MONTAGE START
- Kin, sweating profusely, blows air into the glass to bring it to shape while Adachi uses his bare hands, aglow with heat, to keep the base round.
- A burning knife from his finger slices through a glass sheet, his sweat sizzling. Kin sits in the background, rolling glass rods in a thick sheet to round them.
- Both of them work together with Adachi turning the glass in his hands. Kin, using two small metal sticks and a blast shield, is close, pushing the strings of the knot together.
At last, the spherical display is complete. Between each layer are thin strands of glass that hold the innards steady, the twenty-sided interior holding a smaller sphere as described. On the inside is a monkey's fist knot of wound glass work. It all sparkles in the light of the forge and grabs the attention of nearby blowers.
Kin just laughs, covering her mouth. Adachi looks on, wiping his brow.
KIN
I...I suppose it's done, isn't it?
She turns to the crowd.
KIN
And none of you are paying me to do this, right?
Some in the crowd shake their heads in confusion.
KIN
(giggling)
And this...this feels good? To me?
ADACHI
Do you need to sit down?
MODERATOR 1 (O.S.)
(shouting)
MISS KIN!?
Kin's face goes white. From the crowd comes one of the moderators - a tall, burly woman that scowls at Kin's very existence.
MODERATOR 1
(growling)
How ever did you get back inside of another GLAM convention?
KIN
(squeaking)
I...I-I didn't-
MODERATOR 1
(shouting)
SECURITY!
No one moves.
MODERATOR 1
Security!?
The crowd parts behind the large woman, showing a trio of men getting their hands covered in glass and giggling like school children.
MODERATOR 1
Okay, well, I'll have to take this up with our board members immediately - Charon, Fritz, and-
ADACHI
And me.
Kin turns to Adachi, who stands confidently while she looks confused.
MODERATOR 1
Of course, Adachi. This woman disgraced our art by claiming that we were unable to add nor subtract! The poor typist she insulted was on mental leave for minutes beyond her normal break time!
ADACHI
(droning)
Oh, so this is the famous incident that Fritz made us stop accepting donations over? And Charon, that yipping lizard, instituted that insulting banishment board over this?
MODERATOR 1
Yes...um, yes sir.
ADACHI
Well, I think I'm sick and tired of letting sleeping dogs lie.
Adachi quickly flicks the side of the sculpture. Everyone gasps, but the glass seems to hold.
ADACHI
Kin's skill is apparent, and it's high time that we allow people to make mistakes. Who's with me?!
Confused hands rise slowly, no one able to match his fervor.
ADACHI
Then back to your stations, flame-people!
Everyone scatters while the moderator backs up in a bow. Kin drags off her wig, holding it in her hands.
KIN
(meekly)
Thank you.
ADACHI
Nonsense, I-
The glass shatters into two clean halves on the table like a broken heart.
KIN
(loudly)
For nothing!
She throws the wig at Adachi's confused face before sweeping the glass into a nearby bin.
CUT TO:
INT ZURA'S ROOM - NOON
Zura's walls are covered with motivational posters, including one featuring Makami saying "Hang in there" with double finger guns. Conspicuously present as well are several holes and sharpie defacements on the same poster. The mound of blankets on the left reaches up to slap at the ringing phone with a stick.
Finally, the stick brings the receiver off the cradle.
ZURA
(groaning)
What, Mother!?
BAKI (O.S.)
How'd you know it was me?
ZURA
No one else is crazy enough to call this early.
BAKI (O.S.)
It's noon, girl, get up.
ZURA
(childishly)
No.
BAKI (O.S.)
How'd she do?
ZURA
Got up, left, looked unrecognizable.
BAKI (O.S.)
Good...I'll be home in a little, then.
ZURA
Mom?
BAKI (O.S.)
Yes?
ZURA
Why didn't you send Kin home?
BAKI (O.S.)
Because some people need a different kind of help when they're at their lowest. When your Dad left, remember all those vacations we took?
ZURA
Yeah, I remember annoying our kidnapper to bring us back.
BAKI (O.S.)
And when Makami went on her magical journey, I baked and cooked until the kitchen-
ZURA
Almost burned down, yeah, I remember.
BAKI (O.S.)
Yeah. It was worse when Makami left - her silence just hangs in the air. I never know when we'll hear from her, or not hear from her again.
Zura peers out of her blankets towards the poster of her sister.
BAKI (O.S.)
Anyways, I'll have dinner ordered when you wake up again.
ZURA
Hm. 'Kay.
The line goes dead and Zura just stares for a moment. Then, she leaps up, rips the poster of Makami off the wall, and tosses it before coming back into her blanket fort.
CUT TO:
EXT GLAM CONVENTION CENTER - EARLY AFTERNOON
Kin is slouched against the older brick wall of the building. People are coming and going with their glass blowing materials, including one group wheeling out a unicorn of beautiful glass. The fire benders are coming out looking like they've been in a tanning booth all day.
Adachi comes out as well, looking down to her as he stops.
ADACHI
Hello, uh, Kin. I...
He pulls out a picture from his pocket, handing it to her.
ADACHI
I took your picture down from the board. Didn't know if you wanted it or not.
She takes the picture, which is of her blowing a bunch of bubbles from the end of her blowing wand to the encouragement of several friends.
ADACHI
I'm also so very sorry for...your creation was magnificent.
KIN
It was too much. All of this is too much for me.
(sighing)
I'm an authoritative perfectionist inside of any office environment. Out here...anywhere out here, what am I? Nothing more than another lay-about voice box.
Adachi's hands jam into his pockets.
ADACHI
Well, I can't say I've felt much better lately. I used to be...
He notices her fingers rubbing into the tendons of her thumb and kneels down, beckoning her hands to his. She reaches out as his skin gently glows.
ADACHI
I don't know the origins of fire bending, but I know I used to think of all fire as destructive. Then, my son met a beautiful young lady with some crazy ideas about what she called non-linear bending.
The glow transfers to Kin's hand, radiating in tight, orange waves.
ADACHI
She was the first fire healer I ever met. She taught me how to heal as deeply as any water shaman.
KIN
It feels very effective. Does she still practice?
ADACHI
(sadly)
She can't. I didn't realize it, but that was my pearl - the wisdom she left me that your display in there uncovered again.
He drops her hand, Kin bringing it back to inspect, her mouth agape.
ADACHI
And if the changed-heart of an old battleship like me means anything, I'd say that we should all stop trying to compare how we are, who we want to be, and who we were in the past.
He offers her his hand again, this time bringing her back to her feet. She adjusts the strap on her shoulder with a more confident smile.
KIN
Thank you, Adachi.
He waits a beat, making sure she doesn't have any more.
ADACHI
Nonsense, welcome back inside of GLAM. Would you like to sign up again for the newsletter?
KIN
Absolutely not. I find the articles to be preachy.
ADACHI
That's Charon for you.
KIN
(chuckling)
Yes, well, I must be off.
Adachi bows slightly while Kin moves towards an open bus door.
As she disappears into the bus crowd, Adachi puts his hand up to his ear.
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - AFTERNOON
Voso lazily stands in the security line, watching his bags on a conveyor behind a long piece of security glass. He glances forward to see several more people still in front of him, then back to his reflection.
The view of him is far more alive, awake, and confident looking with holes where his eyes normally are. The view jolts him awake.
FUU-KI
Fret not, Sui-Ki.
As Fuu-Ki speaks, the reflection's mouth moves in unison.
FUU-KI
I am merely bringing a voice to your unvoiced thoughts. Those that wish to be free - your very instincts.
VOSO
(mumbling)
What do you mean?
FUU-KI
Your smile cracks, my friend. Beneath the mythical haze of your family ideals, I sense darkness. Of the times your sister dominated you for no rational reason. Of the nights your grandfather stole from you.
Voso slides forward in line, biting his tongue.
FUU-KI
Of the memories of your parents they both stole from you, each in their own, selfish ways.
Another slide of his feet brings his fists into balls.
FUU-KI
You forgive them with your benevolent heart - that is, as long as you know they mean well. Down in the darkness, I've heard a whisper, one you only ask yourself on the loneliest nights.
He is next in line but his eyes are still glued upon his speaking reflection.
FUU-KI
(whispering)
Did they do it on purpose? Do they want to take away everything I care about?
GUARD 1
Next!
Voso snaps out of it and moves through the detector silently. He turns, looking for his bags but finding only three of them. He scans the officer station and sees his gym bag being unzipped.
Voso slides down with a sigh. The agent eyes him scrupulously.
VOSO
That's mine.
GUARD 2
Well, we got a blip on something in here.
VOSO
What's a blip?
GUARD 2
Could be a lot of things. Did you read the list?
He taps a list of items - at least a hundred long - that are deemed unable to fly. Voso scans it tiredly.
VOSO
I...don't think I have any devices used for fun nor business, just a bunch of clothes.
GUARD 2
What's this?
He holds up the Yo-Yo figurine by the head, presenting to Voso the blinking, black one-way radio affixed with glue.
GUARD 2
Is this some sort of new fashion trend, sir? Is it a hat?
VOSO
(slowly)
No, it's a remote controlled car. Birthday present - sorry, forgot it was in there.
CUT TO:
EXT GLAM CONVENTION CENTER - AFTERNOON
Adachi rubs at his eyes, frustrated.
VOSO (O.S.)
Sorry for the confusion, officer.
He takes the buds out of his ear, melting the device and the headphones in his white-hot hands.
CUT TO:
EXT DINNER BELL OF FIRE - AFTERNOON
Baki walks out of a rear entrance with grease on her apron. She wears a burnt orange smock and a stained nametag. The alley is wide and well lit in the day, showing her Kin waiting at the entrance to the main street.
BAKI
Kin?
Her eyes light up as she quietly curses her appearance.
BAKI
(nervously)
I swear if I smell like grease, it's just some jerk's cologne.
The two smile brightly, but Baki soon groans away her façade.
BAKI
Who am I kidding, huh? You're not catching me at my best. I hope that's a given.
KIN
Well, you've...tolerated my worst over the past few days.
BAKI
(happily)
Anytime, sport.
Kin reaches back, leaving Baki a free moment to chide herself for the idiotic remark.
KIN
I wanted you to have something that I was reminded of today.
She comes back around with the picture in hand, giving it to Baki.
KIN
Today was a stark reminder of who I used to be, and how far I've come. This is a picture of when I had no idea who I was or what I wanted to do with my life, and I was happy. I lost myself soon after.
Kin straightens herself and clears her throat.
KIN
And I look forward to continuing stage two of that re-discovery process with you as my project-manager-slash-confidant.
BAKI
(chuckling)
You are a riot.
Kin's cheeks ignite immediately.
BAKI
Don't be a stranger, huh?
KIN
(softly)
No, I shan't. I should return to my apartment to, uh, run the faucets, but I, uh, I have days this week that I could fill with time that included your...um, abode and yourself?
BAKI
Tomorrow night it is. Wanna walk a girl to a cab?
KIN
Yes, yes...yes!
The two turn to the main street, speaking in low voices as the pipes of the alleyway steam.
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Voso sits in the waiting area for his plane with the speaker on his leg. He stares intently at it, considering all that Fuu-Ki unearthed from his own tired subconscious.
ANNOUNCER (O.S.)
(echoing)
Final boarding call for flight six to Ba-Sing-Se.
VOSO
Grandfather?
He watches the speaker, seeing no reaction. At last, he picks up the small device, bringing it close to his mouth.
VOSO
(whispering)
If this is your way of warning me to be careful who I trust, then I hear you loud and clear. I've made my choice.
He slams the speaker into a nearby trashcan before quickly picking up his bag and rushing onto the plane.