TerrieYang APLangP4 TheDiningRoom Thegrandbanquethall,adornedwithefflorescentstreamersoffuchsiaandmagenta,resonates withavibrancyagainsttheelegantbackdropofthepalace.Whispersofcheerfulscentsdriftoutofthe receptionandintothetunnelinghallwaysofthepalacewheretheycircleinechosofgrandeur.A spiralingstaircaseatthecenterofthelobbyswirlsupthreefloorsandleadstotheentranceofthedining room,wheretwobronzedoorsregallywelcomeeachguest.Throughthedoubledoorsstandpristinely arrangedtables,eachonelinedwithwhitetableclothsandwhiteclothnapkinsandwhitelinenbacked chairs.Inonecornerofthebanquethall,astringquartetperformsTchaikovsky'sWaltzoftheFlowers, swayingintimewiththemusic,themovementoftheirbowssynchronizedand mesmerizing...up...down...up...down.Guestsdancegracefullyalongsidethesoothingpulseofthemusic whileothersreclineattheirtables,allowingthepacifyingwavestowashoverthem.

Throughoutthehall, clinksofutensilsandsilverservingspoonsagainstglisteningglassandceramicplatesaccompanythe melodicmusicstreamingoverhead,addinglittletwinklesofhighpitchedrhythmakintothatofatriangle inanorchestra.Scoresoffamilies,couples,andfriendsgatheraroundeachofthehundredsoftables dottingthehall.Laughterandchatterabound,chucklesandgigglesflowfromonetabletothenext, circlingaroundandaroundthefestivaloftables.Elegantdishesstreamoutofthekitchenandthroughthe crowd:bowlsofporcinirisottoandplatesofmixedgreensandslicesofroastedporkwithbalsamic glazedpeachsauce.Fromeachdishfloatlittlepillowsofsteamrisingandretreating,appearingand disappearing,littlebylittle,untiltheyblendseamlesslyintothewarmauraofthedininghall.