#Prisoner Four - Tomoko Shiratori

[mugram]

Information Complex - Scene Transcript

* The small video in this Scene Transcript includes a quick flash/glitch at the end of it to flash to the MUGRAM logo. The video is not important to your experience of this Scene Transcript. Please enjoy.

I’m a simple informant So, if all you want is information, Then, let me be your guide into my information complex

One, two, three, 

Shall we begin?

Tomoko sits at a desk. The shutters on the window are down and the lights are dimmed in the room. She picks up a piece of paper and looks over it again. 

Glad you’ve decided to join me.

The chair in front of her is suddenly being used by a silhouette of a person. Tomoko shrugs before placing the paper back down. Words are spoken between the pair but it’s inaudible.

The person in front of her furiously nods as Tomoko explains something. Tomoko exhales before nodding as well. 

Looking at the desk, the paper has mentions of a missing family member.

I’d love to help

But the world is just as corrupt as me you believe

So pay up first and we can begin

The silhouette places a check on Tomoko’s desk. She nods and places it aside.

So, shall we begin?

The lights flicker on and off for a few seconds before the lights flash back on, the silhouette in front of Tomoko now gone. 

Isn’t this a nice thrill? 

Tomoko quickly pulls a jacket on. She glances around the room. The light given from the open door slowly disappears as Tomoko shuts the door behind her.

Look, I’m here to help you 

Tomoko slowly walks, scanning the street and buildings. Something catches her attention and she briskly walks over, angering a few people who she narrowly dodges. Some curses are shouted towards her, which are completely ignored.

So, let me take a look into what you got

Tomoko stares up at a building before entering through the front door, greeting the secretary. She seems to ask the secretary something, who only gives a small shrug. The secretary says something about the missing person not coming in the past coule of days, but doesn’t know anything after that. Tomoko nods and thanks the secretary for his help. 

Tomoko is then standing in front of a door of an apartment. The door opens. Tomoko introduces herself and the peron in front of her hesitantly nods. Tomoko asks about the missing person. The person’s eyes dart around, frantic before Tomoko explains she just wants answers for the person’s wife. The person sighs before letting Tomoko in.

And, I’ll find the information you want

Tomoko sits down on the couch as the person sits across from her in a separate chair. They exhale before telling Tomoko about the missing person: they left the country to be able to get more work and send money back.

They assumed the wife had already known the person leaving, so they didn’t say anything.

Tomoko slowly nods as she types the information down.

The person apologizes for all the trouble. If the husband really didn’t tell his wife, then they weren’t sure what the person was doing leaving the country. They hope it was for work.

Tomoko gets up and thanks the person.

I’m a simple informant

Tomoko stares across the table as the wife enters the room, asking about her husband. Tomoko blinks and exhales. 

Tomoko slides over a manila folder with a single paper inside. The wife quickly picks it up and looks inside. She quickly reads through the paper before slowly nodding.

The wife gives her thanks. She’s glad that her husband is just out of the country for work.

Tomoko nods, saying it’s part of her job.

So, if all you want is information,

The view snaps back to the wall from earlier, showing the back of the wife and Tomoko slightly.

Then, let me be your guide into my information complex

The lights of the room flicker as the wife changes into different people with Tomoko just watching the people change between different people without her face changing.

The lights then dim and Tomoko is left alone in the room with an envelope on her desk.

It’s something I’ve seen every day

Tomoko stares at the letter, tapping her finger against the desk. It just asks to find information on some person. 

It’s not an uncommon sight

Tomoko is intrigued by this. She’d never just gotten a letter without an in-person visit before. She hums. Even if it’s just another one of those cases, it’s interesting enough for her to look into.

Looking at the letter, it looks like it’s about information about a husband.

The person is suspicious of their husband cheating on them. 

Common case. Shouldn't be too hard.

As Tomoko continues to read, it becomes more interesting.

They want to be contacted through a specific number and the information hand delivered somewhere other than her office.

She nods.

Tomoko quickly slips a coat jacket on. She looks around the room. The light given from the open door slowly disappears as Tomoko closes the door behind her.

To see people want someone something done right

The office fades to a shopping mall as Tomoko glances over her shoulder, spotting the husband with a lady in a store. 

Typical.

With a blank face, she takes notes and a picture. Eventually, the pairing leaves the store.

Tomoko follows them into a restaurant. 

She takes notes and another photo as the pair eat an expensive dinner. 

The scene eventually morphs back into Tomoko's office as she turns on her phone and calls a number. 

It rings for a few moments before someone picks up.

Whatever words are spoken between Tomoko and the caller are inaudible.

But this is new

It's a different day. 

Tomoko pulls a manila folder out of a cabinet in her desk. 

She grabs a few pieces of paper and photos from a small rectangular mesh basket. 

As she glances over it, she nods to herself. She places the papers and photos in the manila folder and folds it closed. Flipping it over, Tomoko writes "Information about Haruda Sota" on the front.

So, let’s give it another shot and see what you want

Tomoko glances over at her phone that has the address on the screen. Just a local park. Nothing suspicious about that besides the fact she'll be handing off a manila folder to someone. 

Whatever. If it satisfies the client's needs, then so be it.

I’m a simple informant

The scene morphs into the park. There are people walking around, considering it's the middle of the day. 

Tomoko scrolls through her phone as she waits for the person to come. It's just news articles and the occasional episode of a show as she waits.

So, if all you want is information

Eventually, a shadow darkens Tomoko's phone and she looks up. A woman stands there, an interested look on her face. 

Tomoko furrows her brow before asking something.  The woman responds with a nod.

Tomoko quickly stands up, taking the folder out of deep pockets inside her jacket. 

Tomoko asks another question again, a serious look on her face. The woman exasperatedly nods. 

Tomoko hands the folder over to the woman, who opens the folder up really quickly. 

She reads over the papers and sees the photos. Her eyes narrow.

"Are you going to do something with what I've given you?" Tomoko asks as the woman puts the papers and photos back into the folder.

"It's just information, what would I do?" The woman laughs.

Tomoko glances to the side before sighing and slowly nodding.

Everything turns to black.

Then, let me be your guide into my information complex

There's a quiet laugh and a stabbing noise.

[mugram]

Coming Soon

Voice Drama - "Investigation of the Truth"

"Song" - Information Complex

Cover Songs:

It's Not My Fault - Muu, MILGRAM

Mozaik Role - DECO*27

Despair Incident - Sumia

[mugram]

Tomoko: … [footsteps and a hand touches the wall]

: What exactly is this place…

[opens door, Es enters]

Es: Good afternoon, prisoner.

Tomoko: Hm? Hello, Warden. 

Es: [sigh] As usual, I see that you aren’t in your seat.

Tomoko: Ah, I’m assuming everyone else wasn’t?

: Hold on, I’ll take a seat.

: [chair creaks] 

Es: Ah… Thank you…?

: Let’s… get on with this interrogation.

: Ahem. MUGRAM exists to find out the sins of you prisoners. For that reason, I must interrogate you. So, please, let’s talk.

Tomoko: What would you like to ask me?

Es: Ah– Er… 

Tomoko: Hm?

: Are you unsure of what to ask me? Surely a Prison Warden would know what to do.

Es: No, I’m… [clearing throat] quite surprised by the cooperation here. 

: Name, age, and occupation, if you will.

Tomoko:  Shiratori Tomoko, 23, private investigator. That’s all you need to know about me. 

Es: A private investigator? [huff] What’s with all these justice-oriented people becoming murderers? Shouldn’t you all have strong moral compasses to avoid attempting murder?

: I would never resort to murder. How come all of you have?

Tomoko: Well, what exactly is your idea of murder?

Es: If  you’ve directly caused someone’s death. Isn’t that the law’s definition?

Tomoko: Hm… Well, is that MUGRAM’s idea of murder?

Es: [slams table] What are you saying? That it wouldn’t follow a legal version of murder?

Tomoko: Hm? Didn’t you say it yourself?

: Mayumi told me you said MUGRAM was bound by no rules.

: How is it suddenly bound by the law’s definition of murder?

Es: Why you–!! [huffs, Es stands up]

: [slaps, Tomoko falls out of her chair and lands on her arm]

Tomoko: Gah–

: Hey, Es– [wince]

: I must ask why you’re so insistent on using violence to get your way.

: Did someone really hurt you that m– [kick]

Es: Why��� Why would you say that?!

: No one hurt me, damn you–

: I know that, even if I can’t remember who I am. I know that I–

: I…

: …

: [Es walks back to their seat and places trembling hands onto the table as he sits down.]

Tomoko: Ah, did I break the Warden?

: …Sorry.

: I guess.

: We should go on with this interrogation, right?

[Es is staying silent as they stare at the table.]

Tomoko: Es?

: … Ah, this is… awkward.

: Is there anyone there who could–!!

: Why is there a rabbit–

[J nods his head towards Es.]

: …You can’t be the other Warden– Oh. Wait.

[Tomoko holds J and places him on the table. J hops over to Es.]

Jackalope: Es! Es? Are you there??: If you’re sleeping, I can’t smack you awake. I’m not as big as you all!

: Es!! Wake up!!

[Jackalope sighs and hops to tug on Es’ glove. After a few tugs, Es moves their head.]

Es: …J?

: What are you–

: Gah– Prisoner four–

Tomoko: …

: I won’t tell anyone what happened.

: It’s not like they could pay me for it anyway.

: Do you have some weird bond with that rabbit? 

[Es lets J hop onto his hand and brings him to the ground.]

Es: Ah, yes– J is my… other Warden.

[J nods before hopping away.]

Tomoko: …Okay, I guess I shouldn’t question it.

: Now, what did you want to ask me next?

Es: [clears throat] How has your life in MUGRAM been?

Tomoko: It’s fine. Interesting to observe everything and everyone.

: I’m wondering how easy we’ll get bored of this though.

Es: Well, we’ll have to see, I suppose.

Tomoko: Why, do you not know how long this will take, Warden?

Es: It will take as long as I need to realize your sins. MUGRAM exists to find out and judge your sins, so here, I am.

Tomoko: Hm…

: You know, you’ve said that already.

: Warden, I have to ask, how much do you know about MUGRAM? It seems that you’re just as clueless as the rest of us.

Es: ! 

: Why you– [exhale]

: I know as much as I need to do my job.

Tomoko: Hm?

: Wouldn’t you want to know more? 

: Your job as Warden is to learn more about us, so why wouldn’t you want to know about your situation?

: Especially since you seem to have a memory problem.

Es: I don’t need my memories to judge you all. I don’t need to know everything about MUGRAM to decide your fate.

: And, I’m more inclined to vote you guilty right now…

Tomoko: [laughs] I haven’t done anything wrong, so I wouldn’t know what you wouldn’t forgive me on.

: All I really did was find information I was asked to get, isn’t that what your job is?

[mechanical noises]

[Es stands up from his seat and watches as the table disappears and Tomoko’s chair begins to rise as the curtain behind her opens.]

: Hey, Es, where are you going?

Es: Do you have any last words before this extraction begins?

Tomoko: You didn’t answer my…

: …Yes, just a few.

Es: Then, say it.

Tomoko: Aren’t you supposed to know everything as the Warden?

: When will you realize that you need all the answers to fully understand anything of what’s to come?

: Why would you decide that I’m guilty of finding information when you’ve done the same?

Es: [huffs] I won’t put myself on the level of a murderer.

: Come now! Prisoner number four, Tomoko, sing your sins!

Music Video - Information Complex

[mugram]

Wardens, the interrogation questions for Tomoko and Keisuke have opened as Keisuke's voting continues and Tomoko's starts tomorrow.

You may send in an ask or send questions through the form here.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question

Q: Choose: Save a close friend or a bunch of strangers.

Keisuke's Answer- Isn’t the answer obvious? A close friend.

Tomoko's Answer - What’s with the trolley problem? Are we offered any information about the strangers? Otherwise, I won’t answer. Plus, your question seems a bit biased.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question:

Q: Is there anything you wish you would never have done?

Keisuke's Answer - Don’t know. Should’ve done more, though.

Tomoko's Answer - Some information should never be given.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question:

Q: Define trust.

Keisuke's Answer - Trust is where you can make promises and fulfill them on both sides. You believe in them. You have to, right? Isn’t that what most relationships are based on?

Tomoko's Answer - Both sides understand they must fulfill the jobs they said they would. Both sides know they can’t break the rules.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question:

Q: What are your views on evil people?

Keisuke's Answer - I mean, they’re evil people. They aren’t nice and decide to do stupid things because they want to.

Tomoko's Answer - The world is full of evil people. You aren’t saying much here.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question

Q: Do you believe people can deal with their own problems?

Keisuke's Answer - It really depends. But, some people just don’t say they need help and take the burden for no reason. Tomoko's Answer - Yes. Sometimes they need help.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question

Q: What were your plans before your arrival here?

Keisuke's Answer - Um… I can’t remember, sorry. Tomoko's Answer - More work, I think.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question:

Q: What does your family think of you?

Keisuke's Answer - I don't see my mom often, but both my parents love me!

Tomoko's Answer - I think they miss me.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question:

Q: Do you get along with the other prisoners?

Keisuke's Answer - Yeah! It’s really nice to talk to everyone!

Tomoko's Answer - I do my best.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question

Q: What are your thoughts on the Warden?

Keisuke's Answer - I think I could trust them? But, I’m worried about something happening… Tomoko's answer - Aren’t they just in a similar position as us? We’re both looking for information to figure everything out, too.

[mugram]

Interrogation Questions

Q: Any interests?

Keisuke's Answer - Hm~! It’s sorta funny, but I like watching anime and all that stuff. I like doodling, too!

Tomoko's Answer - Photography and gardening. Reading, too.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question:

Q: How do you feel about secrets?

Keisuke's Answer - Some secrets are meant to be kept. Doesn’t help if you’re the one they’re about.

Tomoko's Answer - Everyone has them. Some secrets are easy to uncover. Some people don’t hide them well.

[mugram]

Interrogation Question

Q: Would you forgive yourself?

Keisuke's Answer - I guess? I’m not really sure for what. 

Tomoko's Answer - This is an odd question, don’t you think?