The Barbarian and the Geisha Page #2

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eating this sowbelly and hardtack...

is an envoy extraordinaire

from President Pierce.

Well, we haven't entirely

wasted our time, sir.

We fixed up this house...

learned something about their agriculture,

the winds, the weather.

But I didn't come here to be a carpenter...

nor to gain information

for the Agriculture Department.

My instructions

from President Pierce were, quote:

- "To treat with the Emperor of"...

- Pardon me, Mr. Harris.

- The Shogun, not the Emperor.

- All right.

"To treat with the Shogun of Japan...

"on the subject of their entry

into the free community of nations. "

Well, treat with him?

I haven't been able to get

anyplace near him.

And Tamura is stalling.

He hasn't sent my credentials to Edo...

- and he has no intention of doing so.

- But this is a difficult post, sir.

- One has to be patient.

- Patience won't bring Commodore Perry...

nor a battleship to back us up.

We've been patient for five months.

We're so far off the beaten path, we can't

get a message to or from Washington.

I'm beginning to wonder if they care.

Sam, get me my coat.

Mr. Harris, I wouldn't do anything hasty.

I have eaten all the salt pork

that I intend to.

Our first callers.

What is it, Henry?

From the Governor. An invitation to dine.

Mr. Envoy, tomorrow night, no salt pork.

They want to show you a geisha game.

All right.

I am grateful to Your Excellency

for a most delightful party.

Given, I take it,

to celebrate your recognition...

of the first American Consul.

There has been no word from Edo

about your status, Mr. Harris.

Then why am I so honored?

I have sympathy for a man alone

in a strange country.

Alone, yes. But I have with me

the spirit of many million Americans.

Your Excellency,

if word does not come soon...

I might be tempted to go to Edo to get it.

You'd never get past the barrier.

Outside the gate of the Forbidden City

are the skulls of many uninvited guests.

I've crossed some thousands of miles

of sea and storms to get this far.

Do you think a few skulls will deter me

from going 100 miles more?

Ask her what she's doing here at this hour.

- Well?

- Our friend Tamura sent her.

She is here to make our existence

less troublesome.

Thank her, and send her home.

Wait. She can be useful.

The Governor wants to know about us,

and we want to know about Japan.

The room in the back, she can use that.

Tell her she can stay.

And then tell her to lift her head.

I waited for his footsteps...

the door to open upon the huge man.

My heart was beating with terror,

but all was silent.

It was a house of many mysteries.

I hurried to Baron Tamura.

I told him about the seeds, the shells.

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