The Travel Auction

by Mark Green

  Jonny had great fun describing our room at the Vaskonia hostel, because each wall was painted a different pastel colour; green, pink, blue and beige. The bedding was apparently a scary 1970s patterned mix that wasn’t to be faced after too many beers! At $80 pesos a night, it was at the bargain end of town, this being a popular tourist spot, so we did well finding it with vacancies. Despite the dubious colour scheme, it was clean, with fresh bedding and plenty of blankets, wasn’t too musty and had hot water — a bonus!

  After a fantastic BBQ buffet dinner at the Brahma Chop restaurant, which looked out over the bay, we both started yawning and voted for an early night. Back at the hotel, sleep wasn’t easy coming however, due to the constantly banging doors in the courtyard and the exaggerated erotic sound effects from someone banging the local prostitute! Either some gal was having extra large size portions of manhood — for over an hour — or there were some over enthusiastic theatrics in order to tout for repeat business! The screaming and loud panting echoing across the hall was extreme to the point of being comical. We lay in bed laughing and curiously I didn’t feel too subconscious any more about having a stranger in my bed. I was getting used to knowing Jonny was lying by my side.

  * *

  Me

  I lay awake listening to the hilarious sexual antics and wondered how different the trip would have been with Kate Thornly the 1st. Easier in many respects, of course, but, there are some things that I’ve been pleasantly surprised by with KT2. It’s weird, but being more vocal, having to describe where we are, the people we meet, isn’t actually as much of a pain as I’d initially thought. It makes me think about what I’m seeing and forces me to register everything, rather than just letting the important bits pass me by.

  One really odd realisation I’ve had, is that there’s less chance of an argument between KT2 and me. It was a bit weird at first, getting used to this. It was as though I had all the power because what I can see is never up for scrutiny or discussion.

  Lately though I’ve come to realise that my preoccupation with ‘control’ is misplaced, because it’s not that at all. It’s actually all about trust. KT2 has faith in me to accurately describe the countries and cultures we’re passing through without exaggeration or misrepresentation.

  I’ve never had that much trust invested in me. You know what? It’s a pretty good feeling.

  But it wasn’t just what I could see that KT2 trusted me with, it was also what I could read.

  * *

  E-Mail From: Maria Stockton

  To: Jonathan Cork

  Subject: Msg for Angel (Kate Thornly)

  * *

  Hi Jonathan,

  I wonder how far you’ll both have travelled by the time you get this e-mail? I’m sure by now you’ve got over any initial reservations and are realising what an energetic and easy-going travel companion Angel is. (Has she told you why we all call her Angel rather than Kate?)

  * *

  I’m hoping you’re able to read this message out to Angel, for obvious reasons I need your help on this.

  * *

  I sat facing the screen in an internet café and read the message again, wondering whether I could bring myself to read the message aloud to KT2.

  “Is it embarrassing to read out?” she said, from the low stool behind me. I decided to be brave and bite the bullet.

  “Erm, no, well yes, in a way. It’s just that I’m not used to reading my own messages aloud, let alone someone else’s…”

  “Just give it a go. If I laugh it won’t be at you, Maria sometimes has a blunt instrument sort of approach, which is usually amusing.”

  “Okay. Here goes.”

  * *

  Hi Angel,

  Whoopee!!! (make sure Jonathan does my Whooppeee!!! justice) You are now 7,000 miles away on your trip of a lifetime! Are you still in Argentina, have you learnt how to tango yet?! How are you both getting on? All the girls send their love and would like scores out of ten for conversational ability, fancy footwork and bedtime linguistic skills…

  Love ya

  Mim

  * *

  “I think you can do better with your ‘Whooppeee!!!’ You’re not putting your heart and soul into it, are you?” said KT2 in a playful voice.

  I turned round to glance at her over my shoulder.

  “I’m shy.”

  “Think of the café orgasm scene in the film When Harry Met Sally. You have to lose your inhibitions and just go for it.”

  I started to protest when she let out a loud “WHOOPPEEE!!!” and punched her fist in the air, narrowly missing me. I felt my face turn bright red, aware that everyone in the busy internet café was now staring at us.

  “See, that’s how you do it. Don’t be scared, just imagine we’re in an empty room, block everyone else out and…”

  I’d had enough. I got up and walked out.

  Nine

  Me

  I stood outside in the cold with my hands clasped on my head.

  Damn woman.

  My mind was jumbled with all sorts of stuff.

  Kate Thornly the 1st would never have embarrassed me like that. Why the hell didn’t I come on my own? But at least the trip wasn’t going to be boring and why the hell was I so cold?

  I swore out loud, then checked myself, aware that I’d attracted a few disapproving glances from passers-by. There are some swear words everyone in the world knows.

  What was going on in my head?

  Did I deliberately storm out leaving my jacket inside, so I’d have to go back in? Was I sinking into madness at constantly having to speak aloud all the time? Or were my eyes being opened to the real world?

  God knows.

  One thing was for sure, I’d have to go back in or freeze my goolies off out here. I decided that despite being overweight, my genitals were not that well insulated. I shook my head and laughed at myself. Time to eat some humble pie.

  I went back inside.

  “Hi. Sorry. Had to get some air, got a bit claustrophobic,” I said, instinctively placing a hand on her shoulder for a brief moment. KT2 squeezed my fingers gently, her touch light but lingering. It must have been the stress of the situation and the warmth inside the café, but I felt a tingle as our hands parted, something… and then the moment was gone.

  KT2 leant forwards over the desk, felt for the computer screen and blocked it with her hands.

  “Just give me a moment to finish off,” she said.

  I frowned, confused.

  “You can see the screen?”

  “Not really, no. It’s a haze, even up close, but I can touch type. There are mistakes that I can’t see to correct, obviously, but my friends can usually interpret what I mean.”

  “Oh. What about reading incoming messages, if you’re on your own?”

  “At home I have a speaking programme. It sounds like Stephen Hawkins, but it does the job.”

  “Right. I’ll grab another terminal. Let me know when you’re done.”

  It was naughty of me I know, personal space and all that, but I was intrigued to see what KT2 was saying in her return message. I guess her reliance on me only extended so far. But having had so much faith put in me up until now, her perfectly reasonable request knocked me back a bit.

  KT2

  I signed off my e-mail with the parting comment not such a dead duck and pressed the send key. I eased back from the keyboard,

  checking myself as I remembered there was no back to the low stool.

  A wicked thought flashed through my mind that I could try another one of Maria’s ‘Whooppeee!!!’ shouts, but I thought better of it, Jonny was clearly still traumatised. When I’d had my sight I was a bit of a handful, as several ex-boyfriends will testify. At least I hadn’t completely lost my sense of mischief.

  I called out to Jonny that I was finished and sat waiting, amusing myself by recalling the message I’d sent back to Maria, knowing she’d have a laugh at my adventures so far.

  “Are you English?” said the voic
e to my side. The pronunciation was slightly accented, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on where he was from.

  “Scottish. Similar, but better,” I said, shuffling round on the stool to face the voice.

  “Better how?”

  “In every way. Tougher, friendlier, wilder.”

  I was particularity pleased with my last description, and the voice sounded youngish, so why not flirt a little?

  “Ah. Sean Connery tough and William Wallace wild?”

  I couldn’t help giggling, the voice was educated and had a sense of humour. I heard Maria’s advice in my ear: Quick, get his phone number!

  “I can’t quite place your accent…” I said, expecting him to volunteer where he was from.

  “So guess.”

  Bugger! He wanted to play, tease me a little. Alright mister.

  “I’m tempted to say German, but your tone is softer, not nasal enough. Hmm. Dutch?”

  “Like the little boy with his finger in the dyke?”

  I’d not heard Jonny appear at my side. He didn’t sound very happy.

  “You done? I’ll just go and pay,” he said, breezing past.

  “Your friend is not Scottish,” said the voice, quieter this time, presumably because Jonny was still in earshot.

  I offered my hand.

  “I’m Kate, but my friends call me Angel.

  I felt his small hand in mine, cold and clammy, like a wet fish.

  “I’m Freddy,” he said, trying to hold onto my hand a little longer than I felt comfortable with.

  “There’s something different about you. A sparkle in your eyes. They would shine even more over a candlelit dinner…”

  I cringed. Anyone unobservant enough not to notice that my eyes were cloudy and vacant at that close range, clearly wasn’t taking that much interest in me. I withdrew my hand, surprising myself by wishing Jonny was at my side.

  “We could go Dutch, after, if you like…”

  That was it, time for me to go. I pushed the stool back and stood up, but felt a hand clasp mine. I flinched, ready to pull back, shout out, but something was different, the hand was warm and vaguely familiar.

  “Sorry for keeping you waiting darling. Ready? Or would you like to stay and entertain your new friend?”

  I grinned at Jonny’s reassuring voice.

  “I’m ready. Goodbye Freddy.”

  I leant forwards a little, dropped my voice.

  “Your technique needs a little more work and your breath

  would benefit from a couple of gallons of mouthwash.”

  Jonny took his cue and led me out of the café, picking his way around the other customers. I flinched as the cold air hit my face and rushed into my lungs, but it couldn’t stop a big grin spreading across my face.

  * *

  Me

  Okay, I’ll admit it, I’d been a bit mean to KT2 in the internet café, but there was a valid reason. I had an e-mail from Kate Thornly the 1st and it had caught me by surprise, spooked me. I don’t know what the real motivation behind her message was, but reading between the lines I think she couldn’t believe I’d actually gone without her. I think she expected me to be pining for her at home, wallowing in self-pity rather than getting on with my life. The tone of her message was mixed. There was regret that we’d not parted on good terms, but as usual with Kate, there was a sting in the tail. Something about a rumour she’d heard that my travel companion was blind — was this really such a wise idea with my condition, she’d asked?

  I don’t consider myself a vindictive person, but I definitely felt slightly smug when I read that — if she wasn’t jealous, then why contact me at all?

  * *

  KT2

  “I’ve still got it,” I said, in the mood to tease him.

  “He wasn’t your type,” said Jonny.

  “How do you know, office boy?”

  He didn’t like that. And he couldn’t help his response, but it still stung.

  “I can see…” his voice trailed off, but I was already too many steps ahead. He didn’t stand a chance.

  “So I’m irrelevant, my opinion has no value?”

  “I didn’t say that…”

  “I’m blind, not stupid. Got it?”

  “Okay right. A visually impaired, all-seeing, all-knowing, bloody-minded woman.”

  “Last time I felt around down there, yeah!”

  “And you women just love to mess us up!”

  “Oh we do, do we? So on that basis you’ll be better off without me!”

  “Probably!”

  “Fine! And just for the record, I may have the same name as your ex-girlfriend, BUT I AM NOT HER! Bugger you to hell and back Jonathan Cork, you spoilt little shit!”

  * *

  The walk back to the hotel was frosty, but a welcome escape from the argument. We both maintained a stony silence, taking a rough grip of the other through linked arms. He steered me through the hotel entrance, then with barely a word, he left me in the room on my own.

  Unfortunately my passport was in his money belt. Otherwise I’d have taken off for the nearest airport. Bastard!

  Ten

  Me

  I stood in the street outside the hotel and ran through some bullet points that summed up my life; I had no job to go back to. No long-term girlfriend. I was in a foreign place thousands of miles from home. I was with a girl I didn’t know. She was blind. My mum had recently died. What a complete mess!

  I glanced each way. Where to now?

  * *

  KT2

  After a couple of hours I got bored of the hotel room and needed a change of scenery. I know that must sound odd, but what I really mean is that I needed background noise, to hear other people around me.

  Because Jonathan had been trying to describe each new place we stayed in, I was able to form a basic map of the area inside my head. Three paces to the door, left hand opening. One step out into the corridor, left, then twelve paces to the stairs. I located the hand rail and eased myself down the steps. At this point I had no plan other than to get out for some fresh air and be around other people. I was starting to realise how claustrophobic travelling with one person could be…

  Once I cleared the bottom step (there were twenty-two) I extended my travel cane. I don’t often use it as I prefer to go out with other people and I’m a bit out of practice, but when needs must, it does the job.

  And so off I went, through the small reception, helped at the door by the receptionist, who must have been surprised to see that I was blind. I thought about leaving a note, but where would I say I’d gone?

  The air on the street had a chilly bite to it, but it was fresh and I felt I could breathe again. I tried to place myself on an imaginary map and plotted out previous journeys as best as I could. There was one street with several bars that we’d been to for a snack. They had to be livelier than a lonely multicoloured hostel room.

  But which way? I mentally tossed a coin in my head and decided.

  Left.

  The stick pattered on the pavement as blurry figures diverted around it, giving me a wide berth. It felt good to be out!

  * *

  Me

  I sunk my second drink and toyed with the glass, wondering what Kate Thornly the 1st was doing.

  The waiter arrived with my order. I’d not eaten for hours and I was starving. As I munched away, my hearing homed in on a familiar voice behind me. I turned to see KT2 arm in arm with a tall Argentinean man, probably ten years younger than me. She had a white cane in her hand but didn’t need to use it. She’d clearly found an escort to the door. I almost called out to let her know I was here, but a pang of jealousy stopped me.

  I turned back to my fish and chip dinner and shovelled another forkful into my mouth and frowned. Something wasn’t quite right…

  * *

  KT2

  It was really sweet of Lucho to help me at the door, he was probably worried I’d start crashing into things. Blind drunk took on a whole new meaning where I w
as concerned! I could feel the draft and sensed the cool outside air just as I caught the faintest smell of a deodorant I recognised. I slowed my step and was turning towards the source when I heard him start to struggle to breathe. His hoarse, desperate attempts to suck in enough oxygen stopped me dead in my tracks. Then I heard the crash of china and cutlery and a dull thud as a body rolled off its seat and hit the floor.

  My heart started pounding. There was a collective gasp and I knew I didn’t have much time. I shouted out that I was his friend and I felt Lucho yank my arm through the gathering crowd, then guide my hands down onto Jonny’s convulsing body. He was fighting to draw breath. I frantically patted him down, searching for the adrenaline pen. It wasn’t in its usual place.

  Shit! Where was it?!

  “Coat?” I shouted out, miming putting on a jacket. Someone grabbed my hand and thrust padded material into it. I searched through the pockets and finally found the adrenaline. Then I hesitated, despite the urgency of the situation. I leaned down close to his face.

  “Guess you need me now, don’t you Jonny! ”

  “Hhhhwwwwghhh!...”

  “You’ll have to speak up, I can’t hear you!”

  “Ggysshhss!...”

  “What’s that? You’re sorry for being an arsehole and you’ll treat me with a bit more respect?”

  “Arrggg!”

  “Good answer laddie!”

  I jabbed the adrenaline into his thigh.

  The sharp intake of breath as he sucked in oxygen was the best sound I’ve ever heard. I sat back on the floor, exhausted from the frantic effort, but grinning that I’d brought him back from the brink.

  The next thing I heard was applause. I guessed there must have been a group of twenty or so people who had gathered round. Someone helped me to my feet and guided me to a chair.

  * *

  Me

  “Bloody hell…” I managed in a gravelly voice, which didn’t sound like mine. I sat back and flinched. There was no back to this chair, then I realised I was sitting on the floor. I glanced round the anxious faces, their clapping dying away. My throat felt raw and tight, but at least it wasn’t constricting my breathing, squeezing the life out of me. I stood shakily, then slumped down at the table and stared at the unfinished plate of food in front of me. I nearly threw up.