Cobra Kai
History Repeats Itself:
Johnny after a hard day of a young boy named Miguel annoying him and a woman bitching at him; at work, went to the Reseda Flats Mini mart and bought a slice of pizza. He then saw Miguel enter and talking to the cashier in Spanish and the cashier telling Miguel that Johnny has a tiny penis. He leaves angrily and sees a group of boys in a car wanting to get light beer. He is about to sit down and eat his slice when he realises how pathetic it is and thinks to himself that he is not pathetic and says, "This is for pussies". He know that he is better than this and will not be pathetic. He will be the winner that he was always supposed to be. Johnny gets into his car and drives away. Johnny drives until he sees the billboard for LaRusso Auto, and he remembers the day and the fight he had at the All Valley Under 18 Karate tournament back in 1984. How he lost to LaRusso and that was the moment his life took a downward spiral. He was not going to let LaRusso continue to ruin his life and will be better. He will be the man he was always supposed to, and LaRusso was no longer going to get in his way. He went home and saw the picture of his son Robby on the fridge. He thought about how long it was since he had seen him last and turned to the picture of his mother who died just before Robby was born and never got to meet her grandson. She would have loved him, loved being a grandma and being in his life. He knew that if he was going to change his life around, it had to start with Robby.
Daniel was driving through his old neighbourhood of Reseda, a place he rarely went anymore since he moved to Encino hills. He saw a red, sun-damaged Pontiac Firebird burst out onto the road and speed away. He thought to himself that the person driving it must be stuck in the 80's because no one in the modern day would drive that car or like that. He turned to see a group of boys around his daughter Samantha's age beating up a kid and remembered his days in high school being beaten up by bullies. He remembered how he was saved by Mr Miyagi and how Karate not only stopped the bullies but had helped him his entire life. Daniel knew that he had to intervene and give this boy was Mr Miyagi gave him and pulled into the parking lot. He stopped and got out of the car. Daniel screamed "Hey. Leave the kid alone".
Brucks asked "Who's this dude".
Daniel said "I know you think that acting like this is tough and going to get you far in life, but it isn't. You won't get anything treating people like that and be losers".
Kyler said "What are you doing here old man. Piss off before you get it next".
Daniel responded, "Now boys, we don't have to do this and can all just leave".
Brucks said "I think you need to teach him a lesson Kyler".
Kyler responded "Yeah, get out of here loser". Kyler then pushed Daniel and then said, "Or I'll beat you old ass up".
Daniel responded "If that's what you want. Come on then, show me". Kyler then throws a punch, but Daniel dodges it and elbows Kyler in the back. Kyler is now enraged and runs at Daniel, but Daniel uses his legs to trip Kyler. Miguel is amazed at how Daniel can avoid anything. Kyler's friend don't know whether to intervene or not because Kyler is failing but Daniel isn't doing anything. Daniel then says to Kyler "Give up boy. I don't want to fight". Kyler is even more enraged and scream ready for an attack. Kyler then launches a tirade of punches, but Daniel knocks each of them away. Daniel then grabs Kyler from behind and says, "I didn't want to fight boys, but you caused this". He then turns to Miguel and tells him "Get in the car". Miguel agrees and runs straight to Daniel's car and Daniel pushes Kyler to the ground and runs away to his car and drives off. Kyler seeing this; punches the ground annoyed at being beaten up by an old man who didn't even punch him once. He turned to his friends who were all in shock and didn't know what to do. Two police officers came over and wondered what the commotion was but neither they or Kyler and his friends could do anything because Daniel didn't do anything.
As Daniel drove Miguel away, he said "I'm sorry that this happened to you kid. I really am. Nobody deserves that but know that you aren't the only one. I was once bullied like that myself".
Miguel responded "Thank you. You know, For, uh, for what you did back there".
Daniel responded "No problem. Nobody should be bullied. Especially like that".
Miguel asked "Uh, was that like Tae Kwon do or Jujitsu, or MMA or something".
Daniel answered, "It's Karate".
Miguel asked "Really. You didn't deliver one punch".
Daniel responded "Didn't need to. Not all Karate is punching and kicking your opponent like they would lead you to believe. Karate is not just fighting; it's actually more about balance. A way to avoid fighting".
Miguel asked, "Do you think you could teach me".
Daniel turned to him and asked "Me. Teach you. Why".
Miguel said, "When school starts, those guys will make my life miserable. Starting a new school Is hard on its own".
Daniel responded, "I know what that's like".
Miguel said "Then you will do it. You will teach me".
Daniel asked, "What's your name".
Miguel answered "Miguel. Miguel Diaz".
Daniel said "Well, Miguel. I'm Daniel, LaRusso. And I can only teach you are ready to learn and do everything I say".
Miguel answered "I am. Believe me, I am".
Daniel continued "And if your mother approves. Otherwise, I cannot help you. And uh, hey, which school are you going to. West Valley".
Miguel answered "Yeah, why".
Daniel said "My daughter goes there. She can help show you around and meet people if you'd like".
Miguel said, "That would be great".
Daniel said "Talk to your mother and get that stuff cleaned up first. Trust me, mothers will detect any fight you've been in".
Miguel responded, "Thank you". They drove until Miguel said, "My house is right up here".
Daniel pulled in and said "Yep. Lived in a place exactly like this when I was your age. Let me guess the taps don't work".
Miguel answered, "No they don't".
Daniel remarked "Nothing changes".
Miguel opened the door and said "Thank you. Thank you again". He then was about to walk away when he turned and asked, "What if my mom says no".
Daniel answered, "Then we better hope they don't bully you like that at school". Miguel was despondent because he knew they would be, and Daniel said "Hey. Trust me. My daughter Samantha will help you out first day. She's a good kid. You'll be fine".
Miguel accepted this and Daniel said, "Good luck Miguel".
Miguel responded, "Thank you, Mr LaRusso".
Daniel drove away and Miguel cleaned himself up before entering and hearing his mother Carmen ask "Miggy, where's the Pepto-Bismol".
Miguel answered "They were all out. Sorry yaya".
Carmen said "That's okay. I'll pick some up on my way home from work tomorrow".
Miguel asked "Hey mom. Can I ask you something".
Carmen asked "Yeah, what is it Miggy".
Miguel asked, "Can I learn Karate".
Carmen responded "Karate. Fighting. What for".
Miguel answered "I saw this guy doing it on my way back and he teaches people. So, can I learn".
Carmen responded, "I don't have the money Miggy".
Miguel responded, "That's okay, because it's free".
Carmen asked "Free".
Miguel answers "Yeah, he does it on the side".
Carmen responded "No. I will not have my son learning to fight. You'll get hurt".
Miguel said "But here's the thing. It's learning so I don't have to fight".
Rosa asked in Spanish "Learning, so you don't have to fight. And no payment. Sounds like rubbish to me".
Miguel responded "It isn't though Yaya. I've seen it. So, please mom. Can I please learn".
Carmen answered "No Miggy, I'm sorry. I love you and don't want you to see you hurt".
Miguel was annoyed but accepted and went to his room depressed. Carmen hated rejecting her son and what he wants but this is for his own good. Miguel closed the door to his room and sat on his bed wishing that his mother would understand and that they wouldn't bully him when school started.
Daniel arrived home and called out "Hey. I'm home".
Amanda remarked "You're late. We've already finished dinner".
Daniel answered "Yeah, just had a little problem on the way home".
Amanda asked "Oh no. It's not the car is it".
Daniel answered, "No. I just had to save a kid who was being bullied".
Amanda responded "Oh dear. What happened".
Daniel answered "Your father was driving home when then lunatic in a firebird sped passed me. That's when I looked from where he came from, and I saw these kids beating this poor boy up. So, seeing this and remembering my days from high school, I intervened. They even tried to attack me so, I had to use a bit of Karate on them. I stopped them and saved the poor boy. He even wanted to learn Miyagi-do from me".
Amanda remarked "Great. Another student. Wasn't Samantha enough, do you want Anthony to learn as well".
Daniel responded "No. I told the boy that I would only if his mother agreed. And Anthony, I do believe you should know some. You're growing up and it would be good if you learnt to defend yourself".
Anthony asked, "Is it still chores or is there any actual karate".
Daniel answered, "Now chores are a part of it. If you start with".
Anthony interrupted "I'll stick to being popular".
Amanda laughed and said "Well, don't try to get me on the mat for a little Karate. You remember what happened ten years ago".
Amanda directed her attention to Anthony and Daniel turned to his son. Daniel said "Well, it won't matter if his mother agrees, and if not then I got a backup plan to help this kid". Daniel then looked around and asked, "Where is Samantha anyway".
Amanda answered "Out with her friends. And what does our daughter have to do with it".
Daniel answered, "He's new here and is about to start West Valley".
Amanda said "So, you're going to get Samantha to be his friend and show him around".
Daniel responded "Isn't that what we all wanted when we moved to a new school. I nice person to make friends with and show us around".
Amanda responded "Yes, but why does it have to be our daughter".
Daniel answered, "Because she's the best, kindest, and most helpful".
Amanda said, "All of those are true but aren't you worried".
Daniel asked, "About what".
Amanda said, "Our daughter and a boy".
Daniel said "I know Sam, and she can handle herself. I taught her how. And I trust Miguel".
Amanda remarked "Well, it's nice that this boy had you around to help him".
Daniel said "I know. I felt it. I could see my teenage self in this boy, and he needed someone like Mr Miyagi to help him, so I helped him".
Amanda responded "Well, that's nice to hear. Now, I made a perfect dinner so eat before it gets cold".
Daniel responded, "Yes ma'am". Daniel sat at the table and began to eat the dinner that his wife had made.
Johnny left his apartment seeing the kid Miguel practicing some form of Karate that looked like dancing. Of course, a weakly like that could only muster dancing and not true American Karate like Cobra Kai. It even gave him an idea to help with Robby. He could try to teach his son Cobra Kai. It would be something they could do together and actually be in his life. Plus, Robby would be able to learn the way of the fist and succeed in life. Johnny drove to Shannon Keene's apartment and when he knocked Robby answered and said "Oh, it's you. What do you want dad".
Johnny responded "To see you. Haven't seen you in years and".
Robby interrupted "And whose fault is that".
Johnny answered "Mine. But I want that to change. I'm sorry Robby for everything. I wasn't there for you and haven't been a good dad".
Robby responded, "And you think one visit to say hi is going to change that".
Johnny answered, "No. I actually want to spend time with you".
Shannon exited her room drunk and from spending a night with a man that he guessed she picked up in a bar. She asked, "Robby baby, who is it". She then saw Johnny and said disgusted "Oh, it's you".
Johnny responded "Hello Shannon. You're looking drunk and like you've spent a night with a man you met an hour prior".
Shannon retorted "Well, at least I don't look like a failure who couldn't even".
Robby yelled "Please. Can you not fight. Dad just came here to see me, and he's now leaving".
Johnny said "Robby, I would like to spend the day with you. I don't have to work".
Shannon remarked "Fired. Again. Can't you hold down a job".
Johnny retorted "Well, at least I don't have to sleep with every man in the city just for a free meal".
Shannon walked up and said "Oh, you pathetic worthless".
Robby grabbed his mother and said "Mom. Please. I'll go with him. Just to separate you to".
Johnny said, "Come on Robby".
Robby gave his mother a kiss on the cheek and said "Be back soon mom. Love you".
Johnny and Robby began to leave, and Shannon called out "Be careful sweetie. Don't let that pathetic loser get you in trouble. He can't help himself".
Johnny responded, "Good to see you to Shannon".
Johnny and Robby got in the car and began to drive away. Robby asked "So, what are you really doing here dad".
Johnny answered "To spend more time with you. I know I haven't been the greatest dad. And that's completely my fault but I do care for you. And I'm sorry that I've not been there for you when you needed me".
Robby asked "So, what do you want to do today dad".
Johnny asked, "What do you want to do".
Robby answered "Well, I was going to go to the skate park. But I don't know batting cages".
Johnny responded "Yeah, haven't gone to the batting cages in years".
Robby said, "Never taken me".
Johnny said "Well, that's about to change. And I do really want to spend time with you Robby".
Robby asked "Why all of a sudden. Why not for my entire life".
Johnny answered "I realised that I've been living in my failures for too long and not moving past them, so it was affecting my future. And relationship with my son, so I was not going to let it anymore".
Robby remarked "Well, let's see if you live up to it".
They arrived at the batting cages and as Robby smashed his final ball Johnny said "Nice Robby. That's actually a really good hit. You'd get a triple for that".
Robby responded "What. That's definitely a home run".
Johnny answered, "If you're running like Carl Lewis then yes but that's a triple".
Robby asked, "Okay then, you show me a home run".
Johnny responded "Okay, it might take me a few swings to get into it, but I'll show you".
Johnny entered the cage and picked up the bat. He missed the first swing and Robby remarked "Wow. That was closer to home then home run".
Johnny responded, "I said give me a couple of attempts".
Johnny missed the next one and Robby remarked "So close". Johnny missed the third and Robby remarked "How many attempts am I supposed to give you because that's definitely a strike out".
Johnny said "This one. This is the one". Johnny smashed the ball, and it flew across the field.
Robby looked to the sky and remarked "Okay. That's a home run".
Johnny tossed the bat down and said, "Told you".
Robby saw that the machine was still on and screamed "Dad. Look out". Johhny turned seeing the ball coming directly for him and as it did, he put his fist out and punched it away. It was painful but Johnny was happy he was still able to do it. Robby responded "Woah dad. What was that".
Johnny left the cage and said, "That was karate".
Robby asked, "But how did you do that".
Johnny answered "Painfully. Haven't done that in years but I learnt how to in high school. I took Karate. True all-American Karate. Not whatever weak pussy shit they teach nowadays".
Robby asked, "Can you teach me how to do that".
Johnny asked "Karate".
Robby answered, "No. The punch".
Johnny said "It's the way of the fist. Anyone can just punch it. You need to know how to take and deliver it. For that you need to learn Karate".
Robby asked "Okay, where do I learn it then. The way of the fist".
Johnny answered "They shut Cobra Kai down and everywhere else is just a bunch of pussies. So, I'll teach you. It'll be our father and son thing".
Johnny and Robby walked back to the car and Robby said "Okay, but what happened with your job".
Johnny answered "Just this dumb bitch. Don't worry, I'll get a new job. Maybe construction but the one thing I want you to know Robby is that you don't have to be rich to be successful".
Robby asked "Weren't you rich. Mom said that before you ruined your life that you were a rich kid".
Johnny answered "My stepdad was rich. All he did was allow me and my mom to stay in his house. I was never rich. Just told to fake it and look nice at his country club dinners".
Robby responded, "You still went to them".
Johnny answered, "I tried to get out them every year until tenth grade".
Robby asked, "What happened in tenth grade".
Johnny answered "Ali. She was a chick that I was dating, and she went with her parents. I went to just be with her".
Robby understood and asked "So about this Karate. You sure about this".
Johnny answered "Of course. It's perfect. It's something that you need, and we can do together".
Robby responded, "Sure I wanna learn to punch like that but why do I need it".
Johnny answered "You know that chick Ali I was talking about. Well, it really helped me out with her. She loved watching me whack some dorks nose in".
Robby said "So, this is about getting girls".
Johnny answered "Exactly. At your age, it's all I thought about. And I know that withy just a little bit of this, you knock ever other guy out of the water. And I've seen the losers that girls have to choose between from these guys. You'll have your pick". Robby accepted this and Johnny drove Robby back home.
As they arrived Robby said "Bye dad. Thanks for the day out".
Robby got out of the car and Johnny called out "Robby. I'll call you. We're going to do this together I promise".
Robby saw that his dad was actually excited for once and wanted to do this. The first time he actually wanted to be in his life and was happy about it. Robby knew this was legitimate and going to happen. And he was happy to spend time with his dad. Robby responded, "See you then". Johnny got back in his car and knew that this was a turning point in not only him and his son's relationship but a turning point in his life. He would make his mother proud and be the man she knew he could always be.
Daniel arrived home from the Encino Hills country club to see a bunch of cars in his driveway. He was confused by this and enters his pool area to see Samantha and a bunch of her friends in swimming gear and swimming in his pool. Samantha apologises for the party not expecting her parents to be home so soon. Daniel tells her that it's not an excuse and he doesn't want a bunch of strangers in his backyard making a mess. Samantha says they are not strangers but her friends. Daniel then notices that they are all wearing his bathing suits and then notices the boys that were bullying Miguel. Daniel calls out "Hey, it's you".
Kyler exclaims "Shit. It's the old man".
Kyler responds "The one that beat you up. Oh shit".
Kyler retorts "He didn't beat me up. I was going easy on him".
Daniel said "all right, listen up, party's over. Get out. Take off the suits and leave". A boy attempts to take his bathing suit off in front of Daniel and Daniel tells him "Not out here genius. In the pool house. And you guys are never allowed to come back here again. You will stay away from here and my daughter. You hear me".
Samantha exclaimed "Dad".
Amanda went over and said "Daniel. Hey, can I talk to you inside".
Daniel responds "Yeah, did".
Daniel and Amanda went inside, and Amanda thought that Daniel was acting irrationally but Daniel thought he was being a responsible parent. Amanda didn't think embarrassing Samantha in front of her friends was helping. Daniel responded "I don't like these new friends. And some of them are certainly not people she should be around. They were the ones bullying Miguel. She should be at robot camp with Aisha".
Amanda responded "Okay, I agree that she shouldn't hang around those boys. But she doesn't want to be a nerd". Daniel sighed and Amanda said "Look, I remember what it was like being part of a clique that other kids made fun of. Believe me, girls can be really cruel".
Daniel remarked "Not as much as those boys. They look for violence and I don't want Samanth apart of that".
Amanda responded "I agree. But there's nothing wrong with Sam wanting to be popular".
Daniel said "Popular is fine. I just don't want her turning into one of these privileged Encino brats".
Amanda said "Neither do I. And we both agree that Sam needs to stay far away from those boys, but keep throwing her friends out of the house, see where that gets you with your relationship with your daughter".
Brucks flushed the toilet and left. He remarked "Woo. Skinny dips and bong rips". He then noticed Daniel and exclaimed "Woah. It's you dude. The guy that beat Kyler up. You're Sam's dad". He then sniffled and asked "Wait. Where did everybody go".
Daniel cleaned up and put everything in the dojo and noticed that the framed newspaper article about his 1984 all valley victory was on the floor. He remarked that he wished Mr Miyagi was here to give him some of his wisdom right now. He then looks at the photo of him and Samantha when she was his student. He looked at the dojo and remembered training Samantha and reminding her that their first lesson is that Karate is for self-defence only. He then thought about Miguel and whether or not he would need to use this place again to help Miguel defend himself like he taught Samantha. Daniel went to Samantha's room and as he entered, he asked "Sam, you got a sec".
Samantha responded, "Yeah dad".
Daniel said, "I just wanted to say".
Samantha interrupted "No. Look, dad. I'm really sorry about today. I shouldn't have just invited everyone over without asking you and mom first".
Daniel said "Well, maybe I overreacted a little. Well, maybe more than a little, okay. Just, please". Daniel sat on the bed and said "Stay away from those guys. They're not people I'm comfortable you hanging out with".
Samantha asked, "Were they really the ones that were bullying that boy and tried to hurt you".
Daniel answered "Yeah".
Samantha said "I'll stay away from them. They're not worth my time. Anyone that bullies others is not a good person to hang out with, and they tried to hurt my dad. I don't want to be anywhere near them. I even stopped texting Kyler".
Daniel said, "The main one".
Samantha answered "Yeah".
Daniel said "Good. He's not good enough for you".
Samantha exclaimed "Dad".
Daniel responded "What. I'm just saying. You can do far better. In fact, nobody is good enough for my little girl".
Samantha responded, "I have to date someone eventually".
Daniel said light-hearted "Who told you, you have to do that. You don't have to date any boy".
Samantha said, "You don't want me dating any boy".
Daniel admitted "Okay, I don't want you dating any boy".
Samantha said lightly "Dad".
Daniel said, "I just love you".
Samantha responded, "I love you to".
Daniel and Samantha hugged, and Daniel asked, "You still okay with showing that boy Miguel around school".
Samantha answered "Of course. It's hard being the new kid and if he was getting bullied even before school then someone needs to be nice to him".
Daniel responded, "That's my girl". He then said, "Good night" and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
Samantha responded, "Night dad".