JET SET RADIO "Wishes out of Airplanes"
(#8)
Final Draft
February 24, 2012
COPYRIGHT 2012 SEGA
FADE IN:
EXT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
PAN of FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM. The camera ZOOMS IN on part of it.
INT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
We see TWO NOISE TANKS carrying a prisoner, JAZZ, over to a cage guarded by another NOISE TANK.
NOISE TANK 1
Hey, Soda!
The NOISE TANK stationed near the cage, SODA, looks up.
SODA
Yeah, what is it?
SODA turns to look at the two NOISE TANKS and their PRISONER.
SODA
You caught another Rudie?
NOISE TANK 1
Yeah, we found her just inside the stadium. We couldn't get any information outta her, but maybe you'll have better luck.
NOISE TANK 2
She was probably tryin' to sabotage the construction, like all the other Rudies who come here.
SODA
Was she part of a gang?
NOISE TANK 1
I don't think so. I didn't see any other Rudies around.
NOISE TANK 2
That's 'cause you never looked, dimwit!
The two NOISE TANKS, with a considerable amount of effort, force JAZZ into the cage.
NOISE TANK 1
(to JAZZ)
We'll be back with the Rokkaku Police, and they'll take you to the Fortified Residential Zone. They're takin' forever to get here! You'd better stay in there!
NOISE TANK 1 starts to skate OFF-SCREEN.
NOISE TANK 2
Of course she'll stay in there! Where d'you think she'd go?
(as he skates OFF-SCREEN)
Why do I always get assigned with the stupid ones?
SODA and JAZZ look on as the two NOISE TANKS leave.
JAZZ
I know it's a longshot I'll get an answer, but why are you Noise Tanks doin' this?
SODA
Huh?
SODA perks up and looks at JAZZ.
SODA
I really don't know.
JAZZ
Those Noise Tanks mentioned the Rokkaku Police. Are you guys in league with them?
SODA
Sorta, but not really.
JAZZ
What d'you mean, "not really"?
SODA
The leader of my gang, Fuse, sold the gang to Rokkaku.
JAZZ
Why would he want to work for Rokkaku?
MONTAGE: THE NOISE TANKS' HISTORY
CUT TO:
INT. FORTIFIED RESIDENTIAL ZONE-UNKOWN TIME
We see some NOISE TANKS disassembling one of ROKKAKU'S machines and another GROUP on a computer accessing data.
SODA (VOICEOVER)
The Noise Tanks were real good with both hardware and software, and we caused a lot of trouble for Rokkaku though hacking and sabotage. We were also the largest gang; we have around forty members. 'Cause of those things, Rokkaku viewed us as the biggest threat to his power.
JAZZ (VOICEOVER)
So what happened?
CUT TO:
INT. ROKKAKU'S HQ-UNKNOWN TIME
We see a NOISE TANK talking with ROKKAKU.
SODA (VOICEOVER)
Rokkaku managed to convince our leader to sell the Noise Tanks to him. In addition to money, the Noise Tanks would get cybernetics.
JAZZ (VOICEOVER)
Cyber-what?
SODA (VOICEOVER)
Robotic parts. Rokkaku also promised Fuse that once we got rid of the other gangs, he'd let us still be a gang as long as we didn't get in his way.
JAZZ
I'll admit that sounds like a good deal, but did the rest of the gang agree?
SODA
Some of us did, some of us didn't. I thought it was a stupid idea. You can't trust Rokkaku.
JAZZ
You're right.
SODA
Apparently Fuse got some promotion or somethin'.
JAZZ
Really? Like what?
SODA
I'm just a grunt. I don't know the details of it. These days, I don't know most of what goes on here: what we're doin' and why, our main goal-the Noise Tanks have really changed for the worse.
JAZZ
If you don't know what's goin' on, why work for them at all?
SODA blinks in surprise.
CUT TO:
INT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
Both JAZZ and SODA are asleep. SODA, who is leaning against the bars of the cage, slowly wakes up. We see his eyes flicker open, and he turns to JAZZ.
SODA gently taps JAZZ'S shoulder. After a moment, JAZZ wakes up.
JAZZ
(groggily)
Huh? What're you doin'?
SODA
What you said made me think. Let's get outta here.
That wakes JAZZ up. She quickly gets to her feet.
JAZZ
What?
SODA reaches into the cage and snaps the lock. The door swings open and JAZZ skates out.
JAZZ
Whoa, you're really strong!
SODA
Cybernetics do that. Now let's go!
SODA grabs JAZZ'S hand, practically drags her out of the cage, and skates OFF-SCREEN.
CUT TO:
INT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
JAZZ
Either we're havin' really good luck or they know we escaped and set some kind of trap. We haven't seen any other Noise Tanks yet.
SODA
I know the spots they're supposed to guard. We shouldn't encounter any Noise Tanks.
JAZZ
That's good.
SODA
There's an exit up ahead.
JAZZ
Are you leavin' the gang for good?
SODA
Yeah. The Noise Tanks just aren't what they used to be.
JAZZ
Where are you gonna stay?
SODA
Don't know yet.
JAZZ
(smiles)
Well, I know a few good places around here to spend the night.
CUT TO:
EXT. 99th STREET ROOFTOP-NIGHT
SODA and JAZZ are sitting on top of the roof of a tall building, overlooking the BENTEN-CHO SKYLINE. Only BENTEN-CHO is visible; we cannot see that it's still day in SHIBUYA-CHO and evening in KOGANE-CHO.
JAZZ
Whenever I can, I like to go onto the rooftops in Benten-Cho and look at the skyline. Benten-Cho is so beautiful, isn't it? I'm glad it's always night here.
SODA
I never thought about it. I can see what you mean, though.
JAZZ stares off at the sky.
SODA
I wish things were simpler. I miss bein' a Rudie for the sake of bein' a Rudie, not to do Rokkaku's dirty work. I'm glad I left the Noise Tanks.
JAZZ
Look, Soda! A star is out tonight!
JAZZ points to a small white speck in the sky.
SODA
So?
JAZZ
You don't see 'em too often. 'Sides, I've heard in some places people wish on shooting stars for good luck.
SODA
Really?
JAZZ
I guess people just need somethin' to wish on. I could really use a wish right now.
SODA
I'm pretty sure that's an airplane.
JAZZ
Then, I'll wish on an airplane.
SODA shrugs. There's a silent moment, then…
JAZZ
Sometimes we become so focused on stayin' alive, we forget what it's like to be alive. I never want that to happen to me.
SODA gazes off, thinking about what JAZZ said. He unzips his Noise Tank uniform revealing his clothes underneath, and throws it off the roof.
We see the uniform floating down from the roof, out of sight.
After a quick silent moment, SODA turns to JAZZ.
SODA
Yeah, me neither.
CUT TO:
EXT. 99th STREET ROOFTOP-NIGHT
The SCREEN is completely black. We can't see anything.
GUM (VOICEOVER)
Hey, wake up!
(to CORN)
I wonder what these two were doin'?
CORN (VOICEOVER)
It looks like they had a long night. Let's see if they know more about this place.
ROBOY (VOICEOVER)
I don't wanna wait. Let's just wake them up now!
(to SODA and JAZZ)
Hey, wake up!
The blackness fades, revealing the blurry figures of GUM, CORN and ROBOY standing over them. The blur gradually disappears as the screen becomes brighter.
SODA
Who are you?
CORN
I'm Corn, leader of the GGs, and this is Gum and Roboy. We're tryin' to fix Roboy; we think he has a virus. The last data chip I found was an improvement, but it didn't solve the problem. I think we need an anti-virus chip.
GUM
The problem is, we've looked all over the Fortified Residential Zone and we haven't found anything like that. We figured we'd try our luck here.
ROBOY
I suggested it. The Noise Tanks hang around here a lot, so they'd probably have that kind of tech-and if they didn't, they'd know where to get it.
SODA
Yeah, like they'd help you.
CORN
What d'you mean by that?
JAZZ
Soda, most Rudies don't know that the Noise Tanks sided with Rokkaku.
ROBOY
What?
GUM
Why would they do that?
SODA
It's a long story.
GUM
Anyways, would either you know anything useful?
JAZZ
We just escaped last night. Also, Soda probably knows a lot about this place. We'll help you.
SODA
(in a whisper)
Jazz, what're you doin'?
JAZZ
(in a whisper)
We got nothin' better to do, nor anywhere better to go. Why not help these guys out?
SODA
(in a whisper)
If you say so.
SODA
(to CORN)
Okay, we're in.
CUT TO:
INT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
The GGS, SODA and JAZZ quickly skate from behind one wall to another. Down a nearby hallway, we can see a huge, snakelike MECH patrolling.
JAZZ
(to SODA)
Is it me, or does this place have even more security than it did yesterday?
SODA
(to JAZZ)
That's probably 'cause you escaped. There aren't usually this many Noise Tanks on patrol, and there are definitely more Rokkaku Police squads, too.
SODA
Down that way is where the Noise Tanks keep their programs. We could probably find an anti-virus chip in there.
GUM
Yeah, there's one problem with that. That mech is huge; it takes up almost the entire hallway! How the heck are we gonna get past it without bein' seen?
CORN
I don't think we can. I think the only way we can get past it is if we shut it down.
SODA
And how will you do that?
CORN
Look how huge its mouth is. One of us could easily fit inside there. The hard part would be keepin' the mouth open long enough for one of us to get in there and shut it down from the inside.
JAZZ
That's a good idea! It's way too big for us to fight otherwise.
GUM
What would we use to keep its mouth open?
SODA
I know exactly what to use.
GUM
Good. I'll distract it.
GUM skates over to the MECH and sprays it. The MECH lunges at her, but GUM leaps aside.
While GUM is distracting the MECH, SODA pulls a metal bar out of the still-in-construction wall.
CORN
(impressed)
Whoa! How did you do that?
SODA
I'll explain later.
(to GUM)
I'm ready! Get it to turn around!
GUM leads the MECH so it's facing SODA. It lunges, and SODA jams the metal bar into its mouth.
CORN
Great! Now's my chance!
CORN scrambles inside the MECH'S mouth.
INT. MECH'S MOUTH-NIGHT
It's a fairly dark and narrow space, but it's just wide enough that CORN can crawl through it.
CORN crawls over to the hard drive.
CORN
This must be where the main programming is. Time for some sabotage!
CORN sprays the hard drive until it begins to spark.
INT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
Smoke is coming out of the MECH as it emits sparks.
JAZZ
He did it!
GUM
This is Corn you're talkin' about; of course he did it!
CORN climbs out of the MECH'S mouth, coughing.
CORN
Good *cough* job, everyone! *cough*
JAZZ
Hey, Roboy's been kinda quiet. Is he okay?
CORN goes over to ROBOY. We can see that ROBOY'S lights are very dim.
CORN
He's almost shut down.
(to ROBOY)
Hang in there, we'll get that data chip!
GUM
Where do we go from here?
SODA
Just keep goin' down the hall. Take a left and you'll see it.
JAZZ
All right, let's hurry!
JAZZ, SODA and GUM skate off. CORN stays by ROBOY'S side as he skates, helping him along.
SODA turns and skates around a corner. He stops at a door.
SODA
This is the room.
CORN
Great. Now, how are we gonna get in?
SODA turns the doorknob and pushes the door knob.
SODA
Ever heard of usin' a doorknob?
GUM
The Noise Tanks leave the doors unlocked?
SODA
They don't expect anyone to get past the security, so they don't bother to lock the doors.
CUT TO:
INT. NOISE TANK PROGRAMMING ROOM-NIGHT
It's a relatively large room. There's a few computers set up on a long platform that wraps around most of the wall. There are many file cabinets and two closets in the walls.
CORN is standing over ROBOY, inserting in the new data chip.
CORN
(as he puts it in)
Let's hope this works!
CORN is about to put in the data chip, when…
GUM
Hey! Someone's comin'!
CORN
Huh?
CORN looks up. We see a SILHOUETTE in the doorway. SODA and JAZZ duck under the platform. GUM helps CORN move ROBOY under it.
A NOISE TANK enters the room and goes over to one of the computers. He sits down in one of the chairs.
CORN
(in a whisper)
Shoot! He's right in front of us. Sooner or later, he's gonna notice we're here.
JAZZ
(in a whisper)
We'll have to get rid of him somehow.
SODA
(in a whisper)
Leave it to me.
SODA grabs the chair and flings it to the floor, knocking the NOISE TANK off the chair-and knocking him out.
The four RUDIES crawl out from under the platform and stand up.
SODA
Piece of cake.
CORN snaps in the data chip. ROBOY'S lights flash briefly, then return to full brightness. ROBOY stands up.
ROBOY
Hey, thanks for that. I feel much better now!
CORN
Hey, don't stand up just yet. I need to put your back plate on.
CORN picks up ROBOY'S back plate off the floor and screws it on ROBOY.
CORN
What else should we take with us? I bet we could use a lot of the things in here.
SODA
We don't have time for that. It won't take long for someone to notice the mech we busted.
GUM
Good point. Let's go!
THE GGS, JAZZ and SODA skate out the door.
INT. FUTURE SITE OF THE ROKKAKU EXPO STADIUM-NIGHT
GUM
Soda, what's the quickest way outta here?
SODA
There's an exit not far from here. Follow me!
SODA continues down the hall, with the others following him. Soon, an ALARM goes off.
JAZZ
They must've noticed the broken mech!
SODA
See? I knew it wouldn't take them long.
CORN
Well, at least they don't know where we are.
SODA suddenly stops. GUM nearly crashes into him.
GUM
What was that about?
SODA
We can't go this way! More and more Noise Tanks are comin'!
CORN
Well, is there another way?
SODA
There's lots of ways.
SODA and the OTHERS round a couple corners.
SODA
We're close to an exit.
GUM looks over her shoulder. We can hear the NOISE TANKS skating after them.
GUM
Good. We got the Noise Tanks on our tail!
JAZZ
There it is!
Up ahead, we can see a metal door. SODA hastily pushes through the door. GUM, ROBOY, JAZZ and CORN follow.
CUT TO:
EXT. 99th STREET-NIGHT
CORN
Once again, thanks for your help today. I don't think we would've gotten that data chip without you two.
SODA
No problem.
JAZZ
Y'know what, Corn? I think I'll join your gang. For good, I mean.
CORN
Well, we'd be glad to have you.
(to SODA)
What about you?
SODA
Why not? If Jazz joined, then I will, too.
The camera ZOOMS OUT. All we can see is the GGS silhouetted against the 99th STREET skyline, skating back to THE GARAGE.
FADE OUT
THE END
If you want a true "Saturday Morning Cartoon" feel, "watch" the intro before each episode!
The inspiration for the conversation between Soda and Jazz was very loosely inspired by the scene with Amy and Gamma aboard the Egg Carrier in Sonic Adventure. I'll willingly admit I take a bit of Sonic influence with some scenes (you might have noticed it already in some of the earlier episodes-it's a lot more obvious in some).
Speaking of inspiration, I heard the song "Airplanes" and I thought it fit this episode PERFECTLY! It's a great song; there's a link to it in the DeviantART version of this fanfic. The original name for this episode was "Teching Out",a pun that made me cringe while typing it. I don't mind using punny episode names (it's pretty much a staple of cartoons, and has been since the forties), but I try not to make them that cheesy.
In the original story, back when I planned this as a series of twelve vignettes (one about each member of the GGs) instead of a cartoon, this was Soda's story (I forget which story was Jazz's story-this might've actually been hers instead!)
I'm sure a few people were shocked by the "Soda is a Noise Tank" part, but I think it makes sense, especially when you consider that you find him in Highway Zero, which happens to be the Noise Tank's territory.
Next Saturday Morning:
The GGs go back to the Future Site of the Rokkaku Expo Stadium to stop the delivery of vital supplies to it, but things go from bad to worse as their mission continues! Find out what happens next Saturday morning in "For Your Convoyance"!
