The Troubleshooters,' by Wang Shuo
The Troubleshooters,' by Wang Shuo
The Troubleshooters,' by Wang Shuo
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42 CHINESE EDUCATION AND SOCIETY<br />
32 STREET /EXTERIOR / RAIN<br />
MA QING is astride a tricycle and covered with a plastic poncho. Although he<br />
isn’t sitting, he is nonetheless soaked and resembles a drowned rat, He scans his<br />
surroundings. Through the mist and rain one can see the sleek, elegant outline of<br />
the International Expo Center (IEC).<br />
33 INTERNATIONAL EXPO CENTER /EXTERIOR /RAIN<br />
Yu GUAN and YANG ZHONG are standing at the entrance to the IEC elegantly<br />
dressed, hair neatly arranged with serious expressions on their faces. <strong>The</strong><br />
two men greet each guest as he or she ascends the white staircase, politely<br />
nodding their heads, much as chickens do eating grains of rice.<br />
MA QING arrives at the foot of the staircase atop the tricycle. He stops<br />
the device <strong>by</strong> extending his leg outward and dragging his foot on the<br />
ground.<br />
Yu GUAN spots MA QING frOm the top of the stairs, and shouts at him.<br />
Yu GUAN: Hey, you. Deliveries are to be made at the backstage entrance. Did<br />
you hear me?<br />
MA QING gives a sad look up at Yu GUAN who, in turn, chooses to ignore it.<br />
MA QING, having no other choice, submits to the humiliation and pushes the<br />
tricycle around to the backstage entrance, one hand on the handlebar, the otkr<br />
on the seat.<br />
BAO KANG is standing next to YU GUAN in a gleaming dinner jacket, his<br />
hands clasped behind his back, squaring his shoulders, which causes his stomach<br />
to protrude. He looks with smug satisfaction at pale-complexioned guests,<br />
clad in Western clothing, leisurely ascending the wet staircase.<br />
BAO JXANG, beaming with pleasure, puts a question to Yu GUAN.<br />
BAO KANG: Where did you find these dissidents? <strong>The</strong>y will really give me a<br />
good reception. Everyone is wearing collars that are as white as snow.<br />
Yu GUAN: <strong>The</strong>y’re not here because of my efforts but because you are admired. I<br />
put out a few fliers and attracted all of these young lovers of fine literature.<br />
BAO LING: Do you think they’d be surprised if they were to find out that this<br />
nondescript man standing here at the entrance is none other than the noteworthy<br />
Bao Kang?
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