Pale Flower (1964)

Ryô Ikebe: Muraki

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Quotes 

• Muraki : People - such strange animals. What are they living for? Their faces are lifeless, dead. They're desperately pretending to be alive. Why make such a big deal about slaughtering one of these dumb beasts?

• Saeko : The stakes are so small. I'm losing interest. I don't care if I win or lose. You know anywhere they play for higher stakes?

  Muraki : How high?

• Muraki : Ask anyone: I'm no good. Even I think so. I'm the scum of the earth. I have nothing in common with ordinary society. But still - I forgive myself.

  Saeko : I know. No matter what others say, I forgive myself too.

• Saeko : Why do you do what you do? You went to prison for killing a man, right?

  Muraki : Yeah.

  Saeko : A crime like that...

  Muraki : It was no crime. Far more ordinary than that. I had no reason to stab him. It wasn't about honor, or duty, or saving face. I killed a man I had no reason to kill. It was just a matter of whose number came up, whose turn it was. But at the moment I killed him, I knew it was the only way I could survive. As I stabbed him, he said, "You don't have a wife and kids." I really hated him right then. But when I stabbed him, I felt more alive than I ever had before.

• Muraki : Enough! Don't let your mouth be your ruin.

• Yakuza's Lover : The sooner he dies, the better.

  Muraki : How long has he made you sleep in the shop like this?

  Yakuza's Lover : Eight years. Ever since I was 15.

  Muraki : You still hate him?

  Yakuza's Lover : I may have been his step daughter, but I was still his child. He's a beast. And my dead mother - she knew. He's no father. He's an animal. A pig!

  Muraki : That first time - you and I went to that movie theater - you gave in so easily. In the darkness we were like pigs too.

  Yakuza's Lover : I love you. I really do!

• [first lines] 

  Muraki : Back in Tokyo. It's been three years. It makes my head spin. What on earth is this?

• Muraki : Someone's looking for a big game. Know of any?

  Aikawa : Sure - but can you vouch for this person?

  Muraki : Yes.

  Aikawa : What sort of a player?

  Muraki : It's a woman.

  Aikawa : A woman? An amateur, then.

  Muraki : That's right. But she's definitely a different breed.

  Aikawa : Some white bitch?

  Muraki : No. And she won't make trouble.

• Muraki : How about a little game with me? Since that first night I saw you, I've wanted a private game with you.

  Saeko : The stakes?

  Muraki : Up to you.

• Muraki : Did you sleep with anyone while I was gone? Something about you seems different.

  Yakuza's Lover : You're making me mad.

  Muraki : It's okay if you did.

• Muraki : You really love to gamble. Why is that?

  Saeko : Why do you?

  Muraki : Why? There are no whys.

• Aikawa : That was Yoh.

  Muraki : Yoh?

  Aikawa : Half Chinese, from Hong Kong. The boss picked him up in Yokohama. Carries a dagger and an automatic. Fast as hell. Fled Hong Kong last month after killing two people - though some say they saw him five years ago in Tokyo. No one knows who he really is. A real creep. That ghostly face would curdle anyone's blood. You must have noticed.

  Muraki : Noticed what?

  Aikawa : It's the drugs. Only dope addicts have that creepy color. He isn't a real yakuza, just some sleazy amateur.

• Saeko : That Yoh - doesn't even realize how reckless he seems. Everything about him says he doesn't give a damn.

  Muraki : That's one way of looking at it.

  Saeko : That's one way of living.

• Saeko : Have you ever tried dope?

  Muraki : No.

  Saeko : Why not?

  Muraki : I hate drug addicts.

  Saeko : Why?

  Muraki : They're a bunch of cowards.

  Saeko : Why?

  Muraki : They can't pull their own weight.

  Saeko : Really? Is everyone supposed to pull his own weight?

  Muraki : Enough. Anyone strong enough to control how much they take wouldn't start using it to begin with.

• Muraki : There's a bitter taste in my mouth - but I fell almost giddy. I'm about to do a job - it feels I was meant to do. Fate, you might say. It's something I need to do. It's no big deal. It'll be over soon.

  Saeko : That's right. It'll be over soon.

• Muraki : I'll show you something even better than dope. I'm going to kill a man.

  Saeko : Kill a man?

  Muraki : Want to come?

  Saeko : It's so pointless.

  Muraki : Yeah, it is.

• Muraki : I loved watching wild geese fly when I was a kid. Don't see many these days. They're all gone.

• Yakuza's Lover : Who's Saeko? Fine. Go wherever you like. Run off with your Saeko. But you won't get rid of me. I'll follow you wherever you go. I can't live without you!

  [kisses Muraki] 

  Muraki : Is your stomach upset? Your breath smells bad. I really am headed back to jail. I've already told you - It's time you settled down. Lead a decent life.

• [last lines] 

  Muraki : I hunger for her.

• Muraki : What on earth is this? Why so many people crammed into a cage-like box? People. They are such strange animals. What are they living for? Their faces are life-less. They desperately pretend to be alive.