Stage 56 -- Jealousy

Cover: Young Akagi Ritsuko in high school uniform holding school notebook and sitting on
window sill in classroom

Scene: Ritsuko sitting at desk talking on telephone
Ritsuko: Is that so... (cat figures and coffee on desk) It's disappeared, that cat. .....
Yes... probably. Even cats have a predetermined life span. ..... Don't cry anymore, Grandma.
..... I'll visit home when I get the time. I haven't stood before Mother's grave for 3 years
now either. ..... Okay, next time I'll call you. ..... Okay... Goodbye. *beep*
(Ritsuko presses hang-up button on handset, puts down phone and leans back in chair, staring
vacantly)
Ritsuko: So, the cat is dead...
(Ritsuko looks down at her laptop (and cat figures) and presses a key. The screen lights up
to show a photo of Gendo, Akagi Naoko, and the high school age Ritsuko. Ritsuko stares at the
image, at herself and at Gendo standing behind her mother.

Scene: Rei sitting in a barren medical room in Nerv HQ
Rei (thinking): This room... the smell has a disagreeable feel to it. I'll never get used to
it no matter how often I come here.
(Door opens and Ritsuko enters)
Ritsuko: I'm sorry. Were you waiting long?
Rei: Ah... no.
Ritsuko: Really? (prepares syringe) Okay, stick out your arm like always.
Rei: Yes, ma'am.
(Rei places her right arm on a stand for that purpose, and Ritsuko ties medical tubing around
it just above the elbow. Ritsuko then checks the syringe and jabs it into Rei's arm. Rei
thinks "Ouch" but does not let it show on her face.)
Ritsuko (smiling slightly): Rei, you've changed recently. I saw you walking in a friendly
manner with Shinji yesterday. Is that why your expression has become quite human lately?
Rei: ..... Is that bad/wrong?
Ritsuko: Heavens, no... Of course it's not bad/wrong. (unties tubing from Rei's arm) Just a
little surprising, that's all. (turns away toward medical supplies tray) After all, thus far
it seemed like you thought of nothing but Commander Ikari. (laughs softly, still holding
tubing -- not nice expression) You're quite something. I had thought you were just a doll,
but to try and wrap both father and son around your little finger at once...
Rei: ..... I'm not a doll. It may be true that all I saw was Commander Ikari, but isn't that
also the same for you, Dr. Akagi?
(Ritsuko whirls around in a rage with the tubing stretched, and wraps it around Rei's neck,
strangling her. Rei tries to resist, but Ritsuko is too strong. Then Ritsuko suddenly
realizes what she is doing and stops.)
Ritsuko (shaking): I... I'm sorry! It was just a joke that went too far. (in shock) I've been
busy with work lately... I... I lost my temper.
(Ritsuko looks over at Rei, who says nothing and simply looks at Ritsuko.)
Ritsuko (turning away): But, you should watch your mouth. Don't forget that it's because of
me that you are able to maintain that body.
Rei: ..... I'm sorry.
(Ritsuko leaves the room with a distasteful expression, but stops and stands in the corridor
after the door closes.)
Ritsuko (thinking): What am I doing...? This is just like my mother...

Scene: Shinji, Asuka and Misato eating dinner in Misato's apartment. There is no conversation
at the dinner table.
Shinji (thinking): Here we are, the three of us together for the first time in a while, and
it's frigid... I guess that's to be expected, though.
(The telephone rings, and Shinji answers it.)
Shinji: Hello? Ah, yes. (turns and gives handset to Asuka) It's an international call. She
says that she's your mother, Asuka.
Asuka (sarcastic): My, how inexcusable of me to have the invincible Shinji perform such
menial duties. (takes phone)
Shinji: What the heck was that!?
(Asuka ignores Shinji and speaks happily into the phone)
Asuka: Guten Tag Mutter. Danke Sehr Gut. Und Ihnen?
Shinji (thinking): Her stepmother...
Asuka: Du solltest nicht dafur sorgen.
Shinji (thinking): If I remember rightly, her real mother...
(flashback to dance episode with Asuka talking in her sleep: "Mama... Why did you die?")
Shinji (thinking): She died, just like my mother. But I... I feel like I met my dead mother
in the Eva. No -- I definitely met her. (shadowy image of Yui) That was definitely my mother.

Asuka: Auf Weidersehen. (hangs up phone and turns around -- Shinji's and her eyes meet.)
Asuka (shouting): What are you staring at!
Shinji (cringing): Why do you act that way toward me? You were just talking happily on the
phone a moment ago.
Asuka: Hmpf. I wasn't smiling and happy because I wanted to be. It's obligation; duty. It's
just for appearances. She isn't my real mother, although she did raise me. But, it's not like
I hate her. It's just a little awkward, that's all... (notices Shinji looking at her again
and blows up)
Asuka (shouting): Why do I have to tell you these things! Idiot!! (goes into room and slams
door)
Misato: A little rough around the edges today, isn't she?
Shinji: I don't know... She's always like that.
(Asuka flops down on bed and lies there with sad expression)
Asuka (softly): Mama...

- End Stage 56