A. I. Evolution: The Coming of Christopher

Chapter 37

The street is full of people from many different nationalities all dressed in a variety of clothing styles, along with musicians playing guitars as they walk slowly, followed by singers, moving from one side of the street to the other collecting change and bills from some of the more interested people. A man dressed in silver clothes with matching body paint to give the impression of a metal robot, mimes his way through a knot of people, dipping his body mechanically to each of them, so others can take his picture with them before handing over some money for the privilege.

I walk slowly with Wong keeping pace with me just to my right, but slightly behind me, as we take in the sights along the street. We go about two blocks into the crowd of smiling happy patrons when I spot a group of tables that jet out into the street from a small cafe. I cut across the crowd, timing my moves so as not to bump into anybody, and plunk myself down in the chair at the first available table. Wong takes the seat across from me and looks out over the throng of people making their way along the boardwalk like a herd of sheep moving back to the pens for some fresh food.

A male waiter approaches as soon as he sees us sitting there. "Can I get you gentleman anything to eat or drink?"

"What do you have that is light? We just had supper about an hour ago."

"Well, might I suggest some nachos then, and a couple of beers, while you enjoy the sights passing by," says the tall young man.

I look to Wong, who just shrugs his shoulder, unfamiliar with some of our foods, because he is still new to this part of the world. "Nachos are a thick chip with vegetables spread throughout them with a sauce and cheese poured over the top. They are very good and something we can nibble on for awhile as we sit and enjoy the evening."

Wong nods his head at the idea. "That sounds good, but just a juice or water for me, please."

I turn back to the waiter. "How about two nachos with chicken, and what do you have for juice?"

The waiter writes down the order before turning back to the two of us. "We have a mango juice that is our signature drink. You can have it with alcohol or by itself, both are very good."

I look to Wong who nods his agreement. "OK, the nachos, the mango juice, but no alcohol, please."

"Right away," smiles the waiter, before turning back to the entrance of the cafe.

I look out over the crowd and enjoy the numerous attractions, such as the man juggling flashing balls, or the fire eater sending out streams of flame from his mouth to the Oh's and Ah's of the onlookers. I turn back to see Wong staring at some of the females walking past us, some dressed in very cool clothes that leave very little to the imagination. I smile at his interest in American fashions. "I take it that you don't have places like this in China?"

Wong smiles and pulls his eyes from the crowd. "No, we are a much more conservative people. The authorities where I am from would be arresting most of these women for showing as much as they do."

"It is a hot night; can you blame them for dressing the way they do?"

"Oh no, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against their attire, it is just something I am not used to, that's all."

I smile at Wong's response, as I turn back to the crowd and lose myself in thought for a few moments before turning back to face him again. "The information I got from you in the room is amazing, but I must admit that I am unsure how to apply it or explain it to people."

Wong smiles at my confusion. "It traditionally takes a long time for a person to open up to the people around them, but you, with your little friends in your head, should be able to accelerate that process easily."