Read Online Tricksters by Norman Maclean - Free Book Online Page A

pornography.’
    â€˜Yang is like fire. If the fire is too hot, you’ll burn the cabbage. Yin is like water. If you have too much water in the pot, the cabbage will rot.’
    Rachel stared at her in horror. ‘You’ve already turned my head into broth, lady.’
    â€˜Do you trust me enough to do as I tell you – with the result that you’ll change your life forever?’
    There was a short pause. Finally Rachel said, ‘Okay. What do I have to do?’
    â€˜Firstly, close your eyes.’
    Rachel closed her eyes. ‘What now?’
    â€˜Allow your mind to drift with the wind . . . slowly, flowingly . . . just as the morning dew departs from the greensward at sunrise . . .’
    â€˜Mmmm.’
    â€˜Repeat after me: Where would you have me go?’
    â€˜Where would you have me go?’
    After a brief pause, Suki spoke again. ‘What would you have me do?’
    â€˜What would you have me do?’
    A second or two went by.
    â€˜What would you have me say, and to whom?’
    â€˜What would you have me say, and to whom?’
    There was a long delay. Suki released her grip and looked expectantly at Rachel. ‘Well?’
    â€˜Well, what?’
    â€˜Are you going or are you staying?’
    â€˜I’ll stay another night – if the room’s still vacant.’
    â€˜You’re more than welcome,’ Suki said. ‘I won’t charge you for the room tonight. Just give me twelve pounds.’
    â€˜Thank you. That’s terrific.’
    â€˜Come on, aren’t you formal, young lady! You can be informal with me. Just call me Suki. That’s my correct name anyway . . . Suki Morrison.’ Suki looked closely at Rachel. ‘What are you going to do about him?’
    â€˜That’s up to him. If he gets the money . . .’
    â€˜What’ll the pair of you do?’
    â€˜Well . . . I suppose we’ll have a night of mad, passionate love.’
    â€˜I hope he makes it.’
    â€˜Me too,’ Rachel said.
    â€˜Not for his sake, but for yours . . .’
    â€˜But if he doesn’t get what he owes me, and if he doesn’t stay sober . . . well, he’ll be sitting on the chair all night with his legs crossed.’
    â€˜If it’s your destiny to sleep with him tonight, ask your heart what you ought to do.’ Suki paused. ‘What size are you?’
    â€˜Pardon?’
    â€˜What size do you take in clothes?’
    â€˜Ten. Why?’
    â€˜Couldn’t be better,’ Suki said. ‘You’ll knock everybody out with the cheongsam.’
    â€˜What are you talking about?’
    â€˜Wear the beautiful silk dress I’ve got for you and every man in the place will have the hots for you.’ She paused. ‘Including Murdo.’
    â€˜What if he’s not seduced by the dress?’
    â€˜Find somebody who will be.’
    â€˜Hey, Suki,’ Rachel said, ‘I’m very fond of Murdo. I don’t want anyone else.’
    â€˜If you look nice for him, well, you’ll be doing him a favour. Listen, I don’t care if it works out between you and Murdo or not. Either you’ll sleep with him or you’ll not. All I want is to see you in that Chinese dress.’
    â€˜Then I’ll ask you just one question,’ Rachel said.
    â€˜Go ahead.’
    â€˜Why are you so keen on me putting on this dress?’
    Suki brandished a statue of the boxer/Saviour. ‘Look, I’m married to a dunderhead who doesn’t know the difference between Frank Bruno and our Saviour. Amn’t I entitled to a little romance?’
    Both women broke into laughter.
    â€˜Okay,’ Rachel said, ‘but we’ll have to be quick.’
    â€˜What’s your hurry?’
    â€˜I want to find out how Murdo got on.’
    They parted. Suki went into the office. Rachel ran upstairs with her bags.

10
Rehearsal
24 August 2010, 12.30 p.m.
    Murdo was crouched by the bed,