Paprika Read Free Page A

trying to produce a zero-emissions vehicle. A lot of people are against it, both inside and outside the company. So his every move is being watched, not only by rival firms but even by the government. If word got out that he was being treated for a neurotic disorder, his enemies would try to discredit everything about the vehicle, even though he didn’t design it himself. That would cause his company untold damage. Of course, being an experienced businessman, he must often find himself in this kind of position. The cause of his neurosis must therefore lie elsewhere.”
    “Yes, I suppose it must.” This Noda was Shima’s friend and contemporary. He was trying to produce a zero-emissions vehicle. Before she knew it, those snippets of information had made Atsuko rather interested in this most important of clients. “The opposition from people around him probably takes the form of harassment. But that would only cause a typical nervous breakdown, at most. Not neurosis.”
    “That’s right. That was my diagnosis too.” Noting Atsuko’s interest, the good and honest Shima felt instantly buoyed. “So the proper thing would be to psychoanalyze him, and that’s something I can’t do. In any case, whoever did it would need to spend a lot of time with him. Get into his dreams. That’s why I want Paprika to do it. She’s the very best dream detective.”
    “But it won’t be easy to treat, even for the dream detective. It’ll take time.” Atsuko was of two minds. She felt she’d been jockeyed into a position of compliance and no longer had a choice. But if she agreed to Shima’s request there and then, her research would be interrupted at a most critical phase. Since it was trial research, she wasn’t certain exactly how long it would last, but it should be nearing completion now. “And anyway, Paprika hasn’t worked as a dream detective for six years now. She’s not so young anymore. PT devices may no longer be taboo, but this therapy is still very risky. I’m not sure she can do it anymore.”
    None of this came as much of a surprise to Shima. He said nothing but merely stared at Atsuko with slightly moistened eyes, waiting for her to empty her bag of troubles.
    “Look, will you promise me something first?” Atsuko said at length.
    The very question brought an expression of rapture to Shima’s features. He puffed up his chest in anticipation. “But of course. If you’ll help with Noda’s treatment, ask anything you want.” Shima wasn’t the kind to evade an issue with a mere “ I’ll see what I can do ” – he was far too pure for that.
    “All right. I want you to accept that your own position right now is just as precarious as that of your friend Mr. Noda.” Shima stared at Atsuko with a look of wonderment – just what would she say next?! “First of all, you should speak to all the directors individually, once each at least. You’ve been ignoring them, can’t you see? You’re so preoccupied with your work that you’ve lost touch with them. Second, I want you to hold a Board Meeting, as soon as possible. You can think of the reason later, but first decide a date.”
    Shima had been bracing himself for something much worse. “All right,” he replied with some relief. “I can do that.”
    It was just as Atsuko had expected – he was refusing to take her advice seriously. “So, where exactly do you want Paprika to go?” she asked with a little sigh, let down by his lukewarm nature once more.
    Shima wrote the details on a memo pad, using his thickest-barreled Meisterstück pen. “In Roppongi, there’s a bar called Radio Club,” he said jauntily. “Only men go there. It’s always quiet, and it’s a favorite haunt of Noda’s. I’ll call him now. Can Paprika meet him tonight?”
    “Does he mind if it’s late?” It would take time to call up the dream detective, and besides, Atsuko had so many other things to do.
    “I think he’d prefer it that way.”
    “How about eleven