Discover the twisted truth behind the murder in this gripping tale of justice and deception.
Watch the original version of Rashomon
Prologue:
The forest was dense and dark, the trees so thick that it was almost impossible to see the sky above. In this isolated and remote area, a body lay motionless on the ground. The victim was a samurai, and his wife was nowhere to be found. The authorities were called immediately, and a woodcutter claimed to have been the only eyewitness to what had occurred. However, as the investigation begins, it becomes clear that there are multiple versions of the story surrounding the murder. Each witness has a different perspective, and the truth becomes increasingly murky as the investigation deepens.
Chapter 1: The Crime Scene
It was a cold and dreary day in the forest when the authorities arrived at the scene of the crime. The body of a samurai was lying in a clearing, his face contorted in pain. The police surveyed the area, trying to find any clues as to what had happened. They discovered a few footprints, indicating that a struggle had occurred, and they also found a few discarded articles of clothing.
The woodcutter who had found the body stepped forward to explain what he had seen. “I was just walking through the forest,” he said, “when I stumbled upon the body. It was lying there, just like that, with no one else around.”
“Did you see anyone else in the area?” one of the police officers asked.
“No,” the woodcutter replied. “I didn’t see anyone else around. It was just me and the body.”
The police investigated the area further, looking for any other signs of life or struggle. They came across a few broken branches and tree limbs, as if someone had run through the area in a hurry.
As the authorities were examining the scene, Masako, the wife of the deceased samurai, was brought in for questioning. She was distraught and weeping, but the police were determined to get to the bottom of what had happened.
“What happened here?” the detective in charge asked her.
“It was horrible,” Masako said, her voice trembling. “A bandit attacked us. He… he killed my husband and then took me into the forest.”
The police were taken aback by this accusation. “Do you know who this bandit is?” they asked.
“I’ve never seen him before,” Masako replied. “He was a complete stranger to us.”
The police listened to her story, but they remained skeptical. They knew that the forest was a dangerous place, and it was possible that Masako was simply lying to protect herself.
The investigation continued, and soon the bandit, Tajomaru, was brought in for questioning. He was rough around the edges, with a wild look in his eye. But he swore up and down that he had nothing to do with the murder.
“I was in the forest,” he said, “looking for my next target. But I didn’t see anyone, I swear it.”
The police listened to his story, but they could sense that he was hiding something. They continued to question him, trying to get to the truth.
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that each of the witnesses had a different version of events. The samurai’s wife claimed that she had been attacked by a bandit, while the bandit claimed that he had been in the forest alone. The woodcutter claimed that he had just stumbled upon the body, but even his story seemed to have holes in it.
The police were stymied, unable to unravel the truth of what had happened in the forest. But they knew that they had to keep investigating until they found out what had really occurred on that fateful day.
Chapter 2: The Samurai’s Story
Masako sat nervously in the interrogation room, her hands shaking as she clasped them tightly in her lap. She had been brought in for questioning by the authorities, who were trying to piece together the events leading up to her husband’s murder. She knew that she was the key witness, the only one who had been present at the scene of the crime – or so she thought.
As the questions began, Masako took a deep breath and composed herself, ready to tell her version of events. She began to speak, her voice soft and measured, her words carefully chosen.
“It all started when my husband and I were taking a walk in the forest,” she said. “We came across a bandit named Tajomaru. He was a fierce-looking man, with wild hair and a scar on his cheek. My husband challenged him to a duel, and they fought fiercely. In the end, my husband was struck down, and Tajomaru fled into the forest.”
The authorities listened intently as Masako spoke. Her story was compelling, but it left many questions unanswered. Why had her husband challenged the bandit to a duel? And why had the bandit fled?
As the interrogation continued, Masako began to falter. She couldn’t keep her story straight, and the authorities began to suspect that she was hiding something.
“Tell us the truth, Masako,” one of the investigators said, his voice stern. “We know there is more to this story than you are letting on. What really happened in the forest?”
Masako bit her lip nervously, realizing that she was in a difficult position. She knew that if she told the whole truth, she would implicate herself and her lover, Tajomaru. But if she continued to lie, she would only make matters worse.
Finally, she took a deep breath and began to speak. “I…I didn’t tell you the whole truth earlier,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “The truth is…Tajomaru and I…we had an affair. My husband found out, and he was furious. He challenged Tajomaru to a duel to defend my honor. But…but the duel was not fair. Tajomaru had the upper hand, and he…he killed my husband.”
The room grew quiet as Masako finished her confession. The authorities were stunned, unsure of how to proceed. This new information changed everything, and they knew that they would have to re-examine the evidence and question the other witnesses again.
As Masako was led out of the interrogation room, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief mixed with guilt. She knew that her lover was still out there, hiding in the forest, and she wondered if he would ever be caught and brought to justice. The events of that day had unfolded in a way that she could never have predicted, and she knew that the truth would never be as clear-cut as she had hoped.
Chapter 3: The Bandit’s Tale
Tajomaru was brought in for questioning, and as he stood before the authorities, he couldn’t help but smirk. He had always been a confident man, and he knew that the story he was about to tell was sure to entertain. He began his tale with a flourish, describing how he had been riding through the forest when he caught sight of Masako.
“She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen,” he said, grinning. “And I knew that I had to have her.”
He went on to describe how he had kidnapped Masako and taken her deep into the forest. At first, she had resisted him, but he had been persistent, and eventually, she had given in to his advances.
“She was passionate, just like me,” Tajomaru said. “And I knew that we were meant to be together.”
But then, Masako’s husband had appeared, and Tajomaru had been forced to fight him in a duel. It had been a fair fight, he insisted, and he had emerged victorious.
“I didn’t want to kill him,” Tajomaru said. “But he left me no choice.”
As he spoke, Tajomaru seemed to grow more and more animated, relishing the attention of his captors. He was clearly enjoying himself, and Masako could only watch in horror as he twisted the truth to suit his own purposes.
But then, another witness came forward, and Tajomaru’s story was called into question. The woodcutter, who had initially claimed to be a disinterested observer, revealed that he had actually been hiding in the bushes, watching the entire incident unfold.
According to the woodcutter, Masako had not been a willing participant in Tajomaru’s advances. She had fought him fiercely, and when her husband had arrived, Tajomaru had resorted to dirty tricks to win the duel.
“He pulled out a hidden knife,” the woodcutter said, pointing at Tajomaru. “And he stabbed the samurai in the back.”
Tajomaru’s face fell, and Masako breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, the truth was coming to light, but even as the woodcutter shared his account, it was clear that there was still more to the story.
As the authorities continued to interrogate the witnesses, it became clear that everyone had their own agenda. Each person had their own version of the truth, and they were all determined to come out on top.
In the end, it was up to the authorities to sift through the conflicting accounts and determine what had really happened in the forest that day. But as they worked to uncover the truth, they began to question their own sense of morality and justice. After all, even if they could determine who was responsible for the crime, would justice truly be served?
Chapter 4: The Medium’s Account
As the investigation into the murder of the samurai continues, a medium is brought in to try and communicate with the spirit of the deceased man. The hope is that by speaking with the spirit, the truth behind the murder will finally be revealed.
The medium is a woman named Takayama, who is known throughout the region for her ability to communicate with the dead. She arrives at the police station and is led into a small, dimly lit room where she will attempt to contact the samurai’s spirit.
The police officers and other witnesses all gather around, eager to hear what the spirit has to say. Takayama begins to chant, her voice low and soothing. She closes her eyes and takes several deep breaths, summoning the spirit of the samurai.
Suddenly, the room grows cold, and a soft breeze ruffles the papers on the desk. Takayama’s voice takes on a deeper, more resonant quality as she begins to speak.
“I am here,” the voice says, and everyone in the room leans in to listen.
The voice proceeds to share its version of events, a version that is quite different from the accounts given by the other witnesses.
According to the spirit, Masako was not attacked by Tajomaru at all. Instead, she willingly went off into the woods with him, leaving her husband behind. The samurai followed them, and a fierce argument ensued.
In the heat of the moment, the samurai attacked Masako, striking her with his sword. Tajomaru, enraged by this act of violence, attacked the samurai in turn, killing him in a fit of rage.
The spirit goes on to reveal that the woodcutter, who had claimed to have seen the entire incident, was actually lying. He had not witnessed the murder itself, but had only stumbled upon the aftermath.
The room falls silent as Takayama finishes speaking on behalf of the spirit. The police officers are stunned by this new revelation, and the witnesses are left reeling from the shock of it all.
As they all gather their thoughts, they begin to realize the potential implications of this new information. If the spirit’s account is to be believed, then everything they thought they knew about the murder is wrong.
Suddenly, the investigation takes on a new urgency. The witnesses all begin to re-examine their own stories, wondering if there are other details they may have overlooked. The search for the truth becomes even more elusive, as each new account seems to contradict the last.
Despite the added complexity, the witnesses and investigators alike are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. The truth may be elusive, but they all know that it must be discovered no matter the cost.
Chapter 5: The Woodcutter’s Confession
The woodcutter, who had initially claimed to be a disinterested observer, is brought in for questioning once more. This time, however, he is not as confident in his story as he was before. He seems fidgety and nervous as he speaks, and his eyes dart around the room as if he is trying to avoid something.
The authorities press him for more information, demanding to know why he failed to mention certain crucial details earlier. He hesitates for a moment before finally blurting out, “I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” asks the detective in charge of the investigation.
The woodcutter sighs heavily before continuing. “Afraid of how my involvement in all of this would look. Afraid of being accused of something myself.”
“What do you mean?” presses the detective.
The woodcutter hesitates again before beginning to speak. “I saw everything,” he says. “I saw Tajomaru attack the samurai and rape his wife. But… but I didn’t intervene. I just watched from behind a tree. I was scared.”
The room falls silent as the woodcutter’s confession sinks in. The authorities exchange glances, their expressions a mixture of disgust and disbelief. “Why didn’t you come forward earlier?” asks the detective.
“I was afraid,” the woodcutter repeats. “I didn’t want to get involved. I thought… I thought it would be better if I just kept quiet.”
The authorities continue to question the woodcutter, trying to ascertain the accuracy of his account. They ask about specific details, such as the weapon used to kill the samurai and the position of the body. The woodcutter answers as best he can, but his memory is hazy on some points.
As the interrogation continues, the woodcutter becomes increasingly agitated. He starts to sweat profusely, and his breathing becomes labored. “I’m telling the truth!” he cries out at one point, his voice rising in pitch. “I swear on my mother’s grave that I’m telling the truth!”
The authorities look at each other, unsure of what to make of the woodcutter’s outburst. Finally, the detective decides it is time to take a break. “We’ll let you cool down for a little bit,” he says, motioning for the other officers to follow him out of the room.
Alone, the woodcutter sinks down into a chair, his head in his hands. He knows that he should have come forward sooner. He knows that he should have done something to help the samurai and his wife. But he didn’t, and now he is wracked with guilt and shame.
As he sits there, lost in his thoughts, he suddenly hears a voice. It is faint at first, but it grows louder with each passing moment. “You’re nothing but a coward,” the voice says. “A weak little man who doesn’t have the guts to stand up for what’s right.”
The woodcutter looks around, but he doesn’t see anyone. The voice continues to taunt him, growing more and more insistent. “You’re a liar and a cheat,” it says. “A man without honor or integrity.”
The woodcutter squeezes his eyes shut, trying to shut out the voice. But it only grows louder, echoing through his head like a never-ending nightmare. “Confess,” it says. “Confess to what you did. Only then can you be free.”
The woodcutter opens his eyes, gasping for breath. Sweat drips down his face, and his heart is pounding in his chest. He knows what he has to do. He knows that he can’t keep lying to himself or to the authorities any longer.
Slowly, he gets to his feet and walks back into the interrogation room. The detectives look up at him expectantly, but before they can say anything, he begins to speak. “I lied,” he says. “I wasn’t just a disinterested observer. I saw everything that happened, and I did nothing.”
The authorities listen in stunned silence as the woodcutter tells them the truth. He tells them about Tajomaru’s attack, about the rape of Masako, and about the murder of the samurai. He tells them about how he was too scared to intervene, too scared of what might happen to him if he got involved.
When he finishes speaking, there is a long pause. The detectives look at each other, unsure of what to do next. Finally, one of them speaks. “Thank you for your honesty,” he says. “But we’re going to need to verify everything you’ve told us. You understand that, right?”
The woodcutter nods, his eyes downcast. He knows that he has a long road ahead of him, a road filled with shame and regret. But for the first time, he feels a glimmer of hope. A hope that maybe, just maybe, he can make things right.
Chapter 6: Truth and Lies
As the multiple accounts of the murder continue to pile up, the confusion deepens, and the search for the truth becomes more elusive. With each witness seemingly unreliable, tension and suspicion rise among them all.
The woodcutter, who initially claimed to be a disinterested observer, is subjected to severe scrutiny. He is pressed to reveal any information that he may have withheld from law enforcement. After much hesitation, the woodcutter eventually confesses that he witnessed the entire incident, and has deliberately held on to vital information.
The woodcutter’s confession throws everyone into disarray, and as he begins to speak, it becomes apparent that much of what has been said previously might have been a lie. The woodcutter reveals that he had been hiding in the bushes close to where the murder occurred, and he saw everything that happened.
He confesses that he lied to the authorities because he was fearful of being accused of the crime, and he did not know what to do. His testimony contradicts all the previous accounts of what has supposedly transpired, leaving everyone to question whether they can trust any of the witnesses.
The woodcutter’s story is an entirely different version of events. He claims that he saw Tajomaru make advances at Masako, which the samurai objected to, leading to a fierce scuffle between Tajomaru and the samurai.
In the end, Tajomaru comes out victorious, and the samurai is killed. The woodcutter’s confession shocks everyone to the core, and it becomes challenging to know who to believe.
The accounts presented earlier did not match up, and now the woodcutter’s testimony only served to muddy the waters further. Each character’s credibility is now being questioned, and no one appears to be trustworthy.
The authorities are left to try to piece together what really happened and who is responsible. As they go back to the crime scene, they start to consider the possibility of a conspiracy.
Questions begin to arise as to whether any of the witnesses saw what they claim to have seen, or if they all came to an agreement to concoct a story that would protect themselves.
While they try to make sense of what is happening, the search for justice becomes even more elusive. The characters are left grappling with their moral conscience and questioning the very nature of truth and justice.
The unexpected events of the woodcutter’s confession throws a curveball into the investigation, a final twist that nobody could have foreseen. With the truth looking increasingly out of reach, who knows where this investigation will lead?
Chapter 7: The Final Revelation
As the witnesses’ accounts begin to unravel, the search for the truth becomes an increasingly complex affair. Each of them seems to have lied for their own reasons, making it difficult to piece together the events that led to the samurai’s murder. The investigators are left to wonder whether the truth will ever be revealed.
As they continue to question the witnesses, they are startled to discover that the woodcutter, who initially claimed to be a disinterested observer, was actually involved in the crime. It is revealed that he had stolen the samurai’s valuable sword, and in the scuffle that ensued, the samurai was killed. The woodcutter’s confession throws the case into disarray, and the investigators are left with more questions than answers.
In a surprising turn of events, Masako is also revealed to have played a larger role in the crime than she initially let on. It is discovered that she was having an affair with Tajomaru, the bandit, and that they had plotted together to kill the samurai in order to be together. Their plan goes awry when the woodcutter, also seeking the valuable sword, enters the scene. In the ensuing chaos, the samurai is killed, and Masako and Tajomaru turn on each other.
As the true nature of the crime is revealed, the investigators are left reeling. The idea of justice, so central to their role, seems to have been thoroughly compromised. Masako and Tajomaru are both punished for their roles in the crime, but the woodcutter is allowed to go free despite his own guilty involvement. The investigators are left to ponder the nuances of guilt and innocence, wondering whether justice can ever truly be served.
As the story draws to a close, the characters are left to grapple with the complexities of human nature, the frailty of truth, and the ambiguous nature of justice. The final scenes show the characters struggling to come to terms with their own roles in the crime, and the weight of their decisions stretches beyond the limits of any one individual. It becomes clear that the search for truth, and the pursuit of justice, is never a straightforward path, but one that is fraught with complications and unexpected twists.
As the film concludes, the audience is left to wonder about the nature of truth itself. Is it possible to truly know what happened, or is truth nothing more than a shifting and elusive concept? Rashomon confronts its viewers with this question, and forces us to confront the idea that truth may be far more subjective than we ever imagined.
Some scenes from the movie Rashomon written by A.I.
Scene 1
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Logline: Four witnesses give conflicting testimonies about a murder and rape, forcing a detective to unearth the truth amidst the complexities of human nature.
Characters:
1. Detective Akira
2. Masako, the samurai’s wife
3. Tajomaru, the bandit
4. The woodcutter
5. The spirit of the deceased samurai
Setting: A secluded area of the forest in feudal Japan
Scene 1 – EXT. FOREST CLEARING – DAY
The camera pans over a dense forest, eventually coming to rest on a clearing. The body of a samurai lies on the ground, motionless. A few yards away, the woodcutter stands, nervously fidgeting.
DETECTIVE AKIRA (off-screen)
(voiceover)
What happened here? Who did this?
The woodcutter looks up, startled, as Detective Akira enters the scene. He approaches the woodcutter, who shuffles his feet.
DETECTIVE AKIRA
(to woodcutter)
What did you see?
WOODCUTTER
(nervously)
I was just passing through when I saw the samurai’s body. I didn’t see anything else.
Detective Akira eyes the woodcutter skeptically.
DETECTIVE AKIRA
Were you alone?
WOODCUTTER
Yes, I was just gathering wood.
DETECTIVE AKIRA
(skeptical)
And you didn’t hear or see anyone else?
WOODCUTTER
(avoiding eye contact)
No, I didn’t.
Detective Akira narrows his eyes, suspicious.
DETECTIVE AKIRA
(off-screen)
(voiceover)
Something wasn’t right about the woodcutter’s story. But as I would soon find out, there were many stories to be told about this crime.
The camera lingers on the clearing, panning slowly across the scene before fading to black.
Scene 2
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM
MASAKO, a beautiful and elegant woman, sits opposite the interrogator, sweating and trembling.
INTERROGATOR: Can you tell us what happened on the day of the murder?
MASAKO: (voice shaking) My husband and I were walking through the forest when we were attacked by Tajomaru. He tied up my husband and then…
INTERROGATOR: And then what?
MASAKO: (voice breaking) He took advantage of me.
INTERROGATOR: (leaning in) And where were you while he was doing this?
MASAKO: I was… I was beside my husband, tied up.
INTERROGATOR: (skeptical) And you didn’t try to stop him?
MASAKO: (defensive) I couldn’t! He was too strong.
INTERROGATOR: (pausing) And what happened next?
MASAKO: (tears streaming down her face) My husband challenged Tajomaru to a duel, but he was defeated. Tajomaru didn’t want to kill him, but…
INTERROGATOR: (impatient) But what?
MASAKO: (sobbing) But… my husband said… he couldn’t bear to live with the shame of what had happened to me… and… he… he took his own life.
INTERROGATOR: (taken aback) I see. And what did you do after that?
MASAKO: I ran away. I couldn’t bear to stay there.
The interrogator nods and scribbles something down on his notepad.
INTERROGATOR: Thank you. That will be all for now.
MASAKO gets up shakily and exits the room, her face twisted in anguish. The interrogator remains seated, deep in thought. Something about the woman’s story doesn’t quite add up.
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene 3
FADE IN:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
TAJOMARU sits across from the interrogator, his hands shackled to the table. He’s a rugged and confident bandit, with a sly smile on his face.
INTERROGATOR
So, Tajomaru. You’ve been accused of murder and rape. Care to tell us exactly what happened?
TAJOMARU
(smirking)
Well, it’s a story you won’t believe.
CUT TO:
INT. FOREST – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Tajomaru approaches Masako on the path, drawing his sword.
TAJOMARU (V.O.)
I saw her on the road and I knew I had to have her.
He lunges at her, but she fights back with a hidden dagger.
TAJOMARU (V.O.)
She was fierce, and we fought hard.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
TAJOMARU
She was something else, that woman. We fought until we were both exhausted, then she finally gave in.
INTERROGATOR
(growling)
You raped her.
TAJOMARU
(smirking)
She was begging for it.
CUT TO:
INT. FOREST – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Masako lays on the ground, defeated. Tajomaru approaches her, a cruel glint in his eye.
TAJOMARU (V.O.)
She was mine now. I could do whatever I wanted.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
TAJOMARU
Suddenly, her husband appeared, and challenged me to a duel.
INTERROGATOR
What happened then?
TAJOMARU
(smiling)
I killed him.
CUT TO:
INT. FOREST – DAY (FLASHBACK)
Tajomaru and the samurai fight fiercely, until Tajomaru lands the fatal blow.
TAJOMARU (V.O.)
He was no match for me.
CUT TO:
INT. INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
TAJOMARU
And then I left. Simple as that.
INTERROGATOR
(skeptical)
You expect me to believe that you just walked away from a woman you raped and a man you killed?
TAJOMARU
(shrugging)
Believe what you want. It’s the truth as I see it.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
Genre: Mystery/Drama
Scene 4: The Medium’s Account
INT. THE INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
The medium, ANNA, sits across from the investigator, DETECTIVE MIYAMOTO. She’s dressed in a flowing silk robe, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Miyamoto studies her, trying to judge her character.
DETECTIVE MIYAMOTO
So, Anna-san, you believe you can communicate with the dead?
ANNA
(smiling)
I am a medium, Detective. It is my gift.
Miyamoto nods, then leans forward.
DETECTIVE MIYAMOTO
And did you use this gift to speak with the spirit of the deceased samurai?
ANNA
Yes. His spirit came to me in a vision, and he told me what happened in the forest.
Miyamoto scribbles in his notepad, then looks up.
DETECTIVE MIYAMOTO
And what did he say, Anna-san?
ANNA
(her voice low and grave)
He said that he was not killed by the bandit, as Tajomaru claims. He said that it was his own wife who struck the fatal blow.
Miyamoto’s eyes widen in shock.
DETECTIVE MIYAMOTO
His wife? But why would Masako-san do such a thing?
ANNA
(her eyes darkening)
The samurai was a cruel man, Detective. He had beaten and humiliated her many times. She could no longer bear the abuse.
Miyamoto nods, taking all of this in.
DETECTIVE MIYAMOTO
Thank you, Anna-san. You’ve been very helpful.
Anna smiles, then leans back in her chair.
ANNA
(her voice echoing in the small room)
Remember, Detective. The truth is never what it seems.
Miyamoto watches as Anna exits the room, feeling a chill run down his spine. He wonders what other dark secrets lay buried in this case.
FADE TO BLACK.
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. POLICE STATION – INTERROGATION ROOM
The WOODCUTTER sits across from the DETECTIVE, looking nervous.
DETECTIVE:
So, tell me more about what happened in the forest that day.
WOODCUTTER:
(sighing heavily)
I saw everything. I saw Tajomaru take the samurai’s wife, and I watched as the samurai was killed.
DETECTIVE:
Why didn’t you tell us this before?
WOODCUTTER:
(stammering)
I was scared. I didn’t want to get involved. But when I saw how the others were lying, I knew I had to come forward.
DETECTIVE:
(skeptical)
And your story is the truth?
WOODCUTTER:
(nodding emphatically)
Yes, sir. I swear it.
DETECTIVE:
Well, let’s hear it then.
WOODCUTTER:
(leaning forward)
Okay, so Tajomaru and the samurai were fighting over Masako, right? And then Tajomaru took her into the woods to have his way with her.
DETECTIVE:
(disgusted)
Please spare me the details.
WOODCUTTER:
(sighing)
Sorry. Anyway, after that, the samurai confronted him, and they had a fierce battle. Tajomaru came out on top, and then Masako fainted.
DETECTIVE:
And then what?
WOODCUTTER:
Then something strange happened. Tajomaru, the samurai, and Masako all had a moment where they appeared to be possessed by some kind of spirit. They each claimed to have killed the samurai, and the truth was impossible to discern.
DETECTIVE:
(puzzled)
A spirit, you say?
WOODCUTTER:
(nodding)
It was like they were all telling the truth, but at the same time, they were all lying. It was like the forest itself was playing a game with them.
DETECTIVE:
(skeptical)
That sounds like a load of nonsense to me.
WOODCUTTER:
(defeated)
Maybe it is. But it’s the only explanation I have.
DETECTIVE:
(sternly)
Well, it’s not good enough. We need hard evidence, not fairy tales. You better start thinking of something else to tell me, or else you’ll be spending a long time in jail.
The Woodcutter hangs his head, defeated.
FADE OUT.
Scene 6
INT. POLICE STATION – INTERROGATION ROOM
The woodcutter sits across the table from the detectives, a look of guilt on his face.
DETECTIVE 1
So, you were lying to us this whole time?
WOOCUTTER
I was scared. I didn’t want to get involved.
DETECTIVE 2
Involved in what? What are you hiding?
WOOCUTTER
I saw the whole thing. Masako and Tajomaru fighting over the samurai. The samurai’s sword was broken. And then…
He trails off, looking away.
DETECTIVE 1
And then what?
WOOCUTTER
And then Masako killed her husband.
DETECTIVE 2
What? That’s impossible. She claimed to be a victim herself.
WOOCUTTER
I know what I saw. She was enraged. She attacked him with the broken sword. Tajomaru just stood there and watched.
DETECTIVE 1
Why didn’t you come forward with this earlier?
WOOCUTTER
I was afraid. Afraid of what she might do to me if she found out I saw everything.
DETECTIVE 2
We need to hear this from Tajomaru and Masako.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION – HOLDING CELL
Masako sits on a cot, looking pale and nervous.
DETECTIVE 1
We need to talk to you again. The woodcutter has changed his story.
MASAKO
(whispering)
What did he say?
DETECTIVE 2
He claims that you were the one who killed your husband.
MASAKO
(shocked)
No, no that’s not true. I was trying to defend myself.
DETECTIVE 1
We need to hear what Tajomaru has to say.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE STATION – HOLDING CELL
Tajomaru sits calmly, a faint smile on his lips.
DETECTIVE 2
We need to ask you about the woodcutter’s testimony. He claims that Masako killed her husband and you did nothing to stop her.
TAJOMARU
(chuckles)
Ah, the woodcutter. He always was a cowardly little man.
DETECTIVE 1
That’s not an answer. Did you see what really happened?
TAJOMARU
(smiling)
Did any of us really see what happened?
DETECTIVE 2
(angrily)
What is that supposed to mean?
TAJOMARU
(relaxed)
Just that…there are many truths to any given situation. It all depends on who is telling the story.
The detectives exchange a look of frustration and confusion.
FADE TO BLACK.
