ACT I - SCENE 12
[WHACK! The next morning, we see The Girl's hand whack a Temari ball rolled up in white embroidery.]
[We see Jack WHACK the ball to his left.]
[Ashi catches the ball, and unsure what to do, looks at the girl.]
[The Girl is ready to receive.]
The Girl: You throw or hit it to me.
[Ashi is still confused.]
Ashi: What's the purpose?
Jack: It's for fun.
[Ashi, still not sure, throws it HARD to The Girl.]
[The Girl catches it, but felt the speed on it as she shakes her hand.]
The Girl: Ow. Not so fast, Sensei.
Ashi: Sorry. I understand you did something like this when you were children. But why?
Jack: As children, we loved to play games and have fun.
Ashi: Yes, but why?
The Girl: It was fun. That's all. Plus, it was a great way to make time pass.
[Ashi thinks. Jack sees this.]
Jack: Ashi, there's no more reason to think upon it. It's just fun.
[The Girl swiftly tosses the ball towards Jack.]
[Jack, still looking at Ashi, doesn't see the ball as is bounces off of his chest. It doesn't hurt him, but he felt it.]
[The Girl giggles a little at her quip. Jack briefly chuckles along as he gets the ball.]
[Ashi, seeing this, is even more confused.]
Ashi: She hit you, and you're laughing?
Jack: Yes, but watch this.
[Jack sharply throws the ball hard towards The Girl.]
[The Girl leaps to catch the ball, but it sails clearly over her head and out of reach. The Girl laughs as she goes to get it.]
The Girl: (laughing) That was not a cricket.
[Ashi, seeing this, smiles and chuckles slightly.]
Ashi: Okay, I think I'm starting to see it….the 'fun'.
[Jack looks to Ashi with sincerity.]
Jack: Makes you wish you had this kind of childhood, yes?
[Ashi, closing her eyes, reflects on the pain of the past.]
Ashi: Yes…let's not talk of that anymore, okay?
[Jack totally understands.]
Jack: Very well….(gasps) look up!
[Ashi swiftly looks up.]
[Ashi sees the swift-approaching ball.]
[Ashi swiftly raises her arms and catches the ball just in front of her face. She lowers her hands and sees The Girl.]
The Girl: Nice catch, sensei!
Ashi: Thank you. Um, good throw.
[Ashi looks with a clever look in her eye towards Jack. Suddenly, she throws the ball towards Jack.]
[Jack whacks the ball towards The Girl.]
[The Girl catches and instantly throws towards Ashi.]
[Ashi leaps and catches the ball that was just within her reach. She stumbles a bit, but stands tall with the ball in hand.]
Ashi: Wow! Whoa…that was….was…..that was fun!
[A montage ensues, consisting of fifteen shots of ball action. Ashi throws, Jack, whacks, The Girl throws, Ashi leaps and catches, The Girl dashes and catches, Jack slides forward and catches, The Girl jumps and whacks, Ashi jumps and whacks, Jack throws, Ashi sprints and catches, The Girl whacks, Jack runs far and catches, Ashi leaps high and whacks with her right foot, The Girl throws, and Jack runs forward and catches while kicking up dirt.]
[The kicked-up dirt subsides as Jack, Ashi, and The Girl pant softly, catching their breath, all with smiles on their faces. Jack has the ball in his hand.]
[Ashi reflects as she regains control of her breath. The Girl looks at Ashi and Jack looks at the women.]
Ashi: That really was fun. Thank you.
Jack: You're welcome.
The Girl: It's our pleasure, sensei.
[From a distance, we see the Emperor and Empress watching Jack, The Girl, and Ashi convene after playing ball.]
Emperor: It's good that our son has found happiness and is settling back down to a normal life.
Empress: Yes. It is also very good that he is re-acquainting himself with his childhood and his friends. Even the mightiest warrior must come back home to peace and happiness.
[The camera, from above, sees the Emperor and Empress in the framework of the palace. The camera zooms out to a view of the entire kingdom in the Autumn season, still working on setting the foundations for rebuilding to its former glory.]