ACT I - SCENE 16
[We see an overview of the Kingdom, still in late, overcast Winter. Then, it fades to sun-soaked Spring. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom. We hear gongs ringing, which prompts birds to fly in the sky.]
[We see the Kingdom's gong being rung by log mallets on rope.]
[We see the Japanese Astronomer's boat arrive at a dock.]
[The Astronomer, all smiles, walks to the side of the boat and opens his eyes. He sees the Arabian Sheik on horseback arrive at the dock. The Sheik swiftly dismounts and runs to the opposite end of the pier.]
[The Sheik embraces the African Chief, who is surrounded by some of his village's women and children. The Chief is glad to see the Sheik again. The Chief looks up and finds the Roman Wrestler arriving on horseback. The Wrestler waves then looks ahead.]
[Arriving at the dock is the Norse Vikings ship. The Norse Vikings are onboard their vessel, cheering while waving their swords in the air in victory. The camera zooms out to see the arrival of three Shaolin Monks. They open their eyes when someone in green tights jumps in front of them in celebration.]
[The English Archer leaps forward and raises his bow in victory. The image fades to the Kingdom once again in the sun-soaked Spring day, cherry blossoms in full bloom.]
[We see in the shadows of a room inside the Palace, some women are tending to Jack.]
[We see a woman's hands flattening the insignia of the Kingdom on a black Samurai groom's robes. The camera pans over to The Emperor, smiling at what he sees.]
[The camera pans up to see Jack in the black groom's robes, smiling in content.]
[We see an image of four nurses, including The Girl, tending to Ashi. They are dressing her up.]
[We see a couple shots of the nurses wrapping Ashi up in robes of a Samurai Bride.]
[We see a nurse applying lip-paint to Ashi's lips. The camera pans over to the Empress, smiling at the sight.]
[We see The Girl, all smiles, with Ashi's wataboshi in hand.]
[The Girl's hands places the wataboshi on Ashi's head, covering up her kanzashi.]
[The camera pans up on Ashi, showing off her lovely shiromuku, topped with the wataboshi. Ashi is all smiles. She's ready.]
[A moment later, Ashi is prepared to walk out of a small building, accompanied by the remaining nurses and escorts, one with an umbrella to shield the bride from the bearing sun.]
[Just inside the outer edge of the building, Ashi appears walking towards the escort, all smiles. The Girl is right next to her, smiling at her. Suddenly, Ashi has an instant moment. FLASH! A brief shot of Aku in black-and-white is seen. FLASH! Ashi is still stunned at the feared thought. She stops walking, catching the attention of The Girl. They converse quietly.]
Ashi: Wait.
The Girl: What? What is it?
Ashi: I'm fine. It's just-just-
The Girl: You're not scared, are you?
Ashi: The wedding? No, no.
The Girl: Then what, Ashi?
[Ashi appears to sweat a little in nervousness.]
Ashi: Listen. All I want you to do is listen. Can you do that?
The Girl: Of course. Always.
Ashi: If anything were to happen to me, I want you to take care of Jack.
[This catches The Girl by surprise.]
The Girl: What? Me? No, that's what you are going to-
Ashi: Listen, please! I just had a nightmare enter my head. It's hard to explain, but just promise me you will take care of Jack. Please, promise me….
[The Girl looking sincerely at the sweaty, slightly nervous Ashi. The Girl is concerned for her best friend, but she obliges.]
The Girl: Yes, I promise. But, that's your job. Now, please, put a smile on for The Prince. But more so, for yourself. This is the happiest day of your life. Now, take it.
[Ashi swiftly realizes her situation, and readjusts herself with a content smile.]
Ashi: Yes. Yes, it is. You're right. (clears throat) Yes. Thank you, shisuta.
The Girl: Always, shisuta.
[Ashi smiles at The Girl once more, and goes out to the escort. The Girl, still a little uneasy follows.]
[A moment later, Ashi and the escorts, including the Empress, The Girl, the nurses, and the man holding an umbrella over Ashi, walk up the aisle towards Jack and the minister. The aisle is surrounded by many people, including Jack's teachers.]
[We see a gentle zooming in shot of the altar where Jack, the minister and others await.]
[We see a scrolling shot of Ashi and the umbrella bearing escort walking forward. The Shaolin Monks, African Chief and his women and children are seen in the background.]
[We see a shot of the minister and Jack, all smiles.]
[We see Ashi, all smiles, with the Empress and the umbrella escort in the background.]
[We see The Girl, smiling with a very slight hint of regret, following the group.]
[Jack is seen smiling amorously.]
[From above, we see the escort group going towards the altar.]
[We see two male volunteer guards leading the escort, followed by Ashi, the umbrella escort, and one of the nurses.]
[From behind Ashi and the umbrella escort, the sun is bearing down, but we see the group slowly approaching Jack and the minister.]
[We see a torri of red and black top with two small clouds passing over.]
[We see a side-shot of the escort group, being obstructed by the many people gathered for the wedding. The music also changes from celebratory traditional to more melancholic and mysterious.]
[Ashi all smiles, blinks and her smile weakens.]
[Jack, seeing this, widens his eyes in concern.]
[We see a slow-motion shot of Ashi taking a step in her zouri.]
[In slow-motion, we see Ashi fall over to her right.]
[Jack's eyes widen even more in fear.]
[From above, we see Ashi fall to the ground. Her wataboshi falls off.]
[The Girl gasps in shock and fear.]
[Jack blazes from the altar towards his bride. The Emperor looks on in concern.]
Jack: ASHI!
[From behind a running Jack, we see Ashi struggle to get herself up.]
[The Empress looks on, concerned.]
[The Girl looks on, scared and shaking her head in fear.]
[Jack cradles Ashi in his arms.]
[With the sun upon her, Ashi looks at her groom.]
Ashi: Jack…
Jack: What's wrong?
[Ashi puts her hand on Jack's cheek gently as she speaks softly.]
Ashi: Without Aku, I would've never….existed.
[We see Ashi's hand fade away, sending Jack into complete shock.]
Jack: No….
[We see Ashi disappear entirely, leaving her bridal robes empty. Jack closes his eyes in defeat.]
[We see the English Archer and the Emperor all look on in shock.]
[The Girl drops to her knees, eyes filled with tears, trembling and shaking her head "no".]
The Girl: (weakly) No…
[The Japanese Astronomer and the Roman Wrestler look on in shock.]
[Jack takes a tight hold of Ashi's robes as he calls in defeat.]
Jack: (weakly) Ashi….
[Jack's eyes tremble as they fill up with tears.]
[The Girl plants her head into the palms of her hands, letting out her tears and pain as she calls out.]
The Girl: (crying in pain) SHISUTA!
[The sounds go silent as we see an above shot of Jack cradling Ashi's robes with the escort, including the Empress, looking on. The Girl is seen on her knees with her head planted in her hands. The music embellishes and then fades away as the camera fades to black.]
END OF ACT I