When a Woman Ascends the Stairs Page #2

Yuri won't stop calling.

I'll drop by later.

Really?

I'll be waiting.

What were you and Mama

talking about?

Gimme a refill.

What to do?

The time to decide was looming.

I went to work at a new bar.

Only a few leaves were left

on the sycamores.

How nice to see you!

When did you arrive from Osaka?

Last night. An emergency

shareholders meeting.

I see. This way, please.

- I had a hard time finding the place.

- Forgive me.

I lost your map card.

Welcome.

He drinks Black & White with water.

Don't forget.

- Nice place.

- Thank you.

Making more than before?

It's always money with you.

That's the most important thing.

Foreigners ask for the price list

before they even drink a glass of juice.

And they pay up front.

Did Mama give Minobe

the brush-off?

Where'd you hear that?

Besides, how would we know?

You're well trained.

Is my face red?

I may look sturdy,

but I can't drink at all.

Then why come to a bar?

I can't stand sitting at home

once the lights go on.

But aren't you married?

Not even close.

Should I call Mama?

That's okay.

I'm not her only customer.

You're so nice!

I'd like to marry a man like you.

I'm honored.

It's true.

Handsome men are conceited.

May I have a drink?

Sorry to neglect you.

Yukiko, could you go to the bar?

Have a drink on me.

Thanks.

Mama doesn't have a patron?

No, she's too virtuous.

She'll cave in eventually.

A woman's a woman.

Want to bet?

- On what?

- On who'll get her.

All her regular guests are here.

Let's see.

That old man from Osaka

has the most money...

but she likes the banker best.

Odds are on him.

What about the fat fellow?

Not even in the running.

Did you put on a little weight?

Hardly, with all my debts.

That can't be.

Nothing's harder than

running a 30-man factory.

Is that so?

You're thinner.

Am I?

It's stressful changing bars.

- But even prettier.

- Thank you.

- You like tempura?

- I love it.

I'll treat you tomorrow.

Can't.

I have to see a customer off

at the airport.

Some other time then.

I'm sorry.

Welcome!

Did Mr. Goda arrive?

Mr. Fujisaki's a regular too.

Yes.

That guest told me

to hold this for him.

There's 500,000 yen inside!

Don't fall for that.

It's true!

Silly.

He's just trying to get you

to go out with him.

It's just for show?

Leave it with Komatsu.

How about dinner tomorrow?

- What time?

- Any time.

I'll call you.

Leaving so soon?

Stay a bit.

I have to meet someone.

Keep the drinks flowing

for my men there.

How about dinner tomorrow?

Okay. I'll call you tomorrow.

Take care.

Between 11:
30 and midnight,

the Ginza's 16,000 hostesses

head home in droves.

The best go by cab...

the second-rate take the train...

and the worst go off

with their customers.

Junko.

Tomoko, you'll miss the last train.

Goodness! Bye now.

You forgot this.

Silly me! It's for my son's

school trip tomorrow.

Good-bye.

- Good night.

- Good-bye.

Welcome.

- Welcome.

- Thank you.

The sign's still on outside.

I'm sorry.

She's drunk again.

I'll take her to my apartment.

Keiko,

isn't that kimono a bit plain?

Is it?

Wear something flashier.

The Carton Bar.

A call for you.

What is it?

No, we can't provide

geisha this late.

Give them some sushi,

then kick them out.

I'm busy, so I'll be brief.

I paid the 170,000 yen

your guests owed at the Lilac

so you'd be free

to work for me here.

It's just a formality, but please

put your seal on this receipt.

I'll collect the money soon

and pay you back.

I'll be going.

No need to see me out.

Did the owner leave?

I hate to ask, but could you

collect on bills again tomorrow?

She'll probably

want interest too.

I'll get a cab.

Will you bring Junko?

Back home...

I felt tired

and a little drunk.

My rent is 30,000 yen,

a lot for one person.

But for us Ginza hostesses,

an apartment's

a fashionable accessory...

just like expensive clothes

and perfumes.

Junko!

Oh, it's you.

Mama wanted to come,

but relatives

arrived from Nagoya.

She asked me

to extend her apologies.

I see.

We'd appreciate

payment soon, sir.

I've overspent this month.

I'd prefer to pay

these two bills next month.

I understand.

But they're bills

from the old bar, so...

Mama's having a hard time too.

Yes, her aunt and uncle

just came from Nagoya.

She asked me to apologize.

Me?

I'm watching her place.

But please do visit

our bar again.

Okay?

Good-bye.

The man from Osaka was furious.

Was he?

It's still easier

than saying no to his face.

You're right.

I just learned a new trick.

Mama...

who's your favorite customer?

I don't know.

I do.

Mr. Fujisaki?

I don't dislike him.

But in our business

we have to treat

every man like a lover.

You can't love just one man.

Too bad.

I could love

just one rich man.

That 500,000 yen from last night -

I can still see it.

Let's not talk shop.

Here.

Thank you.

Your omelettes are as good

as a restaurant's.

My late husband loved omelettes.

I hate to cook.

- Even rice?

- I use an electric cooker.

I thought you'd say that.

You still have to know

how to use it.

You'll have a hard time

when you get married.

I had it hard at first.

At first?

Oh, when you got married?

I've always wanted to ask:

What was your husband like?

Handsome?

There's a photograph

in the family shrine.

May I?

Isn't he good-Iooking?

He's kind of chubby.

I'm disappointed.

He wasn't really handsome,

but he was so kind.

Maybe because he was

ten years older.

I was just out of high school.

I caused him such grief

with my selfishness.

He died so soon.

I wish I'd been nicer.

But he looked so healthy.

Was it illness?

No, he got hit by a truck.

Poor man.

It's hard to forget someone

you lose so unexpectedly.

Mama...

is it true you put

a love letter in his urn?

Who told you that?

Mr. Komatsu said you told him

once when you were drunk.

It's a beautiful,

romantic thing to do.

When I heard that,

I respected you so much.

Silly girl. It's not true.

That's Komatsu for you.

It was in a novel I read.

A novel?

What a letdown!

But my husband

was such a good person.

Is that why nobody else

can win your heart?

It's not that.

It just seems so dirty.

It's not my way.

If a woman does such things,

her charm disappears.

Aren't you Ionely sometimes?

Sure.

But I have a brandy

and go to sleep.

That kind of fever soon passes.

You really have some self-control!

I clench my teeth

so hard they hurt.

Honest?

You're so gullible!

Oh, you!

A woman shouldn't be loose.

That's one rule I've followed.

I'm not a prude,

but if I let go once,

it'd be too hard to stop.

Maybe I'm just a coward.

Don't sit there thinking.

Your food's getting cold.

Hello?

Mother?

Just a second.

Junko, please get the door.

What is it?

This is too sudden.

The kimono-maker's bill

is due today.

Wait a couple days.

I'll send it with your monthly allowance.

Listen, did you make

your pickled cabbage?

Bring some when you come.

Don't catch cold.

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