They're back!
- Can you do it? - We have to!
Kudo! Your salt!
- What's that for? - Aren't we breaking a dam?
That's our dam?
We'll play it back slow... Kudo! Cup Noodles!
Here's the popcorn...
Not that! This!!
Here!
Here's the salt!
Come on, I need all of you...
You heard him, let's go!
Run it very, very slow.
Quick! He's winding down!
Chicago, Chicago, what a wonderful town...
Hiromitsu, you're fabulous!
...and that's Heinrich for you! Did you follow all that?
As for where our story goes from here, let's all follow along, shall we?
Mary Jane returns home soaking wet...
How did it happen? We flashback three hours earlier...
What strange weather this is!
Mary Jane, on her way home, gets lost in the mountains.
I shouldn't have taken that shortcut...
It's starting to rain, too.
Just then...
The dam's breaking! Run for your lives!
It's a flood!!
Look out!!
Somebody help!!
Lady, look out!
Had she been unconscious long? Mary Jane came to...
and found herself atop a low hill.
What happened? Who saved me?
Beside her stood a brawny young man.
It was you... You saved me, didn't you.
I did.
Thank you very much.
Mary Jane looked at the young man's face.
Dear me! You're...
It's been years. Who'd have thought we'd meet like this?
- Yes, you must be... - My name is...
Donald McDonald.
I am a pilot.
Since when is he a pilot?
I can explain. Mr. Hamamura made that up himself!
And that name!
Wasn't he "Michael Peter"?
He made that up, too. It's the first I've heard of it, I swear!
This isn't funny! Now we're stuck with it to the end.
Now that he's said it, yes.
And what about me? I've already input "Michael Peter"!!
Told you I'd be a pilot.
But what would a pilot be doing in the mountains?
Same as a fisherman, I guess.
The name is a problem.
It just came to me.
Nokko hates it.
Too bad.
Well, now you're Donald McDonald till the very end.
I appreciate it.
So now Torazo... er, Michael... er, Donald McDonald...
gets swept off his boat out to sea.
A pilot on a fishing boat?
It changes everything!
This is bad! Bad, I tell you!
So we crash his plane.
He can't die. He comes back!
- Commercial's ending! - Well?
Bucky...??
Donald McDonald's plane disappears over Hawaii and the body's never recovered.
How's that?
Excellent!
We'll go with that. Okay? All right?
Get writing!
Paper!
- I thought you went home. - I didn't make it.
That fateful day on which the dam broke...
brought Mary Jane and Donald McDonald together.
Again the flame of love burned bright between them.
Donald!
Donald McDonald!
Mary Jane! I love you.
We're running way late.
Yes, I know.
I hate to ask, but can we cut another Father Martin scene?
Do I ever go on?
Of course!
"Look out!" has been my only line so far.
And that's as "Villager B."
It's you I need, Donald!
- Sensei! - Yes?
It's abrupt, but will you write another Father Martin scene?
Short, but very intense.
Is that all right with you?
Make it quick.
I'll try...
Give it to Kudo. ASAP!
I appreciate it.
I'll do what I can.
Heinrich!
Mary Jane!
Donald!!
Mary Jane is torn between Heinrich and Donald McDonald!
A woman who lives for love, she must choose her destiny.
She will leave Heinrich and go to Donald.
You idiot.
Goodbye.
What? What did you say?
This is goodbye.
Now wait a minute!
I can't be with you any more.
What is it? What'd I do wrong?
Y- You're too kind to me!
So...
Please, not now.
Heinrich wouldn't be me, would he?
Is this us, here?
Is that why I couldn't hear it?
No! Look, I'm working. Don't distract me.
- Is it true? - No.
You've found someone else? You can tell me.
I'm trying to work, okay?
I'm leaving. You've been good to me. Thank you.
Mary Jane! Don't leave me!
Goodbye, Heinrich.
Come back to me! Ma-a-ry Ja-a-a-ne...!!
Just then...
Yes? Who is it?
Standing at the door is a telegram delivery boy.
He gives her a telegram.
It states a terse message:
Donald McDonald missing over Hawaii.
Why?
Commercial!
Mr. Ushijima...
Yes?
Won't the sponsor be upset?
An air crash?
That's right!
- Who's the sponsor? - Dai-Sunda Air.
Now we've done it...
What is it this time?
- We didn't say "crash," did we? - Not exactly.
He "vanished" over Hawaii.
Sponsor won't like it. I just knew it...
- So speak up, then!! - I do!
Go on, get out!
Even if he comes back later?
Whether he does or not, he still vanishes over Hawaii...
Why didn't anyone notice? I asked you, didn't I?
Didn't I? Didn't I? Didn't I?
It's Mr. Horinouchi.
Ushijima here...
Ushijima! Why did the plane crash in the script?
Did the sponsor call?
In record time.
Mr. Hamamura went and made himself a pilot...
However it happened, I don't care.
I tell you, this is serious.
The sponsor's very upset. If you don't do something...
it will not be pretty.
- What a disaster! - What now?
Apologize later, I guess. It's already gone on-air.
Crying over spilt milk, eh?
Mr. Ushijima! Don't do it!!
I have found a way!
Bucky...!!
Not all pilots fly planes.
Meaning what?
Rockets have pilots too. We'll have him vanish in space.
Do it! And get Mr. Horinouchi!
But over Hawaii...?
Over Hawaii is outer space!!
What kind of story is this? Dams breaking, now rockets...
Things happen.
A rocket, eh? You don't ask much, do you.
Don't you have some machine that bangs and booms?
I rarely use canned sounds.
What I use... is this.
One rocket.
...so we're inserting a flashback...
in which Donald disappears into space.
I appreciate this.
It's my script, so...
There!
We go to disaster from commercial.
Kudo...
Who plays this "Marcello"?
I do.
Getting a taste for it, are you?
We, ah, ran out of time...
"Lost in space..."
Does that mean he won't return to Earth?
That's what being lost in space means, doesn't it?
Kudo?
I guess it would mean that, yes.
But that can't be!
Donald will never see Mary Jane again!
Donald has to come back.
He has to come back and be with Mary Jane!
Commercial's ending.
Go to theme.
She's right.
Then Donald comes back. A miracle!
Mr. Ushijima...
Bucky! This is all your fault!
How so?
It's unworkable!
No one told me he had to come back!
Look, there's no point in arguing now...
Can I say something? Can I? Can I say it?
Far as I'm concerned, who cares!
Who cares if what's-his-face doesn't return.
So what if it's not some big happy ending?
There, no one cares if he comes back.
But...
She leaves her husband, her lover dies...
and Mary Jane forges a life for herself! Sound good?
No, it doesn't!
Let's go with it! Why the heck not?
There's not much time. Let's get it over with.
All right. In that case...
Just a minute!
Donald will not be coming back.
Here's our last scene: Mary Jane stands alone in a field...
"After all," she'll say, "tomorrow is another day!"
Great.
What happens to me, then?
I object!
So think twice before becoming a pilot.
Come on.
Please, wait!
You can change the lines or the setting if you like.
If mine aren't good enough, that's fine.
But Ritsuko and Torazo have to be together!
"Ritsuko"?
Mary Jane!
Her finding happiness with Donald is the story!
Kudo!
- Theme's ending. - Play it again.
- They'll think we're off the air... - Then go to commercial!
I just want Mary Jane to be happy!
I understand, but...
But this...
Just this time!
There won't be a next time for me!
You'll forgive me, madam...
but you must stop projecting yourself onto your heroine.
What?
Vent your frustrations through your script if you must...
but kindly remember to consider the needs of others, as well.
Who's thinking about who here?
You've mangled my story to suit yourselves!
How can you even say that to me?
Will you all just lighten up?
It's starting to feel like work.
It's just a radio drama! Why get so worked up?
We're here to have fun, right?
That's wrong!
For us it may be one job in a hundred...
but for her, it's once in a lifetime.
I'm with you. It needs a happy end.
Also, I implore that you do not forsake Father Martin!
So what do we do?
Mr. Ushijima...
No way.
Please!
I'm sorry.
But why not?
Don't you know yet?
Because Senbon Nokko says so!
Sneer if you want, but that's the world I live in.
What're you doing?
Lady...
Miyako!
- Stop this! - That's enough!
Force the lock!
- Not good, Ushijima... - I'm handling it.
What are you doing?
Please! Just do it the way I wrote it!
Listen to me...
We are not here to have fun.
Fine... Don't say my name at the end, then.
Just don't say it's my script!
Why not? Let's go with that.
You don't get it.
Do you really think we're satisfied with just a name in the credits?
It isn't just you.
Sometimes I'd like my name taken off too.
But I don't, because I have a responsibility.
Bad as the show may be, I made it.
I can't escape that.
It isn't about being satisfied.
You compromise over and over till it doesn't matter anymore.
But you know, there's still one thing we all believe...
Someday we will do something we're satisfied with.
Something to please everyone who makes it and hears it.
Only trouble is, this is not that show. That's just how it is!
I'm sorry, but your name stays.
This is your script. No doubt about it.
Let me try...
Miyako, can you hear me?
I love you. It's my fault. I'm sorry.
Gee, that helps.
Miyako!
Like I said...
Well?
Leave now, and they win.
If you're a real writer, you'll stay till the end.
Miyako, I'm sorry!
Furukawa! The script!
- Got it? - We're okay.
Good man!
Let's do it!
Wait... Mr. Ushijima!
Everyone, this is it!
Nokko, can you do the last scene alone?
You bet I can!
You do that. Bucky...
- Right here! - Copies.
Go cry in the hall. We've got live mikes here.
Let's do it! Or do we wanna be here till next week?
Let's go, go, go!
Leave it open.
Foot okay?
Hurts a bit.
It's cold.
Positively freezing!
You sure about this?
Mr. Ushijima!
It's taken care of.
Don't use her any more.
He's right.
Let's do it!
- Listen... - No time.
It's hardly her script as it is...
We've no right to do it.
Not this again.
- But do we have to... - Do your damn job!
- But I... - Just give me the cues!
Get to work!
Who do you think you are?
This is about us, not her.
You do cues instead. Kudo, you're outta here.
Go to disaster right after commercial.
Dai-Sunda Air!
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!
We resume our story with the events of a week earlier...
That day, NASA pilot Donald McDonald...
was heading into space at 3,000 meters per second.
Look, Marcello... The Earth is so small!
And so beautiful, too...
Captain! We're in trouble!
What's wrong?
We're out of gas.
Fool!
You should have filled up before we left!
The engine's cut out!
Donald's rocket disappeared into the vacuum of space.
Good work!
It was cold in there.
Can you handle the sponsor?
It's okay, I'll come up with something.
What a scare, huh?
Donald! Why did you have to die??
Donald? Who's Donald?
- Where's the Sensei? - Still in the studio.
You've been wonderful, but I can't forget him...
Get Otaguro.
Mary Jane, don't go! Don't desert me!
I've made up my mind!
Can I talk to the actors?
Through the main control room, yeah.
You can tap directly into the line from there.
I'll go on alone, holding Donald in my heart.
And so Mary Jane left Heinrich behind her.
She what?
Hey!
I'm sorry, Heinrich...
It's nothing you've done. You've been wonderful.
You've stood by me, supported me...
Bucky!
- Did you clear this? - I need a favor!
- Who are you talking to? - Bucky, listen to me...
Who's "Bucky"?
You've been a wonderful husband, Heinrich.
I thought we could be happy together...
But I was born a woman enslaved by her passions!
I'm bringing Donald back. Trust me.
Call me a fool if you want...
Just do what I say.
Please understand! I've tried, God knows I've tried!
But I love Donald with all my heart!
Mr. Hosaka...?
Mr. Hamamura!
Now just a minute...
Madness!
Mr. Hamamura!
I can never forget Donald, and so, I can't keep living with...
How heartless!
What'd Heinrich ever do to you? That poor bastard!
And you are...?
I'm George. How do you do.
...George.
Mary-san, you're making a mistake!
Heinrich! Are you going to accept this?
It's all right. I'm resigned to it, actually!
But...
C'mon, George. Let's go.
Goodbye, Heinrich. Goodbye, George.
The next day, it was in all the papers...
Heinrich had driven his car into Lake Michigan and drowned.
Heinrich...!!
Goodbye, Donald. Goodbye, Heinrich...
and you too, dear George... They're all gone.
No thanks. I'm going home.
I will live with my memories held deep in my heart...
I am a woman who lives for love.
Yes! My name is Mary Jane.
Donald is dead, and Heinrich, too. I am alone.
But I am not defeated.
Hey!
What're you doing? Stop it!
Welcome back.
Mary Jane embarks on a new life.
She stands alone in an open field.
Goodbye, Donald. Goodbye, Heinrich.
From here I shall go on alone.
Oh sky, oh clouds, oh earth! Give me your blessings!
Kudo!
- I take full responsibility. - For what.
I'm doing this on my own.
I'll apologize beforehand.
Sorry.
I will be reborn!
Nothing can hold me back! How can it?
After all... Tomorrow is another day!
Just now...
an unknown object appears in the skies over Chicago!!
It glows red from the heat... is that a man astride it?
Yes!! It is none other than Donald McDonald!
- Look! - What's that?
It's a rocket!
Look! Someone's riding it!
Who is it?
It's Donald!
Donald McDonald!
Our hero has returned!!
Great. Nokko's going to kill us.
It's a miracle! A miracle! It's... It's... UNBELIEVABLE!
Ushijima...
Do something.
Kudo!
And now...
Donald touches down!
And now... He calls out the name of his beloved!
He... runs toward Mary Jane!
Donald runs toward Mary Jane! Now he stops!
And now...
he... starts to run again!
Donald runs toward Mary Jane!
And then... He stops again!
Now he calls out the name of his beloved!
It's cold.
And then he cries out the name of his beloved!
Mary!
Mary Jane!
As for Mary...
Nokko, dear...?
Mary Jane.
Welcome back.
Mary Jane!
Donald!
Mary Jane!
You can let go now.
I'm back.
You're alive!
It's a miracle! A miracle has happened.
Oh, my love!
Mary Jane...
Donald!
Mary Jane!
Don't mind me.
Our troubles are behind us. Now our new life begins.
That's right. This isn't the end.
No, not the end.
Nor the beginning of the end. Just the end of the beginning.
No, not the end...
We're back to the top of page 55.
It's the end of the beginning...
Not the beginning of the end. It's the end of the beginning.
What's wrong?
Uh-oh.
Now, as if in benediction, fireworks light up the sky.
What's wrong?
Now, as if in benediction, fireworks light up the sky!
- Fireworks! - Hurry!
- Just a sec! - Damn it!
Pathetic!
Who's got 50-yen?
Quick, he needs a ring-shaped coin.
Here, will this do?
I said coin!!
And now, as if in benediction, fireworks light up the sky.
They join in fervent embrace...
Hit it!
Red in the sun as it sinks into Lake Michigan.
In McDonald's powerful arms she recalls...
the words of Father Martin, whom she's never met, but...
who's generally thought to be an exceedingly fine person.
"Believe in the power of love!
"Only through faith in love can love save you! "
Drama Special: "Woman of Destiny"...
by Suzuki Miyako.
The Cast: As Mary Jane...
Senbon Nokko.
Donald, Hamamura Jo.
Heinrich, Hirose Mitsutoshi.
Father Martin, Noda Ben.
And in the role of George, Suzuki Shiro.
This is your narrator, Hosaka Suguru, wishing you...
a pleasant good night.
Bravo!
Thanks for understanding.
It was fun, though, wasn't it?
Glad you thought so.
Nokko, let's get together soon.
Horinouchi, you always say that.
- I'll call you. - I won't hold my breath.
- We'll be off, then. - I'll call.
Good night!
I'm so sorry. What my director did tonight, it was...
Relax. If Senbon Nokko's happy, so am I.
Good work. I'll be on my way.
- Let me give you a lift... - No, no. I'll take a taxi.
Good night, then.
And now for the weather.
A high-pressure front moving north... will bring hot weather today...
So when is it? Your next radio drama.
Don't quite know yet.
Well, give me notice. I'll need time to prepare.
Thank you.
Try not to put so much faith in your machines.
So where do we go from here?
I never dreamed you felt this way.
If you really can't forget Donald...
Stop it, will you? It's only make-believe!
But...
I can write it because it's not true. If it were...
I'd keep it all to myself.
Stop worrying! I'm not Mary Jane.
I bet you'd like to be her, though, wouldn't you?
Not at all. I'm perfectly happy the way things are.
So don't worry.
Here's a taxi coupon. Sign it and give it to the driver.
Thank you.
Wonderful work.
Thank you so much.
Uh, could I take this...?
No, don't...
The boy'll be hungry.
Go right ahead.
Thanks.
It's all thanks to you, Mr. Kudo.
It wasn't just about you. It's not that good a script.
But our job is to follow it, no matter how bad it might be.
Still, thank you.
You know, Mr. Horinouchi asked me...
about a sequel.
I'm thinking I might try.
If I do, I'd like you to direct.
- Not me... - Please do!
Let me read it first.
- All right. - 'Night.
Good night.
- How's Nokko? - Gone home.
So it all worked out.
Horinouchi's happy, Nokko's happy...
And you?
Furious, of course.
I'd think you would be.
See me tomorrow. You went way over the line!
But not far enough to fire you.
Write me an apology letter.
Good night.
Kudo...
Sometimes it gets to me, too.
Why do I even bother?
Bow and scrape to everyone...
What's the point of it all?
You said it yourself. To make a show we can be satisfied with.
Will that day ever come...?
So, what's this about a sequel?
No, thanks!
The Sensei's up for it...
But where do we go from that happy ending?
Well, if Heinrich were to come back...
Oh, please! He drove his car into Lake Michigan.
Good work!
- Sorry about tonight. - It was fun.
If I'm in trouble again... I won't call you.
Didn't think so. See you later.
Watch for cars.
You from the station? What about you?
Well, are you?
Uh, sort of...
Tonight's drama was fantastic!
It really moved me!
Just let me shake your hand.
L-I'm sorry, it's just... That Mary Jane!
Oh, how I cried!
What if we make Heinrich's car amphibious...?
We never said it wasn't, right?
WRITTEN and DIRECTED BY Mitani Koki
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Murakami Koichi and Takai Hideyuki
PRODUCERS Ishihara Takashi and Sakura Kanjiro
Based on the Mitani Koki play "Radio no Jikan" by the Tokyo Sunshine Boys
MUSIC Hattori Takayuki
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Takama Kenji (J.S.C.)
SOUND MIXER Segawa Tetsuo
THE CAST
Inoue Jun
Umeno Yasukiyo
Okunuki Kaoru
Ono Takehiko
Kajihara Zen
Karasawa Toshiaki
Kondo Yoshimasa
Suzuki Kyoka
Taguchi Hiromasa
Toda Keiko
Namiki Shiro
Nishimura Masahiko
Fujimura Shunji
Fuse Akira
Hosokawa Toshiyuki
Moro Moro'oka
ALSO FEATURING Ichikawa Somegoro
Sato B-Saku
Miyamoto Nobuko
Momoi Kaori
Watanabe Ken
Anytime, or anywhere I don't know what to do...
There is someone who'll think for me When I need them to
Even if it happens that I'm hung out on my own
I know somehow I'll see it through... If just with bravado
I may be down, but I'm not out! From down here, there's not far to fall...
Those cheers may come from my tears But then, that's my job
Let the world say what they may... Let them pelt me with their stones!
The really scary thing to me Is not an angry mob
Senbon Nokko's smile Packs a punch that is sublime
So long as I've got that... I'll be satisfied
Let the world come to an end... Let them take both house and home!
It's far more comforting to me To know I'm not alone
Senbon Nokko, I Wish you'd lay off for a while!
Then I feel a song comes on 'Cause with you watching me I can't go wrong
So long as you stay on my side I'll be satisfied
So long as your mood remains good My dream can live on.