P A R T T W O
Kendo-Man created by
Jesse Brewer
Story by
Jesse Brewer
Written by
Jesse Brewer
K E N D O M A N
OLD REIDS
For three whole years I was learning how to operate blind.
15-year-old Reids tries to walk around with his cane
Reids trips on a crack in the sidewalk, falling on his face
OLD REIDS CONT-
It was a work in progress.
Reids looks up from the ground and slowly stood without any hesitation
Reids starts to walk forward
OLD REIDS
Even though there was so much hardship, I did not give up. I knew what I wanted to-
Reids in his room picks up a wooden bokken
OLD REIDS
No, I knew what I needed to do.
Reids starts to swing his bokken over and over
OLD REIDS
I practiced day and night.
Reids bows to a dojo sensei after he is rejected from joining their dojo
OLD REIDS
I was rejected from every single dojo I went to.
Reids bows to multiple different dojo senseis six times after he was rejected
Reids studies kendo on his computer using assistive technology to help him learn more about kendo
OLD REIDS
I would always ask my mother for help with my stance.
Reids's mom helps Reids adjust his stance to the one that is being shown on Reids's computer
REIDS
Thank you mom. I love you.
Reids's mom smiles
MOM
I love you too.
Reids swings his sword in the exact motion interpreted on his computer
OLD REIDS
Until I thought I was finally ready.
Reids with his bokken in a bag on his back and his parents take a few steps up to a kendo dojo named "Blazing sword"
Inside the dojo, Reids confronts the sensei of the dojo
The sensei turns to Reids and his parents
REIDS
I would like to fight your strongest swordsman!
The sensei gives Reids a surprised look, stopping himself from laughing
SENSEI
What? You're blind. What would you even be able to do?
Reids looks at the floor in disappointment
Reids clenches his fist
REIDS
Eyesight does not mean anything!
Reids looks up the sensei
REIDS
Just let me fight him and I'll show you.
The sensei looks at the floor then back up at Reids
SENSEI
Fine but if you get hurt it's your own fault. Get ready
Reids stands by the practice matt with his parents unpacking his bokken
Reids's father steps closer to his son
FATHER
You got this Rei. Remember everything you trained for.
Reids nods his head to his father
REIDS
Thank you for everything dad!
FATHER
You're very welcome, my son.
Reids's father moves away from Reids to watch from the sidelines
Reids grabs his bokken and gets to his feet
Reids taps his sword onto the ground and walks starts to walk towards the center of the arena
When Reids gets to his opponent, he looks at his opponent in the eyes
Reids's opponent looks at Reids with a puzzled look
OPPONENT'S THOUGHTS
How can he even tell where he's going?
Reids's opponent snaps out of the limbo he was in
SENSEI
I will act as the referee of this match.
The sensei looks toward Reids
SENSEI
We treat you as if you are one of us. Be careful.
Sensei backs away from the two
SENSEI
Fight!
Reids lunges toward his opponent
Reids's opponent moves out of the way of Reids's attack
Reids's opponent stomps his foot and prepares to attack Reids's from the side
It almost feels like time stop for Reids
REIDS THOUGHTS
What is this feeling? Danger is coming. I have to move.
REIDS CONT-
Move your legs! Damn it, move!
Reids's opponent hits Reids in the side with his bokken. The opposite side of Reids's only arm
OPPONENT
Kiai!
Reids falls to his matt
The sensei steps in between them
SENSEI
Point!
The sensei looks toward Reids
SENSEI
Are you able to continue?
REIDS THOUGHTS
Why didn't my legs move? Goddamnit! I thought I was ready. I'm blind with only one arm, what was I thinking? I can't-
Reids's opponent looks down on him
OPPONENT
Just give up.
Reids then drops his bokken and smacks himself
Reids smacks himself as hard as he could
Reids picks up his bokken
REIDS
Not yet!
Reids looks up in the direction of his opponent
REIDS
I won't give up. I don't care what happens.
Reids slowly staggers to his feet
Reids taps his bokken on the ground
Reids gets into a fighting stance
REIDS
I'm ready to continue.
SENSEI
Are you sure?
REIDS
As sure as ever.
The sensei backs away from the two fighters
SENSEI
Fight!
Reids and his opponent circle each other
REIDS THOUGHTS
Use what I've learned to my advantage.
Reids clicks his tongue
REIDS THOUGHTS CONT-
Visualize my surroundings.
Reids's opponent takes one step forward
REIDS
I see him. I actually see him.
Reids's opponent swings his sword at Reids
Reids ducks under the bokken appearing to the left of his opponent
The sensei and Reids's parents look at Reids with awe
OPPONENT
What the hell?
Reids's opponent turns around and smacks Reids in the cheek with a spin sword move
Reids stagger back
Reids's opponent steps forward and smacks Reids on the shoulder with his bokken
The opponent smacks Reids in the forehead with his bokken leaving a bruise
FATHER
Why isn't he stopping this?
Reids's father stands up
FATHER
Hey-
REIDS
No! Don't stop it. Please!
Reids's father gulps
FATHER
Damn it. I trust you in this.
Reids opponent starts to hit Reids with a barrage of attacks. Hitting every single one
Reids's mother covers her mouth in horror
REIDS
Just stop this please.
OPPONENT
Get down, get down, stay down. Goddmanit, stay down!
After the last few blows, Reids looks up at his opponent shaking/staggering to stand
Reids's opponent raises his sword
OPPONENT
Stay down goddamnit!
MOTHER
Stop!
Right before the bokken hits Reids the sensei cuts between the two fights
SENSEI
Stop! You've done enough.
Reids's opponent starts to breathe heavily
Reids fall to the ground
Reids's parents both run to their son
Reid's father gives the sensei a glare
The sensei bows his head to the parents
SENSEI
I am so sorry! I did not mean for this to happen. I hesitated and am a failure of a sensei!
Reids's father helps Reids to his feet
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids looks toward his opponent
REIDS
What is your name?
The opponent looks at Reids with a surprised look
OPPONENT
My name is Nathan. Nathan Pros.
Reids smiles toward Nathan
REIDS
Nice to meet you Nathan.
FATHER
Lets get going Reids.
REIDS
Okay dad.
Father starts to carry Reids towards the exit
Reids's mother picks up the bokken and puts it into the bag it was once was in and starts to follow the two
SENSEI
That kid is interesting.
Reids turns his ear towards the sensei
Nathan turns toward sensei
NATHAN
He is. Do you think he's going to participate in the district tournament?
SENSEI
I don't know. Only time will tell.
As Reids and his parents exited the dojo Reids stops them from going any further to their vehicle
REIDS
Mom, dad.
This gathers the attention of both of his parents
REIDS
I want to participate in the district kendo tournament?
Reids mom looks toward Reids with a concerned look
MOM
Why? Isn't this enough?
DAD
Are you sure son?
Reids clenches his fist
REIDS
This isn't enough. I'm tired of people looking down on me because of my disabilities.
A tear flows down Reids's cheek
REIDS
I want to show them who I really am!
DAD
If that's the case, yes you can.
MOM
I guess. If you promise you won't get too hurt.
Reids looks toward his mother
REIDS
Yes I am. Thank you, both of you, again.
Reids releases the grip on his fist
REIDS
I am lucky to have such great parents.
THE END