Clash of the Warrior Maidens: Benten vs. Asuka!!

					  A UY Talespin

					    Written by
				          Otaku No Gaijin

					    Edited by
				        Joseph Rispoli Jr.

			    Created 8-9/91; Revised 12/91, 3/93, 1/94, 4/97

(Writer's Note: This is a prelude piece to the Asuka summer camp episode. It
tells how Benten came to meet Asuka. In Tomobiki, though, introductions
aren't as polite as they are in other parts of Japan....)

(Editor's Note: This is an independent Final Urusei Yatsura Season Fan-fic
side-story, taking place just after FUYS Episode 2: Somewhere My Love, and
FUYS Episode 3:  As Easy As A.B.C.)

						Scene 1

(High summer in Tomobiki-cho. It is a sunny interval between monsoon
cloudbursts.)
(Pan along a typical Japanese covered-street mall. Pan up to antihero
lechboy Ataru {T-shirt and jeans} who is sitting on a bench at an
intersection, minding several shopping bags and watching the girls go by.)
(Aerial oni-nuisance Ten is flitting around him, taking in the mall scene
while managing to keep an eye on Ataru.)
Ten: (flitting around) Wow! Whatta neat place! Great food! Great stuff! Hey
Ataru! Wanna go back to the arcade?!?
Ataru: (bored) Naw, that's alright, Ten. I don't have any more change, and
Lum'll be angry if I leave the packages here.
Ten: Well, bring 'em along!
Ataru: Get real! Take you and these bags into an arcade!?! The guys would
laugh me out of there! They'd think I'm married or something.
(Ataru pulls out a 1000 yen bill and waves it at Ten.)
Ataru: Here, quit bugging me. Go play some pachinko or something.
Ten: (Takes bill) Thanks! (suspicious look) This isn't so ya can go sneakin'
off after girls, is it?!?
Ataru: (outraged innocence) Of course not! It's so you can have some fun!
I'd never leave dear little Ran or Miss Benten alone here!
Ten: How 'bout Lum??
Ataru: Yeah, well, her too. Now get out of here.
Ten: Okay. 'Later! 
(Off he goes.)
Ataru: That ought to last him about ten more minutes.  
(Ataru slouches on the bench, gazing up at the sky.) 
Ataru: How long does it take them to pick out an outfit, anyway?!

						Scene 2

(Cut to the interior of a small clothing store in the mall.)
(Notorious space-babe Lum and Ran {Lum's cute-but-deadly scheming friend},
both in Earth dress, are sitting on a bench with a saleslady in attendance.
Close-up on Lum.)
Lum: Benten? Are you ready yet?! Benten?!
Benten: (off-screen) Yeah. I-I guess so....
Lum: You know you look good, Benten! Now let us see!
Benten: Uh, okay. Don't laugh or I'll knock your heads in!
Ran: I won't laugh! I promise!
Lum: Please come out and let us see you!
(Benten comes out, wearing a thin-striped blouse and a modest-length red
skirt. Nice, wonderfully feminine, and completely opposite to her usual
space-biker goddess image.)
Lum: (supportive) Oh, Benten! You look great! 
Ran: (analytical) Well, this is a different look... I don't know about the
stripes, but the colors go well. It looks alright, don't you think so?!? 
Saleslady: (very supportive) Oh, Miss! You look very pretty in that outfit!
Benten: (blushes) Stop jokin' around! I don't think that-
Lum: Don't think! Look!
(Lum and Ran push Benten to a mirror.)
Lum: (smiles) Now, what do you see?
Benten: (pause) That... That's me?
Ran: Yes it is! Now about your hair...
Lum: That's right!  
(Lum removes Benten's hair chain, letting the hair flow down and curl loose.
Add sparkles for increased effect.) 	
Lum: (smiles) Much better, isn't it?!? (pause) Well, Benten, what do you think?
(Benten is at a loss for words.)
Saleslady: What does the honorable guest think?
Lum: She'll take it!
Saleslady: (bows) Thank you, thank you for your excellent choice!
Ran: Okay, now what about the other two outfits?
Lum: We'll give her some more time, then try those too!
Ran: I really like the red blouse! It's so cute!
Lum: The collar is a little frilly, isn't it?
Ran: Yes, it has the perfect amount!
(Benten continues to gaze at her image in the mirror.)

						Scene 3

(Back outside, Ataru's boredom is entering the terminal stage.)
Ataru: Bored, bored, bored. I wish something interesting would happen,
before I die of boredom! Aliens, neighbors, ghosts, something! Preferably
something cute and female.
(Ataru consults his watch again.) 
Ataru: Countdown to Ten's return, T-minus two minutes and counting. 
(He regards the sky again.)
Ataru: Come on, come on! Gee... 
(His internal girl detector abruptly goes off. Ataru's eyes go to datascreen
readout!) 
Ataru: Yow! Major babe at {124 degrees, 30 meters,} moderate speed! Alright!
Here I come! Hey bay-be-e-e!!  
(Ataru leaves at a great speed!)

						Scene 4

(A parking lot at the edge of the mall.)
(Billionare heiress-amazon-recluse Asuka Mizunokoji appears, dressed in an
outfit reminiscent of Minmay or Pollyanna. Separated from her usual escort,
she is cautiously walking along, sampling the regular life.)
Asuka: (self-conscious thinking) Um, well, I wonder where my guards and Big
Brother Mendô went. I think they went this way. I only stepped into the
cutlery shop for a minute... This place has been very interesting, though.
So many things, and I bought something... It has been good for my
conditioning too. Honorable Mother would be so proud!
(Asuka's practiced conditioning is about to be put to the test. Ataru
appears down the way!)
Ataru: Asuka-babe© Great! Hm-m-m. She can be rather coy, so I'll make an
indirect approach.  
(Ataru does a subtle approach worthy of Kaede the ninja-girl.)  
Ataru: This is great!
(Asuka sees Benten's hovercycle, which is parked in the lot.)
Asuka: My, what an interesting motorcycle!
(Asuka bends over to admire Benten's cycle up close.)
(Cut to rear view of Asuka's rear, nicely presented. Ataru has a wonderful
target!)
Ataru: (lecherous chuckle) Target sighted, we have lock-on! Prepare to fire-
(He shoots his hands forward, latching onto a pair of knees. Megane's knees,
to be exact.)
Ataru: Huh?  
(Pan up from the knees to Megane's glaring frown.) 
Ataru: Oh, Megane, how are you? Would you please step aside for a minute?
Megane: Ataru!! Release my knees, then tell me the perversion you are trying
to commit in this public place!!  
Ataru: A hellacious one, Megane! So could you please stand aside-
Megane: Ataru!! It is bad enough that you cheat on Lum, but must you do it
in such a disgusting manner!?! You are completely dishonorable! You are
unfit to carry Lum's hairpins, let alone be her husband! I hope she comes
back here and sees you in such a blatant, animalistic state of
unfaithfulness! You deserve to be punished for this! You should be- Hey, pay
attention!  
(Ataru snuck around Megane while he was pontificating.) 
Megane: Ataru! (waves fist) Come back here!
(Megane tries to prevent Ataru from making contact with Asuka. He uses cars,
trees, grandmothers, and the coolie tanuki to block Ataru from Asuka.
Unfortunately, Ataru proves too agile, and catches Asuka's behind... Almost.)
(Megane desperately succeeds in deflecting Ataru, but accidentally touches
Asuka instead!)
Asuka: (goosed) Yeek! 
(She turns around.)
Asuka: Excuse me, but why- 
(Asuka sees Megane and Ataru.) 
Asuka: (trembling) Oh no, not here, not...some of...them...
Megane: Please excuse me, miss, but- 
(He sees her face.) 
Megane: Oh, oh, oh... Ataru, you were trying to get...her!
(Ataru elbows Megane in the ribs.)
Ataru: (grins) Megane, you animal! I didn't know you had it for Asuka!
(Asuka is trying to apply her conditioning. It's not working....)
Megane: (sweating) Ataru, w-what if she gets upset!?!?
Ataru: Comfort her! 
(He charges at Asuka.)
Ataru: Asuka-bay-bee, I'm here for you!
(So much for conditioning!) 
Asuka: EE-EE-EEK!! A MAN!!  
(WHAM!! Ataru lands in a pickup bed in the rear of the parking lot.)  
Asuka: GET AWAY!! EE-EE-EEK!!
Megane: (sweating terror) N-now Asuka, let's not g-get carried away...
(nervous soothing) Please calm down... Breathe deeply... Put down the
spacebike... That's right... Now, listen to me...
(Asuka puases for a moment. Megane sighs with relief.)
Megane: Good, very good. Alright, Asuka-
(Ataru pops up behind Megane.)
Ataru: Asuka-babe, stretch out on that bike and let us get rev, rev, revving!
(Asuka twirls the hoverbike like a halberd!)
Asuka: EE-EE-EEK!!! MEN!!!  
(WHAM! Goodbye Megane! He is a spinning blob on the far sky!)
Asuka: EE-EE-EE-EEK!!!  
Ataru: (perched on bike) Asuka-baby!!
Asuka: EE-EEK!! GET AWAY!!
(Asuka desperately tries to get Ataru off the bike and away from her. This
is detrimental to other vehicles, the pavement, other people, the bike...)
(Despite the battering, Ataru retains a grip of magnetic proportions!)

						Scene 5

(Back in the shop, Benten is still in her new blouse & skirt outfit.)
Ran: Eh? What's that?
Lum: What?  
(Asuka's fit is faintly audible.) 
Lum: That sounds like Asuka. (blink) Where's Darling?
Ran: Um, didn't we leave him back that way?  
Lum: Yes. He was sitting on a bench by the-
Benten: Parking lot!! Shit! That's where I left my bike!! 
Ran: (soothing) Now Benten, Darling wouldn't dream of hurting your bike!
Lum: Ran is right! Darling would never do a thing like that! (undertone)
Asuka might if she was afraid, though.
Benten: (she heard that) What! You say someone would hurt my bike!?!
Lum: (shaking head, soothing tone) No, no! I just meant that Darling might
frighten Asuka! That's all! 
Ran: Excuse me Lum, but did you say Asuka it might be Asuka?
Lum: It might be Asuka, yes.
Ran: I see... (to Benten) I'm sorry Benten, but if Darling met Asuka that
parking lot is going to be a junkyard!
Benten: (alarmed) What!?! Then my bike-
Ran: -is scrap-metal. So sorry!
Lum: (quickly interjecting) Ran! Don't tease Benten like that! Benten, don't
listen to her!
(Benten is worried, and getting angry because of it!)
Benten: Now look here, Lum!! The last time I was here on this stupid planet,
my wonderful bike was trashed!! I'm not gonna let it happen again!! And if
it does...
Lum: (alarmed) Benten!!
Ran: <Incoming!>
(Something lands in the shop after falling through the roof of the mall, and
the shop's ceiling! The girls duck as one as the thing crashes into the floor.)
(The thing is Ataru! A silly grin is still fixed on his battered face. The
handlebars of Benten's hovercycle are bent around his head and neck!) 
Lum: (surprised) Darling!!
Benten: Beaten again, huh?
Ran: I guess it might be Asuka after all. (blink) Hey, what's that around
his neck? 
(There is a brief, still pause.)
Ran: Benten, those look like the handlebars of-
Benten: (aghast) My bike! My wonderful bike! (enraged) I'm gonna find the
bastard who's responsible and KICK HIS ASS!!!
Lum: (worried) Benten, I don't think you should do that. Asuka-chan is a
girl who can-
Benten: Oh, so it's a girl, huh? Too bad for her!  
Lum: Now Benten-
Benten: OUTTA MY WAY, LUM!!  
Lum: (meek) O-Okay.  
(Benten charges out of the shop.) 
Lum: What am I going to do? I can't let them fight!  
(Several ghastly images of possible results of an Asuka-Benten fight flash
by above her head.) 
Lum: I've got to stop them! Ran, come with me!
Ran: Why?!?
Lum: We've got to stop Benten from fighting with Asuka!
Ran: What fight? Asuka doesn't have the nerve to fight anyone.
Lum: Don't you understand?!? Asuka is only scared of men!
Ran: That's right. Benten is certainly not a man, even though she acts like
one... (brightens) Hey, this could be the first real fight Benten's had with
a girl since grade school! (enthusiastic) Alright! Let's watch 'em go at it!
Lum: (flying) We're going to stop it, not start it!
(Lum flies out of the store.)
Ran: It's too late for that!
(Lum runs out of the store.)

						Scene 6

(The parking lot looks as if the Mendô Tank Corps just held a training
exercise in it.)
(Asuka is in the middle, recovering from the shock of meeting nasty men.) 
(Benten quickly arrives at the parking lot. )
Benten: What the hell..!
(Benten sees her bike lying close to Asuka.) 
Benten: (stricken) My bike!  
(She runs to it.) 
Benten: My beautiful, wonderful bike!  
(The spacebike is a pitiful sight.) 
Benten: (heartbroken) It's ruined!!
(Benten fiercely rounds on Asuka.)
Benten: (furious) JUST WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY BIKE!?!?!
Asuka: (taken aback) Um, um, I am so terribly sorry. I did not mean to do it.
Benten: YOU DIDN'T MEAN IT!?!
Asuka: (defensively) Well, yes, of course not! Nothing would have happened if-
Benten: IF WHAT!?!
Asuka: That Moroboshi was...
Benten: What? You mean you did this- (points at bike) -and this- (gestures
at lot) -because of Moroboshi?!?
(Asuka nods.)
Benten: (very furious) WHAT KIND OF A STUPID STUNT WAS THAT!?! IDIOT!!
MORON!! HOW COULD YOU TRASH MY BIKE BECAUSE OF MOROBOSHI!?!?!
Asuka: (irritated) I was attacked by a man!! I had to defend myself!  Blame
him for the wrongdoing!!
(Lum and Ran arrive.)
Benten: Blaming men will get you nowhere!! It's all your fault!!
Asuka: (angry now) It is not!!
Benten: Is too!!
Asuka: Is not!!
Benten: Is too!!
Asuka: IS NOT!!
Benten: IS TOO!!
Lum: Hey!! Stop it!! Quit arguing!!
Benten: (to Lum) I'm not arguing, I'm telling this bimbo the way it is!!
(Asuka impulsively throws a punch at Benten. It narrowly misses Benten and
knocks the door off an upended car behind her!)
Lum: (alarmed) Benten!! Oh no!!
(Benten watches the car door hit the ground.)
Benten: Ah, so!! (to Asuka) Is that how you want it?!! Good!!  
(Benten gets a tight, unfriendly smile, and cracks her knuckles.) 
Benten: I'm glad you decided to be a woman about it!
Asuka: (hackles up) If you feel dishonored, then, there is nothing left to
discuss!  
(Asuka cracks her own knuckles and assumes a fighting stance.)
Benten: Right!
(Benten also assumes a stance.) 
(The two combatants warily step in a half-circle, watching for an opening.)
(Ran watches the eminent fight in wide-eyed fascination.)
(Lum is in a state of near-panic.)
(Asuka and Benten exchange testing blows. None connect, although Asuka makes
a nice crater in the ground!)
(Lum abruptly lunges between the combatants.)
Lum: (pleading) Stop it! Stop it right now! Don't fight! You'll kill each other!
(Lum's pleas fall on deaf ears.)
Lum: (desperate) Stop this fight!! Listen to me, please!! Benten, I'll 	pay
for your bike! Stop!! St-
Ran: (suddenly alert) Lum, LOOK OUT!!
Lum: Wha- Oh!!
(Safety tip: In breaking up a fight, one should never get between the
combatants. Lum did this; she takes two powerful simultaneous blows from
Asuka AND Benten!)
(Freeze frame: Lum {shocked pain}, Ran {wide-eyed surprise}, Asuka and
Benten {split-screen, surprise}.)
Lum: (feebly) St-o-op...
(Her eyes roll up and she collapses.)
Girls: Lum!!!
(Asuka and Benten simultaneously kneel beside Lum.)
Asuka&Benten: Lum! Are you alright?! Lum?!  
(Each becomes aware of the other. Pause. They point at each other.)
Asuka&Benten: It's your fault! A-a-argh!! 
(They exchange simultaneous blows again, and simultaneous parries!)
(Asuka and Benten spring away from Lum and assume fighting stances.)
Multiple-angle shots of Asuka and Benten as per Kurosawa/Leone school. Auras
appear around the combatants!)
Commander Yamata: Odds, anyone?  
(However, any opportunities for a Hokuto no Ken sequel are thwarted by an
explosion between the combatants which halts their fighting!)
Ran: (lowers bazooka) Good, you've come to your senses. Can we talk?
Benten: Why'd you shoot?!?
Ran: I wanted to ask you something without being clobbered.
Benten: This had better be important!!
Ran: It is! It's about your fight here.
Benten: What about it!?!
Asuka: Do you wish to stop it!?!
Ran: (placatingly) No, no! I wouldn't think of it! In fact, it's quite
alright if you fight! It's just-
Benten: It's just what!??!
Ran: Look around you! This place has been damaged by only one of  you! If
both of you fight here, you will damage a lot more property! Look at poor
Lum! Do you want that to happen to any more people?
Asuka: I didn't mean to hit elder sister Lum! It was an accident caused by her!!
Ran: See? There's no need for any more accidents! I want you to be able to
settle your differences without them!
Benten: How are you going to do that?
Ran: Well, I can set something up for you where you can fight without any
problems! You do still want to fight, right?
Asuka&Benten: YES!!
Ran: (taken a bit aback) O-okay, just checking, that's all, ha-ha-ha-ha!
Now, I can arrange a public challenge with the maximum opportunities for you
without maximum fallout for the crowd. How about it?
Benten: (suspicious) Ran, is this another one of your lousy schemes?
Ran: (complete innocence) Benten, I have no idea what you're talking about!
I'm just trying to do a favor for one of my favorite friends!
Benten: (still suspicious) Yeah, right.
Asuka: Does she really mean it?
Benten: Maybe...
Ran: It's a great offer! Look, if you don't want it you can make peace-
(Asuka and Benten turn away from each other.)
Asuka&Benten: Humph!
(Ran starts to walk away.)
Ran: (unworried tone) -or you can stay here and fight. Then the loser can
take on the Mendo Defense Force when it comes to see what is causing all the
trouble. It's all the same to me.
Benten: Ran!
Ran: (turning) Yes?
Benten: I know I'll probably regret this! But, anyway...
Ran: (expectant) Yes?
Benten: I'll do it! If she will, anyway!
Asuka: I'll do it too.
Ran: (overjoyed) Oh thank you very much! You won't regret this at all! I
promise it! I'll go and start the arrangements right now!  
(Ran skips off.)
(Ataru walks up, still wearing the handlebars.)
Ataru: (to Benten) Hey miss, howya doin'!?!  
(Asuka screams and retreats at high speed.) 
Ataru: I haven't seen you before! New in town? (surprised double take) Miss
Benten, is that you?!?
Benten: (defensive) Yes it's me!! Wanna make something of it?!?
(Ataru spreads his arms for an embrace.)
Ataru: Sure!! I'd be happy to make it with you!  
(He kisses Benten's...elbow! Wham!!)
Benten: Fool! Lecherous jerk! Don't even THINK about it!! Trying to get me
while Lum is lying injured there too!! And give me those HANDLEBARS!!!
(Benten grabs the handlebars off Ataru, spinning him around.)
Ataru: H-H-hey now, Miss Benten! You don't- (double blink) What about 	Lum??
Benten: O-Oh, so you noticed, huh?!?
Ataru: (alarmed) What is that?!? What about Lum?!? Is she alright??!
Benten: She's over there. (points) She had an accident. 
Ataru: (looks) A-a-ah! Lum!! 
(He rushes to Lum and gently cradles her in his arms.)
Ataru: Lum!! Are you alright??! Speak to me!
Benten: Be kind to her, for once, and watch her, willya? I have to call an
ambulance and a...a tow truck. 'Later.
Ataru: (very worried) Hurry, Benten!! Lum's life is in your hands! (to Lum)
Lum, can you hear me??! Huh??! Hold on, Lum, the ambulance is coming!  Lum,
hold on!! You must hold on!! Please...
(Benten walks away, shaking her head.)

						Scene 7

(Later that day. The main audience hall of the Mizunokoji estate.)
(Ran, in her school uniform, is having an audience with Mr. and Mrs.
Mizunokoji. Ran is accompanied by the principal of Tomobiki High School. The
Mizunokojis are flanked by Asuka and Tobimaro on one side, and by retainers
on the other.)
Papa M.: So, you want to stage our daughter's duel?
Ran: (nodding vigorously) Yes, sir. I want to ensure both public
satisfaction and public safety.
Mama M.: How very interesting.
Papa M.: Yes. Tell me, miss, how can you assure us that you can do this?
Mama M.: It's not that we're worried about Asuka's health. It's just that we
are concerned about any spectators.
Ran: Of course, of course! I understand you quite well! I have the support
of the honorable Principal in this undertaking. He will provide the
necessary location and equipment.
Mama M.: (to Principal) Is this correct?
Principal: Yes, madam. Tomobiki High School specializes in dealing with
unusually gifted children. We will see that the duel is properly carried out
with no lasting physical, emotional, or mental effects on either side.
Mama M.: (slight bow) Thank you very much. It is good to know that the
schools are properly concerned with the children's welfare.
Papa M.: <Mama>, should we accept Tomobiki High School's offer?
Mama M.: Well <Papa>, there is no real harm, right? We would not have to
foot the bill either, right?
Ran: (hurriedly) That's right, ma'am! Spectators will be charged a small fee
to cover costs. Any extra will go to a student fund!  
Mama M.: That is so nice! (to Asuka) Asuka, would you like to have the
Tomobiki school's assistance for your duel?
Asuka: (bowing) I would be honored to accept the kind assistance of Tomobiki
High School. (samurai attitude) As long as I get a duel, any contributions
are acceptable!
Ton-san: I still don't agree that Asuka-chan should fight this duel!! As the
heir and older brother it is my duty to protect my sister's honor, as well
as my own!
(Asuka is touched; Mrs. Mizunokoji isn't.)
Mama M.: (flat tone) Now, Ton-chan, we have already discussed this. We would
let you receive the honor of the duel, but this is a special case. Your
sister is has convinced us that the quarrel is personal in nature.
Therefore, our family honor is not at stake.
Ton-san: I don't like it one bit! What if this is really a trap?
Mama M.: in that case, Asuka will have to rely on her training to extricate
herself. The family will not interfere.
Ton-san: (taking a stand) I refuse to allow my sister to place herself in
jeopardy!!
Mama M.: (angry) Tobimaro!! YOU WILL OBEY US!! YOU WILL LET YOUR SISTER
PARTICIPATE IN THIS DUEL!! YOU WILL NOT INTERFERE!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!?!?!
Ton-san: (kowtowing) Y-yes Honorable Mother, I understand!! It is Asuka's duel!!
Mama M.: Good.
Asuka: (tenderly) Elder brother, thank you for your generous offer.
(Tobimaro snorts dismissively and turns his head.)
(Asuka embraces Tobimaro and lays her head on his shoulder.) 
Asuka: (sighs) You are always so kind to me.
(Ran and the Principal look askance at this odd behavior.)
(The Mizunokojis and their retainers are shocked at this public lapse of
behavior.)
Papa M.: That's a problem, isn't it?
Ton-san: (afraid) Asuka, don't do this!  Please let go! (shakes her) Asuka!!  
(He looks towards their parents.) 
Ton-san: (winces) Oh no...
Mama M.: (furious) TON-CHAN, YOU WERE TOLD TO STOP THAT ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR!!!
(Mrs. Mizunokoji clobbers Tobimaro, sending him through the roof!) 
Asuka: (trying detente) Honorable mother! What a magnificent maneuver!
Mama M.: (rounding on Asuka) I TOLD YOU TO IGNORE HIS ADVANCES!!  
(Grabbing Asuka by her ponytail, her mother hammer-throws her through
several shoji to the outside!) 
Mama M.: WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR CONDITIONING?!?!?
Asuka: (remorseful wailing off-screen) Honorable Mother, I am so sorry!! I
did not mean to forget!! I will try harder to remember!! 
Mama M.: Perhaps twenty laps around the estate will improve your memory! Do
them along with your regular training!
Asuka: Yes honorable mother! Um, when do you want me to do the laps?
Mrs. Mizunokoji: NOW!!!  
(Asuka's footsteps quickly diminish into the distance.) 
(Mrs. Mizunokoji sighs and becomes the charming hostess again.)
Mama M.: (laughs to cover embarrassment) Such rude children, making bad
jokes like that! We're sorry if they have offended you!
Ran: (Also laughing, worried, but covering it.) No, no, they didn't bother
me at all!
Principal-san: (sweating, but covering) We're quite alright.
Papa M.: That's a relief.
Mama M.: (to retainer) See that Asuka thoroughly reviews her combat training
before the duel.
Retainer: Yes ma'am.
Mama M.: We allow our daughter to participate in Tomobiki High School's
sponsored duel. Thank you for visiting us.
Ran: (bows) Thank you for allowing this! (thinks) Benten had better be
ready. This family produces tough people!

						Scene 8

(A montage of short scenes showing Asuka and Benten training for the duel.
They perform various routines with athletic training devices, weight
machines, sparring devices, and weapons.)

						Scene 9

(Ryunosuke is watching as Benten finishes practicing with their chains.)
Ryu: Nice manriki-jutsu.
Benten: Hi, Ryu. What's up?
Ryu: I heard you challenged Asuka Mizunokoji to a duel.
Benten: Yeah. I'm gonna give that bimbo what she deserves for hurting Lum!
Ryu: Is that right? (pause) How's Lum doin'?
Benten: (grim) She'll be alright, eventually. She really got drilled. Asuka
knocked her right into my fist!
Ryu: Wo-o-o-ow! (wincing) Ouch!
Benten: (determined) Anyway, I'm gonna kick her ass!
Ryu: Umm, you might have some trouble.
Benten: (scorn) Huh? No way! She isn't that great!
Ryu: Asuka's kata aren't what makes her dangerous. She is very strong.
Benten: Her? She didn't look that strong.
Ryu: That's what's scary. The first time she visited the school she knocked
me through the front building and into the gym!
Benten: She hit you that hard??
Ryu: No, she hugged me that hard!!  
(Benten looks skeptical.) 
Ryu: You know Shinobu's strength when she gets excited?
(Benten nods.)
Ryu: Asuka is a lot stronger!!
Benten: No way!
Ryu: Yes! Asuka can rip apart a tank with her bare hands! I've seen her do
it! So has Lum! She also wears armor nearly all the time. Some kinda
insecurity, I guess. You'll have to get by that too.  
Benten: (thinks) Hm-m-m. Thanks for telling me this, Ryu.
Ryu: Hey, no problem! I don't want to see you get pounded.
Benten: Fat *#%&@ chance of that! (pause) I think I know what I'll have to do...
Ryu: Good!

						Scene 10

(Tomobiki Hospital. Megane and the Guard are leaving.)
Megane: Be hopeful, men. Miss Lum will recover in due time.
Parma: How come she didn't notice our presence?
Megane: She really suffered a concussion, after all. That's bound to make a
person tired. (halts, pauses) It's just too bad...
Chibi: Too bad about what?
Megane: (angry) Why is it, that we, her humble worshippers whose existence
she barely acknowledges, we are at her side each day,  praying for her
recovery!! But, the one, that one who spurns the full measure of Miss Lum's
devotion, where is he?!?!?
Parma: Yeah, where is Ataru?
Chibi: Yeah, where's that creep?
Megane: Yes, where is the faithless Ataru?!?
Kakugari: Maybe he visits her at a different time?
Megane: NO!! He wouldn't care for Miss Lum!! Oh, no!! He is out on another
of his lecherous infidelities, even as Lum lies between life and death! We
must find him and punish him for his effrontery!!
Guard: YEAH!!! PUNISH THE LECHER!!
Megane: Let's go!!!  
(Off they go in a huff.) 
(After they leave, Ataru cautiously emerges from behind two shrubs in the
hospital's landscaping, by the entrance. He is holding a modest bouquet.)
Ataru: Humph, friends. Can't live with them, can't kill them.
(Ten emerges from the shrubs.)
Ten: I hate to say it but... For once, "Four-Eyes" is wrong.  
Ataru: (sarcastic) You are too kind.
Ten: Yeah. Who'd believe you, anyway?
(They enter the hospital.)

                                        (To Be Continued...)