Su-Ning
“Su-Ning… what are… why?”
“I wanted to see your natural reaction, with no interference from me. I told Ho to get your Goddamn clothes back to you and to leave you alone. I told them all to go easy on you and respect your decision.”
Hearing Su-Ning say that after all that she had gone through since the firepit was overwhelming. Emi’s guard came crashing down. She wiped her wet eyes. “Su-Ninggg…” she cried.
Su-Ning couldn’t help but smile, wiping her own eyes as well.
“Enough about the deal. How is the training coming along? How are you?” Su-Ning asked.
“I ahh… trained them in this building here today… like this.” She stepped back, gesturing to her naked body. “Also slept here overnight.”
“I am so sorry Emi! It must have been a long and horrible night for you.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” Emi admitted, not wanting to mention that Ben had been with her. He had still not messaged. Maybe he didn’t want to interrupt her meeting? Did he even know she was in a meeting? Was he still with Liz?
“I’m sorry about Ho, Emi,” Su-Ning said, looking distraught on the screen. “I have always had trouble controlling that woman. It’s hard as she was my nana. She practically raised me. The truth is the resort was half her idea as well, I mean, all the smart stuff she took care of. I was never good with managing little details.”
“Why does she hate me?”
“I don’t think she hates you. She might be jealous that you and I became such good friends so quickly. I didn’t let her get close with me for many years after a great fallout that we had when I was a teenager. She had to work her ass off for a long time to regain my trust.”
Emi watched Su-Ning, amazed that she was finally talking about such things.
Su-Ning continued. “Ho is thorny with everyone. That’s just her character. She’s a HAPA you know. Half Japanese and half Chinese. Honestly, I think she has a negative bias towards both races as she never felt she truly fit in. Except for me, she has no Chinese or Japanese friends.”
Emi nodded, surprised the demon had friends at all.
“Just try to survive a little longer with her, okay? Don’t let things escalate and you should be fine until I get back.”
Emi nodded.
“So, you don’t want to test the app?”
Emi shook her head, emphatically.
“That’s too bad. I was hoping it wouldn’t be that big a deal since you were a mailgirl at the company party and also outside at a firepit party… in the news as well.”
“That wasn’t really me. I shouldn’t have let others mess with me like that.”
“It happens. Sometimes strong people can get off on playing submissively.”
“I’m not submissive,” Emi said, surprised at Su-Ning’s comment.
“I didn’t say that… well, this is a big deal to me personally. It will save my ass, my resort, my family… but keep in mind I’m NOT asking you to be a mailgirl…”
Emi felt relieved. Even though she had no intention, regardless. Still, the way Su-Ning said it had gotten to her.
“But please, at least agree to the other terms. Create the app. Help Ruth get that cruise ship wharf built. It would mean a great deal for the island.”
Emi nodded. “But they said it was all about me, myself, doing the testing… they want to hype the mailgirl 9 as a real… thing.”
“Fuck them. You don’t have to do that Emi. They want this more than you dislike the idea of running around the office dressed as… well, as you are now,” she laughed.
“It’s a Halloween costume,” Emi explained, feeling awkward about it. She was glad that Su-Ning seemed to be on her side.
“Trust me Emi. If you have to, walk out on the deal… they will fold and agree to your terms. You can nail this. I can count on you… right?”
Emi nodded, but what if they let her walk?
Su-ning pulled out a bottle of whisky, placing it on the table. “Jake agreed way too easily. That could mean that he already had some interest in bringing his cruise ships to our island, regardless of all this hoo-ha that Brandy was going on about. He can make money on this island with textiles as well.”
Emi was so glad to get this information. “If I walk and they don’t cave? Then what?”
“Then fuck them,” Su-Ning said, looking dead serious. Or was she looking scared? Emi wasn’t sure, still feeling uneasy about everything.
“I really can’t be a mailgirl. Seriously.”
“I know Emi. If they insist upon it, then let the deal die. They don’t deserve us. Business will probably pick up. We will survive. We might not get in the black until my grandkids get involved, but hey… that’s what long-term investments are all about, right?”
“Ah… yeah, I guess,” Emi wasn’t entirely sure if Su-Ning was being straight with her. Without enough business, Su-Ning might not be able to pay her employees while waiting for things to pick up.
Someone was talking to Su-Ning in Chinese. She turned away from the camera, beckoning them over.
A friendly-looking old woman smiled on the screen at Emi, and an old man with a cane was struggling to walk towards Su-Ning in the background.
Emi angled the laptop lid up so that her breasts didn’t show.
“That’s my Mom,” Su-Ning said proudly. “We are on a waitlist for a specialist that is supposed to see my father. He’s allegedly one of the three best in the world for my father’s condition. The only one that doesn’t cost ten million dollars,” she said before downing a shot of whiskey. “I probably should have fixed Dad properly, rather than putting it all into the resort,” she said, looking miserable.
The old man faltered and stumbled, almost falling. “Oh no! Behind you,” Emi yelled.
Su-Ning got up and ran to him. Her mother followed. They tended to him for a moment, and he seemed okay. Su-Ning came back while her mother helped him limp off-screen.
Emi watched, admiring how close her family was.
Su-Ning seemed stressed, combing her hair back with her fingers. “Look Emi, I gotta go,” she said, glancing back toward her parents.
“Ahh… okay, goodbye Su-Ning,” Emi said, unhappy about having to cut the conversation short.
“Don’t worry about the deal. I trust in your judgment. I’ll back whatever you decide,” Su-Ning said.
Emi nodded. “Take care of your family!”
“Will do!” Su-Ning said. She paused for a moment, looking like she was about to say something, but then the screen went blank.
Emi sat there, staring at the laptop. Slowly she made her way back to her seat and sat down, thinking about everything Su-Ning said. She felt a little better. She was armed with some knowledge. She was ready to set her terms.
Short but intense chapter.
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So it was her clothes after all, and Ho set the condition that she accept it or it goes into donations… wow.
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Su-Ning’s confidence seems a bit played for Emi’s benefit. At least it seems like that to Emi, and though I don’t think Su-Ning had the intention to play on it, Emi is the sort of person to think that through and make personal sacrifices for others. So, I wonder whether Emi will now change her mind, or accept a compromise of sorts.
I’m glad that it felt intense, thanks Cave. This mini-chapter was one of my favorites to write. I felt it was a stronger when read right after the chapter before it, but oh well. Enjoying your observations!
After reading this statement from Su-Ning, I am not so sure if she is really on Emi’s side. Of course not, it is about saving her ass and her family. She is putting enormous pressure on Emi in a more or less subtle way. As Emi is a good person, who cares about others she will probably agree to the deal. And that she drank probably a bit too much doesn’t help as well.
haha… yes, it’s hard to tell what’s really going on. It’s a tough situation on both sides, complicated by alcohol. Both are interested in self preservation, obviously. Who isn’t? But was Su-Ning manipulating Emi, just emphasizing the gravity of the situation, just being straightforward, or is something else going on? I loved reading yours and Cave’s thoughts on this. You guys have me feeling that the chapter hit the right note.
For Su-Ning everything depends on signing the contract. She makes it quite clear, although she always states that she doesn’t want to put pressure on Emi. However, in a subtle way she exerts moral pressure on Emi. And in a way it was Emi’s “fault” that the resort didn’t start too well. It was Emi who allowed to have numbers drawn on her naked body and was pulling a rickshaw in the nude on the beach. Of course, that the photographs got out is not her fault, but still. Without her the whole thing wouldn’t have happened. Emi is a good and responsible person, so she feels a strong urge to make things right again.
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Was Su-Ning manipulating Emi or was she just being honest?
Maybe future chapters will tell.
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Also, Ho has some means as well to force her to accept the contract. I think it is the ultimate one. Emi was thinking about just to refuse and then probably serve the additional year of community service. I don’t think it is that easy. If Ho relays to community services that Emi is uncooperative, this might be considered as something like “contempt of court”. Then Emi would go to jail, which was described as terrible and potentially life threatening. So, if all comes to the worst, Emi doesn’t have a chance to refuse. And as long as she is doing community service, this threat still exists.
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A very short but very convincingly written conversation between Emi and Su-Ning.
Yes, it’s certainly a complicated situation, no matter how you slice it. Full of moral dilemmas on both sides. Su-Ning is smart enough to know she can’t force Emi, and we know from the past that she cares a lot for Emi. But when you balance all that with Su-Ning’s entire future and way of life… plus her current situation, it’s hard to say what really happened. We have to ask ourselves. Would we have done better than Su-Ning if we were in her shoes? I don’t think it’s simple, or black and white.
I think you are right. I have often noticed that when reading stories or watching movies, I often have too idealistic expectations of the characters. Unrealistic expectations.
ReaderMan,
I have to say, I like the chemistry between Emi and Su-Ning (that was a nice, mature conversation). On the one hand, I might say that Emi should be looking out for her own interests rather that Su-Ning’s, but on the other hand, Su-Ning is a nice person. In other words, she does seem deserving, so I give Emi a pass on the issue.
Su-Ning does say, “Fuck them. You don’t have to do that Emi.” But then she says, “Business will probably pick up. We will survive. We might not get in the black until my grandkids get involved, but hey… that’s what long-term investments are all about, right?”
So she is saying one thing, but seemingly pressuring Emi by appealing to her compassionate nature. So it’s complex (well-written, to be sure), because Su-Ning is saying one thing while trying to get Emi to do the opposite.
So I guess I’m okay with Emi giving in (and, as a reader, I of course want her to).
But if Emi ever shows Ho similar deference, then you better believe I’m going to call you on it, ReaderMan. You have been warned!
And where in the heck do you come up with these names, Su-Ning, for example. Is that your mother’s name? Is this island where you born and raised? I’ve always thought it was a fictitious island. But … are a fictitious person?
Blair
Well said Blair. Yes, I guess Su-Ning was manipulative as arthwys has been saying all along. I was too close to the subject material to really notice, because I was in her head… I was Su-Ning… and I was desperately trying to keep my shit together and not lose my everything I cared about, including Emi. I tried so hard to be bravado, and let her know I was supporting her, and that I would respect her decision, but I wanted her to know that a lot was on the line. I wanted her to make the ‘right’ decision, whatever that was, I left it to her. Because I trust her. She’s smart. She always does the right thing. I told her I would back whatever she decided, and I meant it. But God, I hoped that she would sign the deal. I was thinking… please please please sign the deal Emi… but I just couldn’t bring myself to beg her. I knew in my heart it was asking too much. I respect her. I respect myself. Fuck it… Nobody’s perfect and where’s my whisky!? Dad! Don’t touch the whisky!
The sound is… Soo-Ning, It’s a (Male or female) Chinese name… kind of like Blair.
Still catching up. This is an eventful and well-done chapter and overall I think you do a really good job in executing the situation you are setting up. My comments/suggestions in these next three sections are relatively small details (plus the occasional anti-mailgirl rant).
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Referring to Ho, Su-Ning tells Emi, “she’s a HAPA you know. Half Japanese and half Chinese.” I did not know this term before I started reading your story. You explained what it means earlier and it’s good to have a reminder — but I wouldn’t do it this way. Two Asian women are talking together so I assume they both know the term and it would be unnecessary to have one of the speakers define it in that conversation.
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As others have observed, Su-Ning certainly seems to be “playing” Emi — saying one thing while lardering up her comments with all of the woe that will befall her if Emi does not help her. One almost suspects she hired actors to be her parents and “Dad” executed the well-timed stumble like a pro. But assuming these actually are her parents, this could help you in that earlier chapter when Su-Ning announces she is inexplicably going on “vacation” in the middle of the launch of her big business venture. You could explain her sudden departure by saying that her father had a medical emergency.
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That said, if Su-Ning DOES really want Emi to do this, I would have thought she would have discussed options when Emi initially says no. And Emi does not inquire about possible options. What EXACTLY would she have to do in order to “test the app,” she might reasonably ask. If all she needs to do is receive a message and run to deliver it in time and then hit the command on her device indicating she has completed the task, then there would be no need to do so naked. Or, she could execute such tests within the confines of the resort where her nudity is already established. She would not even need to have numbers painted on her skin to “test” whether the app works. We are eventually told that it means more than this, but I was a little surprised the question wasn’t asked.
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Also, what would Emi’s compensation be? What are they offering her besides a guilt trip? If her participation is such a make-or-break requirement, someone should be offering her a big payday.