Tilt: The Battle to Save Pinball

Part the First

Mr. Medicine Seller,

we don’t want none.

You’ll scare off the customers, standing there like that.

I’ll have to ask you to leave.

No, no.

I’d like a room

for the night.

Yes, please.

Yes, please.

Oh my.

Long time no see

The blue moon illuminated

your wandering shadow.

I could never tell you all I wanted to say.

It was so very frustrating.

I think about your faked smile,

and forget all the hot tears we shed.

What do these empty husks,

those empty eyes of yours, reflect, my dear?

The transient quarter moon

hides in a rift in the clouds,

as darkness seeps up from the ground.

Tell me the truth, please.

Are you so despondent

that you still sit alone, sighing?

That Night

It’s awfully cold, isn’t it?

I’m sorry.

But it’s bitter, isn’t it?

Well, it is from China.

Do you have anything else?

Do you own this inn, ma’am?

Yes indeed.

I’ve had the building itself since I was a girl.

What was it

before you made it an inn?

Hmm, what was it?

I forget.

Guess I’m getting old.

Excuse me!

Do you have a room for the night?

Sorry, but we’re full up.

Look somewhere else.

You’re the only ones open!

There’re no vacancies.

I’ve got plenty of money!

You can even have my umbrella!

Could it be?

That’s right.

You took the last vacancy.

Please!

Please!

Well, what about this one?

Actually, I’m being chased.

If they find me,

I’ll be killed for sure!

Ooh! That’s quite the story.

Oh.

It’s true.

Well, it’s raining pretty hard.

We wouldn’t ordinarily turn such a nice young lady as yourself away, but…

It stinks.

It’s another Chinese remedy.

They call it Hansuke lotion.

You see?

If I stand in the rain any longer, my child

will surely die!

Are you pregnant?

Goodness, I can’t believe you!

Mistress!

Tokuji, why aren’t you just kicking her out?

I’m sorry, but we don’t want any trouble.

Get out of here!

If I do…

If I do leave, by tomorrow morning

my corpse and that of my infant child will be lying in your doorway.

Don’t you think that would get you in a good deal of trouble?

I don’t take kindly to threats.

It isn’t a threat!

I want to raise a healthy child!

If I stay outside, I won’t be able to protect him!

Tokuji,

a word.

Please!

Sure.

Please!

Please! Please!

Take her upstairs.

Take her upstairs.

Wha—!?

That room?

It can’t be helped.

I’ll take her there, you get a bed ready.

All right.

Um, I…

I am in your debt.

There we go.

She could have stayed in my room.

We don’t usually let customers in this room, so keep this to yourself.

Just try not to cause any trouble.

I will.

Um, ma’am?

What now?

I don’t care what it is, but I’d like something to eat.

I wonder who did this.

Well, I’ll have Tokuji take care of it in the morning.

I couldn’t make much more than a bit of rice.

That’s just fine.

What are you doing?

They’re up awfully late.

You’ll be able to eat all you like, soon.

You really want this child, don’t you?

I do.

I’m obviously not privy to all the details, but can you really raise it on your own?

I intend to.

Ah, do you now?

Well, at least you’re young.

Seems a bit naive, though.

You don’t even have a steady supply of food.

Are you sure you’re not giving birth simply out of spite?

Do you think it would be happy with no-one to care for it?

I…

I want him to live.

What a strange woman. So strong-willed, almost to a fault.

I was never able to do anything as irresponsible as that.

Ma’am?

So warm.

Your bed will be here shortly.

Oh, right.

I have to make you some food, too.

Thank you so much.

A doll?

Hey there, Medicine Seller, what’s the matter?

I was heading to the lavatory.

I got a little lost.

Oh, well then.

It’s just at the end of that hall.