COBRA KAI SEASON 4 SCREENPLAY

by EightiesPower

The next chapter in the Cobra Kai saga, meant to faithfully continue the creative vision set up in the show. Impatient to see if Johnny and Daniel will manage to set aside their differences to jointly stave off the threat posed by Kreese... and his old war buddy? How about giving this screenplay a go, then? Minimal description, 90% dialogue, a quick and entertaining read!

9. Episode 8

FADE IN

EXT. LARUSSO AUTO - EARLY MORNING

We open on a close-up of LOUIE, same determined expression we left him on.

LOUIE

...sign me up... me and the boys... (sudden frown) Wait, "the guy who set him up", you're not talking about Tom Cole now, right?!

JOHNNY

(scowls) Tom Cole? You mean the guy...

LOUIE

The guy who accused Anoush of stealing from him, that guy!

JOHNNY

No no no, I mean the greaser that's been goin' around pretending to be Ratface!

LOUIE

Oh, well alright then. So it wasn't a deepfake on that video?

JOHNNY

Just a pint-sized shrill fake. What's a deep fake anyway?

LOUIE

Uhh, it's when you plaster another guy's face on someone in a video.

JOHNNY

What, you're sayin' you can actually pull off something like this?

LOUIE

Oh, you wouldn't believe what people've been doing with it nowadays.

JOHNNY

You mean like I could put my mug over Michael Schumacher and dupe my date into thinking I won the Grand Prix?

LOUIE

(shrugs) Possibly, yeah. Or a chick could send you a vid with her face on a supermodel's body.

JOHNNY

(shudders) Damn, talk about false advertising. As if they didn't trick you with make-up already. Good thing I'm out of the dating game.

LOUIE

Hey, way to go, man. So, uh, what's that number on your arm?

JOHNNY

What, you don't know what it is?! It's the number to track a phone with. That phone should be inside of that bellend's car.

LOUIE

Oh, cool. So... how do you track it?

JOHNNY

(frowning, nervously) I, uh, was thinkin' you'd know, actually.

LOUIE

(shakes his head) Nope. (as Johnny scratches his head in confusion) But I guess we can google it.

JOHNNY

(grins) Yeah, right, of course! (chuckles) 'Google it', was just about to say it myself.

LOUIE

Sure thing, buddy. So you wanna go inside and have a look?

Johnny nods, and the two of them go through the door once Louie unlocks it.

Cut to inside of LaRusso Auto, Louie's office, where Johnny is now standing hunched over a PC screen while Louie is browsing the Internet.

LOUIE

Alright, this should be the right app, just have to wait for it to install. So how did you get wind of this guy?

JOHNNY

Heard him bragging about it to a chum of his in a bar.

LOUIE

(looks at him incredulously) You're pulling my leg now, right?

JOHNNY

That's not even the weirdest part. Slimebag's an ex of the chick I've hooked up with.

LOUIE

No shit?!... Wait, you're not trying to use me to get rid of a contender for your girl, are you? The guy's really her ex?

JOHNNY

Well, you guys say you're all about kicking the competition, and it just happens I've got some competition to kick, so I figured I'd go to you... (laughs at Louie's perplexed look, slaps his shoulder) Relax, dude, just messin' with you. Once you get a load of him, you'll know I haven't been blowin' smoke up your ass.

LOUIE

You'd better not. (clicks on the now installed program) You said something about guards?

JOHNNY

Yeah, the dude seems to be neck-deep in mob business. I mean, neck-deep for him would be like nipple-deep for me, but you get the idea. Anyway, he's probably got some cronies hangin' out with him wherever he's holed up. Which means if we're to go on an extraction mission, it's going to have to be a precision strike.

LOUIE

(shakes his head) Whoa man, I don't know, you make it sound like you want us to play navy seals.

JOHNNY

Yeah, well, I called them up first, but they had other plans for the evening so you were next on my list. Now don't worry, I can put a guy to sleep nice and quiet. I'll just need you to cover my back.

LOUIE

Right, and I'm sure it'll all go down smooth as a peanut butter donut. (sees the program loaded up) Ok, let's see what you've got for me, show me that arm (Johnny holds up his forearm, Louie types out the numbers) Alright, connecting… that phone's yours? (Johnny nods) Then let's hope it didn't ring up and get thrown out midway through.

JOHNNY

Eh, not likely. Like three people've got my number... and that includes the NSA.

LOUIE

(feigns surprise) Oh, really? With that hobo-chic look you're rocking I'm surprised you don't pick up the number of every other chick you bump into.

JOHNNY

(smirks) That used to be the case, but I've told you - I'm out of the dating game.

LOUIE

Right. I'm sure you quit while you were ahead.

JOHNNY

You'd best believe it, bub.

LOUIE

(as the app displays a city map with a pointer in the middle) Hey, it's the same town even! Already better than I expected! (studies the pointer) Webster's Ave, not exactly a lot of prime real estate in those parts.

JOHNNY

(leans in) We used to call it gangster avenue.

LOUIE

Let's have a look up close (he switches to street view, rotates it, showing mostly red brick blocks) Yeah, just as I thought, Section 8 housing all around, bad news.

JOHNNY

We're gonna have to watch our step not to fall into some crack den on our way to his hideout.

LOUIE

Yeah, about that, how are we even going to know which apartment we're supposed to stake out? You said the phone's inside a car?

JOHNNY

Yeah, a very... precious car. Leave that part to me, I think I've got an idea... So you said you can bring in cavalry?

LOUIE

Uh, well, maybe. Don't know if I'll convince any to go along with this lunacy. But I'll try. Now, say we manage to whisk that guy out of there, what then?

JOHNNY

I'll get him to spill the beans like it was Jack and the Beanstalk. Don't worry, I've got the knowhow, and the guy, I've seen this type, he'll snap faster than a bonsai tree struck by lightning.

LOUIE

And you think the police will take a confession from a dude we abducted and tortured as evidence?

JOHNNY

Police? Give me a break. They don't even factor in here, at least not at this stage. This greaser is just a pawn, there's someone bigger behind the scenes, someone from way back who's got it out for Dan. So once we squeeze whatever info we can, we go after him and put a stop to whatever his plans are.

LOUIE

Well, what about Boss, then? If it's about him, then he's going to have to hear about this, right?

JOHNNY

Uh, you know Dan's a bleeding heart. We'll go to him after we get the facts and the names out of the dude. Once he hears those, I'm pretty sure Boss will come to see why we had to go about it the way we did. Then we'll decide what to do next.

LOUIE

(shakes his head resignedly) I've no idea why I'm agreeing to this. If Anoush was here, he would knock me over the head for actually listening to you...

JOHNNY

... But since he's not here, you gotta go with your gut. And your gut is tellin' you I'm onto something.

LOUIE

Probably jail. Look, I'm only tagging along as back-up, ok? All the illegal crap is your department. And my gut's telling me I've been putting off breakfast for too long talking to you. So please go away now, it's against current company policy to let suspicious characters into the dealership.

JOHNNY

Why, I'm flattered. Don't overstuff yourself, I'll need you nimble later. You've got the address, meet me there at eight.

LOUIE

Yea, I will... unless I start thinking straight first.

JOHNNY

(as he turns to go) Don't be tryin' too hard with that, I don't want you constipated either.

LOUIE

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

JOHNNY

Many tried, none succeeded.

LOUIE

Well, if that doesn't prove you're a karate champion, I don't know what does.

Johnny walks out without further comment. Louie looks at him go, shakes his head, then, with a sigh, turns back to his computer screen.

EXT. WEST VALLEY HIGH - AFTERNOON

We cut to SAM and MIGUEL exiting the school among a flood of other students, Miguel keeping respectful distance from Sam. As they head to the parking lot, they see DANIEL awaiting them outside her car, with ANTHONY standing with his back propped against it, staring at and mashing the screen of his phone.

MIGUEL

Hello, Daniel.

SAM

Hi, dad. Back from work early?

DANIEL

Hi, guys. Yeah, it's been pretty quiet at the dealership as of late. You could hear a pin drop, actually. Anyway, I figured instead of wasting my time there, we could all go for a lunch out. What do you think?

MIGUEL

(cautiously) Assuming others are on board, I'd be all for it.

SAM

Sure, dad. Sounds like a great idea. Is mom with you? And where is your car?

DANIEL

She borrowed it to go check out some place downtown. She'll join us at the lunch spot.

SAM

Does it mean I'm driving?

DANIEL

If you'd be so gracious...

SAM

Sure thing. (clicks on the car key) Hop in.

ANTHONY

I'm taking the front seat!

SAM

Of course you are. I'm not cleaning up your vomit from the upholstery afterwards.

ANTHONY

Get off my back, sis! I know you had the same thing at my age!

SAM

Maybe, but I'm out of it and you're not, which means (with a swift movement she snatches the phone out of Anthony's hands) you're watching the road and not this thing while you're in my car!

ANTHONY

(outraged) HEY, THIEF!

SAM

(throws the phone to Miguel) Hold on to that for me, will you?

MIGUEL

Uuhh... (looks questioningly at Daniel)

DANIEL

It's ok, Miguel. (to Anthony) Sam is right, her car, her rules. You're just going to have to manage for the next twenty minutes or so.

ANTHONY

I had over nine thousand points racked up in there already!

MIGUEL

(eyes darting to the screen) Uh, there's a pause button there, right?... Oh, looks like it's game over already.

ANTHONY

OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I should've gone with mom!

SAM

Right, I'm sure she'd be delighted to be listening to your whining while she's going around shopping. Alright, come on, let's go.

Everyone gets into the car, Miguel and Daniel taking the back seats. Sam inserts her phone into the holder, turns on GPS.

SAM

So what destination do I put in?

DANIEL

Well, if no one objects, then I'd opt for that sushi bar at the corner of Oakdale and Pulaski. I've realized I haven't actually had a chance to check it out yet.

Miguel's face drops like a lead balloon.

MIGUEL

Uuuhh... Could we consider other options? (Daniel regards him with a puzzled expression) I, uh... been there once before, had a mean indigestion later that day.

DANIEL

(incredulous) Indigestion from sushi? That's not likely, even if it had raw fish, it'd be easier for the stomach than regular Western meal.

MIGUEL

Well, maybe that place isn't storing its food properly...

DANIEL

They'd probably be out of business by now if they did. It's not some dodgy street food joint. I checked the reviews on Yelp and they were pretty much all glowing. (squeezes Miguel's shoulder) Don't worry, champ, I'm sure it was unrelated.

SAM

You've been there with Jo... Sensei Lawrence, right? I saw his photos there on Facebook, you were the one that took them?

MIGUEL

Yeah, that's right.

DANIEL

Wait, are you serious?! Johnny dined at that sushi restaurant?! Before I did?! Well, sorry guys, it's settled now, we're having our lunch there.

MIGUEL

(resigned sigh) Alright, Daniel.

ANTHONY

(to Sam) Haha, looks like you may end up having to clean up that upholstery after all!

MIGUEL

That's not going to happen.

SAM

Right, I'm sure Miguel can hold his stomach longer than you. (to Miguel) Besides, I'm sure you can order a vegan option if you're so concerned.

MIGUEL

Vegan sushi? You mean like, seaweed wrapped in more seaweed?

DANIEL

Ha. You'd be surprised how many types of seaweed you can find in sushi. But if anything, it's actually the seaweed that could give your stomach trouble. So you may want to leave that part on your plate if you feel like going the extra mile to be safe.

MIGUEL

Well, with a sushi sensei like you I'm sure I have nothing to worry about.

Daniel nods with an appreciative grin. Miguel smiles, but as he turns his head away his expression turns worried again. Sam's eyes study him through the rear-view mirror, squinting suspiciously.

Cut to

EXT. SUSHI RESTAURANT

We see Sam's car park in front of the restaurant. The passengers disembark, followed by Sam, who locks the car. They head towards the entrance, passing outdoor tables along the way.

MIGUEL

Uh, how about we eat outside?

ANTHONY

I hate eating out in the open. I don't like people on the street looking at me when I eat.

SAM

Maybe you should just learn how not to eat like a caveman?

ANTHONY

Says one who tried to solve problems with her schoolmates by bashing them over the head.

SAM

(icily) Only in defense.

ANTHONY

Funny way to say retaliation. Anyway, can we stay out of the sun, I haven't brought my sunglasses.

SAM

You've got sunglasses?

ANTHONY

Yeah. Gotta protect your eyes from solar rays, you know.

SAM

Right, you've of course been very thorough about protecting your eyesight (motions to the phone held by Miguel).

DANIEL

Alright, enough arguing. C'mon, let's go in, I want everyone to enjoy themselves.

They enter the restaurant, Miguel walking stiffly, mouth drawn taut, almost holding his breath as he steps inside.

INT. SUSHI RESTAURANT

The LaRussos take a table by the window. Miguel's eyes sweep the room frantically. So far, the coast is clear, but a half wall lined with flowers and decorated with Eastern motives obscures a section of the area from view. He sits down, making sure to face away from the wall. Almost immediately, a waitress, young, pretty, but not familiar, approaches them with menus.

DANIEL

(as he takes the menu) Thank you. Ok, let's see what we've got.(browses the items) Uh-huh, I'll probably go with a selection. What about you, guys?

ANTHONY

No chicken nugget sushi?! Laaameee.

SAM

Stay classy, bro.

ANTHONY

I'm in the class of my own, sis.

SAM

Yeah, it's because no one else would sign up for it.

ANTHONY

No one wants to be second best. Anyway, I'll take the one with the squid.

SAM

Hope the suckers stick to your gut.

DANIEL

Are you two going to be bickering all day? Miguel, what about you?

MIGUEL

(frowning) "Toro sushi"? Is that like with beef?

DANIEL

(chuckles) No, it's tuna fat. Wouldn't recommend it if you're worried about your stomach. Same with anything spicy... although I'd imagine your stomach is experienced with that.

MIGUEL

That's a... stereotypical but true assumption. Still, I think I'll just go with standard salmon sushi.

DANIEL

Not what I would call an 'inspired' choice, but suit yourself. Sam?

SAM

What's a "uni"?

DANIEL

It's another name for sea urchin. You know, these black, spiky balls?

SAM

Oh. Well now I know what Hawk would order if he were with us.

DANIEL

Well, you never know what future will bring.

ANTHONY

(motions to Sam) Especially with her.

SAM

(threateningly) Aanthoonyy...

Suddenly, Miguel's eyes go wide as he looks up from the menu. A different waitress is coming to their table, and it is exactly who we think it is. Their eyes meet and she is momentarily glued to the spot. Sam faces away from her and remains none the wiser. The other two do not recognize her.

Miguel lowers her eyes and gulps audibly, as she walks rest of the way to their table, breathing deeply as she goes.

TORY

(with the calmest voice she can muster) May I take your order?

Sam, hearing Tory's voice right above her ear, is jolted upright, as Tory takes a quick step back. Sam turns rapidly in her seat to glare at Tory, her eyes bugging out. Daniel looks alarmed, though he does not see the full extent of Sam's reaction.

DANIEL

Sam, you alright?

SAM

(turns back to him, doing her best to collect herself) Yes, dad, I'm... fine. It was just... I got startled. (forces a chuckle) I don't know what came over me.

TORY

(velvety if slightly nervous voice) I'm sorry if I have disturbed you. Now may I take your order?

SAM

(turns to her, keeping up the fake smile) Oh sure, I'll have, uh... (picks the first item she lays her eyes on) I'll have hamachi sushi.

DANIEL

Thought you didn't like hamachi?

SAM

(curtly) Changed my mind, dad.

TORY

If you need more time...

SAM

No, no, I'm decided.

TORY

Very well. (notes the order with a somewhat shaky hand) Sauces?

SAM

Just the usual, thanks.

TORY

Uh-huh. Anything to drink?

SAM

Orange juice.

TORY

Alright. (turns to Anthony) And you, mister?

ANTHONY

(without looking at the menu) I'll have the one with the squid. Double portion. And coke.

TORY

The one with the squid... Ok, coke regular or diet?

ANTHONY

Only fat people drink diet coke.

TORY

Is that a yes or no?

ANTHONY

(as Sam's brows go up) Do I have to spell it out for you, lady?! Regular!

DANIEL

Anthony, mind your manners!

ANTHONY

She's the one being a smart ass!

TORY

(silky smooth) My apologies. (to Daniel) And you, Sensei?

Sam and Miguel express shock as Daniel smiles with a surprised look.

DANIEL

Sensei? Do we know each other?

TORY

I don't believe so, sir, sorry if I was too forward. I just remembered seeing your commercial on YouTube.

DANIEL

Hey, it's alright. Looks like I'm a minor celebrity around town.

TORY

I think the work you do is lovely, sir.

DANIEL

(grinning) Thanks, I appreciate it. And let's drop the formalities. I'm Daniel, as you apparently know already. And your name is?

TORY

(without missing a beat) Victoria.

DANIEL

Beautiful name, nice to meet you, Victoria, doubt it's the last time we run into each other.

TORY

(shaking his hand) I sincerely hope it's not.

DANIEL

(motions to Sam) I actually thought of giving my daughter this name at first, but then my... old friend talked me out of it.

Sam's face drops like an elevator with its ropes cut.

TORY

Shame, we could always do with more Victorias around.

DANIEL

Indeed we could. (stares at Tory while Sam stares at him with a look of utter betrayal) Hey, hear me out! If you like what I'm doing with Miyagi-Do, why don't you come over and give it a try? We're having a terrible shortage of the members of the fairer sex at the moment.

SAM

(bolting up from her seat) I need to go to the bathroom.

She turns on her heel and walks off, moving past Tory without setting eyes on her. Tory looks at her go, then shouts.

TORY

(pointing to her left, with a smug smirk) The bathroom's that way.

Sam turns again, shoots bolts out of her eyes.

SAM

Thanks.

She follows Tory's directions.

TORY

(turns back to Daniel, feigning confusion) Looks like an emergency. As for your offer... (pretends to consider it, then gives Daniel a beaming smile) I'd love to, but I'm afraid I'm too tied up with other stuff right now. Besides... I doubt I'd be a good fit.

DANIEL

Don't be so sure, at Miyagi-Do we accept everyone as long as they're willing to put in the work.

TORY

Umm, I don't believe in one-size-fits-all. But thanks for the offer. Ok, gotta get back to work. (to Miguel) I believe I haven't taken your order yet.

MIGUEL

Uh, yeah. I'll have salmon sushi and water, thanks. Oh, and bill me separately, please.

DANIEL

(flummoxed) Hey, Miguel, what's that about? I invited you, I'll settle the tab.

MIGUEL

Thank you, Daniel, but no. I enjoy enough of your generosity as it is. (to Tory, emphatically) Separate tab for me.

TORY

(smirking) You've got it.

DANIEL

(shrugs) Alright, if you're so adamant. (to Tory) Actually, you haven't taken my order yet.

TORY

(acting embarrassed) Oh, I'm sorry! I'm such an airhead!

DANIEL

I'm sure that's not true at all. So, I'd like to order the selection, but I'm also curious if there's anything you could recommend?

TORY

...Well, we do serve a certain rarity. It's really only for the most... discerning sushi buffs, you see.

DANIEL

Oh I think you've got just the guy.

TORY

If that's the case then I'd like to suggest shirako sushi.

DANIEL

Shirako sushi? Huh, I don't know that one. What's in it?

TORY

(teasingly) Are you sure you want to know?

DANIEL

Well, now that you've put it that way, perhaps I'll take the plunge.

TORY

(beaming) I believe you will not regret it, Daniel. Anything to drink?

DANIEL

I'll have genmaicha, thanks.

TORY

Looks like someone's really seasoned with sushi.

DANIEL

I had someone to instill that passion in me in my young age. Passion for sushi... and other things.

TORY

Sounds like you had a good influence.

DANIEL

I did, indeed. Certainly better than any 'influencer' your generation could hope for.

TORY

Guess I should envy you. Ok, I must go, been nice chatting with you.

DANIEL

Likewise.

Tory walks off with an enigmatic smile. Miguel looks at Daniel and his dreamy expression with second-hand embarrassment, barely keeping himself from speaking out. Finally, he swallows audibly and asks:

MIGUEL

So, uh, you've said things haven't been so hot at your dealership lately?

DANIEL

(pensively) That's true. Ever since that rotten business with Tom Cole got out and got plastered all over the local news, the dealership all but turned into a ghost town. We were kind of in hot water already before that. After Robby... did what he did, but we thought we averted the crisis then.

MIGUEL

Wait, you're saying my fight with Robby affected your business?! But w-why?

DANIEL

Well, Robby was my student, and I didn't exactly keep the dealership and dojo separate. You remember my "kicking the competition" ads, right?

MIGUEL

Oh yeah, thought they were pretty cool.

DANIEL

You weren't the only one...

ANTHONY

But in a small company...

DANIEL

Why thank you, Anthony. Still, Tom Cole started copying my formula soon after so I must've been doing something right. Anyway, once the dojo's name found itself at the center of the school fight scandal, LaRusso Auto got dragged into the mud along with it.

MIGUEL

But why would your dojo even be held to blame? You didn't tell your students to pick fights, did you?

DANIEL

No, but I gave them the ability to do that. And in the eyes of many that was enough to condemn me.

MIGUEL

What a load of crap! It's we who decide what to use our skills for, not our teachers!

DANIEL

I believe so, too. We can offer guidance, but we can't command you... even if not every teacher sees it that way. However, it seems that our society is eager to shift the blame onto anyone and anything other than the kids themselves and their parents.

MIGUEL

Yeah, I don't think that's anything new, either.

DANIEL

Oh no, it was this way when I was a kid, too. Back then, the morality police claimed rock music and Dungeons & Dragons were corrupting the youth.

ANTHONY

Dungeons & Dragons?! That's kiddie stuff!

DANIEL

Well, you see how things have progressed since then. Martial arts didn't get off so scot-free either, though at least you could teach karate without being accused of cultural appropriation.

MIGUEL

(snorts) Wonder what they'd say about me - a latino practicing a Japanese martial art under two white guys?

DANIEL

Either their brains would explode or they would badger you into taking up capoeira instead.

MIGUEL

I'd rather be learning salsa. So anyway, what do you intend to do about the dealership?

DANIEL

I don't know, the situation is still developing. I've been hearing odd rumors about this case, and I'm hoping Cole's tricks will come to light and our name will be cleared. As of now, though, I gotta admit I'm kind of at my wits' end. Even if I have a theory as to what really happened, I can't see any way to prove it.

MIGUEL

So what's your theory?

DANIEL

(waves his hand dismissively) Without solid evidence, I'd rather keep it to myself. Won't be openly accusing anyone when there's a chance I may be wrong.

MIGUEL

Fair enough.

They go silent for a while, until Sam returns to the table, her expression severe.

SAM

Mom still hasn't showed up?

DANIEL

Should be any minute now... So, how are things at school?

SAM

Pretty quiet recently, all things considered.

MIGUEL

Yeah, it seems like now that Hawk is no longer organizing the Cobra Kai goons, they've been left without anyone willing to take initiative.

DANIEL

Well that's a relief. And how about the, you know, schooling aspect of school?

MIGUEL

(chuckles) Oh, yeah, that. I had to do a lot of catching up, but I think I'm managing.

SAM

He's being modest now. He's already been helping me out with integrals. I bet he caught up with the curriculum faster than he got back into his karate-ready shape.

MIGUEL

I haven't fully got back to either, really. I have a good head for math so I've offered Sam to give her a hand there, but that's not to say everything else's been a breeze.

DANIEL

(regarding Sam suspiciously) Hope by "giving her a hand" you don't mean doing all the work for her.

MIGUEL

(forced smile) Of course not.

SAM

(puts her hand on Miguel's) All in the spirit of cooperation.

ANTHONY

"Cooperation"? You mean you tell her the answers and she writes them down?

SAM

As if handwriting by itself wasn't beyond your capabilities...

ANTHONY

(shrugs) It's twenty first century, who needs it?

SAM

Right, who needs to know how to function outside the house either?

ANTHONY

Only way I need to interact with the outside is through Alexa.

SAM

As long as you've got daddy's credit card to use with your...

She stops mid-sentence, realizing what she has just said and who she heard it from before. Miguel notices that too and looks at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

DANIEL

(confused) What is it? Why did you lose your tongue all of a sudden?

SAM

I, uh, needn't have said it.

DANIEL

Huh, that's some surprising restraint on your part. As surprising as it is sudden.

Sam shrugs and an awkward silence falls over the table. It lasts a short while, until the table is approached again by Tory, now carrying trays full of sushi of various kinds. Sam gives her a hard, defiant look as she approaches, one which does not escape Tory's notice.

TORY

(playing it cool, she reaches out the hand holding the smaller tray with a single large bowl and a tea pot with two glasses) The selection and genmaicha was for you (she leans down to place the tray in front of Daniel, smiling at him charmingly and putting her cleavage on full display before his eyes, then reaches for the other tray) as well as our special recipe for the battle-hardened sushi veterans.

She places the shirako sushi bowl next to the selection. The smell makes the diners' eyes water... all except for Daniel, who remains enthusiastic.

DANIEL

(as he takes the order from the plate, maintaining eye contact with Tory) Thank you very much.

Tory straightens out, puts the squid sushi and a glass of (regular) coke in front of Anthony, who immediately stabs a sushi roll with his chopsticks and stuffs it into his mouth.

ANTHONY

(with his mouth full) Don't let anyone ever tell you I don't know how to use these.

MIGUEL

(looking slightly repelled) I seem to recall seeing chopsticks used in this manner before, just not with sushi.

ANTHONY

You mean someone else also had the right idea?

MIGUEL

I guess it was the right idea then, yeah.

Next Tory picks up the hamachi sushi, but the look in her eyes tells us she is not sure who made that order. She tentatively reaches out towards Miguel...

... only for Sam to spring out of her seat and snatch at the bowl, all but wrenching it away from Tory.

SAM

That one was mine, thanks.

She looks her straight in the eyes, their faces mere inches apart. The defiance in Sam's stare intensifies, while Tory's look turns into an ominous scowl. The two stand transfixed, as if hypnotized by each other's gaze. Daniel's expression becomes puzzled, Miguel's heart is pounding like a jackhammer, his hands gripping the edge of the table convulsively...

... when suddenly the restaurant door opens violently, and AMANDA barges in. Tory's body, already tense to the limit, jerks violently in response to unexpected stimulus. The tray in her hand shudders, threatening to spill its contents to the floor, when Daniel jumps up in a rescue attempt and grabs Tory's wrist to stabilize her hand.

DANIEL

Whoa! Steady there! Sorry about my wife here, she's quite the party crasher.

AMANDA

(looks towards them) Oh, hi! You guys got your sushi already?! Sorry it took so long, the traffic is a real murder today.

DANIEL

Don't worry, honey, I ordered the selection with both of us in mind. (to Tory) Hey, you seem a bit jumpy. Perhaps you could do with some more balance in your life (winks at her).

TORY

(her alluring smile returning) Maybe you're right. Sorry, it's the end of my shift and I'm just... fatigued.

DANIEL

Of course, you kids are so overworked nowadays... well, some of you anyway. (grins) But no worries, crisis's been averted.

AMANDA

(regarding them suspiciously) Have I walked in on something?

DANIEL

Just on having a polite conversation. I've been trying to recruit this lovely lady to our dojo, (looks around) seeing as she must already be acclimatized to this kind of ambiance.

Sam and Miguel exchange dumbfounded glances.

AMANDA

(sceptically) Recruit her, huh? Well, I guess your dojo does lack girls you could shamelessly gawk at.

DANIEL

(to Tory) Don't worry, it's not about what she's trying to imply. (to Amanda) I'm pretty sure it's just the matter of working on her some more. (back to Tory) Victoria, meet my wife Amanda.

AMANDA

(squinting as she shakes Tory's hand) Vic-toria. Nice to meet you. (motions to Sam) You seem to be similar age to my daughter. Do you go to school together?

TORY

(as Sam opens her mouth to answer) I'm homeschooling.

AMANDA

Oh, I see. I've heard homeschooled kids do better in exams.

TORY

Perhaps, but of course there are social adjustment issues to deal with. I'm hoping I can avoid this with my little brother.

AMANDA

So you're the one homeschooling him?

TORY

To the best of my ability.

AMANDA

All on your own?

TORY

My mother is in need of care. That's why I had to give up on school. Couldn't juggle working, attending classes, getting Tony through school, and taking care of her.

AMANDA

(does a double take as she hears Tony's name, as does the rest of the table, except for Anthony) I see. Seems like you've got a lot on your plate.

TORY

(smiles) Yeah, well, now so do you. Enjoy your meal!

AMANDA

(smiles warmly in return) Thanks. And take care.

DANIEL

(as Tory walks off and Amanda seats down beside him) Phew, now I understand why she wouldn't want to come to Miyagi-Do. Sounds like you'd be hard pressed to stick a pin in her daily schedule.

AMANDA

Yeah, poor girl. Hope she's getting some state assistance.

Sam's hands curl into fists, her face turning red. She lifts her head from her bowl and gathers herself to speak out. She notices, and subsequently ignores Miguel's pleading look.

SAM

Actually, I think she's does manage to find time for other things.

DANIEL

(confused) How do you know? Have you met her somewhere else?

SAM

Well, yeah, you could say that. I've run into her here and there. Places like the beach club, the school, our house quite recently...

Her parents' eyes go wide and Daniel's jaw drops. Miguel facepalms, Anthony just looks at her with curiosity.

SAM

(formally) Mom. Dad. It is my pleasure to announce that you have just met Tory Nichols...

CUT TO

INT. BOWLING ALLEY - MIDDAY

We cut to a view of DEMETRI through a smartphone camera, as he tosses a bowling ball down the lane. As the ball nears the row of pins, a tipped fingernail pokes the screen, which unleashes a series of snapshots documenting the entire row being knocked down.

YASMINE

(raising her fist, eyes still on the screen) YEAH! YOU DID IT! Finally some proof of your worthiness! Coming to Insta right up!

HAWK

(sarcastic) Guess you've got a new photo to put in the "Demetri's milestones" album.

DEMETRI

(satisfied smirk) Hah. It'll be a milestone when I score a five-bagger, which I fully intend to do today.

HAWK

Only bag you're getting today is a tea-bag, and guess who you're gettin' it from.

DEMETRI

As in you? Give me a break. You could at least realize you're in no position to talk tough now. You wanna be a bagger, apply for the gig at a grocery shop. That's about the only way you can get that title at the moment.

HAWK

I'm gonna make you eat those words, Demetri.

DEMETRI

Right, sure, just remember we don't have all day here. Unless you want to shell out the cash for every hour between now and when your hand is recovered.

HAWK

I've still got one hand.

DEMETRI

The underachieving one, yeah.

HAWK

No part of me is underachieving.

He grabs a ball with his left hand, tilts the arm back, runs up to the lane and strokes the ball. The ball rolls slightly perpendicular to the lane and eventually slides into the gutter, to then fall down the pit without striking any pins.

HAWK

(throws his hands down) AH, SHIT!

DEMETRI

(shrugs, spreads his arms out) I could comment, but what's the point if the reality's already come knocking? As opposed to your ball...

HAWK

Wow, Demetri, that's a smooth way to make a comment while saying you're not gonna make a comment.

DEMETRI

Sorry. Guess it can be hard to resist shooting fish in a barrel when that fish won't stop snapping at you. I mean, if your condition came with a trifle more humbleness on your part, I'd probably be more merciful.

HAWK

Take that mercy and shove it, Demetri.

DEMETRI

Forgive me if I don't quite follow. The "no mercy" rule is still in effect at Eagle Fang? And it goes both ways, right? That's why you keep staring down defeat even you've got less than a snowball chance in hell at this point?

HAWK

That snowball's gonna make hell freeze over yet.

DEMETRI

(sighs) Oh, Hawk...

Hawk regards him with an angry scowl. At this point, MOON approaches him and puts her hand on his shoulder.

MOON

(soothingly) Hawk, don't worry. It won't make you less of a man to let go of your pride for a while. There's no shame in having to spend time to recover from a wound. No one is thinking less of you because you're not performing at your full potential. And no one will think less of you if you admit as much.

HAWK

(as the corner of his mouth curls up) Thanks, babe. But believe me, I can pull this off. I won't let a mere scratch set me back.

DEMETRI

(snorts, imitates a British accent) "Tis but a scratch!" Moon, you must remember Hawk fancies himself a Black Knight. And these guys, well let's say they've got a rather blase attitude towards having their limbs loped off.

HAWK

(smirks) Moon Knight.

MOON

(shoos Demetri away while talking to Hawk) Of course you can pull it off, honey, but it doesn't matter if you do this now or in a couple of months. Take it easy! Hey, how about we drop by my house later, and I can give you something to chill out, stop worrying about your physical limits for a spell?

HAWK

You want me to space out, huh?

MOON

I mean, I'm not saying your body isn't important, but you should think of it as a docking station between your journeys, not a permanent anchor.

HAWK

(considers her words, then lifts up the cast) That thing does feel like an anchor to me a lot of the time...

MOON

(runs her hand down his chest) Trust me when I say it doesn't have to.

HAWK

I'll think about it. Though I'd rather stretch my limits than forget about them. (motions to the lane) Your turn, babe.

Moon walks over to the ball return lift, picks up the most glittering ball, runs up to the lane and throws. The ball knocks off six pins.

MOON

(smiles contentedly) Six. That's my number!

DEMETRI

What do you mean your number?

MOON

It's my life path number. It is a number of a healer, one imbued with protective energy.

DEMETRI

And you know this is your number from how many pins you struck? Or is that your shoe size?

MOON

(patronizingly) I derived the number from my name and date of birth, I won't bore you with the exact method. My words would be falling on deaf ears anyway.

DEMETRI

Well you could at least let us know how to get at 666 as your life number.

MOON

(throws the ball again) Consume, obey, worship Mammon. You do that and I'm sure you'll get your number sooner or later.

DEMETRI

Well, I'm onto on of these at least. (to Yasmine, who is sitting cross-legged and filing her nails) Yas, my mistress, time to sink these gorgeous nails into some balls.

HAWK

(looks at Yasmine, does a double take) You're doing your nails at a bowling alley?

YASMINE

(curtly) Yeah, what's it to you? Making sure they're not ruined after all these rolls.

HAWK

Hey, maybe you should use Demetri's hand to stroke them balls.

YASMINE

(her eyebrows arcing up) Am I supposed to take this as relationship advice?

HAWK

If I meant this as relationship advice, I'd assume you're doing that already.

DEMETRI

(cheers Yasmine as she scores a strike) Thanks, Hawk, but as far as relationship advice goes, I've got a better track record between the two of us. Just like my scoring record.

HAWK

Don't expect it to last.

Yasmine shakes her head as she returns to her chair, beckons Moon to sit beside her.

YASMINE

(sighs) Will these two ever stop dick-measuring?

MOON

Gotta be patient with Hawk. He worked so hard on his physique, and now he's probably reminded of who he once was. Must be making him insecure.

YASMINE

So you intend to get back with a guy whose ego is so fragile, you have to massage it constantly?

MOON

You know I enjoy nurturing. Besides, Hawk already turned away from the main source of negative energy in his life. I believe he can be purged of any lingering corruption with time.

YASMINE

Been feeding him purgatives already?

MOON

(laughs out) No, not yet. But I will... of spiritual sort, mind you.

YASMINE

And you think he's going to be receptive?

MOON

My initial prognosis is optimistic... Anyway, how was Paris?

YASMINE

Oooh, where do I even start? You've followed my feed I assume?

MOON

Sure did.

YASMINE

Then you've seen that Galeries Lafayette is like a shopper's Louvre. So many brands in one place, you need a day just to explore one section. And the food... divine. Can't go wrong with Épicure or La Tour d'Argent.

MOON

And the people?

YASMINE

The people? If you even managed to pick out an actual Parisian from the endless throngs of tourists, chances were he wouldn't speak English... or at least pretend not to. Uppity bunch. It's like they think they were the ones that won the World War.

DEMETRI

(chiming in timidly) Actually, my dear, they did. They lost in the sequel.

YASMINE

Right, whatever, it's the last one that counts. Anyway, a friend there told me she heard comments from some of them that I looked like a typical American mean girl. Can you imagine that?!

MOON

Badmouthing someone behind their back. How rude...

YASMINE

Tell me about it! These Frenchies have terrible manners! You know, I haven't posted that on Insta, but with Paris, it's hard to appreciate the architecture when half of it is buried in trash! I wish I was making this up! I had to angle so many of these photos very carefully not to show that. Shouldn't have bothered in retrospect.

MOON

Sounds like LA, minus the beautiful architecture part.

YASMINE

Oh yeah, they've got tent cities too. Stretching out as far as the eye can see on some streets.

MOON

Hmm. I thought this was an American problem.

YASMINE

I thought so once, too. Although I don't think there are many French in these tents. I've heard it's mostly Eastern Bloc immigrants.

HAWK

(bitingly) Oh, that's a relief. It's not like those people count. (to Demetri) So your Yas Queen had her fun in the City of Love, and now she's back to settle down with the nerd?

YASMINE

(outraged grimace) Screw you, Hawk!

DEMETRI

(nonchalant) I'll be her beta provider and I'll be happy. Now how about you focus on not pushing your best chance at being happy away again? Now excuse me, I've got something else to push.

He gears up for another stroke, runs, throws, and...

DEMETRI

A TURKEY, YEAH! Knocked 'em cold!

HAWK

Fool's luck.

DEMETRI

Oh don't be so sulky, pal! Hey, if you can't score one here, you can always down a wild turkey later!... Assuming you haven't pushed your luck too much with that fake id by now.

HAWK

Nah, been goin' to the same store ever since I started with that hustle. Worked every time. Dude's probably put two and two together at this point, but he must be ashamed to admit he's been punked.

YASMINE

You've got a fake id? (Hawk shrugs) Dammit, I could've used one here and there, ever since I stopped hanging out with Kyler, actually. No one would think to ask him for an id.

DEMETRI

I can imagine. I can hardly keep up with this guy, it's like he gains five years every time I see him... not that I go out of my way to see him, mind you. Anyway, you guys think he may have some form of progeria?

YASMINE

Pro-jerkia maybe, but you're on to something here. If I first saw him now, I'd probably think he must have been stuck in high school for the last decade at least.

HAWK

(snorts) Guess he never did pass that trig. Or maybe it's all the stress from domestic abuse that's aging him up.

DEMETRI

Hey, it's insensitive to assume his old folks are putting poor ol' Kyler through the mill just because they're Asian.

HAWK

Eh, from what I've heard from him, it's his dad that's BBQ-ing his ass in molasses, and it's just because he's an asshole.

DEMETRI

You're saying assholery runs in that family?! I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!

MOON

Kyler always did strike me as someone who's been subjected to some toxic stuff at home.

DEMETRI

And dealing with it the worst way possible. Then again, perhaps he's just spreading the love the only way he knows how.

HAWK

(suddenly not so merry) Yeah, Demetri, looks like you'd best prepare for a full dose of that love...

DEMETRI

What? (notices Hawk's look, turns around) Oh crap, here comes the fun, I guess...

We follow his gaze to see KYLER, accompanied by two of his COBRA KAI TOADIES entering the bowling alley. They head straight towards them, ignoring the protesting CASHIERS. Kyler gives them a mean smirk as he approaches, his intent patently obvious...

CUT TO

INT. SUSHI RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

We see the table again gripped by awkward silence. Daniel is caressing his face slowly, Amanda just staring at their sushi bowl, Miguel holding his hands to his mouth, fingers interlaced, Sam breathing deeply, her fists still clenched. Anthony's eyes dart from one face to another in anticipation.

DANIEL

(to Sam) Honey, I'm sorry, I...

SAM

(mockingly) Oh it's alright, dad. You just fell head over heels for her at the first opportunity. (shoots Miguel a look) Don't worry, you're not the first one at this table to have done so.

AMANDA

(incredulously) All this talk about her caring for her sick mother and little brother...

SAM

Bought her sob story hook, line, and sinker, didn't you, mom?

MIGUEL

(holds up his hand) For the record, to my knowledge all that she said there was true.

SAM

(merciless smile) Uh, of course, Miguel the Valiant jumping to her defense yet again.

MIGUEL

(shaking his head, emphatically) Only setting the record straight, Sam. No need to accuse her of more than she's guilty of.

SAM

Oh sure, she just conveniently forgot to mention attending a rival dojo among all the other stuff she's taken up with.

ANTHONY

So what are we going to do now?

DANIEL

I don't know, I feel... humiliated. One thing I know is I lost my appetite for sushi, and that's not something I'd ever say lightly.

AMANDA

Speaking of sushi, why in God's name do these smell so rancid?

DANIEL

Oh, it's the, uh, shirako sushi. I ordered them off of her recommendation.

AMANDA

Ugh, well if it's poison, then it's about the worst disguised one I've ever come across.

DANIEL

(picks up the chopsticks resignedly) May as well give it a try then.

AMANDA

Didn't know humiliation could kill one's sense of smell...

Daniel picks up the sushi, dabs it in soy sauce, puts it in his mouth, chews elaborately, his expression gradually lighting up as he does so.

DANIEL

(tilts his head) Well, I have to say this isn't bad at all actually.

ANTHONY

(nabs one and shoves it in his mouth) Yeah, it's pretty good! Gonna have to ask her the recipe when she comes back.

SAM

My assumption as to the 'secret ingredient' would be semen of some sort.

MIGUEL

(looking at his phone) Yeah, you've hit the jackpot. Fish semen, to be exact.

Anthony blasts the half-chewed sushi out of his mouth. Daniel's chewing slows down slightly, but does not cease.

DANIEL

(shrugs) Well, the Japanese are consideredthe masters of getting the most out of the sea for a reason.

AMANDA

I can tell you all one thing. If I ever smell this stuff at our house, I swear I'm going to find this girl and give her a smackdown (glaring at Daniel) and I'm going to make you watch.

ANTHONY

Can I watch too?

SAM

Guess dad will simply have to pay her more frequent visits. Just remember when her shift ends. (menacingly) I sure will.

MIGUEL

Look, I don't feel particularly hungry either, but why don't we just finish our meals, leave in peace and forget about the whole thing?

SAM

Sounds a little... anticlimactic? After all that build-up this is the best resolution you can come up with?

MIGUEL

I don't see any benefit in escalating the situation.

SAM

Benefit to her, you mean. She already had her fun seducing my dad in front of me, God forbid I have some fun of my own.

MIGUEL

No benefit to anyone. Look, Sam, please, don't pry these old wounds open, we can put this... put her behind us.

SAM

(enraged) Old wounds? (she pulls up her sleeve to expose the scars on her arm) These wounds don't feel all that old, Miguel. Maybe to you they do, but not to me!

MIGUEL

(placating tone) Sam, I'm not denying your right to be angry with her, but please, don't turn this anger to violence. You remember what happened the last time you decided to retaliate, don't you? Who knows who's going to get hurt this time? I...I don't think you have anything to worry about from her anymore, and besides... (he draws a deep breath, looks at Daniel, who watches him, deep in thought, then back at Sam) is retaliation really the Miyagi-Do way?

SAM

(snorts) Oh, look, we've got a Miyagi-Do expert at the table. Well, guess I might have listened to your Sensei a bit too much recently.

DANIEL

(calmly, yet commandingly) Sam...

SAM

(still lashing out, but somewhat taken aback by his tone) What?!

DANIEL

Sam. Do you remember the caterpillar?

SAM

(incredulously) The caterpillar?!

ANTHONY

(baffled) The caterpillar?

DANIEL

Yes, Sam, the caterpillar. And the conversation you had about it with your grandfather.

MIGUEL

Ok, now you got me curious. What was that about?

DANIEL

(hushes Miguel by rising his hand) I'll tell you in a moment, just give her time to remember. Maybe she'll tell you... (to Sam) Will you, Samsara?

Sam stares at Daniel wordlessly, her mouth open, a frown on her face deepening as a distant memory begins to bore its way to the surface of her consciousness, conjured by the word. We travel in space and time to the site of that memory.

CUT TO

EXT. MIYAGI-DO - NOON

We cut to SAM, aged ten, give or take, wearing a hair bow and denim suspender pants, jiggling as she sits in the center of the pond's floating platform, which is now spinning due to being set into motion by DANIEL, kneeling at the edge of the pond. Eventually, Sam musters up the courage to stand up, brace herself, and, as she is about to come face to face with her father, break into run and jump just before the platform tips over, launching herself into Daniel's waiting arms. She laughs triumphantly as Daniel flips over on his back upon impact. She then wriggles free of his tickling grasp and runs off towards our POV. We pan back until a flute appears in the foreground, evidently held up in the air, and slightly trembling. Sam comes to a halt a small distance away, and, with a slight hesitation, asks:

SAM

Can you play something, grandpa?

As our POV keeps drawing back, we see the flute is held by a wizened hand, which is subsequently revealed to belong to no other than MR MIYAGI, his thin hair grey white, his skin liver-spotted, stretched taut over his cheekbones, and so wrinkled around the eyes they barely show through. He appears utterly absorbed in watching the flute as he sits in a chair in front of the dojo, shaded by its roofing.

MR MIYAGI

No can play. Flute taken, you see.

He lifts it up slightly, so that Sam can see a thick caterpillar crawling along its bottom.

SAM

Ew, that's a big bug. How did it get in there?

MR MIYAGI

Flute lay on bug path, so it now part of bug path.

SAM

You could blow into the flute to make it fall off.

MR MIYAGI

I can, aye. But my songs all about peace and harmony. How can play them if I take harmony away to play?

SAM

Well, you're going to let it crawl all over your flute, grandpa?... And don't you hunt flies with your chopsticks?

MR MIYAGI

Eeeh, clever one. But it is fly take away my harmony with her "bzzbzz" (flutters his free hand to imitate the wings of a fly, to Sam's amusement)... And I catch no fly for many years.

SAM

You know what kind of bug this is?

MR MIYAGI

Aye. It called Asp. Pretty moth. Ugly poison.

SAM

You mean these hairs can sting you?! Aren't you worried it will prick your hand, grandpa?

MR MIYAGI

No. By time it gets to tip, my hand no be there.

SAM

I don't know why you'd want this thing around. I mean it has pretty colors and all, but...

MR MIYAGI

Maybe it is I am around it?

SAM

Well, it's your backyard, or at least you are here longer than it has.

MR MIYAGI

Am I? I not born here. Bug is. Who knows how many times it born here before? What lives it had?

SAM

You think this bug lived as something else in the past?

MR MIYAGI

It will live as moth, why think it not lived other life before it was bug?

SAM

Other life, like what?

MR MIYAGI

You see white hairs? Wrinkles on skin? Maybe old prune like I.

SAM

Oh, grandpa, you're not an old prune!

MR MIYAGI

You right. More dried raisin now... Look. (points to the caterpillar, which has now wrapped itself around the flute) It shows to us.

SAM

Shows us what?

MR MIYAGI

The circle of life. You are born, you grow, you live, then you shrink and die so you be born and grow again.

SAM

Grandma says we go to heaven after we die.

MR MIYAGI

If you be born again with wings, like this one, why not? But the circle goes round and round, never ends. It called samsara.

SAM

Samsara...

MR MIYAGI

Aye. Like you, little sparkle.

SAM

(confused) My name's Samantha...

MR MIYAGI

(amused) Is that so?

Sam turns around,hearing Daniel approach them. She meets him with a questioning look.

SAM

Why does grandpa say my name is Samsara?

DANIEL

(playful smile) Well, it kind of is. What's your second name?

SAM

Sarah... (she goes silent as it is starting to dawn on her)

DANIEL

That's right, now put two and two together...

SAM

Sam. Sarah. Samsara. (her eyes and mouth go wide) Wow! Why didn't anyone tell me that?!

DANIEL

Guess there just wasn't a good opportunity to tell you. Now you know. Just don't tell grams, we fought over that second name enough. If she knew the reason, she'd roast me like beef over open fire.

SAM

So my name means "circle of life"? (turns to Mr Miyagi) But how do you know it's really like that?

MR MIYAGI

What see you when you see me? I old, but like baby again.

SAM

(frowns) You're not like a baby...

MR MIYAGI

No? I small, (sweeps his hand over mostly hairless scalp) I bald, I helpless, no can do much... and I cry much.

SAM

You cry, grandpa?

MR MIYAGI

Aye. Some days I wake up, feel lost, scared, look for my wife and child, and when I no can find them, I sit and cry, think I all alone. Then sleep again, wake up, remember truth, and cry some more. Your father... he no lets you see grandpa like this.

SAM

(goes to hug Mr Miyagi as Daniel looks on awkwardly) Oh, grandpa, why don't you live with us?! We wouldn't let you feel alone!

MR MIYAGI

No no, too old now to grow new roots. You put this tree in new earth and it will wither and die before your eye. This place (he extends his hand out towards the backyard) is close to where I began as can be. Is only right my circle come full here.

SAM

(eyes watery) Grandpa, please don't leave us...

MR MIYAGI

There, there, little sparkle, no need cry. If life drawn too long, life often turn ugly.

SAM

What do you mean?

MR MIYAGI

When I wake up and forget, I cry, aye, but some times I scream too. I say hurting words to your father or others when come visit. I... deep ashamed later, but I too lost to understand at time. Like ugly baby. So one thing you need remember, sparkle.

SAM

What is it, grandpa?

MR MIYAGI

A life ugly (indicates the caterpillar-straddled flute now placed on the railing) no need stay ugly always. A life beautiful no need stay beautiful always. Always...eeeh, no thing always but change. So you remember, let ugly walk path to beautiful and no think beautiful means end of path. Some times change sneak on you, need look careful to see. And men... like see what was, no what is. Especially when see ugly in other and beautiful in them.

SAM

I will remember, grandpa. And I will always remember you are the best grandpa in the world.

MR MIYAGI

(slightly embarrassed) Eeeh! You talk too sweet, make my sugar go up. But you listened to old prune long enough. Here (he indicates a plate of mitarashi dango sticks), take dango and go play, little sparkle. Before flies take all.

Sam kisses him on the cheek, then picks up a stick and walks off, nibbling at the soy-glazed ball as she goes. Mr Miyagi and Daniel's eyes follow her.

DANIEL

(to Mr Miyagi) A bit heavy talk to give to a ten year old, don't you think?

MR MIYAGI

You can face death any age, Daniel-san. Why any age too young to know death?

DANIEL

No need to assume she will need that knowledge anytime soon. At least you didn't have to tell her about your episodes.

MR MIYAGI

I know you make her believe me perfect. She needs hear other side somewhere. She should no think possible for man be perfect.

DANIEL

Now she'll be asking about you every day, and what do I tell her when you're... indisposed?

MR MIYAGI

Why, truth, Daniel-san. Maybe show truth too, prepare her for day I wake up lost... and then found no more.

DANIEL

(shakes his head with a pained expression) I don't think I would have the heart to do that, sorry Mr Miyagi.

MR MIYAGI

(nods solemnly) Such shame, fear what ... inevitable.

He reaches for the flute, now vacated by the caterpillar, brings it to his mouth, and begins playing a slow, poignant, melancholic, somewhat mournful tune, marred ever so slightly by errors...

The screen dissolves, and we cut back to the restaurant, with Daniel describing the scene we have just watched to Miguel in broad strokes. Sam's mind seems to be elsewhere at, but then gradually reverts back to perceiving the present.

DANIEL

That time was one of the last occasions we could listen to Mr Miyagi in full control of his faculties. I'll always cherish that moment in my mind, and I'd like to think my daughter does, too.

MIGUEL

He truly does sound like a someone with great wisdom.

DANIEL

Like a bottomless well you could always draw from in time of drought. Watching this incredible mind slip away from him during his last few months was... heart-wrenching.

MIGUEL

So what happened to him?

DANIEL

Well, it was dementia, that silent killer. But to tell you the truth, nobody knows exactly how he... came full circle.

MIGUEL

Why not?

DANIEL

He disappeared, vanished without a trace. I came to see him one day, and he was gone, just like that. He was in no condition to get far at that point, but still, search parties were conducted, yet we never found the body... His grave, it's in truth a memorial.

MIGUEL

Well, that's terrible. Not to know what happened to one so dear to you... But then maybe there was no body to be found?

DANIEL

But how could that... ooh, I think I see what you mean. (smiles) Maybe so. People have been talking about miraculous things happening to the bodies of saints for centuries. And if saints really do walk the earth, then Mr Miyagi was certainly among them.

ANTHONY

You actually believe that, dad?

DANIEL

(shrugs) Mr Miyagi's life was extraordinary. Is that such a stretch to believe there was something extraordinary about his death too? It's definitely a mystery that will likely never be resolved.

MIGUEL

(looks at Sam pointedly) Just as it's a mystery how he would act in a situation like this... or is it?

Sam fumes in response, vexed yet unable to deny the point veiled in his remark. She studies the door in silence, her fingers uncurling and proceeding to bang the edge of the table.

AMANDA

(uncertain) Well, maybe we could at least tip off the management about what their employee does after hours?

SAM

NO!...(calms herself) No, mom, last thing I want is to feed her persecution complex!

She casts a quick glance at Miguel, who regards her with evident gratitude.

AMANDA

(lifts her hands up in surrender) Alright, fine, forget I said anything. I didn't take into account you guys act according to higher ethical standards than us mere mortals.

SAM

I just will not give her an opportunity to claim moral high ground, that's all.

ANTHONY

Oh come on, what do you care? It'd be fun to see her get sacked!

SAM

Shut it, Anthony, or you're gonna get socked.

ANTHONY

Like hell I will! I've got my rights, you know!

DANIEL

A right to remain silent, Anthony. A right you're going to use now. (lowers his voice) She's coming...

An awkward silence falls over the table as Tory approaches with the receipts in a leather bill holder and a credit card reader, her eyes studying them intently. Miguel takes a look at his receipt and starts rummaging through his wallet as Daniel pulls out a card and is about to place it in the slot...

... when Sam suddenly snatches it out of his hand, stands up energetically, and completes Daniel's intended motion, receipt in her hand, staring straight into Tory's scowling eyes.

SAM

(impertinent smile) Sorry, dad. You always forget about the tip when you use the card, let me do it. (glances at the receipt, now addressing Tory directly) Ok, let's add ten percent to that... actually, let's make it fifteen, why the hell not? It is daddy's credit card after all... (turns to Miguel) Honey, what's fifteen percent of eighty bucks? (turns back without waiting for the answer, Tory's gaze now blazing at her with unadulterated loathing, and gives her a gracious smile) Uh, let's not sweat the small stuff, I'll just make it a round hundred...

She pushes the numbers, but just as she is about to confirm the payment, the card reader is abruptly pulled from under her hand and Tory's fingertip hits the cancel button.

TORY

(voice dripping with barely suppressed hatred) Forget it. It's on the house.

The girls stare each other down, Sam making a point of not allowing her smile to leave her lips. Tory's fingers grip the device tightly like tree roots sinking into the ground. Daniel's eyes dart from one to the other in panic. Anthony's mouth gapes open, Miguel sits with all his muscles tensed, ready to spring up at a moment's notice.

SAM

(sickly sweet) Wow, aren't you generous, what have we done to deserve such a treat? (acidly) Don't be ridiculous. You wouldn't be waitering at a sushi joint if you had money to throw around like that.

TORY

I'll eat the cost, even if it means I won't eat anything else for a week. Besides, it's the least I can do to make up for all the damage I've caused you. (gives the rest of the table a sweeping look) Property damage... (shifts gaze back to Sam) and whatever you had to pay for shrinks after our little throwdown.

SAM

(smile finally fades, giving way to a dogged frown) I didn't have to pay a dime. (motions to Daniel with her head) I have my shrink right here.

TORY

Oh, my bad then. Guess it wouldn't make much sense to pay daddy with daddy's credit card, yeah.

SAM

Best things in life are free, but then you'd have to live your life without constantly envying those better off than you to realize that.

TORY

(snorts) Sure they are, as long as you've got someone to foot the bill for all that other pesky stuff.

SAM

I'm very sorry I committed a great personal offense against you by being able to enjoy my teenage years.

TORY

Oh you've sure been enjoying yourself alright, taking whatever... whoever you've felt like, with not a damn given about anyone you'd hurt in the process.

SAM

I took no one against their will, and Miguel was never yours to begin with. And I'm not going to make anyone foot my bills either, especially not you. Now give me that damn terminal back!

TORY

(through gritted teeth, as she rips the card out of the reader and throws it at Sam) Over my dead body!

She spins on her heel and storms off. Sam grabs the card as it bounces off her chest and takes a step after her with a belligerent expression...

SAM

(hissing) That could be arranged...

...but is stopped in place by Daniel's hand shooting out and grabbing her wrist.

DANIEL

That's enough, Sam. Time for us to go.

SAM

We haven't settled the bill, dad!

DANIEL

You've backed her into a corner, what did you expect was going to happen? We'll settle this some other way, now come on, let's go before we get kicked out.

AMANDA

(imperiously) No one's going anywhere. (stands up, raises her voice) TORY, STOP RIGHT THERE!

Tory freezes up in her track, just as she is about to disappear behind the half wall. She turns around slowly with evident bewilderment.

AMANDA

(as Tory's gaze falls upon her) It is time we all had a talk...

CUT TO

INT. BOWLING ALLEY - AFTERNOON

We come back to the face-off between Hawk, Demetri, Moon and Yasmine, and Kyler and his two Toadies. The latter now stand erect in a row, Kyler in the middle, blocking off the others from the bowling lanes, obviously angling for a confrontation.

HAWK

(stepping in front of the others) What do you want, Kyler?

KYLER

To play a game, what else?

HAWK

(motions to the cash registers) Tickets are that way.

KYLER

Oh, that's not the kind of game I mean, lip.

HAWK

(scowling, low voice) What happened to the "we're cool, dawg!" spiel?

KYLER

(snickers) That was before you were a half-man. Now the truce's over.

MOON

(hushed tone) How did he know we'd be here?

YASMINE

(uneasily) I think he's following my Insta...

Demetri darts in between Hawk and the Intruders.

DEMETRI

HEY, SHOCK JOCK! Why don't you pick on someone who's not disabled for once!

KYLER

(feigns being spooked) Uuuuh, check him out guys, the brave little soon-to-be-toasted! (to Demetri) Alright, Stickboy, your wish is my command. (to the Toadies) Boys, you know what to do. (to Hawk, bellowing) THAT ONE'S FOR BRUCKS, BITCH!

The Toadies bolt forward from Kyler's flanks as he bodyslams Demetri before the latter can react, grabs his leg and hauls it up, shoving Demetri to the ground. The Toadies descend on Hawk from both sides as the Girls jump back with cries of terror. Hawk kicks the first Toady away, only for the other to knee his standing leg from the back, wrap his arms around his chest, binding Hawk's arms to the sides of his body, and hold him down, while the first Toady closes in again from the side and lifts up Hawk's legs. The two then carry thrashing Hawk toward the ball return lift where they set him down and shove his cast inside the lift's exit. They hold him still as one of them picks up a ball and throws it to Kyler, who captures it with both hands, brings it heavily down on Demetri's chest, making him gasp and jackknife, and then casually rolls the ball down the lane.

KYLER

(tauntingly, to Hawk) It really sucks this place didn't make the shift to new equipment - you know, the one that stops the ball return when there's something else inside the lift? But hey, at least we'll find out how tough is that cast of yours.

TOADY

You know, I saw a movie once where a guy got his mitt in there and ended up with a rubber one.

TOADY #2

A rubber mitt? What's the big deal?

TOADY

I mean he had to get a rubber hand, you moron!

TOADY #2

Oh.

Hawk braces himself as he hears the rumbling of a ball coming up the lift. The Toadies look on with mean excitement. Kyler watches with a self-satisfied smirk after throwing a jab at downed Demetri's flank, the girls stare dumbfounded and horrified, Demetri observes with a disbelieving frown. Then the rumbling gives way to a rather underwhelming knock, Hawk's arm jerks back slightly, and all sound ceases. The toadies give each other confused glances.

HAWK

(growing resolve showing in his features) Don't believe everything you see on TV.

He throws his lower body back, striking Toady #2'a ankle with his heel, at the same time delivering a back elbow below Toady #1's ribs. Both of them recoil and lose their grip on his arm and shoulders. Hawk pulls his cast out, only slightly dented at the tip from the ball's impact, jumps up, pushes himself away from the lift with his foot, and twists horizontally in the air, spinkicking Toady #2 in the thigh, folding him like origami in a hydraulic press.

As Kyler watches the scene with growing alarm, facing away from him, Demetri gathers himself up, charges, and slams the back of his knee with his shoulder. Kyler trips backwards with a groan, but manages to grab onto the back of Demetri's collar midfall, dragging him down in turn. Demetri lands his head hard on Kyler's sternum, and almost immediately, before the latter can recover from the impact, slips out of his shirt, leaving Kyler with a useless piece of clothing in his hand. Demetri, now topless, rolls away, backkicking Kyler in the chest mid-roll as he tries to get up, then leaps to his feet and faces him with his fists raised, staring him down defiantly. He then hears Hawk's shout from the back.

HAWK

DEMETRI, GET ME ROLLIN'!

Demetri gets the message instantly, races up to Hawk while the latter fends off renewed assault by the Toadies, using his cast for defense much like a buckler. Demetri leaps, holds onto Hawk's shoulders as points of purchase, and shoots out both his legs, scoring a double hit against Toady #1. As he comes back down on his feet, he grabs hold of Hawk's left arm and starts spinning Hawk's whole body like a hammer ball, all while Hawk extends his cast out and drives it into one attacker after another like a battering ram, knocking them away and onto the bowling lane, making them trip on the slippery surface. He finally detaches himself to slide with great momentum at approaching Kyler, who reacts by throwing a sweep, which drops Hawk to his side, but does not take out his momentum, allowing Hawk to finish the slide on his elbow and, with a heave and twist of his chest, to slam the cast into Kyler's collarbone as the latter turns back towards him after the sweep, toppling him over in the process.

Cut to Demetri moving onto the lane as Toady #2 rushes him, throwing frantic haymakers while struggling to maintain balance. Demetri deftly dodges the strikes by leaning back and crouching down, then responds by straightening back up with an uppercut aimed at Toady's chin. As the blow momentarily stuns his opponent, Demetri twirls to follow up with a back kick. His foot slips out from under him however, and he falls face first, but not before throwing out his legs to the back, striking Toady in the knee and crotch, making him clutch the latter with a pained gasp and drop to his knees.

Cut to Hawk, about to pounce onto downed Kyler, when with a corner of his eye he notices Toady #1 charging at him. He freezes, then at the last millisecond turns to swing the cast at the attacker, swatting away his flung fist. Toady is spun around by the blow while Hawk, also still turning, brings the cast down, pushes its round tip vertically to the ground, lifts his legs up and stands up on his cast while it whirls on the oiled surface like a spinning top. He finishes the rotation with a roundhouse kick to Toady's chest, springs back onto his feet and launches himself onto his opponent as he falls on his back, thrusting the cast down as he drops on top of him. The cast pins Toady's yawning mouth to the ground. Toady's hands grab at the cast, but before they manage to push it out, Hawk lifts his upper body up and with a mighty shove of his left hand to his right elbow pushes the cast deeper into Toady's pie hole, forcing it, with a ghastly crunch, to stretch out to a grotesque breadth, like the maw of a snake trying to swallow an ostrich egg. Toady's eyes bug out in mute panic as Hawk twists the cast inside his mouth, then heaves Toady's head up and with a swing of his arm throws his whole body away. As Toady's gab detaches itself from the cast, making a sound like that of a champagne cork popping, a stream of blood and broken teeth-infused saliva spews out into the air. Toady is hurled to the floor, then starts writhing on it while clutching his violated face with its presumably broken jaw. We get a brief shot of Hawk's expression, combining contempt and revulsion, as he watches Toady's pathetic throes.

Cut to Demetri rolling onto his back, just as Toady #2 grabs his ankles and pulls him in with the intent of getting Demetri's crotch within reach of his foot. Demetri thrashes his legs about to set himself free, but to no avail, as Toady's muscular grip remains unrelenting. Toady stands up, hoisting Demetri's feet along, then he raises his own foot in preparation for an axe kick. A cruel smile breaks out on his face.

TOADY

This one's called ballbuster, wimp.

And just as his foot begins its barreling descent, a bowling ball slams at full speed into his ankle. Toady goes down with a yelp, releasing Demetri, and our POV switches to show Yasmine at the end of the lane, her hand still up after stroking the ball.

YASMINE

(triumphantly) Got the pinhead! (to Moon) C'mon, sis! Time to lay down some artillery fire!

Called out, Moon snaps out of her trancelike state, darts to the lift, takes a ball out, and runs up to the lane, tossing the ball sloppily in Kyler's general direction. As Demetri lifts up his lower body and brings both his feet down on the prone opponent, smashing the side of his face and keeping him down, both girls focus their stroking efforts on Kyler, who is diverted from attacking Hawk by the need to avoid the sustained avalanche of bowling balls (one ball rolls over Toady #1's limp body, mercifully passed out at this point), trying to position himself so as to have Hawk act as a barrier between him and the rolling projectiles. Hawk steps back to evade Kyler's quick side kick, finds himself with his back to the girls. He hears the booming noise of an incoming ball, focuses on the sound as Kyler closes in, then, as Kyler starts twisting his chest to throw a hook, he jumps back, allowing the ball to pass under him, falls on his back and forcefully kicks the ball at Kyler, leaving him no chance to dodge the onrushing missile. The ball trips him up, as Hawk bounces back onto his feet. Kyler rapidly gathers himself up and charges Hawk with his back bent over, only to be headbutted, Hawk's spikes swaying like ears of grain hit with a blast wave, and stumble back, precariously close now to the maw of the pin deck. He shakes his head to throw off the dizziness, then, seeing Hawk walking towards him with grim intent, he cries out in desperation and throws an over hand. His fist meets the raised cast and bounces off of it, accompanied by the sound of cracking knuckles and Kyler's agonized shriek. Hawk dives under him and delivers a savage gypsum uppercut to his gut. Kyler doubles over, scuttles back, and throws out his hands to grab the edges of the pin deck and keep himself from falling in, his legs spread wide.

Cut to Hawk making another step, now in slow motion. He squints as he focuses on the figure sprawled out in front of him and its rapidly panicked growing expression. We see quick flashes of Kyler's former bullying of Eli, leading Hawk to draw back his lips into an angry snarl as he is about to mount a frenzied assault. But then his eyes dart from Kyler to his own foot, and these images are quickly superseded by the voice of...

DANIEL (V.O.)

Focus on this foot first, on how it's planted on the ground, and on how to shift it in a way that doesn't destabilize you.

Hawk draws in a deep breath to contain his raging fury, then puts his full focus on that foot as his other foot lifts from the ground. We watch in slow motion as his leg, hip, and waist muscles are brought under control to work in near perfect unison in order to deliver a wallop of a sidekick without allowing Hawk to lose balance on the slippery lane. His foot slams into Kyler's sternum, pitching him deeper into the bowels of the pit. As his body comes into a halt, half-seated, with his limbs contorted at odd angles, only his head, hands, and feet are left sticking out of the opening.

Kyler squirms feebly, but as he finds himself hopelessly stuck, his already frantic expression turns to one of sheer terror.

KYLER

OK MAN, I HAD ENOUGH, YOU WIN! ALRIGHT?! I'M DONE, FINISHED! I CAN'T EVEN FUCKIN' MOVE, DAWG! I'VE GOT CLAUSTROPHOBIA, ALRIGHT?! I GIVE UP!

Hawk sneers at him contemptuously, but then an idea comes over him.

HAWK

(doing a Christian Bale's Batman voice impression) I'm not gonna kill you... but I don't have to save you either. (looks at the scoreboard, then turns to the girls) YASMINE! IT'S YOUR TIME TO THROW! THIS DRAINPIPE NEEDS TO BE DECLOGGED!

He steps aside to move off the lane as Yasmine looks on hesitantly at first, ball in hand, only for her features to grow vindictive as she watches Kyler wriggling like a fly caught in a spider's web.

YASMINE

(as she poises herself for the stroke) THANKS, HAWK! IT'S ABOUT TIME THIS TOWN WAS REMINDED WHO'S THE QUEEN BITCH AROUND HERE!

The ball is cast, our POV glides on top of it as it speeds towards Kyler, now clenching his teeth and shutting his eyes tightly, goes between his legs, and slams him right in the jewels, plunging him ever deeper into the entrails of the machine.

Hawk winces as he beholds the impact.

HAWK

BAGGED HIM, NICE STROKE, YAS! (under his breath) Think we can officially declare this one a dead end in his bloodline.

Suddenly an alarm sound blares from the speaker, and a message: "WARNING: A FOREIGN OBJECT DETECTED IN THE PIT" is displayed on the scoreboard.

DEMETRI

(frowning, as he watches the proceedings while holding Toady in a joint lock) Hey, that's racist. Kyler's born in the USA. (to Toady) You wanna go next?

Toady shakes his head hectically.

DEMETRI

Then go pick up your buddy and beat it... I feel it's going to take more than that to get Kyler removed from the premises...

He releases Toady from the lock. Toady scampers to his companion - still down on the ground and moaning drowsily - lifts him up, puts his arm over his shoulder, and drags him away, hobbling and casting fearful glances at Hawk and others, while Toady #1's jaw hangs slack, dripping pink saliva. Nobody interrupts their departure.

Cut to Hawk, his expression vague, holding up his bloodied cast in front of his face, rotating it slowly and inspecting it intently. He then puts his finger to it and starts fingerpainting. We do not see the surface he draws on, but we see him make a crescent motion, followed by a series of vertical lines. Demetri comes up to him with a wearied gait.

DEMETRI

Oh, man, that jawbreaker move, what the hell was that?! (pointing to the cast) You sure you don't have some infinity gems stacked into this thing?

Hawk slowly raises his eyes to him - his look eerie, penetrating, serpent-like. He spins the cast, exposing the painted on side to Demetri's and our POV. We now see on it, etched in blood, a crude approximation of the Punisher's skull symbol.

DEMETRI

(eyes going wide) Whoa, dude! You took my disses and went with them, huh?

HAWK

(eyes unblinking) Oh yes I went with them, Demetri, and now I'm going to town. (breaking into a cheerless smile) Judgment is coming...

DEMETRI

(alarmed) Oh for crying out loud, Hawk, you still on about that?! Listen to Miguel when he tells you vengeance isn't going to get you anywhere.

HAWK

(snorts) You don't understand, Demetri. I'm not talking vengeance, I'm talking punishment.

Demetri sighs and closes his eyes resignedly, as Yasmine comes over to them, looking concerned.

YASMINE

Oh my God, you guys alright?! (she fondles Demetri around his ribs, shoulders, neck, jaw) None of that hurt?

DEMETRI

Well, not excruciatingly...

YASMINE

Means you're fine. (to Hawk) Nice warpaint. You in one piece?

HAWK

Yeah. Nice rolls. You stroked these balls something fierce.(he turns to face Moon running up to him, and receives her tight hug) I owe you one too, babe.

MOON

Thank our lucky stars! I was so worried about you back there! How could they... how could they be so callous to target you when you're like this?!

HAWK

They thought I'd make easy prey. Well, they had another thing coming, it turns out.

YASMINE

Alright, let's leave the celebrations for later. Now we'd better split before cops show up.

DEMETRI

Yeah, especially seeing as we've got a vigilante in the making among us.

Hawk gives Demetri a ferocious look as he puts his arm around Moon and they leave. Yasmine and Demetri follow, with Yasmine holding Demetri's arm. As they walk past, the Cashiers peek at them silently from under the counter.

CASHIER

(to the others, under her breath, after the two couples pass through) Anyone knows how to dislodge a guy from a pin pit?

CASHIER #2

Think we could use the pin elevator to lift him up?

CASHIER

Not unless we want him pinpricked all over.

CASHIER #2

We don't?

Cashier shrugs in response...

CUT TO

INT. SUSHI RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

We get back to the scene as Sam and Amanda have risen from their seats, Sam staring at her mother, stunned; Amanda glaring at Tory, who is now glaring at them in return with an incredulous expression. The men are all still seated, watching the proceedings with various levels of alarm and confusion.

AMANDA

It's time we all had a talk. (her voice rising in intensity and pitch) Because God damn it if I allow some idiotic feud involving my daughter to continue to fester while doing nothing!

TORY

(derisively) I don't have time for this, lady...

SAM

(frantically) Mom! No! You're just going to embarrass me...

AMANDA

SILENCE! (Tory's derision is wiped off her face as her eye go wide in shock) SAMANTHA LARUSSO, YOU WILL NOT SPEAK UNLESS SPOKEN TO! (shifting her gaze to Tory) VICTORIA NICHOLS! You will stay here and you will answer to me, (threateningly) or our next meeting will not be so pleasant, is that understood?!

Tory crosses her arms, shrugs, regards Amanda defiantly, but not longer looking so self-assured.

TORY

Guess my shift's over anyway.

AMANDA

VICTORIA NICHOLS, you stand accused of multiple charges, including assaulting my daughter and trespassing on and vandalizing our property. (glances at Daniel) I have been implored by certain concerned parties not to pursue legal charges against you. Well, I am hereby informing you that my further compliance with that request is conditional upon your full cooperation with the hearing that is now in place, is that understood?!

TORY

(slightly amused) It is understood, ma'am.

AMANDA

Good. This hearing will be carried out to determine the full truth and full culpability behind the dispute between you and Samantha LaRusso.

SAM

(disbelief) Dispute?!

AMANDA

As Samantha's mother I have been led to believe that my daughter, the injured party from here on out, has been victimized to no fault of her own, subjected to repeated attacks aimed at permanently maiming, possibly killing her. Do you dispute this interpretation of your acts?

TORY

(shrugs) I certainly didn't want to kill anyone, and as for maiming, well, I may have got carried away, but it was not my intention to do more than kick her ass.

SAM

She swung nunchucks at me...

TORY

Your nunchucks...

AMANDA

Silence! (to Tory) Do you then not dispute the unfounded nature of these attacks?

TORY

I do dispute it.

AMANDA

Objection duly noted. Now we are entering an area where I admit my information to be limited. Do I understand correctly that your initial altercation took place shortly after an incident involving (she glances at Miguel) a present witness?

TORY

Incident is one way of putting it.

AMANDA

Is it correct that the incident in question involved an act of infidelity on the part of the witness, who you were at that time in a romantic relationship with?

TORY

That is correct.

AMANDA

(to Miguel) Do you corroborate this version of events?

MIGUEL

(dumbfounded) Uh... um, yeah, I do.

AMANDA

(to Tory) Have you observed the incident being initiated by the injured party in the dispute?

TORY

You mean her? Yes, I have.

AMANDA

(to Sam) Do you corroborate?

SAM

(near-hysterical) Mother, how can you be doing this to me?!

AMANDA

(taking her eyes off her) I shall take it as a yes. (to Miguel) Does the witness corroborate?

MIGUEL

I... I plead the fifth.

AMANDA

(shrugs) As is your right. Nonetheless, we have arrived at a consistent version of that event. (to Tory) At this point, I feel compelled to ask, was the event discussed the first instance of a negative interaction between you and the injured party?

TORY

It was not, your honor.

SAM

(through gritted teeth, on the verge of tears) She pushed me down at the roller skating bar.

AMANDA

(to Tory) How do you plead to this charge?

TORY

Guilty as charged. Though I must add I did so because I anticipated the incident and attempted to deter the injured party from pursuing it.

AMANDA

I see.

TORY

Not to mention she attacked me afterwards while my back was turned, in a manner that could've resulted in a permanent injury.

AMANDA

(to Sam) How do you plead to this charge?

SAM

(numb) Guilty, mother.

AMANDA

Duly noted. Any other events worthy of record? I recall an altercation at the beach club, where the injured party was pushed into a dining table.

TORY

It happened after I was falsely accused of stealing your wallet, your honor.

AMANDA

(her severe expression momentarily registering surprise) Samantha LaRusso, was that the first interaction between you and the defendant?

SAM

Yes, mother.

AMANDA

Then why did you make that charge against her?

SAM

I saw her steal a bottle of vodka from the bar.

AMANDA

Hardly an equivalent offense...

TORY

(to Sam) Not to mention I did that together with your friend Aisha, whom you did not think to accuse.

SAM

Aisha would never do that.

TORY

Oh, but you were so firmly convinced I would, based on FUCK ALL!

AMANDA

SILENCE! This is a... troubling development.

SAM

Shall we call Aisha as witness?

AMANDA

It appears her corroboration will not be necessary... There is one matter that bears clarifying in my view. Were any of your prior interactions marked by disparaging remarks made by the injured party regarding the defendant's financial or social status?

TORY

(shrugs) She pretty much implied I was a lowlife after I told her about the vodka. Ever since then one could see that sense of superiority every time we met.

SAM

And here's that persecution complex...

AMANDA

I cannot treat this as proper evidence, but let's file this under supplementary information. Now, before the court issues the ruling, is there any additional information either side would like to bring to light?

SAM

(bitter) I plead guilty to everything, it was all my fault, mother.

AMANDA

It is this court's contention that ascribing the entirety of blame to either side of the dispute would reflect a deep-seated bias, a bias that I have unknowingly held for a long time as a result of my incomplete awareness of the intricacies of the situation. (to Tory) Now that is not to say I now believe the blame should be assigned equally. However, (to Sam) let us begin with the one guilty of the original transgression in this dispute. Samantha LaRusso, do you plead guilty to making false charges, unnecessary escalation of a physical altercation, and making untoward advances towards the defendant's then significant other?

SAM

(cold) Guilty on all accounts.

AMANDA

Very well. Do you agree to make an apology to the defendant for each of these offenses?

SAM

(dumbfounded) Apology?! After she did all these...

AMANDA

Her offenses will be dealt with in due course. Now, do you hold yourself guilty for what you have done?

SAM

I do. (lifts her eyes to Tory) And I'm sorry for accusing you, for sweeping you up, and for kissing Miguel... I hope that my inebriated state at the time can be seen as a mitigating circumstance in that last case.

AMANDA

(grumbling) Aggravating circumstance if anything. (to Tory) Do you accept these apologies?

TORY

(after a moment of apparent hesitation) Yeah, I do.

AMANDA

Very well. Now, Victoria Nichols, do you plead guilty to... let me see... four accounts of physical attack, illegal trespassing and destruction of the injured party's property?

TORY

Four is stretching it. The first one was pure self-defense, she was pulling at my bag.

AMANDA

Alright, three accounts then.

TORY

Yeah, I guess I plead guilty.

AMANDA

Are you willing to make an apology?

TORY

(staring Sam down, her voice flat) I apologize for attacking you and for invading your house.

AMANDA

(to Sam) Do you accept the defendant's apology?

SAM

(resigned) Yeah, whatever.

AMANDA

Now do both of you pledge not to pursue any further harmful course of action against one another?

SAM/TORY

Yes.

SAM

(snorts, mockingly) "This will never be over, LaRusso, you hear me?!"

TORY

(a twinge of embarrassment in her expression) I... I re...

AMANDA

Retract...

TORY

I retract these words.

ANTHONY

(under his breath) She should be embarrassed. That's one corny line.

AMANDA

Very well. In light of these declarations the court has agreed to commute your sentences.

TORY

(confused) Commute?

SAM

(baffled) My sentence?

AMANDA

(to Tory) Commute as in refrain from carrying out the sentence. Do consider yourself on probation, however.

TORY

I am on probation.

AMANDA

(taken slightly aback) Well, you know what I mean. Now, while I am now officially declaring this court session over, I would like to make one, non-legally binding suggestion to both of you; a suggestion I view as especially relevant in light of the upcoming karate tournament I assume you are both intent on participating in.

The Girls regard her questioningly.

AMANDA

I believe that, to express a spirit of good sportsmanship, you should shake hands. However, I will understand if this proves too much to ask of you at this juncture.

SAM

(sighs, throws her hands up) I'm fine with that if she is.

TORY

(shrugs, seemingly indifferent) I don't see why not.

Sam gets up from her seat, makes a (little shaky) step towards Tory, who extends her hand, wearing a black studded glove. Sam regards the hand sceptically.

TORY

Oh, sorry, my bad.

She pulls the glove off, revealing long, stitched gashes. Sam gasps upon the sight, gulps audibly, then braces herself and carefully takes Tory's hand. Tory's larger hand squeezes Sam's and the two hold eye contact, Tory's expression enigmatic, Sam's tenacious.

SAM

(quietly) I may forgive you... but he won't.

TORY

(smirks) Thanks for the warning.

They fall silent, neither willing to be the first one to break the hold. Suddenly, the scene is disturbed by a sound of clapping, coming from Miguel, quickly joined by Daniel, then Amanda, then Anthony (following a shrug) and other unseen hands in the room.

MIGUEL

(leaning towards Daniel) Does your wife have a legal background?

DANIEL

If you can call watching Night Court reruns that, then sure, yeah.

Finally, the two let go, their hands falling to the sides. Tory quickly replaces the glove.

AMANDA

(nodding slowly) Now, Tory, thank you for your time. Can we settle the tab now, please?

TORY

Yeah, sure.

AMANDA

(to Sam) Honey, do the honors.

Sam picks up the card from the table as Tory holds up the reader. Sam checks the recipe - $80.94 - and types 89.94 on the number pad. The reader beeps as the payment is accepted.

MIGUEL

(reaching out with the bill holder stuffed with banknotes) And my bill, too.

Tory picks up the holder with a nod, gives the whole table one more look-over.

TORY

Hope you've had an enjoyable meal.

She turns around and walks away as everyone's eyes follow her. She shakes her head as she goes.

TORY

I'm so fired...

CUT TO

EXT. SUSHI RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON

We cut to the LaRussos and Miguel exiting the restaurant, Sam being the first one to leave. As she turns from the door and towards the car, her eyes go wide upon seeing ROBBY sitting by one of the outdoor tables. She stops in her tracks, leading Anthony, staring into his phone, to bump into her.

ANTHONY

Hey! Watch it!

DANIEL

Sam, why did you stop? (he follows her gaze) Robby?!

ROBBY

Hello, Mr LaRusso.

DANIEL

Robby, what... how are you doing?

ROBBY

(noncommittally) Doing fine, Mr LaRusso. How about you?

DANIEL

Not as good as when I had you around.

ROBBY

Sorry to hear that.

DANIEL

Look, are you sure you don't want to talk things over?

ROBBY

Nothing much to say, I'm afraid.

DANIEL

You sure you don't need anything?

ROBBY

No.

DANIEL

(sighs) Alright, well then take care of yourself, Robby.

ROBBY

(impassively) You too, Mr LaRusso.

As Daniel is about to resume walking, Sam thrusts out her hand, holding the car key, in front of him.

SAM

Wait for me in the car, dad. (looks at Miguel) You too, Miguel.

DANIEL

Uh, actually, would you mind lending me your car and going home with mom? I wanted to drop Miguel off at the hospital, his mom finishes her shift soon, (turns to Miguel) right? (Miguel nods)

SAM

Sure, no problem. (to Miguel) Say hi to your mom from me.

MIGUEL

Ok.

Daniel accepts the key and goes past Robby, with a resigned expression. Miguel follows after him, exchanging brief nods and low-key smiles with Robby on the way. Amanda and Anthony head to Amanda's car, leaving Sam alone with Robby, who is looking off into the distance. Sam waits for Daniel to turn on the engine before she gears herself up to speak.

SAM

(after she takes a deep breath and exhales) Look, I've kept quiet about the last time we met, even though it's costing us dearly. Guess I'm still holding onto some foolish hope that you'll finally do the right thing... But no pressure. Took you some time to come clean about the medal, so maybe you'll come clean about this at some point too. As for now, I'm just asking you one thing in return for covering your ass.

ROBBY

(suspicious) What?

SAM

(voice shaky) Tell me, you were there when Miguel came to see Tory, is that right?

ROBBY

Yeah, was there for most of it, I think.

SAM

Did... anything happen there that he may not want to tell me about?

ROBBY

(looks at her incredulously, then breaks into laughter) This is what you want to ask me about?!

SAM

Dammit, Robby, just tell me!

ROBBY

(shaking his head) Well, I'm here now, and I'm certainly not here for you, so what do you think?

SAM

Could you stop playing games with me and just give me the answer?!

ROBBY

You sound so desperate, Sam, it's quite amusing. I'm tempted to tell you to take a hike, but I'll give you the answer. Not for your sake, but for Miguel's, who I'm sure wouldn't have conducted himself more admirably through the whole thing if he had a "saint" before his name.

SAM

(keeping a stiff upper lip) That's all I had to hear, thank you... So, you're with her now?

ROBBY

Yup. And I'd say we deserve each other. (looks her in the eyes) As for you two... I'm no longer so sure.

SAM

(brimming with suppressed anger) Goodbye, Robby.

ROBBY

Bye, Sam.

Sam dashes off towards Amanda's car. Robby eyes her briefly without turning his head, then resumes watching the restaurant door. Soon enough, Tory emerges through it, prompting Robby to get up from his seat.

ROBBY

Hi! Had to work overtime?

TORY

Hi, Robby. (shakes her head) Don't even get me started on today.

ROBBY

(alarmed, motioning to Amanda's car as it drives off) These guys've been giving you trouble?

TORY

You should've come in and seen that for yourself, you'll never believe me now. Her mom went through an entire Judge Judy routine in front of everyone. It was theater, seriously... but I have to say little Samantha got knocked off a peg or two in the meantime, so it was actually oddly satisfying.

ROBBY

Well, now I do regret not coming in, but how about you tell me more on the way.

TORY

No problem, let's go, I'm running behind schedule as it is.

ROBBY

(smiles with his mouth open before speaking) I... was actually about to suggest you change your schedule for today.

TORY

What do you mean? I need to drive home, then haul ass to the dojo.

ROBBY

I came here straight from your home, I left your mom tucked in nice and cozy after giving her all the care I could, and as for the dojo... what do you say we take a day off?

TORY

A day off to do what?

ROBBY

Why, train karate. But just the two of us, and in different surroundings.

TORY

We only just had a change of surroundings for our practice recently.

ROBBY

Yeah, but I'm talking surroundings where you don't need to have eyes at the back of your head to watch out for stuff trying to kill you.

TORY

So we're talking boring then?

ROBBY

"Serene" is the word I'd use.

TORY

Well, guess I wouldn't mind relaxing a little after that circus. But I'd need to change my clothes...

ROBBY

(prods a bag under the table with his foot) You should have everything you need in there.

TORY

(shrugs) Then I guess I'm out of excuses. So how do we get... wherever we're going?

ROBBY

Well, here's the rub. Not many buses going down that route. We're going to have to hitchhike. But with you as a hitchhiker, I don't foresee much difficulty here.

TORY

So you're saying you want to use my looks to get drivers' attention?

ROBBY

Hmmm... yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

TORY

(cheerfully) Alright then, let's go.

Robby picks up the bag, a contented smile on his face, and they head off.

CUT TO

EXT. FOREST ROAD - AFTERNOON

We cut to the sight of a 1985 Freightliner FLC-120 stopping on the side of the road. Its cabin door opens, and Tory disembarks, waving the driver as she climbs down to the ground. Robby gets out after her, shaking the driver's muscular hand first. We do not see the driver's face, but we do see his faded jeans and a white wifebeater shirt. Once Robby closes the door and jumps off, the truck gets back onto the road, hauling its imposing cargo.

TORY

Well, that was slightly more comfortable than riding in a concrete mixer.

ROBBY

Right, I wonder what gives that such derelicts are still allowed onto the roads.

TORY

And the guy's cabin, like some freak show museum.

ROBBY

Yeah, I wonder how he came by all this junk.

TORY

Probably never met a hoax peddler he wouldn't leave his monthly salary with.

ROBBY

Probably. Anyway, c'mon, follow my lead.

They walk along the road for a moment, before turning into a beaten path leading into the woods.

We cut to them walking across a long stretch of barren rocky terrain, then cut to them marching along a wide river's bank, past a pier, the golden sun reflecting in the water. Finally, we cut to them in the woods, coming out into a small clearing where a toppled tree lies at a slanting angle.

ROBBY

(puts his hands on his hips) Alright, this is it. This is where I wanted our session to take place.

TORY

So we had to go all this way to find a spot with a fallen tree?

ROBBY

(smiles) C'mon, don't say the journey itself was without its charm. This is just cherry on top. Also, this is the place where I had one of my first karate lessons.

TORY

As a Miyagi-Do student...

ROBBY

Wasn't even Miyagi-Do then, just me and Daniel LaRusso. You know, just because he turned out to be a backstabber, doesn't mean his lessons were not helpful.

TORY

So what was the lesson here?

ROBBY

Well, it was about getting on this tree and doing as much karate as you could without falling off.

TORY

That's it?

ROBBY

Preceded by some gobbledygook about "inner balance". I'd say I'll mercifully spare you that part, but the truth is I don't think I remember a word of it.

TORY

Wise choice in any case. So, you're leading the way or what?

ROBBY

You've got it. Back then, I was left there kicking the air, LaRusso being more interested in watching hockey than getting knocked off that trunk. But we aren't going to let any distractions get in the way, are we?

TORY

If we're gonna do it, then we're going all in.

ROBBY

That's why I thought to bring you here, to finally do this properly. So, you wanna change before we get up there?

TORY

Change while you gallantly keep watch to make sure nothing sneaks up on me, I assume?

ROBBY

I heard there are snakes in these woods...

TORY

Well, there are two now at least.

Robby chuckles, after which he turns around as Tory kneels to unpack the bag...

Cut to the two of them standing atop the fallen log, facing each other. Tory jumps up a few times tentatively, gets the feel of the surface, then assumes a fighting stance, Robby mirrors her last movement.

ROBBY

Wanna give it a trial run before we start proper?

TORY

(tilts her head) Sure, a trial run. That's what I'll call ripping through you.

ROBBY

Don't get cocky. It's a long way down.

TORY

(snorts) I fell off bigger heights before I was ten.

Without warning, she throws a front kick at Robby, who jumps back. As he sways his upper body to regain balance, she closes in, ducks, and gives a crouching kick, which hits Robby in the thigh, making him stagger further backwards.

ROBBY

(grunts) Ow. Nice one.

TORY

You're running out of space to retreat.

ROBBY

You push someone too hard...

TORY

... and he falls.

She darts forward, twists, launches into a spinning kick. Robby bends down underneath it, throws his hands back to grab the log, lifts up his legs, and kicks Tory's standing leg, knocking it out from under her. She falls on her back, is about to roll off the log, but at the last moment she wraps her legs around the tree, securing herself in place, her body now tilted at a forty five degree angle.

ROBBY

(somewhat guardedly extending her hand to her) Uh. Close call. (as she grabs his hand and turns onto her stomach before standing up) Can't just charge blindly, gotta adapt to your surroundings.

She frowns as she hears the last part of the sentence, a flicker of recognition lighting up her face. Robby uses her momentary distracted state to deliver a back sweep. Tory leaps up over his foot, throwing her hands to the sides as she lands. She totters unsteadily, obviously less experienced at maintaining balance, giving Robby time to transition from the sweep into a roundhouse kick. Tory throws herself down and to the left to dodge the blow, her arms darting in both directions to hug the tree. Once she gets a purchase, she lifts up her lower body and strikes out with a sidekick to Robby's chest, making him in turn fall on his back and scramble to hold onto their precarious footing.

Robby props himself up on his elbows as Tory regains her footing, grinning wide at her.

ROBBY

Hey, that was cool! Thinkin' on your feet, huh? Makes a difference, doesn't it? (taps the side of his head) Using this.

The frown returns to Tory's face, this time followed quickly by a hearty chuckle.

ROBBY (cont'd)

(confused) What?

TORY

You sounded just like him now.

ROBBY

(warily) Just like who?

TORY

(after licking her lip in a brief hesitation) Your father...

Robby's brows spring up in surprise before lowering into a deep frown as his features turn rigid. Tory appears flustered for a second; then, as Robby remains in a prone position, she runs up, leaps onto him, seizes his body with all her limbs, and makes both of them roll off the tree, with them spinning 360 degrees in the air in a tight embrace before crash-landing.

As Robby hits the ground and air is blown out of his lungs, Tory sticks her mouth to his for a deep kiss, and sucks his breath in at the same time. Robby's eyes go wide with alarm.

ROBBY

(as she draws her face back) Whoa, you tryin' to swallow my soul or what?!

TORY

(smirking) I like to get more than a whiff out of a guy. Thanks for buffering the fall, by the way. Finally got your chance to be a white knight.

ROBBY

(groans) More like a white steed, but yeah, you're welcome. Last time you sat on top of me, you were pumping air into me, now you're taking it out...

TORY

That's right, I'm going repo on you. What can I say, I always collect my debts.

ROBBY

(grins) Well then I think you've still got some more CO2 to pump out before the debt's settled.

TORY

Right on it.

Her thighs squeeze his waist forcefully as Tory's face descends onto his again. This time, for his part, Robby thrusts his hands up and pulls her chest closer as they kiss. They lose themselves to passion and roll on the ground, out of the frame.

Cut to the two of them lying side by side on the forest floor, dirty, disheveled and content, looking up into the sky.

ROBBY

You gotta admit this is a better way to "finish" a sparring match than what we're supposed to do at the dojo?

TORY

Depends who you're sparring against.

ROBBY

Right, you've driven all the other chicks out of Cobra Kai and now there's not much choice if one's looking for a good candidate for some rough and tumble on the mat.

TORY

I drove them out?! You think any of them would've lasted till this point, me around or no? And believe me, the selection doesn't look all that hot on my end either.

ROBBY

Oh, someone's picky. Well, I guess I should take it as a compliment.

TORY

So you think you're the top pick out of the pack, huh?

ROBBY

Either that or you've got low standards, so for your sake I hope it's the former.

TORY

Maybe I am just lazy and go for the low-hanging fruit?

ROBBY

(rubs his back) This fruit's more than low-hanging. This fruit's fallen off the tree and gone 'splat' on the ground.

Tory laughs out in response and Robby beams, satisfied with his quip. As Tory's laughter fades, we notice Robby's lips are flattened, with him mulling over something intensely, before he speaks again:

ROBBY

There's something I'd like to ask you.

TORY

(suddenly sober) What?

ROBBY

What do you say we take him up on his offer and pay him a visit?

TORY

You mean...

ROBBY

(looks at her) My father...

TORY

(frowns, opens her mouth but does not speak until after a moment has passed) You want us to go to him? Why?

ROBBY

(shrugs) Well, I reckon he may know something about Terry Silver, what with him being old Cobra Kai and all...

TORY

... but that's not the reason why you want to see him.

ROBBY

(smiles mirthlessly) Yeah, it's not. Now listen, if you don't feel like...

TORY

If you want me to go with you, I will, Robby. I understand you haven't been on good terms with him, though.

ROBBY

Oh yeah.

TORY

So why do this then?

ROBBY

Hard to explain. You see, for the longest time I've been able to convince myself there was no point in expecting anything from him, that it would just be setting myself up for disappointment. And maybe that's the truth, but... I don't know, it seems like he refuses to throw in the towel, no matter how hostile I act to him. Maybe, if we sit down and have a talk, we'll end up better off for it?

TORY

(reaches out for his hand) You do what you feel is right. I dared you before not to take running away as your go-to option in life. If you have feelings about him that are gnawing at your insides, then confront them - and him, head on. And if you want my support, well, I'm certainly not scared to face down the mighty Sensei of the fearsome Eagle Fangdojo.

ROBBY

(frowns) God, that name is cringe. So I can count on you then?

TORY

You can count on me, Robby. He won't be stealing you off from us if I've got anything to say about it.

ROBBY

Hey, don't worry, I'm not going there to set down the terms of my transfer. (facetiously) Just don't think of starting a fight with him. I did that before and it was not the right call.

TORY

I suppose I can cross over into enemy territory without stirring up a battle for a change.

ROBBY

(grins at her) Strictly diplomatic errand.

TORY

I'll keep myself in check.

ROBBY

Shouldn't be that hard to show respect to your former Sensei, no?

TORY

I suppose not...

CUT TO

EXT. WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL - LATE AFTERNOON

We cut to DANIEL and MIGUEL at the hospital parking lot, with Daniel sitting inside the car by the open door, and Miguel pacing nervously back and forth. Suddenly, their eyes dart to the hospital's entrance as they notice CARMEN, in regular clothes now, walking outside.

Daniel gets out of the car and walks slowly towards her as Miguel closes the distance much quicker - he runs up to and embraces his mother in a firm grip, while she regards him with deep affection.

CARMEN

Oh, Miggy, my baby, I'm so happy to see you! How are you?

MIGUEL

(as he lets go) Happy to see you too, mom. (motions to Daniel, now standing a respectful distance away) Daniel's making sure I don't lack for anything, and the whole family pretty much treats me as one of their own... pretty much. But try as they might, they can't make me forget their house is not where I'm supposed to be!

CARMEN

I'm so sorry, Miggy. I know this must make you feel terrible...

MIGUEL

I should be with you! Not hiding away like some fugitive! I don't care about the risk, or about him! Let him try and take me, he'll see what happens!

CARMEN

No, my darling! I know you are brave, that you want to... strike first, but... neither you nor any one of us can deal with this just like that. We have to wait it out, until you're legally independent. Please trust me this is the best way.

MIGUEL

(shaking his head) This doesn't feel right, mom. You and Yaya all alone there at his mercy? Have you called the cops? That man is a criminal!

CARMEN

Oh, Miggy, he is, yes. I know it, you know it, but how do we prove to the police that he is? We can't make them do anything unless he acts first. And if he does... I don't want you to be exposed to that.

MIGUEL

(determined) Mom, if anything happens to you or Yaya, I'm never going to forgive myself for not being there beside you.

CARMEN

You're my hero, Miggy, but it wouldn't be fair for you to suffer because of this. Manuel is... he was my husband, and he is my responsibility. And it is right for the mother to protect her son, so please, my little angel, let me protect you the best I can.

MIGUEL

I'm supposed to be the man of the house...

CARMEN

(smiles, deeply moved) You will be very soon, my dear. But until then you're still my baby. Now please trust me and stay with your new Sensei, just a little while longer.

MIGUEL

(sighs deeply) As long as you promise to stay safe, and please go to the police if he tries anything at all. Even if he just shows his face anywhere close to you!

CARMEN

I will, Miggy, I promise.

MIGUEL

And, uh, (smiles mirthlessly) have Sensei over for dinner more often. I'll sleep better knowing you have him around.

CARMEN

Of course, my angel. How are things with you two?

MIGUEL

Everything's alright. Sensei's been dishing out fatherly advice to me, and I suppose I've been putting it into effect in a way. The results so far, well, we'll see about those.

CARMEN

(smiles) I see. And with you and Sam?

MIGUEL

(uneasy) Well that's just what Sensei's advice has been about.

CARMEN

(understandingly) Oooh. Well, I'm sure you'll be able to take advice you're given and use it wisely. You have a good head on your shoulders, trust your judgment and you'll be alright.

MIGUEL

Uh, I suppose that will sort itself out sooner or later, I just want our life to be back to normal, mom.

CARMEN

Me too, my baby, me too. Be strong, for me.

MIGUEL

I will, and you be careful, mom.

CARMEN

(as they embrace once more) Don't worry, my dear, I will be A-OK.

MIGUEL

Kiss Yaya from me. Oh, and Sam told me to say hello.

CARMEN

Say hello to her from me, too.

MIGUEL

Sure thing, mom.

CARMEN

(as they break off the hug) Goodbye, Miggy.

MIGUEL

(gulps audibly, eyes watery) Goodbye, mom.

He turns and walks away, going past Daniel, who now steps towards Carmen, his expression uneasy.

CARMEN

Hello, Daniel. Thank you so much for the help you've offered us.

DANIEL

Hello, Carmen. It's not a problem at all. Miguel is such a sweet kid, it's a pleasure to have him as our guest. I just worry he may not be taking all this well... Any chance the matter between you and your ex husband can be settled somehow?

CARMEN

(sighs) I don't know, Daniel. But I hope it can, and I'll do all in my power to reach some kind of solution. But I cannot count on anyone else to resolve this matter for me. I ran away from my life many years ago. Back then I thought that would be enough to close the book on it and start over. Now I understand shortcuts like that... (shakes her head) may be deceptive.

DANIEL

(nods solemnly) I'm sorry you had to find out about that the hard way. Things do have a habit of coming back around, whether you thought they were a closed chapter or not. (smiles mirthlessly) Almost as if a life was an ever-revolving circle. But I'm sure what you did back then didn't feel like a shortcut at the time, but as the path you had to take. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to do next. But remember, if there's anything...

CARMEN

I know, Daniel, and I appreciate it immensely. But there's nothing more I could ask of you with clear conscience but that you do what you're already doing and offer my boy shelter.

DANIEL

More than a shelter, Carmen. A home.

CARMEN

Maybe in the future our home will become a home to your daughter the same way yours is now to him?

DANIEL

Possibly, though I feel like trying to keep tabs on these kids' relationships is a fool's errand.

CARMEN

You're right. For people our age, time flies by too fast to keep up with the young.

DANIEL

Are we really that old already?

CARMEN

Well, your looks certainly belie your age.

DANIEL

Hah, I'm flattered. I'd say the same about yours, but I don't actually know your age. (hushed tone) Plus I don't know if Johnny Lawrence isn't around here somewhere.

CARMEN

(chuckles) I know you were a teenager in 1984, so that gives me some idea how old you are.

DANIEL

I'm almost older than my Sensei was then. It's mind-boggling.

CARMEN

And you're a sensei yourself. Things do come back around indeed.

DANIEL

They do. For better or worse. Ok, I probably shouldn't be keeping Miguel waiting.

CARMEN

Thank you again, Daniel.

DANIEL

You're welcome, Carmen. (as they exchange hugs) Come visit us soon. Your mother too.

CARMEN

I will, Daniel. Goodbye.

DANIEL

Goodbye, and good luck.

Daniel nods to her and walks away. We cut to Miguel, now seated in the car and watching them, his expression pain-stricken...

CUT TO

EXT. JOHNNY'S APARTMENT COMPLEX - LATE AFTERNOON

... JOHNNY hauling two garbage bags, both filled to the brim, out of his apartment, carrying them to the trash container, already overloaded. He shoots his leg up to kick the lid open, but once he does so, the other bulging garbage bags spill out like a miniature avalanche and trip him up.

Cursing profusely, Johnny digs himself from under the trash. As he wipes the filth off his tattered clothes, our POV turns to reveal ROBBY and TORY standing on the sidewalk, watching him with frowns of second-hand embarrassment.

JOHNNY

(kicks the container) Shit! If I had a nickel for every time this dumpster's full, I could tile my floor with them. (his head momentarily turns to the newcomers before getting back to the garbage. Then as his brain processes the split-second image, his expression abruptly switches to that of bewilderment and his head zips towards them again) YOU?!

ROBBY

(awkwardly) Hi, dad. Need help?

JOHNNY

(wipes his hands on his shirt then puts them on his hips, sighs before making an emphatic utterance) Dammit, guys. I mean, I'm happy to see you, but... you've got some talent for choosing just the right moment.

ROBBY

Honestly, is there ever a right moment with you, dad?

JOHNNY

(scratches his head) Guess not. So, what are you two here for?

TORY

(propping her forearm on Robby's shoulder) We came down with a sudden urge for a cold one.

JOHNNY

(smirks) Did you? Well, I think I've got just the antidote for that malady. There's one small problem, though.

ROBBY

You're gettin' evicted?

JOHNNY

What?! No! Who do you think I am, your mother?! They did try to evict me, truth be told. Didn't work!... But they've left a bit of a mess.

ROBBY

(puzzled) And by they you mean...

JOHNNY

Not the landlord, I'm not behind on rent, don't you get any ideas. No, this was a different bunch entirely, and let's just say they cared little if they had to turn the flat inside out to get at me. Come see for yourselves.

They follow Johnny to his apartment's doorstep. The door is still riddled with bullet holes, now mostly stuffed with wood filler, and a blue tarp is spread over the broken window. The pair looks wide-eyed and mouths agape at the aftermath.

TORY

This looks like a middle of a warzone.

JOHNNY

Sure does, and you can't even take credit for it. Must sting your ego, huh?

ROBBY

(incredulous) You were fired at?

JOHNNY

Heh, it would make for a welcome diversion from just being fired, period. But no, not me personally at least. I mean, the goons probably thought they were unloading at me, but I got them fooled. Come on in, let me show you.

He motions them in. Inside, they find more stuffed bullet holes, most of the furnishings removed, with some broken into small fragments heaped into corners, and the few remaining ones being in various states of (dis)repair and covered in thick film of dust. Johnny immediately darts towards one corner of the room, where, propped against the wall, there is...

TORY

What the hell is he doing here?!

JOHNNY

(picks up Kreese's cutout and turns towards them) You guys've been looking for him? I took the liberty of borrowing the fella to act as security here. I have to say (pats the cutout on its 'shoulder') I'm very pleased with his sacrifice, he really took one for the team... (sticks his fingers through the holes) more than one, actually. Here (he pushes the cutout into Robby's hands), tell Kreese he served with distinction.

ROBBY

(sticks his eye to one of the holes) Right, ok, sure. (puts the cutout away) So you knew this was going to happen? Well, who the hell is behind this?!

JOHNNY

I believe it's someone you've already met. (he goes to the fridge, which, save for a few circular dents in its outer casing, appears intact, and knocks on it appreciatively) Couldn't penetrate this big mamma. She protected her babies and at the same time my most valuable assets well.

He takes out two Coors bottles and one bottle of orange juice, and carries them to the table, which, in the absence of one of its legs, is propped up in one corner by the back of a chair. He sets the bottles down and motions the guests to the sofa.

ROBBY

(indicating the fridge) I've heard you can survive a nuclear blast in one of these.

JOHNNY

Oh yeah? Too bad the poor shmucks at Hiroshima didn't get the memo. But then again, did they even have fridges there? (points to the bottle) Hope you guys've learnt to share by now.

TORY

(gives Robby a knowing look) We've shared quite a bit recently, so no worries.

JOHNNY

(smirks) Shared love of the LaRusso gang being one of those things, I presume?

ROBBY

Oh, that's one of our favorite bonding routines. (notices a few sheets of paper lying on the sofa) Hey, what's that? (he picks them up, sweeps the dust off) "Counter Strike Plan?" You play Counter Strike?

With an alarmed expression, Johnny darts towards him and wrests the papers out of Robby's hand.

JOHNNY

(stuffing the papers behind his belt) Confidential information. If you'd read more, I'd have to kill you.

ROBBY

Wow, didn't know you moonlighted as a spook.

Robby puckers his lips in feigned amazement as Johnny goes to the cupboard, rummages among its contents, takes out one intact glass and another with jagged edges, turns it upside down, spilling out tiny shards of glass, then turns it back up and puffs on both glasses.

JOHNNY

(bringing them over to the table) Best I can do, I'm afraid. Anyone likes to drink dangerously?

ROBBY

I think we're good with sharing the bottle neck too.

TORY

Which is not to say we can't make use of this glass.

She grabs the broken glass and uses its jagged edge to pry open their Coors bottle.

JOHNNY

Huh, well that's a first that I've seen. Nice one, girl. (as Tory allows herself a cautious smile) Gotta warn you about the juice, though. As far as I remember, the last one to drink out of it was one Samantha LaRusso.

ROBBY

(teasingly, as Tory regards the juice suspiciously) Oh I remember they've already drunk stronger stuff together. (hesitating) So you're saying she's been here recently?

JOHNNY

(with a smug smirk) Recently as in after that time you dragged her here for the night? (Tory's eyes turn to saucers as she shoots Robby a look) She did, as a matter of fact, and guess who she was here to talk about?

TORY

Herself, I'd wager.

JOHNNY

(chuckles) Not the worst bet, but be glad you didn't put money on it.

ROBBY

You mean she was here to talk about...

JOHNNY

That's right, Robby, you, and how she felt torn over having to cover your sweet behind after you got poor Ratface behind bars by planting that swag at LaRusso Auto.

ROBBY

Wait, what?! Someone went to jail over this?! I thought it was just a bug I left there...

JOHNNY

Thought kids these days could tell between a bug and computer part. Or did you not even know what it was you were hauling in there?

ROBBY

Wasn't paid to look...

JOHNNY

So you've been preppin' yourself for the lucrative career of a gang mule? (he picks up his bottle, takes a key out of his pocket, and uncaps the bottle with it) I'm really proud of you, son. (takes a swig) But not as proud as when I heard you scored the first notch on your Cobra Kai belt...

ROBBY

What are you talking about?

JOHNNY

Talking about what I've heard from yet another frequent guest of mine. Apparently he saw you literally bash a guy's brains out.

ROBBY

Not quite literally.

TORY

He did that to defend me.

JOHNNY

Well that's very noble of you, son, but you realize there are consequences to things like this, don't you?

ROBBY

Sure sounds like you know a good deal about what I've been up to, dad. And here I was thinking I had some surprises in store for you.

JOHNNY

If either of these things came to me as a surprise now, I'd be beating your ass like a Cherokee drum this very moment. Consider yourself lucky I didn't hear about any of it until after our skatepark sparring.

TORY

Skatepark sparring?

ROBBY

Daddy's been stalking me recently. Threatened to steal my skateboard too.

JOHNNY

Needed something to board up my window with. Anyway, so you've been working on running up a rap sheet long enough to put you away for life once you turn eighteen?

ROBBY

Don't have to be so concerned, dad. From what I can tell, I don't think anyone's going to be looking too deeply into that guy's death. And between the two of us, I'm not the one whose house is getting drive-by'd like it was rush our at McDonald's.

JOHNNY

Hope this happy-go-lucky attitude is just a front you're putting up to impress the lady. And as for that (motions to the bullet-ridden front wall), I believe there's a connection between that hit-'n'-run and what you pulled at the dealership.

ROBBY

(confused scowl) The hell you're on about?!

JOHNNY

(nods calmly) You heard me, Robby. There's a connection and his name is Manuel Diaz. Rings a bell?

ROBBY

(cautiously) Nnnnoo...?

JOHNNY

The guy you saw scurrying away from here the last time you came over, the guy they got to pretend to be Anoush to frame him, that Manuel Diaz. (his tone turning confrontational) You saw him before, didn't you?! I could already tell from your reaction then!

ROBBY

(holds his hands up) Ok, ok, I may have seen him once before. So you're saying he was involved in getting Anoush arrested? And what does he have to do with that drive-by?

JOHNNY

Well, you saw what state I sent him packing in back then. The shooting happened next morning. Not hard to connect the dots. Unless someone just randomly figured my home would make for a good shooting gallery. Or maybe that's how you guys deal with competition now?

ROBBY

Not that I know of...

JOHNNY

(gives Tory a knowing look) It would be just a slight step up from trying to run people over.

Tory lowers her eyes, visibly ill-at-ease.

ROBBY

So, this guy, Manuel, why was he here in the first place?

TORY

(eyes darting back up) Hold on! Manuel Diaz, is he Miguel's...

JOHNNY

... Miguel's old man, correctamundo. By the sounds of it, Cobra Kai is the least criminal enterprise he's wrapped up with. Miguel's mom put the US border between the two of them back in the day, and now he's onto her once more. Which is why I need you to tell me everything you know about him and his dealings with CK before he strikes again.

ROBBY

(throws his hands up) Hell, I wish there was anything I could tell you...

TORY

(softly, obviously concerned) Are you sure, Robby?

ROBBY

(frowns deeply as Johnny eyes him suspiciously) Hm, well, I only saw him once prior, he came to CK and spoke to Silver, don't know what they talked about... Oh, he also give him the... part I was then told to drop off at LaRusso Auto.

JOHNNY

He brought the thingamajig, you say? Ok, that's better than nothing at least. Alright, now what have you got on Terry Silver? It looks like may be at the center of all this.

ROBBY

Uhh... well, we were actually kinda hoping you'd be able to tell us something about him. Thought maybe you'd met him when you were a Cobra Kai student...

JOHNNY

(shakes his head) He's news to me and this news spells B-A-D.

ROBBY

All I know is that he's been buddy-buddy with Kreese going back to 'Nam, and is apparently loaded... And he's also a psycho... and interested in me apparently.

JOHNNY

(alarmed) Interested in what way?!

ROBBY

Um, not that way, at least I don't think so. He seems to have tastes roughly parallel to yours in that department.

JOHNNY

Oh. Well, that's... that's good. You never know with these rich fucks and the parties they throw.

TORY

Took you suspiciously long to decide if it was in fact good or not...

JOHNNY

(awkward) Aaah, well to be honest, if you took my tastes and added a whole bunch of money, it's possible the result wouldn't come out so good after all. (to Robby) Anyway, so what does Silver want with you?

ROBBY

Not sure, probably just to keep me under his heel. He made it sound like he wanted to be my personal mentor, but I pretty much told him to shove it. He creeps me out, I shouldn't even have run that mule errand for him.

JOHNNY

Great. Now this makes me unironically proud. Of course, there's something you could do to make me even more proud...

TORY

Here we go.

ROBBY

I know what you're trying to say, and the answer is no. I made a promise to Kreese that I'd represent his dojo, and I'm not going to renege on that. I for one do keep my word.

JOHNNY

Uh, I see what it's about now. But dammit, Robby. You don't have to abide by a word given to crooks and lunatics!

ROBBY

Kreese hasn't gone back on any word given to me yet. As for Silver, I'll just keep him at arm's length from now on.

JOHNNY

C'mon Robby, think straight for a minute! You said it yourself, Kreese and Silver are buddies, they work together, you can't stick by one and stay away from the other!

ROBBY

The man I...took out was Silver's underling, and Silver knows it was I that did him in. If I desert CK now, he may want to use that to get back at me. I think it's best I just keep a low profile for a time. I will leave the dojo after the tournament. Doubt anyone's gonna care then. It'd be my last All-Valley in any case.

TORY

Plus this way we can watch over Sensei.

JOHNNY

What do you mean?

ROBBY

We talked to Kreese about Silver. They may be war buddies, but I think Kreese is intimidated and afraid to go against him. Silver seems like the type that would walk over anyone to get what he wants. Kreese... he's got some principles, however twisted he may be. (looks affectionately at Tory) Tory wouldn't want anything bad to happen to him.

JOHNNY

(shakes his head) Kreese, intimidated? What kind of maniac is this Silver guy?!

ROBBY

He, uh, puts just about any other person I've ever deemed bad in perspective.

JOHNNY

Lovely. And you think you can just nimbly navigate around him?

TORY

He won't be alone.

ROBBY

(smiles at her) Oh yeah, perhaps what I'm gonna say now will put your mind at ease a little.

JOHNNY

What?

ROBBY

I've changed my lodging. I've moved in with Tory. I help her out at home now.

JOHNNY

Well well well, congratulations. Already accepted by the family?

TORY

Mom is just grateful to have an extra pair of hands around, and my brother is happy to have another guy to badger.

JOHNNY

I see. (to Robby, mock-confidentially) Her mom, she, uh, same type?

ROBBY

(as Tory frowns, he sucks in air through his teeth) She's not your type, dad. Trust me.

JOHNNY

If you say so. Well, they say living together is a good stress test, so I wish you guys luck.

ROBBY

Thanks, dad.

JOHNNY

So you guys've got your minds set on your choice of dojo, huh?

TORY

Eagle Fang just doesn't quite cut it for us, sorry.

ROBBY

But think of the flip side. You now've got inside men at Cobra Kai.

JOHNNY

That could come in handy, yeah. If only that inside man was someone other than my son...

ROBBY

Who else could you trust?

JOHNNY

(mocking Robby's voice) But I can trust you?!

ROBBY

(bites his lip) Yeah, I believe now you spoke candid then. But I've made my bed and I'll now lie in it... at least for a while.

JOHNNY

I... respect your decision, Robby. Just hope you won't come to regret it. Maybe it is for the better that you two stay apart from our students until the dust settles after the tournament. But you promise me one thing (shifts his gaze to Tory).

TORY

What?

JOHNNY

Don't go after our students again. I don't care what grudges you may hold with any of them, you wait till the tournament to sort them out in a civilized manner. Understood?

TORY

Yes, Sensei.

JOHNNY

Do I have your word?

TORY

You have my word.

JOHNNY

(nods slowly) Good. Now you be like your boyfriend here and keep your word or I'm gonna tear you a new... hole (points to Robby) even if I have to get through him first. You got that?

TORY

(impassively) Yes, Sensei.

JOHNNY

Glad we've got that out of the way. Alright, since you two already live together, I guess I should give you my blessing. (stands up) Now, don't you think papa Johnny would give just any ordinary blessing. As a matter of fact, I believe a proper place for my blessing would have to be a church. Would you indulge me by going on a little ride with me?

ROBBY

You're going to take us to a church?

JOHNNY

(smirks) In a matter of speaking. Now don't worry, it's not gonna be what you think.

TORY

(looks at Johnny's bottle, sees it is about halfway full) Well, I suppose if it's a little ride...

JOHNNY

It won't take a minute, you've got my word.

The guests shrug and get up from the sofa.

TORY

As long as it's not Miyagi-Do...

Johnny winks at her and walks over to a shelf, picks up a metal tea box, opens it, and pulls cash out of it.

JOHNNY

(under his breath) Uhh, so it's gonna be four tickets now. The hell am I gonna pawn off next, I barely have a shirt on my back as it is. Guess I'm gonna have to grovel before Daniel to share some of these fish sticks so I don't starve. Eh, things you do for your kids...

He puts the money in his shirt pocket, replaces the box, and turns back towards his guests.

JOHNNY

Alright, all set. You guys ready to go?

ROBBY

(motions to Kreese's cutout) Shall we take him, too?

JOHNNY

(feigns indifference) Your call. You can take him or I'll drop him at the dumpster.

ROBBY

(gives the cutout another lookover) The dumpster it is then.

JOHNNY

Was hoping you'd say that. I'm gonna dunk him like I were Michael Jordan.

ROBBY

That's the guy from Space Jam, right?

JOHNNY

(shakes his head) Kids... Yeah, the good one.

ROBBY

There were more than one?

JOHNNY

(shrugs) I don't know, weren't there? They make sequels to everything nowadays. Never mind, let's head out.

They walk out of the apartment, with Johnny twirling the car keys in his hand.

Cut to ROBBY and TORY hanging out by the car parked outside a somewhat disreputable looking...

EXT. CONCERT CLUB - EVENING

ROBBY

Looks like a place of high culture...

TORY

(shrugs) Snuck in there once or twice. The bouncers tend to wander off once the show's in full swing. From what I've gathered, it's mostly either local acts or washed up old farts that play here.

ROBBY

This being their last stop on the road to irrelevance, I'd reckon. Explains why dad's a regular patron apparently. Wonder why he'd think to bring us here.

TORY

(slightly wistful) Maybe this place holds memories for him... and he'd like you to have these memories too?

ROBBY

(smiles tentatively) And replace the memories of him I have now? It's going to take more than tickets to a smoky club gig to do that.

TORY

Well, maybe you guys can go more than one stop together on those tickets?

ROBBY

You don't think I should get off the ride ASAP?

TORY

(looking into his eyes) I don't know, Robby. It's your choice to make. I know that when my father's train left the station, he only bought tickets for himself and one way tickets at that, too.

ROBBY

I'm sorry to hear that.

TORY

(playing it cool) He was a screw-up, we were probably better off without him.

ROBBY

Sounds familiar...

TORY

Does it? It seems your father's not afraid to go to bat for those he loves.

ROBBY

Yeah, I'm just not sure this includes his son...

TORY

Only one way to find out, isn't there?... You know, I saw him as a screw-up too, after the... accident. I thought he was weak, wishy-washy, didn't have the resolve that a sensei should. But now I see that he never stopped fighting, never walked away from his principles once he truly set them down. I was angry at everyone after the school fight, looking for ones to blame, and I... was too quick to judge him.

Robby ponders on her words for a spell before answering.

ROBBY

The reason I was bitter with him for all these years was just that I felt he wasn't fighting for me enough, that he didn't really care. Or that it wasn't really about me. Nowadays... I'm not sure what to think. He did fight Kreese like hell when he saw me with him.

TORY

(smirks) Then it must have hurt him to see you there. I think I can relate... and I think it's possible he could only show his true feelings by getting into an actual fight over you.

ROBBY

Now that you mention it, when he snuck up on me at the skatepark and whooped my ass, I felt more love from him than I did in forever...

TORY

Well, you're a fighter too now, Robby. Maybe it'll be easier for you two to bond as fighters?

ROBBY

(snorts) That'd be quite the paradox, wouldn't it? Bonding by beating the snot out of each other.

TORY

(walks up to him) Maybe. But I for one believe love's like steel - it should be well-hammered to become firm and endure.

ROBBY

(puts his hands around her waist) I guess in battle blood does stir the hottest.

TORY

(pulls his face to hers) As long as it doesn't burst out of the vein.

ROBBY

(whispering) Mine can already barely contain it.

TORY

Then let go.

They kiss, passionately, until their embrace is disturbed by whistling coming from...

JOHNNY

(fanning himself with the ticket stubs as he walks towards them) Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but I've got something here for you... By the way, it sure is hot today, didya guys notice?

The Lovebirds let go and look at him with faint embarrassment as he approaches and spreads out the stubs in his hand, holding them out to Robby.

ROBBY

(frowning as he looks at the writing) "Metal Church"? Sounds kinda... on the nose, no?

JOHNNY

(shrugs) The name's what it is... It's called Metal Church because it's gonna baptize you into real rock 'n roll. And it's gonna be a baptism of fire. (Tory's eyebrows arc up) These guys may not have got a fair shake back in the day, but they're still legends. So you'd better show them proper respect or I'm gonna disown your sorry ass.

ROBBY

Oh, so you own me now? That's news.

JOHNNY

Yeah, I don't think mommy's about to jump out of the woodwork to contest my claim. That said, (pats the stubs) when these guys get on stage, it's them that do the owning. And they do it like it was nineteenth century South.

ROBBY

Alright, you made your case. I think we can take couple hours off our schedule to check them out. (turns to Tory) What do you think?

Tory tilts her head slightly in response, but the look on her face says loud and clear she is in.

JOHNNY

(nodding) Good. I asked the guys to cut you some slack and let you in, but don't be trying to buy booze while in there, or you may get these guys in trouble.

ROBBY

Sure. (to Tory) Guess that means our love won't be getting hammered this time.

TORY

We'll have to manage somehow.

JOHNNY

Right. So, promise to behave yourselves?

TORY

You mean bring the house down?

JOHNNY

(smirks) Like a good little housewrecker...

TORY

You've got it, Sensei.

ROBBY

(eyes them both suspiciously) You know, I'm starting to wonder if getting you two together was such a hot idea after all...

TORY

(without taking her eyes off Johnny) I think there's a good chance we'll see eye to eye on most things.

ROBBY

Yeah, that's what scares me.

JOHNNY

(slaps him on the shoulder) Hey, Robby, don't fret, be in control. Can't end every night out with a girl by dragging her to daddy with that deer-in-the-headlights stare. (Tory gives Robby a questioning look)... I mean, I don't mind having young ladies brought over as a general rule, but you saw my apartment doesn't quite offer... proper creature comforts at the moment.

ROBBY

(awkwardly) Yeah, no need to remind me, I'm not gonna let that happen again.

JOHNNY

I truly hope so, for your sake too. Dealing with a plastered chick - not fun unless you're already well on your way to the hotel room... And of course I wouldn't suggest you should take advantage even then.

TORY

I can hold my liquor, don't worry... unlike certain others, it seems.

ROBBY

Thanks for the sage advice. We'll be fine.

JOHNNY

(smiles reassuringly) I trust you will. (glances quickly at Tory) Both of you. (hands Robby the tickets) Here, take these and go with my blessing... even if I can't condone you sticking with that old nutjob.

ROBBY

Appreciate it, dad. And sorry but a man's gotta honor his word, don't he?

JOHNNY

Guess you've got a point here.

TORY

Besides, the tournament would be boring if everyone was on the same team, don't you think?

JOHNNY

Can't argue that either. I'll sure be bringing out the popcorn when that rolls around. You girls don't claw each other's throats out, alright?

TORY

(teasingly) Can't make any promises.

JOHNNY

(to Robby, winking) Trim her claws a notch, will you?

ROBBY

(frowns, gives Tory a sidelong look) I believe that'd be highly hazardous.

JOHNNY

You don't want claw marks all over the furniture once she moves to your place, do you?

ROBBY

(sultry voice) I'll give her something else to scratch on.

JOHNNY

(grins, as Tory's brows spring up) That's my boy... (suddenly his smile fades as he has a recollection) Uh, what time have we got?

ROBBY

(checks his phone) About quarter to eight.

JOHNNY

Ok, well it's been a pleasant chat, but daddy's got some business to attend to. You guys need a lift?

ROBBY

We'll manage, thanks.

JOHNNY

Well then, thank you for stopping by.

TORY

Our pleasure.

ROBBY

What she said.

JOHNNY

(slightly melancholic smile) See you again soon, I hope.

ROBBY

(steps towards him) Take care, dad.

Johnny extends his hand and Robby goes for it. A close-up of their hands entangled in a tight grip, bathed in the orange light of the setting sun.

JOHNNY

(straining to keep his facial muscles from exposing the emotions rumbling inside of him) You too, son.

Their hands separate, and Robby steps back. Now Johnny and Tory's eyes meet.

TORY

(smiling - the warmest expression we have seen from her in forever) Best of luck to you, Sensei.

JOHNNY

(nods appreciatively) Thanks, some luck would sure come in handy real soon. You keep my kid's back, huh?

TORY

I will.

Johnny nods again, then steps into the Dodge Caravan, gives them one final wave, then turns the engine and reverses the car out of the frame. The pair looks at him go, both smiling tentatively, until Tory turns to Robby, regarding him inquisitively.

TORY

So you dragged Sam LaRusso to his place?

ROBBY

Uhh, yeah, about that... Brought her there to sober up. Daniel tracked her down next morning, We only barely averted disaster.

TORY

I'd pay to see that. Anyway, take a look what I've got.

She pulls a bundle of paper sheets from behind her back.

ROBBY

Wait, this is the Counterstrike Plan?! How did you get it?

TORY

(shrugs) It slipped out of his belt when he was driving, and he left it on the seat. So, you wanna give it a read?

Robby tilts his head, his brows arcing up, evidently curious...

ROBBY

Let's see what goes on the old man's mind...

... only for a sudden screeching of tires to erupt, followed by the whir of an engine, as the Dodge Caravan drives up to them in reverse and comes to stop right beside their faces, after which Johnny's arm shoots out through the window, grabs the papers and yanks them out of Tory's hand. His other hand flips her off as the car roars off.

The two are left in a cloud of car fumes, standing rooted to the spot and dumbfounded.

ROBBY

(mouth agape) So much for that I guess...

CUT TO

EXT. LARUSSO HOUSE - EVENING

We see Sam's car drive up into the backyard. As DANIEL and MIGUEL exit the vehicle, we see SAM hanging out outside, obviously looking restless. The three approach each other.

DANIEL

Here's your keys, Sam. Thanks.

SAM

No sweat, dad. It's my car in name only anyway.(to Miguel) So which one of us is the better driver?

MIGUEL

(trying to sound diplomatic) Well, I'd say you trail your dad pretty close.

SAM

(puts a hand to her chin) So this is what you sound like when you actually lie? Yeah, the difference is obvious now in hindsight.

MIGUEL

That's why I generally refrain from doing that.

DANIEL

Not an easy principle to live by, but definitely a respectable one.

SAM

Sometimes lying is an act of mercy. Guess once you've been taught "no mercy," you've got one less reason to do that.

MIGUEL

Then I suppose I've just broken that rule.

DANIEL

Looks like we're on our way to rid you of that Cobra Kai conditioning then.

MIGUEL

Uuh, Sensei Lawrence already changed that rule before he even left Cobra Kai. Now it's "show mercy sometimes", (pointedly) and I've already acted according to that rule.

DANIEL

(realizing the implication, embarrassed) Oh yes, you're right, sorry.

As he is thinking of what to say to clear the air, his phone rings out in his pocket, releasing him from an awkward position.

DANIEL

(taking a step back) Oh, excuse me, guys. (looks at the screen) Who's that, I wonder. (accepts the call) Hello?

MALE VOICE

Hello, sir, is this Daniel LaRusso?

DANIEL

That's right. Who is this?

MALE VOICE

Sir, I'm calling about your Amazon parcel. I have just delivered it to your address at Tigertail Road. Is there anyone present to receive the parcel?

DANIEL

(confused, under his breath) Miyagi-Do? (speaking up) I didn't know you guys made deliveries at this hour...

MALE VOICE

Sir, due to a large volume of packages we now operate from sunset till sundown. Shall I leave the parcel behind the fence?

DANIEL

Well, I guess, I don't really know what it is...

MALE VOICE

Doesn't seem to be anything fragile, sir.

DANIEL

Alright, just leave it then. Thanks for calling. Bye. (ends the connection) Guess Anthony must've been messing with Alexa again. (to the others) Well, I'd better go and pick it up, not leave it lying there the whole night. Going to use my car this time.

SAM

Don't be silly, dad. (holds the key out to him) Will be quicker this way.

DANIEL

(grateful)Thanks, Sam. I'll fill her up on the way.

He takes the keys, gets back to the car, and takes off. After the others watch him go, they turn to look at each other.

MIGUEL

So you no longer believe I lied then?

SAM

(lowers her gaze, then brings it back up) No, Miguel, I don't. I was wrong. (shrugs) Again.

MIGUEL

(moves in and embraces her) That's ok, Sam. I understand how... sensitive this whole matter's been to you, and how you had reasons to be worried.

SAM

(presses her face to his chest) It was all projection on my part. I wouldn't trust myself to do the right thing if I was in your shoes, and so I didn't trust you either.

MIGUEL

Your emotions were running high, and you let your fears take over. That's ok. It happened to me too back then. What matters is that we've got through it now.

SAM

I feel like I failed spectacularly. Immediately defaulted to dumb cynicism and failed to see your heart for what it truly is. I feel... unworthy.

MIGUEL

C'mon, Sam, don't say that, we all screw up sometimes.

SAM

But wouldn't you be better off with someone who could really appreciate your qualities instead of being as blind as I've been?

MIGUEL

Oh, Sam, you're not blind anymore, aren't you? If anything, I think you're looking at me through a bit of a rose-tinted glasses right now.

SAM

(shakes head forcefully) No, I'm not. I legit don't believe there are many people who would go to the lengths you've gone for the sake of others. But how can I know I don't have more blindspots waiting to prevent me from seeing the truth once again?

MIGUEL

You can't assume the worst. We all learn with time. We all grow. You remember what Mr Miyagi said? Let ugly walk path to beautiful... I mean, I'm not implying you're not beautiful already, but... you shouldn't assume past failure will define you forever.

SAM

I just don't know, Miguel. I can't bring myself to put faith in myself...

MIGUEL

(emphatically) I have faith in you, Sam. Use it as support if you need one. If you truly believe in my great heart, then you'd better believe this heart can sense good too.

SAM

Maybe this heart is willing to see good even in those that don't warrant it?

MIGUEL

It went out to seek good even in much more hopeless cases than you could ever be, and found it. Throw off that cynicism, Sam. Start with yourself, and it'll become easier to do with others.

SAM

(a sad smile creeping up on her face) I'll try, Miguel, I'll try. I'll go the way you show me, even if my mind insists there's no way to walk on.

MIGUEL

I'm sure once you dare to make the step, you'll find that there is in fact a way. Remember Mr Miyagi - we walk the path always.

SAM

(raises her head, her eyes tearful) Together?

MIGUEL

Together.

He lowers his head and they kiss. Suddenly, their kiss is interrupted by a mail envelope being thrown over the gate and flopping on the ground next to them. Their eyes dart towards the inanimate intruder, as on the other side of the gate an engine roars to life before taking off. An engine we can recognize as that of the Dodge Caravan.

SAM

(leaning over the envelope) "For the Champ's eyes only."

MIGUEL

(picking it up) Guess that means me.

He tears open the envelope, sees two tickets inside, as well as a handwritten note. He mutters to himself as his eyes scan the note.

SAM

Well, what is it?

MIGUEL

May as well read it out: "I'm sendin you some aid in case you still haven't brought the Sam situation (Sam frowns) under control. Tell her to stop bellyachin over irrelevant crap and come see the show with you instead. Sensei's orders. Warning: Dee was just a warm-up. These guys are next level metal machines, so be prepared for anything and I mean ANYTHING. Good luck Champ. Your Daddy Sensei. P.S. Don't buy alcohol."

He lifts his eyes from the note and looks at Sam questioningly.

SAM

See, should've just told me to stop bellyaching and the whole argument could've been avoided.

MIGUEL

I admit I lacked the foresight.

SAM

So, what's the show?

He takes out the tickets and turns them towards her.

SAM

No idea who these guys are, but if it's Sensei's orders...

MIGUEL

(with a mischievous look, as the corners of his mouth curl up) Knowing Sensei, we're in for a ride...

CUT TO.

EXT. MIYAGI-DO - EVENING

We see Sam's car driving up to Miyagi-Do's gate. DANIEL steps out, takes out a key and unlocks the fence door. As he walks through it, we see that there is no parcel lying on the other side of the gate. Daniel looks around, his expression puzzled. As the dark is setting in and the dojo is shrouded in silence, with the only noise coming from unseen crickets, we get a sense of foreboding, and so, apparently, does Daniel - crossing his arm as if from a sudden chill. His gaze is directed further into the garden, but he seems reluctant to venture beyond the gate.

DANIEL

(out loud, as if trying to reassure himself) Must've been some dumb prank, no one delivers packages at this hour.

He shakes his head as if to express impatience, turns and is about to step back outside the gate, when suddenly he freezes mid-step, his right foot suspended in the air.

His phone is ringing. He frantically tears it out of his pocket, looks at the screen - it is the same number as the last time. Angrily, he taps the accept button.

DANIEL

(voice raised) Now listen here, whoever you are! I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but...

He falls silent, as from the other end the sound of a flute begins to resound - a slow, somber, mournful, ominous tune - uncannily similar, though not identical, to the one played by Mr Miyagi. Daniel listens as if entranced, the phone pressed tightly to his ear, his lower lip twitching slightly. Finally, the music fades away, as if flying off into the night, to be replaced by a...

MALE VOICE

(mock Asian accent) Daniel-san, yor package awaits.

The call is broken off on the other end, and the phone slips out of Daniel's hand, hitting the ground. Daniel now stands looking transfixed deeper into the Miyagi-Do grounds. After a while he takes a shaky step, then another, and heads away from the street lights, into the gloom. He walks, panting, at interminably slow pace, until he reaches the corner of the dojo. A previously obscured portion of the garden is now visible, revealing a large crate sitting by the edge of the pool. To its left, and at a closer distance to Daniel, stands what appears to be a two-legged practice dummy, composed of wooden boards joined in the back by what looks like coils of black fabric, made in the shape of a man crucified. A wooden square in place of the head bears a crude drawing of a smiley face. Next to the dummy, clad in black gi, stands...

DANIEL

(through gritted teeth) Kreese!

KREESE

(makes a step forward, jovially) Hello, Danny boy. Glad you could join us. The time has finally come.

DANIEL

(looking furious) I warned you not to show your face around here again! Looks like one lesson was not enough for you!

KREESE

Oh, but when is one lesson ever enough, Danny boy? A true fighter never stops training, and you, my friend, have been skipping your lessons for far too long. But not anymore...

DANIEL

(incredulous) My lessons? What are you babbling about?!

KREESE

(feigning surprise, pointing to the dummy) What, don't you recognize your old friend here? After he patiently endured all these pathetic blows you threw at him back in the day?! How ungrateful of you to forget. He came here so we could test your power again!

DANIEL

(fierce expression) If this is your idea of a joke, Kreese, then it was too much effort for too weak a punchline!

KREESE

(snorts) You're the one to talk about weak punchlines, Danny boy...

DANIEL

Well I'm done talking then. I'll turn this dummy into a sled to haul your old bones out of here after I'm done.

He starts closing in on Kreese, his head lowered, his arms bent, his hands curled into fists.

KREESE

(smirking smugly, as he takes a deliberate step back, putting the dummy between them) Such a shame for you to miss an opportunity like that, Danny boy. (his tone turning harsh) But if you won't take the lesson...

DUMMY

THEN THE LESSON WILL TAKE YOU!

With a blood-curdling scream, the Dummy springs to life, its torso twisting, launching an outstretched arm at unsuspecting Daniel, ramming him right in the side of the face and dropping him to the ground. The Dummy completes its turn, exposing its back side, consisting of the black gi-clad body of TERRY SILVER, with leather strips encircling his limbs, torso, waist, as well as running across his forehead and neck, holding the boards fastened to his body like a wooden back-armor. We see now that there are gaps in between the boards where his joints are, allowing him mobility.

SILVER

(stepping over to downed Daniel, who appears no less stunned by the sight than by the blow, spreads his arms out) DAAANNNYY BOOOYYY! HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?! God, how I've been looking forward to this moment! Looking sharp, kid! Too bad you ain't acting sharp!

DANIEL

(flabbergasted) Silver...Why? Why are you...

SILVER

Why am I here, you ask?! Why, it was the call of the wild! What did you expect, that you could throw a karate party without me coming down to join the fun?! I'm almost offended you didn't think to invite me! But since you didn't, I did what I do best, and I CRASHED! Harder than I crashed Guatemala's GDP when I got the coke smuggling rerouted through Belize!

He kicks Daniel savagely in the ribs, making him roll away on the ground. Daniel hastens to gather himself up as Silver glowers at him with frenzied contempt.

SILVER

GET UP, YOU SLUG! I came to have my fun, and by God, I'm going to have it! You call yourself a sensei?! You call yourself Miyagi successor?! Then show me what all the slope's teaching could get you!

DANIEL

(as he stands up and assumes a fighting stance, blood running down his forehead) Terry Silver... as batshit crazy after all these years as ever. Why didn't you stay holed up in whatever neck of the woods you ran to after we left you with an egg on your face?!

SILVER

(spreads his arms out) Because the clock rang and the time has come for round two, Danny boy! Don't you know the rules?! You may have a scored a point, but the match goes on! (to Kreese) Captain! On your mark!

Kreese utters the kiai, and Silver stomps his way to Daniel, who throws a side kick, only to have it blocked by the boarded side of Silver's arm. Daniel retracts the leg before Silver brings down his other arm on the bridge of his foot. Daniel follows with a right hook to the temple, but just by turning his head to the right, Silver is able to put the smiley face at the back of his head in front of the onrushing fist. The fist bounces of the wood, prompting a pained gasp from Daniel as he grabs his fist and staggers back. Almost immediately, though, Daniel reverses course and rushes Silver, with an aim to grapple him. He manages to wrap his arms around him and push him a few inches back with his shoulder, but Silver proves unyielding, withstanding the assault without losing his footing. He then lifts his arm up and bashes Daniel's spine with his board edge-tipped elbow, resulting in a devastating blow that sends Daniel to the ground, to be then kicked away again.

SILVER

What's wrong, Danny boy, you got anemia in your old age?! Because this is just pathetic so far! I should've got my fill of fun with your daughter here those few days back!

DANIEL

(shocked, as he scrambles to his feet) My daughter... (infuriated) WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!

SILVER

(feigning incomprehension) Did? Nothing, Danny boy, just said hello. Now what I am going to do, that's another matter...

DANIEL

YOU SON OF A BITCH, STAY AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!

SILVER

(shark grin) Make me, Danny boy. Show me that daddy love in action.

Daniel runs up with a desperate roar and launches into a flurry of punches, mainly jabs and uppercuts, most of which Silver blocks effortlessly with his boarded forearms. Daniel at least appears desensitized to pain by his fury, and a few of his hits make Silver totter ever so slightly.

SILVER

That's more like it, Danny! You almost got through!

Suddenly, he throws his arms to the sides and leans back, making Daniel's fist sweep the air in front of him. Before Daniel pulls his hand away, Silver swings his arms back and slams the forearms together on Daniel's elbow joint, the edges of the boards slicing into his flesh. Daniel withdraws the hand frantically with an agonized cry, while Silver spins and sweeps him up, his board-reinforced leg easily knocking Daniel off his feet. Daniel falls down, his injured hand hitting the ground first, eliciting another cry. With his teeth clenched, he kicks at Silver's shin from the ground, only for Silver to block the kick with a slight shift of his leg, and then stomp on Daniel's kicking foot with his other leg, driving the shin-board into his ankle and pinning it to the ground. Daniel howls with pain as Silver twists the leg, making the board grind his bones further.

SILVER (cont'd)

(gloating) Well, would you look at that, Danny boy! Seems like the dummy's getting his revenge at last!

Daniel looks up, beads of sweat on his face, his hair sticking to his forehead, and notices the gap between the boards on Silver's standing leg, exposing his knee joint. Seeing an opportunity, his expression becomes dogged, and he throws up his unpinned leg at the back of the joint. His foot shoots into the gap... but gets stuck in between the boards, failing to strike the flesh with sufficient force. Silver gives him a sadistic smirk, then with a rapid movement ducks down and bends the leg, making the boards interlock and crush the foot. Daniel utters a terrible wail, with both his feet now out of commission. Satisfied, Silver stands up, towering over him, as Daniel curls up into a foetal position, clutching his battered feet tightly.

SILVER (cont'd)

Giving up already, Danny boy? Then let this place bear witness to the smashing defeat you have been dealt. The first of many to come. And likely the least painful. Hope the slope can see from here how shamefully weak, slow, and dimwitted you've grown! What a stain you are on his memory, and what an insult it's been for you to teach using his name... (suddenly cheerful) But don't despair! In this match, there's a consolation prize! Or have you forgot why you came here in the first place? Well, let me refresh your memory then!

He grabs Daniel and cruelly twists his head to make him face the crate.

SILVER (cont'd)

We've got something for you to make your pool more... animated. Captain, how about we help our dear loser unpack his reward?

Kreese, who has been watching the fight with an increasingly disapproving expression, nods curtly and walks over to the crate, picking up the crowbar lying on top of it.

SILVER (cont'd)

(still clutching Daniel's hair and grabbing him by the belt) Let's give him a closer look...

He starts dragging Daniel's body towards the pool, as Kreese pries off the front part of the crate, making it tumble into the pool and revealing a greenish barrel inside, marked with a skull and crossbones symbol.

SILVER (cont'd)

Open 'er up, Cap'n! Let's show Danny boy the provisions of a true Amazon river rat!

Kreese lifts the bar over the barrel and brings it down mightily, smashing the lid in. As he looks inside, his head jerks away, his expression thrown aback.

SILVER (cont'd)

Aren't they adorable, Cap'n? Tip it over! Let 'em taste some fresh water! And maybe fresh meat too. (to Daniel) Consider your Amazon shipment delivered and installed.

Putting his hands on the edge of the barrel carefully, Kreese tilts it towards the pool, until the barrel loses balance and falls in, gushing water... and large numbers of something else, something small, scaly, red-bellied, toothy, frenzied and vicious...

SILVER (cont'd)

Oh, did I mention it's past feeding time for these fellas?

He pulls Daniel's head over the edge of the pool, tightens his grip on his hair and lifts it up, making Daniel behold the pool rapidly turning into a blood-red, splashing, seething, tumultuous cauldron.

SILVER (cont'd)

Take a deep breath, Danny boy!

With a mighty shove, he dunks Daniel's head into the pool, making him start thrashing about, grabbing impotently at Silver's face and arms. He holds the head submerged as the piranhas begin converging. Kreese looks on with alarm, his mouth gaping open, his hand squeezing the crowbar compulsively. Then, just as the swarm is about to tear into Daniel's face, Silver lifts the head back up, little razor-toothed jaws snapping mere inches away from their would-be prey. Daniel gasps for breath as Silver hurls him away from the pool, then plants his foot on his chest and leans down to stare right into his face.

SILVER (cont'd)

(voice low, as he twists the foot, grinding Daniel's ribs) You wanna see the future, Danny boy?! Imagine a boot, stomping on your face forever!

He presses his foot in some more, making Daniel wheeze and choke, then relents just before cracking Daniel's ribs. He finally ceases assaulting his opponent, now reduced to a bloody, broken, dazed mess. He regards him with a look of a job well-done, then motions to Kreese.

SILVER (cont'd)

C'mon, Captain, let's load up this cadaver and drop him off at his house. We wouldn't want his family to be worried, plus the nights can get chilly here this time of year. Wouldn't want him to come down with pneumonia either. (leans over Daniel again, coldly) He must live long enough to see my design fully unfold.

Kreese, his expression glum, comes over and hauls Daniel up by his feet, eliciting another groan. Silver lifts him up by the shoulders, and the two carry him out of frame, as we pan slowly to the pool, the seething of its waters slowly dying down, to finally cease entirely, leaving a dead, foamy, crimson stillness...

CUT TO

EXT. SECTION 8 APARTMENT BLOCK - EVENING

We see the front end of the Dodge Caravan coming to a halt by the sidewalk. As the lights and engine die down, JOHNNY steps out. We now see LOUIE a little further down the road, holding the phone with his back propped up against the side of his car, a baseball bat also standing propped up next to him.

LOUIE

(as Johnny approaches him) Took you long enough. I was like "Why didn't this asshole leave me his number?!" but then I remembered.

JOHNNY

Where are your "boys"?

LOUIE

I swear I gave it my best shot, but the moment they got to hear what your actual plan's about, they bailed without fail. And who can blame 'em? I'm the idiot for getting myself into this mess.

JOHNNY

It's not too late for you to bail either. If you're such a chicken shit, maybe it's best I go alone...

LOUIE

Screw you, man! No one calls me chicken! I'm here, aren't I?! But I'm only doing this for Anoush!

JOHNNY

Your loyalty to your friend is truly heartwarming. Assuming he's just your friend, that is...

LOUIE

You tryin' to say something here, bozo?!

JOHNNY

(threateningly) No one calls me bozo! (under his breath) I heard it enough fuckin' times back in the day. Anyway, enough chit-chat. You've checked where the signal's coming from?

LOUIE

Yeah, (points to his left) it's from that parking lot. But aren't you gonna tell me what your plan is exactly?!

JOHNNY

(snorts) Here's your plan...

He pulls out the crumpled up papers from under his belt and pushes them in Louie's chest.

LOUIE

(grabs the papers, looks them over) "Counter-strike Plan"? What the hell is this?!

JOHNNY

Closest thing to a plan you're gonna get. If I had a specific plan set down, it'd be accounting for more than two people carrying it out. Besides, I ain't Hannibal Smith and this ain't the A-Team. The way to do it is to wing it, and that's what we're gonna do.

LOUIE

(throws the papers away in disgust) Oh that's WONDERFUL! (grabs the bat and slams it on the ground) GOD DAMMIT! (begrudgingly follows Johnny as he walks to the parking lot) HAVE YOU GOT ANY ACTUAL IDEA WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO AT LEAST?!

JOHNNY

(coolly) I'm formulating one, now keep your voice down. (points to a HOODRAT sitting at the stairs of a nearby building and blasting rap music through his boombox, all while staring at them suspiciously) You're disturbing this gentleman's leisure time.

LOUIE

Like I give a crap. Can you at least see the car you were supposed to be tracking down?

JOHNNY

(nods) It's that BMW.

LOUIE

(eyes following Johnny's hand) Hell of a ride. I'd be wondering what it's doing in a hood like this, but now I'm looking around and it doesn't seem to stand out much at all.

We see the parking lot is filled to the brim with high-end vehicles, though most of them are dirty and many are damaged in one way or another.

JOHNNY

(surveying the place) Best sets of wheels drug and pimping money can buy... especially when you don't have to pay rent.

LOUIE

Ok, so we've got the car, it's empty, surprise surprise. Now what? We sit around and wait for the owner to show up?

JOHNNY

Why so sure it's empty? You've checked the trunk? And if we were to wait, then what? You haven't packed enough donuts to keep you through the night?

LOUIE

Very funny. But yeah, this is not a neighborhood I'd be spending the whole night in. You ain't gonna catch me in the hood after dark, you know what I'm sayin'?

JOHNNY

You're sayin' you're shakin' in your boots like a little nerd that's about to be given a swirlie. But that's ok, I've got an idea how to speed things up.

Suddenly, with a rapid movement Johnny turns, seizes Louie's bat, wrenches it away from his grasp, and before the latter can so much as utter a cry of protest, hurls the bat with all his might at the BMW. As the bat slams the door, the crashing of glass and denting of the car body is followed by the blaring of the car alarm. The bat bounces off and rolls back to Johnny, who kicks it up and grabs it in the air, to then throw it back at...

LOUIE

(fumbling as he tries to intercept the bat) WHAT THE... WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!

JOHNNY

(as he breaks into a run towards the adjoining apartment block) YOU STAY HERE, OUT IN THE OPEN, YOU SEE ANYONE LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND PISSED OFF, YOU LET ME KNOW!

LOUIE

ARE YOU KIDDIN'?! THIS IS YOUR PLAN?!

JOHNNY

(hugging the wall between two entrance doors) THAT'S RIGHT, IT'S A PLAN TO LURE HIM OUT, AND YOU'RE THE BAIT!

Louie looks at him shocked and panicked, gripping the bat convulsively. Then his sight darts to the upper stories of the building, where alert faces start poking out from the windows. He then starts frantically looking around for a place to get out of sight, but before he can decide on the hideout...

... gunshots erupt from above, bullets hitting the concrete right in front of Louie's feet. A startled shriek arises out of Louie's mouth as he jumps back and lands on his behind.

JOHNNY

(motioning Louie away, trying to keep his voice low while still being heard) Get behind the BMW! He won't dare shoot at you there!

Louie obeys the command, stumbling to his feet and skittering towards the car with his back hunched, while a few additional gunshots blow up spouts of dust around him.

As Louie ducks behind the BMW, the gunshots are replaced with a profanity-laden tirade.

MANUEL

HAVIN' FUN, EH?! YOU FUCKIN' BUM?! THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA HAVE FUN WITH MY FUCKIN' CAR, YOU FUCKIN' SHITSTAIN CABRON?! YOU JUST FUCKIN' WAIT, I'LL SHOW YOU FUN, PENDEJO, I'LL SHOW YOU CONCHA DE TU MADRE!

Johnny listens intently to the screaming and carefully moves to the door located most directly below its source. Once positioned right next to it, he hugs the wall again and stays motionless, the scene becoming still save for the blinking of the BMW's lights. Louie peeks his head just slightly over the car's hood, then almost immediately ducks back below it. Finally the entrance door next to Johnny bursts open and Manuel emerges onto the lot, eyes fixed on the car, a handgun pointed in front of him. Johnny reacts instantly, springing away from the wall, rushing Manuel from behind, wrapping one arm around his throat and grabbing his outstretched wrist with his other hand, to then pull it up and all the way back, twisting the wrist savagely at the same time, forcing it to open and drop the gun. Once the gun hits the ground, Johnny starts landing blows to the writhing man's sides, then knees his knee joints until Manuel topples over, and the pair collapses with Johnny on top, maintaining a tight chokehold.

Johnny looks up from his catch to see Louie guardedly running up to them.

LOUIE

(panting) IS THIS HIM?!

JOHNNY

Nah, it's the doorman...(on Louie's panicked expression) YES, OF COURSE IT'S HIM! Don't you see the uncanny similarity to your dear Ratface? C'mon, help me haul him up! (to Manuel) And if you so much as make a peep, I'll crush your larynx, comprendo?!

Manuel gurgles in response as Louie scrambles to grab his arm and pull him up while Johnny gets onto his feet, his hold unbroken. Manuel strains against their movements, but otherwise does not put up much of a fight.

LOUIE

(as they start staggering towards the street) You could've gotten me killed back there!

JOHNNY

Didn't expect he'd start blasting right away. Anyway, let's leave the woulda coulda shouldas for later, alright? We gotta get him to the car now!

LOUIE

And then what?!

JOHNNY

Find somewhere we'll have some peace and quiet...

Johnny goes silent as he sees three figures walking to the parking lot and onto their escape route. It's the TEAR-EYED MAN (TEM), the GAP-TOOTHED MAN (GTM), and the GOATEE MAN (GM), carrying grocery bags filled with beer and snacks. Johnny immediately realizes these guys are trouble as they stare at him with baffled scowls. Everyone stops in their tracks, Louie bumping into Manuel before he does so, and we are faced with a scene resembling that of a Mexican standoff.

JOHNNY

(under his breath) Guess that's why we didn't have to deal with any guards before...

LOUIE

So THESE are the guy's bodyguards?!

JOHNNY

Not sure, but if you wanna go up to them and ask if they'll kindly let us through, then be my guest.

The Cartel Men exchange glances, then drop their bags and begin advancing on them, cracking their knuckles as they go. Manuel's dazed look turns into a wicked smirk.

LOUIE

Ok, I don't think these fellas are here to deliver a Taco Bell order. (panicked) The hell do we do?!

JOHNNY

(starts moving back) They'll have us surrounded here in the open, we need to get to a closed space. Give me the bat.

He yanks the weapon from Louie's grip, then brings it down hard on the back of Manuel's head, and shoves his now limp form into Louie's arms.

JOHNNY

TAKE HIM BACK INSIDE AS FAST AS YOU CAN! I'LL HOLD THEM OFF!

He assumes the pose of a baseball hitter while slowly inching backwards, as Louie frantically drags Manuel's body to the door. The Cartel Men close in, creeping up on Johnny from multiple directions, but as GTM gets slightly too close, Johnny dashes at him and swings the bat mightily at his pelvis, making him reel away from the impact, then immediately jumps back before the other two manage to converge on him. The bat sweeps before their noses as they leap back.

JOHNNY

(defiantly) So, you muchachos eager to get into the wonderful all-American game of baseball? Then I'm all too happy to oblige you!

The Men keep closing in, feinting advances and deftly dodging the following swings. GM moves to the side and when Johnny's latest swipe comes to a halt again without hitting any target, he lunges and makes a grab at the bat. He seizes it and the other two rush Johnny, who in turn jumps up, twists around the now horizontal laying bat's axis while holding onto it with both hands, and delivers a jumping kick with a different foot for each attacker, driving them both away. He uses the second kick to launch himself at GM, diving under him, tripping him over as he rolls underneath him, and yanking the bat away in the process. As he springs to his feet, he gives GM a pendulum-like kick, sending his body sliding on the concrete right under the feet of the other two Men, and takes off in Louie's direction.

Cut to Louie reaching the door, dropping Manuel on the ground, then grabbing the knob and jerking it, to no effect.

LOUIE

(near-hysterical) THE DOOR'S LOCKED!

JOHNNY

(keeping his eyes on the now more cautious Men) BREAK THE GLASS AND OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE, GOD DAMMIT!

Louie gulps, raises his fist with an appalled expression. Then stops, a thought reaching his brain. He reaches down, brings up Manuel's slack arm, grips it with both hands, and slams it into the glass, breaking it. He then reaches inside and turns the handle, opening the door.

LOUIE

OK, GOT IT!

JOHNNY

GREAT! NOW MAKE WAY!

Johnny makes a run for the door, the Men hot on his heels. He throws the bat to Louie, who has now staggered inside, leaps over Manuel's body, grabs its shoulders, and lifts it up, using it as a shield against the oncoming blows while he stands in the doorway. Manuel jerks as he receives the punches, moaning dizzily. The Men grab at him and try to wrench him away, but then, from over Manuel and Johnny's heads, the tip of the bat starts poking at them, mashing their shaved scalps and driving them back. It is Louie, using the bat almost like a Roman legionnaire would strike with his spear from under the cover of his shield.

JOHNNY

(elated) THAT'S IT! KEEP AT IT AND LET'S GET TO THE STAIRS! WE NEED THE HIGH GROUND!

They fall back, a two-man phalanx, as the Men push themselves inside. The cramped ground floor corridor, strewn with all kinds of garbage, effectively prevents them from any attempts at flanking, as Louie's bat keeps poking at their glistening, tattooed pates. The Kidnappers consequently reach the base of the stairs with relative ease.

JOHNNY

ALRIGHT, HERE'S WHERE WE FIGHT! HOLD HIS LEFT SIDE!

Johnny's shoves Manuel's body to the left, where Louie grabs him under the armpit to keep him upright. As they ascend the stairs backwards, now almost shoulder to shoulder, each of them only has one hand to strike with, Louie frantically swinging his bat up and down like he was playing whack-a-mole, Johnny relying more on kicks to push the attackers back down as they relentlessly swarm on the three of them.

LOUIE

(indicating Manuel's limp figure) MAN, THIS IS LIKE WE WERE IN WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S OR SOMETHING, DUDE!

JOHNNY

RIGHT, WEEKEND AT BENICIO'S. ONLY WITH MORE FACE BASHING! KEEP GOING!

He delivers a low roundhouse kick to TEM's face as he speaks, sending him stumbling at the railing on Louie's side, pushing the others down. Louie attempts to follow up with a baseball whack, but then Manuel stirs violently in his grasp, knocking him off balance and leading to the bat hitting the railing beside TEM's face. TEM grabs the bat as it bounces up, and yanks at it, pulling Louie down. Simultaneously, GTM runs up and cross punches Louie's now unshielded gut. Louie folds in half with a moan, loses grip on his weapon, and is about to go down when Johnny, in desperation, thrusts Manuel's body at the Men with all his might, making TEM and GTM topple like domino blocks. Manuel is about to follow them down when Johnny dives at him and grabs the back of his collar at the last moment, and heaves him up with one hand, while clutching the railing with the other.

JOHNNY

(pushing Manuel at Louie) HOLD HIM! TIME TO GO ON THE OFFENSE!

He barrels down the stairs, straight at GM who has just grabbed hold of TEM to stop his descent, and with a savage front kick sends them both sprawling and rolling down. Then he dashes towards GTM, who has intercepted the bat from falling TEM. GTM swings the bat while half-prone, but Johnny closes enough distance before to be able to grab his wrist mid-swing. He shoves GTM's wrist down onto the stair's edge, making it drop the bat upon impact, grabs the bat as it slides away, and drives its handle into GTM's mug, launching him into a downward tumble.

Johnny stands erect, again wielding the bat with conviction, as the Men gather themselves up laboriously at the bottom of the stairs.

JOHNNY

(ferocious grin) So which of you three amigos wants to play the next round, huh? Or have you all lost your sombreros?!

His taunting is cut short when he hears a pained yelp coming from Louie behind him. He turns his head to see Louie slumping down, holding his side tightly, and Manuel scrambling up the stairs.

LOUIE

Uugh!... Didn't realize he came back round...

Cursing through gritted teeth, Johnny sprints up in pursuit, grabbing Louie by the collar and wrenching him up on the way.

JOHNNY

C'MON! CAN'T LET HIM GET AWAY!

Louie clambers along on all fours, moaning softly, while the Men begin to follow them upstairs...

Cut to the view of the second floor hallway, as Manuel stumbles out of the stairway and breaks into a run to its other end, tripping on his feet as he does so. With our POV in front of Manuel, we see Johnny emerge in the background, run up, arch his body to the back, and hurl the baseball bat at the Runaway. The projectile strikes Manuel straight between the shoulder blades, making him collapse onto the floor with an agonized screech. Johnny turns around to see Louie belaboredly catch up, and with a slap on the back pushes him towards Manuel.

JOHNNY

GET HIM! AND KEEP HIM DOWN AND OUT THIS TIME! I SAW FIRE ESCAPES OUTSIDE! LOOK FOR ONE!

As Louie scampers away, Johnny turns to face the Men as they reach their floor, his expression dogged and mean. He rolls up his shirt sleeves and makes a step towards them.

JOHNNY

Alright, muchachos, time I stuff you into a pinata and mail you back to Juarez.

He accelerates, closing in on them before they spill out of the stairway, leaps, sidekicks GTM in the air, lands on all fours, sweeps up GM, raises up, dodges TEM's right hook to the side, wraps his arm around TEM's outstretched elbow, slams his back into him and throws him over his shoulder onto the ground. Crouching, he back-kicks GTM, then, rising, he swats away GM's roundhouse kick with a twist of his elbow, and in the same movement answers with a spinning kick of his own. Then, as TEM rotates on the floor to face him, he grabs his leg and drags him around in a circle, sweeping up the floor with his body and tripping over GTM before throwing TEM away. He leans down to dodge GM's cross punch from behind, then shoves both his elbows back and into his gut, wraps his arm around GM's neck as he jackknifes from the blow, breaks into a run with an angry roar, lugging GM alongside, and hurtles him at the wall, where GM slams into a wall-mounted lamp, to collapse in a shower of sparks and metal bits.

Without looking, Johnny throws a back-kick, jamming his foot into GTM's chest. GTM grabs onto his ankle, only for Johnny to jump up, spin in the air, and kick him in the head with his other foot. Johnny drops on his back, rolls back to evade TEM's stomp, launches himself from the ground, rams his shoulder into TEM's chest, puts his hand around TEM's waist, circles behind him, throws himself down and wrenches him to the ground, planting a right hook in the side of his mouth as he does so.

He springs up, his chest now heaving. With no immediate attacks to counter, he moves towards Louie, who is dragging Manuel towards the window at the end of the corridor, while pressing the baseball bat into his neck with both hands, with Manuel purple-faced and gasping for breath.

JOHNNY

HEY! REMEMBER WE NEED HIM ALIVE!

As Johnny reaches the middle of the hallway, he hears approaching footsteps and turns, to face GM stumbling at him, face bloody. He easily intercepts the incoming jab, twists GM's arm, making his whole body spin around, puts him in a joint lock, and tosses him behind himself towards Louie.

JOHNNY

HERE! YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS ONE!

He raises his fists as TEM and GTM somewhat hesitantly advance. They assault in unison, as Johnny scrambles to block and push away their strikes, growing visibly more weary by the moment. GTM lands a hit between his ribs while TEM successfully targets Johnny's shins with his kicks, forcing him to draw back. The blows spur on Johnny's rage, and as the Men both throw haymakers at his face, he shoots out his hands, seizes their wrists and smashes their fists into one another. He then pushes their arms to the sides, moves in, snatches up their heads and in turn bashes them together. The Men reel in opposite directions. Johnny gets in between them, backicks TEM away,then with a crescent swing of the same leg knees GTM in the crotch and shoves him at a door behind him.

Suddenly, GTM is catapulted back at Johnny as the door bursts open, revealing a burly bald BLACK MAN, his face contorted in anger.

MAN

What in the almighty FUCK is goin' on here?!

JOHNNY

(as he throws GTM off of himself and at TEM) Hey, brotha, you better get back inside!

MAN

Oh yeah?! I don't think so, man! Coz I've had it with these MUTHAFUCKIN' CHOLOS at my MUTHAFUCKIN' DOOR!

GTM throws a punch that Johnny sidesteps, and is carried by the momentum right at the Man. His elbow slams into the Man's jaw. The Man's head jerks up slightly, and when it comes back down, the look in his eyes spells pure murder. He bullrushes GTM, grabbing at his face, arms, clothes. GTM falls back, unable to stop the hulking mass' relentless advance, until the Man seizes him under the armpits and rams him into the wall.

MAN

(bashing GTM against the wall repeatedly) NOW DO I GOTTA - ABSOLUTELY - POSITIVELY - KILL EVERY MUTHAFUCKA IN THIS ROOM, HUH?!

Meanwhile, TEM goes at Johnny with a high kick,right hook, left uppercut. Johnny left-dodges the kick, pins the right hand to the wall with his forearm, blocks the uppercut with the elbow, socks TEM in the chin, and axe chops him in the shoulder. TEM drops to his knee; Johnny's shin smashes into his face, the face snaps back. TEM spits blood. His hand goes for the knife in his shoe as Johnny punches his pinned arm. The knife comes up, swings right, cuts through Johnny's shirt and skin. Johnny cries out as his hand dashes for the bloodied blade, the knife swings back, stops as Johnny grabs the wrist, squeezes it tight, veins throbbing, then forces it up, both men grunting and sweating profusely. Next, with a powerful shove and a knee strike to the elbow, he drives the blade into TEM's still pinned forearm, piercing through it and into the wall. TEM shrieks in agony, squeezes the forearm as blood gushes.

Meanwhile, Louie is holding the bat out and swinging it to and fro to keep GM away, Manuel lying behind him. GM darts forward, jumps back, then to the side and feints another advance. Louie spins wildly, sweeping the air with the bat. GM then rushes him, drives his fist into Louie's collarbone and a knee into his thigh, brings him down and gets on top of him. Louie frantically covers himself with the bat, blocking the first downward punch, though the impact pushes the bat back and into his nose. GM grabs the bat and tries to tear it away. Louie is panting, nosebleed running down his lips. GM knees him in the kidneys. Louie squirms in pain, then suddenly lets go of the bat, which flies right up into GM's jaw, momentarily stunning him. Louie cross punches GM between the eyes, pushes the bat into his face, and throws him off himself. As he turns to his side, he notices Manuel is back on his feet, laboriously throwing a door to one of the apartments open. Louie scrambles to apprehend him, but is blocked by GM grabbing onto his leg. As he kicks at him to shake him off, his hand grabs hold of the door frame, only for the door to forcefully slam shut on his fingers. Louie howls in pain, grabbing his hand while his body writhes in a violent paroxysm. GM stands up above him, bat in hand, lifts it over his head, about to bring it crushing down...

Cut to Johnny as he is startled by Louie's scream. He turns towards the sound, only for immobilized TEM to throw a desperate kick at his back. Infuriated, Johnny spins back around, seizes TEM's head, and thrusts it into the knife's protruding handle. We see the blade inch still further into the flesh of TEM's arm and into the wall, and TEM's now limp body slump down, until its slide is stopped by the arm, still pinned in place by the knife.

Johnny runs toward GM as he smashes the bat onto Louie's belly, making him fold in half, his upper body shooting up. GM raises the bat again, about to strike Louie's head now, when Johnny grabs the bat's tip from behind and yanks it back, while throwing a side kick at GM's lower spine. The Man is sent flying, slams into the window, and crumples in a hail of glass shards.

Johnny turns to the battered and still prone Louie.

JOHNNY

Can you walk, man?

LOUIE

(shaking his head) NO WAY MAN! LIKE HALF MY BONES ARE BROKEN! I NEED A MEDIC, DUDE, I...

His frantic speech turns into unintelligible whine as he is whacked by the door opening. Johnny's eyes go wide in alarm as a hand bearing a handgun emerges from the gap and aims the weapon at him, he dives down, holding the bat in front of him as the gun fires. The first shot pierces the bat, the pointy tip of the bullet coming out on the other side right in front of Johnny's eye before the projectile comes to a stop lodged inside the stick. As the following shots ring over his head, Johnny rolls on the ground, sidekicking the door on the way, pinning the firing hand to the wall in the process.

Cut to the Black Man now smacking GTM's face with both the palm and outside of his hand, GTM's arms hanging down slack.

MAN

MAN, YOU SO UGLY I GOTTA MAKE SURE YOUR MUZZLE SWELLS UP EVEN!

As shots resound, he releases GTM, who drops into a heap, and hits the deck.

MAN

OOOH SHIT! SHIT'S GETTIN' TOO REAL FOR ME!

He darts back to his apartment, back bent, and slams the door shut behind him.

Cut to Johnny as he rolls up to GM's inert body, grabs it under the armpits, heaves it up, and jumps back, his body sliding on the floor, now covered by GM's bulk. As Manuel forces himself through the narrow opening, Johnny thrusts GM's body up, putting it between him and Louie on one side, and Manuel's gun on the other. Manuel stops himself from unloading, curses, makes a run for the stairway. Johnny hurls the bat across the floor. The bat hits Manuel's ankle, making him stumble and fire into the floor, but does not stop his retreat. Johnny remains in place, shielding himself and Louie with GM's body as Manuel keeps pointing the gun at them while running away. We follow Manuel as he reaches the stairway and races down the stairs, while throwing frantic glances up. As he lowers his eyes while nearing the ground floor, he notices a figure towards the end of the exit hallway, holding up a gun. Without a second thought or registering who is in front of him, he points and shoots...

Cut to Johnny, carefully approaching the stairway, Louie painstakingly getting back to his feet behind him. He flinches as he hears the shot, but it is the sound that follows which truly chills his spine. It is a cry, a female cry, a voice he knows well. With zero regard for his own safety, he rushes down the stairs, to behold CARMEN being dragged back by Manuel, clutching her bleeding abdomen, the gun given to Carmen by Johnny now lying in front of her in a pool of blood. Johnny bellows, a sharp, blood-curdling, inhuman yell. Manuel spins in place as he hears it, fires at Johnny, who takes cover behind the stairs. Manuel then presses the gun's muzzle to Carmen's temple as he keeps lugging her back.

MANUEL

YOU STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME, YOU FUCKIN' LOCO, OR I SWEAR TO FUCKIN' GOD I'LL BLOW HER FUCKIN' HEAD CLEAN OFF!

Cut to Johnny, his head pressed against the stairs, panting, clenching his teeth in unbearable anguished helplessness.

JOHNNY

(at the top of his lungs) YOU LEAVE HER ALONE AND YOU CAN GO, I GIVE YOU MY WORD!

MANUEL

HAH! FUCK YOU, GRINGO! YOU'RE FUCKED ALREADY! YOU AIN'T GONNA DICTATE FUCKIN' ANYTHING TO ME!

He back-kicks the exit door open and gets out, Johnny having no choice but to watch from a distance as he, at a nervewracking, seemingly impossibly sluggish pace, makes his way to the BMW, dragging Carmen along and leaving a trail of blood behind them. Finally he reaches the car, its alarm still blaring, unlocks it, shoves Carmen onto the ground, and steps inside.

MANUEL

(as he turns on the engine)I'M GONNA MAKE YOU FUCKIN' PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO MY CAR, PENDEJO, MARK MY FUCKIN' WORDS!

At this point, Johnny breaks into a sprint, faster than he has ever run before, taking his shirt, itself blood-soaked, off mid-run. He reaches Carmen's prone body before the BMW even rolls out of the parking lot, stuffs his crumpled shirt into her wound, takes off his belt, wraps it around her waist, and draws it as taut as he can, eliciting a gasp from her in the process.

JOHNNY

(his voice breaking) God dammit, Carmen! Why did you have to come here?!

CARMEN

(weakly) I'm sorry, Johnny. I... wanted to protect Miguel...

JOHNNY

(near-hysterically) For crying out loud, woman! It was my job to protect him! What, you thought I wouldn't keep my word?!

CARMEN

I... couldn't risk him losing his father... after he didn't have one for so long...

JOHNNY

He's not losing me and we're not losing you either, you hear me?! Now stay with me like his life depended on it!

CARMEN

I... love you, Johnny.

JOHNNY

SAVE IT! You'll tell me all that later!

He lifts her body, slings it over his shoulder, and forces his exhausted body to run to the Dodge Caravan, wheezing like an asthmatic as he goes. Carmen's head lolls from side to side as she is carried across the parking lot.

We cut to Louie hobbling his way outside, his bat serving as a walking cane. He looks at the Dodge Caravan roaring off into the night, and shakes his head, his expression dazed, shocked.

LOUIE

(incredulously) Mother of God... what have we done?

CUT TO

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE LARUSSO'S PROPERTY - NIGHT

We cut to a view of a sidewalk, as Silver's Bentley Continental screeches to a halt in front of the gate to LaRusso's property. The car's back door springs open, and DANIEL's groggy and battered looking figure slumps out, pushed out of the car by SILVER's foot. Daniel hits the concrete hard and lies there, only pulling himself off the street with his hands.

SILVER

Remember to leave me five stars on Uber, Danny boy! And ask your girl when's she goin' fishin' with her grandpa next time! See you around, old sport!

He bellows with laughter, as the door slams shut, and the Bentley takes off, engine roaring, into the night. Daniel lifts up his trembling head to watch the car disappear after turning a corner.

Cut to the inside of the Bentley, where Silver and KREESE sit in the back, the former leaning back, a picture of self-satisfaction, the latter sitting up rigidly. The car is driven by a grim-faced, crew-cut, stoutly built latino man.

SILVER (cont'd)

Dropped some dead weight and this rattletrap feels sprier already! What do you say, Cap'n?

KREESE

(grave expression) I don't know, Terry, I have a bad feeling about this...

SILVER

Hey, don't you sweat it, Johnny! I'll set you up with alibi so watertight it'd keep the Titanic afloat! As far as anyone's concerned, you're coming back from a day's trip to the Bahamas tomorrow! Besides, what would they even charge you with? Breaking and entering? I was the one that did all the breakin' today!

KREESE

I'm not worried about the law. It's just... today didn't feel right.

SILVER

What are you sayin'?! We executed the plan to a T! It was glorious! The exact kinda day that makes life worth living! Don't you tell me you didn't get a kick out of watching lil' Dan squirm?!

KREESE

The plan was creative, no doubt about that. But... I gave him my word I'd abide by the ceasefire...

SILVER

(shrugs) And? You barely laid a hand on him anyway! And I sure as shit didn't sign any truce with Danny boy! Plus who cares about a word given to the enemy?!

KREESE

Not all enemies are equal, Terry. Some deserve more... regard than others. I didn't go into this expecting it to turn into torture.

SILVER

(snorts) What the hell kinda regard does a pompous phony like him merit?! Beat by a practice dummy! (roars with laughter) You saw how I moped the floor with him!

KREESE

(voice low) You had an advantage, Terry. You shouldn't expect next time to go so smoothly. But apart from that, these piranhas (shakes his head), they made me think of stories the Green Beret boys told about Vietcong using rats on American POW's...

SILVER

Haha, well, this was nothing compared to the kind of shit that goes down south of the border today. I barely gave the ol' boy a scare.

KREESE

I don't care if these things are still done today, it is a low thing to do.

SILVER

Uhh, get off your high horse, Johnny. In war, the only side that's low is the one that ends up six feet under, and tricks like this... they're what gives warfare its flavor! And I'm a man with a refined palate! Danny had to feel that I'm back in the game, and so I made damn sure he did, down to his very bones!

Kreese responds with a prolonged silence, merely looking down with a sulky expression. Finally, his pursed lips part as he utters, his tone resigned:

KREESE

You made damn sure indeed, Terry. You got your win. Now take me to the dojo, please.

SILVER

Absolutely, partner. A sensei needs a good night's rest after all.

They drive on in silence, until the silence is broken by the ringing of Silver's phone.

SILVER (cont'd)

(accepting the call) Manuel? What is it?

On the other end we hear the frantic shouting from...

MANUEL

SILVER! YOU'RE NOT GONNA FUCKIN' BELIEVE THIS! THE KUNG-FU BUM! HE'S STILL FUCKIN' ALIVE! HE CAME FOR ME, ALMOST FUCKIN' GOT ME! TOOK OUT ALL YOUR GUYS! HAD SOME FUCKIN' MORON HELPIN' HIM OUT TOO! I HAD TO FUCKIN' LEG IT! I NEED A NEW FUCKIN' SAFE HOUSE! AND MORE FUCKIN' SECURITY TOO! THIS FUCKIN' PLACE IS SOME KINDA FUCKIN' LOONY BIN! (we hear him slam the wheel repeatedly with the palm of his hand)

SILVER

(keeping the phone away from his ear with an irritated expression) Calm down, Manuel, mi amigo. You got away now, you're alright? I'll fix you up with a new place, don't worry. You're saying the blondie (Kreese's brows arc up) snuffed out my men?

MANUEL

(voice slightly lowered) I don't fuckin' know, he roughed 'em up right fuckin' good, I tell ya. Guy's a fuckin' loco. I almost nailed him, but fucker was too clever. But I fuckin' nailed my Senorita, you believe that?! I don't know if she was fuckin' with him or what. She had a fuckin' gun, I nailed her before I fuckin' knew it was her.

SILVER

(nodding solemnly) Hmm, that's unfortunate. It may complicate things with Miguel (Kreese's eyes go wide). So Senorita's dead?

MANUEL

I don't know, she was still breathing when I took off. That's how I got that bum off my back.

SILVER

I see. Perhaps we could turn this all to our advantage. All we have to do is make sure the kid hears your and only your side of the story. Should be easy enough to get the cops to go after the guy now that he's come after you. My boys will serve as witnesses if any of them is still breathing. And as for Senorita... well, we'll have to make sure she doesn't give the game away...

MANUEL

(after a moment of silence marked only by loud panting) I get you, Silver, but how do I get to the kid fast enough? He hasn't been in his house for the last few days from what I've been told.

SILVER

If his mother is alive, she'll be at the hospital. And if she's at the hospital, then that's where he's going to be, sooner or later. So that's where you should be lying in wait.

MANUEL

Yeah, you're right, Silver. I'll get to it... just have to get somethin' for that fuckin' headache! I got fuckin' whacked so many times I lost fuckin' count. I swear to fuckin' God I'll get that fuckin' guy! He fuckin' trashed my car too!

SILVER

(scornful smirk) I'm sure you will, Manuel my compadre. You'll be given your new address shortly, so go get yourself sorted out first. Remember I've got your back.

MANUEL

Yeah, I appreciate it, Silver. I'll make it worth your while.

SILVER

I know you will, my friend. Now good luck and hasta la vista.

MANUEL

Hasta luego, Silver.

Silver ends the call, as Kreese continues to sit silent, his face drawn taut, struggling to contain his emotions.

SILVER

Well, Cap'n, looks like your student keeps making things more interesting...

Cut to the parking lot outside Cobra Kai dojo, as the Bentley drives up into it and Kreese steps out, nodding to Silver before shutting the door behind him. He stands umoving until the car drives off, then starts walking briskly, passing by his dojo...

Cut to the outside of Johnny's apartment, same state as earlier in the day, no lights lit inside. We see Kreese walk up to the door, frown in disbelief as he surveys the damage. He then knocks hard on the door, waits, knocks again, but still receives no answer. He stands there, apparently unsure of what to do next, his anxiety mounting. We pan back away from him, until we come into the view of the dumpster, where, amid the garbage bags, Kreese's cutout lies crumpled into a ball.

FADE TO BLACK