The Mole 2: Anime Edition

Episode Two

Contestants
Akane- Tomboy: "Ranma ½"
Jenrya- Puppy Watcher: "Digimon Tamers"
Kasumi- Romantic Tension: "Pocket Monsters"
Keitaro- Resident Manager: "Love Hina"
Kenji- Research Assistant: "Pocket Monsters"
Miaka- Student/Priestess: "Fushigi Yuugi"
Mitsune- Slacker: "Love Hina"
Motoko- Kendo Girl: "Love Hina"
Ranma- Freak of Nature: "Ranma ½"
Ruki- Card Shark: "Digimon Tamers"
Takato- Goggle Boy: "Digimon Tamers"
Takeshi- Hugh Hefner-Wannabe: "Pocket Monsters"
Tamahome- Bishonen: "Fushigi Yuugi"
Washu- Genius: "Tenchi Muyo"

Episode Two
(Mike stands in front of the Swiss Castle.)
Mike: Sometimes outside advice can be priceless. Sometimes it can spell the difference between success and failure. But sometimes getting an outside opinion can be disastrous, especially when you can’t trust anybody. In those times, your own judgment is the only thing you can rely on. Unfortunately for Takato Matsuda, neither outside opinion nor his own judgment were able to prevent him from becoming the Mole’s first victim.

Jenrya: I hate to say "I told you so," but I did. He didn’t trust the right people, and he didn’t trust himself. Sometimes you need some help with this, but when you do- you gotta make sure you talk to the right people. And Takato didn’t.

Kasumi: I feel a little ashamed of myself. I was actually suspecting Takato as the Mole. Now that he’s gone, you realize that he was just an innocent player. At the least I hope he had fun while it lasted.

Kenji: I kinda took Takato under my wing. And although I can’t say he played the game particularly well, he definitely wanted to do well. I’m sorry to see him go this early.

Ruki: What do I care? Another one bites the dust, and I’m one step closer to winning. Good riddance.

Day Two
(Jenrya is walking down the hall.)
Mike: (VO) Before everybody leaves, Jenrya looks to create an alliance with another player. But the process is more difficult than you would think… especially for two people from the same show.

(Jenrya knocks on a door.)
Ruki: (OS) Who is it?

Jenrya: It’s me. I gotta talk to you.

(Ruki opens the door, but just a crack.)

Ruki: Why?

Jenrya: Let me in and I’ll tell you.

(Ruki shakes her head and lets Jenrya in, making sure that nobody else sees it.)

Jenrya: Okay, Ruki, I know this is a little awkward, but I think that there's no way around it. Takato's gone, and this game is turning out to be a lot harder than I thought.

Ruki: (impatient) Get to the point.

(Jenrya takes a deep breath.)

Jenrya: I think we should team up.

Ruki: Team up? Get real.

Jenrya: Hey, hear me out. I know you don't like the concept, but it's the only way we're going to be able to do anything in this game. All the other shows are going to be working together. Fushigi Yuugi, Pokémon, heck, even Ranma and Akane are there for each other if they need to be. Now if we don't do something to compete with that, we're not going to make it. If we split up for more challenges, we’ll have no way of catching everything that goes on.

Ruki: I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I work alone. Got that?

Jenrya: Ruki. I know you don't like the idea. I know you don't care about show loyalty. And I also know you don't like me. But I also know something that gives me an advantage over all of those.

Ruki: And what's that?

Jenrya: I know you don't like to lose.

Ruki: (scoffing) I don't lose.

Jenrya: We're dead in the water unless we work together to try to figure out who the Mole is.

Ruki: What if it's you?

(uneasy silence)

Jenrya: You're just going to have to believe that I'm not.

Ruki: (sly) What if it's me?

(more uneasy silence)

Jenrya: I'm going to have to believe the same thing. And I'm willing to do that if you are. I know we aren't exactly Daisuke and Ken, but if we need to work together, I'm sure we can do it. Are you with me?

(Jenrya extends his hand. Ruki looks him over, and silently shakes it, still cold. Jenrya smiles.)
Jenrya: Excellent. Let's do it.

Akane: Great, great, Takato’s gone. I’m not really too concerned about that. What really troubles me is that we don’t have clothes.

Keitaro: The clothes are probably the biggest concern of mine.

Mitsune: We lost our clothes. That sucks… wait who was executed again?

(Caption- "Scoul, Switzerland." The thirteen are standing before Barb.)
Barb: Okay, now the obvious question I’m sure you all have is are you going to get new clothes to replace the ones that we bombed Germany with. And the answer is yes. We have new clothes waiting for you at your next destination, and new clothes to get you there. In order to choose who gets what clothes, we’d like to ask you to select three people with a decent amount of fashion sense.

Kasumi: Ooh, I can do this.

Takeshi: Definitely. Kasumi’s good for this.

Akane: Hey, can I try it?

Kasumi: Sure!

Ranma: I don’t know… knowing you you’d dress everybody up in karate outfits.

Motoko: She gets my vote.

Keitaro: Yeah, we can go with Akane, Kasumi…

Mitsune: Well, since I’m the only person that actually wears different clothes every day, I’d like to get a say in all this.

Keitaro: You don’t wear different clothes that often, do you?

Tamahome: Probably more often than most of us.

Jenrya: I think those three are fine.

Barb: Okay- Kasumi, Akane, and Mitsune can come with me, to see what we have in store for you all.

Challenge Three

(A middle-aged redhead in a stylish Japanese kimono is arranging the various outfits- which are all straight out of various animes. Most notable are Team Rocket uniforms and a large Pikachu costume. Barb leads Akane, Kasumi, and Mitsune to them.)
Barb: To help us out, we have ourselves a fashion expert, Sora Ishida, to help you decide who gets what. The challenge is that you have to assign each of these ten outfits to the other ten, and they have to catch a train to St. Moritz at 4:30. At no time may they remove their outfit. For every person that makes it to St. Moritz with their costume intact, we will add 2,000 yen to the pot. That’s a possible 20,000. Ladies? You may go with Sora and start out.

(They join Sora and start looking over the outfits.)
Sora: As you can see, this is a very special collection from our catalog- we playfully refer to this as the "Cosplay" catalog, and it's been selling surprisingly well.

(They start to decide who gets what.)
Keitaro: (VO) I’m really starting to look at Kitsune. I mean, she usually doesn’t volunteer for anything not involving cash, yet she jumps in to do this. It’s a bit strange for her.

(Sora holds up a cute pink number that comes straight out of Cardcaptor Sakura.)
Kasumi: That looks pretty, who should get that one?

Akane: I don’t know… Miaka maybe.

Mitsune: Well, it’s either gotta be her or Ruki. They’re the only ones that could fit it, unless we want to really embarrass that Jenrya kid.

Kasumi: Hey, I got it! Ruki’s into that one card game right? I’m sure she’d look great in this!

Akane: Hey, yeah! So Ruki can get this.

Mitsune: And I see the perfect one for Jenrya…

(The three are walking away from the clothes.)
Barb: (VO) The fashion gurus will be sequestered, while the other ten arrive, in pairs, to show off their love of anime.

(Barb is leading Miaka and Ruki up the hill, where they are greeted by Sora. Caption- "Team One- Miaka and Ruki.")
Ruki: (VO) I’m heavily suspicious of two people. One is Kenji. From what Jenrya said to me about him, I’m definitely keeping an eye on him. Another is Miaka. The way she acted during the memory challenge just didn’t seem right for someone in a game like this. I call it fishy.

Sora: Okay, the three fashion consultants and I have chosen some great outfits for you, and you can try them on in the changing room over there.

(Shot of Miaka, in a track outfit from "Battle Athletes." It’s a very fancy version of boring track uniforms, but it’s very hard to describe, so I’ll just leave it at that. Miaka seems fairly pleased with her selection.)

Ruki: (OS) I’m not wearing this.

(Miaka looks over, then walks over to the changing room to see how Ruki’s doing.)

Ruki: (OS) Just get away.

Miaka: You look good in that!!

Ruki: (OS) I look like a snotty princess.

(Ruki steps out in the cardcaptor costume. She visibly hates it.)

Ruki: Can we switch?

Miaka: No! I like that!

Ruki: If you like it so much, then switch.

Miaka: Oh, come on Ruki, it’s fun. You look good in it too.

(They start walking.)

Ruki: I don’t look good in this. I don’t want to look good in this. I don’t care how good I look at all. The Pikachu costume would be better than this.

(Sora stops them.)

Sora: Ruki! You forgot your star wand!

(Sora hands Ruki a genuine duplicate of Sakura’s star wand.)

Miaka: Kawaii!

(Ruki shakes her head, takes the wand and heads off with Miaka in the train station.)

Ruki: Don't make me hit you with this.

Miaka: I’m glad they’re getting this on tape.

(Ruki continues to grumble.)

Ruki: If that’s not Mole-ish activity, I don’t know what is!

(Barb leads Takeshi and Washu to the changing area. Caption: "Team Two- Takeshi and Washu." Sora heads up to shake their hand. Takeshi quickly grabs it, about to start his come-on technique. Unfortunately, he can’t quite figure out what to say.)

Takeshi: You’re like… what… forty?

Sora: (embarrassed) Something like that.

Takeshi: I’m sorry… it’s the kimono. Gets me every time.

(Washu silently starts typing on her mid-air computer. A dimensional tunnel opens, and she pulls out a small mallet, which she uses to hit Takeshi with. She efficiently returns it, and the tunnel closes.)

Washu: C’mon.

(Takeshi is standing in a white, full body, Eva pilot suit from Evangelion. He seems content with his get-up. He’s waiting for Washu, who exits the changing room… obviously not content. Of course, who would be when you’re dressed as Sailor Moon?)

Washu: Somebody’s getting punished for this. You better believe it.

(Washu walks past Takeshi.)

Washu: Let’s just get out of here.

Takeshi: Right away, Washu-chan.

(Takeshi follows Washu out, with a big smile on his face.)

Takeshi: I mustn’t run away, I mustn’t run away…

Washu: (threatening) I know ways to find out what you’re thinking. Don’t make me use them!

(Same deal for Team Three- Jenrya and Kenji. Kenji is perfectly happy with his costume- the blue Aestivalis pilot getup from Nadesico.)

Kenji: Wow. So I suppose with this, all the women are going to be attracted to me. Right Sora?

Sora: (smiling, shaking her head) If you say so.

(Jenrya sighs loudly from the changing room.)

Kenji: Something wrong, Jenrya?

Jenrya: Not really…

(Jenrya comes out in a traditional red Chinese garb, as worn by Syaoran Li on Cardcaptor Sakura.)

Jenrya: My last name had to be Lee…

Kenji: You look fine, come on.

(Jenrya and Kenji head out.)

Kenji: See ya Sora!

(Sora nods back as the fourth team arrives- Motoko and Tamahome.)
Tamahome: (VO) Ruki insisted on being teamed up with Miaka. I’m really starting to suspect her. It’s only minor, but she might be trying to drive Miaka and I apart.

Motoko: (VO) After I saw that Miaka was with Ruki, I insisted on being partners with Tamahome. I don’t trust him either, but as long as I’m not teamed up with Takeshi again, I’ll do it.

(Motoko and Tamahome approach Sora.)
Tamahome: So, uh… what do you got in store for us?

(Sora smiles. Five minutes later, both Motoko and Tamahome are in appropriate Team Rocket uniforms. Motoko really dislikes the short skirt.)
Tamahome: This is implying something. I don’t know what, but it’s implying something.

Motoko: Aren’t skirts this short illegal?

Sora: Not in Switzerland!

(Tamahome and Motoko head out.)
Motoko: (VO) I find it hard to believe that Kitsune had me wear something like this. Especially with people like Takeshi around. I don’t know if I’m suspicious of her, but she knows me, and she should know that I hate wearing stuff like this.

(Team five, Keitaro and Ranma, are next up. Keitaro is quietly sulking in his full-body Pikachu costume, while waiting for Ranma.)
Mitsune: (VO) I know that Keitaro and Motoko are going to hate the costumes we gave them. But I know them- they’ll wear them anyway. Because they’re good buds- nice and easy to control.

(Ranma steps out from the changing room, still in his normal clothes.)
Keitaro: What’s wrong?

Ranma: Akane is.

(Ranma walks past Sora, and jumps off the ledge she was leaning against. He jumps down to a river below, grabs a bucket of water, and jumps back up. He splashes the water over his head, and turns into a girl.)

Keitaro: Uhh…

(Ranma heads back to the changing room.)

Ranma: I’m going to kill her… I’m really going to do it…

Keitaro: (to Sora) What’s he got?

(Sora is nodding in understanding.)

Sora: I was wondering about that one… now I get it.

(Ranma steps out. It’s a hentai’s dream come true as she is wearing a tiger-striped bikini, fresh out of Urusei Yatsura.)

Ranma: She’s really trying my patience.

(Ranma and Keitaro head out.)

(At the train station, Ruki and Miaka, still arguing, have arrived.)
Ruki: Just switch with me. It doesn’t matter as long as everybody wears something.

Miaka: Nope!

Ruki: I’m serious, Miaka. You don’t want to make me mad.

Miaka: What’s wrong with what you’re wearing? You look good in it!

(Takeshi and Washu arrive and greet them.)

Washu: Hey there. Ain’t you two cute?

Ruki: I’m not cute… I’m… I don’t know what I am anymore.

Takeshi: You look cute to me.

Miaka: Definitely cute.

Ruki: (to Takeshi) Look you’re a pervert, right? Be honest, who would look better in this, her or me?

Takeshi: Hmm… definitely you Ruki… pink is your color!

(Ruki storms off.)

(Back at the costume department, Akane, Kasumi, and Mitsune are back with Barb.)
Barb: Obviously, we aren’t letting you three off this easily. While we won’t say whether or not the others agreed to wear their costumes, I’m giving you an opportunity to double the winnings for this game. If all ten people get on the train with their costumes, then the group will receive 40,000 yen instead of 20,000.

Kasumi: So what do we have to do?

Barb: There is one more set of outfits that you three girls will have to wear with everybody else. Sora?

(Sora comes in with a clothes rack. On it are three school uniforms, specially modified with some armor.)
Sora: This is the Rayearth collection. Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu in all their Magic Knight Rayearth glory!

Barb: Thank you. So… what’s the call?

Mitsune: Uh… aren't I a little old for those?

Akane: Yeah, and they're kinda ugly too.

Kasumi: Oh, I don’t have too much of a problem with them.

(They walk up to the uniforms.)

Mitsune: Yeah… I think we can trust our friends, right?

Akane: Definitely.

Kasumi: Okay. I guess I’m not going to force you into anything.

Akane: Yeah, although the extra effort would impress anybody.

(Mitsune approaches the blue outfit.)

Mitsune: I suppose that this one doesn’t look too bad. I could wear this one.

Akane: I like that one too. Blue’s my color.

Kasumi: No! That’s mine!

Mitsune: Why’s that yours?

Kasumi: It’s Umi’s!

Akane: Why does that make a difference?

Kasumi: (dreamy) I just love water types.

(Akane and Mitsune sweatdrop.)

(Shot of the three passing on the costumes.)
Barb: (VO) For various reasons, good or bad, the three decide not to save Cephiro today and join their friends at the train station.

(Ranma-chan and Keitaro are looking for the train station. Keitaro is frequently taking a good look at Ranma, only to catch himself before Ranma sees it.)

Ranma: So where is this train station?

Keitaro: I uh… don’t know.

Ranma: This is really starting to bug me…

(Ranma turns to Keitaro quickly, and catches him staring right at her chest.)

Ranma: What are you thinking?

(Keitaro, out of instinct, screams and runs. A passer-by approaches Ranma.)

Passer-by: Hey there cutie…

Ranma: (annoyed) What do you want?

Passer-by: Nothing… can I get ya a drink?

(Ranma thinks for a second.)

Ranma: What time is it?

Passer-by: About 3:00.

(Ranma suddenly turns towards the guy, looking very cute.)

Ranma: Why sure! As long as I can bring my friend along.

(Keitaro reenters the picture.)

Keitaro: What was that Ranma?

Ranma: (quietly, to Keitaro) Free drinks, follow my lead.

(Keitaro follows Ranma as he smiles at the passer-by and gestures to him to lead the way.)

(Female Ranma is being interviewed.)
Ranma: Hey, might as well live it up, right?

Keitaro: It’s a bit strange, but why not enjoy a few? We’ve got plenty of time.

(By now, everybody except for Ranma and Keitaro is at the train station. Ruki is still very uncomfortable, and is off to the side. Jenrya is talking to her. Kenji is watching from a distance. He turns to Kasumi.)

Kenji: What do you think they’re talking about?

(Kasumi snickers.)

Kenji: What?

Kasumi: They have to figure out how to catch the Mole card.

Kenji: Sorry I asked.

(Meanwhile, everybody else is wondering where Ranma and Keitaro are.)

Akane: Well where are they?

Washu: Hmm… let me see if I can get their coordinates…
(Washu starts typing on her computer.)

Takeshi: It would probably be best if we sent somebody out to find them.

Akane: Maybe, but shouldn’t we all stay together? The train leaves in half an hour.

Tamahome: How about we just give whoever goes a certain time limit? They have to be back in say… fifteen minutes.

Mitsune: But who should go?

Takeshi: I got it! Akane- you can kick the crap out of Ranma. Motoko- you can kick the crap out of Keitaro. Okay?

Akane: Strangely enough, I like that logic!

(Akane and Motoko start out.)

Washu: I got it!

Tamahome: Where are they?

Washu: They’re in Switzerland!

(massive face fault)

(Shot of Ranma and Keitaro enjoying some drinks with some people at a bar. Keitaro has his "ears" lowered.)
Akane: (VO) There is no reason it should take so long for Ranma and Keitaro to get here. I know they’re idiots, but any idiot should be able to find this station, right?

(Ranma and Keitaro have just left, and meet up with Akane and Motoko, who is still struggling in the skirt.)

Akane: Where have you been?!

Ranma: Relax Akane, we were just having a few drinks, we’ve got plenty of time.

Akane: What?!

Ranma: A couple guys were willing to pay, why not?

Motoko: Keitaro… this was all your idea.

Keitaro: Wait a second… Motoko…

(Motoko pulls out the kendo stick.)
Motoko: Special technique- Zankuusen!!

(Keitaro is blasting off again, complete with the flash of light at the end.)

Ranma: (observing) Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Isn’t Pikachu supposed to be the one doing that to Team Rocket?

Akane: Come on! Everybody’s waiting for you!

(Akane, Motoko, and Ranma head back to the station. The others are all glad that they are back.)
Takeshi: All right!

Kasumi: Where were they?

Akane: They were drinking.

Mitsune: All right!

Tamahome: So where’s Keitaro?

Akane/Ranma: Uh…

(A train whistle blows.)

Kenji: Not good.

(Back where everything started, Barb and Sora are having an informal chat.)
Sora: So it is kind of interesting. Digimon are everywhere, it’s really neat to see. It’s not a rare occurrence. They just pop up out of nowhere and everybody’s used to it.

(Keitaro crashes right in front of them. Sora’s surprised.)
Sora: Now Pokémon popping up out of nowhere… that’s unusual.

(Barb silently nods.)

(Everybody’s boarding the train. However, Ruki shows up, in her normal clothes. Jenrya is standing next to her.)

Miaka: Ruki? What did you do with the costume?

Ruki: I… couldn’t wear that thing.

Miaka: Why not?

Ruki: I just… couldn’t.

Jenrya: (explaining) Ruki doesn’t deal well with cute.

Miaka: (suspicious) I see.

Tamahome: I’m surprised at Ruki. Of all people, I couldn’t believe that she’d refuse to wear the costume. I mean Motoko’s uncomfortable, Washu’s uncomfortable, Ranma damn well better be uncomfortable. But why is Ruki the one that chickens out?

Jenrya: I completely understand Ruki’s decision. She does not like wearing that sort of thing. I know that the rest of the group might not know that, so I told her that I’d help explain to everybody. I know some coalitions try to convince people that one of them is the Mole, but that’s not what me and Ruki are doing. We’re just working together to figure out who it is, and I feel like I should help defend her while I’m at it.

(The train takes off. Most of the group is very disappointed.)
Akane: (VO) It seems like this time Keitaro didn’t land in the right spot. He missed the train. But if he hadn’t gone off with Ranma, none of this would have happened. It’s not Motoko’s fault that Keitaro got what he deserved.

Miaka: (VO) We’re on a schedule. Motoko knew that. So why did she hit him so hard it caused him to miss the train?

(St. Moritz. The eight that are still dressed, and Ruki, are gathered in a hotel lobby. Mike goes up to greet them. Caption: "Challenge Completed.")
Mike: Well, from the looks of things, eight of you have completed the challenge. At 2,000 yen a piece, that adds 16,000 to the pot, bringing it to a total of 76,000. Also, I have to say that there was an opportunity for the fashion experts to double the winnings by dressing up as the Magic Knights. However, they decided to pass on this.

Kasumi: (to the group) Sorry, we all wanted to be Umi.

(The group is nodding, with some understanding.)

Kenji: That excuse just doesn’t work for me. I mean… they all wanted to be Umi? I don’t buy that… everybody knows that Fuu’s the coolest.

(A bellhop is bringing some bags in.)
Mike: Also, I’ve been informed that Barb will give Keitaro a ride over here. Meanwhile, we have clothes for you.

(Sighs of relief from most of the group.)

Miaka: Are they really ours?

Kasumi: Yeah, please say you didn’t really toss them over.

Mike: Nope! We tossed them over all right! But as Mitsune said most of you do wear the same thing every day, so you’re pretty easy to shop for!

(Everybody get their bags and heads to their rooms. Kasumi is seen walking down the hall, and overhears Kenji and Jenrya talking.)
Jenrya: I’m just saying. I don’t find it unusual for her to have done that.

Kenji: If you say so. I can believe that. Not like that whole "everyone wanted to be Umi" thing Kasumi came up with.

(Both laugh. Kasumi knocks and enters.)

Kasumi: You don’t believe that? That’s what really happened.

Kenji: Right… sure it is Kasumi.

Kasumi: What? You don’t believe me? I don’t believe you!

Kenji: Believe what?

Kasumi: You don’t fool me for a second Kenji. Not after what you did to Takato.

Kenji: (offended) What did I do to Takato!?

Kasumi: You got him executed!

Kenji: Why is that my fault? I was trying to help him. He wasn’t listening to my advice. It’s a shame he’s gone, Takato was cool, (to Jenrya) Right?

Jenrya: (eying Kenji very carefully) Yeah.

(Kenji and Kasumi are continuing to argue. Jenrya quietly watches.)
Jenrya: (VO) This kind of thing can really help me in figuring Kenji out. This is a break for me, and I’m just going to watch the action unfold. I suppose taking notes would be too suspicious though.

(Kenji is adamantly defending himself.)
Kenji: There’s a lot of people I was suspecting that he didn’t want to take into consideration. I was really suspicious of Kitsune and he just blew it off. Why aren’t you suspicious of her?

Kasumi: Because she didn’t mess with Takato’s head.

Kenji: Look- it doesn’t matter who he trusts. It doesn’t matter who he doesn’t think is the Mole. What matters is who he does thinks is the Mole. He’s only in trouble if that’s the wrong person.

Kasumi: I refuse to believe that. I… I just…

Kenji: I don’t even know why I’m saying this to you! You’re lucky I’m giving you this info. I shouldn’t even be telling you everything that went on. It’s not like we’re in an alliance or anything.

(Kasumi shakes her head.)

Kasumi: Jenrya… could you go outside for a second?

Jenrya: Um… sure.

(Jenrya leaves the room. Kasumi shuts the door behind him and turns to Kenji.)

Kasumi: Okay, fine, you want an alliance, you got one.

(Kenji is caught off guard.)

Kenji: What?

Kasumi: You and me.

Kenji: But, but I thought you didn’t trust me.

Kasumi: I don’t. Not for a second. I’m watching my back every minute. But I know that I can’t beat you. When it comes to being a dirty sneak… I can’t beat you.

(Kenji smiles.)

Kenji: So you’d rather join me?

Kasumi: Bingo.

(Kenji sighs)

Kenji: Well, I can’t say that’s a bad strategy. I’m game if you are. But first I could use some info on that whole Umi thing. I gave you the dirt on me and Takato.

Kasumi: Okay. I think I’m starting to see your point about Kitsune. She seemed the most hesitant about dressing up.
(They continue talking strategy and issues.)

Kenji: I was definitely not ready for that. But she did give me that information on Kitsune, and being in an alliance with Kasumi does have advantages. I’m still really suspicious, but I’m going to go along with it… for now.

Day Three
(St. Moritz Casino- Mike greets the players inside. Keitaro is back in the group, and they are dressed in normal clothes.)
Mike: Welcome to the casino, and the site of the next game. Today I will need four of you who are willing to do some gambling with the team’s money. You will have an opportunity to either gain 20,000 or lose 20,000. I need a gambler, a selfish brat, someone who is good with numbers, and someone with a level head.

(After some discussion, they decide to go with Mitsune as the gambler, Tamahome as the brat, Washu as good with numbers, and Motoko as the level head.)

Mike: Excellent. Come with me.

Challenge Four
(Mitsune, Washu, Tamahome, and Motoko sit down at a blackjack table. In front of it is the Gambling King from Ranma ½, who resembles the king of clubs on a deck of cards. Mike addresses the group.)

Mike: You have one hour to win 20,000 yen. If you do so, or you lose it all, the game is automatically over. Good luck.

King: The game is blackjack, minimum bet is 1,000 yen or the deeds to your houses. Place your bets.

(They do so. Montage of them playing the game.)
Mike: (VO) Initially, Washu and Tamahome are the biggest winners, getting the group as close as 35,000 yen.

King: And that’s blackjack.

(Tamahome smiles and takes his winnings.)

Tamahome: This game’s pretty easy, right Motoko?

(Motoko is trying to concentrate. Tamahome continues to smile at Motoko.)

Tamahome: Motoko?

(Motoko is starting to lose it.)

King: Ma’am?

Motoko: Um, hit me.

(She hits on 16, draws a king, and busts. King gives out a short laugh.)

King: Sorry, you lose.

(They continue playing.)
Miaka: (VO) I think Motoko screwed that up. From what I could see, that was obviously a bad move. Some level head.

(They keep playing. Tamahome is now starting to lose money, while Washu has leveled off. Mitsune had been pretty level the whole time.)

King: Sorry, you lose.

(Motoko leaves the table. Caption: "Total Pot- ¥15,500")
Mike: (VO) Motoko runs out of money, and is out of the game. And as the game continues, Mitsune also runs out of money.

(Mitsune leave the table. Caption: "Total Pot- ¥9,000")

Tamahome: How much time is left?

Mike: You have fifteen minutes.

Tamahome: Okay, fine… I’ll bet 3,000 on this one.

(Tamahome loses that bet. Caption: "Total Pot- ¥5,000")
Takeshi: (VO) Fifteen minutes is still too early for making desperate moves like that.

(With time for just one more hand, Tamahome throws all ¥4,000 of his in.)

Tamahome: One last try, right?

Washu: I guess. I suppose I should do the same thing!

Tamahome: All right!

(Washu throws ¥4,000 in as well.)
Mike: (VO) One the final hand, both Tamahome and Washu bet all of their money.

Washu: (VO) Hey, we already lost money, it doesn’t make much of a difference to me if we lose twenty grand or only lose seventeen, so why not?

(The dealer has 9. Washu stands on 18 while Tamahome has 14.)

Tamahome: Hit me.

(King draws Tamahome an 8.)

King: Sorry, you lose.

(King takes away Tamahome’s bet. King draws for the dealer, and gets a 9.)

King: Dealer has 18 as well.

(Washu gets her ¥4,000 back. Caption: "Challenge Failed.")
Mike: (VO) After an hour of gambling, Washu pushes on her last bet, retaining just 4,000 of the original 20,000 pot, completely negating yesterday’s challenge.

Jenrya: I definitely feel a little down. A lot of people completely humiliated themselves for 16,000 yen and we lost all of that today. I don’t understand why Tamahome and Washu went all out at the last second.

Keitaro: If you ask me, we were lucky we only lost 16,000. If that last card was a ten instead of a nine, we would have lost all twenty.

(The group is now enjoying a peaceful dinner.)

Mitsune: (to Washu) So did Tenchi give you any tips on how to play?

Keitaro: Yeah, Naru couldn’t really help us out much.

Washu: Yeah- don’t trust anyone with a camcorder.

(Laughter among group.)
Barb: (VO) While the group talks informally, a new game is being prepared in the kitchen, although for now- it’s just another day on the job for Ukyo Kuonji.

(In the kitchen, Ukyo Kuonji from Ranma ½ is preparing a number of okonomiyaki on a griddle. She fixes them up like a pro, as usual, and puts a special character on one of them.)

(Ukyo and a few assistants serve one okonomiyaki to each of the fourteen. Ranma and Akane are particularly enthused. The others are impressed soon enough, as they all enjoy the meal. Ranma, back in his male form, turns to Ukyo.)

Ranma: Great work Ukyo… is it me or do you outdo yourself every time?

Ukyo: Well, a little of both. I outdo myself just for you Ranchan.

Ranma: Sweet!

(After they all enjoy their helping, Ukyo whispers something to Barb.)

Barb: Um, looks like we have one more, if anybody’s still hungry.

Ranma: Sorry, I’m stuffed.

Akane/Miaka: I’ll take it!!

(The entire group stares at Akane and Miaka, who both have raised their hands simultaneously.)

Ranma: I don’t think you need the extra weight Aka…

(Kasumi breaks a plate over his head before Akane gets the chance to.)

Akane: Kasumi! I wanted to hit him!!

Kasumi: Sorry, force of habit.

Miaka: I’m still hungry!

Akane: So am I!

Tamahome: Miaka, why don’t you just let Akane have it, okay?

Miaka: Tamahome…

Tamahome: (stern) Miaka…

Miaka: Oh, all right…

(Akane gets the last okonomiyaki, the one with the special marking.)
Barb: (VO) Little do they know that the next game has already begun.

(Back at the hotel, everybody goes back into their rooms. It is important to note that Ranma and Takeshi’s room is next to Akane and Kasumi’s room.)
Barb: (VO) The players have been sequestered. They are not allowed to leave the room under any circumstances. But since Akane got the extra okonomiyaki, she and her roommate Kasumi will get a chance at an exemption.

(Barb knocks on their door. They let her in.)

Barb: If you can somehow lure two other players into your room, you will both earn exemptions from the quiz, and advance to the next round.

Kasumi: Do you think we should do this?

Akane: I don’t know. I mean, I was pretty mad at Ranma for getting the exemption last time, so I don’t want to sound hypocritical or anything. But this is different, isn’t it?

Kasumi: Yeah, this is just for us. We’d be stupid not to take it. Barb, what’s the fine for leaving the room?

Barb: The fine is 1,000 for each person that does it.

Kasumi: So that would be 2,000.

Akane: Yeah, Ruki already cost us that, and she didn’t get into any trouble. Why not?

Kasumi: But who do we pick? Ranma?

Akane: Maybe. What would we say?

Kasumi: I don’t know.

Akane: I got it! Takeshi!

Kasumi: Yeah! You’re a pretty girl.

Akane: Is he stupid enough to fall for that though?

(Akane and Kasumi both think for a second.)

Akane/Kasumi: Yeah!

Kasumi: You call him.

Akane: But wait… what if Ranma answers?

Kasumi: Just… try to get him to come over. He’s your fiancé right?

Akane: Okay, I’ll just say I need to talk to him.

(Akane picks up the phone and dials. Takeshi answers.)

Takeshi: Hello?

Akane: Takeshi! Hi! What are you up to?

Takeshi: Nothin’ much. Why?

Akane: Say could you, uh… come over and, uh…

Takeshi: I’m on my way!

(Takeshi hangs up.)

Akane: Um… he’s on his way.

Kasumi: Great! I’ll be sure to clobber him.

Akane: Everybody seems to have some sort of weakness. With Takeshi, it’s pretty girls. I’m surprised how open he leaves himself to being exploited.

(Inside Ranma and Takeshi’s room, Takeshi is heading out the door.)
Ranma: Where are you going?

Takeshi: Oh, some of the girls invited me over to their room. I was never one to pass up on an offer like that!

Ranma: I thought we weren’t supposed to leave the room.

Takeshi: Hmm… maybe… but girls have requested my company and it would simply break their hearts if I wasn’t there! I refuse to do that to an innocent woman.

(Takeshi continues out.)

Ranma: Wait a second…

Takeshi: Yeah?

(Ranma grabs a glass of water and pours it over his head. Once again, it’s Ranma-chan!)

Ranma: You don’t need to leave the room to see pretty girls.

(Takeshi turns around instantly, shuts the door, and sits down, watching Ranma.)

Ranma: Oh boy… you’re as bad as Master Happosai.

(Back in Akane and Kasumi’s room, they are growing impatient.)

Akane: Maybe we don’t give him enough credit.

Kasumi: Got any other ideas?

Akane: Yeah! Got anything to eat in your bag?

(Kasumi looks through it)

Kasumi: Just some instant noodles.

Akane: Perfect! Toss them here!

(Kasumi tosses the package to Akane. Akane goes over to a small kitchen area in the room and starts to cook them.)

Kasumi: So what’s the plan?

Akane: You’ll see!

(Dissolve. Akane is still cooking. Much to everybody’s surprise, the noodles aren’t on fire yet. Kasumi screams off screen. Akane looks over.)

Akane: What is it?

Kasumi: Sorry… I just saw a bug. I can’t stand bugs.

Akane: I hope the guys didn’t hear that.

(Akane and Kasumi suddenly get an idea.)

Akane: Watch the noodles. Check this out…

(Kasumi does so. Akane takes a deep breath and lets out a high-pitched scream. Within seconds, Ranma, still female, busts through the door.)

Ranma: (concerned) Akane, what’s wrong?

Kasumi: That’s one!

Ranma: One what?

Barb: Please have a seat, Ranma.

Ranma: What’s going on. Akane?

Akane: Thanks for being so concerned about me!

Ranma: A… Akane?!

(Ranma has a seat. Barb shuts the door.)
Akane: (VO) Any sign that I’m in trouble and he just comes running… as much as I appreciate that, it’s a good thing to know sometimes.

(Akane is cooking while Ranma sulks.)

Ranma: So basically, you tricked me into breaking the rules.

Akane: Well, you didn’t have to come running. All I did was scream.

Ranma: Well yeah but…

Akane: (cheery) But what?

(Ranma is lost for an answer. She’s stuck. After a few seconds of hesitation, she suddenly turns angry.)

Ranma: Oh… you are so uncute!!

(Ranma goes back to sulking.)

Akane: Kasumi, this is almost done, you can call Miaka.

(Kasumi goes over to the phone.)

Kasumi: Hi, Miaka? Akane was cooking some noodles and we have some extra if you’re still hungry. She kinda feels bad because she ate that extra okonomiyaki. Hello?

(Kasumi hangs up.)

Kasumi: She left the phone. I guess she’s coming.

Ranma: What, are you going to poison her?

Akane: (angry) Ranma!!

(there’s a knock on the door. Kasumi answers it.)

Kasumi: Hey there Mia… Takeshi?

(Takeshi’s on the other side.)

Takeshi: I heard that scream too… I can’t leave a girl in distress either you know. Especially since I don't have any company without Ranma-chan.

(Takeshi enters the room.)

Takeshi: So what’s the problem?

(Barb stands up and shuts the door.)

Barb: That’s two. Okay, I’m sure you know the rules about leaving…

(Another knock on the door. Barb answers it. It’s Miaka.)

Barb: Miaka?

(Miaka enters the room.)

Miaka: Where’s the food?

Akane: Uh… over here.

(Miaka heads over towards Akane. Akane hands Miaka a bowl of noodles. Miaka is about to dig in.)

Barb: Um… that’s three… I guess. Anyway, as you should know it’s against the rules to…

(Barb is interrupted yet again, as Tamahome bursts through the door)

Tamahome: MIAKAAAAA!!!!

(He runs over to Miaka, grabs the bowl of noodles and tosses it aside. He then embraces Miaka. Cue sentimental music.)

Tamahome: I sensed you were in danger. I will never let anything happen to you.

Miaka: Tamahome…

Ranma: Wow… saved Miaka from death by Akane’s cooking… what a guy.

Barb: And… that’s four. Anyone else feel like breaking the rules today?

(silence)

Barb: Good. The rules state that you can’t leave your room. Four of you did. We will deduct 4,000 yen from the pot.

Takeshi: Well wait a second, Akane and Kasumi brought us all in here.

Akane: (angry) We didn’t ask you to come in here!

Takeshi: Yes you did!

Akane: Yeah, but you didn’t do it when we did ask so it doesn’t count!

Ranma: So what’s going on? Did you two get exemptions or something?

(Kasumi nods.)

Kasumi: Since Akane got the last okonomiyaki, she and her roommate were given the chance at an exemption if we could draw two people in here.

Akane: We got four, so do we get two exemptions?

Barb: Uh- no.

Ranma: So that’s why you wanted that okonomiyaki. You must have known about this.

Akane: No! I didn’t have a clue.

Ranma: So why’d you do it? You said that it was wrong to go for an exemption this early in the game.

Akane: Well this just got offered to us, and Kasumi and I decided to take it… we did it to get back at you and Keitaro for getting one last time.

Kasumi: We did?

(Akane and Ranma continue to argue. Shot of Takeshi, watching.)
Takeshi: (VO) I think all six of us are a little bit responsible for all this… including myself. But you have to look at who was really acting out of place to see if the Mole was in action. Ranma just burst out of our room, Tamahome somehow magically knew that Miaka was about to eat Akane’s cooking, and I hate to say it, but I’m surprised Kasumi went for the exemption like that.

(Akane and Ranma are still arguing. The other four are off to the side watching. Barb has left.)

Akane: Well, did you hear Kasumi’s scream?

Ranma: Yeah, but…

Akane: Why didn’t you run to her rescue?

Ranma: Well…

Kasumi: I’m not her fiancé!

Ranma: (to Kasumi) Actually, you might be. My pop and I were training in Hanada City a few years ago and we kinda made a deal with you and your sisters to… never mind! (to Akane) Point is, you screamed. I just went to see what was going on. That’s not my problem!

Akane: Fine then. Next time I scream, don’t bother coming to help.

(Off to the side, Takeshi turns to Tamahome.)

Takeshi: Jeez, quit yapping and make out already.

Tamahome: No kidding.

Miaka: They aren’t very forward with their relationship. It’s very unusual.

Kasumi: I know. Just not accepting their true feelings.

(All four sigh simultaneously.)

(Ranma’s back to a guy.)
Ranma: I have a real problem right now. In order to do good in this game, you gotta look past everything and look at each of the other players equally to see if they could be the Mole. But how am I supposed to do that with Akane? We’ve known each other for awhile, and I just can’t look at her the same way as the others. I notice stuff that goes past everybody else, but I don’t know if that’s suspicious activity… or that’s just Akane. I hate saying it, but I seriously think that she could be the Mole. But the question is whether that’s just me… or whether she really is. I don’t know whether I should vote for her or not.

Day Four
(The group is listening to Barb explaining the entire situation.)
Mike: (VO) The other players are briefed on the events of last night, and are told that today will be the second quiz, and the second execution.

Washu: What strikes me as odd is that all the people involved with that were from only three different shows. The Tamers, the Love Hina trio, and me were completely in the dark. It makes you wonder what kind of inner workings go on between two players from the same show. They could all be working together, or they could be overly suspicious of each other. Right now, I’m not sure whether it’s an advantage or a disadvantage being the only one from my show.

(Kenji is taking the test. His question is "During the Cosplay game the Mole dressed as which character?")
Kenji: (VO) I have to question the so-called fashion experts in the costume game. It looked as if they assigned costumes in hopes of having at least one person refuse to wear it. Not just with Ruki, but the costumes assigned to Motoko, Ranma and Washu were also suspect.

(Motoko is taking the test.)
Motoko: (VO) Takeshi had no good reason to leave his room. The others are all guilty as well, but at least they had some sort of reasoning behind it. Takeshi’s reason isn’t nearly as good as any of the others.

(Tamahome is taking the test.)
Tamahome: (VO) Ruki was the only one that refused to wear the costume. Given what everybody else had, she shouldn’t be an exception. Ranma’s outfit was much worse than what Ruki was supposed to wear.

(Kasumi is taking the test.)
Kasumi: (VO) Mitsune was the most hesitant about dressing up as the Magic Knights. She also didn’t gamble very effectively at Black Jack.

(Ruki is taking the test.)
Ruki: (VO) It seems that a good strategy for the Mole would be to be themselves. Act normally, and use normal behavior in order to sabotage the group. Miaka demonstrated that very well. She left her room, and she also aggressively wanted that last okonomiyaki. If she knew about that game ahead of time, she’d know that it would be easy to explain why she did the things that she did.

(Execution time. Motoko, Miaka, Tamahome, Ranma, Takeshi, Kasumi, and Kenji sit in the front row. Akane, Jenrya, Ruki, Mitsune, Keitaro, and Washu are in the back. Barb presides.)
Barb: Greetings. Once again, I will type each player's name into the computer one at a time. If a red screen appears, you are the Mole’s second victim. Akane and Kasumi have earned exemptions, so they can not be executed in this round. I’ll start with Jenrya.

(Barb types in "JENRYA." Shot of Jenrya, nervous.)

(It flashes green.)

Barb: Mitsune.

(Barb types in "MITSUNE." Shot of Mitsune, relaxed.)

(It flashes green.)

Barb: Kenji.

(Barb types in "KENJI." Kenji is somewhat nervous.)

(It flashes green.)

Barb: Miaka.

(Barb types in "MIAKA." Miaka squeezes Tamahome’s hand.)

(It flashes green.)

Barb: Ranma.

(Barb types in "RANMA." Ranma has a straight face.)

(It flashes red. Ranma sighs and shakes his head. He stands up and gets his bag. He and Barb head out.)
Ranma: (VO) I don’t know what to say. You know you go into this and you don’t know what to expect from all the other shows. Then you get here and you discover that the biggest problem is how you view the people from your own show. And I think that’s what got me.

(The others talk about Ranma behind his back.)

Keitaro: He was a fun guy. He took the game seriously enough to avoid suspicion, but not seriously enough so that it took the fun out of everything.

Washu: I don’t know how he could have been happy wearing that bikini, but I don’t think he ever considered not wearing it. I think that inside he really was playing to win.

Akane: I know I didn’t work well with him, but now that he’s gone, it feels like I’ve lost something. I feel like I’m going to have to do this alone now, which is strange, because I wasn’t relying on him to begin with.

(Ranma gets into the van, and it drives off, making that "Is the Mole male or female" question a lot less fun.)

End Episode Two