The Mole: Anime Edition
Episode Seven
Naru Narusegawa- College
Student: "Love Hina"
Akito Tenkawa- Pilot/Cook: "Nadesico"
Sakura Kinomoto- Student/Shoujo Heroine: "Cardcaptor
Sakura"
Sana Kurata- Child Actress: "Child’s Toy"
Satoshi Sekai- Animal Trainer: "Pocket Monsters"
Akito Hayama- Student: "Child’s Toy"
Taichi Yagami- Student: "Digimon"
Tenchi Masaki- Apprentice Shrinesman: "Tenchi Muyo"
Tomoyo Daidouji- Student: "Cardcaptor Sakura"
Day Twenty-Three
(Barb appears on a beach in San Lucar.)
Barb: After twenty-two days, six anime characters have been
systematically eliminated from play.. All ten selected had the
capabilities of being the Mole. At the beginning of the game, it
could have been Naru Narusegawa that earned the trust of
everybody and used it against them. It could have been Sana
Kurata, whose wild antics had the power to make all suspicious
activity look "accidental." Or, it could have been
Akito Hayama’s cold, unemotional exterior that kept the
secret of a lifetime. But it wasn’t. Four are remaining. And
above all others, they certainly have the capacity to be the
Mole.
(Shot of Tenchi, in front of a black screen.)
Tenchi: I have always felt a bit isolated from the rest of the
group. I mean, I’m four years older than Taichi, and Tomoyo
and Ruri are even farther below that. And it’s been that way
since Akito and Naru were executed. And although I get along fine
with the others, that age gap really takes a toll when you begin
wondering why you’re playing a game like this with a bunch
of kids. But then you see that $415,000 at stake and realize the
fun you’re having anyway. Sure it’s a bit strange, but
I do feel like a kid again.
(Shot of Tomoyo, in front of a black screen.)
Tomoyo: You make a lot of friends here. And it’s a little
strange because you don’t know who’s going to leave
next. So I have to say my goodbyes before every exam. I think
Ruri and Tenchi have heard me wish them farewell enough to last a
lifetime!
(Shot of Taichi, in front of a black screen.)
Taichi: Sure we’re in this game, but how far can we really
go with it? We’re supposed to be tricking people and
figuring out who’s the Mole, but when you bond like this, it
makes it that much harder to sneak around behind their back to do
what you need to survive.
(Shot of Ruri, in front of a black screen.)
Ruri: So much has gone on that it’s hard to figure out. What
if the Mole wasn’t responsible for us losing this? What if
the other three are ganging up on me? What if Hayama actually had
a good reason for kissing me? It could drive some people crazy.
(The four enter a beach area, where Manny and Barb greet
them.)
Manny: As you can see, we’re down to the final four. Six
contestants have come and gone, and now it’s just you guys.
Don’t ask me how you pulled it off, but you did. So
congratulations. Even though the final three is the big dance in
this game. We still have two episodes left after this!
Barb: Anyway, for the next challenge, we’ll need you to split up into two teams of two. The first team is for people who consider themselves "artistic." The other is for two who can count to seven hundred fifty-one.
Taichi: (sarcastic) Darn, where’s Satoshi when you need him?
Manny: Uh… Satoshi can only count to two hundred fifty-one.
Tenchi: Okay, here we go again. Ruri, Tai, you wanna take counting because…
Taichi: I don’t know, it’s really up to the rest of you. I’m okay if…
Tomoyo: I’d rather have art if it’s alright.
Tenchi: So Tomoyo and me can have art? Is that okay with everybody?
Ruri: No.
Taichi: Great then… no?!
Ruri: I want Tenchi to work with me in counting.
Tomoyo: Well, Ruri, does it make that much of a difference?
Taichi: Yeah, it’s no big deal. I can count.
Ruri: I’d just rather be teamed up with Tenchi.
Taichi: Why’s that?
(Ruri sighs, then goes over and hugs Tenchi.)
Ruri: I can’t tell if it’s his eyes, hair, or just the way he says "hello."
(Taichi looks stunned. Tomoyo smiles.)
Tomoyo: Oh. When you put it that way, sure!
Tenchi: (angry) Tomoyo!!
(Taichi narrates.)
Taichi: (VO) For some odd reason, I found that to be slightly
out of character. Call me crazy, but I think Ruri has a hidden
motive for being paired up with Tenchi.
Ruri: (VO) I’ll be honest, I have a hidden motive for pairing up with Tenchi. It seems that Tenchi, Tomoyo, and Taichi are something of an unholy trinity, and I’m being left out of the group. I know that Taichi and Tomoyo have been having problems lately so I don’t have to supervise those two screwing up. I’d rather concentrate on observing Tenchi’s behaviors without having to worry about the other two… although I was serious about him having nice eyes.
(Shot of Manny driving the van with Tenchi and Ruri.)
Tomoyo: (VO) I am not very happy with the pairings. Taichi and
I have not been getting along lately, and I heavily suspect
Tenchi as being the Mole.
Tenchi: (VO) I don’t really mind being paired up with Ruri, since I have my suspicions about her too, but Tomoyo is extremely high on my list, and I don’t know if Taichi’s capable of spoiling any efforts she makes.
(They continue driving.)
Manny: (VO) Ruri and Tenchi will be taken to the farmlands
near Trebujena, where they will have a task that’s as
exciting and awakening as… counting sheep.
Assignment Fifteen
(Shot of a ranch, and a large number of sheep. Ruri, Tenchi,
and Manny head out.)
Manny: The task at hand is simple, and can earn twenty-thousand for the pot. The object here is to corral this herd of sheep, and secure them all into a pen. You will have one hour, and to help you, I’ve enlisted the services of three dogs.
(Manny hands Ruri and Tenchi three Polaroids.)
Manny: You will get to choose one to assist you. When you make your decision, I’ll pop the dog up with our teleport thing.
(Shot of Ruri and Tenchi analyzing the pictures.)
Manny: (OS) One dog is a German Shepherd. The second, an English Sheepdog. The third- a brown mutt. Only one is actually trained to herd sheep.
Ruri: Well, I don’t think a mutt would be a trained sheepherder.
Tenchi: Yeah, it’s up to the sheepdog or the shepherd. They both sound good. I’ve never seen a German shepherd actually used for shepherding, so why don’t we go with the English Sheepdog?
Ruri: I don’t know dogs, so I’m fine with that.
Manny: Okay…
(Manny pushes a button on a remote device, and a teleporter pulls up revealing Quincy, an Old English Sheepdog. It immediately runs at Ruri and tackles her to the ground.)
Ruri: Baka.
(More brief antics with Quincy, as Manny narrates.)
Manny: In reality, the German Shepherd was the sheep herder.
The brown mutt belongs to Barb, while the English Sheepdog they
selected is Quincy, provided by none other than the author
himself.
Assignment Sixteen
(Seville. Tomoyo and Taichi are being led by Barb to an art
studio. Inside are several "conceptual" pieces. Tomoyo
and Taichi admire the works to the best of their ability.)
Barb: Look good, don’t they? You will get the opportunity to create your own work of conceptual art. You’ll have until 7:00, when an art lover will be coming by. He will try to guess which of the pieces in this room are yours. If he guesses wrong, you earn 20,000. Come on, I’ll show you to the studio where you’ll get to create your masterpiece.
(Barb leads them down an alley and into an art studio, where a
bunch of material and resources (i.e. junk) is waiting for them.)
Barb: Ever created any art?
Taichi: Nah. I’m not much into art.
Tomoyo: Then why didn’t you ask to be on the counting team?
Taichi: I’m not much into counting either.
(Back over at the sheep ranch, Tenchi and Ruri are having problems, with no control over the sheep. Quincy isn’t helping any, bouncing around trying to get Ruri’s attention.)
Ruri: Why don’t we start by positioning ourselves so that they can’t get past us?
Tenchi: Uh, yeah. Sure. Go around and see if you can’t find…
(Ruri walks away and stands at the perimeter, putting the sheep in between herself and the pen.)
Tenchi: Okay, now see if you can…
(Quincy barks, and the sheep start going off in other
directions. Ruri holds them, but Quincy starts going after a few
sheep.)
Tenchi: (OS) It’s frustrating. I’m trying to do one
thing, Ruri’s trying to do another… and that dog would
be doing a great job if he was working for the Mole!
(Tenchi is now trying to push the outlying sheep towards the pen.)
Tenchi: (commanding) Hee-chai!
Ruri: What was that?
Tenchi: I dunno… I heard it on television.
Ruri: What channel were you watching?
(Over at the art studio, Taichi is going through the supplies they have, while Tomoyo scrounges outside. Taichi pulls out a cracked piece of glass.)
Taichi: Uh… this is art?
Barb: Not now, but in your hands… nah, still isn’t art.
(Tomoyo brings in a box.)
Taichi: What, do we need something to hold it in too?
Tomoyo: I dunno, maybe we can use it. Maybe something about the box hiding the secrets every person holds.
Taichi: Nah… Tenchi’s in the other group.
(Tomoyo laughs. Shot of Taichi, throwing stuff next to the box.)
Taichi: Yes! Genius!
(Shot of Tenchi and Ruri, having no luck with the sheep, although Tenchi’s "hee-chai" does appear to work in getting them moving.)
Barb: (VO) While Tenchi, Ruri, and Quincy have problems with the sheep, Taichi and Tomoyo continue to work on their masterpiece.
(Montage of them throwing stuff together, including adding a set of boxing gloves to the box, with one reaching out.)
Barb: It’s so, it’s so… ugly.
Taichi: It’s not ugly… it’s conceptual!
Tomoyo: No… it’s ugly. But that’s the point. It reaches out to touch somebody.
(silence)
Tomoyo: Or maybe it’s just plain ugly. What else can we
do, we have time left.
(Over at the ranch, still nothing going. Ruri tries using
Quincy to prevent sheep from getting too far away.)
Ruri: (VO) It’s definitely not easy controlling all of
them, and the dog doesn’t improve things much.
Ruri: A few of them have bells, maybe they are leaders of the herd.
Tenchi: I don’t think any of them are smart enough to be leaders.
Ruri: Please. Have you ever met Captain Misamaru?
Tenchi: (recalling Yurika) Oh yeah… maybe we can lead the leaders into the pen and have the rest follow.
Ruri: Hey, it works on the Nadesico.
(They try that, with some luck. Although a few escape, most get into the pen.)
Tenchi: Okay, I’ll shut the pen while we try to figure out what to do with the others.
(Ruri is trying to draw the sheep closer to the pen when Quincy tackles her.)
Ruri: Baka.
(The sheep all turn in a particular direction, away from Ruri.)
Tenchi: (OS) Hey! That works better than "hee-chai!
(Back in the studio, Taichi and Tomoyo are looking over the stuff they created.)
Taichi: No. I don’t like this one. Wanna try something with that glass?
(They put some torn pages out of a book, place them on a piece of wood, and put the glass and a hammer over it. They stare at it, not satisfied.)
Tomoyo: That box is sounding very tempting right now.
(They continue working on the box, adding items to it.)
Taichi: I don’t know… you think this is too much?
Tomoyo: Well, it’s not too much if everything is symbolic of something else.
Taichi: Well, everything’s symbolic. That’s for sure.
Tomoyo: I think it works.
Barb: So is that what you’re submitting?
Taichi: Hold on! We’re still thinking.
Tomoyo: I think the gloves need something else.
Taichi: Sorry, I couldn’t find any with "Tenchi" written on them.
Tomoyo: I have a better idea. Get a paint brush.
(Taichi does so, and Tomoyo paints a small sphere on the glove nearest the box.)
Taichi: What’s that?
Tomoyo: I’m going to paint Earth here and heaven on the other one.
Taichi: Ten= heaven. Chi=Earth. I like it. Just don’t make it too big. I’ll do the other one.
(At the ranch, Tenchi "hee-chais" and Ruri "bakas" the remaining sheep into the pen. Quincy stupidly gets caught in there too.)
Tenchi: Great… now we have to count them.
Ruri: Okay… just… count them. I guess.
(Back at the studio, Taichi puts a small picture of the crest of courage (which by his logic signifies heaven) on the far glove. He also sees several small jewels by the glove.)
Taichi: You know, I still say these jewels are too much. We should just get rid of them… what do you think?
Tomoyo: I like them, I mean it makes sense to have…
Taichi: Yeah, but it seems to be needless to… tell you what, you present your case for them, and I’ll present mine against them.
Tomoyo: Well, I say they need to be there for the glove to be reaching after. There needs to be something there. Reaching towards heaven if you will.
(Taichi nods. Shot of Taichi, in an interview setting.)
Taichi: I’m trying to get along a little better with
Tomoyo. I still haven’t completely forgiven her, and I still
don’t completely trust her. But we might as well try to get
along for now.
(Shot of Tomoyo putting finishing touches to her Earth glove. She steps back. Pan over to Taichi, who raises his arms.)
Taichi: Genius!!
Tomoyo: Who cares if we can’t fool the judge, this looks good for three hours work.
(Tomoyo and Taichi high-five.)
(Back in the pen, Tenchi gives up counting.)
Tenchi: Ruri, we’re never going to get this done in twenty minutes like this!
(Pan over to Ruri, also counting.)
Ruri: 735, 736… what was that? Shoot, lost count.
Tenchi: We could let a few out…
Ruri: Nah. Let’s just take the twenty thousand and forget it.
Tenchi: Yeah. Good idea. Let’s play with the dog.
(Pan over to Quincy, who has fallen asleep in the pen. Shot of Tenchi and Ruri walking up to Manny. Caption: "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED")
Manny: Congratulations. You’ve earned $20,000 for the
pot. Now, let’s take a little trip.
(Shot of the box/masterpiece on display with the others. The
jewels are present.)
Barb: (VO) While I show the art lover around, Taichi and Tomoyo
will be stationed upstairs, and will be able to hear the
critiquing.
(Barb is standing with the hot stud from Cardcaptor Sakura, Yukito Tsukishiro.)
Barb: At a loss for a good art critic, we chose you, a nice all-around bishounen, to help us out.
Yukito: The pleasure’s mine! Where do we start?
(Shot of a giant rope, forming a question mark.)
Barb: Pretty much explains your series.
Yukito: Yeah, pretty much.
(After going through a few works, they reach the box.)
Yukito: Hmm… this is interesting. I like the way it’s reaching out at those jewels. Even though they don’t look like much, it’s all it can go for.
(Upstairs, Tomoyo is bragging to Taichi.)
Tomoyo: I told you we should leave them in.
(Yukito is standing in front of a heart made from citris slices.)
Yukito: Hmm… makes me hungry. I don’t really think this is the non-professional work though. Usually, less is more in the pros.
(Now it’s Taichi’s turn to brag to Tomoyo.)
Taichi: Told ya!
Tomoyo: Shh.
(Shot of Barb.)
Barb: Well, which one is…
(Yukito appears, with an orange slice in his mouth. Barb looks annoyed.)
Yukito: Sorry, I missed dinner. Anyway.. all in all… I’d probably have to think this box piece is the contestants’. The others seem to be very simple and small, while this one screams out at you. It’s good though.
Barb: Is that your guess?
Yukito: Yes. Yes it is.
Barb: You know your art. Congratulations. Taichi, Tomoyo?
Yukito: (pleasantly surprised) Tomoyo?
(Shot of Taichi and Tomoyo looking disappointed. They head downstairs. Caption: "MISSION FAILED." They reach the "gallery" and Yukito smiles at Tomoyo.)
Yukito: Very nice job, I’m impressed.
Tomoyo: Oh. Thanks.
Yukito: It was a bit of a giveaway, since this seemed to really stand out against the others. But I thought it was a great job.
Taichi: Hey, what do you think about those jewels?
Yukito: Oh, I love them. I think they were a great touch. You two should be really proud of yourselves, this was done really well!
Barb: It was done well, but you did fail the test. But for now Yukito will be ducking out quickly.
Yukito: Yep, heard there’s a great restaurant nearby.
Barb: And you can head back upstairs as two more critics will be looking at your work.
(Yukito heads out while Taichi and Tomoyo go back upstairs.)
(Tenchi and Ruri enter and Barb greets them.)
Barb: Welcome, come on in. This is where Taichi and Tomoyo spent most of their day. They had three hours to create a work of art, and we gave them all the resources to do it. If you can determine which work is theirs, you’ll earn an additional $20,000.
Tenchi: Oh. Okay… I don’t think it’s this box thing.
Ruri: Yeah.
Tenchi: I can’t imagine Tomoyo or Taichi using boxing gloves.
Ruri: Violence is wrong. What else is there?
(Shot Tomoyo and Taichi, listening in, annoyed.)
(Tenchi and Ruri reach the lemon-heart thing.)
Tenchi: How… fruity.
Ruri: Definitely something Tomoyo could sink her teeth in.
(Shot of Tomoyo, shaking her head. Taichi looks at her, laughing.)
Tenchi: (VO, sarcastic) Maybe Taichi too.
(Tomoyo’s tries restraining Taichi.)
Taichi: I hold hands with Yamato for that one time and it’s career suicide!!
(Downstairs, Tenchi and Ruri have both settled on an answer- the question mark rope.)
Barb: Okay. Taichi? Tomoyo? Come on down!
(Taichi and Tomoyo come downstairs, a bit miffed, but taking it in good humor.)
Taichi: We could hear you you know!
Tomoyo: Yes. When you’re on camera, don’t say anything you don’t want the world to hear.
Taichi: That’s right! I might have had an occasional fantasy about Yamato but I have never once acted…
(Tomoyo’s face suddenly goes straight. She nudges at Taichi and points to the camera. He quickly shuts up.)
Tenchi: So which one was it?
Tomoyo: It was the box! Didn’t you see those markings on the gloves?! Heaven and Earth! Ten-chi!
Ruri: Should’ve just written it on the gloves directly.
Barb: Well, you blew that bonus chance.
(Caption: "MISSION FAILED")
Barb: Here’s another one- an extra $10,000 if you can name how many sheep there are.
Tenchi: Oh, we never got around to counting… uh… 195?
Ruri: 800?
Barb: How did you get those?
Tenchi: I dunno. Guessing.
Barb: Well, you guessed wrong…
Taichi: Is it 751?
Barb: Yes.
Tenchi: How’d you know that?
Barb: It was the number I gave this morning, remember?
Ruri: Oh yeah. I forgot about that.
(Caption: "MISSION FAILED- MAN THESE GUYS SUCK!")
(Shot of Tomoyo, in an interview session.)
Tomoyo: Of all people, how could somebody like Ruri
conveniently forget the number from the beginning? I knew that
that number had something to do with it, and apparently so did
Taichi. So suddenly, thanks to Ruri’s matchups, we lost
$10,000 on that gimmee question.
Day Twenty-Four
(Ronda, Spain. The four are traveling, unescorted, down the
streets of the town.)
Manny: (VO) After a heavy day of not making money, the four kids get the morning off while we prepare the next challenge.
(Shot of all four of them, having fun.)
Taichi: (VO) It’s great that we’re having fun. I
know a couple of us, like Ruri, are trying to observe everybody,
even in a situation like this, but I say when we get a morning
off, use it!
Ruri: (VO) Even when we get an off time, there’s no telling when the Mole is working. You have to listen closely to conversations in order to get that little hint that puts you above the others.
(Shot of Taichi, holding a disposable camera.)
Taichi: Okay, smile everybody!
Tenchi: (OS) Hold on!
(Shot of Tenchi, as he kneels down and puts arms around Tomoyo and Ruri and laughs.)
Tenchi: I’m going to see how jealous I can make the other girls.
(Tomoyo laughs a bit. Ruri stays neutral.)
Ruri: They’d probably put death warrants on our heads.
Taichi: (OS) Okay, okay, smile! You too Ruri!
Ruri: I am smiling.
(Taichi takes the picture.)
Tenchi: (VO) It’s a bit relaxing when you don’t have
to worry about the problems with the game, or worrying about the
Mole. Just you and three friends on the town!
(More socializing, and more voice-overs.)
Tomoyo: (VO) Even though it’s a brief time off, it’s
still hard to concentrate with everybody doing what they are. So
many possible strategies, all this talk about alliances.
It’s really hard to trust anybody. If I was to see Tenchi
and Taichi talking together, I’d immediately get suspicious.
Taichi: (VO) All I want for Christmas is somebody I can trust in this group! And I don’t think I’ll be getting that any time soon.
(On top of a hill, Barb is standing with slips of paper and a jar.)
Taichi: Oh God… we’re going to have a tribal council now.
Barb: Nope… but we are going to do something similar. You just got the afternoon to bond, and I hope it helped cement a decision you’ll have to make here today. I’ll hand each of you a slip of paper, and ask you to write down the names of the other three players in order of which you would most like to see executed, with the most like to see player at the top of your list. Since the information may be used against you, put the paper in the jar when you’re done so no one else sees it.
(The four slowly take the papers and do so.)
Barb: Okay… I’ll go tally the votes.
(Barb grabs the jar, and looks through all four slips.)
Barb: Hmm… now as I’m sure you guessed, the information will be used for the next assignment- one that is based on trust. Now, I am not concerned with who you would most like to see executed. And that’s good, because you each put down a different person. That would be a fun tie to break. What I am concerned about is which player you would least like to see executed. And by the looks of it, I see that Tomoyo has made the cut. So she’ll be a key player in this assignment.
Tenchi: Hold on, not wanting to get executed is different from trusting! I didn’t want Tomoyo to get executed because if she did, then I’d look like an idiot for thinking she’s the Mole this whole time!
Barb: Um… well… TS Tench! Tomoyo, hon’, let’s take a walk.
(Tomoyo and Barb walk away, leaving the other three in awe.)
Taichi: We’re screwed.
Tenchi: Totally.
(Barb and Tomoyo are seated, talking.)
Barb: Okay, listen up- this next assignment is based on trust. You will get to play co-host as your friends have to undergo a series of tasks, which range from pretend-dangerous to very dangerous. $60,000 is at stake here. Not only that, also at stake is an exemption from the next quiz. An automatic bid to the final three. That’s quite a big deal, since it’s an automatic bid to the final three. Now whether or not you get the exemption and the team gets the money depends on however many of the others suffer.
(Shot of Manny, explaining the rules to the others.)
Manny: If all three of you do it, $60,000 is added and Tomoyo
earns an exemption.
(Shot of Tenchi, continuing to explain the rules.)
Tenchi: If only two go, the group still gets $60,000, but nobody
gets the exemption.
(Shot of Taichi.)
Taichi: If only one goes, no money is added and that one person
that goes gets it.
(Shot of Ruri.)
Ruri: If nobody goes, we’re all losers except for Tomoyo,
who gets an exemption.
(Back to Barb and Tomoyo.)
Barb: Okay, you will also have to decide which of the three will
have to go through what. One person will have to stand next to a
board while a professional knife-thrower throws a knife at them.
One will have to walk barefoot over hot coals, and the final
person will have to walk along a plank hanging over a 100 foot
ravine. Naturally, all three players will be blindfolded, and its
your job to convince them to do it. So who do you want for the
knife-throw.
Tomoyo: Um… I’ll go Ruri. She’s a smaller target. I’ll also do… Tenchi for the hot coals and Taichi for the plank.
Barb: Okay. Let’s get started.
(Shot of Ruri being blindfolded by Manny.)
Ruri: (VO) At this point in the game, an exemption is
critical. And the only way to get it, and the best bet at
preventing Tomoyo from getting it, is to go through with the
challenge.
Assignment Seventeen
(Ruri is being led to the fray by Tomoyo.)
Ruri: So what is it I have to do?
Tomoyo: Well, it’s simple. I chose you for two reasons. One- you’re short. Two- remember how you said the Nadesico has made you accustomed to putting your life in the hands of idiots?
(Shot of a knife, hitting the board.)
Ruri: I don’t like where this is going. What did I just hear?
(Shot of the knife-thrower… Mousse, from Ranma ½, with black hair, and foggy glasses.)
Mousse: Don’t worry! I’m skilled at this trade!
Ruri: I definitely don’t like the sound of this.
Tomoyo: It’s just one throw, you’ll be fine.
(Ruri is positioned at the board, very nervous. Tomoyo is in front of her, holding her hands.)
Ruri: I don’t know… usually I…
Tomoyo: Just trust me. You’re going to be fine.
Ruri: I put your name on the bottom and this is how you repay me? Can’t I at least see what this guy looks like?
Mousse: Come on, I don’t have all day.
Ruri: Uh… on second thought, I don’t want to.
Tomoyo: So you’ll do it?
Ruri: I… don’t know… I mean how do I know this guy is…
Tomoyo: It’s okay. Take a couple seconds and think about it.
(Ruri is panting, obviously very nervous. She slides down and faints. Tomoyo bends down to check on her.)
Tomoyo: Um. Ruri?
(Manny takes a concerned look and goes up to her.)
Manny: What, did she faint or something? Can we get some water up here?
Mousse: What’s wrong?
(Mousse approaches Ruri, and is hit by the water bottle that flies in towards Manny, spilling the water on him. Manny looks annoyed.)
Manny: Baka.
(Tomoyo gets up and paces around nervously.)
(Shot of Taichi and Tenchi, away from the action, seated.)
Taichi: This… is getting boring.
Tenchi: I have a feeling it won’t be once we find out what we’re doing.
Taichi: Probably some death-defying stunt.
(Over in knife-land, Ruri is coming to.)
Manny: Ruri? You okay? You fainted for a second.
Ruri: Did I?
Manny: Yeah. We’ll give you a couple minutes.
Tomoyo: Ruri? Are you okay?
Ruri: Yeah, I think so. It’s just a bit weird. I don’t usually have to put my life on the line for idiots this directly.
Tomoyo: So I take it you aren’t going to do it. Look, I want you to but…
Ruri: No… (sighing) I can do it.
Tomoyo: (smiling) Okay. I suppose we have to blindfold you again.
(Shot of Tomoyo blindfolding Ruri again, while Manny paces around.)
Manny: Where’d that Mousse guy go?
(Having been splashed with cold water, Mousse has now taken the form of a duck, and is idly quacking around the grounds.)
Ruri: What was that?
Tomoyo: Uh… nothing!
Manny: Can we get some hot water now?
(Manny walks offstage as Tomoyo positions Ruri in front of the board.)
Tomoyo: Trust me, you aren’t missing anything important.
(Manny comes back in with a tea kettle and pours it on Mousse. He turns back into a human, but without his glasses.)
Manny: Ready now?
Mousse: I sure am! Let me at her!!
(Mousse pulls a knife out and prepares to throw it… at Manny. Manny corrects his stance so he is facing Ruri.)
Mousse: Thanks but I don’t need your help!
(Ruri gulps a bit. Mousse takes a long look at Ruri.)
Mousse: Don’t worry Shampoo! I could never let any harm befall you!
(Mousse takes aim with his knife and winds back to throw. As he does, Manny quietly replaces the knife with a "nerf" arrow. Mousse throws the arrow… missing Ruri, but nailing Tomoyo smack in the head. Manny looks a bit relieved.)
Manny: That could have been ugly. Ruri…
(Ruri is still waiting. Manny pounds his hand into the board, startling Ruri half to death.)
Tomoyo: That was mean.
Manny: Sorry… couldn’t help it.
(Shot of Tomoyo and Ruri walking away, Ruri still a bit flustered.)
Ruri: (VO) Usually, I’m okay around idiots, but when
it comes to putting my life in their hands, it’s something I
try not to think about. When you force the issue though, it does
become a bit concerning. I guess it was a little too much to take
at one time.
(Barb is quietly observing Tomoyo leading Tenchi down a set of steps, and towards a bed of hot coals.)
Tenchi: Do I have to pretend to trust you?
Tomoyo: (smiling) I’d appreciate it if you did. Watch the step.
Tenchi: So what do I have to do?
Tomoyo: Um… have you ever heard of firewalking?
Tenchi: You mean like on hot coals?!
Tomoyo: Uh, yeah.
Tenchi: Is that what I have to do?
Tomoyo: It’ll be okay. I’m here!
Tenchi: (panicked) How is that supposed to comfort me?!
Tomoyo: Well, you chose me to…
Tenchi: That’s because I think you’re the Mole!!
Tomoyo: Well, the feeling’s mutual, but if I had to trust you, I probably would.
Tenchi: Yeah, but on hot coals?
Tomoyo: It’s up to you. I’ll be right here, so…
Tenchi: I don’t know. I don’t mean any offense, I think you’re a really nice girl, but I haven’t trusted you since day one and I don’t think I’m ready to start now!
Tomoyo: Well… okay. Barb?
Barb: I can only help once you admit defeat.
Tomoyo: Me? He’s the one chickening out!
Tenchi: I’m not chickening out! If it was Tai guiding me I’d probably do it… but I can’t trust you.
Tomoyo: Is, um, that final then?
Tenchi: Yes. I’m sorry.
Barb: Okay then… Tomoyo, you can take Tenchi back. Remember. No telling that you gave up.
Tenchi: I wouldn’t want to anyway.
(They walk away. Barb looks down at the hot coals… and the path of non-burning coals right next to it.)
Barb: Baka.
(By the entrance. Ruri is walking back to where Taichi is seated.)
Taichi: Well, how’d it go?
Ruri: Fine… eventually.
Taichi: What’s that mean?
Ruri: Well, they had me stand and have a knife thrown at me. I passed out once… then I went through it.
Taichi: You passed out?
Ruri: Yeah.
Taichi: So you did it. So the question is whether or not Tenchi went through with it.
Ruri: I’d think he would. At this point, it would be too obvious for him to just not do it if he was the Mole.
Taichi: Yeah, you’re probably right. I’m just worried about what I have.
Ruri: I know.
Taichi: Usually I could handle something like that, but with Tomoyo, I’m not sure. I mean, she’s nice and all, but I just can not trust her. I don’t know if she’s the Mole or not, but I’m always questioning her judgment, she keeps making mistakes, and she doesn’t really contribute anything that stands out.
Ruri: I suppose. And if me and Tenchi did our stuff, it would only be to help her win the exemption. We already have the money.
Taichi: Yeah, that’s right. And really, the most fair thing for everyone is for nobody to get the exemption, so really, it’s not something I have to go through.
(Ruri nods understandingly)
Taichi: See now if it was you, there wouldn’t be a problem. I could trust you, Ruri.
Ruri: I see.
(Manny and Tomoyo come in.)
Tomoyo: Taichi? Your turn?
(Shot of the ravine, with a small plank hanging overhead.)
Manny: (VO) Ruri was able to conquer her fears and go through
with it. Tenchi on the other hand, could not. With that in mind,
Taichi must walk along with plank, suspended 100 feet in the air,
in order for the team to win $60,000. Otherwise, no money, and
Ruri gets an exemption from the quiz. The problem however, is
that Taichi must trust the team member he has the least amount of
faith in- Tomoyo Daidouji.
(At the entrance to the plank, Tomoyo is leading a blindfolded Taichi to the site. Manny is walking nearby.)
Tomoyo: Okay, are you ready for this? I don’t want any more fainting incidents.
Manny: Neither do I.
Taichi: Hey, I told you about all that stuff Manny and Barb threw at me on the island. I should be able to take this.
Manny: Sorry, Tai, this is slightly worse than eating bugs.
Tomoyo: You’re going to have to walk along a plank that’s suspended over a 100 foot ravine. You have to walk all the way to the edge, then come back. Blindfolded.
(Taichi sighs, very nervously.)
Taichi: Do I really have to go through with this… did Tenchi…
Tomoyo: I… I can’t say.
Taichi: If Tenchi did it, there’s nothing but an exemption involved for you.
Tomoyo: Well… if he didn’t do it, we need the money. If he did do it- an exemption’s nice!
Taichi: You already had your chance at one. The ideal situation is having only two out of three go.
Tomoyo: And I’m telling you I can’t say if Tenchi did it. I’ll be right here guiding you.
Taichi: Is that supposed to comfort me?
Tomoyo: You’re going to have to learn to trust me.
(They are nearing the plank. There’s a ladder that Taichi has to climb and descend to reach the plank.)
Taichi: I don’t know… this seems a little too dangerous for bonehead mistakes.
(Tomoyo is quiet, but decides to stay silent while Taichi thinks.)
Taichi: (sighing) Okay… let’s try this.
(Tomoyo looks up at him, and guides him to the ladder.)
Tomoyo: Okay, the plank is about 18 inches wide, and there’s a ladder you have to climb first. Just… find your way on to the first step.)
(Taichi, extremely nervous, gets on the ladder.)
Tomoyo: Pull yourself up to the next one.
(Taichi slowly does so. Tomoyo is very cautious and attempting to be very precise throughout the ordeal.)
Tomoyo: One more and you’re at the top. Just very slowly reach around to find the other side.
(Taichi cautiously manages to reach around to the other side, and pull his body over.)
Tomoyo: Good. Now you’re going down. Find the next rung…
(Taichi had done so, and manages to reach the plank.)
Tomoyo: Now… um. Turn around, and…
Taichi: Hold on.
(Taichi, using the ladder for balance, does so. He lets go and stands on his own, still very nervous.)
Tomoyo: Okay. You’re looking good. Just take a step out. I’ll tell you when you go too far.
Taichi: If I go too far, you won’t get a chance!
Tomoyo: (recanting) Sorry, uh, I mean, reach the edge! Just take a step and…
(Taichi makes some short shuffle steps.)
Tomoyo: Good, good, that works. Just keep going, you’ve got about ten more feet.
Manny: (OS) And for God’s sake, don’t faint!!
(Taichi continues walking, and slowly shuffles to the edge.)
Tomoyo: There! Stop!
(Tomoyo looks at Manny, who nods.)
Tomoyo: Now you have to turn around. Just very, slowly…
(Taichi very, slowly, turns around. He begins to take a step forward.)
Tomoyo: Hold on… you’re a little off center. Rotate just a little bit to the right.
(Taichi sighs, and does so.)
Tomoyo: Better, now just keep going for a little bit.
(Taichi takes the same shuffle steps towards the ladder.)
Tomoyo: Okay, now try reaching out to the ladder. You should be close enough.
(Taichi reaches out, and grabs hold of a rung.)
Tomoyo: Good, just put a foot up and we’re back here again. You did it before, you can do it again.
(Taichi gets a foot up, and pulls himself up. With Tomoyo’s help, he swings around again.)
Tomoyo: Just reach down, you’re almost there.
(Taichi steps off the rung, and back onto the street.)
Tomoyo: You did it!
(Taichi falls to is knees, out of breath, he pulls the blindfold up. He’s absolutely relieved. Tomoyo goes up to him, and they hug.)
Taichi: That was… nuts.
Tomoyo: I know, but you did it. Good job.
Taichi: Thanks… I was really worried but.
Tomoyo: Hey, I don’t think there was room for bonehead mistakes this time.
Taichi: Yeah… sorry for all that stuff back there.
Tomoyo: It’s okay. You made up for it here.
Taichi: Yeah… so did you.
(They keep hugging, both beginning to smile. Manny approaches.)
Manny: Congratulations. And it’s a good thing you did it too, since Tenchi did not in fact go through with his assignment. Thanks to you, $60,000 is added to the pot and nobody earns an exemption.
(Taichi looks relieved, still in the hug. Caption:
"MISSION ACCOMPLISHE.D")
Taichi: (VO) I’m just glad the ordeal is over. You have
no idea how hard that was going through with it. But in the end,
I’m glad I did. I was able to trust Tomoyo, and she
didn’t screw up or anything. She did a great job, and
I’m sorry I ever doubted her.
Tomoyo: (VO) I’d say we’re even now. He got mad at me for messing up the fortress assignment, then I helped him through this. We both stepped up for this assignment, and it’s just good to know that if one of us does leave, it will be on good terms.
(The group is now eating dinner, very quietly.)
Manny: (VO) Although the day began with the four as good friends,
dinner is much quieter than before, because they realize that it
will be the last one the four share together. After tonight- the
seventh execution will take place.
(Shot of Taichi, taking the quiz.)
Taichi: (VO) Ruri was probably right in thinking that if Tenchi
were the Mole, simply pretending to chicken out of the coals
would be too obvious. The problem is he really didn’t do it,
and it’s up to us to figure out whether he was serious.
(Shot of Tomoyo, taking the quiz.)
Tomoyo: (VO) Ruri is by far the smartest person on this team. So
why, of all people, did she not think of 751 when asked. Taichi
knew the answer, I knew the answer… it raises a lot of
suspicion
(Shot of Tenchi, taking the quiz.).
Tenchi: (VO) I don’t know, Tomoyo could still very easily be
the Mole. I think her artwork could have been designed to fool us
and not the art critic. And I know she could have tried harder in
getting me to walk the coals.
(Shot of Ruri, taking the quiz.)
Ruri: (VO) I’m still considering the concept of an unholy
trinity between the other three. Tenchi and Tomoyo did most of
the suspicious stuff, and they still are high my list. But Taichi
seems to have mellowed down in his suspicious activity. Before,
he did a lot of questionable things, and now he’s been
playing it safe. Maybe he’s having the other two do his
dirty work.
(Inside yet another antiquated, spacious room. Barb is with
computer. Taichi, Tomoyo, Tenchi, and Ruri have a seat.)
Barb: Here we are, the semi-finals. After today, only three
people will be left- the eventual winner, the eventual runner
up… and the Mole. Tomoyo- you once again had a chance at an
exemption, and you once again blew it completely. So this is a
fair game between all four of you. There is $495,000 in the pot,
which will go to the winner. You know the drill, if the
thumbprint’s red, you are the Mole’s seventh victim.
Any volunteers?
(Taichi raises his hand.)
Barb: Taichi? Okay.
(Barb types "TAICHI" into the computer. It processes
for a second, shot of Taichi.)
(It flashes red.)
Barb: Hoo boy. And the suspense drops like a well-placed hammer. Taichi?
(Taichi was caught off guard, but sighs and stands up. He shakes Tenchi’s hand, and Ruri’s.)
Taichi: See ya…
Ruri: Just don’t kiss me.
(He reaches Tomoyo. They smile and hug.)
Tomoyo: (VO) It’s sad that he’s going, although
it’s good that we got all our issues handled before he did.
(Taichi is escorted out by Barb.)
Ruri: (VO) He was a bit strange, but then again- so’s
everybody else. He was always trying to make us a better team,
and I think that by the time he was removed- he succeeded.
(Barb leads Taichi to the car.)
Barb: Good work. I know you were gunning for another one, but hey- your record is still better than Satoshi’s.
(Taichi smiles.)
Taichi: Yeah. Thanks again, I had a great time.
(Manny and Taichi drive away while Taichi gives his final
comments.)
Taichi: (VO) Well, it looks like somebody else is going to get
the spoils this time. It was fun while it lasted; I definitely
think I held my own. Considering what happened with Satoshi,
I’m just really relieved I left on good terms with Tomoyo. I
wish her the best. It’s amazing to me how the Mole managed
to hold me off this long, and I definitely would like to
congratulate whoever it is when we’re done.
(The car drives off, taking the Mole’s seventh victim,
and leaving the situation the same as it always is- with Tenchi
surrounded by women.)
End Episode Seven