Chapitre 3 :: Chapter 3

Publiée: 11-06-05 - Mise à jour: 11-06-05

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5

Chapter 3  

Fifteen minutes later, I was at the entrance to the cabaret. Lifting my eyes to the neon sign, I saw a great red ensign ‘SUGAR BOY’. Strange name for a cabaret, where young girls were supposed to be working. I hoped not to receive the nasty surprise of meeting men dressed up as women… Anyway, I did not have a choice, my wallet yelled of starvation. Moreover, because disaster never traveled alone, the job request came from a man. I am cursed. Without further ado, I decided to enter.  

The building was one of the best with its modern Western style, all new, luxurious, and smelling of money. The red carpet extended toward a great salon with a vast semi-circular stage, where the customers could enjoy the show.  

I proceeded cautiously. I did not want to die on that beautiful carpet and certainly did not pretend to die in such classy surroundings. The backstreets and dirty alleys of the city suited me more as my final resting place.  

I started thinking. If the really wanted me dead, they would not have invited me here. I could let my guard down. No matter what I was always, sharp. Weather it was day or night, weather I was drunk or sober, awake or sleeping.  

Right in front of me, seated at one of the tables, there was a bald man in his fifties. Small and more than just ‘fleshy’. As a sex symbol, one could do better than that...  

With a swipe of a hand, he invited me to join him.  

His face told me nothing worthwhile. His small, beady black eyes twinkling with malice and that acid smell of his cigar… I could already smell problems approaching.  

- I suppose you are Saneko Azori.  

- You suppose well. And you, Ryo Saeba, the famous City Hunter.  

He extended a meaty hand, impearled with sweat. Watching it with disgust, I was not sure weather to shake it or not. I finally decided to ask him about his request.  

- So, what is this all about ? I have to warn you that if you are planning to ask me to get rid of your competition, you are wasting your time. I do not accept that kind of assignments.  

- Do not alter yourself, Mr. Saeba. I just want to hire you as a bodyguard. Please, take a seat, so we can discuss this more calmly.  

I took a chair and faced the sausage of a man. Bodyguard to an ugly fat man and play at friends with many members off the Yakuza… I was not sure that...  

- Have you received any threats ? Does someone want you dead ? Do you have any idea of what might be the reason ?  

- Oh, no. This is not about me. I have no need for a bodyguard. It is for my little gem, my tiny treasure, the reason for my success.  

I frowned. No doubt, I will have to work with another of those easy ladies with their faces covered with excessive make-up that completely ruined the traits that could be deemed delicate. I could not help but think that my job for one of the chicks in this business will end soon, because she will annoy me.  

- So, if I got this right, it is about a woman.  

The manager nodded, rubbing his hands enthusiastically.  

- Yes, yes exactly. But you have to know, she is more than that. She illuminates the stage, she really is a tiny sun. I am certain her beauty will not leave you unaffected.  

He winked conspiringly at me, but I refused to return it. I could not help myself not to question the real nature of their relationship. Whatever it was, it was not my business. I was not being paid to be curious, but to protect that person.  

- My little Sugar has been receiving threatening letters from a certain « Phantom » for quite some time now. At first, we thought it was a prank of some sort. But last week a spotlight fell on the stage… It fell right before her feet. You know, our shows are precisely choreographed to the second and Sugar was a little late because her dress was caught in the scenes. It was a real miracle it did not fall on her.  

- Since when have you been receiving these letters ?  

- Almost a month now..  

- And what do they say ?  

- At the beginning, it was only « that is not your place, you should leave as soon as possible » and « you are very stubborn, but I have to warn you ». Later they turned into death threats : « if you don’t leave that cabaret, I will make sure you will not stand again. You will pay with your life. I will kill you, filthy whore ! »  

- Have you saved them ?  

- Not the first ones. Sugar tore them, thinking they were not that serious… Mr. Saeba, I will get them for you, if you accept to protect Sugar. She is very dear to me and the future of my cabaret depends on her life. It is thanks to her voice that I could build a cabaret this big and make a name for myself.  

He made me sick. The future of his cabaret was more important than the woman’s life. Another one that let herself be seduced by false promises and lies...  

I found myself watching the big fellow. The aura surrounding him, confirmed my suspicions. I did not trust him. That woman must not have been very bright for letting herself be charmed by a fellow like him. Maybe the only advantage would be a quick career sleeping with the boss. Who knows…  

I looked him straight in the eye and waited. It did not take much time for the guy to lower his gaze. Satisfied, I took a cigarette, lighting it calmly, while suspecting he tapping his foot under the table. My presence frightened him. As always. I exhaled calmly, watching the whitish smoke disappear toward the high ceiling.  

I got used to such reactions. It is true that having a killer at your table was not pleasant, not reassuring… I could have made some attempt to humor in order to alleviate the heavy atmosphere, but why bother.  

To show him that I was not more a vulgar old soldier without a soul, turned into a bodyguard, and there still remains a semblance of humanity in me? To show him that I too was just like the rest. Nor superior, or inferior. On the same level as he . That I was nothing out of the ordinary. Just like the rest of the world. But that is only an illusion.  

The same the rest of the world, a ghost, a dream. I am not like other people; I am different. I am nothing but a vulgar dog. A roaming dog searching for what ? I do not even know it myself. Justice ? Me, the cold-blooded killer ! Forgiveness ? Me, the traitor ! Nothing that all the rest ever did. I just want to survive. But to survive, I have to work, and in this case… accept this assignment.  

- Mr. Azori, I accept to protect your singer. When could I meet her ?  

- Tomorrow evening, Mr. Saeba. Come after 10 p.m.. It is then that Sugar sings. You will be able to appreciate her talents.  

- Good. We will meet later for the introductions. Do not forget the letters.  

I left without saying good-bye. Only a simple wave and I was once again engulfed by the throng.  

Night has fallen over Tokyo. The rain never stopped and has increased in the meantime.  

The crowd oppressed me. I needed air, space, to be alone. To avoid thinking of my past as a killer, that always plunges me back into my dark world, where dark thought assail me. A good bottle of whiskey and a sleazy bar would have out be back on my feet, but… not this time.  

I took a dark alley. One of the many in this city. Cutthroats emerged at this hour. These alleys were full of outlaws, thieves, junkies, poor, or unfortunate drunks, drowning their sorrows in a bottle – in yellow, ochre or red colors. But not for the man which most of Japan feared. Who was known and recognized by the vermin of the entire country.  

My instinct started to awaken. Something was happening in this alley. It was then that I saw a brawl, much different from the ones where two rival gangs met. 

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5