The Last Samurai Page #13

Taka is carrying in a huge lack of rice. Algren goes to help

her.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

No, please.

ALGREN:

(insistent)

Hai.

He carries the rice for her into the pantry area.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

Japanese men do not help with this.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

I know.

She looks at him, a little surprised.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

I am not Japanese.

In spite of herself, she smiles a little. There is an awkward

moment.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

I... didn't know he was your husband.

TAKA:

(struck; subtitles)

He did his duty. You did your duty.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

And you do yours.

TAKA:

(softly)

Hai.

They look at each other for a long moment. She starts to

move, but he stops her. They are close enough to smell each

other's hair, to feel the warmth of the other's breath. She

looks up at him, pleading with her eyes not to take this any

further.

He lets her go.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

Algren stands across from Ujio, ready again for the ken-jutso.

They stand frozen for a long time, hands on the hilts of

their wooden swords.

Other samurai watch.

Algren and Ujio stare at each other.

But there is something different about Algren's expression.

Not as much fury and competition, more a sense of balance

and alertness. He studies Ujio's eyes, his hands, the folds

of his kimono, the attitude of his body.

We watch Algren closely.

Gradually all SOUND drains away. We hear only Algren's steady

breathing. He is aware of everything. A bird in a tree. A

woman grinding rice. A plum about to fall.

A gently swaying battle flag, Slow-motion as:

Algren attacks -- no fury, just control-- Ujio tries to

deflect the blow, Algren anticipates -- he swings his sword

elegantly -- Ujio blocks it -- Algren counters --

Algren presses forward, his sword slashing masterfully,

forcing Ujio back. Ujio counters with complex moves as he

retreats -- Algren keeps moving forward, calm -- finally

Ujio's sword is swept aside in one clean movement. Algren

ends with the edge of his wooden sword at Ujio's throat.

The other samurai watch. Amazed.

Algren twirls his sword in a fancy cavalry "flourish." The

pride he has always taken in his swordsmanship has been

restored. He bows to Ujio.

Ujio nods his head, slightly, in respect. The other samurai,

led by the hearty Nakao, congratulate Algren.

EXT. MEADOW - DAY

Algren carries water from the river through a riot of spring

wild-flowers. Something makes him stop, and see the sunlit

clouds in the deep blue sky, the colors around him, hear the

buzzing of the bees, feel the chill of the air.

A sudden flash of memory his beautiful wife, in green field

not unlike this one, laughing, tossing her hair, falling

back into the long grass.

BACK TO ALGREN:

The force of the memory causes him to sink to the ground.

Another flash of memory, longer this time:

His wife leans over and kisses his mouth, and his cheek, and

his forehead. He holds her al tightly as be can.

BACK TO ALGREN:

As tears begin to course down his face, and he sinks down

into the flowers and the grass, looking up into the impossibly

beautiful sky. He gives in to the sobs wracking his body.

EXT. VILLAGE - DAY

As Algren returns with the water, he sees Katsumoto

approaching with Ujio and several warriors.

KATSUMOTO:

The Emperor has requested my presence.

We leave tomorrow. You will be

released in Tokyo.

He goes. Algren stands, not sure how to react.

INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Algren writes on parchment by the light of an oil lamp.

ALGREN (V.O.)

April 13, 1877. Tomorrow we return

to civilization. As eager as I am to

be among my own kind, I confess to a

curious reluctance.

EXT. KATSUMOTO'S VILLAGE - DAWN

Algren stands overlooking the village as the sun rises over

the misty peaks.

ALGREN (V.O.)

These months have marked me, and I

don't fully know yet why.

EXT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - DAY

Algren prepares to mount up. Yoritomo says goodbye to his

family.

ALGREN (V.O.)

I do know it is here that I have

known my first untroubled sleep in

many years.

Taka comes to Algren, bows her head.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

You are always welcome in our home.

ALGREN:

Domo Arrigato.

He glances at the unfinished house.

ALGREN:

(subtitles)

You will finish it soon.

TAKA:

(subtitles)

If that is my destiny.

She bows her head again. Toshiie hands him a scroll: it is a

picture of the family. Algren is included. Japanese characters

list all their names.

Toshiie bows. Algren bows and tucks the scroll into his coat.

Algren and Yoritomo move out with Katsumoto, Ujio, Nakao and

his bodyguard of several dozen Samurai.

The villagers bow and honor the warrior as they pass.

EXT. MOUNTAINOUS LANDSCAPE - DAY

Algren trots alongside Katsumoto.

ALGREN:

...The Emperor sends a message for

you to return to Tokyo, and you go?

KATSUMOTO:

Yes.

ALGREN:

Even though you're in rebellion

against him.

KATSUMOTO:

Against the Emperor? Never. I serve

him. As I have always done.

ALGREN:

I don't understand.

KATSUMOTO:

Our Emperor is young, and there are

things I must say to him.

ALGREN:

But everyone around him wants you

dead.

KATSUMOTO:

And if the Emperor desires, I will

take my own life at his command.

He spurs his horse and rides on. Algren watches him.

EXT. MOUNTAIN VALLEY - SUNSET

They approach a large inn.

A boy working in the fields see Katsumoto approaching. He

doesn't believe it -- the Great Katsumoto. He drops his hoe

and races away, calling out.

KATSUMOTO:

We will stop here for the night.

EXT. MOUNTAIN VALLEY - SUNSET

Samurai guards have been posted around the perimeter.

INT. KATSUMOTO'S ROOM - NIGHT

Algren is escorted in. Katsumoto kneels at a table. Preparing

the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

KATSUMOTO:

Sit, Captain.

Algren sits. By now he has learned how to sit on the ground.

Katsumoto begins the exacting, delicate and precise tea

ceremony.

KATSUMOTO:

Do you drink tea?

ALGREN:

I've had little else for some time...

Katsumoto continues with the tea ceremony.

ALGREN:

How's your poem coming?

KATSUMOTO:

I am having trouble. The truth is I

am not a very good poet.

(Algren smiles)

Do you know why you were sent here?

To Yoshino.

ALGREN:

To protect the railroad.

KATSUMOTO:

Why is the railroad here?

ALGREN:

So Tokyo can control the whole

country.

KATSUMOTO:

You have seen my province. All

mountains. Far from Tokyo. Yet the

rail line must come here?

Katsumoto tosses a tiny bit of coal on the simmering brazier

on the table. Algren watches carefully.

ALGREN:

You have something they want

KATSUMOTO:

What do they want in my mountains?

ALGREN:

Minerals... Gold.

KATSUMOTO:

(smiles)

There is no gold in Japan.

Katsumoto gently blows on the coal brazier. The coal flares

a bit.

ALGREN:

Coal?

(Katsumoto looks at

him)

For steamships.

KATSUMOTO:

And why would steamships be so

important?

ALGREN:

...China.

Katsumoto looks up at him. Impressed.

KATSUMOTO:

Japan has nothing. China has

everything.

ALGREN:

Mine the coal to create a way station

for the trip to China... Freeze the

Europeans out and Japan and America

have a monopoly on the China trade.

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