Escape

11/29/2022

[…]

Satisfied with my excursion, I checked on the ferries. Schedules were red, ticket sales were axed, leaving me stranded on the island. The sky gloomed into a stormy surprise. I returned downtown to figure things out. Strong winds forced me out of an overnight wait. Inns were available from USD 60 ($82.8), but I wasn't willing to pay much for my mistake. After some scrambling, I booked a bunk bed listed for USD 30. I signed over house rules shared among strangers. At dark, I pressed the buzzer to be let in. The receptionist got my name and a $100 deposit. I got two keys and a DORM BED CARD which resembles a receipt.

The second floor started with a gate I used one key on. The other unlocked the room door which had its knobs backwards. Rooms were grouped each with a bathroom. Inside the room were three stacks of two beds of which mine was vacant, two cabinets of three lockers, a fridge among minor details, cramped in a three-by-four. On my bed were a pillow, linen, and blanket, all neatly set. Lights were off but someone's warm halogen provided ample visibility. A window was open enough for ventilation and sanity. Indoor ambient noise consisted of doors, footsteps, and music. The bathroom was equipped with flush toilet, sink, top shelf with mug, and shower which had a L'Oréal® Total Clean® 3-in-1 I fondly remembered using.

I lied down for a bit to determine my overnight position. The pillow was thin, and the sheets were rough. I went down to borrow a charger from the front desk in exchange for a piece of ID. It was a fast charger. Excited and curious, I returned to try it out. Outlets were within an arm's length so I could remain on bed. It worked like magic. Twelve hours passed since I left home. With me were my keys, phone, wallet, lip balm, transit pass, chips, hunger, and anxiety. Will I make it? Will I really do it? What'll happen to me? I decided to at least have some dinner. I went down again to borrow a lock pad--and its keys of course--in exchange for $10. I surveyed the adjacent bar, then back. I used the locker to store non-sensitives, while my wallet remained secure in my jacket's zip pocket.

I went outside. Many were closed, but I managed to provision a pack of facial tissue and a bottle of water. As I exited the dollar store, some trash almost ran over me chasing their fucking bike. The alleged theft fell as they paddled away, and the whole thing turned out to be a false positive. I went to the Japanese restaurant closeby. Inside was crowded and noisy, but I got my table right away. Their online menu was uneasy to maneuver around. I ordered my dish and waited. Dining in such an establishment alone was uncomfortable. Everyone was socializing while I remained still and quiet. As some escape, I pulled out my phone to read the news.

My dish came.

It was served on a hot sizzling bowl. I finished the article before my first bite. They put too much teriyaki sauce, and forgot my courtesy water which I later asked for. Otherwise, everything was well: +18%. I left the establishment and walked back to the hostel. Smokers were hanging around the front door. I readied my keys. Someone was going in and held the door for me. I raised my keys and thanks. I stowed my bottle into the locker; took off my footwear, then my jacket to use it as pillow support; set my phone to Do Not Disturb, Vibrate, 0% brightness, and 0% volume; and finally lied down.

I tuned into traffic radio on the Internet and set my phone close to my left ear. It seemed that mainlanders were hit hard by the storm. Onto news radio. Nothing much new. Just a remediation of the news I've read. For the remainder, I left my phone on public radio close to my right ear. Meanwhile, occupants went in and out. One of them hi-ed me to which I hey-ed. After switching between ears and sleeping positions, I finally fell asleep albeit uncomfortably and inconsistently with phone activities between. Complicating the situation were my high anxiety levels and loud snores. Earplugs were available, but I unthoughtfully refused. I woke up just before midnight, then 01, 03, and 06.

I got up at 07, wore my jacket, went to the bathroom to brush up, then downstairs for breakfast. I surveyed the buffet beside the front desk and was impressed. I decided to dig in. With the proper apparatus from the communal kitchen, I got a waffle, toasted and topped with Syrup; a hard-boiled egg which was strangely cold to the touch; and a glass of apple juice. Excited, I sat down on a big table in the bar. Having ensured that I wasn't being watched, I grabbed the waffle with both hands and yummy--it was indeed maple syrup. On the walls, there were two Roku TVs logged into multiple accounts, none of which were on the morning newscasts. Ignoring the tellies, I moved on to the eggs. It was over done, and of course they didn't have the sweet soy sauce to soften the blow. Satiated, I took my dirty dishes back to the kitchen, dumped the egg shell into the compost bin, and washed them my way. Meanwhile, someone was cooking a panful of spaghetti that looked good. I went back up to ready my phone.

[The story continues…]