PROLOGUE:
Friendship is both fascinating and beautiful. Thanks to this power, the boy was able to escape the bandits' clutches. And yet, my friend said to me, "there is nothing so inconstant as the human heart."
Gankutsuou
Act 3: 5/22, Stormy
Hey! Albert! Come on!
Time to wake up!
I can't believe you were still in bed.
I have an important visitor arriving today. I've been really busy getting ready.
You didn't have to come if you didn't want to. Who's the visitor?
Someone who did me a favor on Luna.
Oh, I see now. It's that fake Count something-or-other, right?
You haven't even met him! How do you know he's fake!?
Oh, speaking of visitors, Chateau-Renaud said that he's bringing someone with him.
Why are you smirking?
You know, Albert, you've got to be the most perfect target for a con artist in the whole of Paris.
Wha--?!
Wow...
She's losing her temper...
Oh...
What are you angry about?
I'm angry? I thought I was just enjoying our drive.
We're not in a rally race, you know.
Oh, that's right. You love puttering around at a slow crawl with no destination in mind. Behind the wheel and in life.
Huh?
My life is none of your business, all right?!
Get out, now!
Sure, I'll get out! I don't want to ride with you, anyway.
What are you talking about? We're already here.
You know, for the life of me, I can't figure out why you and I are still engaged!
Really? Then maybe you should ride in Debray's car on the way--
Oh, brother...
Hey, would you please be careful?
Are you okay?
Yes.
Hey, Albert! Over here! Come take a look at this!
Hey!
Geez, are women the only thing you can handle, Mr. Bigshot Private Secretary?
Hey, every dull drive needs a little bit of stimulation, doesn't it? I mean, next to me is a hack reporter, and in the back seat is a couple who just got engaged!
That was amazing!
It was nothing. I was in a special forces unit in the army.
Muscle reinforcement processing, huh? I've only heard rumors about it...
Thank you for your help.
Uhm... I'll get it myself.
Thank you... What is your name, Miss?
My name is Valentine.
Hello... My name is...
Hey! Hi, Maximilien! I'm sorry I'm late!
There I was, out on a dangerous recon, and suddenly I stumbled into an enemy nest! And then when I dropped my favorite grenade, I went white as a sheet! From inside the hole, I could hear the Erindanians making eerie, threatening clicking noises. Anyway, I'm not one who subscribes to the theory that they're a sentient race.
Uh...
Try a piece. It's very good.
Thank you, Miss Valentine.
In temperament, they're vicious and cruel creatures. Well, the rest of stories is rather graphic and I don't want to go into detail with these ladies present, but just once, -- (Maximilien): Mmm. Delicious! -- round up all those alien rights proponents and send 'em into a nest to have a nice chat with them!
You're a lucky man, My friend! Once you and Valentine are married, you'll be able to dine like this every day! Eh?
Um... Where was I? Oh, that's right! Just then, I thought I was done for! And who do you suppose showed up then? None other than this man, Space Cavalry Captain Maximilien Morrel, the man I owe my very life to!
You're quite a man to save a complete klutz who managed to blindly stumble his way onto a battlefield. So, Captain Morrel, where do you hail from?
My family makes its home in Marseilles.
That's a pretty rough place.
And you?
Paris, of course! The old town area, admittedly.
The town of Marseilles... What sort of a place is it?
When I was young, it was a beautiful harbor town filled with sightseers and tourists.
Well, now, it's not a place that a young lady should even consider venturing into.
We haven't climbed up here in a long time.
Oh, what a great breeze.
Those clouds look a bit menacing, though. Don't you think?
What's the matter? Something interesting catch your eye?
Why do you suppose there's a need to divide the world up with city walls and borders?
The ugliness of the outside world exists for the purpose of making the beauty of our kingdom stand out.
Well, that may be so, but I assure you there's plenty of great things outside these walls. Don't you think we should try to open our eyes a little more and see the real world?
Oh, have you grown up a little now that you're back from your trip?
I suppose you're right. So go right ahead and take on all the troubles that exist outside the walls. That should quiet those stinging pangs of boredom of yours for a little at least. Now, this is what we should be looking at. The High Court of Justice. Danglars Bank. And the place your father works, Space Forces Headquarters. The triangle of Parisian power. That is the true "great thing" that we should inherit, don't you think?
To me, it feels like we're the ones who have been sealed in.
I am now no longer all alone wallowing in abject solitude. For I am now surrounded by the Furies, the goddesses of vengeance. In the cold bosom of the darkness, I awaited the dawn. And once dawn came, I cursed my flesh until night fell once more. I even prayed that I would lose my sanity. But those prayers went unheeded. Nothing changed. And when I strove for the peacefulness of death, the Devil's cold, pitiless hand grabbed hold and held me back. Well... It won't be long now...
GANKUTSUOU - The Count of Monte Cristo - 03
Boy, what a terrible drive that was... Maybe it was punishment for skipping the Cabinet meeting...
Have the candidates for the next President been chosen yet? The word on the street is that His Excellency Morcerf is the front runner. You must have heard a few things from your father, haven't you, Albert?
You know, you should really watch your step around Beauchamp, Maximilien. He's a terrible man who will use even his friends' scandals as fodder for articles.
That's what they call "impartial journalism."
I read your articles all the time. But I do not approve of the content.
I get that all the time.
Where are the ladies?
They went home, because their dresses were totally soaked.
Chateau-Renaud's antique, too.
If they'd said something, I would have given them a lift home.
That'd be just like tossing food to a monkey.
So, the Count of Monte Cristo...
I can't say I've heard of him.
There's nothing on him at the Cabinet Secretariat. Probably an alias, or... a pretender or a con man?
I'll thank you to refrain from idle gossip about an honored guest of the Morcerf home.
Where'd you say that you ran into this "honored guest" of yours, again?
At Luna's Carnival when we were there last spring.
Apparently, the honored son of the family was abducted by bandits.
Now, that's too funny. So, Albert, were you seduced by one of Luna's wily vixens?
Oh, damn it to hell...
And then the Count came in, and rescued me before the kidnappers could kill me.
I suppose that you really do owe your life to the Count, then.
It's clear that he's kind, as well as incredibly wealthy, and probably well-connected.
And what about the distinct possibility that this millionaire's pouch was full of forged bills?
Look at this! If he didn't come from noble birth, do you think he would have a watch as beautiful as this one?
When con artists are setting a trap in order to win people's trust, they often use trinkets just like that.
He's not a con artist! He commands an enormous spaceship, and he travels with aliens and a beautiful woman from Eastern Space. He's free from the rule of any government, and he mingles freely with people of all classes and walks of life. In everything he does, he breaks with established tradition.
That's right. And then, once night falls, he wanders the darkness in search of the lifeblood of maidens.
Yeah. Well, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he did. The Count has a dark and ruthless side to him that doesn't seem to care at all about human life.
Shut up, Franz!
Albert, just calm down!
Hey wait, there was a case of a sailor who contracted a local disease on some planet, and went around sucking all the blood he could find, wasn't there?
You know, you should be careful, Albert. I hear they enjoy the blood of virgin boys almost as much as girls'.
So you think he's a vampire or something?
It's a lot more plausible than Lunar bandits.
Yeah. Or kindhearted rich people.
His Excellency, the Count of Monte Cristo, Monsieur.
Show him in at o--
I beg your pardon, but the door was open. So I just entered.
It's an honor to see you again.
The honor is mine, Viscount Morcerf.
Please, sir. I prefer you call me Albert. Surely you and I are well beyond those formalities by now. As promised, allow me to introduce you to my friends. You already know Franz. This is Lucien Debray. He is a shrewd civil servant, who already holds a key position in the Interior Ministry. This is Beauchamp. He's a newspaper reporter. He can tell you anything you might want to know about Paris.
It's not a mainstream paper. It's more of a third-rate gossip sheet.
That is most fascinating.
This is Cavalry Captain Maximilien Morrel. He's a big hero of the Eridanus campaign.
Nice to meet you, sir.
Ah, the very paragon of a faithful, brave soldier.
Oh! You know Captain Morrel, Your Excellency?
Not at all.
Count, we've heard that you've come to us from somewhere very far away.
You're trying to interview him already? Don't annoy our guest.
Look, I'm just doing my job, okay?
On many worlds, taking photographs are seen as a vile and reprehensible custom. I must ask you to abstain.
Oh, sorry... I didn't know.
In the course of visiting many foreign worlds when I was a sailor, I've become thoroughly tainted by the diverse customs of other cultures. I'm afraid that I must seem quite the uncivilized savage to the good people of Paris.
So, what sorts of places have you been, sir?
I have traveled to many, many places. To Eastern Space. To Northern Space. Even to the very core of the galaxy.
And what about the lmperium?
Of course. To a sailor, there are no such things as borders.
But, couldn't that be considered treason against the state, sir?
I see no reason to swear loyalty to people who will not extend their hands to protect me. Would you not agree with that, sir?
I agree that you possess rather bold opinions. Yes, true enough.
I suggest that you experience being cast out into the vast universe all alone as I did. You would soon see that the only one you can count upon is yourself.
Set the table for tea at once.
So, where do you hail from, sir?
I came into this universe from a distant land that is far beyond your imagination.
Ohh! A place that you'd rather we didn't know about?
Franz! Don't be rude!
If we're going to be associating with Count as friends, shouldn't we at least know where the man comes from?
That's quite understandable. The very reason why distinguished gentlemen such as yourselves are interested in what I do or say, is because of the air of mystery surrounding me, is it not? Were that not the case, surely a rustic aristocrat from the frontiers of space would not have been given a seat at your table.
Well, you do have us there.
But that's exactly why my friends and I want to know more about you and your background!
Naive as ever, I see.
Peppo!
Is something the matter, Albert?
Huh? Um, no. Nothing.
All right, what are you up to?
I wound up here. After you left, I quit the bandit gang. So, I made my way here to Paris to see if I could find work.
Okay. But what are you doing here?
Why? I followed you here, Albert... I'm lying! It's just a coincidence. There happened to be an opening, that's all.
I want you to tell me something, Peppo.
I'm impressed. You remembered my name, Albert.
Are you planning to stay here for good?
Can't I?
Well, it's, how can I put it to you...?
Look. Don't worry about it. Let's just agree to keep each other's secrets, okay?
Are you interested in learning that man's real identity? Don't worry about it too much. He's nobody special. So what shall we do? I was thinking that we might all go to Le Queen.
No thanks. I think I'm going to pass on that.
I think I'm going to pass, too.
What the hell?
Hm?
It's the Count of Monte Cristo's voice...
Yes? So what's the big deal?
It isn't on the recording.
So, what sorts of places have you been, sir? ...[static]... And what about the Imperium? ...[static]... But--
It's probably a small malfunction.
So, is this a malfunction, too?
What an absolutely beautiful woman.
Oh, thanks. That's my mother.
She is rather young in this portrait. This vista is that of Marseilles, is it not?
She likes paintings like this. I really don't know why she chose that place as the setting.
It's magnificent.
Actually, my father hates this painting. He was going to take it down and burn it, but we placated him by hanging it in my room.
Edmond...
Is something wrong with it?
Not at all. I'm afraid it's time I took my leave.
Oh, no! Please don't go! I was hoping you'd stay and have dinner with us! My mother and father have really been looking forward to meeting you. And if you're interested in paintings, my mother and father have many interesting pieces in their collection.
My... what a stirring painting this is.
This is my father's. The ones that my mother has collected are over here.
Oh, this must be your visitor.
PREVIEW:
My mother's past, which I never knew. The men in her past. Adults who live in the past. Next Gankutsuou, The Count of Monte Cristo, Act 4, A Mother's Secrets. Bide your time, and hold out hope!
Friendship is both fascinating and beautiful. Thanks to this power, the boy was able to escape the bandits' clutches. And yet, my friend said to me, "there is nothing so inconstant as the human heart."
Gankutsuou
Act 3: 5/22, Stormy
Hey! Albert! Come on!
Time to wake up!
I can't believe you were still in bed.
I have an important visitor arriving today. I've been really busy getting ready.
You didn't have to come if you didn't want to. Who's the visitor?
Someone who did me a favor on Luna.
Oh, I see now. It's that fake Count something-or-other, right?
You haven't even met him! How do you know he's fake!?
Oh, speaking of visitors, Chateau-Renaud said that he's bringing someone with him.
Why are you smirking?
You know, Albert, you've got to be the most perfect target for a con artist in the whole of Paris.
Wha--?!
Wow...
She's losing her temper...
Oh...
What are you angry about?
I'm angry? I thought I was just enjoying our drive.
We're not in a rally race, you know.
Oh, that's right. You love puttering around at a slow crawl with no destination in mind. Behind the wheel and in life.
Huh?
My life is none of your business, all right?!
Get out, now!
Sure, I'll get out! I don't want to ride with you, anyway.
What are you talking about? We're already here.
You know, for the life of me, I can't figure out why you and I are still engaged!
Really? Then maybe you should ride in Debray's car on the way--
Oh, brother...
Hey, would you please be careful?
Are you okay?
Yes.
Hey, Albert! Over here! Come take a look at this!
Hey!
Geez, are women the only thing you can handle, Mr. Bigshot Private Secretary?
Hey, every dull drive needs a little bit of stimulation, doesn't it? I mean, next to me is a hack reporter, and in the back seat is a couple who just got engaged!
That was amazing!
It was nothing. I was in a special forces unit in the army.
Muscle reinforcement processing, huh? I've only heard rumors about it...
Thank you for your help.
Uhm... I'll get it myself.
Thank you... What is your name, Miss?
My name is Valentine.
Hello... My name is...
Hey! Hi, Maximilien! I'm sorry I'm late!
There I was, out on a dangerous recon, and suddenly I stumbled into an enemy nest! And then when I dropped my favorite grenade, I went white as a sheet! From inside the hole, I could hear the Erindanians making eerie, threatening clicking noises. Anyway, I'm not one who subscribes to the theory that they're a sentient race.
Uh...
Try a piece. It's very good.
Thank you, Miss Valentine.
In temperament, they're vicious and cruel creatures. Well, the rest of stories is rather graphic and I don't want to go into detail with these ladies present, but just once, -- (Maximilien): Mmm. Delicious! -- round up all those alien rights proponents and send 'em into a nest to have a nice chat with them!
You're a lucky man, My friend! Once you and Valentine are married, you'll be able to dine like this every day! Eh?
Um... Where was I? Oh, that's right! Just then, I thought I was done for! And who do you suppose showed up then? None other than this man, Space Cavalry Captain Maximilien Morrel, the man I owe my very life to!
You're quite a man to save a complete klutz who managed to blindly stumble his way onto a battlefield. So, Captain Morrel, where do you hail from?
My family makes its home in Marseilles.
That's a pretty rough place.
And you?
Paris, of course! The old town area, admittedly.
The town of Marseilles... What sort of a place is it?
When I was young, it was a beautiful harbor town filled with sightseers and tourists.
Well, now, it's not a place that a young lady should even consider venturing into.
We haven't climbed up here in a long time.
Oh, what a great breeze.
Those clouds look a bit menacing, though. Don't you think?
What's the matter? Something interesting catch your eye?
Why do you suppose there's a need to divide the world up with city walls and borders?
The ugliness of the outside world exists for the purpose of making the beauty of our kingdom stand out.
Well, that may be so, but I assure you there's plenty of great things outside these walls. Don't you think we should try to open our eyes a little more and see the real world?
Oh, have you grown up a little now that you're back from your trip?
I suppose you're right. So go right ahead and take on all the troubles that exist outside the walls. That should quiet those stinging pangs of boredom of yours for a little at least. Now, this is what we should be looking at. The High Court of Justice. Danglars Bank. And the place your father works, Space Forces Headquarters. The triangle of Parisian power. That is the true "great thing" that we should inherit, don't you think?
To me, it feels like we're the ones who have been sealed in.
I am now no longer all alone wallowing in abject solitude. For I am now surrounded by the Furies, the goddesses of vengeance. In the cold bosom of the darkness, I awaited the dawn. And once dawn came, I cursed my flesh until night fell once more. I even prayed that I would lose my sanity. But those prayers went unheeded. Nothing changed. And when I strove for the peacefulness of death, the Devil's cold, pitiless hand grabbed hold and held me back. Well... It won't be long now...
GANKUTSUOU - The Count of Monte Cristo - 03
Boy, what a terrible drive that was... Maybe it was punishment for skipping the Cabinet meeting...
Have the candidates for the next President been chosen yet? The word on the street is that His Excellency Morcerf is the front runner. You must have heard a few things from your father, haven't you, Albert?
You know, you should really watch your step around Beauchamp, Maximilien. He's a terrible man who will use even his friends' scandals as fodder for articles.
That's what they call "impartial journalism."
I read your articles all the time. But I do not approve of the content.
I get that all the time.
Where are the ladies?
They went home, because their dresses were totally soaked.
Chateau-Renaud's antique, too.
If they'd said something, I would have given them a lift home.
That'd be just like tossing food to a monkey.
So, the Count of Monte Cristo...
I can't say I've heard of him.
There's nothing on him at the Cabinet Secretariat. Probably an alias, or... a pretender or a con man?
I'll thank you to refrain from idle gossip about an honored guest of the Morcerf home.
Where'd you say that you ran into this "honored guest" of yours, again?
At Luna's Carnival when we were there last spring.
Apparently, the honored son of the family was abducted by bandits.
Now, that's too funny. So, Albert, were you seduced by one of Luna's wily vixens?
Oh, damn it to hell...
And then the Count came in, and rescued me before the kidnappers could kill me.
I suppose that you really do owe your life to the Count, then.
It's clear that he's kind, as well as incredibly wealthy, and probably well-connected.
And what about the distinct possibility that this millionaire's pouch was full of forged bills?
Look at this! If he didn't come from noble birth, do you think he would have a watch as beautiful as this one?
When con artists are setting a trap in order to win people's trust, they often use trinkets just like that.
He's not a con artist! He commands an enormous spaceship, and he travels with aliens and a beautiful woman from Eastern Space. He's free from the rule of any government, and he mingles freely with people of all classes and walks of life. In everything he does, he breaks with established tradition.
That's right. And then, once night falls, he wanders the darkness in search of the lifeblood of maidens.
Yeah. Well, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he did. The Count has a dark and ruthless side to him that doesn't seem to care at all about human life.
Shut up, Franz!
Albert, just calm down!
Hey wait, there was a case of a sailor who contracted a local disease on some planet, and went around sucking all the blood he could find, wasn't there?
You know, you should be careful, Albert. I hear they enjoy the blood of virgin boys almost as much as girls'.
So you think he's a vampire or something?
It's a lot more plausible than Lunar bandits.
Yeah. Or kindhearted rich people.
His Excellency, the Count of Monte Cristo, Monsieur.
Show him in at o--
I beg your pardon, but the door was open. So I just entered.
It's an honor to see you again.
The honor is mine, Viscount Morcerf.
Please, sir. I prefer you call me Albert. Surely you and I are well beyond those formalities by now. As promised, allow me to introduce you to my friends. You already know Franz. This is Lucien Debray. He is a shrewd civil servant, who already holds a key position in the Interior Ministry. This is Beauchamp. He's a newspaper reporter. He can tell you anything you might want to know about Paris.
It's not a mainstream paper. It's more of a third-rate gossip sheet.
That is most fascinating.
This is Cavalry Captain Maximilien Morrel. He's a big hero of the Eridanus campaign.
Nice to meet you, sir.
Ah, the very paragon of a faithful, brave soldier.
Oh! You know Captain Morrel, Your Excellency?
Not at all.
Count, we've heard that you've come to us from somewhere very far away.
You're trying to interview him already? Don't annoy our guest.
Look, I'm just doing my job, okay?
On many worlds, taking photographs are seen as a vile and reprehensible custom. I must ask you to abstain.
Oh, sorry... I didn't know.
In the course of visiting many foreign worlds when I was a sailor, I've become thoroughly tainted by the diverse customs of other cultures. I'm afraid that I must seem quite the uncivilized savage to the good people of Paris.
So, what sorts of places have you been, sir?
I have traveled to many, many places. To Eastern Space. To Northern Space. Even to the very core of the galaxy.
And what about the lmperium?
Of course. To a sailor, there are no such things as borders.
But, couldn't that be considered treason against the state, sir?
I see no reason to swear loyalty to people who will not extend their hands to protect me. Would you not agree with that, sir?
I agree that you possess rather bold opinions. Yes, true enough.
I suggest that you experience being cast out into the vast universe all alone as I did. You would soon see that the only one you can count upon is yourself.
Set the table for tea at once.
So, where do you hail from, sir?
I came into this universe from a distant land that is far beyond your imagination.
Ohh! A place that you'd rather we didn't know about?
Franz! Don't be rude!
If we're going to be associating with Count as friends, shouldn't we at least know where the man comes from?
That's quite understandable. The very reason why distinguished gentlemen such as yourselves are interested in what I do or say, is because of the air of mystery surrounding me, is it not? Were that not the case, surely a rustic aristocrat from the frontiers of space would not have been given a seat at your table.
Well, you do have us there.
But that's exactly why my friends and I want to know more about you and your background!
Naive as ever, I see.
Peppo!
Is something the matter, Albert?
Huh? Um, no. Nothing.
All right, what are you up to?
I wound up here. After you left, I quit the bandit gang. So, I made my way here to Paris to see if I could find work.
Okay. But what are you doing here?
Why? I followed you here, Albert... I'm lying! It's just a coincidence. There happened to be an opening, that's all.
I want you to tell me something, Peppo.
I'm impressed. You remembered my name, Albert.
Are you planning to stay here for good?
Can't I?
Well, it's, how can I put it to you...?
Look. Don't worry about it. Let's just agree to keep each other's secrets, okay?
Are you interested in learning that man's real identity? Don't worry about it too much. He's nobody special. So what shall we do? I was thinking that we might all go to Le Queen.
No thanks. I think I'm going to pass on that.
I think I'm going to pass, too.
What the hell?
Hm?
It's the Count of Monte Cristo's voice...
Yes? So what's the big deal?
It isn't on the recording.
So, what sorts of places have you been, sir? ...[static]... And what about the Imperium? ...[static]... But--
It's probably a small malfunction.
So, is this a malfunction, too?
What an absolutely beautiful woman.
Oh, thanks. That's my mother.
She is rather young in this portrait. This vista is that of Marseilles, is it not?
She likes paintings like this. I really don't know why she chose that place as the setting.
It's magnificent.
Actually, my father hates this painting. He was going to take it down and burn it, but we placated him by hanging it in my room.
Edmond...
Is something wrong with it?
Not at all. I'm afraid it's time I took my leave.
Oh, no! Please don't go! I was hoping you'd stay and have dinner with us! My mother and father have really been looking forward to meeting you. And if you're interested in paintings, my mother and father have many interesting pieces in their collection.
My... what a stirring painting this is.
This is my father's. The ones that my mother has collected are over here.
Oh, this must be your visitor.
PREVIEW:
My mother's past, which I never knew. The men in her past. Adults who live in the past. Next Gankutsuou, The Count of Monte Cristo, Act 4, A Mother's Secrets. Bide your time, and hold out hope!