Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
INT. TE'S STUDY - NIGHT
Shu Lien is ushered into the room, to discover Sir Te talking to another man,
whose back is to her.
SIR TE
Shu Lien, look who's here.
The man turns around -- it's Li Mu Bai.
EXT. TE'S HALL - NIGHT
Yu Shu Lien and Li Mu Bai sit together.
LI
Sir Te believes it's a ploy cast suspicion on Governor
Yu.
SHU LIEN
But something is going on at the Yu household.
LI
What have you discovered?
From her sleeve, Shu Lien removes the flyer. Li takes it, his face darkening.
LI
Jade Fox? Impossible.
SHU LIEN
You always suspected she'd fled to the West.
LI
I didn't think she'd dare come back to Peking!
SHU LIEN
Is there any place safer than under the nose of Governor Yu?
LI
So I shall avenge my master's death after all.
SHU LIEN
Be careful. Sir Te requires discretion. Official business
is difficult enough. Don't let personal feelings make it worse. And I don't
know... even this poster... could be some sort of trap.
LI
Did you see who posted it?
SHU LIEN
No.
LI
It says Jade Fox is hiding at Yu's. On the night of the
theft there was a brawl near Yu's. Were you involved?
Shu Lien pauses.
SHU LIEN
It was Bo, Sir Te's man. I hear he followed the thief
to the Yus'.
LI
Have you questioned him yet?
SHU LIEN
No, not yet...
LI
But your men are watching over Yu's compund?
SHU LIEN
No, I'd already sent them home. You can blame me for losing
the sword, but please trust that I'll get it back soon using my own methods.
LI
That's not what I meant. I don't care about the sword.
SHU LIEN
What do you mean? Didn't you come back here for it?
LI
I don't know it was stolen until I got here.
SHU LIEN
Then, why did you come?
LI
Well, we had talked...
De Lu enters.
DE LU
Pardon my intrusion. Master Li, your room is ready.
LI
Thank you. Please lead the way.
EXT. YELLOW HILL - NIGHT
Tsai, Bo, and May wait under an ancient tree. Bo stifles a yawn.
BO
The fox doesn't care much for punctuality. Still no sign
of her.
An old lady struggles up the hill, wearing a floppy hat over her face, holding
a cane. The three exchange glances.
TSAI
Enough! Show yourself.
The old woman shrinks in fear, but then throws off her disguise and unveils
herself -- the Governess.
FOX
Tsai... you dog! You will pay for your stubbornness.
BO
That's what you think, old witch!
TSAI
If you surrender now, you'll suffer less. But if you resist,
I won't stop until you're dead.
MAY
Father! Let me avenge my mother's death.
FOX
You'll soon end up like her, you little whore!
BO
You'll pay for that!
A fierce battle begins, the main fighting between Tsai and Fox, with May and
Bo getting a stab in occasionally, when the opportunity presents itself.
TSAI
(to Bo) She's going to paralyze you!
Using acupressure, Fox disables Bo. May shoots an arrow at her, but she catches
it and flings it back, hitting May.
TSAI
May!
Fox then disables Tsai, but just as she goes for the kill, Li Mu Bai flies
down from the treetops and steps between them.
FOX
Tsai, you filthy mongrel! An ambush!
MAY
Father, are you all right?
Li addresses Fox.
LI
Wudan should have gotten rid of you long ago. It's been a
long time, Jade Fox! You don't remember me... But you should remember my master.
You infiltrated Wudan while I was away. You stole a secret manual and poisoned
our master! Now it's time for you to pay!
FOX
Your master underestimated us women. Sure, he'd sleep
with me, but he would never teach me. He deserved to die by a woman's hand!
LI
You stole the secrets of Wudan's highest martial arts.
But after ten years of training, your moves are still undisciplined. And today,
under a Wudan sword... you will die!
Li easily brings Fox to the ground.
Li raises his sword to the prostrate Fox. A figure masked in black appears
next to Fox, sword extended, saving her.
FOX
Disciple, we'll kill them all!
FIGURE IN BLACK
Let's go!
BO
Another one!
FOX
I must get rid of Tsai!
Fox fights Tsai, Bo, and May, as Li addresses the masked figure.
LI
Who are you? Why is the Green Destiny in your possession?
FIGURE IN BLACK
What's it to you?
LI
My name is Li Mu Bai. The Green Destiny is mine. Jade Fox
can't be your master. Where did you learn that "Xuan Piu" move?
FIGURE IN BLACK
I'm just playing around.
LI
Tell me, who is your master?
FIGURE IN BLACK
Let's go!
FOX
We must kill them!
Tsai throws his blade at Fox, who catches it and throws it back, hitting him
in the head. Fox and the masked figure leap away.
May drops to the ground, cradling her dead father's head. Bo kneels beside
her.
MAY
Father!
EXT. TE'S - DAY
Sir Te and a group of his men look down as a cloth is removed from over the
body of Tsai. Bo and May stand before them.
SIR TE
This is Tsai?
MAY
My father. Police Inspector from Shaan.
SIR TE
This should be reported to Governor Yu. The victim is
an officer. You believe the killer is hiding out in his compound.
MAY
I'd bet my life on it!
SIR TE
(to Li and Shu Lien) Come with me.
He exits the room.
INT. TE'S STUDY - DAY
Te, Li, and Shu Lien are seated.
SIR TE
This needs to be resolved, and quickly.
LI
I'll get into the Yu household and get her. I'll ferret
out Fox and her gang.
SHU LIEN
We must be careful. Governor Yu is a court official, and in
charge of security. Any disturbance will cast suspicion on him. It might get
Sir Te in trouble.
SIR TE
This is a delicate matter.
SHU LIEN
Sir Te, can you find some excuse to invite Madam Yu and
her daughter?
SIR TE
What do you have in mind?
SHU LIEN
The best way to trap a fox is through her cubs.
Sir Te and Li Mu Bai look puzzled.
EXT. SIR TE'S GARDEN - DAY
Shu Lien sits with Madam Yu and Jen. They busy themselves with various items
for her trousseau.
MADAM YU
Madam Te is certainly spoiling us with these wedding gifts.
She's being so considerate.
SHU LIEN
I'm sorry she's not feeling well enough to receive you
today.
MADAM YU
I heard Sir Te lost something. And now Madame Te's not
feeling well...
Jen sits silently listening.
SHU LIEN
We know who stole the missing item. If the thief returns it,
I'm sure Sir Te will pursue the matter no further.
MADAM YU
That's good. Sometimes the help can't keep their hands
to themselves. It's very embarassing.
SHU LIEN
Sir Te knows that even well-meaning people can make mistakes...
that can bring ruin to themselves and their families.
MADAM YU
But don't be too lenient.
SHU LIEN
No mercy will be shown toward the murderer who turned
up in Peking.
MADAM YU
A murderer?
SHU LIEN
Yes. The very killer of Li Mu Bai's own master. Last night,
she killed a policeman who had tracked her down.
MADAM YU
A female criminal! Now that's news!
Jen becomes visibly upset.
JEN
You say she killed a policeman?
SHU LIEN
Yes, from the West. He went undercover and and followed her
here.
MADAM YU
Maybe the murderer and the thief are one and the same.
SHU LIEN
I doubt it. This thief... is very unusual...
As Shu Lien speaks, she lifts the tea pot to pour Jen some tea. As she finishes
speaking, she looks into Jen's face and the pot slips from her hand. Without
even looking down, Jen instinctively catches the pot with a lightning-fast
move.
SHU LIEN
...And most likely smarter than a mere killer.
Sir Te and Li Mu Bai walk by.
JEN
(formal) Greetings, Sir Te.
SIR TE
Hello, Madam Yu. This is Li Mu Bai, the renowned swordsman.
LI
Delighted to meet you.
Li Mu Bai sizes Jen up.
SIR TE
Miss Yu is soon to be married.
LI
Congratulations.
EXT. TSAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT
May opens her door, only to find Bo standing guard.
MAY
Why don't you come in?
BO
I'm standing guard.
MAY
Come in. It's cold.
She turns back inside, hesitates, then turns back to him.
MAY
Come in. We don't have to fear Jade Fox if we're together.
EXT. TE COMPOUND - NIGHT
A still, dark night.
EXT. TE'S STUDY - NIGHT
Something moves in the moonlight. A hooded figure jumps down. Li Mu Bai, who
had been hiding in the shadows, comes forward.
LI
Isn't it a bit too late to be out? You've brought me the
sword?
FIGURE
I do as I please.
The masked figure lunges away, but Li Mu Bai leaps with incredible speed and
grabs the sword from her.
LI
Where's your master?
FIGURE
What's it to you?
The figure floats away. Li chases after her.
EXT. PEKING STREET - NIGHT
The two fly over houses and bounce off of rooftops, displaying amazing floating
skills.
INT. ABANDONED MONASTERY - NIGHT
The figure bounces into an old monastery. Li is already there.
LI
Had enough flying? You've got potential. You've studied
the Wudan Manual but you don't understand it. You need a real master.
The figure doesn't respond, but we sense the pride in her eyes.
FIGURE
Do you think you are a real master?
LI
Like most things, I am nothing. It's the same for this
sword. All of it is simply a state of mind.
FIGURE
Stop talking like a monk! Just fight!
LI
Then tell me where Jade Fox is.
FIGURE
On guard!
LI
Real sharpness comes without effort.
EXT. MONASTERY - NIGHT
The figure leaps into the garden, but again, Li is ahead of her.
The figure attacks Li, who uses his agility to evade her. Frustrated, the
figure intensifies her attack.
The figure, losing composure, attacks wildly. Li gets even more elusive, using
a branch to repel her.
LI
No growth without assistant. No action without reaction.
No desire without restraint. Now give yourself up and find yourself again.
There is a lesson for you.
Li now holds the stick to her mask, gently raising it slightly.
FIGURE
Go ahead.
LI
Why should I? You need practice. I can teach you to fight
with the Green Destiny, but first you must learn to hold it in stillness.
FIGURE
Why do you want to teach me?
LI
I've always wanted a disciple worthy of Wudan's secrets.
FIGURE
And if I use them to kill you?
LI
That's a risk I'm willing to take. Deep down, you're good.
Even Jade Fox couldn't corrupt you.
The figure's eyes cloud with tears.
FIGURE
Wudan is a whorehouse! Keep your lessons!
The figure swirls and takes off, leaving a rueful Li standing alone in the
monastery.
INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT
Jen slips in through the window. She pulls off her mask, as she spots the
Governess/Fox sitting and sewing.
FOX
You're home late... or should I say early?
JEN
Why are you still here? You killed a policeman. You should
leave! You'll bring ruin on my whole family.
FOX
They wouldn't have found me if you hadn't stolen the sword.
Like a little girl, you thought stealing would be fun? You, too, are responsible
for that death. Come with me. You don't want to waste your life as the wife
of some bureaucrat. Denied your talent... As a master and disciple we will
rule.
JEN
I'll never live as a thief!
FOX
You're already a thief.
JEN
That was just for fun. How can I leave? Where would I
go?
FOX
Wherever we want. We'll get rid of anyone in our way.
Even your father.
JEN
Shut up!
FOX
It's the Giang Hu fighter lifestyle... kill or be killed.
Exciting, isn't it?
JEN
I owe you nothing.
FOX
Yes, you do! You are still my disciple.
Jen lunges at the Governess, and the two exchange a few blows. Jen presses
her finger against one of the Governess's pressure points, disabling her.
Jen pushes her across the room.
JEN
You think you've been teaching me all these years from
the manual? You couldn't even decipher the symbols!
FOX
I studied the diagrams. But you hid the details!
JEN
You wouldn't have understood, even if I had tried to explain.
You know... you've gone as far as you can go. I hid my skills so as not to
hurt you.
FOX
If I hadn't seen you fight with Li Mu Bai, I'd still be
ignorant of all you've hidden from me.
JEN
Master... I started learning from you in secret when I
was 10. You enchanted me with the world of Giang Hu. But once I realized I
could surpass you, I became so frightened! Everything fell apart. I had no
one to guide me, no one to learn from.
FOX
Believe me, I've a lesson or two left to teach you!
Jade Fox exits.
EXT. GOVERNOR YU'S GATE - DAWN
The Governess leaves, a small sack over her back.
EXT. TE'S COURTYARD - DAWN
Li practices fluently with Green Destiny in hand, beautifully at ease with
the weapon. He spins around to find Shu Lien standing in the doorway.
SHU LIEN
The sword is back... are you happy?
Li smiles.
LI
I admit, getting it back makes me realize how much I'd
missed it.
SHU LIEN
But it's not your sword anymore. You gave it to Sir Te.
LI
True. But I must borrow it for one last mission. Jade
Fox must die at its edge. (pauses) Did you know what you were hiding when you covered for that
girl?
SHU LIEN
My job was to get the sword back, without embarassing
anyone. I wasn't about to ruin her life, or her father's.
LI
You did your job well. But, this girl... I saw her last
night.
SHU LIEN
I knew she would intrigue you.
LI
She needs direction... and training.
SHU LIEN
She's an aristocrat's daughter. She's not one of us. In
any case, it will all be over soon. You'll kill Jade Fox, and she'll marry.
LI
That's not for her. She should come to Wudan and become
a disciple.
SHU LIEN
(controling her feeling) But Wudan does not accept women.
LI
For her, they might make an exception. If not, I'm afraid
she'll become a poisoned dragon.
SHU LIEN
It's not our affair. Even if Wudan accepts her, her husband
might object.
LI
I thought by giving away the sword, I could escape the
Giang Hu world. But the cycle of bloodshed continues.
SHU LIEN
I wish there were something more I could do to help you.
Li Mu Bai and Shu Lien watch each other.
LI
Just be patient with me, Shu Lien.
INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT
Jen is asleep. A noise awakens her.
Lo opens the window and sneaks in -- right into the point of Jen's waiting
sword. Jen's sword drops to the ground.
JEN
Lo?
LO
Jen!
Lo grabs her by the wrist.
JEN
You shouldn't have come.
LO
With all the traffic on your rooftop these days... it
took me a while to get in here. I can't wait any longer. I was wrong to let
you go. Come back with me. You'll be happy in the desert. You'll be free there.
Jen turns back to him and rests herself briefly in his arms again.
JEN
You've been looking for me all this time?
FLASHBACK: FOUR YEARS EARLIER
INT./EXT. CARRIAGE/MONGOLIAN DESERT - DAY
Jen holds up a comb, with daylight shining through it. Jen admires the piece,
her most prized possession.
Madam Yu sits opposite her.
MADAM YU
Jen... stop playing with it.
Jen looks out over the desert, as the wind picks up and the sky darkens.
JEN
I won't break it.
EXT. CARRIAGE/MONGOLIAN DESERT - DAY
Lo and a group of armed bandits descend on the caravan.
GUARD A
It's Dark Cloud! Dark Cloud is coming!
His warning is useless. From Jen's pov, we see the guards slaughtered in a
hail of arrows and swords.
MADAM YU
Lower the shade, don't let them see you!
DARK CLOUD (LO) Don't touch the women!
Though unharmed, Madam Yu immediately faints. Lo approaches the carriage and
grabs the comb from Jen's hand.
She bolts from the carriage, and, once outside, bends down and grabs a lance
from the body of a dead guard, whose horse flails beside him.
She looks up to see the gang of bandits already making their escape on horseback.
LO
Let's go!
EXT. DESERT - DAY
Jen and Lo ride across the desert floor at breakneck speed.
LO
Come get your comb.
She tries to jab him with the lance, but he grabs it and flings her off her
horse.
LO
Hurry back to your mother.
Lo rides on as she charges after her horse.
EXT. DESERT BLUFF - DAY
A group of bandits is dividing up the loot, as Jen rides up, keeping a respectable
distance. They notice her and rise as she dismounts.
One of them saunters over to her and stands, grinning, a few feet away. In
a second, she's slammed his balls into his stomach and knocked his nose into
his face. He crumples to the sand. The other bandits stop laughing, quickly
exchange glances, and charge her at once. In a matter of seconds, they're
either on the ground or dragging their fallen comrades back.
Lo calls out and stops the fight.
LO
She's mine.
EXT. DESERT - DAY
Lo and Jen ride, if not side-by-side, then parallel, about 20 feet apart.
Their pace has slowed considerably. In fact, they're dead tired.
LO
Let's stop a moment.
JEN
Give it back!
LO
(shouting a bit) You're tired. You need rest. Your horse
needs water. There's a creek up here.
He dismounts, looks down at the dry creek bed.
LO
Well, there used to be! What's your name? I'm Lo. The Hans
call me Dark Cloud. I'm not that tall or big, but I'm quick as lightning.
JEN
My comb!
She kicks him. They fight ferociously until Lo, exhausted, collapses. She
kicks him a few times, then collapses too.
INT. CAVE - DAY
Jen comes to and finds herself wrapped in a blanket of animal fur. She sits
up with a start and checks her clothes. Looking around, she realizes she's
in a cave. Next to her are a lamp, some hunting equipment, and a neat row
of sharp arrows. She quickly grabs one of the arrows.
LO
If you like that arrow, I can make you a bow. Great for
hunting wild chicken. They're delicious.
Jen raises one of the arrows, going on the attack again, but her legs betray
her and she falls.
LO
You need to eat, understand? Then you'll have the strength
to fight. Understand?
He helps her up, then pours her some horse milk from a sac. He hands her a
small chunk of food, which she first accepts grudgingly, then, her hunger
getting the better of her, she starts to wolf it down.
LO
You're eating too fast. Slowly.
EXT. CAVE - DAY
Lo walks out into a barren mountain landscape. A chicken roasts over a fire.
Lo whistles.
Jen appears suddenly with a rock and knocks it over his head. Lo passes out
as Jen scurries away.
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE AND DESERT - DAY
Jen tries to find her way among the treacherous stony terrain, her lips chapped
and fingers bloody and blistered. But soon she passes out.
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
Jen again awakes inside the cave. Lo tries to feed her some water, but she
chokes, and tries to push him away, only to find that her legs and hands are
tied up.
LO
You've got quite a temper. It's better this way.
JEN
You coward!
LO
Still in a bad mood? At least you're speaking. What's your
name?
Jen spits at Lo.
LO
I didn't think the Hans had names like that.
Later: She weaves in and out of consciousness. In the flickering lights, she
sees Lo sharpening his arrows.
Later, he pulls back an opaque curtain to reveal a makeshift bathroom -- a
water-filled cavity serves as a tub.
He rises as Jen sobs at the sight of her imprisoned and dishevelled body.
He comes over and unties her.
LO
Relax. If I had wanted to, I would already have done it. You
must be dying for a bath. Fresh water's hard to get here. But I managed to
bring some up. You can wear my clothes when you're done. They're clean. Don't
worry. I'll sing, so you'll know where I am. After the bath, you'll be calmer.
No more hitting on the head!
Jen nods and the bandit releases her. He starts to sing as he walks out. Jen
waits until the sound recedes before closing the curtain behind her and dipping
into the pit. While she bathes, she listens to his singing, a loud rendition
of a tribal song. Lo apparently doesn't remember all the lyrics, and la-las
his way through more than a few passages. Jen smiles.
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
Jen grimaces as Lo pulls the last of some cactus needles from the soles of
her feet.
LO
All this trouble for a comb?
JEN
It's mine. It means a lot to me. A barbarian like you
wouldn't understand.
LO
Not true. I can use it to pick fleas from my horse.
JEN
By the way, I'm a real Manchurian.
LO
I'm sorry... I guessed wrong. I though you were a Han.
JEN
Give me back my comb.
LO
I don't take orders from anyone.
JEN
Give it back.
Jen impulsively grabs an arrow and stabs Lo, drawing a little blood from his
chest. Furious, Lo lunges at her and they tussle briefly. Finally, Lo gets
on top of Jen, and the scuffling becomes more like foreplay. Violence turns
into unleashed passion.
EXT. DESERT OASIS - DAY
Lo and Jen ride across the desert. Jen holds tightly to him.
EXT. CAVE - NIGHT
Lo and Jen lie in the bath together.
LO
When I was a boy, one night, I saw a thousand shooting
stars. I thought, where did they all go? I'm an orphan. I used to look for
stars alone. I thought if I rode to the other end of the desert, I'd find
them. I've been riding in the desert ever since.
JEN
And so, the little boy became a fearsome bandit. He couldn't
find the stars, so he stole my comb.
Lo pauses.
LO
Out here, you always fight for survival. You have to be part
of a gang to stand a chance. Slowly, your gang becomes your family. All that
Dark Cloud stuff is just to scare people and make my life easier.
JEN
So you're still that little boy looking for shooting stars.
LO
I am a man. And now I've found the brightest star of all.
EXT. DESERT - DAY
Lo sees uniformed men through his binoculars.
LO
Your father's men are looking for you.
Jen doesn't respond.
EXT. DESERT - DAY
Lo and Jen ride through a mountain pass.
EXT. CLIFF - DAY
Lo and Jen stand at the crest of a cliff. Lo looks over, viewing the desert
valley below, as Jen joins him. They see a troop of uniformed men riding by
in the distance.
LO
Your father's men are still looking for you. They're still
out there, circling closer.
JEN
Let them look.
LO
It is trouble for me.
Jen bites her lip.
JEN
Don't send me back!
LO
You must decide. You might get tired of this life. You might
begin to miss your family. If it were our daughter, we'd look for her too.
She would miss us. Jen... I want you to be mine forever. I will make my mark
on the world. I will earn your parents' respect. We have a legend. Anyone
who dares to jump from the mountain, God will grant his wish. Long ago, a
young man's parents were ill, so he jumped. He didn't die. He wasn't even
hurt. He floated away, far away, never to return. He knew his wish had come
true. If you believe, it will happen. The elders say, "A faithful heart makes
wishes come true."
INT. TENT - DAY
Jen and Lo kiss. Jen takes the jade comb out of her hair and presses it into
his palm. Jen starts to cry. They embrace.
JEN
Keep it safe. Return it to me when we are together again.
LO
I will.
JEN
(smiling painfully) If you don't, I'll come after you.
And I won't let you off so easy.
EXT. TENT - DAY
Jen quietly walks out and stands sadly in the early morning light.
End of flashback.
INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT
LO
Wherever I went, someone always recognized me. I really
tried. Later, I heard you came to Peking. I was afraid I'd never see you again.
So I came. I can't let you marry.
Jen is about to respond when a servant's voice is heard from outside the door.
JEN
(whispering) Go.
LO
Jen...
JEN
(through her tears) Don't ever come back.
Lo hovers at the window frame.
LO
So it's over?
Jen pauses.
JEN
Yes.
Lo thrusts a small object in her hand. He lifts his legs through the window,
and drops out of sight, just as Jen's door is opened from the hall.
MAID
We heard noises.
JEN
It was just a cat.
The maid pauses, then dutifully exits, closing the door.
Jen opens up her palm; gasping, she sees the comb that Lo has given her.
Previous Page Next Page
