1Title: "Apocalypse Mountain"
2Author: Gushi Tang
3Email: <gushitang@gmail.com>
4Date: 2016-06-24
5Genre: Anime
6Draft: 1 (Alpha)
7
8Logline:
9The re-incarnation of Joan of Arc,
10now reborn as a Katana-wielding Ninja,
11persuades an Ancient Drunken Master,
12who bumbles his way into Enlightenment,
13to help her save Humanity's Soul at
14The End of Time.
15
16
17
18
19 FADE IN
20
21EXT. NEAR THE PEAK OF A COLOSSAL MOUNTAIN
22
23High-altitude view into INFINITE SKY, as if
24looking out from the peak of EVEREST.
25
26The BLEEDING HAND of THE GIRL grasps an
27outcropping of JAGGED ROCK as she strains
28to PULL herself up.
29
30Punished by ice and wind, she COLLAPSES
31on a LEDGE.
32
33 THE GIRL
34 (exhausted)
35 I'm no fool, you know.
36
37CUT TO: DRONE SHOT OF THE GIRL's BACK
38
39Simultaneously REVEALING the futuristic handle
40of a PLASMA KATANA strapped there and
41THE MONK, meditating on the tiny ledge in
42perfect LOTUS-POSITION.
43
44 THE MONK
45 And I'm no wise old Bodhisattva!
46
47 THE GIRL
48 There is no one else with The Answer.
49
50 THE MONK
51 No one else is capable of asking The
52 Right Question.
53 (smiling slowly)
54
55 THE GIRL
56 The time for koans is over!
57 (collecting herself)
58 I need to know.
59 What will happen to this World?
60
61 THE MONK
62 (falling into reverie)
63 You remind me of myself as a young
64 acolyte.
65
66EXT. ANCIENT TEMPLE GROUNDS
67
68Abuzz with the everyday sacerdotal duties
69of a HOLY ORDER, a lowly NOVITIATE (CHILD MONK)
70strains under his YOKE of water.
71
72 THE MONK (V.O.)
73 Agitating my Master with endless
74 questions. What a sycophantic
75 little weasel I was back then!
76
77A PRIEST rolls his eyes at the child monk
78before WALKING away.
79
80 THE MONK (V.O.)
81 After the Great Typhoon, our Temple
82 lay in shambles. All of the nearby
83 villages as well, flooded into ruin.
84
85Scenes of flattened, drenched DEVASTATION,
86as the child monk picks up a cracked PRAYER
87WHEEL out of the muck.
88
89The child monk SPOTS his Master in the distance,
90fetching a BUCKET of water from a now
91OVERFLOWING WELL, and performing his usual
92MORNING ABLUTIONS.
93
94 THE MONK (V.O.)
95 And when I saw him going about his prayer
96 rituals, in the same manner as he had
97 before this infernal deluge.
98 I knew I had to ask him.
99
100INTERRUPTS the priest's CHANTING.
101
102 CHILD MONK
103 Why could we not be spared, Master?
104
105 PRIEST
106 (beatific)
107 Is it so? We have not been spared?
108
109CUT BACK TO: EXT. THE MONK'S MOUNTAIN LEDGE
110
111DRAWING her KATANA from its sheath and ACTIVATING
112it, she SWINGS it to within an inch of his
113CAROTID ARTERY.
114
115The BLADE is silent as it PULSATES and RADIATES.
116But as SNOWFLAKES hit its ENERGY BEAM, they
117EVAPORATE into hissing STEAM.
118
119 THE GIRL
120 (fury incarnate)
121 Don't make me avenge him!
122
123A FLASH of something in his crystalline GAZE,
124regret or perhaps something more STRANGE.
125
126
127 THE GIRL (CONT'D)
128 Oh yes! It is a tale well told
129 where I come from. The wise old
130 man of the mountain. And his fool
131 for a student!
132
133Certain PECULIARITIES about his appeance now
134begin to make themselves KNOWN to her:
135
136The small CIRCLE surrounding him is COMPLETELY
137DRY, devoid of any of the ice and snow which
138covers the landscape.
139
140His ROBE, woven from the thinnest TUSSA SILK,
141wrapped LOOSELY about his bare skin, appears to
142keep him warm and sheltered, despite the wintry
143elements.
144
145Long strands of his HAIR, plunging well below
146his shoulders, lie UTTER STILL in the chaotic
147GUSTS of bone-chilling wind.
148
149Even his FEET, shoeless in the frigid air, shod
150only in a single layer of BATIK COTTON, appear
151utterly IMPERVIOUS to frostbite.
152
153Under that flowing robe, an almost imperceptible
154VIBRATION emanates from his body, as if he were
155LEVITATING an inch or two off of that
156inhospitable terrain!
157
158 THE GIRL (CON'T)
159 A drunkard capable of draining an
160 entire vineyard! A gambler who would
161 stake his own child in a wager! But
162 even that wretch of an underling who
163 left his family to train with you.
164 Who put his absolute faith in you.
165 Did not deserve...
166 (catching herself)
167 But I did not make a journey of a
168 thousand miles just to condemn.
169
170She TWISTS around to REPLACE the sword
171on her back.
172
173And in the same MOMENT, he TURNS behind his
174own back to RETRIEVE and PLACE in front of
175them a full, piping-hot TEA SERVICE on an
176antique lacquered tray.
177
178She sits on the wild silk CUSHION that has
179materialized before her as if by magic.
180
181The sight of fresh GREEN TEA and BALO BAO
182(pineapple cakes) before her are too much
183of a temptation to resist.
184
185 THE MONK
186 Don't be polite!
187 Enjoy!
188
189 THE GIRL
190 (munching between hearty gulps)
191 "Never flowers over dumplings..."
192
193 THE MONK
194 Ah! These are just like the ones
195 the Princess Retainer used to
196 serve at River Bridge during
197 Cherry Blossom Festival. I
198 suppose you are too young to
199 remember?
200
201 THE GIRL
202 (mouth full)
203 Nnmmppff!
204
205 THE MONK
206 (musing)
207 Once, in the old Capitol,
208 surrounded by the cultural and
209 political elite, I accidentally
210 challenged the Emporer's most
211 prized wrestler to a bout.
212
213 THE GIRL
214 (spewing crumbs)
215 What! You! The Senpai of Peace!
216 Wrestling!
217
218CUT TO: INT. WRESTLING RING OF IMPERIAL PALACE
219
220 THE MONK (V.O.)
221 When the time came to meet in
222 the fighting circle, I was
223 terrified.
224
225BRONZEN OX, the Emporer's most prized wrestler,
226STANDS at one side, while at the other we SEE
227the monk, a little older than last time, but
228still not yet an adult.
229
230A REFEREE stands between them, looking
231a little WORRIED.
232
233They are SURROUNDED by a THRONG of FANATICS,
234ARISTOCRATS, RETAINERS, and PUBLICANS, who
235are at the peak of PANDEMONIUM, waiting for
236the action to commence.
237
238 THE MONK (V.O.)
239 One look at "Bronzen Ox" was enough
240 to know...I would be shown no mercy!
241
242The Ox does his ELABORATE pre-fight RITUAL,
243a few SQUATS, then SHAKING one leg after the other.
244
245While the monk begins to CONTROL his breathing
246FOCUSING his mind.
247
248The considerable CROWD which has gathered takes
249part in ceremonial JESTING and TAUNTS the
250statue-like monk.
251
252 THE MONK (V.O.)
253 It was then I noticed deep in the
254 crowd, the Old Bookie taking side bets
255 Apparently there were quite a few takers
256 sensing a "sure thing."
257
258While a few FLUNKIES quabble with the bookie
259over terms, a tall PATRICIAN looks around
260before taking an enormous wad of BILLS out
261from between his flowing ROBES.
262
263 THE MONK (V.O.)
264 None dared to bet me to win. But were
265 wagering magnificent sums on how
266 long I would last.
267 (excitedly)
268 An idea came to me!
269
270CALLS the Bookie over to him in a voice
271loud enough to be heard over the din.
272
273The INTERRUPTED Bookie shuffles his way
274THROUGH the crowd and INTO the ring.
275
276 OLD BOOKIE
277 What?
278
279 YOUNG MONK
280 (confidently)
281 May I bet on myself?
282
283The crowd ERUPTS in laughter.
284
285 OLD BOOKIE
286 In this case, i can make an exception.
287
288 YOUNG MONK
289 One Gold Tallin!
290
291The crowd is HUSHED immediately.
292
293The Ox stops EXERCISING, foot BALANCED in mid-air.
294
295 THE MONK (V.O.)
296 Those wheels in his mind began turing.
297
298 THE OX (V.O.)
299 (internally)
300 Maybe that poor monk *does* know something
301 about fighting...
302
303CALLING the referee over, Bronzen Ox BENDS down
304and WHISPERS something into her ear.
305
306The referee WALKS over to the monk's corner
307and GRABS his WRIST, LIFTING it high into the air.
308
309 REFEREE
310 Ox forfeits! I present the victor!
311
312The Old Bookie, attempting to escape, is THRUST
313back into the ring by the UPROARIUS crowd, and
314comes FACE-TO-FACE with the young monk, BEAMING.
315
316CUT BACK TO: EXT. MONK'S LEDGE
317
318POURING the last of the tea into her cup,
319THE GIRL swallows it down in a single gulp,
320before letting out a tiny HICCUP.
321
322SATIATED, she reclines fully SUPINE and
323RELAXED on the brocade pillow.
324
325 THE GIRL
326 "Time reveals a person's character."
327
328 THE MONK
329 Yessss. So?
330
331 THE GIRL
332 Is that the moral? Of the wrestling story.
333
334 THE MONK
335 The point is that after that incident I
336 gained a modicum of respect. And folks
337 started listening to me...
338 (clearing tea service)
339
340 THE GIRL
341 (sensing an opening)
342 If you choose to help me.
343 All will bow before you in gratitude.
344 (beat)
345
346 THE MONK
347 Are you really here? Reclining on
348 my ledge, asking me to come down the
349 mountain. How do I know this isn't
350 a dream?
351
352In one INSTANT, she FLICKS a small pebble
353with her foot and then THRUSTS it in the
354direction of the monk's face using her
355flawless OPEN HAND technique.
356
357The monk CATCHES the stone between two FINGERS.
358
359 THE GIRL
360 You should have let it hit you!
361 Then you would know, that in this land
362 there is no such thing as pleasant
363 dreams anymore.
364
365 THE MONK
366 (ruminating once again)
367 I once had quite a renown for dream
368 interpretation...
369
370CUT TO: EXT. OLD PORT CITY
371
372HUSTLE of TRADERS from across the Seven Seas
373that have come to PLY their exotic wares.
374
375 THE MONK (V.O.)
376 How bustling the Old Port used to
377 be in those days! I had gotten it
378 on good advice that the best way for
379 a budding seeker to understand The
380 Way was not to hole oneself in the
381 Temple away from life. But to immerse
382 oneself right in the heart of it!
383
384A FIGHT breaks out over a DISPUTE among
385BUYERS and SELLERS.
386
387 THE MONK (V.O.)
388 And like the timeless Sadhus who
389 left the jungle and created the
390 First City, I dived right into it!
391
392In the CENTER, the monk in POWER POSE,
393dressed not in ascetic robes, but
394vibrant, PROSPEROUS style, ACTING as
395unofficial MEDIATOR.
396
397 CITY MONK
398 Twenty silver, no less is fair!
399
400A MESSENGER arrives and bids CITY MONK
401to FOLLOW him, which he does POST HASTE.
402
403 THE MONK (V.O.)
404 I was summoned to provide my
405 divination skills at the office
406 of a powerful company Kaiju.
407
408INT. THE SUPERB JUTE COMPANY HQ
409
410 THE MONK (V.O)
411 When I arrived at his regal, yet
412 chaotic, inner offices he bade me,
413 in front of all his most senior
414 lieutenants, to interpret the most
415 peculiar dream he had just
416 experienced during his mid morning
417 nap.
418
419 1ST LIEUTENANT
420 This is he, Kaiju. The one they all
421 say has the power of foresight.
422
423 2ND LIEUTENANT
424 You must take an oath of absolute
425 secrecy. Whatever you hear in this
426 room...
427
428 CITY MONK
429 No oaths! My only Master is Truth!
430
431As the rest of the lieutenants attempt to
432PROTEST, they are HUSHED by the KAIJU.
433
434 KAIJU
435 (clearly shaken)
436 It's ok. I must know...
437
438 CITY MONK
439 Calm yourself, Kaiju. Focus your
440 breathing and coax your mind into
441 remembering all that happened...
442
443EXT. CENTRAL HUB STREET, OLD PORT CITY
444
445 KAIJU (V.O.)
446 I was an impoverished beggar,
447 panhandling in the street for
448 scraps of food and any bits of
449 copper I could scrounge.
450
451SWELL of crowds lining the street
452PARTS to REVEAL Kaiju (as BEGGAR)
453holding a RUSTY CUP outstreched.
454
455 KAIJU (V.O.)
456 Although the streets were brimming
457 with the fashionable people of the
458 day, not one would hand me a penny!
459
460His FACE a PINNACLE of SUFFERING as he
461is AVOIDED, IGNORED and SPAT UPON.
462
463 KAIJU (V.O.)
464 Though I suplicated myself. Pleading.
465 It was as though my very existence was
466 an affront to the good and gentle folk.
467 Finally, I reached the peak of crisis.
468
469COLLAPSING unto the ground in a HEAP,
470the crowds CONTINUE their way, stepping
471OVER and AROUND him.
472
473UNTIL, a CURATE in elaborate robes STOPS
474and HELPS the beggar to his knees.
475
476 KAIJU (V.O.)
477 I sensed an all-pervading warmth and
478 feeling of hope course through my body.
479 Who could this be? Just as I was about
480 to inquire, he pointed directly at my
481 shoddy attire and bade me...
482
483 CURATE
484 (commanding)
485 Undress!
486
487CROWD now begins to notice.
488
489 KAIJU (V.O.)
490 I refused him, of course, but as
491 he grew more insistent, I found I was
492 powerless to resist him!
493
494FILTHY RAGS drop to dusty street as the
495ONLOOKERS let out a collective GASP.
496
497 KAIJU (V.O.)
498 To my surprise, my skin wasn't skin
499 at all! Nor my flesh flesh!
500
501PAN to see the unshod form of the beggar,
502his body now composed of PURE SOLID GOLD!
503
504MOVING his lustrous hands and ams before
505his face in AMAZEMENT, great shiny SCALES
506of gold begin to SHED from the skin and
507COLLECT on the street below.
508
509Waves of the people assembled begin to
510APPROACH him with large WOVEN BASKETS.
511CATCHING the treasure before it can
512hit the ground.
513
514In the distance, a VAST HORDE approaches,
515each armed with enormous BLADES they SHARPEN
516by RUBBING against each other.
517
518 KAIJU (V.O)
519 They were coming for my very skin!
520
521CUT BACK TO: INT. KAIJU's OFFICES
522
523 CITY MONK
524 And it was at this point you bolted
525 awake, correct?
526
527 KAIJU
528 Yes! Oh, what can it mean?
529
530 CITY MONK
531 Well, it's obvious.
532
533The assembled lieutenants begin to LEAN IN
534so they may catch every word.
535
536 1ST LIEUTENANT
537 What? You already know what it means?
538
539RETURN CUT TO: EXT. MONK'S LEDGE
540
541 THE GIRL
542 (confused)
543 Wait a minute.
544
545 THE MONK
546 You are at a total loss for what such
547 a dream could possibly mean. Lot harder
548 than it sounds, isn't it?
549
550 THE GIRL
551 Er no, it's pretty obvious. I'm just
552 curious what method of interpretation
553 you use to analyze the dream.
554
555 THE MONK
556 Well, I don't know if I would really call
557 it a method. In this case, I sensed that Fortune
558 was placing a great opportunity before me. And
559 I intended to seize it!
560
561 THE GIRL
562 Fortune favors those who prey upon the
563 gullibility of the ruling class!
564
565 THE MONK
566 I had to choose my words very carefully. All those
567 people there, word would spread very quickly if
568 I offered some unpopular explanation.
569 My reputation hung in the balance.
570
571 THE GIRL
572 So you don't actually interpret anything.
573 You just tell people what they want to hear.
574 And charge a great deal for the service?
575
576 THE MONK
577 No! I mean...
578 (throws her a baleful look)
579 Let me finish my tale.
580
581RETURN CUT TO: INT. KAIJU'S OFFICES
582
583 2ND LIEUTENANT
584 Please if you know! Tell us!
585
586 CITY MONK
587 The Goddess of Prosperity is angry.
588
589BALEFUL LOOKS exchanged between the lieutenants.
590
591 KAIJU
592 My Goddess! You're right!
593
594 1ST LIEUTENANT
595 That would explain the wharf fires...
596
597 2ND LIEUTENANT
598 And the mold!
599
600 KAIJU
601 But how do we...appease Her?
602
603 CITY MONK
604 You must take one percent of your wealth
605 and form a Pool. Then ask the other city
606 patrons to contribute one percent and
607 add it the Pool. Using these funds, a
608 Great Fortune Temple is to be erected,
609 complete with pyres and round the clock
610 offerings!
611
612 KAIJU
613 (his old boss self)
614 Yes!
615
616Assembled lieutenants CHEERING and CONGRATULATING.
617
618FOCUS on the city monk massaging his chin in thought.
619
620 CITY MONK
621 (gazing skyward)
622 There's only one problem though...
623 We need to appoint a High Priest,
624 someone Pure in Faith whom we can trust
625 in absolutely...
626
627CUT TO: EXT. GREAT FORTUNE TEMPLE
628
629FOOTMEN carry a great palanquin on which
630sits CITY MONK,now transformed into
631TEMPLE MONK, resplendent in priestly robes.
632
633PRIESTESSES STREW the path with ROSE PETALS while
634BURNT OFFERINGS send smoke upward unto the HEAVENS.
635
636INT. FORTUNE TEMPLE'S GODDESS CHAMBER
637
638TEMPLE MONK administers rites to CITY ELDERS now
639clad in CEREMONIAL DRESS.
640
641RETURNING from a DEEP BOW back to UPRIGHT position
642is KAIJU, his face the PORTRAIT of RAPTURE.
643
644LIBATION BEARERS ASSIST in the rites as TEMPLE
645MONK performs a MAGIC FEAT for show.
646
647CUT BACK TO: EXT. MONK'S MOUNTAIN LEDGE
648
649 THE MONK
650 I was an illustrious temple high priest.
651 The city flourished in all aspects of
652 culture and commerce uder my watch.
653 Right up until The End.
654
655 THE GIRL
656 Well, you certainly can't be blamed for that.
657
658She RECLINES on the pillow, flat on her back
659and GAZING up at the CLOUDS which have begun to
660part and show the faint GLIMMER of the sun.
661
662 THE GIRL
663 Master, may I ask a personal thing?
664
665 THE MONK
666 What can be private to One who has no Ego?
667
668 THE GIRL
669 When was the last time a woman visited you
670 in your little hermitage in the mountains.
671
672 THE MONK
673 What does it matter to One who
674 lives every moment according to
675 the Law of Kama Shastra?
676 Which reminds me...
677
678 THE GIRL
679 Again?
680
681 THE MONK
682 "The Tragic Tale of The
683 Lake District Beauty"
684
685SLOW DISSOLVE TO: LOTUS LAKE DISTRICT - NIGHT
686
687BRILLIANT FULL MOON shines over sleepy hamlet
688nestled on the shores of an UNDISTURBED LAKE
689
690 THE MONK (V.O.)
691 She came into this World under the Autumn
692 Peach Moon in that long Season of Armistice
693 between the Great Warring Parties.
694
695INT. LAKE NURSERY
696
697SCREAMS rend the air, as an OLD DOULA helps
698a MOTHER deliver her birthing BABY.
699
700 DOULA
701 How like a Water Nymph she is!
702
703 MOTHER
704 We'll call her "Sei"...
705
706EXT. LAKE DISTRICT PLAYGROUND
707
708CHILDREN frenziedly playing a BALL GAME,
709when suddenly the ball POPS out of the
710huddle and into CHILD SEI who quickly
711SCORES a GOAL from way, way down town,
712as SPECTATORS CHEER.
713
714 ONLOOKER
715 (to her parents)
716 A good Omen!
717
718INT. LAKE DISTRICT TEMPLE
719
720The village's YOUTHS, dressed in ceremonial
721robes receive their first SACRAMENT.
722
723When it is YOUNG SEI's turn, the assembled
724CONGREGATION beams with PRIDE.
725
726INT. SEI'S MOTHER'S HOME
727
728An ELDER WOMAN and her ADULT SON, dressed in
729finery, sit siffly on a low bed serving as
730makeshift couch. SEI and her MOTHER kneel
731on the dirt floor before them.
732
733 WOMAN
734 (condescending)
735 I bet it was difficult to raise her
736 without her father present.
737
738 MOTHER
739 No not at all. As you can see she is
740 the Pride of our Village.
741
742 WOMAN
743 Lift your face up girl!
744 What do you think my boy?
745
746 SON
747 She is a Water Nymph come to Life!
748
749 WOMAN
750 I guess that is it then.
751 (tiny flash of jealousy)
752 Congratulations!
753 We accept your daughter as child bride to my
754 second son. In one month's time you may bring
755 her to the Palace. Come on...
756 (rising)
757 We have a long journey back!
758
759EXT. PINE PALACE OUTER GATE - DAWN
760
761Morning at the Palace appears STILL and SILENT,
762as a CARRIAGE awaits in front of two GREAT DOORS.
763The breath of two HORSES visible in the chill.
764
765 THE MONK (V.O.)
766 Although heartbroken to see her go,
767 passing up the prospect of a regal life for her
768 daughter would have caused great shame.
769 But life at her new house turned sour soon
770 after the honeymoon.
771
772SUDDENLY the doors SLAM open, and SEI, now a young
773lady, bursts out, disheveled, with tears and a
774BLOODY GASH upon her forehead.
775
776 THE MONK (V.O.)
777 Jealousy was now her handmaid. Her husband
778 though completely in love with her asked
779 if she might live instead at the University,
780 where she might learn to grow in knowledge
781 as she had continued to do in lovliness.
782
783She races into the carriage as it
784DRIVES off hurriedly.
785
786 THE MONK (V.O.)
787 It was a great sacrifice to even be apart
788 from her for even one night. But he looked
789 forward to visiting her at school. And
790 besides, there was unrest in the Western
791 provinces, and the Emporer's Guards had
792 called him into duty. And he knew Sei
793 would be tormented staying at the palace.
794
795Sei's Husband DONS his princely armor.
796
797EXT. CAMPUS, THE HUNDRED SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
798
799Excited STUDENTS deep in discussion RACE
800to lectures amidst the breathtaking fall
801foliage, as we see SEI, in uniform,
802CLIMB the steps of an enormous dormitory.
803
804INT. SEI'S ROOM, SAGE DORMITORY
805
806MESSENGER with eyes cast DOWNWARDS, waits
807and REACTS upon her arrival, delivering a
808SEALED scroll with the PALACE INSIGNIA.
809
810 THE MONK (V.O.)
811 But her true curse lay in her reciprocal
812 love.
813
814SEI RIPS the scroll OPEN and begins READING.
815
816 THE MONK (V.O.)
817 For she came to love those who fell in
818 love with her, with an equal and all
819 consuming intesity.
820
821LOOKING UP at the messenger, who WEEPS, she
822FALLS to the hard FLOOR.
823
824EXT. BATTLEGROUND OF THE WISTERIA RIVER SKIRMISH
825
826CLOSE UP on the lifeless viasge of SEI's
827husband, felled in a mighty campaign.
828
829INT. GREAT LIBRARY STUDY HALL
830
831Stacks of FOLIOS sit before SEI as she
832WRITES quickly in a manuscript.
833
834 THE MONK (V.O.)
835 To assuage her grief she plunged deep into
836 focused study. Switching from the topics
837 that had interested her before, classical
838 poetry and music, to religion and philosophy.
839
840INT. HONORARY DEBATE AUDITORIUM
841
842Two imposing INTELLECTS stand at twin lecterns
843in the midst of a heated CONTEST of WITS.
844
845TRANSFIXED, Sei sits in the front row of
846SPECTATORS, her note pad completely blank.
847
848INT. HUNDRED SCHOOLS MAIN DINING HALL
849
850BUSY dinner service is playing out with
851SERVERS, BUSERS, STUDENTS, LECTURERS,
852and DONS.
853
854All present enjoy FEASTING on suptuous spreads.
855
856Occasional TOASTS of a glass of CHERRY WINE
857are made to congratulate academic TRIUMPHS.
858
859SLOW PAN DOWN to FOCUS on Sei, with the two
860DEBATERS from before, intensely CHATTING.
861
862 THE MONK (V.O.)
863 At the time there were two main divisions
864 regarding the teaching of The Way.
865
866FOCUS on YO, one of the debaters, TALKING
867animatedly. He possesses a QUIRKY, yet
868MESMERIC demeanor.
869
870 THE MONK (V.O.)
871 "The True Path" sought to extinguish all
872 entanglements with The World. Through
873 vigorous ascetic practice and constant
874 inscribing of the Sutras, its tenets
875 sought Inner Perfection.
876
877FOCUS on UTA, Yo's rival in the forensic arts.
878Though SERENE and DETERMINED looking, his eyes
879BLAZE with MIRTHFUL energy.
880
881 THE MONK (V.O.)
882 And in the other corner, "Cosmic Oneness."
883 A teaching that sought direct experience of
884 matters unknowable by reason via chanting
885 and the occasional full moon bacchanal.
886
887EXT. ACADEMY OF PHYSICAL CULTURE
888
889Sei SITS between Uta and Yo as they boisterously
890CHEER the home team at a spirited BADMINTON match.
891
892INT. DULCET MUSICAL PAVILLION
893
894The three take in the dolorous tones of a BLIND
895TWO-STRING FIDDLE player, tears STREAMING down
896their faces.
897
898 THE MONK (V.O.)
899 Sei began to reflect on the Nature of the
900 deep Love that was blossoming between them.
901 She rationed that if she could somehow
902 give herself equally to both of them, she
903 would escape the inevitable curse of jealousy
904 that plagued her in the past.
905
906INT. DINING ROOM OF YO'S APARTMENTS
907
908Sei is serving a romantic candle-lit dinner she
909has cooked. For the three of them.
910
911As they offer a prayer, DEEP GLANCES are exchanged.
912
913INT. STUDY ROOM OF YO'S APARTMENTS
914
915 THE MONK (V.O.)
916 She even believed she had discovered a bridge
917 between the different paths guiding The Way.
918
919Sei WRITES furiously and finishes a page, PLACING
920it at the bottom of a short stack of other finished
921pages.
922
923The top sheet of paper has the TITLE:
924"The Threefold Doctrine of Compassion"
925
926Uta ENTERS and TAKES a page from the sheaf.
927He begins READING, casually at first, then INTENTLY.
928
929Yo follows in soon after, holding a tray of BARLEY TEA
930and THREE CUPS.
931
932The group LAUGHS at a COMMENT Uta makes,
933gesticulating PASSIONATELY.
934
935 THE MONK (V.O.)
936 This bliss was short lived, however.
937 For The Way is One Thing. But followers
938 of The Way, that is Another Thing altogether!
939
940EXT. COSMIC BACCHANAL
941
942In a great circle sits a THRONG of revelers
943passing an enormous BRONZE GU (long goblet) around.
944Each takes a hearty gulp before passing it onwards.
945
946DANCING and SINGING ensue among the participants.
947
948But in the midst of the frey, the three lovers QUARREL.
949
950 THE MONK (V.O.)
951 And when emotions are uninhibited by our
952 usual defenses, true character always outs!
953
954Uta and Yo take turns GRABBING Sei's arm, pulling
955her this way and that. Until she THROWS up her hands
956and LEAVES hurriedly.
957
958EXT. HILLSIDE OF FACULTY HUNTING GROUNDS
959
960PISTOLS at DAWN.
961
962Uta and Yo STAND ten paces from each other.
963And TURN to FIRE...
964
965INT. CHANCELLOR's INNER ALCOVE
966
967The college DEAN stands grim before Sei, as
968she PLEADS before him.
969
970 SEI
971 (weeping)
972 Please may I stay. I have no where else...
973
974Dean SHAKES his head "No" without looking at her,
975eyes cast downward in pity and grief over the
976entire tragic incident.
977
978 THE MONK (V.O.)
979 Giving up all hope now, Sei sought sanctuary
980 in the one place that could not refuse her.
981
982
983EXT. TEMPLE OF LAST REFUGE
984
985Sei speaks with a SUPERIOR NUN at the gate,
986pleading to be let in.
987
988The nun grudgingly ACCEPTS and the gate SLAMS
989shut behind her.
990
991 THE MONK (V.O.)
992 But even this would prove disastrous.
993
994Nun is WALKING Sei through the somewhat unkempt
995grounds.
996
997INT. HIGH PRIEST'S SANCTUM
998
999The moment the FATHER SUPERIOR is introduced
1000to Sei, a far-away LOOK comes into his
1001formerly austere GAZE.
1002
1003EXT. GARDEN OF THE POOR
1004
1005MONKS fight over who gets to FETCH Sei
1006a pale of water, pluck weeds from her pea garden.
1007
1008INT. LENDING LIBRARY
1009
1010NUNS TRANSCRIBING prayer scrolls NEGLECT their
1011work, and BICKER over who will help Sei clean
1012her ink-stained brushes.
1013
1014 THE MONK (V.O.)
1015 Sei made a vow to herself. To give herself,
1016 freely and equally now. To all who asked
1017 even the slightest thing of her. For again
1018 it was her curse to love those who loved her!
1019
1020High Priest ENTERS wishing to CONVERSE with Sei
1021and joins in the FIGHTING.
1022
1023EXT. TEMPLE REMAINS
1024
1025The former gate now lies broken. Vegetation has
1026begun to reclaim the once tended grounds.
1027
1028 THE MONK (V.O.)
1029 And when that too failed. Sei resigned herself
1030 to a life of singular hardship.
1031
1032EXT. ONYX RIVER PLATINUM MINE
1033
1034A giant manmade HORESHOE has been carved out of a
1035mammoth MOUNTAIN, with a mighty RIVER the color
1036of the night sky RUSHING beside it.
1037
1038Everywhere the signs of a great mining operation:
1039systems of pulleys, wooden derricks reaching to
1040the sky, and countless WORKERS moving endless
1041tonnage of rocks and ore.
1042
1043A FOREMAN paces before a batch of new RECRUITS.
1044
1045FOCUS on one in particular, face and hands covered
1046in cloth wrappings to protect from the sulfur fumes,
1047we see only her EYES peeking through and recognize
1048them as Sei's.
1049
1050 FOREMAN
1051 (forceful)
1052 Welcome to Hell on Earth! I don't know
1053 how you got here, and I don't care. We exist
1054 to provide the Emporer with precious platinum.
1055 And that is the only reason why we exist. So
1056 drop your Egos by the river's edge and let the
1057 current wash them away to the land of the living!
1058 For you are already dead here. And whatever sins
1059 you indulged in while alive, they are your debt
1060 now. A debt to be repayed in metal!
1061
1062MONTAGE sequence of PLATINUM REFINEMENT PROCESS,
1063from ore to finished LUSTROUS ingot.
1064
1065DIGGERS way underground PICKAXE a sparkly chunk of ore.
1066
1067LONG CHAIN of CARTERS, ROPERS, and HAULERS bring the
1068ore to the SURFACE, where it GLISTENS in the overcast sky.
1069
1070SMASHERS take turns HAMMERING the ore with immense
1071MALLETS, rendering it into tiny bits as dust
1072SPRAYS everywhere.
1073
1074GRINDERS use great circular stones to PULVERIZE what
1075remains into a fine DAZZLING powder.
1076
1077SMELTERS blow hot air using immense BELLOWS into
1078FURNACES atop which sit enormous CRUCIBLES.
1079
1080CASTERS pour the fiery liquid into open clay pots,
1081where it cools instantly. As the pots are hammered away
1082the final form is revealed: precious platinum bars...
1083
1084White gloved ATTENDANTS wipe off any stray debris and
1085carry the finished bars to the POLISHERS who WASH
1086and SHEEN the bars with fine cloths until it SHINES.
1087
1088Finally they are carried one-buy-one past a row of
1089BOOKKEEPERS with great leather-bound LEDGERS in which
1090they record every detail, and placed in the VAULT,
1091where MILLIONS of bars lie stacked to the ceiling!
1092
1093QUICK PAN BACK to new recruits, looking anxious or
1094resigned, except Sei, whose luminous eyes reveal a
1095look of RELIEF as she leats out a DEEP SIGH.
1096
1097INT. WORKER's TENT - EVENING
1098
1099A MEDIC makes the rounds of laborers, who after a
1100long day of mining, are full of complaints.
1101
1102The medic holds a great bucket of PANTHER BALM
1103and a HORSE HAIR BRUSH that seems to be his cure
1104all for every ailment.
1105
1106One unwraps the rags he has around his hands that
1107function as makeshift gloves, revealing CRACKED
1108and BLISTERED skin which the medic swipes with
1109his brush dipped liberally in the ointment.
1110
1111When the medic gets to Sei, her face still covered,
1112she shakes her head "No" and looks away as he moves
1113down the row.
1114
1115INT WORKER'S TENT - LATE NIGHT
1116
1117SNORES of sleeping laborers fill the tent.
1118
1119As Sei, wide awake, removes the rags from her own
1120hands.
1121
1122Instead of the rough, calloused skin we are expecting.
1123They are flawless in complexion.
1124
1125Sei BURIES her uncovered face in her perfect,
1126beautiful hands, and begins SILENTLY WEEPING.
1127
1128EXT. MINE RIVER BANK - DEMOLITION SITE
1129
1130Foreman DIRECTS a crew setting up a SHAPE CHARGE to
1131blow a new section of the mountain for excavation.
1132
1133They PLACE the charge with utmost CAUTION, aware
1134of their PROXIMITY to the rushing waters.
1135
1136Many meters down stream from the site, Sei WASHES
1137a set of excavation tools in a gully.
1138
1139Crew scatters to positions along the bank of the
1140river as Foreman BEGINS a COUNT DOWN.
1141
1142ZOOM IN on the dynamite as we hear:
1143
1144 FOREMAN
1145 Three! Two! One! BLAST IT!!!
1146
1147But before he finishes, the charge TIPS OVER
1148in the final second and LIES FLAT in its enclosure.
1149
1150SCREAMS of caution from the assembled crew, but
1151it is too late!
1152
1153EXPLOSION rips away from the mountain, TOSSING
1154some of the crew into the RAPIDS!
1155
1156As they are HURLED down stream at break neck
1157speeds, some try to LATCH on to the banks.
1158
1159But others, SWEPT in the mighy current, go DOWN
1160and are never seen again.
1161
1162Sei now RUNS to the edge and SEES Foreman
1163passing, she STRETCHES out her arm.
1164
1165Grown STRONG from her labors, she is able
1166with great combined EFFORT, to pull him
1167ashore.
1168
1169SOAKED but alive, he sits PANTING in the mud.
1170His expression of GRATITUDE begins MELTING
1171into something DEEPER.
1172
1173Sei LIFTS her hands to her face and relaizes
1174with HORROR, her mask and scarves have
1175WASHED AWAY in the TUSSLE.
1176
1177EXT. ABANDONED PLATINUM MINE
1178
1179Collapsed into the mountain, the REMNANTS of
1180the once productive operation are now vacated.
1181
1182BROKEN tools and wood scaffolds BURNT to cinders
1183are all that remains.
1184
1185The sound of FOOTSTEPS approach as the SCOUTS
1186of an INVADING ARMY claim the mine, PLANTING
1187a BANNER in its scarred earth.
1188
1189 THE MONK (V.O.)
1190 It was at this point in her tale,
1191 destiny saw fit to cross our paths.
1192
1193EXT. LOTUS LAKE
1194
1195Sei, more LOVELY than ever, APPEARS at
1196the water's edge.
1197
1198DRESSED in a pure white robe of PONGEE SILK
1199she GAZES out into the water.
1200
1201FLOATING on a giant LILY PAD, surrounded by
1202LOTUS BLOSSOMS in the peak of full bloom
1203sits The Monk!
1204
1205Older now, in brilliant SAFFRON ROBES,
1206head fully SHAVED but still recognizable.
1207
1208He flawlessly EXECUTES his classic
1209Lotus-position MEDITATION STANCE.
1210
1211The water surrounding him lies UTTERLY STILL.
1212
1213 LAKE MONK
1214 You have come here to end all
1215 suffering. Is that not right?
1216
1217 SEI
1218 Some are beyond saving.
1219
1220She takes a single STEP into the lake,
1221sending a long SLOW RIPPLE across its
1222surface, colliding with the monk's seat.
1223
1224REFRACTING ripples BOUNCE in all directions
1225as a slight GUST OF AIR blows Sei's long
1226hair from her eyes, REVEALING her full face
1227to the monk's gaze.
1228
1229 LAKE MONK
1230 (his breath catching)
1231 Water Nymph!
1232
1233The immaculate and perfect BALANCE the monk
1234was previously attaining on his delicate
1235lily pad is being slightly UPENDED by his
1236LOSS OF CONCENTRATION.
1237
1238The LILY PAD begins to SLOSH about,
1239SINKING slightly into the perturbated water.
1240
1241 SEI
1242 (tiniest whisper)
1243 No!
1244
1245The monk FOCUSES and REGAINS his concentration.
1246His BALANCE and POWER are REVITALIZED!
1247
1248 LAKE MONK
1249 (knowingly)
1250 No.
1251
1252Sei takes another STEP in to the lake.
1253
1254 SEI
1255 (preternaturally calm)
1256 Gentle Monk, I am sorry you must
1257 bear witness to my fate...
1258
1259 LAKE MONK
1260 Jealousy has been your handmaid
1261 since birth. Strife and chaos
1262 your constant companions.
1263
1264 SEI
1265 (resigned)
1266 And destruction...devastation!
1267
1268 LAKE MONK
1269 Even Death! Say no more...
1270
1271Sei now WAIST DEEP continues ADVANCING.
1272
1273 SEI
1274 Can you understand, Wise Monk?
1275 Why I must do this? Before I
1276 bring about the End of All Life?
1277
1278 LAKE MONK
1279 I understand...
1280 (beat)
1281 But please, wait one minute more.
1282 For what is one minute of Joy by the lake?
1283 Compared to one thousand centuries
1284 in Form-less Limbo!
1285
1286With the water UP TO her shoulders, Sei
1287SHIVERS slightly from the temperature,
1288as she STEELS herself for the FINAL PLUNGE.
1289
1290 SEI
1291 Goodbye, Honorable Monk.
1292
1293But, she PAUSES.
1294
1295 LAKE MONK
1296 "Only a living corpse neither advances
1297 nor retreats!"
1298
1299 SEI
1300 If you don't mind? This is no time
1301 for koans. A bit of silence respectfully...
1302
1303 LAKE MONK
1304 Well, get on with it then!
1305
1306 SEI
1307 Pardon me?
1308
1309 LAKE MONK
1310 (pensive)
1311 I was an orphan you know, and entered the
1312 Temple as a baby.
1313
1314 SEI
1315 Would you kindly shut up?
1316
1317 LAKE MONK
1318 My Master! Nothing phased him back then!
1319 Not even the Great Typhoon!
1320
1321 SEI
1322 If only I could be so determined.
1323
1324 LAKE MONK
1325 It was the first thing I remember.
1326 A Novice came to my Master in tears.
1327 He said he had contemplated The Way for
1328 three whole weeks! Pausing only to sleep.
1329 And since he still had not found His Path,
1330 he must return to his village in shame!
1331 But my Master told him: "meditate three
1332 more days, and if you still don't find it,
1333 kill yourself!"
1334
1335 SEI
1336 That's horrible! Why are you telling me this?
1337
1338 LAKE MONK
1339 Because at that very moment, the student was
1340 Enlightened!
1341
1342 SEI
1343 (softening)
1344 Really?
1345
1346 LAKE MONK
1347 Sei?
1348
1349 SEI
1350 Yes?
1351
1352 LAKE MONK
1353 Have you ever tried not hiding your
1354 Dharma?
1355
1356 SEI
1357 Not "hiding my Dharma?"
1358
1359 LAKE MONK
1360 You have allowed every one else to love you.
1361 And loved every one reciprocally.
1362 But have you ever tried loving your Self
1363 as others have fallen in Love with you?
1364
1365 SEI
1366 (long pause)
1367 That's your teaching?
1368
1369 LAKE MONK
1370 Didn't work? You're still going to...
1371
1372 SEI
1373 (laughing)
1374 You may be the worst monk in history!
1375
1376 LAKE MONK
1377 I try.
1378
1379 SEI
1380 No. Not really.
1381
1382Sei now CLOSES her eyes, her lips tight, READY.
1383
1384But immediately OPENS them again at the sound
1385of a GIANT SPLASH.
1386
1387The monk has LEAPED into the water!
1388
1389He makes his way through the shoulder-high
1390lake APPROACHING Sei, who is STUNNED.
1391He TAKES her hand UNDER the WATER.
1392
1393 LAKE MONK
1394 Come.
1395
1396 SEI
1397 Where?
1398
1399 LAKE MONK
1400 To Pureland!
1401
1402 SEI
1403 Where is Pureland?
1404
1405 LAKE MONK
1406 Beyond Time and Space! No one will
1407 bother you there! It is place devoid of
1408 jealousy, corruption, even sin! Come!
1409
1410He LEADS her out of the WATER and onto
1411the SHORE, where two HORSES are waiting.
1412
1413Sei notices, they are both COMPLETELY DRY!
1414
1415 SEI
1416 How far is it?
1417
1418EXT. GREAT DESERT
1419
1420TELESCOPE SHOT of two horse back riders
1421pounding at full gallop through the alien terrain.
1422
1423EXT. TEMPLE OF TRUTH IN BEAUTY, PURELAND
1424
1425Perfect GIANT PYRAMID nestled in an EDENIC OASIS.
1426
1427At its APEX, the GLOWING All-Seeing Eye!
1428
1429And as its congregants: the IRREGULARS,
1430the OUTCASTS, the MISFITS, and the FORGOTTON ONES.
1431
1432All those who feel they do not BELONG in this World!
1433
1434X-RAY ZOOM PAN THROUGH the pyramid walls and into:
1435
1436INT. HALL OF WONDERS
1437
1438Here are GATHERED the BLESSED and STRANGE
1439ARCANA of this World!
1440
1441A MUSEUM of UNEXPLANABLE NATURAL PHENOMENA.
1442
1443For how better to UNLOCK the SECRETS of LIFE
1444than DELVING into its most MYSTERIOUS subjects!
1445
1446HOLY MONK sits OBSERVING, arrayed in robes
1447woven with PLATINUM threads.
1448
1449SEI SITS next to him, a Water Nymph come to Life!
1450
1451A faint HALO of GOLD FORMS around HOLY MONK'S
1452bald head.
1453
1454His THIRD EYE of KARMIC CONSCIOUSNESS OPENS...
1455
1456And He ASCENDS to the HIGHEST SEAT in the
1457PANTHEON of ETERNAL KNOWING by the DIN of
1458his RESOUNDING SPLENDOR!
1459
1460SMASH CUT BACK TO: MONK"S MOUNTAIN LEDGE
1461
1462 THE GIRL
1463 (emotional)
1464 I understand...
1465
1466 THE MONK
1467 Then you know. I never was at Lotus Lake
1468 that fateful day.
1469
1470 THE GIRL
1471 (sobbing)
1472 I understand, Master!
1473
1474 THE MONK
1475 We never made it to any "pure land."
1476
1477EXT. SHALLOW WATER
1478
1479Under the SURFACE we make out the FACE of
1480Sei with eyes CLOSED.
1481
1482SERENE. Finally at PEACE.
1483
1484SUDDENLY, the eyes OPEN.
1485
1486SLOW DISSOLVE.
1487
1488SOME MOMENTS LATER.
1489
1490EXT. MONK'S LEDGE
1491
1492The girl GATHERS the intricate RICE PAPER
1493and FLAX RIBBON PACKAGES of provisions
1494the monk has MADE for her.
1495
1496 THE MONK
1497 If it helps...
1498 I still don't really understand, "Why?"
1499
1500 THE GIRL
1501 "The Way is One Thing..."
1502
1503 THE MONK
1504 "And followers of The Way, quite another"
1505 Yes.
1506
1507 THE GIRL
1508 Like your former student?
1509
1510 THE MONK
1511 (shocked)
1512 What?
1513
1514 THE GIRL
1515 Your former apprentice.
1516 The one they call "Lo."
1517 The one you threw down the mountain...
1518
1519 THE MONK
1520 I never...
1521 (wistful)
1522 Lo...
1523 Let's just say, I wished we shared a
1524 different fate. It did not need to end
1525 the way it did...
1526
1527 THE GIRL
1528 Then why don't you tell him yourself.
1529
1530 THE MONK
1531 What? Do you mean...
1532 Tell him...
1533 (realizing)
1534
1535The CLOUDS break now, and pure sunlight,
1536unscattered by the thin climate, begins to
1537BATHE his penitent face.
1538
1539 THE MONK (CONT'D)
1540 Where is he?
1541
1542 THE GIRL
1543 Down below.
1544
1545She turns now, WALKS determinedly toward the ledge.
1546And BRACES her courage for the rough return.
1547
1548 THE GIRL (CONT'D)
1549 Who do you think told me about you?
1550
1551KNEELING over the ledge, she LOWERS one foot down
1552to what we can only imagine to be a most
1553precipitous DESCENT.
1554
1555 THE GIRL
1556 (turning back)
1557 He's waiting for you...
1558
1559As she DISAPPEARS over the edge, THE MONK begins
1560to STAND. SHAKING first the LEFT LEG then the
1561RIGHT LEG out.
1562
1563He performs a few WRESTLER-STYLE ceremonial
1564SQUATS for show.
1565
1566Then SAUNTERS right up to the very TIP of the ledge.
1567
1568Harsh ROCK meets brillant cobalt blue SKY that
1569is now CLOUDLESS and ABLAZE with sunlight.
1570
1571A DEEP BREATH.
1572
1573Arms LIFTED in flawless SUN SALUTATION.
1574
1575Before THE MONK executes a perfect SWAN DIVE
1576off the cliff, and DOWN the mountain.
1577
1578 FADE OUT.
1579
1580BEGIN EPISODE TWO TEASER
1581
1582EXT. MEDIEVAL FRANCE, THE BATTLE OF RHIEMS
1583
1584DRUMS OF WAR resound.
1585
1586PAN ZOOM BACKWARDS through the magnificent hosts
1587of the ROYAL FRENCH ARMY.
1588
1589As the CAMERA moves we PROGRESS steadily higher
1590through the HIERARCHY of RANKS.
1591
1592Past the DRUMMERS and COLOR GUARD bringing up
1593the rear.
1594
1595Through the INFANTRY, the CANNONS, the ARROWS
1596and the DRAGOONS.
1597
1598Then on to the LANCERS and the IMPERIAL GUARD.
1599
1600Until we reach the HIGH COMMAND, NOBLEMAN all.
1601
1602And in the center, the HAND of GOD, the KING himself.
1603
1604Keep moving, slower now, several yards in front,
1605to REVEAL: THE GIRL!
1606
1607On horseback, dressed in a CHAIN MAIL suit,
1608draped in a white BRIGANDINE CLOTH covering.
1609Embossed with a giant corn flower blue
1610FLEUR DE LIS in its center.
1611
1612She PLANTS a flag in the wet Earth.
1613
1614UNSHEATHS a giant BROAD SWORD.
1615
1616And as she RAISES it to the SKY.
1617
1618UNLEASHES the cry that has been used to rally
1619the hearts of Frenchmen since they took
1620their country from the ROMANS:
1621
1622"MONTJOIE SAINT-DENIS!"
1623
1624END EPISODE TWO TEASER
1625
1626
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