The Mole 2: Anime Edition

Episode Twelve

Week Eleven Mole Poll: Takeshi- 42%, Mitsune- 32%, Jenrya- 26%

Contestants
Jenrya- Puppy Watcher: "Digimon Tamers"
Mitsune- Slacker: "Love Hina"
Takeshi- Hugh Hefner-Wannabe: "Pocket Monsters"
Washu- Genius: "Tenchi Muyo"
Tamahome- Bishonen: "Fushigi Yuugi"
Kenji- Research Assistant: "Pocket Monsters"
Akane- Tomboy: "Ranma ½"
Motoko- Kendo Girl: "Love Hina"
Ruki- Card Shark: "Digimon Tamers"
Kasumi- Romantic Tension: "Pocket Monsters"
Miaka- Student/Priestess: "Fushigi Yuugi"
Keitaro- Resident Manager: "Love Hina"
Ranma- Freak of Nature: "Ranma ½"
Takato- Goggle Boy: "Digimon Tamers"

Episode Twelve
(Mike is standing in the cell, site of the last execution.)
Mike: It started with fourteen. Fourteen suspects, all with the possibility of being the Mole. In that time, eleven have been executed. Many have been suspected, but none of them were the traitor. Now only three remain. And yet, the difficulty has not gone down. All three have been suspicious at one time. All three could very well be it. But only one is the person sought after. Only one is our saboteur. Only one, is the Mole.

Mitsune: This is it. The final round, the championship, the World Series. Somebody’s walking home with a lot of money and somebody’s just walking home. It’s a wild thought.

Takeshi: It’s a real feeling of accomplishment. I mean, Washu did great, but where exactly does she stand at the end? Mole’s eleventh victim? Even if I don’t win, I can at least say I made it to the end.

Jenrya: It’s almost over. It’s been an amazing trip, and it’s about to come to an end. At times it’s been rough, and at times it’s been frustrating, but it’s always been exciting. And I think it’s going to get even more exciting.

Day Twenty-Six
(Again, the team is on the road.)
Barb: (VO) With all the excitement of the final round, we’ve given the players one day off to unwind, relax, and above all- relocate. The team is headed for Civitavecchia. Do not make me repeat that. Right now, the pot stands at 438,000 yen out of a possible 900,000. The final 100,000 will be up for grabs in the next two days, but the Mole is still out there, and the Mole is still determined to make sure that as little money as possible is won.

(The three lug their bags into the lobby. Jenrya walks ahead of Mitsune and Takeshi, obviously in a good mood.)

Mitsune: Hey, Jenny? Why are you in such a good mood?

Jenrya: Hm? Well, I’m in the finals, isn’t that enough?

Mitsune: Oh. Yeah, I guess so. I mean, Washu just got executed. Didn’t you have a coalition with her?

Jenrya: Oh… yeah. But I outlasted her. I beat her. That’s quite an achievement.

Mitsune: I suppose.

Jenrya: Why aren’t you two in a good mood? It’s the final three, shouldn’t you at least be a little excited?

Mitsune: Well… a little. I kinda expected to get this far.

Takeshi: And I was really only in this game to beat Kenji. Winning is an afterthought.

Jenrya: I suppose the Mole knew they’d be here since the beginning.

Mitsune: That’s true. One of us is only pretending to be excited.

Jenrya: Only one of us is excited period. And I’m not pretending.

Takeshi: Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mole was sincerely excited to be here. It means their work is almost done, and that they haven’t given themselves away yet.

Mitsune: Oh yeah… I suppose that’s true. The Mole’s done a really good job so far, whoever it is.

Takeshi: Definitely. Given the way we’ve been playing, all three of us deserve to be here, regardless of who the Mole is.

Jenrya: You’re right about that.

Mitsune: Okay, enough with the self-serving chit-chat, let’s get these bags in our rooms and hit the hot tub!

Takeshi: Hey… now I’m excited!

(In the pool area of the hotel, Mitsune is relaxing in a hot tub while Jenrya and Takeshi are swimming.)
Mitsune: (VO) If you told me that I’d be spending my time with a ten year old boy and a love-starved teenager, and then said that I would enjoy it, I’d probably ask you where you buy your liquor. But seriously, these two crack me up. You got Takeshi, who is the exact opposite of what you’d expect from a hormone-driven male. He’s got his goofy side, but he’s also fun to be with, capable of a serious conversation, and he’s a lot smarter than he looks. The way the game’s been going, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jenrya’s hair starts going gray, but it shows that he’s really taking it seriously. He’s no slouch. And no matter what, you have to respect that.

(Jenrya and Takeshi are still swimming, apparently racing each other.)
Jenrya: (VO) It’s very strange company, but then again, I suppose after working with Takato and Ruki I’m used to it. First there’s Mitsune. She’s totally outlandish, and she looks like she doesn’t have a care in the world. She’d be the last person that you’d picture taking this game seriously, but believe me- her being in the finals is no fluke. Then there’s Takeshi. When you get to know him he’s a nice guy. He’s the kind of person you’d immediately want to get to know better. I think he’s a great friend, and even though he’s my top candidate for being the Mole, I still think he’s the nicest person in this game.

(Mitsune has now joined the boys in the pool, and they are playing volleyball.)
Takeshi: (VO) I couldn’t have asked for better company to be in the finals with. You look at everything in perspective and it’s just amazing. We have been out here almost four weeks. We’ve been playing this insane game, trying to figure out which one of us is a traitor. All of us, including myself, have been playing this game very, very hard. We’re all putting an incredible effort into this game. We’ve been fighting for a ton of money, over 400,000 yen, which only one of us can bring home. And what are we doing now? We’re playing a friendly game of volleyball in the pool. Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn’t get any better than that.

(Shot of the three retiring to their separate rooms. The doors close behind them.)
Barb: (VO) The resting day over with, tomorrow will continue the game. Each player will be subjected to their own individual challenge. With 60,000 yen at stake, hopefully the rest was enough. All three will be severely tested. How much depends on three little words.

(Mike goes through the halls and quietly posts an envelope on each door.)

Day Twenty-Seven
(Mitsune opens her door and stretches. She walks past her envelope and heads downstairs as Jenrya walks out the door. He sees the envelope.)

Jenrya: Hey, uh, Kitsune? There’s something on your door?

Mitsune: Oh yeah? I’ll be damned…

(Mitsune checks out as Jenrya turns around and sees his. He opens it up to show… another envelope. This one has the word "TIMBER" written on it. Show Mitsune as she opens hers up, with the word "BALL" on it.)

Jenrya: Strange. Where’s Takeshi?

Mitsune: Maybe we got lucky and he’s cooking breakfast again.

(Takeshi steps out of his door.)

Takeshi: Sorry. No dice.

(He sees his envelope and opens it. His envelope inside has "REVOLUTION" on it.)

Takeshi: Revolution? What, do we have an Utena challenge now?

Jenrya: No, we already had Battle Athletes for a challenge. I think there’s a limit- only one guest show with gratuitous lesbian overtones.

Mitsune: Sorry, Takeshi.

Takeshi: I say we work to get that changed…

Mitsune: (eyeing Jenrya) Although… Digimon and Fushigi Yuugi were both here. They both have gratuitous gay overtones.

(Jenrya coughs)

Jenrya: Undertones, Kitsune. Gratuitous gay undertones. There’s a big difference.

Mitsune: Either way… this could be an interesting challenge.

(Downstairs, Barb and Mike join the three players.)

Barb: As you can see, you each have an envelope before you with a word on it.

Mike: And as I can see… you actually followed directions and didn’t open it.

Barb: Each of the three words are associated with a different challenge. One challenge is difficult. One challenge is moderately difficult. One challenge is easy, but punishes failure. If anybody wants to switch envelopes, please do so now.

Mitsune: Somebody switch with me. I don’t want to have a ball.

Jenrya: That’s not like you. Want Timber?

Mitsune: …not really. I’ll take Revolution.

Takeshi: I can take Timber then.

Jenrya: Okay. I guess I can take Ball.

(They all switch accordingly.)

Barb: Everybody happy?

(They nod.)

Barb: Good. Each of these three challenges are worth 20,000 yen. Ball and Revolution, Jenrya and Mitsune, can come with me. Timber Takeshi goes with Mike.

(They get up and head out.)

Challenge Twenty-Eight
(Barb enters a private game room with Jenrya and Mitsune.)

Barb: Mitsune, you had Revolution. There’s several different things you can take out of that word. What immediately came to mind?

Mitsune: I dunno. It sounded more fun that the other two.

Barb: Oh. Well it definitely is. Mitsune, are you familiar with the game Dance Dance Revolution?

(Mitsune buries her face in her hands. Jenrya quietly chuckles.)

Mitsune: Oh God.

Barb: I’ll take that as a yes. You are going to playing it for two hours. In two hours, you will have to be good enough at the game to get through three songs on the Trick difficulty level. If you’re out of shape… I’d suggest you work your way up.

Mitsune: Jenny’s not watching is he?

Barb: No, he has a different challenge. Neither Jenrya nor Takeshi will actually see what you did.

Mitsune: Oh… good.

Barb: Everybody watching at home on the other hand…

Mitsune: Let’s get this over with.

Barb: Okay… the DDR machine has been supplied to us courtesy of Gamers in Akihabara. And we have a representative from Gamers to help us out. Dejiko?

(Dejiko, the title character of Di Gi Charat, comes out in all her cuteness.)

Dejiko: Everything’s ready for you-nyo.

Barb: Excellent. Mitsune. Your two hours begin once you step on the platform.

(Mitsune heads off with Dejiko while Barb leaves with Jenrya.)

(A forest outside town. Mike and Takeshi are next to a large tree. There are four cars surrounding the tree, spaced out equally. Each car has a number written on it.)

Mike: We’re going to be doing a little bit of lumber work. Your challenge is to cut down a tree.

Takeshi: With what, a herring?

Mike: Heh… no you get all the implements you need. We have a couple saws, a chainsaw, axes… the catch is where the tree lands. See those cars?

Takeshi: Yeah.

Mike: Each has a value on it. Around the tree, they are 10,000, 30,000, 20,000 and 40,000. If the tree does not hit one of those cars, 20,000 yen is added to the pot. However, if the tree lands on any one of those cars, however much is on it will be subtracted from the pot. You have one hour. Go to it.

(Apparently the game room Mitsune was in was at a shopping center in town. Barb and Jenrya head to a card table set up on a sidewalk. There are three cups upside down on it.)

Barb: Hold out your hand.

(Jenrya does so. Barb hands him a sum of Italian money.)

Barb: I am giving you 150,000 lira. It’s worth a bit less than 9,000 yen. You’ll be using it to play the part of street hustler today. Hopefully you are familiar with the game where the hustler rapidly switches cups or shells around and you have to guess which one has the ball in it.

Jenrya: Yeah?

Barb: Your job will be to sucker people into playing the game, play it with them, and beat them. Using 10,000 lira increments, you will either receive money from them if you win, or dish it out if they win. With the money you have, you have fifteen chances. In order to win the challenge, you have to win three times.

Jenrya: Oh. Okay… that doesn’t sound too hard.

(Jenrya gets behind the table. Immediately a married couple passes by.)

Husband: What’s going on here?

Jenrya: Just a little game. It’s a good chance to win some money.

(Jenrya picks up a cup, revealing the ball inside.)

Jenrya: See the ball?

(Jenrya starts to shuffle the cups around.)

Jenrya: I got 10,000 lira that says you can’t figure out which cup it’s on.

(The guy immediately slams a 10,000 lira bill down.)

Wife: No, this looks like some swindler.

(Jenrya stops shuffling.)

Jenrya: Well… which one?

(The man points.)

Husband: That one.

(Jenrya lifts up the cup… and the ball is in there.)

Husband: See honey, he’s legit.

Jenrya: Um… good work.

(Jenrya pays the man and they head off. Jenrya sweatdrops.)

Jenrya: This is harder than I thought.

(Another passer-by comes to play. Jenrya tries again… and loses again.)
Jenrya: (VO) This is something that is not up my alley. Now Kitsune- she’d be perfect for this. But the first thing she said was that she didn’t want the Ball game. Given the choice- I’d rather be playing Dance Dance Revolution.

(Dejiko is demonstrating how to play it. For those who are unfamiliar with the game, the player stands at the center of a platform with four pads- one each in front of, in back of, to the left of, and to the first of the player. While a song plays, arrows scroll up on the screen that correspond to one of the four pads. When the arrow reaches the top of the screen, at the appropriate beat, the player must step on that pad. The player is graded based on how accurate they time each step. Too many misses result in failure. That is definitely not the case with Dejiko, as she seems to be doing a great job at it. Mitsune is in awe.)

Mitsune: Holy smokes…

(Dejiko finishes. The screen shows Dejiko’s score. She gets a B.)

Dejiko: B?! I’ll show you a B!

(Dejiko jumps back and prepares to shoot off an eye beam at it.)

Mitsune: Hey, hey! Don’t blow it up before I get a chance at it.

Dejiko: (calmer) Okay-nyo. Anyway, that was the hardest level, Maniac. You should start out on the easiest level-nyo.

Mitsune: Okay… I have two hours to get through it on Trick level. And that's in the middle... I don’t have to get an A, do I?

Dejiko: No-nyo.

Mitsune: Well… let’s give it a whirl.

(Mitsune starts it up on Beginner mode. The music starts. Mitsune steps on a pad. The game’s announcer immediately shouts "You’re dangerous!")

Mitsune: Hey!!

Dejiko: Keep practicing-nyo.

(Mitsune continues to play it on Easy. She is slowly improving… very slowly.)

Mitsune: This is really tricky. It’s been a long time since I actually played this, and you have to believe that it was the last thing I ever expected to be doing in the final round of a reality series.

(Back at the tree. Takeshi is contemplating a way to cut the tree. The wind is noticeably getting stronger.)

Takeshi: I think I know how I want to cut this, but I don’t know if the wind is going to do anything.

Mike: Oh yeah… it’s starting to pick up. You’ll just have to figure out a way around it.

Takeshi: Yeah. Let’s see… I’ll try to go in between the 10,000 and 30,000 cars. That way if I screw up we don’t lose as much.

Mike: Okay… your weapon of the day?

Takeshi: Hm… let’s take a look at that chainsaw.

(Takeshi picks it up and looks at it.)

Takeshi: I just realized something… it’s been awhile since I used one of these. Better play it safe and pick something else.

(Takeshi picks up a saw. It’s one that was designed to be used by two people. Takeshi gauges everything and prepares to cut. He tries to figure out how to get it into the tree.)

Takeshi: Um… I could use some help here.

Mike: I see that. Too bad you don’t have any.

Takeshi: Thank you Mike.

(Takeshi goes back to the tools and finds a saw that can be used by one person. He decides to work with that.)

Takeshi: Usually, something like this wouldn’t seem too tricky, but those cars are really close together and I have to make sure I don’t hit them. I’m a bit cautious right now, but I’ve got plenty of time. This is bad enough, but the wind today is very strong, and I’m afraid it will completely mess me up and guide the tree onto one of the cars.

(Jenrya is now starting to get popular, as he has yet to win. He pays somebody.)

Barb: Jenrya, how much do you have left?

Jenrya: 70,000.

(A young boy comes up to play. Jenrya is getting slightly faster at mixing the cups around.)

Jenrya: Okay, kid, which one has the ball?

Boy: Um… this one.

(Jenrya picks it up. Jenrya himself is surprised to see that the ball is missing.)

Jenrya: Sorry.

(The boy pulls out his wallet. He’s trying to find the money to pay. Jenrya seems troubled.)

Jenrya: Hey, uh… don’t worry about it. This one was free.

Boy: Okay… thanks.

(The boy runs off. Jenrya turns to Barb.)

Jenrya: Now technically, I won, right?

Barb: Yeah, technically.

Jenrya: I just don’t feel right taking that kid’s money.

Barb: Well, that’s fine. That is one win out of the three you need. I guess the only thing is that you could have used the money that you won to keep playing in case the 150,000 runs out. And at the rate you’re going, it might.

(Another player… and another winner. Jenrya forks over the money.)

(Over at the DDR machine, Mitsune is handling the Beginner level without a problem.)

Mitsune: Okay… now I’m getting the hang of this.

Dejiko: That’s good-nyo. It only took you an hour-nyo.

Mitsune: An hour? Better get up to the next level fast.

(Mitsune starts up on the Basic level. She hold her own, but still struggles. She gets through the level with a C grade.)

Mitsune: A C? Dejiko, I’m about ready to let you blow it up.

Dejiko: Can I-nyo?

Mitsune: No-nyo… I suppose I have to try to finish… let’s go.

(The wind is picking up again. Takeshi is sawing the tree, and is about halfway through. He constantly checks to make sure it will fall in the right direction.)

Takeshi: How much time do I have left?

Mike: Plenty.

(Takeshi continues to cut. He finally gets it to where it’s about to fall. It starts too… and falls right in between the 10 and 30 thousand yen cars. Takeshi smiles and claps.)

Takeshi: All right… all right… I can’t celebrate with anybody.

Mike: What the hell…

(Takeshi high-fives Mike. Mike smiles. Caption: "Win ¥20,000")

Mike: You have to let it out somehow. Congrats, 20,000 is added to the pot.

Takeshi: Great, let’s get out of here before we get blown to Corsica.

Mike: Good call.

(Mike and Takeshi head back.)

(On the sidewalk, Jenrya manages to win another game.)
Barb: (VO) With only 10,000 lira remaining, Jenrya wins again. This time though, he does decide to collect on it.

(The man playing pays up.)

Barb: So now you have 20,000 lira, and one more game to win.

Jenrya: Yeah.

(A woman steps up to play. Jenrya does his routine. The woman is about to point to the cup on the right. That pesky wind returns, however, and blows the left cup away, uncovering the ball behind it.)
Woman: I changed my mind. The left one.

Jenrya: Sorry… let’s try that again.

Woman: The way I just played… sorry!

(The woman walks away.)

Barb: On the plus side, you didn’t lose.

Jenrya: If it wasn’t for that gust of wind, I would have won.

Barb: Hey, that’s nothing. Wait until you find out what Takeshi’s challenge is.

(Another man steps up and plays Jenrya loses.)

Barb: Once again, last chance.

Jenrya: Okay…

(Again, another man. This one looks ready to play. Jenrya does the routine. The man thinks for a second, then picks the one in the middle. Jenrya sighs.)

Jenrya: Okay… let’s see…

(Jenrya picks it up. The ball is not in there. Jenrya sighs in relief.)

Barb: You guys certainly have a flair for drama. Good work… I guess. 20,000 yen will be added to the pot.

Jenrya: Great. Let’s get out of here before this wind blows us to Sardinia.

Barb: Agreed.

(The two walk away, leaving the last player behind. He has a bill out and is ready to pay. Caption: "Win ¥20,000")

Man: Um… excuse me? Don’t I owe money or something?

(No response.)

Man: Weirdest swindler I’ve ever seen.

(Jenrya and Barb quietly step into the game to watch Mitsune getting her dance on. She is struggling at the Trick mode.)

Barb: (quietly, to Dejiko) How much time left?

Dejiko: Ten minutes left-nyo.

(Mitsune fails this round. She turns around to see Barb and Jenrya.)

Mitsune: Aw jeez. Am I done?

Barb: Not quite, but if you want to get your three songs in before the buzzer, you have to start now. This would be your last chance.

Jenrya: You can do it Kitsune.

Mitsune: Okay… let’s rock.

(Mitsune steps up and begins, to the cheers of Jenrya and Dejiko. She struggles through the first song, but manages to get through it. She’s obviously tired when it’s over, and she hits a D rating.)

Jenrya: It’s okay, you got through it.

Dejiko: Use the same songs you’ve been doing before so you’re more familiar with the routines-nyo.

Jenrya: C’mon, Kitsune, I did my thing, you can do yours.

Mitsune: What about Takeshi?

Jenrya: God only knows.

(Takeshi and Mike enter the room.)

Takeshi: I won mine, how’d everybody else do?

Jenrya: I won mine. It’s up to Kitsune to get the sweep.

Barb: It’s Dance or Die time.

Takeshi: Let’s go Kitsune!

(Mitsune steps up for the second round. Jenrya and Takeshi are cheering wildly for her. She steps up and fares little better. She is still tired. She barely makes it through song two. However, as soon as she’s finished, Jenrya pulls a chair behind her and she falls into it. Jenrya drapes a towel around her shoulders and Mitsune uses it. Jenrya massages her shoulders while Takeshi sits in front of her and gives a pep talk.)

Takeshi: All right Kitsune it all comes down to this. You pulled a C this time, that’s good work. Keep going and you’ve got this…

(During this time, Dejiko comes in with a water bottle and squirts some water into Mitsune’s mouth. Mitsune gurgles for a second, then spits it into a bucket.)

Takeshi: Now go out there and DDR like you mean it!

(Mitsune stands up.)

Mitsune: Yeah!

(Mitsune takes the "field" and starts. The music is something driving (as if there’s a DDR song that isn’t) and fits the scene perfectly. Mitsune seems pretty focuses, but is still struggling.)

Jenrya: C’mon Kitsune! Just a little more!

(Mitsune keeps stepping… but it just isn’t enough. With only a little bit left, she finally missteps enough to warrant a failure. Jenrya and Takeshi are obviously disappointed. Mitsune is obviously exhausted.)

Jenrya: Um… it’s okay.

Takeshi: Good effort. You won’t see me playing as good as that.

(Mitsune is still catching her breath. Dejiko hands her the water bottle, which Mitsune immediately rips the lid open and starts chugging.)

Barb: Well, again- a flair for drama. Good effort, but unfortunately it was just short. As you could probably guess, you had the difficult challenge. Jenrya had to play street hustler in the moderately difficult challenge, but he pulled through at the last minute. Meanwhile Takeshi played part of a lumberjack in the easy challenged that punished failure. Fail… he did not. Jenrya and Takeshi’s successes will add a total of 40,000 yen to the pot, bringing the new total to 478,000 yen. Let’s head back to the hotel… and get Mitsune back to health for tomorrow.

Mitsune: Nah… I’ll be fine. Assuming of course that I don’t have to walk.

(They begin to head out.)

Takeshi: You sure you’re going to be okay?

Mitsune: Yeah, I can managed right now. My legs’ll be sore as hell tomorrow though!

Jenrya: Let’s hope it’s not another uphill running game tomorrow.

Jenrya: I personally think Mitsune put in a really strong effort, so it’s not really her fault for losing. I’m definitely not going to get on her case much and I doubt Takeshi will either.

Takeshi: It’s another example of when somebody puts forth a strong effort but comes up just short. She did look like she was going all out, and for awhile, I bet she was. But for some reason, it’s always the last minute when she falls. In a game like this, she wouldn’t even have to throw the game. She’d just have to exert less effort into it. Just enough so that she’d fail right before she’d reach the end of the song.

Day Twenty-Eight
(Mitsune's legs are definitely sore the next day, and Jenrya and Takeshi are helping her downstairs.)
Mitsune: (with every step) Ow. Ow. Ow.

Takeshi: Last day Kitsune. Then we're done.

Jenrya: Maybe you'll get lucky and the next challenge will be handicap accessible.

(They arrive downstairs and see Mike, Barb, and producer Manny.)

Barb: Welcome to the last day, the last challenge, and the last opportunity to win money.

Mitsune: Please say it's one where I can sit in a hotel room the whole time.

Mike: Sorry, Mitsune, you will all be on the move for this challenge.

Barb: And once again, you will all be split up for this challenge. You will all be given a global positioning system device which will be used to find a location. At each location is a safe which you will have to open using a number we give you now. You will each have to select one of three transportation methods. A boat, which starts closest to their safe, but which you will have to drive. A car, which I will drive while you navigate. That starts farthest away from the safe. And of course, a helicopter, which Manny will pilot. Again- you have to tell him where to go. You will have two hours to find the safes, and if two of three can find them, 40,000 will be added to the pot. Please decide who will use what.

Mitsune: I want to try the boat again.

Takeshi: Oh God...

Mitsune: Seriously! I want to show the world that I actually can drive a boat.

Jenrya: Hey, that's fine by me. I didn't want the boat.

Takeshi: Okay fine. But I'm going to be honest, navigation is not my strong point.

Jenrya: I know, I talked to Satoshi.

Takeshi: I don't know why he's talking, Satoshi's not that great at it either.

Jenrya: (to Barb) Did you say the car was farther away from the helicopter?

Barb: Yes I did.

Jenrya: Why don't I take the car then?

Takeshi: Yeah, good idea.

Mike: Are you agreed then?

Takeshi: Yep. Kitsune’s on boat, Jenrya’s on car, I’m on helicopter.

Barb: Okay then. Mike?

(Mike hands each of them a GPS device.)

Mike: Have fun trying to figure these guys out. Each of them has the coordinates leading you to your safe. Neither me, Barb, nor Manny know the locations.

Manny: Well, I do. I’m the producer. But I’m not telling!

Barb: Right. Here are your numbers that you will have to remember. Mitsune, on boat, your number is "6453." Jenrya, in car, your number is "2272." Takeshi, in helicopter, your number is "6653." Got it? Good. Everybody pick your host or producer and let’s party!

(The six head out.)

Challenge Twenty-Nine
(Jenrya and Barb are getting into the car. Jenrya hops into the passenger seat and tries to figure out his GPS.)
Jenrya: (VO) This is the last challenge. It feels like you have to do well to end on a high note.

(Mitsune and Mike head to a boat. Mitsune starts it up, then takes a look at her GPS.)
Mitsune: (VO) Before, actually thinking the money was going to be yours was an afterthought. Right now, I have a one in three chance of walking away with it. So now each challenge won or lost has that much more significance.

(Manny and Takeshi board a helicopter.)
Takeshi: (VO) You can be willing to bet that the Mole is out in full force for this challenge, so you've got to work twice as hard to make sure they don't sabotage it.

(Manny is ready to take off. Takeshi is fiddling with his GPS.)

Manny: Well, where to? You have to navigate completely.

Takeshi: Okay... hold on... looks like it's Southeast.

Manny: Which way is Southeast?

Takeshi: Come on Manny, give me some love.

Manny: You're not that desperate, are you?

Takeshi: Just a second...

(Takeshi sees a compass on the control panel and points Southeast according to it.)

Takeshi: That a way!

Manny: Gotcha.

(The helicopter takes off. Caption: "2:00:00 Remaining")

(In the car, Jenrya is giving Barb directions.)
Jenrya: Let's see... I think I'm starting to get the hang of this thing. Turn... left at the next intersection.

Barb: Left. Okay.

Jenrya: Wait, wait... right.

Barb: Right. Okay.

Jenrya: Hold on a second... third intersection. Not this one.

Barb: Right at third intersection.

Jenrya: No left.

Barb: Left at third intersection.

Jenrya: Wait... okay maybe I'm not getting the hang of this.

(In the boat, Mitsune is trying to drive and navigate at the same time. Mike is on a lounge chair watching.)
Mitsune: Man... how come I have to drive too?

Mike: You selected boat, you get boat.

Mitsune: Then what are you doing here?

Mike: I'm only here to tell you how much time left, and if you're violating any rules. Pretty sweet, huh?

Mitsune: Well, get me a drink then.

Mike: What?

Mitsune: You're lounging on your butt while I'm doing serious work. Get me a drink.

Mike: But, but...

Mitsune: Mike...

(Mike sighs.)

Mike: Yes Miss Konno.

(Mike walks away. Mitsune smiles.)

Mitsune: Heh... I've always wanted a cabana boy.

(The helicopter is cruising along. Caption: "0:38:48 Remaining")
Barb: (VO) The three vehicles each use their GPS systems to near their safes. It takes each of them an hour and a half to even get near their destinations... assuming they are the right destinations.

(In the plane, Takeshi is looking at his GPS very closely.)

Takeshi: Looks like it should be right around here. Take us down.

Manny: Um. We may have a problem with that.

(Takeshi looks out the window. Below them is completely forested, with a few mountains thrown in for good measure. There is no landing place in sight.)

Takeshi: Somebody wasn't taking something into consideration when choosing locations. Find the nearest spot and land there. We can do the rest by foot, right?

Manny: I suppose. Let's see...

(Manny and Takeshi continue looking for a spot to land.)

(Barb is driving. Jenrya is navigating. Caption: "0:30:17 Remaining")

Jenrya: Okay... just a little bit further. If I'm reading this right, it should be right in here.

Barb: So pull in here?

Jenrya: Yeah.

(Jenrya and Barb exit. Jenrya starts to approach a nearby building.)

Barb: Um... Jenrya?

Jenrya: (looking at his GPS) Yeah?

Barb: This isn't me giving a hint or anything, but um... this is where we started.

(Jenrya looks up and sees the hotel where they started. He immediately face faults.)

Jenrya: What the?

Barb: Somebody needs to work on their...

Jenrya: The safe was in the hotel the whole time?

Barb: Uh. No.

Jenrya: What the heck?

(Jenrya looks at his GPS.)

Jenrya: Well, I thought I had this figured out.

(Jenrya heads back to the car. Barb follows.)

Barb: Where to now?

Jenrya: Hold on. Don't go anywhere. I just want to figure out where we're going.

(Mitsune is still driving the boat. She checks the GPS frequently.)
Mitsune: Okay, let's see here... according to this it should be somewhere near that port. I'm going to pull in there.

Mike: Um... who are you talking to? You're the one driving.

Mitsune: Oh yeah. How much time's left?

Mike: Just over twenty minutes.

Mitsune: Roger!

(Mitsune heads towards the port.)

(Manny has landed the plane, and he and Takeshi are searching the grounds for the safe. They are in a forest.)
Takeshi: According to this, it should be around here. Where the heck did you put it?

(Manny remains silent.)

Takeshi: Can’t you help me out at all?

Manny: Yeah- you have thirteen minutes and counting.

Takeshi: Lucky me.

(Takeshi takes a close look at his GPS.)

Takeshi: I have to be reading this thing right. What am I doing wrong?

Manny: Twelve minutes.

Takeshi: (dry) Thank you.

(Takeshi continues to ponder everything, then stamps his foot.)

Takeshi: I smell foul play.

(Barb and Jenrya are still at the hotel. Jenrya is totally lost as to what to do.)

Jenrya: How much time left?

Barb: Ten minutes.

(Jenrya shakes his head.)

Jenrya: Forget it. Too late now. Might as well just stay here.

Barb: Or take you to the final quiz location.

Jenrya: Sure. Might as well get a head start on the others.

Barb: Sounds good.

(Barb starts driving.)

(Mitsune and Mike are searching an area near the port. Caption: "0:05:00 Remaining")
Mitsune: Okay… it should be right about… here.

(Sure enough, there is a safe there.)

Mike: Do you remember the number?

Mitsune: Sure I do! Just a… give me a second… how much time do I have?

Mike: Five minutes.

Mitsune: Swell… let me see…

Mike: Just punch the code into the safe. If it opens, that’s one success. Another one will add the forty thousand.

Mitsune: It was six something…

(Mitsune tries a number. No luck.)

Mitsune: Okay… how about this one.

(Mitsune types a second number. She succeeds. Inside the safe is a small relief of the Mole thumbprint.)

Mike: Congratulations. That’s one relief. Let’s hope one of the boys also succeeded.

Mitsune: Great! Party time!

Mike: I got some margarita mix back in the boat.

Mitsune: That’s a plan!

(Mitsune and Mike head to the boat.)
Mike: (VO) Mitsune found her safe, but with Jenrya giving up, it all comes down to Takeshi to earn the team money.

(Takeshi is still searching the area for the safe.)

Takeshi: Here safe… come on out to Takeshi. Manny, do you see it anywhere?

Manny: Two minutes.

(Takeshi looks at Manny.)

Takeshi: You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?

Manny: I can’t say anything else. I’m here for two reasons- flying the helicopter and saying that you’re running out of time.

(Takeshi continues to search fervently in the area, but runs out of time.)

Manny: That’s time. Sorry.

Takeshi: Where the heck is it?

Manny: Far, far away from here.

Takeshi: You’re kidding me. Look at this thing and tell me this isn’t pointed here.

(Takeshi tries to show Manny the GPS, but Manny refuses to look at it. Caption: "Challenge Failed")

Manny: Sorry. It was right when we last checked it. We are not supposed to look at anything of the sort. At this point, I will take you to the final destination, where we will see how Jenrya and Mitsune did. You will also receive details on the final quiz.

(Takeshi sighs and walks off with Manny.)

Takeshi: I could swear that that thing led me to the wrong location. Either I was totally off in reading it, somebody messed up programming it, or the Mole sabotaged this challenge before it even got started.

(Alternating shots of the Mitsune and Mike in the boat sailing through the Tyrrhenian Sea, Barb and Jenrya driving in the car, and Manny and Takeshi in the helicopter.)

(A boat landing in Rome. There is a nearby helipad. The car pulls in first, as Barb and Jenrya step out and walk up to the landing. The boat is second, as Mike and Mitsune enter. Mitsune stands next to Jenrya while Mike stands next to Barb. The helicopter lands last, as Takeshi steps out and joins Jenrya and Mitsune. Barb addresses the group.)

Barb: Welcome to Rome, the site of the final quiz. First off, we have the matter of the last challenge to deal with. Who here got their relief from the safe?

(Mitsune holds hers up.)

Takeshi: Sorry. I don’t know what happened. I think my GPS went on the fritz.

Jenrya: Mine too. I don’t get it either but I didn’t even come close to finding the safe.

(Mitsune frowns.)

Mitsune: Well- I suppose this makes up for DDR.

Jenrya: Not really. No money’s added.

Barb: Jenrya is correct. Although Mitsune did find her relief, no money will be added to the pot. That may end the game on a low note, but in spite of that, there is still a grand total of 478,000 yen up for grabs on the quiz out of a potential one million. You’ve been here for twenty-eight days, and it all comes down to this. Tonight will be the final execution quiz. Twenty questions, spanning your entire trip here. Afterwards we will take you out one at a time and go through the execution thing. One of you will be the Mole’s final victim. One of you will receive the entire pot. And of course, one of you will be exposed as the Mole. But first… the most important thing of all. Dinner.

(Cheers from Jenrya, Mitsune, Takeshi, and even Mike. Barb looks at Mike.)

Barb: Mike, have you ever heard of the term "professionalism?"

Mike: Sorry… I was drinking margaritas on the boat with Mitsune.

Barb: Then why isn’t Mitsune tipsy?

(Mitsune walks by with Jenrya and Takeshi.)

Mitsune: I gotta stay level… it’s finals week.

Barb: Are you a contestant on a reality series or a kid in college?

(Jenrya, Mitsune, and Takeshi are all eating dinner.)

Jenrya: Well… this is it.

Takeshi: Yeah. Sorry we couldn’t get that last one.

Jenrya: I know. Takeshi, you had the same problem as me?

Takeshi: Sure did. I don’t understand what went wrong.

Mitsune: Even so, Jenny, you probably should have known better than to go back to the hotel.

Jenrya: I thought that was where it leaded.

Mitsune: Oh well… too late now.

Takeshi: I guess so.

Jenrya: Yeah… it just really seems sad that the Mole got the last laugh in all this.

Takeshi: I know. If the Mole really did screw up our devices, it’s sad because it could have been any one of us.

Mitsune: Not me! I couldn’t walk this morning, remember?

Jenrya: Well yeah, but…

Mitsune: Look, don’t worry about it. It’s the last dinner, do we really want to go out like this?

Takeshi: I don’t. This is the last time we’ll all be eating together, so I’d rather concentrate on the good stuff.

Jenrya: Definitely. I mean… I guess lately I’ve been focusing on all the bad stuff that’s been going on with this game. But really… it’s been fun.

Takeshi: Yeah. And you know, Jenrya, I don’t know if you realize this, but there are times when I’m just as frustrated as you are. I travel a lot with Satoshi, so I’m used to getting all sorts of weird stuff thrown at me. You just have to not let it get to you and keep fighting. Right Mitsune?

Mitsune: Yeah. Believe me, I’ve been plenty frustrated dealing with you two this whole trip.

(Mitsune shakes her head.)

Mitsune: Neither of you got to your safes?

(All three laugh.)

Jenrya: Thanks guys.

(Jenrya picks up a glass.)

Jenrya: Here’s wishing both of you the best of luck tonight. And to whichever one of you two is the Mole, congratulations, you have done a fantastic job.

Mitsune/Takeshi: Cheers.

(The three toast glasses.)

Jenrya: You two are bigger foxes than Kyuubimon but I couldn’t ask for better company.

(The trio is now dressed up pretty nice, and walking together down the streets of Rome towards the final quiz location.)
Mitsune: (VO) We’re all making nice now, but we all know that this is war. We’re all nervous, we’re all tired, we’re all trying to stay alert and on the lookout for that one last hint that will put us ahead. This is what it all comes down to, and you can’t lose your focus this late in the game.

Takeshi: (VO) I’m sure all three of us were very sincere at that last dinner. I know I was. But when it’s time to take that test, there isn’t a friendly thought going on in any of our heads. It's just a mad rush to remember as much as you can about everybody. There’s serious money at stake, and none of us are going to jeopardize that for the sake of friendship.

Jenrya: (VO) We are all close. I have no doubt that Kitsune, Takeshi, and I are friends for life. But right now, we have to concentrate. I think what Takeshi said had a lot of meaning- that it may not look like it, but they’re nervous too. I’d be suspicious of anyone who wouldn’t be.

(The three enter the Roman Coliseum and head inside. In the center of the field is Barb and Mike. Stationed around the ring are three tables, each spread far apart. Each computer has a laptop computer on it.)

Barb: Welcome to the site of the final quiz. This structure has been home to several amazing competitions in its day and we’ve decided that nothing would be a better venue to conclude this particular competition. No doubt you have all become friends along this trip, and no doubt that friendship will continue to thrive after the game is over. But right now, it’s business. Twenty questions regarding the Mole’s identity. After you all complete the test, myself and Mike will take you out one at a time and enter your names into the computer. If a red screen appears, you are the Mole’s twelfth and final victim. If a green screen appears, you either the Mole, or you have earned the highest score on the quiz, earning yourself 478,000 yen. In the event of a tie, the person who completes the quiz the fastest will earn the money. If there aren’t any further questions, or comments to fellow opponents, you may begin.

(The three each head to a different table and begin to take the quiz, starting a massive chain of confessionals.)

(Shot of Mitsune taking the quiz.)
Mitsune: (VO) It’s too late for hedging bets. Right now, you have to pick a pony and ride it. You have to go in with the assumption that your opponent knows who the Mole is… and it’s up to you to know more about who the Mole is.

(Shot of Takeshi taking the quiz.)
Takeshi: (VO) None of us have a distinct advantage or disadvantage against the other person. We all know each other extremely well. All of our histories, background details… voice actors. We know it all. Right now it’s about who recalls it the fastest.

(Shot of Jenrya taking the quiz.)
Jenrya: (VO) All three of us are very close. At this level, you are playing against the best. And not only does remembering details about the Mole come into play, you have to make sure that you don’t take too long. Ties are broken based on who takes the quiz the fastest. Given my opponents… that may come into play.

(Flashback to Takeshi shooting Kenji on the hill.)
Mitsune: (VO) As much as I wanted to shoot Kenji sometimes, Takeshi actually doing it was definitely not in the best interests of the team. Half the players were already eliminated, and Takeshi stupidly adds one more to the pot. It wasn’t smart for the team, and I’m not surprised we lost.

(Flashback to Jenrya rappelling on the dam.)
Takeshi: (VO) You have to know your own limits. I barely even got to that flag. And I consider myself fairly in shape. Jenrya’s a few years younger than me, and given his stature he didn’t have a prayer. He’s a smart kid; he should have known that before trying something that was way beyond his abilities.

(Flashback to Mitsune struggling at DDR.)
Jenrya: (VO) Lately, Kitsune has been putting herself on the pedestal. When she succeeded, the group still failed, and when she failed, she made herself look really good. I do think that the Mole sabotaged those GPS devices, and it would be a really good strategy to make herself look good while Takeshi and I struggled.

(Flashback to Jenrya tearing up the neutralizer.)
Mitsune: (VO) With Jenrya, it all comes back to the neutralizer. There’s 10,000 yen on the line, you can not throw it away for your own ethical principles. There is no such thing as ethical principles in this game. His little ethics kick could very easily have been a cover up for Mole activity simply because it worked.

(Flashback to Jenrya driving through the low-lying tree-branch in the Off-Road game.)
Jenrya: (VO) I didn’t hear anything about that tree branch. It really slowed me down, it stopped Ruki in her tracks, and it bloodied up Akane. It was Takeshi’s responsibility to warn us about it, and simply writing "tree branch" on the sheet wasn’t enough.

(Flashback to Mitsune in the memory game.)
Takeshi: (VO) If the Mole wants to do something early on, the best way to avoid suspicion is to put yourself in as small as group as possible. While ten of us went to the Moon, Kitsune was with just three other people, and it makes things a lot easier to get away with something unobserved.

(Flashback to Takeshi hitting on Mutsumi Otohime.)
Mitsune: (VO) You have certain expectations of what you think the Mole would be like. And in hindsight, what persona for the Mole could be better than a skirt-chasing goofball? You first look at Takeshi and you immediately think that he couldn’t be the Mole because he’s too distracted by women. It’s very possible that he’s the one distracting you.

(Flashback to Jenrya looking disappointed after failed rappel.)
Takeshi: (VO) Immediately after somebody does something suspicious, it’s always a good idea to get on them, and let them know you’re onto them. But whenever Jenrya did something wrong, anything wrong, the first person to get on his case… was himself. He never gave anybody the opportunity to criticize him, and earned a lot of sympathy in the process. It’s a great way to cover up suspicious activity.

(Flashback to Mitsune at the hot tub, watching Akane and Miaka suck up to her.)
Jenrya: (VO) It’s very easy to overthink in this game. And if Kitsune’s the Mole, she, and the people that chose her, are geniuses. The way it usually works is that the Mole starts out slow, then gradually starts to sabotage. What Kitsune may have done is start off suspicious, so that half the people suspect her and other half blows her off as too obvious. Then she stops sabotaging and works to throw that first half off the trail. It’s brilliant.

(Flashback to Jenrya talking to Takato after the first dinner.)
Mitsune: (VO) Jenrya immediately comes across as somebody who is wise beyond his years, and is innocent enough to be trusted. But look at what happened to the people that trusted him. He was the only person Washu trusted. Ruki formed a coalition with him, and when she tried to stab him in the back, she ended up getting axed. And remember who Takato really trusted the most in this game. It wasn’t Kenji… it was Jenrya.

(Flashback to Takeshi working the puzzles in the encampment with Mitsune.)
Jenrya: (VO) Mole or not, Takeshi is smarter than he looks. If he’s not the Mole, Takeshi has gotten this far by playing a strong game. He trusted people just enough to benefit from it, and distrusted people just enough to advance in the game. If he is the Mole, he executed a fantastic strategy to avoid suspicion while still costing the group money. He’s smarter than he looks. My question is why he didn’t act that way since day one.

(Flashback to a tired Mitsune in the Digital World during the Genma game.)
Takeshi: (VO) Kitsune is naturally care-free. Sometimes it seems like she just doesn’t care. And people understand that, there’s nothing wrong with being relaxed in life. But at the same time, it’s that kind of relaxed attitude that acts as the perfect cover for the Mole. When you’re working against the group, you’re supposed to pretend to be disappointed when the group fails. Given Kitsune’s personality… she doesn’t have to.

(Finally, after the extensive interviews, the three gather again in the center.)

Barb: At this time, we will sequester each of you while we tabulate the quizzes. When we are ready, either myself or Mike will come get you. You’ll find something to drink in your rooms while you wait. You can all collectively exhale- the rest of the game is out of your hands.

(Each of the three exit down a path to their rooms. Return to Barb and Mike)

Barb: Next week, the world will discover the answer to the pressing question on everybody’s minds.

Mike: Next week, we will find out who walks away with all the money.

Barb: And next week, we will learn the secrets of how the Mole did it, what exactly people, and of course- what exactly people didn’t know.

Mike: So join us next week as we finally discover…

Barb/Mike: Who is the Mole?

End Episode Twelve

Author’s Notes
If you’re wondering what the whole "-nyo" thing was about with Dejiko’s cameo, it’s just standard speech for her. She ends statements by saying "-nyo" as opposed to other Di Gi Charat characters who end them with "-nyu" or "-gema." This is common in anime, and several characters from shows competing use it, including Meowth/Nyase’s "nya," Calumon/Culumon’s "-culu," and of course, Chichiri’s "na no da."

No, nobody played Dance Dance Revolution in any foreign Moles, but the concept of the "Word Association" game, including Jenrya and Takeshi’s challenges, were based on the Belgian version. BCH part two is based on the first British series.

As for the DDR terms, the terms of "Basic," "Trick," and "Maniac" are from the original Japanese version. Their replacements in the American release is "Standard," "Difficult," and "Expert." Why the Japanese terms? Because if that's what I've been doing with the anime characters, that's what I'm doing with DDR!

If you got bored with the massive string of confessionals in the end, you aren’t getting the most out of this series. Each of the three contestants offered their suspicions on each of the other two regarding both individual challenges and general Mole strategy. Just one more effort to tug you in all different directions!

Next week, we have some surprises in store as everything is finally revealed. Not only will the Mole be revealed, but all the little secrets will be as well, including the truth about Kenji, the truth about who really suspected who, the truth about who Manny’s first pick for Mole was, and a visit from the first season cast. Do I even have to tell you not to miss it?