Episode 6

The Information Business is the sixth episode of the first season of Tokyo Vice.
==Synopsis==
An impromptu Yakuza Peace Summit finds Tozawa at the mercy of his own actions. Samantha begins to settle her debts with Matsuo. A determined Jake chases down a tip.Official Tokyo Vice Synopsis from Max website
==Summary==
Within her apartment, Samantha nervously takes a drag of her cigarette and listens to a voicemail left by Polina. She was concerned for her well-being since she hadn't returned to work for some time and wanted her phone call returned. The apartment doorbell rings, and Samantha cautiously checks who it is. As it turns out, Jake had a small present for her outside. The present was "Kashiori" or "Apology Sweets". Despite Jake admitting he was an asshole and wanted to make up for his attitude the other night, Samantha remarks that he brought her, "I'm an asshole, sweets".
Although Jake seems to have patched things up with Samantha, he blows it when he mentions that Samantha should be careful with Sato. This causes Samantha to return Jake's present to him and tell him to go fuck himself.
Elsewhere, a man does his dishes and notices a black car parked outside from the window of his place. Sitting by the man's coffee table, Sato disparages his diet and reveals he is a mechanic. The mechanic tries to flee but is stopped by Sato's subordinate, who throws him to the corner. Sato then approached the mechanic and commented that while he doesn't like snitches, he better inform him of what he wants to know.
Later, Sato is driven by his subordinate to someplace, and when he leaves him to go into a convenience store, Sato reflects on the night that Ishida was attacked. He then receives a phone call from Ishida and confirms that a shipment of drugs will be arriving via the airport soon. Just then, the foul-mouthed member named Gen tries to assist Ishida, but gets yelled at for hurting him.
Jake, accompanied by Tin-Tin and Trendy, walks out of a store while Tin-tin states how he hasn't been able to sleep well as of late because of Sugita-san's suicide. On the other hand, Jake was fixated on a Yakuza magazine, noting it was for research. At the Meicho Shimbun Newspaper, Jake would research it further, cross-reference it with a few other Yakuza magazines, and figure out they're all written by the same person, Ukai Haruki. Jake shows his finding to Trendy, mentioning that the reporter, Ukai, is like Tozawa's publicist. He then asks Trendy to help track him down, and he agrees to do it.
Eventually, Jake visits Ukai, who is perplexed about how he learned where he lived, and when asked how he did, Jake answers he learned it from Tejima-san from Crazy Boy Magazine. However, Ukai doesn't know either of the two, but Jake claims they know of him and shows Ukai the first article he wrote about Tozawa. Jake offers Ukai a pen and asks Ukai if he can sign it, but Jake also offers sweets and more things to sign as well. Ukai agrees and offers Jake to come inside.
Inside Ukai's apartment, Jake compliments the wall of photographs that Ukai had up. Jake then talks about how Tozawa was involved in the recent insurance scam mentioned in the paper. However, Ukai notes that he doesn't know anything about that and that what he knows is written in his articles or his book. His curiosity peaked, and Jake asked about it, but Ukai denied it and left to use the restroom. While Ukai stepped out, Jake tried to search for the said book and was caught in the act. Ukai then asks Jake if he smokes "Shabu" or crystal meth, but he denies it, and Jake then changes the subject again to the women posted on the wall. It's said that they're Tozawa's girlfriends and not his mistresses. One of the ladies catches Jake's eye, but Ukai warns him not to touch her.
Sometime later, Tozawa and his girlfriend Misaki exited a building where Jake was also at. With Tozawa out of the picture and his girlfriend alone, Jake tails her to a department store while Tozawa attends a meeting in an undisclosed area. There, Nakahara, the head leader of the Yakuza of the west side of Japan, along with Tozawa and the Yakuza leaders of the east side of Japan, held a meeting regarding the recent incident where Ishida was wounded.
Switching over to Jake's side, Misaki tries on some lipstick. Soon, Jake casually approaches her, and she first compliments Jake's watch and claims that he's either following her or enjoys watching women put on make-up. Jake mentions that he's a reporter for the Meicho, whom Misaki remembers, and Jake mentions that one of Tozawa's mistresses died after talking to a reporter and asks for her comment. Misaki brushes off the comment for not being foolish enough to answer such a question. Hence, Jake offers to take her out for lunch or a drink, but she declines and warns him that she doesn't need to be afraid; it's him who should be.
In the meeting between the two sides of the Yakuza and one of the leaders to the east, it is mentioned that Tozawa infringed on their side. Nakahara then questions the east side leader if he was the one who was attacked; another east side leader interjects that if you attack one of them, you attack all of them. It's also mentioned by the east side leader who spoke first that if Ishida hadn't kept quiet about this, the police would have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident. Furthermore, the papers would have written it off as a war, and Tokyo as a whole would be under lockdown.
Tozawa then places a suitcase full of money on the table, and the head west side leader claims the money is to settle the grievances between them all. Tozawa claims that the amount is one hundred million yen, but Ishida empties the suitcase of half its amount, and the head of the east claims that money can't fully settle the incident. Hence, Nakahara has Tozawa, much to his chagrin, prostrate himself to Ishida and accept the act. The east side leaders leave while Ishida packs up the money and then leaves.
At the Onyx bar locker room, Samantha was confronted by Polina about how she failed to return her phone calls. Samantha apologizes, and Polina mentions that Matsuo was there the other night looking for her. Polina also notes that she had figured Samantha had skipped town and nearly confronted Matsuo, but was hesitant to do so because she didn't want to trouble her. Thankful for Polina's concern, Samantha left the locker room, and in the lounge area, Duke informed her that someone in Table 5 wanted to see her.
Samantha headed over to Table 5, where Matsuo was waiting for her. She serves Matsuo a drink and asks him why she and he answer it because her charms are to his liking. Her next question was how many sessions it takes for him to leave her be, and Matsuo answered twelve because it's his lucky number. Samantha bargains for seven since that's her lucky number, so Matsuo widdles it down to ten and settles it there. When Samantha asked who hired Matsuo to find her, Matsuo answered that her father felt deeply wounded by her betrayal toward him. Matsuo reinforces that she can either accept his offer or return home, which Samantha answers by saying she'll see him tomorrow at 7:00 pm.
On Tozawa's side, he voices his disdain to Nakahara over not only having to fork over money but also prostrating in front of Ishida. Nakahara retorts that it was his fault for botching the assassination attempt. Tozawa immediately clams up, and Nakara notes his disappointment in Tozawa since he personally chose him to plant their flag in Tokyo. Before leaving, Nakahara warns Tozawa that if he fails again, they won't be so kind as to accept money as an apology.
Afterward, Ishida learns that the information that Sato received could be used to hurt Tozawa from the Yakuza lieutenant Kobayashi. However, Kobayashi also mentions that if the peace treaty between them is violated, then Tozawa would be free to attack them with the council's full support. Ishida then asks Sato if he agrees with what Kobayashi said, and he does. Taking a moment to consider their answers, Ishida asks Kobayashi to leave and has a chat with Sato.
Ishida has Sato take a seat, pours him a drink, and asks Sato if the man he recently killed was his first. Sato answers that it was, and Ishida claims that the first one should always bother you, as it did for him, but the sequential ones won't. After a pregnant pause, Ishida asks Sato what he thinks about Kobayashi's plan, and he answers that it's best to use it on someone who won't connect it toward them.
Later, Jake walks toward Samantha's apartment and, standing by the stairway, asks him to follow him. Jake follows Sato to a car parked in an alleyway, where Ishida sits inside the car. Once inside the car, Jake listens to Ishida claim that he's been wanting to see him and how they're alike in the context of him printing information for money while he collects money. Getting to the point, Ishida informs Jake that Tozawa will be shipping meth at an airport within a couple of days at an airport, and asks that Jake use his influence to stop it. On the other hand, Jake refuses to be caught in the middle of a gang war between the two sides, which Ishida understands, but argues that Tozawa is a virus in the city. He also notes that underneath it all, he's a better option than him, and Jake understands; Ishida also claims that he didn't hear this information from him.
Tozawa is shown eating a steak dinner, and his girlfriend asks if the chef prepares it badly again, and he confirms it. The waiter there then approaches Tozawa's table and offers him a bottle of Château Canon-la-Gaffelière on the house. However, his girlfriend refuses, citing she needs to drink less, and after the waiter leaves, his girlfriend assures him that he'll get better soon. Although Tozawa asks her whether or not she's thought about her future, Misaki stops him, but Tozawa asks him what would make her happy. Sheepishly, Misaki answers that she wants to own a house of her own someday.
Misaki's answer upsets Tozawa as he's led to believe that she does want to see him dead, and when he is, she'll snatch another man with a deep wallet like his to pay for her expensive tastes. Tozawa goes on a small rant despite Misaki assuring him that's not the case, but Tozawa asks that Misaki do him one favor. That is to not get in bed with anyone else until he's dead, or else he'll kill her. Not wanting to finish his meal, Tozawa gives the remainder to Misaki, who carves and tearfully eats it.
Katagiri is seen sitting beside his wife, who is sowing one of their girls' socks at their house, watching Full House on the television. Soon, their doorbell rings, and when Katagiri checks to see who it is, Jake asks to talk with him outside. From there, Katagiri learns about Jake's new lead and demands to know where he received it, but suspects it was Ishida. Jake confirms it and asks for Katagiri to assist him in taking down the meth shipment, but Katagiri declines, citing he'll make his move when the time is right.
Hearing this perplexes Jake, and he questions why Katagiri would act in such a way, but Katagiri mentions that a couple of days ago, a Chihara-Kai member killed himself by jumping from a roof. This act was kept quiet to keep the peace, and the person in question was the traitor that Jake informed Ishida of. Katagiri then mentions that information always has a cost and the story will be his, but he must have patience and trust him.
Akira checks himself out on the reflection of his car and sees Sato in the distance, signaling him, which he acknowledges. Moments later, Polina exits the Onyx Bar, who's then greeted and embraced by Akira, noting it's their three-month anniversary together. As they walk together, Akira says they'll celebrate by going to a party, but Polina wants to do something different; however, Akira insists, and so Polina agrees. The two then get into Akira's car and drive off, as Samantha soon exits the Onyx bar, and meets with Sato, whom she later has sex with at her apartment.
After they do, Samantha notices some cuts on Sato's back, but isn't given an answer as to how he received them. Sato claims that he wishes to keep his work life and life with her separate, and Samantha concurs. They make out for a bit, and Sato asks if she's hungry, to which Samantha answers yes. Sato then says to give him ten minutes to prepare something and leaves.
Meanwhile, at Akira's club that he works at, Polina watches as Akira courts a lady client there. Her observation of Akira's interaction with the lady unnerves her as one of Akira's co-workers tries to console the saddened Polina, claiming Polina is Akira's favorite. Polina emotionally answers that she understands and continues to watch Akira fondle another lady.
Back at Samantha's apartment, Samantha walks in on Sato chopping green onions in her kitchen for an omelet he was preparing for her. They then have a heart-to-heart when Samantha asks who taught him how to cook, and he answers that his father did. Sato's father wanted to be a chef, but needed money for an incoming family. He explains that when he was a boy, his father showed him everything he knew to the point it pressured him. Still, it allowed him to cultivate his talents to cook well.
Once the omelet was finished cooking, Sato sliced it into several pieces, allowing Samantha to enjoy it. She tries it and gives the piece she didn't finish to Sato, who eats it. The two smiles over this moment with each other, and later, in her living room, Samantha shows Sato the ring from her missionary days with the words CTR inscribed into it. What CTR stood for was "Choose The Right", which meant right path. Samantha says it was a gift from her father, and the "path" wasn't to god, but to him. Sato then asks if his father hired "Someone" to track her down, and she nods yes. Sato then asks who he is, but Samantha doesn't know, and Sato follows up, asking what the person asked her to do; however, Samantha silently trembles. Curiously, Sato asks who else Samantha told about this, to which she answers only him and notes her fear of what she's going through. Sato consoles her by wrapping his arm around her.
Jake visits Emi's apartment, and her brother Kei answers the door. Kei demands to know his identity, and Jake answers that he's his sister's co-worker. Jake's response doesn't sit well with Kei, who becomes aggressive toward Jake; thankfully, Emi appears and pulls her brother aside. An astounded Emi asks why Jake was there, and Jake informs her that he's gotten a hold of a tip for a scoop that's time-sensitive. However, Kei tries to be aggressive against Jake, and Emi tries to reason with him in Korean and get him into his room.
Once Kei returned to his room, but not before flipping Jake off, telling him, "Fuck You". With Kei in his room, Emi allows Jake inside her apartment as Kei yells and screams at the top of his lungs. Emi explains that her brother has a mental illness and has seen conspiracies. Understanding Emi's situation, Jake informs Emi about the intel he's received from a reliable source about a shipment of meth being smuggled into the country tomorrow by Tozawa. What Jake needs is a police officer to authorize a search; however, Katagiri won't allow it, and Jake has reached a dead-end. Emi claims that Jake doesn't work for Katagiri; therefore, he doesn't have to listen to him and suggests he should find someone else. With that in mind and Kei's screaming becoming more profound, Emi suggests that Jake leave, but before that, Emi adds that no one in the office knows about her brother and asks that he keep it a secret, and Jake feigns ignorance of who she's talking about. The comment makes Emi smile, and Jake takes his leave.
Back to Polina's side, she showed to be frustrated, and Akira caught this and left the woman he was with to go to her table. There, Akira fondles Polina calling her his one true love, but she says, "Don't blow smoke up my ass", and he claims he'd do it. This response makes Polina forgive Akira, and the two lovingly fondle. In celebration of their three months together, Akira and Polina discuss what drink they'll enjoy together. Either Dom Pérignon or Magnum, the more expensive choices, are suggested, and when Polina decides, she chooses Magnum over Dom Pérignon. The choice is announced to everyone in the club, causing a cheerful uproar in the club. A party ensues, and everyone in the club enjoys themselves.
The next morning, Jake visits Jin at the Police HQ and asks for his help on the meth shipment. Jin inquires if Katagiri knows about this already, but Jake lies, claiming he doesn't. However, Jin calls out Jake's bluff, citing he knows the two are close, and asks what Katagiri said. Jake answers Katagiri wants to look into it more, but Jake doesn't want to waste time. Furthermore, his source is on the know of "this side". Jin agrees to help and wants the full details told to him on the way.
Sometime later, they drive to the airport, where a thorough investigation of the airport is conducted, and they find no trace of the meth that was reported there. Jin holds Jake responsible for the failed investigation and not only severs his ties with Jake. He also vows to inform every cop in the force to never work with him.
Just as Jin leaves the scene, Katagiri arrives in his car and demands to know what is happening there. Jin plays coy with Katagiri , but notes that if he truly wants to know about what had gone on there, he'd better ask Jake. Katagiri then lectures Jake on how they could have discreetly approached the situation by interviewing the staff and building a case strong enough to entrap Tozawa. However, the fiasco there would only make Tozawa change his methods and protection, making them start at zero. Jake apologizes, claiming he needed a story, which Katagiri comments that he only needed a story, and Katagiri responds that Jake's entitlement is disappointing.
Meanwhile, at Matsuo's home, he arrives there, and as he tries to unseal a bottle he had, Sato, sitting on his couch, says that the Chihara-Kai has a message for him. Sato says that Samantha has an arrangement with the Onyx Bar, and she's one of the top earners there and is under their protection as well. Matsuo rebukes Sato's statement, claiming he's seen Sato go in and out of Samantha's apartment many times in the past and claims that it has nothing to do with the Chihara-Kai. Still, Sato threatens Matsuo that if he approaches either Samantha or the Onyx Bar again, he'll make an enemy of the Chihara-Kai.
As Sato tries to leave, Matsuo asks him if he knows Tokumaru, a clan affiliate from Hokkaido who's also Ishida's elder. As it turns out, Matsuo once did a favor for him and was very grateful to him for it. Matsuo then tries to contact him, but Sato asks that he stop. Putting away his cell phone, Matsuo notes that he appreciates Sato's tough boy-with-a-crush act. Hence, Sato offers to pay Matsuo off, but he claims he'll never be able to afford his price. Thus, Sato briefly bows to Matsuo and pleads to him to leave Samantha alone, and if he does, he'll be in his debt.
Amused by the offer, Matsuo says he'll remember it when he copulates with Samantha. That triggers Sato, and the two fight each other, ending with Sato killing Matsuo by bashing his head in with a statue he had there. In the end, Sato was visibly disturbed by what he had done.
At the Meicho building, Jake turns in his findings of the fiasco drug bust to Emi. The two are in disbelief at what had happened and question Jake's source of information. Baku then appears before them, and after reviewing the photos Jake took while learning the investigation was a bust. So Baku proposed that they write an article about the failed police investigation, but Jake notes it wasn't Jin's fault; however, Baku doesn't care. Although Jake tries to claim it was his fault for the failure in the investigation, Emi orders Jake to return to his desk and write a report on it. Begrudedly, Jake does.
That night, at Onyx Bar, Sato sat and enjoyed a cigarette and a drink. Samantha spots him and leaves the table she was sitting at to join Sato. She asks him if he handled Matsuo, and Sato answers he won't be bothering her any longer. Sato's response makes Samantha press him on what he did to Matsuo, but Sato alludes to what he did, and she clams up.
As soon as Jake arrives, he orders a whiskey shot and gets aggressive with Sato over the bad intel he received from him over the meth shipment. Sato doesn't know what Jake is talking about, and Samantha tries to mediate their situation. However, it becomes far too difficult for her to handle, and Jake is forcefully escorted out of the place.
Tozawa is shown perturbed that his meth trade route had been compromised, and in a surprise twist, Jin is shown to be an informant of his. He argues that he purposely misled the cops on where to investigate, and while the tip was good, it was bound to have been found out. Switching to the plane where the drug bust was, three workers opened up a hidden compartment in the airplane's wings and, from it, took the drugs stashed there. Demanding to know who was responsible for the incident, Jin tells Tozawa it was Jake Adelstein.
==Characters==
* Jake Adelstein
* Hiroto Katagiri
* Samantha Porter
* Jin Miyamoto
* Akiro Sato
* Polina
* Emi Maruyama
* Gen
* Trendy
* Tin-tin
* Sugita-san (mentioned)
* Shinzo Tozawa
* Haruki Ukai
* Misaki
* Hagino
* Nakahara
* Duke
* Kume (indirectly mentioned)
* Akira
* Matsuo
* Kei
* Ray-san
* Baku
==Episode Images==
Episode 6 Image 1.jpg
Episode 6 Image 2.jpg
Episode 6 Image 3.jpg
Episode 6 Image 4.jpg
Episode 6 Image 5.jpg
Episode 6 Image 6.jpg
Episode 6 Image 7.jpg
Episode 6 Image 8.jpg
Episode 6 Image 9.jpg
==Trivia==
* This episode features the real-life location, Atago Shrine Stairs.
==References==
Category:Episodes