CANONICAL SHORT STORY
Adler is now 57 years old.
This short story is based on the deleted scene of Mei's intro in the movie.

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December 1st, 1994
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

It had been 10 years since Adler and his team defeated Stitch in Verdansk and returned from 2002 Toronto. Now, the entire Perseus organization had gone dark. Mason was MIA. Woods was crippled and Hudson was killed in action during an operation in Panama. The Soviet Union had broken up. The Cold War was over. And there was nothing left for Adler to do, now ex-CIA.

Except that he could visit Ming and Mei in Toronto, although they do not know who he is... yet.

Adler found himaelf wandering around a mall called Miracle Mart. He was looking for the perfect gift for Mason's son, David. He was walking around until he saw Ming, Jin, and what appeared to be a younger Mei, both girls carrying two cardboard boxes. Ming then stumbled and dropped her box on the ground. Adler went over to Ming to help her.

Adler: Need help, ma'am?

Adler placed several items back into the box.

Ming: Oh, thank you.

Adler placed the last item in the box and gave it to her.

Adler: So, what are you doing with these boxes in the middle of the mall?

Jin: Oh, Ming here wanted to take our New Year's picture that we do every year.

Ming: Jin! We don't know this man.

Adler: Apologies for not introducing myself. Russell Adler.

Ming: I'm Ming. This is my husband, Jin.

Adler shook hands with the two.

Adler: "It is sure nice to meet them again."

Ming: And this is my daughter, Mei-Mei.

Adler: Hey there, Mei. I'm Adler.

Young Mei: It's nice to meet you, Mr. Adler.

Ming: Do you by chance know where we can take our pictures?

Adler: I passed by a Christmas shoot a while ago. Follow me.

Time Skip

Adler and the others had to wait for 2 hours and 27 minutes until it was their turn to take pictures. Rajean, the photographer, finished up with a family's photo and called them up.

Rajean: [flips paper] What is this? Ming Lee and daughter... [mispronounces] Meilin Lee?

Adler: Enough chit-chat. Let 'em through.

Ming: We've waited two hours and twenty-seven minutes for this. Do you think that's reasonable? Why are you so understaffed? Hasn't Miracle Mart heard of seasonal hiring?

Rajean: Please help yourself to a festive accessory.

Rajean took a dusty Santa hat out of a box and placed it on Mei's head, makinf her cough. Adler quickly took it off and tossed it into the box.

Ming: No thank you, we have our own vision for this.

Rajean: Alright.

Ming: Adler. Jin.

Rajean moved out of the way as Adler, Ming, and Jin helped set up the scene. After making the background look like they were at the family temple, Adler adjusted the camera before standing behind it.

Ming: Now, lift the tray towards mommy. Firm arms, square shoulders. Just like we practiced.

Ming took out a flower hat from out the bag and placed it on her head, kicking the bag away from the camera's view.

Ming: How do I look, Mei-Mei?

Young Mei: So beautiful, Mama. How do I look?

Ming: Perfect.

Adler: Alright, we're about to take the photo. In 3, 2, 1...

Rajean: Say "Miracle Mart, we're-"

Ming: We're not doing that.

Adler pressed the button and took the photo.