A Blade Runner In Tokyo

Free of quarantine restrictions, yesterday evening I headed downtown to Shibuya. The forecast said it would be snowing, but as forecasters are so often wrong, it was a freezing rain instead.

This is the futuristic, rainy, neon world of Blade Runner. The only things missing were the flying cars and neon lit umbrellas, but all the other pieces were in place.

I decided to to grab a bite to eat before engaging in my pursuit of the night's replicants. Being a creature of habit I found myself back at The Great Burger Stand. You don't often get the chance to eat a genuine wagyu burger so it's always at the top of my list when looking for something to eat.

Their special menu peaked my interest, a donut bun, bacon burger. It was something I couldn't pass up. As fate would have it though, they were out of donuts for the day. I had to settle for my usual, wagyu, bacon, cheeseburger.

It was worth every bit of the 2000 yen, $20, price tag.

Country music played over the radio which made the atmosphere very comfortable, a relief from the miserable conditions outside. However, there was work to be done so I finished my dream burger and stepped out, back into reality.

The first case proved to be elusive. None were found in the Ban Ban Karaoke, a hangout for those wishing to be human.

You ever get that feeling to just turn around? Go back to the start, solve the case. I turned around and followed that voice in my head.

Back at The Great Burgers Stand I found him, hiding in plain sight at the Winter Prism of Light.

He wouldn't come voluntarily so I retired him, but not before he let slip a clue to the next criminal, scram.

Shibuya Scramble is the skyscraper a few hundred meters away. This was going to be an easy hunt.

I made my way there, but with all the masks & umbrellas I thought maybe he wasn't going to be as easy to find as I imagined.

I walked around the area trying to put myself in his shoes, where would I hide.....

Sometimes in plain sight is the best place hide. Just as I was about to give up I turned back to look at Shibuya Scramble and found him, hiding on a red billboard in plain sight.

With no time to think, I took the shot and caught him.

Two down, 1 to go and with no leads, I took a coffee break and got out of the rain.

Whether by luck or providence, the guy next to me mentioned a guy behaving strangely looking for his dog just a few minutes earlier.

I only had to step outside the Starbucks a few feet to the Hachiko statue where I knew he would be.

Roy knew the game was up, but before he retired he had some parting words that struck me to my core.

Gaff came to pick up the body and offered some words of his own. "You've done a man's job sir. I guess you're through huh?"

"Finished." I replied.

"It's too bad she won't live, but then again who does?" he shouted while walking away.

I pondered that as I entered Harajuku station, "Who does?".

Who does?