Slash and Burn

enemy on Long Cheng soil gave credence to such a rumor, and before Ugly’s second lap of the compound, some two-thirds of the villagers had disappeared, leaving their parts behind. The task at hand now seemed far more achievable. When Peach passed this news on to Major Potter, he came in search of Siri with his arms outstretched. Only Ugly’s attempt to bite off the major’s right hand prevented Siri becoming another hug victim. But Potter and all on the American team gave him a peculiar collection of nop s in thanks for making their work easier. Still, they worked through till five thirty, interviewing claimants, inspecting the souvenirs they’d brought along, attempting to pinpoint locations on a map. Yet, by the time they clambered back into the helicopters, there was a prevailing feeling that the day had produced nothing of any value. Four days to go.
    It wasn’t until they were in the helicopters that Judge Haeng recognized Auntie Bpoo. He was beyond shock. She was another thorn in his hoof.
    “What in Lenin’s name are you doing here, man?” he asked, shouting above the whirr of the rotor.
    “I’m very well thank you, Judge, and you?”
    “I asked you a question.”
    “So you did, and very rudely too. Let’s start again with manners, shall we?”
    “Show me some respect. You know who I am and what I am capable of. In fact, I’m going to have you arrested. Put in prison.”
    “On what charge, my little magistrate?”
    “Trespass. Illegal encroachment on a government project.”
    “Ah, but I have a booking.”
    “A what?”
    “A reservation, at the Friendship Hotel. I always sojourn in the north. I was enjoying my holiday when the nice red major invited me to join him up here. How could I refuse?”
    “I do not believe this is a coincidence. How did you get here?”
    “On the bus.”
    “Show me your laissez-passer.”
    “It’s in my room. But of course you knew that, you cunning devil. Any excuse to get into a girl’s bedroom.”
    “How dare you? Listen, you are a freak. There’s no place for your type in the new republic.”
    “Oh, I see. So there is a place for Vannasack Symeaungxay, Thidavanh Bounxouay, and Doungleudy Phoudindong but not for Auntie Bpoo?”
    Haeng leaned backwards and the colour fell from his face.
    “How…?” he began.
    “I know that those are the names of the young ladies you have established in rooms around Vientiane. In December there’ll be another, Latsamy Thongoulay, but you haven’t met her yet. Even so, I believe the ministry would be interested to hear all about them.”
    Haeng lowered his voice.
    “This … this is blackmail.”
    “Not yet. I haven’t quite decided what I want from you. When I do, then it’ll be blackmail.”
    They were leaning close to be heard in the noisy helicopter. Before Haeng could react, Bpoo kissed him on the cheek. He fell away from her and moved to another place wiping the lipstick from his face and cursing. One disastrous trip, two hoof thorns. No respect. People had no respect. But he had his plan. Before the mission was over they’d envy him, admire him for what he was about to do. Yes, respect. From each and every one of them.
    Back in Phonsavan, most of the Lao bathed from scoop jars in the communal bathrooms. The Americans opted to wait until the generator was switched on at sundown when the pumps would deliver water to the ensuite bathrooms. Only Judge Haeng in the Lao wing shared their patience. Dinner that evening was at seven; a fusion of Lao and Western cuisine as interpreted by Hmong kitchen staff working for a Hmong manager and his wife.
    The Hmong was a divided people. Those who had lost the toss and sided with the Americans were now fleeing through refugee camps or making a last futile stand in the mountains. Those who had supported the communists lived a life not terribly different to how it had always been. Many were dragged down from their mountain homes to till fields and work in towns. Some succumbed to diseases they’d not known at higher elevations. Others, like Mr. Toua the Friendship manager, put their knowledge and industrious nature to more commercial ventures. He believed this joint US/Lao mission was just the start of a tourist influx that would turn Phonsavan into the Luang Prabang of the northeast. So all this effort would be worth it.
    There were no longer two islands of tables in the dining room. They were now dotted around the room like in a regular restaurant. And, after a day in