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“SHOGUN” © 2003. Okihei Enterprise, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Tribute to Richard Chamberlain |
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| Blackthorne, a bandage over his eyes and dressed in a formal kimono with a winged overmantle. |
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| A large, roofed palanquin is being carried
toward the pit of eight Buddhist priests, a high priest sitting on it,
his hands pressed together in prayer - Two lines of changing priests beating
drums and ringing bells, all of them in red. And then Mariko's bier, with
ten Brown Samurai pallbearers -- the bier rich and roofed all in white,
Mariko propped sitting, her head slightly forward, her face made up and
hair meticulous. Blackthorne turns his head toward the sound of drums and
bells. Kiri looks at him and gently touches his hand.
Blackthorne:"Is --is she here? Mariko-san desuka"? Kiri:"Hai, Anjin-san". |
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| Blackthorne sits there - - then feeling the
sudden heat of the fire,
he reaches out his right hand toward the pyre. Everyone sits there without moving, all eyes on the fire. Then Lady Ochiba and Ishida get to their feet and walk toward the flames -- making a ritual offering. Lady Ochiba and Ishida are walking toward Blackthorne. Lady Ochiba moves away and Lord Ishida bows to him. Yabu watches stunned. Blackthorne sits there blindly, unaware of the silent tribute -- but now, from beneath the bandages, a tear trickles down his cheek. |
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| Brother Michael is walking across the courtyard
- his orange robe in sharp contrast to the Grays. He reaches an entranceway
and goes in. Blackthorne is dressed in a simple Brown kimono -- as an elderly
doctro carefully applies some salve to his eyes, then begins to apply fresh
bandage. The shoji slides open and Brother Michael is standing there.
Blackthorne:"Who is it? Dare desuka"? Brother Michael:"I am Brother Michael, Anjin-san. I was with Father Alvita at Yokoso. We traveled together. Brother Joseph - Uraga-noh - Tadamasa was my friend. Blackthorne:"What do you want"? Brother Michael:"I am your guide, Anjin-san. I have been sent to guide you back to the ship. We are to leave as soon as you are able". Blackthorne:"Who sent you"? Brother Michael:"Lord Ishido made the request or his Eminence, the Father-Visitor. Doctor says that your eyes are healing very well. Soon you will be able to see again little by little. He says that you must be patient". Blackthorne:"I'll -- see again"? Brother Michael:"Yes, Anjin-san. May! help you up. Anjin-san"? Blackthorne:"No. I can do it. Are we going alone"? Brother Michael:"There is a Samurai escort, Anjin-san". |
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| The street is crowded, but theSamurai open
a path for Brother Michael and Blackthorne. Blackthorne cocks his hand,
sniffing the air.
Blackthorne:"Are we near the sea"? Brother Michael:"Not yet, Anjin-san". Blackthorne:"Tell me about the day". Brother Michael:"It is a fine evening, Anjin-san. It is the kind of evening when, Madonna forgive me, I wish I wasn't a priest, but just the son of my father". Blackthorne:"Why"? Brother Michael:"I would ask you to barter with me. I would ask you to show me and our sea captains the ways of your ship and the ways of the sea. In return, I would offer you the best teachers in the realm -teachers of bushido, cha-noyu, hara-gei, ki, zazen meditation and all the special unique knowledges that we possess". Blackthorne:"I'd like that. Why don't we do it now? Brother Michael:"It is not possible. But you already know so much and in such a short time. Mariko-sama was a great teacher. You are a worthy Samurai, Anjin-san. You have a quality that is rare her_ -- unpredictability. The Taiko had it. Toranaga-sama has it too. You see, we are usually a very predictable people". Blackthorne:"Are you"? Brother Michael:"Yes". Blackthorne:"Then predict a way I can escape the trap 1'm in". Brother Michael:"There is no way, Anjin-san". Blackthorne:"Where are you taking me? Brother Michael:"As I told you -- to the galley. But first we will stop at the Jesuit Mission. I was told to inform his Eminence, the Father-Visitor as we passed. You said before that you had little choice, Anjin-san. It is even less than that. Please. Take my shoulder". Blackthorne stands there for a moment, then he nods and puts his hand back on Brother Michael's shoulder. |
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| Blackthorne is standing in the courtyard,
the Samurai waiting nearby as Brother Michael and Dell'Aqua come out of
the mission.
Father Dell'Aqua:"I am pleased to see you, Captain-Pilot Blackthorne". Blackthorne:"Yes -- I can imagine". Father Dell'Aqua:"Michael has informed me that your eyes are healing well -- that soon you will see again". Blackthorne:"If I live that long. When does the Inquisition begin"? Father Dell'Aqua:"Inquisition? Is that what you were thinking"? Blackthorne:"What else was there to think"? Father Dell'Aqua:"Only that I wished personally to assure your safety". Blackthorne:"Why"? Father Dell'Aqua:"The Black Ship is here in Osaka and -". Blackthorne:"You're not putting me on board"! Father Dell'Aqua:"Certainly not. I simply want to see you safely back aboard the galley. Shall we go"? Dell'Aqua takes Blackthorne's arm -- and Blackthorne walks with him, Michael and the Samurai following. |