Tangled Skein
by Kim Smuga-Otto
Disclaimer - the main characters and some of the plot ideas of this story belong to Yoshizumi Wataru
Prologue
"Attention all passengers, this will be the final announcement of the night. The ship is now out of Japanese waters, and it will two more days until we reach Hawaii. Dinner services will be closing now, but drinks and light snacks will be served in the Holbright room until 3 am. Dancing in the main ballroom will commence shortly. Also, the pool will be opened until midnight. We want your first night aboard the Pacific Soyakaze to be a memorable one, please do not hesitate to ask our crew for anything. Once again, thank you for choosing Holiday Transport and, in particular, the Soyakaze, for your vacation cruise."
The announcement was spoken by a gentle but authoritative male voice. It was repeated in Japanese, this time by a higher pitched, female voice, which took considerably longer due to numerous Sumimasens and like apologies. This was followed by the Cantonese and finally the Korean versions. At the end, there was the eight bar refrain from the TV adds and then a click as the PA system was turned off.
Norris Greenwood, Head of Guest Relations, smiled, appreciating the blessed silence. It did not last long. The door to his office swung open violently, and a petite, but forceful woman strode through. She turned to face him, a scowl across her face, and then fell backwards.
"Do not, I repeat, do not ask me how the dinner went." Sally Mckinion spoke the words in a dramatic voice as she sank deeply into the couch. She rolled over, smashing her face into the velvet cushions.
Norris, her boss and most elevated of human resources for miles around now that the ship had exited the port, counted silently.
One, two, three, four. . . Oh my, he thought, if I make it to ten then I’ll fear food poisoning. Luckily he only had to wait till seven.
"Well, it’s better that you hear it from me. You are interested, are you not?"
Norris made a silent shrugging gesture. It didn’t work to give her too much encouragement.
"As you know, the Kumodochis canceled, the Fumeshitas are on their honeymoon so it’s not surprising they ordered in, the Domeus were obviously seasick and the Togowaris were either quietly drunk or ogling the waitresses. So you can imagine the pleasantness of the evening. It was like I was talking to myself the entiretime. I don’t know. I just don’t. The cruisegoers always complain that they never get to meet anyone, so we throw these shindigs and what happens?"
There was a pause and Norris was almost tempted to reply. He was saved by Sally’s own answer.
"You bloody sit around, pretend you’re the cheerful fairy, have to listen to yourself being the cheerful fairy, and maybe, if you’re ever so lucky, one of them will ask you to pass the butter. Is my Japanese that bad? Oh Norris, what am I doing wrong?" this last ended in a wail and Norris commenced the comforting routine.
"Come now, Sally, your Japanese is quite good. I’m sure it was just the customers. Were they all bad? Weren’t there some other couples?"
"Oh yes, the Koishikawas and the Matsuuras. Lovely couples, didn’t do anything but stare at each other the entire time and try not to look embarrassed. Odd really, I thought those four would hit it off. I even brought up the fact that they both had children the same age. But no good, it only settled the ice more firmly. I suppose they’re from different social classes or something. They’d probably never associate in a hundred years."
