The 47 Ronin v1.3 (c#1A72A6.fdr - Whoa is (Not)

16.
LORD KIRA
Token...
(beat)
A token gift indeed.
Asano and Oishi are struck by the comment. Kira doesn’t
care.
LORD KIRA
A true gift is what has been
bestowed upon you, Lord Asano.
Wasted, in truth.
Kira glances out the window at the countryside.
LORD KIRA
Only twenty percent of the land in
the entire country is capable of
producing crops. And yet here you
sit with your cherry blossom trees
and your grassy hills.
(beat)
A man could raise an army to dwarf
all others with fertile soil such
as this. An ambitious man.
Kira takes a handful of gold coins. Lets them slip
disdainfully through his fingers, unwanted as pennies.
Pity.
LORD KIRA
And in a flurry of silk and arrogance, Kira exits the room.
When he’s gone, Oishi rises, knuckles white on his sword.
OISHI
I’d like to strike that smug head
from his shoulders.
But the young lord puts a calming hand on Oishi’s shoulder.
LORD ASANO
The world is changing, my friend.
Courtiers like Kira are the new
samurai. Guns are replacing
swords. And the swords that remain
are mostly ornamental.
(indicates)
Like yours. There was a time when
it would’ve been unthinkable for
your blade to shatter against the
inferior ones of those ronin at the
sea. But that was when the art of
true swordmaking was still valued.
Still cared for.
(beat)
(MORE)