A Bangkok Fairy Tale (Chapter 3)

The next morning, the stifling blanket of heat hit Damian as he left the cool haven of air conditioning that was Bangkok Hospital. Ahead of him a marketplace shimmered in the haze, like an approaching mirage. Thai people were now bustling about him - he seemed to be the only westerner - and his aching head was overwhelmed with the sound of motorcycles buzzing like some huge monstrous insects and the plaintive cries of the women selling their wares. The humid air seemed to heighten the smells of the strong spices, cooking meat, sweat and sewers, adding to a mounting feeling of suffocation. The colours of the unrecognizable fruit and vegetables adorning the stalls were striking, and, as he fanned himself with his T-shirt, he realized how hungry he had become and grabbed a chocolate and banana pancake from one of the street vendors before dipping into an internet cafe behind the market. He pushed past some fat kids lost in their own worlds of computer gaming and managed to find an empty seat, fortunately near a fan. Damian had left his phone behind in the hotel, but, as he had hoped, the computers here had Skype facilities, and Jason was online.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like shit!" Jason said, munching noisily on a packet of crisps.

Despite the coarse directness of the greeting, Damian was happy to see a familiar face. He scratched at his itching scalp beneath the bandage. "You're not gonna believe this!"

Damian related the whole story, as far as he could remember, to his friend.

Jason gave one of his annoyingly condescending laughs. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

"It's true! I'm telling you!"

"Then you've been stitched up, mate!"

Damian's heart sank. It had occurred to him that it could have been a setup, but he was foolishly hoping his friend would reassure him otherwise. "Come on. How can you know that for sure?"

"It happens all the time over there! Have you got your money and passport?"

"Yeah. Nothing's been taken!"

"Then you're a lucky bastard! Take my advice - go back to the hospital and shag the nurse!"

"Piss off!"

Jason's mocking expression was now serious. "I know you, Damie. You're gonna go back and look for this bitch, aren't you?"

Damian had considered this. "Maybe."

Jason impatiently shoved aside his crisps packet. "Don't! I mean it! You won't be so bloody lucky next time!"

Damian, all of a sudden, felt very tired. "Look," he sighed. "I'll be really careful. Promise."

Jason snorted derisively. "Oh yeah? Like hell!"

"I'll keep you posted."

Jason shook his head in resignation. "Just make sure you are damn well careful!"