The Last Samurai Page #5

He stares at the woman in the picture.

INT. SHIP - CABIN - DAY

In the main cabin, Algren sits with Gant and Omura. Algren

is drinking.

OMURA:

...After the Shogun gave up power,

the daimyos -- you would call them

warlords -- knew that Japan needed a

centralized government. So they asked

the hereditary Emperor, His Highness

the Enlightened Meiji, to lead the

country.

ALGREN:

And these warlords just... gave up

hundreds of years of power?

OMURA:

Economic incentives were offered.

Most provincial leaders saw the

financial benefits of modernization.

ALGREN:

What about those that didn't?

OMURA:

To deal with those who have resisted,

the Emperor has decided to create an

Army with allegiance only to him...

We considered hiring advisors from

Germany, but your Ambassador reminded

us of your experience in suppressing

rebellious elements in your Civil

War.

This evocation of the Civil War is not lost on Algren.

ALGREN:

Who are we supposed to be fighting

against?

OMURA:

His name is Mori Katsumoto. He is

samurai.

ALGREN:

Samurai?

OMURA:

The word you might use it "warrior".

But that does not quite capture it...

Katsumoto once served the Emperor

but he is now a traitor who leads a

band of traitors. He must be punished.

Algren looks pointedly at Bagley.

ALGREN:

You told them about our experiences

together on Sutter's Hill, did you,

Colonel?

BAGLEY:

They know I was your commanding

officer. Yes.

Algren glares at Bagley, then stands.

ALGREN:

Excuse me, gentlemen. I need some

air.

(to Omura)

I'm sure Colonel Bagley can amuse

you with more stories of patriotic

gore.

He walks away.

OMURA:

He is insolent.

BAGLEY:

Get him in front of the troops, you'll

see. Top of his class at West Point.

Brilliant tactician. Even wrote a

book.

OMURA:

Why did he leave your army?

BAGLEY:

What's a hero to do when there's no

more great battles?

OMURA:

Is that an evasive answer?

BAGLEY:

Sir, this man was left for dead at

Sutter's Hill. Doctors swore his

heart had stopped beating, but before

they could bury him, he came back to

life. After the war he fought the

Sioux, the Cree, and the Blackfoot.

(leans closer)

Point him at the enemy. He was born

for it.

INT. SHIP - ALGREN'S BERTH - NIGHT

Algren lies in his cramped berth. Can't sleep.

A SUDDEN FLASH:

On the wagon of dead bodies, Algren's eyes open to stare

into the unblinking eyes of his brother, Davey, half his

face shot off. He tries to move but be is buried beneath the

weight of those piled on top of him. Blood drips down into

his eyes and mouth, blinding and choking him.

BACK TO THE SHIP:

Algren awakens, bathed in sweat. Terror. A silhouette in the

doorway.

Rate this script:3.5 / 2 votes