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“SHOGUN” © 2003. Okihei Enterprise, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Tribute to Richard Chamberlain |
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| Mariko is on her knees in the corner of the
room, her kimono torn, her hair disheveled, a trickle of blood coming from
the corner of her mouth. She looks at Blackthorne as he steps into the
room.
Mariko:"Go away, Anjin-san. Please go away!" Blackthorne:"Sweet Jesus, how bad are you -- ?" Mariko:"You have no rights in this. This is between husband and wife". Blackthorne:'That's no excuse for beating". Mariko:"Listen to me, Anjin-san. He can beat me to death if he wishes. He has the right -- and I wish he would. Then I wouldn't have to endure the shame - the shame of being Akechi Jinsai's daughter. .". |
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| Blackthorne:"Then why did you marry him?"
Mariko:"To please Lord Goroda. I was so young I didn't know about Goroda then. He was the cruelest, most loathsome man that was ever born. He drove my father to treachery and I pray God that Gorodats committed to hell for all eternity. That is the truth! Now please go. Please. If he -". Blackthorne:"I'm not afraid of him". Mariko:"But you should be". Blackthorne opens the gate and walks through -- Fujiko hurrying after him. She grabs at his sleeve. |
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| Blackthorne cocks the pistol as he continues
walking - toward Buntaro and the Samurai Guard.
They stand there motionlessly -- then suddenly Buntaro and the Sumarai Guard bow low, then sink to their knees. Buntaro puts his bow aside, then leans forward to press his forehead to the ground. Buntaro lowers his head to the ground again. Blackthorne just stares at him for a moment -- stunned by the apology, his anger gone. |
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| The old Gardener is just finishing filling
in a hole -tamping the dirt down with his shovel, making it as neat as
he can.
A Samurai is standing a few feet away -watching impassively. The Gardener finishes filling in the hole and carefully he puts his shovel down -- then he looks at the Samurai, nodding slightly before he kneels, leaning forward to offer his neck. He looks down at the Gardener for another brief moment, then in one flashing movement draws his sword and brings it down. Fujiko and all the servants are kneeling motionlessly in the garden -- as Blackthorne comes through the gate. He stops, puzzled, looking at them -- and they all bow. |
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| Blackthorne doesn't understand. Then he turns
and sees that
the hanging pheasant is gone, the rope dangling. Fujiko gets to her feet and walks to the rope dangling at the corner or the house -- then shakily imitates someone removing it, carrying it away and burying it. Fujiko picks up the old Gardener's rake and shows it to Blackthorne. Blackthorne:"Where is he? Where?" Fujiko shakes her head, her face chalky white now. With one hand, Fujiko mimes the single cut or a sword on her neck. Blackthorne stares at her with disbelief. Blackthorne:"Dead? For what? For taking that damned bird away? What the hell are you talking. You killed that old man for a cursed, stinking bird? You murdering bitch!" |
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| The servant scrambles up and hurries into
the house -
returning with Blackthorne's long sword. Fujiko takes the sword and offers it to Blackthorne. Blackthorne takes the sword and Fujiko leans forward, offering her neck. Blackthorne:"That won't bring him back to life!" Blackthorne hurls the sword away, then turns and kicks his way out the gate. |