The Phi Phi Islands, about 20 kilometers southeast of Phuket, are a pair of sister islands. The bigger one's called Phi Phi Don, the smaller one Phi Phi Leh—simple and straightforward.
The Pirates of the Caribbean 2 crew was currently holed up in a resort hotel on Phi Phi Don.
It was just past 10 a.m., and the crew had just arrived. They'd booked out the entire hotel, so there were no random strangers to deal with, which put Luke at ease.
Fresh from checking in, Luke was sprawled out on a beach chair by the shore.
The gentle winter sea breeze felt amazing, and the warm sunlight bathed him in a cozy, tingly glow.
Even though it was early winter, the temperature here never dipped below 77°F.
According to the hotel staff, the Phi Phi Islands' lowest temperature year-round was still above 70°F.
No wonder folks from Europe and the States loved coming here for winter vacations.
"Hey, Luke, pick one?" Bob sauntered over with a sly grin, shoving a piece of paper into his hand.
Luke didn't bother sitting up. He took the paper and glanced at it.
It was covered with photos of young, attractive Thai women.
"We haven't picked yet. You get first dibs," Bob said.
"What's this about?" Luke asked.
"You ever heard of wife rentals? We found the best local agency—no leaks, no worries. The girls all get health checks, so it's totally safe," Bob explained, laying it out.
Wife rentals? Yeah, Luke knew about it.
On Thai streets, you'd often see an older European retiree hand-in-hand with a young Thai woman.
The age gap was huge—they looked like an old guy with a young wife, or maybe a couple.
But not quite. The women's submissive demeanor gave it away, like they were serving a client.
That's Thailand's wife rental scene. Locals call these women "black pearls" and the men "white geese."
It's exactly what it sounds like: rent a wife.
By day, she takes care of your daily needs; by night, she offers special services.
As long as you've got the cash, you can live like a king.
And in Thailand, it's completely legal.
Some tour groups, chasing bigger profits and more tourists, even advertise wife rentals in their brochures, hyping it up to boost their numbers.
"How much?" Luke asked, curious.
"Top-tier in Zone A, $5,000 a week. Zone B, $3,000. Zone C, $2,000. Pretty good deal, right? We're here for two weeks, so you could pick two—one for each week," Bob said patiently.
In a world where people judge poverty more than vice, Luke wasn't one to point fingers. He just wasn't interested.
He was about to hand the "menu" back to Bob when a slender hand snatched it away.
"Bob, you've been hanging out with Depp too much—you're turning into a bad influence! Don't drag Luke into this!" Anne said.
"Anne, what's it to you? We're here for over two weeks. If you won't let Luke pick someone, what, you gonna keep him company yourself?" Bob smirked, clearly enjoying stirring the pot.
"Luke doesn't need this!" Anne's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Luke, you sure you're passing?" Bob pressed, not ready to let it go.
Luke waved him off with a grin, signaling he was good.
"Fine, I'm off to find Depp and the director. They've already got their eyes on someone, but they let you pick first. If you're out, we're taking the lot!" Bob said, jogging back toward the hotel.
"These guys are disgusting! Are they even here to shoot a movie?" Anne huffed, plopping down on the beach chair next to Luke.
"It's a mutual thing—no one's forcing anyone. As long as it doesn't mess with filming, it's not our business," Luke said.
"It's oppressive to women! Why doesn't Thailand ban this gross trade?" Anne shot back.
"Without good education and job opportunities for women, banning it would just push it underground," Luke said, not eager to dive deeper into the topic.
"You mad I ruined your fun? You really don't want to pick someone?" Anne asked with a teasing smile, her eyes sparkling.
"Nah, not interested. I'm more into the shrimp here than the women. I'm legit craving some Phi Phi shrimp," Luke said.
"There's really Phi Phi shrimp?" Anne, clearly a foodie, lit up.
"Of course. It's called Phi Phi Island, isn't it?"
Anne wasn't buying it. Phi Phi Island meant Phi Phi shrimp? Really?
"They've got this local specialty—rainbow Phi Phi shrimp. Compared to regular shrimp, it's got firmer, tastier meat with a hint of creamy flavor. Just pan-fry it, sprinkle some salt, and it's pure heaven," Luke said.
"What are we waiting for? Where can we get some?" Anne was instantly hyped.
"I already asked the hotel staff to whip up a batch. Should be here soon," Luke said.
"Share a few with me?" Anne asked.
"No way. One portion's only six shrimp—not enough for me," Luke teased.
"Each one's like half a pound! You can't eat all that. Just give me two," Anne pleaded.
"Nope. Want some? Order your own."
"Come on, share! I'll… make it worth your while!" Anne said with a playful grin.
"No deal! That'd be an even worse trade!" Luke shot back.
"Ugh, you're the worst!" Anne lunged at him, locking her arm around his neck. "Say it—gonna share or not?"
Luke didn't feel a thing. Anne's slim arm had no chance of holding him.
But as she pulled him in, the back of his head sank into something soft and warm.
A faint fragrance drifted from behind, filling his nose.
It was almost too much for him to handle.
After wrapping King of Espionage, Yuffie had headed back to China.
She had school and a new movie lined up back home, so she couldn't stick around with Luke.
It had been days since he'd been close to a woman.
"Ahem…" He faked a cough, trying to play it off.
Anne quickly let go. "You okay? I didn't mean to hurt you!"
She reached out, gently rubbing his throat. "Feeling better?"
The concern in her eyes was genuine—Luke could tell.
"Alright, fine, you get two. I'll just order another batch," he said.
"For real? I want two from the second batch too!" Anne said, pushing her luck.
"Don't get greedy! Why don't you just order your own?"
"Because it's tastier when I steal it from you!" Anne laughed.
The two kept joking and messing around.
A waiter carrying a plate of pan-fried rainbow Phi Phi shrimp quietly set it down nearby, not wanting to interrupt, and slipped away.
In the distance, Depp and Bob were bickering:
"I saw that girl first!"
"No way, let me have her! Next time we're in New York, I'll hook you up!"
"No chance! I'm not budging this time!"
Director Verbinski watched the chaos with a grin, then turned back to prepping for tomorrow's shoot.
The filming for Pirates of the Caribbean 2 kicked off in this laid-back, lively vibe.