Consequences Unforeseen

Tokyo June 18th - Guam - June 29th 1991

Tokyo June 18th – Guam – June 19th to June 29th 1991

Not usually someone who read ‘tourist’ guide books, Bill Douglas was amazing himself this evening. Since the Delta Airlines flight had clawed its way into the Narita sky, he’d been totally engrossed with the ‘Guide to Guam’ book Kris had purchased at the airport.

By comparison, Kris was a totally different kettle of fish. She needed to know everything about a new destination from the most exotic beaches right down to the color of the loo paper in the hotel she’d be staying.

The fact that Bill was sat there next to her and almost totally ignoring her was pissing her off to no end. She too was amazed. This guy who traveled the world, knew everything about anything and must surely have been to Guam in his murky past was actually absorbed in the mundane act of playing a tourist.

The Delta crew was predominantly female and of Japanese origin, so it further amazed her that he was totally ignoring their attempts to flirt with the Scottish gaijin. She had given up by now with the usual fact that one of them would end up sitting next to them on most flights they took together, offering everything from extra special booze to their personal business cards and ignoring the fact that she was even there.

Not so on this occasion. He was muttering away to himself and constantly throwing random facts at her. All the while interrupting her own reading efforts into her new book ‘The Firm” by John Grisham. She was so into it that she was unusually short with him when he said,

“Do you know that these islands have been inhabited since 2000BC? Jesus Kris that’s amaaaaaaazing!” And he looked at her for practically the first time since they had taken off.

“Fuck’s sake Bill,” she responded. “So the hell what? What’s so bloody amazing about that for God’s sake, put the book down, and have a beer or something.

For somebody who says he’s been to Guam before you’re like a bloody tourist going to Mexico for the first time!”

He gave her a hurt look and pouted his bottom lip and replied, “What’s your problem? The place looks fantastic and I’ve only ever been on the two military bases there. The Naval Station and Andersen Air Base.

Normally you’re the one who’s nose down in the guide book for God’s sake,” and he gave her a slap on the leg for emphasis.

Kris sighed, put a dollar bill in her own book to mark the page, closed it and laid it down on the lap table.

“Right then Bill, you asked for it,” and she continued,

“The original inhabitants of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are believed to be descendants of Austronesian people originating from Southeast Asia as early as 2000 BC. These people evolved into the Chamorro people who remain as the predominant current population.”

Bill looked impressed, so she continued,

“Guam is the largest island in Micronesia and was the only U.S.-held Island in the region before World War II. Guam was captured by the Japanese on December 8, 1941, just hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was occupied for two and a half years. During the occupation, the people of Guam were subjected to acts that included forced labor, torture, beheadings, and sexual abuse and were forced to adopt the Japanese culture. Guam was subject to fierce fighting when U.S. troops recaptured the island on July 21, 1944, a date commemorated every year as Liberation Day.