Episode Two: The Lucky Lotus

“Usual?” asked Stan.

Stan’s worked down the 'Lucky Lotus' forever. He knows what everyone orders. I nodded but then hesitated. I have no idea why but this weird impulse came over me. Without looking at the menu, and staring straight at Stan I said, “and a number ten please.” It was like time stood still, as if I’d pressed pause. I felt everyone staring at me, all the waiting customers.

Stan sucked his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “A number ten?” he asked. “Are you sure?”

I gulped and nodded. I didn’t even know what I was ordering. And then someone pressed play and life started moving again. I picked up the takeaway menu and hunted for number ten. A pickled egg! I’d ordered a pickled egg. At least it was only 99 pence. I jangled the change in my pocket. I know I turned red and started to sweat. What if I didn’t have enough money?

“Here you go,” said Stan, holding out a brown paper bag. His hand was shaking. Stan never shook.

“How much?” I asked and my voice came out all squeaky, like I’d been sucking on those stupid balloons my sister has. His reply froze me to the spot. I couldn’t move. Now this is when I should have known I was in big trouble.

“On the house,” he muttered. He glanced behind him like he was all nervous.

What did he mean ‘On the house’? No one ever gives anything away for free in Margate. He smiled, but it didn’t quite work. It was a fearful smile if you know what I mean.

“It’s your lucky day,” he said.

His voice was all stiff, like he’d got a mouth full of... well pickled eggs. I just stood there and gaped at him, like an idiot.

“You are the tenth person in October to order a pickled egg.”

He said it like he was reading a script.

“Tenth person, in the tenth month in 2010.” The brown paper bag swung gently in his hand.

“Thanks,” I said and reached out.

“And,” he said. “Your free gift.”

I know my eyes must have almost popped out of my head. A free meal AND a free gift; there had to be a catch.

With his other hand he held out a white plastic bag. I could see the muscles bulging in his arm under the strain.

I peered into the bag. No idea what I was expecting. Fortune cookies perhaps or a Chinese lantern? The bag seemed to be filled with white tissue paper so I reached in. Bit like putting your hand in a lucky dip, no idea what you might find. My fingers touched something hard and cold. It seemed to have holes in it.

Everyone was watching me. Nothing this exciting ever happens in Margate, especially down the Chinese. I paused and grinned at them. It was embarrassing having everyone staring at me.

I looked back at the bag and pulled out my hand.

Stan gasped.

I was holding a black, metal mask. I cradled this weird Chinese looking face in my hands. I felt numb, don't know why. Amazing how heavy it was. Now I didn't look at it and think WOW! It was more like OH! It was kinda creepy. Could have been a prop in a horror movie, I thought. A bit crazy looking.

But it did look just the right size, you know, to fit my face.

For a brief moment I wondered why Stan had gasped. I glanced over at him. The look on his face screamed ‘DON’T PUT THE MASK ON’. His eyes were full of horrified fear.

It was right at that moment that Carol Smith walked in.