO FRAME and flicks the needle, sending it vibrating back and forth.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL Drew sitting at the table in Kwan's house, the acupuncture needle in his arm and his face pensive and sad. Kwan busies himself around the needle, trying to alleviate the pain of Drew's bruises.

KWAN

Next time we get that guy...

DREW

(shaking his head)

No next time, Master. Maybe...

(big sigh)

... you should find a new student. I just can't do it – I'm not getting any better!

KWAN (CONT'D)

Don't talk like that. At Shaolin...

He pauses, and decides not to tell another Shaolin Temple story. Drew looks at him funny – this is very against his character.

KWAN (CONT'D)

I saw a Shaolin monk once. I was only 5 years old at the time, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I was coming back from the market with my father. Soldiers stopped us and were taking the food we had just bought. It was all we had left to eat – no more money. These were hard times in China, people were selling their children for food, and the soldiers had no right. Who can stop soldiers with guns, though? Yes?

He pauses, and takes a sip of tea, checking the needle, adjusting it and turning it slightly this way and that.

KWAN (CONT'D)

Just as the soldiers were leaving, a monk stepped out of the crowd and told them very calmly to put the food back. Well, naturally, they didn't. They pushed the monk, and the next thing I knew the soldiers were in the street, and the food was back in my father's arms. 5 soldiers, and they were in a heap on the ground, their blood mixing with the dust of the street.

Kwan smiles with the memory – it is a sweet and heroic one.

KWAN (CONT'D)

The crowd whispered "Shaolin", and he bowed to us, touched my cheek and smiled, then just walked on. I watched him until he disappeared in the distance. He was larger than life, a hero to a little boy of 5. I vowed then and there to become like him, fight for right like the Shaolin.

He pauses again, looking at Drew. Drew meets his gaze, wondering why he is telling him this story.

KWAN (CONT'D)

I never did, though. My family left China and ended up here in New York, a young boy's dream left behind in China.

DREW

You mean... all the stories...?

KWAN

(nodding)

Made up. I never trained at the Shaolin Temple. When I realized my dream couldn't come true, I convinced myself that it had anyway. It was a small step to convince other people.

DREW

Why are you telling me this?

KWAN

I've given you all I can, and it's not enough. It was never enough. You're like a son to me, Drew, and you have all the potential in the world, but I can't take you where you want to go.

Kwan takes the needle out of Drew's arm, and then rubs the spot where it was with a cotton ball.

KWAN (CONT'D)

There, that should control the swelling.

He watches Drew, who is pondering what Kwan has said.

DREW

So you're not a Shaolin?

KWAN

No.

DREW

Never were?

KWAN

No.

Drew nods, an idea forming in his head. A slight smile forms on his face. Kwan was expecting him to be angry, he never expected this.

KWAN (CONT'D)

What?

DREW

If you are not a Shaolin warrior, then I will become one.

KWAN

What are you talking about?

DREW

I'm going to the Shaolin Temple – they can train me so I will never lose like that again.

Kwan feels Drew's forehead. A long beat here as Kwan studies Drew's eyes.

KWAN

He hit you so hard, you're delirious. I'll get a cold cloth.

He starts to get up, but Drew grabs his arm and forces him back down.

DREW

(eyes intent)

Don't you see? You said yourself I needed the right training – where better than the Shaolin Temple? What's holding me here? I have the chance to do what you couldn't. I will go to the Shaolin Temple.

Kwan looks at him, realizes he's serious. He nods his head, giving the idea serious consideration. He smiles along with Drew.

KWAN

I must pay for your ticket...

DREW

No! I'll make it there myself.

KWAN

I grew up on the stories of the Shaolin, and you can be those stories. You can live my dream for me – at least let me help you. Let an old man make up for the trouble he's caused.

Kwan touches Drew's bruised cheek, fatherly love in his eyes. Drew nods his head, then bows in the traditional Chinese manner.

DREW

Master...

MONTAGE OF DEPARTURE

ANGLE ON DREW AND KWAN AS KWAN HANDS HIM A "NORTHWEST AIRLINES" TICKET.

ANGLE ON DREW

As he packs for China.

ANGLE ON KWAN AND DREW

As Kwan drops drew off at the AIRPORT. Drew takes his suitcase and walks into the airport.

EXT. CHANG AN LU – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW RUNNING ALONG BEIJING'S CHANG AN LU, A SEA OF BICYCLES AROUND HIM.

Bicycle bells ring loudly as figures dressed in the same drab clothes ride around him, their faces covered with scarves and surgical masks against the northern China dirt.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL TIAN AN MEN SQUARE and the huge photo of CHAIRMAN MAO on the front of the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.

Drew continues his run, past a group of western-dressed lyou mang, who watch him run by through dark glasses.

Drew runs through a large city park, stopping to watch a group of older citizens going through Tai Zhi routines under the weeping willow trees there.

Drew runs through an open air food market, picking his way through flipping fish, dead frogs and all kinds of fruits and vegetables. People yell at each other, trying to get the best price. Young man brushing his teeth in the street. A group of toddlers, strung together with rope, walks down the street, their split pants showing glimpses of bare bottoms as they walk.

EXT. TRAIN STATION – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF SERIOUSLY OVERCROWDED TRAIN, PEOPLE PUSHING AND SHOVING TO GET ON.

Drew walks up to it, a huge  backpack on his back. He hesitates a moment, then starts forcing his way onto the train like everyone else. He manages to get in through a window.

INT. CROWDED TRAIN – SAME DAY

There are no seats. Drew takes his pack off and sits on it.

Next to him is an old man, his teeth red and rotted from betel nut juice. The man smiles at Drew.

EXT. CHINA COUNTRYSIDE – DAY

TRAIN RUSHING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE.

DREW POV EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY

Drew watches the countryside go by. Temples, farms and rice paddies slide by, with an occasionally glimpse of the Great Wall.

EXT. GREAT WALL – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW, BACKPACK ON, AS HE WALKS ON THE GREAT WALL.

EXT. CHINA COUNTRYSIDE – NIGHT

TRAIN RUSHING THROUGH DARKENED COUNTRYSIDE.

INT. LUOYANG TRAIN STATION – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW GETTING OFF THE TRAIN.

He stops on the platform for a moment, a huge colorful Chinese billboard in the b.g. A transit cop quickly comes up to him and prods him into motion. Drew walks on, passing a sign that reads "Luoyang".

EXT. CHINESE STREETS – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW MAKING HIS WAY TOWARD THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE.

He stops at a drink stand and orders one. As soon as he stops, he is ringed with people watching his every move – he feels almost like a movie star. The woman in the stand hands him a drink, and takes the money out of his hand.

DREW

Where is the Shaolin Temple? Shaolin?

The woman just smiles and shakes her head, not comprehending.

ANGLE ON DREW

Walking aimlessly. He comes to an intersection and sees a sign that says "Shaolin Temple" with an arrow. He goes in the direction that the arrow points.

EXT. GIRL'S SCHOOL – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GROUP OF GIRLS STANDING OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOL.

Drew walks up and says hello.

DREW

Hello, ladies! Can you tell me how to get to the Shaolin Temple?

They titter with laughter, covering their mouths with their hands. Drew is not really amused, however, he is frustrated and tired.

DREW (CONT'D)

The Shaolin Temple? How hard can that be? Geez, doesn't anyone speak English here?

ANGLE ON ASHEMA

As she pushes her way to the front of the group. She is a strikingly beautiful young woman.

ASHEMA

I do. But wouldn't it make more sense for you to speak Chinese than to expect us to speak English?

DREW

(flustered)

You're right. I apologize – I've just been trying to get to the temple for a long time now.

ASHEMA

Why do you want to find the temple?

DREW

(not without pride)

I am going to join the temple as a monk.

Ashema translates this for her friends, and they titter anew. They gesture to Drew's longish hair and laugh, and then make some attempts at martial arts movements.

ASHEMA (CONT'D)

I'm going that way – I can take you.

DREW

You have a car?

ASHEMA

The next best thing.

(beat)

This is a Chinese car.

She pulls out her standard-issue black bicycle – she has customized it, however, with some colorful additions.

ASHEMA (CONT'D)

Hop on.