Free theme about an object.
In the back corner of the cupboard lies a shaker of white powder. Monosodium Glutamate. Zhou’s dinner guests have tasted it, but they have never seen that shaker, and Zhou makes sure it is never seen. Like they do for foie gras, her guests abhor the thought and savor the act. They do not want to know about the MSG, but they will gladly eat it.
It was not always so secretive. Before Zhou emigrated, the shaker kept guard by the sink, next to the stovetops. It was an accepted fact of life, and although it was seldom used, it was nevertheless an open secret, acknowledged when the day’s butcher didn't have as good chicken as last week’s. When Zhou had her first dinner guest in the states, her guest asked her what was in that shaker. Despite the language barrier, her guest quickly reminded her between looks of disgust that MSG was carcinogenic. False, but that was enough for Zhou to hide the shaker.
When her guest returned the favor, Zhou asked what she was pouring out of a brown carton and into the food. Artificial sweetener, to keep the food healthy. Zhou said nothing out of a foreign politeness, though she had heard that artificial sweeteners are carcinogenic.
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