Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 460

The other beggar, called Tian responded, “You must be really old to have seen the sea.” “I’m only 35,” Dan replied. “Well that’s certainly a mystery,” both beggars stated. Tian said, “Anyway continue with your story. You have a very funny accent I’ve never heard before.” Dan said, “What? This is a very typical Shanghai accent. Anyways, I loved the sea. I would go out to watch his parents fish everyday. I also loved the streets. Everyone on the streets were talented one way or another. They were all really kind and would donate to the poor.” “Never heard of this kingdom,” Tam shook his head. “I was 20 when I married Qi. She gave birth to a boy. I was a fisherman. One day, I was on a ship. I fell asleep, and then woke up in fog and reached the shore, where I found…… Well here.” “Extraordinary,” Tian said, “You should have stayed in your world. It’s a lot better there.” “Tell me more,” said Dan. “Well, there was this professor, called Thomas Wong. He claimed that we could use nuclear energy to run our society, and he created a machine, which failed, causing two nuclear power plants blew up, one in North Shanghai, the other in the South. It destroyed our ozone and caused the Haze, and then made our world to enter an extreme global warming that evaporated our oceans,” explained Tian, “I’ll tell you more tomorrow. Go to sleep now.” The next day, Dan was talking about fishing. He talked about his hallucinations and the spinning boat when a man stepped out and said, “I have notified some local scientists. They all believe that you have come from the past and come here after passing light speed in your spinning boat. We want to bring you to the lab to study you.” Dan carefully looked around the waiting room. The walls were all white. There was a sign that said “waiting room”. Dan fiddled with the doorknob for a few minutes before someone opened it from inside. The man was wearing all white too, and seemed to blend into the walls. He spoke politely, “I’m assuming you’re Dan. Nice to meet you, my name is Dr. Smith.” He stuck his hand out for Dan to shake it. Dan shook his hand and noticed a woman sweeping the floor. “Who is she?” Dan asked. “Oh, that’s Mrs. Yau Wong. She’s our janitor.” “My last name is Wong too. You were the one I met two days ago when I first came.” Yau replied, “Yes that’s me,” and then continued to sweep.