80. One small step
I should think of something historic to say, thought Duff as he stepped out of the airport terminal and onto Thai soil in the form of the concrete pavement where the taxies waited. How about “One small step for Thailand. One giant leap for Duff”? Yes, that will do, thought Duff.
Every city has its own smell, thought Duff. The Bangkok smell is a mix of something sweet and something decaying. Bangkok has the odour of street restaurants, pollution, open sewers and tropical vegetation. I can only detect it when I arrive. After a few hours I start to smell like Bangkok and then I don’t notice it anymore, thought Duff and joined the taxi que.
Larson sat in the lobby at the Malaysia hotel, reading The Nation, when Duff walked in with his luggage. Larson shook hands with the Englishman.
- You are back already? asked Larson. You hardly left and here you are again. Is this the real thing? You are moving here now?
- It was only six weeks. And you are still here, said Duff. Can’t bring yourself to leave paradise?
- I decided to stay a little longer, said Larson. You know how it is.
- I certainly do, said Duff. Yes, I am moving here now.
- Congratulations Duffy boy, said Larson. Will you stay here at the hotel?
- I will stay here until I find a job and then I will get a room somewhere, said Duff as he filled out the guest card at the reception desk.
- Welcome back Mister Daddy, said the reception ladies.
The bellboy (who was hardly a kid anymore at 50) helped Duff to his room. Larson looks changed, thought Duff. It is just 4pm but did he drink already? Larson’s face is drawn. What is wrong with him? Too much partying? Or maybe boy problems? thought Duff.
Bjorn arrived 20 minutes late, blaming traffic, and Larson still sat in the lobby waiting for him. The two Swedes walked over to the Suan Lum Night Bazar for a meal and boy watching.
- What is with you? asked Bjorn.
- What do you mean? I am fine, said Larson.
- You are not fine. You have the longest face I have seen since you came to Bangkok.
- It’s nothing.
- Come on. Tell your old mate Bjorn what is wrong.
- It is private, said Larson. And it is nothing. Really. I am fine.
The two ate in silence for a while.
- And how is Lek? asked Bjorn suddenly.
Larson did an involuntarily movement when he heard Lek’s name.
- Lek is OK, said Larson.
- You haven’t spoken about Lek today. Where is he? asked Bjorn
- Somewhere, I guess.
- I see.
Bjorn ordered beer for two.
- Lek went to Germany, did he? asked Bjorn casually, putting down his glass of Singha.
- That’s none of your business, said Larson.
- I thought you had paid him NOT to go to Germany.
- I don’t want to talk about it.
- As you wish, honey.
- Don’t honey me.
- Sorry, dear.
- Bjorn!
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