WEATHER 1 “Rain tonight between the hours of midnight and 3 AM.” ANNOUNCER “Greetings to our faithful listeners, and a warm welcome to those tuning in for the first time. We have a great show for you tonight. Cactus Cat Creations brings you a new story from the creative mind of Tragedy Faye. Darkness Falls is a Noir fairytale that will leave you guessing and wanting more. A story filled with Darkness, love, and betrayal.” WEATHER 2 “Just in, There will be a cold front pushing through New England bringing heavy rains and high winds to the greater Boston area on up to parts of Western Mass. Some say this could be the biggest storm of the year. Beware of…” REN BLACK “Ooo, came looking for gold and yet I find diamonds. Thanks, Sashiro. Whisky is more my cup of tea anyway. Hey, there kitty you are doing? Oh Boy, you are drenched. I told you it was going to rain. Ah, It’s fine we’ll clean you up in a moment. Careful, careful, I don’t want to step on your toe beans, those tiny feetsies of yours. (laughs) Ah, you're leaving a trail Asmo. Ha, Sashiro I caught the suspect. What I ain't taking the blame for you chief my feet are dry. Oh, here we are again. This time with whiskey.” REN BLACK “Wait… wait.. Let me get a few things off my chest. I know you're going to say some’ positive, and… I don’t know, but the point is… I’m afraid of moving forward. Can you imagine that… Ren Black would have fallen from such a height, that for a moment I thought time stood still.” REN BLACK (Distressed) “Ah shite, what a waste of good whiskey. You know that wasn’t on purpose, Asmo? Look, I’m sorry mate.” “Oi, cat stay the fuck away from the glass” “Argh, Sashiro is going to crush my balls for this Fuck” “You're good now, it's safe. Come here, Kitty… Alright.. You're good, you're good. See it’s ok, you are fine there you go.” “Where was I? Oh, right, I wanted to let you know how I feel.” “Look… This is hard for me and I should have said it when I had the chance. I regret that. Even though we had a rough start we came to support one another, even like each other and that’s all gone now. It's like I keep trying to hold onto those memories like sand running through my fingers. I know that now… even if a little too late.” REN BLACK (Somber) “I see you looking at me from over there. Oi, Oi, don’t narrow your eyes like that all judgemental and what not” “And just so you know, I’m not crazy holding on like this…well let me tell you I’m not mad I’m just lost drifting in a sea of regrets, with bated breath waiting for change, for something good to happen, but alas there's no light” left for me” “That’s all I’m going to share tonight. You know I’m glad we had this talk. See you on the other side ” NIGHTMARE SCAPE - EARLY MORNING REN BLACK (Heavy breath) “What?” “What have I…” “What is going on here?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA [Demonic echo] “REN!” REN BLACK GABRIEL “No… not again…” [laughing] REN BLACK “Not again…” REN BLACK SASHIRO MINAGAWA (Heavy breathing) “You’re having that self-loathing nightmare again!” “Where…where…” REN BLACK DOJI (Running panting) (laughing) SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Wake up you egomaniac.” REN BLACK (Panting) “No… no! No!!” (Gasp and heavy breathing) DOJI “You have something of mine.” REN BLACK (gasping) DOJI “You cannot hide from me, boy.” “I see you.” INT. APARTMENT ABOVE CLOSED DINER– BEDROOM – MORNING REN BLACK (Gasps awake) “Jesus…” [Sashiro takes several steps back. CRUNCHING various TRASH left upon the floor.] SASHIRO MINAGAWA “What the hell was that?!” REN BLACK (confused) “You heard it too?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “What? The heart attack you gave me?” REN BLACK (grunts) “Nevermind…” REN BLACK (grumpy) “What are you doing here?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Is this glass?” REN BLACK “Huh?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “What the hell, Ren? Did you drink this whole bottle of whiskey already? I just bought this yesterday.” REN BLACK (Grunts) “Come on, are you serious?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Is this half-eaten katsudon? Didn’t I make this for you last month?” REN BLACK “Ah, come on mate, I was saving that for later…” SASHIRO MINAGAWA (sputters) “Saving it for… It’s hard as a rock!” “Wait… is there something living in this?” REN BLACK “You found my little friend... I was gonna tidy up, but you know how it goes.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “I know my brother had been the clean one, but hell, he would be rolling in his grave if he saw you living like this.” “You know, he always said your saving grace was your looks.” REN BLACK (Exhausted sigh, apologetic) “I didn’t mean to push your buttons, you know how (I)…” SASHIRO MINAGAWA (Half Joking) “Hello, my beautiful Asmodeus fur baby, did your deadbeat daddy feed you today?” “It’s not like you are the only one who misses him around here. He was my twin brother in case you’ve forgotten.” REN BLACK (Mildly annoyed) "You know Sashiro, they say that silence is golden. If you get enough practice then who knows, (you) might be rich someday." SASHIRO MINAGAWA (impatient) “Hold that thought. I almost forgot. Victor came with me this time, and if you had bothered to check your messages you would have known we were coming.” “Your new partner was so excited to meet the great Ren Black!” REN BLACK “Tch.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “...and decided to tag along. I had them wait in your office.” REN BLACK "Tch." REN BLACK “Out of the way Sashiro!” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Rude! What’s your deal!” INT. BLACK’S OFFICE - MORNING SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Wait, Ren, your shirt!” HIRO AKASHI "Something tells me I’m in for one hell of a first impression. Should I brace for impact or just leave?" VICTOR CROSS "What? And miss the show? He should be here right about … now.” REN BLACK (Low growl, Displeasure) HIRO AKASHI “I feel more like bait than a coworker.” REN BLACK (Growls) "What gave you the nerve coming into my home, huh?" REN BLACK HIRO AKASHI (Low growl, Displeasure) (Choking) “Neverending nightmare!” REN BLACK "I don't want you here" SASHIRO MINAGAWA (frustrated) “Ren, get a hold of yourself! Let go of him!” HIRO AKASHI (Coughing) SASHIRO MINAGAWA (Concerned) “Are you ok, Akashi?” HIRO AKASHI (catching his breath nodded in assurance) “Don’t worry, I’m stronger than I look (strained sound) My back” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Do you think this is what Shiro would have wanted?” VICTOR CROSS “I don’t have time for this!” VICTOR CROSS “Best chew on your next words carefully before spitting them out.” REN BLACK “Victor! You of all people should know that no one sits in that chair except for Shiro!” VICTOR CROSS “DO NOT mistake my quiet nature for apathy. (Leans in closer) You have no idea (in his ear) how sharp my teeth can be.” REN BLACK “Argh, you bastard!” HIRO AKASHI “(Nervous laughter) How about we dial it back a bit, tensions seem a little high right now. Look, I am not trying to replace Shiro. I just…” REN BLACK “How dare you call him by his first name! You didn’t know him like I did! I don’t need a new babysitter! Get out! You can go back and tell those wanna-be gods: they can stick it where the sun don't shine.” REN BLACK “Shiro was the most important person to me… There’s no way they can just… they can’t just replace him... Shiro can’t just get swapped out for something new.” VICTOR CROSS “Black, No one is trying to replace Shiro. This is your new partner, and you need to get back to work before they ship you back to the Far Shore. Is that what you want?” REN BLACK “You know I don’t. I have unfinished business here and I don’t have time to waste on them.” VICTOR CROSS “I am sure the feeling is more than mutual, but you didn’t exactly make many friends the last time you were there.” VICTOR CROSS “By the Gods Ren, when was the last time you took a bath?” REN BLACK “Storm of swords. I don’t know… a few days ago. It’s not that bad.” VICTOR CROSS “I beg to differ. You, Akashi, here is your first assignment: Get this *trainwreck* back to the office.” INT. HALLWAY - LATE MORNING HIRO AKASHI “You want me to do it?” VICTOR CROSS “YES, YOU! Do you see anyone else here called Akashi? REN BLACK “I never said I was going anywhere, so why the hell would I go there now?” VICTOR CROSS “Do you think I would venture into this *den of despair* unless it was something that could not wait? We acquired a letter from Gabriel this morning. Seems that he is back, with the intention of finishing what he started.” REN BLACK (Growls) “Now why didn’t you lead with that? We could have avoided all this shite.” “Hand over the letter so we can get this started.” VICTOR CROSS “You’ll have to wait. I left the letter at the office with Rachel. I wanted her to give it the ol’ once-over for curses and other surprises, he may have set in motion.” REN BLACK “Fair enough, he has a nasty habit of pulling twisted little tricks like that. Just talking about it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.” VICTOR CROSS “I am being summoned back to the office. My apologies, but I must excuse myself. Sashiro, you can ride back with me. Black, I expect to see you both there.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “You got it, Boss man.” REN BLACK “Read you loud and clear, big guy.” REN BLACK “Well Akashi, ‘guess you and I are headed to the office. ‘hope you’re a better animal handler than Sashiro here.” INT. LIVING ROOM - LATE MORNING HIRO AKASHI “I’m good at completing difficult tasks and from the looks of it you are more than a handful…wait…what? You can just forget that last part.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “More than a handful you say?” (laughs) “I can’t wait to hear about that.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Akashi, I have one word of advice for you. Always have coffee in the house.” REN BLACK “Wise words, you know me well.” HIRO AKASHI “I think I can handle that” HIRO AKASHI “Who is this friendly kitty?” REN BLACK “That’s Asmo. She's a Figora Nox, a guardian of sorts. You know, I’ve never seen her take a liking to someone that fast.” "Oi kid, don't go touching things that don't belong to you, okay? You might find something you wouldn't expect." "And while you're here, why don't you make yourself useful and... I don't know, feed the cat or something." HIRO AKASHI “How can I do that if I’m not allowed to touch anything?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “The food for Asmo is on the kitchen counter. Please be patient with Ren. He has been a hot mess since my brother died. I think having a new partner will be good for him. He needs to move on. That’s what Shiro would have wanted. And look on the bright side, Ren is easy on the eyes, and has an even nicer body.” HIRO AKASHI “I noticed that… ummm no, what I mean is I noticed how he feels about this.” REN BLACK “Bloody hell Sashiro, you know I can still hear you right?” SASHIRO MINAGAWA (giggle) “I think you will be good for him. He has been alone for over a year. His mother vanished the night my brother died. I don’t know what the hell that is all about, but bet your ass I'll find out.” HIRO AKASHI “Victor told me a little bit about the situation and about Shiro, but I didn’t know about his mother.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “I just wanted you to understand him a little better. Well, I think you can take it from here, don’t want to keep the Boss man waiting.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Good luck. Oh ya, here’s his shirt. He might need that.” HIRO AKASHI “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” HIRO AKASHI “What? You’re not really going to leave me with… and she’s gone. (Argh) Why does my new boss have to be hot and have that voice… I’m screwed, he's totally my type.” REN BLACK "Ah, it's too early in the morning to be kinky, mate. That kinda stuff happens later on, don't you know." HIRO AKASHI “I’m going to die now.” EXT. MORNING - OVERCAST - NEXT TO CAR VICTOR CROSS “Just stay there and wait for me, we’ll be there soon. Hold on for a moment, she just arrived. I will call you back once we get in the car.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “Who was that? Also, do you think it was the best idea to leave those two alone?” VICTOR CROSS “I think they can BOTH stand a crash course on how to work together. I promise his bark is worse than his bite… *laugh* - well, most of the time anyway.” “A tempest is brewing, and they are going to be standing right in the middle of it.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “What now? Care to fill me in?” VICTOR CROSS “Not here, I don’t want Black to know anything yet. Get in and I’ll tell you on the way.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “You better not leave me in the dark like you did last time.” VICTOR CROSS “Don’t worry, I won’t make the same mistake twice. Our friend Leo has returned from his travels in Japan and he has much to tell us.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA “That old stone face has returned? I was wondering where you had sent him off to. Last time I saw him he was skipping out on movie night. Odette was not amused and ranted the rest of the evening.” VICTOR CROSS “One by one the pieces shall fall into place. I will illuminate your role in my gamble and spend any resource I can to spare a piece on my board.” SASHIRO MINAGAWA (shivers) “Why do those words make my soul cringe? Blegh…” VICTOR CROSS (Laughs)