43
	Living in Nerima means that you have to get used to the 
fact that day-to-day life is going to be unusual.  When a young 
couple goes into Nerima on a date, they discover that even something 
simple like going to dinner can be a little...different.

==============================================================

				OFF THE MENU

	"Hey Satoshi-kun, how about that Chinese restaurant 
over there?"

	Satoshi looked across the street to where she was 
pointing and frowned.  "I don't know, looks like they're 
kinda busy."

	"Exactly.  The place has got to be pretty good for them 
have so many customers."  She took his arm and started 
leading him along.  "Besides, I love Chinese food."

	He had to admit that she made sense.  The best 
restaurants tended to be busy all the time.  And Chinese 
food did sound good.  "You've got a point there Nanami-chan.  
I guess that's why I like you so much."

	She flashed him one of those smiles that made him just 
want to melt as they continued across the street.  "Hurry 
up, I'm hungry."

	They entered the restaurant and were quickly seated by 
a Chinese boy with long black hair and thick glasses.  They 
had just opened their menus when a cute Chinese girl came up 
with an order pad.

	"Nihao.  You ready to place order?"

	Satoshi looked up at the waitress and smiled, 
"Actually, we just sat down and haven't had any time to look 
at the menu, so could we have a few moments?"  He then 
turned to his companion, "Unless you already know what you 
want to order."

	Nanami glanced quickly at the menu, then at the 
waitress and replied, "I think I could wing it.  Do you have 
Peking Duck?"

	The waitresses smile dropped almost imperceptibly.  "We 
no serve duck, but we DO have Peking Goose."

	The Nanami looked puzzled.  "I've never heard of Peking 
GOOSE.  Is it anything like Peking Duck?"

	"Is same recipe, but is made with goose."  She points 
to its entry on the menu, "Is very good."

	Satoshi's eyes bulged.  "Yeow!  That's kinda pricey 
there."

	The waitress assumed a slightly apologetic expression.  
"Get goose from supplier is special order, cost more."  Her 
expression brightened significantly as she continued, "But 
Nekohanten is only restaurant in area that serve goose."  It 
was easy to tell that she quite proud of that fact.

	Satoshi had to admit that goose was something of a 
gourmet item, and it was impressive that they were the only 
place around that carried it, but he was still a little 
confused.  "Um, if you can special order goose, why can't 
you special order duck?"

	The waitress replied, "Get duck is no special order.  
Supplier have duck, is regular item."

	"Then, why don't you order it?"

	"Nekohanten no serve duck, so we no order duck."

	"..."

	"Do people order the goose very often?  I mean, it is 
quite expensive." Nanami asked.

	"Customer order for special occasion.  You is on 
special date, yes?"  The waitress smiled.

	Nanami blushed.  "It's not really a special occasion or 
anything, it's just a regular date."

	"We also have Peking Chicken.  It cost less, and is 
very good."  She points to the entry on the menu just under 
the Peking Goose.  "You want try some?"

	Satoshi appeared intrigued.  "Do people order that very 
often?"

	"Customer order all the time.  Have two order in 
restaurant now.  Is one of best seller.  You want try some, 
yes?"

	The two looked at each other and decided that they did.  
"Sure we'll try it."

	The waitress jotted the order on the order pad.  
"Peking Chicken... What else you like?"

	Satoshi looked over at Nanami.  She knew a lot more 
about Chinese food than he did.  She took the hint.  "We'd 
like to start with some Potsickers for an appetizer, the 
Peking Chicken of course, some Beef with Broccoli, Sweet and 
Sour Pork, Shrimp Fried Rice..."

	"Excuse please."  The waitress interrupted.  "So sorry, 
but we no serve pork."

	"You don't serve pork?"  Satoshi had never heard of a 
Chinese restaurant that didn't serve pork, especially Sweet 
and Sour Pork.

	"We have Sweet and Sour Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, and 
House Combination.  You want try Combination?  Is good."

	Satoshi couldn't help it, he just had to ask.  "Why 
don't you serve pork?"

	The waitress looked a bit nervous.  "Is...complicated 
to explain, is long story.  Is...just...we no can serve 
pork."

	Nanami played a hunch.  "Is it the same reason why you 
don't serve duck?"

	The waitress seemed surprised she made the connection.  
"Yes.  Duck is different to pork, but reason is same."

	As confusing as that was, they figured it was about as 
close to an answer as they were going to get.  Nanami 
decided to clear up any further menu items before she 
continued.  "Does this reason prevent you from serving 
anything else?"

	She seemed to be unprepared for this question.  "Hai 
ya.  No one ever ask that before."  She considered it for a 
second.  "We also can no serve cat and panda.  But is OK."

	OK, if they were puzzled before, they were confused 
now.  Nanami found her voice first, but all she could say 
was, "Cat?  And Panda?"

	The waitress smiled.  "Yes.  But is OK, we no have 
recipe for cat and panda, so is no matter."  She then got a 
far off look.  "Never hear of recipe for cat...also never 
hear of recipe for panda."

	"That's OK, we weren't interested in them anyway.  Is 
there anything else?"

	"Well...we also can no serve girl with red hair in pig-
tail.  But customer no want order girl anyway."

	OK, the waitress was obviously joking now.  Nanami 
decided to play along.  "Oh, I don't know.  I might want to 
order one for my brother.  He hasn't had a date for months."  
That got a few chuckles from the three.

	"So, you want try Sweet and Sour House Combination?"

	"What's in it?"

	"It have beef, chicken, shrimp, and fried wonton.  Is 
good."

	"Sounds good.  We'll try it."

	The waitress looked at her pad.  "So, you have 
Potsticker, Peking Chicken, Broccoli Beef, Sweet and Sour 
House Combination, and Shrimp Fried Rice.  Anything else?"

	"Ummm, some Shrimp Lo Mien, do you have a combination 
Wonton Soup?"

	"Yes, is very good."

	"We'll have some of that too."

	The waitress added it to the order.  "Anything else?"

	"No, that'll be it."

	"Anything to drink?"

	"Tea is fine for me.  Satoshi-kun?"

	"I'll have tea too."

	The waitress collected the menus and smiled.  "I get 
you some tea and be right back."  She then turned and headed 
for the kitchen.

	Satoshi turned to Nanami, "Interesting restaurant you 
picked."  Nanami just grinned and shrugged her shoulders.  
"So, have you decided what movie you want to go see?"



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Send C&C to SteveKatz2@juno.com
June 1, 2000