Li and Zhou: China Remembers
[Li and Zhou have just gotten off work. They wait for the bus.]
Li
What did you think of all the black and white newspapers yesterday?
Zhou
They were nice. It was appropriate.
Li
Did you watch the fundraiser?
Zhou
Yeah.
Li
What is it?
Zhou
What?
Li
You look strange.
Zhou
No, it’s just you know that they canceled all public entertainment last night, right?
Li
Yeah. So?
Zhou
Well, my son was supposed to play in his rock band last night. And he didn’t get to play.
Li
Well, that’s good, right? You hate the fact he plays music in a band.
Zhou
I do. It’s a waste of time. I mean, if he wants to play at home, that’s okay.
Li
Okay, so what’s the problem?
Zhou
Well, he was playing at home last night.
Li
I don’t understand.
Zhou
I hate it when he plays at home.
Li
But you just said it was okay.
Zhou
It is okay. Just as long as I’m not there.
Li
Oh. Okay.
Zhou
Anyway, I watched the fundraiser, but he kept making a racket.
Li
So, did you tell him to stop?
Zhou
No, I know he likes to do it, and as long as it’s not too loud I don’t bother him. But it got me thinking…
Li
Really?
Zhou
Yeah. I wished he could have gone out to the bar and played his music so I could be left alone with my wife. And I’m sad for the people of Qinghai, but sometimes I think that maybe it’d be better if we could all mourn in our own way. I mean, you know… like they could open up the bars, but still have the fundraiser, etc. But the people who don’t want to do it, don’t have to. It doesn’t mean that they aren’t mourning in some way, does it?
Li
Are we really having this conversation, Zhou?
Zhou
No. No, we’re not.