Two smallish children are outside on the church lawn. It is close to sunset, and the schoolday is through, though apparently, the children have learned something that goes beyond the classroom. Call it a little cultural exchange, an omen of the future that would make any respectable, red-blooded American cringe and writhe with dismay:
"C'mon! Let's fight! You be Marshall Tucker, and I'll be the Chinaman!"
"No, I wanna be the Chinaman!"
"No, me! I'm the smaller one, and I can jump up in the air and kick you like the Chinaman did -- you can't do that, 'cause yer too BIG!"
"Am not, you liar! I'm not gonna lose like Tucker -- I wanna fly around and dance like the Chinaman does! I'll show YOU whose the better fighter!"
The two children put up fists, pretending to engage in mortal, or at least fairly painful and embarassing combat. One tries to kick, falling on his face, which causes laughter from both, one tries to 'wrassle' and grapple, like the Marshall did when he fought the Chinaman (who's heard of a DOCTOR that fights? That just ain't right!) and almost managed to do some dealing on him. /Almost/.
Seems a little Chinaman took down the Federal Marshall by kicking and pinching him with his fancy Eastern moves. It's the first sign of Armageddon, a toppling of social order, a travesty that is an embarassment to any red-blooded man, and a pretty purse to any man who bet on Kei Zungji winning in the Square earlier that day. Two children now re-enact the event, too innocent to realize its implications, and too anxious to learn more about the Chinaman and his curious, unnatural ways.
What's worse...the smaller of the two children is a girl. After all, if a little Chinese person in a dress can take down a Marshall...why can't a little American one...?
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