PRELUDE
Blackness.
IN THE YEAR 2937
Establishing Shot: The vastness of space, looking towards the Galactic
Core. Slowly, our view rotates to take in a section of the Sol System's
Asteroid Belt. It is one of the most densely occupied regions of the
system, surpassed only by the so-called ARM (an obsolete term referring to
the space between Earth and its moon, inclusively) in population.
MATTISE DALCASSIO (V.O.)
Log entry 2 of the Salvage Ship
Alita; June 23, 2937. W.O. Matisse
DalCassio recording. BEAT My life
sucks. Ever since they kicked me
off Earth, it's been one lousy thing
after another.
Our view slowly encompasses the Salvage Ship Alita, an ugly thing that
looks like one of the work pods from the film "2001" grafted onto the body
of a rocket. Its gripper arms dangle unused.
MATTISE DALCASSIO (V.O.)
It's not right! Why should I be
expelled from Earth, just because
I think that bitch Serenity should
be taken out of office, by force if
necessary? Just because the group
of dissidents I belonged to just
happened to be being run by an old
robot? BEAT Just because I
planted a few bombs? I mean, no
one *important* died. Hell, those
sorry twerps hadn't contributed
to the Realm's well-being since
maturity! I removed a drain on our
resources! Those ungrateful sods
should be enlightened by my
actions! SHOUTING I SHOULDA GOT
OFF! PAUSES. POUTINGLY Instead, I
get exiled to the Asteroids for the
rest of my natural life. And these
morons out here have *no* artistic
sensibility whatsoever! Why else
should I, one of the greatest
authors of my generation, be
reduced to working as a pilot on a
crappy salvage ship like this?
Cut to the inside of the cockpit of the Alita. We see the rear of
DALCASSIO's helmeted head (he is wearing a space suit). A red light
begins to flash on the control panel.
MATISSE DALCASSIO
Huh? Oh! Computer, overwrite log
entry, beginning at date. Have
encountered drifting ship. LOW
WHISTLE Wow! It's a big one!
I wonder why Space Command let it
get this far in? Ah, bunch of
beareaucrats ... well, their loss
is our gain.
Cut to exterior shot of the Alita approaching the drifting ship. The
Alita matches velocities, before extending its waldoes to grip the sides
of the ship. This accomplished, the Alita's retrorockets fire, slowing
both ships down to a relative stop.
MATISSE DALCASSIO (V.O.)
The name on the ship is ... well,
it sounds familiar, but I can't
place it. BEAT Scanners show
no life signs ... but there's an
odd power flux showing. I think
I'd better go in and check.
A door opens up on the side of the Alita, and a metal ladder descends to
the drifting ship. DALCASSIO climbs down, and works his way across the
ship to an airlock. This opens after a few seconds of work, with only a
little escaping air. DALCASSIO enters.
Series of shots of DALCASSIO exploring the ship. As the scanners
indicated, it's an empty ship. The air quality is more or less nil, and
it seems that any of the furnishings of the ship's rather sumptuous
living quarters have disintegrated due to old age. DALCASSIO's search
finally leads him to the ship's dead reactor chamber. Therein are two
coffin-like constructions, connected to a large battery. There are
opaque windows on top of each coffin, and metal scribed writing beneath
each window. DALCASSIO inspects the writing on one of the "coffins". He
reacts as if greatly shocked.
MATISSE DALCASSIO
No WAY.
He inspects the other "coffin."
MATISSE DALCASSIO
Oh. MY. GOD!
Cut to exterior shots of DALCASSIO rapidly exiting the ship, making his
way to the ladder, and climbing up to the Alita. Cut to DALCASSIO
climbing into the command chair, and flipping on a switch.
MATISSE DALCASSIO
Control? This is the Alita. I've
made an extremely important
discovery, and I think you'd better
get the chief on the line!
Cut to an exterior shot of a larger vessel now accompanying Alita and the
drifting ship. The airlock of the drifter has been replaced.
Cut to the reactor chamber, now brightly lit, and occupied by the CHIEF,
two large BODYGUARDS standing on either side of DALCASSIO, and a SCIENTIST
who is occupied with some diagnostic computer, examining one of the
"coffins". The CHIEF is a cold-featured man, who doesn't seem to be
listening too carefully to DALCASSIO's speech.
MATTISE DALCASSIO
BABBLING Anyway, I get on board
the ship, and I find these things.
I can remember learning about some
sort of experiment that the
Galactic Union -- no, sorry, the
United Galactica, always get those
two mixed up -- that they tried an
experiment using transmat tech as a
life preserving method. The idea
was that in an emergency, the crew
would get put in a transmat tube
and be converted into an energy
pattern, to be reassembled when
they were rescued. Of course, you
ran the risk of something causing
an interrupt in the power supply to
the matrix, or the juice just plain
running out ... But that didn't
happen, you can see for yourself
that the battery is still running.
But I'm figuring, no way are they
gonna be intact, that experiment
was in the late 2140s, but I might
as well get the names, for history
if nothing else, and boom. It all
comes together. Their names, the
dates, the ship's name ... it's
THEM.
The SCIENTIST stands up, and turns to speak to the chief.
SCIENTIST
I've run every test I can imagine.
These two are still stable, and can
be revived whenever you're ready.
The CHIEF nods, and turns to look at DALCASSIO.
CHIEF
Mr. DalCassio, you're quite right,
this is a momentous discovery. I
would like to congratulate you
personally.
DALCASSIO bows, grinning widely.
CHIEF
Unfortunately, we can't allow you
to live with the knowledge that you
have. TO THE BODYGUARDS Toss him
out the airlock.
Each BODYGUARD grabs one of the stunned DALCASSIO's arms, and bodily
carries him out of the room. Cut to the exterior of the airlock. The
door opens for a moment, and DALCASSIO shoots out, obviously trying to
hold his breath. This is a terrible mistake to make in space -- the drop
in external pressure causes a scene that would be distasteful to describe.
Cut to the reactor chamber. The CHIEF is looking at the coffins, and
smiling evilly.
CHIEF
This is incredible. After those
idiots on Earth screw things up, we
have the perfect weapon to correct
their mistake!
SCIENTIST
I wouldn't categorize them as a
weapon ...
CHIEF
Why not? After all, when we point
them at Neo-Queen Serenity, what
happens won't be ... THEIR fault,
will it?
Cut to shots of the name plates on the coffins. One reads "KEI". The
other reads "YURI". Cut to an exterior shot of the space ship ... the
name on its side is "LOVELY ANGEL".
An Inevitable Outcome Feature
Written and Directed
by C. Richard Davies
TOGETHER AGAIN
2937 Chapter
Based on the works of
Naoko Takeuchi, Rumiko Takahashi,
Suzuki Toshimichi, Haruka Takachiho,
Hiroki Hayashi, Yuuki Masami,
and various interpretations therof.
Dedicated to Gryphon, MegaZone, and ReRob.
ACT ONE
Establishing shot: A panoramic view of Crystal Tokyo from a great
height. The city combines the architecture of a city of the late
twentieth and early twenty-first centuries with a unique crystalline
style. We see a booted foot tapping against a carpeted floor. Our view
moves up the red synth-leather pants to a red synthleather jacket, until
we reach the head of PRISCILLA S. ASAGIRI. She is staring at a window,
and we can only see her face in a reflection. Her expression is
irritated. Suddenly she flushes, and we hear the tapping noise stop.
PRISS
What the heck is taking her so ...
Our view changes to include a wider take of the waiting room, including
the couch opposite the large picture window in front of which PRISS is
standing, on which RAYE (aka LADY MARS), dressed in a Roman style toga
with various pieces of red jewelry, is sitting. Even the eyepatch over
her left eye is red-tinted.
RAYE
Serenity's probably just making sure
that everything's in order with the
*last* person that she spoke with --
determining the feasibility of his
petition, etcetera ...
PRISS turns to look at her.
PRISS
What I don't get is, why do I have
to go through all this *public* crap
so I can do *secret* work for you?
RAYE
SIGH I *thought* we'd gone over
this before. You *won't* be working
for me, you'll be working for
Crystal Tokyo ... but I will
definitely try to get the most work
out of you. There aren't many who
have *half* your experience in
piloting human-scale mecha ... but
anyway, Serenity has to approve ...
PRISS turns to look out the window again.
PRISS
FLATLY I've only got something
like three years experience, Raye.
RAYE
Consciously, yes. But unconsciously
you've got nearly *TEN*. All we
need is unlock your memories --
PRISS
*Which* were locked up without my
permission.
RAYE lets out a deep sigh. We close in on her eye.
MUSIC VIDEO FLASHBACK #1
As a slow, gentle instrumental (piano and saxophone) version of "Konya wa
Hurricane" plays, we see snippets of the life of Priscilla S. Asagiri, in
sepiatone. Being run off the road by a car, out of which steps Sylia,
smiling. Looking up at her with distrust. ("Asu e Touchdown") Suiting
up in a blue hardsuit. ("Blow Up") Standing on top of a building with
her visor open to a rising sun with the other Knight Sabres -- Linna,
Nene, and Sylia. ("Red Eyes"). Tapping Nene's hardsuit on the shoulder,
seeing it fall over and reacting to the horrific sight of Nene's crushed
face. Seeing the Sailor Soldiers appear to destroy a group of boomers.
Lifting her railgun arm to ward off Sailor Jupiter when she comes too
close. Sailor Jupiter breaking her arms with a cold expression.
Screaming. Lying down in a tube that slowly fills with cryogenic fluid,
her expression all but dead. Floating in suspended animation. Awakening
violently, and having to be wrestled down and sedated. Working at a
dull, pointless task. Attending a meeting that suddenly turns violent
when it is revealed that Raye is present incognito. Helping Mars to
escape into the sewers, then turning a stolen gun on her, which Mars
takes away easily. Breaking down in tears suddenly. Mars removing a
device from her back, that produces a hologram of Neo-Queen Serenity
which restores her memories of some of these events in a flash. Looking
as hopeless as she had when she went into suspended animation. Firing
the gun at an approaching boomer. Leaping at it as it prepares to fire
its particle beam, shoving the gun down the emitter, and leaping back as
it explodes, being caught in the explosion. Looking up at a statue of
the Knight Sabres standing in the position that we had seen them in
earlier. Watching Raye walk away in the rain, and calling out to her.
Raye turns, and smiles. Priss hurries to catch up to her. ("Best of All
The Years")
END MUSIC VIDEO FLASHBACK #1
We pull back from RAYE's eye, and see that there is a look of fondness on
her face. She shakes her head
RAYE
Priss, all I can do is promise that
as soon as we have you signed up,
I'll see to it that you're examined
by the best neuropsitechs that we've
got. It shouldn't be too hard to
recover your memories ... I mean,
after all, you *have* them, they're
just locked up. It could be much
worse, there are ways to permanently
burn memories out of a mind ...
PRISS
HEAVY SARCASM Great ...
RAYE is forming a reply to that as the doors to the throne room open, and
a short woman with black hair and red highlights (IZUMI NOA II) wearing a
Crystal Tokyo Police uniform walks out, muttering to herself with a
furious expression. She looks up at Raye suddenly, and gasps.
NOA
Lady Mars, I need to speak with you
at once!
RAYE
BLINKS Ah ... you're ... Chief
Izumi, correct? Of the Patrol Labor
Brigade?
NOA
Yes! Well, Chief Izumi the Second,
if you want to get technical, but in
any case, your Excellency, I need to
speak with you right away!
RAYE
Unfortunately, I have to speak with
her Majesty right now, but this
probably shouldn't take much more
than a few minutes ... can whatever
it is wait that long?
PRISS stands back and watches as NOA visibly gets herself under control.
NOA
I ... yes, I guess so. But it
really is urgent!
RAYE
I won't be very long.
With a nod of her head, RAYE gestures for PRISS to follow her into the
throne room. NOA gives PRISS a strange look as she walks past. It is
almost as though she recognizes her, but not quite.
The Throne Room of NEO-QUEEN SERENITY, Savior of the Earth, Defender of
Humanity, and Soldier of the Light, is fairly small as such structures
go. It is a hexagon, with the throne itself at the center, and a single
path leading to the main entrance. The walls are polished mirrors, except
for the one with the door, which is a gleaming silver.
SERENITY is sitting on her shining throne polishing off a dish of
unrecognizable pasta when we see her. She looks up while chewing,
swallows, and smiles broadly.
SERENITY
We meet once more, Ms. Asagiri. I
would offer to share my lunch with
you, but there is not much left, as
you can see ...
RAYE
SARCASTIC Wow, lunch was served
ten minutes ago, and there's still
some left? You're improving ...
SERENITY raises her eyebrows.
SERENITY
BORED TONE Wah. Raye, you are
always so mean to me. And you set a
terrible example for Ms. Asagiri in
doing so ... after all, she cannot
expect to insult me and escape the
headsman's axe, as you do ...
PRISS
Say what?
Serenity smiles even more broadly.
SERENITY
In any case, Mars, you should be
aware that Chief Izumi was kind
enough to share my chuz'engiatti,
despite being rather anxious. I
would ask that you please at least
give what she has to say to you a
fair hearing.
RAYE
NODS Right.
SERENITY
Thus, we should get on with it.
SERENITY sets the plate down beside the throne, stands up, and gestures.
Pink light fills the room, concentrating around Serenity's outstretched
hand and her eyes. PRISS is visibly unnerved by this, but not as much as
you might think -- or at least, she does a good job of hiding it.
PRISS
So, do I kneel or what?
SERENITY
Only if you so desire. WHISPERED
Repeat after me: "I ..."
PRISS
I, Priscilla Serena Asagiri ...
SERENITY
BLINKS THEN CONTINUES TO WHISPER
"... do swear to uphold and defend
the Realm of the Crystal Kingdom of
Earth from threats within and
without, advised by those whom the
people of the Realm have chosen as
their governance, and by their sworn
deputies."
PRISS repeats the words, and the pink light glows even more brightly with
every passing second.
SERENITY
"This I swear by ..."
PRISS
Uh ... this I swear by ...THINKS
by ... myself.
SERENITY's mouth quirks up in a half-smile.
SERENITY
And I, Serenity, do swear to never
advise you to act contrary to the
laws of the Realm of Crystal Tokyo,
to never advise you to act contrary
to your safety without your granted
permission, and to never advise you
to do what you will not do. This I
swear by the One whose Name is at
the Heart of Time.
SERENITY gently touches PRISS' forehead, and the pink light pulses
becoming blindingly bright, overwhelming all else.
VOICE #1 (male)
BE THOU TRUE, PALLADIN OF CRYSTAL
TOKYO.
The light level returns to normal. PRISS blinks repeatedly, while
Serenity settles back into her throne with a pleased sigh.
SERENITY
Now, Mars, I have certain things to
discuss with Ms. Asagiri, and Chief
Izumi is waiting on you.
RAYE
NODS Right. Priss, come talk with
me when she's done bending your ear,
okay?
PRISS nods with a certain degree of uncertainty in her expression. RAYE
walks out of the throne room, and out the door. PRISS turns to look at
SERENITY.
PRISS
Palladin?
SERENITY
That is the term that is used for
those who have sworn what you have
sworn.
PRISS seems a bit annoyed by this.
PRISS
So now I'm supposed to go about
smiting the unholy forces of
darkness?
SERENITY
BLINKS No, actually, that is
*my* task. The term means "great
warrior". I do not think that
you are humble enough to attempt
to deny that describes you?
PRISS
Uh ...
SERENITY
Rest assured, Ms. Asagiri, you have
not been given any supernatural
powers by this oathswearing. It is
merely a ceremony, that is all.
BEAT Unless you violate your
oath, but I don't believe you'll do
that.
PRISS
So now what?
SERENITY
Now you are free to do whatever you
so desire, until such time I or one
of my allies calls upon you for
your services. Perhaps Lady Mars
will have need of you in the matter
that she is discussing now with
Chief Izumi ... or perhaps not. Is
there anything that I can do for
you?
PRISS
Can you fix my memories?
SERENITY looks very sad, and hesitates for a long while before answering.
SERENITY
I cannot, personally. I must
confess a thing, Ms. Asagiri. We
erred grievously when we had your
memories edited in the way that we
did ...
PRISS
No shit?
SERENITY
Please, Ms. Asagiri, hear me out
*before* you condemn me. BEAT
You realize, of course, that even
before your memories were interfered
with, you suffered from a form of
post-traumatic amnesia, arising
from the shock of the Great Kanto
Earthquake?
PRISS looks distinctly uncomfortable.
PRISS
Yeah, so? A lot of bad stuff went
down that day ...
SERENITY
I know, Ms. Asagiri. I was there.
BEAT Unfortunately, the
techniques that we used to seal
away many of your memories seem to
have paralleled the damage that --
PRISS
This is leading up to telling me
that you don't have a clue as to how
to get my memories back, isn't it?
SERENITY appears deeply apologetic and embarrassed.
PRISS
Terrific. Ter-rif-ic.
SERENITY
It is not *that* severe ... after
all you are capable of remembering
some ...
PRISS
VIOLENTLY I can remember a really
fucking *lousy* hour in 2041, and
that's it! You morons cost me seven
years!
SERENITY
I am sorry, Ms. Asagiri.
PRISS
Don't say you're bloody sorry, *fix*
*it*!
SERENITY
SIGHS We will certainly try to do
so. I encourage you to make an
appointment with Lady Mercury to
have her give you a more expert
diagnosis.
PRISS flinches at this.
PRISS
SOTTO VOCE Great, she hates my
guts.
SERENITY
Actually, she does not. What gave
you that impression?
PRISS
Well, she insisted that I not be
allowed within ...
SERENITY
Oh, that incident. I would ask that
you remember that you were, although
unaware of it, embarked on a covert
operation on our behalf -- and that
much of the deniability of that
operation rested on the fact that
you had not received any instructions
from any of the `Royal Circle', as a
psychic probe would have revealed.
But had Lady Mercury chanced to meet
you, it could have been argued that
she activated deeply buried psychic
programming which wouldn't have shown
up on a normal scan. Therefore, she
avoided that possibility.
PRISS
Uh. I guess that makes sense ...
sort of. So she's not angry about
the time that I broke her nose?
SERENITY
Not any more. At the time she
desired to have you ... ahem, in any
case, Lady Mercury is not the sort
of person to hold grudges.
PRISS
LONG PAUSE Right. I ... guess
I'll go see her first chance I get.
SERENITY
Well, then, if there isn't anything
else you would care to talk about --
PRISS
Nope. Nothing.
SERENITY stares at her, blinking several times. Finally she shrugs.
SERENITY
Then permit me to bid you good day.
PRISS gives a brusque wave, and heads off towards the doors. SERENITY
watches her go, and we hear the doors close.
SERENITY
Ah, Raye. You will not have an easy
time with that one. SMILES But
when have you ever wanted an easy
job?
Cut to PRISS closing the door behind her, and pausing for a moment, to
look out at the view of Crystal Tokyo.
LADY JUPITER (off)
What are you doing here?
PRISS turns rapidly, to look at LADY JUPITER, who is wearing a toga with
green jewelry. She gazes at PRISS with a flat, hostile expression.
PRISS
I was in a meeting with the Queen.
JUPITER says nothing, stares.
PRISS
She gave me permission to be one of
her agents.
JUPITER turns from her, and heads towards the doors to the throne room.
PRISS
Uh ... listen. I'm sorry that I hit
your friend.
JUPITER pauses, but does not look back.
PRISS
I ... overreacted a little. I'll go
apologize to her.
JUPITER speaks without looking back at PRISS
JUPITER
It is hard, however, to apologize to
the dead.
PRISS reacts as though she's been slapped.
PRISS
I ... what?
JUPITER
Where will you be in the moment of
crisis, Priscilla Asagiri? When we
need you, as others have needed you,
will you fold on us, as you did on
them?
PRISS' jaw drops.
PRISS
W-where the fuck do you get off ...
No. Screw this, I don't have to
stand here and take this shit from
you!
PRISS turns and heads for the doors leading out of the waiting room. Her
hand is on the doorknob.
JUPITER
Coward.
PRISS' hand tightens on the doorknob. We see her face. She is furious,
her eyes are almost glowing red. She speaks without looking at JUPITER.
PRISS
If I didn't know it'd be the most
lopsided fight since ...
JUPITER
Whenever you're ready, Priscilla
Asagiri. I am at your immediate
disposal.
JUPITER opens the doors to the throne room, and goes in, shutting (not
slamming) them behind her. PRISS stands where she is for a second, almost
quaking with rage. She finally opens the door, steps through, and slams
it behind her. The slam reverberates.
Cut to a shot of KEI's face. Her eyes are closed, and she is apparently
sleeping peacefully. Suddenly, her eyes flash open, and she looks around
without moving her head.
KEI
WHISPER Yuri? BEAT Yuri?
YURI (O.S.)
HALF ASLEEP 'N a minute.
KEI turns her head to look at YURI, who is sleeping with a giddy smile.
KEI's face expresses her extreme disgust and exasperation with her
partner. She lifts her head to look around, and we see that both of them
are lying down on metal beds in a circular, undecorated room. They are
dressed in their standard uniforms, although unarmed.
KEI
MOCK TERROR Eek! Run, Yuri, it's
the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of
Traal! I'll try and hold it off!
YURI wakes up fully, and lets out a shrill shriek.
YURI
Yaaagh! Beast? Where? Wh- BEAT
Kei, I'm going to get you for that.
KEI
You're gonna have to get in line
after whoever's got hold of us.
YURI takes in their surroundings.
YURI
Doesn't look like what I'd have
thought a Planet Pirate's brig would
look like ...
KEI
Uh uh. If the Planet Pirates had
been able to catch up to us after
the warp drive went out of control
like that, they'd have blown us to
atoms.
YURI
Maybe they decided to hold us for
a big ransom from the 3WA.
YURI and KEI share a long look.
YURI & KEI (sim.)
Yeah, right.
The door slides open, suddenly. KEI and YURI assume fighting stances, as
the CHIEF steps in.
CHIEF
Ah, good! You're awake.
KEI
Mister, you've got ten seconds to
tell us what's going on.
CHIEF
My goodness. The stories don't do
you justice. You *are* very
intimidating ...
KEI
FLAT Flattery will ...
CHIEF
But I assure you that I don't mean
you any harm. Could I interest you
in some refreshment?
Cut to a table with several exotic looking dishes set on it. KEI and YURI
watch as the CHIEF demonstrates that none of the dishes are poisoned.
Then they dig in.
CHIEF
I take it that you *are* in fact,
Kei and Yuri, the famous `Lovely
Angels'?
YURI
SWALLOWS That's us. SMILES
Thank you for not using that other
name. And who are you?
CHIEF
My name is ... not really important
at the moment. I run the salvage
company that chanced upon your
vessel as it drifted through space.
We brought you out of timefreeze
a few hours ago, but you seemed to
be comatose as a result of your
lengthy ... disjunction.
YURI
Lengthy? Just how lengthy are we
talking, here?
CHIEF
History records that the Lovely
Angel was reported as lost with all
hands, on or shortly before May 12,
2147. BEAT That was nearly eight
hundred years ago.
YURI and KEI react to this as one might expect.
YURI
Eight ... *HUNDRED*?
CHIEF
NODS The accounts that we have
are confusing. It appears that a
massive operation was mounted
against the so-called Planet
Pirates some months later, and
when their leader was captured, he
boasted of `having blown the ...'
uh, here he used that rather
uncomplimentary nickname -- `out of
space' ... but he subsequently
elaborated his claims to describe
various lewd and obscene sexual acts
that he had performed on both of
you ... I apologize ...
YURI
Eight ... *HUNDRED*?
The CHIEF appears a bit put out that they are both still reacting to that,
and not to his other comments.
CHIEF
Yes. Eight hundred years. It is
the year 2937. And I bid you
welcome to the accursed, tyrant
governed world of ... Earth.
There is a long silence.
YURI
Eight ... *HUNDRED*?
Cut to a hallway. A young woman with bright red hair tied in a long
French braid down her back and gunmetal gray glasses (SHEILA TENKAI) is
walking down a crystal hallway, leafing through a thick pile of papers.
She is dressed in casual clothes -- a sweatshirt (sleeves rolled up to her
elbow) and jeans.
SHEILA
Dammit, where is that stupid thing
... Treaty of Hong Kong, Pact of the
Seven Kingdoms ... argh.
Cut to PRISS walking through the hallway, her face still angry. Suddenly,
she slows down, takes a look at her surroundings, and comes to a complete
stop.
PRISS
Where the hell am I?
SHEILA (o.s.)
... personal letter from the Two
Princesses of Roshtaria to the Great
Queen of Tokyo ... Roshtaria? Is
that some pre-Union country? Never
mind ...
SHEILA rounds a corner into PRISS line of sight, and walks past her
without noticing her.
PRISS
Uh ... 'scuse me.
SHEILA pauses, and turns to look at PRISS. Her eyes bulge. Her arms
loosen, and she is in danger of dropping her papers. PRISS, who by her
expression has seen this sort of hero worship several times already,
sighs.
PRISS
Yeah, I'm her. Don't ask for an
autograph, it pisses me off when
people do that. Listen, could you
point me in the direction of the
Royal Infirmary, or wherever Lady
Mercury would be found?
SHEILA works her mouth silently for a few moments, then points down the
direction she came.
SHEILA
Uh ... g-go down this corridor, and
take a right at the third four way
junction. You can't miss it.
PRISS
Thanks.
PRISS heads off. SHEILA follows her with her eyes.
SHEILA
Hoooooo.
Cut to PRISS walking briskly down the corridor. Suddenly, she pauses and
looks back the way she came.
PRISS
Now where the hell have I seen her
before ...
PRISS shakes her head, and keeps going.
Cut to a laboratory, a very advanced laboratory, with every sort of
instrument imaginable, and a few that aren't. We see LADY MERCURY bent
over a microscope. She is wearing a lab coat and has a pair of glasses
perched on her forehead.
PRISS (O.S.)
'Scuse me?
MERCURY lifts her head to look up at PRISS who is standing on the other
side of the lab table from her. MERCURY blinks, then realizes who this
person is.
MERCURY
Oh. Ms. Asagiri, it's nice to see
you again.
PRISS
Glad someone thinks so. Uh ... I've
been meaning to apologize for ...
MERCURY
(laughs) Not at all, Ms. Asagiri.
After all, I wasn't overly injured
by your actions -- being immortal
means healing very quickly. I was
more startled than anything else.
In any event, what can I do for you
today?
PRISS
Well, I was told that you could
maybe get me started on the road to
fixing my screwed up memory?
MERCURY's face falls.
MERCURY
Well, first I should explain what
exactly is the source of your
difficulties. I'll give you a
layman's version ...
A musical interlude follows, in which a bit of mood music that describes
Mercury overlays a series of still shots of Mercury lecturing to Priss,
pointing out areas of a brain on a hologram, and Priss obviously not
understanding any of it.
MERCURY
So you see the problem.
PRISS
LONG PAUSE Nope. Didn't get a bit
of what you just said. It sounded
very impressive, but ...
MERCURY
SIGH I will simplify. We can't
fix your memories because you seem
to have sustained physical damage to
your brain at some point.
PRISS
PAUSE That much, I understood.
MERCURY
As yet, we are unable to fix brain
damage through standard medical
technology. There are alternatives.
The first involves nanotechnology --
we would inject tiny robots into you
which would be programmed to fix the
damage.
Our view changes to look at MERCURY and PRISS from a few yards away. A
woman's hand begins to pick up a number of devices that have been left
lying on a table nearby.
PRISS
VERY DUBIOUS Robots.
MERCURY
The drawback of the operation is
that we don't have an exact idea of
what your brain was like before the
damage was done. So the nanobots
would be working blind. Fortunately
the artificial intelligence of the
current generation of nanobots is
very adaptive --
The woman steps into view. She has pale lavender hair, golden eyes, and a
youthful demeanor and air of innocence. Her name is, of course, CATTY.
PRISS
*VERY* UPSET You want to inject
frickin' *boomers* into my brain?!
*Micro*-boomers?!
CATTY reacts in shock to PRISS' words, dropping the instruments she is
holding with a clatter. Both PRISS and MERCURY turn to look at her, PRISS
looking confused, MERCURY looking concerned.
MERCURY
Caterina? Is something wrong?
CATTY turns, her face calm and composed.
CATTY
No, Lady Mercury. It was only that
I just now recognized your patient.
It is a bit of a shock to realize
that one is standing in the
presence of a demigod.
PRISS flushes, while MERCURY smiles grimly.
MERCURY
According to the cult of Serenity,
Caterina, you're `in the presence of
a demigod' whenever you're with
*me*. I wasn't aware that you were
a venerator of the Knight Sabres.
CATTY
I am. In particular, Ms. Asagiri,
I have often admired your work ...
PRISS
Uh ... thanks, I guess ... I didn't
think it was all that well known.
CATTY
It became so within the last forty
years, when Lady Mars released her
interpretations of a number of your
unproduced songs.
PRISS is a bit surprised by this.
PRISS
She did? Huh. I knew she was a
singer, but ... BEAT Wait a
minute, forty years? You're not --
CATTY
SMILES BRIEFLY I am older than I
seem, as are you, Ms. Asagiri. I
was particularly fond of the song
`What A Fool I Am'. BEAT It was
very beautiful.
CATTY begins to gather up the instruments she dropped.
CATTY
QUICKLY Well, you doubtless have
many other things to be concerned
with, good day, Ms. Asagiri.
CATTY walks away, stiffly. PRISS follows her with her eyes, while MERCURY
gives PRISS a very disapproving look. We hear a door slide open and shut.
PRISS
What ... what the hell was her
problem?
MERCURY
It's never nice to realize that
one's idols are as flawed as ...
PRISS
*What*?
MERCURY
I don't think Caterina was aware of
your prejudice against boomers.
PRISS stares at MERCURY for a few seconds, clearly not believing her.
PRISS
How the hell does she think I'm
gonna act?! I lost people I cared
about to boomers, dammit!
MERCURY
I am aware of that. I am also aware
that at least one of those people --
one Anri -- *was* --
PRISS holds up a finger.
PRISS
Anri and Sylvie were human! BEAT
In every way that mattered! They
felt things, they bled, they --
You know, the lot of you are really
pissing me off! Where do you get
off laying guilt trips like that on
me? What does she care about --
MERCURY
I see. Without agreeing, I can see
your point. I apologize. PAUSE
You are unable to remember anything
past August of 2033?
PRISS is startled by this sudden non-sequitur, but is clearly glad to get
off a painful subject.
PRISS
Uh ... it's not so much that I can't
remember them, it's more like it's a
blur, everything just a big mass
that I can't understand.
MERCURY
Not unlike the memories of your
childhood, prior to the earthquake?
PRISS
NODS Yeah. And I *can* remember
a few specific incidents from that
too ... just like I can remember how
it all wound up. BEAT I remember
the first time that I watched `Blade
Runner'. BEAT I was six.
MERCURY
I see. PAUSE I take it that you
absolutely refuse nano-treatment?
PRISS nods forcefully.
MERCURY
Then I'll have to do some research
before I can make any suggestions,
other than the final alternative.
PRISS
What's the final --
MERCURY
Magic. BEAT I prefer not to use
arcane practices whenever there are
other options.
PRISS
Geez. I thought everyone in this
town believed in magic.
MERCURY
Oh, I believe in magic. If I didn't
I'd have to consider myself to be
dangerously delusional. I just
don't *trust* magic. PAUSE I
will contact you in a week if you
don't get in touch with me before
then, Ms. Asagiri. Good day.
MERCURY goes back to looking through the microscope. PRISS stares at her
for a few seconds, shrugs, and heads off. We hear a door slide open and
shut. MERCURY stands up, and heads in the direction that CATTY took,
through a sliding door into a darkened corridor. CATTY is leaning against
the wall, the instruments she was carrying fallen to her feet.
MERCURY
Catty ...
CATTY
It is ironic, is it not, that one
whom I have considered to be the
greatest poet about my kind would
hate me if she knew what I am?
BEAT It would be like a lesbian
meeting Sappho and learning that
she is in fact homophobic.
MERCURY
For what it's worth, she considers
Bu-33S types to be `human in every
way that counts'. And you are
structurally closest to that line.
CATTY is silent for a few moments, and then slowly lifts a fist to hit the
wall.
MERCURY
Please don't, we still haven't fully
repaired the damage from when you
lost your first patient.
CATTY holds the fist, then drops it.
CATTY
I would weep, except that my maker
neglected to incorporate tear glands
into my design.
MERCURY
I'm sorry, Catty.
MERCURY embraces CATTY, who gradually returns the hug.
Cut to a street in Crystal Tokyo at dusk. This particular street, lacking
any crystalline structures, is not that much different from a street of
Tokyo in the twentieth or twenty-first centuries. Our view draws towards
a butcher shop. Cut to the interior view of the butcher shop. A hand
taps the bell on the service counter. The OWNER of the butcher shop comes
out, he is a robust man in his mid forties with a scraggly beard. He is
cleaning his bloody hands on his apron with an annoyed expresion ... but
his face freezes when he sees his customer. We see him shortly
therafter. It is HIBIKI RYOUGA, wearing his traditional headband ... and
a heavy trenchcoat and mirrorshades.
OWNER
Oh! I ... I wasn't expecting you.
How ya been?
RYOUGA
Fine. Do you have what I need?
OWNER
NODS Yeah, we've been setting it
aside for awhile now. You haven't
been in, though, and I wuz starting
to think that you mighta found
another supplier or ...
RYOUGA vaults over the counter without visible effort. He closes the
distance to the OWNER in an eyeblink, and seems to loom over him even
though they are about the same height.
RYOUGA
`Or'?
OWNER
SWALLOWS Or somethin' else. Look
-- it don't make no difference to me
that you are what you are. It's one
o' those things, y'know what I'm
saying? So what? Big deal.
RYOUGA steps around the OWNER, heading for the door that the OWNER emerged
from. The OWNER turns to keep talking to him.
OWNER
An' hey! You're probably my best
customer. `Come to Crystal Tokyo
and open up a butcher shop,' they
told me. They didn't tell me that
damn near everyone in town's a
firckin' vegetarian! Me, I like
guys like you, what don't do the
veggie thing. CAR-nivores.
RYOUGA pauses, and turns to look at the OWNER, lowering his mirrorshades
for a moment. We see that his eyes are very bloodshot.
RYOUGA
I try to eat a balanced diet. Too
much meat is bad for you.
The OWNER stares at him in confusion. RYOUGA turns and heads into the
back of the shop ... into the large, walk-in freezer. The freezer door
closes most of the way behind him.
Cut to RYOUGA stepping out of the butcher shop sometime later (a couple
hours, judging by the nightfall). He absently wipes away a trickle of
blood running down his chin from his mouth while he looks towards the
great Crystal Palace at the center of the city.
RYOUGA
Soon.
Cut to a set of steps leading upward on a hill. PRISS walks up the steps,
arriving at the gate to a temple. Specifically, the Hikawa Jinja. (Or an
incredible likeness therof.) PRISS heads over to the house, noting that
there is a note on the door. She picks it up and examines it.
MARS (V.O.)
Priss: Come on in, make yourself at
home. I'm in the shower right now,
and that's one of the few times in
the day that I absolutely insist on
having to myself, so please don't
interrupt, okay?
Raye.
PRISS opens the door, and walks into the house, taking off her boots at
the entrance. She ambles through the spartan kitchen into the living
room. The living room is homily cluttered. A couch is set against the
wall, under a painting by Yumeno Yumeni of a prince and a princess
embracing. PRISS notes the resemblence of the princess to SERENITY at
once, and spends a moment looking at it confusedly, then shrugs, and walks
past the poker table to the compact sound system -- incorporating a CD
player, a tape deck, and several other less recognizable devices. PRISS
picks up one CD case, and stares at it. The picture on the cover is that
of RAYE, in shadows, wearing a blonde wig that hides her right eye,
looking out at the world with a glowing red left eye.
RAYE (O.S.)
I thought I heard you come in.
PRISS looks up, a bit startled. RAYE has walked into the room, wearing a
heavy white bathrobe with a pink towel around her shoulders. Her long
black hair is still wet, which brings out her unusual purple highlights,
and she has her red eyepatch on. PRISS holds up the disc for her to see.
PRISS
You didn't mention this.
RAYE
Ah. You found that, did you? I did
that a while back when I was very
bored. PAUSE Is there something
wrong?
PRISS sets the C.D. down.
PRISS
Nah ... well, not really. I ... I
met this girl who's apparently a fan
of my songs while I was at Lady
Mercury's to see about my memory. I
wasn't expecting to meet fans of my
*music*, I guess.
RAYE
Good music is eternal, Priss. It
speaks to every age.
PRISS
Uh ... there's something I've been
meaning to ask you about your eye,
and the picture kinda reminded me
of it ... when did you lose your --
RAYE
My eye? I lost it ... before you
were born. I was using a cybereye
when you saw me in the club that
night.
PRISS
Then ... why don't you now?
RAYE's face tenses, and she speaks reluctantly.
RAYE
I would rather not discuss that, if
you don't mind. Suffice it to say
that I have my reasons, but they are
very personal. When protocol
demands that I wear an artificial
eye instead of a patch, I will ...
but I greatly prefer not to.
PRISS isn't sure what to make of this.
PRISS
Okay. Whatever.
RAYE
So tell me what good news Amy had
for you.
PRISS
BLINKS Amy?
RAYE
Lady Mercury. She didn't tell you
her real name?
PRISS
Well, I didn't really *ask* ...
RAYE
WORRIED Oh dear. She must be
*furious* with you.
PRISS
What?
RAYE
She generally reveals her real name
to everyone she consults with ...
like I do. Jupiter generally holds
her secret a little closer, while
Venus ... uh ... I don't think she's
ever told anyone ...
PRISS
What about Serenity?
RAYE is silent for a very long moment, and she stares straight ahead. We
get the feeling that she isn't looking at PRISS. Finally, she blinks and
looks at her.
RAYE
That *is* her real name.
The tension has shot up again. RAYE lets out a sigh.
RAYE
I'm sorry, Priss. You seem to have
a talent for inadvertantly walking
into my emotional tripwires.
PRISS
Right. I ...
RAYE holds up a hand.
RAYE
Don't apologize, it's not your
fault.
PRISS
Wasn't planning on it. So ... what
is she gonna do, now that she's
furious with me? FLASH OF INSIGHT
She wouldn't ... lie about a
patient's condition to a patient she
was furious with, would she?
RAYE
No, probably not. Her fury is
generally limited to a single act.
PRISS
And that act is ...
RAYE
She refuses to tell the person her
real name.
PRISS stares at RAYE for a second. RAYE nods.
PRISS
Petty, isn't she?
RAYE looks like she's about to explain something, when there's a knocking
at the door.
RAYE
Hold that thought.
RAYE heads out of the living room, and we hear the door open.
RAYE (O.S.)
Oh! Hi you two.
SHAMPOO (O.S.)
You not ready for game.
RAYE (O.S.)
Ack! It's poker night, tonight! I
completely forgot!
AYEKA (O.S.)
Obviously. Can we at least come in,
or would you rather we wait outside
while you dress and clean in a mad
frenzy?
RAYE (O.S.)
No, come on in ... I actually was
thinking about the game yesterday
... I think I found a new fourth
player.
RAYE leads AYEKA and SHAMPOO into the living room. AYEKA is wearing her
usual kimono and hairpiece, while SHAMPOO is wearing a gray military-
seeming uniform, and has her two cords of hair tied back around her neck.
(It makes her look a bit like Madigan.) Neither of them notice PRISS
initially.
SHAMPOO
Who you find? It long time since we
had ... NOTICES PRISS; UNACCENTED
Oh my.
AYEKA is also visibly startled, but doesn't say anything.
RAYE
Priscilla Asagiri, may I introduce
Lady Masaki Ayeka, Ambassador to her
Majesty's Court from the Stellar
Empire of Jurai, and Major General
X'ian Po, Special Forces.
There is a long pause.
PRISS
JAUNTY WAVE Yo.
SHAMPOO imitates her gesture perfectly. AYEKA bows politely.
RAYE
Well, I'll let you get acquainted
while I get dressed.
RAYE heads off in the direction of her bedroom. There is a long,
uncomfortable silence. SHAMPOO looks from PRISS to AYEKA several times,
noting their similar hairstyles and eye colours.
SHAMPOO
You sure you really from Jurai? Not
changeling?
AYEKA
BRITTLE We don't *do* that sort of
thing.
SHAMPOO
Interesting co-inc-idence, then ...
PRISS
Stellar ... Empire. You're from
space?
AYEKA
In fact, yes. Are you really *the*
Priscilla Asagiri? The musician and
freedom fighter?
PRISS
`Freedom fighter'? SHAKES HEAD
Whatever. Yeah, I'm really the real
article. Haven't you been watching
the news recently?
AYEKA
I've been a *bit* busy of late.
PRISS
They pulled me out of coldsleep a
few weeks back.
SHAMPOO
You not clone? Shampoo had heard
tell of clone ...
PRISS stares at SHAMPOO, who blinks innocently.
PRISS
No, I'm not a clone. They let me
*think* I was a clone, but ...
SHAMPOO
Ah so.
PRISS
Hell with it. You know that you
talk like an old, *dumb* stereotype
of how the Chinese talk? Are you
gonna start finishing your sentences
with `no da'?
SHAMPOO grins broadly.
SHAMPOO
UNACCENTED It's always a relief to
meet someone discriminating enough
to see through stereotypes. PAUSE
No da.
AYEKA gives SHAMPOO a weary look. PRISS tries to suppress a smile, and
fails.
SHAMPOO
It was a very useful disguise when I
first came to Japan ... well, the
second time, at least.
AYEKA
Useful for getting people to treat
you like a twit?
SHAMPOO
`Act stupid. Be smart.' PAUSE
I forget which number, `A Book of
Stratagems'. Must reread that one
of these days.
RAYE comes out of the hallway wearing a set of sweats and barefoot.
RAYE
Alright, let's play some cards!
They settle around the table. RAYE pulls out a fourth chair, between her
and AYEKA, amd gestures for PRISS to have a seat. PRISS slowly sits down.
RAYE
TO PRISS The three of us have been
playing poker irregularly since
1996.
PRISS' eyes go wide.
PRISS
Nineteen ninety -- you two are
immortal, too?
SHAMPOO is about to say something, but is cut off by AYEKA
AYEKA
SINGS SOFTLY `I have inside me
blood of kings! Yeah!' NORMAL
I've always wanted to say that ...
in my case, I'm not actually
immortal. My people are very
long-lived, and we have ways of
extending our life spans even
further -- but we can die.
SHAMPOO
Unlike one whose soul partakes of
the Tao.
A golden aura surrounds SHAMPOO, and she begins to quote Lao-Tsu in the
original Chinese, with a look of utter bliss and tranquility. RAYE and
AYEKA stare at her irritatedly.
RAYE
Cut it out.
SHAMPOO's aura disappears, and she looks crossly at the others.
SHAMPOO
Hmph. Shampoo tries to bring them
enlightenment, and then they mock
Shampoo. Shampoo show power of Tao
by take them for all they worth.
PRISS is staring across at them as if she has stumbled into a den of
lunatics. AYEKA produces a deck of cards from her kimono and begins to
deal out a hand of draw poker.
PRISS
TO AYEKA Could you explain some-
thing to me? How does an alien come
to know about the Knight Sabres?
AYEKA continues to deal as she replies.
AYEKA
Well, I've been living on Earth for
the last two hundred odd years. In
that time I developed an interest in
the legends of the twenty first
century. It was a long-lasting
interest -- I finally became bored
with the research ... oh, about
ten years ago. I spent a lot of
time reading accounts of the Knight
Sabres activities. BEAT The most
recent addition to the University's
collection on the subject, the
memoirs of Leon McNichol, were
donated by me, after I found them
in the Imperial Library back home.
BEAT Was he as much of a twit as
he comes across in the book?
PRISS
LAUGHS I dunno. I haven't read it
yet. He was definitely annoying ...
had his moments, but they were few
and far between. PAUSE You're the
ambassador from Jurai?
AYEKA
Yes. I'm also his Imperial
Majesty's great aunt.
PRISS
BLINKS Oh! "Blood of kings".
I get it.
AYEKA nods.
PRISS
So ... does Jurai have a lot of
trade with Earth?
AYEKA
Not really. My embassy isn't for
trade reasons though. PAUSE
It's for sentiment.
PRISS
Huh?
RAYE
His Imperial Majesty, Tenchi I,
Lord of the Jurain Stellar Empire,
was born on Earth. He's also three-
quarters human. BEAT Sorry,
thirteen-sixteenths ...
AYEKA
Precision to that degree is hardly
required, Mars ...
MARS grins at her over the cards.
AYEKA
At any rate, he feels a considerable
degree of loyalty to his birth world
and has been Queen Serenity's
firmest ally among the stellar
powers since the Realm's foundation.
AYEKA looks malevolently towards RAYE out of the corner of her eye.
AYEKA
In fact, it has been argued by
students of galactic history that
had Tenchi not personally enforced
the Galactic Union's quarantine of
Earth following the Apocalypse,
Queen Serenity would not have had
the chance to rebuild Earth to her
specifications ...
RAYE
FLATLY It would have taken a
little longer, that's all.
AYEKA proceeds as though she hadn't heard RAYE.
AYEKA
... and that in in accordance with
the tradition of TINSTAAFL, Queen
Serenity should acknowledge that
debt by declaring that Earth is
a vassal of the Empire ...
RAYE
SHARP AYEKA.
They stare at each other with mutual hostility shining brightly in their
eyes. PRISS looks between the two of them with a confused expression.
SHAMPOO looks bored.
SHAMPOO
SIGH Might as well put down your
cards, Priss, they're gonna be on
that topic alllll night.
SHAMPOO's words seem to calm AYEKA and RAYE down. After a moment, they
smile wryly at each other.
RAYE
I apologize, Ayeka.
AYEKA
As do I, Mars. BEAT Those protest
rallies have made me nervous. I've
come to love this world. I don't
want to have to leave it.
PRISS holds up her hands in a "T" gesture.
PRISS
Wheet! Time! Would someone bring
me up to speed?
RAYE gestures to AYEKA to go ahead. AYEKA sorts her cards as she speaks.
AYEKA
There *are* students of galactic
history who argue as I have said.
Their arguments are, understandably,
*very* unpopular on Earth. BEAT
As a result, the forthcoming visit
by the Emperor has --
PRISS
He's coming here?
AYEKA
MOCKING Don't you read the news?
NORMAL Yes, Tenchi should be
arriving any day now. And the fact
of his coming has been seen as
"proof" of Jurai's imperialist
intentions. BEAT; ANGRY Idiots!
Our imperialist age ended with my
*grandfather's* reign. I'm
beginning to understand why the
Great Bard of your species
advocated the death of the legal
profession -- those *morons* at
the Imperial Academy should just
take their legal proofs and shove --
RAYE
Easy! It's not all their fault.
Like you said, a bunch of people
with nothing better to do took a
dry, academic idea about Jurai's
right to Earth and blew it out of
proportion. They're calling for
an end to any ties between our
governments. They'll probably have
an even larger protest rally when
the Imperial ship arrives. We're
all a little on edge by this, as you
might guess.
PRISS flashes back.
JUPITER (V.O.)
In the moment of crisis ...
RAYE
Priss?
PRISS snaps back.
PRISS
Huh? Um, yeah, I could tell that
you were all walking around on
eggshells, but I couldn't see why.
SHAMPOO is studying her cards intently.
SHAMPOO
We're not *all* on edge. Not *all*
of us came to talk about politics.
Some of us came to play cards.
AYEKA and RAYE give her a disgusted look. SHAMPOO returns it with an
inscrutable one.
SHAMPOO
ACCENTED Shampoo know better than
worry about what will be. When one
can *act* to change what *is*, one
should. Worry only make act harder,
have spent all energy worrying so no
can act. SMILES Besides! Not
affect Shampoo one way or another!
AYEKA
That is a *horribly* self-centered
world view that you've picked up
somewhere.
SHAMPOO
SIGH; UNACCENTED Ayeka, you're
something like eight hundred years
older than I am, so I shouldn't be
telling you to grow up. You just
said now that you're most concerned
because you'll be forced to leave
Earth if Jurai and the Crystal
Palace break off relations. If you
go, I'll miss you. I'll miss these
sessions. But they are not the
focus of *my* life, so while I
sympathize, I refuse to get worked
up over it.
RAYE is obviously annoyed by this attitude. PRISS doesn't look too happy
about it either.
RAYE
By that logic, we should have left
your people to get liquidated by the
Chinese.
SHAMPOO
But you didn't.
RAYE
But maybe we should have.
SHAMPOO
SMILES Any views I have on that
would be coloured by my loyalty to
my people, Mars. And you've
benefited directly from doing so,
you'll admit. How many of the
Battle Angels were of Amazon
descent?
RAYE
SIGHS We won't go into that one,
or we really will be here all night.
SHAKES HEAD I just can't bring
myself to understand how you can
just not be concerned with anything
that doesn't affect you personally.
SHAMPOO
SOFT It's how I cope. You, your
friends, and your queen cope by
becoming control freaks. I cope by
admitting that I can't control the
world, or even a small part of it.
SMILES We'll see who loses her
mind first, okay?
PRISS
With that kind of an attitude, why
do anything? I mean, why not just
take yourself away from everything,
go where nobody can find you -- so
that their problems *can't* impact
on your life?
SHAMPOO
Many followers of the Tao do just
that. I can't. As I said, I feel
an obligation towards the people who
saved *my* people in their moment of
crisis, a bit over nine hundred
years ago.
PRISS
TO RAYE You were really busy back
then, weren't ya?
RAYE
More than you know.
SHAMPOO
I sometimes think that's what my
husband has done.
AYEKA and RAYE let out a long-suffering sigh.
RAYE
This is your revenge for us starting
up that old argument again, isn't
it?
PRISS
You're married?
SHAMPOO
NODS Yes. I was married at the
age of sixteen to the greatest
martial artist who has ever lived.
BEAT Now, if he'd acknowledge the
fact of our marriage, we'd be all
set.
AYEKA
I believe it's my turn to point out
that a marriage based on defeat in
battle is not valid under Crystal
Kingdom law?
SHAMPOO
ACCENTED It valid under Amazon law
that form basis of most of Martian
legal code. All Shampoo need is get
husband to Mars, and --
RAYE
The odds against your ever getting
him to go willingly to Mars are so
astoundingly poor that the bookies
on Nuevo Vegas wouldn't touch them.
PRISS
So who is this guy, anyway?
RAYE
Her husband, poor wretch, is named
Ran--
RAYE and AYEKA suddenly stiffen. They are very still for a second. Then
they exchange a look, and a nod.
RAYE & AYEKA (sim)
They're here.
SHAMPOO
Already?
RAYE, AYEKA, and SHAMPOO stand up, leaving PRISS alone at the table with a
confused expression on her face.
PRISS
Hey ...
SHAMPOO
Where?
AYEKA
Monument Park. BEAT He's planning
on visiting her monument. Oh Guide,
I hope he can take this.
AYEKA touches her hair piece.
AYEKA
Ambassador to Transport. Need pick
up. See you there.
AYEKA is surrounded by a glowing green bubble, which fades, taking her
with it.
SHAMPOO
Handy.
PRISS
Hey. Can I get clued in on what's
happening?
SHAMPOO
Can I catch a ride with you?
RAYE
Right. TO PRISS Priss, the
Emperor has arrived in orbit. He'll
be making his official arrival at
Monument Park, and I have to be
there to greet him ... I'd take you
there, but I can only carry one
passenger when I 'port ...
PRISS
Okay, okay. I've got my new bike.
Monument Park is the place that they
put up the statue of ...
RAYE nods, draws in a deep breath, and is consumed by fire. When it
subsides, she is wearing her sailor fuku and high heels. SHAMPOO steps in
close to her.
RAYE
See you there.
SHAMPOO and RAYE turn into horizontal columns of light, which dim. PRISS
checks each of the hands of cards that they left behind.
PRISS
Shit. I'd've won, too.
PRISS heads out the door of the house, down the stairs to a paved road.
There is a machine that looks like a heavy motorcycle, minus the wheels,
parked near the stairs. The letters "BAT" are painted across the side of
it. PRISS hops on, pulls on the helmet that is resting across the
handles, and starts to flip switches on the control panel. The "bike"
begins to hum. PRISS pulls back on the handles, and the bike rises up
until it is about two feet off the ground. PRISS smiles her trademarked
`I don't really care if I live or die, so please get out of my way' grin.
She hits the accelerator, and the hovercycle takes off.
Cut to a stretch of deserted oceanside freeway. PRISS zooms along at 120
kph (about 75 mph), reveling in the power of the hovercycle.
Cut to the gates of the Crystal Palace, at the heart of Crystal Tokyo.
The 40 feet tall gates are guarded by a pair of 28 feet tall humanoid
mecha. Each has its hand on a very large firearm in a side holster.
PRISS pulls up to the gates, flashes her identicard at one of the mecha,
and is waved in.
The roads of the Palace grounds are congested with people, a disturbingly
large number of whom are carrying signs which say "JURAI MUYO!" and make
similar pithy commentaries against the Jurains. PRISS brings her cycle to
the ground in a parking lot, gets off, and starts walking toward the gates
of Monument Park. The gates of the park are "guarded" by two carvings --
one of a young girl in a sailor fuku carrying a large glaive, the other of
a startlingly similar looking young girl in a battered trenchcoat and skin
tight body suit.
The park is even more crowded than the rest of the palace grounds.
Several small groups of protesters are gathered and singing obviously
rousing songs that are, thankfully, not audible. PRISS pauses for a
moment before a large monument to get her bearings. The monument reads
"To the Sleeping Hero Within Us All". Atop the monument is a hologram of
Sailor Moon in her "I'll Punish You" stance. PRISS does not notice this.
PRISS finally arrives, pulling through a crowd to reach the edge of a
cordoned off area. Inside the area, SERENITY is seated on a less
ostentatious version of the throne that she was seated in earlier. LADY
MERCURY, LADY MARS, and LADY JUPITER are standing on Serenity's right side
while AYEKA stands on her left. A small detail of Crystal Tokyo's armed
forces is standing at attention nearby. LADY JUPITER is smiling at
something that MERCURY has just said, then picks out PRISS' presence in
the crowd, and her face goes rigid.
At that moment, the entire ambience of the crowd seems to dim. Silence
quickly spreads across the area, and everyone's eye is drawn almost
involuntarily upward -- to the great, vast bulk of the Jurain Imperial
Flagship. The starship is truly immense, matched only by the size of the
Crystal Citadel itself.
A glowing ball of green light descends from the ship to arrive in the
cordoned off area, and materializes a man in his mid thirties with dark
hair wearing a lavender tuxedo and cape. SERENITY's face lights up, and
she rises from the throne to rush down and embrace her husband, ENDYMION.
After a very passionate embrace, they take a step back from the area that
Endymion was transported into.
Cut to a shot of a man's hand reaching into his jacket and producing a
piece of chromed metal.
Another green ball of light descends from the ship to just in front of
SERENITY and ENDYMION, materializing a pair of women. SERENITY moves to
greet TSUNAMI and WASHUU (who is in her "adult" form, and remains so for
the duration of this story), the Imperial Wives of Jurai. She seems
genuinely happy to see TSUNAMI (and vice versa), while her greetings to
WASHUU seem more formal. TSUNAMI and WASHUU step back from the landing
area, standing on either side of SERENITY and ENDYMION. AYEKA comes
forward to stand beside TSUNAMI -- again, there is a very happy reunion.
Cut to a shot of the man's hand producing another piece of chrome, this
time from his pants pocket, which he adds to an assembly of pieces that he
holds in his hand -- which are beginning to look like a firearm.
Still another green ball of light descends from the ship, this time
materializing RYOUKO. She spreads her arms as if she intends to take in
all those standing before her in one big hug, smiling beatifically.
Nobody moves to come into the embrace. AYEKA is holding her right hand
over her face as if the sight causes her pain. RYOUKO shrugs, and heads
over to stand beside WASHUU ... then pauses.
Cut to a shot of the man's hand about to insert another piece of chrome
into what is definitely a firearm of some sort. He freezes, suddenly.
RYOUKO appears to be considering something ...
The man's hands are quivering slightly ...
RYOUKO shrugs, and takes her place beside WASHUU.
The man's hands relax, and he inserts the piece into the firearm, which is
practically complete.
A final green ball descends slowly from the ship to the landing area. It
materializes TENCHI (who has grown a moustache) clad in the white robes of
the Emperor of Jurai. SERENITY steps forward to greet him. She bows. He
bows.
The man's hands add the final part of the firearm to the whole.
Cut to PRISS. There is a sudden whispering noise to her left. PRISS
jerks her head away from the sight in front of her to look to her left.
She sees the GUNMAN, staring viciously at TENCHI and SERENITY.
In a slow motion sequence which is accompanied by the sound of a heart
beat, the GUNMAN raises his weapon up, and begins to shove it forward.
PRISS
SHOUTED GUNNNNNNNNNNNN!
The GUNMAN pulls the trigger. A long bolt of metal shoots forward towards
TENCHI ... and embeds itself in a cane that has been lifted to block it by
ENDYMION.
ENDYMION
Not today. Not today.
The GUNMAN attempts to flee through the crowd, but runs right into RYOUKO,
who smiles malevolently down at him.
RYOUKO
Going somewhere?
The GUNMAN turns to run. RYOUKO teleports in front of him.
RYOUKO
Guess not.
RYOUKO generates her sword, shoves the GUNMAN to the ground, and holds the
sword at his throat, smiling all the while.
TENCHI (O.S.)
Ryouko. That's enough.
RYOUKO doesn't move for a moment, then turns to look at TENCHI with an
exasperated expression. TENCHI is staring at her firmly, his arms folded
across his chest.
RYOUKO
You're gonna be an idiot about this
and insist that we turn him over to
the Earthcops, aren't you?
TENCHI
Yes.
RYOUKO lets out a deep sigh, and deactivates her sword. She reaches down,
lifts the GUNMAN to his feet, and hands him over to a pair of waiting
police, who proceed to handcuff him. Suddenly, the GUNMAN -- who has
seemed to be in a state of shock until now -- begins to shout.
GUNMAN
Abomination! You will not triumph!
The stars belong to us, so it is
written! Go forth, mankind, and
populate the universe ...
As he is pulled away, SERENITY arrives to stand with TENCHI.
TENCHI
Do you have any idea what he's
talking about?
SERENITY
None whatsoever.
TENCHI
Not quite the reunion we planned,
is it?
SERENITY
It was worth a try.
TENCHI
I think we'll postpone the visit to
her monument until tomorrow. BEAT
Is that young woman part of your
security team?
SERENITY
SHAKES HEAD No. That's Priscilla
Asagiri. The last Knight Sabre.
TENCHI
Asa--
TENCHI turns to look at PRISS, who is being debriefed by RAYE. PRISS is
explaining what happened, when she feels TENCHI's eyes on her. She turns
to look at him. They stare at each other for a few moments.
Cut to a shot of the Earth from space.
FEMALE VOICE
It begins.
The voice starts to laugh, maniacally.
To Be Continued.
Together Again: 2937 Chapter, 04/21/97
