Martoons

Cast of characters

Mr Go

Fred

Mr E

*

Soju Science  

Chinju Prison, Visitors’ room.

Mr Go and Fred were still face-to-face on either side of the Plexiglas. Go coughed and cleared his throat.

“I am sorry, Fred. I try to quit smoking. Anyway, Damion hid in Miss No’s office and found out that she was hypnotizing me.”

“Before this I thought she was always on my side.”

“Perhaps I was blinded because she was my first love, yet now I am determined to carry out the court case against her.”

“I have no choice – without my business I am nothing.”

His attention was diverted and he looked over Fred’s shoulder.

Mr E was coming back from his coffee search, clearly gesturing that he was empty-handed and shaking his head in exasperation.

 “Sorry Fred,” E said. “The coffee machine is broken and is making the coffee with cold water. Anyway maybe it is time to go. Our time is up.”

He and Fred bowed respectfully to Go and departed the prison building efficiently.

* Will things turn out alright for Go? *

*

“Fred, where you go?” E asked, as his car pulled out of the prison parking lot. He waved to the white-gloved security guard as they passed the gate. “Fred you okay?”

It took Fred a few seconds to answer. He was drained from his brief meeting with Go; reeling from the revelations just dropped on him.

He now respected Damion a lot more for attempting to assist Go.

Of course, if these revelations were true – the brainwashing, the court case, etc. – then the real drama had not even started. Fred sighed and shook his head.

Life in Korea was a non-stop soap opera.

* When will the ‘real drama’ start? *

He snapped out of his daze. “Where am I going Mr E? Actually, I’m supposed to meet Donna and some waygooks down at a Rotary pub.

“Before I forget, though, Mr E – thanks for making the effort to contact me about Mr Go’s situation. I really appreciate this trip to the prison today.”

“It’s okay Fred. Mr Go is your friend. Friendship is very important in Korea.”

“Are you meeting Miss No today?”

E waved Fred off. “She asked me to attend church this morning but I had to think of an excuse so I could go and visit Mr Go.”

“That must be awkward – being caught in between her and your friend Mr Go.”

“Sometimes it happens in Korea. We are a small country and everyone knows everyone else.”

“I have to be careful what I say to either of them since I don’t know what will be relayed, and I don’t want to hurt their feelings. Maybe it is Korean style.”

* Will Mr E be able to maintain this careful social balance? *

Fred nodded sympathetically. “Anyway, if you’re not busy this afternoon, why don’t you join me and some other waygooks for a few beers?”

E hesitated.

Fred asked, “Are you worried because your ex Donna might be there?”

“Actually that’s okay. Many Koreans say you should not meet an ex but that means one-on-one. This is different. Actually, we have no hard feelings.”

“Okay then. The bar is called Pork Snack With Beer on the Rotary.”

E was familiar with it but still reluctant. “Maybe I cannot go to there. My English is not good.”

Fred guessed what he meant: he didn’t know any of the others and would feel awkward.

“Why don’t you invite a friend along. I’d really like you to join us. It’s Christmas after all…”

“Oh – it’s okay – if I bring my friend? Okay, I call him.”

He pulled the car over to the roadside and stepped into a phone booth, and they were back on the road in minutes.

“My friend will meet us there in a little while. Fred, maybe you know him.”

* Who might E’s friend be? *

*

Tomorrow: There’s another session of Korea bashing among the waygooks.