Martoons

Cast of characters

Fred

Store owner

Mr E

Donna

Miss No

*

Sherlock No           

A moment later Fred emerged from the store smiling, but it was a pasted grin and disappeared as soon as he was out of the store owner’s visual range.

All the owner had wanted was a little small talk.

* Nothing regarding Go’s plan? *

“Yeah,” he’d said, “so sorry. My Englishy no good. I didn’t understand what you said a few minutes ago but when you left I figured it out.

“Yes you are right – my nephew is Mr Kang. He is managing a very successful business for his friend Mr Go.

I have heard about Mr Go but don’t know if I’ve met him.”

He thought about it. “Hmmm. Short guy? Smokes a lot? Yeah maybe. Anyway, you know Mr Kang?”

Fred nodded. “I don’t really know him. We’ve met once…”

“Yeah, yeah. How about Mr Go?”

“Yeah, I work for him or … worked for him.”

Then Fred waited for the secret code or whatever it was that Go had passed to this guy to unlock today’s plan, but none was forthcoming. Only an awkward silence.

Then Fred asked, “Did Mr Kang or Mr Go contact you last night or this morning about … a plan involving me?”

“A … plan?” The owner looked blank-eyed.

“To get me back to Chinju before noon.”

The owner waved him off mildly, less of a ‘no’ gesture than ‘I’m not clueing in.’

“Someone is supposed to give me a ride back to Chinju,” Fred stated emphatically.

“Okay, okay, okay,” the owner replied now getting it. “I understand. You need ride back to Chinju – okay.” He reached for a phone on his counter to call the cab hotline.

“Here – I call taxi. My friend own company…”

Fred waved him off vigorously. “No, no, no – it’s alright it’s alright.” He quickly concluded this guy wasn’t in on Mr Go’s secret scheme. He bowed and departed the store.

*

Back on the beach, Dame and Mr E finished up their smokes. Slightly out of earshot, Donna and Miss No chatted intently with No doing most of the talking.

“This is driving me crazy,” No said. “This, standing around waiting for Santa Kang to appear.”

Donna was privately wondering if the whole Grandpa Santa Kang thing was a mere figment of Miss No’s occasionally over-active imagination.

* Well she didn’t imagine it but it was definitely not Grandpa Kang! *

“If you really think some evil guy is out there waiting to pounce, why don’t we go look for him? Better than acting like sitting ducks.”

The idea resonated with No and she called out to E and Dame. “Wait right here and save our space. We’ll be back in a few minutes for the sunrise.”

“Donna and I are going for a walk.”

E shrugged but had learned not to ask questions.

The ladies strolled down the beach at a brisk pace and some familiar landmarks came into view: The infamous men’s washroom, the Big Top Soju Tent… but wait a minute – back to that washroom.

No recollected her two separate sightings of Santa Kang – first him coming out of the washroom; a bit later heading back toward it.

That was when his beard had mysteriously slipped through her fingers and he’d uncannily disappeared into the darkness.

But where had he been between those sightings? He must have been somewhere – likely in one of these soju tents. Where else would a man go on this beach?

“Donna,” she implored, “Let’s go and do a quick investigation. We’ll start with …” (looking around) “…that one.”

Big Top Soju Tent

Donna obediently followed along. Miss No flipped the entrance flap back on Big Tent and strutted inside as if she owned the place.

The owner was sitting behind his counter on a stool, leaning up against a corner and snoozing, while a space heater burned full bore nearby.

He looked cozy and No considered not bothering him – but the thought died a quick death.

“Hey mister, wake up! Hey mister! Excuse me! This is urgent. Hey! So sorry. Wake up! Hey you! You you!”

*

Tomorrow: No questions the soju tent owner about any white-bearded patrons…