Writers Guild of America – West Registration #1586885 • Copyright By James B. Brandt

 

Genre: Thriller/Crime/Dramedy/Romance

 

Logline: A Texas Ranger goes to Hong Kong to visit his brother who is kidnapped by desperate arms dealers. Together with a savvy - and beautiful - Honk Kong detective they track down the culprits but to an almost tragic ending.

 

SYNOPSIS: Sam Barkley has created a major breakthrough in virtual reality. His employer, a Hong Kong electronics firm, is prepared to do final testing with the Chinese Military’s elite Special Forces operatives in advanced Martial Arts techniques. But Japanese crime boss, Katsuro - arms dealer, and sadist - has other ideas. He kidnaps Sam in an attempt to learn the secrets of what may be an awesome weapon or a truly great game.

 

Austin Barkley, Sam’s older brother and a Texas Ranger, arrives in Hong Kong for a much anticipated visit, and to meet the young lady who has stolen Sam’s heart. Of course, hearing about the kidnapping from the concierge at Sam’s apartment, Austin makes a beeline for the Hong Kong police detective (Ling) assigned to the case – a most charming Chinese girl who is surprisingly resilient and resourceful.

 

Not satisfied with Sam’s refusal to respond to questioning, Katsuro adds Sam’s girlfriend, Yuen, to his interrogation methods. Interrupted by the timely arrival of Austin and Ling before he can force Sam to talk, Katsuro and his chief torturer, the Turk Savro, escape while Katsuro’s thugs try to deal with the police. Austin has never fought a Ninja. But then, the Ninja’s have never faced a Texas Ranger. The cops survive, though Ling is wounded in the head, forcing Austin to stop the chase and rush Ling to the nearest hospital. Not speaking Cantonese, he uses his best Texas persuasion - his six gun - to force a truck driver to take them to the hospital.

 

Ling, with more spunk than sense, leaves the hospital and, with Austin’s help, figures out the most likely place Katsuro would use as a bolt hole. Their guess is correct, but they arrive a little too late to keep Savros from starting his work on Yuen. But they are in time to rescue Yuen who provides the vital clue needed to track down Katsuro and locate Sam. Austin and Ling continue the chase, despite Ling’s increasing issues with her head wound.

 

Based on Yuen’s information, Ling and Austin narrow the options for Katsuro’s flight from justice. While searching the main highway used to truck goods between Hong Kong and mainland China, Ling spots a produce truck linked to a Hong Kong Tong, known to be Kasturo’s customers. With lights flashing, the Hong Kong Police driver approaches the truck, only to trigger a hail of bullets from the back. The police car swerves and Ling in knocked unconscious. But thanks to Austin’s Texas shooting and the help of the car driver, the truck is stopped and Sam is rescued.

 

But things have suddenly gone from bad to worse. Ling’s injury has created pressure on the brain from internal bleeding. The only hope is to drill a hole in her skull to allow the fluid to drain. But there are no hospitals in sight and the only two left standing are Sam and Austin… who don’t speak Cantonese. In a mad bid to save Ling’s life, they take the only option that presents itself: a Buddhist Temple. But will the centuries old medical practices used by the monks be enough to save Ling or will it leave her a brain dead vegetable?