When a Woman Ascends the Stairs Page #3

Good morning.

How'd it go?

Let me eat first.

I'm starving.

Fujisaki finally paid,

but Mr. Goda won't pay

unless you ask him personally.

He flashed the money

but wouldn't hand it over.

I'll go see him tomorrow.

The usual inn at Tsukiji?

Won't he try to seduce you?

They try all the time,

but it can only work if I let them.

Famous last words.

You've heard of

Nobuko at Club 8?

She wouldn't even give in

to a cabinet member.

But then she fell in love

with some down-and-out guitarist.

Now she's a maid

in a love hotel.

I started as a busboy

in the Ginza ten years ago.

I've seen a lot like her.

What's your point?

Just sharing my experience.

Good marmalade.

Thanks for coming.

Yesterday I had to take

five kimonos over to Yuri's place.

Five?

Her business must be booming.

Care to buy any yourself?

I just finished paying

for my last one.

Pay whenever you can.

I trust you.

Men are so strange.

You always rush off afterwards.

It's bad manners,

especially the first time.

Can't you stay another hour?

Don't get lipstick on me.

You're like a politician.

You don't keep your word.

"The girls in my care

are precious goods

not to be touched."

That only applies

to women like Mama.

Oh, that's nice!

Fooling around with me

while going on about her.

There aren't many

like her in the Ginza.

Oh, I see.

What?

You did to me

what you couldn't do to her.

Nonsense.

Hurry and get ready.

Hand it over.

- What?

- The money.

You said you liked me.

I'm a pro.

I charge the men I like too.

It pays better than a normal job,

but I have to spend

so much on myself.

It's a vicious circle.

It makes no sense.

The owner takes it all anyway.

How old are you?

Don't ask. Old enough.

Thirty?

That's the turning point

in a woman's life.

The time to decide

whether to marry

or open your own bar.

Tell me, would you like

your own place?

You're joking.

I'll consider it,

if that's what you want.

I couldn't.

Yes, you could.

You could make it work.

How much would it take?

Give me a figure.

Even tiny bars in the Ginza

cost over a million.

Then it's no problem.

Some money I lent out

came back before it was due.

An honest fellow.

See? In cash.

Just a little windfall.

My wife will grab it

if I take it home.

And the banks only pay 6%.

If you're serious

about setting up shop, take it.

You'd lend it to me?

Well...

maybe even give it to you.

I come to Tokyo

several times a month.

It's a waste staying all alone

in a big room like this.

Maybe we could...

reach an understanding.

I don't want to force you

into anything.

Think it over.

Ask yourself if you want

to spend your life working for others.

Mama...

come closer.

Will you dine now?

No, thank you.

I'm just leaving.

I should be going.

I'll have an answer

next time I see you.

Hello?

Komatsu?

I'd like your advice.

It's not a bad proposition.

You approve?

That's irrelevant.

So you'll finally get

a place of your own.

You were a cashier

when I recruited you five years ago.

Time flies.

Now it's either marriage

or my own bar.

No respectable man

would marry me now.

I've made up my mind.

So you're giving in

to the old man

after holding out for five years.

What's so funny?

If I was going

to do it that way,

there are better men

than Mr. Goda.

I'll solicit subscriptions.

If ten men put up 100,000 yen each,

that would make a million.

I'll deduct their drinks

from what I owe them.

Now I approve!

Being a kept woman is stupid.

I'll chip in too.

You will? Thanks.

But I don't want to burden you.

Mr. Sonoda, Mr. Ito,

and Mr. Matsubara -

they're good

for 200,000 yen each.

That's 600,000.

The rest are small spenders.

But Fujisaki's a banker.

He could put up 200,000.

No, not him.

Why not?

No special reason.

You feel awkward asking him?

Something like that.

I know a good bar for sale.

- Where?

- Shall I show you?

Please.

THE CONGA BAR:

The down payment is cheap.

Just one drawback:

You share the restroom

with the sushi place downstairs.

No pressure, but I've got

two other interested parties.

- We'll talk it over.

- I'll be eating downstairs.

Well?

It needs some fixing up,

but it's a good place to start.

I'll be your bartender.

- You're too expensive.

- Not at first.

But sharing the restroom

with a cheap sushi place -

would my customers come?

They'll come to see you.

Let's do a test run.

Order something.

A dry martini?

Coming right up.

Komatsu, your secret's out.

The lipstick on your shirt.

Lipstick?

Can't avoid an occasional smudge

with so many women around.

So what do you say?

Well...

We can't quite decide.

I've got nicer places.

What a surprise.

Long time no see.

I'd like to talk to you.

How about some tea?

Are you still angry at me?

Angry at you?

About what?

I want to apologize

for taking your customers.

I'm sorry.

It was the only way

to keep my place going.

Don't worry about it.

Minobe still comes?

Yes.

Maybe it's this light,

but you look thinner.

Just between us, I'm deep in debt.

It's taking its toll.

You must be joking.

I heard you bought

five kimonos for Christmas.

I don't have them anymore.

I bought them on credit,

then pawned them for cash. Clever, huh?

Isn't that risky?

I sold my car

and put away my golf clubs.

I borrowed so much to get started

that now I'm in a pinch.

Don't laugh.

What'll you do?

I've decided to die.

Isn't that a great idea?

They say sleeping pills

work quite well.

Yuri!

Just kidding.

It'll be a staged suicide.

I won't actually die.

I'll just fake it

to hold off creditors.

Shocked?

Not shocked. Impressed.

I thought,

with your place doing so well,

your view of the world

might be a little too rosy.

But you've tasted struggle too.

I respect that.

You're embarrassing me.

What a strange conversation.

Whatever happens,

don't give up.

By the way,

I'm going to open my own bar.

Really? That's wonderful!

Let's drink to that.

Women working in the Ginza

fought desperately for survival.

It was a battle

I couldn't afford to lose.

On my days off, I took my pledge book

from one company to the next.

Some men promised

more than I expected,

some less.

But I didn't want to discuss money

with the man I really cared about.

A pledge book?

Well, well.

Your money will be repaid

little by little

in the form of your bar tab.

So we have to come drink

to get repaid? Smart idea.

I'm not trying to coerce anyone.

Joking aside,

I'd like to help,

especially since it's you,

but a bank can't lend 200,000

without collateral.

However, I can put up

I may be branch manager,

but it's other people's money.

May I speak to you, sir?

Excuse me.

I shouldn't have come.

Collecting on bills?

Depressed?

I don't feel down.

My client didn't pay,

but at least I ran into you.

How about some tea?

What a nice fragrance.

What's your perfume?

Black Narcissus.

Must cost a lot.

It's stronger here

than at the bar.

Really?

So you're opening

your own place?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes