Peter Wodarz writes

The Sun Set, And Then, in the Morning, It Rose, Book I, Chapter 1: The Bitch, the Bastard, and the Housewife

Section 1

Makoto Tanaka had a terrible headache. From the sixteenth floor of the Aomori Banking Complex, he sat leaning forward with his head in his hands. He appeared to be looking beyond his three computer screens out at the Aomori Bay Bridge. Recently opened, it was a high, impressive span that connected the east side of the city to the west side. But, deep in his reverie, he didn`t see it. His eyes were wide open, but he took in nothing.

She`s going to wear that hideous hat again tonight, he mused; and since he wanted to retain the English he had learned in America, he slowly repeated the words out loud: “She`s going to wear that hideous hat again. She`s going to wear…” 

“Practicing your English again?” Hayashi had slipped up behind him unawares. “That will come in handy when we are in Singapore next week.” Hayashi sounded cheerful, and bored, but Makoto didn`t turn to greet his older colleague. Instead, he sighed, closed his eyes, and said, “I am not going out tonight.” 

“Who said anything about going out?” 

“You did.” 

“When?” 

“Right now.”

  

“But why not?” 

“Because I went out with everyone last night.” He spun his chair around and looked up at Hayashi. 

“I`ve been hungover all morning. I am going out with Mariko tonight. We`re having dinner.” 

“What time?” 

“When we finish.” 

“Where?”

   

“At a restaurant.” 

“Why don`t you just eat together at home later?” 

Makoto didn`t respond. 

“Listen. Fujisawa-san asked me to look after you. You younger Japanese are different, especially those of you who have been overseas. You try to do things your own way. He`s worried.” Makoto wanted to defend himself, but he knew doing so would be futile. He said nothing. He turned his back to Hayashi and stared out the window at the bridge. He saw it now. He noticed that it was snowing too. 

“We`re all a team here. You need to remember that. And part of being on this team is socializing, drinking, being with your colleagues in and out of the office. Doing is very important.” 

“Tonight I am socializing with my wife.” 

Hayashi laughed. “You can socialize with her whenever you want.” He placed his hand on Makoto`s shoulder. “How long have you been married?” 

“Five months.” 

“Five months! Wait until you`ve been married five years. Then you`ll be out with us every night!” He chuckled and fished a cigarette out of the pack he carried in his breast pocket. He lit it, took a long drag, and exhaled. “Okay,” he resumed. “We`ll make an exception. Tonight the growing shark will have his way. Have a nice, romantic dinner with Mariko-chan. Buy her some pretty flowers. But remember, you swim in the ocean with us.” To reinforce his point, he put his hand back on the younger man`s shoulder and squeezed once very firmly. 

After Hayashi walked off, Makoto looked around to make sure no other colleagues could hear. He picked up his phone and dialed his apartment. Mariko answered after two rings. When he was in a playful mood, he often called his wife Mary for short. She didn`t like it. She told him that he must have had a girlfriend named Mary when he was living in New York. He told her he was a virgin when they married, like she was, but she knew he was lying. 

“Hi, Mariko. Unfortunately, I`ll be going out with the team again tonight. I know. I`m sorry. Yes, I know. But I have to. I should be home before ten.” 

He set down the handset gently and glanced around him. Each of his colleagues was peering into his computer intent on his task. The office floor was strangely quiet. Makoto took a hurried look at his three screens, then looked down at the documents in front of him. He tried to concentrate, but soon his gaze returned to the bridge. The snow was heavy. Though it was only 3:30, it was almost dark out; he could barely see the flashing green and red lights of the bridge towers.