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Saturday, 26 November 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-28(大結局)

阿雄的怨靈升上天堂後,布萊和孝恩把大家都叫了起來。果不其然,阿眉、阿蘭和阿桃全然忘記了他們被怨靈控制後所發生的一切事情。

「我們在這裡幹嘛?」阿桃摸著頭說。

「糟了!罈子的蓋子為何是開的?是誰解除了封印?」阿梅看到骨灰罈的狀況後問道。這時,孝恩和布萊才將之前發生的事敘述了一遍。

「天哪!」阿蘭聽完故事後說。「真是太抱歉了!我都不記得我做了這麼糟糕的事!」

「我們不怪你!畢竟,你們都被怨靈給控制了!」傑佛瑞說。

「都怪妳啦!」蒂芬尼指著阿桃說。「你這臭三八把我的小傑綁在供桌上,心懷不軌,對他有非份之想!」

「蒂芬尼,我們剛才已經解釋過了,他們都被怨靈控制了!」孝恩無奈地說。

「閉嘴,書呆子!你懂什麼?」蒂芬尼說。「她試圖勾引我家小傑!」

「我們不要理蒂芬尼!」傑佛瑞說。「我們這次的任務已經達成了,雖然都是靠布萊和孝恩解決的。看來,我們得走了。我們留在這裡也沒什麼要做的事了!」

「你們再多留個幾天嘛!距離你們回程的班機不是還有幾天嘛?我們很歡迎你們繼續待在我們家。就當作是我們向你們陪不是!」阿桃用著淚汪汪的無辜神情看著傑佛瑞說。

「你的好意我們心領了,可是,我想我們經歷了這麼多,都應該已經受夠這間房子了!」傑佛瑞輕輕地將阿桃的手撥開,並婉拒道。「我們就不再打擾你們了。剩餘的時間,我們會住在旅館裡。」

Wednesday, 23 November 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-28 (Final Ending)

 After Hung's spirit had ascended to heaven, Blythe and Shaun woke everyone up. Mai, Lan and Thao appeared to have forgotten everything that had happened after they were hypnotized by the evil spirit. 

"What are we doing here?" enquired Thao as she touched her aching head. 

"Oh no! Why is the pot open? Who broke the seal?" exclaimed Mai after perceiving the cremation urn. Only then did Shaun and Blythe elucidate everything that had happened. 

"Oh dear me," cried Lan after hearing the story. "I am so very sorry, guys! I don't remember having done something so...so mean!"

"We don't blame you, you were hypnotized by Hung's ghost after all," responded Jeffrey. 

"I blame you!" scolded Tiffany as she poked her finger on Thao's nose. "You tied ma Jeffie on the altar and God knows what you're planning to do to him, you witch!"

"Tiffany, we've already explained that they were hypnotized," said Shaun. 

"Shut up, nerd! What do you understand?" snapped Tiffany. "She was tryna seduce ma Jeffie."

"Please just ignore her," sighed Jeffrey. "Well, it looks like our mission here is complete, although it seems like Blythe and Shaun had done most of the work this time, as I was half unconscious when I was on that altar. We should better leave, we have nothing more to do here."

"Why don't you stay for a few more days? Your flight back isn't until three days later, right? You're welcome to stay in our house for the time being. You can treat this as an apology for what we've done unconsciously," said Thao as she looked at Jeffrey with puppy eyes whilst holding his hand. 

"Thanks for the offer, but um no, I think we've all had enough of this house," declined Jeffrey as he brushed off Thao's hand. "We won't disturb your family any longer. We'll stay in a hotel in the remainder of our time in this country."

Saturday, 19 November 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-27

香爐被打翻後,孝恩和布萊立刻感覺到靈壓減弱了許多。

「我們根本沒辦法和怨靈溝通,」孝恩說。「我們不會說越南語,而且會翻譯的人都被催眠了!」

「我還是想試試!」布萊答道。「如果可以,我想要送他去天堂,而不是把他關回罈子裏。」

「你確定嗎?可是,這也太危險了!」孝恩說。「你記得道士說過的嗎?只要封印被解開,怨靈的靈力會倍增,變得比之前更加強大!」

兩人還來不及討論完畢,便感覺到怨靈正朝著他們的方向逼近。怨靈的身上散發著一股令人窒息的怨氣。

「阿雄,你為何要留在人間?」布萊對怨靈說。「你已經為阿梅報了仇,害死了鮑伯・夏摩藤。你還不滿意嗎?在這個世上,已經沒有你可以做的事了。封印被解除後,你就應該去天堂了!如果你再持續逗留於人間,繼續作惡,你便會失去去天堂的最後機會。」

突然,阿雄的怨靈發出了一個彷彿指甲刮在黑板上的尖銳聲響。「復仇!我要復仇!阿梅的父母欺騙了她,讓她以為我已經死了。不然,她是絕對不會離開西貢的。還有,我要信守對阿梅的承諾!我要和他結婚,並且一起養育我們的女兒!」阿雄雖然用著越南語答覆道,然而,神奇的是,孝恩和布萊居然能夠聽得懂,比且與其溝通無阻。

「你的願望已經實現了!阿梅的父母早在18年前就在美國紐約去世了。你們的女兒現在已經長大成人,亦已為人母,育有一個18歲的女兒!」孝恩說。「你看躺在那裡的中年女子!那就是阿蘭,你的女兒!躺在她左邊的老太太是阿梅,躺在她右邊的是阿桃~你們的孫女啊!」

「什麼?那個老女人是阿梅。我才不相信呢!你騙人!阿梅明明才十八歲!那才是阿梅啊!」阿雄的怨靈指著阿桃說。事實上,怨靈的記憶停留在他被封印到罈子裡的時間;因此,阿雄全然不知在外面的世界,46年已經過了,故錯認了阿桃為阿梅。

「不,那是你的孫女阿桃!」布萊解釋道。「不信你看阿梅左手臂上的胎記!」


直到認出了老太太身上的胎記後,阿雄才漸漸相信了孝恩和布萊的話。

「雖然這麼說可能很殘忍,可是他們這46年來,沒有你也一樣過得很好!」孝恩說。「你現在突然間回到他們的身邊,你認為不會造成他們的困擾嗎?他們現在過得很好,可是,我相信,你在阿梅的心裡會是她永遠忘不了的回憶。」

突然,一滴眼淚從阿雄的眼睛裡流了出來。「我懂了!看來,我的存在已經不被需要了!可是,我離開前,可否再多給我一些時間,讓我好好看看我的女兒和孫女?她們跟阿梅長得好像,難怪我會認錯。阿梅滿臉皺紋、滿頭白髮的樣子依舊是那麼的美麗!我好開心看到阿蘭已經長得這麼大了!」

就在這時,他們注意到一道聖光從天而降,照在阿雄的身上。隨後,阿雄彷彿一根羽毛般輕盈地緩緩升上了天空。阿雄在升上天堂時,跟孝恩和布萊道謝道:「真是謝謝你們告訴我真相,讓我可以到天堂去;而不是像那個道士一樣,把我裝到罐子裡!」

~待續~

Wednesday, 16 November 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-27

 After the burning incense had been knocked out, Shaun and Blythe sensed that the atmosphere became less suffocating. 

"We cannot reason with the spirit," said Shaun. "We don't speak their language and no one can help us translate this time, as they've all been hypnotized."

"I'll try nonetheless," answered Blythe. "If possible, I'd like to send him to heaven instead of sealing him back into the urn."

"Are you sure? I think this is too risky," responded Shaun. "Remember what the Taoist priest said? Once freed from the sealing charm, the spirit would become more powerful than it had ever been."

Before the discussion could continue, the two sensed that the evil spirit was advancing towards them, a suffocating sensation of hatred emanated from the spirit.

"Hung, why are you seeking revenge?" enquired Blythe. "You've already revenged upon the person who had killed you and mistreated Mai, which was Bob Summerton. Why are you still unsatisfied? There is nothing left for you to do in this world, you should go to heaven now that you are free from the seal. If you continue to conduct evil deeds, you will lose your chance of going to heaven."

Abruptly, Hung's spirit let out a high-pitched sound like fingernails on a chalkboard. "Revenge! I want revenge! Mai's parents have deceived her into believing that I was dead. Otherwise, she would never leave me in Saigon. Also, I want to keep my promise to Mai and marry her and raise our daughter together," retorted Hung in Vietnamese. Nevertheless, as if by magic, they were able to understand each other mutually.

"But your wish has already been fulfilled. Mai's parents have died 18 years ago in New York. Your daughter is now a grown woman and she has already raised a child of her own," said Shaun. "Look at the middle-aged lady lying there. That's Lan, your daughter. The old lady on her left is Mai and the girl on the right is Thao, your granddaughter."

"What? That old woman is Mai? I don't believe you! You liar! She is but a girl of eighteen! That's Mai!" exclaimed Hung as his ghost pointed at Thao. In fact, the spirit's memory had remained at the time when he was sealed in the urn and was totally ignorant of the fact that 46 years had passed. He had mistaken Thao for her grandmother Mai.

"No, that's your granddaughter Thao," elucidated Blythe. "If you don't believe me, look at Mai's birthmark on her left arm."


Only after recognizing the birthmark on the old lady's left arm did Hung gradually believe Shaun and Blythe's words. 

"See what I'm saying? It's cruel to say this, but they have lived on without you," said Shaun. "There is no point in you joining their lives now. They are leading happy lives at the moment, although the memory of you will always live on in Mai's heart."

Without warning, a tear trickled down Hung's face. "I understand, it seems like there is no need for me to be in this world anymore," replied Hung, with a much softened tone. "But, please, before I go, let me take a look at my daughter and granddaughter. They look just like Mai! No wonder why I've mistaken Thao for Mai. Mai still looks so pretty despite the wrinkles on her face. I am so happy that Lan has grown up."

At this moment, they perceived a blinding light that shone down from above, straight at Hung's ghost. Then, as light as feather, Hung gradually rose into the air, as if taken by the light up to heaven. As he was slowly rising, Hung thanked Blythe and Shaun. "Cảm ơn nhiều. Thank you for telling me the truth, instead of forcefully sealing me in that urn like the Taoist priest had done."


~To be Continued~

Saturday, 12 November 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-26

昏迷片刻後,蒂芬尼緩緩睜開雙眼,她看見一個熟悉的身影坐在供桌上。

「天哪!小傑!」蒂芬尼驚見傑佛瑞被綁在供桌上後,驚叫道。蒂芬尼本想起身拯救小傑,卻發現自己與孝恩、布萊和阿花被綁在一起。蒂芬尼看見阿桃、阿蘭和老太太站在地下室的另一端,手插著腰、並且臉上露出邪惡的笑容。他們站在一張桌子前面,桌子上放著點燃的香以及那本古書。

「啊~~!」蒂芬尼一邊尖叫一邊試圖掙脫。「救命啊!誰來救我啊!我被這些神經病綁住了!他們要偷走我的腎啊!救命啊!」聽到蒂芬尼尖銳的喊叫聲後,大夥也慢慢開始恢復意識。

「你再怎麼叫都沒用,沒人會來救你的!哈哈哈哈!」阿蘭奸笑道。「這間地下室隔音效果很好,沒有人聽得到你的!」

「你要對我做什麼?你這瘋婆子!」蒂芬尼罵道。「還有,你把我的小傑綁在供桌上做什麼?難道,你已經拿走他的腎了?」

「別擔心,我們不要他的腎!我們要他的肉體!哈哈哈哈!」阿桃說。

「你⋯⋯你這個妖女!小傑是我的,你竟敢對他下手!」蒂芬尼怒罵道。

「你們外國人就是笨!」老太太阿梅說。「我的孫女對洋人才不感興趣呢!我們要他的肉體來讓阿雄復活,這樣我們就可以永遠在一起了!」

「你在開玩笑嗎?」蒂芬尼說。「你這老巫婆也沒剩多久可以活了,你要戀人來陪你幹嘛?」

Wednesday, 9 November 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-26

 After being unconscious for some time, Tiffany was the first to wake up. Gradually opening her heavy eyelids, she perceived a familiar figure sitting on the altar, with his head drooping. 

"OMG! Ma Jeffie!" exclaimed Tiffany after she realized that Jeffrey was tied on the altar. Only after she failed to dash towards Jeffrey did Tiffany discover that she was tied up with Shaun, Blythe and Hoa, with their backs to each other whilst sat on the floor. After glancing to the left, Tiffany saw Thao, grandmother Mai, and mother Lan standing at the other end of the basement, with their hands crossed and sinister smiles on their faces. They were standing in front of a table with burning incense and the ancient book Hoa had helped them translate.

"Ahhh!" Tiffany screamed deafeningly as she tried in vain to free her tied hands. "Help! Somebody help me! I've been tied up by these mad people and they're gonna steal my kidney! HELP!" The others started to become conscious after perceiving Tiffany's high-pitched screams.

"You can scream and shout all you like, but no one will come here to help you! Hahahaha!" laughed mother Lan maliciously. "This basement is very strong, don't forget, it survived the war. Do you think anyone will be able to hear you from outside? Hahaha!"

"What do you wanna do to us, you witch!" yelled Tiffany. "And most importantly, what are you doing to ma Jeffie, tying him to the altar? Have you taken his kidney?"

"Don't worry, we don't want his kidneys," answered Thao coldly. "We want his body! Hahahaha!"

"What....OMG! You slut! You've taken his virginity! How dare you! He's mine!" screeched Tiffany furiously as she tried again to wriggle free but the knot that tied her hands together were too tight.

"You stupid girl, he is not my granddaughter's cup of tea. She's not interested in evil westerners like you," retorted grandmother Mai contemptuously. "We want his body to resurrect Hung's spirit, so we can be together forever, like he promised me."

"Are you kiddin' me, you crazy old witch!" roared Tiffany. "You're probably gonna die soon anyways, what do you want your frigging lover for?" 

Saturday, 29 October 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-25

無論他們怎麼用力地撞門,門鎖依舊牢牢地拴著。

「這是什麼情況?」孝恩說。「他們為何要將我們鎖在這裡?這沒道理呀!我們是來幫他們解決案件的,又沒有要傷害他們。」

「說不定阿桃只是開玩笑的!說不定這只是場惡作劇!」傑佛瑞喃喃自語道。「我不相信這麼溫柔善良的女生會做出這麼心狠手辣的事!」

蒂芬尼連忙拿出手機,赫然發現完全無信號時,瞬間爆哭並且崩潰地跌坐在地上。「說不定他們是連環殺人犯!他們要謀財害命!我們都要死了!我不想死啊!我還沒跟小傑結婚呢!天哪~說不定他們要挖走我們的腎!把拔~快來救我啊!」

「蒂芬尼,你別吵了好嗎?這樣只會讓大家更慌的!」傑佛瑞說。

「說不定那本書可以提供我們線索!」布萊指著供桌上的書說。

Wednesday, 26 October 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-25

 No matter how hard they banged the door, the lock was firmly fastened from outside. 

"What's going on?" panicked Shaun. "Why would they lock us in here? It doesn't make any sense. We're here to help them solve the mystery. We mean no harm."

"What if Thao was only joking? What if it was just some savage prank?" murmured Jeffrey, more to himself than responding to his friend. "I don't believe such a sweet girl like herself is capable of doing something so vile."

After Tiffany frantically took out her smartphone, Tiffany wailed hopelessly as she saw that there was no signal and she collapsed on the cold stone floor of the basement, landing with a thud. "What if they're serial killers? They wanna kill us and rob our money! We're all gonna die! I don't wanna die yet! I....I haven't married ma Jeffie yet. OMG! Wait, what if they want to take our kidneys! OMG, daddy! Come and rescue me!"

"Tiffany, will you stop complaining? You know it's not helping!" scolded Jeffrey. 

"Guys, I think I've found a clue," said Blythe as she pointed to the open book on the table.

Saturday, 15 October 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-24

老太太說完故事後,已經午夜了。然而,沒有人感到疲憊,連蒂芬尼都精神抖擻地坐在那。

「真是悲慘的故事呀,外婆!」阿桃衝上前去擁抱老太太說。「我都不知道你經歷過這麼痛苦的遭遇。對不起我之前沒辦法諒解你對美國人的偏見,現在我知道原因了!」

「看來我們得儘早解決這個案件。」傑佛瑞說。「根據您的故事,阿雄的怨靈是27年前被封印在罈子裡的,這罈子一直都在你身邊嗎?」

「是的,它從未離開過我的住所,不管是在紐約還是西貢,」老太太答道。

「這麼多年都沒有發生什麼事,直到一個月前嗎?」孝恩問道。「那表示一個月前有人將封印解除了。只是,問題是誰?」

經過了一番詢問,神探們終於找出是誰了。事實上,是女僕阿花一個月前在打掃地下室時不慎將罈子打翻,使得符咒脫落。

「阿花,你怎麼不早說?」阿蘭生氣地用越語說。「我們就不用繞這麼一大圈了!」

「太太,我很抱歉!」女僕說。「我不敢說,因為怕你們會開除我!」

Wednesday, 12 October 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-24

 After grandmother Mai had finished her story, it was already past midnight. Nevertheless, no one felt sleepy at all, even Tiffany, who pretended to be constantly yawning was actually wide awake. A long agonising silence lingered in the air, where no one knew what to say. 

"That was such a tragic story, grandmother!" exclaimed Thao as she dashed to hug her grandmother. "I never knew you've gone through such....such painful experiences. I am sorry I couldn't understand your grudge against westerners, now I can see clearly your reasons."

"Sorry to interrupt," said Jeffrey, frowning. "But in order to solve the mystery, we need to get back to business. According to your story, Hung's ghost was properly sealed in the cremation urn 27 years ago; and the urn has never left your possession since then."

"No, it has always been in my house, whether in New York or Saigon," answered grandmother Mai. 

"And nothing strange happened all this time until about a month ago?" interrogated Shaun pensively. After grandmother Mai replied in the negative, Shaun concluded, "That means someone must have broken the seal about a month ago and released the spirit. But the question is: who?"

After some more interrogation, the detectives finally discovered this person. In fact, it was the maid who accidentally knocked over the urn when she was cleaning the basement a month before, causing the seal to be detached from the urn. 

"Why didn't you tell us before, Hoa?" scolded Lan furiously in Vietnamese. "You could've saved the detectives so much time and work!"

"I'm so sorry, madam," answered the maid. "I dare not speak the truth in fear of being fired."

Saturday, 1 October 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-23

阿梅懇求道士不要消滅阿雄的怨靈。

「怨靈的意圖絕非善意,」道士答道。「倘若放任讓其自由,你的家人必將受到更多傷害。」

「我不相信!」阿梅說。「阿雄生前是這麼善良的人,他連殺一隻螞蟻都不忍心,我不相信他會故意來傷害我的家人!」

「看來,您對亡靈的瞭解不多,」道士答道。「無論此人生品行前如何,當他因某種怨恨無法升天時,他就變成了我們俗稱的怨靈。怨靈不會保留他在世時的個性,它一心只想著復仇,直到執念被化解為止。亡靈和人類是不同的。亡靈唯有一個信念,就是達成他生前未能完成的願望。他們不管如何達成,久而久之,他們會漸漸忘記生前的記憶,留下來的就只剩怨恨而已。」

「那我該怎麼辦?」阿梅開始哭了起來。「我已經害死阿雄一次了,我不想要再害死他第二次。」

「倒不是沒有解決的辦法,」道士看阿梅可憐後說。「我會試圖將怨靈封印在骨灰罈裡,而不是消滅它。然而,你得答應我:無論如何,絕對不能把他放出來。一但解除封印,惡靈便會比之前更加強大,必然釀造成災禍。不只你,還有你周遭所有的人都會受到連累。你能答應我嗎?」

「我答應!」阿梅毫不猶豫地答道。「只要知道他還一直陪伴著我就夠了。」

Wednesday, 28 September 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-23

 Mai begged the priest to not destroy the evil spirit. 

"The spirit's intentions are by no means benign," answered the Taoist priest. "If you continue to let it roam freely, it will most definitely cause more harm to the family."

"I don't believe you," retorted Mai. "Hung was such a kind and generous person before his death, he could not even bear to kill an ant. I do not believe that he would intentionally attempt to cause harm to anyone, let alone my family."

"It seems like you do not have a very deep understanding of ghosts, mademoiselle," replied the priest. "No matter how kind the person was before his death, if his spirit was unable to rest in peace for whatever reason, it will start to become demonized and subsequently lose all its humane characteristics which used to belong to the living person, until its hatred has been dissolved. Spirits are not the same as people. They only have one purpose - and that is to achieve what they want to achieve. It would not care how they achieve it or whom they harm in the process. They would lose all the good memories, and all that remains would be their hatred."

"Then, what shall I do?" questioned Mai, as she began to cry piteously. "I have already killed Hung once, I don't want to kill him again."

"Very well, there is one method," responded the priest, who took pity on the poor girl. "I will try to seal the spirit in this cremation urn instead of destroying it forever. However, you must promise me this: whatever you do, never ever try to let it out. Once released from this seal, the spirit will mutate to become much more powerful than it had been before, and it would be most certainly cause a catastrophe. Not just to you, but to everyone around you. Will you give me your promise?"

"Yes, I promise," said Mai unhesitatingly. "It is enough to know that he is with me all the time."

Wednesday, 21 September 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-22

After Mai moved back to live with her parents, strange things began to occur in the apartment. Firstly, Mai's father fell down the stairs and injured his leg. 

Saturday, 10 September 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-21

鮑伯將阿雄的屍體埋在後院後,信守承諾地回到屋裡『跟阿梅算帳』。完全無視阿梅懷有身孕的狀態,鮑伯兇殘地抓著她的頭髮,將她強行拖回地窖裡的籠子關了起來。

「我警告過你了!」鮑伯奸笑道。「如果你一直學不會怎麼做一個好太太,我們就會回到我們度蜜月的時候的場景。你記得這間可愛的小房間嗎?看來它會幫你回憶起我們剛結婚時度過的甜蜜時光。哈哈哈哈!」鮑伯吐了一口痰在地上後,便用力地將地窖的門關上。然而,現在的阿梅和以往不一樣。她決定不再哭著求饒。她的眼神中閃爍著一種前所未見的堅定信念。

在阿梅臨盆的前一天早晨,鮑伯出去工作前把她放了出來。鮑伯出門後幾小時,阿梅聽到了門鈴聲。自從上次抓到阿梅和阿雄暗通款曲後,懷疑心強的鮑伯就會時不時地回家突襲檢查;所以,阿梅以為又是鮑伯回來了。然而,當她前去開門後,竟驚見一名警察站在門口。

「妳是鮑伯・夏摩藤的配偶嗎?」警察出示警徽後問道。

「是的,我是。」阿梅疑惑地答道。

「我是來宣布一件很不幸的事,」警察說。「你的丈夫今早在工地發生了意外。根據目擊者的證詞,一根長長的鋼骨結構被風吹起,不偏不倚地刺穿了妳丈夫的心臟。因為死因非常離奇,所以現在警方正在介入調查中。身為死者的遺孀,我們需要你協助調查。我們這裡有特別派了一名越語翻譯員,所以不用擔心你聽不懂。」

翻譯員將員警的話翻譯成越文後,阿梅隱約感覺到是阿雄的冤魂回來復仇了。

Wednesday, 7 September 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-21

 After Bob had buried Hung's body in his backyard, he kept his promise and came back into the house to 'deal with' Mai. Without taking heed of Mai's status of being pregnant, Bob savagely grabbed her hair and mercilessly pushed her into the dark, humid dungeon where she had spent most of her days after their marriage. 

"I warned ya before!" hissed Bob sinisterly. "If ye don't behave like how a good wife should behave, you and me are gonna end up like in the old days during our honeymoon. Remember this sweet little room where you've spent in? Looks like we need to relive our honeymoon times again. Ahahahah!" Bob slammed the door of the dungeon shut and spat on the ground before he climbed up the ladder back to the living room. Nonetheless, this time, Mai did not cry and beg like she used to. Furthermore, there was a tinge of determination in her eyes which had not hitherto been present. 

The morning before Mai was due to give birth, she was let out of the dungeon before Bob drove to work. A few hours after Bob's departure and after Mai had finished her lunch, the doorbell suddenly rang. Presuming that it was Bob, who had begun the practice of returning home suddenly at expected times to check in on Mai ever since he caught Hung and Mai redhanded, Mai quickly rushed to answer the door, but only to discover that it was a police officer. 

"Are you Mrs Summerton, Bob Summerton's wife?" enquired the police officer after holding out his police badge. 

"Yes, yes, I am," answered Mai as she looked searchingly at the police. 

"I am here to inform you some sad news," responded the police officer. "Unfortunately, your husband has been killed on the construction site this morning. According to witnesses, a heavy metal rod used for the construction of pillars of a skyscraper was hurled up by a quote unquote mysterious gust of wind, and pierced through the heart of Bob Summerton, your husband. As the cause of his death appeared to be quite extraordinary, the police is currently investigating the case. As his wife, we would require you to aid us in our inspection by answering some questions. We have here a Vietnamese translator, so don't worry if you don't understand everything that I've said." 

After the translator has translated the officer's words, Mai instantly sensed that it was the ghost of Hung who had come back for revenge.  

Saturday, 3 September 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-20

阿梅與阿雄重逢的一個月後,有天,兩人正在計畫著逃跑路線時,大門突然被打開了。兩人太專注了,居然絲毫沒有注意到鮑伯的腳步聲。

「你們這是在幹嘛?好大的膽子,你這個賤人居然背著我在這裡跟郵差暗通款曲!」鮑伯看著阿梅與阿雄坐在餐桌旁後辱罵道。

「鮑伯,不是⋯⋯我⋯⋯」阿梅試圖解釋,可是因為她的英語能力不足,根本什麼都說不出來。

鮑伯火冒三丈地緊握拳頭,衝向阿雄。阿梅看見大事不妙,便挺身而出,擋在阿雄前面。鮑伯不顧阿身懷六甲,粗暴地將她推開,使她抱著肚子倒在了地上。

「你竟敢推她!」阿雄用越語大喊道,便衝向阿梅。

Wednesday, 31 August 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-20

One day, about a month after Mai and Hung's reunion, the couple were planning their escape when the front door was suddenly opened. In fact, they were too immersed in their conversation that they did not notice the heavy footsteps of Bob returning home. 

"What's this? God dammit! How dare you flirt with the mailman in MY house, you *@#%ing slut!" bellowed Bob after perceiving Mai and Hung sitting around the table as he pointed an accusing finger at the terrified Mai. 

"Bob, no, I.....he...." In vain, Mai tried to explain her situation. Nevertheless, due to her incompetency in English and her fear of Bob, she was unable to express her thoughts clearly.

In his fury, Bob clenched his fists and advanced towards Hung. Instinctively, Mai stood in front of her husband to protect Hung. Nevertheless, Bob pushed away Mai violently, causing her to fall to the floor whilst clutching her baby bump. 

"How dare you push her!" exclaimed Hung furiously in Vietnamese as he tried to rush towards Mai. 

Saturday, 27 August 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-19

阿梅移民到美國半年後,一個陽光明媚的早晨,阿梅的丈夫去工地做工了,阿梅則是在家裡面打掃。這時,鮑伯已經容許阿梅早上一個人自由地在家裡走動,雖然她的護照還是被鎖在櫃子裡。櫃子的鑰匙則是安全地放在鮑伯的口袋裡。這時的阿梅已經懷孕七個月,行動開始變得不方便。突然,門鈴響了。阿梅以為是丈夫提前回家,趕緊放下手邊的工作,前去開門。阿梅開門後驚見一個郵差;然而,他不是普通的郵差。事實上,他是阿雄!阿梅看到阿雄後傻住了,簡直不敢相信自己的眼睛。阿雄先開口說話。

Wednesday, 24 August 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-19

It was a sunny morning six months after Mai's arrival in the States. By then, Mai had gained her freedom of roaming around the house at day whilst her husband Bob was away at work at the construction site, despite the fact that her passport and travel documents were still securely locked up in Bob's bedside drawer, the key of which was placed in his pocket all the time. Seven months into her pregnancy, Mai had difficulty moving around the house, but was still busily employed with cleaning and other household chores. 

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Quickly putting down the mop, Mai dashed to open the door. As she opened the door, Mai was astonished to discover that it was a postman. Nevertheless, standing outside her door was no ordinary postman. In fact, it was Hung! Mai was so shocked that she was completely speechless. It was Hung who ventured to speak first.

Saturday, 20 August 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-18

鮑伯一手抓著阿梅的頭髮,另一手掀開了地板門,然後強行拖著阿梅走下梯子,來到了地窖。地窖的一個角落有著一個很大的籠子。鮑伯將阿梅推進籠子裡,並迅速地拿出鑰匙將籠子的門上了鎖。阿梅趕緊衝上前,一邊啜泣,一邊用著破英文懇求丈夫放她出來:「對不起,對不起!」

「XX的,在你懂得怎麼做一個好妻子之前不准出來,聽到沒?」鮑伯說畢便轉身爬上梯子,關上地板門,留阿梅一個人在漆黑中。突然,阿梅聽到身後有老鼠吱吱喳喳的叫聲。

Wednesday, 17 August 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-18

 Opening the trapdoor with one hand and pulling Mai's hair with the other, Bob descended the ladder into the cellar whilst dragging Mai behind him and they arrived at a cell with a metal door and a lock. Before Mai could come to her senses, Bob pushed her into the cell and locked the metal door behind her. 

After falling on the cold, stone floor of the cellar, Mai quickly got up and dashed to the metal door. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said as she sobbed violently, using her eyes to beg her husband to let her out. 

"That'll teach ya how to be a good wife, dammit!" sneered Bob as he ascended the ladder and closed the trapdoor behind him, leaving Mai in complete darkness. Suddenly, she heard the scurrying feet of rats behind her.

Saturday, 13 August 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-17

阿梅看到鮑伯臉上掛著邪惡的笑容,並緩緩逼近自己後,下意識地往後退了幾步。突然,鮑伯撲到阿梅身上,並一把抓起了她烏黑的頭髮。這時,阿梅才意識到鮑伯的意圖,並奮力抗爭。然而,柔弱的阿梅完全不是強壯的鮑伯的對手,順利讓他得成了。結束後,鮑伯留下坐在在地上啜泣的阿梅,並拿起了車鑰匙。

「哼,我去麥當勞吃漢堡都比這個女的煮得好吃!」鮑伯用力地將大門踢開說。「XX的,亞洲人不是都應該很會燒菜嗎?」

Wednesday, 10 August 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-17

 Petrified, Mai backed up but Bob continued to advance towards her with that sinister smile on his sunburnt face whilst saying things that Mai could not understand. Without warning, Bob pranced on Mai and grabbed her hair. Suddenly, Mai understood what Bob wanted and tried to resist. Nevertheless, due to Bob's occupation as a construction worker, he was relatively strong for his age, so Mai was unable to push him away. After he was done, Bob left Mai on the floor sobbing uncontrollably whilst he grabbed his car keys from the dining table. 

"Better get some burgers at McDonald's than eating this woman's cooking," mumbled Bob as he kicked the door open angrily. "I thought Asians are supposed to be good at cooking, dammit."

Saturday, 30 July 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-16

「這是我們的臥室。」鮑伯帶著阿梅走上樓梯,抵達了二樓。二樓的空間比一樓還窄,房間放了雙人床後就幾乎不剩什麼空間了。

「你看~這是我之前的妻子用的梳妝台。現在是你的了!喜歡嗎?」鮑伯指著一個被白蟻蛀得坑坑洞洞的梳妝台,並用著深不可測的表情問道。阿梅雖然聽不懂鮑伯說的英語,卻可以用肢體語言猜出他大概在說些什麼。阿梅勉強的露出微笑,卻難掩她在眼裡打轉的淚水。

Wednesday, 27 July 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-16

 "This will be our bedroom," said Bob Summerton as Mai followed him up the narrow flight of squeaky, wooden stairs, dragging her cumbersome suitcase behind. The small bedroom on the second floor of the house could barely fit a double bed.

"Look! This is the dressing table my late wife used to use. Now it's all yours. Do you like it?" asked Bob with the unfathomable smile still on his face whilst pointing to a dilapidated, termite-bitten dressing table squeezed into the far end of the room. 

Without any knowledge of the English language, Mai was unable to understand what Bob was saying, but could just about guess their meaning by observing closely his body language and gestures. In reply to his query, Mai put on her forced smile and nodded, trying to stop her tears from trickling down her cheek.

Saturday, 23 July 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-15

婚禮結束後,阿梅和鮑伯便趕到火車站,準備搭火車前往鮑伯的家~德拉威爾州。阿梅的父母及弟弟也陪同一起前往火車站。火車進站時,阿梅強顏歡笑的和家人道別。阿梅的弟弟阿成先開始哭了起來,她爸爸也將頭撇到另一邊去,偷偷擦拭著眼淚。就連阿梅嚴厲的媽媽都強忍著淚水,對阿梅叮囑道:「別忘了要當一個溫順的好妻子!」

整個旅途,阿梅都沒有掉一滴眼淚。在火車震耳欲聾的鳴笛聲中,阿梅心想:「為了我的孩子,我必須堅強。」阿梅回憶著過去,絲毫沒有注意到黃昏已悄悄逼近。

Wednesday, 20 July 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-15

 Shortly after their wedding, the newly wedded couple arrived at the train station to take the train to Delaware, where the latter lived. Mai's parents and her little brother Thanh also accompanied them to the station. When their train arrived, Mai wore a forced smile on her face and waved goodbye to her parents. First, her brother started sobbing, then her father also looked away to hide his tears. Even Mai's stern mother nearly broke down in sorrow, but she forced back her tears and shouted amidst the crowd. "Don't forget to be a submissive, obedient wife!" 

During the whole journey, Mai did not let a single drop of tear trickle down her face. "I have to stay strong for my child," Mai thought to herself as the whistle of the train's steam engine drowned the voices of other passengers on the train, signaling their departure. Fixating on the rolling hills and mountainside outside the window, Mai was so immersed in her own thoughts of home and the bygone days, which seemed so far away, such that she did not notice the blood red sun slowly setting in the far horizon, casting long, dark shadows over the trees and mountains. 

Saturday, 9 July 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-14

阿梅發現自己懷孕了的隔天,她母親一大早就把她叫醒了。

「阿梅,趕緊給我起床洗漱!」阿梅的媽媽說。「今天,我們要帶你去見夏摩藤先生,就是你未來的丈夫。妳得給我好好梳妝打扮,記得要展現自己最美的一面。」

阿梅之前計畫要盡可能的拖延他與未來丈夫的見面日。然而,當她發現自己懷孕後,反而想要盡快結婚,這樣才不會被父母發現。

「如果我媽發現我懷上了阿雄的孩子,一定會叫我把孩子拿掉的!」阿梅心想。「我得盡我所能來保護我的小孩,就算是嫁給一個陌生人,我都願意。」

於是,阿梅穿上她最美的洋裝,並化了濃妝來掩飾自己因徹夜哭泣而形成的紅腫雙眼及淚痕。在城裡的咖啡廳,阿梅終於和未來的丈夫見面了。夏摩藤先生是一個半禿頭的中年男子,他的年齡甚至比阿梅的爸爸還略大幾歲。他從事工地工人的職業,曾經結過一次婚,但沒有子女。

「你好啊!我叫鮑伯。你叫什麼名字?」夏摩藤先生和阿梅握手時問道。

「我叫阿梅。你好嗎?」阿梅用著她會唯一會的一句英語答道。

「我很好!阿梅,你好漂亮啊!」夏摩騰先生讚美的。

「您瞧~他們簡直是天生一對的!」仲介在一旁和阿梅的父母說,兩人也點頭表示贊同。

Wednesday, 6 July 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-14

The following morning after Mai discovered that she was pregnant, her mother woke her up really early. 

"Mai, wake up and get dressed," said Mai's mother in her usual commanding tone. "Today, you are meeting Mr Summerton, the gentleman whom you will marry. Put on your best dress. Don't forget that you need to make a good first impression." 

Mai's original plan was to postpone this meeting to as late as possible so that she could have more time to recover mentally from the loss of Hung. Nonetheless, now that she had discovered her own pregnancy, she was instead eager to marry Mr Summerton as soon as possible, before her parents find out. 

"If mother finds out that I'm pregnant with Hung's child, she would definitely force me to get rid of the baby," thought Mai to herself. "I must do all I can to protect our baby, even if it means sacrificing myself to marry someone whom I dislike, as it is the only piece of remnant that symbolizes our love."

Therefore, Mai acted like a good, obedient child and obeyed her mother's words. She put on her best dress, which was her eighteenth birthday present her father had given her, and put on some makeup in order to hide her swollen eyes and tear marks from all the crying from the previous night. In a café in the Bronx, Mai and her parents met Mr Summerton, who was a middle-aged balding man several years older than Mai's father. He was a construction worker who had been married once already with no children. 

"Hello, my name's Bob. What's your name?" enquired Mr Summerton as he shook Mai's hand. 

"My name is Mai. How are you?" said Mai in English, the only phrase she knew in the language. 

"I'm great, thanks. Nice to meet you Mai! You look beautiful!" smiled Mr Summerton warmly. 

"Seems like they're destined for each other," whispered the broker to Mai's parents, who nodded in agreement. 

Saturday, 25 June 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-13

得知了阿雄的死訊後,阿梅整個人都精神崩潰了。她將自己鎖在房間裡一天一夜後,終於做出了決定。

「既然阿雄已經不在了,我更沒有理由待在這座悲情城市了。」阿梅擦乾眼淚後心想。「我得做好我做女兒的義務,就是聽從父母的安排。我必須做一個好姊姊,把弟弟的將來放在第一位。」

於是,阿梅同意她父母的安排,嫁給一個美國的工地工人~夏摩藤先生,如此一來,他們全家便能搬到美國,順利重新展開新的生活。

經過了兩次轉機(一次在台北,一次在洛杉磯),他們終於抵達了紐約市。走出機場航廈時,映入眼簾的場景是紐約絢麗的天際線。阿梅目瞪口呆地遠眺著摩天大樓林立的市中心,其中最為顯眼的高樓是帝國大廈,以及當時尚在興建中的世貿雙子星。這些場景對阿梅來說非常新鮮,讓她暫時不再那麼消沈,對未來也開始抱著些許希望。然而,阿梅對此心情感到愧疚,心裡想著:「要是阿雄跟我一起在這就好了。」

Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-13

 After learning about Hung's death, Mai was absolutely devastated. After locking herself in her room for a day, she finally came to a conclusion. 

"Now that Hung is no longer here, I have no more reason to stay in this sad city," thought Mai to herself as her tears started to dry up. "Instead, I should perform the duties of a good daughter and obey my parents' words. I should be a good elder sister and put my little brother's future first before my own." 

Therefore, Mai agreed to follow her parents' arrangements for her and marry Mr. Summerton, an American construction worker, so that their family can move to America and start a brand new life there. 

After a long haul flight consisting of two transits in Taipei and Los Angeles, they finally arrived at the airport in New York city exactly two months after Vinh's visit. As they left the airport's terminal, Mai stared in awe at New York's glamorous skyline consisting of numerous modern and symbolic skyscrapers, including the Empire State Building, as well as the World Trade Center twin towers that were still under construction at the time. The unprecedented experience was so special to Mai such that she gradually began to feel less depressed and more hopeful towards her future. Nevertheless, Mai felt extremely guilty about her emotions and quietly thought to herself: "I wish Hung is here with me."

Saturday, 11 June 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-12

阿梅不顧父母的反對,每個週末都偷偷與阿雄碰面。經過多次約會後,兩人都堅信,他們的愛情絕對不是如同阿梅的爸爸說的『鬼迷心竅』。每天,阿梅的爸爸都會讀報紙,發現越共的勢力一天比一天強盛,並且更加確信美國最終會戰敗。

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

Playmobil Detectives: Saigon Love Story-12

Despite her parents' strong opposition, Mai had been secretly meeting up with Hung every week since that argument. After some time, they both confirmed that their love for each other was absolutely earnest and definitely not merely "a childish fancy" as Mai's father called it.

Everyday, Mai's father would read the newspaper, which only confirmed his earlier conjectures that the Americans seemed to be losing and the situation continued to exacerbate as the Viet Cong became ever more threatening by the day.

Saturday, 28 May 2022

摩比神探之西貢生死戀-11

阿梅興高采烈地回家後,發現父母在家裡等著她。

「母親,我有一件事要告訴您。」阿梅將菜籃放在地上後說。

「我們也有事要同你說。」阿梅的媽媽說。「聽好了,是很重要的事。」

「我們打算全家移民美國。」阿梅的爸爸接著說。「這裡的情況一天比一天糟糕,看來越共遲早會贏得戰爭並奪得政權。」

阿梅聽完後,震驚到不知道要說什麼。

「可⋯⋯可是為何如此突然呢?那我們這裡的房子,還有爺爺奶奶怎麼辦呢?」阿梅回覆道。

「我們的房子暫時空著沒關係。」阿梅的爸爸說。「我們三人先移民,等到拿到居留權後,再接妳爺爺奶奶過去。」

「可是,我們要怎麼拿到居留權呢?」阿梅問道。

「我們打算安排妳嫁給一個美國人,這樣我和你父親透過妳就可以拿到居留權。」阿梅的媽媽說。「我們剛剛跟仲介談過了。仲介是我娘家那邊的人,他人很好,很樂意幫助我們。」