Episode 9 - How Close Is Too Close?

HOW CLOSE IS TOO CLOSE?


INT. BRIGHTLY LIT LOBBY – DARK OUTSIDE


[Black OPENS THE DOOR to the main lobby and begins heading to the second floor.]

REN BLACK
“Finally, now we can get on with things.”


[Ren jingles the room key as they walk.]


REN BLACK (Playful)
“Looks like We’re in room 204.”


[Black and Akashi take the elevator up to the second floor.]


HIRO AKASHI
“I wonder if they thought it was strange that we didn’t have any luggage with us?”


REN BLACK
“They might, but that’s none of their business now, is it?”


[Black SLIDES the key into place it CLICKED indicating the door was now unlocked. They enter]



INT. DARK ROOM


[Akashi flips the LIGHT SWITCH and closes the DOOR.]



HIRO AKASHI
“Seems there’s only one bed. Are you going to be ok with this?”


REN BLACK (Teasing)
“I would have said something if I wasn’t.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Ya, I know still…”


[Akashi tosses his jacket on the bed before sitting down.]


HIRO AKASHI (CONT’D)
“We only have one bed.”


REN BLACK
“Storm of swords Akashi! I’m not sure what you’re expecting, but spending the night in the same bed probably won’t end with the loss of your virginity.”


HIRO AKASHI
(Embarrassed)
“Hey! I’m not a virgin!”


REN BLACK
(Laughs)
“Strange how being called a virgin is what you focused on. Should I be on guard tonight? Do you have Russian fingers and Roman hands?”


HIRO AKASHI
“So, what if I do? Would that be what worries you?”


REN BLACK (Intimate)
“You never know what’ll happen when the lights are out.”


HIRO AKASHI
“I’ll understand if you are afraid and want to keep the lights on.”


[Akashi hangs his jacket and suit coat up.]


REN BLACK
“I like sleeping in the dark. It’s more fun that way.”


[Black pulls the BEDDING back before stripping down to his boxers. After his clothes are hung up he climbs into bed.]


HIRO AKASHI
“I can’t figure you out and why are you stripping?”


REN BLACK (Playfully casual)
“That sounds like a personal problem. I’m just being me after all. I’m not going to sleep in my suit. Now are you getting in here or are you just going to keep staring at me?”


HIRO AKASHI
“I’m not some pervert you know.”


[Akashi hangs up his suit stripping down to his boxers.]


REN BLACK
“You’re not? Then are you attracted to my quick wit and amazing skills?”


[Akashi climbs into his side of the bed.]


HIRO AKASHI
“How about you just go to sleep and stay on your side? Got it?”


REN BLACK
(Jokingly)
“I don’t know Akashi. Now I’m not sure if it’s safe to sleep with my back turned to you. You could decide to act upon those repressed desires of yours.”


[Akashi hits black with a pillow.]


HIRO AKASHI
“You know what, you’re a jerk sometimes.”


REN BLACK
“Only sometimes? I must be out of practice. Ok, I’ll stop and you're right, I can be a jerk, but the closer we get the less I’ll show it.”


HIRO AKASHI
“What was that? Care to repeat that?”


REN BLACK
“Nothing Kid. It’s time to get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Are you serious? How can I sleep when you say something like that? Besides, what happened to trying to piece together what Agent Deckard was saying?”


REN BLACK
“I just think better on my back. Perhaps we should sleep on it.”


HIRO AKASHI
“I don’t know how you can sleep with all these unanswered questions.”


REN BLACK
“Easy Hiro, just close your eyes and drift off to sleep.”


HIRO AKASHI
“I hate you.”


REN BLACK
(Yawns)
“Even if you do, remember that love and hate are two sides of the same coin.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Do you just like to get a rise out of me?”


REN BLACK
“Depends on what’s rising, either way, I’m getting a reaction outta you.”


HIRO AKASHI
“How about you face me If you're gonna keep me on the edge.”


[Akashi tugs on Black to get him to roll over.]


REN BLACK
“But, keeping you on the edge prolongs the pleasure. Were you that desperate to see my face?”


HIRO AKASHI
“There you go again. Saying whatever crosses your mind.”


REN BLACK
“Funny I think that’s one of my best qualities.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Trust me, you have better qualities than that.”


REN BLACK
“I must really be your type if ya noticed more than one.”

HIRO AKASHI
“So what if you are? What’s it to you?”


REN BLACK
“I was looking for a light in the darkness actually just before you were thrust into my life. I’m beginning to see, you might not be so bad to keep around.”


HIRO AKASHI
“What do you mean? There is no room for misunderstandings here.”


REN BLACK
“How about you let me move in a little closer? I can hardly see you from this far away.”


[Black brings his face close to Akashi’s.]


HIRO AKASHI
“Too close…Ren why is your face so close to mine?”


REN BLACK
(Joking)
“All the better to see you, my dear.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Changing from cat to wolf now?”


REN BLACK
“What can I say, I swing both ways.”


HIRO AKASHI
“That makes things a little easier.”


REN BLACK
“Always full of surprises. I like that.”


HIRO AKASHI
“If you like that then you should see what else I can do.”


REN BLACK
(Chuckles)
“I do love a good mystery.”


[Sound of the sheets rustling as Black leans into him. Akashi’s heart starts beating faster.]


HIRO AKASHI
“If you get any closer you’ll be on top of me.”


REN BLACK
“For a moment there I thought you wanted a good night’s kiss.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Who would want that?”


REN BLACK
“You, I assumed. I mean I am your type. That is what you said right?”


HIRO AKASHI
“I’m still embarrassed about that. I can’t believe you could hear me.”


REN BLACK
“Don’t worry about it. I was surprised, but not for the reasons you might assume. I didn’t leave a good first impression, but you bore it like a champ.


HIRO AKASHI
“From the way I see it, I had no other option.”


REN BLACK
“(Chuckle) Then when you said that, I was… well you piqued my interest. Not every day you almost strangle someone and they still check you out.”


HIRO AKASHI
“To be fair you were half dressed then just walking around in a towel. How could I not notice.”


[Black moves back to his side of the bed.]


REN BLACK
(Jokingly)
“Did I? Well, I’ll just sleep facing you in case you change your mind. It wouldn’t bother me if you snuck a lil’ kiss while I was sleeping. I’m guessing you're not brave enough for that though.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Whatever, just go to sleep.”


REN BLACK
“All in good time.”


[Rhythmic breathing as Black falls asleep.]

HIRO AKASHI
(Quietly)
“That was fast. I guess I will just have to stick around and see.”



INT. DIM LIT HOTEL ROOM – MORNING


[The morning light shines through the cracks around the blind. The sound of SEAGULLS can be heard clearly from within their room.]

REN BLACK
“Well well, Akashi, who’s a cuddler? I almost wanna wake you, just to see your reaction, but what I will do instead; is take a selfie with you and keep it for later.”


[Black takes the picture before slipping out of bed.]


[Black gets up first. Akashi MUMBLES in his sleep. Black goes and takes a SHOWER. Akashi wakes to the sound of the SHOWER RUNNING.]


HIRO AKASHI
“For someone who wants to keep things rolling, he seems to have enough time to take a shower… Wait, he is taking a shower.”


[Akashi jumps OUT OF BED and looks in the CLOSET]


HIRO AKASHI
“If his clothes are in here and the towels, then that means when he gets out… He will be naked. I need to get out of here. I don’t think I am ready for this.”


[SHOWER STOPS Black gets out. Akashi pulls his clothes on quickly knocking things ONTO THE FLOOR.]


HIRO AKASHI
“I am going to get breakfast in the lobby so stay there until I leave!”


REN BLACK
“Storm of Swords Akashi what are you going on about? Are you really that delicate?”


HIRO AKASHI
“Yes!”


[Akashi OPENS AND CLOSES THE DOOR. Black opens the door and looks around.]

REN BLACK
“What the hell is wrong with him and why do I get such a rise out of teasing him?”

[Black gets dressed thinking about Akashi’s reaction and chuckles.]

REN BLACK
“He’s something else.”


[Akashi comes back and knocks on the door.]


HIRO AKASHI
“Good, you’re dressed.”


REN BLACK
“Disappointed?”


HIRO AKASHI
“Were you dropped on your head when you were an infant because there is something wrong with you?”


REN BLACK
(Black Laughs)
“That’s a good question. You know, sometimes I ask myself the same thing.”


[Black and Akashi leave the hotel and make their way to the ferry. Ferry HORN bellows out its cry alerting to all that waits to gather for the voyage to Nantucket Island. Black Drives the car on and killed the ENGINE]



[Black was quiet for a moment as he listened to the SOUNDS OF THE OCEAN.]


BLACK
“There is something to be said about the pull of the ocean, no matter what coast you’re looking at it from. There is a sense of familiarity about it.”


AKASHI
“Are you sure she is really there, or could this be a red herring?”


BLACK
(Blacks uneasy with the thought of being played)
“Now that would be something wouldn’t it?”


AKASHI
“I still can’t understand why he would go back to this one and not the others.”


BLACK
“Storm of swords Akashi! When it comes to Gabriel you need to retrace your steps. The place we’re going to is the only one where the victim was a summertime resident. They were killed in their own home. Gabriel is returning there because there was something he needed. Did you even read the files?”


AKASHI
“I did read them. I noticed that he did the same thing to all the victims. They all had missing patches of skin and now that you mention it there was only one found near their home.”


BLACK
“Exactly and that is the one we are going to. Two victims were just traveling through the area. Then this one here in Nantucket. The last one was found in New Hampshire.”


AKASHI
“With the two who were passing through did you ever find out where they originally came from?”


BLACK
“Riddle me this, Sherlock; Do you have the memory of a goldfish or something?”


AKASHI
“Well, if someone hadn’t made me sleep on a bed of nails then my memory would improve.”


BLACK
“Typical, I get it. I’ll make Asmo share. She already has a high opinion of you. The worst she would do is try sleeping on your head.”


AKASHI
“If that’s the only thing I have to deal with then I count myself lucky.”


[Black and Akashi drive off the ferry and onto the house.]


REN BLACK
“Here it is, Madequecham Valley Road. The house is still a bit off but the body was found on the beach in front of it.”


HIRO AKASHI
“We know that Gabriel buried the body right at the high tide mark. I am guessing that was how he questioned the victim.”


REN BLACK
“That is a good theory. The skin was removed before he was killed. I found that unusual because he was the only one that had been skinned alive.”


HIRO AKASHI
“I didn’t notice that in the files.


REN BLACK
“Guess you didn’t read the rest of my journal last night. Too bad, there was some good stuff in there.”


HIRO AKASHI
“That would have been impossible seeing as you took it with you when you went to bed.”


REN BLACK
“Where is your sense of adventure? You could have gotten it when I was sleeping.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Self-preservation kept me on edge.”


REN BLACK
“You never know mate, one day you might go willingly into the lion's den and pull that thorn out.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Am I the mouse?”


REN BLACK
“I don’t know, are you?”


[Black parks the car and kills the engine. Car DOOR opens and closes. Black walks around and looks in the windows of the house.]


REN BLACK
“We need to do this fast because I’m sure the word has gotten out that I’m back in town, baby.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Well, you’re just popular aren’t you.”


REN BLACK
(Sarcasm)
“That's detective popular to you, with my stunning good looks and charming personality, how could I be anything but.”


[FOOTSTEPS]


PHILIP DECKARD
“Why Agent Black, I see that you are up to the same old tricks. Did you forget that you have no friends around here?”


REN BLACK
“ I was just thinking about you and here you are. How mind-numbing is that possibility? I see you have Agent Cortez along for the ride this time.”


LEXI
“Hello again boys.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Hey, Lexi.”


PHILIP DECKARD
“Look, Don’t screw with me, Black. You're like a bad penny. You show up and bodies pile up. To put it simply, death is on your heels, Black.”


REN BLACK
“How can I stay away when you speak so fondly of me, it’s like you’re summoning me. How about you fill me in on all of this?”


PHILIP DECKARD
“You know as well as I do that there is a time and place for everything. If you catch my drift?”


HIRO AKASHI
“Perhaps it’s you who are in the wrong place at the wrong time Agent Deckard.”


LEXI
“Watch it Akashi, I don’t think you know who you are talking to.”



HIRO AKASHI
“Well, let’s fix that, Agent Deckard, was it? I am Black’s new partner Hiro Akashi.”



PHILIP DECKARD
“Now look here. I don’t care if you’re some new boy toy following this trainwreck of a man around. Although if I were you, I would find another piece of ass to follow.”


REN BLACK
“Storm of Swords Deckard! That was uncalled for. I know you and I don’t see eye to eye, but how about you pull your dirty little fangs out of his ass.”


[Akashi steps between Black and Philip obscuring Black.]


HIRO AKASHI
“I am not his boy toy.”


PHILIP DECKARD
“Stay out of this, will you? My problem is standing right behind you and unless I drive him to the ferry there will be no peace here.”


LEXI
“Hold it there boss. How about we regroup before getting into a pissing match on a windy day?”

REN BLACK
"And that's my cue, exit stage left. Keep him busy.

HIRO AKASHI
"Don't worry, I've got this."

[Deckard angrily turns around to look at Lexi for a moment as Black slips around the corner of the house. Akashi left standing there watching Deckard.]


PHILIP DECKARD
“Where the hell did he just go?”


HIRO AKASHI
“He was just there. Maybe nature was calling?”


LEXI
“Slipperier than an eel. Should we go looking for him?”


PHILIP DECKARD
“Naw, you never know what tricks he might pull. let’s go in and get some backup.


LEXI
“But, Sir, he couldn't have gone far. I’m sure if you watch this one here I could catch up to him.”


PHILIP DECKARD
“Are you disobeying me, rookie?”


HIRO AKASHI
“No respect.”


LEXI
“Can it, Akashi.”


PHILIP DECKARD
“Agent Cortez! Don’t make me repeat myself.”


LEXI
“No Sir, but I…”



HIRO AKASHI
“Don’t understand? I know that feeling. I’m not sure what's going on either, but newbies like us got to follow orders till we do.”


LEXI
“Doesn’t mean I like it.”


[Lexi and Deckard get back to his car GETS IN and Deckard calls out to Akashi.]



PHILIP DECKARD
“You tell that worthless excuse for a man that I am going to be back in twenty minutes, and if he is still here when I get back the both of you will be sitting in a cell tonight.”


[Car PEELS OUT and drives away.]


HIRO AKASHI
(Call out after him)
“We’ll see about that.”


REN BLACK
(Calls out to Akashi)
“Akashi, I found a way in.”


(Akashi followed Blacks voice)



HIRO AKASHI
“Are you liked anywhere?”


REN BLACK
“I am, and here I thought I was growing on you?”


HIRO AKASHI
“I’m getting there. Let’s focus on this. We have about twenty minutes”


[Black opens the unlocked window with a loud CREAKING from the old wood and layers of paint.]


REN BLACK
“Then there is no time to waste.”


[Black hoists himself in and offers a hand to Akashi. Akashi looks at Black confused.]


HIRO AKASHI
“You know the door over there is broken right? Why don’t we go in through there?”



REN BLACK
“Now where’s the fun in that?”



INT. HOUSE - MID DAY - SUNNY


[The old floorboards CREAKED under their weight as they moved through the empty house.]


HIRO AKASHI
“There, Black, over in the other room to the left. Things look tossed around.”


REN BLACK
“Good eye, let's go see. I have an idea as to what he was looking for. He was searching for the missing key to succeed in springing his boss from its mirrored prison.”


HIRO AKASHI
“How do you know? We are not even sure what we are facing.”


REN BLACK
“I remember a story my mother would tell me from time to time. Something that happened back in her homeland. I have a sickening suspicion that the two are related and if it is, then we are in for a world of pain.”


HIRO AKASHI
“That is a bit vague for me to follow, but I am going to trust you on this.”


REN BLACK
“Vague is the only language my mother knows.”


[Black OPENS the door to a decorative case that at one point had glass separating the items inside safe from damage that now CRUNCHES under their feet.]


REN BLACK
“Let’s put your skills to the test. Tell me if you see anything strange.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Let’s see, most of the items are now strewn about the room. This picture here is torn in half and there is an empty Korean scroll case.”


REN BLACK
(A saddened tone)
“There is a binding spell written on the inside covering it. There is only one way to remove a spell like this.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Black that tone of voice worries me.”


(Black takes the now empty scroll case and half of a picture seeming to be of a reunion of some kind)


REN BLACK
“The only way to open it… is with the blood and keyword of the current keeper of that bloodline. He must have had some in reserve.”


[Black takes out the little hair clip CLICKS it open and then closes it again. He holds it in his open hand.]


HIRO AKASHI
“Black, what are you doing?”

(Black holds up his hand)


REN BLACK
“This is the hair clip that Gabriel so kindly sent me. I’m gonna need you to stay quiet while I do this.
(Black clears his throat)
“Your owner is missing their little trinket. Lead me to your master so I may return thee.”


[The clip moved like a compass until it pointed to the stairs.]


REN BLACK
“Up there, I hope you are ready Akashi. We have no idea what state she is in.”


HIRO AKASHI
“I’m right behind you.”


[The stairs CREAKED LOUDLY through the empty house. They slowly open a door at the top of the stairs with an EERIE CREEK of an old door hinge. Flies are buzzing around the small bedroom.]


INT. UPSTAIRS - CHILD'S BEDROOM - WELL LIT BY NATURAL LIGHT


REN BLACK
“What in the 9 circles of hell, Gabriel, you truly are a despicable creature.”


HIRO AKASHI
“How… how could someone do this to a child?”


[The body of the child lay there in a pool of blood soaking into the mattress. She looked as though she was sleeping except for the blood. There in her hair was the matching clip.]


REN BLACK
“This must have presumably been the current keeper. No signs of blunt force trauma. It feels more like a transfer than a kidnapping. I know only one group that would soil their hands like this. The ends justify the mean seems to be encoded in their DNA by now. Is there even an ounce of decency left?”


HIRO AKASHI
“Black, she can’t be any older than ten!”


REN BLACK
“You would think that seeing bodies over the years would make me numb to this, but I’ll never be like that, sights like these can break even a heart of stone. A life is still a life and this little one will never know what could have been. It’s sickening.”

HIRO AKASHI
“I see all the blood, but I don’t see where the wound is.”


REN BLACK
“Wait! Don’t touch her. Something isn’t right. Do you feel that?”

HIRO AKASHI
“I don’t feel anything but the cold and sorrow of the moment.”


REN BLACK
“It’s almost like the feeling you get from Rachel, but tainted.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Too bad she’s not here. Can you deal with it?”


REN BLACK
“Do you see me wielding a flaming sword? I think it’s time to make a house call.”


HIRO AKASHI
“Submitting a ticket for godly tech support?”


[Black takes out his phone and rings up Rachel.]


REN BLACK
“Never heard that analogy before, but sure we’ll go with that. Oi Oi, Rachel, you know I wouldn’t call if it wasn’t something out of my jurisdiction. I need your help.”