Episode 1 - The End is the Beginning

Episode 1

 THE END IS THE BEGINNING

INT. DIM LIT HALLWAY– NIGHT - THUNDER AND RAIN

[THUNDER and RAIN faint in the hallway as they hear FOOTSTEPS down a hallway towards his bedroom. Fade in :: hear the radio in the hallway as he approaches.]

 [THUNDER the radio CLICKS on. STATIC second CLICK] 

WEATHER 1

“Rain tonight between the hours of midnight and 3AM.”

[The BEDROOM DOOR OPENS and he leaves the door open after he enters. 

THUNDERSTORM gets louder in the room, RAIN on the WINDOW, a radio is producing STATIC between spurts of clear sound the weather report first. The show's RADIO announcement introduces the play.] 

ANNOUNCER

“Greetings to our faithful listeners, and a warm welcome to those tuning in for the first time. We have a great show for you tonight. Cactus Cat Creations brings you a new story from the creative mind of Tragedy Faye. Darkness Falls is a Noir fairytale that will leave you guessing and wanting more. A story filled with Darkness, love and betrayal.”

[The radio tunes in PLAYING SAVE ME in the background. STATIC Interruption and the weather report continues.] 

WEATHER 2 

“Just in, There will be a cold front pushing through New England bringing heavy rains and high winds to the greater Boston area on up to parts of Western Mass. Some say this could be the biggest storm of the year. Beware of…”

INT. KITCHEN - MIDNIGHT - THUNDER STORM

[THUNDER CRASHES Ren Black enters his kitchen. He finds the bottle of whisky Sashiro left on the counter. Black picks up the BOTTLE the amber LIQUID shifts in the bottle. Asmo the cat is MEOWING in response to blacks rambling]

REN BLACK

“Ooo, came looking for gold and yet I find diamonds. Thanks Sashiro. Whisky is more my cup of tea anyway. Hey there kitty you are doing? Oh Boy, you are drenched. I told you it was going to rain. Ah, It’s fine we’ll clean you up in a moment. Careful, careful, I don’t want to step on your toe beans, those tiny feetsies of yours. (laughs) Ah, your leaving a trail Asmo. Ha Sashiro I captured the suspect. What I ain't taking the blame for you chief my feet are dry. Oh, here we are again. This time with whiskey.” 

[GLASS bottle being placed on a BEDSIDE TABLE ICE SHIFTS. He POURS TWO GLASSES of whiskey then PICKS one up THE ICE SHIFTS in the glass along with placing it on the table.]        

 [RADIO CRACKLES tunes in to PLAYING SAVE ME fades to the background.]

Black turns The floorboards CREAK as he takes a few steps forward before speaking.] 

[The CREAKING if the floor seems to be coming from different places giving the illusion of two people]

REN BLACK 

“Wait… wait.. Let me get a few things off my chest. I know you're going to say some’ positive, and… I don’t know, but the point is… I’m afraid of moving forward. Can you imagine that… Ren Black would have fallen from such a height, that for a moment I thought time stood still.” 

[Asmo JUMPS from her place on the CHAIR and startles Ren. and DROPS GLASS Asmo HISSES in fear of the noise.]

[SWEEPS UP THE GLASS and tosses it in the TRASH.] 

[Emotional he WALKS over to the BED and SITS DOWN. Springs and wood groan under his weight. The sound of SHIFTING fabric.] 

[Black drops the GLASS it SMASHES on the floor the ICE SKITTERS AWAY]

REN BLACK

(Distressed)

“Ah shite, what a waste of good whiskey. You know that wasn’t on purpose, Asmo? Look, I’m sorry mate.”

“Oi, cat stay the fuck away from the glass”

[Black begins to clean the broken glass. Asmo MEOW in response] 

“Argh, Sashiro is going to crush my balls for this Fuck”

“You're good now, it's safe. Come here, Kitty… Alright.. You're good, you're good. See it’s ok, you are fine there you go.”

[Asmo PURRS as she nuzzles his hand]

“Where was I? Oh, right, I wanted to let you know how I feel.” 

“Look… This is hard for me and I should have said it when I had the chance. I regret that. Even though we had a ruff start we came to support one another, even like each other and that’s all gone now. It's like I keep trying to hold onto those memories like sand running through my fingers.  I know that now… even if a little too late.”

[LYRICS from Save me play over the radio BED springs creak under his weight as he lays down. He picks up the fallen PICTURE FRAME dragging it to the edge of the table before pulling it up and setting it back on the table.]

REN BLACK (Somber)

“I see you looking at me from over there. Oi, Oi, don’t narrow your eyes like that all judgmental and what not” 

“And just so you know, I’m not crazy holding on like this…well let me tell you I’m not mad I’m just lost drifting in a sea of regrets, with bated breath waiting for change, for something good to happen, but alas there's no light” left for me”

( Black Yawns)

[Black shuts OFF the lamp and places the PICTURE back on the table.]

[Asmo PURRS]

“That’s all I’m going to share tonight. You know I’m glad we had this talk. See you on the other side ”

[The sounds of FABRIC and the bed CREAKING he lays his head down on the PILLOW soon soft sounds of steady breathing Ren Black is sleeping.] 

[Asmo jumps up on the bed and SETTLES purring. The sound of SAVE ME PLAYING before the radio statics and turns off with a CLICK] 

NIGHTMARE SCAPE - EARLY MORNING

[While Ren Black falls into a RESTLESS sleep he is PLUNGED deep into a nightmare fueled by alcohol and grief. The horrors of that ill fated night followed him as he ran through the cursed woods deep in New Hampshire, his BREATH coming fast as the terror mounts. Black’s Footsteps SPLASH in the small pools of water as his heart BEATS loudly in his ears. Demonic laughter follows him as panic sets in.] 

REN BLACK

(Heavy breath)

  “What?”

“What have I…”

“What is going on here?”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

[Demonic echo]

“REN!” 

REN BLACK                           GABRIEL

“No… not again…”                  [laughing]

REN BLACK

“Not again…”

          REN BLACK                        SASHIRO MINAGAWA                

     (Heavy breathing)     “You’re having that self-loathing nightmare again!”              

            “Where…where…”         

[Sashiro’s voice corrupted and warped in a demonic overtone attempts to penetrate the darkness that has gripped Black heart.] 

[Black’s voice rings out in the forest of sorrow]

         REN BLACK                                      DOJI

      (Running panting)                              (laughing)

[Sashiro’s voice once again corrupted and warped in a demonic embrace as she attempted to penetrate the darkness once again. She has seen this pattern in him before. The death of her brother had taken its toll on her friend.]  

[Doji’s laugh ECHOES around Back VIBRATING the fabric of reality as he RUNS. Sashiro’s voice grows louder as the demonic tones begin to loosen their grip. Her attempts to wake him accelerated by shaking him.]  

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“Wake up you egomaniac.”

REN BLACK

(Panting)

“No… no! No!!”

(Gasp and heavy breathing)

DOJI

“You have something of mine.”

[Black’s heart starts BEATING loudly in his ears.] 

REN BLACK

(gasping)

DOJI

“You cannot hide from me, boy.”

“I see you.”

[Black RUSTLING FABRIC CREAKING MATTRESS as Black is TOSSING and TURNING on the bed. Black mumbling in his sleep.] 

[Sashiro shakes Ren causing the bed springs to CREAKING.  As she shakes him the fabric of the blankets RUSTLE . Shifting as Black sits up.] 

INT. APARTMENT ABOVE CLOSED DINER– BEDROOM – MORNING

REN BLACK

(Gasps awake)

“Jesus…”

[Sashiro takes several steps back. CRUNCHING various TRASH left upon the floor.] 

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“What the hell was that?!”

[Black sits up. Blanket SHIFTS, bed CREAKS under him as he swings his legs over the edge of the bed the wood frame STRAINS his feet touches the floor. Paper shifts from the pile on the floor as Black gets up.]

REN BLACK

(confused)

“You heard it too?”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“What? The heart attack you gave me?”

REN BLACK

(grunts)

“Nevermind…”

[Sashiro takes a step back KICKS the METAL TRASH CAN causing the BROKEN GLASS shifts.]

REN BLACK

(grumpy) 

“What are you doing here?”

[Sashiro grabs the waste bucket causing the broken glass to SHIFT in the metal bin SCRAPING along the bottom before putting it back down with a final shift of protest from the broken glass.] 

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“Is this glass?”

REN BLACK

“Huh?”

[Sashiro crushes a styrofoam cup under her heel as she lifts the now half empty bottle of whisky the amber liquid SLOSHES as she holds it up in the dim light of morning sun trying in vain to illuminate the disheveled room. She places the BOTTLE on the table, the heavy glass bottom making contact with the table giving an audible CLINK.]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“What the hell, Ren? Did you drink this whole bottle of whiskey already? I just bought this yesterday.”

[Black scratches the back of his head as he is forced to hear the annoying scolding from his lost lover's twin. She did her best to care for him after Shiro’s death and he tries his best to hold his tongue.]

REN BLACK

(Grunts)

“Come on, are you serious?”

[Sashiro PICKS UP a plate and the fork SCRAPES the plate as it shifts in her hand. Curiously examining it, recalling the last time she made him a fresh meal.]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“Is this half-eaten katsudon? Didn’t I make this for you last month?”

[Black reaches over to the night stand taking hold of his silver pocket watch and presses the button on the top the latch giving way with an audible CLICK. He looks at the time seeing that it is still before 9:00 am and well before his normal time of rousing places his pocket watch back on the table with the attached chain coiling once again in its descent.]

REN BLACK

“Ah, come on mate, I was saving that for later…”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(sputters)

“Saving it for… It’s hard as a rock!”

“Wait… is there something living in this?”

[A cricket chirps as it looks out to her from its hiding place among the hardened rice.]

REN BLACK

“You found my little friend... I was gonna tidy up, but you know how it goes.”

[She places the plate, cricket and all into the trash counting it as a loss as she refused to clean that mess. Black begins looking around for some pants he finds a pair of sweatpants and tosses them on.]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“I know my brother had been the clean one, but hell, he would be rolling in his grave if he saw you living like this.” 

“You know, he always said your saving grace was your looks.” 

(SLIGHT ANGER FRUSTRATION)

REN BLACK

(Exhausted sigh, apologetic)

 “I didn’t mean to push your buttons, you know how (I)…”

[Asmo PADS over to Sashiro with a MEOW asking to be picked up.]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(Half Joking) 

 “Hello, my beautiful Asmodeus fur baby, did your deadbeat daddy feed you today?”

“It’s not like you are the only one who misses him around here. He was my twin brother in case you’ve forgotten.”

[Sashiro picks the cat up. Asmo MEOWS and CHITTERS and PURRS a little before JUMPING down with a THUD]

REN BLACK

(Mildly annoyed)

"You know Sashiro, they say that silence is golden. If you get enough practice then who knows, (you) might be rich someday." 

[Sashiro Cuts Black off with a wave of her hand. In the event’s that just transpired she remembered the reason she was there.] 

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(impatient)

 “Hold that thought. I almost forgot. Victor came with me this time, and if you had bothered to check your messages you would have known we were coming.”

“Your new partner was so excited to meet the great Ren Black!”

REN BLACK

“Tch.”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“...and decided to tag along. I had them wait in your office.”

[Ren black MOANS in displeasure and annoyance as Sashiro carries on as if his opinion mattered not in her mission]

REN BLACK

[Black KNOCKS DOWN a pile of books, sending them TOPPLING hitting the floor with a THUD as the PAPERS FLUTTER that until recently were stacked upon them Fell to the floor in his panic. REN BLACK

  “Out of the way Sashiro!” 

 He pushes past her foot steps HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY  as he STOMPS out of the room. From below in the office The wood floor CREAKS with each step]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

 “Rude! What’s your deal!”

INT. BLACK’S OFFICE - MORNING

[Transition: to the office below Black's bedroom. The next words from Sashiro MUFFLED and distant from where Akashi and Victor are waiting in the office.]

[Ren and Sashiro’s voice sound muffled and distant from the perspective of Hero Akashi and Victor Cross in the office]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(Shocked, Angry)

 “Wait, Ren, your shirt!”

Music: Tension

[Victor and Akashi can hear Black's HEAVY FOOTSTEPS ECHO in the hallway as he makes his way towards the office with Sashiro FOLLOWING NOT FAR behind him. A little nervous Akashi shifts and leans forward in the wooden rolling chair CREAKS . Akashi is not sure what he was in for and dreading it all the same.] 

HIRO AKASHI

(Nervous sarcastic) 

"Something tells me I’m in for one hell of a first impression. Should I brace for impact or just leave?"

[The two can feel the tension as Black turns the corner keeping that momentum going]

VICTOR CROSS

"What? And miss the show? He should be here right about … now.”

[Victor sits FORWARD. The chair GROANS in protest as the heavy Victor shifts in his chair.]

REN BLACK

(Low growl, Displeasure)

HIRO AKASHI

(apprehensive and a touch sarcastic)

“I feel more like bait than a coworker.”

Music: tension building 

[Dramatic up tone once he makes it to the office. Ren Black stands in the door, the threshold CREAKING under his weight. Black takes 1…2…3 steps in to grab Akashi] 

REN BLACK

(Growls)

"What gave you the nerve coming into my home, huh?"

[Chair ROLLS back Akashi stands as Black's heavy footsteps bring the two face to face and then without warning GRIPS the front of Akashi’s shirt TIGHTLY the fabric PROTESTING from the strain as Black pulls him away from the chair.] 

(Said at the same time)

REN BLACK                           HIRO AKASHI

(Low growl, Displeasure)             (Choking)

“Neverending nightmare!”          

[STRUGGLING AND COUGHING as he tries to free himself from Ren's grip. Sashiro turns the corner. Bare feet SKID on the floor and grabs Black’s arm. Black is still holding the shirt tight as Sashiro fights with him. Sashiro strains as she tries to free Akashi from her frantic friends' grasp.]

[Overlap Ren Black’s dialog with Akashi choking]

REN BLACK

"I don't want you here!!"

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(frustrated)

“Ren, get a hold of yourself! Let go of him!”

[Black PUSHES Akashi away. Akashi STUMBLES. BLACK turns and takes 1..2..3 steps back in the office]

HIRO AKASHI

(Coughing)

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(Concerned)

“Are you ok, Akashi?” 

HIRO AKASHI

(catching his breath nodded in assurance)

“Don’t worry, I’m stronger than I look (strained sound) My back”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“Do you think this is what Shiro would have wanted?”

[Sashiro helps Akashi up. Victor RISES from the chair with a GROAN as the immense weight is lifted from it. The floor CREAKS with every HEAVY STEP 1…2…3 before standing in front of black.]

VICTOR CROSS

(GRRRR)

“I don’t have time for this!”

[Ren Black turns to face the leader of the Pack so to speak with anger in his eyes.]

VICTOR CROSS

“Best chew on your next words carefully before spitting them out”

REN BLACK 

(In an angry deep tone) 

“Victor! You of all people should know that no one sits in that chair except Shiro!”

VICTOR CROSS

“DO NOT mistake my quiet nature for apathy. (Leans in closer) You have no idea (in his ear) how sharp my teeth can be.”

[Victor LEANS IN CLOSER to Black. His BREATH hot on Black’s neck as he

GRIPS Blacks shoulder SQUEEZING it tightly] 

REN BLACK

“Argh, you bastard!”

Music: Tension on edge

HIRO AKASHI

(Nervous) 

 “(Nervous laughter) How about we dial it back a bit, tensions seem a little high right now. Look, I am not trying to replace Shiro. I just…”

Music: Tension snaps inner sorrow weighs heavy 

[Black turns the FLOOR shifts weight.]

Music: Tempo picks up angry distraught 

 REN BLACK

(Black cuts him off angry hurt tone)

“How dare you call him by his first name! You didn’t know him like I did! I don’t need a new babysitter! Get out! You can go back and tell those wanna be gods: they can stick it where the sun don't shine.”

[Black takes 1…2…3…4 steps back while talking]

REN BLACK

(Breathing heavy, HURT TONE)

 “Shiro was the most important person to me… There’s no way they can just… they can’t just replace him... Shiro can’t just get swapped out for something new.” 

[Victor takes 1…2…3… STEPS back giving Black some space to breathe. Victor moves over to the desk and leans against it, the wood CREAKING as he settles. He looked at his friend and the despair that was clinging to him like a cancer and knew He had made the right decision bringing Akashi.] 

MUSIC: Transition to fit the mood

VICTOR CROSS

 “Black, No one is trying to replace Shiro. This is your new partner, and you need to get back to work before they ship you back to the Far Shore. Is that what you want?” 

[Black looks at Victor as he speaks. Knowing that Victor was right. He didn’t give a shit what those ego driven second rate gods thought of him, but also didn’t want the hassle of dealing with them all the same.]

REN BLACK

“You know I don’t. I have unfinished business here and I don’t have time to waste on them.”

[Victor thinks back to when he brought Black to the offices in the Far Shore and the chaos he caused there]

VICTOR CROSS

“I am sure the feeling is more than mutual, but you didn’t exactly make many friends the last time you were there.”

[ Black backs up to the wall with a THUMP before SLIDING to the floor. The rush of air wafts up to assault Victor's nose calling to attention the lack of personal hygiene. There was no way he wanted him anywhere near his office like that.]

VICTOR CROSS

(Victor SNIFFS the air)

“By the Gods Ren, when was the last time you took a bath?” 

REN BLACK

(Agitated and impatient)

“Storm of swords. I don’t know… a few days ago. It’s not that bad.”

VICTOR CROSS

“I beg to differ. You, Akashi, here is your first assignment:  Get this *trainwreck* back to the office.”

INT. HALLWAY - LATE MORNING

[Victor WALKS out of the office stopping near Akashi and Sashiro]

[Black gave a questioning tone in rebuttal to Akashi helping him. Akashi laughs a little at Victor's display before realizing Black was now going to be his problem.]

 HIRO AKASHI

 “You want me to do it?”

VICTOR CROSS

(In a frustrated sarcastic tone)

“YES YOU! Do you see anyone else here called Akashi? 

REN BLACK

(Annoyed)

 “I never said I was going anywhere, so why the hell would I go there now?”

[Victor turns to look at Black taking 1 step towards him] 

VICTOR CROSS

(Annoyed, matter of fact)

“Do you think I would venture into this *den of despair* unless it was something that could not wait? We acquired a letter from Gabriel this morning. Seems that he is back, with the intention of finishing what he started.”

REN BLACK 

(Growls)

 “Now why didn’t you lead with that? We could have avoided all this shite.”

“Hand over the letter so we can get this started.”

[Victor casually checks his fingernails avoiding Black's gaze.]

VICTOR CROSS 

(Teasing)

“You’ll have to wait. I left the letter at the office with Rachel. I wanted her to give it the ol’ once-over for curses and other surprises, he may have set in motion.”

REN BLACK

(reluctantly agreed)

“Fair enough, he has a nasty habit of pulling twisted little tricks like that. Just talking about it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

[Victor's balls his hand into a fist the leather glove CREAKS to demonstrate his disdain for what was happening.]

[Victor's phone alerts him BUZZ-BUZZ-BUZZ that he has a message. He removes it from his inside pocket and takes a look. Leo’s name and number flashes across the screen on the phone.]

VICTOR CROSS

“I am being summoned back to the office. My apologies, but I must excuse myself. Sashiro, you can ride back with me. Black, I expect to see you both there.”

[Victor starts WALKING to the front door 1…2…3…4…5…6… ]

[Sashiro stands at attention CLICKING her heels giving a playful salute in response.]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“You got it, Boss man.”

REN BLACK

“Read you loud and clear, big guy.”

[Victor CLOSES door and leaves.]

[Floor boards shift with a CREAK as Black slowly stands up and stretches]

[As Victor walks out of the house. His phone rings - BRING-BRING- just after he OPENS THE DOOR he answers with a hello then trailing off into muffled tones as the DOOR CLOSES behind him with a CLICK. Black stands up and WALKS towards the living room. The others follow.]

REN BLACK

“Well Akashi, ‘guess you and I are headed to the office. ‘hope you’re a better animal handler than Sashiro here.”

INT. LIVING ROOM - LATE MORNING

Music: more relaxed

HIRO AKASHI

“I’m good at completing difficult tasks and from the looks of it you are more than a handful…wait…what? You can just forget that last part.”

[Black and Sashiro laugh simultaneously]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA (Teasingly)

“More than a handful you say?” (laughs) “I can’t wait to hear about that.”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA 

“Akashi, I have one word of advice for you. Always have coffee in the house.”

REN BLACK

“Wise words, you know me well.” 

HIRO AKASHI

“I think I can handle that”

[Black shifts his feet as the others stand near the kitchen. Asmo pads in and comes in rubbing agents Akashi meowing. Akashi pets the rather large cat.]

HIRO AKASHI 

“Who is this friendly kitty?”

[Cat PURRING and MEOWING returns to rub on Black’s legs]

REN BLACK 

 “That’s Asmo. She's a Figora Nox, a guardian of sorts. You know, I’ve never seen her take a liking to someone that fast.”

[Scratches the back of his head with a slight sound of displeasure] 

"Oi kid, don't go touching things that don't belong to you, okay? You might find something you wouldn't expect."

"And while you're here, why don't you make yourself useful and... I don't know, feed the cat or something."

 [FOOTSTEPS RECEDING as Black heads for his room to get changed. Asmo meows at Akashi]

HIRO AKASHI

(Annoyed)

“How can I do that if I’m not allowed to touch anything?”

[Asmo circles Sashiro and Akashi meowing as if to say are you done? Feed me already.]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(Joking and teasing)

 “The food for Asmo is on the kitchen counter. Please be patient with Ren. He has been a hot mess since my brother died. I think having a new partner will be good for him. He needs to move on. That’s what Shiro would have wanted. And look on the bright side, Ren is easy on the eyes, and has an even nicer body.” 

[Akashi watched Black as he reached the door. He paused for a moment as Akashi’s eyes fixed on his back, noticing his lean and muscular form.]

HIRO AKASHI

(Embarrassed)

 “I noticed that… ummm no, what I mean is I noticed how he feels about this.” 

[Black stops in front of his door and calls back to them.

REN BLACK 

(laughs lightly)

 “Bloody hell Sashiro, you know I can still hear you right?”

[Black enters his room and closes the door with a CLICK] 

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(giggle)

“I think you will be good for him. He has been alone for over a year. His mother vanished the night my brother died. I don’t know what the hell that is all about, but bet your ass I'll find out.”

HIRO AKASHI

(Empathetic)

“Victor told me a little bit about the situation and about Shiro, but I didn’t know about his mother.”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“I just wanted you to understand him a little better. Well, I think you can take it from here, don’t want to keep the Boss man waiting.” 

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

 “Good luck. Oh ya, here’s his shirt. He might need that.”

HIRO AKASHI

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”  

[The door closes behind her faint echoes of her descending the stairs]

HIRO AKASHI

(Not wanting to be left with Black, but also admits he is sexy)

“What? You’re not really going to leave me with… and she’s gone. (Argh) Why does my new boss have to be hot and have that voice… I’m screwed, he's totally my type.”

REN BLACK

"Ah it's too early in the morning to be kinky, mate. That kinda stuff happens later on, don't you know."

[Akashi flops down on the couch]

HIRO AKASHI

“I’m going to die now.”

EXT. MORNING - OVERCAST - NEXT TO CAR

[Sashiro walks down the back steps away from Black's apartment and over to where Victor was standing talking on the phone. The gravel CRUNCHES under foot as Sashiro walks over to Victor.]

VICTOR CROSS

(Victor talking on the phone, frustrated)

“Just stay there and wait for me, we’ll be there soon. Hold on for a moment, she just arrived. I will call you back once we get in the car.”  

[Victor ends the call as Sashiro walks up. He turns to look at her]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“Who was that? Also, do you think it was the best idea to leave those two alone?”

VICTOR CROSS

“I think they can BOTH stand a crash course on how to work together. I promise his bark is worse than his bite… *laugh* - well, most of the time anyway.”

[Victor looks up as thunder rumbles in the distance. The way the sky was turning dark as if in warning of a greater devastation to come. Lightning crackles igniting the air above them]

“A tempest is brewing, and they are going to be standing right in the middle of it.”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“What now? Care to fill me in?”

VICTOR CROSS

“Not here, I don’t want Black to know anything yet. Get in and I’ll tell you on the way.”

[Victor and Sashiro both get in the car and close the doors. Then the engine springs to life. The tires GRIND the gravel sending some flying in several directions]

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“You better not leave me in the dark like you did last time.”

[Sashiro turns the radio on with a CLICK. The opening chorus of “Save me” plays in the background.]

VICTOR CROSS

“Don’t worry, I won’t make the same mistake twice. Our friend Leo has returned from his travels in Japan and he has much to tell us.”

[A car passes by them] 

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

“That old stone face has returned? I was wondering where you had sent him off to. Last time I saw him he was skipping out on movie night. Odette was not amused and ranted the rest of the evening.” 

VICTOR CROSS

“One by one the pieces shall fall into place. I will illuminate your role in my gamble and spend any resource I can to spare a piece on my board.”

SASHIRO MINAGAWA

(shivers)

“Why do those words make my soul cringe? Blegh…”

VICTOR CROSS

(Laughs)