modern

"It isn't a matter of knowing how to perform the kata," the wizened man said as he made a wide and graceful sweep with his right arm. His gi swished as he moved and dropped into a crouch. "You must take in the spirit of the kata and become that which you seek to find." With his last word the old man vanished from sight leaving Nick blinking and apparently alone in the garden.

Nick couldn't help it - he laughed out loud. Suddenly all eyes were on him.

"I don't have any cash," Nick said as he slid the attendant his credit card.

"I'm sorry sir, we don't take credit card - may I see your license?"

The young man blinked. "Why?"

"It is a $250 fine to pass through this check point without paying the toll."

"Row!" the shipmaster barked and the sting of the whip followed his command. Nick grunted and pulled on the oar, his sweat caused the lash to burn.

The young man threw a sidelong glance a Bradley. "You can take your authentic sailing experience and shove it!"

"What is the opposite of 'X'?" The professor scribbled on the white board before turning to the assembled class. "I want the answer to that, and why for tomorrow. No less than three hundred words."

Nick sighed and let his head hit his desk. "I hate philosophy class."

Left to his own devices for dinner, Nick hailed a cab outside of the hotel - a nice beige Mercedes rolled up and he slid in the back. Before he could say a word to the cabbie, the locks clicked and the cab started to fill with a fine mist.

"CAW!" The crow hopped on one foot to the next branch.

"You're not a lot of help!" Nick said and threw a stone at the bird. "You're supposed to be leading me to Mordecai."

The five stood upon the bow of the ship and looked at what damage the tsunami had wrought. They'd been far out at see - it'd barely been more than a swell, but' they'd heard it all on the radio.

Nick stirred the huge stainless kettle and sniffed the bubbling concoction. He wrinkled his nose and shook his head: "Is this beer or some foul brew so we can summon McBeth?"

Mia smirked and bobbed her head once: "Yes!"

Nick swung the shovel as hard as he could and connected with the ghoul's snake-like jaw. He heard a satisfying crunch and the monstrosity went spinning and hit the ground with a SMACK. Not wasting a moment Nick brought the sharpened shovel down on the thing's neck. "YEAH! One more Bradley!" Nick turned around, but his friend was no where to be seen. "Bradley?!"