THE ANIMAZING RACE 4
*
*
And now after 5 legs, I can finally do the joke – the race has gone away…IN AMERICA!
Ahem, sorry. It will be the only time you see that, I promise.
The next leg is going to hit very close to home for one particular team – hell, one member of the team has technically starred in this OVA, but…well…see for yourself.
*
(9 teams travelled from chilly Hokkaido…to the sunny
beaches of Houston Texas. On the way there, some physical activity caught a few
teams off guard, whether it was holding off a gigantic lineman…)
Nagi: DAMMIT, HE’S FAT BUT HE’S STRONG…IT’S LIKE SHIFTING A TRUCK…
(They slowly try to get Kurita down but it’s not good enough, Bob seems to get by but Hiruma has already passed to Monta. With the queue forming, Hiruma gets his uzi…)
Hiruma: DAMN DREADLOCKS, DAMN SPIKE, TO THE BACK OF THE QUEUE!
(…or being chased after by a vicious dog…)
Jinnai: Dammit sister, do you want to be dog food?
Nanami: Let me rest dammit!
(Shot of the Himuros leaving however gives Nanami a second wind…)
Nanami: Dammit, we’re in trouble. Nanami Jinnai, here I go!
(Nanami sees the fangs of Cerberus ready to chomp at them and if that isn’t incentive to run faster I don’t know what is. It works as Nanami clocks in at 6.17 seconds…just within the limit by point 0.01.)
Nanami: So…I…need…to…keep it at that….
(Heading to the US the Jinnai’s and Yamato/Miyu played
it safe, whilst several of the teams after witnessing Saga’s shock win last leg
took a similar risk to get there earlier…)
Worker: O.K, we’ve got several flights at 12 tomorrow – that’s midday – which connect in Chicago with a nearly 3 hours connection, and you should arrive in Houston at 2.45pm US time.
Kaname: Are they available or is there anything else?
(A few more buttons are pressed)
Worker: Yes and yes. There is an alternative flight that leaves at 11.30 that connects in Dallas, but the connection is very tight at an hour and 35 minutes connection. However, you would arrive at 1.35pm.
Kaname: An hour advantage on the other teams, but hard to get through – but this is where Sousuke would shine. Shall we take the risk?
(Sousuke thinks for a moment…)
Sousuke: Affirmative.
Kaname: We’ll take the Dallas flight.
(…but Roy and
Hughes, strangers to flight, were tricked by the surprising alliance of
Bob/Nagi and Sara/Yakumo…)
Interpretor: (in
English) Hello, this is English interpretor 241, how can I help you?
Sara: (in English) Oh hello there! I’m sorry to bother you this late at night but I need some help…
(Roy and Hughes eyes suddenly widen and realise what is going on…)
Roy: Hey wait? She’s speaking…
Hughes: Sara-chan, what’s…
(Bob smirks…)
Bob: I didn’t
think they’d agree to it, but amazingly she did. The Americans seemed to ditch
us before we could do this plan but we know call agencies have language lines.
With 3 of the 4 teams with someone who speaks English, we knew we could really
screw with Roy and Hughes. However, for someone as sweet and innocent looking,
and indeed, religious, as Sara, I would have never guessed she would come round
to our side for something this tricky…
(In Houston, teams got to play football against an all-star cast of players, bringing out some true grit and strength, and guts…but one with utter idiocy…)
Sousuke: So it is like rugby…
(Sousuke runs forward. Another Queen gets to his side…)
(…and Sousuke KICKS HIM.)
Kaname: Hey, what the…
(Too late. Sousuke can sent him flying and probably out of the game. Sousuke calmly runs to the other side with the ball but Doburokou looks concerned.)
Doburokou: That’s an illegal move. However, I think it counts as that Yuko woman said she’d deal with all problems.
(The leg also had
the AR debut of the Yield, and with the Jinnais and the future Kotubukis’s
thinking they were battling for last place, the Jinnais played their death
card…)
Jinnai: We could effectly take out that damn police officer and his bitch out the race…
Nanami: But is this a bit early?
Jinnai: But it could be just us two teams…if they beat us at this detour…then…NO…MONEY…
(That hits hard.)
Nanami: So long cops and robbers…
(The two hit the mat…)
Nanami: We choose to yield Miyu and Yamato.
(Miyu and Yamato’s lovey-dovey picture is placed on the marker complete with a picture under the ‘courtesy of’ Katsuhiko and Nanami. They head to the envelope…)
(…however, when
Sousuke/Kaname hit the mat in first and acquired a 2 hour penalty, it looks a
foregone conclusion…but both Miyu/Yamato and Sousuke/Kaname got a surprise…)
Yuko: (chuckles) There is only hitzusen Miyu…praying won’t work here…but…Miyu and Yamato…
(Dramatic pause…)
Yuko: You are the eighth team to arrive. However, due to an error by those two over there, you are team number seven!
(Miyu and Yamato’s relief is evident, they don’t cheer as they are about to turn to apologise to Kaname…but then realise what Yuko said.)
MIYU/YAMATO – 7TH
PLACE (3.45PM)
Miyu: 7th? That means…
Yamato: …there still one team out there…
*
Yuko: Sousuke and Kaname, by hook or by crook, or should I say luck…you are team number 8.
(Thanks to a trick
and catching a much later flight, Roy Mustang and Maes Hughes were the 4th
team eliminated.)
8 TEAMS REMAIN.
WHO WILL BE ELIMINATED…NEXT?
*
TEAMS REMAINING;
BOB/NAGI – BEST
FRIENDS – TENJHO TENGE
GAI/ROCK LEE – MASTER/STUDENT – NARUTO
KATSUHIKO/NANAMI
(THE JINNAIS) – BROTHER AND SISTER – EL HAZARD
KEIKO/IZUMI –
MOTHER/DAUGHTER – PRINCESS NINE
MIYU/YAMATO –
ENGAGED – SUPERGALS
TAMAYO/KOTAROU – CHILDHOOD FRIENDS –
ANGELIC LAYER
RALLY/MINNIE MAY –
WORKING PARTNERS – GUNSMITH CATS
ROY/HUGHES – FRIENDS IN THE MILITARY –
FULL METAL ALCHEMIST
SAGA/REGGINA –
GRANDAUGHTER AND GRANDMOTHER – TINY SNOW FAIRY SUGAR
SARA/YAKUMO – BEST
FRIENDS – SCHOOL RUMBLE
SOUSUKE/KANAME –
CLASSMATES – FULL METAL PANIC
TYLOR/YAMAMOTO – CAPTAIN AND LIETUENANT – IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR
*
(We are watching some cows and bulls moving around a ranch, as the night sky dims down into sunset. Yuko, all smiles as she watches the sunset, turns to look at the camera.)
Yuko: This is the Seibu Wild Gunman’s ranch in Houston, Texas, an official training spot of one of the highest ranking Tokyo teams in American Football. This was the 4th Pit Stop in a race around the world. Teams arrive here for a mandatory rest period…
(Shot of the mandatory barbeque at the ranch, avoiding the beef, as all the players invited to the Road Block enjoy the food and drink along with all our players. Shot of most of the meat disappearing thanks to the hands of Rally, Nanami and Bob…)
Yuko: …which allows them to eat…
(Whilst the ranch does have some beds, most of the teams take to sleeping in the comfortable hay area Kid has set up watching the night sky, surprisingly peaceful despite all the animals on there…)
Yuko: …sleep…
(Shot of Kaname ‘avoiding’ Sousuke as best as she could and talking to Miyu, who is glaring occasionally at the Jinnais – these two teams got a lucky break last leg…)
Yuko: …and mingle with the other teams. The 8 teams have no idea what is in store for them. Can Sousuke avoid another problem which could cause a time penalty and to escape from last place with Kaname? And will the Jinnais regret making one of the most dangerous players in the race, Miyu Yamazaki, mad after Yielding them to no avail?
*
Yuko: Rally and May, who arrived at 2.33pm…will depart at 2.33am.
2.33AM
RALLY/MINNIE MAY – 1ST PLACE (GUNSMITH CATS)
Rally: (rips the clue up) Take one of the two available flights…(squeals happily)…
Rally/May: …AND TAKE A FLIGHT TO CHICAGO!!!
*
(Yep, it’s home sweet home for the Gunsmith Cats, as we are introduced to…Rally Vincent? Kept whilst this Rally is taller, with blond hair and fair skinned compared to the smaller Indian skinned Rally in the race…this Rally is the partner of the infamous Bean Bandit, and our first host of the day. And just to avoid confusion, she will be known as Rally V, and the racer will be just Rally…)
Rally V: Teams must take one of two available flights to Chicago – there are 4 spots on the first flight at 7.05am whilst the remaining 4 teams will take the 7.10am flight. Whilst there are only 5 minutes difference, the first flight is due to arrive in Chicago at 9.30am whilst the second at 9.43am. Both of them are American Airlines flights so teams must be careful which one they are booking. Once they arrive in Chicago, they must head over to this place, Buckingham Fountain, a trademark drop off point for many of Bean’s…jobs. Once there, they will find their next clue.
*
(Rally and May high five, incredibly happy and excited…even more so as they have been provided cars for the first leg of their journey, so they hope in and Rally takes a deep breath…)
Rally: Back in the US May, and going back home! 1st place here we come!
May: Could this work out any better for us?
(Rally’s energy on top, she drives on as May begins to navigate back to Houston International…)
Rally: It was like all our rotten luck in the first legs was a test for us to get through and survive, and then get rewarded. Oh, hell yeah we got rewarded. Chicago is our home town, we know all the sights, the smells, the roads…there is no-one that can stop us now.
May: NO-ONE!
*
2.37am
IZUMI/KEIKO (2ND PLACE) – PRINCESS NINE
Izumi: Chicago mother.
Keiko: We’d best hurry, if only the first four teams are going to be on this flight then it’s going to get ugly fast.
Izumi: As long as we don’t get lost…
Keiko: (smiles) With you guiding me, how could I?
(Izumi manages a faint smile from that remark as the two head to their car.)
Keiko: It’s always best to make sure Izumi remains calm. When she’s level headed, she’s unbreakable. We’ve now kept into the top two for the last two legs, this time without the aid of a Fast Forward, and we can hold on strong for this leg I’m certain as well.
(Izumi however groans at the English map, meaning Keiko is partially doing double duty whilst she drives…)
*
2.40am
BOB/NAGI (3RD PLACE) – TENJHO TENGE
Bob: …Chicago eh? Heh, well we’re in my domain now.
Nagi: Hopefully we can get ahead of the princess and her mom…
Bob: Just try and read the map, I can’t do two things at once…
Nagi: Yes dad…
Nagi: I must admit, if Bob wasn’t here we’d probably have been screwed. His calmness, intelligence and skills match up in situations where me kicking the crap out of someone doesn’t help, we’ve seen what happens with Sousuke…and we’re doing strong. And with Bob’s English skills, we’ve got a real ace in the hole…
(Like Izumi, Nagi unfortunately has a few problems with the map, but the airports are clearly marked and Bob looks at it for a moment, points where they have to go and Nagi begins navigating…)
*
2.45am
SARA/YAKUMO (4TH PLACE) – SCHOOL RUMBLE
Yakumo: Ch-icago?
Sara: Heh…those cats must be in heaven.
Yakumo: Of course…
Sara: Come on, let’s make sure we can catch up with them…
Yakumo: When we saw the clue, we realised that
Rally-san and May-san were both from Chicago and were going to have a big
advantage. However, we also know that overconfidence can lead to mistakes, so
we’re going to see if we can get in touch with them…and considering we’re 4th,
we need to keep ahead to get one of those 4 spots on the earlier plane…
(Again, the English speaker is the driver, but Yakumo is a bit stronger and is able to find out where to go quickly as they begin their trek…)
*
2.50AM
SAGA/REGGINA – 5TH PLACE (TINY SNOW FAIRY
SUGAR)
Saga: …Chicago grandma!
Reggina: Let’s hope we can match as well in the US as we did in Japan…
Saga: You mean survive?
Reggina: (smiles) It’s good enough for being second last isn’t it?
Saga: In the words of Greta, we fight for first place now grandma!
(Reggina chuckles at her grandaughter’s spirit at ten to 3 in the morning as they step into their car…)
Saga: People don’t see us as the pair everyone likes now – we are now a threat and treated as equals.It doesn’t matter how strong, smart, attractive or sneaky you are…it’s the teams that arrive on the mat before the last team makes it. And that’s all that matters…and that’s all we need to do.
(The Germans are able to read the English writing and work the map fairly easily, as Saga’s surprising energy is hoping for the two to navigate and get ahead of the other teams…)
*
(Whilst May/Rally have ‘home team advantage’ they realise something that even they suffer from…)
Rally: Dammit it, where’s the turn off?
May: Looks like being in Houston isn’t much better than being in Tokyo…
Rally: Oh quiet…we need to find the interstate…let’s look at that map.
(Rally/May now have a good look at the map – May points where they have to turn off…a little bit back. Rally curses.)
Rally: O.K, I’ll brag about home turf WHEN I get into Chicago…
May: Better be quick, there was a span of just around 15 minutes between us and the Bergmans, and the last thing you want to do is fall behind Saga…
Rally: SHE…MUST…DIE…
(The GSG are forced to continue down the road and then make a turn and head back…will that cost them?)
*
Bob: I thought you were navigating?
Nagi: So did I…
(The fact that a number of the leading teams have English speakers isn’t helping the fact that their partners can’t navigate worth a damn. Nagi is staring as Bob points his finger on a route…)
Bob: Keep on there, we’re going to have to cut on the side and then run by…
Nagi: How much time did we lose?
Bob: About 5 minutes if we’re lucky. Which means your girlfriends are probably on our tail…
Nagi: Not sure which comment I should be more pissed about…the one about losing time or the one about those two being my girlfriends…
(Humour goes out the window as the boys are slowly realising that getting up at 3 in the morning is a lot worse than staying up until then…)
*
3.28AM
THE JINNAIS (KATSUHIKO/NANAMI) – 6TH PLACE
(EL-HAZARD)
Nanami: Chicago?! Awesome!
Jinnai: Perfect. More people to…
Nanami: I’d rather get there as fast as possible and avoid any possibility to be near Miyu…she’s so scary under that cute exterior…
(Jinnai actually is quiet for a moment and is almost in agreement, but then reverts back to good old Jinnai…)
Jinnai: NO matter, we’ll crush them now!!!
Nanami: Well…considering we could be sharing a plane with them again…
(Hearing that, Jinnai scarpers into the car and Nanami takes the wheel. Jinnai actually seems to seem to understand the map and they begin to rush…)
Nanami: No question…we used the Yield EXPECTING Miyu and Yamato to fall. But not one but TWO teams screwed up, and let me tell you something – Miyu’s glare on your back can kill Satan himself. So to say that we are not enjoying any prospect of us being with them…and now we’ve got the very strong possibility of being on a plane with at least them AND that maniac Sousuke? I’m not enjoying this AT all…
*
(Unknowning to them, thanks to the GSC error, it’s put them into first place thanks to Izumi’s excellent navigating skills.)
Izumi: These roads are easy compared to Japanese Roads.
Keiko: Anyone with half a brain can handle these…which is probably why we’ll not see any teams for a while…
Izumi: My mother, was that a sense of humour you displayed?
Keiko: I’m not saying anything.
(The Himuros get faster on a dark near empty Houston road…)
*
Yakumo: Hey, is that…
(Shot of Bob and Nagi turning in after getting back on track. Sara nods.)
Sara: It’s Bob and Nagi.
(Sara speeds up as the fighters don’t see the two girls stretch their lead…)
Sara: Time waits for no-one…plus we need any chance to get ahead of those guys…
Yakumo: Sara…
(Sara’s face is completely serious as Bob and Nagi get back on track…)
Bob: Right, we keep on this road and then turn left on the interstate, and then it’s about an hour and a half…
Nagi: Keep at it then…
(Bob looks a little annoyed, but does so…)
*
(Shot of Rally and May now back on track, but only about a mile and a half, Saga and Reggina are following the map to the letter…)
*
3.45AM
MIYU/YAMATO – (7TH PLACE) SUPERGALS
Miyu: O.K…let’s go to Chicago and use your know how to get those damn Jinnais arrested at the Road Block or something…
Yamato: Miyu, calm down. We’ll lose at this rate…
Miyu: I know that Yamato-kun…but it would make me feel a hell of a lot better…
Miyu: Yep, I’m pissed. The Jinnais had enough enemies as it is, and yes, it was strategy…but I still hate them. The good thing is it backfired, so now I can slowly plot my revenge…by simply making sure they get eliminated. Whether I can do that or not is another question, so we’ll simply blitz through everyone…
(Miyu and Yamato get in the car, groan at the English and pray that Yamato and Miyu’s basic English skills and reading can get through…)
*
Nanami: How far ahead are we of the cop and robber?
Jinnai: About 15 minutes…
Nanami: Not good enough…we were about 40 minutes behind Saga and Reggina who were in 5th so we’re gonna be sharing with them barring a huge mishap…
Jinnai: Well it happened last time!
Nanami: Yeah…just not in our favour…
*
Rally: Can’t believe we messed up on that road…
May: If it makes you feel better, we’ll only be a few minutes behind if we did screw that up on the plane…
Rally: May, this is a race. Any time we’re behind we’re screwed. I thought you of all people knew that…
May: I know it…it just shows we can’t look a gift horse in the mouth…
Rally: Then we’re just gonna have to have to make sure no-one can beat us the road…and that my dear May is impossible…
(Rally speeds up as May wonders what the speed limit is…)
May: Sometimes Rally gets too focused and feel she has
to remember she does have to follow rules in this race. We’ve seen already how
Sousuke has screwed himself so I’m here to make sure Rally doesn’t do the
same…trust me, it’s hard work…
*
4.10AM – HOUSTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
(Shot of Izumi and Keiko pulling in to a quiet car pack, as they run as best as they can over to the main terminals and begin to locate where to go from American Airlines.)
Keiko: They shouldn’t be too hard find…we’re in America after all.
Izumi: As long as you don’t starting wearing an American flag around your head…
(The mother/daughter pair get inside one of the terminals and it isn’t hard to find the main terminals for American Airlines. They get on a smallish line for economy class and don’t have to wait long. They do notice that Rally/May aren’t here though…)
Izumi: Did we beat those two?
Keiko: Maybe…not sure.
Izumi: They were the last team I expected to get lost…
Keiko: Call it luck of the Irish…or Japanese in this case.
(The Himuros get to the front and let Keiko do the talking…)
Keiko: (English) 5 minutes past 7 flight to Chicago please…
Attendant: Yes…there are 4 reserved spots…
(Keiko shows the envelope with the AR envelope. That’s all that is needed and Keiko and Izumi get their tickets and their faces gets smiles.)
Keiko: Now we relax.
Izumi: Mom, there’s only 5 minutes difference between our flight and the next…
Keiko: I mean relax. I need a few moments sleep. Wake me up if any teams try to hassle us…on second thoughts, don’t. You should be able to handle them yourself daughter.
Izumi: You have so much confidence in me mother.
Keiko: I always do…even if I haven’t showed it.
(Keiko closes her eyes and lets herself sleep for a moment. Izumi looks over her mother, smiles a moment and puts her jacket around her.)
Izumi: Whatever differences there are between us have slowly gone in this race as we are both focused to win. We haven’t had that first place yet but we’re getting closer, and as along as we remain on the same page, we will hit that mat first – hopefully in the final leg.
*
(As Keiko slowly begins to nap, a second team is able to pull in to the airport…)
4.21am
(Shot of Sara and Yakumo escaping their car…)
Sara: I don’t know how far they were behind us, but let’s start running Yakumo – go as fast as you can, get in the queue and I’ll catch up!
(Yakumo’s speed comes into play as she searching for the terminal as Sara does her best to keep up. Yakumo looks for the American Airlines and is able to read it well enough to see the small queue in the early hours in the morning. She jumps in it and is able to bring Sara to join her as she catches up, fortunately no-one else was waiting the queue.)
Sara: Did…we get here before?
Yakumo: Not sure…I don’t see any other teams…
Sara: That’s either good…or ba…(looks)…wait, is that Izumi?
(Yakumo looks up and sure enough, Izumi is flicking through a book in the distance, Keiko sleeping.)
Yakumo: They were 2 places ahead of us in 2nd…
Sara: At the very least we’re still in 4th…that works.
(As they move up the queue, about 4 minutes later…)
Sara: Got it!
SARA/YAKUMO – 2ND TEAM ON 7.05 FLIGHT
Nagi: THEY BEAT US?
(Shot of Bob and Nagi at the back of the queue looking on at the two girls who, whilst not smug, their smiles are enough to annoy Nagi enough…)
Bob: And whose fault was that?
Nagi: Well…
Bob: Girls, do you know if any others are here?
Sara: The only ones we saw were of Izumi and Keiko…
Bob: (surprised) Rally and jailbait weren’t here?
Yakumo: May-san is older than us…
(Bob now seems even more surprised…)
Sara: Nope, haven’t seen them.
Bob: Interesting…
(Bob and Nagi are soon joining Sara and Yakumo who are heading upstairs to greet Izumi. The tennis/baseball star is also surprised when she sees Sara/Yakumo before Rally/May…)
Izumi: Interesting…
*
4.28AM
SOUSUKE/KANAME – LAST PLACE (FULL METAL PANIC)
Kaname: Come on, let’s go.
(Sousuke doesn’t reply, you can tell there is still a feeling of annoyance in the air, even when Sousuke takes the wheel.)
Kaname: No speeding, no crashing, no violence. Got it?
(Sousuke doesn’t reply…)
Kaname: GOT IT?
Sousuke: (quietly) Affirmative.
Sousuke: I don’t like this silence. I know what I did was an error – reflex, habit…flashback. I can’t say why I did what I did…and we were nearly eliminated. Chidori hasn’t said much to me since then, and what she has said has…hurt. I know I cannot let her down again.
(Sousuke is driving on as the car of silence makes the long and painful trip to the airport…)
*
Izumi: They’ve gotten lost haven’t they?
Bob: Considering those two chicks are from Chicago, anything that slows them down works for us.
(Izumi doesn’t seem to like Bob’s tone of speech, but lets it by. Keiko has stirred now seeing two more teams…)
Yakumo: That means that it’s most likely either they or Saga and Reggina will get the last spot…
Nagi: Rally would probably run over that kid to get first…
Bob: Oh, she loves the kid – she just doesn’t want to admit it – so I dunno…
(The teams keep mostly quiet, watching over to see who does make it as the 4th team, with only bits of conversation between them (and the obligatory teasing of Nagi). It’s barely 5 minutes and then…)
*
Rally: Cut inside…there park there!
May: You’re driving, you do it!
Rally: Dammit…
*
Saga: Here we are grandma!
Reggina: Did we catch up enough to get on the first flight?
Saga: Let’s find out…
*
(The shot of the doors as we see the queue enter…)
Rally: Did we make it?
May: Get in the queue and pray…
Rally: (looks up) Too late – our religious babe is up there…with…(counts)…2 other teams.
May: 2? That means…
Rally: We’re 4th…I hope…
(The two get to the front…just as Saga and Reggina enter and join the queue…)
Saga: It’s here right?
Reggina: American Airlines…
(Shot of Rally getting the tickets…)
Rally: Got em!
(Rally is about to celebrate, when she sees the Germans in the queue. She immediately shuts up.)
Rally: Dammit…of all teams I have to screw…
May: They were 5th Rally…they probably expected it…
Rally: I know…I just didn’t want to see them behind me when we got the advantage…even it is just 5 minutes.
May: Come on Rally, let’s join the others…
(Rally and May go upstairs, as Rally does look a little upset…)
Rally: I’m sorry kid…
(As they make conversation, Saga and Reggina get the bad news…)
Saga: Sold out?
Attendant: I’m sorry little girl…but the 2nd flight at 4.10 is still available and it’s only 5 minutes…
Saga: That could still be 5 minutes too many considering we’re the slowest team in the race…
Reggina: Got no choice dear.
(Saga sighs. Her sigh is another dagger into Rally’s heart as the Germans confirm they are on the 2nd flight…)
SAGA/REGGINA – 1ST TEAM ON 7.10AM FLIGHT TO
CHICAGO
Reggina: Saga, they’re up there…
Saga: Happy to see us behind them…
Reggina: Saga…
Saga: Sorry grandma…
Reggina: I think her friend Greta’s competitive streak is really rubbing off on Saga, and seeing us a little behind 4 other teams on the flights was quite disappointing to her. She put a brave face on it but you know she was disappointed. If it was any consolation to her, the other teams seemed to be upset as well…especially Rally for some reason…
(Shot of Saga getting a hug from Sara and May, as they offer their condolences…)
Bob: The worst part is you’ve now got to share a plane with that Sousuke and that ba…I mean that ‘gentleman’ Jinnai now…
Nagi: My, learning not to swear in front of little girls…you’re getting good in your old age.
Bob: Sara, smite him.
Sara: Will do! (gets her cross and chain out as Nagi immediately looks for the nearest exit)
Rally: I can’t believe we got lost on the way here…you girls nearly beat us…maybe you should have…
May: Don’t go soft Rally…I know you love her to bits but we got here before they did, so we’re there…sorry girls, I love you guys as well but…
Reggina: …it’s a game, we know.
Rally: (blushes) I don’t love her to bits…sure she’s adorable, smart, funny, intelligent and I’d love a little sister like her but…
(Saga is now embarrassed…)
Yakumo: Rally-san is someone who is tough on the outside, but when it comes to her own feelings, is incredibly shy…
(Rally doesn’t answer, just blushes further. Saga leans over and kisses Rally on the cheek, looking a lot brighter.)
Saga: Thank you Miss Rally.
(Rally just hugs her for a bit as Nagi gags, Bob chuckles, Sara goes mushy, Yakumo smiles and May and Reggina just look over them with a nod and a chuckle. Izumi looks a little jealous…)
Izumi: Seeing Rally and Saga, two people who are technically enemies on this race. Yet, there is genuine upset for Rally who obvious has some attachment with children and cares for Saga. In this race, I’ve been wanting to defeat everyone, and not care what people thought of me. But this competition seems to have brought some surprise friendships, and it seems mom and I have been cut back. It does bother me…a little…
*
5.04AM
(A couple of hours later which revolved around a few of the team members sleeping, Nagi trying his best not to be killed by either Bob or the Rumble girls, May training Rally not to get too soft and the opening of the coffee stall at 5am, another team enters…much to the teams discomfort…)
Jinnai: HA HA HA! Now our next stop to world conquest!
Izumi: Dammit…
Bob: This loud…this early…
(Shot of Saga and Yakumo stirring from their slumbers as Rally curses out of earshot…)
May: Like they care what we think anyway…Sara-chan, you couldn’t smite them or something…we’d willingly share the time penalty…
Sara: (shakes her head) No, I’d rather not risk anything. A child of god forgives all shortcomings…
(Sara pauses…)
Sara: (quietly) …as tempting as it might be…
(The Jinnais seem to be occasionally turning around in case a future man and wife are on their trails, but by the time they get to their tickets, they are safe. Only problem is…)
Jinnai: SECOND PLANE?
Nanami: As in…the 4 spots were filled. We were 6th remember with a half an hour behind 5th…
Jinnai: But…
Nanami: Just live it brother…
(The Jinnais get through, and Nanami spots the teams watching them, as more coffee is drunk. Yakumo joining Bob and Rally in drinking it extra strong as the Jinnais walk in…)
Jinnai: SO a few of you may have a slight advantage over me…
Nanami: (sighs) …us…
Jinnai: (without missing a beat) …but it won’t be long before…
Izumi: Can any of you guys tell him to shut the f…
(Sara quickly covers Saga’s ears…)
Izumi: …because I’m getting tired of saying it.
Nanami: Hey girl, I thought you had better class than that.
Izumi: It’s running out faster quicker before you can say ‘wasted yield.’
(Hearing that, the Jinnais immediately turn around. No sign of the future Kotobukis as they sigh…Izumi just smirks.)
Izumi: Seems you are running now more on fear than on confidence…
Jinnai: Bitch.
(Izumi looks pissed. Before we can cause a time penalty for slapping Jinnai, Yakumo holds her back.)
Izumi: Dammit Yakumo, let me go…
(Izumi tries to struggle, but is surprised by Yakumo’s strength. She turns and looks in her stern eyes. The part-esper shakes her head.)
Yakumo: (whispers) It’s not worth it…
(Izumi’s body goes limp hearing Yakumo. Yakumo releases her as Izumi breathes deeply. She looks nervous, but turns away from Jinnai…)
Izumi: Mom, I’m going to get some tea…join me?
Keiko: I guess…
(The two leave as Yakumo sits down…)
Nanami: I’m not sure whether to thank you…or wonder why you did that? That would have been a sure penalty against them…
Bob: She doesn’t play like that. Contrary to what your brother thinks, there are some people that play the high road even in a game like this…
Rally: Heh, I’m not one of them, but that doesn’t mean I want teams to go due to some common error or provoking crap…(Rally put a hand on Saga’s shoulder)
Jinnai: Bah, idiots. Good guys always finish last.
(The Jinnais leave as Bob smiles.)
Bob: …that doesn’t mean that BOTH members of the teams are completely good though…
(He casts his eye particularly on May and Sara…with a little chuckle…)
*
5.25AM
(Shot of the future Kotubukis in line…as a few teams realise what could transpire…)
May: Sousuke and Kaname may not even make it for this flight…then what happens?
Nagi: They’re screwed. Simple as that.
(Once they are past through airport security, they seem to be scanning for trouble. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the Jinnais are nowhere in sight but the blanks are quickly filled in…)
Miyu: I’m not sure whether I should be happy or annoyed that we’re on the same plane…but at least I can snuggle Saga away from you Rally…
Rally: You are the most evil person in the race Miyu…
May: We’re just waiting for the sergeant and his girlfriend, and if we’re lucky, they won’t make it here…
Yamato: They were about 45 minutes behind us…they could be stuck in the queue if they do make it on time…
May: Well, if we got lost then surely…
Rally: You didn’t need to tell them that May…
Miyu: Good…now all that needs to be done is to eliminate the Jinnais from the race…permanently.
May: O.K, she is scary…
(Miyu looks for the Jinnais, and is all smirks as they are hiding in a corner trying to drink some coffee. Yamato looks concerned…)
Yamato: Miyu, don’t let this race make you return to the way you once was…
Izumi: I don’t think it’s that…I think it’s just those two…or specifically the bastard in the blue suit. We all hate him…even those who don’t have the guts to say it…
Yamato: Miyu…
Bob: We’ve already asked if we could split a time penalty and get Sara to summon a god or something or Yakumo to control his mind, or get Nagi to unleash his demon energy…actually, maybe we should hope Sousuke does turn up…he doesn’t seem averse to time penalties.
Keiko: Considering how annoyed Kaname was all night, you have to wonder…
*
(It’s literally staring at the edge looking to see if they get a reprieve…)
Kaname: (Phoenix Wright-ish) HOLD IT!
6.10am
Kaname: When I meant slower…that was a bit cutting it…
Sousuke: Apologies Chidori, but I believed the term you used for me to be better safe than sorry…
Kaname: I know but…crap, they’re all here! Quick…
(They look ready to do the Fumoffu entrance but, alas, they are other people in the way and they’ve risked enough already. It takes them 20 minutes…but it’s good enough…)
Kaname: Got it!
MIYU/YAMATO AND SOUSUKE/KANAME BOTH GET ON THE SECOND
PLANE
*
Kaname: So we’ve caught up, albeit a little behind…
Miyu: I think they are making things a lot more tense…
Kaname: Are the Jinnais still alive?
Miyu: Unfortunately. Izumi did try to kill them apparently…before I got there. Yakumo of all people stopped her…
Kaname: Well. The fact that pretty much all the fluent English speakers are on the first plane doesn’t help much…
(Kaname doesn’t seem as miffed now she’s almost on level pegging as she goes to mingle with the Rumble and Sugar teams…)
Kaname: The ride on the way did calm me down, and Sousuke did at least keep it on track, and we got onto the second plane which is only 5 minutes behind there and about what? 10? 15 minutes behind? We can overtake a few on our speed alone…as long as Sousuke doesn’t screw up again, I’m feeling a lot better.
*
7.00AM – FIRST FLIGHT TO CHICAGO
(Shot of Izumi/Keiko, Bob/Nagi, Sara/Yakumo and Rally/May heading onto the first flight…they are due to arrive at 9.30am at O’Hare International Airport.)
*
7.05AM – SECOND FLIGHT TO CHICAGO
(Shot of Saga/Reggina, Sousuke/Kaname, Miyu/Yamato and the apprehensive Jinnais now join the second flight…due to arrive at 9.43am at O’Hare International Airport.)
*
(A quick cut shot of the teams from both planes. The first plane is slightly more relaxed that the second plane (fortunately Saga’s presence means the hatred towards Jinnai is mixed to just stares from Kaname, Sousuke and Miyu). However, with just a short distance between the two teams it’s still a nervous time for all 8 teams remaining…)
*
9.30AM – FIRST FLIGHT TO O’HARE AIRPORT (CHICAGO)
(Shot of 4 teams (the P9 team ahead due to being closest to the doors) escaping the plane as they go through the queues to head over to the taxi ranks…though a couple of teams stop to pick up a couple of maps, namely the Himuros and the Rumblers. This allows Rally and May, no strangers to the airport, to move ahead of Bob and Nagi…)
Nagi: Look, just follow those two! I get the slight feeling they may just know where they are going!
(Bob listens to Nagi as the girls get into the first taxi…)
RALLY/MAY – 1ST PLACE
Rally: Buckingham Fountain and step on it!
(The driver starts to move as Bob and Nagi follow through. Meanwhile, the other four women have finished studying…)
Sara: ..it seems that it’s quicker to go round the beach route rather than take the state roads. More expensive but we’ve saved money well…
Yakumo: Most drivers would take the state roads?
(Keiko nods…)
Keiko: Yes…same idea we had. Care to join us and split the fee?
(Now THAT’S a surprise. Even Yakumo seems a little stunned. Izumi seems ready to argue…)
Izumi: Mom…
Keiko: What’s the harm? Besides, Yakumo-san saved you from possibly costing us a bit of time if you remember.
(Izumi looks over at Yakumo and Sara…)
Sara: Come on Izumi-san! We won’t bite!
(Izumi sighs for a moment and nods…)
Izumi: Just don’t get too attached, this is just temporary.
Sara: We expect nothing more, nothing less.
Keiko: It’s not an alliance. Not an alliance…but we had the same idea, same wavelength, and Yakumo saved us at the airport. Besides, it might help Izumi avoid being the next most hated person in this race after blue collar boy in the other plane.
Izumi: I know Yakumo calmed me down, but my worry is
getting too close to anyone after what happened with Hiroki. With the possible
exception of Yuki, I’ve never really tried to get too close to anyone without a
reason. I guess the reason is Yakumo saving me. No other…I think…
(Back at the taxi rank, Bob and Nagi are also on the 17 mile track to the Fountain…knowing it’s going to be a money spending trip…)
Bob: Depending on traffic, this could get expensive. How we doing for money?
Nagi: O.K, but too many taxis and we could be forced to be begging to hitch with other teams…
Bob: We should have kept up with the Chicago natives. They’re so gonna kick our asses here…
*
Rally: State roads even in the morning officially suck.
May: Everyone’s getting to work aren’t they?
Rally: Well, as long as we get there, then we start doing the fun part. Laughing at everyone because we’re from here and they are not.
May: Everyone? Including Saga?
Rally: (grins) ESPECIALLY Saga.
May: It’s a toss up between you and Miyu for most evil female in the game…
*
9.48AM
SECOND FLIGHT FROM HOUSTON TO CHICAGO ARRIVES
(As the first batch of teams travel to the fountain, the second batch land safety in Chicago as the rush to get the catch up is on. Sousuke/Kaname and Miyu/Yamato are neck a neck after getting through the usual airport hubbub, with the Jinnais staying a good bit ahead of Saga/Reggina.)
Kaname: The main problem is everyone ahead of us can speak good English – Sousuke, you’re our meal ticket to surviving in this leg…just don’t do anything even remotely risky. And if I need to translate…
Sousuke: Of course…
(Kaname is a bit surprised at his demeanour, but with them literally neck and neck with Yamato who is holding his own against Sousuke, and Miyu doing the same with Kaname, they are literally even when they get to the taxi rank…)
Miyu: You guys wanna split?
Sousuke: The fare?
Kaname: Trusting a team?
Yamato: Not really…we’re just cheap…that and any way we can all escape the Jinnais…
Sousuke: To bring a point that Miss Vincent might say, that would leave the Germans with them.
Kaname: Don’t you dare make me feel guilty! (to Miyu) Fine, we’re gonna probably meet at the same place eventually so as long as we stay ahead…
(Yamato lets the door open for the ladies as he explains to the driver to get to Buckingham Fountain for the four. As they leave, the Jinnais come into view…)
Jinnai: There’s a taxi there!
Nanami: Let’s go…
(As Jinnai hollers she turns and puts her hands in prayer…)
Nanami: Sorry ladies…
(They’re a couple of minutes behind the FMP/Gals teams, and after the usual Jinnai banter, they are on their way. Another couple of minutes pass before the Bergmans get themselves to the rank…)
Reggina: Not a good start…
Saga: It shows just what a difference that gap between us and Rally could do…
(The girls, a little down but not destroyed, call for their taxi and Reggina’s English seems half decent enough to get them by…)
*
Kaname: So, we’re going via the state road?
Sousuke: Affirmative. That is the cheapest way.
Kaname: Is it the fastest way?
(Sousuke speaks in droll English. The driver seems to be a little scared of him.)
Sousuke: He says…it’s not, but he’s going to get us there as fast as possible before I kill him.
(Kaname sweatdrops…)
Miyu: He didn’t threaten him there did he?
Kaname: No…Sousuke’s just got an aura screaming ‘I’ll kill you if you make me even the least bit unhappy…’
(Now Miyu and Yamato sweatdrop…)
*
Bob: Damn traffic…
(The work hours are starting to irritate Bob…)
Nagi: How many miles was it again?
Bob: 17 from the airport. We were doing 40…and now…
(The inevitable traffic jam…)
Nagi: At least everyone will suffer this…
*
(Shot of the school with baseball girls and the school that rumbles as they go through a longer route, however due to no traffic they are cruising in good time…)
Yakumo: I’m…flattered…
(Izumi seems to be a little on edge as Keiko smiles…)
Keiko: Yakumo, you did something very few people have done…make Izumi swallow her pride.
(Yakumo’s red deepens as Sara squeals and of course glomps her.)
Sara: Aw, you’re so cute even in adversity!
Keiko: Heh…you’re close you two. Maybe Izumi would benefit like that…well, apart from Hayaka…
Izumi: (interrupting) Mom, we’re here!
(Keiko pops her head out the window, and sure enough, they are actually come to the fountain. The two teams nod in approval as they slow down as Yakumo spots the yellow and red route marker outside the fountain. Trouble is…)
Keiko: We’re going to get wet aren’t we?
Sara: Yep.
Keiko: They are conniving people these race producers.
(The fountain’s spray will easily cover anybody fool hardy enough to go underneath it. So of course, the route marker is under there. As the taxi rolls to a stop, Keiko and Sara split the fee as Izumi and Yakumo run to the marker. Both teams are actually similar in speed (Yakumo and Izumi being fast and Sara and Keiko being slow) so it’s joint duty.)
SARA/YAKUMO AND KEIKO/IZUMI (JOINT 1ST
–9.56am)
Keiko: (rips clue) Take a trip on the wild side…
Sara: (continues reading) …and visit Kryptonite Custom Bikes, a cycle and road store for your next clue…
*
(We cut now to our main host, who is currently overseeing a Road Block…literally as he’s looking over the heads of everyone there, the Roadbuster himself, Bean Bandit, takes over to explain the next clue.)
Bean: Team must travel around 45 miles to get to this quaint little shop, where a lot of my custom parts come through to make sure my ‘Buff’ gets the best treatment. My old buddy Dick is there to help you through the best and worst there, but once they arrive there, they will receive their next clue.
*
Izumi: O.K, let’s get out of this rain!
(The two teams exit, but now have a problem…)
Izumi: 45 miles?
(Sara and Yakumo consult with their cab driver still waiting as they look for the map…)
Sara: Barrington?
(The driver speaks to Sara for a while in English as she turns to speak to the other girls…)
Sara: He can get us there…though it’s gonna cost us.
Keiko: How much between us?
(They check up on their US dollars conversion.)
Yakumo: Sara, can you…
Sara: He’d say it would be around $90 at least, and that’s if we’ve got good speed.
Keiko: Can we get there via train or bus?
Sara: Probably be slower and the nearest train station is back at the airport…
Izumi: Let’s risk it. If it was just ourselves it would be hard…
(They pool their resources as Izumi continues to convince herself that it’s NOT an alliance…)
*
10.09AM
(Shot of Rally and May arriving at the Fountain, as they look around and realise they have to get drenched…)
Rally: A famous Chicago landmark…but not quite what I wanted…
May: Just run, grab and get the heck outta there!
(Rally complies as she half drags May there as well and grabs the clue…noticing two missing…)
Rally: Crap, some teams beat us!
(Rally gets out of the ‘rain’ and reads the clue…)
Rally: A bike shop? Sounds kind of up my alley…but from here to Barrington? That’s gonna be pricey…
(Rally asks the driver, who confirms pretty much the same thing. Also they don’t have a map, but with the girls being natives, they are O.K as long as they get to the area. Problem is now…money.)
May: So what do we do?
(Right on cue, another taxi drives up to the fountain. Inside, contains Bob and Nagi who see the two girls outside.)
Nagi: That’s the natives!
Bob: Park here and stay here…something isn’t right…
(The two exit and immediately they realise what isn’t ‘right’)
May: (seductively) Oh hi boys…
Nagi: This isn’t going to be good is it…
*
BOB/NAGI – 4TH PLACE
Bob: So basically, we could catch a cab over to this place, but it’s gonna be pricey on your own.
Rally: Yep!
Bob: And you want to split the fare.
May: Yep!
Bob: Sure.
Nagi: WHAT?
Bob: Nagi, we’ll have the same problem as well. Besides, these two LIVE here. Do you think it might be slightly advantageous to hang with them for a while?
Nagi: It could also mean they could ditch us and get lost…
Rally: Look, hand on my heart as a tough gal from the streets of Chicago, I do have some pride. We’ll be together until we get to this damn bike shop, and then we’ll take it from there. Agreed?
(Nagi seems hesitant…)
Nagi: Gah…fine. Bob’s right, we don’t like spending too much either…
(The two teams shake hands as another unlikely if temporary alliance has been born…)
Bob: The girls are from Chicago, so I’m assuming they know where to go. I know it’s a risk, but it’s obvious that this leg is intent to strain us of our resources. I just hope other teams avoid this…if anyone has to share a cab with a certain laughing maniac…
*
Jinnai: ATCHOO!
Nanami: Gross, I don’t want your germs!
Jinnai: It’s hereditary my dear sister, you’re born from the same blood as I…and besides, this is no time to catch a cold, we need to get there before those damn couple…
Nanami: Techincally, that could be either the Kotobuki or the Full Metal Jacket pair…
Jinnai: ..er…couples stay too far ahead. We’ve only got an old lady and a little girl behind us…
Nanami: …which could work to our advantage.
Jinnai: Eh?
Nanami: I’m waiting until we get there…and then plotting our next move.
(Jinnai seems intrigued, but actually quietens down…)
*
10.31am
(Shot of Sousuke and Kaname approaching the fountain…with Miyu and Yamato on their tail literally…)
Kaname: They followed us dammit…
Sousuke: Perm…
Kaname: NO! Just annoyed…
(The two stop outside the fountain and quickly run, try the impossible to not get drenched. Miyu and Yamato are two steps behind them as they park and follow them. Once again in speed, it is very evenly matched.)
SOUSUKE/KANAME – 5TH TO DETOUR
Sousuke: Take a trip on the wild side and visit Kryptonite Custom Bikes, a cycle and road store for your next clue…
Kaname: Let’s ask the driver if he knows where it is…
(The two return to their cab, pass by Miyu and Yamato who grab the clue…)
Miyu: Ah, a spread of water – just the thing to calm me down…
Yamato: Bike store…wish they’d fix my bike…
Miyu: I don’t think they deal with bicycles Yamato-kun…
(They run back, but hear Kaname quite clearly…)
Kaname: NEARLY AN HOUR? AND $100 TO $140?!!!
(The driver cowers in Kaname’s anger, but she grumbles and looks at her money. Suddenly she feels a hand on her shoulder…Miyu’s.)
Miyu: Split?
Sousuke: Chidori? Do you wish to trust them…it can cost the battle…
Kaname: Well…
Yamato: It’s that or wait until those Jinnai brats turn up…
*
Kaname: SO where to?
Miyu: The bicycle store, cheaper and far ahead of a maniacal bastard who likes the sound of his own voice…
Yamato: Ladies and gentlemen, the only thing we’ll agree with on the entire race…
(The two teams drive off together, as not too far behind, the Jinnais come upon the horizon…)
*
10.35am
(Shot of the Jinnais approaching the fountain…and Jinnai sees what awaits him…)
Jinnai: I have to get UNDER that?
Nanami: Suck it up dammit…
(The Jinnais do run under and grab the clue from the route marker…)
NANAMI/JINNAI – 7TH PLACE
Nanami: Right, you won’t like this idea, but first of all…we need to get to this place…(to driver)…how far?
(The driver has to consult his GPS system but confirms it’s about 50 minutes away.)
Nanami: So…what about THIS place?
Jinnai: Hey wait sister, that’s…
Nanami: (nods)…the Fast Forward.
*
(We return to our blonde Rally Vincent, who is outside her lovely apartment home in downtown Chicago, La Salle Street…coincidentally or not nearby another famous part of Chicago…Rally takes over…)
Rally V: There is only one Fast Forward on this leg of the race. The team that takes the Fast Forward can skip all tasks and head straight to the Pit Stop. However, once a team uses the Fast Forward, they cannot use another one for the remainder of the race, so they must be able to decide when it is most advantageous to use it.
(Shot of the well protected home, complete with bullet proof glass, raising windows, a near impenetrable fortress for such a small-ish home, and considering Bean’s fees for his jobs, you wonder why they live in such a small place. That reason will be later but for now…)
Rally V: Teams must find our home here on the busy police driven streets of Chicago, and try to find the only way to actually get inside our home, protected by every lock, key, proof protecting function you know. If teams are smart, they will realise there is only one possible way to enter our home…if they are willing to take it shall we say…but once inside, they will receive the Fast Forward.
*
Nanami: Only 20 minutes? Saves on fare and we make sure that the Germans are condemned to last place.
Jinnai: But use it now? It’s a wa…
Nanami: Brother, everyone is ahead of us. The distance of this next marker is too much for our wallets to hold. This one we can at least manage…and only one team is behind us, and they’ve already use the fast forward. Advantage us…
Jinnai: Sister…
Nanami: Look, we don’t like other…that I know. But we both want to win…different reasons yes…but win we will. And I’m not taking the risk considering how damn resourceful that little girl Saga is.
(Jinnai is quiet, a real rarity…)
Jinnai: Damn it…I hate to say it, but you’re right.
Nanami: (smirks) Plus it gives us a chance to smile at Miyu and Yamato at the fact they AREN’T getting rid of us that easily.
Jinnai: That…I like. O.K, let’s get cracking and beat the grandma and her mascot.
(Nanami looks a little guilty after hearing that…fortunately it doesn’t last long and she joins her brother in their quest for the Fast Forward…)
*
10.40AM
(Shot of Saga and Reggina now arriving at the Fountain…unaware of what is going on ahead of them, they park and run outside to get the clue, getting drenched on the way…)
Saga: Fun…but still prefer snow…
Saga: We need to find this motorcycle store…
Reggina: After the Kino leg, that seems to be right up this old lady’s alley…
(They speak to the driver. Again, the price is a pain, and worse, they don’t get the sharing experience. Fortunately, due to their saving ways during their shock win in the Diamond Daydreams leg, they are willing to spend.)
Saga: We need to catch up…as long as it’s fast…
Reggina: You heard my granddaughter…fast and…well, that’s all that needs to be said.
(Saga’s charm may have worked, but will it be enough?)
*
10.45am
(Shot of Izumi actually talking with the Rumble girls as Keiko relaxes a bit more as Izumi is rather intrigued by Yakumo…not helping is Sara and her glowing resume…)
Sara: …Yakumo would be awesome on your team.
Izumi: She’s a first year and Coach Kido needed more talent…
Yakumo: Well…Sawachika-san…Suou-san…and Takano-sempai…they would be very strong…much stronger than me…
Izumi: I wonder if we can get some co-alliation with schools and exchange talent mom?
Keiko: I’ll get to that…Yakumo, considering what Sara-san has said, you’d be most welcome.
Yakumo: (blushing) Sara…
Sara: (chuckles) Listen, only you don’t seem to realise how wonderful you really are Yakumo. And this way you’ll get to avoid Hanai-sempai during free time…though I’ll miss you in the tea club…
(Yakumo’s red deepens but they are interrupted by the driver…)
Driver: Ladies, it’s in the main street around here…continue?
Keiko: We’re there…excellent. Keep going my good man.
(A couple more minutes and a right turn later, and the large bike shop is in full view. The two teams pool their money and pay the driver, and with their wallets significantly lighter, they spot the red and yellow marker as Dick, a plain looking man with red buzz hair, a worker in the Chicago PD and Bean’s buddy (and informat – Bean enjoys listening to Percy whine) spots the two female teams run over there to get their hands dirty…)
Izumi: O.K…
(Izumi gets the clue just ahead of Yakumo…)
IZUMI/KEIKO AND SARA/YAKUMO (JOINT FIRST)
Izumi: Detour…Brake or Break…huh?
*
(Bean Bandit, still towering over everyone and chuckling to himself, explains this detour.)
Bean: A detour is a choice between two tasks, each with it’s own pros and cons! In this detour, teams must choose between two tasks that I’m quite used to…to brake…or to break. Confused…relax boys and girls and let me explain.
*
(Inside, we see what appears to be a large car attached to what appears to be an arcade machine. It’s pretty much a standard simulation device…until you realise what car it’s based on. Bean explains.)
Bean: In Brake, teams must try this very unique simulation based on my own experiences with my custom made Buff. These guys are awesome though expensive, they created this Buff sim for the race specifically to truly appreciate what I go through every day. However, can teams survive this up to 200 miles per hour ride where even in a simulation, their grip is needed to hold on for dear life…if they can survive a couple of minutes on this sick bag, they will get their next clue. Very scary, especially for kids, and potentially painful, but can get their asses done quickly.
*
(Outside, we of course get the traditional broken bike as Dick kicks a few parts around. Bean again explains.)
Bean: In Break, teams must fix up a beauty of a Harley Davidson ready and waiting for teams to bring her back to it’s natural shine. The parts are all there…it’s just putting them in the right place. Obviously it’s not as quick, but it’s still simple if they can follow the right instructions…and the only time they have to worry about being sick is if they suck up the wrong oil…
*
Izumi: Crap…repair anything? Seira maybe or Hikaru…but us?
Sara: I think I echo your sentiments…(sigh)…maybe Harima-sempai would have been a better partner for you after all Yakumo…
Dick: Ladies, the Buff can fit up to 4 people so if you both want to go for it…
(Neither team seems too looking forward to it…but they nod.)
Keiko: I just hope my lunch holds…
*
Dick: O.K ladies, I hope you’ve got your seatbelts on…
Keiko: I like to define what you call seatbelts…
(Shot of mother and daughter in the front, looking rather anxious. Ice queen Izumi looks as calm as ever but closer inspection shows her grabbing the rather thin belt tightly. On the back, Sara is crouched in a position L would be proud of to keep as much of her little body weight in place, as Yakumo looks nervous, holding as firm as she can onto the belt…)
Sara: This ISN’T going to be any fun is it?
(Dick hops on a bike, which is basically a simulation device – to mimic the speed of the car. He gets ready to push up, slowly and surely, to the insane speed of 200mph…)
Dick: Brace yourselves!
Keiko: Keep telling yourselves girls…it’s only 2 minutes…
(That phrase means squat once the girls experience it. As Dick slowly gets into it, it doesn’t send the women flying out of the car. However, it does mean their grip on their belts gets tighter and tighter…and as he hits 200mph, blood seems to be dripping from Izumi’s hands from the tightness of her grip. Yakumo on instinct, nearly pins Sara down to hold them both down and in a surprising (if unintentional) mother/daughter moment, Keiko does the same to Izumi…)
Izumi: M-ot-her…
Keiko: J-ust…keep…it…to-ge…ther….
Sara: Stop this pl-ease…
Yakumo: Sa-ra…hold on…we can do this…
(The screams from Sara are bad enough, the other girls don’t scream though all of them have their eyes closed tightly with panicked looks on their faces. Shivering and shaking, Dick holds it steady as they have to hold on…)
(…and on…)
(…shot of Sara crying as Yakumo clutches tighter…and then of Izumi holding onto her mother, maybe for the first time in years…)
*
(…finally, its ends.)
Izumi: (coughing) That was…torture…
Keiko: Are you O.K Izumi?
Izumi: Yeah…strangely enough…those the English girl doesn’t look too good…
(Shot of Sara having to be helped by Yakumo – she has to pause and run out as she throws up.)
Sara: (to herself) So…much…for…dignity…
(All four girls look wobbly, but Dick smiles.)
Dick: Well, you survived…
Izumi: That wasn’t funny…
Dick: Man, you’re glare is almost as scary as Bean’s…but you did it, so here’s your reward…
(Dick hands the two teams their next clue, and after a few moments steadying, they are able to open them and read…)
Keiko: Travel to Chicago’s Police Department, locate Percy and receive your next instructions from him…
*
(We return to Bean Bandit, who is chuckling away as he explains this detour…)
Bean: Teams must now travel over to the infamous Chicago Police Department, and find my main man Percy, both my biggest pain in the butt and my greatest source of amusement. Once they find him, he will give them their next clue…though let’s just say we’ve tweaked it for this part. Anyway, teams must travel by a car supplied in the parking lot of the store and find their way to the station themselves.
*
(After reading the ‘car’ part, all four ladies look ready to quiver into a mass of goo…)
Izumi: We have to drive after that?
Keiko: I guess this is the real torture…
(Keiko being the driver of their team, looks O.K, but Sara looks ready to throw up again…)
Sara: Yakumo, I’m gonna have to rest for a bit…
Yakumo: (nods) I understand.
(Izumi grits her teeth…)
Izumi: I don’t want to get a conscience now…dammit…
Keiko: Izumi…
Sara: Just go Izumi-san! It’s not your fault…just go ahead!
(Izumi is actually hesitant, but a nod from Yakumo and the melting ice queen nods and grabs her mom’s hand. Keiko seems amused.)
Keiko: My my…were you actually considering waiting for them?
(Izumi doesn’t answer, Keiko just smiles more and takes the wheel of the first car available…)
Izumi: It wasn’t an alliance…and it wasn’t a friendship – I was not getting attached…nothing to do with Yakumo being like Yuki…and Sara…well…being Sara…
Keiko: Of course dear…of course.
(They drive off, as the two look at their map they picked up at the station…after a few moments of breathing, Sara gives Yakumo a nod.)
Sara: Let’s go. Can’t let them get too ahead…
Yakumo: Will you be O.K?
Sara: I’m fine…(smiles)…actually seeing Izumi break that demeanour was worth throwing up…
(Yakumo smiles as the two take their car, and again, they also have a map. As they search for a station…)
*
(…two Chicago-ites search for a bike shop…with surprisingly bad luck.)
Bob: I thought you guys lived here…
Rally: We do…just give us a few moments…
(It seems the driver is unsure whether to go, and Rally and May are trying to help out…and having problems.)
Nagi: So you’ve lived here all your life, and in the main centre of this huge city, you don’t know where a shop is.
May: Gimme a break, we don’t exactly shop at bike stores you know? Wouldn’t that be more Bob’s alley in retrospect?
Bob: I’m African-American…but I don’t come from Chicago. I don’t have a hunting beacon for bike shops.
Rally: Look, stop arguing and let’s find this place…
(Nagi pouts as they rely on the American’s (lack of) directional sense, as Rally is getting frustrated…)
10.55AM
(The shorter distance has been a huge advantage for the Jinnais, and the rather distinct apartment of Bean Bandit and the other Rally Vincent is as clear as daylight. The red/yellow marker probably wasn’t needed considering the grey windows threatening to close and probably open fire…)
Jinnai: We’re here! And now…
Nanami: …we’ve got to figure out how to get inside this place…come on brother, this seems right up your alley!
Jinnai: I don’t break and enter my dear sister! I let my servants do that for me…
Nanami: (sweatdrops) Of course…
(Jinnai examines the doors, and of course he realises that isn’t the way to go…)
Jinnai: We need to search round I think…
Nanami: What a strategist…
*
10.57AM
Rally: Made it…
Bob: That cost us…the other teams could be catching up…
Rally: Relax, if we couldn’t find it…then no way the ice queens and the opposite best friends would have…
May: Rally, two clues missing.
Nagi: Crap. They’re long gone.
RALLY/MAY AND NAGI/BOB – JOINT 3RD/4TH
Rally: Detour…Break or Brake…
May: A car…200mph?
Rally: Heh, another day in the office…
(The girls get ready for Brake, but Bob has other ideas…)
Bob: We’ll do the other one.
Nagi: Huh, I thought you’d be up for some speed?
Bob: Maybe, but I can do this bike in 2 minutes…without fear of being violently sick. Those girls are going to be at least a little shaken up…just watch where I put the tools and parts and give them to me in the order…
Nagi: Heh, I guess you can make a slow detour fast if it’s something you like…
Bob: Shut up and just pass me each piece once I say…
(Nagi passes a small lead piping and a 4 corner wrench as Bob starts tweaking. Rally and May seem surprised, but they don’t take a gift horse in the mouth and get ready for the real need for speed…)
Rally: Just hold on and pretend we’re being tailed…as usual…
May: Just remember at least this time you won’t have to pay for a speeding ticket…
Dick: O.K, it’s your funeral ladies…
(Dick gets on his bike…literally…and does the same false sense of security of slowly speeding up…and as it gets faster and faster, May tightens up. Rally looks ready to mock her, but then she feels what 200mph feels like…)
Rally: WHAT THE F…
(As Rally realises her driving only FELT like 200mph, Bob is calmly screwing nuts and bolts in at warp speed…)
Nagi: They’ll be done in 2 minutes…if Rally doesn’t throw up first…can you…
Bob: It won’t be that fast, but it will be close…hey, this relaxes me…
Nagi: Bob, you’re ALWAYS relaxed. If you didn’t kick ass so much, I would be making fun of you a lot more…
Bob: Next screw…and not the ones in your head…
(Nagi chuckles as he hands Bob over another screw…as Rally and May’s screws become loose…)
Rally: Crap…hold on May…
May: Ken, despite your fantasies, this ISN’T me and Rally having an affair…
(The two clutch each other like their lives depend on it…one hand on their belts and the others gripping their shirts. Nagi looks up for a moment and sweatdrops…)
Nagi: And I thought we were being wimps for not doing this…
Bob: There is being wimps…and being SMART. There is a difference.
Nagi: I can definitely see that.
(Bob keeps tinkering as we quickly return back to the Fast Forward…)
*
Jinnai: THIS IS NUTS! I should have this type of security!
(The Jinnais haven’t had much luck. Circling around the apartment suggests there isn’t a nook or cranny there is that they can fit in, and the other options are a tad overprotected…)
Nanami: There must be something really obvious we’ve missed…
Jinnai: Well, we have an apartment, a small garden, and a brother and a sister trying to get to the 1st…unless you suggest going down the chimney…
(Nanami looks up…)
Nanami: Wait a minute…that logically IS the only real way inside without…
Jinnai: ARE YOU KIDDING?
Nanami: No, this seems to be the type of thing they would do…question is how to get up there?
Jinnai: SISTER, ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO YOURSELF? I, GO DOWN A FILTHY CHIMNEY…
Nanami: Brother, behind you…on the ground.
(Jinnai looks – a ladder.)
Nanami: It obvious…it’s just we have to have the bottle to do it…
Jinnai: RIDICULOUS! I’M NOT DOING THIS…
*
Jinnai: I can’t believe I’m doing is…
Nanami: Money brother…for that, I’d do anything.
(The Jinnais prepare for an early Xmas…)
*
Rally: I’m…about…to…barf…
May: Clue first…then throw up…
Dick: Well ladies, nice job…I think…
RALLY/MAY – 3RD PLACE
Rally: Ugh…what does this say?
May: (reads slowly) Travel to Chicago’s Police Department, locate Percy and receive your next instructions from him…
Rally: That sounds familiar…let’s start rolling…
(Rally and May are a little dazed…and nearly go into the taxi, before realising the clue reads further…)
Rally: Oh wait, we’ve got our own car now!
May: One problem…they’ve got half the money…
(Suddenly Rally’s eyes widen…under the car, you can almost hear Bob smirk. Suddenly Nagi realises what Bob was up to…)
Nagi: You smart bastard…
Rally: Just plain bastard…
May: You mean we’re waiting…
Rally: Just let them wait…other teams are on our tail so they will want to finish quick (to May) and besides, they don’t know the streets like us…we’ll leave em in circles before they can even attempt to follow us…
(May grins at that, but as they do, Bob snaps something into place and escape the bike.)
Bob: O.K, that should do it.
Nagi: Damn man, that was fast…
Bob: But of course…never let a lady waiting…
May: You’re pushing it…
(Bob let’s Dick look over it – he kicks a pedal a little (Bob does seem a little pissed at that) but gives them the thumbs up.)
Dick: Not bad kid, here’s your reward.
(Bob reads the clue, and the girl nearly throttle Nagi to give them their share of the taxi to make sure they can get the hell out of there. The girls rush ahead, and not surprisingly, Bob and Nagi decide to take a slow jog…following them.)
Rally: Dammit…we’re gonna have to lose them…
(The Gunsmith Cats are first off as Bob and Nagi begin to follow…)
*
Jinnai: CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THERE ARE STEPS INSIDE A CHIMNEY…AND WHY IT’S SO DAMN BIG?
Nanami: Something tells me this is an entrance that the owners of this place probably use a bit more often than they care to…
(Katsuhiko Jinnai is dusty, coughing and pissed off. Nanami took the lead and after making sure there was no fire underneath, they descend down. Jinnai a lot slower than his sister, and it’s a crouch and a half for when Nanami hits the fireplace, again surprisingly large…)
(…Jinnai lands a few more moments…and is greeted by an audible ‘click.’)
Nanami: Oh crap…
(Cue the blonde Rally Vincent, a gun pointed at them.)
Rally V: Are the Japanese used to this? A gun point at them after breaking and entering our home?
Nanami: W-wait…this…
(Too late. Rally fires…)
Jinnai: *cough* Dammit…water?!
Nanami: W-Water?
Rally V: I like my visitors clean without dirt…the same as you like your Fast Forwards I assume?
Nanami: Ah yes…I was hoping you’d say something about that…
(Rally V shakes her head but smiles all the same. She hands Nanami the Fast Forward.)
Nanami: (rips it open) Congratulations, you have won the Fast Forward! Head straight to the Pit Stop, the Grimwood Family Estate in northern Chicago…
*
(Shot of Yuko taking back her hosting duties alongside a middle-aged man and a little girl (obviously his daughter) as she seems to enjoy being outside another large mansion…we don’t catch her drinking on duty though despite her seeming rather happy…she sees the camera, turns and without missing a beat, explains.)
Yuko: Having won the Fast Forward, the Jinnais can now skip all tasks and head straight to the Pit Stop, the Grimwood Family home courtesy of George and Carrie Grimwood in the suburbs of Chicago.
*
Jinnai: We’re not going to exit back up there are we?
Rally V: Of course not…just let me check…
(Rally V seems to check the windows for any riff-raff ready to ambush the home – Nanami gulps as the large amount of weaponry in the kitchen alone whilst Jinnai seems intrigued…)
Rally V: O.K, you guys are cool…get lost…
(Rally V lets them out as the Jinnais nervously head out, where a car is now awaiting them – sadly not Bean’s Buff. They pay their driver and enter their car, as Nanami sees the map of the Grimwood’s attached to their clue…)
Nanami: A bit of a driver brother…but let’s hope that once it’s over…
Jinnai: I dragged myself down a chimney, got covered in dust, smoke and dirt, got hit by a girl with a water gun after being threatened, how bad was this?
Nanami: …first place?
Jinnai: (pauses) O.K…I’ll wait until the Pit Stop before I decide to complain or not.
(The Jinnais begin to drive as a police station beckons for the Himuros…)
*
11.08am
CHICAGO P.D
(Normally, it’s a bit of a ruckus for anyone to get in there…including police officers, however the clear red and yellow marker outside the police station seems to have warded off a few problems…including meeting the ever frustrated if not hilarious Percy…)
Izumi: Right, let’s get in here before Sara and Yakumo catch up…
Keiko: Because of the challenge or afraid of opening up?
(Izumi avoids the question by running inside. A few officers look at them strangely but realise the envelopes and their instructions…plus Izumi’s glare…make sure they aren’t paid too much attention.)
(At the back is Percy’s office. Keiko knocks on the door…)
Percy: Come in!
(The girls enter, as Percy, a mid-thirties man with puffy dark brown hair, tanned skin, moustache, and mouth constantly either speaking loudly or full of food, greets the girls.)
Percy: Race girls – good timing! I’ve been told by one of your sources that you can help me…you have to find this guy for me!!!
(Shot of the girls with an envelope…and a picture of a familiar tall man…)
Percy: This ‘Yuko’ person promised me that she was getting 8 crack duos on the hunt for the Roadbuster, but not to look in the envelopes…I guess there must be some plan…and one of you guys must be able to do it…so get your butts working…
Izumi: Yuko…you’re gonna die…
Keiko: No threatening the hosts…let’s just see what we REALLY have to do.
(Keiko and Izumi escape the hubbub and open the envelope.)
Izumi: Road Block…this person must be able to see heads and shoulders above everyone else…
*
(We return to Bean Bandit in West Chicago, where circling the main hotels, restaurants, and loud vehicles in the busy district, he commands his loud voice over the hubbub to explain this clue.)
Bean: A Road Block is a task only one person can perform. In this Road Block, teams must navigate one of the busiest parts of Chicago, and search above everyone and everything in this area to find me, as I walk around doing my rounds. Using a photo inside the envelope and making their way to the marker on the map, they must search for me around this crowded area. Once they have found me, I will hand them their next clue.
*
Izumi: …choose now before you open the envelope. Mom, you want to do this one?
Keiko: Of course – I’ve looked over the heads of a lot of people in the business world…
(They open the envelope…)
Keiko: …travel to the point on the map, where you will see the red and yellow marker. Once there, use the photo provided and search for the man in the photo. You can only search in the area marked on the map…
(The map shows a circle around most of the W Chicago area…not a good sign…)
Keiko: …once you’ve found him, he will give you your next clue. Right then, Izumi, let’s start moving.
Izumi: Of course mother!
(The two hop back in the car, realise that they spot another team just coming up…)
Izumi: No, the girls are here…hurry up mother!
Keiko: Just watch me fly.
(Keiko puts the pedal to the metal as Izumi navigates...meanwhile, Sara and Yakumo slowly pull up…)
Sara: Ah, that’s better…
Yakumo: Sara, how did you…
Sara: Willpower Yakumo…or God was truly watching over me there…
(The two escape their car and enter the hustling police station. Occasionally, the odd officer stares at Yakumo who instantly goes faster after catching a glimpse of their thoughts. Sara can’t keep up well so Yakumo waits outside Percy’s office before entering…)
Percy: More girls to track down the Roadbuster? You guys must be something…
Sara: (all smiles) Yes – I’m an exorcist and she’s a psychic.
(Percy bawls out laughing)
Percy: And a sense of humour to match!
(Yakumo sweatdrops out of sight as Percy hands them the clue…again, after rushing outside, Yakumo opens the clue…)
Yakumo: Road Block…
(They pause for a moment after reading it…)
Yakumo: Are you O.K or do you want me to do it?
Sara: Can’t really tell if it’s physical…but it suggests searching for something…if it’s height, you’re taller than me…
Yakumo: I’ll do it.
Sara: (despondent) Sorry Yakumo…
Yakumo: (smiles) Don’t worry about it.
(Yakumo opens the clue and reads. She seems a little apprehensive after realising what she’s got to do…)
Yakumo: Don’t like crowds…
Sara: Let’s just go…Izumi and Keiko can’t be too far ahead…
(They begin to move…)
*
11.26am
(Shot of the FMP and Supergals teams making it to the Kryptonite Custom Shop and Yamato gets ahead of Sousuke to get the clue…)
Yamato: Detour…Break or Brake…
(Sousuke isn’t far behind as it’s an easy one for Yamato…)
Yamato: I can’t even fix my bicycle never mind a motorbike…
(And they are quickly joined by team FMP…)
Kaname: Considering how fast you can go down a regular bike when in a rush, we can handle a little speed…
(The two teams, like the P9/SR teams before are able to share the car, as Dick gives a knowing smirk before getting on his bike…literally…)
Dick: O.K ladies…get ready to have some fun at the back of my car…
(Yamato looks annoyed, and so does Sousuke surprisingly, as Miyu/Yamato are on the front with Sousuke/Kaname at the back. Dick again slowly lures them into a false sense of security as the speed increases…and increases…and increases more…)
(Miyu uses this as a good excuse to glomp Yamato to keep a hold of him and Kaname…uses this as a good excuse to grab a hold of Sousuke and hold tight…)
Sousuke: Chidori…
Kaname: Just don’t let go…
(Sousuke doesn’t argue, in fact he seems a little shaken, but not much. Yamato is managing to hold on well…actually, he seems to be enjoying it as is Miyu.)
Dick: Damn, must be a cop or something…
(After a couple of minutes, it’s all over and the two teams emerge, a little shaken but not scarred. Kaname has to shake the cobwebs a little, but they’ve managed to handle it well…)
Sousuke: Are you well Chidori?
Kaname: I’ll let you know once all the Bonta-kun’s in my head have stopped spinning…
(Dick grudgingly gives away the next clue to both teams…)
SOUSUKE/KANAME AND MIYU/YAMATO – JOINT 5TH/6TH/7H
Sousuke: Police?
Yamato: Heh, time for a cop’s sixth sense to hit a home run…
(Yamato and Miyu are a step ahead of Sousuke and Kaname as they rush to their car – it doesn’t take long though seeing that for Kaname to get her second wind and literally just moments behind the two as Yamato and Miyu get ready to navigate to their second home – the police station.)
Miyu: O.K, let’s get into the main street and follow the signs…
*
May: Rally, are you SURE this is the way?
(Shot of Rally and May looking a little confused…)
Rally: Of course not…I’m using it to fend off those biker boys behind us…
May: Yeah…but problem. THEY’RE NOT BEHIND US!
(Rally turns around and sure enough, Bob and Nagi are nowhere in sight…)
Rally: Er…what happened?
*
Bob: Those two tried to shake us off their tails…and dug their own grave in her home town. Never thought you’d spot it though Nagi…
Nagi: Heh, I may not be as smart as you, but I’ve got a keen eye.
Nagi: Rally and May were trying to give us the slip, but as they did, I spot an overhead sign with a police station arrow directing differently from where they were going. We took the risk realising the girls were trying to fob us off, and hopefully this is going to backfire big time…
*
11.33AM – ROAD BLOCK
Izumi: Turn there mother!
(Through the navigations and into a block of hotels, commercial sites and restaurants, Izumi and Keiko spot the red and yellow route marker…)
Izumi: Go mom!
Keiko: I’ve just to find…(studies picture)…this man around…(studies map)…this area…
(A good look at the crowded morning Chicago streets suggest one thing…)
Izumi: This isn’t going to be easy…
Keiko: Don’t worry…I’ll do it…
(Keiko begins to walk around calmly, before realising she should really speed up. Looking for Bean is pretty much a needle in a haystack, as they are unknowing on his size, despite the clue in the Road Block. With a vast area to navigate, Keiko is biding her time and making a mental note of where to go…)
(…it isn’t long however before incentive makes her hurry…)
Izumi: MOM, THEY’RE HERE!
(Keiko hears her daughter’s voice and spots a car turning in. After making sure the parking is O.K, Yakumo immediately runs to the marker and starts searching. Sara slowly exits as well to cheer her friend on but is looking a little pale.)
Sara: Note to self…driving was not smart after that…
(Yakumo’s advantage of youth helps in speed, but Keiko’s noting of where she’s been means she’s got a good start as she searches for Bean. They don’t know that Bean is semi-mobile but he’s always on the one street, so Keiko turns the corner into a hotel area…)
(…she has to do a double take as she sees someone that looks like Bean…but isn’t expecting the size of the guy.)
(Bean is outside, masquerade as a valet for a hotel. Keiko nervously approaches the big guy…)
Keiko: Excuse me, are you this man, Mr. Bean Bandit?
(Bean just chuckles again…)
Bean: Looks like Percy got the fear in you guys…I don’t eat ya…unless you paid me $80,000…then…
Keiko: I get it…
Bean: Well, my services are for free here my lady, a rarity trust me, so enjoy it…
(Bean hands Keiko the next clue. Keiko bows as she runs back – she spots Yakumo coming out of somewhere, hides from her momentarily to avoid Yakumo seeing where she went, and once the coast is clear, heads back to her daughter…)
Keiko: Got it!
Izumi: Excellent…let’s go before they copy us.
Sara: YAKUMO, GO THAT WAY!
(Izumi NEARLY sweatdrops…)
Sara: Hey, I’m least I’m honest at copying!
Izumi: Figures…
(Izumi tries to hide her laugh back to the car as Keiko just grins…)
Keiko: (opens clue) Head over to the Grimwold mansion offset the Grimworld Conglomerate – map provided – your next Pit Stop…
*
(We return back to Yuko)
Yuko: Teams must now travel to the mansion of Chelsea and George Grimwood, daughter and father, just off the huge enterprise that George owns. The lavish British style Elizabethan mansion, is the 5th Pit Stop in a race around the anime world. The last team to arrive here…may be eliminated.
*
11.35PM (IZUMI/KEIKO – 1ST TEAM TO
COMPLETE ROADBLOCK)
Izumi: …last team yadda yadda…let’s go mom!
Keiko: On it dear.
(The two begin to move, as they watch to see if Yakumo is on their tails…fortunately not and they begin to navigate to the Grimwold’s…)
*
Yakumo: Scary…
(Crowded Chicago streets are not what Yakumo had in mind for a good time – a few stray thoughts seem to make things worse for the young esper, but it also adds in incentive for those long legs of hers to begin moving fast. Following Sara’s ‘cheating’ she does go in the direction that Izumi went, but the problem is Bandit is not a stationary target.)
(Fortunately, he’s still not hard to miss. Yakumo, being fairly tall for a Japanese girl, is shocked at the giant she spots in the distance, standing out even in the Chicago crowd. She double checks the photo, and runs over…)
Bean: Hey there.
Yakumo: Bean…Bandit-san?
Bean: Whoa there kid, drop the formalities – to a nice girl to you it’s just Bean.
Yakumo: Thanks…nice…girl?
Bean: Ah…a person named Yuko gave me the lowdown on everyone here – she said the tallish Japanese girl who looked like a model is one of the nicer competitors, and to watch out for the one in ‘a blue suit with a manacial laugh…’
Yakumo: (sweatdrops) Sounds right…
Bean: Anyway, enough pleasantries – I believe you need something…
(Bean hands Yakumo the clue as the girl bows, Bean again gets embarrassed, and Yakumo runs back as fast as she can to Sarah…)
*
11.39AM (SARA/YAKUMO – 2ND TEAM TO COMPLETE
ROADBLOCK)
Sara: Pit Stop…
Yakumo: Can you drive?
Sara: Competition means little rest Yakumo…we’ll get there…I’ll just throw up after it…
(Yakumo sweatdrops for the second time in 5 minutes but they get their butts in the car as they begin to navigate through Chicago for the last time…)
*
11.40AM (SAGA/REGGINA – DETOUR)
(Finally, our favourite German girls make it to the detour, a bit lighter in pocket but unless the others didn’t really have a choice…)
Reggina: Did the brother and sister come by or are they behind us?
Saga: That’s all we can hope for now grandma…
(Dick is surprised by this team, but they look at the clue…and neither one seems to be one they want to take…)
Saga: Let’s just go the break one…
Reggina: (smiles) I thought you might try the other one, considering how much your friends say you ‘fix’ every problem you give them.
(Saga blushes…)
Saga: They’re embarrassing me…
(Saga and Reggina however do take the speed option – Dick gets into position, looks at them with concern – but sighs and begins to pick up speed…)
(Saga clings onto her grandmother as best as she can, and the speed isn’t even at 75mph yet…however after the Kino’s leg, Reggina seems to be handling it better than pretty much any of the younger team members (which is everyone). Saga holds on tighter as Reggina hugs her granddaughter, the speed increasing…)
(As 200 hits, Reggina’s eyes are tightly shut, and Saga screams. The speed doesn’t relent as Saga grits her teeth and tries not to scream. Easier said than done, but with a stubbornness that would make her best friend/rival Greta proud, she holds on for the whole 2 minutes, muffling her scared sounds as best as she can.)
(When it’s over, Dick rushes over to check on them.)
Dick: Damn, if Bean hears about what I did to this kid…
Saga: I’m…f-fine…
(Reggina helps her granddaughter out as she herself actually seems fine after a shake of the head…)
Reggina: The clue please young man.
Dick: Yes ma’am!
(Dick hands the elder stateswoman of the game the clue…)
Saga: Get…to…
Reggina: We’re heading to the police…
Dick: It wasn’t that bad surely…
(Reggina ignores him, picks up Saga who is still dazed, and heads over to the vehicles. She notices there are two left…giving her some hope…)
Reggina: We could still be in it…as long as the one thing that hasn’t been taken…has…
*
11.43 AM – CHICAGO PD
Nagi: Look at this Bob…at a police station without asking for bail from you…
Bob: You were never in jail…despite how violent you were…
Nagi: Lucky…maybe…
Bob: You’ve got a lot to thank Maya for…
(Nagi deliberately ignores him as Bob prepares for another joking assault on the poor boy, inside they quickly navigate to where Percy is and get ready for their next assault…)
Percy: Ah, that’s more like it. Two big strapping man, you may be able to bring the Roadbuster done!
Bob: That means the girls are ahead of us…let’s start moving…
(The two head outside and quickly open the clue…)
Bob: Road Block… this person must be able to see heads and shoulders above everyone else…
Nagi: Crap…
Bob: I’m taller…does it suggest we need to see something?
Nagi: You do it. I’ve got no patience, you know that…
(Bob does and opens the clue…and nods.)
Bob: I think we made the right choice – we’ve got to head to Chicago Square.
Nagi: Let’s hope those Chicago-ites failed to notice their own neighbourhood…
*
11.46AM
(Shot of…)
Jinnai: We’re coming in!
(Shot of the mansion awaiting them – Jinnai is impressed…)
Jinnai: First place here? The perfect end to a perfect day!
Nanami: Ignoring the dust, suit and sprayed by a water gun?
Jinnai: Spare the petty details my sister.
(The Jinnai’s park their butts as they see Yuko in the distance…they rush out as they spot the elder gentleman, Mr Grimwood, and a beige haired little girl, about 13/14 years old – Chelsea Grimwood. Lastly, we have Yuko herself, dressing in a casual shirt and pants surprisingly.)
(The Jinnai’s jump onto the Pit Stop…)
Jinnai: Anything but first place and I’m going to be sorely tempted to bring the Bugrom here…
Yuko: Unless I want to, that’s not going to happen.
Nanami: Idiot.
Yuko: Nanami and Katsuhiko…you are TEAM NUMBER ONE!
JINNAI/NANAMI – 1ST PLACE
Jinnai: NOW THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!
(Jinnai echoes his famous laugh, as Chelsea covers her ears. Nanami shakes her head but she smiles and pumps a fist into the air.)
Nanami: Just what we needed!
Nanami: It could be a risk using the Fast Forward this early, but it was the perfect situation. With the only team behind us already using their Fast Forward, it was a no lose situation, and made sure we stayed back in the race…and for the first time, ahead of the pack.
Jinnai: I had my doubts, but the feeling of 1st place is fantastic! And we intend to stay here now we’ve got here!
(Jinnai
is allowed a laugh…we cut though before Yuko gets to hit him…)
*
11.51AM (CHICAGO P.D)
(Shot
of Rally and May, slightly familiar with the station, but not the people here…)
Rally:
Geez, I was wondering if that slimeball Bill was there?
May:
Enough sightseeing and time to find a cop without the temptation to laugh at
his ineptness…
(A few
ears prick up as in their opinion, they’re being mocked by a 12 year old…)
May:
Any kids jokes and I’m going to wish they let me keep my bombs…
(The
girls head over to Percy’s office and get the same spiel…)
Percy:
Not sure why…but you girls seems to fit the bill that deals with the
Roadbuster…
Rally:
Spare the small talk old man and give us the clue.
Percy:
Old man?!!
May:
We’re born and raised here, we’re not going to take any crap…
(Percy
looks livid, takes a bite of a doughnut, cough, spits it out to an unfortunate
co-worker and just tosses over the clue to the girls…they run before they can
hear any more ranting.)
Rally:
O.K, there is a jerk worse than Bill then…
(The
two open the clue and see the Road Block…)
May:
Maybe if I STOOD on your shoulders…
Rally:
It’s looking through the Chicago streets, right up my alley…
(Rally
reads the next part of the clue and nods…)
Rally:
Excellent. We need to get to the plaza stat! And hope that the two guys are way
behind us…
May:
You’re just trying to cover up the fact we got lost huh?
Rally:
Shut up…
(But
on their heels…)
*
11.57AM (STATION)
Percy:
Now these fellas are more like it…you’ve got a cop’s instincts son!
Yamato:
Yes sir!
Miyu:
(sweatdrops) Maybe that’s because he is a cop…
Percy:
And as for you…
Sousuke:
(salutes) Sergant Sousuke Sagara reporting for duty sir!
Percy:
A SERGANT?! AT YOUR AGE?!
Kaname:
Oh boy…this could take a while…Miyu, you gonna drag your man away whilst I do
the same?
Miyu:
(cheekily) Oh, so Sousuke is ‘your man’ now? Oohhh…
Kaname:
DAMMIT, NOT LIKE THAT! (to herself) Between her, Sara and May, I’m gonna be
killed by teasing by the end of this race…
(They
do drag their beaus in arms away from the station, clue intact…)
Miyu:
I’m just hoping there’s a team behind us…
Yamato:
There are two…maybe one if the Jinnais took the Fast Forward…
Miyu:
Worst scenario ever if that’s the case…not only do we see them ahead of us, it
also means Saga-chan and Reggina-san will be eliminated…
(All,
even Sousuke, seem to not like this scenario, but the moment passes and they
quickly choose after reading the Road Block…)
Kaname:
As long as you promise not to actually hurt anyone here…you do it…
Sousuke:
Affirmative.
Miyu:
You got it Yamato?
Yamato:
Yeah…I get the feeling this is right up my alley…
(They
read the clue, and Yamato looks at Bean with a scowl…)
Yamato: This Bean has to be a criminal otherwise Percy wouldn’t have handed us the picture. It burns me that I have to search for this guy and instead of putting him to justice I need his help. It’s grit your teeth time…
Kaname: I do trust Sousuke. As long as he’s given the right order, he can get through anything. It’s a risk I must admit, but I’m relying on his speed and English here…
*
12.01PM (ROAD BLOCK)
Nagi:
Heh, got to love the old trick of ‘following the damn signs.’
Bob:
Helps that I can read them as well.
Nagi:
Yeah…er…sorry wasn’t much help there…
(Bob
turns a corner and on the pavement, he spots the route marker. They exit as
Nagi waits as Bob heads into the streets. He takes a look at the picture…)
Bob:
He looks like one of Mitsuomi’s second in commands…
(Bob
uses his speed and stamina to basically circle around the square, using the map
and his memory, marking out points where to go…he keeps taking alternate looks
around to spot Bean, marking the areas he’s going (unaware of Bean being a
moving target)…)
Bob:
Damn, this isn’t easy…
(Bob
looking up every time and sticking to the map makes it harder for him to keep a
tab on the people, so he actually misses Bean twice – he take longer than the
girls because of this despite his faster speed and stamina, but after about 6
minutes and no other teams coming in…)
*
Bean:
Took you long enough…
Bob:
Holy crap…
(Bob’s
certainly not small and he’s muscular, but compared to Bean he’s like an ant.
He’s a bit in awe and has to recover himself before finally getting to the crux
of the situation…)
Bob: Er…sorry…clue?
Bean:
Sure kid – you’ve got potential that’s for certain…
(Bob
takes that as a compliment before receiving the clue. He rushes back to Nagi,
cutting as many corners as he possibly can…)
BOB/NAGI (4TH
PLACE)
Bob:
Grimwold…mansion…map…blah blah…Pit Stop. Start looking at that map Nagi and
don’t get us lost…
Nagi:
What do you take me for?
Bob:
Give me 5 minutes and I’ll write out a list.
(Nagi
pouts at that, but the two get back in the car and exit out. As they do, a very
similar car passes by them…)
Nagi:
Was that…
Bob:
Yeah, I think so…
(They
don’t take any further notice as indeed, Rally and May are now heading towards
the Road Block, only they didn’t notice the Tenjho Tenge pair exit stage
right…)
May:
That’s more like it Rally – let’s rule the streets once again!
Rally:
Did we ever rule them anyway?
May:
In our minds Rally, don’t ruin my fantasy.
Rally:
Your fantasies tend to have too much ero in them for my taste…
(May
playfully hits Rally on the shoulder as they escape and rush to the route
marker…)
*
12.09PM
May:
Go Rally!
(Rally
does seem to recognise the area quite well, and has far less trouble obviously
navigating it compared to the other teams. However, she is not as fast as Bob
so she’s relying on searching, using the ‘heads over shoulders’ line as a clear
indication of what she has to do…)
Rally:
O.K…
(She
goes onto a few steps, looking above people’s heads…)
Rally:
Oh, got him!
(Rally
jumps down some steps and rushes around a corner and nearly bumps into Bean who
steps back…)
Bean:
Ah sorry, force of habit…if Percy is making you guys hunting me, gotta be on my
toes…
Rally:
Yeah, he seems the sort to not return with the answer ‘no boss’ when you’ve
couldn’t do your job.
Bean:
Heh, a Chicago gal through and through then…
Rally:
(smiles) You know your stuff big man.
Bean:
Listen, love to stay and chat, but I believe you need something.
(Rally
nods as Bean hands over the clue…)
Bean:
Maybe some time in the future, we’ll meet again…
Rally:
Yeah…maybe…
(Rally
semi-waves and heads as best as she can back across the large square to find
May cheering her on…)
May:
How was it?
Rally:
Not bad…he’s a big guy that’s for sure – I get the feeling he and Ken would get
along well…
May:
So now what?
(Rally
opens the clue…)
Rally:
Pit Stop…(sighs)…gonna be a bit disappointed didn’t come first in this one…
May:
Still a chance…maybe they all got caught up in traffic or crashed somewhere?
Rally:
May…unless you’re us, that’s not going to happen. They aren’t on the job like
we are around here…
Rally: Yeah, it’s a blow to the ego. We finally kicked ass last leg and hearing we’re back home made us super confident. However, we nearly missed the first plane, then got lost TWICE, and fell behind all the other teams on the first plane. It sucked, but it was, forgive the joke, a reality check, and now we need to keep our spirits up whilst we’re back in the United States. We need every chance to stay ahead whilst our English can be used…and with several teams also having that advantage, we can’t let our guard now any more.
*
12.15PM
GRIMWOLD MANSION
Izumi:
I hate these roads…
Keiko:
We’re here though…
Izumi:
And no Japanese/English team in sight. That works for me.
(The
Himuros escape their car, and see the smiling faces of Chelsea and Yuko greet
them as they head onto the Pit Stop.)
Chelsea:
Welcome to my papa’s home, the Grimwold Mansion!
(Keiko
shakes Chelsea and Mr. Grimwold’s hands as Yuko clears her throat…)
Yuko:
Izumi and Keiko….you’re team number two.
IZUMI/KEIKO – 2ND
PLACE (12.15PM)
Izumi:
Second?
Keiko:
Fast Forward. Someone must have got it.
(A
distant laugh makes both girls scowl…)
Izumi:
Dammit.
Keiko:
Wait for the girls to arrive?
Izumi:
Anything to avoid the fact we were second to that bastard…
Izumi: I know the Fast Forward is used to survive in the game, as we used a couple of legs ago. However, now we’re doing well, it does hurt that the Jinnais got ahead of us by using it. However at the same time, if that’s the only way they can get to the head of the pack, they are going to be ground, spat at and burned.
*
12.20PM
Percy:
O.K, now I think there is something wrong if this Yuko person is sending a
young girl and an old lady in to tackle the Roadbuster…
(Both
Saga and Reggina don’t take insult to that, though they’d probably have the
same luck in handcuffing the Roadbuster as Percy does…)
Saga:
Clue please.
(Saga
is all business considering they are behind, as Percy hands them the clue…as
soon as they head outside the station…)
Saga:
Road Block…
(They
both look at it as Saga sighs at her size…)
Saga:
Grandma, do us proud…
Reggina:
With pleasure dear.
(Reggina
reads the clue and nods…)
Reggina:
We need to get to the main square – we can’t be too far behind and we’re
praying we’ve got ahead of the Jinnais…
Saga:
Let our prayer guide us to safety…
(The
Bergman’s head back into their car, as Reggina begins to make sure the speed
limits are intact but with an intensity in her eyes to win for her
granddaughter…)
*
12.21PM
GRIMWOLD MANSION
Sara:
Hey, the Himuros are outside…
Yakumo:
A penalty?
Sara:
Not sure…
(The
two stop the vehicle, but as they escape (and Sara doesn’t throw up) they
immediately realise why the Himuros stayed outside the Pit Stop…)
Izumi:
Please…make it stop…
(Sara
and Yakumo hop onto the mat…)
Chelsea:
Welcome to the Grimwold mansion!
Sara:
Thank you dear!
Yakumo:
(bowing) Thank you for having us.
Yuko:
Sara and Yakumo, you are team number three.
SARA/YAKUMO – 3RD
PLACE
Sara:
(grabs her cross) Want me to see if god can strike lightning on him?
Izumi:
If you can please…
Sara:
I was half-joking…
Keiko:
(smirks) So you were half-serious…
(Sara
bobs her tongue as the two teams escape the Pit Stop, and decide to try and
find somewhere where their eardrums will be in relative safety…)
*
12.22PM
(Three
events in quick succession as now we see Sousuke and Kaname of Miyu and Yamato
as they head into the square…)
Sousuke:
Permission to run like hell Chidori?
Kaname:
You’re getting used to the way I say things Sousuke…and permission HELL YEAH
GRANTED!
(Sousuke’s
mind is between ‘find this man fast’ and ‘for god sake don’t get a penalty’ so
he basically runs as fast as he can, looking and not doing anything remotely
physical or verbal to anyone that he is certain isn’t Bean. On the other hand,
the now exiting Yamato is using a very different tactic…)
Yamato:
It’s O.K…I can tell if he’s near…call it a cops instinct…
Miyu:
Be careful Yamato-kun and please…
Yamato:
Don’t worry, I won’t resort to my policeman ways…tempting as it is…
(Yamato
has more self-control than Sousuke, but you can tell this is aching him as
well. The two are evenly matched for speed, it’s basically who can find the
Bandit first…)
*
Kaname:
Anyone behind us?
Miyu:
Not yet…the Jinnais and the Bergmans not here…
Kaname:
That’s good…as long as we don’t see a car now…
Miyu:
Yes…
(Miyu
occasionally turns around, whether she’s anxious for another team to turn up or
not is anyone’s guess. In the search department, however we get a winner…)
*
Sousuke:
Permission to recognise you as Bean Bandit?
Bean:
At ease soldier, you don’t have to do anything to me today…
(Sousuke
won the speed test as it looks like Yamato’s disgust doing this sort of thing
may have clouded his judgement as Sousuke actually up to this point avoids
committing a penalty. Bean gives him the clue and he high tails it back to
Kaname as fast as possible…)
Yamato:
(spotting Sousuke running) Dammit, he’s already got it? I just hope he’s kicked
the crap out of him and got a penalty or something…
(Yamato
goes in the opposite direction, past a hotel searching for Bean as Sousuke#
speed and remembering the route back to Kaname gets him ahead…)
Kaname:
Awesome!
Sousuke:
One of the simplier tasks so far.
Kaname:
Is he laying in a pool of his own blood?
Sousuke:
No.
Kaname:
Then we’re safe. (opens clue) Head to…(smiles)…Pit Stop, here we come and this
time without the insane penalty…I hope…
SOUSUKE/KANAME – 6TH
PLACE
(Sousuke
doesn’t answer that as Miyu waits and hopes that Yamato hasn’t done something
stupid…)
*
Yamato:
Bean…Bandit…I presume…
Bean:
Yeah…you Yamato?
Yamato:
I guess you know me…
Bean:
Hey listen. You don’t like me and I already know why – this is taking your
pride and kicking it’s ass…
Yamato:
I must admit that’s a pretty good description…
Bean:
…but I’m here and you’re there. I’m just doing my job here which these guys
paid me for…so go your way, and I’ll go mine.
(Yamato
seems to grit his teeth, but sighs…)
Yamato:
Clue please…I don’t want to stay here any longer than I have to.
(Bean
smirks and tosses the clue to Yamato who immediately turns and rushes off…)
Yamato: That was uncomfortable – being face to face with a criminal and controlling myself not to do anything dumb. I did…I felt sure he would make me raise to the bait on purpose, but he didn’t. I just need to relax, and hopefully that will be at the Pit Stop…free from elimination.
(A few minutes later and Yamato has
returned to his girlfriend, as Miyu sighs with relief…)
Miyu:
I was afraid he’d beat you into a pulp or something…
Yamato:
He’s…definitely someone who you wouldn’t want to mess with in a dark alley…
Miyu:
Open it quickly…Sousuke and Kaname are already gone and I’m getting edgy…
(Yamato
does so…)
MIYU/YAMATO – 7TH
PLACE
Miyu:
Right…we’ve got to find this place…
Yamato:
Grab the map Miyu and get us there!
Miyu:
Yes Yamato-kun!
(The
two hop in…)
*
Rally: O.K, this time we’ve got it…
May: You said that the last two times…
Rally: Everything AFTER the station is easy – I just sucked before it…
May: Yes of course…
Rally: Just keep the map out stretched…we’ll still be first…
May: You actually think we’ll be first?
Rally: It’s our hometown…if we can’t be first here what can we do? Besides, I need to gloat at Saga for our luck…
May: And what if Saga is last…
(Rally pauses…)
Rally: Actually, I never thought of that…I just expected her to be here considering all the odds…but they are on the second plane…they don’t have their advantages here like they’ve done…
(Rally seems to look sad…but then recovers…)
Rally: No…first and gloat, that’s gonna happen…
(May shakes her head…)
*
12.42PM – SAGA/REGGINA (ROAD BLOCK)
Saga: Two left grandma…
Reggina: Again, either we’re safe or…
Saga: Keep the first thought in mind and pray we’re not eliminated – go for it grandma!
Reggina: This old lady will do her best.
(Reggina looks through her map and begins to walk brisky as she takes in the sights of Chicago. A definite change from the peaceful Muhlenburg, but she takes it in her stride. With her slower pace, it’s harder for her to speed up but she takes the time to start moving around and marking where she is going…)
(…about 10 minutes later, she finds Bean.)
Bean: Ah, you the ladies from Germany?
Reggina: Yes sir.
Bean: You and your granddaughter are pretty damn strong for making it this far…
Reggina: Thank you sir.
Bean: And don’t call me sir, makes me think you guys are afraid of me. Just make sure she doesn’t give up on anything – strong kids can be weaker inside than you think…trust me, I’ve seen plenty of them.
(Bean hands over the clue as Reggina thanks him and jogs her best to get to Saga as quickly as possible – Bean however looks a little sad…)
Bean: …I think this is the end of the line though ladies…
*
Saga: Pit Stop Grandma!
Reggina: Sure…
Saga: You look tired…want to r…
Reggina: Not in the slightest. I’ll rest when I’m in the car – this old lady isn’t giving up yet…
Saga: That’s the spirit!
(Saga takes the map, Reggina takes the wheel…)
*
12.45PM
GRIMWOLD MANSION
Bob: It’s official. Your navigating sucks.
Nagi: Gimme a break…I don’t speak English well…or read it…
Bob: We should have been here 10 minutes ago…if Rally and May have got ahead…
Yuko: (interrupting) Bob and Nagi, you are team number 4.
Bob: YOU BAS…
Chelsea: No, one team used a fast forward thingie….
Bob: Ah. Can I kill him anyway?
Yuko: No rules about hurting your own partners…go ahead.
Bob: Excellent.
Nagi: I hate this game…
*
(As the teams come in, the inevitable conclusion is ready…with that…)
Keiko: Such strong people…one in their sixties…one barely in her teens. A foreign country, no experience, yet they kept on surprising on time after another…
*
12.50PM – GRIMWOLD MANSION
Rally: See, we got here…
May: Just make sure no-one knows how much we f****d this leg up – Becky will never let us hear the end of it.
Yuko: You do realise this is televised…
May: F***.
Yuko: Rally and miss potty mouth, you’re team number 5.
Rally: How did this happen? Gah…there went my hope…I just I can get some solace when she comes…
Rally: Saga…she’s wonderful. I love her to bits – I want her trained and brought over here as the GSC’s mascot – she’s more intelligent that most people I know and our fun little feud I never wanted to end. Yet in the back of my mind, I knew it would eventually…I just never seemed to accept it…
Sara: Saga and Reggina…such a disadvantage in this race…yet always kept trying and finding
new ways to surprise us. They shocked everyone in Hokkaido and continued strong
in America…and then finally, their skills couldn’t be used and their ages cost
them…but I will fondly remember them always as the smart and sweet little girl
and a grandmother I wish I had…
*
1.08PM
Kaname: Any penalties now AND IT’S THE BODY BAG FOR YOU!!!
Sousuke: Miss Yuko, permission to run away if you give me a penalty?
Yuko: No…but you’re safe anyway. Sousuke and Kaname, you’re team number six.
Kaname: Thank god.
Kaname: Saga is a little serious, but aside from one person in this race both eliminated and not, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t like her. And Reggina, she was everyone’s dotting grandmother, and in a good way as well. Kind, strong and always smiling. They always were going to struggle, yet they always enjoyed each leg no matter what.
*
1.11PM
Miyu: O.K, let’s hear it…
Yamato: A police leg, and we struggled…but are we gone?
Yuko: Miyu and Yamato, you are team number seven.
Miyu: Just…but that means…
(Miyu turns back, and she does cry a little…)
Yamato: Miyu…
Miyu: I’ll be fine…
Miyu: The strongest team in this race by far are Saga/Reggina. Simply because no-one thought they’d even get past the first leg. And they did…then no-one thought they survive the second. And they beat two ninjas. As for the third…they frikkin WON that leg. And then people stopped underestimating them. To that shows what a team they were, and I only hope someday in the future, if I have a baby girl, that I have a daughter as wonderful as Saga and become a grandmother as wonderful as Reggina.
*
(We cut to Saga and Reggina travelling down Chicago, relaxing as the music sways around them. We cut to the Pit Stop briefly, as Miyu and Yamato enter. 7 teams are spotted and we briefly see Rally looking tearful. She hides it well, Miyu doesn’t and cries a little as Yamato holds her. Rally doesn’t hold it in as she finally realises it and collapses in the combined arms of May, Sara and even Bob. Despite the fact they’re still alive, they’re gonna miss their little girl and grandma…)
*
1.30PM
PIT STOP
(Finally, Saga and Reggina arrive at the Grimwold Mansion. Yuko smiles as do the Grimwold’s as they land on the mat.)
Mr. Grimwold: Welcome to my humble home.
Saga: (curtsies) Thank you sir.
(Yuko pauses…)
Yuko: Saga and Reggina…
(Another pause…)
Yuko: …you’re the last team to arrive.
(Both of them seem to kind of expect it, but it’s still very disappointing. Reggina sits down, exhausted as Saga wipes her eyes a little…)
Yuko: As much as I’d like to say otherwise…I’m sorry to tell you, you’ve been eliminated from the race.
(Saga shakes her head and smiles…)
Saga: I think just being here is victory for us. No-one thought we’d survive in Japan, let alone America.
Reggina: It took 5 legs to beat us, and we beat martial artists, ninjas, captains and military personal – not bad for an old lady and her beautiful granddaughter.
Saga: Not bad? We were brilliant grandma!
(The two hug as Saga’s tears freefall but in happiness…)
Yuko: You’ve got a real tale to tell your friends in Germany right Saga-chan?
Saga: (nods) Greta will be even more jealous than she already is!
Reggina: Dear, I don’t know how many years I have left, but this will live for me forever.
Saga: Oh grandma…
(The tears and the hugging continue…)
Saga: I think we did more than expected – we can be proud that we represented our small town of Muhlenburg and not only didn’t embarrass ourselves, but exceed all expectations!
Reggina: Saga’s mother looking from heaven, my
daughter Ingrid, must be so proud of her. She got into the world and conquered
it. Truly no grander girl every known.
Saga: I know I’ve challenged myself…and I won. Our
ages and physical limitation we knew were a problem – but in everything else,
we were top. No-one can say otherwise…and I’m happy with what we did, the
people we met and now the home we’re going back to. Rally, Miyu, Sara…I’ll miss
you guys!
Reggina: Home is where the heart is, and after all
this excitement, it’s more than needed. Thank you Animazing Race and goodbye…
*
*cries* Yep, they’re gone.
My favourite team? Most likely – the eternal underdogs Saga and Reggina, and you always got to root for the underdogs. Age and physical abilities meant they should have gone in leg one. So they use the FF. O.K, screwed in leg two right? Not when speed means nothing on a motorbike and you’re in sync before than a dysfunctional mother and daughter, brother and sister and a pair of wacky ninjas. And in three, they outfox everyone and win the leg. O.K, not underdogs anymore, threats. Sadly, I knew they couldn’t rely on their skills forever and finally, a slightly slowdown in the planes where they couldn’t negotiate meant Saga and Reggina finally return to Germany.
What can I say about these two? The show is impossibly cute but not in an annoying way like Strawberry Marshmellow – it had real emotion to it, a good cast, Saga herself is a great complex character (so organised until a certain snow fairy ruins that) and the show is genuinely sweet, deep and upsetting by the end of the series. Reggina doesn’t get much credit but she’s the kind motherly lady, as she was on the race, and is always a shoulder for Saga. I loved this team, Sugar is basically on the edge of the top 20 and always threatens to re-enter whenever I rewatch it.
Also with the last part, it was similar to how the cast loved the Gutsy Grannies of the Amazing Race 2. They couldn’t be hated (unless you’re Jinnai) and Saga may have been simply there to break Rally. And she did…badly.
Voice wise – pretty much nothing dub or sub consider RB is just a one shot OVA in the late 80s, but still worth recommending. So onto the notes…
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There IS a place in Chicago called Krypton Custom Bikes so I’m assuming Bean’s Roadbuster might be fixed in a place like that if it were a bike – most of the stuff he does himself.
Two more notes about Saga as she exits the game – Bean has a real soft spot for kids and hates to see them hurt, hence after talking with Reggina his ‘threat’ to Dick, and he doesn’t mention they are the last team but gives Reggina some advice for her granddaughter. Bean is one of my favourite anti-heroes out there and he’s only in an hour OVA – not counting the Gunsmith Cats manga of course.
The second is about how I refer to her relationship with Greta. Greta seems to be obsessed with Saga as a rival throughout the series whereas Saga could care less – at first. However, it is painfully obvious that Greta sees Saga as someone she wants to be – intelligent, popular, strong and kind. And when Saga gets hurt, who is the one that is hurt the most? Yep, her rival, Greta. The piano escapade was true testament to their friendship (and rivalry), and as Anne says to Greta, ‘we all love Saga…’ Greta tries her best to deny it but she fails. And in the special, it’s pretty much set that the two are now close friends, if not best friends.
As far as the Chicago PD in reference to Rally, I’m going by the anime version and hence the mention of Bill rather than manga character Roy Coleman. It also obviously so they don’t know who Bean is (as they meet him in the manga of course). I’m finally catching up with the manga and glad to see Bean hasn’t changed much – he’s just a big of a bad ass in the manga as he is in the OVA. Of course, Bean mentioning to Rally that some time in the future they may meet is an obvious reference to the manga.
Sadly, I got no real sightseeing when I went to Chicago, so I relied on my own research basically and I desperately didn’t want to refer to Adam’s own Gunsmith Cats leg so I apologise if it’s not as in-depth as I wanted it to be.
And so next leg, we go on a crusade. What type? Find out next time!