Original subtitles

THE CHARACTERS AND THE PRISON IN THIS STORY ARE FICTIONAL.

A beggar? Fuck off!

Keep your stink away from me.

This is no place for you to be loitering.

Pick me up at nine tomorrow.

A beautiful flower, they call her

Then, when she blooms, they just throw her away

It's a woman's foolish, foolish, foolish...

Bitter melody

She resigns herself to her tragic fate

If she cries, they'll only make her weep again

It's a woman's tearful, tearful, tearful...

Bitter melody

NAOKO AMIHAMA, DUMP MATSUMOTO

JUNKO MIYASHITA

KENJI IMAI, KOJI SHIMIZU

MINORI TERADA

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: DEATH THREAT

I heard about it.

Just one shot?

You're getting good at this.

Good girl.

Who was it who trained you to kill?

Who was it who taught you to fuck?

It was all me.

I taught you everything you know.

Don't ever forget that!

She's close by.

That fantasy didn't last long.

I'm just happy I got to taste the fresh air.

Going to kill me?

If you're going do it, do it now. I'll keep escaping as long as I'm alive.

We won't make it that easy for you. Yano!

What are you doing to me?

This is Mr. Goda, a member of the Prefectural Assembly.

He's helped me out a lot.

He says he wants to hire you for a job.

Please, have a seat.

I wonder, would you...

...be willing to go into a prison?

Well?

Hey.

Now, wait just a second.

Mr. Goda, you can't just open the conversation like that.

You have to give some explanation first.

You'll definitely do it once you've heard me out.

Come on, let's sit down.

You can decide if you'll take the job after listening.

Okay?

Alright, Mr. Goda?

Understood.

Before I sat on the Prefectural Assembly,

I was the superintendent of a local women's prison.

There was this one prisoner.

Her name was Nami Matsushima. She escaped multiple times.

But no matter how many times we punished her, she never gave up.

Not knowing what to do with her,

we threw Matsushima in the dungeon and left her there.

Now, this Nami Matsushima has been locked down there ever since.

- It's been 20 years now. - 20 years?

Seems a little extreme, doesn't it?

Nami Matsushima...

...gouged this eye out with an improvised blade made from a spoon.

So, you want this Matsushima dame doing away with?

I can understand, you've had 20 years to stew over that eye of yours.

That's part of it, yes.

But the prison is also moving to a new location.

The old one will be torn down.

If word gets out that we kept a prisoner alone in a dungeon for two decades...

...my political career will be over.

- How does 10 million sound? - 20 million.

Right?

Very well, 20 million it is.

This is Nami Matsushima.

Her fellow inmates call her "The Scorpion".

The Scorpion?

It seems that her name has become a legend

among some of the more rebellious prisoners.

The Scorpion.

Never one to suck up to the guards, and always unyielding to authority.

A fellow called Okizaki who used to work for me there

is now in charge of the prison.

He'll make all the necessary arrangements.

To kill a legend, eh?

Sounds intriguing, no?

I know we chose to take this job, but prisons always give me the creeps.

Well, the old hag will be in her forties by now.

Just make it quick and get out.

Anything for money, right?

Come here.

A lucky charm.

Be careful.

- What do you think you're doing? - Look alive!

Get in formation!

March!

The only people who know who you are are the four of us in here.

We'll start you in a shared cell, like any ordinary criminal.

I want you to make an impression on the other inmates.

It's essential that they don't suspect our involvement in the Scorpion's killing.

Start trouble with your cellmates as soon as possible.

Cause a big scene.

Afterwards, you'll be moved to solitary confinement as punishment.

That's when you'll be given the gun.

The rest is up to you. Understood?

You know, I never hated the Scorpion.

Those were good times.

Communal Cell Five, where you're headed,

is home to the most troublesome inmates in the whole prison.

A woman called Shindo is their boss.

Watch yourself around her.

Shindo's a wily one. She can handle herself, too.

- Hey. We've got a new girl. - Yes, sir.

Number 701. Communal Cell Five.

Number 701, Communal Cell Five.

- Sir... - What?

Oh, nothing. I just wanted to thank you for dinner the other day.

Oh, don't mention it.

Nobody smirks anymore once they're in here!

So, that's how it is? Then, I'm even more excited.

New girl for you. Number 701. Take good care of her.

You need to learn some manners.

Say something, bitch!

She's just trying to provoke us.

You get all kinds of newcomers in here.

The ones who pick fights and try to stand out are nothing special.

No point in giving her what she wants.

But, Shindo, we can't just let her get away with this...

You little... Fuck you!

You dirty skank!

Everyone settle down!

I'll put this straight through your skull.

- Enough! - Don't stop me!

- Yeah, she's asking for it! - Get off her!

Come on, cut it out!

And you, Kiza!

We can't afford to make trouble right now.

- When's Kubota's next night shift? - In three days, he told me.

Forget it. Once we get into the corridor, then what?

The transfer's coming up.

We rescue the Scorpion before that happens.

I'm sure she'll repay the favor one way or another.

- Eight o'clock patrol complete, sir. - Very good.

Hey!

- How's your old man doing? - I heard they ran some tests.

Want to go visit him on day release?

You gotta be shitting me!

- Really? - Sure.

Shall we go discuss it?

You're not duping the guard so you can try and escape, are you?

You best keep your nose out of our business, or you'll regret it.

A prison break?

- You some kind of idiot, grandma? - How pathetic!

That goddess of yours, Sasori, will be a decrepit crone by now.

Right! The Scorpion's just an old hag!

What the hell?

You bitches! Stop that!

- Stop it! - Cut it out!

It seems there are more of us who don't think she's just an old hag.

You'll all be punished for this!

Act as big as you want, the guards will make you their bitches!

What the hell are you doing?

Stop it!

- Hey! - Get off her!

Hey! Out of the way!

- Enough! - Break it up!

Get her out of here.

It's started at last.

On your feet!

I'll get her settled in.

Come here, you!

Does that hurt?

Don't just sit there. Cry for help!

Maybe someone will come!

There's a good girl. It's been a while since I've had any pushback.

See how you like this!

Sorry for the wait.

Exit the cell, and turn left down the hallway.

At the end of the corridor, you'll find a barred door.

Behind it are stairs that lead underground.

Hold it!

- What happened? - She escaped!

Inmate 701 escaped underground!

- She's armed, too. - Hey! We've got an escapee!

At the end of the underground passage, is an old air-raid shelter from the war.

Nobody's been down there lately,

but you should find a yellow door there.

Time for my shot again?

Please, no more...

I won't try to escape again.

I'll do whatever you say.

You're the Scorpion.

Scorpion?

Me?

Please!

Don't shoot!

I'm not the Scorpion!

I'm... Otsuka!

Hey! 701! Show yourself!

I'm not the one you want.

I'm not the Scorpion.

Listen, girl, nobody can kill...

...the real Scorpion.

Damn it!

Hang in there!

- Surrender! - Wait!

This escape happened on your watch and it's your responsibility!

Back to your quarters and prepare yourselves for a severe penalty!

Get back, now!

Ishihara! What are you playing at?

- Yano! - Sir?

The gun, please.

Not bad work.

A single shot.

Yano...

I did tell you that we'd make sure

the other prisoners knew that you killed the Scorpion.

- The Scorpion's dead. - She was killed.

The Scorpion died?

She's dead?

She was killed?

Out of the way!

- Is that her? - The Scorpion?

- Quickly! - Move aside!

The Scorpion?

Everyone on their feet!

Alright. Do it!

Scorpion!

Everyone, fall in!

Stand to attention!

Attention!

Listen closely. Nami Matsushima is dead.

This is who killed the Scorpion.

We are currently investigating

how this woman procured a weapon and escaped solitary confinement,

but she's not talking.

So, we're making an example of her by leaving her here till she talks.

Take a good look.

Let's go.

Fuck you!

Go to hell, bitch!

Keep going! More, more!

Not the big woman now, are you?

You won't be breaking out now. Serves you right.

Shut up, you bitch.

What did you just say? Your goddess is dead!

The Scorpion is no more!

Beat her! Beat her senseless!

Kill her!

Don't stop!

This wasn't part of the deal.

Care to explain yourself?

Very well.

The truth is...

the real Scorpion has been dead for two decades.

What?

Matsushima?

Have you croaked? Hey?

Well?

Escapes.

Riots.

Murder.

Arson.

Disposing of the ungovernable Matsushima...

...was essential to maintain order in here

and, by extension, the whole nation.

There.

Dead at last.

And then...

...we sealed away her body in the dungeon,

and spread the rumor that she was still alive.

But this was a miscalculation that led to the legend

of the Scorpion's immortality.

Who did she kill, then?

An impostor who we caught after deliberately letting her escape.

A dummy, in other words.

Why go to these lengths, though?

When the transfer happens,

the Ministry of Justice is sure to conduct an inspection.

The dungeon will be filled in,

so there's no chance of them finding the Scorpion.

But the Ministry is thorough.

The point is, the number of inmates must be in line with the paperwork.

I see.

The Scorpion's remains and the woman who killed her...

Finally, the 20-year nightmare will be over.

She's an important woman to me in many different ways.

Kaizu, once I'm sitting in the National Diet...

...you'll have one big job after another.

You'll be a wealthy man.

That's a tough choice you've given me.

Hey.

Oh, dear. Look at you.

Sorry, but you'll have to stay in here a little longer yet.

If I'm going to be a big shot, I need Mr. Goda's help.

He says it just won't do if the Scorpion's killer

isn't hung out here on show.

You're double-crossing me?

I saved your life five years ago.

Just think of the time since then as a nice dream I gave you.

Besides, you've killed an awful lot of people.

It was going to catch up with you sooner or later anyway.

You won't get rid of me that easily.

Well, we'll see about that.

Kaizu...

One of these days, you're going to regret teaching me how to kill.

Feeding time. It'll taste nice with all the rain.

You look just like a pig!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll fucking kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

I'll kill you...

I'll kill you...

She still had that much left in her, did she?

Shall we post more guards from tonight onward as a precaution?

She reminds me of her.

Don't you think she's getting more and more like the Scorpion?

Reduce the number of guards.

Leave her alone after the change of shifts.

What would happen if we doubled the dosage?

- She'd die, sir. - Right!

You go to her tonight after the change of shifts.

Give her a double-strength shot.

We'll say she let herself waste away.

Yes, sir.

- Kubota's on duty tonight, right? - Yeah, he should be.

- You remember the escape plan? - Huh?

Once we're out in the courtyard, we'll use that cross

to climb over the wall.

- We're getting out of here. - Really?

Okay, girls?

You mean it?

The plan hasn't changed.

Alright?

- He's here. - Nakayama, Kida, get started!

Come on, give him a real show!

Hey, over here!

Nakayama...

- What's going on in here? - They've just started at it.

You know, now I'm in the mood as well.

We can't have that, now.

The Scorpion injured her leg when she escaped.

I remember the huge scar she had. But there was no scar on that body.

So, it wasn't her that they burned?

I don't know. That's why we need to find out from her.

That's weird. There are no guards anywhere.

Someone's coming!

Any last words? I'm listening.

They're going to kill her. Alright, come on.

- Stay still! - Get her down.

Going to kill her in the night, were you? Tell us why.

I was just...

What were you plotting? Talk or die!

And you all think you're going to get away with this?

What did you say?

Yano! Call for some backup!

Go... get away, quickly.

No, I'll stay.

It was my mistake.

Nemoto!

You stupid woman!

You deserve to die like this!

You know what this means? You're all dead!

Way to go!

Nemoto!

Nemoto!

Nemoto!

Take aim. Fire!

Stop shooting or I'll kill him!

Now! Run!

Drop your weapons and get down here!

You'll never get away!

Shut up!

Damn it.

- Well? - I can only see Kubota.

There's something I want to ask you.

About the Scorpion who you killed. What was she like?

That's not her. That's not the Scorpion.

That's Otsuka. She escaped a while back.

What?

Then, it was her you killed.

It was Otsuka!

What happened to the real Scorpion?

- You know the plan here, don't you? - I don't know what you mean.

Alright, in that case, let's ask the superintendent.

Get the superintendent! We have a question for him!

- Shoot. - I can't. Kubota is...

I don't care. We need to shut her up.

- But... - Just shoot!

Was that the real Scorpion?

Shoot, Yano!

Togari, Yamada! Go!

- Sir! - Sir!

Forward, Togari!

Go!

Fire!

The sun's coming up. Civilians will find out what's going on!

They can pick us off from up there. It doesn't matter how many men we send.

We'll wait for them to tire themselves out.

Right...

It's gone quiet.

It's just a test of endurance now.

You know, I don't know the first thing about you.

- Just who are you, anyway? - A contract killer.

A contract killer?

Goda, the older superintendent, hired me to kill the Scorpion.

They brought me in to do the job.

Goda, huh?

That bastard.

- Right, do it! - Yes, sir!

Go get them!

Get in there!

Quick!

- Come on, stop dragging your feet. - Yes, sir!

- I heard there was a riot! - No...

There was a workplace incident involving some inmates and guards.

But where's Kubota?

I'm afraid he was caught right in the middle of it.

Did he die?

I must have nodded off.

The Scorpion was in my dream.

"Don't give up till the bitter end," she said.

Then she vanished into thin air, like a ghost.

What was she like?

Well...

She never sucked up to anyone.

And if you ever tried to trap her or betray her, she'd get to you.

She was a beautiful monster of vengeance.

Some called her a killing machine.

Her eyes were incredible.

Like dark, bottomless pits.

Yet clear and beautiful at the same time.

Just like your eyes.

Kill them tonight.

If we do it soon, we can write it off as part of last night's disturbance.

I thought you two must be cold, so I brought you something to drink.

That's kind of you. Thanks.

Now, tell me. How did Kubota die?

- Shouldn't you ask your colleagues that? - They said it was an accident.

But that's not right, is it? Something happened!

- Did you love him? - Don't be stupid.

He's the only one who ever treated me like a woman, that's all.

It was the superintendent who let Kubota die.

Shut up!

Okizaki. Terao. Kubota. Yano.

Those are the four who snuck me in here.

What did you say?

The superintendent and his cronies conspired to have the Scorpion killed.

They wanted to shut Kubota up. You've been fooled!

I need to report this to the higher-ups!

You bastard...

Add one more to the list of last night's victims.

What's wrong?

I got in the way of his bullet.

- Can you walk? - Oh, I'll walk.

Who goes there?

You two!

Stop there!

Underground...

We go underground to where the Scorpion was.

To where the Scorpion was.

I know we'II make it somehow.

I'm slowing you down now.

Tell me, though.

How did you become a professional killer?

A Yakuza gangster trained me.

It seems like such a long time ago now, but it was only five years.

I ran away from home and did nothing but party.

It wasn't your ordinary hook-up.

Help me!

- How's that? Feels good, right? - I bet it does!

- Spread your legs. Spread them! - Come on, open your legs!

They took turns with me. It lasted for several days.

I was in and out of consciousness.

I didn't have the will to run even if I'd had the chance.

She's no use anymore.

- She stinks now. - She's a real pig now.

Alright, make it quick!

I wasn't even a human being anymore.

Just a pig, like they called me.

A Yakuza boss picked me up.

He ended up making me his woman.

He taught me how to kill.

From that point, I was just an empty shell.

Free of all emotion.

So, I did as Kaizu asked, and took money to kill people.

I don't remember how many I've killed. How many dozens.

I'm just a pig. Nothing like the Scorpion.

That's what makes you the Scorpion.

- It's the Scorpion! - Eh?

She's sharpening a spoon into a shiv.

We'll all escape together again!

I'll escape, too!

I wish I could have...

Shindo?

Shindo?

Shindo!

Scorpion...

Scorpion...

Scorpion...

Scorpion?

Scorpion?

Me?

Scorpion.

Are you the same as me?

Who did this to you, Scorpion?

You stupid girl! You've backed yourself into a corner!

Shoot her! Shoot her, shoot her!

The Scorpion!

Sir...

Scorpion!

Just like the good old days, eh?

Show yourself!

I'll teach you a lesson or two.

Did you forget who I was?

Scorpion!

- Scorpion... - You killed the Scorpion.

It wasn't me. It was that bastard, Goda.

- You killed her and walled her in. - I told you, it wasn't me!

It was all Goda's idea.

- Long time no see, eh? - It was cold inside that concrete.

- Scorpion... - Scorpion... Scorpion...

As soon as I have been elected

with the support of you good people,

I, Takeshi Goda, will de vote my life

to working for the good of the people...

...and the nation.

Thank you, e veryone, for listening to Mr. Goda's address.

Takeshi Goda, candidate for the House of Representatives,

is now heading out to greet you all.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Kaizu... Kaizu! Kaizu!

- Kaizu! - Eh?

It was probably someone who just looked like her.

No. It was her.

Yes?

The Scorpion...

What did you say?

A beautiful flower, they call her

Then, when she blooms, they just throw her away

It's a woman's foolish, foolish, foolish...

Bitter melody

Come here, you bitch!

Kaizu!

- What the fuck are you doing? - Kaizu! Get your hands off me!

Let me go!

- I missed you. - And me you!

Get the fuck off me!

You little...

I was the one who saved you...

This hateful regret I cannot forgive

It won't be erased or disappear, I cannot forget it

Pierced through, pierced through, Pierced through

A woman's bitter melody

When dreams induce a lingering regret, laugh it off

If dreams appear while you're awake, don't close your eyes

A woman's heart, a woman's heart

The bitter melody in a woman's heart

Got you!

Fucking bitch!

Even the most vibrant red rose has many thorns

If the thorn doesn't wound deeply, that's down to fate

Burning, burning

The burning of a woman's bitter melody

The dying fruit of the flower will no longer bloom

In blind bitterness, it lives out its days

A woman's life, a woman's life

The bitter melody of a woman's life

Scorpion...

Scorpion...

Scorpion... Scorpion...

Your address?

Forgotten.

Your age?

Don't remember.

Your name?

Nami Matsushima.

NATSUKI OKAMOTO

MINEKO NISHIKAWA

NAOKO AMIHAMA, DUMP MATSUMOTO

YUKO MIZUSHIMA, YURIKO HIROOKA

KENJI IMAI, KOJI SHIMIZU, MINORI TERADA

PLANNING BY TORU YOSHIDA & HITOSHI MATSUDA

ORIGINAL STORY BY TORU SHINOHARA

CINEMATOGRAPHY BY SHOHEI ANDO

DIRECTED BY TOSHIHARU IKEDA

PRODUCED BY TOEI VIDEO

ALL CHARACTERS DEPICTED IN THIS STORY ARE FICTIONAL.