No please don't! PAI MEI * If you wish to speak romantic languages, you've come to the wrong place.
THE BRIDE * Please don't cut my arm off! PAI MEI * It's my arm now. I can do with it what I please. If you can stop me, I suggest you try.
THE BRIDE * I can't! PAI MEI * Because you're helpless?
THE BRIDE * Yes! PAI MEI * Have you ever felt this before?
THE BRIDE * No! PAI MEI * Compared to me you're as helpless as a worm fighting an eagle, aren't you?
THE BRIDE * Yes!!! PAI MEI * THAT'S THE BEGGING! He lets go of her wrist. She cradles her still-throbbing arm.
PAI MEI * Is it your wish to learn how to make others as helpless as you were?
THE BRIDE * Yes.
PAI MEI * Can you cook?
THE BRIDE * Yes.
PAI MEI * I'll be the judge of that.
(pause) Draw me a bath...your training will begin tomorrow. That arm is still mine. You may lose it yet.
TIME CUT:
EXT. WHITE LOTUS TEMPLE - DAY Pai Mei stands in front of a wood wall three inches in front of him. His right fist is cocked back by his breastplate, he's concentrating on a certain spot on the wall.
The Bride stands behind him, watching.
He lets out a SCREAM, and puts his fist THROUGH THE WALL.
He turns to the new student; PAI MEI * Since your arm now belongs to me, I want it strong. Can you do that?
THE BRIDE * I can, but not that close.
PAI MEI * Then you can't do it.
THE BRIDE * I can put my hand through that at six inches.
PAI MEI * And you could shoot a man from a rooftop with a scope-sight rifle, if you so desired, but this is not what I asked. What if your enemy is three inches in front of you, what do you do then? Curl into a ball?