The Last Samurai Page #12

In a flurry of movement, his opponent manages to deflect the

blows and also knock Algren to his knees.

Yoritomo approaches and bows.

YORITOMO:

Algren-San. Please forgive. Too many

mind.

ALGREN:

What?

YORITOMO:

(pointing as he

explains)

Mind sword, mind face, mind people

watch, too many mind.

(on Algren's confused

expression)

No mind.

ALGREN:

No mind?

YORITOMO:

Hai! No mind. You try.

Algren nods, uncertainly, and picks himself up. Again he

faces the opponent, shaking off the tension and trying to

stay calm.

This time the opponent charges first, and Algren manages to

parry one blow, before he is again bested.

Yoritomo bows happily and begins yammering in Japanese,

clearly taking credit for Algren's progress.

Across the square, Katsumoto watches.

EXT. IMPERIAL PALACE GARDEN - DAY

The cherry blossoms have emerged, creating a scene of intense

color, beauty, and serenity. The Emperor sits cross-legged

next to a shrine. He is approached by Omura and two other

advisors.

OMURA:

Your majesty, beg permission to

approach.

(the Emperor nods)

Your humble servants are most anxious

to know if his Majesty has signed

the order regarding the railroad

progress.

EMPEROR:

(after a long moment)

I am most impressed at the way the

blossoms float upon the air, as if

held by unseen hands.

OMURA:

Yes, they represent the highest form

of gyoko. About the order, your

Majesty.

EMPEROR:

This railroad must go through Yoshino

Province?

OMURA:

It is absolutely necessary your

Highness.

EMPEROR:

If you say so, I shall sign.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Algren walks through the village, past the swordsmith who is

now honing the blade, carefully sharpening it.

EXT. CHERRY TREE FOREST - DAY

Algren makes his way through a stunning cherry forest near

the village. The pink and red blossoms are dazzling and

abundant. Other villagers can be seen gathering cherry

blossoms.

It is a place of otherworldly beauty.

It is all so beautiful that Algren just stops. Takes it in

for a moment. He reaches out and touches a blossom.

KATSUMOTO (O.S.)

A perfect blossom is a rare thing...

Algren turns. Katsumoto is kneeling nearby, meditating.

KATSUMOTO:

You could spend your life looking

for one. And it would not be a wasted

life.

ALGREN:

Were you praying?

KATSUMOTO:

Just sitting. I do not think I have

the word. Satori, it means, maybe,

awareness.

ALGREN:

Of what?

KATSUMOTO:

This moment alone, apart from all

others... You know this?

(Algren shakes his

head)

I am writing a poem about this time

we have spent. I have only written

one line on "His eyes were like my

own but seen through a deep and

troubled ocean..." Can you suggest a

second line?

ALGREN:

I'm not much of a writer.

KATSUMOTO:

Is this why you spend so much time

with your journal?

ALGREN:

How do you know that?

(no answer)

She told you.

Katsumoto appraises Algren.

ALGREN:

Did you love her husband as your own

son?

KATSUMOTO:

You have sent men to their deaths,

just as I have.

ALGREN:

The difference is, you feel nothing.

KATSUMOTO:

Before you were a soldier, you were

a farmer.

ALGREN:

What does that have to do with

anything?

KATSUMOTO:

You lived on a farm. Or in a forest

of trees.

ALGREN:

How do you know?

KATSUMOTO:

The way you look at the cherry

blossoms.

ALGREN:

(reluctantly)

We lived in a place called

Connecticut. My... brother and I

climbed the maple trees.

KATSUMOTO:

Were they beautiful?

ALGREN:

Yes.

KATSUMOTO:

And you were sad to see them die in

the winter.

A beat. Something flickers in Algren's eyes.

KATSUMOTO:

You were something before you were a

soldier. You were a boy who was sad

to see the leaves fall and the trees

die.

Katsumoto looks at him deeply.

KATSUMOTO:

Like those trees, we are all dying.

The future is an illusion, our plans

are an illusion, our fears an

illusion. We live life in every

breath. Eat, drink, f***. Now. Every

cup of tea. Every word we write.

Every blossom we hold.

He smiles sadly.

KATSUMOTO:

Every life we take.

A beat. He stands, takes in the beautiful cherry orchard.

KATSUMOTO:

Life in every breath. That is bushido.

The way of the samurai.

He goes. Algren stands for a moment deep in thought

INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Algren is asleep. And then we note that the ground is

vibrating... he slides across his mat -- wakes with a start.

An unholy rumbling --

Algren bolts up... just as a paper wall rips open, the wooden

framework to the room splits and the roof collapses --

An earthquake. Common for this part of Japan.

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

Yoritomo appears. He and Algren crawl out of the house just

as the ground lurches violently --

Part of the house contorts and caves in. Around the village,

the wooden frame houses are swaying and lurching. They have

some torque, but not enough.

Ujio directs the villagers as they battle a fire --

Taka appears, calling frantically for Toshiie.

Then an even larger seismic tremor suddenly TEARS THROUGH

THE VILLAGE.

Houses are ripped apart -- the whole world shifting.

Though the smoke, Algren sees Toshiie cowering under an eave.

A heavy ceiling beam breaks loose, threatens to crush Toshiie.

Algren dives forward, grabs Toshiie and pulls him out of the

way... the front of the house collapses, the beams smashing

to the ground..

Taka and Higen race to Algren and Toshiie. The boy is safe.

Taka grabs the child and cradles him. Her look to Algren is

fierce, protective, almost feral -- as if he were the threat

instead of the rescuer.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Algren watches the villagers rebuild. Yoritomo and Higen

struggle with a large wooden framework.

ALGREN (V.O.)

I am struck by these people and their

acceptance of fate in all its

variations. At a time like this,

they seem utterly without sentiment.

Even the children have a gravity

beyond their years.

Algren goes to them. Silently begins to help them.

INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - DAYS LATER

Algren works with Yoritomo, binding the wooden framework.

Higen prepares the paper walls nearby. He does this with

considerable skill.

Taka is getting water from a rain barrel. She observes Algren

helping rebuild her home. Yoritomo is working nearby.

Algren's Japanese is rough but improving:

ALGREN:

(in Japanese, subtitles)

Would last longer... if stone.

YORITOMO:

(subtitles)

No. House fall. House go back easy

with wood.

Algren shakes his head. Taka appears with cups of water.

Algren looks at her For the first rime, she holds his gaze.

EXT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - EVENING

Torches illuminate a small stage in the center of the village

square. Several samurai perform a ritualistic Noh drama. (A

form which, by the way, the samurai invented.) Others play

flutes and large steel drums.

ALGREN (V.O.)

And yet I have never seen a people

with more capacity for the joy found

in the simplest things of life.

Katsumoto himself plays the lead role. An enthusiastic actor,

he plays to the children in the audience. They are delighted

with his broad theatrics.

INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE

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