Stray Dog Page #3

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Don't you see anything but Honda?

We can't put this crowd at risk.

We have to assume he's armed.

And a bullet's nothing like a foul ball.

Got to get him away from the crowd.

But how?

We mull it over.

We've got five innings to go.

Kawakami's coming up to bat.

Time for the seventh-inning stretch.

Only three innings to go.

Right.

We have a lost child to report.

Calling the father

of Hiroshi Yamamoto.

Your son climbed onto the roof

of the announcer's booth.

Please retrieve him immediately.

Let's give that a try.

Call Honda over the PA system.

I get it.

Honda-san of Ueno.

Honda-san of Ueno.

Please come

to the main gate immediately.

Your party will meet you there.

Maybe it's pointless.

Let's try again.

Right, this time

use his real name.

Tachibana-san of Ueno.

Tachibana-san of Ueno.

Please meet your party

at the main gate now.

Put 'em up!

RICE RATION CARD

SHINJIRO YUSA:

We're lucky

Honda hadn't torn this to pieces.

He couldn't stand someone

having stolen his Colt.

He was planning his revenge.

Once a thief, always a thief.

Good work. Now we'll go after Yusa

with everything we've got.

We'll track him step by step.

Who knows how long it'll take.

A little rain would sure help.

This heat dulls your instincts.

I'm putting Sato-san

and Murakami on this investigation.

So Shinjiro Yusa is

your younger brother?

Yes. Has he done something?

He hasn't been home

for a week now.

Oh, it's no big deal, really.

Ever since he got home from the war,

he's like a stranger.

The poor boy.

His knapsack and everything he owned

was stolen from him on the train ride home.

He turned bitter.

You're just indulging him.

I can't be as hard on him

as you are.

He's always blaming

the world, the war.

Like he's carrying all Japan's problems,

but he never lifts a finger.

I blame those horrible friends of his.

Friends?

There's a yakuza

who comes by sometimes.

You know the Regent cut?

That's how he wears his hair.

It's all his fault.

- What's his name?

He always calls him "Sei-san."

They were in the army together.

Do you know where he lives?

I wonder.

May we look at

your brother's things?

There's almost nothing to speak of.

Just some junk in that box.

Excuse us.

He's a sweet, gentle kid,

but he's really too shy.

Go play outside.

Is this where he sleeps?

No, he sleeps out back...

More out back?

No, he just bought some wood

and made it himself.

May we see his room?

I'd hardly call it a room,

it's so makeshift.

I wanted to look after him,

but with so many kids...

How was he

when you last saw him?

Let me see...

I remember.

It must have been the day he left.

He didn't come

when dinner was ready.

I found him sitting here

in the dark, crying,

his head in his hands.

He kind of scared me.

Right.

Another sleepless night.

I hear that alley cat

crying over the rain.

The one who followed me

through the storm.

It's only going to suffer and die.

Better to kill it

once and for all.

I still remember

how it felt

when I crushed it with my foot.

I'm a coward.

Just like that rain-drenched cat.

What's the point...

Is this your brother's writing?

And this Sakura Hotel?

That's right. He mentioned

his yakuza friend

manages that hotel,

or something like that.

I'm sure that can't be so.

Thank you.

Welcome.

The manager?

- That's me.

- Know a man named Sei-san?

Sei-san's one of our bellboys.

What did he do now?

So, he's always up to something?

He does like his women.

We'd like to meet this ladies' man.

- Right away.

- We'll go this way.

Hey, the police are here.

Oh, Midori must have gone

whining to you.

I want you to know she knew

the score when she lent me the dough.

This isn't about Midori.

Is it about Kaori, then?

But, Officer...

We're not here over

your Midori or Kaori.

We want to know about Yusa.

Your war buddy.

So they beat you up in the army.

We aren't like that.

Isn't it about time

you turned off the faucet?

Where were we?

When did you last see Yusa?

It was Saturday night, the 11th.

He turned up, loaded.

- Pockets full too?

- Yeah, new clothes.

- What kind?

- A white linen suit.

White linen?

Was he by himself?

He's shy around women.

Not everyone can be like you.

He spent the night?

- Yes.

- How'd he seem?

- Who knows.

He was broke, but suddenly

he's loaded. Isn't that odd?

Didn't you ask him why?

What'd he say?

He didn't explain anything.

He just stared ahead, looking pale.

Did he pull something?

I hear you're the one

who led him astray.

But that's... Who told you that?

I just...

You just what?

I just hung around with him some.

What do you get

out of a penniless vet?

- I just... We're just friends.

- Liar.

I'm sure all your other friends

are good for dough.

What do you get

out of being pals with him?

He's got some pull backstage

at the Bluebird. That's why.

Right. Women again.

So you're telling me

you used him like a pass

to get close to those chorus girls?

Yes.

But why him?

He was broke.

One of the girls, Harumi Namiki,

was an old friend of his.

Do you have

any more questions for me?

We'll send a juvenile officer around.

Which one is Harumi Namiki?

Second from the left.

Harumi.

Why were you out yesterday?

I felt bad.

In this heat,

everybody feels like crap.

And you've got visitors.

They're police.

You act so innocent.

God knows what you're up to.

You're Namiki?

You know

a guy named Yusa?

Yes.

I hear you go way back.

Way back?

Weren't you childhood friends?

Friends?

We sat next to each other

one year at school.

I want the truth from you.

I'm not lying.

Forget it. So, what's the deal

with you two these days?

The deal?

I mean, are you his girl?

It's not like that.

So he's just another fan?

Not that either.

What is it, then? I hear he comes

to see you every day.

I can't just pack him off.

I do know him.

That's not what I'm talking about.

When was the last time

you saw him?

Answer.

I'm thinking.

You're thinking?

What's wrong?

Answer.

I haven't... done anything bad.

I filed a report with Headquarters.

We're beat.

Tomorrow's another day.

I'll excuse myself, then.

I'd like you to make

one last stop with me.

Why do you think

that woman burst into tears?

Well, she's exhausted.

And so are we.

I shouldn't have done that.

When you're tired,

you run out of patience.

Questioning's a tricky business.

If you try to strong-arm 'em,

you lose. Just like Sumo.

I think we should give her

another try tomorrow.

Sure, that's fine.

But she's not going

to give us much.

That kind of high-strung girl

is as stubborn as they come.

Make 'em mad

and they clam right up.

By the way, where are we going?

Hey.

Welcome home.

You're all so hot.

How 'bout welcoming our guest?

Welcome.

I was expecting more work.

Make yourself at home.

Welcome home.

Murakami from HQ.

- Pleasure's mine.

- No, mine.

I apologize for the decor.

Go on and play in the other room.

Please.

I remembered

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