November 9, 1923
His feet were sore, his arms were sore, his back was sore, he was sore. They had spent most of the day marching in Washington D.C., and it was taking its toll. Huang told one of the Veteran’s League members that he was getting some wraps for his hands and feet. He set his sign down and walked over to where Lani and a few other viscets were giving out the wraps. She looked as tired as he felt, but there was hope in her eyes.
Their allies in Washington had pulled through, and were drafting up a proposal as they spoke. They had enough people who weren’t against them that they had a chance. The Civil Rights Union had joined them, and together they were making a push for an amendment that would not only grant viscets full citizenship and equality to that of humans, but for the rights of other groups as well.
Oh there had been grumblings, and outcry that now that women had suffrage, everyone and their dog wanted it, too. They had all scoffed and laughed at some of the headlines, and looked on grimly at some of the others. Now that viscets across the country were pushing for recognition as citizens and suffrage, horrible stories were being printed. However, that couldn’t stop the building momentum.
Huang looked on with determination at the Capitol Building. They would win this fight. He wanted his parents to know what it was to be full citizens, which meant fighting for them today. He strode out back into the mass of silent protesters and held up his sign. He took center stage, as the now recognized “face’ of the Viscet Rights movement. From an immigrant farm boy, to being a leader of a movement that would change everything.
Mr. Dunner, after four long years, proudly stood with them. He was who they called if someone wound up in a cell, either in a police station or in a kennel. He stayed true to his word. Despite their age difference, he and Huang had become good friends. Now, they stood as silent sentries while they waited.
Come nightfall they packed up. Guiying clapped him on the shoulder as they made their way to their hotel. As one of the few establishments in Washington that was fully operational for viscet customers, it was the only place the viscets could sleep comfortably. No one slept on the street or in a tent. Someone had thoughtfully called ahead for them and there was food waiting for them. Huang felt a bit guilty as he noticed how harried the staff looked.
When he entered their floor’s lounge to grab a plate of food a loud cheer went up. It wasn’t viscets he saw cheering him on. It was the hotel staff themselves. The manager walked up to him and gave an excited speech to the growing crowd of hungry viscets. There was one more surprise in store for them.
Benches. Benches lined the tables that were at just the right height for them. Benches that allowed them to sit up off of the floor. These weren’t plain, just cut benches either. They were beautiful. Huang looked back at the manager and thanked him. By this time all of the viscets had gotten back to the hotel. He could hear the excited whispers and soft murmurs as they all spoke to their neighbors. Guiying gave him a gentle push towards one of the tables. The manager came back up to him.
“We ordered these over a year ago, and they were all finished today. The tables, too. Many of our viscet patrons told us that they would love to be able to sit up off the floor, and we had enough in our budget to allow us to order these. We thought that it was fitting to unveil them to you all here. Oh, and don’t worry about the servers not being able to reach over or around you; the shorties like myself have a little step here, see? And there are a few viscets on our staff who volunteered to serve you all tonight. Enjoy the meal,” he said with a small bow, and then he was gone.
Looking around, Huang saw that some of the others were openly crying, Lani among them. The gesture was a small one, but it meant the world to everyone there. Being able to sit up from the ground made them seem less like animals and more like people. Food was quickly and efficiently brought out. The viscets on the waitstaff were well groomed, and impeccable in appearance. Soon, the room was filled with happy murmur of dinner chatter.
Janet skipped over to him; Mr. Dunner was close behind. They had already eaten at a diner across the way, but they had something for him. Mr. Dunner pulled something out of his pocket and set it on the table. It was a pin, specifically a pin of him. Janet looked at him and grinned, and Mr. Dunner did too. Huang hugged them both. They bade him goodnight and went back to their rooms. The meal was splendid, and at the end of it they had a fine dessert.
Huang excused himself and went back to his room. Lani followed him, as he was sharing with her, his brother, and their young ones. As he got ready for bed, his niece and nephew tugged on his tail. He turned around and they begged for him to read them a bedtime story. They help up the book Nana gave them for their birthday. Despite being laid at different times, they had hatched on the same day.
Huang smiled and told them he would read them one story. They giggled as he caught on to their attempted scheme. Despite being only three, they spoke very well. He read them their story. Once they were asleep, he went over to Lani so they could talk. Most people wouldn’t give her a second glance, so she often noticed or heard things that others didn't. She told him everything she saw that day, and he wrote it all down in his journal, and copied the few notes she managed to take.
Apparently, a large group of people had gathered behind them, just after he had gone to get the wraps. While some scowled and grumbled, the vast majority looked neutral. There were even some who looked happy at the sight of them holding their signs. The last bit surprised him, few people openly showed their support. It gave him hope that things would actually change. A loud knock at the door made him jump, and sent Him scrabbling to answer it before they woke up the kids.
Guiying, his parents, Nana, and everyone else from home was at the door. The crowded into the room carrying a cake with a rainbow of twenty candles on top. The sleeping visclings were roused to join in the singing. He blew out all of the candles in one breath. Before he could sit down Nana pressed an orange into his paw and patted his arm. The cake was his favorite; lemon. His nieces and nephews squeaked at him begging to know what he had wished for, and he told them to hush, and that he couldn’t tell them otherwise it would never come true.
Mr. Dunner and Janet squeezed their way through the crowd of viscets and humans. They each had a box. He eyed them in mock suspicion. Mother and Father’s eyes were twinkling. Looking around, it seemed everyone knew what was in the two boxes but him. Janet held out her box first. The stamps on it made him realize that it was actually a package, both were. He carefully opened it, and nestled in some silk was a silver bell and a red tassle.
He looked up at her, and she helped him put it on his ear. While the clip was usually used for a pierced ear, it had been modified so it could firmly but gently clamp onto an unpierced ear. At first the pressure was uncomfortable on his sensitive ears, but it quickly went away. Mr. Dunner held out the box he was holding. Huang opened it with more eagerness. At first all he saw was the tangle of cords, but then he saw the glint of gold on red. Somehow, he managed to take it out of the box without tangling it up.
It was a Chinese lantern, and some firecrackers on a set of cords. At the assurance of his family and friends he put it on, too. A bright flash of light captured the moment in black and white. He didn’t really care in that moment. He hugged everyone in the room, and spun the young ones around. Looking around the room, he fought back tears, and lost. Then the call came. A busboy came rushing to them with a note.
We just finished the proposal, introducing it tomorrow. We have a chance.
Huang stared at the card. The busboy couldn’t hide the smile that tweaked the edges of his lips. Huang tipped him, and sent him on his way along with a piece of cake. When he read the card aloud a hearty cheer went up in the room. A few curious heads poked in, and when they heard the news they cheered too. Huang tried to caution them that it could still not make it past the vote, and then it would have to be ratified. They ignored him and spread the news anyways. Come the next morning, it had passed.
