Pale Flower (乾いた花)

A SHOCHIKU PRODUCTION

A BUNGEI PRODUCTIONS- NINJIN CLUB COPRODUCTION

Back in Tokyo.

It's been three years.

It makes my head spin.

What on earth is this?

Why are so many people

crammed into cage-like boxes?

People...

such strange animals.

What are they living for?

Their faces are lifeless, dead.

They're desperately pretending to be alive.

Why make such a big deal

about slaughtering one of these dumb beasts?

I served three years for it.

This is my turf.

I didn't hesitate to come right back.

It's a strange feeling.

Somebody died.

But nothing has changed.

I'm sure it's the same there too.

Place your bets...

Muraki!

When did you get out? - This morning.

Have you seen the boss?

- Yeah, I went by the office. - You did?

You served a tough sentence. Thank you.

I see nothing's changed.

But why should it?

Place your bets...

No game on this deal.

We have a player.

Five...

and four.

Ah, Muraki. When did you get out?

Place your bets...

Here!

We have a game.

Eight.

Six. - I'm done for.

She won again.

- I'm out. - What about my cab fare?

Welcome back, sir.

Place your bets...

All bets in place. Last call.

We have a game.

- I don't think that's a good idea. - Shut up.

PALE FLOWER

Produced by MASAO SHIRAI

and SHIGERU WAKATSUKI

Original Story by SHINTARO ISHIHARA

Screenplay by ATARU BABA and MASAHIRO SHINODA

Cinematography by MASAO KOSUGI Production Design by JUSHO TODA

Music by TORU TAKEMITSU and YUJI TAKAHASHI

Sound Recording by HIDEO NISHIZAKI

Edited by YOSHI SUGIHARA

Starring

RYO IKEBE

MARIKO KAGA TAKASHI FUJIKI

NAOKI SUGIURA SHINICHIRO MIKAMI

ISAO SASAKI KOJI NAKAHARA, CHISAKO HARA

SEIJI MIYAGUCHI, EIJIRO TONO

MIKIZO HIRATA, KYU SAZANKA

Directed by MASAHIRO SHINODA

You really took a beating. That was brutal.

Almost like you took over her losing streak.

- Does she come often? - Five or six times now.

She's always a high roller.

But she won big for the first time tonight, thanks to you.

- Where's she from? - Nobody knows.

I was there the first time she showed up.

Just sat down one day. Been there ever since.

Not bad, huh?

- Who introduced her? - I don't know.

She looks too innocent, but the boys are getting interested.

- She gamble anywhere else? - I don't know.

Next game's Friday.

- Are you interested? - In what?

- Her. - Don't be an idiot.

- Want a ride? - I'll walk.

I found a great place while you were inside.

Packed with babes. See you.

Who is it?

When did you get out?

When did you get out?

When?

Let me see your face.

Nothing's changed here either.

We had to mortgage the shop.

Is your old man any better?

He got a little better last year but then had a relapse.

He can't move and spends all day in bed.

My brother somehow keeps the shop going.

Think he's gonna die?

He's probably awake now,

but he's so senile, it's hard to tell.

The sooner he dies, the better.

How long has he made you sleep in the shop like this?

Eight years. Ever since I was 15.

You still hate him?

I may have been his stepdaughter, but I was still his child.

He's a beast.

And my dead mother... she knew.

He's no father.

He's an animal. A pig!

That first time...

you and I went to that movie theater...

you gave in so easily.

In the darkness we were like pigs too.

I love you. I really do!

I feel like going up to see him.

- Why? - I don't know myself.

Your skin's so dry and rough.

You have to take care of yourself.

Hey, Muraki.

What's going on around here?

I ran into some guys from the Yasuoka gang.

Something seemed off. - Off?

They were smiling at me.

You haven't heard?

I guess not.

We made a deal with Yasuoka while you were gone.

When was it?

Six months after you killed their guy Kijima.

Things are getting complicated.

There's a third party in the picture.

The Imai gang from Osaka is gaining ground.

Our boss and Yasuoka realized we had to modernize.

The only option was to join forces.

Sudden Gale is in top shape.

That lead horse belongs to the Yasuoka boss.

- He's taking a solid lead. - This is an old man's pastime.

The less his own body can move,

the more watching his horse run becomes his only pleasure.

What's the word on Muraki?

I hear he got out.

I was planning to bring that up over dinner.

That horse isn't looking bad today.

A truce is a truce. We'll leave Muraki alone.

But he got off easy.

Place your bets...

Welcome.

Hi.

You're done playing?

I see.

My name's Saeko.

They call me Muraki.

Devil's tongue and fried surimi.

How much did you lose tonight?

- Three and a half. - Your betting's out of control.

So is yours.

My friends say I'm still not very good.

Is that right?

It's no fun anymore. - What isn't?

The stakes are so small.

I'm losing interest.

I don't care if I win or lose.

You know anywhere they play for higher stakes?

How high?

Thirty or forty.

Any games like that around? - Yeah.

Take me to one.

Will you?

I'll think about it. I could probably arrange it.

You coming to the next game?

Where can I reach you? At home?

Of course not. - I'll come to your place.

- Fine by me, but — - Would I be intruding?

No.

Drop by in four or five days.

I'll do that.

Thank you.

So what do you want?

Someone's looking for a big game. Know of any?

Sure... but can you vouch for this person?

Yes.

- What sort of a player? - It's a woman.

A woman? An amateur, then.

That's right.

But she's definitely a different breed.

- Some white bitch? - No.

And she won't make trouble. How much to buy in?

The more the better. A million or two at least.

- Muraki of the Funada gang? - That's right.

Who do you think you are?

- I'll kill you! - We'll teach you a lesson, kid!

- Out of the way! - This isn't a show!

Sorry that happened on our turf. You all right?

Who was that kid? You know him?

- Nope. - We'll make him talk.

Pong.

- I've got a pong too. - Pong everywhere!

Not quite what I expected.

Let's see here.

I hope this goes through!

- Wait a sec. - Hurry up.

- I win. - What?

One... two... three... four — full points!

Lucky bastard!