A NOBLE DREAM
Written by: Quantum Human
(Scene 1: The town of Mideria. A common stopping-point for travelers of all sorts. The common room of the Charging Boar Tavern. Late afternoon.)
(Shinjudei sits at a table against the far S.L. wall, his back to the wall. He carries a double-edged ninja in a back sheath, with the red handle protruding over his shoulder. His dress is a long black robe over simple flowing black pants. He sits alone. At other tables in the tavern are three taverngoers. Lights come to half at the back of the stage as the narration begins, silhouetting the players and set.)
SHINJUDEI (NARRATION): Mideria has always been an active town. Halfway between two major cities, it has itself become a gathering point. But where those cities attract wealthy merchants, Mideria draws human scum like flies to a carcass. Cutpurses, pickpockets, muggers; they all come here to find a quick fortune in the pockets of travelers. But the blade of a knife spills any man's blood with equal ease. That is why I take it upon myself to hold them in check.
(Lights fade to full. The usual noises of a tavern fade in quickly and go on softly in the background throughout the scene.)
TAVERNGOER 1: Look. Over there. Who's that?
TAVERNGOER 2: The one with the sword?
TAVERNGOER 1: Yeah, him. I've never seen him here before.
TAVERNGOER 3: Neither have I.
TAVERNGOER 2: Must be a traveler.
TAVERNGOER 1: That's a pretty mean-looking sword for a traveler.
TAVERNGOER 3: Vigilante, maybe. I've heard talk of them in Senjei. Think they're heaven's wrath, going around killing people.
TAVERNGOER 1: Can't say I'm not glad to see most of them go.
TAVERNGOER 3: Maybe, but if he ever decides he doesn't like you... (draws hand across throat)
(Kendon enters S.R., from the other side of the common room. He's obviously intent on Shinjudei. He walks heavily across the room and sits across the table from Shinjudei. When Shinjudei says nothing, he leans in and speaks arrogantly.)
KENDON: Hey, you. (No response. He repeats.) Hey, you. (No response) Are you deaf, or just drunk?
SHINJUDEI: I can hear you perfectly well.
KENDON: You're a new face around here. (Silence.) Where'd you come from?
SHINJUDEI: North.
KENDON: There's a lot of north out there. Be a little more specific.
SHINJUDEI: I would rather not.
KENDON: (slowly, beginning to anger) What's your name?
SHINJUDEI: Shinjudei.
KENDON: Listen, Shinjudei. They call me Kendon, and I'm more or less in charge in this particular section of town. So why don't you give me a good reason that I shouldn't break your arms and send you back north.
SHINJUDEI: (looks up, slightly amused) You wouldn't be able to.
KENDON: You think so, huh? Pretty damn confident, for such a little guy. You'd have to be a wonder with that sword to stop me.
SHINJUDEI: (flatly, not bragging) I am.
KENDON: I'll believe that when I see it. Pretty heavy arms for a man your size, though. What for?
SHINJUDEI: I'm an assassin.
KENDON: (laughing, incredulously) An assassin? An assassin? (He laughs louder. He stands up, pushes back his chair, and spreads his arms wide.) Please, mighty assassin, give me a glimpse of your skill! (He continues laughing as Shinjudei settles back in his chair crossing his arms - then springs forward, throwing one arm out over the table but stopping abruptly before full extension. Kendon's laughter cuts off with the movement. Shinjudei relaxes his arm and shows Kendon the shuriken he produced from inside his jacket.)
SHINJUDEI: I could just as easily have killed you.
KENDON: (angrily, having been bested) Get out of here.
SHINJUDEI: I have no intention of leaving.
KENDON: Get out or I'll kill you myself!
SHINJUDEI: You still think you can?
KENDON: (almost raging) I've killed thirty-four men in my life, and most of them were just like you - talking tough, acting tough, but when it came to the killing blow, they couldn't do it. I could. Now you come in here with that overblown knife of yours, threatening me - and I swear, by every drop of blood in my veins, if you don't have the courage to kill me, I'm damn well going to run you through. Have you ever killed? Do you know what it's like to kill?
SHINJUDEI: (hesitantly) No.
KENDON: Some assassin you are!
SHINJUDEI: (defensively) Not yet.
KENDON: Here's your chance, little man. (leans forward on the table) You and I are going outside. You're either going to come with me standing up or I'm going to drag you there, and either way I'm going to make sure you never bother anyone again. What's it going to be? Are you going keep that vaunted honour of yours, live up to all your talk, and face me? Or do I have to gut you like the pig you really are?
SHINJUDEI: (softly and hesitantly again, standing) I'll come. (Shinjudei walks around the table and past Kendon, off S.R. Kendon follows, rage flaring in his eyes. The rest of the tavern watches them leave. Moments later, a short scuffle is heard, the ring of two swords, then a short, clipped scream and the sound of a recently deceased body crumpling to the ground. Blackout.)
(Scene 2: An open-air street market in Mideria. Spring of the following year. The sun is high overhead, as in a clear early afternoon. Offstage, criers are advertising domestic goods - pots, knives, vegetables, fruits, flowers - as well as a few with imported exotics. Onstage is a fruit vendor's cart. At the cart are the vendor and Johtan, haggling over prices. Lights to full. Shinjudei enters R, looking about the marketplace. He spots the fruit cart and ambles over as the two talk.)
JOHTAN: Fifty-three each.
VENDOR: That's absurd! I told you, this is the finest imported...
JOHTAN: I don't care if you imported it from the moon, I will not go any higher than fifty-three.
VENDOR: But these are...
JOHTAN: Fifty-three. (The vendor takes a breath as if to start again. Johtan turns D.S. to walk away.)
VENDOR: Wait! (With a sigh) Fifty-three. But only this once. (Johtan turns back with a faint smile, then helps the vendor fill a small bag with fruit. Shinjudei approaches the vendor.)
SHINJUDEI: Excuse me, sir. I'd like one of those.
VENDOR: Of course, of course, good sir! These are the finest imported goods in all of Mideria. Enjoy. (He hands Shinjudei a piece of fruit. Shinjudei takes it in one hand and reaches into his jacket pocket with the other.) How much?
VENDOR: For you, sir, on this fine day, sixty- (He cuts off as Johtan's hand shoots out and grabs his arm. Johtan fixes the vendor with a diamond-hard gaze. The vendor finally sighs again and turns back to Shinjudei.) Fifty-three. (Shinjudei slowly smiles at Johtan, then hands the merchant a few coins and wanders DS, eating the fruit. Johtan and the vendor finish filling the bag, and Johtan walks DS to Shinjudei.)
JOHTAN: (softly, almost to himself) A massive weapon, for one so young.
SHINJUDEI: (looking up from his fruit) I know how to use it.
JOHTAN: (amused) And fire, too. I never doubted your skill. I merely saw cause to remark on your sword. It's not often that I see one of its kind.
SHINJUDEI: (back to the fruit) An assassin must always be armed.
JOHTAN: An assassin, is it? You say it as if you were a carpenter. Is killing so familiar to you?
SHINJUDEI: I only kill with good cause.
JOHTAN: (not quite mockingly) Ah, a noble assassin. The rarest breed. But, an assassin for hire?
SHINJUDEI: Yes.
JOHTAN: Ah, yes. For blood, honour, or money. Tell me, O noble assassin, are you currently employed?
SHINJUDEI: ...No.
JOHTAN: I see. Well... in that case, let me tell you something. I may know of a man who could use your... specialized skills.
SHINJUDEI: (interested now) You do?
JOHTAN: A nobleman. Lord Tenika. He is a respectable man, and pays well. Very well.
SHINJUDEI: (holding back his eagerness) But... there is more to it than money.
JOHTAN: I know. I remember. Tenika is a good man; harsh, sometimes, but in the way a lord must be harsh to keep the respect of his servants. He has been looking to hire someone of your persuasion. I think you would fit the role nicely.
SHINJUDEI: (still forcing his eagerness down) I cannot promise anything. Let me see him first. I have to make sure that he and I agree on certain matters.
JOHTAN: Of course, of course! Come with me. I think he would like to meet you as soon as possible. (The two exit S.L. Lights fade to black.)
(Scene 3: Lord Tenika's house in midsummer. Early evening, approaching sunset. The scene begins with Lord Tenika sitting at a low table, on a cushion on the floor. On the table is an expensive tea set and a single cup. Lights to full. Knock O.S.L.)
TENIKA: Come in.
(Johtan enters, then Shinjdei. The two come to the table and bow to Tenika.)
TENIKA: Ah, excellent. You have news?
JOHTAN: Yes, lord. He went quickly and quietly.
TENIKA: You were not seen?
JOHTAN: Only one of the guards. I killed him before he could raise any alarm.
TENIKA: Good. (to Shinjudei) And you?
SHINJUDEI: He is dead. Nobody saw me.
TENIKA: Excellent. You're everything I had hoped you'd be. Now then, to business. I've heard that an ambassador from Senjei will be coming to propose an alliance against Hokkai. Both of you know that I have extensive contacts with families in the Hokkai region. We cannot allow the alliance to go through. You two need to find and eliminate this ambassador.
SHINJUDEI: But... why just kill him? Why not form an alliance of your own?
TENIKA: I have my own problems with the Miderians. Any bond between them and Senjei would be disastrous to my holdings in Hokkai. Do you understand that? A fortune, lost in the blink of an eye, because I chose that moment to be afflicted by conscience. You will kill him.
SHINJUDEI: You're murdering this man over money!
TENIKA: I'm protecting my investments. Now go.
JOHTAN: Shinjudei-
SHINJUDEI: Why should I kill this man? I see no good reason!
TENIKA: You swore to obey me, Shinjudei. Will you break that word now?
SHINJUDEI: ...No. (He turns and walks out S.L.)
TENIKA: (shaking his head) Go with him, Johtan. Make sure he doesn't do anything foolish.
JOHTAN: Yes, lord. He may be naive, but he is very good. I've watched him.
TENIKA: I know. That's the only thing keeping him alive. Go. (Johtan bows and exits S.L. Lights fade to black.)
(Scene 4: Tenika's house, autumn. The same setting as scene 3, except for lighting effects for season. Tenika is standing and staring O.S.R. as if out the window. Shinjudei knocks and enters S.L. Tenika turns as he enters. Shinjudei bows stiffly.)
TENIKA: Ah, Shinjudei. You're back. It went well?
SHINJUDEI: (quietly) As well as it could.
TENIKA: (a bit apprehensively) I see. Are you ready for your next assignment, or do you want to rest for a while? (Shinjudei says nothing.) All right. Tomorrow afternoon, a caravan of merchants is coming through on the way- (Another knock; Johtan enters and bows.) Johtan. Good. I have something for both of you. Two months from now, one of my contacts from Hokkai will be visiting as a... business matter. I want the two of you to be here. A show of force. We must appear strong in their eyes. Understood? (The two nod. Tenika turns back to Shinjudei.) Now, then. The caravan will be led by a man named Dario. You will find him. Kill him and anyone else who may be with him. (Shinjudei is silent, then bows slowly and exits S.L. Tenika stares afte him.) He's becoming dangerous.
JOHTAN: Yes, lord. But we still need him.
TENIKA: I know. We can't depend on him much longer.
(The lights fade on Tenika and Johtan staring after Shinjudei.)
(Scene 5: Tenika's home, late spring. The ambassador (Karu) is seated at the table with Tenika. Johtan and Shinjudei are standing against the S.L. wall behind Tenika, and Karu's bodyguard is in the same position behind Karu (S.R.). A pot of tea stands between the two, and each has a cup before him. They sip occasionally throughout the scene. Lights to full.)
TENIKA: Well, Lord Karu, events in Hokkai are proceeding well?
KARU: Passing well, yes. Since you cleared up that matter with the Senjei ambassador, we have had no further trouble from them. You have my deepest gratitude, Lord Tenika.
TENIKA: (waves away the compliment) A small matter, nothing more. A day's outing for my bodyguards.
KARU: But an essential matter, nevertheless.
TENIKA: Granted. But it is the least I can do for you, yes? We have long been friends, your family and mine. Such a small deed pales against that alliance. I am certain that you will return the favor in short order.
KARU: Whenever you require, my old friend. But I am afraid that at the moment, I must request another first.
TENIKA: (interested) Ahh, what's this?
KARU: Senjei again. They have been getting a little too close to Mikaru for comfort. You, of all people, must know how large an army Mikaru has. They could crush both us with a tenth of their strength.
TENIKA: Hmm. That is... problematic.
KARU: We have considered many options, but all involve too many risks. We had hoped that you might have some other knowledge to add.
TENIKA: (a moment of thought) Ah! Of course. There is, at this moment, a very wealthy group of merchants from Mikaru in Senjei, visiting some of their distributors. Because of the immense profits they make from their holdings in Senjei, they are not very popular in the region. If they were to be killed-
KARU: (an exuberant revelation) Then Mikaru would have no choice but to retaliate by declaring war on Senjei! Brilliant!
TENIKA: We would have to make it appear as if it had been done by orders of the government - perhaps one of their trade ministers.
KARU: Most easily done, my friend! We have an operative within their system; he can find for us any equipment or uniforms that we may need. I will instruct our men immediately. You have saved us again, old friend.
TENIKA: Your happiness is mine, Karu. Now, will you grant me a favor?
KARU: For you, anything!
TENIKA: Take my guard Shinjudei with you. (Shinjudei stiffens.) This mission is just as important to my family as it is to yours, and he is easily the best swordsman I have seen in all my years.
KARU: (laughing quietly) Your favor benefits me as much as it does you. Done, then.
TENIKA: Done. (He turns on his cushion to face Shinjudei.) Shinjudei, you will accompany Lord Karu and follow his orders as if-
SHINJUDEI: (quietly, but with steel) No.
TENIKA: (completely bewildered) What did you say?
SHINJUDEI: I said no.
TENIKA: No? You fool! You are sworn to obey me! Have you forgotten that oath? You will go with Karu!
SHINJUDEI: No.
TENIKA: (completely enraged) You will go with Karu, or you will die!
SHINJUDEI: Then kill me. My death will accomplish nothing, just like the death of every person I have killed. (He looks up directly into Tenika's eyes.) Just like the death of every person you have killed.
TENIKA: (actually quivering with anger) Idiot! (He looks up at Johtan.) Johtan, kill this dog! (Johtan advances on Shinjudei. Shinjudei stands silent for a moment, struggling with himself, as Johtan draws his sword. Johtan raises the sword over his head, preparing for a massive two-handed blow. Before the blow descends, Shinjudei snaps. He screams, desperately and wordlessly, and in one smooth motion draws his own sword and kills Johtan. Shinjudei is obviously in a berserk rage now, and before the others have a chance to react, he pivots and strikes down Tenika as well. Karu jumps up from the table, and Karu's bodyguard advances on Shinjudei, only to be cut down as quickly as the others. Karu attempts to flee, but trips and falls. Shinjudei dashes over to him, flips him over with a foot, and slashes his throat with one sharp pull. He stands totally still for a moment, staring at the blood on his sword and on his hands. He drops his sword. He stands for another long moment, then begins to shiver. Slowly, softly at first, he begins to laugh, an insane, maniacal laugh. As the laughter builds to its ultimate peak of total unreasoning insanity, he throws his hands to the sky, looks up, and sinks to his knees. The stage fades to black as Shinjudei laughs away his last shred of humanity.)