Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Miss No

Mr Go

*

“Oh, Mr Fred!” Miss No was infected with a sense of urgency. “Something has come up. You must meet Mr Go and he will take you somewhere.

“I have instructed him to wait for you out back. Please go now. Pali!”

* Where is Mr Go taking Fred?! *

In the car, Go looked tired and defeated yet drove with determination. Their weekend Jiri outing of only several days ago seemed so far in the past now.

At Riverside, as Fred followed Go up the spiral staircase to the office, a few loitering students saw the waygook and quickly ran away as if they feared him.

Up in No’s old office, Go closed the door and asked Fred to sit down.

He leaned forward and crossed his arms. “Mr Fred, there is a problem with police.”

“They visited early this morning at Central but were unable to meet you.”

Fred just shook his head. “Honestly Mr Go, I don’t have a clue what’s going on.”

Go explained briefly and it was pretty much as the rumour had suggested.

Fred was baffled and shook his head. “Who’s the other person I was supposedly fighting with?”

“His name is …” Go cleared his throat. “Mr Lee. At first, he didn’t want to go to police and delayed. I have met with him and heard his story.

“It does not look good for you. His girlfriend is a witness.”

“Mr Lee gave the police a doctor’s note, which shows bruises on his head, neck and abdomen – physical evidence of the assault.”

* Was there really physical evidence? *

Go leaned back in his chair. “However, I know Mr Lee and convinced him not to charge you yet. He agreed to talk to you first and then he will decide.

So you must meet and speak with him.

“There is nothing else I can do. It is your only chance.” Go looked at his watch.

“When is the meeting supposed to be?”

“In one hour right here.”

Fred sat there stunned. Instantaneously, whatever skepticism and resistance he’d had, instantly evaporated. “How can I prepare for the meeting?”

“Mr Lee wants you to write down a confession and completely apologize from the bottom of your heart. It is sort of … Korean style.”

“A confession? I don’t even remember doing this! Who is this Mr Lee?”

Go didn’t say anything.

“And I assaulted him and his girlfriend?” Fred sighed. “I just don’t get this.”

Go explained: “I think you know him. And his girlfriend too. She is Cleaning Lady’s daughter.”

“Rose?” Fred racked his memory. “All I can think of is something that happened at the Rotary one night.”

He went into a daze dredging up his memory of the Drinky Poo episode.

When he snapped out of his recollection to see Go’s stone face, he threw his arms up.

“Mr Go, if that’s what this is all about, I did nothing wrong on that occasion. I was just helping the woman. She was being badly mistreated. It was all so … stupid.

“The man seemed drunk; I’m surprised he even remembers it. I’ve even talked to the woman involved since then. She told me I did the right thing.”

Fred’s elation was futile and Go shrugged. “Mr Lee says he did nothing to provoke you into fighting him.”

“He was on a business meeting with his girlfriend and all of a sudden you attacked him.”

“His girlfriend witness will back up his story. Apparently, she didn’t understand your actions. She was scared and frightened and thought you were crazy.”

* Is this true? *

Go shook his head and looked down. “You must be thankful that I made this opportunity for a meeting. This is the most assistance I can render.

“Fred you don’t want to go to a Korean jail. It is very unpleasant. Soon it will be winter and very cold. You could get very sick.

“I am just trying to help you. It is my responsibility as your owner. And you are my friend.”

The palms of Fred’s hands felt clammy, and little pin prick sensations stabbed into the back of his neck.

Then he chuckled. And the chuckle turned into a laugh.

“Sorry Mr Go, I’m not laughing at you. It’s this situation. It’s all so absurd…” The laugh ran its course and died out. Fred got up and headed to the door.

*

Tomorrow: Fred signs a confession.