INT. CABBAGE CORP STENO POOL - MID MORNING
An office atmosphere is alive with the sounds of typewriters and ringing phones. A row of short desks with women, all wearing the same outfit with their eyes swiftly passing between letters, lines the wall of windows overlooking the city.
KIN (35) marches by with a clipboard and pointed, black-rimmed glasses, looking over her list of names. She has a small face with sharply-ordered eyebrows and short, combed-over hair. Her outfit is professionalism made immaculate.
As she continues to walk, she comes to a smiling, winded Makami behind her desk with an open window behind her and heel prints on the exterior of the adjacent window. Kin offers her a glance and turns. Makami ducks down beneath her desk; Kin stops in the foreground with an angry look on her face.
Just as Kin turns around, Makami is back up with her hair ordered and her too-wide smile in place.
MAKAMI
(sickly sweet)
Good morning, Boss.
KIN
(shrill voice)
Miss Ayame, shouldn't you be typing?
MAKAMI
Oh, uh, yes! Just came back from the bathroom, ma'am.
KIN
Then I'll expect your numbers to climb out of the bottom of the pack today, just for a change of pace.
Kin grunts and turns away. Makami exhales fully, letting her chin come down on the top of the typewriter.
KOTA (O.S.)
Well, that must've been quite the bathroom break.
Pulling back, we see Kota is her neighbor, smiling back to Makami while her hands continue to hammer letters on auto pilot. Makami leans back in her chair and puts her purse in her drawer.
MAKAMI
Please tell me I didn't miss a big meeting or anything...?
KOTA
No, they just came by looking for volunteers for the switchboard. Stay up too late again?
MAKAMI
I wish.
A stack of fresh letters to transcribe slap to her desk.
MAKAMI
I keep having terrible dreams, and my sister's driving me off a cliff. I need my own place real soon.
KOTA
Well, it could be worse. Did you read about the Earth Nation making more threats?
MAKAMI
Uh, yeah, something about it. What's Adachi think about all this?
KOTA
My grandpa thinks it's all just posturing and name-calling. I gave him a piece of my mind - he of all people...
Kota notices Makami's glazed-over eyes.
KOTA
Never mind, not a good work topic. You know, you could just come over to stay? Catch the bus with me in the morning, be here on time, fight someone else for bathroom time in the morning?
Makami noisily spools a blank sheet of paper.
MAKAMI
Really?
KOTA
Yes, of course! Like I don't offer you help all the time anyways.
(scoffs)
You're the one that constantly wants to do everything on her own!
Makami brings over the first third of letters with an arched eyebrow.
KOTA
(imitating Makami's deeper voice)
"No, Kota, I don't need help lifting this boulder up hill, both ways, in the snow. I'm an independent woman."
MAKAMI
Sarcasm will give you wrinkles.
KOTA
So does being your friend. So you should come over so I can keep an eye on you. As long as you don't mind my grandpa...or my brother.
Makami's cheeks redden as her head snaps to face Kota.
MAKAMI
(embarrassed)
Your...brother will be there? I thought he was still at college?
She spools too quickly, hurting her hand. She pulls back with a yelp. Kota is giving her a dirty look.
KOTA
(glibly)
They sent him back with a two-year degree. If you're going to fawn over him again, can you at least make sure to pack your self-respect?
MAKAMI
(pained)
I think I'm all out...
CUT TO:
EXT. CAPTIAL CITY SUBURB - SUNSET
Voso hands a woman her package from his backpack. He smiles on her front step in full safety gear for his bicycle leaning against the exterior fence.
The background is a beautiful cross-back neighborhood with birds flying by in the newborn sunset.
VOSO
You're actually my last stop tonight. I'm heading home now.
OLD WOMAN 1
Oh, well then, I'll see you next week. When is my bill due, young man?
VOSO
Well, I have your invoice right here if you want to pay no-
OLD WOMAN 1
(quickly)
Oh, look at the time - I wouldn't want to keep you out past dark!
The slamming door is met with his sigh. He slides the invoice back into his satchel while walking towards his bike. One of the spirits - a small yellow one that looks like a squash - waddles up with a single copper ban - the currency of the realm. The coin is throwing the spirit off-balance.
VOSO
(quietly)
Thanks, little friend. At least you pay your weight.
He slides the coin into his pouch and straddles his bicycle, which has human legs painted on it's wide spokes.
The spirits latch to his face and helmet as he tightens straps.
VOSO
Hold on everyone. We're taking the scenic route home!
He lifts his feet off the ground and lets gravity give momentum to their ride. The road has several cars and a few younger men and women out mowing their lawn before supper time. Several blocks fly by with the action of the day lulling lower and lower.
He and the spirits zoom through a stop sign, causing two cars to slam on their brakes quickly - and honk quite a bit.
VOSO
(yelling)
Sorry!
Closer to his hand, he depresses the brake slowly...
...only to hear the distressing sound of the braking mechanism skittering away on the pavement. He glances to the wobbling back tire while one of the spirits yanks on his ear.
VOSO
(yelling)
I know, I know! I'll...uh...hm.
They speed through another intersection as the downhill journey continues at dangerous speeds.
VOSO
(yelling)
Everyone hold on tighter!
CUT TO:
EXT. MAI STREET AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL - SUNSET
Kota and Makami walk with their hands against their lower backs and their other hands dragging their purses. Their exhaustion runs up into their faces. It's so bad that buzzard-cats are circling them above and meowing incessantly, awaiting their deaths.
KOTA
Why does work always drain me completely?
(yawning)
All I do is sit on my butt all day, then I want to do the same at home.
MAKAMI
Ugh, I need to go look at places tonight.
KOTA
Or you could just be lazy and we can try some new desserts together?
Makami groans loudly and straightens her back to an audible crack.
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. DRAGON'S SPINE HILL
Voso is doing everything he can to keep the handlebars straight. The spirits are all around him, trying to pull on the handlebars to help. One of them hugs the screw top to his canteen.
Voso looks down to notice their plan in motion as the top pops off.
VOSO
(shouting)
Good thinking!
He looks down the hill to the dead end, signified by a construction zone.
VOSO
(shouting)
Here we go!
CUT BACK TO:
EXT. MAI STREET AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL
Makami and Kota have stopped walking with Makami blasting fire into the air to disperse the birds. They are scattering with a mixture of caws and meows.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Away with you, winged vermin!
KOTA
What is that screeching sound?
Both of them turn to watch the bottom of the hill where an ice slide is forming, angling equally with the road before eventually pushing straight up. Voso groans as he approaches, holding the handlebars tightly to steer the worn rubber up the thin ice slide.
KOTA
(shouting)
Voso?
MAKAMI
Is...he okay?
Just then, the momentum of the bicycle finally ran out.
VOSO
(jubilant)
YES, IT WORKED!
And immediately after, he and the bike start to fall backwards.
VOSO
(low)
No, stop working!
He lets go of the bike and sweeps his hands beneath him, bringing the water together to form a droplet in the air. The sphere catches him and the spirits, letting the bike clang noisily to the pavement.
Kota and Makami are running closer.
KOTA
(shouting)
VOSO! VOSO!
Voso turns, noticing them for the first time, his cheeks puffed with air. The spirits are all celebrating with their small cheers warbled by the water. The girls stop as he gives them a thumbs up, but that doesn't satisfy Kota.
KOTA
(yelling)
Well then drip onto a sidewalk and pick up your bike!
Makami's cheeks flash red in the orange sunset as he slides out of the water bubble, nailing the landing with a smooth flip of his hair. The water from his hair flip splashes across Kota's face. From Makami's view, the spirits are sparkling stars next to him as the background becomes a pulsating Valentine's heart.
VOSO
(in husky voice)
Hey, Makami.
Looking at Makami now, she appears skinny with enlarged eyes and an awkward smile. Her fingers are stained with ink and the background shows the birds glaring at her from a guard rail.
MAKAMI
(in nasally, choking voice)
Cool.
One of the birds poops on her shoulder. Makami coughs as Kota steps in, Voso kindly cleaning her shoulder with some quick bending.
KOTA
Gonna get your bike cool guy-?
A large truck rumbles by without seeing the bike, taking it into the truck's grill. Kota, who had been pointing at the bike, lets a few agonizing seconds go by before her arm goes limp with a sigh.
KOTA
How many deliveries can you do on foot?
VOSO
(laughing)
Oh, I've got some money saved up. I'll just go get a new one toni-
MAKAMI
(overly loud)
THIS EVENING GOING TO DO SOMETHING, IF YOU'D LIKE TO DO IT TOGETHER AS WELL!?
Kota looks back and forth between them with a mixture of shock and anxiety on her face.
VOSO
I, uh, sure. Let's go.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Grood, er, geat.
KOTA
(groaning)
Oh for Zuko's sake - I'm going home.
Kota walks away with the spirits on Voso's shoulders waving to her. Makami looks alive again with Voso looking back to his sister.
KOTA
(tiredly)
Just bring her back in one piece, she's staying with us tonight.
VOSO
Sure thing.
He turns back to Makami, who beams with energy.
VOSO
Shall we?
MAKAMI
Muh-huh.
They turn at once to move down the sidewalk, walking into the background.
CUT TO:
INT. BASEMENT MEETING HALL - EVENING
A gathering of fire sages are meeting inside of a leaky, poorly lit basement. One of them stands at a podium in front of a green chalk board. Along the board in white chalk are several vignettes such as "WWAD" and "Don't TOUCH the thermostat!"
Nearer to the foreground are several rows of chairs, most of them empty. Some have fire sages sitting in various stages of restlessness and disinterest.
The man behind the podium is SAGE KOZAN (50) who sports a top knot (which represents an honorable position in the Fire Nation) of full, grey hair.
SAGE KOZAN
And finally, the food budget must be spent on food only - not flowers from the cute flower vendor down the street...Sage Toyo!
We see SAGE TOYO (27) shrugging his youthful shoulders while being side-eyed by the hunched over, ancient sage sitting next to him. The man is ELDER SAGE AKIRA (110) with his full, baggy robes adorned with old-fashioned flame insignias.
SAGE KOZAN (O.S.)
Impress people with your own ban!
Panning to the other side of the podium, we're looking at Sage Shii a few rows back. His head is down as though he's looking at something very small.
SAGE KOZAN (O.S.)
Moving on, Sage Yasahiro's wife has recently given birth to a baby girl.
SAGE YASAHIRO (42) is incredibly tall, standing his way off the screen in the foreground. Shii looks up from the background and offers a round of courtesy applause with the others. We see a picture in his hand.
SAGE KOZAN (O.S.)
Yes, yes, well done. Her first outfit better be a Fire Sage uniform.
Old chuckles ring out from everyone as Shii goes back to gazing longingly into the photograph.
SAGE KOZAN (O.S.)
Does any one have a topic?
Shii touches the photograph, but we still can't see the subjects.
SAGE KOZAN (O.S.)
Or something to say?
He snaps out of it and shoots his hand up.
SAGE KOZAN (O.S.)
Ah, Sage Shii - come up, please. You haven't given us news in quite some time.
He slides behind the podium to light, scattered applause.
SAGE SHII
(clearing throat)
I...uh...today... Today, I was playing a game on one of the restaurant terraces. It reminded...
(chuckling)
It reminded me of simpler times when my wife was still alive, and we'd play Pai Sho on the rocky beach. She had this eternal smile, even when she lost, that I...
He scans quickly across the crowd. The camera turns as he does, and we see all of the sages have large, cartoonishly sad eyes - all besides the oldest sage, Akira, in the front, who just taps his cane against the cement floor.
Turning back to Shii, he continues with a bit more professionalism.
SAGE SHII
Anyways, while I was destroying my opponent, I, uh, I saw a young fire bender scale a building. The way she moved...it was-
Sage Kozan leans back in to stop where he thinks this train of thought is going.
SAGE KOZAN
(loudly)
Okay, and we'll stop there. We all miss our loved ones in many...different ways.
SAGE SHII
No, no, I had seen those movements before.
Kozan moves aside. The room of sages are all adopting a bit more seriousness to their gazes.
SAGE SHII
From long ago, before my life as a fire sage began. During a grand adventure that-
Kozan is giving him the "wrap it up" signal.
SAGE SHII
(quickly)
That, uh, I'll skip over to get to my point, which is...
He takes a deep breath, understanding the weight of what he's about to say.
SAGE SHII
(exhaling)
I think the Avatar has returned.
The silence in the room is only matched by the slack expressions. Even the curmudgeon in the front row looks amazed by the revelation. Toyo slowly leans into the shot from the left, his expression just as surprised.
Finally, Sage Toyo gives a briefly stifled laugh that breaks the room. Shii looks out with a scowl. The shot pans slightly to the left to show Yasahiro, still standing, bellowing deep laughter from above the screen border.
Coming back to Toyo, he is snidely pointing over his shoulder.
SAGE TOYO
(laughing)
Sure, yeah, the Wall of Avatars could use another picture.
Quickly sliding over, we see a corkboard covered with pictures that include random citizens, an out-of-focus picture reminiscent of bigfoot, and several smiling animals with cocked heads. Also pinned there is a sales paper that reads "Sales So Good The Avatar Couldn't Say No!"
All the while, the laughter rings out unrestrained.
Coming back to Shii, he grips the lectern tightly.
SAGE SHII
(forcefully)
I'm confident this girl is the Avatar. We should summon the White Lotus to conduct a thorough evaluation.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
(gravelly)
What White Lotus do you think remain?
The remaining laughter has died as all eyes move to Akira.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
Almost six decades without an Avatar. Six decades of the meaning behind it all running like sand in an hourglass. The White Lotus have disbanded.
Akira has his cane pointed towards Shii.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
(accusingly)
And you'd like to get hopes up, I suppose? Like to stir up the headlines - and over what? Some acrobatics your old eyes saw? Fuh!
He slams his cane down on the ground twice.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
As though we have reputation to spare! As if we won't be driven into retirement soon, or wedding officiation and bake sales, just to keep the doors open!
From the door in the background, a head pokes in with a giant tray of baked goods and a huge smile belonging to MIRA (48).
MIRA
(happily)
Who wants cinnamon and vanilla dumplings?
Not even a second goes by before the sages are climbing over their chairs. Only Akira and Shii are left. The oldest man is sighing into his cane head while Shii comes closer.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
(grumbling)
What has happened to this divine calling of mine?
Shii takes a seat next to the old man.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
(grumbling)
And you, with your Avatar sightings. Coming here with not-but your word was foolhardy.
SAGE SHII
Elder Sage, I know what I saw.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
Do you? How many elements did the girl bend?
SAGE SHII
(resigned)
Only one.
He looks up to Shii in the foreground while the feeding frenzy is making no friends in the background.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
The toy test and all the other cockamamie rituals to find the Avatar can't substitute old-fashioned bending.
Akira grips the head of his cane tightly as the angle shifts to show him in the foreground, looking downward. Shii is watching the old man carefully.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
Get them to bend another element, and you'll convince this crew of old fogies. And Shii?
Akira's cane suddenly slaps against Shii's forehead, sending a "thunk" into the air.
ELDER SAGE AKIRA
(lighter tone)
Get me three of those dumplings.