189. Late at night
Duff and Peter had retreated to the restaurant at the Malaysia hotel, one of the few places to be open 24 hours for the lovesick, the horny and the desperate in Bangkok. They were surprised to see Bia sitting by himself at a table, drinking coca cola.
- What are you doing here? asked Duff.
- Waiting you.
- You mean waiting for Peter?
- No. Waiting you, said Bia while avoiding looking at Peter.
- Don’t try that trick, said Duff. – You are so childish!
- He sure is, said Peter.
- If you don’t want to speak to your boyfriend I suggest you get the hell out of this hotel, said Duff.
Bia turned his nose up and didn’t reply. Peter looked hurt.
- Come here, said Duff and took Peter to another table. – Just ignore him. He is playing games.
- I know, said Peter.
Bia had hoped to turn Peter against Duff and could not think of anything to do when the plan failed. He paid for his drink and left while still trying to look superior.
- Don’t follow him, said Duff when Peter was getting up from his chair. - To have you running after him begging is just what he is hoping for.
- It is hard to resist doing that, said Peter.
- Don’t give him that power over you. Let him walk.
Larson came in. He looked more relaxed now.
- Good morning gentlemen, said Larson and sat down.
- You look content, said Peter. – Did you get laid?
- Did I ever, said Larson. – I met this off-duty massage boy. He was sitting right outside this hotel. Talk about luck.
- How much? asked Duff.
- Are you implying that I have to pay for sex? I paid nothing. It was free.
- I thought you said he was a pro.
- Even pros have their needs.
- You are bluffing, said Peter.
- Did I ever say anything other than the 100% correct and verifiable?
- Yes. Many times.
- I don’t think so!
Robert Miller entered the restaurant. He didn’t see the group until Larson waved to him.
- Robert, said Larson. – What brings you to this fine establishment?
- It is a madhouse at home, said Robert. – The baby has arrived.
- “Our” baby? asked Duff.
- Yes. Our baby. But when it came to paying the hospital bill it was my baby. And now the in-laws are there to see it. It is a racket. There are people and diapers and food everywhere. I had to go somewhere else. They are taking over the house.
- Let me see if I get this right, said Peter. – You have a platonic boyfriend. The boyfriend has a girl. The girl just had a baby. And they all live with you?
- You got it, said Robert.
- Excuse me for saying this, said Duff. – But you are always the guy who is in control and who gives others advice. Now it sounds like you have been rolled over by events.
- It is easier to give advice than to take it, said Robert. – These things happen. We are in Thailand.
- You must kick them out, said Larson. – I would never let them carry on like this.
- In theory yes, said Robert. – In practice… where are they supposed to go? I can’t dump them on the street.
- He is not even a real boyfriend, said Duff.
- I am fond of him. I am used to having him around.
Robert paused as if he was listening to himself. – Does any of this make sense?
- No, said Peter.
- It is Thailand. Live here for a while longer and you will know what I mean.
The only happy face around the table belong to Larson, who went into detail about the massage boy and what skills this person had.
- How can you forget about Lek so quickly? asked Duff.
- Lek is not forgotten, said Larson. – He is just put in a proper perspective.
- I worry about Noi. What is he doing with Dietmar?
- Make a guess, said Robert. – I heard that Dietmar takes each new employee for a test drive.
- Oh no, said Duff.
- But that was the go-go boys. I don’t know if it applies to Noi.
- Dietmar, said Larson darkly. – How much is it to hire a man and a gun in this town?
- You are joking? asked Duff.
- Only halfway. I hate him.
- Now that Dietmar owns a bar he will be his own punishment, said Robert.
- I had a bad day, said Duff. – I am wondering if Thai boys are too much drama for me.
- Want to try it somewhere else? asked Larson.
- Not really. I came to Bangkok to live here. I am putting up my tent.
- I need to go on a visa run, said Larson.
- I need to do that too. Where?
- Poipet in Cambodia is only four hours on the bus.
- I heard that is a hell hole. Is there nowhere better? I want to go on one of these cheap airlines.
- Poipet is best, said Larson.
- Sorry, said Duff. – I forgot you are afraid of flying.
- Afraid of flying? Certainly not. I love flying. Point to any city on the map and I will go there with you.
- OK, said Duff.
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