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She turned to Koskinen with a bemused smile. “In their underwear?”
“Yes, the word is in Finnish kalsarikännit, and this translates to ‘pants-drunk.’” He moved to another bank of windows.
“Pants drunk?” Mrs. Sutton followed behind. “Huh. That sounds like something someone would do when they were depressed. Unless, of course, this is a party situation?” Mrs. Sutton frowned with her whole face but quickly smoothed out those lines, offering an interested smile instead, as Koskinen turned to her.
“Something we do alone.” Koskinen continued matter-of-factly. “It is lovely to sit around and get drunk in one’s underpants. It is quite done here.”
“Interesting.” By her tone, Halo surmised that Mrs. Sutton wasn’t one to sit around in her panties by herself, getting drunk.
The sarcastic note of her reply seemed to have been lost on Koskinen. He pointed at the new section of the window. “Here, do you see this? The Ferris wheel?” He looked back to see that Mrs. Sutton was focused in the right direction. “It is interesting because—can you see that one brown car on the wheel?”
Mrs. Sutton squinted. “Yes. It’s different from the others.”
“It is a sauna.” He pronounced it SOW-nah, and since it was a Finnish invention, Halo noted the proper pronunciation and would use it from then on.
She blinked.
“Yes, this is true,” Koskinen said. “You get on, and as the wheel takes you around, you and your friends enjoy the sauna.”
“But if you’re in a sauna, and it’s steamy, how do you see the view?”
Good question.
Koskinen skipped forward with his information. “Sauna is very important to the Finnish peoples. We have saunas everywhere. We have more saunas than we have cars. As a matter of fact, here in Helsinki, there is an American burger chain restaurant with a sauna. Many public saunas. It is a place to socialize. We do this because it is good for the physical and mental health especially in the dark months of the year. And, having shown you this,” he checked his watch, “I have a lovely surprise.” He focused back on Mrs. Sutton. “The executives of my department have arranged a welcoming sauna for you. This is a traditional greeting to a new business alignment, and we wish to extend this welcome to you.”
Koskinen looked pleased.
Mrs. Sutton did not.
“How very kind.” She put her hand to her chest. “Sadly, I will be on the ferry by lunch.”
“This is fine.” Koskinen bladed a hand toward the door, stepping forward. “We go right now.”
“To the sauna? Now?” She turned to Halo, her eyelids blinking in a staccato pattern that made him think she was sending an SOS in Morse code.
Halo had received orders that he was there for Mrs. Sutton’s protection and was in no way to inject himself into any situation. He stood stoically against the pleading in her eyes. It felt wrong. But he was honestly at a loss.
With a nervous laugh, Mrs. Sutton turned back to Koskinen. “What a delightful idea. I’m sorry, I don’t have a bathing suit with me.”
“This is a private sauna.” Koskinen brushed his hand through the air, indicating that they should walk.
“For women?” Mrs. Sutton stepped forward. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“Bathing suits are only worn for public saunas like at the burger restaurant.” The two walked side by side, and Halo stayed a step behind at Mrs. Sutton’s left elbow.
“In private, so at our office spaces,” Koskinen continued. “Finnish people do not cover themselves. Neither do we segregate saunas male to female. This wouldn’t be egalitarian, especially for work.”
“I see.” Mrs. Sutton’s voice sounded tight in her throat. “Since saunas aren’t part of the typical American culture, can I just check and see if I understand where we’re going and what we’re doing?” They’d stopped in front of the elevator. “Your team is honoring me with a department welcoming party in a sauna. We will be men and women together, and we will all—all of us—be unclothed.”
“This is a wonderful way to get to know each other.” Koskinen nodded to her, then turned to press the call button.
“Yes.” Mrs. Sutton glanced over her shoulder at Halo. That look screamed, “Get me out of this.”
Halo couldn’t think of a single thing to say that would keep her out of this situation, barring some claim to a medical issue. But then, he didn’t know if such a claim would bring her difficulties down the line.
She licked her lips. “My security.” She vaguely gestured Halo’s way.
“Is welcome, of course,” Koskinen said as he tipped his head back at the sound of the elevator car descending to their floor.