Episode 2: Like Wildfire In Highwind (VI)

Whom will you choose - the man from a classier part of town or the childhood friend with his humble background?

Scene 6: Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai

It is early evening and the street is flooded with shoppers. On both sides sit dusty old shops piled high with what seems to be junk and trash of a bygone era. The trained eye, however, knows better.

He is holding her hand. For some reason, she feels self-conscious. Which is strange. This is not the first time she’s held hands in public.

The embarrassment causes her to become impatient – ‘C’mon, hurry up. Have you found what you’re looking for yet?

He pouts and looks at her from the corner of his eyes. ‘Oh, don’t rush me. You know it’s not easy sorting out the good stuff from the bad stuff in this big, tangled heap.’

‘I don’t understand,’ she replies, tugging at his hand, ‘why are we sifting through old junk – ’

‘Inspiration,’ he replies. ‘This is where I sometimes get good ideas on what kind of game or toy we can create.’

She looks at what he’s holding in his hands. It looks like a miniature train cabin, one of those early prototypes created by the English who were railways-mad. ‘That’s quite a common old toy. I’ve seen them around in plenty of shops. What are you going to do with this one?’

‘I’m going to take it apart and see the mechanism inside. Steal some ideas.’

She takes the badly scratched and dented toy in her hands. ‘Oh don’t. If you look at it carefully, it’s quite pretty. The design is wonderful. See how they’ve got the handle to the cabin door with its black, metal trim. The detailing in this toy is simply first-class. If you take this toy apart, you’ll completely destroy it – ’

He grins. ‘But that’s me. I’m a toy designer. I take my inspiration from wherever I can get it. If I have to take things apart, I take things apart. And sometimes, if I have to destroy something in order to get at what's inside, so be it!’

‘How hard-hearted that sounds! Why, you’re a vulture, a cannibal, a shameless thief!’

‘Oh yes, that I am!’ He makes a face, pretends to swoop down on her. She ducks and runs out of the shop. ‘Oh you can run but you can’t hide!’ – he flails his arms, tries to grab her.

She squeals and dashes down the street – oof! – she bumps into someone.

‘Twinkle! What are you doing here? What a surprise!’

Mei Kuen is holding a huge bag of shopping. New clothes, new shoes, new make-up. She peers at Twinkle and then Jeff. ‘Oh, I see. On a hot date, eh? Why didn’t anybody tell me you’re back? I’m so happy for you!’ she squeals in delight and squeezes Twinkle by the waist.

‘Oh, hello Kuen Kuen. We’re just looking for some things for work. Not really a date, you know. It’s business as well.’

‘You can’t fool me – I’m got eyes in my head and I can see what’s going on ...’ Mei Kuen hugs Twinkle over and over again. ‘Don’t forget to send me a card when the big day comes!’

Twinkle blushes. ‘What big day? We’re just taking things easy, one day at a time ...’

‘Yes,’ chimes in Jeff, suddenly alarmed, ‘what big day? We’re still young – no need to talk about such serious things yet – ’

But Mei Kuen’s gone off into a world of her own. ‘Ok, I can’t stand around here chatting with you two anymore. I’ve got things to do. I must get home!’

‘Goodbye, Kuen Kuen. Send my warm regards to your parents!’

‘Ooh, I will, I will! Boy, will they be surprised to hear from you!’

Mei Kuen takes off, her bags and bags of shopping swishing around her legs.

‘Oh no,’ Twinkle groans, ‘if’s she’s about to do what I think she’s about to do, I’m going to have a headache ...’

‘What is Mei Kuen going to do?’

‘At the market, we have a nickname for Kuen Kuen. It’s FM88.1.’

‘Why FM88.1?’

‘Do you know FM88.1’s slogan?

‘No. What is it?

‘It’s 聲為民開 — we broadcast for the public.’

Jeff laughs. ‘Well, what’s wrong with Mei Kuen broadcasting our good news. We’re together after all, there’s no need to be ashamed.’

Twinkle looks at him, utterly taken aback. How can Jeff forget he has a friend called Chi Yat Po who may be sitting at home feeling bad about this?

Episode Two: Like Wildfire In High Wind (II)

Two's a company, three's a crowd ... the dangers of an inter-office romance


Scene 2: Frankie’s Office at Tung Ming Toy Co.

For a minute, there is an uncomfortable silence. Just a minute, and then it passes.

Anna smiles and picks up a folder and hands it to Frankie. ‘I think this one is due as well – ’ she says. She turns and gives Jeff a tiny smile.

Twinkle catches the look. She is puzzled.

Jeff is impatient. ‘So Frankie, what is your decision on the matter?’

Frankie puts up a hand, he’s perusing the final details on an important account, does not want to break his concentration and start all over again. Chairman Cheuk is out of the office and will be back later in the afternoon for an important meeting and he needs to give an answer so that the team can move forward on this major account.

Twinkle tries to catch Anna’s eye but the latter is looking at Jeff’s face.

‘Frankie, can you please try not to keep us in suspense? We really need to know!’

Frankie puts down his document. He can see it’s no use telling Jeff to wait another minute. ‘Sit down, please, everyone sit down – ’

Twinkle slides into a chair next to Anna. Jeff sits at the far end.

‘Jeff, Twinkle, I’ve given this much thought. I’m prepared to give you both a second chance if you will reassure me that you yourselves have considered matters carefully and are serious in your decision. I hope you will not waver – ’

‘Of course, of course! Twinkle is a hundred-percent committed, I guarantee that!’

‘I need to hear that from Twinkle, not you, Jeff. Well, Twinkle – ’

She gazes up at Frankie, tears of gratitude glistening in her eyes. ‘Yes, I’m committed. I won’t back down from my resolve.’

‘Have you sorted out the things you needed sorting out? Have you given yourself a chance to think things over? Or do you need some more time? I'll understand if you need more time.’

Twinkle shakes her head. ‘No, I don’t want to think anymore. This is the best thing for me. I just need to keep busy with work, that’s what I need – ’

‘I’m glad to hear that. Well, Jeff, Anna, it looks like we have Twinkle back on the team. Anna, will you inform Human Resource to do up the necessary paperwork today?’

‘Of course, Jeff. I’ll do that straightaway – ’ Anna turns and smiles broadly at Twinkle, extends a hand. ‘Welcome back.’

Twinkle takes her hand, gives it a friendly shake. ‘Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me.’

‘As long as you’re committed to your profession and are happy to continue working here with everybody, you’re welcomed anytime.’ Anna pulls Twinkle over for a quick hug.

‘Wonderful! Wonderful! Thanks so much for the second chance, Frankie! I can assure you I will make sure Twinkle gives her very best to the company!’ – Jeff pumps Frankie’s hands up and down. ‘I will supervise her like a hawk, she won’t have a second to goof off while I’m around, boss!’

Frankie breaks into a small laugh. ‘This company always values good people. Creativity, talent, hardwork and loyalty are what we appreciate. Twinkle has these values and we were so sorry when she quitted our team a few months back. But, I do understand sometimes one has personal issues that need sorting out and in order to do that, one needs to take a break from work. I just hope there are no more personal issues between the two of you and we can get back to work as professionals once more – ’

‘Don’t you worry, I’m always professional in my conduct!’

Jeff reaches over and gives Twinkle’s hand a squeeze. ‘The skies are blue again!’

But she has no eyes for him at the moment. She is staring at Anna, a very strange thought is crossing her mind.

‘Anna, can we have lunch together afterwards?’

‘Sure, Twinkle, of course, I'd love to.’

‘All right, you guys – ’ Frankie switches back to general manager-mode, ‘back to work before I bring out the big stick!’

Anna leads Twinkle out of the room with a friendly hand on the shoulders while Jeff skips out behind them. 'Ooh, I have my foot-shuttle partner back again, ' he says, sing-song.