SOB-Ep. 2 (Text Version)
Ep. 2. New History
Shadows of Blue Nova — Episode 2. New History
(Your patience with my script’s formatting is appreciated — I’m learning as I go. Any suggestions for improvement in formatting or story are welcome.)
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FADE IN:
INSERT — THE LAST PART OF EPISODE 1 BEGINS.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Well, the taste of hope quickly turned sour.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The buzz became jealousy. The rich and famous bought the drinks and posted them on their social media platforms.
CUT TO BLACK.
TEXT OVER BLACK:
Ep 2. New History
EXT. STREET — DAY
A REPORTER stands in front of a Blue Nova store, microphone in hand, with the store’s windows shattered following a robbery.
REPORTER A
We’re now outside a Blue Nova store, a sight becoming more familiar as another robbery has left its mark, with broken windows and shattered bottles of Blue Nova.
REPORTER A
The desire from this growing craze for these so-called miracle drinks is palpable.
REPORTER A
At a steep price of 5,000 YEN, approximately 500 USD, for just a day’s worth, it’s driving some to drastic actions. Over the past three months, there have been four similar incidents reported, including the robbery that occurred in the store behind me just yesterday.
EXT. DIFFERENT STREET — DAY
A different REPORTER is now on the scene, moving among the crowds on the street, interviewing passersby to capture their opinions about the escalating robberies at Blue Nova stores.
REPORTER B
(Pointing his finger to the robbed store.)
With yet another robbery at this Blue Nova store, what are your thoughts on what’s happening?
PASSERBY A
I mean, it’s unsettling. We don’t see something like this often.
PASSERBY B
To be honest, I blame social media. The rich and famous keep flaunting dozens of Blue Nova bottles on Instagram. And it’s all over YouTube too, especially with those creators who’ve gotten enough followers to be dubbed “Influencers.”
PASSERBY B
And you see them, successful and loaded, and you can’t help but want the same. It’s made people think that all they need to do to achieve their dreams is to get their hands on Blue Nova.
INT. NEWSROOM — NIGHT
Four PANELISTS, along with a DISCUSSION PRESIDER, are gathered around a table, engaged in an animated conversation. They were talking about the impact of Blue Nova on society.
PRESIDER
Moving on, I’d like you to touch on the wealth gap that is currently in the spotlight because of Blue Nova. Any thoughts?
NORA
It’s been interesting, especially as a social science journalist.
People have already coined the term, Blue Species, referring to the affluent individuals who can afford the drinks.
TEDDY
There’s no denying that. The wealth gap has always been there since the beginning of humanity, but the ability to buy something that will instantly enhance your life made it more prominent, while making all those who can’t more miserable.
HARU
Yeah, and the depression and frustration have been expressed through violence. People are stealing, raiding, and recently someone attacked one of the Blue Species only because they held the bottle.
TEDDY
I don’t think the conflict and extreme vandalism and violence will resolve until Blue Corp lowers the price, making it more affordable.
DISSOLVE TO:
INSERT — NEWS FOOTAGE
A series of short clips of news footage plays where multiple news anchors say “Emperor Saito” 5 times in quick succession. This is followed by one of the anchors sharing a full story.
NEWS ANCHOR A
Emperor Saito publicly condemns Blue Corporation’s adamant position to keep their price despite the public outcry.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY — DAY
EMPEROR SAITO, adorned in a regal Sokutai-inspired suit, stands tall behind a grand podium. The room is filled with clicking of cameras as a throng of JOURNALISTS clamor to capture his image.
EMPEROR SAITO
(Saito nods at the journalists and quietly greets them.)
Good afternoon.
EMPEROR SAITO
I stand before you to express my deepest regret about my recent talk with Mr. Sakamoto and his associates. Although Blue Nova has become a major social issue because of its high price, Blue Corporation has failed to reach a timely agreement on making the product more affordable to the public.
EMPEROR SAITO
As I was deeply involved with the company’s operations from its foundation, I am very aware of its difficulty since it needs to recoup the expenses incurred from years of experimentation and the failure of its predecessor.
EMPEROR SAITO
Nevertheless, the increasing demand for the product and the eminent wealth gap the product has created so far are alarming.
EMPEROR SAITO
As the emperor of the GEA and a previous investor in the company, I find that the company’s inaction leaves me no alternative but to publicly criticize their irresponsibility.
EMPEROR SAITO
Although my initial talk with the executives of Blue Corporation has failed, I solemnly swear that I won’t cease to find a way to continue our talk until I get the result for the mass.
EMPEROR SAITO
Thank you for your time.
After a short pause, attending journalists applaud, as though they are here for a TED talk, instead of a press conference.
INSERT — Infographic shots
NARRATOR (V.O.)
That’s how the drama started.
INSERT — Company Letter and Official Twitter
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Soon after Emperor Saito’s press conference, the company issued a letter.
As the NARRATOR reads the letter, each sentence is highlighted.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Since the release of Blue Nova, we deeply regret that it has negatively impacted society as a side effect of its positive functionality.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
However, in order to secure our Blue Nova supply line, it is essential for us to maintain the current price.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
We are extremely awestruck by the words of Emperor Saito because his words hold power. Despite the fact that we did nothing to break the law, he divulged the private talks between him and our executives, turning the public opinions about us more negatively. If he continues to publicly condemn us for something that we had no power to change, we would have no option but to take some legal action against him for defamation.
INSERT — Infographics
The screen displays multiple graphs, numbers, and data while the narrator and experts explain them.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
As soon as the company letter was out, a lot of business experts took center stage on the internet, explaining why Blue Corporation’s price policy is extreme and the company can actually afford to significantly lower the price.
EXPERT A
It is true that their first Blue product, Blue Potion’s failure did the number on their financial standing.
EXPERT A
However, considering the massive amount of money they took in from their investors, and their steady sales for all the other medicines, the company doesn’t need to maintain the exorbitant price of Blue Nova in order to stay afloat.
EXPERT B
Considering the company was able to operate and function for five years even after the massive scandal and boycott movements, I can’t really find the reason to go further with the details of why the company needed that price tag.
INSERT — A series of clips of people protesting.
EXT. STREET — DAY
PROTESTOR A
(Holding a sign that reads “Blue for All,” she cries out loud.)
Blue for a few, Blood for all!
PROTESTOR B
Let Saito Lead the Parliament!
PROTESTOR C
Listen to Emperor Saito!
The sound of the protest fades away, but the clips keep playing. A voice-over begins.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The chaos continued for about a month until Emperor Saito emerged back on TV.
INT. HOTEL LOBBY — DAY
EMPEROR SAITO, clad in another regal Sokutai suit, sits behind a wide table. Camera flashes flicker over him incessantly.
EMPEROR SAITO
I’d like to start this press conference with an apology.
EMPEROR SAITO
Although my intention was to make a positive impact on the GEA states, it led to another online feud between me and Blue Corporation, confusing and upsetting all of you.
EMPEROR SAITO
I know things turned sour and let me tell you it got really ugly on my end as well. I believe everyone in this argument, including Blue Corporation, Ryan, myself, and of course all the GEA people, were hurt by this chaos.
EMPEROR SAITO
So, this got me thinking. Instead of asking what they needed to do, I started asking what I could do.
EMPEROR SAITO
After sleepless nights, I’ve decided to donate my savings from my prince era, which I tripled through investments, to the company in order to recoup their expenses.
EMPEROR SAITO
I’ve made a deal with them to significantly lower the cost. The exact price will be decided later on, but it will be between 2,000 Yen or 20 USD and 3,000 Yen or 30 USD.
EMPEROR SAITO
Please note that the donated money was not from the Court and it was from my private account.
EMPEROR SAITO
I promise that I’ll try to show you my interest in your well-being through action, not just simple words.
EMPEROR SAITO
Thank you for your time.
CUT TO:
EXT. STREET — DAY
A SEA OF PEOPLE floods the streets, brandishing PICKET SIGNS. Their chants demanding governing power for EMPEROR SAITO resonate through the air, yet each face wears a smile. Amidst this backdrop, a NEWS REPORTER stands holding a microphone.
REPORTER C
I’m standing on one of the Tokyo streets where a series of vandalism, robberies, and angry and shocking screams resonated for months. Now, it’s turned into a festival.
REPORTER C
People have taken to the streets right after Emperor Saito’s announcement that he would donate his wealth to lower the price of Blue Nova.
REPORTER C
After the GEA Civil Revolution, the GEA was officially ruled by a parliament, minimizing the power of the royal court.
REPORTER C
Since then, the new constitution has prohibited any involvement of royal blood in parliament.
REPORTER C
Here, behind me, people are chanting that they want to give power to Emperor Saito.
While the news reporter continues her talk, the sound fades away while the footage keeps playing. Then, the voiceover begins.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The world, henceforth, has changed fast and drastically.
Montage
A) A parliament’s reluctant announcement to appoint Emperor Saito as an advisor to the Minister of Justice.
B) A bill to change the law to allow labor hours to accommodate the effectiveness of Blue Nova.
C) A series of data is displayed on the screen, showcasing greatly increased productivity indicators, including GDP, alongside improved happiness levels, according to the World Happiness Report.
End Montage
Insert. Black Screen
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Everyone has become richer and happier.
Two seconds of silence ensue.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Then, why does my father have to die because of this?
