After 10.1 - Perth Ending

The Day after 10.1

The Parmelia Hilton

Wevv Mang sits alone at a table in The Globe. His dress is casual formal. Slacks, and a polo T-Shirt. He is reading The West newspaper. Before him sits a half eaten plate of crepes. He absently picks at a fruit plate, spearing errant pieces of fruit with a long fork. In-between bites, and turning pages, he takes a sip from a coffee cup.

A man walks up to the table and takes a seat. Wevv glances up, but looks back down at his paper. As he sits down, the man reaches over the table and grabs a roll. He takes a bite, and says around a mouthful of roll in Japanese:

Man: For a man who seemed so broken up on Television last night, you seem to be in remarkably good spirits.

Wevv reaches over to his fruit plate and grabs a Kiwi. He lobs it to his guest, who quickly grabs it out of the air.

Wevv: (Still reading his newspaper) Still as quick as ever Ichi. I’m putting up a strong front, and keeping my pain (Wevv taps his chest with a fist) inside. Try the Kiwi, they’re very fresh.

Ichi puts down the fruit and instead takes an unused cup, turning it over, and grabbing a sliver pitcher and pouring himself a cup of black liquid. A strong scent wafts out. Ichi stops pouring and lifts the half filled cup to his nose.

Ichi: I thought this was coffee for a second.

Wevv: It’s java Nova, an Indonesian Black tea. It’s very good, and will certainly wake you up. What brings you to my table, Ichi?

Ichi: I just wanted to see if you were OK, being old friends and all.

Wevv: Thank you. I’m fine. What else?

Ichi: Huh?

Wevv: Please. You still don't have a poker face. At least, not with me. Now, tell our nosy friends that I will be leaving Perth. Today. Soon, as a matter of fact. I know what they want, and I’m giving it to them. I have to finish out the tour, and then, I will return to the United States. They have nothing to worry about.

Ichi: I have to ask, you have no other, “business”, to take care of?

Wevv puts down his paper, and looks Ichi right in the eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: What other possible business could I have to, what did you say? Ah yes, “take care of”?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: (meeting Wevv’s stare) You tell me.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: You're the cop. You should be telling me.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: So, you’re just part of the show, eh?

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Of course. I resigned. You said you saw it. On TV, broadcast to millions and millions of viewers around the globe. What, you couldn't get a ticket? All you had to do was ask, I would have gotten you one.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: Hphm. (Taking a drink of tea, and then wincing) Gah, this stuff is strong! I prefer green tea anyway. Remember La Terre in Tokyo?

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Yes, it was in Mishuku, wasn’t it? Off 246?

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<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: We used to go there after being out all night. Good times. I miss Tokyo.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: As do I.

<p class="MsoNormal">Madison walks in on a sudden silence between the two men, who were lost in separate, but similar thoughts.

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<p class="MsoNormal">Madison: We’re ready to go Sir.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv stands up, folds the newspaper and puts it under his arm. Wevv pulls out his wallet. He pulls out a handful of bills.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Hm. This Australian money looks like play money to me.

<p class="MsoNormal">He throws a pile of money on the table. He starts to walk past Ichi. Ichi takes another sip, gaps loudly, and speaks.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: You’re leaving already?

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Yes.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: let me walk you out.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi stands, and a chilliness descends over the group, as they slowly walk to the main entrance. Ichi, trailing behind Wevv speaks quietly.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: We can't go back Wevv. You know that.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: (Over his shoulder) There’s a saying in out business Ichi. You used to know it to. It’s “never say never”.

<p class="MsoNormal">Silence once again descends. The group walk out the front entrance, where a bellhop holds the door, and a valet holds open the door of a Maserati Spider F1. Wevv stops in his tracks.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Where on earth did you get this car?

<p class="MsoNormal">Madison: (Finally breaking his sour demeanor) You said you wanted a convertible for the ride. So, I got a convertible? You don't like it?

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv stare at the sleek silver car that screams speed. He slowly walks towards the vehicle. Before he can speak, Ichi, leaning against a post and lighting up a cigarette speaks.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: Where is Kenzo? Waiting for you at Avon Valley?

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv turns back to Ichi. He speaks slowly as he walks towards Ichi, who stares back at him, and draws on his cigarette slowly.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: I just wanted to say goodbye to my old friend.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv pulls the newspaper out from under his arm, unfolds it, and points to the headline. Which reads:

<p class="MsoNormal">MYSTERY EXPLOSION DUE TO ACCIDENT

<p class="MsoNormal">The picture under the headline is of smoking debris, that can be identified as a plane only by a section of tail.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Flying private planes seems to be a risky business around these parts. So, I asked Mr. Wang to have our belongings sent down the coast. To Busselton to be precise. Where they have a private airfield, which will take us to Brisbane. Which I’m sure you knew. It was good seeing you again Ichi. I’ll pass along your goodbyes to Mr. Wang.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv starts to walk over to the car, where Madison has gotten behind the wheel, and is watching the two men intently.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: When you see him again, I’m sure.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv turns slightly, but keeps moving. He walks over to the drivers side.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Move over. I’m driving.

<p class="MsoNormal">Madison: What? But I’m the –

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: And I’m the boss. Now, skootch.

<p class="MsoNormal">Madison mutters in Spanish, before sliding over.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: English Please! You know I don't speak Spanish!

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv gets in the driver’s side, and closes the door. He starts the engine. Ichi has taken a few steps closer. Wevv puts on a pair of sunglasses, and looks over at him. He starts the car, but hesitates before driving off.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: Goodbye Ichi. It was nice seeing you again.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: I’m sure we’ll meet again, before our time is up.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: You know, that wouldn't surprise me at all Ichi. Not. At. All. Take Care, Ichi.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichi: Stay out of trouble Wevv.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv laughs and turns on the radio. A voice speaks:

<p class="MsoNormal">Voice: Your listening to Perth’s Best Music, 96 FM! Now, for another superset, here’s Australia’s very own: AC/DC!

<p class="MsoNormal">A familiar strain of music pours out of the speakers. Wevv looks over at Madison, and his grins is back and bigger than ever.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv: A good omen, wouldn't you say?

<p class="MsoNormal">Madison buckles up. And starts to mumble in Spanish again.

<p class="MsoNormal">Wevv speeds off, as the music floats back to Ichi’s ears.

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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Season ticket on a one-way ride

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Asking nothing, leave me be

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Taking everything in my stride

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Don't need reason, don't need rhyme

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Ain't nothing I would rather do

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Going down, party time

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">My friends are gonna be there too

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times-Roman","serif"; mso-hansi-font-family:Times-Roman;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">I'm on the highway to hell

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