22. With the cops
Larson and the Thai boy were led into a police station. It was crowded with many desks and officers and plastic chairs along the walls where civilians waited. The Thais looked at Larson with surprise and a hint of glee. Farangs getting arrested were not a common sight. Larson was relieved from his handcuffs and put in front of a desk where a young officer started to fill out a form. The Thai boy was put in front of another officer.
The officer kept asking Larson in bad English for his passport. Larson said the passport was in his hotel. Slowly, and with much back and forth, the officer filled out a form with Larson’s name, age, birthday, nationality, home address, address in Thailand and many other details.
When this was done the younger officer showed Larson to a small office. The office had a glass door so one could see the main room. Behind a messy desk sat another and older police officer. This was not one of the officers who had arrested Larson in the mall. To Larson’s relief this officer didn’t have the stern appearance of the police boss who had arrested him. None of the policemen in the mall had spoken any English apart from saying “you you!” when they wanted Larson to do something. But this one did.
- Mr. Lar-san? said the officer.
- Yes, said Larson.
The officer didn’t introduce himself but motioned for Larson to sit. There was only one chair in front of the desk.
- You no worry, said the officer. I take care this.
- What is the problem? asked Larson.
- Problem? Yes. Mr. Lar-san you have problem. Big boss angry you. But I can hel you. No worry. You play in toilet. Ha ha ha. Is bad. Boss angry you. No good. You from Se-weden, yes?
- Yes.
- Se-weden have free sex. Thailand no have. Thailand lady have to pay money. Free sex no have. Ha ha ha. But lady Thailand beautiful number one. Can have many lady. If have money. Ha ha ha.
What kind of straight fool is this? thought Larson. Doesn’t he realise I am gay? I was in there with a boy, damn it. Male bonding talk about women isn’t going to work on me. Oh well. At least this guy tries to be friendly. Maybe they are playing good cop, bad cop with me. Then this is the good cop. Let’s hear what he has to say, thought Larson.
- Your friend, said the officer.
- My friend?
- Thai friend. Him say you no pay money him. Is five hundred baht. You give me. I give him.
Larson had forgotten about the Thai boy and the bill. The two had been interrupted before Larson had paid the boy. Surprised, Larson reached for his wallet and gave the officer a five hundred baht bill.
How strange, thought Larson. He had not thought the police would care if the boy got paid or not. Was this some kind of Thai solidarity? That regardless of what happened they would make sure the farang paid? Thais certainly had different customs from Swedes.
The officer took the money and left the office.
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