Zurich, one morning in March. Tom Wildt, editor of New Trans Pacific magazine, is briefed by his boss Robert on a job concerning a WTO conference in Shanghai. Tom is to get an exclusive interview with a WTO representative, Nick Balterman. Robert goes on to say that Jeff Ecclestone, CEO of the media concern in Atlanta, has particularly asked for Tom to do the job. What Robert does not know, but guesses at, is that Tom and Jeff have a special affinity which goes far beyond the bounds of the editorial work in connection with the magazine. Tom tells Robert that he has a meeting that day with Jeff in Zurich, confirming Robert's suspicions. He is frustrated and cannot hide his feelings. Tom reacts with a touch of arrogance.

About midday, Tom collects Jeff from the airport. They drive to the Dolder Hotel and talk. It becomes clear to Tom that his past has caught up with him. The interview in Shanghai is only a pretext, and in reality it concerns the Blue Bamboo Project. The aim is to eliminate the Yellow Dragon.

Tom is shocked. In his undercover role as assistant to Jeff, he knows what the Blue Bamboo Project is. It is the project of a multi-national task force, financed from dubious sources, with close links to the media concern in Atlanta – in other words, to his employer. This concern and the people behind it have clearly defined intentions. The predicted rise of China as a super power – a new hegemony – should be prevented. Tom also knows who the Yellow Dragon is: the chief of a Chinese secret society, who cooperates with the task force. Tom would like to know how by what means the master plan will be put into practice. Jeff answers, “Wait and see.”

Tom, by no means a coward, does not have a good feeling about this. In spite of this, he accepts the assignment. He has to, because three years ago, when his profes­sional life was not going well, Jeff arranged a top editorial job for him at New Trans Pacific. However, Tomʼs contract contained a proviso. He must not only represent the interests of Jeff and his henchmen on the editorial side but also be prepared to carry out special duties. Jeff knows that Tom is capable, he knows his record. He also knows that, before Tom became a journalist, he was in the Foreign Legion for three years. There is no turning back. The ticket is booked, departure tomorrow, and the hotel in Shanghai is reserved. Jeffʼs secretary has booked him into the Peace Hotel.

That same evening, Tom meets his girlfriend Babs. After dinner in one of their favourite restaurants, they go back to his place. Tom wants to enjoy his last night together with Babs and forget his special assignment for a couple of hours, but nothing goes according to plan. While Babs is in the shower Tom checks his email and finds a myste-rious message. “E-Wa is waiting for you at Renmin Square. CU.” Tom is confused. Then he has an argument with Babs. She feels neglected, has the feeling that Tom is hiding something from her and accuses him. Tom’s attempts to pacify her are not really successful. Babs is hurt. Tom is worried. He guesses that his present life is definitely finished.

Another continent, another time zone, and a different environment provide a relaxed atmosphere. Tom has arrived in Shanghai. The Peace, with its somewhat dusty Art Deco charm, pleases him. “This might not be so bad after all,” Tom says to himself.

There's a curious call to his room. Tom decides not to allow the mood to be disturbed. “We are pleased to invite you to the Yellow Dragon Midnight Party, which will be held at the Cathay Hotel 14th March, 1936,” croaks a voice as from an old record.

Next morning: Tom goes, as planned, to the WTO conference in Pudong. The con-ference has already begun. The mayor is making a speech, a preview of the EXPO 2010 to be held in Shanghai. Then Nick Balterman appears on stage. Tom isn't interested in his statements and disappears to the bar. There he meets Chris, a colleague from the Financial Times. Chris advises Tom to change his hotel. A secret service guy has advised Chris to “Stay away from the Peace Hotel!” Tom is worried. Soon after his chat with Chris, a young Europen lady informs him that the interview with Nick B. has been put off. “We will contact you again,” she says. “When?” “Tonight.”

The same evening, Tom goes for a stroll along Nanjing Road. In Renmin Square a girl speaks to him “Hello, may I come to your room?” Tom is baffled, takes a closer look at her. Between 18 and 20, he supposes. Small, dainty, no makeup, no lipstick. Trendy but somehow dignified and respectable, inconspicuously dressed. In other words, not a typical prostitute. What to do? Tom makes a spontaneous decision: “Okay, let's go. I'm staying at the Peace.” They walk on, arrive at the hotel and finally enter Tom’s room.

It’s a bizarre situation. The girl who later says her name is E-Wa is sitting in the armchair, stiff as a poker, sipping her gin fizz and making zero advances. Tom is thoroughly irritated, talks a lot of trivial nonsense. E-Wa answers in a soft voice, telling him that she is an artist. At last she goes into the bathroom and comes back naked, still with an earnest look on her face, but probably determined to do her job. “Enjoy my body,” she says in a soft voice, lying on the big French bed. Tom is of two minds: Looks at her, caresses her, then comes to a decision. “It’s better for you to go now.” E-Wa is surprised and disappears again into the bathroom.

When she returns, hair loose, wearing the high-necked silk blouse again, cat-gray leggings, she says in a determined voice, “I want to stay.” Tom remains composed and casts himself resignedly onto the bed. E-Wa does the same, making sure to keep her distance. Tom does not want anything from her anyway. This changes the situation. E-Wa suddenly unbends, laughs, and starts chattering about a dream career as a famous artist. She puts the TV on and a kung fu film is on. E-Wa stands up on the bed and demonstrates kung fu tricks to Tom. “You’re a really nice kid,” remarks Tom. Thinks: Platonic in the Chinese way. Who would have thought it? “Not a kid, a goddess,” whispers E-Wa and falls asleep. Tom considers: Am I safe or in danger? Then, finally, he also falls into a troubled sleep.

It happens around midnight. Tom has the feeling that the hotel is flying away. An alien noise in his head, dancing lights, a cracking hallelujah sound like a mix from a Bach cantata and Aphex Twin. Then comes the total blackout. Tom has gone! Out of the real world... and then: “Wake up darling, it’s time.” E-Wa’s voice, but totally different. Tom opens his eyes and cannot believe what he sees. This lady here...the little Chinese kid from a moment ago? It cannot be true! Her face is painted like a star out of the Peking Opera, her hair piled up artistically. Her dress is classical Chinese qipao. Her shoes: high heels. Costly necklace. Gold Cartier watch, 1930s model. “Did you have nice dreams?” she asks, smiling. She trips across to the wardrobe and takes out a classical dinner jacket. Tom jumps out of bed. He looks around him. The room has changed. Runs to the bathroom, and there too, the whole place is in the style of the 1930s. E-Wa knocks at the door. “Tom! Tom!” He takes a deep breath. Okay, they have made copy and paste. The Peace is once again the Cathay. Slowly, Tom becomes aware. The Big Game has finally started! Fine, let’s play it. Tom reaches into the pocket of his dinner jacket, takes out a nice little Browning. It is loaded. He also finds a photo, a distasteful-looking Chinese guy. On the back of it, advice. “Don’t miss your target!”

12.30 a.m. Big party as in legendary times. The whole room under the eaves of the Peace, now the Cathay again, is a perfect copy of the 1930s. The band plays a mix of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. Guests: A real panopticum. Actress Li Yunhe, later Boss of the Gang of Four gossips with one of her mortal enemies, General Wu Tiecheng. Bertrand Russell philosophizes with double agent Richard Sorge. Charlie Chaplin dances with a party girl. Paulette Goddard is sulky. André Malraux has an argument with Noel Coward. Thomas Mann, ironically, aks Du Yuesheng, the boss of the Green Gang, whether he knows his novel „Zauberberg“. In addition, Taipans, opium kings, film stars, high society snobs from Shang-hai in the Thirties. (All authentic. All former guests of the Cathay/Peace).

“You are my hero, I love you,” confesses E-Wa to Tom. This is the moment, thinks Tom and takes her in his arms. Her reaction is promising! But then, in a warning voice, she says, “Don’t move away! Stay by my side. I’ll protect you!” A show is taking place. A bad imitation of Bing Crosby warbles sentimental ballads, then a White Russian ballet group appears. Slowly but steadily people are losing patience. Party and singsong girls, out of their heads with drugs, are dancing naked on the tables. Some gentlemen are also becoming conspicuous. Waiters are serving cocaine. One gentleman smokes an opium pipe.

Till suddenly...

1.45 a.m.: Taratantara! The jazz combo plays a fanfare. The gladiators are moving in. The Yellow Dragon (same fellow in the photo). Horrible guy, about 60, unctuous facial expression, traditionally attired, all in yellow. Followed by his Chinese henchmen, also in yellow, armed to the teeth with swords and pistols and escorted by a very different group of white warriors carrying Uzukis and Kalashnikovs. The guards are very brutal, forcing guests from the dance floor. People are afraid, hiding in corners. One man protests, and a henchman springs into action, killing him with his sword. The guards take the dead body away.

The Yellow Dragon stands in the middle of the room and tries to soothe the audi­ence. Then he starts to speak. He talks about the Chinese Fatherland, which is in great danger. Therefore, it must be saved. “Thatʼs our objective and we will succeed – with the help of a powerful coalition of the best sons of our people.” The Yellow Dragon looks at the elite from the old days. They are bowing. The Yellow Dragon continues, “With the help of our friends – the foreign devils,” and makes a welcoming gesture. Nick Balterman from the WTO starts his speech. Talks about a new global order, a sensible balance in world affairs, which at the moment is disrupted. “But not any longer. Thanks to determined men and women and the most advanced technology.” E-Wa takes Tom by the hand. Her hand is burning like fire, and she has an iron grip. Tom looks around. He recognises a sign given him by Nick Balterman. At the same moment, two Dragon warriors are starting to hunt him down.

2.35 a.m.: E-Wa starts striding toward the middle of the room, pulling Tom power-fully with her. He cannot free himself. E-Wa’s goal is a little high-tech box, well guarded by the warriors. But E-Wa is faster and smarter. She pushes the RESET button and the whole situation runs out of control. Panic in the hall. Shots. Screaming. E-Wa and Tom are heading for the big window. “Jump!” screeches E-Wa, and throws herself head first through the window, and Tom follows. The noise of smashing glass is heard from below, competing with the hooting of the junks on the Huangpo River.

In spite of everything, the sun rises again over present-day Shanghai and Tom finds himself once more in real time. He is apparently lying dead in a lane behind the Peace Hotel but totally aware of what is going on. The following incidents pursue Tom as if he were witnessing himself, passive, unable to participate or react physically.

First, the passers-by stop and gawk, and soon the police come and shortly after­wards an ambulance. Tom is taken to the pathology department of a hospital in town. The impending autopsy, about which Tom has mixed feelings, cannot take place.  A group of gangsters breaks into the hospital. They shoot their way through to Tomʼs living corpse and escape with him in a van.

This action has been initiated by Jeff Ecclestone. He wants to stop the pathologists from investigating Tomʼs inner life, whatever the price. Jeffʼs plan goes off at half cock. During the journey to the secret stronghold, the van is destroyed by a rocket, pulveris­ing all the people inside. Itʼs the work of the Yellow Dragons, and will have far-reaching consequences for Tom. His existence, physically, as a present-day journalist, is at an end. He has, in reality, bought a one-way ticket, and from now on he has to concentrate on his virtual existence, an existence in the unfamiliar space-time dimension to which he has been transcended.

Virtual life is incredibly dangerous in the parallel world. Before Tom can come to terms with the loss of his real existence, his “second self” is already on the run, because the Yellow Dragons are hunting for him and for E-Wa throughout Shanghai.

The facts are clear. The Dragon posse knows that they have lost the game. The attempt by the task force of the Blue Bamboo Project to eliminate their boss during the party at the Peace has given them the clear signal that their former partners no longer want to work with them. No more strategic, technological or financial support.

Denouement. Vengeance is the only thing left. And after the Dragons have already eliminated the contract killer Tom, Nick Balterman and some of his “warriors” there are still three targets left: the former chief ally, Jeff Ecclestone, the virtual Tom Wildt, and, last but not least, E-Wa, whose menace was gravely underestimated by all those taking part.

The flight of Tom and E-Wa from the Yellow Dragons resembles a roller coaster ride through time and space. While the two of them, in a VW Santana driven by E-Wa, race through different districts of the town a yellow Range Rover closely follows them. From time to time they make veritable time changes from present-day Shanghai then into the Paris of the Far East in the thirties of the twentieth century, and back and forth like being in a never-ending orbit.

E-Wa is totally stressed out. Although the escape requires her whole concentration, she also has to answer urgent questions from Tom, which she does in short, disconnected sentences. She tells him about her status: that she is an android with only temporary access to the real world; that her art is the only stable tie with the actual world that can take a material form; that her vanishing point is a virtual atelier in Taikang Lu district of Shanghai in the twenty-first century; and yes, she is now trying to get there with Tom; and yes, she does love him and would like to stay together with him; and that, for him, now there is no going back into the real world; but maybe one day...

Unfortunately, Tom does not find out more about whether a re-transcendence is unlikely or strictly impossible. The Santana hits a pillar on the Waibaidu Bridge and flies apart... and Tom flies in an arc into the Suzhou Creek.

E-Wa escapes and can continue her virtual existence as a “promising young art-ist”. Before that, however, she finishes her job by eliminating the Yellow Dragon. And the master plan? It will be temporarily filed away. The multi-national task force and the people behind them file a new strategy. E-Wa stays aware and continues to follow the events on the Web. Whether Tom ever surfaces again from the flood of the Suzhou Creek remains an open question, which even E-Wa cannot answer (“Access denied!”), but she uses another possibility. To keep alive the memories of “Tom from Zurich” for the real world, E-Wa transcribes the cyberspace-stored data about Tom into a word document – the basis material for the novel
„20 Nanjing Road“.


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