shikata ga nai -a japanese american wwii drama
TRANSCRIPT
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act 1
Long Beach, California
December 1, 1941
Eric reading newspaper
Alice enters
Alice: Morning honey. Do you want more cream in your
coffee?
Eric: No, thanks. So, did you see the new propaganda poster
on the telephone pole? I love how they‘re so creative with
portraying Hitler, and especially Tojo. That Jap next door
looks just like him.
Alice walks to poster
Alice: (Sighs) I hate it when they put these posters up.
They‘re very demeaning to the Japanese race. The Fujiyamas
must feel uncomfortable when they see this.
Eric places newspaper on table and makes eye-contact with
Alice
Eric: Well they get what they deserve. I read in August,
President Roosevelt was negotiating with Japan to stop its
invasions and get out of China, but nothing seemed to be
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
working. Just the month before that, Japan flooded into
Cambodia and Thailand! Those Japs are nothing but power
hungry people, along with Hitler. This is an example of why
I‘m irritated with the Fujiyamas next door.
Alice: How can you say that about them? They have been
nothing but hospitable to us since we moved to this
neighborhood. Mrs. Fujiyama still gives us those mangos
that you enjoy. I haven‘t heard you complain about that.
Eric: I know, but I‘m still suspicious of their motives
here in California. Honestly, I don‘t trust any of them.
I‘m even wondering if they might turn on us if the U.S.
went to war with Japan.
Alice: Well it‘s not like the Fujiyamas are bad people,
just a different race. They‘re Japanese-Americans. They are
no different from you and me – Americans.
Eric: I beg to differ. Do I have slant-eyes? (says
sarcastically) No, I obviously don‘t. So don‘t go saying
that those Japs and I are the same.
Alice: Eric! Enough already! What is with you? People
shouldn‘t be prejudiced toward those innocent people. Just
because they‘re from Japan, it doesn‘t mean they can‘t be
an American. America is a land of opportunities and a fresh
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
start. We shouldn‘t hold or stop the Japanese from a new
life when they mean no harm. All they want is to have a
successful life, like you and me.
Eric: Hey, I‘m not the only one that feels this way. Since
Japan joined the Axis, along with Germany and Italy, many
people have felt on edge with the presence of Japanese. You
never know when they might strike at us. C‘mon Alice, do
you feel 100% safe around them, especially since we live
right next door to some?
Alice: At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable since we
weren't the same race, but once I got to know the
Fujiyamas, I learned that they were very respectable
people. You can‘t judge a book by its cover, Eric; you
haven‘t developed a relationship with even one Japanese
person yet.
Eric: Oh, I wonder why… (says sarcastically )
Alice: Why don‘t you start then?
Eric: No, I refuse.
Alice: Why do you have to be so stubborn? If you‘re trying
to prove a point by refusing to befriend someone not of
your race, you won‘t succeed.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Eric: I never said that I didn‘t like other races. I don‘t
mind the Mexicans, Chinese, or Portuguese; their home
country isn‘t trying to take over the world or be a threat
to the U.S.
Alice: You don‘t know that. Even if Japan did attack the
U.S., what would it matter to the Japanese living here?
They would have done nothing wrong.
Eric: Nothing wrong? (says in shock) How can you just stand
there and defend those people? If Japan ever attacked the
U.S., the Japanese living here would be the first to blame.
Alice: How is that? They‘re Americans, why would the
government interrogate its own people?
Eric: Well the U.S. won‘t see them as one of us, and I
don't blame them. Who knows? They could be planning
something right now and we wouldn‘t even know it.
Alice: Stop assuming already. What if you were stereotyped
because you were too pale? How would you feel? You know
better than this, Eric; treat others the way that you want
to be treated.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Eric: All I want to do is take precautions so we don't get
hurt Alice. I love my life here in the United States; I'm
not going to let a couple of Japs take it away from me.
Alice: But who said they will, Eric? It‘s not like they're
rebelling against other Americans. Practically all of the
Japanese act as better Americans than we do. They exemplify
respect, honor, and determination. These qualities aren't
negative at all. They're not monsters; they‘re people.
Eric: I know they‘re not monsters, right now at least. But
they could become one in a matter of minutes. Alice, soon
you have to be more realistic of what they‘re capable of.
They‘re very mysterious people. Knowing their kind, they
probably don‘t show their real feelings outside of their
homes.
Alice: Why would they if everyone is always so hostile
toward them? I don‘t blame them for being so bottled up.
They show respect to those that treat them wrongly. That
takes a lot of humility to not speak up or defend
themselves.
Eric: Watch Alice, you‘ll see. I can just see turmoil ahead
for the U.S., and I have a feeling in my gut that Japan has
something to do with it… Just watch….
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act II: Scene 1
Long Beach, California
December 7, 1941
Kirra: (running) Zach! Zach! Wait! Pearl Harbor was just
bombed!
Zach: Huh?! Oh…hey Kirra. Wait, where‘s Pearl Harbor?
Kirra: Hello?! Grandpa and the whole family are fighting
over how Grandpa won‘t let go of his Japanese pride.
And then the radio went off saying that we were
being attacked and about the military soldiers and
all that. Now hurry up ‗cause we need to get home!
(Zach walks into house)
Zach: Guys, I have to-
Mika: -Hochido! Please! We are free here.
Koji: Oto-san, please.
Zach: Guys! I have to-
Oji-san: No! My flag! Japan my pride.
Kirra: Oji San! We are in America! Let go of the Japanese
flag! Hey! Listen! Zach‘s enlisted in the army and
if you haven‘t noticed, the U.S. is currently being
attacked at Pearl Harbor.
Koji: Oto-san, I know it means a lot to you but that is
Japan bombing Hawaii right now. Listen to the
radio!
(Spokesperson on radio recording)
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Radio: We are being attacked. Pearl Harbor in Hawaii has
been bombed multiple times. All military soldiers or
workers get ready to leave. I repeat all military soldiers,
workers, or personnel to your positions. Pearl Harbor was
just bombed.
Zach: Just as the radio said, I have to go soon.
Oji-san: You…you shame me! You turn against your own
country!
Koji: Oto-san! He‘s doing right thing! He won‘t shame us!
Mika: No! You are not leaving this house! Too dangerous!
Koji: He has to go. It goes along with enlisting in the
army.
Oji-san: Ichido, you shame me, you shame Japan.
Koji: Oto-san!
Zach: Listen! I have to leave, it‘s my duty, but Oji-san, I
really hope you find respect for me
(Zach tumbles into uniform and comes out)
Mika: Don‘t…don‘t go…
Zach: Mom, it‘s okay. I‘ll be fine. It‘s for a good reason.
I‘m not going to combat. Relax. I‘m just enlisted.
Mika: You know what they say? Ichido, combat always random,always dangerous.
Zach: Trust me, ma, please.
Oji-san: (grunt)
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Koji: No shame me. You work hard, you succeed.
(Handshake)
Kirra: So… I guess I‘m in charge now. Make me proud…
Zach: (tease) Aww Kirra San…so sweet. (Ariel grunts) But
take care of mom, dad, and grandpa, alright?
Kirra: Write to me…A LOT! You are leaving me with these
crazy people. I‘ll have no more sanity when you come
back…if you come back…
Zach: I know I will, I promise. You can do it. I got to go…
(Ogo-san and Kirra hug Ian)
(Kojiand Oji-san shake Ian‘s hand)
(Zach leaves)
Mika: Ichido…Ichido gone…
Kirra: Mom, its fine.
Koji: Mika, he making us proud.
Oji-san: (slams hands on table) You say making us proud!
Japan all I have to be proud about!
(Mika buries face in hands)
Kirra: Oji-San! Leave your Japanese pride! Please! Look how
happy we are here!
Oji-san: Japan my pride. Always has been, always will be.
Never change…
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act II: Scene 2
Long Beach, California
February 17, 1942
Kirra: Mom I‘m going to go check the mail.
Mika: I will come with you.
(Kirra and Mika walks out of scene)
Kirra: Mom, Mom! We got mail from Zach!
(Mika and Kirra is reading letter as walking inside)
Dear Mom, Dad, Oji-san, and Kirra,
I miss you guys so much it‘s not even explainable. Ican‘t yet tell you where I am, but let‘s just say it‘s hot
and not in California. Ridiculous things they are making us
do. How‘s the family? I hope you guys are okay. Oji-san,
you stay healthy now! Ma, I am fine-don‘t worry. Pop, I‘m
making you proud! Kirra, thanks for taking care of the
family… I got to go; it‘s time for a looong day. Write
back, ok?
Love,
Zach
(Mika and Kirra is reading letter as walking inside)
Mika: Why did he leave?
Koji: Because he‘s doing the right thing.
Oji-san: See?! He serve army, yet they making him do all
the dirty work?
Koji: At least he‘s not shaming us.
Oji-san: He already shame me…
Koji: Enough! That is it!
(Koji walks off on the other side of the stage)
Kirra: Mom… It‘s fine… he said don‘t worry.
Mika: My son at military! And you say don‘t worry?!
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Koji: Mika, He‘s doing the right thing.
Mika: See?! Oto-san, all your fault!
Koji: Me? No, not my fault.
Mika: You, you support him! He going get hurt.
Koji: His decision, not mine.
Mika: You encourage him. You see the newspaper?
Oji-san: I go make tea.(Ocha wo tsukuremasu.
Kirra: I‘ll go too!
Koji: Mika, you too worried!
Mika: Koji! Japan just attacked the Philippines. One day
after Pearl Harbor. Is that my Zach who going to
fight?
Koji: I don‘t think so. Mika, everything going to be
alright.
Mika: Frontline of newspaper say, ―Japanese Soldier Drafted
for Combat.‖ What you say about that?
Koji: Mika, you know our son well. He doing right thing.
Mika: I…I…(sigh) Okay… you right.
(Kirra and Oji-san walk back in to scene)
Kirra: Anyone want tea?
(Kirra passes our tea)
Oji-san: So what did I miss?
Mika: Nanimonai (Nothing)
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act II: Scene 3
Long Beach, California
February 19, 1942
2 days later
Kirra: So, what‘s happening next?
Koji: I don‘t know, Kirra…
Kirra: Are they going to take us?
Oji-san: They are obviously going to imprison us. You see
they call us ―Japs.‖ We do nothing to U.S. Never.
We are outcasts.
Koji: Stop scaring her Oto-san.
(Mika walks in)
Mika: Well, pack up your stuff. I just got a flyer.
Japanese residents are to be ―relocated‘ to Manzanar
internment camp.
Oji-san: See? We going to prison.
Koji: Enough Oto-son.
Oji-san: well, we are.
Kirra: Internment camp? Prison? We‘re going to prison?!
Koji: See what you doing to Kirra? No, Kirra, not prison,
just being relocated to a camp for a little while.
So, let‘s start packing. We bring what we can carry.
Kirra: How much time do we have?
Mika:…2 days…
Kirra: 2 days!
Oji-san: Kirra, you have to pack and carry my items. I too
old.
Kirra: Aww. Man! Mom?
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Mika: Kirra, Oji-san to old! Please just do it.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act III
Long Beach, California
August 15, 1942
Alice reading novel
Eric enters
Eric: Mornin‘ (while yawning ). Make sure you go to the fish
market today. I feel like eating salmon for dinner.
Alice slaps book cover hastily and places it on table
Alice: Well ever since the Japanese fishermen in the U.S.
moved to the relocation camps, not many fish have been
coming in. I'll try to look, but I doubt there will be any
left.
Eric walks toward pole
Eric: Yeah, ok… hey, (while chuckling) did you see this?
The artists did a great job drawing up those slant-eyed
Japs this time.
Alice: Enough already, the posters are getting worse each
month.
Eric: Those Japs asked for it when they bombed Pearl
Harbor.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Alice: Well, President Roosevelt had no right to sign the
Executive Order 9066. He gave authority to the War
Department to define military areas in the western states
and to exclude from them anyone who might threaten the war
effort. His precautions are violating their rights!
Eric: Who wouldn't be uncomfortable with them? They have
the face of the enemy! They need to be separated from the
real Americans, like us.
Alice: How are they any different from us? Japan bombed us;
the people of Japan attacked the U.S. The Japanese in
America didn‘t do this to us.
Eric: Who knows? All our neighbors could have been playing
us blind! They all could have been sending messages to
submarines off shore or showing some faithfulness to their
mother country. I'm glad that they're all gone; this is how
it‘s supposed to be - a Jap-free country.
Alice: How can you say that? I know that deep down, you
miss the presence of them. At least, the Fujiyamas! It‘s a
ghost town ever since they left for the internment camps.
You have to admit that without them, things aren't the
same.
Eric: How is that?
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Alice: The absence of many of the families changed how we
lived too. Haven't you noticed how the weeds and grass
haven't been cut in months ( points to grass) since Mr.
Fujiyama left? Every Sunday, he used to take the time to
mow lawns, sidewalks, or anywhere the greenery got out of
control. Now that he's gone, a jungle practically grew.
Eric: Well, that isn't much. You really need to stop
exaggerating.
Alice: Exaggerating? (says angrily ) Thousands of innocent
Japanese-American citizens lost their homes, jobs,
businesses, and rights for something they had no connection
to. All I can possibly feel for them is sympathy; how can
you just stand there and attack me for something I believe
is morally right?
Eric: I'm not attacking you, Alice; I'm wondering why you
are so broken over this. They're just Japs, nothing more.
Alice: Oh really? That's sort of difficult to do
considering I witnessed the hardships of the families when
they had to be relocated to the camps….
Eric: What do you mean?
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Alice: They only had 48 hours to pack all their belongings
in suitcases. Suitcases! Everything they ever owned, and if
it couldn't fit, they had to either sell it or leave it
behind. I had to see the broken China plates on the front
porch of the Wakatsukis. Due to lack of space in the car,
Mrs. Wakatsuki wanted to sell her plates to see how much
money she could make from it. Sadly, she broke them after
because she refused to sell it to a cheap buyer….
Eric: Wait, she actually broke her own China set? (says
surprised )
Alice: Yes, but the worst to me was the children. They were
traumatized, Eric. Tears were streaming down their faces as
they waved good-bye to the homes that they lived in their
entire lives. They must have been thinking what they did
for this to happen to them. You mean to still tell me that
even the children deserved this? Just because the country
that their ancestors came from attacked the U.S.?
Eric: Well, no…. I'm just saying….
Alice: Saying what, Eric? (says frustrated ) They didn't
deserve this at all. They were, and still are, American
citizens. Nothing can change that, Eric. Soon you and
everyone else needs to accept that and disagree with the
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
relocation camps. Those camps are basically prisons with
prisoners that didn't commit a crime.
Eric: I understand what you're saying, but the government
is just taking precautions. We don't want another incident
with Japan or any other country again. Be honest Alice, do
you really blame people for acting this way toward the
Japanese? They have the face of the people that attacked us
– the eyes of the Emperor! You must have been a little
afraid of them after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Alice: Yes, but I dealt with it and didn't let something
like that linger within me. I realized that they didn't do
any harm. Japan did. Also, it doesn't give the government
the right to keep them locked up for this long.
Eric: I'm sure they'll be released soon. Since many of the
Japanese-Americans from Hawaii and some from the west coast
were dismissed to join the army on January 12, they have
been proving their loyalty to the U.S. army.
Alice: I really hope it shows Eric… They are such loyal and
hard-working people. Hopefully the U.S. can see that they
were American from the beginning, before Pearl Harbor.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act IV
Cat Island, Mississippi
October 16, 1942
Soldiers get off boat
Lieutenant Hood: Get off the boats grunts and get one thing
straight, I don‘t trust you, not as much as I would trust a
Nazi with a rifle pointed at my head. Now, you Japs have
been selected to do a special…job.
Kalani: Watchoo mean?
Lieutenant Hood: You have the face of the enemy. Stoptalking and let me explain what you‘re here for.
Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir!
Lieutenant Hood: This place may be named Cat Island,
however, there are no cats here. There are animals here
that will soon become your worst nightmares. These animals
are dogs. Not just any dogs, but U.S. Army war dogs who are
here under the authority of the Quartermaster Corps.
Kalani: That‘s iro—
Hood: Your mission is to prepare them for use in war. You
see, grunts, you all are here to represent the enemies the
dogs will face in combat. Our objective here is to train
these dogs to smell your Jap scent. You‘re not the
trainers. You grunts aren‘t worthy to even be the trainers.
Instead, you all are the bait. We are going to teach them
to smell you, find you, and attack you.
Kalani: (side comment) Dey should use you to train da dogs
cuz dey could smell you from one mile away.
Lieutenant Hood: walks slowly towards Zach
What did you say?
Zach: Nothing, sir.
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Hood walks slowly away
Zach: Sir, I don‘t think you should call us that. The Japs
are the enemy, not us.
Lieutenant Hood: Well, such a big mouth for a little yellow
man. There will be no back talk, understand?
Zach: Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Hood: (sigh) Now, you two will be assigned to
Anderson and his dog, Rex. You grunts will not praise the
dog in any way.
Anderson walks in
Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Hood: Good, now Anderson and I will discuss the
directions of the mission. You two just stay quiet!
Hood and Anderson have inaudible conversation on side of
stage
Kalani: (nudges Zach) Hey. Dat Lieutenant is pretty unfair,
ah?
Zach: (gives Kalani weird look)
Kalani: (give Zach weird look then goes back into place)
Watchoo lookin‘ at me lih‘ dat fo‘?
Zach: Be quiet before the lieutenant hears you.
Hood: Hey! I said don‘t talk!
Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir!
Anderson and Hood continue conversation
Zach: I told you he was gonna hear us.
Kalani: Sheesh. I guess you was right. (Side comment)
There‘s a first for everything.
Zach: What did you say?
Kalani: You heard what I said.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Zach: No need to get worked up.
Kalani: Yeah. You‘re right. Sorry.
Zach: (Side comment) What could you expect from a Buddha
head?
Kalani: What Kotonk, you like scrap? Wanna hear the sound
of your head go kotonk against the wall?
Zach: You‘re just asking for trouble now, aren‘t you?
Zach and Kalani get ready to fight
Lieutenant Hood breaks up fight
Hood: I told you, grunts to stay quiet! I was right about
not trusting you Japs! Now, drop and give me twenty!
Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir!
Zach and Kalani drop and begin push ups
Hood: I wanna see you licking your sweat off the ground and
your arms trembling!
Zach and Kalani finish push ups
Lieutenant Hood: It‘s all yours, Anderson.
Hood leaves the scene
Anderson walks towards Zach and Kalani
Zach: Hey, Rex.
Anderson: Don‘t touch the dog.
Zach: takes hand away
Sorry.
Anderson: Follow me.
Walks to other side of stage
Anderson: What‘s your name?
Zach: Zach.
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Anderson: And yours?
Kalani: Kalani.
Anderson: He‘s a war dog. Not a house dog. He listens to me
and only me. Understood?
Zach and Kalani: Yes, sir!
Anderson: No need to call me sir, just Anderson.
Anderson: You‘re a good boy, Rex. And a lucky one at that.
Zach: Whadaya mean?
Anderson: I wasn‘t supposed to say this, but the military
is training the dogs to be suicide dogs. They are dogs who
have explosives attached to their necks. They‘re supposedto leap into foxholes and dugouts. Once they are in, the
explosives are set off by radio.
Zach and Kalani have shocked faces
Kalani: The dogs are blown up?
Anderson: Uh-huh.
Brief pause
Anderson pulls out meat
Kalani: Wass dat?
Anderson: Alligator meat. It‘s for the scent.
Zach: For the scent?
Anderson: Yup. Rex is going to pick up the smell of what‘s
in that bag you have and he‘ll want to eat it. However,
you‘re not going to feed it to him. Not right away, anyway.
You two are going to tie the meat to these pieces of
strings. Rex and I will stay here for a while which will
give you guys time to drag the meat into the forest and
hide — but not too close — go far away. Rex will find you then.
Zach and Kalani: Okay.
Brief pause
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Zach: Why don‘t you guys just do other missions with the
dogs that‘s more sensible! This just doesn‘t make sense!
You know he‘s only gonna find us because of the meat.
Kalani: Dat don‘t mean he can tell a Japanese soldier from
a white soldier.
Anderson: Don‘t get worked up! According to Hood, you guys
have a scent that Rex will be able to find.
Zach: That‘s not true.
Anderson: What makes you say that?
Kalani: You tink we smell diff‘rent from everyone else?
Anderson: I…don‘t know. I‘m just following orders.
Zach: Who‘s orders?
Anderson: President Roosevelt.
Brief pause
Kalani: I can‘t believe our president is issuing dis sick
act.
Zach: Our president.
Anderson: Well, we‘ll just have to figure out if Roosevelt
is right. Listen, there are a couple of gators on this
island that can scare your hats off. You don‘t want to be
near an angry gator. You will be in a load of trouble if
you encounter one. One time my comrade got his arm bitten
off. There are also venomous snakes — cottonmouths, water
moccasins, and copperheads. Man, those snakes are annoying!
Anderson: Anyways, make sure you check the ponds first if
you ever cross one. You don‘t want to end up like my
unfortunate friend. Now, both of you tie that meat to the
strings and hide.
Anderson walks off stage
Zach and Kalani slowly walk to the other side of the stage
Kalani: We not true souljahz. We jus‘ bait.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Zach: Good job, genius.
Kalani: Be quiet, Kotonk.
Zach: Don‘t complain. If you complain, you‘ll show you‘re
weak, therefore, you‘ll bring shame upon your family.
Zach and Kalani stop walking
Brief pause
Kalani: Shikataganai.
Brief pause
Kalani: Well, let‘s go hide.
Zach: Oh hey, I forgot to ask you, what‘s that belt for?
Kalani: What kine Japanee you?
Zach: Da kind that is very family oriented!
Kalani: No do dat. Jus‘…jus‘ don‘t talk lih‘ dat.
Zach: Wh…whatever. You didn‘t answer my question. What is
the belt for?
Kalani: It‘s a senninbari. It‘s on good luck charm from my
mom. She made me two things as good luck charms. Thesenninbari was one of them. The other was an autographed
flag. How come your mom neva give you one?
Zach: I…don‘t know. What‘s so special about it other than
your mom giving it to you?
Kalani: My mom said it going protect me in combat.
Zach: How would it do so? Do you really think it will
protect you?
Kalani: Geez, Kotonk! You ask so much questions it‘s
unbelievable! My mom said once she put da thousandth stitch
on ‗em, it gained some special power to help protect me
from dangerous times in the war. And no. I don‘t really
believe dat. I jus‘ wearing ‗em cuz my mom wen put so much
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
time into making it fo‘ me. I respect her for devoting most
of her to make it wen she got betta tings to do.
Zach: She must REALLY want you back, huh?
Kalani: (says with irritated look) Well of course! Don‘t
your mom wanchoo back?
Zach: Look, Buddhahead. This is the last thing I would want
to be doing right now. Working with you plus being bait, OH
JOY! Let‘s just go hide before Anderson and Rex come
searching for us, okay?
Kalani: (clenches fist) Fine.
Kalani walks off stage
Zach: (looks down and talks to family) Sorry guys. You were
right. This is shameful.
Kalani: (shouts from hiding spot) Ay, Kotonk! C‘mon! You
said don‘t keep Anderson waitin‘.
Zach: (sighs) I‘m…really…sorry guys.
Zach walks off stage
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act V: Scene 1
Manzanar Internment Camp, California
April 21, 1942
Mika: Kirra! Kirra
Kirra: (sigh) yes, mom?!
Mika: Come help me. Dust is flying in through the windows.
We need to cover up the holes.
Kirra: It‘s freezing! Where‘s dad?
Mika: Go get Food for us.
Kirra: Oh boy… What‘s our meal today? Dog food?
(Koji Enter with Rice)
Koji: Not exactly… Kirra bring food to Oji-san.
Kirra: Eww! What is this?
Koji: Gohan (Rice) … With butter…, and maple syrup?
(Kirra hands food to Oji-san)
Oji-san: Nanikore! Get this food out of my face. You see
where they put us?! I want to leave Manzanar
Camp!
Kirra: Oji-san? Are you okay? You look a little… sick…
Koji: Oto-san? Are you okay? (Daishobu?)
Oji-san: Yes, Yes. Leave me alone! (Coughs)
Oji-san: (Coughs loud and hard)
Kirra: Oji-san?
Oji-san: I fine, I fine.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act V: Scene 2
Manzanar Internment Camp, California
June 4, 1942
2 years later
(Mika and Kirra walk in with food)
(Oji-san and Koji get really loud)
Oji-san: My flag! (Tugging flag away from Koji)
Koji: Let go!
Oji-san: Never!
Koji: Agh! (Flag rips) Oto-san please. I‘m sorry
(Gomennasai). I just want you to let go of Japanese
pride. That is it.
Kirra: What is going on?!
Oji-san: Your father breaks my one and only flag of Nippon!
Koji: You are obsessive. We are modern people, not samurai.
Oji-san: Yamato Damashii. I have spirit of samurai! We are
Nippon!
Koji: No. you are Nippon, we American.
Mika: Shizukanishinasai! I can hear you from outside!
Kirra: What are you guys arguing about?
Koji: I broke his flag.
(Koji and Oji-san say lines at same time)
Oji-san: He broke my flag.
Koji: I broke his flag.
Kirra: Ugh! I am done with this I am leaving. I am going to
write a letter to Zach now.
(Koji and Oji-san say lines at same time)
Oji-san: But… But…
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Koji: But… But…
Mika: Enough it‘s done.
Kirra: ugh… Figure it out guys… please.
(Koji, Oji-san, and Mika walk out of scene)
(Kirra reads her letter to Zach)
Kirra:
Dear Zach,
It‘s crazy here. Grandpa and Dad are fighting all the
time now. Grandpa‘s health is dwindling. This
internment/relocation camp is creepy. Zach I am scared.
What do I do? You probably don‘t have very much time onyour hands, but stay safe.
Love you,
Kirra
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act V: Scene 3
Manzanar Internment Camp,California
June 20, 1942
(Family at table with food)
(Mika walks with tea and food)
Koji: You see the newspaper?
Mika: What now?
Koji: The Battle of Guadalcanal.
Mika: You think Ichido-san going?
Koji: Could be good chance, Mika. Remember, he doing right
thing. He promised to come home and he will come
home.
Kirra: This is all news to me. Where‘s Guadalcanal?
Koji: Uh… Pacific Ocean?
Mika: Give me that,
(Mika takes away newspaper)
Mika: … It is in…So-lomo-n Island.
Kirra: You mean, Solomon Islands? I learned a little about
it at the (Kirra hold up air quotes) ―School‖ we
have here. Pretty lame, but worth it.
Mika: Yes, yes. Very good now Kirra. Eat.
Oji-san: Mika what‘s, in this rice? (Coughing)
Mika: Hochido, you okay?
Koji: He been sick for while… Oto-san?
Oji-san: I…I not okay
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act V: Scene 4
Manazanar Interment Camp,California
August 15, 1942
come first.
Kirra: Did you ever think how hard it was for me to take
lead of the family with Zach gone? And by the way,
Zach came first. Not me.
Mika: Did you think how hard it is for me to see my son
leave? Do I like to live in camp? No! Kirra I‘m
sorry, but please just help me. Me and dad love you
very much. Now, come please.
Kirra: Um… I‘m gonna go and see if we got mail.
Koji: Mika… What now?
Mika: Shouldn‘t I be asking you that?
Kirra: Mom, dad. We got a flyer. It says, ―Everyone will be
released in 1 week. You will be given fifteen
dollars and transportation costs will be covered.
You will have three days to leave.‖
Koji: (sighs) The madness is done.
Kirra: Um…Zach also wrote to us.
Dear Mom, Dad, Oji-san, and Kirra,
I have some not so good news. As the war grows, more
people are needed for the war. Unfortunately… I was one of
them… Us ―Japs‖ are going into combat to Italy. Pop, I
haven‘t shamed you yet. The U.S. finally somewhat respects
us. I‘m not sure how long it will take for this mission to
be complete, but I‘ll be home, I promise. Miss you and love
you.
Love you,
Zach
Mika: (cries and buries face in hands)
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Kirra: (Sits down, traumatized)
Koji: (Paces) He‘s making us proud… just as he said.
Mika:
Dear Ichido-san,
Your father and I miss you very much. We are sorry
for not writing to you earlier. I cannot explain what has
happened. Oji-san has passed. He never let go of his
Japanese pride.
The Internment camp is okay. Cold and not the best,
but don‘t worry about me. Me and father are very proud. You
serve U.S. very well. You are a leader. Hope to see you
soon. Combat dangerous, and remember always random.Ganbare.
Love,
Mom and Dad
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Act VI: Scene 1
Cat Island, Mississippi
February 21, 1942
Zach and Kalani sail to Cat Island
Zach: This is it. All the work just for this one test.
Kalani: Suspenseful, ain‘t it?
Zach: Think about it, if the dog finds us, all of the
discriminations against the Japanese will be right. Our
entire race will be shamed.
Kalani: Relax, da dogs not gon find us. Da haoles smell
worse den us, remember?
Zach: Yeah, but Rex already knows our scent, it‘s like
second nature to him.
Kalani: Relax. You one real downer, ah? I guess there is
some thoughts going around in your hollow head. Jus‘ trus‘
me. Everything gon be find.
Zach: It better be, Buddhahead.
Zach and Kalani land on Cat Island with Hood waiting onshore with other Caucasian test subjects
Hood: Ah, gentlemen. (Says with grin) Today‘s the day we
prove you Japs smell worse than us. I‘m here to observe
these test results, and report it to President Roosevelt.
Johnson is here to help us with this test. The dog will
have three scents to follow, yours, yours, and yours. Rex
will choose the Jap scent, because that‘s what he was
trained to do. That will be proof of his particular
ability. Now go hide because you Japs stink.
Zach, Kalani, and Johnson walk off into the forest to hide
Zach: This isn‘t fair. Rex already knows our scent, of
course he‘s gonna find us.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Kalani: Yeah, the only thing this‘ll prove is that we
trained with Rex more.
Zach and Kalani find hiding spots next to Johnson’s
Kalani: So we jus‘ wait here until Rex comes or something?
Zach: Pretty much.
Brief pause
Kalani: Look…Koto— I mean Zach. I‘m sorry for wanting to
pick a fight, calling you Kotonk…everything! You‘re not
like any of those other haoles.
Zach Wow. That means a lot to me. Thanks. I apologize too
Kalani. I‘m sorry for ev—
Zach gets interrupted by Rex barking
Zach: Oh man. There goes our pride! The dog found us!
Kalani: I guess you was right.
Zach and Kalani stand up to see Rex by Johnson
Anderson: (side comment) Good boy, Rex. You proved the
Lieutenant wrong. You found the Caucasian soldier instead
of the Japanese soldiers.
Zach and Kalani sigh of relief
Hood: Umm… uh… (clears throat) Let‘s call it a day. Go back
to your cabins.
Zach and Kalani are sitting down on the beach talking
Zach: So, Kalani. What was it like when the bombing of
Pearl Harbor happened?
Kalani: Why you want to know, exactly?
Zach: Because I want to know how it happened from someone
who lived it.
Kalani: Well, it was pretty scary I tell ya.
Zach: Scary how?
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Kalani: You‘re jus‘ full of questions aren‘t you? Well,
it's a pretty wild story. It all started below deck of the
USS Arizona. I was talking to some friends, relaxing. It
was a Sunday. Suddenly, at around 7:55 am, the peace in the
United States came to one end. The alarm went off, warning
of an air raid. People were shouting, everybody was driving
around ignoring the traffic lights. It felt like the world
was comin to one end. It felt unbelievable. There were
explosions everywhere! My family and I was lucky we never
got hit by one bomb. I ran up da deck, and was greeted by
machine gun fire, the horrible fires, and the smell of
smoke that I will never forget. While I was trying fo‘
dodge the bullets, I looked frantically for some weapon,
for some way to fight those planes. I was trying to do my
part, but...I was standing by the edge when I felt someone
push me from behind. Whether it was for my own good or
because they didn‘t trust me I‘ll never know. I fell into
da water below, already choked wit‘ da oil from the
Arizona. I popped up from beneath the waves, spit the water
I had in my mouth out, and tried to swim somewhere.
Somewhere I could help. I was forced to watch, helplessly..
pauses as if he chokes up
Kalani:..as that bomb dropped right on the USS Arizona,
right between the gun turrets. I didn‘t know what to do, Ididn‘t know what to do. I blamed myself fo‘ not helping,
fo‘ not goin down wit‘ dat ship wit‘ honor. Sometime later,
I wasn't keeping track of the time, I was pulled aboard one
of the ships milling around Pearl Harbor. I was ready for
my death. It neva come. Den one haole said to me, "Where
did you come from? You filthy Jap, I bet you fell out of
your plane didn't you?" Then I told the haole, ―No,
actually I fell off my battleship. Da one I should be dead
with.‖ Then da army sergeant came along…MY army sergeant
and told me, ―You‘re a kamikaze? Of course you should be
dead with it. But you‘re a filthy coward.‖
Brief pause
Zach: Kalani. You don‘t have to go on. I didn‘t know that
it was so —
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Kalani: No, it‘s good fo‘ me to talk about it.
Kalani: Anyways, I responded to dat haole sergeant by
saying, ―Sir, my battleship was da USS Arizona, and I was
pushed off,‖ and that‘s when his face lightened. And he
apologized by saying. ―Oh. Well, umm, I‘m sorry about allof this. We should probably get you to Schofield.‖ In dat
rickety boat, we wen‘ back to shore. I wen‘ drag myself
back to da road and we got in a car. I hated myself thee
entire way to Schofield.
Zach has apologetic look his face
Zach: Wow.
Kalani: Yeah.
Zach: Dude, I didn‘t know you went through that much.
Sorry.
Kalani: You said that already.
Zach: I know.
Brief pause
Zach: Kalani.
Kalani: Yeah?
Zach: I forgot to ask you something.
Kalani: Yes?
Zach: What‘s a ―haole?‖
Kalani: No worries, you pass.
Zach: What?
Kalani: Never mind.
Zach: Here comes Anderson. What does he want?
Anderson comes into scene
Anderson: Zach. Kalani. Follow me.
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Kalani: Where we going?
Anderson: Just follow me.
Zach and Kalani: O…kay?
Anderson leads Zach and Kalani to location
Zach: Now are you going to tell us where in the world we
going?
Anderson: To meet Lieutenant Hood.
Kalani: Why?
Brief pause
Anderson: side comment
I knew from the beginning that this wasn‘t gonna
work. Pft… alligator meat. What was Roosevelt thinking?
Zach: What was that?
Anderson: What was what?
Kalani: What you just said.
Brief pause
Zach and Kalani look at each other with frustrated faces
Hood: As you can see, the experiment has been terminated.
With the dog not finding your Japanese scent, the
experiment was a failure.
Hood briefly pauses and looks down, then looks at Zach and
Kalani
Hood: For the past four months, I‘ve come to know you and I
have something to say. I pegged you wrong, the two of you.You are not Japs…you are Americans, there is no one more
worthy to bear the title than you two.
Hood looks down at Zach and Kalani’s wounded arms
Hood: You both have shed blood and honor for this country
already, and I couldn‘t find anyone more rightful to be
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
called a United States Army Soldier. It would be an honor
to fight alongside of you two any day.
Hood: To show that my respect is genuine, here are two
purple hearts since you two were wounded by the dog.
Hood puts purple hearts on Zach and Kalani’s uniforms
Hood stands at attention and solutes. After Zach and Kalani
stands at attention and solutes.
Hood: Good job soldiers.
Hood hears phone and picks up
Kalani: Wow. To hear an apology from the bitter lieutenant…just… makes me shocked.
Zach: Same here. What do you think comes next?
Anderson: Well you guys know that we will have to leave the
islands.
Kalani: But where we going next? I still don‘t tink we
going Europe to fight.
Zach: Well we‘ll just have to wait and see.
Brief pause
Anderson: rubs back of his neck
Zach. Kalani.
Zach: Yeah?
Anderson: I didn‘t really believe in this whole Japanese
scent nonsense.
Kalani: Den watchoo do ‗um fo‘?
Anderson: I told you. I was following orders. Look, I‘m
sorry. For putting you through all of this. I‘m sorry that
the dog had to attack both of you like that.
Zach: Why didn‘t you tell the dog to stop then?
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May 5, 2011 [SHIKATAT GA NAI: A JAPANESE AMERICAN WWII DRAMA]
Anderson: I was too much in shock! I never thought that I
would see that actually happen to you guys! Looking Rex
bite off both of your skin was just too brutal for me to
see. I am truly sorry.
Kalani: You know you going see worse on the battle ground.So why get chicken skin when you see it happen to us now?
Anderson: That‘s exactly it! Because it was you guys.
Zach and Kalani have shocked faces
Anderson: Here comes Hood.
Hood: We got good news, and bad news. Good news, as you all
know we are done with the dogs, so all personal of Ship
Island will clear the island in three days. Bad news, Ijust got word that we are going to Europe. You two are
going to be sent to camp McCoy for further training. You
boys will be joining the 100th infantry and 442nd division.
Anderson, you will continue training with Rex for Europe.
Boys this is it, we‘re going to Europe.
Everyone starts to walk off the stage except Zach
Zach: Hey, Anderson!
Anderson: Yes?
Zach: I forgive you.
Anderson nods
Anderson: C‘mon, soldier. Time to fight.
Anderson walks away
Zach nods then walks off stage