More Important Foreshadowing. Trust me!

Last Time. . .

We Now Continue.

CUT TO:

INT, Tokyo Sky Tree, Second Observatory

TAKASHI HINO, REI'S father, is pacing back and fourth behind a stage. The sounds of a PARTY can be heard in the background. HINO is reading from a notepad.

HINO

(quietly)

Despite continued hardship-- economic, political, even natural-- Japan remains committed to pushing back the boundaries of scientific and technological achievement. We built the Tokyo Sky Tree as a symbol of that commitment; now, we unveil the first of a--

HINO notices a group of SUITS approach him, lead by an elderly and intimidating looking political official, Hino's SENIOR. Hino stiffens, out of both respect and fear.

SENIOR

Minister Hino.

HINO bows deeply.

HINO

Minister! Good evening.

HINO bows again.

SENIOR

Yes. Good evening.

CUT TO:

An elevator door opening, revealing TOMOE. TOMOE steps out onto the upper observation deck. The place is swarming with the Tokyo political and social elite. Reluctantly, Tomoe advances, readying himself for the schmoozing to follow.

SENIOR(V.O.)

There have been some. . .

CUT TO:

HINO and SENIOR, backstage.

SENIOR

. . . regrettable things that have taken place today.

HINO knows what this coded language really means.

HINO

Sir--

SENIOR

It occured to us that, as a sign of respect, you might reconsider whether to give your speech tonight.

HINO

Sir, those comments. . . they were made two days ago. They've been taken out context--

SENIOR

There would be no shame if you were to decide not to give your speech tonight--

HINO

(interrupting)

How could I possibly know that something like this would--?

SENIOR

Respect, Takashi.

(beat, then slowly)

Show some goddamned respect. Do you understand me?

HINO is silenced.

SENIOR(V.O.)

-- as a symbol of that comittment, we now unveil the first--

CUT TO:

A few minutes later. The crowd is gathered in front of a small stage, where SENIOR is now delivering HINO'S speech.

SENIOR

-- of a series of new upgrades that will increase the transmission power and data hanlding capacity of the Tokyo Sky Tree, transforming it into an information hub unlike any the world has ever seen.

SENIOR goes on. We pan to HINO, who bitterly cradles a glass of liquor. After a moment, WAKAGI approaches.

WAKAGI

Minister?

HINO turns and fakes a smile.

HINO

Commissioner! I didn't realize you were invited!

WAKAGI

Actually, I'm not.

HINO

Then your trespassing!

(looking around)

Where's a cop when you need one?

(pulls in, quieter, tone becomes more serious)

What the hell are you doing here?

WAKAGI

Minist-

HINO

We have a separate line--

WAKAGI

That's what I needed to talk to you about.

HINO

Oh my God. How?

WAKAGI

(beat)

I don't know. But we have to get rid of it.

HINO

Then get rid of it!

(beat)

It's really been my day today, hasn't it?

WAKAGI

(bitterly)

It's been a lot of people's day today.

WAKAGI walks off. As Hino recovers from Wakagi's retort, we hear SENIOR once again.

SENIOR

Now where is he? Professor? Ah! There he is, Professor Souichi Tomoe!

HINO looks over toward TOMOE, standing next to a window, waving politely.

HINO(V.O.)

Professor?

CUT TO:

A few minutes later. The party is now well underway. HINO approaches TOMOE, who is looking out the window of the observation deck.

HINO

Professor?

TOMOE

I can hear you.

HINO is stung by this, yet another insult.

TOMOE

Takashi. Relax. You're one of the few people I can afford not be polite to. Consider it a compliment.

HINO relaxes, and then looks around.

TOMOE

I thought you were giving the speech tonight.

HINO

No. Change of plans.

HINO catches a glimpse of SENIOR.

HINO

Pompous ass. Thinks he's hot shit 'cause he used to hang with Mishima. "Respect." What the hell does he know about anime--?

TOMOE

(ignoring HINO)

I didn't think it was possible to see this far from a building.

HINO turns to TOMOE.

TOMOE

(excited)

This tower is six hundred thirty-four metres tall. That means it's visible from ninety kilometers away. Ninety kilometers! People can see us from ninety kilometers away! Can you believe that?

HINO

I suppose. . .

TOMOE

(abruptly)

Takashi. . . everyone--

(eyes the partygoers)

-- can see us up here.

TOMOE eyes HINO. He gets the message.

CUT TO:

INT, Bar

An upscale bar, packed with a mix of hip locals and foreigners. After a moment, we see BANDANA sitting at the bar, cradling a drink, much like HINO was a moment ago. She looks around, admiring some of the handsome men that have come out tonight. Eventually she spots one young man who bears a close resemblance to Sempai. BANDANA like. She tentatively prepares herself to approach the young man, but just as she's about to get up, she catches a glimpse of herself in the reflective bartop-- while she may have been beautiful once, age and illness has left their mark. Giving up on the idea of asking the man out, she pulls ou her cell phone. We can hear the sound of Sid Viscious' cover of "My Way" fade in as we

CUT TO:

INT, Tokyo Sky Tree, First Observatory

Another party, this time on the Sky Tree's larger lower deck. This party, consisting of scientists and laborers who actually did all the work that is being celebrated on the upper floor, is louder, rougher. . . in other words, more like a party. Amidsts the pariters, we see working class FREETER wailing into a karaoke machine, singing "My Way" in the most stereotypically Japanese way you could imagine. We pan to reveal HINO and TOMOE leaning against a wall.

HINO

Are you sure this isn't too loud?

TOMOE doesn't respond.

HINO

Tomoe-san?

TOMOE

It's perfect!

TOMOE starts nodding his head with the music.

HINO

I thought we were going somewhere else. Somewhere private.

TOMOE

No. I just wanted to get away from the suits.

A young boyfriend and girlfriend walk by TOMOE and HINO. The girl catches a glimpse of TOMOE'S eyepatch, and nods approvingly.

HINO

(in disbelief)

What the hell was that?

TOMOE

The patch!

HINO

Unbelievable. You could have lazy eye for all she knows.

(shakes head)

Damn kids.

TOMOE

How's yours?

HINO

What?

TOMOE

Rei! I didn't see her tonight.

HINO

Do you really need to ask?

TOMOE

(with music)

-all else to do!

(to HINO)

She's coming Friday night, right?

HINO

Yes, yes. Definitely. Firday is your night. I won't allow her to miss it.

TOMOE

"Won't allow her?"

HINO

Absolutely not.

TOMOE looks a HINO, disappointed in him.

HINO

By the way, congratulations!

From HINO'S pocket, we can see some flashing lights.

HINO

These upgrades are a major acheivement. At least from what I understand.

TOMOE

You understand more than I do. I'm just here to show my face for the Foundation.

HINO

You're far too humble, Tomoe-sensei.

TOMOE looks at HINO, and points to the flashing light in his pocket. HINO reaches in and pulls out a cell phone. Plugging one ear with his finger, TOMOE answers the phone.

TOMOE

Mushi-mushi?

(pause)

What?

(pause, then sharply)

You what?

TOMOE turns to HINO. HINO looks worried.

HINO

Why didn't you tell me?

(pause)

Of course I would want to know! You think I don't care-- look, hold on, I'll be right-- I'll be right there! Give me twenty minutes!

HINO hangs up,

HINO

(apologetically)

I'm. . .

(bows)

I'm sorry. I have to go. Forgive me.

TOMOE

I'll see you Friday.

HINO leaves.

HINO

(as he exits)

Rei too!

TOMOE looks around the room, and eventually spots a impressive looking bit of electronics along the central support beam of the tower. We walks over to take a closer look. He cut between him and his POV of the electronics. It is, supposedly, part of the upgrades to Tokyo Sky Tree. As he examines it, his look is. . . inscrutable. Is he confused by the electronics? Intrigued? We hold on Tomoe and then

CUT TO:

Tomoe, once again looking out over the city, somehow. . . revitalized.

CUT TO:

To Be Continued.