ACT II, SCENE 5
EXT. THE SKIES OVER KANTO
ASH and DAISY continue their search for PIKACHU, flying at high speed on the back of a large, fire-breathing lizard.
ASH: Only one more town to go.
DAISY: Darling, Pikachu could be anywhere by now. He could be lost in the woods, or in a dark cave.
ASH: Don't worry, he knows Flash.
DAISY: That's not what I'm worried about. Look at you! You've got bags under your eyes, you can barely sit up straight—you're in no condition to fight for your title. You oughtta call in sick, or something. It's better than risking your job.
ASH: I know, I know. Just gimme one more chance, okay? If I can't get any leads in Viridian, I'll try again tomorrow.
DAISY: What about work?
ASH: I can't blow it off. I'll have to catch a nap in my office between fights.
DAISY: Alright. Just don't make a habit of wrecking your health. I don't wanna marry a corpse.
INT. VIRIDIAN CITY POKEMON CENTER
Enter ASH and DAISY. Everyone in the waiting room recognizes the new Pokemon Champion. They clap and cheer. ASH marches straight to the front desk, ignoring them.
NURSE JOY: Can I help you?
ASH: Yeah. I was wondering if a Pikachu came in here last night. It would've been out of its Poke Ball, probably zapping everyone in sight.
NURSE: I don't recall any zapping, but there was a young man with a Pikachu, very ill. Poor thing died on the operating table. We tried to get a hold of its owner while it was still hanging on, but he had vanished before he could say goodbye.
ASH: The young man. What did he look like?
NURSE: He looked like...well, a lot like your girlfriend. Pointing to DAISY.
ASH and DAISY: Gary!
DAISY: He was here! Gary was here. Maybe he's still in town.
ASH: Who gives a Muk about Gary? Pikachu's dead, and it's all your brother's fault.
DAISY: You don't know that! Maybe Gary was trying to save his life. He took him to the Poke Center, didn't he?
ASH: Stop defending that murderer. Pikachu's life didn't need saving before Gary got his paws on him. He was healthy as a Horsea when I saw him last.
DAISY: Why don't we find out the cause of death before jumping to conclusions, huh?
ASH: Fine. Nurse, how did that Pikachu die?
NURSE: One moment, please. She rifles through a filing cabinet and pulls out a folder. Here we go. According to the coroner's exam, the Pokemon sustained several bites from a wild Ratata. However, these wouldn't have killed him if he hadn't been severely exhausted and confused at the time. Frowning. His trainer must've worked him to death.
DAISY glares at ASH. ASH begins to weep.
ASH: What have I done?
DAISY: I refuse to feel sorry for you until you apologize.
ASH: Repeating himself, as if in a trance. What have I done?
NURSE: You're the Pikachu's trainer, then? Would you care to view the remains?
ASH: No! No, I couldn't possibly. I can't let him see my face. Daisy, I—
DAISY: Yes?
ASH: I have to go to work. Please forgive what I said, about Gary. He's not a Pokemon killer.
DAISY: I forgive you. But what should I do while you're gone?
ASH: Whatever you want. You don't need to ask for permission.
DAISY: Right. Of course. Well, goodbye, dear. Take it easy.
ASH: Bye.
Exit ASH.
DAISY: One more thing, before I go. You said that young man took off. Any idea where he went?
NURSE: Sorry, no. But you might check the gym. That's where most trainers hang out around here.
DAISY: Good idea. Thanks.
Exit Daisy.
