(Sinbad enters Tetsu’s tent, takes his boots off, and sets them in the corner)

Tetsu: (enters the room) You know my custom.

Sinbad: I’ve sailed to Nippon on occasion, Master Tetsu.

(They sit down at the table, after lying their swords at their sides, on the floor)

Sinbad: Have I done anything to offend you?

Tetsu: Not especially. Sometimes I like to study the men I’m about to kill.

Sinbad: Well, everyone needs a hobby, I guess.

Tetsu: You mock me…like the others. See the blood-thirsty foreigner. He has no feelings. He just kills. He has no honour.

Sinbad: You misunderstand me, Tetsu. I’m just trying to make the best of a really bad situation. There’s an old saying in my country. If you’re skating on thin ice, you might as well dance.

Tetsu: I did not know you had ice in your country.

Sinbad: I don’t. I lied.

Tetsu: I sense you are a complicated man.

Sinbad: And a thirsty one.

(They drink)

(Maeve is walking by herself through the camp; she takes a bottle from someone)

Maeve: Thank you. (uses magic to turn the wine into something bad)

(Maeve goes to Kattah’s tent)

Guard: What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?

Maeve: Listening to dribble, apparently. I’m here to see the great warlord, Kattah.

Guard: He’s busy. He can’t be disturbed. Anyway, why don’t you spend a little time with us? (laughs) I bet I know what’s in that bottle.

Guard: A party waiting to happen!

Maeve: Sod off, you huge dwelling squints.

Guard: I like a girl with spirit. Makes my blood boil.

Maeve: Really. Well, percolate away, short, dark, and ugly. (uses magic to send fire to the guards’ feet) Are we boiling, yet?

Kattah: What’s going on out here?

(Maeve stops the fire)

Maeve: Oh, my lord. (runs to his side) These evil men were about to do me great harm.

Kattah: They are no more, my fair one. These men are supposed to protect me from spies and assassins. Not (can’t make out what he says here)

Maeve: Oh, my lord. You are as great a poet as you are a warrior.

(Doubar is watching them)

Kattah: Do you care to join me for an evening of wine and poetry?

Maeve: I can’t wait.

Kattah: I’ll deal with you later! Get at your posts! (to women that were with him) You two, stay outside.

(Maeve and Kattah go inside the tent)

(Rongar comes up behind Doubar, and startles him)

Doubar: You’ll get yourself killed doing that to me one day. Aye, I don’t like it either. Let’s just hope she knows what she’s doing.

(Sinbad and Tetsu are talking in the tent)

Tetsu: What is it? Why do you look so strangely?

Sinbad: Must be the wine. It’s very potent.

Tetsu: No. You look at me with disdain. Do I repulse you as I do others?

Sinbad: Not at all. I’m just curious. You’re a long way from home.

Tetsu: I have no home.

Sinbad: Sorry.

Tetsu: I do not need your pity. I need no one’s pity.

Sinbad: Such great anger betrays a great sorrow. Family. Were they killed?

Tetsu: We were fisherfolk. Sailors. I was a young boy. There was a war. When it was over, I was alone. The warlord raised me to be a samurai. A warrior sworn to protect him at all costs. I was proud to be chosen, being the son of a fisherman. And for many years, I was the best of his samurai. The best.

Sinbad: But—?

Tetsu: I discovered the warlord’s evil. He kept the peasants, my true people, under his tongue. Tortured them. They could no longer be a part of his charity. Yet, I was bound to obey him, by the bisheeto, the way of the warrior.

Sinbad: But you couldn’t.

Tetsu: I ran and became a Ronin. A warrior without a master. He vowed to catch me. And my head upon his castle wall. I escaped to the sea. I was lost in a storm.

(Sinbad sees a rainbow bracelet on Tetsu’s wrist)

Sinbad: Let me guess. You awoke a stranger in a strange land, with no recollection of how you got there. You found yourself wearing a new piece of jewelry.

Tetsu: How did you know?

Sinbad: It seems we’re part of the same club. (points to his own bracelet)

(Tetsu looks at his bracelet)

Tetsu: No more talk. (gets up) I know your tricks. You’re here to weaken my resolve. I know you think I am a foreigner. Only Kattah respects me as a warrior. I fight in fair fights for him, save many lives in battle. He knows I’m an honourable man. Tomorrow, I will kill you. That is my job.

(Sinbad gets up)

Sinbad: A job you despise.

Tetsu: Lies!

(Maeve and Kattah are talking)

Kattah: No doubt you are in awe of being in the presence of such a great warlord.

Maeve: (rolls eyes, then turns around to face Kattah) That’s one way of putting it.

Kattah: Your arrival is timely indeed. I have been giving considerable thought to sharing my power with a woman of substance.

Maeve: Power fascinates me.

Kattah: As well, it should. With my great intelligence and my sword, I am unstoppable! Cunning is the key.

Maeve: But the sword?

Kattah: Is second to my cunning. It takes more than mere brute force to be the master of so many. I realize early on that people are like children. They want to be protecting. They don’t want to think. I enter their kingdom and promise to rid them of all thought, all worry. I am there to keep their little lives tidy. Of course, in return, they have to give up everything. At first, they don’t seem to mind.

Maeve: And when they do mind?

Kattah: Then it is too late. By then, my army is in place. Then is the time to use my sword. When I draw it, I am invincible. No one whose seen my sword out of its sheath, has ever lived to tell about it. But you. You seem different. You are a warrior yourself? I can see the fire in your eyes. Perhaps a small demonstration?

Maeve: I would be honoured.

(Kattah laughs and draws his sword; he is now invincible and surrounded by smoke)

Kattah: Behold! (laughs) See? The smoke of death to anyone who touches it. I hold the power. (can’t make out what he says here) Join me, woman. The world will be at our feet. I’ll toy with people’s hopes. Set them against each other with their silly comptesses. All the while, we’ll be the most powerful weapon in the world. Fear. I have shown you my secrets. Now, show me all of yours.

(Maeve starts to fight him)

Kattah: Assassins! Guards!

Maeve: No, no!

Kattah: (can’t make out what he says here)

(They struggle, until Doubar comes from behind the tent, rips a hole in the side, then knocks Kattah out)

Maeve: Doubar?

Doubar: (sticks his head through the hole) Coming through. (rips hole bigger, and steps inside)

Maeve: I could’ve handled this!

Doubar: You’re welcome!

(Maeve goes to pick up the sword)

Doubar: Leave the sword! Let’s get out of here!

Maeve: Without it, we’re helpless!

Doubar: With it, we’re pincushions! Now come on! Rongar!

(They leave, as the guards enter the room)

Guard: Lord Kattah!

Kattah: (wakes up) Out there! Find them! You idiots!

(The guards leave as Kattah discovers the hole in the side of his tent)

(The crew, minus Sinbad, is back at the fire)

Firouz: Well, now that we know about the sword, we have to warn Sinbad! Neither of them stand a chance, should Kattah decide to draw that sword! And if what she says is right, it’s the embodiment of pure evil! Ah, I’d love to examine that sword. Find out its secrets.

Maeve: Now is neither the time nor place.

Firouz: Yes, I know, I know. And we only have tonight to figure out how to fight the power of the sword!

(Rongar holds up the whirligig)

Firouz: It’s a very pretty toy, Rongar.

(Rongar pokes the whirligig into Firouz’s chest)

Doubar: Have you lost your wits, lad?

Firouz: No. He not only has his wits, he’s found a solution. Let’s go, friends! I feel a brainstorm coming on! Come on! (turns and walks, but then turns back again) Oh, my sword. (picks up his sword) Come on, let’s moor the boat. I think I have a solution. (can’t make out what he says here)

(They all leave)

(Sinbad and Tetsu are still talking in Tetsu’s tent)

Sinbad: I believe you’re a man of honour. But Kattah, he’s using you to destroy the lives of thousands.

Tetsu: No! I am no longer a Ronin. I have found a master. I will defend him to the death.

Sinbad: A man of honour defending a dishonourable thug.

Tetsu: Things would’ve been simpler if I’d become what I always wanted. A sailor. I will truly regret killing you tomorrow.

Sinbad: Imagine how I’d feel about it. There’s still time to walk away from all this, Tetsu.

Tetsu: No. I cannot. I betrayed both myself and my people once by running. I no longer run. I’ve given my word to Kattah. Do not worry about me. I find solace in my dreams. When I sleep, I’m a sailor. Visiting unknown lands. Using my skills to defend the defenseless. That is truly honourable. In that world, I am proud to be a Ronin. I have no one master. I have many. The people of the world are my masters.

Sinbad: A teacher of mine once told me you’re never too old to start making your dreams come true.

Tetsu: This world is without dreams, Sinbad. Might rules over heart.

Sinbad: Somehow we are linked. Bound together by destiny and desire.

(The bracelets flash)

Sinbad: Your days as Kattah’s butcher must end.

(The next day, everyone is gathered back at the arena)

Kalel: Hey, Firouz. You seem healthy this morning.

Firouz: Good night’s sleep, some scientific remedies. I’m completely restored.

Kalel: Is there something I should know?

Maeve: Yeah. Dermott hasn’t eaten this morning.

(Dermott flies off)

Kattah: Ladies and gentlemen! Citizens of Baronia and the far isles! It is my honour to announce a duel to the death! Between my champion, Master Tetsu! And the champion of Baronia, Sinbad, the Sailor.

(Everyone cheers at the sound of Sinbad’s name)

(Sinbad comes down to the arena)

Sinbad: There’s still time to walk away, Tetsu.

Tetsu: I am bound by honour, Captain.

Sinbad: Yours will be blood I’ll regret spilling.

(They fight as the crowd cheers)

Doubar: Watch it, Sinbad!

Firouz: Come on, Sinbad!

(More fighting goes on)

(In the end, Sinbad takes a knife off the table, and fights with Tetsu a moment, then does a somersault and stabs Tetsu, who then falls to the ground)

Firouz: Out of my way! I’m a physician! (runs to Tetsu to examine him) (examines Tetsu, then stands up) This man’s dead.

Kattah: No! It cannot be! I forbid it! (runs to them)

Doubar: He died a valiant death, your lordship.

Kattah: He shouldn’t’ve died at all, you cretonous oaf!

Sinbad: Master Tetsu, the Ronin warrior, is dead. He lived as he died, in the tradition of the Bisheeto, the way if the warrior. Last night, he asked me, should he lose, that I bury him at sea. I will honour this request. I am the new Master, now. Baronia has won the war. And as Baronia’s new champion, I declare that these war games are over!

(The crowd cheers)

Sinbad: Good people, your countries are your own again. Go in peace. I speak for Kalel, the wise ruler of this land.

Kalel: Yeah, uh, and like he said, ah, everyone, go home! Go and tell your people that the war is over!

Kattah: No! The war is not over! I forbid the war to be over! I yield the power of Hades, the power of Atila the Hun!

Kalel: (can’t make out what he says here) Kattah. Now, like he said, ah, the war’s over. Look around you.

Kattah: No! I am still supreme ruler!

Sinbad: I’d start looking for a new job if I were you.

Kalel: Now, now, Kattah! Come on! Now, you made the rules yourself! If you defy the rules, than I say there are no rules! Now, let’s face it, you’re not exactly loved by the people assembled here! If you break your own rules, the people will rebel, and there’ll be chaos! And, don’t forget, there’s always next year.

Kattah: I acknowledge defeat graciously, Kalel. (to Sinbad) But as for you, this incident is outside the rules of the game. It’s personal! I will see your blood stain the sands of Baronia! (leaves)

Sinbad: (to Kalel) Have I ever told you, you have the gift of gab?

Kalel: No, never in a positive way, no. If I were you, I’d get off this island before Kattah comes to his senses.

Sinbad: You’ll be all right?

Kalel: Oh yeah, sure.

Sinbad: Until we meet again, old friend.

(The crew is on the shore)

Maeve: Did you get his sword?

Sinbad: No. I didn’t have time. Firouz!

Firouz: Backup plan in place, Captain.

Sinbad: Ready to set sail?

Doubar: Aye, little brother!

Sinbad: Where’s Tetsu?

Tetsu: (comes from behind the fan the crew was pulling) Here, Sinbad!

(The crew laughs)

Maeve: Well, you look every inch the sailor.

Doubar: Don’t worry about the clothes. They’ll shrink.

(Everyone laughs)

Sinbad: There’s your first ship, Captain. It’s not much, but it’s a start. Enough supplies for two weeks.

Tetsu: I thank you, Sinbad.

Sinbad: My pleasure, friend. Tetsu the Warrior has earned an honourable death. Now, Tetsu the Sailor will sail the seven seas, as he dreamed.

Tetsu: How’d you fool all those people?

Firouz: Ah, you died an honourable death, Sir. Ah, Sinbad’s aim was true. He struck you in the heart. But, your heart was stronger than the knife. (pokes knife into Tetsu’s chest)

(They all laugh)

Tetsu: Thank you, Sinbad. You reminded me of our spiritual bond and set me free.

(Kattah and his warriors come over the hill)

Kattah: Treachery!

Sinbad: You know what to do. Tetsu, get in your ship and set sail.

Tetsu: I will not leave your side, Sinbad.

Kattah: Slaughter them all! The treacherous egot first!

(The warriors charge the crew, and they fight)

(The rest of the crew is trying to work Firouz’s invention, which is a giant fan)

Doubar: I can’t get it loose!

Firouz: Come on, come on, come on! Hurry!

(More fighting goes on)

Doubar: More tension.

Firouz: Here.

(More fighting goes on)

Firouz: Let’s try it again.

(They turn the crank on the fan)

(More fighting goes on)

(They eventually defeat all the warriors)

Kattah: (to Sinbad) The heathen is a dead man, Sailor! (to Tetsu) But you. I might spare your life…if you beg for it.

Sinbad: I hate to be the one that always spoils all your fun, but, in a word, no. (to Tetsu) I can handle this, my friend. (to Kattah) I have no intention of fighting you, Kattah.

Kattah: I don’t have a problem with that. (draws sword and becomes a cloud of smoke, and invincible)

Firouz: Turn it now!

(Doubar and Rongar turn the crank)

Kattah: After I kill you, I will slaughter your entire crew!

Sinbad: (slowly walking backwards) Whatever makes you happy.

Kattah: No one steps in front of Kris Kattah and lives!

Sinbad: Firouz? How about getting rid of some of this hot air?

Kattah: You’ll die a horrible death!

Firouz: Doubar, Rongar, now!

(They are turning the crank)

Maeve: Hurry! We can’t let this smoke touch any of us!

Firouz: Turn!

(All the wind blows the smoke away, and Kris Kattah is no more)

Sinbad: He who lives by the sword.

(The crew cheers)

Sinbad: (takes sword and throws it into the sea) Go join your master in Hades!

(The sword disappears)

Sinbad: Hopefully the fish will find a better use for it.

(The crew laughs)

(The crew and Tetsu are on the beach, getting ready to leave the island)

(Tetsu waves from small ship; Sinbad and Doubar wave back, laughing)

Doubar: How do you think he’ll fare as a sailor?

Sinbad: He’ll do just fine. He and I are part of the same club.

(Tetsu holds up his left arm, the one with the bracelet, then waves)

Doubar: Now there’s a sight, little brother. Look at him. Dancing around like a little child who just received a present.

Sinbad: He just unwrapped a great secret, big brother. He’s found out you’re never too old to launch your dreams.

(They laugh)

THE END