Chapter 03

## Chapter Three

This is the third chapter of the *Banana Fish* manga.

## Summary

Together, Marvin plots with Arthur regarding Ash.

## Plot

As he enters a bar, Marvin spots Arthur and informs him they received approval from Golzine. Knowing that Golzine and Marvin are attracted to Ash, Arthur is surprised to hear this but lays out a plan that Marvin agrees to be part of.

At Dr. Meredith's office, Ash enters the room as his brother is being looked over. While the doctor is not happy about Ash bringing Griffin to him, he receives confirmation from Ash that the drug he brought him was most likely the thing that left Griffin in the state he's in as well as Griffin being a veteran from the Vietnam war and Ash's older brother. Ash disputes the rumor of Griffin possibly having been involved with narcotics like several other soldiers and mentions the symptoms of the drug Banana Fish. Ash states that those were the very words Griffin had said. However, to Ash's surprise, Dr. Meredith asks if Griffin said those words from a book by J.D. Salinger. He explains that the book mentions the fish of death known as Banana Fish and causes people who meet it to crave for death.

At a cafe, Ibe and Eiji are with Charlie as they prepare for the interview. As they wait for the escort to arrive, Ibe and Eiji are warned they will have to go in alone since the gang will instantly retaliate against cops. Although this makes the Japanese men nervous, Charlie assures them that the gang leader will not harm them as the two have done nothing to earn his wrath and will be in good hands as Ash's right-hand man, Skip, is the one coming to meet them.

Ibe wonders how popular Ash is to have such command over others. He's told that Ash indeed has quite a level of power over others but that they fear him almost as much as they respect him. Ash's reputation is further indulged when he is stated to have connections to the mafia and acts as a collector of goods but has never been connected to anything as he has never left any kind of evidence. Eiji is amazed that someone younger than himself has such a reputation when Skip suddenly appears.

As Charlie greets Skip, Ibe and Eiji are shocked to see that Skip is a kid but acts as one of Ash's most trusted members. Skip greets the two visitors, mistaking Eiji for Ibe's son, and announces it's time to meet Ash. With Charlie promising help if they need it, Ibe and Eiji follow Skip to the Pink Pig bar.

Upon entering, the two are right away under the gazes of those inside. Skip leads them to the area where Ash is playing pool. Ibe and Eiji are stunned at Ash's appearance, having thought he would look more like a stereotypical rough and tough gang member. Ibe attempts to make conversation with Ash, but the teen does not make things easy as he gives simple answers and continues to easily intimidate the older man. When Ash approves for his picture to be taken and he sees Eiji gather the equipment, he makes a comment about him being used for child labor. Eiji stuns him when he reveals he's actually older than Ash.

A short while later, Ash spots Eiji glancing at his gun. Eiji asks if it is real and, to the surprise of his gang, Ash allows Eiji to hold his revolver. After marveling at the item, Eiji hands it back before asking if Ash has ever killed someone. Ash answers that he has and pokes fun at Eiji's innocent nature.

Ash returns to his gang as Skip offers to buy Eiji a drink. As they sit at a table, Skip voices how impressed he is that Eiji had asked to hold Ash's gun and reveals how a drunk man had his fingers blown off by Ash when he had grabbed his gun thinking it would be funny. Eiji becomes unnerved at the story but is quickly surprised to find alcohol in their drinks that Skip plays off casually.

In a warehouse, Arthur has gathered his gang and informs them that Ash is onto them. He goes on to say that he has a plan to end things with Ash, but it will involve kidnapping Skip and leading his gang away from the warehouse in order to get Ash alone. He sends his men out as Marvin appears and compliments his plan but is still concerned about Ash figuring things out. Arthur feels they will have the advantage if they can get his gun.

Back at the bar, Eiji and Skip are getting along quite well when Eiji asks if it's true that Ash is a great shot. Skip answers that it's true that Ash is an expert shooter and his praise makes Eiji point out how much Skip appears to admire him. Ibe approaches and says how he has not had much luck talking with Ash since the teen does not seem to trust adults. Although uncertain, Ibe hopes he can speak with Ash again the next day and decides to end the interview.

He and Eiji begin to leave when Shorter walks by and to Ash. He warns his friend that Arthur rounded up his old gang and they are on the way to Ash right now. Before Ash is able to do anything, Arthur's gang busts through the door and start a fight. As he fights off numerous attackers, he sees that Arthur thought the attack out well since Ash cannot use his gun.

Charlie, having heard the attack, rushes in with his backup and sees the chaos before him. He tries to get things under control which causes Eiji to pop out from behind the bar. Skip brings Eiji back down, but he is spotted by Wookie and some others who quickly attempt to abduct him. With Eiji scared at a knife to his face, Skip smashes a bottle over one man's head which gives them enough time to run off. Ash, seeing the men give chase, tries to warn Skip but is held back from going to help.

Skip leads Eiji outside but they are right away caught. In the bar, Ash is finally able to break free and rushes outside to help Skip. When he makes it to the street, he sees Skip being shoved into a car. As the car starts to leave, Ash grabs his gun, takes aim, and fires. The shot successfully hit Jack and kills him. Eiji, seeing everything before him, starts to realize that there is a possibility he may be killed. With the car speeding off, Ash borrows Shorter's motorcycle and takes off, not hearing Shorter shout that he's heading into a trap.

As police arrive and start getting the situation under control, Ibe informs Charlie that Eiji is missing. Charlie puts out a BOLO with Eiji's description and tries to comfort Ibe when he sees how guilty he must be feeling. At the same time, Shorter sends out members of the gang to try to find out where Arthur has set the trap.

Ash arrives in the warehouse district and calls out for Arthur to show himself. Arthur comes out in the open. He realizes that Ash was able to figure out that the whole thing was a trap and questions why he still decided to follow. Ash figures that he would have to settle things with Arthur sooner or later and figured this is as good a time as any. Arthur tells him that it's not just about the two of them anymore. His gang brings out Skip and Eiji along with Marvin.

Ash comments how Arthur has become a lacky for the mob and is forced to hand his gun over when Arthur gives the order to have Eiji killed. Ash is then captured and beaten with the intention of getting a confession. Although Ash tries to play dumb, Marvin knows that Ash is just acting. Arthur suggests possible mutilation onto Skip or Eiji in order to get Ash to talk but Marvin, tired of Ash getting the better of him, decides to continue beating him.

A while later, a battered Ash is tossed into the room where Eiji and Skip are. Eiji right away notices his bleeding arm. His tears his shirt to bandage the wound. As he does, Eiji thanks Ash for saving his life. Ash replies that he may not be so thankful considering what may be in store for them. After an hour goes by, Ash awakens from a brief nap and suspects he has a broken rib. Eiji tries to get him to rest more but Ash sees this will not be an option as their captors are returning.

Marvin questions if Ash is ready to give up. Ash makes it seem like he is but wants to inform Marvin of something privately first. Arthur becomes angry at Marvin going back on their arrangement, but Marvin has his way and gets the men cleared out. Eiji questions Skip what Ash is planning and is told that Marvin is homosexual and is attracted to Ash.

Ash uses his wounds to his advantage and gets Marvin close enough that he is able to knock him out. They quickly take the chance to escape and find the car that brought them to the warehouse. After they leave, it's discovered what happened to Marvin and a search begins. Even with Ash in immense pain, the three are to keep ahead of Arthur's men until they reach a dead end. Seeing no way out, Ash decides to surrender himself in hopes they will let Skip and Eiji go free.

Eiji decides he cannot allow this and breaks off a waterspout from a wall. When Skip thinks he will try fighting, Eiji states he will try pole vaulting over the wall to seek help. Ash calls the idea crazy but Eiji reasons that they can't do nothing and possibly be killed. With the men closing in, Eiji rushes forward and successfully clears the wall but lands on crates that injure his arm. He gets to his feet and hurries off while shouting he will being help.

Back in the warehouse, Marvin questions how Eiji got away but doesn't get an answer. Arthur questions what Marvin plans to do of the situation now that Marvin's attraction toward Ash had made a mess of things. Marvin decides they need to end things and do away with Ash and Skip.

A groggy Eiji notices how much blood he is losing but is determined to find help.

Shorter gets word from his men of where Ash and Skip are being held and rallies the gangs together.

At the police station, Charlie and Jenkins notice that several of the bodies from the fight were members of Ash's gang. Jenkins checks on Ibe and tries to get him to rest but Ibe is unable to as he is too concerned about Eiji. Jenkins leaves and Charlie arrives and apologizes for what's happened as he feels responsible for putting the two in such a situation. Ibe suddenly remembers seeing Shorter trying to warn Ash about the fight and questions who he is. Charlie quickly explains who Shorter is and decides talking with him is their best shot at finding Ash.

In the city, Eiji continues searching for help as he gets odd looks from the citizens around him. He locates a phone booth and tries to make a call but faints from the blood loss and patrol cops are pointed to him. At the bar, Ibe was able to get information on a possible location and learns from Charlie that Eiji has been found and taken to a hospital.

The two head to the hospital. Jenkins allows Ibe to see Eiji but keeps Charlie back. Eiji was able to pass on the location of where Ash and Skip are being held as well as Marvin's involvement. Coupled with the strange suicides, Jenkins firmly believes that Dino's mafia is somehow involved since all of the deaths were members of rival families.

In Eiji's room, each side is apologizing for what's happened. Despite his wounds, Eiji voices how he wishes he could keep helping Ash given all the teen has done for him. Ibe tries to assure the young man that he was able to tell where Ash is and who is involved. Still, Ibe is curious as to why the men have not done away with Ash and hopes that he will be found in time.

## Characters

* Marvin Crosby
* Frederick Arthur
* Ash Lynx
* Skip
* Dr. Meredith
* Griffin Callenreese
* Charlie Dickinson
* Shunichi Ibe
* Eiji Okumura
* Norris
* Shorter Wong
* Wookie
* Jenkins