Martoons

Cast of characters

Thomas

Coffee Lady

*

Go+Dame         

Thomas went over the next step of his game plan: If Coffee Lady responded favorably to his advance, he’d courteously invite her back to his inn because he had something to discuss.

Something serious. Something long term.

Surely that would strike a chord with her. And it wasn’t that he was going to try any funny business.

Agreeing to the private meeting in his chamber would be symbolic: It would show she had trust in him. That would be an important landmark in their relationship.

* Do you think Coffee Lady will respond in Thomas’ favour? *

It was ten minutes before Coffee Lady’s café closed. Thomas knew that once she initiated closing-up procedures it would be a 30 or 45 minute wait.

He’d much rather extend his invitation now and then he could respect her space, duck out, and let her close up; he’d take Perky home and tuck her in.

Then, if Coffee Lady felt comfortable with the invitation, she could cab it over to his inn. That way there was no pressure and it would be completely up to her.

In the event that she was ‘sleepy’ he’d have the bed all warmed up. He rubbed his hands together and a tingle shot up his spinal column.

This was it. The pitch. He called over.

“Coffee Lady… You-hoo!” Then he gave a little effeminate wave, which she seemed to find charming.

Behind the counter with her back to him, she turned around in his direction… but kept turning. Her eyes didn’t meet his.

Her attention had been captured by something else.

She looked troubled.

* What is she looking at? *

Thomas himself craned his neck over toward the entrance where her sight line was aimed. It was a bit of a commotion.

An odd-looking, younger Korean man – pie-eyed, wobbly and obviously pissed to the gills – was holding the café door open for another man.

The second man was shorter, also disoriented, and had a cigarette dangling from his lips.

Both guys were laughing their heads off, the way kids do after playing a practical joke on someone. Thomas ducked down in his booth.

If that’s who I think it is, he’s the last person on earth I expected or wanted to see at this time.

* Who might the men be? *

Perhaps sensing Thomas’ discomfort, Coffee Lady directed the pair of stumbling, laughing drunks to another booth away from Thomas’ and they didn’t see him.

Before sitting down they both had to visit the can, and disappeared arm-in-arm down the hall, stopping a few times to let a huge laugh out.

“That was classic…” the younger man laughed, bending over and slapping his own gut, “…frickin’ classic!”

It was now or never for Thomas. Frantic and out of time, he motioned Coffee Lady over. “Pali, pali!”

She reluctantly approached.

Thomas, in a hushed voice: “Can you meet me after work tonight? I’d like to invite you back to my…” and he handed over a matchbook from his motel.

She glanced at it briefly – Motel Romeo – then waved him off, not even registering the information. “Too late. I know these clients.”

“They may be here several hours or until sunrise.”

“Are you sure? You’ve worked hard enough tonight. Tell them you’re closing.”

Another, more vigorous wave-off. “I have to stay. In Korea, if business has customer we must stay open.

“These two customers are big tippers. If I kick them out now, Max will hear about it. They know him very well.”

Thomas struck a pondering pose and did some quick thinking. Now, barely in a whisper: “How about New Year’s Eve?”

Coffee Lady looked down, ashamed. She’d never seen Thomas appear desperate and impatient like this. It was the first crack in his armour that she’d witnessed.

For gosh sakes, he was acting like an average, ordinary man! Her natural humility threw up a defensive wall.

“We had wonderful time tonight. It’s enough I think for a while. Why don’t we take a break? It is difficult for you to visit me here.”

Thomas clasped his hands together in a pleading fashion. He was sinking in quicksand. He grabbed for something, anything.

“Yes it is but I promise you I will come back New Year’s Eve. I have to ask you something – concerning our future. Please.”

*

Tomorrow: The Golden God seems to have lost all his chances.