On arrival at the scene, Dr. Lee and the team found a large gathering of mob raging with intense anger surrounding Ken. They held different kinds of whips of varying sizes and appeared so displeased. The policemen jumped out of the vehicle like a shot, and the four able-bodied men who stood before the crowd guiding them disappeared just like thieves chanced upon stealing in a congested place. In a flash, they seamlessly merged into the bustling crowd, becoming one in mere moments.
The whips the mob held by hands were all released at once and dropped instantly like freely falling rain from the sky. The sun was shining intensely, and the leaves of the surrounding trees all glittered like gold. It was hot indeed. Some people were peeping from tree shades like hungry monkeys. They were the pioneers of the scene who got caught up doing nothing since morning. They could have had hardly anything to do at their abodes. Can you picture it? A group of young, unmarried men and women - full of energy and excitement. That's who most of them were!
When Yen opened his mouth wide to ask a question, and abruptly stopped, silence filled up the place. Those who stood at the forefront started shying away from being interviewed.
"What happened here?" Yen asked the crowd in a commanding voice.
No audible response was elicited, as all the assembled individuals appeared collectively perplexed. The exact source of their confusion remained elusive, though it was clear that a state of bewilderment had taken hold. Could it be the question or seeing the police officers baffling them? They all turned and stared at one another silently as if they were unknowledgeable of what had transpired before.
Ken lay impotently alongside the road, with draggled clothes. If the truth were not evident, people would automatically assume that he was dragged through the mud. He was too weak to walk, but with awful odor originating from almost all parts of his body, a health worker who didn't care about his hygiene. If he were to continue to the health facility, he wouldn't have the usual energy he always had to harass patients.
"I asked you, but you just stared at me. Are people crazy around here? Could you please answer my question? What happened here?" Yen energetically demanded. Many people at the forefront started taking to their heels. Others moved backward, after which they turned and fled. Only a few brave people stayed put. They knew the truth and could defend themselves by all means.
Shortly, an old man approached the policemen humbly and stood silently by their side. Yen immediately yelled at him, "Who are you?"
The old man just stood firm and upright like a soldier at attention. He was tranquil and unshaken by the demand, which left everyone wondering if he was a retired soldier. However, he was not a military man but a responsible and concerned citizen.
"I am Okut James, a senior citizen of this place," he calmly replied.
Yen's heart skipped a beat as the senior citizen introduced himself in a voice that was so soothing. It was as if he was being lulled into a peaceful state. From that moment on, he was eager to engage with Okut James while treating him with the utmost respect and reverence, like the true elder that he was.
Then Yen asked James in a low tone, "Can you tell us what the matter at hand is?" Fellow policemen were standing silently beside James, anticipating.
Immediately, James replied expressing his dissatisfaction, "It is so easy to understand our concern. Indeed, it can take a few seconds to get acquainted with it, but solving the problem has persistently been thought-provoking and with no improvement over the past years. I do not understand why it happens so. You people could be the contributing factor. When we send our children to jail to be taught virtues, policemen always release them in even less than a day. We are tired. As elders, we decided that if the problem continues, we shall meet and devise our means of solving this matter. Even if it means setting our prison, we shall do it."
"I can sense that you're upset from the way you're speaking. As elders, I know you have certain roles and responsibilities, but I'm frustrated with the way you often involve us in unrealistic issues. Could you please clarify what you're talking about?" Yen said, his anger evident.
"Substance abuse, Substance abuse! It is a heavy burden on our society. Here, youthful drunkards in their early twenties manifest with the anatomical features of the elders in their early seventies. More so, I cannot guess whether the grasses along the major routes that lead to the drinking places do not complain!" Okut wondered. He talked in a very loud voice and reduced it gradually and dramatically to his normal voice. At the beginning of the utterance, he appeared so roiled, but he terminated his verbalization while smiling. Everyone at the scene was amazed, and they all laughed. Dr. Lee was aroused to intervene immediately.
"Why do you think the grasses along major routes to drinking places may complain?" Dr. Lee asked.
People were waiting for a reply, their attention drawn to the grass beside the road where Ken was lying, due to the strange look from Dr. Lee. They anticipated something amusing.
When Okut made a glance and ascertained everyone's move, he silently pointed at the grasses. The place appeared flat, with all grasses squeezed down, and others were uprooted and spread over the ground as Ken dragged himself over them.
Lee also pointed at the grasses and asked, "Has it always been this way?" The gathering erupted in laughter at his dramatic assessment of the situation.
Okut answered, "Everywhere they land, grasses suffer. I don't think they only suffer physically, but they may also be psychologically suffering. No one knows."
"So, what do you know about that person?" Dr. Lee pointed at Ken.
Ken had just become invigorated by people's conversation. He ran his hands over his body, feeling a sense of disconnection with the world around him as he looked around at the bustling crowd.