Under the Jade Vault

Got more than a little irritated at the girls for asking things I couldn't possibly know. Can we drink the water, will there be noodles? Can we get a cat? Will they have electric blankets? Does it snow very deep? far away is my school? Do we have to pee standing up? Is there chocolate in China? We got there at midnight. All of us exhausted and high on adrenaline. Kristen brushing her hair one more time. Riva's eyes had that beady, bright look kids get when they're about to collapse. Terminal turned out to be a warehouse. Huge and empty. No color, no murals, no chairs. No intercom. I felt less me, more a product shipped and headed for storage. One fact was resounding-outside or inside it's COLD. The customs officers exceedingly solemn. Khaki anyhow is intimidating. Fill out these forms. Smiling at the officer seemed absurd, so I didn't. Which made me feel even worse. The kids shut up. Hey, I whispered, guess what? There is chocolate in China. How do you know? Riva hissed. Kristen having second thoughts. Certain now that this was a mistake. Eighteen and itching to get away from home, but now here she is stuck with us day in and day out for the next six months. Only the fact that Mike turned chilly decided her, and now she's pissed off at herself for being weak and irresolute. Only a fool would go off with parents; she should have stayed where the milk shakes are

Art · JADE (particle detector · Physics · Vault (architecture · Visual arts · American and British Literature Analysis · American Literature and Humor Studies · Asian American and Pacific Histories · Chinese history and philosophy · Hong Kong and Taiwan Politics · Poetry Analysis and Criticism