Characters

Wang Lifa (male) is the first character we meet. He is only in his

twenties. Because his father died early when he was young he
became the proprietor of the Yutai teahouse. Astute and somewhat
selfish, he is thoughtful and not a bad character.

Tang Tiezuimale, over thirty years old. He makes a living from

fortune telling and smokes opium.

Second Grandfather Songmale, over thirty years old. He has

little courage and loves to talk.

Second Chang Song male, over thirty years old, a good friend of
Second Grandfather Song, a peaceful customer, honest, and in good
physical condition.

Li San male, thirty years old, peaceful, runs the main hall, and is
diligent and thoughtful.

Er Dezi male, twenty plus years old and sincere but lacking
management skills.

Ma Wuye male, over thirty years old, believes in a foreign, and is a
lower level boss in a triad.

Liu Mazi male, over thirty years old, does menial labor, is cruel and
has evil desires.

Kong Liu male, forrty years old, a poor peasant from the outskirts
of Beijing.

Huang Pangzi male, over forty years old, a gang leader.

Qin Zhongyi male, Shopkeeper Wang's landlord. In the first act he

is twenty plus years old. Afterwards, being the son of a rich man, he
becomes a reformation capitalist.

Old man male, eighty two years old, left to his own devices.

Village woman female, thirty plus years old, poor and trying to sell
her young daughter.

Small girl female, ten years old, daughter of the village woman.

Palace eunuch Pang male, forty years old, after getting rich wants
to find a wife.

Xiao Niur male, a teenager, is a page boy for Palace eunuch Pang.

Song Enzi male, in his twenties, is an old fashioned spy.

Wu Xiangzi male, in his twenties, is Song Enzi's colleague.

Kang Shunzi female, fifteen years old in the first act, Kang Number
6's daughter, she is sold to palace eunuch Pang to be his wife.


Wang Shufen female, in her forties, shopkeeper Wang Lifa's wife.

Policeman on patrol in his twenties.

Newspaper boy male, sixteen years old.

Kang Dali male, twelve years old, an adopted son bought by palace
eunuch Pang, who later depends on Kang Shunzi for their mutual
survival.

Lao Lin male, in his thirties, is fleeing from soldiers.

Lao Chen male, thirty years old, is fleeing from soldiers, Lao Lin's
companion.

Cui Jiufeng male, forty years old, a former Member of Congress,

later practiced Daoism. He lives in an apartment attached to the Yutai
Teahouse.

Military official male, thirty years old.

Wang Dashuan about forty years old, shopkeeper Wang's eldest

son, upright conduct.

Zhou Xiuhua female, about forty years old, Dashuan's wife.

Wang Xiaohua female, thirteen years old, Dashuan's wife.

Ding Bao female, seventeen years old, female entertainer, has

courage and intelligence.

Young Liu Mazi male, in his thirties, Liu Mazi's son who will inherit
his father's business and develop it.

The man who collects the bill for electric lighting over forty years
old.

Young Tang Tiezui male, in his thirties. Tang Tiezui's son, who will
inherit his father's business. Has a desire to do things perfectly.

Chef Ming male, in his fifties, does all the kitchen work for
banquets.

Zou Fuyuan male, in his forties, gives the monologue discussion

historical events.

Wei Fuxi male, in his thirties, Zou's apprentice. At first does

monologues and later changes to singing Beijing Opera.

Fang No. 6 male, in his thirties, devious.

Che Dangdang male, about thirty years old, trades with foreigners
for a living.

Grandmother Pang No. 4 female, forty years old, ugly, wants to be

an empress. Palace eunuch Pang's forth nephew's wife.

Chun Mei female, nineteen years old, Grandmother Pang No. 4's
maid.

Lao Yang male, in his thirties, sells miscellaneous goods.

Young Er Dezi male, thirty years old. Er Dezi's son, a hired thug.

Yu Houzhai male, in his forties, an elementary school teacher,

Wang Xiaohua's teacher.

Xie Zhiyong male, in his thirties, a colleague of Yu Houzhai.

Young Song Enzi male, in his thirties, Song Enzi's son, who will
inherit his father's business and work as a spy.

Young Wu Xiangzi male, in his thirties, Wu Xiangzi's son, who will

work as a spy as his father did.

xiao Xinyan female, nineteen years old, female entertainer.

Shen Chuzhang male, forty years old, chief of military police at the
military command center.

Sha Yang male,


A number of the Tea House customers are all male.

One or two of the Tea House customers are male.

A number of refugees, including men, women, old, and young.

Three soldiers and five people, all male.

A number of guests living in the apartments, all male.

Seven people pushing soldiers giving orders, all male.

Four military police, all male.

Act I

Characters
Wang Lifa, Liu Mazi, palace eunuch Pang, Tang Tiezui, Kang No. 6,
Xiao Niur, Second Grandfather Song, Huang Pangzi, Song Enzi, Forth

Grandfather Chang, Qin Zhongyi, Wu Xiangzi, Li No. 3, old people,

Kang Shunzi, Er Dezi, village woman, tea house customers 1, 2, 3,
and 4, Ma Wuye, Xiao Niu, people in tea rooms 1 and 2.

Time
1896 (Fifth Heavenly Stem, Eleventh Earthly Branch) at the beginning
of autumn. The imperial government was waiting for the defeat of the
reformation movement. Morning.

Place
The Yutai Tea House, Beijing.
[

[The curtain rises: At present this kind of large tea house can no
longer be found. Several decades ago every city had at least one such
place. Tea is sold here as well as simple snacks and meals. People
with pet birds, want come here every day after walking their birds to
rest their legs, drink tea, and let their birds sing and perform. Those
discussing business and middle-men also come here. At that time
there were frequent fights but there was always a friend who would
take the initiative to mediate between both sides. A number of hired
thugs came looking for the owner talking about many unrelated
things. After drinking some tea and eating some cured meat noodles
(a specialty of the tea house, inexpensive and made quickly to order)
traded arms for jade and silk. In short, at the time it was a very
important place. With some business or with nothing to do you could
come and spend as much time as you liked.
[

[In here you can hear the most incredible news, such as a large
spider turning into a spirit and then being struck by lightning. Strange
ideas can also be heard here, such as, the building of a wall around
the entire coastline being sufficient to prevent foreign troops stepping
ashore. Here you can also hear certain Beijing Opera actors practicing

recently created tunes, the best escape from the torment of this
being opium. Here you can also see strange treasures obtained by
certain people, such as a jade fan weight that has been unearthed or
a three colored snuff bottle. This is a really important place, simply
being able to be regarded as place for cultural exchange.
[
[Now we will see just such a tea house.
[

On entering the door you immediately see a sales counter and a

stove. For convenience, we will not include the stove on the stage. In
the background it will be enough to have some noise from pots and
pans clanking. The room is large and tall with long and square tables
arranged with long benches and individual seats all for tea house
customers. Outside the window a courtyard is visible with a tall
canopy, under which are seats for teahouse customers. In the
teahouse and outside under the canopy there are places for hanging
bird cages. There are notices everywhere saying no political
discussions.
[

There are two teahouse customers with unknown names presently

squinting their eyes, nodding their heads, beating clappers, and
singing in low voices. There are two or three teahouse customers also
with unknown names enthralled with a cricket in a clay jar. There are
two people, Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi, wearing grey jackets and
talking in low voices. Apparently, they are from the northern
government office and handling a case (investigate and arrest).
[

Today there was another brawl, reportedly a fight over a domestic

pigeon, provoked by a dispute in a non-violent settlement. If a real
fight breaks out there is not likely to be a fatality because amongst
the hired thugs there are a few benevolent comrades that manage

things and whose skills are outstanding. Fortunately, a real fight

cannot start because both sides have not yet made agreements with
the hired thugs and there is already someone acting as a mediator
now both sides are meeting together. Two or Three hired thugs would
could come in at any time and, without decorum, raise their eyebrows
and head for the courtyard out back.
[
[Ma Wuye is in a corner trying not to attract any attention, drinking a
cup of tea alone.
[
[Wang Lifa is sitting tall at the sales counter.
[
[Tang Tiezui, struggling to put on a pair of shoes, wearing a filthy,
oversized cloth jacket, and having small pieces of paper stuck to his
ears, comes in.

Wang Lifa
Mr. Tang, please go outside!

Tang Tiezui
(With a bitter smile) Shopkeeper Wang, let Tang Tiezui hold your
hand! Give me a cup of tea to drink and I will tell your fortune! I will
tell your fortune for free and not take a single penny! Not accepting
an explanation, he pulled Wang Lifa's hand closer. This year is the
24th year of Guang Xu's reign, Fifth Heavenly Stem and Eleventh
Earthly Branch. You are seventh in order ...

Wang Lifa
(Taking his hand back) Forget it! I will give you a cup of tea but do
not sell that kind of business in here! We don't have any need for
fortune telling. We all have bitter lives and there is already no way
out. (Coming out from the sales counter, allowing Tang Tiezui to sit
down.) Sit down! Let me tell you that if you do not give up opium you

will never be able to give anyone good luck! This is my method for
fortune telling and it is more effective than yours!
[

[Song Er Ye and Chang Si Ye came in both carrying bird cages. Wang

Lifa turns to greet them. They hung the bird cages up and then
looked for a place to sit. Song Er Ye gently held the yellow bird cage.
Chang Si Ye valiantly raised the large and tall thrush cage. Teahouse
Li San rushed over and steeped and covered the cup of tea. They
brought their own tea leaves. After the tea had steeped Song Er Ye
and Chang Si Ye moved towards the seats and sat down.

Song Er Ye
Chang Si Ye
Please drink this! (Looking at the courtyard)

Song Er Ye
Looks like there is trouble again?

Chang Si Ye
In any event they won't really fight! If they really wanted to fight
they would go out of the city. Why would they come to the teahouse?
[
[Er Dezi, a hired thug, coincidentally came in and heard what Chang
Si Ye said.

Er Dezi
(Coming over and pressing near) Who are you gossiping about?

Chang Si Ye
(Not willing to show weakness) What are you asking me? When I pay
money to buy tea to drink are you telling me that I need other people
to tell me what to do?

Song Er Ye
(Sizing up Er Dezi) I say, are you working as a Dangchai? Please, site
down and drink a cup. We are all sociable people.

Er Dezi
You are deciding whether or not I am a Dangchai?

Chang Si Ye
If you wish to oppose a great power, foreign people are very fierce!
The English and French combined forces burned Yuan Ming Yuan. To
be a soldier is to honor your family. But I don't recall you fighting in
the battle!

Er Dezi
Let's not talk about fighting or not fighting foreigners. I want to teach
you a lesson! (Wanting to make a move.)
[
[The other tea house guests go about their own business. Wang Lifa
hastily runs over.

Wang Lifa
Brothers, we are all friends. If there is something to discuss we can
do it in a civilized manner. De Ye, please sit at the back.
[

[Er Dezi, not paying attention to Wang Lifa, all of a sudden smashed
the lid of a cup on the table. Turning his hand to grab Chang Si Ye's
shirt collar.

Chang Si Ye
(Dodging) What do you want to do?

Er Dezi

Do what? You don't think that I can fight foreigners or that I can fight
you?

Ma Wuye
(Not yet standing up) Er Dezi, you are very impressive!

Er Dezi
(Has a sweeping glance around and notices Ma Wuye.) Oh, Ma Wuye
you are here. I am very unobservant, not noticing you! (Goes over to
greet him.)

Ma Wuye
When something comes up discuss it in a civilized way. There is no
need to use force to resolve matters.

[]

Er Dezi
[Coughing]! You are right! I will sit at the back. I will pay the bill for
the tea! (moving to the back)

Chang Si Ye
(Coming over to complain to Ma Wuye) Brilliant Master, please explain
who this gentleman is!

Ma Wuye
(Standing up) I have some other business. Good bye! (Leaves)

Chang Si Ye
(To Wang Lifa) Ha! He is an eccentric person!

Wang Lifa
Don't you know that was Ma Wuye! No wonder you offended him!


Chang Si Ye
I offended him? I didn't choose a good day to go out today!

Wang Lifa
(In a low voice) Just then you said such and such about foreigners.
He is actually making a living from dealing with foreigners. He
believes in foreign religion, speaks foreign languages. If you have a
problem he can go directly to governer Wan. In any case, if you are
not feeling particulary good do not offend him!

Chang Si Ye
(Returning to his original position) Hmm, I do not admire earning a
living from doing business with foreigners!

Wang Lifa
(In the direction of Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi with a tilted head and
in a low tone) For God's sake, speak in a softer tone! (In a loud
voice) Li San, another round of tea here! (Picks up the broken
porcelain from the floor.)

Song Er Ye
How much for the tea? I will pay! As a host I won't act like a woman!

Wang Lifa
Not so fast, wait a minute and then settle (walking away).
[
[Delicate Liu Mazi leads Kang Liu in. Liu Mazi firsted headed towards
Song Er Ye and Chang Si Ye to greet them.]

Liu Mazi

You two gentlemen are early! (Fishing out his snuff box and pouring
some out.) Please try some! I just aquired it. It is authentic English
snuff, fine and pure.

Chang Si Ye
Oh! You even buy foreign snuff! How much money does that send
abroad!

Liu Mazi
Our Qing empire has a vast amount of money that could never be
exhausted! Please sit down. I have some business to take care of.
(Helping Kang Liu find a seat)
[
[ Li San brings a bowl of tea across.]

Liu Mazi
Say, is ten liang enough? Please speak frankly. I am busy and don't
have time to wait on you.

Kang Liu
Li Ye! Is a fifteen year old young lady, worth ten liang?

Liu Mazi
If you sell the girl, you may earn one or two extra pieces of eight but
it seems that you are not willing.

Kang Liu
She is my real daughter! Would could I ...

Liu Mazi
You have a daughter but you cannot raise her yourself. Who is to
blame for that?

Kang Liu

Is it not because the countryside cannot support cultivating sufficient

crops to survive?

Liu Mazi
That is a problem for you folks from the countryside and it is beyond
my control. I will trust you, help relieve your suffering, and give your
daughter a place to live where she can have enough to eat. Isn't that
a good deal?

Kang Liu
Who will she be given to in the end?

Liu Mazi
If I say, you will certainly be satisfied and grateful. He is a low
ranking official in the Imperial Palace.

Kang Liu
Who in the Imperial Palace would want a girl from the countryside?

Liu Mazi
Well, won't your daughter's life be better?

Kang Liu
Who?

Liu Mazi
Chief Pang! Have you heard of Chief Pang? He acts as a valet for the
Empress Dowager, is very popular, and even bottles of vinegar at his
home are made out of agate.

Kang Liu
If I gave my daughter to the palace eunuch as a wife who could I be
worthy of her?

Liu Mazi

No matter how you sell your daughter, it would be a terrible shame.

You are not thinking stright! Wherever the young lady went she would
eat fine delicacies and dress in silk and satin. How would that make
things worse?

Kang Liu
Since ancient times there has been ... Is he really going to give ten
liang silver?

Liu Mazi
Would you be able to find ten liang anywhere in your village? In the
countryside you can exchange five pounds of flour for a child!

Kang Liu
Oh! I will have to discuss this with my daughter.

Liu Mazi
Let me tell you, if it wasn't for going through this village on the way
to this shop you wouldn't have this chance. Don't blame me if you
miss the opportunity.

Kang Liu
Oh! I will come right back.

Liu Mazi
I will be here waiting for you.

Kang Liu
(Slowly walks out.)

Liu Mazi
(Pushing up to Song Er Ye and Chang Si Ye by his side.) Rural folk
don't accomplish things efficiently. Never in a rush.

Song Er Ye
Isn't this business trivial?

Liu Mazi
And sweet as well! If it is done right, I will make a bar of gold from it.

Chang Si Ye
How could you do that in the countryside? By selling their sons and
daughters!

Liu Mazi
Who knows? Well, you could say that it is to support a dog in Beijing
city.

Chang Si Ye
Li Ye, you are truly ruthless to entice him into this.

Liu Mazi
If I didn't have the heart then the would not be able to find a buyer.
(Diverging) Song Er Ye, (Fishing out a watch) have a look at this!

Song Er Ye
(Taking the watch) That is a very pretty watch.

Liu Mazi
Listen, it makes a ga deng ga deng noise.

Song Er Ye
(Listening) How much did it cost?

Liu Mazi
Do you like it? It's yours! One word and five liang of silver. I don't
want it anymore. Actually, I was thinking of asking for a refund. The
thing is genuine, made by a craft passed down through the
generations.

Chang Si Ye

I am just getting the taste of this. How much foreign stuff are each of
us carrying? Liu, look at what you have on your person: foreign snuff,
a foreign watch, foreign satin trousers, a foreign coat, ...

Liu Mazi
Foreign things are really beautiful. If I wear home made clothes it is
like I am thinking like a peasant. How would pay any attention to me?

Chang Si Ye
I always felt that satin is even more good looking that Sichuan silk.

Liu Mazi
Song Er Ye, leave that watch with me. In this day and age wearing
such a beautiful foreign watch will make people stop and take notice.

Song Er Ye
(Such a beautiful watch but he doesn't really like it) I ...

Liu Mazi
Keep it for a few days, change the time, and then give me the money.

[Huang Pangzi comes in.

Huang Pangzi
(With a lot of sand in his eyes he is not able to see clearly but
aftering coming in he pays his respects.) Brothers, you are all looking
at me. Hello! We are all brothers, don't disrupt our friendship.

Wang Lifa
This is not them. They are in the courtyard at the back.

Huang Pangzi
Shopkeeper, prepare some cured meat noodles. Nobody is going to
argue with Huang Pangzi. (He goes in.)

Er Dezi
(Coming out to greet) We have already met two times. Please come
in.

Er Dezi goes in together with Huang Pangzi.

[The waiters time and again go to the back area to serve tea. An old
man comes in with toothpicks, beard combs, ear buds, and other bits
and pieces. He hangs his head down slowly following the tea benches
but nobody buys anything. He heads for the back courtyard but is cut
off by Li San.

[][]

Li San
Old man, go outside and wander around. In the back court people are
discussing things. You won't sell anything there. (By the way giving
the old man a left over bowl of tea.)

Song Er Ye
(In a low tone) Li San! (pointing towards the back court) What on
earth are they doing brandishing a knife and walking stick?

Li San
(In a low tone) I heard that it was over a pigeon. A pigeon from the
Zhang residence flew over to the Li residence and the Li household
does not want to return it ... Yes, we ought not to talk so much.
(Asking the old man) Old man, how old are you?

Old Man
(Drinking the tea) Thanks very much. Eighty two and there is nobody
to look after me. In this day and age a person is worth less than a
pigeon. Ai! (Slowly walks out.)


[Qin Zhongyi, dressed elegantly and radiant with happiness, walks in.

Wang Lifa
Oh dear! Qin Er Ye, how could you think of idly wasting your time at
this tea house? And not even bring an attendant?

Qin Zhongyi
Let's see if this young man can do business or not!

Wang Lifa
OK, I will learn on the job. Isn't that how it is done? Who said that
my father would die an early death? I just have to do this now.
Luckily, everyone taking care of the host is an old friend of my
father's. If I am inconsiderate at any time please forgive me, ignore
it, and let it pass. On the street you have to work for a living and
relations with people are important. I act according to the way that
my father taught me: speak kindly, show others respect, be positive
towards everyone, and you will be less likely to meet with calamity.
Please sit down and I will make you a cup of small leaf tea.

Qin Zhongyi
I won't drink and won't sit down.

Wang Lifa
Please sit down. With you here with me my face is radiant.

Qin Zhongyi
OK (Sitting) However, don't flatter me.

Wang Lifa
Li San, steep a bowl of fine tea. Er Ye, is everything fine at the
government? Are all your affairs in satisfactory order?

Qin Zhongyi

Not that good, actually.

Wang Lifa
What are you concerned about? You have so much business that your
index finger is fatter than my waist.

Tang Tiezui
(Coming over to join them) This old fellow has a great appearance,
truly plump with a really big circumference. Even though he does not
have the power of a prime minister, he is as rich as Tao Zhu.

Qin Zhongyi
Let me hide. Go away!

Wang Lifa
Sir, you have had enough tea to drink. Please go outside. (Gently
pushing Tang Tiezui out.)

Tang Tiezui
Ai! (Leaving with his head hanging down.)

Qin Zhongyi
Xiao Wang, is the rent going to increase here?

[]
Wang Lifa
Er Ye, you are exactly right! But this small issue is to trivial to require
your attention. Delegate it to someone else and I will work with them
on the length of the lease and the rental amount. I promise that I will
comply with your request. Really! [Coughing]

Qin Zhongyi
You devious young man. You are even more slippery than your father.
Heng! Wait on there. Sooner or later I will take the room back.

Wang Lifa

Don't threaten me. I know that you feel sorry for me and definitely
would not send me out onto the street with a big load of hot tea to
sell.

Qin Zhongyi
You just wait and see!

[A village woman brings in a girl of about ten years old. On the young
girl's head is a piece of straw with a sign. Li San was about to prevent
them from entering but because he felt sorry for them he did not stop
them. The two of them slowly walk in. The teahouse customers
suddenly stop talking and laugh at them.

Young girl
(The girl walks to the middle of the room) Mother, I am hungry. I am
hungry.

[The village woman unwittingly stares at the young girl. Suddenly her
legs become weak and she sits on the ground, covering her face and
crying.

Qin Zhongyi
(To Wang Lifa) Get them out!

Wang Lifa
Right! Get out! You can't sit down here.

Village Woman
Where should I go? Two liang of silver for this child.

Chang Si Ye
Li San, give them two bowls of cured meat noodles and take them
outside.


Li San
OK. (Going over to the village woman) Get up and wait at the
doorway. I will bring the noodles over.

Village woman
(Getting up and wiping the tears away, seemingly forgetting the child
she takes two steps and then turns around and hugs and kisses the
child.) My dear! My dear!

Wang Lifa
Hurry up!

[The village woman and the young girl leave. Soon afterwards, Li San
bring out the two bowls of noodles.

Wang Lifa
(Walking over) Chang Si Ye, you are such a meritous and charitable
person giving them noodles to eat.

Chang Si Ye
(To Song Er Ye) Er Ye, I think that the great Qing Empire is over.

Qin Zhongyi
(arrogant because of his seniority) Over or not, it has nothing to do
with giving noodles to poor folk. Xiao Wang, to tell you the truth, I
really want to take back this building.

Wang Lifa
Don't handle this business like that, Er Ye.

Qin Zhongyi
Not only do I want to take back the building but I want to manage
the land and buy your business.


Wang Lifa
Why is that?

Qin Zhongyi
To draw the capital together to start a factory.

Wang Lifa
Start a factory?

[]

Qin Zhongyi
[Coughing] A big factory! That is the only way to save poor people,
the only way to resist outside capital, and the only way to save our
country.

Wang Lifa
You would do that for other people, use your property for them and
not for yourself?

Qin Zhongyi
You don't understand. That is the only way to make the country
strong and prosperous. OK, I should go. I have seen with my own
eyes that your business is not bad. You do not need to play games
anymore. I will not raise the rent.

Wang Lifa
Just a minute. I will call a ride for you.

[][][][]
Qin Zhongyi
No need. I am will to walk it.

Qin Zhongyi walks outside with Wang Lifa sending him off.

[Xiao Niur supports the palace enuch Pang as he comes in. Xiao Niur
is also carrying a hookah.

Eunuch Pang
Oh! Qin Er Ye!

Qin Zhongyi
Master Pang! Has your mind settled down these last two days?

Eunuch Pang
Yes, definitely. Everything is at peace now that an imperial edict for
Tan Sitong tobe beheaded has been issued. Let me tell you, whoever
dares overturn the rules of the ancestors will loose their head.

Qin Zhongyi
That is for sure.

[The teahouse customers are suddenly all silent as almost all hold
their breath to listen.

Eunuch Pang
You are clever, Er Ye. Otherwise, how could you become so rich?

Qin Zhongyi
My small amount of property is not enough to mention.

Eunuch Pang
You are too modest. Just look, in the whole of the city of Beijing there
is nobody that has not heard of Qin Er Ye. I heard that there are quite
a few rich men that are talking about reform.

Qin Zhongyi
Don't speak like that. I put the inspiration that I get in your presence
from the authority that you carry to good use. Ha ha ha.

Eunuch Pang

Spoken well! Let's each do what we do best and show everybody our
abilities.

Qin Zhongyi
Change heaven to pay you my respects! (Leaving the stage)

Eunuch Pang
(Talking to himself) Hum, for a rich young man like that to dare to
verbal contest with me must mean that this year is really changing.
(Asking Wang Lifa) Where is Liu Mazi?

Wang Lifa
He is generally inside resting.

[Liu Mazi already saw Enuch Pang but did not approach, not daring to
disturb the conversation between Enuch Pang and Qin Zhongyi.

Liu Mazi
Oh! My dear sir! You are very fortunate. I have been waiting for you
for ages. (Supporting Eunuch Pang by the arm as they walk inside.)

[Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi come over to Eunuch Pang to pay their
respects, who whispers in their ears.

[The multitude of teahouse guests are silent for a spell then, one
after another, begin to talk again.

First customer
Who is Tan Sitong?

2nd customer
It seems like I have heard of him. In any case, he must have
committed a serious crime. Otherwise, he would not be ordered to be
executed?

3rd customer
These past two or three months there have been a few academics
making noise. How can we be supposed to know what devil they have
disturbed?

4th customer
We must! No matter what my crops that provide a living for us must
be preserved. Tan and also Kang Youwei, not Manchurian soldiers but
refused to pay land tax. What kind of livelihood were they planning?
Be careful of these many poisons.

3rd customer
So what if some land tax was embezzled. Fixing that is not going to
make our lives any easier.

4th customer
Well, in general, that alone is not that important. It is better to die
than to depend on someone else for a living. I prefer to make my
own living. In the end we are all going to die anyway.

Wang Lifa
Dear customers, let's not talk about politics.

[Everyone quiets down, each talks to his own party.

Eunuch Pang
(Already sitting down) What are you talking about? A village girl for
two hundred liang?

Liu Mazi
(Standing up) But village people are very beautiful. When we bring
her into town we will dress her up and train her to ensure that she
behaves properly. I trust you more than my own father to handle this
affair wholeheartedly but don't make one mistake.


[Tang Tiezui returned once again.

Wang Lifa
Tiezui, how come you are back again?

Tang Tiezui
There is chaos on the streets and I did not know what to do.

Eunuch Pang
We can still find the remants of Tan Sitong? Tang Tiezui, rest at ease
no one is going to snatch you.

[]
Tang Tiezui
[Coughing] General manager, can you give me a few packets of
cigarettes. I may need them.
[
[A few teahouse customers have a premonition of a disaster and, one
at a time, slip away outside.

Song Er Ye
We ought to go too. It is not early.

[]
Chang Si Ye
[Coughing] Let's go!
[
[Two people with ash on their clothes Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi
come in.

Song Enzi
Wait!

Chang Si Ye
What's up?

Song Enzi
A moment ago you said, This is the end of the great Qing Empire?

Chang Si Ye
I, I love the great Qing Empire. I am afraid that it will end.

Wu Xiangzi
(To Song Er Ye) Did you hear that? Did he say that?

Song Er Ye
Brothers, we come here every day to drink tea, as shopkeeper Wang
knows, and we are both respectable old men.

Wu Xiangzi
I asked whether you heard that or not?

Song Er Ye
Well if there is something to discuss, please sit down.

Song Enzi
You won't speak and now you are going to run. You said, This is the
end of the great Qing Empire. You are in collusion with Tan Sitong.

Song Er Ye
I heard. He said, ...

Song Enzi
(To Chang Si Ye) Let's go!

Chang Si Ye
To where? Let's discuss this clearly.

Song Enzi

Are you refusing to be arrested? I am the the law of the land here.
(Fishing out an iron chain from behind his back.)

Chang Si Ye
Let me tell you, I am a Manchurian.

Wu Xiangzi
Treason is a first class crime for a Manchurian. Lock him up.

Chang Si Ye
There is no need to lock me up. I cannot run away.

Song Enzi
To make sure that you cannot run away. (To Song Er Ye) Go into the
main hall, tell them the truth, and this has nothing to do with you.
[
Huang Pangzi is in the back court when three to five people come in.

Huang Pangzi
OK, a day with scattered cloud and fog, so I did not come here for
nothing.

Song Er Ye
Master Huang! Master Huang!

Huang Pangzi
(Rubbing his eyes) Who?

Song Er Ye
It's me. Song Number 2. You have come to speak some kind words.

Huang Pangzi
(Seeing clearly) Yo! Master Song and Master Wu, are you two
handling a case? Please.

Song Er Ye
Master Huang, please speak a few kind words on my behalf.

Huang Pangzi
I take care of things that the official courts cannot take care of. I
don't get involved in things that the official courts do handle. (Asking
everybody) Isn't that right?

[]
Everybody
[Together] Right!
[
[Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi lead Chang Si Ye and Song Er Ye outside.

Song Er Ye
(To Wang Lifa) Please take care of our bird cage.

Wang Lifa
Don't worry, I will drop it off at your house.
[
[Chang Si Ye, Song Er Ye, Song Enzi, Wu Xiangzi all leave the stage.

Huang Pangzi
(Tang Tiezui tells Eunuch Pang this) Oh, Master is here? I hear that
we are going to share in this. I will let to take first choice.

Eunuch Pang
Let's enjoy some wine and then eat.

Huang Pangzi
You do me a great honor. You do me a great honor. (Leaving the
stage)
[

[The village woman carries in an empty bowl and puts it on the

cabinet. The young girl follows her in.

Young Girl
Mom, I am still hungry.

Wang Lifa
Hey! Get out!

Village Woman
Leave us. Good girl.

Young Girl
Mom, are you going to sell me? Mom, are you going to sell me? Mom.

Village Woman
Good girl. (Leads the girl off stage.)
[
[Kang Liu leads Kang Shunzi in. She stands by the sales counter.

Kang Liu
Girl! Shunzi! Your father is not a person, he is an animal.

Kang Shunzi
I, I ... (unable to speak)

Liu Mazi
(Running over) You are back. Did he nod his head? Good! We are
going to see the person in charge. To kowtow to the man in charge.

Kang Shunzi
I ... (about to collapse from dizziness)


Kang Liu
(Supporting his daughter) Shunzi! Shunzi!

Liu Mazi
What's wrong?

Kang Liu
She is hungry and is feeling weak, so she fainted. Shunzi! Shunzi!

Eunuch Pang
I want a live one, not a dead one.
[
[ The stage is quiet.

Customer One
(Playing Chinese chess with Customer Two) You will soon be finished.

Curtain falls

Act II

Characters

Wang Shufen, Kang Shunzi, Li San, Chang Si Ye, Kang Dali, Wang
Lifa, Song Er Ye, Lao Lin, a few refugees, Song Enzi, Lao Chen, patrol
officer,

Time
The time is separated from the previous act by ten years. Yuan Shikai
is dead and imperialism is causing China to be cut up by warlords.
There are frequent calls to mobilize for civil war. Early summer, in the
morning.

Place
As in the previous act
[

[The curtain rises: The teahouses in the city of Beijing are closing one
after another. Yu Tai is one of the few remaining great teahouses
but has changed its style to avoid being weeded out. Even though tea
is still sold at the front the back has been turned into guest houses.
The front section only sells tea, mellon seeds, etc. Cured meat
noodles, etc has already become history. The kitchen has been moved
to the back and is specially for communal meals for residents of the
guest rooms. The seats for drinking tea have been improved. There is
now, uniformly, small tables with rattan chairs with a light green
tablecloth on each. On the wall is a large picture of the Drunken
Eight Immortals joined with a shrine for the God of Wealth, who
retreats inside. Beautiful people wearing fashionable clothes are
shown in pictures of advertisements from foreign companies. The
paper note reading Do not discuss politics is still there but now the
letters are even larger. Wang Lifa truly seems like a saint of his time.
However, rather than causing the Yutai teahouse to close he has
developed it further.
[

Because of renovations of the storefront, the teahouse has been

closed for a few days and is preparing to open tomorrow.

[
Wang Shufen wears her hair fashionably in a topknot. Li San still has
a ponytail.
[
Two or three students come from the back, greet them, and then
leave.

Wang Shufen
(Seeing that Li San's ponytail is in the way) Li San, our teahouse has
already been renovated. Your ponytail should be cut off too.

Li San
Let's improve it! Let's improve it! The more we improve the more cool
as cool as ice.

Wang Shufen
Well, we can't really say that. You see, Li San, I hear that the Detai
teahouse in Xizhimen, the Guangtai teahouse at Beixin Bridge, and
the Tiantai teahouse in front of the Drum Tower have all closed one
after another. Our Yutai teahouse is the only one still open. Why is
that? Isn't it because Shunzi's father understands how to renovate?

Li San
Heng! The emperor did not have it and in the end there was a big
renovation! Renovate or not, Yuan Shikai would have been better as
the emperor. After Yuan Shikai died there was a bunch of chaos.
Today canon fire, tomorrow closing a city. Is that improvement?
Heng! I will keep my ponytail just in case the emperor comes back.

Wang Shufen
Don't be obstinate, Li San. Other people have given us a republic and
we still do not follow? Look, we clean and clean but it is not as neat
and good looking as before. Doesn't specializing in entertaining

cultured people require even more dignity? However, you insist on

wearing a ponytail and it is not pleasing to the eye.

Li San
Madam, I am not at ease if you don't feel that it is pleasing to the
eye.

Wang Shufen
Yo! So you are not happy? Wny?

Li San
You still don't understand? A teahouse in the front and a guest house
in the back with only me and shopkeeper to operate it. No matter
how you put it, that is too much for us.

Wang Shufen
He can take care of the front section and I will help in the back
section.

Li San
Even with your help, cleaning more than twenty rooms, waiting on
people for more than twenty meals, and steeping tea, buying things,
and sending word. Ask yourself, do you think you could handle it?

Wang Shufen
Li San, you are absolutely right. But in the turmoil and chaos of these
times is there anything that can be done without praying to the
Buddha.

Li San
I can't do it.

Ai!
Li San, in these days and times nobody can be comfortable. You wait,
in the summer vacation elder Shuanzi will graduate from high school,

and Number 2 is growing up fast. When they have places then things
will be a little easier here. From the time of old shopkeeper Wang's
ancestors, you have helped us as a long time partner.
[
[Wang Lifa comes from the rear with an air of superiority.

Li San
A long time partner? In the past twenty years have they even given
me a pay raise? If everything can be improved then why can't my
salary be improved?

AllrightAll
right
Wang Lifa
Yo! What kind of talk is this? If our business was getting better and
better then, of course, I would be able to give you a pay raise. OK,
tomorrow we open for business and hope for good luck. Right now
let's not quarrel but make do as best we can. All right? (Original note
on meaning of all right in the Chinese text)

Li San
Make do as best we can? If you don't improve my salary I won't do it.
[
[ From behind: Li San! Li San!

Wang Lifa
Mr Cui, please get out of here! Do you have time enough on your
hands to worry about our affairs?

Li San
Hmm!

Wang Shufen

I think the city gate will close tomorrow but don't know whether it will
close today. Leave things to the shopkeeper and go to buy some
vegetables.
[
[From behind: Li San! Li San!

Li San
The rear is calling me, the front is pushing me, how about chopping
me in two pieces. (Leaving towards the rear in a fury)

Wang Lifa
Shuanzi's mother is kind of old, you can ...

Wang Shufen
He complained for ages. But he was right to complain. I couldn't say
it straight to him but I will with you: we need to add people.

Wang Lifa
If we add people we will need to pay them. Can we earn enough
revenue to do that? If I could do something else I would still run a
teahouse. What an idiot I am.
[
[There is the sound of cannon fire in the distance.

Wang Lifa
Listen, it is his mother firing the cannon again. Go on then, make
some noise! Why don't you fire tomorrow instead and then we will
blame you again.

Wang Shufen
Wise people do not talk nonsense, blaming cannon fire on me.

Wang Lifa
Don't talk blind nonsense. Get to work! Hmm!

Wang Shufen
I secretly think that you are blaming the cannon fire for your own
tiredness. (Slowly walks to the back)

Wang Lifa
(A little more warmly) Don't fear for Shuanzi's mother. However many
rounds of cannon are fired they will not kill us. The city of Beijing is a
treasure.

Wang Shufen
Treasured! It scares me to think to much about it. I will give Li San
some money to buy vegetables with. (Leaves the stage)
[
[A crowd of male and female refugees are outside the door pleading.

Refugee
Shopkeeper, please show some charity to the pitiful.

Wang Lifa
Go away! I don't give anything out here. We are not open.

Refugee
Show pity! Show pity! We are all escaping calamity.

Wang Lifa
Don't waste my time. I can't even look after myself.

Policeman
Go! Go! Get a move on!
[

[The refugees scatter.

Wang Lifa
How are you? Liu Ye! Are you ok?

Policeman
Yes. I am feeling strong. But the battle did not go well, which is why
we have so many refugees. The order came down from above that
you need to provide eighty pounds of flat bread, packaged in bundles
of twelve. The soldiers from the city are taking rations, which is the
only way that they can go to battle.

Wang Lifa
You are a sage but at the moment we only do meals for the guest
houses at back. We don't seel food and at present are not even open.
We can't come up with a single pound, let alone eighty pounds.

Policeman
You have you reasons but I have my orders so you need to find a way
to achieve this. (About to leave)

Wang Lifa
Wait on! What I am saying is absolutely true. We are not even open
for business and that you know. After opening it would still not be
easy. OK, buy a packet of tea leaves to make tea. (handing over
money) If you can say a few kind words I would be infintely grateful.

Policeman
(accepting the money) I will explain your situation and see but I
cannot guarantee anything.
[
[Three to soldier with ragged uniforms, all carrying guns on the
backs, rush into the doorway.

Policeman
Chiefs, I have just been checking this establishment. It is not yet
open for business.

[]
Soldier
[cursing]!

Policeman
Shopkeeper Wang, show some respect to some old chiefs by giving
them some tea money so that they can go elsewhere to drink.

Wang Lifa
Dear chiefs, I am really sorry that we are not open at present.
Otherwise, you would all be welcome. (Giving some cash to the
policeman)

Policeman
(passing it on to the chiefs) OK, chiefs, please excuse him. At
present, he is not in a position to entertain you.

[]
Soldier
[Cursing] Who wants local cash. I want foreign money.

Wang Lifa
Dear chiefs, where would you have us look for foreign cash?

[]
Soldier
[Cursing] Beat the hell out of him!

Policeman
Quick! Add some more!

Wang Lifa
(Reaching in his pocket) Chiefs, if I have another yuan please burn
the building. (Handing over some cash)

[]

Soldier
[Cursing] (Takes the cash and also two tableclothes by the way)

Policeman
OK, I avoided a disaster for you. If they hadn't have left, you would
be completely finished. Not even a tea bowl would have been left.

Wang Lifa
I will never forget your good deed.

Policeman
But for that contribution shouldn't I get some additional
compensation?

Wang Lifa
Of course, you are a saint and I am a fool. But if you search me you
won't even find a piece of copper. (lifting his coat up to allow the
policeman to search) You search! You search!

Policeman
I can't beat you at your own game! See you tomorrow! Tomorrow we
don't know if there will be wind or rain.

Wang Lifa
Take it easy! (Watching the policeman go as he stamps his feet)
Damn! War, war! Fighting today, fighting tomorrow, always fighting,
fighting God damn what?
[
[Tang Tiezui comes in looking very thin and dirty but wearing a silk
gown.

!
Tang Tiezui
Shopkeeper Wang! I've come to bring congratulate you.

Wang Lifa
(Still angry) Yo! Mr Tang.

Tang Tiezui
It is an improvement from before. I thank these times.

Wang Lifa
These times are worth thanking. That sounds a little unreasonable.

Tang Tiezui
The start of this year is even more chaotic. My business is great right
now. Who lives and who dies all depends on luck. What better time
for fortune telling and face reading.

YesYes
Wang Lifa
Yes (in English), you could put it like that.

Tang Tiezui
I heard that you have turned the back into guest houses. Could I rent
one?

Wang Lifa
Mr Tang, with your particular indulgence I'm afraid ...

Tang Tiezui
I already quit smoking opium.

Wang Lifa
Really? You really want to make it rich!

Tang Tiezui
I changed to heroin. (Pointing at a cigarette advertisement on the
wall) Look, Hademen cigarettes are long and loose (pulling out a
cigarette to make an exhibition), each time it will loosen you out, just

like it was heroin. British tobacco and Japanese heroin, these two
strong countries waiting on me. That is not a small bit of luck, is it?

Wang Lifa
Luck not small! Not small! But at the moment I have no vacancies. As
soon as there is one I will keep it specially for you.

Tang Tiezui
You look down on me because you do not think that I will be able to
pay the rent.

Wang Lifa
That is not the case at all. We have all been living together on the
street for a long time trying to make a living. We are all equals. That
is my true feeling.

Tang Tiezui
Your talk is more outrageous than mine!

Wang Lifa
I am not just playing with words. My heart is true. How many free
bowls of tea have you drunk in the last ten or more years?

Tang Tiezui
Tomorrow I will give you a some money, as usual. (Walks away
cursing)
[

[Someone selling newspapers on the street shouts, News of the

Battle for Zhangxindian, buy a newspaper and read about the Battle
for Zhangxindian. The paper boy pokes his head inside.

Paper boy
Shopkeeper, news of the Zhangxindian battle, buy a paper and have a
look!


Wang Lifa
Is there news of the fighting?

Paper boy
There probably is. Take a look for yourself.

Wang Lifa
Go! I am not buying!

Paper boy
Shopkeeper, if you don't look the fighting will go on as usual.
(Towards Tang Tiezui) Sir, would you care for a paper?

Tang Tiezui
I am not like him (pointing at Wang Lifa). I care about politics. (Takes
a paper and leaves without paying.)
[
[ The paper boy chases after Tang Tiezui.

Wang Lifa
(Soliloquizing) Zhangxindian, Zhangxindian, how far is that from
here? (Shouting) No. 3! No. 3! You need to go out early to buy
vegetables. Soon the city gate will close and you won't be able to buy
anything.
[
[Chang Si Ye comes in carrying a string of pickled turnips and two
chickens.

Chang Si Ye
Shopkeeper Wang!

Wang Lifa

Who? Oh! No. 4!

Chang Si Ye
I went to buy vegetables. I can stand on my own two feet. Without a
doubt! There was a riot outside the city today. I could not buy
vegetables. There was none to be found on the east side or the west
side. I finally found two chickens and a few jin of old pickled turnips.

Wang Lifa
I thank you. I had not got around to it.

Chang Si Ye
(Going inside to look) OK. OK. Thanks for tidying up. The big tea
houses are all closed. It is only because you have planned with care
that you could adapt to the situation and even improve.

Wang Lifa
Don't flatter me. I do my best but I am concerned about all chaotic
state of the world.

Chang Si Ye
But it seems like a person like me cannot successfully run a tea
house.
[
[Song Er Ye comes in wearing wretched clothes but still carrying a
bird cage.

Song Er Ye
Shopkeeper Wang, I heard that you are opening tomorrow and came
to congratulate you. (Looking at Chang Si Ye) Oh! Si Ye, you miss me
so much!

Chang Si Ye
Brother, are you OK?


Wang Lifa
Let's all sit down.

Song Er Ye
Shopkeeper Wang, how are you? Are you wife, son, and daughter
well?

Wang Lifa
(All in one breath) OK! I think. (Picking up the chicken and salted
vegetables) Si Ye, how much was that?

Chang Si Ye
Who is looking ofr money. Give as much as you think it is worth.

Wang Lifa
Let me make you all a pot of tea.

Song Er Ye
Si Ye, how are you doing?

Chang Si Ye
Selling vegetables! The Tie Gan crop is gone. What else is there to do
but manual labor to make a living? Er Ye, how are you doing?

Song Er Ye
How am I doing? I want to cry! Can't you see the clothes that I am
wearing? What kind of person do I look like?

Chang Si Ye
Er Ge, you can write and do arithmatic. It is no wonder that you can
still find work.

[]

Song Er Ye
[Coughing] Nobody wants to starve.

(
Wang Lifa

(Carrying a pot of tea back and giving Chang Si Ye some money.) I

don't know how much you spent but please take this little amount.

(
Chang Si Ye
(Taking the money and putting it in his bosom without looking at it.)
No problem!

Wang Lifa
Er Ye, you still have the yellow bird? How does he sing?

[]

Song Er Ye
[Coughing] Yes, I still have the yellow bird. I am hungry but I can't
let my bird go hungry. (Getting some spirit) Have a look, have a look
(taking off the cover). How beautiful.

Wang Lifa
Song Er Ye, let's not talk about dying. You will get lucky one day.

Chang Si Ye
Er Ge, let's go to find a place to drink two cups. When we are drunk
we will forget all our worries. Shopkeeper Wang, I cannot invite you
to come. I do not have enough money.

Wang Lifa
Actually, I cannot leave here. Forgive me if I do not accompany you.
[

[Just as Chang Si Ye is leaving Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi come in.

Both of them are still wearing gray overcoats but with tight sleeves
and the top in the shape of an equestrian jacket, green in color.

(
Song Er Ye
(Looking clearly at them and nodding in respect.) Oh, it was you two
all along.
[

[Wang Li Fa had apparently caught the infection from Song Er Ye and

payed his respects as well, staring at the two people.

Song Enzi
What is this? The Republic has been around for so many years and
you are still paying your respects? Don't you know how to bow?

Song Er Ye
When I see you two gray overcoats I think of the old Qing times. I
cannot help but pay my respects.

Wang Lifa
I am the same. I can't stop the habit of paying respects in the old
way instead of bowing.

Wu Xiangzi
Ha ha! Your reliable farm crop is not as reliable as our gray overcoats.
Ha ha! (Looking at Chang Si Ye) Is this Chang Si Ye?

Chang Si Ye
Yes it is. Your eyesight is not bad. In the Fifth Heavenly Stem,
Eleventh Earthly Branch year, right here I said, the Great Qing
Empire is finished. For that you two chased me and I spent over a
year in jail.

Song Enzi
Your memory is not bad. How did you get along?

Chang Si Ye
Not long after getting out of jail it was the year of the Seventh
Heavenly Stem, First Earthly Branch. In the alliance between the Qing
government and the Yi He Group, I fought against the foreigners with
the Yi He Group. After a lot of chaos the Qing Empire finally
collapsed, as it should have. I am a Manchurian but I have to speak

the truth. Now, every day at the fifth watch, I take a pole with
vegetables and sell them all by around 10 am. Depending on the
strength of my own body to make a living has made me stronger.
Whenever foreigners dare to use troops against us I will be ready to
fight them. I am a Manchurian and a Manchurian is also Chinese.
What do you two gentlemen think?

Wu Xiangzi
You don't know what you are talking about! When there was an
emperor we served him. When there was President Yuan Shikai we
served him. What is Song Enzi supposed to say now?

Song Enzi
We will serve whoever gives us food to eat.

Chang Si Ye
What if it was foreigners giving you food?

Song Er Ye
Si Ye, let's go.

Wu Xiangzi
Let me tell you, Chang Si Ye, we will serve and support whoever
fights against foreigners. But if we didn't have foreign guns and
cannons, how could we fight well enough?

[]
Song Er Ye
You are speaking the truth! [Coughing] Si Ye, let's go!

Chang Si Ye
Goodbye, I wish you both success and prosperity! (Leaving stage with
Song Er Ye)

Song Enzi
That rascal!

Wang Lifa
(Pouring tea) Chang Si Ye is always that bad tempered and stubborn.
Don't argue with him. (Steeping the tea) Why don't you two have a
bowl of tea. It has just steeped.

Song Enzi
What kind of people do you have living in the back?

Wang Lifa
More than half are college students and the rest are older. I have a
register and could give it to the police station whenever needed. Shall
I get it for you both to look at?

Wu Xiangzi
We don't look at registers. We look at people.

Wang Lifa
You don't need to look. They are all definitely alright to stay here.

Song Enzi
Why do you love to rent out to students? Students are not honest or
dependable.

Wang Lifa
These days, if you are appointed as a government official you are
likely to be fired tomorrow. If you do business, today you might open
a market and then be forced to close it tomorrow. Nothing is
dependable. Only students have enough money to pay the rent on a
monthly basis. If they did not have money they would not be able to
afford to go to university. You look. Is that a large bill or not?

Song Enzi
You have thought the whole thing through. You are correct. Right
now, we don't even have military allowances.

Wu Xiangzi

That's right. If you don't arrest people every day, you cannot collect a
good salary.

Song Enzi
Only, if there is a war you will arrest the wrong person. If there is no
mistake they will be released but as long as they are arrested we will
receive our salary. Go out the back and have a look.

Wang Lifa
Gentlemen, gentlemen! Be assured, there is definitely no mistake.

Song Enzi
If we don't look and arrest someone, who will pay our salary?

Wu Xiangzi
Shopkeeper Wang is not willing to allow us to look. Shopkeeper Wang
must allow us a way. We must give shopkeeper Wang face. Isn't that
right, shopkeeper Wang?

Wang Lifa
I

Song Enzi
Let me propose a very simple idea: on the first day of every month of
the solar calendar you will give that

Wu Xiangzi
That little amount!

Song Enzi
That's right, that little amount. It will save you trouble and also save
us trouble.

Wang Lifa
How much is that little amount?

Wu Xiangzi

How many years of friendship, how much is what worth? You are
smart. Would you make a fuss over that small amount and turn this
into an unpleasant matter?

Li San
(Carrying a basket of vegetables in from the back) Please eat,
gentlemen. (Paying his respects)
[
Two or three students hurry back.

Student
San Ye, don't go out. They are arresting people on the street. (Going
through to the back)

(
Li San
(Going out anyway) So what if I do get caught. Either way I will be a
coolie. If
[
[Liu Mazi is running around like he lost his soul and crashes into Li
San.

Li San
What is going on? That frightened me to death!

(
Liu Mazi
(Gasping) Don't, don't, don't go out. They nearly caught me.

Wang Lifa
San Ye, wait a minute!

Li San
How about beef with rice?

Wang Lifa
Let me tell everybody that there is only pickled vegetables and rice
for lunch, nothing else. For dinner we will eat those two chickens.

Li San
OK (returns)

Liu Mazi
My dear mother! That scared me to death.

Song Enzi
You are alive and you can still sell a few more young women.

Liu Mazi
There are people buying and people selling. Can you blame me for
being in the middle helping?

Wu Xiangzi
But let me tell you that we brothers have been in the revolutionary
party since the Qing. We are not fond of human trafficking, kidnaping
of women, and like unsavory activities. But if you ask us we could
turn a blind eye to what we accidentally find. Otherwise, people like
you should be locked up in the sewer.

Liu Mazi
Gentlemen, please don't speak like that. Aren't I starving as well?
Look here, I was previously a member of the Eight Banners and the
Palace eunuchs' division. What a revolution this has been. It has been
bitter for me. Now, other people like government ministers, deputy
chiefs, regimental command, and other military commanders want to
marry a wife with proper manners, and famous female actors who
might be worth three to five thousand silver yuan. I am looking but I
can't find the door. What is that little sesame business worth?

Song Enzi

You never say anything good and should be locked in a sewer.

Liu Mazi
Whatever. Today I cannot show respect for you two gentlemen. I have
to think about my conscience.

Wu Xiangzi
You must have some business today. Otherwise, in this time of war
and turmoil you would not come out.

Liu Mazi
No I don't. No I don't.

Song Enzi
You don't even speak half the truth. In any case, speaking the truth is
not to your advantage. Shopkeeper Wang, we are going out for a
walk. Don't forget our arrangement on the first of next month,
according to the solar calendar.

Wang Lifa
I have forgotten my name and also forgotten the business with you
two gentlemen.

Wu Xiangzi
It is settled then (leaves stage with Song Enzi)

Wang Lifa
Li Ye, have you had enough tea? You ought to leave and go about
your business.

Liu Mazi
Go about your business. I am waiting here for two friends.

Wang Lifa
Let us speak openly. In future, you cannot do your business here.
This has changed into a good and civilized place.

[
[Kang Shunzi carrying a small bundle and bringing Kang Dali puts her
head in the room.

Kang Dali
Is this the place?

Kang Shunzi
This is the right place. Have you changed your mind? (Goes in to
have a good look and sees Liu Mazi) Da Li, come in. This is the place.

Kang Dali
Mom, is this the place?

Kang Shunzi
There is no mistake. If he is here there cannot be a mistake.

Wang Lifa
Who are you?

Kang Shunzi
(Going straight to Liu Mazi without saying anything) Liu Mazi, do you
still remember me? (Wanting to fight but unable to extend her hand
from trembling) You, you, you are a (wanting to curse but unable
to)

Liu Mazi
Why do you ladies disturb me without reason?

Kang Shunzi
(Struggling) Without reason? Who do you think I am? A hero,
someone who cannot make a living, someone that atrocities that cry
to heaven? Bah!

Wang Lifa
Older sister, if you have something to say, please say it in a civilized
way.

Kang Shunzi
Are you the shopkeeper? Did you forget? Over ten years ago there
was a young girl who married a palace eunuch.

Wang Lifa
So you are Eunuch Pang's

Kang Shunzi
It was all his doing (pointing at Liu Mazi). Today I have come to settle
the account! (Wanting to hit him but not succeeding)

Liu Mazi
(Dodging) You dare! You dare! I am a good man and I won't fight a
woman.

(
Wang Lifa
(To Kang Shunzi) Sister, sit down and speak slowly. How is Eunuch
Pang?

Kang Shunzi
(Sitting down and catching her breath) He is dead. He was starved to
death by his nephews. After the founding of the republic he still had
money but because he lost his influence his nephews dared to bully
him. After he died his nephews kicked us out and didn't even leave us
with a blanket.

Wang Lifa
This is ?

Kang Shunzi
My son.

Wang Lifa
Your ?

Kang Shunzi
Also bought, so as to give the palace eunuch a son.

Kang Dali
Mom, did your father sell you here?

Kang Shunzi
You are very clever. Yes. It was right here inside this door. I had a
dizzy spell. It is a place that I will never forget.

Kang Dali
I can't remember where my father sold me.

Kang Shunzi
Is that when you were only one year old?

Kang Dali
That thing always pinches me, twists me, bites me, and chokes me.
There were too many of them for us to defeat. Otherwise, you and I
would have beat them to death.

Kang Shunzi
That's right. There were too many of them and we are too naive.
Look at Liu Mazi. I would like to take a few bites out of him but I can't
even hit him in the mouth because I can't even extend my arms.

Kang Dali
Mother, when I grow up I will help you beat them. I don't know who
my real mother is. You are my real mother.

Kang Shunzi

OK, OK. We will be together forever. I will earn money and you study.
(Staring) Shopkeeper, formerly I was here being sold by other people
but finally fate has brought us back together. Could you help us with
a matter? It doesn't matter if I starve to death but I can't let this
orphaned child to starve.
[
[Wang Shufen comes out and stands behind listening.

Wang Lifa
What can you do?

Kang Shunzi
I can clean, rinse, mend clothes, and do home style cooking. I am a
rural folk and I can endure hardship. I just don't want to be the wife
of a palace eunuch again. After that any hardship is easy to bear.

Wang Lifa
How much money do you want?

Kang Shunzi
As long as I have enough to eat, have a place to sleep, and Da Li can
go to school, it will be enough.

Wang Lifa
OK. I will look into it. Just thinking of that over ten years later makes
me feel sad. I can't foget it.

Kang Shunzi
But where will we go now?

Wang Lifa
Go back to the countryside and look for your father.

Kang Shunzi

Him? I don't know if he is dead or alive. Even if he was alive, I

wouldn't go looking for him. He let his daughter down and his
daughter no longer needs to call him her father.

Wang Lifa
It is not easy for to find something right away.

(
Wang Shufen
(Coming over) If she can wash and cook and she doesn't want much
money I will keep her.

Wang Lifa
You?

Wang Shufen
Are you teling me that I am not the shopkeeper for the inner area?
Are you telling me that Li San and I are not worked to death?

Kang Shunzi
Shopkeeper, try me out. If I am not up to it just say the word and I
will go.

Wang Shufen
Sister, come with me.

Kang Shunzi
Once I was sold here now I can treat it like my mother's house. Come
on, Da Li!

Kang Dali
Shopkeeper, if you don't hit me, I will help my mother do work.
(Leaving stage with Wang Shufen and Kang Shunzi)

Wang Lifa
Good Heavens! We just added two mouths to feed.

(
Li San

(Pulling Liu Mazi out) Get going! (Returning)

Wang Lifa
Get going! Are you waiting to be told even more clearly?

Liu Mazi
Didn't I already say that I am waiting for two friends.

Wang Lifa
You are too much. How can I make myself more clear.

Liu Mazi
What other way is there? We each have our own trades. You have
your tea house and I have my trade.
[
[Lin and Chen come in both with broad smiles across their faces.

Liu Mazi
(The two people are clearly both younger than him but he still calls
then older brothers.) Brother Lin, Brother Chen! (Seeing that Wang Li
Fa is displeased, quickly trying to persuade) Shopkeeper Wang, there
is nobody here right now. I will take advantage of that but won't do it
again.

Wang Lifa
She (pointing behind) is still here!

Liu Mazi
Never mind, she can't fight people. If she really fights then these two
people will help me.

Wang Lifa
You! Hmm! (Going out back)

Liu Mazi
Please sit down! Let's talk!

Lao Lin
You first, No. 2.

Lao Chen
No, you first!

Liu Mazi
It doesn't matter who talks.

Lao Chen
You speak first, you are the older brother.

Lao Lin
Look here, we are brothers.

Lao Chen
Right, we are such close friends that we can wear the same pair of
pants.

Lao Lin
He has several silver yuan.

Liu Mazi
Silver yuan?

Lao Chen
Brother Lin has several silver yuan as well.

Liu Mazi
How many all together? Say a number!

Lao Lin
We can't tell you that!


Lao Chen
We have to conclude our business before we can tell you.

Liu Mazi
With some silver yuan there is no business we cannot do.

Lao Lin, Lao Chen

Really?

Liu Mazi
You would have to be an idiot to lie!

Lao Lin
OK then, you go first, No. 2.

Lao Chen
It would be better if you explained, older brother.

Lao Lin
You look here, aren't we two people?

[]
Liu Mazi
[Coughing]

Lao Chen
Two friends wearing the same pair of pants?

[]
Liu Mazi
[Coughing]

Lao Lin
Would anyone ridicule our friendship?

Liu Mazi
Nobody would ridicule your friendship.


Lao Chen
Would anyone ridicule friendship between three people?

Liu Mazi
Three people? Which three people?

Lao Lin
The other person would be a woman.

[][][]

Liu Mazi
[Coughing] I understand! But I am not sure if I can do that. I have
never done that before. You see, we usually talk about a young
married couple, it is not common to talk about a trio.

Lao Lin
Difficult to do?

Liu Mazi
Very difficult to do.

(
Lao Lin
(Asking Lao Chen) What do you think?

Lao Chen
Can we call the deal off without strings attached?

Lao Lin
We can't call the deal off! I have served in the forces for over ten
years and I can't even get half of a wife. Damn!

Liu Mazi
Let's not call the deal off. Let's think about it again. How many silver
yuan do you actually have?
[
[Wang Li Fa and Cui Jiufeng slowly walk in from behind.

Wang Lifa
Mr Cui, yesterday Qin Er Ye sent someone to invite you. How is it that
you did not go? You are so educated, understand astronomy and
geography, were once a Member of Congress, but you are living here.
Why don't you go out and do something with yourself? You are such a
good person, you should be a government official. With clean
government officals like you us regular folk could spend our days in
peace.

Cui Jiufeng
I am not worthy! I am not worthy! Serving as a member of Congress
was truly a consequence of my previous sins. What is the point of the
revolution? At least, we learn from our mistakes. Oh! Right now I can
only maintain my practice and repent.

Wang Lifa
Qin Er Ye has opened a factory and also a foreign currency trading
business.

Cui Jiufeng
How are the factory and foreign currency trading business going? He
said that his enterprise was to save the country but who is it saving?
To save himself. He is amassing more and more wealth. But with that
little enterprise foreigners can just extend their little finger and knock
him to the ground so hard that he will not get up again.

Wang Lifa
Don't speak like that. Is it any wonder that we don't even have the
slightest hope?

Cui Jiufeng
Difficult to say. Very difficult to say. Just look. Today Commander
attacks Commander Li and tomorrow Commander Zhao attacks
Commander Wang. Who is asking them to attack?


Wang Lifa
Who? That scoundrel!

Cui Jiufeng
Foreigners!

Wang Lifa
Foreigners. I can understand.

Cui Jiufeng
Finally, you understand. One day, you and I will both be slaves of a
forgotten country.

Wang Lifa
Can you think of a way to use our strength to prevent becoming
slaves of a forgotten country?

Cui Jiufeng
When I was young, serving the greater good, I did indeed think about
this.

Wang Lifa
That is like trying to cure a dead horse as if it was alive.

Cui Jiufeng
Cure a dead horse as if it was alive? It is a vain hope. A dead horse
will not come back to life but a live horse will soon be dead. OK. I am
going to Hongqi Temple. If Qin Er Ye sends for me again tell him that
I can only chant sutras. I can't do anything else.
[
[Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi return once more.

Wang Lifa

Gentlemen, do you have any news?

[
[Song Enzi and Wu Xiangzi silently sit close to the doorway watching
Liu Mazi and wait.
[
[Liu Mazi knows how to act and lowers his head.
[
[Lao Chen and Lao Lin also know how to act and look at each other
silently.
[
[There is silence for a minute.

Lao Lin
Brother, let's go.

Lao Lin
Go!

Song Enzi
Wait there (standing up and blocking the path)

Lao Chen
What's wrong?

(
Wu Xiangzi
(Also standing up) What would you say is wrong?
[
[The four people foolishly look at each other for a minute.

Song Enzi

Come with us quietly.

Lao Lin
To where?

Wu Xiangzi
Fleeing service, right? Got some silver yuan and thinking about hiding
it in Beijing, right? When you have cash you hide it and when you
don't have cash you rob people, right?

Lao Chen
Are you able to take care of that? I could beat eight of you by myself
(wanting to fight).

Song Enzi
You? But you sold you gun, didn't you? Not have a gun is not as good
as having a gun, is it? (Patting the gun at his side.) I could beat eight
of you by myself.

Lao Lin
We are brothers! Why do we have to act like this? All brothers!

Wu Xiangzi
OK. Sit down and talk. Do you both want to live? Or do you want you
silver yuan?

Lao Chen
It has not been easy earning the little money we have. We fought for
the people who paid us and we fought many battles.

Song Enzi
Didn't you also know that it is an offense to flee service?

Lao Lin
Let's talk. Who said we were brothers.

Wu Xiangzi
That sounds like a person on our side. Please talk!

(
Wang Lifa
(In the doorway) Everybody, Da Ling come over here.

Lao Lin, Lao Chen

Ah! (Loosing their heads, they begin to move inside)

Song Enzi
Don't move! Gentlemen, don't say a word. Give half of the silver yuan
to us and we won't bother you two. We are all on the same side.

Lao Chen, Lao Lin

OK, let's do it. We are all on the same side.
[

[Da Ling comes in: One holding a two handed knife wrapped in a
red cloth on the back of a gun pointing forward, one hand holding
an arrow in the middle, four holding black and red truncheons behind.
The officer is at the rear commanding the men.

Wu Xiangzi
(Together with Song Enzi, Lao Lin, and Lao Chen simultaneously
standing up straight, taking out a badge from under his hat, and
asking the officer to look at it) Report to commanding officer: we are
interrogating a deserter.

Officer
Is that him? (pointing to Liu Mazi)

(
Wu Xiangzi
(Pointing to Liu Mazi) That is him.

Officer
Tie him up!


(
Liu Mazi
(Shouting) It is not me! It is not me!

Officer
Tie him up (as he leaves stage)!

(
Wu Xiangzi
(To Song Enzi) Let's go out back and catch a couple of students.

Song Enzi
Let's go (scurrying to the back)!

The curtain falls

Act III

Characters Wang Da Shuan, Venerable Ming, Yu Houzhai, Zhou

Xiuhua, Zou Fuyuan, Young Song Enzi Junior, Wang Xiaohua, Wei
Fuxi, Wu Xiangzi Junior, Kang Shunzi, Fang Liu, Chang Si Ye, Ding
Bao, Che Dangdang, Qin Zhongyi, Wang Lifa, Pang Si Nainai, Xiao
Xinyan, First Tea Customer, Second Tea Customer, Chun Mei, Shen
Chuzhang, Liu Mazi Junior, Lao Yang, four military police, person
fetching fees for electric lights, Er Dezi Junior, Tang Tiezui Junior, Xie
Yong Er.

Time

After the victory of War of Resistance against Japan, Guo Min Dang
spies and U.S. troops rampaged in the streets in Beijing. It is a clear
morning in Fall.

Place
Same as in previous acts
[

[The curtain rises: Now the Yutai Teahouse does not have as dignified
an appearance as in previous acts. The cane chairs have been
replaced by small stools and benches. The building itself, the same as
the furniture, is gloomy and without lustre. Customers are forbidden
to talk about any eye-catching activity with the notice No discussing
politics now posted in even more places and written in even larger
letters. Besides those notices are some new notices reading, Pay for
tea in advance.
[
[It is early morning and the shutters have still not been taken down.
Wang Lifa's son Wang Dashun dejectedly tidies up the room alone.
[

[Wang Lifa's wife, Zhou Xiuhua, leads their young daughter, Wang
Xiaohua, out from behind. They talk as they walk along.

Wang Xiaohua
Mom, please make me some hot noodle soup for lunch. I haven't
eaten any for ages.

Zhou Xiuhua
I know, dear. But I don't know if we will be able to buy any flour. Even
if the grain shop by coincidence has some flour, who knows if we will
have any money.

Wang Xiaohua

Mom, I hope that both of those things will be true.

Zhou Xiuhua
It is easy to think about it but not so easy for it to happen. OK, Xiao
Hua. Go! Be careful of jeeps on the road.

Wang Dashuan
Xiao Hua, wait on!

Wang Xiaohua
What for? Dad!

Wang Dashuan
Last night

Zhou Xiuhua
I already reminded her. She understands!

Wang Dashuan
Never tell anyone your Uncle Da Li's secret. If you say, our whole
family will die. Understand!

Wang Xiaohua
Even if someone beats me to death I will not tell. If anyone asks me
if my Uncle Da Li has ever come back, I will say, He has been gone
for years and we haven't had any news at all.
[
[Kang Shunzi comes out from the back. Her waist is a little crooked
but her health is still strong. She calls Wang Xiaohua as she walks.

Kang Shunzi
Xiao Hua! Xiao Hua! Haven't you gone yet?

Wang Xiaohua
Aunt Kang, what are you doing?

Kang Shunzi
Xiao Hua, dear! Your aunt came out to look at you one more time.
(Patting Xiao Hua's head) So pretty! You haven't had enough to eat.
Otherwise, you would be even more pretty.

Zhou Xiuhua
Aunt, do you want to come with me?

Kang Shunzi
OK. Let's go. I will teach you to save some chewing grain. I raised Da
Li from childhood. If he asks me to go, how could I could I not? When
we arrived here, he wasn't even as tall as you are.

Wang Xiaohua
Look at Uncle Da Li now, so strong and robust.

Kang Shunzi
Even though he is only doing odd jobs here it has made me quite a
few years younger. Originally, I had nothing and then, all of a sudden,
it seems like I have everything. I go wherever he goes and
experience the same hardships, suffering, and joy. Look a those two
big hands and two big feet. What a tall and masculine figure.

Wang Xiaohua
Aunt, I will go with you too!

Kang Shunzi
Xiao Hua, be good and go to school. I will come and pick you up.

Wang Dashuan
Xiao Hua, go to school. Don't be late.

Wang Xiaohua

Wait until I have finished school before you go.

Kang Shunzi
OK, OK, get going Dear (Wang Xiaohua leaves stage).

Wang Dashuan
Aunt, did my father tell you to go?

Kang Shunzi
He hasn't made up his mind yet. I am concerned that everybody will
find out with Da Li coming back. If I suddenly go, it may implicate
you all. Aren't people are always being detained these days? I
couldn't do anything to you all that I would be sorry about.

[]

[
Ding Bao enters.

Ding Bao
Hi! Shopkeeper, I am here.

Wang Dashuan
Who are you?

Ding Bao
Miss Ding Bao. Xiao Liu Mazi told me that there was an old
shopkeeper here that asked him to organize a female entertainer.

Wang Dashuan

Young lady, look at this old tea house. Do you think that this is the
kind of place that needs a female entertainer? What a crazy idea our
old shopkeeper had.
[
[Wang Lifa slowly walked out, still very healthy but dressed in old,
dirty clothes.

Wang Lifa
Young fellow, how could you disparage an old man behind his back?
Who has crazy ideas? Open the doors. Look at the time and you
haven't opened for business yet.
[
[Wang Dashuan takes down the shutters.

Ding Bao
Old shopkeeper, you look very healthy.

[]
Wang Lifa
[Speaking kindly] If there was some zha zhang mian I could eat three
bowls. It is a pity that there is none. How old are you, sweety?

Ding Bao
Seventeen.

Wang Lifa
Only seventeen?

Ding Bao
That's right. My mother is a widow and I live with her. After victory in
the war the government said that the small house that my father had
left us was traitor's property and confiscated it. My mother was really
angry and now I do female entertainment. Shopkeeper, now I
understand what traitor's property is. Do you?

Wang Lifa
Sweety, you don't need to tell us everything. You said one thing
wrong. Anything can be called traitor's property. Just look, Qin Er Ye's
store house is behind us. Someone might stare at it, call it traitor's
property, and then confiscate it. That is exactly what it is.
[
[Wang Dashuan comes back.

Ding Bao
Shopkeeper, that is exactly right. Even I am traitor's property. I have
to wait on whoever has a strong arm as a lord. Damn! I am only
seventeen years old and I often think that I would be better off dead.
Die and turn this lifeless body into a corpse.

Wang Dashuan
Dad, do you really want a female entertainer?

Wang Lifa
I was talking nonsense with Xiao Liu Mazi. For all my life I have liked
to improve things. When I see that business is bad I get worried.

Wang Dashuan
If you worry, I worry as well. But have you forgotten the the name of
our teahouse Yutai? Should a shop with a sixty year old name have
a female entertainer?

Ding Bao
What old name? The old it is the less it is worth. I don't believe that
was twenty eight years old and called Little Ding Bao or Baby Ding
Bao anybody would even look at me.
[
[First and second customers come on stage.

Wang Lifa
You two gentlemen are early. Where are the tea leaves you have
brought? Son, bring some boiling water. Wang Dashun leaves stage. I
am sorry gentlemen, you need to pay for the tea first.

First customer
I have never heard of anything like that before.

Wang Lifa
I have run this tea house for decades and I have never heard of it
before either. However, you are an enlightened person. The prices of
tea leaves and coal change all the time. It is likely that while you are
drinking the price will go up again. So, you see, won't it save you
trouble to pay up front?

Second customer
I think that it will save us even more trouble if we do not drink any
tea (leaves stage with customer one).

(
Wang Dashuan
(Bringing boiling water) What? The went!

Wang Lifa
So you understand that much.

Ding Bao
If I went over and said, Come in, young men, then they would be
ready to give a silver yuan.

Wang Lifa
You are more stubborn that a rock.

([][]
Wang Dashuan
(Putting down the pot) OK, I am going to leave [hesitating]. The air is
too stale in here (leaves stage).

Wang Lifa
You need some fresh air and I am completely exasperated.
[
[Xiao Liu Mazi comes in wearing western clothes and carrying a
leathre bag.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Miss Ding Bao, you came after all.

Ding Bao
Who would dare to go against your suggestion?

Xiao Liu Mazi

Shopkeeper Wang, do you know why I brought you this baby? She is
young, talented, well dressed, and has all kinds of outstanding
qualities.

Wang Lifa
Are you afraid that I will not be able to use her?

Xiao Liu Mazi

You don't need to concern yourself with it, old man. Just listen to me.
Miss Ding Bao and I will manage this together. Isn't that right, Miss
Ding Bao?

Ding Bao
If we didn't have your methods, how could we be so mischievous?

Xiao Liu Mazi

Mischievous? You are right. Once my father was bound and arrested
here. If you don't believe me, ask shopkeeper Wang. Isn't that right,
shopkeeper Wang?

Wang Lifa

I saw it with my own eyes.

[]

Xiao Liu Mazi

You see, Miss Ding Bao, I am not just blowing hot air! Tied, taken out
onto the street, and [looking for the words] cut with a knife. Isn't that
right, old shopkeeper?

Wang Lifa
You are listening to the truth.

Xiao Liu Mazi

I am not telling a lie, Miss Ding Bao. But my father was lacking
something and did not spend his days well. Now it is up to me to take
the initiative and do something particularly remarkable. (Opening up
his bag and taking out a planning book.) Have a look, Miss Ding Bao,
look at my plan.

Ding Bao
I haven't got enough time. I think that I should go home, rest for a
day, and then start work tomorrow.

Wang Lifa
Ding Bao, I haven't had time to think about it yet.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Shopkeeper Wang, I will do the thinking for you. If you don't believe
me just wait until tomorrow morning, Miss Ding Bao will stand at the
doorway with her head tilted and you will have two hundred
customers right away. Miss Ding Bao do you hear the plan that I have
for you?

Ding Bao
Hm! I hope that it will not have anything to do with me.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Miss Ding Bao, you are not positive enough. Listen

[
[ Someone comes in to collect fees for electric lighting.

Fee collector
Shopkeeper, electric light fees.

Wang Lifa
Electric light fees? How many months do I owe?

Fee collector
Three months.

Wang Lifa
If you wait another three months then I will still will not be able to
pay you for a half year.

Fee collector
What kind of talk is that?

Xiao Liu Mazi

That is the honest truth. This area is governed by Shen Chu Zhang.
Do you know Shen Chu Zhang? He is a Party City committe member
and military police Area Commander. Are you willing to collect
electricity fees from him? Speak!

Fee collector
What kind of talk is that? Of course, I am not going to accept it.
Sorry, I knocked on the wrong door (leaves stage).

Xiao Liu Mazi

You see, shopkeeper Wang, if you don't listen to me you will not get
by. Your old fashioned thinking from the years of Emperor Guang Xu
is outdated.

Wang Lifa
Right! Whatever way you put it, people are never too old to learn. I
need to study more.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Exactly!
[
[Xiao Tang Tiezui comes in wearing a silk jiapao and new satin shoes.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Damn you, Xiao Tang Tiezui!

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Damn you, Xiao Liu Mazi! Come and let grandfather have a look.
Looks in front and behind. You are doing OK, young boy, all dressed
in foreign clothes. You are even more foreign than a foreigner.
Shopkeeper Wang, tonight I am doing some astronomy. Ursa Minor is
shining and soon the Emperor will appear. You have a look at Xiao Liu
Mazi and I and this

Xiao Liu Mazi

Miss Ding Bao, we will be known throughout the whole of Beijing.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

together with Miss Ding Bao we will all be talented and goodlooking, entertained by civil and military officials, we will rise to the
occasion living in this great era like fish in water. Shopkeeper, show
me your full face. OK, OK, you face is beaming, which is a sign of
good luck. Alright, bring me a bowl of tea.

Wang Lifa
Xiao Tang Tiezui!

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Don't call me Tang Tiezui. I am now called Taoist master Tang.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Who conferred the title of Taoist master on you?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Wait two days and you will know.

Wang Lifa
Taoist master, don't forget that your father drank at my teahouse for
free for his whole life. You are not going to inherit that privilege.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Shopkeeper Wang, wait until I am wearing the eight trigrams
immortal clothes and you will regret what you just said. You just wait!

Xiao Liu Mazi

Xiao Tang, in a short while I will treat you to coffee with Miss Ding
Bao accompanying. But first listen something serious that I have to
say. Alright?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Shopkeeper Wang, you don't need to think about it too much. If an
Taoist master can drink free tea today, in the future it will bring you
great knowledge. How about it?

Xiao Liu Mazi

I was just telling Miss Ding Bao that I have a grand plan.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Good. I am listening.

Xiao Liu Mazi

I want to organize a kit and kaboodle. This is an American term and
you probably do not understand it. Translated in the Mandarin is
means to take the whole lot.


Xioa Tang Tiezui
I understand! That is to say that you will take care of all of the young
ladies.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Correct! Your are intelligent. Your are intelligent. Miss Ding Bao,
listen, this is closely related to you.

Wang Lifa
I am listening.

Xiao Liu Mazi

I want to organize the dancing ladies, prostitutes, Jeep women, and
female entertainers into one big kit and kaboodle.

(
Xiao Tang Tiezui
(Asking with his eyes closed) Have you successfully mediated with
the government authorities?

Xiao Liu Mazi

Of course! Shen Chu Zhang will be chairman and I will be general
manager.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

What about me?

Xiao Liu Mazi

If you can come up with a good name I will hire you as a consultant.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Parking fees cannot be paid in local currency.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Every month, U.S. cash should be sent.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Keep going!

Xiao Liu Mazi

Service departments will include trading department, transportation
department, training department, and supply departments. Whether
it be buying women or selling women; sending from Shanghai to
Tianjin or from Hankou to Chongqing; training jeep women or female
entertainers; whether it be supplying to American troops or all levels
of government officials, we will take contracts and guarantee
satisfaction for everyone. What do you think?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Very good! Very good! That includes all the controlling principles. In
practice this will be able to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.
military and also be in the nations benefit.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Good, then you think of a good name. Think of an elegant, poetic
name like, willow leaf eyebrows, apricot eyes, or cherry mouth.

[]

Xiao Tang Tiezui

[Speaking kindly] Kit and kaboodle, kit and kaboodle Not
elegant. Rolling back and forth it doesn't roll off the tongue easily. It
sounds indecent.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Right, definitely not elegant. But it is an American term and it is very
popular.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Nevertheless, combined as part of a company name it would be loud
and assertive.

Xiao Liu Mazi

So that is that what you are saying. What combined company?

Ding Bao
A mischievous is good!

Xiao Liu Mazi

Miss Ding Bao, we are talking about a serious matter. There is no
need to talk nonsense. If you do well, in the future you will have hope
to be a training manager.

Xioa Tang Tiezui

What do you think about this, Hua Hua United Company? What are
women, anyway? Fresh flowers! And if you want a woman then you
have to spend some more money. Spend, spend, so Hua Hua. The
mountains are green, the water is clear, and the world is full of
flowers, which is an allusion to the Beijing Opera Wu Jia Po. Is that
good or not?

Xiao Liu Mazi

Xiao Tang, thank you, thank you! (Warmly shaking hands) I will check
with Shen Chu Zhang immediately. If he endorsed it you can be
considered hired as a consultant. (Tidies up his leather bag and
goes.)

Wang Lifa
So how is Ding Bao's matter going the be handled?

Xiao Liu Mazi

Do you need to concern yourself with it? I will handle everything to
do with the kit and kaboodle, starting with an experiment here.

Ding Bao
Didn't you say that we were going to go out to drink coffee?

Xiao Liu Mazi

Ask Xiao Tang if he will go.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

You two go ahead. I am waiting here for someone.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Let's go, Miss Ding Bao.

Ding Bao
See you tomorrow, shopkeeper! Good bye, Taoist master (leaves
stage with Xiao Liu Mazi)!

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Shopkeeper Wang, take a look at the paper.

Wang Lifa
I need to go over it slowly. A couple of years ago there were probably
still two.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Nonsense!
[

[Three customers come in: Venerable Ming, Zou Fuyuan, and Wei
Fuxi. Venerable Ming sits alone. Zou Fuyuan and Wei Fuxi sit together.
Wang Lifa knows them and nods his head to each.

Wang Lifa
Brothers, sorry but you need to pay for your tea first.

Venerable Ming
No problem, brother.

Wang Lifa
Oh! It hurts me to say, Pay for your tea first.

Zou Fuyuan
How are you doing, shopkeeper Wang? Are you still doing a
monologue discussion historical events at night?

Wang Lifa
The experiment is over and it did not work. The lights wasted
electricity and it did not bring in customers.

Zou Fuyuan
You see the day before yesterday I was at Hui Xian Temple, where
they began San Xia Si Yi with the Five Princes, Ten Heros, Thirteen
Heros, Nine Elders, Fifteen Youths, Breaking Phoenix Hill, Peace under
a Wise Ruler, Breaking the Phoenix's Leg, and can you guess how
many people were in the audience?

Wang Lifa
How many? Besides you nobody can understand that book.

Zou Fuyuan
Your guess is not far off. There were five people and two walking
slowly past listening.

Wei Fuxi
Brother, however you put it you are better than me. I have been idle
for over a month.

Zou Fuyuan
But who would ask you to dance? What about changing to singing
opera?

Wei Fuxi
I have a voice and I can dress in costume!

Zou Fuyuan
But when you get on stage you do not sing well.

Wei Fuxi

When my mother performed a play it provided for money for corn

flour cakes. Why should I do manual labor. Am I crazy?

Zou Fuyuan
Oh! Fu Xi, we both should sing popular songs like Spinning Cotton
instead of giving up. As I see it, whether we live or die, we are both
second rate. Our thing is to grieve but after a few years our fortunes
may change. We are a disgrace to the founder of our temple. It is a
common saying that you cannot achieve anything except by being
forthright. This year got off to a bad start. Proper things were mixed
up with corrupt things.

Wang Lifa
Oh! (Turning to Venerable Ming) Venerable Ming you haven't come for
a long time.

Venerable Ming
I couldn't get out. I was preparing prison meals.

Wang Lifa
You! They rely on you to prepare a banquet for one or two hundred
people? You should give them steamed corn bread!

Venerable Ming
Well, there is no other way. At present three are so many people in
prison. Banquet? I will even to house work to earn money.
[
[Fang Liu comes in holding several paintings.

Venerable Ming
Liu Ye, over here! Liu Ye, how about that house work? I need the
money.

Fang Liu
Venerable Ming, please choose a painting.


Venerable Ming
Ah? What would I want with a painting?

Fang Liu
This is a great painting. Six large mountain people, painted by Dong
Ruomei.

Venerable Ming
He could paint the sky well but it wouldn't make do for food.

Fang Liu
He was crying when he gave the paintings to me.

Venerable Ming
When I was doing house work for you I was crying too.

Fang Liu
Whoever was crying also eats stewed meat and that I know for a fact!
Otherwise, my heart would be very heavy. Besides doing that work
for us, didn't we also need you to beat the small drum?

Venerable Ming
Liu Ye, people always have something in their heart. But should you
use that to take advantage of old friend?

Fang Liu
Wasn't it only two tables altogether? It was a trifle and don't mention
it again. If you mention it again it will be like you don't understand
the meaning of friendship.
[
[Che Dangdang comes in tapping two silver yuan.

Who wants two yuan? Two yuan? Astronomer, will you mind them for
me? (Xiao Tang Tiezui is silent.)


Wang Lifa
Dang Dang, go somewhere else. I have even forgotten about foreign
cash.

Che Dangdang
Take a good look, sir! You can look for free. No need to buy a ticket.
(Throws the coins on the table)
[

[Pang Si Nainai comes in with Chun Mei. Pang Si Nainai's was wearing
all kinds of rings on her hand and made up like an evil spirit in the
form of an alluring woman. Lay Yang, who sells groceries, comes in.

Tang Tiezui
Madam!

Fang Liu, Che Dangdang

Madam!

Pang Si Nainai
Taoist master!

Xiao Tang Tiezui

At your service Madam! (Inviting Pang Si Nainai to sit down and
pouring tea for her.)

(
Pang Si Nainai
(Seeing that Che Dangdang wants to go out) Dangdang, you wait on.

[]
Che Dangdang
[Coughing]

(
Lao Yang
(Opening a crate) Madam, look!

Chang Si Nainai
Let me try that set. The queer ones are interesting.

Lao Yang
Yes! American needles, American threads, American toothpaste,
American anti inflammatory tablets. Also, lipstick, face cream, nylon
stockings, and wool yarn. The crate is small, but the merchandise is
complete, so that nobody would suspect that I am selling an atom
bomb.

Chang Si Nainai
Ha ha ha! (Choosing two pairs of socks) Please take these, Chun Mei.
Dang Dang, settle the accounts with Lao Yang.

Che Dangdang
Madam, please don't do it that way.

Chang Si Nainai
I gave you the capital and, with interest, how much do you owe me
now?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Yes (Taking out a book)!

Che Dangdang
Taoist Master, don't worry, I will setting this with Lao Yang.

Lao Yang
You are very charitable. May he give me money?

Pang Si Nainai
He can't trick you, Lao Yang. I will make sure of that.

Lao Yang
Yes! (To the audience) Who else would take care of me? (Wanting to
speak loudly) American needles,

Chang Si Nainai
I have heard enough! Go!

Lao Yang
American needles, American money, and if I don't go then I am a
scoundrel. Let's go, Dangdang (leaves stage with Che Dangdang).

Fang Liu
(Walking over) Madam, I obtained five pieces of cloisonne. They are
old, authentic, and inexpensive. They would look beautiful on a
platform. Would you like to have a look?

Chang Si Nainai
Ask the Emperor to have a look!

Fang Liu
Yes! Isn't the Emperor about to ascend to his position? I would like to
congratulate you first. I will send them to the platform right away.
Madam, please say a few good words for me. I must have some face.
(Going outside)

Venerable Ming
Fang Liu, about my mattr?

Fang Liu
First decide which paintings you would like (leaves stage).

Venerable Ming
You wait! Cheating me into doing housework! I still have my cutting
knife (chasing Fang Liu off stage).

Pang Si Nainai
Shopkeeper Wang, is Mrs Kang here? Ask her to come out.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

I will go (going to the back door). Mrs Kang, please come here.

Wang Lifa
What do you want?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Imperial household affairs!
[
[Kang Shunzi comes onto stage.

Kang Shunzi
For what?

(
Pang Si Nainai
(Welcoming her) Mother-in-law! I am your forth son's wife and I have
come to pick you up. Please sit down (pulling Kang Shunzi to sit
down).

Kang Shunzi
Forth son's wife?

Pang Si Nainai
That's right. At the time you left the Pang household I had not come
to it.

Kang Shunzi
I have cut off relations with the Pang family. What are you looking for
me for?

Pang Si Nainai
Your fourth eldest nephew, Hai Shun, was a third tier official in the
Imperial system in charge of the alter, a member of the Nationalist
Party, Shen Chu Zhang's brother, and will soon become the Emperor.
Don't you like that?

Kang Shunzi

Soon become the Emperor?

Pang Si Nainai
That's right. The Imperial court dress has been made already and he
will take the throne at Xi Shan.

Kang Shunzi
At Xi Shan?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Madam, the Eighth Battalion is at Xi Shan. Would the government at
Nanjing be willing for Pang Si Ye to get into a conflict with the Eighth
Battalion?

Pang Si Nainai
Si Ye is doing well but partial to drink and women lately. He has
already got quite a few mistresses.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Madam, according to historical records, the seventh court of the third
palace had seventy two concubines.

Chang Si Nainai
You are not the empress. How could you know how the empress has
been wronged? This is how I see it: if you are of the same mind as
me, I will make you the old Empress Dowager. We can take care of
the emperor together. Won't I be a good empress for you? If you
come with me, you will eat well, drink well, and your pocket will jingle
with foreign money. It will be fantastic!

Kang Shunzi
What if I don't go with you?

Chang Si Nainai
Ah? You won't go? (becoming hostile)

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Give the lady some time to think about it.

Kang Shunzi
I don't need to think about it. I will have no more dealings with the
Pang household. Daughter-in-law, you be an empress and I will be a
poor wife. Let's not bother each other. Were you trying to scare me
just now by staring at me? I have got along for many years outside
now and have become hardened. Whoever stares at me can expect a
fight (standing up and moving backwards).

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Mrs Kang Shunzi! Mrs Kang Shunzi!

Kang Shunzi
(Standing still and facing Xiao Tang Tiezui) Young man, wouldn't it be
better to straighten your back and earn an honest living? (Leaves
stage.)

Chang Si Nainai
(Becoming angry with Wang Lifa) Shopkeeper Wang, come here!
Have a talk to that old lady. If you can convince her I will give you a
bag of flour. If you cannot convince her, I will smash your tea house.
Let's go, Taoist Master.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Shopkeeper Wang, I will come back tonight to hear your report.

Wang Lifa
What if I am dead by then?

Chang Si Nainai
Bah! You should die! (Leaves stage with Xiao Tang Tiezui and Chun
Mei)

Wang Lifa
Hm!

Zou Fuyuan
Brother, what act do you think this is? Ha ha ha!

Wei Fuxi
I can act more than two hundred plays but I don't understand this
one. Do you know that lady's family background?

Zou Fuyuan
How could I not know! She is Dong Batian's daughter and previously
stayed in in her mother-in-law's house. Don't repeat this but I don't
think that it will be long until time us up for that crowd of scoundrels.
[
[Wang Dashuan comes back.

Wang Lifa
Look after the store for a few minutes, son. I am going out back to
discuss something. (Leaves stage)

Xiao Er Dezi
(A loud shout from outside) Open immediately! (Comes in) Brother
Shun, steep me a pot of tea. I have money. (Fishes out four foreign
coins and puts them on the table one at a time.) Help me count. I
just spent one. I have another four yuan fifty here. How much is that
altogether?

Wang Dashuan
Ten.

Xiao Er Dezi

(Using his fingers to count) Correct! Four the day before yesterday,
six yesterday, of course, it is ten altogether. Brother, take two yuan.
When I did not have money I drank your tea for free. Now that I have
money, I will give it to you. Please take it! (Blowing and putting his
hand by his ear to listen) This piece is good. Let's use one yuan to
take the place of two.

( (
Wang Dashuan
(Not taking the money) Xiao Er Dezi, what kind of business is this
good? It is not often that I see silver yuan.

Xiao Er Dezi
Go back to study!

Wang Dashuan
If you turn the character into a carrying pole what is the use of
studying?

Xiao Er Dezi
(Picking up the pot of tea off the table, drinking a mouthful out of the
spout, and then saying in a deep voice) The local city Party branch
sent me to the Institute of Law and Politics. I have never done such a
beautiful and satisfying assignment. It is much better than Tianqiao.
Five dimes for beating a student! Yesterday, I beat several.

Wang Dashuan
Six.

Er Dezi
Right! That included two female students. One punch after the other
they went down. Too beautiful and satisfying! Brother, you feel.
(holding out his arm) Muscles of steel and foreign cash! I used that to
beat male and female students. Isn't that beautiful?

Wang Dashuan
Were they so kind and obedient that they asked you to beat them?


I specialize in beating kind people. Do you think that I am a fool?

Wang Dashuan
Xiao Er Dezi, let me tell you that beating people is not right.

Xiao Er Dezi
Who says so? You see, for Party justice, the Party Education
Department Leader puts his hand gun on the table before he starts
class. Even though I beat people with my fists, I never used a gun.

Wang Dashuan
Which Education Department Leader? What a bastard!

Xiao Er Dezi
Right! A bastard! No. If that were true, I would be a bastard as well.
Brother, why do you curse me in a round about way like that? You
have courage! You are not scared of my arms of steel.

Wang Dashuan
If you kill me, I won't be able to serve you. Isn't that so?

Xiao Er Dezi
Hey! How did you think of that round about way of saying something?
You ought to teach Party justice. You have literary ability. Good!
Anyway, I am not going to beat any students today.

Wang Dashuan
Why only not beat people today? Never fighting is the right thing.

Xiao Er Dezi
Don't I have another assignment today?

Wang Dashuan
What assignment is that?


Er Dezi
Today I will beat a teacher.

Wang Dashuan
Why are you going to beat a teacher? Beating students is wrong, let
alone beating teachers.

Xiao Er Dezi
I do whatever assignments the bosses ask. They said that the teacher
wanted to stop class. Stopping class is not right and if you do
something that is not right you should be beaten. They asked me to
come here and wait. If I see the teacher then I should beat him.

(
Zou Fuyuan
(Smelling danger) Brother, let's go!

Wei Fuxi
Let's go (leaving stage with Zou Fuyuan)!

Xiao Er Dezi
Brother, take this coin.

Wang Dashuan
I don't want money from beating female students.

Er Dezi
(Taking another piece) Take this one. It is for beating male students.
Will it do? (Seeing Wang Dashuan still shaking his head) What am I
supposed to do? Look at it from my point of view. I will go out to get
something good for you to eat. Isn't living all about eating, drinking,
the three essential items? (Gathers up the foreign money and leaves
stage.)
[
[Kang Shunzi carries a bag in. Wang Lifa and Zhou Xiuhua are with
her.

Kang Shunzi
Shopkeeper Wang, if you chang

Wang Lifa
I

Zhou Xiuhua
Pang Si Nainai would not dare destroy the tea house.

Wang Lifa
How would you know? San Huangdao is easily provoked.

Kang Shunzi
I can't get it out of my mind that this has something to do with Da Li.
All it needs it a just a tiny leak of information and we will all be
finished.

Wang Dashuan
Aunt, go! I will send you off. Dad, can I send her off?

[]
Wang Lifa
[In a kind voice] Ah

Zhou Xiuhua
Aunt, you have suffered here so many years and helped us so much.
Please let us send you off.

Wang Lifa
I did not tell you not to send her off. Go ahead and send her off!

Wang Dashuan
Aunt, just a minute. I will get my coat (leaves stage).

Zhou Xiuhua
Dad, what's up?

Wang Lifa
Don't ask any more. I am upset. In all my life, I have never been this
upset.

Zhou Xiuhua
Aunt, this will always be your home.

Wang Lifa
But who knows. Probably,

Kang Shunzi
I won't be able to forget any of you either. Shopkeeper, stay well
(Zhou Xiuhua).

(
Wang Lifa
(Taking two steps and then stopping) Stay well for what?
[
[Xie Yongren and Yu Houzhai come in

(
Xie Yongren
(Looking at the wall and putting money for tea on the table) Old man,
steep a pot of tea (sits).

(
Wang Lifa
(First taking the money) OK

Yu Houzhai
Yong Ren, are you afraid that this is the last time we will sit in this
tea house?

Xie Yongren
In fact, afterwards, I will probably come here frequently. I have
decided to change my profession to riding a tricycle.


Yu Houzhai
Riding a tricycle is certainly better than being an elementary teacher.

Xie Yongren
Actually, I teach physical education. How can anyone expect us to do
sports when I am starving and the students are starving. Isn't that a
joke?
[
[Wang Xiaohua runs in.

Wang Lifa
Xiao Hua, how come you are out of school so early?

Wang Xiaohua
The teachers stopped teaching. (Seeing Yu Houzhai and Xie Yongren)
Mr. Yu, Mr. Xie! You didn't go to school. Aren't you going to teach us?
Please continue to teach us! When the students found that the
teachers weren't there they all cried. We had a meeting and all
agreed that afterwards we would all behave well and not make the
teachers angry.

Yu Houzhai
Xiao Hua, the teachers don't want to interupt your homework but if
we don't eat how can we teach? We have our own children at home.
Is it fair that own our children should go hungry so that we can teach
other children? Good child. Don't worry. After we finish our tea we will
have a meeting and we might think of a way to solve this.

Xie Yong Ren

Study at home, Xiao Hua. Don't roam around on the streets.
[
[Wang Dashuan comes out from behind holding a small package.


Wang Xiaohua
Dad, these are two of my teachers.

Wang Dashuan
Teachers, please go. They sent hired thugs to ambush you.

Wang Lifa
Who?

Wang Dashuan
Xiao Er Dezi. He just left and he will be coming right back.

Wang Lifa
Gentlemen, please take your money back (passing the money).
Please! Quickly!

Wang Dashuan
Follow me.
[
[Xiao Er Dezi comes on stage.

Er Dezi
There is a parade on the street. I couldn't buy anything. Brother
Dashun, where are you going? Who are these two people?

Wang Dashuan
You, drinking tea. (Leaving together with Yu Houzhai and Xie
Yongren)

Xiao Er Dezi
Stay where you are! (The three people keep walking) What? You don't
want to do what I ask? OK. You will get a beating first and then we
will talk.

Wang Lifa

Xiao Er Dezi!

(
Xiao Er Dezi
(Already throwing a punch) Taste this!

(
Xie Yongren
(Kicking) Taste this!

Ah (falling)!
Xiao Er Dezi

Wang Xiaohua
Good! Good!

Xie Yongren
Get up and keep fighting.

(
Xiao Er Dezi
(Getting up and covering his face) Ah! Ah! (Moving backwards) Ah!

Wang Dashuan
Go quickly (pulling the two people off stage)!

Xiao Er Dezi
(Angrily) Old shopkeeper, you just wait. If you let them go I will get
even with you right away. Do you think that just because I cannot
beat them that I can't beat a foul old man like you (leaving stage)?

Wang Xiaohua
Grandfather! Grandfather! Did Xiao Er Dezi chase after the teachers?
That is not good.

Wang Lifa
He wouldn't dare. I have seen many people like him. They cheat the
weak and are scared of the strong.


Wang Xiaohua
Will he come back to beat you?

Wang Lifa
Me? Your grandfather will talk his way out of it.

Wang Xiaohua
Why did Daddy go?

Wang Lifa
He just left for a short while. Don't worry about it. Go upstairs and
study, good girl.

Wang Xiaohua
I am really worried that the teachers are going to have problems
(leaves stage).
[
[Ding Bao runs in.

Ding Bao
Shopkeeper, shopkeeper! I need to tell you something.

Wang Lifa
Speak up, young lady!

Ding Bao
Xiao Liu Maizi does not have good intentions. He wants to sieze this
teahouse.

Wang Lifa
How would he sieze it? Is this old teahouse even worth them siezing?

Ding Bao
They will come in a minute. I haven't got time to say in detail. Be
careful.

Wang Lifa
Thank you , young lady!

Ding Bao
I am telling you with good intentions. Please don't sell me out.

Wang Lifa
Young lady, don't worry, I am not old and confused yet.

Ding Bao
OK. See you soon (leaves stage).
[
[Zhou Xiuhua returns

Zhou Xiuhua
Dad, they have gone.

Wang Lifa
Good!

Zhou Xiuhua
Xiao Hua's father said not to worry. He will send them home and then
return here.

Wang Lifa
He can come back or not, depending on whatever is convenient for
him.

Zhou Xiuhua
Dad, what's up? How come you are so unhappy?

Wang Lifa

It is nothing. Go and look after Xiao Hua. Doesn't she want to eat
some hot noodle soup? If there is a little flour make her a bowl. She
seems kind of sad and hasn't been eating.

Zhou Xiuhua
There is absolutely no white flour. I will see if I can make her some za
huo mian soup. (Leaves stage)
[
[Xiao Tang Tiezui comes back in.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Shopkeeper Wang, is it agreed?

Wang Lifa
I will definitely give you an answer by tonight.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Shopkeeper Wang, you said that my father drank tea for free for his
whole life. Let me say a few words that may save your life in return.
Let me tell you, San Huang Dao is more ruthless than Japanese were
here previously. He will smash your teahouse more easily than an
earthenware pot. Don't be careless.

Wang Lifa
I know. You are doing this for my benefit and also helping Madam.
Right?
[
[Xiao Song Enzi and Xiao Wu Xiangzi come in, both wearing new
foreign clothes.

Xiao Tang Tiezui

Gentlemen, have you been busy enough today?

Xiao Song Enzi

Extremely busy! The teachers rebelled.

Wang Lifa
You gentlemen are calling stopping class to rebel?

Xiao Tang Tiezui

So what?

Xiao Wu Xiangzi
Can they also turn heaven upside down? So far we have caught more
than a hundred and beaten more than seventy. That will teach them
to rebel.

Xiao Song Enzi

They don't know good from evil. They are too naive. The United
States will send rice and flour!

Xiao Tang Tiezui

That's right! Gentlemen, we may have rice and flour but don't forget
about me. Afterwards, when you need someone to look at your grave
site, I will do my duty for everyone. OK. Please continue with your
business (leaves stage).

Xiao Wu Xiangzi
You just asked about calling stopping work to be rebelling. Right,
shopkeeper Wang?

Wang Lifa
I am old and don't understand new things, so I ask.

Xiao Song Enzi

You are going down the same road as them.

Wang Lifa
You speak too highly of me.


Xiao Wu Xiangzi
We are busy. We don't have time to talk BS with you. Talk straight.

Wang Lifa
What kind of straight talk?

Xiao Song Enzi

For the teachers to rebel there had to be an instigator.

Wang Lifa
Who?

Xiao Wu Xiangzi
Who came here last night?

Wang Lifa
Kang Dali!

Xiao Song Enzi

It was him! Hand him over!

Wang Lifa
I want to know what kind of person he is that he thinks he can say
whatever he wants. I knew your father for many years and you still
don't understand that?

Xiao Wu Xiangzi
Don't keep playing the same old tune. Tell us the truth!

Wang Lifa
Hand over the person or hand over the money, right?

Xiao Song Enzi

You really were my father's teacher. That's right, if you don't hand
him over we will take away your gold. All the other shops have come

and gone but you have got along for so many years. You will finally
come to an end.
[
[Xiao Er Dezi hurriedly runs out.

Xiao Er Dezi
Quick! Go! The people on the street will not be enough. Quick! Go!

Xiao Wu Xiangzi
What are you worried about? You frightened little boy!

Xiao Er Dezi
I am not making a fuss over nothing.

Xiao Song Enzi

Shopkeeper Wang, we will be right back. You had better make up
your mind.

Wang Lifa
Aren't you scared that I will run?

Xiao Wu Xiangzi
You are funny, you old fart!

(
Wang Lifa
(Calling out back) Xiao Hua! Xiao Hua's mother!

(
Zhou Xiuhua
(Running out with Wang Xiaohua) I heard it all. What should we do?

Wang Lifa
Go quickly! Chase after Mrs Kang. Quick!

Wang Xiaohua

I will get my school bag (leaves stage).

Zhou Xiuhua
Take two sweaters, Xiao Hua. Dad, how can we leave you alone?

Wang Lifa
This is my tea house. I lived here and will die here.
[
[Wang Xiaohua runs back carrying her schoolbag and some other
things.

Zhou Xiuhua
Daddy!

Wang Xiaohua
Ye ye!

Wang Lifa
Don't be sad. Go! (Taking out all his money and an old photograph
from his clothing)
[
[Xiao Liu Mazi and Ding Bao return.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Xiao Hua, are you going to go to grandmother's house since the
teachers have gone on strike?

Wang Xiaohua
Yes.

(
Wang Lifa
(Insincerely) Daughter, hurry back!


Zhou Xiuhua
Dad, I will be back in two days (leaves stage with Wang Xiaohua).

Xiao Liu Mazi

Shopkeeper Wang, good news! Shen Chu Zhang approved my plan.

Wang Lifa
Excellent! Excellent!

Xiao Liu Mazi

It is great news for you too. The Area Commander has approved
renovation of this teahouse. Whatever I say the Area Commander
says is good. He says good in a high tone with foreign accent.

Wang Lifa
What does that mean?

Xiao Liu Mazi

From now on you will not need to worry as much.

Wang Lifa
I wouldn't say that. Luckily, I am just thinking about moving house.

Ding Bao
Xiao Liu, the old shopkeeper has been here for years. Couldn't you
look after him a little?

Xiao Liu Mazi

You just watch! I always conduct business sincerely. Shopkeeper
Wang, I will contact the Area Commander and ask him to have a look
here. Please tidy up around here. Miss Ding Bao, please ask Xiao
Xinyan to come to welcome the Area Commander. Bring some
perfume and use it. Let's go (leaves stage with Ding Bao)!

Wang Lifa
Good! Really good! Excellent! Ha ha ha!
[

[Chang Si Ye comes in carrying a basket. Inside the basket is ritual

money and peanuts. Even though he is over seventy his back is still
quite straight.

Chang Si Ye
What is so good, old friend?

Wang Lifa
Hey! Chang Si Ye! I was just thinking about looking for you to have a
chat. I will brew us a pot of tea so that we can drink together.
(Leaves to brew the tea.)
[
[Qin Zhongyi comes in. He has his usual, unpresentable appearance.
His clothes are very shabby.

Qin Zhongyi
Is shopkeeper Wang around?

Chang Si Ye
Yes. You are ?

Qin Zhongyi
My name is Qin.

Chang Si Ye
Qin Er Ye!

(
Wang Lifa
(Carrying tea) Who? Qin Er Ye? I was just thinking about you that
there is going to be a big renovation here. Sit down! Sit down!

Chang Si Ye
I have some peanuts here (taking some). Drinking tea and eating
peanuts will be a real pleasure.

Qin Zhongyi
But who can chew them?

Wang Lifa
How out of the ordinary, to have peanuts but not be able to chew on
them.

Qin Zhongyi
Noone else will listen to me, so I will tell you. I made a trip to Tianjin
to take a look at my factory.

Wang Lifa
Wasn't it confiscated? Has it been returned to its rightful owner? This
is a happy occasion!

Qin Zhongyi
Torn down!

Chang Si Ye and Wang Lifa

Torn down?

Qin Zhongyi
Torn down! My forty years of sweat and blood torn down. Other
people don't know what you know, shopkeeper Wang: I worked on
this enterprise since I was twenty years old to save the country. And
then I arrived at where I am now I fought over my factory but my
power and influence was not enough to defeat them. But if it
succeeded we would have had a rich country with prosperous people.
The end result was that the factory was torn down and the machinery
sold as scrap metal. Could you find another government like this
anywhere else in the world? I ask you!

Wang Lifa
At the time I opened a nice apartment block and you had to turn it
into a storehouse. The storehouse is closed and the goods have all
been stolen. From the start I urged you not to touch the property but
you had to sell it to start the factory.

Chang Si Ye
You still remember? I bought the woman who sold her young
daughter a bowl of noodles and you made sarcastic remarks.

Qin Zhongyi
Now I understand. Shopkeeper Wang, I would like to ask you for one
thing: (fishing out some spart parts and a pen) The factory has been
torn down and here are some things that I have picked up. This pen
has my name engraved on it. It knows how many checks that I have
signed with it and plans that I have written with it. I will give them to
you and when you have nothing else to do you can use them to make
jokes for the people drinking tea. You can say, there was once a
certain person called Qin, who did not know what was good for him,
and who liked to start businesses. In the end, after decades of work,
all that was left to pick up in the pile of dirt where the factory was
was these few things. Advise anyone that has any money to go
dining, wining, whoring, and gambling to run amok but don't, under
any circumstances, do any good deeds. You tell them that a certain
person called Qin did not realize this until he was over seventy years
old. He is a natural born idiot.

Wang Lifa
Take the pen yourself! I am just about to move house.

Chang Si Ye
Where are you going to move to?

Wang Lifa
Everywhere will be just the same. Qin Er Ye, Chang Si Ye, I am just
the same as you. Only Er Ye had great breadth of vision and ambition
for great enterprises but was too conspicuous and invited trouble. Si
Ye, for your whole life you have not been weak. You have been brave
and outraged by injustice. I have been a docile subject all my life. I
greeted, welcomed, and bowed to everyone that I saw. I just hoped
that the children would have future prospects, did not freeze, did not
starve, stayed healthy, and would not be struck by disaster. But with
the Japanese here Er Shuanzi escaped and my wife wanted to die.
With great difficulty the Japanese left and it should have been time to
catch our breath and recover. Who knows (smiles bitterly). Ha!

Chang Si Ye
I am no stronger than you. I can stand on my own two feet and can
rest with a clean conscience but I have never accomplished anything.
After seventy years I end up selling peanuts. I don't count for
anything myself. I only hope that the country will be OK and won't be
bullied by foreigners. But ha ha!

Qin Zhongyi
When the Japanese were we always talked about cooperations. My
factory was given away in the name of cooperation. Our government
came back and then the factory turned into traitors property. How
much merchandise was in the warehouse (pointing out back)? Now
there is nothing. Ha ha!

Wang Lifa
Renovate, I never forgot to renovate. Wouldn't want to lag behind
anyone else. Selling tea is not enough. I had to open a boarding
house. The boarding house is gone. That adds to the story. The story
has to have patrons. We do not want to loose any of those so let's
add a female door entertainer. Do people have to live? I ran out of
ways to change but I was changing to make a living. But for bribing
people, I passed on that. I never cheated anyone or did anything evil

so why prevent me from making a living? Who did I commit a crime

against? Who? The emperor and the empress? Dogs, men, and
women only live for their entertainment. All I want is to eat corn
bread. Who is going to think of how to feed me?

Chang Si Ye
I hope and hope that there will be some reason behind things and
that people will not bully others. I watch helplessly as old friends
either starve to death or are killed by others. I am not even capable
of crying any more. My old friend Song Er Ye died of starvation. I
even had to beg for his coffin. He had me as a friend to beg for a four
plank coffin. What about me? I love my country but who loves me?
Look, (taking some ritual money out of the basket) If I come across a
funeral procession I pick up some ritual money. With no burial
clothes, no coffin, I had better at least prepare by collecting some
ritual money. Ha ha!

Qin Zhongyi
Si Ye, we had better offer sacrifices and scatter ritual money for us
three old men.

Wang Lifa
Yes! Due to our ages we should have a funeral.

Chang Si Ye
(Standing up straight and shouting) I have a hundred and twenty
diao to pay the four pole bearers. (scatters a few pieces of paper
money) (Original note: Thirty or forty years ago in Beijing, at rich
peoples funerals there were 32, 48, or 64 people to carry the coffin.
These people were called pole bearers. In addition, there were four
people to carry flag poles following each of the four corners. When
the pole bearers changed over the had to be careful to hold the flag
properly, advancing and retreating in order. A team was also called a
bo. When lifting the pole and making an offering on the road, the pole

leaders must call out more money. Someone from the family or the
paternal great aunt would give the pole bearers a tip. The amount of
the tip had to exceed the amount called out. At the time the more
money call was made some ritual money would be scattered. )

Qin Zhongyi, Wang Lifa

One hundred and twenty diao!

(
Qin Zhongyi
(Pulling his hands together) I don't have anything to say. Goodbye!
(leaves stage)

Wang Lifa
Goodbye!

Chang Si Ye
I will have one more bowl of your tea (drinks it all in one time).
Goodbye! (leaves stage)

Wang Lifa
Goodbye!
[
[Ding Bao and Xiao Xinyan come in.

Ding Bao
They are here, grandfather (moves to the center of the room and
sprays on some perfume).

Wang Lifa'
Good. They are here and I will hide (picking up the ritual money and
moving towards the back).

Xiao Xin Yan

Grandfather, what are you doing scattering ritual money?

Wang Lifa

Who knows (leaves stage)!

[
[Xiao Liu Mazi comes in.

Xiao Liu Mazi

They are here. Everyone stand to the side.
[
[Ding Bao and Xiao Xinyan separate to the left and right either side of
the door, on the inside.
[

[There is the sound of a car stopping outside. Two military police

come in. Shen Chu Zhang comes in wearing a military uniform,
including high boots with riding spurs, and a small whip in his hand.
Three military police followed behind him

(
Shen Chu Zhang
(As if inspecting troops, he looks at Ding Bao and Xiao Xinyan and
then speaks in a high tone) Good!
[
[Ding Bao arranges a chair and invites Shen Chu Zhang to sit down.

Xiao Liu Mazi

Report to the Area Commander: The old Yutai Teahouse has been in
operation for over sixty years, is well known in the capital, and the
location is good. If we borrow the name of this shop as a base for our
operations, we will certainly succeed. I plan to seel tea as before and
also dispatch (pointing) Xiao Ding Bao and Xiao Xinyan to entertain
customers. With me monitoring all the different kinds of people, we
will certainly obtain a great deal of intelligence and capture
communists.

Shen Chu Zhang

Good (in a high tone)!
[
[Ding Bao takes a packet of Camel cigarettes from one military police
and offers a cigarette. Xiao Xinyan takes a lighter and lights the
cigarette.

Xiao Liu Mazi

In the back there is a warehouse. The goods that were inside have
already been processed by the Area Commander. The warehouse is
empty now. I plan to renovate it. In the middle there will be a dance
hall and on the sides there will be bedrooms, all with bathrooms.
When the Area Commander has some spare time, you might come
here to dance, play cards, and drink coffee. If it is late and you feel
like staying then you will be able to. The Area Commander can
consider this your own personal club. With me to manage it will
definitely be more free an easy, convenient, and more fun than a
public establishment

Shen Chu Zhang

Good (in a high tone)!

Ding Bao
Area Commander, can I ask a question?

Shen Chu Zhang

Good (in a high tone)!

Ding Bao
Shopkeeper Wang here is very pitiful. Would it be alright if we give
him a uniform and have him stand at the doorway to greet guests
coming in cars? He has been here for decades and everybody knows
him. He is very symbollic.


Shen Chu Zhang
Good (in a high tone)! Transmit that!

Xiao Liu Mazi

Yes! (Running to the back) Shopkeeper Wang, old shopkeeper! My
father's old friend! Grandfather! (enters and then runs back out)
Report to the Area Commander: He is not well. He hung himself.

Shen Chu Zhang

Good (in a high tone)! Good (in a high tone)!

The curtain falls. The entire play is over.