Nasu Volume 2 Chapter 10 Thirty-nine People (part 2) - Page 27 - Chapter 10 - Thirty-nine People (part 2) - Page 28 - Aya: What is it? Can I help you?! Chief: Family? Both: No. Chief: Well, you see, we were hoping to be able to use the kitchen in your home. We've got 10 kg of rice, it's just before 5 o'clock... And we need to make dinner for twenty-two people. Takama: Right now? - Page 29 - Chief: The caterers we were hiring went out of business. We need your help. Takama: Who's gonna make the food? Chief: Him, and two other people from the supply group. Takama: So when do I make my own dinner? If you add me and count twenty-three people, that's six times in the rice cooker. As for the stove, I live alone so you'll only be able to make one portion at a time. If you're just adding salt to rice, it'll work, but if you want to add anything, Aya: May I use your phone? Hello, Aunt? You have a really big stovepot at home, don't you? Takama: Can't you go buy something? There's still time. Chief: Hmmm. - Page 30 - Aya: Chief, we have a pot. The Takahashi family down in town will lend it to you. Chief: Thank you. Takama: All right, then. What's going over the rice? Aya: How about pork miso soup, or curry? Those are quick. Chief: Right. Hi, Kimura? Bring the rice. And potatoes, onions and curry powder. Also, visit the home of Kiyoshi Takahashi in the Satake area to borrow a pot. Aya: Food for twenty-four, OK? - Page 31 - Takama: Buy some cans of tomatoes, too. Six. That makes it taste better. Aya: Okay, then get some rakkyo too. (Note: Rakkyo is a type of Japanese shallot, which is usually uncooked and pickled in light vinegar. Most often used as a garnish with grilled fish and meat.) Chief: You got all that? Good. May we use a phone book, as well? Arrange for some prepared food, starting tomorrow. Man: Yes sir. Chief: I'm going back up. - Page 32 - Kimura: 'sup? Man: There you are, Kimura! Takama: An old-fashioned pot! Man: Once you've unloaded, come up and talk with the chief. Takama: Oh, wash the vegetables outside. I'll clean the rice. Aya: Should I slice them? Takama: Sure. - Page 33 - Takama: Cut them thin, so they'll cook quickly. Aya: All done. Takama: OK, here. Thanks, we've got enough help. Man: What's that? Takama: Spices. Aya: Am I just in the way? Takama: Er, no- Aya: I was cutting onions... Takama: You should have told me, I would have done it... Aya: Should I open the cans? Takama: NO! Hold on a second. - Page 34 - Takama: I'll keep those cans and use some of mine. Aya: Oh. How thrifty. Takama: You always use the oldest stuff you have. Wrap it up in this coat and let it steam. - Page 35 - Takama: Now we set the pot cooking. Aya: Will we finish in time? Takama: Oh, right. We don't have enough plates. Aya: We don't have plates! Chief: Really? How many? Oh well, we'll do something. Do something. Man: I'll do something. Chief: Is the rice ready? Aya: We'll have half done in 15 minutes, the rest done in 40! - Page 36 - Aya: They said they'll do something about the plates. Takama: Have a seat, then. All we do is wait for it to cook. Cooking for a lot of people is tough. Aya: It sure is. Mmm, yummy. Takama: Yeah, I just tried tossing a buncha random stuff in. Aya: They could pay us for doing this. Takama: That again? Lay off the get-rich-quick ideas. Aya: Am I weird? Am I like some kind of MISER even though I'm supposed to be kind and helpful at this age? - Page 37 - Takama: I dunno. Aya: (sighhh) Sometimes I wonder about myself. Get a load of this. My dad's company just died, right out of the blue. I had no idea. Maybe we could have done something, had I known. Or maybe we couldn't. Doesn't mean I don't feel frustrated. Do we just stand there with our arms crossed and watch it happen? NO! I gotta do SOMETHING, or else it leaves a bad aftertaste. Man: Is the rice ready? Aya: Yes, it's all done. Man: I'll take it out, then. Takama: We're eating, too. Aya: I'll carry something. Man: Don't worry, this is heavy. - Page 38 - Man: Did you make this? Aya: No, it was Mr. Takama here. Man: We had paper plates in the van, but not enough spoons. Chief: Okay. - Page 39 - Takama: Thanks for the help; it's getting late. Crew: (No, roll that up! Roll it!)(I want zima!) Aya: Yes, I need to wash the pot and get home soon. Takama: Don't worry. I'll wash it and send it back later. Aya: No, I'm the one who borrowed it. Guys: Huh? What? What do you mean, what? Ahhhh? Filming crew meets at 9:30? Who cut this schedule? Tomorrow morning's been moved to tonight. - Page 40 - Director: Oh well, switch the cuts around. They're already here. We'll take this part here and move it here. Men: Bringin' 'em down. Got it. So what food did we miss, Director? Director: Nice hot curry. Good stuff. Takama: I'm about to take her home. That pot's pretty big. Chief: Thank you. The staff all loved the food. Here's the money for our cancelled catering business. Takama: Well, good for you, uhhh... Aya. - Page 41 - Chief: And also... Can you make a late dinner for thirty-three people, by 1 o'clock? Aya: For how much? What do we have left? Chief: The film and sound crews accidentally came early. It's my job to keep them happy. - Page 42 - Aya: This could be tough. Do we even have enough rice? Takama: We used too much meat in the curry; all that's left is dried food. Aya: It's a late supper. We need something that will satisfy them. Takama: I guess just broth would be kind of weak. Aya: Do you have wheat flour? As much as possible. And a few people with nothing else to do? We'll mince everything up, roll up some dough and make gyoza. Mushrooms, dried shrimp, dried Shiitake, and seaweed. The shells will be labor-intensive. - Page 43 - Chief: Is anybody free to work? Well? Man: Mr. Kamebuchi the photo engineer is having all the helpers look through the finder and play with the focus. Chief: Oh, shit. Director: Yeah. Man: Maybe he's angry about that time you spent 285 yen per person on meals. Chief: Shut up, I only need three people. Where are you going? Takama: Not enough ingredients; gonna pick some from my fields. Aya: Hurry, hurry. Sprinkle some flour for me. Kimura: Sure. - Page 44 - Takama: Got some onions and rape. (Note: Rape being the unfortunately-named plant that is commonly harvested for the oil of its seeds, i.e. rapeseed oil.) Aya: Okay, I'll cut them. Can you wrap them up for me? Chief: Kimura, go light a fire in the gangan. Kimura: Gotcha. Black thing: gangan - Page 45 - Director: So you made this? Aya: No, I got help from the staff. Chief: Hurry, go wash these chopsticks and plates. Kamebuchi: I didn't think I would get to eat boiled gyoza. This one time we had 285 yen meals. Seaweed and croquettes. GOD it was terrible! Chief: We'll wash the pot and bring it back tomorrow. Here's your money. Takama: I'll drop you off. Aya: Thanks. So the actors are coming tomorrow? Chief: That's right. - Page 46 - Aya: *yaaawn* I need to pay my aunt for the use of the pot. Takama: You had a enriching day of work today. Aya: Tell me about it. I can probably buy ingredients for snacks with the leftover money. Takama: Snacks. People: Good morning. Good morning. Kamebuchi: Finally, we get to film some PEOPLE. Start. - Page 47 - Chief: What about lunch? Kimura: Uh, 33 minus 3 from art direction, plus 9 from actors, costume, still cameras. 39 people. Director: Cut! Cut. Bike: (put put put put put) Chief: Excuse me, the noise from the bike is getting picked up in the mics... Matsu: Oh, sorry. Bike: (put put put put put) Matsu: Man, it's like you just sneeze and then everyone turns around and stares at ya. Takama: Uh... sorry, what? Aya: May I use your refrigerator? - Page 48 - Aya: I made too much, so I brought the rest over. Actress: Oooh, jello. Aya: And kuzumochi. (Note: Kuzumochi is a type of cake made with arrowroot, served with a brown sugar sauce.) Chief: It's a hot day today. Aya: Is there anything else you'd like me to bring? Like tarts? (300 yen a piece) Kamebuchi: May I request something? Aya: If you tell me in advance, I can get some fine sugar to use. - Page 49 - Aya: I'm going to use your kitchen, okay? - Page 50 - Aya: Hi! Is tomorrow your last day? Chief: At this location, yes. Man: Snacks are here! Get up! Men: That's it for rehearsal. Take one! Take one. Start. Start. Action! - Chapter 10 End -