Martoons

Today: Thomas looks on the bright side of things.

Cast of characters

Thomas

Wide Eyes/Damion

Mr Go

*

Wide Eyes consoled, “I guess we can arrange a little unscheduled side-trip to your room and then the bank. But no fartin’ around or funny stuff! Mr Go and I have things to do.”

* What other things do Wide Eyes and Mr Go have to do? *

Go gestured for Wide Eyes to back off with the bravado.

“Thomas,” Go consoled, “you don’t deserve to be inconvenienced. We will go to your room and you can prepare your money and clothes. It is reasonable.”

“Thank you Mr Go.”

“And actually, do not worry. I think you will like new place.”

Wide Eyes retorted:

“He’s going to have to like it. That box of herbs might have very well landed him in the slammer if he refused this trip…”

Go waved him off.

“Stop that!”

Thomas got to thinking.

From what Go had said and his body language – compared to Wide Eyes’ histrionics – was this whole move idea Wide Eyes’ scheme?

How much was Go really behind this?

At all?

“Mr Go, if I really am leaving, you’ll be without a Dumb Foreigner in your business. Your client traffic has tripled since I’ve been here.

“You need a white face, buddy. This could be the business mistake of your life.”

* Will Mr Go’s business start to fail without Thomas? *

Go sighed.

He knew Thomas was right and Thomas knew he knew it.

But what could Go do or say about it?

All he could think of was Damion’s scurrilous video.

Thomas was already looking ahead and seeing the bright side of this whole crazy episode.

“Actually, I don’t mind moving. Best make a fresh start after what’s gone on here for the last month.”

He sat up and leaned forward, tapping Wide Eyes on the shoulder.

Wide Eyes went rigid.

“If you think,” Thomas said, “that you’re going to move in on Coffee Lady, you’re in a world of hurt. She doesn’t like you and I suggest you leave her alone.

“She’s got enough crap to deal with in that job as it is, without you there schmoozing all over her. Stand down partner –if you know what’s good for you!”

* Are the tables going to turn on Wide Eyes? *

Wide Eyes didn’t peep and squirmed the whole way to Thomas’ apartment.

When they finally got there, Go and Wide Eyes waited in the car while Thomas went up and filled a duffle bag full of affects and stuffed his passport, bankbook and cash into his pockets.

He thought of Coffee Lady again and filled with optimism:

I can always come back and visit her.

One thing’s for sure – she ain’t going nowhere!

And with a traditional chick like her, in her mind it’ll be absence makes the heart grow fonder!

* Will Coffee Lady going to stay put? *

At the bank with Go by his side and Wide Eyes outside smoking, Thomas’ eyes lit up as his several hundred dollars’ Canadian money was converted to a healthy fistful of Korean won.

“Do you want to open bank account here?” the pasty-smiled and immaculately-groomed female teller asked.

He waved her off politely.

“Actually, I’m moving to … no, let me correct that: I’m being herded to another city.”

“Where?”

He shrugged.

Go muttered something and the teller nodded.

“Ah yeah,” she said.

“Your owner says you are moving to Ulsan. It is a very big city and we have a branch there.”

Thomas opened up an account, got a bank card and felt good about the whole thing.

This was turning out to be a seamless transition.

He was getting out of Butt Frick, Korea and moving to the big city! Yahoo!

He didn’t dare let on, though, or the next thing he knew he might be moved back!

So for the next few minutes he put on his biggest, droopiest sucky face, bowed his head down, hunched his shoulders and slouched.

* Will this actually end up being a positive move for Thomas? *

*

Tomorrow: Thomas is transported in a cancerous cloud.