Stage 28 "Retracing the Scars" Cover page: College-era Misato and Kaji Scene: Rei floating upside down and naked like the scene during the TV series ending credits ("Fly Me to the Moon"). Rei (monologue): This is me. This object is me - the figure which forms me... But I don't feel like me. I feel strange - like my body is dissolving... my form, disappearing I feel another person. Who is there before me? (A silhouette of Eva without restraining plates, eyes glowing, comes face-to-face with Rei) Who are you? Who are you? Scene: Ritsuko, Maya and Gendo in the Control Center, Rei inside an entry plug Ritsuko: So, Rei, how does it feel being back in Unit-01 after a while? Rei: It smells like Ikari... Ritsuko: Just like before, the synchro-ratio is almost the same as that for Unit-00. It hasn't changed. Maya: The personal patterns are extremely similar between Unit-00 and Unit-01. Ritsuko: That's why synchronization is possible. Gendo: This means that we should be able to carry out that plan. (Ritsuko/Maya look over at Gendo.) Gendo (turning and leaving Control Center): Next continue with the synchro-compatibility test using UNIT-01's pilot and Unit-00. Ritsuko: Yes, sir. Maya: Does he mean the dummy system? Doctor, I don't mean to sound impertinent, but I don't... Ritsuko: I understand why you don't like it, but one has to be prepared in order to go on living. Maya: I respect you, Doctor, and I will perform my job, but I don't like it. Ritsuko: You're going to have a tough time living among people being that squeamish. Still, I understand the feeling of being 'soiled'. Scene: Misato's apartment - the night after the party - The children lie sprawled out on the living room floor, Misato throwing up in the bathroom. Misato: Ooeeeeaaahh!! Ooeeeeaaahh!! ... I feel sick... Kaji: You're too old to be drinking like that. Misato: Uhhh... I got caught up in the festivities and drank too much... Kaji: You mean you were that happy to be drinking with me? Misato: I'm going to smack you! In fact, if I was feeling any better, I would've already smacked you! Misato: Ooeeeeaaahh!! Kaji: You need some fresh air. Here, let me give you a hand. (Kaji helps Misato out the door and carries her through the parking lot on his back.) Misato: What have I come to - needing you to nurse me like this. Kaji: I used to carry you like this a lot in the old days. You always used to drink too much. Misato (softly): Was it a shock when I left you? Kaji: Of course it was. Don't ask such stupid questions. But that was my fault - I was always fooling around... (Kaji lowers Misato and they sit on the edge of a tree planter in the parking lot.) Misato: Didn't you just do that to make me hate you? Kaji: No, not at all. Misato: Liar. You were never serious about anyone, not even me. Kaji: What are you saying? You're still drunk. Misato: You were never looking at me or any other girl, you was always looking at something else. I was afraid that if things continued as they were, I might never be truly loved. And I was really afraid of that. Kaji: Katsuragi... Misato: I told you about my father, didn't I? He never paid attention to our family, but instead immersed himself in his research. My mother cried constantly... But in the end he sacrificed his life to save me. (scenes of SI and Misato's father placing her in the life pod.) Kaji: Second Impact... Misato: You remind me somewhat of my father, Kaji. Kaji: Katsuragi... (Kaji turns toward Misato and cups her face in his hand.) Misato: Kaji...? (The two lean towards each other as if to kiss.) Asuka: Filthy. (Kaji/Misato freeze - eyes wide in surprise) Asuka: I come looking for you and I find... this. Misato: A...Asuka!! Asuka: Adults are so incredibly... filthy. Kaji: It...It's not what you think... Misato didn't feel well and I was just trying to nurse her back to health. Misato: That's right! I was sick and barfing all over the place... Asuka (foul mood): Liars! You were deeeeefinitely KISSING!! Kaji: What are you saying? We hate each other. Misato: That's right. See? (pinches Kaji's face) Kaji: Ouch! Don't pull so hard! Misato: Oops, sorry. Asuka: ........ Scene: School classroom 2-A Asuka (muttering): The old embers of love blaze anew... Shinji: Huh? remember plays a few? Asuka: Shut up! It's none of your business!! Shinji (cowering): Wow, even scarier than usual... Touji: Come on, let's go. Let sleeping dogs lie. (Shinji looks over at Rei's empty desk.) Shinji (thinking): I wonder what happened to Ayanami. She hasn't come to school since the last battle. Kensuke: I'm starved. Let's go get some okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake with bits of vegetables and meat). (Touji bumps into Hikari) Touji: Ow! Hikari: And just where do you think you're going!? You're on cleaning patrol aren't you? Touji: Classroom looks clean enough to me. Kensuke: That's right. Hikari (pushing Touji/Kensuke back into classroom): No way you two. Oh, Ikari, you can go. Shinji: Huh? Hikari: But in return, the teacher said to take these printouts to Ayanami. Shinji: O... Okay. Scene: Shinji standing in front of Rei's apartment Shinji (thinking): When I come here I can't keep what happened that time out of my mind. (image of Shinji over Rei (naked)) (presses interphone button) Shinji (thinking): It must still be broken. (knocks on door) Shinji: Ayanami? Are you home? (The door opens to reveal a sleepy Rei dressed only in a button-up shirt and slippers.) Rei: What do you want? Shinji: Oh, sorry. Were you sleeping? Rei: ... Yesterday's reactivation test lasted all night. Shinji: Then Unit-00 has been fixed? That's good. Rei: Yes. Shinji: Here are the printouts that you have missed. I'll go now so you can rest. Sorry to disturb your sleep. (turns to leave) Rei: Would... you like to come in for a little? Shinji (surprised): O...Okay. - End Stage 28 -