Histories Rewritten - Day 1
- [Laundry room, 8:30 AM] -
[Darkness. A small, cold room that smells of chemicals and detergent. A group of strangers lies on the cold, dusty tiled floor in various positions--on their sides, curled up as tight as possible, or splayed out on their backs. All are completely unconscious.]
[SASAKI HITOMI]: Mmh, my head…
[OJIMA TAKESHI]: Hold on. I’m trying to find a light switch.
[YONEKURA YUME]: … Hello? Anyone?
[HARADA KEIZOU]: [Groans]
[OJIMA TAKESHI]: Good. Sounds like I’m not the only one awake anymore.
[HASEGAWA KEN]: [Mumbles to himself]
[SASAKI]: What’s going on?
[TSUNO MANAMI]: [groans] Fuck…
[TAMBA RUIKO]: What--where…?
[OJIMA]: God, where is this damn thing?
[TAMBA]: Wh--[wails] This is scary! I wanna go home!
[YANAGI SHIGEKI]: [groans]
[SASAKI]: Is that a little kid?
[YANAGI]: [more groaning] [misery]
[OJIMA flips the switch. The lights come on.]
[It’s not hard to see why he’s surprised. 16 teenagers are scattered around the room--some standing, some sitting, others just rising from their slumber. None of them look anything alike. A girl with orange twintails wearing a flashy black-and-pink outfit, a boy with dark hair and an undone tie, a small blonde girl with a wide-brimmed hat and blouse, a boy with dyed hair in a lab coat, a tall girl with braided red hair and a trench coat. An albino girl with overalls and a red sweater, a girl with dark hair in a white business suit, a boy with glasses and eyes that are two different shades of blue. A skinny girl with choppy black hair, pale like she’s never seen the sun, wearing clothes that don’t quite fit her and a boy that towers over everyone else, dressed in a denim jacket and polo shirt. A girl in leather with split-dyed hair and piercings. A boy whose school uniform is pristine even in a dingy old room like this. A little girl with perfect curls and a designer dress. A boy in a raincoat and matching boots. A girl in a tank-top and leggings, apron tied around her waist. A boy dressed in blue, hair bleached blond and curling upwards. Washing machines sit unused around them. Clotheslines hang like spiderwebs.]
[KAMIMURA KAZUTOSHI]: I don’t… I don’t feel too well.
[He tries to stand, but drops back to the floor. SASAKI catches his arm.]
[TAMBA]: I wanna go hooooooome! I want my mom!
[WATARI NISHINO]: Would you can it already?!
[TAMBA goes quiet. SASAKI crosses her arms and looks at WATARI with disappointment, before turning to the boy who’d turned on the lights.]
[SASAKI]: What’s your name?
[SASAKI]: [raises brow] … just Takeshi?
[OJIMA]: Yeah. Just Takeshi.
[SASAKI]: Okay then. Takeshi, start waking people up.
[OJIMA starts waking people up.]
[WADA MASAMI]: M--Mh…? Hm.
[TSUNO]: Yeah, yeah, I got it, fuck off already.
[HARADA]: What’s… going on…?
[HAMA]: Why do I feel so tired…?
[CHIBA]: Hey--! What’s going on?
[SASAKI]: Please, everyone, calm down.
[MONOMOKO blinks into existence.]
[MONOMOKO]: Yes. Please calm down.
[Collective shouting ensues. WATARI NISHINO immediately ignores her instructions, removes one of her slippers, and throws it at MONOMOKO. Balancing on one leg, she pulls herself up on the sink and begins wrestling with her other shoe.]
[MONOMOKO]: Please take a moment to settle yourselves. It appears that some of you are still rather dizzy.
[MONOMOKO]: I don’t want to give you any particularly heavy information before you are ready to recieve it.
[HIROAKI NAKAMIGAWA]: Where are we?
[MONOMOKO]: Ah. How lucky that you asked. That’s actually what I wanted to discuss with you.
[KAMIMURA]: … this can’t be real.
[MONOMOKO]: I’m afraid this is shockingly real.
[SASAKI]: Tell us what’s happening.
[MONOMOKO]: I will. You’re here to play a game.
[HAYASHI MAI]: This is bullshit. I’m not playing some stupid game. I’m leaving.
[MONOMOKO]: I think you’ll find you have nowhere to go.
[HAYASHI]: I think you’ll find that I’m not going to stick around and play some fucking game with you.
[HAYASHI opens the door and leaves. It slams shut behind her.]
[MONOMOKO]: I’d like to ask that someone would relay the following information to miss Hayashi once she realizes her current situation.
[TSUNO]: If she doesn’t kill you first.
[SASAKI]: That’s not funny.
[TSUNO]: It’s a little funny.
[HARADA]: How about you explain our current situation first?
[KAMIMURA]: Are you being intentionally dense right now? We’re here to play a game.
[MONOMOKO]: Welcome to Fujioka Memorial High School. This is the building that you will call home for the foreseeable future. That future may be a couple of days, or it may be forever.
[A white cat jumps out of CHIBA’s bag. She scrambles to catch it, but it’s no use. It jumps onto HARADA’s lap.]
[HARADA is now completely frozen, the cat nuzzling up against him.]
[CHIBA]: Aw! She likes you!
[HARADA]: I don’t give a damn if she likes me or not. You oughta control your damn cat.
[CHIBA]: Sorry. She’s nice, i promise.
[CHIBA picks the cat up. HARADA doesn’t meet her eyes, like he’s too good for her.]
[MONOMOKO]: I’d like to begin explaining now, if that’s possible.
[WATARI]: [sharply] Sure. Fine. Go ahead.
[MONOMOKO]: Very well. I am your headmaster for the remainder of the killing school semester.
[HASEGAWA]: Sorry, repeat that last part.
[CHIBA]: I could’ve sworn you said… [choked] “killing.”
[THUMP. A fist hits the wall. A muffled cry. More footsteps.]
[MONOMOKO]: I’m sure you’re all eagerly awaiting an explanation of what that is. I will provide one. You will remain in Fujioka Memorial High School for the duration of the semester. There are two ways to win the game: either cause the death of another student and get away with it, or survive five class trials.
[TAMBA, who’s basically kept up a running whimper since they awoke, begins crying again. WATARI doesn’t bother telling her to be quiet again, she herself stunned into silence.]
[MONOMOKO]: Once a student’s body is discovered, an investigation will take place, followed by a class trial. During this trial, you will be asked to find the killer. If you believe you have found them, they will be subject to a vote. If the popular vote is correct, either the killer will be punished, or everyone else will be. Are there any questions?
[HASEGAWA]: I’ve got one. What’s the punishment?
[MONOMOKO]: I’m glad you asked. Whoever voted will be punished by death.
[WATARI]: That’s… something. Hey, Rabbit--
[She doesn’t get a chance to ask before MONOMOKO disappears.]
[HAMA]: Did it just… teleport?
[SASAKI]: Weird. I suppose we should look around. Should we split up? That way, we’ll cover more ground.
[TSUNO]: Uh, fuck no. That’s what gets people killed.
[SASAKI]: Do you have a better idea?
[HAMA]: How about we go in pairs?
[TAMBA]: But what if someone gets stuck with a… [With a murderer. She can’t bear to say it.]
[HARADA]: Like that wouldn’t be the easiest possible murder case to solve.
[TAMBA]: But their partner would be dead.
[HARADA]: This is war. There’s gonna be casualties.
[HARADA]: Oh, quit crying. You’re giving me a headache.
[YONEKURA]: So, how long are we going to be trapped before we start eating people?
[SASAKI]: Oh my God, no, we’re not going to start eating people!
[KAMIMURA]: I vote that one. [He jabs a finger at HARADA.]
[YONEKURA]: [shakes head] There’s not enough meat on his bones. I’d go with her. [Points at TSUNO.]
[SASAKI]: Can we stop talking about eating each other?! What is wrong with you people?!
[WADA]: Can we just pick our partners?
[SASAKI]: Yes. Everyone, pick your partners. Takeshi, you’re with me. Whoever’s left over, you’re with… Hayashi, was it?
[YANAGI]: I’ll pair up with her, actually.
[SASAKI]: Very good. What’s your name?
[YANAGI]: Uh--Yanagi Shigeki.
[SASAKI]: Okay, Yanagi. You’re coming with us. We’ll tell her the news.
[HAMA]: Alright, then. [He grabs HARADA’s arm.] Hello there, partner.
[HARADA]: … you’ve got to be kidding me.
[WADA]: If we’re picking, I’m with you. [She takes TSUNO’s hand.]
[TAMBA grabs onto WATARI’s leg.]
[WATARI]: You know what? Fine.
[CHIBA]: Hey. Um, Cannibalism Boy…?
[KAMIMURA]: Cannibalism Boy? [laughs] That’s a new one. Kamimura Kazutoshi. You wanna be partners?
[CHIBA]: Sure. I’m Chiba Airi. It’s nice to meet you.
[KAMIMURA]: Cool necklace.
[CHIBA]: Thanks! I’m a paleontoloigist.
[KAMIMURA]: Hey! Fellow science nerd! I’m a chemist!
[ISONO]: Well, guess that leaves you and me. Cute raincoat.
[HASEGAWA]: O--Oh-- [points at himself, bewildered]
[HASEGAWA]: Thank you. I like your… um, your hair.
[ISONO]: Thank you, too. You’re sweet.
[HASEGAWA]: Thank you. I’m Hasegawa Ken.
[ISONO]: Hi, Hasegawa. I’m Isono Miki. It’s very nice to meet you.
[HASEGAWA]: [shakily] Nice to meet you too, Isono.
[YONEKURA]: And then there were two.
[HIROAKI]: Better than nobody.
[MONOMOKO, over intercom]: Hello, students. Welcome to Fujioka Memorial High School. As today is your first day on campus, I’d like to go over some of the rules you’ll need to follow during your time here.
Rule one. Please refrain from damaging or destroying any school property.
Rule two. Nighttime takes place during 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Some areas of the school may be off limits at this time. You will also find that no running water will be available at this time, so please plan accordingly.
Rule three. You may only exit the school through means of winning the killing game.
Rule four. Certain limitations and motivations may be put in place to encourage participation in the killing game. New rules may come with these limitations and motivations. These rules must be followed as any other rules are, up until a killing takes places.
Rule five. When a student is killed, an investigation and trial will follow. If the killer, or blackened, is found during the trial, they will be executed. If they are not identified correctly, they will win the game and be released. All other players will be executed.
Rule six. The blackened may kill an absolute maximum of two students throughout the game.
Additional rules may be added at any time. Please stay alert.
- [Hayashi’s investigation] -
[TW - depictions of blood.]
[Storage room door opens. HAYASHI runs in, closing it behind her, and it thoroughly disappointed.]
[HAYASHI]: Okay... not an exit.
[MONOMOKO]: I think you will find that there are no exits to this place, Miss Hayashi.
[HAYASHI grabs the first thing she sees which could count as a weapon--which happens to be a large hammer.]
[HAYASHI]: Don’t come any closer!
[MONOMOKO]: Fighting is futile. Please put the hammer down.
[HAYASHI]: Not until you tell me what the hell this place even is.
[MONOMOKO]: You are currently situated in the storage room, located on the basement level of Fujioka Memorial High School.
[HAYASHI]: You know what I meant.
[MONOMOKO]: I am not at liberty to give you that information.
[MONOMOKO]: I am unable to clarify.
[HAYASHI lunges forward and grabs MONOMOKO by the neck with one hand.]
[MONOMOKO]: Please put me down.
[HAYASHI]: What the Hell even are you? Because you’re not a rabbit.
[MONOMOKO]: Please put me down. I won’t ask again.
[MONOMOKO]: Very well. As this is your first day in the school and rules have not yet been discussed, I will be lenient.
[CRACK. Mechanical noises. Screaming. MONOMOKO hits the ground. Sounds of choking and blood pouring.]
[HAYASHI]: You-- [sputtering, choking] you call this lenient?!
[MONOMOKO]: Thank you. I hope you’ll chose to be more obedient in the future.
[SASAKI, YANAGI, and OJIMA are walking through the halls in a group.]
[SASAKI]: We know you’re somewhere around here.
[OJIMA]: Come on out. We’re here to help.
[SASAKI]: We need to tell you what happened.
[HAYASHI opens the door from the storage room, still holding the crowbar. There’s blood drying on her face. A lot of blood. The group startles.]
[SASAKI]: [clearly terrified] There you are! We--
[OJIMA]: We’re all going to die.
[SASAKI]: Takeshi! That is the worst possible way you could’ve phrased that! [Sigh] [extends hand] Sasaki Hitomi, attorney at law. What’s your name?
[YANAGI]: And why do you have a hammer?
[HAYASHI]: Um--Hayashi Mai. I found it in the storage room.
[SASAKI]: You know what? Okay.
[OJIMA]: You’re not going to say anything?
[YANAGI]: Well, if you want a hammer to the head, Takeshi, be my guest.
[HAYASHI]: Are we going back to the dying thing?
[SASAKI]: Follow-up question. Why are you covered in blood?
[HAYASHI’s eyes go wide. She raises a hand to her face and brushes blood off her lips with her thumb.]
[HAYASHI]: Don’t worry, it’s my blood.
[YANAGI]: No, that’s a lot of blood. We’re worrying.
[HAYASHI]: So--you guys saw it too, right?
[HAYASHI]: The weird glowing rabbit.
[OJIMA]: Who didn’t see that?
[HAYASHI]: Okay, good. Because it made me start bleeding from… from everywhere.
[SASAKI]: From everywhere?
[HAYASHI]: Yeah. Eyes, ears, mouth, nose. The works.
[SASAKI]: You should probably have that looked at.
[YANAGI]: Wasn’t there a doctor of some kind back in the laundry room?
[SASAKI]: Yes, I believe so.
[HAYASHI]: I’m not bleeding anymore. I think we can leave it.
[SASAKI]: We shouldn’t. What if you start bleeding again?
[HAYASHI]: I won’t as long as I don’t piss off the rabbit.
[SASAKI]: … you know what, fine. Hayashi, this is Yanagi. He’ll be your partner for the investigation.
[YANAGI]: Call me Shigeki, really. It’s nice to meet you.
[SASAKI]: Now. The hard part. [heavy sigh] I’m not saying this will happen. I’m just saying that, yes, Takeshi was right. We have been brought here with the intent of… maybe, not of all of us surviving.
[HAYASHI]: So… we are here to die.
[SASAKI]: Again, I’m not saying that’s what’s going to happen! We’re going to find an excape route somehow. I’m just saying that, yes, the rabbit is intending for some of us to, unfortunately, not survive.
[HAYASHI’s hands tighten around her hammer.]
[HAYASHI]: We’re all going to die.
[SASAKI]: No! No, we’re not. We’re going to be okay. I promise. Just let me explain the rules, okay?
[HAYASHI]: How do you know?
[WADA and TSUNO open the door to WADA’s room.]
[WADA]: Alright. These are our rooms?
[TSUNO tries to sneak off into her room, but WADA catches her by the arm.]
[WADA]: Nope. We’re sticking together.
[WADA]: I don’t want you dead, Manami.
[TSUNO]: Since when are you calling me Manami?
[WADA]: I mean, you don’t just wake up in a coffin with somebody and not be friends for life.
[TSUNO]: For the about two weeks left of our lives, you mean.
[WADA]: Don’t talk like that. We’ll make it out.
[TSUNO]: [she laughs. There’s no humour in it.] Be honest with yourself, Wada. All it takes is for one person to want out really badly, and… [She traces a line across her throat.] Bleh.
[TSUNO]: [cackles] C’mooooon. I’m just having fun. [smiles] Or I’m not. Maybe I’m planning to kill you.
[WADA]: Don’t say those kinds of things. They scare me.
[TSUNO]: That’s the point. What’s up with the rooms?
[WADA]: Looks pretty basic. Bed, bathroom, and a desk with some stuff.
[WADA]: Psych textbooks and a blank journal.
[TSUNO]: You a psychologist or something?
[WADA]: Yeah. You probably have other… stuff, Tsuno.
[TSUNO]: You know, I’m alright with you calling me Manami.
[TSUNO]: Sure. As long as I can call you Masami.
[WADA]: Don’t you think that might get a little confusing?
[TSUNO]: Can I call you Masa, then?
[TAMBA and WATARI enter the incinerator room. TAMBA, who is sitting on WATARI’s shoulders, wrinkles her nose.]
[TAMBA]: It smells like garbage in here.
[WATARI]: Well, we’re using this room for garbage disposal.
[WATARI]: You flip that switch and this thing lights on fire.
[WATARI]: To burn it all.
[WATARI]: Because it gets rid of the garbage.
[WATARI]: It just does, I don’t know.
[WATARI]: I’m not an expert in garbage disposal mechanisms.
[WATARI]: Because I have things to do. I don’t have time to learn everything there is to learn about garbage disposals.
[WATARI]: I have siblings, and I have a job, and I have school. My schedule’s packed.
[TAMBA]: Can you at least turn it on?
[WATARI]: Because it’s dangerous.
[WATARI]: Because it’s fire. Fire burns people.
[WATARI]: Because it’s hot.
[The double doors to the pool creak open. HARADA walks through first, followed by HAMA, who he does not thank for holding them. There’s a loud echo as the doors close.]
[HARADA]: Wow. We’ve got a pool in here. Seems fun.
[HAMA]: Yeah, sure. Worries me a bit, though.
[HARADA]: [sighing] Oh my god, lighten up!
[HAMA]: I’m just worried about the little one. The blonde one, the crier. Tamba, I think.
[HAMA]: All I’m saying is that if one of my kids fell in, I’d never be able to forgive myself.
[HARADA]: You have kids? Aren’t you 17?
[HAMA]: Oh--sorry. I’m an assistant teacher.
[HARADA]: … I’m going to repeat myself. Aren’t you 17?
[HAMA]: Yeah. I am. Would you rather I just do nothing with my life?
[HAMA]: You’re acting like we didn’t all see you in that laundry room.
[HARADA]: I said what I said.
[HAMA]: Which brings me to my next point. You can’t be saying shit like that.
[HARADA]: I’m just being honest.
[HAMA]: No, Harada, be serious. You’re painting a giant target on your back.
[HARADA]: I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal. It’s just how I am.
[HAMA]: Well, you can’t stay that way. If I’m bending over backwards to make sure everything’s okay, so should you.
[HARADA]: Really? ‘Cause I don’t see much bending going on.
[HAMA]: It’s settled, then?
[HARADA]: Is what settled?
[HAMA]: We’re blocking off the pool. Too much of a risk.
[HARADA]: Wait, we didn’t even talk about that!
[CHIBA and KAMIMURA study kitchen appliances, talking amongst themselves.]
[CHIBA]: Yeah, I’m an only child. What about you?
[KAMIMURA]: Nope. No siblings here.
[CHIBA]: Did you always want to be a chemist?
[KAMIMURA]: Yeah. I do forensics.
[CHIBA]: That’s… crime scenes, right?
[KAMIMURA]: Yeah. Basically. I use chemistry to figure out how people died.
[CHIBA]: Cool. Sounds like you’ll be of use, then.
[KAMIMURA]: Don’t… say those things.
[KAMIMURA]: But what about you? Did you always want to be a paleontologist?
[KAMIMURA]: Sweet. If you had to pick one, what’s your favourite dinosaur?
[CHIBA]: Aquilops, easy. What about you?
[KAMIMURA]: … Oh, I dunno. Would you call me basic if I said velociraptor?
[CHIBA]: Pfft--no. They’re cool. Do you have a favourite chemical?
[KAMIMURA]: Definitely luminol.
[CHIBA]: The one that makes blood glow?
[KAMIMURA]: Basically, yeah. No offense, but I’d assume you don’t have a favourite chemical.
[KAMIMURA]: What about your parents? What do they do?
[CHIBA says nothing. She doesn’t even meet his eyes.]
[KAMIMURA]: [with dawning realization] Oh my god. I’m so sorry.
[CHIBA]: It’s fine. It’s fine. You couldn’t have known. [sigh] I… live with my grandma.
[KAMIMURA]: Damn. Okay. [pause] Favourite food?
[KAMIMURA]: Ooh. Hey--come look at this.
[CHIBA walks over to him.]
[KAMIMURA shows her an almost comically large kitchen tool, a long rubber handle with a flat metal end.]
[KAMIMURA]: [laughing] What the Hell is this for?
[CHIBA]: Mashing potatoes, I think?
[KAMIMURA]: [still laughing] What big-ass potatoes are we mashing?!
[HASEGAWA and ISONO enter the auditorium. ISONO sings a scale, and it echoes through the room.]
[ISONO]: Hey--Hasegawa. Up there. [She points to a vent above the rafters.] Do you think we could use that?
[HASEGAWA]: Oh, gee, I dunno. It’s a long way, and I’m pretty sure we don’t have any climbers.
[ISONO]: [dejected] You’re probably right.
[HASEGAWA]: Hey, c’mon. When we meet up with the others, they’ll probably have a plan of action.
[ISONO]: I’m sure they will! There’s no way we’ll be stuck here forever.
[HASEGAWA]: Yeah. No way.
[ISONO]: Somebody’s going to find a way out. I trust these people.
[ISONO]: I trust most of these people.
[HASEGAWA]: Most of us are nice. You’re nice. My little sister’s a big fan of yours.
[ISONO]: Oh, wow, really? What’s her name?
[HASEGAWA]: Hasegawa Reina. She’s thirteen.
[ISONO]: When we get home, tell her you met me. [laughs] She’ll be so jealous.
[HASEGAWA]: I’m not too sure about that one.
[ISONO]: [jokingly] Oh, come on. I’m sure you can leave out the kidnapping part! Just tell her I say hi.
[HASEGAWA]: I will, I will.
- [Takeshi in Wonderland] -
[SASAKI reenters the laundry room and immediately starts going through washing machines for any sort of clue.]
[SASAKI]: Takeshi, help me out here.
[OJIMA does not respond. His eyes are blank. He’s Somewhere Else again.]
[OJIMA]: [back awake] H--huh--?!
[SASAKI]: Is everything alright? You’ve been doing that this whole time.
[OJIMA]: Oh. Yeah, it’s just… a thing that happens sometimes.
[She goes back to searching. He goes back… wherever he was.]
[SASAKI]: Alright. I’m not finding anything, but maybe I just need another eye.
[SASAKI]: [sigh] Takeshi.
[SASAKI]: [snapping her fingers] Takeshi!
[SASAKI]: Takeshi, take a look at this.
[SASAKI]: Yes, the sink. I can’t find anything, but maybe you can.
[OJIMA leans over the sink, running a single hand through his hair, which probably used to be gelled and coiffed, but now simply sits flat and messy on his head. His glasses start to slip off his face, and he pushes them back with the heel of his palm.]
[OJIMA]: I’ve got nothing.
[SASAKI]: [sighs] Great, yeah. Absolutely amazing. Lovely.
[HAYASHI and YANAGI linger a little longer in the storage room than they’re supposed to. When they finally start walking, YANAGI keeps glancing behind him.]
[HAYASHI]: You seem nervous.
[YANAGI]: In the nicest way possible, Mai, it’s the hammer.
[HAYASHI]: Well, I’m not putting it down.
[YANAGI]: I don’t want you to. Can I just… walk behind you? So I can see you?
[HAYASHI]: How about we just walk beside each other? Does that work?
[A pause. YANAGI slows down.]
[YANAGI]: Yeah, sure. That works.
[HAYASHI]: Good. I see you, you see me. Nobody has to turn their back on anybody.
[HAYASHI]: You know, you’re awfully jumpy.
[YANAGI]: I--I am? [nervous laugh] I think I’m just on edge.
[HAYASHI]: You don’t have to be. You’ve got me.
[YANAGI]: Ah. You… what are you saying?
[HAYASHI]: I’m saying that I’ll watch your back if you watch mine.
[YANAGI]: And we don’t need to tell anyone else about what’s in the storage room?
[HAYASHI]: Nope. It’s ours unless we want to tell anyone.
[YANAGI]: I see. So, a promise to protect each other and keep our secrets as such. It’s like a knight’s oath.
[YANAGI]: Very well, then.
[YANAGI drops to one knee and takes HAYASHI’s hand in his own.]
[HAYASHI]: What are you doing?
[YANAGI]: Hayashi Mai, I hereby swear my knight’s oath to you. I swear to keep your secrets and never let you fall upon a blade, for pain of a hammer to the face. [laughter] Or something like that.
[HAYASHI]: And mine to you. Whatever you said goes for me.
[With exceeding care and gentleness, she taps the hammer once on each of his shoulders as if knighting him. Both laugh like they’re not actively kidnapped. HAYASHI tucks the hammer into her belt loop and pulls him up.]
[HAYASHI]: C’mon, get up. This is stupid.
[YANAGI]: But it was fun.
[HIROAKI]: Is this… a medbay?
[YONEKURA]: At least, I think it is. It looks like it. Beds and drugs.
[YONEKURA]: Yeah. Prescription stuff. [she picks up a bottle of medication and shakes it. The pills rattle.] Looks like dexamphetamine. For narcoleptics. Why would we need that?
[HIROAKI]: … ah. Interesting. What’s behind the curtain?
[YONEKURA]: Oh, I wouldn’t--
[Before YONEKURA can finish her sentence, HIROAKI pulls the curtain back, revealing…]
[YONEKURA]: … Cold lockers.
[HIROAKI]: Cold lockers. Like in a morgue. [shaky breathing] Cold lockers.
[YONEKURA]: Maybe you should close that.
[HIROAKI doesn’t ask twice. The curtain rings rattle as he pulls it closed, grip shaky.]
[HIROAKI]: Cold lockers. That’s… something. [His hand settles on his stomach, mouth pressed into a tight line.]
[YONEKURA]: Are you alright, Hiroaki?
[YONEKURA]: It’s a good thing we’re in the medbay, then.
[SASAKI is the first into the laundry room, pulling OJIMA with her by his wrist. She is swiftly followed by YONEKURA and HIROAKI, who still looks a bit queasy. HASEGAWA and ISONO walk in, chatting idly, then KAMIMURA and CHIBA. HARADA comes in like a storm, hands balled into fists at his sides, not looking anyone else in the eye. HAMA follows him shortly after, watching like a hawk, the warning clear. TAMBA is still sitting on WATARI’s shoulders, ducking down to fit past the door frame. HAYASHI and YANAGI squeeze through the door side by side, neither one wanting to turn their back on the other. Finally, WADA and TSUNO enter together.]
[TSUNO]: You’re all early.
[WADA]: Don’t do this, Manami.
[HARADA]: Yeah. You’d think you’d be smarter than to make enemies.
[TSUNO]: You’re one to talk. [cracks knuckles]
[WADA]: Manami, please. You’re going to get hurt.
[HARADA]: [he stands] I’ll make sure of it.
[HAMA]: Harada, no! [Hama grabs his arm and pulls him back down.]
[WATARI]: [sighs] Okay, so as a collective, can we agree not to beat each other up during meetings?
[HAMA]: Sounds logical to me.
[SASAKI]: Alright, so new rule--
[CHIBA]: [yelps] watch it!
[HIROAKI]: I’m just trying to keep some order here.
[SASAKI]: Could you find a better way of doing that?
[HIROAKI]: No. I was going to tell you all to go, introduce yourselves, and tell us what you and your partner found. Since they showed up last, I propose that-- [indicating TSUNO and WADA] those two start.
[WADA]: Alright. It’s nice to meet you all. I’m Wada Masami. This is Tsuno Manami. We investigated the dormitories. They’re fairly standard. Just a bed, a desk, and a bathroom.
[HAYASHI]: That’s a relief. Thought I’d have to shower with everyone else.
[SASAKI]: Save that relief for when we find a way out.
[HAYASHI]: I’m just saying. Anyway--Hayashi Mai, I investigated the storage room, and I found a hammer, so if anyone attacks me, I’m gonna hit them with it.
[YANAGI]: Ah--Yanagi Shigeki. Hi.
[HAYASHI]: Shigeki and I investigated the bathrooms and locker room. There’s nothing in there, just… the expected. This place doesn’t look like anyone’s been down here. Oh, and also, if you hurt him, you’re getting a crowbar to the face. So don’t touch either one of us.
[SASAKI]: You know what? Fine.
[HAMA]: Are we just going to… let her have the hammer?
[SASAKI]: We’ll just let her have the hammer, yes.
[SASAKI]: Hey, if you want to say something, be my guest.
[TAMBA]: I’m Tamba Ruiko! I’m a big, big actress! This is my new friend Nishi!
[WATARI]: … Okay. Watari Nishino. We investigated the incinerator room. Nothing much in there either.
[SASAKI]: We have an incinerator here?!
[WATARI]: Well… yeah. The trash needs to go somewhere.
[SASAKI]: They couldn’t have chosen a less destructive disposal method?
[WATARI]: Something tells me that’s the point.
[HAYASHI]: We need to block it off. It’s too dangerous.
[WATARI]: We need somewhere to put the trash. There’s nothing we can do.
[HAMA]: Which brings me to my point. [indicating himself] Hama Ran. [Indicating HARADA] Harada Keizou. And we need to block off the pool.
[HAMA]: Yes, Tamba, there is, and we need to block it off.
[HARADA]: So you don’t fall in and die.
[HAMA]: Keizou, don’t talk to her like that.
[HARADA]: Who are you to be calling me Keizou?
[HAMA]: [sharply] Ignore him. We need to block off the pool because it’s too dangerous to be left open in our current situation.
[HAYASHI]: I can help with that. Shigeki?
[YANAGI]: Yeah, we’ll do that.
[CHIBA]: If you need more hands, Kamimura and I could join you.
[KAMIMURA]: I’m sure they’re fine.
[YANAGI]: Hey, the more, the merrier.
[HAYASHI]: I... [silence]
[KAMIMURA]: Chiba and I investigated the kitchen and dining room. There’s not much in there, just a bunch of oversized kitchen tools.
[HAYASHI]: Should we block that off too?
[KAMIMURA]: Why would we block off the kitchen?
[HAYASHI]: They’ve given us all these kitchen tools to kill each other with. Someone’s going to want to go home really badly, and they’re going to attack someone, and we’re all going to die.
[KAMIMURA]: And your solution is for all of us to starve to death? We can’t block off the kitchen, Hayashi.
[HAYASHI]: We need to do something about it, though.
[KAMIMURA]: I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do.
[ISONO]: [sighs] Nothing we can do.
[HASEGAWA]: Hey, don’t be sad about it, Isono. We’ll find some way out.
[ISONO]: You’re right. I’m Isono Miki, and this is Hasegawa Ken. [Waves] Hello.
[ISONO]: We explored the auditorium. There’s nothing we could find in there. One tiny vent nobody can fit into, but nothing else.
[HAYASHI]: [lighting up] Are you sure?
[ISONO]: Nobody who can make the climb.
[HAYASHI]: Are you completely, 100% sure about that?
[HASEGAWA]: We’re sure. Sorry. It’s a really tiny little vent. About… [he holds his hands about a foot apart.] You couldn’t get in there. I’m fairly certain only Wada or Tamba could, and, in the nicest way possible, I seriously doubt their ability to make that climb. No offense.
[HAYASHI]: No, no, it’s still important. I’m sure I can figure something out.
[YONEKURA]: In other news, we found a morgue.
[SASAKI]: I’m sorry, could you repeat that?
[YONEKURA]: We found a morgue.
[SASAKI]: [uneasy] Okay. There’s a morgue here. I’m very glad you told me that, Miss…?
[YONEKURA]: … [borderline resentful] Yonekura. Call me Yume.
[SASAKI]: Yume. Alright. And you were with…?
[HIROAKI]: Hiroaki Nakamigawa.
[YONEKURA]: Pretty name. [enunciating] [melodically] Hi-ro-a-ki…
[HIROAKI]: Thank you. Yone--Yume and I explored the medbay, where we found… [clears throat] … Yeah. We also found several medications.
[HIROAKI]: We are not blocking off the medbay, Hayashi. We’ll need to use it.
[HARADA]: She’s got a point. [shrugs] Survival of the fittest.
[TSUNO]: Fuck you, Keizou.
[HAYASHI]: That’s not the point I’m trying to make. I’m trying to say that leaving random medications out is the kind of thing that gets people killed.
[HARADA]: Mai, maybe you should just shut up. You’re being irrational.
[HAMA]: [To HARADA, angrily] [through teeth] Stop it. [To HAYASHI, softer] I am so sorry.
[HAYASHI]: You oughta be.
[HAMA]: [forcefully] Yes, Sasaki, sorry, Sasaki.
[SASAKI]: Well, then, it appears you already know me. I’m Sasaki Hitomi. This is… Takeshi.
[SASAKI]: Yes. As far as I know, it’s just Takeshi.
[TAKESHI is zoned out again.]
[SASAKI]: [sigh] He’s doing it again.
[HIROAKI]: This is a regular occurence?
[SASAKI]: Unfortunately, it is.
[HAYASHI]: He could be planning a murder in there.
[HARADA]: Holy shit, get therapy.
[TSUNO]: Watch your mouth, Keizou.
[HARADA]: Oh, you’re one to talk.
[SASAKI]: Anyway. We explored the laundry room. We… [sigh] didn’t find anything of note.
[HAYASHI]: Then we’ll keep looking. We have to keep looking. We have to find a way out.
[HARADA]: We have to, huh?
[HAYASHI]: Yeah. We have to.
- [Kitchen and dining room, 12:24] -
[HAYASHI whispers to herself, sitting hunched over the dining room table, alone. Enter ISONO.]
[HAYASHI]: … no, that won’t work.
[ISONO]: Hey there, Hayashi.
[ISONO]: Hey, hey, hey. Don’t worry, it’s just me.
[HAYASHI]: … I know. [Her hands clench tighter around the handle of her hammer.]
[ISONO]: I won’t hurt you, I promise. You want lunch?
[HAYASHI]: I’m not hungry.
[ISONO]: You know, I’m worried about you.
[ISONO]: No, I am. We all are.
[HAYASHI]: Well, don’t be. This shit’s practically child’s play.
[HAYASHI]: How about you don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to.
[ISONO]: Uh--I--uh--sure. Okay.
[Ground chicken hits the pan and sizzles. ISONO wrinkles her nose at it.]
[ISONO]: Ew. Hate the smell of ground chicken. Are you sure you don’t want any?
[ISONO]: I’m not trying to poison you, if that’s what you’re worried about.
[HAYASHI]: I just don’t have much of an appetite is all.
[The two girls go back to minding their own business. HAYASHI traces lines on the plastic of the dining room table, brow furrowed. ISONO hums a song to herself. Her chicken and rice finishes cooking and she serves it onto a plate. She “accidentally” made too much. She sits down across from HAYASHI and eats.]
[HAYASHI]: Are you one hundred percent sure that nobody here could get in the vent?
[ISONO]: Oh, gee, um… I thought Tamba or Kamimura probably could, but they don’t especially look like avid climbers, and it’s a long way.
[HAYASHI]: What if they didn’t have to climb up?
[HAYASHI]: They’re both pretty little. One of them could probably cling to my back spider monkey style while I climb.
[ISONO]: Are you sure you could handle that?
[HAYASHI]: I’m sure. I’ve done it before.
[ISONO]: [smiles] I’m proud of you, Hayashi. You know that, right?
[HAYASHI]: Don’t be. This is what I do.
[ISONO]: But I am. I trust you. Do you trust me?
[HAYASHI’s silence speaks for itself.]
