Aparthied 100
RV of the Holy Land
"The Zionists' Argument to Justify Israel's Present Occupation of Arab Palestine Has No Intelligent Or Legal Basis In History"- Malcolm X
The boys stopped at a store to look at the watches.
Akira (looking at a watch): Solid gold! This is sick! (Crosses out get a gold watch)
When they returned to their hideout, the boys discovered they were out of water.
Kencho: The Israelis must've cut off the power. The Wi-Fi's down, too. Our phones are charged, but I can't get any news. The police are all over the city, and we can't get any food or water.
Akira: Never mind that. Look.
Akira pointed to the stars.
Soran: We don't have that many electricity at the West Bank. I've seen those stars myself.
Kencho: I'm sure your family is okay.
Akira: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's head to the West Bank!
The trio could only pack lightly.
Akira: There is something I definitely want to get on the way.
Kencho: What are you talking about? A gun?
Akira: Nope. I'm talking about traveling! Equipped with kitchen and bathroom! So we don't have to worry about the fuzz! A best friend for leisurely trips where you can sleep! A house on wheels! So, you guys in?
Soran: Might as well do it.
Kencho: Sounds like a great idea!
As they arrived, they saw Shizuka.
Shizuka: We sure run into each other allot.
Kencho: You did say you were headed this way.
Akira: What a coincidence! I didn't think I'd see you again! This is definitely fate! Well, now that you're here, will you join us and come to the West Bank?
Shizuka: I don't have time for games.
Soran: Shizuka, the Quran says, "Believers, always be conscious of Allah and befriend the truthful."
Kencho: You don't happen to have a license, do you?
Soran: Used to deliver fish.
Shizuka: Why are you always residing the Quran? And why are you fighting the Israelis?
Soran: They killed my people. I am Palestinian. There's no shame in it. Remember Ireland? Remember Algeria?Remember apartheid South Africa? They fought the crooked government to free their people.
Shizuka: I have seen "The Battle of Algiers" so I'd try to understand why the PLO are fighting the Israelis. In any case, an RV would be a very appropriate transportation.
Akira: See? That's exactly what I've just said!
Shizuka: Thank you, but no.
Kencho: C'mon, give em a chance.
Akira: Yeah! Wouldn't it be a poor analysis to go it alone? (Shizuka cringes)
Soran (quoting the Quran): "You cannot attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give to charity, God is fully aware of. "
Kencho: Plus, you might find the benefit in teaming up.
Akira: C'mon, it'll be fun!
Shizuka: That is not my issue here!
Kencho: Four heads are better than one.
They went inside the building and discovered a convention of RVs.
Akira: Look at that!
Kencho (checking out one of the RVs): This one's got a crane!
Akira: What do we pull with it?
Soran: Can save lives. This can solve our measures against the demolition on our homes.
There were other RVs. Another with a jacuzzi. Shizuka had a look at the RVs of her own choice.
Shizuka: Taking into an account of mobility and speed in an emergency, a four-wheeler is a must, since it has the greatest maximum output. If we're going both on and off-road, a midsize SUV would do the trick. Considering there may not be a single gas station in a hundred mile radius, maybe we should go with a hybrid. In fact, in terms of durability, perhaps we should go with an import rather than domestic for a warzone. Which means something like this seems right.
Kencho (looking at the price): Twenty million sheckels!?
Akira: That's 754,027,263 yens! I want this one.
Shizuka: How is that going to get us through traffic? We're going with this one, and that's final. (Shows the monster truck)
Akira: It's cool, but it doesn't look anything like an RV. We could at least go for the one where the roof pops up.
Shizuka: Sleeping on the roof of the camper is like giving information to the police.
Kencho: Picky much? Life is so boring if you don't do what you want to do. I'll bet there's a ride that'll get your attention.
Shizuka: We are at a crisis. Why would I stoop to choosing based on…
At that moment Shizuka spotted a Volkswagen.
Kencho (snickering): I knew there would be something you wanted!
Shizuka: That did not count!
Kencho: C'mon, don't deny it.
But then, the police arrived.
Amalya: Stay where you are.
Akira: Oh crap! It's the fuzz!
Soran: Time to go.
Without hesitation, all four of them got into one of the RVs. Akira went into ignition and drove the RV out. Kencho kept the bike.
Akira: There's no traffic here, so far.
Shizuka: The Israelis are more focused on hunting down the Hamas that are holding their families hostage from what I've heard.
Akira: You don't really think the Palestinians are bad people, do you?
Shizuka: There have been tweets claiming the Mossad framed the Palestinians. If we can petition to the Hague to hold Netanyahu accountable, we can end the Israeli occupation. The Americans are furious that Biden has forgotten about Rachel Corrie and the sailors of the USS Liberty.
Akira: Does that mean the Americans will petition their support for Palestine?
Soran: I believe so.
Kencho: We're getting close to the Dome of the Rock!
Soran: I look forward to praying at al'Aqsa.
But then, something terrible happened. They ran over a spike strip. The collision had caused Kencho to fall off his bike. Out of nowhere there were Israeli settlers in baseball gear and the devil himself, Gozou Kosugi.
Kosugi: Well, if it isn't Tendo. What do you think you're doing skipping work? (Seeing Akira act hesitant) What's wrong? I didn't you to run from the police.
Akira: I'm glad to see you're doing well. (Gets choked up)
Kosugi: I see you've gotten yourself into a situation. I doubt you'll be able to travel with your RV in this condition. You should hurry and tend to your friends. Want to lend me your hand, Tendo? Our truck stop is supplied with food, spare tires, and medical equipment. We'll change your tires and get your friend patched up. I'm just glad to see you again here in this warzone. You have nothing to worry about! (Puts on a smile) As your boss, I'd never abandon a former employee! However, in exchange, how would you like to work for me again?
Shizuka: So it was you. Robbing people's transportation. Holding people against their will.
Kosugi: That's a pretty uncharitable interpretation, sweetheart. Especially when we're expected to hunt down the Hamas. It's called survival of the fittest. Two days, Tendo. I'm sure you'll be of use to us. You wouldn't want your friends to be turned over to the cops, would you?
Soran: Don't do it, Akira. I would rather go on a hunger strike in prison than be a slave to this bastard.
Akira: As you wish. I'd be happy to work for you again.
Kosugi (putting on a smile): That's more like it! We've got a contract!
Soran quietly followed Akira and Kosugi so he'd see what looked like a labor camp. Workers were so exhausted, they couldn't carry the boxes on their own.
Soran: That two-faced bastard. He's been lying through his teeth!
Soran went to find Shizuka and Kencho.
Shizuka: I don't think you've fractured anything, but you should rest.
Kencho: I blame myself for Akira…
Shizuka: They had this all planned out. Don't blame yourself.
Kencho: If we could just change the tires, we'd be out of here sooner! We only have to wait two days.
Shizuka: I hope so.
Soran: Except it gets worse.
Shizuka: Hmm?
Soran: Kosugi is turning this place into his own Auschwitz.
Shizuka: What makes you so sure?
Soran: Can't you see those people out there laboring under the hot sun with no water? I know Kosugi. He tortured the Akira and the staff at that company they worked at.
Soran was right. Akira was exhausted from the hard work arranging the boxes. At that moment, he saw a truck load of beer. He, too, noticed everyone was struggling under the heat. There was a generator in the truck, so Akira turned it on in hopes it cool everyone off. But then, Kosugi caught him.
Kosugi: This isn't your station. And when did I order you to turn the generator on?!
Soran (behind Kosugi): Is there a problem here?
Kosugi (smiles): No, not at all! Just making sure your friend is doing a good job. Come! There fresh beer for everyone! Tonight, we toast to Tendo and his friends! Get some rest and recuperate.
This was the first time in months Akira felt tortured. Soran eyed Kosugi with caution. Akira saw they were using the Hamas POWs to tow the vehicles.
Kosugi: Perfect example to set for terrorists, huh. They need to shut up and work.
Akira: Terrorists…?
Kosugi: And you. Your friend is a terrorist. You are an equipment. You think you're so special. But so far, you're nothing. More pathetic than you think. The best you can do is follow my orders! Now get us all some beer!
What Soran mentioned of Kosugi reminded Shizuka of her childhood where her father wouldn't let her have any fun.