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by Evelde Mourne
--- No way, Pete. I just can't see it.
--- Don't think it's possible, huh? You don't believe me?
--- You don't stand a snowball in hell’s chance. Not with her…... Er, just leave them there, honey, that’s OK.
--- One for Mama. Yes? And the girls?
--- Go on, Jeff, might as well. Way of the world here. When in Rome…you know. Buy them a drink, keep 'em sweet. They'll put out for you later…
--- It’s hard to concentrate on anything with those girls in your face.
--- Not used to these places, are you? Now you know why I keep coming back here. Lookers, real lookers, huh, and friendly too……… How's about a little bet?
--- What? You wanna bet on it? On her?
--- Absolutely. A thousand bucks, say?
--- Hell, you could put a million on that…...Not that I will, though.
--- Thousand, right? Come on, Jeff. You know you want to. I know you're new here, but you're intrigued. I can tell.
--- OK, I suppose so…but I can't see how it's ever going to happen. She'll run a mile.
--- I'll keep you informed. Watch this space……Hey, check out the girl over there. Smile at her, see what happens. Go on, don't be so shy……It's on me. You can't lose………
1
--- Morning, Mei Leng.
--- --- Hey. Head in the clouds again, right? Dreaming? --- Uh…Hello. Hello, Mr. Evelyn. --- Not feeling too good today, huh? --- It's OK, Mr. Evelyn. I'm OK. --- Busy? --- Yes, I'm very busy today… --- She's been here, hasn't she. She was here just now. --- --- Marla. --- --- I can tell. You always get that hunched look when she's been around. Like you're concentrating, really concentrating on something, but your mind isn't there. And you go all quiet, shrink into yourself. --- I, er, I --- Hey. --- --- Remember what I told you a week ago? --- ---You know, how I feel like leaving as well. My heart's just not in it any more… Sometimes I'm just there, right on the edge, just a second away…I could just tell her to fuck off and walk out the door. --- Shhh. Don't say that…It's OK. I'm fine. --- I know you have a tiny flat…You bought it ten years ago. If you left now, you'd have your retirement fund. You could easily find other employment. You don't have to stay on here. Not when she's such a bitch. --- You should not say that. --- It's true, though, isn't it. She's a rancid bitch. She's demoralized the entire office. I'd leave now, if I were you. --- You could. You are a gwai… a westerner; you can get another job. --- No. It's not as easy as you think. --- You are experienced. You could go tomorrow if you wanted. I have to think… --- Yes? --- I have to think of my family. My mother… --- Remember what I told you? --- --- I meant it. We've been here since the start-up, the two of us. We look out for each other. You remember what happened a week ago… --- !!!!! --- Just for a few seconds! There was no one else in the office. And you didn't seem shocked at all…you smiled. Maybe it was because you were so surprised that I was holding your hand… I think maybe I really took you by surprise. --- --- Your hand was really cold. I thought, why are your hands so cold? Mine are always hot… maybe it's because I work out. I'm fit; it's good for the circulation or because I drink. It helps… it helps, you know. This job isn't easy. --- It's not something we do. --- ???? --- In our culture. I mean… Contact. Like that… It doesn't feel right. --- I thought you meant drinking. --- That, too…I have never drunk alcohol. Never in my life. --- I liked your smile. I notice things like that, you know. Your smile's nicest when you're not thinking about it. --- You must not say that. --- I heard what she called you. ---!!!!!!!!!!!!! --- I know a fair bit of Cantonese. I want you to know that, now, straight off. So that we're straight about it. --- She had no right to say that. I am ashamed… --- Don’t turn your face away… there's no shame in being insulted by that bitch. And anyway I'm much older than you. You're still just a girl! You're a spring chicken in comparison with me. And as for the rest… --- --- Now you're blushing. I know what else she called you. You shouldn't worry about that. Don't think about it one bit… --- I know I am not attractive. I do not have good figure… My younger sisters are pretty, my mui mui. It will be my job to care for my family. --- I like your face. And I like your smile. --- No. Don't do that… --- There's no one else here. No one knows. --- You should not hold my hand in this way… --- When things feel bad, this is what we do. We take care of each other. A smile is all it takes … a cheerful smile. It tells you that I'm thinking about you, and it's not really as bad as it seems. You and I, we're the last of the old gang … And I notice when you look at me. Your eyes. The glasses kind of suit you. When you're not thinking about what you look like, or whether you're doing the correct thing, you look kind of nice. --- I would prefer it if you did not look at my face. --- I know … When someone calls you something like that, it's like a knife in the ribs. It hurts … It hits you right in the heart of your psyche, and you stop believing in yourself. Don't look away … … I'm still holding your hands. Do you realize that? A week ago you got all embarrassed when you realized and pushed me away after five seconds… --- I wish you had never heard what she called me. --- There are other people in the world. Not just Marla. Don't dwell on it. --- I am not attractive. I do not have good figure. I can work … I have my job. I am a secretary. I have a place to live, and I have my mother to care for. That is my life. --- What you say is not really true. I like the way you look. You're very slim. I love your glossy black hair. You're a lot younger than me. And … it does not matter about the other thing. --- That I am a virgin? Say it! Go on, Say it! After all the other hurtful things, and you know now … It should not matter, because I am unattractive, and I have to look after my mother! I love my mother! --- You could marry. You might meet a guy … --- I will not. I choose not to. It is easier this way. I am not young any more. Why should I torment myself with hope when there is so little time left … I would rather you did not talk about it. Please. No more. Let go of my hand. I thank you for the thought, and I am better now. Thank you … … --- Smile. --- What? --- Go on. Smile. Smile! --- !!! --- It's easy. Isn't it! It's not so difficult after all. --- --- Tummy in, chest out! --- :) --- Now you ARE smiling. That's a real one. Instinctive, isn't it. Even if you are embarrassed. I like your figure. --- !!!! I do not have a figure. You should not be looking at me in that way. --- Do you really mind? Does it offend you? That much? --- --- Take care, Mei Leng. Keep that smile!
2
--- Hey, Mei Leng. I got news for you.
--- Yes? What is it? --- I've decided to leave. --- What? --- Don't look so surprised … --- I didn't … I thought … I thought you could deal with it. …………You're a westerner after all…plenty of opportunity for you. --- I've handed in my notice. I'll be away in a month. I'm taking terminal leave as well. --- What are you going to do? Have you found another job? Will you leave Hong Kong? --- Not yet. I might hang around for a while; see if I can get head hunted. --- Well … good for you. *** --- Don't. --- Mei Leng, you're crying … --- Please. It is not your concern. --- There's no one else here. No one to see … Everyone's off at lunch. --- I …I should not show this. It is not … like me. I should be strong … … Now there will be no one here that I know. You were the only one left … Please don't. --- There's nothing wrong with this. I'm just putting my hands on your shoulders. Comforting … Is that such a terrible thing? --- Well—I … er … I know you have girlfriends. I heard Jenny Lo whispering about it. She said you go to the bars. --- Oh……OK. I guess I do—but that is nothing to do with now. Don't hide your head away. This is about … about caring. --- Someone's coming … … It's Jenny Lo. Let go of me. Now. *** --- You see, she is so different from me. Jenny Lo … --- She's not that special. --- She is a Chinese girl too, but she looks so much nicer ....She has a nice figure… --- It's OK, I guess. Her face is pretty, in a come-on kind of way, not the same way yours is. There's a lot of make-up there. She uses a push-up bra. Makes her look a lot bigger than she really is. --- How do you know? Oh … someone said you had an affair … a year ago … --- Who told you that? That's none of your business. What – --- I'm sorry … --- What if we did? It was over a long time ago. It was just sex. Nothing to do with you. What the FUCKING HELL should you care? --- Oh, you are so angry with me! Oh ……
*** --- Now you're crying again. My fault, Mei Leng, don't be upset about it. It's a bad memory, that's all. My wife found out about it, and that caused a whole heap of trouble. She left … went back to the States with the kids. --- Oh, I didn't mean to say anything. I'm sorry, I'm so stupid, I just didn't think … --- Like I said, she was nothing special. A thousand women look like that, and she was pretty average in bed. All talk, no action. --- I don't know anything about these things. Please don't say any more, you are embarrassing me. And she makes me feel … --- Dowdy? --- I don't understand that word. --- Never mind. You shouldn't compare yourself with Jenny. She's different from you. --- I saw how you were looking at her … I am … I do not have good figure. --- I don't like big girls. I like women with small breasts. --- --- Now you're blushing, turning away again. No point in beating about the bush…That's what they're called. All women have them. Breasts. You do. I saw them last week. You threw your chest out, remember? Tummy in, chest out, and you smiled? You looked kind of nice. You're not flat chested at all. I think that's one of the reasons you're hunched. You're shy. You don't want anyone to see you. --- I do not want to talk any more. --- Mei Leng? --- Goodbye. --- Goodbye, Mei Leng. 3
--- What's it gonna be?
--- Carlsy. Same as usual. --- OK, make that two, honey…Hey, check out the Thai girl at the side. The sequins … silver G-String. Yeah, that's the one. She's quite a looker. --- Not for me, Pete. I'm married. Anyway, I can't afford the take-away. A bit too much, even if she is a knock-out. --- I had her last week. And she does the job, too, I can tell you. She rocks. --- Single guy, huh? OK for some. You can take her home. How's things with the ex? Still having problems with the kids? --- Yes. No better, even after a year. That bitch Jenny…you know she stabbed me in the back? Told Cynthia we were fucking?... ... Hey, later, girls, not just now. We're busy. OK, mama, a drink each, then fuck off, OK. Give us a few minutes … Cigar? No? Gotta watch your blood pressure… --- I still can't figure out why Jenny Lo would do a thing like that. What would it gain her? --- Nothing. She was all about money…wanted cash, expenses-paid holidays, Prada handbags, and I wasn't giving. That's why she knifed me, the spiteful bitch. It's not worth it. Trouble, always trouble. That's why I come here. Pay for a night, have sex with beautiful chicks, then it’s over. No complications. No come-backs. And they do the business. --- Jenny's quite a looker … always wondered what she'd be like in bed. --- You haven't had her? Married men, huh … Half the office's been there. She puts out, but it's too easy, she's an executive groupie. And she's not that great. Take the clothes off, wipe away the make-up, she's a shop girl. Tits are real ordinary. And she doesn't move, just lies there on the bed. There's no challenge. You know that, Jeff. Anyone could shag a girl like that … which reminds me. You owe me a thousand bucks. --- Huh? What's that for? --- You've forgotten our bet. Let me remind you … You recall a certain girl in the office who just might be called Mei Leng? --- Yeah, the secretary. Quiet girl, sweet face, big glasses? Bit hunched, boss eats her for breakfast every day. Yep, we had … …Oh no. No. Fucking hell, man, you didn't. I don't believe you. --- One thousand bucks, you said. In fact, if I remember correctly, you said it couldn't be done for a million. Wish I'd taken you up on your offer. --- Mei Leng? How the hell did you manage that? --- Gotta know women, chief…that's what it's all about. --- You've always chatted to her, said Hi … You guys were in right from the start. She looks at you, you know. When your back's turned. Sort of gives you wistful stares … … Yeah, two more. Thanks … … Man, you did not make love to Mei Leng. --- Do you know what really swung it? What opened the door? --- Go on. --- I told her I was leaving. --- You're not, are you? --- Hell, man, if you can believe it, she sure as hell did. I made a big play on that bitch Marla Poon, can't put up with the cunt any more, vamos. She was always gonna identify with that. The place has been a shithole since that Chinese bank took us over, and Marla's the worst part of the deal. You know that, Jeff. And she picks on Mei Leng something rotten. --- So? --- So … I told her I'd handed in my notice, and she starts crying. Her only friend, been there a long time, who can she talk to now, that kind of shit. --- She's … … You know, I kind of feel for Mei Leng. I hope … You know she's a virgin? For sure? --- Was, Jeff, was … … No doubt about it. Spends all her time looking after her parents … well, her mum, anyway. Father's dead now. She's never so much as touched a guy. --- You know, Pete, she's not that bad-looking. If she only knew how to dress, got rid of those glasses, she could be quite attractive. --- Yeah, well, that's all part of the play. She thinks she looks like shit, and that bitch Marla called her a dried-up old virgin in front of the whole office. Not all that wonderful for her self-image. You can use that, Jeff. It's a dominance play. And then, well, just guess what happened? --- OK. Tell me. --- Jenny Lo walks in through the door just as the comforting starts. Cue the comparisons, the in-your-face tits. Mei Leng'd heard the gossip about me and Jenny, and was dumb enough to mention it. Enter the subject of sex. I jumped on her … --- You mean bastard. --- … made her feel real bad. That opened her up a bit more. Shoulda seen her face … crying her eyes out. --- So then what? --- You know, Jeff, there's a time when you get into this position with a woman, doesn't matter who she is, or what she is, you know she's in the bag. You push, she won't scream. She'll go along. Under the thumb … It's all about establishing who's the boss. Once you're in the driving seat they can't get out of the car. She might not be happy about it … --- But by then it's too late. Are you sure she's OK? She's not come in today. --- Did her the world of good. She won't say anything about it, you understand that. Face. That's the way the Chinks work. You just gotta take my word for it. Let's get some more beer in. OK darling, another two Carlsies, and a drink for you. Guess you'd better get one for the mama-san, keep the old bitch sweet … --- So tell me … what happened?
4
--- Mr Evelyn…
--- Huh? Yes? What is it, Kathy? I'm stuck on this bond deal…
--- It's Mei Leng. --- Yes? What about Mei Leng? --- She's crying. Really crying … ---What happened? Was it… --- Yep. That bitch Marla. Yet again. Laid into her, for no reason, screamed at her about her clothes. Bargain basement nylons, that kind of thing. --- Where is she now? --- Still in the office. I thought… --- Uh huh. --- You seem to know her. More than anyone else, anyway. She always seems a bit more cheerful after you've talked to her. I think she kind of likes you … Why don't you …? --- OK. I'll come in a second. Let me just turn off my screen … anyone calls, get Jeff, OK? Not her … not Marla. *** --- Hey … what's been happening? --- I'm OK. I'm OK now. --- Look…here's a tissue. I know what happened. It was that bitch Marla, wasn't it. --- Wump. Wump. --- OK, look, you can't cry like this here. Everyone's kind of left you alone for a bit, they don't want to embarrass you, but they'll have to be back in a short while. Come. Come with me. We'll just go out for a walk. --- !!! --- That's OK. No one's watching. --- If I go out of the door with you… --- No. That's not what they'll think. They understand. They hate that bitch as well. They're sympathetic. They like you, you know. I know you're quiet, keep your head down. You think nobody notices you. You'd be surprised … --- Where are we going? --- To the sitting out area. It'll be empty now, it's almost dark. Here, wipe your eyes…Aaiyaa, they've gone all red. --- Thank you. --- Your nose is running! --- Err… --- There. I've wiped it for you. Tut tut, what a mess!……….…That's a bit better. Just a tiny bit of a smile there. --- You're very kind. Thank you…No one has ever tried…to look after me before. I'm…I'm not really used…. to it. To someone caring about me. --- Hey, now you've started crying all over again. Wait just a minute… --- Where—What are you doing? --- Just making a phone call. Hang on there…………..OK. It's all sorted. --- What? --- You've finished work. I've squared it all off. --- You can't! I still have so… --- It's taken care of. Kathy's sitting behind your desk. She's got some spare time. She's covering for you. --- I can't… --- Too late. It's already done. Anyway, they're putting themselves out for you. Give them a chance to show their support. --- What am I going to do? --- I'm going to take you home. ---!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --- Don't look so alarmed. You have got a home, haven't you? You don't live out on the street? --- I, err… --- Don't argue. It's been decided. --- What am I going to do? --- You don't have to worry … Here's a taxi…wait, in you go. Don't look so embarrassed … Have you never invited a guy into your flat before? --- No. --- Never? --- It is not something we do. You don't really understand that much about our culture, do you, Mr Evelyn … --- I'm Peter. Pete, to you…I do, as a matter of fact. I can see rather a lot. Sometimes you can learn more by looking in at it from the outside than you'd ever understand when you're trapped inside it. You are Chinese, a traditional girl, right? --- Yes. --- Conservative. Obedient. And you're not happy. Are you? Your life is miserable. --- That's what you gw …. you westerners don't have. A sense of duty. You will never understand duty, or obligation. That's why you are always drinking, and having affairs, and getting divorced … fighting over your children … --- Have you ever had an affair? --- !!!!!!!!! --- Don't look so shocked! --- !!!!!!!!!!!!!! --- Has a guy ever kissed you? Or touched you? Do you know what it's like to have sex ? OK, OK …You don't have to answer that … .... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm standing in your corner, Mei Leng. I'm not trying to hurt you … just to understand. And to show you … --- There was … --- Yes? --- There was a young man, a few years ago. He used to phone me, ask me to go for a walk … --- And? --- I arranged to meet him with my sister. He was just an ordinary person. An apprentice optician … --- So what happened? --- My family told him to stay away. --- Did you … How can they do that? --- They have the right. I was living in the family flat then … and it was not my role to have a boyfriend. It was not permitted. --- How old were you? I mean, you were a woman. Not some little kid. Surely you could make your mind up for yourself? Or have something to say in the matter? --- No. I told the person it would not be possible to see him … Here. Here we are. --- I'll pay. Put your money back … It's on me. I made the call … Hang Hau … A long way from the office. --- I usually take the MTR … Thank you for paying for the taxi. --- OK, let's go! --- What are you doing? --- I'm coming in with you. I want to see where you live. --- But … It's a very ordinary flat. --- Don't just STAND there like that. It's not such a terrible thing, is it? --- I knew you would not understand … Please don't walk with me … --- Now you're hurting my feelings. I've put myself OUT for you. --- I, err … I don't know what to do … --- Don't do anything. Just walk .… … Better catch up. Come ON, Mei Leng. Otherwise I'll leave you behind … … make your FUCKING MIND UP! OK, that's better.
5
--- So ….. she took me home!
--- Doesn't sound like you gave her much choice. --- Right on. I had to push her a bit. Well, quite a lot, as it happened. But no matter. OK, honey, two more Carlsbergs, and you, my love, can come here. Get that hot pussy over here, gorgeous … Check out that ass … Yeah, that's it. Sit just there … yeah, baby, just there … Where was I, Jeff? Lost my train of thought for a moment then! Yeah, she stacked up OK once I got her clothes off. Almost as good as Jenny Lo, and she moved one helluva lot more. --- I can't believe that. Maybe she was trying to get away. --- Well, she sure as hell cried a lot. Don't think she ever stopped. What is it about these chicks, you'd think that once they've stopped resisting, once they realize it's going to happen no matter what, they'd just let it flow, have a good time. Who wants to be a virgin for the rest of her life, for fuck's sake? Get it over with, that's what I say. --- So she didn't enjoy it. --- Hard to say. Maybe, maybe she was into the oral bit. She really moved. Had me going up and down on the bed … Obviously never had her pussy kissed before. They all like that. She took a lot of persuading, though … but then they do need a bit of priming sometimes. You know that, Jeff. Lubes them up a bit.
6
--- Quite a view from the kitchen, huh, Mei Leng?
--- It is an ordinary flat, as I told you. --- Just block after block of thirty storey buildings … Shame you couldn't have bought a higher one. --- I have had to save so much … It was as much as I could afford. My mother … erh … oh. --- Its OK. Don't be alarmed … I'm just on your shoulders. Its OK, really, it's OK. You're all stiff … You've got to learn to relax. It's OK, baby. --- What's happening? What are you doing? --- It's OK … Don't move. Just stay there, just keep looking out… --- Please let me go … Let me come past … --- Now see what happens when you turn round … don't move. You're fine. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm on your side. --- Oh … what shall I do … --- Just put your arms … there. That's right … Your hands are cold again, always cold … Put them inside my jacket … They'll get warm. --- Don't come too close … Don't look at me. --- It's easier … er, it's easier if you just put your head there, like that, don't have to look. Don't have to worry, think about anything at all … Heart beating away … I can feel it. You've never held a man. I can tell. You know what you been missing? --- I can't do this … --- No, don't move … No need to turn away … Oh, OK … Feel my hands on your shoulders … No, don't cry. It's OK … Has no one ever cared about you before? --- It is not that. --- Then what? This is OK, isn't it? --- I am not used to being touched. In this way!!! It is not right!!! --- You're a little more relaxed now … You should wear BoHo. These tight-fitting clothes don't suit you. They cling to you, and you're so slim… --- I do not dress to look nice. --- But the cardigan…this nylon skirt, you shouldn't wear stuff like this. And you should wear tights. Black ones would be best on you. No tights, huh? Only little kids don't wear tights with a skirt … --- I wear these clothes because they are inexpensive. I do not think anything will change the way I look. --- Lean back a bit…it's OK. It's OK, fine, OK…I'm a friend. --- Oh…….. --- If you wore dark clothing, a gypsy dress, a black loose shirt…you'd look real nice. I'd like to see you in that stuff. I'd like to see you let your hair down. --- I am not interested in trying to look pretty. Or sexy. That is what you seem to think I should do…look sexy. Right?…What are you doing. What are you DOING? --- These straps are kind of in the way. Both of them…ahh... --- Mr Evelyn. No. No, please…stop now. Please stop now. Ohhhh….. --- STAY STILL. There … easy…DON'T MOVE, GODDAMMIT….. Isn't that better, not that bra in the way? You see, if the straps are loosened, aaahh…I can just go underneath them. Your shoulders are real slender…Its…ah, its so much better……Lean back again. --- Take your hands away!!!! Please! PLEASE! --- Aaaahh … --- NO!…….NO! NO!!!!!!! --- Now I can really feel your heartbeat…Its racing away…When you leaned forward I just couldn't stop myself … Just stay as you are … Don't MOVE! STAY AS you are. That's it, that's what I want … aaahh … Just the way I love … small and soft and beautiful. --- Please … --- Your nipples are so nice … so big … they're as big as the tips of my thumbs. --- How can you? How can you say these things? Have you no respect for me? --- Mei Leng. Listen to what your body is telling you …You're a woman. You're aroused. That's why your nipples are all stiff … This is what happens when a woman is with a man … Now you know. Turn round, now, honey. Just a bit … That will be OK ... Now. Now. Put your face there, there, next to mine … Are you afraid, now? You're all flushed. Why don't you stop crying? --- Uhh. --- I like this. It feels lovely … --- What are you doing?………….…What … NO. NO! That's … --- Just on the outside, just your panties. That's all. I won't take anything off … easy, now, I promise … --- Let go of my arm. My arm … I can't move … Ohhhh. No, please don't, Oh, what is happening to me? --- Uh. Oh. Yes. Yes. You like it … Yes. The first time … your legs went all wobbly then. You're strangling me. Ease off a bit … not so tight. Let me just --- No! Don't take them off. DON'T TAKE THEM OFF. --- I won't … Promise … Just making a bit more space … there … now I can reach. I like that you haven't trimmed your hair…All wild and tangly. Do you know you are wet? Between your legs? I just love that, honey … So beautiful … I'm going to kiss you now. Now … like that, don't hold your breath, it's so easy … Do what I'm doing … Just suck a little bit, with your tongue. When you gasp like that … it kind of sounds so good … … That is so lovely … See, you're making room for me, making it easier … Open just a bit more, oh, there … I'm touching you the whole of you. Ohhh, oh … … Baby. Your legs are weak. Nearly fell over. …… Need to sit down. Gotta lie down. --- Not there! NOT in the bedroom…oh, no, NO…noooooooo…….
7
--- So I guess I owe you a thousand.
--- Don't look so sour, Jeff. That's women. There's always a first time, and they always need a push. If you didn't force them they'd never lose their panties, they'd all still be fucking virgins. It's just a step they gotta take. Listen, Chief, I'm gonna take this chick home, what's your name. Suni? Suni, you're real cute. Go get the mama-san, honey. We gotta deal … How many beers have we had? I've kinda lost count. Think I had a fair few more than you. Fuck it anyway. --- You know, Pete, I haven't seen her in the office. Mei Leng. Are you sure she's OK? --- Man, she'll be fine. Like, think about it this way; she's been liberated, nothing more to worry about. Ain't nothing like a good rebore…All that fucking crying, gotta have done her some good. Crying's good for you, Jeff. You know that. Lets out the demons. Yeah, she loved it, man. --- I'm kind of wishing I hadn't made that bet, now. I've got to say I never really thought anything would happen. She was a nice girl, behind all that shyness. I rather liked Mei Leng.
8
--- I don't want to take up too much of your time, Ms … er … Poon.
--- I'm sure you won't, Inspector. I'm sure you can see that we are a busy and high-profile firm, and our time is money. --- None the less, I'd like to ask you a few questions. A Ms Cheung … --- What? Who? --- I believe she worked here as a secretary. Her name was Mei Leng … --- Oh. Her. She's been away for the last few days. Off sick, or so she said … --- We have reason to be worried about her, Ms Poon. She has been reported missing, and has not been seen for three days. We have eye-witness reports that she was seen leaving this office with a western man some five days ago, and he was also seen in the vicinity of her home the same day. I'd like to interview your employees, if you don't mind… --- What? All of them? You've got to be joking. --- I think we can narrow the field down to just a few of them, Ms Poon. I'll start now, I think. You won't mind if I use your office. Thank you.
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--- Hello ….. Mr Evelyn.
--- Yes, Kathy. I'm kind of busy right now…What is it? --- It's the boss. Ms Poon? --- Marla. That cow. What's the problem? --- She … er, she didn't say. She wants to see you. In the exec office. She seemed a bit … perturbed. --- OK then. Let's see what the bitch wants this time. *** --- Hello, Mr Evelyn. --- Ms Poon. --- This is Detective Inspector Chan. He has a few questions to put to you … Mr Chan, I'll leave the two of you alone in the office. I hope you won't be too long. ………………. --- Mr Peter Evelyn, I gather you were friendly with a Ms Cheung. --- Who? --- Her first name was Mei Leng … I don't know if you're aware of this, but her --- Yeah, her, OK, she works here. Just a secretary. Works over there at that desk. She's not been in the office for a while. Probably off sick, or something. ---…her family reported her missing last night. She's not been seen for three days. Have you any idea what might have happened to her? --- She was a quiet girl. Kept very much to herself … --- We're asking you, Mr Evelyn, for one particular reason. You were seen leaving the office block with her five days ago. We have a number of witnesses to that … and a western male answering to your description was seen coming out of her building later that same day. --- I don't understand … if she was only reported missing for three days, what do you want with me? --- We have to follow all possible leads, Mr Evelyn. You have been seen with her, not too long ago, and we need to pursue that avenue of enquiry. Er, yes, Vincent? Can it wait? --- Excuse me, sir, I need to talk to you. Privately. --- Now? --- This is really important, sir … --- OK. Excuse us just a moment, Mr Evelyn … *** --- Mr Evelyn. Sorry about that…might I ask you why you were taking Mei Leng out of the office? --- Yeah, well, you know, she was real upset that day; crying her eyes out. I took her back to her flat. She, er, doesn't get on with the boss, if you know what I mean. --- So you were in fact the western male seen outside her block? --- I guess. Yeah, that was me, sure. Took the poor girl home. --- Well, Mr Evelyn, the fact is, I've just had some rather distressing news. We've found Mei Leng. We've found her body, that is. Floating in the harbour. She jumped off the Tsing Yi bridge .…………………….… Nothing to say, Mr Evelyn? --- It's…that's a terrible shock. She was a nice girl. --- She was a nice girl, Mr Evelyn. She was a good Chinese daughter who looked after her mother. There are not many girls who are prepared to do that these days. She was a conscientious and dutiful woman. There must have been a very good reason why she did something as shocking and final as this. And I believe we may have just have discovered it. There was a note in her pocket. Pretty soggy, to be sure, but still legible. It was addressed to her mother. We still haven't told her yet … … You seem to have gone a bit pale … I see it strikes a chord with you … Do you have any idea what she might have said? --- Err … I don't. No. --- It seems, from first appearances, that she had sexual intercourse some time before she died. Although the body's been in the sea for a few days we can tell she was at best an unwilling accomplice … There was bruising to her inner thighs, amongst other things. Her last words, in the note we found, bear that out. --- I can't believe that. She'd never … --- I'd like to take some tissue samples from you, if that's all right, Mr Evelyn. --- I want to speak to my lawyer. --- Tell him to meet us in the Central police station. It should be convenient for him … Ahhh, Ms Poon, I believe we have done for the time being. Mr Evelyn will accompany us to Central to help clear a few things up.
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-- Er … Ms Poon? Inspector … … You don't mind if I interrupt? --- Who is this, Ms Poon? --- I'm Jeff Howard. I wonder … --- Mr Howard. Mei Leng is dead. They've just informed me. Apparently her body was found in the harbour. She jumped off a bridge … --- Kathy told me a few minutes ago … She was a sweet girl. I'm so sorry … I wonder if I might have a word with you. It's about Mei Leng, actually. I think I might be able to help … ... --- What the fuck, Jeff. What the FUCK? ... --- Easy there, Mr Evelyn. I wouldn't want to have to restrain you … Perhaps you can come with us to the station, Mr Howard. --- Ms Poon? OK if I take some time out? --- You can stay late this evening. Hour for hour. Is that understood?
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-- Guess so. --- Goodbye ... Goodbye, Mr Evelyn. |