Martoons

Cast of characters

Dame

Mr Go

Mr E

Fred

*

Go’s Plan      

Dame vigorously rapped on the cabby’s window but he’d snoozed off in the idling vehicle and couldn’t be roused.

However, he’d left both the driver’s and passenger’s windows cracked open several inches to prevent fog-up.

Dame was able to slip the cell phone through the passenger window crack and was pleased when it bounced and settled on that seat.

He didn’t want to poke any money through; obviously better to wait and give it to the guy in person. So he and Go left the cabby dozing off there.

* Was that a good idea? *

“Expect a call from him as soon as he wakes up,” Dame said. “He can’t leave until he contacts me and gets his fare – as long as he calls me before we drink it all away. Ha!”

When they got back to the Big Top Soju Tent it was getting close to midnight but Fred was the only one who seemed interested in making a big deal out of it.

Go, Dame and E didn’t even want to go out to the fire.

Go and Dame were frozen from their excursion to the taxi stand; E wanted to make a few more toasts.

Moments ago he’d waltzed from the men’s can as if nothing had happened, then sent Miss No off to the bonfire to keep Donna company.

E and No had struck a deal that he could go back to this tent for a libation, but once the New Year struck he had to spend it with her – and no more drinky poo.

* Do you think E will follow through with that? *

After Dame warmed up, he got restless and found an excuse to go outside. He started coaxing E to venture out with him and investigate the girl action.

“The cold’s not so bad once you’ve been in and out a few times. You get acclimatized. Plus, the warm air in here’s making me all yawny.”

E was reluctant to go cruising back out on the beach. “It was a miracle that I saved my relationship back at that washroom.

What I don’t need right now is for Miss No to catch me red-handed flirting with beach ladies – as much as I want to! It’s so much fun!”

“I understand,” Dame said, putting his arm around his banker buddy and tugging him toward the tent exit. “I won’t put you at risk.”

“I need you as a cultural ambassador – to introduce me! Ladies here don’t like being hit-on directly like back home.”

E nodded. “You’re right. In Korea, that is like caveman style. Introductions are very important.”

Out they went arm-in-arm, E still somewhat reluctant. Dame could sympathize.

That’s why he checked his jacket pocket for the white Santa beard – just in case they needed to do a quick ‘cover up’.

* Will they stay out of trouble? *

Remaining inside, Go was feeling Fred out about his future. “So as you told me before, you want to leave Chinju. But Korea: You will stay. Okay?”

Fred gave him the thumbs up. “I love Korea Mr Go, but…” He chuckled wistfully, shook his head and looked away. “Seems Miss No is the gatekeeper here. If she wants me out, I’m out.”

Go was machinating. There was several seconds’ silence.

“Mr Go,” Fred pleaded but not in an assy-kissy type of way, “help me find a way to stay in Korea. My time here is just not done. I feel like there are still things I can do.”

Go agreed and could feel Fred’s optimism bursting through like a tiny flower through a crack in the sidewalk. “Yeah, yeah. The juice from the fruit is not all squeezed out yet.”

Go’s plan had crystallized during his walk back from the taxi stand. Fred could sense something was up and hadn’t seen his former boss so enthusiastic in ages.

* What is Go’s plan? *

It was the Go he remembered from his first days in Chinju – the man who made him think anything was possible in Korea for a foreigner; that Korea was a better place now that Fred Pineridge was here.

Go had made him feel like a somebody.

“So Fred,” Go said, sneaking a peak around and lowering his voice. “I have a secret plan. But I cannot reveal it in detail – only what you need to know.

Tomorrow early in the morning someone you know will approach you and let you know.”

* Who will it be? *

Fred cut in, shrugging. “Can you be more specific?”

Go shushed him. “Don’t worry – they will find you. Fred, if this works, maybe you can stay in Korea.”

He patted Fred on the back. Singing and laughing could be heard outside. “Come on Fred, it is time to go.”

* Do you think Go’s plan will work? *

*

Tomorrow: A couple of the housewives have been missing Fred.