PART II
ACT I
SCENE II
(Rei's apartment. CONN, TOJI and HIKARI all walk up to the door. REI stands on the other side.)
CONN: Thank you for showing me the way, Toji Suzuhara. I don't always have the best sense of direction.
TOJI: You did seem a little lost… (He scratches the side of his cheek for a moment.) Uh, Conn… Do you have a-any brothers?
CONN: A half-brother, my elder by seven years.
HIKARI: Are you and him close?
CONN: No, Hikari Horaki. We are not. In my opinion, to have brothers it to be cursed. Did not the tale of Cain and Abel prove that? What about the civil war between Seti II and Amenmesse? Well, I suppose with that one we have to prove Amenmesse as a son of Merneptah rather than a son of Ramesses II, so strike that one from the list. Did not Abel of Denmark kill his brother Erik IV… Funny example that one… One brother by appellation, the other by deeds. To have a brother is to have an enemy, nothing more nothing less.
TOJI: You don't sound entirely convinced.
CONN: Maybe it is because I am not.
TOJI: Shinji is… was… Shinji's like my brother and he's one of my best friends.
CONN: Special Inspector Kaji told me. I wish I could offer some hope, but I feel like I'd just be repeating myself today… Did Shinji ever speak of his second cousin Rei Ayanami?
TOJI: What do you mean? Like with past experiences? (CONN nods.) Not really, he thinks… thought he might have met her once when he was a kid.
CONN: So, he didn't meet her until this year?
TOJI: That's right.
CONN: Then why bother having me check on her?
TOJI: You told me the old guy had given you an order, Conn. How about you just do it?
CONN: I was also threatened by my superior if I am not back at the archives within the hour. I could just say I checked in on Rei Ayanami and go back to headquarters.
HIKARI: Conn, Rei has… She lost her cousin, we lost our friend, Asuka lost her… We've all lost Shinji… Wait, listen… Do you hear that?
CONN: I don't hear anything.
TOJI: No, she's right! Listen… That's… (He opens the door to find REI staring into space, talking to the air, unaware of the presence of the other three.)
REI: A maze? I am sorry, but I cannot help. Can you go back to the sea?
TOJI: (Quietly.) What the fuck…
REI: Do you have any idea where the paths could lead?
HIKARI: Who is she talking to?
REI: Whose voices?
CONN: Could be insane, could be talking to a ghost… Either way, I should report this to Deputy Commander Fuyutsuki.
TOJI: What? You're leaving?
CONN: I was sent to check in on her and now I have to discover she is talking to someone we can't see, Toji Suzuhara… Besides, I still have thirty-five minutes before Vladimirovich's threat against me goes into effect.
HIKARI: W-What was the this threat this person made against you?
CONN: I'm pretty sure he intends to make it so I require crutches rather than a walking stick, Hikari Horaki, so I really must be going otherwise he'll be finishing what my… I really must be going. Good day to you both. (EXITS.)
REI: Good luck, Shinji.
TOJI: (More than a little shocked.) Shinji?! Hey, Conn! Wait one moment! (He EXITS while HIKARI walks into the apartment. Startled by how it looks, she takes a quick look around, before returning her focus to REI.)
HIKARI: R-Rei… (REI turns her head in HIKARI'S direction, noticing her for the first time, not at all seeming surprised or bothered by the class representative's sudden arrival at her apartment.) Are you alright?
REI: Much better after speaking with Shinji. What are you doing here?
HIKARI: I came with Toji and Conn to see if you are alright.
REI: And where are they now?
HIKARI: … I… Uh... went ahead… Have you always lived here?
REI: Yes. Suzuhara has been here before. Has he not told you?
HIKARI: (She shakes her head.) No… He hasn't… What do you mean by you are much better after speaking with Shinji?
REI: I mean what I said. He is trapped, lost and trying to find his way home to us and once more the Children shall be five. (EXEUNT.)