"I'm not about to lose my head for anything,"
was the thought that sealed my fate!
Hey, you're being too self-centered, Appare!
I got dragged along with the departing Appare,
and before I knew it, it was the Pacific Ocean!
We got taken aboard by another ship and rescued, but this is America!
Los Angeles?!
"Episode 2" "In the Dark"
Wow, this is something else.
Good. No problem with the engine.
Can you repair the ship, Appare?! When will we be able to get back to Japan?!
Not a chance.
Huh? Why not?
I'm not repairing the ship.
Why not?!
Because it's an experimental ship.
So what if it is?!
You ask a lot of questions.
You don't explain a lot! Help me to understand!
I've accomplished the point of the experiment,
so fixing it up the way it was would be pointless.
Besides, it's impossible to cross the Pacific with the range this ship has.
Then you could always improve it, couldn't you?
There are any number of rudimentary steamships around
good enough to cross the Pacific.
When you say "rudimentary," are you talking about our ship?
--That's right. --He is not!
Hey, don't be so rude! It's thanks to the captain here
that we're being allowed to stay here for a little while!
Don't worry about it.
We haven't used this storehouse in a while.
You're free to use it until someone comes along wanting to rent it.
In return,
you don't mind if I keep this, do you?
Suit yourself.
While you're at it, I don't suppose you'd be open to taking us back to Japan...?
Don't be an idiot. You think I'm going to take you out to sea for free?
Ordinarily, I'd want the fare for your passage as it is.
Isn't there anything I can do?!
I can clean, or cook, or do whatever you like!
I already have professional cooks and cleaners.
He might be one thing, but what else can you do?
Huh?
Besides, it's not like I can hire a crewman who's gonna jump ship
when we get to his destination.
In any case,
we're about to head through the Panama Canal to the Atlantic.
We won't be going to Japan for a while.
I see...
First thing you should do is find a job. If you don't work, you shan't eat.
And if you work like mad for ten years,
you might be able to charter a ship back to your own country.
This is the other side of the ocean...
The country that made the steamships.
Can't you see your way somehow? I'll do anything!
We're a service industry.
We can't very well hire someone from only God knows where!
What do you mean, only God knows where?
I was born and raised in Shibaura, Fuyutsuki!
My family name is Isshiki, and my given name is Kosame--
There are steam-powered cars all over the place.
--Damn it! Appare, you should work, too! --I'd sure like to take one apart.
--Damn it! Appare, you should work, too! --I just have to put it together again, right?
Huh?
Hire you?
Yeah.
I just have a small shop. I have enough help.
Then that's perfect.
It's not like I want to work anyway. I welcome the free time.
As long as you pay me a wage, there's no problem.
Huh?
How did you do? Find anything?
No. They aren't hiring where I want to work,
and I don't want to work where they are hiring.
Huh? What do you mean? You have to look harder.
There are three things you need in life--
your pride, what you're eating now,
and the money to buy what you're eating tomorrow.
This is not the Japan we're familiar with.
No matter what we have in reserve, we can't rest easy.
--Never mind that we're penniless-- --How about that?
--Let him have it! --Hey switch with me! I'll get him!
All right, I'm gonna lay him out!
Isn't that enough, Appare? I didn't study swordsmanship for this --
I'm next.
That's three minutes' worth. One round.
I don't need the stick.
I was a pro boxer back in the day.
I see, a pugilist. I will reciprocate your pride with my own.
I don't care. You can hit me back.
If you want to stay alive, that is!
Do you wish to continue?
You're better than I thought, Kosame.
Well, you know... I read my opponent's intent and move first.
All of the skills in the Hangetsu Ittoryu School derive from--
You have to get hit once in a while,
or people are going to stop paying, you know.
Then you do it.
No. That would hurt.
Well, we should get something to eat now. All that exercise made me hungry.
What kind of car is that?
Ah, hey! Appare!
It looks like it takes money to get inside.
Ah, hey! We need that for--
What is this?
Oh, I get it.
They're racing to see which car is fastest.
Amazing. The cars are the stars here.
Welcome...
...to today's unveiling of the car that's the pride of Great Motors!
The engine is 7200ccs,
with a maximum output of about 200 horsepower!
--Off the record, her top speed is... --Mr. Dylan, why are you in this race?
If you win the grand prize, what will you use the money for?
There are stories that you're competing with Iron Motors,
and looking for Thousand Three...
Allow me to introduce the ultimate driver,
who will be driving our speed machine.
Ask him your questions.
Hey, Xialian, over here, too!
Oh, okay.
As a member of the Big Three automotive association, B.I.G.BOSS,
who is sponsoring the Trans-America Wild Race,
I proudly put up this machine! You are free to compete.
If you think you have what it takes to beat this machine,
you are free to make your challenge at any time!
There is a total of 1.51 million dollars up for grabs!
Let's cross the American wilderness together,
and mark a new page in history!
--Good grief, to drive at ridiculous speeds for no good reason, --And that is the American Dream!
and across the continent, for that matter. Who does that appeal to...?
I'm going to enter.
Huh?
I'm going to enter this race.
It would be quickest to revamp the steam engine and use it,
but their cars don't run on steam.
Considering our cruising range and our total mileage...
--This is no good. I need more thorough information.
--I'm sure Father and Fumi are worried. --This is no good. I need more thorough information.
When will I ever be able to get back to Japan?
You want to go home that badly?
Well of course I do! I have a family!
And I can't keep my fiancée waiting forever, either.
They probably think you're dead, and your engagement has been broken off.
Huh?!
Feel better now?
Do I look like I feel better?! "Ah, good, they think I'm dead."
Who thinks like that, really?! Aw, man!
Kosame, you're a complex man.
We can go back to Japan using the prize money.
Huh?
If we win, we get a million dollars.
There's no way we can win.
If you want to toil away for ten years, suit yourself.
But I'm doing this. I will cross this continent faster than anybody.
If you don't want to, I'll only need one seat in my car, right?
Huh? No! N-No...
No idea, kid.
Have you seen him? A man with this tattoo on his neck?
Get lost.
Hey, don't touch me!
Ah, hey!
Are you okay, little boy?
Where are we, at the zoo?
Ah, little boy...
I'm not a little boy.
Huh?
You're not him.
What was that?
Hold on, hold on, hold on! You said we were just going to look from outside!
Yeah. Tonight, we're just going to look at the cars from the outside.
What's the point of looking at them from outside the building?
No, but we can't go in there without permission!
Trespassing is the first step to burglary.
If we're going to enter the race, we need to see the real thing for ourselves.
You want to go back to Japan, don't you?
It's dark in here. We need some kind of light.
Ah! For the love of...
In all this darkness? Incredible...
Ah, Appare!
Watch yourself!
Are you okay?!
Yeah.
Oh, no...
Are you hurt?
Who are you?!
Huh? You're a woman?
What are you doing in here?!
Oh, uh, well...
We came to see the cars. Let me have a look.
--Hey! --H-Hold on!
We aren't criminals, or anything...
A katana?!
Stay away from me!
It's because of you that my precious car...
That was quite a kick, for a woman.
So what if I am a woman?
W-Wait! I don't want to fight you!
Then get rid of your weapon!
This isn't something I can just lay down.
If you must hit me, then hit me!
Ah, I knew it!
Hey, this is a gasoline-powered car, right?
What are you doing, Kosame?
Ow! Ooh...
--Total displacement is about 6200ccs...
--So, you really just wanted to see the cars? --Total displacement is about 6200ccs...
--So, you really just wanted to see the cars? --Estimated top speed is 95mph. Is that theoretical?
--Yeah. My name is Isshiki Kosame. That's Sorano Appare. --Estimated top speed is 95mph. Is that theoretical?
--I'm sorry we came in uninvited. I hope we can keep this amicable. --Propulsion mechanism is a driveshaft.
--I'm in the same situation, so I have no room to talk. --Front and rear independent leaf suspension.
--I'm in the same situation, so I have no room to talk. --The rear wheels use a light alloy.
--Huh? --The rear wheels use a light alloy.
--I'm just a chore girl, but I snuck in on my own to drive one of the cars. --The rear wheels use a light alloy.
--I'm just a chore girl, but I snuck in on my own to drive one of the cars. --Not steel discs, but aluminum?
You're a chore girl?
Yeah.
When I was a child, I looked up to the racers, and joined their team
as a chore girl.
However, the first thing I learned...
Girls can't be racers.
Yeah, that's for sure.
There's no way a woman can drive a car.
The passenger seat is the place for a lady.
If a woman wants to drive a car,
she should be in the circus, not on the circuit.
Listen to me, Jing.
Racing is a man's profession. Strength and daring!
Cars don't run on gasoline; they run on a man's fiery spirit!
The world has no female racers.
Then, the reason you were driving that car...
Was simply to blow off some steam. But that's all over now.
I damaged the car. I'm going to get fired.
No, I'll be worse than fired.
We'll swear we didn't see anything.
I can't lie to the rest of the team.
Racers put their lives in the hands of mechanics.
I can't stay on the team if it means lying.
Huh? But you're not a racer. Women don't get to be racers, right?
Right.
Then why?
Even if the world won't allow a woman to be a racer,
I don't want to do anything that would disqualify me from being one.
I... must sound like a fool.
Hey!
How far does this drive on a single tank?
--Huh? --Hey, now isn't the time.
50, maybe 55 miles, I'd say.
And the tank is 40 liters?
43.
1.2 miles per liter...
Why are you asking about that?
We're building our own car to enter in the cross-country race.
Huh? You guys are?
That's right. And we're gonna win.
You guys are more dumbasses who are in it for the money, too, huh?
Where are you going to get the money to build it with?
Do you know how to drive through the wilderness without any roads?
Can you defend yourselves from outlaws in dangerous areas?
If you're lucky, you'll drop out before you leave Los Angeles,
and if you're not, you'll die broken down in the wilderness.
Die in the wilderness?
It wouldn't be any fun if it were easy.
Huh?
Doing something that nobody else could do...
Someday, I'm gonna stun the world.
Nobody else can do it because it's impossible!
What's impossible and what is thought of as impossible are two different things.
Is it impossible for a woman to be a racer?
How come? Your driving is as good as those guys were this afternoon.
You also know a lot about cars.
What do you even know?!
I don't know; that's why I'm asking.
Why do you let others decide how far you're able to go?
Stop it, Appare.
There are things in the world
that people like you who have nothing to lose wouldn't understand.
Oh, yeah?
You're a complex girl, huh?
Either way, it's too late. I'm going to get fired tomorrow.
See you. You broke in here without asking,
so make sure you lock up when you leave.
Huh? Oh, hey...
What's your name?
Xialian. Jing Xialian.
You have my gratitude, Miss Xialian.
Look around all you like. There's no way you'll be able to build a car anyway.
Here you go. Today's clothes.
Thanks.
Mom?
Would you be happy if I took over the business?
Well, sure I would. We're always so busy, and shorthanded.
You're our only child. Someday, you have to get married,
and inherit the business from us.
Okay. Well, I'm off.
What? You broke Number 4?
Yes. Last night, I was driving it without permission--
What are you talking about?
Did you dream it or something? See for yourself.
Number 4 is in top form.
Huh?
How...?
It's just a test run, and it set a new course record.
--Hey, get Number 3 on the course already!
--I-It couldn't be... them ? --Hey, get Number 3 on the course already!
Hey, Jing, you too.
Don't just stand there, get to work.
Oh, right.
You're amazing, you know.
The engine was fine, and they had more than enough parts.
Even if the world won't allow it, huh?
I think I kind of know what that's like.
They tell me the world is changing, and I should give up my katana,
but that's not so easy to do. Even if I can't draw it now...
Okay, let's head back and eat supper.
It's lucky for us that storehouse has living quarters, huh?
Like they say, good feeding before good breeding--
What was that about a tattoo?
What are you planning to do with that?
H-Hey! That's enough, already!
A bunch of grown men against one child?
Who are you? This kid's old man?
Actually, no, I'm--
Then shut up!
We have to teach the barbarians the rules of this country.
A gun?!
Kosame?
He's freaked out.
Wh-Who are you?!
Keep it down.
You're ruining my buzz.
"Next time"
"Episode 3" "Duel"