Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 03:08:31 +0800 From: Raymond McDowell Subject: INT: The Wongs Visit Hillbilly Haven (The story so far: Ms. B.B. Loi has been dispatched by the HKSAR government to quell the conspiracy that has caused the wholesale slaughter of HK chickens, the fall of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index and the El Nino weather pattern. To accompany her on her mission, she has chosen her mother, her husband and his cyber-familiar. Ms. Loi became separated from her party when she inadvertently turned the newly purloined Dalai Lama synchronized porta-transporter on herself. Rqy and Xiao have just transported to her last known coordinants.) The town square was empty and dark* when Rqy and Xiao materialised. Xiao looked around from his perch atop Rqy's shoulders. "Where are we?" he asked. "Beats me. Funny though, it all seems kind of familiar." "Like deja vu?" "No--more like downtown Kaiser, Missouri U.S.A." "Well, that sign over the general store says its Hillbilly Haven." "You mean like when a hillbilly dies and if he or she has led an exemplary life, that's where they go." "Nope. I mean it's the name of the town. I think it's located in the country of Jawjah." "Ah yes. The Paris of the hills. Noted for its corn in every form." "That's right. Now where to we find your missus and her momma?" "They must be here somewhere, but your guess is as good as mine." Suddenly a voice rang out, "Halt! Who goes there?" Xiao didn't stop to think. He turned on his flashlight/transporter beam and turned it to the source of the voice. For a millisecond the form of an old, spindly, bow-legged, white-haired, long bearded man was framed in the light. He stood on the porch of the dry-goods store. And then he didn't. "Xiao," said Rqy. "Yep Paw," answered Xiao nasally. "What happens when you send somebody where they already are?" (to be continued) Komrade Rqy of the HKSAR *time difference between DaLi & HH is about 16 hours 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: Now disguised as a buddhist monk, he is a ne'er do well and a vagabond. In short, a writer. Husband of B.B. Loi. Xiao Da Shing Shing: Cyber-monkey turned hominid.