The Uninvited

‘Over there.’ He pointed to a shrine,studded with photographs, only two ofwhich were in colour. Most of the faceswere stern, though one woman wore ahalf-smile. The men were jacketed, andthe women wore cheongsams. None ofthem resembled Sunny Chen. ‘You don’texpect them to be dressed in rags, doyou?’ he blurted angrily. He waved hishand at the photographs. ‘You think theywill look like in the photos. Normal size.Wearing smart clothes. You don’t imaginethey smell bad. You don’t expect them toeat insects.’I waited for an explanation for thisbizarre outburst, but none came. His faceflickered in an agitated way. Then hereached in his inner pocket and broughtout a wad of scarlet paper, ornamented