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THE SCRIPT:  MASQUERADE, FIVE YEARS LATER

POLICE OFFICER:  Come on, Turufo.  You're time's up.

REKO:  Djai, we can't keep living one day at a time like this.  We have to find somewhere to settle down.
DJAI:  Settle down?  Geez, you move fast, don't you?
REKO:  Move fa--  Mov--  Djai, you know what I mean!  I'm sick of living in these homeless shelters and borrowing money we can't pay back.  I can't stand it!  And I can't bear the fear that Vantie could find us and turn us in--
DJAI:  Shh!  You'll give us away like that.
REKO:  Sorry.  But really, we need to find a way to get jobs and some sort of better shelter.

(A FAMILIAR MAN WEARING A PREACHER'S UNIFORM [BLACK WITH THE LITTLE WHITE COLLAR] WALKS DOWN THE STREET TOWARD REKO AND DJAI. HE LOOKS UP AT THEM AND CALLS OUT.)

MAN:  Reko?  Djai?  Is that you?  You're alive?!  What a sight for sore eyes!
DJAI:  Come on, we've got to get out of here.
REKO:  Right.  (THEY START TO WALK CALMLY DOWN THE STREET.  REKO PUTS ON SOME SUNGLASSES TO SEE BEHIND HER, AND THE PREACHER IS STILL RUNNING AFTER THEM.)  He's still following us.
DJAI:  I know.
MAN:  You guys!  Wait up!  It's me!
REKO:  Why does he sound so familiar...
DJAI:  I know that voice...
MAN:  Don't run, you guys!  It's just me!
REKO:  That voice...  Kenese?
MAN (KENESE):  You bet!  How have you two been?  (THEY GLARE AT HIM.)  Oh, I see.
REKO:  Looks like you've done well for yourself, Mr. Preacher.
KENESE:  Ah, yeah.  I took refuge in a church just up the street five years ago during the fight.  I've taken studies there and have become an assistant preacher there.
DJAI:  Congratulations, Kenese.

(HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND, AND KENESE SHAKES IT.)

KENESE:  I must say, you've changed a lot, Djai.  You're actually talking now.
DJAI:  Yes, I decided to put the Paraxa mess behind me.  There's nobody who can really come after us now...
REKO:  Except Vantie Turufo.
KENESE:  I can take care of that for you.
REKO:  Kenny, I think it's really against what you stand for to be violent--
KENESE:  No, that's not what I meant at all.  I mean that you can take sanctuary at the church.
REKO:  How would that help us any?
KENESE:  Vantie could come and get you out on these streets very easily.  On the church grounds, she can't touch you, unless you leave.
DJAI:  Well, if we had known you had done this a while back...
KENESE:  I tried to find you, but I must say you've kept your cover quite well.
REKO:  That's a relief.  So probably nobody else knows where we are?
KENESE:  I should think not, but I'd still stay on your guard.  Come on.  I'll take you to the church.  You can rest there, and there's plenty of food for you to eat.  Make yourself at home.

VANTIE:  It's been a long time.

REKO:  Why do I have this horrible feeling...?
KENESE:  What's that, Reko?
REKO:  I just feel like something's drawing me near to the graveyard over there...
KENESE:  Well, this is where your family is buried.  I've made sure their final resting places have been well taken care of over the past two years.
REKO:  May I?
KENESE:  Of course.  (SHE WALKS OVER TO THE GRAVEYARD.)  Poor girl.
DJAI:  Yeah.  I've been worried about her.
KENESE:  I see you've gotten over your family's death.  You're finally speaking to everyone again.
DJAI:  Oh, I'll never get over it.  But I've finally accepted it.  The way I see it, fate makes things happen for a reason.
KENESE:  Yeah.  You two would have never met, I'll bet.
DJAI:  Huh?
KENESE:  Don't tell me you don't love her.
DJAI:  Ah, that.  Yes, our Lord does work in mysterious ways.  It's so strange how the two of you seem so normal.  I would have thought something would just tell everything about you, bring you out into the open, but it doesn't seem like anything has.
KENESE:  Except for the fact that we're all considered dead or never alive in the first place.
DJAI:  Yeah.  Neither one of us could get a decent job because we weren't able to get any suitable identification or social security number.  We don't even have access to birth certificates.
KENESE:  You know the world's going downhill when security is so strict that nobody can be trusted anymore.
DJAI:  Well, at least she's close to her family again.
KENESE:  Yes.  Not to mention close to accepting her spiritual side.
DJAI:  I remember when you tried to reach out to her.  It was a good idea.  Probably the one thing that's kept her living.
KENESE:  Is it that bad?
DJAI:  Afraid so.  I can definitely tell that you've touched her, though.
KENESE:  How so?
DJAI:  When we stay at the homeless shelters, she reads the bible to those who can't read.  The old book has been torn and taped so many times that it's difficult to read, but she's so into it that she's practically got it all memorized.  You should have seen it.  A while back, about two or three people started to sit around her while she read to herself, and she started to read aloud.  Over the next week or so, a few more people came over to hear her.  After a month, everyone in the building sat around her as she read.  Eventually, she was so popular that she sat at the front of the cafeteria every night reading to those who wanted to hear His word.
KENESE:  It is a good world.

PREACHER:  I'm pleased to meet the both of you.  Kenese has told me almost all that you've been through, and you can trust that your secrets are safe with me.  Reko?
REKO:  Sir?
PREACHER:  Reko, I'm very sorry for your loss, as well as yours, Djai.
DJAI:  Both of us appreciate your gratitude.  I don't know how long we could have gone on the way we were without revealing who we were.
REKO:  And who knows what sort of trouble that could cause!
DJAI:  Yes, thank you so much.
PREACHER:  My pleasure.  The Lord's House is open to everyone.
KENESE:  Reko, would you like some more bread?
REKO:  That's all right...  (SHE RISES FROM THE TABLE.)  If you don't mind, I'd like to visit my family once more before the sun sets.
PREACHER:  Not at all.  Go right on ahead, Reko.
REKO:  Thank you, sir.

(SHE LEAVES THE ROOM.)

KENESE:  She's always out there it seems.
PREACHER:  Can you blame her?  It's been a while since she's been able to visit them freely without worry of being found out.  The Church's sanctuary must be a great comfort to her.
DJAI:  But is this really healthy, sir?
PREACHER:  What do you mean?
DJAI:  I mean, all this mourning.  She's gone out there seven times today, not counting this time.
PREACHER:  She's under a lot of pressure, I'm sure.  She needs something to look at for hope.
DJAI:  How is this hopeful?
KENESE:  May I fill in here?  (PREACHER NODS.)  Djai, she knew those people all her life and just "knew" they were her family.  When she lost them, she thought that she would never be close to anyone like them again.  She hung on to that tattered bible for, what, five years?
DJAI:  Yes.
KENESE:  Exactly.  She felt a little closer to some sort of family through there.  Now she wants to make up for the lost time that she couldn't fulfill during your hiding.
DJAI:  Still...  (HE RISES.)  Excuse me.

(DJAI LEAVES THE ROOM.)

KENESE:  He didn't get the message, did he, sir?
PREACHER:  I'm afraid he didn't.

REKO:  I hope you all enjoy it up there.  I doubt I'll get to go.  (SHE PAUSES.  OUT OF THE CORNER OF HER EYE, SHE SEES A WOMAN PASSING BY THE CHURCH ON THE SIDEWALK.  SHE IS HOLDING A DUFFEL BAG.  THE WOMAN TURNS AROUND, SEEING REKO.)  No...  It's Vantie!

(REKO IS FROZEN WHERE SHE IS.  VANTIE MAKES HER WAY TOWARD THE GRAVES, HER STEPS BECOMING QUICKER UNTIL SHE IS RUNNING AT FULL SPEED TOWARD REKO.  DJAI WALKS OUT OF THE CHURCH DOORS AND SEES VANTIE.  SHE SEES HIM AS WELL, AND SHE STOPS.)

VANTIE:  You...  You refused me...
DJAI:  And for a good reason, you demon.
VANTIE:  That scar I gave you is still there.  It's a shame your quietness faded.  That was rude.
DJAI:  For what you did to us....
VANTIE:  Stop.  I don't need to hear that.

(DJAI WALKS OVER TO REKO, WHO IS STILL STANDING IN BEWILDERMENT.)

DJAI:  Leave us alone.
VANTIE:  Why should I?
DJAI:  We've called sanctuary here.  You can't touch us.
VANTIE:  Really?  I see.  All right.  But once you leave these grounds, you're all mine.
REKO:  And if we don't?
VANTIE:  Oh, I'll get you away from this place.  I can't believe that a creature like you would spend your time here.  You were created by human hands, not God's.
REKO:  No! God created my soul, and without my soul I am nothing.
VANTIE:  You actually believe that?  It's a lie.  All that you've heard is a lie.  All that you've read is a lie.  If you haven't realized it by now, I must say you're quite ignorant.  You'll come across the true answer soon, and you won't have the dignity to stay on Holy ground any more.

(THE PREACHER WALKS THROUGH THE CHURCH DOORS.)

PREACHER:  I hate to ask you this.  It's quite against my principles.  But please, you have to stay away from this church.  You're becoming a pest and I will never surrender these people to you.
REKO:  Sir...
PREACHER:  I'll take care of her, Reko.  Don't worry.  She won't come near here any more, under God's will.
VANTIE:  If that's your wish, I won't come back here.  But I know that you know their secrets.  I'll bring it out of you somehow.  Meanwhile...  (SHE TAKES A ROBOTIC ARM OUT OF HER DUFFEL BAG.)  I've got a life to build myself.
REKO:  That isn't...
VANTIE:  I'll see you all later.  Very soon.

(SHE WALKS DOWN THE SIDEWALK, AWAY FROM THE CHURCH.)

REKO:  She was so cold...  I could just feel her evil emminating from her...  It was maddening.  What was it?  (SHE PAUSES.)  I can't help to think that I should have been nicer to her, with her loss of her father and everyone else around her.  I feel I should welcome her, not push her away.  Is there any way to bring her to see Your light?  (SHE LOOKS AT THE CROSS, SURROUNDED BY UNLIT CANDLES.  SHE COMES UP TO THEM AND LIGHTS ONE.)  If anyone can help her, You can.  Please, help Vantie to see Your light before it's too late.  And please be sure to help her father.  He had a good heart.  Even though he stole and lied, he redeemed himself with the favor he gave the Sangwine Organization.  He gave us a chance to live like normal people.  Now all I can do is pray.  Please, help her and Mr. Turufo.  Even if they are not thankful for Your help, I will be.

(KENESE WALKS UP BEHIND HER.)

KENESE:  That was very touching.  I'm so glad that you've been able to put the past behind you like this.
REKO:  I'll never forget what the Paraxa did to us, but I can forgive them.  (SHE LOOKS AT THE CROSS.)  It's what He would want me to do.
KENESE:  I'm sure that the Professor would be very thankful for your kindness toward him.
REKO:  Yes, I hope so.
KENESE:  I'm hoping that you don't mind me changing the subject here to something a little less serious, but...
REKO:  Oh, please do.
KENESE:  All right.  How are you and Djai getting along?
REKO:  (BLUSHING.)  Just fine...
KENESE:  That's nice to hear.  I thought that something might have come between you two by now.
REKO:  Not yet!  Maybe it won't.
KENESE:  Maybe you'll be married in this same church someday?
REKO:  What?
KENESE:  Well, have you thought that far ahead?
REKO:  Not really...
KENESE:  I'm sorry if I caught you off guard there.
REKO:  It's all right.  Really, I'm fine with that sort of thing, but I don't know about Djai.  How would he feel about marriage, you know?  I just don't know if he's the type of guy that could commit to marriage.
KENESE:  Both of you have been together for five years now.  I'd say that's a rather large commitment.
REKO:  I suppose so...

(DJAI WALKS INTO THE CHURCH HALL.)

KENESE:  Speak of the devil.
DJAI:  And just what were you speaking about?
KENESE:  Just the matter of mar--
REKO:  Nothing at all!  Just the matter of...  martyrs!
DJAI:  Martyrs?
REKO:  Yeah!  Of course!  It's a common thing these days, it seems.
DJAI:  I see.  Kenese?
KENESE:  Yeah?
DJAI:  The preacher wants to talk with you.  Something about missing a chore, I think.
KENESE:  Oops.  I'll see the both of you later.

(HE LEAVES THE BUILDING.)

DJAI:  So, what were you really talking about?
REKO:  Isn't the church beautiful this time of year?
DJAI:  What were you really talking about?
REKO:  I mean, look at the flowers blooming outside.  And last night's rain on the roof just lulled me to sleep--
DJAI:  You're hiding something, Reko.
REKO:  Hiding?  Yes, I'm hiding from Vantie, of course.
DJAI:  So am I, but that's not what I'm getting at.  You're hiding from me, aren't you?
REKO:  Why would I hide from you?
DJAI:  I can tell you're not telling me everything.  Come on.
REKO:  I'll tell you later.  (SHE LOOKS BACK AT THE CANDLE AND PUTS IT OUT.)  I need to get some sleep.

(REKO LEAVES THE BUILDING, AND KENESE WALKS IN.)

KENESE:  That was a total lie.
DJAI:  I figured.  You talked to her about...
KENESE:  Yes, I did.
DJAI:  And?
KENESE:  She didn't think that you'd be the kind of guy that would go for such a commitment.
DJAI:  Commitment?  What does she think I've been doing over these past five years?
KENESE:  That's just what I told her.
DJAI:  Should I talk with her?
KENESE:  No, not directly, anyway.  There's no true use in prolonging it any more, but let the idea sink in.  She told me that she hadn't really thought of marriage yet, but she could have easily been lying.
DJAI:  She's not one to admit things like that.
KENESE:  I figured.  Just think it over before you do anything too serious.  I do marriages, not divorces.
DJAI:  Yeah.  (SMILES.)  Thanks, Kenny.
KENESE:  No problem.  Just thank Him for guiding her to you, or you being guided to her.  Either way, be thankful.

VANTIE:  Time for you to live, Lyko.  (SHE PUSHES A SMALL BUTTON ON THE BACK OF LYKO'S NECK, AND HER EYES FLUTTER OPEN.)  What do you say?  Shall I give you your arm?
LYKO:  Yes.  Why not?  (VANTIE, WITH LITTLE EFFORT, ATTACHES THE ARM.)  Are you sure it's on for good?
VANTIE:  Of course.  I've modified it.  That's probably why it feels so strange to you.
LYKO:  That, and I've been apart for the past few years in the Evidence Hall.
VANTIE:  I know, and I'm sorry for what you've had to go through, along with Lyra.
LYKO:  How's he coming along?
VANTIE:  Slowly, I'm afraid.  Somehow, he was more damaged than you were.  But don't you worry; I'll bring him up to speed in no time.
LYKO:  Could I help in any way?
VANTIE:  Yes.  As a matter of fact, both of you can help me immensely.  See, I have a great plan that could bring Reko to her knees in a matter of seconds.  But, I need you and Lyra to help me out.
LYKO:  What's the plan?

DJAI:  Time to rise and shine.
REKO:  There's a reason I wasn't born to be the sun.
DJAI:  Many of us weren't.  That's why we're where we are.
REKO:  It's too early for philosophy.  (SHE PULLS HER COMFORTER OVER HER HEAD.)  Let me sleep another hour or two.
DJAI:  If you expect the Preacher to keep us here long, you've got to do whatever you can to help him out.
REKO:  I don't want to sound selfish here, but isn't he supposed to let us stay here no matter what?
DJAI:  (PULLING AT THE COMFORTER, BUT NO SUCCESS IN MOVING IT)  Get up, Reko.
REKO:  Please, not now!
DJAI:  Reko.
REKO:  Fine.  (SHE LETS GO OF THE COMFORTER, AND DJAI GOES FLYING OFF THE END OF THE BED.)  Looks like the sun has fallen.
DJAI:  Very funny.  (PAUSE.)  Are you ever going to tell me the truth about what you and Kenese were talking about last night?
REKO:  (PAUSE.)  I heard you talking after I left.  You know what we were talking about.
DJAI:  How did I know?
REKO:  He told you!
DJAI:  No, I mean, how did I know that you would be one to listen in on our conversation?
REKO:  Oh.... well...
DJAI:  I don't blame you, Reko.  I would have, too.  God knows I've done that sort of thing many times.
REKO:  He's not the only one who knows.
DJAI:  That's true.
REKO:  You were caught a few times.
DJAI:  Yes, but--
REKO:  Don't try to save yourself, Djai.
DJAI:  Too late, huh?
REKO:  Yeah.
DJAI:  (PAUSE.)  So I'm "not the marrying type"?
REKO:  (BLUSHING)  Well, how am I supposed to know?
DJAI:  Well, I'd say five years together is a big commitment.
REKO:  I didn't know if you really wanted to stay with me, though.  You've been shying away lately.
DJAI:  I have?
REKO:  Maybe you were getting afraid to say anything.
DJAI:  Well, I'm sorry.  I didn't realize it.  And don't think that it was on purpose, because it most definitely wasn't!
REKO:  (TEASING)  Oh, sure.
DJAI:  Really!  I wasn't!
REKO:  Uh-huh.
DJAI:  Okay, I'll admit I was a little reluctant to approach you about the matter myself--
REKO:  Hence, my talk with Kenese?
DJAI:  Y-yeah...
REKO:  I understand.  I would have talked with you about it a long time ago if I'd known you were ready.
DJAI:  So, you say "yes"?
REKO:  That's the thing...  I'm not sure myself.  I really love you, Djai.  There's no escaping that fact.
DJAI:  Then say "yes"!
REKO:  It's not that simple.  I don't even know if I'll survive long enough for us to be married all that long.
DJAI:  How so?
REKO:  First, there's Vantie--
DJAI:  Won't happen.  She can't harm you as long as you stay here.
REKO:  If not her, then my own self.  It's never been tested how long Sangwine Generated Humans last.
DJAI:  This is true.
REKO:  So what'll happen if I...
DJAI:  Don't think about that.
REKO:  But I don't--
DJAI:  Shhh!  Is that the only thing holding you back?  Death?
REKO:  It has been a very prominent event in my life...
DJAI:  Reko, don't.  You're not making any sense.  In a battle, there's always somebody who outlives someone else.  We'll make it!  Please, you've trusted me this long.  Why not forever?
REKO:  Forever's a long time.
DJAI:  I don't have a ring, but please, promise me you'll marry me?
REKO:  I can't promise until I'm sure--
DJAI:  Sure that you won't die?  Everybody dies.
REKO:  But when I think about what I did....  (SHE STARTS TO CRY, A SINGLE TEAR ROLLING DOWN HER FACE.  DJAI WIPES IT AWAY.)  Djai, I can't forget that.
DJAI:  And you shouldn't.  You're such a caring person, Reko.  It was five years ago, and it was either him or you.
REKO:  You're right.  I should move on.

(ALTHOUGH THEY DON'T NOTICE, KENESE IS OUTSIDE THE ROOM, PRESSING HIS EAR AGAINST THE DOOR.)

DJAI:  So...
REKO:  Who needs a ring when I've got you beside me every day?
KENESE:  Yes!  (REKO AND DJAI JUMP.)  Oops.

VANTIE:  You okay in there?

(A MALE VOICE CALLS OUT:)

VOICE:  Yeah.
VANTIE:  Then why aren't you up yet?
VOICE:  Ah, leave me alone.
VANTIE:  Don't give me that attitude, mister.
VOICE:  You know it's too early to be getting up, so leave me alone.
VANTIE:  Fine.  Breakfast's getting cold, by the way.
VOICE:  Whatever.

(VANTIE ROLLS HER EYES AND GOES INTO THE KITCHEN.  LYKO IS LOOKING OUT A WINDOW, AND LYRA IS LOOKING AT HIS ARM, MOVING IT, SEEMINGLY FASCINATED WITH IT.)

LYKO:  When are we going?
VANTIE:  As soon as he gets his butt out here.
LYRA:  This is amazing...
VANTIE:  For Pete's sake...  I just attached your arm.  Is it really that important?
LYRA:  This is the one I was shot in!  It's as good as new, Vantie.
VANTIE:  Thanks, but really, it was nothing.
LYKO:  With all this time to heal his wounds, he's still so slow!
VANTIE:  Give him time.  It must be hard facing them again.
LYRA:  No biggie.  Just a shocker, at the most.
VANTIE:  I'm just hoping his memory didn't get knocked back into place.

(THE "MYSTERY MAN" WALKS THROUGH THE DOORWAY AND LEANS AGAINST THE JAMB.  HE IS NOW REVEALED, ONLY BY HIS EYES.  A DEEP BROWN, MATCHING HIS SKIN, GIVES AWAY HIS IDENTITY.)

LYKO:  It's about time you got down here, Vince.

PREACHER:  Are you enjoying your stay, Miss Reko?
REKO:  Yes, sir.  Of course.
PREACHER:  Is there nothing we can do to make you more comfortable?
REKO:  No, I think we're just fine the way we are.  Thank you so much for taking us in, by the way.  As soon as Djai and I get steady jobs, we'll be on our way.  We're trying our best to find something as soon as possible.
PREACHER:  I'll have none of that.
REKO:  What?
PREACHER:  I saw that young woman the other day, Reko.  I could feel that she's the kind of person that is truly evil.  She'll do anything to get you off this Holy Ground, and that's when she'll get you.  If you move away from here, she'll have ever opportunity possible to follow through with her plans, whatever they may be.
REKO:  I'm not scared of her.

(DJAI BURSTS THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS OF THE CHURCH.  THE PREACHER AND REKO WATCH HIM IN CONFUSION AS HE RUNS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING.)

PREACHER:  And just what was all that about?
REKO:  Not sure.

(THEY CHASE DOWN DJAI, WHO IS OUT OF BREATH AND HAS LOST WHATEVER HE WAS FOLLOWING.)

DJAI:  Where'd he go...
REKO:  Where'd who go?
DJAI:  I thought he was buried a while back.  (DJAI RUNS TO A GRAVESTONE AND READS IT TO HIMSELF.)  Sure enough.  I must have been hallucinating.
REKO:  About what, Djai?
DJAI:  I could have sworn...
PREACHER:  Djai, tell us what you envisioned.
DJAI:  I saw him.  He looks older that what he did a few years back.
PREACHER:  "Him" who?

(DJAI'S EYES OPEN WIDE, AND HE POINTS TO A LARGE TREE ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CHURCH.)

DJAI:  Over there.  Behind the tree.
REKO:  What is it?
DJAI:  Who I saw...  (DJAI DARTS TO THE TREE, BUT SLOWS AS HE NEARS IT.  AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, HE BACKS UP, FEAR OVERTAKING HIS FACE.)  No....
REKO:  Djai, what's going on?  (SHE RUNS UP BEHIND DJAI AND HOLDS HIS SHOULDERS.)  Djai, what's wrong with you?  Why won't you talk to me?  (DJAI IS TOTALLY SILENT.)  Djai, what's wrong?!

(REKO LOOKS AHEAD AT THE TREE.  A DARK FIGURE EMERGES, AND SHE RECOGNIZES IT IMMEDIATELY.)

VINCE:  Nice to see you.
REKO:  You...  no...
VINCE:  Me.  Yes.  (HE WALKS UP TO HER)  What's your problem?  It looks like you've seen a ghost.
REKO:  You've got to be a ghost, that's all there is to it...
VINCE:  Well, I may very well be a ghost.  (HE GRABS HER THROAT AND HOLDS HER IN THE AIR)  But how many ghosts can do that?
PREACHER:  Put her down!  So long as she is under sanctuary here, you cannot touch her!
VINCE:  Says who?
PREACHER:  This is God's House!  One should not commit sins on holy grounds.
VINCE:  A sin would be if I killed her.  (HE FLINGS HER TO THE GROUND, THEN WALKS TO THE PREACHER.  DJAI RUNS TO REKO, HELPING HER CATCH HER BREATH.)  Now, dear sir, I'd like it very much if you'd just move aside and give her to me.
DJAI:  She'll never give herself to you.

(VINCE STANDS STILL, SHOCKED, AT FIRST SIGHT OF DJAI.  MEMORIES OF VINCE AND REKO'S RELATIONSHIP COME FLOODING BACK INTO HIS MIND, ALONG WITH HER BREAKING UP AND BEING WITH DJAI.  A RAGE BEGINS TO GROW INSIDE HIM.)

VINCE:  Djai.
DJAI:  She's mine now, Vince.  You can't take her away from me.
VINCE:  Sorry to disappoint you, but I have my own now.  I have my own reasons to take her away from these grounds, not just for myself.
DJAI:  And what would those be?
VINCE:  This...  (HE PULLS OUT AN OLD PHOTO)  Reko, do you want to see?
REKO:  (SORELY)  See what.
VINCE:  Here.  (HE BALLS UP THE PICTURE AND TOSSES IT OVER.  REKO UNCRINKLES IT.)  I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.
REKO:  How did you get this?  (THE PICTURE IS OF HER FAMILY; MR AND MRS TENSHIN ALONG WITH REKO AND MIKA.)  Vince, where did you find it...
VINCE:  It's actually from them.  They're alive, too.
PREACHER:  You lie.  They are buried here in this cemetary.
VINCE:  Well, I could prove it to you one of two ways.  In one of them, we unearth their supposed buried bodies.
PREACHER:  Not on holy ground!  They may never be unearthed.
VINCE:  The other choice is to meet them at my home.  They're waiting for you, Reko.
DJAI:  Why should she believe you?
VINCE:  Because she hurt me so long ago...  She has to bring me some sort of consolation.
DJAI:  What?  The relationship?  Or was it that she shot you?
VINCE:  Either way....  Reko, what do you think?

(THIS WHOLE TIME, REKO HAS BEEN STARING AT THE PICTURE.  EACH PERSON LOOKS AGED ABOUT 5 YEARS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT COULD BE A REAL PHOTO OF HER FAMILY.)

REKO:  Are they....  really alive?
VINCE:  Don't you believe me?
REKO:  I believed you for so long....  And if you're alive....
VINCE:  Yes?
REKO:  Djai, let me go.
DJAI:  (HOLDING HER TIGHTER)  No!  Reko, he's lying!  Can't you see it in his eyes?
REKO:  I see the same Vince that I've always seen...  He's telling the truth.
DJAI:  Don't you remember he was brainwashed by Vantie?!  Come on, Reko, snap out of it!
REKO:  If you love me as much as you say you do, you'll let me go and find out.
DJAI:  Fine, but I'm coming with you.
REKO:  No!  I'm doing this on my own.
DJAI:  Reko....
REKO:  Let me go!  (SHE PUSHES HIM AWAY, RUNNING TO VINCE'S SIDE)  I'm doing this on my own, Djai.  I'll be back soon, I promise.
PREACHER:  Reko, I have to advise against this.  You know how he treated you just a few moments ago.
REKO:  He had to prove he was real, didn't he?  Vince is the kind of person who would do that, I think.
PREACHER:  (PUTTING HIS HANDS ON HER SHOULDERS)  I send you my blessings, then.  I'll tell Kenese for you.
REKO:  No need.  I'll be back very soon.