From Tourist To Worker
CAMILLA KNEW THAT NOW was the time to get cracking. She had enjoyed her excursion so far - scary but fun. She needed to give the impression of a well-heeled business lady; to do that, she would need expenses. Not having the smoothest relationship with her boss, she was a little wary of how her begging calls to her editor would pan out.
'I need fifty-thousand Baht.'
She decided being blunt may work.
'What? That is a year's salary. What in heaven's name are you talking about? We have seen no useful copy from you for days. Now you want a fortune.'
'Look, this will be the story of your lifetime. Believe me, it will be worth every Baht. I will get to the bottom of this, and you will love me.'
The conversation continued in a similar vein. She forgot the bluntness. She was convincing, bragging, begging, and finally, success. Camilla only needed twenty thousand. She got twenty-five thousand, which was paid into her account first thing.
'And don't ask for invoices; I won't be offered any, and they don't give paperwork where I'm going.'
She had checked into The Riverside Hotel, which was not the most expensive hotel in the city. It suited her cover and was well-positioned for her hunting mission.
Camilla showered and unpacked, and then she went shopping for business clothes. She hung her new suit in the wardrobe; she would not need it yet.
She had a scout around the walled city. She looked at the touristy bar area and eventually found what she needed. Two backpackers looking well away and struggling under the influence. First, she needed to know under the influence of what?
'Can I join you, please?'
'Sure can, great here, isn't it?'
'Can I offer you a beer each?' she asked.
'Yeah, cheers, I think my girlfriend has had enough. Look at her.'
'No? I guess not.'
The young girl was slumped, somehow keeping her balance on a stool. She looked sleepy, as if she were seeing things that were not there. The boyfriend was the same; he was so relaxed that he floated.
Camilla found the cause of this elation. It was known as "yaa baa", which was what she was looking for. She also found that she could buy it from a taxi driver - no surprises there.
She quickly tracked the driver down. He was well known. Now, all she had to do was wait and watch. The taxi man continued his steady sales as she nursed her soft drink at a roadside cafe. Sure enough, he sold out of handmade tablets. Now it got interesting. The driver made a quick call from a public phone, and within minutes, his supplier arrived. Camilla followed the policeman dealer as the deal went off quickly and smoothly. Now, with a pocket full of cash rather than the popular pills.
She followed him for a short distance to the police station. He walked up the five steps through the open doors to his boss's office. Printed on the office glass in Thai and English was a picture of Police Superintendent Ajaan. That was the man she wanted to talk to - but not here, and not right now. She would work on that.