The Floating Girl: A Rei Shimura Mystery (Rei Shimura Mystery #4) Read Free

the change happening?” Toshi croaked. Probably he was pondering what role his artsy black-and-white photographs could have in a comic magazine.
    “Most of the three future issues, articles and art are already completed—yes, Miss Talbot was very efficient, and that must not go to waste. However, I would like to see at least two articles in next month’s issue that explore the idea of manga. We will also put out a call for cartoonists to audition their work, and begin running two or three different comic stories per issue. It’s now July, so let’s see… a full manga- format issue by December would be reasonable. With the hard work of everyone, it could happen. Joey will write his restaurant reviews as a comic strip—imagine the possibilities! The reader will not only read about what the food is like, but also see it. Likewise for you, Miss Karen. Photographs don’t work anymore.”
    “What do you mean?” Karen sounded confused.
    “If a dress is not flattering to a woman, the real-life appearance”—Mr. Sanno gestured to Karen’s muumuu-like black dress — “makes it look bad. Likewise, photographs tell the true story, which can make the retailer upset. A cartoon illustration, on the other hand, can make any dress look truly lovely.”
    I felt strange, as if I were hovering over the table and witnessing the beginning of a disaster. Karen felt bad enough about her weight gain, which Mr. Sanno was cruelly pointing out. What would happen to the rest of us, and to the publication? The Gaijin Times had never been a prizewinning publication, but it had done a decent job imparting crucial lifestyle information to foreigners. I’d used the Gaijin Times to search for apartments and jobs when I’d arrived. Come to think of it, I’d learned about the waxing specialists at Power Princess Spa after reading an article Karen had written in last month’s issue. Could all that be scrapped for wasp-waisted, big-eyed androids carrying guns?
    “I assume you’ll bring in a new editor.” Joey sounded glum. “One who is expert in comical matters?”
    “We Japanese always believe in promoting from within,” Mr. Sanno reassured. “I am certain that one of you could easily rise to shine in the transition. We will decide on some projects for all of us today, and that will keep us busy before I select the editor.”
    There was a long silence, and I imagined everyone was trying to think of projects.
    “I’ve heard there is an American scholar who is an expert on comic books aimed at salarymen. I could explore the changing ethos of work in Japan through manga,” Norton suggested. “Toshi could take pictures of salarymen reading comic books on the subway to go with the story.”
    “The photos can be used as a basis for manga sketches,” Mr. Sanno said. “If the salarymen are ugly, the drawing can make them look better. In my opinion, there have been too many ugly people in the magazine lately .”
    Mr. Sanno was not exactly a Japanese version of Hugh Grant, but of course, nobody could say that.
    “Well, that salaryman idea takes care of Norton and Toshi. But what about Karen-chan?”
    Mr. Sanno was calling all the women in the room by the suffix -chan, which means “little.” I could tell that Karen thought it was demeaning, because her pale skin flushed. She spoke rapidly, another sign he’d rattled her.
    “I was writing a story about fall cocktail dresses worn by some of the top bar hostesses in town. I will call a fashion illustrator who can sketch the clothes on the girls. They’re very, very attractive,” she added, as if to head off further comments on ugliness versus beauty.
    “What about sketching the clothes on well-known cartoon characters?” Rika, the intern, ventured.
    “It might not be legal. Betty and Veronica are probably copyrighted,” I said swiftly, to avoid having Mr. Sanno slap Karen with an impossible assignment.
    “Actually, it’s different here,” Rika replied. “Japanese manga