by Tony Teora
"Anybody I bring into this place better be a friend, eh Oumar?"
The entrance was almost completely black, and old man sat behind a counter accepting cash from some customers who were leaving. The counter had another bouncer-type working next to the frail old Japanese man. Oumar walked Shun and Robert into a room lit mostly by red glowing candles in the shape of cherries set on top of tables situated by L shaped sofas. In the corner a three-piece band played, and in the center was a small raised dance floor. A Japanese girl in her early twenties was sitting on the dance floor wearing only a blue g-string panty doing aerobatics to the music. She smiled when she saw Robert walk by. Robert felt guilty, but that turned into eroticism. In the corner sat about twenty other young women putting on makeup and eyeballing. They created guilt too, which felt good.
Robert felt like a ham hanging on a rack in a meat shop.
Robert and Shun sat at a table in the corner and were given hot hand towels. "What would you like to drink?" asked Oumar.
"A whiskey-water" said Shun. "What do you want Robert?"
"A beer is fine." Robert fixated on the slim girl doing her dance on stage.
"You like that one?" asked Shun.
"Oh, I was just amazed at how she does those splits."
Shun and Oumar laughed.
"I’ll be right back," said Oumar.
Shun looked over to Robert. The poor guy, he thought to himself. The people in the US did not know how to have fun. America was based on some strict religion and too many people trying to run too many other people’s lives. At least in Japan a man could look at a pretty girl without all the guilt. And if he wanted more, well, that too was possible. Shun was a business man and discovered a simple business tool in dealing with Americans: hot sexy women and cheap beer could elicit business secrets, strategies and plans.
Robert looked at the beautiful girl but did not want to show his raw desire to Shun. He had to be professional. He looked at Shun who was smiling. "This is an interesting place, isn’t it?"
"Yes it is. I use it to relax and to talk business. It’s a nice setting isn’t it? Lets a man know what life is really worth living for -- the simple things."
Robert wasn’t so sure but the girls did look great. "Yeah, but these girls are after one thing."
"Yeah Robert, and what’s that?"
"Our wallets."
"If you find a woman who doesn’t want at least a little part of a man’s wallet, please leave her alone. She ‘s dead!"
Oumar arrived with the drinks. "Sir, here are your drinks. Would you gentleman like some companionship? We have a few ladies who speak English."
Oumar looked at Robert. "Pick one."
"Ah, we’re just talking business, I’m fine, " said Robert.
Shun replied, "I’d like to have two, get me Mika and another other girl who speaks English."
Robert knew what Shun was doing but didn’t mind. He could always say that he didn’t ask for a girl to come to his table. He could blame it on Shun. The guilt of having fun excited Robert.
"Yes sir," said Oumar.
"He seems to be a really nice guy that guy Oumar, really polite," said Robert.
"Oh, he’s an old friend, so he’s serving our table. He actually owns the place."
"Really?"
"Yeah, he bought it from my Dad. He just pays a small monthly fee for maintenance, much smaller than the other clubs."
Jimmy was right, Shun’s father was in the mob. Robert envisioned the new Yuki playing outside and getting run over by a car: wires dangling outside the dog’s body with a receipt inside the dog that said: "Yuki original snuffed out by Robert Davichi".
Robert sipped his beer. "I have something to tell you Shun."
So quickly, thought Shun. The guy can’t even sit for five minutes and drink a beer before he wants to confide in me. The MicroIntel job had to be hell.
"What’s up, Robert?"
"You know your dog Yuki, your missing dog?"
"Oh yeah, I hate that mutt but my wife loves him like a son. Yeah, we found him, thanks. Your son brought him over today, said somehow your dog Buddy and he were playing at your house last night. My wife is so relieved, she thought I sent the mutt to the dog pound without telling her."
What? Jimmy sent the robot dog over already? A subconscious thought popped into Robert’s head. "You need Yuki, she has the code." Then the thought disappeared. Maybe the beer was laced with LSD. No, it had to be the three hours on the Mind-Relaxer.
"Really Shun? I have to tell you something before you find out."
"What’s that, did Buddy knock up my little dog?"
"No! No! …He, ah, well, Yuki suffocated under Buddy when he fell asleep the other day. Buddy fell on Yuki. I wanted to tell you but I was not thinking straight."
Shun squinted his eyes. Oumar must be using some really cheap beer thought Shun. "Well then, what did Jimmy bring over today?"
"It’s an Aibo-3000 that looks like Yuki."
"Ha! An Aibo-3000, I love it! Can I set it to shut off when my wife is out?"
"I suppose so, but you aren’t angry?"
"Angry? The dog shits in my office chair every week. Angry? Hell, let’s just keep this as our secret."
Two girls approached with Oumar. One was the skinny aerobatics dancer. She wore a see through bikini bra and a g-string bikini bottom. She walked toward Robert.
"Hi, I’m Mariko. Do you mind if I sit here?"
Robert looked at the long black hair that was bleached into a light reddish brown. Her eyes looked to be a bright brown, probably contact lenses. The face was tanned. The body was thin, not an ounce of fat, and shapely.
"Sure," said Robert trying to act friendly.
Mariko sat close to Robert, but not too close. She knew to feel him out, make sure he was enjoying himself. Must be somebody important since Shun was sitting with him. Probably married and rich. The wedding ring was still on. A loyal father, not one who takes his ring off before entering, leaving wedding band marks on the finger. Those guys were not trustworthy but usually spent a lot. Robert would take time but he would fold too, they all did at Electric Cherry’s.
"Robert, that’s a nice name. Does anyone call you Rob or Robbie? May I call you Robbie?"
Mariko smiled like a mischievous child, brushing her long red hair back. Robert knew this was a game but he liked it.
"Yeah, call me whatever you like."
"Good, I like the name Robbie. I’ll call you Robbie."
Shun looked over to Robert. "How about we buy the girls a drink?"
Robert was new to the club. The girls made money by getting clients to buy them drinks, and they made more money doing private back room dances.
"Sure, Shun. My apologies."
Mariko picked up a check sitting next to the table and wrote her order. She then put up her hand, and the Japanese guy with the missing tooth came and took the note.
The band started a song. It sounded familiar to Robert and went something like:
Some girls, they like candy, and others, they like to grind,
I'll settle for the back of your hand somewhere on my behind.
Treat me like I'm a bad girl, even when I'm being good to you,
I don't want you to thank me, you can just spank me. Mmm.
Robert watched another girl get on stage and start to dance. White smoke was coming out of a tube and the girl put it between her legs like a fireman hose carrying his piece.
"Do a lot of Japanese go to these clubs Mariko?"
"Sure, it’s a way to let off steam. Are you letting off steam Robbie?"
Mariko playfully pushed her little finger into Robert. She then rubbed his leg. Robert sat frozen.
When in Rome do as the Romans…when in Rome do as the Romans. Robert repeated those words in his head, then sipped his beer.
Shun’s cell phone rang. He spoke Japanese but looked annoyed.
"What’s the matter?" asked Robert.
"Ah, my Dad picked up Gill and Frick. They’
ve all been drinking since three. They all sound wasted. My Dad can barely speak so I’m having his limo driver bring them all here. I hate it when he does this." Shun cursed to himself. The old man was getting older. His motto used to be never to get drunker than your customers, but now the old boss had his driver calling. Not good.
Shun leaned over to Robert and whispered. "I think they’re all fucked up on Barnacle Bill. I heard some guy saying give me more B-Bill. Give me more B-Bill. It sounded like Frick."
"Wow, sounds like it’s already been a long day for these guys," said Robert, whistling to himself as Mariko rubbed his leg.
Mariko smiled at Robert. "Robbie, is this your first time here?
"Yes, can you tell?"
Mariko nonchalantly leaned back showing her erect nipples from the cool room. "Would you like a private dance?"
"Private dance. What’s that?"
"We can go into the back room and I’ll dance for you?"
Shun looked over. "Go! I’ll cover the charge. She’s a great dancer and the dance is only three minutes, so enjoy."
Robert was feeling a little overwhelmed and the girl was pretty. What would hurt about one private dance?
"Sure, let’s go!" said Robert, excited.
Mariko filled out another slip and handed it over to Mr. Missing Tooth. She held Robert’s hand and walked toward the back of the club. They entered a darker room with men sitting in chairs and naked women dancing in front of these guys. There were semi-private screens pulled around a few couples. Some women sat naked, making sensuous movements on top of semi-clothed men.
Robert realized he’d discovered heaven.
Five dances and about fifteen minutes later, Mariko had earned fifty per cent of 35,000 yen. Or about $125 dollars, and she liked Robbie to boot.
Chapter 18: Gill and Frick at Electric Cherry
"I've learned not to put things in my mouth that are bad for me."
-- Monica Lewinsky
(on CNN's Larry King Live discussing her miraculous Jenny Craig weight-loss)
The great question - which I have not been able to answer – is: "What does a woman want?" --Sigmund Freud
Robert held Mariko’s soft hand as he walked with her back into the glitzy main room. The five dances with the petite and bosomed Mariko electrified Robert’s brain into a numb erotic stupor. No sex, but Mariko had Robert ready to explode in his pants, an embarrassing thought that restrained Robert from going beyond the line; a line Mariko had pushed hundreds of times with other men caught in her web.
No sex but better than sex, thought Robert, no actual cheating. Robert convinced himself of that. He walked back to Shun who now had two tanned girls sitting next to him, one on each side.
"Robert, your one dance has cost me. What happened back there?"
"Ah, shit! I didn’t know they’d be so short, and, ah, well…" Robert looked at Mariko who smiled. "I’ll pay for the extra—"
"No Robert, I’m just teasing. How does a man stop a pretty girl like that." Shun winked at Mariko.
Robert sat on the sofa. "Well, I can see how you Japanese guys stay out late," said Robert.
"Robert, we need to leave soon. My Dad’s limo will be out front in five minutes and I’m worried about my Dad. He sounded fucked up."
"No problem, ready when you are."
"Good, I’ll get the check." Shun waved his hand and a man walked over and picked up the tab. After a moment he returned with a small flashlight. The light focused on the bill and he spoke. "Five dances for your guest, is that right?"
Robert looked over, "Yeah, four after the first."
"Fine, and Mr. Shun, should we just add this to your regular tab?"
"Yeah, just deduct from this month."
"Yes Sir, look forward to having your and your guest again. Thanks gentlemen." The man bowed and walked to the entrance, standing politely at attention.
Shun got up and led Robert toward the door. While walking, Mariko gave Robert a business card with her cell phone number listed on the back. The card listed the days she worked at the Electric Cherry. Mariko and Shun’s two girls followed the men toward the elevator and pushed the down button. While waiting for the elevator to come they smiled and bowed. "Thanks Robbie, thanks Shun."
Shun looked back. "Thanks my pretty, ja naa."
Once the elevator door closed, Robert spoke. "Wow, pretty girls."
"Yeah, fun stuff. I hope my father is OK. He wanted to talk."
The elevator door opened, the street in front busy with a traffic jam and people crossing the small street.
"What kind of business?" asked Robert.
"Oh, he’s worried about having your software shit track all his Pachinko parlor games. It’s a cash business and the gambling law here is strange, so he doesn’t want the parlors connected. He says he won’t let it happen and he doesn’t want Gill to push for it. He kind of wants Gill to mention it to the Emperor. Hey, follow me, my Dad should be coming over there."
A black Mercedes drove up slowly.
"Is that the car?" asked Robert.
"No, that’s one of the team."
"Team?"
"Yeah, my Dad always has a few security guards."
The Mercedes drove up and a dark tinted electric window rolled down. Four large men sat in the car dressed in dark suits. The men in back were smoking and a smoke trail lazily floated out the window.
The driver spoke, "Otoosan wa, chotto yoporai. Sumasen Yama-san."
"Daijoubu, shoganai," replied Shun.
The car moved ahead and a white limo pulled up. "The guard said my Dad’s fucked up, " said Shun.
The elderly limo driver walked out and opened the door to the spacious limo, bowing and apologizing "sumimasen, sumimasen.."
Shun got in first and sat to the left, next to his father. Robert followed and sat right next to Gill. Next to Gill sat Frick, who had his head pressed up against the window with his tongue sporadically licking it. In between his ear and head he had a yellow number 2 pencil. Gill sat in the middle blankly staring at a movie, smoking a cigar. Robert had never seen Gill smoke before. One of Gill’s glass lenses had a red lipstick smudge that ran down to his white dress shirt.
"Frick, why you licking the window?" asked Robert.
"Maa tongue is hot, it’s sweating. The window’s cold, nice cold…" stammered Frick.
Robert looked at Shun and shrugged.
Frick’s shirt was drenched in sweat. Robert stared at Gill who ignored Robert. Gill took a drag of his Cuban cigar, and stared at a Japanese game show on the Web Tele. Although the car was dim, Mickey wore sunglasses. He was smoking a cigar too. An ash fell on his monogrammed shirt, next to his monogrammed name. Shun pulled off his father’s glasses to see his eyes, but they were closed. Shun said something and then Mickey’s eyes rolled open and closed shut again.
"Dad, what’s going on?" Shun shook his father.
"Just having a Hamaki with Gill. Mr. Gilbert is a great frucken guy---" Mickey took a puff of his cigar and another ash fell on this blue shirt. His eyes opened, rolled and shut again, then his mouth mumbled, "Nice blossoms, real nice cherry blossoms…."
"Dad, those aren’t cherry blossoms, it’s not even spring!"
"Shut up son…"
Mickey sat back in his black leather seat, thinking of the Japanese cherry blossoms. He loved the pink flowers that came out for two weeks every year, the pink buds shooting out into fluffy pink white blossoms on cherry trees all over Japan. It was why he called his club the Electric Cherry; he wanted the blossoms all year long. Life had been tough for Mickey. He was sixty-eight and President of the Tokyo Yamaguchi crime family. It was a job he’d inherited from his Uncle, but there was no one to pass on the work. Shun did not want the work and Mickey was too proud to leave.
"Dad, what did you guys do?"
"Club heaven is heaven, lot of blossoms in heaven…" Mickey sucked in another drag with his eyes closed. Another ash was waiting to fall from the cigar.
Frick stopped l
icking the window and spoke. "Rub Heaven, let’s go back to Rub Heaven…"
"Shut up Frick, it’s you who fucked up the party at Club Heaven." Gill blankly stared out the window at a big red sign flashing the words "Coca-Cola—be different".
"Gill are you OK?" asked Robert
"Not really. I want a Coke."
"What happened?" asked Robert.
Gill slobbered his words. "Frick ordered a B-Bill Double Martini fer everyone but didn’t tell us vat was in. I rank half of my rink. Mickey accidentally rank the rest."
Mickey’s head fell forward with the cigar still glued to his mouth. "Great drinks, those cherry blossoms, nice round blossoms…" Shun pushed his father back upright.
"Dad, why did you drink Gill’s drink?"
"Love double martinis, ones with the cherries in em, some with blossoms, real nice blossoms son, gotta go back and get me a blossom!"
Shun looked over to Robert. "Let’s take them to the park, there is a drink machine there. We can buy some hot coffee for my Dad and cola your guys."
"Sounds good but these boys need more than a cola, let’s take them home."
"You’re right, but I know a friend who can give us some Barnacle Bill detox. It’ll deletes the effects of the drug."
"Let’s do it."
Shun ordered the driver to go to a park in Hiroo Gardens. The limo made a few turns and pulled over into a parking barren lot. The security team parked first. The men knew to stay close, but not too close. Shun and his Dad expected privacy and the team knew it.
Inside the park stood a brightly lit, orange-colored food and juice stand. It contrasted with the wooded park and lake. In Japan these stands could appear anywhere there was a festival, but Shun had never seen this stand before. Near the parking lot was a friend’s home, Yamazaki. Shun instructed a security guard to go and get some "B-Bill detox". The man obliged. In the car the men waited.
"I want a Coke! I want to go get a Coke!" Gill stared at the brightly-lit stand, fixated.
"It is safe around here?" asked Robert looking at the food stand.
