Jackpot

22

The head of security for Moonlit SONATA Films did not have a desk at the production office. He did business in a karaoke club favored by local gangsters.

Kwok Lin was waiting for them when Teddy and Dale arrived. He acted like the booth was his private reserved office, but the booth’s location was terrible and did not speak highly of Kwok Lin. Teddy suspected he was probably related to someone who owned the club. Teddy also suspected he was related to someone at the film company and that most of what Kwok Lin considered as his career was just being related to the right people.

“We’re here about Centurion Studios and the movie they were making with your film company,” Teddy said.

Kwok Lin looked at Dale the entire time.

“It wasn’t a movie. It was pieces of a movie. No whole.”

“Why not a whole movie?”

“The crew was no good. We don’t do movies here and now we know why.”

“What about the triads?” Teddy asked. “Do they harass the film crews in Macau? Blackmail? Protection?”

“There are no film crews in Macau.”

“Ever?”

“Macau is for gambling. Golf. Other relaxation. Movies are made in Hong Kong or...”

He gestured broadly in the direction of mainland China.

“Then why would Peter and Ben try to make a movie over here?” Teddy asked.

“The film festival,” Dale said.

Kwon Lin nodded in agreement.

“Outreach,” he said. “Many people come to watch movies in Macau and many young people study how to make movies in Macau. But nobody works making movies in Macau.”

“They all leave?” Teddy asked.

Kwok gave a sigh and a nod. Apparently done with the conversation he said, “I would like to sing a song. Karaoke,” Kwok said.

“I don’t want any part of that,” Teddy said as he got up to leave. He handed the man a wad of bills of indeterminate value and left with Dale.

“It sounds like your business partners were trying to do good and someone wants to take advantage of them,” Dale said on the bus back to the office.

“You believed him?”

“Everything he said is true. Filmmakers keep trying to make an industry happen here.”

“I guess that’s good if the triads aren’t involved. Organized crime is never ideal to mess with.”

“Kwok Lin is barely a criminal and he is certainly not organized.”

“Do you know anything about anyone else in this film company?”

“I fear I have let you down by leading you to believe I know all in Macau,” Dale said.

“I have that problem as well,” Teddy said.

“People expect movie producers to know much about everything in America?”

“About as much as they expect security assistants at casinos to know.”

They were back at the film office. Teddy said he was going to work from the office for a while and invited Dale to stay and work with him.

“I have many responsibilities but thank you. I need to get back to the casino.”

“Won’t they be looking for you when they find the body in your room?”

“I will be fine. I am not Kwok Lin. I am not stupid.”