Cowboy Bebop: The Next Sessions by BrikHaus81
Session 27 (episode 1)
A Day in the Life
(music: Want it All Back)
Space. The sound of the astral gate system roars. Stars flash by in tenths of a second. Pan up to a small brown ship cruising faster than the speed of light. A close up reveals the ship's name is "Bebop." Cut to the inside where things are much quieter. The central living room shows Faye sprawled across the couch, fanning herself. Jet is sitting on the chair pouring over his computer.
Faye: It's so hot in here. Jet, when are you gonna fix the air conditioner?
Jet: How can you be hot? We're in the middle of space.
Faye: Well, maybe it's just too stuffy, I don't know. You're the man, you figure it out.
Jet grumbles. He types away at the computer and then his eyes open up with excitement.
Jet: Hey, Faye, I've got a present for you.
Faye: (uninterested) What is it?
Jet: A nice, fat bounty-head.
Faye: (sighing) Not interested.
Jet: (with a sing-song quality) He's worth three million Woolongs.
Faye: That's it?
Jet: Hrmpf. Just like you to scoff at that. You know we wouldn't have to go after this guy if you hadn't wasted all the money we made off of the guy we caught on Ganymede. Plus, we have to get food and make repairs to the ship.
Faye: (slouching further down) You go ahead and get this one.
Jet: Fine! But don't expect me to share any of the dough with you!
Jet gets up and storms off, angrily. Faye is left behind on the couch. She folds her arms across her chest, her hands beneath her armpits. She waits for a second and then pulls them out. They are covered in sweat.
Faye: Eww.
The Bebop comes out of hyperspace, approaching the small, colonized asteroid of Tijuana. They are bombarded with announcements in five different languages. Jet ignores them all. He's heard them all before. The ship approaches the asteroid.
Voice on Radio: Attention, this is Tijuana customs. Welcome to the sector. What is the purpose of your visit?
Jet: (gruffly) Business.
Voice on Radio: Do you have anything to declare?
Jet: No.
Voice on Radio: Tijuana has specific rules and regulations not present in other sectors of the solar system. Would you like me to run through them with you?
Jet: No thanks. I've been here before.
Voice on Radio: Very well, have a nice stay.
Jet switches off the radio and his eyes narrow as they approach the small, dingy asteroid.
Jet: (grumbling) The last time I was here...the kid...I can't believe it's already been two years since he...I'm sorry, Spike.
From the surface of Tijuana we look up and see the Bebop approaching from the distance. Cut to a shot of the artificial lake. The Bebop lands softly, without disturbing much of the water around it. The artificial lighting above is shining brightly. It always shines brightly. Cut to an overhead view of the Bebop's deck. Jet's personal craft, the Hammerhead, rolls out, pauses, and then blasts off toward the city proper. Cut to inside the cockpit. Jet is looking at the computer display before him. It shows data on his target.
Jet: Rhys Richards, huh? Ahh, TJ's such a dump. I'll be lucky to get to him before some street punks fill him full'a holes.
Back to the Bebop.
Faye: God, this is so boring. I wonder what TJ's like. Maybe they have some good shopping? I need to get out of this scrapheap, anyway. This place is so quiet, I can't believe I stuck around. But then again, Jet would be helpless without me. I'm really doing him a favor. And I'm sure he won't mind if I do a little shopping with the money he keeps stashed under his mattress.
Faye smiles slyly. Cut to a quick shot of her Redtail as it launches and speeds toward the city.
Jet has been spending the past two hours on the streets talking to everyone. He has gotten lots of leads, but most of them had turned into dead-ends. His most recent lead sent him to a bar where Rhys supposedly had some past business dealings. Jet enters the small bar. The place is empty except for three old guys in the corner. The bartender is a short, bald man, cleaning up the bar with a rag. Jet looks around the room with a sense of wonder. He sits down at the bar.
Jet: Hmm. Looks familiar.
Bartender: Can I help ya, stranger?
Jet: Yeah, I'm looking for somebody. Name's Rhys. Heard of him?
Bartender: Hmm, can't say for sure. Maybe if you bought a drink?
Jet begrudgingly pulls some money out of his pocket and slaps it on the bar. The bartender greedily slides it back and pockets it.
Jet: Now have you heard of him?
Bartender: Can't say that I have. Sorry. Maybe you should buy another drink?
Quickly, Jet grabs the bartender's tie and yanks him forward, slamming his face into the bar. There is a loud crash. The three old men in the back look up, surprised. A moment later they return to whatever they were doing.
Jet: Maybe you should tell me what I want to know!
Jet releases the bartender. He woozily stand up straight and two drops of blood fall from his nose onto the freshly cleaned bar. He looks down, depressed.
Bartender: Rhys, huh? Well, sure, I've heard of him. Sometimes he comes around here. It's easy to buy guns around TJ, y'know. And Rhys, well, he's got the best stuff. Does some business in the back alley here.
Jet: And when's his next business appointment?
Bartender: I don't know.
Jet: You sure? Or would a closer look at your bar help jog your memory?
Bartender: (nervous and speaking quickly) Today! Today! I don't know when, but sometime today! That's all I know! Please don't hurt me!
Jet: Hrmpf. Just so we're clear, don't tip off your friend about our little conversation.
Bartender: I wouldn't dream of it.
Jet: (annoyed) Sure. Thanks for the drink.
Jet gets up and coolly exits the bar. The bartender sighs and drops to the floor with relief.
Faye comes out of a large store carrying a shopping bag in each hand. A huge smile is on her face. She walks directly into the next store and immediately begins picking up clothing items and holding them against her body, checking their sizes. A man in a fine black suit approaches her.
Man: Can I help you, miss?
Faye: (still looking at the clothes) Oh, no thanks, I'm fine.
Man: Sure you're all right?
Faye (annoyed and still not looking at the man) I said I'm fine. Just go back to working the register or whatever.
Man: (chuckling) I have to make a confession. I don't actually work here. I just wanted an excuse to talk to you.
Faye: (slowly turning to look at him) What sort of perv-
Faye is now looking directly at the man. She sees that he is attractive, and the suit leads her to believe that he is also wealthy. She begins to speak in a girlish tone, obviously trying to win him over.
Faye: Oh, well why didn't you just say so? I'm really very friendly.
Man: I see. What's your name?
Faye: Faye, Faye Valentine. What's yours, handsome?
Man: (grinning) Oh, I'm just an admirer.
Faye: (thinking) This guy is chump change. When I'm through, he won't know what hit him.
Man: I know this sounds a bit forward, but I was really struck by your beauty. I was wondering if you could perhaps model some of these clothes for me.
Faye: Oh aren't you sweet? Well, I'm afraid I couldn't do that. I can't afford anything in here. Unless...you'd be willing to help me out?
Man: Certainly. Why don't you try this one?
Cut to the alley behind the bar. A large red brick apartment building stands behind the bar. Jet is perched atop the fire escape, looking down. He's covered by enough shade that whoever enters the alley won't see him. Jet yawns and checks his watch.
Jet: Where are these guys, anyway?
Back to Faye. She and the Man step out of the shop. Faye has now doubled the number of bags in her hands. She is acting girlish and giggly but inside she knows that this guy is just another mark.
Man: Faye, would you honor me with your presence for dinner tonight?
Faye: I would love to. But I'm afraid I don't know any good restaurants. I'm new here.
Man: (smiling) I know the perfect place, Aux Deux Chandelles, the only French restaurant in Tijuana. It's just down the street from here.
Faye: It sounds lovely.
Man: Why don't we meet there at, say, eight o'clock?
Faye: What? You don't want to go right now? (now thinking) I don't want to put up with this freak all day. (her stomach growls, still thinking) But I really could use a good meal.
Man: (chuckling) No, my dear, I have a business meeting in a few minutes. Why don't you go home and change into one of those beautiful dresses I bought you? It will make our evening that much more enchanting.
Faye: (thinking) This guy is too much. (now aloud and smiling) I can't wait!
Jet is still crouched on the fire escape, looking down at the alley. His head is tilted back slightly and he is dozing off. The sounds of footsteps drift up to his ears.
Jet: Huh?
Six men enter the alley, three from the left and three from the right. The three on the left are well dressed in suits and ties. They walk side by side. Two of them carry large black cases. The three on the right look to be only one step above street punks. One of them carries a fat, red backpack. Jet puts on his optical glasses and activates the binocular function. He zooms in and analyzes each man's face, trying to see if there is a match against Rhys Richardson. The computer works and then declares a 98 match on the well-dressed man in the middle.
Jet: (quietly) I got ya, Rhys.
Jet puts the optical glasses away. Next, he removes his gun and grins devilishly. He stands up and points the weapon at the men below.
Jet: Rhys Richardson!
All six men look up, surprised.
Jet: Give yourself up, and this won't get ugly.
In the alley, one of the well-dressed men looks at Rhys.
Well-dressed Man: Boss...the cops?
Rhys: No, you idiot, he's a bounty hunter. Kill him!
Both well-dressed men next to Rhys drop their cases and fling them open. One pulls out a heavy machine gun and the other a bazooka. As they load the weapons, the street punks pull out handguns and begin firing at Jet. Jet ducks. Bullets spark as they hit the metal fire escape.
Jet: Four flights up, huh? Not a problem.
Jet hops upright and launches himself off the fire escape. Cut to the alley. The well-dressed men have just finished loading their ammunition. Jet's figure, silhouetted against the artificial sun, rapidly gets larger as he approaches. The man with the bazooka raises it and fires just as Jet's foot makes contact with his chest. The man gags as he collapses, and the rocket is sent off course. It crashes into the side of the apartment building and explodes. Bricks rain down.
Rhys: Kill him!
Street Punk Leader: Get that son of a bitch!
The other well-dressed subordinate of Rhys wheels around, attempting to aim the heavy machine gun. Jet is too fast. He smacks the man in the face with the butt of his pistol. The man's eyes roll back in his head. Still, he manages to pull back on the machine gun's trigger. Jet grabs hold of the man and spins him toward Rhys and the street punks.
Rhys: Shit!
Rhys drops to the ground quickly enough to not be hit. Bullets spray out of the machine gun and kill all three of the street punks. The fat, red backpack splits open and wads of money blow out. The bullets the street punks had fired before being killed collide with the man in Jet's arms. The machine gun stops firing and the man drops dead.
There is a pause. Jet and Rhys exchange glances. Quickly, Rhys scrambles to his feet and flees in the opposite direction. Jet chases after him. Rhys races out into the street and is barely missed by an oncoming car. He proceeds to the sidewalk on the other side, makes a hard right, and runs as fast as he can. A frightened look is on his face.
Jet races close behind Rhys.
Jet: Rhys! Give yourself up! Rhys!
Close up of Rhys' face, side view.
Rhys: (through labored breaths) You'll...have to...kill me!
Close up of Jet's face, side view.
Jet: (thinking) There's no bounty in that.
The two men race through the city. Rhys maneuvers around pedestrians and turns at every chance he can get. Still, he can't shake Jet off his trail. Jet runs with his gun in his hand but knows he can't use it. There were too many people around to get an accurate shot, and if he killed Rhys, all his hard work would be for nothing.
They turn on yet another street and race past a series of high-class shops. Jet inches ever closer. They approach a fancy restaurant. A number of round tables with white tablecloths have been set up outside. A few couples are dining. At one table sits a woman who appears to be waiting for her date.
Faye looks up and sees two men racing toward her. She stands up. She smiles as she recognizes the man approaching her.
Faye: (sweetly) Oh, hi there! Why are you running? Just couldn't wait to get back to me, huh?
Rhys blows past her, not giving her a second thought.
Faye: (looks as he goes by, and says flatly) That was awfully rude.
A second later Jet flies past her, clipping the edge of the table. The table shakes and knocks a glass on the table over. The liquid inside splashes across the front of Faye's gorgeous red dress.
Faye: My dress! Jet! What are you doing! That's my date!
Jet: (his voice trails off as he runs away) Your date is my bounty!
Faye looks down at the stain on her dress. An angry look spreads across her face and she clenches both fists.
Faye: Date or bounty, somebody's gonna pay for the dry cleaning.
She kicks off her high heels, scoops them up in one hand, and chases after Jet. She's younger and faster and quickly manages to catch up to him. As she begins to pass him she tosses her red shoes at Jet. As a reflex he catches them and stumbles to a halt.
Faye: Hold these!
Jet: Wha?
Jet finally manages to holster his weapon. Still holding Faye's shoes he begins to chase after her. She has already crossed a considerable distance and is closing in on Rhys.
Jet: Hey, Faye! Fayyye!
Close up on Rhys, sideview.
Rhys: (thinking) I only have one chance. This has to work!
Rhys suddenly veers to the right and crosses the street. Cars screech to a halt and honk their horns. Faye follows close after. The cars continue to honk as she passes by them. The cars begin to accelerate again, but are forced to stop as Jet races by. They honk again.
Jet: Sorry!
Rhys bursts through the front door of a small general store. The clerk behind the counter sleepily watches as Rhys runs through the store. Rhys ducks behind a large shelf filled with groceries, turns around, and draws his handgun. A look of shock and fear lights up his face. Before he can fire Faye is upon him. She leaps into the air and kicks him hard in the jaw. Rhys groans, fires a single bullet into the ceiling, and falls to the floor.
Faye forcefully takes the gun from Rhys' hand. She buries the weapon in Rhys' left cheek, and with her free left hand she yanks him half-upright by his tie. The clerk behind the counter dials the police.
Faye: Thank you again for the lovely dress.
Jet enters the general store and drops Faye's shoes beside her.
Jet: Faye, if you're thinking about taking part of the bounty-
Faye: 70 percent sounds fair.
Jet: (gruffly) I hope you're joking. I did all the work.
Faye: What work? I'm the one who caught him.
Jet: (throwing his hands up with a sigh) Fine, 50 percent.
Faye: (grinning slyly) Deal.
Rhys: Wait, wait, please, don't turn me in, please! I'm only worth chump change. Nothing compared to what the big fish are worth!
Jet leans closer to Rhys.
Jet: We don't have any big fish, so you'll have to do.
Rhys: But I can tell you! Tell you where! My suppliers! They are big time!
Faye: Hmm. Go on.
Rhys: Yeah! On Mercury! That's where they are! Three of 'em! Worth ten million each!
Faye: (very interested, speaking to Rhys seductively) Really. Tell me where and I might consider letting you go.
Jet: (concerned) Faye.
Rhys: Okay, okay. Mercury. New Johannesburg. They're known as the Takeru Trio. That's all I know! Now, please, let me go!
Rhys struggles beneath Faye. She pushes the gun harder into Rhys' cheek and he quickly ceases his thrashing. She smiles at him as the sound of sirens come up in the distance.
Faye: I don't think so.
Rhys: (panicking) You said you'd let me go!
Faye: I said I'd consider it. And I've decide not to.
Rhys: No! You, bitch! I'll kill you! No!
Jet: (laughing) Way to go, Faye.
Back to the Bebop. It is now docked and Jet and Faye are talking with a repairman. Jet nods occasionally while the other man speaks. Faye, however, has a disgusted look on her face. Jet shakes hands with the repairman and then he leaves the Bebop. Cut to a closer shot of Jet and Faye. A view of the deep blue artificial lake is behind them.
Faye: You know, this is all your fault!
Jet: (folds his arms and closes his eyes) Hardly. We'd have enough money if you didn't buy so many damn clothes.
Faye: Those are precious family heirlooms, you wouldn't understand.
Jet: (puts his hands on his hips and opens his eyes) Dammit, Faye! Do you ever think about anything but yourself?
Faye: Of course I do. I'm the one that got us a lead on three fat new bounty-heads.
Jet: (gruffly) Just try not to waste any more money.
Jet begins to walk back inside the Bebop. Faye turns to face him. He doesn't turn around as she yells at him.
Faye: But, Jet! What about the repairs? What about the coolant system, we could at least fix that!
Jet: Sorry, Faye. We have enough to repair the hull damage and the guidance system. But there isn't enough left over for the coolant system. There might have been enough if you hadn't stolen my money to buy all those dresses, and dry clean that red one. Maybe if you returned them...
Faye: But! I lost the receipts! I can't return them! You understand!
Jet stops. He puts his hands in his pockets and smiles. He makes sure that Faye can't see his grin. He has been in this situation before. So many times, in fact, this is where he is most comfortable.
Jet: Sure, Faye, sure. It's all right, really. We can either fix the coolant system or buy food. We only have enough money for one. Which'll it be?
Faye's stomach growls and she clutches it. A hungry and tired look comes over her.
Faye: Fine...but you really have no idea what the humidity in there has been doing to my hair.
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Notes:
-"A Day in the Life" is a song by the Beatles.
-The familiar bar Jet enters is the same one seen in Cowboy Bebop Session 1: Asteroid Blues.
-The restaurant Aux Deux Chandelles is the same establishment visited by Shinji and Asuka in the Evangelion fanfic "The Child of Love" by Axel Terizaki.
-The term "Takeru" means "soldier" or "warrior" in Japanese.
-THANKS FOR READING!