ACT I - SCENE 11

[A few minutes later that night, within the initial framework of the palace, we see the Emperor, the Empress, Jack, Ashi, and The Girl, along with a couple other royal helpers, prepare for bed. The Girl is fitting into her white night robe, and she lets down her hair. She goes to the light blanket-covered area, her bedding.]

[We see Ashi fitting into her white robe. Jack goes to help her.]

Jack: I am so proud of you, Ashi. Your women stopped the bandits and saved our supplies.

[Ashi motions to The Girl as she talks.]

Ashi: I know, I know. I was so happy for them. We were just soaking in the bath, then we heard some rustling in the bushes. We saw the bandits, and the women delivered better than I expected, including her. She showed no fear, no backing down, no quit.

Jack: Very good. Oh, are you two getting along?

Ashi: Oh, better than ever.

Jack: Better than…ever?

Ashi: Yes! I have to tell you, Jack. I told the women about my past, except the part about….well, you know. But they heard my story, and that just opened the women to me, especially her. Oh, and Jack?

Jack: Yes?

Ashi: She told me she had a severe crush on you.

Jack: Wha-?

[Jack, looks over at The Girl, who is resting on her bedding peacefully. He looks back at Ashi.]

Jack: She loved me?

Ashi: That gift you gave her must have been extremely special to her. We talked, and it turns out that we respect each other for our mutual admiration of you. She loves you, I love you, and she said herself that she's glad that I am here for you.

Jack: I'm….uh, I'm afraid I don't completely understand.

Ashi: It's okay, Jack. Look, I feel like…..like….I have found a true sister. A friend who also believes in love and destiny. Someone who I can share my truest feelings with, besides you.

[Jack looks back at The Girl, and thinks. He looks back at Ashi.]

Jack: I had no idea that someone could have feelings for me that run so deep.

[Ashi scoffs at that statement.]

Ashi: (scoffs) Jack….

[Jack thinks for a moment, sees what he didn't think about, and then chuckles softly at what he just said. Ashi starts to giggle with him, then suddenly, a sharp pain hits Ashi in the gut, sending her collapsing to the ground. Jack goes to her concerned.]

Ashi: (in pain) UUUUUUUUGGGGHHHHH!

Jack: Ashi?! Ashi, what's wrong?

[The commotion stirs The Girl awake. She looks towards Ashi and Jack.]

[Ashi pants as Jack stays close.]

Ashi: (panting in pain) Ow…..ow. I'm….I'm okay. Must've been a hit from that fight today.

[The Girl chimes in from behind.]

The Girl: Herbal tea, sensei?

[Ashi and Jack look at The Girl, then to each other.]

[A moment later, just outside of the palace framework, we see Jack, Ashi and The Girl sitting around a soft campfire. The Girl is scooping out hot water from a small cauldron propped above the campfire by a trio of lashed sticks.]

[The Girl sprinkles some herbal grains into each cup.]

[Ashi and Jack watch The Girl do her work in patience.]

[The Girl uses a small bamboo stick to stir the tea in each of the cups, and puts the straw down near the campfire.]

[The Girl presents a cup of tea to Ashi.]

The Girl: Sensei?

Ashi: Thank you.

[The Girl presents a cup of tea to Jack.]

The Girl: My Prince?

Jack: Thank you.

[The Girl takes a cup for herself. She looks at her cup, then up.]

[Ashi and Jack look at The Girl, with gentle smiles.]

[The Girl thinks for a moment, gently tapping her cup, and looks up again.]

The Girl: Um, how are you feeling?

Ashi: Oh, I'm fine, really. Taking on two bandits isn't as easy as I made it look. (laughs weakly)

[The Girl chuckles a little. Jack still seems awkward.]

Jack: Forgive me. It feels…..weird to me, being the only man around this campfire.

Ashi: Oh, it's okay, Jack. It's just…it's been a long day.

The Girl: "Jack"? I'm sorry, but why do you call him "Jack"?

Ashi: It was the only name that he was known for in the future. Uh, wait. That's not your actual name, is it?

[We see Jack's serious face, then FLASH! We see a black and white flashback to the future, to a scene in Episode II, where the Alien Teens are all expressing their amazement at Jack's skills.]

Hairy Teen: YO, JACK!

Lava Teen: JACK WAS ALL-!

Short Teen: JACK!

Hairy Teen: YO, JACK!

Short Teen: JACK PULL THAT-!

Lava Teen: JACK WAS ALL-!

Short Teen: JAAAAAACK!

[FLASH! Jack is back with Ashi and The Girl at the campfire, after reflecting on the memory.]

Jack: No. They called me Jack from the very moment I arrived. It has stuck to me.

The Girl: Wow. From the start of your journey to the end, you were known as Jack. For over fifty years?

[Jack didn't like what he heard as he looks at Ashi.]

Jack: Fifty ye-?! Ashi?!

Ashi: I'm sorry, Jack. I accidentally let it slip to the women before the fight today. I'm sorry.

[Jack reflects, inhales and exhales gently.]

Jack: It's okay, Ashi. The truth was going to come out sometime. I just wanted to reveal it on my own terms. But, yes…when Aku threw me to the future, something in Aku's magic latched to me and stopped my body from aging. I don't know if I'll ever age. Only time will tell, I guess.

[The Girl and Ashi reflect on this thought again.]

The Girl: So, when we perish, you remain alive?

Jack: That's what I am afraid of.

The Girl: My goodness. If you live forever….how will you go on?

Jack: Go on?

The Girl: Go on with life? Without your family? Without….us?

[Ashi hates the thought that she speaks.]

Ashi: Without…..me?!

[Jack meditates on that for an extended moment.]

Ashi: Jack?

[Jack calmly responds.]

Jack: First, nothing can ever replace the love I have for you, Ashi. And nothing can ever replace the love you have for me, my friend. I do not know if I will ever go on without you. But I want to assure you, especially you Ashi, that there is no one else, past, present, or future, who could ever replace you in my heart. That will never change. Not now, not next year, not for a thousand centuries.

[Ashi and The Girl smile in great content. Ashi rises and goes to Jack, and kisses him. The Girl smiles and nods contently. It's how it's meant to be. Then, The Girl has a thought.]

The Girl: This conversation about the uncertain future….it's….it's….a bit melancholy, don't you think?

[Ashi and Jack still embrace each other as they look to The Girl.]

Ashi: It is.

Jack: Indeed.

The Girl: You know, I've been wanting to do something for a long time….

Ashi: What's that?

[The Girl smiles playfully.]

The Girl: Play ball.

[Ashi seems confused, but Jack smiles at the idea.]

Ashi: Play ball?