Chapter 01

**Chapter 01** is the first chapter of the *BANANA FISH* manga.

## Summary

The introduction to the series begins in a war overseas and has made its way to New York City and into the hands of a teenage gang leader.

## Plot

In 1975, Dong Tham, a small group of soldiers is seeking shelter in an abandon building and preparing to settle down for the night when Max Lobo questions the whereabouts of Griffin Callenreese. When his missing presence is chalked up to having gone to relieve himself, they switch the conversation to a fellow soldier having taken potentially bad narcotics and has been left in an unstable condition. When they begin discussing returning home, the missing Griffin suddenly appears. The men attempt to resume their conversation when Griffin suddenly grabs an automatic rifle and opens fire on them.

He strikes and kills several men until Max is able to stop him by shooting his legs. When he goes down, Max attempts to speak to Griffin but all Griffin is able to say is "Banana Fish".

Ten years later, in the Bronx, police are investigating the apparent suicide of a man named Jerry and the murder of his bodyguard. This is noted to be the third case that the police have come across, but the motivations do not seem clear as all of the victims were not suicide risks. Despite this, all of the methods of suicide seemed normal, but the most recent case brings up suspicion since the victim went through the trouble of killing his bodyguard.

As they continue to go over Jerry Watts' police record and excessive spending, Charlie Dickinson reminds Antonio Jenkins about the arrangement Max had set up with Japanese reporters who are due to arrive in a few days. Jenkins is puzzled as to how they will handle the reporters considering Max's current situation.

Elsewhere that same day, a young teenager is walking down an alley when he comes across an injured man asking for help. Seeing how fatal his wounds are, the teen, Ash Lynx, realizes that the man may not have much time to live. The man presents a small locket to Ash and asks it be sent to 42 Westwood, L.A. before passing. Just then, two teens from Ash's gang arrive but become startled at seeing Ash present. Their fearfulness is heightened when Ash tries to get answers out of them about their involvement. The two hesitate to answer but, when Ash readies his gun in his pocket, they quickly answer that "Papa Dino" made them carry out the task. Hearing sirens approaching, Ash lets the matter slide for now and urges them to hurry off.

Later, Ash goes to Dino's mansion but runs into his bodyguard Marvin Crosby. The heavy-set man right away makes things difficult for Ash by telling him to show proper respect to Dino and bringing up how he would like to see more of Ash's pornographic videos. Ash, in turn, mocks Marvin's weight and gets him angry enough to nearly attack him and be restrained by other guards. Ash is escorted inside and to Dino Golzine as he eats breakfast.

Despite the casual meeting, Dino has Ash remove his jacket before they talk. Although it's early in the morning, Dino offers Ash a cocktail, but Ash tries to get answers about why Dino involved members of his gang to do his dirty work. Dino tries to brush the matter off like nothing, but Ash doesn't accept this and reminds Dino about the agreement that Dino would not use Ash's guys for his own needs. Dino once more tries to explain that the circumstances were special and that the man was no one of great importance to his organization which was the reason that he had Ash's guys do the job. When Ash tries to get smart with the mob boss, Dino reminds the teen that he was the one who took Ash in.

A while later, Ash meets with his friend Shorter Wong. Shorter is aware of the meeting that took place and warns Ash to be careful around Marvin as he is known to hold terrible grudges and is attracted to boys like Ash. While taking the warning to heart, Ash playfully comments how Shorter's worried nature is the reason he is partly bald.

Ash returns to his apartment to relieve Skip of his duties. After paying the young boy, Skip seems to confirm a theory Ash had of Frederick Arthur being behind some of the mess that has been taking place.

In Dino's greenhouse, scientist Abraham Dawson rushes to Dino and informs him a small sample is missing.

In his apartment, Ash is looking over the pendant when he unlocks its secret compartment and finds a small vile containing a powdered substance. He recalls the man who gave him the locket, the address he gave, and the muttered words "Banana Fish". Ash walks into a second room and kneels before someone as he tells of what happened and the words he heard from the man.

Having heard the words "Banana Fish", Ash wonders if he was the one responsible for Griffin's current catatonic state.

## Appearances

* Griffin Callenreese
* Max Lobo
* Charlie Dickinson
* Antonio Jenkins
* Ash Lynx
* Marvin Crosby
* Dino Golzine
* Shorter Wong
* Skip
* Abraham Dawson