Heavenly Fighter, Bowie. Episode 1 "Simplicity"

[Ryu (non-working password]

This is a little jumbled pasting it...but it's okay. The original script has colored font to indicate flashback scenes and my narration of story. Hope you like this. Give me your thoughts. Make some pop-corn, and enjoy reading. I will have to break it up into 3 or 4 parts...sorry.


Heavenly Fighter, Bowie.
Episode 1
“Simplicity”
Bowie, a monk in training, is the expression of my feelings. As a philosophy student,
wrestler, and JKD instructor, I feel this series will hopefully spark some thought of the humanity
of mankind, and our duty to each other, in the minds of young and old alike...

Opening Theme
(Inside a Chinese temple, Bowie, a shaven-headed monk in training, makes his way to his
old master and mentor, Old Man Kong. Kong nods as he notices Bowie’s presence.)

Kong: Bowie, please enter.

Bowie: (Bowing) Am I really to be leaving, Master?

Kong: You cannot stay here any longer.

Bowie: (confused) But why, Master? Have I not kept to the training you have given me?

Kong: You have...
(It is my idea to show brief scenes of Bowie’s departure from the temple, and wonderings of afar
in between this conversation. As if this conversation is a memory in Bowie’s mind.)
Bowie: Have I not done all you have told me? Have I not devoted my training to the lessons and
movements you have taught?

Kong: You have...
(Another brief scene)
Bowie: Then why must I leave you , Master? What have I done wrong?

Kong: You must leave because you are right, not wrong.

Bowie: Master, I don’t understand.

Kong: If you understood all at this moment, Bowie, you would be a very pale man indeed.
Understanding is your responsibility, as is your training.

Bowie: My training?!
(One last scene)
Bowie: But I want to train with you! Why must I go?

Kong: Why do you want me to train you?

Bowie: To show me the “truth”, Master...

Kong: I have no “truth” to give you. I can merely point you in the direction you may find it for
yourself. This is why you must leave now, Bowie. You must find the truth of your training.
Only you can discover your own ignorance, I cannot.

Bowie: (dumbfounded) M-Master...

Kong: (returning to his chambers and closing the door) I can teach you no more, Bowie.
Now you must discover the cause of your own chaos. Please leave now, you are no longer
allowed in the temple. (Door closes)

Bowie: (shocked) Master?....MASTER!!...
(The last word echoes through the walls of the now silent temple.)
Next Scene:
(Bowie, with nothing more than a black T-shirt and jeans, and a duffle bag slung over his
shoulder, arrives in a small town 50 miles from his beloved temple. Everyone is strange, and look
at him with untrusting expressions.)
Bowie: (scratching his bald head) ‘No more to teach me,’ my foot...Master, I doubt myself. You
knew that. How could you cast me from the temple?
(A young woman approaches him, she seems unafraid and almost aggressive.)
Young Woman: Who are you?! State your purpose here!

Bowie: (bewildered) Huh? Are you talking to me?

Young Woman: Of course I’m talking to you! Do you see anyone else here? What business do
you have in this town?

Bowie: I don’t have any business. I’m looking for a place to stay for the night. Do you know of
any?

Young Woman: My name is Li Mei Wang. I’m the guardian of this town so if you’re here to
cause any trouble be warned that you’ll have to deal with me and the other fighters who reside
here.

Bowie: (wide-eyed) Beg your pardon?

Li Mei: You heard me. There’s an inn up the corner street. You can eat there as well. Behave
yourself. I’ll be watching...
(Li Mei disappears into the crowds of people, leaving a dumbfounded Bowie to simply blink his
eyes in bewilderment. Bowie shakes his head and moves towards the corner street.)
Bowie: The people here are nuts. It’s not been more than three minutes and already I am
offending people. Master, forgive me, I simply cannot understand your reasoning with this...
(Bowie enters the inn at corner street, and is seated by the waiter of a small restaurant inside.)
Waiter: How can I take your order, Sir? I hope you’re quite hungry.

Bowie: Famished. I just got here.

Waiter: Really? Where are you from?

Bowie: Kong’s Temple. About 50 miles from here.

Waiter: (surprised) Kong’s Temple?? You must be an exceptional fighter!

Bowie: (hiding his skills) I only know a little.

Waiter: Well maybe you can use that little knowledge to help us out with the ruffians that keep
harrassing this town.

Bowie: (curious) Ruffians? Is one of them a young woman named Li Mei Wang? I think I
already ran into her.

Waiter: (almost offended) Li Mei? No, Sir, she is a godsend to this town! The thugs I am
referring to call themselves Devil Cloud, and they are a bunch of bandits with no remorse for their
actions. They steal from us, terrorize our residents, and there is even rumors about kidnapping
plots.

Bowie: (eyebrows cross at the word) Kidnapping plots? What for?

Waiter: Money, ransom, some sick form of pleasure. That is why Li Mei is here. Her sister was
taken a while back by Devil Cloud. Unfortunately, it was too late when Li Mei arrived to rescue
her. Her sister was thrown from a cliff to her death. Li Mei has never forgiven or forgotten.

Bowie: So that’s why she seemed so angry...(angered) How dare they do such a thing! But Li
Mei Wang is training only for the sake of revenge?

Waiter: It’s all she lives for...
(Bowie recalls one of Kong’s lessons...)
Bowie: Master, how can I fight if I am not angry? There is much to be angry about!

Kong: It is right to be angry at evil things. One who shows no empathy to ones who suffer nor
anger towards the evils that create it is living a life more evil than evil itself.

Bowie: Then my anger for evil shall guide my training!

Kong: No! You do not grasp the concept if that is what you think.

Bowie: But, Master...

Kong: In combat one should turn into a doll made of wood. It has no ego, it thinks nothing. This
is not to say that we do not have passions that drive us to win, but we must control our emotions
in a fight, for otherwise we lose control of ourselves in the moment. The spirit is no doubt the
controlling agent of our existence. This invisible seat controls every movement in whatever
external situation arises. It is thus, to be extremely mobile, never stopping in any place at any
moment. Preserve this state of spiritual freedom and non-attatchment as soon as you assume the
fighting stance. Be ‘master of the house’, Bowie...
(Back to reality)
Bowie: She’s a prisoner of her own emotions...

Waiter: (questioning the statement) What’s that?

Bowie: Li Mei Wang. I understand her anger, and I agree with it...but she can’t fight if she lets it
engulf her.

Waiter: She has been training to meet them. Her style is incredible! How can you say that?

Bowie: I hope she is okay when the time comes...

Waiter: Li Mei has the most incredible kicks I have ever seen! She’ll be fine against those damn
thugs. Hey, by the way, how high can you kick?

Bowie: I don’t know, I’ve never been attacked by a man on stilts.

Waiter: (disappointed) Can you break ten stone slabs with your hand or foot? (hopeful)

Bowie: I’d probably break my hand and foot.

Waiter: ...You are sure you’re from Kong’s Temple?
Bowie: I hope so! If not this has all been a pretty mean prank! (smiles)

Waiter: Oh, sir, I still have not taken your order! My apologies. What will it be?

Bowie: That’s okay. Just some dumplings and rice please. And tea.

Waiter: I’ll bring it right out for you. Thank you, Sir.

Bowie: (nods politely) Thanks for the conversation.

[Ryu (non-working password]

(As Bowie’s food is brought out, Li Mei Wang enters the inn’s restaurant. Her black hair is tied
back in a long braid. Seeing Bowie, she approaches his table.)
Bowie: Li Mei Wang? Nice to see you again. While you were yelling at me, I didn’t get a chance
to tell you my name. I’m Bowie.

Li Mei: A pleasure. Keeping yourself out of trouble I assume? (her tone is not too trusting)

Bowie: I’m not a member of Devil Cloud is that’s what you had in mind.

Li Mei: (sits down) How do you know that name?

Bowie: The waiter told me the story. You’re pretty famous.

Li Mei: You’ll have to excuse my suspicious nature. (her face is stern) A bald-headed muscle
man doesn’t exactly fit my description of an innocent villager just passing by. Are you going to
tell me who you really are, or are you going to lie to me again? (she crosses her legs and arms)

Bowie: (stares ahead of her) I am a monk in training. My home was Kong’s Temple.
Li Mei: What?! (terribly surprised) I’m sorry...I ...I had no idea. What are you doing this far from
the temple?

Bowie: I’d like to know that myself. My master banished me from the temple.

Li Mei: What did you do??

Bowie: I completed my training. Now I must find my own way. My ‘way’ of fighting...

Li Mei: And what way is that?

Bowie: (thinking) I don’t know for sure...

Li Mei: That’s an interesting story...(sneakily pushing a tea cup to the edge of the table)...but how
can I truly be sure you’re telling me the truth?
(The cup drops suddenly. Bowie scoops it up in one swift and natural motion before it can drop
to the ground.)
Li Mei: (nodding with a smile) Very good. If you truly are a temple monk, please join my cause.

Bowie: You mean fighting Devil Cloud?

Li Mei: Their leader is who I want. Dragon. He is the one who killed my sister. Now I will kill
him.

Bowie: Do you have the skills to do that?

Li Mei: Would you like to test me? If I can spar with a Kong Temple disciple then I know I am
ready to deal with the likes of Devil Cloud!

Bowie: How do you fight?

Li Mei: My style is the Southern Crane Leg. No one can get past my feet. (cocky smile)

Bowie: (with a boyish smile) Well then you have nothing to worry about do you?

Li Mei: (more serious) Show me some of your kung fu.

Bowie: We’re in a public restaurant!

Li Mei: Just do it. Show me something you know.
(Bowie munches on some dumplings and reaches into his pocket. Pulling out his wallet, he tosses
it without warning to Li Mei, who fumbles with it briefly before getting a better grip.)
Bowie: You need to be more direct. To catch that you must move naturally. Don’t think of how
you will catch it, just let your hands strike out. That is simplicity.

Li Mei: (embarrassed) What?! You threw a wallet at my face! What does that have to do with
fighting?

Bowie: Fighting is simple and total. If you want to fight you have to understand that simplicity is
the last step of art and the beginning of nature...at least that’s what my master said.

Li Mei: That’s nonsense! (accusing) If you use simple moves in a fight you’ll be countered easily
and beaten! What kind of fool do you take me for??
Bowie: How can you block a strike if you can’t even catch a wallet tossed to you?

Li Mei: (feeling mocked) I don’t have to take this. You don’t want to help me, fine. But don’t
make fun of me! (Li Mei gets up and storms away from Bowie’s table)

Bowie: (faltering) I wasn’t trying to... (Li Mei doesn’t hear and moves to the exit. Bowie places
his head on the table.) Another shining example of your suave way with women, Bowie...oh well,
who cares, anyway?
(A loud shriek brings Bowie’s head snapping up to position!)
Woman’s voice: Devil Cloud! Devil Cloud has come!
(There is commotion among the restaurant goers. Bowie stands up to catch a glimpse of Li Mei
calling to him from the front)
Li Mei: Follow me outside if you want to see some real fighting! Let me show you MY style, the
Southern Crane Leg! We don’t worry about catching trinkets in the air, but we do overcome our
enemies with fury and speed! Feel honored, Bowie from Kong’s Temple, you are about to
witness the skills of Li Mei Wang of the Southern Crane style! (Li Mei charges outside the
restaurant almost taking the door from its hinges. Her eyes burn with vigor and rage.)

Bowie: (calling out) Li Mei! Wait! Don’t charge in blindly!
Next Scene
(outside the inn)
(Members of Devil Cloud are trying to extort money from a local merchant seller. A
large, muscular man acting as ring leader looks on. A small crowd has gathered.)
Devil Cloud Member: What do you mean you don’t have our money?

Merchant: (scared to death) I already told you. My sales are down, I have barely enough money
to buy food. Please you have to understand. (almost crying)
Devil Cloud Member: Oh we understand. (group laughs) We understand you think you can hold
out on us.

Merchant: No it’s not like that, I swear!
(Li Mei interrupts them with a confident voice.)
Li Mei: I see the cowards of Devil Cloud need mass numbers even to bully an elderly man. Afraid
you won’t be able to beat him one on one?
(The ring leader turns to her, and approaches.)
Ring Leader: My name is Yin, the Phoenix. Nothing you can do to me will effect my body. You
must be the sister of Pak Wang...

Li Mei: I’m Li Mei Wang, and it was your leader, Dragon, who killed my sister. I’ve come for his
head. If you don’t tell me where he is I’ll take yours as well.

Yin: (snickers) That’s a mighty challenge. Are you willing to back up your words?

Li Mei: Come test me. (smiles)

[Ryu (non-working password]

(Three of Devil Cloud’s members laughingly approach Li Mei. Without warning the fight
begins. Li Mei leaps into the group kicking in three seperate directions, one kick after the other,
while still airborn. The three of them collide with the hard ground. From a distance, Bowie looks
on concerned for Li Mei’s safety, but impressed with her skills. Another member attacks Li Mei
with a flying kick, but is knocked down, like the others, by Li Mei’s lightning fast feet. Yin grows
angry at the sight.)

Yin: Enough! (the fighting stops) She’s mine. Let me handle her.

Li Mei: (with a stern face) Where’s your leader?
(Yin, the muscled bandit, attacks her at once. Li Mei dodges his strikes
and fires a spinning kick towards him. Yin ducks it, and counters with a punch which Li Mei
blocks. She fires off another fast kick, but misses her target as Yin once again moves out of the
way. This time he comes in with a more simple punch, knocking Li Mei back a few steps. She
clutches her stomach, and stares angrily at him, trying hard not to show her now heavy breathing.)

Yin: Your legs are fast, and very pretty. It’s a shame they have no sting to me.

Li Mei: (enraged) Let me show you just how much sting I possess! (screams a war cry as she
charges)
(Li Mei leaps high into the air and kicks Yin squarely on the jaw. His heels slightly slide
backwards, but his massive body is unhurt. Li Mei switches tactics and strikes with circular fist
strikes followed by a flipping front kick that catches Yin’s chin. Still he comes towards her
unphased! Yin grabs hold of Li Mei’s collar and roughly pulls her to and fro in a show of
superior power. She tries to knock away his large arm, but cannot. Then, trapping it to her body,
she sends a hooking kick into his stomach and then face, breaking the hold. She’s out of breath
now, and breathing very heavily.)

Yin: (Noticing her fatigue) What is your most advanced technique?

Li Mei: (panting) I want Dragon...Give him to me!

Yin: Dragon is not to be insulted with weakness such as yours.

Li Mei: Bastard! I’ve been holding back up until this point....prepare yourself.


Yin: Ah I see. Well then show me. What is your most advanced technique?

Li Mei: (getting into an aesthetic stance) The Spinning Phoenix Gale! Watch and die!
(Li Mei charges in a fury and launches herself upside down to deliver a spinning
reverse kick that misses Yin. She follows it with a second and third kick that connect
and drive Yin backwards with a snarl. He blocks the fourth strike, steps to the side and
slams Li Mei to the ground below. Dazed, she tries to find the strength to stand. Yin
again grabs her by her tunic collar, and shakes her back and forth. Slamming a fist into
her stomach again and again, Yin watches as she finally falls for one last time to the gruond
below. She tries to rise, but cannot move.)
Yin: (laughing histarically) Another trophy for Devil Cloud! Grab her...(to his men)
(Two Devil Cloud members pick Li Mei to her feet, holding her arms fast
behind her back. One covers her mouth with his gnarled hand to muffle her enraged
outcry... Seeing this, Bowie’s blood begins to feel as if it is on fire! A memory of
the temple explodes into his mind...)
Bowie: Master I do not like to see women in danger of pain or humiliation.
Am I a sexist man?

Kong: Why do you feel so strongly about this? You’ve mentioned it before.

Bowie: I don’t know...

Kong: Do you feel this way because you think women weaker than you?

Bowie: No, Master. I am the one who is weak. Not them.


Kong: Do you feel they are beneath you? Requiring some kind of protection?

Bowie: Of course not, Master... My heart is pained by such sights. I can’t explaing...

Kong: Just women?

Bowie: No, Master...

Kong: Then who?

Bowie: All people...

Kong: Then you have answered your own question. Listen to your heart in this matter...
(Back to reality)
(Bowie moves angrily through the horrified crowd and addresses all of Devil Cloud.)
Bowie: Hey! Over here!
(all eyes fall on him)
Bowie: How dare you put your hands on her! Leave her alone.

Yin: (confused, but humored) And you are?

Bowie: My name is simply Bowie.
(Yin approaches, and grabs Bowie’s collar in the same manner he did to Li Mei.
Bowie does nothing and only stares at him with his arms hung casually at his sides.)
Yin: More kung fu? Good, I have not had my laughter for the day. Your pretty techniques don’t
work on me.

(Li Mei struggles in the grasp of Devil Cloud, but cannot break free. They force her to
watch Yin’s attempted intimidation of Bowie. Her rage is met with apologetic sorrow for
dragging the newcome into the fray. Yin begins to pull Bowie to and fro by his collar. His face
comes withing inches of Bowie’s.)
Yin: What is your most advanced technique? (laughs under his breath) Let me see it.
(Li Mei once again tries to come to Bowie’s aid, but cannot free herself from the
outnumbereing captives holding her. She watches, frantically, the scene before her.
Being pulled, Bowie goes with the force of Yin’s jerking motions, and suddenly drives a hard
headbutt into the face of the muscled bandit! There is no wasted motion, no fancy moves...
Yin, caught unaware of Bowie’s incredible strength, feels his body start to gel. He tries to focus
his watering eyes, but cannot. Yin, then crashes to the ground just in front of Bowie’s feet,
unconcious. Devil Cloud is in a stunned awe. Their ring leader lies motionless at the feet of a
mysterious newcomer with just one hit! Li Mei cannot help but stare flabbergasted at Bowie...)
Bowie: (again repeating his order) Now let her go...I said now!
(Devil Cloud releases Li Mei in shocked obedience. Li Mei throws one to the ground as
the others frantically retreat into the mountains beyond.)
Bowie: (unsure of himself) Are you okay?
(Li Mei just stares ahead towards the mountain range, not looking at Bowie. Devil Cloud
has retreated. She looks down at the unconscious body of Yin, the Phoenix. Then she looks
directly into Bowie’s eyes with a stern expression.)
Li Mei: Now ....will you help me?
(Bowie lets the cool breeze massage his bald head for a moment. He stares
towards the mountain and desert regions.)
Li Mei: All these people here are in danger unless we stop Devil Cloud.

Bowie: And your revenge?

Li Mei: This is no longer about revenge...I serve my sister’s memory and the people who live in
this town.

Bowie: (pauses) I’ll help you, Li Mei.




Commercial Break

[Ryu (non-working password]

Next Scene
(Bowie and Li Mei, packs strapped to their backs, walk the desert in search of Devil
Cloud’s nomadic gang. As the wind blows, Li Mei turns to Bowie.)
Li Mei: That was quite an exhibition back there. I guess I owe you a big ‘thank you.’

Bowie: You don’t owe me anything. You shouldn’t need a reason to help people.

Li Mei: Thank you anyway. I’m not good at saying it.

Bowie: I’m just glad you’re okay. I’m glad I’m okay!

Li Mei: I guess I should have taken the wallet lesson a little more seriously.

Bowie: I got lucky. Yin was careless. He might have even been a better fighter than me...

Li Mei: (interrupting) Somehow I doubt that...

Bowie: (shrugs) I don’t know. I never gave him the chance to find out. He was overconfident,
and I was able to intercept the fight right away.

Li Mei: You said in the restaurant you didn’t know what your style was. I don’t understand how
you can’t.

Bowie: It’s not that I’m not aware of my skills or attributes. I am the style. I respect all styles,
but am bound by none. I express the style, not the other way around.

Li Mei: (thinking on his words) So you are rejecting style itself?
Bowie: Someone who rejects style without understanding it or absorbing it is fooling himself. I
have no style only because I understand the style. To reject without first understanding is
ignorance.

Li Mei: That’s humble.

Bowie: That’s the teachings of Kong Temple.

Li Mei: Absorb, understand...

Bowie: We are in a constant state of learning. Absorb what is useful, reject what is truly useless,
and add what is essentially your own.

Li Mei: (changing the subject) Bowie...
(Bowie looks at her)
Li Mei: This isn’t going to be an easy fight...

Bowie: (smiles) We’ll work together.
(Bowie and Li Mei finally come to the outskirts of what looks like the used camp site of
Devil Cloud.)
Bowie: Is this Devil Cloud?

Li Mei: They’ve used this site. It doesn’t look like they’re ready to leave yet. That means where
ever they are they will be coming back or not too far up ahead. Bowie, we have time. I want to
fight Dragon, but if you can...I want you to teach me a move. Something from your ‘no style.’

Bowie: Learning a technique isn’t really enough. Using it through combat is the only way...
Li Mei: I will take my chances.

Bowie: (kneeling in front of her) Come here. Stand behind me, I’ll show you something.
(Li Mei complies)
Bowie: (placing her arm around his neck and throat) Wrap your right arm around my neck with
the crook of your elbow placed against my throat. Make sure your bicep is tight against the side
of my neck, and your forearm tight against the other side. Now reinforce it by grabbing the bicep
of your left arm with your right hand, and place your left forearm and fist behind my head. Don’t
use power, but constric your arms while pulling your shoulder blades back so that they almost
touch...
(Li Mei does so, and Bowie, his face turning a bit red, quickly taps her arm for release.
She does so immediately.)
Bowie: (taking a breath) This stops the flow of blood to the brain by cutting off the carteroid
artery. No matter how resistent someone is to your strikes, no one can stand strong when their
brain doesn’t recieve oxygen. The body shuts down.
( A distant rumbling echoes towards them. Devil Cloud’s horses are approaching the
campsite. Bowie raises to his feet.)
Bowie: Looks like this is it.

Li Mei: Bowie do you have a weapon?! I only have my long sword.

Bowie: (smiles almost humbly) I’ll adapt to what the situation tells me.
(Devil Cloud, upon seeing them, stops in bewilderment. A large man with long hair rides
slowly to the front. His eyes are calm but extremely cruel...)
Dragon: (annoyed) Li Mei Wang. It has been ages since I’ve seen you. Still want my head do
you?

Li Mei: Dragon, you and Devil Cloud will not hurt anyone, anywhere, anymore. I swore I’d put
an end to your group all those years ago. Today I keep my promise.

Dragon: You’re a brave woman. You’d look funny chained up to the walls of my den or back
legs of my horse. I won’t kill you right away. I want to see you like that just once! (laughs)
(Dragon’s ugly words boil Bowie’s blood. His calm face turns quite angry for a brief
second, then returns to an emotionless state. He rushes forward, focusing on Dragon.)
Li Mei: (shouting) Bowie look out!
(Li Mei fights off two armed Devil Cloud bandits as Bowie charges. Surrounded by five
bandits, Bowie stops to assess the situation. They begin to move closer. Li Mei cannot get to
him, and must face two other opponents. As the five bare-fisted bandits outnumber Bowie, he
pulls two small knives from his jeans causing the group to hesitate.)
Bowie: (sternly to his attackers) I do not fight multiple assailants with my bare hands alone...
(Bowie slashes out with his knives, causing the bandits to disperse. They try to come in
again but Bowie zones away making it difficult for them to surround him. One of them strikes out
with a club. Bowie dodges it and strikes the bandit’s hand with his knife. The bandit dropst the
weapon and falls to his knees clutching his cut hand.)
Dragon: (As Bowie approaches) Impressive. You’re a strong man. (Dismounts his horse) You
want me? Well here I am.

Bowie: What you said to Li Mei Wang...Apologize.

Dragon: (humorously dumbfounded) Pardon me? (starts laughing) You rushed all the way over
here to tell me that? (Drops into a fighting stance) I say what I want to women, I do what I want
to people. I take orders from no one.

Bowie: (angered voice) Take back what you said...
Dragon: I take nothing back! (yells a war cry and charges at Bowie)
(Bowie ducks his heavy strike and “shoots” underneath him. Bowie grabs Dragon’s legs
in a wrestler’s double leg takedown, and the force literally knocks Dragon out of one shoe. On
the ground, Bowie mounts Dragon with ease, and headbutts him three times in the face followed
by one elbow.)
Bowie: Take it back!!
(Bandits are coming! Bowie is forced to release Dragon and deal with the numbers of
attackers. Bruised and bleeding from the nose, Dragon stumbles to his feet unsure of what had
just happened. Li Mei, now rushing towards the fray, catches sight of him. Dragon mounts his
horse and shakes his dizzy head. He rushes off leaving his men to finish the battle without him.
Li Mei calls out angered.)
Li Mei: Coward! Come back and fight! (Li Mei leaps onto a horse herself, cracks the reigns, and
gives chase!)
(As she rides past Bowie, she notices him body slam a large bandit onto his shoulders and
head. She calls out frantically.)
Li Mei: Bowie! Dragon’s getting away! I have to go after him!

Bowie: Wait for me! I’ll come with you!

Li Mei: I’ll lose him, there’s no time! Follow us!
(Li Mei rides off into the distance after the man who murdered her sister. Bowie breaks
from the battle and chases after her on foot. The desert winds blow sand to all sides of him.)

[Ryu (non-working password]

Next Scene
(Horse Chase)
(Li Mei, on horseback, soon catches up to Dragon’s fleeing steed. She cracks the reigns
and moves up closer and closer. Dragon throws a dagger towards her, narrowly missing the
pursuing heroine. Side by side now, Li Mei throws a kick out while balancing on her horse that
catches Dragon on the side of the head. He acrobatically tumbles from one side of his horse to
the other and back onto it again. He strikes out with a fist which Li Mei blocks with a natural and
simple motion.)
Li Mei: (yelling above the thundering horses) Give it up! There’s no place for you to run!

Dragon: (loudly) You’re a fool, Li Mei Wang! Your obsession for your sister’s death is playing
right into my hands, can’t you see that?

Li Mei: My only obsession is to see your crimes against humanity come to an end! I swear by my
living breath that time will be now!
(The two fight again on horseback while galloping through the hot desert sands. Dragon
escapes and moves on ahead, with Li Mei close at his tail. Dragon charges his horse in between
the crevice of a large rocky mountain range, and for a moment, Li Mei loses sight of him.
Cursing under her breath, she dismounts and searches for the criminal on foot.)
Next Scene
(Devil Cloud’s secret hideout)
(The rocky mountain side is dark, and as Li Mei examines her surroundings, lanterns and
other objects reveal to her that she has walked into Dragon’s lair. She keeps her senses sharp as
she moves further into the dark underground chambers of the mountain side.)
Li Mei: Dragon, you coward! Are you afraid to show youself to me? Face me now!

Dragon’s voice: (from all around her) You stupid woman. With the help of your friend, you both
might have bested me even on my own turf. Now, you’re far from his help, and you have walked
right into my trap...
(Li Mei’s eyes squint as the hair on the back of her neck begins to rise... Two of Devil
Cloud’s armed members suddenly attack Li Mei out of the blackness! Sommersaulting
backwards, she unsheathes her sword to deal with them. The attackers meet her with complicated
attacks, but Li Mei counters with a straight forward, simple attack, disarming them. She smiles as
the exchange glances. With a swift kick straight into one’s stomach, Li Mei sends her attacker
smashing into the other. Both are knocked out from the force.)
Li Mei: You’ll have to do better than that...(smiles humbly to the direction of Dragon’s voice.)

Dragon: (finally showing himself) Oh I plan to do just that. (knocks Li Mei’s sword from her
hands with a throwing knife.)

Li Mei: I’m not afraid to fight you without a weapon.

Dragon: Then let’s finish this damn vendetta. I guarantee when you awake the first thing you’ll
see is my face laughing over your helpless body! (laughs)
Next Scene
(Li Mei Vs. Dragon!) Act I
(Throwing dirt into Li Mei’s face, Dragon catches her with a heavy boot, but Li Mei
counters nicely with a strong punch that knocks him backwards. The two enemies exchange
blows with neither gaining the upper hand. Dragon is caught suddenly by a headbutt by Li Mei
similar to the one she witnessed Bowie use. The bandit leader falls to the ground! Li Mei, getting
too close, is seized by a scissor-like technique of Dragon’s feet and pulled to the ground with
him.)
Act II (Villian’s upper hand)
Dragon: (bleeding from the mouth) I may not be as good a wrestler as that bald freak that was
with you, but I’ll make you suffer for coming here, Li Mei! (tries to pin Li Mei onto the ground.)

Li Mei: (bleeding from her eyebrow) I might surprise you this time! (reverses Dragon off of her,
and tries to get to her feet.)
(Dragon catches her, and sloppily throws her down to the ground once again. This time
he punches her and gains another top position. Picking her up, Dragon drags Li Mei but
mistakingly leaves his back open to her.)
Act III (Hero turns the fight around)
(Seeing his back slightly turned to her, Li Mei remembers Bowie’s lesson in the desert.
She wraps her right arm around Dragon’s neck, and grabs her left bicep with her right hand.
Placing her left forearm behind Dragon’s head, Li Mei constricts her arms, and pulls her shoulder
blades back to form a potent and suffocating choke! Caught in the hold, Dragon drops on top of
her in hopes of breaking it. Underneath Dragon’s back, Li Mei only tightens the hold, and now
secures her legs around him like a constrictive snake. Gasping for air, Dragon desperately tries to
punch and elbow Li Mei from her superior position. It is to no avail, and with eyes glazed over,
Dragon loses consciousness and falls limp. Humanely, Li Mei does not keep the choke on... She
rises, breathing heavily, and looks down over Dragon’s helpless body.)
Next Scene
(outside)
(Bowie has made it to the rocky ledges of Devil Cloud’s hideout. Climbing up, he notices
Li Mei on the edge of a cliff. She holds Dragon dangling over the side in a re-inactment of the
exact way he killed her sister. Waking up, Dragon realizes his ironic situation. His eyes glare into
the cavern below, and looks back at Li Mei.)
Dragon: (pleading) Li Mei, don’t! Please don’t kill me!
(Bowie calls out to her, but Li Mei tries to shield his voice.)
Li Mei: (to Dragon) Why should I spare the life of an insect like you? You murdered my sister,
terrorized her village, and have done God knows what to other victims...Tell me, Dragon, why
should I let you live?

Bowie: (climbing up to her) Li Mei! Whatever you choose here...it will determine your karma
from here on! Do what you think is right, but be willing to take responsibility for the
consequences!
(Li Mei stares hatefully at Dragon, dangling him like a worm on a hook. She listens to his
pleas. Suddenly, she pulls him back onto solid ground. He falls to his knees in disbelief.)
Dragon: Li Mei, you made the right choice! You...
(Li Mei kicks him in the face before he can finish his pathetic words...)
Li Mei: (interrupting him with her kick) Shut up, you’re going to the authorities...

Bowie: (approaching now) Are you okay, Li Mei?

Li Mei: (staring down at the unconcsious bandit) I’ll be fine. Bowie, I want to go home. This
vendetta is finished.

Bowie: (nodding) I understand. I’m glad it is. Li Mei, don’t worry... your sister is proud of your
decision. (smiles)

Li Mei: (teary-eyed) She doesn't have to suffer anymore. she can move on now...and me too...

(Bowie nods empathetically.)

Li Mei: Let’s go. I hate this place anyway...
Final Scene
(Back in the Village)
(Authorities escort Dragon into a metal vehicle, and move away from the large crowd’s of
spectators. Walking back with the crowds, Li Mei stops and faces Bowie.)
Li Mei: You’re really leaving huh?

Bowie: I have to, Li Mei. I have to continue my search...

Li Mei: To discover the cause of your own ignorance? (smiles) You helped me to discover mine.
Bowie: You are my teacher then. (smiles humbly and bows)

Li Mei: (laughs) And you are too modest, Bowie of Kong’s Temple. Where will you go?

Bowie: (looking out to the distant mountains) I will go where the winds take me. I have a feeling
my search will be a difficult one.

Li Mei: Please take care of yourself, all right? I want you to visit me whenever you have the
chance.

Bowie: (smiling) I promise!
(Bowie begins to move away from the town. Li Mei walks with him until the main
entrance gates. Remembering something, she calls out to him.)
Li Mei: Bowie, wait!

Bowie: (turning back to hear) What is it?

Li Mei: I almost forgot. I have something to give you.

Bowie: (puzzled) Something to give me?

Li Mei: (approaching) I made this when we got back. It’s not much, but I thought it might
symbolize your journey...
(Li Mei hands Bowie a small, hand-made, amulet. It is red and gold, and is shaped in the
form of the yin/yang symbol. On each side lies an arrow, one following the other, in a constant
state of learning and harmony. Bowie is deeply touched.)
Bowie: Li Mei, it’s beautiful.
Li Mei: I’m glad you like it. The yin and yang are limitless. They have no style. No way as the
way...no limitation as the limitation....just like you.

Bowie: I don’t know what to say...(deeply appreciative of the gift) I’ll keep it always.

Li Mei: Say you’ll come back soon! Let me know how you are. (smiles large)

Bowie: I will be back! I promise you! Thank you, Li Mei Wang. Thank you for everything.

Li Mei: It is I who thank you, Bowie from Kong’s Temple. Stay safe! (begins to wave as Bowie
leaves the village. He waves back happily.)

Bowie: Goodbye, Li Mei! Until our paths cross again!

Li Mei: (waving back) Goodbye! I will definately see you again!
(With the final goodbyes, Bowie, duffle bag in hand, walks into the distant sun as it begins
to set over the vast land. His strides are confident, yet humble. Soon, Bowie can no longer be
seen from the village of Li Mei Wang of the Southern Crane style...)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Episode! (preview of scenes)

Narrator: Bowie arrives in a strange land to find a mysterious woman, whom the people call
“Kune” appearing only by moonlight. She does not show her face, and appears like a ghost in the
night to protect the innocent from an even stranger evil. Her skills match even those of Bowie,
and with a mysterious weapon never before seen by man, the motives of the ghostly figure are
anything but certain! Who is this mysterious woman named “Kune”, and what interest does she
have with Bowie of Kong’s Temple?? Find out next time on “Heavenly Fighter, Bowie.” Episode
2, “A woman called ‘Fist’.”

............ END CREDITS

[Ryu (non-working password]

Damn, that was hard work......

Please enjoy it for what it is

Take care,
Ryu

[Ronin]

Ryu:

Good job! The story flowed nicely, and the combat scenes were well-described. It reminded me of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", which should have won the damn Oscar.

Small criticisms:

At one point in the story you had a flashback scene where Bowie remembered his master's lesson. It interrupted the narrative a little too long. I think it was in the restaurant where Bowie was talking to the waiter. You might want to trim that a bit.

The final goodbye between Bowie and Li Mei seemed a little long too.

Other than that, it was great. Keep up the good work!

[Ryu (non-working password]

Ronin, thank you for taking the time to read all that, and giving me your thoughts! I appreciate it very much.
I may have to trim it down anyway because it might be a hair too long for a half-hour slot anyway (time alloted for commercial, etc)

Thanks again!

Ryu

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

I read it. I really enjoyed it. The two knives that Bowie had, it reminded me of you. You always carry two lockback knives with you correct?? And the fighting style Bowie had, the same as yours! Ground and pound! Bowie being real angry at the mistreatment of woman, just like you.

Its pretty cool to see a cartoon character molded after your own image Ryu. Whether you intended it or not, I like it because it adds a "personal" touch to the story. What makes Bowie really stand out is the fact of his mannerisms and fighting style are down to earth and gritty compared to his female friend. I like the theme of an Old western molded with the classical chinese village. Its pretty cool. Also, maybe if you are going to make a series of this, you would maybe write a story of his training in the temple and his childhood?? Thats what I really wanted to find out because I couldnt really feel for Bowie despite all his noble characterisitcs. Probably because I didnt know anything about him and i still dont really know...

[Ryu (non-working password]

YeLLa TiGeR, thanks for the comments. I really appreciate what you wrote. Bowie is kind of a representation of my emotions, and physical skills, etc.
(and yep you're right I do carry two lockback knives with me wherever I go usually )

The childhood comment got me thinking about his experiences prior to the temple, and during it, etc. I think in the next few stories to come, I'll definately deal with that. After all, you have to know the "human" aspect of where a guys is coming from right?

Thanks again for your comments, I'm glad you really liked it!

Keep the responses coming everyone. Let me know what you think. What about the JKD philosophy woven into the story itself? Fit okay?

Take care,
Ryu

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

The JKD aspect fits very well. Maybe waaaay later in the series the fighting styles of all the characters can resemble more of a MMA or JKD style. The teachings of the old man remind me of Bruce Lee's Tao of JKD.

[Ronin]

On the other hand, Y.T., the fact that you want to know more about the character means that Ryu has done a good job of making you care about the character.

It's probably good to keep an air of mystery surrounding your character, and then reveal his origin through flashbacks, as Ryu as doing.

I like the technique.

[Ryu (non-working password]

If anyone else can give me any feedback it would be appreciated.

Ryu

[aseepish]

Ryu,

Well written! I could see the action in my mind's eye as it unfolded.

Some suggestions:

-perhaps use the tavern scene to introduce some other characters.

- Use the waiter character for more comic relief - as Bowie has his flash back the waiter can be going on and on about some kind of nonsense or the menu or something.

Give me a chance to read through it again and I'll see what I can come up with...

Tony

[MikeJKD]

Ryu,
I don't really know you, but I wanted to throw in my two cents because I think your project is a great idea. I've done some acting, and a lot of writing, and you should know that your story is really good. The characters are well described, and even though you're dealing with a lot of material that's considered cliche', you avoided most of the common traps. It's cool to see so much of what Bruce said in a script, and everyone else's praise is well deserved. One minor criticism, though, and that's be careful when writing dialogue. So many screenwriters put together dialog that reads well, but sounds unnatural when spoken. Some of the best advice that was ever given to me was simply to write the same way you would talk when speaking to a friend. I submitted article after article to various magazines before I took that advice, and nothing was printed. When I started being less concerned with grammar and "correctness," I started communicating better, and I've had six articles published (four with Black Belt) and five more on the way. Also, as a former actor, I can tell you that a lot of dialog gets changed in production so that it flows better, and that can piss you off as the writer if you have spent a lot of your heart, time, and soul in creating a script that you want to come to life. So by all means, keep it up. I'd love to see this on TV (or at the movies??). Just try to write with a focus on the way your characters will say the lines rather than on how well the lines read on paper. Bravo, and keep us posted.
Mike