“Of course you do. I apologize; I do not mean to belittle you. It has just been such a long time. I have been wondering what happened to you. I had worried that maybe you had left. Then I happened to see you here, a fortnight ago. You were with your family. I take it they left. Are you leaving soon, too?”

I’m so confused. Who is this girl? A former student, or something? I don’t know her, and yet I feel compelled to tell her the truth. Like there’s no point in lying to her. Something about her demeanour tells me that if I lie, she will know. “Yes,” I say finally.

“That is nice,” the girl replies without smiling. “They will be happy to have you back, I am sure. But what about him?”

“‘Him’? Who? Him?” I point to the frustrated salaryman who is now on his phone shouting about the nearest ‘hotel.’ “I’ve never seen this dude in my life.”

The girl steps closer and closer as she speaks. “I beg your pardon. I have been wondering what happened to you. So, I sent you some help. Did you like it? The humans certainly enjoyed the libations. Anyhow. I wanted to let you know something; while you are still here. He has not forgotten about you, you know. He says your name in his sleep. So, if you plan on leaving, I believe he would appreciate your help, first. It has been months. I do not think anyone else is coming for him. Of course, it is your choice. I just thought you would like to know, one ‘minority’ to another.” The salaryman appears to be returning to her with good news. “Oh, one more thing. About that little boy. The one the yamauba is always looking for; rumour is he has been asking about you, too. That woman who left earlier will not help, but you can, just as you can help the dream walker. Please consider it. His grandmother does not know the first place to look. But I am sure you do.”

“Who?” I find my voice. “Yamauba? Who’s that?”

“Sorry; the oni baba. She is coming.” Without looking, she extends an arm behind her, toward the salaryman. He grabs it without hesitation and pulls her away. Then she turns on her heels and the two of them take off.

Something bounces against my shoulder. One of the Iznt bouncers is taking some velvet ropes away. “Oh! Sumimasen.” He bows as he excuses himself. “Daijoubu? You going back inside?”

“No — I mean, I’m fine, but —” I swing around. Another employee has materialized, rolling up a carpet. Slowly, like shadows, people are reappearing. In the distance, I see them — the salaryman and the girl, already miles away. “I’ll be right back!”