Martoons

Cast of characters

Mr E

Miss No

Donna

*

“Not a sign of Damion,” E white-lied. “Nothing. Not a single thing.”

* Do you think No will be able to tell that E’s lying? *

No looked at him suspiciously for a split second, which freaked-out E yet he stood his ground. Nerve-wracking seconds passed and then No shook her head.

“Well, thank goodness Damion’s not in there lying unconscious on the floor!” She looked around. “So … where?”

Donna spoke up: “I’ve lived with this guy my whole life. My gut instinct tells me he’s still on the beach somewhere.”

She had a mesmerized look in her eyes as if she were doing one of her telephone fortune readings.

“Yes … I have a vision . . . I can see him walking around very close to here.”

Her shoulders quaked slightly and she uttered in a tone of voice as if someone was speaking through her. “Yes … real close.”

* Is Damion actually really close? *

No wasn’t impressed by her histrionics and waved her off. “Honestly, I’ve had enough. I’m going to call the police. This could turn into an international incident.

“A foreigner has gone missing. He could be kidnapped or dead and I am responsible for his safety. Mr E – your cell phone please!”

“Can we look for him just a little longer?” E answered. “I’d like to follow Donna’s lead.”

“I think he’s still on the beach somewhere, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find him. This place is emptying fast.”

No was game for one last shot. “Okay, Donna, he’s your brother. In a situation like this, where would he be most likely to go?”

Donna shook her head. “He’s always the last to leave a party, after everyone else is gone. If he’s okay – and instincts are telling me he is – I’d be willing to bet he’s still socializing here somewhere.”

She threw her arms up in relief. “You know, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s back in that dumpy soju tent . . . that Big Top place.”

The thought humoured Miss No as she pictured the owner snoozing in his pink jacket.

“You want to drag us all the way back there? We’ll be doing this all day! I don’t have time – very sorry!”

Donna stood her ground. “Look, it’s cold out on this beach and that tent’s warm. Why not try back there again – just one more time and then you can make your call to the cops.

“It really wouldn’t surprise me if Dame’s having a shot of soju right now in that orange tent. I can visualize it quite clearly. I can almost feel it.”

Miss No scoffed. “Drinking soju? First thing in the morning? What – was he an old Korean rice farmer in a previous life?”

“It’s not morning for him. He’s a night hawk. Right around now would be his last call.”

No appreciated the insights but wasn’t enamored with the idea of walking all the way back to the tent again in her heels.

Her feet were aching and she could feel a blister developing just below her Achilles tendon.

Only after Donna slid her arm into hers did she agree – with a huge, exasperated sigh. They turned in the direction of the orange structure.

Hardly anyone was on the beach now.

As they moved over the sand, an odd-looking man in ill-fitting pants and a bright jacket passed by going the other way – in the direction of the washroom.

The passerby was covering most of his face with his hands – ostensibly to shield the beach breeze perhaps – but then burst into a coughing fit.

No didn’t notice him but Donna did – she did a double take and actually cocked her head around to take a second look.

Huh? That’s weird! She followed him with her eyes as he continued on.

No now noticed her preoccupation. “Sister what are you looking at? What is it? Something wrong?”

* Will Donna realize that the passerby could be her brother? *

*

Tomorrow: Donna becomes mesmerized by the pink jacket of the passerby…