Ep 35 – Shoelace Kink

SCENE STARTS: (Daichi and Mirai are walking up to the shrine.)

DAICHI: Soo Mirai, there’s something I need to tell you. 

MIRAI: What’s up? Wait, first, how’d you get here so fast?

DAICHI: Well I actually know the park.. But yeah, it’s about your brother.

MIRAI: Did you find him?

DAICHI: Yeah, I did! Surprisingly easy in fact. 

MIRAI: So what’s the problem? Why do you look like there’s a problem?

DAICHI: Well… To be honest, he was actually leaving the shrine when I found him. And he wasn’t exactly keen on staying any longer. So… I asked a few yokai friends to kidnap him.

SFX: (Mirai stops walking)

MIRAI: You what?!

DAICHI: It’s not as bad as it sounds! They’re… a little weird, but totally harmless! They’re like um… What’s the word? Household spirits!

MIRAI: The last household spirit I heard about nearly held Alina hostage and they had to call for an actual devil to extract it from her apartment!

DAICHI: Okay, well this isn’t that extreme! Besides, did you want me to just let your brother go?

MIRAI: Why weren’t there any other options besides those two?!

DAICHI: I panicked!

SFX: (“Proserpina Bops” plays as we fade out.)

FADE OUT.

NEXT SCENE: (Daichi and Mirai are in the shrine now.)

MIRAI: So where did they put him?

DAICHI: Hmm well, they’ve gotta be in one of these rooms… 

MIRAI: You’re absolutely sure these were harmless creatures?

DAICHI: Yes! They’re literally household items. Shoes and an umbrella.

MIRAI: Those can be creatures?

DAICHI: Of course! As long as you believe. That’s how mythology starts. 

MIRAI: But why would anyone believe shoes can come to life?

DAICHI: You’ve never misplaced anything and wondered where they went?

MIRAI: Well, sure, but I’ll find them… eventually.

DAICHI: Okay, well, have you ever woken up to noises in the middle of the night?

MIRAI: Is this going to be scary?

DAICHI: It’s not scary if you know what it is!

MIRAI: Says you! Anything at night is scary! 

DAICHI: They’re shoes!

MIRAI: No, they’re demon shoes! You think I don’t know how this works?! They didn’t come to life because they were happy, that’s never the case. I bet they’re probably worn out, forgotten shoes that now haunt the household as revenge. I’ve read enough horror stories to know!

SFX: (Haunting shoes echoing down a hallway with the chant at night)

DAICHI: Well okay, yes. But again. They’re shoes. All they do is run around at night and chant “カラリン、コロリン、カンコロリン、まなぐ三つに歯二ん枚” 

MIRAI: Managu mitsu ni, ha nin mai; three eyes and two teeth? Are you saying these shoes have faces?

DAICHI: Yes, the Bakezori. But actually they only have one eye and a mouth.

MIRAI: I think somehow that’s worse. 

DAICHI: The eyes they’re referring to in the chant are where the sandal straps would go, and the teeth are the little platforms on the bottom.

MIRAI: Okay, I guess that makes sense. So normal sandals with an eye and a mouth.

DAICHI: And arms and legs.

MIRAI: What?

DAICHI: You’re forgetting the arms and legs.

MIRAI: Why are there arms and legs?

DAICHI: How else would they get around?

MIRAI: They’re shoes! Wouldn’t they just walk around as if there were actual feet wearing them?

DAICHI: No! Because they’re abandoned shoes! Their resentment is what gave them life. I don’t think they’d ever want another pair of stinky, ungrateful feet in them ever again. 

MIRAI: So you’re saying they walk around like little humanoid shoes?

DAICHI: Exactly.

MIRAI: Okay, and what about the umbrella?

DAICHI: Kasa Obake.

MIRAI: The “umbrella monster”… The umbrella monster… Wait, I think I know this one. 

DAICHI: Yeah, everyone knows the umbrella monster!

MIRAI: Right. But why?

DAICHI: Huh, I don’t know really. There’s not much we know about them. In fact, no one’s even claimed to have seen one.

MIRAI: Then how do they exist? Don’t creatures need stories to exist?

DAICHI: Well yes, but for the Kasa Obake, there are pictures!

MIRAI: How are there pictures of a creature no one has ever seen?

DAICHI: It’s an umbrella! How much creativity do you need? But seriously, there’s a reason for all of this. Last time we talked about yokai right? They can come in different categories, and this is just one of them.  つくも神 (Tsukumogami) The Tool Kami. 

MIRAI: Like tool gods? 

DAICHI: Well, spirits. The term “Kami” encompasses all kinds of beings from the spiritual realm. It doesn’t just refer to gods. You should know this.

MIRAI: I’m here in Japan learning aren’t I? So the Bakezori also count in this category then?

DAICHI: Yes. And it kinda explains how they come to life. Sometimes the word “Tsukumogami” is written in kanji as the number 99 and Kami.

MIRAI: 99 Kami? What does that mean?

DAICHI: It’s the belief that a spirit can possess an item that’s 100 years old.

MIRAI: Who’s keeping shoes that are 100 years old??

DAICHI: No, no, no. Remember, these are shoes and objects that have been abandoned. Their resentment and loneliness grows stronger over those years and then they become possessed. 

MIRAI: Okay… and it’s the same thing with the umbrella?

DAICHI: Yes! Though I think the Kasa Obake really just became popular because of how silly the pictures looked. It has similar features to the Bakezori. But this time, one eye, mouth, and a leg. 

SFX: (Music plays as the sound of a wooden stick/umbrella hops eerily in the night)

MIRAI: So it’s an umbrella that hops around.

DAICHI: Mm hmm. And licks people.

SFX: (A big ole lick.)

MIRAI: (sighs) …and licks people. 

DAICHI: Yeah… probably has something to do with not cleaning umbrellas after use or something. Either way, people found it funny and they became a popular subject for artists. It’s probably the only reason why they’re still remembered to this day.

MIRAI: Wait… So you left my brother with these creatures? Is he being licked and chanted to right now? 

DAICHI: Uh… Okay it does sound kinda traumatizing if you say it that way.

MIRAI: Oh my god, we need to find them now!

DAICHI: Right! Let’s go!

SFX: (The two start running and opening doors randomly.)

MIRAI: Just how many rooms are there in this shrine?!

DAICHI: Hey! You never know who needs refuge. (to himself) Strange, I thought I did leave them somewhere around here though, I think we’re almost back to the entrance…

MIRAI: How well do you know these creatures anyway? What if they actually kidnapped him?

DAICHI: No way! I’m telling you, they’re harmless!

SFX: (chanting and giggling “カラリン、コロリン、カンコロリン、まなぐ三つに歯二ん枚”) 

DAICHI: Wait, did you hear that?

MIRAI: It sounded like someone running around right?

MIRAI: (gasp) That’s the chant! They gotta be close by!

SFX: (They run after the noise, and slide open a door but don’t see anything.)

MIRAI: That’s weird… You heard them too right?

DAICHI: Shoot… I think I know the issue. Your brother is no longer their victim… We are.

MIRAI: What does that mean?

DAICHI: It means we have to find them fast, unless you want to be met with an unsavory lick. 

MIRAI: Nope! Not happening. How do we catch them? 

DAICHI: Hmm, they’re vengeful tricksters… maybe if we pretend to treat your shoes badly, they’ll show themselves.

MIRAI: That sounds like it could work. Let’s go back to the front then. I think my shoes were on this rack over here…

SFX: (They walk back over and shuffle around to find Mirai’s shoes.)

MIRAI: Ah, here they are. 

DAICHI: Okay, well uh, be mean to them.

MIRAI: Ugh These are the worst shoes ever. They pinch everywhere and give me blisters. And they’re the ugliest color ever. I can’t wait to toss them in the closest landfill and let them rot where no one will ever see them ever again!

DAICHI: Okay… Harsh…

MIRAI:You said be mean to them! Ow!

SFX: (A Bakezori shows up and kicks Mirai with their little feet.)

DAICHI: Oh, it’s them! Hurry, catch one!

MIRAI: R-right! Yah!

SFX: (Mirai swiftly reaches for one and successfully grabs one.)

MIRAI: I- I got it! What do I do now?!

DAICHI: All right, Bakezori, where did you hide the human boy?

BAKEZORI: You can’t get anything out of me you shoe haters! Hmph!!

MIRAI: Well great, we’ve caught one, but they hate us.

DAICHI: What else can we do?

MIRAI: (To the Bakezori) Hey look. I wasn’t really going to get rid of my shoes! I love them! 

BAKEZORI: Liar! Don’t think you can trick me! I just know you’re going to toss those beautiful laces away the minute you let me go!

MIRAI: No really, I’m not going to toss them… They’re the only shoes I have at the moment. 

BAKEZORI: Hmph, I’m not listening to you.

MIRAI: UGh! Fine! What if I gave you those beautiful laces?! Will you tell me where you’ve hidden my brother then?

BAKEZORI: You’ll… really give them to me?

MIRAI: Yeah sure, I’ll just walk around awkwardly I guess.

BAKEZORI: And you’ll still treasure your shoes afterwards?

MIRAI: Yes!

BAKEZORI: Hmmm, okay! I’ll take you to your brother.

MIRAI: Finally!

SFX: (Mirai and Daichi reach the room that Junichi is stuck in.)

MIRAI: Didn’t we look into this room before?

DAICHI: Hmm they must have somehow hid the room with magic or something so we couldn’t find it.

SFX: (Some muffled “Stop it” and licking sounds.)

MIRAI: Oh my god, is he still being licked?!

DAICHI: Let’s get him out of there.

SFX: (They slide open the door quickly.)

MIRAI: Jun-nii! What…  What are you doing?

JUNICHI: Mirai?! This… This isn’t what it looks like.

DAICHI: So you’re not licking the umbrella monster right now?

JUNICHI: No! Well, okay, I was, but it was for science!

MIRAI: I can’t unsee this…

JUNICHI: Look at the inside of their mouth! It’s absolutely fascinating. How is there a real oral cavity here?! It’s an umbrella! Plus, I was trying to teach it that it’s absolutely rude to lick someone who doesn’t want to be licked.

SFX: (The Kasa Obake whimpers. It tries to leave.)

JUNICHI: Hey! Stay right there. I haven’t finished examining you yet!

MIRAI: Let it leave! You’ve tortured it enough!

SFX: (The Kasa Obake squeals and runs off.)

JUNICHI: But I still had so many questions…

DAICHI: (whispers to Mirai) Does your brother know creatures exist or does he think this is all fake?

MIRAI: I… don’t know. Jun-nii, let’s leave it alone. What exactly did you think that was? 

JUNICHI: It’s a Kasa Obake obviously! You should know this.

DAICHI: Okay, he knows. 

JUNICHI: Wait. Wait, you! You’re the Tanuki that kidnapped me!

DAICHI: Well, kidnapping is a bit extreme… I told you your sister was looking for you!

JUNICHI: And we have modern technology to communicate with each other if there’s an emergency.

MIRAI: I’ve been trying to reach you for nearly a month now!

JUNICHI: Oh… It’s been that long? (Looks at his phone) Huh, no service. Didn’t notice.

MIRAI: (groans) How did you not notice for a month that no one could contact you?!

JUNICHI: Look at where we are, Mirai! There’s no time to be looking at phones and screens when there are these parks to explore!

MIRAI: How… Do you know there are parks?

JUNICHI: What do you mean? 

MIRAI: These are hidden, magical parks. There are usually barriers to prevent people from entering. So how did you know?

JUNICHI: You’re… going to think I’m crazy.

MIRAI: I just saw you lick a creature. I already think you’re crazy. 

JUNICHI: Do you ever get the feeling that you’re forgetting something? Something important? It’s been eating me alive for years until you brought up one day that you were going to Japan. The minute you said that, it’s like my mind finally cleared. I don’t know why, but I just had to go to Japan as well. 

MUSIC: (“Park in Twilight” Piano theme plays.)

JUNICHI: So I packed my stuff, left you in Tokyo, and just started biking. Decided to visit some shrines cause, you know, that’s what you do in Japan, and I was in Nikko, visiting the Toshogu Shrine when it hit me.

DAICHI: Like you realized something?

SFX: (Flashback to when Junichi was at the temple and monkey noises.)

JUNICHI: No! Like a monkey threw something at me.

MIRAI: What?!

JUNICHI: Yeah! Except nobody reacted to it so I thought I was nuts. I’m not nuts…

But then, as I kept exploring the shrine, weird things kept happening to me. I swear the ground shook when I walked by the Sozonozo Elephants. I got wet when I approached the Crying Dragon. Finally, when I decided to leave, the Sleeping Cat blinked at me and then got up. 

SFX: (Noises of all the animals Junichi met.)

DAICHI: It makes sense. You could see the creatures, but no one else can because you’ve been affiliated with creatures before.

JUNICHI: I– I have? 

MIRAI: That’s why I’m here. I really need to talk to you. About… About when you were in college. You know, before you… stopped going outside.

JUNICHI: That doesn’t matter anymore; I’m better now. Let me finish my story. So the Sleeping Cat got up and I decided to follow it, because of course I had to know what’s going on. It led me to this hidden shack I’d never seen before. I went in and it was the Three Wise Monkeys! The one that initially threw something at me. All three of them were arguing and didn’t notice that I had come in until the cat let out a huge meow. 

DAICHI: Then what happened?

JUNICHI: One of them tried to speak, but the other two tackled them and then started dragging him away! He yelled ‘come find me! I’ll be in the park!’ And then disappeared. 

MIRAI: That’s weird… Why would a monkey want to talk to you?

DAICHI: (to Mirai) So you really don’t know about these creatures. (to everyone) Those monkeys are famous in that shrine. Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazaru: see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. 

MIRAI: (gasp) Oh. I–I think I saw a cartoon about that… I think I’m starting to get it now. 

JUNICHI: You do? Cause I don’t.

MIRAI: This all has to do with your memory loss, remember?!

JUNICHI: Uh, no… that’s kinda the whole point?

DAICHI: Let’s let him finish his story and then we can explain. 

JUNICHI: Right, so I started doing some digging after that. You know, on mythological creatures and what not. Ever since I left the shrine, they were everywhere! I heard some of them talking and that’s how I was finally able to find this place.

DAICHI: But when I met you, you said you were leaving.

JUNICHI: That’s right. I’ve spent a few days here and haven’t found a single clue as to where this monkey is, so I don’t think this is the right park. There’s a few more in this prefecture… might try and hit up Nasu where Sessho-seki is. I hear the park there has far more creatures.

DAICHI: And far more night creatures. Do you know what the Sessho-seki is? It’s where the most notorious Kitsune is buried. It isn’t the kind of place the Three Wise Monkeys would be in.

JUNICHI: Then what should I do? 

MIRAI: Um, it’s my turn to talk? You didn’t even ask how I knew about these parks! Or why I’m hanging out with a Tanuki.

JUNICHI: Oh. Yeah. I guess I’ve just been busy with a lot of stuff.

MIRAI: Yeah, I know. Well, not really. But I’m starting to! Junpei sent me this.

SFX: (Mirai turns on her phone and goes to her drive.)

JUNICHI: Junpei? He’s a part of this too? And he sent over… a bunch of audio?

MIRAI: I know, right? I thought it was strange as well so I listened to a bunch of them. I thought it was all made-up until he called and was really adamant that I find you. Jun-nii… It’s about a park full of mythological creatures like the one we’re in right now… Except, it’s back home in New Jersey.

JUNICHI: Huh, so I guess we found both parks on our own. We really are twins.

MIRAI: That’s not the point. In this park, he met Sam and Jessica. 

JUNICHI: Who?

MIRAI: Y-your friends. I think.

JUNICHI: I don’t know anyone by those names. 

FADE OUT. 

CREDITS:

Residents of Proserpina is a production written and produced by Angela Yeh. Directed by Angela Yeh. Featuring in order the voices of Vida Shi, Zerreth, Pao Panganiban, Spencer Hiroshi Field, Christine, Sam McDonald, Angela Yeh, Maddie Shallan, Skyler Giordano, Ben Pollizi, Ashley Dawson, Sara Roncero-Menendez, and Madi.

Dialogue edited by Angela Yeh. Sound design by Rebecca Liu. Mixed and Mastered by Angela Yeh. Script edited by Sara Roncero-Menendez. Original music by Hoa Pham. Season 4 cover art by Molly James. Series logo by Macy Tang. For more information about the show, please go to our website residentsofproserpinapark.com 

AFTER CREDIT SCENE: (The kitsune is sniffing around the park.)

KITSUNE: This park… something feels off about it. Why does it feel more like the one in Nasu?

SFX: (The Kitsune sees Mirai and Ratatoskr arguing from Ep 34.)

RATATOSKR: UGHHHH!!!! You tricked me! You must have! This isn’t fair!

MIRAI: It was your own actions that got you here.

MIRAI: Well? You have to hold up to your bargain. Fine! But remember, only once, and only something I can actually do…

KITSUNE: Oh ho, so the little mouse has found her way into the park. And it seems like she’s actually holding her ground. How very interesting… Maybe I’ll continue and see where this goes…