The Strange Story

G10MS2 The Strange Story ___ By Jayden Hsieh

2 “Hey, Alex, I’m going out this afternoon, remember to do the laundry and buy the things I told you to buy before I come home, ok?” said Richard, Alex’s dad. “Ohh…ok” asked Alex,“But where should I buy these things?” “Ohh it's so easy,” said Richard, “just buy them in the grocery store, if you can’t find them, just go to the nearby Costco.” “Costco?” asked Alex,“but how long is it going to take to drive to the nearest Costco?” “Ohh…probably 15 minutes or 5 hours, depending on the traffic.” answered Richard. “And also why do you want me to buy these things?” asked Alex, “ I not only need to buy 15 pounds of bananas, 4 cans of nuts…but also a stick toy that looks like it is for little monkeys(PCC)? What is that for?” “Oh it’s for my company,” answered Richard, “don’t ask so much, just do me a favor, I raised you for so many years in America, it’s only a few…” “Ok fine!” interrupted Alex, returning to his room. “You better be done quickly or you know what will happen(S).” warned Richard, waving his slippers. After driving and searching for hours, Alex finally bought all the things and returned home, except he couldn't find the stick toy. When his Dad came home, Alex was nervous. His father’s footsteps were slowly approaching Alex's room. He opened the door of Alex’s room, Alex closed his eyes, slowly turning around. And then, Richard threw his slippers to Alex. When Alex saw the slipper, he moved his head slightly away to dodge like a ninja and the slipper swifted passed him.

3 Unexpectedly, the slipper turned its way in the air, flying towards Alex and hitting right on his face, making a clear and distinct sound(CX). Then the slipper turned it way again, flying back to Richard’s hands. “If you did something wrong,” said Richard, “The slipper will punish you.” “I bought almost everything you told me to buy!” cried Alex, rubbing his face. “No you didn’t, and you also forgot to do the laundry.” “Oh there are just so many things to do!” said Alex, “That is just too hard for me.” “What are you talking about hard?” said Richard, “You don’t even know the luxury you’re in. When I used to go to school, I had to walk over mountains, through rivers, under 150 degree sun, in the snow, for 30 miles every day. I had to fight 2 lions and a bear and 3 chimpanzees in the forest. Every day! The same 3 chimpanzees! Now they are working in my company, doing my taxes and managing my credit cards and baseball cards.” “...what?” “And why are you always so stupid?” said Richard, “Remember your cousin in Singapore?” “Yeah…Eddy?” answered Alex. “He has a 5.0 GPA, and he can play the violin, guitar, piano, flute, oboe, drums…(PL)” “How is that possible?” “…all at the same time!” “No…” Alex sighed. “Eddy is the captain of the baseball team and tennis team. Look at how coordinated he is! Eddy is so good at sports, he can plug in the USB with only one try.”

4 “That is scientifically impossible,” said Alex, confidently, “I’ve done research on this.” “What are you talking about research? Huh? Eddy got his triple master's degree in Engineering, Music, and Physics,” said Richard, “and he’s only 13!” “Look at how good he is and then look at you.” said Richard, in an even louder voice, “Eddy works in NASA and makes space rockets, you cannot even make your bed.” “Eddy can fix his broken arm by himself, you cannot even fix the grammar on your essay.” said Richard. “I can never be like that,” said Alex. “You better be as good as him,” warned Richard, “Tomorrow is an important day, you better not embarrass us. You remember what day it is?” “The family dinner? Oh please no…” sighed Alex, he was so nervous about the imminent family dinner. When the family dinner arrived, Eddy, the cousin allegedly from Singapore, did not show up; instead, the other cousin from HongKong, Tommy, came along with Uncle Yang(CCX). Uncle Yang was a very competitive and brazen guy, he quickly incited the competition by telling Tommy to show all the skills he has immediately, including all the music talents and math grades. While Richard told Alex to show his math grades, all he can get is a C. “I swam all the way from Asia to America, and now you are here disappointing me?” asked Richard, frustrated, “Can’t you do anything useful?” “Ehhh……I can eat 3 big macs in 10 minutes.” said Alex. “I cooked for McDonalds and earned $200 a day,” said Tommy.

5 “I can prove the quadratic formula myself, that’s impressive because…” said Alex. “I got an A++++ on math,” said Tommy. “Wait what…?How did you…what?” Alex was confused, he was completely destroyed by Tommy in any way, whereas Tommy seemed just so unabashed and imperturbable. “Such a failure, ” said Richard. He knew he’s not going to win this one. “Looks like math isn’t really your son’s favorite subject, isn’t it,” Uncle Yang tried to insult Richard by saying this, but Richard didn’t say anything. Instead, he just slowly walked to his room. Richard waved his hands to tell everyone to come inside. He went to the desk where he usually works, but there is a door behind the desk. “Woah…” Alex was surprised, “I never noticed there was a door behind, what’s inside?” “Open it,” Richard told Alex, “And you’ll know.” Richard just stood beside with a slight smile on his face, watching everyone’s confused face while Alex slowly opened the door. There was a weird smell from the secret chamber, it smelt like some kind of animal odor, but also a weird forest smell. When everyone saw what’s inside, they were all impressed. Especially Uncle Yang, he jumped and yelled and ran around in the room. His eyes were stretched and bulged, and his breath was heavy and rapid. What’s inside the door is a room with three chimps, working on papers. “These are the chimps where I used to fight every day I go to school.” said Richard, proudly, “Now they are here working for me and doing my taxes.” “Didn’t know that story was actually real,” said Alex. “Everything I said is real, just ask your cousin Eddy,” Richard walked to the chimps and patted their fur, “Here, have some bananas. Despite these nuts and

6 fruit, I also have a toy for you if you can just finish this one last document about my income tax report…”

7