Footsteps Episode #4 "Asian Influences" By Nikko Nguyen

EXT. DOWNTOWN - DAY NICK age 19 walks next to TIM age 20 through downtown streets. Nick holds a bag of subway sandwiches in his hand. They turn into an open area with Asian sculptures and artwork. Tim takes a seat on a stone bench. TIM Yeaaaa. This; THIS is the spot, I can just feel it. NICK Im not sure we can just eat and smoke here at our leisure dude. This looks like a shrine or a temple or something. TIM Fuck that! Weve been exploring this city for hours man! I deserve a few well earned comforts! From a building that stands in the middle of this sepereated area, a man wearing orange robes walks out and approaches the boys. Tim takes out a cigarette and begins smoking it. MONK Excuse me sure, but we do not allow smoking in this area. The gardens are for public accass and enjoyment to all parties, but if you wish to smoke, we kindly ask that you smoke on the curb before entering the temple grounds. Nick looks at the monk who they bow towards each other. Then back at Tim in a sort of uneasy fashion. Tim just stares blankly at the monk. TIM If its free to the public, then why can I not enjoy the gardens in the fashion of that which I choose? In fact, I should entitled to smoke here! Public access means public usage right? well then Im gonna do whatever the fuck I want! Im gonna sit here, smoke a stoagie, (grabs the sandwich bag from Nick) and (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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TIM (contd) enjoy my delicious meatball sandwhich! Nick just sighs, grabs a cigarette from the open carton in Tims hand and walks to the curb where he watches and listens from the sidewalk. The monk looks at Nick in irritation and Nick just shrugs back. NICK Hes on a roll man, Im not gonna stop him! Nick turns around and faces the street. NICK Good luck though! The Monk turns back to Tim and takes a long second to gather himself. And then with a swift look directly in Tims eyes, responds. MONK For an intellectual, such as yourself, who seems well versed in the matters of argumantation and confrontation, why is it you insist on smoking in the first place? TIM (Chuckling) Let me put it this way, it calms an already pissed off force of nature. It keeps me level headed, and keeps me from getting more pissed off at the world then I already am. Reagrdless, who in the hell are you to question why I smoke monk? MONK To have dependency and habituation on an act that will surely kill you, is never any reason to grow confrontational in a place of peace and tranquility. The mere fact that we are discussing where you wish to smoke is much of a waste of time compared to the broader spectrum of the issue. Remember this my young philosopher, that to subject the body to poison will surely remove (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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MONK (contd) ones path towards enlightenment. As the buddha once said, the body is a temple with health as the greatest gift, Contenment the greatest wealth, and Faithfulness the best relationship. TIM (Aggressivley) I appreciate your concern, monk, but my body is mine own to take care of thanks, and I will do with it what I will. I moved out of my parents home for a reason, and if I had wanted a lesson, I would have gont to the internet, or some other more valuable source. However, all these aggressions aside, why do you insist on providing me with your wisdom and philosophy? I didnt ask for it, nor did I ask for your solicitation of my rights as a human being to pursue happiness. If I want to smoke, Im going to smoke, and theres nothing anyone can say about that. If I wanted your opinion on smoking, I would have asked for it as well. Now excuse me, I am rather hungry. So let me eat. Tim begins to unravel his sandwich, but before he can even start, the monk takes a seat next to Tim and begins to speak. MONK Ah, but you are only too correct. Your path is dictated by your own two feet. However, even a stream can lose its path along the mountain cliffs. But still, no matter what swamp, or waterfall, or raging river, that water will end up in the sea. Even if landlocked! The water can evaporate, and find its way. Much like the weather, and the pull and push of the earth, I too, try to help those who are lost from their path. And when I see a smart young man like yourself, slave to a habit that will surely only kill you in the end, it (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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MONK (contd) saddens me, much like a mother bear who lost her cubs. I too, feel this sorrow. I only wish for the best of those who can truly, think and act for themselves. Because it is those people who will lead the rest of us as examples, towrds enlughtenment. Tim, after taking a big munch out of his sandwich, looks up at the monk, and then swallows. TIM YOU FUCKING Tim lunges at the monk who attempts to defend himself. CUT TO: NICK ON THE STREET EXT. DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK - DAY Nick finishes his cigarette and flicks it into the street. As he turn, he looks right into the face of Tim. Nick jumps back in surprise. NICK HOLY SHTIM I converted to Buddhism. NICK Wha-..What? TIM Ive come to accept that fact that Im only a singular being in this universe. Its high time I stabilized my thoughts and mind, and found my true inner self. Nick looks around awkwardly and confused, and then looks Tim in the eye with a smirk NICK ...Your fucking with me right? TIM Of course Im fucking with you bitch! Now cmon, lets go get some ice cream!

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CUT TO: BLACK