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“SHOGUN” © 2003. Okihei Enterprise, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Tribute to Richard Chamberlain |
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| Blackthorne is lying in the large tub, the
water steaming --
as the door opens and Mariko enters, wearing a thick cotton bathing robe tied loosely, a towel around her head to protect her hair, a young Servant following after her. Blackthorne turns, a little startled. |
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| Mariko:"Please. Do not let me disturb you". |
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| Blackthorne:"No -- I was just -- I was almost
finished".
Mariko:"I can come back later if you wish". Blackthorne:"No -- I -- you are not disturbing me". Mariko:"Did you enjoy your ride, Anjin-san?" Blackthorne:"Yes -- I enjoyed my ride. (then) Is this -- usual. I mean -- for you to be -- to be -". Mariko:"To be sharing your bath?" Blackthorne:"Yes". Mariko:"In Japan. we have no shame of our bodies, Anjin-san. Everything is natural and normal. And because there are so many of us, that is also necessary. The one thing we do not have is privacy, so we must learn to create our own. We are taught from childhood to disappear within ourselves to grow impenetrable walls behind which we live. If we couldn't, we would all certainly go mad and kill each other and ourselves. Blackthorne:"What walls?" Mariko:"Oh, we have a limitless maze to hide in, Anjin-san. Rituals and customs". |
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| Mariko:"May I share your bath Anjin-san?"
Blackthorne:"Yes - - dozo - - please". Mariko:"I will tell you a secret". |
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| Mariko:"Do not be fooled by our bows and smiles,
our gentleness and attentions. Beneath them all, we can be far away, safe
and alone. That is what we seek -oblivion. One of our first poems --
written a thousand years ago -- explains what I am saying: 'Eight cumulus arise. For the lovers to hide within The Eightfold Fence of Izumo Province Enclose those Eightfold clouds -Oh how marvellous, that Eightfold Fence!' Blackthorne:"Wakarimasen, Mariko-san. Wakarimasen". Mariko:"Someday you will understand, Anjin-san. I am sure that someday you will understand. |
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| Blackthorne is putting on his light sleeping kimono. He lies down on the futon and blows out the candle - the deep darkness enveloping him. The small shutters are closed and in the distance there is the faint sound of the surf. Slowly, silently, the shoji begins to open. |
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| The shoji closes softly, the shadow of a figure
in the room.
A woman's voice Anjin-san?. Blackthorne:"Hai. Mariko -- ?" Now a hand reaches out toward him and he takes it gently. The hand moves to his lips, silencing him. The clouds move across the moon -- covering it. |
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| Blackthorne turns luxuriously in his sleep,
then he wakes.
He looks around the room -- then the memory returns and he smiles. The panel slides open to reveal Fujiko kneeling there. Fujiko:"Ohayoo gozaimasu, Anjin-san". Blackthorne:"Ohayoo gozaimasu, Fujiko-san". |
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