SETTING: Wu Shi Academy, Earthrealm. Present Day

SCENE: Training Circle, Midday

(Fade in) Liu Kang readies himself in a combative stance, eyeing his sparring partner Po. Po nervously readies himself, breathing heavily. Po takes a couple of steps to the side, then attempts a right jab at Liu Kang, who effortlessly blocks it with his left hand. Po quickly takes a step backwards, his face filled with anxiety. Liu Kang stares Po down, slowly walking sideways to the left. Po reciprocates, walking to the right. Po takes a step forward and attempts another jab, but Liu Kang blocks it with his right hand, then counters it with his elbow, hitting Po in the chest.

Po moans slightly as he touches his chest. Liu Kang takes a couple of steps backwards, never leaving his stance. Po regains himself, then attempts t w o strikes, one with each hand. Liu Kang blocks the first strike with his left forearm and the second with his right hand. He then attempts to strike Po with a left jab, but Po avoids it by pivoting to the right. Liu Kang smiles briefly in surprise. Po attempts a strike to right side of Liu Kang's abdomen , but Liu Kang blocks it with his arm . He then issues a low jab with his left hand , striking Po in the stomach.

As Po begins to grunt in pain, Liu Kang proceeds to issue two more strikes to Po's chest, and then trips Po with a leg sweep. Liu Kang crouches and feigns a punch at Po to the face. Po shrieks in fear.

Po: (quickly and with a stutter ) Wait! Stop, please! Don't hurt me!

Liu Kang utters a short laugh. He then grabs Po by the arm and helps him off of the ground. Po's look of fear remains constant. Liu Kang looks to Po and smiles.

Liu Kang: (softly) It was never any intention of mine to hurt you.

Po: ( hesitantly) Well, you did.

Liu Kang: My apologies, then. I only wish to help.

Po lowers his head in embarrassment, but Liu Kang slowly lifts Po's head back up by his chin. As Liu Kang lowers his hand, Po looks to him. He then begins to slightly massage his stomach where he was struck.

Po: ( in a whine ) You hit really hard.

Liu Kang laughs heartily then places an arm around Po's shoulders. Po chuckles softly.

Liu Kang: (smiling) So I've been told. I guess I should know my own strength.

Bo' Rai Cho: (from a distance) It is not your strength you must know...

Po and Liu Kang turn around to see Master Bo' Rai Cho standing outside the entrance to the academy's dojo, at the far end of the training circle. He holds his bo staff in his left hand. A huge smile graces Bo' Rai Cho's face.

Bo' Rai Cho: ( from a distance) ...but your weakness!

Po begins to smile in excitement of seeing Bo' Rai Cho. He then waves excessively.

Po: (shouting gaily) Hello, Master Bo' Rai Cho!

Bo' Rai Cho, still smiling, softly waves back at Po.

Bo' Rai Cho: Hello, to you as well! Run along, now!

Po happily runs towards the dojo, and Liu Kang watches contently. Once at the entrance to the dojo, Po takes a brief glance at Bo' Rai Cho before entering. After Po is out of sight, Bo' Rai Cho steps onto the training circle and walks towards Liu Kang, using his bo staff to aide himself.

Bo' Rai Cho (while walking) You displayed an excellent skill of combat, Liu.

Liu Kang: Thank you, Master Bo' Rai Cho. It means a lot to me that-

Bo' Rai Cho: (interrupting Liu Kang) When it came to your hands.

Bo' Rai Cho ceases his walk, now standing directly in front Liu Kang. A look of confusion grows on Liu Kang's face.

Bo' Rai Cho: Are your hands the only things you know about yourself?

Liu Kang: (hesitantly) I'm not sure what you mean by that, Master Bo' Rai Cho.

Bo' Rai Cho: Really? Well then, tell me. When your opponent advances for a strike, how do you avoid contact?

Liu Kang shrugs slightly.

Liu Kang: I block it.

Bo' Rai Cho: (with a look of shock) Really? You avoid contact by making contact? This I must see.

Bo' Rai Cho positions himself then taps his staff on the floor two times. Liu Kang watches Bo' Rai Cho with a look of puzzlement. Bo' Rai Cho eyes Liu Kang.

Bo' Rai Cho: Now, avoid my strike.

While still eyeing Liu Kang, Bo' Rai Cho quickly swings his right fist towards Liu Kang's face. Liu Kang blocks it with his right hand. Just as quickly, Bo' Rai Cho moves only his left hand launches his staff to Liu Kang's stomach, issuing a great deal of pain. Liu Kang shouts in agony as he falls to the floor of the training circle, holding his stomach. Bo' Rai Cho looks down at Liu Kang with a feigned look of surprise.

Bo' Rai Cho: (mockingly) Well what do you know? You failed to avoid my strike.

Liu Kang looks up to Bo' Rai Cho, still holding his stomach.

Liu Kang: (breathing abnormally) What the hell was that!?

Bo' Rai Cho: (nonchalantly) My strike.

Liu Kang shuts his eyes tightly as he winces in pain. Bo' Rai Cho takes a few steps to the right.

Bo' Rai Cho: You cannot avoid contact with contact. It is redundant! Your own physical interaction poses a constant threat. When you make contact, you immediately become vulnerable. In the heat of combat, quick yet wise decisions must be made. Because you chose to block the first strike, you left yourself open for the second. However, had you (emphasis) moved (end emphasis)...

Bo' Rai Cho simulates a dodge, pivoting to the left. He then regains a normal stand.

Bo' Rai Cho: ...you would have been out of range, removing the potential for the second strike. In the end, you would have avoided both.

Liu Kang begins to stand again, the pain in his stomach receding. He looks to Bo' Rai Cho with slight frustration.

Liu Kang: So, you're saying blocking is useless?

Bo' Rai Cho: No! What I am saying is...

Bo' Rai Cho steps forward to Liu Kang. The two are nearly nose to nose.

Bo' Rai Cho: (softly) Doing something is not always the right answer. Sometimes, you have to do nothing, and simply get out of harm's way.

Liu Kang: (inquisitively ) So instead of blocking or striking (pauses) you want me to do nothing? Isn't that a bit cowardice?

Bo' Rai Cho: Actually, it can be the wisest decision you ever make.

Bo' Rai Cho softly pats Liu Kang on the shoulder, then turns and walks away. Liu Kang watches him briefly , then ponders Bo' Rai Cho's words. (Fade out)

Author : Goshous

Creation date: 2014-6-17-15-34

Modification date: 2014-6-17-15-44