Red Dead Wagon 4: Two Tombs (1995) - full transcript
Kyoto
Go and control traffic
in the parking lot.
Have enough envelopes?
They're late.
The funeral address
was too long.
We'll have to cut out
the telegrams.
We'll need more
censer stands.
Bring two censer
stands.
Where are they?
There's a pile of
spare ones in the car.
Yes, sir.
What are you doing?
Never mind. You get
the censer stands.
Is she going to
make it?
Give her a chance.
Not too many girls want
to work for an undertaker.
Still...!
Are you all right?
She feels ill.
Is she with you?
No. But can she
rest somewhere?
Can you walk?
Here's a pillow.
Have some water?
I must be going.
Take care.
TWO GRAVESTONES
"Belle Maison
RAKUNAN"
Haruhiko?
Hello?
Oh, it's you,
Akiyama.
What do you mean "Oh"?
Who were you expecting?
No one. What is it?
Are you familiar
with the
Wakamizu School of
Japanese dance?
Sure. It’s one of the
top two in Kansai.
Its head is Wakamizu
Juho, I believe.
Juho's passed away.
He has?
There's going to
be a big funeral.
There's just one
problem.
What problem?
I can't tell you
over the phone.
Can you come to the Lake
Riwa Grand Hotel?
I'll be in the lobby.
Come in regular clothes
and bring the van.
Hello...?
Why?
Akiyama!
Akiko!
What is it?
Don't tell me Juho
passed away here.
Juho's body is here.
Let's move it to
his home.
We can't.
Why not?
He was with a
young woman.
A woman?
He died "in the act."
In the...?
No!
For the sake of
appearances,
his wife wants to say
he died at home.
His wife is here?
The woman panicked
and phoned her.
It's an unnatural death.
We can't move the body.
A doctor's confirmed
he died of illness.
Strictly speaking,
there are problems.
But compromising
celebrity deaths have
always been kept
under wraps.
The police look
the other way.
They do?
Look, business
is business.
Think of the fees
for the wake,
the funeral, and the
parting ceremony.
And the profits from
all the accoutrements.
It's big money
for us!
Akiyama...
Sorry. I got
carried away.
It's business. Do
what you have to do.
Business is business!
That's it!
Somehow I feel like I'm
walking into a trap.
Akiko.
Let's go!
The master's wife
is his second wife.
Very pretty, and
about your age.
That young?
Sorry to be late.
This is my boss.
I'm Ishihara. You have
my deepest sympathy.
It's you.
Why, yes.
An acquaintance?
I saw her at Yamada's
funeral recently.
I didn't notice.
Dr. Iwamoto examined
my husband.
He was deceased by
the time I came.
The cause of death
was a stroke.
Nothing questionable.
A stroke?
My husband had high
blood pressure.
He had a minor stroke
a year ago.
You'd better have
the family doctor
write the death
certificate.
Aren't you the
family doctor?
I just happened to
be in the hotel.
My wife is a Wakamizu
pupil.
You don't say.
Well, I'd better be going.
I'm sorry for imposing.
Thank you.
Pardon me, I must be leaving.
Mr. Akiyama must
have told you.
Will you move my
husband's body?
Yes. Certainly.
I will gladly, gladly
accept this this task.
Leave it to us, we'll take care
of everything without fail.
Just a moment.
Errr..
Pardon me for
asking this,
but where's the woman
your husband was with?
Akiko...
I paid her to leave.
Paid her?
It may seem strange.
But I had to protect
the Wakamizu reputation.
Will you do it?
Certainly.
Shouldn't we dress
the body?
I put on his underwear.
Akiyama?
Open up!
Where did you
find this?
I have connections.
In there?
Just for a while.
Such color. He looks
like he's sleeping.
I'll hold his head.
-He's heavy.
-It's OK.
I'll take the feet, Akiko.
You take the waist.
Yes.
And... lift!
Change places... this way...
yes...
Make sure we don't
forget anything.
You take this room.
There's no one around.
Ah, madam. We'll be
waiting at the back door.
Take care of checking out
straight away and then come.
Understood.
Hold on a second.
OK, got it.
Well that worked out well.
We can relax now
we've got this far.
I feel a bit like a murderer.
Enough of the silly talk.
Everything we do is to help people.
And for money.
That too.
"Wakamizu Juho"
"Service Entrance"
Is anyone home?
No. It's a day off
for everyone.
That's perfect.
Everything went well.
Thanks to you two.
We're happy to
have helped.
We'll go back to the
office and stand by.
I'll call the
family doctor now.
Won't the family doctor
think it's strange?
Huh?
About Juho.
That it's already been
two hours since he died.
And Rigor Mortis is
starting to set in.
If an expert saw that, they would
certainly think it's suspicious.
Then it depends how
well the wife plays it.
I guess it's possible she might
confess everything, I don't know.
Everything?
Yeah.
If it's a longtime
family doctor.
If you worry
unnecessarily too much.
You'll get old before your time.
I already have.
Why so huffy? Had a
fight with Haruhiko?
Here it comes!
Ishihara Mortuary.
Mrs. Wakamizu?
Master Juho of the
Wakamizu School?
My deepest sympathy.
We'll be right there.
This is it!
"In Mourning"
If you're not sure of anything,
ask the old guy!
Hurry up!
Everyone's running, you too!
You, fool! Go!
Good work!
Is he getting on
your case?
I don't care.
Funerals are interesting.
Interesting?
Wrong thing to say.
The death certificate,
Akiko?
The family doctor wrote
it up right away.
See? No problem, I'll
take it.
The funeral date?
The wake's on the 2nd,
and a private funeral
on the 3rd,
and the funeral when
the children come home.
The children?
Juho had two children
by his first wife.
The eldest is a musician
in New York.
With no intention of
carrying on the school?
The other is a daughter
attending a Tokyo college.
She has no interest
in Japanese dance,
so they have a
succession problem.
What about his wife?
Wasn't she a pupil?
That's a whole
other problem.
Mrs. Wakamizu?
Father! Where's Father?
Father...!
Why? Why so suddenly?
I can't believe it!
Someone tell me!
I told you over the
phone. He had a stroke.
Not you!
You always looked
after Father, Mitsuyo.
What happened last
night?
I'm sorry! I was
back at home.
At home?
There were no lessons,
so everyone was out.
You were?
You mean Father was
here alone with her?
What did you do
to Father?
What do you mean?
I mean, didn't you
kill Father?
That's going a bit
too far, Yumiko!
Why would I kill
your father?
Ask yourself.
You married him to
take over the school.
Just a minute.
Your father did die
of illness.
The doctor wrote a
death certificate.
You stay out of it!
This is a family
matter.
It's not for some
lowly undertaker.
Lowly undertaker?
You think a scrap
of paper means
anything to a daughter
who's lost her father?
Stay out of it!
No way!
We undertakers have
procedures to follow.
If you have doubts about
the cause of death,
why not have the
police investigate?
If the police do
investigate,
everything's off.
Why, there may even
be an autopsy.
An autopsy?
So suit yourself.
Let's call the
police.
I am Wakamizu
Juho's wife.
I won't stand to be
accused of his murder.
Call the police.
No, Mistress! Please,
Miss Yumiko!
Fine. Call the police.
I have my doubts about
the master's death.
Let's get to the
truth of it.
You be quiet!
Go on. Call the
police.
It's Inspector Kariya.
Don't tell him about
moving the body.
It'll get messy.
I know!
Inspector Kariya!
Some family members doubt
the cause of death.
It's our job to
investigate.
This is Dr. Eto, the
medical examiner.
How do you do?
It involves the problem
of Wakamizu succession.
We'll see if it was
a natural death or not.
If this turns into
a police case,
everything will go
up in smoke!
We'll be in the red!
That happened?
Yes it did.
So the wake is put
off for now.
That's terrible.
Akiyama must be
pale.
In a panic, I'd say.
What if it's one
of those?
Those what?
"Wakamizu Master
Dies Mysteriously."
"Internal Struggle
for Succession!"
You've been watching
too much TV.
The results?
Ishihara Mortuary.
She's here.
Your future husband.
Hello, Haruhiko?
From the bullet train?
We just passed Nagoya.
I'll be there in an hour.
What shall I do?
Go or you'll be
late!
What about the
Wakamizus?
Leave them to Akiyama.
Is your place tidy?
No.
Go on!
Contact me if something
comes up.
I know!
Bye!
Change into something
more colorful!
I wonder if she will.
Why should I be
so concerned?
Ishihara Mortuary.
Akiyama?
Akiko? Well, she's...
Gone home?
She caught a cold so
she went home to rest.
She didn't look sick.
What happened to the
Wakamizu problem?
He did die of illness.
So everything's back
on schedule?
I'll run things
here tonight.
So tell her to get well
and come out tomorrow.
Is the boss sick?
I wonder if...?
If what?
That incurable disease
of hers.
I don't get it.
I'm having a bath.
Will you join me?
This is no good.
Why'd I bring this?
Akiko, could you take
that for cleaning?
How long can you stay?
Till tomorrow or
the day after.
How about getting
away for a few days
before you start
playing detective?
Leave your work
to Akiyama.
Well...
Hello? Yoshie?
Any word?...
That's good.
What about tonight?...
Thanks. I owe you one.
Death by illness?
Hiding something?
I get the picture.
The daughter sure
came on strong.
Bad blood between her
and her stepmother.
But to accuse her
of murder.
Maybe she had a
good reason.
Any ideas?
No. But you know
how the man died.
"In the act"?
It's the best way
for a man to go.
Seriously!
Just kidding!
That's terrible.
Still, I've got a hunch
there's something...
Gently! Don't damage it!
Don't drop it!
Good morning!
Sorry about last
night.
Oh, yes. How's
your cold?
It's... fine.
That's good.
It's nothing.
Trouble!
Now what?
Everyone's arguing!
Over what?
The grave.
The grave?
You know Father loved
his Lake Biwa villa.
That's different.
The Wakamizu family
grave is here in Kyoto.
Reiko... I mean,
Mistress.
Isn't it more
important to
honor the master's
wishes?
My husband's wishes?
You know he bought a plot
of land behind the villa.
He wanted to rest in peace
overlooking Lake Biwa.
He also wanted to be
interred, not cremated.
We can't do that!
Of course we can.
Can't we?
Well, yes, depending
on the site.
No! I won't have it!
You mean to defy
Father's wishes?
Interment? Of
all things.
I don't know where
her head's at.
Maybe she still suspects
the cause of death.
If the body's interred,
it can always be exhumed.
For what, though?
The police claim he
died of a stroke.
Why not tell her
the truth?
The truth?
That he died, not at
home with his wife,
but at a hotel while
having an affair.
Everything's on hold
till the son comes home.
Hideo!
She's like a little
girl.
Did you see a man
with sunglasses?
No.
May I ask you
something?
Yumiko wanted to carry
on the Wakamizu school?
Her brother aspired
to be a musician.
But she loved dance,
and the master had
high hopes for her.
What made her change?
I did.
She changed when I
married her father.
She used to be such
a sweet girl.
Not that I blame her.
She was at a very
impressionable age,
when into her late
mother's home came
a woman young enough
to be Juho's daughter.
I tried to get
along with her,
but to no avail.
It's hard to escape
the stepmother image.
Maybe that's my
destiny.
I want to talk to
you, in private.
Cremation?
The ashes, however,
will be buried
in Kyoto as well as
at Lake Biwa.
Suit yourselves.
I'm not through.
When the funeral service
and burial are over,
we want you out of
our house.
What do you mean?
We don't want you to
carry on the school.
You may be Wakamizu
Juho's wife legally.
But not to my
sister and me.
We'll compensate you for
your years of service.
But we want you to give
up your inheritance.
If you refuse to,
we'll charge you with
driving our father
to this death.
Both the family doctor
and medical examiner
have certified that
he died of a stroke.
Father was taking
medication for
high blood pressure.
I know that. I gave
it to him.
You could easily have
switched medications.
Yumiko!
You were the only one
with him when he died.
I would never do
such a thing!
Maybe not.
But you might have
left him to die.
You're wrong!
We'll let the
court decide.
That's enough!
You're the undertaker.
Listening in on us?
Yes, and you're
wrong to accuse her
of killing master
Juho.
What would you
know?
Your stepmother
wasn't there when
your father died.
What do you mean?
You leave me no
choice.
Master Juho didn't
die at home.
He died in Room 1181 of the
Lake Biwa Grand Hotel.
A hotel?
He was with a
young woman.
Don't you dare
insult my father!
I'm only stating
the facts.
You told them?
You told me to.
Stop playing detective!
And?
They wouldn't
believe me at first.
But they did?
The brother did, but
not the sister.
Who'd want to believe
that her father died
while having an affair?
Yeah. I'm regretting it a
little that I said too much.
I wonder what the wife will do?
Reiko was engaged to
someone else when
Juho married her.
Juho broke them up?
He was a promising
Wakamizu pupil.
According to Yoshie,
the know-it-all...
Internal strife?
Juho had a younger
brother, Shinji.
Shinji was the more
talented of the two,
and the school was
divided as to
which should carry on
the Wakamizu tradition.
Fed up with it,
Shinji went abroad
and that was that.
But now he's rumored
to be back in Japan.
What does that have to
do with Juho's death?
Everything!
Everyone knew Juho
wasn't in good health,
particularly those
who supported Shinji.
That changes things.
Don't tell me you think
Juho was murdered.
It's a possibility.
But the cause of
death was...
Stop sounding
like a detective!
This is my opinion
as a physician.
You could agitate a
hypertensive person
and cause his death.
You mean Reiko hired
a woman to cause
Juho to die in
the act?
Or maybe Shinji did.
I'm beginning to sound
like a detective!
You can't be sure
he'll die, though.
So what? You just
keep trying.
Cut it out!
I still can't believe
Reiko's a suspect.
Not just her.
Who has the most to gain
from Juho's death?
Most to gain?
Reiko is a suspect.
So is the brother,
Shinji.
And maybe someone who's
trying to take control
by marrying Yumiko.
Will you go and take a look?
Go where?
The Lake Biwa Grand
Hotel where Juho died.
Haruhiku?
Are you busy with
a funeral tomorrow?
I'm lonely.
I've caught the
detective's disease.
Inspector Kariya.
Do you have a moment?
We got a strange
call.
A call?
From a woman who
claimed that
Wakamizu Juho died at
the Lake Biwa Grand.
Did he?
Why ask me?
As the undertaker,
didn't you rush over?
Well, yes.
To his home or to
the hotel?
What are you two
up to?
Akiyama...
To his home, of
course.
Mrs. Wakamizu notified us
of Master Juho's death
at 11:05 that night.
I could have gone
over by myself.
But it was the head of
the Wakamizu School.
I thought the boss
should also go.
So I woke Akiko up
and we both went.
I see. So it was
a crank call.
A bad one!
Sorry to bother you.
Anytime, sir!
Well?
Wakamizu Juho died
at home.
It was a crank call?
For now.
For now?
I can't quit smoking,
especially when
something's bugging me.
There's more to it?
That we'll have
to check,
maybe at our own
expense.
I'm game.
Let's go for a drive.
A drive?
To the Lake Biwa
Grand Hotel.
1181...
Here it is.
Yes?
Is this the room
Wakamizu Juho was in?
Who's that?
Don't you know?
No. There was a guest
from Tokyo in here.
From Tokyo?
He was here on business
for a week.
A week in here?
Yes.
Is there something...?
Oh, no. Pardon me.
Thank you.
I'm back.
Hello.
I'm beat.
You are.
The newcomer serves
everyone tea.
I didn't come here
to serve tea.
It's you!
I'll give this cake to
someone else then.
I'll do it!
Maybe we should get
a tea maker.
Don't waste money!
I have to do the
billings.
What a workaholic!
I'm going to get changed.
Inspector Kariya?
Excuse me!
Bye!
Why don't you call
it a day?
I'm staying awhile.
You go on home.
I'll stay, too.
Oh, no!
What?
This.
Moving fee with
special casket.
What special casket?
That cardboard box
we used.
It was just an
empty box.
We needed it for
the move.
Come on!
Forget it then.
I'll mark up another
item.
I'll never go under
with you around.
Is that flattery
or sarcasm?
It's the ultimate
compliment.
Why, thank you.
I'm going.
You are?
Lock up for me.
It's you.
Anything?
Something odd.
Odd?
To tell the truth...
Wait.
You called the
police?
I told them the master
died at a hotel.
I was so sure it
was Yumiko.
Why would you tell
the police
and shame Master
Juho?
I just can't
believe the master
went out that night.
Why is that?
The master always
went out in his limo.
But the chauffeur
was off that night.
Maybe he took a taxi
or hired a limo.
He never took taxis,
and always hired
the same limo.
But not that night.
I can't believe he was
with a woman, either.
He used to have affairs
in his younger days,
but not anymore because
of his poor health.
Not even once in
a while?
No. I could tell when
he was going out.
When I heard of his
death and rushed over,
his hair was
disheveled.
Disheveled?
In the casket, his hair
was neatly combed.
I used hair product
and combed it for him.
Did you really bring him
back from the hotel?
Of course. I'd never
met him before.
But I recognized him
from the magazines.
It was his body.
She was convincing.
About Juho not
going out?
What if Juho...
Do you think I was
dreaming?
No. Akiyama was
there, too.
But something's
bothering you.
His hair?
Juho's hair was combed
at the hotel.
So she lied about it
being disheveled?
How could it be unless
it was shampooed?
Besides...
Besides what?
His hair product had
a strong scent.
His hair product?
But in the casket
the next day...
It was different?
I feel like I'm
flipping out.
It was no ordinary
death.
I saw Inspector
Kariya at the hotel.
Inspector Kariya?
With Detective
Hashiguchi.
He didn't believe
our story.
Not just that. He
smelled a case.
You said something
was odd.
Are you sure you
moved Juho's body
out of Room 1181?
Absolutely sure.
Why?
Odd.
What is?
The housekeeper told
me a Tokyo guest
was in that room for
the past week.
No!
Other staff told
me the same thing.
Who was this guest?
A salaryman named
Tanaka.
What's going on?
LAKE BIWA
Anytime I'm on a drive with you I'm
caught up in some kind of incident.
That's impolite of me.
Does it bother you?
Don't be silly.
If it bothered me, I'd have
gone back to Tokyo already.
"Lake Biwa Grand
Hotel"
They won't let us in.
We aren't the police.
If I go by the room,
I'll know if I made
a mistake.
Inspector Kariya!
Well, well. Staying
at this hotel?
No.
Please.
Which floor?
The room?
This one?
Room 1181. It's
open today.
Want to see it?
Been here before?
Well...
5 nights ago,
you moved Juho's body
out of this room.
Didn't you?
I'm sorry.
I'll let you go
this time.
But no more holding
out on me.
I don't get it.
Someone else was in this
room the past week.
You know that?
A Tokyo businessman named
Tanaka was in this room.
Then why was Juho's
body in here?
Yes, why?
What do you think?
Juho had a pupil book
this room as Tanaka.
Wrong. Juho did
use this hotel.
But she stayed in the best
room under his real name.
Tanaka was a nondescript
man in his late 30s.
Inspector!
Got something?
There was no Tanaka at the
Tokyo address he left.
That figures.
So you've no lead
on him?
Just one.
What?
A maid saw a strange
man in the hallway.
A strange man?
A man with dark-rimmed
glasses and a mustache
who looked like Tanaka
from the back.
But Tanaka doesn't wear
glasses or a mustache.
The maid was sure it
was a disguise.
A disguise?
He was wearing a coat
just like Tanaka's.
What is it?
When exactly did
she see him?
5 nights ago.
The night Juho died.
Have an idea?
It was him.
The doctor?
A Dr. Iwamoto. His wife
knew Reiko, he said.
Looks like we've got
a lead.
Excuse us.
If Tanaka is Iwamoto,
he's no doctor.
He also booked that
room for a purpose.
If Reiko knew Iwamoto
wasn't a doctor,
she must have something
to do with him.
Well, yes.
Why did she call us?
To confirm to you Juho
died of natural causes.
Meaning he didn't?
He was probably
murdered at the hotel.
He wasn't with any
young woman.
Reiko made that up.
Why would that woman
phone her?
Reiko,
Yumiko tells me the
master died at a hotel.
Who was this woman
he was with?
I don't know.
The master died in
this house.
I know nothing about
a hotel or...
Stop pretending!
Don't lie!
Do you want to shame
the master?
If people find out he
died at a hotel,
you know what'll
happen, Ogata!
Did you notice anything
unusual about the body?
I'm thinking.
Such color. He looks
like he's sleeping.
Such color?
His cheeks were
flushed.
That's it. Cyanide.
Cyanide?
Cyanide poisoning causes
flushing.
It does?
I assumed he died of a
stroke, and that did it.
Shape up, detective!
Don't tease!
Still, even if Reiko and
Iwamoto did kill Juho,
why at a hotel? Why
not at home?
Everyone was out. Reiko
and Juho were alone.
Perfect for a murder.
What?
How could I forget?
Forget what?
Doctors.
The family doctor and
the medical examiner
also examined Juho's body.
How could they not
detect cyanide poisoning?
You mean Juho did
die of...
...a stroke.
What was the big act
at the hotel for?
I don't know.
Shape up!
No woman?
None of Juho's lovers were
with him at the hotel.
You checked their alibis?
Of course.
A mystery woman.
What about Iwamoto?
He's no doctor. But
that's all we know.
Good morning.
Good morning, you say?
It's around noon already.
Are the funeral photos ready yet?
Yes, I'm making up an album.
Is the newspaper using
smaller type these days?
Why don't you get
some new glasses?
Oh yes! You'd look more stylish.
Right?
Enough of that.
These glasses suit me fine.
Give me that.
It's him! I'm going
out.
It's that disease
of hers again.
Disease?
The incurable one,
you mean?
No.
The Sherlock Holmes
Disease.
I don't get it.
It's...
Do you know him?
It's Nishiki, the
mistress' lover.
Reiko's lover?
His name is Nishiki
Masaya.
He was the young hope
of the Wakamizu School.
Wasn't Reiko an
accredited dancer, too?
How could I miss it?
Juho broke the two up
and Nishiki vanished.
So he had a motive
for killing Juho.
He and Reiko most likely
killed Juho together.
I think so.
But why at
a hotel?
That's just it.
Let's take it from
the top.
You and Akiyama confirmed
Juho's death in Room 1181.
Nishiki Masaya, posing
as a doctor, declared
that he died of a
stroke.
Two other doctors then
confirmed
that the cause of death
was a stroke.
But what was Juho doing
in Nishiki's room,
and what about this
woman he was with?
What if Reiko was
that woman
and she caused Juho to
die "in the act"?
Then why didn't she
call a real doctor?
Married couples stay
at hotels.
They would've stayed in
Juho's favorite room, too.
True.
That's right!
I forgot... Here it is!
What's that?
I think I'm on to
something.
I'm sorry to call you.
What do you want?
I see.
Let's arrest them.
Not yet.
The fish are in
our net.
We just need proof
to haul them in.
Really?
Strangers might mistake
the two.
I'll have them
checked.
Where's Akiko?
Akiyama!
I can't do it.
You're the only one
who can.
Why me?
Please?
Let's go!
Thank you kindly.
It's a complimentary
service we provide.
I'll pay for the funeral
services at the bank.
Thank you.
One more thing.
Yes?
About burying the ashes
in the Lake Biwa plot.
There's no rush.
We agree.
When we applied for
a burial permit,
we found out that area
maybe be rezoned.
Rezoned?
We didn't want to see
the grave dug up.
So we recommend that
you hold off on it.
Isn't that Wakamizu Juho's
brother Shinji in here?
How did you know?
She refused to talk until
she speaks to you.
Will you see her?
Yes.
I wanted to speak
to her, too.
That talk about
rezoning was a trick.
I wasn't sure,
but that was the best
place to hide the body.
When did you suspect?
The first time I saw the
body at the hotel.
People remove their
glasses when they go to bed.
But he was well-groomed,
as if he were going out.
When I suspected you and
Nishiki Masaya of murder,
I was on to something
bigger.
Master Juho's cause
of death.
Three doctors determined
the cause of death.
One of them, of course,
was Nishiki.
All three agreed it
was a stroke,
and as such, it didn't
prove murder.
But you still suspected
us of murder. How?
The doctors examined the
body at different places.
The family doctor and the
medical examiner at the house,
and Nishiki, the imposter,
at the hotel.
The real doctors examined
Master Juho,
who died of a stroke.
But Nishiki examined his
brother Shinji,
who was poisoned.
Master Juho and Shinji
looked a lot alike.
They're like twins.
Really?
Strangers might mistake
the two.
You and Nishiki used that
to plan the murder.
But you were too
tricky.
Tricky?
The glasses.
Master Juho's trademark
was his tinted glasses.
You figured no one would
guess it was Shinji.
But just in case,
you put Master Juho's
glasses on him.
Master Juho preferred
a pocket watch
to a wrist watch with
his kimono.
But that body had
on a wrist watch.
Then there were the gray
hairs on the pillow.
You could tell the brothers
apart by their hair.
While Master Juho's
hair was still black,
Shinji's hair was graying.
Wasn't it?
Those hairs revealed that the
brothers had different blood types.
Ready to talk?
Reiko...
I've got someone
that I love too.
So I think I can understand.
your feelings a little.
You were being kept apart from
Nishiki against your will.
That was your feeling.
Juho forced himself on
me in front of him.
The Wakamizu house
was hell to me.
Reviled as a gold
digger after
the master's fame
and fortune,
I tried many times
to leave. But...
You want to make a
laughingstock of me?
I won't let you!
You're my property,
like my glasses and
my watch!
You're an ornament,
so act like one!
Then one day...
It was a three-year reunion
and subsequently...
I thought I recognized
my brother's wife.
Who's he?
That's when he started
blackmailing us.
Shinji was once regarded
a genius in dance.
When he lost the Wakamizu
headship to Juho,
he successfully taught
dance abroad.
But he ruined himself
through debauchery,
and came back to
Japan broke.
Shinji kept demanding
more.
When he found out about
Juho's poor health,
he plotted to take over
the Wakamizu headship.
He obtained a drug to
raise blood pressure,
and urged me to
switch it with the
anti-hypertension
medication.
I hated Juho.
But Shinji was no
less despicable.
So you conspired
with Nishiki
to get rid of both
of them.
We sold our souls
to the Devil.
After giving Juho the
drug Shinji gave me.
I offered to
bathe with him.
The drug was deadly.
Confirming Juho's death,
I contacted Nishiki
and rushed to the hotel
Shinji was at.
Hurry up!
You know the rest.
When Shinji died,
I called Nishiki.
We dyed Shinji's hair.
and covered up the
smell with hair product.
Then I got you to move
his body to the house,
where we switched it
with Juho's body,
and Nishiki took it
away to bury.
You must think of me
as an evil woman.
You're right about that.
I'm a woman who killed two people.
Whatever condemnation
I get for it
is inevitable.
Reiko...
But... I didn't do it to
take over the school.
I wished in fact that
it would die.
I did it for Nishiki
and me.
I just wanted to
protect our love.
Another day off ends up
caught up in an incident.
Sorry!
No! That's how it is with us.
Come to Tokyo. Leave
undertaking to Akiyama.
No way!
Akiyama!
I figured you'd
be here.
What is it?
We're handling the funeral
for Wakamizu Shinji.
Good for you.
Sorry. Maybe next time.
I'm sorry, Haruhiko.
It's hopeless.
You monster!
Cast
KATAHIRA NAGISA
WAKARAYASHI GO
KANA AKIKO
OMURA KON
OMURA KON
A funeral on a day off.
A funeral on a day off.
YAMAMURA MOMIJI
A funeral on a day off.
It can't be helped.
SAITO KOJI
Circumstances are what they are.
YOSHINO MAYUMI
SAHARA KENJI
NAKAO AKIRA
Aikiko.
NAKAO AKIRA
KANDA MASAKI
What is it?
Will you go to
Tokyo tomorrow?
Tokyo?
For the Mortuary
Association convention.
You could take a
break afterwards.
Akiyama...
No?
I'll go! You're
such a saint.
Not quite yet.
Go and control traffic
in the parking lot.
Have enough envelopes?
They're late.
The funeral address
was too long.
We'll have to cut out
the telegrams.
We'll need more
censer stands.
Bring two censer
stands.
Where are they?
There's a pile of
spare ones in the car.
Yes, sir.
What are you doing?
Never mind. You get
the censer stands.
Is she going to
make it?
Give her a chance.
Not too many girls want
to work for an undertaker.
Still...!
Are you all right?
She feels ill.
Is she with you?
No. But can she
rest somewhere?
Can you walk?
Here's a pillow.
Have some water?
I must be going.
Take care.
TWO GRAVESTONES
"Belle Maison
RAKUNAN"
Haruhiko?
Hello?
Oh, it's you,
Akiyama.
What do you mean "Oh"?
Who were you expecting?
No one. What is it?
Are you familiar
with the
Wakamizu School of
Japanese dance?
Sure. It’s one of the
top two in Kansai.
Its head is Wakamizu
Juho, I believe.
Juho's passed away.
He has?
There's going to
be a big funeral.
There's just one
problem.
What problem?
I can't tell you
over the phone.
Can you come to the Lake
Riwa Grand Hotel?
I'll be in the lobby.
Come in regular clothes
and bring the van.
Hello...?
Why?
Akiyama!
Akiko!
What is it?
Don't tell me Juho
passed away here.
Juho's body is here.
Let's move it to
his home.
We can't.
Why not?
He was with a
young woman.
A woman?
He died "in the act."
In the...?
No!
For the sake of
appearances,
his wife wants to say
he died at home.
His wife is here?
The woman panicked
and phoned her.
It's an unnatural death.
We can't move the body.
A doctor's confirmed
he died of illness.
Strictly speaking,
there are problems.
But compromising
celebrity deaths have
always been kept
under wraps.
The police look
the other way.
They do?
Look, business
is business.
Think of the fees
for the wake,
the funeral, and the
parting ceremony.
And the profits from
all the accoutrements.
It's big money
for us!
Akiyama...
Sorry. I got
carried away.
It's business. Do
what you have to do.
Business is business!
That's it!
Somehow I feel like I'm
walking into a trap.
Akiko.
Let's go!
The master's wife
is his second wife.
Very pretty, and
about your age.
That young?
Sorry to be late.
This is my boss.
I'm Ishihara. You have
my deepest sympathy.
It's you.
Why, yes.
An acquaintance?
I saw her at Yamada's
funeral recently.
I didn't notice.
Dr. Iwamoto examined
my husband.
He was deceased by
the time I came.
The cause of death
was a stroke.
Nothing questionable.
A stroke?
My husband had high
blood pressure.
He had a minor stroke
a year ago.
You'd better have
the family doctor
write the death
certificate.
Aren't you the
family doctor?
I just happened to
be in the hotel.
My wife is a Wakamizu
pupil.
You don't say.
Well, I'd better be going.
I'm sorry for imposing.
Thank you.
Pardon me, I must be leaving.
Mr. Akiyama must
have told you.
Will you move my
husband's body?
Yes. Certainly.
I will gladly, gladly
accept this this task.
Leave it to us, we'll take care
of everything without fail.
Just a moment.
Errr..
Pardon me for
asking this,
but where's the woman
your husband was with?
Akiko...
I paid her to leave.
Paid her?
It may seem strange.
But I had to protect
the Wakamizu reputation.
Will you do it?
Certainly.
Shouldn't we dress
the body?
I put on his underwear.
Akiyama?
Open up!
Where did you
find this?
I have connections.
In there?
Just for a while.
Such color. He looks
like he's sleeping.
I'll hold his head.
-He's heavy.
-It's OK.
I'll take the feet, Akiko.
You take the waist.
Yes.
And... lift!
Change places... this way...
yes...
Make sure we don't
forget anything.
You take this room.
There's no one around.
Ah, madam. We'll be
waiting at the back door.
Take care of checking out
straight away and then come.
Understood.
Hold on a second.
OK, got it.
Well that worked out well.
We can relax now
we've got this far.
I feel a bit like a murderer.
Enough of the silly talk.
Everything we do is to help people.
And for money.
That too.
"Wakamizu Juho"
"Service Entrance"
Is anyone home?
No. It's a day off
for everyone.
That's perfect.
Everything went well.
Thanks to you two.
We're happy to
have helped.
We'll go back to the
office and stand by.
I'll call the
family doctor now.
Won't the family doctor
think it's strange?
Huh?
About Juho.
That it's already been
two hours since he died.
And Rigor Mortis is
starting to set in.
If an expert saw that, they would
certainly think it's suspicious.
Then it depends how
well the wife plays it.
I guess it's possible she might
confess everything, I don't know.
Everything?
Yeah.
If it's a longtime
family doctor.
If you worry
unnecessarily too much.
You'll get old before your time.
I already have.
Why so huffy? Had a
fight with Haruhiko?
Here it comes!
Ishihara Mortuary.
Mrs. Wakamizu?
Master Juho of the
Wakamizu School?
My deepest sympathy.
We'll be right there.
This is it!
"In Mourning"
If you're not sure of anything,
ask the old guy!
Hurry up!
Everyone's running, you too!
You, fool! Go!
Good work!
Is he getting on
your case?
I don't care.
Funerals are interesting.
Interesting?
Wrong thing to say.
The death certificate,
Akiko?
The family doctor wrote
it up right away.
See? No problem, I'll
take it.
The funeral date?
The wake's on the 2nd,
and a private funeral
on the 3rd,
and the funeral when
the children come home.
The children?
Juho had two children
by his first wife.
The eldest is a musician
in New York.
With no intention of
carrying on the school?
The other is a daughter
attending a Tokyo college.
She has no interest
in Japanese dance,
so they have a
succession problem.
What about his wife?
Wasn't she a pupil?
That's a whole
other problem.
Mrs. Wakamizu?
Father! Where's Father?
Father...!
Why? Why so suddenly?
I can't believe it!
Someone tell me!
I told you over the
phone. He had a stroke.
Not you!
You always looked
after Father, Mitsuyo.
What happened last
night?
I'm sorry! I was
back at home.
At home?
There were no lessons,
so everyone was out.
You were?
You mean Father was
here alone with her?
What did you do
to Father?
What do you mean?
I mean, didn't you
kill Father?
That's going a bit
too far, Yumiko!
Why would I kill
your father?
Ask yourself.
You married him to
take over the school.
Just a minute.
Your father did die
of illness.
The doctor wrote a
death certificate.
You stay out of it!
This is a family
matter.
It's not for some
lowly undertaker.
Lowly undertaker?
You think a scrap
of paper means
anything to a daughter
who's lost her father?
Stay out of it!
No way!
We undertakers have
procedures to follow.
If you have doubts about
the cause of death,
why not have the
police investigate?
If the police do
investigate,
everything's off.
Why, there may even
be an autopsy.
An autopsy?
So suit yourself.
Let's call the
police.
I am Wakamizu
Juho's wife.
I won't stand to be
accused of his murder.
Call the police.
No, Mistress! Please,
Miss Yumiko!
Fine. Call the police.
I have my doubts about
the master's death.
Let's get to the
truth of it.
You be quiet!
Go on. Call the
police.
It's Inspector Kariya.
Don't tell him about
moving the body.
It'll get messy.
I know!
Inspector Kariya!
Some family members doubt
the cause of death.
It's our job to
investigate.
This is Dr. Eto, the
medical examiner.
How do you do?
It involves the problem
of Wakamizu succession.
We'll see if it was
a natural death or not.
If this turns into
a police case,
everything will go
up in smoke!
We'll be in the red!
That happened?
Yes it did.
So the wake is put
off for now.
That's terrible.
Akiyama must be
pale.
In a panic, I'd say.
What if it's one
of those?
Those what?
"Wakamizu Master
Dies Mysteriously."
"Internal Struggle
for Succession!"
You've been watching
too much TV.
The results?
Ishihara Mortuary.
She's here.
Your future husband.
Hello, Haruhiko?
From the bullet train?
We just passed Nagoya.
I'll be there in an hour.
What shall I do?
Go or you'll be
late!
What about the
Wakamizus?
Leave them to Akiyama.
Is your place tidy?
No.
Go on!
Contact me if something
comes up.
I know!
Bye!
Change into something
more colorful!
I wonder if she will.
Why should I be
so concerned?
Ishihara Mortuary.
Akiyama?
Akiko? Well, she's...
Gone home?
She caught a cold so
she went home to rest.
She didn't look sick.
What happened to the
Wakamizu problem?
He did die of illness.
So everything's back
on schedule?
I'll run things
here tonight.
So tell her to get well
and come out tomorrow.
Is the boss sick?
I wonder if...?
If what?
That incurable disease
of hers.
I don't get it.
I'm having a bath.
Will you join me?
This is no good.
Why'd I bring this?
Akiko, could you take
that for cleaning?
How long can you stay?
Till tomorrow or
the day after.
How about getting
away for a few days
before you start
playing detective?
Leave your work
to Akiyama.
Well...
Hello? Yoshie?
Any word?...
That's good.
What about tonight?...
Thanks. I owe you one.
Death by illness?
Hiding something?
I get the picture.
The daughter sure
came on strong.
Bad blood between her
and her stepmother.
But to accuse her
of murder.
Maybe she had a
good reason.
Any ideas?
No. But you know
how the man died.
"In the act"?
It's the best way
for a man to go.
Seriously!
Just kidding!
That's terrible.
Still, I've got a hunch
there's something...
Gently! Don't damage it!
Don't drop it!
Good morning!
Sorry about last
night.
Oh, yes. How's
your cold?
It's... fine.
That's good.
It's nothing.
Trouble!
Now what?
Everyone's arguing!
Over what?
The grave.
The grave?
You know Father loved
his Lake Biwa villa.
That's different.
The Wakamizu family
grave is here in Kyoto.
Reiko... I mean,
Mistress.
Isn't it more
important to
honor the master's
wishes?
My husband's wishes?
You know he bought a plot
of land behind the villa.
He wanted to rest in peace
overlooking Lake Biwa.
He also wanted to be
interred, not cremated.
We can't do that!
Of course we can.
Can't we?
Well, yes, depending
on the site.
No! I won't have it!
You mean to defy
Father's wishes?
Interment? Of
all things.
I don't know where
her head's at.
Maybe she still suspects
the cause of death.
If the body's interred,
it can always be exhumed.
For what, though?
The police claim he
died of a stroke.
Why not tell her
the truth?
The truth?
That he died, not at
home with his wife,
but at a hotel while
having an affair.
Everything's on hold
till the son comes home.
Hideo!
She's like a little
girl.
Did you see a man
with sunglasses?
No.
May I ask you
something?
Yumiko wanted to carry
on the Wakamizu school?
Her brother aspired
to be a musician.
But she loved dance,
and the master had
high hopes for her.
What made her change?
I did.
She changed when I
married her father.
She used to be such
a sweet girl.
Not that I blame her.
She was at a very
impressionable age,
when into her late
mother's home came
a woman young enough
to be Juho's daughter.
I tried to get
along with her,
but to no avail.
It's hard to escape
the stepmother image.
Maybe that's my
destiny.
I want to talk to
you, in private.
Cremation?
The ashes, however,
will be buried
in Kyoto as well as
at Lake Biwa.
Suit yourselves.
I'm not through.
When the funeral service
and burial are over,
we want you out of
our house.
What do you mean?
We don't want you to
carry on the school.
You may be Wakamizu
Juho's wife legally.
But not to my
sister and me.
We'll compensate you for
your years of service.
But we want you to give
up your inheritance.
If you refuse to,
we'll charge you with
driving our father
to this death.
Both the family doctor
and medical examiner
have certified that
he died of a stroke.
Father was taking
medication for
high blood pressure.
I know that. I gave
it to him.
You could easily have
switched medications.
Yumiko!
You were the only one
with him when he died.
I would never do
such a thing!
Maybe not.
But you might have
left him to die.
You're wrong!
We'll let the
court decide.
That's enough!
You're the undertaker.
Listening in on us?
Yes, and you're
wrong to accuse her
of killing master
Juho.
What would you
know?
Your stepmother
wasn't there when
your father died.
What do you mean?
You leave me no
choice.
Master Juho didn't
die at home.
He died in Room 1181 of the
Lake Biwa Grand Hotel.
A hotel?
He was with a
young woman.
Don't you dare
insult my father!
I'm only stating
the facts.
You told them?
You told me to.
Stop playing detective!
And?
They wouldn't
believe me at first.
But they did?
The brother did, but
not the sister.
Who'd want to believe
that her father died
while having an affair?
Yeah. I'm regretting it a
little that I said too much.
I wonder what the wife will do?
Reiko was engaged to
someone else when
Juho married her.
Juho broke them up?
He was a promising
Wakamizu pupil.
According to Yoshie,
the know-it-all...
Internal strife?
Juho had a younger
brother, Shinji.
Shinji was the more
talented of the two,
and the school was
divided as to
which should carry on
the Wakamizu tradition.
Fed up with it,
Shinji went abroad
and that was that.
But now he's rumored
to be back in Japan.
What does that have to
do with Juho's death?
Everything!
Everyone knew Juho
wasn't in good health,
particularly those
who supported Shinji.
That changes things.
Don't tell me you think
Juho was murdered.
It's a possibility.
But the cause of
death was...
Stop sounding
like a detective!
This is my opinion
as a physician.
You could agitate a
hypertensive person
and cause his death.
You mean Reiko hired
a woman to cause
Juho to die in
the act?
Or maybe Shinji did.
I'm beginning to sound
like a detective!
You can't be sure
he'll die, though.
So what? You just
keep trying.
Cut it out!
I still can't believe
Reiko's a suspect.
Not just her.
Who has the most to gain
from Juho's death?
Most to gain?
Reiko is a suspect.
So is the brother,
Shinji.
And maybe someone who's
trying to take control
by marrying Yumiko.
Will you go and take a look?
Go where?
The Lake Biwa Grand
Hotel where Juho died.
Haruhiku?
Are you busy with
a funeral tomorrow?
I'm lonely.
I've caught the
detective's disease.
Inspector Kariya.
Do you have a moment?
We got a strange
call.
A call?
From a woman who
claimed that
Wakamizu Juho died at
the Lake Biwa Grand.
Did he?
Why ask me?
As the undertaker,
didn't you rush over?
Well, yes.
To his home or to
the hotel?
What are you two
up to?
Akiyama...
To his home, of
course.
Mrs. Wakamizu notified us
of Master Juho's death
at 11:05 that night.
I could have gone
over by myself.
But it was the head of
the Wakamizu School.
I thought the boss
should also go.
So I woke Akiko up
and we both went.
I see. So it was
a crank call.
A bad one!
Sorry to bother you.
Anytime, sir!
Well?
Wakamizu Juho died
at home.
It was a crank call?
For now.
For now?
I can't quit smoking,
especially when
something's bugging me.
There's more to it?
That we'll have
to check,
maybe at our own
expense.
I'm game.
Let's go for a drive.
A drive?
To the Lake Biwa
Grand Hotel.
1181...
Here it is.
Yes?
Is this the room
Wakamizu Juho was in?
Who's that?
Don't you know?
No. There was a guest
from Tokyo in here.
From Tokyo?
He was here on business
for a week.
A week in here?
Yes.
Is there something...?
Oh, no. Pardon me.
Thank you.
I'm back.
Hello.
I'm beat.
You are.
The newcomer serves
everyone tea.
I didn't come here
to serve tea.
It's you!
I'll give this cake to
someone else then.
I'll do it!
Maybe we should get
a tea maker.
Don't waste money!
I have to do the
billings.
What a workaholic!
I'm going to get changed.
Inspector Kariya?
Excuse me!
Bye!
Why don't you call
it a day?
I'm staying awhile.
You go on home.
I'll stay, too.
Oh, no!
What?
This.
Moving fee with
special casket.
What special casket?
That cardboard box
we used.
It was just an
empty box.
We needed it for
the move.
Come on!
Forget it then.
I'll mark up another
item.
I'll never go under
with you around.
Is that flattery
or sarcasm?
It's the ultimate
compliment.
Why, thank you.
I'm going.
You are?
Lock up for me.
It's you.
Anything?
Something odd.
Odd?
To tell the truth...
Wait.
You called the
police?
I told them the master
died at a hotel.
I was so sure it
was Yumiko.
Why would you tell
the police
and shame Master
Juho?
I just can't
believe the master
went out that night.
Why is that?
The master always
went out in his limo.
But the chauffeur
was off that night.
Maybe he took a taxi
or hired a limo.
He never took taxis,
and always hired
the same limo.
But not that night.
I can't believe he was
with a woman, either.
He used to have affairs
in his younger days,
but not anymore because
of his poor health.
Not even once in
a while?
No. I could tell when
he was going out.
When I heard of his
death and rushed over,
his hair was
disheveled.
Disheveled?
In the casket, his hair
was neatly combed.
I used hair product
and combed it for him.
Did you really bring him
back from the hotel?
Of course. I'd never
met him before.
But I recognized him
from the magazines.
It was his body.
She was convincing.
About Juho not
going out?
What if Juho...
Do you think I was
dreaming?
No. Akiyama was
there, too.
But something's
bothering you.
His hair?
Juho's hair was combed
at the hotel.
So she lied about it
being disheveled?
How could it be unless
it was shampooed?
Besides...
Besides what?
His hair product had
a strong scent.
His hair product?
But in the casket
the next day...
It was different?
I feel like I'm
flipping out.
It was no ordinary
death.
I saw Inspector
Kariya at the hotel.
Inspector Kariya?
With Detective
Hashiguchi.
He didn't believe
our story.
Not just that. He
smelled a case.
You said something
was odd.
Are you sure you
moved Juho's body
out of Room 1181?
Absolutely sure.
Why?
Odd.
What is?
The housekeeper told
me a Tokyo guest
was in that room for
the past week.
No!
Other staff told
me the same thing.
Who was this guest?
A salaryman named
Tanaka.
What's going on?
LAKE BIWA
Anytime I'm on a drive with you I'm
caught up in some kind of incident.
That's impolite of me.
Does it bother you?
Don't be silly.
If it bothered me, I'd have
gone back to Tokyo already.
"Lake Biwa Grand
Hotel"
They won't let us in.
We aren't the police.
If I go by the room,
I'll know if I made
a mistake.
Inspector Kariya!
Well, well. Staying
at this hotel?
No.
Please.
Which floor?
The room?
This one?
Room 1181. It's
open today.
Want to see it?
Been here before?
Well...
5 nights ago,
you moved Juho's body
out of this room.
Didn't you?
I'm sorry.
I'll let you go
this time.
But no more holding
out on me.
I don't get it.
Someone else was in this
room the past week.
You know that?
A Tokyo businessman named
Tanaka was in this room.
Then why was Juho's
body in here?
Yes, why?
What do you think?
Juho had a pupil book
this room as Tanaka.
Wrong. Juho did
use this hotel.
But she stayed in the best
room under his real name.
Tanaka was a nondescript
man in his late 30s.
Inspector!
Got something?
There was no Tanaka at the
Tokyo address he left.
That figures.
So you've no lead
on him?
Just one.
What?
A maid saw a strange
man in the hallway.
A strange man?
A man with dark-rimmed
glasses and a mustache
who looked like Tanaka
from the back.
But Tanaka doesn't wear
glasses or a mustache.
The maid was sure it
was a disguise.
A disguise?
He was wearing a coat
just like Tanaka's.
What is it?
When exactly did
she see him?
5 nights ago.
The night Juho died.
Have an idea?
It was him.
The doctor?
A Dr. Iwamoto. His wife
knew Reiko, he said.
Looks like we've got
a lead.
Excuse us.
If Tanaka is Iwamoto,
he's no doctor.
He also booked that
room for a purpose.
If Reiko knew Iwamoto
wasn't a doctor,
she must have something
to do with him.
Well, yes.
Why did she call us?
To confirm to you Juho
died of natural causes.
Meaning he didn't?
He was probably
murdered at the hotel.
He wasn't with any
young woman.
Reiko made that up.
Why would that woman
phone her?
Reiko,
Yumiko tells me the
master died at a hotel.
Who was this woman
he was with?
I don't know.
The master died in
this house.
I know nothing about
a hotel or...
Stop pretending!
Don't lie!
Do you want to shame
the master?
If people find out he
died at a hotel,
you know what'll
happen, Ogata!
Did you notice anything
unusual about the body?
I'm thinking.
Such color. He looks
like he's sleeping.
Such color?
His cheeks were
flushed.
That's it. Cyanide.
Cyanide?
Cyanide poisoning causes
flushing.
It does?
I assumed he died of a
stroke, and that did it.
Shape up, detective!
Don't tease!
Still, even if Reiko and
Iwamoto did kill Juho,
why at a hotel? Why
not at home?
Everyone was out. Reiko
and Juho were alone.
Perfect for a murder.
What?
How could I forget?
Forget what?
Doctors.
The family doctor and
the medical examiner
also examined Juho's body.
How could they not
detect cyanide poisoning?
You mean Juho did
die of...
...a stroke.
What was the big act
at the hotel for?
I don't know.
Shape up!
No woman?
None of Juho's lovers were
with him at the hotel.
You checked their alibis?
Of course.
A mystery woman.
What about Iwamoto?
He's no doctor. But
that's all we know.
Good morning.
Good morning, you say?
It's around noon already.
Are the funeral photos ready yet?
Yes, I'm making up an album.
Is the newspaper using
smaller type these days?
Why don't you get
some new glasses?
Oh yes! You'd look more stylish.
Right?
Enough of that.
These glasses suit me fine.
Give me that.
It's him! I'm going
out.
It's that disease
of hers again.
Disease?
The incurable one,
you mean?
No.
The Sherlock Holmes
Disease.
I don't get it.
It's...
Do you know him?
It's Nishiki, the
mistress' lover.
Reiko's lover?
His name is Nishiki
Masaya.
He was the young hope
of the Wakamizu School.
Wasn't Reiko an
accredited dancer, too?
How could I miss it?
Juho broke the two up
and Nishiki vanished.
So he had a motive
for killing Juho.
He and Reiko most likely
killed Juho together.
I think so.
But why at
a hotel?
That's just it.
Let's take it from
the top.
You and Akiyama confirmed
Juho's death in Room 1181.
Nishiki Masaya, posing
as a doctor, declared
that he died of a
stroke.
Two other doctors then
confirmed
that the cause of death
was a stroke.
But what was Juho doing
in Nishiki's room,
and what about this
woman he was with?
What if Reiko was
that woman
and she caused Juho to
die "in the act"?
Then why didn't she
call a real doctor?
Married couples stay
at hotels.
They would've stayed in
Juho's favorite room, too.
True.
That's right!
I forgot... Here it is!
What's that?
I think I'm on to
something.
I'm sorry to call you.
What do you want?
I see.
Let's arrest them.
Not yet.
The fish are in
our net.
We just need proof
to haul them in.
Really?
Strangers might mistake
the two.
I'll have them
checked.
Where's Akiko?
Akiyama!
I can't do it.
You're the only one
who can.
Why me?
Please?
Let's go!
Thank you kindly.
It's a complimentary
service we provide.
I'll pay for the funeral
services at the bank.
Thank you.
One more thing.
Yes?
About burying the ashes
in the Lake Biwa plot.
There's no rush.
We agree.
When we applied for
a burial permit,
we found out that area
maybe be rezoned.
Rezoned?
We didn't want to see
the grave dug up.
So we recommend that
you hold off on it.
Isn't that Wakamizu Juho's
brother Shinji in here?
How did you know?
She refused to talk until
she speaks to you.
Will you see her?
Yes.
I wanted to speak
to her, too.
That talk about
rezoning was a trick.
I wasn't sure,
but that was the best
place to hide the body.
When did you suspect?
The first time I saw the
body at the hotel.
People remove their
glasses when they go to bed.
But he was well-groomed,
as if he were going out.
When I suspected you and
Nishiki Masaya of murder,
I was on to something
bigger.
Master Juho's cause
of death.
Three doctors determined
the cause of death.
One of them, of course,
was Nishiki.
All three agreed it
was a stroke,
and as such, it didn't
prove murder.
But you still suspected
us of murder. How?
The doctors examined the
body at different places.
The family doctor and the
medical examiner at the house,
and Nishiki, the imposter,
at the hotel.
The real doctors examined
Master Juho,
who died of a stroke.
But Nishiki examined his
brother Shinji,
who was poisoned.
Master Juho and Shinji
looked a lot alike.
They're like twins.
Really?
Strangers might mistake
the two.
You and Nishiki used that
to plan the murder.
But you were too
tricky.
Tricky?
The glasses.
Master Juho's trademark
was his tinted glasses.
You figured no one would
guess it was Shinji.
But just in case,
you put Master Juho's
glasses on him.
Master Juho preferred
a pocket watch
to a wrist watch with
his kimono.
But that body had
on a wrist watch.
Then there were the gray
hairs on the pillow.
You could tell the brothers
apart by their hair.
While Master Juho's
hair was still black,
Shinji's hair was graying.
Wasn't it?
Those hairs revealed that the
brothers had different blood types.
Ready to talk?
Reiko...
I've got someone
that I love too.
So I think I can understand.
your feelings a little.
You were being kept apart from
Nishiki against your will.
That was your feeling.
Juho forced himself on
me in front of him.
The Wakamizu house
was hell to me.
Reviled as a gold
digger after
the master's fame
and fortune,
I tried many times
to leave. But...
You want to make a
laughingstock of me?
I won't let you!
You're my property,
like my glasses and
my watch!
You're an ornament,
so act like one!
Then one day...
It was a three-year reunion
and subsequently...
I thought I recognized
my brother's wife.
Who's he?
That's when he started
blackmailing us.
Shinji was once regarded
a genius in dance.
When he lost the Wakamizu
headship to Juho,
he successfully taught
dance abroad.
But he ruined himself
through debauchery,
and came back to
Japan broke.
Shinji kept demanding
more.
When he found out about
Juho's poor health,
he plotted to take over
the Wakamizu headship.
He obtained a drug to
raise blood pressure,
and urged me to
switch it with the
anti-hypertension
medication.
I hated Juho.
But Shinji was no
less despicable.
So you conspired
with Nishiki
to get rid of both
of them.
We sold our souls
to the Devil.
After giving Juho the
drug Shinji gave me.
I offered to
bathe with him.
The drug was deadly.
Confirming Juho's death,
I contacted Nishiki
and rushed to the hotel
Shinji was at.
Hurry up!
You know the rest.
When Shinji died,
I called Nishiki.
We dyed Shinji's hair.
and covered up the
smell with hair product.
Then I got you to move
his body to the house,
where we switched it
with Juho's body,
and Nishiki took it
away to bury.
You must think of me
as an evil woman.
You're right about that.
I'm a woman who killed two people.
Whatever condemnation
I get for it
is inevitable.
Reiko...
But... I didn't do it to
take over the school.
I wished in fact that
it would die.
I did it for Nishiki
and me.
I just wanted to
protect our love.
Another day off ends up
caught up in an incident.
Sorry!
No! That's how it is with us.
Come to Tokyo. Leave
undertaking to Akiyama.
No way!
Akiyama!
I figured you'd
be here.
What is it?
We're handling the funeral
for Wakamizu Shinji.
Good for you.
Sorry. Maybe next time.
I'm sorry, Haruhiko.
It's hopeless.
You monster!
Cast
KATAHIRA NAGISA
WAKARAYASHI GO
KANA AKIKO
OMURA KON
OMURA KON
A funeral on a day off.
A funeral on a day off.
YAMAMURA MOMIJI
A funeral on a day off.
It can't be helped.
SAITO KOJI
Circumstances are what they are.
YOSHINO MAYUMI
SAHARA KENJI
NAKAO AKIRA
Aikiko.
NAKAO AKIRA
KANDA MASAKI
What is it?
Will you go to
Tokyo tomorrow?
Tokyo?
For the Mortuary
Association convention.
You could take a
break afterwards.
Akiyama...
No?
I'll go! You're
such a saint.
Not quite yet.