Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 19:03:55 +0800 From: Raymond McDowell Subject: INT: On the Road: DaLi, Yunnan, P.R.C. When Rqy and Xiao got to the outskirts of town, they noticed a peculiar phenonena. Everybody they saw had the hiccups. They all seemed friendly and happy enoungh. They just all had the hiccups. Rqy leaned down and whispered into Xiao's ear, "We've got to blend in. Pretend you've got the hiccups." "You gotta be kidding." "Remember, `When in Rome....'" "But I don't know how to pretend. I've never had hiccups. I'm not even sure I have a larnyx." "Well I don't want us to look conspicuous." "Then it might help if you quit using a stage whisper. Now everybody within 100 meters knows you're up to something." Just then a shady looking Tibetan hissed at the two would-be heros from an alley. "Pssst!" "Wai? Nihaoma? Shenma shuo?" said Xiao. "I don't think he understands French, Xiao." "And you don't understand your own national language, Dad." "Oops. Sorry. Well, I hope you understand Tibetan." The Tibetan grinned widely, showing a mouth full of broken teeth. He beckoned Rqy and Xiao into the alley. Rqy remembered only a vague whisper from his beloved wife saying, "You have no impulse control or good sense." as he grabbed Xiao and followed the Tibetan deeper into the shadows. (to be continued) Cast: Ms. B.B. Loi: Former Hong Kong pop star, now a secret agent for the HKSAR. Also wife of Rqy. Momma Wong: B.B. Loi's mother. Rqy: Ne'er do well, vagabond. In short, a writer. Husband of B.B. Loi, now disguised as a buddhist monk. Xiao Da Shing Shing: Cyber-monkey turned hominid.