The Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
by Corinne Jacker

THE STORY: Two old friends, Susan and Maggie, meet for lunch in a Chinese restaurant after having been out of touch for seven years.

They grew up together, and their conversation is filled with girlhood memories as well as reports of homes, husbands and children.

But despite the warmth and cordiality of the occasion, old rivalries persist, and as cocktails flow and reserve melts flashes of jealously and ire occur, triggered by Susan's confession of a possible crisis that she must steel herself to deal with.

In the end, however, the two concede that old friends are indeed the best friends and as they part plans are made for another reunion, this time with husbands and offspring joining in.