- Chapter One - A Symphony
for Mother
Page numbers are based
on the tankoubon and listed accordingly.
Large centered text indicates geographic/titular information
Spoken text in italics indicate character thoughts.
Spoken text in brackets [...] indicate hand written side remarks.
Text hand-written for dramatic purposes are indicated by larger
size text.
fx: <...> indicates sound effects, which have been kept
as onomatopoeia where I have the imagination for it..
(TN...) indicates notes by the translator
-
- Page 5
(a woman in silhouette
stands on a hill among a ruined city. The sky is dark and stormy)
narration: A long time ago all the
"evil" in the world was locked away in a box...
fx: <thunder rolling>
-
- (the woman peers wide-eyed over
the lid of the box as she lifts it)
narration: A woman named Pandora...
fx: <creak>
-
- (a multitude of evil looking
eyes peer out from the darkness of the box)
narration: Opened the box...
fx: <crack>
-
- Page 6
(dot sized winged creatures
fly off in the distance over the ruined city as lightning crackles)
narration: The evil beings were released
onto the world and rose and scattered...
The world was enveloped in the darkest of nights..
-
- (enormous winged, lizard type
monsters spear and destroy humans as they fight amidst smoke
and fire)
narration: The peaceful human realm
was no match for the monsters and they suffered and met many
tragedies...
-
- (the woman Pandora kneels in
agony on the ground as she throws a long lonely shadow)
narration: The wretched woman Pandora
grieved for her sin...
-
- Page 7
(view of several naked
trees and mountains surrounding smoke filled rubble of civilization)
narration: Hope was the last thing
to come out of the box...
- Northern Europe Mountain
Range
-
- (a boy with a large pack on
his back walks through the mountain forest, looking around as
he wipes sweat away)
boy: There's something strange about
this forest...
It's noon but it's so dark...
-
- (close up of the boy as he ponders.
A note of music begins to play)
boy: There might be monsters, I suppose.
-
- (the boy turns as he hears music
playing)
boy: Wha-- what's going on?
-
- Page 8
(full page of a young
man dressed in bard's clothing, with black cape and pointed black
hat with a feather sticking out the hat band, playing a large,
double bass-like violin on his shoulder)
narration: That can't be possible when...
-
- (close up of the young man,
whose face is expressionless, framed by roses. The music continues)
-
- (the boy watches from behind
a tree as the bard continues to play)
-
- (the boy watches in surprise)
boy: What's such a handsome man doing
here?
-
- (distant view of the boy watching
the bard play overlaid on top by a close up of the bard's face,
his eyes closed, and overlaid below by the boy watching from
behind the tree, enjoying the performance)
boy: Sadness and sweetness seem
to be joined in his eyes...
Right-- The music is the same. He looks stupid but his playing
his beautiful and superb...
-
- Page 10
(the boy leans against
the tree smiling, listening to the music)
boy: This pleasant and sweet music
brings out a serenity and warmth from my heart.
-
- (the boy brings a locket out
from his shirt as he cries while smiling)
fx: <rustle>
-
- (a closeup of the locket, the
picture inside of a smiling woman, his mother, holding him as
a young child)
fx: <click>
-
- (the boy leans and cries against
the tree, smiling, while an image of his mother holding him as
a young child overlays on the side, framed by roses. The music
continues to play)
boy: I want to see Mom again.
-
- (doves begin to descend from
the trees)
fx: <wings flapping>
-
- Page 11
(the doves fly around
the bard as he plays)
-
- (the boy stops and wipes tears
away in surprise)
boy: Eh?
-
- (the bard pokes at one of the
birds as they land about him)
boy (off): Doves are a symbol of
peace and happiness...
-
- (outline of the bard surrounded
by the doves as they land about him)
boy (off): This man... is he God...?!
-
- (the boy looks on tensely from
behind the tree)
fx: <gulp>
-
- (the bard's hand quickly grabs
the neck of his violin)
fx: <grab>
-
- Page 12
(the boy face-faults
as the bard bashes the birds violently with the violin)
bard: YYAAAHHH
- fx: <bang bang bang bang>
- bird(s): Geh
Gack
Urk
fx: <bong>
-
- (the boy looks up from the ground
comically wide-eyed)
boy: Eh?
-
- (one of the doves roasts over
a fire on a spit)
boy: Keh--
fx: <crackle crackle
crackle>
-
- (the boy watches blank faced
as the bard wolfs down the birds)
fx: <munch munch munch munch>
<gulp gulp gulp>
- boy:
Today they're a source of food.
fx: <crackle crackle>
-
- (the boy goes bug-eyed as a
crow whacks the bard over the head with the violin, sending him
face-first into the fire)
crow: TAKE THAT, YOU ASS--!
fx: <bash>
<fwoosh>
boy: !!
-
- (the boy, more serious, looks
on surprised)
-
- Page 13
(a comically angry burnt-faced
bard grabs the crow and the two yell at each other. The bard
sports a huge lump throught his hat reading "lump")
bard: What was that for you bastard!
My most beautiful faced was burned
crow: Shut
up you ass!
-
- (the boy watches as the two
continue their fight in the background)
crow: You can't use your violin like
that!
fx: <flap flap>
bard:
I couldn't help it, I was hungry--!
I'll eat you too!
-
- (close up of the boy looking
shocked)
boy: The crow talks!
-
- (the crow and bard stop fighting
as they realize the boy is there)
bard: Hm? Who are you?
crow:
Oh--?
boy: Eh--
ah... well...
-
- (the crow flies over the boy's
head looking embarrassed)
crow: Ha ha ha. This must not look
very good to you...
-
- (the boy speaks shyly as the
crow sits on his head smiling down cheerfully)
boy: So-- sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop,
but...
I was attracted by the beautiful music.
-
- Page 14
(the boy goes blank faced
and the crow turns angry again as the bard is crouching and has
greedily stuffed his mouth with the birds, holding several more
in his hands, turning to look at them suspiciously)
bard: You didn't come to praise me.
fx: <chew chew chew
chew>
crow: Don't
eat them all! You!!
-
- (aerial shot of an angry crow
flying towards the bard as the boy watches confused)
crow: I don't believe you...
We have to go now!
fx: <flap flap>
-
- (the boy picks up his own pack
as well as speaks, attracting the smile of the crow while the
bard walks away)
boy: Travelers... are you?
crow: That's right...
-
- (rear view of the boy watching
the crow and bard walk away. A close up of a serious bard and
crow appears on the side)
bard: To the North...
We're going to seal away the trouble there.
-
- Page 15
(close up of the the
boy looking somewhat overwhelmed)
-
- (the boy smiles, looking down,
as he shoulders his pack)
-
- (the boy speaks animatedly,
surprising the bard and crow)
boy: Um... Excuse me travelers.
Would you like to come to my house?
It's right nearby...
-
- (the bard watches expressionlessly,
the crow is surprised, and the boy continues to speak welcomingly)
boy: It's not much, but...
But guests are always welcome.
bard:
House...? People live on this mountain?
-
- (the boy leads enthusiastically
while the bard and crow look on)
boy: Yeah... I'm called Viola by the
way.
Ah-- this way.
-
- (a hairy shadow with three points
on it's head watches from a higher vantage point as the three
walk away)
figure: Hng...
-
- (close up of a face with an
evil looking eye with very sharp teeth)
figure: Heh heh heh...Travelers.
They'll have money.
-
- Page 16
(a large troll-looking
monster stands with a giant mace in his hand)
fx: <bam>
-
- (the troll watches the three
walk away from a high peak)
troll: What's more, they're going to
the brat's house. Perfect...
-
- (the mace rises in the air)
fx: <swish>
troll (off): I'll get them all
-
- (the troll swings it into the
ground violently)
fx: <foom>
troll: And crush them!
-
- Page 17
(aerial view of a modest
house at the base of the mountain)
Viola (off): It's a bit run down, but
it's a good house...
-
- (Viola takes off his hat and
pack and walks towards the stove while the bard and crow settle
around a wooden table)
Viola: Just wait here and I'll heat
up some soup for you.
fx: <thump>
crow:
Thanks.
-
- (a lantern hangs from the ceiling)
-
- (a barrel and a sack of explosives
sits in the corner)
-
- (the crow swings his head left
and right looking around)
fx: <swing swing>
-
- (the crow speaks from the table,
the bard eyes him suspiciously, and Viola stirs the soup, his
eyes covered by his hair)
crow: I don't see any other people
here... Where are your parents?
fx: <blink>
-
- (the soup boils on the stove)
fx: <glub glub glub>
-
- Page 18
(right profile of Viola,
looking despondent)
Viola: Mom died.
-
- (the bard and crow watch from
the table tensely)
-
- (Viola brings carries a tray
with two soup bowls, his eyes covered by his hair)
-
- (Viola sets the tray down and
hands out the bowls)
Viola: It's not easy living on the
mountain, first of all, but,
But mom and I lived a peaceful, happy life.
-
- (close up of Viola's face, angry
and shadowed)
Viola: Until he came!
-
- (the bard and crow look up from
their soups with serious expressions)
-
- Page 19
(the troll, heavily shadowed,
stands over Viola and his mother as they cower before him)
fx: <thunder rolling>
mother: Please, spare the child!
Spare the child, I beg of you!
-
- (close up of Viola and his mother
looking terrified)
mother: He's only a child!!
Viola: Mom!!
-
- (close up of the troll, his
face still shadowed)
troll: Feh! Poor people! You know what
happens when you don't have money...
-
- (the troll raises the mace over
his head, ready to bring it down on them)
troll: <roars> YOU DIE!
Viola/Mom:
!!
-
- (close up of Viola, terrified,
from behind his mother)
Viola: ....
-
- Page 20
(Viola's mother holds
Viola to her to shield him)
- (Viola looks up frightened to
his mother)
Viola: Mo--
fx: <gulp>
-
- (Viola's mother smiles warmly
as she holds him)
fx: <smile>
-
- (the scene rushes)
-
- (the mace crashes into Viola's
mother's back as she shields Viola)
Viola: MO--OM!
-
- Page 21
(Viola, seated at the
table, leans his head into his folded hands)
Viola: Mom was...
-
- (close up of Viola crying)
Viola: Even at the end when she protected
me, she was smiling...
She was worried about me.
-
- (the crow watches Viola sympathetically)
Viola: Even at the end...
-
- (close up of a sad-faced crow)
crow: Such a sad tale...
Still, a mother, for her beloved small child,
what she won't do...
-
- (a hand rests on Viola's shoulder
as he cries into his hands)
fx: <rustle>
-
- (Viola peeks out)
-
- (streaks on sun shine on the
bard as he silently comforts Viola)
-
- Page 22
(close up of the bard,
smiling, framed by roses)
fx: <smile>
-
- (close up of Viola beginning
to cry again as he looks up)
Viola: Tr... trave...ler
fx: <snort>
-
- (the crow grins and sighs, relieved)
-
- (the crow face-faults as the
bard, smiling as he did before, holds up his soup bowl to a dumbfounded
Viola)
bard: Can I have more soup?
Viola:
Eh?
-
- (the bard licks wildly at the
soup pot while the crow yells angrily at him. Viola just watches
mortified)
fx: <lick lick lick lick lick lick>
crow: Didn't you hear a anything he
said---
-
- (the crow laughs embarrassed,
and Viola laughs nervously as the bard continues to try to lick
the last drops from the soup pot)
crow: I'm sorry, Viola.
fx: <lick lick lick
lick>
<lick lick lick>
- crow:
He really is a good guy, but, he can be a real dummy sometimes...
Viola:
Ri-- right.
-
- Page 23
(Viola smiles brightly)
Viola: I understand. That beautiful
music could only come from such a person.
He's a wonderful person.
-
- (the bard looks over his shoulder
from his soup)
-
- (Viola smiles from the table
as the crow looks about to interrupt him)
Viola: The first time I saw him I thought
he was God.
fx: <grin>
-
- (both Viola and crow look surprised
as the bard approaches them)
bard: You remember my music...
fx: <swish>
-
- (the bard hands Viola a slip
of paper to the surprise of Viola and the suspicion of the crow)
fx: <rustle>
-
- Page 24
(close up of a bill)
bill: Bill
1,000,000 Yen (TN: approx. 9,163.38 as of 31 October, 2000)
Super wonderful musical performance fee
Heisei 3rd year, 3rd month, 10th day, Viola residence
From Super-extra-large violin player
-
- (the bard stands expressionless
as the crow and Viola stand confused)
Viola: This is...
bard: A
bill.
-
- (the bard walks away. Viola
and the crow still stand confused)
bard: You listened to my performance
after all...
Viola:
....
-
- (Viola looks at the bill confused)
-
- (Viola looks up nervously from
the bill)
Viola: I-- I'm supposed to pay? This--
-
- (the bard gets comically large
and threatening, even sporting a scar on his chin, labeled "scar"
as Viola freaks and the crow face-faults)
bard: OF COURSE!! MORON~~!!
crow:
....
-
- Page 25
(the bard gets comically
large and braggy as Viola diminutively stands blank-faced next
to him against a "traditional" Japanese background
of sun, waves, Mount Fuji, and bonsai)
bard: JUST A LISTEN WILL SEND YOUR
FEELINGS INTO THE RED ZONE!! THAT'S WHAT YOU GET WITH A LISTEN
OF MY, THE PSYCHEDELIC VIOLINIST'S, PERFORMANCE---!!
Viola:
O-- okay...
-
- (the bard looms threateningly
over Viola, with an image of mustached men marching in file in
the mountains, labeled "the Vienna Orchestra running barefoot")
bard: My super-extra-large violin plays
the most perfect melodies to send the Vienna Orchestra running
barefoot and going "hup hup hup" it's so superb.
fx: <shrink>
Viola:
[Vi-- violin? Super extra large?]
[But it looks like a double bass...]
bard:
It's an honor to experience!!
fx: <wind howling>
Vienna Orchestra: [Hup hup hup]
-
- (the crow flies forward angrily)
crow: He--hey, knock it off!!
fx: <flap flap>
-
- (the bard punches the crow away
violently)
bard: SHADDAP--!
fx: <boom>
crow:
GACK!!
-
- Page 26
(the bard repeatedly
slaps Viola)
bard: Listen. That's the way of the
world and with that totally tasteless soup before, what did you
expect--!!
Feh--you are just a brat after all--!
fx: <bash bash bash
bash bash>
Viola: So-- sorry.
-
- (the bard sits grandiosely in
a large cushion-y chair bedecked in jewels, mustache and cigar
as money flies around him. To the side Viola kneels as the poor
farmer, looking very abused. A rocket flies overhead. The chair
the bard sits in has two signs behind it, one reading "high
taxes" and the other "excessive taxes". The back
of the chair reads "golf course management" the bottom
of the chair reads "land development". The bottom corner
is labeled "political satire")
bard: In this world, the ones who are
definitely best are those with money!
HA HA HA
[Sharing is impossible~~]
People with money are great--!
The rest are trash--!!
fx: <rumble rumble>
Viola: De--devil...
-
- (close up of Viola, puffy-faced
and beaten)
Viola: Bu-- but I'm poor... I don't
have any money...
fx: <swell swell>
-
- (the bard looks down expressionlessly,
but not unsympathetically)
bard: ....
-
- (close up of the bard sighing
and smiling)
fx: <sigh>
-
- (the bard turns away from Viola,
who now looks up surprised and hopeful)
bard: It can't be helped I suppose.
fx: <turn>
Viola:
Eh! Are you sure--!!
-
- Page 27
(close up of Viola smiling,
looking relieved)
Viola: I'm glad... he carried on
so long I thought he wasn't joking...
-
- (Viola freezes and sweats nervously
as he watches the bard pack all of Viola's stuff into a sac and
looks at one pot disgruntled)
Viola: AAH!
fx: <clink clack>
bard:
Feh-- this stuff is worthless.
-
- (the bard yells angrily as Viola
grabs onto his leg and cries)
Viola: Please wait! I need those to
live--!
fx: <bang>
bard:
Shut up! You just said you had no money--!
-
- (the bard pounds on Viola with
his foot mercilessly as Viola lies on the floor, crying and praying)
bard: That's the rule of business and
you'd best remember it-- idiot--!!
fx: <stomp stomp>
Viola:
Mom, help me.
-
- (close up of the bard nervously
lighting up and smoking a cigarette)
bard: You don't even understand common
sense.
Damn-- I'd hate to see your parents...
fx: <fwoosh>
-
- (the bard calmly blows out a
puff of smoke)
fx: <puff>
-
- (the crow, with a giant log,
labeled "log", crashes into the bard and sends him
flying along with several household utensils. Viola watches blank-faced)
crow: TAKE THAT YOU IDIOT--!!
fx: <boom>
-
- Page 28
(the crow and bard argue
amidst the rubble of the house while Viola just sits on the floor
behind them)
bard: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR, YOU--!
crow:
YOU ASS! DON'T YOU EVEN HAVE A HEART!
-
- (the crow yells while Viola
stands behind him, now in surprise)
crow: LISTEN HAMEL! WITH YOU IT'S ALWAYS
MONEY...
fx: <poof poof>
-
- (Viola stands white in surprise
against a black background)
Viola: Hamel...
-
- (the crow and Hamel, sporting
an enormous lump on his head, continue to argue with Viola behind.
A close up of Hamel serious, expressionless face, lump through
the hat included and framed by roses, appears beside them)
Viola: This man's name...
-
- (Viola looks up disbelieving)
Viola: Impossible...
-
- Page 29