Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Mr. Hai said: This place is really special. All the nightclubs in the corporate district of New Orleans have this tune. A waiter comes over: do you want a table? I nod. We followed him to a designated table and sat down. Mr. Hai asked: Does Mary Wen work here? Yes, that one over there in milky silver satin. What a curve!Mr. Hai sighed. uh-huh. I don't know if we can tell you how we can talk to her. she will come. How can you be sure? I have a hunch. Marie Wen has been in this business for too long, as long as someone is staring at her from behind, she will automatically turn around immediately.

She smiled at us from afar and walked over. Hello.she said to me. I stood up and said: Hello, Mary, this is my friend Mr. Hay. Oh, Mr. Hai, hello.She reached out to him. Mr. Hai, who was as tall as he was, also stood up and looked down at Marie Wen, but the expression on his face was a bit like a child looking at candy on the street. Do you want to sit here?I asked. Thanks.she says. We helped her sit down, the waiter was already waiting for drinks. Whiskey and water.she says. Gin and Coke.I said. Mr. Hai put his lips together, paused for a while and said: Let me think about it, do you have really good French brandy here?

Instead of the male waiter, I replied: no.I said: Now that you're in New Orleans, you should have some New Orleans drinks.Gin and 7-Up; gin and Coke; rum and Coke or Bourbon and 7-Up. Gin and Coke?He was asking the question as if I were suggesting a cup of balasonga chili.He added: They mixed these two things together? Get him a drink.I said to the valet. After the waiter left, Marie Wen said to me: Last time, why did you run away from me? Who said it? A little bird said it, and besides I have eyes myself. You have beautiful eyes. She smiled: what's your name? Tang Nuo. Next time, I can't attract the attention of the young lady and slip away again.

Mr. Hai asked: Have you talked to Miss Wen? No, I hope very much, but somehow fate did not come to this point. She said: If you have no guts, how can you win Miss's heart.Don't be afraid, Tang Nuo. The waiter brought drinks and Mr. Hai paid for them.He picked up the wine glass, carefully tried it with disapproval, and only sipped a little. I saw the surprised expression on his face, so I took another big sip, and he said: God, Lai, this wine is really good. I tell you, it's pretty good. Weird, I love it, it's euphoric to drink.Much better than the usual scotch and soda, it has all the goodness without being cloyingly sweet.

Marie Wen drank her iced tea and said: My whiskey and water are not bad, but if you drink too much alcohol every day, even Coke and 7-Up will make you fat. Mr. Hai showed great sympathy, looked at her and said: Do you drink a lot of wine every day? Sometimes, there is no way to avoid it. I asked her: Would you like a cigarette? please. I give her a cigarette.Mr. Hay has his own cigars, and we light them. Where are you from?she asked. I said: My friend is from New York. Must be a big city, I've never been to New York, I think I'd be afraid to go to New York. Why?asked Mr. Hai.

Oh, I don't know either.I am afraid of big cities, I will get lost. Mr. Hai tried his best to make himself the center of the speech. He said: I think it is easier to mix in New York, but it is more difficult in Chicago and St. Louis. It's all too big for me. In case you ever go to New York, do let me know and I'll show you around. Or sightseeing?When she finished asking, she laughed too. interesting. Will you get lost? Won't.Mr. Hai looked at me slowly, and the corners of his mouth began to move to the sides: As long as you follow me, you won't get lost too far. real?She asked with just the right raised tone, and mainly the quick eyes that gave the simple two words their unique potency.

Mr. Hai smiled happily, as if he had just received an injection of high-unit vitamins.He said: "I love this drink, Lai, I love it.I'm so glad you suggested this, I also love New Orleans-style nightclubs, it's lighthearted and intimate, with a standard corporate district flavor.There is a characteristic, casual atmosphere that is not found anywhere else. I smiled at Marie Wen: Guess who is the happiest among the three of us right now? I don't think it's you. How do you see it? You didn't say you were unhappy? I belong to the strong, silent school. Lusa walked in front of us.Marie Win watched her intently like a watchdog.Lusa gave me no indication, and Mary stopped looking at her.Suddenly Lusha sent me a friendly smile for a fraction of a second, and then immediately turned her face expressionless and rigid.

I put out the end of the cigarette in the ashtray, put my hand into the pocket of my coat, and shook all the cigarettes in the paper packet into the pocket, leaving only one in the paper packet. Mr. Hai said again: This is the best drink I have ever had in my life. Marie Wen drank up her iced tea and said: You will really feel the taste of it after drinking three or four cups in one go.You won't be drunk, but the mood is getting high. real? She nodded. I still like to drink slowly. I said: Be sensible, Mary wants us to buy more wine. She said to me: how do you know. I can count, I'm psychic.

I trust you.She reached across the table and took mine. The real psychic was the waiter, no one called him, but he came to the table. Give us more.I said. I took the cigarette pack out of my pocket and held it out to Marie.How about another one? Thanks. She took that one, and I flicked and fumbled in the paper bag with my left index finger. Did I take your last one?she asked. I shook the cigarette paper packet, smiled, crumpled the paper packet, and said: "It's okay, I'll get another pack." Ask the younger brother to deliver it. No, it's okay.Isn't there a vending machine over there?

I lit a cigarette for her, put out the match, stood up and walked to the cigarette vending machine. When it was almost there, I pretended that I didn't have enough coins, took a note and went to the bar to change coins.With the cigarettes in hand, I went to the pinball machine and played a game of pinball.While playing pinball, he took the time to reach into his pocket, squeezed the cigarettes in his pocket into a ball, and threw it into the spittoon next to the pinball machine. When the second set was over, I was rewarded with a free replay. I looked back at our table, and Mary Wen was watching me. Mr. Hai leaned forward and kept pouring nonsense into Mary's ears. Three glasses of new drinks were already on the table.

I shook my hand at them and said loudly: The machine doesn't want me back.Turn around and play pinball again. Lusha came over and stood in front of the cigarette vending machine, reached into her purse to feel for coins, and said to the vending machine: Don't raise your head. I bowed my head and continued playing pinball. Don't approach me, I'll be fired.She's very interested in you and she's upset when you slip away.But don't overdo it. Why? you will regret. Thank you. She got the cigarette and walked away naturally.I turned my head to the other side, found a glass, and looked at our table in reflection.Wen Mali looked at Lusha without blinking, like a snake looking up at a moving sparrow. I continued playing pinball, and after playing for free, started feeding coins. Mr. Hai got more and more involved in the situation, his emotions were very agitated, his hands moved wildly to emphasize his tone, his eyes flicked at Marie Wen's face, and occasionally looked away, with the aim of sweeping across her bare shoulders. I approach our table. Haimolai is saying: It's fascinating. Wen Marie was still the same to him, she said: I agree with you very much, recently I often feel that mature men are much more interesting than men of my age.Gradually, I became less interested in younger men.Every time I see young men, as long as they talk too much, I get tired.Morley, what's the reason, is there something wrong with me? Haimolai approached her with a smile, he had already forgotten me completely, he didn't turn around, and he didn't notice that I had returned. Say it!Mary continued: You must tell me why I have this change. I cleared my throat and neither of them looked up. He said: Honey, that's because you're so advanced in your mind that you've lost interest in mundane, trivial puberty conversations.Don't look at you young and beautiful, but your maturity I took two steps back, coughing loudly, and walked to the table. Marie Winn said: We thought you were missing. I'm going to buy cigarettes. give me one.she says. Hemolay continued to look at her while I opened the cigarette paper. Is pinball fun?Mary asked. Not bad, won once or twice. Have you exchanged cash? Give it back. I also do this kind of thing all the time. Some people say it's stupid, and if you win, you should walk now.she says. Not bad. If you don't exchange the cash, you still have to return the machine in the end. After changing the present, it is not necessary to spend money to play. She looked at me, thought about it, and made a helpless gesture. Haimolai cleared his throat: As I said just now, mature people have deep opinions on things. She rushed to say: Oh, the younger brother is here again, look in his eyes.I think he saw my glass was empty.As soon as he sees my glass is empty, he doesn't go, stares at me like he wants to hypnotize me.Tang Nuo, you haven't touched your wine yet. I said: Yes!I should have taken it to the pinball machine for a drink.Come!Happy celebrating tonight. But I don't have wine to celebrate. This is easily remedied.I said. Mr. Hai said: I think your hair is very beautiful. Thanks Joe, I'll have another whiskey and water. The valet, turning to Highmore. Give him another glass of gin and Coke, I said, add more flavor, otherwise the party will be over. The waiter looked at Mr. Hai and then at me.Yes, he said, what about you, sir? I pause, this cup has not been resolved. He said: You can have another glass of wine that does not increase consumption. When you have a lady present, you I know the rules here, and I told him to fetch the bar for the two of them, I didn't see that they were dying of thirst. Marie Winn laughs at our dialogue. Haimolai stretched his neck and looked around. Wen Mali took a deep breath of the cigarette, and said indifferently: "The aisle on the left is at the end." Mr. Hai was a little embarrassed: I'm sorry, what did you say? That place is on the left. Where? The place you are looking for. Hemolay cleared his throat, moved his chair back, and said solemnly: "I'm sorry, just leave." As she watched him turn left, I said: He's a little bit overwhelmed. Age is not forgiving, but he is a good man, isn't he, Tang Nuo? She looked at me intently. uh-huh. You seem a little absent-minded, not very keen. what do you want from meStand at attention, or wave a flag. Come on, I'm just saying he's a nice guy. You don't want to be like this, I also said that he is a good man. Her eyes turned to the table, then suddenly she looked at me and smiled.The direct smile appeared very friendly: Don't get me wrong, Tang Nuo, I just said that he is not a bad person, but you know, he is not a bad person.Young people always please young people.And she stopped. Come on, I said, what does age matter? Things are the same in the world, old women like pretty faces, and old men like young and frivolous girls.If the old man is willing to give the old woman a little more comfort, the world will be much more peaceful.She continued to look at me and said: As for of course I like young people. She reached across the table and grabbed mine: What did you say to the lady? which lady? Miss Lusa who came to buy cigarettes while you were playing the pinball machine.Last time you came, you bought her wine, forgot? I said: I really didn't know her at first, I think she was a little upset.When she is with me, I keep looking at you.She noticed it too, and was very upset at the time. oh. Do you get on well with Molly?I asked. Oh, good, good, what's the matter. I'm trying to appreciate the old people you mentioned just now and their preferences. She smiled and said: Oh, he is different in some places.It's kind of weird and old-fashioned, it seems to be my father, what does he do? He is a lawyer in New York. Oh, lawyer, are you famous? I said: at least he has money to spend, and he doesn't know much about outside tricks.He specializes in estate management, and he is still a child on the scene. She said: Strange, I always feel that there is something wrong in his heart.Something untoward happened to him, or something wrong with the marriage.Maybe yes, family disputes. I can't see anything like that, and all I know is that he's a rich widower. oh. I said: He is back, look at the way he walks, he is almost ready. She smiled and said: Another glass of gin and Coke, he can't even lift his feet.Tang Nuo, have you seen the lady I mentioned just now? You said Lusa? yes. How about it? Find a chance to talk to her, she is very sincere to you, a little crazy.Maybe you don't know that in this kind of place, a guest who a lady thinks is suitable, walks in to find another lady, and it is more sad than a serious lady who is broken in love. The psychology is very complicated.Talk to her, be nice to her, try it, okay? Really?I thought she didn't know me at all. do not know you!I told you she missed you, Molly, you're back.Just came back for a drink, Joe filled you another glass, are you all right. Mr. Hai said: Like a millionaire. Marie Winnie said: Look, that's Lusa, by the pinball machine.Lusa is a pinball fan, and I'm sure she'll go broke for pinball one day, and she's always with that pinball machine when there's no guests. Marie Wen encouraged me with ulterior motives. Sorry to leave for a moment.I said to the two. I stood up and walked slowly to the pinball machine.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Winmarie give Lusa a hint. Lusha asked me: What tricks did you play? What's the matter? She gave me a hint to catch you. I made her think she was surrounded by a rich widower. Is it right? maybe. Your friend? So to speak, why? No reason, just curious. After she finished the game, I fed her a coin into the machine: you still play.I said. She started playing ball again.Joe came up solemnly and stood in front. Two glasses of wine.I told him. what would you like.he asked Lusa. Old stuff.Joe!This guy knows everything, don't put on airs about him.Give me black tea and he will tip you. And you?gentlemen.Joe asked me with a smile. Gin and Qixi. Lusa and I finished our drinks right next to the pinball machine. You want to go back to your seat?she asked. Maybe. Mary wants me to follow you. Why not, come and meet Molly with me. Are you not unhappy? Why? For Mary.You don't really like her, do you? I smiled at her: let's go together, sit down and relax. She said: You have a way with Mary. Why? A few minutes ago, she thought I was approaching you and glared at me.Now, she's giving me hints to march on you. The situation has changed. Tang Nuo, you are very scheming, what is your purpose? It won't do you any harm anyway. She looked at me and said: I can guarantee that you will not make girls suffer. I didn't answer her words and we walked to the table. Mary said casually: Oh, hello, Lusa.This is Morley, my friend, Mr. Highmore.After speaking, he blinked at Haimolai. Lusa said: Hello, Mr. Hai? Mr. Hai stood up and bowed.I pushed the chair for Lusa and everyone sat down. Wen Mali said to Mr. Hai: I don't want to talk about this matter, let's talk about it differently. What topics are you unwilling to talk about?I asked. Mr. Hai said: Mary heard the gunshots that killed the lawyer. Didn't the newspapers publish it? I said: oh. When she got home at three o'clock in the morning, she heard it. Two thirty.Mary corrected. Mr. Hai frowned: Didn't you tell me it was between 2:30 and 3:00? No, I checked the watch.At 2:30, the difference is at most one or two seconds. watch?asked Highmore. Yes. He reached across the table, grabbed Mary's wrist, and saw the diamond-encrusted watch. What a beautiful watch. You also said it looks good? The one who gave you must appreciate you very much, can you take it off and show me? She unfastened it and Mollet turned it over in her hands, and it was beautiful, he said, very, very beautiful. I said to Lusha: What else is there to do here besides drinking?Can I dance? There is very little dancing here, but there is a show. When to perform. It should be this time. Marie Wen smiled and said: Lusha, Joe is looking at your empty glass. Hemolay said: Wait a minute, let him see mine too.He drank the remaining gulp from his glass, raised his right hand, snapped two fingers, and said: Joe, oh Joe! The waiter came quickly, and Morley said, "Everything is filled up."Still playing with Mary's watch in his hand. The lights were dimmed while Joe brought the wine.Mary said: Here comes the show, you will enjoy it. A girl emerges against an Egyptian background wearing very short shorts and a bra with gold hieroglyphs printed on it.There was a sound of chairs moving in the arena, and it immediately fell silent again.The girl sat on the ground, shaking her head from side to side, her hands and elbows twisting like snakes to the music.After winning a lot of applause, a man with a happy face came out and told a lot of dirty jokes.A stripper takes off the few clothes she doesn't have and disappears into a ring of blue lights.It caused a commotion, and then the girl in the first scene came out wearing a grass skirt and a blue light halo, with a wreath around her neck and an artificial whiplash flower on her head.The men who told dirty jokes played the ukuleles and the girls danced the hula. When the lights came back on, Highmore handed back Marie Winnie's watch, which he had been playing with. That's the show here?I asked Lusa. Mary said: Not only that, it's rest now.Continue after two or three minutes so everyone can top up their glasses. Joe filled our glasses for us. Highmore smiled at me with a smile that would have landed on the cover of a magazine with the headline The Smile of a Successful Man.That's good, he said with a big tongue: the best woman, the best drink, I will drink this wine with every friend when I go back to New York, and tell them all to come to New Orleans.Lai, don't get drunk.That's about it.We're going to enjoy it more. good.I said. Marie Wen put her watch back on, and after a second or two she looked at me, at Lusa.She wiped her wrist with a tissue and said: Is everyone happy? The second part of the program started again.Ukulele players in tuxedos and hula dancers performed a series of different ballroom dances.The stripper performed another fan dance, and when the lights came back on, Joe was beside us. How many Joes do you have here?I asked Mary Winn. only one, why? He seems to have a twin brother. You see there are two Joes?Haimolai asked worriedly. I said: No, I only saw one.There must be another one at the bar to match our wine, otherwise how can one person take care of it. Joe looked down at us, very respectful and dedicated. Highmore started laughing, laughing so loudly that he nearly fell off his chair. Mary runs her hands around the table: old rules, top up. Suddenly, I pushed my chair back.I said: I'm going home. Lusha said: Oh, Tang Nuo, don't disappoint, you haven't been here for long! I grabbed her hand and put hers in mine, letting her feel the folded banknotes in her hand: Sorry, I'm a little sick, the last two glasses of wine were drunk too quickly. Haimolai laughed loudly.You should drink gin and coke.He said: That thing can't be drunk for a long time.Good drink, not drunk.You young people have no experience with drinking.Just drink hard.Mary, isn't it? His lower lip drooped and he squinted at Mary half-drunk.The protruding two pouches under the eyes are particularly obvious on the loose face. Mary responded by patting him on the shoulder, dabbing a bit of ice water from a teacup on a paper towel on her wrist. I said: Sorry everyone, good night. Morley peeped at me for a moment, then stopped smiling.I wanted to say something, but changed my mind.Turning his head to Mary, then suddenly to me, he said: Mary, this kid is very flexible, pay more attention to him. Mary said: Not a kid, quite sensible, like a bird. No, no.Morley didn't understand the meaning of Mary's words. He said: "It's not a bird, it's an owl. He's smart. I always say he's an owl." He thought that sentence was very humorous, and when I walked out the door, he was still laughing loudly, until he couldn't breathe, laughing until tears flowed down his cheeks. When I got back to the hotel, Betha had already returned to Los Angeles. Her standard reply was as follows: Why are you messing around with the beehive, not enough people to deal with old unprofitable cases, three years of felony immunity in this state, who are you? I went downstairs to the Telecom Office again and called back calmly: Murder will never go unpunished, and Morley said I was an owl. Telegrams are sent by the recipient's payment method.