That fateful night at the country club, oh how cruel a mistress love can be.
The scene at the country club seems to be a tipping point in the movie. A betrayal by Ali, or so it seems, angers Daniel and sends him to Mr. Miyagi's house followed by Daniel setting out on his own for his training.
But the book does offer more to the scene at the country club which again fills in some gaps and answers some questions. For example, I've always wondered about how Daniel got to the country club. He shows up at Miyagi's house on his bike with food all over his clothes, he didn't go to the country club on his bike, did he? That would have been a fun date for Ali.
Chapter 20, page 87
"Not bad," said Daniel's mother admiringly.
Daniel had to agree, looking at himself in the mirror. Definitely casual but cool. White shirt over white pants - even white shoes. Definitely.
"Daniel, you know, I'm kind of tired tonight. I don't really want to chauffeur you and Ali." Daniel's heart fell. "So," she continued, "why don't you just take the car? Here are the keys." Overjoyed, Daniel kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Good-night, Mom. And thanks."
He left the house at 9:00.
By 9:15, he was waiting in the parking lot at the country club.
At 9:16, he realized, much to his dismay, that his casual but cool white-on-white look was identical to the uniform of the valet parking attendants at the club. Well, he thought, accepting a set of keys from a guest, this was probably going to be his only chance to drive a Mercedes. Dutifully, he parked the car in the lot and returned to the front of the club.
At 9:21, he parked a Rolls. Very carefully.
At 9:30, he stood patiently by the door.
At 9:40, he was still there.
At 9:45, he was anxious. Nervously, we walked to the rear of the club and discovered the open kitchen door. Because of his white camouflage, no one questioned his presence in the kitchen. Somehow, he found the door to the dining room and looked through it.
A wide circle of candlelit tables surrounded a small dance floor. On one side, an orchestra was pumping out a pathetic mimic of a disco beat. The dance floor was crowded with couples.
Daniel tried to adjust his eyes to the dim light. Too soon, he succeeded. For there, on the dance floor, was Ali - dancing with Johnny.
Johnny's eyes met Daniel's. Ali's back was to the kitchen. Tenderly, Johnny put his hands on Ali's hair and tilted her face toward his. And then, as Daniel watched in horror, Johnny leaned down and kissed her.
Without thinking, Daniel spun around. He had to get of there at any cost. As he turned, however, he rammed into an unsuspecting waiter, and both of them landed sprawled on the floor, while dishes clattered and crashed around them, mingling broken pottery and chicken kiev. Daniel scrambled to his feet, aware that all eyes in the dining room were on him. There was only one pair he cared about, though, and he locked eyes with Ali just before he ran out, through the kitchen, past the Mercedes, past the Rolls, past the Cadillacs and Lincolns, to the welcome and familiar1969 Chevy station wagon.
Daniel didn't know until that moment that the old car could still leave rubber.
