Martoons

Today: Fred’s thirst is satisfied… and maybe a little of his curiosity too.

Cast of characters

Fred

Mr E

Scene: Outside Mr E’s bank, Chinju, South Korea

*

*Cold Drink*

“Anyway,” E said, “last night I drink many many soju with a Korean friend. So this morning my head crazy.”

“Shortly after I arrive at bank, my staff saw the Canadian man approaching.”

He chuckled.

“I ducked out and hid in my car! I know – shame on me, but this morning I don’t feel comfortable dealing with him. His communication style is very … aggressive and inconvenient.”

“He is – how you say – pushy? Brash? Arrogant? Kind of like a Korean!”

E laughed and then reached inside the car to turn off the ignition.

* Does this sound like Thomas? *

Fred felt instant relief and the temperature around the car seemed to instantly drop to a more bearable level.

He took a deep breath.

Everything was going to be okay.

“Maybe you are working here?” E asked. “Maybe an Englishy teacher?”

Fred nodded hoping this didn’t trigger ‘20 questions’.

E: “Have you had lunch?”

“I was just out looking for a cold drink.” He fanned himself again.

E put his hand on Fred’s arm and led him across the street to his bank.

He could see the heat was bothering the foreigner.  

“Come inside for a moment. Very cool and relaxing.”

E said something to an immaculately uniformed female teller, who efficiently fetched Fred a paper cup of cold water from a cooler and brought it on a tray.

She bowed respectfully as she gave it to Fred and then returned to her counter.

The polite respectful interaction left Fred feeling like a foreign dignitary.

“Are you Christian?” E asked casually.

Fred sipped his drink and hesitated answering. “Mr E, in my country that is a very personal question…”

E sensed Fred’s discomfort and moved on. “Ah yeah, yeah. Very sorry. So, may I ask, where do you work?”

“Central Institute.”

“Ah yeah! I know the owner. He is my soju friend!”

“Mr Go?”

“Yeah yeah. He is good man.”

Fred finished his water.

* How does Fred feel about Mr Go? *

“And,” E continued, “I met another Canadian who worked there – maybe one month ago? He came to my bank to open an account, but he never put any money in it.”

“Now I don’t see him anymore.”

E shrugged his shoulders.

A red light went off in Fred’s head.

First of all, if E knew Go, wouldn’t he surely have heard about Thomas and all his trials and tribulations?

“Mr E, may I ask what that foreigner’s name was?”

E waved him off. “I don’t remember very well. I only met him once. His name … hmmm.”

He squinted as he combed his memory. Then he inhaled through his teeth, making a hissing sound, and shook his head ‘no’.

“I’m sorry, I forget.”

“Does the name Thomas ring a bell?”

E beamed. “Yeah, yeah, that’s right! Toe-massa.”

He noticed Fred’s water cup was empty. “More?”

“Yeah, thanks.” Fred was hoping to get the handsomely attractive female teller again, but E got up himself and walked out to the water cooler.

Whether it was from the heat spell or E’s superficial babbling, Fred’s mind wandered.

He found himself in a daze glaring at some filing cabinets …

Filing cabinets.

The one at Central.

Idea!

He sprung out of his chair and intercepted E at the cooler. “Mr E, I have to get back to work. My first day you know…”

E turned around and handed him the cup of cold water.

Fred received it and guzzled it in one shot. “Thanks.”

E cordially walked him out into the street. “Nice to meet you. If you ever have any problem, please visit me here at the bank – anytime.”

Fred still had the empty paper cup in his hand and didn’t see anywhere to toss it.

“Here, give it to me.” E held out his hand.

Fred did so delicately. “Actually Mr E, I already do … sort of have … a small problem.”

“Yeah yeah.”

Fred snickered. “Which way is Central?” He was embarrassed at being lost again.

He’d beat the heat the first time – just barely – and didn’t want to risk subjecting himself to it again.

“Ah yeah. Korean streets are very confusing. Central Institute is…” E started to explain with a complicated series of pointing gestures, but Fred squinted with confusion.

E put his arm on his shoulder. “Come with me. It is too hot today.” They walked around the back of the bank to where E’s car was parked. “I drive you. It is a little far.”

*

Tomorrow: Fred does some snooping.