Walking In The Rain
Cast:
Mephisto – age 33
Faust, Eguchi Koushirou – Mephisto's cousin – age 25
July, 2007
As he exits the train station, Mephisto opens his umbrella. Normally, he would be dressed in more colorful and extravagant clothes, possibly including a cape, but the present circumstances prescribe a black suit.
"Hey! Hey, Mephisto!"
Mephisto turns. The man who called out to him has carmine-colored hair and a handlebar mustache. He is obviously younger than Mephisto, but there is a slight family resemblance, which is only natural.
"Faust! Cousin, how long has it been?" Mephisto spreads both arms wide in greeting, but immediately realizes his mistake and moves so that his umbrella is once again keeping the rain off his head.
Faust chuckles. "Not since your wedding, so... six? Seven years?"
"Too long."
"From a wedding to a funeral... you should come home more often."
"Tokyo is my home now, Faust. You should visit sometime."
"Perhaps I should." He falls silent for a moment. "Sorry about your father. Uncle Tanjurou was a good man."
"Sixty-four years old..." Mephisto sighs. "I never thought of my Dad as young before this month. I thought we had more time."
"Yeah... Have you thought about what you're going to say?"
"Some, yeah. I thought I'd share some memories of spending time with him, a few family anecdotes, probably mention a few names..."
"Names? You're not going to call me out by my real name, are you? You know how I feel about that."
"I do," Mephisto smiles slightly. "But it's not your funeral. Isn't that right, Koushirou?"
Faust shudders. "Two can play at that game, you know! It's been twenty years since we came up with our nicknames, but you'd better believe I still remember- what was your name again?"
It is a serious occasion, but Mephisto cannot help laughing.