220. Noi gets a gift
Duff was at Tesco Lotus, looking at music and movie players. Noi had said he wanted a portable one.
The shop had two dozen different players. All were small and looked similar to Duff. Panasonic, Hitachi, Soken, Philips… so many brands. What was the difference between them? Was there any difference at all?
Duff tried a few players. The sales boy (cute!) helpfully put on a music CD and let Duff listen via the earphones. Next the sales boy showed Duff a movie on a TV that he attached to the player with a cable. The player even had remote control.
Duff decided to buy a cheap one. What could Noi expect? A gold-plated Bang & Olufsen? Since he could not tell them apart anyway a Soken had to be good enough.
- Would you like to join me for a pizza later? asked Duff.
- Pisa no have, said the sales boy.
- No, I mean would you like to date me? To go out with me?
- Go out can not.
- After you finish work?
- I go home.
- Can I meet you then?
The boy smiled in that polite but uncertain way Duff had learned meant “I have no idea what you are talking about”. A few other sales staff were watching and Duff decided to call off his flirt as not to embarrass the boy.
- You no lie? asked the boy and held up the player.
- The player is fine, said Duff. – I will take it.
- You want buy?
- Yes.
The shop wrapped the box in pink paper with yellow stars on. Noi will like that, thought Duff.
Next time Noi came to Duff’s room Duff asked the boy to close his eyes. Duff put the gift in his hands and said: - Ta ta!.
Noi opened his eyes, looked down at the gift and said: - Thank you”.
- Are you not going to open it? asked Duff.
- Not open.
- Why?
- Not open now. Open later.
- I see. When is later?
- I want open alone.
- Alone? Why?
- Thai people lie open gipt alone.
- If I walk out for a couple of minutes, will that be good enough?
- Is better.
Duff stepped out in the corridor and waiter. After an appropriate time he entered the room again.
Noi was watching television. The gift paper was in the trash can and the player was on the table. Noi did not seem interested in it.
- So? asked Duff.
- What?
- So did you like it?
- Is OK.
- Only OK? Are you not going to try it?
- Never mind.
- You don’t like it? What is wrong.
- Nothing.
- You are not even saying “Thank you”? Is this your gratitude? I thought you wanted a music and movie player.
- I want.
- Well, you have one now!
- Umm, said Noi and changed the channel on the television. He watched Thai boxing.
- Ungrateful spoilt brat! said Duff. He took the player and held it up. – Nobody gave me such things when I was your age!
- Why you buy? asked Noi. – I not want.
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