Short Story Extract
One beautiful April morning, on a narrow side street in Tokyo’s fashionable
Harajuku neighbourhood, I walked past the 100% perfect girl.
Tell you the truth, she’s not that good-looking. She doesn’t stand out in anyway.
Her clothes are nothing special. The back of her hair is still bent out of shape
from sleep. She isn’t young, either must be near thirty, not even close to a “girl,”
properly speaking. But still, I know from fifty yards away: She’s the 100% perfect girl
for me. The moment I see her, there’s a rumbling in my chest, and my mouth is as dry as a
desert. Maybe you have your own particular favourite type of girl - one
with slim ankles, say, or big eyes, or graceful fingers, or you’re drawn for no good reason
to girls who take their time with every meal. I have my own preferences, of course.
Sometimes in a restaurant I’ll catch myself staring at the girl at the next table to mine
because I like the shape of her nose. But no one can insist that his 100% perfect girl
correspond to some preconceived type. Much as I like noses, I can’t recall the shape of
hers or even if she had one. All I can remember for sure is that she was no great beauty.
It’s weird.
“Yesterday on the street I passed the 100% girl,” I tell someone.
“Yeah?” he says. “Good-looking?”
“Not really.”
“Your favourite type, then?”
“I don’t know. I can’t seem to remember anything about her.
“Strange.”
“Yeah. Strange.”
“So anyhow,” he says, already bored, “what did you do? Talk to her? Follow
her?”
“Nah. Just passed her on the street.
EXT. SIDE STREET IN HARAJUKU NEIGBOURHOOD- MORNING
It is a bright morning in a Harajuku neighbourhood busy with
eccentric people wearing colourful, fashionable outfits. AKARI, a
short, slim girl around 20 passes by, she is wearing a bright blue
top which contrasts her dark brown eyes. She walks confidently and
purposefully as her tall, neon heels repeatedly CLATTER on the
cobbled ground. She passes by KENJI, a young man who looks
professional and business-like, he is concentrated on his phone until
he slowly looks up and is fascinated by her, he stares at her in awe
as she walks past.
INT. BUSY COFFEE SHOP- AFTERNOON
It is a busy afternoon in a crowded coffee shop in Tokyo. Baristas
rush around in the background and the RATTLING sounds of the coffee
machines echo through the lively room. Seated at a small table in the
corner next to a large window is KENJI, who seems eager and
energetic, and his friend, HABIKI. HABIKI is an average looking,
messy haired 30-year-old man. He is dressed in a scuffed, worn out
suit with a slightly ripped, loose tie dangling around his collar. A
waft of smoke drifts through the air as HABIKI puts out his cigarette
and clears his throat preparing to ask KENJI a question.
HABIKI
So, what is it you were going to tell me then Kenji?
Kenji puts his coffee cup down looking excited to speak about the
topic
KENJI
Yesterday, I saw an 100% perfect girl, I couldn’t take my eyes off
her!
Habiki looks unbothered as he begins to light another cigarette, with
the cigarette in his mouth he mumbles
HABIKI
Okay, so what happened with her then?
Kenji looks disappointed with Habiki’s lack of enthusiasm, he
stutters as he begins to carry on speaking seeming slightly
embarrassed
KENJI
Well… um... she walked past me and I just couldn’t stop looking at
her, she was just so perfect
Habiki still seems un interested
HABIKI
So all you did was look at her didn’t speak to her or anything?
Kenji becomes defensive
KENJI
Well... yes
Habiki finishes his cigarette and looks up at Kenji
HABIKI
Well, next time you see “the perfect girl” maybe you should try at
least talking to her
