*Chapter 4* The Slug

Daisy was shocked at what Max was making Beaver do, but she knew it wouldn’t kill any of them. She had seen numerous Korean people buy live seafood from the tanks and take it home for dinner. Plus, after the live octopus, Daisy thought nothing could be worse. It wouldn’t killed them. “Don’t worry, Beaver. I’ll cook it, and we can all try it together.”

With confidence, Leo asked for the money and walked up to the cash register. They had all learned a few Korean words, but knew that pointing with their finger was usually the best way to get what they wanted.

“Anyung-ha-say-yo,” said the cashier. Hello.

Leo pointed at the tanks outside and the cashier followed him out. Daisy and Max pointed at the pale orange sea slug swimming around in the tank. The cashier looked at them and shook his head.

“I don’t understand. I see people do this all day!” Daisy whispered angrily. “Sir, we want to buy that sea slug!”

Max kicked Daisy. “Dude, they don’t understand English. Yelling at him is not going to help.”

Daisy tried again pointing at the orange slug and Leo showed him the money. The cashier looked extra worried, but reached over for the fish net. At first he tried to catch one of the other fish in the tank, but Max stepped in next to him shaking his head and pointing again at the slug. The cashier talked to them quickly and excitedly in Korean, but they had no idea what he was saying. Finally, the man sighed, caught the orange slug, and put it on a piece of wrapping paper, rolled it up, and handed it to the kids.

Max took the slug which was still moving in the paper while Leo tried to give the man some of the money that their mom had left them.

The cashier looked at the three kids and said, “Ah-ni-o. Service.”

The kids stood silently looking at each other for answers. They didn’t know what he was saying. “Well it was enough money right?” Leo asked Daisy.

“Yeah I think so.”

“I think he’s giving us a present,” said Max. “Let’s just walk away and see what he does.”

They turned slowly and started walking. Leo looked over his shoulder to see what the man would do, but he was just standing there smiling at the three kids.