(Scene: a darkened room. Lights slowly come on to reveal Raphael's messy
dorm room. Raphael and Noriko are seated on the worn couch in the back.
Raphael still appears slightly frazzled from last episode, though, and
there seems to be a begrudged tension between the two hosts. As usual,
a bowl of popcorn lies between Raphael and Noriko, and a mug of hot cocoa
is on the coffee table.)
Raphael: Welcome back to Mystery C&C Theater 1/2!
Noriko: This afternoon we'll be continuing to look at Zen-san's "Bitter
End."
Raphael: As you recall from last episode (Raphael gives Noriko a quick
ugly look), Zen has painted a picture of Ranma and Akane in wedded bliss.
Noriko: (interrups) For a while, that is. (returns the dirty look and
quickly sticks her tongue out at Raphael) Things start to look bad for
the two, though, and it looks like married life won't be as easy as it
would seem.
Raphael: (casually takes some popcorn and somehow "accidentally" ends up
throwing most of it at Noriko) So, without further ado, let's get on with
the show. (pushes "play" on the remote)
(camera slowly pans to the TV as we begin to see Noriko about to hit
Raphael over the head with a nearby bean bag. Numbers count down to the fic.)
10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...
-----
Akane wanted to scream. The evening had started so well - had been so
pleasant - and yet, like so very many before, it had ended in disaster.
What made it all the more frustrating was that there was no reason for
it. It was so senseless.
-----
Raphael: (sighs) Isn't it always the way?
Noriko: Who are you to talk?
Raphael: (warily) Hey...
-----
Akane had pushed Ranma away with a startled scream and an almost
instinctive slap. "Ranma, you're a girl now! Somebody might see us!
Pervert!"
Ranma had stared back at her, her eyes wide with shock and hurt. Then she
had looked down at herself for a long moment, and she had shuddered.
Akane could almost feel the wave of self-loathing that passed through her
husband at that moment.
Akane had turned away to try and regain her composure somewhat. The look
of utter despair and hopelessness that crossed Ranma's face had torn at
her heart. She turned back to apologize, but Ranma was already gone.
"Damn," she muttered to herself as the tears came.
-----
Noriko: (a little shocked) Oh. That's so sad.
Raphael: What's the big problem? Akane's pulled that line hundreds of times.
Noriko: Yes, but after such a perfect evening! And besides, Akane
demonstrated in the last part that she was over that fixation. Remember
the post-marriage scene?
Raphael: Oh yeah... hey, you weren't supposed to see that part!
Noriko: (gives Raphael a smug look) I guess you weren't fast enough.
Besides, it's not like three or four years matured _you_ any appreciable
amount.
Raphael: .....
-----
Ranma sat alone in the darkness and wept. At least that was one
advantage that the curse provided. In this form, it was acceptable for
her to cry. Of course, she thought bitterly, if it weren't for the
damned curse, she wouldn't *need* to cry.
-----
Raphael: Heh. The rationalizing certainly makes sense. I remember liking
the analogy just as much in Cynewulf's "Apron Strings."
Noriko: What a load of bunk! Just what's wrong with boys crying?
Raphael: Well, you know, it's not manly to cry, or show weakness, or...
Noriko: Show that you're not perfect? And you think not crying's going to
convince me otherwise? (glares)
Raphael: Hey, are you here to C&C or did you just come to bash me some more?
Noriko: Hmph.
-----
Ranma could beat her at *everything*. Ranma could cook. As a girl,
Ranma was better looking. Ranma could fight better, Ranma could swim,
Ranma was faster, the list went on and on. In her rage, she lashed out -
if she could drive him to fight her, to *really* fight her, then she
could prove that she was every bit as good as he was.
-----
Raphael: Oooh. That sounds really, *really* bad.
Noriko: I know _I_ wouldn't want Ranma to *really* fight me. (shivers)
-----
She had trained so hard, devoted her life, her very being to the Art; and
yet, in her heart, she was sure that she would never be good enough. She
was *always* going to lose the important fights. Everyone else would
always be at least one step ahead of her. It made her want to scream.
-----
Noriko: Poor Akane. She really doesn't think she has much going for her,
does she?
Raphael: Heh. When Zen puts it that way, it's hard to find _anything_
going for her, isn't it?
-----
That was it. That must have been why Ranma had married her. It wasn't
that he loved her. It had never been about love; it was all because he
felt that she needed to be protected. Ukyou... Shampoo... maybe even
Kodachi... who knew which one he *really* loved? Her heart twisted at
the thought. Damn that idiot!
Ranma's fault. It was all Ranma's fault. With an angry snarl, Akane got
up and went to fetch another target.
-----
Noriko: <gulp> Wow. "Akane-the-human-temper-tantrum" I can see, but
"Akane-the-paranoid-mental-patient" is something else entirely. It's
_not_ a pretty picture. You think Zen-san really thinks Akane's just not
all there?
Raphael: It _does_ start to seem that way, doesn't it? <sniffs> You smell
that?
Noriko: Smell what? I can smell your popcorn strong enough, and...
<sniffs> Now that you mention it, there's something else...
Raphael: Kinda like...
Noriko & Raphael: Fresh okonomiyaki.
-----
But what good had it done? She still wouldn't believe him. She seldom
even took the time to *listen* to him, let alone grant that he might
actually be telling her the truth. It hurt Ranma deeply that his wife
apparently thought so little of him. Honour was very important to Ranma
- he had put up with humiliation, degradation and pain, all for the sake
of his honour. To have Akane so casually dismiss that honour was like
having a knife stuck into his back. Every time she doubted him, she gave
that knife a little twist.
-----
Raphael: Now wait a minute. Akane wasn't always like that, at least, not
that I know of. I mean, Akane _had_ to have listened to Ranma before in
the past, otherwise they would've split a long, long time ago.
Noriko: Well, this isn't the Akane you're used to. She's changed,
remember? Zen-san said so. Still, it is rather disturbing that Akane
won't even listen to his explanations _after_ the incident had passed. I
think it was one of the only things keeping them together.
-----
As Nabiki watched, Ranma came haring through the door, past the table,
and out the sliding doors into the garden, Akane in hot pursuit. Akane
stopped by the table, and hefting a barbell, hurled it towards the object
of her wrath with as much force as she could muster.
-----
Noriko: "Haring?" I haven't seen that word before...
Raphael: You know, to act like a hare?
Noriko: _I've_ never seen it before. And my English is every bit as good
as yours. If not better. (Raphael bigsweats)
<editor's note: Later on, Zen patiently explained to a clueless and
rather sheepish Raphael that "haring" is indeed a real word, archaic
perhaps, but legitimate nonetheless.>
-----
Working with Kasumi's help, Nabiki was finally rewarded with a choking
gasp from Ranma. The bedraggled girl drew a shuddering breath and
started retching - coughing up brackish water and a little blood. As her
breathing stabilised, Ranma lapsed once more into total unconsciousness.
"We'd better get him to Tofu Sensei..." said Kasumi. "You watch him
while I get father."
-----
Raphael: (stunned) Geez. This has gone beyond the occasional punt into Low
Earth Orbit...
Noriko: (also stunned) You're not joking. This is really getting serious.
Ranma could've died in there! But maybe a shock like this is what Akane
really needs to snap her out of whatever she's in...
-----
Akane nodded. "But... I have to defend myself!" she protested.
"Of course you must - but striking a fleeing figure in the back with a
barbell is NOT a defensive action! Just what did Ranma do that you felt
you had to defend yourself against him? Had he attacked you?"
-----
Raphael: Good point there. Fighting off fifty love-crazed goons is
self-defense. Fighting off a love-crazed Kuno is also self-defense.
Noriko: (interrupting) Tell me about it.
Raphael: (ignoring her for the moment) And even fighting off Ranma when
it looks like he's molesting you could be considered self-defense. But
this... this is something else entirely.
Noriko: But she really seems like she believes what she's saying, too. I
think Zen-san definitely thinks that Akane has lost her marbles, but good.
-----
"It was a matter of family honour! I *had* to marry him!"
-----
Noriko: There's an extra space there.
Raphael: Boy, you're really being picky now.
Noriko: Ah so? But being picky is better than not making any useful
comments at all, don't you think?
Raphael: Hey! I've made plenty of comments!
Noriko: (sweetly) Now, I never said that you weren't making any useful
comments. But since you said it yourself...
Raphael: .....
-----
Akane just nodded. After Kasumi left the room, Akane set the small box
on the nightstand, and lay back on the bed. She stared at it for a long
time, making no efforts to stop the tears that flowed from her eyes.
"Oh, Ranma," she said to herself. "Why must it always be like this?"
Akane got up, changed into her gi, and headed for the dojo. She had a lot
to consider.
-----
Raphael: That's right, you'd _better_ feel miserable!
Noriko: That's no way to act! But maybe the pain now will help her get
back on the right track now.
Raphael: We can only hope.
-----
Akane sat in the dojo, leaning against the wall, staring morosely at the
remains of a single set of concrete blocks. The fragments seemed to be
staring back at her, mutely accusing. You break things, they told her
silently. You are always breaking things. When are you going to *make*
something? When are you going to create, rather that just destroy?
-----
Noriko: I like that analogy, especially when coupled with the fact that
all her efforts at creating things have always ended in disaster. The
girl just doesn't have it when it comes to handiwork.
Raphael: Oh, she does wonders with her hands...and elbows...and
feet...and knees... (smugly ignores the dirty look from Noriko)
-----
Nabiki shrugged. "He's too profitable to lose," she said.
Akane shook her head - the corner of her mouth quirked upwards. "What
does it take, Nabiki, for you to admit that you care?"
Nabiki stared, dumbfounded. "Of all the people in the world, YOU have
the nerve to ask me that?" she asked, disbelief evident in her tone.
-----
Raphael: Touche!
Noriko: All right, you win. That _was_ a very penetrating point by
Nabiki. (hopefully) Maybe if everyone keeps reminding her of what she
needs to change, Akane will mend her ways.
Raphael: And goodness knows her ways need mending...
-----
Nabiki laughed a touch nervously. "Not to worry, Ranma. I'll send you a
bill."
Ranma nodded and reached into her pocket, withdrawing the small pouch in
which she carried her money. She held it out to the Tendou girl, but
Nabiki made no move to take the pouch. After a moment, Ranma looked up
at her curiously.
Nabiki was staring coldly at the red-head, her expression a mix of anger,
and of pain. "That was," she said stiffly, "A joke. You know. Like the
funny kind?"
-----
Raphael: (wincing) Ooooooohhhh.... _that's_ gotta hurt. (Noriko nods
wordlessly)
-----
Nabiki had watched her go with tears in her eyes. "I know, Ranma." Her
reply was soft, but her voice was thick with emotion. "I'm sorry too...
For a lot of things."
-----
Raphael: You know, I _really_ love this portrayal of Nabiki. Too many
folks typecast her as the cold-blooded money-grubber with a cash register
for a heart.
Noriko: I agree. _Nobody_ is one-dimensional after all, once you get down
to it. It's good to see that Zen-san is trying to keep everyone as
balanced and well-developed as possible.
-----
"No! It's not that! It's just... Why? Why didn't you just *explain*
what you were doing?"
"Akane... when have you *ever* heard me out before clobbering me? I
tried! But you didn't give me a chance, did you? You just jumped to a
conclusion, and started throwing!" Ranma turned his gaze to the floor.
"Besides. It was supposed to be a surprise."
-----
Raphael: A very valid point by Zen.
Noriko: True, and it's one of the most justified accusations made against
Akane that I've seen so far. Now _this_ I've seen lots of evidence to
back up.
Raphael: Hey, don't you think you're being a bit unfair? Zen did tell us
that he was trying to stay as close to manga as he could. He just, you
know, made a few small liberties here and there with his interpretation
of the manga. Ever heard of artistic license?
Noriko: (looking down) Okay, you have a good point there. I'm not saying
that Zen-san has gone completely away from the source, not at all. It's
just that I don't like a lot of the conclusions he's drawing about Akane.
I don't like to think of her as a mentally disturbed case.
Raphael: Are you sure you're not letting your personal bias into this?
Noriko: (even more embarassed) Okay, you have me there, too. I've
recently learned that no on, not even an editor-in-chief, is immune to
bias. Yes, I'm probably letting my bias show through.
Raphael: (a bit taken back by Noriko's admission of weakness) Hey, don't
take it so hard. Like you said, we all succumb to the dark side now and then.
Noriko: (looks up again, a slight smile on her face) Th...thanks.
Raphael: (holds out hand) Truce?
Noriko: (takes it and shakes) Truce. (Raphael grins) For now. (Raphael's
grin immediately disappears) Hey, it was a joke! Besides, you _still_
have yet to finish up "Scoop."
Raphael: .....
-----
"The next time something like this happens, I want you to promise me that
you'll *listen* before you decide to hit me. Promise me that you'll at
least hear my side of it first. Okay?"
"I promise. I... I don't ever want to come this close to losing you again."
-----
Noriko: (happily) Maybe it's working! Maybe Akane and Ranma can finally
get back to being a happily married couple!
Raphael: Maybe... (tries to look suspicious, but even _he_ is hopeful at
the development)
-----
When the tests finally came, they were something of an anticlimax. At
first, Akane had been worried - they had been too easy. She just knew
that she had made major blunders on all of them, so she tended to be a
little snappish while they were all waiting for the results. For once,
Ranma read her mood correctly, and made an effort to stay out of her
way. Though he *did* leave her a rose and a small box of her favourite
chocolates on her pillow one night. She decided that she would forgive
him for that.
-----
Raphael: Wait a minute here. "She decided that she would forgive him for
that?" For what, leaving a rose and her favorite chocolates on her
pillow? Maybe it's considered taboo to leave gifts for your wife on her
pillow?
Noriko: Okay, okay, you made your point. You don't have to beat it into
the ground. But really, that last sentence does sound a bit strange.
Maybe you could redo it to say "She decided that she would forgive him
because of that," or something.
-----
Surprisingly, Ranma had also done very well. His marks were not as good
as Akane's, but he didn't have one below the 85th percentile. Several of
them were in the 90's. Ranma's attitude was non- committal. Not a
stellar performance, he decided, but he could live with it.
-----
Raphael: Extra space!
Noriko: Hey! That's my line!
-----
"You know," said Akane through clenched teeth, "what I meant. Just what
happened? Why does it to smell like a Chinese cathouse?"
-----
Noriko: Leave out "to" in that last sentence.
-----
After he finished his story, he leaned back and waited. Akane just sat
there, staring at him, saying nothing. Ranma was starting to get a bit
annoyed and was about to say something when Akane got up and headed for
the door. She paused for a moment, and looked back at him, but he could
tell nothing from her expression. Then she flipped off the lights, and
left the room, closing the door behind her.
"Well. *That* went well..." said Ranma to himself.
-----
Raphael: That's probably the most chilling passage I've seen so far, all
the way from Akane's initial reaction, to her final reaction.
Noriko: I think the reason that the section is so disturbing is that
Akane's actions are clearly beyond the normal flare-up she's so prone to.
Akane seems to have forgotten everything she's learned and promised, and
only agreed to go along with Ranma because she was physically forced to,
not because she decided to trust him out of love. This is _definitely_
not the same Akane Ranma married. Something inside is seriously wrong.
-----
"As it happens, I did. It was the truth! You don't trust me at all, do
you?"
"Well..." She looked up at her husband - and flinched when she saw the
hurt in his eyes. "Ranma..." she started to say.
-----
Raphael: Aha! So there _is_ still a bit of the old Akane left!
Noriko: Yes, but how much? The old Akane is appearing more and more
infrequently, and for shorter and shorter periods of time. What if she
never comes back? What if she doesn't stop? What if (she clenches her
notepad in worry) Zen-san decides that recovery isn't an option for her?
Raphael: (also a bit concerned) Well... I guess we'll have to keep
watching and find out...
-----
Half an hour later, Akane hung up the phone and sighed. Ranma had told
her the absolute the truth. Again. For a moment she almost wished that
he had been lying - then maybe she wouldn't feel so bad for having
doubted him.
-----
Noriko: Take out the second "the" in the third sentence.
-----
"Dammit, Akane, I married you because I lo... I lo... oh hell. I married
you because I LOVE you! I love you more than anything or anyone else in
this world! And I thought... I had hoped... that maybe you loved me
too." Ranma got to his feet, gave Akane one more sad look, and heedless
of the rain, walked out of the training hall and into the night.
Akane was left doing a fair impersonation of a goldfish. Her eyes were
wide, her mouth would open and then snap shut, but she made no sound.
Those words... that admission had come hard for Ranma. For an instant,
the shields had come down. He had at last started to really share his
feelings with her. She had waited so long for this moment; prayed so
hard for it; now it had finally come...
And she had spoiled it.
-----
Raphael: Wow. That was pretty darn powerful. Even you'd believe it,
right, Noriko? Noriko?
Noriko: <sniff> (wipes a tear)
Raphael: Aw, heck. (hands the box of Kleenex to his partner, who readily
accepts)
Noriko: (finally regaining her voice) Maybe... maybe this is what it'll
take for Akane and Ranma to finally get back together...
Raphael: (having smelled the okonomiyaki in the air but not wanting to dash
his partner's hopes) Yeah... maybe...
-----
Nabiki shook her head. "Nope. You went looking for Kasumi because you
knew that she would pat you on the head, tell you not to worry, and that
everything would be all right. And I won't do that."
"That's not fair!"
-----
Noriko: That's a very good point. While Kasumi seems to dominate the
advice market, she does tend to sugarcoat things. Kudos, Zen-san.
Raphael: (nod nod) Uh-huh. And in this case, Nabiki might be even better
for Akane than Kasumi would ever be...
-----
Nabiki had had enough. "I'm *not* defending him! But I know how the
poor bastard feels! I know what it's like to have everyone doubt your
word - to have everyone suspicious of anything that you do or say. I'm
not proud of that, but I know who's fault it is!"
-----
(Raphael and Noriko stare at the screen, slack-jawed)
Noriko: Wow...
Raphael: Wow indeed...
Noriko: You know, I've gained a new respect for that girl since watching
this fic. (Raphael nods soundlessly)
-----
Akane started to get up, fists clenching and a dark expression on her
face. She took a step toward her sister, but Nabiki froze her with a
look. "What are you gonna do, sis? Hit me? Will that make you feel
better?"
Akane dropped back into the chair, an expression of stunned horror on her
face. "Hit you? I almost... I... I'm sorry, Nabiki..."
-----
Raphael: Gack.
Noriko: See? See? The Akane I know would never, _never_ even think about
hitting anyone else without good cause, much less her own sister.
Something is seriously, seriously wrong.
-----
Finally, over five hours after Kasumi had first called her, Ukyou's
persistence paid off. She had come across a seedy little cabaret on the
south side of the district called the Cha Cha Maru. She walked up to the
bar, and asked the master the same questions that she had been asking all
night.
-----
Raphael: Okay, the fic's complete. We have an official Zen Cameo!
Noriko: Be nice! (tries to conceal a smile of amusement)
-----
"Whoa, I believe you, Ran-chan!"
"There, ya see? I tol' her it was the truth, but no..." The sake bottle
in Ranma's hand exploded as she tightened her grip. She didn't even
notice. "Whatever happens... it's always my fault. It's always my
fault... my fault..." Tears were flowing freely now. "I don't know
what to do anymore..." she said in a small voice.
-----
Noriko: I've never seen a scene of utter and abject despair done so well
before. A... a bit too well... (tries to swallow the lump in her throat)
Raphael: He's really got it bad, doesn't he?
Noriko: Well, of course he does! Akane's the world to him, and it just
kills him to know that no matter what he does, Akane will still never be
happy... (swallows again)
-----
They had just made it out of the bar, when Ranma spoke up again, her
voice strained. "Ucchan?"
"Yes, Ran-chan?"
"M'gonna be sick..."
-----
Raphael: Heh heh heh.
Noriko: Hey, it's not nice to laugh at the downtrodden.
Raphael: But it was funny! Why do you always have to be such a spoilsport
all the time?
Noriko: I am not!
Raphael: Then admit that it was funny!
Noriko: Well... (breaks down) All right, it _was_ funny. (smiles slightly)
Raphael: See? That's more like it. (smiles as well)
-----
Trust Ranma. Hah! That was a laugh. Did everyone think that she was
stupid? Did she have 'moron' tattooed across her forehead or something?
It was infuriating! Nabiki had almost convinced her - almost had her
believing that Ranma really did love her.
-----
Raphael: (spying Noriko's troubled look) Again?
Noriko: (sighs) Again. I'm almost starting to give up hope... but it had
started so well! Everything was perfect...
Raphael: (becoming a bit concerned) Are you all right?
Noriko: (shakes her head slightly) Yes... I'm fine. Keep rolling the tape.
-----
Ranma had become a symbol of sorts. It was now almost a religion to her
- to defeat the chaos - to finally win against the forces over which she
had no control, she had to defeat Ranma. But lately, even that hope had
been denied her - how could she defeat someone who refused to fight her?
-----
(tape ends)
Raphael: There. That's the end of Part Two.
Noriko: Whew. Thank goodness. I wasn't sure I could take much more of that.
Raphael: You didn't like it?
Noriko: Oh, no, not like that. Zen-san still writes as well as ever. It's
just... so disheartening to see such a beautiful relationship slowly fall
apart. And as bad as Akane seems, I can almost sense that she's slowly
dying as well... a death from the inside out.
Raphael: Hmmm... Well, I thought it was well-written as well. (trying to
cheer up his partner) But hey, we're only a third of the way through!
There's still plenty of time for good things to happen, isn't there?
Noriko: (reluctantly) Well... I suppose you're right. Maybe I'm jumping
to conclusions too quickly again. It could very well be that everything
will work out fine!
Raphael: (remembering the title of the fic but not willing to bring it
up) Well... (decides to change the subject) How 'bout another round of
cocoa before you go back home? Maybe that'll cheer you up a bit.
Noriko: (brightens slightly) Yes, I'd like that.
Raphael: (turns to the camera) From both of us at Mystery C&C Theater
1/2, good night!
Noriko: "Good day."
Raphael: Huh?
Noriko: (pointing to her watch) Well, it _is_ only 4:30 in the afternoon...
Raphael: (as camera fades to black) Oh no, let's not go back to _that_
again...
End Part Two
Stay tuned! Part three coming up next!
---
Raphael See