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“SHOGUN” © 2003. Okihei Enterprise, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Tribute to Richard Chamberlain |
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| Blackthorne is walking slowly down the narrow
corridor -- his step heavy, his eyes sad. He reaches the door to his quarters
and opens it. Blackthorne comes in. An oil lamp is burning and there are
fresh flowers beautifully arranged against the wall -- but Blackthorne
just sits without glancing at them. He picks up his dictionary and opens
it -- staring down at the page. Blackthorne turns -- and Fujiko is there,
a tray with sake in her hands. Fujiko comes forward and pours the sake
for Blackthorne, offering it to him gracefully.
Fujiko:"Dozo". Blackthorne:"Domo. Ashi masen desu ka? But your legs"? Fujiko puts down the sake flask and stands -- then unwinds her obi and allows her kimono to fall open, raising her light under kimono and standing there for Blackthorne to see her legs. The scar tissue is healed and smooth. He looks up at her -- and Fujiko is crying silently, the tears streaming down her cheeks. Blackthorne:"Iye, Iye, Fujiko - - no tears". |
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| Blackthorne and Mariko are walking down the
path.
Blackthorne:"Oh, how I have missed thee". Mariko:"And I have missed thee". Blackthorne:"There is much to say". Mariko:"No. Only that I love thee with all my heart -- and I fear for thee still". Blackthorne:"Don't be afraid. Everything is going to be all right". Mariko:"That is what I tell myself. But today it i_ impossible to accept Karma and the will of God". Blackthorne:"You've been so distant -". Mariko:"This is Yedo, my love. And beyond the First Bridge". Blackthorne:"And more". Mariko:"Yes, and more. Lord Toranaga's decision to surrender is so dishonorable and useless. I never thought I could say that out loud, but I have to say it. Forgive my weakness". Blackthorne:"When he goes to Osaka, what will happen to you"? Mariko:"It will be over -- for me -- for all of us. If Lord Toranaga dies, we cannot be left alive". Blackthorne:"Then you must come with me. escape. We'll-". Mariko:"There is no escape, my -love. You must accept that". Blackthorne:"There is -- if Lord Toranaga allows it". Mariko:"Why should he allow it"? Blackthorne:"Because if I capture the Black Ship -- and threaten next year's as well -- then Lord Toranaga can force the priests to bring all the Christian lords to his side. That will make him more powerful than Ishido and the Council of Regents. That will make him Shogun". Mariko:"I don't understand, my love". Blackthorne:"It all comes down to money. The Jesuits must have theirs -- so must Spain and Portugal. Taking this year's Black Ship will prove that I can do it and only one man can stop me from capturing every Black Ship that sails. Lord Toranaga. They will have to support him in exchange for safe passage". Mariko:"Do you really believe that"? Blackthorne:"I know it. Will you help me"? Mariko:"I cannot betray the Church". Blackthorne:"All I ask is that you talk to Lord Toranaga, explain to him -- or help me explain. No matter what happens, remember only this -- I love thee. The First Bridge cannot change that. Nothing can change that. Lord Toranaga is waiting". |
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| Twenty motley Samurai are standing in a cluster at one side -- as Blackthorne and Mariko come forward. Yabu is standing there. Blackthorne and Mariko look at him, surprised. |
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| Yabu:"Konnichi wa. Ue-sama wa gokibun ga sugurenai
node, sessha ni kawari ni mairu yoo oosetsukari mashita.
Mariko:"Lord Yabu says that My Master is not feeling well so he has come in his place". Blackthorne:"Wakarimasu, Yabu-sama. Domo". Yabu gestures toward the group of motley Samurai -and the clerk, waiting at a small table. |
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| Mariko:"Those are the first of your vassals.
They have all agreed to swear eternal allegiance to you and your seed.
None of them have committed any crime that could be proved and they are all good warriors. Lord Yabu asks if you accept them". Blackthorne:"What happens if I don't accept them"? Mariko:"They will lose their heads, but Lord Yabu says that has nothing to do with it". Blackthorne:"How do I know I can trust them"? Mariko:"If they swear their loyalty as Samurai, Anjin-san, there is no greater oath". Blackthorne:"I accept them all". Mariko:"Mina meshi kakaeru to Anjin-san ga moosare masu". "Lord Yabu suggests you reject this man". Blackthorne:"Do you think I should reject you, Uraga-san"? Uraga:"I have sworn my loyalty, Anjin-san. The choice is yours. I have never been trained in weapons, but I will learn. I beg you to accept me. I will do anything you ask". Blackthorne:"Or anything Father Alvito asks"? Uraga:"I have renounced the Church, Anjin-san. I am Samurai," Blackthorne:"How can I be sure of that"? Uraga:"If-you accept me, Anjin-san, please kill me the moment you even question my absolute loyalty". Blackthorne:"You wish to keep your head a little longer". Uraga:"I wish to serve you, Anjin-san". Blackthorne:"I accept you, Uraga-san". |
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| Blackthorne is sitting with Mariko, Fujiko
and Kiku -all of them drinking sake.
Blackthorne:"Nanja". Mariko:"Kiku-san says that she and Gyoka-san have been put in a third class inn and have received no attention. She says that Gyoko-san has some information and asks me to arrange an interview with my Master". Blackthorne:"What information? What is it"? Mariko:"She says -- she says that Lord Onoshi will poison Lord Kiyama during the Feast of the Blessed Saint Bernard this year. They are both Christian lords, both mernDers of the Council of Regents. Lord Onoshi's son will be the new lord of all Lord Kiyama's lands. And -- she says that Lord Ishida knows of this and agrees to it, providing my Master is already dead". Blackthorne:"If that's true -Where did Gyoko-san get this information"? Mariko:"Kiku-san says men need to whisper secrets". Blackthorne:"Can you arrange the interview iwmediately"? Mariko:"I can only try". There is a sudden noice in the corridor, Yabu is standing there. Mariko:"Yabu-sam says that my Master has given your ship back to you". Blackthorne:"My ship - -? Now"? Mariko:"Yes - - now. My master has ordered you to take your ship to Anjiro immediately". Yabu:"Soshita Mariko-san, sonata wa asu Osaka e tachimasu". Blackthorne:"What was that - - Osaka"? Mariko:"I am to leave tomorrow". Blackthorne:"Why"? Mariko:"I do not know, Anjin-san". Blackthorne looks at Mariko. Blackthorne:"Until Osaka - - until then". |
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| The Galley is just in front of the Erasmus.
Vinck, Roper, Ginsel, Croocq and Salamon are standing clustered on the main deck as Blackthorne comes up the ladder. Vinck:"What's going on, Pilot"? Ginsel:"Thought they were going to kill us". Blackthorne:"Listen. We're taking the Erasmus back to Anjiro. Listen_ Were going to be towed. You see that galley -Don't argue now. Just do as I say. Ginsel, go forward -- you'll swing the lead. Vinck, take the helm. Jan Roper, stand by the forewinch. Salamon and Croocq aft. |
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| The wharf is deserted now -- the last of the
Samurai Guards disappearing into the street leading back toward the castle.
Now Alvita and Brother Michael step out of the shadows -- looking out to
sea. Towed by the Galley, the Erasmus moves smoothly out into the harbor.
Alvita:"May God curse her and all who sail in her". Brother Michael:"Except one, Father. One of our people sails with the ship". Alvita:"Yes -- a Soldier of God. I fear the heretic will wound us terribly, Michael". Brother Michael:"Perhaps not, Father". Alvita:"Why else has Lord Toranaga given him back his ship? To harry us -- and to attack the Black Ship. God help us, Lord Toranaga's forsaken us, too". Brother Michael:"We have forsaken him, Father. But he has still promised us the cathedral". Alvita:"Yes the cathedral. The work has begun. Come, I to see the place again. Who knows it may be for the last time". |
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| The land has been levelled, foundations already
marked and partially dug -- everything deep in shadow. They approach the
site -- then suddenly Brother Michael reaches out a hand. A distance ahead,
there is a figure standing in the shadows. It's Mariko.
Alvito:"It's me -- Father Alvito". Mariko:"Father? Oh, I was -- I was just coming to see you. I'm leaving shortly, but I wanted to talk to you before I left". Alvito:"You came here -- just to see me"? Mariko:"To see you -- and to see the ship leave". Alvito:"What can I do for you"? Mariko:"I wish to be confessed". Alvito:"Then let it be here. Let your confession be the first in this place though the ground is barely hallowed". "Before God, do -" Mariko:"Before I begin, Father, I beg a favor". Alvito:"From me or from God? Mariko:"I beg a favor before God". Alvito:"What is thy favor"? Mariko:"The Anjin-san's life in return for knowledge". Alvito:"His life is not mine to give or to withhold. But he is an enemy -- a terrible enemy -- of our Faith. Mariko:"Even so, I beg for his life. In return -- in return perhaps I can be of great help". Alvito:"I will put it before him and beg him in God's name to consider your petition". Mariko:"Lord Onoshi will poison Lord Kiyama during the Feast of the Blessed Saint Bernard this Year. Lord Onoshi's son will rule- all of Lord Kiyama's lands -- and Lord Ishida has agreed to this, providing my Master has already gone into the Great Void". Alvito:"It's not possible! Besides, who could ever find out such information"? Mariko:"Please excuse me, Father, but I cannot tell you. Still, I believe it to be true". |
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| Alvito:"Uraga! Uraga was Lord Onoshi's confessor!
Oh, Mother of God, Uraga has broken the sanctity of the confessional. And
the Englishman -- the heretic -- is now his lord".
Mariko:"But you must keep your word before God". Alvito:"Why have you told me this"? Mariko:"To save the Anjin-san's life". Alvito:"You commit treason for him? You, Toda Mariko-noh-Buntaro, daughter of the General Lord Akechi Jinsai, you commit treason because of a foreigner"? Mariko:"And to protect the Church. Lord Toranaga is the Church's only hope. He is a wise and good man and the Church will prosper with him. Lord Ishido is the enemy". Alvito:"I am glad that you have come here and told me this. I thank thee. For the Church and for me, a servant of the Church. I will do everything that I have agreed. Now let me hear thy confession". Mariko:"Please excuse me, Father, I am not worthy even to confess". Alvito:"Everyone is worthy in the sight of God". Mariko:"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned, but I can only confess that I am not worthy to confess". Alvito:"Daughter of God, let me beg God's forgiveness for thy sins. Let me in His name absolve thee and make thee whole in his sight". Alvita makes the Sign of the Cross over her. |