EXT LI-ANG-DONG, CITY CENTER - LATE DAY
Alrund stares blankly around the crowd as Makami and Toyo look over many different foods in stands and grills.
TOYO
What exactly is our grand plan here?
MAKAMI
We are stocking up for the slow journey to Ba-Sing-Se.
TOYO
Right, to find some agents of spiritual evil that give us dirty looks to cause the world to end.
MAKAMI
You make it sound silly, but yes.
TOYO
Just not how I saw my week going. Or month. Or year.
MAKAMI
(chuckling)
What do you have to complain about? Don't you want to get out there and help save the world?
TOYO
I suppose.
MAKAMI
Oh, what? Is it old since you've already done it once?
TOYO
Not exactly. Last time, there was a bomb and a sky-blossom of deadly dangers. This time is just some spirits running amok.
ALRUND
(sharply)
Spirits can be just as deadly as humans.
TOYO
I know...
Makami tosses him and Al a brown fruit each as she digs in.
MAKAMI
(mouth full)
So this time seems more boring, huh?
(swallowing)
What a thrill-seeker.
TOYO
(sighing)
I don't see how any of us are going to be able to help you this time.
Toyo looks down at the fruit seriously.
TOYO
Right now, we're all just here to protect you, not the world.
MAKAMI
Toyo, you just helped lift an island and make it a boat. You're a cunning little sheep-snake too.
She slaps his shoulder playfully.
MAKAMI
Chin up, eyes open for chance to help, huh?
She and Alrund walk away with fruits sticking in their teeth.
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Let's go see if Abe talked down that car salesman.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Kin-Ki.
Toyo is surprised enough to pop the fruit in his hand, bringing Makami's eyes back around to him.
TOYO
(nervous)
Heh-heh, must've been rotten. I'll catch up.
He rushes off into the crowd.
TOYO
(whispering)
Yes, I'm here.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
Sui-Ki needs your help. Follow these directions exactly.
CUT TO:
INT CEO'S OFFICE - DAY
Sat on the other side of an all-glass office desk, Zura is utterly transfixed with the extravagance of the room. Kin sits next to her, glancing sideways and slapping Zura's hand every time she reaches for something on the desk.
ZURA
(excited)
This is how I want my room to look at home.
KIN
Your mother would never approve of that.
ZURA
Yeah, but I bet you could convince her for me...hm, hm?
KIN
Explain.
ZURA
(cutesy voice)
Oh, you know, with those fluttering eyes and a warm hand on her-
She snatches Kin's hand and immediately drops it.
ZURA
Yikes, you're an ice box.
She looks down to her hands while Zura looks back to the door.
KIN
Perhaps some mittens before I touch her shoulder?
ZURA
Or put your hands in an oven first. Where is this guy anyways?
The ceiling above his chair opens up, shooting the CEO into his chair in front of their wide eyes.
CEO
Hello, proud employees of Cabbage Corp. My sincerest apologies for the wait, but I think it'll be worth it for you both. Miss Ayame, my spies on the ground have told me about your spotless performance record and called you a true credit to the company.
ZURA
Thanks, it's been a great week on the job so far.
KIN
What precisely are you going to be offering her, sir?
CEO
Miss Ayame, how would you like to become the first female executive Cabbage Corp has ever had?
ZURA
(shrugging)
Sure.
CEO
Fantastic! I'll send along the paperwork to your secretary-
KIN
That would be me. I'll go over it thoroughly before it is finalized.
The CEO stands with a hand out while Kin drags Zura out of the room.
KIN
Sorry, sir, we do not shake hands until the deal is done.
ZURA
(excitedly)
Thanks, we'll shake fingers soon!
CUT TO:
EXT LI-ANG-DONG CAR DEALERSHIP - EARLY EVENING
Shii is falling asleep on a bench behind Abe as they haggle with a saleswoman. Makami and Alrund are coming up from the far background.
ABE
Ah-ha! You didn't mention what this fee was in the original price.
SALESWOMAN
That's a standard undercoating fee.
ABE
Undercoating, huh? And how many of those are you trying to sell us on this line item?
SALESWOMAN
That's undercoating insurance...
Makami nudges Shii to move over on the bench. Alrund finishes her fruit, standing guard next to them.
MAKAMI
How's this going?
SHII
(grumbling)
I believe they're on the second page of the bill.
ALRUND
How many pages are left?
ABE (O.S.)
(loudly)
Alright, then, let's start from the first page to make sure!
Shii lets his head drop to Makami's shoulder while Alrund gets more comfortable.
SHII
Where's Toyo?
ALRUND
Fruit accident.
MAKAMI
He's eating juicy fruit while we're watching Abe flail until they wear down that poor sales person. We should all be in awe of Toyo's foresight.
Everyone grunts in unison, seeming to agree.
CUT TO:
INT LI-ANG-DONG PHONE STATION
Toyo is amongst a sea of other callers with a phone next to his ear. He's holding his nose to disguise his voice while reading a note.
TOYO
Hello? Yes, I'd like to leave a message for Avatar Makami. My name? Uh, Chuck Power. Yes, yes. Okay, here's the message...
CUT TO:
EXT PHONE STATION - EARLY EVENING
Toyo runs out of the station in a full jog, taking off towards the left-side of the screen. He moves through the side streets with his hat strapped to his scalp.
TOYO
(panting)
Excuse me!
He splits a pair of people, but runs quickly into a lengthy line.
TOYO
(grunting)
Great...
He hops up to see what the line is for, but sees nothing. He notices the metallic gutters on some adjacent homes and bends them into stairs to the rooftops.
EXT LI-ANG-DONG ROOFTOPS - CONTINUOUS
TOYO
(laughing)
Won't stop me, crowd of people - ha!
He turns and immediately deflates.
TOYO
Ugh...
The rooftops are even more full of people craning their necks to see whatever event is taking place. He sighs and drops down to the street again.
EXT LI-ANG-DONG BACKSTREETS - CONTINUOUS
He snatches the ends of the gutter in either hand and pulls back with all his weight. The metal groans loudly until he whips forward with all the might of his bending ability.
EXT SKY OVER LI-AND-DONG - CONTINUOUS
As he's in the air, he looks over and down to see what the fuss is about...
CUT TO:
EXT FACE PAINT TELLER'S STAND
A man dressed in a burgundy vest with a white, frilled undershirt is painting a young woman's face. Her friends watch closely with their faces all painted in part as tigers, skulls, a rose, and other random objects.
PAINT TELLER
Yes, yes - the paint is telling me that you will marry...
He moves away, revealing her face to have palm tree leaves covering from cheek to forehead.
PAINT TELLER
(energetically)
...someone that lives in a tropical climate!
GIRL 2
(excited)
He must mean Rian!
All the girls squeal in excitement together.
TOYO (O.S.)
(shouting)
You're all gullible!
PAINT TELLER
Don't listen to that bird, folks, who's next?
CUT TO:
EXT LI-ANG-DONG TELEGRAM EMPORIUM
A metal windmill reshapes to catch Toyo's feet. He crouches as he slides down the roller coaster-like ramp, sliding down to his knees as he reaches the bottom and barrels through the front door.
INT LI-ANG-DONG TELEGRAM EMPORIUM - CONTINUOUS
He slides up to the counter with his arms spread and dust following him in a cloud. The few people around him snatch their telegraph papers out of the breeze inside of the small lobby.
TOYO
(panting)
I hear...you have a message...for the Avatar?
CUT TO:
INT AYAME HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT
Kin is on the couch with the full document, combing through the employment agreement. Baki slides over with a tray of tea.
KIN
(mumbling)
Typo...typo...absurdly out of date...
BAKI
You're not used to having other people in the room, are you?
She looks up as Baki smiles considerately.
KIN
No, uh...
She moves some of the papers for Baki to set the tea tray down.
KIN
I confess I don't often go over contracts in the company of others.
The tea pouring fills the room.
KIN
(hesitantly)
But I do often go over contracts at home...for fun.
She takes the tea offered her.
KIN
(quickly)
So you can rest assured that my qualifications, however informal, are more than adequate to look after Zura and offer her counsel.
Baki sits back with her tea, quietly blowing for a moment while Kin's shoulders sag in embarrassment.
BAKI
(slowly)
Two years before Makami left for Avatar stuff, the girls and I were on a vacation on one of the smaller islands to the south. I had to run back to grab something from the room and a nice looking gentleman offered to watch the kids for a few minutes. When I got back, they were gone.
(leaning forward)
I couldn't find them for hours, no matter how much I screamed. It was a nightmare.
KIN
How did you find them?
BAKI
I didn't - the guy brought them back because Makami and Zura wouldn't stop fighting. I clocked the guy as hard as I could and my hand got a vacation inside of a cast.
KIN
(slowly)
And...you think I would...?
Baki waves dismissively.
BAKI
No, of course not. This is just the first time I've let someone help them since then. Bit of a hover mother, I guess.
An alarm goes off from the very small oven, a black cloud permeating the air.
Baki stands and walks towards the oven as Kin looks at her hand.
BAKI
(grunting)
Oh, come on! I even set the timer this time!
Kin places her finger into her steaming tea, but it immediately freezes.
BAKI
(sarcastically)
Can you believe all this 'modern convenience'?
KIN
Hardly.
She places her hand against the side of the piping hot kettle, biting her lower lip.
BAKI
Well, I think that was the last thing in the fridge... Do you mind if we do take-out?
KIN
(holding breath)
No, no, of course not.
She takes her hand away, the skin now bright red.
KIN
What do you suggest?
Baki smiles devilishly.
BAKI
Oh, well, let's see...
CUT TO:
INT TAKE-OUT MENU DRAWER
The drawer opens out to show an amazed Kin and prideful Baki looking down. There are visible tabs of organization and folders. Printed morsels shine beneath a thin gloss next to exorbitant prices.
KIN
(breathlessly)
Color-coded tabs, alphabetization, and...
(leaning closer)
Are these also organized by size?
BAKI
And food type. This is the 'Slim and Spicy' drawer. Take your pick.
Kin looks up with a dazed smile.
KIN
I'd...I'm hesitant to break up such amazing organization.
BAKI
Then, we move to the Rubberband of Faves.
She lifts a messy group of banded menus that makes both of them chuckle. Kin places her hand on Baki's shoulder. She doesn't shy away from the touch.
BAKI
How about noodles?
ZURA (O.S.)
(shouting)
I smell smoke again!
Zura bursts in through the front door. Kin and Baki turn around with Kin's hand snatching behind her back. Zura's eyes turn mocking.
ZURA
Oh-ho, I see the fire isn't in the kitchen.
BAKI
(loudly)
Alright, smarty! Kin is here to help you with your contract.
ZURA
Uh-huh...
Kin's face is disastrously red and she's not breathing.
KIN
(quickly)
Yeslet'slookatthecontract!
She dashes off to the left while Zura giggles and Baki reaches for the wall phone.
CUT TO:
EXT LI-ANG-DONG CAR DEALERSHIP - EARLY EVENING
Shii sputters the car to the end of the lot with all of them in the backseat save for Abe, who is grinning widely in the passenger seat.
SHII
Let it go, Abe.
ABE
This is the best deal anyone, anywhere could ever get! Not even our beloved Avatar could've gotten better with her patented math bending.
MAKAMI
I only use my powers for good.
ALRUND
Is that Toyo?
SHII
It is indeed.
He honks the horn but only a little squeak comes out.
ABE
(angrily)
Oh, we're taking it back!
SHII
(loudly)
Sit down, Abe...
He turns back as Toyo leans against the side of the car, panting again and holding up a note.
TOYO
(panting)
Message...Makami...nice car.
She grabs the note while stepping out of the backseat, clearing it so Toyo can flop down.
MAKAMI
It's from someone named...Chuck Power?
TOYO
(panting)
Psuedo...nym...usually government.
Makami's face turns serious as she reads on.
MAKAMI
It says Voso's gone silent.
ABE
What does silent mean?
She spins the car using the earth beneath it and flings open Abe's door.
MAKAMI
Move.
The glove box opens, pouring a boxy GPS device with a miniscule screen into her hand.
ABE
(to Shii)
Good thing someone negotiated for that to be included, huh?
SHII
Yes, what ever will we do with those twenty saved silver ban?
Makami squints into the tiny screen with a compass out as well. Shii is out to help her, a flashlight in hand.
MAKAMI
(mumbling)
How do you put a whole city's address into...dumb thing...
(slamming finger)
Here, how long?
SHII
Driving, we could be there by morning.
MAKAMI
I'll drive first shift.
She walks around quickly while Shii gathers the map and shoves himself into the backseat, much to Alrund's dismay in the middle with Toyo sweating on the other side.
ALRUND
Wait, how do we know this note is authentic? It could be anyone messing with you under a fake name.
TOYO
(quickly)
The numerical callsign at the end matches a government emergency signal.
She spins her hands and roars the engine forward, headlights beaming into the early night.
ABE
Someone's gonna be excited to see a message come through to the Avatar and start the rumor mill. We can't stay here.
Alrund turns to Toyo in the backseat, pulling him in from the window.
ALRUND
How did you know there would be a message for the Avatar?
TOYO
I didn't - I was swept up in a paint teller line and heard a kid yelling for Makami.
She narrows her eyes, but turns to Makami.
MAKAMI
Voso was chasing after some vital people, so we need to be ready for anything. Al, will you stay awake and spell me in a few hours?
She hesitates, but nods in agreement as the car passes a 'Thanks for Coming By!' sign.
CUT TO:
INT AYAME HOUSEHOLD - NIGHT
Zura lazily looks at the pile of papers in her face, copious notes and bookmarks placed throughout. Kin is on the couch across from her.
KIN
In short, they're underpaying you, will control your entire image, and want you to fire half of your department.
ZURA
(yawning)
Anything else?
KIN
They crossed out all of the instances of "Man" with a pen and wrote "person".
ZURA
Alright, where do I sign?
KIN
Wait a moment; this is not a decision to make lightly. These people want years of your life in exchange for money, and...and it's not always worth the effort, Zura.
ZURA
Then stick your butt in the chair next to me, yeah? Don't leave me if you're that worried.
KIN
My passion for glass blowing has...re-emerged. I can see myself pursuing that as a...I think you'd call it a...hm, a hob-bye?
ZURA
A hobby - and you'll have time! You won't be the boss anymore, you will have plenty of time to blow on windows. Are you afraid I'll fire you?
KIN
I-
ZURA
Because I won't - I would never. You're coming up with me, Kin!
KIN
And I'd appreciate that if I were to come back. I just don't want you to regret signing that page.
ZURA
You were about to, though? Sign on the dotted line if they offered it to you?
KIN
I was...I would've jumped at the opportunity like you are now. You're young, you're a hard worker, and you're loyal.
ZURA
Then, let's take'em by storm!
She snatches the pen and swings a signature out of the ink. Kin hesitates before smiling. Zura stands and shakes her hand very professionally.
KIN
Executive Zura - how does that sound?
ZURA
Hm, nah, I'll come up with another title.
KIN
Good. Make it your own.
ZURA
I will. You know, I'm...
She springs into a hug that catches Kin off-guard.
ZURA
I'm glad to have someone like you.
KIN
Oh. Well. Yes, smaller human.
She pats Zura on the back awkwardly before she releases and rushes towards the stairs.
ZURA
Bath time! Mom, I'm an executive - start thinking of other titles for me to have!
BAKI (O.S.)
Leader of the Stink Brigade sounds about right - go clean up!
Baki comes down the stairs in a tight, brown robe with a towel twisted around her hair.
BAKI
Everything went well, I see?
KIN
I hope so. Ambition can be a self-tying knot, I've found.
BAKI
That sounds like a good story.
She slides down onto the couch while Kin searches her hands.
KIN
No, it's late, I should...
BAKI
Come on, I gave you a story. Poke me in the heart with one of yours.
KIN
It's...since I was young, my father measured me by numbers. When I didn't meet an average, he'd teach me how to be better. Personal relationships don't make good integers, so I focused on what I could measure in rungs on a ladder.
She and Baki calmly turn toward one another, Kin letting her head hit the couch cushion.
KIN
I'm afraid my lack of practice for thirty years makes me a very awkward friend.
BAKI
Hey, you've seen me catch fire to my kitchen twice, and you didn't run away from my take-out menu mausoleum.
KIN
(laughing)
It belongs in a mausoleum. You...
Kin swallows hard and sits straight.
KIN
I am...awed by your strength. To raise them both to be brilliant young ladies on your own is quite...good.
Baki takes the towel out of her hair under Kin's gaze. We see her hair uncurled, but still bouncy for the first time.
BAKI
Well...
She moves over, letting her head fall to Kin's shoulder and her eyes to close.
BAKI
(whispering)
It's kinda nice to have some help.
Kin smiles warmly with her cheeks blushing again.
BAKI
(whispering)
You're warm.
KIN
You think so?
BAKI
Mm-hm.
Kin smiles once more while placing her head atop Baki's.
CUT TO:
INT. EARTH KINGDOM UNDERGROUND PRISON - DEAD OF NIGHT
A dark chamber shows several bodies barely twitching by their outlines. A splash of light comes from off-screen, showing the scientists, all wearing metallic helmets that cover the top of their heads.
The door closes with a torch leading Pi-Ran through the twitching crowd.
PI-RAN
No, please, don't wake up on my account...
CUT TO:
INT DESALINATION POD
Pi-Ran walks on a thin pathway above a churning vortex of water. He passes along the circular pad for the control panels. Various pipes run along the wall in the background. The salt in the air portends the rust along the bottom of the railings.
He rips open a gate of squealing metal.
PI-RAN
(shouting)
These new digs of yours, huh?
He pushes into another stone chamber.
INT PRISON HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
The swirling water's roar dies out as he walks further into the dank hallway. Hanging cages and chains rattle atop free-fall drops into darkness, Pi-Ran walking across a metal pathway between them.
PI-RAN
You can smell the salty history, can't you? See the scorch marks from old fire benders. Smell the desperation of former prisoners.
He stops and turns on a pivot to look up.
PI-RAN
You've stumbled into a smaller war, but with far greater stakes at play.
He reaches out and pulls back a black hood. Voso rolls his head up, still covered across his mouth in metal with hands hanging from high chains in his cell.
PI-RAN
So, I hope you understand that no matter how uncomfortable you are right now...
Voso locks eyes with him, mumbling unintelligibly into his metal gag.
PI-RAN
I can make it so, so much more uncomfortable if you don't behave for a few more days.
He puts a torn calendar sheet on the railing, ripping a piece of tape with his teeth.
PI-RAN
After that, the world is going to be a very different place whether you're in it...
He circles the date just three days away, taping the page to the inside of one bar for Voso to see.
PI-RAN
Or not.
He places the pen back inside of his jacket while walking away, leaving Voso to moan into his metal casings, and for the calendar page to gently move in the salty air.