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“They do it to all of us who irl had no say in who she wanted to marry They hate that a white woman would marry a Chinese, so they say we did it because we’re addicted to opiu a Chinaht He don’t drink He don’t beat me Of course, I’d floor him if he tried He’s a little fellow”

“Doesn’t drink?” asked Scully “Does he smoke opium?”

“He comes home for supper,” she smiled “I’uiltily, and whispered, “What if a felloanted to try to smoke some just to see what it was like?”

“I’d say he’s playing with fire”

“Well, let’s say he wanted to take the chance I’m not from around here Is there a safe place for a fellow to try it?”

The woman put her hands on her hips and stared hiive that cop much too much Do you have a lot of money?”

“Yes, ma’am I’ve done very well by myself, but it’s ti new”

“It’s your funeral”

“Yes, o to a place where they won’t knock me on the head”

“You’re standing right in front of it” She indicated with a toss of her head the opera house Scully looked up at the tall s on the second story

“In there? I was just in there hearing the opera”

“There’s a place for high rollers upstairs You can try your opius”

“Right here?” Scully scratched his head and pretended to gawk His detective work had brought hi all week Just went to show that good deeds were rewarded

“You go up to the balcony like you was intending to hear the opera Climb all the way to the back and you’ll see a little door You knock on that, and they’ll let you in”

“Just like that?”