Ep. 7 These Stairs Are for Sale
The End
Ep. 7 “These Stairs Are for Sale”
Read the English script
Ep. 7 “These Stairs Are for Sale” — English script
Page 1
Rainy day, no field work... this is heaven~
No sleeping on the job!!
Rain or shine, same hourly rate.
Autumn rains. Nashigasaka City Hall, the basement.
She's from the choir I go to hear every year...
The hall we've sung in for forty years... it leaks...
Wh-what the—?!
The ceiling's all stained...?!
Page 2
Umbrellas INSIDE the hall?!
At this rate, next month's concert...
Repairs that aren't in the budget can't happen fast...
We'll fix it... I promise...!!
...We have no money for it.
Page 3
Chief, don't make promises if there's no money!
Chief, you have no plan.
Need money? Naming rights!!
Note: Many Japanese cities sell sponsors the right to name stadiums and halls for a fixed term and yearly fee.
Sell the name to a company, and that pays for the repairs!!
Does Nashigasaka do that?
Not yet!! So it'd be Nashigasaka's first big win!!
People pay money... for a NAME...?!
Page 4
Stuff nobody's named yet...
STAIRS!!
TOILETS!!
BENCHES!!
I can sell ALL of it!!
Page 5
Naming fees go to the repairs!!
The broker's fee goes in MY pocket!!
No commission? Then I clock out on time.
You can't just sell off the names of city facilities!!
...But a Nashigasaka first...
Then I'll find names I CAN sell!!
Well, it's quitting time. See you.
Page 6
Raaagh!! I'll read EVERY ordinance!!
—That night.
Facility names are set by ordinance...!!
Note: The official name of a public facility is written into a city ordinance, so only a council vote can change it. That's why cities sell “nicknames” instead.
Can't just change 'em...!!
Wait... what about a “nickname” the ordinance doesn't cover?
—FOUND IT!! Nicknames, I can sell!!
Slap on as many nicknames as you like — who's it gonna hurt!!
Page 7
From that day on, Tetsu raced to every company in Nashigasaka.
Your company's name — on the stairs!!
Stairs, eh... SOLD!!
Your bakery's name — on a bench!!
Sit down, think bread... SOLD!!
Your orchard's name — on the toilets!!
T-toilets... ugh, fine, SOLD!!
Thank you for your business!!
Thirty deals today alone...
...How is he even closing these...?
Page 8
Company name plates went up all over City Hall.
E-even on THIS...?!
...Still, thirty deals...!
There are more plates than notices...
...Where'd the counter numbers go...?
We can hold our concert...!!
And the fees are rolling in!!
Page 9
There's nowhere left to sell inside City Hall.
Then we go outside!! Sidewalks, plazas, the hall's seats!!
More results... no reason to stop him...!
Kid, you get a commission on every contract!!
You should've said that first!!
Our HQ's in the next town, but if my name's up there!!
“Front” of what? Your office isn't here.
Note: Japanese bus stops are often named “(landmark)-mae” — “in front of (landmark)” — after whatever stands beside them.
It's a nickname, so it's fine!!
Page 10
A man's collapsed at Marumaru Works Front!!
We can't locate a place by that name!!
Do you know the address?!
This spot has FOUR names...!!
Note: The signs read “Midori Plaza,” “Kibo-no-Oka (Hope Hill)” and “Smile Terrace” — plus the new “Marumaru Works Front.”
The ambulance kept circling, searching for the spot.
Page 11
The man who collapsed is safe... yes.
The corporate nicknames... I am truly sorry.
The fire department called City Hall about it.
O-one plate at a time...!!
Mr. Genda, your desk gets a nickname too.
Note: His old plate read “Genda Tetsu's Desk.” The new one reads “City Hall Volunteer Officer.”
Your fees will be refunded in full.
Page 12
We can sing without umbrellas!!
A month later. The civic hall's leak was fixed.
Zero... entries...
Only bench naming rights became an official program.
I'm here to apply!!
Forget a name. Just put this place's address on it!!
That's just an address sign!!
Ambulances will love it.
This is a work of fiction. Nashigasaka City is invented, and nothing here reflects the real operation of any person, organization or public office. It is not an official publication of any government body.
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