Saving Fish from Drowning - Heal Burma

AMY TAN
“Of course I do,” Belinda said brightly. “Doesn’t everybody?
You’re Harry Bailley. I’m so honored to meet you.” She extended her
hand. What irony, she chortled to herself. He was pursuing her.
When the researchers said he’d be easy, they underestimated how
much so.
“You’ve seen me?” Harry appeared to be both astonished and flat­
tered. “On the telly here or in the States?”
“Both,” she said. “Back home, everyone is watching you. I’ve al­
ways been a fan of The Fido Files—I have a naughty papillon. And
this ‘Mystery in Myanmar’ series is the best reality show around.
Everybody says so.”
“Actually,” Harry said, with a twitch of his head, “the program
that I do here isn’t a reality show, it’s more of an investigative docu­
mentary.”
“That’s what I meant,” she graciously amended.
Harry returned an amiable grin. “And who are you who means
so much?”
“Belinda Merkin.”
“Merkin. Interesting name. May I call you Ms. Merkin...Mrs.
Merkin...?”
“Just Belinda is fine.”
“Lovely. Well, Just Belinda, I wonder if I might bother you to let
me use your camcorder for a short while? Of course, if you’re in a
hurry to go off and do some sightseeing...”
“No hurry. My sister and I haven’t even figured out where we want
to go.”
“Forgive me,” Harry said to the bogus, more boyish sister, “we
haven’t formally met.”
“Zilpha.” She gave Harry a slight smile and a firm, businesslike
handshake.
“Please to meet you, Sylvia,” Harry said.
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