so turns out that yes, we can get rush service for an extra $30 but they need to see a plane ticket out of china

Does anyone know if 1 or 2-day service is available at the Chinese embassy in Viantiene, specifically for Americans?
I've read conflicting reports online of rush service being available for everyone or everyone except Americans, does anyone know the situation now?
I'm in Luang Prabang now and I need to know if I should or shouldn't buy a cheap flight I found from Viantiene to Kunming at a travel agent here. The answer depends on whether rush visa service is available for Americans in Viantiene.

Please ONLY respond to this thread if you or someone you know, who is American, has recently been to the embassy in Viantiene and either got 1 or 2-day service or was told that it was not available.

Please do not respond with links, I've researched this thoroughly online.
Please do not respond with any information except a yes or no answer to the specific question I am asking, which, to re-iterate, is:

Can I, an American, get one or two-day service at the Chinese embassy in Laos?
Thank you!

Thanks Sander,
This is actually helpful. I am considering hitchhiking! I've never done it in China, I'm not sure quite how to go about it (signs?) but it would be fun to try, maybe. Yong Fang up there gave some good stops along the way in Laos, don't know if they're also good hitchhiking stops?

I am still considering HK too, and when you lay it out like that I think you're right, it may even be cheaper than Viantienne. The only reason I was leaning toward Laos is the cheaper lodging and food costs, but if I have to take 30+ hours of bus to get down there it's hardly worth it. Since it seems my wishful thinking for a ride down there isn't coming to fruition, I reckon I will re-focus on HK, and I really don't mind the trains, you're right, I could actually get some work done.

I'll look into travel agencies with same-day service.

The cheapest flight I can find on ctrip is about 1700 yuan

I have 3,500 yuan with which to make this trip, when I subtract the laos entry visa (about 200) and the cost of my Chinese visa (940, I'm American) that leaves about 2400.

If I buy a flight one way I have about 700 yuan left.
The bust costs about 600 yuan, so including the return bus trip I'll have 100kuai for food and lodging for a week.
I didn't start this thread so people could tell me to take a flight, I started it to find a ride south. Please do not respond to this ad unless you or someone you know is driving south in the next 3 days and I can come.

Thanks

that's all very helpful but the reason i'm not flying is because i don't have enough money, hence starting this thread, not for travel advice, but to solicit strangers for ride shares.