A Random Story

So, a Random American leaves Dien Bien Phu and runs out of gas at dusk; in the northern mountains; miles from anywhere...

American Man (AM) is pushing his motor bike up the road when Random Vietnamese Man (VM1) stops along side of him. AM tries to describe the problem in English; VM1 says some things in Vietnamese; AM says he doesn't understand; VM1 says a few more things and rides off...

AM is continuing to push his motor bike up the road in the dark, when a second Random Vietnamese Man (VM2) stops along side. VM2 speaks some English and so AM is able to describe problem and VM2. With use of AM's flashlight, AM and VM2 are able to drain a bit of gas out of VM2's gas tank...

Just as AM is about to fill his tank VM1 returns with a 1.5L water bottle full of gas. AM is surprised but very thankful that VM1 went to get him gas. AM asks VM1, "how much", VM1 says 150,000 Dong (~$10)....

AM cries bullshit; says no!!! AM knows how much the gas cost <20,000>

AM wants to part amicably with both VM1 and VM2, and offers some candy to each. Both accept as both are hungry. VM1 shows no resentment to AM, is actually cordial... VM1 and VM2 invite AM to have dinner with then in the next town; AM accepts...

After a 15km ride, AM, VM1, and VM1 share a traditional Vietnamese dinner with some strange meats (said to be chicken and beef), some beers, and a few hits off some strange Vietnamese water pipe...

So finally, a slightly inebriated VM2, is followed by a very very slightly tipsy AM, who in turn is followed by a slightly inibriated VM; riding 125cc motorbikes toward Lai Chau; through the mountains; under a Full Moon lit sky....