CH 6.3

let me sail, let me sail, let the orinoco flow, let me reach, let me beach on the shores of Tripoli. let me sail, let me sail, let me crash upon your shore…

“Orinoco flow” seeped into the wall of the back room and filled the space. In the relatively small room, there was only a sofa and a simple stage, but it was decorated in a medieval European style to create a mysterious scenery. As Cocaine’s voice enveloped his body like a carpet, the white-haired old man was immersed in the music with an ecstatic face.

Healing was divided into appreciation and healing. For appreciation, complex technique and beautiful lyrics were good, and for therapy, high-pitched vocals were suitable. The effect also varied depending on the space occupied by the voice and the wavelength and density of the voice. Those who were in a straight line with the healer’s lips as the reference point are affected to the maximum. The principle was similar to that of a speaker. So, the deeper the disease, the more concentrated it saturates the healing area by controlling the high frequency range and sound amplification. The bones in the skin, the organs in them, the more sophisticated cells… The deep-seated cancer cells decomposed and destroyed. Finally, with a soft melody, he caressed even the poor soul who fought the disease alone. It could only be said that the complete mission of a healer was accomplished only by doing that.

When Cocaine’s song ended, the old man clapped loudly. He bit his ass as if to sit next to him.

“Truly wonderful! The word ‘heavenly voice’ is only for you! I want to express this feeling, but words fall short of it so it’s stuck in my mouth.”

Excessive praise was both rewarding and burdensome for Cocaine. Cocaine sat next to Chairman Kim.

“You sing all these beautiful songs, is this an Aria or something?”

“It is a song by a singer named Enya. I think it would be nice to listen to it casually.”

“By the way, how long do you have to wear this mask? It doesn’t make sense to not even know the benefactor’s face.”

Cocaine instinctively distanced himself from Chairman Kim. This was because sometimes mischievous guests tried to remove the masks suddenly.

“It is the rule to wear a mask in front of guests, and I will try to follow the rules.”

“Yes, yes. If you want…”

Chairman Kim withdrew his hand as if he could not help but regret it. Chairman Kim was the owner of a construction company. Not long ago, he had been receiving treatment for liver cirrhosis and had recovered from frequent visits. He originally went to Paradiso to relieve his sadistic perversion, but at the recommendation of the president, he got healing. In that way, he was often a regular downstairs and then a regular upstairs.

“Really, Secretary Yang has a voice like you, Co… Counter… What did you say it was? I bought and listened to a few famous singers among the two, but I stopped because there was no one with a voice like you. I get tired of listening to them after a few times, but you, I somehow want to listen to you again and again. These days, thanks to you, I went to an opera performance that I have no hobbies for, but they still fall short.”

“I love opera too. Oh, how is your health these days?”

Chairman Kim chuckled and touched his face.

“The executives are making a fuss that my complexion has improved. This is not just lip service but, recently I’ve been eating well, and I’ve grown back a lot of hair. They asked what the secret was, and I would say that I had started hiking.”

“The Chairman cooperated well, so you got better quickly. You don’t have to come anymore.”

“Don’t say sad stuff like that. I will keep coming to listen to your songs. By the way, Director Jung’s lawful wife’s dementia is getting worse, so she’s been looking for people.”

“They are welcome to come at any time. It is difficult because it is a brain disease, but if she get treated, she will be able to fully recover.”

Chairman Kim was taken aback.

“No, you mean you can cure dementia?”

“I’ve done it a few times.”

Diseases that have been treated so far range from cancer to diseases large and small. When he was younger, it took him a month to get rid of benign tumours because he had no techniques, but now cancer cells can be treated in about a month. On the contrary, mental illnesses were more difficult. The cost of healing was so high that the general public could not even afford it, and the price varied widely depending on the type and depth of the disease. Of course, customers here are willing to pay, and Cocaine has never been caught in fraudulent charges. Chairman Kim, who had been contemplating for a while, answered with a disapproving expression.

“Director Jung will take care of it. It’s like being involved in someone else’s family affairs… Don’t think that I have an evil heart. Because there is no one in the world who can share the wild ginseng hidden in the closet1. Hohoho.”

Cocaine felt strange. Those who have recovered fully through healing would keep this fact a secret except for their families. It was a strange rule between them.

“But I’m worried that you’re being overworked. I’ll send you some traditional snacks and sweets sometime. I didn’t feel comfortable because you returned the watch last time.”

The reason they didn’t accept presents from customers was because they expect more in return each time.

“No. It is enough that the Chairman is well. Even if you send them, there are so many other mouths to be fed, so not much goes into my mouth anyway.”

“What have your accompaniments accomplished…”

Chairman Kim’s face turned harsh as if he heard something ridiculous. Cocaine said, fixing his expression.

“They are all so good that it’s a shame to be here. If they hadn’t supported me, my voice wouldn’t have mattered much.”

“Anyway, aren’t those guys just riding on your back and profiting? They have become men, but they are still stumbling through life. Of course, you are different from them.”

It was awkward. Not only Chairman Kim, but there were quite a few people who devalued his colleagues like that. Even in front of the people directly concerned. The hesitant old man revealed the real purpose of the visit. It was whether his sexual vitality could not be strengthened. As the old man, who was about 70, put on an expression on his face like that of a new bride, Cocaine had to pinch his thigh to hold back his laughter.

He finished his session with Chairman Kim and went out. The sound of Cocaine’s footsteps hit the end of the long hallway and walked towards them. It has been 10 years since he was brought here. On Christmas night, the people who broke into the house that day also clamoured for him to sing a song. He couldn’t even remember who came. He just wanted to get away from the cries of madmen. At one point, it screamed and ended up in a dark heaven with people screaming. When he woke up, the Cocaine was dragged into the back room, covered in blood. Sejin was there. He wore a pure angel’s robe, with a frightened face…

Yes, they were both young at the time. He himself understood that he would have done the same to him in the same situation. But understanding and forgiveness were completely different. Sejin, who had now become Yaba, has never said he was sorry. Abandoning the comfort of the heart that can be found through forgiveness, Yaba ruined himself. He had no obsession in life. Other than moisturising cream and antidepressants, there was no need for materialism. However, such a Yaba has been seeming strange these days. It was a change that only Cocaine had sensed, who had been by his side for many years.

He felt dizzy walking down the hallway. These days, because he had been overworked, his neck was easily tired and his body was heavy. He tried not to overwork his vocal cords, but when he saw a sick person, he couldn’t turn away. Of course, in this limited space, it was bitter that only the selected class could receive it.

‘Who is the next reservation? Ah…’

It was Executive Director Cha Yiseok. Cocaine smiled as he remembered the man who was begging for a photo last night. Cha Yiseok was a person who could not be defined in a single word. Unlike other guests who were embarrassed to even make eye contact with Cocaine, he provoked shame with obscene language. It was just verbal harassment that was close to sex. But he did not conclude that he was simply a vulgar man, because his eyes sometimes showed a depth that was far from promiscuous. Today, he headed to the waiting room with half worry and half anticipation about what other words the man would embarrass him with.