At This Late Date, the Charleston Page #6

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The Charleston is popular

these days.

Yes, Labour Minister.

We were all born and raised...

when the Charleston was popular.

But, Labour Minister,

what's a little bit disturbing...

is that its lively rhythm,

without people noticing,

was replaced by militarism.

I don't think so.

You all have some

sort of war allergy.

Really?

Personally,

before my body aches

here and there,

when I hear

When The Saints Go Marching In,

I feel I could just die happily.

That's great. I'll go there too.

Really?

If you say,

"do it for your country",

I can understand the

nature of this country.

But not that one.

You don't understand?

Listen.

"For your country" but why?

I didn't understand then.

And I don't understand now either.

"There are too many citizens,"

"we can't take care of everyone."

"Our territory..."

"that is..."

"becoming the Fujiyama..."

Politics is...

just a political party,

and the black veil it creates.

I don't want to die...

for these things.

I hate it!

I hate to hear you

talk about dying!

And you too!

It's OK, Interior Minister.

Even if they kill us,

we won't die!

Actually, it's for you

young people...

let's forget it. I'm too pushy.

By the way, radio gymnastics...

didn't come for a couple of days.

Instead,

let's dance the Charleston!

We'll teach you how,

Labour and Interior Ministers.

Announcement for

the neighbourhood.

Air raid alarm that

you used to know,

an air raid alarm was just issued.

Several enemy targets...

have turned around the corner

and invading our skies.

Keep the highest alert.

It's here!

The old newspaper collector

is helping us!

Dad! It's Dad's voice!

Why haven't I noticed?

They're here!

Bastards!

An old man's advice.

Here's my last words.

Our country...

wants to remain the

eastern Switzerland.

Foreign Minister,

you'll settle this...

diplomatically and peacefully.

If that fails,

and we must go into war,

Labour Minister,

you'll call the police.

We're asking the Japanese

police to help us?

I've paid the first half

of my citizen tax.

Excuse me,

I have some little things to do.

Me too!

Us too!

Finance Minister, you first.

The others,

line up according to age.

Open up!

It's open.

But don't touch the door knob.

If you do,

you're invading our territory.

Electric chair is your punishment.

Shut up, old hat!

Are they dead?

They asked for it.

But you just said...

The enemy said "old hat".

This is a taboo term.

So it's a different story.

This?

I was once...

an anti-aircraft artillery captain.

I'll shoot down a plane!

Idiot, reach!

OK! Reach!

- Reach! - Come on!

- Who's he?

Iimuro the hitman. Chase him!

When did you come?

They don't understand what I said.

Never mind.

How's your countrymen?

Are they OK?

A lot of them got hurt.

But not serious.

Because of the activity,

they're in high spirits.

But...

the primal scream of Tamiko...

revealed that

Education Minister was down.

The wounds weren't serious,

maybe his heart has gone out...

because of the vigorous activity?

We all agreed that he's dying.

Hey.

Hey?

What's wrong with you all?

I'm...

OK.

Yes!

Your life line is long!

But...

I'm...

so sleepy.

No! Don't sleep!

Don't sleep! Education Minister.

We're all going to the

hot spring tomorrow!

No!

Don't sleep!

Do something, Labour Minister!

Put on some music!

Don't let him sleep!

Damn you!

Prime Minister.

Is there anything I can do?

I hate the establishment,

but I like you.

I have only one favour to ask.

OK.

If his death is unnatural,

there will be a

compulsory autopsy?

Yes.

Please give us one night.

That's all.

For him, we want...

a wake at a proper place.

OK.

But just one night.

Oh my!

The quake disturbed me,

I'll start counting again.

1... 2... 3...

- I was scared!

- It's OK now.

The cop called you and

said he's coming here.

What for?

He found Dad's body?

And?

He and the pickup were

thrown into Tokyo Bay.

The earthquake just then

was in Tokyo and Kanagawa.

5 on the seismic scale.

At the same time,

in the residential area

of Higashi-Tama,

a big explosion occurred

in Yamatai House.

No information on casualties

or any other things.

Jiro too?

It's like I played a trick,

or cutting corners. Sorry.

The cop?

Good evening.

Good evening.

Hey you!

Because of the thugs you hired,

Education Minister is dead.

We're having a wake here.

What?

- Labour Minister.

- Yes?

Let him lie on a bed.

Go upstairs.

- Jiro! - What?

- Not upstairs.

It's not ready upstairs?

It's OK with me.

Now,

to prevent the ashes

from dropping,

please offer your incense

one by one.

A wake...

is to drink, eat, make merry...

as a tribute to the deceased.

In such a nice house,

there must be something...

to eat and drink.

Yes, madam?

Thank you very much.

And this gentleman,

have I seen you before?

His poster!

City Councillor...

Terao something.

Why are you here?

No, Labour Minister.

He must have a reason

to be here.

To have the City Councillor

at this wake,

it must be...

fate?

Now,

let us offer incense

to the deceased.

Please line up by age.

The youngest first.

About the explosion just then,

luckily, there's no casualties.

End of bulletin.

You prepared this too!

Thank you! Thank you!

Prime Minister,

it should be kept by

Finance Minister?

Yes.

Thank you.

Let's do this.

Let's do this.

This way to the bath and toilet.

Hot water is ready.

Beer, the fridge.

Whisky, over there.

Brandy, the study.

Bring them up! Thanks.

Food...

please cook for us, madam.

Mahjong room is there.

Karaoke, there.

This... is home invasion!

Gang robbery!

- I'll call the police!

- Go ahead.

Is it OK to let them know

why you are here?

But if you don't mind,

go ahead.

Instead, let's play some mahjong.

Don't cry.

Hey.

He died happily.

We're with him.

Dancing the Charleston.

He's not in pain.

He died smiling.

You're wrong, Jiro!

Why?

Why...

did you do such

a thing that night?

That night?

Attempted rape?

Don't. Not before the dead.

I'm...

sad to see that!

Don't cry like that

before the dead.

Always the dead!

It's bad for the dead.

No... I say no...

Was it him?

Probably.

Just a discharge of gas?

Oh come on!

Nagging and mumbling!

I've been listening.

You knew it?

Only I didn't know it...

But,

when that cop held my hand,

I was scared!

Will you...

"Beep beep!

10 km over! License please!"

We got you!

1 Fan, 2 Fan, 3...

8 Fans!

Me, only 3 Fans.

Only 10 Fans for me.

Prime Minister.

This has been bugging me.

I really want to say this.

What is it?

I wasn't...

an...

army nurse.

I know.

You know I was an army prostitute?

Yes. I know that.

But,

you're now Finance Minister.

Your workload was others' double.

I think,

from now on,

your joys should be...

others' double.

I'm back.

My turn! Everybody's doing fine.

We now have 5 million.

You should get more.

- You don't have any compensation.

- Oh yes.

Then we'll...

have 20 million.

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