Martoons

Today: Thomas doesn’t passively succumb to Wide Eyes’ demands.

Cast of characters

Thomas

Wide Eyes/Damion

Mr Go

Scene: Highway between Chinju and Ulsan

*

“I’ll be back late this afternoon,” Go told the receptionist.

“You sure she’ll still be working here then?” Thomas wisecracked and then suddenly fell out of ranks.

“Just a minute.”

He quickly nipped into the staff room to get his backpack.

Within seconds he was back in the parade, with Wide Eyes and the boss leading him down the stairs the back way, through the still-messy lobby and out onto the concrete pad.

Wide Eyes opened the back-passenger side door for Thomas and he got in without any resistance.

Wide Eyes himself got in the front passenger side.

For a split-second Thomas actually considered bolting but instincts told him to hold off.

Go was already in the driver’s seat and was lighting up a smoke.

“Tam-bay (cigarette),” Wide Eyes commanded from him.

Reality was slowly settling in and Thomas realized he better speak now or forever hold his peace.

“Mr Go, before we begin this wonderful excursion to wherever the hell it is we’re going, can I at least pack a suitcase back at my apartment? I mean, all my stuff’s there.”

Wide Eyes answered.

“We don’t have time right now. We gotta hit the road and get you out of here. Mr Go and I will pack your suitcase for you later and get it to you.”

* Will they actually get it for him? *

Thomas chuckled.

“Yeah, I’m sure you will…”

This was all so absurd.

He thought of Coffee Lady again.

“Am I at least entitled to one phone call?”

Dame again.

“No time buddy.”

Thomas was quick to react this time.

“Look, you can already see that I’m not objecting to this. You’re the boss Mr Go and I respect that, but I ain’t going nowhere without cash this time.

“You guys can call the cops, immigration, the Korean President, I don’t care. If I’m leaving this town today – and it’s a one way ticket – you guys drive me back to my room, I get my Canadian cash stash there, and then you’ll take me to the Korean Exchange Bank so I can change it over.”

Go and Wide Eyes remained silent and fidgeted nervously.

“We do that now,” Thomas said, “or I’ll be making a little side trip to the cop shop. It’s right down there…”

He looked down the street and pointed.

“And you ain’t never seen me run so fast. Neither of you sad sack smokers would have a chance of catching me. I could do a 4 flat 40 in university.

“And by the way, both you guys smoke way too much. It can lead to flaccid penis syndrome.”

He chuckled and felt he was back on top of things.

“Wouldn’t that be embarrassing, eh Wide Eyes? With me out of the picture, even if you do go back and make the moves on Coffee Lady, it’s futile.

“You won’t be able to come to attention! You’ll be a laughing stock.”

Wide Eyes shuffled in his seat, uncomfortable with the remark – to the delight of Thomas.

Go remained silent; astutely sensing this house of cards might fall.

* Will Thomas get himself out of this unfortunate situation? *

*

Tomorrow: Thomas looks on the bright side of things.