Interlude

It sprinkles and the temperature drops to light cool. She decides to walk along Dunhua South road to a Metro station when she finished work.

Stopping at an intersection for a red light, she looks at a white wave shaped building across the street with a river of stars sweeps from one side of it and up to the top. Stars sparkle in the dark blue sky.

It was a purple night and numerous lights spread beneath her feet. She lay on a silk couch lazily. The night wind blew her hair softly and orange candles light trembled. A rose scent flirted invisibly in the air and her eyes were occupied on him. Their restless hands moved on each other’s body and their breaths became heavy. The possibility of eternity which written by drunken body fluid was just like stars could be reached with hands.

When the night faded, the magic lost its own power. Two naked people couldn’t look into each others’ eyes and could only manage to get dressed. She hurried out without a goodbye but glanced back after crossing the street. The star river was just a woven steel mesh and the ruffle of waves hid yellow stain.

She steps forward when the light turns green. Maybe I should turn to Anhe road and have a drink before heading home, she thinks.

插曲

細雨斜密，天氣涼爽，她下班時決定沿著敦南樹蔭道，走到敦化捷運站。
站在安和路口等紅燈時，不經意望進對面巷口，白色海浪彎成的建築物，人造星河從屋側攀爬到樓頂，但見暗色穹蒼閃爍著迷幻的星子。
那是一個紫色的夜晚，半開放的空間可見無數燈火在腳底膜拜，慵懶的身軀依靠在絲絨卧床上，夜風温柔的挑動髮梢，橙色燭海如心情般搖曳不定，玫瑰香氛不時挑逗麻癢嗅覺，眼眸所有的空間都被他的身影獨佔。彼此的雙手不安份地廝摩對方，兩人漸漸沈重的呼吸，寂靜中用微醺的體液書寫著永恆的可能，就如同隨手便可觸碰光輝的星子。
當夜色褪去華服，魔法也失去了力量。赤裸的二人無法正視對方，只能草草打點自己，而她連再會都說不出口，便狼狽地半奪門而出。走到對街時忍不住回頭望一眼，蜿蜒的星河只不過是冷酷的鐵網，海浪的皺褶裡還隱蔵黃色的污垢。
在綠燈轉換的同時也跨出右腳，也許可以順便轉進安和路喝一杯後再回家。

Boundary

I couldn’t remember how long I had been trapped here in the hospital. It seemed decades, but it meant nothing to me anyway, especially in my condition.
There are a lot of existences like me in the hospital but they are larger. Some of them like to stay at the bedside of the dying patients, hide behind curtains but their heads appearing, or simply float above, so they can share the patients’ last breath which strengthen them and their pale gray shadowy outlines shimmer. Once its brightness reached the saturation point, the gray turns into light green, then inscription yellow, next azure blue, then scarlet, and finally violet. In azure blue, they can invade their preys’ dreams, stealing or manipulating the conception of the dreams, being part and possessing it.
It is easy to identify who is dying: his chi blurs to gray and remains as a thin layer encompass of his body, the nearer to death the thinner the layer, and the color of his chi darkens. But not all of them are like this. Some are devout believers and no matter what their religion is, their chi stays orange, only its chromatograph varies slightly. But those larger being can’t touch them, not even see them unless they have unfinished business in this life or last one. I had to say I didn’t believe in any of this BS when I was alive, but seeing is believing.
I was wandering around, trying to find a way out. I didn’t want to be part of these evil spirits because I didn’t tell you what happened to those dying patients who encountered the drama: they all lost in the dreams which existed as a crystal ball which was inlaid in predator, for those who shared their last breath with them, they just puffed like a smoke while their chi was consumed. I guess next you are going to ask me how I escaped from the evil creatures? Because I was in a severe car accident, I exhausted my last breath at the time I arrived at emergency before they got a chance to approach me. Forgot to mention that, even at the location of my accident, a few of ghosts were waiting for bad happening like mine. I might be lucky, but apparently not enough, I stuck in the hospital.
All the way I tried to avoid other existences because some of them possessed vicious and menacing eyes and their color blinked. I was not sure how they destroyed another apparition like me or simply suck up all my energy, so most time I hid in the gardens. My color became a bit greenish after accompanied with trees so long. Perhaps these plants transferred me some protect mechanism. But still, I was getting translucent, fading to the air was only a matter of time.
One night, I courage myself treading toward emergency, there were a lot of patients as usual. I spotted an ambulance opened the door and an insensible young woman lying on the bed and her lower part soaked in a pool of blood. The paramedic was going to push her in. A boy shape already half emerged from her abdomen. Some phantoms already attracted by the scene and waited beside the door. Watching her struggle to exhale her last breath and partly entered the door, I flew to there and dragged her and push her out of the door. I felt a small hand held my arm and before I realized, I was at the outside. I turned my head heard those spirits cursing, but they couldn’t step out. The open door was like an invisible wall.
I was free and three of us grayish shadows could travel everywhere, day and night without boundary.

Dog Walking

My wife delivered a baby girl today. I had never thought a baby would look like that when it was born: wrinkled red skin and toothless mouth, crying unwillingly in coming to this world. Nevertheless, I totally enchanted by her at the first glance.

Later when the nurse carried her to my wife, she stopped crying already, skin smoothened a little, but her eyes, I didn’t know how to describe those big, round, bright and double-layered eyes revealing nature curious about surroundings, were not like mine or my wife’s, they must inherit from her grand-parents. I couldn’t help but hold her tiny fingers and smell her infant odor, hoping this moment could last an eternity.

And then my wife sent me home to fetch her clothes and to take the dog Lucky to the pet hotel. Sigh, it left me no choice but said good-bye to them both. She rushed to the hospital by herself this afternoon when I was working. By the time I arrived, the baby had just come out. She was such a wonderful wife who managed the household perfectly, I didn’t need to move a finger and hardly listened her complaint. But this time, I had to abide her requests.

Lucky skipped past me out the door upon opened it, I guessed nature’s call was hard to resist. After all, it had been a few hours after its regular walking time. It ran so fast that I could only lock the door hurriedly and follow after it. No matter how I called its name, it paid no attention to me. I felt embarrassed when people gazed upon me running after a dog and calling its name. Dog walking was so unlike what I expected.

Because I didn’t want my wife stay home alone with loneliness, I bought her a Border Collie which I heard was the most intelligent breed. Indeed it was quite smart, it learned everything that my wife had taught and listened to her only. It was OK for me, because I was not a dog person. I did this just to please my wife. She was beautiful, tender and animal loving. I hoped she could focus on something that would tie her to the home, and a dog requiring a lot of excise and activities was an excellent excuse.

We had been running for over five minutes and it was not going to stop. We passed through the park, across the road, and then into a small alley. I thought it almost crashed into a door at the end of the alley, it instead scratched the door and started whining. Before I could stop it, a man answered the door. Lucky licked his face intimately when he leaned down and patted its head. When he finally looked up, we both were stunned by the stranger we saw facing each other.

I directly stared into his big, round, bright, double-layered and curious eyes.

A Call From Hell

‘Ah Chi, I dreamed about your grandfather last night.’

‘Really? Did he say anything?’

‘He said he missed us and hoped we could burn more ghost money for him.’

‘Well, let’s visit him this Saturday then.’

‘Great! I guess that’s why he didn’t call us recently; he ran out of money and couldn’t pay his phone bill.’

‘Dad, that’s impossible. No line can reach underground.’

‘How do you know? If he misses us and wants to hear our voices, he will call. Besides, I got many voiceless phone calls after we burned a paper cellphone for him. With those phone calls no numbers appeared on the screen.’

‘It happens all the time. Perhaps the phone connection was poor, so you couldn’t hear the person who called you.’

‘No, I don’t think so. Those calls must be from your grandfather.’

‘OK, if you say so.’

‘Hey, what do you say if we burned a young pretty paper maid for him this time? You know, your grandma is alive and healthy still. He must be very lonely down there. And he needs someone to clean the house for him. The house we gave him is too big, nine bedrooms and a huge massage bathtub.’

‘Are you sure? Aren’t you afraid grandma would be angry if she knew?’

‘She wouldn’t know if we don’t tell her.’

‘You mean if she doesn’t come with us this time.’

‘Right.’

   My cellphone rang before I could say anything.

‘Hello?’ I said but no one answered. I took a look at my phone, a call from a private number.

‘Hello? Is anyone there?’ I spoke a little bit louder and waited for 15 seconds.

‘Hello, are you Mr. Wang?’ a distant but sweet female voice faded in and out.

‘Yes, this is Wang Cha Chi. Who am I talking to?’

‘This is Sakura from Flora Piano Bar. You haven’t been here for a long time. I just called to ask why.’

‘What bar? Flora Piano Bar? I have never been there. How could you possibly have my phone number?’

‘You gave it to me the last time when you came here.’

‘This must be a mistake. I don’t drink and I don’t go to places like that.  Please don’t call me anymore.’ I hung up the phone and looked at my father.  Could those phone calls that father claimed were from grandfather have from some unknown piano bars? I thought I had better keep my mouth shut in case whatever I say angered him.

Chinese Valentines Day

The operator had knocked off work when Ming and I stepped out of the elevator. It was only 7:36 pm. The office was terribly empty. Hui and Juan passed my table to leave, and we only had the time to say good-bye. Now, only Ming and I were busy on filling in client’s information, and he had told me on our way back to office that he had a date later.

Chinese Valentines Day was tomorrow, but why did every body had a date tonight except me?  Wow, I couldn’t let any one in the office knew, it was too embarrassing.  I knew I was young and pretty, and certainly I was not thought of as unpopular.

I couldn’t delay Ming’s date and besides I had to appear to be in a hurry to finish my job in pretense that I was heading to somewhere else. I tried to think of who I could call for dinner, but, poor me, I knew so few men. Well, I knew my god father of course but it would be humiliating to dine with him on such an important day; besides, it was eight now, too late to call even him.

Raising my head and looking around, I saw the eleven red roses with the card saying “I love you all my life,” on Ping’s desk. The roses angered me. Wei, who sits opposite, had asked the flower shop deliver them to her this morning. With the anonymous, still no body in the office knew of Wei’s and Ping’s affair except me. Why did he turn to her after being refused by me only twice?  I would say yes if he asked me out again. My stupid pride killed my opportunity to be Wei’s lover.

The job was done and Ming and I parted at the door on the first floor. Heading to my bike, I saw a guy in a grey suit with a green tie walking leisurely straight to me. He looked to be 25 to 27 and was neat in appearance. His pleasant attitude caught my eyes. I stopped him before he passed: “my name is Wang Yu Chen.  I wonder, do you have time to have dinner with me?”

He seemed stunned at first but then smiled: “My name is Du Fu Wei.  The honor is mine to dine with you.”

Earthquake

The earth was rumbling from far away and I quickly hid under the bed. You still sat on the couch watching TV.  Suddenly, heavy shaking overwhelmed our surrounding area.  You screamed for 2 seconds, jumped up from the couch and one or two magazines dropped to the floor.  Seven seconds later, all were silent.

You tried every switch in the house but none would work.  There was only dead silence.  The air became hot now with the temperature reaching 30℃ or something.  You opened the window so I could feel the cool breeze all over my body.  You circled the room thrice and then a small aftershock came, lasting three seconds.

You opened the door but shut it again.  You walked back to the chest of drawers, rummaged for a radio and put new batteries in, and music started blurting out in all directions.  You turned to the news and listened to it for a while before changing to another channel.  Jazz, which we both loved, filled the room.

The phone was ringing but you let the answer machine deal with it.  You went to the kitchen and poured yourself an orange juice, the orange liquid flowing into the glass.  Walking back to the living room, picking up the magazines off the floor and onto the desk, you glanced over another fashion magazine lying on the desk.

I felt no more rumblings of the earth and came out from beneath the bed.  Approaching to the window and jumping up the sill, I looked down into the street below.  Some people gathered by apartment door waiting until it was safe to go back inside.  They were talking about something, but I was out of earshot.

Rising your left eyebrow and staring at me, you came to hold me back to the couch.  You repeatedly stroked me softly from my face smoothly to my back; eventually I half closed my eyes and purred.  There was a lamp on.  You stood up, walked to the window and closed it.  Turning on the air conditioner and the TV, you are watching it again.

Fighting

He sat on the right side of the desk quietly.

10:05 am, I closed the door, laid on the bed and read a book starting from page 917; Sam and Frodo climbed the mountains of the Enemy and tried to destroy the ring.  Eyes glanced at him for a second then continued reading again.  I pretended it did not happen.

The last stage of their journey to Orodruin came, and …10:10 am, I wanted to ignore him but I stood up and sat in the chair in front of him.  Opened his cover up and turned on the power.  I moved the cursor to the Media Player and then Urada Hikaru’s music was in the air.

I move the pointer to the poker game and started playing.  Eight lines with each five covered and one card with the number and pattern.  I did not need to care about the pattern, only the same color.  Once I connected them from one to thirteen with the same color, the whole line would move to the corner automatically.  I had to finish eight lines and I could be a winner.

The level was set to medium, but after 10 minutes I still hadn’t conquered it.  I almost finished the book and maybe I should go back to it, but my pride kept me in the seat.  I lit a cigarette and restarted.  A bead of sweat ran down slowly from my forehead to my cheek.  I wiped it off with my left hand.

10:28 am, Black eight could move here under black nine and moved black one to seven under eight.  Shit!  Failed again.  Why did I allow this stupid game to protract me?  Restarted.

11:13 am, this time was better.  The first column shrank to the corner, three minutes passed, the second column also shrank.  Four minutes later, third and forth columns shrank to the corner.  Still half to go.  Undo trice, move the column of Jack to King onto the column of one to ten.  Yea!  Fifth column moved to the corner, and then two moves, seventh was gone and one moved later, eighth moved too.  I was the winner.  Restarted.

11:32 am.  Failed.  Restarted.  Failed.  Restarted…12:01 pm.  Should I continue?  My body was already sweating all over.  Shower or lunch?  Failed again.  Stood up and stretched body.  Glanced at the book cover.  I could have finished this book in two hours, but I spent that time playing the game.

Sitting down, I moved the arrow to start, program, accessories and game.  Pressed the right button of the mouse and pointed to the delete.

Close the game, empty the trash and shut it down.  I am hungry.

Media Interview

“It is 7 in the morning,” the reporter said, “and I am at Chiang Kai Shen Memorial Hall.  Last night was cold and rainy, but there are still a lot of protesters tenting here.  I have Mr. Chang beside me now.  Let’s see how he feels about this.  Good morning Mr. Chang.  How long have you been here?”

“Three days.”

“So, you are here from the beginning.  Do you have any family here with you? Wife or son? Have you been home during these three days?”

“No, I have no family.”  He thought to himself, actually I lost my home when my wife kicked me out for getting fired.  Our child was with her.  “I’ve had no shower either, so don’t get too close, or you will smell something.”  They both laugh.

“Don’t you need to work?”

“I ran a company.”  He thought to himself, collecting garbage was my business.  I could even find money in the trash sometimes.  “My manager can take care of it for me.”  There were always wastes from some people.

“Well, how about your three meals per day?”

“Well, as you know, the Kuo Ming Tang gives everybody box meals and drinks.  Some nice citizens feed us, too.”  I had never felt so happy, even when I had a normal life.  The KMT was friendly and all we had to do was chant.

“How long do you think all of this will last?”

“I don’t know.  But I hope the president can respond to our questions soon.”  I hoped it could last as long as possible; especially since it began raining all the time with chilly winds.  I needed a shelter.  I was sick and tired of sleeping in parks and passage ways.

“Well, your signs says you want the truth.  What truth do you want?”

“The facts behind the shooting of course.  I believe everybody wants to know who tried to murder the president and what kind of schemes are going in this country.”  I didn’t care about a damn thing; I only wanted a place to live and a job to make my living.  “The shooting harmed our national reputation badly.  Who will visit Taiwan unless the truth is revealed?  They may think our justice is too weak.”  Maybe that would be better– no foreigner ever gave me any money.

“Anything else you want?”

“A ballot recount.”  Maybe the KMT might offer me a job because I was here.  I missed my little boy, Jung.  Did he recognize me as his father?

“Do you think your side can prevail at last?”

“Yes, if we can press the government enough and get control of the whole situation.  I bet we can win.”  Yes, I bet I can win my life back again.

“Thank you very much.  People hope the whole thing can end peacefully and we will return our normal lives back soon.  This is special reporter Wang Shing Hui at Taipei.”

Happy New Year

  It was 11 pm and I was ready. The temperature outside was below zero—even though not snowing, cold enough for a girl from the sub-tropics. I wore a light green feather coat with a hat to keep warm.

  Before stepping out of Room 809, I checked again: the key was in my pocket, my passport was locked away, and I had put on more than enough Chanel “Chance.” I said goodbye to the doorman, and with a smile but a stirring heart, headed out for Times Square.

  The air was freezing but fresh. The street was blocked off for pedestrians only.  With my two hands buried in my pockets, I saw a police officer with his hand on his holstered pistol standing lazily by the side of the street. A cheerful feeling pervaded the air, I was calm now. 

  I could not help but wonder what had I done all of those 10 years imprisoned in marriage. Matrimony was no excuse for not indulging in my passion, traveling. Naturally, once my divorce was final, I chose a big foreign city for my rebirth.

  I noticed some people walked along 7^th Ave. They were strollers like me, but most of them were holding glasses of champagne. Looking up, I saw white collar workers standing in windows waiting for the New Year. 

  I became aware of a tall, slim, blond haired man at my right side a few steps behind me. He was chatting with a male friend but grinned at me when he saw me looking at him.  I turned my head back immediately to cover my embarrassment. He had light green eyes. I walked faster.

  Finally I stopped. Three or four guys were in front of me. One of them about my height and black haired noticed me standing alone and quiet. He began talking to me.  He was funny and told me of some sights in New York that I must see. The blond haired guy approached again, still at my right side a few steps behind.

  The final countdown started, the balloon rose slowly to the top and my heart beat faster. Ten, nine, eight…one. The guy with the black hair suddenly pulled my face to his and kissed me. I struggled a little, searching with one eye for Mr. Blond. I found him. He was kissing, too—his male friend. My heart sank.

  I didn’t remember how I walked back to the hotel, only that I turned down the black haired guy’s invitation to a party. I felt I needed to brush my teeth and get a good night’s sleep. I still had five days in New York.