Crash Position

FOUR

  If it can be bought, it can be found in Bali. The place where everything is available for the right price was my next destination with Tanya and her crew. We entered the steamy terminal at Denpasar airport, where the air was think with humidity and the smell of incense and mildew. Just past passport control, a new bag was x-rayed every second as travellers dumped their suitcases, backpacks and handbags on to the conveyor belt. Just like all the passengers, crew baggage was also x-rayed. Simon’s went through, crammed full of duty free goods lifted from other people’s bags. He was well over the allowance, but that was the least of Indonesian Customs’ concern about his baggage. In the pullout handle were neatly packed tubes containing heroin worth more than he would earn in a year at Elhalia. The two young men watching the screens as the luggage went through pointed at the suspect bag. One of the men jumped up from his chair and grabbed the bag as it rolled out of the machine down the roller bench.

  “Your bag? Your bag?”

  “Yes. It is.”

  They knew what they were looking for and Simon knew it too. I played awkwardly with my collar, and felt my hands numbing. Simon continued to smile confidently. He handed his passport to the man who Simon towered over. The man stared deeply up into Simon’s face as he opened the passport. The man turned away and opened the passport. He was fidgeting about. Simon stood calmly with his hands behind his back. Something went from the passport into the officer’s pocket. He turned back around and handed the passport to Simon.

  “Thank you.” Said Simon.

  “Okay. Go. Go.” He ushered Simon on with his hand. The man turned to his colleague still operating the x-ray machine. He nodded his head as if to signal that everything was okay and that he had taken care of whatever was the matter. The rest of us went through unhindered and we regrouped just beyond the point of freedom–where our declarations were handed to a disinterested looking customs official.

  “And that is how easy it is.” Said Simon, proudly smiling and looking very satisfied with himself.

  In our minivan, the air-conditioning struggled against the heat and humidity. A road with a black and white checkerboard pattern along its edges led us through the lush island to our hotel. Locals flew kites along the edge of the road, as we weaved through the chaotic traffic.

  “You don’t want to hit kite string on motor bike. Kweeep! Cut off your head.” Said the driver, bringing his hand across his throat.

  “Anyway,” said Simon, as if he had been interrupted, “you saw that I gave the guy my passport. Well, it had some cash in it.”

  “How much?” I asked.

  “More than his monthly salary, probably.” He said, adjusting his sunglasses. “Everyone benefits, not just us.”

  “So, how can you be so sure it would work? What if he was having a bad day and wanted to make an example out of you?” I said.

  “Unlikely. They aren’t interested in us. They’re interested in drunken foreigners, the disrespectful, trashy types you’ll see around. An airline crew in uniform representing a country on friendly terms is not a good target. It would be a conflict of interests. We can just pay a small fee and they’ll act like nothing ever happened.”

  “So a bribe is a fee? Holy Moly!”

  “Don’t be so shocked. It’s like a whole secondary economy here. There’s no paper record of it, but it accounts for a lot of jobs.”

  “Liz, my darling, I have a few tricks too.” Said Maria, her designer sunglasses covering half her face. “My favourite trick for bringing in a stash and avoiding the bribe altogether, is to wait until a whole lot of people throw their bags on the belt and I run up and ask them how they’re doing. I just distract them. I give a flirtatious smile, and give them that look that lasts just a little bit longer than usual. They seem to stop caring about the x-ray screen for a moment. It makes their day a little brighter. Anyway, I’m not into drugs like this guy.” She said, poking the back of Simon’s head, causing him to snicker. “I like my luxury goods. I always have too many. They want you to pay tax on these things you know. That’s if they get suspicious. But I just gotta work the magic.” She said, flicking back her hair in a cheeky demonstration of her technique.

  I learnt more along the way. About cargo bays with secret compartments for all kinds of black market items, collected by a select group of baggage handlers who were part of the massive global syndicate. Baggage handling shift leaders in on the scam would have correction fluid and a whiteboard marker and simply rearrange crews at the last minute so they could make sure that co-conspirators were assigned to the mule aircraft. Other ground handlers were known for taking items directly from an aircraft and taking them to an airport’s perimeter fence, where a collector was standing by, bypassing customs control altogether. Every airport and syndicate had its own tricks. I then realised Tanya’s crew was not the only syndicate operating at the airline or in aviation around the world.

  “Okay, no time to rest. We are leaving in thirty minutes.” Said Simon as we climbed out of the mini van at the hotel reception.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “To do some business, and meet some friends.”

  Miguel’s villa sat on a cliff top surrounded by greenery and overlooked the deep blue of the Badung Strait, while a volcano formed a dramatic backdrop. From the road, the villa was hidden from view by a high brick wall. On top, shards of broken glass bottles were cemented into place as a substitute for barbed wire. At the back of the property, sheer cliff-faces formed a natural privacy barrier. It was a secluded, private heaven. We told the taxi driver to come back in a few hours for the return trip. Paying him a generous amount to secure the ride. The eyes looking through the viewing slot seemed to recognise Simon and Tanya. There was a click, and a small, smiling young woman that I assumed was a local opened the wrought-iron gate. She lowered her eyes subserviently as we moved through an archway, passing the main building toward the rear of the property.

  Miguel sat on a deck chair by the pool, strumming at his guitar as Tanya, Simon, Ella, Maria and I walked around the water’s edge. He stood up, bare foot and lay the guitar on the chair. He was stocky with unkempt black hair and heavily tanned from the Bali sun. His gritty, earthy appearance, and his casual dress sense showed he had lived a life by the beach. Miguel and Tanya gave each other an air kiss. He shook Simon’s hand. Ella, bubbly and enthusiastic, went in for the full hug, shaking him from side to side. Maria insisted on a kiss on each cheek.

  “This is Liz, or Lizard as some have been calling her.” Said Tanya, rolling her eyes.

  I put out my hand, hoping this was the custom when meeting business contacts for the first time. He took my hand and shook gently. His hand was firm, but not crushing.

  “You look too pretty to be a lizard. Have you seen any lizards lately. I haven’t seen many lately. Just on the tourist T-Shirts in Kuta.” He rambled. His eyes were glassy. His speech was not impaired, nor was his posture. He was high. I could see it in the dilation of his pupils and his enthusiasm. He was considerate and polite, and not at all sleazy as I was expecting.

  “The girls will show you around Liz, and they will get you what ever you need.”

  “Oh, ah thanks Miguel.” I was not expecting anything from the stranger.

  “Simon, you and the others will be okay for a while on your own.” Said Tanya, like a mother talking to her children before sneaking out for drinks with the girls.

  “Yes, let’s get a drink first.” Said Simon.

  “About time!” Said Ella.

  The sun was beginning to set, turning the cream rendered walls of the villa into a golden yellow. The grass that led to the cliff’s edge glowed emerald green and the rich blue ocean sparkled. It was a spectacular setting for an after work drink.

  “So where’s she off to?” I said to Simon as we walked to a small fridge by the villa wall in the pool area.

  “Doing business.”

  “What kind of business?” I asked as we walked away from the fridge to the gre
en cliff top.

  “Well, you think I brought in a dangerous stash. You’ve no idea what she has with her!”

  “So he’s a dealer or something?”

  “Yes, sort of. He buys from us and people like us, and then passes it on to buyers at a marked up price. Tourists, local addicts that sort of thing. Foreigners pay the best prices.”

  “Business must be booming. This place is gorgeous,” I said, admiring the surrounds.

  “He does very well, but this place is probably a lot cheaper than you might expect. You can live like a king here on an income that would only get you a cardboard box on the street back home.”

  He handed Ella and me a beer each as a young Balinese girl probably no more than eighteen approached.

  “Miguel..‘he who is like God,’” said Maria.

  “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. Let me help you.”

  “It’s okay darls. Don’t worry yourself.” Said Simon, condescendingly.

  She nodded her head.

  “This is Putu. She’s… the help, I guess you would say.”

  “Nice to meet you Putu.” I said.

  “Yes, yes. You too.” She smiled and nodded.

  The four of us sat on the grassy cliff top, as the sun sank, drinking our beers. Flying was a weird job, I thought, but I could get used to this.

  “I know he seems nice, our Miguel. But he has an explosive temper.” Said Simon. Ella and Maria nodded their heads, as if familiar with Simon’s description.

  “Really? Any stories you want to share?” I asked.

  “I’ve personally never seen him lose it, but I’ve heard about people who have tried to rip him off, or lie to him. And they’ve regretted it. He’s put people in hospital before.”

  “It’s true.” Said Ella, looking around to make sure no one was nearby.

  “I’ll make sure I’m extra nice to him.” I said.

  “Don’t worry. He loves you.” Said Simon.

  “Oh shoosh, you!” I said.

  “He does. I can tell he likes you.” Said Simon.

  Ella giggled.

  “You can’t talk either Ella. He loves your hugs.” Said Simon as Ella took a sip of her beer while trying to hold in more giggles.

  “Anyway, you’ve got nothing to worry about. But…,” he said, raising his finger as if ready to deliver a stern lecture, “if you do find yourself in business with him in the future, just be honest and faithful in your transactions.” He finished just in time for Putu to arrive on the cliff top.

  “Some more beers?” Said Putu in her soft, small voice, holding a tray of four bottles.

  A felt the urge to pinch myself as we sat on the cliff top in the warmth of the setting sun, being waited on at a drug baron’s villa on what was really a paid vacation.

  As the view disappeared and darkness encroached, we moved over to the pool. Every so often there would be a new face appearing in the villa grounds. The girl who answered the door whose name I never got was madly busy greeting guests, while Putu ran around handing out drinks and clearing away empty bottles and glasses.

  "Where's that damned girl?" said Simon, looking around.

  "Simon, don't be a jerk. She's been running around like a mad woman. You sound like one of our drunk passengers.

  “You think they're just drunk?” I said swigging the last of my beer.

  “Get up and get us some more beers.” Ella said, slapping Simon on the back. He jumped up huffing and puffing and went to the fridge.

  “She's still in there.” I said peering across the pool to the room where Tanya and Javier were talking business.

  “Yeh, at least we have some peaceful drinking time that way.” Said Ella.

  “What’s the deal with her anyway?" I asked, looking around to see if anyone else was in earshot. “I mean, why is she so icy? Was she brought up in a nineteenth century orphanage or something?”

  “Beats me,” said Ella, “but I’ll tell you something. Simon will kill me if he finds out I told you." She looked over to make sure Simon was still busy rummaging around in the fridge. “There was this rumour that she saved a baby and didn’t even get a thank you. Make sure you don’t ask her about it."

  "Of course not. She hasn’t taken too me too well, anyway.” I said.

  “She’s like that with everyone, Liz.” Said Maria, who I though had dozed off behind her sunglasses.

  “The story usually goes that she was in the galley and a woman burst through the curtain and just handed her a baby. The baby was blue and choking on a peanut the mother had given it. So she starts the back blows and the baby springs back to life. The mother takes the baby back. Doesn’t say a word and returns to her seat like nothing ever happened. Maybe it messed her up. I don’t know. It’s an interesting story either way."

  “What?! That can’t be all.” I said.

  “Well it wouldn't surprise me. People around here have gone nuts over even less.”

  “What’s that?” Said Simon, appearing with four beers in his hands.

  “People losing their minds in the airline business..” I said.

  “Oh yeh. Most bomb hoaxes are committed by airline employees. You gotta stay on top of things. Be in control and don’t let the game play you.”

  “Isn't that a bit melodramatic?” I said.

  “Aww that’s so cute. So naïve. You'll soon see for yourself.”

  Miguel and Tanya finally emerged from the room by the pool, with business finished for the evening, prompting Simon to slip away to attend to his master. Things got crazy very quickly.

  “Girls, so good to see you here.” Said Miguel kissing hello to two attractive women–a brunette and a blonde in bikini tops and sarongs. He made no effort to hide his hand that ran down to grab them both on the ass as they reached in for the greeting.

  “You see.” Said Ella, gesturing to the action before us, “when he really likes someone. Like us, for example, he’s not a sleaze. These two on the other hand I suspect are not the type you take home to have dinner with the parents.”

  “Hah, you reckon?” Said Maria.

  The women were excited and jovial. Their eyes widened at the sight of the pool before them. They stripped off what little clothes they had on and jumped stark naked into the pool.

  “Told you so” Said Ella, rolling her eyes.

  The two naked women splashed around, squealing and laughing. More men and women turned up and the party was underway. For most of the night Tanya sat with Miguel, occasionally her hand would find itself in his.

  Soon there were nearly thirty guests at the villa. All of them greeted Miguel before indulging themselves. Some took off their clothes and joined the women in the naked pool romp. All of the guests were under the influence of at least one substance. They sniffed and they snorted. They drank and they smoked. The crew and I stuck to beers, resisting multiple offers from other guests. All of the guests showed no inhibition. They confidently stripped and swam around. They paired up and disappeared into the shaded areas of the property. At one point when I needed to use the bathroom, many of the doors in the hall I tried to open in my search to find the toilet were locked, from which came the unmistakable moaning of couples inside.

  We laid back in our deck chairs, gossiping about the party guests and the airline. Occasionally, a semi clothed party guest would introduce himself and offer us drugs, asking us how we knew Miguel, and wanting to know where in the world we were from. The accents were varying and covered every corner of the globe.

  “This shit will put you over the moon. Makes you really fucking horny too.” Said a shirtless American man, leaning over me as I lay back in the deck chair.

  “No thanks. You should go jump in the pool.” I said, laughing.

  “Okay.” He said, his vulnerability to suggestion suddenly clear. He put down the tiny plastic bag by my chair and sprung over to the edge of the pool.

  “Come in, come in.” Naked girls called out to him, bobbing up and down in thee water.

  “Oh my G
od. The Bali Olympics.” Said Maria.

  He jumped head first, his arms at his side as he hit the water.

  The women cheered and the men clapped their hands.

  He should have come up, but the surface of the water still hadn’t broken. “Damn, I hope he’s alright.” I said.

  “Holy shit. I hope..” Said Ella.

  We leapt up from our deck chairs and ran to the poolside. The water was shallow and the man lay still on the bottom of the pool, the water around him turning red.

  “Help. Someone help him.” Ella screamed out.

  I jumped in the water feet first. It was barely four feet deep.

  “Help me.” I said looking at Maria, just standing there.

  “I can’t swim you know!” She said.

  I ducked under and tried to put my arms around him to bring him up. He was heavy. The other men in the pool were wading over, realising, despite their drug-induced stupor, that something was not right. By now Ella had jumped in and together we submerged ourselves and brought him to the surface. Three men who had waded across took over and dragged him out of the water and lay him down on the poolside brickwork. The man’s face was awash with blood that was coming from somewhere on his head. The paving turned red. The music in the background continued while some of the revellers remained oblivious to what was happening. In the background Tanya, Miguel and Simon stood up from their chairs and watched on.

  The naked girls in the pool started to cry. Putu came running up with towels for the man’s head. Her look said she wanted to do more but she couldn’t. The men took the towels and pushed her away.

  A firm hand grabbed my upper arm.

  “We’re leaving. Tanya wants us to go.” Said Simon.

  “What.?! The guy needs help!” I said.

  “He’ll be fine,” he barked back.

  “He needs an ambulance,” I said, pulling my arm free of his grip.

  “Ha! This is Bali. And no ambulance is coming through these gates,” he said.

  And so we left a man, bleeding profusely, hoping he would be okay. The car was waiting, as it had been for the last hour in anticipation of another large fare for the trip back to the hotel. We didn’t talk for the first ten minutes of the drive.

  “So what’s going to happen to him?” I finally asked, hoping my tone would convey my frustration.

  “He’ll be ok. They’ll look after him.” Said Ella.

  “I mean I feel responsible. I told him to jump in. And next thing he’s bleeding to death.”

  “They’ll do what they can. But he took a risk in doing what he did.” Said Tanya from the front seat. “Bad things happen to people in Bali. Here, everyone runs the risk of things turning out badly when doing stupid things. He may not have meant to hurt himself. But he knows that getting high can turn out ugly. He can only blame himself.” Her delivery of the facts on Bali life was emotionless.

  In the hallway outside my room, I finally managed to corner Ella alone.

  “Ella, what do you think will happen to the poor guy?” I asked.

  “Honestly. It’s not a nice thought.” She said, looking up at the celling.

  “Just say it.”

  “There’s no way they got any help for him. Maybe someone might have driven him to a hospital. That’s if Miguel wanted it. And I doubt he would have approved it.”

  “Approved? What?”

  “It’s a risk for Miguel, if someone says the wrong thing. If the guy got help and had to explain where he was when the accident happened. If the police got involved they would want to know the details. And they’d want to know where he got the drugs that got him so high. He would need a fairly big bribe to keep their noses out of it. I can’t imagine he would have been thinking clearly enough to deflect any police attention.”

  “So do you think he’ll be okay?” I asked as young man in the hotel uniform walked past wishing us a good evening. We both acknowledged the man and waited until he was out of earshot.

  “I’m so sorry Liz.” She said.

  “Why?”

  “I think,..” She paused. “You saw how secluded the villa is, and the cliff drops straight down to the ocean. I think they might have let him bleed to death and then they would have thrown his body off the cliff. The sharks would take care of the rest.”

  I wanted to pinch myself again. I wanted to wake up from the nightmare.