Tongueless by Lau Yee-Wa

Author:Lau Yee-Wa
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Profile Books
Published: 2024-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

Ever since the principal’s style had changed, so had the atmosphere in the teachers’ office. The snacks, magazines, newspapers and the like on teachers’ desks had all disappeared, and if they wanted to display some decorations, they swapped out the previous cartoon models for small potted plants. All the clutter in the walkway was cleared away. As soon as someone found the slightest mess on their desk, they cleaned it up at once. It was as though everyone had developed OCD.

Moreover, whenever Ling passed her colleagues’ cubicles, she always noticed that the partitions were covered with announcements about assignment checks and class observations. In the past, everyone used to gather around and chat; now, whenever they returned to the teachers’ office, they glued their rear ends to their seats, not moving an inch, other than to go to the kitchenette or bathroom. The whole Chinese department had fallen silent. Teaching two extra classes, Ling was even more overworked than her colleagues. It was only October, and during her free periods she had to prepare her classes, correct homework, handle students’ problems and spend extra time cleaning her desktop. The pressure was unprecedented.

Although everyone was busy, Ling never heard a single complaint. Even in private chats, people still prattled on about name brands, travel and restaurants as though nothing had happened.

In the Chinese department, only Miss Wu, Miss Ip and the head of the department were not affected. During their free periods, the department head often practised conversing in English with Miss Ip and Miss Wu, deliberately putting on an American accent, those ‘R’ sounds all tangled up like balls of thread. Sometimes she hung out with the English department and openly asked them for advice, as though she wasn’t there to work but to learn English.

One day Ling came back from class and saw the three of them chatting in English and laughing together. When she looked more closely, she realised they were on Skype. On the screen was the former British principal. Five years later, he looked the same, still robust but pudgier, his belly protruding beneath a loose tracksuit, grinning like Santa Claus. The head of the department smiled at the computer. ‘We miss you. We are so regret not to talk with you when you are here…’

Miss Wu pointed at the department head beside her. ‘Wrong grammar, isn’t it?’

The British principal burst out laughing.

So, in order to improve her English, the head of the department did everything she could, even seeking out the British principal. Ling wished she could be as free as they were. She stayed at work until eight thirty every night, and she had to handle school affairs when she got home. She used to go to bed at 10 p.m. to ensure a full eight hours of sleep, and after work she’d go to the beauty salon, afraid that if she didn’t take care of her skin now, it would get worse, and the circles underneath her eyes would darken; but now she

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