Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2011

(The shadow of a seated little boy can be seen. As he stands up, a spotlight falls on him. He walks around the stage staring down, while newspaper headlines appear on the backdrop:)

“Government Unsure About Astroboy’s Safety”
“Can Astroboy Lose Control?”
“Should Astroboy Be Shut Down?”
“Astroboy Wanted!”

(With the last headline, Astroboy looks up. Fade to darkness.
Lights up: Astroboy is in jail. Rushing water is heard. Astroboy quakes with terror.
Suddenly an enormous eye appears in the jail window with the sound of heavy breathing.)

Astroboy: Who is this?
Godzilla: It’s me. Can’t you recognize my green eyes any more?
A: Yes I can recognize you, and I can still fight with you.
G: Really? I would like to see that. Come outside and fight, like in the old days.
A: You’re enjoying this, right? I won’t come out.
G: It’s an interesting situation but no, I am not enjoying it. The strongest machine in the universe imprisoned in a jail of bricks. I am in prison too, in a nuclear body and I would do anything to come out from here—but you… you choose to be inside of a jail by your own will. I would like to enjoy it, but it just makes me sad.
A: Well, I have my reasons.

(Pause)

G: I went to Fukushima. Life underwater is disappearing. I’m worried. Humans are everywhere—not what you would consider a race in extinction. You, however, are the only one of your kind. They might try to make you extinct.
A: (Looking down) I owe them my life.
G: And you will owe them your death if you stay here.
A: (Looking up, puffing out his chest) Heroes don’t run away. What will children think if I escape? I won’t betray my reason for being in this world.
G: But they will betray you. Can’t you see? First they love you and now they fear you. They used you as a tool to make nuclear power cool! That’s why you exist.
A: I don’t care. I believe in it. I’m cool, therefore nuclear power is cool. Nothing is wrong with that. Fukushima was just an accident. Accidents happen.
G: (Eye widens) You don’t have to tell me that! I was born that way in 1954—four years after you—because of a nuclear accident. From a little miscalculation, the Americans created a bomb 1,000 times stronger than Hiroshima and Nagasaki put together. That’s why humans hate me, not because I spit nuclear power, but because I am the memory they don’t wish to remember. What about you, who accepts you now?

(Pause)

A: I don’t know—and I fear that. I have never felt fear before. It’s a terrible emotion. I don’t think so clearly when it invades me.
G: Are you in penitence? I didn’t know you were a Christian. Don’t you think your love for humans is affecting your judgment?
A: I have been defending this country for 60 years. (Pounds chest with pride) I am the last samurai and they won’t betray me. I am one of them, not like you. You are bitter because of your fate, because you are angry and alone. You could have done so much for this country. You chose your way. These are the times when a hero must be stronger. My imprisonment and trial is the ultimate proof of my loyalty.

G: Then you are betraying yourself. I am neither human, nor machine. My loyalty is to Mother Earth. I thought Japanese were the best of all people because they worship nature. However, the Japanese also tried to dominate all—just like the other humans around the world. I wanted to kill them all, but there were too many. So I stopped fighting. I retreated in order to survive. I knew they would also try to dominate me, and I’d prefer to die before serving them.
A: Don’t you see? This is your great opportunity for reconciliation. You can make peace with humans and help them in this terrible time of despair.
G: This is time for lessons, and some Japanese have heard the call. I won’t use my fire any more, but I will continue with my battle by other means.
A: Other means? What are you talking about?
G: Politics! I shall run for the Diet. And I want you to join me. (As if reading a headline) “Godzilla and Astroboy together.” It’s the perfect plan! Then we can control nuclear power. Only we really know how to manage this energy. We are the only ones unafraid of it. Humans put everything at risk.
A: But you are defeated. No one takes you seriously these days. I had a film two years ago—you’re not even on TV anymore.
G: For the first time, many Japanese people are against nuclear energy. I think in the end, it’s your credibility that’s in decline—not mine. So what do you say, will you join me?
A: Are you crazy? This is the hardest time for Japan. I have to stand next to the scientific community. If people stop believing nuclear power is unavoidable then people will stop loving me.
G: That’s why you have to come with me. People can love you for different reasons. You can change your destiny. Let me be your advocate. We will revolutionize humanity.

(Astroboy stays silent. A business card flutters through the window.)

G: Here’s my meishi. There’s not much time. Call me when you are ready.

(Lights down.)