Entry 2

No one tried to stop me as I left the motel. The receptionist merely bowed politely, and I returned the gesture. I was outside, with no idea where I was. Not a bustling city, though. Remote. Probably for a reason. Whatever had been going on here, it wasn’t legal. I walked in a random direction, still unsure of my safety. I looked around, seeking someone who might be sympathetic. I finally spotted an older woman. I approached her politely, stumbling over what little Japanese I could remember. “Sumimasen...” I hesitated as she replied, “Hai?” Oh, right I had an app. It was meant to help me learn, but right now I could put it to its intended use. It might not be perfect, but I spoke into the phone. “Can you help me?” It spit out, “Tetsudatte itadakemasu ka”. She looked concerned. “I’m lost, I don’t know how I got here.” “Michinimayoimashita, Watashi wa koko ni dono yō ni natta no ka wakarimasen.” She nodded, and spoke into the phone. “Watashi wa keisatsusho ni tsurete ikimasu.” “I’ll take you to the police station.” “Ah! Arigatou!” She smiled gently, and turned. I followed closely, looking around as we went. It really was a small town, or maybe a city outskirt. Not what I would have expected, given what I knew about the country. She stopped, and beckoned me forward. “Domo arigatougozaimashita.” I bowed deeply before entering the building.

It looked just like any other police station. I approached the desk, repeated the interaction with the translator. One officer in particular looked up from his paperwork. “English? I can translate.” “Oh, thank goodness! I don’t know enough Japanese to explain, and this phone is going to run out of battery.” He stood and joined us at the counter. “I’m Officer Koizumi. What can we help you with?” I sighed. “Can I sit somewhere? I still feel woozy.” “Of course. Come this way.” He led me to what I assumed was his office. On the way, he stopped at another desk and spoke softly in Japanese. I caught the word for tea, and smiled. Considerate.

  “All right, come tell me why you’re here.” I sat down gratefully, holding my head again. I was still so tired, and hungry too. “OK. I have no idea how I came to be here. In Japan. The last thing I remember doing was....leaving my home with a group of friends to see a concert.” I frowned. That really was the last thing. The tea arrived. “Arigatou.” It was almost in unison. “Do you take sugar?” I shook my head. “Honey, always honey with tea. But sugar will do.” He smiled gently. “No need, I take honey, too.” That small shared moment was reassuring. I stirred it into my tea, inhaled deeply before taking a sip. The little ritual helped calm me. Officer Koizumi waited, apparently doing the same. “So. The last thing you remember is leaving your home....in America?” I nodded. “We went to a concert, and...I assume we had a good time, the pictures show that much. But I can’t remember any of it. And my best friend, Viola, she’s not here with me... Oh, God, what if she’s in danger? And why didn’t I think of that before? I’m the worst friend ever!” For the first time, tears started spilling down my cheeks. “It’s shock. IN your rush to escape a strange situation, you weren’t thinking clearly.” He passed me a tissue. “Have you tried calling her? And are you hurt? Do you suspect...sexual assault?” I could hear the hesitation and reluctance when he asked about assult. I just kept shaking my head at each question. “No, no, I feel OK except for feeling....drugged! I feel drugged! That’s what this is. I thought I had just slept poorly. But I think someone took me!” He rose abruptly. “We need to take you to hospital, to make sure. Finish your tea, it looks like you need it badly. I’ll get the report started.” I sat quietly, trying to think, to remember anything. Koizumi was back in a moment, though. “Bring it along, we need to go now. It’s essential to do this quickly.” I rose to follow. “I have to say, your English is almost as good as a native speaker.” “Every station is required to have a translator. Not quite there with vernacular and dialect, though. Not much practice.” We waked to his car.