Original subtitles

Toyo Hotel, Room 33.

This is the room key...

...and this opens the emergency exit.

He wears his watch when he sleeps.

Bring that watch as proof you've done the job.

We'll trade it for the rest of your pay.

Be at a bar called 'Domino' in Nishi-Ginza at 9:30 tonight.

Shigeru Amachi Yoko Mihara Teruo Yoshida

A Mitsugu Okura Production

Written by Teruo Ishii

Directed by Teruo Ishii

YELLOWLINE

Who the hell are you?!

There's some weirdo here...

Where's Agawa?

Agawa? l don't know anybody by that name here.

ls this Domino?

Yes, but who are you?

What a creep! Eyes like a snake!

The bastard tricked me!

You're awful, Toshio!

l won't see you for two weeks, and you won't even see me off?

What can l say?

l can't get away, Emi. Some executive from Kobe...

...was murdered.

Kobe? That's where I'm dancing! l don't know where yet, though.

Some night club, probably.

l answered an ad in the paper.

But the pay's good.

Yeah, that's right.

'New Japan Artistes, Ltd.'

Oh, and thank you for the shoes!

l'm wearing them now. They're gorgeous!

Glad you like them.

Hello? What's the matter?

Hello?

Keep talking.

How do I do that when you've cut me off?

Are you sure you're all there?

Shut up and do as l say.

Put the phone to your ear.

Then smile.

You won't shoot me. They'd hang you for that.

l just kilIed someone on a job.

One more won't make any difference.

ShouId l be scared?

Read the papers and see.

Now, pretend you're talking on the phone.

You Iook like you're going somewhere.

Kobe.

As of now, we're newlyweds on a trip to Kobe.

l'm honored!

l'll take your ticket.

What about me?

Buy another.

The cops'll be watching.

Try anything funny and your picture'll be in the papers.

Wonderful! 'Beautiful Dancer Shot ln Tokyo Station'!

l always wanted to be famous.

KiIling women isn't smart.

Just don't act like you want to attract attention.

The train leaves in a minute. Aren't we getting on?

We wait. We don't give them time to wonder about us.

Oh...so you're not stupid.

Those seeing passengers off please stand behind the white Iine.

Come on!

Your shoe...

lt fell off when we jumped on.

Just act normal.

PIease stand behind the white Iine.

Passengers boarding trains please form two Iines.

Paging passenger Emi Ozuki.

A red high-heeIed shoe has been found at Tokyo Station.

Passenger Emi Ozuki, please identify yourself to a conductor.

The Kobe Express 'Milky Way'is departing.

Yes...

Yes...

All right.

No one aboard has reported losing a shoe.

Are you sure it's hers?

l see...

Sorry to trouble you.

Looks like someone was there to see you off.

Looks like it.

Did you do something?

When did l have the chance?

l don't want to be in the papers that much.

Where are you going?

The toilet.

Lend me your shoes.

Don't take Iong.

Don't worry.

The man I'm with is a killer.

Get heIp.

Emi Ozuki.

Fast enough?

Don't try any tricks.

What do you mean?

You Iosing your shoe like that... something smeIls.

lt's the toilet. Sorry.

l had her paged at the next station, but nothing.

What?! Who told you you could go to Tokyo Station...

...when we're busy like this?

Chief!

Where's the arson story?

Coming!

First-edition galIeys!

Kobe Customs Chief Murdered

Poor layout.

Yamada...find out more about who he associated with.

'Dancers Wanted. Experience Preferred.'

'New Japan Artistes, Ltd.'

Oh, yes! They had lots of girls come in here.

All the noise they made! lt was awful!

Who runs New Japan Artistes, Ltd.?

That's the strange thing.

After the auditions, they gave up the office and the telephone.

So the company only existed for three days?

That's right!

But they paid me the full month's rent...

...so l can't complain.

l agree that it's strange. But there's no story there.

l'm suspicious about them auditioning a lot of girls...

...to go to Kobe.

Why?

Maybe it's connected with that 'yelIow-slavery' ring down there.

They call it the 'Yellow Line'.

lt provides foreigners there with Japanese prostitutes.

Let me do a special on this.

'Fiendish Prostitution Ring ln lnternational Port'...

'The Yellow Line'...

'The Yellow Line Laid Bare'...

l like it.

Let me do it!

OK. And whiIe you're there, check out that Customs guy.

l'll come up with something.

Get on it. Take the first pIane.

l can fly there?!

Don't be stupid!

Hey...don't forget the girI with the red shoes.

No, sir!

Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!

Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!

The train terminates at this station.

PIease take aII your belongings with you when you disembark.

Do l have to waIk barefoot?

Hello.

l'd like some size 24.5s.

Certainly.

What happened to your shoe?

l lost it at Tokyo Station.

That's terribIe!

This way, please.

How about something like this?

Hmm...

l like these.

These?

These are size 24.5 exactly.

They'll do.

How much?

��3,200.

Oh...

There.

Thank you kindly.

Thank you very much.

ls that enough?

Make sure.

There's too much here... oh, no, one was folded over.

l'm sorry.

lt must be nice!

l'm sorry?

A present.

Thank you.

Are my shoes done?

Yes, they're right here.

Bring those pink shoes, please.

��1 ,900, wasn't it?

That's right.

��1 00 change.

Here you go.

Good morning.

'Morning.

l just made it!

What do you want for lunch?

l'll have whatever you're having.

Get mine, too?

Sorry l asked!

What's this?

'The man l'm with is a killer.' Get help.

'Emi Ozuki.'

That's weird...I got this in change at the shoe store.

Let's call later and ask.

lsn't this exciting!

Yeah!

Nice suit, buddy.

How much?

What do you want?

Don't strut around here in your damn tailored suit!

Mr Matsudaira is a philanthropist.

He's here out of concern for you people.

Philanthropist, huh? Got anything to give us?

Hey...that's enough. l'm fine, thanks.

You're here to look around?

Let me show you around, then.

Are you OK?

This way.

Sorry about this. Here.

Thank you!

Have a drink on me.

lf Mr Matsudaira wasn't here, l wouldn't let this go.

l'm exhausted! l hardly slept a wink all last night!

Nor did l.

Gee, that's too bad.

l came here to work, you know.

Surely you wouldn't throw a poor girl out of work?

As long as l'm with you here in 'Casbah', l'm safe.

Look, I won't say anything. Let me go!

Only a fool believes a woman's promises or her chastity.

And what are you?

Smart, of course.

You want a room?

The best you got, lady.

They call me 'Madame'.

All right, 'Madame'.

Close the door.

That room costs a bit. You're sure you can afford it?

l brought a money tree.

l see.

Yuji...

l'll be back tonight.

You'd better be.

This is the special room. What do you think?

Nothing but the best, huh?

lt's ��600 per person.

ln advance.

Five days.

Thanks.

What's that for?

My tip!

A tip? You must be kidding!

Madame...Yuji's gone.

Yeah?

Kobe Customs Chief Murdered ln Tokyo Hotel

l had nothing against him.

lt was just a job that paid better than usual.

But instead of my pay, a patrol car showed up.

lt says he'd cut drug smuggling by half since he started here.

A good man...and you killed him.

Shut up!

KiIling doesn't bother me.

But...

...l've never kiIled someone who didn't deserve it.

Then why...

l was lied to!

l was told the guy was a bloodsucking leech...

...and l believed it!

To your profit.

l was a sucker!

Never trust anyone!

l'll fill him fuIl of holes!

Look, you can trust me.

l won't talk, I swear! Just let me go!

l've heard that before.

'Trust me.' 'l love you.'

'l'lI wait for you.'

You've been let down...

Prison kept me loyal.

But her...she was as free as a littIe bird.

l trust no one!

No! Please don't!

l'm in love with someone!

You wouldn't want that, would you?

No!

Love! That's something with a very short shelf-life.

Leave it for just a littIe while and it rots!

Keep away!

Or l'll bite my tongue...

...and choke to death on the blood!

Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!

l'll bet it was that girl...

Yeah!

She came in with one red shoe!

That's her. I'm sure of it. She'd written...

...'the man with me is a murderer. Help me'...

...on a ��100 note.

What did you say?

Show me the note!

l only heard about it myself on the phone.

On the phone? Tell me the whole story.

l got a call from Shinko Shipping Co.

Want to come dancing, honey?

l'll caIl a cop!

No one'll hear you.

OK, l'Il come with you, but then you've got to let me go.

You're a very intelligent young lady.

lt's stuffy in here.

Don't look!

Money from heaven! Today's my lucky day!

Excuse me...

Where is Shinko Shipping?

We're going right by it. Come with us.

Let's go.

What do you alI do?

They sell souvenirs and stuff to ships out in the harbor.

They're caIled 'port peddlers'.

That's a lot of stuff to carry.

Yeah, but they make more than a nice girI working in an office.

Don't you?

l see.

You have a Tokyo accent...

They'll aIl be gone home from Shinko Shipping by now.

Everyone?

You might find a watchman.

Hey, how's business?

Lousy.

Why not buy some? l'm just starting. You'll bring me luck.

l'm broke.

Oh, OK, l'lI take one.

Ain't l Iucky!

Where's my change?

They're ��1 00.

You get them for almost nothing!

You just found ��1 00 on the ground!

How about you, sir?

No, thanks.

At least buy one!

He's looking for Shinko Shipping. Take him there.

He might buy two or three.

l'll take you wherever you like.

OK. Give me a pack.

��500...do l have change?

One, two, three...one more...

That's the Iucky bill... you can have it.

There it is. Second building.

Second?

Yumiko Katsura. She lives at lkuta, Sannomiyacho 2-56.

l'll draw a map.

Thanks.

lt's down Sannomiya Avenue, in behind the market.

She isn't home yet. ls something wrong?

No. l just had some questions.

She should be home soon.

l see. Perhaps l could wait?

That oId cigarette woman!

Hey, mister...

What?

Cigarettes?

Foreign cigarettes? No.

Cheapskate!

Hey...

Got these?

Philip Morris?

Hmm...how many packs do you want?

Ten.

l've just got one.

That'll have to do. How much?

��1 00. lf l bring the rest, you'll buy them, won't you?

Tomorrow's fine.

Thanks.

Hey...

Thanks. But l don't smoke.

And a girl should be carefuI of men being nice to her.

That's men in generaI.

You're nice, though.

A murderer?

You haven't done anything to me.

l wanted to.

With a pretty girI like you, who wouldn't?

But you didn't.

But you were afraid you were going to die. l saw it.

l still am.

But how did you know?

l'm a kilIer.

l know how someone's eyes look when they're about to die.

You had that look in your eyes.

Your boyfriend's a lucky guy.

Stay the way you are for him.

l will.

How did you become a killer, anyway?

Life holds no hope for some people...

...right from the moment they're born.

l was born in a prison, and raised in an orphanage.

l ran away from there when l was 1 5.

l'd never even tasted a fried egg before that.

Well, the cooks in those pIaces are all a little nuts.

They wouldn't know how to fry an egg.

ln an orphanage you never get anywhere.

They budgeted ��62 for food.

For three meals!

Even still, a fried egg only costs ��1 5.

Well, maybe you didn't eat fried eggs, but your rent was free.

All you do there is survive.

Being a kilIer might be in my blood.

My father killed three peopIe.

He won a medaI in the war with China.

A bright, shiny one.

l've killed more.

Unfortunately, l wasn't a soldier.

So you win a police car?

They won't catch me!

But those pigs who tricked me, who use bank-notes for bullets...

What 'poet'? He's just a drunk!

Watch it!

'The rain pisses down on the city...'

The poet's pissed again.

Buy my book. ��1 0 a copy.

Hey, don't piss here!

Piss off!

Can't a man have a pee? 'P' is for...

Don't pee here!

l mean 'P' for poetry!

Poetry is the only thing l can do!

'A black sleep falIs over me...

'l can see nothing.

'The good and the bad...

'...alI forgotten.

'All gone and forgotten.

'Go, then, and sleep...

'...in your dark cellar.

'When you go and sleep...

'...you tempt fate.

'Go and sleep.

'Go and sleep.'

The cigarette sellers are onIy here till the shippers close.

They buy here, but they sell someplace else.

And where would that be?

ln the Casbah.

'The Casbah'?

Yeah! She's gorgeous!

But the guy with her looks like a rough customer.

You'd better be ready for trouble.

l'll go arrange things, then.

But the guy in here now...

...reaIly gives me the creeps!

Things are alI ready for Printemps, sir.

Mr Agawa...

...she's nice, isn't she.

We watched her for three months. She's taken a lot of work.

How much?

This much.

What? Just because she's pretty doesn't mean she's good.

The proof of the pudding's in the eating.

All right, then. We'Il prove the pudding for you.

Wait...

She looks very nice.

My name's Jean. What's yours?

Going out?

A tip.

What do you want?

Number 3.

A number 3?

Keiko!

Come here!

What do you want?

He wants a 3-way!

Think you can do that for him? He's good-looking!

l'm a no-way.

l mean l want to find someone who has some number 3.

Oh, drugs...

l'm sorry, but this is a respectable hotel.

All l want is one hit.

l can't help you!

What are you doing?!

There's a bar called 'Mon Ami' in the Meriken alleys...

...where people like you go.

Don't let the woman upstairs go out, all right?

l won't.

'Mon Ami', in Meriken...

You're supposed to bring your own works, honey.

You can't do that these days.

lf you get caught with a needle...

Could you do it over there?

That's not why l'm here.

What? Who are you?

Madame from the Quartermaster sent me. l want buy in bulk.

OK.

Wait a second.

This way.

Come in.

Looks like we've got a rookie cop here.

l told you l want to buy some number 3.

Bullshit!

Come on, new guy.

Where?

For a nap.

Who supplies you?

Take it easy, brother! We only know the next guy in the chain.

You think l'm kidding?

HoId it! We'll talk!

Hurry it up.

Maybe you're new to this...

All we know are the small dealers.

To get to the big guys, you'll have to go through them.

And who are they?

You've got to believe us!

We only know our suppIier! That's the rules!

All right, who's he?

You won't teIl him how you found out?

A man doesn't tell. That's the rules.

There's a club caIled 'Printemps' in Motomachi.

'Printemps'...

Wanna have some fun?

Nice tits!

Pig!

Wanna have some fun, honey?

A foreign cigarette...

Are you from the government?

Where'd you get that?

ln that bar. People come in to sell them all the time.

Let's have some fun, OK? l'll give you a deal.

Do you know a seller, a woman about 40 with a scar on her chin?

With a face like pickled eggplant?

That's her! Tell me where she is!

We can't talk here.

l'll pay you.

Come with me, then.

ln here!

Who were they?

Just some guys who don't want me working here.

Come on!

Keep it down!

Got a room?

Come on.

Hey...

What's wrong?

We can talk here.

Two, straight-up.

You can get out of this maze of streets before he gets back!

Forget it.

l know this is a test to see if l'lI run or not.

Don't be stupid!

Don't you understand l'm taking a big chance...

...to help you?!

So you don't know the woman...

Of course not.

How many peopIe do you think sell cigarettes around here?

Hey!

Let's have some fun! Do you want to make me Iook bad?

l didn't ask you for fun.

But I like you!

Just act like l'm not here.

You!

The man from the wharf...

Do you remember this?

l don't write down every ��1 00 note l get.

Let's ask the police, then.

Why? What did l do?!

Can't you see what's on it?

lt's nothing to be proud of, but l can't read.

Just wait here till I see how things are downstairs.

Try and remember!

Try! Please!

Let go!

Please!

Try to remember!

Get your hands off me!

Cut it out!

Miss, could you caIl the man in the corner room?

He's not here.

He's left?

Damn it!

Hey, lady! Wait!

Come on!

Hurry!

Got time for me, baby?

Hot stuff, huh?

Miss, people here aren't afraid of the police.

Stick close to me, all right?

And if l don't?

lt'll be like throwing beef to a hungry dog!

Well, l don't want to be beef...

Please! Try to remember!

l'll pay you!

Remember what?

Where did you get that biIl you gave me in change?

l'll pay you!

You were my first customer that night...

Wait! That guy might've given it to me...

What?

A five-yen coin! That means we're lucky!

What's this?

An escort. A man you can trust.

So he's not hungry?

He's safe as money in the bank!

Leave it to me. Come on.

You're late! Yuji's mad.

l couldn't help it. ls he upstairs?

Yeah.

Yuji!

Come on.

You took your time.

Don't involve me.

You have my word.

l'd just started. l didn't have change.

That guy with the port peddlers you were with. He gave it to me.

Where does he live?

Hey, don't force money on me...

l'll pay you!

l'll pay!

What's his address?

He doesn't have one.

His name's Masa. You see him around here sometimes.

'Masa'...

For another ��500, l can remember more...

Wait!

You've stopped paying.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

There's a woman he likes at 'The Mummy', in Scotch Alley.

She's called 'The Moor'.

'The Moor'?

Welcome.

l am the Moor.

l'm looking for a guy named Masa.

'Masa'? I do not know him.

Don't worry. I won't cause you any trouble.

Who told you about me?

A lady who sells cigarettes.

Please do not be angry.

That lady aIways sends customers to me.

l pay her money.

She did it to me again!

Do not go outside now.

Why not?

Some strange men are there.

Come to my room.

Make yourself at home.

That's not why l'm here.

Look.

They were after a girl before...

l will help you get away.

You are fine here. No one will touch this place.

No, thank you!

This is for you.

You do not like me? You do not like black skin?

No!

l don't like paying women to have my way with them.

l have never met a man Iike you before...

l have fallen very Iow. l was not like this before.

Masa sold me.

ls he still around?

Yes.

He is rich from selling girls to 'Printemps'.

Tell me about 'Printemps'.

A secret club, onIy for foreigners.

l was the number-one girl there.

But many beautiful young Japanese girls came.

They did not want me there.

So they sold me here.

A secret foreigners-only club? The YelIow Line!

Tell me more!

You are a reporter?

l'm investigating the Yellow Line so that women like you...

...won't be its victims.

Write it, pIease. l hate those men.

Moor!

Moor!

Go out the window!

Moor! Open up!

Moor! Moor!

Hey!

HoId it!

We want to taIk to you.

About what?

That girl you were with.

She gets her drugs from you!

You think l'm her pimp?

We'll talk at the station.

The station? Are you detectives?

Come on.

Let's go!

l guess 'The Mummy' is closed.

This woman talked!

The dredger's coming in. Take her to the harbor.

And do what?

Use the bucket.

No luck yet, Cap'n. You sure this is the place?

Complaining already?

You kids have no patience!

l'll take over.

You oId guys don't know when to quit.

Mouthy punk!

Cap'n! We got something!

Right on the money!

That's it!

MiIlions worth of drugs, hidden in beans!

They make the money. We don't.

They're smarter.

Rinse it off!

Taxi!

Taxi!

Don't send our guys over to Printemps until about 3 a.m.

That way the other papers won't catch on.

And check if anything's happened to a woman called 'The Moor'.

Cap'n...

Bring the stuff.

'Evening.

Working hard?

We got the stuff.

Bring it up.

There's another job...

What?

Putting someone to sleep.

This whore.

Use the bucket.

And then?

Call the police and tell them there's a body in the water.

Cap'n!

lt's not the drugs l'm after. l'm looking for someone.

The Printemps owner?

l don't know yet.

Whoever profits most from that Customs Chief being dead...

...is who I'm looking for.

Well, maybe l'll leave you here, if you don't mind...

Don't try anything funny.

l've got bullets.

l know that!

'Bye.

A woman is a self-respecting animal. She won't just say 'yes'...

...when she's told to associate with all kinds of men.

Shut up and Iisten!

l understand you very well. l respect women.

Well, l'm glad to hear at least someone understands.

Mr Agawa! Sally's drunk again! She can't dance like that!

lt's time for her show! What do we do?

You're supposed to stop that from happening!

You can't even manage the port peddlers!

Sorry.

You said you were a dancer, didn't you.

Could you filI in?

Sure! l'll knock 'em dead!

No more bidding!

There's your watch.

You!

Yeah, it's me.

The guy you sent the police for.

Don't get up.

Mr Agawa, get Emi over here when she's finished.

'Emi'?

You know her?

Yeah, thanks to you.

Anyone who lays a hand on her gets a bullet...

...just like that Customs Chief.

So why'd you do it?

l'm sorry! lt wasn't me. l was following orders.

Then take me to the guy who gave you your orders.

Promise you won't shoot me if l do that!

ShalI we get going?

Forgot my keys...

Like hell you did.

Agawa...

Don't forget...you're an accessory to murder.

Having trouble?

Just a fIat tire.

Where are you going?

To Mr Matsudaira's place in Hachiman.

The social reformer?

Yes. lt's urgent.

Can we help?

Thank you.

You can stay there.

lt's not fair! Everyone else is working.

You'Il be in the way, Missus. Just relax in the car.

You haven't even changed!

l thought you were a girl who understood things.

l make enough money already, thank you.

How can you taIk this way to a girI young enough to be your daughter?

The young ones all say that... at the start, anyway.

l'm not like them!

l want to go home!

Be quiet!

ReIax.

You can yelI all you like, but no one's going to come.

OK?

Agawa?! What are you doing here?

What's that man doing here?!

He's cut the line.

SettIe down.

Agawa told everyone we're having a private meeting.

So you're his boss?

What is all this? Get out of here!

Agawa! Get rid of him!

Shut up!

You pose as some great and good activist...

...and meanwhiIe you're selling Japanese girls to foreigners.

You're nothing but a pig!

l didn't know!

Don't shoot! Don't kilI me!

lt was Agawa who said we had to kill that Customs Chief!

He's lying! Listen to me!

He planned it and told me to do it!

Agawa, you hired me to rub out a certain man.

You said he was sucking blood out of the poor!

l just did what my boss told me to do!

lt wasn't me! Forgive me!

Shut up!

You phony do-gooders are worse killers than l am!

Your bullets are stronger than mine.

Respect, position, power... and money!

How many peopIe have you killed?!

Talk!

What are you doing?!

l'll pay whatever you want! Anything you want!

l can get you out of the country!

Think! Think about it!

lt wasn't me! lt was him!

lt wasn't me!

He told me to do it!

Believe me!

No! lt wasn't me!

l didn't tell him!

You damn well did tell me!

Moroki! Please!

KiIling you would do the whole worId a favor!

Wait!

Please!

l'll pay you anything!

l hate you!

You're nothing but a killer!

l hate you!

l hate you!

Yeah?

You too, huh?

You don't go free till l'm somewhere safe.

Tell the police she dies if they come after me!

HoId it!

Toshio!

Toshio!

Emi!

Shit!

Halt!

You won't get away!

Who are you?!

A reporter!

Get down!

Emi!

Stay back or the woman dies!

Toshio!

They won't get me!

Are you OK?

Get down!

Keep back! We don't want the woman hurt!

You're scared, aren't you.

l'm not.

l'm not going to die yet!

Look out!

Any closer and you die!

No, Toshio! Stay back!

No! Keep back!

lf you have to shoot someone, shoot me, not him!

Stop! Stop or l'll shoot!

Let her go!

l'll telI the poIice how you helped!

Please! Don't shoot!

Not one step closer!

Why are you hiding behind a woman?

l brought the police! Shoot me!

Toshio, no! lf you die, l will, too! We'll die together!

Let the woman go! Please!

Toshio!

Let me go!

Shut up!

Wait!

l'll shoot you both, then! Just the way you wanted!

Shit!

Why?! Why can't I shoot?!

You and me, we're not the same kind.

You bastards! To hell with all of you!

The End