Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Donna

*

“Is there something I don’t know about?” Fred asked Donna.

“All of a sudden this morning everyone thinks I’m leaving. What’s the ‘behind story’ this time?”

“If you know please come out and tell me. I think I can handle the truth.”

* Do you think Donna has any more information? *

“You know Koreans,” she said dismissively, “they’re always butting into each others’ business and gossiping. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

Fred wasn’t convinced. “You wouldn’t but I would! It’s me they’re saying is leaving.”

“Why not wait until something happens – if anything. Just focus on your job and try to enjoy your life in Korea.”

She started organizing her desk without looking at him. Her unusual flippancy made him even more suspicious. Did she know more than she was letting on?

* Does she? *

It was times like this when she seemed more Korean than Canadian. Donna could feel Fred’s judgmental eyeballs all over her.

“Come on Fred, lighten up. Rumours are always flying around here.”

She tried to sound more sincere. “As I say, if something actually happens, deal with it then.”

“It’d be nice if someone actually checked with me before spreading this crap around.”

“Everyone in this place is ignoring me now as if I’m a criminal or something.”

“And I honestly know nothing about this.”

“I want to get to the bottom of it. Can you help at all?”

She felt his concern and looked up from her desk. “If you try to quell all the rumours around here, that’s all you’re going to be doing.

“Look, the best way to kill a rumour is just to carry on. People have short memories. If it was just a baseless rumour it’ll vanish.” She went back to her work.

“But what if it’s not?” He paused and cooled down a bit and then persisted.

“There is something I can find out. Hot Sauce said police were here earlier looking for me. Do you know anything about that?”

Her tone changed and she looked at Fred. “I was here earlier when the cops came with Mr Go to get some facts. Sorry I honestly don’t know anything else.

“Now, will you stop worrying? That never solves anything. Get on with things and if anything comes down, respond then. You’re being way too Canadian!”

She looked at her watch and left quickly.

Fred shrugged as the door closed behind Donna. Suppose she’s right. Nothing I can do until it actually happens.

* Will something happen to Fred? *

It was a marvelously sunny, late-autumn morning and he went down the hall to Go’s old smoking balcony.

He liked to go out there and catch a few breaths of fresh air, while at the same time getting sentimental and lamenting Go’s absence.

Apparently Miss No had banned Go from the business completely – he couldn’t even come in to clean anymore.

Fred rested his arms on the balcony railing and peered down below. He smiled and felt a tinge of nostalgia.

There was that parking space where Go had brought him that first day, which seemed like years ago now.

Coincidentally, Go was pulling his car into the space right now – the sleek, black luxury vehicle with the tinted windows.

* What’s Go doing there? *

Some children who’d been playing on the concrete pad scurried out of the way.

The car moved on to the pad and Fred looked down, eagerly awaiting for Go to get out so he could greet him.

Yet the car seemed to sit there forever – idling and exhausting fumes right straight up into Fred’s nostrils.

He evacuated the balcony, ambled back down the hall. When he got to the office, he could sense a buzz coming from inside.

Upon entering, it was like accidentally walking backstage at a theatre audition.

* How come? *

The handful of Korean staff – mostly college-aged ladies – was furiously primping themselves.

The small cosmetic mirrors were out and foundation was being applied liberally and lipstick touched-up.

The ladies had paired up and were going over each other –

making sure blouses were tucked in and lint was not on skirts; no errant hairs were sticking out from heavily hair-sprayed coifs; no red hot chili pepper powder between teeth.

Apparently Miss No was going to be new boss here and the ladies wanted to make a good first impression on her.  

Quietly slipping back out the door and softly closing it behind him, Fred saw that one of the unique benefits of being a waygook was not having to participate in the intense respect rituals that Koreans were bound to.

He decided to go down and get himself a coffee and as he scooted down the stairs, Miss No was on the way up.

* What will Fred’s inevitable run-in with Miss No be like? *

*

Tomorrow: Mr Go gives Fred the rundown on his sticky situation.