Smoke Over Tokyo (Reiko Watanabe Inspector Aizawa Book 2) by Matthew Legare

Author:Matthew Legare [Legare, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Mist Books
Published: 2018-11-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Thick, friendly throngs filled Tokyo Station, comprised of every section of Japanese society. There were men and women, young and old, traditional and modern. A few months ago they had gathered here to shout banzai cheers for soldiers departing for Manchuria and Shanghai. But today they awaited the arrival of that comedic genius of the silver screen, the great Charlie Chaplin.

Although Inspector Aizawa’s scolding words from last night rang through her mind, Reiko felt at ease. Here she was, about to see her childhood dream come true. She would look for Katsuro Okamura right afterward but for this brief moment, she lived out her childhood fantasy.

She’d even dressed herself in a new outfit; blue button-up blouse and skirt, matching cloche hat, white leather gloves, all topped off with a yellow neckerchief and high-heels. Surely Chaplin-san would notice this chic moga at the front of the crowd.

Crammed in between a group of salarymen in business suits and housewives in their most impressive silk kimonos, Reiko stood on the station platform, waiting for Chaplin’s incoming train from Kobe. Off to the side was a line of reporters, readying their notepads while photographers screwed in new flashbulbs.

Dozens of stern-faced police officers formed a wall of dark uniforms, preventing anyone from getting too close to the Hollywood star. A who’s who of Tokyo society awaited Chaplin-san on the other side of the officers. Wearing a frock coat, top hat, and tails, Hideojiro Nagata seemed overdressed, even for the mayor of Tokyo. Kenichi Enomoto, Japan’s “King of Comedy” and co-founder of Casino Follies, eagerly awaited his counterpart from the West. Most impressive was the Prime Minister’s middle-aged son and member of the Imperial Diet, Takeru Inukai. Unfortunately, Toshio Yanagi was also part of the welcoming committee, looking dapper in a double-breasted blue suit and fedora. Although she was probably unrecognizable without her makeup and shimada wig, Reiko nevertheless pulled her cloche hat tighter.

A shrill whistle cut through the air and Reiko leaned forward. After a few minutes, a train lurched into Tokyo Station, electrifying the throng. Children waved small Japanese and American flags. Fans held up banners proclaiming “Japan Welcomes Charlie Chaplin” and “Tokyo Loves the Little Tramp” in English and Japanese. As they waited, a band from Tokyo University struck up “My Blue Heaven.” Moments passed before the cabin door opened and Charlie Chaplin walked out.

At least she thought it was Chaplin. Although the white foreigner stood only a few centimeters taller than his Japanese hosts, he barely resembled the waddling, pratfalling Tramp from the pictures. Instead of his derby hat, Chaplin removed a homburg, revealing a head full of white hair. He wore a light-gray suit, not the tattered coat and cane from all his movies. Most strange of all was Chaplin’s face; clean shaven and missing that iconic mustache.

Dozens of flashbulbs popped as Chaplin shook hands with Mayor Nagata, “King of Comedy” Enomoto, Dietman Yanagi, and the Prime Minister’s son. Then he spun around and waved to the crowd with his homburg like a true showman.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.