MY FINAL SIN, A POKEMON FILM PART I Written by Tyler Durden and Sensei Based on the short Pokemon story "Lone Pikachu" by Sensei and the "Pokemon" computer games created by Nintendo Final draft, 23rd August 2003 (Hi. I'm Tyler Durden and once again we have a film script that I had a hand in writing based on a Pokemon fan fiction story about loneliness amongst other things that I'm commenting on. This time I'm joined by my co-author on this fic, Sensei, to comment on this script. As well as the other similarities between this and "Pokemon the Movie 2003" my goal again is to create a mature script from an excellent fan fic and see if its still a Pokemon story at heart.) Fade in: Credit sequence: Scene I: EXT. KANTO. DAY We see an island in the distance across the sea that is also in the shot. This is KANTO. We move towards it as the credits roll. The Fleetwood Mac song "You Can Go Your Own Way" plays. End of credit sequence (We have a shot that establishes Kanto to tell our audience this is where the story is set. Its seen across a distance because I want to create a sense of distance and coldness towards our characters. They are not particularly pleasant people after all. This distance will continue throughout the film. Since our main character has very much done what we wants without caring about everyone else's opinions the song "You Can Go Your Own Way" seems appropriate to me.) Scene II: EXT. SOME CLIFFS. KANTO. DAY We see a message on screen overlaid on top of the background. It says: "Kanto, 2060". It fades away after a while. The song isn't over yet and continues throughout the otherwise silent part of this scene. We reach a cliff face on the edge of KANTO. We move up past black, jagged rocks to snow covered countryside. We move towards a city. We go up and into the city from the top of its large buildings moving down toward the streets. The city is VIRIDIAN CITY. We see first into the windows of the upper floors of a building we are moving down. We see people fighting in the rooms. All the furniture looks old and beaten up. Now we are on the lower floors looking into Pokemon shops. The windows are broken and there are clear spaces where recently removed merchandise once stood. There is graffiti everywhere. Now we turn to the streets. The pavements are covered with snow. There is a massive traffic jam. People are leaning out of their windows and shouting at each over. The song ends. (The impression here is one of KANTO being a really unpleasant place. First we have black, sharp rocks and then we move from the abandoned countryside cover with snow to arguments between colleagues, vandalised shops and finally a traffic jam.) DRIVER 1 Hey Lady! Where the hell did you learn how to drive- a Preschool?!! DRIVER 2 Hey Mister, didn't your mother teach you any manners?! That's not how you speak to a lady! DRIVER 1 I would mind my own business if I was you- judging by that old Ford you're driving I think your business does need minding! DRIVER 3 Hey you two shut up!!! Can't you see I am talking on the phone here! DRIVER 1 Do I look like I care?! DRIVER 3 No. DRIVER 1 That was a rhetorical question- idiot! A Kid on a Mach Bike navigates through traffic holding a paralysed Chansey. LADY 1 Help!! Someone stole my Chansey, please someone help!!! DRIVER 1 That's Virdian City for you- it's a "your-pokemon-is-now-my-pokemon" kinda City. He sits back in the car and blows the horn. DRIVER 1 (Cont) Hey Move it already! LADY 1 Won't anybody help me? LEWIS, a Pokemon Trainer judging from the Masterballs he carries, is walking along the road- he would rather not get involved. EMILY, a Trainer who is like him young, pops out from a corner. (The dialogue of the drivers talking to each other was cut by me slightly after having originally been written by Sensei. My original idea was just to show the traffic jam briefly and then move on to LEWIS and EMILY but I think in the end this way is better. We can see what effect the world of Kanto has on the individual through seeing its effect on LEWIS and EMILY but now we can also see its effect on the people of Kanto in general through this traffic jam and what it represents. The kid on the bike who steals Pokemon represents crime. Our view of how nice Kanto is continues to decrease throughout this scene. There are a few other things to notice about this scene. First the way LEWIS tries to run away from EMILY. LEWIS wishes to run away from himself and his life as it is at the moment and EMILY represents that life because she is such a prominent part of it. Apart from this running that continues for only a short time no one moves during this scene. The people in the traffic jam aren't going anywhere and LEWIS and EMILY are just standing and talking. They make no attempt to help the drivers or do anything at all. Despite this the traffic jam and thieves make this scene chaotic.) EMILY So you are as cold -hearted as I thought you were. LEWIS People who can't look out for their Pokemon don't deserve to have any besides that child will almost get mugged three times before he gets where he's going- For every person who cries "help", so I've observed, a whole team of Pokemon are stolen. EMILY So you think it's better to save everyone instead of helping one- you want the glory, sorry, fame of being a hero-well not even Superman has that fame. She now begins to walk behind him. He walks faster, infuriated but its no good. LEWIS You think one can make a difference- that kind of talk is for fools. EMILY One Pokemon was the difference between my victory over you and your victory over me- Mr. Elite Four. LEWIS My skill and hard work- EMILY Your skill and hard work- what! All these years and you still blab like you were league champion yesterday- at least if you had the modesty of one it would be okay and you know what's even more hilarious- you act all righteous but you can't even give a lady a helping hand- I hate the Elite four, all they are a trophies of the past- all they do is glitter and get intoxicated by their own fame and prestige. I hate all four of them, yes even you! (We can learn much in general from the first appearance of the male and female leads in any film and a lot in particular in this film with EMILY and LEWIS' first appearances. This first view of them is vital for setting up characterisation as quickly as possible so we can start on the plot. Before the plot starts the audience needs a clear idea of how the main characters will react to whatever the plot is. In this case EMILY is obsessed with LEWIS and finding any way she can to hurt him. She hates him. You could accuse me of misogyny in this script because EMILY is basically mean and the other two main female characters; JODY and MARIE, are shown in an unflattering light as well. JODY is the sort of person who has gotten everything she wants out of life because her parents had lots of money and we are told MARIE has divorced LEWIS but we never see them as a couple together. LEWIS according to our first impressions is arrogant and hates EMILY although he only responds to her hatred. We learn this latter because he tries to push away everyone who doesn't detest him.) DRIVER I Hey you two over there! Put a lid on it - can't you see this man is on the phone! LEWIS You hate me because you want to be me- you want to be in the Elite Four - well I am quitting the Elite Four so there's an opening if you want it- after all you are used to being second rate and that's what the Elite Four is. EMILY Look in the mirror one day Lewis and come tell me what you see. LEWIS It seems to me I will see my reflection. EMILY If you have never seen what you truly look like- how do you know what your reflection should look like? LEWIS A mirror shows what you look like- that's what its for. EMILY Everyone believes that they are pretty pictures until they look in the mirror. I got a feeling you wouldn't like yourself too much if you saw what you really look like- that's what this City needs- a giant mirror! To show the masses the seeping belly of corruption that they have inflicted on themselves- You, Lewis are just a product of this corruption-you are not the exception or the solution. (This is a wonderful physiological point: that people only see things that they want to see. It also tells us that, even if she has had no formal education on the subject and we are not told she has so we must surmise she hasn't, EMILY has some insights into physiology that are surprisingly sophisticated given that our impressions of her are she has not had a high class education.) LEWIS I am the solution. EMILY You are not-because you didn't get that lady's Chansey back- you didn't stop the accident up the road- you didn't comfort the mother whose child got run over by the getaway car of the heist at the bank. LEWIS Have you seen yourself in the mirror? EMILY I never had the time- I was too busy trying to be the exception, the solution- I was too busy hunting you down- trying to make a difference- what have you been doing?- that's it : either running from me or talking to me. (She says all LEWIS does it avoid her or fail to and yet she says all she does is hunt him down. She is being self-contradictory. Self-contradictory is something that many of the characters are latter shown to be.) She laughs hollowly. LEWIS You are not the exception, or the solution- don't fix what isn't broken Emily! DRIVER 2 You two have been arguing for the past 15 minutes! Can't you just kiss and make up? LADY I Won't anybody try and stop that Kid?! Doesn't anyone care?! That Chansey means everything to me!! Please anybody- anybody please! She breaks down in the middle of the road. EMILY She might not be able to take care of her Pokemon like you would have liked but at least she cares. LADY 1 I will give you a masterball!! Everyone's attention diverts to LADY 1. DRIVER 1 Hey Miss I will help- Totodile go Another kid on a mach bike comes out from the shadows and races past Lewis and EMILY- the kid then steals the totodile. EMILY Tell me again that you are the solution. LEWIS I am the solution. EMILY walks away from LEWIS weaving through the traffic without a care in the world. Lewis continues to walk on. The Lady is still crying in the middle of traffic and the drivers are still in a traffic jam. Fade out. (That last line: "I am the solution" is one of the best in this fic. Its also a sign of more self-contradictory behaviour and although LEWIS says it to illustrate EMILY's point she again fails to realise that she is guilty of doing it.) [Author notes (Sensei): The characters in this scene suffer from a severe case of contradiction. EMILY being the main victim of contradiction. The reader can clearly see that she has set ideas and plans of what should be done to help KANTO become a better place. EMILY believes strongly in what she does and that is why we see her in such a vivid onslaught of LEWIS. She says " you are not the exception or the solution." to LEWIS and preaches to him about how he cannot call himself the solution because he didn't save the lady's Chansey- the question one should ask is did EMILY help the lady; thus she contradicts her own words with actions. This scene shows how EMILY and LEWIS are very similar in their goals and in nature.] Fade in: Scene III: EXT. THE PIKACHU CAFÉ. DAY We see the Pikachu Café from the outside from the side of the road opposite to it. There is a small and subtle but also obvious R logo indicating that it belongs to Team Rocket on its door. Snow lies everywhere. (Tyler's comments: The Pikachu Café is a chain of cafes in my fics. This is just a neat link between this and my other fan fiction. This also introduces the idea that Team Rocket owns most of KANTO now.) Scene IV: INT. THE PIKACHU CAFÉ. DAY. We see LEWIS sitting at a table with a cup of something. There are speakers on the walls playing "At 17" by Janis Ian. There are also a few R logos around. We move down so we can see what's on the table. We see there's a custom made Masterball on the table next to the drink we saw earlier. Its coffee and LEWIS is stirring it. LEWIS Hmmf. Where is that Alan? Even after all these years he's still late... bad habits die hard. It seems as though Viridian city has been through an eternity. Everything looks old and worn-even the children in the streets. If the kids aren't running away from hooligans then they are hooligans- what a pitiful life- to think I could have been a part of this decaying society instead of the outsider. Still I somehow wonder which is worse. (We are not sure if he thinks these things or says them. I don't want the reader to get too comfortable. I want you to wonder whether what you see and hear is what it seems. The song "At 17" is technically inaccurate for the scenes in which it plays since no one is 17 in them but its still blatantly suitable. Apart from lyrics like "…It was long ago and far away. The world was younger than today…" that are clearly comments on the way LEWIS' world and the world of KANTO that hasn't started to become ruined yet in the flashback scene that's coming up its also about someone who wasn't very special when she but we can pretend he, was young but who made a bigger contribution to the world when he was older than the people who seemed perfect when they were young. This is a comment about the way ALAN, STEVEN and MATTHEW who will soon be introduced were like in their youth compared with LEWIS and what this means their older lives will be like. Maybe LEWIS has incorporated the song in his mental flashback because he hears it playing so that's why we hear it in the past and the future. Also I love all of Janis Ian's songs.) PIKACHU pops out of its Masterball and lands on the table. It looks around at the coffee shop taking in all the information. PIKACHU pi... It looks slightly bored. Its tone confirms this. LEWIS Who would have thought that you and I would ever meet... He taps the pikachu on the head. It squirms. (It clearly doesn't like him doing this. This shows that its independent and that it has a human personality. Also the first thing it does when it arrives at the café is to look around and find out what's happening. This is another human trait it displays: curiosity. Its clear that this Pikachu isn't meant to be a minor character from just this small scene.) LEWIS (con't) Together forever no matter how long... He laughs. LEWIS (con't) I was just like them then, just like Alan, Steven, Matthew. PIKACHU looks at Lewis's coffee and licks it lips, it takes a few sips... by the time this happens Lewis is already drifting away into his past. You can tell by the look on his face. Scene V: THE PAST. A FLASHBACK. EXT. BURGER KING. VIRIDIAN CITY DAY. (This script dwells very much on the past. There are several long flashbacks and in the second half of the film we establish that we are looking back on most of it anyway. The first flashback scene is vital to the film since it must show the differences between LEWIS' past and his present and must also show how the events of his past of changed him into the man who is in the future. There must be both tremendous differences between his past and present self and a few signs already within him by ten, the age he is in this flashback, of what is older self will be like. It must also introduce the characters of MARIE, MATTHEW and STEVEN. The two time periods in this script are 2043 and 2060. One theory of why Pokemon exist in the TV series etc but they do not exist now is Pokemon is set in the future. I agreed with this view so I chose to set the past in the future. After something happening in the past for the film's characters but in the future for its viewers is also an interesting idea.) First the screen is black apart from a message saying: "2043" then the darkness fades to reveal the scene. ALAN, about ten years old now, and his friends of the same age, MATTHEW, STEVEN and ALAN, are standing outside Burger King looking in through the windows. PIKACHU is with them. STEVEN seems to be standing a little apart from the others and always watches them. The song continues to play. There are people all around. It's clearly a hot summer day. Everything looks brightly lit and brand new. (There's a wonderful contrast here between the past and the present. No snow, everything brightly light and new and there's lots of people. Even the Team Rocket logos aren't there yet. This is a much nicer world. It reflects LEWIS' childhood innocents and his happiness at this point in his life and continues throughout these flashback scenes and yet some of his dialogue shows his impatience to train his Pokemon and the roots of his future obsession. This shows how childhood can affect adulthood. There is also something very innocent about the way MATTHEW is made so happy just by getting a cheap gift at a Burger King. There is one character who contrasts very much to the others. STEVEN is a very silent and watchful character. He obviously has secrets to keep and a deep sadness within him about something he isn't willing to talk about. We don't really trust him. He represents the dark cloud hanging over LEWIS-his future personality that has already taken route. Our first view of the characters in this scene is again a vital one. This is not only because there are four new characters introduced in this scene but also the character of LEWIS is so different here he is like a new character. That first view is of a fast food restaurant. Job done.) ALAN Hey guys come look at this hamburger!!!! It's the size of Mars!! MATTHEWW Wow, it comes with the limited edition Kabutops card!!! Out of my way! He pushes everyone aside and enters the restaurant. Scene VI: FLASHBACK. INT. BURGER KING. We see LEWIS and co enter from above them. They walk through the crowded restaurant towards the line to order food. LEWIS I am starving- we have been battling weak Pokemon all day and I want to get to the league before sunrise- I am still in on my Pokemon journey and I do want to be a master before I die! He looks at everyone else accusingly. MARIE, about their age, walks past them. She has a Skitty with her who's walking along by her side. She looks happy. MARIE Come along skitty- we deserve a break, all that battling was hard- oh hi guys! She notices LEWIS and co and waves cheerfully. She comes up to them. LEWIS ... um...uh... Hi. ALAN Excuse my friend, he is um.... speechless due to your outstanding beau..I mean gym badge. He grins. MARIE This town's gym leader is tough, I barely made it in one attempt, now I gotta stock up on supplies and well food! She smiles. ALAN I know what you mean we were battling cater- LEWIS hits ALAN in the ribs. LEWIS Oh come on Alan- don't tell me you're tired from battling "trainers" all day. ALAN Trainers??? oh those trainers....which trainers do you mean? MARIE I assume you were ambushing Caterpies again! She laughs (LEWIS talks differently in the flashback. Its because he's younger but also because he's lost his cynical attitude or rather hadn't gained it yet. In fact everyone seems like that in these scenes.) They now get into the line and wait for the food. ALAN observes LEWIS' behaviour towards MARIE. (Another root of future events.) ALAN Lewis and Marie sitting in a - LEWIS Pikachu.... thundershock. PIKACHU thundershocks ALAN. ALAN what's wrong Lewis- she's just a girl... well she is a girl with stronger Pokemon than yours, better skill than you and definitely more badges- she even beat you in that Poke-contest! He laughs ALAN (Cont) Oh.... I forgot -she is also the girl you have had serious crus- LEWIS Pikachu- PIKACHU (slightly frustrated sounding) Pi. PIKACHU gives ALAN another thundershock. LEWIS Now will you be quiet? ALAN Who me.... I never said a thing. STEVEN Um... Lewis, if you like Marie so much then why don't you tell her? ALAN He's scared she might not like him because he can't train his Pokemon as well as she does- she is a fanatical trainer who eats, drinks and sleeps for Pokemon battles. He laughs. (Reminds you of anyone?) LEWIS Alan stop it already- ALAN I told it was true. They've reached the counter. They ad-lib ordering food. They go and fine themselves a table. MATTHEW picks up his Kabutops card and holds it for the others to see. MATTHEW Hey you guys I got my Kabutops card!!! Just look at it! Now I just have to collect the Kabutops card from the 4th reprint collection!!! Then I will have all three cards and each from different times when they were reprinted- ah today is just my day! (I'm sure a lot of people reading this who have over-enthusiastic friends that collect Pokemon cards will understand how everyone feels about MATTHEW at this point.) MARIE Wow! That's good news Matthew- your collection will almost be complete. She smiles. Is she really happy for him or just trying to be nice? STEVEN Lewis, I think don't think you stand a chance- well if you ask me that is. LEWIS (Sarcastic) Thanks for your support guys. The music stops. The speaker announces: SPEAKER Attention all trainers-the Cinnibar gym has now closed. LEWIS Wait they can't close!!! I don't have my badge yet!! ALAN I don't think they'll open it up just for you. LEWIS It's your fault- why is it that we are always too late for everything! Now I have to wait! ALAN Hey I can't stop the hands of time! LEWIS But you sure know how to take my time and everybody else's! PIKACHU Kachu.... PIKACHU nods its head in agreement STEVEN Tomorrow's another day, Lewis, so calm down. LEWIS Leave me alone. He walks away. STEVEN watches this with a slight light of understanding. ALAN I didn't mean to.... STEVEN He knows but... I'll just keep quiet. MARIE is finished. She gets up to leave. MARIE Bye guys! There's no rest for the wicked I've go head back to Viridian for my last badge and good luck with fighting the gym- there's a tough little girl you have to fight who- hey that would be telling. ALAN Bye Marie! PIKACHU Pikachu!! PIKACHU waves goodbye. STEVEN Hey this pikachu is quite smart...I wish I could take a good look at it but Lewis doesn't let us even touch it- LEWIS Leave my pikachu alone! - oh bye Marie! ALAN I am going to the counter- some one has to bring Matthew back from heaven. LEWIS' cell phone now rings breaking the image. (We see the obsession of LEWIS begging to take hold. Whilst he's angry about the Gym closing he talks more like his future self you should note. There's also this looks of understanding from STEVEN. By not showing LEWIS' dark side till the end we symbolise how time passing can affect someone. In the short pass of time that this sequence would take place over on film LEWIS moves from childhood to adulthood.) [Author Notes (Sensei): This flashback is significant in the fact that it shows both the closeness and the cracks in Lewis's friendships. The reader is also introduced to Marie who is Lewis's love interest. Lewis also shows that he is slightly distant from people while Alan, his best friend, relates better to people than he does. Although Lewis talks more in this piece, the reader can still feel the isolated silence that he has. This creates a vacuum in the dialogue and emphasises the detachment that Lewis has with the rest of his environment. Lewis is also slightly childish and spoilt and seems to be " taken" care of by his friends. This can be seen in the events that take place and who decides what happens: Alan says where they should go and Matthew just reinforces Alan's decisions. Steven also reinforces Alan's ideas and follows Alan while Lewis is dragged along. Pikachu also displays a little independence as it does not follow Lewis when he walks away from the group- I advise the reader to note this independence.] Scene VII: THE PRESENT. LEWIS NO LONGER REMEMBERING. EXT. THE PIKACHU CAFE. DAY. First the screen is blank with the message: "2060" then we see the Café. We hear music coming from within. The song is "Against All Odds." (Tyler's comments: The song "Against All Odds" is about someone asking someone else they know well to not end their relationship despite the pain they've been through. It also includes lines like "…You're the only one who really knew me at all…" and this shows the mounting tension between LEWIS and the adult version of ALAN, who is soon to be introduced.) Scene VIII: INT. THE PIKACHU CAFÉ. DAY LEWIS is watch people go by outside the windows as we watch him going through his daily life. The café is almost empty and no one is seated near him. He answers his phone. Scene IX: INT. THE PAVEMENT. DAY. The screen is blank at first with just a message on screen: "A few minutes earlier". Then the blackness fades to show EMILY and ALAN, now older, standing together on the pavement and talking. We don't hear what they say but it looks like they're arguing. Scene X: INT. A STREET. DAY. ALAN is walking through the streets in a hurry to get to the coffee shop to meet Lewis. ALAN Lewis ain't gonna be happy when he figures out that I'm late again- why do these things happen to me? (ALAN's informal way of speaking makes him seem the nicest person so far. If this is ever filmed an actor whose appearance will enhance this will be chosen to play him.) ALAN tries crossing the road but EMILY drives her car right in front of his path. It's a battered looking hatchback. The window is open. EMILY looks through it at ALAN. ALAN Emily? I thought you were in Johoto? EMILY My life changes direction as the wind does. ALAN I'm sorry but I can't chat right now I'm late for an appointment- EMILY I know- with Lewis at three o'clock- tell me something I don't know. ALAN Seems like you know everything about Lewis these days- are you sure you're- EMILY I am fine, now get in the car, your "friend" Lewis can wait a couple more minutes- besides I know a nice little place where we can sit and talk. ALAN Fine Emily you win this time, but I better call Lewis just in case he gets worried. ALAN gets into EMILY's car then uses a Cell phone to call LEWIS. (We see a tension here between ALAN and EMILY but that's nothing compared to the next few scenes. Note: all we've seen so far are people arguing.) Scene XI: INT. PIKACHU CAFÉ. LEWIS has just answered the phone. We've about caught up with the scene just after the flashback. LEWIS Where are you I have been waiting in this coffee shop for over 15 minutes and I have to admit you do know how to chose such undignified places - is it a secret talent of yours? ALAN I sorry but I'll have to come see you an hour from now- LEWIS You're coming, that is fine with me. He hangs up on ALAN Scene XII: INT. THE CAR. It's unclean and untidy inside the car. ALAN Why does he always do that? Hang up on me when I call him- no matter what he is I just can't talk to him anymore. EMILY Now that's something I don't know. EMILY drives into a parking lot in front of a shopping centre. We see more snow and more "R" logos. People are busy walking across or driving across the parking lot. Everyone is hurrying and making a lot of noise. (ALAN and EMILY get no peace in the parking lot because of how much what EMILY is trying to do will hurt both LEWIS and his relationship with ALAN.) ALAN This is your "nice place". EMILY I think its nice to see people happy in this chaos- I thought you shared the same opinion as me. ALAN I do but - forget it - what is it that you wan' a talk to me about? EMILY Lewis. ALAN I think you're obsessed. EMILY No, I am just sick and tired of his holier than thou attitude- everyone knows he is nothing without that pikachu of his. Take it away and he will fall. ALAN So what does this have to do with me? EMILY I want to know what you really think about Lewis; your friendship isn't what it used to be- you were once close and- ALAN What are you playing at Emily? What exactly do you want from me? EMILY I just want to know if you think the same way I do- like old times. ALAN Emily I know you- you were nice, you were a good friend now you're- EMILY Determined to get things done. I admit if someone told me that my life would be better if I ran you over - I would do it! Without blinking an eye. ALAN Emily don't lie to yourself - acting like you are invincible and will sacrifice yourself for the good of the world- you ain't superman! Now I don't know what you are planning and scheming but I want no part of it- you hear me - no part of it! I don't want to see the people around me get hurt and I know all you really want to do is hurt Lewis- (Superman is mentioned twice in this screenplay compared to absolutely no times in anything else I've ever written. It's not deliberate it just happened.) EMILY The truth hurts, Alan- but the truth will set you free, the truth will set Lewis free. Listen, I don't want to hurt Lewis I just want him to free himself from his endless cycle of isolation and the only way he can do that is if he lets go of what is causing his isolation- the Pikachu. He is alone because no one can understand how a person like him- a no name brand - can be so powerful. People spit at the sound of his name in jealousy. He needs a friend, Alan, but that Pikachu is stopping him form being free with his closest childhood friend. ALAN I know what you're saying but I know one thing- Pikachu means the world to him. Pikachu is the reason why he gets up in the morning- I know how he feels and for me to hurt him like that- what kind of a friend would I be? EMILY Get out of my car! ALAN obeys. EMILY What kind of a friend are you? Allowing your best friend to slowly slip into bitter loneliness- you won't even help him because you are scared of what people will think of you, you're scared that they will think you are a bad friend. ALAN You know me too well Emily to think that I would actually put myself first when my friend needs me- I am not that kind of person. EMILY I am going to take Pikachu. I am doing a friend a favour - I am giving you your friendship back. ALAN (Sarcastic) Thanks Emily. I really feel privileged- EMILY (Not getting the irony) No Thanks are required... I do this anytime, any day, just look for me in the loneliest alley you can find. EMILY drives off. ALAN Emily you can't leave me here!!! Come back here!- (This bit might just be inside his head) I'm too late , for some reason I am always too late but hey life is never nice in the fast lane. Scene XIII: EXT. THE PIKACHU CAFÉ. EMILY arrives just in time to see LEWIS leaving. EMILY A moment later and I wouldn't have caught you here. LEWIS You again- what do you want now- another re- match? EMILY I know I'll never win- especially since you have your beloved pikachu constantly fighting for you. LEWIS The skill of the trainer determines who wins a battle- you should know that- I have to go somewhere else so if you will excuse me. EMILY I know it's the skill of the trainer that determines who wins a battle, what I am saying is that you are not skilled. LEWIS If I am not skilled and I beat you- what does that make you? Pathetic is the best word to describe you. EMILY Pathetic- your opponent once called you that and it stuck didn't it- I said those words to you when you were in Cinnabar when I was the gym leader's assistant- I remember how you were so angry that you were beaten by a girl- I think you are secretly still angry. Stop hiding behind that Pikachu and give it to me! Prove to me the first person you ever battled that you are not a weak, pathetic poor excuse for a Trainer- don't hide behind your super charged pikachu! Fight me like you did that day in that gym! Not like a coward! LEWIS I am not a coward - you are just a fool. Firstly you did not win that day because I beat all of your weak Pokemon. You just won on a technicality you wrote to the Elite Four about then you claim you won and now you have even gone so far to use it as an argument against me. There is no honour in how you won or in the effort you put into making the Elite Four acknowledge that you won. You always wanted my pikachu for yourself, ever since I beat you. You have become obsessed with the insignificant Pokemon that shattered all your hopes and dreams. I can even beat you any day, anytime just come find me in a clearing some place and I can beat you over and over again. If you want this worn out Pokemon here it is. Take it- it had its uses but now it is just a useless piece of the past. The future awaits and if you think one little "super-charged" pikachu shall determine what my life shall end up to be then you, Emily, are terribly wrong. LEWIS pulls out of his pocket a masterball and hands it to EMILY. EMILY smiles in victory. LEWIS I have to go now. He walks away in a hurry. [Author Notes( Sensei): Yet again we see similarities between EMILY and LEWIS. The reader also sees how EMILY manipulates ALAN but one notices that he was persuaded quite easily. This should be noted to for future character developments. LEWIS also shows more of his character in this scene. He clearly shows that he is not dependant on PIKACHU.] Scene X: EXT. THE POKEMON LEAGUE HQ. VIRIDIAN CITY. DAY. We move across a snow covered field with small plants just managing to poke themselves out of the snow towards a tower. It's a very modern looking building with a lot of glass and steel and the most once have looked very impressive. However its obviously seen better days. It looks like people have fired shells and bullets at it and its guarded by armed soldiers. The R logos are everywhere. We go through one of its upper windows. (The idea here is the League HQ was involved in a battle with Team Rocket. The Rockets tried to take it over by force whilst the Elite Four fought back. Obviously the Rockets won. We see the plants are involved in a life or death struggle with the snow as well. The plants are fighting to get through the snow to the sunlight they need to help them live but they are losing and that symbolises the struggle against Team Rocket.) Scene XI: INT. A POKEMON STADIUM. THE POKEMON LEAGUE HQ. It's a Pokemon stadium that we move into having gone through the window. There's a party going on. There are balloons, banners, lots of guests and music. At the moment "I Don't Wanna Talk About It" is playing. We see load speakers that explain where the music is coming from. The banners say things like: "Good luck Lewis. We'll miss you." We continue to watch what's going on from high above. We focus mostly on ALAN and two people we don't know, FEMALE PARTY GUEST 1 and MALE PARTY GUEST 1, talking together. ("I don't Wanna Talk About it" is about the singer not wanting to talk about how someone betrayed them and "…broke my heart." as the lyrics put it. LEWIS has broken ALAN's heart and they talk about it at this party so this seems the right song to use.) FEMALE PARTY GUEST 1 He's late as usual. Probably having electric shock therapy again. MALE PARTY GUEST 1 You think he's insane? FEMALE PARTY GUEST 1 Do I think he's insane? Obviously you've never met him. MALE PARTY GUEST 1 I haven't. You just get invited to these things if you're a famous Trainer and you go out of a sense of duty. FEMALE PARTY GUEST 1 Well I've met his therapist. Trust me he has got a mental- ALAN Some unpleasant friends that's what he's got. I can't believe he'd invited you two to this thing. If he know what you were really like he'd throw you out before you could even conceive of what being thrown out means. FEMALE PARTY GUEST 1 Speaking of which why hasn't anyone thrown you out since your not invited? ALAN Maybe my invitation just got lost in the mail. I'm a lot better friend than you and unlike you I'm not even drunk yet. If you'll excuse me I've got a phone call to make. Should make you happy though since you get to talk about me behind my back this time. FEMALE PARTY GUEST How can I when nobody's heard of you? ALAN Well that's just 'cause there's no justice in the world. Now I have to go have a real and important conversation. He begins ringing LEWIS on his cell phone as he walks away. (This is a social comment about celebrities being fakes here. They have been invited to LEWIS' leaving party as his "Friends" but they don't like him. One of them has never even met him. ALAN knows his invitation didn't get lost in the mail. He's reassuring himself as much as anyone else. He's the only one at the party who actually likes LEWIS but he isn't invited.) We now focus on LEWIS. He answers his phone LEWIS Alan??? What are - are you doing calling me? ALAN I need to talk to you- urgently. LEWIS I am at very important party at this moment-can't we talk later- you can make an appointment with my personal assistant- ALAN Oh no you don't! You aren't getting away from me that easy! EMILY walks in front of ALAN. EMILY Nice to see you could attend the party. ALAN I assume your invitation got lost in the mail too. LEWIS Wait! Are you telling me that the two of you have gatecrashed my party! The nerve, I should have you removed! ALAN finally reaches LEWIS. ALAN There you are-imagine meeting you here. LEWIS You want to talk? So talk. ALAN Right here-are you sure you don't want to go to some study of yours or something? LEWIS No-I have nothing to hide, so talk! ALAN Okay, okay-no need to get all worked up about it-how come I haven't seen you lately-you're always too busy or you are out of town, you're permanently out of reach. Listen: I heard about you and Emily and the little deal you made about the pikachu-you need that pikachu so don't lie about it. I know you too well. LEWIS Why is everyone around me obsessed with that little yellow fluff ball! I can't understand it! Have you gone mad! ALAN Hey Lewis, you're causing a scene. LEWIS Alan- I didn't invite you to this party so deal with it! I don't need you or our friendship. I don't need you constantly coming round and begging me to come visit you sometimes. I don't need this hassle. You are insignificant to me, you hear that? in-sig-ni-fi-cant! The only thing worse than you is that yellow fluffy glorified rat which I am supposed to be so obsessed about. EMILY Evening boys-what brings you here-oh my am I interrupting something? LEWIS And you! You better stop following me or else! ALAN Lewis, get a grip on yourself! What's happened to you? FEMALE GUEST I always knew Lewis was mad- I was just didn't want to say anything. MALE GUEST I had my doubts but I had no proof. LEWIS I am leaving; thank you very much for ruining my party. ALAN gestures to the party guests. ALAN They'd have done it for you anyway. LEWIS Whatever. LEWIS leaves the party ALAN What happened to him? He used to be so different-he used to be... EMILY He's gone too far, now he has no friends. Too bad for him, at least you tried to save your friendship. ALAN Serves him right-stubborn son of a! EMILY I can't just leave him-come on let's go find him and try again to show him the truth. ALAN Yeah I guess you're right - I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to him. EMILY I would. They go outside. Scene XII: EXT. THE POKEMON LEAGUE HQ. DAY. We find Lewis sitting on his flashy car. ALAN and EMILY approach him. ALAN Lewis, listen I'm sorry. LEWIS You had better be. ALAN I really am sorry. It's just I wanted to tell you that, well, I kinda miss having you around. It reminds of the time just after you got married- you were so distant, so absorbed in your marriage that you didn't even say hi to anyone anymore when we saw each other at shopping centers and stuff. LEWIS I said I was sorry-What more do you want from me? ALAN I want us to be best friends again! EMILY If I were you I would ask why he is concerned all of the sudden- frankly. I think it's got something to do with your ex-wife. LEWIS (Suddenly sounding soft but dangerous) What about my ex-wife? ALAN We are engaged. Now listen I have been meaning to tell you but you have been out of touch and I couldn't get an appointment with your personal assistant. LEWIS just looks at him for a few minutes. (ALAN's mention of LEWIS' ex-wife brought him to the point where we could coldly consider murdering ALAN. This is obviously a very touchy subject for him. If you read this part allowed and try to act a bit whilst you're doing it you'll realise how intense this scene would be on screen.) LEWIS Let's battle right here, right now! Emily, give me my pikachu! EMILY I set him free. LEWIS You!!!…I…What??? You.... you...you did what? (LEWIS is suddenly frightened. I love the way we get closer and closer to seeing LEWIS' real personality as this story goes along.) ALAN Calm down Lewis. EMILY I set him free yesterday. LEWIS I don't have to take this from you! [Author Notes (Sensei): In scene we see LEWIS' cool outer persona begin to crumble. He is more volatile. We also get to see a more of EMILY'S cut-throat nature as she says things with absolutely no problem with the consequences. The reader also gets to see ALAN is not as good as he seems to be-the only thing I can say is ..."and the plot thickens."] Scene XIII: INT. A CORRIDOR. THE POKEMON LEAGUE HQ. DAY Everything in the corridor looks dark and worn. The walls have occasional graffiti on them that have been erased but not very well. We move across it and stop at a door marked LEWIS office on a gold plate that is markedly new and shinny compared to the rest of the corridor. Scene XIV: INT. LEWIS' OFFICE. We see it from above. PIKACHU is standing on LEWIS' desk, which has a phone with an intercom on it. EMILY is sitting behind the desk in what was once obviously LEWIS' chair. The room still very much looks like it belongs to LEWIS based on what we know of him. There is also a TV in the rooms that EMILY is watching. We move towards the TV until we stop in front of it with the TV screen facing us. An ANCHORWOMAN is on it reading the news. ANCHORWOMAN The trial against Senator. Roger Wall is over. Senator. Wall, who was charged with corruption… The screen goes blank. Presumably EMILY has just switched it off. The camera returns to the overhead position. The intercom buzzes. (LEWIS' presence is obviously very much felt in the League HQ. The only thing EMILY has got round to doing is polishing the name on the office door. She hasn't even changed the name to Emily yet. The news on the TV is a link to my Pokemon fan fiction story "The Hero" since it involved a corrupt government official called Roger Wall. Also it introduces the idea of corruption in Kanto that will become a theme of this particular scene.) JODY (Over the intercom) Ma'am you have a telephone call on line one. EMILY (To JODY) Tell them that I am not in-(Now speaking to PIKACHU) please move your posterior of my keyboard, my computer is expensive, you know. PIKACHU (Annoyed tone of voice) Pika Pii EMILY You are lucky I haven't yet shoved you back into the confines of that masterball- I don't think Pokemon should be held like captives constantly in their ball- I find it just so unnatural. JODY comes in. JODY Ma'am would you like to have some coffee- Lewis always used to have his coffee at this time of day EMILY glances at her watch. EMILY Lesson one-do not assume that I have come her to fill the shoes of Lewis. I am different and I guarantee that I shall give you a fresh approach to everything you do. This place needs a good coat of paint or something to that effect- I can't think here! Oh, if the offer still stands I would like a cup of coffee. JODY Yes, ma'am. What was the second lesson? EMILY: Sorry? JODY: Never mind. (EMILY is so pre-occupied with her self that she misses any dialogue in this scene that doesn't connect to her getting something she wants.) JODY turns to go. EMILY Wait I want to talk to you- I want to find out a couple of things from Lewis's personal assistant. JODY yes ma'am. PIKACHU (Sceptical) piiiii EMILY I want to know what you think about me taking Lewis's place. JODY It's not my place to comment. EMILY Cut the act- I can tell you don't think I am worthy of such a high position! I bet you are secretly moping now that your beloved Lewis departed. I know your kind- good girl grew up in Pallet town or New Bark City. Which one is it? You went to a nice school somewhere before you studied Pokemon breeding or something at university. I know all about you, Jody. JODY I don't now what you are implying about me but I don't like it. EMILY How does a person get go to a flashy school and university after having a humble life as a child? Getting good grades?? Ha! I got better grades than you did when I was your age!- I will tell you how you got to where you are now-your beloved mommy and daddy had their fingers right in the pot of either money laundering casino East of Johoto. Some of us never had it that easy despite being getting A's up to degree level but I suppose someone like you wouldn't realise how lucky you are. You are the daughter of a gangster. JODY Ma'am I… EMILY You think I am stupid like your previous boss, you think I don't walk around with my eyes open. I won't make the same mistakes he did. I have your file on my table right now, yes, the one the pikachu is busy gnawing over there. PIKACHU looks up for a moment then continues his work. EMILY (Cont) I read it this morning and from what I can see there is nothing wrong with you, well nothing wrong written in black ink- but it's always what's between the lines that matters, whatever goes unsaid. JODY Is that why have you dragged me here! I can't do anything about my past!! EMILY The cool temperament is beginning to fall to pieces. I know whom you work for, I know the score. Lewis was blinded by his power so he couldn't even see the facts staring in front of him. All he could see was your charming pretty face. Lewis never could see. He didn't live on the streets- although he says he did- but he didn't. I was splat in the middle of it, fighting corruption all the time. I didn't even have to open my eyes to see- I could feel it in everything around me, the people I met, that was the first generation. You, Jody, are second generation- you just live off the benefits of your parents corrupt work. JODY That's right now what are you going to do about it? EMILY I knew it! I am going to tell you how stupid you are, confessing like that. Anyone could have heard you and I mean anyone. I'll let you off the hook this time, as long as you keep your business to yourself and make sure no one knows about it. I want to run a clean organisation and whatever obstacles that come along I- will, I promise you- crush them. I have done my bad deeds and I definitely have not arrived just to do some more! PIKACHU (Astonished) Kachu?! JODY Is that all Ma'am? EMILY Don't bother calling me ma'am now we've got this out in the open. Reserve that for your real female bosses. Yes that's all; oh bring me my coffee will you? JODY leaves EMILY's office and then returns with a cup of coffee. She then goes back to work. EMILY takes a sip from her coffee. EMILY The nerve of that girl! This coffee is cold! She presses a button on her phone. EMILY Security I think we have a Team Rocket spy in our midst. Scene XV: INT. THE SECURITY CONTROL CENTER. It's a room with a one-way mirror and lots of computer and monitor screen showing parts of the HQ. Several security men, all strong and powerful and wearing black uniforms, are monitoring the house. One screen shows JODY typing in an office outside LEWIS' office. We knew they are next to each other because we can see the plate on a door in the room on the monitor. The HEAD SECURITY MAN puts down the phone. HEAD SECURITY MAN We just got a call from Lewis' replacement. We have to arrest Jody. She's a Team Rocket spy. Arnold? SECURITY MAN ARNOLD: Yes sir? HEAD SECURITY MAN Find the file and JODY. I need a picture. (This is meant to suggest that a vast amount of people work for LEWIS. He is a member of the Elite Four after all.) SECURITY MAN ARNOLD checks the computer and prints a picture of JODY's face. Remembering it the HEAD SECURITY MAN checks the screen showing JODY's office. He points to it. HEAD SECURITY MAN There! They leave the room. We focus on the monitor screen showing JODY's room. We watch her being arrested. Fade out (Showing the scene of JODY's arrest on the screen distances us from it.) Fade in: Scene XVI: LEWIS' OFFICE. EMILY, HEAD SECURITY MAN, SECURITY MAN ARNOLD, the other security men and JODY are in the room. JODY is being held so she can't escape by SECURITY MAN I. EMILY passes HEAD SECURITY MAN a cassette tape. EMILY Here is some evidence for you-I recorded her confession-Jody, you should have at least made sure you gave me warm coffee. JODY What?? Wait! The security people take JODY away. PIKACHU stares at EMILY in disbelief. She doesn't notice. EMILY That was nice putting someone a way like that. I hate Lewis and most of all, I hate the people who just lie down and devour his hogwash. PIKACHU (Disapproving) Pichu... EMILY Don't judge me yellow fluff ball- There is a new order and I shall do anything and everything to make Lewis feel as though he was pathetic at his job-which he was by the way. I will have the last laugh....in due time. Now to call... Lewis's ex-wife. (This scene really shows the nastiness of EMILY's character. She arrests JODY for no better reason than not being good at making coffee. It also enlarges our view of Kanto to show its corrupt, which also nicely ties in with Team Rocket's presence there. It also gives us a wider idea of Kanto by introducing some minor characters. Before this scene it mostly concentrated on the leads. We also get to see people working. Since we say them "Playing" during the party scene this scene completes our picture of the social lives of the people of Kanto. Finally it gets across to the audience the fact that LEWIS is divorced. Its mentioned several times later in the script so its important to implant the idea in people's heads as soon as possible.) [ Author notes:(Sensei) This scene is generally about the people who live in Kanto and about how they exist. JODY is an employee in the Pokemon HQ who has had all the best opportunities in life because of her parents involvement in the beginning stages of corrupting Kanto. JODY is an average person who has no particular faults apart form bringing her new boss cold coffee! Fatal move! EMILY is a cold heartless person who has been crafted and moulded during the trying times when Kanto was being converted from a small calm region into a region owned by crime. EMILY is vengeful and envious, as she hates the fact that some people have it easy while she has to scrounge around and lurk in shadows just to get by. She knows that JODY has done nothing wrong but like the smart person she is she knows what her position allows her to do. EMILY is uncultured when it comes to business but because she knows how to handle being on the top, she can adapts quickly to being the boss. PIKACHU also reveals more about its character as it is not interested in anything that goes on around it, it shows disapproval about EMILY's actions but doesn't really do anything much.]