[A/N: Hello. I used to do screenwriting for amateur films back in my youth and missed the format, so I thought something like this could be a fun exercise. This is an imaginary screenplay for a "lost episode" of the Eva TV series, set between episodes 15 and 16 on the timeline, to be posted in two parts. It draws from episode 14 and foreshadows 16 and 17 slightly, so a rewatch might be in order if you have the time. I did my best with the imagery used in the corresponding animation to my writing as being true to the show, hope it comes through to you. It has music cues, a complete playlist can be found here:
youtube /watch?v=9H-hg8cYMhY&list=PLr9JpzxSTB6i0I423Zsnz3XaOPdwFr7sn
Thank you.]
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION EPISODE 15.5: (The Mirror's Truth/"We also feel the pain of being human.")
INT: APARTMENT, NIGHT
[Several establishing shots of characters' apartment at nighttime. In the distance, a train goes by.]
INT: MISATO'S ROOM
[Overhead shot of MISATO KATSURAGI lying on her bed in the dark quiet, still wearing her NERV uniform. She looks tired, but her expression is also restless and bothered. We see quick flashes of what RYOJI KAJI has recently shown her – the crucified giant in Terminal Dogma, "Adam", the first Angel – and the man who showed it to her.]
MISATO KATSURAGI (V.O.)
Adam. The First Angel, the subject of my father's work, is being kept here. Only the people at the very top know about it. And Kaji, of all people, revealed it to me…
[She rolls over and begins speaking out loud.]
MISATO
I know we made the Evas from what we learned from Adam, but is there more to it? Just what are we letting these kids pilot?
[Music cue: Childhood Memories Shut Away]
[Her thoughts are interrupted by the strains of a cello singing through the walls. In the next room, SHINJI IKARI sits on his bed and performs Bach's "Suite No. 1 Prelude in G major", with a content look on his face. We watch him for several seconds, then return to Misato in her room, who begins narrating again.]
MISATO (V.O.)
Shinji's been through so much lately…I may not know how he fits into the Commander's plan, but I hope he can find the resolve to continue piloting, for all our sakes. Whatever happens, we need him. We need all of them.
[As the cello continues, the camera moves out to the living room, past PEN PEN sleeping in his fridge, then into a similar overhead lying in bed shot of ASUKA LANGLEY SORYU clutching a pillow. Her face is partially concealed, but we can tell she's wearing an expression of annoyance.]
ASUKA LANGLEY SORYU
Both of them are so weird. As if HE wasn't annoying enough, the First Child's a complete mystery…just why did she become an Eva pilot?
[Flash of a scene of REI AYANAMI before a first person shot of Asuka looking up at the ceiling, as Shinji often did in this room. She finally rolls over.]
ASUKA
Verdächtig.
TITLE CARD: THE MIRROR'S TRUTH
INT: SCHOOL, DAYTIME
[School begins the next day as usual. After some outdoor establishing shots, a view of TOJI SUZUHARA's feet inside reveals he is carrying something, and he sets it down with a grunt. We next arrive at the classroom, where Shinji, Toji and KENSUKE AIDA are gathered around Shinji's desk. Midway through their conversation, Asuka enters the classroom and passes them by.]
SHINJI IKARI
Thanks for helping me carry my cello in, Toji.
TOJI SUZUHARA
Aw, don't mention it. So, you're going to try out for the school orchestra tomorrow then?
SHINJI
Uh, yeah…I've never been in a school that had one. It's been a long time since I've played with anyone else.
KENSUKE AIDA
We didn't even know you played, Shinji!
TOJI
Yeah, there's no need to be so modest. Eva pilot, musician, chef…what else can he do?
SHINJI
I don't know about that-
ASUKA
Well, if you ask me, it's about time you found some way to apply yourself. Lying around Misato's apartment with your headphones on is really starting to get on my nerves.
[Shinji looks embarrassed and looking for something to say, but everyone notices when the classroom door opens dramatically. Rei steps into class and takes her seat by the window, seeming completely unaffected by the world around her, as usual. This doesn't escape the notice of Asuka, who sits down at her desk, but keeps her eyes on Rei. Asuka starts whispering to Shinji.]
ASUKA
Don't you think there's something strange about her? She's been gone for three days, and now she's back here like nothing happened. And there was the experiment before that…
SHINJI
She's just always been like that. I've never seen her go out of her way for anyone or anything…except my father.
ASUKA
Yeah, that's another thing I don't get. Why her before either of us? At least his own son had a personality…
[Shinji looks struck at his own mention, then we see Asuka's view of Rei across the classroom followed by a close up.]
ASUKA
This whole thing is confusing.
INT: NERV HEADQUARTERS COMMAND CENTER, DAY
[The camera pans down from the ceiling to the NERV command center, with Misato, RITSUKO AKAGI, GENDO IKARI, KOZO FUYUTSUKI and MAYA IBUKI gathered around over the glass floor that overlooks the Geofront landscape. Images of the 10th Angel, Sahaquiel, appear before them and the viewer.]
GENDO IKARI
We experienced our first encounter with an orbital Angel. Is this an indication of more spacebound Angels to come?
RITSUKO AKAGI
Unknown, sir. We have begun exploring options for interfacing the Evangelions for space travel, but it would be a difficult endeavor. A new type of equipment would need to be developed for a vacuum, as well as a method of safely transporting an Eva to such an elevation.
MAYA IBUKI
We're still thinking about how to get the Evas airborne, but we do have a new set of armor for space combat that will be ready for testing with Unit-01 soon, along with a system update for the software.
GENDO
Commence testing as soon as possible. Move it up in the schedule. We cannot be too prepared to face the Angels.
RITSUKO
Understood.
MISATO
How can the Angels escape our notice like this and make it into space? I wish we knew what the hell we were up against.
[She shoots Ritsuko a look.]
RITSUKO
We've seen remarkable physiology from the Angels. The next Angel could be anything, Major. Just be happy we've got the ability to adapt.
MISATO
I suppose so. That's one difference between the Angels and us…
GENDO
Both of you are dismissed to begin your preparations. We await your results.
MISATO, RITSUKO (IN UNISON)
Yes, sir.
[Close-up on Gendo's face, with Fututsuki standing behind him, as we hear Misato, Ritsuko and Maya walk away. After a pause, Fuyutsuki finally speaks.]
KOZO FUYUTSUKI
Ikari…do you really have any idea what the Angels are capable of?
GENDO
As the commander of NERV, I've been entrusted with the duty of facing mankind's enemy. Making sure we are well-equipped for the task is an important project.
FUYUTSUKI
Of course…I know which of your projects is most important.
INT: SCHOOL, AFTERNOON
[Music cue: Childhood Memories Shut Away]
[From outside the door to the school music room, we can again hear the cello. Inside, Shinji practices his instrument alone with the chairs stacked up around him, with a similar expression of contentment as we saw him wearing last night. Outside the room, Rei watches him through a small window in the door for a long moment.]
ASUKA
There you are, Ayanami!
[Rei stops watching Shinji and turns to see Asuka, who has approached her.]
ASUKA
Just what are you doing here, acting like a creepy stalker? You're watching HIM, aren't you?
REI AYANAMI II
Just as you have been watching me, Pilot Soryu.
[Asuka is taken aback for a moment.]
ASUKA
And just how the hell do you know that?! There's something fishy about you, Wondergirl! You've been absent for three days, which I find very suspicious! And you still haven't answered my question!
REI II
Ikari.
[Rei flashes back to the conversation she and Shinji had in the elevator, when she told him he embarrassed her.]
REI II
I…do not know. I am here, but have no pressing reason.
ASUKA
A likely story! First, your Eva acts crazy when Shinji tests with it, and now you're spying on him. If you weren't always with the commander, I'd say you've got it in for his son!
REI II
I do not wish to harm Ikari. In the past I have protected him. As I was ordered to do.
ASUKA
But you weren't ordered to watch Shinji…hard to believe you made that choice.
[Rei looks down and seems to consider Asuka's words.]
REI II
Choices. You make many of your own choices, without being ordered. You chose to follow me. Why is that?
[Asuka's face turns red as her line of questioning is turned around on her. After recovering, she starts getting in Rei's face.]
ASUKA
I-I'm the one asking the questions here, Wondergirl! And you're still the suspicious one! Can't you give a straight answer for once in your life?
[Rei watches Asuka for a second before her eyes slightly narrow.]
REI II
You seek the truth about me. But there are no easy answers. Even the truth about your own thoughts and feelings eludes you. If you can't understand that, you will not understand my bond to him.
[Hearing this only enrages Asuka further. She points accusingly at Rei before she rears back and haughtily puts her hands on her hips in a familiar pose of defiance.]
ASUKA
Grr…if that's the way it is, then you can have him! But if I can't understand you, gott in himmel knows how someone as oblivious as him possibly could! I guess you two really deserve each other!
[She turns around and stomps off with one last "Dummkopf!" while Rei watches her go with a blank expression. Inside the music room, Shinji finally opens his eyes from playing his music to notice Rei through the window. This startles him to the extent that he loses his place in the song and knocks over his stand, sending sheet music flying everywhere. When he rights himself and looks back at the window, Rei is gone. He appears confused and unsettled by what he thinks he's seen.]
INT: MISATO'S APARTMENT, NIGHT
[After another outside establishing shot, we see Shinji working on dinner in the kitchen while Misato, dressed down after her day at work, sits at the table with a beer, again lost in thought. In the background we can hear the shower running, presumably occupied by Asuka. Pen Pen waddles by the bathroom and takes a look at the door before his thought process is interrupted by Misato.]
MISATO
No funny business, Pen Pen.
PEN PEN
Wark.
[He finally starts back towards his fridge when the phone rings.]
MISATO
I'll get it!
[As Pen Pen enters his fridge, Misato's feet pass him by in the foreground on her way to the phone.]
MISATO
Hello?
[On the other end is Ritsuko, sitting at her desk in the lab.]
RITSUKO
Drinks are on you this weekend, Misato. I've really outdone myself this time.
MISATO
The new updates to Unit-01 are ready for testing already?
RITSUKO
They will be around midday tomorrow. We thought it would take longer, but I'm lucky to have such a dedicated staff helping me out.
[At an adjacent terminal, Maya starts and blushes, out of Ritsuko's sight. On her end of the phone, Misato wears a concerned expression.]
MISATO
Tomorrow…that's going to be a problem for Shinji.
RITSUKO
You heard the commander's orders. Unfortunately for him, we don't have much choice. I can be the bearer of bad news, if you like. But remember what I said about drinks next time.
[Misato pulls the receiver away, looks up forlornly for a moment and sighs to herself.]
MISATO
Shinji! Phone!
SHINJI
Coming!
[He enters the living room, still wearing his chef's apron, and takes the receiver. While he's talking, we only see his half of the conversation, with his face staying out of the shot.]
SHINJI
Hello? Hi, Ritsuko! Oh…but- I see. But I- my father? …I understand. I'll see you tomorrow.
[Shinji hangs up the phone before setting it back down on the cradle. We finally see his face as he looks down at the phone – his expression one of frustration and sadness.]
SHINJI
Father…why are you doing this?
INT: NERV HEADQUARTERS, PRIBNOW BOX, DAY
[Our first establishing shot shows us Eva Unit-01 mounted on the wall in the testing chamber. We can see the NERV technicians operating in the control room and hear their preparations to begin the test.]
TECH 1
All drivers updated. Eva interface software successfully reinstalled.
TECH 2
Type-V equipment installation is complete. No compatibility issues detected.
MAYA
Absolute borderline has been cleared. Synchronization has been established and Eva Unit-01 has been activated. Although, Shinji's synch ratio is a little lower than last measured…
RITSUKO
It could be some residual effects from the last experiment with Unit-00…Shinji, how does the updated system feel? Any problems?
[Shinji sits inside the entry plug, wearing his plug suit.]
SHINJI
No problems detected, Ritsuko. Just feels like Unit-01, as usual.
RITSUKO (V.O.)
In any case, it's adequate to perform the test. Stand by while we initiate complete nerve connections.
SHINJI
Roger.
[Shinji cuts off the comm as the familiar flashes of light and color swoop around him as the Eva interface resets. During this, Shinji drops his serious expression and allows the cracks in his facade to break through.]
SHINJI
I could be there right now…if it wasn't for him.
[A flash of Shinji and Gendo's recent visit to Yui's gravesite. His father's words about what he learned from Yui echo in his mind.]
SHINJI
I don't even remember anything about her, but I can't help but wonder, would she approve? Of me, of my father, of all this. We're doing the right thing, aren't we, mother?
[Back in the control room, Ritsuko looks over Maya's shoulder at the instrument readings.]
MAYA
His ratio is still erratic…no major fluctuations, but not holding steady.
RITSUKO
Could the new software update have had an effect on our interface systems? It could be in the code…
[Misato, who has been silently leaning against a wall behind the technicians, finally speaks up.]
MISATO
I'd say it has more to do with the change in schedule. His feelings must feel pretty hurt. Today was supposed to be special.
[Her words are interrupted by the klaxon of the emergency alarm.]
MISATO
What's going on? Have we lost control of the Eva?
[Maya hangs up her phone.]
MAYA
Negative, Major! It's a new Angel sighting!
MISATO
An Angel?! You've got to be kidding! Abort the test and prepare Unit-01 for combat operations!
RITSUKO
Shutting down simulation systems…no!
[The nerve pulse indicators suddenly break and begin flowing backward. The sound of an engine dying fills the room, as the lights in the test chamber containing Unit-01 die out.]
RITSUKO
Status report!
MAYA
The Eva shut down on its own before we could send the termination signal! It's no longer responding to any transmissions!
MISATO
How's Shinji?
TECH 1
We're no longer receiving any kind of signal from the entry plug! Last recorded readings show him as fine, but we can't reach him. The Eva is completely dark.
MISATO
Dammit! Of all the times…it's like the Eva reacted on its own.
RITSUKO
Now's not the time for speculation, Major. We have more pressing matters on our hands.
[Like yesterday, Misato shoots Ritsuko an accusatory look.]
MISATO
Of course. I need to head to the bridge. As Operations Director, I request you restore contact with Unit-01 and its pilot as soon as possible, Doctor. We may need him out there.
[Misato turns and leaves the room in a hurry. As the door closes behind her, Ritsuko grimly chuckles.]
RITSUKO
Why don't you tell me something I don't know, Misato.
INTERMISSION TITLE CARD
Next: SELAPHIEL
