When a Woman Ascends the Stairs Page #4

Has everyone contributed?

Nothing but promises so far.

I'm counting on you too.

You're putting me in a spot.

Why?

Well...

No, I'd better not.

Come on. Tell me.

All right.

A bar is no place for you.

I'd be happier

seeing you marry a good man.

You're the first to say that.

Everyone else encouraged me.

It's not the money.

But I always feel sorry

seeing you with drunks.

I don't know how you got

into this line of work,

but you belong

in a nice home.

Don't be offended.

It's just my opinion.

Put me down for 100,000 yen.

Christmas time again.

How depressing.

I have to buy new clothes,

sell tickets.

Well, well.

Long time no see.

Kiyomi! How are you?

I'm fine,

but the Lilac is going under.

Did you hear?

Yuri did a terrible thing.

I know.

You do?

She committed suicide!

No, she was just faking.

Can she fake being dead?

Dead?

Yes. I just got back

from paying my respects.

She put sleeping pills

in brandy.

Not too many,

but with that much alcohol...

I'm sorry she was

so much trouble to you.

Not at all.

I just came

to offer my condolences.

I only sold her

a slip and some panties.

You can pay me in due course.

I'll discuss it

with my relatives.

If I'm not paid soon,

I'll be fired.

We'll do what we can.

Please.

I'm very sorry.

I should have stopped her.

No, it was just her bad luck.

One way or another,

it would have come to this.

Forgive me for saying so,

but I told her from the start

not to work as a hostess.

Besides, she was too young

to own her own place.

Even a man who works his whole life

can't be sure of success.

How much harder

for a woman on her own.

Stretch yourself too far

and you're bound to fail.

Excuse me.

I've come on behalf

of Mr. Minobe.

I'm Yuri's mother.

I apologize for all the trouble

she caused you.

I'm deeply sorry for your loss.

It's very difficult

to have to say this,

but selling the bar only covers

part of the 1.5 million

that Yuri owed Mr. Minobe.

He requests that you pay

the remaining 300,000 yen.

I have the papers with me.

We need your seal.

Must I do it today?

Her funeral's not even over yet!

I'm merely

Mr. Minobe's employee.

Why do you think she died?

You kept pressing her for money.

She thought a suicide attempt

could hold you off.

But instead...

she really died!

What do you need

Never mind that.

Can you get it?

Ask the owner.

I can make a lot on the deal.

It's a manager's duty to help.

If you get the money,

we can go

to the hot springs together.

Forget it.

You're in love with Mama,

aren't you?

I don't normally tell

strangers' fortunes,

but since you know

the lingerie shop owner...

I see the word sake

in the back of your mind.

Is there some connection

with your work?

Yes. I work in a bar.

That explains it.

What do you want to know?

It's about starting

a bar of my own.

Pick a card.

Not for a couple of years.

You'd be rowing a boat

against the current.

Time solves everything.

Wait patiently.

You'll soon receive

a marriage proposal.

A proposal?

I came to work

and forgot about everything.

Welcome.

Don't you have

the wrong place?

You're terrible, hiding out here

and not even calling me.

This is Mr. Horiuchi.

He's with Asahi Steel.

- Pleased to meet you.

- My pleasure.

Even more beautiful

than I was told.

He's a big shot in steel.

I thought you two should meet.

I'm indebted to him.

I see.

You'd better be careful.

He's no good.

Don't go telling him the truth.

Poor Yuri.

Yes. She should have

told me about her debts.

It was only a million or so.

I could have helped.

You sold her place.

Squeezing her mother for 300,000!

That should be your condolence gift!

What's your problem?

Tomoko, get me a drink.

Straight.

Don't worry.

I'll pay for it.

You really can't hold your liquor!

Mama, the manager

wants to see you.

What?

Don't be so nasty

to Mr. Minobe.

You want me to flatter him?

Forget it.

Customers pay for a good -

I said forget it!

I quit the Lilac

because of him.

Who is he anyway?

He drives Yuri to desperation, then

comes here like nothing's happened.

I hate him!

He makes me sick!

Not tonight!

I can still smell the incense

from Yuri's funeral.

Just being next to him

is an insult to her memory!

There are limits,

even in business!

Stop being so emotional.

This is a bar.

People pay to have a good time.

So what?

Listen to me!

You get paid

to show men a good time.

If you don't like it,

take off that kimono

and work in an office

and starve!

Shut up!

Komatsu, Mama's

throwing up blood!

Blood?

Mama, are you all right?

Call a doctor!

Get a cab!

Sorry to bother you.

It was a small ulcer.

Four weeks passed.

I spent both Christmas

and New Year's

in bed,

and the following week as well.

Excuse me.

Dad.

May I ask your name?

So good of you to come.

I should have come sooner.

But the holidays were so busy

with the bar

and the place in Akasaka.

I'm sorry I caused you

such trouble.

I asked Komatsu about you.

You look well.

Thank you.

It's not serious.

I see.

I came across

some turtle soup.

I thought it might do you good.

Buy some fruit with this.

Thank you.

This is my first time

in these parts.

You can still see traces

of the old Tokyo.

This may not suit your taste.

Unfortunately Mother is out.

You needn't have.

Look what she brought.

Thank you.

Heat this for her tonight.

Even turtle soup costs

a fortune these days.

Thank you for this precious gift.

Your brother seems nice.

Yes, almost too nice.

Is that his son downstairs?

Yes. He had polio.

Really?

He has such a cute face.

Don't go far.

He's starting school this year.

There's an operation

that could help him, but...

It must be hard on you too.

What about your apartment?

- Junko's looking after it.

Don't worry about the bar.

Your health's more important.

Well, I should be going.

Taxes are coming due.

Could you do some collecting?

I'm sorry.

I've been meaning to.

Ah, it's you!

I'm not supposed to let anyone in,

but you're all right.

Nice place.

The rent must be high.

Is that a present?

Thanks.

So this is her bedroom.

It's still warm.

Put that down!

- Is Mama out?

- She's in the hospital.

And I came all this way.

Which hospital?

- I don't know.

- Don't be ridiculous.

She didn't tell me.

Why not?

Is she trying to hide something?

She's not that type.

There's nobody but you.

The nerve!

Don't mock your elders.

What are you doing here?

- Watching the place.

This is a waste of time.

I'm going.

Don't be so gruff.

You can have some tea

even if she isn't here.

Don't be naughty

or Mama will scold you.

Tea's ready.

What were you doing?

Checking to see

if Mama has a lover.

Oh, you!

You call this tea?

Tastes like medicine.

You'd be hopeless as a bride.

I don't plan to get married.

- You want to stay single?

- You're so slow. I'm disappointed.

What do you mean, slow?

I mean dumb.

You're the dumb one.

I'm going to have

my own bar someday.

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