Martoons

Cast of characters

Dame

Mr E

Fred

Mr Go

Miss No

*

Dame and Fred cut through a thin band of evergreen trees to the Beach Boys Motel parking lot. E’s car was just arriving – slowly – and the lot was already full.

Dame found himself inadvertently gazing at Fred and pondering his fate. Privately, he’d already written Fred’s obituary in Korea but didn’t let on.

“Enjoy this while it lasts, Freddy boy. It’s New Year’s, we’re from Canada and we’re…” He spread his arms out like a preacher.

“…we’re on this …this beach in Korea!”

He was gushing with melodrama and Fred wondered if it was sincere or just another one of his put-ons.

* What do you think? *

“And you know what buddy boy? One thing I’ve learned during my short stay in this God-forsaken country is that we’re just not that important in the grand scheme of things.

“Notice how everyone here always asks you when you’re leaving? When you’re going back to Canada… back to your home country?

“You know why? Because we always do leave. We are foreigners here – not guests or visitors – but foreigners, which means we don’t belong.

“We will all leave too – you and me and every other white-faced waygook. Sooner or later. It’s inevitable.”

Fred didn’t know what to make of the comments.

One thing he liked about Korea was – precisely – the lack of white faces here and that gave him a sense of uniqueness.

Dame seemed to be right, though: The smattering of foreigners that were here – even the truly decent ones – all seemed to leave. And my days …my hours… are numbered.

* Could this be Fred’s last night in Korea? *

 Dame said, “But for now we’re both still here so let’s enjoy.” He patted Fred on the back, tossed his cigarette butt on the ground and pulled his jacket collar up high.

“It’s way-y-y too cold here. If I wanted this kind of weather I would have stayed in Edmonton!”

E maneuvered the car right up to the motel’s front door, on the yellow zebra area. It was the only space left.

As Fred approached with Dame, Go and E were muttering about the motel possibly being full already.

No overheard some of the mumblings and waved them off abruptly.

“My family has been coming here for many years. We don’t even have to reserve a room. The owner’s a distant relative.”

Nevertheless, her body language betrayed her doubt as she cautiously entered the lobby.

* Will the motel have space for them? *

With Fred having shunned the girly offer, Dame mentioned his idea to Go about taking a cab back to Chinju.

Go tersely waved him Dame off and dragged him in out of the cold.

In the lobby No pointed down the hall to their supposed room, but as the group headed there she became embroiled in a debate with the sleepy owner.

At the room itself, Go popped his head in but there was already a family sleeping inside.

Seconds later the owner scampered down, stuck his head in and yelled some orders into the darkened chamber.

* He’s waking up the already sleeping family?!… *

Dame sauntered discretely over to Go, whispering, “I don’t want that Korean family to be evicted on my account. That’s just … wrong. C’mon, let’s go back to Chinju.”

Without waiting for Go’s answer, Dame promptly returned to the front counter to use the phone. He pulled out his cabby’s business card and dialed.

* What is Dame going to do with the rest of his night? *

*

Tomorrow: The gang all starts nodding off.