Home By Marquel Managing Defectors’ Memories

Managing Defectors’ Memories

Marquel, TPVs NYTimes Liars Section correspondent, was writing emails to imbeciles, when he read Prominent North Korean Defector Recants Parts of His Story.

Shin Dong-hyuk became famous after speaking about his childhood in a prison camp. On Sunday, he said that elements of his harrowing tale were untrue. Marquel read that the man was recanting only those parts of his story having to do with North Korea.

“All the rest,” Shin said, “is as true as a diamond cutters’s table.”

It seemed to Marquel that the problem wasn’t as slight as the man was implying. After all, without North Korea, what did the man have to say?

Marquel visited with Shin at the Waldorf Astoria, where he was staying in the Defectors Suite which adjoins the Presidential Suite.

“Mr Shin, what’s left of your story?” I asked.

 “Are you kidding me? The whole rest of my life. It’s not defined by North Korea.”
“But part of your story starts with you being born in Camp 14, where no one ever leaves.” I said.
“The mortality rate in the hospital where I was born was sky high.” He explained.
“Where was that?” I asked.
“Manhattan, Kansas. Few babies walked out of there alive, I can tell you that.” He said.
“But you don’t even look Korean.” I said, looking at his blonde hair, blue eyes, fair complexion and rather English upper class jutting chin.
“There aren’t many in Kansas.  I was the only one.” He insisted.
“Where did you go to school?” I asked.
“I was a prisoner.” He insisted.
“Where exactly, ” I asked.
“New Haven.” He asserted.
“”Where in New Haven?” I persisted.
“Yale. I was kept there for many years.” He said.
“More than four?” I asked.
“Many more,” he said, “I told you I was a prisoner.”
“So you did graduate work as well?” I inquired.
“Yes, they held me at the drama school for several years and at the divinity school.”
I thought about this and found it incredible. “How did you convince people you were even Asian with your looks?” I asked.
“Emotional memory.” He said.
“You use method acting? At Yale?” I asked.
“No it’s a variation. But it works very well with nationalities. During my confinement I had it drilled into me.”
“But what emotional memory do you have of North Korea?” I asked.
“You don’t understand it. You needn’t have a memory of the exact thing, but it helps if you go to a restaurant from there. Would you like some more soup? Tea? Try our special.” He said, seemingly unconsciously.
I suddenly had the feeling that he really was Korean, despite his appearance. Weird. I almost asked him for a small sparkling water.
“You’re a rather convincing person, you know,” I said.
“Yes, that’s why I feel guilty. I had to tell the truth.” He asserted.
“But your book sold well. Now it might not.” I pointed out.
“It had already peaked. It’s time for another.” He said.
“What are you going to call it, Liar?” I asked.
“Oh no. I don’t know the title. I am going to tell the true story of how I became the first Black man to swim the English Channel. It’s a challenging story and you wouldn’t believe the racist obstacles people establish just for a friendly swim when you’re black.” He said.
I was astonished and a bit angry at first but, just as weirdly, I started feeling sympathetic to a man not allowed to take a dip just because of the color of his skin. “They wouldn’t let you do it?” I asked.
“They said black men can’t swim. Then they wouldn’t give me a boat for my coach. Then they refused to let me grease up because they said my skin was already black.” He said.
I was getting angrier and angrier at such naked racism. But I looked at my note pad and realized I’d stopped taking notes. That sort of snapped me out of it. I looked up at him, strangely exhausted. “Emotional memory again?” I inquired. He nodded.
I had a sudden idea. “How could I learn to do that? Emotional memory, I mean. “
“It’s not too hard. What for?” He asked.
“I’d like people to think I’m a writer.” I said. He simply raised his eyebrows. I could visualize the cold waters of the Channel flooding over them.
I went home. Three thugs blocked my path. I tried emotional memory and I was Rocky. I swaggered toward them. I swaggered more. I swaggered again. They still blocked me. I crossed the street.

 ***

By MARQUEL: Managing Defectors’ Memories

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