Jonathan Campbell
10
The Man Through the Machine
The characters in this story, except for Jerry and Judy, are intellectual property of Kiyohiko Azuma. I am not making money off of this in any way, shape or form. I DO NOT OWN AZUMANGA DAIOH.
Characters (In order of appearance):
Jerry Emanuel Christian- The hero of our story. He is a twenty-one year old writer with shoulder length, black hair. Starting off, he is wearing a blue T-shirt and brown slacks. He is obsessed with the Anime, Azumanga Daioh. He is engaged to Judy Belle, who lives with him.
Judy Belle: Jerry's fiancé. She is a twenty-one year old clothing designer, who is frustrated with Jerry's obsession with Azumanga Daioh. She is wearing a red and orange calf length dress.
Mr. Mihama (Chiyo-Chichi): An orange cat-like creature, with rainbow colored arms, of unknown age or origin. He has the ability to shift his body's color based upon his mood. He is the one behind Jerry's arrival in the animated world, and serves as a sort of guide/helper to Jerry, and subsequently Ayumu. He is definitely male and can levitate.
Ayumu Kasuga: An incredibly pretty, nineteen year old Japanese girl, with shoulder length black hair, big, brown eyes and a penchant for non sequeters. She has a Kansai, southern Japanese, dialect. This would make her sound like someone from the deep, American south. Ayumu likes Jerry from the moment she lays eyes on him.
Scenes:
Jerry's Office: A large, cushy office, designed to accommodate Jerry's various collectibles, computers, bookshelves and futon. Due to his and Judy's wealth, they live in a lovely home. The door to the room is located at the back of the room and slightly to the right. The computer desks are against the wall opposite, and more to the left.
Jerry and Judy's Room: Jerry and Judy's bedroom.
Tokyo Bay: A large bay in Tokyo. Will focus on only a small part near the dock only.
The Dock: The dock where Jerry meets Mr. Mihama and Ayumu.
Kasuga Residence (Ayumu's Room): Ayumu's bedroom.
Part I- Jerry's Office
Scene: Jerry Christian has taken a break from writing his new novel, and is watching an episode of Azumanga Daioh.
Jerry: (Reclining back in his swivel chair, hands folded behind his head) (Sighs) Ah. What I wouldn't give to be part of this show.
(Door located behind Jerry opens and Judy walks in. Jerry is oblivious to her entrance)
Jerry: (Still watching Anime, laughs) Oh Tomo. God… (Jerry cheers) Go Yomi! Hit her again…AGAIN!!
(Judy walks quietly up behind Jerry and violently spins his chair around)
Jerry: (Trying to regain his composure) What the hell, Judy!!
Judy: (Clenching her fists at her side) Jerry Emanuel Christian!! You were watching that damn cartoon again, weren't you?
(Jerry raises an eyebrow at this)
Jerry: (Shrugs) First of all, it is called ANIME!! Second of all, I was taking a break. I DO work around here you know.
(Judy's shoulders slump)
Judy: (Shaking, about to cry) Yeah, but when you're not working on your book, you're watching cartoons. (Angrily) What about ME Jerry, you know, your fiancé? Where do I fit into the equation?
(Jerry starts to stand, and Judy backs up to let him)
(Jerry begins to pace in front of Judy)
Jerry: (Runs his hands through his hair) Judy, you know I love you, but this book has me stressed out and I need an outlet to vent that stress. Azumanga Daioh IS that outlet. If I were to have un-vented stress, it wouldn't be pretty.
(Judy crosses her arms and taps her left fingers on her right bicep, unconvinced)
Judy: (Throws her hands in the air and sighs) Fine, if THAT'S the story you want to use, then I'm leaving. When you want to tell me the REAL reason that you're obsessed with THAT (Points to the computer screen), then call me. Until then, I'm going to stay with my mother.
(Walks out the open door, and slams it shut) (Shouts) Burn in hell, Jerry Christian.
(Jerry falls back into the chair and stares down at the floor)
Jerry: (To self) So, she's really going this time. Well, good riddance!! I don't think I can take ONE more of her tirades…The bitch.
(Light dims on Jerry)
(Light brightens on Judy in Jerry and her bedroom. She is packing her suitcases full of clothes)
(Judy is fighting to get one of her suitcases closed)
(Judy leg drops the suitcase four times before it closes)
Judy: (To self) Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe I'm freaking out over nothing. (Clenches fists angrily) No, I've given him enough chances. That cartoon (Says cartoon as though she were spitting out acid) is more important to him than I am, so he can HAVE it. I hate him for this. (Sobs into her hands) We were going to be married. (Stares down at her ring)
(Light dims on Judy)
(Light brightens on Jerry, in office)
(Door opens and Judy enters)
(Jerry is staring down at the floor)
(Judy stops just inside the room)
(Jerry doesn't look up)
Judy: (With a touch of hate in her tone) Jerry. (Jerry doesn't acknowledge her presence) Here, you can have this back. (Judy takes off the ring and throws it at Jerry)
(The ring hits Jerry in the head, bounces off and lands at his feet)
(Jerry reaches down, picks up the ring, and pockets it)
(Judy turns and starts to walk out the door)
(Jerry stands and calls out to her)
Jerry: (Softly) Wait!
(Judy ignores the call and slams the door behind her, leaving tension between them)
(Judy exits stage)
(Jerry slumps back into his chair, not regretting that she left)
(Jerry spins around in his chair to face the computer)
Jerry: (Dully) (Pets the computer) At least I still have YOU, old friend. Now, let's watch us some more Azu.
(Jerry clicks on the next episode and begins watching)
Jerry: (Amused) Oh that Tomo… (Cringes) Ow! Hit her again Yomi! Hit her again!
(Lights flicker, Jerry looks around the room, and a swirling vortex appears on the screen)
(Jerry stares at it blankly)
Jerry: (Confused) What the hell?
(Moves mouse over it, but mouse can't penetrate the vortex)
(Vortex emerges from the screen, sucking Jerry and all of his belongings inside)
Part II Bay/Dock
(Jerry is deposited by the vortex into Tokyo bay)
(All of Jerry's belongings, neatly packed into suitcases, have been deposited onto the Dock)
(Jerry looks around him, realizes immediately that he is in a body of water and swims frantically for the surface)
(Jerry sees the closest thing passing for shore, the Dock, and swims towards it)
(Jerry reaches the Dock and pulls himself up onto it)
(Jerry looks around and sees Mr. Mihama)
Jerry: (Shocked) Holy!! You are…You are…
Mr. Mihama: (Nods) Yes, that is correct Christian-san.
Jerry: (Excitedly) Then this is…(Excited) THIS IS…(Confused) Wait a second, how'd you know my name?
(Mr. Mihama only smiles and crosses his arms)
Jerry: (Getting really hyper) Well, you ARE Mr. Mihama, and you know all and see all. (Jerry moves his fingers in front of him spookily)
(Jerry notices his hands, then his arms, walks over to the edge of the dock, and looks down to the water and sees is reflection)
Jerry: (Stammering) M…M…Mr. Mihama, am I animated?
Mr. Mihama: (Floats over to Jerry and puts an arm around him) Yes, my boy, you are. This, my son, (Makes a sweeping gesture) is the Azumanga world.
(Jerry is in awe and remains speechless for a few seconds. His only sounds are incoherent yammerings)
Mr. Mihama: (Looks up at Jerry) Are you going to be alright, Christian-san?
(Jerry begins to shake, then finally speaks…quite loudly)
Jerry: (Excitedly) Alright? Mr. Mihama, I'm (Even louder) GREAT!! (Picks up Mr. Mihama and dances around with him, crying tears of joy) Thank you Mr. Mihama! Thank you!!
(Mr. Mihama gets dizzy, swirly eyes and remains silent for a moment)
Mr. Mihama: (Dizzily) Y…Y…You're welcome. (Normally) I knew you love our world and obliged to bring you…(Jerry spins around with Mr. Mihama in his arms) HERE!!
(Jerry puts Mr. Mihama down)
Jerry: (Happily) So, did you deposit my things on this dock?
(Mr. Mihama rubs his head but happily answers)
Mr. Mihama: (Smiles happily) Yes, Christian-san, I did.
(Jerry turns and advances on Mr. Mihama angrily)
Jerry: (Furiously) (Shouting) So, why didn't you deposit ME here as well?!
Mr. Mihama: (Frightened) I knew you are a good swimmer.
Jerry: (Emphatically) That's no reason.
Mr. Mihama: (Timidly) (Bows) My apologies Christian-san.
(Jerry scans the horizon, steps back and kicks Mr. Mihama off the dock and far into the Bay)
Mr. Mihama: (Flying away) Enjoy your stay in Tokyo, Christian-san!
Jerry: (Sarcastically) Looks like Mihama blasted off again.
(Ayumu walks up behind Jerry then)
Ayumu: How'd you do that?
Jerry: (Turns around, eyes closed, rubbing the back of his head) Oh, its nothing. Its all in the legs… (Trails off)
(Jerry realizes who he's talking to and nearly faints)
Jerry: (Excited) Y…Y…You're Ayumu Kasuga!
Ayumu: (Blushes) Yes, I am. What's yer name? Yer quite cute.
(Jerry almost faints again)
(Jerry is staring at Ayumu and doesn't realize that she has said anything)
Jerry: (Absently) Huh? Wha?
Ayumu: (Giggles) Wow, yer almost as spacey as me. I asked how you can fly.
Jerry: (Attentive now) Well, as to your previous question: the name is Jerry Christian, my dear, and I didn't fly…I fell. Right into the bay.
(Ayumu is staring at him now)
Jerry: (Blushes a bit at her staring at him) I'm not from this world.
Ayumu: Yer an alien?!
Jerry: (Laughs at this) No, honey, I'm from a different dimension, but I'm definitely NOT an alien.
(Ayumu walks around him cocking her head, giving him the once over)
Jerry: (Informatively) Now, you are probably wondering how I knew your name. Well, you see… (Ayumu pokes him in the arm) Ow!! (Ayumu giggles and Jerry laughs)
Ayumu: (Sweetly) Hun, I'd better take you somewhere to get you out of them wet clothes.
Jerry: (Smiles) Where'd you have in mind?
(Ayumu takes him by the hand and begins to lead him away)
Ayumu: (Smiling devilishly) My house.
Jerry: (Slaps his forehead) What about my bags?
(Ayumu looks back to see the suitcases have vanished and that Mr. Mihama is floating there waving at her)
Ayumu: (Knowingly) (Indicating Mr. Mihama with her head) I think that orange kitty teleported them away.
Jerry: (Cocks an eyebrow and glances back to see Mr. Mihama floating and waving at him) (Mr. Mihama nods) (Jerry nods) To your house then, sweetie. I think my bags will be there.
Ayumu: (Turns to Jerry, who has turned back and is smiling at her) How do ya know?
Jerry: (Turning his head back to Mr. Mihama) Oh, I just know.
(Ayumu shrugs and leads him to her house)
Part III Kasuga Residence
(Ayumu and Jerry enter Kasuga Residence)
(Ayumu takes Jerry by the hand and leads him through the house)
Ayumu: (Shouts) Momma, Daddy I'm home. I've brung company.
(No one answers, and Ayumu shrugs then leads Jerry to her room to change)
(Ayumu and Jerry enter the room to find a pile of suitcases stacked against the left wall)
(Jerry begins to go through the bags, looking for T-shirts and jeans. Luckily, Mr. Mihama stacked them so that Jerry finds what he is looking for on his second try: a red T-shirt and blue jeans.)
Jerry: (To himself) Gosh, this is so surreal. I never would've imagined that I would be in the Azu world, let alone Ayumu's room. Could this be…Nah, there's no way this is a dream.
(Jerry gathers the garments and is led to the bathroom to change)
Ayumu: (To herself, after returning to her room) I wonder how he knew who I am. I never told him my name. Maybe he has mind reading powers, or maybe he's God. I'll ask him later.
(Jerry returns, dressed in his red shirt and blue jeans, empty handed, gaining a strange look from Ayumu)
Ayumu: (Curiously) Hun, where'd you put the wet clothes?
(Jerry sits on the bed and turns to answer the standing girl)
Jerry: (Calmly) I hung them over the shower curtain rod.
(Ayumu nods as though she does that all the time)
(Ayumu walks over and sits beside Jerry on the bed)
Ayumu: (Staring intently at Jerry) Jerry-san, how did you know who I am?
(Jerry takes Ayumu's hand in his, still not believing this is happening)
Jerry: (Takes a deep breath and begins) I come from an alternate dimension, as I said before, where you are a character in an Anime known as Azumanga Daioh. I am a huge fan. This is why I was tripping over my words before. (Takes another breath) I, along with all of my belongings, was sucked through a vortex that appeared in my computer screen. I landed in the bay. I believe that orange cat was behind my arrival here, though I don't know why. I couldn't speak any Japanese before, but here I am…talking to you as though I was born speaking it.
(Ayumu nods after he is done)
Ayumu: (Smiles) I believe you. Then again, I believe Chio-chan's pigtails control her mind. The others likely wont believe you, though I do. (Puts an arm around him)
Jerry: (Overcome with emotion, gets teary-eyed) Thank you, Ayumu. I didn't know if you would believe me or not. (Hugs her)
(Ayumu hugs back)
Ayumu: (Breaks the hug and gazes into his eyes) I hope ya like it here.
Jerry: (Gazes back at her) I'm going to have to, if I'm to live here. Even if somehow I find a way back, I have no reason to return.
Ayumu: (Cocks her head confused) You have no family or nothin?
(Jerry stares down at the floor grimly)
Jerry: (Sighs) I did until today. I had a fiancé, but she couldn't deal with my methods of stress relief, when breaking from writing. You see Ayumu, I am a professional writer, and my ex, Judy, didn't much care for the fact that I watched Anime, to be more precise YOUR Anime, when taking breaks, instead of spending time with her. It's not like we never did anything together, but I guess that's what I get for having a relationship with a fashion designer. (Sighs again) Other than her, I only have my mom, who lives in another state. We don't talk much.
(Ayumu rubs Jerry's shoulder to comfort him, and he relaxes a bit)
Ayumu: (Concerned) Why dontcha talk with your momma?
(Jerry rubs his chin thoughtfully)
Jerry: (Shrugs) I guess it's because she didn't approve of Judy. It's ironic that the person I push away is the very person who cares for my well being. (Laughs) And was she ever right about Judy.
Ayumu: (Puts her head on his shoulder) Well, now yer here in Tokyo, and you got nobody but that orange kitty and…me.
Jerry: (Smiles amidst tears) I doubt that Mr. Mihama will be around when I need him, but you…I'm so glad I met you. You're everything I ever hoped you'd be, and now that I met you, I don't want to go back to my "home". This IS my home now, and with you here I don't need anyone else.
(Ayumu blushes, smiles and kisses him lightly on the right cheek)
(Jerry melts and falls back on the bed)
Ayumu: (Thoughtfully) Did you say "Mihama" before?
Jerry: (Looking up at her) Yeah, I did. Why?
Ayumu: (Pondering) As in Chiyo Mihama?
Jerry: (Nods) Yep. The orange cat, where I come from, is known as Chiyo's father. He goes by Chiyo-Dad, Chiyo-Chichi or, as known by me, Mr. Mihama.
Ayumu: (Nods) So, what are you gonna do now?
Jerry: (Sighs) I'm going to go by an ATM to see if Mr. Mihama set up an account for me. Then, I guess I'll go look for a place, along with seeing if there are any writing jobs around here.
Ayumu: (Lays back next to him) Why not let me take you to dinner first? I mean, this way we can get to know each other and eat too.
Jerry: (Smiles and cuddles up to her) I'd like that. (Kisses her on the lips) I'd like that very much.
End
Curtain Falls