Ignition Episode #8: An Angel Without Wings By Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney FADE IN: INT. EXTREME CD VISION - MORNING NAOKI pauses in the middle of restocking CDs and turns to KENJI, who is doing something on the Point of Sale terminal. Kenji notices Naoki is looking at him and very slowly raises an eyebrow. NAOKI Hey. KENJI Hey? NAOKI Look... What did you do to Mimi? Kenji gives Naoki a flat stare for three beats. KENJI The question that you need to ask is what she attempted to do to me. NAOKI ... Care to run that by me again? KENJI Do you remember the time Hikari's older sister asked us to help guard her dorm room because she thought there was a ghost? NAOKI (amused) Yeah... and the "ghost" was kidnapping us one by one -- until you were the last one left. KENJI And then the time when, at the last possible minute, we were asked to help put up booths for the school festival? Or the incident during the class trip to Osaka? NAOKI (realization dawning) ... Ah. KENJI Right. I wasn't exactly pleased when Mimi tried and failed at a similar stunt. NAOKI Still... don't you think you were a bit harsh? KENJI No. She knows now that I won't put up with that kind of thing and she won't try it again. That's all I wanted. EXT. SCHOOL HALLWAY - MORNING AYAKO and KYOKO are walking side-by-side. AYAKO When my uncle went away to England I was kinda' sad, because he used to come over and spend time with me a lot... KYOKO Aww... I can't say I've had anyone in the family go away like that. But you've made new friends since you started high school. AYAKO Yeah... Um... (blushes) Kyoko-sempai? Have you ever... I mean... KYOKO What is it? AYAKO Have you ever had... a... you know... KYOKO A what? AYAKO ...boyfriend... Kyoko stops short. She pauses for two beats, then smiles slightly and sits down on a nearby bench, motioning Ayako to do the same. KYOKO I have. Two of them. AYAKO (sitting down) What were they like? KYOKO The first one was a soccer player -- handsome and strong. The second one was... Ayako looks on, emotions churning her insides, because she sees pain evident in Kyoko's face. KYOKO (CONT'D) He was the sweetest guy. Always so sincere and kind, even if he wasn't sure about what he was doing a lot of the time. AYAKO What... what happened? KYOKO He left me. AYAKO (getting excited and angry) What was his name? KYOKO (sigh) Kenji. Asakawa Kenji. Ayako stops short, staring fixedly in shock. FLASH-CUT TO: INT. DEPARMENT STORE (EPISODE 6) Each spoken line is shown as it appeared in Episode 6. MIMI What the... Kenji? KIMIKO You know Kenji? MIMI Oh, by the way Kenji, I wanted to ask something... AYAKO Fine, Kenji-ba~ka! We'll meet again! FLASH-CUT TO: EXT. SCHOOL HALLWAY KYOKO (sigh) But that's over with. I still miss him sometimes though. AYAKO (V.O.) It's him... I can't believe it. It was that jerk all along... He's going to pay! KYOKO Ayako-chan, are you alright? AYAKO (very serious; she nods) I'm fine. I have something I have to do. Excuse me. EXT. SCHOOL ENTRANCE - AFTERNOON Ayako is leaving school, but she stops short when she sees a haggard RICHMOND standing by the gate. The students who see him as they pass point and stare. Ayako scowls and strides over to him. AYAKO What the hell do you want now? RICHMOND Ayako-sama! AYAKO (impatient) I'm waiting. And I still have that hatchet at home. RICHMOND I am very close on the trail of the Valkyrie Stone possessed by Kenji Asakwa. I just need to find a way to-- AYAKO (interrupting him) WHAT DID YOU SAY?! RICHMOND I-I said... AYAKO (disbelief) *He* has a Valkyrie Stone?! (beat) Of course! Those tweaky girls he was hanging out with! (to Richmond) One of them was even dumber than you are! Richmond blinks; he feels insulted but knows better than to say anything. AYAKO (CONT'D) Which means... you know where he is and what he's been doing, don't you? RICHMOND Yes my lady! It would be a pleasure to server y-- AYAKO Good. We'd better get moving. There's planning to do. RICHMOND Y-you're not going to kill him, are you? Not just for a Valkyrie Stone? AYAKO (evil grin) No... That would be much too kind. I'm going to tear his life apart! INT. EXTREME CD VISION - AFTERNOON NAOKI Time for your lunch break, dude. KENJI About time. INT. MOD'S BURGER RESTRAUNT - AFTERNOON Kenji and CIVIKO are sitting down to eat lunch. CIVIKO You seem kinda quiet today... KENJI Hm? Well... I did make a pretty bad impression on people who'll be my classmates. MIMI (O.S.) (trying to sound jovial) Don't worry; when all's said and done you did better than your brother. Kenji and Civiko turn to see MIMI standing next to their table. KENJI Yeah, but that's not saying much, considering. If I knew he wouldn't do the same to me, I could tell you some pretty embarrassing stories about the guy. While Kenji isn't looking Civiko grins and sticks her tongue out at Mimi. Mimi twitches for a moment. MIMI Well... mind if I join you? KENJI (shrugs) Whatever. MIMI Y'know... if I was dealing with anyone other than you I'd think I was getting the cold shoulder. KENJI (rolls eyes) If I was doing that it'd be much worse. INT. AYAKO'S ROOM Ayako's bedroom has overly-cute decor, appropriate to a girl a bit younger than she is; stuffed animals are everywhere and the room is dominated by pastel colors. Richmond stands awkwardly in the middle of the room while Ayako is looking through the drawers of her dresser. Ayako pauses when she's about to open one particular drawer. AYAKO (irate/suspicious) When I open this drawer, don't you *dare* look! RICHMOND O-of course not, Ayako-sama! Richmond carefully looks in the opposite direction. Ayako watches him as she opens her underwear drawer and reaches inside. Richmond's curiosity overcomes him for a moment and he risks a glance at the drawer; what he sees makes him blush, but he also earns a squeaky-mallet to the head from Ayako. Richmond is sprawled on the floor with swirlies in his eyes. Ayako shakes her head, then turns her attention to the drawer as she pulls out a small wooden box. She carefully opens it and pulls out a small red gem that glows with an inner light. AYAKO Yes! It's charged too! RICHMOND (suddenly up again) What is... That's the--! Ayako suddenly whacks him again with the squeaky-mallet. AYAKO I haven't closed the drawer yet! WIPE RIGHT TO: INT. AYAKO'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER Richmond has recovered and the underwear drawer is closed. RICHMOND Ayako-sama... What do we do now? AYAKO YOU will take his Valkyrie stone. I... will set my plans in motion. Tell me... which of those girls does he value most? RICHMOND (confused) Which does he...? AYAKO You heard me! RICHMOND I think... I think that would be the car. The race he was in has become a local legend. AYAKO Well then... I guess it's time for him to get a *new* car. RICHMOND That doesn't sound very evil... AYAKO I don't pay you to think! RICHMOND You don't pay me at all... AYAKO Exactly! RICHMOND I'm... confused... AYAKO Never mind that! GO! INT. KENJI'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Kenji lies awake in bed, listlessly staring at the ceiling. The window next to him very slowly opens. Kenji closes his eyes and waits. In the dim illumination of the streetlights, Richmond can be seen, trying to creep into the room, despite having one leg in a cast. As he climbs over the windowsill, he trips and falls flat on his face. RICHMOND Ow... that was very painful... Richmond tries to quietly pick himself up, but suddenly winces and nearly cries out. RICHMOND (CONT'D) My foot! I think I twisted my ankle! (beat) Never mind that! I *must* find the Valkyrie Stone! Richmond heads over to the dresser where the car remote is located. CLOSE SHOT on Richmond as the struggles to pry the remote's plastic casing open; as he does so Kenji, looking very irate and glowing an evil, ghostly blue color (for comedic effect) looms up behind him. RICHMOND (CONT'D) It won't open! KENJI You're supposed to use a coin. Richmond whirls around to see Kenji, and manages to trip and fall backwards. RICHMOND Ow! You startled me so much I think I twisted my other ankle! KENJI ... What? The one that's in the cast? RICHMOND Yes! I am in quite a lot of pain right now! Kenji frowns and makes a move for the remote. Richmond struggles and tries to hold on to it. The two of them wind up wrestling on the ground. Richmond gets a gleam in his eye and tries to tickle Kenji. Kenji just twitches for a moment and kicks Richmond. Richmond pulls himself to his feet, awkwardly jumps into the air, and then in mid-flight is surrounded by a red glow and transforms into the dresser from before. Kenji wild-takes as the dresser descends in slow-motion. A moment later Kenji, a bit worse for wear, is pulling himself out from under the dresser -- with the remote in hand. KENJI Good fighting move. Bad way to get a hold of this thing. Richmond suddenly transforms back into human form and lunges at Kenji; Kenji finds himself with his torso and head hanging out of the window and Richmond trying to pry the remote out of his grasp. The two of them struggle for a long moment. KENJI (CONT'D) Who the hell are you? Why do you want this stupid thing so bad? RICHMOND I must have it! My mistress has commanded it! KENJI The mistress of the freaking talking dresser?! RICHMOND (enraged) You will NOT mock her! Suddenly, while both of them have their hands on the remote, the plastic casing pops open; a small red gem, identical to the one Ayako had before, pops out and starts to fall downwards. Kenji reaches out with his other hand and manages to grab it -- but in doing so winds up with Richmond being the only thing keeping him from falling out of the window. RICHMOND (CONT'D) It seems we have a stalemate. KENJI Shove it. RICHMOND Don't tempt me. Give me the Stone and you may live. KENJI And if I don't? RICHMOND After a fall like that I wouldn't have much trouble retrieving the Stone from your corpse anyway. Kenji frowns. There is a long, tense pause. KENJI Fine. Richmond slowly pulls Kenji back into the room. Kenji holds out the Stone and as Richmond eagerly reaches for it Kenji kicks him in the groin. Enraged and in pain, Richmond lunges at Kenji again, this time ramming his shoulder into Kenji's gut. Kenji is slammed against the window frame and the Stone is knocked out of his hand, falling out the window. Richmond looks on in horror and jumps out the window. RICHMOND You know... now that I think about it this wasn't a very good-- When the Valkyrie Stone strikes the hard concrete, it shatters. Kenji looks away as there is a loud THUMP outside, followed by Richmond's moaning. KENJI Idiot. RICHMOND I think I may have broken my arms... Could someone possibly provide me with a tourniquet? WIPE LEFT TO: EXT. DRIVEWAY OF KENJI'S HOUSE Richmond is being hauled into an ambulance. Meanwhile Kenji is very carefully picking up the fragments of the Valkyrie Stone and putting them into a plastic bag, while Civiko and DREAMY look on. CIVIKO What... what happened? KENJI It wasn't the remote. CIVIKO Huh? DREAMY That... crystal? KENJI He called it a Valkyrie Stone. CIVIKO (worried) And... and it broke? KENJI Yeah. Civiko trembles, looking afraid. Kenji finishes picking up the fragments and turns to face them. KENJI (CONT'D) You okay? CIVIKO What... what do you think will happen to us? KENJI (sigh) I wish I knew. But for now there isn't anything we can do about it. Just go to sleep. CIVIKO (reluctantly) O-okay... (nervous) Can... can I stay with you tonight? Please? Kenji carefully seals the plastic bag and slowly turns to face Civiko. He pauses for a long moment then nods. INT. KENJI'S BEDROOM - MORNING Kenji lies in bed with Civiko clinging to him; they're both asleep. Kenji looks very unconscious, but Civiko looks very content. Suddenly Kenji's battered alarm clock goes off. For a long moment nothing happens. Then Civiko stirs a little. She finally sits up and looks around, a little surprised. She sees the alarm clock, turns it off, and then gently nudges Kenji. KENJI (annoyed, half-conscious) Whaaaat?! CIVIKO Good morning. Kenji blearily opens his eyes and looks up to see Civiko's smiling face. He blinks and sits up. KENJI Y-you're... not a car... CIVIKO Yeah... KENJI ... CIVIKO Um... Why did you set the alarm for 8 o'clock? Kenji stares at her blankly for a beat, then realization dawns. KENJI First day of school. We'd better get going. INT. AUTOMOTIVE SHOWROOM Ayako is walking among numerous cars, most of them incredibly expensive imports. A SALESMAN notices her and approaches. SALESMAN Welcome, miss! Can I help you? AYAKO I'm looking for a really nice car. SALESMAN Well, you came to the right place... Forgive me for asking, but these cars are quite expensive; most of them were imported from America and Europe. AYAKO (acting cute and happy) It's okay! I'm just looking right now because my Daddy said I could pick ANY car I wanted! SALESMAN Oh really? AYAKO Uh huh! SALESMAN Well... in that case, is there anything that catches your eye? Ayako pauses for a moment and scans the showroom, then starts walking. The salesman follows and the two of them find themselves standing in front of a white Corvette, every part of it polished until it _gleams_. Ayako looks at the hood, where she can see her own reflection. AYAKO Wow... SALESMAN A 2001 Chevrolet Corvette. A very powerful car, and considered one of the most beautiful by car enthusiasts. AYAKO I'll take it. SALESMAN Indeed? When might we expect your father to come in? AYAKO (suddenly sounding more malicious) Apparently you didn't hear me. I said I'll *take* it. SALESMAN Huh? Ayako reaches into her pocket and pulls out the Valkyrie Stone. She carefully points it at the Corvette and concentrates. The Stone begins to glow red, and then the Corvette glows as well. Suddenly the entire showroom is lit with blazing red light. CLOSE on the salesman as he blinks in the fading haze. AYAKO Perfect. ANGEL stands where the car had been. She's a tall woman with long, platinum-blonde hair that reaches to the small of her back and has one bang that covers her right eye. She's mature and sexy, with an air of confidence. Angel wears a long sleeved white pleather dress/coat garment that covers to just below her knees and squares her shoulders, yet makes the perfect curves of her waist and hips very apparent and gives a good view of her cleavage. The dress has the Corvette logo symbol as the pull for the zipper that runs down the front, and she also wears matching tall white boots and fingerless gloves. She slowly opens her eyes -- which are a hazy, almost white neon blue color -- and takes in her surroundings. Just looking into her eyes seems to be turning the salesman into a pile of goo. As she looks around, it becomes clear that her least movement is carried out with poise and finesse. SALESMAN Wha... ha... uh... AYAKO (to Angel) What's your name? ANGEL Angel. AYAKO I am Ayako, your mistress. ANGEL As you wish. AYAKO Let's go. I have a job for you. EXT. HIGHWAY Kenji is driving the Civic down the highway; traffic is moderate but not problematic. KENJI First day and I'm going to be late. CAR (honk) KENJI (shrugs) Not your fault. INT. EXTREME CD VISION Naoki is sitting on a stool behind the counter, trying to find something interesting to do with a box of paperclips, when suddenly Angel enters the store. Naoki's eyes go wide and he drops the paperclips on the floor behind the counter. NAOKI (V.O.) Either the gods have decided not to forsake me after all... or she's going to ask for Kenji. ANGEL Is Kenji Asakawa here? NAOKI (V.O.) (irritated, lookup upwards) Why do I even bother? ANGEL Is he? NAOKI (sigh) He has the day off. He's at school today. ANGEL I see... Where is that? NAOKI (skeptical/irritated) Why should I tell you? Angel smiles, leaning over the counter to get closer to Naoki, and giving him a better view of her cleavage in doing so. He gulps. NAOKI (CONT'D) Um... She slowly puts her right hand around the back of his neck and draws him closer to her, pulling him into a long, passionate kiss. When she finally lets go, he's turned bright red. He pauses for a beat, and then blood sprays out of his nose. Naoki makes incoherent noises for three beats. ANGEL So... where is this school? NAOKI Y-yeah... School. I like school. INT. COLLEGE CLASSROOM - DAY Kenji walks into a large auditorium-style classroom; the class has already begun, and Kenji stands around for a beat. The PROFESSOR looks up from the blackboard. PROFESSOR (pleasantly) Please, have a seat. Kenji blinks for a moment and sits down -- as it turns out, next to Mimi. She sees him and smiles. EXT. COLLEGE PARKING LOT The Civic sits in its parking space amid other everyday cars. KAORU (of the Black Thunders) walks into and out of the frame. Then runs back to gawk at the car. KAORU This is...! No way! That guy is attending here?! We have *got* to get him to join the motor club! Kaoru heads off at a dead run. CIVIKO (V.O.) What was that all about? (3 beats) Sure is boring out here in the parking lot. I never really noticed before... FOOTSTEPS can be heard in the distance. CIVIKO (V.O.) (CONT'D) Hm. Wonder who that could be? Angel approaches the Civic. She caresses the right side of the hood with one hand. ANGEL My name is Angel. CIVIKO (V.O.) Huh? ANGEL Little Civic... My name is Angel. CIVIKO (V.O.) H-how can you hear me? ANGEL Your owner's been taking good care of you, I see. CIVIKO (V.O.) So? Angel leans across the hood, looking into the windshield, and smiles. ANGEL It's just too bad I'm going to take him from you. CIVIKO (V.O.) Wh-what?! Angel lazily runs her fingers along a groove in the hood. ANGEL He deserves a better car than you. He deserves... me. CIVIKO (V.O.) You're a--? B-but... You can't... ANGEL I will. CIVIKO (V.O.) If I tell him-- ANGEL He'll know how scared you are of me, and victory will be mine that much sooner. EXT. COLLEGE Kenji and Mimi are walking along a paved path that connects two large buildings. MIMI Well, I'm just glad there's no hard feelings. KENJI Whatever. MIMI Good old Captain Sarcastic. KENJI And my trusty sidekick, Insult Girl. MIMI (sticks out her tongue for a moment) What'd you think of the class? KENJI Considering what I went through to get into this stupid place it was WAY too easy. The teacher didn't even care that I was late. MIMI I take it they were a bit more strict on that at Sakurai High? KENJI You'd consider yourself lucky if it was only the teacher and not the Student Council guys who caught you coming in late. I swear, those jerks wanted to take over the world, one tardy at a time. MIMI (chuckles) You really are good at being funny. You just need the right wacky partner. KENJI (rolls eyes) That's all I need. A stand-up comedy act with Pinky. As the two of them continue walking, they come to an open plaza type area, where many students are milling around, and the various clubs are trying to show off. As they approach the Motor Club's booth, Kaoru motions frantically, and suddenly two burly guys in overalls, GENJURO and YOSHIMARO, bodily pick up Kenji and set him before the various club members. GENJURO (to Kaoru) Is this tha' guy? MIMI Hey! KAORU That's him. The one who beat Takashi the Demon! GINJI, the Club President, is a tall, imposing guy; he wears glasses and has very short hair, and wears a T-shirt and jeans. He approaches Kenji, adjusting his glasses. GINJI You're the one I saw on the way here this morning. The black Honda Civic. (beat) We want you to join us. To *race*. KENJI No thanks. I don't like racing. GINJI Don't give me that! Your car has a turbo! Mimi shoves her way to Kenji's side. MIMI What the hell do you guys think you're doing?! Ginji snaps his fingers, and Genjuro and Yoshimaro pick her up. KENJI (to Ginji) There's a bit of a story there. But all I'm going to tell you is that I didn't want it put in there. MIMI Damnit, put me down! GINJI Do you *really* expect me to believe that? KENJI (shrug) If the truth is too much for you to handle that's your problem. I have no intention if joining this or any other club. GINJI I see. Ginji nods to Genjuro and Yoshimaro, who start hauling Mimi off. KENJI (firmly) Tell them to put her down. MIMI You jerks! Put me down RIGHT NOW! Mimi struggles and the two of them seems to be having a hard time keeping their grip on her. EXT. COLLEGE PARKING LOT The Civic sits there. CIVIKO (V.O.) That's it! I can't stand it anymore! The car is suddenly engulfed in a red glow, re-forming into Civiko. She takes off at a dead run, and seems to be picking up quite a bit of speed. EXT. COLLEGE PLAZA Angel watches the situation with the Motor Club from around a corner. She pauses, pulls out a photo of Kenji, looks again, nods to herself, and puts it away before striding towards Kenji. She looks up at Mimi, then turns to Genjuro and Yoshimaro, who are suddenly looking down at her and drooling. ANGEL I want you to put her down. Gently. Before the even know what they're doing, the two are complying. Angel strides past them, until she is standing in front of Kenji. KENJI Do I know you? ANGEL (seductively) No, but you're going to. GINJI (in awe) That zipper has a Corvette logo... She's a car enthusiast! I'm in heaven! KENJI ... ANGEL My name is Angel. GINJI She's exquisite! My knees feel weak just looking at her! Angel moves closer, placing her hands on Kenji's chest and leaning close to him. ANGEL I've come here for you and only you, Kenji. MIMI Who the hell--! EXT. COLLEGE HALLWAY Civiko runs at an impressive speed, zipping past surprised students and teachers. She sees the Motor Club booth in the distance. CIVIKO Is that him?! EXT. COLLEGE PLAZA Mimi is stalking over towards Kenji and Angel, looking more and more irate with each step. KENJI (to Angel) So what do you want? GINJI (heartbroken) I can't believe it! She won't even look at me! That guy doesn't even like racing! ANGEL I want *you*. Angel suddenly draws Kenji into a long, passionate kiss. EVERYTHING seems to stop. Mimi halts in mid-stalk; her ponytail stands up on end, her glasses fog over, and she turns very pale. A distant rumbling can be heard, and Civiko suddenly skids to a halt alongside Mimi. CIVIKO Kenji-sama! I wanted to talk to you beca-- CLOSE-UP OF CIVIKO as she looks at Kenji and Angel in abject horror. MEDIUM SHOT OF CIVIKO as she slowly drops to her knees, tears welling up in her eyes. CIVIKO (CONT'D) (quietly) No... no... Kenji... sama... Kenji slowly pushes Angel away. KENJI Okay... what the hell is going on? ANGEL (to Civiko) That's right; I win. CIVIKO How could I lose so easily? ANGEL I'm just better. Kenji stops short, noticing the Corvette logo in Angel's zipper, realization dawning. KENJI Who sent you? ANGEL (laughs, runs her hands down his chest) Does it really matter? KENJI Yes. Absolutely. ANGEL (to Civiko) You can have him back... if you can beat me in a race. CIVIKO (standing up) FINE! I'll beat you and prove myself to Kenji-sama! ANGEL Good. When do you want to race? KAORU What... kind of car do you have? ANGEL (smiles) When I said my name was "Angel" I meant it. Even with a little turbo, a little Civic is no match. Kaoru looks at Angel, and then Civiko, disbelief mounting on his features. KAORU Keiichi was telling the truth... KENJI Hello? What the hell is going on? MIMI Off hand I'd say they're fighting over you. KENJI Crap. MIMI What? I would've thought you'd be flattered... KENJI Another thing I know from experience is that being fought over by two girls is always bad. Naoki can attest to that. KAORU (to Angel and Civiko) If you want to race, you can use our course. ANGEL Excellent. Kaoru winks at Civiko, who looks at him in confusion for a moment. KENJI (to Civiko) You know... you really don't have to do this. ANGEL Your mouth says that, but your eyes... Civiko panics and goes for a better look into his eyes, which remain as impassive as ever. CIVIKO What? I can't see anything! ANGEL (running her fingers though her hair) Yet another example of how much better I am than you. CIVIKO (sullen) I'm gonna race you, and I'm gonna win! KENJI Not only is this annoying, but it doesn't even make any _sense_. WIPE RIGHT TO: EXT. RACE COURSE Kenji, Mimi, Kaoru, Civiko, Angel, and Ginji are all standing at the start/finish line of a small race track; we can't see very much of the track because it has high walls and curves quite a bit. KENJI (to Civiko) I keep telling you, you don't have to do this. CIVIKO (smiles sadly) I'm kind of glad that you're worrying about me, but I'll be fine. GINJI I don't understand any of this! Where are the cars? MIMI Hoo boy... KAORU I told you to stay out of this. GINJI Pft! I'm the club president! Don't even think you can tell *me* what to do! KAORU Even if it's for your own mental health? Civiko and Angel walk to the starting line, each in a separate lane. CIVIKO (to herself) I won't lose. I *won't*. KAORU (to Civiko and Angel) Three laps is the standard for this course. You'll start on the count of three, and no funny business. CIVIKO Right. Angel stands straight, then leans her head back, closing her eyes. She is surrounded by a red glow, and quickly metamorphoses into the white corvette. Ginji looks on in total shock. GINJI A white Corvette! An angel! KENJI Hm? GINJI That's what they call the white ones! Civiko, on the other hand, seems to be having trouble. Sweat trickles down her brow, and she holds her arms tightly around herself. Fitful flashes of red light appear and disappear around her. Kenji sighs, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out his keyring. KENJI Here. Civiko blinks as he tosses it to her. She catches it, hesitates for a beat, then puts the key into her belly button/keyhole and turns it. The red glow quickly surrounds her and she becomes the Civic once again. KAORU I guess it's about time to begin. KENJI Why the hell are you egging them on? KAORU (rolls eyes, smiles) Please tell me you're not that dense. KENJI ... KAORU She isn't trying to prove anything to you; she has to prove something to herself. Kenji blinks, opens his mouth, then closes it again. KAORU (CONT'D) Let's do this. Kaoru gets into position, on the center line in front of the two cars, which are now started up and revving their engines. KAORU (V.O.) (CONT'D) There's a reason I suggested you use our course. I saw the modifications that were made; you'll have much better handling than a stock Corvette. Even with a turbo, that's the only advantage you have, and this course is so narrow and twisty the Corvette isn't likely to get up to its full speed at all during the race. The Corvette honks its horn. KAORU (V.O.) (CONT'D) And... I need to stop this monologue and get on with it. KAORU (CONT'D) THREE! CLOSE SHOT OF THE CIVIC CIVIKO (V.O.) Maybe you believe in me, Kenji-sama, KAORU TWO CIVIKO (V.O.) But... I never thought that there might be someone better for you. KAORU ONE! CIVIKO (V.O.) If I can do this... KAORU GO! Both cars floor it. FADE OUT. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Ewen "Blackbird" Cluney blackbird@blackbird.nu Blackbird's Domain http://www.blackbird.nu/ The Official Thrash Home Page http://thrash.blackbird.nu/ Knight Kevlar of the Immortal Frog Silver Knight of Mihoshi "Be nice to me; I might just develop psychokinetic powers and destroy Tokyo!" ------------------------------------------------------------------