kor大學版32
※ [本文轉錄自 Edward 信箱]
作者: g873254@oz.nthu.edu.tw
標題: 來自 g873254@oz.nthu.edu.tw
時間: Wed Sep 30 16:49:28 1998
Episode 32 - The Proof
[Cut to the campus of Butsumetsu University; late spring. It's afternoon,
and the day's classes have just ended. Kasuga and Ayukawa are walking
across the courtyard, carrying their books.]
Kasuga Narration:
The spring semester was half way through. The classes, while harder
than the ones I took last year, were also more interesting, and I felt
that, for once, I was doing quite well. The midterms were just over
and I was looking forward to relaxing and spending some time with
Ayukawa and my friends. I got my second wish; little I knew it would
be anything but relaxing.
Ayukawa:
So - you think you've done well on the midterms?
Kasuga:
I hope so. After all, they weren't that hard. I spent some time
studying, so....
Ayukawa:
[Smiling.] Way to go, Kasuga-kun. I also had to spend some time,
mostly practicing.
Kasuga:
Um. Thanks for inviting us to Club Noir last weekend, by the way.
Ayukawa:
[Smiles.] Sure.
[They turn around the corner and see Kimura and Akane, sitting together on
the bench and engaged into a private conversation. Akane notices Kasuga and
Ayukawa and waves.]
Akane:
Hi, Kyosuke! How're you doing, Madoka-san?
Kasuga:
Hi. Oh, Keiko-san. I haven't seen you around for a while; have you
been busy?
[Kimura looks up. She doesn't look her usual bubbly self; her expression is
that of doubt and uncertainty.]
Kimura:
Oh, Kyo-chan! And Madoka-san! I... I was looking for you. I need your
help.
Akane:
[Getting up.] Well, I gotta be going. Keiko-san, please remember what
I told you. And... good luck. Kyosuke, please enjoy your weekend.
[Akane waves and departs.]
Ayukawa:
[To Kimura, worried.] Is there a problem?
Kimura:
Well, I'm... unsure. Something strange happened to... a friend of
mine, and she - I mean this friend - is very shy, so she asked me if I
can help her, and I didn't know what to do, so I got an appointment
with a councilor - you know, a faculty member who helps students if
they have problems.
Kasuga:
Is it really that bad?
Kimura:
I... I just don't know what to think of it! It's so... puzzling.
Ayukawa:
Did you say you want us to help you?
Kimura:
[Hesitantly.] Y...yeah. [She stands up.] Can you please go with me to
this councilor appointment? I would appreciate it if you could just be
there. It would make me feel better.
[Kasuga and Ayukawa look at each other.]
Ayukawa:
Of course.
[They follow Kimura toward the administrative building.]
Ayukawa:
We haven't seen you for a while, Keiko-san. Busy studying for the
midterms?
Kimura:
[Shakes her head.] No, that was simple. I was busy doing research with
Hokusai-sensei.
Kasuga:
Um. Say, what were you talking to Akane about? I'm just curious.
Kimura:
Well, I wanted to get my mind off... stuff, so we talked about some
random things, mostly about theater - you know, acting and...
plotting, and such. It was fun! [Sighs.] But I'm still worried.
[They stop before the door with the plaque: "Shun Mitoshi, grievance
councilor". Kimura knocks.]
Mitoshi:
[From behind the door.] Enter, please!
[Kimura, Ayukawa and Kasuga open the door and enter. Mitoshi stands up to
greet them. He is quite young and has a lively demeanor. Tall, with short
black hair and glasses, he doesn't look that much different from a
student.]
Kimura:
Good afternoon, Mitoshi-san. I'm Kimura Keiko. These are my friends,
Kasuga Kyosuke and Ayukawa Madoka. They came with me, to... to...
Ayukawa:
To make sure she's all right.
Mitoshi:
Everyone, please sit down. [They do.] So, Kimura-san...?
Kimura:
[Hesitantly.] Well, something strange happened to a, um, friend of
mine. She didn't know what to do, so she asked me to talk to you about
it.
Kasuga:
[Whispering to Ayukawa.] I wonder who is she talking about.
Ayukawa:
[Whispering back.] I think I have an idea.
Mitoshi:
I don't think such secrecy is necessary; after all, we guarantee
complete anonymity to the students who talk to us. Anyway, what
happened to her?
Kimura:
It was yesterday, in late afternoon. She wanted to talk to one of the
professors in the department of ma... in one of the departments. But
when she came to his office, it was empty - he must have left already.
As she was leaving, she saw two men in the empty hallway. They looked
strange - like they did not really belong there, and they seemed to be
hiding from sight. So I decided to listen in -
Mitoshi:
*You* decided...?
Kimura:
[Blushes.] Ahh!
Ayukawa:
[Smiles.] That's what I thought.
Kimura:
[Sighs.] I'm sorry. It's just that I was so worried, and... and... and
had no idea what to do. [To Mitoshi.] You must think I'm really stupid
now...?
Mitoshi:
[Shakes his head.] No, not really. Maybe - just maybe - a bit naive,
but....
Kimura:
[Sighs again.] If you do, you're not the only one.
Mitoshi:
In any case, you should feel safe here. Just tell me what you heard.
It sounded really interesting, you know - creeping dusk! Empty
hallway! Two strangers! Suspicious voices! Just like a spy thriller!
What was the name of that movie, "The Mortal Death"?
Kasuga:
"The Lethal Death".
Mitoshi:
[Grins.] Oh, you saw that too?
Kimura:
[Looks at him silently for a moment. Nods.] It was in the department
of mathematics, and I wanted to talk to Hokusai-sensei - you know,
he's a professor in the theoretical math and topology group - about my
research with him. But when I came there, he already went home - and
then I heard those voices in a hallway.
Mitoshi:
Do you think those people saw you?
Kimura:
No, I'm sure they didn't. They continued talking, in low voices - but
I was hiding behind the corner and I thought I heard some of what they
said.
Mitoshi:
You *thought* you heard?
Kimura:
[Hesitantly.] Yeah... you see, the conversation was not loud at all,
and they also had a weird kind of accent.
Mitoshi:
Accent?
Kimura:
Um. I thought it was Russian accent.
Mitoshi:
[To himself, excitedly.] Just like in "The Third Dead Spy"! [To
Kimura.] So, what did they say?!
Kimura:
I just heard several words. They said "tomorrow" and "after midnight"
and "janitors". Then I couldn't make out any of it, and then just two
words - "green folder". And then I was really alarmed.
Mitoshi:
Do you know anything about this green folder?
Kimura:
I... I think I do. Hokusai-sensei is being secretive about it, but he
hinted that he is doing some classified calculations for the
government. I saw him hide a green folder in his desk drawer.
Mitoshi:
Aha! Now everything is clear!
Kimura:
[Doubtful.] Is... is it?
Mitoshi:
Of course! It's obvious, especially if you've seen "The Corpse in the
Night". Have you?
Kimura:
No.
Ayukawa:
No.
Kasuga:
Yeah.
Mitoshi:
Anyway, I'm certain that we're dealing with the international ring of
spies! If you are right about their accent, they might be from some
place like KGB! [Stands up and starts pacing to and fro.] Ohh, this is
so exciting! They must be after his secret calculations!
Ayukawa:
Shouldn't we call Hokusai-sensei and warn him?
Kimura:
[Shakes her head.] I don't think we can reach him now. He must have
left already, and, you see, he has no phone at home.
Kasuga:
[Incredulously.] No phone?
Kimura:
Well, he is doing theoretical math. Maybe that's why he is so
old-fashioned. He doesn't drive and doesn't even have a computer - he
writes all his papers in longhand.
Mitoshi:
I know what we must do! Kimura-san, will you be able to recognize
those two people?
Kimura:
[Nods.] Yes. One of them was really tall and slim, with short blond
hair and a beard. The second was really short and fat, with long red
hair and moustache.
Ayukawa:
[Suspiciously.] What do you have in mind, Mitoshi-san?
Mitoshi:
It's obvious those two will dress up as janitors and will try to get
into Professor's office after midnight today to steal the green
folder! But they won't be able to do it!
Kasuga:
Why?
Mitoshi:
Because we'll ambush them!!
Ayukawa:
NO WAY!
Kimura:
I... I agree with Mitoshi-san.
Ayukawa:
You do?!
Kimura:
Well... I don't see anything else we can do. If we wait till tomorrow
to warn the professor, it will be too late. If we call the police,
this might spook the... um, the spies.
Mitoshi:
Ohh. Yes, you're right. Although I had another reason to suggest an
ambush.
Kimura:
Which is...?
Mitoshi:
This will be so much fun! Oh yeah!
[Ayukawa facefaults.]
Mitoshi:
Let me see, it's - [Glances at his watch.] - 6pm now. How about we
meet in the lobby of mathematics department at 11:30? I'll get the
master key, which should open all the locks, and we'll get inside.
Ayukawa:
One moment now. Who do you mean by saying "we"?!
Mitoshi:
All four of us!
Ayukawa:
No way I'm coming. I feel I had my share of fun in the dark lately.
Uggh. I get shivers each time I remember that haunted house.
Mitoshi:
Haunted house?
Ayukawa:
Never mind. Why do you need us to come, anyway?
Mitoshi:
Well, I need Kimura-san to come so she can recognize the perpetrators.
And wouldn't you two want to go with her? [To Kasuga.] I mean, the
person who had seen "The Lethal Death" *and* "The Corpse in the Night"
shouldn't be able to resist the temptation!
Kasuga:
[Not that sure.] Umm... yeah. Maybe we should still get someone from
campus police to come with us?
Kimura:
I think this is a good idea.
Ayukawa:
Me too.
Mitoshi:
[Sighs.] I guess I'm outvoted. All right. [Picks us the receiver and
dials a number.] Campus police? This is Shun Mitoshi, from the
counseling office. We will need one officer, *armed*, for the duty
tonight. Yes. Ohh. Ok, I guess a police stick will suffice. Yes.
11:30pm, mathematics department. OK. We'll meet him there. [Hangs up.]
All right, anything else we need to take care of?
Kimura:
Umm... Mitoshi-san... can you please write a note to my parents? On
the official letterhead? They won't let me out otherwise.
Mitoshi:
No problem. How do you want me to word it? "I, the undersigned,
witness that tonight Kimura Keiko will be busy thwarting the
conspiracy of the international spy ring, who plan to...".
Kimura:
NO! If you write something like this, they definitely won't let me go.
Just say it's some kind of an official group function. That should do
it.
Mitoshi:
[Clearly disappointed.] Oh. Ok, I'll write something more reasonable.
Anything else?
Kimura:
I... I guess that's it.
Kasuga:
I think we should go before we get ourselves over our heads.
Ayukawa:
[Deadpan.] I think we already did just that, Kasuga-kun.
[Cut the the lobby of the mathematics building. It's late at night - the
big digital clock on the wall displays 11:32. The place is almost empty.
There's a campus police officer sitting in one of the lobby chairs. He is
in his late fifties, with wary face and graying hair. The big glass doors
open and four people - Ayukawa, Kimura, Kasuga and Mitoshi - enter the
building.]
Mitoshi:
[Noticing the officer. Quietly.] Oh, why did they have to send *him*?!
Ayukawa:
[Quietly to Mitoshi.] Do you know this guy?
Mitoshi:
[Quietly to Ayukawa.] Yeah. Just watch him start grumbling.
[They approach the officer, who doesn't look enthusiastic at all at the
sight of Mitoshi.]
Officer:
I should have known. If it's something ridiculous, like to be here, in
the middle of the night, without an explanation, it's *bound* to be
you. When you will finally grow up?!
Mitoshi:
Listen, this is a real thing! I'm telling you, we might really be on
the tail of an international conspiracy here!
Officer:
Yeah, sure. And, let me see, there are after some really important
papers, and only you can stop them, and any interference from regular
police is undesirable?
Mitoshi:
[Suspiciously.] Yesss... how do you know?
Officer:
Doesn't take great brains. It's always the same thing with you. This
sounds like it was made up by someone [Glares at Mitoshi.] with
overactive imagination.
Mitoshi:
Now wait a minute -
Kimura:
[Interrupting.] Listen, it's already quarter to midnight. They can be
here any time soon. Shouldn't we get to the Professor's office?
[Mitoshi and the officer glare at each other, but don't say anything. All
five of them get to get elevator.]
Kimura:
Fourth floor.
[They get out on the fourth floor. It's quite dim - only each third lamp is
lit, to save the energy after hours. The corridors are empty.]
Kimura:
It's room 408.
[They start walking through the empty corridors, lined with blackboards,
empty and half-empty bookcases, stands filled with old computer tapes and
folded printouts. Their footsteps echo in the otherwise silent building.
The chalk dust fills the air. Ayukawa looks around and sides closer to
Kasuga.]
Ayukawa:
[Whispering to him.] This place looks... abandoned.
Kasuga:
[Whispering back.] It's ok; I'm sure it looks better during the day.
Ayukawa:
[Whispering.] But now it's... scary. We also don't know what's hiding
in those corridors.
Kasuga:
[Whispering.] What, do you think some horrible monster will leap at us
from the shadows? What was that movie where they picked up...
Ayukawa:
[Whispering.] Listen, let's not think of invented scary stuff, ok?
This is real - and scary enough.
Kasuga:
[Smiles at her.] Ok. But you don't have to worry - I'll protect you if
anything happens.
Ayukawa:
[Looks around uneasily.] I hope so.
[They stop in front of the door #408. Mitoshi takes out a key ring out of
his pocket and looks through it for the master key. Kimura watches as he
unlocks and opens the door. They enter the room and turn on the light. It's
a standard scientist's office, although this one is perhaps cleaner than
usual. The blackboard is erased, and papers on the desk are neatly
arranged. There is no computer terminal. There is a old grandfather's clock
in the corner. which now shows 11:50. Mitoshi closes and locks the door
behind them.]
Mitoshi:
[Pointing at the clock.] What's this monstrosity doing here?
Kimura:
I told you, Hokusai-sensei is somewhat... peculiar.
Mitoshi:
[Looks at her, with an unusually serious expression.] Listen, I
actually wanted to ask you something. You've worked with him for quite
some time, didn't you?
Kimura:
No, only for a month or so. Why do you ask?
Mitoshi:
[Unsure.] Well... some previous students found it hard to work with
him.
Kimura:
[Rapidly.] Why?
Mitoshi:
[Shakes his head.] I don't really know, so I can't say. How is your
research going?
Kimura:
[Shrugs.] Not so good. We've been working on Taniyama conjecture, and
I thought I found a proof. I gave Hokusai-sensei my notes, but he told
me that I don't know enough math yet to prove this one.
Ayukawa:
I wouldn't worry about this. You're just a second year student, after
all.
Kimura:
[Hotly.] But I know my proof was correct! It might have been unusual,
but it was rigorous! [Pauses. Quietly.] It hurts when people are being
unfair to me.
Mitoshi:
[Blushes.] Listen... if you mean me saying earlier that you are
naive... I didn't really mean it.
Kimura:
[Looks at him and smiles.] Oh, I didn't mean that. I know some people
think so.
Officer:
[Interrupting.] Listen, it's five minutes to twelve. Didn't you say
that "they" can be here any time after midnight?
Kimura:
Um. At least that's what I thought I heard.
Mitoshi:
All right, let's get ready. I think we should catch them unawares.
[He goes to the light switch and turns it off. The room now is illuminated
only by the light from a streetlamp outside. Kimura, Ayukawa, Kasuga,
Mitoshi and the officer sit down on the floor and prepare to wait. Their
don't wait for long. The clock starts chiming. On the twelfth stroke, they
hear the footsteps outside. The footsteps stop immediately outside the door
- and there's a sound of a key turned in the lock. The door opens, and two
men in janitors' uniforms enter the room.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
[Cut to a small black piglet running along the street. It looks kind of
lost, but continues to plod along, staring at the neon signs around.
Suddenly, its eyes light up and it rushes across the street into a fast
food place. There, it approaches the counter and squeals at a brown-haired
girl in the uniform.]
Ukyou:
Oh, a cute piglet! What do you want, piggy?
P-Chan:
Pssst... Tako Beru kudasai.
Subtitle:
I want some Taco Bell.
[Writer's note: Standard disclaimer.]
[END COMMERCIAL BREAK]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Two men in janitors' uniforms enter the room and turn on the light. When
they see five people already inside, they jump.]
Janitor 1:
Wh...what is this?!
Janitor 2:
What are you people doing here, at this hour?
[Mitoshi looks at janitors carefully. However, both of them are average
height and build, and have neither facial hair nor accent. He glances at
Kimura and she shakes her head.]
Mitoshi:
Umm... we're having a... a... a meeting here!
Janitor 1:
In the middle of the night?
Janitor 2:
In the darkness?!
Kimura:
Yes, that's right! We've been discussing the... the... the Pythagoras
theorem, and got so absent-minded we didn't notice it turned that
late!
Ayukawa:
That's true! And we didn't turn on the light because it would distract
us!
Janitor 1:
[To Janitor 2.] Pythagoras theorem? Isn't that sort of easy for
college?
Janitor 2:
[To Janitor 1.] Maybe they're in a remedial class.
Janitor 1:
[To the people in the room.] You scientists. Just like little kids.
Janitor 2:
[Nods.] I don't think you ever grow up.
[The janitors empty the waste paper basket and leave, turning off the
light. Everyone sighs with relief.]
Officer:
See? Even the janitors say you are behaving like kids.
Mitoshi:
If you ask me, I think growing up is severely overrated.
Officer:
If you think so, you must be still a kid yourself.
Mitoshi:
No way. I have a job and I'm good at it.
Officer:
Are you? You call running around, chasing some imaginary spies - doing
good work?
Mitoshi:
They're not imaginary!
Officer:
Even if they're not, it's not your job to go after them.
Mitoshi:
But that's fun! What's wrong with having some fun once in a while?
Officer:
I'm not against fun. But the young people these days are so
irresponsible! Take my son, for example. Yes, he has a job - but he is
not serious about it. He's not serious about anything! He spends time
listening to what is now called music and watching stupid spy films.
Mitoshi:
What's wrong with spy films?!
Officer:
[Sighs.] Nothing, really. But it's his attitude I'm worried about.
He's thirty two now, and still behaves like a kid. I don't think he'll
ever grow up.
Mitoshi:
As I see, there's nothing good in growing up. You're supposed to
behave seriously, have a family, and spend all your time being boring.
What *good* is there in growing up?
[Pause. Kimura listens to this whole conversation with a good deal of
attention.]
Ayukawa:
[Quietly.] Grownups can protect themselves.
[Kasuga moves close to Ayukawa and touches her hand.]
Kasuga:
[Whispering to her.] A... Ayukawa...
Ayukawa:
[Whispering to him.] Yes?
Kasuga:
[Whispering.] I... I really meant what I said back in the corridor. I
can... I would like to protect you if something happens.
[Ayukawa smiles at him. Then she realizes that he can not see her smile in
the darkness and gently squeezes his hand.]
Ayukawa:
[Whispering.] Thank you.
[They sit in the darkness until the clock chimes one. Mitoshi yawns. Kimura
looks around uneasily and then opens her eyes wide.]
Kimura:
Listen... I think Friday is Professor's day off.
Kasuga:
And...?
Kimura:
[Stands up from where she was sitting on the floor.] But... but that
means.... Oh my gosh!
Ayukawa:
What's wrong?!
Kimura:
I think I heard those guys say the word "tomorrow", and we thought
they were talking of the day they gonna get it... but what if they
were taking about tomorrow's being Professor's day off?
Mitoshi:
And this means...
Kimura:
This means that they could have been here *yesterday* - since
professor is away, and tomorrow is weekend, the disappearance of the
folder won't be noticed for three days!
Mitoshi:
[Gets up as well.] Chikuso*! [Turns on the light.] What do we do now?
*<Netiquette violator>
Kimura:
Well, I *might* be wrong. We should check if the folder is still here.
Mitoshi:
Where does Professor keep it?
Kimura:
He keeps all the important stuff in the desk drawer. [She tries to
open it, but the drawer is locked. Agitatedly.] Do you have a key for
it?
Mitoshi:
Let me see.... [He gets out his key ring and looks though it.] Yes,
I've got it. Hmm... the lock doesn't seem to have been tampered
with....
[He opens the drawer. Everybody lets out a sigh of relief, because a large
green folder lies safely inside. However, Kasuga and Ayukawa are looking at
something else.]
Kasuga:
What is *this*?
[He points at the stack of papers inside the drawer. The words "The Proof
of Taniyama Conjecture" are written on top of the first page in familiar
handwriting; the rest of the page contains long formulae - and doodles of
cute panda bears and kittens.]
Kimura:
This is my proof, which the Professor said was wrong... what is it
doing in the locked drawer?
Mitoshi:
Let me see it.
[He takes the stack of papers and looks carefully at them. His face changes
his expression - now he looks resolute and decisive. He flips through the
pages. After several pages, the doodles disappear and the handwriting
changes. Mitoshi puts both sets of pages on the desk, next to each other.]
Mitoshi:
Very curious. Just look at this.
[He points at the second set of pages. The handwriting is obviously
different, but the formulae are the same as in Kimura's notes. The title at
the top reads: "For the Journal of Theoretical Mathematics and Topology:
The Proof of Taniyama Conjecture, by Prof. Hokusai".]
Mitoshi:
[Quietly.] I have been looking for something like this for last three
years.
Kasuga:
Huh?
Mitoshi:
[Sighs.] I think I'd better explain. During the last three years, I've
been receiving unconfirmed complaints from the students, who worked
with Professor Hokusai, that he plagiarized their research and
published it as his. However, it's hard to prove who was first in
generating a certain idea; and I can't let a reputation of our faculty
member to be destroyed with ungrounded accusations. So I've been
waiting for - a proof. For something like this. I can't believe that I
got it in such an unexpected way.
Kimura:
[Dazed.] Wow.
Mitoshi:
Are you all right, Kimura-san? I can understand all this is a shock to
you, and...
Kimura:
But... but this means - this means my proof is *correct*! [Smiles.]
This is great!
Mitoshi:
[Smiles for a second, and then his face turns serious again.] I have
to think what to do about this. Right now. [He collects the papers and
heads toward the door.]
Officer:
Um, wait a minute. What about those international spies?
Mitoshi:
Actually, I think you were right. Catching them is not my job. However
*this* - [Waves the papers.] - is, and I intend to do it seriously. I
think you should call for a backup or whatever is needed - you're
better qualified for something like this. [To Kimura, Ayukawa and
Kasuga.] Let's go, guys. I think it's time for you to head home. I'll
give you a ride.
Officer:
[Looks at Mitoshi for a while. Then, for the first time, he smiles.] I
think I should take back the words about my son never growing up.
Mitoshi:
[Pauses. Smiles back at him.] Thanks, dad.
[Cut to the university campus, next Monday afternoon. Ayukawa, Kasuga, and
Akane are sitting on a bench in a courtyard. Kimura approaches them.]
Kasuga:
So, how did it go?
Ayukawa:
What are they going to do?
Kimura:
Well - nothing. I decided not to file a formal complaint.
Kasuga:
WHY?
Akane:
[Aside.] 'Cause she's weird, that's why.
Kimura:
Well, I don't think I should. I will receive due credit, and that's
all I want. Mitoshi-san and we are all the people who know the whole
story.
Ayukawa:
Hokusai-sensei knows it, too.
Kimura:
I don't think he'd want to tell anybody. After all, it would hurt him
the most.
Akane:
Wouldn't he want to get revenge on you? Like fail you in his class, or
something.
Kimura:
He can't. It's a research group, there're no grades for this kind of
work. Plus, Mitoshi-sensei promised he'd keep an eye on him.
Kasuga:
But... didn't you say you wanted people to be fair to you?
Kimura:
Yes. But I don't want to be mean to Hokusai-sensei.
Akane:
But he was mean to you!
Kimura:
So? I'm sure Miyasato-tachi would agree with you; but I don't think I
can be mean to anyone. Even if they were mean to me first. If I file a
complaint, Hokusai-sensei will lose his job, and... and I just don't
want that. After all, I wouldn't be able to think of that proof
without his help.
Ayukawa:
[Looks at Kimura carefully and smiles.] I see. That's... very nice of
you, Keiko-san. To tell the truth, I would have probably filed that
complaint.
Kasuga:
Oh, by the way, what about those guys with accent? I haven't heard if
campus police got them on Friday night.
Akane:
[Shakes her head.] I don't think so. I mean, if something like that
happened, I'm sure the campus would be full of rumors by now.
Kasuga:
That's a pity. [Laughs.] I was already thinking of writing the front
page article called "Courageous Kimura Keiko Cleverly Combats a
Cunning KGB Conspiracy".
Kimura:
[Waves her hand absent-mindedly.] Ah, I'm not even sure I was right
about them. I mean, after all, they were not loud, and I didn't hear
much, and all that. Maybe I was wrong about them, after all. Maybe
we'll never know. [Stands up and stretches.] Well, I think I should
head off to the library now. I have some stuff to research. Oh,
Akane-san?
Akane:
Yes?
Kimura:
I wanted to thank you. You really helped me a lot.
Akane:
[Smiles.] Glad to help. The pleasure was mine.
[At this moment, Ayukawa opens her eyes wide and stares into space with a
curious expression.]
Kimura:
Well, see you.
Kasuga:
Bye!
[Ayukawa is still silent, with the same expression on her face.]
Kimura:
Madoka-san?
Kasuga:
Ayukawa, are you all right?
[Ayukawa blinks twice and slowly turns toward Kimura.]
Ayukawa:
[Slowly.] Keiko-san, can you please remind me what those two guys in
hallway looked like? I think - I think I have an idea.
Kimura:
[Nods.] Yes. One of them was really tall and slim, with short red hair
and moustache. The second was really short and fat, with long blond
hair and a beard.
Ayukawa:
But... but... [She loses her poise and falls down laughing.]
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Kasuga:
[Looking at her in shock.] Ayukawa, are you...
Ayukawa:
[Wiping off tears.] Yes, yes, I'm all right. Hahahahaha! Creeping
dusk! Empty hallway! Two strangers! Suspicious voices! Russian accent!
Just like a spy thriller!
[A pause. Then Akane starts laughing as well, and Kimura smiles at
Ayukawa.]
Akane:
[Winks at Kimura.] I think she got it.
Kimura:
[Quietly.] You're very smart, Madoka-san, do you know that?
Kasuga:
What are you talking about?!
Ayukawa:
[To Kimura.] If you haven't thanked Akane-san a minute ago, I would've
never guessed!
Akane:
[To Kimura.] Yep, she got it.
Kasuga:
WILL YOU TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON???
Ayukawa:
Kasuga-kun, do you remember how Keiko-san described those two "spies"
yesterday?
Kasuga:
Uhh... umm... just like she said a minute ago?
Ayukawa:
Well, not quite. Yesterday she said the tall one had long blond hair
and a beard. A minute ago, she said it was a short one.
Kasuga:
[Still in the darkness.] So...?
Ayukawa:
She made it up! SHE MADE THE WHOLE THING UP!
Kasuga:
What whole thing?
Ayukawa:
The whole story about two suspicious guys in a hallway! She made it up
only to get into Hokusai-sensei's office and take a look inside his
locked drawer!
Kasuga:
What? Keiko-san, what is she talking about?
Kimura:
[Pauses. Quietly.] She is right. I suspected the Professor was going
to steal my proof - and I wanted to stop it from happening.
Kasuga:
[Shakes his head.] Can you explain all this from the beginning? I'm
kind of lost.
Kimura:
Well, you see, I have heard the rumours about him plagiarizing his
students' research. I didn't believe it at first, but then there was
this thing with my proof. He told me it was wrong and not rigorous,
but I was sure it was right!
Ayukawa:
Couldn't you have filed an official complaint?
Kimura:
[Shakes her head.] No, because I wasn't sure he wanted to steal it.
Listen. Given: my suspicion and some rumours. Statement in question:
did he or did he not intend to steal my calculations? Prove or
disprove.
Ayukawa:
So you thought up this whole story about two guys who looked like
spies....
Kimura:
Well, not quite. I made this general plan, but I wasn't sure it would
work. I also wasn't sure I'd be able to pull this whole thing off. So
I met Akane-san, and I talked to her about it. She helped me to refine
the plan, and taught me a thing or two about acting.
Akane:
[Winks.] And plotting.
Kimura:
What concerns the spy thing - well, I didn't think of that until
Mitoshi-sensei mentioned that he loved spy movies. So then I invented
a few details - and it worked!
Kasuga:
What about the green folder?
Kimura:
Oh, Hokusai-sensei keeps the ungraded midterms in there. I knew it
must've been in his desk drawer, because he didn't have time to grade
them yet.
Kasuga:
And secret calculations for the government?
Akane:
[Laughs.] Theoretical mathematician? Who doesn't even use a computer?!
I don't think the government can ask him to do any work for them.
[Pause.]
Kimura:
I should apologize to you two, by the way - for pulling you into this,
and for not telling the truth. But I really needed you.
Ayukawa:
Why?
Kimura:
Oh, to recognize my doodles, of course! It would have been very
suspicious if I pointed at my papers in the drawer!
Kasuga:
[Pauses. In disbelief.] And it was just you two who planned this whole
thing?
Akane:
[Smiles.] It wasn't that hard. But when you thanked me, Keiko-san, I
think it gave Madoka-san the idea you were just acting.
Ayukawa:
[Nods.] Yes; plus I remembered Mitoshi-sensei's father saying
yesterday that this whole story sounded like it was made up by someone
with overactive imagination.
[Kimura laughs.]
Kasuga:
[Shakes his head.] I could never imagine you pulling off something
like this. I mean, yesterday you couldn't even pretend convincingly
that this happened to "your friend".
Ayukawa:
That was a very nice touch, Keiko-san.
Akane:
[Smiles.] My idea.
Kimura:
[Nods.] Akane-san suggested if I start by pretending to be naive and
simple-minded, nobody would doubt my story.
Kasuga:
You pretended then as well? [Kimura nods.] Uhh... I'm not surprised
Akane is involved in something like this, but it's really not like
you, Keiko-san. It's also weird to see you two working together.
You're so much... unlike. I mean, Keiko-san is so honest and open, and
you, Akane, well.... [Sweats.]
Akane:
[Narrows her eyes.] I think I'll interpret this as a compliment... for
now.
Kimura:
Maybe that's why we can learn something from each other, don't you
agree? Actually, to me this whole thing was very simple. Like some
kind of a...
Ayukawa:
Mathematical theorem.
Kimura:
[Nods.] Good comparison. I knew what I wanted to do, so it was not
that hard to think of a way to accomplish this. After all - [Her face
turns decisive and resolute.] - this concerns my job, and I want to be
serious about it. [Pause. Quietly.] Also, I told you yesterday, it
hurts when people are unfair to me. And I want to be able to protect
myself, too.
[Another pause.]
Ayukawa:
[Slowly.] Yes, I guess you proved what you set out to prove.
Kimura:
[Smiles brightly.] Um. It might have been an unusual proof - but it
was quite rigorous, don't you agree?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
END CREDITS
New Character Designer Stephen Tsai
Writer Vladimir Zelevinsky
Pre-readers Stephen Tsai
Robert Carragher
Herbert Fung
Very special thanks to Hitoshi Doi
A tip of the hat and a deep bow to Matsumoto Izumi for starting
the whole thing
If I left anyone off, my apologies. Any mistakes/embarrassing faux pas are
entirely my own. If there is anything here you must flame, mail them to
stsai@netcom.com.
Thank you for taking the time to read this episode of my series. I've got
the next episode in the works.
Hope you enjoyed it and thanks again!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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