Elephant Cries(PART 2 OF 3)
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And I was rushed to the hospital by an ambulance.
Oh, my God! No kidding!
Of course, I'm only jesting. He, he, he, he, he ...
Kato! ... You're such a naughty brat. Don't give me such a shocking fib. So what really happened to you?
Well ... I couldn't attend the event because the elephant cried.
The elephant...? What the heck are you talking about?
It's a long story.
Make it short, will ya?
You see, I really wanted to take a look at the infamous Conrad Black by all means.
Were you in the central library?
Yes, of course, I was writing on the 6th floor, and finished writing an article for the next day at about 6 o'clock. I had still an hour and half before the event would start. So I decided to view one of the DVDs I'd borrowed.
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■“Actual Catalogue Page”
So, Kato, you viewed the above DVD, didn't you?
Yes, I did. The story was quite fascinating.
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This is a 2005 drama directed by Shunsaku Kawake (河毛 俊作) based on a true story "Shining Boy & Little Randy (ちび象ランディと星になった少年)" written by Sayuri Sakamoto (坂本小百合), whose son (Tetsumu 哲夢: 1972 - 1992) died young at the age of 20 due to a traffic accident.
The Ogawa family runs an animal production company that rears and provides various animals for TV and film production.
One day, the mother (played by Takako Tokiwa: 常盤貴子) tells the family that she will purchase an elephant since it was her childhood dream.
Although the family is in a financial problem, she manages to acquire an elephant by selling off some animals.
Eventually, she keeps three Asian elephants---"Mickey", "Randy" and "Minister".
These elepants interest Tetsumu (played by Yuya Yagira: 柳楽優弥) greatly so much so that he decides to become an elephant trainer and goes to Thailand to study at an elepant training school.
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In the first several months, Tetsumu has a hard time in getting along with other students and living in a Thai style.
Bullied once in a while, he studies hard for a year and half and becomes a trainer.
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In 1992, he returns to Japan and enters a high school, but quits soon afterwards because the study at school doesn't interest him any more.
So he works as a full-time elephant trainer with little Randy, teaching Randy several skills.
At an elephant show, Tetsumu meets a girl (Emi Murakami) played by Yu Aoi (蒼井優), and their relationship deepens.
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In November 1992, however, Tetsumu died a sudden death in a traffic accident.
After the funeral, Emi meets his mother and gives back Tetsumu's drawing about an elephant-retirement park he was planning.
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"Do you know, Mrs. Ogawa, how he became interested in elephants?" asks Emi.
The mother listens intensely.
"'Cause keeping an elepahnt is your dream, and it becomes his dream likewise. You see, he really loves you."
Upon hearing this, the mother bursts into tears.
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In the summer of 2005, the ex-classmates in the mountains of Thailand names a young elepant "Tetsu", honoring their deceased friend.
It is really a touching story.
The scenes in Thailand are beautifully filmed with a memorable background music.
The fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more poignant.
I think this film ranks as one of the greatest animal films like "The Black Stallion" and "Never Cry Wolf."
If you're an animal lover, this is a must-see movie.
Unfortunately, this DVD version has no English subtitles.
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... sounds quite interesting.
Yes, it really is. You bet on that, Diane. I was actually fascinated by the movie.
So, Kato, you were engrossed in the movie so much so that you forgot to attend the event. Is that it?
On, no, I didn't forget. Half way through, I took a look at the time on the lower-right-hand cornet on the screen. It was 7:20 p.m., and I rushed to the elevator and went down to the lower level, then asked a nearby librarian to tell me how to get to Alice MacKay Room. I've never entered the room. She said, "It's in a different part on the lower level. You must take the elevator, go up to the main floor, get out through the main entrance, then walk to your right and find the stairs, which lead you down to the room.
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I did as she told me. I was totally flabbergasted to see a long waiting line on the stairs, but the sign said that the room was full and that no more tickets were available.
So, you were too late, weren't you?
Anyway, I rushed to the doorway, but there stood a stout female bouncer, who blocked my way and said, "What the hell do you think you're doing, Mister?" ... I said, "Oh, ... well, one of my lady friends is waiting for me in the room. So I just wanna say hello to her and get back here. So, please let me in."
What did she say?
The wry-faced fat bouncer told me, "Don't give me such a foolish fib. Once you get in, you'll never come back. It's obvious! Get lost!"
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Did she really tell you that?
Oh, I'm just joking ...
The thing is, my God wants me to continue to view the movie, instead of watching the infamous Conrad Black. So, I rushed back up to the 6th floor and continued to see the movie.Kato, why didn't you knock her out at the door and rush in for the event?
Diane, be reasonable and sensible! I couldn't do such a mean thing. Even if she looks so ugly, she's still a human being.
But I tell you, Kato. It was truly a wonderful evening. You really missed one of the most priceless events.
Oh, ... did I? What is so good about it?
You see, I was expecting it would be quite interesting, but it went way beyond that to totally engaging and entertaining and illuminating as well. I say, it was most impressive. I really hope you enjoyed it as well.
Was it really that good?
Oh, yes, you bet, Kato ... Who could have thought US politics could be so fascinating?
Mind you, Diane, I really wanted to attend the event, but somehow my God prevented me from attending the event, I assume.
No, that's not true. You simply made a big mistake because you didn't quit watching the movie much earlier so that you could get a free ticket for the event.
Diane, that's why I'm saying that I was engrossed in the movie, which is more fascinating, engaging, and entertaining than the Conrad Black event.
You didn't even hear Conrad Black. How could you possibly say that?
Conrad Black may be innocent as he insists, but he gave an impression of a fraudulent man to the ordinary people---to the jury, in particular. That's why the jury gave him a guilty verdict.
Yes, that was a fact, but he was talking about US politics, which is so fascinating.
Maybe, US politics is fascinating, but I don't think Conrad Black is living a good life. I don't dislike him personally, but I don't belive a man who gives an impression of a fraudulent man. Besides, the movie I viewed is about a young man who died at the age of 20, but whose good life is remembered even by Randy the elephant.
His good life is remembered even by the elephant. Why is that?
Well... After the movie, I watched the following video clips:
(To be followed)