(2 of 2)
There was a sudden scurry of well bathed legislators and diplomats for cover. "I gave strict orders at the time I saw the blueprints," alibied one Welfare Ministry official, "that beds should not be provided in rooms attached to the baths, since this is not sanitary." "I saw some half-naked girls running around on the second floor," admitted an investigating Diet member, "but I got the impression that they were not all bad girls." He did feel, he added, that "due to international repercussions, something should be done." So did most everyone else. The trouble was—what? Nice as it might be to dump Bathmaster Konomi in hot water, it would still be a pity to tear down his beautiful bath. At week's end, far away from the mountains and the open sea, it was still going strong.