46 & 2 Issue Twenty-Two

Meifumado

Part 1

Starting on the path to Hell

46 & 2 Issue 22:

By

Zachary Smith

PAGE 1.  SPLASH PAGE.

THERE IS A SMALLER JET PLANE FLYING THROUGH THE SKY AT NIGHT.  BENEATH IT IS THE TOKYO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, LOCATED ON THE ISLAND HONSHU.  THIS IS THE MAINLAND OF JAPAN.

CHINO (CAPTION): “On the road.”

PILOT (ANNOUNING):  “Please fasten your seat belts and prepare for landing.  The

                                           local time in Tokyo is 8:00 P.M.”

PAGE 2.  PANEL 1.

INTERIOR OF THE PLANE. 

CHINO LOOKS OVER AT SHO, WHO IS IN A RECLINING SEAT, SO THAT HE CAN LAY ON HIS BACK BECAUSE OF THE SPINE INJURY.  SCARLETT IS RIGHT NEXT TO HIM, HOLDING HIS HAND.  NO DIALOGUE.

SCORPIO (CAPTION):  “He still wants to go to Tokyo.  He won’t be swayed.”

PAGE 2.  PANEL 2.

FLASH BACK TO WHAT LOOKS LIKE A HOSPITAL ROOM THAT SHO IS IN.  SHO IS PASSED OUT.  SCORPIO, CHINO, AND SCARLETT ARE IN THE ROOM WITH HIM.

SCORPIO:  But they’re not even sure if he’ll walk again.

CHINO:  How can we get him to Tokyo?

SCARLETT:  If he and I can concentrate, we can ease the pain, and add reinforcement to   

                       the rods.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 3.

SHO IS WAKING UP.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 2.  PANEL 4.

SHO GRABS CHINO CLOSER.

SHO:  Armies breaching the membrane.  Must get there.  NOW!

PAGE 2.  PANEL 5.

CHINO HOLDS HIS HEAD.

CHINO:  Oh god.  It’s army has found a way through.

SCARLETT:  Army?

PAGE 3.  PANEL 1.

THE THREE OF THEM, CHINO, SCORPIO AND SCARLETT ARE OUTSIDE OF A BROKEN DOWN BUILDING.  THERE IS A MUTED HORN SPRAY PAINTED ON ONE OF THE WALLS.

CHINO:  You W.A.S.T.E. guys sure know how to hide your shit.

SCORPIO:  That’s not the hidden shit I’m worried about.  What about this army, and

                    how do you know what they are?

CHINO:  When I died, I saw so much it’s hard to remember.  But one thing I do

                 remember is seeing these awful beasts with tentacles spreading out

                everywhere.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 2.

THE DEMIURGES ARMY IS TEARING UP THE CITIES OF DIFFERENT ALIEN CIVILIZATIONS.

CHINO (CAPTION):  I have no idea where they came from.  Different dimension I

                                     think.  Some dead alien civilization brought them here when they

                                     tried to journey to another dimension.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 3.

SCORPIO IS WRITING THIS DOWN.  SCARLETT LOOKS AT CHINO.

SCARLETT:  Is this what you saw when you were…

CHINO:  Dead?  Yeah.  Secrets of the universe.  Just gotta die to get them.

SCORPIO:  I’m going to go see about getting Sho out of here.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 4.

CHINO AND SCARLETT LOOK AT EACH OTHER.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 5.

CHINO REACHES OUT.

CHINO:  Listen, about what he said, what he did…

SCARLETT:  You meant it.  All of it. 

CHINO:  But it’s not me.

PAGE 3.  PANEL 6.

SCARLETT IS WALKING BACK INTO THE BUILDING.

DIALOGUE CONT.

SCARLETT:  That’s where you’re wrong.  They’re all you, even if you can’t admit it.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 1.

CHINO IS EXITING THE PLANE.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 4.  PANEL 2.

EVERYONE IS IN FRONT OF CHINO:  SCORPIO, JOSHUA, MALA, SCARLETT HOLDING SHO’S HAND ON THE HOSPITAL BED.  

WALKING DOWN THE RUNWAY INTO THE ENTRANCE. 

PAGE 4.  PANEL 3.

CHINO LOOKS AT JOSHUA LEADING THE PACK, AND WAVING HIM TO JOIN THEM.  

JOSHUA:  “The first thing that’ll hit you is the humidity.”

PAGE 4.  PANEL 4.

JOSHUA IS IN HIS OFFICE.  HE DOESN’T HAVE THE REVEREND COLLAR, OR ANY OF HIS CHURCH CLOTHES ON.  JUST A BLACK T-SHIRT AND JEANS.  THERE ARE NO PICTURES OF THE BOYS, OR ANYTHING ELSE UP.  HE IS TAKING THE ONE PICTURE OF JESUS DOWN.

JOSHUA:  Was in Okinawa for a bit, fun little place.  But fuck does that humidity kill

                   you.

CHINO:  I’m so glad you’re coming with us. 

JOSHUA:  It’s about time I was moving on from this.  Never was a fit for me.  I just did

                  it for you guys. 

PAGE 4.  PANEL 5.

JOSHUA HAS PLACED THE PICTURE OF JESUS FACE DOWN.

CHINO:  What do you mean?

JOSHUA:  You boys are all grown up.  You don’t need me here anymore, at least not like

                  this.  I’m leaving.

PAGE 5.  PANEL 1.

THE GROUP, STEPHAN, CHI, FRANK, AND ABE, ENTER THE ROOM.

ABE:  Where to?

FRANKIE:  You’re just taking off?

JOSHUA:  It’s time boys.  Listen…

PAGE 5.  PANEL 2.

THE GROUP ALL GATHERS AROUND, IN A HUDDLE. 

JOSHUA:  I’m sure you know that I’m not what I proclaim.  Got the papers faked and all

                  after the last guy left.

STEPHAN:  Listen, we know what he was.  You don’t need to beat around it.

CHI:  We’re glad you came, and he’s gone.  I don’t know what would have happened if

           you didn’t show up.

PAGE 5.  PANEL 3.

JOSHUA MUSSES CHINO’S HAIR, ALL STILL IN THE HUDDLE.

JOSHUA:  Thank this little bastard here, with that crazy brain.  I’m glad I came too.  You

                   boys…you gave my life a purpose.  I never felt that before, but you’re all

                   growing up and out.  You don’t need me anymore.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 1.  (FOUR PANEL STRUCTURE FOR THIS PAGE).

JOSHUA IS HUGGING STEPHAN.

JOSHUA:  Keep up the tattooing.  Maybe get me a harp, or something daft like that.

STEPHAN:  Thanks for helping me get it, and for all the other things you’ve done for us.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 2.

JOSHUA IS GIVING FRANKIE A HUG.

JOSHUA:  Like making you all paranoid like Frankie here.

FRANKIE:  I always was, those magazines just confirmed everything for me.  I will

                    always be aware and alert.  Thank you for that.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 3.

JOSHUA GIVES CHI A HUG.

JOSHUA:  You handled yourself marvelously, son.  I couldn’t be more proud.  You’re a

                   tough bastard, and you don’t need power to back it up.

CHI:  All those hours of reading comics, my dad’s stories, and having you and Mala kick

          my ass in the ring finally paid off.

PAGE 6.  PANEL 4.

JOSHUA IS GIVING ABE A HUG.  ABE IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR BOYS TO CRY.

JOSHUA:  Bye Abraham.  You’ll be a good man, I know it.

ABE:  You…you were more of a dad than mine ever was.

JOSHUA:  It’s okay lad.  I’ll be back.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 1.

JOSHUA IS LEAVING THE ROOM.  THE FIVE OF THE BOYS JUST STAND AND LOOK AT EACH OTHER.  FRANKIE AND STEPH ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER, CHI, CHINO, AND THEN ABE TO CHINO’S LEFT.

JOSHUA:  I’ll see you lads again before I go.

CHINO:  Here we are again.

FRANKIE:  Seems like you’re always leaving now.

STEPHAN:  On to bigger and better things.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 2.

CHINO HUGS CHI AND ABE AROUND THE NECKS.

CHINO:  No.  Never better.  You guys are the best.  I…I was stupid the other day, I’m

               sure these two told you.  I’m a big fucking idiot, if you haven’t figured that out

               yet.

ABE:  We did, we just wanted to let you say it.

CHI:  I’m just glad that you’re willing to accept our help.

CHINO:  Always.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 3.

THE BOYS GROUP HUG AND CHANT.

GROUP:  THIRD EYE, THIRD EYE, THIRD EYE, THIRD EYE, THIRD EYE.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 4.

THEY BREAK, HANDS IN THE AIR.

STEPHAN:  One day we’ll actually do that before a show.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 5.

STEPHAN, FRANKIE, AND ABE ARE WALKING AHEAD OF CHI IS ELBOWING CHINO AS THEY WALK.

CHINO:  Thanks again.  I don’t know how I would have made through mess without you.

CHI:  I’m glad you see that now, fucker.

CHINO:  Careful, I think your lady love bruised my ribs.

PAGE 7.  PANEL 6.

ALL FIVE ARE HEADED OUTSIDE, THE LIGHT SHINING IN FRONT OF THEM.  WE SEE THEIR BACKS.

CHI:  Nah man.  She’s playing for the other side.  No chance their.  That red head

          though…

CHINO:  You might have to fight Mala for her, she seems pretty taken.

CHI:  Then I’m fucked.  Speaking of which, when are you going to see…

PAGE 8.  PANEL 1.

CHINO LAYS ON MYUNG’S BELLY, THEY ARE BOTH NAKED, AFTER JUST HAVING SEX.

CHI (CAPTION):  “…Myung.”

MYUNG:  Bit better.

CHINO:  That’s just the absence talking, I’m sure I’m still terrible. 

MYUNG:  Didn’t get any practice in while—

CHINO:  No!

PAGE 8.  PANEL 2.

CHINO HAS TURNED AROUND TO FACE MYUNG.  HE IS LYING ON HIS ELBOWS.

MYUNG:  No?  I’m still your one and only?

CHINO:  You know that.  What’s up?

MYUNG:  Nothing...it’s just…I feel like I’m not part of your super team anymore.  You had all of those experiences in San Francisco without me.

PAGE 8.  PANEL 3.

MYUNG IS SITTING HERSELF UP IN BED.  CHINO STILL LOOKS TO HER, THERE IS A GRIMACE ON HIS FACE.

MYUNG:  Then this blond girl.

CHINO:  You didn’t want to be there for that.  Trust me.

MYUNG:  True.  Mala gave me enough detail.  And now you’re heading to Tokyo.  This

                   job, it’s just…I really like it, and does helping to fight government

                  conspiracies and psychic diseases help pay the rent?

PAGE 8.  PANEL 4.

CHINO CARESSES MYUNG’S FACE WITH HIS HAND.

CHINO:  No, it doesn’t.  That’s why you’re the responsible one, and I love you for it. 

               You keep me grounded.  If all this crazy shit isn’t real, at least I know you are.

MYUNG:  You sure?  Not going to go off and find some girl more like you, with the

                   same…abilities.  That red head…

PAGE 8.  PANEL 5.

CHINO IS FACE TO FACE WITH MYUNG.

CHINO:  You’re it for me.  You’re my reason for sorting all this crazy out.  I want to

                come back to you.

MYUNG:  And…and what if I need something more stable right now?

PAGE 8.  PANEL 6.

THE TWO LOOK DOWN, UNABLE TO LOOK AT EACH OTHER.

CHINO:  …

PAGE 9.  PANEL 1.

TIGHT SHOT OF CHINO’S FACE, BACK IN THE PRESENT, JAPAN.

CHINO (CAPTION):  “…I don’t know.”

PAGE 9.  PANEL 2.

CHINO SITS IN THE BACK OF A COVERED MILITARY TRUCK.  SHO IS LAYING DOWN ON MATTRESS.  SCORPIO AND SCARLETT, WHO IS HOLDING SHO’S HAND, ARE SITTING CLOSE TO HIM.  MALA IS CLOSE TO SCARLETT.  JOSHUA IS IN THE FRONT WITH THE DRIVER.  THE FLAP IS DOWN SO THEY CAN’T BE SEEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.

SCARLETT:  I’m so drained.  I can’t wait till we get him to his father’s.

MALA:  I can’t believe you’ve been up this whole time and doing whatever it is you’re

              doing.

SCARLETT:  It is draining.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 3.

SCARLETT LAYS HER HEAD ON MALA’S SHOULDER.  CHINO IS LOOKING AT THEM.

SCARLETT:  You mind?

MALA:  Not at all.

PAGE 9.  PANEL 4.

MALA SMILES AT CHINO, AND WINKS.

MALA (CAPTION):  “This is going to be fucking bad ass.”

PAGE 9.  PANEL 5.

CHINO IS STANDING IN MALA’S ROOM, MALA IS PACKING HER SUITCASE.

CHINO:  What did you tell your mom?

MALA:  Same thing you told yours.

CHINO:  Haha.  Really, what’d you say?

MALA:  The Rev is sponsoring my trip, and I’ve never really been anywhere.  She’s

               stressing, but that’s what moms do.  Speaking of…

PAGE 9.  PANEL 6.

CHINO IS HOLDING ONE OF MALA’S BRAS.  MALA IS ZIPPING UP HER SUITCASE.  THE DOOR IS OPENING AS THEY ARE TALKING.

CHINO:  She doesn’t know I’m back.  And she won’t, right?

MALA:  Not from me, but I can’t stop what others might—

SOUND (FX):  KNOCK KNOCK.

LYDIA (OFF PANEL):  Coming in.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 1.

LYDIA IS CRYING OUT LOUDLY FROM SHOCK.

LYDIA:  FEI!?

MALA:  MOM!

CHINO:  LYDIA.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 2.

CHINO IS BEING HUGGED BY LYDIA.

LYDIA:  Where have you been?  No calls at all.  We’ve been worried sick.  The

                Reverend said you were just really busy, but here you are.  What have you been

                doing, how is school?  Have you seen Myung?

MALA:  MA!  Give him some room or he’s never coming back.

CHINO: I’ve missed you too.

LYDIA:  Rosa…mom.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 3.

CHINO GETS SERIOUS, GRABBING BY LYDIA BY THE SHOULDERS.

CHINO:  No…I can’t see them.  I’ll just end up getting homesick, and I don’t want that

                messing with my head while I’m doing so well at school.

LYDIA:  I…  Why are you here?

CHINO:  I forgot some books that I lent Mala.  I need them for English. 

PAGE 10.  PANEL 4.

LYDIA IS LECTURING MALA, CHINO IS LAUGHING TO HIMSELF.

LYDIA:  Look at how good he is, mija.  Just thinking about school, and what are you

               doing?  Your grades have been awful, and that boxing is so unlady like.

MALA:  That’s why I’m going to Japan mom.  Going to learn how to be a geisha.  Walk

               all proper and listen to the man in my life.

PAGE 10.  PANEL 5.

LYDIA HAS MALA IN A HEADLOCK NOW.

LYDIA:  Very funny.  Fei, dinner?

DIALOGUE CONT. 

FEI:  Sure.  Mala can you give me a ride after?

MALA:  …yes.

PAGE 11. PANEL 1.

MALA IS DRIVING OFF AS CHINO IS KNOCKING ON APARTMENT DOOR.

HOLDEN (OFF PANEL):  Hold on.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 2.

CHINO IS WALKING INTO HOLDEN’S APARTMENT.  SCORPIO IS AT THE BAR WITH A GLASS OF WHISKEY.  THERE IS A THIRD EMPTY GLASS.

HOLDEN:  Come in.

SCORPIO:  There you are.  Was wondering when you’d get here.

CHINO:  Had a family reunion to deal with.

HOLDEN:  Nothing bad about family.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 3.

CHINO LOOKS AT THE PICTURES ON THE WALL, YOU CAN SEE PICTURES OF A LITTLE GIRL, SOME OF HOLDEN AND HIS WIFE.  AS SCORPIO HANDS HIM THE TUMBLER OF WHISKEY.  HOLDEN IS STANDING NEXT TO HIM WITH WHISKEY.

SCORPIO:  Here you are tough guy.

HOLDEN:  It’s okay, take it.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 4.

CHINO, SCORPIO, AND HOLDEN CHEERS GLASSES.  SCORPIO SPEAKS.

SCORPIO:  To Todd Gordon.  A young man who died before his time.  He liked soccer,

                    anime, and was pretty descent at math.  He was taken from this world for no

                    good reason.

PAGE 11.  PANEL 5.

HOLDEN HAS ONE OF THE PICTURES IN HIS HAND.

HOLDEN:  Liza…Hit and run.  We had just moved here from San Francisco, only been

                    here a few months…she was playing on the sidewalk,  Gretchen was in the

                    house getting dinner ready.  Called to her, but heard nothing.  She goes to

                    check on her and there’s just a bloody mess on the street.  Her skateboard

                    had gone into the street, and she just chased after it like a kid would.  Bam. 

                    Never found out who.  I’d…

PAGE 11.  PANEL 6.

THE THREE MEN JUST SIT, LOOKING MOROSE, SAYING NOTHING.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 1.

HOLDEN IS PASSED OUT ON THE COUCH, BOTTLE OF JAMESON’S NEXT TO HIM.  SCORPIO IS LEANING ON THE COUNTER IN THE KITCHEN.  CHINO IS JUST STARING AT SCORPIO.

SCORPIO:  You…you’re tough.  Outlasted us…fuck ups.

CHINO:  Not tough.  Just thinking.  I feel so bad for that woman.  Her daughter turns her

                life into a living hell, just to prove a point.  I’m glad you made me help her.

SCORPIO:  Different Chino.  Which one?

CHINO:  Here’s a hint.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 2.

CHINO PLACES HIS HAND AGAINST SCORPIO’S HEAD.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 3.

SCORPIO PULLS HIS HEAD UP, ARCING IN PAIN.

SCORPIO:  AAAAAHHHHH.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 4.

SCORPIO SMACKS HIS HAND AGAINST THE COUNTER.

SCORPIO:  Fuck!  Why’d you go and fuck up my drunk?

CHINO:  Because we’re leaving tomorrow, and I don’t want Sho to think you’re not

                 taking his trip serious.

SCORPIO:  I am!  It’s just…that kid.  I’ve seen some stuff—done some stuff—but the

                    horror that was that kid’s body.  It’s all fucked.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 5.

CHINO IS THROWING A BLANKET ON HOLDEN.

CHINO:  I know.  Her mind was worse. 

SCORPIO:  I believe that.  I don’t know how the mom is going to cope with this mess.

PAGE 12.  PANEL 6.

CHINO TAKES ANOTHER DRINK FROM THE BOTTLE OF JAMESON’S NEXT TO HOLDEN.

CHINO:  Probably like us…

PAGE 13.  PANEL 1.

CHINO IS WALKING TOWARDS SHO’S FATHER’S BUILDING, MALA NEXT TO HIM.  THE TRUCK IS TAKING OFF.  IN FRONT OF CHINO AND MALA, SCARLETT IS PUSHING SHO IN A WHEELCHAIR, SCORPIO AND JOSHUA ARE NEXT TO SHO.  THERE IS A TEAM OF WORKERS COMING OUT OF THE BUILDING TO SEE THEM.  TWO WOMEN, REI, 19, WITH SHORT CROPPED HAIR, NAOKO, 22, WITH A LONG BRAID.  TWO MEN, ICHIRO, 25, PARTED MIDDLE HAIR, JIRO, 23, COMBED AND CLEANED HAIR.  ALL OF THEM HAVE ON WHITE UNIFORMS.  THE LEAD WOMAN SPEAKS.

CHINO (CAPTION):  “…running away from it.”

REI:  Sho!

PAGE 13.  PANEL 2.

THE FOUR OF THEM BOW TO THE GROUP.  THE DOOR IS OPENEING BEHIND THEM.  REI IS TALKING AGAIN.  THE MAN IS IN SHADOWS.

SHO:  Rei…

REI:  Sho.  We knew that you were coming, but had no idea when.  Your father said to

          greet you as soon as you arrived.  We…we did not expect you to be injured.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 3.

ALL FOUR HAVE REGAINED THEIR NORMAL STANCES.  A FIGURE IS NOW CLEARLY WALKING UP BEHIND THEM, HIS FACE IS STILL COVERED IN SHADOW.

ICHIRO:  This is most unexpected Otouto.  What has happened?

SHO:  May as well wait, Ichiro.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 4.

FUMIO RYUKEN IS WALKING TOWARDS THEM, WE SEE THE REST OF THE GROUP FROM HIS POINT OF VIEW.  HE IS LOOKING DOWN UP ON SHO.

JIRO:  Why?

SHO:  Father will want to hear too, Jiro.

NAOKO:  He is…

FUMIO:  Behind you Naoko.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 5.

FULL SHOT OF FUMIO’S UPPER BODY, FROM SHO’S PERSPECTIVE.  HE LOOKS HUGE, AND LOOMING.  ANOTHER INTIMIDATING FATHER FIGURE, AT LEAST AT FIRST.

SHO:  Father.

PAGE 13.  PANEL 6.

NOW WE SEE SHO FROM FUMIO’S PERSPECTIVE.  LOOKING DOWN UPON HIS SON.

FUMIO:  Son.

PAGE 14.  SPLASH PAGE.

FUMIO IS HUGGING SHO IN HIS WHEELCHAIR.

FUMIO:  I have failed you.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 1.

FUMIO SITS BEHIND A DESK JIRO IS SPEAKING, HE IS TO HIS FATHERS LEFT.  ICHIRO IS TO FUMIO’S RIGHT,

JIRO:  Mother had been working late for the past few weeks so we had thought nothing of it when she did not immediately return home.  I had left her in good spirits with Ai, while they applied your latest prosthesis design to a young patient.

PAGE 15.  PANEL 2.

JIRO AND FUMIO BEGIN TO TEAR UP AS JIRO SPEAKS OF THE INCIDENT.

JIRO:  The next day I returned the lab and they were both gone.  All that was left was a gigantic blood stain…

FUMIO:  We put a rush on the blood stain to see if it matched your mother.  Luckily it did not…Unfortunately it did seems like Junpachi, our night security guard, has been unaccounted for as well. 

PAGE 15.  PANEL 3.

REI BEGINS TO SPEAK WHILE FUMIO AND JIRO RECOVER THEMSELVES.

REI:  We checked the security cameras.  They capture the patient leaving, but go blank at

          12.  At that point your mother seemed fine with Ai in the room.

CHINO:  I’m sorry, but where did you hear about some weird tentacle monsters from?

PAGE 15.  PANEL 4.

NAOKO LOOKS EMBARRASSED AS ICHIRO BEGINS TO SPEAK, WITH HIS HAND IN THE AIR TO INDICATE HE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SIGHTING.

ICHIRO:  …Naoko and I had been working late…

PAGE 15.  PANEL 5.

ICHIRO AND NAOKO ARE KISSING.  THE LIGHTS ARE OFF.

ICHIRO (CAPTION):  …Nothing seemed amiss. 

PAGE 15.  PANEL 6.

ICHIRO IS CUPPING NAOKO’S BREAST, SHE IS EXCITED AS SHE RUBS HIS CROTCH.  THE BACKGROUND AROUND THEM BEGINS TO GROW DARK.

ICHIRO (CAPTION):  All of a sudden there was this dark presence.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 1.

TENTACLES ARE EMERGING FROM THE BLACK SPACE WHILE NAOKO AND ICHIRO SEEM OCCUPIED WITH EACH OTHER.

ICHIRO (CAPTION):  Until…

PAGE 16.  PANEL 2.

THE TENTACLES BEGIN TO CIRCLE ICHIRO.  HE IS OBLIVIOUS.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 3.

THE TENTACLES TIGHTEN AROUND HIS LEGS, WAIST, NECK AND ARMS.  NAOKO SCREAMS.

NAOKO:  AHHHHHH!!!!!.

PAGE 16.  PANEL 4.

ICHIRO IS LIFTED INTO THE AIR, BEING PULLED TOWARDS THE BLACKNESS.  THE TENTACLES ARE PULLING HIM TOWARDS THE DARKNESS, THERE IS A LARGER TENTACLE EMERGIN FROM THE DARK.

NAOKO:  NOOOOO!!!!  AHHHHH!!!!  AHHHHHH!!!!

PAGE 16.  PANEL 5.

THE TENTACLES PREPARE ICHIRO FOR THE LAST ONE AS THEY PULL HIM CLOSER TO THE DARKNESS.

ICHIRO (CAPTION):  All I felt was the vastness of the emptiness I was being pulled

                                      towards.  No hope existed at all for me.

NAOKO:  ICHIRO!

PAGE 17.  PANEL 1.

A TIGHT SHOT OF A GUN BEING FIRED.  NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 17.  PANEL 2.

THE TENTACLES RELEASE ICHIRO, HE HAS BEEN DROPPED.

NO DIALOGUE.

PAGE 17.  PANEL 3.

NAOKO RUSHES TO ICHIRO.  THE TENTACLES HAVE RETREATED.  THE LIGHTS ARE ON IN THE ROOM NOW.

KITAMI (OFF PANEL):  I heard it’s better with the lights off, but, in this case, maybe

                                           they should be on.

PAGE 17.  PANEL 4.

KITAMI STANDS, LEANING AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME.  THE GUN IS AT HER SIDE.  KITAMI IS

ICHIRO (CAPTION):  “I was saved, thanks god, by—“

KITAMI (CAPTION):  “Having a meeting without me?”

PAGE 17.  PANEL 5.

KITAMI IS IN THE SAME POSE, BUT IN A MOTOCYCLE OUTFIT.

KITAMI:  You would think after you saved the boss’s son he would be waiting on you

                  hand and foot.  Alas.

NAOKO:  Kitami!

KITAMI:  In the flesh.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 1.

FUMIO STANDS AND INTRODUCES KITAMI TO THE GROUP.

FUMIO:  Sho, this is your mother’s second assistant, Kitami Tokiwa.

KITAMI:  Such a handsome young man.  I’m so sorry for your accident, and your loss. 

                 Very unfortunate.

SHO:  Thank you.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 2.

KITAMI LINGERS NEAR CHINO, MALA, AND SCARLETT.  MALA LOOKS INTERESTED IN KITAMI.

KITAMI:  Who are these young ones?

SHO:  This is Fei Fong Lee, also known as Chino, Mala Ramirez, and Scarlett

          Weissman.

CHINO:  Hey.

SCARLETT:  Hello.

MALA:  How’s it going?

PAGE 18.  PANEL 3.

JOSHUA AND SCORPIO ARE FIGHTING TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

JOSHUA:  Hello lass, my name is Joshua Connor. 

SCORPIO:  Fuck him, Jerusalem here, Scorpio Jerusalem.

KITAMI:  HOHOHOHOHO.  Such polite gentlemen.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 4.

SHO LOOKS A LITTLE ANGRY.

SHO:  I’m sorry, but can we get back to my mother.  Is there any other news?

FUMIO:  Nothing.  Everybody has been partnered up, but nothing has happened since

                Ichiro’s incident.

PAGE 18.  PANEL 5.

KITAMI IS BACK AT THE HEAD OF THE TABLE.  FUMIO IS STANDING UP.

DIALOGUE CONT.

KITAMI:  You’re father is right.  It would be best to get some rest after your long plane

                 flight and we can discuss these matters once you have regained your strength.

FUMIO:  Hmm…I think Kitami is right.  Ichiro, can you show them to their quarters?  Sho, if I may borrow you for a second I must show you something.

SHO:  Okay.

PAGE 19.  TOP HALF OF THE PAGE.

LONG PANEL OF THE DIFFERENT ROOMS FOR CHINO, SCARLETT, MALA, JOSHUA, AND SCORPIO.  MALA AND SCARLETT HAVE A ROOM TOGETHER, WHICH THEY SEEM HAPPY ABOUT.  JOSHUA AND SCORPIO ARE LESS HAPPY ABOUT THEIR ARRANGEMENTS.  ICHIRO IS TELLING CHINO WHY HE HAS AN EXTRA BED.

MALA:  This looks comfortable.

SCARLETT:  I’m glad they roomed us together, don’t have to worry about the boys.

JOSHUA:  You come over to my side and I’ll really kill you.

SCORPIO:  Not before I’ve chopped your balls off.

ICHIRO:  The extra bed is for Sho if he decides to stay with you.  If not, he will return to

                 his old living quarters.

CHINO:  Thank you.  Where is he?

PAGE 19.  BOTTOM HALF.

FUMIO HAS OPENED A DOOR, WE DO NOT SEE WHAT IS BEHIND IT, ONLY LIGHT EMITTING FROM THE OPEN DOOR, AND SHO LOOKING ON IN WONDER.

FUMIO:  The R&D division has been hard at working perfecting your designs.  I was so

                stunned when I heard what had happened that I had them begin working on this

                right away.  I hope you like it.

PAGE 20.  SPLASH PAGE.

WE SEE WHAT IS IN THE ROOM, FROM BEHIND SHO, WE SEE FUMIO PRESENTING IT HAPPILY:  A MECH SUIT THAT HAS PROSTHETIC LEGS, ARMS, SPINE, AND HELMET THAT ALLOWS FOR MENTAL CONTROL.  IT IS NOT A LARGE MECH SUIT LIKE A GUNDAM, RATHER A SMALLER ONE MADE TO FIT THE WEARER.

SHO:  This is my dream come true.

THE END