Who Saved Kichiro?
2ND year Honesty.
Script Written by
Christina Ablao, Marianne Palita, Arianne Mendoza, and Erika Puti
Edited by
Mr. Mikko Ramos
Subject Matter: Teenage suicides occurred in Japan.
Characters:
Kent Malicse – Emi Kichiro
Kristine Llera - Kyoko (Childhood friend)
Bea Elevado – Mrs. Emi (Mother of Kichiro)
Ian Pimentel – Mr. Emi (Father of Kichiro)
Kio Adlawan – Emi Kazuki (Elder brother of Kichiro)
Arlan Lucas – Emi Kyo (Younger brother of Kichiro)
Nica Gregorio – Yuko (Teacher)
Audrey Averilla – Katsumi (Girl in Conv. Store)
Clyne Flores – Mayumi (Niece)
Venia Cossid – Hana (Aunt)
Francis Dilan – Shin (Uncle)
Kyle Apsay – Takashi (messenger)
Christian Tabiolo – Narrator
SCENES:
Prologue
Scene 1: The Dream
Scene 2: Bad Morning
Scene 3: Teacher
Scene 4: The Convenient Store
Scene 5: Punishment
Scene 6: Sorry
Scene 7: The Message
Scene 8: The Final Minutes
Scene 9: The Search
Scene 10: Ending
Prologue
Narrator:
March 11, 2011, Japan faced one of the most traumatic earthquakes accompanied by a
land eating tsunami. Residents in Fukushima, Japan had suffered from the great loss of
their loved ones. Japan is known for having a fortunate economy and workaholic
employees. But it is also prone to suicidal cases. This play will present the horrible
undertone story of a boy who’s miserably stuck on his past and is looking back instead of
looking far ahead into his future.
SCENE 1
Stage Set: No props. Just an empty stage.
(SFX: Sound waves, birds chirping with family chattering.)
Narrator:
Peers playing, parents preparing. Emi family, a family blessed with its family members.
Love, peace and understanding are the words that best describe them. Meanwhile, they’re
having a gathering along with their friends.
(Lights on)
(SFX: Cheerful music)
(Characters enter stage left. Kichiro first, then Kyoko, Kazuki, then Kyo)
Kichiro (Kent): WOOHOO! Look at my plane! Awesome enough to fly higher than the others!
Kyoko (Ktin): Tss.. Stop bragging, in fact you’re only holding it up ahead of mine!
Kazuki (Kio):
Hey! You two! Stop!
Kyo (Arlan):
We’re already exhausted!
(Exit stage right. Characters still playing around.)
(Lights out)
Narrator:
Kichiro And Kyoko moving away from the others, just continued running with their
airplane that they’re holding up.
(SFX: Calm music)
(Lights on)
(Characters enter stage left.)
Kichiro:
I think we’ve been separated from the others. Look at the water! It’s receding so fast!
Kyoko:
Yeah. (looks at floor) Strange… Anyways, this beach isn’t so bad at all.
Kichiro:
(sits on the floor) You know what Kyoko…
Kyoko:
What?
Kichiro:
(holds up his airplane) I will take you around the world someday! (airplane sounds…)
Kyoko:
Oh really now?! (Looks smugly at him)
Kichiro:
Of course not only you, but EVERYONE!
Kyoko:
I sure will remember that!
Kichiro:
Haha! As of now I could only promise.
Kyoko:
So, there’s no guarantee that it’ll happen yet? (sigh) Let’s go back now, shall we?
Kichiro:
Sure! (Stands up) Let’s race again!
Kyoko:
Nah… I’m tired.
(Lights out)
(Family enters stage left; gathers and talks. Setting is a picnic.)
(Lights on)
Mrs. Emi (Bea E.):
(worrying) Anata, (dear) Kichiro and Kyoko haven’t come home! The meals are
ready! I wonder where they could have been.
Mr. Emi (Ian):
(put his hand on Mrs.Emi) don’t worry, Anata. They will surely come back.
(Kichiro and Kyoko enters the scene.)
Mrs. Emi:
Oh God! You two almost had me there! Please avoid this kind of predicament
special when your still young and green!
Mr. Emi:
I’ll second on what she says.
Kichiro:
I’m sorry Oka-san. I’m sorry too Ooto-san.
Kyoko:
Me too.
Mrs. Emi:
It’s alright. Anyway, let us all eat together.
Mr. Emi:
Ah! I forgot!
Mrs. Emi:
What is it Anata?
Mr. Emi:
Your aunt, Hana is still not here! She doesn’t know how to get here!
Kichiro:
I could fetch her.
Mrs. Emi:
but she’s in the highway! It would take 30 minutes for you to get there!
Kichiro:
Don’t worry 15 minutes is enough!
Mrs. Emi:
B-but. (sigh) I guess we need to delay our grand feast without her. So please
fetch her as soon as you could.
Kichiro:
Kai! Oka-San!
Kyoko:
Take Care! We’ll wait for you!
Kichiro:
Well, I hope I won’t eat leftovers! HAHA! (runs off) I’ll come back!
(family waves good bye)
(Lights out.)
Narrator:
The supposed to be 15 mins. of fetching Mrs. Hana became 45 mins. and there occurred
the traumatic incident that shook up the world’s attention; The 2010 TsunamiEarthquake.
(SFX: News reporting the tsunami waves/earthquake that hit Japan. People crying…)
(Lights on)
(Additional: Emotional music)
Family is gone. Scene is abandoned with wrecked things and Kichiro’s airplane on the middle of the
stage.
(Lights out)
SCENE 2
Stage Set: Tatami mat, scattered things and clothes, bag, and sweater, airplane hidden in pile of books.
(SFX: Knock, knock x5)
(Lights on.)
Aunt Hana (Venia):
KICHIROOO! Wake up! The freakin’ sun is already up in the sky!
(Kichiro makes yawning with stretching movements) (Aunt enters the room.)
Aunt Hana:
I really don’t know why we’re paying for your school! You don’t even bring home any
profit! You slack off and don’t even help in household chores! You couldn’t help with
paying all the household debts! You don’t even want to get a job! ARGGH! It’s early in
the morning, yet you’re already killing the morning glory of the heavens today! Get the
hell out of here! (Aunt exits.)
Kichiro:
(scratches his head, sitting.) (finds his airplane) Here it is! (Stare at it for a second) I hope
I could sleep forever. Deeply and silently. As long as I’m with… (blank face) Better get
ready for another ruined day.
(Lights out.)
Narrator:
Kichiro was the only survivor. His family and friends had been buried to the ground 5
years ago. He’s now 15 years old, a middle school student and living with his distant
relative and sees him as a burden.
SCENE 3
Stage set: None. Just an empty stage and students chatting on stage left.
(Lights on.)
(Kichiro enters stage right.)
Students 1 and 2:
(Pair of students murmuring while Kichiro is passing by.)
Kichiro:
(Deep sigh. Ignore the murmuring.)
Student 3:
(Bumps on Kichiro) Gomenasai! (Sticks something behind him and laughs silently.)
Student 1:
Oh, look! (Other students laugh but cover mouth.)
Kichiro:
(Takes off the paper, reads it and then crumples it)
(Teacher enters stage right and snatches the paper from Kichiro.)
Ms. Yuko (Nica):
(Reads the paper) Who put this on Kichiro’s back? (Looks at Students 1,2 and 3.)
(Silence)
Oh. I see. No one’s going to admit it? Then you get out silly students!
Three hours detention!
Ms. Yuko:
(The three students exit stage left.)
Ms. Yuko:
For a young man, you’ve had enough.
Kichiro:
Excu-
Ms. Yuko:
I’ve heard of your circumstances.
Kichiro: (Remains silent)
Ms. Yuko:
Look at me Kichiro. I’ve lost my loved ones as well, though not all. It’s sad, horrifying
and moreover, it wounded us and left a scar.
Kichiro:
(remains silent)
Ms. Yuko:
If you’ve survived, it only means one thing. It’s the same common reason though. It’s not
your time yet. Whether you like it or not, as long as you are breathing; you must find a
reason to carry on.
Kichiro:
What is the purpose of living when you live like you’re dying? (folds arms)
Ms. Yuko:
Kichiro…
Kichiro:
Sensei. I’ll be going back to class.
Ms. Yuko:
Kichiro… (Looks worriedly at Kichiro…)
Kichiro:
…… (Looks away from Ms. Yuko.)
Ms. Yuko.
Listen. (Holds his arm) You can talk to me anytime…
Kichiro:
(Looks at her for a while, then on the floor.)
Ms. Yuko:
Everything I see in you reflects the real you. Did you know that Kichiro means “lucky
son”? You must be very lucky to be alive and well! (Smiles)
Kichiro:
(Puts hands in pockets) Sensei. I haven’t opened up to anyone like this since…. (silent)
Ms. Yuko:
I understand…
(SFX: calm music)
(Lights out)
Narrator:
Kichiro started to open up to Ms. Yuko. He expressed all his pains and sufferings in a
calm manner as his teacher listened passionately.
SCENE 4
Stage Set: Table set like a store counter. Has pills, gum, bottles of medicine, pencils, etc… Katsumi is at
the center listening to her iPod like a crazy lady.
(Lights on)
(Kichiro enters stage left.)
Katsumi (Audrey):
(Listening to iPod) Boy you got my heartbeat runnin’ awa-
Kichiro:
Ugh miss. Excuse me. Do you sell pills?
Katsumi:
Huh? (Takes off iPod) Hi pretty boy! See this tag? (Points at tag.) I’m Katsumi,
I’m new here!
Kichiro:
Nice meeting you Katsumi. (Awkward.) As I was saying, I need sleeping pills.
Katsumi:
Sleeping pills? Oh dear! What are you going to do with that?
Kichiro:
It’s for my… mom. (Became serious)
Katsumi:
Why? Can’t she sleep?
Kichiro:
Actually, she could. But every time she wakes up, she became very miserable.
Katsumi:
Oh. But be careful with taking in too much sleeping pills.
Kichiro:
Why?
Katsumi:
If you take in too much of those pills, you might not wake up anymore.
Kichiro:
(Whispers.) That’s what I wanted to do.
Katsumi:
Are you saying something?
Kichiro:
Oh nothing… How much does it cost?
Katsumi:
It cost 2000 Yen. So will you buy then?
Kichiro:
Maybe… Not yet. Thank you.
Katsumi:
Welcome! (Put back headphone) Boom badoom boom boom badoom boom babe got that
SUPER BASS!
(Kichiro leaves stage left.)
(Lights out)
Narrator:
Kichiro walked home thinking if he’s going to buy those pills. But there’s something
playing in his mind. It’s that effect that Katsumi said. That if he takes in too much of it,
he would not wake up anymore. This only means that if he wouldn’t wake up, he would
be with his family forever. Moments later, he had reached home. At the front door were
his aunt and uncle waiting for him. Hurriedly he rushed inside.
SCENE 5
Stage set: Mat, some home décor, boom, telephone
(Lights on)
(Kichiro enters stage right with Uncle Shin and Aunt Hana pinching Kichiro’s right ear.)
Aunt Hana:
Konoyaro! You arrived late again! (Lets go of his ear.)
Kichiro:
(Rubs his pinched ear.) Gomensai! (Bows.)
Aunt Hana:
Gomensai, Gomensai, Gomensai. Always saying sorry. (Points at Kichiro) Me and my
husband are tired of your nonsense! All you bring to this family is trouble!
Kichiro:
(silence)
Aunt Hana:
(Angrily) We have given you a lot of things! Food, shelter, EVERYTHING! And then
what do we get in return?! NOTHING! (Slaps him) We get nothing from you! (Gets
broom)
Kichiro:
I’m sorry, Aunt Hana. I’m sorry. I promise not to be late again!
Uncle Shin (Dilan):
(Gets the broom from Hana) Stop it, Hana! The boy’s hurt already! Enough of
that thing!
(Lights out)
(SFX: sad music)
Narrator:
Kichiro became more miserable. His desire to sleep forever grew more and more.
Feeling so helpless, he sits in his room alone and cries silently.
SCENE 6
Stage Set: Kichiro’s room, tatami mat, dirty clothes, books, airplane
(Kichiro is sitting at a corner of his room, stage right, while staring at his airplane on the floor.)
(Lights on)
(Mayumi knocks then enters stage left.)
Kichiro:
Mayumi! (surprised) What made you come here?
Mayumi:
Hai Ni-Chan. Does your ear still hurt?
Kichiro:
It does. But it’s alright.
Mayumi:
I’m sorry for what my mom did to you. I’m very sorry. (bows)
Kichiro:
You shouldn’t be sorry, Mayumi. It’s not your fault. Don’t condemn yourself.
Mayumi:
(Mayumi sits in front of Kichiro. Plane is in the middle. ) You’re very brave, Ni-chan.
Kichiro:
I am?
Mayumi:
Yes, you are. You survived the tragedy that occurred 5 years ago.
Kichiro:
Yes, I survived but what’s the worth of it? I would just suffer the rest of my life in pain
because right now, I just feel like I’m dying.
Mayumi:
Don’t worry, Ni-chan. (Mayumi gets a candy in her pocket and puts it in between them.)
Kichiro:
Thanks, Mayumi. (Smiles)
Mayumi:
(Notices the plane) What’s that?
Kichiro:
Just an old toy. Want to hold it?
Mayumi:
(Gets the plane) It looks nice.
Kichiro:
You can keep it when I’m gone.
Mayumi:
What? Where will you go?
Kichiro:
I’ll be leaving soon.
Mayumi:
(Mayumi silently stares at Kichiro.)
(Lights out)
Narrator:
The next day, Kichiro decides to visit his family’s graveyard. He leaves the house early
before the break of dawn right after Mr. and Mrs. Hana leaves.
SCENE 7
Stage set: Outside the house, slippers and shoes are lined up
(Lights on)
(Kichiro enters stage left carrying a yellow note, his bag, and slips on his shoes. A messenger, Takashi,
enters stage right coming from the audience area. Takashi whistles.)
Takashi:
(Sees Kichiro) Umm. Excuse me.
Kichiro:
Yes?
Takashi:
Do you know where Kichiro Emi lives?
Kichiro:
I’m Kichiro. Why?
Takashi:
Here’s a letter for you. (Searches the letter from his mailbag.) Now where is it? … Here!
(Kichiro gets the letter and opens it. Kichiro reads the letter aloud.)
From Mr. and Mrs. Emi:
Dear Kichiro,
Though we already know that we won’t last any longer because of the cancer that your dad I
have, you had still made us the luckiest parents to ever live in this vast world. That is why we’ve already
written our last will testament. Me and your dad love you so much!
(As he reads the letter, the yellow note he holds falls down.)
Takashi:
You look miserable…
Kichiro:
Why do you care? (Looks at Takashi.)
Takashi:
Just asking…
Kichiro:
(Silence. Still looks at Takashi.)
Takashi:
(Takashi looks deep into Kichiro’s eyes.)
Kichiro:
(Looks down.) I need to be going now. They’re waiting for me in the cemetery.
Takashi:
(confused) What???
(Kichiro folds the letter and slips it in his pocket. He then exits stage right.)
(Takashi finds out that a yellow note fell on the floor. He picks it up.)
(Lights out)
Narrator: Kichiro, feeling more depressed by the letter he received, fully decides to return to the
convenient store to buy the sleeping pills before heading to the cemetery.
SCENE 8
Stage set: Table set like a store counter. Has pills, gum, bottles of medicine, pencils, etc… Katsumi is at
the center listening to her iPod like a crazy lady.
(Kichiro enters stage left.)
Katsumi:
(dancing and singing) I want nobody, nobody but you!
Kichiro:
Excuse me...
Katsumi:
(not paying attention) Nobody, nobo-. (then notices Kichiro) Ugh, sorry. What is it?
Kichiro:
About the pills. I ju-
Katsumi:
You wanted to buy them pills didn’t ya? (takes off earphones)
Kichiro:
Yes. How much does it cost?
Katsumi:
Haven’t I told you to that you can’t buy sleeping pills without a guardian?!
Kichiro:
But my mom needs it now!
Katsumi:
If she needs it, she’ll buy it!
Kichiro:
But she’s still in bed.
Katsumi:
Then I would need some identification.
Kichiro:
(opens wallet) Here, take my school ID.
Katsumi:
(Katsumi checks ID.) How much do you need?
Kichiro:
A bunch of it! I need many of it! (gets all the bottles)
Katsumi:
HUH? A lot? What are going to do with all these?!
Kichiro:
Just hand it over! Here’s the payment!
(Kichiro then hurriedly exits stage left.)
(Katsumi looks suspiciously at the direction where Kichiro left.)
Katsumi:
(Shouts) Hey, you left your ID! … Hmmm. Suspicious. Even a crazy lady like me could
guess that he’s going to take it in himself! (Takes the phone) Hey, Kazuya, could you
come in earlier? I need to leave right away. It’s an emergency. Yeah. Thanks. Bye!
(Lights out)
Narrator:
Katsuki leaves as soon as her substitute came. With a gut feel of something bad to
happen, Katsuki tries to locate Kichiro’s house bringing his ID.
SCENE 9
Stage set: mat, house furniture, broom, telephone
(Lights on) (Door knocks.)
Mayumi:
Just a minute! (Opens door)
Takashi:
Hi! Your brother dropped this outside. (hands yellow note) I couldn’t chase him. He was
in such a hurry.
Mayumi:
Umm… What’s this? (reads yellow note silently) Oh dear! He couldn’t be serious!
Takashi:
Why?
Mayumi:
He says he’s going to meet his parents and would never come back! But this note is for
Ms. Yuko… What do we do??? (hysterical)
(Katsumi, holding Kichiro’s ID, enters stage left and pushes aside the messenger.)
Katsumi:
(panting, tired) Thank goodness! Excuuuuuseee me! Is this Kichiro’s house?
Mayumi:
(surprised) Oh my you startled me!
Katsumi:
You young girl! Do you know who this boy is?!
Mayumi:
Kichiro! Why do you have his ID?
(Ms. Yuko arrives stage left.)
Ms. Yuko:
Ohayo Gozaimasu! Would Kichiro be here today? I’ve been waiting for him for quite a
while now… We’re supposed to go to the museum.
Mayumi:
Ms. Yuko!
Ms. Yuko:
(looking at the ID) That’s Kichiro’s ID isn’t it?
(Mayumi hands her the yellow note… Ms. Yuko reads it quietly.)
Ms. Yuko: My goodness! This doesn’t sound good! He’s never coming back? But his parents are dead…
Katsumi:
What?!? I knew it! He was up to something!
Ms. Yuko:
Up to what?
Katsumi:
He bought some dangerous sleeping pills a while ago. He said it was for his mom!
Mayumi:
But his parents are already dead!
Takashi:
No wonder he looked so depressed when I gave him the letter.
Katsumi, Mayumi, and Ms. Yuko:
What letter???
Takashi:
There was a letter addressed to him. He said about going to the cemetery or something.
Ms. Yuko:
(epiphany) Oh! Oh nonononononono!
Mayumi:
(worriedly) What is it Ms. Yuko???
Ms. Yuko:
He’s planning on a suicide!
Takashi:
In the cemetery?
Katsumi:
With those pills!
Mayumi:
Poor Kichiro! We’d better hurry before it’s too late!
(The four exit stage left.) (Lights out)
SCENE 10
Stage set: table, chair laptop and a picture frame.
(Lights on)
(Kichiro is sitting on the chair, typing on his laptop. He’s wearing a suit and glasses. His hair is slightly
white and faded but still looking young. Kichiro is seen typing.)
Narrator:
It was the most sorrowful morning for this boy as he reaches the cemetery. With dozens
of sleeping pills in his hand, he wallows in his eternal sadness. But like a ray of hope,
rushing footsteps approach him. He falls to the ground, loses his sight, and felt warm
gentle hands touch his face. In a whisper of frail joy he utters:
Kichiro:
You saved my life. Thank you… (Then looks at the picture frame)
Narrator:
Who saved Kichiro? A Japanese High School Play (Lights out)
-END-