The Anime-zing Race 2
Episode Three
Authors Notes
As I mentioned before, Im working on two other projects. While the manga
isnt a big concern right now, Level 2: Worlds is. My writing time is
precious, so I want to write what I feel like at the moment, and what people
respond to more. Although amount of feedback isnt a good indicator of how many
people are reading, youre more likely to comment if youre turned on to
something in the chapter. By my estimate, twice as many people are interested
in Level 2 as this. So unless this episode really peaks your interest
(and given what happens, it very well may), dont be surprised if I concentrate
on Level 2 rather than worrying about having a new episode of this every
week.
Recap
Arumi: (VO) Last time, on the GoldenBoy leg of
the Anime-zing Race
(Shot of team members on the first train waiting for the appropriate stop.)
Arumi: (VO) An exhausting train ride took its toll on some teams.
Minamo: (VO) The
drive back to Kyoto was very difficult, since I didnt get any sleep the night
before.
(Shot of Kasumi and Yukina racing to the route marker at the estate.)
Arumi: (VO) The battle for sisterly supremacy continued between Nabiki & Kasumi and Minato & Yukina.
Yukina: (VO)
Somehow Nabiki and Kasumi were able to beat us! Well
turn it around somehow
(Shot of Jessie swimming in the Detour. She finishes up.)
Arumi: (VO) While the battle for supremacy between teammates Jessie and Ayla refused to die down.
Ayuko: You just set a world record
Jessie: But did I beat Ayla?
(Shot of Seta & Keitaro outrunning Minato & Yukina to the Pit Stop.)
Arumi: Seta and Keitaro narrowly came from behind to remain in the race, leaving sisters-in-law Minato and Yukina to be the second team eliminated.
(Rapid shots of each of the remaining teams at
various spots in the first leg.)
Arumi: (VO) And now, ten teams remain. Who will be eliminated tonight?
Leg Three
(Shot of the mansion lit up during the evening. Pan down and zoom in
to Arumi at the front door.)
Arumi: This is Kogane City, just outside Kanazawa,
Japan. The citys mayor, Juzo Katsuda,
lives with his wife and daughter in this mansion, the second Pit Stop in the
race.
(Shot of Jessie and Ayla checking in.)
Arumi: (VO) Teams checked in here at the end of the last leg for a mandatory twelve-hour rest period that gives them a chance to eat, sleep, and mingle with the other teams.
(Shot of Minamo chatting with Nabiki and Kasumi.)
Arumi: (VO) During the Pit Stop, Minamo had some choice words for Nabiki and Kasumi about the conflict between the teams in the last leg.
Minamo: Look, Im not here
to make enemies with anybody. I think things got heated up a little too much
last time and I want to make sure it doesnt explode on us.
Nabiki: (innocent) I dont know what you were talking about. Thats just how we race.
Minamo: Still, my point is that if we focus on each other, were both going to end up screwed. Theres other teams we need to worry about.
Kasumi: Like who?
Minamo: Seta and Keitaro for one. Those two look like they could really contend if they had the opportunity.
Nabiki: You know, youve got a point there. If they dont get eliminated soon, theyll find their way up to the front and not look back.
Minamo: Which is why Id
much prefer to worry about them than you two. Hell, if it were up to me, wed
work together to try to stay ahead of them.
Nabiki: (skeptical) I dont know
Kasumi: Id like to work together, too. Its so much easier than not getting along.
Minamo: Exactly. And since we start at the same time anyway, we might as well.
Nabiki: (uncertain) Well I guess we can give it a shot.
Minamo: Great!
(Shot of the teams wining and dining in the huge dining room.)
Arumi: (VO) The ten teams remaining do not know where they are headed. Theyll have to figure out for themselves how to get to the next yellow-and-red route marker by solving clues theyll find in sealed envelopes.
(Shot of Lina holding out a peace sign as she and Gourry reach the Pit Stop.)
Arumi: (VO) Lina and Gourry were the first team to arrive at 11:43 AM
(That night, Lina and Gourry are all business as they are ready to take off.)
Arumi: (VO) and will therefore depart at 11:43 PM.
(Lina tears open the clue.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions- 1st to Depart- 11:43 PM]
Lina: Travel to Nekomi and
ask for the perfect ring at the jewelry store downtown.
(They walk off, trying to contemplate the clue.)
(Rapid shots of a plane taking off, landing, and
heading to the city of Nekomi. Former loser college
student Keiichi Morisato stands inside the
appropriate jewelry store.)
Keiichi: Teams must get to Nekomi any way possible
and find the jewelry store downtown. They must ask the salesperson for the
perfect ring to receive their next clue.
(A woman walks by and stares at him for a moment until he continues.)
Keiichi: Oh- and it opens at ten.
Woman: No exceptions this time!
(Lina and Gourry are still on the mansion grounds, sitting at a fountain and reading a completely unfolded map.)
Gourry: Lets see Nekomi, Nekomi, Nekomi
Lina: Here it is! Its near Chiba. Jeez, that looks like a long way away.
Gourry: On the other side of the island. Over the mountain range.
Lina: Lets see what wonders of transportation we can find this time
(They exit and call a cab.)
Lina: (VO) I bet
you think we werent thinking straight and used the Fast Forward out of pure
frustration. But I didnt become the greatest sorceress in the world by making
bad decisions. We were overwhelmed by everything early on. By using the Fast
Forward, we gave ourselves a little cushion to let us get a feel for things in
this world. Yeah, we used it up early, but Gourry and
I hopefully wont need it again!
(Touya and Yukito run out of the mansion and also get to a cab.)
[TOUYA & YUKITO- Best Friends / Students- 2nd to Depart- 11:48
PM]
Touya: (VO) So far I really like the way
things have been going. All the other teams have been so worked up
concentrating on Jessie and Ayla, and even the twins
after they won the first leg. But Yuki and I have quietly been doing our own
thing, and quietly dominating everything. We were the first team done with both
the Detour and the Road Block last leg, and nobody batted an eye. Perfect.
(In the taxi, the two read the map.)
Yukito: Found it! Its out by Tokyo.
Touya: So we want to fly there, right?
Yukito: Yeah.
Touya: (to cab driver) Wheres the nearest airport?
Driver: Komatsu. About twenty miles away. Theres a shuttle from the train station.
Yukito: Excellent!
(The next team climbs into a cab.)
[YAMAKI & RILEY- Dating Co-Workers- 3rd to Depart- 11:57 PM]
Yamaki: Take us to the nearest hotel.
(The cab takes off.)
Riley: (VO) We didnt know if the airport was
going to be open, or if the JAL counters going to be open, or if the shuttle
to the station was running. So we went to a hotel and tried to get tickets
online or over the phone.
(And the next team reads their clue.)
[KOJI & KOICHI- Twin Brothers- 4th to Depart- 11:58 PM]
Koji: Travel to Nekomi and ask for the perfect ring
at lets get to Nekomi first.
Koichi: I think thats down by Tokyo.
Koji: Well, we have until ten oclock, so lets get to the airport.
Koichi: Things have been great so far. I wasnt
really sure how well wed compete given who were up against. But Kojis been
very confident, and two legs in, he hasnt been let down.
(At the train station, Touya and Yukito are looking over a map of a train line. Lina pokes her head in and taps them on the shoulder. Touya ignores her at first.)
Lina: What are you doing?
Yukito: Were checking the train schedule. There should be one coming very soon.
Lina: Do these trains run all night?
Yukito: These shuttles to the airport do.
Lina: (slightly mad) So everybody will get there tonight?
Touya: Maybe, but the airport wont stay open for long. If we get there while its open, well have a big advantage.
Lina: Great!
(Jessie and Ayla also take
time out to look through their map.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Rivals- 5th to Depart- 12:01 AM]
Ayla: Jessie- right here. Its by Tokyo.
Jessie: Okay so I guess we take a plane, then.
(They pack up and call a cab.)
Jessie: (VO) Physically, nobody can top us. We
arent concerned about that. But we are from 3,000 years in the future, and
neither of us are Japanese either. Making travel arrangements and such is a
real equalizer. That will be our big obstacle in the race.
(Now inside a cab, Jessie gives the driver
directions.)
Jessie: Komatsu Airport, please.
Ayla: Jessie, there is a shuttle nearby. Its probably cheaper.
Jessie: Look, if we go there we get bunched up waiting for a train. This way, we know well get there- maybe even before everybody else. Besides, it doesnt matter- we have ten hours to get two hundred miles. Plenty of time.
(Tenchi opens the clue as Noboyuki
counts the money.)
[NOBOYUKI & TENCHI- Father & Son- 6th to Depart- 12:07 AM]
Tenchi: Nekomi, huh? What do you think?
Noboyuki: Lets find it first.
Tenchi: Yeah. Lets go to the train station. If we need to get on a flight, maybe we can get to the airport before it closes.
(They hail a cab.)
Tenchi: (VO) Yeah, it is interesting working with
my Dad. We each think a little differently. But one thing we have in common is
that we both work hard. I never noticed how task-oriented Dad was until we both
were working towards the same thing.
(Yamaki and Riley enter a hotel.)
Yamaki: Excuse me. Wed like to use your phone to book a flight.
Concierge: Are you a guest here?
Yamaki: Do we have to be?
Concierge: There are payphones outside. If you arent a guest, you can use those.
Riley: I have a better idea. If you let us use your phone and we get the flight we want, well need a place to stay.
Yamaki: And since were already in here
(The concierge hands them the phone.)
Concierge: Try not to take too long.
(They dont. After a brief conversation, they are able to get through to JAL.)
Yamaki: The flight leaves at 8:00? Thank you.
(Yamaki hangs up.)
Yamaki: Were on the first flight to Tokyo.
Riley: Perfect. Now about that room
(Yamaki and Riley get a room and enter.)
Riley: This definitely beats spending the night at the airport
Yamaki: Were older. Were smarter. Its a much bigger
advantage than physical ability.
(At the airport, Touyo & Yukito are at the JAL desk. Lina and Gourry are waiting behind them, impatient.)
Lina: Would you hurry up?
(Touya turns around.)
Touya: The next flight isnt for eight hours, and we wont take that long
Lina: (bitter) Can I get that in writing?
(Yukito turns around and sees her. He returns to the desk.)
Yukito: Oh, and you can also get tickets for the team behind me.
(Touyas a little surprised. Lina is as well but its a happy surprise.)
Lina: Wow, and I didnt even have to threaten you.
(The tickets print out. Yukito hands them to Lina, smiling.)
Yukito: Enjoy!
(As Lina peruses the tickets with Gourry, Yukito joins Touya.)
Touya: What was that about? They could have gotten their own tickets.
Yukito: Sure, but this is easier. They were the last tickets on the flight anyway.
Touya: So what? You put them in the back of the plane.
Yukito: Nope!
Touya: You want to form an alliance with them?
Yukito: Nope!
Touya: What? You were just being courteous?
Yukito: Is that a problem?
(Touya sweatdrops.)
Touya: I guess not
(Koji and Koichi get off the train and run to the JAL counter.)
Koichi: Remember Koji, we also need time to check ANA.
(They reach the desk.)
Koji: Are you closed?
JAL Clerk: We will be in five minutes.
Koichi: We need to get on your earliest flight to Tokyo.
JAL Clerk: The 8:00 is sold out, so the first one we can get you on is the 9:25.
(Koichi grabs Koji by the collar and runs to the ANA desk. The clerk is about to close the window.)
Koji: WAIT!
ANA Clerk: Yes?
Koichi: We need to book a flight!
(The ANA Clerk gives out an exasperated sigh and sits down.)
ANA Clerk: What do you need?
(They go through the motions of booking a flight. Along the way, Koichi spies Jessie and Ayla entering the terminal.)
Koji: So you can get us on an 8:30 flight? Perfect.
Koichi: Uh, Koji, the amazons are coming this way.
Koji: Book those tickets. Also, could you do us a big favor?
(The clerk processes the tickets and gives them to Koji. After they leave, the clerk is most of the way through closing the window just as Jessie and Ayla walk up to it.)
Ayla: Excuse me, we...
ANA Clerk: I'm sorry, we're closed for the night. We open at 6:00 tomorrow. Thanks for flying All-Nippon Airlines!
(The clerk closes the window in their faces.)
Koji: It's a cutthroat game, and we're going to have to be cutthroat players to succeed. We have too many weaknesses to not use an aggressive strategy.
(May and Max excitedly open the envelope.)
[MAY & MAX- Siblings- 7th to Depart- 12:46 AM]
May: Okay, were going to Nekomi. I have no idea
where that is.
Max: Then lets find it before we do anything else.
(Max sticks his nose in a map.)
May: (VO) The end of the last leg was chaotic. And of all the teams that were on that last train, we finished first. We kicked some butt, and that really boosted our confidence.
(After some sleuthing, Max finds something.)
Max: Here! Its near Tokyo.
May: So do we want to fly there?
Max: Yeah. The airports probably closed, so lets hunt down an internet connection.
May: Youre the boss.
(Nabiki and Kasumi look
through a map next to the Pit Stop as Yukari and Minamo
walk up to it.)
[NABIKI & KASUMI- Sisters- 8th to Depart- 12:50 AM]
Kasumi: Oh, there it is!
Nabiki: Great, now we just have to wait for
(Yukari and Minamo walk up
to them.)
[YUKARI & MINAMO- Best Friends / Teachers- 9th to Depart- 12:51
AM]
Yukari: You know, you guys are lucky Nyamo-chan
wanted to work with you.
Nabiki: Whatever. We need to fly to Tokyo. And that means we need tickets.
Minamo: Okay, so lets get to the nearest airport.
(Minamo starts to leave, but Nabiki grabs her shirt sleeve.)
Nabiki: Hold on thats not the way we do it.
(Noboyuki sees Jessie and Ayla holding their place in the ANA line. Tenchi follows.)
Noboyuki: Is this where we get tickets?
Ayla: I guess so. The counter closed right before we got there.
Tenchi: Wow. Thats tough luck.
Noboyuki: Well, if were in the same boat, we might as well share the space. Scoot over.
Jessie: Wait, what?
(Noboyuki plops down next to Jessie. Tenchi shakes his head and does the same.)
(Max is typing frantically on a laptop. May stares
on, bewildered. Max pauses, then dramatically hits the Enter key.)
[MAY & MAX- 2nd Team on 8:30 Flight]
Max: Piece of cake.
(Max hands the laptop to a guy on a street corner.)
Max: Thanks.
Laptop Guy: How did you do that? This laptop doesnt have a wireless connection.
Max: It does now!
(Finally, Seta and Keitaro rush out to get a taxi.)
[SETA & KEITARO- Last Team to Depart- 12:54 AM]
Keitaro: So whats the first move?
Seta: First, we get to the station and call ahead while we wait for a train.
Keitaro: Good idea.
Seta: It is a very tense situation were in right
now. We know that if we get ourselves together, we can start to gain ground.
But were also dangling on that precipice, and thats dangerous.
(At a convenience store, Nabiki is talking with a clerk.)
Clerk: Sorry. This computer is for employees only.
Nabiki: Come on. You dont want to help us four hotties out?
Clerk: (proud) Policy is policy. Besides, I already have a girlfriend.
Nabiki: Lucky you. Whats a stud like you doing here working the third shift?
Clerk: Uh
Nabiki: You know, were in a race. Its for a popular TV show. And if we win, were bound to become pretty famous celebrities.
(Yukari and Minamo are watching Nabiki with interest.)
Nabiki: And when we go on talk shows and they ask what the secret was, wed say well, wed definitely like to thank the guy in Kanazawa who let us use the computer to book tickets. That is, of course, you do
(The clerk turns the computer monitor at them.)
Clerk: Well, since the boss isnt here
Nabiki: Great. Are you going to finish that candy bar?
(After some typing, she scores tickets. She
high-fives Yukari.)
[NABIKI & KASUMI / YUKARI & MINAMO- Last Teams on 8:30 Flight]
Nabiki: And with this, there arent enough tickets
left for Seta and Keitaro.
Yukari: Thats beautiful, man
Minamo: Nabikis craftier than I thought. I wasnt expecting to get
that much help from her, but working with the sisters really paid off.
(Seta and Keitaro arrive at the airport. They find the counter for JAL.)
Seta: Lets just wait here tonight. Hopefully we can still get an early flight if were the first in line.
(They unfold their bags and camp out.)
Keitaro: (VO) We couldnt get a hold of anything on the phone before the
train arrived. So we got to the airport, and were camping out at the JAL
counter to try to get something thats not last. Right now, not last would
really be nice.
(The next morning, Jessie and Ayla wake, as does Tenchi.)
Tenchi: Oh boy. Nobody else is in line. Know what that means?
Jessie: What?
Ayla: That everybody else is in another line or they already have tickets.
Jessie: Wait a second, are you saying were going to be behind everybody?
Tenchi: No. Theres no way. But we might be on the last flight with some other teams.
Jessie: Damn. Now what?
Ayla: How well do you know Tokyo?
Tenchi: I used to go to school there. I havent been to Nekomi, but if youre suggesting we work together
Jessie: Wait what??
Ayla: Dont you think its for the best, Jessie?
Jessie: I dont know.
Tenchi: Yeah, lets think about this. An alliance is serious business. We dont even know each other.
(Noboyuki begins to wake up and Tenchi notices.)
Tenchi: Hey, Dad.
Noboyuki: Oh. Morning Tenchi, ladies.
Tenchi: Dad, what would you think of an alliance with Jessie and Ayla?
(Noboyuki sits up and shakes Aylas hand.)
Noboyuki: Way to go Tenchi!! I knew your charm would come in handy!!
(Tenchi and Ayla sweatdrop.)
Tenchi: Ill take that as a yes.
ANA Clerk: Good morning, can I help you?
(They look up. The window has just opened. Jessie stands.)
Jessie: Yes. We need to get on the first available flight to Tokyo!
ANA Clerk: Our 8:30 flight is sold out
Noboyuki: JAL! Follow me!
(The four leave the clerk in the dust and high-tail it to the JAL counter.)
Ayla: Perhaps we
didnt take the initiative of trying to book a flight after the airport closed.
As a result, we ended up on the last flight. So were working with Tenchi and Noboyuki in order to make sure neither of us gets
eliminated. Hopefully they can help make sure we dont lose our way.
(Shots of the first teams boarding the first flight- Yamaki & Riley, Touya & Yukito, and Lina & Gourry. A half-hour later, the second flight boards with Koji & Koichi, May & Max, Nabiki & Kasumi, and Yukari & Minamo. Shot of a map of Japan, and two lines from Komatsu to Tokyo.)
(On the first flight, Touya and Yukito are looking through a map.)
Touya: Which airport are we going to?
Yukito: Haneda. All the flights are going there.
Touya: You know, Nekomis a lot closer to Narita.
Yukito: Do you want to tell the pilot to land there instead? Or should I?
Touya: Very funny. But theres shuttles to each airport. That would be a lot cheaper than taking a taxi.
Yukito: Oh good call!
(Meanwhile, on the second flight, Max is reading a pamphlet.)
May: Whats that? Limo bus?
Max: Shh bet no one else knows about this.
May: I sure dont. Sounds expensive.
Max: Well, its more expensive, but look at it. We already decided the best way to get to Nekomi is to take the shuttle to Narita first. A limo bus is just like the shuttle, just half an hour faster.
May: So youre saying
Max: May! We can catch up to the first plane! I dont know if well be able to compete with those teams up front, but at least
(May smiles evilly and stands up.)
May: Maybe *we* cant
Max: Um May?
(She calmly walks up a few rows until she finds Koji and Koichi. She takes an empty seat next to Koichi and smiles.)
May: Hi, boys!
(Koji rolls his eyes.)
Koichi: (pleasant) Hi, May.
May: You have no idea how cool it is to be on the same plane as you two. I mean, you two actually know what youre doing. Although we did come across something
Koichi: What?
May: You know, the way to get to Nekomi a half-hour faster.
Koji: What? Taking a shuttle to Narita first? We already knew that.
May: Yeah. Max found a way to get us to Narita a half-hour faster.
(Koji shakes his head, then does a double take.)
Koji: What?? What is it?
May: Hold on, hold on. Thats pretty privy information. And I dont give it away for free.
Koji: (skeptical) Okay, what do you want?
May: (cheery) An alliance.
Koichi: An alliance? With us?
May: Yeah! I mean, you guys are on top of everything, but Maxs really on the ball sometimes. We could really kick some butt together.
Koji: We could kick some butt without you too.
(May rests an arm on Koichis shoulder.)
May: Look, we can help you get caught up to the first group. If thats not proof of how valuable we can be, I dont know what is.
Koji: Basically, you want us to help you in exchange for this information.
May: Its more than just that, Koji. Its an alliance. You help us, we help you, we stick together. And of all the teams here, Id prefer to form an alliance with you two.
Koichi: Us two?
(May leans in close to Koichi and forms a cat-like smile.)
May: Yeah. You two are the cutest.
(Koichi starts to blush. Koji buries his face in his hands.)
Koichi: Uh Koji? We should really consider this offer. A half-hour means a lot.
(Koji stares at Koichi nervously.)
Koji: And so we formed an alliance with May and Max. We are definitely going to regret this.
----
(The first plane arrives. Touya
& Yukito immediately break for the shuttles to
Narita. However, they are closely followed by Yamaki & Riley. Lina & Gourry decide on a
different approach. They run straight for the taxis. Naturally, theyre the
first ones out.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions]
Gourry: Where are the other teams?
Lina: In our dust, no doubt.
Gourry: I dont see them anywhere...
Lina: bout time something went our way!
(The shuttle arrives. Touya is a little surprised at first to see Yamaki & Riley join them. At first, Touya and Yamaki stare each other down, until Yukito smiles.)
Yukito: You know, we always seem to be running into each other. Since were in front anyway, maybe we can work together to improve our lead.
Yamaki: Sorry, but
Riley: Good idea. Were clearly on the same page. We can use that to our advantage.
Yukito: What do you think, Touya?
(Touya shrugs as Yukito and Riley begin actively discussing strategy.)
Yukito: An
alliance with Riley and Yamaki was very natural. Were always in the same
group, and we get along very well with them. This will be great!
(The second plane lands. Nabiki
& Kasumi and Yukari & Minamo get out to the
early jump and head for the shuttles to Haneda. Koji
& Koichi and May & Max follow, then veer off toward the limo buses.
Stay on Minamo, who is a little confused.)
[Plane 2- 30 Minutes Behind Plane 1]
Minamo: Hey Nabiki, where
do you think those kids were headed?
Nabiki: Im not sure. I thought I read something about a limo bus, but it was way too expensive for us to use. I didnt think it was worth it.
Yukari: But is it faster??
Nabiki: Probably. But were not being threatened, so we might as well save our money.
Minamo: Good point.
(Yukari grumbles a little.)
Yukari: I didnt ask for this alliance. Were
basically relying on them to make decisions for us. Thats not how we do
things! As teachers, we are called upon to be leaders, not followers! The other
problem with the alliance is that theyre underage, so we cant go into bars
with them. We cant be leaders, and we cant get drunk either. This sucks!
(Meanwhile, the younger teams board the limo bus, which leaves before the Tendos and the teachers shuttle. Koji is impressed as they cruise in style to Narita.)
Max: Now this is the way to travel.
Koji: (conceding) Okay, so its nicer, its faster
May: And youre in good company!
Koji: Lets not go nuts.
May: Youre mean!
(The third plane is still in the air. Seta shows Keitaro the limo bus pamphlet.)
Seta: This is how we get ahead.
Keitaro: Wow a half-hour faster than the regular shuttle.
Seta: Moneys not an issue, although it would be nice to split it with another team.
Keitaro: If it gets us ahead, its not a problem.
Seta: Although I do feel sorry for Noboyuki and Tenchi. Theyll be no match for Jessie and Ayla.
Keitaro: Shame. Tenchis a pretty nice guy. I was talking to him during the Pit Stop. You should hear about the girls hes stuck with. He must take more beatings than I do
Seta: So its settled then. We talk to those two, and leave Jessie and Ayla in the dust.
Keitaro: Um I dont know. First, pissing off two very large and very strong women is not my idea of a good time. Secondly, what if they go for the Fast Forward?
Seta: Two very good points! To answer the first one, they wont be able to beat the stuffing out of you if theyre eliminated. And for the second, they wont go for the Fast Forward.
Keitaro: How do you know?
Seta: I just do. Ill go tell Noboyuki the deals on.
(Seta smiles, stands up, and finds Noboyuki and Tenchi. He explains the deal.)
Tenchi: Uh well the problem with that is
Noboyuki: Wow! Thats a great plan! You bet well do it! Were going to leave those girls in the dust!
Seta: Brains over brawn, right?
Noboyuki: Right!
(Noboyuki and Seta clasp hands. Seta leaves. Tenchi turns to his father.)
Tenchi: Hey! Did you forget that we have an alliance with Jessie and Ayla?! We cant go back on that!
Noboyuki: Well, I already made that promise with Seta, and we cant stab him in the back.
Tenchi: What, so were just going to stab Jessie and Ayla instead?
Noboyuki: Look, well have an easier time working with him and Keitaro. I appreciate your desire to be with those girls, but theyre really tough. If we can get rid of them now, well have a much better chance of winning.
(Tenchi turns away.)
Tenchi: (stubborn) Whatever you say, Dad.
Noboyuki: I dont
understand why Tenchi has such a problem with trying to eliminate Jessie and Ayla. I mean, sure we had an alliance, but we never really
did anything. We have to take advantage of our opportunities! Its the only way
to survive.
(The plane lands. Immediately, Noboyuki
sneaks ahead to join Seta and Keitaro. Tenchi is forced to follow. With Jessie
and Ayla at the back of the plane, the four men are
able to sneak ahead. Follow Jessie and Ayla as they
board the regular bus, looking around.)
[Plane 3- 55 Minutes Behind Plane 2]
Jessie: Do you see them anywhere?
Ayla: No.
Jessie: Damn! We agreed to meet here, and they were ahead of us on the plane.
Ayla: Wed better forget about them and move on.
Jessie: No kidding.
(The bus departs. On the way, they see the limo bus alongside them. Through the window, they can see Tenchi through the window and the yellow-and-red marker on the bumper as it passes by. Jessie makes a fist.)
Jessie: Okay now Im angry.
(The jewelry store. A pair of taxis pull out. Out step May and Max in one and Koji and Koichi in the other.)
Koichi: Is this it?
Max: Yep. And its after ten.
May: Lets go shopping!
(The four rush inside as the jewelry store clerk greets them.)
Koichi: Were looking for the perfect ring.
(The clerk returns with a pair of rings. May and Koichi take them.)
Koji: Okay so now what?
(May places her ring on her ring finger. With a puff of smoke, the ring disappears, leaving a clue envelope in its wake. While Koichi does the same, May opens it.)
May: Find your next route marker outside the nearest beach house.
(Rapid shots of a taxi heading to the beach, followed by a traipse through the sand to the route marker outside a beach house. The sultry Urd narrates.)
Urd: (VO) Teams must take a taxi to this nearby beach house. Its a lovely spot- perfect for any romantic rendezvous or a one night stand if you prefer. Teams wont be going in though. Theyll find the route marker outside.
(On the heels of the first two teams, Touya & Yukito and Yamaki
& Riley are next. They get their rings and their clues.)
[TOUYA & YUKITO / YAMAKI & RILEY- Currently Tied in 3rd
Place]
Yukito: Looks like were heading to the beach.
Yamaki: (pointing) That should be to the southeast.
Touya: No sense staying here, then.
(They run back out to their cabs.)
Yamaki: (VO) So far, there hasnt been any
discernable advantage to working with Touya and Yukito. But perhaps they will be useful down the road.
Also, Riley seems to enjoy working with them, so there may be an intangible
effect.
(Jessie and Ayla are on the
shuttle to Narita. Both are sitting back, angry. Ayla
is reading through a pamphlet.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Rivals- Currently in Last Place]
Ayla: They took something called a limo bus. It gets
them to Narita a half-hour faster. For some reason, they neglected to tell us.
Jessie: For some reason?? I know what the reason is! Theyre trying to screw us over! Did you see the other two in there?
Ayla: I believe I did.
Jessie: Perfect, so now were in last. Do you know what this means, Ayla?
Ayla: (plainly) That we should use the Fast Forward?
Jessie: (disappointed) Ayla, Ayla, Ayla. That would be so below us. We need to beat them to a bloody pulp. And using the Fast Forward would simply not be appropriate. Were going to catch up to them and pass them the way were supposed to in these situations!
Ayla: But Jessie, were flirting with elimination
Jessie: (smiling) I know and I love it.
(Lina and Gourrys cab pulls up to the jewelry store. Lina argues with the driver about the fare while Gourry gets the bags.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions- Currently in 5th Place]
Gourry: (VO) Why didnt anybody tell us
about that shuttle to Narita? I guess it was so much faster, and so much
cheaper than taking a taxi all the way through Tokyo. Just when we think we
have this thing down, they throw more stuff at us!
(At the beach, the first cabs arrive. May & Max
and Koji & Koichi find the route marker by the beach house and get the
clues.)
[MAY & MAX / KOJI & KOICHI- Currently Tied in 1st Place]
Koichi: Detour
May: Sink or Float
(Urd floats above the ocean
in her traditional goddess wardrobe.)
Urd: A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each
with its own ups and downs. In this one, theyll either have to Sink or Float.
(Shot of a submerged human weight doll and a diver retrieving it.)
Urd: (VO) In Sink, theyll take a boat out to a marked buoy and retrieve Keiichi from a watery grave. Since Keiichi is too much of a wimp to agree to this, we had to replace him with a human weight doll. The team must dive down and work together to bring the doll to the boat. Once they do, theyll get their next clue. The task is really strenuous, and the boat can only take one team at a time.
(Shot of a raft floating near a rock-littered eddy.)
Urd: (VO) In Float, the team will need to inflate a raft and use it to steer themselves to this eddy, a great spot for a couple to get away from the crowd if you catch my drift. On the other side of the rocks, theyll find their next route marker. This ones time consuming, but theres plenty of rafts to go around, and you dont actually need to be able to swim, in case youre like Keiichi.
(Max analyzes the situation with his three cohorts.)
Max: Realistically, wed be better off to float.
May: Yeah. Im sure you two can handle lifting that doll up, but I dont want to chance it.
Koichi: And besides, we dont want to go one at a time, because wed be separated.
(Koji slaps his forehead.)
Koji: Well, as much as Id like to say otherwise, wed wouldnt be wasting any time floating.
May: Yeah. Although this is the second time in a row where I dont get to wear my new swimsuit!
(As they inflate their rafts, the next teams arrive and read the clue.)
Touya: Detour, float or sink.
(After reading through the clue silently, Yamaki looks out to sea.)
Yamaki: Wheres the buoy?
Riley: (pointing) About a hundred yards off.
Yukito: You used to work as a lifeguard, right Touya?
Touya: On two separate occasions
Yamaki: The only problem is that the boat can only take one team out at a
(Yamaki falls silent as he witnesses Riley and Yukito pounding their fists in unison.)
Riley / Yukito: Jan ken pon!!
(Yukitos paper beats Rileys rock.)
Touya: Well go first.
(Yamaki mutters as the other three rush into the beachhouse to change.)
Riley: Are you coming or not?
(Yamaki shakes his head and enters.)
----
(Koji and Koichi are rowing their raft ahead of May and Max, who are struggling a little with it. The twins turn back, and also see the boat taking Touya and Yukito to the dive point.)
Koichi: Youre doing great. Just keep it up
Koji: Damn, theres other teams doing the rescue.
Koichi: Just ignore them, May, youre doing fine.
Koji: Unless they get ahead of us
May: Hey! I always thought twins think alike!
Koji / Koichi: Where did you hear that??
(A motor boat, driven by quasi-bitch Sayoko Mishima, takes Touya and Yukito out to the buoy.)
Sayoko: Whenever youre
(Touya and Yukito jump in immediately. With the help of an underwater camera, Touya goes under and hoists the doll up from underneath while Yukito pulls from above. They get it over to the boat easily. Yukito quickly swings onboard and pulls it on.)
Sayoko: (impressed) Wow, remind me to look you two up next time I drown.
(Touya boards and high-fives Yukito.)
Touya: Good work, Yuki.
(Sayoko hands Yukito the next clue.)
Yukito: Go to the Nekomi Institute of Technology and find the route marker outside the Motor Clubs garage.
(Rapid shots of a cab heading to Nekomi
Tech. Goddess second-class unlimited Skuld fires
away.)
Skuld: (VO) Teams have to find Nekomi
Tech, a lovely little school full of grown-ups who couldnt get into a real
college. But one thing it has going for it is the Motor Club, which is where
the teams have to go to find the next route marker!
(Nabiki is perusing the
display of pricy rings with some scrutiny.)
[NABIKI & KASUMI / YUKARI & MINAMO- Currently Tied in 6th
Place]
Nabiki: So many good ones but which ones perfect?
Yukari: (OS) You figure it out.
(Yukari is off in a corner by the door, with her back to the display.)
Yukari: Ill wait until youre done.
Kasumi: Thats alright Yukari. I understand that you dont want to look at rings because it reminds you that nobody has offered you one yet.
(Yukari snarls a little, but doesnt move.)
Yukari: (sotto) Stop reading my mind
(Minamo comes in with a pair of rings.)
Minamo: Here we go. Not sure what we do with them
(Nabiki grabs one.)
Nabiki: I do!
(Nabiki puts it on and it poofs into the clue. Minamo prepares to put it on, but Yukari snatches it.)
Yukari: Mine!
(Yukari puts it on.)
Kasumi: Keep the dream alive!
(Yamaki and Riley take off with Sayoko as Touya and Yukito wait on the beach.)
Touya: We really have to wait for them?
Yukito: We formed an alliance with Riley and Yamaki, so we have to stay faithful to it. We cant let our position be dictated by rock-paper-scissors.
Touya: We cant?
Yukito: Nope! Besides, why would we want to get away from Riley and Yamaki?!
(Lengthy pause.)
Touya: Ill rock-paper-scissors you for it.
(As Touya loses to Yukito, he voices his thoughts.)
Touya: (VO) Im still uncertain about it. Yamaki and Riley are both very strong players, but so are we. Theres really no advantage in working together. I guess there isnt really much of a disadvantage either, so Ill go with it for now.
(Koji edges around the large rocks in the eddy and finds the clue on the other side of one. He rows inward, giving Koichi enough room to get it.)
Koichi: Clear!
(Koji moves forward, letting May get close enough for Max to reach.)
Koichi: Koji, it says were heading to Nekomi Tech next.
Koji: We have to get back to the beach first.
(Max gets the clue and reads it.)
Max: I brought my map with me if you want me to look it up.
May: I know! Slow down guys.
(May moves her raft in closer, and reaches forward and grabs the back of Koji and Koichis raft. Max tucks the oars away.)
May: You two row, Ill tow, and Max can find this place.
(Koji and Koichi obey and begin rowing. Koji silently curses himself.)
Koichi: Whats wrong?
Koji: (bitter) That was a good idea
(Narita Airport. The limo bus arrives and Seta &
Keitaro and Noboyuki & Tenchi find a cab they can
share to Nekomi. Keitaro relaxes in the cab.)
[SETA & KEITARO / NOBOYUKI & TENCHI- Currently Tied in 8th
Place]
Keitaro: I feel so much more relaxed when we dont have to drive.
Tenchi: I know what you mean. As long as we go up to the driver every five minutes and say
(Tenchi turns to the driver.)
Tenchi: (forceful) Hurry it up, were in a race!
(Tenchi turns back to the other three, perfectly calm.)
Tenchi: were fine.
Seta: And the best part is, we eliminate some stiff competition in the process.
Keitaro: I certainly hope so. Ill feel a lot better about our chances of winning with Jessie and Ayla out of the way.
(Neither Noboyuki nor Tenchi respond. Seta elbows Noboyuki.)
Seta: Hey, you should let loose Noboyuki. As long as we keep our pace, we can sit tight knowing weve got a half-hour on the girls.
Keitaro: If we dont screw up, were safe until the next leg.
Noboyuki: (masking nervousness) Oh, uh heh heh yeah. No problems whatsoever Jessie and Ayla are as good as gone.
(Tenchi watches him, a little annoyed.)
Tenchi: I know it wasnt a really long alliance,
but we still agreed to work with Jessie and Ayla. I
feel awful knowing that we not only went back on our agreement, but we also
pinned them in a position where its hard for them to recover.
(With the first four teams out of the picture, Lina and Gourry arrive at the
Detour.)
[LINA & GOURRY- 5th at Detour]
Gourry: Detour- Sink or Float. Well, when they put it
that way
Lina: Give me that!
(Lina reads through the details.)
Lina: Were sinking. Its a lot faster. Besides, we missed the swimming Detour last time, so Im sure my millions of fans watching this are dying to see my shapely figure in a swimsuit.
(Gourry scratches his head.)
Gourry: I can think of two things wrong with that last statement
Lina: (threatening) Like what?
Gourry: Oh wait we did miss the last Detour! And people will see this, wont they?
Lina: Were always sinking with you around
(They change and board Sayokos boat. They go out to the buoy. Despite a lot of yelling, Gourry has no trouble lifting the doll himself. When he surfaces, Lina helps get it to the boat and they receive their next clue.)
Lina: Go to the Nekomi Institute of Technology sounds fancy
Sayoko: Thats what we like to pretend to think.
(Sayoko speeds the boat back to shore. They reach
land and get out of there as the next two teams pull in.)
[NABIKI & KASUMI / YUKARI & MINAMO- 6th at Detour]
Kasumi: Detour Sink or Float... oh my
Nabiki: Sounds like another one Akane would love
(Minamo reads through everything.)
Minamo: Well, Im a trained lifeguard, so I can do the rescue without any hassle.
Yukari: What about me?
Minamo: Youre trained at not drowning, so you can help.
(Yukari smiles.)
Yukari: And you thought I was being irresponsible for going to the pool instead of teaching my class
Minamo: Thats still irresponsible
Yukari: But you do it!
Minamo: Im a gym teacher!
Kasumi: This says that the boat for the rescue can only take one team at a time. What should we do?
Nabiki: Simple. Well float, theyll sink.
Kasumi: Sounds reasonable
(While Nabiki and Kasumi inflate their raft, Yukari and Minamo don their swimsuits, and hop on the boat with Sayoko as its speeds away.)
Minamo: (VO) This is the second challenge where swimming is crucial. This is a tremendous advantage to us. We arent the fastest swimmers out there, but as coach of the swim team, I know how to apply all the fundamentals.
(Nekomi Tech. Two cabs pull up, one dropping off Touya & Yukito, the other Yamaki & Riley. Touya leads the charge.)
Touya: This way.
(They all follow.)
Yamaki: (aside, to Yukito) Does he know where hes going?
Yukito: His fathers a professor at a local college. He knows his way around campuses.
Riley: So Touya really knows his stuff
Yukito: Touya knows everything!
Yamaki: (sotto, mean) Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power?
(They follow Touya until he
finds the door to the motor clubs garage.)
[TOUYA & YUKITO / YAMAKI & RILEY- 1st at Road Block]
Touya: Road Block- this person must have a need for
speed.
Riley: Too clichd for me, you do it.
(Riley hands the clue over.)
Yukito: Any relevant part-time jobs, Touya?
Touya: No, but Ill do it anyway.
(Touya opens the clue.)
(Shot of the garage. In the background, Motor Club
heads Tamiya and Ootaki
work on motorcycles while Skuld happily ignores
them.)
Skuld: A Road Block is a task that someones gotta do
all by herself. In this one, theyll have to choose a motorcycle that the Motor
Club is working on and replace the accelerator with the help of Tamiya and Ootaki back there. I
could help too, but they said they didnt want the bike to launch into orbit.
(Shot of Tamiya riding the bike down a marked straightaway.)
Skuld: (VO) Once its been added, theyll race the bike down a nearby racing strip. If they complete the course in under 12 seconds, theyll receive the next clue. If not theyll have to try again, and go to the back of any line that may have formed.
(Touya and Yamaki go to work on each bike. Touya follows Tamiyas instructions pretty easily, but while Yamaki is listening to Ootaki, hes not necessarily obeying.)
Ootaki: No, no you have to put it on
Yamaki: This wiring will make it faster.
Riley: Do you know what youre doing there?
Yamaki: Im sure of it.
(As Yukari watches from the surface, Minamo carefully heaves the doll around her shoulders and hoists it up. Yukari takes it and almost drops it. With Minamos help, she regains control and hauls it to the boat.)
Sayoko: Good!
(Yukari drops it immediately, sending it, and almost Minamo, back underwater. Yukari hops on the boat. A startled Minamo does soon afterward. Yukari takes the clue.)
Yukari: Go to the Nekomi Institute of Technology aw, a tech school?
(Sayoko heads back to shore. Minamo starts looking around.)
Minamo: Do you see Nabiki and Kasumi anywhere?
Yukari: Who cares?
(Nabiki and Kasumi are rowing to the eddy. Kasumi points to the boat speeding back.)
Kasumi: Oh look, Miss Kurosawa and Miss Tanizaki are finished.
Nabiki: They better wait for us or Im going to be pissed.
Kasumi: Why wouldnt they wait for us?
Nabiki: Never mind. Keep rowing.
Nabiki: Of course
I was worried about them ditching us. They were in a great position for it.
They had every reason to do the rescue Detour ahead of us, and it gave them the
perfect opportunity to jump ahead. Would I have done it? You bet!
(Upon landing, Yukari immediately runs off to hail a taxi. Minamo follows.)
Minamo: Wait a second!
Yukari: What?
Minamo: We cant just go ahead of Nabiki and Kasumi! Theyve been helping us all this time, and we have to stick together.
Yukari: But theyre too slow. Look at them, they havent gotten to the clue yet.
Minamo: But we owe it to them for all the help theyve given us.
Yukari: Nyamo, this is where you have to think about our long-term goal.
Minamo: Yes, and being too aggressive and alienating ourselves will only
Yukari: (not listening) Our long-term goal is to win this race and the best way to do that is to beat other teams!
(Minamo sweatdrops.)
Minamo: I guess thats a decent strategy but we agreed to stick together when we formed this alliance. We cant
Yukari: You know what they say- you cant spell alliance without lie.
(A cab arrives, and Yukari pleasantly hops in. Minamo follows, a little baffled.)
----
(Despite Yamakis adjustments, both he and Touya finish at about the same time and take their bikes out to the racing strip. After Tamiya and Ootaki fit them in their protective gear and show them the ropes, they get on their bikes. Neither is completely certain of what theyre doing, and Skulds presence doesnt encourage them.)
Skuld: Okay, when I give the signal, fly down there. Not literally of course. For that, youd need my help. Ready??
(Both gentlemen start their engines.)
Skuld: Set
(Skuld pulls an air horn out of nowhere and blasts it. The two speed down the stretch. Amazingly, Yamaki crosses the finish line at 9.7 seconds. Touya finishes at a respectable 10.4. As they stop, Skuld, Riley, and Yukito rush up to them. Touya shakes Yamakis hand, even if Yamaki doesnt know why.
Skuld: Way to go! Heres the clues.
(Skuld hand the clues to Touya and Yamaki.)
Touya: Go to the next Pit Stop, the renovated Tariki-honganji temple west of town.
(Rapid shots of a taxi heading to an old Shinto
temple, recently renovated to serve as a house.)
Satoshi: (VO) Teams must head west and find this renovated temple. The home of
Keiichi and his three goddess pals serves as the Pit Stop for this leg of the
race. The last team to arrive will be eliminated.
(After some extensive reaching, Kasumi gets the clue. She begins to open it.)
Nabiki: Hold on, lets get back to shore first.
Kasumi: Oh right.
(They get back as quick as they can. Yukari & Minamo are already gone.)
Kasumi: Seems like theyve left.
(Nabiki reads through the clue.)
Nabiki: Damn, I was afraid of that. The teachers are trying to beat us to school.
(She clenches a fist.)
Nabiki: Well, we wont be tardy for this class!
Kasumi: Class? I thought this was a race.
(Nabiki sweatdrops.)
Nabiki: Just help me hail a cab.
(Koji has no trouble with his motorcycle. With help
from Tamiya, and some encouragement from Max and
Koichi, May gets through fine. They race side by side, and both pass on the
first try.)
Max: (VO) May did the Road Block again. I guess it was because the clue
suggested speed as the necessary element, when mechanical skills were what was
really tested. I probably would have been more suited for that. Im not
complaining about Mays performance, but Ill admit that riding that bike
looked fun.
(The abandoned temple is anything but, as Keiichi, Belldandy and company have made the place home. Both Yamaki & Riley and Touya & Yukito rush out simultaneously toward the Pit Stop mat near the front door. Satoshi and the goddess Belldandy stand there with the marker. The large green text on the screen reads OH MY GODDESS while the smaller white text reads NEKOMI. The four stop before jumping on.)
Yukito: Okay, hold on. Lets see, Yamaki won in the drag race, so I think its only fitting that they get to step on first.
(Touya is a little confused, but doesnt argue. Riley smiles as she and Yamaki step on the mat.)
Belldandy: Welcome to our humble home here on Earth.
Yamaki: (confused) Earth?
Satoshi: Yamaki and Riley? Youre team number one.
(Yamaki dismisses it, cracks a faint smile and receives a hug from Riley. They step aside and let Touya and Yukito follow.)
Satoshi: And Touya and Yukito would be team number two.
Yukito: Good work, Touya.
(They shake hands.)
(Lina is reading the clue
at Nekomi Tech.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions- 5th at Road Block]
Lina: Its a Road Block.
Gourry: Ill do it.
Lina: Usually, I wouldnt trust you with our standing, but eh
(Lina hands over the envelope.)
Lina: I dont mind a break.
(Gourry reads the clue and walks into the garage.)
Lina: Try not to screw up!
(Seta and Noboyuki are
pondering the Detour options.)
[SETA & KEITARO / NOBOYUKI & TENCHI- 8th at Detour]
Seta: Seems we have a problem. The rescue challenge is definitely fastest, but
only one team can go at a time.
Noboyuki: Oh that is a problem.
Keitaro: Should one of us do the other one?
Seta: No. Were all strong enough, so we should be able to each get it done before one team would get the other finished.
Tenchi: You guys can go first. We trust you to stick around.
Noboyuki: (confused) We do?
Tenchi: Of course! You told us about the limo bus, so its only fair that you guys go first.
Keitaro: We promise to wait for you!
Tenchi: No problem then!
(Seta and Keitaro change and head out to do the rescue. Meanwhile, Tenchi and Noboyuki are changed and wait on the beach.)
Noboyuki: Are you sure about this, Tenchi?
Tenchi: Of course. We can trust them.
Noboyuki: But Im thinking maybe we should try to sneak ahead.
Tenchi: (offended) Why? Theyve been
Noboyuki: But Tenchi! I just realized that Jessie and Ayla can use the Fast Forward and wed be in a lot of trouble! We cant beat Seta and Keitaro playing fair!
Tenchi: What do you mean? Weve been beating them fair for the first two legs. Besides, Im already mad enough that you ditched Jessie and Ayla; now you want to ditch Seta and Keitaro too?
Noboyuki: Im just considering what we need to do to stay in the race.
(Tenchi folds his arms and sits down.)
Tenchi: Well if thats what we need to do, then tell that Sasshi kid to warm up his last team to arrive speech.
(Speaking of Sasshi, he and Belldandy smile as a pair of teams approach. May puts her arms around Koichi and Maxs shoulders. Koichi puts an arm around Mays and Kojis. Koji frowns a little, but all four hop on at the same time.)
May: We want a tie!
Satoshi: Koji & Koichi?
Belldandy: May & Max?
Satoshi / Belldandy: Youre team number three!
Belldandy: Congratulations!
(May hugs both Koji and Koichi while Max shakes hands with Belldandy. Koji shrugs off May.)
Koichi: You have to admit, Koji, we did move up a spot.
(Koji walks past everybody and into the temple without saying a word.)
(Jessie and Ayla rush out
of the jewelry store and into a taxi.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Rivals- Currently in Last Place]
Jessie: Okay, the beach. No problem. If its another athletic Detour, its in
the bag.
Ayla: Jessie, its too early to take chances. We need to use the Fast Forward.
Jessie: I dont like this whole Fast Forward business. It feels like were cheating to jump ahead of everybody. Noboyuki and Tenchi arent going to learn a thing unless were breathing fire down their necks!
(Ayla sits back.)
Ayla: They wont learn a thing if were eliminated either.
Jessie: Faith, Ayla! A little faith can go a long way!
Jessie: You bet it was thrilling. Im not in last
place very often. And this time its great- Noboyuki
and Tenchi royally screwed us over. Its exhilarating because were not only
fighting to stay in the race, were fighting to make their race a living hell!
(Noboyuki and Tenchi work together effectively to get the doll to the surface. Sayoko clears them and they get back on the boat. Sayoko hands the clue to Tenchi, eyeing him all the while.)
Sayoko: Here you go, stud.
Tenchi: (sweatdropping) Uh, thanks
(The boat returns to the beach. True to their word, Seta and Keitaro are waiting. Keitaro is watching over his shoulder.)
Keitaro: Cmon guys, hurry up. Im getting nervous
Seta: Theyre still at least twenty minutes behind us. Dont worry.
Keitaro: And I still dont know why they wouldnt
Seta: They wont use the Fast Forward because theyre too focused on running the race along the proper course. The Fast Forward is completely out of their mentality- to them its like cutting across the infield of a track.
Keitaro: (pessimistic) So basically, we cut across the infield of a track and still finished sixth in the first leg?
Seta: (thoughtful) Ninth with the penalty
(Noboyuki and Tenchi land.)
Seta: Well call cabs while you two change.
Noboyuki: Thanks!
(They rush in opposite directions.)
(Yukari is smiling as she and Ootaki wheel her bike to the strip. Minamo follows.)
Minamo: Be careful Yukari! Dont crash that thing! I dont know if that penalty applies in Road Blocks
Yukari: Dont worry Nyamo! Its just like riding a bike!
Minamo: Thats my point! You cant even ride a bike straight!!
Skuld: All ready?!
Yukari: Yeah!
(Skuld blasts the air horn and Yukari weaves her way around ridiculously, cutting into the other lane in the process. Eventually, she ends up crossing the finish line in the wrong lane and sideways. Yukari stands up immediately and lets the bike skid away into the distance. While Ootaki desperately runs after the bike, Yukari stands up, throws off her helmet, and laughs triumphantly at her time of 11.9 seconds. Minamo stands on the other side with her mouth wide open.)
(Satoshi and Belldandy are about to greet the next team, when they look shocked.)
Belldandy: Oh my
(Lina is fuming, while Gourry is covered in motor oil.)
Satoshi: What happened?
Belldandy: (slightly angry) I bet Skuld had something to do with this
(From behind Belldandy, Skuld walks past with a videotape.)
Skuld: I got the videotape from the camera guy so you cant prove anything!
(She proceeds to open its casing and unravels it. Lina charges after her.)
Lina: Give me that!!
(Gourry follows, knocking Satoshi to the side. Belldandy catches him. He stands up.)
Satoshi: (to nobody) Uh Lina and Gourry, youre team number five.
(Jessie and Ayla arrive at the Detour. They read the clue and rush onto the boat without bothering to change.)
Ayla: (to Sayoko) Step on it.
(As Sayoko drives the boat, Jessie and Ayla strip; their swimsuits are on underneath. Before Sayoko even comes to a complete stop, the two are in the water. Ayla dives down and pushes up. Jessie grabs the dolls head and directs it to the surface, and to the side. Ayla brings the rest of it up.)
Sayoko: Clear!
(They swim back and hop aboard to dry off. Sayoko hands them the clue as speeds back to shore.)
Jessie: How fast do you think our boys did that?
(Nabiki and Kasumi read the
Road Block clue.)
[NABIKI & KASUMI- Sisters- 7th at Road Block]
Nabiki: Ill do it.
Kasumi: I can do it if you want.
Nabiki: No, Ill take care of it
(Nabiki opens the envelope and reads the instructions.)
Nabiki: eventually.
(She runs in as Tamiya helps her get her bike into shape. Kasumi watches as Nabiki struggles to make sure everythings in place.)
Kasumi: (VO) I understand that Nabiki
wants to take charge and feel like shes in control, but neither of us have any
advantage when it comes to the Road Block task. Father doesnt have a bike, or
a car, or anything remotely mechanical. I suppose I would have more experience
with that kind of thing I can replace light bulbs.
(Through some difficulty, Nabiki and Tamiya get the bike to the racing strip. With Skuld tied up with Lina and Gourry, Keiichis sister Megumi fills in.)
Megumi: You know the rules?
Nabiki: Yep!
Megumi: Good, cause I dont. Skuld just told me to blow the horn when youre ready.
(Megumi does so and Nabiki rides down the stretch, finishing with a second to spare. She disembarks and Megumi, Kasumi, and Tamiya greet her. She is a little dazed.)
Kasumi: Oh my, that looked fun!
Nabiki: I guess Im ready to throw up.
Kasumi: Just lean back then. Ill get the clue.
(Kasumi takes the clue as Tamiya helps Nabiki get her bearings back. They hail a cab and get going.)
Kasumi: Are you alright now?
Nabiki: Yeah. Its nothing I cant handle. Lets just get to this temple so we can keep up with those backstabbing teachers.
(Said backstabbing teachers step on the mat.)
Belldandy: Welcome to
Yukari: Jeez, who did you have to pray to to live in a mansion like this?
Satoshi: (smiling) Uh its a gift from her father.
Belldandy: (embarrassed) In a way...
Yukari: Yeah, thats what that Chiyo brat says.
Minamo: Its a nice place.
Belldandy: Thank you.
Satoshi: Yukari and Minamo, youre team number six.
(Noboyuki and Tenchis cab
arrives just before Seta & Keitaros, so they
reach the Road Block a few seconds early.)
[NOBOYUKI & TENCHI- Father & Son- 8th at Road Block]
Noboyuki: Why dont I give this one a shot?
Tenchi: You sure?
Noboyuki: Sure. Im not too old for something like this, am I?
Tenchi: (smiling) Knock yourself out, Dad.
(Noboyuki reads the details
and heads into the garage as Seta and Keitaro arrive.)
[SETA & KEITARO- Master & Apprentice- 9th at Road Block]
Seta: Road Block. Probably involves motorcycles.
Keitaro: Ill take it.
Seta: Fair enough.
(Keitaro reads through it and joins Noboyuki. Noboyuki and Ootaki have already started. Tamiya helps Keitaro get situated in front of his bike and begins a round of instructions. Keitaro slowly begins, but is immediately overwhelmed by it all. He sighs.)
Keitaro: I wish Su-chan were here
(Keitaro lifts his head back up and continues working.)
Keitaro: No I dont! No I dont!
(Nabiki and Kasumi step on the mat.)
Satoshi: Nabiki and Kasumi, youre team number seven.
Kasumi: Thank you!
(Kasumi bows. Belldandy bows deeper. Kasumi tries to match that, until they bump heads. They stand up straight and both begin to laugh. Satoshi and Nabiki shrug.)
(Noboyuki and Ootaki rush their bike out to the racing strip, while Keitaro remains inside. Tenchi follows.)
Tenchi: Wheres Keitaro?
Noboyuki: Hes not done yet.
(Noboyuki gets into his protective gear.)
Ootaki: Im surprised we have anything in your size.
Noboyuki: (self-depreciating) Yeah, the sake pours freely at our house, right Tenchi?
Tenchi: (dry sarcasm) Yeah, its a non-stop party.
Megumi: Sounds cool. Kinda like our place. Ready?
Noboyuki: Yep.
(They get into position as Keitaro and Tamiya approach. Megumi blasts the horn and Noboyuki efficiently guides the bike across the strip in plenty of time. Megumi hands him the clue as he begins to walk back. Keitaro is still getting set up.)
Noboyuki: Thanks dear check in at the next Pit Stop, the renovated Tariki-honganji temple west of town. Well, wed better get going!
(Noboyuki walks back toward the garage. Tenchi slowly follows.)
Tenchi: Already? What about
(Ayla reads the Pit Stop crew. Jessie tries to get a sneak peak at the task.)
Ayla: Jessie, you did the last one, so
Jessie: How many motorcycles have you worked on?
Ayla: Motor cycles?
(Jessie takes the clue.)
Jessie: You can do the next one this babys mine.
(She reads the info and runs into the garage. Noboyuki runs past Ayla on the way. For a moment, they make eye contact. Ayla narrows her eyes just enough to send Noboyuki running into the street.)
Noboyuki: Taxi!!
Tenchi: Dad, hold on!
(Keitaro is all set to go, and takes a moment to psyche himself up. On Megumis signal, he charges forward.)
Seta: Cmon Keitaro!
(He gets about halfway before the accelerator blows out of the cycle. Keitaro is lifted skyward for a moment, before gravity sets in and Keitaro falls flat to the ground.)
Tamiya: Thats not supposed to happen
(Keitaro crawls out.)
Keitaro: (woozy) Im okay
(Keitaro and Seta wheel it back to the starting line. Tamiya makes some emergency repairs.)
Tamiya: I told you to tighten the bolts!
Keitaro: Ah! Sorry!
Tamiya: Dont worry, thats what duck tapes for.
Keitaro: I cant believe I screwed it up
Seta: Dont sweat it. One little mistake isnt going to
Jessie: (OS) Where is it, up here?
Ootaki: (OS) Yeah
(Seta looks back. Jessie is wheeling her bike to the strip, with Ootaki and Ayla following.)
Seta: Uh start sweating
(As Keitaro gets ready, Megumi greets Ootaki as Jessie also gears up.)
Megumi: Ootaki, you just left. That was fast.
Ootaki: When I got down there, she was already working on this thing.
Jessie: Are we going yet?
Megumi: Hold on
(Both Jessie and Keitaro are in position. Megumi gives them the signal and both make it through safely. However, while Keitaro slides in at 11.5 seconds, Jessie breaks ten seconds, seriously surprising Tamiya and Ootaki. Jessie turns a 180 and drives back, braking right at Megumi. Megumi holds out the clue, but Ayla grabs it. Ayla reads the clue as Jessie gets her gear off. Seta quickly follows suit as Keitaro runs back.)
Ayla: Check in at the next Pit Stop, the renovated Tariki-honganji temple west of town.. The last team to arrive will be eliminated.
Jessie: I wouldnt have it any other way
(They run off well before Keitaro can get his gloves off.)
(Tenchi is in a foul mood as he and Noboyuki walk through the front yard of the temple.)
Tenchi: You dont get it, do you? You cant make or break alliances as easily as that.
Noboyuki: Why not?
Tenchi: Because its wrong! And watch what happens next time we try to get help from somebody.
(They step on the mat. Skuld has joined her sister as greeter.)
Skuld: Welcome to our home away from home!
Satoshi: Noboyuki and Tenchi? Youre team number eight.
Noboyuki: Heh, Im sure well do better next time, right Tenchi?
(Tenchi storms angrily into the house. Noboyuki follows.)
Noboyuki: Tenchi??
Skuld: (to Belldandy) What are they fighting about?
Belldandy: I dont know. Sometimes people get angry at their fathers for all sorts of reasons.
Skuld: (smarmy) Like when a father disapproves of his kid falling in love??
(Satoshi takes another look up at Tenchi.)
Satoshi: Uh I really doubt that with those two.
(A cab arrives. An absolutely emotionless Jessie and Ayla jog up to the mat.)
Satoshi: Jessie and Ayla
(Both Jessie and Ayla are completely stone-faced.)
Satoshi: Youre team number nine.
(No reaction whatsoever. Finally, one of them opens a mouth.)
Ayla: Perfect.
(They walk away silently.)
Skuld: Scary
(Finally, Seta and Keitaro already know whats coming. With heavy hearts they walk up to the Pit Stop mat and step on.)
Satoshi: Seta and Keitaro? Youre the last team to arrive.
(Seta nods.)
Satoshi: You have both been eliminated from the race.
Seta: Well so much for that experience.
(They leave quietly. Seta puts a reassuring arm on Keitaros shoulder.)
Seta: (VO) The only disappointing thing is that I
know we could have done a lot better if we had a little better luck. But we got
off on the wrong foot, and there was no way we could recover from our early
mistakes.
Keitaro: Its another one of lifes little
experiences. Im glad I was able to be here, I met a lot of great people, and I
took a lot out of it the permanent scars not withstanding. I only wish
everybody could know what it feels like to be here, even if they have to be
eliminated in a humiliating fashion.
Seta: In the end, it doesnt matter how well we
do, or what we could have done better. We did it, and thats enough for me.
End of Episode Three
Authors Notes
This may be the earliest in any reality port Ive done where the central plots
got going so early. But here, alliances made, alliances broken and a pair of
women that want to kill Tenchi. Ironic, perhaps, that its the Oh My Goddess
leg.
As hard as I look, I have yet to find any specific location for Nekomi, the fictional city where all the crazy stuff of OMG
takes place. But fanon seems to have placed it near Chiba, so thats what I
went with. It was the best opportunity to get the whole limo bus option going.
The characterization of May and Max is a little rough, since the first few
episodes were being written before they debuted on Pokmon. I knew I wanted to
have them (I welcome the change of pace, as Misty was starting to become dead
weight), but writing characters before seeing characters is something I
generally frown on. With the exception of a couple Mole cameos, I had only done
so with Rika in Pokball Run. As with Rika, I made
appropriate changes once I saw them for real.
The other issue with May and Max is how to treat them when they have just been
introduced. The alliance with Koji and Koichi will help serve this purpose, and
it gives them a good window for expression. It also helps develop Koichi, as he
never really got a chance to be anything other than angsty
in the series. Hopefully this will also put aside any fears that either May or Max
would turn into another Tracey. Although it seems Noboyuki
may be leaning in that direction
I call Sayoko a quasi-bitch because they seemed to be trying to take her in
that direction in the series, but never really did all that much with her. I
guess shes more involved in the manga, but its hard to make anything of her
in the OAV. I had to include her though- it was her boat.
Yamakis Wonderboy line is
an obvious reference to the song of the same name. Its an over-referred to
song (at least if you watch SportsCenter), but a
small tribute to one of the only decent Tamers music videos Ive seen. Yamaki
was young, nasty man.
Its well-known that Kasumi and Belldandy have the
same Japanese voice actress, Kikuko Inoue.
Appropriately enough, Belldandy was caught with
Kasumis most uttered statement- oh my. Also, Tenchi has the same Japanese
voice actor as Keiichi and Minamo matches up with Skuld.
Its not really touched upon in the series, but Jessie does race motorcycles as
a hobby. Its one of those things that arent discussed, but revealed to flesh
out a character better, like how Rileys last name is Ootori
and how Touyas birthday is February 29.
Next Week on the Anime-zing Race:
* Heading into a fantasy realm, will Lina and Gourry finally feel more at home?
* Will Koji ever be able to work effectively with his alliance?
* How will Nabiki fare against an equally
enterprising young lady?