Last Waltz 1
Last Waltz 1- ch 5
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Phase 5
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Iwaki: So you came. Anyway, glad to have you here.
Iwaki: Let me make the introductions. This is Kenzaki and Ishii who are in charge of this club
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Shinkawa: (thinks) So it's like that...
Sign: Kabukichou First St
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Host: Oh, Takaaki-san. Good evening. You're early tonight. Is something up?
Takaaki: No...
Host: ...ah, right. Shinkawa won't be here from now on.
Host: Feels kind of strange. The idea of yourself and Shinkawa-san is so strong in this club. Since I first started here you two have been the top hosts- makes people like me feel superfluous
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Takaaki: (thinks) That's it. This feeling that something's not right...
Takaaki: It's natural. Shinkawa...
Takaaki: Isn't here any more.
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Woman: (giggle) You're so smooth, Takaaki-san
Host's voice: Why me??!!
Woman: What--
Host: That client left me for Ishii! So why've I got to deal with her *now*!!
Host 2: (Keep it down!) What else can we do? Ishii hasn't come in yet, so you have to take his place
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Takaaki: Oi-
T's assistant: Yes?
Takaaki: Go tell that insensitive idiot there that he's disturbing the guests.
T's assistant: ...OK...
Takaaki: And tell him it's natural for guests to change to a host who gives them good service. A host who can't even figure out how his clients feel will find someone taking them away from him.
Manager's voice: Is something the matter?
T's assistant: Ah, Manager. It's... I think Takaaki-san is in a bad mood. He's saying what he always says, but he doesn't usually say it that way
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Manager: It's no wonder you're surprised. It's been a long time since I've seen Takaaki-chan looking like that
Manager: It feels like the way he was seven years ago- just after Iwaki-kun quit
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Iwaki: That's the terms of your employment. So when can you start?
Shinkawa: Tomorrow
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Iwaki: Good. On principle, unless a client asks for you by name, you'll do the same work as any other newcomer.
Shinkawa: Fine
Iwaki: And one thing more. Kenzaki is the head of this club, even though he hasn't been in the business as long as you. Please bear that fact in mind
Shinkawa: Very well.
Shinkawa: Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be going
F/X chair scraping back
Iwaki: I shouldn't have expected you to snap back at me. So you really understand what it means to be working for me?
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Shinkawa: Not really. I'm just being polite to someone who's let me see a truth about himself that I'd bet he's never told anyone else
F/X door closes
Iwaki: Hmph. Just as unlikable as I always thought he was
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Kenzaki: Iwaki-san
Kenzaki: There's some things I need to discuss with you. Can I come round by your place after work?
Iwaki: I'm not free today. Make it tomorrow
F/X door closes behind Kenzaki and Ishii
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Kenzaki: Ishii
Ishii: Mh?
Kenzaki: You're to go to Schnapps now and get hold of Takaaki Ryou. Tell him whatever you like but stay with him all night
Ishii: Hunh? Why?
Kenzaki: Because he's probably going to Iwaki-san's today
Kenzaki: I don't care how Shinkawa feels. *I* can't stand Kenzaki-san getting more involved with Takaaki than he is. I'll go see Iwaki-san tonight and convince him. Don't let Takaaki get away, so he doesn't come and stop me
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Ishii: Hey... how'm I supposed to...
Kenzaki: Knock him out or string him up, whatever you like
Ishii: (String him *up*...) Jeez, don't make me do this. It's impossible--
Kenzaki: So it's impossible! Just *do* it, and I don't care how!
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Host: Good night, Takaaki-san
Takaaki: Ahh. Night. Look after the rest for me.
Ishii's voice: Takaaki-san
Takaaki: Shin---!
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Ishii: I'm not Shinkawa. Sorry.
Takaaki: If you're taking time off, at least call and tell us
Ishii: Ne, Takaaki-san. Come and have a drink with me?
Takaaki: Ask someone else
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Ishii: I saw Shinkawa today. You'll never guess where.
Takaaki: At Iwaki-san's club, I suppose?
Ishii: You don't want to ask me about it?
Ishii: Or do you mean you already knew!??
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Takaaki: How did.... Shinkawa look? Like he could take your place there?
Ishii: (thinks) He knows? That I work there...?
Takaaki: Well what? You won't answer my questions unless I go drinking with you?
Ishii: That's right. If you'll stay with me tonight, I'll tell you.
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Iwaki: (in Takaaki's memory) Come to my place tonight
Takaaki: Alright
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F/X Ishii chug-a-lugging
Ishii: (thinks) Kenzaki, I hate you.
Ishii: (to waiter) Same again
F/X Takaaki's glance falls on Ishii
F/X Ishii reacts
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Takaaki: Isn't it about time you started talking? I guess this involves Shinkawa?
Ishii: What do you mean? I just wanted to spend a night talking with the man I admire so much.
Takaaki: You still don't feel like telling me anything
Ishii: (thinks) Funny. I didn't expect to feel this bad, being alone with him
Ishii: (thinks) Why've I got to be sitting drinking at a hotel bar with another man...
Ishii: (thinks) He really is beautiful, but I'm not like Iwaki-san. Guys just don't...
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Ishii: ...interest me...
Iwaki: (in Ishii's memory) Ishii probably knows what I'm talking about- now
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F/X Ishii drinking
Takaaki: Oi- you're drinking too much. How many glasses is that so far?
Ishii: (thinks) Huh....
F/X head spinning
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F/X Takaaki sighs
Takaaki: (to waiter) Excuse me-
Takaaki: I'd like to put one of your hotel rooms on my card
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F/X Iwaki's buzzer sounds
Iwaki: Yes?
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Iwaki: What happened, Takaaki? You're late. Come on up. I'll let you in.
Kenzaki: It's me. Kenzaki.
Iwaki: Kenzaki?
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Takaaki: Come on, walk, Ishii
Takaaki: I swear, you're the first guy I've ever done this for
Ishii: ...sorry...
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Takaaki: You're very easy to read. I'm surprised.
Takaaki: ...but you must have been nervous about something, to drink so much and not realize you were getting drunk
Takaaki: I don't know what you were thinking of, but you were asking me for something.
Takaaki: I know you can't talk to me, but letting liquor get the better of you- that's the sort of thing Shinkawa would do.
F/X Ishii dizzy
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Takaaki: OK, Ishii, we're at the room.
(Ishii falls into Takaaki's arms)
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