Shikata Ga Nai -A Japanese American WWII Drama

8/4/2019 Shikata Ga Nai -A Japanese American WWII Drama

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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]

Act 1

Long Beach, California

December 1, 1941

Eric reading newspaper

Alice enters

Alice: Morning honey. Do you want more cream in your

coffee?

Eric: No, thanks. So, did you see the new propaganda poster

on the telephone pole? I love how they‘re so creative with

portraying Hitler, and especially Tojo. That Jap next door

looks just like him.

Alice walks to poster

Alice: (Sighs) I hate it when they put these posters up.

They‘re very demeaning to the Japanese race. The Fujiyamas

must feel uncomfortable when they see this.

Eric places newspaper on table and makes eye-contact with

Alice

Eric: Well they get what they deserve. I read in August,

President Roosevelt was negotiating with Japan to stop its

invasions and get out of China, but nothing seemed to be




working. Just the month before that, Japan flooded into

Cambodia and Thailand! Those Japs are nothing but power

hungry people, along with Hitler. This is an example of why

I‘m irritated with the Fujiyamas next door.

Alice: How can you say that about them? They have been

nothing but hospitable to us since we moved to this

neighborhood. Mrs. Fujiyama still gives us those mangos

that you enjoy. I haven‘t heard you complain about that.

Eric: I know, but I‘m still suspicious of their motives

here in California. Honestly, I don‘t trust any of them.

I‘m even wondering if they might turn on us if the U.S.

went to war with Japan.

Alice: Well it‘s not like the Fujiyamas are bad people,

just a different race. They‘re Japanese-Americans. They are

no different from you and me – Americans.

Eric: I beg to differ. Do I have slant-eyes? (says

sarcastically) No, I obviously don‘t. So don‘t go saying

that those Japs and I are the same.

Alice: Eric! Enough already! What is with you? People

shouldn‘t be prejudiced toward those innocent people. Just

because they‘re from Japan, it doesn‘t mean they can‘t be

an American. America is a land of opportunities and a fresh




start. We shouldn‘t hold or stop the Japanese from a new

life when they mean no harm. All they want is to have a

successful life, like you and me.

Eric: Hey, I‘m not the only one that feels this way. Since

Japan joined the Axis, along with Germany and Italy, many

people have felt on edge with the presence of Japanese. You

never know when they might strike at us. C‘mon Alice, do

you feel 100% safe around them, especially since we live

right next door to some?

Alice: At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable since we

weren't the same race, but once I got to know the

Fujiyamas, I learned that they were very respectable

people. You can‘t judge a book by its cover, Eric; you

haven‘t developed a relationship with even one Japanese

person yet.

Eric: Oh, I wonder why… (says sarcastically )

Alice: Why don‘t you start then?

Eric: No, I refuse.

Alice: Why do you have to be so stubborn? If you‘re trying

to prove a point by refusing to befriend someone not of

your race, you won‘t succeed.




Eric: I never said that I didn‘t like other races. I don‘t

mind the Mexicans, Chinese, or Portuguese; their home

country isn‘t trying to take over the world or be a threat

to the U.S.

Alice: You don‘t know that. Even if Japan did attack the

U.S., what would it matter to the Japanese living here?

They would have done nothing wrong.

Eric: Nothing wrong? (says in shock) How can you just stand

there and defend those people? If Japan ever attacked the

U.S., the Japanese living here would be the first to blame.

Alice: How is that? They‘re Americans, why would the

government interrogate its own people?

Eric: Well the U.S. won‘t see them as one of us, and I

don't blame them. Who knows? They could be planning

something right now and we wouldn‘t even know it.

Alice: Stop assuming already. What if you were stereotyped

because you were too pale? How would you feel? You know

better than this, Eric; treat others the way that you want

to be treated.




Eric: All I want to do is take precautions so we don't get

hurt Alice. I love my life here in the United States; I'm

not going to let a couple of Japs take it away from me.

Alice: But who said they will, Eric? It‘s not like they're

rebelling against other Americans. Practically all of the

Japanese act as better Americans than we do. They exemplify

respect, honor, and determination. These qualities aren't

negative at all. They're not monsters; they‘re people.

Eric: I know they‘re not monsters, right now at least. But

they could become one in a matter of minutes. Alice, soon

you have to be more realistic of what they‘re capable of.

They‘re very mysterious people. Knowing their kind, they

probably don‘t show their real feelings outside of their

homes.

Alice: Why would they if everyone is always so hostile

toward them? I don‘t blame them for being so bottled up.

They show respect to those that treat them wrongly. That

takes a lot of humility to not speak up or defend

themselves.

Eric: Watch Alice, you‘ll see. I can just see turmoil ahead

for the U.S., and I have a feeling in my gut that Japan has

something to do with it… Just watch….




Act II: Scene 1


December 7, 1941

Kirra: (running) Zach! Zach! Wait! Pearl Harbor was just

bombed!

Zach: Huh?! Oh…hey Kirra. Wait, where‘s Pearl Harbor?

Kirra: Hello?! Grandpa and the whole family are fighting

over how Grandpa won‘t let go of his Japanese pride.

And then the radio went off saying that we were

being attacked and about the military soldiers and

all that. Now hurry up ‗cause we need to get home!

(Zach walks into house)

Zach: Guys, I have to-

Mika: -Hochido! Please! We are free here.

Koji: Oto-san, please.

Zach: Guys! I have to-

Oji-san: No! My flag! Japan my pride.

Kirra: Oji San! We are in America! Let go of the Japanese

flag! Hey! Listen! Zach‘s enlisted in the army and

if you haven‘t noticed, the U.S. is currently being

attacked at Pearl Harbor.

Koji: Oto-san, I know it means a lot to you but that is

Japan bombing Hawaii right now. Listen to the

radio!

(Spokesperson on radio recording)




Radio: We are being attacked. Pearl Harbor in Hawaii has

been bombed multiple times. All military soldiers or

workers get ready to leave. I repeat all military soldiers,

workers, or personnel to your positions. Pearl Harbor was

just bombed.

Zach: Just as the radio said, I have to go soon.

Oji-san: You…you shame me! You turn against your own

country!

Koji: Oto-san! He‘s doing right thing! He won‘t shame us!

Mika: No! You are not leaving this house! Too dangerous!

Koji: He has to go. It goes along with enlisting in the

army.

Oji-san: Ichido, you shame me, you shame Japan.

Koji: Oto-san!

Zach: Listen! I have to leave, it‘s my duty, but Oji-san, I

really hope you find respect for me

(Zach tumbles into uniform and comes out)

Mika: Don‘t…don‘t go…

Zach: Mom, it‘s okay. I‘ll be fine. It‘s for a good reason.

I‘m not going to combat. Relax. I‘m just enlisted.

Mika: You know what they say? Ichido, combat always random,always dangerous.

Zach: Trust me, ma, please.

Oji-san: (grunt)




Koji: No shame me. You work hard, you succeed.

(Handshake)

Kirra: So… I guess I‘m in charge now. Make me proud…

Zach: (tease) Aww Kirra San…so sweet. (Ariel grunts) But

take care of mom, dad, and grandpa, alright?

Kirra: Write to me…A LOT! You are leaving me with these

crazy people. I‘ll have no more sanity when you come

back…if you come back…

Zach: I know I will, I promise. You can do it. I got to go…

(Ogo-san and Kirra hug Ian)

(Kojiand Oji-san shake Ian‘s hand)

(Zach leaves)

Mika: Ichido…Ichido gone…

Kirra: Mom, its fine.

Koji: Mika, he making us proud.

Oji-san: (slams hands on table) You say making us proud!

Japan all I have to be proud about!

(Mika buries face in hands)

Kirra: Oji-San! Leave your Japanese pride! Please! Look how

happy we are here!

Oji-san: Japan my pride. Always has been, always will be.

Never change…




Act II: Scene 2


February 17, 1942

Kirra: Mom I‘m going to go check the mail.

Mika: I will come with you.

(Kirra and Mika walks out of scene)

Kirra: Mom, Mom! We got mail from Zach!

(Mika and Kirra is reading letter as walking inside)

Dear Mom, Dad, Oji-san, and Kirra,

I miss you guys so much it‘s not even explainable. Ican‘t yet tell you where I am, but let‘s just say it‘s hot

and not in California. Ridiculous things they are making us

do. How‘s the family? I hope you guys are okay. Oji-san,

you stay healthy now! Ma, I am fine-don‘t worry. Pop, I‘m

making you proud! Kirra, thanks for taking care of the

family… I got to go; it‘s time for a looong day. Write

back, ok?

Love,

Zach

(Mika and Kirra is reading letter as walking inside)

Mika: Why did he leave?

Koji: Because he‘s doing the right thing.

Oji-san: See?! He serve army, yet they making him do all

the dirty work?

Koji: At least he‘s not shaming us.

Oji-san: He already shame me…

Koji: Enough! That is it!

(Koji walks off on the other side of the stage)

Kirra: Mom… It‘s fine… he said don‘t worry.

Mika: My son at military! And you say don‘t worry?!




Koji: Mika, He‘s doing the right thing.

Mika: See?! Oto-san, all your fault!

Koji: Me? No, not my fault.

Mika: You, you support him! He going get hurt.

Koji: His decision, not mine.

Mika: You encourage him. You see the newspaper?

Oji-san: I go make tea.(Ocha wo tsukuremasu.

Kirra: I‘ll go too!

Koji: Mika, you too worried!

Mika: Koji! Japan just attacked the Philippines. One day

after Pearl Harbor. Is that my Zach who going to

fight?

Koji: I don‘t think so. Mika, everything going to be

alright.

Mika: Frontline of newspaper say, ―Japanese Soldier Drafted

for Combat.‖ What you say about that?

Koji: Mika, you know our son well. He doing right thing.

Mika: I…I…(sigh) Okay… you right.

(Kirra and Oji-san walk back in to scene)

Kirra: Anyone want tea?

(Kirra passes our tea)

Oji-san: So what did I miss?

Mika: Nanimonai (Nothing)




Act II: Scene 3


February 19, 1942

2 days later

Kirra: So, what‘s happening next?

Koji: I don‘t know, Kirra…

Kirra: Are they going to take us?

Oji-san: They are obviously going to imprison us. You see

they call us ―Japs.‖ We do nothing to U.S. Never.

We are outcasts.

Koji: Stop scaring her Oto-san.

(Mika walks in)

Mika: Well, pack up your stuff. I just got a flyer.

Japanese residents are to be ―relocated‘ to Manzanar

internment camp.

Oji-san: See? We going to prison.

Koji: Enough Oto-son.

Oji-san: well, we are.

Kirra: Internment camp? Prison? We‘re going to prison?!

Koji: See what you doing to Kirra? No, Kirra, not prison,

just being relocated to a camp for a little while.

So, let‘s start packing. We bring what we can carry.

Kirra: How much time do we have?

Mika:…2 days…

Kirra: 2 days!

Oji-san: Kirra, you have to pack and carry my items. I too

old.

Kirra: Aww. Man! Mom?




Mika: Kirra, Oji-san to old! Please just do it.




Act III


August 15, 1942

Alice reading novel

Eric enters

Eric: Mornin‘ (while yawning ). Make sure you go to the fish

market today. I feel like eating salmon for dinner.

Alice slaps book cover hastily and places it on table

Alice: Well ever since the Japanese fishermen in the U.S.

moved to the relocation camps, not many fish have been

coming in. I'll try to look, but I doubt there will be any

left.

Eric walks toward pole

Eric: Yeah, ok… hey, (while chuckling) did you see this?

The artists did a great job drawing up those slant-eyed

Japs this time.

Alice: Enough already, the posters are getting worse each

month.

Eric: Those Japs asked for it when they bombed Pearl

Harbor.




Alice: Well, President Roosevelt had no right to sign the

Executive Order 9066. He gave authority to the War

Department to define military areas in the western states

and to exclude from them anyone who might threaten the war

effort. His precautions are violating their rights!

Eric: Who wouldn't be uncomfortable with them? They have

the face of the enemy! They need to be separated from the

real Americans, like us.

Alice: How are they any different from us? Japan bombed us;

the people of Japan attacked the U.S. The Japanese in

America didn‘t do this to us.

Eric: Who knows? All our neighbors could have been playing

us blind! They all could have been sending messages to

submarines off shore or showing some faithfulness to their

mother country. I'm glad that they're all gone; this is how

it‘s supposed to be - a Jap-free country.

Alice: How can you say that? I know that deep down, you

miss the presence of them. At least, the Fujiyamas! It‘s a

ghost town ever since they left for the internment camps.

You have to admit that without them, things aren't the

same.

Eric: How is that?




Alice: The absence of many of the families changed how we

lived too. Haven't you noticed how the weeds and grass

haven't been cut in months ( points to grass) since Mr.

Fujiyama left? Every Sunday, he used to take the time to

mow lawns, sidewalks, or anywhere the greenery got out of

control. Now that he's gone, a jungle practically grew.

Eric: Well, that isn't much. You really need to stop

exaggerating.

Alice: Exaggerating? (says angrily ) Thousands of innocent

Japanese-American citizens lost their homes, jobs,

businesses, and rights for something they had no connection

to. All I can possibly feel for them is sympathy; how can

you just stand there and attack me for something I believe

is morally right?

Eric: I'm not attacking you, Alice; I'm wondering why you

are so broken over this. They're just Japs, nothing more.

Alice: Oh really? That's sort of difficult to do

considering I witnessed the hardships of the families when

they had to be relocated to the camps….

Eric: What do you mean?




Alice: They only had 48 hours to pack all their belongings

in suitcases. Suitcases! Everything they ever owned, and if

it couldn't fit, they had to either sell it or leave it

behind. I had to see the broken China plates on the front

porch of the Wakatsukis. Due to lack of space in the car,

Mrs. Wakatsuki wanted to sell her plates to see how much

money she could make from it. Sadly, she broke them after

because she refused to sell it to a cheap buyer….

Eric: Wait, she actually broke her own China set? (says

surprised )

Alice: Yes, but the worst to me was the children. They were

traumatized, Eric. Tears were streaming down their faces as

they waved good-bye to the homes that they lived in their

entire lives. They must have been thinking what they did

for this to happen to them. You mean to still tell me that

even the children deserved this? Just because the country

that their ancestors came from attacked the U.S.?

Eric: Well, no…. I'm just saying….

Alice: Saying what, Eric? (says frustrated ) They didn't

deserve this at all. They were, and still are, American

citizens. Nothing can change that, Eric. Soon you and

everyone else needs to accept that and disagree with the




relocation camps. Those camps are basically prisons with

prisoners that didn't commit a crime.

Eric: I understand what you're saying, but the government

is just taking precautions. We don't want another incident

with Japan or any other country again. Be honest Alice, do

you really blame people for acting this way toward the

Japanese? They have the face of the people that attacked us

– the eyes of the Emperor! You must have been a little

afraid of them after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Alice: Yes, but I dealt with it and didn't let something

like that linger within me. I realized that they didn't do

any harm. Japan did. Also, it doesn't give the government

the right to keep them locked up for this long.

Eric: I'm sure they'll be released soon. Since many of the

Japanese-Americans from Hawaii and some from the west coast

were dismissed to join the army on January 12, they have

been proving their loyalty to the U.S. army.

Alice: I really hope it shows Eric… They are such loyal and

hard-working people. Hopefully the U.S. can see that they

were American from the beginning, before Pearl Harbor.




Act IV

Cat Island, Mississippi

October 16, 1942

Soldiers get off boat

Lieutenant Hood: Get off the boats grunts and get one thing

straight, I don‘t trust you, not as much as I would trust a

Nazi with a rifle pointed at my head. Now, you Japs have

been selected to do a special…job.

Kalani: Watchoo mean?

Lieutenant Hood: You have the face of the enemy. Stoptalking and let me explain what you‘re here for.

Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir!

Lieutenant Hood: This place may be named Cat Island,

however, there are no cats here. There are animals here

that will soon become your worst nightmares. These animals

are dogs. Not just any dogs, but U.S. Army war dogs who are

here under the authority of the Quartermaster Corps.

Kalani: That‘s iro—

Hood: Your mission is to prepare them for use in war. You

see, grunts, you all are here to represent the enemies the

dogs will face in combat. Our objective here is to train

these dogs to smell your Jap scent. You‘re not the

trainers. You grunts aren‘t worthy to even be the trainers.

Instead, you all are the bait. We are going to teach them

to smell you, find you, and attack you.

Kalani: (side comment) Dey should use you to train da dogs

cuz dey could smell you from one mile away.

Lieutenant Hood: walks slowly towards Zach

What did you say?

Zach: Nothing, sir.




Hood walks slowly away

Zach: Sir, I don‘t think you should call us that. The Japs

are the enemy, not us.

Lieutenant Hood: Well, such a big mouth for a little yellow

man. There will be no back talk, understand?

Zach: Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Hood: (sigh) Now, you two will be assigned to

Anderson and his dog, Rex. You grunts will not praise the

dog in any way.

Anderson walks in

Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Hood: Good, now Anderson and I will discuss the

directions of the mission. You two just stay quiet!

Hood and Anderson have inaudible conversation on side of

stage

Kalani: (nudges Zach) Hey. Dat Lieutenant is pretty unfair,

ah?

Zach: (gives Kalani weird look)

Kalani: (give Zach weird look then goes back into place)

Watchoo lookin‘ at me lih‘ dat fo‘?

Zach: Be quiet before the lieutenant hears you.

Hood: Hey! I said don‘t talk!


Anderson and Hood continue conversation

Zach: I told you he was gonna hear us.

Kalani: Sheesh. I guess you was right. (Side comment)

There‘s a first for everything.

Zach: What did you say?

Kalani: You heard what I said.




Zach: No need to get worked up.

Kalani: Yeah. You‘re right. Sorry.

Zach: (Side comment) What could you expect from a Buddha

head?

Kalani: What Kotonk, you like scrap? Wanna hear the sound

of your head go kotonk against the wall?

Zach: You‘re just asking for trouble now, aren‘t you?

Zach and Kalani get ready to fight

Lieutenant Hood breaks up fight

Hood: I told you, grunts to stay quiet! I was right about

not trusting you Japs! Now, drop and give me twenty!


Zach and Kalani drop and begin push ups

Hood: I wanna see you licking your sweat off the ground and

your arms trembling!

Zach and Kalani finish push ups

Lieutenant Hood: It‘s all yours, Anderson.

Hood leaves the scene

Anderson walks towards Zach and Kalani

Zach: Hey, Rex.

Anderson: Don‘t touch the dog.

Zach: takes hand away

Sorry.

Anderson: Follow me.

Walks to other side of stage

Anderson: What‘s your name?

Zach: Zach.




Anderson: And yours?

Kalani: Kalani.

Anderson: He‘s a war dog. Not a house dog. He listens to me

and only me. Understood?


Anderson: No need to call me sir, just Anderson.

Anderson: You‘re a good boy, Rex. And a lucky one at that.

Zach: Whadaya mean?

Anderson: I wasn‘t supposed to say this, but the military

is training the dogs to be suicide dogs. They are dogs who

have explosives attached to their necks. They‘re supposedto leap into foxholes and dugouts. Once they are in, the

explosives are set off by radio.

Zach and Kalani have shocked faces

Kalani: The dogs are blown up?

Anderson: Uh-huh.

Brief pause

Anderson pulls out meat

Kalani: Wass dat?

Anderson: Alligator meat. It‘s for the scent.

Zach: For the scent?

Anderson: Yup. Rex is going to pick up the smell of what‘s

in that bag you have and he‘ll want to eat it. However,

you‘re not going to feed it to him. Not right away, anyway.

You two are going to tie the meat to these pieces of

strings. Rex and I will stay here for a while which will

give you guys time to drag the meat into the forest and

hide — but not too close — go far away. Rex will find you then.

Zach and Kalani: Okay.

Brief pause




Zach: Why don‘t you guys just do other missions with the

dogs that‘s more sensible! This just doesn‘t make sense!

You know he‘s only gonna find us because of the meat.

Kalani: Dat don‘t mean he can tell a Japanese soldier from

a white soldier.

Anderson: Don‘t get worked up! According to Hood, you guys

have a scent that Rex will be able to find.

Zach: That‘s not true.

Anderson: What makes you say that?

Kalani: You tink we smell diff‘rent from everyone else?

Anderson: I…don‘t know. I‘m just following orders.

Zach: Who‘s orders?

Anderson: President Roosevelt.

Brief pause

Kalani: I can‘t believe our president is issuing dis sick

act.

Zach: Our president.

Anderson: Well, we‘ll just have to figure out if Roosevelt

is right. Listen, there are a couple of gators on this

island that can scare your hats off. You don‘t want to be

near an angry gator. You will be in a load of trouble if

you encounter one. One time my comrade got his arm bitten

off. There are also venomous snakes — cottonmouths, water

moccasins, and copperheads. Man, those snakes are annoying!

Anderson: Anyways, make sure you check the ponds first if

you ever cross one. You don‘t want to end up like my

unfortunate friend. Now, both of you tie that meat to the

strings and hide.

Anderson walks off stage

Zach and Kalani slowly walk to the other side of the stage

Kalani: We not true souljahz. We jus‘ bait.




Zach: Good job, genius.

Kalani: Be quiet, Kotonk.

Zach: Don‘t complain. If you complain, you‘ll show you‘re

weak, therefore, you‘ll bring shame upon your family.

Zach and Kalani stop walking

Brief pause

Kalani: Shikataganai.

Brief pause

Kalani: Well, let‘s go hide.

Zach: Oh hey, I forgot to ask you, what‘s that belt for?

Kalani: What kine Japanee you?

Zach: Da kind that is very family oriented!

Kalani: No do dat. Jus‘…jus‘ don‘t talk lih‘ dat.

Zach: Wh…whatever. You didn‘t answer my question. What is

the belt for?

Kalani: It‘s a senninbari. It‘s on good luck charm from my

mom. She made me two things as good luck charms. Thesenninbari was one of them. The other was an autographed

flag. How come your mom neva give you one?

Zach: I…don‘t know. What‘s so special about it other than

your mom giving it to you?

Kalani: My mom said it going protect me in combat.

Zach: How would it do so? Do you really think it will

protect you?

Kalani: Geez, Kotonk! You ask so much questions it‘s

unbelievable! My mom said once she put da thousandth stitch

on ‗em, it gained some special power to help protect me

from dangerous times in the war. And no. I don‘t really

believe dat. I jus‘ wearing ‗em cuz my mom wen put so much




time into making it fo‘ me. I respect her for devoting most

of her to make it wen she got betta tings to do.

Zach: She must REALLY want you back, huh?

Kalani: (says with irritated look) Well of course! Don‘t

your mom wanchoo back?

Zach: Look, Buddhahead. This is the last thing I would want

to be doing right now. Working with you plus being bait, OH

JOY! Let‘s just go hide before Anderson and Rex come

searching for us, okay?

Kalani: (clenches fist) Fine.

Kalani walks off stage

Zach: (looks down and talks to family) Sorry guys. You were

right. This is shameful.

Kalani: (shouts from hiding spot) Ay, Kotonk! C‘mon! You

said don‘t keep Anderson waitin‘.

Zach: (sighs) I‘m…really…sorry guys.

Zach walks off stage




Act V: Scene 1

Manzanar Internment Camp, California

April 21, 1942

Mika: Kirra! Kirra

Kirra: (sigh) yes, mom?!

Mika: Come help me. Dust is flying in through the windows.

We need to cover up the holes.

Kirra: It‘s freezing! Where‘s dad?

Mika: Go get Food for us.

Kirra: Oh boy… What‘s our meal today? Dog food?

(Koji Enter with Rice)

Koji: Not exactly… Kirra bring food to Oji-san.

Kirra: Eww! What is this?

Koji: Gohan (Rice) … With butter…, and maple syrup?

(Kirra hands food to Oji-san)

Oji-san: Nanikore! Get this food out of my face. You see

where they put us?! I want to leave Manzanar

Camp!

Kirra: Oji-san? Are you okay? You look a little… sick…

Koji: Oto-san? Are you okay? (Daishobu?)

Oji-san: Yes, Yes. Leave me alone! (Coughs)

Oji-san: (Coughs loud and hard)

Kirra: Oji-san?

Oji-san: I fine, I fine.




Act V: Scene 2

Manzanar Internment Camp, California

June 4, 1942

2 years later

(Mika and Kirra walk in with food)

(Oji-san and Koji get really loud)

Oji-san: My flag! (Tugging flag away from Koji)

Koji: Let go!

Oji-san: Never!

Koji: Agh! (Flag rips) Oto-san please. I‘m sorry

(Gomennasai). I just want you to let go of Japanese

pride. That is it.

Kirra: What is going on?!

Oji-san: Your father breaks my one and only flag of Nippon!

Koji: You are obsessive. We are modern people, not samurai.

Oji-san: Yamato Damashii. I have spirit of samurai! We are

Nippon!

Koji: No. you are Nippon, we American.

Mika: Shizukanishinasai! I can hear you from outside!

Kirra: What are you guys arguing about?

Koji: I broke his flag.

(Koji and Oji-san say lines at same time)

Oji-san: He broke my flag.

Koji: I broke his flag.

Kirra: Ugh! I am done with this I am leaving. I am going to

write a letter to Zach now.

(Koji and Oji-san say lines at same time)

Oji-san: But… But…




Koji: But… But…

Mika: Enough it‘s done.

Kirra: ugh… Figure it out guys… please.

(Koji, Oji-san, and Mika walk out of scene)

(Kirra reads her letter to Zach)

Kirra:

Dear Zach,

It‘s crazy here. Grandpa and Dad are fighting all the

time now. Grandpa‘s health is dwindling. This

internment/relocation camp is creepy. Zach I am scared.

What do I do? You probably don‘t have very much time onyour hands, but stay safe.

Love you,

Kirra




Act V: Scene 3

Manzanar Internment Camp,California

June 20, 1942

(Family at table with food)

(Mika walks with tea and food)

Koji: You see the newspaper?

Mika: What now?

Koji: The Battle of Guadalcanal.

Mika: You think Ichido-san going?

Koji: Could be good chance, Mika. Remember, he doing right

thing. He promised to come home and he will come

home.

Kirra: This is all news to me. Where‘s Guadalcanal?

Koji: Uh… Pacific Ocean?

Mika: Give me that,

(Mika takes away newspaper)

Mika: … It is in…So-lomo-n Island.

Kirra: You mean, Solomon Islands? I learned a little about

it at the (Kirra hold up air quotes) ―School‖ we

have here. Pretty lame, but worth it.

Mika: Yes, yes. Very good now Kirra. Eat.

Oji-san: Mika what‘s, in this rice? (Coughing)

Mika: Hochido, you okay?

Koji: He been sick for while… Oto-san?

Oji-san: I…I not okay




Act V: Scene 4

Manazanar Interment Camp,California

August 15, 1942

come first.

Kirra: Did you ever think how hard it was for me to take

lead of the family with Zach gone? And by the way,

Zach came first. Not me.

Mika: Did you think how hard it is for me to see my son

leave? Do I like to live in camp? No! Kirra I‘m

sorry, but please just help me. Me and dad love you

very much. Now, come please.

Kirra: Um… I‘m gonna go and see if we got mail.

Koji: Mika… What now?

Mika: Shouldn‘t I be asking you that?

Kirra: Mom, dad. We got a flyer. It says, ―Everyone will be

released in 1 week. You will be given fifteen

dollars and transportation costs will be covered.

You will have three days to leave.‖

Koji: (sighs) The madness is done.

Kirra: Um…Zach also wrote to us.

Dear Mom, Dad, Oji-san, and Kirra,

I have some not so good news. As the war grows, more

people are needed for the war. Unfortunately… I was one of

them… Us ―Japs‖ are going into combat to Italy. Pop, I

haven‘t shamed you yet. The U.S. finally somewhat respects

us. I‘m not sure how long it will take for this mission to

be complete, but I‘ll be home, I promise. Miss you and love

you.

Love you,

Zach

Mika: (cries and buries face in hands)




Kirra: (Sits down, traumatized)

Koji: (Paces) He‘s making us proud… just as he said.

Mika:

Dear Ichido-san,

Your father and I miss you very much. We are sorry

for not writing to you earlier. I cannot explain what has

happened. Oji-san has passed. He never let go of his

Japanese pride.

The Internment camp is okay. Cold and not the best,

but don‘t worry about me. Me and father are very proud. You

serve U.S. very well. You are a leader. Hope to see you

soon. Combat dangerous, and remember always random.Ganbare.

Love,

Mom and Dad




Act VI: Scene 1

Cat Island, Mississippi

February 21, 1942

Zach and Kalani sail to Cat Island

Zach: This is it. All the work just for this one test.

Kalani: Suspenseful, ain‘t it?

Zach: Think about it, if the dog finds us, all of the

discriminations against the Japanese will be right. Our

entire race will be shamed.

Kalani: Relax, da dogs not gon find us. Da haoles smell

worse den us, remember?

Zach: Yeah, but Rex already knows our scent, it‘s like

second nature to him.

Kalani: Relax. You one real downer, ah? I guess there is

some thoughts going around in your hollow head. Jus‘ trus‘

me. Everything gon be find.

Zach: It better be, Buddhahead.

Zach and Kalani land on Cat Island with Hood waiting onshore with other Caucasian test subjects

Hood: Ah, gentlemen. (Says with grin) Today‘s the day we

prove you Japs smell worse than us. I‘m here to observe

these test results, and report it to President Roosevelt.

Johnson is here to help us with this test. The dog will

have three scents to follow, yours, yours, and yours. Rex

will choose the Jap scent, because that‘s what he was

trained to do. That will be proof of his particular

ability. Now go hide because you Japs stink.

Zach, Kalani, and Johnson walk off into the forest to hide

Zach: This isn‘t fair. Rex already knows our scent, of

course he‘s gonna find us.




Kalani: Yeah, the only thing this‘ll prove is that we

trained with Rex more.

Zach and Kalani find hiding spots next to Johnson’s

Kalani: So we jus‘ wait here until Rex comes or something?

Zach: Pretty much.

Brief pause

Kalani: Look…Koto— I mean Zach. I‘m sorry for wanting to

pick a fight, calling you Kotonk…everything! You‘re not

like any of those other haoles.

Zach Wow. That means a lot to me. Thanks. I apologize too

Kalani. I‘m sorry for ev—

Zach gets interrupted by Rex barking

Zach: Oh man. There goes our pride! The dog found us!

Kalani: I guess you was right.

Zach and Kalani stand up to see Rex by Johnson

Anderson: (side comment) Good boy, Rex. You proved the

Lieutenant wrong. You found the Caucasian soldier instead

of the Japanese soldiers.

Zach and Kalani sigh of relief

Hood: Umm… uh… (clears throat) Let‘s call it a day. Go back

to your cabins.

Zach and Kalani are sitting down on the beach talking

Zach: So, Kalani. What was it like when the bombing of

Pearl Harbor happened?

Kalani: Why you want to know, exactly?

Zach: Because I want to know how it happened from someone

who lived it.

Kalani: Well, it was pretty scary I tell ya.

Zach: Scary how?




Kalani: You‘re jus‘ full of questions aren‘t you? Well,

it's a pretty wild story. It all started below deck of the

USS Arizona. I was talking to some friends, relaxing. It

was a Sunday. Suddenly, at around 7:55 am, the peace in the

United States came to one end. The alarm went off, warning

of an air raid. People were shouting, everybody was driving

around ignoring the traffic lights. It felt like the world

was comin to one end. It felt unbelievable. There were

explosions everywhere! My family and I was lucky we never

got hit by one bomb. I ran up da deck, and was greeted by

machine gun fire, the horrible fires, and the smell of

smoke that I will never forget. While I was trying fo‘

dodge the bullets, I looked frantically for some weapon,

for some way to fight those planes. I was trying to do my

part, but...I was standing by the edge when I felt someone

push me from behind. Whether it was for my own good or

because they didn‘t trust me I‘ll never know. I fell into

da water below, already choked wit‘ da oil from the

Arizona. I popped up from beneath the waves, spit the water

I had in my mouth out, and tried to swim somewhere.

Somewhere I could help. I was forced to watch, helplessly..

pauses as if he chokes up

Kalani:..as that bomb dropped right on the USS Arizona,

right between the gun turrets. I didn‘t know what to do, Ididn‘t know what to do. I blamed myself fo‘ not helping,

fo‘ not goin down wit‘ dat ship wit‘ honor. Sometime later,

I wasn't keeping track of the time, I was pulled aboard one

of the ships milling around Pearl Harbor. I was ready for

my death. It neva come. Den one haole said to me, "Where

did you come from? You filthy Jap, I bet you fell out of

your plane didn't you?" Then I told the haole, ―No,

actually I fell off my battleship. Da one I should be dead

with.‖ Then da army sergeant came along…MY army sergeant

and told me, ―You‘re a kamikaze? Of course you should be

dead with it. But you‘re a filthy coward.‖

Brief pause

Zach: Kalani. You don‘t have to go on. I didn‘t know that

it was so —




Kalani: No, it‘s good fo‘ me to talk about it.

Kalani: Anyways, I responded to dat haole sergeant by

saying, ―Sir, my battleship was da USS Arizona, and I was

pushed off,‖ and that‘s when his face lightened. And he

apologized by saying. ―Oh. Well, umm, I‘m sorry about allof this. We should probably get you to Schofield.‖ In dat

rickety boat, we wen‘ back to shore. I wen‘ drag myself

back to da road and we got in a car. I hated myself thee

entire way to Schofield.

Zach has apologetic look his face

Zach: Wow.

Kalani: Yeah.

Zach: Dude, I didn‘t know you went through that much.

Sorry.

Kalani: You said that already.

Zach: I know.

Brief pause

Zach: Kalani.

Kalani: Yeah?

Zach: I forgot to ask you something.

Kalani: Yes?

Zach: What‘s a ―haole?‖

Kalani: No worries, you pass.

Zach: What?

Kalani: Never mind.

Zach: Here comes Anderson. What does he want?

Anderson comes into scene

Anderson: Zach. Kalani. Follow me.




Kalani: Where we going?

Anderson: Just follow me.

Zach and Kalani: O…kay?

Anderson leads Zach and Kalani to location

Zach: Now are you going to tell us where in the world we

going?

Anderson: To meet Lieutenant Hood.

Kalani: Why?

Brief pause

Anderson: side comment

I knew from the beginning that this wasn‘t gonna

work. Pft… alligator meat. What was Roosevelt thinking?

Zach: What was that?

Anderson: What was what?

Kalani: What you just said.

Brief pause

Zach and Kalani look at each other with frustrated faces

Hood: As you can see, the experiment has been terminated.

With the dog not finding your Japanese scent, the

experiment was a failure.

Hood briefly pauses and looks down, then looks at Zach and

Kalani

Hood: For the past four months, I‘ve come to know you and I

have something to say. I pegged you wrong, the two of you.You are not Japs…you are Americans, there is no one more

worthy to bear the title than you two.

Hood looks down at Zach and Kalani’s wounded arms

Hood: You both have shed blood and honor for this country

already, and I couldn‘t find anyone more rightful to be




called a United States Army Soldier. It would be an honor

to fight alongside of you two any day.

Hood: To show that my respect is genuine, here are two

purple hearts since you two were wounded by the dog.

Hood puts purple hearts on Zach and Kalani’s uniforms

Hood stands at attention and solutes. After Zach and Kalani

stands at attention and solutes.

Hood: Good job soldiers.

Hood hears phone and picks up

Kalani: Wow. To hear an apology from the bitter lieutenant…just… makes me shocked.

Zach: Same here. What do you think comes next?

Anderson: Well you guys know that we will have to leave the

islands.

Kalani: But where we going next? I still don‘t tink we

going Europe to fight.

Zach: Well we‘ll just have to wait and see.

Brief pause

Anderson: rubs back of his neck

Zach. Kalani.

Zach: Yeah?

Anderson: I didn‘t really believe in this whole Japanese

scent nonsense.

Kalani: Den watchoo do ‗um fo‘?

Anderson: I told you. I was following orders. Look, I‘m

sorry. For putting you through all of this. I‘m sorry that

the dog had to attack both of you like that.

Zach: Why didn‘t you tell the dog to stop then?




Anderson: I was too much in shock! I never thought that I

would see that actually happen to you guys! Looking Rex

bite off both of your skin was just too brutal for me to

see. I am truly sorry.

Kalani: You know you going see worse on the battle ground.So why get chicken skin when you see it happen to us now?

Anderson: That‘s exactly it! Because it was you guys.

Zach and Kalani have shocked faces

Anderson: Here comes Hood.

Hood: We got good news, and bad news. Good news, as you all

know we are done with the dogs, so all personal of Ship

Island will clear the island in three days. Bad news, Ijust got word that we are going to Europe. You two are

going to be sent to camp McCoy for further training. You

boys will be joining the 100th infantry and 442nd division.

Anderson, you will continue training with Rex for Europe.

Boys this is it, we‘re going to Europe.

Everyone starts to walk off the stage except Zach

Zach: Hey, Anderson!

Anderson: Yes?

Zach: I forgive you.

Anderson nods

Anderson: C‘mon, soldier. Time to fight.

Anderson walks away

Zach nods then walks off stage

Documents

Shikata Ga Nai -A Japanese American WWII Drama