The Balloon Page #5

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Keikichi? No, is there any problem?

It's nothing. You don't have any idea

where he might be though, do you?

Well I might have some idea of where I

can find him but why do you need him?

It must be quite urgent

if you're calling me...

No, it's really not important. Goodbye.

Hello? Is anyone there?

Hello, this is the Minotaur club.

Mr. Murakami? No, he's not come here yet.

You want Kumiko? Didn't you know?

She tried to kill herself this morning.

How is Kumiko doing?

She's been asleep so we're not sure.

I heard that she's going to be OK.

Did Mr. Murakami come?

- Actually, just his sister.

- His sister?

Tamako, it's you.

She'll be OK. It was really

stupid of her to do that though.

- It must have caused you trouble.

- It's fine.

But people who try to kill

themselves don't do it again.

- You needn't worry about that.

- No.

Kumiko is not like other people.

Why not?

I know her well.

It's OK. You don't need to worry so much.

But how did you know her? It's surprising.

I like her very much,

She's good and honest.

By the way, why are just you here?

Why isn't your brother here?

I'm sure he will come.

When he gets back home.

- Is your father away?

- Yes, in Kyushu.

So that's why your brother is staying out.

What about your mother...

but no, of course...

she's not the kind of person

who'd come here, is she?

No...

Tamako, I think you ought to go home.

Your mother must be worried.

I came here by myself.

Alone? Without your mother's permission?

Are you alone?

You shouldn't come in uninvited.

Has he gone already?

I had urgent business with him.

Did he go straight home? Or did he -

Go and look for him. I'm singing at 10:00.

I'd just like to know if you think

it's OK to make an enemy of me?

Is that a threat?

Don't be silly.

If you ask for money from

him I wonder how much...

What money?

The end of relationship pay off of course.

Get out!

No, I think I'll wait.

While we're doing this a woman

is lying half-asphyxiated.

She tried to kill herself.

Who are you talking about?

Someone that you and Keikichi both know...

Her?

Kumiko?

Yes... But you're not responsible.

There are always defeated people

in the shadows of the successful.

People from rich families are even more

cold hearted than the likes of us...

Because their reactions and

reflexes are complicated.

This will probably be the

opportunity for him to dump you.

I think you need to

consider things carefully.

Aren't you going to pour one for me?

I need to use your phone.

I'm so sorry to trouble you.

But it's become a problem.

My husband's away and I

don't know what to do.

We should be thankful it

was not a bigger matter.

Thank you for your help.

I've been trying to

persuade Keikichi but...

perhaps you should go and do it.

Well if Keikichi will go it's better...

I'm his mother so if I go it's

tantamount to recognizing her!

Keikichi, you're the interested party here.

What is your view?

I don't get it. For me it

was a trade from the start.

To be frank I gave her money each time.

She can't complain.

You're not 'doing a runner on

the bill' and you have paid.

Well I certainly shall not go.

Keikichi's not a child any more.

He can decide for himself.

What are you going to do?

I'm not going. I can't

pretend to be pleasant.

I'm not exactly going to console her, am I?

Well your position's clear enough.

But if you leave it as is and she dies ..

What will you do?

Die?

Yes. What if she tries again?

She won't though, will she?

Tamako's not back yet is she?

I've sent someone for her.

She's so difficult.

Maybe, but it's better than

nobody having gone at all.

Keikichi, I'm sorry to press you but...

She's still unconscious...

It's not too much trouble to visit

her and it's probably a good idea.

She may not see you but when

she hears you were there...

You can avoid accusations of heartlessness.

You should go straight away.

No way! I'm not going.

So the sleeping princess was

enchanted by a magician...

and she slept in a castle in the forest.

And the clocks went to sleep

along with the princess...

and the fire in kitchen also slept.

Tamako! You sent away the

car which was sent for you.

Are you sure that's OK?

It's fine! I'm still in

the middle of the story.

She's getting some color back

in her cheeks, isn't she?

Yes, I think you're right.

But you must get some sleep.

(And years passed until, one day...

a valiant and gentle

prince entered the castle.

And guess what happened then...

The rusty pendulum on the clock

which had been stopped...

Clicked and started to move...

and the fire in the kitchen

awoke and the pot began to boil.

And sleeping beauty and the

people in the castle...

woke and opened their eyes.

And then... they were all happy.

Sleeping beauty married the prince...

and in the castle...

It was really nice...

Be more careful!

Hey, there's a mistake!

Take this to accounting.

You forgot something.

Yes? Yes, that's me.

Ah it's you Mikki, I can't see you today.

Why not?

I'd be sad too after that

sort of thing had happened...

I really want to see you.

My father is back from his trip.

My mother told him about the incident

so I'm going to get a sermon from him.

I'm on standby for it! Bye!

Hang on a minute. You're

pretty cool about it!

You seem almost thrilled that she

tried to kill herself over you.

It makes me love you even more than before.

It's true.

We can talk about it later.

Did you hear that?

A little injection of my passion!

I'm waiting for you!

Come in.

Wait over there a moment, would you?

I've heard about things from your mother.

I'm very sorry.

I doubt if you expected this but...

put your resignation in writing and

hand it in to the personnel department.

What do you mean?

You cannot be here in the company.

I want you to work elsewhere.

We'll call it a voluntary

decision on your part.

Can I ask the reason?

I'd been thinking about it and this

is a good opportunity. So I acted.

Is it because my behavior

is so reprehensible?

Well that's certainly a part of the reason.

Have I done anything particularly bad?

I just did what anyone else does.

I was just unlucky, wasn't I?

So you're saying it's fine

if other people do it?

Only someone rather low would say that.

Fornication is fornication. There's

no need to try and justify it.

If the man's conduct is to be criticized,

the woman should be blamed as well.

These days the women are

more loose than the men...

I don't want to say it but it's

always the men who have to pay!

There are lots of precious

things that money can't buy.

Young people don't really put their

hopes on that sort of thing.

Aren't all women whores really?

Just because you are their

steady boyfriend it's OK...

They're all just selling

themselves in the end.

It's just chance that it was me.

Am I to be criticized?

I paid her every time.

Why should I be sacked?

Can you say that to your mother?

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