Life is a Carnival I

TEASER

(Just after sunset, there's a commotion at the Heart Land City museum. Several police cars, sirens blaring, crowd around the building's entrance, and officers are milling around. Search lights snap on, sighting a man on the roof in a white suit with a tan serape swept back around his shoulders. One of the officers calls through a megaphone--) - We've got you completely surrounded! Put your hands on the back a' your head, and get down on your knees! (He tips his worn brown hat with one hand.) Charlie: Not gonna say 'please'? Now *that's* not very polite of you, is it. (More spotlights on him from overhead; he looks up.) Charlie: And *look at that*-- you called in the birdies! (He's referring to small, squat planes overhead that sound like helicopters; they flash with red lights and are shining more searchlights on him.) Charlie: I had no idea you *clowns* would make such a fuss over a single *card*! (He whips out that single card, an Xyz monster. Police troopers drop down to the roof around him on ropes; he's surrounded. They brandish batons that glow bright green.) Charlie: How's it goin', fellas? Nice touch with the *glowy sticks*, but, I'm pretty sure I got you beat! (He raises the card; a crackling energy field appears in a globe around him on the roof, shooting off electricity in all directions.)

(Opening)

ACT 1 <<1:42>>

(A crackling energy field appears in a globe on the museum roof, shooting off electricity in all directions.)

(Kari looks up from her computer desk. She has a screen devoted to 'Sources of information', on which the top line is flashing. That line reads 'Heart Land City Police', and has an 'EMERGENCY' label on it. The other lines, much quieter right now, are 'Newspaper Company', 'Traffic Bureau', 'Fire department', 'Hospital and School', 'Security Company', and 'Magazine'.) Kari: Lotta buzz on Heart Land's private frequency. (She starts typing on her main console.) Kari: Must be something going on! (She brings up an aerial map.) Kari: Looks like Heart Land Museum! Whoa-- a break-in! (Her fingers fly on the keyboard. The map changes to a life feed.) Kari: All right, let's just tap into the cameras-- (The camera zooms in on the mystery burglar's face...) Kari: Is that--?! You've *gotta* be kidding. (Just then, her duel gazer rings; it displays a number across it, Y0Z-CM31-P015. She picks it up.) Charlie (on phone): Yo, Kari. Guessing you've hacked in and seen the security footage at this point? (Kari blushes slightly. Her duel gazer shows the face of the same guy who was on the museum roof surrounded by police.) Charlie (on phone): Keep in mind-- the camera adds about ten pounds! (He grins and winks.) Kari: Charlie... (angrily) What've you done *this* time?! What did you take from the museum?

(Charlie's stopped in a dark alleyway, possibly somewhere under construction from the iron drums, caution tape, and chain-link fence nearby, for the phone call.) Charlie: Just something I needed. Thing is, I gotta deliver it today, but I'm I little pinned-down. Feel like helpin' out your *old boyfriend*? (Cut-screen.) Kari: Okay, Charlie-- *one*, you are not my old boyfriend; and *two*, you need to turn yourself in! Charlie: Now why would I do *that*? As for *boyfriend*, *not* boyfriend, we can discuss *that*-- when you bring me your old man's bike. (End cut-screen. Kari gasps, thinking of the motorcycle parked in the garage next to her car.) Charlie (on phone): Just hop on and come meet me-- I'll shoot ya my location. Kari: Give me *one* good reason. Charlie (on phone): Uhh, because you *like me*? Kari: Ugghh! Charlie (on phone): I'm kinda hungry, too, so maybe you could swing by a drive-thru? Kari: You- ugh, you selfish, reckless, doofy, *arrogant* excuse for a-- Charlie (on phone): I am *not* doofy! At least that's not whatcha said *last* time we saw each other. Meet me in thirty, don't keep me waiting. (He winks, and the screen goes blank.) Kari: *Charlie*! I'm *not* gonna-- *that guy*... (She's blushing again.) Kari: Last time we saw each other...

(Flashback. Charlie and Kari stand together; Heart Land City's pastel jewel-box night lights shine beyond. Kari's wearing her school uniform; Charlie's dressed the same as he is now, but with no serape.) FB Charlie: You sparkle like a *diamond*, Kari. (Kari's eyes get wide. She watches him drive away on a little blue moped. He throws her a V sign over his shoulder as he swerves to the side.) FB Charlie: See ya 'round! (She regretfully watches him leave. Soon she's standing in the lights of Heart Land City all alone. End Flashback.)

(Kari's eyes still reflect that loneliness. She's come to a decision.) Kari: Ya *hungry*, Charlie? I'll feed you a knuckle *sandwich*! (She punches her palm.)

(Yuma runs down the sidewalk in the last sparse glow of sunset, leaping exuberantly.) Yuma: Oh, yeah!! I'm *seriously* feeling the flow today! (Tori jogs behind him.) Tori: Come on, Yuma, slow down! (Astral keeps up with Yuma more easily. None of them notice the police vehicles passing them on the street.) Yuma: I gotta get one more duel in while I'm feelin' like this! Astral: Do not get too relaxed, Yuma. Those who remain in the Carnival do so because they are skilled. Yuma: When you say *those who remain in the Carnival*, ya mean like *me*, right? Because-- (His gazer rings. He stops running and answers it.) Yuma: Oh. Hey, sis, what's up? Kari (on phone): What're you doing? Where are you right now? Yuma: Uhh, I'm near the train station. (Tori finally manages to catch her breath.) Kari (on phone): *Perfect* There's a guy there in the courtyard, I'm sending you a picture now. (The screen shows an image of Charlie.) Kari (on phone): I need you to find him and *keep him busy*! Yuma: I don't have *time* for this. I've got *things to do*. *You* find 'im and *keep 'im busy*!

(On the other end of the line Kari appears to be sculpting something rather elaborate out of white rice.) Kari: I'm *doing something* right now, I just need to you buy me some time! Yuma (on phone): But uh... I was gonna go 'n'...

Kari (on phone): *Just do it*, Yuma!!! Yuma: Okay!! Kari (on phone): Now *listen up*. Once you see him, corner him; capture him; *do not* let 'im out of your sight! (She hangs up; the Charlie picture stays on the screen. Yuma looks at it gloomily.) Yuma: Why does my sister hate me? Tori: Is this some *friend of hers*? Yuma: I dunno. But wait-- if I don't do what she says, it'll be *morning noogies* for a solid *month*! (Just then, they hear a commotion.) Yuma: Huh? Is that a duel? (Across the street, a cheering, yelling crowd is gathered.)

Shark: Next I activate Submersible Carrier Aero Shark's special ability! Here comes-- Torpedo Takedown! (Yuma squeezes to the front of the crowd, holding his arms out straight like the beginning of a breaststroke. Tori joins him without the funny motion.) Yuma: It's Shark! (Aero Shark releases four shark-shaped missiles, which split into four smaller rockets each. Shark's opponent, a random guy in a grey-blue cargo vest over a yellow T-shirt, grey pants, and boots, is assailed with small explosions and hits the ground on his back.) - Whoa-a-a-a-a-a-a ugh! (His lifepoints fall from 1200 to 0; Shark just won the duel. The crowd's cheering as the gazervision decomposes.) - That's *awesome*! - Sweet victory! Yuma: Oh, wow! That was incredible! (Shark is jadedly pulling off his gazer; this victory didn't matter much to him.) Yuma: Does this mean what I think it means?! (Shark startles slightly.) Shark: Yuma. Yuma: You're competing in the World Duel Carnival! Shark (bitterly): Only for as long as I need to. Yuma: Whaddaya mean? Shark: As soon as I do what I gotta do-- I'm out. Yuma: What're you *talking* about? Shark: The duelist I lost to at the Nationals is in the Carnival.

(Flashback. He finally remembers the face of the opponent who got him disqualified. Reginald Kastle stands beside a hospital bed, about to fight a duel he can't bear to lose.) Shark: I'm gonna settle the score. Yuma: The Nationals?! (End Flashback.)

Yuma: But I thought... you cheated, and then you got kicked out. Shark: There's a lot more to that story than you know. For now, just stay outta my way. (Shark walks away.) Tori: Ah...! Yuma: Wait up! *Shark*...!

ACT 2 <<5:53>>

(Kite is also in the middle of a duel, his clothes bright white.) Kite: Go, Photon Stream of Destruction!! (Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon raises its head and burns with fluorescent specks; two random duelists feel the hurt, and their lifepoints drop from 500 apiece to 0.) Kite: Now your souls're *mine*! (Kite reaches out both hands, and a beam of light plunges into each of his opponents' chests; their backs arch in pain as they cry out. Kite pulls back a glowing globe in each hand; they both shatter, revealing two glowing cards.) Kite: Heheheh... Thank you for your donation. (to Orbital) *Two* Number cards for the price of one. Orbital: *Great* de-deal!

(A sign attached to the top of a nearby building looks like a chocolate-frosted donut, with neon dots and stars around it. It reads, in big red letters, 'Do! Do! Donut'. WDC banners decorate the sides of the building. Yuma wanders through the crowds in train station courtyard.) Yuma (mutters): Same old Shark; ' Neuh, I'm too cool to give a straight answer'... (They come to a clearing in the crowd.) Tori: Yuma, look... (Yuma's still brooding about Shark.) Tori: Earth to Yuma! Yuma: Huh? Tori (points): *Isn't that the guy?* (Past a middle-aged woman in a purple dress who’s walking by, sitting on a bench against the wall, is Charlie.) Yuma: Uh, that's a *lady*... Tori: Sitting on the *bench*! (Charlie turns his head, and is easily recognizable.) Yuma: Oh yeah! (Yuma runs up to him.) Yuma: Hey, you! Charlie: Huh? Yuma: Kari sent me! I'm Yuma. Charlie: She sent her... *little brother*?

(Later.) Charlie: She said to 'capture' me? Heheheh! How were *you* s'posed to do *that*? Yuma: Ugh, *I* dunno. She *knows* I'm busy with the World Duel Carnival... Charlie: *You're* in the Duel Carnival? (Charlie pulls out a card.) Charlie: Then what would you say to a duel right *now*? Yuma: You wanna duel? Charlie: Well-- the thing is, I kinda need to test this card out. - Hey!! Charlie: Huh? - You in the hat! I see you're wavin' a *card* around. (The person addressing them is heavily muscled, with at least four dumbbells on their thick belt. He or she, it's not really clear which, has wristbands with huge, long spikes, a tank top fastened with buckles at the shoulders, and a head much, much smaller than their broad, bulky shoulders. They're holding up a heart frame maybe two-fifths full.) - How 'bout we put a heart piece on the line *right here and right now*! Charlie: *Well,* I'm not *in* the Carnival, but my friend *Yuma* here is. Why don't we wager one a' *his* pieces. Yuma: *My* piece?! No way, man! Charlie: *Relax*-- seriously; with the streak of luck I'm having, there's no *way* this guy can beat me.

(The night sky of Heart Land City is like a glowing kaleidoscope, with pastel lights shining from colorful buildings and the streets below. The heart tower stands above them all.) Dr. Faker (via phone): Mister Heartland. How's our Kite doing? (Heartland and Faker are communicating over a holographic sphere. On Heartland's end of the call, the room is dark, lit only by the glow from the hologram, and the light from it glares across his glasses; standing before the holographic sphere of Faker, he appears small and sinister.) Mr. Heartland: Kite doesn't even know what it *means to lose*! Dr. Faker (via phone): *Excellent*. Mr. Heartland: *And*, as of now, over half of those competing in my Duel Carnival have been eliminated. Many of those who remain most *certainly* possess Number cards. Dr. Faker (via phone): Then everything is proceeding exactly as we envisioned it would! I hope you appreciate the opportunity we have here. (The expression in Faker's bulbous, purple eyes conveys genuine concern and anxiety.) Dr. Faker (via phone): The envoy from Astralworld came here in order to bring us down!

(Flashback. A wave of energy blazes out of the train station courtyard, visible only on a special scanner. Yuma sees a sparkling, prismatic light, and a blue-white figure swoops behind his eyes.) Dr. Faker (via phone, VO): However, how fortunate that upon his arrival, an accident occurred and his ninety-nine Number cards were scattered into the wind! (Yuma comes to sitting in a black void with a globe of cards spinning around him. The globe shatters, scattering the cards in every direction. The blaze on the scanner keeps raging. End Flashback.)

(Now Faker's getting excited.) Dr. Faker (via phone): That accident bought us the time we need to plan our countermeasures! We must gather those cards and prevent that envoy from remembering what he was sent here to do, Mister Heartland! Do not let me down!! (Heartland bows, the glare shifting across his glasses.) Mr. Heartland: I *won't*.

(Two facedown cards are all Charlie has on the field. On the sidelines, Yuma's having conniptions.) Yuma: Gah! I can't believe I let you talk me into wagering one of my heart pieces! This guy is mopping the floor with you!! Charlie: Don't *worry*, Yuma; I'm not gonna *lose*. Yuma: Glad *you're* confident. *Maybe you didn't notice*. He's got three Xyz monsters on his field. (Kachi Kochi Dragon, Thunder End Dragon, and Daigusto Phoenix, and they look vicious; they have 3000, 2100, and 1500 attack points respectively.) Astral: Not only that; there is a considerable lifepoint gap between him and his opponent. (Charlie has 100 lifepoints, his opponent a perfect 4000.) Yuma: You need to forfeit! Say ya gotta go, uh, make up a great reason, like-- daaahhh! I can't think of anything!! (Yuma knocks frantically on his own head.) Charlie: Don't get so *worked up*; after all, life is just a carnival-- you're *supposed* to have *fun*! (Astral is intrigued.) Astral: Life... is... a carnival. Yuma: It's easy to have fun when you're losing someone *else's* heart piece! Charlie (draw): Who said anything about *losing*! (looks) Well, lookie what we have here! I'm activating the "Reload" spell card! This allows me to return my hand to my deck; and then, I can shuffle up and draw a *new* card for every card that I returned! (Charlie draws a new hand of three cards.) Charlie: Here-- we-- go!! Yuma: Euh..? Charlie (dramatically building tension): Uh-oh! Not sure *that* was a good idea. Yuma (wails): Of *course* it wasn't!! It was terrible!!! Charlie: Ju-ust kidding! I'm activating "Triple Ace"! When I have three of the same level-one monster in my hand, I can use Triple Ace to summon all *three* of 'em. So now I can toss three Dice Levelers onto the field! [Dice Leveler 100//L1/] (Charlie's opponent isn't too impressed.) - A hundred attack points. Whaddaya givin' up or somethin'? Charlie: Actually, this is the part where I start *winning*. First I activate Dice Leveler's special ability. (Three dice appear in front of his outstretched hand, and he closes them into his fist, which starts to shine with light.) Tori: What's he *doing*? Yuma: Losing my heart piece. (Charlie expertly holds the three dice between his fingers.) Charlie: Time to test my luck. (He throws the three dice, almost lazily. Three larger dice appear on the field, held by the three Dice Levelers' big, disembodied hands. The hands let them go, and they fall in slow-motion, turning dark purple-black and bright turquoise.) Charlie: When I take a chance and roll the dice, their levels will increase by the number that comes up. (The dice stop on the ground-- all three of them have come up 6. Yuma, Tori, and Astral are stunned.) Yuma: He rolled all sixes! Astral: The odds of rolling six on three dice at the same time are one in two hundred sixteen. Charlie: Heh, heh. Looks like Lady Luck is wanting me to power up my dice to level seven! (All three Dice Levelers' levels increase to 7.) Astral: And just like that... he has *three* level-seven monsters on his field. Charlie: You've had a nice little *run*, my friend, but the winds of fortune are about to change. I now overlay all three a' my Dice Levelers! (All three Dice Levelers turn into bright yellow streams of light, twining together toward the sky.) Charlie: With these three monsters, I build the overlay network! (The streams pour into the center of a purplish swirling galaxy on the field, and it explodes in a burst of pastel lights.) Charlie: And then, I Xyz summon Number Seven, Lucky Straight! (A striped sort of steep spinning top appears; the top of it is a spinning roulette wheel, and it tapers down, striped purple and yellow, until it hits a round, red globe where the tip would be. Its three overlays orbit lazily. Then a wave of energy spins out from the top form, and the spindle of the roulette wheel extends upward. The true form of Lucky Straight holds the sign of the Number 07 at the end of a stick. Tori looks on in surprise.) Tori: Amazing...! Yuma: He's got a Number...! (The monster has a broad cuff around its wrist shaped like a roulette wheel, and another around its neck; the tight suit in-between is purple and yellow stripes.) Astral: Interesting...! Perhaps *this* explains his luck. (Number 7: Lucky Straight is a humanoid sort of jester, with a wand that holds the symbol of Number 07 on the end.) [Number 7: Lucky Straight 700//R7/] Charlie: And now I'm activating the "Dream Dice" spell card! (Another die appears.) Charlie: It's a game of chance; I give this here *dream dice* a roll, and if it comes up a six, all your monsters lose *all their attack points*! But anything else-- and *my* monster'll be the one losing all *its* attack points! (The die lands-- on another 6.) - What?! Yuma: No way! He rolled *another* six?! (The die begins to shine.) Charlie: *Bingo*. Now your monsters're busted! Hope you weren't fond of those attack points! (The monsters' attack points fall-- from 3000 to 0, from 2100 to 0, and from 1500 to 0.) Astral: The odds of rolling *that many sixes* in a row are twelve hundred ninety-six to one! Charlie: All right! Do it, Lucky Straight! (The opponent isn't scared just yet.) - Heh-- I can *take* seven hundred points a' damage! Charlie: You might be takin' a lot more than that. 'Cause I'm activating Lucky Straight's special ability! When Lucky Straight battles, I can use one overlay unit to roll the dice. (One overlay infuses itself into Lucky Straight's staff. A die appears.) Charlie: And then, Lucky Straight's attack points get multiplied by the number that comes up. So if luck is on my side, this could be the end, my friend! (The die rolls-- and lands on another six.) Charlie: Whoo-hoo! (Astral, Yuma, and Tori are amazed; his opponent is starting to get scared.) Charlie: Now we just multiply Lucky Straight's seven hundred attack points by six. (700 x 6 = 4200.) Charlie: And then, this one's in the books! - It can't be!! (Lucky Straight strikes, and the opponent's three Xyz monsters shatter. In the resulting explosion, the opponent's lifepoints fall straight from 4000 to 0.) - Daaahh! (The vision field dissolves, and Lucky Straight shatters.) Charlie (think): The rumors about this card were true... it's *incredible*! (He puts a hand to the brim of his hat, as though feeling a headache, he looks worried and upset.) Charlie (think): Just hope the luck it brings holds out until tomorrow... when I *really* need it. (Yuma takes off his gazer.) Yuma: That was *amazing*. A *huge comeback* in *one turn*! (Astral, too, is intrigued.)

(Flashback. All three of the dice for the Dice Levelers come up six.) Astral (VO): But *so much* of that comeback depended on chance. Interesting. (Charlie throws another die, which also comes up 6. End Flashback.)

Astral: Seven thousand seven hundred seventy-six to one. Those are the odds that he was facing. (The opponent gets to his hands and knees.) - You cheated! I know it! *Nobody* rolls that many sixes in a row! (Charlie shakes with laughter; just then, he's pinned down by a spotlight; the police have caught up to him in one of their stub-winged aircraft.) Tori: What's *this* all about? (Police cars are pulling up outside the plaza. An officer shouts over a megaphone.) - Charlie McKay! You are completely surrounded! There's no getting away *this* time! Charlie: That's pretty much what they said *last* time I got away. - Put your hands on the back of your head! (Charlie raises his hands.) Charlie: Whatever you say... (The airplane hovers down closer to him. He places his hands on the back of his head.) Charlie: Here's the *problem* though, fellas. There's somethin' I gotta do. I don't really have time to *hang out*. (He's holding the Number card in one of the hands behind his head. He flips it, and mutters--) Charlie: It's showtime. (He's surrounded by police officers, standing in a spotlight; Yuma, Tori, and Astral stand far off to the side, ignored.) Charlie: All right, people; who's up for a *game of chance*? (Yuma, Tori, Astral, and his opponent are watching in disbelief. The card shines brightly, and a whirlwind whips up around Charlie's feet, billowing up his serape and spreading out form him in a helical double-wave. The police cower, unable to advance, barely able to see him. Yuma and Tori cover themselves, barely withstanding the wind. The sharp gust pops the deck box on Yuma's belt open, to his surprise.) Yuma: Ahh! Astral: Yuma! (A single card flies from the deck box into the whirlwind; Number 11: Big Eye.) Astral: Your Number card! (It flits away into the wind; other bystanders in the crowd are also losing cards. TZX031_id2. Charlie stands in the center of the vortex, his bright green eyes dauntless. High above, the whirlwind rips a few supports loose on the back of the donut sign. The lights on it begin to shut off. Down where Yuma is, the wind is dying down.) Astral: Yuma! Look up! Yuma: Huh? Iiiigh! Astral: You might- want to run. (The Do! Do! Donut sign is sparking and crackling-- and slowly falls from its place on the side of the building. As it picks up momentum, it falls faster and faster!)

ACT 3 <<15:30>>

(The Do! Do! Donut sign is sparking and crackling-- and slowly falls from its place on the side of the building. Down where Yuma is, the wind is dying down.) Astral: Yuma! Look up! Yuma: Huh? Iiiigh! Astral: You might- want to run. (The donut sign falls faster and faster; bystanders scatter in panic, fleeing from the giant donut falling from the sky. Yuma and Tori stop at a safe distance, turn back and look. Charlie hasn't moved.) Yuma: Wha- what's he doing?! (The donut lands right on top of him, in a big cloud of dust. The crowd screams.) Yuma: Ah! (A police officer asks--) - Everybody okay? (Some bystanders can be heard responding.) - 'M fine, officer. - Yeah. Thank you so much. (An officer near Yuma and Tori gasps.) - Huh?! Tori: What's happening? (The cards swept away by the whirlwind, are funneling into the middle of the dust cloud from all sides, TZX031_id1, and stacking themselves neatly into a deck in someone's hand.) - How is he *doing* that?! - He should put those back! - That's against the law! (The dust clears; Charlie's standing right there, untouched, holding the deck of stolen cards.) Charlie: Good thing I was standing *here*! (Yuma watches in astonishment.) Charlie: This *donut* coulda *hurt* me! (He's standing right in the center of the wrecked donut's hole; it fell all around him but missed him completely.) Charlie: *Seriously*! I mean, talk about *close calls*, right? But hey-- close calls make life more fun! (Astral is listening carefully.) Charlie: And since life is a carnival, the more fun I have, the better! And hey, Yuma-- when your sister gets here, tell 'er I'm sorry I had to bolt! (He jumps over the other side of the donut and runs away. Yuma blinks, then reacts.) Yuma; Hey! I'm not just gonna let you *run off with my card*, come back!! Tori: Yuma, wait! (Yuma doesn't hear; he's already off and running. Just then, a motorcycle bumps up the escalator and brakes sideways, cutting Yuma off.) Yuma: Ahh! Huh? (The rider pulls off her orange helmet; it's Kari, dressed head to foot in a sleek black riding suit with a red zipper.) Kari: *Please* tell me the donut wasn't your fault. Yuma: It *wasn't*. Kari: *Where is he*? (Yuma gasps. She turns; the sidewalk looks entirely peaceful.) Yuma: He's, uh... gone.

(Later, a police car with sirens on blares past what might be a park, somewhere in the city. Yuma, Kari, and Tori are in the park.) Kari: So he stole everyone's cards and then took *off*. I don't *believe* that guy! And to *think* I actually took some time to make him food... (Yuma sits on the bench, Tori standing to one side, Kari to the other with her bike. Astral leans against the lamp post two feet off the ground.) Yuma: So d'you think that crazy *card* he dueled with is what he stole from the museum? Kari: Sounds like it. I heard them talking about the card on the Heart Land frequencies, and so I did some quick *research*. Everyone who's ever had that card has been blessed with a sudden streak of crazy luck! In the past few months, that card has turned people into overnight celebrities and millionaires! Tori: That's nuts. Yuma: He totally acted like he *knew who I was*. Who *is* this guy, sis? Kari: Charlie McKay was dad's assistant.

(Flashback. Charlie explores an ancient tomb, burning torch in one hand; he looks more exuberant, less tired, than he does in the present.) Kari (VO): He helped him with his research and went on a few excavations with him. And then, basically decided to become a big *blockheaded buffoon* who flies all over the world looking for *ancient shiny things*. (Kari's tone is filled with sarcasm. Charlie stands over a glowing treasure chest, holding something that sparkles blue. End Flashback.)

(Kari's already on her bike, her helmet back on.) Kari: Every time I think I'm never gonna *see* him again... he has this way of showing up. (He flicks her headlights on, visor down.) Kari: Well-- all right, you two, you guys up for a little *recon*? Yuma: Yeah! We'll find this guy! We'll turn this whole city upside-down if that's what it takes! (Yuma and Kari high-five.) Yuma and Kari: Let's do this! (Kari revs up and drives away.) Yuma: All right, Tori, let's start looking! Astral: Do you have any leads? Yuma: Huh? Astral: If you search randomly, you will *never* find him. Yuma: Whadda *you* suggest, know-it-all?! Astral: At first, I was not sure why I recognized those words. And then, I realized...

Astral (VO): Eighty-sixth district, seventh area. (Yuma and Tori are already off running, Astral floating, as what he said earlier continues in VO.) Astral (VO): I have seen those words while riding the D line monorail with you.

(Flashback. The words 'Life is a Carnival' in red with yellow background scroll on a marquee somewhere in the city.) Astral (VO): They spin around at the top of a building. I admit that this might be what you would call, 'kind of a stretch'... (End Flashback.)

Astral (VO): But it might be worth looking along that rail line. Perhaps if we explore the surrounding areas, we will find this *Charlie McKay*, and retrieve your Number card. (Yuma, Tori, and Astral reach an overpass; they hear sirens and see police cars rushing past underneath them.) Yuma: What's goin' on?! (They turn to look where the police are headed.) Tori: Looks like the police are heading toward the bay area. The D line goes through there! It's him! It's *gotta* be! (Yuma looks determined...)

ACT 4 <<18:51>>

(Police vehicles fly overhead and are parked on the ground at the monorail station.) - Lieutenant! We've stopped the monorail and evacuated all passengers and personnel. The suspect is surrounded. (Charlie stands outside the door to a monorail compartment, surrounded by a wall of police with batons and shields.) - Get down on your knees, McKay! Charlie: Man, you guys just *do not give up*, do ya. (He holds up his Number card.) Charlie: Did your bosses not give you the *memo* about what this card can do?

(Yuma, Tori, and Astral slip around the crowd of bystanders being detained outside the monorail station. A uniformed official stops them just as they run through the turnstiles.) - Hey! The monorail's closed!

(The Number 7 card begins to shine again. A bolt of lightning strikes the monorail station out of a clear sky. The police are thrown off their feet. Electricity crackles across a circuitboard, and the headlights of the monorail in the station snap on. The lights inside also turn on, with advertisement screens showing WDC logos. All the police around Charlie are now sprawled on the ground in disarray. Neither Charlie nor the police see Yuma, Tori, and Astral sneak into a monorail compartment.) Charlie: No hard feelings, boys, but, I've really got somewhere I need to *be*. (Charlie turns and runs into the monorail compartment door behind him. The monorail, and the police planes, still crackle with electricity over their surfaces. One of the police pilots shouts--) - Something's wrong! Our controls're *jammed*! (The monorail has started forward, the planes unable to give chase. Someone says over a police radio--) - Suspect is on the westbound D rail, moving through the bay area!

(Inside the monorail, Charlie looks at his card and laughs; he got away clean-- or so he thinks.) Yuma: Kari, I've got 'im! (Charlie turns. Yuma keeps talking into his duel gazer.) Yuma: We're on the D line monorail!

(Kari replies, riding through the dark streets, as she executes an abrupt U-turn and takes off with her front wheel still off the ground.) Kari: I'm on my way!

Charlie: So ya found me. Little quicker than I thought you would. Yuma: You took my card; I'd like to have it back. Charlie: Eheheh. Direct and to the point. Well, as it happens, I've jammed this monorail so it can't be stopped by the control center, and I'm afraid our destination is all the way on the other side of the city. So, uh... whaddayou say we pass the time with a little *duel*? Yuma: A duel? Charlie: An' if you manage to win, then I'll give you your card back. (Yuma looks like he's about to protest.) Astral: Yuma... you have to retrieve that Number card. Yuma: All right-- let's do it! Duel disk, go! (Yuma flings his duel screen, puts on his wrist holster, and the screen attaches to it, then the disk surfaces unfold. His duel gazer unfolds itself in sharp, shining snaps; he catches it and puts it on, and it shines bright.) Yuma: Duel gazer-- let's roll! (Yuma and Charlie are now standing on top of the monorail; the vision link numbers fly past in the monorail's slipstream.) Computer: Duel interface set. Authentic reality vision link established. (Both gazers glint. Tori spectates from a door in the roof of the monorail.) Tori: Be careful, Yuma! (Both duelists start with 4000 lifepoints.) Yuma and Charlie: Let's duel!

(Down on the street, Kari rides parallel to the monorail.) Kari: What's Yuma doing on top of that monorail?!

Tori: Is this the best time to be doing this?! Yuma: This guy took my Number card, and I'm getting it back, Tori! Tori: That's nice and all, but if this monorail can't be stopped, then who's supposed to hit the brake?! Yuma: Who's supposed to hit the...? *Brake*?! Daaahh! Someone help me!! Charlie (disdainfully): Don't be *scared*, Yuma; nothing *bad* will happen. Luck is gonna protect us. So let's get this duel started! (Yuma is stunned; Charlie's actually gambling their safety on his crazy luck. Then Yuma looks determined; he'll see this through. The monorail is speeding out of control, shrieking against the rail, racing through the nighttime cityscape of Heart Land City, and the duel is about to start. To Be Continued...)

END <<22:05>>