Opportunity

The texts went out and, across the world, phones lit up and breath was held. "正在服务 (now serving)!" the message read. "48小时 (48 hours). 仅收现金 (cash only). 不问不答, 不问不答 (no questions [or] no service)." Too many to count stared at the 3 blinking dots and wondered who was on the other end. "来到九龙城寨的中心 (come to center of Kowloon Walled City). LOL." Excuses were made; urgent flights were booked; bags were packed. A quick search revealed that the Walled City (a packed human mosh pit of legendary chaos and crime) had been demolished in 1994, the site turned into a park and memorial. A blurry photo was sent with no text as the final communication: a decrepit cart with its strings of lights, the rough tables and plank benches to one side; a bowl of noodles topped with quail egg and scallion. It was real. It was happening. They had 48 hours to get to Hong Kong, find the location and vendor, and order cannibal ramen to hold in their trembling hands. No one texted back; they knew better than to ask about price.