The Windup Girl

Jaidee and Kanya capture smugglers of disease-resistant crops, including pineapples, then board a passenger boat. A bo, or bodhi tree, sacred because under this species the Buddha experienced enlightenment, blocks the river, but Jaidee uses his official influence to clear the boat’s way. Always unemotional and unexpressive, Kanya nonetheless laments the loss of the tree to ivory beetles. The tree’s demise signals yet another consequence of global warming and climate change.

The two go to the marketplace to eat. They discuss the prevalence of disembodied spirits they routinely see, presumably unable to reincarnate because their souls don’t deserve the suffering of the material world. Kanya also worries about Jaidee’s safety, since there has been a previous attempt to assassinate him. Finally, Kanya tells him that he should be more willing to take bribes to give to his men, who work hard and feel they receive little compensation. Jaidee reluctantly gives her the bag of money confiscated from the ship and tells her to divide it among his men. Always dour, she expresses gratitude and respect toward him, though Jaidee doesn’t like what he feels compelled to do.