Escapade in Japan

Now Tony, no running up the aisle. And be sure your seat belt's fastened good and tight!

-Yes, Aunt Laura.

-This is Tony. He's going to Tokyo to join his parents.

-Hello, Tony.

-Hello.

-Do watch out for him. He's never flown alone before.

-We'll take care of him.

-Goodbye, Tony. I'll tell Mommy how good you've been.

-Will you tell her about the milk I've been drinking?

I certainly will.

You tell them I hope everything's all right.

You hope what's all right, Aunt Laura?

They'll understand.

-Just give them my love.

-Yes, ma'am.

THEY PLAY DELICATE MUSIC

He's a wiry fellow. He'd make a good quarterback.

When we left, he liked major league baseball.

-Well, these Japanese youngsters are great ball players.

-Indeed, Father.

-How long were you in the Philippines?

-Two years.

-Were you sorry to leave?

No. I requested the transfer.

-You won't be disappointed, Dick.

-Thanks, Father.

-Does your wife like Tokyo?

-Very much.

It's charming. Now I can really believe I'm in the Far East.

-Will you fasten your seat belts, please? Put out your cigarette.

-SHE CONTINUES IN JAPANESE

Tony, will you fasten your seat belt, please.

Put out your cigarette.

Don't worry, Tony. Everything will be OK.

Call Tokyo control. Say we're descending to 5,000.

Oil line's broken on number three.

Declare an emergency! >

Mayday.

Cousin to aircraft calling Mayday, go ahead.

'Cousin, this is Nan Charlie 351.'

Airspeed...140 knots.

Location, 30 degrees north,

133.05 degrees east.

Angels 11.

'Number four engine feathered, number three oil line broken.'

Roger, 351. Will contact rescue immediately.

-Got him on the scope?

-No, sir. He's too far out.

PHONE RINGS Rescue. Kevin Purdey.

..Roger.

-Yes, sir.

-The flight plan for flight NC-40351.

NC-351 inbound Tokyo International from Manila via Pokinawa.

Roger.

PHONE RINGS

-36th Air Rescue Squadron.

-Distressed plane in your area.

Intercept!

She's on fire.

Call the emergency channel. > Rescue?

This is Nan Charlie 351. Fire in number three. We may have to ditch.

-A Dumbo's intercepting. Can you stay up till they make radar contact?

-We'll try.

-Pilot to radar operator.

-Yes, sir?

-Let me know as soon as you get 'em in the scope.

Yes, sir.

This is Nan Charlie 351 calling Dumbo Victor. Can't keep her airborne much longer.

-You got radar lock yet?

-You're too far out.

Hold her steady. We're going to ditch.

Passengers prepare to ditch.

'To all passengers - prepare to ditch.'

Will you try to be calm, please? Kindly put on your life belts.

Would you take your eyeglasses off, please?

Put on your life belts.

Tony, we'd better put this on.

You can tell your parents about this!

Now put your head in your lap. That's it.

'Altitude - 1,000. Visibility - zero.

'Altitude - 750...

'..500... Still can't see the water.

'..300...'

Come in, 351. Do you read?

351, come in.

-What do you think, Captain?

-Without a radar fix, it's a big ocean.

Mrs Saunders, Mrs Garden. Hello.

-Mary and Dick were transferred here from Manila.

-Bob and I passed through Manila last February.

-I believe we met your husband at a party, but...

-I was in the States.

-My mother was sick and I had to go back.

-I remember now. Amy Gillette told me. I mean...

Our son is arriving from Manila. I have to be going. Nice to meet you.

I'll be back in a minute.

-We'd better start for the airport.

-Just coming to get you.

It was nice of you to give this party for us, Mr Hobart.

Does she know about Amy Gillette?

What a great reunion. Welcome to Japan, Tony. Your mom's leaving me.

-She's taking you back to the States.

-Stop!

-You think of a way to tell him!

-It wasn't my idea for you to get involved while I was in the States.

-Mary, I was not involved.

-Not the way you mean it.

-I know. But you waited till I heard about it from others.

I've told you I'm sorry. I apologised. What more can I do?

All I know is, we can't go on.

We'd end up hating each other and Tony'd be miserable.

OK. If that's the way you want it.

-We'd like to find out about flight seven, please.

-Would you step inside, please?

Excuse me. I'm Richard Saunders. My son's on flight seven.

-I know. I was telling the folks.

-What's happened?

The ship developed engine trouble and is down at sea. Rescue planes were in contact.

They have an idea where it might be.

-Well...when...when did this happen?

-Are they all right?

As far as we know. Air Force is handling the rescue. They've alerted ships.

All available aircraft are standing by to take off when the fog lifts.

They don't know where they are?

Not exactly. The sea wasn't rough,

plenty of life rafts on board, so there's nothing to worry about.

Rescue will find them.

Well, er...

Is...Is there anything we can do?

-If there's news I'll phone you, if you give me your number.

-Oh, yes.

2249...

-PHONE RINGS

-Hello?

Oh...

..No, not yet, Mr Hobart.

Yes. As soon as we hear.

Wondered if we'd heard anything.

Look, why don't you get some rest, hmm?

I'll call you if there's any news.

-How can I?

-Well, we probably won't hear anything until morning.

-It's all my fault. I should never have left him there.

-It isn't, Mary!

1,000 planes make the trip, one gets into trouble.

It's nobody's fault.

The whole thing's wrong -

leaving him behind, pretending we wanted to get settled first...

We weren't thinking of anyone but ourselves.

Two weeks alone to try to straighten things out - all we were thinking of was ourselves!

Nobody but strangers on the plane - he must have been terrified!

-It's all my fault. If anything happens to him...

-Stop it, Mary. He's going to be all right.

You heard what the airline said - every ship and plane is looking. They're going to find him.

They're going to find him.

I'll be in my room.

Take it away.

BUZZER

-Oh! Mr Hobart.

-Forgive me for coming over this early. Meet Colonel Hargrave. Mr Saunders.

-How do you do? This is Mrs Saunders.

-How do you do?

-He's attached to the Embassy.

-The Ambassador heard about your son. I'm to keep up with the rescue for you.

Have you heard anything? Not yet.

It's over 15 hours. There must be news.

-The second there is...

-I'm sure they're doing all they can.

Oh...

-Won't you come in?

-Thank you.

-Mr Hobart?

Colonel Hargrave...

Mrs Saunders and I... We'd like to know the truth.

It depends on what kind of landing they made. But with low fog, the sea is generally calm.

If the rescue planes made a radar lock, they could have pinpointed their position. Without that,

with visibility as it is, a surface search isn't efficient.

As soon as the weather lifts, they'll use everything that can fly.

You asked me to lay it on the line.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

..Oh. Just a moment.

-It's for you, Colonel.

-I left your number at my office, in case.

Colonel Hargrave.

Have you got the names?

A ship picked up survivors on a raft. They have names.

Go ahead. ..Yes.

< ..Yes.

You're sure that was all?

I see.

MOTOR CHUGS

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

Michiko!

THEY SPEAK JAPANESE

You...American...boy?

Uh-huh.

Father say, "What your name?"

Tony Saunders.

How you get in ocean?

The plane fell down.

HE TRANSLATES

Mother and father on plane?

No. They're in Tokyo.

I show you.

This one stays still. This one moves - so.

Now you try.

You try rice.

You try. Hold your finger out.

Now you try alone.

-Look, Tony-chan!

-Who's Tony-chan?

You.

That mean you my friend.

I can't say "Asa..hiko" very good.

Call me Hiko.

Hiko. Hiko-chan. Is that right?

Uh-huh.

Phew! Japanese is easy!

Tony-chan?

Tony?

Fishing good. We go home, now.

Michiko!

Father say he get police. Police take you away. You do something bad?

-What do you mean?

-Police only come when you do something bad.

I didn't do anything.

Maybe you made...uh... plane fall down.

No, honest I didn't. You tell your father.

Son not talk back to father. You sure you no make plane fall?

No. I was just looking at my comic book,

and all of a sudden, the plane was on fire.

If police take you jail, your mother, father, no find you.

-Nobody find you. I never see you again.

-I don't want to go to jail!

You won't let them put me in jail?

Please, please, Hiko-chan. Don't let your father put me in jail.

I think what to do.

Is he OK? A fishing boat picked him up.

They're in a village 300 miles away.

-He must have been terrified.

-How soon can we get there?

-Three hours.

He's alive!

-Colonel Hargrave?

-Yes.

-I'm Captain Hibino.

The village police don't speak English,

-Police headquarters assigned me.

-Very good.

Mr and Mrs Saunders, this is Captain Hibino.

-Hello. Where's my boy?

-We don't know, exactly.

-What?

-You said they found him.

-After the report was sent in,

-when we went to to get him, he and the other boy were gone.

-Gone?

I don't understand. What other boy?

The fisherman who rescued him has a son, too. They probably wandered off to play.

They'll be found before we get there. I'm sure there's no cause for alarm. Please...?

That's their boat, the one with the orange sail.

Michiko!

Nani?

THEY SPEAK JAPANESE

These are the people who found your boy at sea.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

Well, tell them...please tell them how grateful we are.

-They know.

-Thank you.

-Are the boys back yet?

HE TRANSLATES

He says his son is a good boy. He's sure they'll come back. Not to worry.

Would you... Would you ask him if... if Tony was hurt in any way.

Only wet and hungry when they found him.

Thank goodness.

-What made him run away like that?

-Well, we don't know that he did.

No, but...

Ask him, please, if... anything happened to frighten Tony.

He says the boys became very good friends.

I'm sure they treated him well.

-I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.

-We've alerted the police. It's only a matter of time.

SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE

-Mrs Tanaka solicits you both to tea.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

Dozo.

Dozo.

Sa, dozo. Say I'll join them later.

It's nice.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Please.

Thanks.

Please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

-Isn't she going to join us?

-I don't know.

Dozo.

I guess not.

It seems they left around ten this morning.

On foot, they could not get further than this by nightfall.

You sure you know the way to Tokyo?

Father say Tokyo over mountain.

We go over mountain. Don't worry. We find.

BANG

I'm hungry, Hiko-chan.

-Me, too.

-Do you think we maybe ought to go back?

-Don't know.

Maybe they'll put me in jail too, now, for helping you.

At least we'd get some food.

Look!

You stay. I try get food.

I thought you were going to get me some!

-Hiko-chan, didn't you get me something?

-Hold hand out.

-What was she saying to you?

-She say, time going bed.

-Wish I was.

-We go now.

I'm tired, Hiko-chan.

OK, Tony-chan. We sit down.

-How long will the police look for me?

-Long time.

If my daddy was here, he'd make them stop.

You my friend. I take care of you.

DOG BARKS

I'm scared of the dark. Are you?

DOG BARKS

-I no think so.

-Does your mother let you stay out this late?

Don't know. First time.

Say!

How do you know how to talk American?

GI teach. Next year, I learn more better in school. All Japanese students learn American.

-That's funny. They don't teach us Japanese.

-Don't know about that.

-Sure would be easier if everybody talked the same language.

-Sure would. Only have to learn one.

Wonder why nobody ever thought of that.

It's almost 12 o'clock.

MICHIKO SPEAKS JAPANESE

-We've looked everywhere, checked in the village. No-one has seen them.

-Something must have happened.

Maybe they've been kidnapped. Not in Japan. More likely they're hiding. You know kids.

Why should they want to hide?

-Mary... Let's try to find you a place to sleep.

-I'm sorry, there is no Western hotel in village.

But there is a nice Japanese inn. I'm sure you'll be most comfortable.

-You're very kind.

-I only regret you must postpone seeing your son for one more night.

BIRD CALLS

BIRD CALLS REPEATEDLY

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

How do you know this train goes to Tokyo?

Don't. But farmer tell police. Police, they come looking, put you in jail.

-How come your eyes go up?

-Don't know.

-Why yours don't?

-I don't know. I'll ask my daddy.

-They could be anywhere in here.

-Do you have a picture with you?

-Yes.

I always carry it. Right here.

Good.

I'll fly it to Tokyo for copying. We'll see that every large newspaper gives it as big a play as possible.

-I'll send copies to headquarters.

-Good.

-Dick, maybe he's been kidnapped...

-Mary, he hasn't been kidnapped. You heard what the man said.

They were all alone when he found them asleep. Please, it's just a kids' stunt.

All Japanese like children. Nothing will happen to them.

As soon as anybody sees the photos they'll report it, like this man did. We'll get them back.

Look, Mary...

we'll just have to be patient.

Suimasen...

SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE

-What did she say?

-She wants to be sure you wouldn't punish her boy.

-Of course not.

Goodbye, Mr Tanaka.

Goodbye.

Captain?

What do you honestly think?

-Japanese boys do not run away. Something frightened him.

-Then we've got a tough job.

I'll get this picture on its way.

Is this Tokyo?

Hmm... Must be. MAN SHOUTS

Hiko-chan?

-I think I ought to get cleaned up before my mommy sees me.

-Me, too.

My momma makes me wash behind my ears.

-Do they make you do that too?

-Sure. Inside, too.

That's silly. Who looks inside your ears?

My mother.

I'll sure be glad to see my mommy and daddy.

Look!

Wrong city.

This is Kyoto.

-But you said...

-Maybe...Tokyo over mountain.

There's mountains all around.

Which mountain is Tokyo over?

Don't know.

After I went and washed my ears!

So sorry. Let's go.

SIREN WAILS

Police!

SIREN CONTINUES

SOFT CHANTING

HE MURMURS

-What were you doing?

-Praying.

Praying for what?

Police don't find you.

STREET HUBBUB, OCCASIONAL WHISTLE, CHUGGING OF ENGINE

Tony-chan?

-I'm hungry.

-Got yen?

-What's yen?

Money.

No.

Me, too. Yen hard to get. Even my father has trouble.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

MUSIC: Band plays "The Continental" by Con Conrad and Herb Magidson

She's kind of clumsy.

Maybe dress break.

-She'd better pick it up or she'll catch a cold.

-Yes.

GIGGLING

APPLAUSE

MUSIC ACCOMPANIES THEIR ENTRANCE

THEY SING

CAR HORN BLARES

THEY SPEAK JAPANESE

What did she ask?

-If we lost.

-What'd you say?

I say, only hungry.

Hiko-chan, why has she got all that...stuff on her face?

-I see picture, once. I think she geisha.

-What's a geisha?

-Picture don't say.

-Tony-chan!

-What?

-Take shoes off, first.

-Why?

-No wear shoes inside.

-We do at home.

-Must get house very dirty.

Come on, boys.

SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE

You, what your name?

Tony.

-Why are you with Japanese boy?

-He my friend.

-What you do out so late?

-Just take walk.

-I ask him, not you.

-We're just taking a walk.

-You...lost?

-No, ma'am, but I'm awful hungry.

Dirty, too. Bath first. Come.

I wish we could eat, first.

THEY GIGGLE

Gee! Just like in the movies!

Hey.

Yes?

We're going to find him. Don't you ever stop believing that.

Poor kids.

All alone somewhere... hungry, frightened...

No-one to look after them...

BURST OF LAUGHTER

The gentleman wants sake?

-What's sake?

-Japanese wine.

SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE

This make-believe - only water.

I teach you manners, so when you grow up

you know how to behave.

Hold sake cup, so.

Now drink.

If girl please you,

you dip into water and clean it.

Now give me.

Now pour drink to me.

Where your house?

Not far.

Where your friend house?

He live with me.

Gentleman have hard day at office.

Want fun, not talk. Dance for him.

We do baseball dance to entertain American gentleman.

SHE SINGS WITH SHAMISEN ACCOMPANIMENT

-We don't do this at my house.

-Don't do on boat, too. I like it.

-Me, too.

THEY SPEAK JAPANESE

-What?

-In morning, they say they get police.

Asahiko?

Tony?

Hai. Moshi, moshi. Hai.

It's Kyoto police.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

-They were seen in Kyoto.

-Kyoto?!

-Kyoto?

-How'd they get there? Have the police got them?

-I'm not certain, but we know where they are.

-I'll phone Tokyo to send a plane.

-No landing field.

-We'll go by car.

-I'll get Mary.

-You can drop me off. You'll soon be in Kyoto.

-Who saw them there?

-It seems they spent a night with geishas.

-Oh, geishas... Geishas?!

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

We hide in bus.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

SHE SPEAKS JAPANESE

She ask what school we go to. We not belong here.

Is she going to tell on us?

CHILDREN SING

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

Hmm. American boy, huh? We are honoured to have American guest. Stay with group.

CHILDREN CHATTER AND LAUGH

She say, go ahead, eat.

We'll find them. Every policeman has the American boy's picture.

All the main roads out of the city will be inspected. We will have extra men at the railway station.

-If you need additional personnel...

-We don't need that.

A Japanese boy would be very hard to find, but there are not many small American boys here.

-But Kyoto is a big city.

-Not that big.

CHILDREN SING

CHILDREN LAUGH

LAUGHTER

That's very interesting.

But I think seeing 1,001 life-size images of our goddess of mercy

much more interesting.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

MUSIC AND DRUMMING ACCOMPANIES SINGING

Tony!

Look.

-I hope you are having good time today.

-Thank you.

-Good. Now come over to the bus.

Asahiko!

Tony!

He was with us all morning. He said he was his guest. I saw the paper...

Where is he now? They saw his picture and ran away.

-What made them do that?

-When was this?

Not more than ten minutes ago, in front of the temple. I came right to the police station...

HE LAPSES INTO JAPANESE

We go Tokyo now.

ANNOUNCER TALKS THROUGH TANNOY

WHISTLE BLOWS

It couldn't have been more than a half-hour. They can't just disappear.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Ice cream!

Ice cream!

Ice cream!

< Ice cream! Ice cream!

Hey!

Ichi.

-Looks good, huh?

-Yes, sir.

-Would your mom mind if I treated you?

-No, sir.

-Thank you.

-Hey!

Ichi more.

You take it.

-Friend of yours?

-Yes, sir.

Well then, here.

Hey! Hey!

WHISTLE BLOWS

-Hits the spot, huh, kid?

-Yes, thank you.

Arigato gozaimasu. Hey, that I know. Let's see...

Listen close, now.

Eigo...ga...deki...ma...suka.

- That's "Do you speak English?" - I no speak English. Speak American.

So long, kids. Take it easy.

Where's the telephone? It's important!

Denwa, denwa!

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

Moshi, moshi.

Thank you. Is this the head man? Listen...

..What's the name of the station?

Mm-hm.

Mm-hm. You are sure it was the same boy?

Sure I'm sure! I got the paper here. I gave him ice cream ten minutes ago.

Yes, they're still on the train.

-Good. Thank you.

-Have they found them?

-They're on a train to Nara. One of your soldiers just saw them.

-They got away?

-Nara? Where's that?

-Nara...

-Why would they get off there?

-It's the end of the line. The soldier's at the next-to-last stop.

I'll have the police at Nara stop them. We can be there in one hour.

Moshi, moshi.

HOOTER

Is this Tokyo?

Sign say Nara.

I thought you were taking me to Tokyo.

Japan bigger than I thought.

HE SPEAKS JAPANESE

Thank you.

What did he say?

He say, you bow, they bow.

OLD MAN CONTINUES SHOUTING

HE SHOUTS

HORN BLARES

SHE MOUTHS

Daddy! Daddy, I'm scared!

Hang on!

Tony.

Mommy, mommy, you won't let the police take me away, will you?

Of course not, darling.

No-one will ever take you away from us again.

Hey, you!

Where are you going?

Oh, no! Not again!

Not again!

Both of them - a good night's sleep and a hot meal, they will be ready to take off again.

Oh, no. Once was enough.

THEY SPEAK JAPANESE

-Daddy, you're not mad at Asahiko, are you?

-Of course not.

-He thought the police wanted to put me in jail.

-Jail? No.

-We know, darling. It's all right now.

-May I see him again?

Of course you can.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Someone special to see you two.

-Hello.

-Konbanwa.

-Dekk-san!

Won't you come in? Thank you.

-Konbanwa.

-Konbanwa.

-Konbanwa.

-Konbanwa.

-Asahiko-chan, shibaraku ne?

-Shibaraku ne.

O..ohayo gozai...

Subtitles by Sheila Hyde, BBC - 2000