INT ADACHI'S HOME - LATE AFTERNOON
A swirl of fire runs overtop a layer of thick, pink frosting. It's uneven, nearly falling beneath the weak arms and backs of Voso's spirit friends as they try to bring it to the middle of the table.
Kota's hands snatch it up quickly.
KOTA
(scowling)
You little spirit smears aren't going to ruin this handmade cake.
Adachi brings out a pair of mismatched presents.
ADACHI
You may want to remove the price tag from that homemade cake.
Kota lifts the cake to rip the rope tag off with her teeth, spitting it towards Adachi.
KOTA
(growling)
At least I brought something to eat. I thought you were going to get a gathering gobbler platter?
ADACHI
The only ones they had were filled with coco-pepper fruit.
KOTA
And?
ADACHI
And don't you remember when Voso got a stomach ache at his eighth birthday party? His friends dared him to eat a whole plate-
KOTA
Uh, first off, that was me. I'm the great coco-pepper dare-er that has yet to be captured and may strike again at any time. Secondly, he's like thirty-five-
ADACHI
He's twenty-four.
KOTA
And you're still packing his lunch like a barracks chief!
ADACHI
(growling)
I said I'd provide the presents, you'd provide the food. You're the one that tried to say a food plate was a gift.
KOTA
(angrily)
Do you know what that boy eats?! I've seen the park wildlife care more about their diets than him! You'd have given him the gift of a longer life if you cared a little more!
ADACHI
(angrily)
At least I didn't try to poison him to satisfy my own childish-
VOSO (O.S.)
(muffled)
I'm not heading out quite yet.
Adachi and Kota disengage from one another, quickly straightening themselves while Kota rips open cabinet after cabinet.
KOTA
(harsh whisper)
Where's your snack food?!
ADACHI
(harsh whisper)
Where are the party poppers?!
CUT TO:
EXT ADACHI'S HOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON
Voso has a large cell phone to his head, having to use two hands to hold it near his ear. The background shows a small family raking a bunch of long leaves in a pile. Voso has his luggage around his feet.
VOSO
Look, I'm sure your refund policy is fascinating, but I just need to change flights. Can I do that without hearing this speech?
He drops the phone, looking into the burning sky in frustration.
VOSO
(whispering)
Stupid robots will never take over for human beings...
He brings the phone back up to his ear.
VOSO
Look here, you programming cul-de-sac, if my flight isn't changed to a later departure to Ba-Sing-Se when I get to the airport, I'm pouring water over the nearest electronic device I see!
He presses several buttons to end the call before shouldering his bags, moving up to the front door.
INT ADACHI'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Voso opens the door slowly to a chorus of whistling tea kettles surrounding Kota and Adachi. The two of them clap, putting on a united front of a happy family.
TOGETHER
Happy life day, Voso!
He smiles awkwardly as he plugs his ears from the horrendous whistle.
CUT TO:
INT AYAME HOUSEHOLD LIVING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON
Upon the couch sits a blob of downy blankets with a single hole for air and Kin's mouth. Baki and Zura are in the background with dinner between them on their small table. Zura keeps looking over to the couch, but Kin isn't moving. Baki just reads her folded paper.
ZURA
(whispering)
Is she asleep?
BAKI
No, honey, leave her be.
ZURA
Alright.
Zura swirls her soup around quickly enough to whirlpool her spoon around the bowl. Again, and again, and again.
ZURA
But she's been on the couch for a while now, right?
BAKI
She has.
ZURA
And...? 'No worries, Zura, she's paying rent now' or...?
BAKI
She's going through a lot of stuff right now, and she needs a...she needs space.
KIN
(mumbling)
I need a crypt. Right next to my career.
The blanket slug leans up.
KIN
(morosely)
No, a very small pyramid where my career and I can be buried together, mummified as nothing more than water cooler gossip.
ZURA
(to Baki)
And talk like that doesn't concern you?
Kin flops back down to the couch while Baki folds the paper unevenly, turning to the couch.
BAKI
Kin, that event I mentioned is tomorrow. You want to go?
ZURA
What event?
BAKI
The Glassy Lassy and Massy meeting for the year.
KIN (O.S.)
G.L.A.M. doesn't want me. They already kicked me out once for trying to correct their bookkeeper's very shady practices.
ZURA
You're a glass...a glass-hour...a...person that makes the pretty glass sculptures?
Kin leans up again, the full fright of her bed-head now coming through as she straightens her glasses.
KIN
No, I've made nothing of the such.
Zura turns to Baki, horrified.
BAKI
I think they just go around breaking windows and vases for shards of glass. They just take those and run a rolling pin over them with some glue, and presto - you have art.
(winking at Zura)
Right, Kin?
Her eyes comes alive, her fingers piercing into the couch with her tight grip.
KIN
(quickly)
No, no, no, clearly not. Gaffers have risen to the top of the art-slash-home-business-slash-glass-injury field through a robust amount of...tools and...
Baki chuckles while Zura has a thousand-yard stare.
BAKI
(smiling)
You're going.
KIN
I...even if I wanted to...I couldn't.
ZURA
(snorting)
C'mon, like they have a pegboard filled with photographs of former members not to serve...
KIN
Of course not. It is a throwing knife board. "Do not G.L.A.M." is the sign above it. My face, surrounded by degenerates and delinquents...an horrific sight indeed.
Baki stands, slapping the paper to the table while Zura ties her mother's apron.
BAKI
I'm off to work, but this sounds like a quick fix. I'll leave it to you two.
KIN
What do you mean?
BAKI
Hm, let me try to business-speak this for you...
She slides on her jacket and hoists her massive purse.
BAKI
You and Zura need to synergize for your eight-o-clock while I pull an all-nighter. This is a vital business account to ensure this merger goes through - oh, and to get the couch sprayed down. It smells of...old business.
Kin's eyes are as bright as a child's discovering imagination.
KIN
(quietly)
I understand everything you said, ma'am.
Baki smiles widely, but swipes it away as Zura lets out a low, sustained grown.
BAKI
You two have fun!
She turns and walks hard enough to tear through the screen door, spinning up dust as she goes. Zura quickly snaps up the end of a jacket sleeve, bringing the fur cuff to her upper lip.
ZURA
(in a fake deep voice)
We must transform you into a beautiful glass-huffer! But first...
She produces a comb and brush that causes Kin to wince.
CUT TO:
INT ADACHI'S KITCHEN TABLE - EVENING
Thin wrapping paper falls away to reveal a ceramic small boy statue. The boy has curled dark hair on his forehead and is carrying a fishing pole, all beneath a shining glaze.
Voso cocks an eyebrow while Kota enjoys a slice of green cake.
VOSO
(slowly)
It's...a cursed totem of a family enemy?
ADACHI
What? No, it's a Yo-Yo statue.
KOTA
(mouthful of cake)
He's been ordering from the Fire Sale channel again.
ADACHI
(excitedly)
They had a six-for-one sale, so I could fill out my collection downstairs.
Voso glances to his other presents, all of them equal in size.
VOSO
And are these your leftovers from that collection?
ADACHI
(meekly)
No. They're...it's...
He snatches them into his arms.
ADACHI
I'll be...right back.
He runs down the stairs while Kota passes him a slice of cake. Green leaves are visible in the cake batter.
KOTA
It's a Harbor Weed cake.
VOSO
Oh. That's edible, huh?
The cake collapses into a goo on the plate.
KOTA
Yeah but it doesn't last long in the open air.
She brings out a small envelope, handing it to him.
KOTA
Gift card - happy life-a-versary, bro.
VOSO
Thanks. Not exactly happy times to keep chugging through life. How's the new job?
KOTA
Limitlessly exciting, thank you very much. I've got marketing working on gaming establishments in the sky. We're calling them Bird's Eye P's.
VOSO
What's a P?
KOTA
No, P - short for paradise.
VOSO
And you're going to hold races in the sky?
KOTA
No, you old fart, races are done and gone. Now it's all about individual gaming achievements.
VOSO
Hm.
KOTA
The sound of someone with international spy on his job history.
(old accented voice)
How droll you must find life, dear brother.
VOSO
Cut it out, I don't think that.
KOTA
Uh-huh.
VOSO
I don't - I'm...
He clatters the plate to the table.
VOSO
I've gotta go.
KOTA
Whoa, hold on, don't go away in a huff.
Voso collects his things while the spirits all hop onto a gym bag slung on his shoulder. Two of them are team-lifting the statue into the bag.
KOTA
You'll break his heart if you just go.
VOSO
This is a waste of time - I've gotta get to Ba-Sing-Se and help Makami. Don't worry, I got his little statue and your gift card.
He opens the door, looking back with sharp eyes.
VOSO
Who couldn't feel all that love?
The door closes behind him just as Adachi comes up with a large, custom-built, remote-controlled race car with a beautiful blue and black paint job.
ADACHI
(grunting)
I must've wrapped the incorrect present!
KOTA
Forget it, bargain shopper, he's gone.
Adachi drops the racer to its wheels, looking distressed beneath the sweat on his aged brow.
ADACHI
(panting)
Did he take the statue at least?
KOTA
Yes, he took your dumb statue. Way to really follow-through with the...hm?
She watches him take out a small black box and extend an antenna from the top.
KOTA
What's that for?
He flicks a switch and the air is filled with the sound of static. A pair of knobs adjust under his fingers while Kota comes closer.
KOTA
I swear, if you're just listening to trucker radios now, I'm calling a home.
VOSO (O.S.)
Yes? What do you need?
KOTA
(harsh whispering)
Holy no-no, is that Voso's voice?
Adachi puts his finger up to silence her while he holds up the speaker.
VOSO (O.S.)
I'm on my way to the airport now, I had a family engagement.
ADACHI
When Voso was with me in the Earth Kingdom, I pushed him too far, caught him talking to himself.
Adachi points to the speaker.
VOSO (O.S.)
You don't think I know that? I couldn't even enjoy any cake soup or my grandpa's terrible gifts for more than an hour before my guilt drove me out the door.
KOTA
(whispering)
He didn't call my cake soup terrible.
ADACHI
(strained)
Soup. Is literally. The worst kind of cake!
VOSO (O.S.)
Well, maybe I do need a moment to breathe! Maybe I need to...
The sounds of him running come through the speaker. Adachi and Kota lean towards his window that faces the neighbors' yard. Pulling aside one of the shades, Voso is airborne, falling into a pile of leaves with all of his bags around his arms.
KOTA
He's clearly stressed. Do you know for a fact that he's not talking to his little spirit goo balls?
ADACHI
He never has before...has he?
They both stare off in concentration, trying to remember. In the background, Voso leaps out of the leaves, being chased out of the yard by a father wielding a golf club.
VOSO (O.S.)
(panting)
I...feel...alive!
KOTA
And you don't think you could've, I don't know, talked to him about this before bugging a tacky statue?
ADACHI
I needed proof before I approached him, and I couldn't approach Makami about it either.
KOTA
Since when are you respectful of other people's feelings?
ADACHI
(angrily)
Since I turned Voso into this!
Kota grabs her bag and moves to the door.
KOTA
(angrily)
Trust me, old man, you turned this family to dust a long time ago.
She leaves with a slammed door while Adachi lowers the speaker, his home now deafeningly silent.
CUT TO:
INT GLAM CONVENTION FLOOR - EARLY MORNING
The large crowd is split in two - one half wearing black, thick gloves and aprons, working glass in many forms, while the others are bellowing precise flames. A massive, turquoise banner invites everyone to "Borossilicate Peacefully". Around the people are hanging hoops and pummel horses that take away from the ambiance.
Wandering in with her hands clutched around her satchel strap is Kin with a pink hat that reads "WAIF" in white. Beneath her hat are sponges cut in a way as to look like thick hair, her true hair tied tightly and hidden by the hat. Across her upper lip is a very curly, single group of hairs that make her look like an over-the-top villain.
Her hand releases enough to unfold her assignment in hand and move across the grid, glass shards crunching under her thick boots. She comes to her small work area, jumping at a flare from her fire-bender's mouth.
KIN
Excuse me.
(deeper)
Excuse me, there?
The bender turns around, showing Adachi with a peaceful smile on his face, his ears clogged with small earbuds. At his front is a large man with his shirt off, melted into a front-facing massage chair.
ADACHI
You ready?
KIN
(deep voice)
Uh, yes - what is...what happened to his shirt?
LARGE MAN
(moaning)
Hey, I've got a few more minutes.
Adachi holds up a finger and turns back to the man. She unrolls her ancient, filthy ball-peen hammer and blow tube, which is signed along the length by old, faded names. She turns it in hand, eyeing the memories when she sees an old photo wrapped around one end. She takes it and shoves it into her pocket.
LARGE MAN (O.S.)
(moaning)
Oh, you are a life saver!
She refocuses towards Adachi as he turns back, shoving some gold ban into his pocket while the large man unsteadily walks away with his shirt on backwards.
ADACHI
Tell your friends - one day only.
(to Kin)
Sorry about that, I didn't think you'd show so I was killing time with some fire healing until I got reassigned.
KIN
(deep voice)
Well, I have shown. I am showing.
ADACHI
You're new, huh?
KIN
(deep voice)
Yep, new, very new. But I used to play woodwind in primary school and I own several glass bowls.
ADACHI
(chuckling)
Uhuh, and your equipment? Did that old stuff help you make those bowls?
KIN
(deep voice)
No, I...tried to make more abstract pieces. Have you ever blown?
ADACHI
No, no, fire benders fit pretty neatly with creating the heat for the process. Can't change who you are, right?
KIN
(deep voice)
You should...start heating.
She turns to see the others in the scorching gym, many of them sand benders that are taking the melted glass and whirling it into wonderfully complex creations. One is using ball bearings to create a multi-tiered chute that cycles the bearings back to the top after every successful run.
ADACHI (O.S.)
You sand benders really are something else. Can't wait to see what you make.
Kin gulps hard, pulling on her gloves. While Adachi mixes together various bags into a large, clay container, she brings out a rack of vials, each filled to a specific line with colorful grains.
ADACHI
Sorry, I should ask, what type are we making? Do you have the minerals you need? I can eyeball the measurements for you if you're not confident?
KIN
No, it's fine. Thank you.
She carries over the rack, dumping in the precise amounts one after another like a studious witch while Adachi moves out of the way and smiles.
KIN
(mumbling)
One-and-two-fifths...
ADACHI
You're not a bender, are you?
KIN
(mumbling)
Very astute...
ADACHI
Well, that's okay too. What are we making?
KIN
(deep voice)
It'll come to me by time the materials are heated...probably.
Finished pouring, she moves away while he rests himself upon a low stool, rubbing his hands together. After they are glowing bright orange, he places them on the clay basin. Soon after, the heat begins rising and melting the minerals.
He turns back to her.
ADACHI
Should only be a few minutes.
KIN
Four-minutes, please.
ADACHI
I...alright, I'll heat up a little more.
The bowl heats to a brighter orange.
ADACHI
Would it distract you if I asked a question?
KIN
(deep voice)
I suppose not.
ADACHI
How long has it been since you've blown?
KIN
(deep voice)
A long time. University...yes, my last year of schooling.
ADACHI
And since then?
KIN
(deep voice)
I've been focused on my career. Solely so.
ADACHI
My time in school just gets more confusing to me as I grow old and stale. I was social and read thick books, now I troll coffee-shop peg boards for reasons to get out of the house. My grandchildren are a whole different pot of boiling oil.
Kin taps her pencil impatiently.
ADACHI
Impossible to know if I should've stayed that old version of me, or if looking back is just taking away from who I am today, you know?
KIN
(impatiently)
Yes, that fits well with your earlier "can't change who you are" argument.
ADACHI
Well, some things can change. We're...
His ear buzzes with sound.
ADACHI
Sorry, one moment.
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - LATE MORNING
Voso has his bags around him, his outfit disheveled, and his head on the counter of an airport ticket agent. The agent looks unhappy as he types away at a console, the board of times above them both showing several delayed or cancelled flights.
AGENT
And through which airline?
Voso raises his head.
VOSO
Any one of them - the one that is going to the Earth Kingdom. I'll take them dropping me out of the belly to parachute down at this point.
AGENT
M'kay, well, we are unable to accommodate parachutes at this time, sir, so we will have to check any-
VOSO
(tiredly)
Look...Vance, I've been cancelled on three flights, and I'm honestly considering just taking a schooner at this point.
AGENT
Oh, I'm sorry sir-
VOSO
It's okay, just get me-
AGENT
But we don't have any boat rental services here.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
This is a waste of time, Sui-Ki.
Voso turns away from the counter.
VOSO
(angrily)
I know, alright!? I'm handling it!
AGENT
Sir, if you can't remain calm, I'm going to have to call security.
He spins back to the counter.
VOSO
(quickly)
Is security a robot or a human because I can't tell which one of you is more inept at your job!
The agent picks up a phone, leaning away from Voso.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Makami will find out if he calls security.
Voso closes his eyes before quickly snatching the agent's hand.
VOSO
Put the phone down.
He obeys immediately.
VOSO
Find me a seat to Ba-Sing-Se on the soonest possible flight, priority class, print me a ticket, then forget you ever saw me.
He releases the man and begins to shoulder his bags.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
You must remain focused on the task at hand. Our enemies will look for a weakness to exploit. That is why you must avoid Makami and your family.
VOSO
(whispering)
I won't just abandon them. My grandfather got me this position in the first place, Kota looks after me...
The agent has his hand out with the ticket.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
And now, it is time to look after all of them at the same time.
VOSO
Not by leaving them behind.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
No, just by removing them as targets, Sui-Ki.
Voso snatches the ticket and walks away from the desk quickly.
CUT TO:
INT GLAM CONVENTION FLOOR
KIN
(deep voice)
Excuse me?
Kin gently touches Adachi's arm, bringing him out of his listening haze. He smiles to her after recovering while she juts a thumb to the glass.
KIN
(deep voice)
Would you mind?
ADACHI
Of course not.
He quickly moves out of the way, grabbing a wet mold.
ADACHI
Sorry, I've got a lot riding on a certain sports-ing event...that I am interested in concluding.
KIN
(deep voice)
No worries. I'm still looking for inspiration.
She taps her blowing rod on the ground over and over as if beckoning an idea to charge through her. Adachi glances between her and the cooling glass.
ADACHI
What changed?
KIN
Hm?
ADACHI
You were focused on your career, now you're going back to an old hobby - something must've given you reason.
KIN
(deep voice)
Hrm, yes, I was fired.
There's a silent beat.
KIN
(deep voice)
Much like this glass.
ADACHI
Uh, yeah. So, you were...let go from your job, then you went digging through your closet and decided to give it another try?
KIN
(deep voice)
Not even close. I was...it was...
Her eyes unfocus as she moves quickly back to her table.
KIN
(quickly)
Reheat the basin, I'll need just a few moments.
ADACHI
(happily)
Inspired now, huh? What are we making?
KIN
(quickly)
A sphere within an icosahedron within another sphere, lines of glass running between the layers to a knot in the center - approximately twelve inches wide, no colors, no dyes, no need to change the mixture.
ADACHI
(head spinning)
Uh, all of that with no bending? And just you and I?
KIN
(quickly)
With the proper application of time, effort, and ingenuity, we should be done within the day!
ADACHI
Yeah, alright, but...
She comes over, dipping the end of the long metal rod into the glass and swirling until a massive glob rests upon the end.
KIN
(quickly)
My father used to make me count many, many things out in the wild to keep me occupied - grains of sand, lobster-clams, and glowing oysters.
She moves over to the table, Adachi barely able to keep up as he dips the mold in water. She runs the glass over the thick paper, smoothing the outside.
KIN
(quickly)
The oysters produce clear pearls with beautiful centers like cracked glass - no two are alike.
ADACHI
Yes, okay, slow down!
KIN
(quickly)
Not today, forge master. Today, I forge a pearl!