Martoons

Cast of characters

Dame

Mr Go

*

Dame (Beardy #2) scurried around in the dark, pulled the beard off and stuffed it in his pocket.

Now, he felt, he could finally unwind and enjoy this beach culture for the rest of the night.

The icy air filled his lungs and an optimistic feeling surged through him: It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m in the Republic of South Korea. Wow. I’m going to miss this God-forsaken place when I’m gone.

* When is Dame going to leave? *

“Happy New Year everyone!” Anonymous Koreans walked by in twos and threes, many of the females in arm-locks.

Yet no one reacted to Dame’s rousing greeting, except for a giggle or two and a few wisps of gossip.

The dead reaction sent a chill of alienation rippling down Dame’s spine. Come think of it, I won’t miss this God-forsaken place at all.

* Do you think that’s true? *

The pitch black darkness and the crisp, eyeball-stinging cold hit him like an anvil square on top of the head.

He walked a bit and got back to the tent.

Inside, Go and Fred pitched in to come up with the taxi fare and Dame received it gracefully in traditional Korean style – hands together in front of him, and accompanied with a truncated bow.

“Anybody want to go with me back to that taxi stand? I don’t want to get lost. A guy could die out there in that cold.”

The energetic and significantly sloshed Mr Go embraced the opportunity. E was still out at the washroom, reconciling with No.

“Mr Fred,” Go said as he zipped up his jacket, “wait here a couple of minutes and we will be right back. Wait here for Mr E.

When Damion and I get back we will all head to the bonfire to ring in the New Year. All of us together.”

Out Dame and Go went, heading toward the back of the beach and the metal staircase.

“How’s your night so far Mr Go? You seem in good spirits.”

“Tonight very good. I talk to Miss No and she let me attend a business meeting tomorrow with Fred.”

Dame’s brow furrowed. “What kind of meeting?”

* Should Go say? *

Go immediately sensed he’d opened up a can of old kimchi as he explained what little he knew of the ‘go-out’ meeting for Fred.

Something wasn’t sitting right with Dame and he was shaking his head in disagreement.

Go downplayed the whole thing. “It will be very simple. A simple goodbye to Fred and then I will take him away.”

Dame firmly waved him off. “Mr Go you know as well as I: Waygooks are like gold here. Losing Fred is huge. Wake up, man! I would never agree to that.”

“Ah,” Go whined, “headache.”

He was reeling. He couldn’t understand why Dame was against him. Weren’t friends supposed to support each other through thick and thin?

But in the next few seconds of silence, the cold air Go was inhaling sobered up his thoughts.

My friend Damion is absolutely right. I am born to be boss and tomorrow can be the beginning of my long road back.

He clenched his fists down at his side. He liked Fred and wanted to help him.

As more icy air filtered past his nostril hairs and seconds later into his brain, he realized that it wasn’t too late. He could still help the Canadian.

* What will Go do to help Fred? *

Go and Dame reached the back edge of the beach and ascended the metal staircase.

“There he is!” Damion exclaimed. “My cab! Over there…”

Go only half-heard, now intoxicated by the scheme unfolding in his head. He grinned and nodded with confident self-approval.

He was back.

The Boss had risen from the dead.

*

Tomorrow: Dame and E leave for the beach and Go has come up with a plan.