ACT I - SCENE 8
[We see the Kingdom. The building foundations have been cleaned off and building frames have started to take shape as the townspeople work to rebuild their town.]
[We see Ashi, in her green kimono, examining a wooden plank that has been made to be part of a home panel. She looks down the plank to examine flatness and sturdy construction. She nods, and throws the plank up towards the top of the home frame. On top of the frame, we see Jack, in his white kimono, catch the plank and holds it in place along the frame, where two townsmen are lashing it in its place on the Wagoya-type frame.]
[We see three different shots of Jack placing plank, horizontally, on the roof. Two men lash it to the frame.]
[We see Ashi tossing plank after plank towards the house frame top.]
[We see three different shots of Jack catching then holding a plank up to be lashed and made into a roof of the frame.]
[Jack jumps off the roof, stands next to Ashi, and looks up, along with a few townspeople.]
[Jack, Ashi and the townsfolk admire the first restored house frame in the Kingdom, unpainted, but the trim is waxed giving it a little sparkle.]
[The image fades to a while later in the day in a flat, vacant area, where Jack and Ashi are standing in front of a collection of about 5 young men and 7 young women, including The Girl, in her orange-gold kimono.]
[Jack and Ashi stand calm and at peace, surveying the volunteers. Jack speaks calmly.]
Jack: Thank you for your dedication and your time.
[We see the Cricket Girl reacting to Jack's next line with her eyes closed in pain.]
Jack: We have all lost our homes….some have lost more.
[The scene goes back to Jack and Ashi.]
Jack: But, seeing your eager, determined faces in the wake of Aku's devastation is very humbling to me.
[We see the volunteers past the back Jack and Ashi's heads, listening intently.]
Jack: Over the course of the next few months, we will spend the first half of the day working on building our bodies and our skills. The latter half of the day will be spent rebuilding our homes and our spirits. The first thing you must understand is that you must be at peace with your soul and your senses. Any fault in that will lead to weakness and failure. You will learn to trust your instincts and senses. Do that and you will be invincible.
[A moment later, Jack and the male volunteers are meditating, sitting up and their legs crossed.]
[Jack and the men are breathing deep, and exhaling slowly.]
Jack: All hatred and anger for our enemies must be understood and then harnessed within. Do not let the hate control you. Let it go. Hate can blind us, control us, and manipulate us. But, if we control it, compassion and understanding will follow and lead to victory.
[A moment later, Ashi and the female volunteers are sitting, legs crossed.]
Ashi: Extend your arms up and breathe deep.
[All of the women lead both their arms up towards the sky. They inhale softly and exhale gently.]
Ashi: Taste the freedom. Be at peace. Let go of all your pain. Find the happiest place of our heart, and let it consume you.
[We see the Cricket Girl, eyes closed and in concentration. She smiles.]
[FLASH! We see The young Cricket Girl playing ball with Little Jack, quickly followed by The young Girl and Little Jack running together in the field.]
[FLASH! We go back The Girl meditating with Ashi and the volunteers. The Girl is still smiling.]
[We see Jack meditating with the male volunteers.]
Jack: Only through a sound and peaceful soul can your body be ready to take on any challenge.
[We see Ashi meditating with the female volunteers.]
Ashi: If you feel stressed or angry at any time, whether in training or in a real fight, you can find solace in the resting place of your heart.
[Jack meditates with the men.]
Jack: No matter the obstacles, finding peace in your soul is the ultimate reward.
[Ashi meditates with the women.]
Ashi: And never forget….what we do is not for us. It is for our people.
[We see Jack leading the men, all in their kimonos, running across the lands. Some of the land is covered in green.]
[Jack is handling the running with ease. Three of the men are running just fine, but the remaining two are panting already.]
[We see Ashi leading the women, all in their kimonos, running across a different patch of lands, with some patched of green sprouting.]
[Ashi is handling the running easily. Four of the women are handling well, but three others, including The Girl, and panting to keep up.]
[We see The Girl, panting to keep up, look ahead.]
[We see Ashi from behind, running easily and motivating the women.]
Ashi: That's right. Keep the feet light and quick!
[The Girl, still panting, finds the determination to keep up. Still running with the pack, she quickens her pace, straightens her back, and keeps pace with the group.]
[We see Jack and the men in a flat, grass growing valley. The men are performing pushups as Jack supervises.]
[As Jack observes, we see the men pushing the ground hard, building up a lot of sweat.]
[In another meadow, populated with blossoming flowers, we see Ashi and the women. The women are performing pushups as Ashi observes.]
[Ashi motivates as we see the women pushing the ground, building up a lot of sweat. Some, including The Girl, are gasping for air during the grueling exercise.]
Ashi: Keep pushing, girls. And never forget this….those bandits might have strong arms, but your arms will be stronger! Keep pushing!
[Hearing that, The Girl takes a deep breath, and speeds up her pushing with total determination.]
[Back to Jack and the men, we see the men jumping up and down as much as possible. Jack jumps up, and sets back down behind one of the men about three seconds later.]
[The men look back towards Jack in sheer amazement. One man, Norio, speaks up.]
Norio: Did you fly?
Jack: No, "jump good". One day, you will, too.
[Norio and one of the men look at each other, slack jawed as they jump. They focus on jumping higher.]
[Back to Ashi and the women, we see the women jumping up and down as much as possible. Ashi jumps and somersaults off of the surrounding trees and around the women.]
[The Girl is slack jawed as she follows Ashi, jumping up, down and all around.]
[Ashi lands in front of The Girl.]
Ashi: Being trained from birth, I've learned a few tricks. If you are determined enough, you just might learn a few, too.
[The Girl, feeling a bad vibe, keeps on jumping as Ashi supervises the rest of the women.]
[Jack sets out the long splints, cloths, and saws. The men are standing, catching their breath.]
Jack: We must bring back more trees to build up our homes.
[The men exhale in fatigue, knowing their day of physical training is not over.]
[We hear trees cracking and them, SLAM! A mighty tree, over 6o feet tall, falls over in the valley.]
[We see the men in a slow jog, with all six men, including Jack, paired up and carrying a long log in the splint-cloth tows each. We see the men tow the logs across the valley towards the Kingdom.]
[Ashi sets out several long splints, cloths, and saws. The women are standing, catching their breath.]
Ashi: We must bring back firewood and long sticks for rebuilding.
[The women exhale in fatigue, knowing their day of physical training has not concluded yet.]
[We hear wood cracking, then SLAM! BLAM! SLAM! We see three trees, each about 25 feet tall come crashing to the ground.]
[We see Ashi and The Girl teaming up to lift up a shaven log from a tree with the splint-cloth tandem. Four other women pair up to lift up two shaven logs with the splint-cloth tandem. The two remaining women lift up a splint-cloth tandem carrying a bunch of sticks, twigs and wooden shavings.]
[The women, with Ashi and The Girl in the lead, are in a slow jog across the valley.]
[As Ashi and The Girl lead the caravan, we hear The Girl panting as Ashi is fine. Ashi, hearing the panting, calls out to her caravan partner.]
Ashi: Keep it up! We don't stop until we get to the Kingdom.
[The Girl looks up, and sees the Kingdom, still a good mile or so away. Her eyes widen in disbelief. The Girl gulps, gasps and presses on.]
[In the Kingdom, we see Jack and the men set down their loads, much to the relief of the men. The remaining townspeople go to tend to the logs as the men go and sit.]
Jack: Great job, everyone! Great work! We'll do more tomorrow morning. For now, get something to eat and water to drink.
[The men bow to Jack and respond together.]
Men: Hai, sensei!
[Jack bows back at the men. Then, the men disperse to their families. Jack turns around as he hears women panting.]
[We see Ashi, The Girl, and the remaining caravan enter the kingdom with their workload.]
[We see Ashi and The Girl set down their workload, swiftly followed by the remaining women doing the same.]
[Ashi turns to the women and speaks to them.]
Ashi: Excellent work, women! Tomorrow will be more of the same. Until the morning, drink water, eat well, and be with your families.
[The women, including The Girl, respond together and bow to Ashi.]
Women: Hai, sensei!
[Ashi, still not familiar, goes through the motion and bows to her students.]
[The women disperse to their families. The Girl, sweaty and lightly panting, goes to Jack and Ashi. Ashi and Jack greet each other with a quick kiss, slightly annoying The Girl.]
Jack: How was it?
Ashi: Alright, I guess. We ran, pushed the ground, and jumped in the air, just like you wanted.
[Jack asks The Girl.]
Jack: You. She wasn't too mean, I hope?
The Girl: No, My Prince. She was actually very encouraging.
[Ashi, unsure about the response, takes it well.]
Ashi: Thank you. But I hope you understand that as the days go on, I will ask for much more.
The Girl: I understand. We aim to become great warriors for our Kingdom, yes?
Jack: Yes, yes, of course.
The Girl: Indeed. Shall we go get water?
[A moment later, Jack, Ashi and The Girl, along with a few of the women and men volunteers, are at the river, which has grown a little bit, although still not at full capacity. They are all kneeling, grabbing water from the river and drinking greedily.]
[The Girl takes another gulp of water, and wipes her lips dry.]
The Girl: Ahhhh. That's better. Now, excuse me, I must get back to the infirmary.
[Jack's eyes open in curiosity, swiftly finishes his water and inquires to The Girl.]
Jack: Infirmary? Where is that?
The Girl: It is being rebuilt on the grounds where my home was.
[Ashi's eyes open as she nearly chokes on the water. She gulps it down, and turns to The Girl.]
Ashi: You live in an infirmary?
The Girl: Actually, I donated the grounds to the Kingdom after The Emperor offered me work and residence in the Palace.
[Jack and Ashi inquire together, catching each other and The Girl off-guard.]
Jack: You donated your home?
Ashi: You're living in the Palace?
The Girl: Is that a problem?
[Jack and Ashi respond together, catching each other and The Girl off-guard again.]
Jack: No, not at-
Ashi: Yes! I-
[Jack is surprised by Ashi's response.]
Jack: Ashi, I'm surprised. Why is it wrong that a selfless servant donates her home for our people?
Ashi: No, Jack. No, that's not the problem. It's very nice that she did that. But, I just don't like the thought of an unmarried woman living in the Palace so close to the unmarried Prince.
The Girl: Wait! I'm not the only unmarried woman living in the Palace, Ashi.
Ashi: I am to marry him! That's different!
The Girl: Sorry, I was just pointing out what you just said.
[Ashi, infuriated, takes a step towards The Girl, but Jack instantly intervenes. Some of the men and women around them look at the scene.]
Ashi: Why you-?
Jack: ASHI, ENOUGH! Please!
The Girl: My Prince, I apologize for my behavior towards your intended. I did not mean to infuriate. I was only looking for a clear understanding.
Jack: There's no harm done. But please, go to the infirmary and ensure it is being built to your satisfaction.
[The Girl bows and leaves.]
The Girl: Hai, watashi no oji.
[Jack looks at Ashi, who has calmed down.]
Jack: Is she going to be a problem?
Ashi: No. I can handle her.
Jack: If at any time you don't feel comfortable teaching her, she can be sent to me for-
Ashi: NO! I mean, no. I can teach her.
[Ashi, staring towards The Girl in envy, is being consoled by Jack, who understands the issue now.]
Jack: Ashi? Do not let jealousy consume you. You're the one I love. You're the one I will marry. Never forget that.
[Ashi briefly reflects, and smiles to Jack.]
Ashi: I won't. And never forget this…..I love you.
[Jack and Ashi briefly kiss and look around.]
[The remaining men and women look at Jack and Ashi with great wonder and admiration.]
[Jack and Ashi look at each other, and smile. They leave the river together, holding hands. The image fades to Scene 9.]