story_panda_1_1

食铁兽

A certain luxury apartment in Lungmen...

*Beep*—

You have—one—new message. Press play to listen.

(Hits play)

Shêng-shêng, where have you been? I went everywhere, asked just about everyone. None of them said they saw you.

I was cheated too, y'know? I didn't expect that prick Sing to just take the money and split. I had a lot riding on that movie too. It's making my heart ache.

Shêng-shêng, listen to your Uncle Loeng. You shouldn't have put all your money in that project, no matter how much you loved the script.

Look where that got us. The movie's a bust. Everything down the drain.

*Sigh*, let's not talk about this anymore; I know this really bummed you out. Uncle Loeng has a few friends at the L.G.D. They'll do their best to work this case for us and get us our money back.

Don't let this get you down. Call me when you have time.

(Hits the stop button)

What a headache...

Well, shucks. That's all my savings gone!

It was the crafty old codger who brought me on board. Well, alright, now that shit's hit the fan, it's like it's not his fault anymore.

Arghhhh—I'm so pissed!

What do I do now?

Maybe I should just head on home and take over Dad's tanghulu stall... *Sigh*... Mom's not gonna be happy. All she ever wants is me promoting the family kung fu style.

(Pulls hair) I'm in one heckuva pickle...

(Opens the fridge)

Beer... all gone. Whiskey... only a little left. Vodka... Finished it all.

Urgh, nothing to drown my sorrows with... Looks like I'll have to go downstairs for more.

(Closes fridge)

*Clang*—

Oww! That hurt!

What's this...? Ugh... The can I tossed on the floor yesterday.

(It's been days since I left home. It's such a mess in here... Maybe I should clean up after I get back.)

(Gah, whatever... Maybe another time...)

Hm, craft beer... get a twelve pack. Rum, huh? Been a while. Gotta take a bottle! Let's see what else... There's a nice looking vodka up there too...

I can't reach it... Maybe if I jumped? Hmph!

Oh, crap, it's falling!

Ta-dah! Piece of cake.

Th-That's amazing!

Uh, who are you?

Miss Shêng-shêng! It's you, Miss Shêng-shêng! It's really you!

I-I'm a fan of yours! I've seen every movie you were in. I watched every film in the 'Heavenedge Gallantry' trilogy multiple times. I-It's an honor to... to meet...

Uh... I'm not any Miss Shêng-shêng! You're mistaken. You got the wrong girl!

No way! The way you grabbed the bottle just now was exactly the same as that pose you did in 'Million LMD!' I saw that seven times! Couldn't be anyone else.

That so? Haha. That one takes me back... like five or six years now...

Miss Shêng-shêng?

Aiyah... Anyway, you got the wrong girl. I'm checking out now!

Am I being a bother, Miss Shêng-shêng? Sorry. I-I didn't mean to.

I'm really sorry!

Eh, you... I... That's not what I meant... I just... *Sigh*... You want an autograph or something?

An autograph?! Really? Thank you very much! Let me find a piece of paper. Give me a minute.

Uh, you found anything yet?

(This guy flipped through all his pockets already...)

I got it. I have this... dollar bill...

Uh, no... This...

*Sigh*... Miss Shêng-shêng, this bill, please. Please sign it for me.

Uhh—Fine, alright.

(This dollar bill's all wrinkled up!)

Thank you, thank you so much!

You like kung fu stuff, huh? Just movies? Read any novels?

Of course, Miss Shêng-shêng. I've read all of Mr. Wong's greatest works, Qisi's short stories, and every issue of 'Monthly Wuxia' at the time!

You like Miss Qisi, huh? Everyone around me says her stories are too wordy, that they're a chore to read.

A chore to read? No way. Her writing's exquisite, and the stories are so moving they always bring tears to my eyes. All her works are masterpieces.

You're ex—actly right! None of those numbnuts know how to appreciate a masterpiece!

Miss Shêng-shêng, do you like Miss Qisi's books too?

Of course! 'The Assenting Fist' is my absolute favorite! The copy I have back home is falling apart from how many times I've read it!

Although...

Did you know?

That novelette was going to be turned into a movie, until the actor who was going to play Yün Shêng was arrested for tax evasion. Then the producer took the money and skipped town, and that was the end of it.

*Sigh*... What a shame. Now we'll never see it!

You know what they say. Life is like a box of chocolates...

Hm... Now that's not right. Yün Shêng's an upstanding, heroic fella who would rather die an honorable death than deal with corrupt bigwigs. A noble character like him couldn't be played by an actor with no morals.

It's a good thing they cancelled that project. Haha.

Well...

You're right. That's right, haha. That's a good way to think of it, hahaha.

You're damned right. That guy's got a nasty disposition, can't act to save his life, and he's an idiot! Definitely not the right man for the job. I was so pissed when I heard he got the part.

Yeah, dodged a bolt there.

Oh, it's getting late. I need to head back soon.

I-I gotta go too, Miss Shêng-shêng. See you again. Uh, no, not quite right. We probably won't see each other again. Thanks for the autograph.

Uh, wait!

Hm?

Lady Zhang, the sands in Na-lan are ever roiling. It's a one-way trip. Will you ever make your way back here? Will we ever meet again?

Yün, one can only make one's way home if there is a home. We will meet if fate allows, but there is no telling what the world has in store for us. Take care.

Heh, you really love this book, don't ya?

See you around!

The next day...

Agh... My head hurts. Hangovers suck... I shouldn't have had so much to drink last night. Urgh... I'm dying.

Shêng-shêng, what's going on?

Hey, Lihua. Do you have any hot milk today? Skim? Get me a cup, will you?

Sorry, Shêng-shêng, but I'm just about to close up and go home. Sorry that I can't help you.

You're closing? What's going on? Things looked alright when I was here yesterday.

*Sigh*... We got robbed last night, and the thief knocked over a couple shelves when he ran away. The whole store was a mess. I only just finished cleaning up.

Oh, what about the thief? Did you catch him?

Phew—He got caught alright. Bao caught him herself. She got hurt in the scuffle. Broke off a huge chunk of her horn.

Huh? Where's Bao now?!

Slow down, Shêng-shêng. She's okay. She's just at the hospital to get some ointment for her horn. She'll be back.

Right, she can hold her own in a fight. That's an unlucky thief who runs into her. Oh, right, has anyone been asking about me?

We've had a couple sketchy-looking reporters asking where you've been. I sent them on their way after I fed them some BS, just like Bao told me too.

(Scratches head) Sorry for all the trouble. I'll take you guys out for a meal one of these days!

It's thanks to you that Bao and I can put down roots here in Lungmen. It's the least we can do.

Hehe, lucky I get all my drinks here, right?

That only goes so far... Oh, right, Shêng-shêng. Do you have all your things on you? Wallet, jewelry?

Got everything... I think. Why'd you ask?

The thief talked to you for a while last night, so I was thinking... maybe he stole some of your stuff while you weren't paying attention.

Hehe, there can't be anyone stupid enough to steal from—

Hold on. Who did you say it was?!

Oh, it was that guy who struck up a conversation with you last night.

What?! Him?!

What's the matter, Shêng-shêng?

Uhh... Where is he right now?

I-in an L.G.D. holding cell?

Sorry, gotta go—

—See ya next time!

Huh? Shêng-shêng!

You...

(Looks down) I...

Alright, kid, the young lady here's paying your fine. You can go now. Don't you ever steal again. Do better.

Of course, ah sir. Never again.

You should thank the lady.

Thank you...

You dick, why'd you do something like that?

I...

(Stomach growls)

Whatever, let's get you something to eat first.

Ah sir, thanks for the help!

That voice... it sure was familiar. Where have I heard it before...?

How stupid are you? That's Miss Wan. Didn't you just watch 'L.G.D. Tales' last night?

What?! You mean that lady with the shades...

That's right. She's your favorite movie star, Wan Shêng-shêng.

How did I miss that?

Man, she's had it real tough lately, though. The movie she invested in didn't work out. She's probably going bankrupt.

How did that happen?

Sheesh, do you ever watch the news? It's been the talk of the town. Apparently the guy she was working ran into money problems, so he split and left her the mess to deal with.

Oh no. She must feel terrible.

Here's your big finballs. With radish and noodles. Enjoy.

Man, these are the best finballs I've ever had! I could eat these a thousand times, and I'd never get sick of them!

Haha, you're a big movie star, but you still come to our street stalls. You'd better watch out for the paparazzi. They're all laughing through their lenses.

Where's there to be afraid of? If they got a picture of me here, that's more business for you.

Forget it. I can't afford your endorsement fees. Eh, hey fella, not gonna eat?

I...

Just dig in. What are you so shy about?

Thanks, Miss Shêng-shêng.

You guys keep talking. I'll check the curry soup I'm cooking in the back.

So these are finballs. It's my first time trying them since I got to Lungmen. They're good!

I here a lot. They say the guy who runs the stall used to be the boss of one of Lungmen's biggest gangs, and he started selling finballs after he retired from organized crime.

*cough*—*cough* *cough* *cough*...!

(Glances at them)

*Sigh*...

Hehe, just kidding.

*Cough*... *gulps*, I'm okay, Miss Shêng-shêng.

Right, you still haven't given me an answer.

I... I...

Why'd you do something like that?

I... It'd been two days since I last had anything to eat. I was starving.

Alright. So you were hungry and you tried to swipe some food. Why did you hurt that lady?

When the shop's owner caught me, she saw me holding a dollar bill. She wanted me to pay her with it and wouldn't let me go.

You didn't want to pay up, so you hurt the shop's owner?

It was the last dollar bill I had.

But that doesn't mean you had to...

Oh... You mean that one.

Yeah, I was going to the store to buy something to eat, but I met you there, and you signed your name on it. I couldn't spend it.

Alright, I get it.

Do you... have anywhere to go?

N-No... My landlord evicted me last week.

What'll you do now? Go back home?

My parents died early. I don't have anybody left back home.

Do you have any friends here?

I only just got to Lungmen two months ago. No time to make any friends.

Well...

Miss Shêng-shêng, I don't have any skills... It's not easy for me to make a living. I'm really glad I met you...

*Sigh*, don't think like that. Things will get better.

(Wipes away tears) Sorry for all that trouble I caused.

What's your plan... for now?

I don't know. If I can just somehow earn enough to put food on the table, things ought to work out somehow.

Boss, you got a pen?

*Sigh*. Yeah, in the small drawer. Help yourself.

Let's see. There we go. Can I take a sheet of paper?

Go ahead!

(Scribbles something down)

Miss Shêng-shêng?

Well, this guy's a stage manager I know. Head over there, and have him give you some errands to run. He doesn't pay much, but he can get you meals and a place to sleep.

Thanks... a lot.

Boss, two more orders of finballs. One to go, and one for here.

You got it.

Live a decent, upstanding life from here on out, okay? Keep your head down and walk on. Forget everything behind you.

Here's your finballs to go.

Take them with you. And those aren't my treat. You'll have to pay me back once you make it big.

Waaahhh... Miss Shêng-shêng... I'm so sorry.

Alright, now get to the studio. You won't find him there if they're done filming for the day.

Yeah, thanks. I'll head there now.

See ya!

I'll work hard, I'll be a good person!

Yeah, I know you will!

Phew—

What's with the sigh? My finballs don't taste good enough for you?

Things are tough for me too, you know.

What's the matter? Uncle Loeng stopped by yesterday. He said you haven't picked up his calls for a whole week.

Remember the book we talked about before?

Qisi's 'The Assenting Fist?'

Yeah, lost all the money I put down on it.

How much?

All.

No way. Not even a cent left?

I still have some savings, but it's in a trust for a charity. I can't touch that money.

What will you do, then?

If luck's on my side, maybe we can catch the guy, and I'll get my money back.

What if...

I'd have to start over. Don't worry, I got moves. I'll find myself a movie to shoot. Don't worry about me going hungry.

What about your plans?

What plans?

You know, the less sober you are, the more likely you are to worry about the future. Either thinking what comes tomorrow in your sleep or mumbling what's next while you're drunk. Then, when you come to, you think to yourself, the less you gotta worry about, the better life is.

You'll have another chance. The future'll get better.

You don't need to console me. I'm a tough gal. As long as I get a taste of your finballs tomorrow, things will work out somehow!

What's the thumbs up for?

Hah, I mean, you can't rely on luck to eke out a living.

I run into these small, happy happenings every once in a while. Those short moments might not change anything, but they help me get through the next couple of days.

So you ran into any of those small, happy things lately?

You betcha. I just had some of your finballs. They're super good.

Hmph, anything else?

Hmm... Let's see. Oh, right, a director came calling. The gig pays well too. I might go audition tomorrow.

Alright, I'll treat you to a bowl of finballs.

(Sets down a bowl of finballs on the table)

Huh? What's this? A new recipe?

I'm trying out a new spicy flavor. Don't know if there's a market for it, so I figured I'd have you taste test.

I approve!

Ahhhhh! My tongue's burning. That's hot, even for me!

I got some ice water here.

Ahhh, no way! *Huff*! This is a good omen! Don't throw cold water on... *Huff*... I'm gonna rake in all the dough. My career's gonna be on fire!

Oh, you...

Two weeks later...

Hey, Jia, morning. Here, a coffee for you.

Thanks, Yao. How's today been? Busy?

Got way too much to work, *sigh*... What are you flipping through the papers for?

Looking for the entertainment news. Speaking of which, how come I haven't seen any news on Miss Shêng-shêng lately?

What, haven't you heard? She got hurt shooting a movie the other day. Got taken to the ER. I wonder how she's doing.

If it was just a flesh wound, she should've gotten out by now, right? I haven't read anything about that, though.

She's a movie star. They keep a low profile when these things happen. She might have made it home already. Stop worrying about her.

It still bothers me, though...

Come on, you're a big guy. Why so sensitive?

Nah, it's just... When I left home this morning, they took down all the billboards and ads with her. Not a single one left.

Huh. Weird.