Ancient Chinese Secret
Derby had to shift gears. He could continue to wonder about Jeninqua and whether Fred is a good guy or a problem, but he'd have to do it in the background. Because at the moment the door of the limo was being opened and Howard was ushering him through a throng of brightly costumed Asians.
"This is Opie, he'll take you to meet Umpa. I recommend you be on your best behavior with Umpa (he pronounced it Oo-mpa and distinctly left the impression of a tuba sound). He isn't to be trifled with," said Howard as he joined Derby to the young Chinese boy. Just as quickly as he had produced Opie he disappeared in the crowd, leaving Derby in the hands of a young man who couldn't have been more than fourteen.
"But wait a minute!," yelled Derby to the vanished driver. "Howard! Please, Howard, wait!"
It was useless, Howard was gone and Derby found himself being pulled by the sleeve through the crowded and noisy street.
"Mista Ween-co. Pwees hoowy. Tis way, pwees," said the boy as he weaved and bobbed the pair through the parade.
"Winkle? Did he just call me Winkle?," Derby thought to himself. His capacity to "deal" was thin at the moment. The sounds and sights of the Festival were jubilant. He found himself wanting to escape into the mass of activity and just let the colors and aromas and feeling of the festivities swallow him.
"Young man. Slow down if you please. Can we sit down for a moment and review? I have some questions." Derby had planted his feet firmly and had caused the young Opie to bounce back into his side after the elasticity of his arm and sleeve acted like a rubber band.
"No time for Meddo Yeddow Mista Wink-co. Must hoowy. Pwees," said Opie in his charming dialect.
"Who is Mr. Winkle Opie? Do you think my name is Mr. Winkle?, " asked Derby.
"Yo name is not a nice name fo Chinese pee-pow. Can not say yo name. I caw yo Wink-co. O-K? Now Mista Wink-co we go, pwees." Opie was tugging on Derby's arm but not moving him.
"No. We no go," said Derby. We stay and sit. Ova dare...," Derby had adopted Opie's dialect and was pointing through the crowd to a restaurant.
After convincing the young man that he wasn't going to proceed without gathering some information, Opie had relented and had arranged for a table in the busy restaurant. Derby watched the face of the hostess dart back and forth to his and Opie's as she listened attentively to Opie's Chinese explanation and insistence that they be seated, in spite of the fact that many others seemed to be ahead of them in line to eat.
"Now yo mus ee da noo-do," said Opie as he pushed the noodles that were swimming in a clear liquid in the small bowl to Derby. Chop sticks were all there was for utensils. But Derby found himself quite hungry and eager to fumble with the chop sticks and noodles.
"Mista Wink-co. Why you see da Wed Dwagon? No too many pee-po see da Wed Dwagon. Vewwy impo-tant man. Why yo see him?"
"The Red Dragon? Of whom do you refer? Who is this Red Dragon? Tell me more," enquired Derby.
"Wed Dwagon is Wizz-od man. Magi-co wizz-od man. Vewwy owd. May-be fie hunled yees ow'd." Opie's eyes were large and he was leaning forward toward Derby. By now another course of strange food had been served--a bowl of sea creatures, none of which looked familiar or appetizing to Derby at all. Opie continued,
"Now yo mus ee da weet-to fishies, Mista Wink-co. You like?," and his smile seemed to be a dare in which he took great joy.
Derby's interest wasn't in little fishies at the moment. A new mystery was about to unfold and he wanted to prepare himself for what new bizarre twist was about to take place. He shoved the bowl aside which seemed to disturb young Opie.
"Opie. Please slow down. What do you mean Wizz-od man? What is wizz-od?"
"Wizz-od. Wizz-od. Wike Mew-win. Wike Wizz-od o Oz. Wizz-od," he explained, as if he was a frustrated tutor.
"Ah, Wizard!"
"Yes Wizz-od. Is what I say. Wizz-od."
"OK," continued Derby. So he performs magic? What kind of Magic?"
"No poo-fohms. Magi-co. Wed Dwagon is vewwy o'd. He fwies in da sky on dee win. He wivs wih dee Ainjo's."
"Wait," interupted Derby. Ainjo's? What are ainjo's?"
"Ain-JO's! Ain-JO's!," demanded Opie, again as the frustrated tutor. Wike da Ainjo's in heahwan. In da kwouds. In da sky," and he pointed up as he emphatically insisted that Derby understand. "Da Ainjo's. He dwea-o's wi da Ainjo's in heawan!"
"Angels?," clarified Derby.
"Yes Ainjo's. Is wha I say Ainjo's. Yo no like da fishies?"
"No," grimmaced Derby. "No likey. Where are you taking me. Where is this Red Dragon wizard?"
"We go up stairs fwom waundwee house. Down da stweet. To waundwee. Up stairs," Opie seemed scared as he explained where he was to take Derby.
"Laundry? The cleaners? You're taking me to the cleaners?"
"Mista Wink-co. We go now OK?"
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