Rational Voice? Enter Casey and April!!!/Transcript

## Page 2

 **Carlson** “Please tell M. Buonarotti...”
 **Carlson** “...That is new creation is a miracle!”
 **Carlson** “We’ve topped the charts for this Christmas! I’ve never seen anything like this!”
 **Carlson** “I must admit I was skeptical when he sent me journal entries instead of a conventional novel...”
 **Carlson** “But he hit the bull’s eye! The readers actually dig his new approach at storytelling! Not to mention his detailed descriptions... Some people even believe they are based on real facts!”
 **Carlson** “Tell me... About those informations... Did he really make them up? Or... Did he have a reliable source of information?”
 **April** “I’m sorry. We do not know.”

## Page 3

 **Casey** “I knew it was gonna come down to this... Tryin’ to get some info out of us, eh? Even though we agreed not to discuss about the origins of his inspiration?”
 **April** “I’m afraid my husband’s right, M.Carlson. Our contract states that you are not supposed to inquire us about his private life.”
 **April** “If this is the only reason why you sumed us representatives of M.Buonarotti here today, I believe we have nothing else to say to each other.”
 **Casey** “Wait, hon, we’re not done yet!! This greedy guy was asking for it!”
 **Casey** “C’mon! Let’s take it outside! Just you an’ me!”
 **Carlson** “Sorry...”

## Page 4

 “Today’s hot topic: Mikael Buonarotti’s new novel! Released only two days ago, it became immediately a bestseller!”
 “That’s right, Paul. We were all taken by surprise by his book “On the Trails of Purple Dragons”!”
 “I was especially impressed by the narration. Because the story is told through journal entries, a feeling of inticmacy is created between the reader and the protagonist. The events in this book are so convincing that I have a hard time believe it’s all fictional.”
 “And the details about the Purple Dragons, Paul. The police has actually confirmed that some of it are authentic!”
 **Shadow** “Uncle Mikey. Are you feeling okay?”

## Page 5

 **Mikey** “I... I really did it this time. I sold out my old self for money.”
 **Mikey** “My memories... They were enclosed in that diary.”
 **Mikey** “Memories of a life filled with sadness and misery. Normally, I shouldn’t care... So what am I so anxious about...?”

## Page 6

 **Shadow** “It’s Uncle Raph, isn’t it? He never gave his opinion about this before, so you didn’t regret anything you did. But now...”
 **Mikey** “Maybe...”
 **Mikey** “You know ... I only thought about myself when I “got rid” of my past like this. I really didn’t care about my memories... But Raph still did...”
 **Mikey** “Unlike me, Raphael thought dearly of those sad memories, and yet... I mindlessly turned them into products of mass consumption... For humans... To throw away my past... Throw away... Out memories. I... I’m the worst...”

## Page 7

 **Shadow** “Uncle Mikey... It’s not necessarily a bad thing that Uncle Raph’s opinion made you feel that bad.”
 **Shadow** “Actually, I’m quite relieved to hear that.”
 **Shadow** “After what happened, I really thought that you would want to cut ties with Uncle Raph...”
 **Shadow** “...But it seems that your conscience won’t let go of him.”
 **Shadow** “Your regret is a sign that deep inside, you still care about him...”
 **Shadow** “C’mon, cheer up, Unc’ Mikey! Wipe that pitiful look outta your face and goof off! Make pranks! Like we did when I was young!”
 **Mikey** “Ah...!! Ahaha! Sure! Sure thing, Shadow! Point taken! You know my skull is still fractured...”
 **Mikey** “Whoa, April was right. One adult mutant really was this hammock’s maximum capacity.”

## Page 8

 **Casey** “Ahoy, mateys! We’re back from the publishing house!”
 **April** “We heard a loud thud from inside the apartment just now. Is everything alright?”
 “What happened...?”
 **Shadow** “A...Affirmative, Mom! We’re perfectly fine!”
 **Mikey** “April! Casey! Please tell me... How did it go?”
 **April** “Nothing much... The boss just nagged us for some information.”
 **Shadow** “Oh... God...”
 **April** “...So, have you tried calling Raphael while we were out, Mikey?”

## Page 9

 **April** “Why do you look so startled about that? He’s family, you know?”
 **April** “...Have you called him at all?”
 **Shadow** “How can you expect Uncle Mikey to talk to him after what happened? I told you before, Mom: Uncle Raph went crazy and almost split Uncle Mikey’s skull open! Even I had to intervene! Shouldn’t we let things cool down between them for now?”
 **April** “Shadow, I wasn’t just talking to Mikey...”
 **April** “I also had expectations from you, my dear. That Mikey doesn’t want to talk to Raphael, I understand, but...”
 **April** “What baout you? Raphael probably doesn’t have anything against you... It would probably even have made him happy to hear your voice, you know?”
 **April** “If you were able to gather enough guts to stand up to him before, why can’t you do the same now?”
 **Shadow** “Me...? But... No. No, I can’t...”
 **Shadow** “Because... I’ve been bad... I...”

## Page 10

 **Shadow** “...I let down a friend in need. He clearly showed me what his problem was, I knew I was the only one who could help him.”
 **Shadow** “Instead, I told him how insignificant his problems were compared to Uncle Raph’s and forced him to leave. I didn’t give him a single bit of peace of mind he needed... Maybe... Maybe I made him feel like he doesn’t even exist.”
 **Shadow** “If I was to call Uncle Raph and get him on the line instead... I wouldn’t know what to tell him... After what happened...”
 **April** “Shadow...”

## Page 11

 **Shadow** “I can’t just lie and tell him I should’ve picked him over my family...”
 **Shadow** “...‘Cuz Uncle Mikey was getting killed and Uncle Raph was almost suicidal! I knew my priorities! I had no choice!”
 **Casey** “And ya did the right thing, Shadow. I dunno ‘bout your friend, but I think he’s the one being unreasonable.”
 **Casey** “What’s he got to do with Raph, anyways?”
 “I... I’m Augustus, right? Not... Not ‘Renoir’...? I’m not that obnoxious alcoholic’s disciple...!”
 “And I don’t know that guy you call ‘Mikey’... I’m not related to them, can’t you see, Shadow? I’m human! Why should I care?”
 **Shadow** “Just his roommate. I happened to be friends with him long ago... Well, I have homework to do, so I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
 **Mikey** “Huh..”
 **Casey** “Ehhh...?”
 **April** “Wait...”

## Page 12

 “And I thought you understood me, Shadow...”
 **Casey** “What? While we were away on a second honeymoon...”
 **April** “...Another mutant turtle like you guys has appeared?”

## Page 13

 **Mikey** “Yeah. All I know about him is that he pretends to be a human and that Raph acts as his master...”
 **April** “I see. So that mutant is the reason why Shadow is so uneasy? Where is it right now?”
 **Mikey** “...Shadow and I entrusted Raph to him that evening. He must be at Raph’s lair.”
 **Casey** “Raph...”
 **April** “Casey?”
 **Casey** “Raph!”
 **Casey** “Y...You bastard!”
 **April** “Eh?”
 **Casey** “He better not have done it yet!!!”
 **April** “What’s wrong with you?”
 **April** “Casey! Wait up!!!”
 **Mikey** “...”

## Page 14

 **Raph** “Harder! Harder!”
 **Raph** “I can barely feel your punches!”
 **Raph** “‘Kay. That’s it for today. Ya really need to work on your stamina. On the battlefield, you’re gonna be given no break, Renoir.”
 **Raph** “Remember to hit hard. If a foe ain’t flinchin’ after a clean hit, you’re dead.”
 **Renoir** “O... Okay! Got it!”
 **Raph** “...Good work, Renoir.”

## Page 15

 **April** “Sorry for barging in...”
 **Casey** “So Raph... You’ve taken in a disciple while I was away...”
 **Casey** “Ya haven’t done the hazing without me, eh? Hazing...”
 **Raph** “Casey, April! Welcome back!”
 **Renoir** “Mrs. O’Neil? Mr. Jones?”
 **Raph** “Don’t worry. I didn’t do a thing without you.”
 **Casey** “...Good. Let’s get down to it, Raph.”

## Page 16

 **April** “!”
 **Casey** “Hahaha! That makes 20 bottles!”
 **Raph** “C’mon, Renoir! Show us what ‘cha made of! Casey, let’s give him ten more bottles!”
 **Casey** “Wait, this is the best part...”
 **Renoir** “Urgh...”
 **Renoir** “Urrrgh...”
 **Casey & Raph** “Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha”
 **April** “No more...! I.Q... Dropping... Dramatically!”
 **April** “Need... To... Get rid of... Source of stupidity... Now...!!!”
 **April** “Are you okay?”
 **Casey & Raph** “Ha Ha Ha Ha”
 **Renoir** “Urp...”

## Page 17

 **Renoir** “It’s... It’s me! Augustus Amherst!”
 **Renoir** “And I can prove it you to you right away!”
 **Renoir** “Remember when I first met Shadow?”
 **Renoir** “She picked on me, so I came crying to an adult... That was you, Mrs. O’Neil!”
 **Renoir** “But then I tripped and grabbed the first thing that my hand could reach for and that was...”
 **April** “Enough! Say no more!!!”
 **Renoir** “...And then I somehow became a mutant... Do you believe me?”
 **April** “There must be a more rational explanation behind your strange reincarnation, but... I know you’re Augustus.”
 **Casey** “Yeah, knowin’ ya, I’m not surprised ya remember so well that day when ya pulled down April’s...”
 **April** “Oh, hush...”
 **Renoir** “So you do believe me!”
 **Raph** “W...Wait! Don’t tell me ya believe his fairy tale! Renoir made it all up! I’m sure of it!”
 **Raph** “A human stuck in a mutant’s body... That’s stupid!”

## Page 18

 **April** “Crazy, yes. Just as crazy as humanoid turtles roaming the earth, eh, Raph? Yet, you guys do exist.”
 **April** “Why deny the paranormal when you are paranormal yourself?”
 Idiot
 **Raph** “Errrrhhh...”
 **Renoir** “See? They have faith in me!”
 **Casey** “Haha! Ya got dissed, Raph!”
 **Raph** “Ha-Ha-Ha!”
 **Raph** “You! Wipe that smile outta your face!”
 **Renoir** “Ugya!”
 **April** “Augustus... Shadow truly regrets what she did to you...”
 **April** “Can you possibly give her a call and sort things out a little bit?”

## Page 19

 **Renoir** “I’m sorry, Mrs. O’Neil. I’m afraid I won’t be very receptive to her words if I call her now...”
 **April** “It’s okay. I understand...”
 **Renoir** “But... Mrs. O’Neil. Mr. Jones. Do... Do you think you can have a word with my parents and convince them that I’m their son? I mean... You’re adults, they might believe you and...”
 **Casey** “I wish it could be that simple, kid.”
 **Casey** “Life is not a courtroom. It’s gonna take more than proofs and witnesses to open your parents’ eyes. No matter how convincing we sound, no matter how logical our arguments are... If your parents are not ready to accept the truth, we’re just gonna be wastin’ our time.”
 **Casey** “We’re used to unreal stuff... But your parents aren’t.”
 **Renoir** “I understand. Sorry for asking a favor so suddenly.”
 **Renoir** “It’s just that it’s almost Christmas and I thought that maybe... Just maybe... I could be with them...”

## Page 20

 **April** “Why don’t you come to our Christmas party this year, Augustus?”
 **Renoir** “Oh no... I can’t do that, Mrs. O’Neil... I...”
 **April** “It’s fine! We’ve known you for a long time! Besides...”
 **April** “It might be the ideal moment to make up with Shadow...”
 **Renoir** “Y...Yes. Thanks... Mrs. O’Neil.”
 **Renoir** “Waaahhhh! I miss my old life!”
 **April** “There, there.”
 **Casey** “Heh. We’re a big family now, eh, Raph?”
 **Raph** “Crap. She’s feedin’ his imagination...”
 **Casey** “Hey, ya comin’ too, eh?”
 **Raph** “...”

## Page 21

 **Raph** “I don’t wanna see “his” face.”
 **Raph** “Forget it.”
 **Casey** “Hey...”
 **Raph** “Look! I know I almost killed Mikey, ‘kay? I know I should be sorry ‘bout it and apologize!”
 **Raph** “But another part of myself still can’t forgive that bastard for makin’ cash outta our past!”
 **Raph** “And ya know what? I tried makin’ up for what I did, but he rejected me! Only Renoir was there for me... Only he truly cared ‘bout me!”
 **Renoir** “...”
 **April** “Raphael!”
 **April** “Read the last page. Now.”
 **Raph** “Mikey’s new book? Why...?”
 **April** “Now.”
 **Raph** “Errh...”

## Page 22

 “Afterword: [...] ...I have received many letters from readers inquiring about the origins of my inspiration.”
 “I shall not deny it: I only acted as a witness. The ones who have made the writing of my stories possible are my brothers... and my old self as well.”
 “While the stories I wrote are completely fictional, we have once lived a similar life than that of my characters. When I look back at that life, all I saw was sadness, hardships and pain. Intuitively, I based my creations off my past experience to seek liberation from that burden. I wanted to get rid of those memories by pretending they were someone else’s.”
 “However, I have realized that denying my past is like denying my whole self. The past is what made me what I am today. Even if I had amnesia, I would still be in the body that was inhabited by the soul of my past self.”
 “Even so, I am not ready to accept my past yet. I doubt I ever will. However, one day, the cogs of fate will turn and I will have to confront my past.”
 “Destiny is a cruel mistress.”

## Page 23

 **April** “Mikey wasn’t all about money, you know?”
 **Raph** “...”
 **April** “He is not a soulless writing machine that vomits its memories!”
 **April** “His memories mean something to him... He may not cherish them...”
 **April** “But at least he now realized that they are part of him!”
 **April** “All these years, Mikey thought he finally went on with his life...”
 **April** “But in fact, he didn’t! He unconsciously writes about his past... Because a part of him still clings on to it!”
 **Raph** “I get it, April... I get it...”
 **Raph** “I’ll be there...”

## Page 24

 **Casey** “Ya know, hon, I think Raph got the point, thanks to you. But... Don’cha think ya went a bit too far?”
 **Casey** “Ya know that in response to stress or shock, he tends to mutilate himself?”
 **April** “It’s alright, Casey. I knew I was doing. Raphael will be fine. After all...”