Lost in a Foreign Land

by Douglas Anderson

  Nakamori had been here twice in recent weeks and knew his way around. He led Shinichi through the entrance into a lobby. From there corridors led to each end of the building.

  As the entry door closed, hurried footsteps approached from the left side passage and a tall, well dressed, lady appeared. Civilian dress but severe enough to be almost a uniform.

  “Hello Lieutenant” she greeted in a strong voice. “You made it okay.”

  Then immediately, “And you must be Shinichi.” She immediately broke into perfect Japanese. “I am Marion Beesley. Welcome to Camp White. I think you are going to be surprised by what we have in store for you here and I'm sure you will enjoy yourself.” She stuck out a hand to shake his.

  Shinichi was floored. He had been told very little about the ‘assignment’ and was completely taken aback by this western lady's direct approach. Japanese ladies would never have been so forward. She was, in fact, the first western lady he had seen other than the waitresses in the restaurants. He was also unfamiliar with handshakes and the fact she didn't bow.

  He was confused for a moment trying to bow and fumble a handshake at the same time and he had already forgotten her western name.

  Just then Edwards brought their two travel bags into the lobby set them down and addressed Lieutenant Nakamori;

  “Sir, if there is nothing more, I'll be bunking over the other side.”

  “Yes. Thank you, Edwards. That was a very pleasant drive today. Have a good evening and please be ready to leave at ten-thirty in the morning.”

  “Thank you. Sir,” Edwards saluted again, “Ma'am,” nodded to Shinichi, turned on his heel and left the building.

  “I'm sure you will both be tired after your drive down here” said Marion, “And you, Shinichi, will be realizing just how large the States of Washington and Oregon really are.” All spoken in Japanese of course so they both understood.

  She pardoned herself to Shinichi and switched to English.

  “Lieutenant, it's nice to see you again. I have everything arranged. Maybe this evening you can explain a little more to our guest, break the news bit by bit and then we can meet over breakfast tomorrow to further outline the program?”

  Switching back to Japanese; “You will both have a room here. It's not too late for the evening meal at the mess but I've of arranged for a meal to be brought over. Probably better that way. It will be set up in the small break room first door down that way.” She indicated the opposite side of the lobby. “It'll be here at seven.” After you put your things into your rooms I recommend you take a stroll outside for a few minutes. It looks like a very pleasant evening.”

  “Good idea.” Toshi enjoined, “I'm sure Shinichi would enjoy that. It'll be nice to stretch our legs after sitting for so long.”

  “That's settled then. Let me show you to your accommodations.”

  They picked up their bags and Marion led them almost to the end of the passage. She opened one door on the left; “Here you are Lieutenant—same room you had last time. And Shinichi, you are right next door. She opened the door and led the way in.

  Shinichi truly was amazed. It was a large room with a bed against one wall with nice multi-colored blankets and a couple of plump pillows. There was a small table by the bedside with a tall lamp for illumination. A couple of beautiful pictures of ‘Japanese scenery’ hung on the wall. By the window stood a good sized wooden desk and a chair with a cushion seat. The desk top was equipped with a lamp, a leather desk-pad, pen holder, and writing materials. Several books were stacked in a neat pile to the right side. A comfortable lounge chair occupied the other corner. Part of the right wall was taken up by a closet, doors partially open to reveal some clothes already hanging there. Best of all, there was an open door and a peep inside revealed a bathroom with towels hanging on a rack, soap in a dish and a selection of toiletries.

  It was a room the like of which he had never seen before. Shinichi also realized he was standing on a colorful carpet which covered a goodly part of the floor.

  “This room is for me?” he stammered. “There must be some mistake.”

  “No! There is no mistake.” said Marion, “This will be your own room for as long as you stay here at Camp White. I hope you like it. I'm sure you will add some personal touches as time goes by. I hope you like the pictures. I brought them from Japan myself some years ago.”

  Shinichi was almost speechless. He couldn't help it; “But, I'm a prisoner—a prisoner of war. Why are you doing all this for me?”

  Marion faced him squarely. “You are right Shinichi. Technically, you are a prisoner of war but in other ways you are not. You must think of yourself more as our guest—a guest receiving some very special considerations I might add. We are about to help you prepare for your eventual return to Japan and in exchange you will be helping us. It will all be clear to you in due course. I can assure you—just as your friend Lieutenant Nakamori has done—you will not be disappointed with the transaction. Please trust us and all will turn out for the best.”

  Shinichi could say nothing. He just looked at this room because it was the best accommodations he had ever seen. His parents home in Japan was nice but, of course, in such a different style. He didn't know it but this room was usually reserved for visiting high-level military and Marion had pulled all sorts of strings to ‘requisition’ it on a long term basis for Nakamori's project. She was the one who insisted Shinichi must be totally separated from the main camp.

  “It's alright,” she said gently and in a more motherly tone, “I know this western style is all strange and confusing. Give it time and you will become accustomed to it. This is just a small part of the learning experience and you can be assured, we will help you to adjust as much as possible. Now, freshen up then go for a walk with the Lieutenant. Your evening meal will be here very soon. I'll see both of you in the morning.” She turned at the door, “Trust us. Okay?”

  Shinichi heard her footsteps receding down the corridor, the muffled sound of voices, more footsteps and doors closing, then silence. Looking out of the window he observed it was twilight outside. He could just see the outline of trees in the distance against a colorful sunset. He realized his window even had colorful drapes which could be closed for privacy.

  He looked around this beautiful room, patted the bed, examined the bathroom, and the clothes hanging neatly in the closet. This was to be his room? What on earth had he gotten himself into? He felt as if he was dreaming all of this.

  Chapter Thirteen:

  The Unexpected Honor

  Twenty men were attending the ‘Introduction to Japanese language and Culture’ class this time. They each had textbooks and writing materials and were listening with varying degrees of attentiveness. The chalkboards were crammed with Japanese and English words and phrases. And the walls sported posters with common words and phrases.

  As was normal for every class, some ‘students’ were keen to learn and others wondered why they were even here at all. This was an era of conscription, never mind language classes, some didn't even want to be in the Army. Period.

  It was Marion's task to teach them some basic Japanese. These men were being prepared as the first wave to go ashore in Japan. Whether there would be an invasion or whether the Japanese would surrender, nobody knew for certain. What was certain was that one way or another Americans would eventually set foot on Japanese soil and it would help if they could communicate a little and understand some Japanese customs. These men were destined to be squad leaders, platoon leaders and medics. Classes were segregated by rank and some had been populated by higher ranking officers. Even a basic knowledge of the language would be invaluable and would make their job easier when they stepped off the ship or plane into a strange culture.

  They had been lectured on this. They understood that knowledge would be advantageous but the basic of an unfamiliar language still it had to be drilled into them. Marion was using every trick she knew to make the class interesting and to capture their attention.

>   She and Toshi had come up with a unique solution. She was using Shinichi as her assistant. They played a, she said, he said role—conversing back and forth and interacting in such a way the class participants could not mistake the meaning of words and phrases. They were divided into small groups so they could practice conversation with each other in the same way. Marion was very pleased how well her assistant had slipped into his teaching role and it helped because he looked the part and was obviously enjoying it too.

  None of the men attending classes knew the whole truth about Shinichi. This was never revealed to them. They were left to assume he has been seconded from one of those internment camps that were scattered around the country. A little resentment showed through occasionally but Marion pulled rank on them—even though she wasn't military. A few had to be referred to a higher level for ‘attitude adjustment.’ A couple had been booted out of the class completely for being totally uncooperative. On the whole it was going much better than she had expected and having some high ranking people attend now and then was a resounding endorsement of her program.

  It was working. Some of these men dragged themselves reluctantly to class the first few days and then became so enthused they were waiting outside the training center even before it was opened in the morning.

  It was working for Shinichi too. While he was helping Marion teach these people Japanese he was also learning English at a rapid pace. It was a two-way street. Also, for every class session there was a period of preparation. He and Marion worked to develop training aids, or to revise those already in use. There were question and answer sheets and the like to develop too and he was required to fully comprehend these before they were presented in class.

  Shinichi was learning even as he worked. In parallel with these classes he was studying the books Marion had supplied and was receiving one on one tutoring occasionally too.

  Magically, Marion had also found some technical books on mathematics, engineering and aircraft design, well aware of his interest in that field. He was devouring those to the best of his ability in his free time too. Actually, with all of this, he had very little free time.

  Every couple of weeks, or so, he and Marion went into the town of Medford, just a few miles south, for a few hours. For reasons of security an MP also went along as an escort. They browsed a few stores and usually stopped for a snack at a café. It made a change from the routine at the camp and was a treat Shinichi looked forward to immensely. Marion had given him a little spending money, so he picked up a couple of items each time. One of the first items he bought was a nice frame for the photograph of his family. It stood on the night stand beside his bed.

  Christmas and New Year slipped by with fascinating traditional celebrations. There were somber overtones at these times because so many were away from home fighting in Europe or the Pacific. Shinichi found himself in a strange position, an outsider, and yet never really left out of these seasonal events.

  Everything was so different to what he had experienced in Japan. Despite some periods of depression, Shinichi thought he must surely be the happiest and best treated P.O.W. of the whole war. He just wished his family could have been with him to share the experience.

  The class was almost wrapping up at four-twenty on the 26th day of March when there was a sharp rap on the door and it opened. A sergeant from the camp opened the door and gave a strident; “Ten-Hut!”

  Twenty two people shot to their feet with a clatter of chairs and stood to attention. Shinichi was respectful of the way things worked around here so he was immediately eyes front and at attention too. Colonel John Evans, one of the senior officers on camp, entered.

  Casting his eyes quickly around the group he said brusquely; “At ease men. This class is over for today… Dismiss.” He watched as men folded their notes tidily and filed out of the room.

  Then he turned to Marion. “Excuse me Ma'am. Something's come up.” He fixed his eyes sternly on Shinichi. “I need your assistant to come with me immediately. I think he just got himself a bundle of … trouble. You had better come too.”

  Shinichi was dismayed. His English was so advanced now that he hardly missed a word except for some idioms—such as “bundle” What was a “bundle of trouble?” What on earth had happened to warrant this interruption?

  Marion and Shinichi dropped what they had been doing then followed the colonel out to a staff car where they were hustled unceremoniously into the rear seat. Marion seemed just as dismayed as Shinichi. However, she reached over and patted his arm as if to reassure him in some way. What could possibly have gone wrong?

  Colonel Evans took a seat up front and the staff car moved speedily across the camp to the complex on the eastern side. Shinichi had never been allowed to enter that area of the camp at all, so he had no idea where they were going. He knew that somewhere on the far side was a prisoner of war camp and wondered if he was destined for there. No. The car screeched to a halt outside a two story building with CAMP ADMINISTRATION above the door.

  The driver jumped out, went around and opened the front and rear doors. There was a sense of such urgency to all of this that set Shinichi in even more of a panic. What could possibly be the problem? What had he done wrong? Had he spoken out of turn some time? Maybe they found he had shot down the A-20? It was always a thought in the back of his mind.

  They followed Colonel Evans into the building, along a passageway to a door on the right. Evans tapped on it, paused a moment, then swung it wide open, waving Marion and Shinichi ahead. Shinichi's eyes swept the room, about a dozen people stood to attention behind a long conference table. In the middle of the table were some bottles and a large rectangular cake with fancy flower decorations all around the edges in colorful icing.

  A figure detached itself from the group. It suddenly dawned on Shinichi that it was Lieutenant Nakamori in full dress uniform. He hadn't seen him but once in all the months he had been here at Camp White. Then he looked around and recognized a few more familiar faces—faces of people who crossed his path for one reason or another occasionally at the training center, and—he could hardly believe it—Sergeant Carter from Northway, Alaska. Marion joined the others now and there with a broad smile on her face too. She was in on this scheme all the time. He however, still had no idea what it was all about.

  Lieutenant Nakamori stepped forward and shook his hand. “Shinichi, we thought it only appropriate to let you know you are really, really, in trouble now.” He paused for a moment, then he broke into a big smile and said; “Congratulations. You are the father of a baby girl.” He quickly repeated it in Japanese so there was absolutely no mistaking the message.

  Shinichi almost fainted. His knees turned to jelly. This was all for him. They put him through this charade to congratulate him. Masako had given birth to a girl. He was a father. He couldn't believe it. He looked around at the smiling faces realized just how many friends he had made. It was the most wonderful honor.

  Evans stepped up now and shook his hand firmly. “Shinichi, you've been doing a great job and I'm sure Ms. Beesley will endorse that. Your contribution to the language training program has been invaluable and I can assure you, a benefit to your country as well as ours. Now I must congratulate you upon the addition to your family. I'm only sorry you are not together with your wife and child. I sincerely hope it will not be too long before you can join them.”

  Everyone murmured an agreement, amen, to that, knowing full well the war would have to be concluded for that to come to fruition.

  Evans continued; “I do want to introduce another of your friends. You will remember Staff Sergeant Carter from Northway.”

  Carter came forward and took Shinichi's hand in his own huge fist. “It's good to see you again Shinichi. Congratulations. I'm glad this is all working out well for you.” He reached and twisted Shinichi's left wrist effortlessly until he could see the wrist watch. “Still keeping good time?”

  Shinichi was almost moved to tears. They had arranged this gathering just for him
.

  Nakamori almost had tears of emotion in his eyes too; “Shinichi, we've done our best. Your friends are all present here today in your honor. And you have touched the lives of many more people who unfortunately cannot be here today. These are for you too,” with a flourish he handed Shinichi a brown manila envelope and a plain white one.

  Everyone clapped and offered congratulations. A few came and patted him the back. Marion kissed him on both cheeks. He was overwhelmed. Someone said; “speech.”

  It wasn't about to happen. Shinichi was too choked-up with emotion at the moment to say anything more than; “Thank you. Thank you all so much.”

  “What?” Exclaimed Carter with an exaggerated southern drawl, “They haven't taught you to say, y'all? I'll have to have a quiet word with you.” The joke was lost on Shinichi but brought hoots of laughter from the others.

  They invited Shinichi to make the first cut in the cake. It said ‘Congratulations on the birth of your daughter.” It was so pretty he hardly dare spoil it with the knife. Marion quickly took over and continued to cut generous portions. Someone started pouring drinks and they toasted Shinichi and Masako.

  Nakamori said quietly “Open the large envelope. The letter is for you in your own time, but everyone will want to see the other items.”

  Shinichi opened the envelope carefully and slipped out a glossy photograph. It was a wonderful picture of Masako sitting with the baby held close, he could see a little of his daughters tiny face and dark hair. Shinichi's parents were standing on either side. Everyone wanted to look at the photo. There was also a colorful greeting card reading; Congratulations Shinichi and Masako. It was signed by at least twenty people.