Thirteen

'I love all the yellow and red lanterns strung across the street like that don't you?'
'And the banners with all the different animal years, look'.
George coming through……George coming through…. so many legs….
'Thanks for telling me about this Abbie. I had no idea it was Chinese New Year'.
That is not true Pips, no. I did tell you on several occasions last week but as usual you weren't paying attention. Dog coming through….DOG coming through…. I have to say that considering it's my year I don't think there's quite enough respect being shown actually. What's that smell………? Sweet and sour….delicious. You know I would be very happy to have a Chinese meal once in a while Pips. George has very eclectic taste in food. I have had spring rolls before on a number of occasions with Steve and Debs and am fond of a lot of different cuisines as a matter of fact.
'What's that drumming Abbie? Can you see?'
'It's a dragon'.
Dragon? Let me see. George coming through….. George coming through..


'Where…..George?
Pips?
'….orge?
Here Pips.
'….out from…….neath….drag..……trampl… on. Abb….I'm…pick him up'
What? No wait Pips/
'Got you!'
But I want…oh I see. Well it's a better view from up here. Thank you Pips. It's magnificent. Look at all the people! And I can see another dragon although….. why is everyone looking at the dragons when in fact it is my year and they should rightly be looking at me?
'Hey Marcie there's a little dog'.
'Oh look at him! I want a photo. What's his name?'
'George'.
'Would you mind if we took a photo. It would be cool being as it's the Year of the Dog and all'.
'No that's fine'.
Actually Pips I think you should ask me first before saying it’s fine.
‘You don’t mind do you George?'
No I don't as a matter of fact but it's only polite to ask.
'Jen can you…I'm sorry what's your name?'
'Philippa. And this is Abbie'.
'OK I’m Marcie and this is Jen. Jen can you stand next to George, Philippa and Abbie. Bit closer…all right look at me. Smile. That's it George'.
I would just like to take this opportunity to say how thrilled and proud I am to be here to celebrate the start of the Year of the Dog. I would like to thank you for coming and supporting my very own year and/
'OK that's it'.
Already?
'Thanks for letting us take a photo of him'.
'That's OK'
'Thanks so much George'.
You're welcome girls.
'Bye. …….cute dog..…'
'…..I can't believe they still eat dogs…'
What?
'…..it's so barbaric'.
Wait wait wait wait wait wait WAIT! They eat dogs? Did you hear that Pips?
'OK George….'
OK? But Pips did you hear what she just said?
'What's the matter?'
She said they eat dogs!.
'No I'm not putting you down again. I'm worried you're going to get crushed in all the people'.
BUT THEY EAT DOGS! I'm going to be dog chow mein….I'm going to be chopped into a suey…
' Ssssh George'.
I'm going to be George in Hoi Sin sauce…
'Ssssh ssssh now'.
Don't tell me to sssssh! I'm going to be crispy fried George..
'What's got into you?'
'Maybe he heard her comment about the Chinese still eating dogs Philippa'
'It's all right George/'
It is not all right Philippa! I don't want to be a main course. I am not ready to be on a menu!
'George please…'
George is going to become a take-away!
'Stop this nonsense'.
GET ME OUT OF HERE! GET ME OUT OF HERE NOW!
'George calm down'.
'I'M GOING TO BE EATEN… I'M GOING TO BE A CHINAMAN'S DINNER!
'Are you OK with him Philippa?'
'Let's just get away from all these people ….maybe he's claustrophobic or something….. excuse me, can we just get through….. thanks. Let’s find a café or somewhere quiet to calm down….’.