The large Rolls stops at the curb where Calico is waiting and Alphonse steps out to open the door for her. Tanya nods to her friend as she slides into the car, waving her hand at the selection of snacks and beverages available. "How are you, ducks? You are looking well." Small talk and silence mark the ride to Tacoma and the Palace of China. From the outside the building is impressive, styled after a Chinese palace from the ancient Tang dynasty. Every effort has been made to make the exterior as authentic as possible. A covered walkway extends from the stairs at the main entrance to the curb where vehicles drop off their passengers. The parking lot contains a number of expensive cars, even at this time of the day, many of them limousines. Surprisingly, the patrons are not entirely Chinese. The reputation of the chefs and the staff are well deserved and many non-Chinese come here to dine in the exclusive atmosphere. The food is real and the prices reflect that, but price alone is not a deterrent to those who wish to eat here. Many Seattle politicians and city officials are members of the restaurant, as well as its golf and tennis clubs. Few outsiders know that the facility is a holding of the Octagon Triad and that many of the top officials of the criminal organization have offices here, some even living here. Those few in the know whisper that It has been said that much of the business of the Triad takes place behind the polished wood doors of the various private dining rooms inside the building.
A young man is waiting at the curb and opens the door of the limousine as it pulls to a stop and offers an arm to the women to assist them in leaving the car. "早晨,劉marisart。 你方已經在這裡." The young man switches to a slightly accented English when he turns his attention to Calico. "Welcome to the Palace of China, Miss. It is hoped that you will enjoy the experience." He escorts both women up the covered walk to where another man is waiting about two thirds of the way down. This man is middle-aged but still handsome and is flanked by two beautiful young Chinese women. All three bow low to the newcomers, the man saying, "歡迎,夫人marisart。 你的預期。 你的光臨燈,這一謙卑設立一如既往。 它一直遠太長,因為我們看到您最後一次。" Tanya also bows low and replies, "感謝你,簡。 我很高興能在這裡再一次。 ,事實上是很長。" She turns to Calico and says, "Calico, this is Luk Chien. He manages the restaurant here. Chien, this is my friend Calico." The man smiles as he bows again, this time to Calico alone. When he addresses her it is in a cultured voice devoid of any accent. "Miss Calico, please consider yourself my personal guest here today. Call on me if you have any problems whatsoever." He motions to the woman at his right. "Baozhai will see to your every need." The indicated woman will step forward and bow low to Calico. Her voice is accented. "It is my pleasure, Miss Calico. I am at your disposal."
Chien speaks softly to the other woman, who bows and gracefully walks away and into the building. Chien escorts the women along the remainder of the walkway to the entrance, Baozhai falling behind Calico. Two large men open the doors at the entrance for the small group to pass through into the building. The opulence of the interior rivals the details of the exterior. Carved pillars in stone and wood support a huge domed ceiling over the central lobby. Comfortable couches and chairs are grouped into small gathering places where people can wait in comfort for their reservation time. The overall theme supports the Tang Dynasty motif, with paintings and delicate drawings on silk scattered tastefully about the room. Several young women in cheongsams circulate among the guests present, making sure that the drink needs are met. Tanya might fit in as one of the servers except that her cheongsam is of a far greater quality and more decorative. Too, her bearing is far more of one being served than one doing the serving. A set of huge double doors leads from the lobby to the main dining room while two wide corridors lead off from the lobby to other dining rooms. A wide stairway curves up to the next floor and the private dining rooms and restaurant offices.
A coat check room sits just to the left of the entrance and Chien motions to it, "I am sorry to have to ask, but it is for the security of all our guests. Please check any weapons at the counter. They will be returned when you leave after lunch." A ticket is provided for anything left at the counter and Chien escorts the women up the stairway to the next floor. As they climb the steps, Baozhai leans closer to Calico and whispers, "Miss Calico, please ask if you do not understand anything being said and I will do my poor best to translate for you." At the landing, Chien leads the women to the right, stopping at an ornate door decorated with Chinese dragons. After knocking softly, he opens the door for the others to pass through. The beautiful, porcelain-skinned woman in the room stands as her guests enter. Her English is barely accented as she says, "Thank you Luk Chien. Please escort my other guests up as they arrive." The man bows to her and leaves. Baozhai moves silently to stand against one wall of the room. The hostess waits for Chien to leave then goes to Tanya, taking her hands. "Tanya, my dear friend. It is so good to see you. Thank you for coming at such short notice. And you must be Calico. I am Ni Ni Xiaolu. I have heard a good bit about you from my friend, all of it good. Please, welcome. Take a seat. May I offer you a drink before lunch?"
Translations: Good morning, Miss Marisart. Your party is already here.
Welcome, Lady Marisart. You are expected. Your presence lights up this humble establishment, as always. It has been far too long since we saw you last
Thank you, Chien. I am happy to be here again. Is has indeed been far to long..
