Chapter 13: Emerald Dragon
The filming crew broke for the day after successfully shooting the wharf scene. Ken and a rather disheveled Dan walked off the lot heading towards the street to hail down a cab.
"I really hate to admit it Dan, but you were pretty good back there." Ken said. "I've never seen anyone fly through the air on fire and slam into a building face first and then walk away."
"They used me as a crash test dummy to make that Fei Long guy look good!" Dan said rubbing his sore forehead. "They have no idea how much more talent I have than he does."
"Ah come on Dan! This could be just what you need to break into the big time!" Ken replied trying to surpress a laugh.
"Yeah, break MY neck!" Dan quipped. "I didn't see him being set on fire."
They finally reached the end of the Warf and hailed down a cab. As they speed off to the hotel, Ken asked Dan where he would like to eat tonight.
"I don't feel like going out tonight, I'd rather have room service." Dan replied.
"But Dan! We got to go out and celebrate you making your big IMPACT on the movie scene." Ken said with a sly smile. "You can even choose the place."
"Okay, how about..." Dan was saying as he spotted a place that had limousines and really expensive cars pulling up letting out well-dressed couples. "How about that place?" He asked pointing out the window.
Ken looked out and saw the place that he was pointing to. "Dan, that place has a dress code. You would have to wear a suit there."
"That's okay! I still got the one that Dad left me". He said rather proud of himself. "Let's see that country bumpkin get into a place like that" Dan muttered to himself.
"What'd you say Dan?" Ken asked looking over at him.
"Oh, umm...nothing. I just said I can't wait to eat at a place like that." Dan hastily replied.
The taxi pulled up to the front door of the hotel. A bellhop immediately jumped for the car door to open it for Ken. "Arrigato!" Ken said handing the young man a twenty-dollar bill as he headed for the door.
Once in they were on the top floor, Ken went over to knock on the door of Ryu's room. After several seconds passed, Ken looked at his watch.
"Hmmm, it's about 4:30 now, I would have thought they would be back by now." Ken was musing to himself out loud.
"Well, looks like he has better things to do than hang around us!" Dan said heading for his door. "Guess it's just you and me tonight! The chicks will be hanging all over us now, since the 'alter-boy' is not here.
'I STILL don't see what that chick sees in him' Dan muttered to himself.
"Go ahead and get cleaned up. If they are not back by the time we are ready, will head on out." Ken replied.
Walking back into the city, Ryu and Chun li strolled casually down the streets. Ryu carried the now empty basket with his left hand, while Chun li held his right arm with hers. She was resting her head on his shoulder. Chun li had a content, peaceful look on her face.
Back at the hotel, Ken was marveling at himself in the mirror. He had on his black tux with a white scarf. He then came out of his bedroom into the living room and was shocked beyond belief at the site before him. Dan was sitting on his couch watching tv in a lime green leisure suit that had gone out of style the day it was made.
"YOU ARE NOT GOING OUT IN PUBLIC WITH ME DRESSED LIKE THAT!" Ken yelled pointing at Dan.
"What? This was the suit that my father gave me. What's wrong with it?" He replied with a rather hurt voice.
Just then, there was a knock at Ken's door. It swung open slowly and in walked Chun li still holding Ryu's arm.
"Hello Ken, Dan." She said with a friendly smile. "Wow! Ken! You look sharp! What's the occasion?"
"Well, after Dan's successful film shoot today, I told him I would treat him to dinner tonight at any place he wants to go. He chose the Emerald Dragon." Ken replied.
"I heard that is a really great place, though I've never been there before."
"Well, it's my treat, and you are all invited to go." Ken said.
"Great! I would just love to go there.
"Well, I was just getting ready to take Dan here to the tailor to get him a suit, We'll have to get you one also Ryu. Ken smiled knowing his friend never really owned anything but the gi's he wore.
"Okay, that'll give me time to freshen up!" I'll see you boys later then." She smiled. She started to walk away still holding Ryu's hand and gave him a smile as she let go and walked out the door. Ken watched his old friend, and a sly smile crept across his mouth.
As the door finally closed, Ryu felt a hand on his shoulder that startled him back to the present. "Sooo, How was your day my friend?" Ken asked. "Anything interesting happen?"
"She learned some of the basics of Chi amazingly fast today Ken." Ryu responded not picking up on the obvious hint.
"That's good, ANYTHING ELSE happen?" Ken said giving him a knowing wink.
Ryu raised an eyebrow, puzzled at Ken's word. Dan just let out a sigh. "He has no clue." He muttered to himself.
"Come on guys! Let's go get you guys some suits. We can't keep the lady waiting all night."
After an hour of fitting and altering cloth, the trio walked out of a shop in full dress. Ryu tugged at the collar of his tux. "Give it time Ryu, you'll get use to it. You look good in a tux." Ken said admiring the handiwork the tailors had done. Ryu was garbed in a black tux similar to Ken's. He still wore his red headband, refusing to take it off at the request of the tailors.
Dan was sporting shades and looked quite nice in his white tux. He was still a little miffed about them not having one in pink, but he got over his disappointment when Ken gave him the pair of shades he was now wearing. "Let's go eat!" Dan said striking a pose.
"You can clean him up, but you can't take him anywhere." Ken said laughing at Dan.
While the two were getting fitted, Ken phoned in for a limousine rental for the night. They got into the waiting car and sped off back to the hotel to pick up Chun li. On the way, Ken had the driver stop off at a flower shop to get fresh carnations for the pocket of the tuxes.
As Ken climbed back into the limousine, he tossed Ryu a clear plastic box with a beautiful exotic flower inside of it. Ryu gave him a questioning look.
"When you are escorting a beautiful young lady Ryu, it is proper to give them a flower." Ken explained.
The limousine pulled up to the doors of the hotel. "Go on up and bring her down Ryu...since you will be escorting her tonight. We'll wait here." Ken said.
Ryu walked through the lobby, taking in the looks of guest and employees alike as they watched him make his way to the private elevator. As he rode up, he was starting to sweat a little under his collar. The doors opened quietly and he made his way down to Chun li's room. He lightly rapped on the door. He heard Chun li call out that she would be out in a second.
He waited for a few seconds, fidgeting with the colar of his shirt. The door opened and what he saw was a vision of beauty. Chun li's hair was braided into two buns with long white tassels that fell down to the middle of her back. She wore an elegant red Chinese dress that perfectly fit her, showing off every curve of her body. She smiled up at Ryu.
'My, he looks so handsome!' she thought to herself as she looked up at him. She let out a squeal of delight, as her eyes came to rest on the box he held before him.
"Is that for me?" She asked.
"Hmm? Oh yes. I was told it was proper to do this since I am escorting you tonight." He said trying not to stare.
"That is soo SWEET!" she said in a lovesick voice. "Would you mind pinning it on me?"
Ryu fumbled open the box and removed the flower. He moved in close to her, his hands started shaking, as he looked rather confused as to how he was going pin the flower onto her dress. His fist could smash rock with a single strike, but he could not for pin the delicate plant on to her chest if his life depended on it. Finally, he took her hand in his and placed the flower in her palm, blushing rather heavily.
Chun li gave a lighthearted chuckle as she pinned it on. She gave Ryu a kiss on the side of his cheek.
"Come on." She said taking Ryu's arm into hers. "Let's not keep the others waiting."
They both walked down the hall and disappeared into the elevator.