The Tiger Inside

by Nasu Hasami

Orthopaedic surgeon Mulan Hua is dedicated to her career and determined to rise above the statistics of her profession. But that shouldn't mean she has to compromise on the things she wants. Surely, in the 21st Century, a girl can have everything. (Flash fiction series. Companion story to The Nightingale's Song.)

56. Verbose

The Tiger Inside

By Nasu Hasami

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"Some of it's transcendental, and some of it's just really dumb."

~Peter Gabriel~

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56. Verbose

'Did I tell you how much I hate conferences?' Mulan groans into her phone, sulk engaged.

Her lover laughs at her.

'Doctor Fester Chu went two hours over, so I had to condense my presentation to twenty-five minutes.'

'You're very clever,' Shang patronizes her. 'I'm sure the attendees were more engaged with you than Chester Fu.'

'Watching paint dry is more engaging than Chester Fu.'

'Three more days,' says Shang. 'Then you're home.'

'This is torture,' Mulan grumbles. She's contemplating the in-room menu and deciding whether or not to go to the hotel gym. Torture.