FADE IN

INT. Subway station. Evening

Toshi, a late twenties ostrich dressed in cheap business attire and carrying a briefcase makes his way down the subway entrance to the turnstiles. His turnstile beeps when he swipes his pass and does not let him through.

Recorded Voice (filtered)

Pass expired. Please renew your pass. Pass expired. Please renew your pass.

Toshi (V.O.)

Damn! Even you, machine? Everything is against me today. Today? This week. This year.

(beat)

My whole life.

Toshi turns around to see a line of stiffly smiling faces have built up behind him.

Toshi

Excuse me. My pass is dead. I need to go back.

The crowd parts just enough to let Toshi through. He murmers barely audible apologies as he makes his way back to some ticket kiosks. He fumbles to retrieve his wallet, pulls out a credit card, and inserts it into the kiosk. The kiosk beeps and the screen reads, "CARD DECLINED". Toshi sighs, puts the card away, and pulls out a bill. He insert the bill into a bill receptacle but the kios reject the bill. Toshi tries and fails two more time. He closes his eyes and moans dejectedly. He looks up and down the platform and spies a sign reading "Tickets" at the farthest corner. A train rolls in.

Toshi (V.O.)

Hell. I'm going to miss my train.

Toshi trudges down to the ticket booth and get in line behind a couple of people. When it is his turn, he is greeted by a very elderly, koala man in a subway uniform.

Koala

(brightly)

What may I do for you?

Toshi

Day pass, please.

Toshi slides his bill across the counter towards the Koala.

Are you sure? A gentleman like yourself would want a season pass. Cheaper in the long run.

Toshi

Just the day pass please.

Koala

Right you are! But day passes have just gone up. They're 110 now.

Toshi winces his eyes shut. He fumbles for his wallet again, then rummages through his pockets. The mare behind him speaks up, handing him a bill.

Mare

(slightly exasperated)

Here's ten. Go on.

Toshi

(bowing shyly)

Thank you!

The mare returns his bow with a stiff smile and motions for Toshi to turn to the counter. Toshi completes his transaction and makes his way through the turnstiles.

INT. Subway car. Half hour later.

Toshi is staring down at his feet in a crowded subway car. The car jostles particularly hard and throws Toshi into Bagheera, a mid-thirties male black panther in a nice business suit. When Bagheera glares at Toshi, Toshi bows.

Toshi

Humble apologies, sir.

Bagheera nods curtly, gives Toshi a slow up and down look, and then an unsettling smile. Toshi looks at the floor and turns away.

Toshi (V.O.)

Yeah, I'd bet you'd like to devour me. Would it be to get back at me for my clumsiness? To show me who's boss? Or maybe you're just hungry. It's no more than I deserve. I am no use to anyone. At least I could be a decent meal.

I wonder if it's true, what they say. Touching your face three times in front of a carnivore is a signal that you give consent to a devouring. I never believed that an animal would want do that but now...I'm not so sure. You hear victims after attempted attacks say they blanked out. They didn't feel a thing. They just woke up in the hospital.

Keeping his head down, Toshi lifts his eyes to see Bagheera still staring at him. Slowly, Toshi lifts his hand to his face. Bagheera raises an eyebrow. Toshi pats his face again. Ragheera smiles a broad toothy smile. Toshi closes his eyes and pats his face a third time. His eyes open widely when he hears Bagheera right in his ear.

Bagheera

(with a low growl)

Not here. Tonight, outside the south entrance to the Black Market. One AM. Do you know where that is?

Toshi nods blankly. Bagheera makes his way to a door and stares out it. He gets off at the next stop.

Toshi

What have I done?

SERIES OF SHOTS

- Toshi in a pawn shop, selling his pocket watch and ring.

- Toshi outside a grubby noodle shop, absentmindedly slurping some noodles. A couple of empty sake bottles are on his table. He takes a pull from a half empty one.

- Toshi wandering seedy city streets

CONTINUE SCENE

Toshi wanders up to the entrance of a brightly lit alleyway. Down it, he can see a few meat vendor stalls. Toshi winces and shudders. He is startled when he hears Bagheera speak right behind him.

Bagheera

So you came after all. I thought for sure you would chicken out. Although in the circumstances, chicken out has two meaning. Hmmm, I wonder if you taste like chicken.

Toshi lifts his chin to expose his neck.

Toshi

I just want to get it over with.

Bagheera

(teasingly)

Not here. We need the perfect spot. Come with me.

Bagheera starts towards the alleyway.

Toshi

(panicking)

In there?!

Bagheera

Of course. No better place. What's the matter? Does all the meat remind you too much of your fate?

Toshi

Will I be safe in there?

Bagheera

What does it matter?

(beat)

But yes, no one...else...will harm you. They'll know you're mine. Let's move!

Bagheera leads Toshi by the elbow through the Black Market, down a dark alleyway, across a small bridge, and down a stairway to an underpass of a canal path.

Bagheera

Ready?

Again, Toshi lifts his chin to expose his neck.

Toshi

Okay.

Bagheera

(teasingly)

Oh, no. It's not going to be that easy. Let's make this fun. You need to run.

Toshi

Run? I...I don't want to run. I want to get it over with.

Bagheera

Too bad. Get going.

Toshi

I...I

Bagheera's eyes turn red and he growls as he shouts.

Bagheera

I said run!

Toshi blanches slack jawed. Confused, he turns and trots off down the path. Bagheera watches him and sighs.

Bagheera (V.O.)

Looks like he needs a little motivation.

Bagheera leaps to knock Toshi down face first onto the pavement. Bagheera then claws at Toshi's back, shredding his clothes and leaving eight fine lines of trickling blood down Toshi's back. Toshi whimpers in pain. Bagheera leans to speak into Toshi's ear.

Bagheera

Disappointing. You need to run like your life depends on it. Or should I say, your death. Make it worth my while, and who knows, maybe I'll make it quick and clean. Or we can do it like this all night long.

Bagheera hauls Toshi to his feet by his collar. Toshi looks back with a mask of pleading and horror. Bagheera shoves him.

Toshi

Please!

Bagheera

Run!

Toshi turns, stumbles, and runs off in earnest, tripping once on a sidewalk crack. Bagheera watches Toshi go with a broad, malicious, toothy grin. A shadow flits across Bagheera's face. As Toshi disappears around a bend, Bagheera runs after him.

As Toshi runs, he looks over his shoulder to see Bagheera catching up with him fast. Toshi redoubles his efforts. As Bagheera nears Toshi, he leaps and bats Toshi's heel, causing him to trip and somersault into a heap. More gracefully, Bagheera also somersaults and ends up on his feet to loom over Toshi.

Bagheera (CONT.)

That's...better. But is it your best?

Sitting to face Bagheera, Toshi scrambles backwards, taking off his coat and tie as he goes.

Bagheera (CONT.)

What? You gonna fight me? Ha!

Toshi crouches, leaps, and flaps his wings furiously to fly but he only gains a foot of height. Bagheera jumps, readily snags Toshi's tail with his claws and drags him to the ground.

Bagheera (CONT.)

(chortling)

An Ostrich? Fly away? Nice try. I must admit that was entertaining. Maybe you've earned your death after all.

Bagheera shoves Toshi's back up against a large tree, places his hand on the tree on either side of Toshi's head, bares his fangs, opens his mouth wide and leans in towards Toshi's neck. There is a faint whistle and a thud. Bagheera howls in pain. He sees his hand pinned to the tree with a bamboo bolt. Toshi also turns to look at the pinned hand, faints and sags to the ground.

Gouhin

Hmph. Looks like I gained two patients tonight.

Bagheera turns as best he can with his hand pinned to the tree to see Gouhin, a very large panda with a crossbow over his shoulder, casually lighting a cigarette.

Bagheera

(between gasps)

What...do you mean...patients? Who are you?!

Gouhin

Gouhin. I'm a doctor. Psychiatrist. I also have a hobby doing security for the Black Market. Best way to find new cases. So, you see, you've got two options. Either I haul you into the police or you come with me for some treatment.

Bagheera

My hand? That's rich. First you put ... a hole in it. Then you patch it up?

Gouhin

Oh, we'll fix your hand but that's not your worst problem. You're sick. Sick in the head. I have seen a lot of bad cases but you take the cake. You don't just eat meat or hunt. You play with your food. Keep it alive just for your sadistic entertainment. Normally I wouldn't consider turning you in but I am not sure you are curable. But, as you can see by the scars, I'm a glutton for punishment. So, I am willing to give you a try. What'll it be? Me or the cops?

Bagheera glares at Gouhin in silence.

Gouhin (CONT.)

I'll take that as consent to treatment.

Gouhin takes a long drag on his cigarette, pulls out a pair of handcuffs, easily overpowers a resisting Bagheera to cuff his free hand. Goughin then pulls the bolt out of Bagheera's other hand as Bagheera grunts, cuffs that hand, then forces Bagheera to the ground. With a little effort, Gouhin hoists Toshi over his shoulder with one hand. He prods Bagheera with his foot.

Gouhin (CONT.)

Move!

FADE OUT