Temptation (3)

Top sat on a raised platform, and was the star of the party.

She had a coterie of believers, impressed by her ability to call up ancestors to speak through them.

Bic's boyfriend Nok and Top talked together for hours. She was working her kathoey wiles on him, though we didn't know that until we returned home.

Todd drove us back.

As Nok wobbled towards the condo entrance, I assumed he was drunk.

Kathoey Bic and boyfriend Maiyuu, however, swear he was walking with his eyes closed. He was able to navigate his way to the door unaided because a spirit which had inhabited his body, thanks to kathoey Top's wiles, was helping him 'see'.

Bic says that as he was sleeping that night, Nok performed convulsions on his bed, as the spirit paid another visit.

A shocked Bic told us about Nok's strange behaviour the next day. Nok claims he was unaware of what happened.

The experience of having a spirit inhabit his body must have left an impact on Nok, who kept seeing the spiritual medium Top.

As they saw more of each other, his relationship with his girlfriend Bic grew distant.

Maiyuu says kathoey Top played tricks on Nok's mind. Under her influence, Nok gave her money, and bought her gifts - a watch, clothes.

Nok was educated at a private university, and speaks good English. He and I were once drinking friends. I thought he would know better than to fall for such an old trick.

Nok couldn't keep away from the kathoey medium. I don't know if she poisoned him against Bic, but in the end he and his girlfriend parted ways.

now, see part 4