Red Beard Page #4

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Why? Your parents will be mine.

It's funny not to meet them.

But not now!

I couldn't make her do it,

but we got married.

It seemed like a dream.

We were so happy.

Then the great earthquake came.

Following it,

fires broke out everywhere.

When I returned from the shop,

all the places near our home

were in ruins.

When I couldn't find her body,

I felt a great relief.

But she'd vanished from that day.

I went to see her family.

They didn't know anything.

Said they thought

she'd died long ago.

I moved here

in the autumn of that year,

when I'd convinced myself

that she'd died.

After that, I continued living here,

as you all know.

Two peaceful years went by.

Onaka was alive!

And with a baby on her back.

The baby's yours?

Yes.

His name's Takichi.

About a year old?

Eight months.

I felt a stab of pain,

like a knife entering my heart.

My own wife

nursing another man's child

before my eyes.

I cannot explain it

but it seemed so sad,

so unbelievably sad.

Are you happy?

We won't meet again, will we?

For several days after that,

I drank, then slept.

She'd looked back and bowed

when we parted.

When her image rose before my eyes,

I was so sad, I could hardly breathe.

Who told you I lived here?

Your employer.

He told me many things.

You were sick a long time?

I'm sorry!

Please forgive me!

You won't forgive me?

I don't know.

I don't know how I feel myself.

I don't know if I'm sad or happy

that you're alive.

Will you let me explain?

If it's not too painful for you.

Don't light it!

I was promised to a man already.

We lived on the same street.

Ever since he was younger, he said

he was going to be one of our family.

So he helped support us.

When he was 20,

he asked for my hand,

and my parents consented.

I didn't like or dislike him.

But thinking of all

he had done for us, I did not mind.

And then I met you.

I did not know what to do.

I was sorry for him.

But I could not leave you.

I finally made up my mind.

I owed a debt of kindness,

but I thought it could be returned.

I became strong,

almost frighteningly so.

My parents punished me,

pleaded with me, but I did not give in.

Then why did you...

We were too happy together.

We were so happy,

I became afraid.

A girl like me did not deserve it.

I felt I'd be punished if it lasted.

So I was always uneasy.

Then the earthquake came.

I was right.

This is my punishment.

I've had my whole life's share

of happiness.

The earthquake is a portent,

saying to put an end to it.

My husband will think I have died.

That will end it all.

The time to end it has come.

I walked, brooding over it,

and found myself before his house.

I understand.

I know how you must have felt.

I seemed lost after that,

and before I knew it, I was his.

I suddenly felt awake

when we met in Asakusa,

as if I'd been carried off

but was suddenly

before my own house again.

He, my child, and I

seem like different people

who've gone far away.

I am here

and this is the real me.

Hold me.

Please. Hold me closer.

Don't let me go.

Please hold me.

She said not to let her go.

I didn't want to.

I buried her on the cliff

behind the house

and built a small workshop over it.

I was always with Onaka.

You understand now?

Everything I did for my neighbors

was in Onaka's memory.

I don't know

about her husband and child.

Yet I made them sad too.

The only thing

I could do to make amends

was to be useful to others.

But it has ended at last.

Onaka's come for me

many times since yesterday.

Now we can be together again.

Onaka, you're beautiful.

You're very beautiful.

Come to me!

How nice.

Finally wearing your uniform?

It's really nice.

It's pretty difficult here,

but if you want,

you can learn a lot.

Useful in the future.

Exactly what Dr. Nori said.

Wish I could blush like that.

You'd make your man pale.

Next, Sadakichi.

Rest awhile. Up all night?

I'm all right. I'll help.

Doctor's taking you to see

the outpatients.

I don't mind.

Yasuke!

Doctor's angry today.

Be careful.

What happened?

He can't treat the outpatients anymore.

The budget's been cut.

He got angry.

He'd consider the budget cut,

but not neglecting the patients.

He asked the government to reconsider

and then left, furious.

The government's irresponsible.

Don't worry.

He won't forget you.

Don't worry.

Excuse me.

I'm Masae.

There's something I must tell you.

I'm going out with the doctor.

Don't mind me.

Cord Matsudaira's mansion's first.

Come later.

I don't know what to say first.

It may be impudent of me

to say anything, but l...

Everyone suffers as it is.

I wondered if you could forgive

my sister...

There's nothing left to say

about that.

And I'm busy today.

Pardon me.

Doctor!

A clinic doctor?

- Yes.

Please look at her!

Our doctor won't come!

My husband still owes him for medicine!

Such a high fever too!

Measles. Go to the clinic.

It's not far.

Helping people?

As I've said, you are not ill,

my lord.

But you're in much worse condition.

It is due to a life of luxury and ease.

You indulge in rich food,

hold nothing heavier than chopsticks.

Fat gathers,

intake and discharge

lose their balance.

Chamberlain, his menu?

The menu for the last three days.

I told you that white rice

is detrimental to his health.

Well, l...

One bowl of seven parts wheat

and three parts rice at each meal.

No fowl, meat or eggs.

And not too much fish or salt.

Keep to this for 100 days.

I would like to be paid now.

Yes. How much?

Fifty ryo.

Was it 30 ryo?

Yes.

Pardon my abrupt question,

but is it true that doctors play no part

in life and death?

It seems so.

Then people meant to live recover,

those meant to die pass away?

Doctors have nothing to do with it?

It may mean that.

Bad and good doctors

are the same, then?

Expensive medicines and those sold

in pharmacies are the same?

Of course, an eminent doctor

like yourself is different, I am sure.

Don't make me an exception.

Don't hold back.

Say what's on your mind.

I'm afraid I have displeased you.

Of course not.

All doctors have to butter up

rich men.

Yasumoto, ever been to these places?

Yes, when I was in Nagasaki,

about three times.

As a doctor or a guest?

A friend suggested going,

but I didn't do anything.

I had a fiance in Edo.

But during my absence, she...

I mean, she broke our engagement.

But I believed in her then,

so these girls held no interest for me.

I said the wrong thing?

No.

I said to send that woman home.

She's the only one we have.

She doesn't entertain very often.

She has syphilis.

She mustn't entertain at all.

Will you pay me instead?

If we did like you said, we'd starve.

The food's no good in prison.

I'll stay!

I'd rather stay here!

Even if I did go home...

Do something about the girl instead!

She's 12.

She won't entertain, so...

Be still!

Keep your mouth shut.

Now, talk.

Say something!

Otoyo, apologize. Hurry!

What a girl! Spiteful!

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