Neon Genesis Evangelion
Anti-Omnia
Puer ab Inferno
*"It's raining in Tokyo:
the traffic lights
glowing, green.
From the windows,
shouts of rage,
and at the crosswalk,
a motionless child".
(Tanka 1, Sakedao Tofukada)
—Can you just get out of the way, asshole—?!
—C'mon! Get out of the way! Fuck you—!
The young man, who was standing in the crosswalk, had to move to the sidewalk, where he sat with his feet flat on the street. Seeing how middle fingers and threatening gestures emerged from the windows of the cars, he decided to pull down his pants and wave his ass at the vehicles that were driving away.
—Take that, motherfuckers—!
After a while, Shinji Ikari lit a Lucky Strike with difficulty, and began to smoke it compulsively: he had been called by his father. His father, that person who abandoned him when he was four. "What does he want from me?", he thought as he took a puff of the cigarette. In the city where he was, Tokyo-3, it was raining cats and dogs; this caused his cigarette to eventually go out, no matter how hard he tried to shield it from the rain with his hands.
Shinji, seeing that smoking was an impossible task, looked for a Chinese bazaar among the local streets. He found one and, with some of the money his tutor had given him to cover personal expenses, he tried to buy a bottle of gin.
—How much is the bottle—?
—2,000 yen—.
—Holy shit! That's expensive—.
—Well, not all alcohol costs the same. This is just a good bottle. But... aren't you too young to drink—?
—I'm eighteen. I can show my ID card, if you want—.
—Well, come on. Take it out—.
Shinji rummaged in his wallet and found his ID card. Then showed it to the store clerk.
—The clerk, as soon as he saw the object on the table, frowned and stared at the boy—.
—Do you think I was born yesterday? Hell, you don't even look like the guy in the photo! If only you had the same eye color, but you don't even do—!
-—Well, people change—.
—What nonsense are you talking about?! Go on, just leave. Try to fool others, because you can't fool me—.
Seeing that Shinji was about to leave, the clerk leaned his elbow on the counter and brought his face close to the boy. In a low voice, he said—Don't worry, this is something I do when I have more than one customer in the store and a child asks me for alcohol—. Discreetly, the clerk pointed to a man who was browsing through some beers. —If I get caught selling alcohol to a minor, I'm in trouble. I could be fined and get my store shut down, and I don't want that to happen—.
Shinji, having understood his words, put the bottle back on the shelf and left the store. Outside, he waited in front of the entrance as he watched cars driving down the street. It was several minutes before the door of the Chinese shop opened, and a husky voice addressed him.
—Excuse me, can you move—?
The man, who was holding a twelve-pack of beer under his armpit and arm, seemed to be in a hurry. Shinji stepped aside to make way for him, and walked back into the bazaar. Without a second thought, the boy went for the bottle of gin.
—So, are you gonna buy it—?
—No. I waited outside for ten minutes because I like the rain and getting cold. No shit...—.
—Hey, it was just a polite question. There's no need to talk like that. Young people are so rude these days…—.
Shinji shrugged his shoulders with disinterest and put the money on the table. The clerk counted it carefully and, when he confirmed that the amount was correct, he said goodbye to the boy.
—See you later. Have a nice day. Hey... by the way, if the police ask you anything, don't say you bought alcohol here. In fact… Wait a minute-The clerk took out a business card from his pocket and showed it to Shinji-Look, see this? If they ask you where you bought the bottle, tell them you got it from here—. The clerk emphasized his words by pointing to the name on the business card: "Himoto Bazaar".
Shinji laughed, put the bottle in his backpack and said goodbye to the worker. As soon as he left the store, Shinji reached for a photo in his wallet and looked at it carefully. The photo showed a young woman with black hair, dressed in a yellow tank top and jeans shorts with the bottoms folded down. She was quadruped, which made her cleavage stand out more than usual. On the very side of the photo was a message written in black marker: "To Shinji from Misato: I'll be waiting for you at the Quarry Square around 3:00 pm, so wait for me there, okay?". A line pointed to her breasts. Above it, it read, "Check out this!". Shinji put the photo away. "The more I look at it, the less I understand. What is this chick about? What is she, a pedophile or what?", he thought as he slipped the image into his wallet. With the pick-up time in mind, the boy looked at the time on his watch: 14:00. Since Shinji didn't know the city well, he decided to leave immediately for the Quarry Square. He walked down the main street for a while, until he came across an old man sitting on a bench, whom he asked for directions to the place.
—Hey, old man, do you know which way is the Quarry Square—?
Annoyed by his rudeness, the gentleman gave Shinji an inquisitive look, analyzing him up and down. After weighing for a few seconds whether he should answer him or not, he looked at the ground while shaking his head back and forth.
—Look, —the old man raised his gaze until it coincided with the boy's—it's around the next street to the right, straight ahead—. To make his indications clearer, he accompanied them with hand gestures. Once he had finished explaining himself, the old man looked away.
—Bye.—, Shinji replied.
The boy walked down the street, and when he had gone far enough away, the old man mumbled, —No thanks or anything... Is this today's youth—?
After walking for five minutes following the directions of that elder, Shinji arrived at the Quarry Square. The place was very spacious. In two rows, with three each, there were six stone hexagons with a lantern on top of each one, which illuminated the whole area at night. The entrances to the square were two: one, which connected to a street leading to the promenade, and another that connected to the main street. The apartments, which delimited the edges of the square, were three floors high, and their entrances, decorated with Arabic arches, gave the place an exotic atmosphere. In some facades the first floors were not households, but bars of various kinds, whose entrances, like those of the apartments, were arched. There was a tavern, an Irish pub, a sushi cafe and a burger. Because of the rain, the place was sparsely crowded. Most people were in the bars, eating and sheltering from the weather. Shinji had already eaten, so he went into the tavern and asked for a glass of water. He drank it and went outside with it. There he quickly refilled it with alcohol and went back into the tavern. The waiter, noticing that the young man, whom he saw drink the water, had it back in his glass, thought he was losing his mind. "What the fuck?"
—Hey, kid. I poured you a glass of water earlier, didn't I—?
—Yeah. Anything wrong—?
—Nothing, nothing. I thought you drank it, or whatever. But maybe it's just my imagination... —.
Shinji realized that if he did the same thing again, he would be thrown out of the place, so he decided to go out again and drink the gin outside the establishment, as fast as he could. —Straight from the glass, like a man! -he said to himself—. One glass, two glasses, three glasses... Shinji, by the fourth glass, began to notice heat in his ears, motor clumsiness and difficulty in thinking. He was drunk as a skunk, and he loved it. He started running ridiculously through the square, shouting the lyrics of an The Exploited song. —Sex and violence! Sex and violence! Sex and violence! Sex-and-violence!—. While he was singing, a woman appeared from one of the entrances of the square, staring at him. Misato, stupefied by the spectacle, looked at the photograph Gendo had handed her, incredulous. There was no doubt about it: that was the boy she had to pick up. "What the fuck is he doing?" Misato raised her arm and waved it to greet Shinji from where she stood. —Hey, Shinji, hey, Shinji—! The teenager, hearing his name being called, stopped singing and running. He looked around until he saw Misato, and went to her.
—Man, h-how azre we doing—?
—All right, Shinji! Are you ready to come with me? Your father is waiting you—.
—W-wel', iff ui ned to og, I'll go, buxt I'm not loin' forward to it. you know whhat ti mea'? Hic—!
—I don't understand you, could you repeat that, please—? ("Fuck! He's drunk as hell!").
—T-that mby fatoer ihs adn asloihe. He left me behhin', fand now, tebn yearsh ralte, wantfsh to shee me—.
—Don't worry, where we work, your father and I will treat you very well—. ("I haven't understood anything...").
—W-well, I'm glad. Hic—!
Misato led Shinji to her car, parked on a street near the square. It was a blue Renault Alpine A310.
—Isn't it cool, huh? I bought it recently—.
—Yesh. It'sh awriight—!
They both got into the car and started the trip to the place where Gendo Ikari, Shinji's father, was. Misato, while leaving the city, did not say a single word to the young man. She was focused on finding the exit and was afraid of making a mistake. Already, on the outskirts, along the highway, she began to ask him questions without much importance, to show some interest in him.
—Well, what do you like to do, you know? In your spare time—.
—I like to make exhploshives, drink, shmoke, you know? Just the ushual shtuff for peoople my age—.
—Oh, that's cool—. ("Normal, you say? How the fuck did this kid grow up?"). —Well, do you like movies—?
—S-shure. -Who doeshn't? Hic—!
—What movies do you like—?
—Teh ones peple my age watchh: Rocco Siffrhedi, Ogrish, Ron Jeremfy, Jenkna Jamefosn, Rotten... Good cineemma—!
—Wow, I don't know those actors you name... —. ("Porn and snuff movies? But he's just a kid!").
—Of coursshe. You don'tt know theem. And I'm theh emperor of Japan, no shit... —. Misato looked at Shinji with a face of disgust, and continued driving, no longer talking to the boy. "And to think that this is Gendo's son... What kind of education must he have received?". From the highway they passed into a tunnel that took them to a car elevator. The elevator descended slowly for several minutes, until it emerged outside. From the co-pilot's seat, Shinji saw the landscape stretching out before him: several coniferous forests making up most of the surface, a small hill where several anti-nuclear shelters stood, an artificial lake, with a boat patrolling it. In the center of the panorama, as if it were a religious structure, a blue pyramid connected to an inverted pyramid, whose interior was underground. And near the two pyramids, a gray tower, which stood with several buildings scattered around it. Something that surprised the young man were all the train tracks that ran through the woods and the lake. Then, when he looked out the car moon instead of through the co-pilot's window, he realized that he was not in an elevator, but in a sort of freight on a rail, suspended in mid-air.
—A Geo-Frqont! It looksh grea'—!
—Yeah, right? This is where NERV's headquarters are. Where your father and I work. This place, Shinji, is the key to rebuilding our world. A fortress for all mankind—.
The forklift descended down the rail into a subway base. Misato, looking at the map of the facility, tried to lead the young man to his father, but, after an hour of searching incessantly for the right path, she gave up. Then, she called a co-worker, to come and pick them up.
—Ritsuko... Eh... I got lost—.
—Again? I'm going to look for you. Where are you—?
—On a conveyor belt marked "20th floor" —.
-I see. I'll look for you. See you later.
The two waited in front of an elevator until a bell rang and the door opened. Out of it a blonde women dressed in a lab coat and a blue bathing suit emerged. Upon seeing her, Misato became nervous, putting her arms behind her back. —Hi. How are you, Ritsuko—? The scientist made two steps forward, positioning herself very close to Misato. Misato moved back, intimidated. —Why are you wasting my time, Captain—, she asked. —Don't you know we lack time and manpower—? Misato rose forward, waving her hand apologetically. —I'm sorry—! The blonde woman sighed, then, looked at Shinji. —And tell me, this is the boy, isn't it—? Shinji pointed to his very chest with his thumb. —Y-yes, I'm teh boy—!, he exclaimed, smiling. —It's a pleasure—. The young man, instead of responding by thanking Ritsuko, turned his gaze away, shrugging his shoulders. —Well, ok. Hic—! The two women looked at each other, horrified at the boy's rudeness. Misato approached Ritsuko and whispered in her ear. —He's unbearable—!
After passing through several automatically opening doors, through mechanical belts located high above the ground, and riding high-speed elevators, the group arrived at a platform with steel railings. It was an elevator that connected to the place Misato and Shinji had been looking for since they arrived. As soon as they got on it, Shinji grabbed the railing with both hands, and knelt down. — I'm jnot ofelin' vrey wel'—. Misato and Ritsuko ignored him, because neither they understood what he was saying nor cared about him vomiting.
—Bah. This dude's gonna puke. For sure—, said Misato.
The scientist gave the boy a look of contempt. —If he vomits on my clothes... —.
Misato laughed for a few seconds, looking at the walls of the facility. When she stopped, she turned her gaze back to her workmate. —By the way, Ritsuko, how's Unit 01 doing—?
—It's in cooling mode now—.
Misato's face turned on a serious expression. —It's really working? It didn't work before, did it—?
Ritsuko smiled slightly, putting her hands in her pockets. —The probability of activation is of 0.00000001 percent—.
—So, it doesn't work—?
Ritsuko did not answer Misato's question. The captain, responding herself in a lighthearted tone, said—Well, whatever. It's too late to say, "I'm sorry, but it's not working" —.
When the elevator reached its destination, it shook slightly. Just enough for Shinji to vomit up everything he had drank that day. -Yuck," exclaimed both women in unison. They waited a while for the boy to stand up. When he did, he was staggering, so they dragged him by the arms into the next room. The place was long, but narrow. It had a claustrophobic atmosphere, especially since it was covered with water throughout all of it, except for the entrance and exit. Parked near the door through which the group entered was a black Zodiac Mark I inflatable boat. They all got on it: Ritsuko, at the wheel. Shinji, in the back seats, next to Misato. She pulled the rope attached to the Honda engine, starting the vehicle. Shinji, during the drive, noticed the dark, green walls towering around him. They had that air of seriousness, typical of military installations. He also noticed the spotlights that illuminated the water: they were placed on the bottom, sunken; they projected light from inside out, giving the water a pale, almost dreamlike hue. In a matter of minutes, the boat reached the other end: a wall with black and yellow lines marking an open gate. Ritsuko parked near a staircase leading to the entrance. They all got out of the boat, climbed the ladder, and entered the room.
As soon as he arrived, the door closed automatically, leaving the whole place in darkness. —I can't see angythin—!, Shinji shouted, waving his arms. Suddenly, all the lights came on at once. —Aaah—! The boy fell to the ground, frightened. He could not believe what was in front of him: above the water, the head of a giant robot. The shape of the it was triangular, convex; it was divided into two parts: the first, purple, began at the crown of the head and ended below the nose. The second, light blue, went from the mouth to the chin. In reality, the first, rather than a face, was a helmet covering the second. Two black, sunken sockets, with a yellow rhombus in each, were his eyes. Its mouth, a zigzagging fissure running through the length of the jawbone, was reminiscent of a predator showing its fangs. Where the bridge of the nose should have been, there was a thin metal plate, towering over the face like a horn. The jaw and chin, thinner than the rest of the head, ended in a point, resembling the funeral mask of an Egyptian pharaoh. But, even so, the mecha did not possess the religious qualities that characterized them, as it was, evidently, a war machine. —It's a robot—!, the boy shrieked. Ritsuko looked at him, and, with monotonous intonation, explained exactly what it was. —It's the deadliest fighting machine in existence: the synthetic life form, called Evangelion. It's the Unit 01—. After a brief pause, she added, —It's humanity's last hope—. Shinji, stunned, did not know what to say. He was only able to formulate a question, which seemed more like a thought out loud. —My father built this—? Immediately, from a small glass window at the top of the room, Gendo answered, —That's right. Long time no see—. Shinji averted his gaze to the side, saying nothing. Gendo smiled slightly. —Activate the Evangelion—.
When hearing Gendo's order, Misato was startled. —That's impossible—! Ritsuko stared at Misato. —It's the only choice we have—. Misato realized that she didn't even know why Unit 01 was gonna be activated. —What do we want to activate the Evangelion for anyway? There isn't even a threat, or anything like that... —. Gendo made a grimace that evoked a smile. —That's what you think, Captain. But my intuition tells me that Dr. Lambert is going to attack Tokyo-3 with one of his robots. Now, at night—. Misato chuckled. —Your intuition, you say? Yes... Are you talking about that same intuition that led you to drop a nuclear bomb on Spain because you thought it was going to invade all of Europe... —? Misato pointed a finger at Gendo, accusingly. —Your intuition, commander, has no validity in situations like this—. Shinji's father shrugged, with a sardonic smile. —Those are things of the past. I am absolutely sure of what I order, Captain Katsuragi—. Gendo adjusted his glasses with his fingers. —Besides, activating the Eva won't harm anyone—. Misato sighed, tired. Her face quickly changed from exhaustion to stupor. —But... Wait a minute... We don't even have a pilot! Rei can't pilot! Remember—? Ritsuko turned her gaze to Shinji. —One has just arrived—. Misato looked at Shinji, worried. —You're kidding, right…—? Ritsuko took a step towards the boy. —Shinji Ikari, you're going to be the pilot—. Shinji folded his arms. -No—!, he replied sharply as he looked at the ground. Misato, supporting Shinji's decision, raised her voice, stressed. —Rei had to practice for seven months just to synchronize with Unit 00! It's impossible for him to do that—! The scientist continued to maintain her apparent stoicism. —He only has to sit in the cockpit. We won't ask him to do anything else. And, besides, think about it: if Gendo is wrong in his prediction, he won't even have to fight—. Trusting the fallibility of Gendo's words, Misato calmed down a little. —You're right... I guess…—. Shinji, who kept staring at the ground, raised his head until his gaze met his father's. — Whyh the hel' did you call me? Y-you're asking me tho get lon thaat shit and do...? uh... I don't remember! But I'm shure it was nothing good. hic—! Gendo took off his glasses and hung them on his sweater. —Indeed. I want you to ride the Evangelion—. Shinji, judging him with his index finger, shouted—Why did you haev to call mex—?! His father smiled slightly. —Because you can be useful to me now—. The young man's face showed indignation. —Well, I don't waxnt ot ride! I can't ri'e thish shit—! Gendo' smile mutated into a gesture of frustration. —If you're going to pilot, do it now. Don't waste my time—. Shinji let out a chuckle. —Hoyw do you ashk foor things—? Gendo exhaled, jaded. —So annoying…—, the commander muttered with resignation. —Please, Shinji, may you fly the Eva—? The boy grinned openly. —No! screw you, asshorle—! Gendo's face reddened with rage. "Fuck! Fucking kid!". Gendo looked at a group of screens. —Fuyutsuki—! One of the monitors lit up, showing a middle-aged man with graying hair.
—Sir—?
—Wake up Rei—.
—Can we use her—?
—Well, she's not dead yet—.
—As you wish—. The monitor turned off. From another screen, a young, blue-haired girl appeared.
—Rei—?
—Yes—?
—The Third Child is not available. You'll have to pilot again—.
—Yes—.
Ritsuko ordered the technicians to reconfigure Unit 01 for Rei. Quickly, a voice from a megaphone confirmed that the reconfigurations had begun. Shinji, meanwhile, took the bottle of gin and the pack of cigarettes out of his backpack and tried to drink and smoke a little, but Misato took both out of his hands. —Are you stupid? You vomited a lot before... Besides, what the hell is a kid doing drinking and smoking! I'm sorry, but they're confiscated—. While the woman went to put the alcohol and cigarettes away, Shinji looked at her with a sour look on his face. —Asshole... —.
The sound of an automatic door opening burst into the room. From it, three sanitarians arrived, pushing a drip and a stretcher with a girl lying on it. The girl, with blue hair, combed in a shaggy pageboy style, was covered with bandages all over her body: on her face, where they covered her forehead; on her right shoulder, covering part of it; and on her left arm, hiding it completely. She also had bandages all over his torso and legs, but they were not visible due to the suit she was wearing. Her left eye was also protected by a cotton patch. Despite the pain she was in, her face remained unperturbed. The nurses helped Rei to sit up, with difficulty. As they did so, Shinji watched them carefully. "Pure theater", he thought. Misato confronted him with a disapproving gesture.
—Aren't you ashamed—?
—I mean, if there's someone else who can pitol it, and who's better than meh, then let her do it, right—?
—But can't you see that she's badly wounded—?!
—Are you really believing this theater? That girl hsas nothing. I-i just see ca tlo of bandages—. After saying this, Shinji approached Rei. When he reached her side, he grabbed her by the shoulders and began to shake her back and forth. —What an exaggeration, for God' swake! This is nothing! You take an ibuuprofen and then yuou're ready to go—! Misato froze in shock. "What the fuck?!". When she processed what was happening, she immediately went running to stop Shinji.
It was already too late. In one of those jerks, the rubber band, connected to Rei's vein, shot out, and a stream of blood began to spurt out of the vessel, staining everything around it. All the NERV staff screamed at once and panicked. Shinji also panicked and, as an involuntary reaction, fell to the ground, pushing the stretcher to the front with force. Along with Rei, it went into the water, sinking dramatically. —AAAAAAAAAAAAH—!, Misato shouted as she put her hands to her forehead. Without a second thought, she jumped into the water to save the girl. In less than a minute, Rei's head peeked over the curb. Misato, from inside, pushed the girl's body with all her strength to place it on the surface. When she succeeded, she climbed out and hoisted the girl onto her shoulder.
The captain rising victorious, saving the damsel in distress. A scene worthy of a Hollywood movie. The not-so-heroic part was when, taking the fourth step, Misato stepped in a pool of blood and slipped backwards, slamming the girl's head into the ground.
The screams of the NERV staff, which had, more or less, ceased, took over the atmosphere again. Misato, paling, began to turn, very slowly, on herself. "Please, be just a dream". As she turned, the inert limbs and the pool of blood became more and more visible. It was when she noticed the intense smell of the red liquid, that she shrieked in desperation.
—AAAAAAAAAAAAH—! Misato woke up, startled. She sat up with her knees bent and hugged them with her limbs. She held that posture until she began to breathe normally. "So, it was all a dream. Thank goodness." She hadn't realized it, but a NERV worker had stood watching her from the doorway. As soon as she noticed his presence, she greeted him.
—Hello—.
—Are you feeling better now—?
—Eh—?
—You don't remember? Well, it doesn't matter. I'll be brief: Rei Ayanami is still alive—. Misato, upon hearing the man's words, was overjoyed.
—Really? I'm so glad! …But that means... what happened yesterday, really happened... —.
—Yes, but don't worry. It's not your fault. The one to blame is that Gendo's kid—. After a short pause, he added—Why does he wants him as a pilot—?
—I don't know, honestly. I don't understand either—.
—You couldn't see it, but in the end the Unit 01 activation test was carried out, and it was a total disaster—.
—Yeah? Forgive me for interrupting you, but in the end, was there a battle or something—?
—Nah. Gendo got it completely wrong. As always... —.
—Heh. Yeah—.
—Well, what I was saying: the boy had a designated practice area, you know? Well, for some reason, he ran out into the road and started stomping on cars—!
—What?! Really—?
—Yeah. If we don't stop this kid, he's going to end up putting all of us in jail... I'm telling you—. Misato smiled, putting her hands on her knees. —Well, I'll stop bothering you now. See you later—!
—Goodbye—.
Misato lay there for quite a while, until a thought troubled her mind: "What the hell?! If Shinji was able to run with the Evangelion to the road and crush cars... That... That means his synchronization rate was one hundred percent!".
When Misato arrived at NERV headquarters, a colleague, Makoto Hyuga, informed her that Gendo had called her half an hour ago. She thanked him that and made her way to Commander Ikari's office. When she arrived, she took a seat in a chair that was ready for her.
—Good morning, Captain Katsuragi—.
—Good morning—.
—I suppose you already know, but yesterday's test was disastrous—.
—Yes, I know... Misato looked at the floor, thoughtfully. "I wonder if I should ask...? Come on, I'm not going to lose anything by trying" —Commander, why did you ask your son to come here—?
Gendo waved his hand, showing good humor. —Always so direct, Captain. I like it. Well, then... I can't tell you: it's confidential—.
—Always so secretive—, Misato said, rolling her eyes.
—I'm glad you asked me about him, though, because I was going to talk you about Shinji—.
—Eh—?, Misato asked, puzzled.
—Look, I'll be frank: I don't want Shinji to stay here, in NERV's facilities. I'm afraid of him living with so many people. You know what I mean... —.
—Y-yes. I get your point...—. ("You're gonna ask me to become his babysitter? Fuck, why me?").
—And I've heard that you have experience with babysitting—.
Misato sighed, realizing where the conversation was going. —Well, experience... I've babysat some nephews on a few occasions, but not much else—.
—Would you like to take care of my son—?
—If I'm being honest, I find it as great as a Dr. Lambert's attack, or even less—. Misato giggled when saying this
—I understand. Don't think I'm angry at you for what you're saying. I'd be in same boat if I were you. My son is one of the most unbearable people I've ever met in my life. Why do you think I abandoned him—? Both people burst out laughing. —Anyway, consider it. I could even give you a raise—.
—But I'm not an educator. I wouldn't be able to teach him how to behave properly—.
—Oh? So, is that what's bothering you? His education? Don't worry. I've found him a teacher to tutor him on "Citizenship in times of war and peace—.
—Well, I'll think about it... —.
Gendo leaned his elbow on the table. A sly smile spread across his face. —Whatever: I know you're going to say no matter how much I raise your salary, now that I think about it. So, I'm gonna be a little evil: if you don't accept my request, I'll fire you—.
Misato stood up, upset, slapping her thighs with both hands. —Damn, that's no fair—!
Gendo kept his smile. —So, do you accept the deal—?
The young woman sighed, defeated. —Yes…—.
Misato, got into the car next to Shinji. —Roommates, huh? This is something to celebrate—! The boy was in high spirits and smiling, ready to settle into his new home. The same could not be said for his guardian, who maintained a constantly disdainful expression. On the way home, they stopped at a supermarket, where they bought food and drink for the party. —This, this and this—. Shinji put three large packages of potato chips into the cart. —This…—. Misato took the bottle of Jack Daniels from his hand. —No. That, no; better, take this—. The bottle, decorated with a clown holding several balloons, read: "Kid's champagne". Shinji spat on the ground, despising the woman's selection. —Fuck, man. Just because you're a girl, huh? Otherwise, I would have already beat you—. Misato remained silent, ignoring the boy's disrespectful manners. "And I'm trying to help him...". Shinji continued to choose products until he filled the cart to the top. Already, at the checkout, Misato began to regret entering the AEON mall. —Hey, Shinji, do you really think you're gonna eat everything you picked up—? Shinji shrugged, disinterested. —No, but since I'm not paying... —. The woman tried to hide her homicidal instinct under a false smile. —Oh, you're funny—. Reluctantly, she paid for all the food and drinks. As she was bagging everything, she felt the Third Child overpowering her. Should she have taken some of the items out of the cart when he laughed at her? She thought so, but it was too late to do that.
Misato parked the car in the parking lots of her block. Before she got to the door of her apartment, Shinji checked the entrances to the other flats.
—Hey, Misato—.
—Yes—?
—Do you know where the neighborhood drug dealer is? Since you won't let me drink or smoke, I thought I'd...—.
—What are you talking about? You think I'm gonna let you get high—?!
—Are you one of those bitter, anti-drug lunatics—?!
—Not at all, kid. When I was in college, I used to smoke joints with my friends all the… Why the fuck am I telling you this—?!
—And what's wrong with me smoking—?!
—That kids aren't supposed to do it! I'm not gonna talk about this anymore, really. It's common sense—. Misato opened the door to the apartment, giving it a tug. They both walked in.
The table, in the living room, was piled high with snacks and ready-made dishes. Misato, once she had set everything out, took a can of beer out of the fridge. In one big gulp, she drank half of it. —This is the life—!, she said almost shouting. Shinji, drinking orange juice with resignation, recalled the events of the previous night. —Fuck, Misato. Yesterday you impressed me—. Shinji leaned his elbow on the table, and put his fist on his cheek. Looking up at the ceiling, with a smile on his lips, he said—That was the first time I've ever seen a live murder in my life—! Shinji lowered his gaze to the young woman's face, and rested his other arm on the table. —On video it's not the same, you know—? Misato, clearly uncomfortable, looked away. —Shinji, I'd rather not talk about it. I don't feel like remembering it—. The boy, perplexed, asked—Why? It was amazing! Besides, I found out today that she's still alive... Which makes it not a homicide, but well, it was still cool—. The woman hit the table with both hands, making the bowls wobble. —Shut up, dammit! I told you I don't want to talk about it. At least respect me—. Shinji stepped back. —Okay, okay. I'll shut up, I'll shut up. There's no need to get like that either... —. Misato frowned and shook her head in annoyance. She got up, and went to get the TV remote. —I'm going to put the TV on for a while, okay—?
—Okay—, the boy replied.
The news was being broadcasted. —Last Saturday, a giant robot burst onto the T-30 highway, stepping on cars on the road—. Shinji's face lit up. —That's me—!, he exclaimed, pointing at the television. —The driver of the mecha is being pursued by the Japanese authorities—. A shot of a little girl, crying. —In my car were my mom and dad... Waaaa! Waaaaaa—! The Third Child laughed out loud. —Holy shit! This is funny—! Misato changed the channel.
—Hey, I was watching it—!
—I don't care. I can't stand your out-of-place comments. Do you have no empathy or what? Would it be funny to see yourself in the place of that little girl who lost her parents—?
—I guess not, but since I'm not the girl, I don't know—.
Misato stood up, and pointed her finger at Shinji. —You're a monster—!
—Well, I might be one. But, at least, I'm not the one who's judging others like a jerk—.
—Bah. Forget about it. You're like talking to a stonewall—. Misato turned the television back on.
Shinji stood up and went to his room. —Well, I'm done—.
—Hey, aren't you going to help me clean up, at least—?
—No. That's girl's job—. Shinji, by saying these wise words, said goodbye to Misato until the next morning.
"Fuck. He's got it all: bad education, no empathy, sexism, sadism, alcoholism, drug addiction... How the fuck am I going to manage to live with such a creep?".
The woman looked at the table: it was full of garbage. Instead of cleaning it up, she said to herself—Better tomorrow, I'm too sleepy now—.
Puer-Tertius
1. EXT. PANORAMIC OF TOKYO-3. DAY
Different types of shots of skyscrapers, busy streets, stores, etc.
VOICE-OVER
In a society where the powerful
oppress the weak
Videos of demonstrators being beaten, of exploited workhand
VOICE-OVER
Where the adoration of money
has produced injustice
and misery
Videos of people living in very poor places interspersed with others of tycoons at private parties, yachts, etc.
VOICE-OVER
In such a world, is there any good?
Direct cut
2. EXT. MISATO BLOCK ROOFTOP. DAY
Shinji, dressed as a superhero, doing the victory pose and covering the Sun with his hand.
VOICE-OVER
From Japan...,
Detail shots of Shinji's costume
VOICE OFF
...Ready to put an end to the
inequalities that plague
our world...,
General shot of Misato's neighborhood with Shinji on the rooftop...
VOICE-OVER
...Third-Child arrives!
In the same shot, the name "Third-Child" in the center, in large print, slowly appearing
Fade to black
3. EXT. A STREET WITH ONLY ONE FREE PARKING SPACE. DAY
A man looks for a parking space. He parks and begins to sob
MAN
Why, why does this have to happen to me?
I'm meeting my friends in some minutes
and I don't have a dime. Why is the only
parking available in the city not free?
Can't we, poor people, even park anymore?
American shot of Third-Child, descending from a rooftop.
MAN
What's it's what I hear up there?
Man looks up at the sky
MAN
I-it's... Third-Child!
H-he's come to save me!
Third-Child arrives to the side of the car
THIRD-CHILD
Don't you worry, kind sir, I'm coming to save you
from the clutches of that creature!
Truck with medium long shot towards a parking meter.
Close-up of Third-Child's suit pocket. From there, he pulls out a silicone gun.
Detail shot of Third-Child's lips
THIRD-CHILD
(Serious, with an intimidating tone) The time has come...
General shot of the street, with all the characters. Third-Child runs to the parking meter, pointing the gun straight ahead.
Third-Child gets to the parking meter.
THIRD-CHILD
Die, you bastard!
Close-up shot of Third-Child's face, as he screams.
Close-up shot of Third-Child's hands using the pistol.
Medium close-up shot of Third-Child blowing out the barrel of the silicone gun
Third-Child puts the gun away
Close-up shot of the parking meter, smashed
Full shot of the street, showing Third-Child and the machine
Third-Child kneeling in front of it
American shot of Third Child and the parking meter
THIRD-CHILD
(Panting) You've been a formidable opponent...
Medium long shot of the man, kneeling and weeping, giving thanks with his hands.
MAN
Thank you so much, Third-Child! Snif!
You saved my date!
Medium shot of Third-Child backwards.
Third-Child turns her head
THIRD CHILD
Don't thank me. I'm just doing
the right thing
Third-child looks straight ahead again and begins to walk.
General shot from behind the man, showing Third-Child disappearing into the distance.
On-screen credits