Miscommunication

Photo by: Singledust

Guang-Li had long owned the “Mandarin” restaurant. For decades, Peking Duck hung from the ceiling beside the massive Foo Dogs (Guardian Lions) just inside the entrance. But times were changing. Health inspectors regularly fined Guang-Li for the Peking Duck. They claimed it was unsafe food. Guang-Li thought they were mad.

Guang-Li’s son Michael (Huang-Fu) was influenced by American ideals, much to Guang-Li’s chagrin. Michael stood inside the entrance saying, “Father! You have to remove them.”

Guang-Li was sick of complaints about the Peking Duck. “Never! It’s our culture.”

“Someone might die!” Michael knew their history. They’d killed before.

“Ridiculous!” moaned Guang-Li. His own son knew nothing.

Mr. Blount the health inspector arrived just then, filled with self-importance. “Mr. Chong! These Peeking Ducks are still here.”

“It’s traditional food!”

Blount poked his pen into Guang-Li’s chest. “Remove them, now!”

The ancient Guardians perceived a threat, and the stone Foo Dogs moved suddenly. In seconds, Blount disappeared down their stony maws.

Michael sighed. “That’s what I’ve been talking about, Father! You gotta remove these Foo Dogs!”
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Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/fffaw-challenge-week-of-january-24-2017/

Author’s Notes:

In Los Angeles in the 1980s, health inspectors tried to stop Chinese restaurants from hanging Peking Duck in room temperature. They claimed it was a health risk. Eventually, legislation introduced an “exemption.”
http://www.sgvtribune.com/health/20150822/peking-duck-is-so-important-to-chinese-culture-it-got-a-health-code-exception-heres-why

Peking Duck: A wonderful preparation of duck: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_duck

Foo Dogs (Chinese Guardian Lions): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_guardian_lions