Song of the Magnolia

By Sidney George

Ethan St. Claire is an astute and wildly successful business man from the West who has carefully honed everything in his life to show the world what he wants them to see. He has taken care to hide a past that he is not proud of, and the shell he's developed as protection only cracks when he meets Su Mi, a stunningly beautiful and talented North Korean songstress.

Both struggle with the awakening of buried passions but, once fully awakened, those passions create a bond that is strong enough to help them fight the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

The reclusive, all-controlling State of North Korea, under the command of their Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un, will do everything in their power to keep one of their star performers from leaving their domain.

Ethan, desperate to win the freedom of his beloved Su Mi will use his tremendous wealth and cunning to get her out, no matter what the cost.

"A wonderful story of how an initial infatuation between two people of vastly different cultures blossoms into an abiding love that rescues each from their own particular demons. The dangers they face to overcome deadly oppositions to their union makes for an exciting read."
– Eileen Chatman BA(ED), MEd

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Jul 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9780228830306

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Song of the Magnolia

A Novel By

Sidney George

Song of the Magnolia

Copyright © 2020 by Sidney George

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-3029-0 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-3028-3 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-3030-6 (eBook)

Chapter 1

Ethan Bedford St. Claire had spent his adult life practicing self-control but in spite of his best efforts he couldn’t help but flinch, ever so slightly, as the oak gavel hit the mahogany block with a resounding crack that had the definite sound of finality about it. At least he hoped it did.

It was unusual for him to be in attendance to these things, instead he normally left it to his lawyer to preside over the final dying throws of a litigation case. The results were nearly always the same anyway but this time it was different. It had been a long fought case with endless hours spent delving into financial statements, ledgers and seemingly bottomless files of mind-numbing paper work. Two and a half years and it was finally about to come to an end. Win or lose, he was glad that it was all about to be over and done with for good. His mind and his patience needed to move on.

The Judge lifted himself from his chair just enough to adjust his robe to give himself more comfort. He cleared his throat and learned forward towards the microphone that would announce his decision clearly and audibly around the courtroom.

There were only about a dozen people in the courtroom; he and his lawyers, a few bored looking reporters and a battery of the defendants’ lawyers whose worried look gave Ethan some degree of satisfaction.

This has been a long and tedious case, announced the Judge, but after long and laborious deliberation we have come to a judgement. In the matter of the litigation of Global International against JP Industries we find for the plaintiff in the amount of two hundred and fifty million….....

The Judge continued with his reasoning but Ethan heard none of it. He had won! All of the rest did not matter- he had WON! Of course the money did matter but it was not the money that gave him the greatest satisfaction. What did matter was the fact that he had won once again. The kid who had grown up in hardship and mind-crushing helplessness had proven once again to himself and to the rest of the world that he was a winner.

He had taken on the most brilliant and talented financial and legal minds in the world and without even the benefit of graduating high school had bested them all. The money was merely a tool he could use to make the machinery of law and economics work to his dictates. It also didn’t do anything to depress his mood every time he looked at his financial statements.

It was like an accomplished athlete’s trophy case that displayed his achievements in a very graphic way. His trophy case was quite full, but somehow, no matter how full it got, it still wasn’t enough to completely satisfy him. He was not a greedy, selfish man, but he was relentlessly driven to succeed, it consumed him in deference to everything else.

The seat of his two thousand dollar suit wasted no more time polishing the leather padding of the courthouse chairs than was absolutely necessary. While the Judge was still giving his deliberations, Ethan got up from his seat and headed for the door. There was nothing more for him to do here and he needed to be gone.

As he passed the four lawyers for the defense sitting at their desk, they all, as one, looked up at him and again, as one, gave him a begrudging nod of acceptance and respect.

Ethan loved companies like JP Industries; companies started by the grandfather, built up to be worth hundreds of millions by the parents and then brought to ruin by the actions of the selfish, spoiled, arrogant children.

Having no empathy for the sacrifices made by the previous generations they ran their companies for what they could squeeze out of them rather than what would insure their continued prosperity. What energies they did have were expended in jealous infighting rather than good management and it was not long before their companies were in financial trouble; loss of sales, devalued shares, loss productivity, and a huge debt.

Ethan had a talent, a gift for ferreting out companies like that; huge assets that were seriously undervalued because of corporate mismanagement. Quietly he would buy up, at fire sale prices all the shares he could get his hands on; then, when the time was right he would pounce without guilt or mercy.

Relentlessly driven by the haunting misery of the poverty and helplessness that he had experienced in his youth he would squeeze every penny he could out of those helpless companies. He could do that with an easy mind because he was not the architect of their misfortune. They had done it to themselves and he had no mercy for them when taking advantage of their stupidity.

Business was a dog eat dog world where only the fittest survived; anything less was destined to perish. The hardships of his youth had been a great teacher in survival and he was now an expert at it. He would be the best and he would survive, no matter what. JP Industries was just another source of fuel for his ever growing empire. He would gobble it up and spit it out without a backward glance. A far cry from his first major acquisition, a memory that still festered in the deep dark recesses of his mind.

He had just turned twenty and was in a desperate need to turn a rather large amount of ill-gotten cash into something legitimate, something that could not be traced. The old man’s scrap yard was the perfect vehicle for his plan. He remembered the look on the old man’s face when he finally realized that the company he had worked all his life to build was no longer his, the agonized, hopeless look that so easily conveyed the message that his life was over and he was left with nothing but heartache and sorrow was all too plain to see.

At the time Ethan soothed his conscience as much as he could by convincing himself that it was an astute business move and the old man would have lost the scrap yard no matter what he had done. As it was, better him than someone else, however, no matter what excuses he made for himself the pleading face of the old man haunted him for years. It had bothered him enough that there were times when he could not sleep because of the guilt that his conscience inflicted upon him as a punishment.

Ethan supposed it was because he had known Old Man Granger on a business and personal level. The old man ran a salvage yard and Ethan, being a poor young boy, would bring him all the scrap steel, brass, aluminum and copper he could salvage. With a drug-addled mother like his it was often that he went without food let alone have any spending money for himself. Even then, when she found out he had a few dollars she would take it from him when her need was great enough.

Ethan remembered how he used to load up the old canvas bag he had, sometimes well over a hundred pounds and carry it on his back up to the scrap yard. He knew it would have been a whole lot easier to use a cart or a wheelbarrow but that would have attracted the other boys who would have taken his hard earned bounty away from him. A wheeled vehicle made it too easy to steal his goods but none of them were interested in carrying the heavy burden. His dire poverty made losing his property a situation that he would not tolerate; better to bear the back-breaking burden than the soul-breaking poverty.

Ethan carried his bits of scrap to Old Man Granger’s scrap yard quite often to the point that the old man became familiar with him and always gave him the benefit of the doubt when making his assessment of the value of his scrap. He liked the hard working energetic young boy and Ethan took a liking to the kind old man who treated him fairly, one of very few who did in his life.

Ethan stopped going to the scrap yard after he turned thirteen and got a job at the local music shop. He did not see Old Man Granger again until he took his scrap yard away from him seven years later.

Old Man Grangers troubles did not start until his nephew came to work for him. The old man was getting older and desperately needed help handling the heavy metal so he hired his nephew who was out of work at the time. Trouble was, the nephew had no interest in moving the metal either. His interests lay on buying fast cars and having a good time. It wasn’t long before the salvage yard and the old man were in trouble.

The old man’s nephew had taken so much out of the salvage yard that it soon went into arrears with its taxes to the City, the State and the Federal Governments. The yard was put under a foreclosure notice and if he could not pay it all off within ninety days he was going to lose it all.

In the seven years since he had last seen Old Man Granger Ethan had grown harder and colder, his attitude tempered by the intense poverty he had endured. His drive to shed himself of that crushing stigma made him relentless in his business matters, even to the point of committing a crime.

Old Man Granger’s Salvage Yard was the perfect vehicle to lift him out of the shadows of an underworld life to one of legitimacy and respectability. When the old man had bought the property years before he had gotten it for a song because it was in an undesirable location on the outskirts of the city. Now, years later, the city had gradually grown and expanded to the point that the old man’s yard was now located right in the middle of a prime industrial area.

The old man was old school where a good work ethic meant everything and anything else was of no interest to him. He did not understand that his debt was high in comparison to the value of the business but nowhere near the value of the property that it was located on. In his mind he still thought of it as being the same value as when he had bought it.

Ethan knew the value of it though. At first, in consideration of the history he had with the old man he had considered helping him out by buying into the yard but that would mean having to keep the old man and the nephew on. That and having to wait too long for a return on his investment quickly made up his mind for him as to what he was going to do. For him there was no place for sentiment or softness in business.

As soon as the Bailiff took control of the property Ethan jumped right in and paid off all the outstanding taxes and debts the yard owed its creditors. He now owned a valueless salvage yard that sat on acres of prime industrial land that was worth millions. He was surprised at how easy it had all been, he didn’t even have to spend his own money to get it. The bank was more than willing and eager to lend him the money when they knew the value of his assets.

The hardest part for Ethan was in convincing Old Man Granger that he no longer owned the salvage yard.

Don’t I know you boy? asked the old man when he finally came face to face with Ethan.

Yes sir. I used to bring my scrap to you when I was just a kid, replied Ethan somewhat sheepishly.

Yes- yes I remember. You were a hard working boy and I always gave you the best prices because of it. He looked Ethan square in the eyes. And now you own my yard ….... better you I suppose than someone else." He said nothing else but looked over at his nephew and then walked out through the gates. Ethan never saw him again, but he never forgot him either.

Damn!! It was a good business transaction he kept telling himself. Once he sold the property his investment would increase by as much as ten-fold. He would be a reasonably wealthy man with the whole world awaiting him with open doors. With his future now so bright and accessible to him why did he feel so crappy? His experience with the old man had affected him so deeply that he promised himself that he would, from then on, become much more discerning in his hunt for more acquisitions.

These lawyers had been the last hope for the brothers and they had lost. Ethan nodded back in recognition of their gestures but continued on towards the door. They were of no further interest to him now. He had beaten them all again and needed not to occupy any more of his thoughts with them.

As he walked away he wondered how things would have turned out if they only knew of the deeply hidden secret that he always carried with him; a secret that would tear down everything he had built, leaving him with nothing, a destitute man worse off than when he had started. He would not, could not let anyone ever know of his corrupt sordid past.

He burst through the court house doors and looked up at the clear blue sky--- Beijing ---he shouted, here I come! A new game, a new challenge awaited him. He welcomed the change.

A colleague of his, a friend that had given him a good tip on a business deal was trying to set up a new business enterprise of his own in China, so far with only moderate success and he had promised to use his connections in that country to do what he could to help him out.

Chinese economists, businessmen and political people were an odd breed that often confused Westerners because they had a method of dealing with commerce that eluded most ways of thinking in the West.

China was an ancient culture that had developed its own methods of doing business. It suited their own customs and ways and worked very well for them but made it difficult for Westerners to comprehend and cope. Ethan had learned the secret quite quickly and had turned that knowledge to his own advantage right from the beginning. He would have been lost himself though if it had not been for the help and tutelage of a Chinese business man that had taken him under his wing. He would never have been able to succeed if it was not for his now closest friend Wang Chow.

Chinese negotiations were never bold and up front but were extremely subtle, sometimes to the point that they did not seem to be going on at all. Westerners had the habit of approaching negotiations with a block of demands. That block of demands would be met with another block of demands from the opposing side. This quite often accomplished nothing more than the two sides smashing into each other with no one making any headway.

The Chinese on the other hand viewed negotiations as a finely pointed wedge. As both sides were modestly pushed together the wedges gradually slid over each other until they formed a solid block that could stand as a single unit. How a person reacted to those subtleties usually set the frame for the success or failure of the negotiations. So far his friend had not been reading the subtleties all that well.

Ethan’s jet had no problems entering Chinese air space and landed at Beijing International Airport without incident. It was not so much that he spent a great deal of time in China but he had developed enough connections to Western based industries in China that most officials of any authority knew who he was and had much influence he could bring to bear on those industries. A great deal of China’s new economy and wealth owed a great deal of its success and progress to those companies and they wanted to keep that relationship as amicable as possible.

Ethan liked working with the Chinese; they were masters of subtlety and you always had to be on your toes to keep up with them. It was almost like a continuous tutorial where you came away feeling that you had learned something new. If you didn’t you weren’t paying attention and you lost. Good negotiations should always leave both parties feeling that they had achieved something.

The week had gone by fairly quickly and easily. The Chinese seemed to have an endless capacity for work and the days had therefore been long yet productive, just the way Ethan liked it. At least he had kept his promise, something that was important to him, a man’s word had to mean something if he was to be trusted. His friend had gotten his permits and China would have a new industry that would bring even more needed foreign currency within economic sphere- both sides had gained something in the transaction.

His friend Wang had been on the negotiation team and now that it was all over he declared, Congratulations my Friend, as he rose from behind his desk and held out his hand for a hearty shake. Ethan took it eagerly and gave it a sincere and thankful shake.

He had known Wang for a good many years now and liked working with him. He was a product of the British Colony of Hong Kong and was well educated with degrees from several English universities that had been readily accessible to him while it was still a protectorate. He well understood the Western and Eastern philosophies of economics.

Why he had chosen to stay in Hong Kong when the colony reverted back to the Chinese Communists was a secret that Wang jealously kept to himself. Whatever his reasons he was now held in very high esteem in the hierarchy of the Communist party. He supposed it was because of his vast knowledge of Western economics; an ability that the Chinese valued when dealing with the financial institution of Hong Kong and the capitalist ways of the free economic zones. As long as he paid lip service to the party he was practically given a free reign to do as he saw fit. So far it had paid off quite well. Wang was responsible for a great many western enterprises being established in China. We should do something to celebrate, declared Wang.

Like what? asked Ethan, not really wanting to go out drinking or anything like that? He did however feel that he would like to do something to just relax and let his mind do absolutely nothing but be entertained if only for a few hours.

You’re a man who obviously appreciates good music given how you broker so many of the world’s top acts, returned Wang, knowing full well that Ethan dabbled in promoting musical acts as a sideline. Wang smiled to himself, ‘dabbled’ was certainly not an appropriate description. This guy dabbled at nothing. True, it was a sideline to his normal business enterprise but he certainly didn’t just dabble in it. Everything he went at he did with an energy and gusto that would make any successful entrepreneur envious. Some of the biggest acts in the world were under his umbrella.

Yes, as a matter of fact I do, replied Ethan, wondering what Wang had in mind. Whatever it was he would bet that it would be something new and unusual.

There’s a new all girl band from North Korea that I hear is getting all kinds of rave reviews. What about that? asked Wang expectantly.

Ethan’s expectations took an immediate nose dive. North Korea! ---What could anyone really expect from that closed, rigid country other than some formula driven mindless chant about party invincibility? No Thank!!! I’ll pass, asserted Ethan.

It’s not what you think, responded Wang. "They might sing party slogans but they’ve become more Western in their orientation and style, I think you will enjoy them.

Ethan considered for a moment. All he could think of was the Kim sisters he had seen on TV when he was still a boy. They wore these Chinese style dresses with slits up the sides and stand up Mandarin collars. They sang the most god awful Western songs in an even more god awful accent. He always thought their modest popularity was based more on their looks and tight skirts than it was on their talent. He silently sneered at the idea of them having any talent at all. With that in mind he began to make his regrets, ---- I don’t …...

Before you say anymore, Interrupted Wang, these girls are supposed to be very talented and trained in the classical style. I’m sure you’ll like them.... I suppose.

Have you heard them? asked Ethan skeptically.

No, but word gets around and as you know I hear everything, besides, if they’re not all that good with their music at least they’re supposed to be very attractive, we might get lucky.

Have you seen them?

No, but word gets......

Yeah, yeah, I know, replied Ethan sarcastically; but what if they turn out to be old hags beating on galvanized wash tubs?"

Well, if that’s the case I’ll apologize to you and lower your friend’s application fees by fifty percent, replied Wang in a joking manner.

In that case, let’s hope to hell it’s old hags then, declared Ethan as he threw up his hands in feigned helplessness to Wang’s insistence.

You’ll love it, I know you will. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty, declared Wong as he patted Ethan on the back and let himself out of the apartment door.

The Cultural Hall of Music was almost stark in its first sighting but on closer observation it could be seen that it had a subtle curve to the walls and roof line that softened the otherwise stark spartan exterior. It was a subtlety that was reflective of the Chinese philosophy; substance without over statement. Oriental art was a perfect example of this; a few simple lines could say and do so much with great beauty.

Wang had the driver go around the side of the building to another door at the back. He jumped out. Come with me! He called out urgently. I think you will find this much more convenient than going in the main gate. This is the door we reserve for important people like me. You’re just lucky that you know someone important, quipped Wang with a smirk as he gently pushed Ethan to the solidly closed door.

Important? - Ah!! You’re just lucky that I give you such good deals that it seems to make you important, returned Ethan with equal good humor.

We do make a good team, replied Wang. The trouble is, you capitalists make all the money while poor socialist like me get nothing but the reputation of being important. I do swear that one of these days I’m going to defect and get some of that loot.

Ethan had met Wang some eight years earlier when he was trying to negotiate for another plant to be built in the Economic Zone. He immediately took a liking to Wang’s personality and his no nonsense way of negotiating. He also greatly appreciated his vast knowledge of the situation and how he could apply it with such precise efficiency.

Wang in turn developed a liking for the intelligent forthright young man from the west. The two of them struck it off right from the beginning and over the years had developed a rapport that stood both of them in good stead. Since then they had worked on a dozen or more projects to both their mutual benefit.

So, when Ethan said, My friend, come and work with me and I will make you a very rich man, it was not without a great deal of seriousness.

Nah! replied Wang. If I did that I wouldn’t be nearly as important as I am and we wouldn’t be able to use this door. With that he ran a card down the door lock. The door opened automatically and they both stepped through.

Come this way, ordered Wang. If you go down that corridor it will take you back to where the dressing rooms and the back stage are located. This way takes us to the reserved balcony seats. He pushed the button on the wall that brought the private elevator for their convenience. The elevator took them to a secured floor that was reserved for dignitaries. The short lobby area had a number of locked doors that opened up to private viewing boxes. Again, Wang’s card gave them immediate entrance to the balcony just two doors back from the stage.

Ethan was indeed impressed with Wang’s importance. If this show was going to be worth watching they would certainly have one of the best seats in the house. From such an excellent vantage point they would be able to view and hear everything that was taking place.

Ethan couldn’t help but notice the lacquered decor of the balcony. The room itself was not large, with just enough room for six well upholstered chairs and what looked to be a small fridge and bar off to one side. Everything was decorated in red, gold and green with accent touches of lacquered wood, a reminiscence of the old Chinese Empire days. Apparently, he thought, people in power, whether they be Emperors, staunch socialists or freewheeling capitalists they all liked their creature comforts.

Noticing the number of chairs Ethan asked, Will anyone else be joining us?

No, no one, replied Wang, unless you want someone else to come along.

No-no! responded Ethan quickly. I’m quite happy with just the two of us. If the show is no good it will give us a chance to talk.

Ah! laughed Wang. I can’t begin to tell you how many deals I’ve undertaken right in this spot because of some twangy state sponsored piece of crap taking place on the stage. The bar payed a big price as well during those sessions. Would you like a drink?

Nah! as a business person you would think that drinking would come as second nature to me but I never really acquired a taste for it, replied Ethan.

Well, I can confidently tell you that much of the success of the new Chinese economy is due to lousy performances and that well stocked mini bar over there, came back Wang with a mischievous laugh.

Just as Ethan was about to reply the lights in the building began to dim and a number of soft colored lights came on around the stage. Something was about to happen and although he really didn’t expect much in the entertainment field from a rigid closed society like North Korea, he still found himself being somewhat intrigued and anxious.

He certainly had his doubts about the quality of the performance but if Wang was this excited about it he figured there must be something more to it than just another stiff military style marching band. If not he still had the other alternative. The mini bar he suspected would get another thorough beating.

The loud speaker came on and in Chinese and again in Korean Ethan heard what he suspected was an introduction to the entertainment that they were about to hear. He looked at the program that he held in his hand- it was in Chinese- great!

The curtains pulled back and a number of soft deliberately directed spotlights came on and began sweeping back and forth across the stage. Dimly lit by a background of blue flood lights on blue curtains Ethan could see ten female musicians dressed in white outfits that featured short skirts, military style blouses with epaulets and all-around cords with red and blue strings. They looked quite sharp and efficient and Ethan couldn’t stop himself from feeling somewhat intrigued. They certainly didn’t look to be your typical North Korean band. They were smartly dressed in a more Western style and looked to be using the latest in electronic instruments. When the music did begin he was completely take aback and knew he was about to hear something that he had never heard before.

It began with a soft staccato beat, ‘tap-tap-tap,’ on the drums that began a countdown for what was about to happen.

‘Wham-boom,’ went the big simulated drums simultaneously with the synthesizers as the sound filled every square foot of the building with an intensity that brought everyone to attention. It certainly got his. The sound had barely begun to diminish when it was immediately followed by the sweet soaring sounds of the electric violins and viola. The electric guitars and amplified saxophone soon chimed in to add their resonance to the rest to create a blend of sounds that was both dramatic and exquisite at the same time. The symphonic quality of the music only fell short of that goal by the more upbeat contemporary style of the composition itself.

The sounds had just finished completing their harmonizing when the big bright flood light snapped on to reveal ten very attractive young women enthusiastically working their instruments. Until then they had been in a deliberately dimmed light but now they were being presented in all their glory and Ethan was not disappointed. He had never seen or heard anything like it before; he was totally captivated and intrigued. He thought he could not be more impressed by what he saw and heard when he was once more proven wrong when seven more equally attractive young ladies trooped out on the stage and began to sing. Their voices were as clear as crystal with perfect pitch and tone that emitted a sound that was both sweet and resonant. Perfection could not be improved upon any more than this. Ethan was totally and completely enthralled by the performance unfolding before him.

He was so caught up in what he was witnessing that he was barely brought out of his stupor by the solid thump delivered to his shoulder by a grinning Wang. What did I tell you; great aren’t they? You have to admit they’re damn good! gushed Wang enthusiastically.

Ethan forcibly brought himself back to reality. Great! That hardly describes them; they’re spectacular, he replied with equal enthusiasm. Do you think we might get a chance to meet them? Ethan asked hopefully.

"I’m disappointed in you Ethan! Haven’t you yet been impressed with how important I am? Important people like me might not be rich like you but when it comes to the important things we wouldn’t be important would we if we couldn’t get things done?

Of course, I can get us back stage to see them. Stick with me kid and I might be able to make you as important as me someday," crowed Wang sarcastically with mock superiority.

Wang! you never cease to amaze me. I might never be as important as you but I can promise you; any day that you want to be rich just let me know, countered Ethan with light hearted seriousness.

Ethan sat through the rest of the performance with barely restrained enthusiasm and anticipation. On the one hand he was thoroughly enjoying the performance and didn’t want it to end while on the other hand he was more than anxious to get back stage to meet them all.

Ethan St. Claire, the successful business tycoon was supposed to be relaxing and enjoying himself but Ethan St. Claire the music promoter was furiously going through the possibilities of turning this group into a world class touring act. If Andre Riru and El Divo could do it there certainly was no reason why these talented young women couldn’t do it as well.

Their presentation was so fresh and new, so different from anything in the market place of the day that he felt quite sure he could find a broad enough acceptance of them with the public that they would very quickly become a great hit.

Even their sixties style choreography that was so reminiscent of the Motown era did not detract from their appeal. On the contrary, it actually enhanced it. It went perfectly well with their dated dress style; a fashion currently out of vogue but certainly not out of appeal. Their entire appearance hinted at a reserved sexuality that every man in the audience would relate to and fantasize about.

Every man there would think that any of these girls would be beautiful and charming enough to take anywhere to show her off. She would certainly make him look good, the envy of everyone else there. Yet the sweet wholesomeness of her demeanor and respectable presentation would make her an ideal housewife; someone to raise his children, cook his meals and fetch his slippers. Those were the images of the sixties. His greatest fantasy however would be in the bedroom. He could dream of unleashing all that latent sexuality and bending it to his own will and be satisfied in all his wants and desires.

It was a subconscious emotion that would have a tremendous draw on the male population, much the same way a short skirt peaks a man’s interest to want to see more while an extremely short skirt has no such allure- you already see it all. Anticipation is often sweeter than the actual getting.

No man in his right mind would ever say that high heeled shoes weren’t sexy. The raising of the heel causes the toe to point down which gives a much more elegant and attractive line to the whole leg- the curve becomes much smoother and elongated giving it a much more pleasing appearance. The higher heels also lift her hips just that extra bit and put them in a position where they create a more pleasing proportion to the female body.

The tight skirts and fitted blouses accentuated the shapely bodies of these young ladies---what was there not to like? As a man Ethan was only thinking of what appealed to him; it did not cross his mind of how uncomfortable those shoes must have been to wear for more than two hours of performing. All he knew was that the entire ensemble was visually compelling.

Ethan did not understand Korean at all so he had no idea as to what the lyrics of the songs were, but then again, he didn’t understand German or Italian either but that didn’t keep him from enjoying some of the operas.

Many of the songs that the girls were singing were very up-beat with really catchy tunes that almost compelled you to tap your feet along with them. The ‘program’ was of no value to him as it was in Chinese and he didn’t want to be distracted by asking Wang. All he knew was that he was enjoying the whole thing so he was somewhat puzzled when the audience didn’t respond to them the way he did. Could it be that he was totally wrong about his assessment of them? If this audience did not respond to them maybe no other audience would either. He was perplexed at his reading of the performance; usually he was much more in tune with what would be acceptable to an audience. If he wasn’t he would not have been any good at his job and therefore not nearly as successful as he always had been. There had to be some other reason but what could it possibly be? What was wrong?

He was somewhat disappointed when the concert ended with what he considered to be a rather luke warm applause. This was such a magnificent piece of work that it should have warranted a standing ovation, but instead, all they were getting was this reluctant, begrudging smattering of weak hand clapping. As for himself, he didn’t care how they reacted, he jumped up out of his seat and stood right at the rail of the balcony clapping and whistling like an over enthusiastic groupie. The usually subdued and stoic Chinese merely stared in bewilderment at the crazy westerner who was making a spectacle of himself.

He didn’t mind making a fool of himself. Making a spectacle of yourself was a luxury granted and expected from successful people in the music industry in the West. Not being a performer though he did draw the line at smashing guitars, throwing drumsticks and flinging himself out over the audience. These old farts wouldn’t have caught him anyway.

He was enthusiastic and animated enough though, that, because of his proximity to the stage he did get the attention of all the girls in the band. They all heard him and, as one, looked in his direction. He basked in the unprecedented attention and applauded even louder with greater enthusiasm. He was drunk with the euphoria of it all.

Many of the girls, appreciative of the enthusiastic approval followed his que and gave slight little bows to him alone. He couldn’t resist the impulse and threw them all a two handed kiss and bowed stiffly from the waist. He couldn’t help but notice the chorus of smiles that crossed most of their faces before the lights dimmed and the curtains closed blocking them from his view.

Come on, he demanded of Wang. I’ve got to see them as soon as possible!

Cool the burners my young friend. You just can’t barge in on them. You might catch some of them with their nickers off. Aaah---maybe we should go right now, responded Wang with a raised eye brow.

Can we? asked Ethan rather over enthusiastically.

No! You fool. Actually, I’ve already sent word that a distinguished person wanted to meet them. We will get word when they are ready, replied Wang.

He had barely finished speaking when a quiet rap came on the balcony door. Wang opened it immediately and a young Usher spoke to him in hushed tones.

Come on my eager friend. Let’s go meet your new harem, commanded Wang with a wolfish grin.

Ethan knew Wang was making fun of him but he didn’t care. He had buried himself so deeply and completely in the JP Industries take over that he now needed to release all that pent up tension and energy on a new and different project. What was the old saying? A change is as good as a rest. Well! This was it.

Chapter 2

Ethan fairly flew down the corridor forcing Want to speed up his usual speedy shuffle. Slow down you young buck, pleaded Wang. I’m just about thirty years older than you and at this speed if I get there just as they’re out of their nickers I won’t be of any use to them. You wouldn’t want to deprive me of that would you?

Ethan, realizing that he was behaving like an over hormoned teenage boy reluctantly but immediately slowed to Wang’s speed. He also realized that Wang looked after himself and in spite of his age was probably in better shape than he was. This was just Wang’s way of saying, be a little more dignified.

Ah! The good old days, replied Wang with a smile. That kind of thing would have only happened in my younger, wayward youth my friend.......last year.

Ethan smiled in response to Wang’s little joke but he felt quite sure that in some way he was not completely fooling. He suspected that Wang was doing all right for himself and used his position to his best advantage. He didn’t think Wang was corrupt but instead used every situation that presented itself to his own best advantage.

He certainly didn’t stay in the Communist Party because of the wonderful salary and benefits he received. There was much more to it than that. He was a cleaver conniving old fox that didn’t take things too seriously; that’s why he was so good at what he did. He certainly wasn’t some Communist Party ideologue that stuck to iron clad protocols that would ham string his business dealing to the point that they couldn’t function. The Party, needing foreign investments badly probably realized that and over looked many of his transgressions and gave him a wide, free hand in what he did.

So far it had worked out extremely well for all those involved. Ethan didn’t know anything about Wang’s financial situation but he did know that Wang carried a great deal of power and influence. The old bastard probably had more money than he did,