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!

10. Episode 9 Part One

FADE IN

EXT. WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL - NIGHT

We fade in on the hospital's dimly lit parking lot, as the Dodge Caravan barrels into the frame, its horn blaring uninterruptedly. The tires screech, as it turns from the street into the parking's gate, speeds up, and rips through the lowered barrier, sending sparks and scraps of metal flying around. As the car comes to an abrupt halt in front of the emergency entrance, a pair of PARAMEDICS barge through it, hauling a stretcher.

Out of the Dodge, JOHNNY steps out, looking ghostly pale and with a massive red blot on his shirt. He staggers to the opposite side of the car as the paramedics hurriedly approach him.

PARAMEDIC

(indicating the stretcher) Sir, I'll need you to lie down here...

JOHNNY

(hoarsely) NOT ME, DAMMIT! SHE'S THE ONE THAT NEEDS HELP!

He points to the passenger seat, where CARMEN is sitting, strapped in and unconscious, the makeshift dressing on her lap soaked in blood.

The paramedics open the passenger side door, unfasten her and pull her out, as Johnny feebly tries to assist them. Her inert body is laid on the stretcher, a breathing mask placed over her mouth, Johnny's belt is untied and thrown away, as is his bloodied shirt, and Paramedic #1 applies pressure to the wound while Paramedic #2 steers the stretcher back to the hospital as he pulls out a walkie-talkie.

PARAMEDIC #2

(to the walkie-talkie) We've got syncope here, gunshot wound in the abdomen. Prepare for transfusion. (to Johnny) You know her blood type?

JOHNNY

(shakes his head) No, but uh... you askin' me?! She works here, man!

PARAMEDIC #2

Uh, sure thing, buddy.(back to walkie-talkie) We've got another with severe blood loss, he's conscious but probably not for much longer. He sounds delirious.

PARAMEDIC

(as they move closer to the lights by the hospital entrance) Hey, he's right! That's Carmen!

PARAMEDIC #2

What?! (looks over her face) Jesus Christ, what the hell happened to her?! (to Johnny) Can you keep up?

JOHNNY

(as he stumbles behind them, his eyes fixed on Carmen) Yeah, don't mind me... She's gonna be ok, right?

PARAMEDIC

We'll be doing our best, pal.

JOHNNY

(slurring his words) Losers whine about doing their best...

We cut to a harshly lit hallway inside the hospital, as the stretcher is wheeled inside through a door on one end, while from the other end more medical staff is moving briskly to meet them, carting a defibrillator unit and an IV drip stand with bags containing blood and other fluids attached.

The staff intercepts the paramedics as they continue pushing the stretcher. Carmen's shirt is cut open, her arm is stretched out, tied with a tourniquet, and a vein punctured, for an IV line to be inserted.

Johnny shuffles behind them like a zombie, quickly falling behind. A NURSE breaks off from the others to approach him, while another puts her fingers under Carmen's jaw.

NURSE #2

Can barely hear her heart rate. Let's give her a jolt.

NURSE

(to Johnny, as he continues stumbling after the stretcher) Sir, you've done enough for her. We'll take over from here. Now please come with me and I'll patch you up.

JOHNNY

(groggily) No... no, I've gotta stay with her... I can't let her go... I can't...

He shoves the Nurse away, takes a couple more tottering steps, then stops, and as he sees a medic lifting the defibrillator pads over Carmen, he topples face first onto the floor.

NURSE #2

(over the buzz of the charging defibrillator) Clear!

He sees Carmen's legs jerk convulsively as the pads are brought down. The stretcher than rides away into the eye-scorchingly bright oblivion...

NURSE #2

(voice fading away, over the machine beeping) Give her an adrenaline shot!

A close-up on Johnny's face, eyes and mouth both half-open, as it is enveloped by milky mist while pairs of hands reach down from above the frame...

Cut to the emergency room, where Johnny is now lying on the bed, IV line in his arm, with the Nurse just about finished stitching up the gash on his chest. We see him gradually regain consciousness, his eyelids slowly lifting, his head beginning to shift from side to side with increasing velocity.

JOHNNY

(faintly) Where... where is she? Where am I?

NURSE

Please, relax, sir. You are in the ER, your... partner? Was taken to the ICU.

JOHNNY

Is she...

NURSE

We thought we lost her for a bit, but she's turned out to be a real fighter. It's still touch-and-go, the bullet's lodged deep, but you should absolutely be hopeful.

JOHNNY

(raising from the bed with a groan) I've gotta, ugh... be there with her!

NURSE

(holds him down) Please don't move, sir! You will break the sutures! You wouldn't be able to go there now anyway, and we have to replace the blood you've lost.

JOHNNY

(indicating the IV drip stand, angrily) Whatever, I'll just drag this pole along, it's got wheels, no? I can't let her be fightin' for her life on her own! (anguished voice) Not after what I...

NURSE

Sir, you've done what you could by bringing her here, but you must now let the professionals attend to her unmolested. You can pray or send her positive vibes from here just as well.

JOHNNY

"Positive vibes"? Do I smell of weed or something?(voice breaking) If I'm not there and she doesn't...

NURSE

Now get these thoughts out of your head, sir! You have to have faith and you have to calm down. (she reaches for a syringe) I'll give you something to help you relax.

JOHNNY

No no no, no needles. I can't be drugged now, I can't stay here...

NURSE

Sir, I'm afraid that's going to be necessary, so please listen to me and stay still.

JOHNNY

What do you mean necessary?(grabs her wrist) What you tryin' to pull here, doc?!

NURSE

(agitated) Sir! The police are on their way! They'll want to know what happened!

JOHNNY

The police?! No, no, I can't be dealin' with 'em now! Why did you call 'em?!

NURSE

It's standard protocol after admitting a gunshot victim. Now sir, I'm going to ask you one last time to stay in bed before I have to call security to restrain you.

JOHNNY

(snorts)Security? You may want to ask your security how well that turned out the last time. (sits up, pushes the Nurse's hand away) Now excuse me, but I can't let cops throw me behind bars while the bastards who've done this are runnin' free.

He gets off the bed, the Nurse jumping away from him with an alarmed shriek, and takes a shaky step forward as his head spins. He grabs onto the IV stand, the bloodbag dangling from it still connected to his arm, and drags it along, using it as walking support as he moves to the door. He throws the door open to reveal the SECURITY GUARD, the same one he encountered before, rapidly approaching the room. Just as a shock of recognition comes over the Guard's face, Johnny's features contort in anger, he immediately seizes the stand with both hands, points its bottom end at him, and as the Guard springs away, startled, he hurls the pole at him with a twist of his torso. As the stand hurtles away, the tube sunk into Johnny's arm draws taut and yanks him forward. Johnny stumbles, tottering, and collides with the Guard. With the Guard being himself already thrown off-balance from being struck by the pole - now falling to the side - the two of them collapse in a heap. Writhing under Johnny, the Guard reaches for the taser at his belt. Johnny's hand moves to intercept the Guard's, but in the ensuing wrestling match his weakness from the recent blood loss quickly becomes apparent. He looks around in panic as the Guard's hand inches towards the taser. His eyes fall upon the blood bag lying close by on the ground. Without much deliberation, he releases the Guard's wrist and dashes for the bag, while his other hand seizes the tube and rips it out of his arm. As the Guard pulls out the taser and points it at Johnny, the latter squeezes the blood bag while pointing the attached tube at the taser. A high-pressure stream of blood hits the taser just as the Guard pulls the trigger, causing the weapon to short circuit, giving the man an electric shock which impacts Johnny as well, repelling him backwards and making him spray the blood in all directions, including his face and clothes. Johnny tumbles back head over heels, comes to a halt lying on his stomach, groggily gathers himself up, all the while the Guard twitches on the ground, his hand convulsively squeezing the trigger. Johnny looks down at him, panting, a smirk showing on his blood-soaked mug.

JOHNNY

(glancing at the blood bag, then back at the Guard) Not your type, eh? Yeah, bloody Marys ain't really my type, either.

The electric discharge finally ceases, and so does the Guard's motion. Johnny winces as, from behind him, the Nurse utters an even more startled shriek.

JOHNNY

(drops the blood bag, which lands with a wet splat on the crimson-blotched floor, turns to the Nurse) You doublin' as a janitor here, lady? Coz I'd be livid too then. Think I'd better take my leave, sorry I've spilled some...

He staggers past the horrified woman, towards the exit sign, while clutching his arm.

JOHNNY

(on his way out) I'd ask for a band aid, but I think I've racked up enough of a bill as it is.

Cut to Johnny emerging outside through the emergency entrance. As he nears his car, he notices his belt lying on the concrete.

JOHNNY

(as he picks it up and ties it just below his shoulder joint) Assholes would make me pay more than all my organs are worth for this... (reflectively) not that it's sayin' much. My goddamn liver probably has a negative net worth at this point...

He gets in the Dodge Caravan, slumps behind the wheel, makes a sigh of relief seeing the key still in the ignition switch, then makes another, more resigned and dejected sigh.

JOHNNY

... and so does my shit-for-brains.

He turns on the ignition. We watch as the beaten-up Dodge Caravan drags itself away from the hospital...

CUT TO

INT. DODGE CARAVAN - NIGHT

We see JOHNNY behind the wheel, driving, the now dried blood on his sullen face looking smudged, as if from failed attempts at wiping it off. He looks at himself in the rear view mirror, shakes his head.

JOHNNY

(under his breath) Maybe I should put my face to the windscreen and turn on the washers? But how am I gonna turn them on from the outside?... Unless I break the screen first, the glass is already cracked anyway... but wait... (he switches on the washers - nothing happens) Uh, of course the tank's empty...

He examines the houses gliding past him. We recognize his surroundings as the LaRussos' suburban neighborhood.

JOHNNY

Maybe I'll rinse myself, quick 'n dirty, in Daniel's pool. Just hope his carps didn't get the taste for human flesh after they took that bite out of Penis Breath...

As he approaches LaRusso's house, his eyes squint, noticing a human shape crawling on all fours across the sidewalk in the distance, illuminated by a streetlight.

JOHNNY

Huh. Thought they kept the streets clean in this part of town at least... (a look of shocked recognition as the shape becomes more distinct) Hold on a minute, is that...

We cut to the outside, a close-up of DANIEL, pulling himself with his arms at a snail pace towards the gate to his property, his features contorted in pain. He flips on his back as he hears the car approach, raises his hand to wave for help, but the limb freezes in the air as he sees just what car is coming towards him.

The Dodge Caravan breaks into a halt, tires screeching, right next to Daniel's prone form. Johnny emerges, prompting a scream of...

DANIEL

JESUS CHRIST, JOHNNY?! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME HAPPENED TO YOU?!

JOHNNY

(tilts his head, an incredulous expression) Says the guy sprawled out on the sidewalk in the middle of the night... Nice to see you too, Dan.

DANIEL

Why is there blood all over you?! Where is your shirt?! And what happened to that poor car?! Was it... was it Silver?...

JOHNNY

You mean your old Sensei? Is that why you're like that? You two had a practice session? Like back in the old days?

DANIEL

(snorts) In a matter of speaking, yeah. He set up shop in my... our dojo, without prior notice too.

JOHNNY

So you've been crawling all the way from there? Must've taken you a while.

DANIEL

No, he was gracious enough to drop me off. Quite literally actually. (sighs) So you've met him too, I gather?

JOHNNY

I did, but I didn't get that from him. Had a run-in with a bunch of buddies of his, though.

DANIEL

Well if you came here to warn me, then I appreciate it, even if it's too late already. Son of a bitch took care to strike at both of us at the same time, it seems. Did us both in pretty good too, by the looks of it.

JOHNNY

Uh, it's not as bad as it looks with me. This ain't my blood.

DANIEL

Oh really? So whose is it?

JOHNNY

Don't know. Got it second hand. (to Daniel's uncomprehending expression) Can you stand up?

DANIEL

If I got some help, maybe. I mean, don't get me wrong, just having you here to chat me up while I'm squirming my way home will be nice, too.

JOHNNY

(smirking) Well, sorry old pal. I'd love to help out, but... my physical therapist cautioned me against lifting weights... dead weights especially.

DANIEL

Rather be a dead weight than a deadbeat. (frowns) Wait a second, you have a physical therapist?

JOHNNY

Had one at the end of my boot once if that counts. He really got to feel the love I dished out. I put all the positive energy I could muster into that kick... (sighs) Alright, Danny, let's do it.

He leans down, puts his hands under Daniel's armpits, while the latter wraps his arms around Johnny's shoulders. Johnny heaves him upwards with a groan, while Daniel moans and clenches his teeth as he tries to gain purchase with his injured feet.

JOHNNY

Dammit, Daniel. I've been pickin' up more people off the ground this night than a street sweeper after the Wall Street crash.

DANIEL

(clutching Johnny tightly and shifting rapidly from one foot to another, but just about managing to stand) Uh, look, thanks for the help, but you don't have to be an old nag about this, alright? It's not like I called for you, did I?

JOHNNY

(as they belaboredly begin making their way towards the house) Yeah, well, your monthly employee of the month is probably callin' sick next morning, so I wouldn't be countin' on him to sign up for overtime luggin' his boss around.

DANIEL

What?... You mean Louie?! What happened to him?!

JOHNNY

Uhh, I'll tell you later, ok? Let's just say I dragged him into something that didn't turn out so well...

DANIEL

(dumbfounded look) Johnny... just what have you been up to?

JOHNNY

I'll tell you once we get you inside, c'mon. Now don't worry, I left him in better shape than I am... or you are, for that matter.

DANIEL

Did something happen at the dealership?

JOHNNY

No. Look, it's gonna take a while to explain. You don't want me to run out of breath, do you?

DANIEL

Sure sounds like this is going to be the most suspenseful fifteen yards of my life.

JOHNNY

More than that time you had to walk to the mat where I was waiting for you back in '84?

DANIEL

(snorts) Believe me or not I don't wake up in cold sweat every other night after dreaming of that fight. My legs may have been pretty leaden then, but at least they weren't all bent out of shape.

JOHNNY

Well, your foot did go straight up, true... Anyway, (indicates the house) is Miguel in there?

DANIEL

I think so. Why?

JOHNNY

(sighs) Then trust me - it's gonna be a walk in the park for you compared to me.

Daniel looks at him questioningly, sees anguish taking over Johnny's features, and goes silent. The two continue their painful passage.

Cut to the inside view of the house's entrance door as the bell resounds. Almost immediately, AMANDA and SAM dash to the door and open it, with MIGUEL and ANTHONY close behind. The reveal of the two arrivals brings out cries of terror from the women.

AMANDA

DANIEL?!

SAM

DAD?!

MIGUEL

(with added surprise) SENSEI?!

ANTHONY

(looking panic-stricken at Johnny) HIM AGAIN?!

The pair tumbles into the entrance hallway, Amanda and Sam taking hold of Daniel as he is about to collapse. Johnny totters, bumps into a wall, and comes to rest leaning on it heavily.

SAM

WHAT HAPPENED?!

DANIEL

Had the crap beaten out of me, honey. Could you please help me to the couch?

They lead him obligingly, until he finally slumps down heavily onto the sofa.

AMANDA

My God, Daniel, your ankles...

SAM

We have to call 911!

DANIEL

I'll be fine, honey, just help me take my shoes off.

Sam cautiously takes hold of Daniel's shoe, unties it, begins slowly pulling it off, only to trigger a gasp of pain on his end.

JOHNNY

Looks like you'll have to cut it open... I mean the shoe, not the foot.

MIGUEL

(confused look) Did you guys have a fight or something?

JOHNNY

(shakes his head, eyes lowered) Nah. I found him like this outside the driveway.

MIGUEL

So... what about you then? (sees the stitched-up gash on his chest) Jesus, who cut you like that? (as Johnny regards him with mounting shame and grief) Sensei, why are you looking at me like that?!

JOHNNY

(forcing words through a constricted throat) Miguel, I'm... I'm sorry...

MIGUEL

(with growing alarm) Sorry for what, Sensei?!

JOHNNY

(voice breaking) Miguel... your mother... I had to take her to the hospital... (as Miguel's face registers shock) Miguel, you have to be there for her. I... I couldn't... sorry.

The others look at them now startled as the shocking impact of Johnny's words makes Miguel tongue-tied.

MIGUEL

Hospital?! Sensei?! What happened?! (near-hysterical) WHAT DID YOU DO?!

JOHNNY

(his face a mask of torment) I promised your mother I'd protect her and I... I failed. Miguel, I'm... please forgive me. I'll never... you'll never have to see me again.

He gathers himself up, turns his face to the open door, makes a step towards it.

MIGUEL

SENSEI, WAIT!

He dashes at Johnny, now in full retreat, extends his hand, grabs his shoulder. Johnny tears himself away as if Miguel's hand burned to the touch, breaks into a run and shoots out of the house into the night. Miguel follows him to the doorstep, looks out, anguished, then turns back to the others as Sam runs up to him.

DANIEL

(resignedly) Let him go, Miguel. (to Amanda) Honey, I think we should drive him to the hospital.

SAM

(to Miguel) I'll go with you!

AMANDA

Uh, sure, he can hitch a ride with us, but it's you who's being driven there first and foremost, my dear.

DANIEL

(shakes head emphatically) Well, I can't be lounging about there while that man is on the loose. I'll get some bandages and we'll be on our way, honey.

SAM

Who do you mean by "that man", dad?

DANIEL

(looks at her, his expression growing stern) I mean Terry Silver, Sam. I mean the reason why you're staying right here with Anthony while we're going to the police.

SAM

(taken aback) WHAT?! DAD, You can't make me let Miguel go to the hospital without me! Not now!

DANIEL

(rises from the couch with a frown, putting his hand on Amanda's shoulder for support) I can and that's exactly what I'm going to do, honey. Anthony, you're going to keep watch over her.

ANTHONY

(smug look) Roger that, dad. (under his breath, scrunching up his nose while looking at the doorway) Man, what a godawful stench. I wonder if blood is the last bodily fluid I'll have to smell on that guy.

DANIEL

(to Sam, who regards him astounded and hurt) But before we go, honey, you're going to tell me exactly what happened when you went fishing with grandpa...

CUT TO

EXT./INT. DODGE CARAVAN - NIGHT

We cut to wide shot of the vehicle careening down the street, swerving from one side of the lane to the other, screeching as it grinds against the curb and letting out an occasional honk. We then switch to the inside view, where JOHNNY is slamming his fist as well as his forehead against the steering wheel, bawling incoherently as he does so. Finally, the car takes a still wilder swerve, barrels into the sidewalk, and crashes into a thick steel pole. Johnny is flung forcefully into the wheel, then slides under the dashboard, unconscious. We see only the now unoccupied dashboard and the cracked windscreen for a while, until a hand comes up from under the bottom of the frame and grabs onto the wheel, turning it around as it tries to pull itself up. With a pained moan, Johnny emerges back into view, fresh blood dripping down his face, the other hand clutching his chest. He clambers onto the seat, rests for a spell, grimacing with every heave of his ribcage, then he pushes the door open and pivots out of the car, falling on his hands and knees. He crawls away from the Dodge Caravan, whose hood we now see to be hopelessly smashed and letting out smoke from its insides. Johnny turns onto his back, lies down, examines the damage, his mouth partly open, his eyes just looking utterly despondent. He then directs his attention to the pole, his eyes lift, and we switch to his POV to see that the pole holds up a billboard of...

JOHNNY

Wait a second... I... I've seen this guy before. It's...

His eyes register the illuminated letters under the picture of smug-faced Tom Cole, donning his phony Revolutionary War uniform.

JOHNNY

Oh, you've gotta be kiddin' me! Cole! The one a-hole in the A-hole-Triad I haven't run into yet and there he is! Springin' up right outta nowhere like an autumn toadstool! Ready to brighten up my day even more, and looking like he made the 4th of fuckin' July all by himself too. Well, old chap, I'll be damned if I don't offer you my thanks, and personally. Cole Auto, I think I know where to find it. You better keep that musket loaded for me, pal, and if you miss, well, I'll only need that bayonet to get the job done.

He gathers himself off the sidewalk, looks around - his eyes are drawn to the spire of a church in the distance, faintly outlined in white against the murk.

JOHNNY

Speaking of damnation, guess I'm gonna get me some insurance against it first. Think I've got a broker I can trust...

He proceeds to shamble towards the church... and towards the clergy house we now see sitting snug behind it.

CUT TO

INT. CLERGY HOUSE - NIGHT

We cut to an overhead view of BOBBY, in the bed, asleep on his back in his checkered pajamas. A middle-aged WOMAN in a white nightgown sleeps next to him on her side, her back turned to him. The room is dark, but it appears to be furnished pretty ascetically. Suddenly, the tranquility is disturbed by a loud banging coming from downstairs. Both sleepers sit up rapidly, their faces showing alarm.

WOMAN

Oh my God! What was that?!

BOBBY

Someone's knocking on the door.

WOMAN

You call that knocking?! It's like he's trying to ram the door down.

BOBBY

Probably just some lost soul. (slides off the bed) I'll go check.

WOMAN

(apprehension in her voice) Bobbby! (points to the bedside table) Don't go without it!

BOBBY

(shakes his head) You think a criminal would be so well-mannered as to knock first? O ye of little faith... (seeing her look remains unrelenting) Okay, okay...

He pulls a drawer and takes out a .38. Then he slips on his slippers and walks away.

Cut to the entrance door as a light inside is turned on. The door nearly shakes as it sustains another barrage of thudding knocks. Bobby approaches the door wearily.

BOBBY

Who's in there?!

JOHNNY

(slurring his word) Oh I'm sorry, am I disturbing the priest?

BOBBY

(frowning as he strains to identify the voice) Is... is that you, Johnny?

JOHNNY

It's me Bobby, I'm in dire need of your holy services.

BOBBY

Al-alright, give me a second. (hurriedly tucks the gun into his pajama pants, then unlocks the door. As the blood-drenched visage of Johnny comes into his full view, his eyes go wide and his hand darts up to clutch his heart) Holy Mother of God!

JOHNNY

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned... and I ain't done yet, either...

Cut to Bobby's living room, where Johnny is now lying on the couch, stripped to his underpants and mostly cleaned up. Bobby is sitting on a chair next to him, his fingers interlocking nervously. The Woman comes up to them with a tray of sandwiches, offers them to Johnny without a word.

JOHNNY

(as he grabs a sandwich) Thanks. Haven't had anything in my mouth in ages, it feels like. Other than some fists, I mean.

BOBBY

(to the Woman) Thank you, dear. Go back to sleep now, I'll take care of him from now.

WOMAN

(some concern evident) Are you sure?

BOBBY

Yeah. He's a... he's an old friend.

WOMAN

Alright.

JOHNNY

(as she walks off) Not gonna introduce us properly?

BOBBY

If you want to meet my family, come by at not so ungodly hour.

JOHNNY

(while munching on the sandwich) Didn't know there was any hour that was ungodly.

BOBBY

Well, the night serves to remind us of the void from before the Word brought light. But you're right in a sense, all 24 hours of the day belong to God. It's just that man can't have them all to himself. Anyway... gosh, you really scared the hell out of me, Johnny. If I had any hair left, you would have turned it gray in an instant.

JOHNNY

Guess you can thank God he mowed it all down first. And I didn't know you had any hell left inside to scare out of you.

BOBBY

Heh, well, wouldn't be human if I didn't. So what happened to you?

JOHNNY

You wanna stay up the rest of the night? Coz that's about how long it'll take me to get through it all.

BOBBY

Well, I do have a mass in the morning. So maybe give me the short version.

JOHNNY

Short version is that I met some bad people, figured I'd strike before they did, but ended up getting someone I care about hurt, and badly too.

BOBBY

Was it one of your students? That boy, Miguel?

JOHNNY

(shakes head) Miguel's fine. He's mostly bounced back from his injury by now... (sighs) It's his mother. She's been shot.

BOBBY

(shocked) Sweet Lord, is that why you came like... how is she?

JOHNNY

That wasn't her blood, if that's what you're thinking. At least mostly not. But I don't know what shape she's in, I couldn't even stick by her in the hospital, I think cops are about to be on my tail. (lowers his eyes) I've had a good thing going in my life and I've wrecked it worse than the car I've driven here.

BOBBY

Christ, Johnny, I'm sorry to hear that. We'll pray for her, and I'll go visit her... (guardedly) if that's what she would like...

JOHNNY

(nodding) Yeah, she's into this stuff...

BOBBY

...but are you sure evading the police is a good idea?

JOHNNY

(without hesitation) Can't turn myself in as long as there's that one last piece of the puzzle left. And that puzzle's nozzle's got an appointment with my fist. Which is one reason why I'm here actually.

BOBBY

(eyebrows arcing up, reproachfully) Really, Johnny, your answer to all that happened is more violence? And you want me to do what? Give you immunity from sin?

JOHNNY

Uh, that sounds like it'd be cost-prohibitive. No, I just want to confess my precrimes to you. I'll try to do my penance in between them later.

BOBBY

(sighs) Johnny... first off, I'm not a Catholic priest, we don't do confession here. And even if I were, that's... not how it works. You have to regret your sins first, you can't regret things you haven't done yet.

JOHNNY

Why not? There's nothing else left on the table for me, I'm past the turning back point. It's like I skidded my car off a mountain road and I'm now tumbling down the slope. Just because I haven't exactly crashed into anything yet doesn't mean I can still prevent it.

BOBBY

You're not a car, Johnny, your actions are not just determined by the laws of physics, and there's always more than one road you can take.

JOHNNY

Well my life is determined by the Murphy's law, that's the hard truth, so I may as well put the pedal to the metal while I'm going down that slope. At least maybe it'll end with fireworks.

BOBBY

More like self-implosion. This is not the way, Johnny, don't let yourself or anyone convince you it is. People came back around from worse than what you're going through.

JOHNNY

Oh yeah? Then tell me, how do you go about that, huh? How do you dig yourself back up when you're neck deep in shit? You're a shepherd, ain't you? Well, tell this stray black sheep how to get back into the fold.

BOBBY

(breathes deeply) Johnny... The truth is, no man can charter your life's path for you. I mean, think about it, between you, Kreese, and LaRusso, you've got three competing schools of teaching karate, and that's just a way of laying down a smackdown. How can you expect anyone to teach you exactly how to be prepared for all that the world can throw at you? What a sincere man can is at best offer some general principles, and here's one I can give you.

JOHNNY

Let's hear it.

BOBBY

Endure the evil. Persist in good. Because it is the good that lasts forever. The evil...has an expiration date.

JOHNNY

(snorts) I can think of a few evil assholes who are long past theirs and still keep stinkin' up the joint.

BOBBY

Evil's in the conviction that it's up to us to determine anyone's expiration date. Such things should be left to God's will alone.

JOHNNY

Doesn't God act through men too?

BOBBY

He does... but usually not through those that claim to act out His will.

JOHNNY

Well, I'm not claiming anything. I'll do what I gotta do, and God can take it or leave it.

BOBBY

Remember you always have a choice, Johnny. You have free will.

JOHNNY

(brooding) Nothing in life's free, Bobby. Everything carries a price... except you never know what the price is until it comes time to pay... and I'm already at the cash register... Pray for me, Bobby. Pray that God don't reckon I've maxed out my credit card for just a while longer.

BOBBY

Don't do it, Johnny. Don't turn your back on Him. You don't have to rely on me to relay your messages. God never cuts off contact. He listens to you, always.

JOHNNY

Then maybe it's time for the old fart to try on a hearing aid.

Suddenly, Johnny's eyes zero in on something below Bobby's chin. Then his hand juts out and grabs hold of a crucifix hanging at Bobby's neck.

JOHNNY

(inspecting the crucifix) Or maybe I should speak to this to make God hear me? Is that why people hold these up to their faces when they pray? Is it like an intercom between here and heaven?

BOBBY

(keeping it cool) No, Johnny, God can hear us from anywhere. It's just a way to help you feel He's close, primitive as it may be.

JOHNNY

Way to dash my hopes, man. Because it seems like for every prayer that gets through, I get two returned to sender. Hell, I now wonder if the big guy answers some of them only so he can then trample on me all the harder.

BOBBY

I don't believe you're giving Him a fair shake, Johnny. You may have been dealt a bad hand, but you haven't reached a dead end, have you? (his voice suddenly turning harsher) At least you can't know that, not as long as you're sitting here moping instead of being there for the ones you love.

JOHNNY

(smirks mirthlessly) Yeah, what a sorry excuse for a man am I, huh? (before Bobby can protest) I'm not there for them because I couldn't stand looking them in the eyes now. I was too much a coward to be there for my son and his mother when he was born. You really think I'd have the guts to be there for Carmen and Miguel now?

BOBBY

For heaven's sake, Johnny! Stop with that defeatist attitude! You're telling me you can't take a punch?!

JOHNNY

(confused) Sure I can. But what, you think it's their punches I'm scared of?!

BOBBY

I'm saying you should think of facing your loved ones now as if you were walking into a punch. A different kind of punch, one that hits deeper, but one you can recover from all the same. Us men have the capacity to endure. A lot. Just as long as we remain committed to our faith. Faith in ourselves first and foremost. Didn't you face that kid, and his mother, when he got paralyzed after that karate fight?

JOHNNY

Eventually, yeah.

BOBBY

I'm sure you felt guilty then, too. And yet you endured, didn't you?! You endured, you persisted, you won them back! And you can do it again! You just have to... (punches the palm of his hand) break that self-doubt, that anxiety hindering you! C'mon, man, fight it! Nothing but you gonna ever keep you down!

JOHNNY

(raises an eyebrow) Are you pullin' lyrics from some pop song for this pep talk?

BOBBY

(awkward) Uh... not sure, honestly. The words just kind of popped into my head...

JOHNNY

And here you almost fooled me into thinkin' you had some higher inspiration goin' there for a second.

BOBBY

God speaks to us in all manner of ways, unlikely ones too. It's His way of keeping... plausible deniability.

JOHNNY

Sneaky ol' geezer that one, huh?

BOBBY

That's one way of saying God works in mysterious ways, yeah.

JOHNNY

Yeah, well, it's no mystery what's gonna happen if I go see Carmen now. Cops will be called, and I'll end up behind bars. Won't do anyone any good if that happens... other than the bad guys, that is. You said I haven't reached a dead end. Maybe not. I can still see one more road in front of me. One more loose end. And if God doesn't want me to go down that road, then He should have put up better road signs.

BOBBY

Maybe He has, and it's you that refuses to see them?

JOHNNY

(shakes his head) Don't think so. In fact, I reckon he may have shown me a sign earlier tonight.

BOBBY

Remember that God's not the only one that speaks to us...

JOHNNY

Well, guess if I read the signs wrong, I'll just go down the highway to hell... Can think of worse holiday destinations (groans as he puffs his chest out) and I'm startin' to think I could use a holiday.

BOBBY

May Lord guide you through the valley of the shadow of death, my friend.

JOHNNY

We're talkin' the lord of the good stuff, right?

BOBBY

The Lord, Johnny, the Lord.

JOHNNY

Well, whether he does or not I'll fear no evil... Pretty sure they've already thrown everything they had at me.

BOBBY

Don't whip yourself up into thinking you've got nothing left to lose, Johnny.

JOHNNY

You mean like my eternal soul, Bobby? Because if so then I'm all too happy to wager it.

BOBBY

If you need to wager your soul to achieve something, then whatever it is is not worth it.

JOHNNY

You're talkin' as if my soul was worth a goddamn.

BOBBY

Don't put a price tag on it, Johnny. No matter what price you set, you'll undervalue it.

JOHNNY

Yea, think I'm gonna stop by my old friend Lyle and get a second opinion on that. Something tells me I'd get less for it than for that old Nintendo console.

BOBBY

You had an old Nintendo console?!

JOHNNY

Yeah, like from the early nineties. Not sure if it even still worked.

BOBBY

Damn! I'd have totally taken it off your hands if I knew.

JOHNNY

A pastor playing old video games? What gives? Thought these were playthings of the devil?

BOBBY

You kiddin'? Rackin' up a high score in Noah's Ark 3D was like the preferred method of atoning for one's sins back at the seminary. The real question is what were you doing with a Nintendo console in the nineties? Thought you weren't much for nerd stuff?

JOHNNY

I didn't have it back then... (awkward) I, uh, got it a few years after Robby was born. Thought I'd give him something to play around with on those rare occasions he'd drop by... But it was too old hat to keep his interest even then.

BOBBY

Oh. I'm... sorry to hear that. But it's the thought that counts.

JOHNNY

That's what you say to losers to make them feel better. Now tell that to a kid who thinks his dad doesn't know what year he lives in.

BOBBY

Year's just a number. What matters is that you know who you live for.

JOHNNY

Right now I live so that the woman and the boy I love can live out their days without fear, whether with me by their side or not. I'll do whatever it takes to this end, and then Ol' Scratch can show me to my quarters. Maybe I'll say hi to Dutch on my way there.

BOBBY

Oh I don't think Dutch is dead. Unless he died in jail and I haven't heard about it.

JOHNNY

Yeah, well, Tommy is probably somewhere in the opposite direction to the one I'll be headed... So, anyway, I take it I'm not gonna get the pastor's blessing.

BOBBY

Can't approve of evil, Johnny, no matter how noble the ends it's meant to achieve. Most evil has some sort of justification behind it. Doesn't make it any less evil.

JOHNNY

(rueful smile) You're a proper man of God, Bobby, if only I got things figured out as well as you did... Well, if you can't give me pardon, then maybe at least you'll find it in you to show me pity... enough at least to give my message to Carmen, if she'll be able to hear it?

BOBBY

(his turn to smile without joy) Yes, Johnny, that at least I can do.

JOHNNY

And to the boy?

BOBBY

(places a hand on his shoulder) I'll be happy to, brother.

JOHNNY

I don't deserve a friend like you...

BOBBY

That's horse manure, Johnny. And even if it wasn't, none of us deserve a friend in Christ, and yet we have Him anyway.

JOHNNY

For such a good friend, he doesn't seem much for lending you a hand.

BOBBY

He does, he just isn't much for taking credit. And you want a friend or a babysitter anyway?

JOHNNY

(smirks) Fair point. (as he gets up from the couch) Oh, and think you've got some spare clothes for me to borrow?

Bobby nods in response, his smile now of more genuine mirth.

CUT TO

EXT. WEST VALLEY HIGH - CRACK OF DAWN

We cut to a view of a car coming to a stop by the side of the road, a significant distance away from the school grounds. Out of the car steps HAWK, picks his backpack from the seat, waves the driver (whom we now see to be ANASTASIA) goodbye, and shuts the door. As the car drives off, Hawk proceeds to march along the sidewalk towards the school. It is very early and we see few students in the school's vicinity.

Just as Hawk is about to turn from the sidewalk towards the entrance, another car suddenly pulls up right behind him, tires screeching. Hawk spins around with a jolt, his eyes go wide with surprise as he beholds the vehicle's massive black bulk. We recognize it as Silver's limousine...

Hawk stares dumbfounded, frozen in place, as the limousine's front door glass is lowered, and the face of Silver's burly CHAUFFEUR sticks out.

CHAUFFEUR

Get in, kid. The boss wants to see you.

Right on cue, a section of the limousine's rear door lifts up, as if to invite him in. Hawk appears unsure at first, but the thinly veiled threat in the Chauffeur's glare combined with the sheer outlandishness of the situation quickly induces him to obey the command. He walks up to the open door, looks inside, and his face again registers amazement as he sees...

TERRY SILVER

(with his most cordial smile) Hello again, my friend. Care to join me for a little tête-à-tête?

He indicates the leather-lined seats on the other side of a round table he is occupying - a number of expensive-looking alcohol bottles are inserted into matching cavities at the center of the table.

HAWK

(as he hesitantly gets inside) Whoa! This your car?! You got swag, man!

SILVER

Thank you, but please, make yourself at home. Would you like to go for a quick ride while we talk business?

HAWK

Oh yeah, sure, but... what business?

SILVER

Perhaps 'business' isn't the right word, apologies. (he gestures to the Chauffeur, who gets the machine moving) First and foremost, I'd like to congratulate you on that glorious feat you performed the day before.

HAWK

Oh, that. (confused) How do you know about that?

SILVER

(shrugs) Told you I've got eyes everywhere. The hospital in particular. I've heard they brought that one sucker in with his jaw dangling by his crotch like a loose fanny pack! (bellows with laughter)

HAWK

(visibly uneasy) Right, guess the asshole had it coming...

SILVER

OF COURSE HE DID! I am not hearing remorse from you now, am I?!

HAWK

(turning stiff) No, sir, you're not.

SILVER

I'd damn better not be! From what I've gathered, this was fucking masterclass in massacre! Not in my wildest dreams would I imagine I'd be hearing about you making waves again this quick! (points to his cast) You took what others would treat as a hindrance, and turned it into an asset! That's some real guerrilla thinking right here!

HAWK

(awkwardly) Uh, thanks...

SILVER

Don't thank me! I should be the one thanking you! Me and the whole community! You took out one Cobra Kai hoodlum and made two others piss their pants at the thought of what's coming to them! And they're right to be pissing their pants, aren't they?!

HAWK

Well, maybe, I don't know...

SILVER

Hey, you're not gonna sit back and blue-ball everyone now, are you? It's enough you left that Asian twit all blue-balled, haha!

HAWK

Yeah, you've got Yasmine to thank for that one.

SILVER

Whatever. What I'm sayin' is you can't pull back now! What you've done is created a spark, as radiant and beautiful as could ever be. But you've gotta stoke that flame now if it's not to fizzle out, you hear me?! You can raise a wildfire that'll consume Cobra Kai whole, and that fire will walk with you. Yeah, that's right! Others can now see what you're capable of. If you lead, an army will follow!

HAWK

Eh. It's not like I'm the first one to beat Kyler's ass...

SILVER

(emphatically) But you're the first one to beat his ass with such gusto! Making a good showing is half of being a leader! The other half is projecting confidence, making others feel victory is so certain that they can taste it. Think you can do that, my friend?

HAWK

(unsure) Don't know. I think Sensei LaRusso will try to hold others back...

SILVER

(feigned sorrow on his face) Sensei LaRusso... oh, that's right, you couldn't have heard yet.

HAWK

(alarmed) Heard what?!

SILVER

That goon you dispatched wasn't the only one that had to be rushed into hospital last night. Your Sensei... he was jumped, got mauled real bad according to my sources... (as shock mounts on Hawk's face) I believe it was John Kreese...

HAWK

(fury in his voice) Kreese...

SILVER

(nodding gravely) They say he finally snapped and went after his rivals directly. I've been hearing rumors about Sensei Lawrence being targeted too, but I don't have any details here. In any case, safe to say your friends will be coming to an empty dojo today, they'll be confused, worried, looking for guidance, for leadership... (points his piercing glare straight at Hawk's eyes)... and there's only one person now who can answer that need.

HAWK

(looking anxious) I... I don't know if I can do this...

SILVER

(springs up, grabs Hawk's shoulders, through gritted teeth) Yes you can! You know you can! This is your chance! This is fate callin' upon you, my friend! Seize it! Seize your potential! (releases him, looks as if contemplating)... though perhaps you could still strengthen your position going in.

HAWK

What do you mean?

SILVER

If you're worried others won't rally around you, perhaps they will rally around a symbol you could bring them, a symbol of Cobra Kai's impending fall. Think, is there anything you could bring them that could act as such a symbol? Is there anything you could take back from that place?

HAWK

(frowns deeply as he is struggling to come up with an answer, then suddenly it dawns on him, and he bites his lip as he realizes the implications) There's something, but... shit, that's gonna be dangerous...

SILVER

Wouldn't send much of a message if it wasn't, don't you think? But hey, I told you aren't going to be alone in this, and so I'd like to offer you a bit of help.

HAWK

What kind of help?

SILVER

(reaching for a pocket in his coat) If you dare do what you're now thinking of doing, the main thing to overcome is gonna be fear. I know how the mind can cripple you as surely as any injury. But I also know of ways to counteract that fear. (he takes out a plain white rectangular box and sets it on the table) This one way I learned from uncle Sam. You see, Uncle Sam's been trying to devise a formula to immunize his soldiers against fear since at least World War II. I was one of his guinea pigs back in Nam. Thought I was dealt run-of-the-mill speed by a war buddy to keep me up during a mission. Well, the buddy turned out to be government-supplied and dealing out something else entirely, something that kept me up alright, or my body at least, but my brain it turned blank, numb to all the carnage around me, not caring about my life any more than about fucking freedom and democracy in Saigon! Pretty scary to think about, huh? But maybe it kept me from panicking and getting myself killed, who knows. Anyway (he opens the box and slides out a blister pack containing similarly non-descriptive white pills), it is with some pride that I can say I eventually got my hands on Uncle Sam's secret formula, and perfected it. It no longer turns you into a brainless zombie, instead it sharpens all the senses and emotions you may want in a fight. It won't make you walk right into a barrel of a gun, but it will ensure you won't freeze at the sight of it either. So what do you say, my friend? Wanna give it a shot? It wears off after a couple hours, and is not addictive... unless of course you develop a taste for power it gives you...

He moves the box ever so slightly towards Hawk, who regards it with a mixture of fright and fascination, his mouth gaping open.

SILVER

You've done a tremendous job forging yourself into what you are now, but I'm sure there are still moments when that old fear, old weakness resurface like turds that won't get flushed. I know your childhood conditioned you to be weak, I know how hard it is to weed out that weakness. Well, (taps the box) this will help you reach all the way inside and rip it out like it was a parasite hiding inside your guts and feeding off you. With this, you will awaken to be the man you truly desire to be, the man Cobra Kai will regret to have ever crossed... So what do you say?

Hawk reaches tentatively for the box. Silver smirks with naked satisfaction.

SILVER

You made the right choice, friend. Remember - don't give or even show this to anyone else. And now pop one in, see what happens. As you can see, you've got an entire selection of vintages to wash it down with.

HAWK

Uh, I probably shouldn't take this before school, no?

SILVER

(chuckles) Not unless you're gearin' up to discuss your grades with the teacher... Then again, your school sounds like quite a battlefield in its own right... But I'd suggest you take a day off to do what needs to be done. Clock's ticking, you must act quick before your karate friends scatter to the four winds without their Senseis to keep them together. Cobra Kai has sessions in the afternoon, the dojo should be empty now... or mostly empty at least. Now is the right time to strike.

HAWK

(still apprehensive) You sure it is safe?

SILVER

Well, I wouldn't be taking a drug test on the same day if I were you. No drug is entirely safe, sitting at home by your TV is 'safe' but is 'safety' what you want out of life? Or is it power? Because to gain power, you have to take risks, and trust me, in this case, the benefits far outweigh the risks... (spreads his arms out) But of course I'm not gonna insist, don't take me for some dodgy drug dealer. (chuckles heartily, evidently very amused) I'm not tryin' to hook you on a free dose.

HAWK

(as his fingers close on the box) You're saying both Sensei LaRusso and Sensei Lawrence were attacked?

SILVER

To the best of my knowledge, yes.

Hawk's features grow hard.

SILVER

Drastic times call for drastic measures, my friend. I ain't no dealer, but... together we can deal them the one drug they won't resist, pain.

A smirk sprouts out on Hawk's face.

SILVER

They say to kill a snake, cut off its head. But Cobra Kai is more of a hydra, the heads will keep popping out until you strike at its heart... (tilts his head) and maybe disembowel it too, for good measure.

Hawk nods, his look tenacious, now fully attuned to Silver's wavelength. His thumb squeezes a pill out of the blister pack...

CUT TO

INT. WEST VALLEY HIGH GYM - EARLY MORNING

We cut to YASMINE, walking uneasily into the school's fitness center. The place appears deserted at this hour, with the typical clanking sound only emanating from one source. She follows the sound to behold DEMETRI huffing and puffing while working the pec deck, a towel neatly laid out under his bottom. As he notices her, he stops pushing, the pec deck arms spreading his own arms to the sides. She crosses her arms with apparent reproach.

DEMETRI

Oh, Yas! Good morning!

YASMINE

(sighs) Good morning, Demetri... if it's even Demetri I'm talking to and not some body snatcher. Because the Demetri I thought I knew would be about the last person I could expect to be the first one to the gym.

DEMETRI

Well, if I'm a body snatcher then it's one that ended up in a wrong body for sure. Surprised you could even find me, to be honest. Normally, when guys see me here, they get such cognitive dissonance they straight up repress my presence from their conscious thought.

YASMINE

Well it'd be hard to repress the smell. You're the only one to emit it here so far. Though it's true it's hard to mentally connect that sweaty masculine stink with who's in front of me now.

DEMETRI

Why thank you, my love. You're right me here kind of seems out of place. That's why I prefer to come at this wee hour, before the gym bunnies show up... Speaking of bunnies, Hawk was supposed to join me here, but I guess he overslept.

YASMINE

So he's the one that dragged you into this, huh?

DEMETRI

He pushed me over the edge, I suppose. But I'd be lying if I said the idea wasn't rattling around in my head before. It took some warming up to, sure, but seeing as I already took the plunge into violent, brutish, macho sports, I figured I may as well commit.

YASMINE

You know, I thought one good thing about going out with a nerd at least would be that I could take it easy with this stuff (she turns her head to the sides with her hands spread out). And yet here you are, putting the pressure on me.

DEMETRI

(sounding astonished) Yas, my love, how could I dare?! I'd never even suggest your body is anything short of literal perfection as it is!

YASMINE

Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'll still have to deal with the thought that if my nerdy boyfriend is sweating it out at the gym, then what's my excuse? Guess I'll have to acquaint myself with the machinery here.

DEMETRI

I'll be happy to be your coach... (on her skeptical look)... with all the reading I've done on the subject I should be able to offer some useful advice. But as for excuses, you could just tell yourself you haven't got yourself involved in a dojo turf war.

YASMINE

With what happened yesterday, I'm not sure if that excuse still applies, to be honest.

DEMETRI

(nods solemnly) Which is another reason I'm here. I suppose I've realized that, with the company I keep, I'm going to be expected to have their back sooner rather than later, and I'd better ready myself to stand up to the challenge.

YASMINE

(sighs) Look, you don't have to prove to me you can be some alpha badass. I've had quite enough of those tryhards, thank you very much. And as for these friends, maybe you can just cut down on how much company you keep with them?

DEMETRI

Are you being possessive now? I assure you, my dear, you'll always come first. But... it wouldn't be right if I walked away now, what with Hawk being injured, and Miguel not being exactly back in shape...

YASMINE

Hawk seems to be handling his injury just fine. Are you sure he needs you all that much? You guys are just bickering with each other all the time. Like an old couple. I don't know if I should be jealous or horrified at the thought that's what our future's gonna look like.

DEMETRI

(chuckles) I think we're just taking after our respective male role models in this department. Seriously, though, those guys are the best friends I've got, I couldn't turn my back on them. I couldn't abandon Hawk when I finally feel I'm accepted again.

YASMINE

Does he really accept you if you have to act so against your character to keep his friendship?

DEMETRI

You are right, my love. I have been acting against my character for a long time, but it goes way beyond Hawk. All that recent stuff, karate, this (indicates the equipment) has just made it more blatant for me. I've been keeping up appearances, but it's been harder and harder lately.

YASMINE

Appearances?

DEMETRI

Yeah... (awkwardly) you said I could be a body snatcher. If that was the case, I'd jump out of my body at first opportunity, seek a new host... one belonging to the fairer sex preferably.

YASMINE

(frowning) That sounded vaguely gross. But you mean that...

DEMETRI

(after taking a deep breath) I believe I've got a case of gender dysphoria, Yasmine. I have a rather visceral dislike of my physicality, and I believe the expectations of me fitting into a construct called 'masculinity' which said physicality provokes have a lot to do with it.

YASMINE

(slack-jawed) Oh. Well, I'm sorry to hear that... I mean, I'm not saying it's bad or anything, but... are you sure it isn't just you being uncomfortable with the whole fighting business?

DEMETRI

Me getting tied up with that just brought out the self-hatred I think I've always had. It's merely that back in the day I could more easily ignore it by focusing on stuff where my body didn't matter.

YASMINE

Well, it matters to me. I mean, I've been teasing you about working out, but... I wasn't being serious. I wouldn't really prefer it if you stayed scrawny. And the whole... transitioning thing, well, it was the man Demetri I found attractive!

DEMETRI

Really? When you first showed interest in me, did you in fact see much of a man in me at all?

YASMINE

Well, it's not like I could mistake you for a woman even then!

DEMETRI

(under his breath) Have you ever been mistaken for a man? Yeah, happens to me a lot actually. (speaks up) Even if I'd put on a wig and make-up?

YASMINE

That's... not something I'd be happy to picture.

DEMETRI

Oh come on! With make-up we'd have another topic to talk about! And don't worry, I wouldn't use a wig, I can grow my hair just fine.

YASMINE

Sorry, but deep knowledge of make up does not really rank among things I look for in men.

DEMETRI

Why do you have to think in terms of women-men to begin with? Why not just think in terms of friends and... well, more than friends? I wouldn't stop being the person you know just because I've made some... adjustments. I just wouldn't be at the opposite end of that made-up binary.

YASMINE

Well, now I'm not sure if I know you at all anymore, Demetri... if that's even the name you want to be called now.

DEMETRI

It's just a name, I don't mind it so much if you prefer to stick to it. There are other things I can keep too. It's not like you can transition a hundred percent anyway...

YASMINE

So, what, you're just going to change your pronouns and your hairstyle?

DEMETRI

Wouldn't mind experimenting with my wardrobe, too. And have less of toxic testosterone cruising through my bloodstream in favor of that lifegiving estrogen that the luckier half of humanity gets to enjoy.

YASMINE

And... what'll be the result of that?

DEMETRI

My hope is I'll finally feel free as a result, free from that stupidly limiting category of 'man'. Plus there's good chance one of my Senseis will come down with a heart attack upon the sight of me, and the rest of humanity will profit.

YASMINE

I'm sorry, Demetri. I mean, you're right men feel like hopelessly limited creatures at times, but I guess I'm still drawn to them for some reason, and I don't know if I can be comfortable with someone who's trying to become more like me instead of being himself.

DEMETRI

What if I combined the best of both worlds? A union of Mars and Venus?

YASMINE

I think I'd rather not have to worry about being the best of my world in my relationship. Really, this is a... a lot to take. I'll have to think about it, maybe ask Moon. It seems like the two of you would make a good fit, actually. She's been trying it out with both guys and girls, and with you she'd have both at the same time, from the sounds of it.

DEMETRI

(downcast) Guess it would make it quite the irony that I've had a part in getting her back in with Hawk.

YASMINE

Well, she's nothing if not open to experiments, so you never know. Anyway, my class is starting in a minute, I gotta go. See you later, Demetri.

DEMETRI

(resigned tone) Bye, Yasmine.

With sad puppy eyes he watches her gracefully walk off. Then, with mounting frustration, he seizes the two arms of the peck dec, shoves them forcefully forward and slams them together. Then he lets go of both of them, making the weight behind him hurtle downwards and smash the weights below. He hunches down and puts his face in his hands...

CUT TO

INT. POLICE STATION - MORNING

We cut to DANIEL and AMANDA, her arm resting over his shoulder in a maternal gesture, as he, with an accompanying profuse motion of his hands, relates the events of the last evening to a COP, painstakingly typing a report on his PC, his expression not exactly indicating a great preoccupation with the case at hand, at least until...

COP #1

Wait, did you say he poured piranhas into your pool?!

DANIEL

I swear on my life, Officer. They should still be there, I think, assuming they haven't devoured each other by now.

COP #1

The hell would he have got piranhas from?! As far as I know you can't just buy them at your local pet shop...

DANIEL

He mentioned something about an 'Amazon shipment'. This man specializes in smuggling hazardous materials. Moving some fish across the border was probably a piece of cake for him.

AMANDA

Thank God we didn't decide to put the koi in that pond.

COP #1

The what?

DANIEL

Uh, our carp, Officer. Anyway, he threatened me with having them eat my face off, just for fun too.

AMANDA

I've heard of fish pedicure, but this is really taking it to another level.

COP #1

And what happened then?

DANIEL

He... (starts counting on his fingers) threw me on the ground, stomped on me, threatened me some more. Then he and John Kreese hauled me to his car. I have a rather foggy recollection of what followed until I found myself on the sidewalk, I'm afraid.

COP #1

So a stag party at a community garden gone wrong, you say?

DANIEL

(outraged) Officer, is this really so amusing to you?! I can barely even stand up after what he did to me!

COP #1

Kids at school here do worse to each other nowadays, not that you would know anything about it, Mr LaRusso. Anyway, John Kreese you say... (to Amanda) I recall he's the one who filed a restraining order against you, Ma'am.

AMANDA

Beat me to the punch, yeah.

COP #1

An interesting choice of words, Ma'am.

DANIEL

(as Amanda shakes her head) It's not the first time he's trespassed on my property.

COP #1

Have the previous cases been reported?

DANIEL

Um, afraid not, Officer.

COP #1

Then there's not a whole lot I can do with this information... Did he participate in the assault?

DANIEL

Not actively, no. But he did what I'd call aiding and abetting (gives Amanda a knowing look).

COP #1

Leave the legal jargon to the professionals, Mister. In plain words, what did he do then?

DANIEL

Well, he, uh, distracted me so Silver could get a jump on me. Then he cheered him on, and, uh, he released the piranhas into the pool.

COP #1

Alright. (he motions for COP #2 to come over) Tell the patrol to stop by at that snake karate joint...

DANIEL

Cobra Kai...

COP #1

Right, anyway, tell 'em to pick up the guy that runs the place and bring him in for questioning.

COP #2

You've got it. (walks off)

DANIEL

Wonder if he's even still going to be there. And if so, what line of defense he will come up with.

AMANDA

Maybe he'll show a fake contract saying he's your gardener.

DANIEL

And that he was just restocking my pool, right.

COP #1

So you don't know anything about the whereabouts of that Silver dude, correct?

DANIEL

No, Officer. First time I've seen him in... decades.

COP #1

So he just showed up out of nowhere after all these years only to beat you up?

DANIEL

Sounds crazy, I know. From the way he acted, you'd think scarcely a day passed by since we last butted heads.

COP #1

You two have a history of violence?

DANIEL

Only ever from his side, Officer. Last time I saw him, I wasn't even out of my teens.

COP #1

(shakes his head) That's straight-up mental. Literally a moment before you showed up we had another guy coming here, all messed up, sayin' he was nearly abducted from his apartment! And by some martial arts fellas too, apparently! (Daniel frowns in confusion) The hell is going on with this town? If I wanted war on my streets, there's plenty of places that pay better.

DANIEL

Sorry to say, Officer, but if you don't manage to lock up Silver quickly, I'd expect things to escalate real soon.

COP #1

(angrily) Maybe I should lock up all of you karate dolts?! Keep you under lock and key, wait till that Silver guy gets bored and goes back where he came from?

AMANDA

Pretty sure there's something in the Constitution about the right to due process and all that...

COP #1

(snorts) Sure there is, but there's nothing in it about how long that due process has to take. Anyway, where did you say that garden of yours is?

DANIEL

Miyagi-Do. It's on Tigertail Road.

COP #1

Tigertail Road. What a surprise. Same place we got those vandalism reports a couple of days back. All the city cameras around there got smashed.

DANIEL

God dammit. He really planned this all out, didn't he?

COP #1

You know what car they took you to?

DANIEL

A limousine. Jaguar, I think.

COP #1

Pretty sure none of those have our city's license plates. We'll be checking what surveillance footage we have for it, but this may take a while. Let's hope your karate pal has something useful for us. Our precinct is gettin' stretched thin as it is. We just got a call from the hospital that a nurse was brought there with a gunshot wound, and the guy who brought her later assaulted a security guard. (Daniel and Amanda exchange knowing looks) At the rate things are going, I'm gonna have to call on the National Guard before long.

DANIEL

I understand your frustration, Officer, but I assure you, a lot of this chaos can be traced back to Cobra Kai. They're the ones that instigate violence!

COP #1

Yeah, sure, heard that before, and yet if I took all the reports making accusations against them, and then piled them up next to the ones accusing you and your students, I have a hunch the stacks would end up roughly equal.

AMANDA

(under her breath, to Daniel) Wouldn't be the case if we reported them invading our house.

DANIEL

(to the Cop) That's because they're gaming the law to their advantage. I swear to you, Officer, my dojo is itself merely a defensive reaction to them... metastasizing in our community. Our first principle is fighting in defense only.

COP #1

Well, unluckily to you, Mr LaRusso, our state's law has a very narrow interpretation of self-defense. If you thought you could use teenage kids as a bulwark against what you saw as criminals in the making, then, and I'm being polite here, I deeply question your judgment.

DANIEL

(looks down in apparent shame) I suppose you're right, Officer. It wasn't my dojo's role to uphold the law. But I also didn't expect all this to go as far as it did.

COP #1

The Wild West days are over, and so are the 80's. Can't get away with what one used to, can't be goin' around tellin' kids that duelin' each other is a way to solve anything either. You and your karate buddies got us all into helluva pickle, and now that it's finally boiled up high enough for you to feel the sting personally, you came running to us. (snorts) Figures. But at least you're now willing to admit that fun 'n games is over, aren't you, Mr LaRusso?

DANIEL

(visibly rattled) Karate isn't... (goes silent as he sees the Cop's merciless glare, his expression becomes cowed) yes, Officer, it's over.

COP #1

(satisfied smirk) Good. And now, if you want to show that you mean it, Mr LaRusso, you're going to ensure that it is over and done with. And you're going to want to show that you mean it if you want us to put more than the bare minimum effort into following through on that report. Because I'll be damned if I allocate substantial manpower into investigating your blast from the past, only for you to get right back into your karate monkey business once he's out of the way.

AMANDA

(incredulous) Are you... blackmailing us to shut down the dojo?!

DANIEL

(resigned) No honey, it's alright, the Officer's correct, the consequences of us starting the dojos in the first place have been far too severe at this point.

AMANDA

(suspicious) That doesn't sound like my Daniel speaking...

COP #1

Then perhaps now is the time to listen to him, Ma'am. It's not blackmail, just a small offer of quid pro quo.(to Daniel) I'm speaking to you as to a somewhat respected member of the community, and I'm asking that you use your influence in this community to make our lives easier for a change.

DANIEL

Yes, Officer, you've made your case loud and clear, and you can rest assured you have my full cooperation. Just please, bring that man to justice, for all our kids' sake, because I guarantee you none of them are safe right now.

COP #1

Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

AMANDA

(under her breath) Whew, at least he got the body part right.

DANIEL

I will try, Officer, you have my word.

The Cop nods, then turns his eyes to the screen.

COP #1

So, trespassing, battery, vandalism, abduction, and making threats. We got everything covered?

DANIEL

Well, he stalked my daughter, too, but I didn't want her to be here to listen to all this.

COP #1

Not like that would be the most likely charge to stick anyway. (prints out the report, hands it to Daniel) Have a look if it's all there, and if yes, put your name on it.

Daniel browses the report hurriedly, then signs it and hands it back.

COP #1

Well, in this case thank you for filing the report. We will keep you posted, of course. You're now free to go. Wish you a speedy recovery, Mr LaRusso.

DANIEL

(smirks sardonically, as he rises from the seat with difficulty) Thank you, Officer. I wish you a fast and fruitful investigation.

COP #1

If this guy's attitude to staying incognito is what it appears to be, we'll catch the bastard.

Daniel nods, bids the Officer farewell, then walks off, with sour-faced Amanda holding his arm as he goes. The Officer watches them go with thinly concealed scorn, then snaps his fingers, summoning Cop #2 in the process, and reaches over his shoulder with the report without looking at him.

COP #1

Coming up a full report of a one-time karate whiz kid, still clinging to that one moment of fame thirty odd years later, getting clobbered like a red-headed stepchild by a karate-obsessed old geezer still clinging to a thirty odd year grudge. What do you say to that?

COP #2

(takes the report) I say we give the heads-up to the nearest mental asylum.

COP #1

Right. Too bad you can't lock up a nutcase in one without his written consent nowadays.

COP #2

Yeah. Well then I guess to the freezer it goes.

COP #1

Reading my mind. Think there's any space left in the freezer?

COP #2

There's always space in the freezer.

Cop #1 smiles smugly, hearing the exact answer he expected.

COP #2

(skimming through the report, then suddenly doing a double take) Wait, what the fuck? The attacker dressed up as a practice dummy?!

COP #1

Well, who knows, maybe that was his idea on how to blend into the surroundings... You know, I'd bet you my left nut that between all these fuckin' lunatics, at least one goes around pretending to be, like, white Fu Manchu, sitting cross-legged all day dressed up in kimonos, spouting Japanese-sounding gibberish, and all that shit.

COP #2

Didn't Steven Seagal pretend to be Japanese?

COP #1

Oh, speaking of lunatics... I thought he pretended to be from Brooklyn...

COP #2

That was when he was pretending to be a cop.

COP #1

Oh yeah, I remember that show. Last I checked, stunt doubles aren't standard issue around here.

COP #2

Guess no one told that fat fuck in advance being on the street means havin' to run sometimes. Anyway, last I heard he's coachin' Putin's kids now.

COP #1

Oh yeah?! Last place where they haven't caught up on his bs by now? So he had his Russian collusion, you're sayin'?

COP #2

Right, except he didn't collude with, he colluded into them.

COP #1

Haha, I figure Russia's no longer the biggest country after they got squashed by his big ass.

COP #2

Must still be pretty big if it can hold his ego.

COP #1

Yeah, when he landed, the old Russkies up in Syberia were like "oh, dis is like wen Tunguska meteor hit".

COP #2

Except it weren't the trees that mysteriously disappeared, it was the burgers.

COP #1

They've got burgers in Russia?

COP #2

Sure, they serve them at McDonetsk.

COP #1

Oh yeah, but I heard they only serve tanks at the drive-through.

COP #2

Tanks and mounted bears.

COP #1

Right. And they only accept Kalashnikov as payment.

COP #2

And they only add a half pint of vodka to the Happy Meal.

COP #1

With some added polonium if you piss off the cashier.

COP #2

But hey, let's be fair. They tightened up their health rules. They run a Geiger counter over every order now.

COP #1

You're right, that's an improvement. Before that they'd only throw away the order if it melted through the bag before reaching the customer.

COP #2

(reflective tone) You know what? That's not so different from how the coffee they serve here can melt your balls if you happen to spill any.

COP #1

Oh yeah, you're right, now that I think of it... So what were we talkin' about again?

COP #2

Bunch of morons buggin' us with their karate nonsense, I believe.

COP #1

Oh yeah, those kooks have no respect for officers' time.

COP #2

Ain't that the damn truth? Alright, settin' course for the freezer with this one.

COP #1

Read it 'till the end first. There are some real gems in there. If you took what this guy was sayin' and turned it into a stand-up special, you'd have a real sidesplitter on your hands.

COP #2

You say so? Then I'd better have a look... (as he sits down to read, a phone starts ringing) Ah, hell, won't let a guy read in peace (answers the call) Yeah?... (his expression turns to one of bewilderment) No shit?!... Oh, yeah, of course, get him there, and stick around afterwards. Who the fuck knows what they're gonna do once they realize they haven't finished the job? Let me know when he's ready to sing. Ok, over and out. (he ends the call, turns to Cop #1 eyeing him expectantly) You're not gonna fuckin' believe this. Boys dropped by that karate place to look for John Kreese, and they found him alright. They swept him up and hauled his ass to the hospital on the double. In critical condition apparently...

COP #1

(sounding fed-up more than anything) What the fuck was it this time?!

COP #2

Now that's the best part...

CUT TO

INT. COBRA KAI DOJO - DAWN (CAPTION: A SHORT WHILE EARLIER)

We cut to the close-up view of the dojo's cobra, coiled up and lying perfectly still inside its terrarium, the vertical slit of its perpetually open eye staring right at us. The camera pans back, showing us the vacant interior of the dojo, and the early morning light cast through the windows. Suddenly, the light is disturbed by a figure outside flitting towards the door. The snake stirs as the locked door is rattled violently, then springs up in alarm as a cast-encased arm rams through the glass, and in a series of rapid movements broadens the hole it has created. The cobra's body stands poised and erect, its hood widened, its jaws open and fangs protruding, as the figure steps through the opening and bee-lines for the terrarium, the head remaining obscured above the frame. The snake tilts back, hisses a warning, as the terrarium's upper cover is ripped off and cast aside. For a second or two the scene becomes still. Then, in a lightning-fast flash of movement, the cast shoots down and pins the cobra's head to the ground. Immediately, the other hand moves inside the enclosure, grabs the snake below the neck, squeezing it tight. As the cast lifts up, the cobra, its maw yawning open, wraps its body around the arm now holding it, and is subsequently picked up and brought out of the terrarium. As the camera moves up to follow its ascent, we finally get to behold the face of HAWK - it resembles the way we saw him when he stared down Tory after the crash - sweaty, red, eyes bloodshot, gums receded exposing clenched teeth. But this time those features seem so over the top there is no question their origin is not natural. Hawk lifts his prey up, holds it up nearly to his eyes, his mouth contorting into a grotesque facsimile of a grin. As he contemplates the writhing creature, the office door behind him bursts open, prompting him to rapidly spin in place and face KREESE lumbering into the hall, with a perplexed look and in a military jacket hastily thrown over his sleeping shorts and t-shirt.

KREESE

STOP RIGHT THERE, THIEF! (incredulous) HAWK?! (frowning as he registers his haunted look) What is the meaning of this?!

HAWK

(tilting his head, his voice shaking with adrenaline rush) Hello, Sensei. You can go back to sleep, I just came to take back what's mine. Hope you don't mind the mess. (snorts) Your students are doing hell of a job cleaning up these windows, coz I didn't even notice 'em coming in.

KREESE

Put the snake down, NOW!

HAWK

And let it loose? Don't think so. Besides, I gave it, I take it away, I've thought of a better use for it than feeding it hamsters... (a sudden look of realization) But hang on... (he regards the snake, then shifts his gaze back to Kreese)

They say to kill a snake, cut off its head. (he squeezes the cobra's head, forcing its fangs to drip venom) But you know what I see when I look at this one? I see a cure... And when I look at you, I see the d-i-s-e-a-s-e... (he makes a step towards Kreese, who finds himself involuntarily stepping back) And that gives me an idea.(he shifts the snake in his grip, placing its gaping jaws between his index and middle finger, making it resemble a scaly signet ring, then points it in Kreese's direction) Prepare for the jab, motherfucker!

KREESE

(startled) HAWK, STOP! YOU'RE OUT OF IT!

His cries fall on deaf ears as Hawk advances, the cobra squirming and hissing in his grasp, its fangs protruding out of his closed fist. Kreese darts back, hits the wall, and ducks as the cobra fist shoots out, narrowly missing his face, then immediately draws back, with Hawk leaping away, putting up his cast in between them as a shield. Kreese targets the cast with a high kick, pushing it away, but also gasping with pain as his naked foot strikes the hardened plaster. Hawk totters back, his snake hand waving wildly, nearly making contact with his cheek, but regains balance just as Kreese moves in to bodyslam him. He swings the cast, Kreese shoulder-blocking it with a pained grunt, getting slowed down, then cross-punches with the cobra fist, Kreese jolting his upper body back and grabbing Hawk's wrist as his arm extends all the way. Kreese starts forcing the captured arm down as Hawk makes another swing with the cast, and when Kreese intercepts that too, he lifts up his legs and rams his knees into Kreese's gut.

Kreese staggers back, bent over, letting go of the cast, but still holding onto the snake arm, pulling Hawk after him. Hawk follows up with an elbow drop onto the back of Kreese's head, sending it hurtling down onto his snake fist. Kreese faceplants on Hawk's white knuckles, managing to twist the opponent's hand to make the cobra face away from him at the last millisecond. Hawk finally wrenches the snake fist out of Kreese's grasp, throwing a hook with the cast at the same time, sending Kreese rolling vertically along the wall. His bloodied face comes right up to the row of wall-mounted daggers. Without a second thought, he pulls one off the wall and turns to face Hawk just as the latter launches another cobra cross punch his way. Kreese brings up the dagger, shields his face with it, the cobra fist slamming into the flat of the blade, stopping maybe two inches from its target, the snake's venom-slobbering teeth jutting out on both sides of the dagger.

This time Hawk presses his advantage, viciously clubbing Kreese's elbow joint with the cast, making his other arm momentarily go limp, then shoving his own shoulder into Kreese's ribs, all while pushing the snake fist into the man's face, applying force wholly belying his stature, inching the venomous fangs closer, making them almost sink into his wide open eyeball, the snake's mouth flattened now against the flat of the blade, open at nearly 180 degrees. With gritted teeth, Kreese painstakingly turns the blade to make the lethal maw face away from himself, keeps turning to direct it at Hawk, who, seeing this, proceeds to pummel Kreese's side with the cast in blind rage. Kreese slumps down the wall, dragging Hawk down onto his lap. Just as it seems like the snake's increasingly twisted neck is about to snap, Hawk retracts the cobra fist. Kreese immediately points the blade at him and thrusts it out, but the pointy tip instead punctures the center of the Punisher skull painted in dried blood on Hawk's cast. Hawk yanks the cast up, and tears the dagger out of Kreese's grip, then brings it back down, smashing the man's face with the handle of the weapon - itself still embedded in the cast. He throws an uppercut with the cobra fist, now aimed at Kreese's chin. Kreese intercepts it again, but as Hawk answers by mauling the top of his head with repeated strikes of the cast with the dagger hilt projecting out of it, the older man, feebly attempting to deflect the raining blows while barely even being able to see them, with blood running down his forehead and into his eyes, seems to be at the end of his rope...

When suddenly the struggle of the two tightly entangled bodies comes to an abrupt halt in the wake of a high-pitched horrified scream coming from the entrance. The men both shift their gazes to see...

TORY

SENSEI!

... standing at the threshold with a food wrap-covered bundle in her hands, her face registering an uncomprehending shock. Kreese's features go wide in panic; he opens his mouth to utter a cry of warning, only to have his airflow throttled by the cast ramming into his thorax. Hawk then flashes her a devilish grin.

HAWK

Uhh, Kreese's groupie, what a perfect timing, just in time to see your sugar daddy breathe his last. (sniffs the air)What's that you brought? Eggs and bacon? (to Kreese) Ain't she a sweet girl? (to Tory) Maybe you'll drip feed 'em to him later, you bitch!

He redoubles the efforts to force the cobra fist into Kreese's chin, and choking him with the cast at the same time. As the old man writhes futilely trying to shake him off, Hawk's thighs straddling his waist, grasping him tightly like the coils of a constrictor, Tory, in desperation, tears the food wrap off, revealing a metal bowl, flips it over, the food slipping onto the floor, and then hurls it at Hawk, hitting him in the temple, dazing him. Kreese takes advantage of Hawk's daze to push him off of himself, Hawk rolls away on the ground, gets on all fours, Tory rushes him, her features now contorted in fury. Hawk stands up up and draws back the cobra fist, his dazed look giving way to a wicked smirk.

HAWK

That's right, GET OVER HERE!

His fist shoots out, opening midway, sending the snake darting through the air at unsuspecting Tory. But just as the animal is about to collide with her, Kreese dashes into frame and bodyslams Tory out of the way of the venomous projectile, which now sinks deep into his left forearm.

As Kreese cries out, Hawk grabs hold of the cobra's tail end, a split second before it slips through his fingers, and then yanks it back, tearing the mouth off Kreese's flesh, and then again pinning its head to the ground with the cast and closing his grip on its neck. He leaps away as Kreese convulsively squeezes his limb just above the torn up puncture marks, then he dashes for the exit, stomping on and nearly slipping on the now dented bowl on the way. He makes it to the exit, spins around to see Tory now preoccupied with her Sensei's injury. A brief and quickly suppressed flash of recognition shows in his eyes before his features contort into a ghastly grimace again and he bellows out a - somewhat unconvincing - cry of triumph, while raising the battered cobra over his head.

HAWK

(to Tory, who now stares at him with pure loathing) You stick around, watch as your Sensei's flesh melts off his bones. And while you watch, remember, (glares into her eyes), you're next!

He spins around again and dashes off, out of sight. Tory springs up up as if gearing up to race after him, but quickly comes to her senses and turns to Kreese, who watches the wound with a scowl, his breath panting.

TORY

I'LL CALL THE AMBULANCE!

KREESE

(shaking his head, his features growing dogged) No time. C'mon, help me get to the office.

She takes his arm and walks him towards the open door.

Cut to the inside of the office. As the pair enters, Kreese indicates the desk.

KREESE

Open the top drawer, find my combat knife.

Tory's eyes go wide, but she obeys. Meanwhile, Kreese moves over to a small electric heater in the corner, puts his hand on its surface, withdraws it, and nods, evidently satisfied. Tory holds up the knife to him as he indicates the heater.

KREESE

Put it inside the grille, let it heat up.

Hesitantly, she does so, as Kreese lays out the bitten hand on the desk.

KREESE

I can't let go, or the venom will spread over my body. You're going to have to do it.

TORY

(mouth agape) Sensei... no, I, I can't...

KREESE

WHO ELSE IF NOT YOU?! DO IT, GOD DAMMIT! Don't you get soft on me now!

Tory gulps audibly, on the verge of panic. After a moment, she slowly draws the blade out, touches it, withdraws the hand immediately, then, her legs quivering like jelly, walks over to the desk, starts shakily raising the blade...

KREESE

(pats a part of his forearm just below his elbow joint) Stab here as hard as you can, then start sawing.

Tory cringes, the knife now all the way up. Just as it is about to descend, Tory's attention is drawn to Kreese's gi hanging on the wall, and particularly to its belt.

TORY

We'll need something to staunch the bleeding... and something for you to bite on.

Kreese nods curtly. Cut to Tory holding his laid-out arm with one hand, holding the knife up with another, with Kreese clenching his teeth on the belt. Tory draws a deep breath, frowns, then brings the blade down...

Cut to the outside view of the dojo, a cop car driving up to the entrance, as an ear-rending scream fills the air. Immediately afterwards the police lights start flashing, and the siren begins to wail...

CUT TO

INT. LARUSSOS' HOUSE - MORNING

We cut to SAM sitting at the kitchen table, chin propped up by her fist, fingers banging impatiently on the polished surface, her gaze directed at the window. At the opposite side sits ANTHONY, seemingly unmindful of her, preoccupied with his phone as usual, but this apparent aloofness is belied by his rigid posture. We see Sam's phone sticking out of his back pocket. His rump jumps up from the seat as the finger banging is suddenly succeeded by the palm of Sam's hand slamming the table.

SAM

(assertively) That's it, I've had enough sitting around cut off from the outside world like I was in some quarantine while Miguel and others are going through God knows what! I'm going to the hospital, that's where I'm needed, Dad will see it my way once he calms down. Now please open the door!

ANTHONY

(shaking his head without looking up from the screen) No can do, sis. I've got my marching orders, and I don't want Dad to think he doesn't have any kids left that he can trust.

SAM

(snorts) Marching orders, right. Only place you'd be marching is the queue line for the next Xbox, and that's only if you couldn't order it online. Now could you please stop being a smarmy little brat and do as I ask?! Grounding me isn't going to solve anything!

ANTHONY

Wow, Sam, you're literally on the cusp of winning me over. Let me just hear a little more of this sweet talk, and I'm totally setting you free to go looking for your Sensei...

SAM

(through gritted teeth) Damn it, Anthony. It's not about him, I wouldn't even know where to start looking for him, anyway. I can do something for Miguel, at least I hope I do, and I'm not sitting idly by when there's even a slightest chance I can do something for him, do you understand?!

ANTHONY

(shrugs) Not really. I mean, how could I understand? I'm a no-lifer, plugged to the screen permanently. Human emotions are alien to me.

SAM

Well, congratulations, Anthony, you're truly a representative of a new life-form on this planet. But if human feelings are really alien to you, then you're going to have to take my word for it when I tell you that I. Can't. Stay. Here!

ANTHONY

Alright, sure, I'll take your word for it. (pauses for a second) But I'm not going to do anything about it.

SAM

For cryin' out loud, why not?!

ANTHONY

Your demands conflict with Dad's instructions. My continued life of comfort and leisure depends on Dad's favor. I lose more by going against his wishes than I can conceivably gain by agreeing to yours. Hence, doing so does not compute for me, no matter how you slice it.

SAM

(exasperated) Such a calculating brain you have, Anthony, I'm impressed. You know, maybe here's something you could calculate. I admit math isn't my strong suit, I am not really into calculations that much, but still, I think our parents miscalculated pretty badly, when they put you in charge of me. What does your positronic brain say about that?

ANTHONY

Uuuh, I'm shakin', sis. (raises his phone to her face, starts recording) You're live now, Sam! So show me what you got! What's it gonna be? You gonna karate chop me into pieces?

SAM

(glances briefly at an open window to their side) No, Anthony, I'm just going to cut you off your life support.

Suddenly, she leaps onto the table and crouch-kicks the phone out of Anthony's hand, sending it hurtling through the window. Anthony shrieks, grabs his hand, but his eyes immediately dart to his lost possession.

ANTHONY

OW! YOU BITCH! I SWEAR IF YOU BROKE IT I'LL HAVE DAD STRING YOU UP FROM HIS BILLBOARD!

SAM

Don't hold your breath for that, bro. He's had enough bad publicity lately as it is. (braces herself to charge at the window) See you later, and tell dad I couldn't leave Miguel to himself. (under her breath) We walk our path together.

She runs up, jumps, and dives through the window. She breaks into a roll as she makes the landing, comes to a halt propped up on all fours.

SAM

Not a cat... but close enough.

She sees Anthony's phone on the ground - its battery has fallen out of the case.

SAM

Damn. I don't know his PIN.

She still reaches for and pockets the battery.

SAM

But... there's no reason I have to let him use it.

She gets up and looks around, assessing her situation.

SAM

(under her breath) Mom's car is gone. Key to Dad's car is probably inside the house, and I doubt Anthony's going to let me back in if I knock and ask nicely. My car must be at Miyagi-Do... along with Mr Miyagi's cars. Guess that's my best and only bet. Just about time for a morning jog, too.

She breaks into a run, heading out, stealing a glance at Anthony, watching her infuriated through the window, as she goes.

CUT TO

EXT. MIYAGI-DO - MORNING

We cut to a street view of Miyagi-Do, Sam's car still parked by the gate. SAM comes running into the frame, winded, strands of hair clinging to her sweaty forehead. She stops, bends down, puts hands on her knees, takes a few heavy breaths before straightening up.

SAM

(to the car) Phew... at least they didn't haul you away. (walks over and looks inside) Key's gone. Figures. Guess I'll have to borrow...

She enters the dojo grounds, notices a phone lying on the ground, runs up to it.

SAM

That's Dad's phone! (picks it up, tries to turn it on, to no avail) Battery's dead, of course... Wait, maybe if I used Anthony's battery... (she takes it out, tries, and fails, to insert it into the slot) no luck, it won't fit.

She shakes her head and pockets the phone, then, with some caution, proceeds onward. As the pool, along with the open crate, comes into view, she shudders.

SAM

(voice breaking) Dad, I'm so sorry I didn't warn you...

She gives the pool a wide berth, goes to lift up the tarp and have a look at Mr Miyagi's cars.

SAM

Alright, you seem to be in order. Hope you've got gas. Keys are in the cabinet, just have to get to them...

She heads towards the dojo. We cut to the inside, as Sam slides the door open slightly, peeks inside, then opens the door the rest of the way and walks inside. She steps towards the cabinet, looks at the drawers, each equipped with a lock, sighs.

SAM

Those are obviously going to be locked too. Now how do I get them to open? Even if I had a lockpick, I wouldn't know how to use it. I suppose brute force is my only recourse. But this is solid hemlock, pretty sure it's karate proof...

She looks around, inspects the various weapons decorating the dojo's interior.

SAM

Ok, which one of you was the one I sharpened?

She walks over to one of the daggers, touches the edge, yelps, sucks the finger.

SAM

Yeah, that would be you.

She picks up the dagger, moves back to the cabinet, raises the blade, braces herself.

SAM

I think it was that drawer. (to the drawer) I'm sorry, drawer, but that's why you normally have a fire axe in case of an emergency.

She stabs the middle drawer, once, twice around the lock, chipping off tiny fragments of wood. Finally, the umpteenth stroke sinks deeper, but as Sam yanks it to wrench it away, it is the drawer that follows her movement, obligingly sliding open. Sam's eyes go wide in surprise.

SAM

WHAT? You were open all along?! But how... Well, why am I even surprised? The one thing I assumed off the bat would be giving me trouble and it turns out it wasn't going to... (contrite) I'm so sorry, drawer.

She looks inside, finds a whole bunch of car keys, examines them for a moment, then just scoops them all up and leaves.

Cut to the outside as Sam makes her way back to the cars with her hands full of keys. She pours them into one hand, then uses the other to pull the tarp off the vehicles. She inspects them once more, noting a vacant space between two of them.

SAM

Looks like someone has already rented one out...

Her eyes come to rest on the yellow Ford Super De Luxe. She nods.

SAM (cont'd)

Banana boat, the time has come for you to save the day again.

She tries different keys on its lock until one fits. She gets inside, puts the key in the ignition, then purses her lips.

SAM (cont'd)

Alright, now be a good boy and wake up.

She turns the key. The engine cranks but doesn't spark.

SAM (cont'd)

(increasingly desperate) C'mon, don't do this to me!

She tries again. Same thing.

SAM (cont'd)

(lifting her eyes up) Mr Miyagi, if you can hear me, please, give your old buddy here a kickstart!

She turns the key for the third time. The engine cranks, cranks... and finally ignites. Sam lets out a cry of jubilation, fists the ceiling, then grips the wheel.

SAM (cont'd)

YEAH! Should've known I needed to make a little prayer to the guardian spirit first! (singing) Whoa, kick start my heart! Miguel, I'm coming!

She turns the lights on and gets the wheels turning. We watch as the Ford rolls out of the dojo grounds...

CUT TO

INT. TORY'S APARTMENT - MORNING

We cut to ROBBY sitting at the table scrolling through his phone while TONY is hanging about, apparently mostly preoccupied with distracting him.

ROBBY

(stops scrolling, we now see that he is browsing job listings) Maybe I'll get a job as a painter, (to Tony) what do you say, boss?... Might as well put the skills my old boss taught me to something useful for a change.

TONY

Painters start with a low salary, but it's easy to get married with that job.

ROBBY

(frowns, surprised) And just how do you know that?

TONY

(shrugs) Says so on the card...

ROBBY

Huh...

He tries to come up with a fitting retort as his concentration is broken by TORY barging into the house, panting, sweaty, blood on her clothes. As Robby jumps up from his seat, she gives him a wild look, then dashes for the bathroom and locks herself inside before he manages to catch up to her. Robby knocks on the door, looking alarmed. Tony regards him frozen in fright.

ROBBY

TORY!? TORY, WHAT HAPPENED?!

He is answered by the sound of hectic splashing of water running from the fully open tap, then violent banging against the sink, then the crashing of glass. His face registers panic, and he starts bashing the door with his shoulder, over and over until he finally bursts it open and stumbles inside. He comes in on the sight of Tory inserting a big pointy shard of glass into her forearm, screams out, and lunges at her, staying her hand just as she is about to cut a swath through her vein. They wrestle for the shard, Robby forcing it up and out of her flesh, shoving the injured arm away as she thrashes about,her teeth gritted, trying to push the arm back into the bloody tip. Robby seizes her wrist and bends it backwards, forcing Tory to let go of the shard. Just as it clinks on the floor between them, Tory's knee rushes up into Robby's abdomen, sending him stumbling backwards. She grabs the edges of the sink, lifts herself up, and follows up with a roundhouse kick. Robby absorbs the blow to his chest, grabs her leg, spins, tears her off the sink and throws her at a cupboard mounted on the wall opposite. As Tory falls down along with the cupboard's contents, he topples onto her, clasping her body with both hands and forcing her to the floor.

ROBBY

(heaving, as Tory writhes underneath him) What... did I tell you... about Cobra Kai cheap shots?!

Tory continues to squirm, a pure mindless determination in her eyes.

ROBBY

(struggling to sound confident while fighting for breath) I can do this all day... you know... you finished?!

Gradually, fatigue begins to set in for Tory, as her movements become more sluggish. Only then does she speak out.

TORY

(teeth still clenched) Let... go.

ROBBY

Not... until... you're finished.

Suddenly, her writhing stops abruptly, as she looks past him and at the doorway, where Tony now stands, with uncomprehending horror on his features. Robby looks back at him, and shouts.

ROBBY

GET SOME BANDAGES, QUICK!

Tony jumps up as if given a shock, then skitters off. Before he can return, though, a heavy thumping movement resounds from the direction of the bedroom, followed by MARY coming into view, aided by a walking frame in her movement. As she beholds the two of them, her face turns into a mask of anguish.

MARY

Tory...

TORY

(breaking into sobs) Mother...

MARY

(dropping onto her knees next to them, with Robby putting out one hand to embrace her) Tory... why?

TORY

(pressing her face into Robby's shoulder, as if to escape her mother's gaze) It's Sensei... He was hurt... because of me... I don't know if he's gonna make it. And it was all ... it was all my fault...

ROBBY

(frowning in confusion, as he now holds both women close) Sensei?! What happened to him?!

TORY

(unglues her face from his chest, looks him in the eyes, hatred surfacing on her features) Hawk...

Robby's features express further incomprehension, eventually morphing into indignation, as the significance of her words sets in. Mary watches her daughter with helpless grief, as Tory's inner turmoil gradually abates, giving way to overwhelming fatigue...

CUT TO

EXT. WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL - MORNING

We cut to an unassuming vehicle driving into the hospital's parking lot, slowing down but not stopping by the ticket machine, with no barrier in sight. The car is subsequently parked, and out of it steps BOBBY, now wearing his white dress shirt, unbuttoned at the neck to expose the crucifix. He heads towards the hospital's main entrance, noticing a police car parked some distance away as he goes.

BOBBY

(under his breath) Guess Johnny was right about the police being onto him. God, I hope I haven't come here in vain.

As he continues walking, our POV moves away from Bobby and towards the police car. As it slides inside, we see, in the back seats, two middle-aged men, stripped to their underwear, bound and with their mouths taped, their eyes rolled to the backs of their heads, as if they were drugged, and motionless, sprawled out, and motionless...

CUT TO

INT. WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL

We cut to the ICU room, inside of which MIGUEL is sitting with a downcast expression next to the bed where CARMEN is lying, evidently unconscious, a breathing mask over her mouth, an IV line attached to her arm, a heart rate monitor with its reassuringly regular beats positioned nearby. Behind Miguel we can see a large window in the wall, on the other side of which a NURSE is at her desk, shuffling through some papers. Miguel caresses his mother's hair absent-mindedly, then turns his gaze to the phone held in his other hand. We can see he has Yaya's phone number selected. His finger hovers over the call button for a moment before settling on the cancel button instead.

MIGUEL

(quietly) No... I need to be there for her when she hears about this.

His hand returns to Carmen's head, now gently stroking her temple, her cheek, her chin...

MIGUEL

Mom, please come back to us. (forces a smile) You're not supposed to be on this side of the hospital bed. I know it's from you that I got the strength to make my recovery. (grasps her wrist) Well, take it back if you need it now. I'm fine with the progress I've made, I don' need more, really. But I need you. We all need you. And we all know you can make that comeback. (emphatically) We know it, do you hear me, mom? I know you can hear me. So don't try to argue down there, just hurry up and wake up, alright?

He pats the palm of her hand gently, as if trying to act casual.

MIGUEL

Anytime you're ready, mom. I'll be right here whenever that will be. (his face quickly sours as if he could no longer maintain the effort to keep his smile up) Who could have done this to you? And what was Sensei's role in all this?... Was it... father? Did he come to our house...? But why would Sensei act so guilty then?... God, why the hell did I agree to move out?!

He props an elbow against the bed frame, and lays his face in the open palm of his hand. He remains in that position for a while, breathing deeply, until his silent vigil is disturbed by the creaking of the door to his side. Miguel's head springs up, as if he was jolted awake from a nap, then shifts towards the source of the sound, only for his features to twist in shock; a shock that prompts him to stand up, rigidly erect, and to face the newcomer with his mouth partly open, futilely trying to articulate a coherent sentence.

The newcomer greets him with a self-satisfied smile.

MANUEL

Miguel... Hello, my son.

MIGUEL

(gulps) Father...

MANUEL

Yes, Miguel, it's really me. It's been ten years almost, hard to believe I've been looking for you for so long. And now, when I can see you with my own eyes... my, how you have grown!

MIGUEL

(frowning dubiously) You've really been looking for us for all these years, father?

He utters that last word as if he couldn't quite believe it applied to the man standing before him.

MANUEL

Yes, yes, I never gave up, but... Diaz being such a popular name among our countrymen didn't exactly make it easy. (motions to the bed) I'm very sorry that we finally meet again in... circumstances like this.

MIGUEL

(tone belligerent) How did you know to come here?! Were you... did you do this to her?!

MANUEL

(eyes going exaggeratedly wide) Me?! Miguel, how can you even ask that?! I'd never lay my hand on your mother, you know that... I just came back from the police department, where I testified as a witness... (indicates the bruises on his face) and a victim.

MIGUEL

(guardedly) Victim of who?

MANUEL

I think you know the guy, son. That drunk neighbor of yours, the blonde hobo? He saw me with your mother and started a fight.

MIGUEL

(frowns incredulously) Sen... Johnny attacked you?

MANUEL

(chuckles) So that's his name, huh? How could you stand living next to a bum like this? Anyway, he attacked me, yes. I drew my gun to scare him off, but he went for it, like a real loco. I was caught by surprise, let him tear it away. He wanted to shoot me when your mother came between us to stop him... and then he fired... (his voice coming out as if it was on the verge of breaking) I'm sorry that I failed to prevent it from happening, my son, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

MIGUEL

(unbelieving) He shot her? (accusatory) Why did you even bring a gun there?!

MANUEL

(sounding slightly hurt) You don't believe me, son? I had a gun just for protection, America is such a violent country, I don't know why she would choose to live here, raise you here, when back home you had everything...

MIGUEL

Except for freedom and peace of mind...

MANUEL

(snorts) Freedom?! What a joke, freedom to slave away to afford rent for a dinghy apartment? And peace... how much of it she could have with you getting into fights all the time?... Yes, don't be surprised, son, I've heard about what's been happening in this town, about the teenage streetgangs that terrorize people and who put you in a coma. I know you've been training kung-fu...

MIGUEL

Karate...

MANUEL

Karate, and I'm proud to know my son took steps to defend himself, but you can rest assured back home no one would dare lay a hand on you or your mother.

MIGUEL

(skeptically) Yeah, because they'd know we're your property.

MANUEL

Because they'd know you're my family, Miguel. Family is the most precious thing in a man's life, and a real man will never turn back from his duty to protect it, you hear?!

MIGUEL

You mean like when you had goons following mom around when she wasn't with you, that kinda protection?!

MANUEL

(vaguely offended) Don't believe everything she told you about me. I have a lot of friends, and some of them would do me a favor by making sure a young woman like her wouldn't be harassed out on the streets, that's all. I didn't send goons after her.

MIGUEL

Right, I'm sure you have your side of the story. Anyway, I'm still not convinced it was you who was protecting her back there.

MANUEL

(shrugs) You think I'd be here now if I wasn't? Once the cops snatch up that bum, which shouldn't be long, you'll have no more reason to doubt.

MIGUEL

(sounding conflicted) Johnny wouldn't try to shoot someone...

MANUEL

Brain-rotted boozehounds are capable of anything in their drunken stupor. Besides, there are witnesses. When this is over, and that pendejo is behind bars, you'll learn to trust your father again... but enough of him, how is she?

MIGUEL

Stable, but unconscious, as you can see. They'll have to operate to get the bullet out.

MANUEL

What a shame. I hope she recovers quickly... but if not, someone's going to have to take care of you, Miguel.

MIGUEL

(brusquely) I can take care of myself!

MANUEL

(tilts his head) Yourself, your mother, and your illegal grandmother? At 17? Before you even finished high school?

MIGUEL

(defiantly) I know someone who is pretty much in the same situation and manages it somehow.

MANUEL

I'm sure his life is all sunshine and rainbows... Listen, son, I know you're proud, I know you don't want to consider the thought that the bad feelings you held for me all this time weren't all deserved. That's fine, I understand that. All I'm asking is that you and I have a real talk, like father and son, so I can hear what my kid's been up to for the last ten years... and so I can make a case for myself, and for your home, real home. Nothing more than that. What do you say, Miguel?

As the look of inner conflict comes onto Miguel's features again, Manuel makes a step towards him, spreads his arms out, smiles amiably.

MANUEL

Don't be afraid, my son, come to papa, give your old man a hug.

As he hears these words, spoken in a feigned soothing tone, Miguel's eyes go wide, with a recollection from a distant past piecing itself back together in his mind, a recollection long buried in the deepest cellar of his memory, where the traumatic episodes of his life have been dismantled and stashed away to be forgotten. A cold sweat runs down his face as one of these episodes slithers back to the surface...

CUT TO

INT. DIAZ' ECUADOR HOUSE - EVENING

We move a decade into the past, and onto another continent, where in a lush suburban mansion surrounded by tropical greenery a not even thirty year old CARMEN prepares dinner in a spacious dining room with a wall-encompassing window offering a view of a massive pool and meticulously tended garden. A seven year old MIGUEL helps her set down the tableware; immersed in his work, he does not seem to notice the anxiety showing on his mother's face. Suddenly, they both freeze as they hear the roaring of a sports car engine barreling into their underground garage.

MIGUEL

(dropping the utensils onto the table, in Spanish) It's dad!

He runs out of the room, disregarding Carmen feebly reaching out with her hand to stop him. He runs up to the door leading down to the garage and waits there expectantly. After a moment, MANUEL emerges, sweaty and red-faced, smartly dressed, but with his clothes being noticeably ruffled. Manuel reacts with surprise to seeing Miguel right at the door, but his grimace quickly changes into a rather disingenuous looking smile.

MANUEL

(in Spanish, slurring his words) Miggy! Mi hijo! How are you, boy? Came to see papa?

Miguel nods eagerly.

MANUEL

(pats him on the head) Good boy. Here, I've got something for you.

He reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket. As he does so, the lapels of it spread open, revealing huge bloodstains on his white shirt. As Miguel's features go wide in shock, Manuel, seemingly oblivious, takes out a small packet of sweets, torn open at the top, and holds it up in front of him.

MANUEL

You like those, don't you, son? Well, how about giving the old man a hug first?

Miguel stares petrified at the blood on his father's shirt, as suddenly a scream resounds down the hall. Both pairs of eyes dart towards...

CARMEN

MANUEL?! (indicates the stain) WHAT IS THIS?!

Manuel seemingly finally realizes the state of his suit, mutters curses under his breath.

MANUEL

(slurring his words even more) Why are you fuckin' screaming, woman?! You're scaring our boy! (inspects the blood) This... this is nothing. (to Miguel) Don't be afraid, Miggy, come to papa!

He spreads out his arms, moves to embrace Miguel, who at the last moment breaks out of his daze, and springs back, with Carmen's hands reaching from outside the frame to grasp his shoulders.

CUT TO present day, where Miguel likewise recoils with alarm from his father's touch, his back bumping into the bed frame, his hands squeezing it tightly, only to have his wrist grabbed by Carmen, suddenly coming awake, her grogginess quickly fading away under the onslaught of shock and panic upon seeing Manuel in the room with them. As her grip becomes convulsive, she starts hyperventilating, the beeps coming from the heart rate monitor turning frantic.

MIGUEL

(looking at her with trepidation) MOM?! (turning to Manuel, slightly thrown off-balance by her abrupt eruption) She needs help!

He shoots a look at the window, only to frown in confusion as he notices that the desk on the other side is now vacant. Confusion gives way to fear as he sees that Manuel continues his deliberate approach, his expression now cold and determined.

MANUEL

Help is on the way, son. But first we have to clear out of the room. C'mon, let's go!

He reaches out to Miguel, only for him to push the hand away, himself now adopting a defiant stance.

MIGUEL

FORGET IT! I'm not leaving her like that! You're causing this, you go!

MANUEL

(sternly) Listen to me, son! There's nothing you can do for her now! Stop clinging to her like a fuckin' baby! Time to get off mommy's teat, boy!

As Miguel scowls in response to Manuel's taunting, Carmen grabs the breathing mask and tears it off, exposing a face contorted in a hateful grimace, and sputters out through a hoarse throat:

CARMEN

Stay... away from him... you bastard!

CUT TO the past, where Manuel, visibly infuriated, pursues Miguel as he is being dragged away by his mother. Just as he is about to sink his paws into Miguel's neckline, Carmen grabs a porcelain figurine off a decorative accent table, and swings it at him, smashing it on Manuel's head, making him drunkenly stagger backwards, bellowing expletives as the pair starts running down the hall in the opposite direction.

CUT TO the present, where Manuel is also staggering backwards, reeling from another shove by Miguel, now looking belligerent. Once he stops himself by holding onto the doorframe, he methodically straightens out his clothes, and then gazes at Miguel with utterly pitiless eyes, while simultaneously reaching inside his jacket.

MANUEL

I was hoping we could do this peacefully, I really did. But now you've forced my hand, Miguel. Too bad, but... that's why I got myself some assistance from an old friend. (he takes out a blister pack with white pills, then puts his fingers inside his mouth and whistles) Don't mind me, just calling an orderly. It looks like both of you need to be administered a little sedative.

The door behind him opens. Miguel watches with mounting terror as a MAN enters the room. A man wearing an ill-fitting police uniform, but whose gap-toothed grin Miguel knows belongs to no policeman...

CUT TO BOBBY (CAPTION: A MOMENT EARLIER) walking down a hospital hallway in the ICU, when suddenly, from the opposite end, a gurney is wheeled in by PARAMEDICS, and speedily led in his direction. Bobby steps out of the way as the gurney passes him by, looks at the patient being transported, and his eyes go wide in surprise.

BOBBY

(sounding unsure) John?!

KREESE

(frowns as he strains to recognize him) And you are...?

BOBBY

It's me, Bobby! (to the paramedics) It's ok, I'm a pastor. (starts following the gurney as the paramedics regard him dubiously) What happened to you, John?

KREESE

Bobby...? What are you doing here?

BOBBY

Johnny asked me to come, to see his student.

KREESE

His student? Miguel?

BOBBY

That's right.

KREESE

(suddenly his right hand shoots out from under the cover and seizes Bobby's shoulder) That kid's in danger, Bobby! Promise me you'll look out for him! (as the paramedics pry his hand off) Promise me, Bobby!

BOBBY

I promise, but... danger of what?!

Before Kreese can answer, the gurney takes a sharp turn, and rolls into a room, with the door being promptly shut in Bobby's face. He stands there for a moment, mouth agape, trying to piece together what just happened, then he resumes walking down the corridor. Soon, he notices a pair of MEN in police uniforms, one standing by a door to another ICU room, another sitting down on a chair opposite. He picks up the pace, at first looking relieved, but as he comes closer, the relief gives way to suspicion. We recognize the men to be the GAP-TOOTHED MAN and the GOATEE MAN, but even to Bobby their mean appearances coupled with multiple bruises on each are instantly suspicious. The Men glare at him inhospitably as he approaches. He checks the number of the room they are stationed at - it is the room he was looking for. He takes a deep breath before speaking.

BOBBY

Uh, excuse me officer, I'm a pastor and I would like to enter this room.

GAP-TOOTHED MAN

(heavy Mexican accent) Police business. No one come in.

BOBBY

(frowning) Uh, look, officer, there's a woman inside in a critical condition who has requested my spiritual support. I'd like to request in turn that you let me in.

The Gap-Toothed Man waves him off with an angry scowl, muttering something incoherently.

BOBBY

(under his breath) Riiight, the hiring standards at the police may not be all that discriminating nowadays, but I'm still pretty sure you're not a cop. (speaks up) May I see your badge, officer?

The Gap-Toothed Man picks his breast pocket and flashes a yellow trinket in front of Bobby's eyes before pocketing it again.

BOBBY

Um, I believe you're supposed to wear it on the outside, officer.

The Gap-Toothed Man responds with another, this time more aggressive wave of his hand. Bobby takes a step past him and down the hall.

BOBBY

Think I'm gonna have to run it by the security...

He takes maybe a few steps before a loud whistling resounds from inside the room. The Gap-Toothed Man turns around, jolted by the sound, then reaches for the door handle, at the same time motioning with his head first to the Goatee Man, and then in Bobby's direction, as if signaling the former to watch the latter. The Goatee Man sluggishly gets up from his seat, moves to replace the Gap-Toothed Man, who now enters the room. Bobby's back remains turned to them throughout, but as our POV moves to show his face, we see that a look of grim determination has set in.

BOBBY

... or not. No time. (reaches to the back of his neck, taking off his crucifix necklace) Lord, forgive me should my judgment prove flawed...

CUT TO the ICU room, where GTM is now studying Miguel warily, remembering their previous encounter. Miguel, for his part, has adopted a fighting stance, regarding the aggressors with eyes squinting and lips tightly drawn.

MANUEL

(mockingly) Thank you for coming, officer. I need your help exercising my... parental custody.

CARMEN

(as she feebly attempts to rise from the bed) Don't you dare... touch him!

MIGUEL

(to Carmen) I won't let them touch you, mom. Not anymore.

MANUEL

(snorts) Arrogant brat. Looks like I'll have my hands full beating that kung fu crap out of you.

MIGUEL

(through gritted teeth) Karate...

MANUEL

Same shit. (to GTM) Hold him down.

GTM closes in, cracking his joints as he goes, and drawing a police baton from his belt.

MANUEL

HEY! That's my son here! What the hell are you doing?!

GTM shrugs, throws the baton away, takes on a fighting stance himself, and advances. Miguel lifts himself up using the bed frame, and thrusts his legs out. GTM blocks the kicks, but is sent staggering back. Miguel goes after him, launches into a spinning kick. GTM dodges under it. Miguel seamlessly follows up with a back-kick straight into his face. GTM falls on his behind, momentarily stunned. Manuel darts from his position to flank Miguel, who throws the right elbow into his gut in response. With a groan, Manuel grabs hold of the elbow, Miguel reacting with immediate left-handed punches to his kidney. Manuel curses in anger as GTM gets up and rushes Miguel, who jumps up, using Manuel's hold as purchase, and sidekicks GTM away. As he is up in the air, however, Manuel grapples him around the waist and pulls him down into the ground, making him fall down on his spine hard, eliciting a gasp of pain, and crushing him with his own bulk. Miguel throws his knees up and strikes Manuel to the sides, pushing him into the bed frame, but the same bed frame, combined with the man's larger weight, prevents Miguel from shaking him off, as Manuel painstakingly grabs and pins his hands to the floor.

MANUEL (cont'd)

(barking to GTM) Get his legs!

GTM dives at Miguel's lashing limbs, wrapping his muscular arms around them, holding them still. With Miguel now immobilized, Manuel raises himself up, brings his knee down on the boy's chest, squeezes a pill out of the blister pack, holds it to Miguel's mouth.

MANUEL (cont'd)

Open wide, hijo.

He is about to shove his hand into Miguel's mouth, when suddenly, the IV line loops itself around his neck, and rapidly tightens, choking him and yanking his head back, making it slam against the bed frame. We pan up to see Carmen, teeth clenched, squeezing the loop with all her might and jerking it over and over, repeating the bashing motion in the process.

MANUEL (cont'd)

(red-faced, holding the line at his throat convulsively) Puta... get her off me...

GTM lets go of his hold attempts to reach over to Manuel, when his own neck is seized in vice-like grip by Miguel's knees, and his head is then launched to ram into Manuel's stomach. The older man's entire back smashes into the frame, tilting the bed over somewhat, leading to the grip of the loop momentarily relenting. Miguel rolls out from under the two assailants, and proceeds to unleash a relentless flurry of punches and crouching kicks. Manuel pushes GTM at Miguel to have him absorb the brunt of the strikes, crawls away along the bed, until the tightening of the line on his neck stops him again. One of his hands goes for the loop once more, but this time the other hand reaches behind his belt, to take out a handgun, which he then points at the bed, from underneath and hence out of Carmen's sight.

MANUEL (cont'd)

(through constricted throat) Alright, puta... you've had it coming for a long time.

Just as his finger is about to squeeze the trigger, GTM is hurtled at Manuel, making him sprawl out on the floor, the gun falling out of his grip as his hand hits the deck hard. We see Miguel sitting on the ground, holding onto the frame with his legs extended outwards, indicating that it was with them that he launched his opponent like a projectile. Before he can decide what his next move is, his eyes go wide with alarm as he sees Carmen thrust her shoulder at the frame of her already tilted bed.

CARMEN

(raspy voice) Miguel, get away!

Miguel reacts instantly by pushing himself out from under the bed. His two attackers writhe in their spot, trying to disentangle themselves from each other, but fail to make a move before the entire bed comes crashing down on them, the heavy frame flattening them as Carmen is thrown off the bed and sent rolling on the floor. Miguel immediately gets to her, puts his arm around her shoulder, and pulls her up, Carmen gasping with pain as she shifts her weight onto her knees and then feet. With her hunched over but standing up, Miguel turns towards the door.

CUT TO another ICU room, where Kreese lies on the bed, alone, with lines coming out of his arm, and a bandage wrapped around his stump. He listens intently to the screams coming from down the hall, and is jolted up as he hears the clang of Carmen's bed toppling down. His features grow firm. He grabs the lines and rips them out of his arm, leading the heart rate monitor to go into a continuous beep, then, somewhat dizzily, he rises from the bed. His eyes fall upon the gurney parked next to him...

CUT BACK TO Miguel and Carmen, making a laborious step towards the door, which suddenly bursts open to reveal the Goatee Man, his eyes bugging out, his hands shooting out towards them. The pair leaps back, but Miguel's look of alarm quickly turns into a confused frown, as he notices the man's jerky movements. Just as his attention is drawn to a necklace chain wrapped tightly around his neck with a crucifix almost boring into his skin, another human figure reveals itself behind the man's back by jumping up, pushing itself against the door frame, spinning around the man, forcing him to turn 180 degrees, then thrusting its backside right above his pelvis, throwing him over its shoulder by yanking at the chain, and slamming him into the ground. The Goatee Man is knocked out and the figure straightens up, to face the bewildered spectators. It is...

BOBBY

Hello, there. Don't worry, I'm on the good side, I... kick ass for the LORD!

Hearing a noise behind him, Miguel, without second thought, gently pushes Carmen into Bobby's arms, then spins in place to face GTM, who has managed to extract himself from under the bed. Miguel greets him with a roundhouse kick, immediately ducks, does a half-way split, and throws a high kick into his crotch while holding onto the floor with one hand, then twists his pelvis horizontally, sweeps the man up, and as the man collapses, launches himself at him and lands a number of blows on his face and chest, until Carmen's scream takes him out of his frenzy and makes him notice that Manuel has made its way to the gun and is now shakily pointing it at him.

MANUEL

(as he pulls himself up using the IV pole for support) Now don't you fuckin' move, cabrón. NONE OF YOU FUCKIN' MOVE! You're gonna fuckin' regret this. You think it's over?! IT HASN'T EVEN FUCKIN' BEGUN! You ain't fuckin' gettin' away with this, you won't fuckin' know the day or the hour. Now GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY!

He slithers past Miguel, the gun darting frantically back and forth from him to Bobby, who is now shielding Carmen with his own body. He makes his way to the door, uttering another string of curses in Spanish, then dashes down the hallway. Miguel follows him to the door and cautiously looks out, to see him almost reach the end the corridor, when, suddenly, from a door to his side, a gurney comes barreling at him, rams into him and pins him to the wall opposite. At the same time Kreese comes stumbling into view from the same direction, closes in and grabs the wrist of Manuel's gun-holding hand, headbutting him in the face for good measure.

KREESE

(smug smirk) Welcome to intensive care.

MANUEL

(dazed) Who the fuck...

He does not finish, as Kreese proceeds to twist his wrist until, with a shriek, he releases the gun onto the floor. Kreese looks to the side, and upon seeing Miguel, gives him a nod. Miguel responds with a face of utter incomprehension.

KREESE

(turning back to Manuel) Who would've thought such a weasel could father a champion? Guess it is not nature after all...

CUT TO SAM, panting as she is about to reach the double door leading to the ICU. She grabs the handles and throws the door open, only to see the gurney loaded up with the bodies of the Gap-Toothed Man and Goatee Man, stripped of uniforms, held to the gurney with straps going over their mouths, wrists, sternums, knees, and ankles, positioned right at the edge of the stairs going down into the basement, with Kreese about to give the gurney a shove. Sam reacts with a startled yell, further bolstered by the sight of the stump in place of Kreese's left hand.

KREESE

(calmly) Oh, hello dear. (to the men) I believe your contracts with my dojo have not been formally terminated. Well, consider this your termination.

As muffled screams erupt from the gurney, Kreese delivers a kick which sends it tumbling down into the darkness, with only the clamorous sound at the end suggesting it has fallen over upon reaching the bottom. Sam stares dumbfounded as Kreese turns back to her and gives her a paternal smile.

KREESE (cont'd)

Sorry about the noise, dear. We couldn't find the garbage chute, and we had some trash to dispose of. Your boyfriend is with his mother down the hall. C'mon. (he starts walking towards Carmen's room)

SAM

(incredulously, as she follows him) You're here with Miguel?! (on the verge of losing it) What happened to your hand, what is all this?!

KREESE

Got a bite from one of my cobras. Call it... occupational hazard. Wasn't really counting on meeting your man here, but it was a nice surprise.

SAM

(accusatory tone) You attacked my father...

KREESE

(shaking his head) Not I, but I am sorry nonetheless, it was a most shameful ruse, and I wish to ensure nothing like it happens again.

SAM

How do I know you're telling the truth?

KREESE

(shrugs) You don't. But I'm a man who believes one's words have weight, regardless who they're given to.

SAM

Right. Well, who were these men?

KREESE

Maybe you should ask Miguel. I believe they came here for him...

They reach the open door, to see Carmen back on the bed placed in its default position again, with Miguel attending her, and Bobby watching over Manuel, sitting slumped against the wall, his eyes lowered, his wrists handcuffed behind his back. Miguel follows Carmen's gaze, his eyes going wide upon seeing Sam. He runs up to her and embraces her.

MIGUEL

SAM! What are you doing here?! I thought you had to stay home?

SAM

Yeah, I was, but... I couldn't stomach thinking you're here all alone, had to come to the rescue... though it looks like you're not suffering from lack of company. (to Carmen) Ms Diaz, I'm so happy to see you're ok!

CARMEN

(smiling radiantly, despite looking very feeble) Hello, Sam, thank you for coming... I'm hanging on, though I'm not out of the woods yet.

MIGUEL

I don't know what happened, but it looks like the whole ward's been deserted. Couldn't find a single nurse around here.

SAM

That's weird, but so is everything I've seen since I came here. (regarding Manuel questioningly) Who's this, and why is he like this?

MIGUEL

(bitterly) This is the man who shot my mother, and he came here to finish the job. (as shock comes over Sam's features) Luckily we managed to stop him and his thugs. (looks at Kreese) My former Sensei helped me out with that a little.

KREESE

(indicating Bobby) As did my old Cobra.

BOBBY

(nodding to Sam) Former Cobra, present pastor. Nice to meet you, Sam. Are you Daniel LaRusso's kid?

SAM

Hello. Yeah, I am. You know him?

BOBBY

(smirks) We have a bit of history together. Alright, I think it's best that I don't tarry here any longer. (to Miguel) But I almost forgot, I've got a message for you.

MIGUEL

(confused) For me?

BOBBY

Yes. From your Sensei. He was the one that told me to come here. He said he was sorry he couldn't be here himself, that he would do all he could to make sure your family was safe, and he regrets that he stumbled in that, but he is still going after the ones behind it.

MIGUEL

(sour) Yeah, I'd rather he was here instead of going on whatever wild goose chase he's on now.

BOBBY

He was afraid police would detain him here. He says he's going to try to clear up his name. And he hopes you can believe him innocent.

MIGUEL

(nods gloomily) That I do, (casts a glance at Manuel) especially after what happened here. Thank you, Father, for putting your neck out for us, for people you didn't even know.

BOBBY

(smiles, shakes Miguel's hand) I know that people who accepted Johnny into their lives and inspired him to become a better person as much as you did deserve all that and more. (to Carmen) Please accept my blessing, ma'am, and know that I'll keep you in my prayers.

CARMEN

(with gratitude) Thank you so much, Father. I'll never forget what you have done for us.

BOBBY

(modest smile) Don't mention it.

(he grabs Manuel by the neckline and hauls him up to his feet) Alright, hombre, you and I are going to look for real cops, how about that?

Manuel just stares at him full of loathing.

BOBBY

Happy to see you agree. Now get a move on.

He shoves him towards the door. But before they exit, he is stopped by...

KREESE

Thank you for being here, Bobby. You're in touch with Johnny?

BOBBY

Was. Not sure if I'll run into him again anytime soon.

KREESE

Well, in any case, would you be willing to join me when I go see him to negotiate for peace?

BOBBY

(smiles) Well, that does sound like something I'd be happy to take part in.

KREESE

Glad to hear it. You'll hear from me again then.

BOBBY

Absolutely... old friend.

KREESE

(cheerless smile) Good to see you, Bobby.

BOBBY

God be with you, Sensei.

He walks Manuel out of the room. Kreese turns to the others, who regard him questioningly.

MIGUEL

So you want peace?

KREESE

I came pleading for peace the last time we met here. Is it still so shocking for you to hear it?

SAM

You have the gall to ask for it after all that happened...

KREESE

(lowering his eyes in apparent shame) Most of it was not my design. I... let things slip out of my control (indicates his stump) and I've paid a heavy toll for it, but... I don't wish for others to pay it as well.

MIGUEL

So what are you asking of us?

KREESE

I ask that you help me set up a meeting with your Senseis, so we can peacefully discuss our further course of action. I believe time is of the essence, so I hope Sensei Lawrence reappears quickly. Once he does, I'm going to need your help in getting through to him.

MIGUEL

Not to persuade him to come back to Cobra Kai, I hope?

KREESE

No, I'm willing to put that matter to rest. There are more important things at hand, a grave danger to every member of every dojo in this town. So can I count on you here?

Miguel and Sam exchange looks before the former nods.

SAM

We want peace, too.

KREESE

Good. But remember, those who seek peace...

MIGUEL

...Better prepare for war...

KREESE

And it pains me to say that war may at this point be unavoidable, which makes it imperative that we set our sights on the common enemy... Very well, I will go look for hospital staff. I don't think I quite got back all the blood I've lost today.

He exits the room, leaving the pair alone with Carmen. They go over to her, Miguel gently squeezing her hand.

CARMEN

You were such a hero today, Miggy.

MIGUEL

So were you, mom. You fought like a lioness while in a friggin' hospital bed!

SAM

Wow! Wish I had arrived here a little earlier.

MIGUEL

How do you feel, mom?

CARMEN

I think adrenaline is wearing off, it hurts down there... but I'll be okay. I'm just dead tired.

MIGUEL

Hope Kreese finds some nurses quick.

CARMEN

It looks like your old Sensei isn't such a bad guy after all...

MIGUEL

(shakes his head) I'd never expect him to act like that, I don't know, maybe losing his hand made him see the light or something...

SAM

I wonder how he really lost that hand.

MIGUEL

Me too. (to Carmen) I'm going to have to go see Yaya soon.

CARMEN

You haven't called her? (Miguel shakes his head) Then go! Have Sam drive you! I can manage on my own for now.

MIGUEL

I don't want to leave you like this...

CARMEN

It's alright, Miggy. I feel I'm safe now, (winks) especially with your Sensei around.

MIGUEL

Who would've thought having Kreese around would make me feel better about anyone's safety... (to Sam) You've got your car with you?

SAM

Well... not the usual one, but I came by a car, yeah.

MIGUEL

(confused) So if not the usual one, then which?

SAM

(teasingly) The one I think you're into.

MIGUEL

Alright, don't tell me then. (to Carmen) Ok, we'll be back ASAP.

CARMEN

(to Sam, knowingly) No need to hurry, drive safely.

SAM

Your son is safe with me, Ms Diaz. Oh, there's something I wanted to ask you. Sensei bought us tickets to a rock concert. Is that fine with you?

MIGUEL

(frowning) C'mon, Sam, who cares about a stupid concert now?

CARMEN

(emphatically) Absolutely! I'll be mad if you don't go! You deserve a bit of fun after all this!

MIGUEL

(moved) Thank you, mom. You think it's really over now?

CARMEN

I hope so, my baby, I truly hope so.

MIGUEL

Me too, mom, see you soon.

CARMEN

Bye, honey. And you too, Sam.

Sam waves her goodbye and the pair departs. We watch through the room window as the Ford rolls out of the parking lot, the sun now high up in the sky.

CUT TO

EXT. MIYAGI-DO - MIDDAY (CAPTION: MEANWHILE)

We cut to the Miyagi-Do grounds, empty save for HAWK, pacing nervously about, the effects of the drug having apparently mostly worn off, the blood vessels in his eyes only slightly swollen at this point. After a while, he is joined by...

DEMETRI

Hawk! Hey, man, where have you been? You didn't come to school...

HAWK

Hi, Demetri. Yeah, couldn't go, something came up...

DEMETRI

Well, thanks for giving me a day to catch up at the gym. Only a few hundred more days like that and I'll totally overtake your gains.

HAWK

(snorts) Right, I'd like to see how your workout routine looks like without me around. I bet you don't let go of your latte at any point while you're 'pumping iron'.

DEMETRI

You'd be wrong, Hawk. I'm a logical mind, and logically, if I bother going to that torture dungeon in the first place, then it only makes sense that I maximize the possible benefit from the time I spend there... Besides, the smell in that place would kill any enjoyment I may get out of my latte anyway.

HAWK

Nice to hear you've put that galaxy brain of yours into something other than making excuses for being a slob.

DEMETRI

In happier times I could indulge in slobbishness without care in the world. But that was a karate belt and a girlfriend ago.

HAWK

Don't even try to tell me it wasn't worth it.

DEMETRI

I suppose they both filled a different type of void in their own way, even though I sometimes look at that belt and wonder what it will make me do next. Kind of like the Mask, you know.

HAWK

You mean you worry it'll turn you from a nerd into a party animal? I don't think it has that power.

DEMETRI

More like if it'll turn me from a law-abiding citizen into a borderline criminal vigilante, that kind of thing.

HAWK

(mock confusion) I don't know what would give you that worry.

DEMETRI

Suuure. Anyway, you're here by yourself? (Hawk nods) This is odd, that's Sam's car parked in front. I wonder why it would be here but she wouldn't...

HAWK

My guess is she drove here, maybe yesterday, but then had to take a cab home. Figures the LaRussos don't just use this place for karate.

DEMETRI

You suggesting there was a party going on here and we weren't invited?

HAWK

(shrugs) I'd wager Sensei isn't the only one who's having private lessons with the Miyagi Princess.

DEMETRI

And you're sore you're not one of them?

HAWK

(snorts) I wouldn't go behind Serpiente's back like that. Wouldn't dishonor myself just to score.

DEMETRI

Uh-huh, I'm sure it is all about honor with you in this department.

HAWK

Yeah, to someone whose only honor is his other honor (slaps his crotch with the cast, his brows wrinkle briefly)... the idea may seem strange, I know. But guess what, some people still treat it seriously.

DEMETRI

(takes a deep breath, his body growing rigid) You're wrong on that count too, actually. The honor you speak of means more to me than my other honor...

HAWK

(smirks) Yeah, I know, I'm just messin' with you. Thanks for standin' by me back there at the bowling alley.

DEMETRI

(as if Hawk's word did not even register) ... Much more, in fact.

He looks at Hawk with a pained expression that catches him off guard.

HAWK

(frowning) What are you talking about?

DEMETRI

Hawk, do you believe that I'm your friend, that I'll stand by your side no matter what... as long as you do the same for me?

HAWK

(shrugs, sounding somber now) Yeah, Demetri, I do.

DEMETRI

(moves closer to him) And can you say the same about yourself, Hawk?

HAWK

(looking stern) One hundred percent, Demetri.

DEMETRI

Will you accept me for what I am, in spite of anything I... may turn out to be?

HAWK

(shrugs, questioning look) I accept you now, Demetri. How much worse could it get?

DEMETRI

(bites his lip, then lets it out) What if I told you I don't want to identify as a man anymore?

HAWK

(scowls) What?! You mean you want to be a pink unicorn or something? (Demetri shakes his head, and then it dawns on him) Oh, you're talking about...

DEMETRI

A transition, Hawk. At least partial, probably not more radical than what you went through, but not exactly in the same direction...

HAWK

(incredulous) Dammit, Demetri, but why?!

DEMETRI

I simply don't feel comfortable being seen as a man, it's like a leaden weight holding me down... and I want to be free of that (looks dreamily into the sky)... like a hawk, come to think of it... though maybe more like a kestrel.

HAWK

So... you're saying it's your balls that are weighing you down...

DEMETRI

(chuckles) In a way, but again, it's not about my body as such, but rather the perception people form when they look at it. A transition... would just be my statement to the world that I'm not going to force myself into any of their tight little categories, not that of a man, not even that of a woman. I just want to be my own person, I want to have control over my image... total control. (as Hawk's expression turns from baffled to pensive) I'm not unlike you here, think about it! People couldn't see past your scar, you couldn't see past your scar! You boxed yourself in according to what you thought others thought, until you broke free. I want to do the same thing you did, really. I think you may have even inspired me!

HAWK

(skeptically) I worked to become more of a man...

DEMETRI

And that's fine, if that's what you want! But you know that wouldn't work for me, that I have to find my own way. Now Hawk, will you remain my friend when I actually choose that way and go through with it?

HAWK

You didn't like it when I first went my own way...

DEMETRI

And that was a mistake, I see it now. I didn't want you to step out of your box, to become someone you could actually be proud of being. I'm sorry. Now, will you be a better friend than I was to you?

HAWK

(smirks slightly) So you're saying I can count on you as a friend now?

DEMETRI

I won't turn my back on you, I swear.

HAWK

And what about karate?

DEMETRI

I'm staying, despite your Sensei's best efforts.

HAWK

Well, Demetri, if you really mean it, then I will support your choice, even if I doubt you will be better off for it. And we will see if you mean it sooner than you think...

DEMETRI

Wait... does it have to do with that whole Punisher thing you've been grumbling about?

Hawk answers him with only a sly smirk.

DEMETRI (cont'd)

(frowning) You're not actually planning on doing something serious anytime soon, right? What with your injury and all?

HAWK

(snorts) 'Planning'? (stares Demetri right in the eyes) Demetri, I already have...

As Demetri raises his eyebrows questioningly, Hawk gets up from the rock he has been sitting on, switching his attention to a group of STUDENTS who have now entered Miyagi-Do.

CHRIS

Hi, guys. (indicating the crate by the pool) What's that box for?

HAWK

(shrugs) My guess is it was for cleaning detergent they dumped into that puddle.

MITCH

(walking over to look at the pool's surface) The whole barrel of it? It looks weirdly red. (sniffs) And it smells even worse than the last time.

HAWK

Why don't you take a sip and tell us what it's in it? Maybe it was acid and someone took a bath in it... (under his breath) Would explain the empty car by the gate.

CHRIS

Is Sensei inside? I don't hear his kata music...

Hawk stands up rigidly, looking over the gathering students, glances briefly but piercingly at confused-looking Demetri, then turns back to the others and speaks up, adopting a low and commanding tone of voice.

HAWK

No. And he's not coming today... if ever.

The students exchange surprised looks.

CHRIS

Why wouldn't he let us know the class is canceled?

HAWK

(shrugs) Probably slipped his mind, that can happen when you're lying beat within an inch of your life in the hospital.

Confused looks turn into bewildered stares.

NATE

Sensei's in the hospital?!

HAWK

(nods gravely) He was attacked, ambushed, maybe it even happened here (some students look at the pool again with shock). It was Kreese and his goons, the old bat finally decided to get his hands dirty. Cobra Kai has been making moves to take over, to take us out. They tried that with the two of us as well, tell 'em, Demetri!

DEMETRI

(voice shaky) Uh, yeah, Kyler and his buddies came after us...

HAWK

(emphatically) But they were sent packing! Judging from the attendance today, we may have been the only targets that came out unscathed.

MITCH

What about Sensei Lawrence?!

HAWK

Don't know, but something must've happened to him too, or he'd be here. (acerbically) Same with our power couple...

DEMETRI

(sounding panicked) Hold on, I'll call Sam!

He takes out his phone and picks her number. Everyone listens in tense silence as he waits for his call to be accepted. It is not accepted.

DEMETRI (cont'd)

(eyes wide) Damn...

HAWK

Best case she's in hospital with her dad. Worst case... she's in hospital with her dad.

DEMETRI

How do you know about this?!

HAWK

Was told by someone with eyes all around, someone who wants CK stopped as much as we do. And so I figured we had to make a move of our own, had to show we were still capable of retaliation. And so I went to their dojo in the morning, smashed my way in, (a smug grin emerging on his face) and I pummeled that old rat bastard like he was minced meat.

Gasps erupt from the crowd.

CHRIS

You went after Kreese?!

HAWK

(fury in his voice) I went after and brought that piece of shit the fuck down! I thrashed his ass so bad I'm not even sure he's alive yet! I did the same they've done to us, and I've got something to show for it!

Without waiting for their reaction, he darts for his backpack lying on the ground,opens it, reaches inside, and pulls out - to more gasps and alarmed shrieks - the limp form of the cobra.

HAWK (cont'd)

(lifting the snake's body over his head) Recognize that? It's Kreese's little pet! I took it as trophy to rub some salt into that old coot's wounds I left him with. It was mine, anyway. Now his minions will come to the dojo just as confused as you were, and when they realize what happened to their dear Sensei, they're gonna get riled up! I got the ball rolling, like it or not! But we have an advantage - they're dumb followers, not like us. Without a leader they'll be disorganized, vulnerable. If we strike before they regroup, we can crush them once and for all, (shouting at the top of his lungs) WHAT DO YOU SAY?!

CHRIS

(unimpressed) You kiddin' me, man? You were leadin' CK guys to harass us when you were there, now you're gonna lead us to harass your old teammates?!

HAWK

(getting right into his face) Not harass, douchebag, FINISH THEM! (through gritted teeth) You're dreaming if you think it's just gonna stop by itself. Go ask your Sensei how this 'defense only' bullshit worked out for him. (looking at others, raising his cast) I made a mistake by disregarding Cobra Kai once, I am not making it again. Are you with me?!

CHRIS

(to Demetri, entreatingly) C'mon Demetri! Be the one to talk reason here! You've gotta see this is madness!

HAWK

(walking over to Demetri, who lowers his eyes before him) Well, you've been called out, Demetri, so what do you say? Are you with him? Or are you with me? (whispering) Because if you stand by me now, others will too. So, will you stand by me, Demetri... or perhaps you'd prefer to be called Demeter? Either's fine by me.

Demetri lifts his eyes slowly, sighs deeply, looking defeated.

DEMETRI

I'm with you, Hawk...

Hawk nods, smirking triumphantly. Chris stares at them with astonishment.

CHRIS

I can't believe this! Demetri, you're going along with this shit?! This goes completely against our teachings!

HAWK

Teachings of a rich holier-than-thou stuck-up, who just got a dose of reality. You can stick by those, hope it's gonna protect you when your turn comes, or you can take real action. Looks like Demetri's made his choice. What about the rest of you? (he walks over to Mitch) You with us, Mitch?

CHRIS

(snorts) Oh, so it's Mitch now.

HAWK

(not shifting his gaze from Mitch) Not just now. Mitch saw first hand what dirty tricks CK is willing to go for. So what do you say?

Mitch glances at Chris hesitantly for a second, then looks back at Hawk and nods.

MITCH

I'm with you.

Hawk suddenly brings up the body of the cobra to Mitch's face, as the latter flinches with revulsion.

HAWK

Then let's seal the deal, Mitch... It's dead, don't fret! Now hit it! Let's see how you're gonna beat the shit out of these cobras!

Mitch stares at the snake wide-eyed for a second, then braces itself and throws a - rather held back - punch to its gaping head.

HAWK (cont'd)

Nice one. (he walks over to Bert) Remember Clarence, Bert? How about gettin' some payback?

BERT

(regarding the corpse suspiciously) Is that the same cobra?

HAWK

(slightly awkward) Not quite, he got another one after you left. But you've got my word it's Kreese's cobra.

BERT

I don't know about this...

HAWK

Think of it this way, now Kreese won't feed it any more scared, defenseless animals... and with me you won't be scared or defenseless against them either.

Bert takes a deep breath and gives the snake a half-hearted punch.

HAWK (cont'd)

Good. (goes to Nate) You and Bert make a good team. You won't want to bail on him now, will you?

NATE

(looks at Bert with a twinge of frustration) No.

HAWK

Then you know what to do.

Nate throws the punch. Chris looks on with increasing desperation.

HAWK (cont'd)

Welcome aboard. (goes to the Asian student [not Nate, the other one]) So, you wanna stop being a punching bag, buddy? Wanna flip the script? (the student nods reluctantly) Then punch it like it was my face!

The Asian student does so. Hawk goes over to a few more students, extracting punches out of them all. Then, with a shit-eating grin, he gets back to Chris.

HAWK (cont'd)

Looks like everyone's aboard except you.

CHRIS

(furiously) Screw you, man! Sensei should have never took you in!

HAWK

(chuckles, under his breath) Well, you remember how the song went? "you knew damn well I was a snake before you brought me in". Well, this snake's runnin' the ship now, so why don't you get the fuck off the deck before I grow tired of your face?

CHRIS

(defiantly) This ain't your dojo!

HAWK

Says who? Because I'm claiming eminent domain. Problem?

Chris stares at him, shaking and fuming in anger. He gives the others a sweeping glance, with some of them reacting with faint looks of shame. Seeing that he is alone among them, Chris starts walking backwards away from them.

CHRIS

Y'ALL OUTTA YOUR GOD-DAMN MINDS!

He turns away and runs off, casting one more upset glance at Demetri on the way. Hawk impassively watches him go, wrapping the snake around his cast absent-mindedly. Then he turns and gives a Demetri another questioning look.

DEMETRI

You're not going to make me punch that snake.

HAWK

(shrugs) Fine. I got a better pledge out of you anyway.

MITCH

So what do we do now, Hawk?

HAWK

Now... (his face twists into a toothy grin, his eyes taking on the manic quality we have seen them show before) now the real pain begins...

FADE TO BLACK (CAPTION: END OF PART I)

[NOTE (SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR SEASON 5 WITHIN): IF YOU HATED THE ANIMAL ABUSE IN THIS SCENE, THEN KNOW THAT SO DID I. I'M A MASSIVE SNAKE FAN, AND IT WAS GUT-WRENCHING FOR ME TO WRITE THIS. BUT I WANT TO REASSURE YOU, IT'S NOT OVER FOR THAT POOR COBRA. REMEMBER SAMSARA? IT WAS NO IDLE FILLER TALK, THAT SNAKE'S COMING BACK, AND SPIKY BOI BETTER WATCH THE FUCK OUT...]