Alien Rice; A Novel. Read Online Free PDF Page A

during his London visit. Takano had a young male secretary traveling with him. As was customary, after showing them the sights of London, Saburo took the visitors to dinner at the Japanese Club. Since most Japanese travelers were eager for Japanese food and for sake, the distinctive Japanese rice wine, the club restaurant provided an ideal place to entertain them.
    When the dinner was over Saburo sauntered on to Piccadilly with the visitors. The president of the association, who was in a hilarious mood after drinking sake, suddenly remarked :
    "English women do not put on much cosmetics but they are very attractive, don't you think so? Their skin has that peculiar rosy white color. Have you ever embraced an English woman, Mr. Tanaka?"
    Feeling embarrassed and knowing that what Takano said was a hint, Saburo replied :
    "There are all kinds of people in London. Most women of that sort are foreigners, though. Many of them are just out to rob you. They have no scruples. Always looking for some easy prey. The other day a Japanese traveler was robbed of all the money he had with him. These girls work with touts of the worst kind."
    "Yes, but you live in London and surely you must know some place where . . . " the elderly man persisted.
    "I can't recommend any place to you, really. Lately London has become too dangerous for nocturnal adventures. I hear you are going to Paris after London. Paris is much better in that respect."
    As Saburo said this, the young, salacious-looking secretary intervened.
    "Mr. Tanaka, President Takano has been traveling for three weeks now and badly needs a bit of relaxation, you know. Surely you could do something for us. The present trip of the president is an important one. As soon as he gets back he has to discuss next year's export quotas with the trade ministry. I think Mr. Takano could urge the ministry to give favorable consideration to Tozai on the basis of his findings on the current tour."
    Saburo felt angry at the secretary's intimidation. He knew this was a veiled threat to force him to procure an evening's pleasure for the visitor. Yet, on second thought, if the fact of the president's unfulfilled desire were to reach the ears of Saburo's superiors, he might face demotion, if not outright dismissal. He also reflected that his taking care of the visitor was in fact a means of promoting the company's business in the long run.
    Hailing a taxicab, then, Saburo took President Takano and his secretary to Maida Vale. There were quite a few dubious women hanging round the street, looking for prospective clients, at that hour of the evening. Saburo spoke to one of them, and again to another, and negotiated a deal. He then walked with the visitors and two women to an establishment a few blocks away. There at the entrance, Saburo explained to the Canned Goods Association boss and his bullying secretary that everything was in order, that money had already been paid, and wished them a good time.
    It was a cold, miserable night; fog was descending. Saburo waited outside the entrance, shivering. He had never felt more miserable in all his life. What a degrading and humiliating job it was, working for a trading firm I Why should the company pander to such a despicable person as Takano?
    Saburo wanted now to go straight home, back to Alice. But what if something happened? He had paid the fee and tips in advance. But there was a likelihood that the ladies might extort more money from the good-natured Japanese and leave them penniless. There was also a possibility that the Canned Goods boss, being fat and old, might have a heart attack or a stroke in the course of the amorous engagement. Then there would be trouble, plenty of trouble, and without Saburo's presence or intervention the situation would almost be hopeless. And if that happened, he, and he alone, would be held responsible by his superiors and possibly by the Head Office.
    So thinking, Saburo waited and waited, and it was well over two hours before