The attached works are script versions of the first two-and-a-half
parts of Visits and Revelations by David Bateson.
This little project started when I read V&R but was disappointed by
the narrative, high-level treatment of the story. So I wrote to
David Bateson and asked permission to expand on the detail and put it
into script form. He said yes, and I started work. After a little
while I had what you see below completed.
This was really my first venture into fanfic writing. But after a
while David went quiet and I had a hard look at what I had done. I
found that I was disappointed by my own hubris, and let the works
sit, languishing on my hard disk. Subsequently I started Neko-phobia
(which is continuing). I now know that I prefer prose style to
script, and I think that David is a much better storyteller than I am.
I eventually decided that any criticism is a learning experience and
that I should put these up for C&C. I send David an e-mail explaining
what I was planning to do and giving him an opportunity to veto it.
It turned out that I had misinterpreted his silence; he had had a term
paper to do.
Anyway. What is given here is (really) all that there is to this little
project. It's up for shredding, but I'll only take it any further if
the reaction is strong. (I plan to discuss it with David once a little
feedback is in.) I think the script is overly directorial and the
characters' reactions sometimes waffle around oddly. I think it could
be made better, but... I now think that V&R isn't really suited to a
script interpretation, and when I started working on V&R part 4 to make
the script part 3 I quickly realized that all I was doing was putting a
gloss on David's work... so I stopped.
To claim this story as my own would be plagiarism of the worst kind.
Visits and Revelations is David Bateson's work. Because all I've done
is add detail and colour to the story, I also feel that these script
versions are really his work too, since they tell *his* story. Sure,
the story has been coloured by my own skills, good or bad. I suppose
the fairest way to put it is to say that the good stuff is his and the
bad stuff is mine.
Oh well. Enough directionless waffle and metaphoric belly-cutting.
Shred away, folks, and don't spare the flamethrowers. Please e-mail
C&C to me (dje@progress.com) or the list. I hope that someone out
there enjoys what I've done... that would make the exercise worthwhile.
Thanks to David Bateson for permission to commit the atrocities you see
below and for being helpful to a newbie.
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the property of Takahashi Rumiko and
her licencees.
(For those who don't like attachments, sorry about that, but my
stupid mailer only allows the main body of the message to be a
certain size.)
Visits and Revelations
by David Bateson
Script interpretation by David Eddy.
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the property of Takahashi Rumiko
and her licencees.
================================================================
Part 1: Mrs Saotome Visits Again. Akane Says Too Much.
[Open with a slow pan of Nerima. It is late afternoon. We
zoom in to the Tendo Dojo. As the shot zooms in we see a
woman carrying an oddly-shaped bag walking along the street
towards the dojo.]
[Cut to an interior shot of the dojo. Ranma and Akane are
sparring. By the door sits a jug of water and some
tumblers.]
[Akane sweeps Ranma's legs. Ranma leaps and comes
down behind Akane and tries to poke the back of her head.
Akane expects this and blocks it. Ranma looks vaguely
surprised before dropping low and sweeping Akane's legs.
She falls over.]
[Cut to closeup of Akane, who has just fallen on her butt
(her arms are behind her, holding her up in a vaguely
sitting position, legs akimbo). She blinks, _poit, poit._]
Ranma: [patronisingly] You're getting better, Akane!
Akane: [narrows her eyes] Raaannnmaaa! [She gets up and
attacks.]
[Cut to a view of the outside of the front gate. The lady
walking down the street, whom we now see is Nodoka, stops
at the front gate of the dojo and knocks loudly.]
[Two birds dart about briefly as Nodoka waits. After a
few moments we hear steps approach. The gate opens.]
[It is Kasumi. She looks surprised and happy to see
Nodoka.]
Kasumi: [loudly] Saotome Nodoka-san! How pleasant to see you
again! Please come in!
Nabiki: Thank you, Kasumi-san. Have Ranma and Dearest returned
from their training trip?
[Cut to a shot of the living area. Nabiki is sitting at the
table doing her homework. Soun and Genma are nearby, for a
change not playing Shogi. They all look up in horror at the
sound of Kasumi greeting Nodoka. Genma gets up and sprints
for the pond. Nabiki stands and saunters out of the room,
heading towards the dojo.]
FX: SPLASH!
[Cut to a shot of Panda-san playing innocently in the pond,
the water still heaving.]
[Pan so that we see Nabiki walking casually along the path
between the house and the dojo. The garden is looking nice
but the dojo is distinctly patched.]
[Cut to an interior shot of the dojo. Ranma and Akane are
still sparring. The door slides open, and Nabiki steps calmly
inside and closes the door behind her. She stands watching
as Akane attacks Ranma with a series of punches and kicks
which Ranma dodges. The two spar for a reasonable time as
Nabiki watches calmly with an air of mild amusement.]
Nabiki: [holds her hand to her mouth] Ahem.
[Ranma and Akane look over at Nabiki in mild surprise.]
Akane: What is it, oneesan?
Nabiki: We have a guest. A family friend has come to visit.
[There is a pregnant pause. Ranma and Akane look curious.
Finally:]
Akane: Who is it?
Nabiki: Our visitor is... Saotome Nodoka-san.
[Cut to Ranma's face, where we see shocked realization give
way rapidly to utter panic. Zoom back as he looks frantically
from side to side then runs towards the dojo entrance before
realizing that it can be seen from the house.]
Ranma: Aaaa!
Akane: Ranma! You'll have to be Ranko again!
[Ranma dives for the water tray we saw by the door earlier.
He is in mid-air before he notices that the water jug is
no longer on the tray. His eyes bug out and then he lands
untidily on the tray.
[As he comes to a stop against the door, a stream of water
pours onto his head. Zoom back to see Nabiki holding the
jug and pouring, smiling as only Nabiki can.]
[Cut back to the loungeroom. Soun and Kasumi are standing
with Nodoka Saotome. Genma in his Panda form is sitting on
the porch. Nodoka has her back to Genma.]
[Nabiki enters followed by Akane and Ranma (who is now
female).]
Kasumi: I'm terribly sorry, Father. Saotome-san called me last
week and asked to visit, and I neglected to tell anybody
else. Please accept my apologies.
Soun: [grunts] That's quite alright, daughter. It's always a
pleasure to have Nodoka-san come to visit. [He turns to
Nodoka.] I'm terribly sorry, but Saotome-san and Ranma-kun
haven't yet returned from their latest training trip.
Nodoka: [sighs] Oh dear, I had so been hoping that they would be
here this time. When will they be back?
[Ranma slumps down and looks miserable. Soun, Akane and
Nabiki look at each other nervously; Kasumi continues to
smile calmly.]
Genma: [Holds up a sign] "Not for some time."
Soun: Regrettably we don't know when they'll return. Saotome-san
told me once that his training schedule is very flexible and
sometimes changes on very short notice.
[Genma nods his head vigorously.]
Nodoka: [sighs again] Oh well. [brightens] Still, it's always
nice to visit here. May I wait for their return? I *do*
so want to see my son again.
Soun: [smiling] Please, Nodoka-san, stay as long as you want.
You are always welcome here.
Nodoka: Thank you. Kasumi, may I help with dinner?
Kasumi: Please, Nodoka-san, there's really no need for a guest to
help in the kitchen.
Nodoka: But I insist on doing something. I would not want to be a
burden. Ah! I'll do some cleaning.
Kasumi: Thank you, that would be very nice of you.
Nodoka: Ranko and Akane, you can help me.
[Cut to a shot of Ranma and Akane helping Nodoka clean the
living area. Ranma, looking sullen, is mopping the table
with a cloth while Nodoka dusts. Akane is fiddling with a
vacuum cleaner.]
Ranma: [under her breath, in a surly tone] I don't see why I
have to do this.
Akane: [angrily, but also sotto voce] You do little enough
around here as it is, "Ranko". Why can't you just help me
clean for once without complaining about it?!
Ranma: [angry and embarrassed] ...
[Akane is obviously having difficulty with the vacuum
cleaner. We watch her fiddle with it some more before she
finally straightens and grasps the hose and wand in her
hand.]
Akane: [triumphantly] Yat-ta!
[Akane turns on the vacuum cleaner and starts to clean the
floor. She is facing away from Ranma and Nodoka with the
vacuum cleaner itself behind her as she begins her work in
one corner of the room. She doesn't notice the dust cloud
billowing from the back of the cleaner. Ranma-chan is
immediately enveloped as she is almost next to the cleaner.]
Ranma: Arrgh! Klutz!
[Akane turns, looking a little hurt by the sudden insult.]
Nodoka: [turning] Ranko, be nice! Why... oh, my. Akane, turn
it off!
[Akane immediately turns off the vacuum cleaner. By now the
dust cloud is clearing, but everything is covered in a thin
film of dust.]
[Ranma looks down as she wipes at the table with her cloth.
An obvious clean streak is left behind, emphasising the
dustiness of the table. When Ranma looks up again, we can
see that she is angry.]
Ranma: Baka! What did you do that for?!
Akane: B...But_
Ranma: Don't you even know how to use a vacuum cleaner?!
Look at this! You've covered the room with dust! All that
work wasted! Baka! Unfeminine! Uncute!
[Akane, stunned by this outburst from Ranma, bursts into
tears and runs up the stairs. Ranma-chan stares after
Akane, a surprised look on her face. Nodoka stalks over and
spins Ranma around. She is angry and somewhat puzzled.]
Nodoka: Ranko! How can you be so mean to Akane! That was
totally uncalled-for, don't you think?!
Ranma: [looks surprised and guilty] I...
Nodoka: Anybody can make an honest mistake! What's wrong with
you? It wasn't necessary to yell at Akane like that. Don't
you think you are being unfeminine yourself? No man would
want such a scolding shrew.
[Ranma looks at Nodoka with big eyes. Nodoka eyes Ranma
for a moment before turning and walking off after Akane.]
[Onna Ranma turns to face the dusty mess and, lacking any
other targets, begins to work off her frustration and anger.]
[Cut to interior shot of Akane's bedroom. Akane is lying on
her bed, face-down, crying into her pillow. The door opens
and Nodoka walks in and sits on the bed next to Akane and
takes her hand comfortingly. Akane grabs her in a hug and
continues to cry.]
[Fade to a different shot of Nodoka and Akane. Akane is no
longer crying. She leans back to look up at Nodoka. She
looks very unhappy, still on the verge of tears. Nodoka
smiles at her in a motherly way.]
Nodoka: There, there, Akane-chan. You shouldn't be so upset. It
was only a little mistake; anyone could have made it.
Akane: [crying again] Oh, Nodoka-san! Everything I do is a
disaster! I can't cook, I can't swim, and now I can't clean!
How can Ranma like a clumsy girl like me when his other
fiancees are so talented?
[Nodoka pulls Akane into a motherly hug and pats her on the
back.]
Nodoka: That's not true, Akane. You shouldn't measure yourself
against other girls so. We all have our own strengths and
weaknesses. All we can do is our best. You're not clumsy.
You're a talented martial artist, aren't you? [double-take]
Other fiancees?
[Akane looks embarrassed, stops crying, an "Oh, no!" look
growing on her face. Nodoka begins to look puzzled.]
Nodoka: How can Ranma have more than one fiancee?
[Akane looks at Nodoka in horror, realizing what she has
said.]
Akane: ... [eventually, in a resigned tone] Ranma is
always being chased by the other girls. They're much better
at feminine things than I am. What hope do I have? [She
frowns as she realizes what she has said.] Not that I'd
want to marry that baka!
Nodoka: [in a motherly tone of voice] You should have more
faith in yourself, Akane-chan. [She tightens her arms about
Akane briefly.] Let me tell you a little something. It
isn't whether you can cook or clean or fight or whatever...
it's love. Those other things are not important. If a man
loves you, he won't care at all about the other things.
[Akane smiles a little. She hugs Nodoka back.]
Akane: Thank you, Obasama.
Nodoka: Well! I'm still dirty, and you look as though you need
to relax a little. Let's have a bath, shall we?
Akane: Thank you, that would be nice.
Nodoka: Ranko can join us, too. You two really need to make up.
[Akane looks nervous and starts to Sweat.]
Akane: H-Hai, obasama.
[Cut to the corridor outside the bathroom. Nodoka and Akane
are carrying their bath things. Nodoka is about to open the
door when it opens of its own power. Ranma-chan steps out,
looking freshly-bathed.]
[Akane looks relieved (that Nodoka won't be able to force
Ranma-chan into the bath with them). Ranma looks a little
surprised.]
Nodoka: [surprised] Ranko! I wish you'd waited for Akane and I.
It's much nicer to share a bath.
[Ranma looks away, her surprised look fading into one of
guilt and annoyance]
Ranma: [sullenly] I don't like waiting for crybabies.
Nodoka: [shocked, glaring at onna Ranma] Ranko! Don't be
so rude! Apologize to Akane immediately!
[Ranma looks at the floor, fists clenched. Nodoka taps her
foot. Finally, Ranma's fists unclench.]
Ranma: [quietly, and with ill grace] Sorry, Akane.
[Akane blinks, mildly surprised, as Ranma-chan runs off. Nodoka
and Akane enter the bathroom and begin to undress...]
Nodoka: [sighs] Ranko is certainly troublesome today.
Akane: Ranko is often rude and a real tomboy, Obasama.
===========================================================
C O M M E R C I A L B R E A K .
===========================================================
[Open with a shot of the living room. The remains of a
royal repast litter the table. Everyone is seated around the
table sipping tea, except for Genma who is out in the yard
looking miserable with a few scraps in front of him.]
Nodoka: That was a truly delicious meal, Kasumi-san. Thank you.
[General agreement echos from around the table. Nodoka sips
her tea reflectively before continuing.]
Nodoka: Akane-chan, earlier you said that Ranma had, umm, other
fiancees, and that the other girls were always chasing him.
[Soun leaps to his feet, microphone in hand.]
Soun: [babbling] Akane is the only girl for Ranma! There are no
others! Akane will marry--
Akane: [interrupting] Father! Please be quiet!
[Soun stops speaking, a surprised look on his face. His
mouth works for a bit, then he snaps it shut and collapses
down to sit at the table again.]
[Silence reigns... briefly. Then:]
Nodoka: Hmmm. Anyway, would you please tell me about these
"other financees", Akane?
Ranma: Do... Do you really want to know?
Nodoka: [looks oddly at Ranma] Could it be that you are
interested in Ranma too, Ranko-chan?
Ranma: [blinks in surprise] Me? No! Don't be silly.
Nodoka: Eh? [looks at Akane]
Akane: [a small smile on her face] I think that Ranko and Ranma
are too much alike to really get along.
[Nodoka turns back to Ranma and looks at her thoughtfully,
chin in her hand. Behind Nodoka's head, Nabiki is trying
not to laugh at Akane's remark.]
Nodoka: Please continue, Akane.
[Akane nods. She sips her tea before replacing her cup on
the table with studious exactitude. She takes a deep breath
and begins.]
Akane: Well, first there's Shampoo. She's from an Amazon tribe in
China. Ranma beat her in a contest while he and Saotome-san
were on a training trip. Apparently her tribe has a law that
if one of their members is defeated by an outsider, that
outsider must either be killed if she is female, or married if
he is male.
Nodoka: [incredulously] Are you serious?
Akane: Hai. Ranma--
[Akane stops suddenly as she realizes that she was about to
say that Ranma was a girl at the time.]
Nodoka: [curiously] What about Ranma...?
Akane: [looking uncomfortable] Ranma said that he, too, was
very surprised. He and Genma-san fled, but Shampoo was able
to track them here, and she's been pestering Ranma ever
since.
Nabiki: She runs the Nekohanten with her great-grandmother
Cologne.
Ranma: She's always feeding m-Ranma. She's a really great cook.
But she's drugged Ranma's food, and tried lots of other
tricks to get Ranma to be with her. Sometimes it seems as
though she'll try anything to get Ranma to...
Nodoka: Drugged?
Nabiki: [with the air of someone about to begin a long list] Well,
there was the passion spice, then there were the love pills on
that bracelet--
[Akane drives an elbow into Nabiki's ribs. Nabiki *acks*.]
Akane: [looking annoyed at all the interruptions] Who's telling this?!
Besides, the love pills were Happosai's.
[Onna Ranma shudders. Soun looks around frantically.]
Soun: [in a hoarse whisper] Akane! Don't say that name!
[Akane says nothing, but looks at the table, her expression a
mixture of annoyance and guilt.]
[Nothing happens for a moment. Nodoka shifts her position a
little.]
Nodoka: Hmmm. Akane, please go on.
[Akane takes a deep breath to centre herself and continues.]
Akane: Well, Ranko's right. She's always trying to feed Ranma
something, or she's always hanging off him or trying to magic
him or trick him into loving her. [Akane's fists are clenched.]
Ranma: [a little frustrated] She never seems to give up. Can't
she see that Ranma sees her as a friend, not a wife?
Akane: [looking at Ranma in surprise] Her great-grandmother,
Colone, is as bad or worse. She's the one who knows all the
magic lore and she addresses Ranma as "son-in-law." There's a
man chasing after Shampoo whose name is Mousse. He's loved
her since they were both children but she won't have him,
preferring to chase Ranma instead.
Nodoka: [shakes her head] She sounds like a pushy lady.
Akane & Ranma: Hai.
[Akane sips her tea and makes a face; it is now cold.
Kasumi begins making some more.]
Nodoka: Who else is there?
Akane: Kuonji Ukyou. She's a cook too. She runs an
Okonomiyaki-ya called "Uc-chan's" not far from here. She
feeds Ranma, too. She's a martial artist in the
okonomoyaki style. She's pretty. She and Ranma get on
pretty well. [she sighs] She's Ranma's only other
*offical* fiancee.
Nodoka: What?
Akane: Ranma and Ukyou met when they were six years old. The
short of it is that Genma promised Ranma to Ukyou in return
for food and giving Ukyou a home; he then ran out on the
deal - with the family's yattai - after having Ranma make a
choice he was too young to understand. Ukyou fostered a
hatred for them after that, and moved to Nerima seeking
revenge. Instead she discovered that it was all Genma's
fault, that Ranma had nothing to do with it, and since then
they've become good friends again. [she sighs again, deeply]
I would say that Ukyou loves Ranma.
[Kasumi places a fresh cup of tea before Akane. Akane sips
and looks inward for a moment. Her expression is a little
sad.]
Nodoka: [angrily] Do you mean to say that Dearest promised Ranma
in marriage with the Kuonji family's yattai - their livelihood -
as a dowry, then *ran out* on that promise *stealing* their
yattai?!
Nabiki: Yep.
Nodoka: [steamed] Just wait until I get my hands on that man!
Oohhh, we're going to have words about this!
[Outside, Genma-panda sweats visibly.]
[Kasumi makes more tea for the others and sits back herself
with a fresh cup. Nodoka sips hers, visibly forcing herself
to be calm.]
Nodoka: So. Shampoo, and Ukyou. [sarcastically] Are there any
more?
Akane: Hai. [Nodoka looks surprised. Akane's mouth twists in
distaste, and she almost spits her words.] Kuno Kodachi.
She's a perverted martial rhythmic gymnast who likes to ambush
her opponents rather than compete with them. Nor will she
keep a vow; she lost a competition for Ranma and has
continued to chase him ever since. When she first met Ranma
she paralysed him so she could kiss him. [angrily] Over my
room!
[Akane fumes, too angry to continue. Nodoka looks at Akane
appraisingly.]
Nodoka: Kodachi must be a very unusual person.
Ranma: You wouldn't believe how unusual. [looks revolted] Yuck.
[Akane looks at Ranma, again surprised.]
[Nodoka sits and thinks with her chin in one palm while the
others sit back and drink tea. Finally she speaks.]
Nodoka: Akane, may I meet these other girls?
[Akane, still regarding Ranma, jerks her head around to look
at Nodoka. After a moment she slumps forward a bit,
depressed.]
Akane: [resignedly] Hai. You should meet them so you can decide
who is best for Ranma.
[Nodoka laughs. Akane jerks back.]
Nodoka: Don't be silly, dear. Ranma will marry the one that he
loves, no matter what I say. And I wouldn't want it any other
way.
[Ranma, surprised by this pronouncement, sneaks a peek at
Akane. Akane glances at Ranma at the same time. Both are
embarrassed to find themselves looking into each other's
eyes. The moment stretches...]
[Ranma jumps up.]
Ranma: Don't worry, Nodoka-san, I'll arrange it all for you!
[runs out the door]
Nodoka: Ranko! Wait!
[Ranma leaps over the fence and out of sight. Nodoka
sighs.]
Nodoka: I do wish she hadn't done that. I would have preferred to
meet the girls without them knowing who I am.
Akane: [looks thoughtful] It's probably better this way.
Nabiki: Hai.
[Nodoka looks at them questioningly but they studiously
ignore her as they sip their tea.]
Kasumi: Obasama, do you require more tea?
[Fade to a wide shot of the dojo and surrounding houses.
It is morning. Zoom in on Ranma's window.]
[Cut to an interior shot of Ranma's room. Nodoka is leaning
over Ranma, shaking her.]
Nodoka: Ranko. Time to get up.
[Ranma grumbles a bit until she looks over at the alarm
clock. She sits up in a hurry.]
Ranma: Arrgh! We're running late! I said we'd be a Uc-chan's
in half an hour.
[Ranma flings the bedclothes back and starts to change.
Nodoka frowns as she watches Ranma dress.]
Nodoka: Dear, you really should wear a bra. It's bad enough that
you dress like a boy, but a girl's figure really needs proper
support.
Ranma-chan: [grimaces] Oka--obasan, please stop arguing and get
ready. We'll be late.
[Cut to an exterior shot of the dojo. We see Ranma and
Nodoka leaving, watched by Akane.]
Akane: [to herself] I wonder if this is the right thing to do?
Kasumi: [coming up behind Akane] It's the only thing to do,
Akane. She was going to find out about them sooner or
later.
[Fade to a shot of Uc-chan's. It is closed. A sign on the
door says, "Closed for special party." Ranma-chan appears
surprised but steps forward and knocks on the door.]
[The door opens. Ukyou answers it. She is wearing a cute
dress.]
Ranma: [surprised] Uc-chan! You look nice.
Ukyou: Good morning, Ran-chan. Thank you. [she looks from Ranma
to Nodoka expectantly]
Ranma: [getting the hint] Saotome Nodoka-san, meet Kuonji
Ukyou-san.
Nodoka: It's a pleasure to meet you, Ukyou-san.
Ukyou: It's a pleasure to meet you too, Nodoka-sama. Please,
come in.
[Ukyou stands back from the door and Nodoka and Ranma
enter.]
[Cut to an interior shot of Uc-chan's. Ukyou leads them to a
carefully-laid table.]
Ukyou: Please, be seated. I'll be back with breakfast in a moment.
[Nodoka and Ranma sit down at the table.]
Ranma: [whispering] Ukyou is normally much less formal.
[Nodoka looks at onna Ranma condescendingly.]
Nodoka: Ranko-chan, it's obvious that Ukyou has gone to a lot of
trouble. [leans back, looks thoughtful] Ranma must be very
important to Ukyou for her to take this much trouble over me as
Ranma's mother.
[Ranma looks at the floor guiltily.]
[Ukyou returns carrying a tray with three steaming-hot
okonomiyaki on it. They look delicious. She places the
okonomiyaki on the table.]
Ranma: They look great, Uc-chan.
Ukyou: [smiles warmly] Thank you, Ran-chan. [to Nodoka] Is there
anything else I can get you, Nodoka-sama?
Nodoka: No, nothing thank you Ukyou. Please join us.
[Cut to later. Nodoka, Ukyou and Ranma-chan have finished
their breakfast.]
Nodoka: Breakfast was delicious, Ukyou-san. You are an excellent
cook.
Ranma: I agree!
Ukyou: [blushes] Thank you, Nodoka-san. You are too kind. [she
smiles] Ranma certainly likes to come over and eat here.
Nodoka: [encouragingly] Oh? Please tell me more.
Ukyou: [animatedly] You haven't seen Ranma for ten years, have
you? Well, let me tell you about him. He's handsome and
strong and an excellent martial artist. He's always getting
into trouble, but it's ususally because he's gone out of his
way to help somebody or he doesn't reject unwanted attention
firmly enough. [looking inward] He finds it very difficult
to articulate his feelings, even to himself I think, and
always denies them. [she pauses, smiling wickedly] He's got
a great ass.
[Ranma looks acutely embarrassed. Nodoka grins with Ukyou,
then looks serious.]
Nodoka: [gently] Ukyou-chan, I don't mean to pry, but I have heard
a little of what Dearest did to you and your father when you
were young. Will you tell me the full story?
[Ranma winces. Ukyou looks very troubled and upset.]
Ukyou: ...
Nodoka: You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, dear. I
don't mean to make you re-live unhappy memories. I asked
because I want to know the true story so I can properly
confront Dearest when he and Ranma return from their latest
training trip.
[Ukyou relaxes a little, but still looks unhappy.]
Ukyou: Please, Nodoka-san, most of those memories are happy. It is
what followed as a consequence of that incident that burns
deeply. Please, let me get some tea for all of us and I will
tell you all about it.
[Fade to later. The breakfast dishes have been cleared away
and tea things are now arranged on the table. Ranma-chan is
looking uncomfortable, Ukyou is now calm and Nodoka is
leaning forward agitatedly and has a face like a
thundercloud.]
Nodoka: Thank you, Ukyou. I appreciate how difficult it must have
been to tell me this. But let me promise you that I will...
speak... to Dearest about his unmanly, unforgivable behaviour
at the earliest opportunity. [her voice is heavy with the
promise of Pain]
Ukyou: That's really not necessay, Nodoka-sama.
[Nodoka sighs.]
Nodoka: We'll see. [she leans back again, looking thoughtful]
But I have another concern, Ukyou-chan. It seems as though
Dearest has hardly been a good example for Ranma to follow.
Tell me, is Ranma a manly man, despite his father's example?
[Ranma-chan breaks out in a sweat.]
Ukyou: Ah... It is true that Ran-chan has some unmanly problems...
[Nodoka looks grim at this and lays her hand on the hilt of
her cloth-wrapped katana. Ranma stops sweating and looks
panicked]
Ukyou: ...but they aren't his fault, Nodoka-sama. [Ukyou
sighs happily.] He's more than man enough for me.
[Ranma slumps back in her chair in relief. Nodoka looks
quizzically at Ukyou for a moment.]
Nodoka: Ranma means a lot to you, doesn't he?
[Ukyou blushes and looks at the floor.]
Ukyou: [quietly] I love him.
[Ranma looks at Ukyou with worry, guilt, and sorrow
fighting for control of her expression. Nodoka looks
briefly at Ranma, noting her reaction, before turning back
to Ukyou.]
Nodoka: How well do you get along with Ranma, Ukyou-chan?
Ukyou: [still looking at the floor] We're good friends,
Nodoka-san, hai, close friends. I can rely on him for
anything... [quietly] except romance.
[She looks up, her expression unhappy.]
Ukyou: Ranma fights with Akane all the time.... I keep hoping
that they'll break up but they're never really serious
about their fights. They act differently when they're alone
together.
[Ranma jumps up.]
Ranma: They do not act differently!
[Ukyou smiles at Ranma.]
Ukyou: You wouldn't know, Ranko. You haven't spied on Ranma and
Akane when they're alone together.
[Ranma looks shocked.]
Ranma: You spy on u...them?!
[Nodoka looks at Ranma in surprise.]
Nodoka: Most girls spy on boys they like if the get the chance,
Ranko-chan. [smiles] You'll understand when you find the
right boy.
[Ranma looks at Nodoka with a bemused expression. Ukyou
laughs, holding her hand up to her mouth.]
[Fade to a view of the street outside Uc-chan's. Nodoka and
Ranma-chan are walking away from the restaurant, having just
left. Ukyou is watching them leave, one hand to her chest.
They are out of earshot of Ukyou.]
Ranma: [looks downcast] Why did you tell Ukyou that Ranma is
lucky she loved him?
Nodoka: Because he is.
Ranma: Ukyou should have better taste in men. [Nodoka looks a
little surprised but Ranma isn't looking.] Ranma doesn't
deserve someone like her.
[Nodoka looks at onna Ranma with a smile.]
Nodoka: Love is blind, Ranko-chan. [looks away] It's a pity that
Akane and Ukyou have the same iinazuke. They're both such nice
girls; they should both have happiness to look forward to.
Ranma: [her mouth twisted into a bitter expression] Ranma
shouldn't have met either of them. They would have been
far better off without him.
Nodoka: That's not so, Ranko-chan. [looks around at the sky
reflectively] It is better to experience love, even if you
lose it, than to never love at all. [She peers at Ranma.]
I hope that *you* find love soon, dear.
[Ranma blushes.]
** Closing credits **
Visits and Revelations
by David Bateson
Script interpretation by David Eddy.
The characters of Ranma 1/2 are the property of Takahashi Rumiko
and her licencees.
================================================================
Part 2: Mrs Saotome at the Nekohanten. Ranko Tells Some of the Truth!
[Open with the obligatory slow pan of Nerima. It is late
morning and the weather is clear and sunny. People can be
seen going about their business.]
[Zoom in on a park. We see Nodoka and Ranma (as a female)
sitting on a park bench, taking in the beauty of the abundant
growth of spring. A few other people can be seen enjoying the
park but none are nearby.]
Ranma-chan: It's beautiful, ne?
Nodoka: Hai, Ranko-chan, it is. This is my favorite time of year.
The weather is pleasant and the park seems so vibrant in its
spring clothes under the warm sun. So much nicer than in
winter, when the trees are bare and everything is hidden under
a blanket of whiteness.
Ranma: It *is* very nice. But I think winter has its own
charms... The uninterrupted form of the branches etched
against the sky...
Nodoka: [smiles] You're very poetic, Ranko-chan. [she looks
around again] I think the park is best in spring, when it's
dressed in flowers and light. Like girls, Ranko-chan, who are
at their best in feminine clothes and summer sunshine.
[Ranma looks at Nodoka, a little miffed.]
Ranma: I'll wear what I like, thank you.
Nodoka: [looks innocent] I didn't mention anything about girls
who wear boys' clothes and hide their beauty like the winter
snow hides the beauty of the park. [smiles]
[Ranma looks embarrassed and angry.]
Ranma: Please *don't* mention it.
[Nodoka laughs. Ranma eventually joins in.]
[Fade to an exterior shot of the Nekohanten. We see onna
Ranma and Nodoka standing outside. Ranma leads Nodoka
inside.]
[Cut to an interior shot. The restaurant is open for
business, and many of the tables are occupied. Shampoo is
waiting tables and looks up as the door opens to see Ranma
and Nodoka enter. She leaps over to them.]
Shampoo: Welcome to the Nekohanten! [she bows to Nodoka]
Delighted to meet mother-in-law at last! [grabs Ranma by the
wrist and drags her off] Come this way! Your table is over
here.
[Cologne meets them at the table with a tray bearing three
bowls of soup.]
Cologne: [serving the soup] Please sit down. I'll bring the rest
over later.
Ranma: [looking around at the busy restaurant] Business looks
good, old lady. Isn't it hard to manage all by yourself?
Cologne: You are welcome to help if you wish, "Ranko". Shampoo
has to talk with Nodoka.
[Ranma opens her mouth to say something, but Nodoka beats
her to it.]
Nodoka: Ranko-chan will be delighted to help.
Ranko: I should be at the table. Mousse can always help out.
Shampoo: [shaking her head] Mousse is not here. Mousse was
threatening to be noisy, so I had to cool him down.
Cologne: Don't worry about him. He'll be fine in a day or two.
Nodoka-san, Ranko would be very useful right now.
Nodoka: [looks confused] Ranko would be delighted to help.
Cologne: Thank you. [Grabs onna Ranma and throws her into the
kitchen.] Please have a good time. [She grabs Ranma's bowl
of soup and hops off.]
[Bangs and crashes echo out of the kitchen. Ranma-chan's
voice can be heard shouting _You old bat!_ and _I'll get
you!_ Nodoka eyes the kitchen door uncertainly.]
Shampoo: [leaning forward over the table] Is anything wrong with
the soup, Mother-in-law?
Nodoka: [starts and looks at Shampoo] I'm sorry for not eating.
I'm a little distracted at the moment.
[Shampoo glances at the kitchen with a smile.]
Shampoo: Don't worry. Great-grandmother *likes* Ranko. She
only fights with her to teach new techniques. Ranko refuses
to be Great-grandmother's pupil so this is the only way.
It happens all the time, nobody gets hurt. Great-grandmother
and Ranko are far too skilled for accidents.
[Nodoka looks unconvinced but starts on her soup.]
[The noise from the kitchen comes to a halt. Shortly
afterwards Ranma, who is now wearing one of Shampoo's outfits,
comes out with a load of bowls and an angry expression.
Shampoo waves at Ranma, then turns to Nodoka.]
Shampoo: Told you everything would turn out alright.
[Nodoka smiles and nods.]
Nodoka: And what do you think of her style?
Shampoo: [grins] She's a natural waitress!
[Ranma, who is passing close enough to hear what they are
saying, looks daggers at Shampoo. Shampoo smiles and waves
at Ranma who stalks off to the kitchen.]
[A few moments later Ranma returns from the kitchen carrying
Nodoka and Shampoo's next course. As Ranma places the dishes
on the table, Nodoka stops her with a hand on her arm.]
Nodoka: You look very nice in that outfit, Ranko-chan.
[Ranma slumps a bit and sighs.]
Ranma: Please, *don't* mention it.
[Nodoka smiles at onna Ranma. Shampoo stifles laughter.]
Nodoka: [as Ranma walks away] I'll get her into a pretty dress
yet.
[Shampoo loses control and starts laughing aloud. Nodoka
looks confused.]
[They eat in silence for a little while. Finally Nodoka eyes
Shampoo curiously.]
Nodoka: Tell me, Shampoo, how did you meet Ranma?
Shampoo: He came to village with his father one day. It was
the day of the village's annual martial arts competition.
Shampoo won the competition and become tribe champion.
Great honor. The prize was a feast. Ranma and his father
had been eating Shampoo's prize. Shampoo challenged Ranma.
Ranma defeated Shampoo with a single blow. [she sighs
happily] So strong!
Nodoka: So why does that make him your husband?
Shampoo: Joketsuzoku have laws about outsiders. If any of the
village warriors is ever defeated by an outsider, the law is
strict. If the outsider is woman, she must die. If she gets
away, the defeated one must chase he until one or the other
dies. If the outsider is a man, he becomes her husband.
Nodoka: What if the warrior is male?
[Shampoo frowns in confusion.]
Shampoo: All village warriors are female.
Nodoka: Really? Why is that?
Shampoo: [shrugs] Village women are stronger; they make the best
warriors. Always been that way.
[Nodoka looks a little confused at this.]
Nodoka: What if the outsider doesn't want to marry the warrior?
Shampoo: Never happen. To marry a Joketsuzoku warrior is a
great honor. All Joketsuzoku women are beautiful. What
man would not want to marry?
[Nodoka eyes Cologne, who is currently behind the counter
perched on her stick, thoughtfully.]
Nodoka: But Ranma has at least two other iinazuke. What about
them?
Shampoo: Ranma has a duty by clan law. He *must* marry me.
The other girls are weak; they don't count.
Nodoka: I don't think that a tribal custom that Ranma doesn't
support is a basis for a sound marriage. Perhaps you would be
better off seeking another man to defeat you?
Shampoo: [vehemently] Clan law must take precedence! Ranma
is Shampoo's by right! He will come to realize that sooner
or later! He cannot avoid it!
[Nodoka looks a little taken aback and leans away from her.]
Shampoo: [continuing, in a normal voice] Besides...
Maybe there is another outsider who could defeat me
but... Will he be of the right age? Will they have
Ranma's honor, kindness, and loyalty? [Her voice becomes
wistful; images of Ranma appear behind Shampoo] Would
another man have Ranma's smile... or his laugh... or his
courage? [almost pleading] How could another take Ranma's
place?
[Shampoo slumps in her chair and looks at the floor for a
second then looks up, straight at Nodoka, with tears at the
edge of her eyes. Cut to a tight shot of just the two of
them.]
Shampoo: Shampoo love Ranma. [she sits up straight and she
continues in a merciless voice] ...And Shampoo will fight
for him as long as can.
[Nodoka smiles enigmatically.]
Nodoka: Love and devotion are the best things to build a marriage
on.
[Shampoo focusses on Nodoka and brightens.]
[Zoom out to show that everyone else in the restaurant is
staring at her. They have obviously been listening.
Shampoo blushes. Ranma-chan is standing a short distance
away with a very troubled expression.]
============================================================
C O M M E R C I A L B R E A K
============================================================
[Fade in to an interior shot of the Nekohanten. Ranma,
Nodoka, Cologne, and Shampoo are standing at the entrance
saying goodbye. Ranma is still wearing Shampoo's
waitress outfit.]
[We see Nodoka lean forward and kiss Shampoo on the cheek.]
Nodoka: Thank you, dear. Ranma is lucky that you love him.
[Ranma-chan looks somewhat upset at this.]
Ranma: [murmuring to herself] That's one way of looking at it.
[Shampoo smiles wickedly at Ranma.]
Shampoo: "Ranko", please tell Tendo Kasumi-san, Shampoo will
bring dinner around tonight.
Nodoka: That really isn't necessary, Shampoo.
Shampoo: Please, mother-in-law, Shampoo often do this. Shampoo
likes to take food to Tendo house; Ranma likes Shampoo's
cooking very much.
[Ranma edges behind Nodoka at this, her mouth clamped shut.
Shampoo smiles wickedly at Ranma again before opening the
door and bowing.]
Shampoo: Thank you for coming. Please come again.
[Fade to a shot of Nodoka and onna Ranma walking along a
path along the edge of a park. They are taking their time.
Nodoka looks alert and interested, admiring the scenery in
the park again; Ranma looks despondent.]
Nodoka: Shampoo is a beautiful girl, isn't she Ranko? And so full
of vitality.
[Pause. After a long moment Nodoka turns away from the park
to look at Ranma and sees her long face. She stops and
turns to Ranma, stooping slightly so her eyes are level with
Ranma's.]
Nodoka: [concerned] What's wrong, Ranko?
[Ranma avoids Nodoka's eyes by looking at the ground.
Nodoka waits patiently for "Ranko" to reply. Finally,
unable to bear the pressure of Nodoka's gaze any longer,
Ranma replies.]
Ranma: [still looking at the ground] Why did you tell *both*
Ukyou and Shampoo that Ranma was lucky they loved him?
[Nodoka smiles gently.]
Nodoka: Because he is. [she sighs] But the girls are *unlucky*
that they have such competition.
[She pauses a moment, reaching out to pat onna Ranma on the
shoulder.]
Nodoka: Don't worry about about Ranma's iinazuke, Ranko. Ranma
will decide which of them he loves and then, well, things will
go as things do when two people are in love. [She smiles.]
I'm looking forward to hearing what Ranma-chan has to say about
each girl.
Ranma: [quietly] You won't get the chance, O...Obasan. Ranma's
training trip won't end until after you leave.
Nodoka: [still smiling] I can extend my stay, Ranko.
Ranma: [looks up angrily, her fists clenched] It doesn't matter!
They'll just extend the "training trip"!
[Nodoka's face freezes as the full implication of what Ranma
is saying hits home. The wind blows gently and cherry
blossoms float by as Nodoka and Ranma-chan stare at each
other. Eventually Nodoka speaks.]
Nodoka: My husband and my son... you say they are hiding from me?
[Ranma, trembling and on the verge of tears, just nods.]
[Nodoka looks away, staring at nothing in particular, the
line of her body expressing shock and disappointment.]
Nodoka: [very disappointed] Ranma...
Ranma: [miserable] I'm sorry...
[Nodoka looks back at Ranma, surprise overlaying the
sadness on her face.]
Nodoka: Thank you, Ranko-chan. [comfortingly] But it's
alright. It's not your fault.
[Cherry blossoms blow past on the gentle breeze. Onna Ranma
looks utterly miserable. After a few moments she looks down
at the ground again. Nodoka looks up into the sky, looking
at nothing in particular. They stand like this for a long
moment.]
Nodoka: [whispering] Why?
[Ranko blinks and looks at Nodoka.]
Ranma-chan: [nervously] Ah... Why what?
[Nodoka looks down from the sky and focuses on Ranma, who
trembles visibly under Nodoka's regard.]
Nodoka: Why tell me about Ranma now? Why not earlier? Why tell
me at all?
[Ranma stares at her feet again, and speaks in a voice thick
with emotion.]
Ranma: I... I told you now because... because I couldn't bring
myself to keep lying to you. I didn't say anything the first
time you came because fa... your husband insisted that it was
a matter of life and death, that we... they, Ranma and Genma,
would die if you knew they were present. At first we went
along to humour Genma. But when you explained the promise,
everyone realised that I.. Ranma didn't, couldn't meet its
terms. And nobody at the dojo wanted m-Ranma to have to
commit seppuku.
[Nodoka looks away from Ranma into the park, staring at
nothing in particular (again).]
Nodoka: [quietly] Has Dearest really failed that badly? His
letters... they were so full of hope and pride until... until
they stopped. [She pauses briefly, then continues in a
stronger voice.] Akane-chan, Ukyou-chan, Shampoo-chan...
they all love Ranma in their own way. Surely Ranma can't be
a failure! Surely not!
[Ranma, still looking utterly miserable, gazes at Nodoka.
Her eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and her lips form the
word, "Mother". More cherry blossoms blow past.]
[Then Ranma draws herself up and fear then determination
cross her face. A tear spills unnoticed and traces a
path down one cheek.]
Ranma: [in a firm, slightly nervous voice] Nodoka-san!
[Nodoka blinks and turns to face Ranko again.]
Ranma: [swallows nervously] Nodoka-san, Ranma's problem
is... is that... I'm--
Nodoka: [shouts] No!
[Ranma jumps nervously and stares at her mother. Nodoka
kneels in front of onna Ranma and smiles at her, then traces
the path of the tear that ran down Ranma's cheek with one
hand. She kisses Ranma on the other cheek, holding Ranma's
head to her lips with the hand already on her face..]
Nodoka: You've told me enough, Ranko-chan. I must give Dearest
and Ranma a chance to find their own courage. I thank you
for your honesty, friendship, and truthfulness, but I don't
want you to betray your friends.
[Ranma looks at Nodoka, then tries to continue.]
Ranma: But...
Nodoka: No more, Ranko-chan. Please.
[Ranma holds Nodoka's gaze for a long moment, her expression
despairing. Ranma's eyes swim with unshed tears.]
Ranma: But I'll have to keep lying to you!
[Ranma spins away from Nodoka's hand against her cheek and
runs, leaping to a nearby rooftop and vanishing into the
distance. We see a brief sparkle between Ranma and Nodoka
as Ranma spins away. Nodoka stares after Ranma for a while,
her hand still outstretched. She pulls her hand close to
her chest and looks into it.]
[Cut to a closeup of Nodoka's hand. There are tears in it,
sparkling in the sunlight.]
[Fade to a close exterior shot of the Tendo dojo. It is
somewhat later. Akane is standing over a pile of smashed
cinder blocks. She is angry. Around her are piles of the
remains of cinder blocks, mute testimony to her state of
mind.]
[Akane takes more blocks from a large pile by the fence,
setting up a challenging stack. She pauses, setting
herself. Suddenly she whips into an elbow strike.]
FX: Smash!
[The cinder blocks have been shattered and now lie in a pile
at Akane's feet.]
Nodoka: Nicely done, Akane-chan. You are very skillful.
[Akane spins around, her eyes big in surprise. Cut to a
long two-shot of Nodoka and Akane.]
Akane: Obasama! I didn't hear you approach. [she blinks, _poit_]
Is it that late already? I must have lost track of time.
[Nodoka looks downcast.]
Nodoka: It's only three o'clock, Akane-chan. I haven't been to
the last girl yet. [quietly] I drove Ranko-chan away. I
didn't know where to go except back here.
[Akane stares at Nodoka for a moment, then her eyes narrow.]
Akane: You drove Ranko away? What sort of silliness did she get
up to this time?!
[Nodoka looks at Akane with an unreadable expression on her
face.]
Nodoka: [very softly] Akane-chan, are Ranma and Dearest really
hiding from me?
[Akane freezes and stares at Nodoka.]
Akane: I... I... what exactly do you mean, Obasama?
[Nodoka looks Akane right in the eye. Akane takes a step
back, and Nodoka sighs.]
Nodoka: Ranko-chan said Dearest and Ranma are hiding from me
because Ranma isn't man enough. She tried to tell me more and
ran off when I wouldn't let her.
[Akane swallows and looks at the floor.]
Akane: R... Ranko said that?
[Nodoka nods.]
Nodoka: [sadly] She said she couldn't lie to me anymore.
[Akane shifts nervously.]
Akane: [big eyes] Really?
Nodoka: [smiling sadly] Yes, she said that. She tried to tell me
what Ranma's problem was... but she ran off when I refused to
hear it from her. Dearest and Ranma will have to face me some
time. I won't let anyone else give me news that will destroy
our family.
[Akane looks at Nodoka, then bows formally to her.]
Akane: I understand, Saotome-sama. Please forgive us for keeping
secrets from you.
[Nodoka puts a hand on Akane's shoulder.]
Nodoka: Do you think Ranma would have to commit seppuku if I knew
what his problem was?
[Akane goes red and looks at the floor. Nodoka waits for a
few seconds but Akane only shifts nervously. She puts her
hand under Akane's chin and lifts her head.]
Nodoka: Akane-chan, yesterday you said you'd never marry Ranma.
But... I don't know that you were serious. Would you marry
Ranma even with his un-manly problem, whatever that might be?
[Akane blushes even redder and looks wildly around. She
notes that they are alone, then takes a breath and faces
Nodoka.]
Akane: I... I would. Ranma and I... we fight a lot... but he's
the most important person in my life... even though he
doesn't seem to care what I feel, most of the time.
[Nodoka hugs Akane.]
Nodoka: It's all right, Akane-chan. I understand. [Akane leans
in against Nodoka, who hugs her tighter then pulls away a
fraction.] Ah... Akane-chan. I know you won't want to, but
could you please go to the girl I didn't make it to, Kunou
Kodachi, and give her my apologies and invite her to dinner
here?
[Akane looks at Nodoka then ends the hug and steps away.]
Akane: [firmly, with a small smile] I can handle it. After this
talk, even "Black Rose" Kodachi doesn't scare me.
[Akane turns and leaves. Nodoka watches her go, then
wanders around the corner of the dojo over to the carp
pond. She kneels by the pond and watches the water. From
their shogi board on the porch, Soun and Genma-panda watch
Nodoka.]
