ACT II
Scene 2
(The rose garden, late one stormy night. THE PLANT now occupies most of the garden in one way or another; vines, leaves, tendrils, and its enormous flower, which is currently wilted and lying on the ground. MIKI is busy erecting a barrier around it)
THE PLANT: FEED ME!
MIKI: No, Two-chan. I'm busy.
THE PLANT: FEED ME NOW!
MIKI: I'm doing this right now. Just give me a break... or I'll tell everyone the truth about you.
THE PLANT: Don't get cute, Kaoru! I'll take away everything I've given you!
MIKI: I don't care! Go ahead! I can't take living with the guilt anymore!
THE PLANT: Don't be a pussy, Kaoru!
MIKI: You watch your language! (glares at THE PLANT) If only you'd eat... mice, or flies or something. But you're so finicky.
THE PLANT: I haven't eaten since Ohtori, and that was a week ago!
MIKI: (obviously with a secret meaning of his own) Listen... just hold on one more night. Tomorrow, the people from the school newspaper are coming to take our pictures...
PLANT: And then you'll feed me?
MIKI: You'll never be hungry again. I promise.
PLANT: (there's just a beat of silence before its earthshaking bellow erupts) FEED ME! DINNERTIME, KAORU! FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! FEED ME FOOD! FEED ME NOW! FEED ME! (etc.)
MIKI: (goes nuts) I can't take it anymore! Shut up! Stop it! Leave me alone! Just shut up will you, just-
ANTHY: (enters from the courtyard to find him out of control, screaming at apparently no one) Miki! What's wrong?
MIKI: It's the... the... it's THAT thing! (he points at THE PLANT) I need to... ... feed... need to find a way... ... need to find... ... don't you think that I... I...
ANTHY: Miki... calm down. Whatever it is, I'm sure it can't be that bad. I think all of this popularity has gotten to you, Miki, and caring for this thing can't be helping any. Maybe I should have my brother do it. When did he say he'd be back?
MIKI: I.. uh... don't remember. But... but I...
ANTHY: Miki... you're hysterical. Why don't you try and settle down?
MIKI: I-I'm sorry, I... I know I've been acting strangely lately...
(There is a knock at the door of the rose garden. ANTHY and MIKI turn to see TOUGA standing outside)
MIKI: Hey, it's Touga-sempai. (he goes to open the door)
TOUGA: (entering) Good evening... Miki, I'm sure you've heard about the mysterious disappearance of Saionji.
MIKI: (gulps) Uhhh... yes, I have... What about it?
TOUGA: As you know, Saionji was the current dueling champion when he disappeared. Since he has been missing for some time and no trace of him can be found, possession of the Rose Bride must go to the duelist who last fought the current champion.
MIKI: ... Oh.
TOUGA: ... That's you.
MIKI: (seems flustered) ... Ah. I see. (he glances at ANTHY, then back to TOUGA) I don't recall hearing about that rule...
(In the background MIKI sees THE PLANT smile to itself)
TOUGA: It was decreed in a letter from End of the World that I only recently received. The Bride should prepare to make her move into the dorm of the new champion as soon as possible.
(At that moment, TOUGA'S cel phone rings. He takes it out of its pocket and begins talking to the person on the other end)
TOUGA: (on phone) No, of course I didn't forget about you. You know I think about you. Of course I will. Uh-huh. (TOUGA leaves the rose garden while still speaking on the phone)
MIKI: (turning to ANTHY) Anthy, did you hear that? But I didn't know there was any rule like that...
ANTHY: (smiles sweetly but all-knowingly) Of course, Miki-sama. That rule has always been in effect.
MIKI: (scratches his head) Really... (he looks at THE PLANT-its head is once more resting on the floor, indicating that it still needs to be fed) Well, that's great!
ANTHY: (seems excited) Yes, it's great! Oh, I have to go get ready! (smiles) Oh. Would you mind helping me move my things?
MIKI: (eyes THE PLANT) You go on ahead. I'll lock up the garden and be right with you.
ANTHY: Okay. (She leaves the garden, leaving MIKI alone with THE PLANT)
(MIKI looks at THE PLANT for a moment in bewilderment, and then begins picking up his belongings as quietly as he can. Unfortunately, his notebook falls to the floor. He's about to pick it up when THE PLANT speaks)
THE PLANT: (weakly) Feed... me...
MIKI: (picks up his notebook) No.
THE PLANT: (in a threatening tone) Feed me.
MIKI: (grabs his stopwatch) Absolutely not.
THE PLANT: (pleadingly) FEED me!
MIKI: No! No more! I can't live with the guilt any more!
THE PLANT: (raises its head a little) Tough titty!
MIKI: (turns red) Watch your mouth!
THE PLANT: (pounds a few of its tendrils on the floor stubbornly) Don't you talk that way to me, boy! Bring me some meat, now!
MIKI: I can do that... but no people this time!
THE PLANT: (crosses two tendrils as if they were arms) Hmph. (it makes a growling sound... then smiles craftily) It's better than nothin'.
MIKI: (decisively) Fine then. I'll be back in a few minutes after I help Anthy move her things...... And don't think you're getting dessert! (MIKI leaves, locking the door behind him, leaving his school bag behind)
(THE PLANT watches until MIKI is well out of sight. When it's satisfied that it can't be seen, it takes a tendril and uses it to open MIKI'S bag, whereupon it roots around until it digs out a cel phone)
THE PLANT: Anthy, huh?... (it takes one of its pointier vines and uses it to dial a number on the phone while holding it with another)
(Cut to ANTHY'S dorm, where she's arranging her things to be moved out. The phone rings, and she goes to pick it up)
ANTHY: Hello?
THE PLANT: (singing) HEY, LITTLE ANTHY, HELLO
ANTHY: (looks puzzled) Who is this?
THE PLANT: (singing) YOU'RE LOOKING CUTE AS CAN BE
ANTHY: Is this someone I know?
THE PLANT: (singing) HOW IS THE HAPPY BRIDE?
ANTHY: (smiles) Miki!
THE PLANT: No, it's not Kaoru! It's me!
(ANTHY idly looks out her window at the rose garden, and to her surprise, sees THE PLANT looking at her, speaking to her on the phone. ANTHY drops the phone and runs from the room.)
(Cut back to the rose garden, where THE PLANT is waiting patiently. ANTHY reaches the garden, unlocks the door and rushes in)
ANTHY: Is this some kind of joke?
THE PLANT: No joke. This is the real thing!
ANTHY: I... don't believe it.
THE PLANT: Listen, baby. Kaoru's been so stressed out lately he's gotten forgetful, and I haven't had any water since last week! Look at how dry my leaves are, honey! (sings) COME ON AND GIVE ME A DRINK.
ANTHY: Well... I don't know if I should...
THE PLANT: (singing) HEY, LITTLE ROSE BRIDE, BE NICE.
ANTHY: (eyes the watering can nearby) Do you talk to Miki like this?
THE PLANT: (singing) SURE DO. JUST POUR IT IN.
ANTHY: You do look kind of dry.
THE PLANT: (singing) A CUP OR TWO WILL SUFFICE.
ANTHY: Well, I've got the can right here... I suppose a little wouldn't hurt...
THE PLANT: (singing) WATER DON'T COST A DIME.
ANTHY: (holding up the can) Here you are...
THE PLANT: AND NOW IT'S SUPPERTIME!
(THE PLANT reaches out several of its tendrils and grabs ANTHY, pulling her toward its "mouth." ANTHY drops the can and screams)
THE PLANT: Don't worry, it won't hurt for long! (laughs as ANTHY screams again)
(Cut to outside, where we see MIKI arriving at the rose garden with a package wrapped in a wrapping cloth. The heavy growth inside the rose garden obscures the view of what's going on inside. MIKI unlocks the door and goes in... then he sees what's going on)
(ANTHY is being eaten, with half of her dangling out of THE PLANT'S mouth. We can still hear her screaming from inside)
MIKI: Get off her! (he rushes over to THE PLANT) Let her go! (he grabs ANTHY by the legs with one arm and tries to pry open THE PLANT'S mouth) Stop it!
(Finally he manages to pull ANTHY out. ANTHY'S outfit is torn in several places and quite a bit of her hair hangs loosely around her face. MIKI helps ANTHY outside as fast as he can, slamming the door behind him as THE PLANT laughs nastily)
Scene 2
(The rose garden, late one stormy night. THE PLANT now occupies most of the garden in one way or another; vines, leaves, tendrils, and its enormous flower, which is currently wilted and lying on the ground. MIKI is busy erecting a barrier around it)
THE PLANT: FEED ME!
MIKI: No, Two-chan. I'm busy.
THE PLANT: FEED ME NOW!
MIKI: I'm doing this right now. Just give me a break... or I'll tell everyone the truth about you.
THE PLANT: Don't get cute, Kaoru! I'll take away everything I've given you!
MIKI: I don't care! Go ahead! I can't take living with the guilt anymore!
THE PLANT: Don't be a pussy, Kaoru!
MIKI: You watch your language! (glares at THE PLANT) If only you'd eat... mice, or flies or something. But you're so finicky.
THE PLANT: I haven't eaten since Ohtori, and that was a week ago!
MIKI: (obviously with a secret meaning of his own) Listen... just hold on one more night. Tomorrow, the people from the school newspaper are coming to take our pictures...
PLANT: And then you'll feed me?
MIKI: You'll never be hungry again. I promise.
PLANT: (there's just a beat of silence before its earthshaking bellow erupts) FEED ME! DINNERTIME, KAORU! FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! FEED ME FOOD! FEED ME NOW! FEED ME! (etc.)
MIKI: (goes nuts) I can't take it anymore! Shut up! Stop it! Leave me alone! Just shut up will you, just-
ANTHY: (enters from the courtyard to find him out of control, screaming at apparently no one) Miki! What's wrong?
MIKI: It's the... the... it's THAT thing! (he points at THE PLANT) I need to... ... feed... need to find a way... ... need to find... ... don't you think that I... I...
ANTHY: Miki... calm down. Whatever it is, I'm sure it can't be that bad. I think all of this popularity has gotten to you, Miki, and caring for this thing can't be helping any. Maybe I should have my brother do it. When did he say he'd be back?
MIKI: I.. uh... don't remember. But... but I...
ANTHY: Miki... you're hysterical. Why don't you try and settle down?
MIKI: I-I'm sorry, I... I know I've been acting strangely lately...
(There is a knock at the door of the rose garden. ANTHY and MIKI turn to see TOUGA standing outside)
MIKI: Hey, it's Touga-sempai. (he goes to open the door)
TOUGA: (entering) Good evening... Miki, I'm sure you've heard about the mysterious disappearance of Saionji.
MIKI: (gulps) Uhhh... yes, I have... What about it?
TOUGA: As you know, Saionji was the current dueling champion when he disappeared. Since he has been missing for some time and no trace of him can be found, possession of the Rose Bride must go to the duelist who last fought the current champion.
MIKI: ... Oh.
TOUGA: ... That's you.
MIKI: (seems flustered) ... Ah. I see. (he glances at ANTHY, then back to TOUGA) I don't recall hearing about that rule...
(In the background MIKI sees THE PLANT smile to itself)
TOUGA: It was decreed in a letter from End of the World that I only recently received. The Bride should prepare to make her move into the dorm of the new champion as soon as possible.
(At that moment, TOUGA'S cel phone rings. He takes it out of its pocket and begins talking to the person on the other end)
TOUGA: (on phone) No, of course I didn't forget about you. You know I think about you. Of course I will. Uh-huh. (TOUGA leaves the rose garden while still speaking on the phone)
MIKI: (turning to ANTHY) Anthy, did you hear that? But I didn't know there was any rule like that...
ANTHY: (smiles sweetly but all-knowingly) Of course, Miki-sama. That rule has always been in effect.
MIKI: (scratches his head) Really... (he looks at THE PLANT-its head is once more resting on the floor, indicating that it still needs to be fed) Well, that's great!
ANTHY: (seems excited) Yes, it's great! Oh, I have to go get ready! (smiles) Oh. Would you mind helping me move my things?
MIKI: (eyes THE PLANT) You go on ahead. I'll lock up the garden and be right with you.
ANTHY: Okay. (She leaves the garden, leaving MIKI alone with THE PLANT)
(MIKI looks at THE PLANT for a moment in bewilderment, and then begins picking up his belongings as quietly as he can. Unfortunately, his notebook falls to the floor. He's about to pick it up when THE PLANT speaks)
THE PLANT: (weakly) Feed... me...
MIKI: (picks up his notebook) No.
THE PLANT: (in a threatening tone) Feed me.
MIKI: (grabs his stopwatch) Absolutely not.
THE PLANT: (pleadingly) FEED me!
MIKI: No! No more! I can't live with the guilt any more!
THE PLANT: (raises its head a little) Tough titty!
MIKI: (turns red) Watch your mouth!
THE PLANT: (pounds a few of its tendrils on the floor stubbornly) Don't you talk that way to me, boy! Bring me some meat, now!
MIKI: I can do that... but no people this time!
THE PLANT: (crosses two tendrils as if they were arms) Hmph. (it makes a growling sound... then smiles craftily) It's better than nothin'.
MIKI: (decisively) Fine then. I'll be back in a few minutes after I help Anthy move her things...... And don't think you're getting dessert! (MIKI leaves, locking the door behind him, leaving his school bag behind)
(THE PLANT watches until MIKI is well out of sight. When it's satisfied that it can't be seen, it takes a tendril and uses it to open MIKI'S bag, whereupon it roots around until it digs out a cel phone)
THE PLANT: Anthy, huh?... (it takes one of its pointier vines and uses it to dial a number on the phone while holding it with another)
(Cut to ANTHY'S dorm, where she's arranging her things to be moved out. The phone rings, and she goes to pick it up)
ANTHY: Hello?
THE PLANT: (singing) HEY, LITTLE ANTHY, HELLO
ANTHY: (looks puzzled) Who is this?
THE PLANT: (singing) YOU'RE LOOKING CUTE AS CAN BE
ANTHY: Is this someone I know?
THE PLANT: (singing) HOW IS THE HAPPY BRIDE?
ANTHY: (smiles) Miki!
THE PLANT: No, it's not Kaoru! It's me!
(ANTHY idly looks out her window at the rose garden, and to her surprise, sees THE PLANT looking at her, speaking to her on the phone. ANTHY drops the phone and runs from the room.)
(Cut back to the rose garden, where THE PLANT is waiting patiently. ANTHY reaches the garden, unlocks the door and rushes in)
ANTHY: Is this some kind of joke?
THE PLANT: No joke. This is the real thing!
ANTHY: I... don't believe it.
THE PLANT: Listen, baby. Kaoru's been so stressed out lately he's gotten forgetful, and I haven't had any water since last week! Look at how dry my leaves are, honey! (sings) COME ON AND GIVE ME A DRINK.
ANTHY: Well... I don't know if I should...
THE PLANT: (singing) HEY, LITTLE ROSE BRIDE, BE NICE.
ANTHY: (eyes the watering can nearby) Do you talk to Miki like this?
THE PLANT: (singing) SURE DO. JUST POUR IT IN.
ANTHY: You do look kind of dry.
THE PLANT: (singing) A CUP OR TWO WILL SUFFICE.
ANTHY: Well, I've got the can right here... I suppose a little wouldn't hurt...
THE PLANT: (singing) WATER DON'T COST A DIME.
ANTHY: (holding up the can) Here you are...
THE PLANT: AND NOW IT'S SUPPERTIME!
(THE PLANT reaches out several of its tendrils and grabs ANTHY, pulling her toward its "mouth." ANTHY drops the can and screams)
THE PLANT: Don't worry, it won't hurt for long! (laughs as ANTHY screams again)
(Cut to outside, where we see MIKI arriving at the rose garden with a package wrapped in a wrapping cloth. The heavy growth inside the rose garden obscures the view of what's going on inside. MIKI unlocks the door and goes in... then he sees what's going on)
(ANTHY is being eaten, with half of her dangling out of THE PLANT'S mouth. We can still hear her screaming from inside)
MIKI: Get off her! (he rushes over to THE PLANT) Let her go! (he grabs ANTHY by the legs with one arm and tries to pry open THE PLANT'S mouth) Stop it!
(Finally he manages to pull ANTHY out. ANTHY'S outfit is torn in several places and quite a bit of her hair hangs loosely around her face. MIKI helps ANTHY outside as fast as he can, slamming the door behind him as THE PLANT laughs nastily)