They wake up early. It is cold on the mountain.
What's for breakfast? says Richie.
There is no breakfast here, says Xui Min. We must pack up and leave. We'll find food on the way.
Sikong Shu's phone rings. Ring ring!
It's Rosamunda.
Where ARE you? says Rosamunda. Is Arthur with you?
Mentougu, on Lingshan mountain, says Sikong Shu. And of course he's with me.
You stayed out all night on the mountain? says Rosamunda. You and Arthur?
We're coming down now, says Sikong Shu.
He doesn't see why he should tell Rosamunda everything.
It's just that me, Margaret and Professor Mee-man Chang are going to the Summer Temple this morning, says Rosamunda. We thought you might like to meet up.
We'd love to, says Sikong Shu, but we have other plans.
Let me speak to Arthur, says Rosamunda.
Sikong Shu hands Arthur the phone.
Arthur! says Rosamunda. You stayed out all night! On a mountain!
In a tent, says Arthur.
Whose tent? says Rosamunda.
Two ecologists, says Arthur. And this morning we're going see floating domes and eat jujubes.
Oh! says Rosamunda. It's not like I'm jealous or anything, I'm going to the Summer Palace myself. With Professor Chang and Margaret. It will be so romantic. What kind of jujubes?
Wild jujubes, says Arthur. For breakfast.
You should really be here, says Rosamunda. Gaius is in a pickle, and you're his right hand man.
What pickle? says Arthur. Can't you help him?
His fingers are stuck together, says Rosamunda. Dr Zhu Min has tried everything. So has Margaret. And Lavender and Ouvert are fighting.........
Arthur has had enough. Click.
It was handy being on the phone though. The girls and Richie have packed up the tent.
Sikong Shu is looking troubled.
What's the matter? says Arthur.
My poem, says Sikong Shu. It'll have to be in English.
That will be a problem, says Arthur. I suppose Chinese is more evocative.
Totally, says Sikong Shu. More evocative. Multi-layered.
Come on, says Hui Zhong . No more lingering.
They set off down the path. Breathing the fresh mountain air.
The ecologists point out nasturtiums, lilies, wild leeks.
But no jujubes.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment