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by David Chase (davidchase@rogers.com)
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Rated:
Genre: Action/Adventure
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Part Western, part Eastern, a pair of Samurai wage a duel for something more than honor.
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This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.
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FADE IN:
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EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY |
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The sun beats down on a lone figure soldiering across the
barren wilderness. |
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KAI, 25, wears a light colored kimono and looks every part
the wandering Samurai. He wields matching Katana and dagger.
His hair pulled back in a tight top knot reveals his
suntanned face. |
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Kai Squints through the shimmering heat, and continues on
toward a small town in the distance. |
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EXT. TOWN - DAY |
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The town is little more than a collection of buildings on
either side of a dusty street. |
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Kai saunters down the middle of the street, glancing around
casually at his surroundings. |
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The odd person mills about here and there, all regarding Kai
with an air of suspicion. |
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Passing a woman scrubbing her front stoop, Kai watches as
she stops and cautiously herds her children back inside. |
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Finally reaching the end of the street, Kai finds himself in
front of a two story building, where a lone man sits under a
canopy on the front stoop. |
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KAI
You hide out in the open. |
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His chair tipped onto it's back legs and supported by the
wall, ICHIRO nurses a bottle of sake. He doesn't look up,
barely acknowledging Kai's presence. |
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ICHIRO
And yet somehow you still managed
to find me, Kai. |
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Ichiro is also dressed in a light, albeit lightly stained,
kimono. His hair hangs loose, and he sports several days
growth on his face. |
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Kai looks around, seeing people slowly retreating indoors,
as if ducking for cover. |
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2.
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KAI
I just followed the smell of sake. |
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Ichiro grins, finally looking up. |
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ICHIRO
Why don't you go back home? |
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KAI
You know I can't do that, Ichiro. |
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ICHIRO
You can't, or you won't? |
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Kai strains to see inside the house behind Ichiro. |
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Kai sighs, unable to find amusement in Ichiro's game. |
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KAI
Very well. I am here by order of
Lord Shimada to return property
which was taken from him. |
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Ichiro laughs out loud. |
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He places extra emphasis on the word "Lord". |
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KAI
There was a time when you, too,
called him Lord. Is it so long ago
that you've forgotten? |
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ICHIRO
No, Kai, I remember. |
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He slowly stands up. |
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ICHIRO
I think it's you who needs a
history lesson. |
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The two men lock eyes for a moment. |
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3.
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KAI
Are you suddenly going to turn
noble on me? That would be quite
the about face. |
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ICHIRO
If serving a dog like Shimada
makes one noble, you can have it. |
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His eyes narrow, but Kai shows no other reaction. |
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ICHIRO
Are you just going to let that go?
I've insulted your lord. Where is
the sense of outrage? |
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Ichiro pauses, still looking for a reaction. |
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ICHIRO
Or is it that you know I'm right? |
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Kai's shout seems to echo in the confines of the street. |
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KAI
We both know why I'm here. |
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ICHIRO
Yes, to retrieve stolen property. |
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KAI
That won't be sufficient. |
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Bending down, Ichiro picks up a sheathed Katana from off of
the floor beside him. He stands and looks back at Kai. |
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ICHIRO
And Shimada sent only you? |
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KAI
There will be others coming soon.
I came alone so you might have the
chance to do this honorably. |
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ICHIRO
I'm surprised. That's very
generous of Lord Shimada. |
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4.
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KAI
Shimada would have sent a hundred
men without giving it another
thought. It was my idea to try it
this way first. |
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A small smile forms on Ichiro's face. |
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ICHIRO
That is noble of you. Sentimental,
and foolish, but still noble. |
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KAI
Unlike you, Ichiro, I still have
my honor intact. |
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ICHIRO
Why, because you serve a fat
tyrant, who gets rich off the
backs of his citizens? |
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KAI
Lord Shimada gives his people
order. And protection. |
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Ichiro smirks. |
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ICHIRO
Yes, I've seen the protection he
provides to anyone who disagrees
with him. |
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KAI
And what about you? What kind of
protection can you offer to these
people? |
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Ichiro eyes him closely, before glancing about, seeming to
make eye contact with unseen recipients. |
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As he looks around, Kai begins to spot men emerging from
hiding places throughout the town. A sword wielding man in
an alley. A pair of armed men converging at the other end of
the street. A pair of archers on a rooftop. |
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Kai turns his attention back to Ichiro. |
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KAI
So that's how you're going to play
this? I should have known. |
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Ichiro motions again, prompting his men to stand down. |
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5.
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ICHIRO
You assume too much. Unlike
Shimada, I can fight my own
battles. |
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Ichiro slowly makes his way off the stoop, stepping down
onto the dusty street. |
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ICHIRO
Why are you really here? |
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KAI
You know why. You didn't just
steal from Shimada. |
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ICHIRO
Who says I stole anything? |
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KAI
I do. She was promised to me. |
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ICHIRO
And I suppose there's no way she
would have chosen me unless forced
to do so, is that it? |
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KAI
She's coming with me, and there's
nothing you can do to stop it. |
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ICHIRO
Doesn't she have a choice? |
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Seeing the resolution in Kai's eyes, Ichiro nods, accepting
the inevitable. Slowly, he unsheaths his sword. |
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ICHIRO
I hoped it wouldn't come to this. |
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KAI
The moment you took her from me,
you ensured it would. |
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Kai unsheaths his katana. Slowly, they Begin circling,
stalking one another. |
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People slowly start taking up vantage points to get a good
view. Keeping one eye on his adversary, Kai glances about,
getting a sense of the gathering crowd. |
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6.
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The two warriors pause, locking eyes for a split second.
Finally, Kai lets out a loud KIAI. |
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With blinding speed, they attack, their swords coming
together in a flash of light. Back and forth, strike and
parry, they attack and counter, the sound of metal on metal
ringing out. |
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Pulling back, they pause for a moment. |
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KAI
Have you gotten old already? |
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Ichiro's breathing is already noticeably heavier than Kai's. |
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ICHIRO
I'm only three years older than
you. Don't count me out yet. |
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Squaring off again, their swords CLANG together over and
over. Gradually, it becomes obvious that Kai is the more
accomplished swordsman. Ichiro, utilizing unorthodox
techniques, fights with more tenacity. |
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Kai continues to beat Ichiro back. He pauses a split second,
seemingly giving Ichiro an opening. As Ichiro lunges, Kai
sidesteps, taking advantage of his opponent's misstep. He
slashes across Ichiro's side, drawing blood. |
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KAI
You've gotten sloppy. |
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ICHIRO
And you're Still trying to prove
you're better than me. |
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KAI
You think that's what this is all
about? Some childhood competition? |
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ICHIRO
I've known you far too long to
believe you're here out of duty.
It kills you to think that she
would have chosen me. |
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They attack again, their swords coming together in a loud
CLANG. They stand, face to face and sword to sword, glaring
at one another |
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KAI
You're the jealous one. You
couldn't stand knowing that
Shimada promised his daughter to
(MORE)
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7.
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KAI (cont'd)
me. You hate seeing me succeed
while you fail again. |
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ICHIRO
You always were the most arrogant
bastard I knew. |
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They break, each stepping back quickly. Kai attacks anew,
pressing with even more ferocity. Ichiro defends valiantly,
but is pressed back further and further. |
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Kai's attack forces Ichiro back onto his stoop. Ichiro
stumbles, barely avoiding a blow aimed at his head. |
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Kai attacks again, pursuing Ichiro onto the stoop. Ichiro
rolls out of the way, avoiding another strike. |
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His anger beginning to show, Kai attacks again. Ichiro jumps
up onto the railing running along the stoop and propels
himself back onto the street. |
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Furious, Kai kicks viciously at the railing, busting through
it and following Ichiro back to the street. |
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Both men breathe heavily, circling one another again. |
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KAI
Why would you want to keep someone
who doesn't love you? |
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ICHIRO
Think about it. Would I risk all
of this just to prove some foolish
point to you? |
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KAI
Do you think I would come all of
this way, alone, just because my
ego is bruised? |
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They pause again, as if considering each other's position. |
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KAI
I would die for her. Would you? |
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ICHIRO
You're holding onto something that
was never there. Let it go. |
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8.
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Letting loose another loud KIAI, Kai attacks again. |
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As the two warriors trade blows, a woman steps out from
inside Ichiro's house. YASUKE is dressed in simple common
clothes, but is still very beautiful. |
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Kai pauses, taking notice of her. |
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His eyes widen as he takes note of her appearance,
particularly her swollen belly and healthy, pregnant glow. |
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The look of resolution drains from Kai's face, replaced by a
look of despair. |
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Ichiro watches the change, standing tense and uncertain. |
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Kai makes eye contact with Yasuke, his face pleading, but
she can only look away. |
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His head bows for a moment. Finally, gripping his short
sword tightly, he looks back at Ichiro. |
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Their eyes meet again. Ichiro sees the resolution in his
face once more, but the anger is gone. |
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With the slightest motion, Kai partially unsheaths his short
sword, signalling his intention. |
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Ichiro nods, acknowledging Kai's intention. |
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In a blur, Ichiro steps in, slashing viciously across Kai's
chest, his momentum carrying him past Kai. |
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Kai stands quietly for a moment, before dropping face first
to the ground. |
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Ichiro continues to stand with his back to him. |
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Yasuke rushes to Kai's side, kneeling beside him. |
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YASUKE
(crying)
Why, Kai? Why would you do this? |
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9.
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Turning his head slightly, Kai labors to speak. |
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KAI
I...had to be sure you were happy. |
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Kai's eyes slowly close, as Yasuke continues to cry. |
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Ichiro approaches and stands beside Yasuke. After a moment,
she stands and turns toward Ichiro. They embrace. |
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ICHIRO
I always thought his honor
mattered more to him than
anything. I was wrong. |
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They turn and begin to walk toward the house. |
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A pair of seedy looking men slither up to Kai's body. One of
them grips his katana. |
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Ichiro whirls toward them. |
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Everyone assembled freezes. Ichiro looks around. |
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ICHIRO
Bury him. With his sword. |
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As Ichiro continues toward his house, Yasuke beside him, the
assembled citizenry solemnly converge on the fallen warrior. |
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FADE OUT. |
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Feedback |
From Kevin Isaacson |
Date 8/4/2009 |
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Nice short. Feels like it would make an excellent scene of a bigger story. Do you have something in the works? :-)
Nice flowing dialogue and I love how you format the fight scene. I've struggled with that myself. How much detail to put in or leave out. I like how you did it.
The first time Inchiro speaks, leave out Kai's name. Felt like a stronger line without it.
I think you could have added a twist at the end. Make Yasuke pregnant with Kai's baby. She got pregnant before Ichiro took her away. Just a thought.
Nice job though. |
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