The Place Where No One Dares To Go (1)
We were now at a nearby diner. Our luxury SUV was awkwardly parked amidst all the taxis up front. Although it was rather eye-catching, we were so hungry that we didnt care in the slightest. Sang-Beom and Ji-Hye flipped open their nus as soon as they reached their seats.
Two orders of kimchi stew set als, please!
Wow. Just the sll of it is making drool.
Chief Kim and I also ordered from the sa nu. Laying out our cutlery on the table, we took a mont to scan our surroundings.
Taxi drivers were gathered together in groups of twos and threes around us, enjoying their als.
Yeah. Heres how the story goes. The guy left his wallet behind as he got out and then
that restaurant by the roundabout has closed its doors for good.
Its because the couple who were running the place got divorced. Theyll probably end up opening separate restaurants
Wherever a taxi roams, it picks up on all of the gossip. On top of that, due to Jeju being an island, the bond between the locals was bound to be strong. They all looked gleeful as they shared the news of what had happened during their morning shifts. This was probably because they were happy to finally et soone they could talk to after a long night of work.
I glanced at Chief Kim.
How many should I bring out?
For now, just get out five.
Chief Kim pulled out so boxes of cigarettes with attached business cards from his bag. While the usual way to make friends with soone at a place like this was buying them a beer, it wouldnt be appropriate here since these guys need to get back behind the wheel.
Picking up a pack of cigarettes, I approached the nearest table.
A pleasant day to you, good sirs.
Huh? What the?
With a hearty laugh, I placed the cigarettes down in front of them.
Its my first ti seeing such a young and handso fellow working as a peddler. Im not interested in buying your cigarettes. I only smoke a different brand.
Im afraid that I am not a peddler. These are just a gift.
While raising their suspicions, the taxi drivers still turned to look at in curiosity. Pulling a chair over to their table, I sat down in front of them.
Ive co all the way here to look for soone, and Im hoping that you might have heard sothing.
Soone? Who? Your girlfriend?
Ahem. Nothing like that. Hes just a friend. But the last I heard of him was that he had been working at a guesthouse a few years ago. The one that was near an elentary school at the crossroads in Nohyeong Borough.
I kept the story short, as anything else would be a waste of ti.
After they agreed with a nod between themselves, I waited for them to speak. They started quibbling with each other as they poured through their mories.
Well now, lets see. It was eh. If thats near the crossroads, could it be that place, the Together Guesthouse? Didnt it disappear last year?
Oh. That might just be it. The boss there was so generous that she donated all the furnishings before closing for good.
Perhaps excited by the chance to go over fond mories that they hadnt thought of in so long, the taxi drivers were chatting away happily.
During a pause in their conversation, I asked, Do you know the forr owner of the guesthouse?
Hm. I sorta knew her, but rather than - oh, there he is. Park-ssi! Co on over here. She was a regular at your wifes place, right? The owner of Together Guesthouse.
Now that it was lunchti, an endless flow of taxi drivers seed to be pouring in. Chief Kim rummaged through his bag and handed another pack of cigarettes. The taxi driver nad Park-ssi grabbed a seat near us as he answered the question.
Thats right. My wife runs a hairdresser there, and she was one of the regular custors. But Ive heard that she packed her bags and moved to Seoul.
Would you be able to give her number?
Ill have to ask my wife, but the missus is currently at her singing classes. Im not sure shell answer if I call her now.
Once you do manage to contact her, please send a text to this number. Im trying to find soone and Im willing to offer further compensation to anyone who can provide assistance.
Along with so cigarettes, I placed the business card down in front of him and tapped it. Enthused by the sudden free gift of cigarettes, the taxi driver almost nodded his head off.
In the anti, four clay bowls full of kimchi stew arrived at our table from the kitchen.
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