Cowboy Bebop: The Next Sessions by BrikHaus81
Session 28 (episode 2)
She's So Heavy
(music: Autumn in Ganymede)
Space. Pan up to a small brown ship cruising toward a small brown planet. A close up reveals the ship's name is "Bebop." Cut to inside where a jazzy tune filters through the ship's speakers. It's a dark, yet playful instrumental piece. Jet is at the ship's controls preparing for a descent on Mercury. Sweat is running down his face. Pan down his legs to his feet. His right foot taps the floor in time with the music. Through the windows of the Bebop, Mercury appears huge and dusky brown. Faye approaches from the right. She, too, is covered in sweat. She looks at the temperature gauge. It reads nearly 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Faye: Is that thing right?
Jet: Sure is.
Faye: Ugh! I can't believe anyone would want to colonize this rock. The people that live here must be insane.
Jet: You know, Faye, not everyone shares your point of view.
Faye: Well, if they did the universe would be a much better place.
Jet: Everyone thinking like you? That's a scary thought.
Faye: Oh, shut up. What do you know, anyway?
Jet: (looks up at Faye with a grin) Haven't you learned anything these past two years? There's a lot of things I know. For example...
Faye: Water!
Jet picks up an ice-filled glass of water from the control station. Until now it had been concealed behind his body. The ice rattles a bit as he takes a long sip. He looks back at Faye.
Jet: Refreshing.
Faye: Hey! Where did you get that? Give me some! Come on! Jet!
Faye lunges for the ice water but Jet pulls it back. She stumbles into the side of Jet's chair. She reaches over his body trying to get to the glass, but ultimately fails. Fade out as the two bounty hunters bicker.
A sign reads: New Johannesburg, Pop. 475,000. Pan down to show Jet and Faye exiting the large immigration center. It is the only way into the domed city. There are five cities on Mercury, with New Johannesburg being the largest. Each one is enclosed by a tinted, climate controlled dome. Yet, most visitors to the planet still feel hot, and come back with sunburns. Jet and Faye simultaneously put on sunglasses.
Faye: So which plan should we use this time?
Jet: How about number four?
Faye: (disappointed) Me seduce one of the bounty-heads? Again?
Jet: Why not? It worked pretty well on Phobos. And on Venus. And on-
Faye: I know, but I'm sick of that one. Oooo, how about number seven?
Jet: Seven? Come on, Faye, where are we gonna find a donkey around here?
Faye: Ugh. Fine. Why don't we just do it the old fashion way?
Jet: Fine by me.
Overhead view. The two bounty hunters reach a crossroads. The street they come to is heavily trafficked. Without another word they split up. Jet goes right, and Faye left.
Cut to inside a smoky nightclub. The room is dark. The stage is bathed in deep orange light. A woman with a soothing voice sings at the microphone. A few men sit at the bar nursing drinks. The bartender, a woman, dries a newly washed glass. As she moves the towel around inside the glass a tall man, Saburo, approaches her.
Saburo: Hey, there. How are you feeling?
Bartender: I just...don't know anymore. I don't know...if I can keep living like this.
Saburo: I know, I know. I wish you didn't have to see that last night. But you have to understand, those kinds of things happen in my line of work.
Bartender: (desperately) You told me you were going to quit!
Saburo: Sweetheart, please, it's not as easy as that.
Bartender: (beginning to cry) Yes it is, Saburo! Just walk away! The two of us, we'll just leave tonight, we'll get out of here and never come back!
Saburo: Listen-
Bartender: No, you listen! That kind of thing could happen again! And next time you could die! I love you, Saburo, and I'm not willing to lose you!
Saburo: (soothingly) I know you're upset. You just need some time. Listen, I've got to be somewhere. We'll talk later, okay?
Bartender: O-okay.
Saburo gives her a smile and walks away. The bartender drops her head and cries harder. She trembles and drops the glass. Cut to the floor. The glass hits the floor next to the bartender's feet. The glass does not break, but bounces once, lands on its side, and rolls away. Fade out, hearing only the gentle song of the female singer.
Cut to the interior of a pawn shop. The place is cluttered with old junk from the 20th century. A small arsenal of weapons hangs on the wall behind the pawn dealer's counter. A thick metal cage partitions the pawn dealer from the rest of the store. He is already in the middle of a conversation with Faye. Faye is leaning forward on the counter, revealing an ample amount of flesh.
Pawn Dealer: This is a Sig-Sauer.
He holds up a black handgun and shows it to Faye from the other side of the cage.
Pawn Dealer: These were very popular in the 20th century. I think it would be perfect for a woman of your...uh (he ogles Faye)...size.
Faye: I don't know, it's so small. (playfully) Only big guns interest me.
Pawn Dealer: Ah, so you like big ones, eh?
Faye: You could say that.
The Pawn Dealer holds up a much larger steel handgun.
Pawn Dealer: Here's a Desert Eagle. Most powerful handgun made in the 20th. It's beautiful.
Faye: What I really want is something like this.
Faye slides a piece of paper to the other side of the cage. Cut to a close up of the page, torn out of a magazine. It shows a schematic and technical specifications of a rocket propelled grenade launcher. The Pawn Dealer looks at it quizzically.
Pawn Dealer: And why would a pretty little thing like you need such heavy firepower?
Faye: (smiling seductively) A girl's gotta have some secrets.
Pawn Dealer: Well, I don't carry anything like this.
Faye pouts and stands up, about to leave. The Pawn Dealer suddenly looks worried.
Pawn Dealer: (quickly) W-wait! I can help you out. Just hold on.
Faye: Oh really?
Pawn Dealer: Sure, sure. (he lowers the volume of his voice) Y'see, the Takeru Trio operates outta this very city. They handle all kinds of things like this. If you really wanna meet them, just go down to the Blue Lion Lounge and find Rosaline. She's the one that sings the real sad song. She can put you in touch with the Trio.
Faye: Gee, thanks.
Faye turns and walks toward the exit of the pawn shop.
Pawn Dealer: (yelling after her) Be careful! They're dangerous!
Faye: (with a smile) Hm. So am I.
Cut to a shot of street somewhere else in the city. Pan up the hanging sign of the Blue Lion Lounge. Cut inside to reveal the same smoky nightclub seen earlier. The men who had been at the bar earlier are now gone. The singer at the microphone is the same one as before. The bartender has resumed drying glasses, but is clearly still upset.
We see a flashback from her point of view. She is sitting at a table in a dark back room of the nightclub. Saburo sits to her left. Another man, Jiro, sits to her right. Across from them are two other men. Everything happens slowly. There is an argument about money. The two men across the table pull out guns. They fire. One bullet hits Jiro in the shoulder. Another bullet hits the wall only an inch from her head. Saburo pulls out his gun. He fires six shots, alternating each shot between the two targets. Jiro is still alive. He pulls out his gun and fires, as well. The sound is deafening. Blood splatters from one of the targets onto her face. She screams.
Cut back to the bartender looking more shaken than before. She shakily puts the glass she was drying down without dropping it.
Bartender: (whispering to herself) Why Saburo? Why are you doing this?
Faye: Is it always this hot outside? I guess I should have brought some sunscreen.
The bartender looks up, startled. She takes a deep breath in, trying to hold back her tears. Faye sits down at the bar, and takes off her sunglasses.
Bartender: Huh? Oh, uh, yes. Um, how may I help you?
Faye: I'm looking for someone. Her name's Rosaline.
Bartender: Rosaline? Why do you want to talk to her?
The bartender looks past Faye and back towards the singer onstage. Faye turns her head halfway around and looks at the female singer in the orange light. The tempo is slow and the lyrics are haunting. Faye looks back to the bartender.
Faye: I'm in the market for certain high-priced items. I was told to ask for her.
Bartender: (looking down) I see.
Faye: (thinking) What's with this girl? (now aloud) When can I speak with her?
Bartender: You may not get to. I heard Rosaline was leaving.
Faye: Leaving? When?
Bartender: Today. She and one of the Trio members are getting out of the business. She won't be able to help you. So you might as well just forget about it!
Saburo: Sweetheart, is that any way to talk to a customer?
Faye and the bartender simultaneously turn their heads to see Saburo who has just reentered the nightclub. He stands with one hand on his hip and sly grin on his face. He looks Faye up and down and then sits next to her.
Saburo: (to the bartender) My usual, please. (to Faye) You'll have to excuse her. She had kind of a rough time yesterday and she's a bit shaken up. Now, what can I do for you, miss?
The bartender hands Saburo a glass filled with bourbon. He takes a drink. Meanwhile, the female singer onstage has finished. She steps off the stage and walks toward the bar.
Faye: I'm in the market for some...items.
Saburo: Really? What kind?
Faye: The heavy-duty kind.
Saburo: (not trusting her) The kind that can get people arrested?
Faye: (convincingly) Well...the expensive kind.
The singer has stopped at the end of the bar. She is talking with another man who has just stepped out from a back room. That man, Jiro, has one arm in a sling. The woman smiles at him, clearly infatuated. Faye has not noticed that while she and Saburo have been talking, the bartender has been getting more agitated. Tears are now streaming down her face.
Saburo: Very well. However...I cannot.
Faye: (surprised) What? Why not!
Saburo: I'm afraid we don't sell to bounty hunters. Do we, Jiro?
Saburo tilts his head back and finishes his bourbon. He sets the glass back down and gives Faye a sinister smile. Faye, knowing her cover has been blown, jumps off her barstool. Saburo removes a handgun from inside his suit coat. Faye looks to her left. Jiro, even though one arm is in a sling, awkwardly does the same. Before either has a chance to aim, Faye lunges at the female singer next to Jiro. Faye wraps one arm around the singer's neck, a chokehold. With her right hand she pulls her own gun and presses it to the singer's temple.
Faye: Nobody move!
The room is still and tense, trapped in an awkward standoff.
Faye: Just let me go and I won't kill your partner.
Saburo: (with a laugh) Partner? What are you talking about?
Faye: The singer, Rosaline. Your go-between.
Saburo: (laughing outright) That's not Rosaline. This is.
He throws his hand back toward the bartender.
Saburo: What gave you that idea?
Faye has a quick flashback of the bartender, Rosaline, yelling at her with tears in her eyes.
Faye: (thinking) The one with the sad song...
Jiro: I'm afraid you've got one of our acts.
Jiro aims his weapon at Faye and begins to squeeze the trigger.
Faye: (hastily, to Jiro) Y'know, your partner's running out on you.
Jiro lets go of the trigger and looks at Saburo, surprised.
Jiro: Huh? What's she talking about?
Faye: Rosaline told me all about it. How the two lovebirds are leaving today.
Jiro: (to Saburo) You bastard. You were just gonna cut and run?
Saburo: You can't believe her.
Jiro: But it makes perfect sense. I've seen how Rosaline's been acting lately. What were you planning, huh? Kill me, take my money, and run? Is that it?
Saburo: No, don't be stupid. She's tricking you.
Jiro: If it weren't for her I might be dead now. Instead, you're gonna die!
Jiro turns around and points his weapon at Saburo. He fires. The bullet slams against the bar sending splinters of wood into the air.
Saburo: Rosaline! Come on!
Saburo grabs Rosaline by the hand. They turn and race toward the exit of the nightclub. Jiro fires twice more, missing both times. Saburo and Rosaline duck outside before Jiro can fire again. He chases after them, having forgotten about Faye. As soon as he exits, Faye releases her hostage, who faints and crumples to the floor. With her gun still in her hand, Faye races outside.
Faye: Wait! Don't kill each other!
As soon as Faye is outside she sees Jiro turning into a back alley. As she runs after him she pulls out her communicator. She pushes the button on the side and screams into it.
Faye: Jet! I've got 'em!
Jet: (with static) That was fast.
Faye: Can it! I don't have time to chat!
Jet: Where are you at?
Faye: Behind the Blue Lion Lounge! Just use my personal locator! Hurry!
Jet: Roger.
Faye pockets the communicator and turns to go into the alley. As she runs toward the other side she hears gunfire. When she reaches the end of the alley she presses her back against the outer brick wall of the Blue Lion Lounge. She slides to the edge the wall. She peers around the side.
The courtyard behind the Blue Lion Lounge is spacious. A number of large crates are piled high. Jiro is ducking behind one of them. Saburo and Rosaline are taking cover behind a dumpster. A small spacecraft sits in the far corner of the area. Saburo and Rosaline had been attempting to reach it, but are now pinned down by Jiro's gunfire.
Faye hesitates.
Jiro stands up and fires wildly. The bullets lodge into the dumpster. He ducks back behind the crates. Saburo stands and returns the volley with three shots of his own. Rosaline screams at the deafening sounds around her.
Saburo: Come on!
He grabs Rosaline tightly around the wrist and they run for the spacecraft. They make it halfway there. Suddenly, Jiro is standing up and aiming at them. Saburo wheels around and fires. Two bullets slam into Jiro's chest. His body lurches unnaturally. Blood explodes backwards onto the brick wall behind him. His gun falls from his hand and rattles on the ground. Saburo looks at Rosaline and smiles. She is shaking. She can look at nothing but Jiro's fallen body.
Saburo: We did it, sweetheart. Let's get out of here.
Saburo puts his gun away and casually walks toward the spacecraft. Faye begins to walk out from her hiding place. She trains her gun on the couple. Suddenly, Rosaline's eyes widen.
Rosaline: Look out!
Everything happens in slow motion. Rosaline, arms spread, throws her body in front of Saburo's. A gunshot rings out. The bullet hits Rosaline in the chest. Blood spills everywhere. Her body falls limply to the ground. Shocked, Faye looks to the left and sees that Jiro is upright, on his knees, holding a smoking pistol. Before he can take another shot, Faye fires two bullets into him. He falls for a second time, dead. Faye holsters her weapon and runs toward Saburo. He is cradling Rosaline in his arms. Faye drops to her knees, on the other side of Rosaline.
Rosaline: (struggling) Sa...buro...are you all right?
Saburo: (with tears in his eyes) Yes, yes, I'm fine. You-you saved my life.
Rosaline: I'm...glad.
Saburo: Try not to talk, okay? I'm going to get some help.
Rosaline: Please, don't...leave me.
Saburo: (crying now) I won't. I won't ever leave you.
Rosaline: Don't cry...Saburo...I love you.
Saburo (crying harder) Rosaline, hang on! Don't die!
Rosaline: I'm glad...you're alive. Just...promise me one thing.
Saburo: Anything.
Rosaline: This life...leave it...for me...
Saburo: Of course I will. Just hang in there.
Rosaline goes pale. Her head, which had been straining to keep upright and look at Saburo, now falls back. A small breath of air escapes from her mouth as she dies. Saburo, still holding her, shakes her body and cries loudly.
Saburo: (screaming and sobbing) Rosaline? Rosaline! No!
As he mourns over the body, the wind suddenly picks up. Dust spins in circles around the three people. Faye looks up and sees the Hammerhead descending into the courtyard. It nearly fills up the entire area when it finally lands. The cockpit opens and Jet stands up, looking at Faye.
Jet: Faye, you got him.
Faye: (shaking her head) No (she nods her head toward Jiro's body)...he's dead.
Jet: (looks at the dead body, and smacks himself on the head) Aww! (he notices Saburo and Rosaline) What about them?
Faye: (with a sigh) Just a couple of kids who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Faye stands up and walks over to the Hammerhead. Jet is still standing upright in the cockpit.
Faye: The other one's dead, too...inside.
Faye turns back and sees that Saburo is looking at her with an expression of surprise. Their eyes meet and they hold each others' gaze for a moment. Then, Saburo gives her a solemn nod of thanks. Faye turns back to Jet.
Faye: (with a shrug) Well, now what?
Jet: I got a lead on the third one. Turns out he left two days ago for a deal on Callisto. Wanna check it out?
Faye: Sure. Let's go.
Back on the Bebop. Faye looks despondent. She stares blankly out one of the ship's windows. Her face, arms, and legs are red, having spent too much time in the sunlight on Mercury. She replays the scene in the courtyard in her mind. She remembers how distraught Saburo had been. How much he had loved Rosaline. He would never harm anyone else again. Jet approaches Faye from the right.
Jet: Hey, Faye. What's wrong?
Faye: Oh, nothing.
A pause fills the room. Faye continues to stare out at space.
Faye: Jet, do you believe in true love?
Jet: Huh? Whaddaya mean?
Faye: Someone you love so much you'd die for them. Just so they could keep on living.
Jet: (folding his arms) I see. Is this about those two kids in the alley? Or somebody we used to ride around with?
Faye: Him? (pauses) No, I don't think so.
Jet: Come on now, Faye. You can't fool me. I saw the way you and Ein were together.
Faye turns and gives Jet a fiery look. Her fists tighten up and her body shakes as she screams comically at him.
Faye: And what the hell is that supposed to mean?
Jet: Well, I, uh-umm...you're a dog person?
Faye: Grrr.
Jet: (slaps Faye on the arm) Geez, Faye, you gotta lighten up.
Faye: Ow! My sunburn! I'm going to kill you!
Faye races at Jet, hands ready to pummel him. He quickly backs up toward the couch. He stumbles against the couch, loses his balance, and topples over backwards. He hits his head hard on the floor. Faye storms off.
Faye: (angrily) Where's the aloe?
Jet: Unnnhhh...women.
SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...
TO BE CONTINUED...
Author's Notes:
-The title comes from part of another Beatles song, "I Want You (She's So Heavy)."
-Saburo means "third son" in Japanese.
-Jiro means "second son" in Japanese.
-THANKS FOR READING!