Ep1 - The Simple Life
EXT. CRASHING BEACH - NIGHT
The night stars and moon illuminate a peaceful beach with rolling, black waves. The thick ashen seawater stains the sand with a breeze barely moving the thick tree leaves.
VOSO (V.O.)
The way of bending has changed.
FADE TO:
EXT. SUBURBAN AREA - DAY
We are flying overtop suburban homes, looking down at the green grass and well-built houses. The cars parked in driveways indicate that we are in an era similar to the 1970s.
VOSO (V.O.)
Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. The four elements are no longer studied for their substance...
CUT TO:
EXT. SUBURBAN AREA MONTAGE - DAY
We are seeing close-ups of the various harmless ways bending is now primarily used.
- A well-dressed mother is using water bending to bring lemonade out of a pitcher and into three quarreling children's glasses.
- Two children are moving in sync, using their earth bending to rip weeds out of the ground.
- A man in a "Kiss the Chef" apron is lighting an old grill with his bending. A wife with a polka dot hoop skirt corrals a child in the background.
- A teenager is on her back under a shaded tree, using air bending to keep their pet squirrel-fly airborne. She and the animal are giggling.
VOSO (V.O.)
For the newest generation of benders, what was once an ancient study is now simply a tool to make life easier.
The dark wave crashes again, staining the sands under the blazing sun. Another wave smothers the light from the scene.
VOSO (V.O.)
Such is a side-effect of peace. And the Avatar...
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE AVATAR ROOM - DAY
Here we see the presentation of every Avatar that has ever existed. Looking down, the stone and wood statues stretch for floors and floors, spinning like a funnel of spiritual energy focused in solely upon the preservation of all life.
VOSO (V.O.)
For generations, the Avatar served as the bridge between us all...
CUT TO:
INT. SOUTHERN AIR TEMPLE AVATAR ROOM MONTAGE - DAY
We are panning over the most recent avatar statues, all made of the finest stone available.
- First, we pan over Avatar Kiyoshi with her iconic headwear and stoic face.
VOSO (V.O.)
A bridge between chaos and order.
- Next is Avatar Roku with his prominent facial hair and honorable fire nation insignia present.
VOSO (V.O.)
A bridge between uncomfortable peace and inevitable war.
- Avatar Aang is present with his gentle eyes and smile breathing kindness into a room of stern stares.
VOSO (V.O.)
A bridge between overwhelming flame and elemental balance.
- Avatar Korra is next with her smile sly, powerful, and knowing in her older age.
VOSO (V.O.)
A bridge reopened between our world and the Spirit World.
- In the space next to Korra resides...nothing.
VOSO (V.O.)
Then, our bridge, our hope, our Avatar...simply vanished. A whole generation has gone by without the Avatar. Some fear that the line of Avatars was broken. Some have said that the world no longer needs the Avatar...
FADE TO:
EXT. CRASHING WAVE OF BLACK WATER - NIGHT
The wave crashes again across white sand. In the background is a spinning lighthouse that shines light upon the oily waves that besmirch the peaceful beach.
From the left comes a started flame that crawls along the water's surface. Soon, the waves are just fire, splashing more sparks upon the beach to spread.
CUT TO:
INT. MAKAMI'S BEDROOM - MORNING
MAKAMI (23) sits up in bed in a cold sweat. Her auburn eyes are wide and her black hair is falling out of curlers. The room around her is cramped with posters of rock stars and du-whop groups on the walls. Her bed is old-fashioned with white sheets.
She wipes her face with a sleeve of her pink pajamas.
MAKAMI
(panting)
Stupid dream again...
BAKI (O.S.)
Makami, you sick?
MAKAMI
(calming down)
No, Mom, I'm up.
BAKI (O.S.)
Oh good, just in time to be late!
MAKAMI
(annoyed)
Guh, thanks for not waking me up sooner!
BAKI (O.S.)
They invented alarm clocks years ago, ingrate!
MAKAMI
(grumbling)
More reliable than you...old...
Makami stands and shuffles to her door, opening it to a pair of feet with plastic bows and googly eyeballs set to resemble a face just beneath her eye level. These are the feet of her little sister ZURA (13), who can't resist messing with her big sister now that she's back home.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Foot face!
ZURA (O.S.)
(in high-pitched voice)
Howdy there sleepy head! You want me to grab your toothbrush for ya? How about I comb your hair with my bristly toes?
MAKAMI
Don't put your feet anywhere near my hair, Zura! Or my toothbrush.
ZURA (O.S.)
(in high-pitched voice)
Your sister's not here. We're Mr. Pan and Mrs. Pen, and if you ask nicely, we'll go help set up your breakfast.
MAKAMI
(quickly)
Yes, go bug Mom. Move.
ZURA (O.S.)
(in high-pitched voice)
You're just lucky we're helpful souls. Otherwise, we'd sneak in after Mom starts the laundry and add a little bit of cake icing to your soap!
Zura's feet bounce down the stairs at head level while Makami looks on with a fed-up, tired expression. She turns and walks straight into the bathroom with a slam of the door.
CUT TO:
INT. BAKI'S KITCHEN - MORNING
Zura's feet are carrying food and plates to a small, low table while Baki reads the paper, her face fully covered. Makami enters from stairs. Her hair is short and curled while her outfit has a grey jacket and skirt with a red undershirt - looking very professional overall despite her dour expression.
ZURA (O.S.)
(in squeaky voice)
Now, have yourself a sit down and dig into these homemade vittles. I'll get the juice.
Zura's feet bounce away while Makami sits down, looking sideways at the meal. Her dark eyes flick up to the newspaper. In large print on the front is the headline "EARTH KINGDOM THREATS ESCALATE".
BAKI
(muffled by paper)
Going for the extremely late award, I see.
MAKAMI
If you're already wet, then dive into the deep end, I say.
(whispering)
And since when is Zura actually helpful?
BAKI
(quietly)
Zura isn't but her little feet friends are, so don't you ruin this relaxing morning for me.
Makami nibbles at her toast while Zura approaches with juice clutched between her wrapped feet. She sets down the glass with a thud and starts wrapping the knuckle of her right baby toe on the table. Makami watches the toe tap like a finger.
Suddenly, Zura's toes snap like a pair of fingers in revelation, surprising Makami.
ZURA (O.S.)
(in squeaky voice)
Oh, of course! I almost forgot the fresh, salted chicken-pig strips.
Zura's feet bounce away again.
BAKI
(muffled by paper)
You just got this job and you're already stretching it like this?
MAKAMI
Stretching what?
Makami leans towards the paper.
MAKAMI
(whispering)
And do you really have to let her do that with her feet? They're disgusting.
ZURA (O.S.)
(in squeaky voice)
We just bathed this morning!
BAKI
(muffled by paper)
Your sister's just having fun. Can you heat up the tea, Bee?
Makami stares hard at the paper - so hard that a ring of fire expands and disintegrates the pages to ash. BAKI (45) is revealed with the red curls of her long hair framing her very made-up, pretty face. Her green eyes glare to her daughter.
BAKI
(grumbling)
I was reading my horoscope, young lady!
MAKAMI
(grumbling right back)
Really? Did it tell you to not always take one daughter's side over the other?
Baki presses one of her fingers against her temple while sighing. Zura's feet come back in the background with a spatula held between one set of toes and a skillet holding sizzling bacon in the other.
BAKI
You know I need my tea in the morning, Ami. Pan or Pam, can you grab some bags of tea?
Zura slides the bacon onto Makami's plate with her staring into the fake eyes on the toes. Makami's lip twitches as she watches the foot salute.
ZURA (O.S.)
(in squeaky voice)
Caannnn do!
MAKAMI
Shouldn't you...shouldn't Zura be in school?
ZURA (O.S.)
Teacher conference - I'm free!
The toes are moving away as Zura's whistling fills the air. Makami pushes the food on her plate while Baki brings a stack of pamphlets to the table from the floor.
BAKI
Here, you still want these?
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
What are they?
BAKI
Pamphlets for apartments, people wanting roommates, au pair opportunities - I've been keeping my eyes open.
Makami's eyes light up and her hands snatch the stack.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
Yes! Thank you! Whoa, this many already?
BAKI
You think you're the only recent grad trying to find a place? Two-year and four-year grads are hitting the streets, and there are plenty of people willing to take their ban.
MAKAMI
Yeah, good call. I'll go out after work to try and find one before there are none left.
BAKI
(hesitantly)
Well, sure, but...but you know you don't have to leave so soon, right?
Makami rifles through the colorful pamphlets. Zura is cartwheeling into the frame, showing us her exuberant, small face at last. Freckles pepper her cheeks beneath bright yellow eyes. Her red hair is twisted into two pigtails with one falling atop either shoulder. She is happily handing her mother the teabags.
BAKI
I can clean out the hallways closet to give you more room...?
MAKAMI
I'm a new graduate, Mom, I need my independence.
Her eyes flick towards the kettle to set the small kindling aflame. Zura is sneaking a strip of bacon from Makami's plate using just her tongue while Baki is looking melancholy with her clay mug in her hands.
After a beat, Makami looks up again, finally noticing the sadness on her mother's face.
MAKAMI
(slowly)
But I won't be far? You two can come visit.
ZURA
(food in mouth)
What about Mr. Pan and Mrs. Pen?
Makami smacks her sister's forehead with the stack of papers.
MAKAMI
(agitated)
Not unless they're in socks and shoes!
CUT TO:
EXT. SHIN RESIDENCE ROOF, CAPITAL CITY SUBURB - MORNING
We are looking down upon a two-story, single family home with a boy lounging on the roof in a lawn chair and sunglasses. In front of the home is a two-lane street with slow cars driving. Coming close to the roof is a round shadow.
COMMANDANT ADACHI (O.S.)
(shouting)
I'm saying you're overreacting!
Closer now, the circular shadow creeps along the roof of the house, covering VOSO (22). He moves the sunglasses back to his blonde hairline. His young, very skinny face is sighing as his eyes look to the roof beneath him. Around him are several crushed cans and oddly-placed potted plants.
KOTA (O.S.)
(shouting)
You don't think there's ANY danger? You're developing secret weapons for crying out loud!
VOSO
(sighing)
Not so secret anymore...
The view is around to look through Voso's eyes as he looks up into the busy blue sky. Small, efficient blimps are blazing vapor trails beneath clouds. His hand is up to block the last of the sun as it moves behind a mysterious round object with four connecting branches that run off into the horizon in four directions. One of the four isn't that far off to the east.
COMMANDANT ADACHI (O.S.)
(shouting)
Oh, that's just great, Kota - tell the whole neighborhood!
KOTA (O.S.)
(shouting)
I will, and maybe nosey-old Miss Shang'll talk some sense into you!
Voso glances down to an adjacent yard to see MISS SHANG (85) slowly rises up from behind a row of bushes, scribble some notes, then rescind down again. She was covered, completely, in foliage for camouflage.
KOTA (O.S.)
I need to go to work - let me know when the Earth Nation has taken over!
Now from the side, Voso leans up with an excited look. He's sliding his sunglasses down as he stands, revealing his sky-blue eyes.
He's now sneakily looking down on KOTA (23) as she walks away in high heels. She sports the same outfit as Makami, complete with grey skirt and curled hair - although hers is blonde. She's walking down their front stairs towards a coming, rounded bus.
As she steps into the bus, she lets out an excited squeal while turning to the other silhouettes in the window.
KOTA
(excitedly)
My ladies!
The bus door closes on the squealing and drives away, looking utterly fed up with the commotion already.
Looking back to Voso, he is rushing away excitedly.
VOSO
Coast is clear!
Once he says that, all of the cans and all but one of the potted plants burst into small SPIRITS. They are bounding after him with glowing, bean bodies, all letting out small "Yippies!" as they do.
The sole blue flower remaining lets one of its leaves flutter to the floor.
CUT TO:
INT. ADACHI RESIDENCE - MORNING
COMMANDANT ADACHI (66) swirls tea in its cup above a low table. He is fully dressed in military fatigues. He has a grim look on his aged face. His hair is very dark and gives the top of his head a box shape.
In the background is an open doorway to the roof with an open window right next to it. The spirits' jovial yelling is heard echoing from them both as Adachi brings the tea to his lips.
Suddenly, a stream of ice is through the window and formed as an icy slide. Voso uses the slide as his entrance with the spirits hanging onto him for dear life. Adachi's brown eyes snap open with a vein protruding from his temple.
VOSO
(quickly)
Hi grandpa!
Adachi pulls away from the tea.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
(mumbling)
Too cold, Kota...
His eyes look up like daggers.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
(authoritatively)
Report to attention!
Voso, with his back still turned to his grandfather, snaps his heels together and his back into a rigor. The spirits climb and tumble all over him.
COMMANDANT ADACHI (O.S.)
(authoritatively)
Face me!
Voso obeys with a practiced turn. His chin is up and his jaw set. We see Adachi in the foreground with his eyes focused and tea now steaming on the table.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
(quickly)
Chores?
VOSO
Done, sir.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
Lunch?
VOSO
Wrapped and probably delicious, sir.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
Those...things cleaned up after?
Voso stifles a quick smile.
VOSO
Spirits don't poop, sir.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
Hmph. Have you...
He points to his tea. Voso nods and we see the liquid swirl with the movement of his pointer finger. Adachi gives a liberal squirt of honey from a plastic croissant-shaped bottle.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
Have you told your sister about those yet?
VOSO
She already hates them thoroughly, sir.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
(nodding)
When's work?
VOSO
Two hours, sir.
Adachi holds up his hand to stop the stirring.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
(clearing throat)
Well, then, I suppose you have time to have some ice cream with an old man?
The spirits are all doing backflips and celebrating in the air as Voso's eyes light up.
COMMANDANT ADACHI
Why don't you tell me all about the trouble you got into at university.
Voso smiles as the spirits team-carry over a gallon bucket of ice cream.
CUT TO:
EXT. CAPITAL CITY BUSINESS DISTRICT - LATE MORNING
A grand, tall city of metal and glass is framed by the every-day people walking along the sidewalks and cars honking in the streets. The buildings are set against cooled igneous rocks that had long ago formed into a grand island, worthy of the Fire Nation's capital.
Down in the people is Makami, who is cautiously peering through the glass panels at the front of a building.
We can see several others dressed the same as her waiting in line to sign in inside the lobby. She slides away from the revolving door without going inside.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
Stupid security, can't go that way without being caught...
She ducks into an adjacent alleyway, her eyes scanning up the side of the skyscraper.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
C'mon...c'mon!
There is a window open wide on her building far above, obscured slightly by several clothes-filled rope lines.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Yes!
Looking at her, she is taking the clip out of her hair and leaning down off-screen.
Back up, she hangs her purse around her neck. Her eyes are up with determination as she backs up to the brick wall behind her.
Fire bursts from her hands and shoes, sending her airborne.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN STREET, CENTRAL CITY - MORNING
Sitting beneath a restaurant overhang is an elderly Fire Sage named SHII (67). He scowls at the game of pai-sho that isn't going his way. He has long black facial hair like wisps of a dragon's feelers. The roots of the hairs are long-gone to grey, and his outfit is of the noble Fire Sage.
SAGE SHII
(slamming his hand down)
Aha, I can tell what strategy you are employing at last!
He leans forward, pointing his finger towards his opponent.
OLD MAN 1
That so?
SAGE SHII
(in creaky old voice)
Yes, your wiles have finally let you down. I will move here...
Shii slams his piece on the board.
SAGE SHII
(confidently)
And I'll have no other moves I can make, so you've bested me again!
OLD MAN 1
(grumbling)
Some foresight you've got there...
SAGE SHII
I can see right through you. I have the intuition of a blind mole rat and the veracity of...
Movement up and right from their spot catches his eye, his jaw gradually hanging open further.
SAGE SHII
(losing steam)
Of a...an acrobatic fire bender.
OLD MAN 1
(grunting)
What are you-?
Sage Shii presses his finger against the man's lips and takes in the sight of Makami bending her way up the building.
CUT TO:
EXT. BUILDING - LATE MORNING
Makami snatches herself into a tangle of clothes lines. Using only her hands and the bounce of the ropes, She continues up the building's side. Short, controlled bursts of flame give her extra height - and we see her clip is keeping her skirt safely closed at the bottom.
As she nears her floor, she spins with a flaming dagger in the air, slicing one of the clothes lines from above. It falls into her hand, helping her run sideways along the glass around the corner of the building.
CUT TO:
EXT. MAIN STREET, CENTRAL CITY - LATE MORNING
Shii is leaned out from the shade, watching with wide eyes as the faintest of hopes sparks in his heart.
SAGE SHII
(quietly)
It...couldn't be!
CUT TO BLACK.