Although we came to the guest house recommended by Putra, the landlady was nowhere to be seen. She did not answer when Putra called out to her, so she became suspicious and went inside the guest house to see what was going on inside... |
Putra |
"Auntiiee? ...I don't see her here either." |
Conductor |
We checked the lobby, the guest rooms and all other places where ordinary guests are allowed to enter. But there is no sign of the landlady. |
Putra |
"The only other places left are the warehouse and the manager office. I don't think we can get in there because it's locked..." |
Putra |
"...Hmmm, but I'm still curious! Sir Conductor, forgive me for calling it an emergency!" |
Conductor |
Putra, why are you warming up in front of a door marked 'Warehouse - Authorized Personnel Only'? Oi, what are you doing? |
Putra |
"Maybe they've been broken into and locked up by burglars. For auntie's safety, a door or two is a small price to pay." |
Putra |
"Putra, is coming in!" |
Putra |
"OOOYAH!" |
Putra got an assisted push, ran forward and hit the door. However, the door's unlocked from the inside and half-open... |
Putra |
"AAAAA--HHH! DOOR, DOOR'S OPEEEN--!" |
With great force, Putra plunged into the warehouse and is buried in a pile of equipment in a comical position. Ahead of her... was a collapsed woman on the floor. |
Putra |
"AUNTIE!" |
It seems that the woman who collapsed on the floor was the landlady of the place. I rushed over with Putra to check the situation and found that she seemed to be conscious. She is responding clearly to our calls. |
Putra |
"Gosh, I was so worried. I couldn't see auntie anywhere, so I was looking all over the inn, you know?" |
So sorry, the old woman said, and first tried to pick herself up, but immediately falls back to the floor screaming. |
Conductor |
It appears to be a strained back. |
Putra |
"Strained back!? You mustn't move! You must rest!" |
Putra |
"You should close for the day and get some rest. There don't seem to be any guests staying here." |
I can't do that, the landlady shook her head. She said that she has an important appointment tonight and that she absolutely cannot take the night off. |
Putra |
"What important appointment?" |
-I have an appointment to rent small boats for the night. |
Is it so important to rent out small boats? ...I was about to ask that, but seeing Putra's serious expression, I decided it to be inappropriate to ask, so I gulped it down. |
Putra |
"Well, you wouldn't say no to that. ......" |
Putra |
"I'll help you. I'll wait until nightfall for the customers." |
Putra |
"So you go rest lah, auntie. You can't play boatman with your body like that, and the customers will be worried." |
Putra |
"And I want you to let me do it. It's been a long time since I've been in the sea..." |
Surprisingly, the landlady readily accepted Putra's offer. Is there something that only those born and raised in the sea can understand? |
Putra |
"If you like, Conductor, let's go together. We can discuss the details on the boat then." |