Do you think I don't know how much money
you're making with your backdoor admissions?
Come to Brandonpark Hotel tonight with some food.
I was told to bring some food to you by the mama.
Get out, right now!
I did as you told me.
I took a copy while the director was showering.
With this list of backdoor admissions
and my black leather notebook,
I'll take "Umemura" away from Hashida,
flip it for 200,000,000 yen and then buy "Rudan,"
the No. 1 club in the Ginza,
and rise up to become the No. 1 mama in the Ginza.
Excuse me.
Long time no see. How have you been?
Excuse me. Director Hashida is here.
Welcome.
Thanks for the food the other day. It was good.
Very good.
Please, allow me.
Where's Sumie?
She's with another patron right now.
Will you tell her I'm here?
Of course.
He asked for me?
What do you want to do?
I can tell him no for you.
I can handle it.
Didn't I tell you the other day?
I'm just that kind of man. My love is true.
So the party is backing Mrs. Wakatsuki's candidacy?
I hereby announce my candidacy for the office of
M.P. representing this Gunma district.
They haven't decided yet.
Forget party lines or objectives.
They just want a candidate who can win the election.
If the party does name Mrs. Wakatsuki as its candidate,
the Dobayashi Group block vote won't be enough to
guarantee a win for you.
The Liberal Democratic Party will name me its candidate.
Hmm?
We'll stomp right along with candidate Wakatsuki.
Wherever she goes by car, Yasujima will go by bicycle.
That should have impact.
Our film crew will split into two teams.
One team will film me as I bicycle along a hill road.
The other team will film me as I bicycle into town
right behind candidate Wakatsuki's car.
Right.
We don't have much time. Get ready.
Right.
Trouble!
Take a look at this article on Mrs. Wakatsuki.
What?
Someone turn on the TV.
The late Transportation Minister Wakatsuki allegedly
pressured the Ministry of Education into approving
the construction of a new college campus,
a project which was to be awarded to the firm of
Mrs. Wakatsuki's brother.
What a scandal.
Mrs. Wakatsuki's finished.
Mrs. Wakatsuki, widow of the late minister, had been
predicted to run for office representing
the Gunma district.
Politicians are the worst. They're all filthy and ugly.
I should go to the Diet and shave all their heads.
Don't say that. Some of them are patrons of ours.
By the way, I found out who's trying to sell "Rudan."
For 300,000,000 yen.
Who is the seller?
I'll call you when I'm leaving.
Yes, sir.
Here's to the official party candidate.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
That was close.
One wrong step and you might have been
accused of collusion.
No, not me.
I know a lot of politicians who blame their scandals
on their secretaries.
But this is the first time I've seen it in reverse.
What was that?
That scandal involving the late Minister Wakatsuki.
The chairman believes I was the leak.
Who else, besides you, had that much dirt?
Right, mama?
I don't know much about politics.
Can we talk about late night Ginza instead?
Sure, that would be a lot more fun.
I heard a rumor that "Rudan" is up for sale.
Is it true?
You're well-informed for one so young, mama.
I understand you own "Rudan," Chairman Hasegawa.
No, I don't.
It's changing hands right now and I'm just holding it.
How much is it going for?
Are you going to buy it?
Oh, please.
But you can't blame me for being curious about
what the No. 1 club in the Ginza is going for.
For 300,000,000 yen, I heard.
Is the rumor true?
Well, now.
If you're considering buying it, mama,
how about for 300 yen?
Oh, my goodness. Of course I'd buy it.
I was right.
Chairman Hasegawa has "Rudan" up for sale,
for 300,000,000 yen.
You understand Mr. Hashida has formally transferred
150,000,000 yen in funds to you.
Yes.
Excuse me.
This concludes the sale of Restaurant Umemura by
party A, Kimi Umemura, to party B, Tsuneo Hashida,
for 150,000,000 yen.
I'll take this to the Registry Office right now.
Yes, please.
Excuse me.
And?
And here's...
...the 50,000,000 yen in cash.
You take a nice trip to the hot springs.
Thank you so much,
for everything.
No boyfriends for you in retirement, though.
I won't be able to face the Deputy Prime Minister
in the other world.
His death anniversary.
Please leave.
Please.
Leave!
Shame on you!
Who helped you get to where you are?
Who hired you when you didn't even have
a driver's license?
Who fed you three square meals a day, did your wash,
and treated you like family?
You betrayed us.
Ruined our lives...!
Wakatsuki must be turning in his grave.
I'm sorry for the way things turned out.
I haven't forgotten how much I owe to you and the minister.
I'll carry on the minister's legacy and work hard
for the good of our country, for the good of Gunma.
I'll do anything for you, Mrs. Wakatsuki.
Call me if you have any problems.
I promise to repay you for your kindness.
Please!
So "Umemura" now belongs to Director Hashida?
Yes.
This is but a token of my appreciation.
I just wanted to be of help to you, mama.
Just take it.
I couldn't.
If and when I open a new bar, though,
will you come work for me?
A new bar?
It isn't definite yet.
But if it ever comes to be, I want it to be magnificent.
So think about it.
May I see the documentation for property at this address?
Fill out this form and wait here.
Here.
Thank you.
Just as Sumie said,
"Umemura" was now Hashida's property.
Everything was set.
My dream was about to come true.
What a surprise.
I never expected you to come to me, mama.
Your first time at our prep school?
Such a fine school.
The school I attended was nothing as impressive.
Now, what brings you here today?
I'd like to discuss something with you.
Excuse me.
About this?
About Sumie.
Sumie?
What are your intentions with her, director?
My intentions?
Do you intend to marry her?
Marry her?
Sumie is a very nice girl.
She's never worked in the Ginza before
and can be very naive about things.
So if you're just having a fling with her,
I'll ask you not to see her outside of my bar.
Are you jealous?
I'm flattered.
No.
Sumie is Sumie. You're you. It's you I want, mama.
You'll stay away from Sumie and never contact her.
Can you promise me that?
Hold on. You're both Ginza women.
Seduction is the name of the game for you.
If you can't promise me that,
you leave me no choice.
OK, I'll never make another pass at Sumie.
That is, if you agree to see me, mama.
Huh?
You know how I feel about you.
I've tried so many times to tell you.
There's only one thing I've ever wanted. True love.
Stop it.
I would if I could.
Stop it!
I won't let you leave.
I'm not leaving.
We have something important to discuss.
Something important?
Will you let me have "Umemura"?
How did you know I bought "Umemura"?
I want you to let me have it.
For how much?
200,000,000 yen?
20,000,000 yen.
Ridiculous.
No money down, on a 25-year loan.
25-year loan?
300 monthly payments of 66,000 yen each.
Is this supposed to be funny?
Well, it isn't.
The parcel alone is worth 150,000,000 yen.
Amenities included, at least 200,000,000 yen.
Sell a property like that for a mere 20,000,000 yen,
and on a 25-year loan at that, and I'll go bankrupt.
But you have the money.
Your pot runneth over with it, in fact.
Huh?
Torin Bank Setagaya North Branch:
Atsuhiko Maehara, 42,300,000 yen.
Mitsuru Aoki, 27,400,000 yen.
And 7 other alias accounts for a grand total of
310,000,000 yen in secret savings.
All yours.
What is that?
A list of your alias accounts.
Details of the pool of the dirty money
unreported to the Tax Office that you have
stashed away in alias accounts.
That is, proof of your tax evasion.
How did you get that?
That's not all.
April 6, Director's Office. Student, Satoru Kikuchi.
Father, owner of surgery clinic in Imanashi, Ehime.
Desired school, Higa Medical College.
Pro rata donation, 300,000 yen per point.
I have a list of 25 other such donations accepted,
this year alone, for backdoor admissions,
including time and place, desired school,
and actual sums right here.
I printed up the data that was saved in that tablet.
You've been stashing away donated funds
for backdoor admissions in these alias accounts.
So much of it that your pot runneth over.
Take this to the tabloids,
and it's all over for you and Josei Seminars.
Are you trying to shake me?
You're committing criminal extortion.
No. I'm just negotiating a real estate sale.
Will you let me have "Umemura" for
20,000,000 yen, on a 25-year loan?
I'll leave you to draw up the sales contract.
Excuse me.
I'll also leave you to take care of all taxes
applicable to this contract, director.
What do you want?
What do you want with "Umemura"?
Is it money? Are you so money-hungry?
I didn't know you were such a greedy, money-grubber.
You're the money-grubber.
I'm not doing what I'm doing to make money.
Not making money with backdoor admissions?
It's a public service.
Public service?
Have you any idea of the shortage of MDs
in this country?
As a pipeline between MD aspirants and
medical colleges that go begging for students,
I'm doing my part to solve the critical shortage.
So that our elderly could receive decent care!
I learned something.
Idiots.
Excuse me. Time for your executive meeting, sir.
They're all waiting for you in the conference room.
Let them wait!
Motoko?
Why, mama. Long time no see.
It's so hot these days.
How's business?
I'm managing, thank you.
Dr. Narabayashi hasn't been around at all, lately.
Has he been to "Carnet"?
Not at all.
Oh? I wonder what's happened to him.
50,000,000 yen.
Don't get funny!
What kind of woman are you?
Maybe he's just busy at his clinic.
I hope so.
Have you heard?
"Rudan" is up for sale.
"Rudan" is? Really?
Rumor has it another Ginza mama is buying it.
It isn't you, is it?
Please. I could never come up with that kind of money.
Oh?
I hear you're doing quite well at your bar,
for the youngest mama in the Ginza.
I guess men just prefer younger women.
Especially women that are young, naive,
and convenient.
Sorry! Are you OK?
Can someone bring us a towel?
It's OK. This wasn't that expensive.
It's all over?
You don't have to go out with the director after work,
or sit with him when he comes to the club.
Not that I expect him back anytime soon.
Back to work.
Excuse me, and long time no see.
How have you been?
Congratulations.
Everything's going as I planned.
Exactly as I planned.
Next.
Excuse me.
Ms. Motoko Haraguchi is here, sir.
Excuse me.
I've been expecting you.
Thank you for your time.
The party secretary was just sitting right there.
Really?
The prime minister is joining Yasujima at
his first public speech.
That's wonderful.
I didn't ask him.
It was the Dobayashi Group chairman, that is,
Yasujima's father-in-law.
You've got yourself a fine bride, Yasujima.
Yes, sir.
Still worried?
You're the party candidate,
the prime minister is speaking in your behalf,
you have the Dobayashi Group block vote of 100,000.
You're as good as elected.
Ruling out any scandalolus affairs with women
in your past, that is.
Have a seat.
Excuse me.
Now what did you want to discuss with me?
Something you don't want Yasujima to hear?
Oh, no.
You're a busy man, I'm sure,
so I'll get right to the point.
I'd prefer that myself.
Will you let me have Club "Rudan"?
You want to buy "Rudan"?
Yes.
For how much?
How about 300,000,000 yen?
300,000,000 yen? Can you come up with that much?
Yes.
No way.
Who's your backer?
No one.
Your partner?
No one.
Don't give me that.
A patron? Hubby? One of these?
Whatever you call them,
a woman who does business at night in the Ginza
always has one of them backing her.
Tell me the truth.
I have no one like that.
How did you get that kind of money?
I had a trusted party invest my inheritance
from my parents for me, then the market went up.
The market on what? Stocks? Gold?
I have a nondisclosure agreement with this party.
Why do you want to buy "Rudan"?
Because it's the No. 1 bar in the Ginza.
My aim is to be at the very top in this business.
I'm impressed.
Are you sure you can pay the 300,000,000 yen?
Yes.
Mama.
When?
It'll take half a month to liquidate my assets.
As soon as that's done.
Will you sell "Rudan" to me?
Chairman.
You be quiet.
All right.
Chairman.
But I want 50,000,000 yen in deposit.
50,000,000 yen?
The standard rate is 10% of the selling price.
10% of 300,000,000 yen would be 30,000,000 yen.
I want 50,000,000 yen.
You said you can pay it all in half a month.
But how can I be 100% sure you'll be able to
come up with the money from God knows where.
The 50,000,000 yen is to cover my risk.
And one more thing.
If you fail to honor our contract, that is,
fail to come up with the remaining 250,000,000 yen
in half a month,
I'll take the deposit on top of 100,000,000 yen
for breach of contract.
100,000,000 yen?
If you can't agree to those terms,
we can forget the whole thing.
Well?
Maybe you should think it over.
No.
That won't be necessary.
I will buy "Rudan" from you on your terms, chairman.
It's been a pleasure.
Life is so unpredictable.
She was a temp hostess at Club "Shokudai,"
who bought "Carnet" and struck out on her own.
That's all you know about her?
Yes.
Nothing more.
You called, sir?
I'll pay the 50,000,000 yen deposit with cash on hand,
and sell "Umemura," which I took away from Hashida,
for a quick 200,000,000 yen.
Then, with that and the 100,000,000, yen I sold
"Carnet" for, I'll buy "Rudan."
I'll be out 250,000,000 yen,
but that still leaves me 50,000,000 yen.
Enough to cover operating costs and a grand opening.
Everything's going as planned.
Soon I'll be at the top of this town.
This property, for 200,000,000 yen?
Just like "Carnet,"
I want you to find a buyer for it right away.
In 2 weeks, at the latest.
So the property is registered under your name?
Yes.
The contract was signed in the presence of a notary.
I'll find a buyer right away, for 200,000,000 yen.
I'll get right to work.
Please.
Good morning.
'Morning. Where's Sumie?
She isn't here yet.
She's usually here early.
Have you heard from Sumie at all?
No, I haven't.
Something the matter?
No. Thanks, as always.
You don't have to see the director outside of
work anymore.
I wasn't seeing things.
I'm sorry, we're closed for the day.
You'd better cancel.
Cancel?
Cancel buying "Rudan."
You haven't signed a formal contract yet.
There's still time.
I'll be there for you, so call the whole thing off.
Why?
It's reckless.
Why so rash?
I'm not being rash.
I want to be No. 1 in this business one day.
The No. 1 mama in the Ginza. I told you so.
You can't. You're too young.
A lot of young people have realized their dreams.
You'll be the talk of the town.
The youngest mama in the Ginza buys the
No. 1 club in the Ginza.
Media attention will bring you hordes of patrons.
But just that once.
You'll be beaten down to size in no time.
There are many in this town who aren't happy
about you buying "Rudan."
The mama of a club with history,
and the men behind her,
will all be out to destroy you.
There are risks to realizing any dream.
You can't let the jealousy and hatred of others
keep you from moving forward.
Where is all that money, the 300,000,000 yen,
coming from?
I can't tell you.
Why not?
Is it shady money?
What have you been up to?
My money...my money.
This isn't the ball the director hit.
Sure, we've had dealings.
Give me...the money.
I want control of money.
How about for 300,000,000 yen?
I will buy Club "Rudan" from you.
Tell me.
Tell me everything.
Just who are you?
I have my own way of doing things.
I'll do things my way to get to the top in this town,
and take control of money.
You've no idea what a scary man the chairman is.
You only know what he's like on the outside.
The chairman you see having a drink here
isn't real.
He's a dangerous man.
Turn him against you and...
Doesn't the same go for you, Yasujima?
You'd do anything to win the election.
Including, biting the hand that feeds you.
Don't tell me what's good for the goose isn't
good for the gander.
My life is my own, and for me to live my way.
You're full of it.
I only have one life to live.
Get off it!
Remember saying that if you win the election,
you'll hold your victory party here?
How about making that at "Rudan"?
I'll be looking forward to it.
The youngest mama in the Ginza is an interesting woman.
What did you teach her?
Nothing, really, except for one thing.
To keep a patron's secrets to herself.
That's the code of the Ginza, I told her.
Code of the Ginza?
She was a shy little thing when she worked for me.
When patrons teased her, she'd just clam up.
And now she's bidding to buy "Rudan."
What?
Bidding to buy "Rudan" for 300,000,000 yen.
That day, Sumie never showed up at the club.
The person you've called is temporarily...
Something is, no...
Someone...
Is trying to get the better of me.