Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Mrs Won

Fortune Teller

Scene: Fortune Teller’s room 

*

Calm engulfed the room. Fred rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. “Sure – ask him that! Ask him if I’ll be staying in Korea.”

He felt a tingle of excitement, like a kid going into a carnival.

Maybe these old codgers did have some kind of unique insight into things.

* What will the Fortune Teller’s insight be? *

Mrs Won babbled respectfully in Korean and there was a pause as Fortune Teller contemplated Fred’s question and then blurted a comment. Fred was puzzled and turned to Mrs Won yet she was poker-faced. 

This was serious business – and Fred became immediately aware that he may very well be playing with his future right here and now.

Fortune Teller sat motionless on his side of the table across from Fred and Mrs Won.

There was a hum coming off the wise old wizard as he concentrated heavily and his thoughts were jelling. 

Fortune Teller really wanted to give his first foreign client a good show.

He was on the edge of a brainstorm and blurted something to Mrs Won, which she relayed:

“Fortune Teller has a strong vision about your future. Someone you know is going to have a major effect on your life. Very soon.”

Fred wondered. ‘Soon’ for Koreans was often different than for a Canadian. And what kind of ‘major effect’ – good or bad?

Fortune Teller did a wave off. “No clear vision right now.” He then squinted and inhaled through his teeth. “This person … you know … but maybe not a friend.” Fortune Teller motioned his hands in front as if he was massaging the air.

“Maybe in next few days this person will affect you in an important way.”

He erected his forefinger as if measuring a breeze. Something was coming to him.

He was in deep thought for an excruciating 30 seconds and then began speaking almost hypnotically, as if in a trance, using a country dialect.

“Maybe this person will try to disrupt your life somehow. However, I am not sure.”

He emerged from his trance and gestured with another wave off. That was followed by a laugh yet when that ran its course, the old wise man seemed to be out of steam.

After a few more seconds’ pause, he announced: “Shee my dang dang…”

Mrs Won explained to Fred: “Shee my dang dang is a Japanese expression used by older people.”

“In this case it means ‘game over.’ Fortune Teller’s time is up. We must go Fred.”

“Please wait Mrs Won!” He looked at Fortune Teller. “You didn’t finish what you were saying about the other person. How is he going to affect me?”

*

Tomorrow: Fortune Teller leaves Fred with some unconventional advice.