Rodeo One-Shot: Final Revisions (Patreon)

If you have never read one of my "scripts," I write them knowing I am doing the art, so they are more bare and not written in proper scripting format. I know what I want this to look like, after all.  Character descriptions are pretty minimal, but I will describe the two protagonists here:

Juntarou "June" Azuma - I write his name as Jun for the script. A dark-haired kid who might be handsome in a k-pop boy band sort of way if it weren't for his large glasses and dreary demeanor. He wears a hoodie under his school uniform and has a mole directly under his right eye. The kanji for his last name is written 東, which means "east."

Sandy West - A perky blonde with hair in twin braids and freckles. She has tan skin from always being outside and blue eyes. Her trademark look is a cowboy hat, riders gloves, and cowboy boots with her sailor fuku school uniform.

And...

Jessie Tractor - The guide character for the MonBoku GO game Jun plays. She is a farm girl with braids on the side of her head that turn upward. She looks a bit more cartoony than Sandy and wears a straw hat and cutoff overalls instead of what Sandy would wear.

If you have read original drafts for this story, Jessie is a new addition. 

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Page 1 — Title Page

Jun in background, large, playing his phone game and looking over his shoulder at Sandy. Sandy with her rope in her seifuku with cowboy gloves, hat, and boots. Annabel kicking up her hooves.

Page 2 (black gutters and outlines)

p1

Show some kind of ranch or fair entrance.

Jun vo: When I was little, I really loved animals.

p2

Jun as a kid in typical kindergarten clothes (hat) holding a horse doll with some other kids who have no faces looking excited with animals all around him.

Jun vo: Our kindergarten sometimes went on excursions to zoos and aquariums and such.

Jun vo: One day we went to a ranch somewhere.

p3

Jun riding a pony around a pole with a bored worker. The pony is rickety and wheezing.

Jun vo: I remember there was this old mare you could ride for ¥200.

Jun vo: I begged my mom to let me ride her over and over again.

Jun as a kid: One more time! One more time!

Worker: Easy, kid. This old mare’s an antique…

PONY: *coughs, gasps*

p4

The pony falls over, her spirit leaving her mouth as a cute angel. She is dead.

Other kids: Jun murdered it!

Other kids: Pony killer!

Worker: (picks up phone) Hello, glue factory?

Jun vo: After that, my life changed.

p5

Jun walking down the school hallway, shadows heavy. He’s about 12 now, and he hears “pony killer!” and other whisperings around him. He is walking away from the camera, head low.

Jun vo: The other kids hated me after that. I don’t blame them, though.

Jun vo: The nicknames followed me through elementary school and middle school.

Jun vo: I was too afraid to go near anymore animals, too. I just wanted to be by myself.

Jun vo: It’s easier not to get involved. Nobody gets hurt that way.

Page 3

p1

Show cityscape of Tokyo’s Katsushikaku with Sky Tree in distance and people screaming.

Jun vo: We just moved to a new ward, so nobody at school knows about the incident now.

Jun vo: I’m still a loner, though. Not a single friend. No girlfriend…

Person OC in distance: Kyaaaah!!

Jun vo: Well…

p2

Close up of smartphone. Jessie Tractor, a cartoon farm girl who looks like Sandy but with upturned pigtails and a straw hat and overalls, is talking to our hero. Kind of looks like a screen where Prof Willow is talking to the player in Pokemon GO.

Jessie: There’s a herd of wild shimabu on the loose! Let’s catch one for our ranch!

Jun vo: Nothing three-dimensional, anyway.

Jun oc: Jessie-chan…

p3

Large panel. Jun as a teen riding a rocking horse thing in a park. He has a bag of McDonald’s and a burger in his hand, his other hand holding a smartphone. He is wearing a school uniform. 

Jun vo: And though I’ve started my first year of high school, the only club I plan on joining is the go-home-club.

Jun thought: She’s so cute! ❤︎

Jun vo: Games are better than the real world anyway. I just want to play Monster Bokujou GO (もんぼく５) by myself until I can finally graduate.

p4

Jun sees people and children running by screaming.

Kids: Run for it!

Kids: A wild boar is loose!

Jun thought: A boar? In Katsushikaku?

Jun thought: No way…

p5

Show Jun’s thumb swiping for a monster on his phone. Pokemon-thing is a striped pig, like a zebra/pig cross. In the distance a boar is heading for the park.

Jun: Hm?

p6

Largish panel. A slobbering boar with crazy eyes is charging toward him. Jun’s face cuts into the panel.

SFX: *dododododododo!!!*

Jun: No way!!

Page 4

p1

Small panel, boar is staring down Jun and pawing ground. Jun drawn deforme style with burger, coke, and fries and thick lines for emphasis. Cartoon arrow shows what boar is thinking.

Jun: Ah…

Boar: Buhi!!!

p2

Annabel’s hooves are pounding.

SFX: *dodododododo!!!*

p3

Camera in front of Jun, his hands up protectively, shadow over him as Annabel sails overhead.

Jun: !?

p4

Small panel, show udders narrowly missing Jun’s head with a few hairs floating and some SFX.

p5

Big panel, show Annabel staring down boar, but Sandy is obscured by hat or light. Cherry blossoms dramatically fall. 

Jun oc: And now a cow!?

Jun oc: What is going on!?

p6

Boar takes off toward adorable animal slide. Camera is over Sandy’s shoulder, so some shadows are on her but we can see her hat and pigtails, and she holds up a rope.

Sandy: It’s on the run, Annabel!

Page 5

p1

Show lasso forming in air.

Sandy oc: I’ll take it from here!

p2

Boar is running, panicked. Overhead, a lasso is coming up behind it.

p3

Close up, small panel with lasso tightening on tusk.

Boar: Bu!!

p4

Boar looks up while scrambling to climb slide. Sandy is sailing through the air after it.

p5

Sandy grins, close-up. Still can’t see her eyes.

p6

The two collide off-camera. Jun looks back and forth between his phone and the scene. 

Jun: No way… no way!!

Jun: It’s…

SFX: *crash*

p7

Tiny panel of little hooves tied together.

Page 6

p1

Almost a full-page of Sandy wiping her brow, blossoms blowing, her skirt waving and the boar is on the ground tied like a calf. Sandy has the rope in one hand. Jun in the background with Annabel nearby.

Jun thought: MonBoku GO…

Sandy: Gotcha!

Jun thought: …in real life! (JPN: もんぼく５、、、ザ・リアル！！)

p2

Sandy turns to face Jun. Nice shot of her being pretty.

Sandy: Howdy! (in English) 

Sandy: You all right?

Jun thought: Wah!!

p3

Jun’s smartphone screen shows behind his head. The audience sees the game’s heroine Jessie Tractor saying “Gotcha!” (捕まえた！)

Jun thought: Jessie is real! (JPN: リビング　ジェシー！)

SFX: *ba-dump*

Jun: How…dee? Ah!

Page 7

p1

Sandy is carrying the boar over her shoulders like a calf. She is struggling under the weight. The boar has a weird facial expression.

Jun vo: Are you… American? (since you’re a cowgirl and all)

Sandy: Yup! I come from Oklahoma.

Sandy: Oklahoma? Oh, I know!

p2

Jun imagines two kids doing a folk dance.

Jun: Like the “Oklahoma Mixer”? (the folk dance!)

Sandy oc: Errnn, wrong! (note: like a buzzer, so ブーブー)

p3

Sandy is tying the boar to Annabel.

Sandy: That’s the Japanese title. In America that tune is called “Turkey In The Straw” so there isn’t much of a connection…

Sandy: Ah, Annabel. Don’t move, okay?

p4

Annabel is staring at Jun suspiciously. His burger is still in his hand.

Jun: Annabel is… your cow’s name?

Sandy oc: Yup! She’s my cowpanion!

Sandy oc: You can pet her if you like.

Annabel: Moo.

p5

Jun freaks out as Annabel sniffs him and his burger.

Jun: Me?? No no, I’m no good with animals…

Jun oc: Go away, go away! Ah!

p6

Shot of the burger being held up.

Jun vo: I am…

p7

Jun is sitting on the rocking horse toy still. He holds up his burger to Annabel, who is visibly upset. 

Jun vo: The kind of idiot, who would… 

Jun: Want a bite?

Caption on burger: 100% Angus Beef

Jun vo: …make a 650 kg enemy without realizing it.

Page 8

p1

Annabel is pissed. Sandy is smiling.

Sandy: Hey! That uniform… looks like we go to the same school! My name’s Sandy West, by the way. I’m a third year exchange student!

Jun vo: We go to the same school!!

p2

Show sky, tiny heads on dialogue balloons to show who is talking.

Sandy: We were passing out club flyers when we saw this piggy fly by. Figgered we oughta do something.

Jun: (Same school as Jessie Tractor…)

SFX: *tap tap tap*

Sandy: Someone could get hurt, ya know? Hey, are you a first year? Uh… hello?

Jun: Whoa, a shiny kaichiku!

SFX: *tap tap tap*

p3

Jun has burger hanging out of his mouth as he goes back to playing his game. He is surprised when Sandy gets upset.

Sandy: Hey, now! Doncha know it’s rude not to introduce yourself back?

Jun: Err, uh… muh name… ish… (*swallows*)

p4

Sorta large shot with burger on his face. He is looking away, embarrassed. While he isn’t paying attention Sandy grabs his smartphone.

Jun: Azuma, first year.

Jun: Azuma Juntarou…

SFX: *yoink*

p5

Sandy is studying his phone and has her boot up to Jun’s face, keeping him at bay as he tries to get his phone back.

Sandy: Aa… Juu… Azuu…Sandy: Three years in Japan and I still can’t remember Japanese names very well.

Sandy: (Monster Bokujou… five?)

Jun: Hey! It’s rude to take someone’s smartphone, you know!

p6

Sandy: Jun… June!

Sandy: I love the name June!

Jun: *blushes* R-really?

Page 9

p1

Sandy mounts Annabel, still holding the phone.

Sandy: June was my grandmother’s name! (may she rest in peace)

Jun: On second thought, please call me Azuma…

Jun: And give me back my phone!

p2

Sandy is tapping away on the phone.

Sandy: So you can play a fake ranch game and catch fake animals?

Sandy: What’s fun about that?

p3

Jun walks behind Annabel as she begins to trot off.

Jun: Games are fun because you get to do all kinds of things by yourself!

Jun: I can live on a ranch and gain experience raising all kinds of kaichiku (play on JPN for kachiku, livestock, and kaijuu, monster… 怪畜) without hurting anything.

Jun: Nobody dies for real while playing a game!

p4

Sandy looks over her shoulder at Jun.

Sandy: Oh, yeah?

p5

Jun has a look of shock, camera sitting above him looking down.

Sandy oc: Seems to me you coulda been killed just now when that boar came up…

Sandy oc: …and you were too busy fiddlin’ with your game to even notice.

Page 10

p1

Sandy tosses the phone over her shoulder as Annabel looks back, glaring. The boar is still on her back.

Jun thought: N-No… that’s not…

Sandy: Speaking of, I gotta get this feller back to a forest or something. 

Sandy: But if you change your mind about petting Annabel…

p2

Jun picks up phone from ground.

Sandy oc: …I pulled up the group page for the club I run at school. 

Jun: “Rodeo club”?

p3

Sandy smiles and tips her hat, braids flowing.

Sandy: Come by and try getting some REAL experience points with me, June.

p4

Jun’s face overlay (possibly combine the two panels?) shows his glasses fogging up as he clutches his phone to his chest. Camera is low showing Annabel walking away from Jun, maybe show the sun is starting to set. Gap between this and next panel.

Jun vo: Experience…

p5

School exterior. Very small.

Caption: The next day, after school…

SFX: *ding donnng…*

p6

Jun is putting his shoes on at his locker area.

Jun vo: I know I said I didn’t want to join any clubs, but…

Jun vo: …I can’t stop thinking about that cowgirl.

p7

Jun looks at his phone, camera over his shoulder showing his phone. The starting menu screen from MonBoku GO is up with Jessie.

Caption: (points to Jessie) Constant reminder.

Jun vo: What would we even do in a rodeo club?

Jun vo: Polish saddles? (that’s a bonus quest in MonBoku GO…)

Page 11

p1

Show Sandy, dressed similarly to Jessie, sitting on a saddle in overall cutoffs. Sexy, think Daisy Duke.

Jun vo: It’s not every day a real-life version of your number one 2D waifu appears.

Sandy: Once you’ve polished this grip, I’m gonna have you lick my boots clean!

Jun vo: Hmmm… this could be fun…

p2

Jun walks by bike rack and sees Annabel tied up.

Annabel: Moo.

Jun vo: Come to think of it…

p3

Maybe text only.

Jun vo: There probably aren’t any other members but her and that cow.

Jun vo: Even if I joined, it wouldn’t be enough to save the club, and it would have to get shut down.

p4

Jun: I could score serious points with Jessie—

Jun: I mean Sandy—

Jun: —without having to actually stay in the club!

Cow: *snorts*

Jun vo: I’m a genius!

p5

Show Jun walking by water fountains and other clubs practicing sports, etc. Jun is looking at his phone as a map.

Jun vo: It’s genius. Even if the club doesn’t get shut down right away, it’ll just be her and me. And that cow, hmm…

Jun vo: Hopefully I don’t have to actually pet it.

p6

Jun remembers his faceless classmates throughout the years.

Jun vo: Or, god forbid, ride it…

Classmates: Hey look! It’s Pony Killer!

Classmates: He can’t be in charge of the hamster!

Classmates: I heard that kid mutilated some animal at a petting zoo…

Classmates: Mare murderer!

Classmates: He killed a horse when he was only 5!

p7

Jun turns corner at old shed.

Jun vo: Well… at least…

Jun vo: At least there won’t be any other members…

Page 12

p1

Large shot of a whole bunch of guys waiting around, many of which have their phones out.

Jun vo: What… what is this collection of male hormones!?

p2

Jouichi walks over to Jun as Jun drops his phone in defeat.

Jouichi: Hey, I’m Kanako Jouichi.

Jouichi: Are you here to join the Jessie Tractor Fan Club?

Jun vo: It can’t be!!

p3

Jun holds up phone with rodeo club group showing.

Jun: Wait… this isn’t the rodeo club?

p4

Jouichi gives him a weird look.

Jouichi: Do you really think we’re here to wrangle horses?

Jun vo: So wait…

p5

Show rocking horses and lassos against shed.

Jun vo: Even though this IS the rodeo club…

p6

Show guys playing MonBoku GO with their phones.

Guy 1: Wanna trade kaichiku?

Guy 2: Let’s battle first.

Jun vo: All of these guys play MonBoku GO…

p7

Otaku-looking members show off their Jessie figures and wear t-shirts of her.

Guy: Jessie is so cute…

Jun vo: All of these guys had the same idea I had…

Page 13

p1

Jun panics. He bursts through an image of Sandy and Jessie back to back.

Jun vo: This is a popular club and all of the members are after the same thing!

Jun vo: It won’t be dissolved, we won’t have alone time together… I was about to join a normal club!!

Jun: I… I’m in the wrong place!!

p2

Long or tall panel, a “moooo” gets all the guys’ attention.

Annabel oc: Mooooo!!

Guys: (Quick! Put away your phones!)

Guys: (She’s coming!)

p3

Sandy enters with Annabel behind Jun. No escape.

Sandy: Howdy, guys! How are we doing today? Oh!

Sandy: June! You came!

p4

Sandy smiles, super cute.

Sandy: I was hoping to see you today!

p5

Jun seems both happy and embarrassed. See club behind him, glaring him down.

SFX: *jiii……*

Jun: Uh, it’s Azuma.

Sandy oc: Since we’ve got a newcomer today, let me explain the club’s goals again.

Page 14

p1

Sandy is swinging a lasso through the air. Possibly just have this be the lasso in the air to save room on the page.

Sandy: As president of the rodeo club, and as a three-time junior rodeo champion…

Sandy: …My goal is to share the thrilling sport of cowboys with Japanese people who may otherwise not get to experience rodeos.

p2

Sandy jumps through the rope, also big panel.

Sandy: My particular specialty, as you can see, is roping, and in my final year as acting president of the club…

Sandy: …I hope you’ll all be able to do simple rope tricks like this one, and more, at the fall festival’s rodeo demonstration!

p3

Jun is impressed.

Jun vo: She is amazing…

p4

Sandy jumps again and her blouse and skirt lift up slightly.

Sandy: And this!

p2

Should be nearly identical to previous Jun panel but with slight nosebleed and foggy glasses.

Jun vo: She is really amazing!!

p3

Sandy curtsies from atop one of the fence posts and the boys go wild.

Guys: YEEEEAH!!!

Jun vo: I totally understand why this club exists now!!

Page 15

p1

Sandy jumps through the rope to the ground.

Sandy: I’m not sure what’s going to happen to this club when I graduate and relocate back to the States, though. 

Sandy: It’s too bad none of you underclassmen have any riding experience…

p2-3

Dramatic show of Jun’s hand. Annabel and Sandy react.

Jun oc: I…

p4

Large panel, half a page. Show Jun on ground with guys all around him, with the angel-ghost of the old mare floating above Jun all sparkly. Have dialog sink into next panel.

Jun: …I have some riding experience. (sort of)

p5

Sandy isn’t sure if she believes him.

Sandy: It doesn’t count if it’s game experience…

Jun oc: I-it’s not!

Page 16

p1

Jun’s head is spinning. The pony floats behind his head as an angel.

Jun thought: Why… why did I say that??

Jun thought: The last time I rode anything, I… I killed…

p2

Sandy’s gloved hands grab Jun’s.

SFX: *squeeze*

p3

Sandy looks Jun in the eyes, hopeful. He is blushing hard, but Jouichi and the other members of the club are jealous.

Sandy: You do?? Really??

Jun: Uh, I… (wah… Real-Life Jessie…)

Jouichi: Sandy-chan…

p4

Jouichi points his finger.

Jouichi: Maybe you should let him ride Annabel.

p5

Annabel is chewing cud with a malicious expression. Dialogue cuts in from previous panel.

 Annabel: Chh!!

p6

Jun in the foreground and every other member is whispering. Sandy is thinking and Jun is panicking.

Guys: Oh dang, not the cow!

Guys: Serves him right…

Guys: He won’t be back tomorrow!

Sandy: Well, shoot…

Page 17

p1

Jun is getting anxious. The mare angel is now several mare devils whispering to him.

Sandy oc: If he could ride Annabel, well, that’d be somethin’ else, huh.

Mare ghost: Pony killer… pony killer…

Jun vo: No! I can’t!

Mare ghost: You killed me!!

p2

Sandy pats Annabel’s saddle.

Sandy: Wanna try a new experience?

p3

Jun walks over to Annabel, club members still whispering behind him.

Jun: I don’t think I can ride a cow…

Sandy: Grab the saddle and push up with your leg.

Jun: No, I mean—

Sandy: It’s just like a horse, only wider.

p4

Jun’s foot reaches for the stirrup, his heart racing.

SFX: *dokidokidoki…*

Jun vo: It’s higher up than that pony’s.

Jun vo: Maybe… this time will be different…

p5

Sandy from behind, Jouichi next to her is stifling laughter viciously. Sandy is surprised, Jouichi looks about ready to explode.

Jun oc: I did it!

Page 18

p1

Jun is on the saddle but facing Annabel’s butt. Her tail is raised as she poops. His expression is like stunted victory.

Jun: Ah…

SFX: *buriii*

p2

Guys are laughing. A weird kid, Kenta, is laughing and pointing. Sandy is ashamed of her club members.

Guys: BWAHAHAHA!

Kenta: He’s on backwards!

Sandy: Hey! Knock it off!

p3

Annabel looks up and snorts with a grin, pawing dirt.

Annabel: *snorts*

Jun vo: Maybe this time…

p4

Annabel bucks and sends Jun soaring.

Jun vo: …I’m the one who dies!!

Sandy: June!!

Page 19

p1

Show nurse’s office at school, door sign.

SIGN: INFIRMARY

Sandy oc: June, I’m really sorry…

p2

Sandy is sitting on the bed next to Jun, who is hiding under the blankets playing his game.

Sandy: Is there anything I can do for you?

Jun: …go away, please.

p3

Jun’s face, obscured by bedsheets and bandages. Still playing on his phone.

Jun: I told you, I’m happy playing my game.

Jun: I know you hate games, and I know you prefer real life experience, but I haven’t had many good experiences in my life, so…

p4

Sandy has her phone out and is tapping away. Jun is annoyed.

Jun: Are you listening?

Sandy: Mon…Boku… ah! Here it is!

p5

Sandy looking embarrassed.

Sandy: I guess I pushed you out of your comfort zone today. If you wanna quit the club, I get it.

Sandy: But I thought maybe we could at least be friends.

p6

Sandy holds phone to Jun.

Sandy oc: I just downloaded MonBoku GO. Can I get your friend code?

Jun: You wanna be my… okay.

Page 20

p1

Jun and Sandy sit on the bed tapping at their phones. 

Sandy: I’ve never played a mobile game before…

Jun: Oh, it’s easy. Let me put in your code and… here.

Jun vo: Now that I think about it, this is the first time I’ve sent my friend code to someone I actually know.

p2

Small panel, a package shows up on Sandy’s phone.

Sandy oc: Wow, I got a present!

p3

Sandy smiles at Jun.

Sandy: Thanks, June! (Take care!)

Jun oc: It’s… it’s kind of nice, actually.

p4

Jun is walking down the hallway at school and looking at his phone.

Jun vo: For the next few weeks, every day I’d get a gift in the game from Sandy, even though I had stopped going to Rodeo Club.

SFX: *burururii*

Jun vo: And even though she looked just like Jessie in the game…

p5

Close-up of Sandy’s avatar, an astronaut with a mohawk and a cow’s head.

Jun vo: …her avatar did not.

Game: OkieCowgirl11 sent you a gift!

p6

Close up of Jun smiling.

Jun: Why a space suit? (haha)

Jun vo: It was nice having a friend.

Page 21

p1

Jun walks outside the school and we see Annabel in the foreground. She glares hatefully at Jun from the bike rack.

Jun vo: But I’ve also made an enemy…

Jun: Why do you hate me so much??

p2

Annabel remembers Jun offering her a hamburger.

Jun in memory: Wanna eat your family?

Annabel: *angry snort*

p3

Jouichi is behind Jun with a few other members from the club.

Jouichi: She hates everyone.

Jun: Senpai!?

p4

Scene change. The group has relocated to the club space. Rocking horses in foreground.

Jun oc: Eh? Annabel will only let Sandy ride her??

p5

Guys are sitting against shed.

Jouichi: None of us have ever been able to ride her, either. Not once.

Jun: So then why did you suggest I ride her?

p6

Jouichi: Mmm… boyish club initiation-style hazing?

Jun: I could have died!

Page 21

p1

Kenta holds up his phone.

Kenta. As you’ve probably guessed, we’re all here because we’re fans of Jessie in BokuGo.

Kenta: We all want to date Jess— Sandy. But anytime any of us got up the nerve to ask her out… that stupid cow…

p2

Show munched up love letters and cow pies in shoes. Big panel. Boys running from Annabel cartoonishly.

Boy oc: She’d eat our love letters, leave cow pies in our shoes…

Boy oc: Or use her horns to bulldoze us anytime we got close.

Kenta: I’m gonna make mincemeat outta you, bovine! *sobs*

Jouichi: So you see, it’s not just you. It’s also why every year the mock rodeo we put on fails so stupendously.

p3

Jun: Mock rodeo?

Jouichi oc: For the open-campus festival in the fall. Every school club has to do something for it.

p4

Sandy is riding Annabel and looking defeated and watching as the club members wear fake horns and ride/rope each other. Audience members look with strange expressions.

Jouichi vo: Sandy rides her cow and we all rope each other or ride rocking horses.

Audience: What club is this? The S&M club?

Jouichi vo: For an audience, mind you. It’s humiliating.

p5

Jouichi is fishing around in his backpack.

Jun: So then, why stay in the club?

Jouichi: Well… Sandy’s a dead-ringer for Jessie, which is nice. That shed is a BokuGo battle hub, too.

Jouichi: Oh yeah, that reminds me…

Page 22p

p1

Jun is surrounded by the other members with their phones out.

Jouichi: You quit the club before we could get your friend code.

Guy 1: Yeah, give me your code before this raid starts.

Guy 2: Me too.

p2

June is a little embarrassed.

Jun vo: What is happening?

Jun: But… you guys laughed at me…

p3

Jouichi: Well yeah, it was pretty funny.

Kenta: We’ve all been there ourselves.

Sandy oc: Guys, guess what?

p4

Sandy comes in waving her arms and holding her phone.

Sandy: I just got a call from the breeders! They said they’ll loan us a couple of stallions for the festival if we—

Sandy: June!!

p5

Sandy close up.

Sandy: I’m really glad to see you back here.

p6

Jun smiles.

Jun vo: And so, I found myself, once again, a member of the Rodeo Club.

Page 23

p1

Sandy is teaching Jun to tie a lasso knot. In background, other members are riding and roping each other.

Sandy: Ya see, this here’s a honda knot. This is how ya make yer lasso…

Jun vo: However, I told Sandy I would only re-join under the condition that I never had to ride any animals.

Jun vo: She agreed, and instead she had me work more on roping while the others practiced riding.

p2

Show some students walking by the rodeo club, giggling.

Student 1: God look, the rodeo club…

Student 2: I wonder if they’ll have to ride rocking horses at the festival again this year…

SFX: HAHAHA!

Sandy oc: Not this year!!

p3

Sandy stands tall and proudly. Behind her the club members are still practicing.

Sandy: Prepare to watch some fine riding this fall!

Jun vo: I had to admire her pluck. Even when others laughed at her rodeo club, she never let it get her down.

p4

Show outside of classroom. Small, clearly summer time.

Jun vo: And as the months passed, I realized that rodeo club…

p5

A lasso made of a shoelace fits around a pencil sticking out of an eraser.

Jun oc: !!

p6

Jun raises his fist triumphantly. Classmates stare at him in surprise.

Jun: I did it!!

Jun vo: …was something I looked forward to.

Page 24

p1

Weather is starting to look like fall. Trees, etc.

Jun vo: At least, until one fall day…

Sandy oc: You’re getting really good, June!

p2

Jun pulls rope around arm. In the background we can see Jouichi looking on unamused.

Jun: You think so?

Sandy oc: You’re a natural!

Sandy oc: You’re going to do well at the mock rodeo next week.

p3

Jouichi grits his teeth.

Jouichi: …

p4

Sandy pulls out her phone.

Sandy: I wish I was as fast a learner as you…

Sandy: I’ve been playing this MonBoku game since April and I can’t get past this quest.

Jun oc: Let me see.

p5

The two sit on haystacks by the fence with Annabel nearby, ropes hung up.

Jun: Ah, see? This kaichiku’s level is too high. We can beat it if we pair up, though.

Sandy: Oh, thanks! Sometimes I think, I can do this stuff for real, but in this game? Nope!

Jun: Haha, true.

p6

Sandy looks thoughtful.

Sandy: I’m really glad you stayed in the club, but…

Sandy: I wish someday you’d tell me why you don’t want to ride anymore.

Sandy: In real life, that is. You’re better than me in the game world!

p7

Small panel. Jun looks up at the sky.

Page 25

p1

Show the sky.

Jun: … …

Jun oc: When I was in kindergarten, I killed a pony.

p2

Sandy is shocked. Jun in foreground.

Jun: I was riding this really old mare at a ranch and she just… fell over…

Sandy: That’s…

p3

Show game screen. Phone is shaking a little.

Sandy oc: That’s so irresponsible…

Sandy oc: Honestly, I’m a little angry right now.

p4

Sandy is tapping at her phone, not looking at Jun. Jun is realizing she is not blaming him.

Sandy: How dare that ranch use an elderly pony like that!

Sandy: They must have overworked her, or she was dehydrated… idiots!

p5

Jun’s eyes widen.

Sandy: That ranch killed that poor pony.

Sandy: Don’t you dare blame yourself, June.

Page 26

p1

Jun drops his phone.

Jun vo: That’s the first time anyone ever told me…

p2

Jun is near tears.

Jun vo: …it wasn’t my fault.

Sandy oc: No-no-no…NO!! Not again!

p3

Show game over screen with Jessie making fun of the player.

Jessie: Better luck next time, partner!

Sandy oc: ARGH!! This stupid farm girl, I can’t stand her!! (cocky redneck!)

Sandy oc: I think she secretly loves it when I fail…

p4

Sandy holds out phone for Jun (in foreground) to see. The likeness between the two girls is very apparent.

Sandy: And just between us…

Sandy: I think she’s pretty dumpy looking! (look at that hair!)

p5

Small, Jun’s emotions suddenly fluctuate again.

p6

Small, Jun bursts out laughing.

SFX: HAHAHA…

Jun: Well, I think she’s cute, but…

Page 27

p1

Large panel of the two sitting on haystacks. Sandy now looks surprised, Jun has not yet registered what he’s said.

Jun: I definitely think you’re way cuter.

p2

Smaller, Sandy’s cheeks redden.

SFX: *blush*

p3

Smaller, Jun let’s it sink in what he has just said.

Jun: Ah… !!

Jun vo: Oh no! Why did I say that??

p4

Small, Sandy’s phone suddenly starts to ring.

SFX: *Rrrrrring*

Page 28

p1

Sandy turns her back toward Jun. We see Jouichi is feeding Annabel hay up ahead. He looks over as Sandy answers her phone and Jun remains on the haystack.

Sandy: Hello? Yes, the horses, I reserved them for…

Sandy: What?? You can’t do that!! What am I supposed to…

Sandy: No… I understand. Thanks anyway. 

p2

Sandy walks over to Annabel, with Jouichi nearby. 

Sandy: Well old girl, it’s just you and me again this year.

Sandy: The breeders called to tell me the horses I rented have the flu and won’t be in riding condition until after the festival is over.

p3

Sandy is being nuzzled by Annabel.

 Sandy: I wish you’d let someone else ride you, Annabel. It looks like I’ll be graduating without a single club member getting any actual riding experience.

Annabel: Moo…

Sandy: The mock rodeo will be a bust.

Jouichi oc: Maybe not.

p4

Jouichi steps forward.

Jouichi: My dad’s company sponsors events for a client with all kinds of horses.

Jouichi: I’m sure I could talk to him about pulling a few strings to provide some noble steeds for our rodeo, Jes— Sandy.

p5

Jun watches on helplessly as Jouichi suddenly appears like a prince on a white horse. Sandy is sparkling with glee and admiration. Annabel seems annoyed as well.

Sandy: Really?! Oh, Joe!

Sandy: You’ve saved the rodeo!!

Jun vo: Jouichi, you traitor! You saw an opening and you took it!

p6

Jouichi flashes a nasty smile at the camera.

Jouichi: Hmph.

p7

Jun and Annabel are furious.

Jun thought: I hate that guy!

Annabel: Moo!! *snort*

Page 29

p1

Annabel’s eyes widen as Jun puts his hand on her head.

SFX: *pat*

Jun: It’s for the best, though.

p2

Through Annabel’s pov we see Jun trying to come to terms with the situation.

Jun: I’m really glad she’s going to have horses for the festival.

p3

Jun pulls back when he accidentally pets Annabel’s horn.

Jun: Ouch!!

Annabel: *snort*

p4

Jun looks at his hand, Annabel watches from her spot behind the fence.

Jun: I touched Annabel… without even realizing it…

Annabel: … …

Jun vo: But after that, things got a little awkward.

p5

Show members setting up a rodeo arena, small panel.

Jun vo: We spent the next week setting up the arena for the demonstration.

p6

Jun is sitting on bleachers, watching Sandy and Jouichi talking.

Jun vo: I stopped getting gifts from Sandy in MonBoku GO.

Jun vo: But I kind of lost interest in the game myself.

Page 30

p1

Show school entrance with a festival sign for the rodeo. People and stands can be seen, largish panel.

CAPTION: Festival day.

p2

Sandy is in her rodeo uniform. She looks more adult somehow, with her hair down and super wavy and her boot cut jeans. She is nervous.

Sandy: Joe’s horses still haven’t arrived, and we’re about to start!

p3

Sandy looks over at Jun, who is wearing a really lazy cowboy uniform with a tiny hat.

Sandy: Jun, can you find him while I help everyone get ready?

Jun: Sure…

p4

Jun walks across the arena, downtrodden, and we see Annabel is fighting other members who are locking her behind a gate in the cattle chute.

Guy: Dammit, Annabel! Sit still!

Annabel: MOOO!!!

SFX: *bang bang*

Jun vo: Secretly, I kind of hoped Jouichi didn’t come through with those horses…

p5

Jun turns a corner and sees Jouichi with his hands up directing someone.

Jouichi: All right… all right… perfect!

Jun: Senpai?

Truck SFX: *beep beep beep*

p6

Overhead panel shows a huge truck is backing up and shaking.

Jun: A semi??

Jun: Who did you say your dad’s company sponsored?

SFX: *bangg-bangg*

p7

Jouichi is by the back door of the truck. Banging sounds can be heard.

Jouichi: Hmm? Oh, the client?

SFX: *BANG BANG*

Page 31

p1

Large panel, takes up most of the page. Jouichi has opened the door to reveal seven angry zebras. He seems pleased with himself.

Jouichi: The Ueno Zoo.

p2

Jun takes a step back.

Jun vo: You idiot!!

Jun: These are zebras, not horses!!

p3

Jouichi takes a carrot out of his pocket.

Jouichi: A horse is a horse, isn’t it?

p4

Zebras glare down unamused as carrot is waved in their faces.

Jouichi oc: Come here, horsey!

Page 32

p1

Pull back, show Jouichi smiling with a tear as zebra chomps down on his whole hand.

SFX: *CHOMP!*

p2

Zebras send Jouichi flying as they trample out of the truck.

Jouichi: Waaah!!

Zebras: Hihinn!!

p3

Jun scurries up a tree as the zebras plow past and into the school yard.

Jun vo: They’re heading toward the arena!

p4

Large panel, show zebras running through food stands and students running left and right. Total chaos.

SFX: screams, pounding hooves, etc

Jun vo: Sandy!!

Page 33

p1

Annabel is tied up in her chute with Sandy’s rope nearby. See some people in audience. Her ear is raised.

Annabel: Mm??

SFX: light DODODODO

p2

Sandy is setting up barrels on the field when she seems somewhat alarmed.

Kenta announcer: Our next event is barrel racing, which Sandy will demonstrate with… oh!

Kenta announcer: And it looks like our horses have arrived… from…

p3

Zebra enter the arena, Sandy is shocked. Other members are surprised.

Kenta announcer: …the savannah???

p4

Sandy’s expression, sweatdrop.

Sandy: …!!

p5

Members of club are nervous.

 Guy: Retreat!!

p6

They are riding rodeys and cannot get very far.

SFX: BOUNCE BOUNCE…

Page 34

p1

Side, long shot of zebra running through the group, toy horses and members flying everywhere.

Guys: BWAAAH!!!

p2

One zebra’s ear twitches.

SFX: CLICKKK

p3

Sandy is hanging onto the gate she just closed with her hand on the lock.

Sandy thought: At least this way they’re contained…

Sandy: Everyone, leave the arena! It isn’t safe!!

p4

Audience members are eating snacks, drinking soda, holding up their phones, etc.

Audience: Leave? No way, it’s just getting interesting…

Audience: I’m livestreaming this as we speak…

Audience: Are we allowed to place bets?

p5

Small panel, Sandy sprints across arena toward Annabel.

Sandy vo: I gotta get to Annabel and my rope!

Zebra: !!

Page 35

p1

Large panel, Sandy is blocked by zebras with Annabel mooing behind them.

Annabel: Moo!!

Annabel: Moo!!!

p2

Sandy looks desperate.

Sandy: Guys! Someone needs to open the chute…

Sandy: …to set Annabel loose!

p3

Members are stupid. Guy 3 holds up rope.

Guy 1: Annabel…

Guy 2: She can’t move!?

Guy 3: This is our chance for revenge!!

p4

Members of club over image of Sandy in overly patriotic American imagery. (see rough thumbnails).

Guy 1: Now we can finally date our American dream girl, Jessie! I mean Sandy!

Guy 3: Yes we can!! (English)

Guy 2: Beef stew tonight, boys!!

Annabel: Moo!!

p5

Jun is running toward the arena. He sees his club members flying.

Guy: WAAAH!!

Jun: Oh god, am I too late!?

p6

Jun sees Annabel bucking off boys. Jun is frustrated.

Annabel: Moo!!

Guy: We hate you, cow!! OWW!!

Jun: Get your priorities straight! Save Sandy!!

Page 36

p1

Jun looks behind him and sees a group of zebras.

Jun: !!

p2

Sandy is surrounded and nervous.

Jun vo: I’ve got to do something!!

p3

Jun jumps onto chute fence. Annabel is furious from previous attack.

Jun: I know you hate me, Annabel…

Annabel: MOOOO!!!

SFX: BANG

p4

Annabel’s face. She stops at the sound of Sandy’s name.

Jun oc: But Sandy’s in trouble!

Annabel: !!

p5

Jun opens chute gate.

Jun: We’ve got to save her from those zebras, and—

p6

Annabel scoops Jun up with her horns. He thinks she is attacking him .

Jun: Wah!!

Page 37

p1

Big dramatic shot of Annabel crashing through her chute with Jun. Large panel. He has barely grabbed onto the saddle. Should be exciting but kind of heartwarming, too.

p2

Jun squeezes the handle grabs the reins.

Jun vo: This is nothing like that old mare from long ago!

p3

Show Annabel hooves with low angle, zebras in short distance.

Jun vo: It’s like I put a saddle on an earthquake!!

SFX: *DO DO DO*

Zebras: !?

p4

A lone Zebra turns to face Annabel head on.

Zebra: Hiiinn!!

Page 38

p1

Jun raises Sandy’s rope.

Jun: Like… this…

p2

Show lasso getting bigger in air.

Jun: It’s working!!

p3

Show zebra jump through air. Speed lines!

Zebra: Uhnn-hii!!

p4

Annabel also leaps into air with Jun working his lasso.

Annabel: Mooo!!

p5

Dramatic almost-silhouettes of zebra and cow maybe from below.

SFX: SHOOOM….

Page 39

p1

Zebra gives a shocked look as shadow goes over head. Smallish panel at top right corner of next panel.

Zebra: !?

p2

Big panel of Annabel’s udders smacking face of zebra.

SFX: SMACKKK

Zebra: Hoo-hiiiii!!

p3

Annabel glances up at Jun.

Annabel: Moo moo!

p4

Jun has the rope over his head in a big lasso, almost smiling.

Jun: I got this, Annabel!

p5

Jun throws rope, which is heading towards a group of zebras surrounding Sandy.

Jun oc: Sandy!!

Page 40

p1

Sandy’s hand flies up and the rope slips over her wrist. Tall panel.

p2

Small, show Jun yanking on the rope.

SFX: *PULL*

p3

Large panel, Sandy is pulled out from zebras as they collide with each other.

SFX: *YOINK*

p4

Annabel lands, zebra are behind them. Jun’s head is down, Sandy is hugging him to keep herself steady.

Sandy: June!!

Sandy: You… you saved—

p5

Sandy suddenly has the rest of the rope thrown at her.

Jun oc: I’ll unlock the gate…

p6

Jun looks over his shoulder.

Jun: You ride Annabel and herd the zebras back to the truck in front!

p7

Sandy grins.

Sandy: You got it…

Sandy: Cowboy.

Page 41

p1

Show audience. Kenta is holding mic at table in front where he is announcing.

Kenta: Sandy and Annabel will now demonstrate a semi-traditional livestock, err…

Kenta: Zebra round-up!

p2

Sandy adjusts her hat rim and is sitting on Annabel now.

Sandy: Big finish now, Annabel.

p3

Annabel is running, Sandy is riding and has her rope ready.

Sandy: Let’s show these African varmints the door!!

p4

Zebras are huddled together as Annabel runs around them, kicking up a dust storm.

Annabel: Moo! Moo!

Zebra: Hiiin?

p5

Zebra closer, panicked. More dust.

Zebra: HI HIIIIN!!

SFX: KOFF KOFF

p6

Annabel’S hooves slide to a stop.

SFX: SCREEECH

Page 42

p1

Sandy is now standing on the saddle, the lasso over her head and absolutely huge.

SFX: SHOOP SHOOP

p2

Jun is at the fence pushing it open and looking back.

Jun: That’s the biggest loop I’ve ever seen her make!!

p3

Very dramatic shot of Sandy jumping up and tossing the rope.

Sandy: Hyaah!!

p4

The rope gets bigger and seems to be forming a shape.

Page 43

p1

Full page. The rope is hanging over the Zebra as one giant lion. The zebra almost seem to be on the plains of Africa, and they are all scared and grouped together, shaking.

Sandy oc: Serengeti…

Sandy oc: Sloggin’!!

Zebra: !!!

Page 44

p1

The rope goes over all zebra’s necks at once as Sandy leaps onto the backs of two. The rope is looping all over the place.

SFX: SHOOOP!

p2

Show Sandy riding the zebra toward the gate, which is now opened. Jun gets out of the way.

Sandy: Go on! Get!!

p3

Annabel brings up the rear.

Annabel: Moooo!!!

p4

Jun watches from gate as Sandy herds them away in a cloud of dust.

Jun vo: She really is… 

Jun vo: …something else.

p5

Jun turns at the sound of applause.

Page 45

p1

Audience members are applauding.

Audience: The rodeo club is amazing!!

Audience student: I almost wanna join next year!!

p2

Jun smiles. Small panel.

 Jun: Heh.

p3

Show the sun going down, the aftermath of the festival.

p4

Broken stands with hoof prints.

p5

Annabel is eating some dropped popcorn next to the bleachers.

p6

Silhouette of Sandy and Jun together on bleachers.

Jun: Um… Sandy?

Page 46

p1

Jun looks at Sandy from his pov.

Jun oc: I really… like—

p2

Sandy and Jun are seated.

Sandy: I can’t believe you rode Annabel!

Jun: Eh?

p3

Sandy close-up.

Sandy: I ain’t never seen a cowboy tame Annabel the way you did today.

p4

Show Jun blushing.

Sandy oc: I guess she approves of you.

p5

Show Annabel from the bleachers overhead.

Annabel: Moo.

Jun vo: Approves? What does she mean by that?

Page 47

p1

Sandy profile, eyes closed.

Sandy: June…

Sandy: Once I graduate, I’ll be going back to America to be a professional rodeo cowgirl.

Sandy: I’m gonna need someone here to take over the club.

p2

Sandy’s glove on Jun’s hand.

Sandy oc: I choose you! (君に決めた！) 

SFX: PIKKU

p3

Jun is blushing wildly.

Jun: I uh… I don’t know if I can take over.

p4

Sandy’s expression, looks somewhat letdown.

Jun oc: I think I still lack in riding experience…

Sandy: Hmm…

p5

Sandy stands away from Jun at the top of the bleachers as a gust of wind blows.

Sandy: That’s true…

Page 48

p1

A gust of wind blows off Sandy’s hat.

SFX: HYUUU

p2

Jun catches hat over his own head.

Sandy oc: I guess before I go back…

p3

Sandy looks cute. Big panel, maybe include Jun?

Sandy: …I’ll have to spend some extra one-on-one time with you until you know the ropes.

Sandy: (No MonBoku GO, though, got it?)

Page 49

p1

Sandy leans down to adjust Jun’s hat.

Sandy: Whaddya say…

p2

Jun has hat on head with Sandy’s hand near or on. His eyes should be really clear, even if he has glasses on.

Sandy oc: Cowboy?

p3

Dark panel, no art.

Jun vo: And that’s how I became the president of my school’s rodeo club,

Jun vo: The only high school rodeo club in Japan.

p4

Sandy competing at a rodeo tournament, her hat is different!

Jun vo: Sandy and I kept in touch. She went on to compete professionally.

Jun vo: And while I don’t plan on competing anytime soon…

p5

Show a bunch of college forms with Oklahoma State on them, etc. Sandy’s cowboy hat is next to them.

Jun vo: …I’ve got something interesting to put on my college submissions forms…

Jun vo: …which all happen to be schools in Oklahoma. Funny where life takes you sometimes.

END