Randominity

[Streaming Video of the Meet and Greet]




Blinded by the light... or the flashbulbs of 9823749238 Japanese cameras....

Rupert's first words to the Japanese public go like this:

[The moderator gives some preamble, finally introducing] --Rupato Grinto [and some more preamble.]

[Rupert fondles his chin during this introduction, and when his name is said, the crowd SCREAMS; flashbulbs go off, Rupert laughs, embarrassed; after a little prodding, he steps up to the mic (but not close enough to be heard well)]



Rupato: Hey...

[He waves and smiles; the crowd's screams die down]



Rupato: Hi, it's uh, really cool to be here in Japan, it's a cool place...

[The translator translates... while she does, Rupert waves some more, there is more screaming, he giggles more embarrassedly, hugs himself, tries to flee-- okay, maybe not that last bit]



Rupato: Hope you enjoy the film, it should be really cool...

[And here he completely goes into his "inside voice" and it's impossible to make out what he says. Lip readers, anyone?]

[The translator translates, and Rupert watches her. The translator finishes translating, waiting for Rupert to say something else. Rupert doesn't have anything else to say. However, he doesn't say this, attempting instead to communicate with the moderator with telepathy, his "omghelpme" stare, or his emphatic nods.]



[The translator "translates" what Rupert does not say -- "arigato gozaimasu" -- and Rupert slinks off into the shadows that is the stage behind the microphone.]

[Part Two of the transcript]