Hanru Sazuki

On the previous chapter(s): Hanru for once opened up and mental confessed to his big brother Lawrence who has now returned, but was quickly shut down by Lawrence denied any form of sympathy or comfort. Lawrence revealed to Ada that he may have brought some trouble to their doorstep. Leo has returned from his coma and is happy to be reunited with Ada. He is very disappointed in Hanru for not doing anything with his life. Lawrence brought to Hanru’s attention the fact that the first 7 years of his life are a complete blur but Hanru never thought about why that was. Lee reunited with Kaito and his past fling Nicky back in Miami. Jessica is revealed to have a biological brother and siblings who will reunite during Thanksgiving. All is good for LJ and his newly befriended neighbor Albert, and was invited to Al’s Thanksgiving dinner. Erika reunited with her son Ethan and now she and Michael have agreed to both spend Thanksgiving together with Erika’s family.

Hanru Narrating: It’s Thanksgiving now and everything is still the same as it was 3 years ago- I still don’t have a job and with Leo back, there’s just constant tension in the household. He’s been here a few days now, and although things are somewhat the same for me, the household feels completely different.

(Hanru walks into the bathroom and startles Yoko as she stand in the mirror putting on make-up.)

Hanru: (Quickly turns around) Sorry, sorry; the door was cracked; I didn’t think anyone was in here.

Yoko: Wait, Hanru. Come here. Please

(Hanru hesitantly walks in.)

Yoko: Close the door.

(Hanru closes the door behind him. He and Yoko face one another.)

Yoko: I’ve never been one to wear this much make-up, but what do you think? Does this look right?

Hanru: Are you trying to impress somebody?

Yoko: It’s just something I’ve thought about trying out recently. What do you think?

Hanru: It’s fine, Yoko. You always look beautiful.

Yoko: (Blushes) Thank you.

Hanru: Alright, so I’ll just wait ‘till you’re done and I’ll be back.

Yoko: Actually… I was wondering if you wanted to go to the mall with me today. It would be nice to have a familiar escort and not just some stranger following me around.

Hanru: I don’t really like going out.

Yoko: Oh, come on; It’ll be fun! You can look for jobs while we’re there.

Hanru: (Sighs) I’ll go for you, okay, ‘cause I know it’ll make you happy.

Yoko: (Excited) Good! Uh… so make-up or no?

Hanru: I say no make-up.

Yoko: (Smiles) Thanks, I trust you have an excellent judgment of character.

Hanru: Right. Well, okay, see you again later. (Leaves the room)

(Coffee shop)

(Erika and Henry are sitting at a coffee shop drinking hot cups of Coffee and conversing. Erika is typing on her laptop.)

Henry: So, you never told me what happened a few days ago when you and Michael went to visit your parents. You in the mood to talk about it yet?

Erika: Uh… sure, yeah, why not? I mean it’s not a very interesting story, but if you really wanna know I’ll tell you.

(Chicago, a few days later)

(Erika is sitting in the driver seat of her car and Michael is sitting in the passenger seat. They stay parked in front of a one story home in a middle-class environment neighborhood. Little Ethan sits in the back seat sleeping.)

Erika: Alright, this is the address.

Michael: You haven’t seen your parents since you were 18 you said?

Erika: Yeah, yeah…

Michael: I can tell you’re nervous to see them.

Erika: I am. (Bites thumb nails) What am I supposed to say to them? I don’t know… I mean, am I looking for their approval or something? Why did I decide to try and impress my parents by telling them I have a boyfriend? I didn’t think this through. (Presses her fingers against her forehead and shakes her head)

Michael: Usually when it comes to parents, we have this special bond with them, you know? Like, uh… I never see my father and yet I always question myself of whether or not I’m doing things in a way that he’d approve of me. A lot of times parents abandon their children and their children grow up to hate their parents. Those children don’t realize that they hate their parents so much because of how much they loved them and because the love they craved from their parents was never feed. In the center of all love is the origin of hate.

(Erika and Michael silently make eye contact for a few seconds. They both get out of the car.)

Woman: Excuse me!

(Erika and Michael look over at the house they’re parked in front of and a woman is at the door staring at the two of them. Erika walks up to her and Michaels stays behind to wake Ethan up.)

Erika: Hi…

Virginia: Erika…?

Erika: Hi, mom…

(Virginia doesn’t seem too happy to see her daughter. Erika begins to smile but it goes away after a few seconds.)

Erika: Happy Thanksgiving.

Virginia: You shouldn’t be here.

Erika: … What?

Virginia: I don’t know, who you contacted to get this address but we don’t want you here. I’m sorry.

Erika: You don’t… wan- why?

Virginia: Well…

Girl: Mom, who is it?!

(A teenage girl with long black hair opens the door. She’s dressed in a gothic outfit, but she’s wearing no make-up and she seems to have a friendly personality.)

Girl: (Excited) No way! Is this, my sister?! Oh my gosh! I finally get to meet you?! (Gives Erika a big hug)

Virginia: Honey, honey, please, stop.

(She stops hugging her.)

Girl: It is so nice to meet you finally! Come in, come in!

(She grabs Erika’s arm and pulls her into the living room.)

Girl: (Talks softly) We gotta keep our voices down because of our dad, you know?

Erika: No, I don’t know.

Virginia: Honey, don’t, please.

Girl: He has the big C.

Erika: Cancer?

Girl: You didn’t know? I thought our mom would’ve told you when she invited you here for Thanksgiving before you cancelled.

Erika: What? No. Our mom never called me.

Girl: What?

(She looks over at her mother as she’s avoiding eye-contact.)

Girl: Mom told me that you’re always cancelling the holidays because you’re busy traveling around do to your job.

Erika: I haven’t spoken to any of my parents since I was 18 and I’m in my 30’s now.

Girl: What?! Mom! You’ve been lying to me about my sister this entire time?

Virginia: Michelle… You were always looking up to the idea of your sister and how great she would be, but in reality… (Shrugs) She’s not all that special. Yes, I did lie to you about who she was, but only because I wanted to protect you.

Michelle: (Scoffs) I can’t believe you, mom! Look, I don’t care. I want to spend some time with my sister while she’s here. But first, let’s go see dad.

(Michelle halls Erika toward the back of the small house. Virginia turns around and sees Michael standing in the doorway holding Ethan’s hand.)

(Erika and Henry are sitting in the coffee shop.)

Henry: What happened when you went to see your father?

Erika: Let me use the restroom first, and then I’ll tell you.

(Virginia and Marshall’s house a few days ago)

(Erika and Michelle both walk into a bedroom and see a bald man leaning over his gurney and writing a letter. Attached to his bed is a heart monitor and a tank of oxygen. He’s wearing reading glasses and he’s wearing a green sweater. He doesn’t hear Michelle or Erika walk into the room and he continues to write. The two of them walk up to Marshall. When Marshall talks, his voice sounds faint and weak.)

Michelle: Daddy? (Gently touches his shoulder) Daddy, hey.

Marshall: (Looks up at her) Oh, hey, sweetheart. I’m just writing another letter here is all.

(Marshall continues writing, but Michelle gently holds his hand to make him stop. He looks up at her.)

Marshall: What’d you do that for?

Michelle: (Smiles) I have a surprise for you.

(Michelle moves to the side and Erika takes her spot. Erika seems shy.)

Erika: H-hi, dad. Happy almost Thanksgiving.

(Marshall takes a few seconds to soak in the situation and make sure he’s not dreaming about seeing the daughter he wasn’t sure he would again. He can’t believe his eyes once he sees that beautiful smile and hears the relaxing sound of his daughter’s laughter.)

Marshall: Come… Come here.

(Erika bends over the table and Marshall gives her a big long hug.)

Marshall: Give your daddy a hug… Oh, I’ve missed you.

Erika: (Getting emotional) I’ve missed you too, dad. (Sniff)

Marshall: Oh no. I hope you’re not crying.

(Marshall stops hugging Erika and looks into her eyes. Her eyes are beginning to tear up.)

Erika: (Sniffs) I’m sorry.

Marshall: (Wipes the tears from her face) No, no, that’s alright. I would be crying too if I wasn’t so old and dried up. (Chuckles a bit)

(Erika begins to laugh a bit. Marshall begins violently coughing after a few chuckles. After 4 seconds pass, Erika’s smile completely goes away. Her father coughs in a towel handed to him by Michelle. 10 seconds pass and Michelle removes the towel. She looks at the towel and sees blood on it.)

Marshall: Don’t worry about me. I’m ok.

(Erika can’t help but stay silent and stare at her father for a few seconds.)

Marshall: (Smiles) Hey, anyone home?

Erika: … Uh… Yeah. Yeah, sorry, I’m here.

Marshall: Michelle, honey, your little friend went in back to the restroom. Make sure she flushes the toilet correctly. That handle gets a little tricky sometimes.

Michelle: Oh… (Looks at her sister then her dad) Okay. (Turns around and looks at her sister as she walks out of the room)

(Erika gets closer to her dad and he lays his hand out on the bed. Erika grabs her father’s hand and firmly grasps it.)

Marshall: I thought about you every day while you were gone. Your mother took it pretty hard when you left. Your older sister Candice took advantage of your absence and played the grieving sibling to make your mom, me, and a few other relatives feel sorry for her and in the end she was just using us for money and some attention. She only comes around when she wants something, or when she’s fighting with that no-good boyfriend of hers. Your brother Thomas, is actually doing well for himself. He and his wife wanted to make it down here, but his wife went into labor. (Chuckles) Go figure. There’s always some excuse for him not to show up.

Erika: And what about Marshall JR.?

Marshall: We hardly hear from him anymore. Michelle is our only child who stuck around. That is of course after we brought her back from her aunt’s house. Your mother agreed to take her back after you left.

Erika: Yeah, I remember auntie was raising her after she was born.

Marshall: (Smiles) What made you come back?

Erika: I just thought it was time.

Marshall: Oh, don’t start lying to an old man now. You’re left eye does that twitchy thing like your mother’s whenever you lie. (Chuckles) Don’t tell her I figured it out.

Erika: (Smiles) Okay, dad, I won’t.

Marshall: Sit down; talk to your old man. Pull up a chair and let’s reminisce about the past. Tell me about your life. You never know, this may be our last time seeing me.
(Erika and Henry are once again talking at the café.)

Henry: So did you tell your father about your horrific past?

Erika: I did. We talked for a while actually. But then… Hold on… (Quickly gets up and runs to the restroom)

(Miami)

(A bunch of people are having a garden party and kids are seen running around the back of a huge mansion. Kaito is seen laughing and having a great time with all the people around the table he is sitting at.)

Kaito: (Laughs loudly) And by the time he realized the message was just a joke, it was too late, he already sold all his stuff. (Burst out Laughing)

Koroshi: (Humorously miles in embarrassment and blushes) You laugh about it now, Kaito, but it wasn’t so funny back then when it happened.

Kaito: Well maybe not to you, but I laughed my butt off! (Continues laughing)

(Kaito’s rather Emo 21 year old son Daniel walks up to him in a depressed mood.)

Daniel: Hey, dad, that weird guy with the white hair is here.

Kaito: Who, Leon?

Daniel: I don’t know, gosh! Get off my back!

Kaito: Alright, son, here. (Grabs his cup of red punch and hand it to Daniel) Find your mother and tell her to finish that for me.

Daniel: (Sighs in annoyance) Do it yourself. I’m a kid; not a slave.

Kaito: You’re a 21 year old man and it’s about time you start acting like it. I agreed to be a good dad and support you the way you are, but all this depression emo, Goth stuff is starting to become a problem. If you’re depressed, just take drugs and blame your problems on society like everyone else does.

Daniel: You’re ruining my youth!

Kaito: Let me tell you something- when I was in my youth, I was doing drug deals and squealing on the no-good gangbangers who tried messing with me. The moral of the story- I had a full-time job when I was your age. Start looking.

Daniel: (Sighs) Fine, whatever… I’ll start looking tomorrow.

Kaito: Good, I’ll be back. (Quickly stands and walks away)

(Kaito walks up to the mansion’s back entrance and greets Lee with excitement and a big smile.)

Kaito: Leon! My N-word! How’s it going, baby?! (Gives Lee a handshake and hug with one arm)

Lee: Hey, new brother-in-law. How goes the party?

Kaito: Brother-in-law? Is that what you’re gonna start calling me from now on? That’s a nice black tux by the way too; it suits you well.

Lee: I have something that’ll suit your wife. (Reaches into his pocket and pulls out a black box)

Kaito: Oh, for a second there, I thought you were trying to start something! (Jumps around and pretends to box Lee) The party was about to jump off! (Laughs and taps Lee gently on the shoulder)

(The black box Lee was holding is accidentally smacked out of his hand and onto a tray that a waitress is holding as she walks by. She places the tray at a near table where Nicky is sitting alone in a beautiful blue dress. Her stomach looks like it’s about to pop.)

Waitress: Here you go, ma’am.

Nicky: (Smiles) Thanks.

Waitress: Mhm. (Walks away)

(Nicky looks at the tray and sees the black box. She grabs it and opens it. Her face lights up with amazement and joy. Lee walks up behind her and she turns to him.)

Lee: Hi, Nicky.

Nicky: Is this your ring?

Lee: Maybe…

Nicky: This is an engagement ring. You do know that, don’t you?

Lee: Uh… well I wasn’t sure when I first bought it. You know, I just picked the fanciest one and was like, “this is so Nicky!”

Nicky: (Chuckles) Well it’s beautiful.

Lee: Well, you’re beautiful too. More beautiful in fact.

(Everyone around gets quiet and focuses their attention on Lee and Nicky.)

Lee: Oh, darn it; everyone’s looking. (Sighs) Oh well; might as well do this. Nicky, I want to be here for you and for this baby. I’m not going anywhere. So I ask you here, in front of all these witnesses… (Slowly walks up to Nicky, grabs her hand, and gets on one knee) Will you-

Kaito: What do you think you’re doing? When you came back here to Miami a few weeks ago, we all specifically agreed that you will not be marrying my sister. You are a lowlife, and a chaos addict, and you are weak. You can’t possibly do anything for my sister.

(Lee aggressively stands up and turns to Kaito.)

Lee: I’m doing something right now, Kaito!

(Kaito laughs and pulls his black pistol out on Lee. The waitress next to him is standing in fear. Kaito casually grabs a martini off the tray she is carrying.)

Kaito: Thank you, darling. (Smiles, takes a sip, and smacks his lips) Ah, that is delicious. Now what were you saying, kid?

Lee: Go ahead and shoot me, Kaito. I know we came to an agreement, but you know what, I wanna marry your sister and I don’t care what you say! Her and I are adults and it’s ultimately her decision whether we get married or not. (Turns to Nicky) I know that I messed up, Nicky, and I am so sorry for that. I know we don’t have very many real memories or much history other than adventurous sex and me impregnating you, but I wanna start making them. If I’m gonna be a father, then I wanna marry the mother. I know I’m 21 and you’re 30… something, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you say yes to me or not. What do you say, Nick? (Grabs her hand) Will you be my wife?

Nicky: (Smiles) I don’t know, Lee. How do I know you won’t disappear on me again or get cold feet again?

Lee: That’s something I don’t even know the answer to. I can’t promise you that I’ll be perfect, or even a good husband, but I can promise you that I will try.

Nicky: Alright then… Yes, we will marry you.

(Nicky and Lee kiss and everyone applauds and cheers.)

Kaito: (Excited) Alright! It’s time for a celebration!

(Kaito points his gun in the air and when he pulls the trigger, confetti pops out. He laughs and looks at Lee. Lee glances at Kaito as he hugs Nicky.)

Kaito: I was never gonna shoot you, kid. Those days are over. I just wanted to see how far you’d go for my sister!

(Kaito applauds and cheers with the rest of the crowd.)

(Mall)

(Hanru is sitting in a shoe store with the usual blank look on his face. Yoko is in front of him checking out new shoes in the mirror.)

Yoko: What do you think, Hanru? (Turns around to face Hanru) You think these are cute?

Hanru: I think they are highly fashionable, yes. (Thinking) The mall being open on Thanksgiving puzzles even me.

(As Yoko turns around, she glances at the male cashier as he sits at the counter minding his own business. She lets off a loud cough that gets his attention for half a second. She then fakes a sneeze.)

Yoko: Ooh, excuse me.

(He still does not give Yoko his full attention. She begins to grow a bit sad and disappointed.)

Hanru: (Thinking) I knew something was up with her being so eager to come in this store. So she likes the cashier. I guess blonde hair and blue eyes are her style.

(Yoko begins to take her first shoe off.)

Hanru: Wait, before you take those off, let’s get one more opinion on how you look in them. (Thinking) I can believe I’m doing this. (Says out loud to the cashier) Excuse me, hey, can you come here please?

Cashier: Sure, yeah.

Yoko: (Nervously whispers to Hanru) Hanru, what are you doing?! Why are you calling him over here?

Hanru: He works here, so he’s obviously a professional on shoes.

Cashier: (Walks up to the two of them) Hey, how can I help you?

Hanru: My sister needs help with… With… (Vision gets blurry)

Cashier: You alight, sir?

Hanru: (Vision clears) I’m fine, just, uh- (clears throat) My sister here would like some help picking out the right pair of shoes. (His cell phone rings)

Cashier: Yeah, sure…

Hanru: Okay great; excuse me.

(Hanru walks away to give Yoko and the Cashier some alone time. He leaves the store and answers his cell phone.)

Hanru: Hello?

Jessica: Hey there, chatter-box; Happy Turkey-day.

Hanru: (Cracks a smile) Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Jess.

Jessica: Sorry I can’t spend the holiday with you, my brother showed up and now I have plans to meet with my biological siblings and parents.

Hanru: You said there were how many siblings- Six, right?

Jessica: Counting Tony and I, yes.

Hanru: Please, let me know how things go with your family and if you ever feel like a loner or you feel like you just need someone to talk to, I’m here for you.

Jessica: Alright thanks. (Makes a kiss sound over the phone) How ya holding up?

Hanru: Uh… Well…

(Hanru looks over at Yoko and sees her laughing and joking around with Jeff the cashier.)

Hanru: Things are really looking up for me.

Jessica: That’s wonderful. Oh hey, did Lee get a hold of you yet?

Hanru: He did.

Jessica: I miss that guy. Tell him to call me and wish me a happy holiday!

Hanru: (Smiles) I’ll definitely let him know.

Jessica: Good! I… Oh I think that’s my brother at the door. I’ll call you or maybe text you later.

Hanru: Okay, Jessica. I’ll talk to you later, bye.

Jessica: Bye, bye smooches. (Makes kissing noises for a few seconds before hanging up)

(Hanru looks like a sudden rush of depression just jolted through his body out of nowhere. He takes a deep breath and tries to walk it off.)

(Jessica’s Apartment)

(Jessica opens up her front door and sees her brother Tony.)

Tony: Hey, you look nice.

Jessica: Thanks. I dressed up in commercializes Old Navy gear to look fashionable and also stay warm.

Tony: Uh, so here’s the thing- something came up and our parents have to reschedule our family reunion to Christmas. I’m really sorry.

Jessica: Oh… I-It’s no problem. I understand things happen.

Tony: I know you were really looking forward to this; I was too. (Sighs) But if it’s not too weird, you could come with Fantasia and I to our place to have Thanksgiving dinner.

Jessica: Is there any way we could have the diner here?

Tony: Sure, year. That’s no problem at all. Let me just, get Fantasia and some food and I’ll be right over. I cooked a few trays of food for the family but since the reunion’s been cancelled, I have all this extra food at my place. Give me about an hour; I’ll be right back and we can enjoy our Thanksgiving together! Don’t go anywhere now; I’ll be right back!

(Tony quickly runs away and Jessica cracks a smile.)

(Café shop)

(Erika and Henry are sitting at the table again.)

Henry: So what happened after your father?

Erika: I went into the living room and my mom and I had a bit of a heated discussion and then I stormed out.

Henry: You’re not really gonna leave things on bad terms like that, are you?

Erika: I don’t really have a choice?

Henry: You have the choice to try and make things right between you and your parents. Your mother is very bitter towards you and I’m sure you can sympathize with why that is. You were her favorite child and you abandoned her. You can’t blame her for her behavior.

Erika: So I should just march back over there and pretend everything is alright?

Henry: I think it beats the alternative.

Erika: Yeah… (Closes laptop) I suppose you’re right.

(Miami)

(Lee is seen rinsing his face with cold water. He turns the water off, reaches for a towel, and dries his face off. He stands up straight and as he looks in the mirror, Kaito is standing right behind him. Lee lightly squeals like a girl and quickly turns around in startle.)

Kaito: You know you squeal just like a girl when you’re startled.

Lee: Yes, I am aware of that! Where did you come from?! I thought I locked the door?

Kaito: This is my house; I have the keys.

Lee: Okay, well I’m feeling pretty violated here. Did you need something?

Kaito: After that whole thing went down with Hanru last year and I lost my whole crew, I reflected on myself and within a short time, I earned my crew’s trust back with the help of The Professor. Seems that bomb in Turner’s place never got him. So he helped me, and cleared my name from the police, and shared with me his resources. He and I are partners now. Isn’t that great?

Lee: Yeah, just wonderful, Kaito.

Kaito: My wife Sandra and son Daniel are here, and so is my mother. It’s a shame my brother couldn’t be here too. (Firmly holds one arm over Lee’s shoulder) But I am proud to have a new brother in his place. Welcome to the Zonoda family, Leon. I can’t wait for us to spend some quality bonding time together.

Lee: Me either, Kaito. (Smacks Kaito’s chest twice in a playful way)

(Kaito begins to laugh for a few seconds but then gets serious.)

Kaito: You’re a young soul, Lee. I hope you understand what it means to give yourself up for marriage.

Lee: I do.

Kaito: After you get married, there may be some issues and you may find yourself wanting other women, but you can’t have them. You need to be true to your lady.

Lee: I have a confession then.

(Kaito stops hugging Lee and takes a few steps back.)

Kaito: What is it?

Lee: I am a sex addict and have been for several years.

Kaito: A sex addict, huh?

Lee: I’m hoping that marrying your sister will help cure it. Don’t get me wrong, I do love her and I do still want to be with her, but I’m afraid I might slip up and I don’t want things to be ruined, and I don’t want you coming after me with a bat.

Kaito: (Nods and thinks a few seconds while crossing his arms) You’re a man now, Lee. You’ve gotta take responsibility for your own actions and if you’re not careful, those actions can lead to misfortune for not only you but for your future wife. You’ve gotta talk with her about this and be 100% honest with her about your problem.

Lee: What if she leaves me?

Kaito: Relationships aren’t always about what ifs. If you desire to grow, you’ve gotta take bigger risks to stay together. (Taps Lee on the shoulder and walks away) Talk to her.

(Lee walks outside and up to the beautiful round table Nicky is sitting at with her mother.)

Ma: Oh, I’m so happy! My daughter is finally becoming an honest woman. I want to see some grandchildren before I pass away now. (Chuckles)

Nicky: (Smiles) Don’t worry, mom; there’s one on the way already. (Rubs her stomach)

Ma: (Excited) I can’t wait to see the little one.

(Lee hesitantly sits next to Nicky.)

Lee: Hi…

Ma: Hello, my dear! Come give your new mother-in-law a hug!

Lee: Oh, okay. Do I just.

Ma: (Smiles) Yes, over the table is fine.

Lee: Oh, okay. (Stands up)

(Lee leans over and Ma pulls him closer to her and squeezes him tight.)

Lee: Oh okay, there we go. That’s not chocking me at all…

Ma: (Stops hugging Lee and looks him in the eyes) You are a sweet young man. Age is only a minor number in the equation of love. (Smiles at him) I’ll let you two love birds have your time now. (Walks away) Oh, and no more baby-making while I’m gone. (Giggles and leaves)

(Lee sits back down.)

Nicky: My mother- she’s a treat isn’t she?

Lee: She is, yes.

Nicky: Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?

(Lee scoots his chair closer beside Nicky and wraps his arm around her.)

Lee: A man can’t just sit with his wife and enjoy her company?

Nicky: (Suspicious) Why are you really here?

Lee: I do want to enjoy your company for as long as I can, because I have something I need to tell you.

Nicky: (Worried) Oh no…

Lee: What? No! No!

Nicky: (Covers her face with her hands) You wanna call the wedding off; I knew it. You don’t wanna be with me.

Lee: No that’s not it at all!

Nicky: I’m fat, I’m stretched out, and let’s face it my youth bar ran out a long time ago. I’m a dried out old hag with no real offering for a husband. I’m garbage (Begins to silently sob)

Lee: (Looks around nervously) Okay, well no. You are not old or… dried… out, and you have plenty to offer.

Nicky: (Snaps at Lee) Oh, like what?!

Lee: (Grabs her hand tightly) You give me something beautiful to look forward to ever morning when I wake up. You give a reason to settle down and no longer take for granted this life I live. You give me a reason to live. You’re giving me a child and you’re giving me love. You’re helping me better myself and become the honest man I’ve always wanted to be. My father always put me down and constantly told me how I’d never amount to being a real man, and my mother ruined my relationships with women and my views on them, and at a young age, I moved away from them. I am deeply flawed but sitting here with you; thinking of the possibilities of the future, I suddenly feel like I can become a real man and the only woman I need to respect or make happy is you. You offer me so much, Nicky- more than I can explain to you.

(Nicky sniffs and cracks a smile. Lee wipes her tears and gives her a gentle kiss. The people around the other tables applaud.)

(Hanru’s home)

(Hanru and Yoko are standing in the front yard talking. Hanru is holding Yoko’s bag of shoes. Yoko seems excited.)

Yoko: Thank you so much, new big brother! I got a great discount on these shoes!

Hanru: You’re welcome.

(Yoko forces a hug on Hanru and holds him for a few seconds.)

Hanru: So you never told me what happened with you and the cashier.

Yoko: He said he thought Asians were cute, but stuck-up, and he was surprised at how sweet and shy I was because I’m Sagittarius, but he got to know me and I think he’s gonna ask me out.

Hanru: Oh, so you like him?

Yoko: (Smiles) Wasn’t it obvious?

Hanru: (Smiles) I guess not.

Yoko: I’m heading inside. It’s really cold.

Hanru: I’ll see you inside.

(Yoko is handed her bag and she quickly runs inside. As Hanru stands in his yard, a black car parks on the curb on front of his house. Out of it comes a woman in her mid 20’s and a Korean man in his 40’s. They both see Hanru and smile at him. The girl runs up to him in excitement and gives him a huge hug.)

Helena: OH, MY GOSH! MY LITTLE BROTHER’S HERE! Oh man, I’ve missed you!

Hanru: I’ve missed you too, sister…

Helena: You’re so blah! (Smacks his shoulder and walks away) Come on; show me around your new house.

Kwan: (Waves to Hanru from the car with a smile on his face) Hey, Nephew!

Hanru: Hey, uncle.

(What a surprise when walking up to Hanru is Lee’s ex-lover, Staci.)

Staci: Hi.

Hanru: Hello…

Staci: I brought pie over for Thanksgiving.

(A red porch parks behind Kwan’s car. Out of the car comes Ada’s twin sister Ronda.)

Hanru: (Thinking) Okay…? This is interesting.

(Marshall and Virginia’s home)

(Virginia opens her front door and sees her daughter Erika standing outside.)

Virginia: (Upset and slightly angered) You have some nerve coming back here. Because of you, my daughter has been rebellious, and her behavior is completely unacceptable. I have done my very best to make sure my daughter was always polite, well mannered, and always behaved herself, and you are undoing everything I built for her!

Erika: You can’t build her up into some robot slave. She is a human being, and a young woman and she needs to experience life for herself and make her own decisions. If you want her to take the right path in life, she needs to know that and she needs to learn the truth.

Virginia: (Defensive) Don’t you dare tell me how I need to raise my own child! You haven’t been here; you left, so you have no right to criticize my methods as a parent!

Erika: (Aggressive) Yeah, mom, I did leave, but not once have I ever thought of coming back because of how much you tried to control me and mold me into your perfect little puppet-child! No, mom! After what happened to me, I was feeling so lost and so empty and I needed something to help me feel free again and leave behind everything that reminded me of why I felt that way! I left with my friends that night because I was so excited about my graduation and I didn’t want to come back to a house where my own mother would constantly patronize me and treat me like I was a dumb child! I had no freedom of expression, no say so, no freedom! That experience I went through was horrifying, but it was worth it because it helped me realize how horrible of a mother you really were and I was able to leave and go my own way in life! So thank you, mother! Thank you for being so horrible to me, and forcing me to find my path in life! I am free now! And I came back because it was my personal choice. I came here to make things right with you and I and with dad too. But you’re so lost in your own false reality of what it means to be a good person. What can I do, mother, tell me, please… What is it I can do to make things right between us? I want my mother back, but I need you to understand I am an adult and I am free and I make my own decisions, and I need you to not take the frustrations you have against me out on Michelle. She is young and deserves a fair shot at living life and learning the truth, the cold hard truth of what life really is. Life is hard, and sad and just plain cruel, but you live and you deal with things and you cannot hold them in and take things out on other people. Please, mom, just… Please help me find my mother. My real mother. If you can’t do it for me or for yourself, do it for your second chance- your other daughter, Michelle. Please.

(Virginia has tears rolling down her eyes. She crosses her arms and remains silent for a few seconds.)

Virginia: I don’t know… how you expect me to be a mother to you after what you did. That cannot be forgiven… But… it’s Thanksgiving. So… You can come in and eat dinner with us, but then you have you have to leave. Don’t expect this to be a bonding experience for us. I’m only letting you stay for Michelle. I want her behavior to change so keeping you here might put her back on her obedient path. Come in.

(Virginia lets Erika come inside.)

(Miami)

(In the football-sized backyard of Kaito’s mansion, hundreds of attendance are having a good time listening to soft music and enjoying their formal conversations. Everyone is dressed nice and the moon shines bright over the night sky. The back yard is well lit and beautifully decorated in various white décor. There are bushes shaped as animals, beautiful bird baths, over a hundred tables spread out around one corner of the backyard, a huge beautiful fountain of an angel tipping over a jar of water, a white isle leading from the backdoor of the mansion, to the stage that connects to the huge dance floor.) On stage are various musicians conversing and two women playing the harp over loud speakers. Kaito quickly runs up on the stage and grabs the unaccompanied mic. The harpists play quietly for a few more seconds, and then stop. They give Kaito their attention as he faces the crowd. Like he has been the entire day, Kaito is very excited and full of energy!)

Kaito: May I have everybody’s attention please?!

(Everyone gets quiet instantly and looks up at Kaito.)

Kaito: Whoa, for a second there I thought I was deaf (Chuckles). I didn’t expect everyone to get quiet so fast! Okay, I would like to officially start this wonderful Thanksgiving celebration off by thanking all of you for being here. You’re all great people, you’re wonderful. Don’t be shy; give yourselves a round of applause!

(Everyone begins to clap and cheer.)

Kaito: YEAH! It’s a celebration!

(Kaito takes a sip of wine from his martini cup and he watched the lit faces of all the people rounded together. They stop applauding after 10 seconds.)

Kaito: That sip was for you all, by the way! You all make me so crazy! Just you being here is crazy! You know…

(Kaito looks down for a few seconds and his mood becomes serious. He then looks back up at the people. He carefully looks at the faces of many of the hundreds of people staring at him. Kaito’s mom snaps a picture of him on stage. He watches her wind up her old-school camera while a huge smile is slapped across her face.)

Kaito: You know, I know most of you probably came here for the free drinks.

(The crowd chuckles and catches Kaito off guard. He lets off a quick chuckle, but then gets serious a second later.)

Kaito: But you all just being here reminds me of the good things in life. As very few of you may already know, last year I was on my deathbed. I was literally running for my life from multiple enemies and former colleagues. (Nervously looks around at everyone and then looks down) Uh… even my advisors turned on me. (Looks up at everyone) Anyway that experience left a gaping hole inside me. I should have been dead, but I’m not. And now I live everyday like if it’s one big party. I always smile, I always have energy, and I’m always making jokes. Most of the time I still can’t believe I’m still alive to this day. Just looking back, I see… nothing but bad things in my lifetime. An-an-an it’s not easy, comprehending life in such a positive way when nothing but darkness has been behind you every step of the way. I always lived every day like a party to substitute for the piece of my soul that was missing. But I a… (Takes a few seconds to collect his thoughts) I always partied alone. Now, looking at all these smiling faces- these beautiful, gorgeous, smiling faces, forgive me; I realize, I am still here, and I am still alive. I’m not in some purgatory where I think I’m happy, I’m really on planet Earth… And you all assured me of that tonight. (Sniffs and wipes a tear from under his eye) whoa, I got the waterworks going.

(Everyone laughs and smiles. Kaito looks back at them once again.)

Kaito: Thank you for assuring me I am still alive and in control of my role on this Earth! Thank you all! May you all be blessed! (Raises his glass) Cheers! To life… (Stares at Nicky and Lee) Marriage… (Looks at two beautiful woman sitting at a table alone) to second chances… (Looks at his mother) To family…

(Kaito sees his deceased brother Ray-Ray sitting next to his mom in a white tuxedo. He smiles at Kaito and raises his glass to him; mouthing the words “You’re doing great”.)

Kaito: And… to love. May it always have it within us, even if it is not given! Don’t let absence of love stop you all from loving each other. We are all brothers and sisters in the womb of Mother-Earth. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Crowd: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

(Everyone cheers and one woman’s glass shatters all over the table. She gasps but then laughs it off as she wipes the alcohol off of her dress and her spouse grabs some napkins. Kaito walks up to the table where the two women he was staring at earlier are sitting. The blonde is Crystal and the Black-haired woman is Claudia.)

Kaito: Ladies, may I have a seat?

Claudia: This is your house, Mr. Kaito; you know you don’t have to ask.

Kaito: (Sits down) I just don’t wanna be a bad party host is all. Hey, Crystal, where’s your boy?

Crystal: He was partying with the other kids and… (Looks around) He went somewhere, I don’t know.

Kaito: Ah, I’m sure he’s fine. Listen, Crystal, it means a lot that you forgave me for mistreating you and you came to my Thanksgiving party.

Crystal: Oh it’s no big deal, Kaito. I’m just glad we can still be friends without worrying whether or not you’re gonna sell me at the strip.

(They all start laughing.)

Kaito: Oh no, those days are over! You know when Hanru and I went looking for you in Vegas, I met Lee.

Crystal: Really? Small world.

Kaito: And, Claudia, what are you doing with your life since you stop working for me as a sex worker?

Claudia: Well I have a boyfriend now and I’m going back to school to study in fashion design. (Smiles)

Kaito: Wow, that’s a great field!

(Two men walk up to Kaito. One is a rather old man and the other seems like he’s in his early 30’s.)

Timothy: Kaito, Zonoda! As I live and breathe!

Kaito: (Stands up and hugs Timothy) Ah, the infamous assassin shows his ugly mug, finally! And Zane!

Professor: Please, just call me the Professor, Kaito; that would be greatly appreciated.

Kaito: It’s hard to take you seriously with your British accent of yours. (Grins)

Professor: More childish than usual I see.

Kaito: I can’t help it, I’m drunk. This might be my last night drinking.

Timothy: Seriously?

Kaito: Yep. I’m giving up the liquid mistress and going clean- or at least trying to anyway.

Timothy: How is it I’m still friends with you after you threw a bomb in my house and blew up my expensive things? You know that still gets me.

Kaito: Guess I’m just a cool guy. Oh where are my manors? Ladies, these are my business partners, Mr. Turner and Mr. Elfmen.

(Hanru’s home)

(Sitting around Hanru’s living room are Hanru, Ada, Leo, Lawrence, Helena, Kwan, Staci, Ronda, and Yoko. There is a doorbell ring.)

Lawrence: (Runs to the door) I’ll get it!

(Lawrence answers it and it’s his ex-girlfriend Israel. Lawrence and Israel walk into the living room with everyone.)

Lawrence: Look who made a surprise visit!

(After a few more minutes, everyone gathers around and holds hands in the living room area and bows their heads.)

Leo: Okay, umm… (Clears throat) Not everyone here believes you are real, but we thank you anyway for bringing us together and for providing this delicious meal. Bless those who prepared it and uh… Thank you for blessing us with the opportunity to make things right this year… Okay, amen.

(Everyone mumbles amen and grabs their plates of food. 30 minutes pass and Hanru is sitting on the couch alone. He looks at all the people having fun and enjoying their lives and he’s just sitting alone and enjoying the laughter of everyone else. Hanru looks over at Lawrence and sees him joking around with Israel. The two of them begin laughing. Hanru cracks a small smile. Yoko comes and sits right next to him. She seems really nervous.)

Yoko: Hi.

Hanru: Hi. How are you?

Yoko: There’s a lot of people here. I wasn’t expecting this many relatives.

Hanru: Well, not all of them are relatives. Staci works out almost constantly after she lost her husband and unborn child and became unable to bear children. I guess her and Ada became good friends after my best friend Lee dumped her and moved back to Miami to be with his pregnant fiancé. The bald black guy is my uncle Leo. Like you, he too was adopted I believe. Ada is my uncle’s girlfriend and the blonde who looks just like Ada is her twin sister Ronda. Lawrence is my big brother and the blonde he’s with is his girlfriend Israel. The girl you see dancing and laughing for no apparent reason is my sister Helena and she is actually Lawrence’s twin. Our uncle Kwan raised her while Uncle Leo raised Lawrence and I.

Yoko: Whoa, some family.

Hanru: Yeah, well you don’t know the half of it.

Lawrence: Excuse me! May I have everyone’s attention please?! Times like these, we as people learn to embrace the simple blessings of life and from experience, I’m sure we all could agree on the fact that simple pleasures make an overall influence on our views of life! Now, we are all gathered here today for a reason! I believe that reason is making a clean slate! We all have sins which we have not forgiven each other for so now I say we put everything on the table and we learn to forgive one another. The thing about chaos is it allows the opportunity of change and growth. So I say it’s time we all embrace the change of our lives once we all confess and make room for individual growth. And let our love for one another be the ring which balances our change. I will start. Uh… (Looks around) Here. (Grabs a nearby white teddy bear) This teddy bear is the teddy bear of truth. Now uh… Uncle, Leo.

Leo: Okay, I think you had enough to drink.

Lawrence: I haven’t been drinking at all.

Leo: Well then stop acting like a child and put the bear down. (Storms out of the room)

(Kwan walks out into the backyard to follow Leo.)

Kwan: Leo!

Leo: What, Kwan?!

Kwan: Was that necessary? It’s Thanksgiving and not once have all these people here today had a gathering like this. What’s the matter with you?

Leo: Nothing is wrong I just, feel so bad about everything.

Kwan: (Hugs Leo) You were always a bad liar. Now tell me what’s really going on.

(Inside the party, everyone is silently conversing amongst one another. Ada and Ronda are both talking to one another in the kitchen at the table. They are both eating while they talk.)

Ronda: Will your future husband be okay?

Ada: I’m sure he will be. I think he’s just stressing is all.

Ronda: (Hesitant) Ada... We should visit dad soon.

Ada: Where did this come from all of a sudden?

Ronda: Life is just too short not to deal with your problems. Yes, dad was horrible but he at least deserves to see his children.

Ada: I’ll think about it.

(Leo walks back into the kitchen through the back door. He very nervously walks up to Ada.)

Ada: Is everything okay?

Leo: I barely survived my coma. For some reason I’m still alive and you know what, as long as I’m still breathing on this earth, I will do everything I possibly can to make things right again. Please, Ada… (Takes a deep breath) Ada-

Ada: (Excited) Yes. Yes, I will marry you!

(Leo smiles in enthusiasm and gives Ada a big kiss across her lips.)

Ronda: Okay, well this just gives me a reason to bring out more booze. (Laughs)

(Lawrence sits next to Hanru on the couch where Yoko was earlier. Lawrence takes a deep breath.)

Lawrence: I know you, little brother, and I know a lot of the time you crave sympathy. A lot of people do actually. Even at an old age. They’re just too afraid to admit it to themselves. I love you brother, and I’m sorry for being so rough to you earlier. It’s just that I’ve been through some things these past few years and the things I’ve seen and experienced were a lot worse than the problems you are going through.

Hanru: I guess it’s okay.

(Hanru’s phone beeps. He looks at the screen and it’s a text message.)

Lawrence: Who is it?

Hanru: An unknown number telling me Happy Thanksgiving.

Lawrence: Yeah, well, enjoy the rest of the night, okay?

Hanru: Yeah.

(Kaito’s mansion)

(It is late at night. Lee is sitting at a table alone drinking apple juice through a wine glass. The bottle of apple juice sits next to him on the table. Random people are passed out everywhere and butlers are walking around everywhere cleaning up leftover plates and cups. Kaito walks up to Lee and sits next to him. Lee seems really depressed about something. He takes another sip of his apple juice.)

Kaito: You’re not looking too good, man. What’s crawling in your trousers?

Lee: You with the corny jokes, Kaito. (Pours more drinks) It’s amazing you can stay so happy all the time.

Kaito: You haven’t told her yet, have you?

Lee: I just wanted her to enjoy this holiday without having a reason to be more upset than she already is.

Kaito: But you do plan on telling her, right?

Lee: Yeah, just not tonight, Kaito. (Takes a sip of juice)

(Kaito reaches his arm around Lee and gives him a big hug.)

Kaito: You take care now, brother. Feel better.

(Miami)

(LJ, Janet, Holly, and Tsuki, are all sitting at the dinner table of their neighbor. Out of the kitchen comes the father Al, mother Elizabeth, preteen son Cody, and teenage daughter Krista. The four of them are all holding trays of food and seem to be in a very happy mood.)

Al: Alright! Who’s ready to dig into this gravy-covered deliciousness?! (Chuckles)

Elizabeth: It’s hot so be careful!

(A few minutes pass and everyone is calmly sitting around the table laughing and having a good time.)

Al: (Laughing) And so I told him, “How do you expect to live in Miami, if you don’t even speak Cuban?” (Laughs)

Elizabeth: (Chuckles) Al, that is so mean. That poor man spent months of his life trying to learn a new language over that joke.

Al: Well it worked out good for him in the end, didn’t it?! (Laughs) What about you, neighbors? You got any whacky professional tales to share?

LJ: Oh, no…

Al/Elizabeth: (Teasing) AH…

Elizabeth: He’s a shy one.

Al: Come on, LJ, you don’t gotta be shy around us. Just think of us as… external family. With… lighter skin of course. (Smiles) No racial offense intended.

LJ: It’s funny you say that actually because my family and I aren’t really on speaking terms.

(Everyone in the room gets awkwardly silent and gives LJ their full attention.)

LJ: I know this will probably confirm suspicions about cliché stereotypes of black people, but I grew up poor and in a bad neighborhood. My siblings raised me after my parents died in a car accident on my birthday when I was a kid. My parents were actually pretty decent raising me, but my older siblings experienced the worse of our parents growing up. My father was…

(LJ looks at Krista and Cody for a few seconds and takes a moment to think before continuing his next sentence. He looks away from them as he finishes it.)

LJ: He was a pimp; before that he was a drug dealer and he was in a gang. My mother was one of his first girls who he put out on corners and sold. Eventually my mom fell to drugs and became an addict and abandoned her loyalty to my father and even though his brotherhood told him to forget about her and let her fall under, my father was there by her side. At the time he thought she was making him lots of money so that’s why he went through the efforts of saving her, but he later realized he loved her and she loved him back for being by her side. The two of them got married young one night on impulse but stayed strong. They had my siblings but were still involved in the street life. They got out after they realized they were pregnant with me and they wanted to raise me in the right environment. My older siblings always held on to this kind of… jealousy because our parents went through so much effort to give me a good life and not them, so after my parents died in a car accident, our relationship wasn’t very ideal. But they worked hard to raise me, and just like our father, I turned to the street life and became a drug dealer myself. I met some guys who helped me expand. Eventually I became the head of drug operations. That put me on mob and police radar, but the mob got to me first. Despite how terrible growing up was, I was able to use my drug money to go to college and I was still running things while in school. I majored in technology and I easily got the hang of computer hacking so it was easy for me. I hung out with the nerds and they taught me more about hacking. I went out into the world and while I was out there, that’s when the mob came and got me. I was forced to join their crew as a hacker and the boss was given a small percentage of whatever my crew made. Back in my high school days, I did however get a prostitute pregnant, and I did drop out of school, but went back to school that following year. The prostitute had our baby when I wasn’t around and the man who helped delivered it, stole our child for himself. About 17 or 18 years later, she came back to us and now the three of us are living happily as a family.

(LJ grabs Janet’s hand and the two of them make eye contact. LJ smiles at her.)

Elizabeth: Wow… That was… an interesting story. Not really appropriate dinner conversation, but interesting nonetheless.

Al: So uh- (Clears throat) You two were criminals? You were a drug dealer and you were a… prostitute?

Janet: I was, yes. But I’m not anymore. I have a beautiful daughter- (Hugs Holly) and step daughter to raise. (Stops hugging Holly)

Tsuki: Don’t do me any favors; I can raise myself.

Elizabeth: Wow, well this is quite surprising. How- how long did you say you stopped being a… you know…?

Janet: It’s been a little over a year.

Elizabeth: Oh, okay. So… you weren’t out doing… stuff for men with your daughter last night when you were sneaking out of your house?

(It gets quiet and Janet nervously looks over at LJ.)

LJ: No. She was stressed about not being a good mother and cooking for Thanksgiving and so she needed a little time to herself.

Elizabeth: But I saw her leaving with your daughter…

LJ: I… (Shakes his head and leans back in his seat) I have no idea why my daughter was out there.

Holly: I was going to party- with Jake.

LJ: Who is Jake?

Holly: (Nervous) My boyfriend.

LJ: Your boy-toy, huh?

Holly: No, dad, I actually really like him.

LJ: Then I’ll have to meet him sometime. (Smiles)

Holly: You’re not mad?

LJ: I’m a little upset about not knowing this sooner. I thought we were seeing eye-to-eye on everything and being completely honest with each other.

Holly: I’m sorry, I just didn’t know how you’d react.

LJ: It’s okay. Just no more secrets, okay? (Smiles) From now on, you tell me everything.

Holly: (Smiles) Okay, dad.

LJ: Now, you know my life story and the history of our family. Now it’s your turn. How did your family meet? (Grins)

(Hanru is standing alone outside of his home. It’s dark and it’s cold but he appears unfazed. He looks up at the bright moon, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He opens them again and stares up at the moon.)

Hanru Narrating: Everybody had their Thanksgiving, except for us. We actually didn’t have enough money for the food that day. My household actually had our Thanksgiving a few days after the holiday. It’s amazing how miracles happen. All other households had their dinners on Thanksgiving Day. The night is beautiful. It symbolizes the beginning and the end. I’m glad to be a part of this world, but some days I just feel like ending it all, and I don’t know why. I don’t have a good enough reason. Why do I feel this way? Whenever I get together for family gatherings, I feel like such an outcast, and I like it, but at the same time, I feel as if something isn’t quite right.

(Flashes are seen of Hanru’s entire family partying and having a good time. Laughing and dancing and continuous sounds of joy echo through the night.)

Hanru Narrating: How can everyone be so outgoing and cheerful and all I can do is face joy by keeping to myself. When I am outgoing and I do express myself, I cause chaos and hurt everyone around me. Why am I this way? Why am I so flawed? I’m here at home not getting into trouble or getting involved with murderers and yet I still don’t belong. Why am I like this? Why am I just this whiney little child all of a sudden?

(Yoko comes outside and stands beside Hanru.)

Yoko: I was wondering where you were? Why are you out here by yourself in the cold?

Hanru: I just needed some air is all. I don’t like crowds.

Yoko: Maybe air is what’s making you sad.

Hanru: (Lightly smiles) Who said I was sad?

Yoko: Why else would you be away from your family? Everyone in there is having a great time. Well… (Looks down) Except for me, of course. I don’t like being around too many people I don’t know.

Hanru: This may be the only time you get to meet all your family members. You should go meet everybody and have them warm up to you. I know it’s inconvenient but it’s a rare opportunity and I think you should take it. In all my years I’ve been a part of this family, not once have we come together like this.

Yoko: I don’t know…

Hanru: Don’t be shy… I know it sucks having to deal with crowds, but I think you’ll be fine. I think you’ll be a huge part of this family for a while. Don’t be like me. Don’t be antisocial and shelled in, and timid and nervous and have Social Anxiety. Whenever I’m in public I always sweat like crazy because of how nervous I get around people. You can’t always tell people about what you go through, because in the end, it will always be your fault. All of the problems in people’s lives are always their fault; they choose to be miserable. Those aren’t my words, those are words from the people I tried getting help from. Look, just go inside and meet everyone. Don’t be afraid to express yourself and share who you are with everyone.

Yoko: But you are.

(Hanru sighs.)

Yoko: You are afraid to open up and be yourself.

Hanru: (Turns around to face Yoko) Who I am isn’t normal. If I expressed myself, who knows what sort of damage I would do to my life and to the others around me? Even if I tried, I can’t. Something is blocking me from being who I need to be in life.

Yoko: Maybe you’re just too afraid of life. Maybe you feel guilty about something.

Hanru: I’m guilty about a lot of things, Yoko. But I can’t fix any of them.

Yoko: Then learn to live with them. You feel guilty about a lot of things, and you’re not normal because you feel you have flaws and you feel broken, but maybe you don’t need to try and fix yourself. Maybe you just need to accept what you are and everything about yourself. No matter what, man cannot control nature. All we can do is accept what is and leave everything else in the wind. You’ve gotta have faith in knowing that you don’t have control of your own life. Self-control is an illusion. We see things and perceive what is right in front of us in various ways, and that knowledge sticks with us and we grow with it and continue to learn new things.

Hanru: Yeah you’re right. I learned that with Kaito. He was possessed by the illusion of thinking he was always in control. He thought he had the power and his fear is what created his insanity and his illusion. But then his crew turned on him and he lost everyone and he was a wanted man. Now he realizes that life is out of his control and he accepts that. He accepts that all he can do, is live, and learn, and help others find light within themselves. Maybe one day I will be free. No… One day I WILL be free, but freedom is a scary thing. Freedom is too powerful to be comprehended, same as love. Freedom cannot exist without faith. Nothing that is beyond what our brains can process can exist without faith. We as people put our faith in everything, and we don’t realize it. Faith in science, faith in thinking we are still alive, faith in knowing that we can take a walk to the store and know we’re not gonna get gunned down in the street. Faith is having the ability to not worry. Faith is about releasing the shackles of doubt and worry of what could be and accepting what might be, but still taking the risk without fear.

Yoko: Faith isn’t a term used in Christianity and doesn’t just have a Christian meaning, Faith is a way of life. Faith is life itself, but in Cristian terms, this “God” says to put your faith in him. You said it yourself, faith is something we all have, we just never think about it.

Hanru: If we can put our faith in knowing that everything will be alright, in knowing that we are going to succeed in our goals, in knowing that we will live to see another day, why can’t we put our faith in this “God”? I’m not talking about the Christian God, I mean a real God.

Yoko: (Smiles) You must not do much research on our culture, big brother. Religion and Science are both the exact same thing. Ironically, in an overall view Christianity is against God and Science is for him. It’s about push and pull, brother. Everything that is, isn’t and everything that isn’t is. That means every concept created is its equal at heart. Life is death and death is life.

(Both smile at each other.)

Yoko: I’ve got you to open up a bit, and I think I know what your problem is. You’re afraid of faith. Your faith isn’t very strong, as in, you’re afraid to completely let yourself be free, because you feel there’s something in this life you still need to hold on to. What is it you feel you need to hold on to?

Hanru: I… I have no idea…

Yoko: Now your next journey begins. It is time you find yourself and to do that, you need to know your Origins. (Takes a deep breath) Come on, let’s go back inside. You can introduce me to my new family.

(Yoko offers Hanru her hand. Hanru looks at her hand and then looks up at her. Standing in front of Hanru is now Teegan, Kenneth Powell’s daughter.)

Hanru: (Thinking) Her innocence reminds me of someone I once knew.

TO BE CONTINUED…

[“The Night by Exitmusic]