The Dim Sum Drama (Flash Fiction Part 9)

This is the 9th part of the story. The previous parts are here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Everybody has her defining event (or moment) in her life. For Chrysanthemum, this defining event didn’t come until she ran away with Chow. Before this, she was a good girl, a silent partner who kept her bitterness in check, a peace lover who would do anything to appease her husband Lau. After her runaway and coming back, she’s a changed person. She is not afraid to be loud and bitter, and she enjoys exerts her influence and goes for what she wants.

When her husband Lau locks her out, she throws stones at the bedroom window, she presses the door bell incessantly, she talks to the neighbors, and she sends Lau text messages, threatening him with a 911 call to the police to report him of domestic violence. Lau texts back, telling her that he is a victim of her domestic violence and her love affair with Chow. Consequently, his text says, the police would be more likely to side with him. Eventually, Lau doesn’t want to get police involved or neighbors disturbed. So he opens the door for her.

At home and at the restaurant, Chrysanthemum’s display of the new personality is causing Lau unexpected distress. He used to be in control, but now his authority is under attack. He used to be admired and indulged by Chrysanthemum, but now he feels that she is defying him in every turn. Among their daily dispute, the management of the cash registry is the most thorny of all. Lau had almost total control on money before and he never consulted Chrysanthemum on hiring, on waiters’ wages, on a purchase or on a trip to a casino. And Chrysanthemum had never complained before. But now Chrysanthemum is vigilant on every move Lau makes as long as money is concerned. The two have incessant arguments, which irritate Lau immensely. The more they argue, the more Lau feels drained, but looking at his wife, he is shocked to find that she is somehow energized, which enrages him.

There’s another reason why Lau wants to get rid of his wife–his girlfriend Mocho. During the two-month period when his wife ran away, Lau connected with Mocho, who had worked briefly in Bamboo Palace several years prior. Now Mocho is working in a restaurant in South Jersey. She almost quit her job and moved to Edison before Chrysanthemum came back. If she were younger, she probably would have done that, but she is a woman of experience, who understands that she should not jump into Lau’s messy relationship drama too quickly. When Chrysanthemum came back, Lau promised Mocho that he was going to get a divorce and start anew, but Mocho was skeptical that he could achieve that. She was thankfully that she didn’t quit her job and go to chase after a man whose availability was questionable and whose baggage could be too burdensome.

Mocho is essentially a docile Chrysanthemum Lau thinks he can love. Mocho even looks like Chrysanthemum, but a little on the slimmer side. Lau looks at Chrysanthemum and resents her new found confidence and defiance. He dreams of the day when he can replace Chrysanthemum with Mocho, who is a much gentler version, and who is what a woman should be like.

Meanwhile the fight between Lau and Chrysanthemum comes to a boiling point one night when several Korean businessmen descend on Bamboo Palace. They order every dim sum dish in the menu, plus the seasonal fried oyster and the signature shrimp ball. During the meal, they watch with some curiosity when some customers would call Lau to their table to tell him that they support him. And Chrysanthemum would also come to talk with some customers. Then two customers start to argue, one claiming to be on the side of Lau, and the other rooting for Chrysanthemum.

One of the Korean businessmen, Seung, is intrigued. He asks one of the waiters and is told the story of Lau and his wife. Upon hearing this, Seung immediately calls Lau over and forces him to drink a cup or two with them. Bamboo Palace doesn’t have a liquor license, but customers often bring alcohol in to drink there.

“Boss Lau, you need to be tough. You know that men are in trouble all over the world right now. Our manhood is under attack from all sides. Stand your ground and defend your honor. Marriage is not a hotel that a wife can just come and go whenever she feels like it. No way. You need to set a good example for the Asian community. You are a celebrity here–everybody knows you and everybody loves your food.” Seung says.

“Thank you, Brother Seung, for understanding. I need all the support I can get. What can a man do when he has a wife like that? The American law is not on our side. It favors women, don’t you think? Chrysanthemum used to be a good girl, but she has changed. The decadent social media and the decadent American society have corrupted her. She wants money and power. If she can’t have it, she will nag, hustle, argue and complain to get it. She makes my life a hell.” Lau says and gulps down a cup of rice wine.

Seung slaps Lau’s arm and then holds his shoulder with both hands to show solidarity. The two talk for half an hour and Seung reminisces of his own battles with the opposite sex. At one point, his eyes brims with tears.

“I haven’t had such a talk for quite a while. It’s a good catharsis.” Seung says at length. He takes out his money clips, select eight bills, and put them into Lau’s hand.

“This is too much. I mean $800? You don’t need to pay this much.” Lau says.

“It is my support for you. Take it.” Seung says. Little does he know how big a fight he is going to provoke between the embattled couple.

(To Be Continued Here)