Dialogue

Tin Tin     : It’s been two months.

Q.B.         : Huh?

Tin Tin     : Your blog, no new post for more than two months already.

Q.B.         : Oh, I see.

Tin Tin     : When will you take care of this?

Q.B.         : When I have time.

Tin Tin     : You only need to modify a little bit from your original copy and this won’t take you much time.

Q.B.         : I’m quite busy lately.

Tin Tin     : Of course. Besides school, homeworks and ECAs, you have to play ballgames, video games and watching TV plus hanging around with your buddies and day dreaming.

Q.B.         : Thanks for your understanding.

Tin Tin     : It’s no good to leave something unfinished like this.

Q.B.         : If only you have had published the book for me at the beginning.

Tin Tin     : You still have to promote it after publishing! Otherwise no one will buy or even read it. Why bother to print a pile of rubbish then find space for stock?

Q.B.         : (Shrug) Well……

Tin Tin     : Didn’t you say it’s fun to mix your story into nowadays’ life in the blog?

Q.B.         : Yes……

Tin Tin     : Weren’t you very excited to find readers from more than 20 countries? Remember Russia, Morocco and even United Arab Emirates?

Q.B.         : Indeed……

Tin Tin     : The story is already there. Just put them all in the blog!

Q.B.         : But……I just don’t have the mood to do it.

Tin Tin     : (Sigh) So……you wanna give up?

Q.B.         : Of course not!

Tin Tin     : So?

Q.B.         : (Seems to have a big idea suddenly) I can authorize you to do it for me!

Tin Tin     : Authorize? Are you kidding? You should ask me for help……

Q.B.         : (Rolling his eyes)

Tin Tin     : …… or even pay me to do so.

Q.B.         : (Quickly) Please help.

Tin Tin     : It’s difficult since this is not my own stuff.

Q.B.         : Didn’t you say that everything is ready? You just need to modify a bit.

Tin Tin     : Why it’s me in the end?

Q.B.         : I too think it’s not good to dump the blog like this.

Tin Tin     : (Shaking head) It’s your own child and you just leave it alone.

Q.B.         : Like you mothers, it doesn’t mean that you abandon your kids when you hand them to the domestic helpers.

Tin Tin     : ……So……am I the domestic helper?

Q.B.         : (Go away happily)

Secondary 1 Discretionary Place Scheme

Mum was so confident that she didn’t join the introduction tour of the other secondary school in their net in November.

She was so confident that she filled in the application form for Secondary 1 Discretionary Place with La Belle Boys’ School only.

“But Principal only encouraged the Band 1 and Band 2 students choose La Belle Boys’ School. She said Band 3 students should have no chance.” Dad said while browsing through the related leaflets, pamphlets, booklets, brochures, fly sheets and circulars on the dinning table.

Bill was dizzy by only looking at all these trashes.

 “At this stage all of them have zero chance except the eight most excellent students.” Mom said confidently. “According to the Principal, La Belle Boys’ School will only accept eight elites of La Belle Primary School in this scheme.”

“So?” Dad asked.

“So there’s no difference for the 3 bandings.”

“I mean, why you give up the right to try two other secondary schools at this stage?”

“How about if any one of those schools accepts him? This will be a real disaster. He will lose his golden chance to get into our band one secondary school in the Central Allocation.”

Bill felt sick by only listening to his parents’ conversation.

He would never understand this “Secondary Form One Discretionary Place Scheme” and he didn’t want to know. It made him cranky and wanted to kick Ginger.

“So that’s it?”

“Yup, all we can rely on is his third standardized internal assessment.”

“Will it be too risky? What if he failed again?”

“He HAS to make it this time.” Mum was nervous again, “Bill, you better cut the football class until April. You need to study.”

Oh no! Bill felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He knew it’s no use to say anything at the moment.

Suarez*, Bill thought, I am joining you.

~To be continued~

Suarez*:Luis Suarez (right) is an Uruguayan footballer who currently plays for Liverpool F.C. He was given an eight-game ban for the charge of racism

School Day (2)

Bill didn’t want Mum to go to school so often either.

His classmate, Ben, liked to threaten him with this. Instead of saying “I’ll report you to Mrs. Dragon/ the discipline master/ the Principal.” He would say, “I’ll tell your mum! And see how she twists your ear. Heh heh heh heh.”

Bill hated his evil laugh so much.

Mum wouldn’t twist his ear. But she would shoot him an angry glare. And this embarrassed him so much.

He asked Mum not to go to school. At least not every day.

“I have to.”

“Mum loved you more than me.” Beth complained. “She seldom visits my school.”

“Of course not.” Mum comforted her. “You’ve already safe in De Beers Girl’s School. But Bill is in danger. I need to help him.”

“How?”

“I have to make good relationship with the supervisor, principal, teachers and anybody that concerned. In case I have to beg a place for him.”

“Begging? Oh no. It’s a shame!”

“Life is tough if you’re not good enough.”

Bill rolled his eyes.

“But there’re hundreds of parent helpers!” Beth said.

“That’s why I have to go DAILY. And I’ve gotten the chairman post of Art Club.”

“Is it very helpful?” Beth asked.

“Not too useful to be a minor club’s chairman. They said only the major post help. The chairmen of big clubs like football, swimming and music are useful.” Mum sighed. “Anyway it’s better than none.” Mum said sadly. “Regret that I lose the chairman of the Graduation Dinner.”

Bill heard there’s a big battle during the voting. And at the end Mum’s big competitor grabbed the post. She was Ben’s mother. Ben’s also a Band 3 student.

“But remember Mr. Chan, our neighbour?” Dad responded finally, “He’s the last Football Club’s chairman. I know that his son didn’t succeed last year.”

“His son’s a Band 3 student.”

“So does Bill.” Beth reminded her.

“Mrs. Dragon said he can be Band 2 minus if he tried a little bit harder.” Mum smiled, “You know there’s no difference between Band 2, Band 2 plus or Band 2 minus. They all have a chance to join the lucky allocation and most of them can go to La Belle Boys’ School.”

Bill just hoped that she wouldn’t be so confident.

~To be continued~

School Day (1)

This is the first day to school after Christmas Holiday.

The morning of the school day was usually messy.

Dad asked, “Where’s my socks?”

Beth yelled, “Who’d touched my watercolour? The yellow one is missing!”

“Bill! Why your handbook is still on the desk?” Mum shouted, “I told you never touched the school bag after I’d checked it. I should have sealed it every night!”

Bill yawned, “I don’t know.” Feina helped him to dress up as he wandered about.

Even Ginger screamed, “MMEEOWW!!!” as Bill stepped on his tail carelessly.

After the battle they got out of the house one by one.

“Bye, Feina ……” they said.

“Byebye …….” Feina stood at the door and waved with a beautiful smile. She had very good mood at this time every day.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Dad drove the car. Beth sat beside him. When they arrived at Bill’s school, Bill got out, Mum followed.

“Bye, Dad.” Bill said.

“Bye, Beth.” Mum said.

Bill wanted to keep away from Mum. He walked fast. But Mum caught up.

“See your collar! And the belt! Tut tut!” Mum tidied his clothes. “Bill, you’re already Grade 6. Don’t behave like a Grade 3.”

Bill wriggled to escape from Mom.

“Okay, bye honey.” Mum grasped him and KISSED him on the forehead.

Ugh! Please don’t! Bill thought.

Mum went upstairs alone. Bill looked around and hoped nobody had caught the sight.

Unluckily the auntie of the tuck shop was gazing at him. She worked there since last month.

Bill pretended nothing happened. He walked over and said, “Tuna sandwich and Vitasoy please.”

“Is that your mum?” Asked the tuck shop’s auntie.

Bill nodded.

“Is she a teacher?”

“Uh—uh.”

“Is she a staff?”

“Nope.”

“Is she the social worker or school worker?”

“Of course not.”

“I know she’s not the principal, whom I met before.”

She looked so curious. “Then who is she?”

“She’s just my mum.”

“I mean, what does she do?”

“She’s a housewife.”

“But why she comes to school EVERY day? And leaves so late?”

“She comes to help.”

“For free?”

“Of course, she’s a helper. She helps whenever the school needs her. In the swimming pool, library, classroom. For distributing lunch, decorating school hall, etc……..”

“I know. The parent helpers. There’re a lot here in this school. But everyday? EVERY whole day?”

“I bet there’re over 30 mums like her. You’re just too new here.” Bill sounded far too precocious.

“Wow….. I see.” She muttered, “Please don’t let them help over here. I need this job.”

~To be continued~

New Year’s Day (2)

Mum easily went crazy when speaking of Bill’s going to secondary school.

“Bill, you know how awful if you can’t get into La Belle Boys’ School?” Mum said anxiously.

Yeah, I know, Bill thought. I’ll be in a Band 3 school. I’ll have drug problem and will be kicked into the gang. I’ll become a beggar and end up dying under the flyover, blah, blah, blah. Ugh!

But Bill only muttered “Yeah.” He didn’t want to draw attention anymore.

“Bill,” Mum gasped and tried to speak calmly. “You can’t give up at this moment. You are so lucky to study in La Belle Primary School. You have to try your best to get into La Belle Boys’ School too.”

“But he’s only scaled as Band 3 in last two standardized internal assessments.” Beth said.

Dad tried to stop Beth with eye signals but she ignored.

“He was 3 plus. He’s the first part of Band 3. Not 3 or 3 minus.” Mum said.

“There’s no difference.” Beth said.

“There is! If he tries very hard in the coming assessment, he can promote to Band 2 minus and he still has the chance for lucky allocation.”

Bill never understood the system. It’s too complicated for him. The football betting odds was much more made sense.

“Why he must have to go to La Belle Boys’ School? It's a Band 1 elite school. He’s not up to standard at all.” Beth disapproved.

“Because he’s already in La Belle Primary School! Out of 230 P.6 students, only about 60 would be excluded. It’s much more shameful than never got into this primary school.”

“So why did you apply this primary school for him as he is so stupid?”

“How do I know when he’s small?”

“Hey, I’m not stupid at all!” Bill tried to lower his voice.

Mum seemed more nervous, “We’d better go. We have to hurry back home. Bill, you have to do some math exercises and practice your piano pieces.”

“What? Today?” Bill moaned, “I want to watch the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup* in the afternoon! After all this is the first day of New Year!”

“It’s New Year’s Day all right? Why can’t you say accurately? You’d better win a prize in the Inter-School Music Festival. It’d help if we have to beg for a place.”

“What about me? Can I go out with my friends?” Beth asked.

“Don’t bother me right now can you? Go back together and help with your brother!”

Beth glared at Bill. “It’s all your fault!”

~To be continued~

2012 The 34^th Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup*

Hong Kong won.

New Year’s Day (1)

Everybody woke up late except Feina. No one knew how early had she been out. This was her holiday.

The whole family went to a Chinese restaurant at lunch time. They waited for long, long time to get a table.

Mum gazed at the menu and nagged, “The price’s going up again. Terrible inflation.”

“I’d prefer hamburger than these stupid Dim Sums.” Bill groaned, eating reluctantly.

“Tut-tut!” Mum complained, “Close your mouth when you’re chewing.”

“This is the first day of the year. Why can’t I eat something I like?” Bill continued.

“You should say ‘New Year’s Day’.” Mom corrected his wordings..

“Yeah--, it’s New Year’s Day.” Beth was yawning. “What’s your wish, Dude?”

“As usual.”

“What is it?” Dad was curious.

“I won’t tell.”

“But I can tell.” Beth mimicked his voice. “Oh God, please make me the best football player in the universe!”

“Really? How do you know?” Mum asked.

“He made this same wish since he’s 6-year-old.”

“I’ll never tell you anything again.” Bill scowled at Beth.

“This is not a good wish.” Mum frowned.

“Don’t worry, Mom. It’ll never be came true.” Beth was confident.

“I’ll prove that you’re wrong.” Bill said.

“You won’t coz you’re the shortest one in your grade.”

“Messi is short. Maradonna too. They are great.” Bill tried to say calmly.

“Yeah, only two out of so many short footballers. And both of them are strong.”

“I will be strong too. I will grow.”

“Everybody grows, and you’ll still be the shortest and slimmest one in your peer group.”

“I will be tall and strong! And l’ve got talent!” Bill said loudly.

“Talent? How come you’re still not in the school team yet? For all six years did the coaches notice you at all?”

“I will be in school team in the end!” Bill said, “If not in primary school then in secondary school.”

“With your result? You can’t get into La Belle Boys’ School at all.”

“It doesn’t matter! I can get into whichever secondary school with football team!”

“Don’t ever think like this!” screamed Mum.

There was a moment’s silence in the restaurant. All customers stared at them.

“Ha!” Dad said to the shocked people, holding up his roast pork bun. “Food here is great!”

~To be continued~

Virtual Countdown Party

＂10! 9! 8! …… 3! 2! 1! Happy New Year! ......Happy 2012! ......＂

Bill was awakened and rubbed his eyes. Beth was not considerate at all. How could anybody sleep with such noise?

But Feina seemed asleep. She shared the same bunk bed with Bill. She’s on the upper bed.

There seemed a crowd of people yelling in the living room. They screamed like catching sight of a goal in the World Cup.

What’s so excited about New Year? Especially for 2012?

Wasn’t this year the end of the world?

And the end of his primary school life?

Bill crept out of bed, opened the door a little bit and peeped through the crack.

Beth was all alone by herself in the living room. She was holding a glass of orange juice, laughing and chatting to the monitor. She dressed up and even wore make-up, with a silly small party hat on her hair.

“Wicked witch.” Bill mumbled.

Bill could see the fireworks show was on TV. Sparks flew from IFC* just liked the past few years. 

He could also see the screen of the PC monitor. There’re numerous small Windows with Beth’s classmates inside. Most of them had invited their families to the party.

Beth must be ashamed of her own family. And she was so mean, harsh and even cruel to Bill.

However she still could get what she want because she was smart and good at school.

“Bill, what are you doing there?” Feina asked suddenly. “Go to bed or you’ll get cold. It’s chilly out there.”

Bill jumped back to bed.

“Feina, don’t you need to call your son?”

“Why?”

“It’s New Year. You like to call him at any moment.”

“He must have been slept already. I’ll call him tomorrow morning. You’d better sleep now.”

“It’s too noisy out there. I can’t sleep.”

“Hmmm, may be you can make a New Year’s wish then.”

So Bill made his wish.

“God, please make me the best football player in the universe!”

~To be continued~

IFC*: International Finance Centre

New Year's Eve (2)

Then she called to the kitchen, “Feina, remember to lock Ginger in the kitchen before you sleep.”

Ginger was their cat. Its skin colour was just like a gingerbread. He’s fat.

No one objected to Beth’s request. Feina didn’t care, she slept early everyday. Dad liked to nap on the couch in front of the TV set after dinner. He wouldn’t mind to move his big belly onto the bed earlier. Mum will support whatever Beth asked.

But Bill had his idea.

“I want to join too.” He said.

“What?” Beth opened her eyes wide. “I, Beth Cheng, have to invite you, Bill Cheng, to my party?”

She yelled, “The shame of it! No way!”

“Yes way!” Bill yelled back.

“Beth,” Dad said, “It won’t hurt. After all he’s your brother.”

 “In this way all my classmates will know this short idiot is my brother. Teresa will never stop teasing me. I will be ruined! My name will be a joke.”

“I’m not idiot! And you should not discriminate short people! You’re the youth member of Equal Opportunities Commission in your school.” Bill warned her.

“You discriminate Ginger too. You rejected to walk him out because he’s not a dog!” Beth never conceded.

“He’s only a pet. I am a human.” Bill protested.

“Tell you what, I’d rather take Ginger to the party than you. He’s beautiful. And he won’t behave silly to embarrass me.”

“I don’t care. I live here. I have the right too!” Bill insisted.

“You’re still a primary pupil, only 11. You have to go to bed early.”

Beth was cunning. Mum agreed immediately.

“Yes, it’s too late for you indeed. You are too small, and you are too skinny, plus you are too short.” Mum concluded, “You need to sleep early.”

“It’s not fair!” Bill stuck out his lower lip.

“Let’s take turn.” Beth was smart. “Next time I’ll imprison myself in bedroom when you have your OWN virtual party.” She winked at Bill and stood up heading to her room, “See you next year.”

~To be continued~

New Year's Eve (1)

New Year’s Eve.

Bill Cheng was having dinner with his family - Dad, Mum and his elder sister, Beth. Their Filipino domestic helper, Feina, was having hers in the kitchen. She insisted to stay away for a “peaceful meal and better digestion” in the past 14 years.

"Everybody listens!" Beth announced, "Tonight I will have a virtual countdown party in the living room. Please stay in your bedrooms after 10 o’clock."

"What is it?" asked Bill.

"Can’t you hear?" Beth was impatient. “A VIR-TUAL COUNT-DOWN PAR-TY! Which word you don’t understand?”

“I know every word!” Bill was hurt. “Just don’t know how.”

 “You don’t need a PhD degree to figure out this, idiot. Don’t tell the others that you’re studying in La Belle Primary School.”

“Beth, please be considerate as Bill is not as smart as you.” Mum said.

“Ha! I want to know too.” said fat Dad brightly.

“Oh my—” Beth groaned. “It’s self-explanatory already.”

Everybody looked at Beth and waited.

“All right—” Beth rolled her eyes. “After supper, I’ll take a nap. Around 10 o’clock I’ll dress up and prepare some party foods in the living room—since somebody insisted to place the computer there.” She stared at Mum with complaint. Mum just pretended not aware.

“I’ll turn on the computer and log into the video chat room. Then we can chat and laugh and even dance. At midnight we’ll countdown together.”

Beth looked at everybody, “Is that clear?

“With whom?” Bill asked.

“Don’t you know that I only make friends with my own schoolmates?”

“The whole Form 2?” Mum asked.

“No, only my class 2A.”

“Why don’t you gals just hold an actual party?” Bill asked again.

“We girls in De Beers Girls' School are decent and elegant. We don’t go out late.”

“It’s not safe at night, especially for a 14-year-old girl.” Mum agreed very much.

“Mum, I know the Form 4 girls are having a big countdown party at Marriot Hotel now. Can I join too when I am in Form 4?”

“So you’re not decent and elegant any more at 16?” Bill blinked.

“Shut up, idiot!” Beth groaned.

 

~To be continued~