American Shaolin

INT. DINING ROOM – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING TIGHT SHOT OF RICE GRUEL ("WATER RICE"), A SPOON STIRRING THE MEAGER MIXTURE.

CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL Drew sitting with Li and some other disciples.

Drew makes a face.

DREW

You got to be kidding.

The D.S. comes up behind and grabs the bowl from him.

D.S.

You don't like it, don't eat it.

He takes the bowl away.

DREW (CONT'D)

I didn't say I wasn't going to eat it... Geez!

He turns to the rest of the disciples.

DREW (CONT'D)

Well, at least we start training today, right, guys?

A chorus of Yeahs.

INT. DORM ROOM – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DORM ROOM, ALL THE DISCIPLES CHANGING INTO THEIR WORKOUT CLOTHES.

They are the standard fighting monk issue – suitable for martial arts training.

DREW

Wonder what they'll start us with first?

LI

Iron Palm?

SHU

Wooden Man, I think.

WU

No, it'll be basics, first day. Horse stance, kicks and punches...

When they are all dressed, they run out of the room.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF ALL THE DISCIPLES LINED UP, READY FOR THE TRAINING.

In the b.g. are the fighting monks, going through their routines.

ANGLE ON FIGHTING MONKS

As they go through forms or free sparring. There are SHOTS of monks throwing stars, working with weapons, etc. It is all very exciting.

ANGLE ON DREW

Who is more excited than all the others.

ANGLE ON THE D.S.

As he walks to the front of the group. In his hand he is carrying a shovel.

D.S. Bodhidharma, the patriarch of the Shaolin Temple taught us that to train the mind, we first have to train the body.

ANGLE ON WU, WHO SHIELDS HIS MOUTH AND WHISPERS

WU

Basics, I told you.

ANGLE ON D.S.

Who motions to one of the monks behind him, who has a wheelbarrow filled with shovels.

D.S.

Each one of you take a shovel.

DREW

We're using the shovels as weapons?

D.S.

(smiling)

Weapons...

(beat)

... in the war on infection.

D.S. motions with his hand, and in the distance is the latrine building.

D.S. (CONT'D)

You will be digging today, digging our new latrines.

DREW

Latrines? Why?

D.S.

A Shaolin fighting monk-in training does not ask questions. He just obeys.

The D.S. leads the way to the latrine building, and the disciples follow, each of them carrying a shovel. Drew is trudging along, not believing what they are doing.

DREW (CONT'D)

I came halfway around the world to dig latrines? I could have just joined the army...

DISSOLVE TO:

LATRINE WORK AREA – MONTAGE

MONTAGE SEQUENCE OF WORK DETAIL.

ANGLE ON DREW AND THE OTHER DISCIPLES

Digging with their shovels. Their training clothes are already sweated through and dirty. Their shirts are off, and their arm muscles are bulging and shining in the hot sunshine.

ANGLE ON DREW

As he lifts up two heavy buckets of dirt on a pole, then places the pole on his shoulders, the muscles in his arms, shoulders and back straining. He walks off to the side of the area to dump it.

As he dumps the dirt, a pole appears and CRACKS across his back. He drops the buckets and falls to the ground. He gets up as quickly as he can, but there is no one to be seen.

ANGLE ON DREW AND DISCIPLES

As they are working hard on the latrines. Drew is teaching them an American song as they work.

DREW (CONT'D)

"Ain't no cure for the Shaolin Temple Blues... "

OR

"Working on a Chain Gang"

OR (CONT'D)

"I fought the law and the law won"

OR (CONT'D)

"16 tons"

The monks are singing along with him. All except for Gao.

ANGLE ON DREW AND DISCIPLES AS THEY EAT THEIR LUNCH

It is again very meager: a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup and a piece of scrawny meat. Drew looks at it for a moment. The

D.S. is standing over his shoulder.

D.S.

Any problems?

Drew shakes his head and starts to eat, quickly.

ANGLE ON DREW

As he loads up a two baskets of dirt onto his pole. He gets it up onto his shoulders, in pain, and starts to walk. Immediately, the D.S. is there in front of him.

He examines the baskets. They are not full.

He moves quickly and dumps both baskets of dirt.

DREW

(shocked)

What'd you do that for?

D.S.

Do a job well or don't do it.

ANGLE ON GAO AND THE DISCIPLES

As they are in line for water. They each drink a large glass full, then move back to their work area. Drew is the last in line. When Drew gets to the front, the D.S. smiles and shakes his head.

D.S.

Sorry, all gone. Get some more.

Drew stares at all the water spilled onto the ground, then looks up at the D.S., then forces a smile. He takes the proferred buckets of water (made of wood, with pointed bottoms and large handles). The D.S. indicates that they are to be held straight out to the sides, to work on the shoulder muscles. Drew turns and walks away, muttering to himself.

DREW (CONT'D)

I'm gonna get you, man. Oh, yeah...

Gao is laughing as he watches Drew go.

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW FILLING THE BUCKETS IN THE STREAM.

Once they are filled, he starts back for the temple. His shoulders are straining from the weight of the buckets.

He goes over the path to the temple, having to negotiate logs over chasms, etc. After various trials and tribulations, Drew arrives at the temple, his arms incredibly tired. The D.S. is there waiting for him.

Drew, determined not to show any weakness, raises the buckets a little bit higher. He comes to the D.S., proud and defiant. The D.S. motions for him to put the buckets down.

Without thinking, Drew, puts the buckets down, and they both fall over, spilling their contents onto the ground. Drew tries to stop them, but he's too late. The water has all spilled out onto the ground.

DREW

Don't tell me, I know. Get more water...

INT. DORM ROOM – NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DISCIPLES ALL IN BED.

They are exhausted from their work. Drew is lying in bed, his eyes wide open, ready to get attacked.

ANGLE ON DREW

As his eyes go closed, finally.

EXT. WORK AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW WALKING ON A RIDGE BETWEEN TWO  LARGE HOLES, CARRYING HUGE BASKETS OF DIRT ON HIS POLE.

He is balancing as he walks.

ANGLE ON GAO

Who is working at the other end. He starts across the same ridge. They come to the middle: a stand off.

GAO

Back up and let me pass.

DREW

No chance, Gao. You back up.

Gao smiles and shakes his head. Gao starts forward, and WHACKS Drew in the leg with a leg sweep. Drew tries to keep his balance, and fights a valient, but losing battle. He falls over the side, the dirt in his buckets flying everywhere. Gao wipes his hands off and continues walking.

CLOSEUP ON DREW'S BLOODY HAND

A huge splinter sticking out of it. He is in real pain. The D.S. walks over and looks at the splinter, and in one move pulls it out.

D.S.

(heartlessly)

Shaolin monks feel no pain. Rub some dirt on it and you will be fine.

He walks away.

ANGLE ON DREW AND THE DISCIPLES

On a work break. They are watching the monks training in the distance. It is all the more desirable because it is unattainable.

In the distance, a monk can be seen walking between two other monks. They are leading him out.

The monk continues walking until he walks right in front of the disciples. His face and body are covered with bruises and welts. The two other monks don't say a word, their faces grim.

Li turns to the D.S.

LI

What happened?

D.S.

He failed to pass through the wooden man chamber. He must leave the temple.

The D.S. walks off.

LI (CONT'D)

The "Wooden Man Chamber"! The ultimate test of a Shaolin monk...

WU

Did you see his face?

SHU

Poor guy.

GAO

He just wasn't good enough. I wouldn't be surprised if half of us go out the same way.

The D.S. appears and motions for them to work.

INT. MEDITATION HALL – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DISCIPLES, DREW IN THE MIDDLE, SITTING IN ROWS IN THE INCENSE-FILLED MEDITATION CHAMBER.

The monk in charge of the chamber is talking to them.

MEDITATION MONK

Breath in through your nose, out through your mouth. Imagine yourself sitting on the bank of a river watching your thoughts flow by. Clear your mind... Think of nothing.

Drew sits, trying to think of nothing. He is not succeeding.

INT. DINING AREA – NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW WASHING DISHES, ALONE IN THE KITCHEN AREA.

He bends over to get a dish, when a pole comes and SMACKS him on the rear end. He turns immediately in one direction, but gets hit again from the OTHER direction.

Drew is furious, and he can't even see the attacker.

DREW

Come out, goddamn it! Show yourself!

No answer, as we HOLD on Drew looking around.

EXT. WORK AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DARK BROWN LIQUID BEING POURED INTO A LARGE PIT.

Drew is walking with Li, having just dumped their buckets into a large hole.

DREW

So what is this 'night soil' stuff anyway?

LI

Human waste.

DREW

Oh, man! You guys actually use this as fertilizer? That's disgusting!

They turn to go back, and there is Gao, balancing a huge basket of night soil over his head, peasant-style. He is on the same ridge that they are going to walk on.

DREW (CONT'D)

Hi, Gao. How you doing?

GAO

(a little worried)

Let me pass.

He reaches down and plucks a stick out of the earth at his feet, and then closes on Gao a little bit.

DREW (CONT'D)

There's something on the bottom of your basket.

Drew pokes at the basket for a moment, right over Gao's head. Then, he JAMS the stick in, and holds it there.

DREW (CONT'D)

Oops! I think I found the problem.

(beat)

A hole.

Drew pulls the stick out and watches as the night soil cascades down onto Gao's head. They back away as Gao goes running towards the pit where the night soil is deposited.

DREW (CONT'D)

(to Li)

Well, somebody sure smells!

EXT. WORK AREA – DAY

THE DISCIPLES ARE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD.

As they work, a group of fighting monks walk by after a workout. Drew stops working and watches them pass.

DREW

This is ridiculous.

Suddenly, a bamboo pole CRACKS Drew on the shoulder. He turns around, ready for a fight, only to see the D.S. standing there, the pole raised for another strike.

D.S.

Back to work.

Drew is about to say something, but doesn't. He returns to work.

DORM AREA – NIGHT

ANGLE ON DREW MASSAGING HIS MUSCLES

He is sitting with Li and a couple of the other disciples, Wu, Shu and Low.

DREW (CONT'D)

I've got an idea on how to get even with our beloved Drill Sergeant...

They all huddle a little closer.

EXT. SHAOLIN TEMPLE – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF D.S. AS HE WALKS ALONG THE PATH.

In the b.g. can be seen Drew, Li, Wu and a couple other of the disciples. They are waiting for something.

The D.S. hits the trip wire and suddenly two bamboo poles HURTLE towards him, ready to slam him in the shoulders.

With one beautiful move, the D.S. breaks both poles, shattering when they hit his arms.

The D.S. hardly breaks stride and continues walking. He looks back once, and sees the outline of the group of disciples.