186. Lek’s debts
Still earlier the same evening Larson had walked to Superboy bar with determined steps. Lek was on the stage and the boy waved and smiled at Larson, hoping Larson would ask Lek to sit with him.
Larson asked for the owner.
- Welcome back Mr. Anderson, said Dietmar.
- It is Larson.
- You came to take your boy off again? He is available now. But I am expecting a man from Holland who also likes Lek so you better take him while you can.
- No more offing, said Larson. – I am here to clear Lek’s debts.
- You are? You are a kind man, Larson. I am sure Lek will appreciate this.
Dietmar had Lek join him and Larson at the table. Larson took a thick envelope out of his pocket.
- Here is your 20 000 baht, said Larson.
- Thank, said Lek, who stared at the money with big eyes.
- Thank you, said Dietmar and paused.
- Yes? said Larson.
- What about the rest?
- What rest? Lek owes you 20 000 he borrowed from you in Germany. Correct?
- Correct. But there are extra charges since then.
- Extra charges?
- He works here now.
- Sorry?
- When the boys are late for work I deduct 50 baht from them. Let me see… said Dietmar and looked at some handwritten notes.
- Lek has been late seven times. 350 baht.
- But this bar has only been open for two weeks!
- So he has been late half the time. Punktlichkeit! They never heard of that here.
- Is that all?
- No. He often eats in the bar. 25 baht a meal. Twelve of those. That will be… let me see… 300 baht.
- Are you done now?
- 18 soft drinks at 15 baht. 270 baht.
- You are ripping me off!
- I don’t think so, Larson. I keep books. Lek has received advance payment on his salary because he was broke. I am too soft to be in this business, I know. 1 500 baht.
- This is highway robbery!
- I don’t add any interest. Some other bar owners do. Also, Lek skipped work two nights already. I don’t know where he was. With you maybe? That will be 200 baht times two.
- Stop, said Larson. - What about his salary? He gets monthly pay, right?
- Right.
- And a bonus when someone buys him a drink?
- Yes.
- What about that money? It must be more than Lek owes you.
- We don’t know that yet. In any case it is not payable until after one month.
- Why?
- To give the boys an incentive to stay. Otherwise they keep hopping from bar to bar.
- I give up, said Larson. – How much?
- 2 820 baht please.
Larson put 3 000 baht on the table and waved the mamasan off when she came to pick up the money. – Keep the change!
- And now my young Lek we are leaving this place for good, said Larson.
- Where go? asked Lek.
- Out of there. You are quitting.
- Not wan go, said Lek. – Wan stay here.
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