Apartheid 100
Samurai of The Holy Land
"Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English, or France to the French"-
Mahatma Gandhi
It had been months since the unrest in Jerusalem began. The four of them resided at the al'Aqsa mosque.
Soran: Ever observed the Eid al-Adha?
Shizuka: The Islamic holiday? "The Feast of Sacrifice"?
Soran: That's the one. Aside from butchering the goat, we also give gifts and our Eid prayers.
Shizuka: You really are proud of your people.
At the end of the Eid al-Adha, they continued their journey to the West Bank.
Kencho: How much further is it?
Soran: Not that far.
But then, they spotted the truck. The police were there.
Amalya (in Hebrew): [This is the police. Come out and put your hands up.]
Akira (getting suited up): Been a while since I tried out my new shark suit.
Shizuka: Again?
Soran: Come on. Have some faith. (Loads his M16)
But just when they were about to come to the aid of the driver, to their surprise, a figure came out of the truck. She turned out to be a samurai. This came as a shock as she knocked the police cold.
Akira: That was so cool!
Samurai: Danke shon.
Soran (recognizing the dialect): You're German?
Samurai: I owe you my debt of gratitude. My name is Beatrix Amerhauser.
Beatrix revealed removed the samurai helmet and revealed herself.
Akira: So you're into Japanese culture.
Beatrix: Ja! That's where I went to college!
Kencho: That explains the armor.
Soran: What were the police doing here?
Beatrix: I was charged with dangerous weapons at the anime convention her in Jerusalem.
Shizuka (trying out the helmet): It does make a good bulletproof gear.
Akira and Soran had a look Beatrix's truck.
Soran: You sold fish for a living?
Beatrix: I had good reasons. It's not possible here. Seeing that you all are brave samurais, I have a request. Will you help me deliver the fish to the Jewish Quarter?
Akira: What got you to deliver fish for a living?
Beatrix: Ever since my time in Japan, I was exposed to the culture. I dreamed of making a living and observing the culture. I came here to Jerusalem to spend time with my Jewish family. When Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered, that's when we fell apart. I couldn't bear to see my own people become like the Nazis here in Israel. If we win the fight, I want to be a sushi chef!
Akira: We'll do it. We'll deliver the fish to the Jewish Quarter even if it costs our lives!
Beatrix: Danke shon! You are a true samurai!
The delivery truck damaged. So they had no choice but to bag up the fish they could carry.
Beatrix: Please don't hate me for being Jewish.
Soran: It's not you I hate. It's the Israeli government.
Kencho (Stopping his bike): Speak of the devil, how many more soldiers do they need to send out?
Akira (putting on his suit): You guys ready?
Beatrix: Ja!
Soran (arming himself with his M16): Good to see you're both motivated, but have we got a plan without giving the Zionists their wish where they say we're the bad guys?
Akira and Beatrix: Not yet.
Kendo: Don't know if their goal is to capture or kill us…
Shizuka: I think I have an idea. Remember the aquarium? If we use the tear gas, we can blind the IOF and take them down without killing them.
Kendo went out on the roof of the building all nude showing off.
Kendo: HEY! Come and get me, coppers!
Once again, IOF headquarters was observing the situation in the Jewish Quarter.
Amalya (in Hebrew): [Not this again. (Noticing Lanoie giggling about Kendo prancing in the nude) What is with you and this pervert?]
Akira used the truck as a barricade to cover Kendo. Soran got on the roof to fire his gun at the IOF. The tear gas they had were from the truck stop where their RV was fixed. The tear gas prevented the IOF from seeing Akira and Beatrix attacking. Soran didn't have to waste his ammunition.
Akira: Tonight, we party!
In celebration of their victory, they went to dine at the Tokyo Sushi.
Akira: I don't even have to chew! It just melts in my mouth!
Shizuka: The vinegared rice gently falls apart in my mouth. It's prepared with perfection.
Kencho: It's prepared with the right amount of sweetness. I didn't realize Muslim Quarter has this kind of business!
Chef: I immigrated to Jerusalem to support the Islamic community in Palestine. Take what you like.
Akira (as Beatrix takes a bite of her sushi): What do you think?
Beatrix: It's bitter. Bittersweet but wonderful. (Breaks into tears) I'm so happy Jerusalem has a sushi joint!
Soran: Viva Palestina!
Chef: I believe you're shedding tears on my food. I work everyday to feed the Muslim community with no days off even on my daughter's wedding and the day of my wife's funeral. I never felt so honored. Since this town is occupied by the Zionists, you're probably my last customers. (Offers soft drinks) Here, drink what you like!
After their time at Tokyo Sushi, Akira crossed out "Pig Out At A Nice Sushi Restaurant".
Kencho: Hadn't bathed for weeks.
Shizuka: I doubt there's clean water in any rivers for us for a proper bath.
Soran: We have the hammam.
So off they went to the hammam. They were excited. Problem was, the plumbing in the women's bathing room
Akira: This could be a nice place for us to go on a date.
Shizuka: Dating is a waist of time.
Akira: No wonder you're so antisocial. Me? I'm always happy spending time with some friends.
The boys were excited to go in the bath. Probably was, there was no water in the women's. But Beatrix didn't mind. Shizuka did not approve of this, so she waited until nightfall to take her own private, dignified bath. Akira, too came out, unaware of her presence. It was a rock that kept them from seeing each other. That was until Akira dreamily floated into Shizuka's presence.
Akira: Sorry! I didn't know! It was an accident!
Shizuka: Never mind. Just go!
Akira: Eh? You're not being fair! I wanted to take a bath, too! If I have to leave without taking a bath after a long day, I'd rather die.
Shizuka: Just don't stare at me. Anyway, I'm sorry about earlier.
Akira: Huh?
Shizuka: When I was in denial of your romantic ideas. My father never approved of my life choices. When your opinions are ignored, it makes it difficult to accept opinions of others. In order to defend your position, you assert your legitimacy by rejecting what others say. But you aren't concerned about winning approval. You just say what comes to mind. So I became jealous and frustrated. The old me slipped out. Truth is, I'm bad at romance. I was afraid of getting hurt. That's why I'm not very social.
Akira: Shizuka, right now, you're very open.
Shizuka: If I ever fall in love, I hope it's with some I can be this open with. (Gasp) I didn't mean it! Why did I say it!?
Kencho (Spotting them in together): Hey! You guys are bathing together!
"Bathe In The Hot Springs" was crossed out.