American Shaolin

ANGLE ON DREW, WIND AND RAIN

This time it doesn't seem to bother him so much.

ANGLE ON DREW WITH ASHEMA AND HER BAU BAU THERE

Bau Bau speaks quickly in Chinese.

ASHEMA (CONT'D)

My Bau Bau says, keep it up! He is proud of you...

Drew nods.

ANGLE ON DREW SURROUNDED BY KIDS

They are no longer tormenting him, they are playing around and with him. Drew is not moving, but he is part of their group.

ANGLE ON DREW, THE SPIDER NOW SITTING ON HIS HAND

Drew stares at the spider, his companion in the vigil.

ANGLE ON DREW, BIRDS ALL AROUND HIM

The birds are keeping him company, and they are singing for him.

ANGLE ON DREW, THE FULL MOON IN THE B.G.

Drew's form is firm and solid, the determination in his eyes easily seen as he stares at the moon. He will see this through.

EXT. TEMPLE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW STILL SITTING IN THE COURTYARD.

The old monk, San De, comes back, the same monk following behind him with the suitcase. He looks at Drew, a little surprise showing in his face at seeing the American still there. He doesn't stop, though. He goes into the temple, shaking his head.

ANGLE ON DREW

Same as the first shot, all alone in the temple.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF COURTYARD, DREW ALL ALONE.

The door to the temple opens and out comes San De, alone this time. He walks over to where Drew is, stares at him for a moment, then sits down across from him.

Drew tries not to look at him.

San De runs his hand across his bald pate and smiles.

SAN DE

My head is shiny enough already, don't you think?

Drew, in shock at his ability to speak English, sputters

DREW

You... You speak English? I'm sorry, I was just goofing... I apologize, master. I didn't mean to make fun of you...

San De shrugs it off. Apology accepted.

SAN DE

What are you trying to do?

DREW

I want to become a monk – they won't let me in... Hey, you're just a grunt, a janitor sweeping up and all, don't sweat it. It's not your problem...

SAN DE

Why are you sitting here?

DREW

I got the idea from a story about a monk who wouldn't leave. I thought...

San De nods.

SAN DE

Has it been hard?

DREW

It was at first. I was uncomfortable, in pain, actually, but as time went on, I got... into it, I guess. The sacrifice made me feel... in control, you know what I mean?

SAN DE

(nodding)

Much of the training at the temple is in that direction – self sacrifice. Tell me more.

DREW

At first I was really bored, and very lonely. But then, things changed. Maybe it's like hitting the wall in running – it was like I became part of the courtyard, and I felt powerful. Even the spider became my friend...

Drew opens up his hand to reveal a spider sitting in his palm.

DREW (CONT'D)

It was an incredible experience – I said I'd do it, and I did it.

San De, watching Drew intently, smiles at this last. He stands up and bows to Drew. Drew bows back, from his seated position.

SAN DE

I wish you all the best.

DREW

Same to you.

San De turns and goes into the temple, leaving Drew still sitting in the courtyard, the setting sun in the b.g.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF COURTYARD, DREW ALL ALONE.

O.S. comes the sounds of gongs and drums.

A crowd has gathered in the courtyard. Ashema and her grandfather are in the crowd, and they work themselves up to where Drew is.

Drew turns his head, and a procession of kids about his age (some older and some younger) come walking into the courtyard.

The front door to the temple opens wide, and a column of monks, all in their best saffron robes, are lined up waiting to receive them.

The young men who are walking in all still have hair, and they are carrying some baggage. They begin to enter the temple.

ASHEMA

They are disciples. This is the last class for fighting monks at Shaolin.

Drew, very concerned, watches as the monks-to-be file through the temple doors.

The mothers and fathers of the boys watch proudly as the last ones go through.

The temple doors close.

ANGLE ON DREW

Who is crushed. His chance is gone.

ASHEMA (CONT'D)

I'm sorry, Drew. It was a good effort.

Drew is sitting there, trying to understand what is happening when the door to the temple opens again. The Drill Sergeant appears in the doorway and impatiently motions for Drew to come in.

The crowd has stopped and is watching the drama unfold.

Drew gets up warily, expecting some trick.

The Drill Sergeant motions again, wanting Drew to hurry up.

Drew looks at Ashema and her Bau Bau and smiles. He picks up his backpack and starts towards the temple, limping from sitting for so long.

The crowd goes crazy, clapping and yelling.

Drew runs into the temple. The door closes behind him.

INT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF INTERIOR OF TEMPLE.

The line of disciples has stopped, waiting for Drew. Drew, back pack in hand, takes his place at the end of the line.

They parade past a line of monks assembled in the courtyard inside the temple.

As they walk by, some of the monks look nonplused, while a few are put out by the fact that Drew is among them.

Several of the disciples turn around to look at Drew, and a couple are openly hostile to him.

They file up to a raised platform, on which stand 20 monks, each holding a scroll in their hands, one monk for every new disciple.

A gong sounds, and the questions begin.

ANGLE ON FIRST DISCIPLE

Who is asked...

MONK

Do you accept the authority of the Shaolin patriarchs?

DISCIPLE 1

Yes, without pause.

ANGLE ON DREW

MONK

Do you renounce the earthly world?

DREW

Sure do, master. You bet.

The monk pauses, for that is not the ritual answer to the question. The Drill Sergeant comes up to him and whispers in his ear, and the monk then continues.

MONK

Will you abide by the rules of the temple, even if it means death?

DREW

I do.

The Drill Sergeant comes up behind Drew and WHACKS him in the side with his elbow.

DRILL SERGEANT

(whispering)

Answer "Yes, without pause."

DREW

(rubbing his side)

Yes, without pause.

ANGLE ON ANOTHER DISCIPLE

MONK

Who is the patriarch of the Shaolin Temple?

DISCIPLE 2

Bodhidharma.

ANGLE ON DREW

MONK

Do you accept the shr fu at the Shaolin Temple as your spiritual leaders?

DREW

Yes, without pause.

The Drill Sergeant nods his head.

MONK

Will a fighting monk ever use his skills for personal gain?

Drew pauses, looking at the Drill Sergeant. The D.S. nods, urging him on.

DREW

Yes, without pause.

The D.S. puts his hands over his eyes.

DREW (CONT'D)

I mean, no, of course not.

Then, another gong sounds, and the quizzing is concluded.

A figure moves down a corridor in beautiful robes. Everyone bows down, their eyes on the floor, to the figure, who is moving towards the raised platform in the center.

Drew, also bowed down, sneaks a peak at the figure.

It is San De!

San De catches his eye and smiles slightly. He winks at Drew, then clears his throat.

Everyone stands up again.

SAN DE

Do these disciples accept the authority of the Shaolin Temple?

DRILL SERGEANT

Yes, without pause, Master San De.

ANGLE ON DREW

Who now knows that the monk he called a "Janitor" is the headmaster!

DREW

(under his breath)

I'll be damned!

The DISCIPLE next to him, GAO, pokes him sharply in the ribs.

GAO

Shut up!

DREW

(holding his side)

Oh, unbelievable, in the same place...

SAN DE

Are they ready to begin their training?

DRILL SERGEANT

They are.

SAN DE

Then, let us welcome them into our ranks!

Gongs go off, firecrackers are set off, and a special flag is raised on the flag pole. A roar comes from the crowd outside.

ANGLE ON THE DISCIPLES

All of whom are happy. All, that is, except for Gao, who is staring at Drew.

Drew, notices the stare.

DREW

You got a problem, man?

GAO

You, American...

ANGLE ON SAN DE

When the noise subsides.

SAN DE

Your training begins tomorrow. For now, your shr fu will introduce you to our temple. Welcome to Shaolin.

San De walks away, and the disciples are split into several "platoons". Drew is matched up with the Drill Sergeant, and Gao is also in his group.

DREW

Great, just great.

They are motioned to follow Gao out of the courtyard and into the temple proper.

INT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – SAME DAY

Drew walks behind the other disciples, who are lining up to get their robes. As he takes his place in line, a monk comes up to take Drew's backpack. Drew resists, and a tug of war ensues.

DREW

What are you doing, man?

MONK

You must surrender this.

DREW

No way, man! Get your own...

The Drill Sergeant sees the scuffle and walks over.

D.S.

It is unseemly to argue like this. Take the backpack into the sleeping quarters.

(to Drew)

Do not cling to material things – it is not good for your soul.

He walks away, and Drew reluctantly gives up his backpack.

Drew lines back up, and is about to get his robes, when Gao slides over and takes them from him. Drew immediately shoves him and tries to grab the robes back. Gao smiles and moves away, holding the robes up and away from Drew.

Drew is pissed and ready to go after Gao. Before he can, however, LI, another disciple, grabs another set of robes from the table and gives it to Drew, pulling him away from the confrontation.

DREW (CONT'D)

What's with that guy?

LI

Watch out for Gao. He's trouble.

DREW

Really? I hadn't noticed... Why'd they let him in, anyway?

LI

Who knows? Maybe for the challenge?

DREW

No, that was me...

They both smile and walk off.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF MONKS HAVING THEIR HEADS SHAVED.

THE CAMERA MOVES DOWN the line of monks, as their hair is shaved off in clumps. Drew is standing next to his chair, arguing with the D.S. about the haircut.

DREW
Mr. James designs my hair, master. I don't think...

D.S.

This will symbolize your final break from the outside world.

DREW (CONT'D)

Can't I just wear a patch?

The D.S. shakes his head, and Drew sits down, unhappy.

The barber starts on Drew's head, big clumps of hair falling down to the floor.

EXT. SHAOLIN COURTYARD – EVENING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF MONKS, THEIR HEADS NEWLY SHAVED, STANDING OUT IN THE COURTYARD.

They are running their hands over their heads. Drew comes out of the building, his head shaved completely clean.

DREW

What outside world? I don't want to be seen by anybody...

He rubs his hand over his head, and then sees the others.

Li is smiling.

DREW (CONT'D)

If I look half as stupid as you guys do, I'm really in trouble...

INT. DORM – NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THEIR SLEEPING QUARTERS, AS THE MONKS FILE IN, LED BY THE D.S.

A number of cots are lined up side by side. The D.S. has assigned a bed to each monk. Drew finds his bed, which is right next to Gao's.

GAO

I want another bed.

D.S.

Why?

GAO (CONT'D)

I won't sleep next to the American.

D.S.

We are no longer Chinese or Americans, Han or Mongol. We are Shaolin. Everyone is a monk.

GAO (CONT'D)

Well, this monk smells!

Drew unconsciously smells himself. He shakes his head.

Li goes up to the D.S. and points to the bed he was assigned.

LI

I will switch with Disciple Gao.

D.S. nods, and then starts for the door.

D.S.

Go to sleep. No talking! We have an early day of training tomorrow.

Gao collects his stuff and starts off to the new bed, hitting Drew with his shoulder. Drew trips him as he walks away, all done very secretively since the D.S. is watching.

DREW

Jerk!

Li comes over to the new bed, and in silence they get climb into their respective beds. D.S. switches off the lights, then leaves, and Drew stares up at the ceiling.

DREW (CONT'D)

Thanks for what you did.

LI

Where are you from?

DREW

New York City. You?

LI

Beijing. What is New York like?

DREW

Amazing. I'll tell you about...

GAO

Shut UP!

DREW

Blow me!

Drew waits for a moment, fearful that the D.S. will be coming back in. He doesn't.

DREW (CONT'D)

Good night, Li.

LI

Wan an.

DISSOLVE TO:

ANGLE ON DREW, SLEEPING

All is quiet.

Suddenly, a huge stick ENTERS FRAME, and it pauses for a moment above Drew, before THUMPING down on top of him.

Drew cries out when he is hit, and jumps out of bed, looking all around him. No one is there. A few of the disciples are moving around because he yelled, but there is nothing else there.

Drew, belatedly, gets into a fighting stance, but no other attack is coming.

ANGLE ON GAO

Who seems to be sleeping peacefully.

ANGLE ON DREW

As he climbs back into bed, bone-weary. He lies back down to sleep.

INT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – MORNING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF LATRINE.

Drew stumbles in, bleary-eyed, to relieve himself. He stands at the urinal, relaxing as he starts. Suddenly, a huge stick WHACKS Drew across the rear end, the SOUND reverberating through the latrine. Drew yelps and jumps, looking around for the attacker.

No one is there, and his underwear is now all wet.