The Mole: Anime Edition
Episode Four
Akito Tenkawa- Pilot/Cook:
"Nadesico"
Naru Narusegawa- College Student:
"Love Hina"
Sakura Kinomoto- Student/Shojo
Heroine: "Cardcaptor Sakura"
Satoshi Sekai- Animal Trainer: "Pocket Monsters"
Taichi Yagami- Student: "Digimon"
Tenchi Masaki- Apprentice Shrinesman: "Tenchi Muyo"
Tomoyo Daidouji- Student: "Cardcaptor Sakura"
Day Fourteen
(Barb Bresnick is on the second floor of a small, dusty church
in Spain.)
Barb: No matter how accomplished you are in your everyday
activities, the Mole can still claim you as a victim. Last time,
Sakura Kinomoto did not play her cards right… and became the
Mole’s latest victim. As the days go by, the team is
becoming a lot less trustworthy of each other, suspicions are
high, and many are wondering which is more important- victory for
a team, or victory for an individual.
(Shot of Taichi, in front of a black screen.)
Taichi: This game is extremely difficult. Everybody seems capable
of trying something, and there are days when everybody seems to
be the Mole.
(Shot of Tenchi in front of the screen.)
Tenchi: It’s certainly tough to nail somebody, and it seems
like you always feel sorry for whoever gets executed, especially
when you suspected them. I have trouble living with the fact that
I considered Sakura as a possible Mole.
(Shot of Sana in front of the screen.)
Sana: I liked Sakura a lot. There’s plenty of people here
that are really annoying me right now. Like Satoshi- why
can’t he be the one picked off? I’d say Hayama too, but
he’s not taken out because he’s probably the Mole. Of
course, Satoshi’s still here, so he could be the Mole too.
(Shot of Tomoyo in front of the screen.)
Tomoyo: What can I say? She was my best friend, and I’m a
bit depressed because she was the one executed. I know it’s
going to be hard to keep trying to play, and figure out who the
Mole is, but it’s something I have to do.
(Shot of Satoshi in front of the screen.)
Satoshi: It’s certainly a bit tough to pinpoint a Mole,
especially when others are getting on your nerves. Like Sana. She
really bugs me sometimes, but I have to look past that to see if
she really could be the Mole.
Assignment Nine
(Manny and Barb are walking along a small beach with the seven
remaining. Behind them, Tomoyo is looking particularly depressed,
with Taichi noticing.)
Taichi: Hey, you okay?
Tomoyo: Well…
Taichi: If it’s about Sakura, I know how you feel. Just gotta remember to keep going. Take some time and just let it go.
Tomoyo: Thanks.
(Manny coughs to signal attention.)
Manny: Is this something that can’t wait until recess?
Tomoyo/Taichi: (apologetic) Sorry, Mr. Edwards.
Manny: Thank you. Anyway, for your next challenge, I’ll need six people who are up for an adventure, and one person who just wants to relax for a bit.
Ruri: Do I get to get away from these people for awhile?
Barb: Yes.
Ruri: I’ll do it.
Taichi: Hold on Ruri, I think Tomoyo can sit this one out.
Satoshi: Tomoyo? Why?
Taichi: You know, Sakura just got voted off, she needs a rest.
Satoshi: I don’t know…
Taichi: Either that or Sana, since she saved the day last time!
Sana: Yeah!
Satoshi: Tomoyo it is!
(Tomoyo smiles.)
Barb: Okay. Tomoyo, you can come with me. The rest of you get Manny.
(General response of disappointment as Barb leads Tomoyo
away.)
Manny: The rest of you will be in for some fun. Tomoyo is being
taken to a church downtown. Your job will be to rescue her, and
take her to safety.
(Manny starts walking in a different direction, and the seven
follow.)
Manny: Naturally, there’s a catch. You seven will have to go
through sharp-shooting snipers on your way to Tomoyo.
They’ll be shooting at you with lasers, and if you register
a hit, you are out. Now, before we begin…
(Taichi rolls his eyes, annoyed.)
Taichi: Okay… who is it this time??
(Manny smiles)
Manny: We’re going to make this as difficult as possible!
First off, from "Gunsmith Cats," Rally Vincent!
(Rally, a short, brown-haired young woman, steps out, dressed in
black, with a gun pointed at Taichi.)
Rally: Pleased to meet you, pleased to beat you!
Manny: And from "Trigun," Vash the Stampede!
(Vash, the tall blond outlaw steps out with a gun, his
standard red coat over his black "sniper" suit.)
Vash: (cheery) How’s it going?
Manny: After being equipped, you’ll have forty-five minutes to get Tomoyo, and all the living team members, to the warehouse, and one team member, and Tomoyo, have to ring a bell to earn you $30,000. Naturally, if you are shot by Rally or Vash, you are considered "dead." Let’s get you set up.
(Montage of the seven being fitted with camera equipment, and headphones to communicate with the others.)
Barb: (VO) What they don’t know is that while they plan
Tomoyo’s rescue, I’m up here giving Tomoyo an offer for
an exemption.
(Shot of the church, as Tomoyo has an arm chained to the wall. Barb sets a gun on a nearby table.)
Tomoyo: What’s that for?
Barb: This? We’re going to give you a chance to win an exemption from the next quiz. You have to decide whether it’s worth it, since you need to do some backstabbing.
Tomoyo: Backstabbing?
Barb: When somebody comes to rescue you, you’ll be able to use that gun to defend yourself. If you can shoot the remaining living teammates and ring your bell yourself, you win an exemption. Naturally, though, the team fails the assignment.
Tomoyo: Oh.
Barb: It’s all up to you.
(Barb begins to walk away, as Tomoyo silently contemplates,
with a simultaneous VO.)
Tomoyo: (VO) After Sakura left, it’s a tough position to
be in. Part of me doesn’t really care about being removed,
since Sakura and I were supposed to go through this together. And
part of me is worried about being the next victim, and wants that
exemption to ensure I’ll still be here. Taichi said I should
keep going, and I’m sure Sakura would be more proud of me
for winning, but I don’t want to let my team down. This is a
tough decision.
(Shot of the six, clad in gear, including a flashing receiver to pick up a shot.)
Manny: Are we ready to rumble?
Satoshi: You bet.
Manny: Okay, you have forty-five minutes, starting now!
(The six carefully sneak their way into the streets. Shot of
Sana.)
Sana: This stuff is heavy!
(Head shot of Satoshi.)
Satoshi: Don’t start this again!
(Head shot of Taichi.)
Taichi: Stop that, we need to work together. Let us know the
second you see black.
(Head shot of Hayama.)
Hayama: Or red- Vash had that stupid coat.
(Head shot of Vash.)
Vash: It’s not stupid!
(Shot of Vash, standing in front of Hayama. Hayama quickly runs away before Vash can fire a shot.)
(Shot of Hayama, hiding behind a building, with Ruri next to him.)
Ruri: Baka.
Hayama: You said it.
(Shot of Tenchi, patrolling the area.)
Tenchi: Okay, guys, I can’t see anything.
(Tenchi walks for a little while, and backs up, passing an alley where Rally is standing. Tenchi sees her and starts running. Rally calmly steps out of the alley, and fires one quick shot at Tenchi. Head shot of Tenchi; we can see the screen flash red.)
Tenchi: I’m down!
(Head shot of Taichi.)
Taichi: What was that?
Satoshi: (VO) Tenchi’s dead.
(Head shot of Sana)
Sana: Well- no need for Tenchi! Come on!
(Shot of Vash, quietly waiting for Hayama and Ruri to get out
from behind the building.)
Vash: Come on… I’ll make this fast and painless.
(Satoshi sneaks up from behind and jumps on Vash’s back.)
Vash: What the?!
(While Satoshi continues to attack Vash, Hayama and Ruri seize the opportunity to advance down the street.)
Satoshi: Who needs 30,000 when you can get a 60 billion double dollar reward!
(Vash flips Satoshi down to the ground, and fires a shot, eliminating him.)
(Down the street, Ruri and Hayama have gotten past Vash and are now in an open square. Head shot of Hayama.)
Hayama: Satoshi’s down. Who’s left? Sana? Taichi?
Sana: (VO) I’m here, but the girl is right in front of me.
Ruri: (OS) Hayama, over there.
(Shot of Rally, patrolling in front of a street. Sana is hiding behind a box in the street.)
Hayama: I see you. Look, I’m going to draw her away- you and Sana make a break for it.
Sana: (VO) But that means that…
Hayama: It’s fine, no problem.
Sana: (VO) Always the suicidal one, ain’t ya Hayama?
(Hayama runs out, drawing Rally’s attention. She fires one shot, Hayama dodges. She gives chase, allowing Ruri and Sana to head off… down two different streets, with Vash entering the square, looking around. Eventually though, Rally delivers a very precise shot from forty yards away, taking down Hayama.)
(Head shot of Taichi, looking at the action.)
(Shot of Taichi, watching from a secure location. Rally is about ten yards away.)
Taichi: Hey guys…
(Rally turns towards the camera and fires a single shot. Head
cam of Taichi goes red.)
(Shot of the church, as Sana runs right past it. She slides to a stop suddenly and barges in.)
Sana: I’m at the church! Cover me.
Ruri: (OS) Okay.
(Inside, Sana runs at blinding speed up the stairs to free Tomoyo.)
Sana: Come on, let’s go!
Tomoyo: They told me where the warehouse is, come on.
(Tomoyo grabs a gun.)
Sana: How come you get a gun?
Tomoyo: I’m special.
(Tomoyo and Sana run out.)
(Head shot of Ruri)
Sana: (VO) Ruri, where are you?
Ruri: I’m by the church, but Vash is guarding the area.
Sana: (VO) Shoot. Who’s still alive?
Ruri: Just us two. We both have to get to the warehouse. Or one of us has to die.
Sana: (VO) Keep reporting every minute so I know you’re alive.
(Outside the church, Sana and Tomoyo sneak past Vash and take cover.)
Sana: Ruri?
(Shot of Ruri, taking cover past a patrolling Rally. She doesn’t speak.)
Sana: (VO) Ruri?
(Shot of Sana and Tomoyo.)
Sana: She’s dead, come on!
(They make a break for the warehouse, but Vash is on their tails, firing shots that Sana successfully dodges. Vash is gaining on them. They stop before reaching the warehouse.)
Tomoyo: Let me see if I can distract him!
Sana: Okay!
(Tomoyo and Sana stop, as Tomoyo and Vash get into a shooting spree. Tomoyo quickly dodges a shot, which hits Sana instead. Tomoyo is distracted by Sana’s "death.")
Tomoyo: Whoops.
(Head cam Tomoyo as she’s hit by Vash. Her screen goes
red. Caption "Mission Failed.")
(Warehouse- Barb is present, as Tomoyo and Sana head back in. Manny, and everybody except Ruri are already there.)
Barb: Well… you blew it.
Sana: If Tomoyo would have just kept running…
Tomoyo: Against that guy?
(Ruri runs in, a bit exhausted.)
Sana: Ruri? Where were you?
Tomoyo: Were you still alive?
(Rally steps in the doorway.)
Rally: There you are!!
(Rally shoots Ruri, and her lights go red.)
Ruri (calm): I guess I was.
Sana: Why didn’t you contact me?
Ruri: I thought I did. Hard to speak up when you’ve got these nuts following you.
Hayama: Still, you’ve got to report, especially since we all need to be here.
Manny: (stepping in) Excuse me, before I let you guys argue about your miserable failure, we need to fill you in on Tomoyo’s little bonus.
Barb: Yes, it’s only fair to say that Tomoyo had the chance to earn herself an exemption this round.
Manny: By stabbing you all in the back.
Barb: If she could have eliminated all of you, and rang the bell on her own, she would have earned an exemption from the quiz. Unfortunately, she too died, so everybody loses.
(All eyes suddenly turn towards Tomoyo.)
Tomoyo: What, I wasn’t going to…
Sana: Is that why you hid behind me? And is that why you got the gun and not us?
Tomoyo: Well, I…
Tenchi: I had a feeling about you, but I can’t believe you’d consider something like that!
Hayama: What’s wrong with that? If I were up there, I would’ve done the same thing.
Tenchi: Sure you would, but most of us wouldn’t, right?
Satoshi: Right!
Taichi: Oh, come on Satoshi! You’d do it in a second! So would you Tenchi!
Satoshi: And Sana, why’d you stop out there right in front of the warehouse?
Hayama: Oh, like you got very far. Did you get your 60 billion double dollars?
Satoshi: Hey, if I didn’t distract him, you and Ruri would still be in that alley! But I’m asking Sana why…
Sana: Well, Tomoyo said…
Taichi: The rescuer is always in charge of the rescuing, not the person to be rescued! Doesn’t everybody know that?
Tomoyo: I thought I could take him out.
Tenchi: And Sana and Ruri while you’re at it!
(While they argue a lot more, including more between Satoshi
and Sana, dissolve to show them driving away.)
Manny: (VO) After a particularly depressing challenge, the team settles down to dinner, where Satoshi talks about a dream. Usually nobody cares, but this is anime, so dreams mean everything.
Tomoyo: I always heard that dreams can predict the future.
Hayama: No way.
Ruri: I could explain exactly what a dream is… but you all wouldn’t understand.
Tenchi: You know Ruri, I wish you’d stop putting us all down like that, it’s depressing.
Taichi: Even if it is probably true. So you think you can predict the future?
Satoshi: Uh… sometimes.
Tomoyo: Who’s going to get executed next? I had a dream saying that it might be Sakura last time.
Taichi: Write it down and give it to me, we’ll open it after the next execution.
Satoshi: What if you’re executed?
Taichi: (a bit concerned) Why, did you dream about me?
Satoshi: No.
Taichi: Good. Write down your prediction…
(Satoshi looks a bit panicked, but writes something down, puts it in an envelope, and gives it to Taichi.)
Satoshi: Promise you won’t look at it?
Taichi: Nope. It’s closed until the next person’s gone.
Satoshi: Good.
(Conversation continues.)
Taichi: (VO) You know, except for us having to worry about a
backstabber in the group, this are a fun group of guys.
Tomoyo: (VO) Although everyone’s done something suspicious, and I suppose that even goes for me, it’s still just as hard to think of one of these people as a traitor.
Sana: (VO) I’m having fun. I may never figure out who
the Mole really is, but as long as I stay in the group, and
Satoshi leaves soon, I’m happy.
Day Fifteen
(Seville, Spain. The van drives up to a university building.)
Barb: (VO) At the prestigious University of Seville, the group
will meet their next challenge. And it will prove to be quite a
puzzler, but one that can earn them over $100,000.
(Outside the building, the seven are with Barb and Manny.)
Manny: Okay, before we begin, we need to divide up the group. We need one group of four, and another group of three. This group also needs to be of approximately equal intelligence.
[After much debate, (and both sides fighting for Ruri), they eventually settle on something.]
Manny: Okay. You will all be subjected to a series of puzzles. But be warned, there’s a trap inside. Four person group, head in with Barb. The rest can stay here with me.
(General disappointment in the second group- Taichi, Tenchi,
and Ruri. Shot of Barb leading the first group of Hayama, Sana,
Satoshi, and Tomoyo into a room.)
Assignment Nine
Barb: Okay, listen up. You will be given thirty minutes to
complete eight puzzles. For every puzzle you complete,
you’ll get $15,000 in the pot. Here’s the catch, you
only have one or two guesses with each puzzle. When you think you
have the answer, ask our pal Miss Mizuki over here…
(Pan over to Kaho Mizuki, the kind, redheaded teacher from Cardcaptor Sakura, in a corner.)
Mizuki: Are you sure you couldn’t get someone else?
Barb: (to Mizuki) Sorry, we were desperate to get a Cardcaptor Sakura cameo. (back to the group) Anyway, your thirty minutes begin with this puzzle-
(Pan down to the floor, where boards are on the floor, forming
a series of nine squares.)
Barb: Your task is to remove eight boards, leaving only two
squares… not touching each other. You may begin.
(They go to work. Satoshi appears a bit confused, but Hayama figures the puzzle out swiftly, removing all the boards, except in the center square.)
Tomoyo: Is this it?
Mizuki: Yes it is, good work.
Barb: Next task is on the screen.
(On a nearby television monitor appears a chain of letters:
"AYDVGSJP??")
Mizuki: What are the next two letters in the sequence? You get
two guesses.
(After a long period of contemplation, and Satoshi getting some paper, they determine that the next two letters are both M. Figure it out yourself.)
Mizuki: For the third challenge, you have a five-gallon bottle and a three-gallon bottle. Your job is to put four gallons into a bucket, without using estimation.
(They work at it again, and attempt an operation, but unfortunately use estimation and lose that puzzle.)
Mizuki: Your next puzzle is a riddle- "If Gary…"
Satoshi: Shigeru.
Mizuki: Whatever. If Gary says his mother and grandmother were born on the same day or the same year, how is this possible?
Satoshi: Gary’s a filthy liar.
Sana: No wait… what if they’re on different sides of the family?
Mizuki: Very good Sana, I’m impressed.
Barb: Hey, you have to wait until they make the official guess.
Mizuki: Oh… okay… (to Sana) Is that your final answer?
Sana: You bet!
Mizuki: Correct for $15,000!
(Shot of Ruri, Tenchi, and Taichi, outside, waiting.)
Taichi: So what do you think the trap is?
Tenchi: As long as it doesn’t involve women, I don’t care.
(Back to the group- the question is on the screen.)
Mizuki: (VO) When counting from 1 to 100, how many 9s do you come
across? You have two guesses.
(They work it out, and Tomoyo says twelve. Hayama corrects her, figures out more, and with Sana jotting notes down, gets it right- 20.)
Mizuki: Next question is a physical. We’ll tie you up, and you have to separate yourselves without cutting the strings or untying the knots.
Satoshi: Oh jeez.
(After working around the ropes for awhile, and Tomoyo being in a very uncomfortable position in between Hayama and Satoshi (Hayama of course copping a feel again), they pass.)
(The next question they get wrong- it involves the number of triangles in a strangely cut diamond.)
Mizuki: Okay, the final question is as follows- "How many pairs of animals did Moses take on the Ark?"
Tomoyo: What happened to separation of church and state?
Mizuki: Whatever.
Barb: You're pretty good at this! You go Kaho!
(After thinking for waaaay too long, they determine that it wasn’t Moses, it was Noah.)
Mizuki: Correct.
Barb: Okay, that was very good, and you’ve won $75,000. Now while we let the other group go, we’re going to take you on a tour of the university.
(Shot of them going on the tour, guided by Barb and Miss Mizuki. They stand in an empty class room)
Mizuki: And this is Blanco Lecture Hall, known for its passing rate of around 56%, a number unheard of in the US.
Tomoyo: Wow… that’s pretty low.
Mitsuke: No… compared to the US, that’s pretty high.
(As they continue along empty class rooms, Barb narrates.)
Barb: (VO) This may be prestigious, but it’s pretty boring with no activity. Actually, this is part of the trap.
(They walk into another hall, where there is a monitor showing
Taichi, Tenchi, and Ruri enter the puzzle room. Manny is standing
with Professor Ookida from Pokémon as they begin their chain of
puzzles.)
Barb: As you see, those three have already begun the
puzzles… the problem is that this is the trap. You three
have earned $75,000, which is good. But for every puzzle that
they complete, they lose $15,000. They don’t know this. The
only way to stop them from destroying your work is to do it
manually. You must choose one member to run all the way back and
stop them. Who’s it going to be?
(Hayama stands up.)
Hayama: I’ll go.
Sana: Hold on…
(Shot of the monitor as Ruri finishes the first puzzle. Caption "$-15,000")
Satoshi: No, it’s fine, go for it Hayama!
(Hayama bolts out the door.)
(Shot of Tenchi, Taichi, and Ruri working the letter puzzle.)
Taichi: Okay… how about…
Ruri: M and M?
Taichi: I hate that guy!
Okida: Correct! Very good Ruri!
(Caption "$-15,000".)
(Shot of Hayama, trying to find his way through the large university. He’s having troubles, but appears that he knows where he’s going.)
(Shot of the three spoilers, working on the water puzzle. Ruri is holding one of the bottles as Taichi pours water into it. Suddenly, Hayama bursts through the door. Taichi is looks up in surprise, and spills the water on Ruri.)
Ruri: Baka.
(Shot of Sana, Satoshi, Tomoyo, and Barb, the former three pleased at Hayama’s efforts.)
Satoshi: Told you he’d pull through!
Tomoyo: I don’t think we’re done yet.
(Back in the puzzle room.)
Hayama: You guys have to stop. Every time you guys solve a puzzle it takes away from our total.
Tenchi: How are we supposed to believe that? Manny?
(Shot of Manny, neutral.)
Manny: You have twenty-two minutes.
Taichi: That doesn’t help much.
Hayama: We already did this, and got five of them right…
Tenchi: So we have to get the other three?
Hayama: No, you have to stop. Now.
Tenchi: Look, I can’t imagine they’d do something like that. Taichi, what do you think?
Taichi: I believe him, they said there was a trap.
Tenchi: Ruri?
(Ruri walks into the fray, still wet.)
Ruri: They said do the puzzles, so we should do the puzzles. Besides, I already got the next one done while you were arguing. And it turns out Professor Ookida likes younger women.
Ookida: (OS) I told you- that isn’t the same Gary!
(Caption: $-15,000)
Hayama: God Ruri, you are dense sometimes. You can’t see that…
Ruri: Why should I trust you?
Tenchi: Yeah, how do we know that you aren’t the Mole?
Hayama: You have to trust me.
(In the other room, Satoshi, Sana, and Tomoyo are a bit panicked.)
Tomoyo: Why isn’t Hayama stopping them?
Sana: I told you he’s the Mole!
Barb: Manny says Ruri did the next puzzle, so that’s another 15 down.
Satoshi: Damn!
(Tomoyo looks sad. Mizuki puts a hand on her shoulder.)
Mizuki: It’ll be fine, I’m sure your friends will come through.
Barb: (OS) Quiet you!
(Back in the puzzle room. Ruri is growing impatient.)
Tenchi: Look, Hayama, I can’t trust you. You’re probably just trying to stop us, claiming you’re representing the others.
Ruri: Can I work on the next puzzle?
Tenchi: Yes, go ahead Ruri. Now…
(Taichi steps in)
Taichi: Look, this has gone far enough. There’s four people here, and me and Hayama say we should stop!
Tenchi: Hey, I don’t exactly trust you either!
(Hayama looks over to Ruri, where she answers the fifth puzzle. Caption "$-15,000")
Hayama: Look at it this way- if you guys stop now, we don’t lose money, just don’t gain anything else. If we keep going and I’m right, we could lose it all and more
Tenchi: What, is this an individual puzzle thing, like we get money for each…
(Tenchi and Taichi look at each other with realization.)
Taichi: Manny never said.
Manny: Taichi never asked.
Tenchi: Ruri… stop!
(Ruri, bound in a mess of ropes, walks over.)
Tenchi: We’re just going to stop now, okay?
Manny: Okay. Up to you.
(Back to the other room, where Satoshi, Sana, and Tomoyo are celebrating.)
Satoshi: See, I told you you have to have faith in him.
(Back in the puzzle room, the four are having a very frank discussion, with Tenchi not entirely trusting Hayama. The other three, and Barb arrive.)
Taichi: Hey, where were you three?
Tomoyo: We had to stay here while Hayama saved everybody.
Tenchi: Okay, so he was right. Sorry about that.
Hayama: Eh.
Barb: Anyway, the first group solved five puzzles, adding $75,000, but the second group solved four. However, Ruri solved the first one before I could even get Hayama out the door, so we won’t count it. Therefore, we only subtract $45,000, giving you a grand total of $30,000.
(Caption- "Mission Accomplished." Most of the players are just worn out.)
Taichi: (VO) I don’t know if the Mole was involved with that game or not. I mean, it’s only natural for Tenchi and Ruri not to trust Hayama, so unless the other group had somebody screwing up some of the puzzles, I don’t think the Mole was involved.
Ruri: (VO) I definitely think the Mole could have been
involved with that game. Tenchi was very insistent that I keep
doing the puzzles; I didn’t know they were taking money
away, but he might have. And Hayama didn’t do much stop me,
so he might not have put a full effort into it.
(Shot of the group entering a hotel, where they are greeted by Tim, a grad student in his early twenties, with blond hair. Manny walks up to him.)
Manny: Hey, Tim, is everything working smoothly?
Tim: Better make it fast, I don’t know if it’ll hold. I know we’ve already had a few problems with it, and for some reason, there’s a passage open that leads to the, um…
(Tim whispers to Manny.)
Manny: Okay, we’ll talk later.
Tim: According to some of Dr. Hineman’s theories, there may not be a later.
Manny: (to the group) Okay, Tim says that everything’s going good, so we’re going to give you each a chance to make one phone call home. Just uh… don’t take too long.
(Shot of Taichi, calling home.)
Mrs. Yagami: (VO) Hello?
Taichi: Hey Mom. Everything going okay?
Mrs. Yagami: (VO) Taichi! Hi! Where are you, how are you
doing?
Taichi: I’m having a blast. Still haven’t figured out
who it is yet.
Mrs. Yagami: (VO) Oh, well good luck. Say, your check came in today.
Taichi: What?? You mean the check?
Mrs. Yagami: (VO) Yeah. It says "to be cashed in the year 2194."
Taichi: D’oh!
Mrs. Yagami: (VO) Have you been spending too much time with those American kids again?
Taichi: I guess so. Hey, maybe I’ll have Ruri cash it for me. Anyway, is Hikari there?
(Shot of Tomoyo on the phone with her mother.)
Tomoyo: So Sakura isn’t back yet?
Sonomi: (VO) Nope, but I'll make sure to visit her the second she gets home to make sure she's safe.
Tomoyo: Thanks. So has anything else been going on?
Sonomi: (VO) No… not really.
Tomoyo: Oh. But I have a lot to tell you about…
(Shot of Sana on the phone.)
Sana: Hi!
Mrs. Kurata: (VO) Hello Sana. Have you executed everybody yet?
Sana: (a bit offended) Mama!! I didn’t say I was the Mole!
Mrs. Kurata: (VO) You didn’t say you weren’t. And now I must leave, Maro-chan is getting restless.
Sana: (somewhat dejected) Okay.
(Mrs. Kurata hangs up.)
Sana: Blasted squirrel.
(Shot of Tenchi, holding the phone away from his ear as the
girls on the other line fight for who gets to talk to him.
Slowly, he approaches the mouthpiece.)
Tenchi: (quickly) Gotta go, I love you, bye!
(He hangs up and smiles.)
Tenchi: That outta keep them busy.
(Shot of Hayama, talking to his dad.)
Hayama: So you’re doing okay?
Mr. Hayama: (VO) Yes, and your sister’s fine too. Heck… I might even go so far as to say we miss you.
Hayama: Ouch.
Mr. Hayama (VO) Certainly something we aren’t accustomed to. Anyway, good luck.
Hayama: Thanks.
(Shot of Ruri, on the phone.)
Operator: (VO, monotone) If you know the name of your
party’s extension, please dial it now.
(Ruri pushes three numbers on the pad. On the other line, the Nadesico’s resident accountant, Mr. Prospector picks up.)
Prospector: (VO) Hello?
Ruri: Ruri Hoshino reporting.
Prospector: (VO) Ruri, where in the worlds have you been!! I’ve been wondering where you were… especially if this is paid time for you.
Ruri: I’m in Spain, competing in a game of sorts. It’s interesting, although the other players aren’t much to deal with.
Prospector: (VO) It doesn’t matter, you still have to report more often!
Ruri: I gave you my notice, I said I’d be gone for a month or two.
Prospector: (VO) I didn’t see any notice, you have to be more careful when you…
(As he raves on, Ruri calmly rolls her eyes.)
Ruri: (sotto) Baka.
Prospector: (VO) Don’t you "baka" me!
(Shot of Satoshi, on the phone with his mother.)
Satoshi: This is a strange game.
Hanako: (VO) Are you having fun?
Satoshi: Well… I don’t know.
Hanako: (VO) Why, what’s wrong?
Satoshi: This is fine, but I know there’s something I’d rather be doing.
Hanako: (VO) Well, just remember to always stay positive, keep your eye open, and never forget to change your…
(Satoshi quickly hangs up before she can finish the sentence,
and mires in thought.)
Day Sixteen
(Shot of a production team, and Manny, getting ready for an
interview session.)
Manny: (VO) After a few wild days, the team is now given a day
off, to do some light interviews for interested media. Yep, you
guessed it- it’s another staged trick. I don’t think we
have any interested media; this isn’t Survivor you know.
(Shot of Manny, interviewing Satoshi, very professionally.
Several lights and cameras are on Satoshi, and Manny’s
reading from a book. He gets a call from outside, stands up, sets
down the production book, and walks out.)
Barb: (VO) During the interview session, Manny gets a call from
the outside and leaves, leaving a fake production book nearby.
This is Manny we’re talking about, so it seems pretty
genuine to the the others. We also have a hidden camera in the
area. The question is- will anybody take the bait?
Satoshi: Hey, Manny! You left your book here.
(A few cameramen face fault in front of the doorway.)
(Shot of Tenchi, who doesn’t take it.)
(Shot of Ruri, who doesn’t take it.)
(Shot of Hayama, who doesn’t take it.)
(Shot of Taichi, who doesn’t take it.)
(Shot of Sana, rapping in the room (we can’t hear it).
Still, she doesn’t take it.)
(Shot of Tomoyo. After watching the doorway for a second, she
sneaks over and glances at the book.)
(Over dinner. All seven, as well as Manny, are seated and eating.)
Taichi: Well, today was pretty boring, wasn’t it?
Satoshi: Yeah. No challenges, just a bunch of interviews.
Tomoyo: Did anything interesting happen to any of you in the interview?
Tenchi: Not really.
Hayama: Hey Manny, where’d you have to run off to?
Manny: Hmm? Oh, travel agent called.
Ruri: Isn’t that the same excuse you gave when you left in my interview?
Satohshi: He left in yours too?
Taichi: Mine too.
Sana: And mine!
Tenchi: Manny? Is there something you aren’t telling us?
(Manny’s smiling.)
Manny: He’s a pesky travel agent. I’m up for a vacation soon, he’s calling to confirm the details.
(Barb walks in.)
Barb: Did somebody say they were up for a vacation?
Manny: Sure am! Tonight I catch a train to the Riviera. Have fun holding down the fort!
Barb: Jeez. Well, I’m leaving too, but at least I had the decency to have somebody cover for me.
Satoshi: You’re both leaving?
Manny: Yeah.
Barb: So, did any of you find anything interesting today?
Taichi: No.
Ruri: No.
Tomoyo: No.
Barb: You sure Tomoyo?
(Tomoyo isn’t hiding it very well.)
Tomoyo: No, of course not.
Tenchi: Given that tone, you might as well just say it.
Satoshi: What did you do this time?
Tomoyo: Nothing!
Barb: You didn’t do anything after Manny accidentally left his production book in the room?
Tomoyo: I didn’t look at the book!
Manny: You sure?
(Everybody’s glaring at her. She slowly relents.)
Tomoyo: Well, okay… maybe a couple pages.
Tenchi: (disappointed) Tomoyo…
Hayama: Anything good?
Tomoyo: Not really, just more travel plans. Didn’t even say who the Mole was. (apologetic) Guys, I’m really sorry. There’s no fine… is there?
Barb: Nope. (sappy) You learned a valuable lesson today Tomoyo. You shouldn’t snoop through Manny’s stuff.
Tomoyo: Okay... I get the idea.
Manny: Anyway, tonight’s another quiz, and somebody will
be leaving. There’s $315,000 in the pot right now. (to
Tomoyo) Little Miss Snoopy, you had the opportunity to win an
exemption, but didn’t get it, so you have to face execution
too.
(Shot of Hayama, taking the quiz.)
Hayama: (VO) While I’m still suspecting Taichi, Ruri and
Tenchi are on my list now. They both refused to stop doing the
puzzles, and cost us $30,000 in the process.
(Shot of Satoshi, taking the quiz.)
Satoshi: (VO) Tomoyo and Sana are in the hotseat now. I think one
of those two did something to screw that rescue game for the rest
of us. Sana could’ve done a better job getting Tomoyo to the
warehouse, and Tomoyo didn’t have to stop and go after Vash.
(Shot of Taichi, taking the quiz. His question- "Which
group was the Mole in when working the puzzles? Taichi answers
"Group 2.")
Taichi: (VO) Tenchi’s a top suspect to me. I mean, I
don’t trust Hayama either, but if he says the puzzles are
costing us money, it’s better to stop making money than to
risk losing money, isn’t it?
(Shot of Tenchi, taking the quiz.)
Tenchi: (VO) You have to wonder where Ruri was during that game.
She was still alive, but she didn’t report, making Sana
think she was dead. If Sana and Tomoyo would have made to the
warehouse, Ruri would have gotten them disqualified!
(Outside the hotel, they gather once more. Barb is at the desk, with the laptop.)
Barb: Okay, let’s get this over with. Manny’s packed and ready to go.
(Off-screen, a car is heard honking.)
Barb: (towards the car) Hold your horses!!
(Barb turns back towards the seven.)
Barb: Again, if the screen goes red, you be dead. Manny will give
you a ride to the airport, and you are out of the game.
Who’s up first?
(Taichi and Tomoyo raise their hands.)
Barb: Okay, we’ll start with Taichi.
(Barb types "TAICHI" into the computer. It processes
for a second, shot of Taichi.)
(It flashes green.)
Barb: Next is Tomoyo.
(Barb types "TOMOYO" into the computer. It processes for a second, shot of Tomoyo.)
(It flashes green.)
Barb: Next up- Tenchi.
(Barb types "TENCHI" into the computer. It processes for a second, shot of Tenchi.)
(It flashes green.)
Barb: How about Hayama?
(Barb types "HAYAMA" into the computer. It processes for a second, shot of Hayama.)
(It flashes green.)
Barb: Okay… Satoshi.
(Barb types "SATOSHI" into the computer. It processes, shot of Satoshi.)
(It flashes green.)
Barb: Oh, boy. Let’s see… Ruri.
(Barb types "RURI" into the computer. It processes, shot of Ruri.)
(It flashes green.)
Barb: Jeez, I’m bad at this. Let’s make it official-
Sana?
(Barb types "SANA" into the computer. As it processes, Sana’s just in shock.)
(It flashes red.)
Barb: Sorry.
(Sana stands up sadly, and tries covering it up, to no avail. She’s at a loss for words as she goes and gets her bags.)
Taichi: (VO) She added a lot to this team. She went all out and what she contributed is something that can’t be replaced.
Hayama: (VO) She’s definitely a bit strange, but when all’s said and done, she’s a wonderful girl. She’s done so much for me in the past, and she’s done so much for this team as well.
Tomoyo: (VO) She was a person who went the extra mile. She wanted to win. Even though she got confused a few times, she always tried to make up for it, and you have to respect her for that.
Satoshi: (VO) I guess I am a little bit dismayed to see her go. I never liked her all that much, but the team won’t be the same without her.
(Shot of Sana taking her bag, and is escorted into a van, with more bags in that usual, where Manny has sunglasses on. Sana jumps in.)
Manny: Tell you what, we’ll stop by Paris and see the sights. I didn’t get much time there either. Sound good?
Sana: You bet! France, Sana-chan is comin' back!
(The van drives off. Barb just shakes her head.)
Sana: (VO) It was fun! What can I say? So I guessed wrong on
who the Mole was, that’s okay. I can relax, have a break,
and see Mama again. There’s a lot of friends that I’ll
be missing, but tell them not to cry for Sana-chan!
(The van drives away, taking the Mole’s forth victim with it. But stay on that shot. Another car pulls up, with an unknown driver.)
Driver: You ready?
Barb: (cautiously) Yeah.
(Barb enters slowly. The car drives off. Fade to black.)
Tomoyo: (VO) Hold on!
(Fade back in, to the six remaining.)
Tomoyo: Taichi, you never checked to see if Satoshi’s prediction was right!
Taichi: Oh yeah!
(Taichi pulls out the envelope and opens it. Satoshi smiles.)
Taichi: Okay, it says…
(Taichi frowns.)
Taichi: (at Satoshi, oddly) Satoshi will become a Pokémon Master?
(Satoshi smiles and looks at him.)
Satoshi: Damn straight. I just wanted to hear it again.
Taichi: That’s the lamest thing I have ever seen.
Satoshi: It’s true, it’s true!
(Taichi just shakes his head. Pan over to Ruri, who looks at the camera.)
Ruri: (bored) Same old, same old.
End Episode Four