The Red Dragon was considered the best place for Chinese in the state, and Melvin had some difficulty finding a parking spot. Finally, he found one and felt relieved that he had made reservations earlier in the day. He hoped that either Richie or Brenda had done the same. As for Shelly, Tina, and Tasha, they might have some trouble getting a table which was no skin off Melvin's back as far as he was concerned. The quicker he could be rid of them, the better.

Melvin led Courtney into the restaurant and was met by a tall, sour-faced Chinese man in a tight suit, standing behind a low podium. He was younger than most maitre d's Melvin had encountered and more handsome. His black hair was slicked back over his head, and he straightened a red bow tie as they approached him. He gave Melvin a thin smile.

"May I help you?" the man said in perfect English with no discernible accent. Melvin felt a small pang of disappoint; he thought that polite waiters unable to speak good English were almost an obligatory stereotype which only added to the atmosphere of Chinese eating establishments.

"Yes," Melvin replied. "I have a reservation for MacMuffin." The man did not giggle at Melvin's last name, but looked down at the open book before him with a searching gaze. The man must have heard his share of ridiculous last names in his business. His finger tapped against one page.

"Ah, yes. Here we are. Table for two?" the man said.

"Make that five," Shelly's voice said cheerily from over Melvin's shoulder. He hadn't heard her or the others come in. He thought that they would still be circling the parking lot, looking for a space. Melvin cursed their good luck. The Chinese gentleman looked up from his book, and a frown parted his face, his brow furrowing.

"There's no reservation for five. I'm not sure we will be able to do that. You may have to wait for some time," he said, his face turning to Melvin for a reaction.

"That ain't necessary," Tina said, walking towards the man and whispering something in his ear. Melvin couldn't make out what it was, and he was sure that he didn't want to know. Tina wore a slinky, short green dress, and the Chinese gentlemen had to forcibly remove his wide eyes from the swell of her bosom. Tina finished whatever she said to him, and the man nodded.