The Lower Depths Page #4

Check and checkmate.

Grandpa.

If only I could really rest,

and escape from all my suffering.

I guarantee you will.

So stop fretting

and wait for deliverance.

But maybe... I...

I might get better.

What good will that do?

Want to prolong

your suffering a little?

I still just want...

to live a little longer.

A little longer.

If there's no suffering

in that world,

then I'll put up with this world

a little while longer.

All suffering vanishes

in the other world,

and that's why...

So, let's say there's no suffering.

But what if there is?

Who's that hollering?

Me.

Got a problem?

- We all hear you fine.

What's that, you jelly belly?

Come now.

Give her some peace.

She's not long for this world.

Don't bind her here.

Since it's you asking,

I'll give up the fight.

But Gramps, you're quite

something, aren't you?

You're a fine liar

and a helluva yarn spinner.

Keep up the good work.

Lies trump the truth every time.

The tinker's wife

is really going to croak, huh?

Kiss all that hacking good-bye.

Hey, that's mine.

Damn it.

Hey, Shimazo.

Just who are you ordering around?

All right, then, Shima-snake.

I mean, Lord.

How's Okayo doing?

She still too weak to get up?

Why do you want to know?

Don't be that way. Tell me.

Did Osugi beat the hell outta her?

That's none

of your goddamn business.

Just who the hell

are you to Okayo?

Whoever I am,

one word from me

and she'll be gone.

What the hell?

Don't tell me you're... Okayo.

You thief!

That's right. I am a thief.

The one thief you'll never catch.

All right, then.

I'll catch up with you...

One of these days.

Catch me if you can.

But if you do,

it's curtains for your relations.

Hell, you think I'm gonna clam up

in front of the magistrate?

Don't make me laugh.

The magistrate'll ask me,

"Who lured you to the crime?"

"It was the landlord Rokubei

and his wife Osugi."

"Who's the agent for your spoils?"

"My landlord Rokubei

and his wife Osugi."

Who the hell would buy

that pack of lies?

Anyone would.

It's the truth.

I'll drag you down, too.

What the hell...

What have I ever done to you?

But what good did you ever do?

He's got a point.

If you've done no good,

that's harm enough.

Of all the...

Sutekichi and I are old buddies.

You keep out of this.

You bastard.

My oh my.

The lives you lead here.

Get a grip on yourself.

He'll rat on you to Osugi.

So what if he does?

You've got too much nerve.

You'll never live this one down.

Say, young man.

I'll hold my tongue.

It's time you made yourself

some tracks out of here.

Make tracks where?

It doesn't matter where.

Nowhere could be worse

than this.

You could head to Osaka.

Even Hokkaido isn't so bad.

Hey, Gramps.

Why do you keep

spinning those tales?

You can't fool me.

You'd have it that everywhere

else is terrific. All lies.

All right, then.

Why don't you go find out

for yourself whether or not it's true?

But listen here.

Who's to say that a lie

is always bad?

And who's to say that

the truth is always good?

You're a fool to wring your own neck

by swearing to the truth.

What are you going on about?

You shut up.

I'll make him come clean.

Hey, geezer,

is Buddha really real?

What's so goddamn funny?

Is he or isn't he?

I'm sure he is,

for those who wish him to be.

What?

She's here.

Can't get caught in the middle.

Leave her in peace.

She still with us?

I've got to talk to Sutekichi.

Kicking me out?

I'll go.

Come on, Sutekichi.

Come over here.

Forget it.

What got into you?

What are you so upset about?

I don't want to talk to you.

Forget it.

Forget me... too?

That's right.

All right, what is it?

What do you want?

A little late now.

I'm hardly going

to beg for your love.

Anyway, I thank you

for letting me know the truth.

Why?

You said you'd forgotten me.

Or was that just a come-on?

What?

Already forgotten my face?

Man, you're beautiful.

But I never really loved you.

Even though we got together.

Yeah? So?

So, that's it.

Go away.

Got somebody new?

What if I do?

You gonna see us hitched?

It's all up to you.

What's done is done.

But listen.

You humiliated me.

After you said you loved me.

But forget it.

If you want to break it off,

that's fine.

If you want to break it off,

that's fine.

All right, then.

It's all over and done between us.

Not so fast.

But... after we got together,

there was one thing

I was counting on.

What was that?

I was praying you'd rescue me

from this life.

Sweep me away from that husband

and uncle of mine.

Why wait to be swept?

You can take care of yourself.

Why not take off?

Well, you know,

women are women.

It's harder for us than for men.

Say, Sutekichi.

Let's scratch

each other's back here.

What do you want me to do?

You're crazy about Okayo, right?

I know all about it.

So that's why you beat her up.

You try that again!

Oh, just wait.

Get her out of your head

and listen to me.

If you want her,

you can have her...

all tied up with a ribbon.

But I want you

to help me in exchange.

Do something

about that landlord of mine.

A helluva scheme.

Your husband's six feet under,

I've been banished,

and you're free as a bird.

Why would they banish you?

You're not likely

to screw up that way.

Come on.

It's for Okayo's sake.

With me,

she'll be black and blue.

You b*tch!

Listen here.

I've got it tough, too.

The sight of her reminds me

that she stole you, and I just...

I can't help myself.

The nerve. You witch!

Simmer down.

Here I am, telling it like it is.

That husband has been

sucking me dry for four years now.

And he's got his eye

on Okayo, too.

Just think about it.

He hardly deserves your pity.

It's not murder

to squash ticks and lice.

You could talk your way

around anything.

Haven't I been clear enough?

Even an idiot should get it.

I've heard enough, damn it!

Get out!

I suggest you mull it over.

What the hell are you doing?

Spying like a peeping Tom.

Just... the two of you?

All nice and cozy.

I knew it.

You b*tch!

Whore!

I can't believe myself.

At my age...

You shameless hussy!

Go on. Get out.

Scram!

You're the one who should scram.

Get out. Get out.

Don't make me laugh.

You don't give me orders.

Who's there?

Oh, it's you.

Just me.

What were you up to there?

Did I break a rule?

But I thought you'd left.

It's cold out there.

Murder on us old folks.

So, you heard?

Well, I'm not deaf.

But you sure are one lucky man.

Why's that?

Don't you think I yawned

at exactly the right moment?

That was a close call.

You were just about

to strangle that guy, you know.

That's right.

I surely would have.

Just like that.

The spur of the moment and it's done.

The voice of experience.

You listen to me carefully.

This, too,

all boils down to women.

Considering my looks,

I've known my share of gals.

A gal for every hair

that's abandoned my head.

By the way,

you stay clear of that woman.

The thing is, even considering

that husband of hers,

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