P A R T F O U R
Story by
Jesse Brewer
Kendo-Man created by
Jesse Brewer
Written by
Jesse Brewer
K E N D O M A N
OLD REIDS
It was time to show the world who I am.
Reids looks up at the gymnasium smiling
OLD REIDS CONT-
And look towards it with as much confidence as I could muster.
Reids enters the lobby of the gymnasium as his parents signs him up for the tournament
OLD REIDS
I could tell people were staring at me. The tension was on my shoulders. But I didn't care. I came here to win, no matter what.
Reids clicks his tongue and looks in the direction of the people looking at him. Causing the people to look away
Reids snickers
The man behind the counter gives Reids's parents a bracket
Reids's dad walks up to his son
DAD
It looks like the fight will happen tomorrow. Are you sure you're ready for this?
Reids looks up at his father
REIDS
I am.
Reids's only hand shakes with nervousness
Reids drops the bracket
Reids's dad realizes this and looks at Reids with a worried look
Reids's parent's car pulls up into their driveway
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids exits his car
Reids opens his door to his room
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids enters his room and found his bed
Reids collapses onto his bed
Reids turns his body to face the ceiling
Reids only arm starts to shake uncontrollably
Reids starts to breathe sporadically
Reids starts to curl himself to stop himself from shaking
Tears start to roll down Reids's face
REIDS
Can I really do this?
The time shifts to the next morning
Reids stands in the gymnasium where the tournament is being held in
The gymnasium is covered with a multitude of different matts, about to be occupied with multiple battles at once
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids smells the air of gymnasium
Smelling the sweat and tears of the previous generations causing Reids to smile
Reids shifts his one arm to move the strap holding his bokken bag off of his arm to his hand
The referee runs to Reids
REFEREE
Your fight will begin soon, get warmed up!
The referee turns around and looks back at Reids with a doubtful look
Reids's mom and dad starts to walk towards Reids but before they got to Reids, Reids clicks his tongue and starts running to the direction of the restroom
Reids's mom starts to chase after Reids but Reids's father stopped her
DAD
I got this.
Reids's dad starts to follow Reids
DAD MUTTERS UNDER HIS BREATH
I knew something like this would happen.
Reids enters the men's restroom
Reids clicks his tongue and it echoes across the entire restroom
Reids goes to a stall and opens the door
Reids slams the door closed and sits down
The referee runs towards Reids's mother
REFEREE
Where's the kid?
MOM
Give him a moment. Please.
Referee looks at his watch
REFEREE
Fine, I'll give him five minutes.
Reids's dad opens the door of the restroom and looks around, seeing Reids's legs in one of the stalls
Reids's dad walks towards the stall
Reids dad knocks on the stall
DAD
Hey Reids, is everything okay?
REIDS
No- I mean yes, I don't even know.
Reids's dad puts his hand on the door
DAD
Reids, please open the door.
Reids stays silent unrelenting
DAD
It's okay if you don't want to. Just please tell me what's wrong.
REIDS
I don't know why, I just feel like I can't do this. But I feel like I can. Sometimes I just feel like I'm just a kid with so many disabilities that I can't even live up to the expectations I put on myself.
Reids transforms his right hand into a fist and hits himself in the chest
REIDS
Goddamnit! I just feel so pathetic!
Dad puts his hand on the stall once more
DAD
Son, listen to me.
Reids points his ear towards the front of this stall
DAD
I understand that you're nervous and have your doubts. It's okay to feel that way. But know that you are more than every single one of your disabilities.
Reids looks up in his father's direction speechless
DAD
Your disabilities don't mean anything! I've seen you these past two years put everything you have into this. You are something special. Screw the negativity! Just be you! No matter what choice you make, I will always love you.
Reids opens the door, looking toward his father
Reids hugs his father tightly
Reids's dad looks down at his son
REIDS
Are you sure you're ready for this?
Reids and his father let go of each other
Reids looks up at his father
REIDS
Yes I am, with everything I have!
Reids and his father starts to walk down the hallway back to the gymnasium
Reids's father looks at his son
DAD
Wait, you never stretched.
Reids's starts to stretch while he walks
REIDS
I'll just stretch on the way.
Reids clicks his tongue and enters the gymnasium
When Reids and his father gets the matt, the referee runs toward Reids
REFEREE
Where the hell were you?
Reids bows his head towards the referee
REIDS
I apologize, please let me participate!
REFEREE
Fine, I'll give you one minute.
REIDS
Thank you so much!
The referee turns around and leaves Reids and his family to themselves
Reids clicks his tounge
Reids picks up his bokken bag
Reids unzips the bag
Reids picks up the bokken by the handle
Reids stands up, dropping the bag
Reids clicks his tongue
Reids faces the matt
Reids starts to walk towards the impending battle
Reids's mom steps forward and stops him
MOM
Are you sure you're ready for this?
Reids looks back at his parents
Reids smiles
REIDS
I was born ready for this.
THE END