Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Mr Go

*

“Mr Fred, I have many, many problems – gambling, drinking; my life is ruined. My Chinju institutes – and my father’s savings – are almost gone forever!

“It is shameful but I can’t help myself. Who knows what will happen to me…?”

* What will happen to Mr Go? *

At that moment, as if on cue, two men came into the steamy sauna. One was average size; the other was very large, strong-looking and thuggish.

Fred could hardly see the dynamic duo through the steam but the average-sized man looked faintly familiar.

* Who is it? *

At that moment the sauna’s steam duct kicked-in and that drowned-out most other sound.

It looked to Fred, though, as if the average man said something to Go, who didn’t seem to hear the man but immediately got up from the bench.

“Mr Fred, now I will soak in cold water. Will you join me?”

Fred got up and was relieved to leave the oppressively muggy room. He’d almost reached boiling point and was a bit dizzy.

They exited the sauna and sealed the door shut behind them. Fred got his bearings again.

Go explained, “If you take alternate dips between the three tubs of natural spring water it is very good for health.”

The first tub was ice cold and void of patrons.

The two little boys from the change area were playing beside it, throwing handfuls of cold water on each other.

Fred submerged in the clear, frigid liquid and his entire body went numb after only seconds so he evacuated.

A warm tub was next but it was crowded and murky so Fred skipped it and went right to the hottest tub, which had steam rising off the top.

Go was already sitting in it with only his head above the surface, his eyes closed. He looked calm and relaxed, almost asleep.

Fred slipped quietly into the near-scalding water and sank into a moment of profound reflection: 

The Korean sauna is a pocket of physical enjoyment in an otherwise rock-hard, dry and downright ruthless society.

It is a perfect illustration of how a balance is struck in a society, to keep it viable, functioning and moving forward.

It is the sweet that goes along with the sour; the sensuality with the celibacy; the indulgence with abstinence.

Besides all the struggle and suffering that is the essence of Korean life, this is pure pleasure and satisfaction.

Go seemed to have sunk into a deep meditation in the near-scalding tank.

Fred left him there and discovered a salt sauna room, where another man had his foot up on a log and was rubbing salt between his toes.

“Oh hello!” he said. “Do you remember me?”

It was the average man from the steamy sauna moments ago.

He stood up to face Fred and shake his hand. Fred was shocked at what he saw and his jaw dropped.

* What did Fred see that was so shocking?! *

*

Tomorrow: A life needs saving.