Gay Boy Thailand

Detective Gran returned to Superman bar at 10pm. The music was playing and the lights were flashing. A group of boys in tight underwear were dancing on stage.

- Welcome back, said Dietmar and showed Gran to a table.
- Thank you, said Gran.
- What you wan dink? asked the ladyboy mamasan.
- Nothing.
- What you wan dink?
- I am not drinking.
- No dink? Him no wan dink! said mamasan.
- It is OK, said Dietmar. - It is on the house.
- A cola then.

- Your first time in Bangkok? asked Dietmar.
- Yes, said Gran.
- The first time is the best time. See anything you like?
- No.
- How about number 56? He is new. His first night in the bar.
- I am not gay.
- Oh I see. Well, nobody is perfect.
- You were going to find out about Larson?
- I have been asking for you.

Dietmar hesitated.
Gran took an envelope out of his pocket and gave it to Dietmar, who stuffed it in his pocket.
- Yes. Thank you. Where were we? asked Dietmar.
- Pelle Larson. Life and habits.
- Indeed. Lots of people know Larson.
- Why is he in Thailand?
- For the same reason we all are here. The boys.
- Speak for yourself. Details?
- Larson stays at the Malaysia Hotel. He is part of a circle of friends who more or less gravitate around Robert Miller, the hotel guy.
- Is he well liked?
- Miller? I would say so.
- I mean Larson.
- Larson can be… how shall I put this… a tad eccentric.
- Eccentric?
- But his friends say it is part of his charm.
- What are the eccentric things he does?
- It is hard to define, really. You should meet him.
- I have met him.
- Then you know. Larson can have a hot temper. His judgement is questionable. He suffers from foot-in-mouth syndrome.
- What are his habits in bed?
- Funny you should ask. You see number 99?
- Yes.
- That is Lek. Larson’s boyfriend.
- Boyfriend? You mean Larson could walk in the door any minute and see me here?
- Not likely. They are not on speaking terms at the moment.
- Really. Is this boy all?
- What do you mean?
- This guy is an adult. He looks like a farmer.
- Lek is Larson’s type, said Dietmar. - Dark, muscular, mid-twenties. Energetic in bed. Between you and me I heard Larson is a bottom.
- Oh is he, said Gran.
- Is anything wrong?
- This is not what I am after.
- So what are you after?
- Anything incriminating. Illegal activities.
- Um. Sensitive questions. I might have to ask around. It will take more time.
- Another envelope? I get it.
- Thank you for understanding.
- I will be back in five minutes, said Gran.

Gran came back. He had no envelope but some rolled-up bank notes which he gave to Dietmar.
- It is such a pleasure to have you here, said Dietmar.
- Now I want some substance if you don’t mind, said Gran.
- Of course. I have checked for you.
- Already?
- Larson is not into drugs.
- OK. And?
- Larson is not involved in smuggling, money laundry, frauds or scams or any of the other usual stuff foreigners do in Thailand. If he was I would have heard.
- All right. What about the sex?
- He is gay.
- I know that.
- Larson is plain vanilla. No special kinks. He takes a while to warm up but he is well equipped, the boys say.
- Age preference?
- Twenties.
- Larson must be hiding something. He has a reputation.
- What should that be? Ah, you mean the thing that was in the newspapers? That was nonsense.
- Nonsense?
- The cops caught Larson in the men’s room in Silom Complex. Very stupid of him. But the Thai boy was older than the newspapers said.
- How do you know that?
- This boy used to work in the bars but got fired. He stole from customers. Drug problems. The cops forced him to be blackmail bait.
- Hm, said Gran.
- Is everything to your satisfaction? One more coke perhaps?
- I want to know what is really going on. This is Bangkok. There must be dirt somewhere.
- Dirt?
- The underage scene.
- We don’t have any of that in Superman bar.
- Where is it?
- I don’t know.
- Come on. You must know.
- Dangerous stuff. I am not involved.
- Surely anything is for sale in Thailand?
- Perhaps. But only if you know where to go and who to talk to.

Dietmar hesitated again.
- No more envelopes today, said Gran. – But if you are helpful I will think about one for tomorrow.
- It is not about the money. I am glad to help a friend, said Dietmar.
- Whatever. So how does it work?
- I only know in general. And only vaguely.
- How and where?
- Actually, if you remember when you went down the street to this bar? Did you see someone on the pavement?
- People selling food on the street.
- Right. Who were they?
- I didn’t look closely at them. Thai men and women. Families.
- Kids?
- Could be.
- There is a woman selling roasted chicken outside. Her daughter is helping her.
- Daughter?
- It is never the same one. The daughter changes from week to week.
- How old is she?
- 16, I think.
- Ah, said Gran. – Now we are getting somewhere.