"Mother," I said, "was ill that day. She is confined to bed even now."

"She wouldn't ... in the beginning ... even let me in," he complained.

"The orders of the Kempeitai are to send all Japanese looking for houses to them as Manga Avenue is a Military Police Zone," I said.

"Yes but..." began Okazaki, but I pressed on.

"My mother suffers from high blood pressure. I apologize for her condition." He waved it aside, biting his lips. I continued: "The military police had not said a word to me or anyone else on the matter. Our relations have been..."

Okazaki banged a piece of paper on his desk, saying, "What can I do? I am in a difficult position. I don't like it. I was told to get the houses. What can I do?" He turned and began a three-minute conversation with another Japanese across the room, obviously complaining about the stubborn guy in front of him who wanted to argue about a Kempeitai guarantee. Then he was silent for a moment. I waited ... it was obvious he was licked in this round ... why push my luck?

He finally turned: "I tell you what ... you go and tell Captain Ito to get in touch with the Embassy." My instructions were the opposite — to get Oky to negotiate with the Kempeitai, but this would do too. Ito could stall for time, and time was important. I kept quiet; he was obviously uncomfortable. "Yes, you go and see Captain Ito," he said and stood up.

"Thank you," I said, pumping his hand to his discomfiture. "I appreciate your kindness ... thanks very much again." And so saying, I quickly turned and left.

The rest of the day was not uneventful for Manga Avenue. Julio Kaufmann was robbed of his bicycle, a bayong of vegetables and cash at the top of Santa Mesa Bridge. As one robber left with the loot, the other walked him down the bridge and through a crowd, arm in arm like the best of pals while poking a pistol into his ribs. The robber told him to stay home if he valued the lives of his family, and that they'd pay him a visit there later that afternoon!

An hour later, a Japanese-driven car hit young Conchita Gonzalez as she cycled home. The driver castigated her for being "careless" then drove her home. Later, Drs. Ayesa and Alberto Jr. patched her up; one of her ears required seven stitches.

Takashima came at dusk, arriving in the midst of a melee of people discussing the threat to Julio and today's unfortunate events. Julio's brother and his son were taken in a recent zonification of Santol, so he appealed to Takashima for help. I could see Takashima was getting dizzy so we agreed to talk tomorrow.