Channel 23 was a big favourite TV Station in Hong Kong. It centered on reporting real life issues, and there were some unique people featured on it. There was also the downside, Michelle Chan thought, as sat at her desk, preparing the background on her latest assignment.
Recently, the station bosses had wanted to show what Michelle thought were the wrong kind of people-sleazy celebrities, rich businessmen that seemed more like scam artists, even actual criminals-- and what they were getting up to. Michelle hated this, even though she and her best friend Jane Yeoh, also her camerawoman and sound combined, had her back. They'd been made uncomfortable by some of their recent jobs. The people they were filming seemed to be low lifes, publicity hounds, and those preying on innocent victims-- it didn't seem like good TV to the two girls. However, the ratings were very, very good. The powers that be had wanted more, and had given the girls what seemed to be ever more distasteful, and even dangerous, work.
On gthe surface, this latest job certainly didn't please Michelle. They'd been told to go to Hong Kong Harbour. There was a ship, the 'Eastern Paradise' currently docked. Both girls had been told there may be something interesting going on there.
'So, 'Michelle turned to Jane. 'What do you think?'
Jane was checking her camera, and shrugged.
'A chance for travel, I guess.' She was thoughtful, as she asked, 'There's no background info we can use? Just seems odd, we've been told to find out something, that maybe there's nothing happening. '
Michelle leaned forward, her voice going to a whisper.
'I think there is something happening. Listen to this. '
She suddenly produced a tape recorder, and pressed the play function. A woman's voice came on.
'This is Detective Angela Lee, have infiltrated the Eastern Paradise, on possible reports of criminal activity on board this ship. Will report in later.' The tape stopped.
Jane frowned at her friend.
'Where did you get that?'
Michelle decided not to tell her, 'Oh, I have my sources. But don't you see, its got all the marks of a good story. A woman undercover, possibly bringing some bad guys down. Someone actually trying to do some good, instead of the low lifes we usually cover. And she's a police officer. If there's any trouble, I'm sure she could handle it. '
Jane had to admit, it did sound really good. So, she nodded.
'When do we go?'
Michelle answered, 'The ship is still in dock, it won't depart until tomorrow night. Let's go home, and pack some stuff. If we're going on a cruise, let's enjoy it!'
Both girls grinned at each other, and left, very excited.
They would not have been so eager, if they had realised, that both of them had been watched, and listened to. A man, walked calmly over to their desk, and promptly picked up the phone. Nobody challenged him, and he was confident, nobody would do so. He waited until a woman's voice answered.
'Madam Chen? You're going to have another two guests arriving soon. '
Both Michelle and Jane had eagerly chosen their gear for the trip. They obviously weren't going to stowaway, as they both held their boarding cards, provided to them, by their employers.
Got some great perks, Michelle thought. She glanced down at her attire, denim blue shirt, and tight blue jeans. Jane wore a black shirt, with darker jeans than Michelle's. Both women had to admit they really enjoyed some of the appreciative looks, given to them, by some of the harbour men. There was even the odd wolf whistle. They'd been told many times, that Channel 23's success, was due to their really good looks, with smooth skin and silky black hair; Michelle had longer hair, Jane's wasn't that much shorter. Yet, every time they appeared on camera, the ratings soared. It made them pleased, but both girls were down to earth, and immensly likeable: another factor that made their success.
Michelle glanced around the harbour, it was just a typical day. Ships of all shapes and sizes came in, and departed. She did notice a boat, that was moored all by itself, on the far side of the harbour. There were people on there, and it looked as if they were being watched.
She nudged her friend.
'Do you see that?'
Jane glanced over in her direction.
'See what?'
Michelle peered to be sure, but then, those people had turned away from them. She shrugged. Was I seeing things? Though, there was enough of a hint of reality, that she knew she hadn't imagined it.
Suddenly, two more young women walked up to them. Michelle could see these two girls were real stunners, one of them Chinese, the other European. The latter was just lacking a little in height, but she had a warm, friendly face, and a smile that would send any man to Heaven. However, from the uniforms they were wearing, dark blue shirts with knee length black skirts, it was clear, they were Customs Officials.
The Chinese woman spoke first.
'Can we help you?'
Michelle and Jane both showed their boarding passes for the Eastern Paradise. She looked at them, and was satisfied they weren't snooping around here.
'Is there a problem?' Michelle asked.
The two customs women looked at each other, and did decide to tell them something.
'Watch your step. There's been an increase of activity from the Triad gangs operating in this area. We just can't find them yet. '
Both Michelle and Jane nodded. They'd done some stuff before on these gangsters. It had truly terrified them both: those were extremely dangerous, and ruthless people.
Michelle couldn't help herself, as she asked the European woman, 'I don't mean to be nosey, but may I ask who you are?'
She could see that she was going to get a reply, but the Chinese woman stopped her.
'Sorry, enjoy your trip, ladies. 'And, with that, both customs women left them.
'Wonder why she wouldn't say who she was, ' Michelle pondered aloud. 'I don't think it would have done any harm. '
Jane picked up her luggage, and made for the gangplank.
'Come on, let's get on board. I want to find out what the cabins are like. '
It was a struggle even trying to reach the gangplank. They'd packed too much. Michelle was just about to scream in frustration, when she and Jane noticed a man dressed in naval whites coming towards them. He was obviously from Thailand, and they remembered the ship finished its journey at Bangkok. He wore a polite smile, and Michelle wondered if he was the Captain.
'Good Evening, ladies, ' he spoke fluent Cantonese. 'I'm the First Officer, Mr Yee. May I help you with your bags?'
Both girls nodded eagerly, glad for the help. He took their bags, and after giving out some orders to some more crew, their luggage was taken aboard.
'May I see your boarding cards, please?' Yee still maintained the polite attitude, the girls suspected nothing. They were completely unaware of what was waiting for them. Yee handed both their cards back, then asked for their passports. Again, these were handed over without complaint. He returned them, and gave another smile.
'Welcome aboard the Eastern Paradise, we don't get journalists very often. 'He smiled again, 'only every so often. '
The girls didn't see the significance of what he was saying, but hey were thrilled, when he asked them, 'Perhaps you would like to meet with the Captain? He and myself always watch your programme. We find it very interesting, and most useful. '
Jane answered, 'Thank you. It really would be great to get an interview with him. '
Yee inclined his head politely.
'Please enjoy yourselves, I shall send somebody with you, to show you your cabins. I'm sure you'll like them. '
Both Michelle and Jane gave their thanks, and were shown to their cabins. Yee watched them go, a smirk on his face. He then went up to the bridge. Captain Liu wanted him. When he got there, he saw Liu looking through a pair of binoculars. He stood beside him, and waited. Liu was observing the two customs women. Yee noticed that.
'How are our two pretty journalists, then?' he asked.
Yee was confident. 'They don't suspect anything. They're actually looking forward to meeting you. '
Liu smiled. 'Believe me, so am I. ' He handed over the binoculars. 'Get some of our people to find out who the Western girl is. I'm quite taken with her.'
Yee nodded. 'I'll see to it, Sir. By the way, may I ask if Miss Lee was satisfactory?'
Liu sighed contentedly. 'She's my guest again, tonight. You must be eager to see her yourself?'
Yee chuckled.
'As long as she's kept tied up, and gagged. Just like our new guests. '
Both men smiled, they had much to look forward to.