Daniel and Ali share a kiss, at this point their 3rd, in Daniel's car the night before the All Valley.
And Johnny invited Ali to the tournament?
Chapter 25, pages 109-110
"How do you like it?"
"This is yours?" she asked, excited. Daniel nodded and displayed the keys.
"Oh, it's wonderful. Beautiful. It's the neatest car I've ever seen."
"You want to drive?"
"Me? Wow!" She kissed him on the cheek and ran to the driver's seat. They both climbed in for a drive.
Much later, they pulled up in front of Ali's house. Ali combed her windblown hair and asked, unnecessarily, "How do I look?"
"Really beautiful." He put his arm up around her shoulder and wiped a smudge from her forehead, pleased with the calm of the moment. He was uncertain about the future - their future and his. After all, there was the tournament in the morning, but at that instant, he knew he was where he wanted to be.
"I'm in the karate tournament tomorrow."
"I know."
"So I guess you are already invited."
Ali nodded, and Daniel's hopes sank.
"But I haven't accepted," said Ali. "However, I have decided to accept the very next invitation I get," she said impishly, smiling.
"Will you be my guest?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
"I'll probably get killed in the first match."
Ali's eyes twinkled.
"So we'll leave early."
What a girl, he thought, reaching to hold her warmly. Softly, the kissed good-night.
Showing posts with label karate kid - the book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label karate kid - the book. Show all posts
Sep 3, 2012
Daniel and the Crane Technique
In the book Daniel's first attempt at the Crane has a different outcome, one where Daniel almost loses his life!
Chapter 23, page 100-101
Then next afternoon, Daniel was back at the beach - this time alone.
With the utmost care, he made his way to the last piling and pulled himself up on its precarious surface. Carefully, between waves, he stood as straight and tall as he could and lifted his right leg into the crane position he'd seen Mr. Miyagi use, in time to greet the oncoming wave. At the last second, he flexed his left leg to jump, but he was too late. The powerful sea grabbed him and pulled him from the piling, slamming him into another one, making a gash in his head. He lost his sense of direction as the water tossed and dragged him mercilessly. He struggled against the clawing grasp of the undertow, barely escaping its pull. Continuously, the waves pushed him to danger while the undertow dragged him to the depths.
It took every ounce of Daniel's strength to overcome the forces of the icy Pacific, but some time later, coughing up salty water, Daniel pulled himself onto the beach, exhausted, spent.
It was then, semiconscious, that Daniel remembered Mr. Miyagi's words:
"First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature's rules, Danielsan, not mine."
How long, he wondered, lying half in and half out of the water, still unable to move. How long before he could stand?
Chapter 23, page 100-101
Then next afternoon, Daniel was back at the beach - this time alone.
With the utmost care, he made his way to the last piling and pulled himself up on its precarious surface. Carefully, between waves, he stood as straight and tall as he could and lifted his right leg into the crane position he'd seen Mr. Miyagi use, in time to greet the oncoming wave. At the last second, he flexed his left leg to jump, but he was too late. The powerful sea grabbed him and pulled him from the piling, slamming him into another one, making a gash in his head. He lost his sense of direction as the water tossed and dragged him mercilessly. He struggled against the clawing grasp of the undertow, barely escaping its pull. Continuously, the waves pushed him to danger while the undertow dragged him to the depths.
It took every ounce of Daniel's strength to overcome the forces of the icy Pacific, but some time later, coughing up salty water, Daniel pulled himself onto the beach, exhausted, spent.
It was then, semiconscious, that Daniel remembered Mr. Miyagi's words:
"First learn stand, then learn fly. Nature's rules, Danielsan, not mine."
How long, he wondered, lying half in and half out of the water, still unable to move. How long before he could stand?
Aug 24, 2012
Daniel learns how to punch....at Miyagi's house
More examples of how the book differs from the movie.
Daniel's punching lesson comes the same day he and Mr. Miyagi go to the lake where Daniel practices his balance, (the whole scene taking place after the country club scene) but his punching lesson comes at Mr. Miyagi's house.
So confusing.
Chapter 22, page 96
That afternoon Daniel sat at the oars of a rowboat on a lake with Mr. Miyagi. No mention was made of the scene at Mr. Miyagi's on Friday night. It was as if it had never happened. But it had.
"Stop. Stand. Bow," commanded the old man.
Carefully, Daniel lay down the oars and stood, bowing courteously.
"Not bow. Bow," said Mr. Miyagi, pointing to the front of the boat.
--------------------
page 97
"When am I going to learn to punch?" he asked.
In response, Mr. Miyagi began to rock the boat, breaking Daniel's rhythm and tipping him. Unceremoniously, Daniel landed, shoulder first, in the cold water. When he emerged, sputtering, Mr. Miyagi answered his question.
"When learn keep dry," he said wryly, and helped Daniel climb back into the boat.
--------------------
page 98
"Why train then?" the old man challenged.
"So I won't have to fight."
Mr. Miyagi smiles broadly, obviously proud of Daniel's growing wisdom.
"Hope for you yet," he complimented. "Come, row."
"Where to?" asked Daniel, obeying.
"Ready to learn punch."
--------------------
Chapter 23, page 99
"One inch," said Mr. Miyagi, standing on the new deck of his house. "Secret of punch is to make whole power of body fit into one inch."
"Oh yeah?" said Daniel, laughing at the idea. "Which inch?"
In a split second, Mr. Miyagi's fist came into Daniel's vision, powered by the awesome energy of the old man's body. The fist stopped as suddenly as it had started, a hair's breadth from Daniel's nose. Mr. Miyagi pointed to his first two knuckles.
"This inch."
Daniel understood.
Daniel's punching lesson comes the same day he and Mr. Miyagi go to the lake where Daniel practices his balance, (the whole scene taking place after the country club scene) but his punching lesson comes at Mr. Miyagi's house.
So confusing.
Chapter 22, page 96
That afternoon Daniel sat at the oars of a rowboat on a lake with Mr. Miyagi. No mention was made of the scene at Mr. Miyagi's on Friday night. It was as if it had never happened. But it had.
"Stop. Stand. Bow," commanded the old man.
Carefully, Daniel lay down the oars and stood, bowing courteously.
"Not bow. Bow," said Mr. Miyagi, pointing to the front of the boat.
--------------------
page 97
"When am I going to learn to punch?" he asked.
In response, Mr. Miyagi began to rock the boat, breaking Daniel's rhythm and tipping him. Unceremoniously, Daniel landed, shoulder first, in the cold water. When he emerged, sputtering, Mr. Miyagi answered his question.
"When learn keep dry," he said wryly, and helped Daniel climb back into the boat.
--------------------
page 98
"Why train then?" the old man challenged.
"So I won't have to fight."
Mr. Miyagi smiles broadly, obviously proud of Daniel's growing wisdom.
"Hope for you yet," he complimented. "Come, row."
"Where to?" asked Daniel, obeying.
"Ready to learn punch."
--------------------
Chapter 23, page 99
"One inch," said Mr. Miyagi, standing on the new deck of his house. "Secret of punch is to make whole power of body fit into one inch."
"Oh yeah?" said Daniel, laughing at the idea. "Which inch?"
In a split second, Mr. Miyagi's fist came into Daniel's vision, powered by the awesome energy of the old man's body. The fist stopped as suddenly as it had started, a hair's breadth from Daniel's nose. Mr. Miyagi pointed to his first two knuckles.
"This inch."
Daniel understood.
Aug 5, 2012
Daniel breaks things off with Ali
Perhaps one of the biggest Karate Kid mysteries has been solved, at least in my mind. One of the things in the move that never made sense to me and used to bug me to no end was the scene in the arcade the night before the All Valley tournament.
When Daniel says to Ali, "I just want to apologize.", that never made sense to me. Apologize for what?! Daniel had done nothing wrong to warrant an apology.
The book however has now laid that mystery to rest.
Chapter 22, page 95
As soon as he rounded the corner, Daniel could see Ali standing by the school door, waiting for him, probably to make some kind of excuse about Friday night. Daniel didn't want to hear what Little Miss Country Club had to say.
He walked right past her into the school. He was tempted to turn when he heard her call, but he really didn't want to be hurt again. She ran up to him and stood in front of him.
"Daniel, I want to explain."
He winced when he saw a bandage on her hand, but it didn't stop him. He walked around her.
"Would you at least listen?"
"And be lied to?" He evaded her again.
"You're rude."
That stopped him. He turned on her in anger, "How can you tell? You live in a world of rude people. I just want all of you to leave me alone."
He stalked off, leaving Ali behind him. Somehow he felt that nothing he'd ever done hurt as much as that.
Although he knew it was over with Ali, the conflict with Johnny wasn't that simple. He'd have to finish his karate training and meet Johnny at the tournament, completing the battle they'd begun that first day on the beach. What would things be like now if he'd never showed off his hot dog soccer moves to Ali? Different. Very different.
When Daniel says to Ali, "I just want to apologize.", that never made sense to me. Apologize for what?! Daniel had done nothing wrong to warrant an apology.
The book however has now laid that mystery to rest.
Chapter 22, page 95
As soon as he rounded the corner, Daniel could see Ali standing by the school door, waiting for him, probably to make some kind of excuse about Friday night. Daniel didn't want to hear what Little Miss Country Club had to say.
He walked right past her into the school. He was tempted to turn when he heard her call, but he really didn't want to be hurt again. She ran up to him and stood in front of him.
"Daniel, I want to explain."
He winced when he saw a bandage on her hand, but it didn't stop him. He walked around her.
"Would you at least listen?"
"And be lied to?" He evaded her again.
"You're rude."
That stopped him. He turned on her in anger, "How can you tell? You live in a world of rude people. I just want all of you to leave me alone."
He stalked off, leaving Ali behind him. Somehow he felt that nothing he'd ever done hurt as much as that.
Although he knew it was over with Ali, the conflict with Johnny wasn't that simple. He'd have to finish his karate training and meet Johnny at the tournament, completing the battle they'd begun that first day on the beach. What would things be like now if he'd never showed off his hot dog soccer moves to Ali? Different. Very different.
Aug 4, 2012
Events at the country club
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.
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.
Jul 23, 2012
A different order of events
Movies, as we all know, usually differ from the book. Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.
One thing that made reading the book fun was stumbling across a different order of events from when Daniel starts training with Mr. Miyagi to when Daniel has his birthday party.
Let's compare!
Movie:
Saturday Oct 29th - wax on wax off
Monday Oct 31st - ask Ali out for their first date
Saturday Nov 5th - first date
Friday Nov 11th - sand the floor
Saturday Nov 12th - paint the fence
Sunday Nov 13th - paint the house
Monday Nov 14th - go to the beach, learn balance, witness Crane technique
date unknown - ask Ali out for their second date
date unknown - go to the lake to practice balance
Friday Nov 18th - second date, Country Club, head to Mr. Miyagi's home
Saturday Nov 19th - start training alone
date unknown - learn how to punch
Book:
Saturday Oct 29th - wax on wax off
Monday Oct 31st - ask Ali out for their first date
date unknown - sand floor
date unknown - paint fence
Saturday Nov 5th - first date
Sunday Nov 6th - paint house
Monday Nov 7th - ask Ali out for their second date, go to beach, learn balance, witness Crane
Friday - second date, Country Club
Saturday or Sunday - go to Mr. Miyagi's home
Monday - tell Ali off at school
date unknown - go to the lake to practice balance, learn how to punch
next day - start training alone
I will go into detail on a couple of these subject in upcoming posts.
One thing that makes more sense with the book version is that it makes it sound like Daniel went to Mr. Miyagi's house a day or two after the incident at the Country Club, not that same night. I've often wondered about the movie version where Daniel shows up to Mr. Miyagi's house in his stained shirt on his bicycle. Why on his bicycle? He wasn't picking Ali up on bike, he would have had the car. Why not show up to Mr. Miyagi's house in the car?
By having him go to his house a day or two later, like in the book, it solves that problem the movie has created.
One thing that made reading the book fun was stumbling across a different order of events from when Daniel starts training with Mr. Miyagi to when Daniel has his birthday party.
Let's compare!
Movie:
Saturday Oct 29th - wax on wax off
Monday Oct 31st - ask Ali out for their first date
Saturday Nov 5th - first date
Friday Nov 11th - sand the floor
Saturday Nov 12th - paint the fence
Sunday Nov 13th - paint the house
Monday Nov 14th - go to the beach, learn balance, witness Crane technique
date unknown - ask Ali out for their second date
date unknown - go to the lake to practice balance
Friday Nov 18th - second date, Country Club, head to Mr. Miyagi's home
Saturday Nov 19th - start training alone
date unknown - learn how to punch
Book:
Saturday Oct 29th - wax on wax off
Monday Oct 31st - ask Ali out for their first date
date unknown - sand floor
date unknown - paint fence
Saturday Nov 5th - first date
Sunday Nov 6th - paint house
Monday Nov 7th - ask Ali out for their second date, go to beach, learn balance, witness Crane
Friday - second date, Country Club
Saturday or Sunday - go to Mr. Miyagi's home
Monday - tell Ali off at school
date unknown - go to the lake to practice balance, learn how to punch
next day - start training alone
I will go into detail on a couple of these subject in upcoming posts.
One thing that makes more sense with the book version is that it makes it sound like Daniel went to Mr. Miyagi's house a day or two after the incident at the Country Club, not that same night. I've often wondered about the movie version where Daniel shows up to Mr. Miyagi's house in his stained shirt on his bicycle. Why on his bicycle? He wasn't picking Ali up on bike, he would have had the car. Why not show up to Mr. Miyagi's house in the car?
By having him go to his house a day or two later, like in the book, it solves that problem the movie has created.
Apr 17, 2012
Missing scene - magic at Ali's front door
Another missing scene, Daniel drops Ali off at her front door after their first date.
Tension was high after Daniel was humiliated thanks to Johnny and his Cobras in the Golf N Stuff parking lot. Thanks to Ali however a bruised ego is soothed and repairs are made to Daniel and Ali's relationship.
Chapter 17, page 78
"Look, if I'd really wanted to go, I would have," she said, climbing into the car. Daniel was sure she was disappointed to be in this ancient Chevy instead of Johnny's classy convertible, and was only being polite to him.
At Ali's house, Daniel walked her to the door.
"So anytime you want to go sliding," she said, "just say abracadabra-"
"Yeah, I'll call you," said Daniel, withdrawn, upset, let down by the scene in the parking lot.
He turned.
"Wait a sec," Ali called. He walked back to her. She reached her hands to his lips and, magically, a piece of paper appeared. She handed it to him.
"How are you going to call the magician if you don't have her phone number?" she asked, and then, in an instant, was gone.
Maybe, just maybe, thought Daniel, he could conquer the Hills. But it was going to take some magic.
Tension was high after Daniel was humiliated thanks to Johnny and his Cobras in the Golf N Stuff parking lot. Thanks to Ali however a bruised ego is soothed and repairs are made to Daniel and Ali's relationship.
Chapter 17, page 78
"Look, if I'd really wanted to go, I would have," she said, climbing into the car. Daniel was sure she was disappointed to be in this ancient Chevy instead of Johnny's classy convertible, and was only being polite to him.
At Ali's house, Daniel walked her to the door.
"So anytime you want to go sliding," she said, "just say abracadabra-"
"Yeah, I'll call you," said Daniel, withdrawn, upset, let down by the scene in the parking lot.
He turned.
"Wait a sec," Ali called. He walked back to her. She reached her hands to his lips and, magically, a piece of paper appeared. She handed it to him.
"How are you going to call the magician if you don't have her phone number?" she asked, and then, in an instant, was gone.
Maybe, just maybe, thought Daniel, he could conquer the Hills. But it was going to take some magic.
Apr 5, 2012
A second kiss
Daniel and Ali's first kiss came at the Halloween dance, now a second kiss at school? It would appear that way, as Daniel asks Ali out on their first date.
Chapter 15, page 66
"Well, uh, would you like to listen, say on Saturday night?"
"Sure" she said, jotting her address on a piece of paper for him. "Bye." Quickly, she brushed his lips with hers and turned to go into her classroom.
Chapter 15, page 66
"Well, uh, would you like to listen, say on Saturday night?"
"Sure" she said, jotting her address on a piece of paper for him. "Bye." Quickly, she brushed his lips with hers and turned to go into her classroom.
Apr 3, 2012
Waxing cars
Ever wonder how long it took Daniel to wax all of Mr. Miyagi's cars?
Chapter 14, page 64
Three-and-a-half hours later, Daniel wiped the last excess of wax from the last car. They all shined like new. Proudly, he put the cleaning gear away and went to get Mr. Miyagi for inspection. As he entered the house, though, he saw the old man sitting cross-legged in a meditative position, hands placed on knees, eyes closed, solemn.
Chapter 14, page 64
Three-and-a-half hours later, Daniel wiped the last excess of wax from the last car. They all shined like new. Proudly, he put the cleaning gear away and went to get Mr. Miyagi for inspection. As he entered the house, though, he saw the old man sitting cross-legged in a meditative position, hands placed on knees, eyes closed, solemn.
Miyagi's mumbled words
I've always wondered what Mr. Miyagi says to Daniel as they get out of the truck upon their return from the Cobra Kai dojo. The words spoken by Miyagi are mumbled and I've never been able to discern what he said. That is until now.
Chapter 14, page 62
"You really think I can beat Johnny?"
"Doesn't matter," said Mr Miyagi. "Attitude of his teacher is that only important thing is fist. That stupid, but is a fact of life. You show good fight, win, lose, no matter, you get respect. No more bother."
Chapter 14, page 62
"You really think I can beat Johnny?"
"Doesn't matter," said Mr Miyagi. "Attitude of his teacher is that only important thing is fist. That stupid, but is a fact of life. You show good fight, win, lose, no matter, you get respect. No more bother."
Mar 12, 2012
Challenge at the dojo
Chapter 13, pages 58-59
"That's what's bothering you? The odds? We can fix that. Feel like a match, Mr. Lawrence?"
"Anytime, sensei." Johnny snapped to attention.
Daniel felt the burn of Kreese's stare as he eyed him. Somehow, he managed to keep his face still and hide the terror he felt in the presence of this man and his deadly students.
"Roberts!" commanded Kreese. "Get him a gi! We'll have a match. That better, old man?"
"No."
"Well," he said, sarcastically. "What more can we do to accommodate you? Room service?"
"No more fighting."
"This is a karate dojo, not a knitting class," he said has he thrust the karate outfit into Daniel's arms. "Now, let's get this over with. I've got a class to teach!"
Mr. Miyagi took the gi from Daniel's hand and put it neatly on the chair. He turned to leave. Daniel followed.
Kresse's face reddened in anger. He blocked their exit and spoke menacingly.
"You don't come into my dojo, drop a challenge, and leave, old man. Now get the kid on the floor, or, antique or not, you and I have a serious problem."
"Too much advantage, your dojo."
"Name a place," Kreese challenged.
"That's what's bothering you? The odds? We can fix that. Feel like a match, Mr. Lawrence?"
"Anytime, sensei." Johnny snapped to attention.
Daniel felt the burn of Kreese's stare as he eyed him. Somehow, he managed to keep his face still and hide the terror he felt in the presence of this man and his deadly students.
"Roberts!" commanded Kreese. "Get him a gi! We'll have a match. That better, old man?"
"No."
"Well," he said, sarcastically. "What more can we do to accommodate you? Room service?"
"No more fighting."
"This is a karate dojo, not a knitting class," he said has he thrust the karate outfit into Daniel's arms. "Now, let's get this over with. I've got a class to teach!"
Mr. Miyagi took the gi from Daniel's hand and put it neatly on the chair. He turned to leave. Daniel followed.
Kresse's face reddened in anger. He blocked their exit and spoke menacingly.
"You don't come into my dojo, drop a challenge, and leave, old man. Now get the kid on the floor, or, antique or not, you and I have a serious problem."
"Too much advantage, your dojo."
"Name a place," Kreese challenged.
Trip to the dojo
Chapter 13 of the book offers up a slightly different sequence of events at the Cobra Kai dojo. I will cover them in two sections.
The first is the karate lesson activities before the confrontation between Mr Miyagi and Sensei Kreese.
Chapter 13, page 57
The students paired for combat practice and, for the first time since he'd arrived in California, Daniel had an opportunity to observe a karate match without being an unwilling participant. There was an awesome beauty in the grace and speed of the motions, but even with hand and foot protectors, it was a rough game. One of the students was downed by another and was in obvious pain.
Kreese was not sympathetic.
"Get up," he said, coldly. "Pain purifies. The mind is master."
The boy gasped for breath, trying to pull himself up. To Daniel, he didn't appear purified - merely petrified.
"Say it!" commanded Kreese.
Weakly, the boy repeated Kresse's phrase.
"Louder!"
"Pain purifies. The mind is master!" he shouted. Kreese nodded and ordered the injured boy to do a hundered sit-ups. The boy dragged himself to the sit-up board and began his task.
It was at this point that Johnny spotted Daniel and Mr. Miyagi in the gallery. Kreese observed Johnny's distraction and said, sarcastically, "Lose concentration and you're dead meat, Mr. Lawrence."
Johnny leaned forward and whispered to Kreese. The sensei's hard eyes focussed on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. Daniel was unnerved by his look and began to stand up.
"Let's go," he whispered to Mr. Miyagi, but the old man's hand rested gently on his knee, staying him. Kreese walked to the edge of the gallery and stood before Mr. Miyagi, towering over him.
"I understand you jumped on my students last night."
The first is the karate lesson activities before the confrontation between Mr Miyagi and Sensei Kreese.
Chapter 13, page 57
The students paired for combat practice and, for the first time since he'd arrived in California, Daniel had an opportunity to observe a karate match without being an unwilling participant. There was an awesome beauty in the grace and speed of the motions, but even with hand and foot protectors, it was a rough game. One of the students was downed by another and was in obvious pain.
Kreese was not sympathetic.
"Get up," he said, coldly. "Pain purifies. The mind is master."
The boy gasped for breath, trying to pull himself up. To Daniel, he didn't appear purified - merely petrified.
"Say it!" commanded Kreese.
Weakly, the boy repeated Kresse's phrase.
"Louder!"
"Pain purifies. The mind is master!" he shouted. Kreese nodded and ordered the injured boy to do a hundered sit-ups. The boy dragged himself to the sit-up board and began his task.
It was at this point that Johnny spotted Daniel and Mr. Miyagi in the gallery. Kreese observed Johnny's distraction and said, sarcastically, "Lose concentration and you're dead meat, Mr. Lawrence."
Johnny leaned forward and whispered to Kreese. The sensei's hard eyes focussed on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi. Daniel was unnerved by his look and began to stand up.
"Let's go," he whispered to Mr. Miyagi, but the old man's hand rested gently on his knee, staying him. Kreese walked to the edge of the gallery and stood before Mr. Miyagi, towering over him.
"I understand you jumped on my students last night."
Mar 11, 2012
Athletic field?
Chapter 11, page 48
With all the Cobras chasing after him, including a soaking wet Johnny, Daniel tore through the crowd in the gym, past an astonished Ali. He glanced over his shoulder just before going through the door. The last thing he saw was Ali, sticking out her beautiful leg to trip Johnny.
What a girl! Daniel thought, shedding his shower costume as he went. He knew his only hope for safety was to get over the chainlink fence at the far end of the athletic field. If he could do that, he'd be able to get home. If he couldn't, well, he didn't want to think about that.
He ran across the empty field. The fence was closer now, but he was winded and tired. At last, he reached the fence and scrambled up it, struggling to reach the top, but before he could pull himself over, Johnny grabbed him from behind and pulled him to the ground.
With all the Cobras chasing after him, including a soaking wet Johnny, Daniel tore through the crowd in the gym, past an astonished Ali. He glanced over his shoulder just before going through the door. The last thing he saw was Ali, sticking out her beautiful leg to trip Johnny.
What a girl! Daniel thought, shedding his shower costume as he went. He knew his only hope for safety was to get over the chainlink fence at the far end of the athletic field. If he could do that, he'd be able to get home. If he couldn't, well, he didn't want to think about that.
He ran across the empty field. The fence was closer now, but he was winded and tired. At last, he reached the fence and scrambled up it, struggling to reach the top, but before he could pull himself over, Johnny grabbed him from behind and pulled him to the ground.
The Halloween dance and a kiss
Chapter 10 delivers a big shock, one I was not expecting. Daniel and Ali's first kiss.
Chapter 10, page 45
Through a crack in the curtain, he looked around the gym until he saw Ali dressed as a harem girl. The costume showed off some of her best features. Carefully, Daniel maneuvered the shower to her side, quickly opened the curtain, enveloped her and closed the curtain. Ali was startled, but smiled when she recognized her captor.
"Want to dance?" he asked, putting his arms around her waist.
"I never danced with a shower before," she said, putting her arms around his neck.
"Well, don't you think it's time to test the water?" he joked.
Ali nodded, smiling. "Where have you been hiding? I haven't seen you for weeks.'
"I've been busy."
"I'm glad you got unbusy," Ali said.
"Me, too."
Daniel looked into Ali's eyes, then pulled her softly toward his racing heart. She looked up at him and tilted her head. Gently, he leaned toward her and they kissed. And kissed again.
Chapter 10, page 45
Through a crack in the curtain, he looked around the gym until he saw Ali dressed as a harem girl. The costume showed off some of her best features. Carefully, Daniel maneuvered the shower to her side, quickly opened the curtain, enveloped her and closed the curtain. Ali was startled, but smiled when she recognized her captor.
"Want to dance?" he asked, putting his arms around her waist.
"I never danced with a shower before," she said, putting her arms around his neck.
"Well, don't you think it's time to test the water?" he joked.
Ali nodded, smiling. "Where have you been hiding? I haven't seen you for weeks.'
"I've been busy."
"I'm glad you got unbusy," Ali said.
"Me, too."
Daniel looked into Ali's eyes, then pulled her softly toward his racing heart. She looked up at him and tilted her head. Gently, he leaned toward her and they kissed. And kissed again.
A broken bicycle
When Daniel walks into Mr. Miyagi's workshop and asks him if it was he who fixed his bike I always wondered to myself what was wrong with his bike. Yeah, he said he hated his bike and threw it into the dumpster, but what was wrong with it?
The book clears it up.
Chapter 8, page 35
"KIAAIIIII!" Daniel howled in disgust as he heaved his broken bicycle into the dumpster outside his apartment.
He had walked it all the way home, but when the axle broke in the parking lot, he gave up on it.
Daniel's mother was getting out of the Chevy when she saw Daniel at the dumpster.
"Daniel!" she called, running across the lot to him. "What's the matter?" He turned away from her to hide the tears and the bruises.
"What's wrong with you bike? Why did you throw it away?"
"Felt like it," he mumbled.
The book clears it up.
Chapter 8, page 35
"KIAAIIIII!" Daniel howled in disgust as he heaved his broken bicycle into the dumpster outside his apartment.
He had walked it all the way home, but when the axle broke in the parking lot, he gave up on it.
Daniel's mother was getting out of the Chevy when she saw Daniel at the dumpster.
"Daniel!" she called, running across the lot to him. "What's the matter?" He turned away from her to hide the tears and the bruises.
"What's wrong with you bike? Why did you throw it away?"
"Felt like it," he mumbled.
Mar 10, 2012
No "no mercy"
"Strike first, strike hard, no mercy sir!"
Nobody could forget those words, especially Daniel. They are what the Cobra Kai are all about. However in the book the phase is slightly different.
Chapter 7, page 31
Daniel stared at the steamed dumplings on the plate before him at The Orient Express. With a chill, he remembered the words he had heard shouted in cadence that afternoon at the karate school he had visited, the Cobra Kai Dojo:
"What do we study?"
"The Way of the Fist!"
"And what is that Way?"
"Strike first. Strike hard!"
That was the way of the karate school where Daniel had thought he might train.
He remembered the "sensei" - the teacher, John Kreese. He was a dangerous looking man, with cold, piercing eyes - the sort of person who just looked like he'd strike first and strike hard.
The students followed Mr. Kreese with awesome precision in their solemn ritual practice. Daniel had watched from the visitor's gallery, waiting to speak to the sensei after class, hoping he could afford the lessons he wanted so badly.
Nobody could forget those words, especially Daniel. They are what the Cobra Kai are all about. However in the book the phase is slightly different.
Chapter 7, page 31
Daniel stared at the steamed dumplings on the plate before him at The Orient Express. With a chill, he remembered the words he had heard shouted in cadence that afternoon at the karate school he had visited, the Cobra Kai Dojo:
"What do we study?"
"The Way of the Fist!"
"And what is that Way?"
"Strike first. Strike hard!"
That was the way of the karate school where Daniel had thought he might train.
He remembered the "sensei" - the teacher, John Kreese. He was a dangerous looking man, with cold, piercing eyes - the sort of person who just looked like he'd strike first and strike hard.
The students followed Mr. Kreese with awesome precision in their solemn ritual practice. Daniel had watched from the visitor's gallery, waiting to speak to the sensei after class, hoping he could afford the lessons he wanted so badly.
Mar 4, 2012
Lunchroom fight
As with most movies scenes are cut out during the editing process for one reason or another, and the Karate Kid was no exception.
One scene that was cut out, although I wish it hadn't been, was the lunchroom fight scene.
Chapter 6, page 29-30
"How over?"
"Weeks." Ali spotted two vacant seats and led the was to them.
Daniel mumbled to no one in particular, "Weeks. What's weeks? One? Two? Fifty-two? One half?"
Ali put her milk on the table and sat down. Daniel pulled out a chair, but when he sat down, there was a sickening squish. Too late, he realized there was something on the chair. When he stood up, he found a mashed piece of blueberry pie all over the seat of his white pants.
"Ooooh-gross!" said a girl at the next table.
Daniel looked for the culprit and he didn't have to look far. At a nearby table, Johnny and his henchmen were congratulating one another. All around, the kids spotted Daniel's pants and began laughing.
Ali was angry.
"You jerk!" she cried to Johnny. Daniel wiped the thick blueberry mess off his pants and held it in his hands as he walked calmly to Johnny.
"Don't even think about it, worm."
Daniel hesitated for a moment. He had, after all, made it to lunch period without a fight.
Calmly, he smeared the gob of blueberry gunk on Johnny's shirt. Mayhem erupted.
One scene that was cut out, although I wish it hadn't been, was the lunchroom fight scene.
Chapter 6, page 29-30
"How over?"
"Weeks." Ali spotted two vacant seats and led the was to them.
Daniel mumbled to no one in particular, "Weeks. What's weeks? One? Two? Fifty-two? One half?"
Ali put her milk on the table and sat down. Daniel pulled out a chair, but when he sat down, there was a sickening squish. Too late, he realized there was something on the chair. When he stood up, he found a mashed piece of blueberry pie all over the seat of his white pants.
"Ooooh-gross!" said a girl at the next table.
Daniel looked for the culprit and he didn't have to look far. At a nearby table, Johnny and his henchmen were congratulating one another. All around, the kids spotted Daniel's pants and began laughing.
Ali was angry.
"You jerk!" she cried to Johnny. Daniel wiped the thick blueberry mess off his pants and held it in his hands as he walked calmly to Johnny.
"Don't even think about it, worm."
Daniel hesitated for a moment. He had, after all, made it to lunch period without a fight.
Calmly, he smeared the gob of blueberry gunk on Johnny's shirt. Mayhem erupted.
Feb 20, 2012
Chapter 5, a very important piece of the puzzle
Chapter 5 is a very important chapter in the book, it fills in a couple of crucial gaps.
I've always been confused by Mrs. Larusso's comments at the Orient Express restaurant.
"They have this program: two nights a week. As soon as a spot opens, I'm in. And the benefits - I'd never get them working in computers. They pay for everything."
Huh?
Chapter 5, pages 23-26
The front door opened. Daniel pasted the well-practiced smile on his face and greeted his mother easily.
"Hi, hon! How's the eye?" she asked, dashing in.
"Okay. What's the rush?"
"I got a job!"
"Yeah, I know. Rocket Computers. Flight to the Future!"
"'Crashed in the Present' is more like it. The company went bankrupt last Friday. Can you believe it? Isn't that my luck?"
"So, we're going home?"
"Honey, we are home. This is it." She walked into her bedroom, then came back out again. "Seen my black shoes?"
Daniel reached under the couch, found them, and handed them to her.
"So, what's this job?"
"It's just fantastic, honey. Listen to this story. I walked out of the former Rocket Computers offices, feeling pretty low - as you can imagine - and a woman comes flying out of this restaurant, the Orient Express - isn't that cute? - yelling about how she's going to quit. Right behind her a guy is yelling, 'You can't quit. You're fired!' It's one minute to noon, people are coming in for lunch, and I'm the Number One applicant. I got the job. What a story, huh?"
Daniel couldn't hide his disappointment.
"So after going to school - all those night classes about computers - you're going to be a waitress?"
"Hostess, if you please."
"Big difference."
"Yes, Daniel, there is. But it's only temporary anyway. It'll feed us until something better comes along."
Daniel wanted to change the subject. He did have some good news, after all.
"I started driver's ed at school. I got my learner's permit."
"That's nice," his mother said, distracted.
She held up a pair of earrings to her lobes.
"Do these go?"
"Sure. Listen, if I get enough practice in, I can get my license on my birthday."
"How do I look?"
Daniel pasted the smile back on his face. This time, however, the insincerity showed through.
"Great," he said, dully.
"Hon, there's stuff in the fridge for dinner. See you later." With that she hurriedly pecked Daniel on the cheek and dashed out the door. He retreated to the corner of the sofa and his not-so-happy thoughts about the Garden of Eden. The door opened again. His mother stuck her head in and said, "How's Friday afternoon?"
"For what?"
"Driving lessons." Daniel beamed at his mother and then watched her leave.
After dinner, Daniel took out his karate book. He was glad he'd brought it from Newark. He thought that perhaps if he followed a careful regimen, he could get as good at karate as Johnny and then feed him some of his own medicine.
However, it didn't take long to figure out that the few lessons back in Newark and the book could not replace experience with a really good teacher. The movements and strategies simply could not be conveyed in a book. Well, it was all he had and it was better than nothing.
For perhaps the twenty-fifth time, Daniel wondered why he had ever told Freddy he knew karate. Now he'd have to learn it for real to get back Freddy's friendship and to get back his own self-respect.
With renewed determination, he turned to his book. Carefully, he read the section on front snap kicks. He found that if he held the wall with one hand and the book with the other, he could read and follow the instructions. Somehow, though, it lacked Bruce Lee's fluid movement. Daniel persisted, setting a goal for himself of one hundred kicks, each side.
As he got to fifty-seven, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, there was the handyman, Mr. Miyagi, holding a wrench and bowing.
"I come to fix faucet."
I've always been confused by Mrs. Larusso's comments at the Orient Express restaurant.
"They have this program: two nights a week. As soon as a spot opens, I'm in. And the benefits - I'd never get them working in computers. They pay for everything."
Huh?
Chapter 5, pages 23-26
The front door opened. Daniel pasted the well-practiced smile on his face and greeted his mother easily.
"Hi, hon! How's the eye?" she asked, dashing in.
"Okay. What's the rush?"
"I got a job!"
"Yeah, I know. Rocket Computers. Flight to the Future!"
"'Crashed in the Present' is more like it. The company went bankrupt last Friday. Can you believe it? Isn't that my luck?"
"So, we're going home?"
"Honey, we are home. This is it." She walked into her bedroom, then came back out again. "Seen my black shoes?"
Daniel reached under the couch, found them, and handed them to her.
"So, what's this job?"
"It's just fantastic, honey. Listen to this story. I walked out of the former Rocket Computers offices, feeling pretty low - as you can imagine - and a woman comes flying out of this restaurant, the Orient Express - isn't that cute? - yelling about how she's going to quit. Right behind her a guy is yelling, 'You can't quit. You're fired!' It's one minute to noon, people are coming in for lunch, and I'm the Number One applicant. I got the job. What a story, huh?"
Daniel couldn't hide his disappointment.
"So after going to school - all those night classes about computers - you're going to be a waitress?"
"Hostess, if you please."
"Big difference."
"Yes, Daniel, there is. But it's only temporary anyway. It'll feed us until something better comes along."
Daniel wanted to change the subject. He did have some good news, after all.
"I started driver's ed at school. I got my learner's permit."
"That's nice," his mother said, distracted.
She held up a pair of earrings to her lobes.
"Do these go?"
"Sure. Listen, if I get enough practice in, I can get my license on my birthday."
"How do I look?"
Daniel pasted the smile back on his face. This time, however, the insincerity showed through.
"Great," he said, dully.
"Hon, there's stuff in the fridge for dinner. See you later." With that she hurriedly pecked Daniel on the cheek and dashed out the door. He retreated to the corner of the sofa and his not-so-happy thoughts about the Garden of Eden. The door opened again. His mother stuck her head in and said, "How's Friday afternoon?"
"For what?"
"Driving lessons." Daniel beamed at his mother and then watched her leave.
After dinner, Daniel took out his karate book. He was glad he'd brought it from Newark. He thought that perhaps if he followed a careful regimen, he could get as good at karate as Johnny and then feed him some of his own medicine.
However, it didn't take long to figure out that the few lessons back in Newark and the book could not replace experience with a really good teacher. The movements and strategies simply could not be conveyed in a book. Well, it was all he had and it was better than nothing.
For perhaps the twenty-fifth time, Daniel wondered why he had ever told Freddy he knew karate. Now he'd have to learn it for real to get back Freddy's friendship and to get back his own self-respect.
With renewed determination, he turned to his book. Carefully, he read the section on front snap kicks. He found that if he held the wall with one hand and the book with the other, he could read and follow the instructions. Somehow, though, it lacked Bruce Lee's fluid movement. Daniel persisted, setting a goal for himself of one hundred kicks, each side.
As he got to fifty-seven, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, there was the handyman, Mr. Miyagi, holding a wrench and bowing.
"I come to fix faucet."
Feb 16, 2012
Soccer tryouts
So in a previous post I pondered whether the soccer tryouts were held the first day of school or the second day. I came to the conclusion that they were held the second day. Who holds soccer tryouts on the first day of school?
Well, according to the book I was wrong, they were held the first day of school.
Chapter 4, page 19
The first day of school was a maze of loneliness for Daniel. Everybody seemed to belong there except him. Several times he was sure people were talking about him, but it seemed impossible that he was already the talk of the school. Daniel tried to concentrate on his schedule, the school map, and his teachers' names. The only thing he really wanted to do was get to soccer tryouts. He needed to do something he was really good at.
At two-thirty, he changed into his gym shorts, jogged to the soccer field, and began dribbling the soccer ball along with fifty other hopefuls for the soccer team.
Well, according to the book I was wrong, they were held the first day of school.
Chapter 4, page 19
The first day of school was a maze of loneliness for Daniel. Everybody seemed to belong there except him. Several times he was sure people were talking about him, but it seemed impossible that he was already the talk of the school. Daniel tried to concentrate on his schedule, the school map, and his teachers' names. The only thing he really wanted to do was get to soccer tryouts. He needed to do something he was really good at.
At two-thirty, he changed into his gym shorts, jogged to the soccer field, and began dribbling the soccer ball along with fifty other hopefuls for the soccer team.
Jan 23, 2012
First day of school
Have you ever wondered how Daniel made it to school that first day on his bike? How did he know where the school was?
Let's go to the book.
Chapter 1, page 2
"Mom," Danny said evenly. "You know that 'charming' really means 'small and run down.'" Suddenly even California began to seem ordinary. He didn't like that.
"Okay, first a left, then a right after the school - I wonder if that will be your school - then two more blocks, and on the right..."
Daniel's eyes followed the instructions.
So apparently they drove by the school while on their way to the South Seas apartments. Another gap filled.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)