This is the 12th part of the story. The previous parts are here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
It’s another weekend. Pammy, Dodo, and I are sitting at the Paris Baguette for its delicious rice donuts and coconut croissant. Our conversation lingers on its new store opening in New Jersey, and its scandal of workplace safety issues in South Korea, our own eventful life full of small delightful concerns. Soon we start to talk about Bamboo Palace, which is an inevitable topic. All three of us are Team Chrysanthemum, but recently I have noticed that Pammy is flirting with Team Lau and her opinions are sliding towards them for some inexplicable reasons.
“Pammy, don’t be a traitor. Team Chrysanthemum is in a weaker position. We can’t afford to lose a member.” I say to Pammy.
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. Team Chrysanthemum or Team Lau doesn’t exist. It’s all in your head. It’s an illusion. I believe in fairness. And we should be fair to both sides.” Pammy says.
“Nobody is trying to be unfair, but fairness is complicated in this case. The devil is in the details.” I say.
“Well, in the past, when Lau was rude and obnoxious to people who love his food, everybody treated him like a curiosity, or even tried to find excuses for his narcissism, like he worked too hard or he was too bored or he was too burdened by his restaurant and his family. Now the same people treat Chrysanthemum as if she is a witch who deserves to be hanged or stoned to death or something. Well, men’s craziness is a tolerable eccentricity while women’s craziness is an intolerable witchcraft.” Dodo says.
“Oh, come on, Dodo. You are exaggerating. Nobody is trying to drag Chrysanthemum somewhere to punish her. It’s a modern world right now. Still we all know that our immigrant community is one of the most conservative communities, and we have to live with it.” Pammy says.
“Pammy, living with it and supporting it are two different things.” I stare at Pammy, who evades my stare.
“The other day I was in Bamboo Palace for dinner. Can you believe the big dinner crowd nowadays in that place? Anyway, one family, after dinner, asked for a discount because the husband did some favor for Lau who promised a future discount. Lau was trying to honor his promise, but Chrysanthemum refused. And Chrysanthemum happened to man the cash registry for the day. She is so tough nowadays, completely different from the old Chrysanthemum. Also she is not afraid of throwing a verbal insult or a snide remark at her husband in public. You don’t know how enraged people are. There are more and more sympathizers for Lau, who has mellowed down considerably. My husband felt so bad for Lau that he gave him a twenty-dollar tip and said to Chrysanthemum not to steal the bill from her husband.” Pammy says.
“Did you know who I met last week? You wouldn’t have guessed. I accompanied my uncle and aunt, who came here from overseas for a vacation, to Jackson Outlet last Monday, for which I got a day off. We went early and guess who I saw there? Chrysanthemum and Chef Chow. Isn’t that interesting? I didn’t say hi to them, but I know it was them. We chose Monday morning to avoid the crowd and they probably went there at the time for the same reason…” Dodo says.
Pammy cuts in and stops Dodo before she can finish, ” Lau is getting a lot of attention nowadays. Somebody posted Lau’s story online and sympathies are just pouring in. Now he is a martyr figure for all men suffering under the rise of modern women.”
“Martyr? He is not dead yet.” I raise my voice.
“Well, you know, spiritually dead. People think his spirit is bullied by Chrysanthemum’s female wile. A conservative Asian association from New York did some fundraising for Lau and will help him set up an automatic dim sum eatery. Isn’t that wonderful? I heard that those gamblers also donate their chips to Lau and invite him to go to play in casinos.” Pammy says.
“Wait a second, Pammy. You are playing a game, aren’t you? Or you are helping Lau play this game? I am piecing together everything and I suddenly understand the game you are playing.” I say to Pammy and I stare at her as if I want to pierce her soul.
“Don’t be ridiculous. What game am I playing? You are imagining things.” Pammy says.
(To Be Continued Here)
Haoyan Do 