Eccentrics #1 Synopsis
ECCENTRICS #1
by Sakumi YOSHINO
c. 1993, Bouquet Comics, 170pp, Y550. ISBN 4-08-860320-6 CO379E
Synopsis & partial translation by GEOFF COWIE
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e-mail: 100722.2624@compuserve.com
Shoujo & General homepage:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/shoujo
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Translator's note: This is a shoujo manga which I bought because I liked the artwork. There may be significant errors in my synopsis; if so, I would be grateful if readers would point them out. (mail to 100722.2624@compuserve.com).
ECCENTRICS seems to be about schoolgirls, love, and art; as such it's refreshingly different from the bulk of translated manga available in the West.
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CHARACTERS:
YUKI Senju - a senior highschool girl
YUKI - Senju's mother
YUKI - Senju's father
YAMADA - Senju's scruffy boyfriend
HIKAWA Emiko - senior high school girl ,Senju's friend (straight shoulder length hair)
HIGURASHI - senior high school girl (curly hair)
HIRASAKA Eiji - an artist (dark cloak)
KASHIMA, Dr. - psychoanalyst
HAYASHI-Sensei - HIikawa's boyfriend
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P.1 (colour)
Narrative: (this narrative is about an intense dream, about the right hand not knowing what the left hand was doing. Under pressure the middle finger of the right hand makes a few turns. sleepy.. two hands tighten about the neck..)
P.2,3 (colour)
(Title page: ECCENTRICS)
pP.4 (colour)
Narrative: I of my own hand must sometimes take responsibility as well as forget. At departure one is lost in thought.
P.6
Not a flower.
P.7
Yamada: "You're pretty, eh?"
Yamada: "What about a drink of tea?"
S- "No thank you. Goodbye."
narrative: (He's) not a man.
P.8
not the same.
chair.
(she muses about a chair??)
P.9
No answer.
delicious
temptation
P.10
narrative: she muses about not knowing
P.11
"Welcome"
Senju says that the 'E' stands out and asks for the picture.
(if you look closely you'll see that the picture is in the window, and in a later scene it's gone).
P.12
Senju asks if it's agreeable
"just a minute, wait, er, um, it's 30,000 yen"
Senju: "OK"
The salesperson says that they have other cheaper paintings
"Thank you very much"
P.13
"Miss! Miss!" (what she actually says is "honoured customer!")
"Please wait!
(The sales person offers Senju a leaflet with the arrtist's details and explains that she does not have Senju's address for sending "DM" (direct mail) about exhibitions etc.
Senju says that she doesn't need direct mail as she's homeless, and has no bed for the evening.)
P.14
the train on platform 2 is leaving
(Senju admires the painting)
P.15
Train arriving at platform 1 keep behind the white line
keep behind the white line
P.16
(Note the man in dark clothes. Senju falls on the track!)
P.17
"accident! that girl!"
"that girl fell on"
"she'll be killed - station employee"
"hurry pick her up"
"who'll pick her up"
"stop the train"
"hey you!"
P.18
"Is she dead?" "Is she dead?" "Is she alive?"
P.19
(Dark-clad man outside the gallery)
P.20
"Welcome, Hirasaka-san."
"Is the boss around?"
"I think she'll be back soon"
(The assistant explains that "E" has been sold)
"Oh, what sort of person?"
"A young girl! Do you want coffee?"
"Yes"
(the assistant says that the buyer was an odd homeless girl, who had a suitcase with her,a runaway..And paid 30,000 yen in cash.)
P.21
"This trunk, it wasn't red was it? A long haired girl?"
"That's right, with beige stockings and red shoes. Why? Surely not a friend?
(He says that't not it at all and they go on to mention shoes, a sponsor and the Kyoto picture trade)
P.22
(the boss of the gallery arrives and they talk shop)
P.23
(they talk shop)
P.24
The station staff ask Yamada about the accident, and if he's a friend.
"here's water"
"Oi! Carefully"
(stationman asks Yamada if he is a rugby player)
(Yamada replies that he doesn't think the girl is a rugby player but..)
Senju: (sneezes)
"Are you all right?"
"Doctor? Or any member of (your) family we can contact?"
"Can you walk?"
P.25
"Miss?"
"It's OK, Ok, we'll go back. We still have a kettle of water."
P.26
Senju: "Who are you?"
Yamada: "Yamada." (he adds something about forgetting like you)
"My sweetheart"
P.27
Senju: "r-really?"
Yamada: "Really. (kisses her) You felt that?"
Senju: "Entirely"
P.28
(Senju is confused)
"Better go find a doctor I think"
(Senju thinks): Boyfriend - name Yamada he said?
P.29
(Senju thinks) Heavens! Me? What's my name?
(Yamada asks her what she was thinking, and asks her for her name, address, the name of her school)
Senju: "STOP!"
(Senju says that she doesn't remember anything).
P.30
"Such a feeling"
P.31
"Pure white"
P.32
Senju: "It's like that. Do you have a mirror with you?
Yamada: "Mirror?"
(Senju wants to know what sort of face she has)
Yamada: "Pretty!"
Waitress "Welcome"
(Senju wonders if there is a problem with her face)
P.33
(Senju wonders what to eat - she can't remember what she likes)
-----------------
"What?"
"My right middle finger is bending a little"
[yup, it sounds weird, but check page 1]
P.34
"After all"
"A pillow"
"How could this thing be so carelessly abandoned?"
"I don't know"
P.35
(School student's identity card - YUKI Senju.)
Psychoanalyst Dr KASHIMA Counsellor Psychoanalyst
P.36
"Doctor, I'm Yamada.
"Alright"
(the doctor talks about a phone call, the inconvenience, foreign visit, introduction to brain surgery & nerve surgery. -something to be at his place)
P.37
(The doctor asks about Senju's head, any giddiness, attacks of fever etc.)
Senju: "None"
Yamada: "Now"
"That's good"
(he says that at one o'clock in scientific terms the memory is in decline. Gradually it will come back. He asks if there is any firm evidence of her identity, a card or something)
(They find a card and some coins in Senju's pockets - something about mint candy.)
P.38
(they are looking at Hirasaka's card)
Yamada: "Eiji Hirasaka - Tokyo graduate, London school.... he's a portrait painter, eh?
Senju: "Yes"
Dr- "What?"
Yamada: "Anyway nobody's seen him"
Senju: "Why did I have such a thing, I wonder?"
(narrative: Eiji Hirasaka) [phone noises]
P.39
"Yes, Yuki here"
(narrative: that's how it's read)
"Yuki here, hullo?"
(narrative: chizu...)[alternative reading of these characters]
"Senju!? Senju, isn't it? What is it? It's Mother here! What are you doing? Where are you?
It's been a week,why? Have you been arrested? Are you eating? I'm worried, not angry. Come back soon! Senju, please say something!
Is that Senju? I wonder what you're doing.
Mother says..(?) It's OK! Mother is worried. Come back and we'll pamper, spoil you!"
P.40
"Please come back"
P.41
(Senju is concerned about the cost of consultting a doctor)
Yamada: "You're not going?"
Senju: "No."
(the Dr. says something about referral to an internal medicine clinic.)
(something about a paediatrics doctor being good)
[more weird stuff. Despite the glasses this is another character.]
P.42
Yamada: "Ha."
"Hello"
P.43
Senju: "Um"
Yamada: "How are you?"
Senju: "Um"
Yamada: "Is your head swimming? Are you OK?"
Senju: "Um"
Yamada: "Let's go. It's today, isn't it?"
P.44
(the masked character says something about his feeling that it will turn out well)
(he is talking about Senju's fall from the platform as though he was there)
P.45.
"'Please'"
"I wanted to break my back as the train approached (??)"
(various vague comments)
P.46
(Senju is remembering the time she fell from the platform and wondering who a particular face was)
P.47
(Senju remembers how her body went into a loop and slowly fell. Platform.. people ..everything stopped)
Senju: "That fellow was there then."
"This fellow!?"
(They wonder what the connection between Senju's fall and this fellow is - some lost article?)
P.48
Senju: "The card is from this gallery. Maybe if I went there I could meet him. I wonder if I remember seeing.."
Yamada: "I really don't know!"
Senju: "You're not my boyfriend, are you!!
P.49
(he teases her)
Senju: "Liar! Well..."
(she accuses him of something)
Narration: Not in the habit of being a lover
P.50
(Senju wonders about something)
Narrative: Help came
Assist- "It was some time ago, thank you very much. Eh? Hirasaka's destination?
Senju: "Me..where, what did he do?"
Yamada: "This is too far to walk. A taxi will be quicker."
Senju: "Wait, I'm utterly exhausted."
P.52
"My stomach is shrinking"
P.53
(something definitely inside)
"I'm sorry for the trouble"
P.54
Senju: (?)
Senju: "Yuki Senju...?"
Yamada: "That's a bullshit stinking name." [untranslatable joke about alternative reading of the characters of Senju's name]
Senju: "Did you paint this?"
H- "Yes."
Senju: "Is this case really mine? Did I really buy this picture? I spent 30,000 yen; that's not amusing. Do I remember the photo of this girl?"
H- "Is this girl sick?"
Yamada: "Um."
P.55
Yamada: "Sick - what about it?"
"As well to know."
P.56
Yamada: "Thank you for the rice. Could I have a second helping?"
Senju: "Could such a memory loss happen?"
Yamada: "Thank you. But what does that mean?"
H- " 'E' ? "E=MC^2. E. Difference.
P.57
"Are there others? B & C &."
"There are, but the best.. if you like."
"Eiji's 'E' (more guesses in kata)
Narration: So it's a special 'E'
E- "It's unreasonable to fix on a meaning."
Yamada: "She's fallen asleep while eating."
P.58
(they are arguing about the platform accident)
H- "What? Why me?"
Yamada: (accuses H. of failing to see the incident)
Yamada: "Are your eyes bad?"
H- "Damm."
Narration: After-image
P.59
Narration: That time..
Yamada: (some rude comment)
P.60
H- "I wasn't paying attention for a little time"
Yamada: " 'EGO' has 'E'' ... egoist, egoism"
Yamada: (he says something about it costing 30,000 yen and why did she buy it)
P.61
H- "One doesn't understand the other person's reasons for wanting a thing. You talk well."
Yamada: "I've become drunk. Memory and the ego are different things. If I lost mine..
Yamada: "Who would I become."
P.62
"Do you say that someone who has lost memory is the same person?"
P.64
(This page is about the meaning of 'I' the narrator)
Narrative: The person called 'I' lost in the story doesn't exist. (....?..?) With my lost memory 'I' would probably disappear? Or else in spite of the same 'I' organise matter become probably is. Probably sees the same dreams. Probably falls over the same stone.
P.66
Senju: "Good morning"
H- "Yes, good morning"
P.67
Narrative: Not used to this face. Day is dawning but memory is not returning.
P.68
Yamada: "Good morning. What's the matter?"
Senju: "Good morning."
Narrative: Memory of yesterday. The memory of the fall from the station platform onto the track comes. Schoolgirl now "i"'s story entirely.
P.69
Senju: "This house? What am I doing here?"
(A conversation about what to do with Senju's trunk, and then about her reasons for running away - which Yamada suggsts are to do with impending divorce.)
P.70
"Stop the death pretence and go home quickly. The house like this would be hell. How would I live with you?"
P.71
Yamada: "Shall I go home with you?"
"That seems a good idea."
P.72
(some convoluted argument about returning Senju home)
P.73
Yamada: "But are you speaking from personal experience?"
(more argument)
Senju: "I don't understand at all" [She's not the only one..GC.]
P.74
"Are all painters like that?"
P.75
(some philosophical comments)
P.76
"Draw your own conclusions"
"Er, is that fellow in the art business?"
"What do you see in the picture?"
"I only see a black character 'E' ".
"A letter 'E' ?"
"Um, here we are..."
"Do you live alone here?"
"Um
"It's a nuisance, the elevator's broken down."
"This way."
[302: Yamada's apartment.]
P.77
Yamada: "OK? Go in."
Senju: "I.. should I be here?"
Yamada: "I'm quite happy. I'd like to live with a cute girl like you."
Senju: "What a thing to say. What would people think? What are your intentions for tomorrow?"
Yamada: "It's an enjoyable thing to do."
P.78
Yamada: "It's alright. (he makes a speech about maybe wanting to forget).
Yamada: "It's all here."
Senju: "It's alright to begin."
P.79
Yamada: "Speak!"
Senju: "It's no good, I want to go home. Please!"
Yamada: "Why?"
P.80
(Senju expresses unease while Yamada tries to persuade her to stay.)
Yamada: "I understand. Give me your hand."
P.81
Senju: "Right hand? Left hand? Which?"
Yamada: "Here's my telephone number."
(He tells her to ring any time in the 24 hours)
Yamada: "Come back soon, OK?"
Senju: "Yes."
P.82
"Thank you."
P.83
Senju: "Should I delay? OK, I know the address, I can properly go home alone. OK."
P.84
Senju: "Perhaps.."
[note the plate with the names of the 3 members of the YUKI family.]
"Yes?"
P.85
M
other- "Senju! "
Father- "You've come back!"
Mother- "What have you been doing till now? Where have you been? (etc) Dear, you go to the office (??) I'll explain.
Father: - . "Look at the time. I'll leave it to you. Yes, welcome back."
[door slams]
"Hey,what about me?"
P.86
Mother- "I've been worried. Father was worried too. OK, what would you like? Are you hungry?"
Senju: "Um, er..um...bath."
Mother- "Bath! Well, yes, good, I'll run it now.
Senju: "The bath's over there - where's my room? Here? That's the toilet. That's the kitchen."
P.87
Senju: "Success!"
Narration: This is Senju's room. Crime...(??). Did not remember.
[phone number on her wrist]
Will probably do it tomorrow.
P.88
Narration: Enjoyable just. Always doing good.
Senju: "Indeed. Mother's intentions are good."
Senju: "The bed is soft. I should get into the bath. This is happiness, isn't it?"
P.89
Senju: "What's this single entry?"
Narration: A friend written in alone.
Senju: "I'll write in Hirasaka-san's name."
Narration: The schedule is blank.
(the TV programs are filled in though)
Mother- "Senju! Bath!"
Senju: "OK."
P.90
(??)
Mother- "What? Go to school? Why? It's noon already."
Senju: "I though I'd go as I have had plenty of rest."
Mother- "As far as the school is concerned you could say you had a persistent cold."
Senju: "But mother, I try to be an honest girl."
P.91
(Mother asks why Senju is saying this)
(She thinks that when small Senju was a dispbedient rather than a crying girl)
(She hopes Senju will be quiet about the problem).
P.92
Senju: "Please be gone" [barrier?]
Narrative: Senju should believe
Senju: (??(
"Yuki-san!"
Higurashi: "Good morning. You've been off a long time. Are you OK?"
P.93
Senju: "You? Why at this time?"
Higurashi: "Me?"
(She reels off a list of school subjects - physics, chemistry, world history, that Senju should be concerning herself with)
Senju: "Well I was a little abrupt. Should I know you? Were you my friend?"
Higurashi (thinks) What?
Higurashi: "You mean a 'go to the toilet together person?" [don't ask] "Or a lover?"
Senju: "No! Not at all! Not that sort of person!"
Higurashi: "Hikawa Emiko can go to Hell. While you were at home everybody found out."
P.94
Senju:(thinks) "Everyone? Everyone? Who? Who?"
(everybody knows the story except the teachers)
Higurashi: "That hair.."
Senju: "Why my hair? What about it.. Oh, it's a trouble to do. I lost the feeling of being a highschool girl." [she searches her bag] "The hair fastener's not there. I need a clip."
Higurashi: "You can buy one at school, really Yuki-san."
P.95
"Still, such a personality was.."
Senju: "I - I- I- was always different from this?"
Higurashi: "That's even more amusing." (makes a remark about Senju's story)
P.96
"Senpai! Senpai! Higurashi-senpai!"
"Good morning! This afternoon,isn't it?"
Higurashi: "Good morning"
(Schoolgirls: chatter, gossip)
"Popular subject, isn't it. Don't take any notice."
P.97
Senju: "Ah, why?" (She says something about boys that makes Higurashi's eyes go big)
Higurashi:- "That's an embarrassing thing to say."
Senju: "Why? It's quite nice really. You're going deep red."
"Senju-san."
P.98
Senju: "Yes."
Hikawa- "It's been a long time. Good morning, Higurashi-san."
Higurashi- "Good morning."
(Hikawa & Higurashi make barbed remarks to each other about 'night play' and the possibility of rumour reaching the staff room. Warning...)
Higurashi: "Or else Yuki-san?"
P.99
Hikawa- "Not at all. It won't make any difference."
Higurashi- "You too."
Senju: "Wait! Why? Who was that?"
P.100
Senju: "Hikawa Emiko? No! Her? Damm!"
Higurashi- "Who are you? Are you really Yuki-san? You're not sick are you? Since when?"
Higurashi- "Sick?"
Senju: "Um."
P.101
Higurashi: "Memory loss?!!"
(Senju explains how she fell from the train platform and got back home)
Senju: "I don't know why I left home."
(Higurashi speculates on who else might be involved)
Higurashi: "Hikawa, perhaps? She's your closest friend, isn't she?"
Senju: "Didn't say."
(Senju explains her ignorance)
Higurashi: "Your friend alright at least".
P.102
(Higurashi says something about recovery)
Senju: "Recovery?"
(Higurashi makes a speech about feelings, memory loss, whatever)
Senju: "We're in the same class, aren't we?"
P.103
Higurashi: "I'm in 3-3, you're in 3-2"
(they could change classes??)
Senju: "Can I write your address and phone number in my address book?"
Higurashi: "What for? Are you alright?"
Narrative: A slight headache.
Narrative: (the narrative is about memory improving with the aid of clues.)
P.104.
Hikawa: "Shall we walk home together?"
Senju: "Yes."
P.105
Hikawa: "Sorry..Was it my fault you left home?"
Senju: "Why do you think that?
Hikawa: "Weren't you closely questioned?" (she talks about somebody being trapped by a silent telephone..wife)
Hikawa: "Sorry"
Narrative: What's this? I don't understand.
P.106
Narative: Wife?
Hikawa: (something about constant questioning...wife.. your name)
Hikawa: "Who made the secret report?
Narration: Secret report?
Senju: "Who? Who?"
Hikawa: "Once I was seen with my boyfriend leaving some place. Higurashi-san dislikes me."
Senju: "She hated you?"
Hikawa: "Me? How?"
P.107
(they continue to talk about relationships & Higurashi)
P.108
(they talk about somebody's wife and the unhappiness caused by a 'secret report'
Hikawa: "I don't feel any resentment."
P.109
Senju: "Surely this is the contact address of Hikawa-san's boyfriend? Hmm, I wonder about adultery."
(She looks at her right wrist on which Yamada's phone no. is written.)
Senju: "Something thinly written with the left hand. Clumsy, eh?"
Senju: "I have to phone Moridaku-san!"
P.110
(She recalls that she couldn't phone during school hours but wonders about phoning now [1am?] ).
I wonder what Father's doing?
P.111
He seems to be eating snacks.
Where's Mother?
P.113
Yamada: "Yes, Yamada....Senju?"
P.114 "Um, I'm brushing my teeth, can you wait 3 or 5 minutes?"
P.116
Probably see the same dream.
Probably the same stone falls down.
Probably fall in love with the same man.
P.117
Yamada: "OK, ready."
P.118
Senju: "Mother."
Mother "Why did you hang up?"
P.119
Mother: "Why are you phoning from this outside phone? Is there a problem with our phone? Who are you phoning? A boy? A girl? Why don't you tell your mother? Senju! Why didn't you use our phone?"
Senju: "Father- Father- Father was watching TV."
P.120
Father: "Watching TV?"
"Phone message about returning to school."
Father: "Senju! Senju said what!! I can watch TV in my own house!"
Mother: "Dear! It's the early hours of the morning. Let's go to bed, please!"
"You.."
P.121
Senju: "Father doesn't like getting angry.He likes Mother's cooking."
"It's a bitch."
Higurashi: "Yuki-san, is everything Ok with your studies? (She asks a question about classes and university prospects).
Senju: "I'm trying for an outside university."
P.122
Senju: "Where are you aiming for?"
Higurashi: "Don't ask me that..."
Teacher: "O-i, take your seats! Yuki, shouldn't you be in a different classroom next door?"
Senju: "Yes. See you later."
Senju: "Examination class?" [looks at door to 3-2]
p.123
Senju: "I wonder if I can remember my studies."
Teacher: "The results of last month's test have arrived. Please come up in seat number order."
Higurashi: "See, I have the mind of a junior high school student. I'm beaten. Why did I have anything to do with that weird fellow?"
Senju: "5/40 23/301 Amazing! fifth in class and 23rd in the school year! Clever Senju!"
Hikawa: "Senju."
P.124
Senju: "Yes?"
Hikawa: "How was it?"
Senju: "Fifth in class and 23rd in year."
Hikawa: "That's a step back."
Senju: "Eh?"
Hikawa: "Recently you were 17th."
Senju: "Oh well, bad feeling..."
Hikawa: "K-W- aim at being 5th in year". ( )
Senju: "In year? And Hikawa-san?"
Hikawa: "I'm top, of course."
P.125
"This evening OK? To stop by?"
Senju: "Yes.."
Senju: "At my place?"
Hikawa: "Tomorrow is Sunday. Please?"
Senju: "Yes"
(narration) So it was..
Hikawa Emiko: this person was Senju's first and foremost friend.
Hikawa: "Thanks. I'll phone from home about the time."
(narration) Head OK? Smiling, cheerful, grown-up?
P.126
(something about getting worse instead of better)
"Why are Senju-san and that girl friends?"
"Higurashi-san!"
P.127
"Good catch!"
"Club? Basketball, of course. Today I felt that some sport would make me feel better. Do you want to join in?"
[ball snatched away]
P.128
Yamada: "Nice!"
Senju: "Why? What ae you doing here?"
Higurashi: "An acquaintance?"
P.129
Senju: "Wow!"
Yamada: "Why was that phone call cut off?"
Higurashi: "Are you Yuki-san's boyfriend?"
Senju: "Er.."
Yamada: "Boyfriend, yes! Pleased to meet you."
Higurashi: "He's very confident; where did you meet?"
Senju: "When I fell from the station platform, he rescued me."
Higurashi: "A magnificent introduction!"
Yamada: "In my youth I was a physical training graduate, 4 years ago."
P.130
Yamada: "Oh, dammit."
Higurashii: "I'm fitter than you."
P.131
Higurashi: "This fellow..."
Yamada: "Delicious." [draws on cigarette].
"Disappointed?"
P.132
Yamada: "I didn't expect you to take my hand and run away with me."
Senju: "That day but for the sake of stopping on the way for cigarettes.."
P.133
"It was that sort of day."
P.134
Yamada: "That's not amusing."
Senju: "It's not an enjoyable subject."
Yamada: "Huh?"
(they talk about doing something more enjoyable- like getting drunk).
P.135
Yamada: "Do I like that?"
Senju: "Un?"
Yamada: "I like it a lot."
P.136
Mother: "What time do you think this is?"
P.137
Mother: "Where have you been? What have you been doing?
Who have you been with? A girl should not be outside at this time. A phone.."
[note: time = 10.20pm]
Senju: "Phone? Mother, did Hikawa-san phone? Did she leave a message?"
Mother: "I don't know...who?"
Senju: "Hikawa Emiko! Did she come round? Did she phone? Didn't she phone?"
Mother: "There was a phone call this evening, but..."
Senju: "Oh hell! What a problem, I didn't know.."
P.138
Mother: "What on earth do you mean?"
Senju: "I forgot! Hikawa-san was coming this evening to stay over."
Mother: "Do I get a say in the matter?"
Senju: "I said, unless..[phone] yes, did she go out? Is she at your house? No, at home until.. Yes, I'll contact you at once, yes."
P.139
Mother: "Senju? What about giving your mother an explanation?"
Senju: "They don't know where Hikawa is."
Mother: "Well! So the girl has left home."
Senju: "Because her home was like a police box reporting on her! Mother, what did you say on the phone?"
Mother: "I can't remember what I said..."
Senju: "Think!"
(Narrative) (says that Mother wasn't much help)
P.140
Senju: "I wonder what's happened to Hikawa-san!"
Mother: "That's very proper, but.."
Mother: "Dear, you're back."
[they exchange the traditional Japanese greetings]
Mother: "Senju! Wait!"
P.141
Mother: "Senju."
Father: "Why?"
P.142
Dear me!
P.143
Higurashi: "Where's that yellow head?" [that IS what she says; don't ask me what it means!!]
"Good morning."
Senju: "Good morning. Have you heard anything about Hikawa-san?"
"I remember seeing her. She's like a performing artist. Yesterday she was leavuing a street in Shibuya."
"What!"
"Who?"
P.144
Senju: "Hikawa suspended from school!? Why?"
"Didn't you hear there were enquiries on Saturday?"
"On Sunday she was walking with a man in the street."
"A man? Who?"
"Hayashi, the assistant university professor."
"What, really!?"
"That man has a wife! Besides, they're newlyweds."
(something about marriage & friendship)
P.145
(narrative) This evening and overnight where will she go?
"What a pity the assistant professor will get the sack; there's no escape."
"That's usual, it won't be overlooked."
(narrative) Where are you spending the night?
"But why the inquiry? Were the two planning to run away together?"
(narrative) I ... I'm sorry.. I... that phone call.
"But Hikawa-san? Yes, that's right."
Higurashi: "This three year suspension from school is painful; home house arrest. (something)
Senju: (says something about what's wrong with the school and missing a chance)
P.146
Higurashi: "I'm really sorry."
"Yuki-san!"
Girl: "Yuki-san, the teachers have called for you. They want you to go to the staff room; about the Hikawa business."
Hikawa: "I'm sorry."
P.147.
Senju: "Hikawa-san, I' m really sorry. I..."
Hikawa: "Why apologise?"
Senju: "Why? Because I forgot our arrangement."
Hikawa: "I was puzzled.. but it's alright. Co-operate."
(narrative) - a comment about the results being the same whatever.
P.148
(phone call interlude)
"I...your.... husband...is playing around with a senior high school girl... Hayashi-sensei."
P.149
"He's committing adultery."
(Narrative) Senju-san - I - told the secret!!"
P.150
Hikawa: "You're Higurashi-san, aren't you?"
Higurashi: "What?"
Hikawa: "What did you say to Senju-san?"
(Higurashi says something about not saying much)
P.151
Higurashi: "A relief?"
Hikawa: "Liar."
[sign: school office:]
(Senju says that it's her fault for starting the uproar, apologises for being bad and asks for the suspension to be lifted. The teacher says that she helped her friend and that someday her friend would understand. The teacher says that Hikawa decided on reflection to accept the punishment.]
Narrator: What idiots, I think. Is there a heavier crime than for one person to betray another?
P.153
(various thought about treachery)
"What will I do tomorrow?"
P.154
Senju: "A trip? Why? What about school?"
Mother: "It's two or three days off but it shouldn't matter."
Senju: (protests that important school work is imminent within a week).
P.155
Mother: "Your out of school side is also important."
Senju: "What about Father? Is he following?"
Mother: "Father should be at the office. Just me."
(Senju says something sarcastic about the relative importance of school and office.)
Mother: "Must make preparations." (she drops a bombshell about visiting a cult leader for consultations.)
Senju: "Cult leader!?"
P.156
[Senju packs the 'E' painting into her suitcase.]
P.157
Driver: "Shall I take the young lady's baggage?"
Senju: "It's OK, it can travel with me."
P.158
(narration) The train is arriving at platform 1..The train -
P.159
-is arriving at platform 1.
Mother: "Sen- SENJU?!"
P.160
Senju: "Please. Heavens! Early arrival."
Yamada: "Yes."
P.161
[they embrace]
P.162
[Senju undresses]
P.163
[no comment!]
P.164
"In a minute."
[302 is Yamada's apartment. The fancy socks identify the visitor as HIRASAKA Eiji - the artist.]
END OF ECCENTRICS #1.
Synopsis c. G.Cowie 1996.