Previous Part
INT, USAGI'S bedroom, Morning.
USAGI, laying on her bed in her school uniform, wakes up with a start. In the background, the clock radio is playing a more polished, professional version of the song "C'est la Vie" (if you clicked the "Live Action Sailor V" link, that's the song that was playing in the background). USAGI, with great effort, gets up and rubs her eyes.
USAGI
(sighs, frustrated)
God, that was weird.
USAGI looks at her closet.
USAGI
And I didn't do laundry.
(looks down at her dirty uniform)
No, that would be just too damn convinient.
CUT TO:
Living room. USAGI runs down the stairs, carrying her backpack. VICTORIA walks by.
VICTORIA
You're not even off to school yet?
USAGI
(beat)
Doesn't look like it, no.
VICTORIA
Your brother just went out the door.
USAGI
Well, good for him. Would've been nice if he woke ME up, but still--
VICTORIA
Does Sammy LOOK like an alarm. . .?
VICTORIA stops, examines USAGI, and then takes a sniff near USAGI'S armpit. Oh, Moms. . .
USAGI
MOM?!
VICTORIA
You didn't even shower!
USAGI
Of course not! I didn't have time--
VICTORIA
But of course, you had time to do up your hair.
VICTORIA walks away toward an adjacent room. USAGI sticks out her tongue behind VICTORIA'S back.
USAGI
You could've just asked, Mom. "Say, I noticed you look like crap this morning. . ."
USAGI starts putting on her shoes. VICTORIA in now the other room, but is still audible.
VICTORIA(O.S.)
But I thought you said you don't tell me things.
USAGI sticks out her tongue again, this time pulling down on her right eyelid, a gesture known as akanbe.
VICTORIA
You know, just because your father was easy on you doesn't mean I'll be.
USAGI
(under her breath)
God, Mom!
VICTORIA(O.S.)
Can we at least start with getting up on time and work up from there?
USAGI
Mom--! Look, I had a weird dream.
VICTORIA
Really?
USAGI
Yes.
VICTORIA briefly stands in the doorway between rooms.
VICTORIA
Which means you were getting nice, restful sleep.
VICTORIA quikcly disappears.
USAGI
(under her breath)
Christ.
(loudly)
Yeah Mom, I wish it worked like that!
USAGI, her shoes tied up, walks to the door.
VICTORIA
What was so weird about it?
USAGI stands at the door for a moment.
USAGI
I can't really. . . There was this talking cat making me run all over Tokyo.
USAGI opens the door and starts to walk out.
VICTORIA(O.S.)
(laughing)
That's weird. . .
VICTORIA re-enters the room.
VICTORIA
. . .'cause last night there was this--
USAGI exits and closes the door behind her. VICTORIA throws her hands up.
CUT TO:
EXT, USAGI'S front yard, MORNING
The camera follows USAGI as she jogs toward the yard entrance, located in the background. She rubs her eyes, unable to see SAMMY kneeling down just in front of the entrance. As she (and we) approach, we see that SAMMY-- in a sweet mood we've never seen him in until now-- is actually petting LUNA.
SAMMY
Yeah, you're a nice kitty, aren't you? You're a sweety pie!
LUNA rubs herself against SAMMY'S leg, eating up his affection. USAGI stops rubbing her eyes, finally seeing LUNA in front of her. Immediately, she darts forward and to the right, hiding behind the tall fence just beside the exit. SAMMY and LUNA are no longer visible from this angle.
USAGI
(whispering)
Okay, calm down! Calm down! It could be any cat!
SAMMY(O.S.)
Aw, kitty, how'd you get that scar?
USAGI
(whispering)
It could be any scar! Cats get scars!
SAMMY(O.S.)
What is that, a . . . banana?
USAGI'S tentative-- "banana" could mean anything.
SAMMY(O.S.)
No, a moon! That's it!
USAGI'S face sinks.
USAGI
(whispering)
Oh God, it wasn't a dream!
SAMMY(O.S.)
Well, I gotta go! No, kitty! No, I'd like to play, but I gotta go! I gotta--
LUNA meows.
SAMMY(O.S.)
Sorry, kitty! I gotta get to. . .
SAMMY voice fades as he runs off. USAGI waits for a few seconds, and then peers around the corner. There's no sign of LUNA on the sidewalk. USAGI breaths a sigh of relief, and then looks down on the ground beside her, where she sees LUNA sitting and looking up at her. USAGI is frozen for a moment. Then. . .
LUNA
Usagi?
USAGI
NO!
USAGI quickly points a finger at LUNA, and then startled by the loudness of her own voice, immediately looks toward the house to see if anyone heard her. She then turns back toward LUNA, waving her finger every time she says "no".
USAGI
(whispering)
No! . . . No! . . .
Pause.
LUNA
Usagi--
USAGI
(whispering)
No, no. . . No!
USAGI tip toes around LUNA toward the exit, all the while waving her finger and telling her "no".
USAGI
Nooo. . . No, no, no! No . . . NO!
VICTORIA(O.S.)
Serena!
USAGI, surprised, turns to the front door. VICTORIA is standing in the doorway, holding USAGI'S backpack.
VICTORIA
Serena, you would lose your head if it weren't attached.
USAGI runs up to VICTORIA and grabs the backpack.
VICTORIA
Oh! There she is again!
VICTORIA has spotted LUNA, who walks up to the front door.
USAGI
You. . . know her?
VICTORIA
Yeah! She's the cat I was trying to tell you about, before you slammed the door in my face. The one who somehow made it into our house last night.
LUNA rubs against VICTORIA'S legs.
VICTORIA
Aw. . . You're a sweety pie.
USAGI is aghast at how easily LUNA can charm the rest of her family.
VICTORIA
Okay, kitty. No, No, I gotta go. You don't wanna get locked in here again do you? I didn't think so.
(to USAGI)
I'll see you later Serena.
VICTORIA closes the front door. USAGI and LUNA stare at each other for a moment.
USAGI
I hate you.
USAGI walks away. LUNA, of course, follows. As she does, we hear (perhaps) the first few notes of Lou Reed's "A Walk on the Wild Side."
CUT TO:
INT, Hikawa Shrine Firepit.
The music continues to play in an otherwise silent scene. REI, still in her robes, lies next to the now extinguished fire, only just beginning to wake up. Still sleepy, she takes a long look at the remaining ashes, from which a few faint threads of smoke still eminate.
Right when Lou Reed starts singing, we CUT TO:
EXT, Hikawa Shrine
We see REI, alone at the shrine, sweeping the stone floors in the soft morning light. Looking up, she sees PHOBOS and DEIMOS pirched on a nearby fence, and smiles at them. In the background, we see the main gate of the shrine, where, unnoticed by REI, a group of young girls stand, watching her. REI, catching the girls in the corner of her eye, turns toward them and smiles. The girls, however, run away as soon as they are spotted. REI'S smile fades. We CUT TO:
INT, REI's Room.
We see various close-up shots of REI putting on her catholic school uniform, all close-up, all tasteful: A comb running through her hair; a subtle shade of red lipstick being applied to her lips; a grey jacket, complete with her school's coat of arms, being buttoned up over a white blouse.
CUT TO:
EXT, Sidewalk, MORNING
A tracking shot following REI as she walks down the sidewalk. At first, we only see REI from the back, but even from here, we can see the confidence exuded from her strut. In a moment, she is joined by a crowd of girlfriends. They laugh, and each show off their latest acqusitions-- a new iphone-like device, jewellery, a new hair-cut. As this unfolds, the camera, while still following REI, slowly rotates around her, until her face, and the street in the background, are visible. For a moment, we can see USAGI and LUNA walking down the other end of the street in the opposite direction. After a moment, the girls are joined by group of teenage boys. The boys, in particular, focus their attention on REI. REI smiles and giggles-- you'd almost think she's actually interested in them. During the boys' futile flirtations, the camera rotates to a front shot of REI. The boys eventually break away, shown stopping and bragging to each other in the background. The scene has thusfar given the impression of the sexy, effortless cool that REI is so clearly trying to portray. Once the boys leave, though, REI'S smile vanishes, replaced with a subtle look of both disgust and apprehension. As the shot ends, we see MAKOTO run past REI in the same direction as USAGI and LUNA. The music fades.
USAGI(O.S.)
Cats don't talk.
CUT TO:
EXT, Another Sidewalk, MORNING
USAGI walks along the sidewalk, with LUNA walking alongside. A group of schoolgirls walk a short distance behind the two, gradually catching up to them. LUNA meows in response to USAGI.
USAGI
See? Do you see? A talking cat!
(laughing)
Only that Tsukino Usagi!
The schoolgirls pass by USAGI as she speaks her line. After a moment, when the schoolgirls are out of hearing range, LUNA speaks again.
LUNA
Usagi, you can't keep ignoring this.
USAGI stops abruptly and turns toward LUNA.
USAGI
You. Need. To. Stop. That!
LUNA
Usagi, You know something--
USAGI
Oh God!
USAGI turns away for a moment, as if in disgust.
LUNA
What?
USAGI
Your lips. They're moving, and-- Ugh!
USAGI shudders and starts walking again. LUNA follows.
LUNA
Usagi, you know something happened last night. Something led you to that jewelley store--
USAGI stops again.
USAGI
Luna! I never WENT to that store because--
USAGI looks around, and spots someone across the street, off screen.
USAGI
Aha! See?!
(yelling to person across the street)
Naru-chan!
(pause, no response)
(to Luna)
She just can't hear. . .
(across street)
Naru-chan! Ohayoo!
LUNA
Usagi!
USAGI
(to Luna)
You see! It MUST be a dream, because NARU was at the jewellery store last night, which means NARU would have been one of those unconscious people!
(points across the street)
But there she is, walking to school, like nothing happened!
(yells across street)
Naru-CHAN!
(to Luna)
Check and mate, Luna!
USAGI looks toward the person off screen.
USAGI
Check. . . And. . .
Pause.
USAGI
That's not Naru.
LUNA
Usagi--
USAGI starts laughing.
USAGI
Of course it's not Naru! You know why? 'Cause I'm still dreaming!
USAGI laughs at herself for another moment.
LUNA
Usagi, do you really believe that?
USAGI stops laughing.
LUNA
Usagi. What I told you last night, every word of it, is true. What you saw last night WAS real. I'M real.
USAGI shuts her eyes. She can't deny this any longer.
USAGI
I guess you are.
(sighs)
So what is it I. . .
(points off screen behind Luna)
Oh! Look!
LUNA doesn't budge.
USAGI
Luna! Look! Behind you!
LUNA
Usagi, you're just wasting time.
USAGI
Luna! I'm serious! Look!
USAGI points emphatically, but LUNA isn't falling for it. Realzing that LUNA has somehow seen through her clever ruse, USAGI makes a break for it.
LUNA
Usagi?!
LUNA runs after USAGI. After a couple of seconds, USAGI reaches a crosswalk. The "do not cross" sign is lit, but USAGI, not seeing it, runs out into the street. LUNA comes to a stop at the edge of the sidewalk. As USAGI is crossing, we hear tires screetching against the pavement. USAGI stops and sees something about to hit her. She's frozen. Cutting back to LUNA for a brief moment, we see a pair of feet dart past her. We cut back to USAGI just before she's about to get hit, when out of no-where MAKOTO appears, grabs onto USAGI, and pulls her out of the way. They both fall onto the sidewalk, on the opposite end of street from LUNA.
MAKOTO
(to USAGI)
Are you blind?!
The screetching sound ends. Past USAGI and MAKOTO, a motorcycle has come to stop, leaving skidmarks on the concrete. The motorcycle's rider wears a large helmet that hides his face. MAKOTO gets up and walks toward the biker.
MAKOTO
And you! What the hell are you doing driving at that speed?! There are children on their--
MAKOTO stops. She recognizes the bike. The biker gets up and takes off his helmet. It's SEMPAI.
SEMPAI
That's lucky, isn't it? Off to school too, huh?
(beat)
Well, go on! I'm irresponsible! I'm reckless! You liked that.
MAKOTO, almost frozen, slowly backs away. She turns around and walks back toward to USAGI.
SEMPAI
No, don't walk away! Hit me again!
MAKOTO tries to hold back all the emotions the sight of SEMPAI brings on-- shame, heartbreak, anger-- as she walks by USAGI.
MAKOTO
(to Usagi)
That's two you owe me.
MAKOTO walks off. In the background, SEMPAI stands his bike up.
SEMPAI
(to Usagi)
And you, watch where you're going, idiot!
USAGI gets up, keeping her eye on MAKOTO. SEMPAI puts on his helmet and drives off. We hear the JUUBAN JUNIOR HIGH morning bell ringing in the distance as we CUT TO:
EXT, Juuban Junior High Courtyard Entrance, MORNING
USAGI approaches the courtyard entrance. She's in no hurry, as she's already well late for her class. LUNA is still following her. As she nears the entrance, USAGI stops and turns to LUNA once more.
USAGI
You CAN-NOT follow me in there. No pets allowed!
LUNA
I figured as such.
USAGI
I'm fifteen minutes late for class, which means I've already pretty much committed hari-kari--
LUNA
Hara-Kiri.
USAGI
Whatever! I would rather be in there,
(points to school)
than out here, with you.
LUNA
Fine, I'll be back at lunch.
LUNA walks away, while USAGI walks toward the school. We CUT TO:
INT, Usagi's Classroom
USAGI gently opens and closes the door as she enters.
USAGI
(bowing)
Shitsuree shimashita.
SAKURADA looks at USAGI silently. USAGI looks toward her desk. NARU is missing. As USAGI walks apprehensively toward her desk, we hear the voice-over of a SCHOOLGIRL.
T.A. ACADEMY STUDENT(O.S.)
"Remember only thy last things and thou shalt not sin for ever."
CUT TO:
INT, T.A. Girl's Academy Classroom
Class is not yet in session, so the students are chatting with one another. REI is sitting in her desk, while another student, bible in hand, chats with her.
REI
And where did they say it was?
T.A. STUDENT
Ecclesiastes, Chapter 7, Verse 40. But look!
(shows REI the bible)
There are only twenty-nine verses in Ecclesiastes!
(beat)
And it was such a beautiful verse.
The STUDENT puts the bible away. REI looks to the front of the class for a moment.
T.A. STUDENT
I hope Sister Jessica is feeling better today. Father Vincent's French just sounds. . . weird, somehow.
CUT TO:
INT, Classroom Entrance
FATHER VINCENT, a fairly young priest, stands outside the entrance to the class. He gives a long sigh, then crosses his chest.
CUT TO:
INT, Rei's Classroom
VINCENT enters. The entire class stands up, and the class president (or equivalent) bows the students in. VINCENT, with a heavy Quebecois French accent, speaks.
VINCENT
Bonjour, classe.
CLASS
Bonjour, Pere Vincent.
VINCENT
In spite of our prayers, Sister Jessica will once again be unable to join us. We were hoping to find a substitute, but unfortunately none were available, so once again I will be teaching class.
VINCENT begins the lesson. We CUT TO:
Close up of REI. From the look on her face, we know that she knows that something strange is going on.
CUT TO:
INT, Hikawa Shrine Fire Pit
Flashback to the night before. We see REI sitting at the fire, meditating. We cut to a shot of the fire. We watch it for a moment, listening to the sound of the wood cracking, the flames blowing. . . The sound gets louder, indicative of REI'S increasing concentration. Amidst the ever growing noise of the fire-- the billowing of flame, the crackling of the wood, the the high whistle of escaping gases-- we begin to hear another sound, something like the growling of and animal. Then, so subtly that it could almost seem to come from the fire itself, the sound of a dog barking. Then, a whistle of escaping gas-- yet not that which one would expect from a fire, something more artificial. The moment we hear the sound, we cut to an extreme close up of REI'S eyes, which dart open in a moment of realization. We CUT TO:
INT, Rei's Classroom
Back to the present. We see REI, as we did before the flashback, with a look of apprehension.
CUT TO:
EXT, Market, MORNING
NOTE: Having re-thought how the script should be structured, I decided that the following scene should take place a day earlier, before Luna introduces herself to Usagi. That's when this scene will appear in subsequent drafts. For now, though, I'll place it here.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish are lined up along displays outside a market. LUNA lies in wait beneath the fish display. Once the coast is clear, she jumps on top of one of the displays and "sucks up" a small fillet of fish. She quickly jumps off of the display just as one of the store owners walks out. LUNA walks some distance away from the market, and then turns back.
LUNA
(quietly)
Thank you.
CUT TO:
EXT, Alley, MORNING
LUNA enters the alley, re-materializes the fish onto the ground, and eagerly gobbles it up.
CUT TO:
EXT, Cat Mansion Front Yard, DAY
LUNA enters the frame, slowly approaching the Cat Mansion.
NOTE: Yes, we are back at the Cat Mansion. You might be thinking that all this travelling to and from the Cat Mansion is getting repetitive, and I agree. That's why I've decided that, in the second draft, Luna won't come back to the Cat Mansion on the day she first encoutners Usagi, and that Luna's visit to the jewellery store owned by Jain Indians will not occur until after this point in the story.
CUT TO:
INT, Cat Mansion Main Hall
LUNA walks down the hallway that only two days ago she called home. The food and water bowls are empty. It is apparent that the cats have not been fed since the day LUNA left; some of the cats have left, while others moan in hunger, waiting for JESSY to return.
CUT TO:
INT, Upstairs Hallway
LUNA climbs the stairs up to the second floor hallway. A few cats are wandering the hallways. RHETT BUTLER, the fat cat from before, is waiting at the foot of LUNA'S bedroom door, reaching his paws underneath the door crack in a futile attempt to enter. After a moment, he spots LUNA and walks over to her, attempting to rub up against her. LUNA, doing her best to avoid him, makes her way to the door. RHETT, getting the hint, flops down on to the floor.
INT, LUNA'S Bedroom, DAY
LUNA, just like before, swings into the room hanging off of the door handle. Landing on the floor and quickly closing the door behind her, she makes her way toward her things-- she's packing up. First things first: on the floor lie a set of three objects that look like heavily adorned pens-- these are the TRANSFORMATIONS PENS, whose function will be explained by LUNA later on. LUNA "sucks up" the PENS. While there, she also sucks up another pen, different from the Transformation Pens-- this is the DISGUISE PEN.
NOTE: In subsequent drafts I will establish the transformation and disguise pens earlier.
She then makes her way toward a set of DOCUMENTS, including the REPORT she picked up at the beginning of the film, and sucks them all up too. She buckles under their weight-- the combined mass of the papers is pretty large, esspecially for a cat (recall from the first part of the script that the mass of any object she carries is transferred to the collar). LUNA then approaches some of the old posters, newspaper, and Sailor V comics. She tries to suck them up, and succeeds in getting a few items, but she's reaching the limit of what she can carry. Bearing a much heavier collar, she slowly works her way to the bedroom door. We hear the ringing of a schoolbell in the background as we
CUT TO:
INT, Juuban Junior High Cafeteria
USAGI takes a seat at a table. While there are other girls at the table, they ignore USAGI-- without NARU and UMINO, she's alone. As she reaches for her backpack, an awful realization hits her.
USAGI
(to herself)
And I forgot my lunch.
Her moment of self-pity quickly vanishes as she takes a look around the cafeteria. Not only is NARU gone, but UMINO is no-where to be found either. As USAGI turns to the window, we cut to her POV. We see LUNA standing on the ledge outside of a window. She points her head upwards, as if to indicate something. USAGI, impatiently, walks over to the window and kneels down.
USAGI
(irritated)
What?
LUNA, astonished and almost embarrassed that USAGI would be so conspicuous, shakes her head and then points more emphatically upwards.
USAGI
(a bit louder and more irritated)
What do you want, Luna?
A couple of students look over their shoulders at USAGI. LUNA covers her head with her front paws for a moment, and then tries to speak quietly enough not to be heard. It works too well.
USAGI
I can't hear you, Luna!
LUNA'S wincing at this point.
LUNA
(almost inaudible)
Roof! Roof!
USAGI
I still can't-- ugh!
USAGI walks alongside the windows. LUNA follows. After a moment, USAGI reaches an emergency exit.
CUT TO:
EXT, Juuban Junior High Courtyard, DAY
USAGI comes out the emergency exit door. LUNA runs up to her as the door closes.
LUNA
(whispering)
The roof, Usagi! The roof!
USAGI
What about the roof?
LUNA
(whispering)
Meet. Me. On. THE. ROOF!
USAGI
Why the roof? There's no--
LUNA
(whispering)
There's a door, and stone seats, and there's nobody there and it's the perfect meeting place so GETUPTHERE!
LUNA runs off. USAGI tries to go back in through the emergency exit door, but it locked behind her. She tries pulling on it couple of more times, to no avail.
CUT TO:
INT, Cafeteria
A group of girls a chatting away at one of the tables. One of the girls proudly displays a picture of herself in a beautiful wedding dress.
GIRLS
Wow! You look wonderful! It's so becoming of you! . . . My cousin's getting married. In the shopping district there's a bridal shop where you can get wedding dresses fitted. They let me try one one! . . . Oh, Wow! When's the wedding? . . . I've never even been to a wedding before! I wanna--
MAKOTO
(smiling)
Hi!
Pause.
GIRLS
(meekly)
Hello.
MAKOTO
This spot isn't taken, is it?
The girls shake their heads. MAKOTO brings out her lunchbag and sets it on the table.
MAKOTO
You're sure it's okay?
GIRLS
(meekly)
Sure.
Pause.
MAKOTO
That really is a beautiful dress!
MAKOTO waits for a moment, but the GIRLS ignore her. Taking the hint, packs up her lunch again and leaves. As soon as she's gone, the GIRLS breath a sigh of relief, and then start chatting again.
GIRLS
(simultaneously)
I WANNA HAVE A WEDDING SO BAD!
CUT TO:
INT, Classroom
While the other students are having their lunch, AMI sits at a desk, studying as always. Having finished her homework for one of her classes, she closes her textbook and bends down to her backpack to grab another one. Unfortunately, since her backpack is too small to contain all of the textbooks she needs for her classes (one of the unexpected downsides of being a child prodigy) her zipper splits open while she's zipping it back up. She tries to re-close the zipper, but it's too difficult. AMI gives up and returns to her studying when MAKOTO enters, startling AMI.
MAKOTO
Hi!
AMI
Oh! Hello.
MAKOTO takes a seat near AMI.
MAKOTO
I'm not disturbing you, am I?
AMI
No! No.
MAKOTO takes out her lunch container, again. Just as she's about to open it. . .
AMI
But. . . Sakurada-sensei may not want you in here. She doesn't let any students into the classroom except for me.
MAKOTO
. . . Oh.
(pause)
Then I'll have to finish this up fast!
MAKOTO opens her lunch container.
MAKOTO
It's too bad. I REALLY looking forward to--
SAKURADA
What are you doing in here?
SAKURADA stands at the front of the class, having noiselessly entered the room. MAKOTO stands up and bows.
MAKOTO
Sensei!
SAKURADA
Ami!
AMI then stands up and bows.
AMI
Hai, Sensei!
SAKURADA
I told you that you could stay in the classroom if you were here to study.
(beat)
I ALSO told you that there was no food allowed.
AMI
Shi-shitsuree Shim--!
SAKURADA
What is with you, Ami? First, you lose one of your textbooks, and now you're disregarding the rules of--?
MAKOTO
Sensei?
SAKURADA
Did you just INTERRUPT me?
MAKOTO
Yes I did, and I apologize. But I entered class without permission. Ami told I wasn't allowed here, but I stayed anyway. The fault is mine.
MAKOTO bows.
SAKURADA
I would have thought you'd learned your lesson yesterday.
MAKOTO'S left hand, still at her side, clenches into a fist.
MAKOTO
I suppose I didn't. Shitsuree shimashita!
MAKOTO bows yet again, and then picks up her backpack from the floor. As she does so, her hand glances against AMI'S pack, which causes a static shock. MAKOTO winces, and then looks down at the pack, noticing the broken zipper. MAKOTO, after setting own backpack down on the desk, reaches down to AMI'S backpack and, in a single exertion, pulls the zipperhead across the split open region of zipper, effectively fixing it-- speaking from personal experience, this is not an easy thing to do, and requires a great deal of physical strength. AMI is amazed.
MAKOTO
This is just a temporary--
SAKURADA
Ahem!
MAKOTO gives AMI a look, and then looks back down at the backpack. She notices that the name "AMI" has been written on the pack. MAKOTO grabs her lunch container, and turns back around so that the container is visible to AMI. She then repeatedly taps her finger on the the container. AMI looks at the container, and notices the words "KINO MAKOTO" written on it. MAKOTO puts the container in her pack and exits the class.
CUT TO:
EXT, The Roof, DAY
LUNA sits on the roof, alone. She's clearly been waiting a bit for USAGI, and contniues to wait for another few seconds until USAGI bursts through the door leading up to the roof.
USAGI
It would have helped if you said WHICH door!
The door closes behind her. USAGI sets her backpack on the ground.
LUNA
Usagi, you need to be more careful! Someone might have spotted us down there.
USAGI
You mean spotted YOU.
USAGI walks up to LUNA.
LUNA
Yes, Usagi, I mean spotted ME. You don't seem to appreciate how much of chance I've taken in even talking to you!
USAGI
Well, you DID talk to me, Luna, and you've completely messed up my life in the process. So I hope you can forgive me if I think you sound just a little selfish right now.
LUNA
ME Selfish?!
USAGI
Yes! You!
A tense pause. USAGI takes a seat on one of the stone benches.
USAGI
Naru didn't show up today.
LUNA
(beat)
She was at that jewellery store last night, wasn't she? She was attacked along with--
USAGI
Luna!
Another long pause.
USAGI
Probably. . . Just don't talk to me about that!
LUNA materializes the MOON PRISM in front of USAGI.
LUNA
You dropped this.
USAGI sighs, and then picks up the PRISM.
USAGI
Gee, thanks. . . What the--?
LUNA then materializes the TRANSFORMATION PENS, DOCUMENTS, and SAILOR V STUFF she picked up earlier. She's visibly relieved to have all that weight off her collar.
USAGI
What is all this?
LUNA
Stuff I took from my old place.
USAGI
Your "old place?"
LUNA
I used to live in a. . .
(stretches out her neck)
. . . derelict mansion. Oh, that feels good!
USAGI
What do you mean your "old" place?
(beat)
What do you mean "used to live?"
LUNA
Well. . . now that I've found you. . . we're gonna need to be in close contact.
USAGI
What KIND of close contact?
LUNA
Well. . . I was hoping that. . . Now that we've met--
USAGI
That I would adopt you?
LUNA
It's not SO unreasonable--
USAGI
Oh my God!
USAGI stands up and paces around the bench.
USAGI
Not so unreasonable?! Not so un. . . This is unreal! This. Is. Un-real! I'm . . . I'm standing on the roof of my school, arguing with a talking cat who thinks I'm the reincarnated spirit of an ancient warrior about why I'm uncomfortable with her just ANNOUNCING that she's moving in to my house! That. . . is far gone this has become!
LUNA
Usagi--. . . Serena. I know that what I'm telling you is hard to believe. But if you knew what I know, if you knew what I saw when you pulled off that bandage. . . It was this. . . light, and warmth, the likes of which I had never--
USAGI
And what do you see now?
LUNA
Well. . . I. . .
USAGI
You what?
LUNA
I hit my head, and, well. . . it's not as clear anymore.
USAGI
You hit your head.
LUNA
Yes, and I haven't--
USAGI
So you don't see anything? No light?
LUNA
No. . . not yet, anyway. I'm hoping that it'll come back soon.
USAGI
(sighs)
So. . . there was a light. And what else?
LUNA doesn't answer.
USAGI
Nothing?
(beat)
Nothing at all?
USAGI walks over to the pile of LUNA'S things.
USAGI
What about all this stuff?
USAGI kneels down for a closer look.
USAGI
Let's see. We got. . . Wow! Pens!
USAGI throws the TRANSFORMATION and DISGUISE PENS to the side.
LUNA
Usagi, be careful!
USAGI
A bunch of boring crap!
USAGI flips through the documents, throwing them aside one at a time.
LUNA
Those are official documents! Police and medical reports! I went through a lot of trouble to get those!
USAGI then comes across a SAILOR V poster.
USAGI
What's this?
LUNA
That's. . .
LUNA hesitates, as though she knows what's coming.
LUNA
That's another one of the reincarnated warriors. . . If you're going to ask me how I know. . .
Long pause.
USAGI
Luna. . . That's Sailor V.
After a beat, USAGI bursts into laughter.
USAGI
That's SAILOR V, Luna! SAILOR V!
USAGI throws the poster on the ground and paces around for a moment, laughing all the while. LUNA is absolutely silent. USAGI, after a moment, comes back around.
USAGI
Sailor V, Luna? Really?!
LUNA growls.
USAGI
Oh, what's wrong? You forgot how to talk? It is a harder skill than most relaize, you know.
LUNA growls more loudly, and repeatedly points her gaze behind USAGI.
USAGI
Or maybe it's just English you forgot? Let's see. Hanasu koto ga dekiru ka? ("Can you still talk?" lit. "Are you able to speak?")
MAKOTO(O.S.)
Yeah, can you still talk, right?
USAGI jumps back and even yelps a bit in shock. MAKOTO, who was standing just behind and to the side of USAGI, kneels down and pets LUNA. LUNA, though upset, plays along.
MAKOTO
Sure you can! You're a verbose little kitty, aren't you?
MAKOTO scratches underneath LUNA'S chin.
MAKOTO
(to USAGI)
So, I know she likes Sailor V, but I didn't get her name.
USAGI
(still shocked)
Oh, um. . .
(look at LUNA)
Lu-Luna?
LUNA meows.
USAGI
(looks back to MAKOTO)
THAT, ah, is to say the CAT is named Luna, not that I was talking to. . . uh. . . What. . . else. . . did you hear?
(regaining a little of her composure)
I mean, it's a little, (ahem), emabarrassing, that's all.
MAKOTO stands up.
MAKOTO
You mean, there was more to it?
USAGI
Oh! Uh. . . Well, I-I mean. . . yes?
MAKOTO
I'm sure whatever she said must have been pretty embarrassing, given how red you are in the face.
USAGI
Well. . . Um. . . Y-Yeah! I mean. . . look, I don't do this all the time!
MAKOTO
You mean you DON'T come up to the roof to yell at your cat on a daily basis?
USAGI
Uh. . . well. . . I used to yell at her down in the halls but I got all these weird. . . looks. . .
USAGI laughs sheepishly at her own joke. MAKOTO, after a tense moment, giggles. USAGI is noticably relieved.
USAGI
I'm Usagi, by the way! Usagi Tsukino!
MAKOTO
I'm Makoto Kino. Well, I'm . . . just gonna eat my lunch. Don't mind me, you two lovebirds!
MAKOTO walks toward the far end of the roof and takes a seat on a stone bench. USAGI looks on, curiously drawn to this strange new girl.
LUNA
(whispering)
Usagi!
USAGI
(whispering)
Hold on.
LUNA
What are you doing? Usagi?
USAGI
That girl has saved me two times now. I should at least say thanks.
LUNA
We have more important things to--
USAGI
Luna! Just. . . stay!
USAGI starts to walk toward MAKOTO.
LUNA
(whispering)
USAGI!
USAGI
(turns back to LUNA)
Stay!
USAGI, after giving a look that seems to ask "did I really just say that?", makes her way toward MAKOTO. MAKOTO is facing outward, toward a tall tree, her back to USAGI. USAGI slows as she approaches MAKOTO, trying to peak over her shoulder to see what she's doing. She sneaks ever closer, and eventually manages to catch a glimpse of MAKOTO'S lunch-- a very elegant and delicious-looking bento made up of sushi, rice balls, fried shrimp, and other foods. USAGI is susprised by, and envious of, this exquisite meal. Just as she's about to start to drooling, MAKOTO's hand quickly rushes up and grabs USAGI'S uniform-- this action doesn't hurt USAGI, it merely surprises her.
MAKOTO
A-ha!
USAGI shrieks. MAKOTO lets go.
MAKOTO
I could hear you from five steps away!
(beat)
I guess cats make for boring conversation.
USAGI
(still recovering from the surprise)
Yeah. I guess.
MAKOTO
Here, have a seat.
MAKOTO shoves over, and USAGI, a bit warily, takes a seat.
MAKOTO
So what's on your mind?
USAGI
I . . . don't exactly remember.
MAKOTO
How'd you know about this place?
USAGI doesn't understand.
MAKOTO
The roof, I mean. Obviously, you're one of the only people who knows about it.
USAGI
Oh! Yeah, the, uh, cat led me up here, actually.
MAKOTO
I only found it by pure luck, myself. It's a great view.
MAKOTO looks back out toward the tree, which sways in the gentle wind. USAGI looks back down at MAKOTO'S lunch.
USAGI
I-uh, I never thanked you for yesterday. Or today.
MAKOTO
Don't worry about it.
MAKOTO turns back to USAGI, and see her eyeing her food. USAGI then catches MAKOTO looking at her.
USAGI
Your lunch, it looks really nice!
MAKOTO
Thanks!
USAGI
I wish MY mom could make lunch like that. Usually I just get a sandwich.
MAKOTO, for a moment, is silent. USAGI has hit a nerve.
MAKOTO
Actually, I made this myself.
USAGI
What?!
MAKOTO
If you have everything prepared, it's actually pretty easy.
USAGI eyes MAKOTO'S lunch again.
MAKOTO
You know, I think I made a bit too much. You want some?
USAGI
Oh, no I. . .
USAGI'S not fooling anyone.
USAGI
I guess that's THREE I owe you now.
MAKOTO
Here, just led me get the lid to my bento box and I'll put some food on it.
MAKOTO picks up the lid the box. USAGI quickly catches a glimpse of the lid-- it has a picture of SAILOR V on it. MAKOTO hands the lid to USAGI.
USAGI
Oh!
(holds up the lid)
You like Sailor V too, huh.
MAKOTO
I guess.
MAKOTO starts putting food onto the inverted lid. We hold on USAGI, from whose experession we can tell has reminded of LUNA by the picture of SAILOR V, as we CUT TO:
EXT, T+A Academy Courtyard, DAY
REI walks the courtyard, alone, mulling over Sister Jessica's absence. A distance away, the same group of girls REI chatted with in the morning are, again, chatting and giggling amongst themselves. REI examines them for a moment, but then notices, behind the girls, VICTOR and a POLICE OFFICER talking to one another. REI then looks toward the academy convent. Holding on the convent for a moment, we then CUT TO:
INT, T+A Academy Convent, Hallway
REI enters the frame, walking toward Sister Jessica's room. She approaches the door and knocks.
REI
Sister Jessica? Sister Jessica? It's Rei Hino.
No response. REI knocks on the door again.
REI
Sister Jessica? Sister Jessica, are you in there?
REI tries to open the door, but it's locked. REI knocks even louder, to no avail.
VICTOR
Hino-san.
VICTOR, who appeared as if out of no-where, walks toward REI. He is followed by the POLICE OFFICER.
VICTOR
What are you doing here?
REI
I was just seeing if there was anyting I could do for Sister Jessica.
VICTOR
And why did you presume that you NEEDED to do anything?
Silence. After a moment, VICTOR glances at the OFFICER, and them back to REI.
VICTOR
(sighs)
Hino-san. . . The police officer is here to search Sister Jessica's room.
VICTOR opens the door to SISTER JESSICA'S room.
VICTOR
(to OFFICER)
Go ahead.
The OFFICER enters.
VICTOR
Rei. . . I would appreciate if you didn't repeat what you've seen here. We don't want to cause any undue alarm.
REI
How long has she been gone?
VICTOR
Two days.
CUT TO:
EXT, Juuban Junior High Rooftop, NOON
LUNA is lying on the ground, staring at the SAILOR V poster that USAGI mocked. We can hear MAKOTO and USAGI in the background. LUNA has been waiting for around ten minutes.
MAKOTO(O.S.)
Hold out your hand like this. Now, say I grab on to it like so. Alright, now pull your arm to your chest.
LUNA turns toward MAKOTO and USAGI. MAKOTO and USAGI are standing in front of each other. MAKOTO is holding on to USAGI'S wrist. USAGI tries to pull her arm toward her chest, just like MAKOTO said, but is having trouble.
MAKOTO
No, no, bring your chest in and step forward, like this.
MAKOTO demonstrates. USAGI gives it another try, following MAKOTO'S instructions.
MAKOTO
Yeah, that's it! Now--
MAKOTO lets go of USAGI'S wrist, and demonstrates the next move.
MAKOTO
You have your arm close to your chest, so it's easier for you to move, and also harder for the other guy. What you want to do now is twist your body back, and at the same time throw your arm out, like this, directly away from him. All in one motion. Once you've done that, bring the arm back, bend it--
MAKOTO snaps her elbow back toward USAGI'S nose, careful not to make contact.
MAKOTO
-- and strike! Okay, now you try!
LUNA'S getting fed up with waiting, and walks toward the two. USAGI gives the move another try. Though her technique is still lacking in grace, it's improved noticably.
MAKOTO
That's better! Now give another try!
LUNA comes up just as USAGI is finishing her second attempt at the move. She growls loudly.
USAGI
Luna?
MAKOTO
Someone got lonely.
USAGI
Luna, not now.
LUNA, not to be shooed away again, gives a horrific shriek.
USAGI
Luna! Er, bad cat!
LUNA hisses.
USAGI
No, Luna!
LUNA hisses again, and growls.
USAGI
Uh, er, don't worry about her, she's just looking for attention.
MAKOTO
It's okay. We need to get back to class anyway.
USAGI
No, Luna's pushy, you can't give her any leeway.
LUNA growls again. MAKOTO looks at LUNA, surprised that LUNA seemed to understand that.
MAKOTO
No, we actually do have to go.
USAGI
Oh. . . Well, it was nice finally talking to you, er. . .
MAKOTO
Makoto.
USAGI
Ah! Usagi!
USAGI extends her hand. MAKOTO, not used to handshakes, extends her hand tentatively.
MAKOTO
I know. You told me yesterday. And just now.
USAGI
(sheepishly)
Oh!
USAGI laughs. MAKOTO lets go of USAGI'S hand, bows, and exits, leaving USAGI and LUNA in a tense silence.
USAGI
Please tell me you really did forget how to talk.
LUNA
(bitterly)
Okay, I really did forget how to talk.
(beat)
I cannot believe you!
USAGI
What was I supposed to do?
LUNA
Get rid of her! That, or we find somewhere else to talk!
USAGI
And what exactly ARE we talking about?!
LUNA
"What are we--"?! Where do we begin, Usagi? How about why you didn't transform last night?
USAGI
Transform into WHAT, Luna--?
LUNA
How about your missing friend? Have you even TRIED to find out what happened--?
USAGI
I TOLD you not to talk about her--!
LUNA
Fine, I won't!
(beat)
We'll start with all this stuff,
(points to the pile of papers)
which, incidentally, I hauled half way across the city for you to see!
USAGI
I already looked at it.
LUNA
No, you didn't, Usagi!
The school bell starts ringing.
USAGI
I have to get back to class.
LUNA
I'll be back after school. Until then, you hold on to all this.
USAGI
Why?
LUNA
Because it's YOURS now, Usagi! Besides, I'm not carrying it around all day!
USAGI sulks over toward the piles of stuff. She opens one of the compartments of her backpack, revealing an appalling clutter of worn books and crumpled notepaper.
LUNA
(to herself)
I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?
USAGI grabs the documents and tries to shove them in.
LUNA
USAGI!
USAGI
What?
LUNA
Be careful with those!
USAGI sighs. She pulls the cluttered notes forward, and slides in the documents behind them.
LUNA
Those are very important, Usagi. You mustn't lose them in there.
USAGI tries to wiggle the documents into the bag, ignoring LUNA.
LUNA
Usagi?
(beat)
Usagi!
USAGI
(drawn out)
Whaaaat?
Pause.
LUNA
(bitterly)
Usagi. . . Do you know what I was doing before I found you?
(pause)
I was imagining what you were like. What you looked and sounded like, where you lived, whether you were a schoolgirl or college student, whether you had a job, or a husband and children. All in preparation for our first meeting. (beat) And then I found you.
LUNA pauses to let her words sink in.
LUNA
I'll see you after school.
LUNA walks off. USAGI reaches over for the pens. She takes one of the pens in her hand and examines it. We cut to a close-up of the pen, which bears the classical symbol of Mars upon it. Holding on the pen, and then CUT TO:
Part #3: Every Day I Get in the Queue. . . To Get on the Bus That Takes Me to You.
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