In the Woods of Memory

do start beating you, you’ll be dead soon....Japanese soldiers were no match for them, so he must be pretty crazy to fight them on his own.... Give him the barest minimum for meals.... We should just let him eat dog shit.... What did Seiji do, Mom?... Your brother is a brave man. You should be proud of him.... Make sure he doesn’t bite off his tongue.... I’ll put a gag in his mouth.... Mom, forgive me! ... I’m always worried about you, Seiji.... You’re shaking violently. Are you cold? Hurry up and confess! Then you can get out of here... What happened to Sayoko?... The Americans did something bad to her.... Something bad?... You’re no match for the Americans, so don’t be so proud. Apologize, and let’s go home.... She spends every day crying in the back room.... She doesn’t eat and sometimes goes crazy.... You’re a fool.... I heard her making strange noises like a dog in heat... . Why would you say something like that? . . . We’ve provided food for everyone in the village, and we treated the wounded. . . . She was assaulted by some Americans, wasn’t she?... What do you mean assaulted?... American men are well endowed, so I’m surprised they could get it into her.... Aren’t you ashamed to be talking like that? You’re classmates from the same village!... Cooperate and follow our instructions.... Oh, lighten up! We’re just kidding.... That’s right. Everybody knows all about it.... You’re just saying that because you’re jealous of her.... I’m not jealous. What’re you talking about? ... If you cooperate, we’ll do our best for all of you.... Because she was so pretty.... Ever since she was little, all the boys liked her.... Even Seiji, huh?... I wonder if he really thought she’d have anything to do with him.... Sayoko was kind, especially to people like him.... So he must’ve misunderstood. . . . Let’s work together to rebuild this beautiful island.... I know he’s stupid, but couldn’t he even figure out that a girl would never fall for someone like him?... That’s precisely why he couldn’t figure it out. Because he’s so stupid.... Stop it! I don’t want to hear anymore! ... Maybe that’s why he stabbed that American with his harpoon. Because he’s stupid.... No sane person would’ve been able to do anything like that.... Maybe that’s why the American army didn’t execute him, because they thought he was crazy.... America is a democratic country.. . . How can you say such horrible things? Can’t you consider how Sayoko and Seiji feel?... Can you? ... Acting morally superior, and pretending like you know something.... America will bring freedom and peace to Okinawa.... Did you suffer, Sayoko?... So when she was running, her face was contorted, her mouth was open, and tears were running down her cheeks?... Were you in pain, Sayoko?... And blood was dripping down between her legs.... I heard she got naked and ran down the road in front of the banyan tree.... Why was she running to the woods?... Come and hide in this cave, Sayoko!... You could see her tits, and down there, too.... Come! Come and be with me, Sayoko!... Crazy people can run fast, so her parents couldn’t catch her. . . . Don’t cry! Are you afraid? The Americans will never come again, Sayoko.... Where was she going, I wonder? ... You never know. Maybe she was running to those American guys.... Yeah, because you never forget your first man.... You guys are the lowest. How can you talk about Sayoko like that? ... I’ll protect you from now on, Sayoko.... The lowest? Are you talking to us?... You think you can get away with comments like that?... You women should stop fighting. It’s unbecoming.... Maybe we should make you go running naked. . . . You’re awful! Come on! Knock it off! ... Apologize!... What’s with that look! You must really wanna go running naked? . . . I’m sorry. . . . Who is this Sayoko you’re talking about?... Some woman who lived on the island a long time ago. . . . She was raped by some Americans and went crazy.... Too bad! If you’d moved here sooner, you could’ve seen her running naked, too.... She’s not on the island anymore?... The entire family moved away.... Some guy from a nearby village impregnated her, so they left.... Because she used to run around naked.... Nearby village? It was one of you guys, wasn’t it?... You gotta be kidding! We wouldn’t touch a woman like that.... Keep talking garbage, and I’m gonna beat the shit out of you.... Go ahead, Seiji, say that again.... Were you eavesdropping on us?... They say blind people have great hearing. I guess it’s true.... You think just because you’re blind we won’t hit you, huh?... If you bastards make fun of Sayoko, I’m gonna make you pay.... Listen to this! Seiji says he’s gonna make us pay.... So how are you gonna do that? Let’s see what you got.... Hey, Seiji, what are you swinging at? . . . We’re over here, Seiji. . . . Sayoko! If I could’ve seen those guys, I would’ve stabbed them with my harpoon!... Check it out! The dimwit’s crying!... I was so frustrated.... Disgusting! Stay away from us! You stink!... Seiji, you don’t wanna make us angry! . . . Boy, you’re easy to knock down. Remember, you’re the one that started it.... Knock it off! You might kill him. And then what’ll we do?... A guy like this? Who cares? His family will be glad to be rid of him.... If you make fun of Sayoko, I’m gonna make you pay.... He still talks like a man.... If he’s got the energy to talk, he’s not gonna die. . . . Don’t kick him in the stomach! No, not in the head, either!... Seiji, you fought against the Americans, didn’t you?... Try to stab us like you stabbed them.... If