• An Alternate Story: Distant Lovers

    EXT. ALLY OUTSIDE SOLACE RAMEN SHOP

    It is NIGHT out as AMIDA and JANICE sit alone talking after Janice’s shift. The two are uninterrupted besides the voices in the background of a few passer-bys. Janice is sitting on a wooden CRATE and Amida sits on the ground. He looks at the ground as he talks to Janice.

    AMIDA
    (Anxious and a bit depressed)
    I can’t help but wonder why you agreed to talk to me. I mean, I’m a soldier and I thought you hated war.

    JANICE
    (After a brief sigh)
    While it’s true I hate war and I think all men are stupid who take pride in taking the lives of others… Well, I can’t really explain it, but when I look at you… I don’t get the same vibe as I do from the others.

    JANICE LOOKS up at the night sky towards the MOON which is just creeping out from between the two buildings then looks back down towards AMIDA.

    JANICE (CONT.)
    You’re different from the rest. I can tell you care about the lives you have taken, and that you truly are a caring person deep down.

    AMIDA
    (With a slight laugh)
    I’m far from caring. All I care about is becoming stronger… My father was the best soldier this military has ever seen. I’m nothing compared to him… All I can ever do is walk in his footsteps.

    JANICE
    (Sympathetic)
    It sounds like your father was a hero to the other soldiers.

    AMIDA
    (Looking down)
    You would think that wouldn’t you? Though, I still hear rumors from a few saying he was a traitor and helped a few Aries escaped.

    JANICE looks away from AMIDA for a second trying to hide her emotions. She quickly recollects herself and responds.

    JANICE
    Hey, Amida. You wouldn’t mind telling me the name of your father would you?

    AMIDA
    (Continuing to look down)
    West.

    JANICE
    (Hiding her shock)
    I—I see. West. I mean… Perhaps he was a man of good principles? Maybe he saw pass the corruption and saw them for something more than they were.

    AMIDA
    (Annoyed)
    Principle?! Please! What good could come from such a vile group. They killed our people! They attacked our villages and destroyed their crops. For what?! Nothing… Just nothing!

    JANICE
    (Trying to hold back her emotions)
    You know, you can’t judge them simply by their race. They couldn’t have all been bad!

    AMIDA
    Janice, I’m sorry, but I can’t agree with you. Their race was a mistake from god. They were the failed race of humans given too much power. No one with such power can be possibly go on without abusing it.

    JANICE
    (Standing up and brushing off her skirt)
    Perhaps I was wrong about you.

    AMIDA looks up at her as she stands up and cocks his head towards the side annoyed, but quickly recollects himself to apologize as he stands up and grabs her arm before she walks off.

    AMIDA
    (Apologizing)
    My father was a great man, but I can’t forgive those who have hurt many innocent people in the past. I wish I would have known him better, but sadly I have nothing to remember him by but the stories I was told growing up from my adoptive father Mamoru.

    JANICE
    (Astonished)
    Mamoru?!

    AMIDA
    (Confused)
    You know of him?

    JANICE is suddenly distorted as she tries to collect everything in her head together. She quickly recollects herself and tries to play off not knowing anything.

    JANICE
    Oh nothing! I just… I just thought you meant something else… Sorry… I have to leave. My shift starts early tomorrow.

    AMIDA
    (Sadden)
    I see… I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I’ll talk to you another day then.

    JANICE
    (Sympathetic)
    No, it’s partially my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with you—

    AMIDA
    (Interrupting)
    I’m the one who should be apologizing! I—

    JANICE grabs Amida and hugs him.

    JANICE
    Amida, please do me a favor… never take someone else’s words and use them to judge others. Not until you have actually gotten to know that person. I’ll talk to you tomorrow alight? Same spot, same time!

    JANICE stops AMIDA from responding by placing her finger on his lips just before running off. Amida LOOKS up at the SKY and SIGHS. He SITS down on the wooden CRATE Janice was sitting on.

    AMIDA
    (To himself)
    Am I really going to be able to find out about my father this way? Perhaps I should have listened to Mamoru when he said the military is filled with corrupted aristocrats full of fear of the unknown.

    AMIDA continues to THINK to himself as the scene fades out.