Chapter 415

"Terima kasih, Dato' Zin." Arthur sketched another short bow to the portly Malay gentleman as he did so. Dato' was a title, a noble title awarded by a state Sultan - the Malaysian equivalent of the king. Of course, Malaysia had nine such kings with the group rotating who was the current ruling king (Agong) being in charge and doing all the major ceremonies.

Technically, of course, there was more to that job, but again – it was an entirely different world from the one Arthur was used to living in. Probably was still out of reach for him, right now – but it was a bit of a shock, to realise that perhaps it was not as far ahead.

More importantly, the title of Dato’ was the general equivalent of a knighthood in the British system, a ‘Sir’ added to the front of a name. While it could – and was – awarded for various acts of great contribution to the state, it was also just as often bought.

Not that any Dato’ was ever going to like have that insinuated.

“I’m sorry. My Malay is not really up to this,” Arthur said, choosing to switch back to English. He noted the pursing of lips, the way the man glared. While his Malay was decent, Arthur was still more comfortable in English – especially for intricate, careful considerations. It was also a minor test, to see how much power he had in this interaction.

“Tak apa, we can speak English. Malay can be a little hard for some. But you should practice more, ah. You a big man now.” Almost immediately, Dato’ Zin switched, relaxing the formality of his speech to such an extent that Arthur was a little impressed.

“Thank you. I’ll work on it.” Arthur turned to the women, gave them his best and most polite smile. Made sure to keep his eye on the older woman, while avoiding looking at the other two svelte women, a Malay dressed in a beautiful light blue baju kebaya, reminiscent of the Malaysian Airlines tight fitting top and skirt combo and a Chinese woman in a form fitting suit-skirt combination. “And these are…?”

Something flickered in Dato’ Zin’s eyes, and he realised that perhaps the man might take his interest in the women as more than plain courtesy but a more masculine interest. Probably a good thing for Arthur, since it would mean they would try to manipulate him that way. Which, might work for the pre-Tower Arthur. Post-Tower Arthur’s libido and lust had cooled, what with the Yin Body he had acquired.

Not to say that he was lacking in desire; but it had turned down from the all consuming concern that many young men hosted.

“This is Manager Kong and some of our employees at the Menteri Pendaki Menara, Elsa and Tannah.” The women offered smiles and slight bows, not full curtsies but enough of an acknowledgment at their names that Arthur could memorise them.

“Thank you for meeting me, all of you.” Having had a moment to consider his choices, Arthur chose that wisest course of action. “But it’s been a long, long year and I was looking forward to a long, hot shower and then a bed.”

“No family?” Again, that cold, assessing smile.

“Of course, family.” Arthur replied. His mother, his mei mei, his sifu. They were all people he missed - at least in the theoretical sense. He had a father too, somewhere out there, though he much preferred not to consider that particular figure. Not that he was going to let the government know that. "But after I've washed and cleaned myself. No reason to show them, well, this." A gesture downwards. Of them all, it would be his sifu who would understand. And perhaps only marginally too, since his sifu had never gone into the Tower himself - and who, for his own part, disliked it.

Old people and their irrational prejudices. At least he understood the appeal enough that he was willing to train his students to ready themselves for it. Even let them organise - and take - various classes in survival, even if he himself did not partake of them. 

"Ya-lah. So correct." Dato' Zin smiled, wide. "Come, we have arranged a hotel suite for you." A nod towards the two attendants. "They are yours - assigned to you - and you can do whatever you want with them. They give good massages, eh."

If looks could kill, the one that Manager Kong shot Dato' Zin would have slain him and eight of his ancestors.

“Thank you,” Arthur said, an act that got on Manager Kong’s shit list. He understood her position, but he was not going to contradict the man directly. Using his perceptions against him was for the best, right now. Even so… “I would prefer to not travel. The facilities here work.” He gestured backwards. “I want to be around and have word left for anyone from my teams coming out.”

“The Benevolent Durians, is it?” Dato’ Zin said. “None have made it out yet, as far as we know.”

“Really, not-?” Arthur shut his mouth, realizing that mentioning Rick or Casey – his tentative allies who were not full Clan members but allied anyway– would give up a major advantage. Instead, he finished lamely with, “-any one else?”

“None that said they were part of your group.”

“Huh.” Arthur rubbed my chin. “When was the last exit?”

“About three days-” Dato’ Zin began, only for Manager Kong to cough.

“Normally, such details are private. We do not release climber information to others,” Manager Kong said.

“Eh, Arthur kor here is a friend, right?” A smile widened. “Things like that, we can tell our friends. Might make recruitment and things like that easier too, for a Clan.”

Arthur could fill in the blanks. Information and details could be shared, help offered and maybe even funds diverted for a favored Clan. For one who worked with the government. Maybe even became a part of the government – whether on an official or unofficial capacity, it was hard to say.

Point was, the opposite could be done just as well.

He was swimming in deep waters and drowning, and there were jellyfish all around.

“So. Rest,” Arthur said, looking to the door. “Shower, most of all. I’m sure I don’t smell that good, though I can’t really tell, not after so long.”

The slight twitch in the Dato’s face, the strained smile indicated as much.

“Let me shower, rest. I’ll come visit, yes. Talk to Manager Kong and the ladies.” He let his gaze drift over to the two of them who – appropriately – simpered and preened. Arthur even managed to offer a little bit of a leer – just a hint. The man, already primed to look for it smiled, clapped him on the shoulder.

“Bagus! Soon, yes. You rest, you check on your people, your family. We been keeping an eye on them, make sure they get more from PAS, right? Because Climber families get more.” He grinned. “UMNO did that, you know.”

“Saya tau.” A lot of people had been angry at the increase in the Pendatapan Asas Sejagat (PAS) – Malaysia’s universal basic income payout and called it favoritism. An unneeded handout to the already wealthy. Right now, Arthur felt grateful for it, knowing that he – and his family – would find things a little easier. The PAS amount wasn’t much, even for Climbers but it would cover at least the cost of living – unlike the normal amount. “Thank you.” A slight hesitation, a cock of his head. “And the PM, right?”

“Ya-lah. But you go, rest”

Grinning, Arthur nodded and watched as the man spun around, strode out. Left them alone, though perhaps he did not realise how far away the walk was. Or perhaps he just really did not like the grime, because he started wiping it down within a few moments of leaving.

Leaving Arthur alone with three women.

A not unusual moment, in truth. Not since his entrance to the Tower at least.