The Anime-zing Race
Episode Nine
Author’s Notes
Times running out on this series, and so is my semester. This crunch is
unlike anything I’ve seen before, with a spot news story on an off-campus fire,
a term paper on Japanese literature, and a sports recap for the final newscast
of the semester. Needless to say, delays are quite possible. The next episode
is slowly moving along, and I’m going to try to have that ready on time. But
the finale may be delayed a week. It’s this kind of pressure that makes me
hesitant about doing a sequel.
Recap
(The blue flame glows bright on the black backdrop.)
Altena: (VO) Two maidens who reign over the heavens… cast aside in the vineyards like unripe grapes…
(Various recap of highlights from Episode Eight, showing the usual crap.)
Altena: (VO) As the down-trodden execute an act of pure desperation…
Ash: (VO) Brock was right. We need to do something
stupid. We need to take a chance on something. It’s first or last this time!
Altena: (VO) And as those who tame confront those who kill… the five trees grow stronger. But according to ritual, one tree must be struck down. And so it was for Kiyone and Mihoshi.
(Rapid shots of the four teams in various positions along the eight leg.)
Altena: (VO) Four trees remain standing. But the next phase of the Anime-zing Race is about to begin.
**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE
****
11 TEAMS OF 2:
TAKUYA & ZOE (The Digi-Destined-
Digimon) {ELIMINATED}
SAKURA & TOMOYO (The Best Friends- Cardcaptor Sakura) {ELIMINATED}
SPIKE & JET (The Bounty Hunters- Cowboy Bebop) {ELIMINATED}
ASH & BROCK (The Trainers- Pokémon)
AEKA & SASAMI (“Team Princess”- Tenchi Muyo) {ELIMINATED}
MISATO & RITSUKO (“The NERV Girls”- Evangelion) {ELIMINATED}
SYAORAN & MEILING (The Cousins- Cardcaptor Sakura)
TAKATO & HENRY (The Tamers- Digimon)
YUKINO & ARIMA (The Dating Couple- Kare Kano)
KIYONE & MIHOSHI (The Police Officers- Tenchi Muyo) {ELIMINATED}
GARY & SAMUEL (The Grandson/Grandfather- Pokémon) {ELIMINATED}
12 LEGS…
15 SERIES…
5 COUNTRIES, 2 PLANETS, 3 DIMENSIONS, AND A SPACE STATION…
**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE ****
Leg Nine
(It’s a little out of the way, but the conditions of the
old manor are very suitable to house the players. Altena
is outside, walking by the ruins.)
Altena: This is an ancient manor on the border of
France and Spain. Lost in time, the ideologies and truths of the world are
taught, hoping to breed the true Noir. This holy ground is the eight Pit Stop
in the race.
(Shot of an exhausted Takato and Henry arriving.)
Altena: Teams arrived for a much-needed twelve-hour rest that allows them to…
(Shot of Meiling and Yukino sleeping in the same room.)
Altena: (VO) They normally would eat and mingle, but the teams mostly slept.
(Altena stands in the ruins.)
Altena: And sleep they should, for when they awake, they will not know where their next destination lies. They must find each successive route marker by solving clues found in sealed envelopes.
(Shot of Ash and Brock celebrating their victory.)
Altena: (VO) Was Ash and Brock’s comeback a one-time fluke or the start of something bigger?
(Shot of Syaoran struggling during the last Road Block.)
Altena: (VO) And will Syaoran and Meiling’s problems continue now that they are in last place?
(Yukino and Arima
hug tightly after arriving at the Pit Stop.)
Altena: (VO) Yukino and Arima, who were the first to arrive at 3:11 a.m…
(And now, the two await their next order.)
Altena: (VO) Will depart at 3:11 p.m…
(Yukino rups
open the clue.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Dating Couple- First to Depart]
Yukino: Tired of the Moulin Rouge? Try Chicago- book
a flight to the Windy City and find the Chicago Police Department headquarters.
(Rapid shots of a car driving to the airport, a plane
taking off, then landing in Chicago. And with a new venue comes a new host-
detective Roy Coleman.)
Roy: (VO) Teams will still have access to their own cars. They must take them
to an airport and fly to Chicago, Illinois. Once in the U.S., they must find
the route marker outside the Chicago Police Department downtown.
(Yukino and Arima make the run back to their vehicle. Yukino already has a map out.)
Yukino: Let’s just start driving! By the time we get to the main road, I’ll figure out where to go.
(They get in their car and take off. Inside the car, they’re both feeling pretty good. Yukino continues to check the map.)
Arima: (VO) The last leg took a lot out of every team. Everybody was completely spent when they checked in. I think that’s going to really help us out, because we’re both so involved with extracurriculars at school that we’re used to the stress. We know how to handle it. We’re also coming out of it on top, which is a huge boost for us.
(Brock counts the money as Ash looks over the clue. The
currency of choice this time is U.S. greenbacks.)
[ASH & BROCK- Pokémon Trainers- 2nd to Depart]
Brock: Good.
(The two walk out of the church. Both have their spirits high.)
Ash: (VO) We’re feeling really good. There were a few legs when I really started to wonder if we still deserved to be in the race. But after what we did to get ahead of the other teams, I think we’re ready to show everybody what we can accomplish. It’s a shame we didn’t finish first, but if we keep combining smart decisions and stupid risks, we’ll get up there soon enough.
(On the road, Yukino & Arima reach a highway.)
Arima: Well, what’s the call?
Yukino: Go east. That’s a right turn. There’s an airport in Perpignan. I doubt it goes to Chicago, but it should get us to Paris.
(Arima makes the turn.)
(While the first two teams seem to have plenty of gas in
the tank, Syaoran & Meiling are running on empty.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- 3rd to Depart]
Syaoran: Chicago.
Meiling: Let’s hope it’s a quiet plane ride.
(They walk out, a bit lethargic.)
Meiling: The first half of the race was fine. We were taking things pretty well. But it feels like we ran into a wall last time. Syaoran was stuck on that Road Block forever, and I think he got very frustrated about it. And then we had that long car ride, when we had to stay awake. I hope we get a lot of sleep on the plane, because we can’t take much more of this.
(They reach the edge and hop into the car.)
Wei: Good afternoon Master Syaoran. Where are we going today?
Syaoran: We’re still trying to figure that out. We’re looking for the nearest airport.
(They keep looking.)
Syaoran: (VO) The biggest problem right now is that
we’re all exhausted. We’re the youngest team left in the race, and we get tired
really easily. There are times that we don’t think we can go anymore, but
knowing that we’ve got this far keeps us going. Because if we aren’t going to
win, why did we go through all this trouble?
(Takato and Henry are the last team to take off. Both are
about as tired as the Li’s.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Digimon Tamers- Last to Depart, 43 Minute Penalty]
Takato: Book a flight to the Windy City and find the Chicago Police Department
headquarters.
Henry: Let’s get a move on…
(They walk out of the church and into their next adventure.)
Henry: (VO) We ended up starting after Syaoran &
Meiling. I must have dozed off during the last trip because we got a time
penalty for sleeping.
(Shot of Roy standing in front of the Chicago PD.)
Roy: Takato and Henry, who arrived in third place, are now leaving the Pit Stop
last due a driving penalty in the last leg.
(Shot of Janyuu driving in the previous leg, while Takato is asleep in the backseat. Henry begins to nod off.)
Roy: (VO) Teams who require an adult driver must keep one member awake at all times. At one point in the last leg, both Takato and Henry were asleep. They’ll receive a 43 minute penalty.
(Ash and Brock are on the highway. Brock is reading a map upside-down in the backseat while Ash does all the navigating. Delia is quietly going insane, but hiding it well.)
Ash: So do we want to do something crazy now or later?
Brock: What’s the sense in doing something crazy now? We’re not in last.
Ash: Oh yeah. I have to get used to that.
Brock: Best plan right now is to stay on Yukino’s rear.
(Ash shakes his head.)
Brock: What?
Ash: We’re trying to plan a strategy and all you can think about is Yukino’s rear.
Brock: It’s a nice rear. Haven’t you noticed?
Delia: Brock, do you have to discuss this when I’m here?
Brock: I’m sorry Miss K…
(Ash is nodding, happy his mother stepped in.)
Brock: Your rear’s still nicer.
(Ash turns so quickly back towards Brock it gives him a neck spasm.)
Delia: Thank you!
(Ash face faults.)
Ash: Mom!!
(Takato and Henry pull out. Takato has his nose in a map.)
Takato: Do you really think we’ll catch up at the airport?
Henry: Don’t we always?
Takato: I don’t know. How often are flights to Paris from here?
Henry: Look, if we don’t catch up in Perpig-whatever, we’ll catch up in Paris.
(Montage of the teams driving. Naturally, the first place team is the first team at Perpignan, which probably doesn’t have that big of an airport. They pass a parking gate. Arima pays and they park the car and run into the airport.)
Yukino: Shame we have to pay for parking when we’ll never see that car again.
Arima: Worry about it later, let’s get to a desk.
(They run up to an Air France desk and using Yukino’s very limited French, are able to at least get the message across that they need to get to Paris.)
Arima: Ask her about Chicago.
Yukino: Um… Chicago?
(The clerk is at full attention, but isn’t sure what she means. Arima grabs a sheet of paper from a stand, and using a pen, writes “Perpignan > Paris > Chicago” on the paper and shows it to the clerk. The clerk nods.)
Clerk: Quand?
Arima: Quand?
Yukino: When do we want to go?
Arima: Hm… what’s French for “ASAP?”
(Despite their problems, they do manage to get on a flight. They walk away with tickets in hand.)
Yukino: Shoot… it doesn’t take off until 7:45 tomorrow morning.
Arima: Well, maybe the others won’t be able to get tickets. Remember, they don’t speak French like we do.
(Ash and Brock are the next to arrive. Instead of parking in the parking garage, they park at a nearby hotel and run.)
Ash: Are you sure about this?
Brock: They just said we had to park the cars… they didn’t say where!
Ash: But what if it gets towed?
Brock: Then hope your Mom won’t disown you!
(They really struggle at the airport, but they too work it out and get tickets.)
(Syaoran & Meiling arrive. They stumble back after getting their tickets. Meiling is drinking bottled water.)
Meiling: 7:45? I don’t think I can make it until then…
Syaoran: We’ll get by… eventually…
(Ash decides to seize the opportunity and catch them in a weakened state.)
Ash: Look, I know you’re tired, but this has gone on long enough. I don’t want us to be enemies. But the longer you keep holding onto that packet, the…
(Meiling didn’t even make eye-contact, she simply flips the bottle towards him, sending enough water his way to turn him into an ox. Oxy-boy storms back to Brock as Meiling continues drinking.)
Meiling: So what’s the plan?
Syaoran: We’ve got awhile before the flight leaves, so…
(They look over at Arima, who was sitting on a bench. He stands up and holds his arms out.)
Arima: This one’s reserved.
Meiling: You mean we gotta sleep here?
Syaoran: Doesn’t look like we have many other choices. I don’t think we should spend our money on a hotel room.
(It’s a bit later before Takato and Henry arrive. Both are showing signs of stress, but they are awake.)
Takato: Well, we caught up, that’s nice.
(Takato yawns.)
Henry: Tired?
Takato: I’ll be fine. But the plane takes off tomorrow morning? Maybe we should get a hotel for the night.
Henry: A hotel? Are you kidding? We don’t have that kind of money to throw around.
Takato: No euros left?
Henry: That’s not the problem. We did well last time. We’re under budget, but I’d like to stay that way.
Takato: Well I’d rather get a good night’s sleep than worry about money.
Henry: You really want to take a shot at it?
Takato: Well yeah. We saved money in Paris; we can save money in Chicago.
Henry: Actually, I have an idea. Hold on…
(Henry heads over to Syaoran and Meiling. They’re both sitting on a bench, and both extend their arms.)
Syaoran / Meiling: This one’s reserved.
Henry: No no… actually I was wondering if you guys wanted to split a hotel room.
Syaoran: What do you mean?
(Henry kneels down to speak at eye level.)
Henry: Well, you guys look as exhausted as us. Instead of collapsing in Chicago, maybe we can get a good night’s sleep now. Then we can maybe keep up with Yukino and Arima.
Meiling: You’re not asking for an alliance, are you?
Henry: No. I just figured that since we have the same problem, we can work together for the solution.
Meiling: Well, I’m also kind of hungry. Can we discuss this over a nice hot meal?
Henry: Actually, if we go together on this, why don’t we order something over there? I mean, the food here’s so damn expensive that if we split a pizza or something we’re saving money right there.
Syaoran: What do you think, Mei?
Meiling: Why the hell not? Better than sleeping on this bench. Who drives?
Henry: Hopefully Dad’s still around.
(Meiling stands up.)
Meiling: Great, let’s go.
(Janyuu drives the four of them out of there. They are seen booking a room, checking in, and having a pizza delivered.)
Takato: (VO) Sharing a room with the cousins was great. We haven’t been in as nice a place since Kyoto, and it was half the normal cost! There was a lady there that we could actually talk to, and she ordered our food, and arranged our room. It was a great idea. Hopefully we’ll be a lot more rested now than the other teams.
(It’s not really late at night, maybe around nine, but Takato and Meiling have already checked out. Henry and Syaoran are finishing up the pizza, chatting quietly.)
Henry: You know for cousins, you two get along pretty well.
(Syaoran misinterprets.)
Syaoran: But what about for fiancés?
Henry: Fiancés?
Syaoran: She keeps saying we’re engaged. That she’s my bride. I guess it’s gone so far that everybody’s pretty much come to believe it.
(Henry is surprised.)
Henry: That’s… certainly strange. Is it an arranged marriage?
Syaoran: Sort of. Mei arranged it. Everybody else pretty much went along… including me I guess.
Henry: Well, do you want to marry her?
(Syaoran shrugs.)
Syaoran: Dunno. Never really considered it.
Henry: Then that should be a no. I know we’re pretty young to be thinking about this kind of stuff, but I always got the impression that marriage is something that both active parties agree to. If you don’t want to, then…
Syaoran: I never said I didn’t want to. I haven’t said that to anybody. Not you, not her… I just never said I wanted to either. I’m getting dragged through all this, but since I don’t really care either way, I guess I don’t seem to mind.
Henry: Well, how do you feel about her?
Syaoran: I still care about Mei a lot. I want to protect her. She’s been with me for much of my life and I feel that she is a part of me. But it’s just that… that…
Henry: That you’d still like a say in all of this.
(Syaoran nods slowly. Henry pauses before speaking.)
Henry: You know my advice?
Syaoran: What?
Henry: Find something to say… then say it.
(Syaoran seems to understand, and nods.)
Henry: Well, I’m ready to crash.
Syaoran: But there’s still pizza left.
Henry: Yeah. Healthy breakfast.
(Both climb into bed, careful not to disturb their teammates. But Meiling turns around anyway and clutches Syaoran.)
Meiling: Syaoran…
(At the airport, Brock is tossing around on a bench. He opens his eyes and sits up.)
Brock: The least they could do is turn the lights off. How are you holding up Ash?
(Brock looks down. Ash is still an ox, and is curled up on the floor, sleeping peacefully.)
Brock: Times like these, I don’t know why you complain.
(He looks up, and is surprised to see Yukino jogging by. He quickly hops up and joins her.)
Brock: Going my way?
Yukino: What are you doing?
Brock: Just thought I’d keep you company.
Yukino: Can’t sleep?
Brock: Can’t you?
Yukino: I’d rather not. I got a few hours at the Pit Stop and I’ll get more on the plane. I’m used to sleep deprivation. I’m not used to sleeping in airports.
Brock: I just wish they’d cut the lights. If it wasn’t so cold, I’d sleep outside.
Yukino: I don’t see any point in sleeping too much. Our sleeping habits are messed up enough as it is. I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever slept until two before.
Brock: And yet, we’re still tired. Exhausting race, isn’t it?
Yukino: Yeah, but it’s worth it in the end if we end up on top.
(Yukino jogs by. Brock gives up and watches her continue along.)
Yukino: I’m dedicated
to maintaining a perfect image at school. Needless to say, that takes a lot of
time and energy. Getting up early and going to bed late are second nature. And
as long as I can squeeze some relaxation time in there, it doesn’t bother me.
Tonight’s almost relaxing in a way. Then I can get a good day’s rest on the
plane and be ready for Chicago.
(The next day, Takato & Henry and Syaoran & Meiling get back in plenty of time. Yukino ended up falling asleep on a bench anyway, and Arima wakes her up. Ash reverts to human form. They all board the plane bound for Paris. It takes off. The map makes it perfectly clear that they’re flying from the southern dot labeled Perpignan to the northern dot labeled Paris. After some filler shots of them on the plane, they land in Paris. They all rush out and race to catch a plane at a different terminal. They make it without incident. After the uneventful transfer, the second plane departs and the four teams are on their way to Chicago.)
(Yukino is asleep. Arima is reading a section of a guide book.)
Arima: Yukino? I was thinking we should…
(Arima looks over and sees her. He smiles and strokes her hair.)
Arima: Never mind.
(Meanwhile, Takato and Henry are looking at a map of Chicago.)
Henry: You know, maybe there’s something cheaper than taxis.
Takato: Like what? The subway?
Henry: Yeah. I mean, how much slower can it be? Even if it stops every five minutes, we won’t have to worry about traffic.
Takato: But what runs to the police station?
(Henry flips over the map.)
Henry: Well, there’s a map right here. Let’s find out what we have available.
(After looking for awhile, Takato shakes his head.)
Takato: This line from the airport doesn’t run anywhere near the police station.
Henry: No… but we can transfer right here. This will get us close.
Takato: Cool! I didn’t even see that.
(They continue to plan further.)
Henry: (VO) We’re all squared up. We want to be ready
when we get there. And if the subways end up being faster than taxis, it’s a
huge boost for us. We know exactly where we’re going. Which stations to get off
at. Let’s hope it works.
(Brock is counting money.)
Brock: Shoot.
Ash: Running low again?
Brock: Yeah. Good thing they don’t have bullet trains in Chicago.
Ash: But they do have taxis. This place is on the opposite end of town. That won’t be cheap.
Brock: Want to risk taking the subway? It’s a fixed payment.
Ash: Yeah. That’s a good idea.
Brock: We’ll just have to figure out where the best place to get off is.
(Ash leans back and relaxes.)
Ash: We can do that when we get there.
(They arrive at O’Hare. Syaoran & Meiling and Yukino & Arima follow the typical routine of finding the taxi service. Takato & Henry, however, look for a train line. Ash & Brock, not quite sure who to talk to, see Takato & Henry and follow them. They both get on the same train and it takes off… away from the city.)
Ash: Uh… aren’t we supposed to be going into the city?
Henry: Aren’t we?
Ash: It… it looks like we’re going to the airport.
Henry: We are going to the airport. We need to take this train to a different terminal to get to the subway line.
Ash: Oh…
(Taxi battle! Yukino and Arima simply run faster, and therefore get the first taxi.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Currently in First Place]
Yukino: Police department! Downtown!
(The cab driver makes way for the freeway.)
(Syaoran and Meiling are seated in back as the cab stays
on Yukino & Arima’s
tail.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Currently in 2nd Place]
Meiling: That’s good. Just tail them.
Syaoran: They probably have a better idea of where we’re going anyway.
(At the airport, the shuttle drops the other two teams off at the L-Train station. The teams wait for the next train.)
Ash: This is taking forever…
(Ash turns to Takato and Henry.)
Ash: You guys out of money too?
Takato: No… we think this is going to be faster.
Ash: Really?
(The train finally arrives and they are off. They seem to be going no faster than the cars outside as it follows the highway into town. Takato and Henry start to get worried.)
Brock: You were saying?
(Yukino & Arima continue to cruise down the Kennedy Expressway as the taxi guy flies.)
Yukino: So far, so good.
(Arima’s looking at a clock on the dashboard.)
Arima: There’s just one problem…
Yukino: What?
Arima: Rush hour.
(They quickly discover that traffic is backed up like crazy.)
Yukino: Crap!
(Both they and Syaoran and Meiling end up slowing down on
the interstate.)
Yukino: For a long time, the traffic was
awful on the interstate. We weren’t too worried, since we figured everybody was
all together.
(Meanwhile, the train just keeps on buzzing through various stops. The train travels down the median of the highway. Eventually, it settles at one stop, where Syaoran and Meiling are moving slowly in the left lane. Ash and Brock wave at them. Amazingly enough they get their attention just long enough to look smug as they go soaring by. Takato and Henry look on at them disapprovingly.)
(Meanwhile, Syaoran and Meiling aren’t happy at all.)
Meiling: Shoot- maybe the train was faster!
Syaoran: We weren’t thinking much about it. Maybe we should switch?
Meiling: How?
Syaoran: Well, let’s get off at the next exit that has a station.
Meiling: You try explaining that to the driver.
(Syaoran leans forward and talks to the driver.)
Syaoran: (VO) The subway clearly was the best way to
go. The cab was expensive, and took a long time to get through the traffic. In
the subway, it’s a one time payment and gets you to almost any point in the
city.
(They get off at the next exit and get out at the station. They buy the ticket and consult the intimidating map of all the train lines in the city.)
Meiling: How the hell are we supposed to find the station from here?
Syaoran: Maybe we should find the station first on our map.
(Syaoran is about to pull out the map, when Meiling stops him.)
Meiling: Nope! Too late for that, we have a train to catch.
Syaoran: Damn.
(They get on the train and take off into the city.)
(The lead train passes Yukino & Arima and continues into the subway. While Ash and Brock are busy trying to analyze the map on the train, Takato & Henry are calmly waiting. Every so often, Takato will glance at the map.)
Takato: So which one do we get off?
Henry: Right up here.
(Ash notices this, and he and Brock watch as the Tamers exit at a stop.)
Ash: C’mon Brock, this must be it!
(Ash and Brock just barely make it off. Again, Takato and Henry are a little annoyed.)
Henry: You didn’t know this was the stop?
(Ash rubs the back of his head.)
Ash: Uh… sure we did?
(Henry shakes his head.)
Takato: Well, then you should definitely know where we go next, right?
Ash: Of course!
(Ash leads the way up to an escalator. Henry shakes his head. He and Takato run to an underground passage.)
Ash: Wa?
Brock: Where are they going?
(They chase after Takato and Henry. Although Takato and Henry get to the other side, a second train station, much quicker, there wasn’t a train waiting for them. Ash and Brock catch up.)
Ash: What was that?
(Henry sighs.)
Henry: Right now, we’re downtown, under the Loop.
Brock: Yeah?
(Takato is also getting annoyed.)
Takato: Don’t you know where the police station is?
Brock: Yeah. It’s south of here.
Henry: Then why were you going up? This station lets us transfer to a different subway line for free. This line goes straight south, so we can take this to the stop nearest HQ.
(Ash takes it all in, then nods.)
Ash: We knew that.
Takato / Henry: NO YOU DIDN’T!!
(They wait for a southbound train to arrive. The two teams don’t speak during the wait.)
Takato: (VO) We planned this out very well on the trip. The map we had had the subway lines on it, and we knew exactly where to transfer and where to get off. But Ash & Brock didn’t have a clue! They just followed us the whole way, and knowing their luck they’re going to sneak ahead of us in the end. It’s really aggravating.
(Meanwhile, traffic has mercifully cleared up a little as Yukino & Arima are nearing exits to go downtown. This allows the driver to weave between cars a little more freely. Arima is following the trip on a map.)
Yukino: Do you know the best way to get there?
Driver: Police headquarters? Oh boy, I’ve been there before! It’s like a second home!
(Yukino and Arima look at each other, a little frightened.)
Driver: It’s a little further. We get off on Roosevelt.
(Syaoran & Meiling are still trying to figure out where the heck to go. They end up going past the exit the first two teams got off. When the train makes an abrupt turn and starts to go west, Syaoran gets concerned.)
Syaoran: Mei… I don’t like where this goes.
Meiling: Where are we going now?
Syaoran: Back out of town. I think we should get off.
Meiling: Right, Syaoran.
(They get off at the next stop and consult their map.)
Meiling: I bet now would be a good time to go up and get a taxi.
Syaoran: Yeah.
(Takato & Henry and Ash & Brock are on a train. At
least Ash & Brock know where to get off this time, as both get ready to
exit at the Roosevelt Street station. As soon as the doors open, both teams
break into a run, either dodging or running through people. Living in the big
city, Takato & Henry are used to such things, and they take an early lead.
Both teams run up the escalator and into the streets. They both head north a
block and reach the police station. Takato and Henry are barely in the lead as
they reach the route marker.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in First Place]
Takato: Head inside HQ and use the police computers to find the address for the
Gunsmith Cats gun shop. The route marker is outside their store.
Henry: No sweat.
(They run into the station as Ash & Brock reach the clue.)
(GSC confidante Becky Farrah is
typing at a computer. She turns to the camera.)
Becky: Teams will have limited access to the police computers. Since my girls
Rally and May deal with the cops frequently, their gun shop, Gunsmith Cats, is
in the online files. Each team must find the address, and then use it to reach
the route marker outside the shop.
(Henry sits down at a computer, cracks his knuckles and goes to work.)
Takato: How long do you think this should take?
Henry: (smug) Takato, by the time Brash gets here, I’ll have the address, the directions for it and the spam cleared out of my Hotmail account.
(Henry types in any necessary details. It doesn’t take him long to retrieve the information. He prints it out.)
Henry: Got it.
Takato: Not checking your e-mail?
(Henry smiles. They run out as Ash and Brock run in. Ash sits down.)
Ash: This shouldn’t be too hard…
(Ash pushes a button and gets the blue screen of death.)
Ash: I, uh… don’t suppose you have any computer experience?
Brock: What’s a computer?
(They take a little longer, but get the address. They run
out and hail a cab. One pulls over and they get in.)
[ASH & BROCK- Currently in 2nd Place]
Ash: Can you get us there?
Driver: Sure thing.
(Syaoran and Meiling are in a cab, heading to the station.)
Syaoran: How much further?
Driver: We’re almost there.
Meiling: You said that ten minutes ago!
(Yukino & Arima’s cab finally pulls into the station. Yukino haggles with the driver about the price as Arima unloads everything. Yukino
finally gets a slight discount from it and they hit the route marker.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Currently in 3rd Place]
Arima: Find the address…
Yukino: Cool.
(They rush in and get on the computers as Syaoran and Meiling arrive outside. They get the clue and hit the terminals. Yukino and Arima find the location.)
Arima: Got it!
(Yukino writes it down and they run out. Syaoran looks over, then back at Meiling.)
Syaoran: Mei, I found it. Go outside and hail a cab while I print this out.
Meiling: Right! I’ll take your bag!
Syaoran: Thanks!
(She grabs Syaoran’s bag and rushes out as Syaoran waits for it to print.)
Syaoran: C’mon…
(Outside, Yukino and Arima put their bags in one cab while Meiling runs out and immediately catches another one. She puts both bags in the back of the cab as Yukino and Arima drive off in theirs. Meiling walks up to the driver as Syaoran runs out with a sheet of paper.)
Meiling: Follow them, okay!
(Meiling hops in as Syaoran enters immediately. The cab takes off after Yukino & Arima. Syaoran leans his head against the back of the seat.)
Syaoran: Last place… the chase is on…
(They watch as Yukino & Arima are quickly in their view.)
Meiling: (VO) The Tamers must have taken the subway too because it was basically us against Yukino and Arima trying to avoid last.
(The cabs rip their way through the downtown area. Ash and Brock are really enjoying the ride.)
Brock: Well, scenic downtown Chicago at forty miles an hour.
Ash: (in awe) No kidding… driver, can you go faster?
(The cab picks up even more speed.)
Brock: Nice…
(Ash and Brock high-five.)
(Despite Brash’s boost of speed, Takato and Henry are still the first to reach the route marker outside the Gunsmith Cats store. The overhead sign clearly read “Gunsmith Cat” to start out with, but a makeshift “s” has been added to make it plural. Takato takes the clue.)
Takato: Detour- Guns or Grenades.
Henry: (sotto) This sounds like fun…
(Noir’s US branch, bounty hunters Rally Vincent and Minnie
May Hopkins, are inside their shop.)
Rally: A Detour’s a choice between two tasks- each with its own pros and cons.
Minnie May: And in this Detour, teams will need to choose the specialty weapon for either Rally or me.
Rally: Guns…
Minnie May: …or Grenades.
(Shot of a shooting range, and a target on the other end.)
Rally: (VO) In Guns, teams must walk a short distance to the shop’s shooting
range nearby. Using semi-automatic handguns, teams will need to fire at a
marked target on the other end. Depending on where they hit the target, teams
earn points for each shot. Between both team members, they’ll need to hit 1,000
points before I give them the clue. The weapons are pretty easy for amateurs to
handle, but it’ll take awhile for them to get the points needed anyway.
(Shot of an abandoned warehouse.)
Minnie May: (VO) In Grenades, teams will take a cab to a sleazy warehouse that a bunch of gun-runners occupied before Rally and I took care of them. They’ll have to lob grenades and destroy a target from a distance. It’ll take a bit of skill to hit the target effectively, but if their throwing arm’s in shape, they’ll be done a lot sooner.
(Takato and Henry finish reading the clue.)
Henry: Let’s take Guns. I mean, it’s right here.
Takato: Yeah.
(They rush in to meet Rally in the range. She greets them, and briefs them on the safety issues before giving them equipment. Along with a gun and a whole mess of bullets, they also get earplugs and goggles. Rally sits down to watch them. Takato is really nervous, while Henry is trying to stay calm. Takato aims and fires once. He is forced back a little because of the kick. Rally shakes her head, she’s not amused.)
----
(Ash and Brock reach the store. Brock is looking over the Detour clue.)
Brock: Well, I guess it would be best to stay here.
(Ash is as deep in thought as Ash gets.)
Ash: Let’s do the grenades!
Brock: But we have to make another trip.
Ash: Doesn’t matter! Let’s go!
Brock: Fine, I guess…
(They get into a cab and drive off.)
(Back at the range, Takato is still struggling. Henry seems to be doing okay. They finish a round and the target zooms over to them. Rally takes it to total up their score.)
Takato: This is hard.
Henry: No it isn’t. You just have to calm down. Don’t aim so much. Just get it in the general direction and shoot. You can’t hit the bullseye every time.
Rally: Not bad, Henry. 148 this round.
Henry: So we’re up to about 300.
Takato: This is going to take forever…
Takato: I guess I’m not a gun person. We really
struggled in that Detour for awhile.
(Yukino turns around and sees a second cab trailing them.)
Yukino: Arima? I think the cousins are following us.
(Arima looks back.)
Arima: How do you know?
Yukino: Since when have they been able to read a map?
(Arima consults his map.)
Arima: Should we try to lose them?
Yukino: Just don’t get too out of the way.
Arima: Right.
(Arima works with the cab driver. The cab hangs a sudden right.)
(Syaoran and Meiling are surprised at the move.)
Meiling: What the heck?
Syaoran: Let’s follow them for now.
Meiling: You sure?
Syaoran: I don’t know. This doesn’t seem right, but maybe they know a shortcut.
(They make the turn as well.)
(Inside the cab, Yukino smiles.)
Yukino: Yep. They’re following us.
Arima: Well, how about some evasive maneuvers?
Yukino: Let’s shake them.
(They make a second right turn. Syaoran & Meiling follow them.)
(In Syaoran & Meiling’s cab, they see the cab ahead make a left turn this time.)
Meiling: I think they’re trying to shake us.
Syaoran: I know that.
(Syaoran cracks a faint smile.)
Syaoran: I’m counting on it.
Meiling: What are we going to do?
Syaoran: Let them shake us.
(Another left turn.)
Syoaran: Follow them.
(They both hit a light. Yukino and Arima are ready to turn left.)
Meiling: Are we just going to keep following them?
Syaoran: Not anymore. Go straight.
(Yukino and Arima make the turn while Syaoran and Meiling go straight.)
(Yukino & Arima notice that they’re gone. Arima sits back.)
Arima: Okay. Now we just head back to the street we were on before and go right.
Yukino: Knowing those two, they’ll drive right into Lake Michigan.
(At the warehouse, Ash & Brock walk in and are greeted by Minnie May.)
Minnie May: Well, ready to have some fun?
Ash: What’s your definition of fun?
(Minnie May opens up her jacket, revealing the mess of bombs strapped on the inside.)
Brock: That’s… fun?
Minnie May: Yep. The target is that box over there. Land one on top of the box and the whole thing blows. The clue’s inside. And I’ve got plenty of grenades, too.
(Ash smiles.)
Ash: No problem! Give it here.
(Minnie May demonstrates the proper technique and hands it over.)
Ash: Alright… now watch this…
(Ash winds up and in true pokéball style, winds up.)
Minnie May: I think I’ll just stand… over here.
(She takes cover as Ash twists his cap back and throws it… well past the box and off the back wall. Part of the wall is blown away, but the box is intact. Minnie May stands up.)
Minnie May: Not quite.
Brock: My turn.
(Brock also winds up and throws, just without the flair. It’s a little hard, and goes just past the box. The explosion rattles the box a little, but it’s left standing.)
Minnie May: Close but not quite.
Ash: I thought close counted in hand grenades!
(Minnie May sweatdrops.)
Ash: Okay… this time for sure… hand grenade… GO!
(Ash winds up and throws once more. This time, he nails it and the top of the box blows up completely, with the sides falling over as a result. Ash pumps a fist as Brock runs up to the remnants of the box. The clue is inside. Brock opens it.)
Brock: Head to the Field Museum on Lake Shore Drive.
Ash: Alright!
Brock: Nice throw Ash!
(Brock takes a moment to shake Minnie May’s hand.)
Brock: Next time I’m in Chicago, I’ll look you up.
(They run out and get a cab.)
(Rapid shots along Lake Shore Drive going to the Field
Museum, as featured in the climactic scene of the series.)
Becky: Teams must take a cab to the Field Museum between Grant Park and Soldier
Field. The route marker is on the steps on the north side.
(Syaoran and Meiling reach a street.)
Syaoran: Left up here.
(The cab turns left.)
Meiling: I don’t think they had much faith in us.
(Meiling smiles. They reach the shop in no time. Syaoran
runs up and gets the envelope.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- 3rd at Detour]
Syaoran: Grenades- throw grenades until a target is destroyed.
Meiling: Let’s do that! One throw, no problem!
Syaoran: Right.
(They get into a cab.)
Syaoran: (VO) We had a lot of confidence when we picked
the Detour. We could be done a lot faster since we really only have to make one
throw.
(Yukino & Arima reach the Detour minutes after Syaoran &
Meiling.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Last at Detour]
Arima: If we shoot, we stay right here.
Yukino: Yeah, let’s do that.
(They head inside. Both Takato and Henry have really relaxed and are firing calmly. As Rally briefs Yukino & Arima, Takato and Henry finish a round and the target flies back.)
Rally: Hold on a second…
(Rally takes Takato’s target and looks at it. Everything is dead center. Even Rally is surprised.)
Rally: Jeez…
Takato: Did we get enough or do I have to go again?
Rally: No… that’s enough.
(Takato flips the gun around and grabs it by the barrel. He holds it towards Rally. Rally takes it and gives him the clue.)
Takato: Head to the…
Henry: Hold on, Takato. Let’s go.
(They leave and take the card outside so Yukino and Arima can’t hear.)
Rally: Okay… now that those two are gone… your turn!
Yukino: Swell.
(Yukino and Arima each take a gun.)
Arima: Okay… calm my nerves and…
Yukino: Fire!
(Both fire at the target. After a round, Rally retrieves the target.)
Rally: Damn… for a country without guns, you Japanese kids can shoot.
Arima: You should have seen the girls we saw in Paris.
Rally: You mean Noir? You actually saw them?
Yukino: No… but we saw their handiwork.
(Yukino takes aim at another target and starts shooting.)
(Syaoran and Meiling arrive at the warehouse. They get the instructions from Minnie May and alternate throws. Each take about three shots, but nothing lands on top of the box.)
Meiling: Damn! Why aren’t we hitting it?
Minnie May: Well, it could be because you’re throwing like crap, but that’s just a guess.
(Yukino and Arima finish up pretty easily. Rally shakes her head.)
Rally: I don’t know how you did that so fast.
Arima: We practice archery in school. It’s pretty much the same concept- ready, aim, fire.
Rally: (disbelieving) Sure it is…
(Yukino takes the envelope from Rally and opens it.)
Yukino: Head to the Field Museum on Lake Shore Drive.
Arima: Do you know where that is?
Rally: Lake Shore Drive? Hmm… why don’t you try the lake shore?
Arima: Good call.
(They rush out.)
Arima: Honestly, we were as surprised as she was to be so effective during the Detour. I guess we were pretty focused. I feel like I’m more relaxed now than I was before, which is a great attitude when we’re this close to reaching the end.
(Ash and Brock have figured out the lake shore connection and pass by Buckingham Fountain en route to the Field Museum. They are the first to arrive at its steps. Brock opens the envelope.)
Brock: Road Block. This person must be evasive.
Ash: Mine.
(Becky is standing in front of the Field Museum.)
Becky: A Road Block is a task that only one person may perform. In this Road
Block, that person must find and retrieve the clue from somewhere inside the
museum. However, there’s just one small problem.
(Shot of ATF agent Bill Collins roaming inside.)
Becky: (VO) Government slimeball Bill Collins is inside with a laser gun. The players will be wearing sensors that will beep if Bill hits them. If hit, the player must drop the clue if they have it and head to the museum’s lobby in order to reset the sensors.
(Ash goes inside and is strapped in by Officer Kate.)
Kate: Both Bill and the clues are on the second floor.
(Kate leads Ash on his way, slapping him on the butt.)
Kate: Good luck!
(Ash looks back at her oddly, but runs inside. He cautiously makes his way up to the second floor. He creeps along the hallway to find the clues. He sees them, smiles, and runs towards them. He rounds one corner, and is shot instantly by Bill. Bill steps out and smiles.)
Bill: Now that was a little too easy, don’t you think?
(Ash grumbles a little and goes back down to reset.)
(Finally, Syaoran manages to connect. His grenade lands cleanly on top of the box, blowing it to smithereens.)
Meiling: It’s about freaking time!
(They run up and get to the clue inside)
Meiling: Head to the Field Museum on Lake Shore Drive.
(They get going.)
Meiling: (VO) The Detour really sucked. The box was really far away, and we couldn’t hit anything! Normally we wouldn’t have a problem with it, but we’re still really fatigue from it all. We’re not up to par with our normal abilities.
(Takato and Henry arrive at the Road Block.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- 2nd at Road Block]
Henry: Road Block.
Takato: Hey, seeing as how you took the last two, maybe I should do this one.
Henry: Yeah. Good idea. This one’s more up your alley anyway.
(Takato smiles and takes it.)
Takato: Ooh… laser tag.
(Takato runs into the museum and gets fitted.)
(Yukino and Arima are on Lake Shore Drive, enjoying the view of the lake.)
Arima: Impressive.
Yukino: I can almost feel the wind just looking at it.
(They sit back down. Yukino looks around and notice that everybody’s passing them.)
Yukino: Um… you know. We’re in a hurry? Could you go a little faster?
(No response.)
Arima: You know, we are in a race.
(No response again. The cab goes a little faster, but not as fast as the cars cruising past them at 70 per.)
Yukino: I don’t like this at all…
----
(Back inside the Field Museum, Ash is hiding out on the stairs, watching Bill pace back and forth. Takato joins Ash.)
Takato: Problems?
Ash: You can say that again.
Takato: Well… let’s see what we have to work with.
Ash: Your funeral.
(They stand up.)
Takato: Where are the clues?
Ash: Down the hall.
Takato: Perfect!
(Takato starts running towards them. Bill sees him and fires, but Takato dodges out of the way. Ash takes the clue and runs as well. Bill allows Takato past him for a second and takes out Ash a second time. Then he turns around and sets his sights on Takato. Takato, meanwhile, has already secured an envelope.)
Takato: Alright… now to get downstairs.
(Takato decides that the best way is to go the other direction and take the long way around. However, Bill continues to give chase. Takato dodges pot shots, and chances to look back. Bill is positioning himself so he has an easy shot to the descending stairs. Takato motions towards them, then quickly changes directions and runs up the stairs to the floor above. Bill chases him up the stairs. Takato continues to run through the third floor as Bill continues to chase him.)
(Down a floor, Ash is ready for take three. With Bill occupied upstairs, Ash seizes the opportunity and gets his own clue. After checking to make sure, he runs to the staircase.)
(Takato continues to employ the same technique- drawing him around the museum. He forces Bill to chase him around, until he reaches the stairs again. He hops over the railing and lands on his feet on the steps. He charges downward. Bill quickly runs around and chases him. The chase continues, until Takato sees Ash beginning the run downstairs.)
Takato: Ash! Get down!!
(Ash turns back suddenly.)
Ash: Wa??
(Ash doesn’t have time to duck, but Takato uses his momentum and jumps off the third step. Takato gets over Ash, and lands right behind him.)
Bill: (OS) Could you stop running away and let me kill you??
(As soon as Bill turns the staircase, he fires. It hits… Ash.)
Ash: But… hey, come on!!
(Takato continues running down the stairs. By now, he can’t be caught.)
(Outside, it’s a decidedly different tone, as Brock and
Henry are quietly cheering their teammate on, while not talking to each other
much.)
Brock: (VO) I don’t know what we did, but I get the feeling that Henry’s mad
at us for some reason. Of course, maybe it’s just his competitive spirit. We’re
down to the last four teams, and I think everybody’s out for blood.
(Takato is off the sensors and runs down excitedly. Henry runs up. He’s also excited.)
Takato: Got it!!
Henry: Yes!! How’d you beat Ash?
Takato: Human shield, baby!!
Henry: Who’s the human shield?
Takato: Ash!
(Henry is confused for a moment, then smiles.)
Henry: Nice!
(They high-five.)
Henry: Well, don’t just stand there, read it!
Takato: Walk to the next Pit Stop- the amphitheater at Grant Park.
(Grant Park is nearby, and the amphitheater is on the
southern side of the park, very close to the museum.)
Becky: Teams must make the short hike to this nearby amphitheatre at Grant
Park, the Pit Stop for this leg of the race.
(In the museum, Ash cautiously heads back up the stairs. He sees the clue he dropped during Takato’s stunt.)
Ash: All right...
(Ash makes sure Bill is out of the way, then cautiously sneaks over to get it. He trips briefly, catching Bill’s attention. Bill runs after him and takes a shot, but Ash dives for the stairs and escapes just in time. He runs down.)
Kate: Got it?
Ash: Got it!!
(Kate smiles and gets Ash’s gear off. He runs out with the clue.)
(Takato and Henry enter the amphitheater and sees Becky standing on the stage with the mat. They run up and hop up on the stage. The screen on the route marker reads “GUN SMITH CATS” in large green letters, with “CHICAGO” in small white letters. They jump onto the mat.)
Becky: Takato and Henry?
(After a brief pause, Becky smiles.)
Becky: You’re team number one.
(Both smile.)
Takato: Sweet.
Henry: Way to go…
(They high-five.)
Henry: (VO) We’re both feeling the same fatigue that all the other teams must be feeling. But we’re still performing well. And that’s all that matters. Takato did great in the Road Block and we didn’t make any mistakes in the leg. That’s crucial.
(Back to the Pit Stop, where the two chat with Becky.)
Becky: So how do you like your odds?
Takato: I think we have a good shot at it right now. The end’s in sight. I feel like we’re getting there.
Henry: We’ve been more or less ahead of the pack so far. So we know that whatever we’re doing, it’s working. Now we just have to keep doing it.
(Ash and Brock race off as Yukino & Arima pull in. Both are a little angry from the slow cab ride. Arima gets the clue.)
Arima: Road Block- this person must be evasive.
Yukino: Um… I guess I’ll take it.
Arima: All right.
(Yukino reads the details and runs inside.)
(Ash and Brock slow down to a walk as they climb up on stage. They step on the mat.)
Becky: Ash and Brock? You are team number two.
(Both are very pleased.)
Brock: Well, we’ve done it again.
Ash: Sure have.
Brock: (VO) Nobody… not even us… expected us to get this far. I think that we’re on a roll right now. We finished well this time. I can smell the final three.
(While Brock hits on Becky, Ash talks to her. Becky ignores Brock completely.)
Ash: You know, it’s interesting because we didn’t really interact much with Takato and Henry before this. But we were with them for much of this leg, and suddenly we’re pretty fierce rivals. That shows that we’re starting to get to the end.
(Syaoran & Meiling arrive at the Museum. Arima is waiting nearby.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Last at Road Block]
Syaoran: Road Block… I’ll do it.
Meiling: Good.
(Meiling finds a bench and sits down.)
Meiling: (VO) I’m trying not to look tired. But we don’t get to eat much, that night at the hotel room was the best night’s sleep I had in a week, and we’re running like crazy all the time. You have to grin and bear it.
(Syaoran enters and sees Yukino running back. Kate resets her sensors and they take off together. They reach the second floor, and almost reach the clues before Bill is able to peg both of them. On their next attempt up, they split up immediately. Syaoran heads up the stairs to the third floor and stops. Yukino runs after Bill immediately, and dodges behind a pillar, and a shot. Bill smiles.)
Bill: C’mon pussycat… don’t you want to play?
(Yukino swings around. Unfortunately, she goes the wrong way. Bill reads it and hits her. While he’s occupied with this, Syaoran makes a beeline for the clues. He grabs one as Bill sees him. Syaoran looks around. He’s cornered.)
Syaoran: Uh…
Bill: Nowhere to run…
(Syaoran tosses the envelope towards Bill. It distracts him, and he sends off an errant shot. Syaoran runs towards the envelope, slides, and picks it up. He continues to run towards the exit, but is shot when he looks back.)
Syaoran: Damn…
(Rather than complain, he drops the clue and runs back downstairs. He runs down as Yukino runs up. Bill sees her.)
Bill: Ready for another round, huh?
Yukino: Damn right…
(This time, Yukino is able to dodge Bill’s first shot and gets around her and starts flying towards the clue. She gets it and gets to cover just in time. She takes a moment to catch her breath.)
(Syaoran quickly gets back up to his clue, but with Yukino resting in relative safety, Bill turns around and sees Syaoran.)
Bill: Nice try…
(Syaoran takes the clue, and slowly backpedals towards the stairs. Bill aims directly at Syaoran and fires.)
(Syaoran smiles. Bill is in shock as he sees that Syaoran blocks the shot… with the envelope. In a flash, Syaoran is down the stairs. He races downstairs, ditches the stuff, and greets Meiling.)
Meiling: You’re done?
Syaoran: Yeah… Grant Park Amphitheater. Let’s go.
Meiling: Thank you…
(Back at the museum, Yukino makes a mad dash for the staircase. Instead of going around, she dodges Bill, jumping over the railing and landing cleanly on the steps. She runs down and out.)
(Arima stands up as she runs out..)
Arima: What happened? How’d they get ahead?
Yukino: Never mind… we have to get to the Grant Park Amphitheater.
(They both run off, but it’s clear that Yukino’s hiding disappointment.)
(Syaoran and Meiling check in at the Pit Stop.)
Becky: Syaoran and Meiling, you’re team number three.
(Meiling sighs. Syaoran actually smiles a little.)
Syaoran: And we deserve it too…
Meiling: (VO) That seemed like an awful lot of work for
third place. But it’s better than last, that’s for sure. The effort that we
need keeps getting to be more and more, and it’s tough to keep up with
everybody.
(Again, they talk with Becky.)
Syaoran: We’re tired, but so’s everybody. But even though we’re tired, we did a lot of things well this time. And as long as we stay focused, I think we’ll keep surprising everybody.
Meiling: We’re too far to lose now!
(And finally, Yukino and Arima walk up and check in.)
Becky: Yukino and Arima?
(Pause. Both are uncomfortable.)
Becky: I’m sorry to tell you that you’re the last team to arrive.
(Yukino shakes her head. She’s no longer afraid to show her disappointment. Arima is more tired than disappointed.)
Becky: I do have good news though.
(Arima nods. He already knows.)
Becky: This is a non-elimination leg. You’re still in the race.
(Yukino doesn’t react at all. It doesn’t make her feel much better.)
Yukino: (VO) I’m not
relieved by it at all. Sure, elimination is worse, but finishing in last place
isn’t a picnic. What’s worse is that we fought as hard as we always do. We were
healthy, we did fine in the challenges, and yet somehow we were in last. I’m
really disturbed by that.
Arima: I think we got
caught napping. I’m not saying it was because of a lack of effort on our part.
But every other team seems willing to take it to the next level . The Tamers
took the subway, Ash nailed a grenade shot, and I guess Li worked some magic in
the museum. What did we do? We ran our race. And suddenly that’s not enough.
(Shot of the race between Takato & Henry and Ash &
Brock to the police station.)
Henry: (VO) This leg was competitive enough. But the next one is the push
for the final three. We know that it’s going to be no holds barred, and every
team is going to try to get ahead in any way possible. Takato and I have can’t be
satisfied with just winning today. Today means nothing.
(Shot of Ash and Takato in the museum.)
Ash: (VO) Brock and I have to stop looking at ourselves as underdogs. We
have to forget about everything that happened before this and realize that
today we were able to match pace with Takato and Henry. And next time we have
to keep pace with every other team we come across.
(Shot of Syaoran & Meiling weaving through traffic.)
Syaoran: (VO) Winning is the main goal, but simply to be in the finals is
reward enough. There’s something unfulfilling about being the last team
eliminated. We wouldn’t be able to experience running the race to completion.
We wouldn’t be able to experience every place possible. That’s our goal, and we
must stop making excuses and fight for it.
(Shot of Yukino and Arima running to the cab at the airport.)
Yukino: (VO) We’ve come all this way for
the sole purpose of winning the whole thing. Coming in first in a couple legs
is nice, but they’re shallow victories. And more often than not, we learn a lot
about humility. But now, we can’t afford to take prisoners. We’re ready to make
the push to end up in the winner’s circle at the very end. And it starts now.
End Episode Nine
Author’s Notes
According to the way the real show handles it, although the time penalty did
put Syaoran & Meiling ahead, Takato & Henry still technically finished
third for the official record. And since two teams in three seasons have been
eliminated because of time penalties (Nancy & Emily in season one, Heather
& Eve in season three)- I must make it perfectly clear that no, Takato
& Henry’s penalty would not have put them behind Kiyone & Mihoshi.
If you’re wondering why they complain so much about sleep, even after a Pit
Stop, it’s because the whole “eat, sleep, and mingle” thing is slightly
misleading. Pit Stops are also where teams have to undergo a major debriefing,
and most of the “camera confessionals” are filmed then, often times with
strange consequences: in the second season, Oswald & Danny were frequently
seen doing confessionals in Sydney, Australia that aired while they were in
Hong Kong… and before any team received route info telling them they were going
to Sydney!
Once again, the timetable of the Perpignan to Chicago
via Paris flight is accurate. Thank you very much Travelocity!
There are a few reasons for the impeccable details in this leg. One is that all
the information needed is in English, and therefore pretty accessible.
Secondly, this is supposed to be a “travelogue” of each series (as D Marco puts
it), and one of the most remarkable aspects of Gun Smith Cats is its attention
to detail- with guns, cars, and the city of Chicago (in case you’re curious, in
episode two the building Radinov drives under before
going over the drawbridge is actually the post office). And finally, since my
mother’s from Chicago and we visit relatives there often (like last Sunday for
Easter), I’m very familiar with the town. I’ve been to O’Hare, I’ve been on the
subway line the teams took into the city, and I immensely enjoy watching the
poor shmucks driving along the Kennedy Expressway
while the train cruises by along the median.
With the Syaoran/Meiling relationship coming under the spotlight more and more,
I’ll again remind everybody that they’re between the first and second seasons,
so the engagement is still on, and Syaoran’s as
indecisive as ever about the whole thing.
Next Week on the Anime-zing Race:
* Another two-for-one deal- two distinctly different animes
cause a rough adjustment.
* With teams already fighting fatigue, they are left to face the most grueling
leg yet.
* And just who will make the final three and earn the right to race the whole
circuit?