EXT LI-ANG-DONG DOCKS - EARLY AFTERNOON
A small, peaceful dock is accepting trade, slinging various catches of the day, and dutifully organized. A lone official walks down one of the docks with a clipboard in hand, carefully matching call signs to the ledger.
The waters around the stilts begin to rumble with higher waves. The surveyor looks out and tosses his clipboard high in to the sky before running away.
SURVEYOR
(shouting)
MERCIFUL SPIDER-BUFFALO SAVE ME!
CUT TO:
EXT CRESCENT MOON BEACH
Makami flips the switch for the turbines to spin in reverse with her and Shii pulling air through them in incredible amounts in the background. The turbines are amalgams of the metal garden just barely affixed to the ground.
CUT TO:
EXT LI-ANG-DONG DOCKS
The surveyor runs quickly, waving at the fishermen and store owners.
SURVEYOR
(shouting)
RUN FOR YOUR LIVES - IT'S A SEA TURTLE ATTACK!
He trips on some stairs and spins with wide eyes, but the impending doom stops away from the boats with no worse than some low-level waves. They splash through some of the loose boards, drawing some scowls but no further panic.
Makami is on the edge of the island looking down towards the surveyor.
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Hey there! Do you happen to have a very heavy anchor?
SURVEYOR
(quietly)
N-no...
(clearing throat)
No! You'll have to move your...island-yacht somewhere else!
MAKAMI
(shouting)
You wouldn't happen to know where there's a sand bar around here, would you?
He springs up, waving a torn piece of paper.
SURVEYOR
(shouting)
No, now leave here before you have a whole STORM of citations!
MAKAMI
(shouting)
Alright, alright, sheesh!
She turns away from the edge.
EXT CRESCENT MOON BEACH - CONTINUOUS
She meets with Shii and Alrund.
MAKAMI
I don't think he likes us being here.
SHII
Did you tell him it's Avatar business?
MAKAMI
No, I didn't want to launch in the face of war today, Shii.
SHII
Well, we do have business and this is the third port we've tried.
ALRUND
If all we require is an anchor, then why not just reattach the island?
Makami tilts her head in thought.
MAKAMI
It shouldn't destroy the continental shelf...should make that guy even madder...
She claps her hands.
MAKAMI
(excitedly)
A win-win!
Turning, she slams her feet down before punching into the ground, the island and bay shaking at once to her made anchor.
CUT TO:
EXT LI-ANG-DONG DOCKS
The surveyor is close to the edge of the dock again as an earthen staircase extends down, surprising him into a yelp.
Makami come down one after the other with hoods over their heads.
SURVEYOR
(flustered)
W-wait just a moment now! You can't park here without paying the fee!
ABE
Here.
Abe tosses the large ruby from Roku's chamber to the surveyor, whose eyes become entranced immediately.
SURVEYOR
(dumbfounded)
I-I'll need a name for the vessel and the captain.
ABE
We'll say the captain is...Ruby, and the vessel is called...
MAKAMI (O.S.)
Bonum omnibus.
Abe smiles at the surveyor before striding away.
ABE
Hope you're a good speller.
SURVEYOR
(to the ruby)
Yes, yes, yes, I can...smell very...good.
Looking forward, Abe shouts to the group's amusement.
ABE
(shouting)
Alright, who's going to ask her what it means?
SHII
(mumbling)
I did last time.
TOYO
Me the time before that.
ABE
You're up Alrund.
She stares off as they walk.
ALRUND
It means 'Good for all'.
Abe looks displeased while Makami's smile grows hugely.
ABE
(grossed-out)
There's more than one of them again...
CUT TO:
INT CABBAGE CORP EXECUTIVE HALLWAYS - DAY
The grand architecture at the very top of Cabbage Corp is a far-cry from the dull brown hallways below. There are extravagant pieces of hanging art on either side and striped marble on the floor.
Through the sparkling double doors comes a struck Zura wearing a too-large business suit with mouth agape. Kin is in behind her looking prepared and dutiful with a stack of folders coming up to her chin.
ZURA
(echoing)
What is this place?
KIN
(echoing)
This is the executive suite. Your boss' boss' boss' boss' boss' boss and their four secretaries work here.
ZURA
Oh, sure, they get four and I have to write you off as a pile of office supplies.
KIN
Yes, well, I'm just here until you get settled. You don't understand how the air up here can change you.
Other managers speed walk by them with far less chill and organization. Some are eating their papers out of the folders while others are being carried on their secretary's backs.
ZURA
(echoing)
Manager stampede?
KIN
(echoing)
Yes, something has them spooked...
Kin gently taps Zura's leg with her toe, turning her.
KIN
(whispering)
A meeting of all management can mean any number of things. Whatever happens in there, you need to stay vigilant.
ZURA
Yes, vigilant.
KIN
And calm.
ZURA
Basically in a coma.
KIN
And, above all else...
ZURA
Yes!?
KIN
Don't rock the business boat.
ZURA
Wait, why not?
The door at the far end of the hallway opens with the managers filing inside.
CUT TO:
INT EXECUTIVE BOARD ROOM
Zura is seated near the center of the oblong table surrounded by other managers with Kin behind her against the wall. Kin looks around at the other assistants, all of which are scribbling furious notes of the nothingness filling the first few minutes of the meeting.
Zura looks at the other managers, all of them showcasing various nervous tics.
The doors finally open to a string of executives piling in with identical suits, each of them standing behind one of the managers. From the group comes the CEO (50) with slicked, trimmed black hair, and a precisely curved beard that appears to be in the shape of two leaves of lettuce - one on each side of his chin.
CEO
Managers of Cabbage Corp - this company has a problem. One that stretches from Market Research to Internal Research on up to this very floor's Researching Research Department. Look around. Go ahead, all of you.
Some look under their seats while Zura watches the faces of the execs, some of even them sweating now.
CEO
Anyone?
Zura raises her hand quickly.
CEO
Just shout it out, this isn't a classroom!
ZURA
Diversity?
CEO
(chuckling)
What makes you say that?
The shot shows Zura as the only woman at the table, including the executives.
ZURA
Uh, I'm the only girl here...?
She juts her finger over her shoulder.
ZURA
And my assistant is the only one back there.
CORPORATE MAN
(shorting)
Hmph, we have five girl assistants in my office alone. Have for ten years now!
CEO
Yes, well, I appreciate your input Miss...?
ZURA
Zura Ayame.
CEO
Miss Ayame, Cabbage Corp has a history of only promoting those that...
A fleet of lawyer-types sweep up to the CEO's ears. Low mumbling takes place for a moment before they sweep back.
CEO
As I was saying, inclusiveness is a top-priority here at CC and that is the complete and total problem that we must focus on this very second!
Zura smiles back to Kin.
CEO
Now, someone grab a dictionary and read me the definition of inclusiveness.
After eyeing Zura, all of the other managers go diving for a dictionary in all directions.
CUT TO:
INT CAPITAL CITY OFFICIALS ROOM - DAY
Kouichi sits at the head of a short table as another person walks in. The fire emperor doesn't stand to greet them. Seated now is Pi-Ran with a confident smile upon his face.
KOUICHI
The Communication Director of the Earth Kingdom in the flesh. Have a seat, Pi-Ran.
PI-RAN
All the way to Emperor, Kouichi? How quaint. Will your master be joining us, or am I to just speak to the pet on this day?
Kouichi leans forward unphased.
KOUICHI
Brave talk for a man seeking control of the nation voted "Least Likely to Ever Regret Losing a Leader".
PI-RAN
Doubt the history but not the ambitions. Once you hear what I have, I think you'll agree.
KOUICHI
Well, Pi-Ran, please show me what you've brought. Communicate me.
The skinny man reaches into his jacket to pull out a photograph.
PI-RAN
Please forgive the low light.
He presses it to the table before purple tendrils slide out from his sleeve, pushing it to Kouichi.
PI-RAN
Where he is...
Kouichi's eyes widen as he looks at the photo, showing Voso chained around his torso and mouth with metallic bands.
PI-RAN
He just may never see the light again.
Pi-Ran's smile grows further as the purple tendrils slide into his earthen robe.
Kouichi smiles and stands, moving to an open globe to retrieve a handful of glass bottle and cups. He pours a pair of drinks atop the table. The photograph lies between him and Pi-Ran, who eyes the pour carefully.
KOUICHI
Taking a hostage from old allies is a bold move, Pi-Ran.
He slides the glass to Pi-Ran while gently setting fire to the top of his, sliding back to the chair.
KOUICHI
And here I thought we were all on good terms?
PI-RAN
Don't misunderstand me, Ongyo-Ki-
KOUICHI
(pointedly)
You don't get to call me that.
PI-RAN
Emperor Kouichi. I simply found this boy meddling in my affairs - on Fuu-Ki's orders no doubt. I don't wish for this to sour our relationship.
KOUICHI
Perhaps you should be plain about what it is you do want?
PI-RAN
Endorsement - not just of my candidacy to take over the Earth Kingdom but of the war against the Avatar.
KOUICHI
(surprised)
You want the war against Makami to continue?
PI-RAN
I do, and you will publicly say the same. With that and a generous anonymous donation, I will release the boy to any agents he deems worthy.
KOUICHI
I have no public reason to denounce her.
PI-RAN
Find one - or rather, have your master find one. You have three days.
Pi-Ran pushes the full glass away as he stands.
PI-RAN
A single minute longer and your latest recruit will become your latest defector.
Kouichi laughs through his taken drink, the glass clattering to the stone table.
KOUICHI
(chuckling)
You always underestimated Fuu-Ki's power. How sure are you that the ground beneath your feet is even stable, hm?
PI-RAN
I'm not. That's why I have insurance, Kouichi.
The dignitary walks towards the door.
KOUICHI
Take the back entrance out.
As Pi-Ran leaves the room, Kouichi stands.
KOUICHI
(sighing)
So?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
I do admire the reach of his imagination.
KOUICHI
No matter what we do, he'll be looking for you.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
His efforts will make no difference. Sui-Ki will be freed with no changes to our plan.
KOUICHI
Through whose hand?
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(echoing)
I believe it's time to move the Avatar into place ahead of schedule.