American Shaolin

ANGLE ON DREW AND THE GUYS

Who are up and running as soon as they are spotted. They run by Gao, who was watching from another area.

EXT. D.S. QUARTERS – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GAO WAITING OUTSIDE D.S. ROOM.

He looks around, knocks, and then goes in.

EXT. COURTYARD – SAME DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF ENTIRE CLASS GATHERED TOGETHER.

The D.S. walks into the front of the courtyard and addresses the group.

Gao is standing off to the side, a smug smile on his face.

D.S.

You are all responsible for anything that happens within your group. What happened yesterday falls on everyone's shoulders. So, all of you will do double work...

ANGLE ON GAO

The smug smile gone now.

INT. MEDITATION ROOM – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GROUP OF DISCIPLES SEATED ON ROUND PILLOWS PRACTISING ZAZEN, SITTING MEDITATION.

Drew is in the center of the room, and the sound of light snoring is heard.

ANGLE ON DREW

It is him, he is asleep!

Suddenly, a bamboo shinai is SLAMMED across Drew's back, waking him up.

MEDITATION MONK

Bodhidharma meditated for 9 years without sleeping. Think you can manage 9 minutes?

EXT. WORK AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE ENTIRE GROUP LABORING IN THE FIELDS.

They are all singing "Chain Gang".

TIGHT ON SEVERAL OF THE DISCIPLES

They are good workers, and they don't mind the hard work nor the hot weather quite so much.

ANGLE ON DREW

Working hard.

INT. DORM AREA – NIGHT

ANGLE ON DREW

Who is holding court.

DREW

We came here to train, not to be slaves! We're free men...

MU

But we swore to obey them...

DREW

An uninformed choice is no choice at all!

MU

Huh?

DREW

We have to stand up for our rights! If they don't even know we're dissatisfied, things will never change.

GAO

They haven't changed for centuries, why should we listen to you?

DREW

Are we men or mice? Sheep or the shepherd?

WU

I'm with you!

The others are with him too, except for Gao. They are ready to explode, and Drew has the match.

DREW

I'm for going to the Headmaster right now!

They are all ready. They head for the door, but Gao doesn't move. Drew stops at the door and turns to Gao.

DREW (CONT'D)

You're either with us, Gao, or you're against us.

No answer from Gao. They exit the room.

INT. HALLWAY – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DREW AND THE BOYS RUSHING DOWN THE CORRIDOR, HEADING FOR SAN DE'S QUARTERS.

ANGLE ON D.S.

Heading for the same place but from a different direction.

INT. SHAOLIN HALLWAY – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF GROUP ASSEMBLED OUTSIDE SAN DE'S CHAMBERS.

Drew goes to knock on the door, when it opens and San De is standing there. The D.S. has just arrived. He looks at San De for instructions, but San De indicates that he will deal with them.

DREW

Master San De!

SAN DE

Who else?

DREW

We have something to say...

SAN DE

This is an interesting coincidence, as I was just on my way to your sleeping quarters to talk with you all.

DREW

I request permission to go first.

SAN DE

I think I'd better...

DREW

No, really, I want to...

San De holds up his hand. He is the final authority.

SAN DE

Here at the temple, we use a period of intense physical labor to test your patience, and to teach you humility and self-reliance. As you continue training, you will be given chores every day – remember the first time you saw me I was sweeping? Physical labor keeps us humble.

ANGLE ON THE DISCIPLES

Who tonight have been anything but humble.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

You've all performed admirably, and have learned an important lesson – to obey your shr fu without question. Because of this, I've decided to begin your martial training sooner than what is prescribed. Tomorrow morning.

The disciples can hardly believe their luck.

SAN DE (CONT'D)

And, what did you have to say to me?

ANGLE ON DREW

Who is sputtering now.

DREW
I... I mean we, just wanted to... thank you for the opportunity to be part of the illustrious history of the Shaolin Temple.

(beat)

Yeah, that's it. Right, guys?

They all say "Thank you" as one, and then bow to the headmaster with their hands clasped in front of them. They turn away and head down the hallway.

ANGLE ON THE DISCIPLES

As they increase their pace, almost running through the halls with their excitement.

INT. DORM AREA – SAME NIGHT

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DOOR TO THE SLEEPING QUARTERS.

Suddenly, it BURSTS open and in come the disciples, led by Drew. They fan out into the room, Drew in the center.

DREW

Gentlemen, this calls for a party!

He runs to his backpack and pulls out a boom box with speakers, and puts on some good old American Rock 'N' Roll.

Everyone, but Gao, is moving in time with the music. Drew is the most accomplished dancer, but the others are pretty bad.

The entire effect of the bald-headed monks rocking out is very comic.

Drew starts showing Li and Wu a couple of dance routines (old stuff – the swim, the twist, etc.). Everyone is having a great time.

ANGLE ON GAO

Glowering, as he moves toward the boom box.

He reaches for the "Stop" button.

Drew blocks the arm, and a pushing and shoving match starts.

GAO

You're trying to get us all kicked out!

DREW

I'm just trying to have a party. Chill out!

They push and shove into the middle of the room, a couple of kicks and punches thrown, then they face off, ready to duke it out.

The party is raging, while Gao and Drew are the only ones static, set to do battle.

Just then, the door starts to open. Everyone freezes and looks toward the door, including Gao. Drew, meanwhile, has the presence of mind to jump onto the boom box, shutting it off and hiding it with his body.

ANGLE ON DOOR

As the D.S. opens it and sticks his head in.

He surveys the room, seeing the tableau of frozen monks, with Drew lying on his bed.

ANGLE ON DREW

Who waves to the D.S.

ANGLE ON THE D.S.

Who knows that something is going on.

D.S.

Go to sleep. Lights out.

He hits the lights and then closes the door. In the semi-darkness the room relaxes in a collective sigh. Drew stands up and packs up the stereo.

Gao walks over past Drew.

GAO

It's not over, American.

INT. MAIN CHAMBER – MORNING

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF CHAMBER FULL OF FIGHTING MONKS, ALL GOING THROUGH THE SAME SET OF MOVEMENTS.

Kick. Punch.

Kick. Punch.

INTERCUT of feet striking the stone floor, depressions in the floor testifying to the centuries of training this chamber has seen.

Through the door come the D.S., Drew and the others. They line up along one wall, watching the fighting monks go through their form.

It is beautiful: powerful, graceful and intimidating.

Their form done, they file out of the chamber, leaving the D.S. with his group, along with one fighting monk. The D.S. motions for them to line up as the monks had.

D.S.

You will train 6 days a week, from 5 am to 9 p.m., alternating with work and meditation. Sunday afternoon is free time.

D.S. lets that sink in, then motions for the monk to take over.

MONK

In order to keep our bodies strong, Bodhidharma gave us a series of exercises and breathing techniques. Because the times demanded action, we developed Shaolin style wu shu from these exercises.

He goes through a couple of martial movements.

MONK (CONT'D)

The spirit of Bodhidharma remains. Training is like meditation. Be aware of everything, but aware of nothing in particular. Think not thinking.

DREW

What do you mean, 'Think not thinking'?

MONK

Non thinking.

ANGLE ON DREW

Confused.

ANGLE ON MONK

Who doesn't explain any further.

MONK (CONT'D)

Your training begins today, in this most sacred of training halls. The floor bears witness to the efforts of fighting monks from centuries past.

ANGLE ON FLOOR

Where there are depressions and worn spots, the result of thousands of hours of training.

MONK (CONT'D)

At the Shaolin temple, we forge our bodies in the fire of our wills. We adhere to a vow of non-violence, unless someone else is in danger... Follow my movements...

He starts moving through a series of techniques, and the rest of the disciples try to mimic his actions. He is moving around the room, and they are trying to do what he is doing.

Some are getting it, some aren't.

Drew, used to a more individualized type of training, isn't getting it.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING TIGHT SHOT OF WEDGE THWOCKING INTO THE GROUND.

A hand COMES INTO FRAME, grabs the wedge and pulls it back out of the ground.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL Drew, along with the other disciples, lined up and throwing these sharp wedges into the ground and pulling it back out. Their muscles are bulging with the effort.

ANGLE ON HUGE SMOKING BRASS URNS

Filled to the brim with small stones. Drew is forcing his arms into the urn in "Iron Palm" training.

ANGLE ON MONK ON A SET OF POLES

He is going through a complex form, kicking and punching, never missing or faltering a step. Some of the poles are as high as 6 feet off the ground.

ANGLE ON GAO ON THE POLES

He is less sure, but at least he doesn't fall.

ANGLE ON DREW

Trying the poles. He starts out well, but he soon misses and falls, almost impaling himself on a pole.

DREW

I can't do this!

D.S.

Here at Shaolin, can't doesn't exist. Only won't.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DISCIPLES PAIRED OFF.

Drew is working with his friend Li. They are moving through a series of techniques, ending with a flashy kicking technique which is to blocked by a special Shaolin technique.

Each time Li throws the final kick, Drew gets hit, HARD.

His block isn't working. A monk comes up to him.

MONK

Block the way I showed you.

DREW

(showing him a block)

This is the way I was taught.

MONK (CONT'D)

Do it this way. You won't get hit.

Drew bows and turns to continue working with Li. By this time, however, the ranks have shifted, and Gao is opposite Drew.

Drew attacks first in the series, and Gao uses the block to easily deflect Drew's kick.

GAO

(menacingly)

My turn.

He attacks, and Drew gets to the final technique. He blocks the way he did before, and he gets slammed brutally by Gao.

Gao stands over him, smiling.

EXT. TRAINING AREA – DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT OF MONKS FLIPPING THROUGH THE AIR, DOING FLYING KICKS, AERIALS, ETC.

A monk is alternately falling down and kipping up, falling down and kipping up.

Drew's group is working on several very athletic maneuvers, none of which Drew is especially good at. Gao, of course, is having no trouble.

Drew tries a flying move and falls into a heap on the ground. He is very angry, and he hits the ground with his fist.

MONK

Emotions cloud the spirit – eliminate them.

DREW

This isn't martial arts – it's gymnastics!

MONK

This is Shaolin Wu Shu. Continue.

Drew sits in the dirt, watching everyone around him sail through the air and flip over the ground. He is not a happy camper.