Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Mr E

Max

*

E kept his cool in the face of Max’s expressed frustration. “I didn’t realize before but girlfriend is full-time job,“ he said.

“With Miss No, because she often go to church, it is overtime job! After church I must spend many hours pampering her.”

He shrugged. “It is necessary. It is Korean style.”

“Why you go church?” Max asked. “You no religious.”

“Only because I love my girlfriend. Her family is Christian. Mine is Buddhist. Her family would never let me marry her if I do not change to Christian. I must try.”

* Will E convert to Christianity? *

“You’re already talking to her about marriage?” Fred asked. “You only met her a week ago!”

“Next year, maybe. It depends on my Christian studies. I will attend a Christian college to become a minister.”

“Hmm.” Fred slurped the last of his hot broth. Inwardly he was amazed at E’s lightning quick latching-on to Miss No. Was it for real?

* Is it? *

“From name-stamping bank documents to thumping bibles? Interesting switch.”

E sighed and shook his head. “Not interesting. I like my major a lot better – engineering. I already graduated from Seoul National University. I was top student.”

“Let me get this straight: You’ve already got an engineering degree but instead of becoming a well-paid scientist you’re now all of a sudden going to become an impoverished church Minister?”

His face became very serious and businesslike. “Yes. I really love Miss No and will do anything for her.

“I am 30 years old and must get married as soon as possible. My parents have almost lost hope in me.

“In Korea if you do not marry by my age people think you are strange and have problems. Also, unmarried man’s opinion is not respected or asked for.”

Fred shook his head, smiling.

“I will never forget that first morning we met Mr E. I’d just stepped out of Central Institute in pursuit of a cold drink and ended up running into you outside your bank.

“I couldn’t believe that you’d snooze in your car with the engine running, spewing out pollution everywhere.”

Fred laughed but not in a mean way; with Mr E, not at him.

E nodded.

“Who would have thought,” Fred added, “that by Christmas you’d be dating my boss?” 

E thrust out his hand for a handshake. “And it is because of you that all this is possible. Thanks Mr Fred.”

As Fred shook hands he wondered how long E would last with Miss No – having become so serious with her so fast.

But maybe this was how things were done in Korea.

* Do you think their relationship will last? *

Nevertheless, after all this talk about Miss No, something suddenly occurred to Fred: At some point over the last few days she’d probably discussed Fred’s future with Mr E.

What did she have in store for the waygook? It was time to find out.

*

Tomorrow: E decides to let Fred in on what Miss No has planned for him…