Wild Adapter chs 3 & 4

(page)
Kubota's voice over: My cat died.

It was when I was in junior high. I wasn't keeping him or anything. He was probably a stray. To be honest, I don't recall exactly how he looked. But he had a soft warm body and his fur was smooth when you touched it.
Really, that was all there was to it.
He didn't even have a name.
I found his body on my way home, in the slanting rays of the sun.
Some kind of animal had gotten at him. His blood and guts were running out of him as if to block the sidewalk, and they had this dark greasy shine to them

(page)
The deep black holes where his eyes used to be went on forever, into an endless darkness.
The next day he'd be cleared away like garbage. There wouldn't be any sign left that he'd died, even.
I took him in my thin underfed arms and lifted him up. His body hung down, lighter than it had been only by the weight of a soul, but it'd lost all the gracefulness he'd had in life and become stiff and distorted.
He'd probably been born only so that he'd die like this. I had what felt like a premonition. Without thinking I felt a laugh starting inside me.
"Some day I'll die too, with my guts falling out of me."
Kubota: (in present) Yeah. Like this, for instance.

(page)
Komiya: He's really amazing
F/X (don't ask)
Woman: Nhh- nhh--
Komiya: These bunch of punks from Ikebukuro were trying to take our drugs, right?
Woman: Ah- ah--
Komiya: They came and attacked us right where we deal, but Kubota-san took care of all of them all by himself- GUH!!
F/X kick in face
Woman: DO YOU MIND???
Woman: All you ever do these days is talk about this guy Kubota. Can't you stop even when we're screwing??

(page)
Woman: ...don't tell me you're like *that*?
Komiya: Not likely.
Komiya: Oh my god! It's time to go meet Kubota-san!
F/X alarm (?)
Woman: WHAAT???
Komiya: Sorry! I gotta go! See ya soon!
Woman: What the hell...
F/X door closing

(page)
Sign: mahjong
Kubota: Now, when that happens
Kubota: we do this.
F/X arranging mahjong tiles for winning hand
Man: Wild! I couldn't even see where it came from!
Komiya: It's like magic
Kubota: Well, that's about the essence of it

(page)
Kasai: So here you are like always, Makoto.
Kubota: Kasai-san
Kasai: Yo. Long time no see.
Kubota: Goofing off work in the middle of the day again?
Kasai: Haha. Nope. I'm in this area on business.
Kubota: Ahh, too bad. Thought you'd give me a game again, after such a long time.

(page)
Komiya: Who is he, Kubota-san?
Kasai: Pretty punk, nii-san, if you hang around mahjong parlours and don't know who I am.
F/X nasty grin
Komiya: What the hell--!!
Kubota: Anh, better cut it out before he arrests you.
Komiya: A cop!!! *This* old guy!!
Kubota: One of those corrupt policemen that's the pride of Japan.
Kasai: Oi, Makoto. It true you've joined the Izumo gang?
Kubota: Mhh, yeah, things kind of turned out that way.

(page)
Kasai: Well, I'm not telling you how to run your life. I just never thought you'd go joining any kind of organization.
Kubota: Really?
Kasai: Basically, whatever the family register says, you're still his son. Surprise surprise- maybe leadership ability runs in your blood.
Kubota: Never heard I had any leadership ability to mention.
Kasai: (laughs) OK. Well, sorry to bother you.

(page)
Kasai: Look out for that Sanada in the Izumo gang. He's rotten from the inside out

(page)
Sign: Machida
Komiya: Hey, Kubota-san! Where're you going? You promised you'd come to headquarters today!
Kubota: Ah-- I feel like wasting some time. Wanna come with me?
Komiya: Come with you-- I'm supposed to be collecting protection money today- Hey!
Kubota: Oh forget that.
Komiya: (thinks) You know, lately- all this guy does is jerk me around exactly like this.

(page)
"Kubota Makoto."
Born Aug 8 1979. Sign: Virgo. Blood type: O Nationality: (probably) Japanese
Place of birth: unknown Family registration: unknown
Present residence: somewhere in Yokohama City (probably.) If you ask he ducks the question
Currently enrolled in high school (but it's hard to figure when he goes to classes)
Girlfriend: can't believe he has one
Hobbies: gambling (especially mahjong)
Adores sweet things like red bean jam and ice-cream sundaes, but eats his beef-and-rice covered in red pepper
Character....
His character: unknown

(page)
Loudspeaker: The train is approaching platform three.
F/X Kubota brushes past guy
Guy: Hey you! You just run into me and you're not going to say anything?
F/X grabs Kubota's shoulder
Loudspeaker: Please stand behind the white line to wait for its arrival.
Kubota: So?
Guy: Huh?
Kubota: Who ran into who?

(page)
Komiya: Kubota-san!
F/X roar of train arriving
Guy: (screams in anguish)
F/X 'board the train' signal
Guy: My arm! My arm---!!!
Komiya: Tell you a fact- I'm used to this stuff from work, but there's times he really shakes me

(page)
Komiya: He can be so cruel and callous it's terrifying
Store clerk: Thank you, gentlemen
Komiya: When you said wasting time, you meant sitting in a park eating ice cream?
F/X squeak of swings
Kubota: Mh-hnh. This is 7-11's new brand. And there aren't any near the office.
Komiya: (thinks) He goes for anything new and popular

(page)
Kubota: The convenience stores only give a new item three weeks. If you miss your chance and the new line doesn't sell, you'll never see it again
Komiya: Oh- 'zat so?
(thinks) And he knows all sorts of pointless stuff
Kubota: Hey, can I have a taste of yours?
Komiya: Huh? Yeah, sure.
Kubota: Trade you for vanilla.
Komiya: (thinks) I used to think I hung out with him because of work. But now I have to say I've gotten interested in this weird guy personally

(page)
Komiya: (thinks) And I wonder what's with him and that cop back there? Didn't look like they were just casual acquaintances
Komiya: (aloud) Kubota-san, back at the mahjong parlour...
Kubota: Oh--

(page)
Komiya: A dead cat? Yuck. Bet it's got maggots in it.
Kubota: Yeah. It's still a kitten. Probably a wild dog got it
Komiya: Kubota-san?
F/X Kubota digging in ground with a stick

(page)
Komiya: You're not going to *bury* it?
F/X Kubota digging
Kubota: Yup. Cause the other time I couldn't
F/X digging
Komiya: (thinks) I didn't even ask what 'the other time' was. I just started helping him dig a grave

(page)
Komiya: I was thinking, the pigeons sure must think this weird, two great big yakuza guys digging in the ground in a park in the evening sun and not saying a word
Kubota: Y'know, stuff like this- it's just us humans thinking a lot of ourselves.
Komiya: That's what it is alright.

(page)
(Kubota laughs)
Komiya: (thinks) And when he did that...

(page)
Komiya: (thinks) I don't know why, my heart hurt like it was burning up. I don't get it. I don't. But all I could think was, I wanna stay with this guy, even if I can't make any sense of him at all
Sekiya: Hmmm...

(page)
Sekiya: *That's* the new head of the Izumo's youth division?
Driver: Yes. He's young and doesn't seem very energetic. But the story is he took a bunch of our guys out so bad they won't be coming back
Sekiya: Ohh? He's pretty cute. And he looks pretty slim in the butt. I like them that way.
Sekiya: However, to business. Have you found out where that new drug's coming from?
F/X driver's nervous jump
Driver: Uh- no- we haven't yet- URG!
F/X Sekiya kicks his headrest

(page)
Sekiya: If you don't want your nuts squeezed you'll start looking seriously.
Driver: Y-yes sir.
Sekiya: WA. If we can get hold of that it'll be the same as running the country. (sniggers)
Sekiya: It's the best wild card there is.

(page)
Dice 4

(page)
Izumo gang don: You're saying he's Munakata Seiji's son?
Sanada: Yes. There's virtually no room for doubt

(page)
Don: That's *very* interesting
Sanada: The fact has been covered up, naturally, but Munakata Seiji has a mistress that the main branch of the family doesn't acknowledge. He has a son with her who's of high school age. He left home and went to live with his uncle Kasai, or so the story goes
Don: I see. So that's why you took him on without conditions
Sanada: Not really. All that apart he's remarkably steady and reliable. What's more important--

(page)
Sanada: He's like his father- he's got the same look in his eyes.

(page)
Porn palace manager: Here you are. Thanks for coming around to collect in person. I hope Sanada-san's in good spirits?
Kubota: Well, he's not really the good-spirited type, is he?
Kubota: (to assistant) Oh- where's Komiya today?
Assistant: Oh, you didn't know that? This is the one place Komiya-san won't come to collect from.
Kubota: Why not?
Assistant: Look- see the good-looker inside there with the client? That woman-

(page)
Assistant: Is Komiya-san's mother
Kubota: She's young
Assistant: She's a good woman. Her husband died and she hit the bottle. Had a lover run out on her too, they say. Now she lives alone with Komiya-san. Tends to get wild when she's had too much to drink, I hear, but...
Komiya's mother: Ne--

(page)
Mother: You must be Kubota-kun
Kubota: Howjudoo.
Mother: (laughs) You're just like Nobuo said- you look dumb, but take a good look at you and you're an OK guy
Kubota: Fine then. Keep on looking at me
Mother: Ne, how many women have you slept with?
Kubota: Good question. I don't have a counter attached

(page)
Mother: (giggles) See you, Kubota-kun. You look a bit like my husband
F/X waving fingers goodbye
Kubota: I look that old?
Assistant: I don't think that's what she meant.
Komiya: Kubota-saaan

(page)
Komiya: Would you please not sleep here? I gotta lock up and go home. Hey, Kubota-san!
Kubota: mn--
Komiya: Kubo---
F/X Kubota reaches up and touches Komiya's face
Kubota: Does it hurt?

(page)
F/X Komiya's shocked reaction
Komiya: Ku-Kubota-san...?
Kubota: Saw your Mom today
Komiya: Uh? ...oh
Kubota: How long's she been doing drugs?
Komiya: How'd you--!!
Kubota: Her pupils- and her perfume was too heavy
F/X Komiya clenching hands

(page)
Komiya: My dad died when I was in junior high. Mom started whoring... I think it was after that. She's OK normally, but when she's been drinking or when her drugs give out, bang, I can't handle her any more
Kubota: Mh
Komiya: Reason I got into the gang here is cause where Mom works is in Izumo territory and there was the connection. I figured if I was here I could get her her stuff cheap, no problems... So...

(page)
Komiya: It's so dumb. I gotta look after her by getting her drugs. Can't help feeling- a real son wouldn't do that.
Kubota: Mhh.
Komiya: Kubota-san- your parents?
Kubota: Alive, I suppose
Komiya: HUH? (wasn't expecting *that*)
Kubota: Well, fact is 'alive' is all they are

(page)
Kubota: When I lived at home the rule was 'we don't see you.' Even if I was near them nobody spoke to me, nobody ever looked at me... So basically I've never talked to my parents once from the time I was born
Komiya: ...isn't that-- a bit much?
Kubota: You think? Me, I didn't really care. How can you want something you've never ever had? Not having it doesn't hurt. It isn't tough. Having only part of something- that's gotta hurt more and be harder to take.

(page)
Komiya: It isn't all just hurt though, is it...?
Kubota: Nope. I'm too much of a coward to find out.
F/X Kubota puts head on Komiya's lap
Komiya: AK! J-just a-- Kubota-san!?
Kubota: Ahh. Just the right height
Komiya: Is there anyone who could hurt you, I wonder...

(page)
F/X Kubota snore
Komiya: How can you fall asleep so fast! You're not Nobita-kun! (J note: character in the cartoon Doraemon.)

(page)
Komiya: I feel... really strange... Kubota-san.
Komiya: (waking) mh...
Kubota: You awake?

(page)
Kubota: It's only just sunup. Want some coffee?
F/X Komiya stands up fast in shock
Komiya: No, it's fine.
Kubota: Your cell's ringing.
F/X cell phone piru piru
Komiya: Uh? oh yeah, it is. 'Scuse me. Hullo--
Voice: Nobuo! Save me! Nobuo!!!
Komiya: Mom!??
Voice: Help, he's going to kill me!!

(page)
Komiya: Hey-- Calm down!!
Voice: Nooo!! He'll kill me!!
Komiya: Mom!? Where are you??!
Voice: In san-chou-me (red light district in Shinjuku)- 'A Girl'- Hurry! Please!
Komiya: SHIT!! Sorry- gotta go!
Kubota: Komiya? Busy as a beaver, morn to night
F/X door slams

(page)
Komiya: (thinks) Room 207
F/X panting
F/X shoves door open
Komiya: Mom!! You OK--!!!

(page)
F/X naked guy comes swinging
Komiya: Who the hell're you--!!!
F/X crazed grin

(page)
F/X guy slugs Komiya
Komiya: (gags) (gasps)
Komiya: Sh-- it!!
Komiya; (thinks) He's too strong- he's insane...
F/X switchblade knife

(page)
Komiya: (Yells at guy)
F/X slices through neck
F/X blood spurts
Man: Gyaaaa----

(page)
Komiya: ...wha... what's *with* that guy?
F/X pants
Komiya: (thinks) Oh yeah
Komiya: MOM!!?? Where are you-??
Komiya: (thinks) She's gone?
Komiya: (thinks) Bathroom door's locked-
F/X pulling handle
Komiya: Mom... It's me. Open up.
F/X kicking at door
Komiya: MOM...!!!

(page)
Komiya: MOM!!!
F/X K's mother shaking
Komiya: Hey- pull yourself together. What went on here!??
F/X shaking
Mother: Drugs...
Komiya: Huh?
Mother: He said he had some good stuff- that guy-

(page)
Mother: He's a regular... a-always has good stuff with him. So he said let's go to a hotel...
Mother: But when he'd taken it he just went berserk. G-grabbed my neck and squeezed... said he'd kill me...
Komiya: What the hell're you doing?! If you want drugs *I*'m the one brings them to you, right!? What's wrong with that?!!

(page)
Komiya: (turning) Wha---
F/X crazy grin from stabbed man
Komiya: (thinks) What the hell- I cut his jugular and he's still moving!!
Komiya: Shit!!

(page)
F/X room door banging open
Kubota: Oh oh. Look how dirty the place is. You're being inconsiderate to the cleaning staff. Isn't that right?
Komiya: Ku-- Kubota-san!!
F/X Kubota takes scarf from around neck
Kubota: Komiya, you move too fast

(page)
Kubota: I really am getting old
F/X knees the insane guy
Man: Ga--
F/X: Kubota takes scarf

(page)
With gun wrapped around the muzzle

(page)
F/X gunshot
F/X blood splattering
F/x body rolls to floor
F/X jerking

(page)
Mother: (screaming hysterically)
Komiya: Mom, calm down!
Mother: (screams)
Komiya: It's OK now! It's OK.
F/X Kubota's foot turns body over
Kubota: Hey- what's this?

(page)
Komiya: Kubota-san? Is that... a human being?