Martoons

Today: Fred sees a familiar face.

Cast of characters

Fred 

Donna

Scene: Central Institute

*

T h o m a s   M a p l e t r e e  — the file was labelled.

Retreating to the round table and leafing through the file, sure enough it contained all Thomas’ documents but they were mostly all in Korean.

Using what he could of his primitive Korean language skills, Fred transcribed to the palm of his hand what looked like a city name where Thomas might very well be now.

Suddenly the sound of high heels clicking up the concrete steps startled him.

Thomas’ file was slid back, the drawer re-installed and Fred resumed his seat at the round table, his heart pounding like a traditional Korean drum.

Whoever had just arrived stood momentarily outside the office door and was yelling a greeting down to Go.

It was a woman’s voice, but not Miss No’s.

Then the door opened and Fred looked up innocently.

* Who could it be? *

“Hello.” A medium-height, slightly pudgy woman, Korean in appearance but Canadian in clothing style, offered Fred her hand for a handshake.

They shook hands firmly.

For some reason, she looked familiar.

Very familiar. 

But he couldn’t pinpoint from where.

I know her.

He scratched his temple.

But … from where? Why can’t I remember?

She grinned sincerely. “Miss No instructed me to get over here and check up on you. About time you got here!”

She plopped her backpack down on a chair.

Fred made the connection. “You’re Donna. I interviewed you back in Edmonton.”

Everything flooded back and Fred vividly recalled his final meeting with Donna where he’d told her she wasn’t going to Korea.

He’d been trying to forget all about that ever since and he certainly wasn’t going to reignite the issue now. She was here and that’s all that mattered.

Donna looked at the clock on the wall. “Won’t waste any more of your time. Back to work at Riverside.”

She retrieved her backpack and hoisted it up on her shoulder.

“Miss No couldn’t make it over here to see if you were okay so she sent me. Anyway, my bus’ll be by in a few minutes. Later . . .”

She closed the door behind her.

Fred sat back down at the table and yawned.

The jet lag had suddenly hit him like a 20kg rice sack.

As glad as he was that Donna had made it to Korea – for her sake – something wasn’t right. He wondered why she’d departed so abruptly.

An image of Thomas popped into Fred’s head. I should have asked Donna if she knew anything. 

Fred was tired, though, and feeling brain-dead.

Yawning again, he spread his arms out on the table to lay his head down.

Power snooze time.

He nestled his face in his arms and adjusted himself to get comfortable.

Donna’s probably still waiting for that bus right now.

Go talk to her. 

Almost reflexively, he snapped to, left the office and scurried down the stairs.

Out in the sidewalk, Donna was about half a block away and her bus was quickly approaching.

* Will Fred reach Donna in time? * 

*

Tomorrow: Mr Go opens up to Fred.