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“Me?” she asks, looking wildly to the rest of us for help.
A group of monks appear behind the first, clearly drawn by the commotion. All my hopeful feelings vanish. There’s recognition in their eyes as well, and it isn’t good.
“Look, man…” I begin, eyes likewise searching for assistance.
It’s then that I see the statue.
Or rather, what’s left of it.
Off to the side, clearly in a place of honor, sits what appears to be a rendering of the Buddha. Only this one’s missing his head.
I nudge Mysti, staring pointedly in the direction of the headless Buddha when she looks.
Recognition dawning in her eyes, she reaches for her bag.
“Ohhhhh. You want Head!”
The monk looks at her like she just propositioned him.
I guess, in a way, it sure sounds like she did.
Mysti May rolls her eyes in true beauty queen fashion. “Head is what I’ve been calling him. Look, I have him! He’s right here.”
Her arms disappear up to the elbows into her oversized bag. When they come into view again, they’re clutching the Buddha head.
She holds it up for his inspection, grinning like she happened across it rather than severed it herself.
The first monk stills, glancing from the head to Mysti and back.
He turns to the others, speaking quietly to them.
After a couple of tense minutes waiting, they seem to come to a decision.
A monk from the larger group approaches, and Mysti surrenders her treasure. He doesn’t so much as look at her as he takes it, seeming to avoid even her touch.
What the hell’s that about?
Monk number one returns his attention to me.
“Okay,” he says, “What do you want?”
Finally.
“We just need some information,” I begin. “We were obviously here last night…”
He nods for me to continue, still watching Mysti strangely from the corner of his eye.
I really want to know what that’s about.
First, though: “Well, the thing is, we’re having a hard time remembering what exactly happened.”
It’s definitely a scoff that escapes him.
“Please,” Percy interjects. “It’sreallyimportant. I could, uh…make it worth your while.”
As Percy’s eyes slide up and down his tanned, orange-clad body, for a second, I think he might actually take her up on it.
He stares us down for a long minute, clearly debating with himself.
