Redneck Dragon – Part VII – You Like Tea?

INT. LIVING ROOM – LATER

A teapot and two cracked cups sits on a low slung wooden coffee table. On one side of the table, LU sits in his old chair.  Opposite him, BOBBY LEE has pulled up an old crate.  BOBBY LEE picks up his cup and sips the tea.  He spits it.

BOBBY LEE

What the hell?

LU

Tea cleanses the body and the mind.

BOBBY LEE

This ain’t tea.  What...

LU

There is tea, and then, there is tea.

LU reaches down beside his chair and brings out an old flask.  It glitters in the lamp light.

LU (CONT’D)

Last time I saw your father, we had this in our tea.  Long way from here.

BOBBY LEE stares at him a moment, glances at the flask, then picks up his tea and takes a second drink.  He winces, but he swallows.

BOBBY LEE

You knew my pa?

LU

(nods)

Long time.  He save my life, I save his.  We trained together.  I helped him before fight with Winslow.  You father very strong fighter.  Should have won.

BOBBY LEE

I know.  Hew knew, too.  It was my grandpa.  He thought we’d lose the farm if Pa beat Winslow.  Then that bastard broke his leg...

LU

Colin Winslow has...no honor.

BOBBY LEE

I can’t let them get away with this.

LU

You want to fight?

BOBBY LEE

(nods)

Yes. I have to.  Even if they kill me...they killed my Pa.

LU

I will help.  You must train.  You must be ready.

BOBBY LEE

Ready?  For what?

LU reaches under his chair again.  He pulls out a colored sheet of paper and slaps it onto the table.  BOBBY LEE leans forward for a closer look.  It’s a flyer, announcing the annual Tough Man competition.

BOBBY LEE (CONT’D)

You kidding me?

LU

Lu never kid.  You train.  You fight.  You win.

BOBBY LEE

They’ll never let me fight.

LU

I train you, I get you in, you fight.

BOBBY LEE

(glances down)

I don’t fight so good.  I asked Pa to teach me, but he never would.  Said he didn’t want me fighting. Every time I asked him, he started in about his leg again...about our “place” and how we needed to stay in it.  It’s why he drank.

LU

(nods)

Drink to much.  Whoof!

BOBBY LEE

Jesus.

LU

(takes gulp of tea – chuckles)

Whoof.

BOBBY LEE gets up to leave, but LU stands.  He’s obviously a little drunk, and he sways, but very quickly he gets between BOBBY LEE and the door.

BOBBY LEE

Get out of my way, LU.

LU

Not LU’s fault Jasper go Whoof. You sit, you drink.  Tomorrow...we train.

BOBBY LEE wavers.  At last, he turns, grabs his bags, and starts unrolling his sleeping bag.  LU nods, and returns to his chair.  When BOBBY LEE is settled LU darkens the lights. In the darkness we hear – very softly – WHOOF! And a chuckle...BOBBY LEE wraps his arms over his ears and goes to sleep.

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