Cheap Rates

Mister Malayu jabbering as usual beside the table, this morning's chief mention a new, cheaper option for his Viet assignations. Sold on the Viets Mr. M., fine, dedicated treatment such as a wife would provide. No longer interested in the Batam girls, had enough of them; Viets far better. The 17th his last tryst — four days ago he counts off on his fingers in order to get it right. Tiding him over. Every fortnight: “old ready”, he explains. Thirty for the gal and at the new place up a "ladder" on Lorong 24, just beside the fruit-stand, fifteen dollar an hour. Going a little over not a problem there. Weekends the beasts at Four Chain View have upped to twenty. Monday - Thursday remains as before, but weekends they've got a cheek. Good the Viets, clean.... On the return from the market with the tapioca for his wife Mr. M. shown the note scrawled earlier on the newspaper. Hang on, no, not 24. It's number 34. He can show you there and then if you wanted to accompany him. First stop after Four Chain, just off the corner. Small sign, yes, that's the one.... Old weathered sign had been noticed a couple of years ago during the hunt for cheap digs. Open staircase up above an eatery on the corner, unlicensed and illegal now of course. White guy would raise suspicions no doubt. Hotel? Which one you look?... Rooms? Who tell you?