Half a dozen faces gawp at me.
“How do you know that?” Blondie asks.
I shrug. “I’m a bit obsessed with pop trivia. Do you know Jane also played Holly in the US version of Red Dwarf? Which is a travesty if you ask me—trying to copy such a fantastic show.”
Blondie grins. “I love Red Dwarf! So classic. I can’t believe you know all this stuff.”
“Apparently the US episodes were so bad that they didn’t get past two shows.”
“I hate how the US tries to Americanise all the best English stuff. Why can’t they come up with their own ideas?”
“Hey! We’ve come up with plenty of good stuff on our own, thank you very much,” grumbles a middle aged man in a cardigan.
Blondie laughs. “Oh shut up, Grover. No one cares about you or the US.”
“Oh, and I suppose you think Australia is the cultural epicentre of the world? All you have is Hugh Jackman.”
“And Nicole Kidman and the Hemsworth brothers, and Cate Blanchett, not to mention Heath Ledger, before he died,” Blondie rattles off.
“Yeah, yeah. Tell someone who gives a shit.”
“What do you think, honey?” Blondie looks at the pretty Japanese girl sitting beside him who seems quite bored with the conversation.
“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t really care,” she sighs.
“Okay, so what’s the plan tonight?” Sarah changes the subject.
Blondie winks at me.
“Isn’t the Coconut Club enough for you?” Grover smirks.
“Well, I just thought we might go to karaoke later or something.”
Ah, no. I’m not singing. Not in a million years.
“We’ll see how everyone’s feeling a bit later,” Blondie suggests. “No one has any money this week. We don’t get paid for another few days.”
Phew. Thanks, Blondie.
“Fine. Well, I’m getting some shots then. Come on, Jess.”
I’m pulled back over to the bar and Sarah orders six B52s to drink with our mojitos. This is going to be a long night.
“Do you know everyone here?” I ask Sarah while our shots are being poured.
“Pretty much. Over at that table is Grover, the grouchy American. The blonde Aussie is Zac, and the Japanese girl is his girlfriend, Miki. I’ll introduce the rest later.”
“Cool.”
“I saw you eyeing off Zac.” She nudges me and laughs.
“I was not!” My face burns.
“Ooh. I was just playing, but you were, weren’t you?”
“The only interest I have in him is the fact that he’s a fellow Aussie.”
“But you have to admit, he’s pretty cute.”
“He’s okay. I have a guy back home, though.”
“Really? How come you never mentioned him before?”
“Well, we haven’t exactly had that much time to talk socially.”
“So what’s his name?”
“Luke.”
“Luke who?”
“Miller. What, do you think I’m making him up in some elaborate scheme to put you off the scent that I’m secretly hot for Zac?”
“What was that?”
I spin around. Shit.
Zac is standing there grinning. “Did I just hear my name?”
Sarah titters. “No, never mind. Jess was just telling me about her man at home. Apparently he’s willing to wait a whole year until she gets back.”
Zac whistles. “That’s dedication.”
“Well, actually, he doesn’t know I’m going to be gone a year yet. My work didn’t tell me until the day I left.”
“But surely you must have spoken to him since you’ve arrived? Haven’t you called him or e-mailed?”
“Uh, well it hasn’t really come up in conversation yet,” I fib. “Anyway, Zac, where in Australia are you from?”
“St Kilda in Melbourne.”
“Oh, I love St Kilda!”
“You’ve been?”
“Yeah, a few years ago.”
“And where are you from?”
“Brisbane.”
“Ah, a Queenslander.”
“Yes. You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Not at all. I love Queensland. It has great beaches.”
“Yeah, it does.” I wistfully think of the last time I visited Noosa. Strange, daydreaming about home while I’m standing in this funny little bar in the middle of Osaka.
“I better get back to Miki. I just came to get her a drink.”
“No worries.”
Sarah puts a shot in my hand. “Kampai!”
TWELVE
On Sunday morning, I recharge my phone credit and decide it’s time to call Mum and Dad. The phone rings for ages. Just as I think it’s going to go to Voicemail, someone picks up.
“Marilyn speaking.”
“Hi Mum, it’s me.”
“Darling! How are you? How’s Japan?”
“Good. How are you?”
“Oh, the same as always. Are you having fun?”
I think of Friday night’s shenanigans and smile. We got kicked out of the club at 1am but continued wandering the streets for several hours. The boys had an impromptu arm wrestle on the pavement, and then we raided a 7-Eleven and bought out nearly the entire shelf of potato chips. I didn’t get back to my room until almost four.
“Yes, I’ve met some great people.”
“That’s lovely. And is work okay?”
“It’s all right. How’s Dad?”
“He’s out in the garden somewhere. Do you want me to go and get him?”
“No, that’s fine. I’ll send him an e-mail later. Hey Mum, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it? You’re not secretly working as a hostess are you? I’ve heard that can be a dangerous job.”
What?
“No Mum, I’m on an assignment with Ace. But the thing is, they didn’t tell me how long the project was going to go for until after I’d left.”
“So how long is the project?”
“Up to twelve months.”
“Well…that seems like a long time, but I’m sure you’ll be fine. Are you happy to stay?”
“I guess. I’m going to try and make the most of it at least. My supervisor isn’t very nice, but I think it will all work out.”
“Well, try and have fun. It’s not every day you get paid to work overseas. Maybe your father and I could visit.”
“I would love that!”
“I’ll talk to him tonight after he’s had a few wines. You know what he’s like about drawing on the retirement fund, but I’ll talk him around. It would be nice to see you after Christmas.”
“I hope you can come. But I totally understand if you can’t.”
“Just you leave it with me.”
We chat for a few more minutes before I hang up. I feel a bit closer to my parents now. Which is odd, considering the geographical difference.
With that done, I decide it’s time for a bit of an outing. Apart from the couple of times I’ve gone out with Sarah, I’ve barely seen Osaka at all.
I go online and search for walks. I really want to find somewhere that looks like the scenery in those old samurai movies.
There’s somewhere called Kurama, just north-west of Kyoto that looks pretty, so I put on my most comfortable shoes and head for the train.
The octopus ball man is in the same spot and he smiles as I walk past. I wave. I’m practically a local!
I marvel at all the people asleep on the train. David was right. It does seem to be the thing to do.
Agh. David. I’m not going to let him ruin my day. I’ll find out what’s going on when Hiroshi makes his decision. I assume he will be choosing one of my two designs—and by the sound of it, my inspired blue and gold idea was right on the money. How exciting—working on a brand new campaign in a multinational company! My work will be displayed all over Asia and maybe even in Australia. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a Bella product back home, but maybe I
just wasn’t looking. I’m not big on lotions and face creams. Maybe they sell them at Myer and I’ve just never noticed.
I can’t get over how comfortable these seats are. And the air-con is perfect. I think I’m dressed properly for today. I have on my new tank top, my lightest Capri pants and a baseball cap. It’s strange to think that back home everyone is still wearing jumpers and snuggling up under multiple blankets, while here I am sweating my butt off. I’m kind of looking forward to winter, now that I’ve wrapped my head around the fact I’ll probably be here for the cold season. Maybe I’ll get a white Christmas! But who will I spend it with? Definitely not David. Maybe Sarah? I hope she’s able to include me in her plans.
There’s a young girl sitting opposite. She looks to be about twelve, but over the course of five stops, she manages to put on a full load of costume make-up. She even has a mirror the size of a dinner plate balanced on her knees while she applies her eyeliner with expert precision. I can’t do that kind of thing at the best of times. How this little thing can do it on a moving train is beyond me.
Right before she leaves the carriage, she shrugs off her jacket revealing a hot pink tutu dress and stripy neon tights. Oh! She must be one of those Harajuku girls! She’s so cute, and she gives me the most adorable smile before disappearing out the door. I wish this was my stop. I’d like to see where she’s going, but knowing me, I’d probably end up lost in the middle of a Yakuza district and become a drug mule or something.
I have to change trains a couple of times, and I only get lost once. Some of these stations have a million different platforms, and I find myself racing around to catch the connecting train in time. But I eventually work it out.
The air is considerably cooler as I make my way to a big archway at the entry to the park. I climb a path to the mountain in front of me, and find myself surrounded by a sea of old trees covered in moss. They block out most of the daylight and nearly all sound. It’s quite a change after the hustle and bustle of the city.
It’s amazing. It really is just like being in an old martial arts film. I expect Tom Cruise to peek out from behind a rock in his purple robe at any second. Mmm. Tom Cruise. He might come across as a bit wacky in his personal life, but he sure scrubs up well in the movies.
As I meander up the side of the mountain, it feels like the ghosts of time have settled into this forest. I’m not much for religion or spirituality, but I could easily believe in another realm out here. There’s something about the tranquillity of this ethereal atmosphere that seems other-worldly.
I creep softly up the path, letting the calm wash over me.
By the time I get to the lookout near the top, I feel like I could enter a monastery and find enlightenment within a couple of days. Which is saying a lot, coming from someone whose only contact with Buddhism is from a Keanu Reeves movie.
There’s a temple nestled in the side of the mountain, and a flat paved area out the front overlooking the valley. There’s no one around, and I feel very lucky to have this moment all to myself. I look out at the vista in front of me. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. I wish Alex was here. Or even Paul. I kind of miss him in a weird way. I haven’t heard from him at all since I left. I’m thinking that although he said he didn’t mind us ending the physical side of our relationship, he must have, at least a tiny bit. But he might also have moved on. It’s hard to tell, because he was never one for prolonged phone calls or e-mails at the best of times. I’ll have to send him a quick note when I get back.
I’m sure it’s the same for everyone, but when I travel, I find it hard to reconcile the mundane reality of home life with the exciting surroundings of my new location. Now, thinking back to the daily commute in Brisbane, I feel a wave of dread. Even though my professional life is pretty sucky here, there’s something about being in Japan that makes it bearable.
I snap back to reality when I hear chanting emanating from the temple. I’m not sure whether I’m allowed inside, so I stand in the doorway and peek into the darkness. There are five monks kneeling on the floor facing a shrine of gold statues and burning incense.
“It’s great, isn’t it?”
A man is standing beside me, looking in.
“Ah, yeah.”
“Do you want to go in?”
“Um, no thanks.”
“You can, you know.”
“I don’t want to interrupt. Besides, I should probably get going.” For some reason, I’m getting a weird vibe from the guy.
“Do you mind if I walk with you?”
“Er…” How can I say no without being rude?
He grins. “It’s okay. I’m not dangerous.”
Yeah, and I’m sure Charles Manson said the same thing.
“You know, I might stay after all. These monks are great.
“Oh, okay. Well I might join you for a bit.”
Well, now I’m stuck.
I slip off my shoes and baseball cap and take a seat in the middle of the room—just far enough in so that the monks will notice if I’m abducted.
The guy is in his late forties and has an American accent. He’s wearing a button-up shirt with jeans and boots, which he proceeds to untie. I wonder if he’s hot—maybe he didn’t pack the right clothes either.
“I’m Bill,” he whispers. He holds out his hand for me to shake.
“Lisa.” I don’t know why I give a fake name. I just don’t trust him.
“Nice to meet you, Lisa. So you’re travelling alone?”
“Oh no,” I quickly reply. “My friend will be along soon. He just had to use the bathroom.”
“That’s funny. I didn’t see anyone else out there.”
“Oh. He probably got lost. He’s hopeless at finding his way around.”
“So were you just going to leave him a minute ago when you said you had to go?” He looks at me questioningly.
“He would have found me,” I stutter.
His eyes harden. “Are you lying to me?”
I gulp. This is getting way out of control.
“Look, I’m sorry. I don’t know you. I just came for a walk with my friend and we’re going to have lunch afterwards.”
He relaxes. “Hey, I’m just a tourist like you.”
“Of course. But you must understand, me being a female traveller in a foreign country. I have to be careful.”
“Yes, you must stay alert. There are a lot of strange people out there. But I’m not one of them.”
So you say.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I almost cry out in relief.
“Sorry, I just have to take this.” I hold up my phone and feign disappointment.
“No problem. I’ll wait.”
I answer the phone, wondering how I can escape this psychopath.
“Hello?”
“Jessica, I need you at the office first thing in the morning. Hiroshi’s coming in early.”
I’ve never been so glad to hear David’s voice.
“Hey! Where did you get to? You’ve been gone for ages!”
The man is pretending not to listen but he’s looking at me surreptitiously out the corner of his eye.
“What are you talking about? I’m at home.”
“Oh? You got lost again? Do you want me to meet you?”
“No, I’m not lost! And I certainly don’t have time to meet you somewhere. Are you high?” David sounds annoyed, but I don’t care.
“Okay. I’ll see you at the restaurant.”
“Are you even talking to me?”
“Bye!”
I hang up the phone and look back at the man apologetically. “That was my friend. I have to go.” I slip on my shoes and start to hurry away.
“Wait!” He grabs his boots but can’t do them up fast enough.
“Sorry, he’s waiting for me.” I walk quickly to the edge of the forest and then break into a run. I can hear the man yelling after me, but I don’t turn around. I’m determined to get back to civilisation as quickly as possible.
Afte
r a few minutes, I slow down and listen. Nothing. Phew.
And then I hear a voice. Multiple voices. A Japanese family is coming down the hill. I’m saved. I’ll just walk with them into town and grab the nearest train.
It’s a family of five, a husband and wife, two small children, and a grandmother. The elderly lady looks quite agile for someone so tiny and stooped.
I stay within visual range of the family all the way to the bottom.
Only when I get back on the train do I start to shake. Bill might not have been dangerous, but he was definitely odd. I wasn’t going to take my chances.
I examine everyone in the carriage to make sure he hasn’t snuck on without me noticing, but it’s just me and a dozen Japanese.
I am never going sightseeing alone again.
THIRTEEN
I’m almost relieved to be back at the office on Monday—to have some semblance of normality. I had nightmares last night about ghosts chasing me through the forest.
I get in early as instructed, and finish off the final details of the blue and gold design. David made me change a few things—not that I agreed with him—but I didn’t really have a choice. Now we have a whole stack of information to give Hiroshi once he makes his decision.
Hiroshi glides in at exactly 9am. He asks David and I to accompany him to the boardroom. The others are left behind. I assume this is because David and I are the driving force behind the campaign and we can relay any important information later on.
I sit down and open a notebook, poised to write down any feedback from Hiroshi.
“Well, I’ve had a look through the two designs over the weekend and I’ve decided to go with the blue and gold proposal.”
I grin. I knew I was onto something.
“So Jessica, we will no longer be requiring your services. Your position is immediately terminated.”
I blink. What?
“Uh, excuse me Hiroshi-san, but I don’t understand.”
“You have failed to produce a workable design, so we will not be employing you any longer.”
“But I did the blue and gold design!”
Hiroshi seems confused for a moment and looks to David for clarification.
David starts talking in Japanese.
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