Phoenix Wonderland
Wonder Stage
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
ArcLand Cast Member B
What do you mean by that?
Rui
My goal is to use the raid in the beginning to raise the excitement level for the show. That's why I'd like for it to be as real as possible.
Rui
We'll be performing at the plaza in front of the museum, no? I noticed that a handful of lamp posts line the area.
Rui
We can use those to signal the start of the attack. Specifically, I'm thinking about having the commander stand on top of them as they give the order.
ArcLand Cast Member A
On top of them?
Rui
The lamps are wide and flat on top, so it's actually possible to stand on top of them. I'm planning on making a prop for support that can be attached to one's lower back.
Rui
However, they're about five meters tall, so we'll also need to prepare a lifeline and safety mats just in case the worst happens.
ArcLand Cast Member A
...
Okay, can we test that out?
Okay, can we test that out?
Asahi
Yes, a test is a good idea!
Let's see... Oh, that gate over there seems to be about five meters high.
Let's see... Oh, that gate over there seems to be about five meters high.
Sound Effect: Play
ArcLand Cast Member A
Okay...
Asahi, mind reading the line before mine for me?
Asahi, mind reading the line before mine for me?
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Asahi
“They must be after the androids in the underground laboratory, Alfred and Bartlett!! Whoa!!”
ArcLand Cast Member A
“The laboratory is ours!
However, we don't appear to be alone...”
However, we don't appear to be alone...”
ArcLand Cast Member A
“No matter...
Professor Christopher Hawking! Surrender and bring those androids of yours to us at once!!”
Professor Christopher Hawking! Surrender and bring those androids of yours to us at once!!”
Asahi
It's a little dangerous, but I do agree that orders sound more compelling when literally given from up high!
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
ArcLand Cast Member A
But we'll be in full view of the audience as we climb. We didn't exactly look cool while we did, so we should think of a way to cover for that.
ArcLand Cast Member B
We'll also want to look cool while dropping down. Remember those poles we used during that one show? What if we used them for this scene?
ArcLand Cast Member C
Okay, let's ask to see if we can borrow them from the theater!
Rui
(Even if a stunt is clearly dangerous, they're willing to consider the value in it instead of outright deciding against it.)
Rui
Thank you very much.
With regards to this stunt, I'd like to keep polishing it while receiving input from all of you.
With regards to this stunt, I'd like to keep polishing it while receiving input from all of you.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Asahi
I understand that it's an emotional scene, but it may be better to not give each word so much weight. Try saying your lines like you're saying A-E-I-O-U.
ArcLand Cast Member A
“Sergeant Willis!
Have you apprehended the Professor?!”
Have you apprehended the Professor?!”
ArcLand Cast Member B
Hmm...
Am I right in saying that you're more the stationary type, Nene?
Am I right in saying that you're more the stationary type, Nene?
ArcLand Cast Member B
I see. Then, let's try going over the scene where we're looking for the Professor together. We're soldiers, so we need to look the part.
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
ArcLand Cast Member A
Hey, that looks fun!
Lemme try it too! Ka-pow!!
Lemme try it too! Ka-pow!!
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
ArcLand Cast Member A
Heh heh heh. It's supposed to be a trade secret... But if you really wanna know...
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Sound Effect: Play
Nene
Tired... I've been using all my energy just to keep up with the others. They're too good.
Nene
But they've also been giving me some advice here and there, which is really nice. Still, it's amazing how they can pull off all these crazy stunts. It's like they're all Seiryuin.
Rui
(Some are definitely as good as Seiryuin, the prima donna of the Phoenix Stage. On top of that, they have Asahi, who's in a league of his own.)
Rui
(I was afraid that the others would feel somewhat dejected when faced with such a skill gap...)
Asahi
Since we'll be performing our show at a big plaza, I'm wondering if our audience will be able to actually see me if I'm on all fours... I'm thinking that we ask Rui to set up some sort of platform.
Tsukasa
(But Asahi and them all make full use of body language in their performances. It's a far cry from our abilities.)
Tsukasa
(Not only do they have a deep understanding of their roles, but they can get into character at the snap of a finger. Even something as difficult as being an android...)
Tsukasa
(Furthermore, despite being an emotionless android, he's able to make each scene incredibly impactful.)
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Tsukasa
I can see why. We're dealing with roles that are more difficult than usual and involve quite a bit more action.
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Asahi
So, let's take this opportunity to dine and chat! Okay, to be fair, I was thinking that we go to a diner or something.
Tsukasa
(This may be our chance to learn some things that we can't necessarily while on stage...!)
Tsukasa
We shouldn't let this opportunity slip. Not when it means we may get to ask them about how they usually practice and such.
Diner
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Tsukasa
Alright, let's celebrate this wonderful union between us and the cast members of ArcLand...!
Sound Effect: Play
ArcLand Cast Member B
Hehe. Your Salisbury steak looks delicious, Emu!
Asahi
Now, today was the first rehearsal where we all used our scripts... How did everyone do in your guys' opinion?
Rui
Naturally, we were very impressed by ArcLand's cast members. You certainly are a world-class bunch...
Rui
On top of being wonderful actors, you're willing to listen to others and provide suggestions for improvement in order to make the show as good as it can be. I couldn't be more grateful.
Tsukasa
Practicing with all of you made me realize that I still have a lot of work to do.
Tsukasa
There's so much that I still don't know... If I'm going to have any hope of becoming a world-famous star, I'll need to keep learning as much as I can.
Tsukasa
Hm? Ah, don't worry about me!
I plan on using this experience to soar to even greater heights.
I plan on using this experience to soar to even greater heights.
Tsukasa
Especially since working with such skilled actors means we get to learn new things from one another. So, I hope we get to keep doing that until the curtains go up on the day of.
Asahi
I knew it!
The way you had us do the raid scene today reminded me of the heist scene from “Acclamation of Anger”.
The way you had us do the raid scene today reminded me of the heist scene from “Acclamation of Anger”.
ArcLand Cast Member A
Yeah, I totally get what you're talking about! The way he made things more dramatic by drawing the viewer's eyes up was so Tom Gray.
ArcLand Cast Member B
Yeah, we get that you're a huge fanatic. But I get the feeling that you're also a pretty big fan, Rui.
Asahi
Ah, my comrade!
No matter how many times I see the shows he directed, I can never get tired of them! Am I right?!
No matter how many times I see the shows he directed, I can never get tired of them! Am I right?!
Rui
I know exactly what you mean.
I was particularly taken aback by how “Acclamation of Anger” pays homage to three of his other works.
I was particularly taken aback by how “Acclamation of Anger” pays homage to three of his other works.
ArcLand Cast Member B
Wait, three?
I didn't know that!
I didn't know that!
Rui
“It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, clever or foolish, among the majority or minority...”
Rui
“That is what ties us all together after bearing witness to a truly marvelous spectacle.”
Asahi
There was a time when I lived abroad because of my parents' work, but we somehow found ourselves in the middle of a conflict.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Asahi
This may be hard to believe, but we suddenly began hearing gunfire. Before long, my windows were being shot out...
Sound Effect: Play
Asahi
It's a hidden gem in terms of science-fiction stories. A friend of mine recommended it to me and read it for the first time at a library in Japan when I was in sixth grade.
Sound Effect: Play
Asahi
I didn't know what to do, but this old lady helped me out by giving me a ride in her car... As luck would have it, I was able to make it to the border.
Asahi
I felt better after I saw that there were a lot of people waiting there, but that wasn't the end of it...
Asahi
I didn't really know the local language since I was only in elementary school, and I hadn't heard any news about my parents. I really thought the world was ending.
BGM: --:-- / --:-- Play
Asahi
I had no idea who he was.
But when we tried to hand me some bread, I said, “I don't want that. I want a way to not be alone.”
But when we tried to hand me some bread, I said, “I don't want that. I want a way to not be alone.”
Asahi
Then, he suddenly stood up and replied, “Now is the perfect time to put on a show for children such as yourself.”
Asahi
It was incredible. Alongside his volunteering duties, he somehow made costumes, props and even a stage out of the refuse and rubble that was lying around. After that, he made reflectors out of the pull tabs he'd taken off some cans and hung them from the roof. I remember how shiny they were.
Asahi
The show he did was about a child who'd become separated from everyone due to war and how these strange animals took care of him until he was able to reunite with his parents...
Asahi
All because this photo of a certain child who looked completely entranced by his performance was printed in a newspaper.
Asahi
That was when I decided that I wanted to work in show business, and began studying to become an actor...
Asahi
I'd already had some interest in ArcLand since it was famous for being a theme park that put on world-class shows.
Asahi
So, I came up with the idea of putting on shows at the Center Theatre that bring the world together.
Asahi
In other words, ArcLand is currently working to do shows like the one Tom showed me.
Asahi
For all those people out there who are somehow surviving but are unable to smile...
ArcLand Cast Member A
Right now, we're sort of trying to build the foundation for that. Our goal is to perform at venues all over Japan.
ArcLand Cast Member A
Once we've accomplished that, we want to travel around the world putting on charity shows and volunteer events.
ArcLand Cast Member B
We know that not everywhere is safe, and we're trying our best to get a full understanding of that. But we want to do this.
Asahi
So, in order to produce shows that transcend borders, we need to start by putting on shows in as many places as we can!
ArcLand Cast Members
Yeah!
Yes!
Yes!
Asahi
I think I'm so enamored with your directing style, Rui, because you also look up to Tom. I mean, you guys' night show was just so spectacular.
ArcLand Cast Member A
But to think that you're still in high school. Yes, Tom's clearly had a big effect on you, but it's obvious that you've also developed your own style.
ArcLand Cast Member A
Whoa! Slow down!
You can't go asking the director of another troupe to just up and leave!
You can't go asking the director of another troupe to just up and leave!
Sound Effect: Play
Sound Effect: Play
Next Chapter: Unexpected Words