Martoons

Cast of characters

Coffee Lady

*

Paisley Flashbacks      

Chinju Intercity Bus Terminal. New Year’s Eve, 6 p.m. Departure Bay 4.

Coffee Lady stood perfectly poised just outside the bus’ open front door. She braced from the cold and could see her breath.

She’d exhale a tiny steam cloud and watch it evaporate and disappear amongst the huge puffs of exhaust from several other idling busses.

Her bus driver, neatly attired in a very starchy, dull beige uniform and grey tie, had just assisted a few passengers stow luggage underneath and was now accepting them into the warm, cozy coach bound for Ulsan.

A few travelers had scurried in and found seats, their non-descript silhouettes now filling the windows.

A dried-squid vendor loitered impatiently nearby waiting to enter the bus when there were enough riders to make it worth his while. 

Now that Coffee Lady had her freedom, it seemed like just a formality to board the bus, kick back for several hours, and step off into her future and the arms of Thomas.

She hadn’t called yet to tell him the news; she was a big believer in the surprise element.

And knowing what she did about the Golden God – that he was like her little puppy dog – he’d drop whatever he was doing and come fetch her at the Ulsan bus terminal.

* Will this assumption hold true? *

That wasn’t the problem. The problem lay here – in Chinju – with Coffee Lady’s own mind. Why couldn’t she get on this bus?

There it was – right there.

* Will she get on the bus? *

Inexplicably she remained steadfast, paralyzed with sudden apprehension. Her eyes were now affixed to the frame of the bus door, which then fell out of focus and refocused as the frame of a soccer net.

* Soccer net?… *

She was flashing back to her middle school days, third year, age twelve, and playing soccer in gym class: An average player – quietly effective – definitely not outstanding.

She’d never scored a goal and couldn’t picture herself doing so, even in her wildest dreams.

Scoring would make her the centre of attention, even if only for a few seconds, and the notion abhorred her.

Yet unexpectedly, she led a charge into the opponents’ end. A teammate floated the ball over the last defence and Coffee Lady retrieved it and was now in alone on the keeper.

Hurriedly she put the boots to the ball but it thunked off the keeper’s shoulder. This knocked the keeper off balance, where she dived for the ball on her way down to the ground.

To Coffee Lady’s dismay and delight, the bouncing ball was out of the keeper’s grasp. It dribbled right back into Coffee Lady’s feet with the distraught keeper lying outstretched and helpless.

The net was wide open and all Coffee Lady had to do was tip the loose ball in. A clumsy, uncoordinated child could have done it.

* Did Coffee Lady score the goal? *

In that split second, however, apprehension seized her. What if she truly scored?

Terrified, she pretended to flub the ball and limply kicked it right into the sprawled keeper’s hands.

Mustering her best acting skills, she looked up at the gaping net and covered her face with her hands in shame.

Fast forward to now, her vision currently refocusing on the bus door.

“Excuse me customer,” the bus driver called out, “You going to Ulsan? Let’s go. Traffic is busy. I’m not leaving a minute late.”

This was it. Coffee Lady had a split second to decide. The bus was far from full – only about a third of the windows had those shadowy head silhouettes sticking up, their gawking eyes now watching her every move.

She flashed-back to that soccer game – that open net – her paralysis. She shook off the nightmarish vision to see the squid vendor at the foot of the bus.

He too was watching her every move, waiting for this attractive, thickly made-up and heavily hair-sprayed 30-something woman to board.

The vendor shuddered an exaggerated shiver to politely show his impatience. What was holding this lady back? She was glancing back and forth nervously, perhaps waiting for someone?

Then Coffee Lady’s eyes flowed to the vendor: Despite the biting cold of the bus bay area, the vendor was wearing no jacket, only a heavy mod, paisley shirt.

Something about its design was familiar; the light cream tone with purple and crimson paisley designs, which became hypnotic.

Her eyes swirled along one of the paisleys as it flowed into a burst star flower and another willowy leaf.

* What is familiar about it? *

Her mind delved deeper into the past. Five, six, seven … Ten years ago and her high school days…

* What is Coffee Lady going to flash back to this time? *

*

Tomorrow: ‘Coffee Girl’ becomes Coffee Lady.