Gastrofunkalicious

by Brian Silverman

About the Author: Brian Silverman is the author of numerous acclaimed short stories in the mystery genre. His story "Breadfruit" appeared in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2018, while his story, "Scotch Bonnet," was selected as one of the notable mystery stories in The Best American Mystery Stories of 2019. His first novel, Freedom Drop, will be published in early 2021.

Excerpt

Seattle Berlin, a backpack over his shoulders, held up the flag of golden ramen noodles as he paraded down Division Street, a group of seven men and women behind him. He could feel the cool of the box inside the canvas backpack against him. He wanted to take it off and readjust it. What was in there was constantly reminding him of the value of what he was transporting, but he didn’t want to stop the parade he was leading.

Each in the group paid $45 for the exotic food tour Seattle was leading. This tour, advertised on Seattle’s website as Chinatown Unmasked, included a meal at Tasty Fang restaurant. Turning east on Pike Street, the group was in the shadow of the Manhattan Bridge above them. Tasty Fang’s was on the corner of Pike and Monroe. Even though it was a warm March evening, steam had collected on the window of the small restaurant and obscured its interior.

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