When Bia came home in the afternoon he opened the door with a bang and ran into the apartment.
- Superstar! shouted Bia. – I am superstar!
He jumped up and gave Peter a hug. Then he put his arms around Peter’s neck and locked his legs around Peter’s waist.
- Yes you are my superstar, said Peter, surprised by the energy the boy had.
- Real superstar! I famous!
- What? Are you getting on TV?
- Almost TV. I sing and dance. Have show in school.
- What are you talking about? Are they having a play at Thammasat?
- Yes! And I superstar.
Peter backed through the apartment with Bia still clinging to him. When Peter reached the sofa he let himself fall on his back with Bia on top of him.
- I queen, explained Bia, still hugging Peter.
- How fitting.
- I have big costume. Same gold. And I sing.
- Wow! I didn’t know you had such shows at your university.
- Is for student.
- Can I come and watch?
- No!
- Why not?
- Is only for Thai people.
- For Thai people and one farang.
- Farang can not go. I shy.
- Not too shy to perform on a stage?
- I show you.
Bia left Peter’s embrace and ran over to the stereo. He put on a song and began dancing while doing lip sync.
You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
Bia sang into an imaginary microphone while doing his steps. Peter applauded.
- You are doing ABBA, said Peter. – That’s an old song. It was popular when I was your age.
- Song not old. Is new.
- What makes you think it is new?
- Because I buy new in shop.
- Ha ha ha! I guess it is new for you.
- Must have costume, said Bia.
- Who will make it?
- My friend.
- Who?
- My friend.
- You have many friends. Which one?
- You not know him. He make costume.
Bia paused. Peter heard the silence and said:
- You need money to buy the costume?
- Need!
- How much?
- Up to you.
- Don’t say up to you. How much will it be?
- I not know.
- You must know what it costs.
- I not know. Up to you.
- What do you need?
- Need every thing.
- Can you be more specific please? Which part do need?
- Need costume body.
- OK. Anything else?
- Need pat-fom shoe.
- Platform shoes?
- Yes.
- Anything else?
- No.
- Really?
- And tial-a.
- Tial-a?
- Yes.
- What is a tial-a?
Bia did a movement with his hands. He took something from the air and put it on his head, after which he bowed deeply and waved to an invisible audience.
- A tiara! Really?
- Yes. Must have. Because is queen.
- Ha ha ha! You are taking it over the top. But I like it. So what will this cost?
- I not know. Up to you if you give me.
- Please. You must know the price of these things. What does your friend say?
- She say maybe 3000 baht.
- She? I thought you said it was a boy?
- Is ladyboy.
- Oh I see.
- If you give money we go buy Chatuchack.
Peter gave Bia the money the boy had asked for. I have to see this, thought Peter. Bia as the dancing queen! They sure know how to cast him in the right role.
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