Над пропастью во ржи

           Ididn’tsayanythingforawhile.Iletitdropforawhile.ThenoldLuceorderedanotherMartiniandtoldthebartendertomakeitalotdryer.

           "Listen.Howlongyoubeengoingaroundwithher,thissculpturebabe?"Iaskedhim.Iwasreallyinterested."DidyouknowherwhenyouwereatWhooton?"

           "Hardly.Shejustarrivedinthiscountryafewmonthsago."

           "Shedid?Where’sshefrom?"

           "ShehappenstobefromShanghai."

           "Nokidding!SheChinese,forChrissake?"

           "Obviously."

           "Nokidding!Doyoulikethat?HerbeingChinese?"

           "Obviously."

           "Why?I’dbeinterestedtoknow—Ireallywould."

           "IsimplyhappentofindEasternphilosophymoresatisfactorythanWestern.Sinceyouask."

           "Youdo?Wuddayamean‘philosophy’?Yameansexandall?Youmeanit’sbetterinChina?Thatwhatyoumean?"

           "NotnecessarilyinChina,forGod’ssake.TheEastIsaid.Mustwegoonwiththisinaneconversation?"

           "Listen,I’mserious,"Isaid."Nokidding.Why’sitbetterintheEast?"