QUI
The hand drawn directions lead me down an abandoned alley way. The childish drawing of a treasure map directed me to nothing but locked back doors all the way down the alley.
High walls looming above my head as though in a sanctuary or prison. The smell of rotten food bullying my nostrils, barely able to tolerate the fragrance. The glass breaking under my feet as I cautiously scan for a “marked” door, the entrance to a forbidden secret.
Found it, I see the symbol on the solid metal door, spray painted in red. It has all the meaning in the hidden information to the right people looking for it. 3 hard kicks to the door to get the attention of the man on the other side.
A metal plate slide open, followed by a set of grimace eyes checking me and the surroundings. A tattooed arm stretches out, shacking around as though expecting something – “payment”. I look around not sure of what happens next; carefully counting the accumulated wealth I have been saving.
The hand gestures become more intense as to rush the process and then followed by grunts. I hand it over cautiously and within seconds it vanishes along with the eyes that monitored me.
The sound of rusted bolts and large locks been opened followed suit. The door purged slightly opened to allow my eyes the view a short, fat Chinese man guarding the door, giving visitors a false sense of the security they have.
The smell of cheap tobacco, alcohol and incense follows me as I search for a friendly face, not sure of what my intentions are. Finally, a husky voice makes its presence known. “I am Lady Kim, how can I help you tonight” a short, elderly figure appeared out of the shadows.
She portrayed a calm relaxed smile as to ease her clients although every word that came out of her mouth made me tenser like her smile had now become. She led me down the hall, passing closed doors with hand drawn numbers on them.
We enter a small dining room that has been converted in a bar area...She claps her hands twice and a line of Asian women stream out from behind a beaded curtain, all smiling as though parading for a winning title of miss China.
She offered them up for my choice, presented them as her pretty Chinese dolls, her play things, my pleasure for the night. In a silent room filled with porcelain smiles, hesitation glues my feet to the ground unsure of what happens next.
Lady Kim grabs my arm and ushers me forward… “Come, come pick one or two, which one you like”… “no fatty, look nice pretty girl, nice face, she likes you”…guilty and sinful eyes scared of making eye contact with each other, scanning through she stood at the end, awkward and out of place, shy, covering up her skin or trying to climb out of it.
She was shorter than the other girls, plump, pale moonlight skin, small breasts with cream coloured puffed nipples, no smile, rather an expression of shame and disgust, not sure if it was at me or her mother screaming instructions at her in mandarin.
I pointed at her and she stepped forward, her eyes swelled up, her lips shivered, her body cringed, she mumbled… “My name is QUI”.
Such a sad song...A tale of woe, well told and to be remembered by all who read. Dorothy A Poet Who Loves To Sing
This story had me gripped from start to finish. Imagery was brilliant and I wanted it to go on. Thank you...... Pat
Inresting story. You had my attention all along. I'm intrigued by your choice of the neame QUI.