INTERLUDE
Establishing Shot: TENCHI's sleeping face, in dim lighting. He awakens
slowly, and yawns, before blinkingly sitting up in bed. He is wearing a
pair of pyjama bottoms and no shirt, showing off his muscles. His
expression grows bland as he notices something. Our view changes to
include a bleary eyed RYOUKO who is sitting cross legged on the edge of
his bed, staring at him. Slowly, TENCHI smiles, leans over, and kisses
RYOUKO between her eyebrows. RYOUKO blinks, and comes to full
consciousness. She blushes a bit.
RYOUKO
`Mom' is gonna kill me if she finds
out you did that.
TENCHI
I don't think your mother is quite
that vindictive. BEAT Ryouko, you
don't have to stay up all night
standing guard over me. We're in
the most secure fortress on Earth --
RYOUKO
You'll forgive me if I don't have a
high opinion of Earth `security' at
the moment.
TENCHI gives a weary sigh, and stands up, stretching. There is the sound
of joints cracking.
RYOUKO
Sleep well?
TENCHI
SHRUG More or less. I'm feeling
my age this morning, though ...
RYOUKO is instantly concerned.
RYOUKO
Should we have stayed at the shrine,
like Ayeka wanted?
TENCHI
SHAKES HEAD No ... even the Funaho
wouldn't make me feel young this
morning.
TENCHI walks over to the bedroom window, and looks out over Crystal Tokyo.
Reversing the view, we pull back to show that he is in a room high in the
central tower of the Crystal Palace, and that it's a rainy day, with
clouds covering everything.
Back in TENCHI's room.
TENCHI
It would have been her birthday,
today.
RYOUKO's face takes on its rarely seen sympathetic look, but TENCHI
doesn't look back.
TENCHI
I'd always call her. Every year.
She always took the time to talk to
me, even when things were hectic at
Headquarters ... she was always so
... happy. Happy to hear from me.
Happy to be alive. BEAT I don't
remember what I said the last time,
though. I remember ... I remember
the time after the last time. BEAT
I called her office, and the new
fellow answered. I apologized, and
hung up. And then ... then I called
her home. BEAT And nobody
answered.
RYOUKO
Tenchi ...
TENCHI
The next thing I knew, Washuu was
waking me up. I was back in bed.
I remember somebody pulling me
away from the communicator after I
had tried for the fortieth time ...
it must have been Washuu. She
denies it though.
RYOUKO appears to be EXTREMELY embarrassed to hear this.
TENCHI
I'd give just about anything to hear
her laughing one more time. BEAT
No. Anything.
We pull back from TENCHI's window again, coming down to look at a memorial
in Monument Park. On the monument we read:
KURAMITSU MIHOSHI
1974-2078
"Be to her faults a little blind,
Be to her virtues very kind."
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 TWO
Establishing Shot: A view from above of PRISS asleep in a double bed. The
covers are messed up enough for us to see that she's wearing a tanktop and
a pair of boxers. Her hair is spread all over, and she looks like she
isn't sleeping peacefully. Her eyes suddenly flash open.
PRISS
GROGGILY The hell it will ...
She gets out of bed, and shuffles out of the bedroom, going into a
bathroom. We hear the shower running. Our view holds firm on the bedroom
for a few minutes. The running water stops, and PRISS walks back into the
bedroom, looking much more coherent.
PRISS
TALKING TO HERSELF `It's going to
be all right.' Where the hell did
that come from? Sylia never said
*anything* like that when she came
after me.
PRISS shakes her head and walks out of the bedroom. She arrives in the
living room, and stares at what is going on there.
Dressed in a white blouse and red skirt, RAYE is practicing with a
katana. The kata she performs are eerily familiar (especially if the
viewer has seen "The Road We Walk" or "Apotheosis"), but would be very
unorthodox to a practitioner of traditional kendo. They involve the use
of her superhumanly fast reflexes to accomplish things that an ordinary
fencer could never hope to achieve. Even so, some of the moves seem just
a bit ... off. RAYE's face, while completely focused on the training,
seems slightly troubled all the same. Finally, after completing an
incredible maneuver -- involving a flying cartwheel across the length of
the living room -- she halts, holding the katana in a ready position.
PRISS
Yo.
RAYE turns to leap across the room and point the sword at the base of
PRISS' neck before she realizes what she's doing. A look of shock crosses
RAYE's face, while PRISS seems fairly unimpressed -- or at least she hides
it well.
PRISS
And good morning to you too.
RAYE embarrassedly puts down her sword, making it vanish without any
special effects. Perhaps she hides it in the folds of her skirt. Perhaps
not.
RAYE
Very sorry. But it's not wise to
sneak up on someone in the middle of
a --
PRISS
Interesting form ... I think I saw
some familiar elements, but there
were more I didn't recognize.
RAYE
WIDE EYED You astound me. I
didn't expect you to be a conoisseur
of sword styles.
PRISS heads for the kitchen, with RAYE following close behind.
PRISS
Well, I'm not. Linna practiced
a bit of kendo, and she liked to
show off. BEAT So'd Sylia, but
she never showed off ... where'd
you learn yours?
PRISS starts hunting breakfast in the kitchen cupboards.
RAYE
Well, some of it's Jurain fencing,
some maneuvers I picked up from the
Mano clan --
PRISS
Who?
RAYE
Nobody you'd have heard of. BEAT
Most of it's ...
PRISS finds what she's looking for, gets a box of "Overly Sugared Crisps"
out of the cupboard, blinks as she realizes that RAYE hasn't said anything
in a few moments, and turns to look at her. RAYE's eyes are very far
away.
PRISS
Most of it's what?
RAYE
SLOW Most of it is a style that
was developed by someone I wronged a
long time ago. Before --
PRISS
WEARY Before I was born ... You're
starting to make me think the world
turned boring in 2013 ...
RAYE chuckles a bit while PRISS gets a carton of milk out of the
refrigerator.
RAYE
I wouldn't say that. BEAT It was
a slow year, but ...
PRISS sighs as she pours herself a bowl of cereal, the cereal box in one
hand and the milk in the other.
PRISS
Want some?
RAYE
I already ate.
PRISS
So ... thanks for letting me crash
here last night. My new digs aren't
s'posed to be ready 'til later
today ...
RAYE
Want help moving in?
PRISS
Moving what in? I don't *own*
anything yet. Besides, don't you
have stuff you're supposed to be
doing?
RAYE
Not really.
PRISS
What about that Izumi thing?
RAYE
Oh. *That*. A simple case of what
happens when people get exaggerated
ideas about their importance.
PRISS
I refuse to say `Huh'.
RAYE
Noa Izumi II is the chief of Crystal
Tokyo's Patrol Labor Batallion. She
is in charge of all the mecha --
labor is the term used for any mecha
used on planetary surfaces --
PRISS
SOTTO VOCE Where've I heard that
name before ...
RAYE
-- while any spacefaring mecha are
called mobile suits. Anyway, she's
in charge of the mecha that the
police use. They're mostly used for
ceremonial functions these days --
PRISS
Like the ones that were guarding the
gates of the palace last night.
RAYE
Right. Anyway, last week somebody
broke into police headquarters and
stole a few of the patrol labors
there. Including Chief Izumi's
`personal, private labor' -- to
which she displays a degree of
attachment that borders on religious
devotion.
PRISS
STRAIGHTFACED A real labor of
love, huh?
RAYE stares at PRISS, open-mouthed. Finally, she groans like one mortally
wounded, and collapses into a chair, thumping at her heart. PRISS grins.
RAYE
Run for the hills, she's got a sense
of humor! That was awful ...
PRISS
So what are you gonna do about it?
RAYE
I'm contemplating tickling you into
submission.
PRISS
FLUSHES NOT ME, BAKA! What are
you gonna do about this labor
problem ... no pun intended.
RAYE
I'll probably contact one of the
local private investigators -- it's
really too unimportant to use one
of our own agents on it.
PRISS
Okay, whatever.
RAYE looks at PRISS consideringly for a few moments.
RAYE
Priss ... do you *want* the job?
PRISS
What gives you that idea?
RAYE
Well, you seemed to be showing an
interest in it. If you want it, I
can't order you to *not* investigate
matters, and I'll back you up one
hundred percent ...
PRISS
Well ... Serenity mentioned it to me
when we were talking, and it seemed
like she was stressing it for some
reason. I --
RAYE holds up a hand.
RAYE
A word. Never ever try to second
guess Serenity. Nobody understands
how she thinks. BEAT I learned
to not do that the hard way,
recently, if you'll remember.
Anyway, if you want the job, it's
yours for the taking -- I can't
order you to do anything, I can
only advise you. And my advice is
that this isn't really worth a lot
of effort.
PRISS
SHRUGS It'll keep me off the
streets. I'll go see Izumi later
today ...
RAYE
Oh, that reminds me ...
RAYE gets up from her chair and heads over to a message board on the wall.
She takes a note down from it, and reads it.
RAYE
Dr. Bairessey, the Dean of History
at the university, gave you a phone
call this morning, inquiring as to
whether or not you'd changed your
mind about consulting with him.
LOOKS UP What's this about?
PRISS
Oh, some fanboy-turned-scholar found
out that you'd brought me back and
asked whether or not I'd like to
give my version of events so he
could make his book on the `Crisis'
as accurate as possible. Offered to
let me see Sylia's journal if I did.
RAYE
Really? BEAT You know, taking a
look at that journal might help you
with your memory ...
PRISS
You think so?
RAYE
I don't know much about psychology
or neurology, but it only makes
sense that if you find a reference
to events that you experienced in
the journal, you might be able to
make sense out of your memories of
them ...
PRISS
I guess. BEAT Hell, what's the
harm? It's just a little time, and
I got plenty of that, right?
RAYE
True enough. Want a lift to the
palace?
PRISS swallows audibly.
RAYE
It's *perfectly* safe.
PRISS
Gimme a few minutes to get dressed,
and we'll talk about it.
PRISS gets up and heads for the living room. She pauses as she's about to
exit, and turns to look back at RAYE.
PRISS
Why are you heading to the palace?
RAYE's face grows somber.
RAYE
I have a memorial service to attend.
Cut to a cramped room with bunk beds. YURI is lying on the top bunk, her
eyes distant. By her side lies a device similar in size and shape to a
walkman, the cord running up into her hair. The door to the room slides
open, and KEI walks in, ranting.
KEI
--s the point? I mean, what IS the
point? Video games do NOT teach you
how to fire a gun, so WHAT IS THE
POINT of using video games for
target practice? THERE'S NO RECOIL,
DAMMIT!
KEI notices YURI's expression, hops up onto the top bunk, and waves a hand
in front of her face. YURI blinks, picks up the `walkman', and taps the
side of it.
KEI
Whatcha doin?
YURI pulls the cord out of the datajack under her ear with an faintly
audible pop.
YURI
Catching up on the last eight
hundred years. BEAT Some bad
shit has gone down ...
KEI
But it wasn't our fault.
YURI
SHAKES HEAD I don't know about
that, Kei. I think ... anyway, do
you wanna see for yourself?
KEI
Gimme the synopsis.
YURI
Okay. BEAT After we got `killed'
and the Planet Pirate Ring got
broken up, things started to change
in the WWWA. First of all, Goulet
had a nervous breakdown when the
report about us came in.
KEI
He did? Gee, I guess he really did
like us all the while ...
YURI
The disc said something about
`convulsions of joy', Kei. BEAT
Anyway, the fight against the Planet
Pirates was pretty draining on WWWA
manpower -- heavy casualties. There
was a major recruiting drive started
around 2150 that used our image
extensively.
A series of still shots follow, illustrating Yuri's commentary. First, a
bunch of posters with Kei and Yuri's images in the familiar "I want YOU!"
pose of Uncle Sam.
YURI (V.O.)
What this produced was a lot of new
T.C.'s that wanted to be just like
us.
Various shots of Trouble Consultants in battle bikinis -- some of whom are
male -- possibly including the "Kei" and "Yuri" of Dirty Pair Flash. They
are all rushing into danger with no care for their own safety.
YURI (V.O.)
The problem was, they weren't us.
The Trouble Consultants from before, but much worse off. Injuries,
dismemberments, and fatalities abound.
YURI (V.O.)
They wound up getting into as much
trouble as we did, but didn't come
out of it as good as us. Actually,
it was almost like a sick, twisted,
nihilistic parody of us.
Various buildings, cities and planets get blown up real good.
YURI (V.O.)
And the scary thing is, the Central
Computer kept on ruling that it
wasn't their fault. BEAT Just
like it always had for us.
KEI (V.O.)
I don't like the sound of this ...
A number of shadowy figures -- one of whom resembles Tenchi -- approach
the bulk of the Central Computer.
YURI (V.O.)
Anyway, by 2160, United Galactica
had had enough, and ordered a
complete diagnostic of the Central
Computer.
The Central Computer begins to fire energy blasts at the shadowy figures,
and the one that looks like Tenchi generates a force field to defend
himself.
YURI (V.O.)
The Central Computer didn't take
well to having its wisdom questioned
I guess. Ultimately, they had to
shut it down.
The Tenchi-like shadowy figure -- by now the only one left -- slams an
energy blade into the side of the Central Computer.
YURI (V.O.)
Permanently. BEAT That was the
end of the WWWA. Some of the
surviving T.C.'s founded new groups
to pick up the slack, but none ever
really measured up.
Scenes of people yelling at each other across a parliamentary or
congressional hall. Some of them are even coming to blows.
YURI (V.O.)
United Galactica kept right on
growing, but without the -- the disc
used the term `immune system' -- of
the WWWA to solve problems before
they got big enough to threaten
multiple planets, the U.G. had to
start interfering in the internal
politics of the member planets.
BEAT Which was a violation of the
U.G.'s constitution. BEAT Which
led to the collapse.
Scenes of interstellar war. Dozens of starships clash at once.
YURI (V.O.)
There were several wars already
started by the time the United
Galactica formally disolved in 2188,
and they just got bigger afterwards.
Others started up. But put simply,
it was a state of affairs that just
couldn't last. Interstellar warfare
is too expensive to maintain for
any length of time, but a lot of the
newer colonies had to go to the
point of economic collapse before
they realized it. A lot never
recovered ...
We cut back to KEI and YURI, sitting on the bed. KEI has curled up with
her chin on her knees, and has an "Oh boy are we in trouble" expression.
YURI
Of those that did, they formed small
confederations of maybe a few dozen
worlds each. Maybe the largest was
the `new' Jurain Empire -- the
Jurains had always maintained a lot
of influence over their old colonies
and they managed to reform and even
expand on their holdings, until
they're larger today than they were
when the Empire was formally broken
up in 2100. BEAT Kei? Are you
thinking what I'm thinking?
KEI looks up angrily.
KEI
NO! Dammit, none of this is *our*
fault! NONE!
YURI
BLINKS I was about to ask you if
you wanted to go get something to
eat. I'm hungry. Actually, I'm
more thirsty than --
KEI groans and gently hits her head against her knees.
Cut to a room with a bank of monitors against one wall. The center four
show KEI and YURI from a variety of angles. The rest show various news
and entertainment programs. The CHIEF is watching the monitors with a
cold smile. Beside his chair is a YOUNGER MAN.
CHIEF
So now they know ...
YOUNGER MAN
Sir, just how accurate is that disc?
CHIEF
Oh, perfectly accurate, as far as it
goes. But it was made around 2300,
and neglects to elaborate on how
much Galactic society was actually
improved by the collapse of the
U.G., since they didn't realize just
how good things were getting.
YOUNGER MAN
Then it also doesn't mention Earth's
re-entrance onto the Galactic stage
two hundred years ago. Should I
have another one prepared with
sufficiently accurate lies about
Serenity's reign?
CHIEF
No ... no, I think we'll go for the
emotional appeal, rather than the
rational one. We've got them right
where we want them ...
YOUNGER MAN
Excellently done sir.
CHIEF
Oh shut up, Smithers.
Cut to Mihoshi's monument. Five rows of chairs have been set up in front
of the stone obelisk, and a portable lectern beside it. They are mostly
unoccupied. LADY JUPITER, LADY MERCURY, ENDYMION, and RAYE have all taken
up positions in the second or third rows. TENCHI sits in the center of
the first row, with TSUNAMI and WASHUU on either side of him. AYEKA is
seated beside RAYE. RYOUKO is sitting immediately behind TENCHI.
SERENITY suddenly materializes a few feet to the side of the lectern, and
walks to stand behind it.
SERENITY
I have been asked to speak today.
BEAT I did not know Kuramitsu
Mihoshi as well as some of those
present. I met her only a handful
of times between 1996 and her final
passage more than eighty years
later. But anyone who met her, even
for a moment, could not help but be
impressed by her tremendous love of
life ...
TENCHI bows his head momentarily, and WASHUU gently caresses his cheek.
Behind them, RYOUKO flinches. We close in on her eye, as SERENITY's
speech slowly fades out.
Cut to a cathedral like structure, which is the throne room of the Emperor
of Jurai. The throne itself is raised up above a large court, which is
currently crowded with Jurains. RYOUKO is casually leaning against one of
the pillars, grinning broadly. Several Jurain nobles pass by and give her
sharply disapproving looks, which only make her grin wider. MIHOSHI comes
stumbling into view.
RYOUKO
Hey! Mihoshi! Over here!
MIHOSHI comes over to RYOUKO.
MIHOSHI
Wow, Ryouko, I never expected to get
invited to a big party like this ...
I don't know how to act!
RYOUKO
GRINS EVILLY Just be yourself,
kid. SOTTO VOCE That should scare
the hell out of 'em.
MIHOSHI
Ano?
RYOUKO
I said, if you think *this* is a
party, you should see the one I'm
gonna throw when me and Tenchi get
hitched. Just as soon as Azusa
and him work out the details ... I
can see it now ...
We start to close in on RYOUKO's eye.
MIHOSHI (O.S.)
But ... Ryouko, when Tenchi becomes
emperor, doesn't he have to marry a
Jurain?
RYOUKO's eye clenches, and we return to a full view of the two of them.
RYOUKO turns to look at MIHOSHI.
RYOUKO
Do you sabotage weather control
devices before parades?
MIHOSHI
Huh?
RYOUKO
Yeah, I know I'm gonna have to ...
*share* him. But. I. Can. Deal.
With. That. BEAT I can even deal
with it being ... you know who.
MIHOSHI
Who?
RYOUKO
ARE YOU JUST COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS OR
WHAT?
MIHOSHI flinches away from RYOUKO's fury. Tears begin to pool in her
eyes.
RYOUKO
BEATEN Don't ...
MIHOSHI starts to wail. Everyone is now staring at RYOUKO, but it's not a
"why-is-that-creature-here" stare, instead a "look-at-what-horror-that-
creature-has-unleashed" stare. RYOUKO is profoundly embarrassed.
Suddenly, the large double doors at the back of the hall open, and AZUSA
marches in, his face even more of a storm cloud than it is normally. He
is followed by MISAKI and FUNAHO, a discreet distance behind, who stand on
either side of white-robed TENCHI (FUNAHO is on his right). Behind them
are SASAMI -- who has entered early adolescence (roughly fourteen years
old, in human terms) and AYEKA, who has obviously been crying. Last to
enter before the doors are closed is WASHUU, with a serious expression.
The royal train proceeds through the court, stopping all conversation,
with WASHUU stopping to stand with RYOUKO and MIHOSHI (whom she silences
with a gesture), and the others proceeding up the stairs. FUNAHO, MISAKI,
AYEKA, and SASAMI stop at the second landing, while AZUSA and TENCHI
continue up to the throne. AZUSA sits on the throne, and when TENCHI
looks like he is about to take the final step that will bring him up to
AZUSA's level, AZUSA glares at him. TENCHI stays one step below AZUSA's
throne, standing to one side and facing the crowd. AZUSA stares at his
back almost angrily for a moment, then turns to face the court.
AZUSA
Due to the recent ... final passing
of my son -- Yoshou -- I have been
f-- I have *chosen* to declare that
my heir -- the heir to the throne of
Jurai and the Empire -- is Tenchi.
BEAT Of Earth.
There is a moment of silence ... and then the whispering starts. Some of
the nobles in the crowd are staring with open hostility at TENCHI. RYOUKO
is smiling wickedly. WASHUU's face is flat.
WASHUU
Daughter.
RYOUKO turns to look at WASHUU, who doesn't meet her gaze.
WASHUU
In the days that are to come,
remember. I did not want things to
be as they are.
RYOUKO blinks, and opens her mouth to ask what WASHUU means by that, when
TENCHI breaks in.
TENCHI
Since the dawn of our people, the
Emperor has had two wives. One to
represent his eternal binding to
the people of Jurai. The other to
represent his committment to the
Universe of which Jurai is a part.
BEAT The Princess Sasami has
consented to represent, for me,
the people of Jurai.
TENCHI smiles down at SASAMI, who smiles back up at him. Our view tilts
to include AYEKA, who is looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.
TENCHI's smile fades. Cut to a close shot of RYOUKO's face. She is VERY
happy to hear this.
RYOUKO
WHISPERED All right!
TENCHI pauses for a long moment, his eyes looking across the room.
Finally, he settles on the trio of MIHOSHI (who is excited), RYOUKO (who
is also excited), and WASHUU (who is downcast). He takes a deep breath.
TENCHI
Hakubi Washuu, will you consent to
represent the Universe?
Everything goes into very slow motion. RYOUKO blinks. She stares up at
TENCHI. He's serious. She begins to shake. WASHUU slowly steps up to
stand between RYOUKO and TENCHI.
WASHUU
SOFT I will.
RYOUKO is shaking violently now. Tears are flowing from her eyes, which
are glowing. Electricity is crackling from her hands. WASHUU slowly
turns to face her daughter. Her face is in anguish.
WASHUU
WHISPER Do it.
RYOUKO's face is clenched in utter hate. She lets out a horrid cry of
rage, and shoots straight up, through the roof, and up into the
atmosphere, where there is a sudden discharge of energy that is almost
blinding in its intensity.
Cut back to TENCHI, whose expression is nearly as downcast as WASHUU's.
TENCHI
SOTTO VOCE She took that better
than I thought ...
Cut to an exterior shot of the royal palace. RYOUKO is sitting on the
edge of the roof, sobbing. She is utterly devastated. A trapdoor behind
her opens up, but she takes no notice.
TENCHI (O.S.)
Ryouko?
RYOUKO's sobbing abates a bit, and she turns to look at the open trapdoor,
her expression seeming more outraged.
TENCHI (O.S.)
Can we talk?
RYOUKO generates her blade.
RYOUKO
IF YOU COME UP HERE YOU'D BETTER BE
READY FOR A FIGHT THAT'LL MAKE OUR
FIRST GO-ROUND LOOK LIKE A FUN GAME
OF TAG, YOU BASTARD SON OF A BITCH!
There is a momentary pause.
TENCHI (O.S.)
Ryouko, please let me try to explain
why ... just give me ten minutes.
If I can't explain things to your
satisfaction by then ...
RYOUKO
What?! You'll say to that pack of
overbred shits, `Changed my mind,
I'm marrying the demon pirate'?
TENCHI (O.S.)
No. I'll let you kill me.
RYOUKO stares at the trap door, breathing heavily.
RYOUKO
You expect me to buy that? They'll
just let me go after I kill the
crown prince? What sort of an
idiot ...
TENCHI (O.S.)
They will. I've just given orders
to that effect, and Azusa's backing
me on it. BEAT Which probably
means he wants you to kill me ...
but anyway, I give you my word that
you'll be free to go. And you know
that I always keep my word.
RYOUKO stares fixedly at the trap door for a few seconds. Then she looks
away.
RYOUKO
Get up here. And this had better be
one hell of an explanation.
TENCHI emerges from the trap door. He is wearing his usual outfit (the
one he wore in the OAVs), and the Master Key is conspicuously absent from
his belt.
TENCHI
I'm sorry that I hurt you ...
RYOUKO
NOT LOOKING AT HIM Cut to the
chase.
TENCHI sighs and looks at Jurai's setting red sun.
TENCHI
Azusa didn't want to make me his
heir. He demanded that I be giving
Jurai something more substantial
than whatever gene or something that
allows me to ... anyway, the only
thing that I had to bargain with
was Washuu. BEAT When she first
met great-grandmother, Washuu said
that she wouldn't help develop
anyone's technology. That satisfied
some of the cooler hotheads on the
council -- if they weren't going to
get improvements to Jurai's ships,
at least nobody else would get any
either. Stalemate. It satisfied
some of them. But not all. BEAT
I managed to talk Washuu into it.
It was surprisingly easy. BEAT
She loves me, Ryouko.
RYOUKO chokes back a comment.
TENCHI
She said something about how she'd
sworn to make me hers ... and I'd
wound up making her mine. I didn't
know what to say to that. BEAT
Ayeka was nearly as broken up as ...
RYOUKO
I don't give two shakes of a shthazi
ass how Ayeka feels, or why you're
marrying Sasami instead of her!
RYOUKO turns to look at TENCHI, her sword still out and blazing.
RYOUKO
WHY THE FUCK IS THIS SHITTY EMPIRE
SO GODDAMN IMPORTANT TO YOU, THAT
YOU'D *MARRY* THAT *HAG*?!
TENCHI
I don't care about the Empire! But
Ryouko, they *know*. Those overbred
shits, as you called them, know that
there's something unusual about
Earth, now. They know that a child
of Jurain and human extraction can
be potentially more powerful than a
full-bred Jurain. The only way I
can protect Earth from them is to
take the throne. BEAT I don't
want this, Ryouko! I don't want to
marry Washuu! I don't even want to
marry Sasami ... at least not *now*.
BEAT But ... it's my duty.
TENCHI looks away from RYOUKO's anguished face.
TENCHI
Washuu isn't happy about it either.
She loves me, but she wanted me to
*choose* her. That's why she was
going to let you kill her ... she
thought it might leave the way open
for you ...
RYOUKO
This isn't how it's supposed to be!
Why isn't this going like a love
story should?!
TENCHI
It is, Ryouko. Many Japanese love
stories have unhappy endings ... and
if this isn't an unhappy ending ...
RYOUKO looks like she's about to start sobbing again. TENCHI speaks
without looking at her.
TENCHI
Well, Ryouko? Did I convince you?
Or will you kill me?
RYOUKO pushes herself up to a standing position. Her sword is still
"unsheathed". She walks slowly to where TENCHI is standing, his back to
her.
RYOUKO
Turn around.
TENCHI slowly turns to face her. His face is bleak.
RYOUKO
Tell me that you don't love me.
TENCHI
No. I won't do that, Ryouko. BEAT
I do love you.
RYOUKO deactivates her sword. She closes her eyes.
RYOUKO
Damn you. I could never hurt you,
Tenchi. I hate you. I love you.
SHOUTED WHY COULDN'T YOU HAVE
LEFT ME IN THAT CAVE?
TENCHI
I'm sorry.
RYOUKO turns away from him as he reaches out towards her.
RYOUKO
Go away. Just. Go. AWAY!
TENCHI, his head bowed, walks back to the trapdoor, and heads down.
RYOUKO returns to her perch, holding her face in her hands for a long
moment. Finally, she lifts her head up, and looks down at the grounds far
below. She sees someone gazing up at her, but can't quite make the figure
out.
Cut to AYEKA, standing alone in a park holding a pair of binoculars,
staring up at the palace. From her point of view, we can see that RYOUKO
is sitting in the same place and much the same position as when she raided
Jurai (as revealed in Ayeka's flashback in OAV #3). AYEKA silently looks
up at her with a hopeless expression.
We pull back from AYEKA's eyes. She is watching RYOUKO watching TENCHI.
She sighs, and shakes her head.
SERENITY
... sadly for us all, her first
major operation as the Commissioner
of the Galaxy Police, supervising
the evacuation of the ARM during
the so-called Nanoclysm, was also
her last. BEAT During a recent
computer upgrade, a recording of her
final transmission was uncovered.
BEAT Unless there is an objection,
it will be played now ...
There is no objection, although TSUNAMI looks a bit concerned. The
recording emanates from the memorial. MIHOSHI sounds a bit more mature
than she usually does -- this is a MIHOSHI who has grown up. A little.
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
... repeat, all Terran ships are
requested to proceed in an orderly
manner through the checkpoints we
have set up, so that we can ensure
that no traces of the Nodachi
virus are escaping ... any ships
attempting to evade the checkpoint
will be fired upon ...
There is a sudden explosion. MIHOSHI lets out a screech.
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
OWIEOWIEOWIE! What was ...
There is a long silence, punctuated by bumping noises. They stop. When
MIHOSHI's voice returns, it is very sad.
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
If Queen Serenity is recieving this,
could you please respond?
SERENITY (V.O.)
Yes, Commissioner?
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
Ano ... I've got a little problem.
SERENITY (V.O.)
We will be glad to render you any
assistance --
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
Well, I don't think there's going to
be anything you can do ... ano, one
of the Nodachi-infected ships fired
a torpedo at my ship. And it sorta
... hit.
SERENITY (V.O.)
Then ...
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
... my ship's main computer has been
taken over by a copy of the virus.
BEAT It's going to be okay,
though.
SERENITY (V.O.)
Really?
SERENITY is right on the verge of tears.
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
Yes ... when the situation was
explained, the Galaxy Police made
sure to put a ... a backup computer
on board each of our ships, in case
something like this happened.
SERENITY (V.O.)
Then you retain control of your
vessel?
There is a long pause.
SERENITY (V.O.)
Commisioner? Mihoshi?
It becomes obvious that MIHOSHI is crying quietly.
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
I ... I'm sorry, Your Majesty. No.
The backup controls communications
and ... another system.
SERENITY (V.O.)
Could you clarify, please.
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
BAWLING It's true. All the time,
they told me what a screw up I am.
And here I am, screwing up this ...
oh, Tenchi is going to HATE me!
TENCHI closes his eyes and sucks in a shuddering breath. TSUNAMI looks at
him alarmedly.
SERENITY (V.O.)
No! You have not screwed anything
up, Mihoshi, really! And ... his
Majesty does not hate you. Why would
you --
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
TINY You really don't think so?
SERENITY (V.O.)
No. No, of course not. BEAT
Mihoshi, what systems do you have --
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
Thank you, your Majesty. SNIFF
Please tell Tenchi that I hope he
and Tsunami and Washuu have lots of
children ... oh, and please tell
my husband to remarry, to give our
children a new mother.
SERENITY (V.O.)
Mihoshi?!
MIHOSHI (V.O.)
Backup, Self-Destruct, pl--
The transmission disintegrates into static, which fades after a moment.
Everyone present is visibly affected. SERENITY clears her throat.
SERENITY
Recently. Recently I said to ...
someone, that I would give my life,
if it were mine to give, to restore
anyone who has ever given their life
for Crystal Tokyo. BEAT Mihoshi
and the other Galaxy Police Officers
who perished on that wicked day are
not the least among those ...
SERENITY can't seem to go on. She presses a button on the lectern, which
causes a hologram of MIHOSHI, waving and smiling, to arise from the
monument.
Cut to PRISS, who is standing some distance from the monument, looking
down on the gathering from a hill. Finally, she walks off.
Cut to an office -- a rather disorganized one. Papers cover a desk in a
jumble, several discs are scattered on top of a disc player, dust covers a
section that hasn't been used in some time. Behind the desk sits the
DEAN, who is reading a book whose spine indicates that it is entitled
"Bubblegum Crisis: Megatokyo 2025-2045" by K. Shonnora. There is a
knocking at the door.
DEAN
Enter!
PRISS walks into the room, notes her surroundings. The DEAN looks up, and
does a double take before suddenly coming to his feet.
DEAN
Oh! Uh, Ms. Asagiri! I ... I was
expecting you to *call* first, and
so ...
PRISS
Yeah, well, I didn't. You mentioned
Sylia's journal.
DEAN
Right. I had it printed and bound
just this morning ...
The DEAN starts searching his desk, muttering to himself as he does.
PRISS
`Had it printed and bound'?
DEAN
Well ... (Romanova's Grimoire, no)
you didn't think that we had a hard
copy, did you? (Romanova's OTHER
Grimoire, no) After nearly nine
hundred years? (Quincy: Portrait of
a Demigod, no) And in any case, Ms.
Stingray's journal was originally
published (AD Police Files: The
Transcripts, no) in the format of a
word processor document and released
to the network in that manner. So
(Ye True Grimoire of Romanova ...
haven't read that one ...) it isn't
that unusual. (A Journal ... AH-
HAH!) Here it is!
He holds up a thick volume, about the same thickness as a typical
introductory university science textbook, and hands it to PRISS. The
cover is labelled "A Journal: 2011-2041, by Sylia Stingray". PRISS almost
seems to tremble as she holds it.
PRISS
Thanks. I'll read this and get back
to you in a bit.
DEAN
BLINKS You don't have any comments
at the outset?
PRISS
Like I kept telling you, I don't
remember anything ... well, hardly
anything, after 2033. And I'm not
ready to talk about that part yet.
DEAN
Damn. I was hoping that had cleared
up enough for you to discuss the
ADAMA incident ...
PRISS
The what?
DEAN
Read the journal. You'll find out.
PRISS shrugs, and is about to leave, when SHEILA TENKAI comes into the
room, carrying another large arm load of papers, which she promptly sets
down on the desk with a triumphant grin.
SHEILA
EUREKA!
DEAN
You've found it?
SHEILA
Proof positive that the tenth senshi
*was* active during the years of
Silence. I'm going to need a better
translator -- the dialect of Greek
they were using in the twenty-fifth
century resembles Modern about as
much as Modern looks like Classical,
but the term for `pink-haired' was
unmistakable. She was apparently
involved in some sort of adventure
with the Inverted Wizard ...
SHEILA realizes that PRISS is looking at her, and turns to meet her gaze.
She blinks.
SHEILA
Oh. Uh, hello again.
PRISS
WAVES Yo.
DEAN
Sheila? You've ... met Ms. Asagiri
already?
SHEILA
Uh ... sort of.
DEAN
TRAGIC EXPRESSION And ... you
didn't tell me? FACE IN HANDS Oh
God I'm depressed now.
PRISS
Get a grip.
The DEAN lays his head on the desk. SHEILA appears very embarrassed.
SHEILA
Well, we *met*, but it's not like we
were introduced. BEAT I'm Sheila,
by the way. Sheila Tenkai.
PRISS
Pleased to meet you. I guess you
already know who I am?
SHEILA
NODS I'm pretty well-acquainted
with your story ... comes from being
someone's research assistant for a
while.
There is a gentle knock at the door. It opens, and AYEKA is standing on
the threshold.
AYEKA
Ah! Ms. Asagiri, I'm glad that I
caught you.
PRISS
What?
AYEKA
Lady Mars informed me that you were
going to be here, and I was hoping
to find you ... VERY FORMAL His
Imperial Majesty, Tenchi, Lord of
Jurai and the Empire, craves your
presence, that he might properly
give you his thanks for your efforts
on his behalf, recently.
PRISS
He wants to see me about that bit
with the assassin last night?
AYEKA
That *is* what I just *said*.
PRISS
Okay, I guess I can fit him in.
AYEKA raises her eyebrows at PRISS' flippancy. SHEILA's eyes have grown
large listening to this exchange.
SHEILA
Wait ... then it *was* you who let
Lord Tenchi's bodyguard know that
there was an assassin in the crowd
last night?
PRISS
Yep.
SHEILA turns to AYEKA
SHEILA
In that case, Lady Ayeka, I ask
you for permission to record the
audience between His Majesty and
Ms. Asagiri, for our archives of
Knight Sabre footage.
She looks back at the DEAN, who still has his head on the desk.
SHEILA
Uh ... that is unless someone with
seniority objects ...
The DEAN doesn't look up, but lifts a hand to wave them all away.
DEAN
Go on ... scoop me ... my life is
already meaningless ...
SHEILA
Oh, how nice. BACK TO AYEKA Well?
AYEKA considers.
AYEKA
I think it can be arranged. We must
reserve the right to censor the tape
if any information critical to our
security is revealed in the audience
however.
SHEILA nods quickly. PRISS has been watching this with a confused
expression.
AYEKA
Well, Ms. Asagiri, I will conduct
you to Lord Tenchi's rooms ...
AYEKA leads a bored PRISS and an excited SHEILA, who is carrying a
minicamera, down the hallway.
PRISS
Would you please tell me what the
big deal about this is?
SHEILA
You ought to know that the Knight
Sabres are considered major heroes
among a broad spectrum of Crystal
Tokyo's population -- there's been
movies made about you, fictionalized
novels about your exploits ...
PRISS
Okay, so?
SHEILA
So, a meeting between a major power
like Lord Tenchi and the last Knight
Sabre is *historically* significant.
SHEILA lifts up the camera and trains it on PRISS. Our point of view is
through the camera lens.
SHEILA (O.S.)
Do you have any idea why, apart from
your recent actions, he might want
to speak with you?
PRISS avoids looking into the camera.
PRISS
Nope. He was staring at me for a
while after it all came down, but
I don't know why. BEAT I just
hope he doesn't hate my guts for
no clearly defined reason ...
SHEILA (O.S.)
Oh? Have you encounted people who
are hostile towards you in Crystal
Tokyo?
PRISS
I've met a lot of people who seem
to not really give a shit about
me as a person, a few people who
wanna lay a guilt trip on me for
some things, and one person who
apparently wants me dead.
SHEILA (O.S.)
Care to tell us who it is that
wants you dead? A relative of one
of the people you injured during
the Daeden affair? Or ...
PRISS
It's Lady Jupiter, all right?
PRISS keeps on walking, but our camera view of her stops. PRISS goes on
for a few moments, then realizes that she's walking alone, and turns back
to look at the camera.
PRISS
Hey? What's the matter?
Cut to a shot of SHEILA lowering the camera with a shocked expression.
SHEILA
Lady Jupiter ... wants you dead?
PRISS
She certainly seems to be upset that
I'm still alive. BEAT Aw, don't
tell me. You're a friend of hers.
SHEILA grins sheepishly.
SHEILA
Um ... not exactly.
PRISS
Huh?
SHEILA
She's ... sort of ... my mom.
A brief, awkward pause ensues.
PRISS
`Sort of'?
SHEILA
She kind of adopted me when my
parents died when I was little.
PRISS
FLAT Oh.
Another brief, awkward pause ensues.
SHEILA
Uh ... we'd better hurry up ...
She heads off down the corridor, leaving PRISS standing where she was.
PRISS
FLAT Shit.
PRISS starts walking again, at her normal pace.
PRISS
MUTTERED Why am I so upset? So I
just bad mouthed her to her kid. So
what? BEAT Where the hell have I
*seen* her before?
Cut to an shadowed office with a desk and a picture of SERENITY on the
wall. At the desk, an orange-haired woman is slumped, her face flat on
the desk. The door to the office opens, and SHAMPOO walks in, reading a
clipboard.
SHAMPOO
Jeheniah, I hope that you've got
that report typed up.
SHAMPOO looks up from the clipboard and notices that her secretary is
lying with her face down on the desk. Immediately, SHAMPOO drops the
clipboard, and assumes a fighting stance.
RYOUGA (V.O.)
Stop that.
SHAMPOO looks warily around the office without abandoning her stance.
SHAMPOO
What did you do to my secretary? Do
you have any idea how long it'll
take to get a new one broken in?
RYOUGA (V.O.)
I didn't do anything lasting. I'm
glad to see that you're still the
same ruthless --
SHAMPOO
How are you doing this?
RYOUGA (V.O.)
Do you actually think I'm going to
tell you how I learned the shinobi
techniques?
SHAMPOO is shocked.
SHAMPOO
Shinobi? *You*? Ryouga ...
RYOUGA (V.O.)
*He* doesn't let scruples get in the
way of his training. Neither can I.
BEAT Tell him I'm coming.
SHAMPOO
I don't even know where he *is*.
There is a long silence. SHAMPOO's eyes dart from side to side.
RYOUGA (V.O.)
He will be visiting her grave this
evening. Tell him then.
SHAMPOO
If you know that he'll be there, why
not attack him then?
There is another long silence.
RYOUGA (V.O.)
You'd have me violate her resting
place?
SHAMPOO's eyes close in concentration for a moment ... then they flash
open as she pivots, striking backwards in a powerful kick that hits
*something*.
RYOUGA (V.O.)
That was dumb.
SHAMPOO's leg twists in ways that a human leg is not meant to twist, and
she lets out a hollow scream. RYOUGA begins to materialize, his hands
gripping her foot. The last part of his body to become visible is his
head ... and his cold, lifeless eyes.
RYOUGA
Be glad that I need you, Shampoo.
Otherwise, I'd probably kill you.
BEAT Instead of your secretary.
He lets SHAMPOO's leg drop, and she falls to the floor. RYOUGA begins to
walk towards the desk.
SHAMPOO
FRANTIC Ryouga! Don't do that!
She's not involved! Don't!
RYOUGA pauses, and turns back to look at her. His fangs show as he
speaks.
RYOUGA
Yes. That's the worst part. Isn't
it?
We cut to the exterior of the door leading into the office, which has a
sign that says "Do Not Disturb". We hear a tearing noise, and SHAMPOO's
scream.
Cut to a living room. TENCHI is seated on a couch, staring ahead. Our
view changes to include PRISS, seated on a couch on the other side of a
table, sipping at a cup of tea. SHEILA is standing off to one side,
recording everything. PRISS eventually returns TENCHI's stare. It is an
awkward moment.
PRISS
Ah ... Lord Tenchi, you really don't
have to thank me for pointing out
that assassin ... it's ... sort of
in the job description.
TENCHI
True enough. That's not the real
reason that I invited you here. You
see --
PRISS
Uh, just a minute. Before you go
any further, you should be aware
that my memories ...
TENCHI
I've been briefed on your situation,
Ms. Asagiri. However, my knowledge
of you -- I gather that you have
guessed that I knew of you before
yesterday?
PRISS nods.
TENCHI
My knowledge of you is not derived
from any encounters we had during
the period of your memories that is
inaccessible to you. BEAT In
the autumn of 2032, you befriended
a young boy, named Sho, and his
mother --
PRISS
Yeah ... so?
TENCHI
In 1995, my father's elder sister
gave birth to a son ... my cousin.
The line of Jurai was weak in my
father's family, and my cousin aged
and lived like a Terran, unaware of
his heritage ... until he died, in
2030. BEAT Leaving a widow and
son.
In a moment, PRISS grasps what TENCHI is saying, and looks shocked.
PRISS
W-wait a minute, you're saying that
Sho was ...
TENCHI
My second cousin. BEAT Whose
life you saved, Priscilla Asagiri.
PRISS
What ... what happened to him? I
kept track of him at the orphanage,
but ...
TENCHI
We retrieved him from that place two
years later. He spent the rest of
his life on Jurai. BEAT He spoke
of you with a great deal of respect,
which I find myself sharing. If
there is any service I or the Empire
of Jurai can offer you, Ms. Asagiri,
name it.
PRISS settles back into the couch, wide-eyed.
PRISS
Whooooooo ...
Cut to another office, behind which NOA is filling out some paperwork.
NURIKO, a seemingly young woman whose hair is tied in a long pony tail
that is slung over the shoulder, enters at a run.
NURIKO
Chief! The word just came down ...
NOA doesn't look up from her paperwork.
NOA
Yes, the Senshi are sending one of
the Palladins to assist us in our
investigation into Alphonse's k--
COUGH theft.
NURIKO
That's great! Do you happen to
know which one? BEAT It wouldn't
be that gorgeous guy Allen, would
it?
NOA looks up amusedly.
NOA
They didn't specify, but I don't
think it's going to be him. He's
under Lady Jupiter's supervision,
not Lady Mars.
NURIKO
Damn!
NOA
Nuriko, could you please control
your hormones? This is a serious
affair. BEAT I didn't tell her
the whole story.
NURIKO's eyes widen.
NOA
Close the door.
NURIKO obliges, and comes over to stand in front of the desk.
NOA
As far as the Palace is concerned,
the labors that were stolen were
purely ceremonial ones; a bit
better maintained than the patrol
labors. They don't know that they
incorporated the TC technology we've
been experimenting with.
NURIKO
Chief ...
NOA
And the Palladin cannot be allowed
to find this out either! If the
circumstances behind the theft are
what I *think* they are, the brown
stuff is about to hit the fan.
NURIKO
So what is the plan?
NOA
Play up the theory that the labors
were stolen by one of the Anti-
Monarchy groups that didn't get
broken up for terrorism. If the
investigator suggests that they
may have had contacts inside, get
angry ... but if they can come up
with proof, go with it -- and if
they start to focus on one of the
Anti-Serenity moles that we know
about, pounce on 'em.
NURIKO
Right. BEAT You're pretty good
at this sort of thing, Chief.
NOA smiles wearily.
NOA
I learned from a master. SIGH
I never thought I'd be sitting in
his chair though. BEAT I always
... never mind. Remind everyone to
cooperate with this person, when he
or she shows up. BEAT As far as
it goes.
NURIKO nods, and heads out, closing the door behind. NOA leans back in
her chair, looking up at the ceiling. She pulls open the top right desk
drawer, and pulls out a framed photo, looking down at it. It's a photo of
herself, looking at least a decade or more older, standing beside a tall,
serious faced man about the same age (SHINOHARA ASUMA).
NOA
I miss you. I wish ...
NOA closes her eyes in a sudden spasm of pain. Sound effects of a battle
play.
ASUMA (V.O.)
Noa! NOA! DAMN YOU YOU BASTARDS,
YOU KILLED MY WIFE!
An explosion. NOA's eyes jerk open.
NOA
I wish you'd made sure ...
Cut to a balcony high on the Crystal Palace, facing the setting sun.
PRISS leans on the railing. SHEILA approaches, carrying a pair of cans.
SHEILA
Here you go.
She tosses one to PRISS, who catches it easily.
PRISS
Thanks.
She opens, and sips it.
SHEILA
Are you okay?
PRISS
I guess. Just a little ... weird.
BEAT First I find out that half
the jobs we pulled that I can't
remember were given to us by *them*,
and now I find out that I saved a
kid that was part alien royalty.
It's just so ... it's like I'm
wondering whether or not it's gonna
turn out that when we took out the
Griffon, we accidentally saved
billions of people's lives.
SHEILA
BEAT The Griffon?
PRISS
Pumped up supercar. Before your
time.
SHEILA
SOTTO VOCE Wouldn't count on that.
PRISS
What?
SHEILA
Sounds to me like you're starting to
consider the consequences of your
actions.
PRISS
Yeah ... yeah, I never really gave
a lot of thought to what was gonna
happen afterwards. Largely because
I never really figured on being
there, but ...
SHEILA
It's not all that different from the
way that the Senshi behaved in their
youth.
PRISS
They were passively suicidal?
SHEILA
I wouldn't go that far, but they
were reactive, rather than pro-
active. They'd learn about an
`enemy' and then wait to see what
it'd do before responding. It took
a serious blow to their morale to
get them to start actively working
to benefit the world.
PRISS
Lemme guess -- Serena's death,
right?
SHEILA stares at PRISS, astounded.
SHEILA
You *know* about Serena?
PRISS
Raye mentioned --
SHEILA
That's incredible. BEAT Anyway,
you're right. After Serena died,
and Neo-Queen Serenity took over,
they began to pursue an agenda for
the first time -- that of staving
off the Apocalypse. They managed,
for a long while. They chose agents
and made alliances; they gave it all
they had. BEAT And it still
wasn't enough. Which only made them
even more concerned with ensuring
that their actions as few negative
consequences as possible. That's
really what Crystal Tokyo is -- an
attempt to create a society that
can withstand another Apocalypse,
and rebuild afterwards.
SHEILA notices that PRISS is hanging on her every word, and flushes,
before she takes a sip of her soft drink.
PRISS
Uh-huh. Lemme guess, you're the
official Historian of the Senshi.
SHEILA grins sheepishly, and rubs the back of her head.
SHEILA
Not yet, but I'm working on it. I
guess it's only natural ...
PRISS
From being raised by one of them.
SHEILA hesitates for a moment.
SHEILA
Actually, my natural parents were
both Senshi.
PRISS pauses in lifting the can to her lips.
PRISS
Your mom and dad were Senshi? I
don't remember hearing any legends
about male Sailor Soldiers ...
PRISS drinks.
SHEILA
Well ... I didn't actually have a
dad. I had two female parents.
PRISS starts to choke.
Cut to the THRONE ROOM. This time, however, it is filled with people,
standing in line to speak with SERENITY, who is seated on her throne,
listening to each petitioner politely. JUPITER stands behind the throne,
while standing nearby and observing are WASHUU and TSUNAMI.
WASHUU (V.O.)
Not quite like home, is it?
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
No, indeed it's not. The evening
court is usually much larger -- but
those who come to speak to our
husband are rarely of Jurai's non-
noble castes ...
WASHUU (V.O.)
Stupid elitist sons of ...
TSUNAMI eyes WASHUU wearily.
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
Let's not start that argument again.
As I recall, the last time we got to
talking about the system We set up
on Jurai, we wound up not speaking
for a decade.
WASHUU (V.O.)
You will at least allow me to
express my contempt for hereditary
government?
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
You just did, Sister.
WASHUU gives TSUNAMI a flat glare. Finally, they both smile at each
other.
WASHUU (V.O.)
How is he? He hasn't spoken to me
since the service this afternoon.
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
He was very hurt by the recording.
BEAT He had always known that even
after her marriage, he remained in
her heart, but ...
TSUNAMI shakes her head.
WASHUU (V.O.)
Yeah ... there have been moments
when I'd wished that he'd taken the
other option ...
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
Sister! We would not be separated
from you for --
WASHUU (V.O.)
He loved her far more than he'll
ever love me, Tsunami. BEAT I
knew that going into this. He
chose me because he knew that if he
didn't, I'd have to be exiled to
the depths of space to appease
Tokimi -- and he's far too soft-
hearted to do that. BEAT Which
may be one of the reasons that I
love him so much ...
TSUNAMI gently touches WASHUU's cheek. They look at each other, deep red
eye to green.
WASHUU (V.O.)
I cried my last tears eons ago,
Sister. BEAT Now cut that out.
You'll give all these people the
idea that we spend our nights with
Tenchi in wild bouts of polyamatory
sex.
TSUNAMI snorts gently.
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
He hasn't come to Us in nearly a
decade. If I didn't know him so
well, I'd suspect he has a concubine
somewhere.
They appear to consider the idea, then giggle.
Our view changes to include SERENITY, who is watching TSUNAMI and WASHUU
giggling and not really paying attention to the person adressing her, a
young man in Renaissance garb.
YOUNG MAN
... and so, Your Radiant Majesty, I
submit unto you the petition, signed
by all four thousand residents of
Neo-Stratford, that we be granted
permission to make a holiday of our
annual Shakespearean performance.
SERENITY blinks, and turns to look at him.
SERENITY
All four thousand residents signed
your petition? There were no voices
of dissent?
YOUNG MAN
None whatsoever.
SERENITY
Most extraordinary. We needs must
have your petition examined by our
Department of Examinations ... but I
am certain that we can tentatively
approve it.
YOUNG MAN
Thank you, your Majesty! BOWS
And may we extend the invitation to
attend our day of revelry to you and
your court?
SERENITY
SMILES I am certain that there are
those among my allies who will be
glad to witness it ... my own
schedule may not permit, but we may
arrange things otherwise.
The YOUNG MAN bows again, and backs away. A personable gentleman in a
black suit (MICHAEL ORDENE) steps forward. SERENITY blinks, VERY
surprised. JUPITER scowls.
SERENITY
Mr. Ordene. I did not think that I
should ever see you come to court.
MICHAEL ORDENE
Your Majesty. Recent events have
convinced me that I have been ...
ill-advised to seek your removal
from the throne.
SERENITY
Indeed? I would very much like to
know what they were -- you have made
no secret of your outright contempt
for monarchy, although you are to be
credited with never once having been
implicated in a rebellious or
treasonous act, unlike many who
share your views.
MICHAEL ORDENE
Those ... *overzealous* comrades are
in fact the reason that I have come
tonight, your Majesty -- instead of
having a messenger deliver a petition
calling for your removal, as was my
wont. I have come to apologize --
SERENITY
We gladly accept your apology, Mr.
Ordene, even though there is no need
to apologize for having held a view
opposite to our own.
ORDENE continues as if SERENITY had not interrrupted him.
MICHAEL ORDENE
And to deliver *this* petition.
ORDENE snaps his fingers, and a girl in an office dress comes forward
carring a thick folder, which she hands to him.
MICHAEL ORDENE
It, like each of my five petitions
calling for your resignation, has
been signed by one million persons
of legal age -- one percent of our
world's total population. BEAT
The minimum number needed to demand
a referendum. BEAT "We, the
undersigned, aware of the opressive
and burdensome yoke that has been
laid upon the people of the one
hundred worlds of the Jurai Star
Kingdom ..."
WASHUU (V.O.)
Sister, where are You? Right at
this moment?
TSUNAMI (V.O.)
We are currently playing with Ryo-
oh-ki just inside of Pluto's
orbit.
WASHUU (V.O.)
Get here. *Now*. We may need to
make a fast getaway.
MICHAEL ORDENE
"... call upon her Majesty, Serenity
of Earth, to end all diplomatic
relations with this foul mockery of
a government, and expel all Jurain
citizens within the Realm."
There is a long silence. SERENITY's voice, when she speaks, is
deceptively mild.
SERENITY
One million names. That is ... very
remarkable.
MICHAEL ORDENE
Your Majesty will wish to have them
investigated, off course ... and you
will find that each of them is
sincere. BEAT Just as with each
of my previous petitions.
SERENITY
May I have a copy of this petition?
ORDENE smiles, and hands it to her.
MICHAEL ORDENE
I have already forwarded a copy of
it to your Department of Exam--
SERENITY
Thank you, Mr. Ordene. We will
begin to check these names at once,
in the interest of dealing with
this matter quickly.
MICHAEL ORDENE
Of course.
He bows, and steps back. A young woman is about to come forward and take
his place, when SERENITY speaks.
SERENITY
In light of the massive task that
the Department of Examinations must
undertake this evening, I call an
early end to this evening's court.
Unless there are any petitions that
are a matter of life and death ...
There is nothing from the crowd.
JUPITER
Court adjourned.
The Throne Room is cleared, quickly. WASHUU and TSUNAMI are the last to
head out, accompanied by JUPITER.
SERENITY
Lady Washuu.
At the doorway, WASHUU turns to look back.
SERENITY
Please inform Lord Tenchi that I
would like to have a private meeting
with him at his earliest convenience
-- if not sooner.
WASHUU nods. The door closes behind them, and SERENITY is alone in the
darkened throne room.
SERENITY
I will not let you win.
There is only silence from the shadows in response.
To Be Continued.
Together Again: 2937 Chapter, 04/21/97
