The following is not a novelization or an actual script but a dry transcript of the aired episode that includes accurate word-to-word dialogues, settings descriptions, action scenes and/or camera movements where the transcriber felt they were necessary. This transcript is posted on "TWIZ TV.COM" in world wide web exclusivity by courtesy of MM.
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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

 

(Quick shot of a Woman working out with Tom and Master Li observing)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Parking Lot

 

(It's raining outside.  A man gets out of a car and starts walking towards the building.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

 

(Cut back to the  woman working out.  The camera starts to circle the room and we see that the rest of the class is watching as well.  When the camera comes back to Tom and Master Li, we can see the man from the parking lot standing behind them.  They are not aware the man is there yet.)

Tom:  Very nice, Jade.

Master Li:  Yes.

(The rest of the class applauds, very impressed with her performance.  Tom looks over his shoulder, but sees no one there.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Parking Lot

(The class is over and everyone is leaving.  Trip runs to catch up with Tory.)

Trip:  Tortellini.

Tory:  What?

Trip:  I'm guessing your favorite pasta.

Tory:  Why, are you taking my order? 

Trip:  Actually, I'm uh working tomorrow night and I was wondering you wanted to come by after we close and maybe get a late bite.  Go to a club or something? 

Tory:  Alright, sure.  It sounds like fun.

Trip:  Cool.  Say around ten?

Tory:  Ten it is.  (She starts her bike, then turns back to Trip.)  Actually, it's lasagna. 

Scene:  Tom's Home

 

Master Li:  Your students have shown much progress, Young Tom.  You've trained them well. 

Tom:  Well, I had a pretty good teacher.

(They both laugh, but stop when they see the man from the parking lot standing there.)

Man:  Please forgive me Father. 

(The man bows down to the ground and repeats a phrase in Chinese.  Both Tom and Master Li look surprised.)

[Opening Credits]

Scene:  Continued From Before

 

Son:  Please forgive me Tom.  I would never enter your home uninvited.  I thought my father was still living here. 

Master Li:  When I retired last year, I gave the school to Tom.

Son:  Of course.  Without a son to accept the responsibility of carrying on the family tradition.  I understand. 

Master Li:  Tom has my complete confidence.

Son:  He always did.  My father used to say 'with age comes understanding.'  I hope I can make up for the way I've acted in the past, Father.  It's good to see you again, Father.  (The nod their heads to each other in a slight bow.)  It's good to see you too, Tom.  (The semi-bow as well.) 

Scene:  A Room In Tom's Home

(Trip is rolling a sleeping bag out onto a couch.)

Tom:  Are you sure you don't mind giving up your room?

Trip:  No, no that's cool.

Tom:  Jing is Master Li's son and tradition demands that we show him the proper respect.  Which includes giving him a place to stay.

Trip:  Oh, trust me.  All I need is a pillow and a blanket and I'm good to go.  So uh, what's the deal with this Jing guy?

Tom:  Well, we used to train together in Hong Kong when Master Li still had a school there.

Trip:  Were you two friends?

Tom:  I wouldn't exactly call us friends.  You know, we, we got along.  But uh, Jing started hanging out with the wrong crowd and he left the school, which really hurt Master Li. 

Trip:  What about now?

Tom:  Hopefully, he's changed.

Scene:  Marina Part High- Lockers

 

(Ali and Nick are both at their lockers across the hall from each other.  Ali glances at him and looks away quickly when he sees her.)

Nick:  I saw that.

Ali:  Saw what?

Nick:  You looking at me.

Ali:  I was not looking at you.

Nick:  Yeah you were. 

Ali:  You're delusional. 

(Ali starts walking down the hall and Nick follows her.)

Nick:  It's cool.  I don't mind.

Ali:  I was looking at the doorway which I was gonna use to get to my next class.

Nick:  Which is in the opposite direction. 

(Ali turns around and starts walking the other way.  Nick follows again, catching up to her.)

Nick:  Look, why don't we just skip the games and hang out tonight?

Ali:  No offence, Nick.  I may not know you, but I know you. 

Nick:  Really.

Ali:  I've dated guys like you.  You'll toy with me for a little while and then you'll move on to your next conquest.  I've made a lot of bad decisions in my life and you are just another one waiting to happen. 

(Nick lets Ali walk away, but not without getting the last word in.)

Nick:  Hey Ali, maybe walking away is the bed decision.

(Ali stops, shrugs, and keeps going.)

Scene:  Marina Park High- Gym

(Dance squad practice.  Bryan is working the music.  The girls are working on a new routine.)

Ali:  Alright.  Step, kick, step, look.  Then we can go hit, hit, hip roll, hip roll.

(Ali and another girl, Maya, do the combination again, sometimes saying the steps to themselves, sometimes not.) 

Bryan:  Yeah, that was cool girls. 

Maya:  Thanks.  (To the squad)  Take five.  (She goes over to Bryan to talk about his music)  Did you burn that one?

Bryan:  On my heart, Baby.

Maya:  How do you keep us all straight?

(A guy walks into the gym and sees Bryan and the Maya talking.)

Bryan:  What, the dance squad?

Maya:  No, all the girls you pretend to be in love with. 

Bryan:  Now that's cold, Maya.  You know there's only one girl, and I ain't pretending.

Maya:  Oh yeah?  Who?

Bryan:  You know you're going out with me. 

Maya:  That's not gonna happen.

Ali:  You ready?

(Maya goes back to the practice.)

Bryan:  Now look, I'm just gonna keep asking 'till you say yes.

Maya:  (To the squad)  Okay, let's go.  Five six seven eight.

(Bryan starts the music again and the girls go back to working on the combination.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

(Tom enters and sees Jing working out.  Tom lets him finish before speaking.)

Tom:  I see you haven't lost a step. 

Jing:  You've done some good things here, with my father's school, Tom.  Can I ask something of you?  It would be a great favor if you allowed me to teach your class the evening.  Perhaps your students could benefit from what I have to share. 

Tom:  Of course.  I would be honored.

Jing:  Thank you.

Scene:  Marina Park High- Gym

 

(Ali is helping Bryan with his music equipment.  Bryan sees Maya across the room.  She turns and smiles at him, the keeps walking with her friend.) 

Bryan:  So what’s the story with Maya?  I asked her out and she turned me down stone cold.  I thought she liked me. 

Ali:  Look.  I know she likes you.

Bryan:  Really?

(Ali looks like she's about to tell him something but stops and looks around first.  Her eyes land on the wrestles practicing in one part of the gym.)

Ali:  She had this boyfriend, Zack, and he's really possessive.  She keeps trying to break up with him, but he won't let her go.

Bryan:  But she's done with him though, right?

Ali:  Maya?  Yeah.

Bryan:  Then I don't get it.  What's the problem?

Zack:  Hey.  If it isn't the little dance squad bitch.  Stay away from Maya.

Bryan:  Look, I don't think that's your call.  Why don't you take off, man?

Zack:  Yeah? 

(Zack shoves Bryan and they start to get into a fight.  The wrestling coach comes and breaks it up.)

Coach:  Hey hey hey hey hey!  That's enough!  (To Bryan)  Get out of here!

Bryan:  He started it!

Coach:  Go!

Zack:  Later, dance boy.

(Coach gives Zack a push back to the rest of the wrestlers.)

Bryan:  Yeah, that's could be a problem.

Ali:  Yeah. 

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

(Everyone is standing, listening to Tom.)

Tom:  It's on honor to introduce to you Master Li's son, Jung Li.  Now in our art we show respect to our masters first, the family of our masters second and the senior students next.  Might be a little hard for you to understand the importance of this tradition but I learned it from Master Li, who learned it from his father, who learned it from his father before him.  Jing.

Jing:  Thank you. 

(Jing bows to Tom and moves to the center of the room.)

Jing:  We'll begin with the application of the snake technique. 

(Jing gestures for Trip to come forward and with a little hesitation, he does.  He starts the technique)

Jing:  Attack!

(Trip wasn't expecting this.  He looks to Tom for the okay and gets it.  Jing quickly gets the upper hand and drops Trip on his back.)

Jing:  Get up.  (Trip slowly does.)  When I say attack, that means attack.  Don't hold back.  Everything in martial arts is real.  Now, attack.

(Trip does, but Jing hits him in the shoulder.  Trip attacks again and holds his own a little better, but is eventually thrown to the floor. 

Nick:  Oh. . .whoa.

Jing:  Do you have a problem?

Nick:  Yeah, that was a little harsh, man. 

Jing:  Never question your senior.  Leave the class.

Nick:  Excuse me?

Jing:  Leave.  (Nick laughs.)  Think about the concept of respect before you come back tomorrow.

Nick:  Whatever. 

Jing:  Let's continue.

Scene:  Martial Arts School

(Jing is working with a punching bag in an area of the school that leads outside.  Tom finds him.)

Tom:  You know, you might wanna ease the students into your way of doing things.

Jing:  It's not my way.  It's our way.  At least it used to be.  Now if you'll excuse me.

Scene:  The Restaurant Where Trip Works

(Tory, Ali and Brian enter the restaurant.)

Trip:  Hey.

Tory:  Hey, I'm starving.  Can we still get some food?

Trip:  Yeah, let me just check with the cook.  (Trip is surprised to see Bryan and Ali there.)

(Tory, Ali and Bryan go to sit down but Trip grabs Bryan by the shoulder and holds him back.)

Trip:  Bry, can I uh, can I talk to you for a sec?

Bryan:  Yeah, what's up man?

Trip:  What's going on?  I mean, this was supposed to be a date.

Bryan:  Don't blame me, she invited me.  And she invited Ali already before that, man. 

Trip:  Man, she keeps doing this.  Every time we go out we're never alone. 

Bryan:  Yeah?  I've seen the scenario before.  It's pretty bleak. 

Trip:  What are you talking about?

Bryan:  She's seeing you as a friend, man.  You're only three hours away from shoe shopping.

Trip:  Shoe shopping? 

Bryan:  As soon as she takes you shoe shopping, you become an accessory like her best gay pal or her favorite handbag or something.  Any window of romantic possibility is slammed shut.

Scene:  Tom's Kitchen

(Tom and Trip are there making breakfast.)

Tom:  Oh, how did your date with Tory go?

Trip:  She showed up with Bryan and Ali.

Tom:  Well, maybe she didn't know it was a date?

Trip:  No.  I mean, she had to.  It's not like I was being ambiguous or anything.  You know I'm wondering now if she just wants us to be friends. 

Tom:  Well, if you're serious about her, ask her out again.  But make it clear that she knows it just going to be the two of you. 

Trip:  Right.

Tom:  Gotta be specific.

Scene:  Waterfront

 

Jing:  I have something to show you, Father. 

(They sit and Jing hands Master Li a photo.)

Jing:  The next generation.  My son, your grandson, Kai.

(Master Li seems happy to hear this.)

Master Li:  Kai.

Jing:  He's what changed me.  I want Kai to have what I have.  A father to be proud of.  A father to respect.

Master Li:  Is there a wife?

(Jing hands his father another picture.)

Jing:  If I can make this school successful, I can bring my family here.  Our family.

Scene:  Martial Arts School

 

Master Li:  Tom, there is something I need to tell you.  Jing Li has come to take his place as the head of the school. 

Tom:  That's why he's here?

Master Li:  It is our tradition.

Tom:  Right.

(Master Li leaves Tom to process what this means.)

[Commercial Break]

Scene:  Marina Park High- Cafeteria

(Bryan enters and sits down at Maya's table.)

Bryan:  Whatcha reading?

Maya:  Shakespeare.  A thing for class.

Bryan:  Hmm Hamlet.  To be or not to be, yeah that is the question.

Bryan:  That part I get.  It's the rest of it that's confusing.

Bryan:  It's easy.  Do you give up when life deals you problems or do you fight back and try to change things?

Maya:  Why doesn't he just say that?

Bryan:  Hey look, Maya, I'm not afraid of Zack and you shouldn't be either. 

Maya:  I gotta finish this.

Bryan:  Look, I just gotta know if you've moved on.

Maya:  I have so moved on, but he hasn't, okay.  So please Bryan, just leave me alone. 

Bryan:  Give us a chance Maya, we're good together.

(Maya gets up and leaves.)

Scene:  Marina Park High- Lockers

Music:  "On A High" by Duncan Sheik.

(Tory is struggling to pull books out of her locker when Trip comes up to her.)

Tory:  Hi.  Every year I vow to keep a clean locker and then this happens. 

Trip:  Hey uh, you know Enter The Dragon's playing at The Vogue Theater tonight?

Tory:  I love that movie.

Trip:  We should go see it.

Tory:  Definitely.  After class.  I bet Bryan and Ali would love it.  We could invite Nick, too.

Trip:  Yeah actually um, I was thinking it might be the two of us.

Tory:  Oh.

Trip:  Just you and me.  (After a long pause.)  So we on?

Tory:  (Pauses)  Sure. 

Trip:  Great.

Scene:  Marina Park High- Classroom

Teacher:  (on the phone)  Uh huh.  Yeah.  Okay.  Thanks.  (Hangs up the phone.)  Ali, you've got an emergency phone call in the principal's office. 

(Ali gets out of her seat and leaves the room.)

Ali:  Thanks.

Teacher:  Thanks.

Scene:  Marina Park High- Office

(A secretary hands Ali a phone.)

Ali:  Hello?

Nick:  Hey.

Ali:  Who is this?

Nick:  Look out the window.

(Ali sees Nick calling from a pay phone, holding up Chinese take out)

Nick:  I got us lunch, I thought we could go hang out.

Ali:  I'm in school.

Nick:  Not anymore.  You have a 'family emergency.'

Ali:  Goodbye Nick.

Nick:  Whoa whoa whoa, you are tense.  I know what, I know some shiatsu techniques-

(Ali hangs up the phone.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Offices/Hallway

 

(Trip walks down the hallway and stops when he hears a voice coming from one of the offices.  Trip looks in and sees Jing on the phone, speaking in Chinese.  Jing finishes his call and pulls out a duffel bag.  He folds up an official looking piece of paper then catches Trip spying.  Jing opens the door farther to confront Trip, who hurriedly tried to make it look like he wasn't spying.)

Trip:  How you doing?  Bathroom's all yours if you need it. 

Jing:  Thank you.

Trip:  No problem.

Scene:  Tory's Room/Vogue Theater

 

(Tory's dialing her cell phone, calling Trip.  The switches back and forth between Tory's Room and the theater, where Trip is waiting outside, depending on who's talking)

Trip:  (Answering his phone.)  Hello?

Tory:  Trip, hey.  I tried calling you a ton.  I must have just missed you. 

Trip:  What's going on?

Tory:  Well my Aunt Sophie got called away on business last minute and her babysitter bagged out on her.

Trip:  Oh.

Tory:  You're not mad, are you?

Trip:  Don't worry about it.

(Despite what he says, he really is mad.  He hangs up his phone and leaves.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

 

(Tom and Jing are talking.)

Tom:  I was thinking, in the interest of a smooth transition, you might allow me to stay on and teach with you. 

Jing:  No.  I think a clean break would be in everyone's best interest, Tom. 

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

 

(The class is standing shoulder to shoulder while Jing is pacing in front of them.)

Jing:  My style of instruction is different than what you're used to.  My father used to tell us 'what does no adapt, does not survive.'  Train your body to be strong.  Train your mind to be stronger.  (Jing stops in front of Nick.)  You. 

(They move to the center of the room.)

Jing:  Is your mind strong?

Nick:  Strong enough.

Jing:  Good.  Horse dance, left arm to right. 

(The do the combination.  The scene becomes something of montage without music.)

Jing:  One two three.  (They switch arms after every count of three.)  One two three.  Good, faster.  One two three.  One two three.  One two three.  One two three. One two three.

(At some point it stops being just Nick and Jing working, but everyone has paired off and is working while Jing counts.)

Jing:  One two three.  One two three.  One two three. 

(They cut and they're doing another combination.)

Jing:  Double up.  One two three.

(Cut to later.  Now the class is holding bricks in outstretched hands and the legs spread wide, bending at the knees, with Jing walking among them.)

Jing:  Lower.  Wider stance.  Toes in.

(Nick has had enough.  He throws his bricks to the ground and stands up.)

Nick:  (As he's leaving.)  This is stupid.  You get off on torturing men, that's your business. 

Jing:  You think you know anything about martial arts?

Nick:  (Stops.)  Yeah.  Do you?

Jing:  Show me.

(A few more bricks drop and the challenge catches people's interest.  Nick kicks and Jing ducks.  Jing drops Nick to the ground.  Nick gets back up.)

Nick:  Keep it coming.

(Jing kicks and Nick is back on the ground, bleeding.)

Jing:  Class, fall back.

(No one moves.)

Jing:  Now!  Now, let's go!

(They slowly start to pick up their bricks.  Nick is still on the ground.)

Scene:  Tom's Home

 

(Trip, Tory, Ali and Bryan are all talking to Tom about Jing.)

Trip:  How can you let him do this?

Tom:  I don't like this any more than you do.

Bryan:  Then tell this yo-yo to hit the highway.

Tom:  I can't. 

Tory:  I thought Master Li gave you the school.

Tom:  To run, not to own.  It still belongs to him.  He inherited it from his father who inherited it from his father.

Tory:  So Jing gets it, no matter what. 

Tom:  Every fundamental of our art is based on two things.  Tradition and respect.  I was taught that every single day of my life.

Tory:  Yeah, but it's wrong here.

Tom:  I know it's wrong.  I mean, imagine you woke up one day and the force of gravity pulled you up instead of down.  That's kinda how I feel right now.

Tory:  Why can't you start a new place? 

Tom:  Look, I don't have the money.  And it's not about that anyway.  It's not a business to me. 

Bryan:  Well look, if you can't stay, then we can't stay either. 

Tory:  With this guy?  No way.

Bryan:  For real, I'm out of here.

(All of them get up and walk out.)

Tom:  I understand

[Commercial Break]

Scene:  Marina Park High- Outside

 

(Ali and Trip are walking together.)

Ali:  I just can't believe it's over.  Is Tom really gonna just walk away?

Trip:  I don't know, but I don't trust this Jing guy.  He's up to something. 

Ali:  How do you know?

Trip:  Well, I saw him kind of-

(Nick runs up behind them and puts his around their shoulders and falls into step between them.)

Nick:  What are we talking about, guys?

Trip:  Nothing.

Ali:  We're talking about Jing. 

Nick:  Ah, my good buddy Jing.  You know, if he hadn't gotten in that lucky shot, I think I had him. 

Ali:  What were you going to say, Trip?

Trip:  Well, he was acting all suspicious, talking on phone in Chinese.

Nick:  Hmm, maybe because he is Chinese.  (Nick laughs.)  What'd you hear?

Trip:  Like I said, it was in Chinese.  They seemed to be arguing about these papers that he keeps locked up in some sort of a bag. 

Nick:  So. . .let's get into the bag and see what he's up to.

Trip:  I'm gonna go looting around in his stuff!

Nick:  Well, he's staying in your room, right?  Come on, let's go.

Trip:  Tom asked me to respect Jing. 

Nick:  Don't confuse loyalty with blind obedience, dude.

Trip:  Yeah, whatever.  Dude.  See ya, Ali.

Ali:  Bye.

(Trip leaves.)

Nick:  So what do you say, wanna find out what Jing's up to? Hmm?  Come on.

(Nick grabs her arm and pulls her with him.)

Scene:  Tom's Place/Outside

(Tom is at home calling Beth.  She's outside and answers her cell.  It cuts back and forth between speakers.)

Beth:  Hello?

Tom:  Beth.

Beth:  Tom, what's going on?

Tom:  I just wanna know if we can get together to talk. 

Scene:  Downtown

 

Tom:  So what do I do?  Do I just walk away from the school?

Beth:  That kinda depends on what you want.

Tom:  At first I thought it was just something to do until I got settled in, but then the kids started coming in and I could see I was making a difference.  I know now that this is exactly what I wanna do with my life. 

Beth:  Look, all your life you've beat the odds.  You've fought back.  You have to again.  Don't desert these kids.

Tom:  You're right. 

Scene:  Marina Park High- Lockers

 

(Trip is at his locker and Tory comes up to him.)

Tory:  Hey Trip.

Trip:  How you doing?

Tory:  Did you maybe wanna do something tonight? 

Trip:  I don't think I can.

(He walks away and Tory follows him.)

Tory:  Look, I'm sorry about the other night.  I really had to baby-sit.  But I'm free tonight so I thought maybe we could get a pizza or something. 

Trip:  Who?  Me, you, and your five closest friends?

Tory:  What's that supposed to mean?

Trip:  It means it's crystal clear, Tory.  You don't wanna be alone with me.  You'd rather be in a nice safe big group where you can hide.  So next time we go on a date give me some advance notice so I have time to book the minibus and the corsage.  (Leaves)

Tory:  I said I was sorry.

Scene:  Marina Park High- Gym

 

(Maya's stretching and Bryan bends down to talk to her.)

 

Maya:  So we cool?

Bryan:  Of course we're cool.  Hey, I got this CD I want you to listen to.

Maya:  Okay. 

(Zack sees them talking and comes over.  He's angry.  Bryan and Maya see him and stand up.)

Bryan:  Hey my man.  Hey, you wanna come join the dance bitches?  We got an opening.

Zack:  Oh, that's funny chump. 

Maya:  Don't, Bryan.

Bryan:  Hey look, I can handle this. 

Maya:  Yeah right.  You guys are great at handling it. 

(Bryan and Zack are circling each other.)

Bryan:  People around here look up to you Zack.  Why don't you show everybody that you're a man.  You don't need to fight me.

Zack:  Why don't you quit running your mouth?  See, I know why you're doing it.  You're too much of a little puss to get it on. 

Bryan:  Look, she passed on you bro.  It's hurts, I know it hurts man.  But it happens to all of us.  If it ain't me, it'd be somebody else.  Just turn around and walk away.  Show 'em it's over because you say it's over. 

(Zack decks Bryan.  Half the crowd laughs and the other half sympathizes with Bryan.  Maya comes back to Bryan.)

Zack:  You're right.  It's over.

Maya:  Baby are you alright? 

(Bryan smiles at her.)

Scene:  The Restaurant Where Trip Works

 

(Tory is walking down the sidewalk.  Cut to inside, Trip waiting on a table.)

Trip:  Sorry guys.  I got your menus.  How's everybody doing tonight?  Good?

(Cut back outside.  Tory is watching Trip through a window.  Cut back inside.)

Trip:  (To the people at the table.)  Nobody even gave you any water.  I'll be right back with that. 

(Tory walks away.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Outside

 

(it's night.  Nick is standing outside by the waterfront, waiting for Ali.  He's wearing dark clothes.  There a rustle in the bushes and Ali appears.  She shines her flashlight at him.)

Ali:  Hi. 

(Nick uses his flashlight and shines it up and down her clothes (all black complete with a knit hat) and bursts out laughing.)

Nick:  Very inconspicuous.  It's not a jewel heist.  But I am touched that you put this much effort into our first date.

Ali:  It's not a date.

(Nick laughs again.)

(They slowly slide the door open and sneak inside, looking around with their flashlights.  Nick slides the door closed too loudly.  The move to Jing's room.)

Ali:  Shh. 

(Ali searches through some shelves.  When she's done, Nick moves to kiss her.)

Nick:  Alone at last.

(Ali ducks away and goes to look through something else.)

Ali:  Shouldn't somebody keep on the lookout? 

Nick:  Nah.  (Falls back on the bed.)  Not unless there's an easy way out.  So if we're caught, we're caught. 

(Ali finds the bag and starts going through it.)

Ali:  Okay.  (Finds something.)  Bingo.

Nick:  Bingo?

(Ali hands what she found to him.)

Ali:  Just open it. 

Nick:  Whoa, wait!  Did you hear that?

Ali:  (Quickly) What?

Nick:  Shh.  (Whispers)  Closer.  (he moves his ear closer to the case.)  Closer.  (Ali moves too.  Nick realizes something.)  You're wearing lipstick!  I told you this was a date. 

Ali:  It's not a date.  I always wear lipstick.

Nick:  And perfume?

Ali:  Mmm Hmm.

Nick:  Mmm Hmm?

(Ali wipes off the lipstick when Nick's not looking.  Nick picks the lock on case.)

Ali:  How do you know how to do that?

Nick:  Tragic childhood.

Ali:  No, seriously.

Nick:  I'm serious. 

(Nick pulls out a piece of paper and reads.)

Scene:  Tom's Office

 

Ali:  Mr. C?

Tom:  Hi, what's up.

(Ali gives Tom what she and Nick found.)

Ali:  These are Jing's. 

(Tom reads the papers.)

Tom:  Where did you get these?

Ali:  We kind of. . .borrowed them. 

Tom:  We?

Ali:  Yeah, we.

Tom:  You shouldn't have done this.  Put them back.

Ali:  Okay.

(She takes the papers from Tom and turns to leave.) 

Tom:  Ali.  Thanks.

Scene:  Club

 

(Girls are dancing on stage.  Tom enters and looks like he's on a mission.  He sees Jing and two other men sitting at a table doing business.  Jing leaves and Tom goes over to the table.)

Man:  (In Chinese)  This section is reserved.

Tom:  (In Chinese)  What was Jing Li doing here? 

Man:  (In Chinese)  See the gentleman out. 

(Three men surround Tom.  They get into a fight and Tom sends one of the men through a window, another one over the bar and the last one flying into a booth.  Tom grabs the man by the collar.)

Tom:  (In Chinese)  Let's try that again. 

Man:  (In Chinese)  Jing is selling his property to us. 

Tom:  (In Chinese)  What property?

Man:  (In Chinese)  Place on the waterfront.  His martial arts school. 

(Tom lets the man go.)

[Commercial Break]

Scene:  Outdoor Market

 

(Master Li is shopping and Tom is with him.)

Tom:  Look, I don't know how to say this, Si Fu.

Master Li:  Best way to say anything is to open your mouth and let the words come out. 

Tom:  Well, it's about Jing.  I followed him.  I saw him with these guys from Hong Kong.  They're been negotiating to sell the school.  Are you aware of that?

Master Li:  My son wants to bring his family here.

Tom:  Do you remember John Low?  Little kid with thick glasses, used to cry in class all that time.  He's with the Hong Kong police department now.  I called him.  Jing does have a son.  By a woman he abandoned before she gave birth.  Mother and son live in Beijing and he's never seen the boy.  

Master Li:  You should try the pears.  The yellow ones.  The best have the red bottoms. 

Scene:  Outside By The Waterfront

 

(It isn't very clear where Tory and Ali are.  It's a public place.  There's a low ledge to stop people from falling into the water below them.  Tory and Ali stop and sit on that ledge.)

Ali:  So what's going on with you and Trip?

Tory:  Did you talked to him?

Ali:  Just a little bit.  He's confused.  He doesn't know how you're feeling.

Tory:  How could he?  He's been avoiding me.

Ali:  Do you like him?

Tory:  Yeah, I guess I do.  I just, I guess I didn't realize how much until he wasn't around. 

Ali:  People have a way of surprising you.

Tory:  This is the part I'm not good at.  Getting in touch with my feelings.  When my dad died, my mom sent me to see this counselor.  That's all she kept saying to me, I sweat to God it had the opposite effect. 

Ali:  Whatever you're feeling, just. . . tell him. 

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

 

(Jing is training when Tom shows up.  Jing is not happy he's there.)

Jing:  Is there some reason you're always disturbing my training, Tom?

(They begin doing the same exercise.)

Tom:  It's time for you to leave, Jing.

Jing:  Excuse me?  Why'd you say?

Tom:  I know your whole story.  I talked to John Low in Hong Kong and I saw your new buyers for the school. 

Jing:  Did you talk to my father about this?

(They turn so they're facing each other and begin to circle.)

Tom:  It's not about him.  This is between me and you.  And I'm not asking.  I'm telling you:  Leave my school. 

Jing:  You think you can defeat me, Tom?  Hmm?  Throw yourself at my feet.  Beg for forgiveness.  Or I'll kill you. 

Tom:  You're not worthy of anyone's respect.

(They start to fight using swords.  Jing manages to knock the sword from Tom's hand and splinter a wooden pole.  Tom dodged a few hits and manages to get to the wall where half circle blades are hanging.  He grabs those and uses them to block Jing's attacks.  Jing disarms Tom again.  He drops his sword and switches to hand-to-hand.  Jing punches Tom in the face followed by quick jabs to the stomach.  Jing drops Tom to the ground and stands over him, triumphant, for a few seconds before Tom stands up and they start fighting again.  Tom holds his own better this time and manages to land a few hits on Jing, dropping him to the ground this time.  Master Li enters the school.  Jing stands up to face his father while Tom stays back.)

Master Li:  You have shamed me.  And our family.  Go.  Leave.  Do not ever return.

Jing:  Father, you would defy tradition? 

Master Li:  Sometimes you have to start a new tradition.  GO! 

(Jing slowly leaves.)

Scene:  Tom's Home

 

Master Li:  Hold it.

(Master Li gives Tom an ice pack for his head and begins bandaging Tom's hand.)

Master Li:  I remember one time when Jing was eleven years old.  H e wanted to join a competition.  I told him the tradition of our family is to never use martial arts for competition.  He went anyway.  He won the trophy for his age group.  And when he came home he was so proud and he wanted me to be proud.   Instead, I didn't let him train for a month as punishment.  Something changed from that day on.

Tom:  Well you can't blame yourself. 

(Master Li goes towards the door, then stops and turns around.)

Master Li:  Sometimes I think tradition sucks. 

(Master Li puts on his hat and leaves.)

Scene:  Martial Arts School- Main Practice Room

(The students are standing in a circle in the center of the room.  They all smile when Tom and Master Li enter for their lesson)

Tom:  Alright, let's begin.  Pair off.  First form.  Come on.

(Ali walks over to be Nick's partner.)

Tom:  It's important to understand the history of what we do.  These forms and techniques are as old as memory and have been passed down from generation to generation via tradition.  However, never confuse tradition with respect.  Respect is earned, tradition is not. 

(Tory and Bryan are working together.  Tom moves out of the center of the room to stand off to the side with Master Li.)

Tom:  We earn the things we value in our life, don't we Si Fu?

Master Li:  Well said, Young Tom.  Well said.

Scene:  Outside By The Waterfront

Music:  "Way I Am" by Outspoken.

(Trip is sweeping the deck area off of the main practice room when Tory comes out to talk to him.)

Tory:  Trip, I'm sorry.  I have this bad habit of pushing people away.  It's. . .I guess, my way of protecting myself.  I don't like to get hurt.

Trip:  Nobody does, Tory. 

Tory:  Yeah, but those things you said the other day?  You were wrong.  Maybe I was confused about my feeling.  And I know I hurt you.  I'm so sorry.  But I don't wanna be just friends. 

(Trip looks like he doesn't quite believe that Tory's telling him this.  He slowly rests his hand her cheek and she smiles at him.  They kiss.)

[Fade Out]

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Transcribed by MM (rocker_chic_86@hotmail.com) for http://www.twiztv.com
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