"Well, I was putting around off the China coast when Doctor Lao came along in his big old junk. The thing sailed right over me as I was submerged."

"Directly, however I came to the top to get some air, and I saw the doctor dragging what I took to be a big bright fish out of the water."

"So, I swam up alongside to see what they had caught that excited them so."

"It was a mermaid."

"I just hung my head over the prow of that junk and stared at her."

"Then while I was in my trance, Doctor Lao threw a hawser loop about my neck."

"Just like a goddamn rope they hauled me up."

"The damn hawser choked me unconcious, and when I came to, I was in a cage."

"I've been in one ever since. That was nine years ago."

"But my day is coming."

"I don't forget."