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Episode 17 -	No Need for Hunger!
	Kōfuku muyō!
First aired -	23rd July 1995

The Yagami arrives in a remote region of space, mercifully free of the Galaxy Police and Juraian military who are chasing the gang. Aboard, Ayeka and Sasami are enjoying a tea break, but food is running short; even the cracker bowl holds nothing but a packet of desiccant! However, things are about to take a turn for the worse. The ship trembles violently as, all of a sudden, the overworked engines break down and the Yagami shudders to a halt.

A short while later, after inspecting the damage, the gang plead with Washu to fix the engines. A little flattery from the others is enough to convince her to help, and she gets to work on the repairs. However, Washu's job is made a great deal more difficult when Mihoshi tries to help!

Elsewhere on the ship, the others find that Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki have finished off the last of the food supplies. However, Ryoko volunteers to make the trip to the nearest planet and pick up some groceries, so she leaves aboard Ryo-Ohki, taking most of the money with her.

It isn't long before Ryoko, having arrived at her destination, finds something to spend the money on, namely large quantities of sake at the nearest bar. Ryo-Ohki protests about Ryoko neglecting her duty, but a little alcohol soon has her partying along with the drunken space pirate!

Back on the Yagami, it is several days since Ryoko left, and there is still no sign of food. Everyone is concerned that Ryoko might not come back, but Tenchi assures everyone that he trusts her. However, stomachs all around are growling, and Mihoshi is on the point of collapse from hunger.

Meanwhile, Ryoko has taken the remainder of the money to a casino to play the slot machines. Luckily, her lightning-fast reflexes enable her to stop the reels on the winning combination, and she leaves the casino with her pockets full once more. Ignorant of Ryo-Ohki's plaintive cries of objection, she heads for the restaurants to sample the finest cuisine on offer.

Washu, meanwhile, is blighted by hunger pangs, and is finding it hard to concentrate on her work. Nobuyuki has become so desperate that he goes through the bins searching for the tiniest morsel of food. However, salvation arrives in the form of a single and rather small squid that Katsuhito has found. Alas, there is only enough for one bite each, but with no sign of Ryoko even this small amount of food is welcome.

Ryoko continues to relax in the lap of luxury, staying at an expensive hotel and lazing on the beach drinking elaborate cocktails. However, Ryo-Ohki's insistent meows of protest finally get through to her, and she decides that it is time to call it a day and complete her shopping mission. She checks out of the hotel, but is horrified to discover that all that remains of her casino winnings is a few measly coins. In desperation, she bets the last of her money at the racetrack, but loses. Hungry and penniless, she wanders the streets trying to decide what to do next. Passing the local branch of the Bank of Jurai, she strikes on the idea of a bank robbery to resolve her financial problem. Naturally, it isn't long before the local police takes notice, but Ryoko makes a clean getaway aboard Ryo-Ohki.

Aboard the Yagami, the repairs are finally complete. Everyone except Tenchi has lost practically all hope of Ryoko returning. However, their mistrust is about to be proven incorrect, at least in part, as Ryoko arrives carrying a huge sack over her shoulder. However, before anyone gets the chance to eat, the Galaxy Police arrive and launch a full-scale assault. The shaking of the ship spills the contents of Ryoko's bag - the stolen cash from her bank raid. As the gang, still starving, flee from the Galaxy Police, Sasami and Tenchi reflect that their trust in Ryoko was indeed misplaced.

<< Episode 16 - No Need for Hiding!

Episode 18 - No Need for a Ghost! >>

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