I have been dreaming up stories for years but, until recently, none had ever been shared.
Inspiration for some of the people and events described is drawn from my own experience, but it is overwhelmingly a work of fiction.
Constructive criticism is welcome.
Prologue
After graduating with a degree in International Finance I had landed a great job at a major consulting company. After a period at their head office in London I was posted to Singapore as a member of the regional team.
Singapore
One day my boss, a Singaporean guy known as TK, called me to his office. He told me that Liz, a senior exec in the London office was going to be visiting soon, and that I was to be her 'bag-carrier' during the trip, which meant making sure that she was in the right place at the right time, and so on.
At that point I had only been in Singapore for six months or so and did not feel qualified for the role. We were encouraged to be open, so I told him that. He laughed and explained that the company believed in 'throwing people in at the deep end', plus he was sure that I already knew enough to get Liz from point A to point B.
During my time in London, I had met Liz briefly a couple of times, and knew her reputation as smart and hard-working person who expected the same from those around her. Obviously, this could boost my career, or trash it. I was petrified.
So, a couple of weeks later, on a Sunday afternoon I was standing outside the arrivals area at Changi airport. As Liz emerged from the customs area she looked around and spotted me.
"Hi Adam, thanks for meeting me" she said.
"No problem," I replied, "can I take your bag?"
She nodded and passed the handle of her wheeled case to me.
"Taxis are this way" I explained, nodding to the short queue a few yards away. An imbecile could have found their way to a cab, and her bag certainly didn't need anyone to carry it. What a farce!
I smiled obsequiously.
In the taxi I learned that this was her first visit to Singapore. She had studied Spanish and Portuguese at university so most of career had been focussed on South America, but a new role meant she would now be involved in Asia too.
I asked what, if anything, she wanted to do that evening. Expecting her to be tired from the long flight I was surprised when she told me that she wanted to freshen up and then go out for dinner.
"OK, I think we can manage that. Any allergies, preferences for cuisine, that sort of thing?"
"Something Asian but not fish. Is that possible?"
I nodded, "sure!".
When we got to her hotel, I told her to take as long as she wanted and that I would wait for her in the lobby. As I did I came up with a scheme, a bit of a joke, because I had heard Liz liked a laugh. Too bold? We'd see.
An hour and a half later we got into a taxi. I have no idea why she took so long to get ready, but could not ask.
I asked the driver to take us to Chinatown. After paying the fare I led her through the warren of streets, past shops and restaurants, many still sporting decorations from the Chinese New Year celebrations a few weeks before. Eventually I reached the restaurant I had chosen. Despite the location it specialised in Thai food.
A waiter offered us both menus, but Liz declined.
"You choose, just remember 'no fish'. It would be a tragedy to end your career so quickly."
I nodded then studied the menu.
In the last six months I had eaten a lot of Thai food and had a pretty good idea of what was on offer. I asked her a couple of questions such as 'spicy or not?' and 'pork or chicken?' then signalled for the waiter to come over.
I ordered several of dishes and, with Liz's agreement, two bottles of Singha beer.
Our drinks came quickly, and we chinked glasses.
The first portions of food arrived soon after. Liz got stuck in.
More arrived and were swiftly dispatched, the woman had an appetite.
"We're in Chinatown, but this is Thai food, right?"
Busted.
"Yes" I answered meekly.
"Good one!" she chuckled, then, rising to her feet "got to use the little girl's room".
She returned with a puzzled look on her face. "Three bathrooms?"
I nodded, "Men, Women, and Khatoey".
Understanding dawned, "of course, the famous ladyboys. I should have realised.
"I think you are going to be a great guide to the region, Adam."
"Thanks," I muttered, "I'll do my best".
We finished our meal and took a cab back to the hotel. We arranged a time to meet in the morning and I headed back to my small, but conveniently located, apartment.
~~~
Next morning I was waiting for Liz in the hotel lobby at 8:30 as agreed. As requested, the taxi that had brought me was waiting outside. It can be hard to get a cab at that time of morning so I wasn't taking chances. The company would be paying.
The first session was a briefing on our business in the region. TK was in full bullshit mode with a side order of double flattery. At 1 o'clock he announced that we would be having sushi for lunch. I tried to warn him that Liz didn't like fish but he waved me away, "later Adam. It will have to wait."
I noticed that Liz did not order anything with fish; TK didn't.
Dinner that evening was to be at a fancy Chinese restaurant, where seafood was a speciality. I made several more attempts to alert TK but was dismissed each time. Worse, as he was the host, he insisted on serving the first portion of each dish to Liz because she was the guest of honour. Once again, he did not notice that she didn't eat any of the fish.
Afterwards, in a taxi back to her hotel, she thanked me "I know you tried to warn TK. It is not your fault that he wouldn't listen as he should have done. In any case, he should have asked whether I had preferences or restrictions, like you did yesterday evening, plus he should have noticed that I wasn't eating somethings. It is bad enough that I am a colleague, it would be far worse if I was a client. You did well, he didn't."
I basked in her praise.
On the Tuesday we visited a couple of clients during the day and in the evening flew up to Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur
Wednesday and Thursday were full of more briefings on our business and meetings with clients. The local team were keen to display the range of cuisine that the city could offer so the entertainment for lunch and dinner kept coming - Korean, Malaysian, Vietnamese - never the same style twice. I had come to love Asian food but this was too much even for me. At least they had listened to my warning so there wasn't a fish in sight.
On the Thursday evening, after a quick meal with the country director (Thai, very good but I suspect a bit spicy for Liz) we caught the last flight back to Singapore.
"If I see another grain of rice I may kill," Liz muttered. "I want a sandwich for lunch tomorrow and will probably promote the person who brings it."
Singapore