LI WEI:
Good evening. Welcome to Jin Blossom. May I take your order?
KELLY:
(Squinting at the menu)
Ugh, these names are so weird. Can’t you guys just use English?
LI WEI:
(The smile fades slightly)
These are traditional dish names in Mandarin and Korean. The descriptions are in English below.
KELLY:
(Sarcastically)
Yeah, but how are we supposed to know what’s safe to eat? I don’t want, like, duck feet or something.
BRIAN:
Kelly…
KELLY:
I mean, it’s America. Shouldn’t you try to… y’know, make it more normal?
LI WEI:
(Quietly but firmly)
I was born in Chicago. What’s “normal” to you… might not be to someone else.
KELLY:
(Shrugs)
I’m just saying. This stuff is kinda… foreign.
LI WEI:
And yet you chose to eat in an Asian restaurant.
(Awkward silence. BRIAN shifts in his seat, embarrassed.)
BRIAN:
Li Wei, I’m really sorry. That was out of line.
LI WEI:
(Slight smile returning)
Thank you. I’ll give you both a moment to decide. And I recommend the crispy bao—if that’s not too foreign for you.
(He walks away. KELLY looks around, now aware others heard the exchange.)
KELLY:
Was I… rude?
BRIAN:
Yeah. You were.
