The Cherry Orchard (櫻の園 / Sakura no sono)

THE CHERRY ORCHARD

What? I don't know him.

You've never met him?

No.

No?

No.

He's pretty tall...

I thought you knew him.

Anyway, he said he wanted to see The Cherry Orchard.

Then why don't you bring him along?

Forget it.

Why not?

He's just interested in chasing girls.

Always.

Why, last time...

Anyway, forget it.

I'll come alone.

I feel so sleepy.

I told you we should've gone to a hotel.

Not in this uniform.

That doesn't matter.

Yes, it does.

What's The Cherry Orchard?

Don't you know?

Not at all.

It's not so easy to explain.

Just an outline.

Outline?

It's simple, but complicated too.

That's funny.

But it is.

Don't say who did it.

It's not a mystery.

Is that so?

You really don't know?

I told you, didn't I?

The Cherry Orchard is

a play by Anton Chekhov.

Somewhere in Russia

there's this estate called the Cherry Orchard.

It's owned by some noble lady who's lost her fortune.

Her name's Ranyevskaia.

She's got this daughter, a foster daughter too.

And she was born and bred in luxury.

So even after she lost almost all her money,

she goes to Paris and spends the rest.

What are you doing?

It's all right.

No smoking.

And?

Go on.

The story begins when she gets back from Paris.

Her ex-servant, Lopakhin, is really rich now.

He tells her to build cottages in the orchard and rent them out.

But she doesn't, even though she's neck-deep in debt.

Anyway, the cherry orchard is put up for auction.

And who buys it? Lopakhin. He loved her all along.

That's the story.

Got it?

That's interesting?

Sure.

It's a really famous play.

I heard of it, just never read it.

I'm not an expert, but I think it's interesting.

Who chose it?

It's an annual event here at our school.

The same play every year.

I'll come see it. Ten o'clock?

Ten...

What time is it now?

Ten to eight.

Ten to eight? Seven-fifty?

They'll be here soon.

Should I go?

Sorry.

Where's your car?

Over there.

No, there.

The one-way road.

There's no parking there.

It should be okay.

You got a ticket last time.

Oh, that. It was just...

Just what?

They don't patrol on Sunday morning.

Stop.

No marks. They'll find out.

Oh, no one'll notice.

They will. They're very suspicious.

You don't know.

All right. I get it.

See you.

Wait.

Aren't you in it?

What?

The play.

Not at all?

I'm the stage manager.

The crew doesn't act?

Usually not.

That's too bad.

Are you sure you understand?

Sure. See you later.

Yuko.

Morning. You're here early.

Well, I'm nervous.

Me, too. When did you come?

A little while ago.

Around eight?

What do you think?

You look like a different person.

You don't like it?

It's nice. Really.

I had it done last night.

Have some sandwiches.

Have you had breakfast?

Not yet.

Then let's eat together.

Assorted sandwiches.

Ham, eggs and fruit. Take whatever you want.

Any one?

Sure.

Fruit?

Maybe I shouldn't.

Why?

It could be the one you want.

Then let's cut it in half. What else?

Ham, please.

But there's nothing to drink.

I'll check the fridge.

I'll go get something.

I'll be right back.

Milk coffee, OK?

Sure, that's good.

Yuko.

Did you get your hair done for the play?

Not really.

So you're going to keep it after the play?

Yes. I'll try to.

Won't be easy, though.

I don't know. I might have to give it up.

But I don't really care if they won't let me.

I'm leaving anyway.

Are you quitting school?

No, but I'm going to another college.

But you've got it made.

You've got really good grades.

Most of us go to the college here after high school.

The same place, the same faces.

I'm sick of it.

I want something new.

A college with new faces all around.

I know what you mean.

That's natural.

Natural.

Are you going to Tokyo?

I don't know yet.

I envy you.

I didn't say I was going to Tokyo.

But getting out of your hometown is great, isn't it?

Yeah, there's that, too.

Are you going to Toho University?

You're gonna study drama, right?

That's a secret.

Come on. Tell me.

Good morning.

What have you done to your hair?

I didn't recognize you.

Why'd you do it?

No special reason.

What happened?

With your hair permed, you look really different.

It changes your whole image.

How?

Like you're grown up.

But it becomes you.

Where'd you get it?

Kawakami's.

You know it?

At Miyamae?

I get mine done there.

But it means trouble.

You think so?

What're you gonna tell the teachers?

They'll tell you to get it cut.

But then it'll turn out really short.

Then she can just have it straightened.

But it could hurt your hair.

But hey, it's the school's anniversary.

So what? That makes no difference.

No?

Well, we're doing The Cherry Orchard.

I got it! You were just feeling rebellious.

Rebellious?

No. I feel like I've woken up.

What?

What do you mean?

Nothing important.

I'll be up on the roof.

Good morning.