ANIMAZING RACE 3 – EPISODE 6
*
*
O.K, now we’re going to play evil buggers.
The first part of this leg is a wonderful 51 hour train ride – enough time for a lot of handbags to come out. Then after that, we have time travel, sand riding in New York and Fast Forwards involving tombs. It’s going to be a long trip…
We are nearing the half way point – leg 6 of 13, and our second of three US legs…with this now in motion, let’s see if you can guess the anime line up for AR4…
Leg 7 – California
Leg 8 – Mexico
Leg 9 - Manchester
Leg 10 – Italy/Mars (you read that right…)
Leg 11: Mahora (O.K, not a tough one…)
Leg 12: Suioh University (two part leg)
Leg 13: The host should give this one away (two part leg)
*
(8 teams travelled from Houston, Texas and headed to Chicago, Illinois, the home of Rally Vincent and Minnie May Hopkins)
Rally: Back in the
US May, and going back home! 1st place here we come!
(However, things didn’t go their way as expected. Whilst they just avoided going onto the later plane, they had trouble in their home town that wasn’t supposed to happen…)
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…)
(The Jinnais after falling behind, finally decide to play their own trump card, the Fast Forward, where they came face to face with another Rally Vincent…)
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.)
(…and finish in 1st place, whilst Izumi Himuro gets something she didn’t expect in this race…a conscience…and a friendship…after Yakumo saved her from a possibly penalty…)
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.)
(…Izumi was concerned that her feelings for Sara and Yakumo may affect the race…)
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…)
(However, a slight time delay for Saga and Reggina made them unable to get ahead on the first place, and when the Jinnais took the Fast Forward, it condemned them to a sad defeat…sad for most of the other competitors surprisingly.)
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.
(NOW 7 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 look inside the
rather impressive mansion, the 1800s design makes it seem like an old school
palace – Yuko however doesn’t have time to enjoy the view, she’s busy hosting
the race…)
Yuko: Standing here, in the depths of suburban Chicago, is one of the largest homes in the entire city, owned by one of the richest men in the city. And it’s here, in the Grimwold Mansion, that was the 6th Pit Stop in a race around the anime world. 7 teams arrived here at the end of the last leg…
(Shot inside the mansion. Maids have brought out a banquet out for the teams which needless to say perks their spirits up, though a few are still a bit subdued about the results with a certain team in first and a certain team eliminated…)
Yuko: …which allows them to eat…
(We can see May in a sensible shot with Rally – the older girl seemingly a bit down in the dumps. Joining them are Kaname and Miyu, whilst in another room, Nagi is snoring his head off…though Bob wonders if it’s on purpose as he can see Jinnai covering his ears (and gently nudges Nagi when Sousuke gets up as wondering if he may take matters into his own hands) – his sister in another room engaging in glaring matches with Izumi as Sara and Yakumo try to calm down the ‘alliance...’)
Yuko : …sleep…kind of…
(As the night shows, we can see Yamato and Miyu enjoying some private time outside, as Rally and May also outside enjoy the sights and smell of their home, though not as much as they expected, whilst the evil duo of Bob and Sara confuse everyone with their English skills that don’t have it in the house – Nagi is certainly they all involve crucifying him…)
Yuko: …and mingle with the other teams. The 7 teams have no idea what is going to happen now. Will the loss of Saga and Reggina make Rally realise the race is no longer fun and games? Will Izumi succumb to the same trap in an alliance? And will the Jinnai’s, after using up the Fast Forward, keep a hold on their 1st place position?)
*
Yuko: Katsuhiko and Nanami, who arrived first at 11.46am…will
depart at 11.46pm
11.46 (TEAM JINNAI (KATSUHIKO/NANAMI) – EL-HAZARD
(BROTHER AND SISTER – 1ST PLACE)
Nanami: Let’s see how long this lead lasts…
Jinnai: Sister, with me on your team, why don’t you have more confidence?
Nanami: I’ll refrain from answering that one.
(Nanami rips open the clue…)
Nanami: Travel by train from Chicago to San Francsico and
once there locate the nearby St. Pauls Church to
discover your next clue…and destination…
*
(We cut over to the only living
remnant of this time – Father Remington. A tall dashing man, with a near
glacial, almost invisible sword at his hilt, decked in a dashing blue uniform
almost similar to the ones worn by Roy and Hughes – handsome with an older
man’s charm, his relationship with Rosette may remind Negima fans of Asuna’s
with Takahata-senseis. He’s our first host of this leg.)
Remington: Teams must find this
modern church of this time…which was once…and soon will be…(chuckles)…the Order
of Magdalene. Once there, they will find their next clue…and something else
which they may not be expecting…
(Another chuckle by Remington…)
Remington: …what teams DON’T know
is that this will be a LONG TRAIN RIDE…so now they get to enjoy the race from a
different way…
*
Nanami: ….you have $70 for this
leg of the race…right, O.K we need to get to the train station…
(The teams now being a lot more
prepared this point in the race, the first of the many taxis get ready to line
up as Nanami enters – Jinnai a bit more subdued maybe due to his lack of
sleep…)
Nanami: It does feel that I’m getting tagged with the same brush as my brother, which I don’t really like. However, I want to win as much as he does so I’m going to live with it. I can play dirty as much as anyone…hell, I hang around Aliele – if that doesn’t make me dirty by association what does my brother have?
(Nanami explains directions…)
Driver: That’s on South Canal
Street – the Union Station…it does nice train rides to San Francisco…call it a
2 day holiday some tourist folks say…
Nanami: That’s nice…hey…2 days?
Driver: You think by train you’ll
be in San Francisco in an hour? Geez…
Jinnai: Oh crap…
Nanami: That wasn’t in the
plan…our only hope then is that none of the trains that go there will pick up
too many of the teams…
*
00:15AM
IZUMI/KEIKO – 2ND
PLACE (PRINCESS NINE – DAUGHTER AND MOTHER)
Izumi: …you have $70 for this leg
of the race…and I’d bet an extra $10 that it all goes on the taxi and train to
get there…
Keiko: Maths and economics were
always your strong suits…
Izumi: It means the good news that
we’ll be at the train station caught up with the Jinnais. The bad news…
Keiko: …is that we’ll be at the
train station caught up with the Jinnais.
Izumi: My my, it seems you’re
catching up with my sense of humour.
Keiko: Cutting edge my dear. Like
mother, like daughter.
(Their carriage awaits them as the
mom/daughter combo gets ready for another long night…)
Keiko: Immediately from the clue, I’m sure some of the smarter teams will also know this, it’s going to be a long trip to San Francisco and that means that there could be a lot of loose baggage. This could be where the race gets ugly…and there’s no innocent German girls to use as an excuse to not let loose. I think things are about to pick up…
(With Keiko directing traffic, the
duo are off into the night…)
*
00:21 AM
SARA/YAKUMO – BEST FRIENDS (3RD
PLACE – SCHOOL RUMBLE)
Yakumo: Train…to San Francisco…
Sara: We need to get there fast –
the Jinnais and Himuros are just ahead of us…then again, $10 says we’re
sleeping at the station…
Yakumo: Sara, you’re a nun – you
gamble?
Sara: No…but I feel like it with
this race…
Yakumo: Things are slowly starting to break. Sara has been incredibly strong and optimistic in this race, but things are slowly starting to hurt her…she doesn’t want to admit it…but I can tell. I can always tell – not sure if Saga’s elimination had a stronger effect than she cares to admit, but it’s now getting to a tired point…and I’m worried what could happen…
(Sara and Yakumo get in their cab,
and seem none the different as nearing half past midnight, they get the
rundown…)
Sara: It’s about 45 minutes
away…guess it’s better than traffic in the afternoon…
Driver: You be lucky if you made
it in 2 hours in the main traffic…
(The two lie back as they try to
relax…)
*
00:38AM – CHICAGO, IL (SOUTH
CANAL STREET)
Yuko: (narrative) Only one train actually goes to San Francisco, that being the California Zephyr – teams get to enjoy this comfort ride…at two prices. The amount…and the length of time…
(Late night Chicago as the Jinnais
go into the mostly deserted station. A few people are there as Jinnai scoffs at
them. The night porters are there as Nanami not too surprisingly asks the
question that she in reality already knew the answer to…her broken English is
enough to get it out…)
Nanami: …from here…to San
Francsico…
(The porter seems amused at the
Japanese ‘tourist’ but answers.)
Porter: Just one train goes there
– let’s just check the times…
(He points at the train and the
route…and the earliest train…)
Porter: 5.15am. You can purchase
tickets from the automatic machine there…
(Nanami nods and thanks him as they
head to the machine…and get another problem…this one a biggie…)
Nanami: $137.75?!!!!!
(With the Zephyr being pretty much
a first class train experiencing the views of many cities and areas with a good
comfort zone, especially considering it can take 2 to 2 and a half days to get
there, it’s definitely on the high side…now they’ve got a problem.)
Jinnai: How much have we got?
(Nanami, careful with money as
always despite getting the solo treatment for most of this race, counts her
American Dollars. She sighs with relief…)
Nanami: Minus the $45 for the taxi
we’ve got $165 – but that leaves us with literally pennies. We just have to
pray we don’t have to use taxis for the remainder of this leg.
Jinnai: We have to look for a
church remember in a city we don’t have a clue about…
Nanami: Then as it’s a church,
PRAY IT’S F****** CLOSE BY!
(Fortunately, most of the other
people don’t realise Nanami has sweared. Jinnai however is more than
surprised.)
Nanami: You know the Himuros are
going to be here soon, and the last thing I want to do is let them smirk over
me – I’m not begging them or anyone else for money…
(Nanami has paid for the tickets
(fortunately she gets change) as Nanami prediction comes true…)
Nanami: We’re all together on this
damn train. For at least 2 days together – if it wasn’t for the pot of gold at
the end of the rainbow, I’d bail right now.
Jinnai: This is not like
you…though the thought of that isn’t very pleasant…
Nanami: The fast forward for
nothing…except more pain.
Jinnai: Let’s just get out of here
before the Himuros get on our case…other teams won’t be too far behind so we
can hold out.
Nanami: Yeah, like we can sleep
around here…
Jinnai: Coffee…and then just
hibernate for 2 days. That’s my plan and I suggest you take the same.
(Nanami grumbles, but they’ve got
to live with it…)
*
00:45AM
BOB/NAGI – 4TH PLACE
(BEST FRIENDS – TENJHO TENGE)
Bob: (reads clue) San Francisco
baby…as long as we can stay awake to get there…
Nagi: What you talking about? I
got a great sleep…
Bob: Yeah, YOU did.
(As Nagi wonders what his friend
is on about, the latest pre-booked taxi is seen as Bob explains the situation
to the driver…)
Bob: The station is a bit far?
Nagi: How much…
Driver: I’d say around $50-60.
Better now sirs – in the morning traffic would be a lot worse off…
Bob: Fair point, and thanks to our
forced transfer with Rally and May, we’ll be fine.
Nagi: Rally was kind of pissed off
at us Bob…
Bob: I’m sure she was, but I don’t
think that was the main problem for her. Even in her profession, things can get
you down…and something more got her down last night…
*
00:50AM
RALLY/MINNIE MAY – 5TH
PLACE (BEST FRIENDS/WORKING PARTNERS – GUNSMITH CATS)
May: …San Fra…good enough. Rally,
say goodbye to Chicago – next time we’re back here will be millionaires!
Rally: Sometimes I wonder if I
should just stay here…
May: Don’t you dare go into a funk
on me IRENE.
Rally: YOU DIDN’T JUST…
May: Get in the taxi…NOW.
Rally: Yes ma’am.
(May nearly throws her partner
into the taxi, and as they know where to go roughly anyway, it’s easier for the
driver to get there…)
May: I’m not letting Rally screw with this team. She was getting way too attached to Saga, and now she’s gone, it’s like the race has gone with her. I will drill it in that we are here to win a whole lot of booty as a first priority, and friends come as a much later second. If she can’t realise it now, then we’re screwed before we even start.
(May is literally barking orders a
la her namesake in the anime that the next leg will be based on…)
*
1.04AM
(Shot of the station as the
Himuro’s cut in.)
Izumi: This isn’t going to be
pleasant.
Keiko: Got to go with the bad and
the good Izumi – you of all people should know that…
Izumi: Considering you and
Hayakawa’s father, I’d say the same applies to you as well…
(Keiko has to pause at that but
nods.)
Keiko: I guess I was owed that
one. Come on, let’s find out where we have to go…
(The Himuros run up into second
base, where Keiko’s English is significantly better than Nanami’s and are
quickly able to both verbally and visually find out where and what they need
to. The money again causes a minor problem…but not as bad as the Jinnais.)
Keiko: One more reason to be
thankful for Yakumo and Sara…whether a certain daughter of mine wants to admit
it or not.
Izumi: Quiet…
(They get their automated tickets
and quickly search around the Jinnais. At the moment, no where in sight.)
Izumi: I’d rather not see
them…just need to wait a bit longer then…
Keiko: (smiles) And yet another
reason…
Izumi: Shut…up…
*
1.08AM
SOUSUKE/KANAME – 6TH
PLACE (CLASSMATES – FULL METAL PANIC)
Kaname: Will I leave my heart in
San Francisco?
Sousuke: I doubt it – it is firmly
attached to your body and no-one will use any weapons…
Kaname: One of these days you’ll
understand the poetic nature of some of my words…
(Again, Sousuke is speaking for
the team, though he’s technically translating Kaname’s speech as Kaname frankly
doesn’t believe his own will work too well even at this time of night. After
confirmation of the station, they sit back and relax…)
Kaname: I’ve noticed by now a lot of the teams seem to be completed draining – whether of the race or of each other, emotions are at an all time low. This doesn’t bother me – I’m used to this pace every minute I am with Sousuke, straight from the first leg my hair could have fallen off…but it hasn’t.
*
1.11AM
MIYU/YAMATO – LAST PLACE
(ENGAGED – SUPERGALS)
Miyu: Last Yamato-kun, unexpected…
Yamato: Better last at the
beginning of a leg than last at the end of one…
Miyu: Well, let’s hope lady luck
hits us where we need it…
Yamato: But you’re always by my
side Miyu…
Miyu: (blushes) Yamato-kun…even at
the dead of night…
(The two hold hands as they enter
their taxi and explain where the heck they have to go as Yamato’s English and
the map is enough to make things A’O.K…)
Miyu: It only really hit us after Saga-chan and Reggina-san went that we were in last place…we haven’t been near this position in the entire race and we don’t like it. We don’t want to panic, but tiredness, pain and homesickness are all factors for both of us…and whilst we’re together, we know what we can and aren’t capable of. Let’s hope nothing can effect us now…
*
1.15AM (STATION)
(A couple of stiff yawns greet the
station as Yakumo and Sara exit. Yakumo seems to want to get through quickly
and thanks to Sara’s English they are quickly on track…they notice the Himuros
and smile.)
Sara: Don’t bother tricking us…we
know where we going.
Keiko: (innocent) Now would we
trick you ladies?
Sara/Yakumo: Yes.
Izumi: They know you too well
mother…
Keiko: Darn it.
(Again, the price reaction isn’t
too bad mainly in thanks to their joint help last leg – as Keiko talks about
the Jinnais…)
Keiko: They’re cooped up inside –
they’ve got those foil blankets on there and trying to sleep…we’ve got 4 hours
to kill and a luxury train awaiting so why sleep then when we’ve got over 2
days on the train to enjoy…
Sara: My, my, Keiko-san, you’ve
mastered the art of sarcasm quite well on this race.
Keiko: You know, for a nun, you’re
wonderfully evil.
Sara: Oh, I get that all the
time…Yakumo’s the saint of the team – I’m here just to keep off any creepy boys
off her…
(Yakumo blushes…)
Izumi: Actually…that does make a
weird kind of sense…though considering how strong Yakumo is, not surprised she
doesn’t kick the crap out of anyone anyway…
Yakumo: I…I can’t do that…
Sara: No…unless they insult
someone she’s cares about, she won’t hurt a fly. But if you do…
(Sara makes the throat slit motion
as Yakumo covers Sara’s mouth, even in the dark her face is crimson red. Sara
‘struggles’ as Keiko has a chuckle at their expense, and Izumi turns around…)
Keiko: My Izumi, you’re not
laughing are you?
Izumi: O-Of…of course not!!!
*
(Inside, the Jinnais are not asleep
– in fact they are very uncomfortable, and not helping by how surprisingly
energetic the two all female teams are outside…)
Nanami: That’s Sara and
Yakumo…damn it, those two are like little miss perfects – it’s annoying…
Jinnai: Well, looks like any love
we have for any teams have literally shot down to zero…
Nanami: I thought that’s what you
wanted?
Jinnai: It is. Just 5 legs later
than I expected.
(Nanami sweatdrops…)
Nanami: Maybe we should have
risked beating the German girls without the Fast Forward, because now it’s back
to scrapping from the back.
Jinnai: Bah, who cares. When we
get to San Francisco, we’ll get to the front from there and just make sure we
stay there…
Nanami: Just don’t do a Sousuke on
me…
Jinnai: What do you ta…
Nanami: Stop, before you do make
me answer that. We’ve got 4 hours to kill and that won’t be long enough to give
me the answer to that question.
(Jinnai sulks as he shivers in the
night Chicago breeze…)
*
1.31AM
(The only all male team still left
in the game park themselves outside the station and after a brief groan about
the price pay…and are about to find their wallets in even more pain…)
Bob: The girls are up there…
Nagi: Great…
Bob: (smirks) Not keen on seeing
your girlfriend I take it…
Nagi: Bob, there are rail tracks,
and I’m not afraid to use them…
(Bob and Nagi head up as Bob is
about to ask the night porter the same question, but the girls just point him
in the right direction…)
(…and they scream…)
Bob: Geez…thank god for saving…
Nagi: Worst part is we’re all
together…
Sara: (heartbroken) Oh, you
mean…you don’t like being with me?
(Cuteness overload without a touch
of sincerity, Nagi does a facefault that could be heard back in Japan…)
Yakumo: Sara…you’re getting
surprisingly bold…
Sara: Hey, get your fun in whilst
we can – we need it considering the voyage we’re going on boys…
(Bob forks up as Sara explains to
Nagi the trip and what it entails…)
*
Nagi: Aw crap…two days on a train
with 6 pairs we want to beat…not good…
Keiko: They’ve done this
deliberately so to make the journey more…interesting I guess?
Izumi: And with the pain in the
rears that the Jinnais are inside there trying desperately hard not to listen
to us…
Bob: …and probably failing…
Izumi: DEFINITELY failing.
(A sneeze is heard inside…)
Izumi: There’s your proof.
(As Keiko tries to explain to Sara
and Bob the joke there, another taxi parks nearby…)
1.34AM
Rally: I would say we caught
up…but we’re either joint first or joint last…whichever way you want to look at
it…
May: We’ll stick with first and at
least we look happy…
(The girls exit as they spot three
teams talking – after the shock of seeing Izumi not chewing anyone out, they
join them. Again, they don’t even need to ask for help as the teams are willing
to just confirm everything…)
Nagi: …besides, what’s the point
lying here? There’s someone you can speak to here who can confirm it, and you
have to suffer the long ride and the ticket prices so we can all suffer
together…
Rally: Thanks for that…I think…
(They check their money, groan but
begrudgingly pay…)
Rally: Thanks god for currency
exchange…
May: …and the fact we’ve only had
to visit 2 countries so far…
(Rally’s mood doesn’t seem
lightened as May sighs…)
May: Where’s brother and sister?
Izumi: Hiding…badly…
May: Well, it’s going to get real
noisy, real fast…we’re all going to be here anyway, so best get used to it.
Keiko: You’ve been on the train
before May?
May: As if! We’ve probably seen it
passing by a few times though – the Zephyr is just about to keep up with
us…only we’re in heavy traffic…
Nagi: Your driving is scarier than
Bob’s…
May: Tut tut, big boy. You think
my feet can reach the pedals?
Bob: Ah…I have to keep reminding
myself you’re 18.
May: Thanks…kind of. Yeah, Rally
the ones whose tries to triple the insurance quota everytime she’s riding…
(No reaction from Rally – she’s
opening a soda can. May sighs…)
May: Guys, I know we’re competing
and this train ride could be hell…but if she’s this quiet I dunno if I can take
it…
Sara: She’s still upset about
Saga-chan?
May: Pretty much. She’s the last
person I’d have thought to get attached to anyone – she was in this for the
money as much as anyone. I think she surprised herself how attached she was…and
it’s hurting her.
(May stands up – her small height
with a penetrating gaze towards her best friend and partner in crime…)
May: I think it’s time I gave her
a swift kick in the rear…
(May rushes over to Rally and
grabs her by the ear – Rally screams…)
Rally: Ow ow…May, what the hell
are you…
May: Getting you back into
fighting shape…we’re gonna have a little chat…
(May drags Rally into the station,
where the Jinnais ‘wake’ from their slumber hearing the two…)
Jinnai: Hey, do you mind, we…
May: SHUT THE F*** UP.
(Jinnai actually does for a moment
– he seems ready to speak but May’s voice even carries over him…)
May: Damn it Rally, you’ve been
like this last night! We’re in the US, it should be our chance to kick ass
after surviving the Japanese legs! Sure, we screwed up slightly here but we’re
still in it! And now, you’re depressed because of someone being eliminated? You
know it would happen sooner or later…
Rally: I know! I just…
May: Just…
Rally: …just didn’t want to admit
it to myself.
May: (sighs) We could be winning
the millions and now we start to get depressed. God sake Rally, I know you
better than that and how damned tough you are. You’re better than this. I know
you loved that kid so I’m going to give you damn incentive.
(May grabs Rally’s collar)
May: When we win, she’s be waiting
at the finish line. And you’re going to hug her like you never hugged anyone
before. And so for that…KICK…EVERYONE’S…ASS…
(Rally shakes the heat and
cobwebs…)
Rally: I…what…
May: The words you’re looking for
are ‘Yes May, let’s kick ass.’
(Rally pauses…)
May: Lost your voice Rally? Maybe
your real na…
Rally: SHUT…UP…
(Shot of a Simpson esque
strangling by Rally to May…)
Rally: That’s funny eh? Like that
May? I wonder if Ken is into necrophilia…
May: (half-choking/half laughing)
Can’t…breathe…
Rally: My thoughts…warped…screwed
up…sucking in Chicago and my little buddy gone. But…you’re right. The game is
still on…and we’ve got teams to beat.
(Rally smiles.)
Rally: And a million pounds…that’s
like 2 million dollars in real money right? That’s a good enough reason to rub
it in Saga’s face at the end…
May: Are you back?
(Rally breathes in…)
Rally: Back May. Let’s kick ass.
May: Close enough.
(May and Rally shake hands, and
hug briefly. Rally, over May’s shoulder, glares at the Jinnais…before leaving
the station to rejoin the other teams, who immediately joke about a lover’s
quarrel…)
Rally: I’ve been in a midst of despair for a number of reasons – and none really should have classified as reasons to turn myself into some twit. So now, kick ass first, ask questions later..Rally is back baby…
*
1.53AM
(Sousuke and Kaname now turn up as
the station is getting a little crowded…needless to say, Sousuke splits up the
crowd quickly.)
Kaname: Still an idiot…
(Sousuke does ask the porter compared
to the others basically being directed – Sousuke being Sousuke seems to
intimidate the porter despite the porter being about half a foot taller AND
wider than the Sergeant. However, he gets it in the end…as Kaname gets the
unfortunate translation…)
Kaname: So we’re paying out of our
noses for this train?
Bob: Well it is a first class
train and it is taking a couple of days – if you take that into consideration
it’s actually a good price.
Kaname: It is…FOR THOSE WHO HAVE
THE MONEY!
(Kaname checks her US dollars and
is relieved that she has the money, but she’s still pissed off…)
Kaname: Lack of money…check…all
teams present and accounted for…check…
May: Technically wouldn’t you be
happy because you’re not near last…
Kaname: (ignoring May) …last team
ready to join us so we’re all joint last…
(Cue final taxi…)
1.56am
Kaname: Check…mate.
(Miyu and Yamato witness the not
so warm welcome greeting them, but the chilly wind is now getting to them so a
few members don the sleeping bag material, not necessarily to sleep, but to
keep warm.)
Yamato: At least we’re
together…back even Miyu.
Miyu: I would be happy, but I’m
too tired and cold…
(Miyu snuggles up to Yamato as a
few team members gag as Miyu and Yamato also ask the porter, although Miyu notices
the pointers of Bob, May and Yakumo over to the machine. After getting the
confirmation (and also twitching about the price), they’re on board as well.)
Miyu: Luxury train in Chicago,
that works for me…
Yamato: Now we have to kill time
until the early hours…
Miyu: (snuggling more) Not a
problem for us.
Yamato: Er…well…
Kaname: O.K, boys, nothing to see
here…
Sousuke: Are they doing that
‘kiss’ thing…
Kaname: Yeah…and no, you’re not
going to imitate them!!!
(Sousuke is dragged off as
memories of his previous ‘kiss’ experiment is one that Kaname would rather
forget. However, with all the teams here, there is an edge to everyone as a few
teams enter the station to try and avoid a bit of cold, and despite Jinnai’s
moaning, it’s not effecting them. Some teams try to get a little sleep, but
with the train in 4 hours, it’s a bit pointless. And some…)
(…plot.)
Bob: It’s going to be hard to get
ahead at this rate…
Nagi: The US is not our territory,
but hanging around the tails of other teams is not our style either.
Bob: Well, considering what
happened when we hung round Rally in her home city it nearly backfired…whilst
here, we should try and take advantage of my English and see what we can learn
about this church…
Nagi: Do you honestly think
strangers will tell us anything?
Bob: Not much hope…and that’s
where THEY come in.
Nagi: Huh?
(Bob gets a little grin…)
Nagi: No…of all teams…
(Bob just smirks.)
*
Bob: …and so, if you want to…
(Bob is speaking with something –
Nagi’s whispering a number of curse words…)
Bob: …let’s face it…we’ve got
brawn and brains…but that won’t work against anyone here if we’re lost. You’ve
got beauty and brains you too…
(It’s revealed they are speaking
to their old friends Sara and Yakumo. Yakumo seems embarrassed by Bob’s latest
words…)
Bob: …so considering that we want
the Jinnais gone, Miyu and Yamato are beginning to make Nagi vomit, Rally
wasn’t as useful as we thought, and the Himuros and GI Joe and Wonder Woman I’d
rather cut my ears off…
Sara: So, considering our English
skills, could confuse a few teams after we did the damage to the alchemist
team?
Bob: You are sneaky – you can’t
deny this. You want to play this game as much as anyone…
Sara: If it’s god’s will, I can do
it.
Bob: So…Nagi pending…
Nagi: I…HATE…YOU…
Bob: …if we can use our skills for
each other…
(Sara ponders it over…)
Yakumo: Trust…is important…yet in
the end…don’t we both want to win?
Bob: Indeed. But I’d rather that
we both made the final at least – then we’ll kick you’re a…
(Bob pauses…)
Bob: …no, we’ll beat you. That’s
it. For some reason I just can’t even casually swear with you two…Nagi on the
other hand…
Nagi: I…STILL…HATE…YOU…
Sara: My…sure…except for the one
part.
Bob: The part of we beating you.
Sara: You catch on fast.
(Bob just grins and holds his hand
out – Sara shakes it as Yakumo nervously follows through…Bob ushers Nagi in.)
Bob: They’re on board.
Nagi: I REALLY HATE YOU BOB…
Sara: Aw…
Nagi: Um…er…
Bob: We’ll catch up with you
ladies later.
(The two leave as Nagi switches
from nervous to asshole in seconds…)
Nagi: Team up? Man, I thought the
Juken club was bad enough…
Bob: Nagi, two reasons. One – they
are extremely competient. More so than any other team – we can beat them
physically, but mentally, now that Saga is gone, they’re the strong runners.
Nagi: I’ll ignore the fact that
you pretty much just admitted that a 13 year old German girl was the smartest
one in the race…
Bob: …anyway, besides that, the
second and more important option. Wouldn’t you want to travel with those two
considering how attractive they are?
Nagi: Well…
Bob: So you do think they are…
Nagi: SHUT UP!
Bob: Sucker.
Bob: If we work with Sara and Yakumo, it makes a team that no-one expected…except us. They are good girls to get along with – they’re stronger than anyone has given them credit…and yes, they’re very cute. But Chiaki, that’s all I’m saying, I still love you…I know you’re picking up the meat cleaver as we speak and I can see Aya doing something similar for Nagi but…
Yakumo: I’m a little worried working with any team now and Bob and Nagi are quite hard to pinpoint as people…but I do trust Sara. If her judgement is going to make us win, then I’m for it…
*
5.15AM
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR ARRIVAL
(The station is now packed with a
lot more people as the early trains arrive, but for the teams in the race, it’s
now a chance to try and relax.)
Miyu: All aboard Yamato-kun!
Yamato: 2 days on a luxury
train…like a mini honeymoon…
Miyu: Kyah! Yamato-kun, you’re so
bold!
(A few roll their eyes at the
lovey-duvey couple, as a mostly cold looking group enter the relative warmth
and luxury of the train, with a long trip awaiting them…)
Rally: Wonder what awaits us in
San Francisco?
May: Let’s enjoy the ride first
and then plot our oh-so obvious American advantage which worked like a
ch-aaarmm…oww…
(Shot of Rally pulling May’s face)
Rally: Eh, what was that? I
couldn’t hear you?
Bob: (smirks) Rally’s back in
business. Not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing…
Nagi: It’s a thing, that’s all it
is. And I’m still hating you…
Bob: Hate me as much as you want –
as long as we kick ass to the road on being millionaires…
Nagi: That’s the only thing that
is keeping me going…
Sara: Aw, you mean my smile isn’t
doing the same?
(Nagi nearly jumps at Sara being
behind her, and even Yakumo has to laugh at that…)
Yakumo: Th-that was…(giggles)
Bob: See Nagi, how can you hate me
for such a beautiful charming face like that behind you…
Nagi: Well, Yakumo maybe…
Sara: (still bright but slightly grinning)
What was that Nagi-san?
(Nagi shuts up…)
Nanami: This could be enjoyable…
Jinnai: Yes, passing all the
places that will soon be within my grasp! It’s good information to study these
places as you get the know the areas you’re prepared to conquer…
Nanami: Conquer this race first,
and then your ego…
Jinnai: Well, this train has
already been conquered by myself, so now…
Nanami: Trust me on this, go on
that route, and 6 teams will have time penalties…
Jinnai: That’s perfect then!
Nanami: …and one team will only
have one member.
(As Jinnai contemplates what his
sister meant, the teams are now all aboard the train. The Himuros sit on their
own but behind Sara and Yakumo who sit opposite Bob and Nagi (by Bob’s dragging
Nagi) whilst Rally/May sit opposite Yamato and Miyu, with Sousuke/Kaname behind
them and the Jinnais on the other side.)
Keiko: Good leg room at least.
Izumi: I’m not sure you can say
this will be a comfortable ride mother with…
Keiko: I know. I just hope the
view is good enough to compensate…
Kaname: Looking at the flyers, we
pass through some famed tourist spots…Rally, you’re our expert…
Rally: We don’t go to San
Francisco much, but yeah, it’s got some great views – I love Winter Park…
May: We’re not going to Hokkaido
again…
Rally: WRONG WINTER PARK.
Sousuke: It appears this trip will
be more of a…pleasurable…outing, is that the term Chidori?
Kaname: You don’t get out much
Sousuke…just relax for once and enjoy the view!
Sousuke: I will…attempt that.
(A voice tells everyone to enjoy
their trips and goes through a rundown of the long list of stations they will
be going through. With over 2 days of travelling, this is going to be the REAL
long leg of the race…)
*
(The early hours of the train mean
most of the teams are trying to sleep, and considering that they are all near
each other, out vocal plotting is not smart. Sousuke is one of the few awake,
and is taking in the air breezing in the early morning and watching outside…)
Sousuke: So this is peace then…
(Sousuke almost looks melancholic
saying this, as Kaname slowly adjusts herself to cuddle nearer Sousuke…)
Kaname: (quietly) Hey…admire it as
much, but at least keep me warm will you…
(Both seem quietly red at this but
Sousuke does adjust. You can see May open her eye with a cheeky grin.)
May: Oh ho…
May: The early stages of the train trip brought some things that we all suspected but didn’t get to see any visual evidence. There is definitely more to Sousuke/Kaname’s relationship than Sousuke screws up and Kaname beats the crap out of him. They’ve been pretty lucky so far, but they’ve always been in sync and Sousuke is getting into the merits of the race now…
(May closes her eyes as the only
other team remotely awake are the Jinnais…)
Nanami: I can’t believe you are
actually being quiet…maybe it’s the rather large train operators that may shut
you up by force?
Jinnai: You need to blend in with
your enemy to observe them…
Nanami: Never thought you’d
reflect on using intelligence…
(Shot of Jinnai looking around,
seemingly plotting who to eliminate next…)
Jinnai: I think we need to try and
get the sick couple and the mom and daughter out of here first…try and delay
them with sabotage…
Nanami: You just want to get rid
of the ones that openly hate your guts…
(Jinnai pauses for a moment…)
Jinnai: Merely coincidence.
Nanami: (sighs) You’re stealing
Sousuke’s material there…
Nanami: The train was an environment which is not befitting my brother despite the luxury space and food. I think his brain was going on overload in planning and once it’s blew out, he collapsed in sleep. And once it recharged, he resumed plotting, and then it blew out, sleep, ad infinitum. Not quite a routine I expected from my brother shall we say…
*
(A few hours later, most of the
teams are more awake, eating some breakfast consisting of omelettes and hash
browns with some tea, coffee and/or juice (or in the case of Rally, all three…)
Kaname: How can she wash that all
down?
May: Simple. Normally it’s pizza
or Chinese. Any other form of subsistence she will devour 10 times over.
(Kaname sweatdrops…on the opposite
side, Nagi is also disposing of food at a rapid rate as they begin to pass by
the Rocky Mountains…Rally nearly chokes on her food as she spots them.)
Rally: Awesome.
Sousuke: Those would be the Rocky
Mountains, right?
Rally: You’re pretty good Sousuke.
Bob: Stop eating and enjoy the
view for once Nagi…
Nagi: (muffled) Can’t talk…eating…
Bob: (sigh) Sara, you can’t
translate ‘mouth full of food’ can you?
Sara: Sorry…I’m still work on
Chinese with Asou-sempai…maybe next year…
Bob: Asou? Oh…maybe Nagi has some
competition then…
(Cue the near spit of food and
choking hearing that – Yakumo on instinct goes over to apply the Heimlich but
Nagi indicates he’s fine and downs his coughing with a good shot of orange
juice.)
Nagi: DAMMIT BOB, YOU TRYING TO
KILL ME?
Bob: Why not…back home everyone
else does…
Sara: (blushes) Well…he’s
half-right I guess…but you don’t like me Nagi-san?
(Sara ‘sniffles’ as Nagi falls for
it being the idiot he is. Bob and Yakumo sweatdrop…)
Bob: Is she always like this?
Yakumo: Normally with Hanai-sempai
and Harima-sempai…
Bob: I pity the men at your
school.
(Yakumo nods, though for a
different reason that maybe Bob is thinking…)
*
Izumi: I wonder if we’ll pass any
baseball grounds here?
Keiko: (calls) Rally, are there
any baseball teams we could pass?
Rally: Well…you’ve got the Cubs
but we’ve past them already – we’ll get to the San Francisco Giants…the
bastards they are…
Keiko: Rivals huh?
Rally: Nah…just that slimeball
Bill had tickets for them and invited me…I decided to go just to milk out of
him…and then he sold the things!!! Bastard…
(Izumi nearly sweatdrops…)
May: Just ignore her – she hasn’t
had a date in such along time I’m suspecting she’s a lesbian…
(Rally stretches May’s mouth even
further, but Izumi, Kaname and Yakumo inch further back…)
Rally: What?
Kaname: So that’s why…
Rally: DON’T START!
Nanami: I deal with that back on
El-Hazard anyway…
Jinnai/Rally/Bob: WHAT?!!!
Nanami: NOT LITERALLY! It’s
Aliele, she’s a bit…too clingy shall we say? It’s usually over fast though…
Keiko: So it’s not like that…
Nanami: Yeah…(sweatdrops)…she’s
too busy chasing the next available woman around…
(Mass sweatdrop…)
*
(The day passes by surprisingly
non-conflictive…however that’s doesn’t mean there aren’t problems, especially
with the Jinnais around.)
Nanami: Will you shut up with your
complaining? There are other passengers around you know…
Jinnai: And what do I care about
other people? They’re all going to be under my command one day in the future
when I take over the world…
Nanami: Stop getting on that kick…
(As they argue…)
Sara: (singing) ‘They’re Binky and
the Brain…Binky and the Brain…one of them is a genius, the others ins…’
(She doesn’t get to finish the
song as Bob, Keiko, Rally and May explode in laughter. Yakumo tries to hide her
giggling whilst Sousuke’s lips slightly turn up…)
Kaname: What? I didn’t understand…
(Sousuke’s near smile as he
translates. Sara explains the origins of the song to the Japanese nearby out of
earshot of the Jinnais. Needless to say, now a few more are snickering…)
Bob: You’re the most evil person
in the race Sara…that’s why we love you for it…
(The Jinnais now realise some joke
is being passed around…)
Nanami: What’s going on?
Jinnai: Bah, just commoners jokes.
We don’t need to be part of that sister.
(Nanami sighs and tries to
relax…not knowing that they probably have a new nickname for the remainder of
this race…)
*
(It’s
now getting into late afternoon, over 12 hours have already past and it’s been
a rare chance of relaxation…something a few teams enjoy a bit more than
others.)
Keiko:
Thank you, that was delicious.
(She
hands over their lunch things to the lady as she relaxes back.)
Izumi:
I guess this race is sort of a vacation for you mother.
Keiko:
Considering the amount of work I have to do back home with the PTA of the
Kisaragi schools, not to mention my businesses, you could say that this is a
vacation that I really needed.
Kaname:
Ignoring the bloodythirsty backstabbing and trying to beat all the competitors?
Keiko:
My dear, that’s part of the reason I joined up.
Kaname:
Ah…
Izumi:
(smiling) Why do you think she picked a competition as her vacation?
May:
Well, the same could be the same for us – heading to Japan without the plane
fares sounded a good idea at the time…
Rally:
Yeah, though the weird sleep hours, lack of food and screwing up in our home
town once we returned to the US was not within the plans for this…
Nagi:
Of course, ignoring the fact there’s a huge pot of gold at the end of the
rainbow…
Rally:
There’s that too.
Nagi:
To be honest, it’s a vacation for us as well…but it’s one that we never really
intended to take. I’d prefer to actually just stay back home and get stronger…
May:
So why did you guys participate?
Nagi:
Well…because…
Bob:
Our leader Maya said ‘YOU’RE ENTERING THIS COMPETITION AND YOU’RE WINNING THE
MONEY OR ELSE IT’S SEPPEKU!’
Nagi:
(sweatdrops) What he said.
(Sweatdrops
abound…)
Bob:
What about you guys? I’d have thought Sousuke…
Kaname:
Yeah, we know. I think it was a way to stop him from destroying the school and
I’m the only one that can handle him outside of his commanders.
May:
That…was a joke right?
(………)
Rally:
Holy sh…
Sara:
Ahem.
(Rally
doesn’t finish the sentence but everyone looks at Sousuke whose calmly
finishing off his beef and salad without realising the focus is on him.)
Kaname:
(changing the subject) Anyway, what about you two girls and the lovey-dovey
pair in front of us? You’ve seem very relaxed since the start – why’d you get
picked?
Yakumo:
Well…I guess it’s for me a way to see the world…I’ve never really adventured
outside of this…
Sara:
Yakumo lives with her sister and basically despite being the younger of the two
she’s the one that takes care of the family mostly. Tenma-sempai is a great
girl, but she can get…excitable shall we say?
Yakumo:
And Sara…
(She
pauses. Sara nods.)
Sara:
It’s O.K.
Yakumo:
Sara’s…an orphan. She lives by herself on a exchange program from the United
Kingdom – and I think with the holidays, she wanted to not be alone…
(A
few are quite surprised by that…)
Nagi:
But she’s so energetic…and evil…
Sara:
(smiles) I won’t raise to that one Nagi-kun…
Sousuke:
I think it’s surprising what kind of varied lives we all have – you can never
tell what people have enjoyed or suffered from in the past…
Kaname:
Kinda ironic considering you’re probably the one that’s suffered the most…
Miyu:
I guess the same is for me as well…
Yamato:
Miyu…
Miyu:
No it’s O.K Yamato-kun…it’s obvious that we’ve entered this to provide for our
future, but it’s also a way to further escape the past for me.
Yamato:
Miyu has had a rather rough past shall we say? She used to be a gang leader…
Kaname/Bob/Sara:
YOU’RE KIDDING?
Yakumo:
But…she’s so pretty and delicate…
Miyu:
As Sousuke-kun said, appearances can be deceptive. I was the worst kind of girl
out there…blackmailing, fighting, threatening…but ironically, it was because of
it that I met Yamato-kun…
Yamato:
It was my first day on the job at the police-box and I wanted to reform her…and
she ran off the moment I turned my back.
Miyu:
Sorry bout that…
Yamato:
It’s O.K now – but anyway, thanks to a…shall we say…incident involving her and
my sister, Miyu was able to get her life back on track – she’s best friends
with my sister and engaged to me. In 2 years time, we intend to get married
after she graduates. And considering that her mother has now left her…
Miyu:
Y-Yeah…
(Miyu’s
eyes start to water. She rubs them as she tries not to remember…)
Miyu:
I…I’m sorry…it’s still a bit…t-touchy…
(Yamato
hugs her as Sara, Yakumo and Kaname go over there as well. A few are very
surprised at this admission…)
Bob:
Sometimes you need relaxation to bare out your heart and soul. We knew somewhat
of the past from a few of these, but who would have thought? Our partner in
crime with no parents, Miyu a former gang leader? It’s surprisingly
depressing…even more so as Nagi has a similar past…)
Nagi:
I guess I’m not alone then…
Yakumo:
You…as well Nagi-san?
Nagi:
Yeah…though you really don’t want to hear what happened between my mother and
me…
Bob:
The short story – they were accused of being witches.
Nanami:
You’re kidding…
(Nanami
seems to have got up to listen in and join in as well. Izumi looks pissed but
Jinnai seems to be sleeping so they let her in…)
Nagi:
You don’t know the half of it. It was like she was cast as a séance master who
could curse people. And that I had picked up these demonic powers or
something…my mom…she was the only person who loved me…
Bob: Nagi’s a tough guy…but he does have a soft spot
in his heart.
Nagi:
Oh shut up…
Kaname:
Girls, shall we hug him as well?
Nagi:
Don’t you dare!!!
May/Sara:
Awww…
(Nagi
turns red as Nanami looks on…)
Nanami:
Guys, whatever crap my brother says, I know you’ve been ignoring it. But we do
want to win this for the pot of gold at the end. But it’s also to escape the
life that we had to suffer on…no actually, better not say, you guys might not
believe it.
Bob:
We were shocked enough with the Miyu story…I don’t think one more surprise is
going to kill us.
Nanami:
Well…
*
Kaname:
ANOTHER WORLD?
Nanami:
Yep, me, my brother, Makoto and Fujisawa-sensei all transported into this
strange world. The whole Fatora, Aliele, Muldoon Priestesses thing…do you want
me to go into detail…it could take a while…
Rally:
We’ve got just under 1 and a bit days left to kill…I think we can handle it.
Bob:
Besides, considering the whole travelling worlds, that Yuko girl has already
done it with us already so it’s not that surprising really.
(Nanami
explains why her brother is the maglomaniac that he is, his rivalry with
Makoto, the situation with Mr. Fujisawa (and the teams laugh at his ‘engagement’
to priestess Miz Mishtal), the business with Calus and the surprising fact of
his brother saving Makoto, not to mention their school life prior to going to
El-Hazard with the Student Body Presidental election. And of course…)
Yakumo:
Bugrom?
Nanami: Yeah…his army. Hell, he even gave them names - Harpo, Zeppo, Gummo, Chico, and Margaret…
Sara: Marx Brothers reference…
Nanami: So THAT’S why…
(Mass sweatdrop…)
Yakumo: It seems to me that Nanami, as long as she’s
not focused on the race and away from her brother, is actually a very nice
person. However, a few teams unfortunately don’t take that into consideration
and instead paint her with the same brush as her brother. She can be verbally
upfront as I saw during the incident with the Himuros, but she’s not one for
being a bad guy…I can tell.
*
(We fast forward a bit as the day passes into night and attempts at quiet conversation and sleep are the necessities as they pass Colorado’s Gore and the Glenwood Canyons on the road to Winter Lake. People enter and exit, but the long trip to San Francisco and the darkness obscuring the views as tourist attractions are making some people uncomfortable. Shots of Nagi and Bob walking and seems going into an open area to stretch out…)
Bob: It’s like we can’t get out of shape even one day…
Nagi: We can say the racing around the world part is training but staying on a train for 2 days? What excuse would Maya have to be bought with?
(…Sousuke and Kaname also have a walk, as none of the teams paid for the extra expense for a sleeper (or more likely couldn’t afford it) – we get a few people sleeping comfortably like Yakumo and May, whilst others are of the toss and turn nature, namely Rally…you can draw your own conclusions why she’s a poor sleeper…Jinnai is sleeping like a log, unfortunately his ‘snores’ which would roughly be better translated as cackles, are disturbing his sister…and a few other people…)
Nagi: Let me kill him…
Bob: Now Nagi, you were just as bad…
Nagi: At least I snore like a human being!
Bob: Normally, I’d say go ahead, but sadly, this race has something called rules…we’re not used to them, but we must abide them or we get the Sousuke Seat…
(Sousuke sneezes as he comes back from stretching his legs…)
Sousuke: Wouldn’t do me catching a common cold after all this…
(Nagi pouts and storms off…)
Nagi: Binky…
(Jinnai sneezes…)
Nagi: That nickname is catchy…and if we get caught, we blame Sara. We’ll have god on our side…
Bob: And the devil on yours…
(Nagi smiles with a malicious grin on his face…)
*
2ND DAY
(The morning didn’t have too many problems, and it’s not becoming the scratch fest that people thought it might be…however, Jinnai’s boredom and needing to go to the toilet quickly changes that…)
Jinnai: Dammit, out of the way…
(Jinnai nearly shoves Kaname as she was taking her seat from her own need to relieve, and she’s not happy. Sousuke looks ready to stand up but Kaname halts him…)
Kaname: Look, I actually won’t be that pissed off if you threw him off the train, but I don’t need another penalty…oh yes, and the loss of a life might bare on my conscience for a little while, even if it is that bastard…
(However, Jinnai may have to wait a little longer…)
Izumi: (reading a book) Aren’t we the big he-man?
Jinnai: What do you want woman?
Izumi: Oh, you’re so tough you won’t even mention my name…you won’t apologise to a girl you knock down…
Jinnai: Whatever – riff-raff like you don’t even register on my threat list.
Izumi: Riff-raff?
Keiko: It’s O.K Izumi – you do realise that we are part of a powerful conglomerate don’t you Katsuhiko?
Jinnai: No…and I don’t care, because sooner or later you’ll be under my power anyway…once this race is mine, it will be the biggest step…
Izumi: Oh, you’re f*****g insane.
Keiko: IZUMI!
Izumi: Sorry mother, but he had to get the truth thrown in his face…you honestly think at your age you’re on a world domination kick?
Jinnai: IT’S NOT A KICK! IT WILL…
Kaname: Sousuke, for the love of god don’t…
(Jinnai turns as Sousuke looks ready to rip Jinnai apart. A few passengers are a bit nervous at the shouting match (despite being in Japanese) going on. Bob looks ready to step in as does Yakumo…Nagi looks on with concern as Rally remembers she doesn’t have her gun handy…)
May: This could get bloody…
(Sara makes the sign of the cross across her chest and kisses her cross around her neck…)
Sara: May God get us through this with no bloodshed…
(Yamato steps forward as Miyu flanks him…)
Yamato: You two – I may not have power on this train but I can certainly report this under both of your names once we return home…
Miyu: And you don’t want to see me when I’m mad…
(Jinnai looks ready to scoff but then Nanami comes over…)
Nanami: Trust her words Katsuhiko…dammit…
Izumi: It’s O.K. It’s over people. If we argue longer, Jinnai-KUN here would need some new pants after he’s pissed himself…
(The obvious sarcasm on the honor-fic just makes Jinnai even madder, but to some extent Izumi was right, and he does need to go. He just grips his hand in a fist and heads to the bathroom.)
Keiko: Izumi, that was a tad uncalled for.
Izumi: He just gets up every wrong nerve available. And I know everyone else agrees with me but won’t say anything further. The sooner they’re gone, the better.
Nanami: You do realise I’m still here Himuro?
Izumi: I know, hence why I said it.
Nanami: I’m not playing your game – we’ll see what happens at the end of the race who’ll be laughing.
Nagi: Hence why she’s ‘the brain.’
(Nanami looks at Nagi oddly, Sara desperately tries to hide into a pit as Nanami returns to her seat. A few minutes later, Jinnai returns, glares at Izumi but is forced back into his seat after a combined effort by a train officer and Sousuke’s own glare put the wannabe overlord back in his throne…)
Yakumo: That…at least…was muted…
Rally: For them, yes. But an ‘F’ bomb from Izumi…surprised they weren’t crucified by you Sara…
Sara: I covered my ears. I can sense profanity a mile away…
Bob: So that’s why you’ve been half deaf to our conversations…or is that you just ignoring Nagi?
Sara: Both.
(Sweatdrops again as Miyu sighs with relief at the back…)
Miyu: I can understand how Izumi feels in a way though…it’s just so frustrating at times to deal with people like that…
Yamato: I think in a way everyone in this race is like that – we want to defeat everyone in any way possible…it’s just some people are a lot more obvious about it than others…
Miyu: Including us?
Yamato: ESPECIALLY us.
*
(We fast forward more as the night falls, Truckee River carries on, sleep and more needing to stretch their legs, books are read, sights are seen as they get through to the second lake on their trip (Donner Lake) and on towards the last part of their journey…it’s finally starting to show on a few teams the difference between friends, enemies…and both.)
Keiko: We’re together for 2 days…and the strain is
showing, even on the faces you wouldn’t expect. 2 days of even hearing Jinnai’s
voice is bad enough, but rags are lost with other teams as well – I don’t think
Izumi made herself do popular with her rant…
(Indeed, you can see that teams who weren’t exactly chummy with the Himuros before have almost tainted them with the same brush as Natsuhiko Jinnai…)
Izumi: …considering how brash you are Kaname, I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Kaname: Hey at least I can control my anger when I want to…that was kind of uncalled for, and if Saga was still here, I can see pretty much almost every team after your blood.
Izumi: You only control your anger so you can take it out on Sousuke…he can take it…or does he enjoy it?
Kaname: W-What the hell are you implying?
Izumi: Oh, you seem to be controlling your anger su-perbly right now…
(The sarcasm seems to irate Kaname further – Sousuke looks ready to step in…)
Kaname: Stay out of this Sousuke – last thing I want is another penalty…no matter what the temptation…
Nanami: At least you’re not the only one Chidori wants to kill anymore brother…
Jinnai: Oh thanks a bunch…
(Shot of the table opposite…)
Bob: Surprised no-one has stopped the cat fight…
Rally: Geez…is Izumi wanting to take the heat off Jinnai or something? Keiko, are you gonna…
Keiko: Izumi is very headstrong…nothing I say will matter when she’s on one of her tirades.
Yamato: Do you want me to separate them?
Miyu: Probably would make it worse…
Yakumo: I-I could stop them…
Sara: No, you’ve already done that once – we let her off before…this time she has to learn…
Nagi: I thought you’re the only girls here Izumi could stand?
Sara: Doesn’t mean that I’m getting in the middle of that and if Yakumo gets hurt, then if God doesn’t smite them…
Nagi: Scary…
May: Hee…hee…hee…
Rally: YOU’RE NOT THROWING ANYTHING AT THEM…
(May snaps her fingers as Kaname seems stewing, but instead brushes past Izumi and heads back to Sousuke. Izumi continues on her walk as with barely 3 hours left in their journey, the luxury part of the trip is well and truly over…)
*
8.51AM (51 HOURS 36 MINUTES AFTER THEY LEFT CHICAGO)
(A true test of their reserves now as attempted sleep with grouchy neighbours on a train for over 2 days now means their legs need a good stretch. However, they now have to focus on the race once more – whose minds are up to it?)
(Saying goodbye to the Sao Paolo Bay, the last of the tourist views, the team are awakened to the sound over the air…)
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived in
San Francisco, the Emeryville area. We hope that you will enjoy your stay and
thanks on travelling on the California Zephyr…
(The teams are already pushing for the doors as the rush for taxies is now next on their list…and their worry for their wallets…however the closing company that they shared for the last 2 days may have put them off sharing a taxi…)
(The doors open and it’s a mad rush – as they need to find St. Pauls Church, which actually isn’t very far at all…and they could run to it. Problem is, do they know that?)
Rally: Let’s see…
May: We’ve got the map…I’m sure…
(The Americans are navigating as they seem to half remember the area…other teams rush past them…)
Miyu: Where is St. Paul’s Church?
(Miyu’s English is half-decent, but the driver seems a bit confused. Yamato helps her out, but the shot of Rally running is a bad sign…)
Rally: Why waste money when it’s 4 blocks away?
(A couple of the teams notice…)
Bob: They’re running?
Nagi: It can’t be far away…we can beat them with a taxi…
Bob: …but is it worth it?
Nagi: We’re too fast for them anyway – we’ll just get lost…are we ditching the girls?
Bob: If it’s not far
anyway…
(A few teams however
decided to follow Rally/May…much to their schegrin…)
May: This is kinda
low…
Nanami: Hey, I’m
cheap!
Jinnai: Besides,
following underlings is what leaders are supposed to do…
(Shot of Miyu/Yamato
and Bob/Nagi in a taxi…however Sara and Yakumo have a rather…unique way…to get
their faster…)
Driver: A sister?!!
(Sara is showing her
cross to the driver…)
Yakumo: P-Please
sir…it’s important we get there as fast as possible…
Driver: It’s about a
15 minute walk…sure hop in – let’s you there young ladies!
(The two escape first
as Izumi/Keiko are also in a taxi, and Keiko’s English is allowing them to get
the handle of things. Bob/Nagi are third out and Miyu/Yamato 4th.
Lastly, Sousuke/Kaname angrily follows Rally/May…)
Sousuke: We’re
officially running.
Kaname: Well it’s
exercise we need…the rest are lazy…sure it’s faster but that will cost them…
*
Driver: …and a
discount for you sister.
Sara: Thank you very
much, may god bless with you.
ST.PAULS CHURCH –
SARA/YAKUMO (1ST PLACE)
Yakumo: That
was…sneaky.
Sara: I wasn’t lying.
Did I say I was a sister of the church? I never said which one did I…
(Yakumo smiles
slightly – she doesn’t like lying either but bending the truth is a different
story…)
(Inside the church,
they are greeted by Father Remington, the tall blonde man with his sword at the
ready bows to the girls.)
Remington: Welcome.
Get ready for a change of scenary.
(Behind Remington is
a warp hole – similar between the Kino/Diamond legs. Both girls realise what
this means…)
Yakumo: Yuko-san is
ready to change things again…
Sara: Let’s change
things whilst we’re ahead Yakumo…
(Remington hands
them their clue as they open it…)
Yakumo: Head towards
the portal, and exit through the church into the roaring 20s and locate the
Order of Magdalene…
*
Welcome to San Francisco
in the 1920s – the 1st World War has ended and business is trying to
resurrect itself – and salvation is at the hand with the Order of Magdalene at
your service. Among the members is our next host, a lovely pale blue haired
girl with an angelic voice, one of the youngest members of the Magdalene,
Azmaria Hendric. She’s is our next host for this leg of the race.)
Azmaria: Teams must
head over to the Order of Magladene by foot or carriage, and then once there
located Sister Kate’s office. Once they, they will find their next clue.
*
(Both girls are
speechless…)
Sara: 1920s?!!!
Yakumo: This
is…definitely a surprise.
Remington: Yes…we
tend to get that reaction a lot…
Sara: Well, I hear
taxis in the distance…best get going Yakumo…
(Yakumo nods as the
girls run into the portal…)
*
(…and land rather
Rosette like in front of Azmaria…)
Sara: Not…the best
introduction…
(Azmaria hides her
giggle as she helps the two up.)
Azmaria: Before you
go ladies, I suggest you…dress appropriately for your visit.
Yakumo: Those?
(Yakumo, a natural
cosplayer (seriously) notices the outfits. For Sara, it’s almost like home…it’s
the traditional blue nun like uniforms the ladies wear made famous by Rosette
Christopher (or Bridget from Guilty Gear for everyone who gets confused).
Needless to say, the girls are now very interested…)
Azmaria: Girls to
the right…
Yakumo: As long as
Hanai-sempai isn’t here…
(The two girls get
into it as back in the present time…)
*
Bob: Will we regret
that?
Nagi: It was only a
few bucks…we can starve the next couple of legs…
Bob: Well Maya has
made you do that before anyway…
Nagi: Training
Bob…never thought it would come in hand for being the cheap bastards we are…
(Bob and Nagi head
into the church and are also greeted by Remington…)
Bob: Maybe you
shouldn’t be here Nagi…
Nagi: Don’t worry,
as long as nothing comes along to pi…annoy me…
Izumi: (distant)
This is it mom…
Nagi: That will
do…get the clue Bob!
(Bob does…)
BOB/NAGI – 2ND
PLACE
Bob: You’re kidding
me…1920s?
Nagi: Through there?
Bob: Let’s hurry
before the girls get ahead…
(The two run just as
Izumi and Keiko enter…)
Izumi: Maybe we
should have run…
Keiko: With the
Jinnais and Kaname, no thanks…
(They pretty much
ignore Remington (much to his dismay) and lunge for the clue…)
*
Bob: Dare I say
it…ouch…
Nagi: Get off me…
(Azmaria gives as
best a hand as she can give the two adult men as she explains the situation…)
Azmaria: As you’re
men, you’ve got the different uniform…
Yakumo: M-men?
Nagi: Oh cr…I mean
nuts…Yakumo and Sara are here?
Sara: KYAH!!!
(You can hear the
embarrassment as the girls begin to change as fast as she can and Nagi turns
around. Bob grabs his ear and drags him to the other curtains…)
Bob: You’re not
going to see anything…heh, never figured you for a gentleman…
Nagi: S-SHUT UP!!!
(A sigh of relief
next door as the girls emerge as the gentlemen get her FMA esque outfits ready,
a sleek blue uniform. The two girls exit…)
Yakumo: T-they…you…
Nagi: WE DIDN’T SEE
ANYTHING…
Sara: Aww…
(The sound of Nagi’s
collapsing in a pool of despair and blood confirms victory for the girls. Both
not surprisingly look good, Yakumo is a natural with her sleek body and Sara
looks like a smaller version of Saber from Fate/Stay Night. The two are directed
to the door for their journey, just as Izumi and Keiko enter…)
Keiko: We’re…in
1920s San Francisco?
Izumi: No time to be
in shock mother…what do we have to do little girl?
(Azmaria seems a
little miffed by that but smiles.)
Azmaria: Get over
there and change into the uniforms of the Magdalene Order…and then start
searching…
(They see Sara and
Yakumo pass by, now decked in their outfits. Izumi suddenly gets a bad feeling
about this…)
Izumi: Mom…this
isn’t like changing into the baseball uniform…
*
(Bob certainly looks
rather dapper with his height and African heritage. Azmaria certainly is
impressed.)
Azmaria: Ever
consider the church?
(Bob smiles and pats
Azmaria on the head)
Bob: Sorry…I don’t
know even if I did God would forgive us…
Nagi: Ah…
Bob: NO CURSING!
Nagi: But these are
so tight…
Bob: I told you need
to go on a diet…
(That brings Nagi
out – he…doesn’t really fit the type wearing these type of clothes. Nearby,
Izumi and Keiko are also not getting grips to the clothes, especially as
Keiko’s outfit is quite different…)
Keiko: It’s…unique…
(The two guys head
outside as Sara and Yakumo are already realising the difficult of the
twenties…)
*
Yakumo: Look like
carriages are the way to go…or we’re walking…except we don’t know where to go…
(They don’t have a
map to guide them…however they have one VERY crucial advantage over the other
teams…)
Sara: (holding cross
and speaking English) Excuse me?
(An older gentleman
sees the girls and Sara explains what they need to do…)
Sara: …so as new
member of the Order of Magdalene, we need to get there as soon as possible…but
we don’t know where to go…
Old man: Oh ladies –
it’s simple enough. It’s about 30 minutes off the road there. It’s straight
north and then to the right once you see the large church – it’s impossible to
miss.
Sara: Shall we walk?
Yakumo: Can we move
quick enough against the boys?
Sara: True…but money
wise…besides, I can always say that two boys are chasing us and get others to
stop them.
Yakumo: You had a
little bit of seriousness there Sara…
Sara: (winks) You
know me too well…
(They decide to walk
ahead and keep themselves away from the main road, occasionally making sure and
taking advantage of Sara’s legitimate claims as a (admittingly trainee) nun to
make sure they are on the right track…)
Sara: I’m an honest person, and I’m a cheerful
person. But I’m also an ambitious person…I want to do a lot of things in life,
but winning this race is top of the list. And whilst I’m not going to stop
myself, being myself is going to make me win this game. And I need to take
advantage of every situation I can…this however, is quite literal. To say I’m
in my element is an understatement.
(Back at the
church…)
Miyu: Permission to
laugh at Nagi?
Bob: Permission gr…
Nagi: DENIED!
(Bob and Nagi are
outside the church just as Miyu and Yamato are ready to enjoy their own
dressing up. However, being a girl/boy pair means Azmaria has to separate…)
Miyu: Aw, can’t we…
Azmaria: NO, NO,
NO!
(The poor girl
embarrassed by Miyu’s outwardness in the presence of God (though Yamato was
almost as embarrassed), Yamato gets ready for his uniform as does Miyu…as the
Himuros are nearly finished changing.)
Miyu:
Keiko-san…that’s look magnificent…you really look the part…
Keiko: Thanks…I
think.
(Miyu gets changed,
looks a little envious of Izumi’s physique (Izumi is actually a little taller
and muscular than Miyu) before getting changed. Izumi is also done, show she’s
a tad uncomfortable by the nun’s outfit (same as Yak/Sar)…on the other hand, Keiko
is wearing a senior outfit, the traditional outfit in Black, in fact she looks
quite remarkably like Sister Mary (minus the outbursts) from Chrno Crusade
itself.)
Keiko: This should
be fun…walking around like this.
Izumi: We’d best
try our best then…I’m not falling all the way to the Order of Magdalene…
(Outside…)
Nagi: I’m not
getting a carriage with this outfit on…no way, no how.
Bob: Do you think
the girls did?
Nagi: Probably, but
all that sitting made me itching for training…time for a run Bob?
Bob: In this
outfits?
Nagi: Call it
another way of training…and pray Maya doesn’t see this.
(Ignoring the fact
that it’s televised (even in the 1920s), Bob and Nagi begin to jog along,
trying to see if they can get help occasionally…despite the guys being unusual
looking (one’s black and one’s Japanese – neither common in the 1920s), their
outfits do seem to give legitimacy…)
Nagi: I’m beginning
to see why that little girl advised to wear this outfits…
(Fortunately with
Bob’s English they get more help than they may have expected…)
Izumi: This is like
another country and in another time…
Keiko: Shall I
remind you it is?
Izumi: Yes…because
I’m confused about where the heck we have to go…
Keiko: Well,
hopefully this outfit will help…it seems it’s official from this Order we have
to go so hopefully it has some good influence…
Izumi: Translation:
Don’t mouth off and let me do the talking.
(Keiko doesn’t
respond to that but her face tells the story as they began their spiritual
interrogation…)
(…as they do so,
back at the church…)
Azmaria: Wow, he is
handsome like that!
(Yamato is a bit
embarrassed, but the Remington-esque outfit does fit him quite well. Miyu’s
blonde hair actually gives her a better impression of Rosette than Sara did
because of her height.)
Miyu: Indeed, but
he’s mine Azmaria-chan!
(Azmaria pouts but
the giggles quickly come out – they leave pleasantly as they now wonder…)
Miyu: So where do
we go?
Yamato: It’s the
major church in the area, so someone must know where it is. And I get the
feeling these outfits were designed to help us out with that problem…
Miyu: So it wasn’t
just a handsome man in cosplay…
Yamato: Er…
Miyu: (glomps him)
Yamato-kun, you’re so cute…
(They keep their
affection at that as wearing those outfits they don’t seem like they should do
anything lovey-duvey (even though it’s not a church as they know it the
Magdalene Order…)
Miyu: I suppose
this is where your police skills should came in handy…
(Back in the
present time as 4 teams already set off on their journey…)
*
Rally: …then go
ahead of us then, you’re obviously faster!
Jinnai: We would!
May: So why not?
Jinnai: I’m not
telling!
(As Jinnai isn’t
fooling anyone, Rally and May are being forced to be use as markers as they
know where to go whilst the others don’t. Sousuke and Kaname also are faster
than the Cats, so sadly they don’t even bother with excuses…)
Kaname: Look, let’s
just get there and get everything over with…try and get your revenge when we
get to…wherever the hell we’re going to.
Rally: Dammit, this
sucks.
May: Best use the
profanity now, because when we get to the church, I suggest you guys zip it…
Sousuke:
Affirmative – a piece of advice best fitted for something like this.
Kaname: Never you
to be the religious type Sousuke?
Sousuke: You’d be
surprised.
(Kaname leaves it
at that – the Christian church being a bit unusual to three of the Japanese
(Sousuke isn’t as surprised of course) considering Christianity is less than 1%
in a country where Shinto and Buddhism rules.)
Rally: O.K, it’s in
site…now commence screwing us over…
Kaname: At least
you know what’s coming…
(It does. Rally and
May after leading them to the church are overtaken by the faster Jinnais and
FMP teams. Rally is cursing inwardly…)
Rally: I just realised there was another reason
why I wanted Saga to stay on the team. I could never get angry when she’s
around. Now she’s gone, it’s like everyone wants to take advantage of us and
not even try to hide it. And it’s beginning to piss me off…
*
(Remington is surprised
to see 3 teams enter at once…though he’s amused…)
Remington: I guess
you are the ones Yuko said would be ‘the cheap ones’
Kaname:
(sweatdrops) She even predicted this…
(Kaname and Sousuke
get ahead of the Jinnais, and get the clue…)
Kaname: Head towards
the portal, and exit through the church into the roaring 20s and locate the
Order of Magdalene…
(Kaname then
realises the gapping portal…)
Kaname: I’m having
Whis…er…certain flashbacks again…
(The two head in,
quickly followed by the Jinnais as Jinnai’s mouth is firmly shut…)
Nanami: If you even
utter anything remotely wrong, you are going to be zapped by the God you want
to become…I just know it…
(The Gunsmith Cats
trail the rear again, as being in the US is again starting to be a pain…)
Rally: At this ratio
we’re doing better in Japan…
May: Shut up…it took
a while to get you out of your funk…we’re going to be using that energy now…
(All 3 teams
vanish…)
*
(…and land in a
heap. From this however, it gives the GSC a slight advantage…landing on top.)
Rally: Soft landing
and we take advantage…
Jinnai: Get off!
Nanami: You get off!
Kaname: You ALL get
off…
Sousuke:
Chidori…don’t move…can’t breathe…
(Kaname then
realises she’s suffocating him with her…chest. Kaname looks ready to throttle
Sousuke but fortunately he quickly rolls out of the way, which also moves the
human pyramid. They get the lowdown from Azmaria…)
Azmaria: Girls to
the left…boys to the right…commence changing and then finding your destination!
(The teams realise
their situation…and Jinnai suddenly gets a little nervous changing next to
Sousuke…)
May: What’s the term
the Japanese use? Oh yes! YA…
Nanami/Kaname: DON’T
THINK IT! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON’T THINK IT!
May: Aw…
(Fortunately we
don’t, Kagami had it semi-covered in Lucky Star anyway, however they are able
to change within good time…the fastest changers being…)
Azmaria: Er…that’s
my size…
May: A lot of
reasons for this height my dear…aside from it’s convenience in this situation…
Rally: Come on May,
take advantage of our mad changing skills…
Kaname: You two
officially have no shame…
May: You JUST
noticed?
(Shot of May in the
only different female outside for the young girls, a junior like outfit which
is just a silver version of the blue nuns outfits. May twirls a little…)
May: Not the
profession you’d expect me to be in…
Rally: Stop admiring
yourself and start running!
(Rally and May
wonder if being in this alternate version of San Francisco is any advantage but
you can see Jinnai struggling…)
Jinnai: Dammit…
Nanami: Now we know
why you only wear suits…it’s the only type of clothing that you can fit on
without the aid of a guide book…
Jinnai: Oh shut
up…it’s solider boy…he’s intimdating me…
Kaname: Here’s a
hint…close your eyes.
Jinnai: If I do that
I won’t see where to dress…
Kaname: Exactly.
(Nanami doesn’t
reply, just humphes a little as Jinnai curses a few times with words that
Az-chan shouldn’t really be hearing. However, Sousuke seems more used to it
with his military outfits and Kaname and Sousuke are ready to run, though
Kaname and Sousuke do look pretty good in their respective outfits…)
Kaname: Wow, you
look strangely handsome Sousuke…maybe we should convert you to the faith?
Sousuke: It’s…not as
bad as I…thought…
(Is Sousuke
blushing? He seems uncomfortable…whether of his clothing or Kaname’s? They
follows the Cats outside…about 3 minutes after, the Jinnais…well
Katsuhiko…finally finish changing. Nanami’s outfit fits quite well on her lithe
body, but Jinnai looks very out of place even more so than Nagi in regards to
his Remington-esque outfit.)
Jinnai: This…is
not…the outfit for me…
Nanami: It’s
religious…of course it’s not something for you.
Jinnai: Gah…if this
costs us…
(The Jinnais make a
mad dash as outside, the problem of carriage vs. foot is also underway with
these three teams…)
Rally: Look, here we
don’t know where to go…shall we just hop on a carriage?
May: Maybe this is
what the plan was…we just didn’t know it yet.
(May begins to flag
one down…May’s very unique outfit on her small body makes her a different type
of target…they realises as well that their money has been ‘converted’)
Driver: To you
sisters, around 2 dollars.
May: Yeah…
(Realise that their
money has shrunk quite considerably…the conversation rate for 1920s dollars is
obviously not good…)
May: Cr…
Rally: (covers
mouth) Thank you so much kind sir! (to May quietly) Baka…you want to swear
whilst wearing the outfits?
(May muffles her
answer as the two girls head onto the carriage. It’s not that much faster than
foot…but it gives another advantage. They’re hidden from the other teams behind
them, though one team does also take that option…mainly due to one’s
discomfort.)
Jinnai: Dammit,
we’re riding.
Nanami: Idiot! Don’t
say the ‘d’ words whilst we’re in holy robes…(Nanami waves on)…excuse me, we
need to get to the order of Mag…
(As Nanami gets
ready to haggle, Sousuke and Kaname decide to be the cheapest team in the race
and use their physical abilities to stay ahead. Only problem is…)
Kaname: …where the he…I
mean dev…I mean…(sigh)…this outfit seems to have a mind to make sure I can’t
say anything even resembling profanity.
Sousuke: You’ll get
used to it…
Kaname: No, that’s
just you being an idiot.
(Kaname isn’t one of
the calmer members of the race, so asking for help has to call on resolve.
Fortunately, she’s able to show restraint and because she’s rather attractive,
and Sousuke is admittingly quite handsome, their outfits draw them as a few
passers by mention that ‘there have been a few recruits…’ Sousuke’s English
helps them a little bit more…)
(Shot of Rally and
May slowly getting ahead a bit more on the horses and carriage but it’s only a
bit faster than expected. The other teams have had a good start and now the
Order is in wait as we see the Jinnais finally get on after some failed
haggling from Nanami…)
Nanami: (to herself)
The twenties are cheapskates…
*
9.24AM – ORDER OF
MAGDALENE
Yakumo: We…couldn’t
miss it…
(The surprisingly
large ‘church’ which looks more like a series of office buildings surrounds
Sara and Yakumo…)
Yakumo: Let’s
see…Sister Kate…
Sara: Enter
first…ask questions later…
(Sara and Yakumo run
into the choir area, and fortunately, one of the junior girls politely tells
the girls where the office is.)
Sara: Top floor…of
course. If I wasn’t used to this back home I’d probably have a good groan…
(Sara and Yakumo run
as best as they can (Yakumo has to occasionally lift up her leggings to avoid
tripping) as it’s not that bad, 3
floors in the end but Sara still has to pause for breath…)
Sara: By my powers
in me, when I get back home I’m going to ask Harima-sempai how to drive a
motorbike…(smiles)…unless like a certain friend I can get a ride from him…
(Yakumo’s face hides
as Sara laughs before the two head inside to met the distinguished Sister Kate.
Dressed in a traditional black nun’s outfits, her glasses filled face signals
complete authority. Yet her arguments with Rosette are some of the biggest
moments of the comedy in the early parts of the series.)
Sister Kate: Welcome
ladies.
(Sara does a
traditional greeting in the forms of a small blow into a courtesy. Kate seems
surprised.)
Kate: Oh my, I
didn’t know we had people of the church entering…
(Kate’s remains
impressed for a moment but speed is of the essence and Sara and Yakumo take it
whilst they can…)
SARA/YAKUMO – 1ST
PLACE
Sara:
Detour…Exorcise or Alchemise…
*
(As Roy and Hughes
curse their luck on their early elimination, we now get our next host, lead
character, all round winning female Rosette Christopher, decked in her
traditional outfit, this blonde haired beauty introduces the detour.)
Rosette: A detour is
a choice between two tasks, each with their own pros and cons. In this detour,
teams must pursue one of the two methods that we use in our…ahem…work. The
choice…exorcise or alchemise.
(Shot of Rosette in
what appears to be a workstation, in front of her a panel of glass in a misty
maze. She explains.)
Rosette: In
Exorcise, teams must head out into this training area, where Sister Kate and
Father Remington often train people to be upgraded as soul-searchers. Here,
this training consists of exorcising a low-level demon using the combined aid
of one person heading out to perform the exorcism and the other to see the
demon from this panel. It requires intense teamwork, no fear and quite a lot of
mental pain for one person…but if they work well as a team, they will be done
in no time.
*
(Outside the area,
we know are in what appears to be a rather well used lab. Inside is an older
man, looking like a stereotypical mad scientist, with white hair and beard, he
blows something else up as Rosette sighs and explains…)
Rosette: In
Alchemise, teams must try and avoid getting blown up by this moron, the Elder,
and aid him in creating one Gospel, a holy bullet used in our line of work.
Teams won’t have to worry about a fear factor…unless you’re a pretty girl…but
creating one of these things even with the elders help can be a bit of a drag…
*
(They read…and it’s
no contest.)
Sara: This is our
leg Yakumo. Time to earn my keep.
(Yakumo nods as they
run off to join Rosette in the training area – they follow the arrows where to
go…)
Sara: I can
perform exorcisms. It’s rare, especially being a junior, but I can do it. And
this detour encouraged this. Fear? I’m more scared of Hanai marrying Yakumo
than I am of demons. I don’t want to touch wood, but if we don’t do well here
I’ve lost any hope I’ve had at winning this race.
*
(TRAINING AREA)
(Rosette spots the
first two victims for this detour and waves them over.)
Rosette: Welcome! I
hope you’re ready for this…
Sara: As ready as
we’ll ever be…
Rosette: O.K, whose
doing the mind viewing and who is doing the exorcism?
(Yakumo says the
viewing as Sara goes for the exorcism. Rosette nots…)
Rosette: O.K, what
you need are 4 crosses and a gun with low-level holy bullets and one gospel
just to be on the safe side. I must warn you, this could be dangerous – if at
any point…Yakumo?
Yakumo: Yes?
Rosette: Yakumo…if
you think Sara is in danger, you can release yourselves from the device – this
will make the demon vanish once you spot it and it becomes visible. However, if
you do this, you cannot retry the test and you must do the second option.
Yakumo: (concerned)
Sara?
Sara: Whatever you
do Yakumo, DON’T give up. Trust me.
(Sara has a look of
strength on her instead of her usual happy-go-lucky self. She puts her hand on
Yakumo’s, squeezes it a moment before grabbing her weapon with a stern look on
her face. Yakumo seems to find a little relief in that as she gets into a chair.
Rosette gently puts a device across her head which allows her to see demons…)
Rosette: O.K Yakumo,
you need to guide Sara through the maze. Once you spot a demon, command her to
either fire or lay down the crosses. The demons have a presence so Sara may
also sense them herself…but you’re her light, got it?
(Yakumo nods)
Rosette: Sara, you
ready?
(Sara, armed to the
teeth, gives a thumbs up…)
Rosette: Then go!
(Sara enters,
Rosette shuts the door and opens another switch, which unknown to the girls,
releases a demon. Yakumo is in concentration, and Sara looks a little more
nervous now she’s inside a maze of what is practically just mist and a cute l6
year old trainee nun in there…)
Sara: Yakumo, guide
me well…
Yakumo: Right.
(Sara starts by walking
in a straight line – the image of the maze however is clearer in Yakumo’s mind.
The demon has now located in the top left hand corner of the maze – all the
demons are basic so aren’t terribly threatening to anybody in the Order,
however for amateurs, they could be potential frightening…)
Yakumo: Sara, if you
go straight and no further until you hit a wall, a demon is at the far left.
I’ll guide you straight but don’t go all the way – when you past by a second
left, go that way.
Sara: Got it.
(Sara has a cross in
her left hand and a gun in her right. Following Yakumo’s instructions, she does
and Yakumo orders her to crouch in a hiding position. Sara does so as she goes
into a nervous mode…)
(The demon turns
into a straight line – Sara’s instincts immediately sense it and Yakumo
confirmation is not even needed.)
Yakumo: Sara, it’s
coming to you…
Sara: Got it!
(Sara places two
crosses in it’s path. The crosses flash and the demon becomes visible – it
screams as Sara jumps in it’s path…)
Sara: Being who
hasn’t crossed over, hear your prayer as you now attain peace.
(She aims the gun at
the demon.)
Sara: AMEN!
(Sara hits 4 point
blank shots at the demon, turning it instantly to vapour. The mist vanishes as
Rosette upstairs looks on…in jealously?)
Rosette: Dammit,
that was faster than when I did it…
(Yakumo and Sara
hear that slight profanity as Rosette suddenly becomes embarrassed…)
Rosette: Er…I mean
well done! Get back up here!
(The doors open as Sara runs through, looking pretty
drained. Yakumo hugs her as she seems worried.)
Yakumo: You O.K?
Sara: Heh…of course.
Can’t leave you too worried you know?
Rosette: Well, that
was way too easy for you guys…geez, maybe we should be recruiting you…
Sara/Yakumo: NO!
Rosette: (snaps her
fingers) Worth a try. You can have this though…
(Rosette hands them
the next clue…Sara and Yakumo quickly open…)
Sara: Now you’ve
conquered the Order, now you must conquer another form of demon slaying – head
to the sand dunes of San Fra…SAND DUNES?
*
(We interrupt Sara
as Azmaria returns as our host to explain this part of the leg…)
Azmaria: Teams must
now travel to upstate San Francisco once there, they must locate the Farvenheit
mansion, where good friend Satella Farvenheit resides. They must however first
stop outside the long driveway there to get their next clue. However, that
runaway consists of a LOT of sand, so they may have to consider another way of
getting there…
*
Sara: O.K, how the…I
mean how are we going to get there?
Rosette: Oh
teacakes, it’s easy enough…just search around.
Yakumo: Not quite
the advice we wanted…
Rosette: Best you’re
getting sweetheart.
(The two decide not
to waste any more time to get out of there and just pray they can get better
advice from other people…meanwhile…)
*
Bob: We need to find
Sister Kate…
Nagi: I just pray my
demon energies don’t show on anyone’s radar here…
BOB/NAGI – 2ND
PLACE 9.51AM
(Bob suddenly spots
Sara and Yakumo above as they come down.)
Bob: You girls done?
Sara: Yep, and now
completely confused.
Bob: That’s a good
sign.
(Sara ignores that
as the girls rush down whilst the guy rush off.)
Nagi: I thought we
were teaming with them?
Bob: Nagi, would you
wait around for them if we were ahead at a detour?
Nagi: Er…no?
Bob: Next question.
(Bob and Nagi
continue up as outside, Sara and Yakumo spot Miyu and Yamato coming up the
road. The two girls look at the clue again…)
Yakumo: It sounds
like somewhere important…Sara…I hate to ask.
(Sara flashes her
genuine cross with a smile.)
Sara: Leave it to
me.
(The girls heads
into the San Francisco streets as Miyu and Yamato see the girls pass. Miyu
pouts.)
Miyu: Sara and
Yakumo are done…wonder what is going on?
Yamato: Let’s find
Sister Kate first and then worry…
(The two head inside
the Order…)
*
Kate: Well, it
appears you two are certainly strong – we could do with that sort of strength
here…
Bob: Sorry, but our
strength is reserved for my Chiaki and the Juken Club.
Nagi: So what do we
do?
Kate: Buy some
manners I’d suggest, but never mind.
(Kate gives the boys
the clue as they open it…)
Nagi: Detour –
Exorcise or Alchemise…
(They look at it as
Nagi smiles.)
Nagi: (cracks
knuckles) Beating up demons…close enough for me.
Bob: Guns though not
fists…
Nagi: Not a problem.
Let’s do this so I can rub my victory over the two girl’s faces…
Bob: You’re not
going to get over this are you?
(Nagi chooses not to
answer as the two head outside, and follow the arrow over to the training area.
Just as they do, Miyu and Yamato spot them.)
Miyu: They’re doing
a detour…chance Yamato!
Yamato: Yeah…not
sure if it’s necessary but it would be fitting considering how badly a certain
other team nearly made sure we went…
(The two head into
Kate’s office…)
*
Kate: Nice to see a
couple like you two here…enjoy your stay.
Miyu: Miyu thanks
you.
(Miyu opens the clue
but surprisingly only glances at the detour. Instead, Yamato takes the third
piece of paper there…The Fast Forward.)
*
(We return to Az as
she is now standing outside a rather picturesque forest like area. However, she
is standing outside something rather out of place…a tomb. She calmly explains
the situation.)
Azmaria: There is
only one Fast Forward in this leg of the race. A team that chooses the Fast
Forward may skip all tasks and head directly to the Pit Stop. However, once a
team has used the Fast Forward, they cannot use another one for the rest of the
race, so they must make the choice when it is most advantageous to use it.
*
(Shot of the tomb,
which as expected, is rather dark. Azmaria doesn’t seem pretty creeped out
(she’s suffered worse) and she explains the Fast Forward.)
Azmaria: In this
Fast Forward, the team that chooses it must navigate through a maze that 5
years ago, started a long journey for my friend Rosette Christopher. In near
total darkness, teams must navigate to the centre of this crypt, and find the
person that has lived here for most of his life aside from these 5 years…the
friendly demon Chrno. Once they’ve found Chrno, he will hand them the next
clue.
*
Miyu: A demon?
Yamato: But it said
friendly…which is more than I can say for the detour.
Miyu: Seems a bit
scary…but considering my past I guess that would be ironic.
Yamato: Plus we know
Sara and Yakumo have completed the detour and Bob and Nagi are going to do one,
and the Himuros have already used theirs so we’ve got nothing to lose.
(Miyu ponders for
another moment, but nods.)
Miyu: O.K
Yamato-kun, let’s do this…
(They grab the Fast
Forward which has a small map of the Order and the nearby forest where they need
to find the tomb. As they do, they see Izumi and Keiko just entering the
order.)
Miyu: Upstairs.
(The two just nod as
they hear slightly cursing…)
Izumi: Nagi.
*
Nagi: I’m sorry…it
just looks silly…
Bob: Hey, you’re at
least out there…my dreadlocks are going to be in a state thanks to this…
Rosette: I must say
that will be a sight to see but…
(Shot of Bob in the
viewer whilst Nagi seems a bit embarrassed by the crosses and gun he has.
Still, he’s never had to rely on his friend more than now.)
Rosette: O.K Nagi,
the doors are opening, you may start…
Nagi: Oh goody.
(The boy with
demonic powers now goes out to slay one of a similar nature. Bob’s guiding eyes
concentrate as a demon appears to the far right and centre of Nagi.)
Bob: O.K Nagi, there’s
a demon to the far right down the middle path. I suggest going slowly down the
back where you are and take it from there.
Nagi: Roger.
(We leave them to it
for the moment as Izumi and Keiko also make their choice…)
*
IZUMI/KEIKO – 3RD
PLACE (SISTER KATE’S OFFICE)
Izumi: Science was
never my best subject.
Keiko: Agreed,
besides I think you need to vent a little frustration.
(Izumi ignores that
and they rush to where Bob and Nagi are – outside, Sara/Yakumo are now looking
for a way to find the Farenheit’s whilst Miyu/Yamato begin to navigate the
nearby forest…)
Sara: …we are
looking for the Farenheit’s mansion as a part of a joint team up…
(Whilst not actually
lying due to Satella’s team ups with Rosette, Sara still does the sign of the
cross behind her back as Yakumo clutches her hands in prayer. A few people are
aware of the Farenheit’s relationship with the Order of Magdalene and an older
gentleman points them due south…with a warning.)
Man: Those sand
areas are treacherous…you may want to rent out a car to navigate them.
Sara: Thank you sir.
Yakumo: Do we?
Sara: It would be a
good idea in these outfits, but problem is, we don’t have much money after the
train fiasco and despite the cheap taxi, I don’t want to risk it.
(Yakumo squints her
eyes…)
Yakumo: I can see
the dunes in the distance, I’d say it’s about 40 minutes on foot…
Sara: Maybe we
should buy some water then…
(Yakumo grabs Sara’s
hand…)
Yakumo: I’ll carry
you if it comes to it.
(Sara is surprised
at Yakumo’s determination but nods and blushes.)
Sara: Let’s move
before we lose our lead…
(Unknowing to them,
they have already lost it…maybe…)
Miyu: Down these
hills, near the river and then into the centre of the forest and find the tomb…
Yamato: How hard can
it be to find a tomb in the forest?
Miyu: Keep running
Yamato-kun…
*
(Shot of Izumi and
Keiko joining Bob and Nagi in the detour as Nagi is just jumping at the demon
and fires…trouble is, he can’t see it.)
Nagi: Hey, I thought
he was there!
Bob: He is…you
missed!
Nagi: How could I?
Bob: Because…oh
crap…
(Bob’s explanation
is cut short as the demon now slowly moves to Nagi…seeing this, Izumi and Keiko
suddenly begin to have second thoughts…)
Izumi: This…isn’t
what I expected…
Bob: Nagi, use the
crosses!
Nagi: Someone like
me using a cross?
Bob: Do it or become
demon chow!
(Rosette has her
hand ready to recall the demon, but fortunately for the Tenjho Tenge duo, she
doesn’t need to. Nagi throws one of the crosses at the demon despite not seeing
it, which causes it to back away. He rushes forward, grabs the cross and slams
both of them in unison. The demon is visible as Nagi fits the gospel in – and
unlike Sara, take it apart in one shot with the gospel instead of the regular
holy bullets…)
Rosette: What a
waste of money…
(Financial wastes
aside, Nagi breathes a sigh of relief at the completion of the detour…one that
seems to make Keiko now recall slightly. In fact, now they’ve done it, Rosette
and Bob finally notice them.)
Rosette: Oh
geez…that was a bit intense…
Bob: (removes
device) Girls…this isn’t the most pleasant detour you’ll get, trust me…
(Nagi returns as
Rosette hands them the clue. As she does, Izumi steps forward.)
Izumi: I’ll go in
mother – just guide me.
(Keiko seems a bit
worried…)
Izumi: It’s strategy,
we saw what they did and we can do it. Fear won’t beat me.
(Nagi seems a little
miffed that the Himuros seemed to watch what they were doing, but it has
delayed them a little. Nagi gladly reads the clue…)
NAGI/BOB – 2ND
PLACE
Nagi: Right…so we need
to find this mansion place through the sand dunes. How many dunes could there
be in 1920s San Francisco?
Bob: I don’t want to
answer that because I just know there’s probably a dozen waiting to confuse us…
Nagi: Less talk,
more searching for a nun and her psychic friend…
Rosette: I’m here
and Azmaria’s back there…
(Sweatdrops…)
(Bob and Nagi race
off as Izumi and Keiko now take the stand…)
*
(Back of the pack,
we see the Jinnais realising they aren’t really keeping up with Sousuke/Kaname
whose speed and stamina are amazingly high…but stubbornness is now really
showing…)
Jinnai: I’m not
walking or running with these clothes on – I’m going to be made an idiot in
front of people I’m going to be in control of one of these days!
Nanami: Brother, we’re
in the 1920s. Most of the people here are gonna be dead once we return to our
time anyway…
Jinnai: That’s
beside the point – I can barely run anyway…
Nanami: That’s being
used to the Bugrom carrying you…
Jinnai: …and with
these clothes on I’ve got no chance.
Nanami: Then explain
why those two are running like nothing is bothering them?
Jinnai: Because
they’re freaks!
(Sousuke almost
reacts to that (Jinnai isn’t exactly quiet) but Kaname grabs his hand…)
Kaname: No…not
risking a penalty for that piece of trash – keep up and slow down to rest if we
need to – the Americans are only just ahead…
(Sousuke nods and
surges more ahead…)
Rally: Geez…this is
not how I expected things were going to happen…this could be a three horse race
for last place…maybe we should go for the fast forward…
(May shakes her
head…)
Rally: No?
May: I can just
about make out some basics of San Francsico in this time – it’s not that
different. I think we can navigate better here than any other team has any hope
for…
Rally: Really?
May: See…one of us
has to be the calm one – especially considering we’re still working you round
after Saga going…I’ve had to be the strong one…
Rally: May…
(Rally surprisingly
hugs May who is a little embarrassed…)
Rally: …sorry girl.
Kick rear now we’re here right?
May: (smiles) Of
course.
(They continue on as
back at the front of the pack…)
*
Izumi: Mother…guide
me good…
(Izumi is hiding
near the lower left of the maze as a demon has turned left into a corner. Keiko
guides her to the right to head down the lower half of the maze. The demon
cannot see Izumi as she turns round and approaches…)
Izumi: O.K, use the
crosses like the boys did!
(Izumi doesn’t seem
as fearful as she was when seeing it, but the cold chill as she senses the
demon still manages to hit her. Despite this she shakes it off and slams the
crosses down…)
Izumi: Doing this is
nothing compared to facing up to one of Hayakawa’s lightning balls!
(The demon seems to
actually be afraid of Izumi’s infamous paralysing glare as she aims the gun
straight at the demon. She fires 6 holy bullets, more than enough to finish the
demon as it vapourises…)
Rosette: Scary…
(Izumi seems to
glare at Rosette with a deeper glare…)
Rosette: Hey, how
come I get glared out?
Keiko: Maybe because
you remind her of someone?
(As Rosette ponders
that statement…)
Izumi: O.K, let’s
go…
(Rosette can’t
really shake off that glare but she does at least hand over the clue…)
IZUMI/KEIKO – 4TH
PLACE
Izumi: Right…do we
need to hire anything?
Keiko: I think we
just go as is.
Izumi: Considering
our money, that might be a good idea. Let’s go.
(The two run off as
the Fast Forward finally hits paydirt…)
*
10.08AM (FAST
FORWARD)
(Shot of the river
bank as Yamato breathes in the clear air and looks at the pit that they have to
navigate through…)
Yamato: Enjoy this
before heading down into the depths…
Miyu: Come on…
(Yamato is
semi-dragged in, but the lack of light is a problem. They don’t have torches
and they are relying on their ability to feel their way through the walls. It’s
another excuse for the two to hold hands, but it is actually necessary, the
last thing they need is to get lost…)
Miyu: Just move fast
and the moment you feel anything that seems out of place, turn and move again…
(Yamato’s grip on
Miyu’s hand increases as he literally feels his way through, his hand
connecting with wall, and the odd skeleton and cobweb…not exactly what you’d
call a fun time…)
Miyu: Yamato-kun…
Yamato: It’s O.K,
I’m letting my eyes adjust to the dark…
(The police officer
turns into a corner, and sees some steps straight down. He’s wary of using them
but he seems to not see any other way to go…)
Yamato: Time to
brave the depths…
(Yamato guides Miyu
on as the young lady now moves ahead…)
Miyu: Miyu’s eyes are
getting better…I think we’re getting into the midst of the tomb…
Yamato: What we’re
looking for must be here…
(The crypt is a dull
grey, and the two both have to cough occasionally because of the dust coming
around, and a bat flies by much to their surprise…)
Yamato: Creepier…and
creepier…
Miyu: Well we’re in
a tomb…
(The two continue to
aim themselves blindly as they enter another door. However, this time they get
a pleasant surprise…)
Chrno: ARRGGHHH!
Yamato: ARGGGHHHH!
(Both fall flat as
Miyu slaps her head…)
Miyu: Why did I get
a sudden reminder of Nii-kun?
(Chrno and Yamato
both fall on their behinds, as Chrno, the young looking demon, and also the
Order’s best cleaner and cook, adored by most of the young nuns despite being a
demon, and best friend/contract to Rosette Christopher. Dressed in his red
cloak, his dark blue hair spiking slightly though his youthful face shines
through…he seems more scared of Yamato than the other way round…)
Chrno: Geez, first
they ask me to get back to this place I hate for a game, then a big Remington
like person tries to scare me half to death…I swear Rosette just likes
torturing me…
Miyu: I take it you
must be Chrno-kun?
(Chrno seems to
relax a little hearing Miyu, he stands off, dusts himself and gets a certain
envelope ready…)
Chrno: I take it you
want this?
Yamato: Indeed.
Chrno: Then it’s
yours…now I can get the heck out of here…
Miyu: (smiles) Even
a demon won’t use true profanity in an area of God…
Chrno: (smiles)
Well, I’m kind of a different demon…
(Chrno hands Miyu
the clue as the two thank him. Chrno is ready to follow them out of there but
the two get to the list ahead so they can open the clue and claim their prize…)
Miyu:
Congratulations, you’ve won the Fast Forward, head straight to the Pit Stop,
the Farhenheit mansion of West San Francisco…
*
(We go over as a
tall, elegant and busty young woman stands outside a superb mansion, dressed in
elegant green robes, her name is Satella Farhenheit, the young heir of the
Farhenheit, jewel summoner and part time best friends with Rosette, Chrno and
Azmaria. She’s our final host of the day, and speaks in a strong German accent
– more pity for a certain now eliminated German team…)
Satella: Having won
the Fast Forward, Miyu and Yamato can now head straight to the Pit Stop, one of
many mansions owned by the Farhenheit family, this one based in San Francisco,
and hosted by myself. Shame they don’t get to take part in my special road
block…
*
Miyu: O.K, we’re now
safe…
Yamato: Just as
well…look…
(It seems in the
distance, there is movement at the just in sight Order. And a carriage is
pulling up…and familiar short blond hair is shown in one of them…)
Miyu: That’s
May…let’s find how we’re getting to this place then…
Yamato: Yes, that’s
the problem. We’ve cleared everything and victory is in sight…now we have to
find where to go.
Miyu: It sounds like
a well known place…
*
10.21AM – ORDER/TOWN
(Quickly cutting in
between as in town, Sara and Yakumo are now realising their mistake…)
Sara: As cheap as we
got…maybe we should have taken the risk…
(In reality, the two
don’t look too bad with their half jogging, half walking, but with those
outfits it’s tiring, and whilst it’s not particular hot, it’s still draining,
specifically for Sara…)
Yakumo: Can you
manage?
Sara: I’ll live…I
can see the sand…getting to it is another story…
(Back in town,
Bob/Nagi aren’t having as much luck….)
Nagi: Maybe I may
have wished that this alliance held water now Bob?
Bob: Hey, I’d thought
these outfits meant we have a free ticket of getting information from anyone
here…
Nagi: Well, it can’t
be that far away…is there an information centre or equivalent somewhere?
Bob: Just keep
asking…and we’d best hurry, those Himuros won’t be too far behind us I bet…
Nagi: Can you see
the other girls anywhere?
Bob: Nope…hopefully
they’re somewhere lost then…
Nagi: I thought you
liked them?
Bob: I do…I just
like them more if we beat them.
(As Nagi works out
Bob’s logic, he spots two other girls coming down from the Order…)
Nagi: Crap, Himuros
at 10-ish o’clock…come on Bob, let’s just ask in the shops…
(Bob and Nagi duck
and cover as the Order now welcomes some more people…)
*
May: I…hate…stairs…
(Rally and May are
outside Sister Kate’s office as May’s discomfort over her clothes combined with
stairs equals an unhappy young bomb expert…)
Rally: Come on, we’d
better get used to it…besides, we’re only just ahead of the other two
teams…luck was finally on our side…
(They enter as Kate
welcomes them in…)
Kate: Seems like
you’ve got good hands for this job…
Rally: The church?
Kate: (smiles) Not
quite dear.
(She hands them the
clue as Rally wonders what Kate is on about…but once she opens the clue and
reads the detour, she immediately understands.)
Rally: Shooting
demons…compared to a certain Russian that will be a piece of cake – come on
May!
May: That’s more
like it Rally!
(The two follow the
point over to Exorcise, but as they do, they hear something back down…)
Rally: That’s…
May: Just keep
moving!
Rally: Right, right!
*
Sousuke: We’re ahead
of them…
Kaname: …and
exhausted…
Sousuke: Want me to
carry you?
(Kaname blushes for
a moment but shakes her head…)
Kaname: Not in a
million years – I’m not weak…let’s make sure we stay ahead of Binky and the
Brain before we find out that we’re last and I can’t blame you for it…
(Kaname and Sousuke
are moving up the stairs as just outside, the voices of the Jinnais can be
heard…)
Jinnai: …I hope you
haggled well because that was a waste of money!
Nanami: Gimme a
break, how was I supposed to know?
Jinnai: I know that
I can barely move in this thing and we’ve got to get in there…we’d best get
going before the domination gets a lot slower!!!
(The teams begin to
move…)
*
Miyu: Shall we hire
a carriage across the desert?
Man: Probably be
recommended little lady…it can be walked but you’ll exhaust yourself…
(Miyu and Yamato may
have the fast forward, but they still have to get to the mansion. They check
their money and realise that it’s the smarter, yet more expensive, option…)
Miyu: Do we need to
winning the Fast Forward to use money like this?
Yamato: Maybe not,
but we know that a couple of teams were ahead of us and if they stay ahead they
may still get to the Pit Stop before us…
Miyu: 1st
place on your mind Yamato-kun…
Yamato: It would be
nice.
(They confer with
the carriage driver, and it’s the equivilent of $30. It’s not as bad as they
expected and the two agree – a romantic couple across the dunes…suddenly
they’re looking forward to this…)
Miyu: All aboard!
(The two get on the
carriage, ready to take a shortcut through into the dunes…)
*
(…where Sara and
Yakumo are now suffering from. In fact, Yakumo is piggybacking an exhausted
Sara…)
Sara: (blushing)
It’s a good job I’ve got a flat chest…
Yakumo: (blushing)
Erm…
(The two see the
dunes in sight, which is about another 5 minutes – but Yakumo is struggling,
despite Sara being so light, the outfits don’t help much for either girl. But
they’re getting closer, but in the far back…)
*
Rally: Gotcha.
(Rally sets the
record as she only required 2 bullets to waste the demon – May as usual being
the reliable partner.)
Rosette: Sweet. You
can handle yourselves with a gun well then…
Rally: Let’s just
say I’ve had some practice…
(Rosette hands over
the clue as they pass by…)
Rally: Ah nuts…
(Shot of Sousuke and
Kaname heading into Exorcise…and not far behind are the Jinnais also heading in
there…)
May: Good job we
wrapped that up…quick, out of sight, read clue!
(The GSC scarper as
Kaname immediately straps herself into one, as Sousuke is ready and willing to
shoot on sight.)
Sousuke: I’m
counting on you Chidori.
Kaname: This is like
being back in the Arm Slave for you Sousuke…don’t worry, I’ll guide you well.
(Sousuke does seem a
bit more comforted after that, but the Jinnais however aren’t as easily
persuaded into who does what…)
Jinnai: One of us
has to shoot and I don’t do that…I let my slaves do it for me!
Nanami: Last time I
checked I wasn’t your slave, I was your sister!
Jinnai: Same thing
when all is said and do…
Nanami: Oh shut up,
you’re going to risk your life for once, and hurry it up, Sousuke is already
out there!
(Indeed, Sousuke is
ready, Kaname – her Whispered abilities suddenly in a new environment – her
mind is on. They realise the situation and Nanami doesn’t take no for an answer
and plops her butt in one of the other two devices…)
Jinnai: Damn it sis…
Rosette: Say that
again and you’ll be the next person exorcised…
(Rosette’s glare and
the realisation that he cannot conquer the 1920s does finally seem to hit home
for Katsuhiko. He is forced to arm himself with the crosses and standard gun,
but inside, Kaname has already made Sousuke’s military experience count…)
Kaname: …as soon as
the enemy comes round the corner, throw down a cross, then aim directly at the
head once and then the chest. If that doesn’t take it out, switch to the Gospel
to finish it off.
Sousuke:
Affirmative.
(In the centre left,
a demon is coming – Sousuke has crouched on the side. As it approaches, Sousuke
rolls and slams a cross down. The flash shows the demon physically. Sousuke
doesn’t hesistate and a la Rally, takes out the demon without the Gospel’s aid
in 2 shots.)
Nanami: Crap,
they’re done!
Jinnai: Just
concerntrate!
(Another demon in
the top right hand corner of the maze is released, but Sousuke is out before
Jinnai starts. Rosette quickly hands Sousuke the clue as Kaname gets out as the
Jinnais realise their problem…)
Nanami: From first
to last…
*
Bob: Ignore the
clothes, just run!
Nagi: Why?
Bob: Because those
well-off Himuros are deciding to take an alternate way to get to the dunes…
(Shot of Bob and
Nagi, their incredible athletism (and cheap ways) take to the road on foot…but
they can see Keiko and Izumi on a carriage, and taking a much more relaxed way
to get to the mansion…)
Bob: Dammit…are they
loaded?
Nagi: Just hope it
costs them…literally in this case…
(Shot of the
Himuros, who don’t see the two boys, whilst have an advantage without getting
exhausted, have to follow the specific roads. Up ahead, Bob and Nagi jump over
a fence to take a shortcut, heading straight to the dunes…and sweating in those
outfits.)
Izumi: I wonder how
we look to the others here?
Keiko: Charming
young ladies on their way to doing a good deed…
Izumi: First time
for everything I guess…
(With the FF being
closer to the dunes than central town, it’s becoming a race as back at the
Detour…)
*
Jinnai: See…this is
why I have demons on MY SIDE!!!
Nanami: JUST SHOOT
IT!!!
(It seems like
Jinnai’s technique was basically ‘run from it as he had no back up.’ However,
with a bit of luck, a cross was able to fall and flash, stunning the demon.
Jinnai just uses both the gospel and his 12 bullets – the demon was long dead
after the gospel but Jinnai’s panic caused a bit more time to be wasted much to
Nanami’s schagrin…)
Nanami: You’ve done
it, now get the he…
(Rosette glares at
Nanami…)
Nanami: Just get out
of there!
(Jinnais’ surprise
fear means that he is slow in reacting – he has to breathe deeply and stand
slowly before escaping the maze. Nanami escapes as well…)
Nanami: Are you O.K?
(The surprise
concern seems to catch Jinnai off guard, but it snaps himself back into his
normal self…)
Jinnai: Of…Of
course! I can get used to this!
Rosette: Well do it
outside my time…here.
(Rosette, a little
pissed off, hands the clue over to the Jinnais…)
Nanami: Far…far…far
away is what it is, and where the heck are we going?
(Rosette’s glare
suggests that the slight profanity is not to be tolerated so they run off.)
Jinnai: Let’s get
the you know what out of here before we get crucified!
Nanami: I think my
brother experienced true fear in there…whether it was an environment he didn’t
like, the god theme, or the fear of demons coming at him when no-one was there
to protect him…it didn’t hit him well and his game face was well and truly off…
*
10.33AM
(Shot of a rather
double tender scene…first with Miyu and Yamato snuggling on the carriage, their
closer location and their flagging of a carriage making it that they are on the
edge of the dunes. They can go across the sand themselves and avoid the next
clue as the mansion is in the distance…but there is a rather surprising
obstacle also just ahead…)
Miyu: OH, YOU GUYS
O.K?
(…Miyu’s kindness.
Sara and Yakumo are just ahead, but after carrying Sara a little way, Yakumo is
exhausted. Sara is now half dragging her best friend and Miyu seems concerned…)
Yamato: You
girls…never would have expected you to try this…
Sara: We’re cheaper
than you think…you have no idea the jobs we do back home…
Yamato: Ah…I think I
see where you’re coming from…
(The two get ahead
of the girls, and of course, they skip the envelope in the middle of the dunes.
They are fresh and run straight for the mansion, kicking sand on the way. Sara
and Yakumo grit their teeth and walk as fast as they can, sand getting in their
outfits as well.)
Yakumo: Almost
there…
Sara: We’re not
going to collapse…
(Miyu/Yamato are
three quarters across when the girls get half way and see the red and yellow
marker. Sara opens the envelope.)
Sara: (groans) Not
now…
Yakumo: Road
Block…this person must like jewellery and belief towards the heavens…
*
(We return back to
Satella, just before her first Pit Stop duty, who explains this Road Block…)
Satella: A Road
Block is a task that only one person may perform. In this Road Block, the
person in question must be able to channel the energy required to make a
summoning using the 12 jewels of a Jewel Summoner used by myself – resembling
the 12 months of the year. To help the team, we’ve used amplihers combined with
the powers of Azmaria’s crosses and song…
(In the distance, we
hear beautiful singing…from Az-chan herself…)
Satella: To do this,
the person must channel their energy into the jewels themselves, clearing their
mind and releasing all their positive energies all at once. Once a summoning
has been made, they will receive their next clue.
*
Sara: Mine.
Yakumo: Thank you…
(Sara gives her best
friend a kiss on the cheek.)
Yakumo: Sara…
Sara: Get your
energy back – you’ve helped me, now it’s my turn.
(Sara runs over to
the 12 jewels in a rather large circle with crosses surrounding it. Sara nods.)
Sara: Let’s go with
September…
(Sara grabs the
jewel. She closes her eyes and concerntrates…)
(…meanwhile, at the
Pit Stop…)
*
10.39AM
Yamato: Didn’t get
that much of an advantage did we?
Miyu: Considering
how close we are all together, I’ll take 1st place here…
(Miyu and Yamato
jump onto the Pit Stop, where Yuko and Satella step back to avoid the sand they
shake off as the breeze picks up…)
Satella: Welcome to
the Farhenheit mansion!
Yamato: Thank you my
lady!
Yuko: Miyu and
Yamato, you are team number one!
*
MIYU/YAMATO – 1ST
PLACE
Miyu: That’s more
like it!
(Yamato and Miyu hug
– their second 1st place after the Kino’s Journey leg.)
Yamato: We’re still
doing well Miyu!
Miyu: We’re gonna
win it all Yamato, and this is only the beginning!
Yuko: You two…you’ve
not even come close to having problems between each other…just other racers.
And yet you’re leaving everyone in the dust…
Miyu: It doesn’t
matter what anyone else does…it’s what WE do that’s important.
Yamato: And we’ve
been through a LOT worse together – it will take more than a few comments and a
race to get the better of us.
(The two kiss softly
for a moment as we return back to the Road Block…)
*
(Sara is a picture
of serenity, and her pretty face removed her hair knot as long flowing hair
comes through from their normal tied up bunch. Her jewel is raised up as it
slowly glows…)
Sara: The Road
Block was a much needed rest. It allowed those with true piece of mind to take
advantage. And considering how much poor Yakumo deals with Hanai-sempai, I need
it every day I’m with her. Tiredness wasn’t enough and this road block was a
perfect end to a perfect leg for me.
(Shot of red energy
glowing. Sara’s eyes open suddenly…)
Sara: SEPTEMBER!
(She doesn’t do the
fancy chants that Satella does, but it’s not necessary. The large jewel flashes
as a large red blazing flare forms into the figure of a knight. The figures
holds for a moment before it disintegrates. The red dust however forms a
familiar shape…the clue envelope.)
Sara: Yes! Oh…
(She realises her
ribbon has gone – she grabs it in one hand and the clue in the other…)
Sara: Sorry you
couldn’t rest too long…
(Yakumo however
doesn’t mind at all and hugs Sara.)
Yakumo: It’s O.K,
no-one else is in sight…
Sara: Read the clue,
I’ll tie this up…
Yakumo: No, the wind
is too bad – do it back at the Pit Stop…
Sara: (smiles) Once again, you’re brain works ahead of mine…
Yakumo: (blushes)
C-Check in with your jewel at the Pit Stop, the Farhenheit mansion just ahead…
*
(Back to Satella,
who finishes off the leg in style.)
Satella: After braving
the May, Augusts and December’s of my world, teams must finish the leg by
getting through the remaining sands and hit the mat of the Pit Stop, my lovely
home the Farhenheit Mansion, San Francisco one of course…
Yuko: I’m not
jealous…oh no…
Satella: (ignoring)
…the last team that arrives here, may be eliminated.
*
Yakumo: O.K, more
walking…
Sara: Let’s struggle
a little more…
(The two begin to
kick sand, but with no other teams yet in sight – it’s not a huge speed the two
get in, and calmly walk the remaining yards and empty her clothes full of sand.
They then run to the Pit Stop mat…)
Yuko: A happy
picture here?
Sara: Define happy…
Yakumo: I think
we’re happy enough though…
Yuko: (smiles) Sara
and Yakumo, you are team number two!
10.51AM – 2ND PLACE
Sara: Best chance to
be first…darn that Fast Forward!
Yakumo: I think this
is very good…
Sara: Of course it
is! I’m trying not to be ecstactic…oh forget it!
(Sara lunges into
Yakumo and the two collapse as both girls begin to hug and laugh…)
Yuko: You two are
breaking out of your shells in the race aren’t you?
Yakumo: I…I never
thought I’d enjoy this competition as much as I thought I would…
Sara: The thrill of
the hunt, the chase, whether by our rights or gods, we’re still here and doing
well.
(Sara begins to tie
her hair as Yuko smiles…as we return to the chasing teams…)
*
11.06AM
(Shot of Izumi and
Keiko in a bit of surprise when they see Bob and Nagi just ahead of
them…especially as they are going by foot whilst the Himuros are going by
carriage…)
Keiko: O.K, we were
behind them, but don’t tell me they managed to get here at almost the same time
on their feet with these clothes on?
Nagi: It’s called
training…
(It seems the two
had another purpose for their feet doing the travelling – shot of the dune in
shot though they are about near to exhaustion…much further behind them, three
other teams have chosen their method of getting there as well…)
Rally: …I think we
know this area better than expected May…
May: Yeah, I just
wish we had faster legs…and bigger wallets…
Rally: Hey, you know
how fast I can run when I want to…
May: It’s just there
are two certain other people who are also on foot and the last thing I want is
for them to see us…
(Rally briefly turns
and sure enough, Sousuke and Kaname are on foot. The GSG are also on foot this
time after using the carriage mainly because it seems the landscape of SF
hasn’t changed much aside from the dunes, and the general direction is well
known to the ladies.)
Sousuke: So it’s
basically straight ahead…
Kaname: In a nut
shell yes – I don’t know how far behind we are in regarding to those gun-girls,
but knowing that the Jinnais are behind us is all the incentive I need. If we
can just stay ahead now AND NO SCREW UPS…we’ll survive and they won’t.
Sousuke: That’s an
affirmative.
(Sousuke seems to be
a bit more into it – has he had enough of Jinnai as well? Speaking of the
Jinnais, they are out of the Road Block, and realising where they have to go,
means more complaining from our favourite would-be overload…)
Jinnai: I’m not
travelling that far dammit!
Nanami: Actually I
agree, with these clothes, but money is tight…
Jinnai: Look, I know
you’re cheap…
Nanami: Oh for
heaven’s sake…look, we can do it, but flag one up first and we’ll see how far
we can get…
Jinnai: Ha, no
problem!
(Jinnai looks for
the 1920s Magdalene Order equivalent of a taxi, but his ways of getting them to
stop revolve around his trademark screaming…which in turn makes the drivers a
lot more nervous and the first two avoid him…)
Nanami: YOU IDIOT!
STOP THEM NOT SCARE THEM!
Jinnai: But that
always works at El-Hazard…
Nanami: DO YOU EVER
THINK OF PEOPLE AS HUMAN BEINGS?
(Nanami takes
control and is able to flag one up, cursing her mistake there at letting her
egotistical brother try it…)
*
Izumi: We’ve got to
stop here?
Driver: Sorry
milady, but these coaches can’t handle the sand. You’ll have to get off here…
Keiko: Fair enough –
at least that makes it a lot cheaper…
Izumi: …and delays
us long enough so the boys get an advantage.
Keiko: Surely
they’re tired though from doing all this on foot?
Izumi: Mother, their
stamina rivals Hayakawas…look at them!
(Indeed, despite
wearing heavy outfits and doing walking/running for most of this leg, they are
barely sweating and don’t seem to be breathing heavily. Izumi and Keiko get off
and despite being well rested, the problems immediately hits when they get into
the sand.)
Keiko: Agh…it’s
getting up the skirt…
Izumi: Crap…
(The guys have it
slightly better with their long pants not to mention Bob’s cappoeira skills
make his stepping a lot easier – Nagi simply powers through as they spot the
route marker in the middle…)
Nagi: Bob, over
there!
Bob: Hurry, Himuros
at whatever the hell the time is…
(Bob and Nagi kick through
the sand as the Himuros feel like they are in quicksand and try to power
through…Izumi is just about handling it but Keiko is struggling. Nagi smiles at
that as they grab the clue.)
Nagi: Road Block…
this person must like jewellery and belief towards the heavens…
Bob: Eh?
Nagi: A boy with
demon energies calling to the heavens? Not sure if that fits me…
Bob: Fine, beside
Chiaki buys me plenty of jewellery so fits me better…
Nagi: Prob is,
normally breaks after an outing with the Junken Club…
(Bob opens it and
nods.)
Bob:
Concentration…made the right choice here Nagi.
Nagi: Ha ha ha…
(Bob goes over to
the jewellery, and picks the December one…)
Bob: O.K, this could
take a while…never really been one with God…
(Whilst Bob doesn’t
have Sara’s obvious advantage, he’s very calm and he’s able to relax…but then
the sounds of a baseball girl and her mother don’t help – Nagi is sitting down
on the sand trying to relax himself.)
Nagi: Looks like the
girls got ahead…unless someone took the Fast Forward, we’ll be 2nd
Bob, keep that in mind!
Bob: No pressure
then…
(Despite Bob having
a 3 minutes advantage over the Himuros, he still hasn’t got a spark out of the
jewellery. The girls arrive much to Nagi’s annoyance (and vice versa))
Keiko: Looks like a
concerntration detour…
Izumi: I think
that’s yours mother.
(Keiko reads the
clue…)
Keiko: Not sure what
the relevance to the clue is, but I’ll still do it.
(Keiko opens it and
nods.)
Keiko: Right…
(Keiko moves over as
she picks April as her jewel. It’s a lot harder than it looks and with another
person now in the circle, concentration is even harder as Bob tries to go into
a meditative state as he has done may times in the past.)
(Keiko on the other
hand is used to being calm under all circumstances, for her this is a similar
challenge to a board meeting with male dominated egos. However, it seems that
the martial arts prowess of Bob has a slight advantage in regarding to his own
energies, a.k.a. his ki. After a couple of minutes after Keiko starts, Bob’s
jewel begins to shine.)
Bob: Here we go…
(Absolutely
concentration from Bob as he lifts the jewels over his head…sweat trickles as
he lifts it and the powers of the crosses and Azmaria’s far away song strength
both him and the energies around him. It’s a lot slower than Sara, but Keiko is
struggling with the obvious success Bob is now having…)
(…suddenly, Bob’s
eyes snap open as he feels a surge of energy emerge around and on him. The
jewel flashes and a summon of a serpent emerges from the jewel. It stays for a
moment, and then explodes into red dust and a familiar envelope falling down
into the hands of Bob.)
Bob: (wipes sweat
off) That was intense…
Nagi: How the heck
could you pull that off?
Bob: Karma, you
should try it…
Nagi: I’d kick the
crap out of you, but let’s read this thing.
(Bob and Nagi read
the clue, then look ahead…and see the Pit Stop in front of them.)
Bob/Nagi: RUN!!!
(The two begin to
plough through the sand again, as at least with the two boys gone, Keiko is
able to concentrate fully, though Izumi’s annoyance at being behind again
obviously doesn’t help…)
Izumi: Dammit…
*
(The boys are able
to get through the sand quite quickly as the Himuros still struggle at the Road
Block…they are both tired (Bob more so) but quite happy.)
Nagi: Never thought
I’d do well in just a religious themed leg…
Satella: You’d be
surprised how well some demons can do here…
Yuko: Bob and Nagi,
you’re team number three.
BOB/NAGI – 3RD
PLACE (11.25AM)
Bob: Nuts…someone
took the Fast Forward…
Nagi: No matter,
we’re still kicking butt!
Yuko: Considering
three all male teams bit the dust early, you two are holding your own quite
well.
Bob: We’re polar
opposite – I’m cool and calm, he’s hot headed. Yet, we’re both strong, we know
how to use our skills well, and above all, we’re still here.
Nagi: That’s right,
we attend to be here at the end and blaze past everyone before you can say
Junken Club.
Bob: Well, let’s
just sit back, relax…and watch the girls struggle.
Nagi: Sounds like a
truly evil plan…
*
(Fortunately for
Keiko, there are no other teams in sight so she’s at least able to keep her
energies up. Whilst it takes a while, she’s able to get a spark and Keiko feels
it. Slowly, the energy of the jewel emerges, into a ram/minotaur like beast as
Keiko screams a bit, the power of the energy seems to have overwhelmed her.
Fortunately, nothing happens to the summon and it releases it’s stardust and of
course, the clue. Izumi sighs with relief.)
Keiko: That was much
harder than expected…
Izumi: Hard to
concentrate?
Keiko: Yeah, when
you’re on your own, you can’t scare people with your voice…
Izumi: Know that
feeling…
(The Himuros read
the clue, though Izumi already knew as they saw Bob/Nagi rush ahead to the
overhead mansion. The girls begin to get through the sand again, much to their
annoyance…)
*
Keiko: I’m never
going to a beach again…
Satella: I think
that’s slightly different to here…
Izumi: Just as
annoying though…
Yuko: Izumi and
Keiko, you’re team number four.
IZUMI/KEIKO – 4TH
PLACE (11.34AM)
Izumi: Still in
there mom.
Keiko: We’re doing
much better as a team than I think either of us expected.
Yuko: Is your
relationship getting better on this race?
Izumi: Not sure…but
I think we have several common goals and we’re keeping together for that.
(Keiko puts an arm
around her daughter, Izumi is surprised but lets her…)
Keiko: I think we’re
are getting better together…whether we can handle the rest is another story,
but we’re determined to win. Both of us always have that determination to
succeed in life…and this race is no exception.
*
(Three trailing
teams now fight for last place…shot of Rally/May and Sousuke/Kaname on foot –
Sousuke/Kaname just going straight, however Rally and May seem to be going a
different route, whether to shake them off or if it’s faster not sure yet,
whilst further back, the Jinnais are on carriage, Nanami looking annoyed after
another failed haggling…)
Nanami: I don’t see
any of the other teams…
Jinnai: We’ve
probably blazed past them as we’re taking to the road whilst the idiots are
behind us struggling on foot…
(Jinnai allows
himself a laugh, the driver shivers…)
Driver: Are you SURE
you’re workers for the Magdalene Order?
(Nanami sweatdrops
as it seems the driver is moving a bit out of the way, or maybe going faster to
get these guys off as soon as possible…but either way the company is having an
affect on the carriage driver…to the point where they have to swerve as he is
distracted and people are crossing…)
Driver: Whoa!
(They swerve to the
grass as the horse taking them bolts – Nanami nearly falls off as she just
hangs on…but the damage has been done as they swerve onto the grass…)
Driver: Teacakes…we
need to get back on the road – the horses are nervous though, this could take a
while…
Jinnai: WHAT?
Nanami: THAT ISN’T
HELPING YOU IDIOT!
(Nanami is trying
her best not to swear, so she covers her mouth and speaks a number of
expletives so that no-one hears her…)
Nanami:
Unbelivable. Different time, different situation, same idiot. This ‘plan’ has
failed miserably, and our only hope is if this idiot is right and the other
teams are on foot and behind us…
*
Rally: I see them…
(Out of the corner,
they cut into the dunes. Rally and May look a little tired but they are in
sight of the dunes…)
May: O.K, let’s hope
we’re not…
Kaname: HOLD IT
RIGHT THERE LADIES!!!
(That voice
increases the girls speed as Kaname’s attempt of distraction has failed
miserably, Rally and May lift up their skirts slightly to waddle through the
sand. Sousuke and Kaname are right on their tails as it seems they are now in
belief they are in last place and fighting for their lives. Sousuke is
obviously more used to this but Kaname not quite so. Sousuke catches up to the
girls but Kaname has to lift up her skirt slightly to wade through. However
Kaname is just about faster than May (and level with Rally in speed) so they
start to catch up…)
May:
Dammit…sometimes I do actually curse this height of mine…
(Sousuke and Kaname
slowly get ahead as Rally plunges through, almost swimming through the sand at
times – the FMP duo are coming up to the centre…)
*
Driver: O.K, we’re
upright now…
Nanami: Thank you.
(Nanami has one
mouth over her brothers to avoid further complications whilst she is trying to
hold in her own anger of the situation…)
Nanami: Up to the
dune please…
(The horses are a
bit more apprehensive but they get moving – Nanami sighs inwardly…)
Nanami: Maybe God
really needs to be on our side, but would God listen to somehow who has THIS
person as their brother?
(Jinnai mumbles as
they continue on…)
*
Kaname: Sousuke,
grab it!
(Sousuke gets the
clue but has to wait for Kaname to get here. Rally actually gets ahead of her
but May is further behind Kaname so Rally has to wait for her. Kaname gets
there, breathes in, and Sousuke opens the clue.)
Sousuke: Road Block.
This person must like jewellery and belief towards the heavens…
Kaname: Bleagh. Not
really our thing.
Sousuke: I’ll do it.
Kaname: Eh? You like
jewellery?
Sousuke: No, but
Kurz and Mao keep trying to…what’s the words…get me into fashion…and
considering my profession, I’ve had my own hopes towards the gods…
Kaname: Sousuke…
(Sousuke opens the
RB, and seems a lot more happy with the Road Block than expected…)
Sousuke: So all I’ve
got to do is concentrate…
(Sousuke rushes
over, picks up the January jewellery, and as he does, May gets to the Road
Block. Rally sees what Sousuke’s doing…)
Rally: It’s a Road
Block… this person must like jewellery and belief towards the heavens…
May: Let me do it.
Rally: You sure?
May: Yeah…if we
screwed up because of me being a little slow, I’m going to make up now…
(May reads it, spots
what Sousuke is doing and nods.)
May: Need more
concentration than you’d expect with my bombs…
Rally: (sweatdrops)
Is that in making them or throwing them?
Kaname: I get this
weird feeling you’d actually get along better with Sousuke than you’d expect…
(Shot of Kaname and
Rally now in silence as May get over to the jewellery – and appropriately picks
the May jewel. Sousuke however is almost in a trance as he seems to clear
everything from his mind…)
Kaname: Damn, never
thought Sousuke could get like that…
(May goes as far as
possible away from Sousuke to concentrate as best as she can. However, Sousuke
has already got a good head start and is on par with Sara in terms of speed –
difference is, he doesn’t have any religious connections…he’s just somehow able
to concentrate really well.)
(It isn’t long
before Sousuke’s jewel shows sign of life, much to both Kaname and Rally’s shock.
The red energies glow and the shape of a warrior appropriately flashes in the
air – the sound of it disintegrating breaks Sousuke out of his trance as the
red and yellow of the clue floats down…)
Sousuke: Mission
completed.
Kaname: Yes! Awesome
Sousuke!
(May twitches
hearing that, but keeps her eyes closed and her mind clear. Sousuke grabs the
clue heading over to Kaname who is ecstatic. She nearly hugs him, but stops
herself in time and just pats him on the shoulder…)
Kaname: Good work
Sergant!
Sousuke: Permission
to run to the Pit Stop Chidori?
Kaname: Permission
granted!
(After briefly
reading it, it’s obvious as they head over to the mansion. Rally shakes her
head…)
Rally: Unless the
Jinnais are behind us…we’re screwed. I guess praying to God is pretty
appropriate here…
*
11.50AM
(Sousuke and Kaname
have got through the sand and land at the Pit Stop…)
Kaname: Don’t bother
with the theatrics, we already see a team behind us…
Yuko: But that’s
part of the fun!
Satella: Sousuke and
Kaname, you are team number 5!
KANAME/SOUSUKE – 5TH
PLACE
Kaname: Five?
Sousuke: That means…
(Kaname grins a deep
grin…)
Kaname: Oh hell
yeah…
*
(As they grin at the
Pit Stop, May jewels now shines. The Fair May, an aquatic lady shines through
the jewel as Rally smiles. The summon disintegrates and reveals the clue. May
opens her eyes, catches it and sighs.)
May: Sorry Rally…
Rally: I’m not
giving up yet…
(Reads the clue though she already knows where to go…)
Rally: Over
there…and let’s hope we get the miracle…
(The two move on…not
seeing that back in the distance, the sound of a carriage is coming…)
*
Jinnai: Finally!
(Nanami actually
does get a better deal due to the accident, but it’s not enough to make her
happy after the errors…)
Nanami: Right,
so…there’s the clue…
(Nanami cannot see
Rally and May in the far distance just wading through the sand as Jinnai sees
the dunes first and groans.)
Jinnai: So we HAVE
to walk through this?
(The driver however
has already run away before he could ask if he could be taken across the sand.)
Jinnai: No rest for
the wicked…onwards my sister!
Nanami: At least
you’ve admitted you’re wicked…
(They start walking,
unaware…)
*
11.56AM
(Shot of a tired
Rally and May drag themselves to the pit stop as they see Yuko and Satella
ready for the final welcome…)
Satella: Busy day?
Rally: You could say
that…
Yuko: Rally and
Minnie May…
(Dramatic pause…)
Yuko: …you’re team
number 6!
Rally/May: WHAT?!!
Yuko: Into
modern-day American, that means you’re still in this race!
Rally: I’m going to
wave that insult by and just collapse in exhaustion and happiness!
(May glomps Rally as
they realise as well who IS in last place…)
*
Jinnai: Once I
become ruler of the world, I’m making sure sand doesn’t exist, ever again…
(Shot of the two at
the Road Block…)
Nanami: This person
must like jewellery and belief towards the heavens…mine, there’s no way you
believe the heavens can bring you good luck…
(We have a look at
Nanami who has picked up the March jewel and begins to try and relax, despite
the situation…)
*
(It takes Nanami a
good 10 minutes before she’s able to finally clear everything from her mind and
raise a spark of the jewel. With her brother shutting up for once, she’s able
to bring forth a rabbit type creature, which jumps from the jewels and vanishes
into a collection of red dust. The clue is revealed shortly after which Nanami
wearily grabs.)
Nanami: Done…
Jinnai: Took your
time didn’t you?
Nanami: I WOULD HAVE
BEEN FASTER IF YOU HAD SHUT UP FASTER!!!
Jinnai: JUST OPEN
THE THING!
Nanami:
Fine…(opens)…Pit Stop…and it’s over there.
(They see the
mansion…)
Jinnai: No-one came
behind us…we’re still safe.
Nanami: Did it ever
occur they may have come ahead of us – we were LAST finishing the detour
remember?
Jinnai: You honestly
think I can be defeated?
Nanami: I’ll let you
know once we get to the Pit Stop…
(The two wade
through the sand, one confident, one not so…)
*
(Shot of the Jinnais
exhausted as they land on the Pit Stop…)
Satella: Welcome to
my beautiful home…hope you enjoy your stay…
Nanami: Depends if
we do…
Yuko:
Katsuhiko…Nanami…
(The pause once
more…)
Yuko: …you are the
last team to arrive.
(Nanami was
half-expecting it, but Jinnai is in total shock.)
Jinnai: YOU’RE KIDDING
ME? HAVE A RECOUNT, THERE IS NO WAY THOSE PAUPERS COULD BEAT M…
(Satella thankfully
smacks him on the head with the hilt of a staff…Yuko sighs…)
Yuko: I’m almost
regretting this next line…but let me finish. However you idiot, this is a
NON-ELIMINATION LEG.
(Nanami suddenly
lights up – Jinnai is still dazed from his brush with Satella as Nanami’s
suddenly smiles…)
Nanami: You mean…
Yuko: (nods) Yes
dear – this is a non-elimination leg, and you are still in the race.
Nanami: Thank
god…our prayers WERE answered.
Yuko: However…
(Jinnai, seemed to be ready to celebrate, suddenly is quiet again…)
Yuko: …there is a
new catch now to the Animazing Race. Teams who come in last on a
non-elimination leg now suffer a penalty.
(The Jinnai both
gulps as Satella takes over…)
Satella: You two
must come in first on the next leg…because if you don’t, you will immediately
be docked a 30 minute penalty.
Nanami: Oh…
Jinnai: Hah, no
matter – this was a slip-up, and we’ll avoid that with no problem!
Nanami: I’m
beginning to regret that Fast Forward all of a sudden…how many teams haven’t
used there’s yet? If one of them uses it next leg…
Yuko: However, you
are at least still in the race so keep your strength up, because I think a few
teams will not be happy about this…
Nanami: (smiles) If
that’s the case, then that’s good.
Jinnai: Sister, I
told you everything would be all right!
Nanami: Sometimes
luck is part in world conquest as well right Jinnai?
Jinnai: Well…
(Nanami smirks as
inside, you can tell a few teams are very pissed off at this latest
developments, but the Jinnais get a reprieve. However, they now have a penalty
if they don’t come in first which could cost them in a close race. Can the most
hated team in the history of the Animazing Race cause another miracle? Or will
the laugh finally be put down…)
*
Next time on the
Animazing Race;
*
D’oh! Everyone prays
for the Jinnai’s destruction, and lo and behold once they do, it’s a non-elim
leg. Of course, that was the plan so all the teams without the patience of the
saint (which is practically everyone in the race) both groan and realise they
have an inconvenience for the next leg as well.
Chrno Crusade was
one of the few legs I had in mind straight from the start – it’s just an
in-depth series with great characters and a chilling story – Rosette in
particular is both an hilarious character and such a sad one as well,
especially as the story concludes. Adam said this anime was close to him
crying, it wasn’t even close for me – I was blubbing several times in the
series.
Yes,
finally got a Ganmo-chan/Izumi reference with the Haag/Rial combo as Rosette,
also played by Hilary Haag is glared at by Izumi’s cold eyes. Shame Saga was
just eliminated, it would have been fun hearing her reaction to Rosette, voiced
by Sugar’s seiyuu Tomoko Kawakimi. She also voices another famous
Christopher…Kris from Battle Athletes. On the other side, Greg Ayres who voices
Chrno, also voices Nii-kun, a.k.a Number Two, a.k.a. Yuya Asou (and I wonder if
he’s still mad at the lack of dub for Season 2 of Supergals?), hence Miyu’s
quick reminder.
More
notes;
*
Yep, in the manga, it’s revealed that Rally’s real name is Irene. I’m not sure if it’s an embarrassing secret or anything for Miss Hopkins, but May is the type of person to use anything as a kind of leeway.
If you don’t know which leg I’m referring to by May’s namesake, being still in America, and knowing my shows, then I have no hope for you…J
The relationship with Ryo and Izumi is one of the focal points of why Princess Nine is such a great series and still in my top 5 after all these years. Keiko is a big part of that, not the least with Ryo’s father. So deep with intrigue that I feel the urge to suddenly watch P9 again…
The Rally sleep thing is not a reference to the manga, which as Freedom Fighter brought out back in Roomies 3, Rally had a tendency to not get a good night sleep without the smell of gunpowder in the mor…er…I mean under her pillow. I just thought she’s not the type of person that sleeps easily (considering her lightning fast awake procedure after her ‘alarm’ goes off in the OVA)…
Yes, despite her reserved personality, Yakumo is a top cosplayer, thanks to her waitress job. It’s not quite a cosplay café a la Konata from Lucky Star. It’s led to one hilarious situation when would-be suitor Hanai sees the ad of the waitress cosplaying as ‘bunny girls’…let’s just say the nosebleeding Hanai wasn’t quite expecting what he actually got…
The Rosette looking like Bridget from Guilty Gear joke has been done a million times, including by myself at Amecon at a Rosette cosplayers, whilst my good friend Tom cosplayed as Bridget at the cosplay ball. Star, I made sure I did the ‘I’m gay for Bridget’ chants all night just for you…
I’ve seen Sara parodied as Saber from F/S Night a few times – very good show BTW – not top 20 but close…
And yes, I referenced Lucky Star. Gauron/Sousuke yaoi for the win…I mean for Kagami!!!
I had to do some rewatching of Chrno which saved my life in this chapter, mainly the location of Satella’s villa. In the manga, it’s New York whilst in the anime it’s San Francisco. If I had used New York, 1920s travel would have been near impossible for me to work out with it being plausible, as the trains back would mean have to get off at Chicago first, another 51 hours with the Jinnais I wouldn’t be able to write…
Azmaria isn’t psychic, but she does have special powers hence the S/Y comparison. Nagi is getting more intrigued by this team as we speak…will this alliance hold fruit?
And considering the next leg, do you know how hard it was to now change the last letter of Rosette’s name to another, which makes a main character for the next leg? I checked all the names several times before I was satisfied…
So with all the hints, it should be obvious what the next
leg is…tune in as it will be amazing, amazing, amazing!