Pokéball Run
Episode Five
(Tom Wallace appears in the studio.)
Tom: And here we are again, with only two legs and two episodes
left. This ain’t so bad, is it? Anyway, a recap of the last
leg…
(Screen displays of Shakkoumon in the driveway.)
Tom: TK, taking a page from the Triple J/Just Us Guys faction,
generates a huge obstacle to block the others, and leads Hope
& Plight into victory.
(Display Izzy whipping out 2 EZ Passes.)
Tom: Strategic use of our infamous EZ Passes gets Brains &
Blondes into second.
(Display Jessie and James wolfing down steak.)
Tom: Once again, Triple J gets third place. It’s starting to
get old, people.
(Display Mimi and Michael hugging.)
Tom: Again, credit Mimi for a great sabotage, bringing in the
reinforcements. But again- it results in a fourth place finish.
However, they were able to take down their arch-rivals Just Us
Guys in a Roadkill Challenge, sneaking them into the next leg.
(Display a map of
Tom: The five teams are now in Albuquerque, and since the guy
that writes the cue cards didn’t want to write that city on
the cards again, we’ll go down to Mike to start us off.
Leg Four- Day Seven
(The four remaining cars are littered with key boxes, as each
team stands in front of them. Mike presides.)
Mike: We’re getting pretty lazy again, and our producers
didn’t feel like making up a challenge. So once again-
ripoff ahoy! Each car has around 500 key boxes. Only one has the
key.
(Mike laughs evilly, then calms down.)
Mike: Anyway…
Jessie: You need to work on your evil laughter, bub.
James: That was barely sinister!
Mike: Everyone’s a critic. Anyway, each team has to find their key, and get all of the boxes off the car, and onto the nearby sidewalk. Once that is done, you may take off. If you are ready- go!
(The four teams all use a similar strategy- go nuts trying to
find the dang thing. Mimi finds hers first, and hands it off to
Shinji to start the car. It does, and Mimi and Yolei brush off
the other boxes to clear off the car. Before long, lucky-lucky
James finds his key.)
James: Jessie… Jessie… I found it!
Jessie: Really?
Jessie G: Good, get rid of the other ones and let’s amscray!
(The Angels take off. As soon as Triple J starts to clear away
their boxes, Mihoshi holds the red car’s key up.)
Mihoshi: Is this it?
Izzy: Prodigious!
(The blue car takes off, with the red car right behind it.)
Mike: (OS) And Triple J and Brains & Blondes are
neck-and-neck, but what about Hope & Plight?
(Finally, Kari finds the key. Of course, they had already
cleared away all the boxes looking for it. TK, Kari, and Nakago
quickly pop in and take off.)
Mike: (OS) Their next destination is
(Ahead of the pink car, traffic is almost completely stopped.)
Mimi: Well, what’s going on?
Yolei: Don’t tell me the boys are up to their old tricks. Even in death, they still haunt us.
(The blue car is stopped as well, the red car pulls up right
behind them.)
Jessie G: This isn’t good.
Jessie: What’s going on now?
(A motorist is walking by, on foot.)
Motorist: Seems there’s a car on fire up ahead.
James: Does the driver have an EZ Pass?
(Inside the red car, they are stuck behind blue.)
Izzy: Well, we should just ride this out. Triple J isn’t
going anywhere.
Mihoshi: And I don’t think the Angels were that far ahead!
(Inside the yellow car. You guessed it.)
TK: I hope we don’t fall too far behind.
Kari: I don’t think we should. So don’t do anything drastic, okay Nakago?
Nakago: (suspiciously content) I’m fine. Patience… is a virtue.
Kari: Yeah, like I said, don’t do anything drastic.
(Inside the blue car, Jessie sees a nearby offramp.)
Jessie: Hey, Jessie- let’s get off and try to get back on
again.
Jessie G: (impressed) Now you’re getting the hang of it. Get around the traffic, and hopefully the pink team.
(And inside the red car, they see Jessie G. maneuver to get
off.)
Rika: They’re getting off.
Izzy: Should I follow them?
Rika: Yeah. This way, we know exactly where they are.
(Overhead shot as both the blue and red cars get off and take
a detour. Of course, the detour is also backed up, and they both
remain stuck.)
B&B/Triple J: (VO, angry) Shoot!!
(Meanwhile, the Angels are quietly sitting through the traffic, and get waved on by a police officer. They pass the flaming car, still blazing away, and continue onto open traffic.)
Mimi: See, Shinji, no problem. We’re still in first, traffic’s opened up, and it's smooth sailing now!
Shinji: I guess.
(Show Triple J and Brains & Blondes, still in traffic on
the detour. Then go into the yellow car, as they pass the burning
wreckage.)
TK: Let’s see… I saw Izzy and Rika get off.
Kari: I think Team Rocket was ahead of them. They got off too.
Nakago: I’d imagine the detour to be quite backed up as well.
Kari: So we’re in second now!
TK: All thanks to an innocent traffic jam that happened our way.
Kari: See Nakago, there are more ways to win than through evil.
(Nakago cracks a sinister smile.)
Kari: (worried) Nakago?
TK: That accident was coincidence right?
(Nakago chuckles evilly)
Nakago: They said we couldn’t tamper with opponent’s
cars… they said nothing about those of innocent bystanders.
Kari: I think I’m gonna be sick…
TK: This is why I did that thing with Shakkoumon- so Nakago
wouldn’t have to do anything along the lines of sabotage.
It’s just… best not to think about it. I guess.
(The yellow car pulls into a gas station. Kari and Nakago head
into the convenience store. TK starts to pump gas when he notices
that Yolei is doing the same thing.)
Yolei: Hey, TK!
TK: Yolei! How’s it going?
Yolei: Pretty good. Man, that traffic jam was rough, wasn’t it?
TK: Um, well…
Yolei: (to the side) That’s diet, right?
(Over to the side, Shinji is walking to the car, with a bottle
of soda.)
Shinji: Yes, of course it is. I’m not making that mistake
again.
(Shinji gets into the pink car. Yolei turns back to TK.)
Yolei: Our driver was pretty easy to train, how about yours?
TK: Ours is slightly harder to deal with. Evil shoguns are like that you know.
(Kari starts to head back to the car.)
Yolei: I suppose. But that traffic jam… what a holdup…
(Kari is near TK and overhears.)
Kari: About that, um, Yolei… I have to apologize for
our…
(TK quickly covers Kari’s mouth with her hand and stuffs
her into the car.)
Kari: TK, what are you doing?
TK: (quiet) Shh… don’t get Yolei worked up about this.
Kari: But look, I want to warn her about Nak…
TK: We’ll deal with it later. We don't need to tell Yolei.
(TK gets back out of the car and resumes pumping. Yolei is a
tad dumbfounded at the sight of that "scuffle.")
Yolei: You and Kari certainly have a very kinky relationship.
TK: Uh…
(Yolei hangs up the pump as Mimi walks in. They take off.)
(Overhead shot. The blue car is still being tailed by the red
car.)
Mike: (VO) Back on the main track, Brains & Blondes are still
nipping at Triple J’s heels.
(Jessie G. is driving contently, while Jessie and James look
behind nervously.)
James: Jessie number two… the twerps are still behind us.
Jessie: We have to find someway to lose them.
Jessie G: Why? They are exactly where I want them… behind me.
James: She does have a point. I like people behind me.
Jessie: Right, right… this should be the exit.
Jessie G: Okay…
(Inside the red car, they see the blue car turn off. The red
car continues on the freeway.)
Mihoshi: Where are they going?
Izzy: That’s the wrong exit. Their loss, our gain!
Rika: I told you to keep tailing them. By staying right behind them, they’re likely to get nervous and make a mistake.
(In
Manny: (VO) And the Angels hold onto their lead and cross the
checkpoint in first place.
(Meanwhile, Jessie G. is driving through a dirt road.)
Jessie G: (bitter) For the last time, Jessie, are you sure this
is the right way?
Jessie: Yeah, I am never wrong!
Jessie G: No… never… I’ll just verify that, okay?
(Jessie G. pulls over.)
Jessie G: Let me see that map.
(TK clocks in. Caption: "Hope & Plight- Second Place-
10 Minutes Behind Leader")
Manny: (VO) And Hope & Plight get second place, despite the
rough start.
(Jessie and James are admiring the spectacular
Jessie: You know, this is kind of nice.
James: Yeah. This has actually been fun!
Jessie: We’re probably so far behind now, we might as well enjoy it.
James: I think we’re about done…
Jessie G: (angry) What was that? Look, you don’t say die until you cross the finish line. That’s the first rule of anything. Sure, we’re in last place now, but there’s always tomorrow. We aren’t out of this yet. You two have gone a long way. I’d hate to say it- but you’ve done a pretty good job so far. Now are you going to let all of that get away, or are we going to try to make up for this and get back on top?!
(Pause. Jessie turns back to the car.)
Jessie: Let’s do it!
James: Okay! Let’s lose ourselves a race so we can win tomorrow!
(Jessie and James get into the car. Jessie G. takes a quick
look at the view and smiles.)
Jessie G: This is kinda pretty though.
(The red car crosses the checkpoint and Mihoshi rushes out of
the backseat to check in. Izzy and Rika get out of the car. TK
joins them. Caption: "Brains &
TK: Hey Izzy.
Izzy: Oh, hey TK. How’d you do?
TK: Second. Mimi won.
Izzy: Where’s Kari?
TK: She’s in our room. She wasn’t feeling too good.
(Mihoshi strolls back.)
Mihoshi: All checked in! Third place!
Izzy: Prodigious.
(Izzy and Mihoshi high-five. Izzy again clutches his right
shoulder.)
TK: Are you sure that shoulder’s okay?
Izzy: Yeah… I’m surprised it still hurts. It’s been almost a week.
(Izzy rolls up his sleeve. His shoulder is still visibly
bruised.)
Mihoshi: Ew… that’s gross.
Rika: Oh, deal with it.
Izzy: Rika’s right. I’m just going to have to deal with it and keep going.
(They continue inside.)
Izzy: It’s really strange for me, but I get the
feeling that I’m the leader of my team. I don’t really
know how it happened. I’m experiencing the aspect of
teamwork from a whole new viewpoint in this game. Quite frankly,
it’s exhilarating.
(Overhead shot of the blue car, about to reach the checkpoint.)
Jessie G: You know, there was a second back there where I
too wanted to just stop and enjoy the view. But I’ve trained
myself to not give up, and to keep fighting until you stand on
top. So I will fight, and I will not give up, no matter how far
behind we are. I can’t blame Jessie or James for stopping,
because they’ve had more than their share of setbacks in
their lives. But that’s okay. Because as long as they keep
fighting as well, they’ll stand on top someday.
(A determined Jessie G. checks in. Caption: "Triple J- Last Place- 19 Minutes Behind")
Leg Four- Day Eight
(Red Rocks State Park. Mike is presiding, as each car pulls
into a parking lot.)
Mike: Today, we are going to be starting a little bit
differently. It’s almost like a second jumpstart challenge.
Only here- the staggered start will apply. This challenge is
simple- jump off a cliff.
(Shot of Mimi, Yolei, and Shinji starting an uphill hike, with
a supervisor with them.)
Mike: (VO) The teams start off with a climb to the top of the
cliff. This is where the staggered start applies. When they reach
the top, each of the three members must rappel down one at a
time. When all three members hit bottom, they will take a jeep
back to their car, where they are free to take off for Las Vegas.
A team member can refuse, but the team will be delayed half an
hour as a penalty.
Yolei: Okay, I have to say that this looks a bit
frightening at first, but really- this looks kind of fun!
(At the top, Mimi, Yolei, and Shinji are with the supervisor.)
Supervisor: Okay… who’s first?
Mimi: This looks a bit… dangerous.
Yolei: I’ll go first.
(The supervisor straps in Yolei, gives her a few instructions, and sends her on her way. Yolei gives a thumbs up to Mimi as she starts her descent.)
Mimi: I don’t know about this. I didn’t sign up
for this for the death-defying thrills. In fact, I thought this
was one of those reality series that didn’t have any of that
stuff.
(TK, Kari, and Nakago start the hike. Behind them, Triple J is
talking.)
Jessie G: This is where it happens, okay?
Jessie: Where what happens?
Jessie G: This is where we take the lead.
James: You aren’t suggesting we cut their ropes, are you?
Jessie G: No! We can do this ourselves. I can do something like this without a problem. How about you two?
James: I don’t think I’ve done this before.
Jessie: Me neither… but we’ve free-fallen from a lot more than 200 feet and always get out of it okay.
James: So we have nothing to be afraid of!
Jessie G: There you go. Fall if you need to, just get down that thing as fast as you can.
(Yolei has completed her descent. Shinji starts down as Hope & Plight arrives. They decide to have Nakago go first. Back at the base of the cliff, Izzy, Rika, and Mihoshi start off.)
Mihoshi: Finally, a place for me to show off my skills! As
a Galaxy Policeman, I have to be able to get into and get out of
dangerous situations- so this should be a piece of cake!
(Shinji is comfortably going at his own pace down the cliff.)
Mimi: (from above) Take your time Shinji!!
Yolei: (from below) Hurry up Shinji!!
Mimi: (from above) No, take your time, we’re in the lead remember!
Yolei: (from below) But not much longer. Nakago’s above you.
Mimi: (from above) Don’t listen to her Shinji!
Yolei: (from below) No, listen to me, I already got through this.
(Shinji is looking up and down at both of them, getting really
nervous.)
Mimi: (from above) Listen to me, I’m older than she is!
Yolei: (from below) What does that have to do with anything?!
(Mimi and Yolei continue arguing. Shinji tries drowning them
out and continues down. He glances over at the other rope, where
Nakago is quickly catching up. Shinji, not wanting to get near
the guy, starts hustling down.)
Yolei: (from below) I knew you’d see it my way!
(Finally Triple J is allowed to take off. Jessie, Jessie, and
James ignore their supervisor and run towards the summit.
Meanwhile, back up top, both Kari and Mimi are having a bit of
trouble. Kari is a bit further down, however. In the meantime,
Mihoshi is beginning her descent.)
TK: (from above) Okay, Kari. Don’t worry about it. Take your
time.
Kari: (a bit scared) I can’t go down any further. It’s an overhang or something. I can’t reach my feet down any further.
Nakago: (from below) I’ll catch you… probably.
Kari: Please don’t start Nakago. I don’t need that right now.
TK: Just be brave, Kari. Jump if you have to.
(Meanwhile, Mihoshi is doing a fantastic job, and passes both
Mimi and Kari. Up on top, Izzy and Rika observe, as does TK.)
Izzy: Wow… she’s flying.
Rika: This looks fun, can’t wait to try it.
(Jessie G. jogs up the path, to the summit. A very tired
Jessie and James are behind.)
Jessie G: What? Tired already? That was barely half a mile!
James: Give me a minute to die, okay?
(Mihoshi has finished, and Rika is strapping her stuff on, when Jessie G. gets her gear on. The supervisor shows her what to do, but Jessie G. ignores it. She turns around so that she is face down towards the base of the cliff. She jumps off wildly, and starts running down the ninety degree cliff, passing Mimi and Kari on the way down. She positions herself, swings around, and uses her feet as brakes as she stops just before she hits the bottom. A stunned Mihoshi, Yolei, Shinji, and Nakago are at the bottom. Brief pause as she gets out of her gear and catches her breath for a second.)
Yolei: (in awe) Can I have your autograph?
(Jessie G. ignores her and looks up to the top. Meanwhile,
Kari has gotten down.)
Jessie G: For the record James, you don’t have to do it my
way!! James?
(Jessie G. turns her head.)
Jessie G: (to herself) Next time, warn them that it took me years
to learn that…
(James falls face first into the ground. While the supervisors
get him out of his stuff, he slowly gets up.)
Jessie G: You okay?
James: (woozy) Don’t worry… I’ve been through worse.
(James stands up, but is still a bit wobbly. He starts to
wander off in one direction.)
James: I’m just going to… uh…
Jessie G: Walk it off?
James: Sure, that…
(James leaves. Jessie G smiles.)
Jessie G: Good work James.
(Rika and Mimi have made their descent. Mimi quickly gets out of her stuff and leaves with her teammates. Rika is left in a bit of awe of Jessie G.)
Rika: (VO) It’s hard to remember how skilled Jessie
Gurtland is. She really doesn’t get much of an opportunity
to show how great an athlete she is. When she does have a chance
to show off her stuff, it completely blows people away. You have
to remember that she’s considered by many to be the best
female athlete on the planet… it’s tough competition,
but hopefully nothing I can't handle.
(Kari, Jessie G, Rika and Mihoshi are all cheering on their
respective teammates. Nakago remains silent… ‘cuz
that’s his style.)
Kari: C’mon TK! They’re right behind you!
Mihoshi: Hurry up Izzy! You can do it!
Rika: (to Mihoshi) You don’t think that shoulder’s bugging him, do you?
Mihoshi: I hope not!
(Jessie is the first to descend. Fortunately, it’s not
the same way James did it. Still, it’s fast enough, as
Jessie G. is complimentary.)
Jessie G: Good work, let’s go! James!
(James walks back into view, in perfect health. Jessie gets
out of her stuff and the three head out. Rika is a bit
concerned.)
Rika: Come on Izzy!
(Up on the cliff, Izzy is slightly behind TK, and that
shoulder is apparently bugging him, as he seems to be in a bit of
pain, and clutches it once in awhile.)
Mihoshi: (from below) Let’s go, hurry up!
(Izzy looks down at both Rika and Mihoshi waiting for him. He
takes a quick glance at his shoulder, and fights the pain to try
to descend faster. It seems to work, as he gets past TK. Izzy
manages to descend first. Supervisors help him out of his stuff,
and he immediately clutches the shoulder.)
Rika: Good work… you okay?
(Izzy forces a smile.)
Izzy: Yeah… no problem.
Mihoshi: Let’s go already!
(The three run to the jeep, Izzy still holding his shoulder. Behind them, TK gets down and gets out of his stuff while Nakago looks at Brains & Blondes, concerned.)
Kari: I’m not sure whether to admire Izzy’s
determination or not. I mean, it’s great for his team that
he fought through his bad shoulder, but I’m afraid that it
might make matters worse for him later on.
(Back in the parking lot, Jessie is driving the jeep to their
car, with Jessie G. and James riding behind. All three jump off
the jeep simultaneously, letting it crash wherever. The get in
the blue car and drive off. Caption: "Triple J- Second
Place.")
Mike: (VO) And Triple J is only a few minutes behind the leading
Angels, despite starting out nineteen minutes behind. Things
could get interesting down the stretch, as Brains & Blondes
as well as Hope & Plight are right behind.
(Izzy is driving the jeep. He parks and gets out. Rika jumps
out as well. They approach the car.)
Mihoshi: Oh shoot… a little help, please?
(Mihoshi’s seat belt is stuck, with Nakago, TK, and Kari
coming up in their jeep.)
Rika: Shoot… Izzy, start the car. I’ll help her.
Distract them if you can.
(Hope & Plight approaches the yellow car. Izzy starts the
red car as they get in. Izzy looks at Rika, still struggling with
Mihoshi. Izzy then walks out in front of the yellow car.)
TK: What’s Izzy doing?
Izzy: (to Rika) How’s this?
(Rika looks over.)
Rika: Fine…
Izzy: (to Rika) Sorry I couldn’t think of anything better!
(Inside the yellow car, Nakago honks the horn.)
Nakago: Give me a break.
(TK sticks his head out of the window.)
TK: Izzy- get out of the way!
Rika: (OS) Don’t do it Izzy! Be a man, stand your ground.
Izzy: Sorry TK… it’s all part of the game!
TK: I know, that’s not the problem.
(Nakago starts the car.)
TK: Izzy, I’m warning you! He’ll do it!
Rika: (OS) He’s bluffing Izzy, they can’t do it, they’ll get disqualified.
TK: I’m not kidding! He already tried it with Davis!
Rika: (OS) I almost got it, Izzy, just hang on.
(Izzy looks very scared, but stays there.)
TK: Izzy… I’m not joking!
(Rika has Mihoshi out, and they’re heading back to the
car.)
Rika: Got it.
(TK looks inside, looks shocked, and quickly opens his door,
runs up, and tackles Izzy out of the way, just before Nakago
drives past that spot. TK gets up quickly, still not believing
what just happened. He runs back to the car, and gets in.)
TK: Nakago! Jeez, how could you try something…
(Nakago shakes his head.)
Nakago: You gave him a fair warning. I think it was more than
enough. More than I would have given him.
(TK is just stunned. Kari’s to the point of tears.)
Kari: Don’t you know that you could’ve killed him?
(Nakago scoffs)
Nakago: Your point? What’s one more death in this lousy
excuse for a world?
(Kari desperately tries to get out of the car, but can’t get the door open. She gives up, and starts crying on TK’s lap. TK comforts her, while staring at Nakago in silent shock.)
TK: It’s hard to deal with Nakago when he does stuff
like that. I mean, we’ve dealt with our share of…
darkness before, and whenever someone is affected by it,
we’ve always found some way to understand it and could bring
them back to the light. But him… I have no doubt that his
behavior is because of the darkness in his world. That something
happened to him to force him to act this way. I just have never
seen somebody so immersed in darkness that there was no way he
could go back.
Nakago: You think this is bad? That trying to eliminate
somebody who gets in your way is "bad?" You’re
lucky. If this is bad to you, you haven’t experienced
anything near what I have. I’ve seen far worse. I’ve
been through far worse. This… this is nothing.
(Rika and Mihoshi are running up to Izzy.)
Mihoshi: Are you okay?
Rika: Izzy… I'm sorry. I didn’t think he’d…
Izzy: My shoulder…
(Izzy is still on the ground, clutching his shoulder.)
Izzy: I… I can’t move it.
Rika: Uh… can you get up?
Izzy: No… it hurts…
(Rika and Mihoshi bend down to help him up.)
Rika: Do you think you can make it to Vegas?
Izzy: I don’t know. It’s bad.
Mihoshi: It looks bad. This looks serious!
(Rika and Mihoshi help get him into the back seat. He lies
down, still in pain.)
Izzy: I’m counting on you Mihoshi… Rika…
Rika: Don’t worry. We’ll be there in no time.
(Rika is having trouble dealing with all of this as Mihoshi pulls out.)
Izzy: What’s wrong?
Rika: It’s just… I can’t believe they… I’m sorry.
Izzy: It’s okay. I didn’t think they would either.
(The patrons of the car remain in silence, save for Izzy
reeling from the pain.)
Rika: I don’t know how we can recover from this. This was
just… awful. I mean, Izzy’s been the leader of the
team. He was the guide, the one in charge. He tried to keep a
cool head and open mind through all of this. I did my part, and
Mihoshi helped out once in awhile, but Izzy’s the backbone
of the team. The team can’t get through this without him.
(Triple J is driving along a two-lane highway.)
James: Are you sure about this?
Jessie: I think so. It should be a shortcut that gets us ahead of the twerps. (to Jessie G.) What do you think, you’re the boss?
Jessie G: This feels good. I think we’re going the right way. I’m counting on you Jessie.
(Inside the yellow car, TK is trying to reason with Nakago.)
TK: Look… can you just not go all-out to try to win?
Nakago: All out? If I was going all-out, there would have been casualties by now. And I don’t just mean the one that got in front of us.
TK: Well… let me put it this way… what is your goal in life?
Nakago: To become a god and make all of the world's inhabitants my slaves.
(pause. TK blinks and sighs.)
TK: Ooookay… do you really think this stupid little race is
going to help you accomplish that?
Nakago: Not really.
TK: Now I don’t mind that you’re trying to help us win, but please don’t take this that far. We don’t want anybody hurt in the end, and even if that means we don’t win, we’re more than ready to make that sacrifice.
Nakago: I suppose it’s up to you.
TK: Yeah, if you could just sit back and drive, it would be much appreciated. We won’t even try to make you see the light or nothin’. Do we have a deal?
Nakago: As you wish.
(Shinji is driving through Las Vegas. Mimi is trying to figure
out where to go.)
Yolei: Don’t tell me we’re lost again.
Mimi: We’re not lost! I know exactly where we are.
Shinji: So where are we going?
Mimi: That’s the problem… the way to the finish line- that’s what’s lost.
(Triple J pulls into a casino parking lot. Jessie G, with
Jessie and James right behind, run inside. Caption: "Triple
J- First Place")
Manny: (VO) Thanks to The Angels losing their way, Triple J has
gone from worst to first and pulls off an amazing victory!
(Jessie G. is ecstatic as she puts the sign on. Jessie and
James are hugging like crazed girlfriends. Jessie G smiles and
joins them.)
Jessie G: What did I tell you?! We did it! Hard work and
determination actually does pay off, you know.
James: It’s news to us, but whatever’s working, let’s just keep doing it!!
(Shot of the Angels crossing the finish line and checking in.
Mimi and Yolei are laughing about coming in second, but Shinji
seems a tad disappointed. Caption: "The Angels- Second
Place- 3 Minutes Behind")
Manny: (VO) Their lack of navigation skills in Vegas cost The
Angels the lead, but a second place finish still ensures that
they’ll be around next episode. Men- you may now
collectively sigh in relief.
(Back in the red car, Izzy’s still hurt. Mihoshi’s
driving as fast as she can, while Rika alternates between looking
at Mihoshi and Izzy.)
Rika: So what happens when we get there?
Mihoshi: I already called them, they said they’d take care of it.
Rika: I know… but what about the race? Can you keep going Izzy?
Izzy: It all depends on how bad it really is. As soon as we cross the finish line, one of you two should just check in like normal. Then I guess it’s out of our control.
Rika: I’m gonna kill that yellow team. They should be disqualified for doing this to you.
Izzy: It’s not their fault. It’s more like an accumulation of things. I probably should have had it checked after the accident.
Rika: Right… the accident.
Rika: (VO) That’s the one thing that bugs me about all
of this. That tree crashed on the right side of the car. I was
sitting on the right side. So how come I’m fine and
Izzy’s shoulder is dead? Don’t tell me he’s that
much of a wuss.
(Nakago pulls in, allowing Kari to run and check in. TK gets
out as well, looking a bit concerned. Kari runs back out.)
Kari: Third. Not that I care anymore.
TK: I’m going to just wait here for them to come in. I have to apologize.
Kari: It’s not your fault. Heck, you might have saved his life.
TK: I mean about Nakago. I won’t feel better until I talk to Izzy and make sure he’s all right.
(An ambulance pulls into the parking lot, and a couple
medical-types get out, and wheel a stretcher out of the back.
Manny runs out to explain the situation.)
TK: Oh my God…
Manny: They should be coming in pretty soon. I’m not sure exactly what’s wrong with it, so just be ready and take care of this. I’ll bug you for the details later.
(Manny walks away. TK stops him.)
TK: What’s wrong?
Manny: Something happened with Izzy’s shoulder. He didn’t tell me about it and Mike didn’t report anything, so you can only guess. Mihoshi called us ahead of time… but she wasn’t sure what exactly was wrong with it. Good thing we had you kids sign those zero-liability forms!
(TK turns around, immediately distraught. Kari puts a hand on
his shoulder.)
Kari: TK?
TK: This is bad…
(TK turns back to Manny.)
TK: So are they out of the game or something?
Manny: That remains to be seen. We’re going to have to see how bad things are before making any decisions. Most likely, it’ll be up to Izzy, so you don’t get your free pass yet!
TK: (sotto) Who said I wanted one?
(The red car pulls in and the medics immediately go up to it.
Rika and Mihoshi get out, both look concerned as they work on
getting Izzy out safely.)
Rika: Mihoshi… you check in. I want to stay here.
Mihoshi: Oh… okay.
(Mihoshi runs past TK and Kari, who go up, trying to see him.
They can’t get around the medics to see him. After a bit,
they get Izzy on the stretcher and wheel him into the ambulance.
Rika climbs in as well. They’re about to shut the door, when
Mihoshi runs back out.)
Mihoshi: Wait, wait! I’m his teammate too!
(They let Mihoshi into the ambulance. TK and Kari contemplate
joining her, but Manny shuts the doors and the ambulance takes
off. This gets the attention of Mimi, Yolei, and Jessie G who
rush out to join a stunned TK and Kari.)
Mimi: What’s going on?
Kari: Something happened to Izzy…
Yolei: Oh no! What?
Jessie G: Is it his shoulder?
TK: Yeah. I think it might be my fault.
Kari: It was a bit bruised before, it just turned serious.
Jessie G: Huh. Well, you can’t but admire the guy for fighting through it. Just fought a little too hard.
(Jessie G. starts heading back in.)
Jessie G: And there’s nothing wrong with that!
(Inside the ambulance, Rika is a bit upset. Izzy’s just
buckled down, with a few splints on his arm, nothing major.)
Izzy: What’s wrong?
Rika: I don’t know… it just bugs me. How come you got hurt in that accident but I didn’t? I was on the right side.
Izzy: Oh, uh…
Rika: What?
Izzy: I kinda… shielded you from the blow a bit.
(Rika shakes her head, a bit angry.)
Rika: That's what I thought… I didn’t ask you to do that you know?
Mihoshi: I’m so sorry…
Izzy: Mihoshi, it’s not just because of the accident. It was a lot of things. Lifting the car up, holding Rika so she could help you out of the maze, the rappelling. TK’s little tackle was just kind of the straw that broke the camel’s… shoulder.
Rika: Izzy, I’m serious. I didn’t ask you to do that for me. I’m capable of…
Izzy: Don’t worry about it.
Rika: Why the hell shouldn’t I? I don’t need you going out and…
Izzy: Rika…
(Rika shuts up. Dramatic pause.)
Izzy: I’m your teammate. And I’m also a bit older than you. I don’t care how much you can do on your own, I still feel a bit responsible for you. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let you get hurt.
Rika: But I don’t need you…
Izzy: I said don’t worry about it. I feel better knowing that you’re safe.
Rika: Why do you care? We’re just teammates. Once this is over, things will just continue as normal and you’ll never see me or Mihoshi again.
Izzy: That’s true… I guess there’s a couple reasons why I did it.
(pause.)
Mihoshi: Like what?
Izzy: It’s… it’s too embarrassing.
Rika: Spill it, Izumi. You aren’t getting off the hook until you tell us.
Izzy: Well… this is the first time… the first time I felt like a leader. I’m not saying that I am or anything, but…
Mihoshi: But you are! You’ve always been the leader of this team.
Rika: I hate to say it but she’s right. There’s no way we could have gotten this far without you.
Izzy: Well… that’s true with all of us. You’ve done your share. So has Mihoshi.
Rika: What’s Mihoshi done?
Izzy: Uh… she can wrestle Chikorita, and she can suck gas.
Mihoshi: Hey, somebody had to do it!
(Izzy smiles.)
Rika: And the other reason?
Izzy: I don’t know… I’m… I’m an only child, and I never had any brothers or sisters to look after. This sounds kind of strange, but ever since we started this race together… it almost felt like I had a little sister that I was sworn to protect.
(Rika looks at him, not sure what to make of that. Izzy closes his eyes and sighs.)
Rika: Thanks.
(Rika leans back on the seat, immersed in thought. She mouths
the words- "little sister." Outside shot as the
ambulance pulls into the Las Vegas Hospital & Casino.)
Manny: (VO) After further examinations, it is determined that
Izzy has a separated shoulder. Despite the severity of the
injury, he and his teammates will be allowed to continue the
race, starting with a Roadkill Challenge against Hope &
Plight first thing tomorrow.
(Back to Tom in the studio.)
Tom: Well, nobody ever said crossing the country wasn’t
without its risks. Will a separated shoulder keep Brains &
Blondes away from the checkered flag? Will Hope & Plight be
able to survive each other after Nakago’s little stunt? Will
The Angels have enough navigation skills to get them through
End Episode Five
Next Time-
* Three teams make the final run to
* The final race to the finish line offers many challenges,
forcing all three from each team to step up in order to achieve
victory.
* It’s the freakin’ last episode… do you need any
more reasons to watch?!