Martoons

Today: Mr Go has an episode.

Cast of characters

Mr Go 

“A foreigner”

Scene: Outside a soju tent in Chinju

*

While cranking off another century of pushups, Go realized that he’d imbibed quite a quantity of liquor.

When he’d done the pushups and got back to his feet, he felt dizzy as he caught his breath.

The exercise had got his blood – and the soju in it – flowing rapidly and he became disoriented.

He blacked out for 30 seconds? …a minute?

* What has the soju done to Mr Go? *

After regaining his bearings, he found himself all the way over at the edge of the soju plaza, a good several dozen steps away.

Only now only vaguely aware of it, he was standing at military attention, looking fixedly out across the nearby river.

In view was the downtown area and all the bright lights – dozens of neon signs, many of them flashing.

The whole thing looked like a giant pinball machine.

Flashing arrows pointing every which way.

It was tearing his mind apart.

* What is keeping him drawn to the lights? *

The foreigner had also exited the tent behind Go to visit a blue rocket.

On the way back he spotted Go standing frozen over by the plaza edge and wondered what he was looking at.

“Nice skyline, eh, Mr Go?” he called over amicably.

Go didn’t respond or budge; still stood frozen, his gaze locked straight on the wild mumbo-jumbo of lights and illuminated shapes, flashing and spinning around.

The alcohol coursing through his blood was giving his entire body a warm glow.

The foreigner approached him and suddenly broke out laughing. “Sorry Mr Go. I shouldn’t have mentioned Thomas at all. In love, may the best man win and you are right – he’s clearly the best.”

He laughed and shook his head. “Now I see how crazy my demands were. Emotion, especially love – or lust! – blinds us. Does it not?”

Go was untouched by the flourish of poetic prose; completely oblivious in fact.

Still at attention.

Eyes still staring straight ahead at the lights.

Finally, in a dull, monotone voice without flinching, he said “Comrade, I will fire Thomas. He must go out of Korea. You, Comrade, are destined to be with the Coffee Lady.”

* Is it just the soju causing Mr Go’s change of heart? *

The foreigner did a double take.

Caught completely by surprise, he straightened right up.

Go’s comment hung in the air.

The sound of a cricket chirping echoed forth; then two; then innumerable.’

“Mr Go … or should I say, Comrade… would you please repeat what you said?”

* Why is Mr Go saying ‘Comrade’? *

“I will fire Thomas.” His voice was distant, dispassionate, dead-tone.

But the foreigner wasn’t focusing on tone but rather content.

For him, it was one of those situations where you ask for something and don’t at all expect to get it; but when suddenly and unexpectedly it’s delivered, it catches you off-guard and you shy away.

“M-m-maybe … we should talk about it later Mr Go … I mean, Comrade.”

Something strange had come over Go but whatever it was, the foreigner was fascinated and astonished – and somewhat horrified.

He then recalled a similar strange mini-incident a few nights ago at this very same soju tent plaza when Go seemed hypnotized by the neon sign at the entrance.

* What is it about the lights? *

Presently, the foreigner looked across the river, following Go’s sight line. “Mr Go, what is it about those lights?”

Go didn’t answer and recoiled slightly, as if being blinded.

He put his hands up to his eyes. “Ah… my mind … stress. Please, get me away…”

“Let’s go back inside now,” the foreigner said, noting that it was as if Go was sleepwalking.

He put his arm gently around Go and coached him toward the orange tarp.

Demons.

This man has demons.

* What are Mr Go’s demons? *

“Everything will be okay inside, Mr Go. Go inside Mr Go. Go inside.”

*

Tomorrow: The foreigner follows up with Mr Go… or at least tries to.