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<P><JC><B>CHAPTER TEN: Wan Chai
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<P>Dominic was sitting in a chair. It was elevated from the ground slightly; His feet did not reach the floor. No, it was placed on a short pedestal. The carpet beneath was red, with gold lining. Where were the walls? There. He could see them now. The room was stone - Not the kind of decaying stone one might expect from ancient fortified castles, but a sort of polished stone. Almost like marble. Some sort of red draperies hung on all four sides of the chamber.
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<P>The wall before Dominic was penetrated by a single wide doorway. It cut through the stone a few feet, then ended in a curtain, which was suddenly pushed to one side. A figure passed through. It was a very large man, dressed in a very dark suit. Whether his head was placed incorrectly on his body or he was merely walking backwards, Dominic could not tell. His vision was not functioning at an optimal level.
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<P>"You still don't know who I am," the man said. It took Bishop a moment to realize he was being spoken to. "Would you like a drink?" The voice was deep, and resonated through the room as though it was no more than three feet wide.
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<P>Dominic tried to move his feet. He could not. "No," he said, though his mouth was quite dry.
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<P>The man looked at him for a moment, then produced a rag from one pocket. "I'm afraid your forehead is dirtied. Use my handkerchief."
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<P>Dominic saw his hand reach and remove the rag from the man's grip, though he made no effort to do so. It was then applied to his forehead. Removing it seconds later he could see that it was completely drenched in blood.
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<P>Glass clinked. Bishop turned and saw that the man was pouring himself a shot of liquor.