Martoons

Cast of characters

Dame

Mr Go 

Coffee Lady

*

Across town, Dame and Go settled back into their booths at Coffee Lady’s. They’d been all giggly since leaving Central twenty minutes ago after polishing off two surplus soju bottles from the secret stash.

“Oh man, that was the most fun I’ve had for a coon’s age!” Dame laughed robustly but then the mere movement of his jaw hurt.

“Except…” He put his hand up to his cheek and rubbed it soothingly. “My face hurts.”

* Miss No must have really gotten him! *

“TKO!” Go added and then splitting his own guts laughing. “She sure got you with that leather handbag. Wham! You went down like a sack of rice. Ho ho!!”

Dame: “Never seen anyone so scared. She must have thought we were robbers or something. When I put my hand on her shoulder and she turned around, I could see the colour draining from her face.”

He erupted into laughter again but that aggravated his cheek, which he cupped in his hand. “Yeah, T-K-O.” Back came the smile. “But it was worth it!”

The Coffee Lady had been standing right there at their booth waiting for them to get serious enough to order.

“Coffee Agasshi!” Go commanded. “Two coffees and … this man has very sore face. Can you give him massage please?”

Dame flicked a thumbs-up. “Good idea Mr Go. Here, honey, sit right on my lap and get those beautiful hands working their magic on my jaw.”

“Ayeesh!” Coffee Lady replied. “You guys never change.”

 “Actually…” and he signaled for Coffee Lady to come closer so he could impart some sensitive information, “I’ve got something to tell you …”

* What is he going to say to her? *

She warily inched closer.

“I’ve got you booked for New Year’s Eve,” Dame revealed, “full services so you’ll make a fistful of cash. Just like old times Coffee Honey – kaching!”

Coffee Lady knew someone had booked her for New Year’s Eve but Max hadn’t yet told her who.

* How do you think Coffee Lady feels about this? *

“Ah, so it’s you…” Her voice trailed off clearly betraying her disappointment.

“That’s right honey.” He noted her dispiritedness. “Don’t worry. If I get done quick, you’ll have the rest of the night off.”

* Do you think that will end up happening? *

That perked Coffee Lady up. “Okay, tell you what. I was just closing the café when you two came in now so I’ll get you one coffee – on the house. I’d just be throwing it out anyway.

”But – no touchy! And after coffee, you leave, okay? Maybe I can get some sleep tonight.”

Sleep? Hardly on the coy damsel’s mind. She was still filled with dreamy thoughts of her hunk Thomas, whose smell was still in her nostrils.

She sighed, rewinding how quickly he’d departed only moments ago.

She hadn’t liked how that meeting had ended, and was now thinking that maybe she could sneak over to his motel after this and see his face one last time.

She wasn’t going to see him New Year’s Eve and didn’t know when she’d see him next. If ever. You just never knew with foreigners.

* Will she see Thomas again? *

*

Nightcap        

As she poured the coffees behind her counter, Coffee Lady looked at the match book Thomas had left.

Motel Romeo.

It was one of the seedier inns in town (from what she’d heard), but that’s where he was and she’d just have to swallow her queasiness and get over there. Soon.

Before he fell asleep.

She efficiently placed the two coffees on a tray. Go and Damion were giggling again, so much so that it was getting annoying.

“What is so funny?” she asked approaching them, and then transferring the cups of hot, black tar to their table.

“Story time,” Dame said, threading his finger into one of her belt loops and somewhat abruptly pulling her over onto his lap. “Something hilarious just happened to us a block from here …”

* What will their side of the story be like? *

*

Tomorrow: Dame and Go enter Central for Go’s secret soju stash!