Mesdames et Messieurs (are there even any around?),

Je vous présente ce soir le ballet "Le kami mal gardé"! Please take your seats and deactivate your cell phones in order not to disturb the performance. We do not sell foods or drinks during the show as it would cause undue commotion in the auditorium. If you wish to express your appreciation, the cast would be very grateful if you would do so after the performance.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a nice evening with the world premiere of "Le kami mal gardé"!

Act One: The Pet Shop

(Please imagine the curtains swishing open. You are getting a good look right into the pet shop at early morning. The pets are lying around, still asleep, and everything is quiet, at least until Dee and Vesca enter. They seem to be quite sleepy, too, and walk around in the shop's parlour aimlessly.)

"Vesca, really, look better! It has to be here somewhere!" Dee sounded both irritated and worried. The ex-FBI-agent sighed deeply and crawled under the sofa on his knees.

"It's not here, I've told you," he called up from down there.

Dee sighed deeply, too, and cast a look at the sleeping pets. "If you are sure, we will have to look elsewhere. Where could it be?"

He looked around and suddenly his face lit up. "Oh Vesca, I know where it could be! But quick, quick, before my father wakes up. He should not see it." Hurriedly he guided the human who followed quite perplexed and a little speechless from the room again. The cats, curled up into a bundle on the sofa, stirred and cast them an annoyed glance.

"What are they looking for again?" a white Siamese cat hissed. The red tomcat besides her licked her head soothingly.

"Nothing, my dearest, nothing. Probably the father just lost one of his ribbons or something like that," he answered, stretched and jumped from the sofa in one smooth movement. The other cats followed and watched the tomcat in awe as he combed his fur carefully and then started looking around for some food. They all went with him, no matter where he went in the room, and he took the chance to present himself, purring and showing off his agile body.

They were disturbed by D entering. He was still wearing his sleeping clothes, a pretty nightshirt that almost made him look like a girl. The cats willingly made way as he floated through the room, humming to himself. He was clearly not yet awake, or else already lost in thought again. The tomcat pressed himself against his legs. "Count, when will you feed us?" he purred.

D looked down in surprise, smiled brightly and took him up to scratch his chin. "Have patience, Mephistopheles, have patience. It is not yet time for breakfast," he answered. A door somewhere in the back was opened and steps approached the front room. The young kami's face fell, and he hurriedly sat the tomcat down again, slipping behind a curtain.

Sofu D entered and looked around expectantly, looking surprised when he didn't see his grandson in the room. "Now where is he again?" he sighed in exasperation. A kitten giggled and was shut up by the tomcat.

"The youngest? Oh, he was here a moment ago, but I think he went in the back to start feeding the snakes," he lied quickly. The eldest sighed again and disappeared, leaving the front room again to the cats and D, who came out behind the curtain and smiled thankfully at Mephistopheles.

"He is so particular lately," he excused his behaviour, but the cats understood perfectly. They, after all, were animals with quite a will on their own, too.

Mephistopheles jumped onto the sofa again and yawned widely. "Will you now feed us, Count?" he purred.

D had to suppress a smile. "Of course. Your bravery needs to be honoured," he answered and went into the kitchen, coming back a moment later with the cats' breakfast. He himself sat down and sipped a cup of jasmine tea.

Then something caught his eye. Half hidden beneath one of the cushions the cats had slept on was bright blue ribbon, tied to a roll of paper. D's mismatched eyes lit up and he darted over to retrieve the package. Untying the ribbon, he hastily scanned the slip of paper and then sighed, beaming with joy. "Oh Leon," he murmured. "You shouldn't have, really!" His hand caressed the soft blue fabric, then he nuzzled his nose into it, completely lost in thought. The cats exchanged knowing glances and helpless amused shrugs. It could not be helped. Their master was in love, whether they liked it or not.

The young kami was completely oblivious to them. He tied the ribbon around his wrist and admired its colour. "Just like your eyes," he told it softly, untying it again. The chiming of a clock startled him, and he looked around, trying to find a place where to place the ribbon. Finally he tied it to the lantern right beside the door and hurried off to feed the other pets.

He was just gone when the front door opened to reveal Leon, Chris, Pon-chan and Tetsu, who were teasing the elder Orcot mercilessly. "Why don't you just go and tell him you like him?" the raccoon called, and Chris joined in.

"Yeah, brother, why don't you just tell him?"

Leon shrugged them off and growled. "He knows that I like him, damn you! It's that bitch of a grandfather of his that won't let me see him!"

The other three chuckled and Tetsu shoved Leon further into the front room. "Well, but at the moment he should be busy with feeding the pets. If you're lucky, you can get a few minutes with your love," he teased.

Leon hesitated, but then he stepped inside the shop, scanning the front room. "D?" he called out softly, not wanting to draw too much attention. No one answered, and the blonde took another step inside. "D, are you here? Did your father give you my letter?"

Again only silence answered. Leon shrugged and turned back to the three watching him. "He's probably in the back, too. Let's go get breakfast before I've gotta leave for work."

"Ooooh, how wonderful love must be!" the totetsu sighed and placed a theatrical hand over his heart.

The blonde blushed while Pon-chan and Chris giggled. "You fall in love and then we'll talk again, my friend!" he snapped.

Tetsu laughed and slapped him on the back cordially. "Don't hang your head, I'm sure he'll be back when you come home from work again. And we'll see to it that you two get some minutes with each other, promise. Now let's go get Ten-chan. He's slept long enough."

"Yeah, we'll help you, brother!" Chris chimed in, already jumping up the steps again with Pon-chan.

"I'm lost with that kind of help," Leon mumbled, but followed.

Then, when Tetsu had joined the other two, he quickly stepped back down and into the front room again. "D?" he called, searching more closely than before. His eyes fell on the lantern right beside the door and his face took on a silly happy expression. "Hey, you got my letter," he said and smiled stupidly at the ribbon.

Then he noticed the cup on the table and stepped over, sniffing carefully. Finding that it was jasmine tea, he took and drained it, sighing contentedly. "Whew, that was what I needed. Where are you, anyway? I've gotta go to work soon."

Returning to the ribbon, he untied it and placed it in his pocket. Steps echoed from the back of the shop, and Leon went over expectantly, peeking around the curtain. But his hopes were shattered. The entering one was not D, but his grandfather, whose face grew furious seeing the young detective.

"You!" he shrieked displeased. "What are you doing here again? Didn't I tell you to keep away from the shop?"

Leon held up his hands in defence. "Hey, make slow! Tetsu, Ten-chan and Pon-chan are living with me and Chris, and they sometimes want to visit here!"

"I do not see them around at the moment, and that means that you are leaving at once!" Sofu D ordered and tried to stand up tall, which was kind of difficult considering that Leon was a good head taller than he was.

Still, the blonde backed up. "Hey, c'mon! What's your damn problem? It's not as if I was the worst lover D could've chosen."

"Lover?!" Leon flinched at the high-pitched voice. Sofu D grabbed an ancient vase and he ducked, knowing from long experience what would happen next. "Don't you dare call yourself my grandson's lover, impertinent stupid!" the eldest yelled and the vase crashed on Leon's head. He tried to take cover behind the sofa, but Sofu was on his heels, throwing everything that came to hand at him. The blonde tried to defend himself with no visible success, just as D appeared in the front room again, having been drawn there by the sudden noise. His face lit up seeing his beloved, and he hurried over to embrace him.

"Leon! How nice of you to come over!"

Leon had barely placed his arms around D's slim waist, completely forgetting the lurking danger, when Sofu D parted them like a fury. "Apart!" he yelled angrily. "And you, leave at once! How dare you!"

"Ouch!" The blonde ducked under the broom Sofu D was using on his back and reluctantly left the shop, waving at D, who tried to hold his grandfather back with no visible success. The eldest followed Leon with the broom and hit him at every given opportunity.

"Grandfather, stop, please!" D cried and flung his arms around Sofu's waist, using his weight to stop his grandfather. He whirled around, having succeeded in driving Leon out of the shop and slapped D.

"And how dare you meddle with this filthy human?" he scolded. D fled back into the front room, but again Sofu proved to be in the better position, and the youngest got some good slaps before Sofu was distracted by someone clambering down the stairs noisily. He turned, expecting Leon again, but it was Chris, followed closely by Ten-chan, Tetsu and Pon-chan.

"Good morning, Count!" he greeted. Both D smiled at him affectionately.

"Good morning, Christopher," the eldest answered and watched benevolently as the boy hugged his grandson tightly. "So, you are here for the day again? Then I have an errand you could do for me, would you do that, please?"

"Of course!" He followed the grandfather while the pets stayed in the front room with their master. D grimaced slightly and rubbed his cheek.

"Oh dear, did he hit you again?" Pon-chan cried and carefully examined the slightly red skin.

"He beat Leon with a broomstick!" D was obviously more upset about that than his own injuries. T-chan and Ten-chan giggled at the mental image while the raccoon was much more sympathetic. She patted D's shoulder. "Don't worry, Count, we will look after him," she promised.

Chris and the eldest came back, the boy carrying some baskets. "Here, if you would be so good to help Christopher gathering leaves in the park," Sofu D said. Tetsu and Ten-chan rolled their eyes, but they took the baskets without complaint. D quickly snatched a basket, too.

"I will help you!" he offered and was halfway out of the door when Sofu D caught him by the ear.

"You will most assuredly not help them. They are perfectly able to do it alone," he said sternly while D squealed and protested, waving his arms to push him off with no success. The four hurried out, sensing another thunderstorm coming.

"Oh my grandson, what is the matter with you?" he complained and led D to the sofa, still keeping a firm hold on his ear, thus forcing the young kami to follow him with wildly waving arms. There he made him sit down. The moment he turned around, the young kami was on his feet again. The eldest' face set and he pressed his grandson down again. "Will you sit still now?" he scolded and sat down beside him. "I do not understand you at all lately. Why do you want to be with that human so much?"

"Oh, but grandfather, I love him!" D's mismatched eyes were wide and praying, but Sofu stayed unimpressed.

"And I say no. He is no partner for you, my grandson. A mere detective! I beg you! You cannot be serious!"

"He is a very good man!" D defended his beloved and intertwined his arms stubbornly.

"Fine!" Sofu D snapped and did so, too. "That will not change my mind about him."

For some moments they sat besides each other, staring hostile in different directions. Then D sneaked a glance at his grandfather, slipped a bit more to the side, and looked at him again. Sofu stared at a curtain with wrinkled brow and tight lips. D sidled more to the other end of the sofa. Finally, when he deemed it safe, he rose as quietly as possible, thus slipping out of the view of his grandfather, and quietly stepped around the back of the sofa. A happy smile played on his lips in expectation of freedom.

Unfortunately Sofu D chose just that moment to stand up and fetch a bunch of ribbons from a nearby table. They collided with a thud. "Grandson!" Sofu D shrieked, while D's face fell. "You will not leave until I say so! Now sit down and get to work. There is much to do today, and you can do better than dream away the day."

With a deep sigh coming from the depths of his heart, D sat down again and gloomily stared at the back of his grandfather, who was gathering various toys lying around in the front room. A hiss came from the entrance. D's head snapped around, and his eyes started to beam as he saw Leon, who placed a finger on his lips, winked and hid behind a curtain. D smiled at him, completely enrapt, and then startled when Sofu D sat down heavily beside him, hands full of ribbons and toys.

"Here you go!" he said and looked curiously at the curtain. "Is there someone behind it? It just moved, did you see that?"

D looked shocked. "No, of course not, grandfather!" he quickly said and snatched the ribbons. "I – I think there was another pile of ribbons in the corridor, probably father's."

Sofu smiled contented. "Well, then I shall fetch them. Start working on these awhile." He stood again and left the front room. D quickly dropped the ribbons, jumped up and embraced Leon who hugged him back tightly.

"Good morning, my darling," he said softly and caressed D's cheek.

"Did you sleep well, Leon?" the kami inquired, shyly averting his eyes and smiling pleased.

"Dreamed of you the whole night," the blonde replied and placed a quick kiss on D's red cheek. He looked positively giddy with joy.

"I did, too," he breathed.

The approaching steps of Sofu D made them jump apart again. Leon hid behind the curtain while D hurried back and hastily took up the ribbons again. The eldest, though, did not notice his grandson's flushed cheeks and the bulge behind the curtain. He smiled pleased at seeing his grandson work and sat down beside him, taking up thread and needle and repairing one of the toys.

"When we are done with those, we might go to the park later and meet Christopher there. Isn't there a big picnic today? I think I remember something like that," he chatted.

D smiled at the ribbon in his hands. "Yes, grandfather, there is. The police are having their annual picnic there."

"Oh. Well, then perhaps we should rather stay here," Sofu decided after weighing a picnic against the possibility of meeting Leon at the picnic. D looked disappointed. "Oh, please do not look at me this way! We can have a picnic in the park tomorrow," the eldest said irritated and then cried out in pain. D dropped his ribbon.

"Grandfather, what's the matter?" he asked worriedly. Sofu D looked at his fingernail in disgust.

"I broke it!" he said accusingly, and D made the appropriate pitiful face.

"Oh dear, grandfather. Shall I have a look at it?" Quickly the eldest snatched his hand away from his grandson's hand.

"No, thank you, but I will take care of it myself. You continue working," he ordered and floated into the back.

Demurely D bent his head and went back to sorting and disentangling the various ribbons. Leon, coming out from behind the curtain, cast a glance in the direction into which Sofu D had vanished and then sidled up behind his beloved, who was looking at a blue ribbon with dreamy eyes and smiling.

"Wake up, sweetie," he whispered into D's ear, who startled, having completely forgotten that he was around.

"Oh Leon, how can you tease me so?" he complained and pouted.

Leon stretched out his hands and laughed softly. "Well, I'm just repaying you for a few other times," he answered.

An impish smile flitted over D's face, and he took his lover's hands. "Oh, can't you forgive me those? You are so cute when you are surprised," he purred. Leon stared down into his mismatched eyes, not noticing that D was tying his hands together with the blue ribbon. He stepped closer, mesmerized by the kami's lips, and tried to kiss him. D quickly backed up again, laughing, and Leon woke and tried to part his hands with no success.

"D, hey!" he protested. His lover sat down again and got back to sorting the ribbons.

"Well, at least you cannot do mischief with tied hands," he said with twinkling eyes. Now it was Leon's turn to snarl.

"Well, if you're that way, then I can as well leave," he said grumpily and made for the door.

But D quickly jumped up and caught him again. "No, stay, Leon! I didn't mean to hurt you," he prayed. The blonde let himself be soothed and held out his hands. D fluttered his eyelashes and untied the ribbon. "Isn't it beautiful?" he said softly and held it beside Leon's face. "It's just the same colour as your eyes."

Leon rolled said eyes. "Stop that, D. C'mon, I'll help you with those." They both sat down side by side.

"Don't you have to work?" D asked, watching while the blonde disentangled a particular knotted ribbon.

"Nope, not really. Well, I have to, but later, during the picnic. We're taking shifts at watching out that no one blows the whole thing up," he answered. "Just had to get to the precinct to ask when it's my turn."

"Oh, I wish we would go, too, but grandfather will not." D sighed. "If only father would say something…"

"Why don't you ask your father then?" Leon asked and leaned closer to D. "He delivered my letter, didn't he?"

"Oh yes, he left it here for me," D replied. Leon's head came to rest on his shoulder. Blood welled up in the kami's cheeks and he evaded quickly, thus shaking the blonde off. "Leon, please! Not here! Grandfather can come back any minute!"

His lover rolled his eyes. "Oh, relax, D. He's busy with his fingernail. He won't be back before half an hour at least."

"But still, someone might come in," D protested. "A customer, or Chris, or – or father and Vesca…"

His voice trailed off, because Leon had stood up and caught him with a ribbon, drawing him closer like a fish on the hook. The young kami giggled and lowered his eyes. "What are you doing there, Leon?"

"Catching a real big fish in my net," the blonde answered and drew D closer determinedly.

"Oh, I see. Well, then…" D snatched another ribbon and caught Leon in it in just the same way.

He grinned. "Seems as if we're both caught in the same net, aren't we? What shall we do now, while we're being held prisoners?"

Again D batted his eyelashes. "I don't know. Do you have a suggestion?"

"I sure have," Leon answered roughly, finally pulling D into his arms with the ribbon and kissing him. A breathless "Oh!" escaped the kami's lips, and he dropped his ribbon to embrace his beloved and return the kiss.

They parted again after some minutes, and Leon cleared his throat. "Hey, D, gotta ask you something," he said with a low voice. D's mismatched eyes, glazed over, cleared again and he looked up at his beloved with a smile.

"Yes, what is it, Leon?" he asked. Leon loosened one arm around him to scratch his head. "Well, the thing is – we've been together for quite a while now – I mean, not really together, because of your grandfather and that, but nevertheless – I'd just like us to be together for real, you know?"

He stopped, completely lost in his own explanation and gazed down at D. He blinked away tears. "Leon, are you asking me to marry you?" he inquired softly, voice so silent the blonde nearly couldn't understand it. He cleared his throat again.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's what I'm asking you. What do you say?"

D's smile was almost blinding. "Yes!" he cried and flung his arms once again around Leon to kiss him wildly. A silly grin spread over Leon's face, and he returned the kiss enthusiastically.

"Now, now, what do I have to see here? My son fornicating with an American in our parlour?" a voice drawled from behind and Dee entered, Vesca in tow as usual.

"Better question is, what do I have to see here? My detective kissing a major suspect?" Jill answered from the front door and stepped inside. Leon and D jumped apart with beet red faces.

"See you later, D!" the blonde stammered hastily and left at an astounding pace.

Dee threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Oh dear, your little lover has to learn a lot if he wants to join the family," he said to his son and then greeted Leon's superior cheerfully. "Welcome, Miss Jill! To what do we owe the honour of your visit?"

"I just wanted to see if Leon was around," the woman answered and stepped fully inside. D sat down on the sofa again and sorted ribbons, not daring to look up. "And then I wanted to ask you if you are coming to the picnic today. Officially it's only for police members and their families, but in reality everybody can come. I thought you might want to have a look. They have the most delicious cakes."

"Oh Vesca, do you hear that?" Dee squealed and clapped his hands. "Let's go there, please?"

"If you want to," the man conceded, smiling fondly.

The kami's smile widened. "Oh, wonderful! You are such a darling, Vesca!" Then he looked at his son, busy with his work. "What about you, won't you come?"

"Oh, I – I have work to do, as you see, father," D stuttered and looked at his father from behind black hair uncertainly. "Grandfather will be angry if I'm not finished when he comes back, and he said we won't attend the picnic."

Dee waved his hand dismissively and snorted. "Oh, father," he said disparagingly. "What does he know about the joys of the world? I am your father, and I say, you come with me and my husband."

"But, father-" D protested.

Dee tugged at his hand. "Come on, son, life is too short to spend it in this shop alone. You have to see the world for yourself, and taste its sweetness for yourself, too."

"And Leon will be most delighted if you'll come," Jill added and smiled at him.

D hesitated, but let himself be drawn up by his father. "Well, I guess I am old enough to decide this on my own…" he said critically. All three nodded encouragingly.

"Yes, you are, boy. Now come on, get your things and we'll leave," Vesca said and handed Dee a pretty scarf and a little handbag. The youngest smiled and turned to go into the back.

"I'll have to dress at first, but I'll be back in …," he started, but was cut off by Sofu D emerging from behind a curtain.

"You, my grandson, will go nowhere!" he snapped and glared at his son and son-in-law. "Don't you talk him into making the same mistakes you made, son!"

Dee sighed deeply. "Oh father, just because your lover isn't here you don't have to make him suffer for your misfortune," he said and tugged at D's arm.

Sofu quickly reached out and tugged the youngest back towards him. "He will stay here, no matter what you say or do. Now go your way and leave him!" he commanded angrily, pushing D behind him as if to shield him from his father.

Vesca grabbed his husband's hand and tugged him away before he could answer. "We'll find a way to get him there later," he whispered into the kami's ear. "Just wait until the old bitch is gone again."

"Don't think you're going to have the last word!" Dee promised, but did as his husband was proposing.

D slumped down on the sofa and sighed deeply, looking completely devastated. Sofu D planted himself right in front of his grandson and held up a finger. "Who do you think you are, grandson? I am responsible for you, not your father! You are not going to marry an American like he did, do not think that for one second! I have noticed that you seem to be in need for a companion, but trust me, it will not be one of those filthy Americans!"

"Not all Americans are filthy! Chris is not!" D protested and fuelled up Sofu's anger.

"What, you are getting rebellious? Wait a moment, we'll take care of that in a minute. I'm going to show you how children are raised in the proper way. Hard scolding and soft praises, was it not that?"

He rolled up his sleeves, and before D, who squawked in surprise, could do more than stand up, Sofu D had gotten him and given him a hiding. "Grandfather!" the youngest gasped and wriggled around. "I am not a child anymore, I am grown and old enough to decide for myself…"

"You are most assuredly not, as experience shows," Sofu answered grimly and continued. "Marry an American! It is absolutely unacceptable!"

He was about to rant on when a knock on the door announced a visitor. D shrieked in horror and managed to wriggle free before the one knocking could see him in this way. He grimaced painfully and hid his hands behind his back as an elder Chinese entered and greeted the Count respectfully.

"My dearest Count, your invitation is a great honour. I did as you asked me and brought my son along. This is Li Sun Chen, my heir and hope for the future!"

With these words, he pushed a younger man forward, who stumbled forward and clumsily took the hand of the eldest, who'd quickly stood to meet the visitors. Now he smiled and bowed. "Li Xue Fa, it is entirely my and my grandson's pleasure you took the time to visit us. I am most delighted to meet your son. My grandson, will you not greet our visitors?"

D sidled forward, hands still behind his back and cheeks flushed, because he had remembered he was still in his nightclothes. Still, he bowed gracefully and even smiled, though he kept his eyes averted. "What a beautiful youngling!" the merchant exclaimed. "Of course your whole family is beautiful, but he surely is a marvellous boy! They will make a great match, don't you think so, Count?"

The eldest smiled sweetly while D's head flew up and his eyes darted in horror to the thickly, clumsy youngster, already hiding behind his father again. "Grandfather-" he started, but Sofu D pushed him towards the curtain to the back slightly.

"Go and dress yourself, my grandson. We will wait for you here," he said and smiled at Li Xue Fa sweetly. "What advantages would a marriage have for us, Li-san?"

The merchant sat down on the sofa and let himself be served by the eldest. "Well, you would be related to one of the mightiest families in not only Chinatown, but whole America," he said self-satisfied. "And of course, this young American detective who has been hanging around here the whole time would have no more reason to do so once your grandson is married and gone."

Sofu D's smile brightened even more. "Well, you are most certainly correct in that aspect, Li-san." He took a sip of his tea and let his eyes wander to the son of the merchant. He was staring down into his teacup a little dubiously, as if not sure what to do with it. Sofu D raised one perfect eyebrow.

The curtain swished and D entered again, now clad in a bright blue cheongsam with a great lion stitched onto it in gold. The fabric of his shirt was so thin one could nearly see his slender white arms through it. The eldest sat down his cup and sighed slightly exasperated. "My grandson, sit down, please." He glared at the cheongsam for a moment, making sure his grandson noticed his displeasure.

But D only set his chin stubbornly and sat down gracefully. "Of course, grandfather," he chirped, and the eldest wrinkled his brow. It was time the boy got married to a proper suitor. Clumsy or not, Li Sun Chen was at least a Chinese boy from a good family and had a proper education, not some American detective with dubious family background and as good as no education at all.

"Tell me, Sun Chen, what are you doing?" he asked the boy in question. He instantly turned beet-red.

"I – I am getting my masters in engineering," he stammered. "And I'm doing some developing work myself. I'm working on a machine right at the moment, a kind of robot. It's supposed to work in the kitchen, but so far, it's not working so well, and I'll have to reprogram it, I think I know which algorithm is wrong…"

"My son really is very talented with computers," Li Xue Fa cut his son short and indicated the interior of the shop. "I think he could teach your grandson much about this new technique."

"I – I would be most happy to teach him new techniques!" Sun Chen hastily assured. D's cheeks flushed slightly, and both elders cleared their throats delicately. Xue Fa sipped his tea and sat his cup down with a sigh.

"My dear Count, there is a picnic in the park today. It would be a splendid opportunity for the two to get to know each other better, wouldn't it? Our family traditionally has its place right beside the mayor's table, and you are most welcome to join us."

D's face lit up, especially when he heard his grandfather's reply. "Oh, we would be delighted to accompany you, Li-san. My grandson, will you fetch our cloaks?"

The young kami jumped up. "Of course, grandfather," he replied and was off in a second.

"And how well your grandson's manners are!" he heard Li Xue Fa in the front room and rolled his eyes. There would be a way to get rid of the clumsy Sun Chen once they were at the picnic. Leon would be there, and they would find a way.

So he made no protest when Li Xue Fa helped him into the great limousine, even though the park was barely two blocks away. He smiled secretly when he noticed Mephistopheles slipping into the car with a few of his favourite female companions and hid them under his cheongsam. Then he settled back and waited for the things to come.

(The curtains close)