Mandarin Mannequins of Chinatown. Patricia Laurel

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      SAMANTHA!

      She stirred from her restless sleep at the urgent sound of her name being called. Was it her mother demanding her to come out of her room and pick up her books scattered in the living room? Are they packing for the trip to the Philippines?

      But it wasn’t her mother’s voice, and something else woke her up. The wall on the side of her bed was missing! Sammy sat bolt upright, and stared at what used to be the wall of her bedroom. She rubbed her eyes twice to make sure her dream didn't follow her from Zeeland into her now dismal world.

      A scene was playing out in front of her like a movie theater screen. A crowded street teeming with people were hurrying and scurrying around, and walking in and out of shops and restaurants. She could smell the pungent aromas of vendor stalls and feel the heat of the day.

      But the cool dark bedroom was still there. She pressed her hands on the rumpled cover of her bed where she poured out her tears of last night’s sadness.

      I’d much rather be some place else, she told herself.

      Samantha Plum climbed back on her bed, and turned her attention to where the wall was. She swung her feet down touching the ground of the bustling scene. She wondered aloud. "If I cross over from the line of darkness into the light, will I get there?"

      She hesitated, then took a step forward. Sammy heard the sound of a door closing behind her. The darkness of her bedroom disappeared. She was in her dream.

      Samantha, keep up with us.

      It was Tita Mari beckoning from across the street.

      Her aunt was walking ahead with her friend Maria, who lived in plastic, fantastic Los Angeles where everyone seemed to strike a pose, showing off, ready to be discovered. That was her Dad’s description of La La land as he called it.

      Where was Toya? Sammy spotted her cousin walking a few feet behind Mari.

      C’mon, Sammy!

      Victoria didn’t mind being called Toya by the family, but it was a different matter with her peers at school. She was known as Victoria or Vicky.

      I mean, what kind of a name is Toya? And why did my parents start this nickname business? At least Sammy makes sense. This nicknaming is such a Filipino thing to do.

      Toya, how come you’re not walking with Tita Mari?

      I’m trying but every time I almost catch up to her, all these people get in my way. Watch this, Victoria said, as she ventured towards Mari. A small group of people immediately crowded between her and her mother.

      I’ll come over there and we can try to get to them.

      Sammy crossed the street, but couldn’t reach her cousin. A small crowd of people blocked her way. She pushed and even stepped on some toes. Repeatedly, a surge of people came between them, keeping the cousins separated and apart from Tita Mari and her friend.

      Sammy, what is going on? We’re being split up on purpose!

      Panic turned to anger as Victoria pushed people away from her. Sammy couldn’t see her cousin now. She could only hear Toya’s voice above the crowd.

      Hold on Toya! Look for signs and tell me what you see.

      The signs are in Chinese, Tagalog and English. We must be in Manila somewhere. Sam, you gotta see this. The sign on this store says Ka Ka Drugs. Can you believe it?

      Victoria was amused despite her anger and fear at being hemmed in by the crowd.

      Toya, we’re in Chinatown, she said, listening to snatches of conversation.

      You’re right. I hear a lot of Chinese and Tagalog. Wait, I can see my mom turning right. I’m going ahead. Sam, the name of the street is Tambacan. Follow me there!

      As soon as she lost sight of Victoria, the crowd parted and let her through. Sammy ran toward her cousin, but when she got within a short distance, the people reappeared. What was going on?

      Sammy followed Victoria to Tambacan Street. She thought it funny the name of the street meant to dump. She wondered if Filipinos knew the translation of the word in American slang.

      It was a dark and dingy street with the feel of an alley. Victoria stood in the middle of the street. Once again a small crowd edged closer, as if waiting for one of the girls to make a move.

      Mari and Maria were now in sight, standing in front of a shop window, gazing at СКАЧАТЬ