9 Humble lessons: 09 To greet
(The day after her date as school lets out Bethony is happily prancing along with Alison walking alongside her with a confused expression)
Alison: You've been ..."bubbly" all day what's gotten into you?
Bethony: Can't a girl just have a great day?
Alison: I, guess?
(Just then Alison and Bethony notice Jasmine waiting up ahead by the school gates, walking over to her Alison notices Jasmine depressed demeanor)
Alison: Jasmine, what's wrong?
Jasmine: It's Sensei Yoake.
(Bethony's happy demeanor quickly changes as she begins to pay attention)
Bethony: What happened?
Jasmine: Yesterday I went by the dojo for class and when I got there....
(Bethony braces herself for what she might hear)
Bethony: (Stern) What happened?
(Jasmine recounts the day, walking towards the dojo a man bumps into her)
….: Pardon girly.
Jasmine: Whatever.
(Soon reaching the dojo she walks inside to find the floor cracked and broken and a hole in the wall, soon however her eyes catch the sight of her sensei on the floor his Gi torn and ripped, rushing over to his side she pulls him in her arms and calls out to him, with her recounting of the incident concluded Jasmine looks up at Bethony to find her expression changed from stern to furious)
Alison: This is awful, is he alright?
Jasmine: He's at the hospital and no I don't know who could've done something like that, say for...
Alison: Mr. Alderman wouldn't do something like that.
Shannon: "Wouldn't do" what?
(The girls jumps back in shock when they discover Shannon behind them)
Jasmine: Stop doing that!
Shannon: (Lite chuckle) Sorry, but I am curious about what this little group is going on about.
Bethony: Sensei Yoake was hospitalized the other day.
Shannon: Really, ….I'd think it'd take a lot to do something like that to him, do any of you know what happened?
(Bethony looks towards Shannon with a curious expression)
Jasmine: No, but when I find out-
Shannon: You should contact the proper authorities, at any rate don't go looking for trouble girls, have a nice day.
(Without another word Shannon walks off)
Jasmine: ….So we're going to look for this guy right?
Bethony: ….Yeah, and I can think of a few people to ask first, sorry Alison but I'm gonna have to skip our study session today.
Alison: But-
Jasmine: Same here, besides I've missed a whole day of school, wouldn't know where to begin.
(As the two begin to walk off Alison attempt to protest there leaving only to be ignored)
Alison: ….Good luck.
(As the day goes on Jasmine and Bethony fight and question the thugs that attempted to fight Bethony finally coming across the leader)
Bethony: Who did it?
Thug: Did what?
Jasmine: The Ishi to kawa dojo, our sensei was beaten up, we know it was someone from your gang, who?
Thug: There ain't no gang anymore, we got disbanded, (Sarcastic) so I don't know what your talk'in about.
(Jasmine snatches the thug out of Bethony's hands)
Jasmine: You think your funny, then lets see your grit those TEETH!!
(Just as Jasmine is about to punch the thug she stops when a voice hollers out)
Ralph: Shouldn't you ladies be more, well lady like.
Jasmine: You.
Bethony: Jasmine, you know this show-boat?
Thug: Boss?!
Ralph: Uh-uh, I told you I ain't ya boss no more, that being said, I ain't about to let ya face get turned inside out.
(Jasmine releases the thug, now free he scurries over to Ralph and points towards Bethony)
Thug: That's the girl I was telling you about.
Ralph: Ah, just taking a nice gander at her I can see how she whooped y'alls asses, go on get, I'll take care of this.
(The thug does as he's instructed and leaves Ralph with the Jasmine and Bethony)
Jasmine: Did you....
Ralph: You talk'in about the dojo, yeah that was me, needed to stretch my muscles, man was a hell of a work out.
(Suddenly Jasmine and Bethony charge at Ralph, lunging into a frenzy of attacks which are all blocked or dodged, through the onslaught Ralph makes an opening launching his knee into Bethony sending her flying onto a wall then he begins to counter each of Jasmine's attacks, soon creating another Ralph lands an attack launching Jasmine onto the same wall, as the girls attempt to regain there composure they find it difficult to stand back on there feet with both the girls incapable of moving Ralph begins walking towards them)
Jasmine: This is ridiculous, we couldn't land a single blow.
(Bethony lets out a grunt as she attempts to stand again but simply falls back down cradling her stomach)
Ralph: Frustrat'in I know, but don't beat yourself up over it....
(Ralph raises his fist)
Ralph: I'm just on the other side of the river.
(Ralph's fist comes barreling down towards Bethony and as she closes her eyes waiting for the impact she hears the sound of the fist making contact with something, opening her eyes she sees a hand holding the fist in place mere inches from her, as her eyes travel along the arm of the hand that caught the fist she discovers that its Shannon)
Shannon: Hey Ralph, how ya been?
(Pulling his fist away Ralph begins to let out a hearty laughter, clapping his hands together as he twists around to gain distance)
Ralph: It has been too damn long!
Shannon: Watch your mouth.
Ralph: (Chuckle) And you still got that hang-up, I love it, haven't changed a bit, well then again you look like you've changed a lot actually.
Shannon: You don't seem to have change that much.
(Shannon looks back at Jasmine and Bethony who both have puzzled expressions)
Shannon: Say for your taste, why are you bothering these young ladies?
Ralph: Oh don't play around, you know damn well why, one of these little fillies beat-up my men, to which I dis-banded when I got back, so this is really me wrapping things up.
Shannon: Well I don't think I like you beating on my students.
(Ralph takes a moment to look towards Bethony then back at Shannon)
Ralph: That right, well I ain't come for them anyway, came for you, to be honest I was just gonna pass through but then I heard you where in town so I thought I might as well stick around.
Shannon: So I can assume Sensei Yoake was your doing.
Ralph: I needed the warm-up.
(A long moment of silence passes between the two and just as the air begins to feel thick and heavy Shannon looks back at the girls who are just beginning to recover)
Shannon: Well it was great catching up with you!
(Shannon walks over to Ralph and puts his arm over his shoulder and begins to guide him away)
Shannon: But lets do this over a couple of drinks, we'll meet up at the old hang-out, see ya!
(Shannon shoves Ralph off, to which he confusingly complies, moments later Jasmine and Bethony finally recover)
Jasmine: What was that about, you looked all buddy-buddy with him!
Bethony: (Somber) Jasmine, can you give us some privacy.
(As Jasmine begins to protest she soon sees the expression on Bethony's face then looking back at Shannon signals to him that she has her eye on him then leaves)
Bethony: ….Who is he?
Shannon: An old friend.
Bethony: Evasive, how do you know him?
Shannon: ….From my younger days.
Bethony: ….Evasive, ….what are you planning to do about him?
(Shannon remains silent, Bethony walks over to him and slaps him across the face then walks away saying nothing Shannon merely holds his cheek as he watches her leave)
Dismissed
