A Week of Rakugo?
Feb. 22nd, 2008 12:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mbarkerDrat, got behind again. Let's see . . . Short version: Monday was a comic ending to the funeral sequence. Tuesday, we meet a possible student. Wednesday, we start a new rakugo story about lying. Thursday, we notice that the new student isn't very dependable. And Friday, Soso and Ako remember old times, with a phone call setting the hook to get us to watch on Saturday!
Monday: Just a fun ending to the whole death business. They're all at the house, burning incense at the home shrine, all in black. And Uncle comes clomping in, late. Where have you been? Buying a newspaper, I just remembered the lottery ticket. So they start checking the number - and the group matches, and the digits match. Slowly end up with everyone clustered around, talking about what to do if they win (Million dollar ticket!). And on the last digit . . . it doesn't match. The old master mumbles, and finally spits out "We missed, didn't we!" Big laughs all around, and Grandma comments that this is good, the teacher may be dead but we can still laugh. Tiny little bit at end with Kosojyaku telling Soso that he should take a student . . .
Tuesday: Pick up with Kosojyaku telling Soso to take the student, and them getting into a fight over it. Kiyomo stops them, and says the teacher would worry about them. A funny little bit where Kiyomi tries to get Soso to sit on the teacher's side of the table, and he refuses, says it would make him feel funny. And the phone rings - let's try meeting him one time, find out what kind of person he is. So - next morning, he comes. Yusuke. Please be my teacher, with Soso sitting with fists (except that everytime Yusuke calls him teacher, he starts to smile). 22 years old, just graduated from college, no work because he wants to become professional rakugo - and he starts complimenting each one on their work. Soso says something about wait a minute, what do you know? And when he apologizes, everyone gets upset with Soso. And then he starts buttering up Soso, telling him that he does it best, and that Yusuke wants to become a pro like him. And with voiceover saying we never thought he would be such a problem.
Wednesday: At the bar, and Yusuke does a bit of rakugo - depo yusuke (sp?) - apparently about lots of lies! He says it's his favorite. Then admits that parents are dead. And Soso declares he will take him as student. Then that evening, Kiyomi frets about being okami (house mother?) with Soso. Soso suggests that she focus on getting him to work hard on cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes. Then admits that he lacks confidence, too, but together, we can do this.
Except that when she tries to check on Yusuke, he's already doing good job. And tells story of his sister, who died. So Kiyomi sends him out shopping, as the writer comes in. She isn't so sure he is a good guy. And in a final moment, Ako walks into the garden.
Thursday: Catching up, with flashbacks. Meanwhile, Tenguzan owner is meeting Kosojyaku, and asking him whether he is going to continue. Not just money, but name?
And where's Yusuke? Ah, he's just arrived back at the kitchen? Where were you? Did you get lost? Long story about old lady falling down, and him taking her home to Senri (long ways). It's good to help, but so long. Well, to tell the truth, she looked a little like my mom. Soso, choking back tears, assures him that it's okay.
Next morning, the cleaning is abandoned partway, the kitchen is full of dirty dishes, and Yusuke is nowhere to be found. So Kiyomi rolls up her sleeves and washes the dishes. As the clock chimes 3, he runs in, apologizing.
And Kiyomi on the phone to Junko explains that he heard a cat crying, and went to help. Junko asks if she believes him, and Kiyomi says yes, she believes him. Then Junko looks at kids and says for a mother, it really isn't so important whether you believe them or not, you love them anyway.
Soso practicing the story of lies, with Yusuke listening. Kiyomi says she has a show at Tenguzan, and leaves. Ako watches her turn the corner, and looks at the gate of the school.
Friday: Having built all this up, it's time to go to brother putting gold leaf on chopsticks, and father praising him, saying it took him three years to learn how to do that.
Sogen and Kiyomi at Tenguzan discuss the new student, and agree that they aren't quite sure.
Back at the school, Ako talks to Soso. Flashbacks galore. Then he says he needs to practice, and she asks to watch.
Kosojyaku and Shiso find Yusuke in kitchen poking around under the sink. He tells a story of a mouse.
Soso practicing depo yusuke. Then Ako asks for Kaigeki, and he says need shamisen. But Kiyomi comes in, and limbers up fingers. Oh, and we're all going to eat tonight, everyone wants to talk with the new student. Ako, would you like to come?
And at dinner, the bar woman brings extra food, and is surprised to see Ako.
The phone rings. Kiyomi says hello, and then "Oh. Yes." Holds the phone and looks around the gathering. Various reactions, including Yusuke apparently hunching down. Not one word from anyone, just Kiyomi (the camera) scanning the group, and them looking back with reactions. Great acting opportunity!
And that's where they left us, wondering just what the phone call is about, and who?
Stay tuned!
Monday: Just a fun ending to the whole death business. They're all at the house, burning incense at the home shrine, all in black. And Uncle comes clomping in, late. Where have you been? Buying a newspaper, I just remembered the lottery ticket. So they start checking the number - and the group matches, and the digits match. Slowly end up with everyone clustered around, talking about what to do if they win (Million dollar ticket!). And on the last digit . . . it doesn't match. The old master mumbles, and finally spits out "We missed, didn't we!" Big laughs all around, and Grandma comments that this is good, the teacher may be dead but we can still laugh. Tiny little bit at end with Kosojyaku telling Soso that he should take a student . . .
Tuesday: Pick up with Kosojyaku telling Soso to take the student, and them getting into a fight over it. Kiyomo stops them, and says the teacher would worry about them. A funny little bit where Kiyomi tries to get Soso to sit on the teacher's side of the table, and he refuses, says it would make him feel funny. And the phone rings - let's try meeting him one time, find out what kind of person he is. So - next morning, he comes. Yusuke. Please be my teacher, with Soso sitting with fists (except that everytime Yusuke calls him teacher, he starts to smile). 22 years old, just graduated from college, no work because he wants to become professional rakugo - and he starts complimenting each one on their work. Soso says something about wait a minute, what do you know? And when he apologizes, everyone gets upset with Soso. And then he starts buttering up Soso, telling him that he does it best, and that Yusuke wants to become a pro like him. And with voiceover saying we never thought he would be such a problem.
Wednesday: At the bar, and Yusuke does a bit of rakugo - depo yusuke (sp?) - apparently about lots of lies! He says it's his favorite. Then admits that parents are dead. And Soso declares he will take him as student. Then that evening, Kiyomi frets about being okami (house mother?) with Soso. Soso suggests that she focus on getting him to work hard on cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes. Then admits that he lacks confidence, too, but together, we can do this.
Except that when she tries to check on Yusuke, he's already doing good job. And tells story of his sister, who died. So Kiyomi sends him out shopping, as the writer comes in. She isn't so sure he is a good guy. And in a final moment, Ako walks into the garden.
Thursday: Catching up, with flashbacks. Meanwhile, Tenguzan owner is meeting Kosojyaku, and asking him whether he is going to continue. Not just money, but name?
And where's Yusuke? Ah, he's just arrived back at the kitchen? Where were you? Did you get lost? Long story about old lady falling down, and him taking her home to Senri (long ways). It's good to help, but so long. Well, to tell the truth, she looked a little like my mom. Soso, choking back tears, assures him that it's okay.
Next morning, the cleaning is abandoned partway, the kitchen is full of dirty dishes, and Yusuke is nowhere to be found. So Kiyomi rolls up her sleeves and washes the dishes. As the clock chimes 3, he runs in, apologizing.
And Kiyomi on the phone to Junko explains that he heard a cat crying, and went to help. Junko asks if she believes him, and Kiyomi says yes, she believes him. Then Junko looks at kids and says for a mother, it really isn't so important whether you believe them or not, you love them anyway.
Soso practicing the story of lies, with Yusuke listening. Kiyomi says she has a show at Tenguzan, and leaves. Ako watches her turn the corner, and looks at the gate of the school.
Friday: Having built all this up, it's time to go to brother putting gold leaf on chopsticks, and father praising him, saying it took him three years to learn how to do that.
Sogen and Kiyomi at Tenguzan discuss the new student, and agree that they aren't quite sure.
Back at the school, Ako talks to Soso. Flashbacks galore. Then he says he needs to practice, and she asks to watch.
Kosojyaku and Shiso find Yusuke in kitchen poking around under the sink. He tells a story of a mouse.
Soso practicing depo yusuke. Then Ako asks for Kaigeki, and he says need shamisen. But Kiyomi comes in, and limbers up fingers. Oh, and we're all going to eat tonight, everyone wants to talk with the new student. Ako, would you like to come?
And at dinner, the bar woman brings extra food, and is surprised to see Ako.
The phone rings. Kiyomi says hello, and then "Oh. Yes." Holds the phone and looks around the gathering. Various reactions, including Yusuke apparently hunching down. Not one word from anyone, just Kiyomi (the camera) scanning the group, and them looking back with reactions. Great acting opportunity!
And that's where they left us, wondering just what the phone call is about, and who?
Stay tuned!
