THE THEATRE GUILD

presents

ROAR CHINA

By S. M. Tretyakov

"Boiling with wrath and action. The Theatre Guild has turned up something new. Salute!"

J. Brooks Atkinson, TIMES

"A melodrama with the terrific impact of violent emotions and violent actions ... a night firing duel, which the talkies have never equalled for effectiveness and excitement ... a fascinating spectacle in the theatre."

Gilbert Seldes, GRAPHIC

"It is for such things as 'Roar China' that the Theatre Guild was born ... I advise you to see it."

Robert Littell, WORLD

"It is the sort of thing which makes the Theatre Guild one of the few institutions of the stage that deserves a morning reviewer's breathless consideration."

Percy Hammond, HERALD TRIBUNE

"Tremendously human, gigantically pitiable ... realism that holds you with the grip of actuality ... something to see and something to remember as a strange event in the theatre."

Charles Darnion, ENE. WORLD

"Tremendously exciting ... You can't be indifferent about it. You will either cheer it or hurl a whiskey bottle at it. A gentleman in the balcony actually managed to do both."

Gilbert W. Gabriel, AMERICAN

"Exciting theatre ... vastly poignant ... Mr. Biberman has done remarkable things ... Mr. Simonson has done a beautiful thing ... the Guild deserves the 'Bravos'."

Richard Lockridge, SUN

"A mighty production that is completely engrossing ... a tale of pitiable oppression and human torment, a wracking, merciless tale that is full of horror, but full, too, of compelling drama ... a play that is more exciting than anything on the current stage ... memorable and beautiful ... blazing material ... dramatic dynamite ... the Guild in one of its most challenging moods."

John Anderson, ENE. JOURNAL

"Not only one of the major triumphs of the Guild's career but one of the most visually exciting productions that our theatre has ever seen."

John Mason Brown, POST

"Roar China!" is a valuable reminder for us all, and a worthwhile adventure for the Theatre Guild ... a highly interesting item in the season."

—Stark Young, NEW REPUBLIC

"People who complain that all shows look pretty much alike should certainly go to see "Roar China!" ... packed with pretty nearly every kind of action you can think of."

—Otis Chatfield-Taylor, THE OUTLOOK

MARTIN BECK THEATRE

45th Street and 8th Avenue

EVENINGS, 8:50

MATINEES, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY, 2:40

["CHARACTERS", "THE CAPTAIN\nCOOPER, a seaman\nJOHNSON, a seaman\nMR. SMITH\nMR. DAWSON\nMR. BAYARD\nMR. BONN\nMR. BONN\nMR. BONN\nMR. BONN

1-2

BOATMEN enter right, PEI FU enters left, meeting left center and talk. WANG FU enters right, four extras enter left, BONZE enters left. Extras talk to boat-men, cross down to Wang Fu asking for work. WANG FU, who is at table, by this time, motions them away. LOW BA and four policemen enter up left, greet Wang Fu. Stevedores enter right with sacks and chanting "Hei ho uh". They cross to steps left, WANG FU blows whistle and they fall exhausted. Venders cross to them, selling wares. Boatmen and extras to them and talk. WANG FU countes the bales and as he counts them LI TAI enters down L, and crosses up runway. WANG FU greets him and puts bale on ledge and motions Li Tai to sit. WANG FU speaks.

Wang Fu

(With a deep bow)

(To coolies)

Shut up!

(To Li Tai)

I am happy to experience the great condescension of the visit from the Revered Li Tai.

(Renewed bows)

1-3

Li Tai

Oh yes I (Returning the greeting) The highly cherished and
I thank you, Wang Fu, not forget to repay my worthless efforts
by a selling commission Wang Fu percent?

(Indicating tea on table)

Will you do me the honor to drink tea from my disgraceful
teapot? I quarter of the money which the American pays you
for your services as in La Tai's.

I humbly thank you, I have just left the tea house.

Wang Fu

(Giving fur to Li Tai)

Well, well, may I beg the honorable Lord Li Tai to stroke this
fur with his acute fingers and enjoy its silky smoothness?

Li Tai

(Returning it)

Hall

I am much grieved to find it so rough.

Wang Fu

Oh, not in a hundred years have skins of such excellence been
unloaded on the quay of Wan Suean.

(Giving him fur)

I efface my humble self Li Tai'll await him in my house for..

one hour (Immediately returning it)

Allow me one question. Will the American soon appear?

Wang-Fu

I await him.

Li Tai

Tell him that Li Tai agrees to pay for the furs in cash but
only on condition that our business be concluded in one hour.

1-4

Wang Fu

Oh yes I will tell him of course. The highly cherished and
generous Li Tai will not forget to repay my worthless efforts
by a selling commission of one percent?

Li Tai

On the contrary, my honored Wang-Fu. Li-Tai hopes to receive
Ten cents please.
from you a quarter of the money which the American pays you
for your services as intermediary.

(Ad lib from MERCHANTS & VENDERS)

(Boat starts from R)

Wang Fu

Oh the tidings from the wise lips of Li Tai make me very sad.

Li Tai

after rowing me a hundred yards, you are wrong.

Your lack of tidings makes me sadder.

Hall

Let me out here.

Wang Fu

The American's feet approach.

Li Tai

(Rises)

You get all you're going to get. Shut up!
I efface my humble self. I will await him in my house for
one hour.

(They exchange bows. LI TAI exits down
left. WANG FU sits on stool behind
table)

(HALL gets out of boat right, a strong
stocky man in the middle forties, dressed

1-6

shouting)

...Hey, come on! Quicker, quicker! Hei-ho-hi-ho!

(As Stevedores exit. Extra Coolies
X up to boatmen on wall L)

Hall

(WANG FU Xes to Hall on runway)

It's all got to be unloaded in fifteen minutes. Where's the
Pressure Boiler for the radio station?

Wang Fu

It rolling rolling.

Hall

What's rolling rolling?

Wang Fu

It velly heavy. Rolling, pushing, coming.

Hall

Velly heavy! You're not waiting for horses, are you?

Haven't you got enough starving coolies here in Wan Sian?

Wang Fu

Oh yes sir.

Hall

(Stopping the Overseer who tries
to interrupt)

Shut up! Take thirty bums-- fifty, but snap into it.

(BURNS enters U.L. and downstage)

(WANG FU calls together a crowd of
coolies left and disappears with them L.
except THIRD BOATMAN)

(Shortly after the Coolies drag a huge

1-7

steam boiler on stage by ropes to
the sound of the rhythmic hei-ho)

Reporter
(Enters U. L. and down steps)

Hello, Hall.

Hall

Hello, Burns.

Lazy slobs. I wouldn't give you one
American for ten of these yellow apes.
Reporter

More fur business?

Hall

Don't it look like fur?

Reporter

I thought maybe it was the wool you were pulling over the
Chinamen's eyes.

Hall

What does that mean?

Reporter

Merely a high and mighty aphorism from the editorial in today's paper. Do you know who wrote it? The Mayor's interpreter.

(Coolies start dragging boiler, WANG FU enters L. and Xes to table R)

Hall

Oh that student?

Reporter

Yes, from Shanghai.

Hall

Oh, that one? He'll hang yet.

1-9

Hall (Cont'd)

You've got plenty of time to laugh on my money. What am I
paying twenty cents a day for?

Wang Fu

(Coolies start again X to R. and off)

(Wang Fu follows them to exit)

Hey - come on - quicker - hey-ho - hi-ho,

Reporter

(Laughs)

Twenty cents? I bow!

(Bowing)

Hall

(Not understanding)

What's that?

Reporter

Do you pay them twenty cents a day?

Hall

Yes,

Reporter

Are you crazy? Don't you know that the Chinese ex-porters pay
them only ten?

Hall

Half of what I'm paying?

Reporter

Yes! You're a real American.

Hall

(Xing to R)

Wang Fu, come back here.

1-10

Reporter

(Spies someone and shouts off R)

Hey...hey! Come here you fat old mule. Get those feet going, you old cheat.

(AMA trots in)

Well, what sort of a bride did you think you sent me?

Ama

(To Reporter)

A wonderful gel, pretty, strong, she healthy, very healthy.

Reporter

What the hell good is she to me if she is healthy when she lies there like a log crying all day long?

Hall

Say, how do you hire girls, by the day or the month?

Reporter

By the month. And I pay twenty dollars a month too. Christ knows what the old hag palmed off on me this time? Some damned neurotic. She just sits there and shrieks and howls... What the hell good is she to me?

Hall

(Laughing - down to R. of Ama)

What a pleasure she must be?

Ama

Sche, Capitana.

Hall

The yellow swindlers.

Reporter

(To Ama)

Listen, you.

1-11

Ama

Sche, Capitana.

Reporter

You take that damned fouhtain the hell off my neck. Get her
out of here!

Ama

Sche, Capitana.

Reporter

And bring me another on the same order, but healthy, you old sowl

Ama

I sen' lil' gel, plitty gel, peach-blossom; -- can sing, laugh,
laugh nice, innocen' gel.

(She chuckles)

Reporter

Yeh! You take her to the doctor at the American Hospital.

Ama

Sche, Capitana.

Reporter

And have her examined.

Ama

Sche, Capitana.

Reporter

And get a certificate that she's healthy. And don't bring her
without the certificate.

Ama

Sche, Capitana.

Reporter

Now never mind sche-ing me. Get out.

(off)

1-13

Hall

Ten cents and rice! If one of these ate ten cents worth of
rice in a day, they'd explode.

Wang Fu

Ten cents and rice.

Hall

Tell them that starting today they get ten cents from me.

(WANG FU silent)

Didn't you hear what I said? Well snap into it!

(HALL up onto wall)

(WANG FU crosses to run way above and
whispers to the stevedores. General
indignation. They shout: "Uo men jao
lia mau! Pu ja o tsu! Ja-no! Iszolo!"

HO SUNG shouts loudest of them all, try-
ing to show the American with his fin-
gers: Twenty sents - twenty sents -- )

("I mao schen! I mao! Pu de tuns! ♫

Hall

(As HALL starts to speak Chinese stop.

Xes to R. of group)

Why should I pay more than the Chinese merchants? I'm an American
I believe in a fixed wage scale. Democratic equality for everybody.

(Cries of rage from the MEN: 20 cents)

You start working right now!

(Another outburst)

Wang Fu, the stuff's all unloaded any way isn't it?

1-15

Hall yelling "Twenty cents. Twenty cents." HO SUNG also to Hall. HALL wards them off and blows police whistle. Crowd disperses warily to left and right when police run on left and right and disperse them, beating them. FIRST BOATMAN falls right center. When Police and Coolies clear, HO SUNG, who has been hiding behind table with CHANG, runs to his boat)

Mrs. Tourist

Just a moment, please, please.

Mr. Tourist

Did you get it?

Mrs. Tourist

Yes.

(LOW BA sees A-FO who is sitting on steps L. Xes to him and hits him. A-FO moans)

(CHANG comes from behind table to Hall crying "Pig, pig!")

Mrs. Tourist

There, that's sweet. Just a moment. Hold still.

(Tries to photograph him)

(CHANG spits at camera, LOW BA hits him on the head. CHANG falls on runway)

1-16

Mrs. Tourist (Cont'd)

Oh, the horrid beast! Disgusting!

Tourist

Oh, never mind him. Come here and get this one.

(Xing to A-FO)

(TOURIST takes wife to A-Fo. HE jingles
money in A-Fo's ear. As A FO looks up he
says)

Did you get it?

Mrs. Tourist

Yes.

Tourist

(Examining his Baedecker)

Good. Now there's a temple here a thousand years old.

Mrs. Tourist

Isn't that quaint! Let's go over there right away. Ricksa,
hurry over to the temple.

(They go off right)

Mate

(Entering right)

Mr. Hall, they want you on board, sir.

Hall

Who does?

Mate

Mr. Smith, sir. On business. Very important business.

Hall

(Starting R)

I'm coming.

(MATE exits R)

1-18

(STEVEDORE takes table on his should-
ers and carries it off left)

Chang

(To PEI FU, who has come to him)

Thieves! Thieves!!

Pie Fu

Don't you know life? Thieves who are not afraid to rob by
daylight become princes?

Chang

With what shall we feed our families? With your wisdom?

Coolie

They will live longer on hate.

Ama

(Sitting on sea wall, center)

Shut up!

(To Chang)

Chang, will you allow me to ask where is Ho Sung?

Chang

(Crossing up to Ama)

I don't know. He ran away when the police were here.

Ama

Is he coming here soon?

Chang

What about it?

Second Boatman

She wants him to take her to the captain of the warship. He
has a brass band waiting to welcome her.

1-19

Third Boatman

Is he going to marry her?

(They all laugh. AMA turns away)

Chang

They don't want old ones; they don't want anything over sixteen.

Second Boatman

Do they pay well?

Chang

One dollar, if the girl is young and pretty.

Pei Fu

Well, they don't have to swing a heavy rudder.

Ama

I don't force girls. They are happy to be sold for one or two
dollars these days. People want to eat. If I didn't sell girls,
they'd all starve. Would you like that better?

Chang Chang

You want to buy Ho Sung's daughter, don't you?

Ama

Yes, I do. But I can't pay him ten dollars for his girl.

Second Boatman

How much will you give him?

Ama

Three dollars.

Pei Fu

Three dollars? She's ten. The rice he bought for her cost
more than that.

Second Boatman

Three dollars is the price for a two-weeks old baby.

1-20

## Ama

Not anymore. That was the price in olden times. When we fed
well on meat and fish. We dressed in blue. Now there's famine.
No one has money. You can get girls free.

## 1st Boatman

Then go to others and get them free! What do you want of Ho
Sung's girl?

## Ama

Ah, Ho Sung's little daughter has a wonderful voice. She can sing
beautiful songs and her face is like a melon-seed, and her little
feet are golden lilies, and her skin is smooth as jade. Old
Ama knows everything.

## Second Boatman

Ho Sung knows that too. He won't give her any cheaper. He is
stubborn as a bull.

## Ama

He's too poor to be stubborn. He ought to be glad to have
one mouth less.

## Pei Fu

Hard times for everyone.

(REPORTER enters L. THIRD BOATMAN sees him first, runs to meet him, boatmen, coolies come to him)

## Boatmen

(Rush at him and surround him)

Sen senta! Sen senta! Capitana! Catpiana!

## Reporter

(Coming up runway)

1-21

(All sit back again)

Ama

(Trots in front of Reporter)

Ama fin' gel for you. I bring her to you tomorrow. She smile,
smile sweet.

Reporter

Yes. Well bring her tonight.

Ama

Capitana give Ama dollar?

(Trips along by his side)

(REPORTER knocks her down)

Reporter

Oh, get out!

(ALL duck heads then look up at
Ama)

Chang

Bloodsucker!

Second Boatman

Pockets full of money and he walks all around the dock to
the ship's boat. Won't let a poor boatman earn an honest
penny.

Chang

We ought to chop his legs off. Then he'll ride instead of
walk.

(Xes down to Pei Fu)

Coolie

We ought to chop his head off.

(All men look up at Coolie)

1-23

Coolie

Yes. English heads, too.

(COOLIES sits again and talk to one another)

Pei Fu

Yes, I have heard. A coolie became head mandarin there. He
has a great palace and silk clothes.

Coolie

That's nothing. In another country they chopped off all their
oppressors' heads.

Ama

(Rises and Xes to Coolie)

You have been drinking too much wine.

(Xes to wall and sits)

Coolie

Shut up. You old hag.

(A BONZE, tinkling with amulets,
appears Xes to L. praying quietly)

Pei Fu

Have you seen that land? Were you there? Were you a soldier?

Coolie

No. I'm a coolie. I read about it.

Pei Fu

Do you believe the papers? They write many things. You cannot
behead a rich man. He buys another to die for him.

Chang

It's bad luck to talk about death.

1-24

Second Boatman

You needn't fear death. You can do anything if you only buy
an amulet first from the holy bonze and lay it on your breast.
Then you're safe from bullets.

(All bow in agreement and mur-
mur prayer except PEI FU)

Pei Fu

Twenty six years ago the Boxers believed that too. But no amulet and no prayer saved them from the white devils' bullets.

Coolie

WARN

Listen people -- no amulet can protect you from
a bullet.

DIM

(BONZE prays loudly all people
run to Bonze)

Chang

(Rises and Xes back to wall. FIRST
BOATMAN to wall)

Can't it? Then there aren't these lands you talk about either.

(Four Coolies X to Bonze)

Coolies

No, no.

(General movement away)

Second Boatman

No, there aren't any.

Coolie

There are.

First Boatman

(Xes back to Coolie)

And they protect themselves without amulets?

1-25

Coolie

Yes, With knives and guns.

(All turn to Coolie)

(All others turn back to Coolie)

(And close in toward Coolie)

DIM AMBER

SPOTS

Ama

You are a bad man. You always get everybody in trouble. The police will lock you up. And give you twenty strokes on your bare feet. That's what will happen to you.

Coolie

Would you like to fall in the water, you old hag?

(Crowd turns away)

DIM FORESTAGE

MARK

JUNKS

PART

END OF SCENE I

2-2

Mrs. Smith

(ENTERS R. Xes to Cordelia. Kisses her. Dark dress buttoned up to her neck in spite of the heat, the arch-type of the British lady philanthropist whose urge for conversion routs even the most phlegmatic)

Good afternoon, Lieutenant. I'm so happy, so exultant - I've just come from a Chinese christening. My sixth in three weeks.

Cordelia

I haven't forgotten the smell of the last one yet.

Mrs. Smith

Why, child...

Cooper

Was the baby a male?

Cordelia

The baby was female of thirty with a monkey face and a little child in her arms.

Cooper

Ripping!

Mrs. Smith

This one was a boatman's wife. She was so happy with the little cross I hung around her neck. There's one woman who'll bring up her children to cleanliness and the Christian virtues.

Cordelia

Unlike my own mother.

2-3

Mrs. Smith

Cordelia, aren't you ashamed before Mr. Cooper? What can he think of you?

Cooper

Only the best, dear lady.

Cordelia

What sudden wit, Lieutenant.

(Sits on table)

Mrs. Smith

Believe me, Lieutenant, there is nothing more lovely than the knowledge that you have brought an erring soul into the path of righteousness.

Cordelia

Undoubtedly, but at the moment I'm more interested in the path to Wan Hsien. It's going to be too late to buy my kimono any more today. Why's father keeping us waiting so long?

Cooper

He's in conference with Mr. Hall.

Mrs. Smith

Father has business with him. Something about furs. If he succeeds, you may get two kimonos.

Cordelia

Really? Then I think I'll cultivate Mr. Hall.

Cooper

Have you seen Mr. Hall?

Cordelia

Well, I'll do what I can with him. Li Tai, the Chinese merchant has two kimonos I'd love to own.

2-4

Cooper

Damned lucky fellow, what?

Cordelia

And I'd enjoy them so much more if they were bought with ruth-
less American dollars.

Smith

(An elderly man of the old school
suffering from the heat badly, un-
able to adopt modern methods though
he tries enters with HALL from door
right)

Now-er-to be brief, Mr. Hall, I'll buy the whole shipment of
furs, down payment of forty per cent cash, the rest payable
through Shanghai on delivery.

Hall

To be more brief, Smith, we buy cash from the Chinese. We
want cash down. Li-Tai pays right up.

Smith

What? Why, you wouldn't sell to a Chinaman? There you're
going against a fundamental white principle.

(CAPTAIN enters door L)

Hall

I've got just ten minutes.

Captain

(A correct officer and nothing more.
We feel he is imbued with his mission
that every inch of ground on which he

2-5

stands is to him inviolate and holy)

Hello, Mr. Hall. Oh ladies, allow me to present Mr. Hall,
of the Foreign Concessions Company.

Hall

(Xes to L. Shaking hands with
CORDELIA)

Export.

(Shaking hands with MRS. SMITH)

...and import.

(To Cooper)

Agents.

Mrs. Smith

Are you an American?

Hall

From Frisco.

(Xes to top of gangway)

Cordelia

(To Cooper)

God, I hate these damned Yankees.

Hall

(To Smith)

Think it over.

(Calling off R)

Coolie, Coolie.

Cordelia

(Noticing that the Captain is in
parade uniform)

Goodness how grand we look today, Captain.

2-7

Hall

(Turning to Smith)

There's a famine and the poor Chinese need full cash payment.
I can't exploit them. Remember their need.

Smith

Ha - ha -- that's perfect -- that's perfect. So it's all for
the pure love of humanity?

Captain

You certainly wouldn't belittle the whites by selling to a
Chinaman?

Hall

Now listen, I've got about six minutes and that's not time
enough to settle why God made some people white and others
yellow.

(COOPER round back of table pading
back and forth beneath bridge)

Cordelia

Bravo. Take pity on me. I've been danceless for a week.
We can do that in six minutes.

Hall

Sorry, I don't dance.

Cordelia

I'll dive over and race you for £5.

Hall

Sorry, I don't swim.

2-3

Cordelia

You are a problem, aren't you? Well, there's time for a few
points of ping-pong. Come along!

(CORDELIA forces racquet on Hall.

(They play during the following)

Hall

(Looks at Smith and Captain)

All right, if you want to, but I don't play very well.

Cordelia

Good, that gives you a chance with me.

Hall

If I win?

Cordelia

Win or lose, Lose the game and you may win my sympathy.

Take care! One to nothing!

Captain

(To Smith)

I think you'll find your daughter'll be your strongest argu-
ment with him.

Smith

Ho! Ho! You don't know him.

(To Hall)

Mr. Hall, I assure you Li Tai's only throwing dust in your
eyes. You'll be swindled out of every dollar he's promised
you. I know him.

2-9

Hall

I'll take my chances.

I've got three more minutes.

(To Cordelia)

Damn -- two to nothing.

Smith

(Who has gone to Mrs. Smith. She pushes him to Hall)

All right, sixty percent cash.

Hall

One hundred. I've got just two minutes.

(To Cordelia)

Now, young lady, here's my revenge!

(Serves)

Two to one!

Smith

Done at sixty-five. Come on Hall, let's have a drink on it.

Hall

(Throwing down his racket)

Just a moment. Two to two.

(Slams down racket)

Sorry, my time's up.

Cordelia

You're not very gallant. You could have let me win.

Hall

I hate to lose. It's a congenital flaw in American character.

2-10

Hall (Cont'd)

I think we inherit it from our English forefathers.

(Starts to go)

(MR. & MRS. SMITH exchange looks)

Captain

(Trying to stop Hall)

Now just wait a few minutes, Mr. Hall. Then you can take the
long-boat.

Hall

Sorry, My time's up. I'm due at Li Tai's in fifteen minutes.

I'll take a sampan.

Smith

Seventy?

Hall

You don't want to do business with me.

(To Cordelia)

So long.

Smith

Then you agree to seventy?

Hall

Do you want me to tell it to you - in Chinese - One hundred.

See you soon.

Smith

(Xes to ping pong table)

Robber.

Hall

(Xes to Smith)

Did you call me?

2-13

Boy

E-he-he-he-he! Juli! Juli! Sampan, sampan!

(Blur of sound from the BOATMAN)

Cooper

What does he say now?

Boy

(To Cooper)

No do, say American cheat.

Cooper

What? The bandits!

(Draws a revolver - pulls boy up and going
to lowest step - aims at the river)

You come here this instant. I'll count three. One...

Boy

(Leaps toward Cooper)

Capitana -- please not!

Cooper

Off me...two!

(Throws boy off)

Boy

(Pulling down Cooper(s arm)

Please not! Please not! Good Capitana, please, please
not shoot.

Cooper

Are you mad? Get the hell out of here.

(Kicks him so hard he hurtles into
the water. BOY screams in fear)

Cordelia

2-15

Hall

The boatman is rescuing him now; I'll get my boat when they
land him here.

Captain

(Enters from left door)

What's wrong here?

(SMITH follow him on, Yes to R.
and see all's well, watch following
scene)

Cordelia

Your steward fell overboard.

(Struggles with COOPER for life
preserver)

What is the meaning of this?

Cooper

That boy, sir. Do you know he actually shoved my arm down
when I was aiming at that boatman?

Captain

(Taking life preserver and handing
it to COOPER who puts it on rail)

Oh, I see. It means that the life buoys on his majesty's
warships are not for Chinese.

Cordelia

But Captain.

Captain

This is naval discipline, Miss Cordelia, and you must obey
it aboard ship. The penalty for disobedience is death by
shooting.

Cordelia

2-16

Cordelia

Would you shoot me too?

Captain

With the greatest of pleasure. Immediately, if you like.

(CORDELIA crosses to up left. SMITHS
cross to her. CAPTAIN turns to rail)

Cooper

The boat that's bringing the boy will remain for Mr. Hall.

(JOHNSON and SAILOR appear from door-
way right. SAILOR to foot of gangway
and grabs HO SUNG)

Hall

Don't let him get away. Grab him by the neck. Got him?

Thanks, Good-bye.

Captain

Boyl

Cordelia

Don't torture the boy; he's wounded.

Captain

Miss Cordelia, we torture no one. We leave that to the Chinese.

(THE BOY comes up the gangway to R,
of Captain. HALL starts down gang-
way, stops midway watching the scene)

Mrs. Smith

If you will allow me, Captain, I'll speak to the boy. I'm ex-
perienced in this sort of situation.

Captain

Delighted, Mrs. Smith.

2-17

Mrs. Smith
Boy.

(BOY turns to her)
You have committed a crime.

Boy
Yes.

Mrs. Smith
You raised your hand against a superior.

Boy
Yes.

Mrs. Smith
What was that prayer I taught you?

Boy
Ow falla, heema hem, hella tie name. Fo-gi ---

Hall
(On gangway)

Ha, ha.
Captain
And is this forgive?

Boy
Yes.

Mrs. Smith
Then beg Mr. Cooper to forgive you.

Boy
(To Cooper, Kneeling)
Boy bad. Boy be 'cuse.

2-13

Captain

Remember, you won't be forgiven next time. Go,

(COOPER Xes to ladder right, up to
bridge, and into pilot house. BOY
starts up left)

Mrs. Smith

Captain, you're a saint. Oh, wait, my dear boy. Give him
a sweet.

(SMITH gets a sweet from the table
at bow)

Thank you. Here, my boy.

(BOY goes off left)

Captain, there was a great missionary lost in you.

(HALL says "Ha, ha. Get me the
hell away from here. Take me over
to the other dock)

(BOATMAN starts rowing back to upstage
end of tank right center)

Captain

And a good marskman found, I hope.

Smith

And better so, in China. Can you imagine it, captain, refusing
to sell to a European and selling to a damned Chinaman.

Captain

You know these Americans are always buttering up the Chinese.

Smith

Yankee kisses to the Chinese. They give them universities,

2-19

clubs, schools. Why? So they can steal the last crum of bread
from behind our backs.

Captain

They're ruining our prestige here. We dare not pander to the
Chinese. Our duty is to protect white interests the world ov-
er. We've learned how to do it; it's damned near time these
Yankees did too.

Smith

Well, I must be going.

Captain

Where to?

Smith

I'm off to spoil Mr. Hall's little deal with Li Tai. I'll
see the bankers. Mr. Hall forgot with whom he was dealing.
Come along, my dear.

(They exit door right)

Cooper

(On bridge)

What's the matter here? What's happening?

Captain

What is it?

Cooper

Hall's boatman stopped rowing.

Captain

Better man a boat, lieutenant, and see what the trouble is.

Cordelia

What for? I thought we hated these damned Yankees.

2-20

DIM UP FORESTAGE

(These scenes play simultaneously)

Hall

You row me to shore.

Ho Sung

You give ten cents.

• Hall

When I get off I'll give
you what's coming to you.

You row me back to the
other dock, you yellow
dog.

Ho Sung

Ho Sung wants ten cents.

Ho Sung no beli-eve Am-
elican.

Hall

You'll get it when we
land.

(HO SUNG stops
rowing)

Hall

Oh, is that so!

(Bellows to wharf)

Twenty cents to anyone
who will row me to shore.

Captain

My dear Miss Cordelia, when a
white man is in danger of be-
ing insulted, nationalities
cease to exist.

Cordelia

Oh, I see.

Captain

In the face of yellow brutali-
ties and common danger, the An-
glo-Saxon nations have no dif-
ferences.

Cordelia

How interesting!

Captain

It's the only course open to us.
Once we compromise our dignity,
we are lost, and his majesty's
navy as protector of the whole
white world dares not lose. Our
defeat would mean the engulfing
of the whole world in yellow
slime.

(He turns away)

2-21

(Coolies on wharf start,
COOLIE says)

Coolie

Do you want to help him
cheat one of your own
people?

Hall
A new strike, eh? Coolie!
Coolie!

(COOLIES start again)

Coolie
(Stopping them)

We must stand together when
one of us is in trouble.

Hall
So you're the ring leader, eh?
You wait till I get back on
the dock.

(Turning to Ho Sung)
You row me to shore.

Ho Sung
Ho Sung ten cent please.
Ho Sung no believe Amel-
ican.

Hall
You row ashore or I'll
call the police.

Cordelia
As we have engulfed it in white?

Captain
(Turning back)
We do not jest in China.

Cooper
(Who has just come in
right, looks off to
where Hall is and screams)
My God! Captain! Johnson! Look!
Hall's standing up in the boat.

(CORDELIA exits left)
Captain
(To rail)
Robbers! Damned bandits! Yel-
low murderer. Lieutenant, man
a boat double quick to Mr. Hall's
sampan. Take him aboard, ap-
prehend the coolie, and hold him
for the Daoyin.

Cooper
Away, starboard boat. Lay to,
Johnson. Double quick to Mr.
Hall's sampan around the junks.

Johnson
Aye sir.

2-22

Ho Sung
Amelican call police. Ho
Sung wants ten cents.

Hall
Aw, to hell with you.
(throws him money)

Ho Sung
Five cents, no. Ho Sung
wants ten cents.

Hall
Row now you yellow devil.

Ho Sung
Ten cents.

Hall
Give me the oar.

Ho Sung
Ho Sung no give oar.
(Hall takes oar and
tries to hit Ho Sung.
In the struggle the oar
breaks. Hall loses his
balance and falls out
of boat)

Hall
Help! Help!

(SAILORS run out door right,
down gangway into boat)

Captain

Double quick!

FAST DIMOUT ON SHIP

EXCEPT LIGHT TO
SAILOR ABOVE PILOT
HOUSE.

(THREE SAILORS in the boat, two
of them strip off blouses and
dive in after Hall. This takes
place after HALL falls into
water, and HO SUNG appears
on the forestage.)

JUNKS CLOSE IN

3-2

Coolie

Ho Sung, hide quick.

(A-FO and FOURTH BOATMAN cross down
to Ho Sung urging him to go)

Ho Sung

Where to? Without a boat?

(Noise off left)

Second Boatman

There's someone coming already.

First Policeman

(Enters left and crowd stands quiet)

What's up? What's up?

(Looks around)

I'll get you!

(Runs off left calling Low Ba)

Ho Sung

I can't. My son will die of hunger. I will die of hunger.

Where shall I go?

Ama

(Xes to Ho Sung)

I will give you six dollars for your daughter. Here they

are.

Ho Sung

Get out you ---

Ama

Then can live a long time on six dollars you fool. And your

wife will have one mouth less to feed.

Ho Sung

3-3

Ho Sung

Ten!

Ama

Six - here take the money!

(HO SUNG takes the money)

Coolie

(Drags HO SUNG cross him to C)

Ho Sung go! Hide! Quick! Whoever calls do not answer. If your wife calls you do not answer. If your son calls you do not answer. Go!

(HO SUNG starts to go. AMA stops him
and drags him back)

Ama

Wait, wait! The girl, your daughter. Repeat it again before witnesses. Otherwise they will say that I stole her.

(HO CHING LING enters down left
and Xes up half up runway)

Ho Sung

Take her.

(To first boatman)

Give this money to my wife.

Ho Ching Ling

What are you doing?

Ho Sung

I have no time to explain. Don't ask questions. Here's money.

Ho Ching Ling

What for?

3-4

Ho Sung

My daughter.

(Crowd urges him to go. HE goes, saying his farewells, off right)

Ho Ching Ling

(Sinks to floor)

Six dollars is too cheap. Give us a little more. Give
us a little more. Why did he sell her? What did he do?

(AMA starts to cross her. HO CHING
LING stops her)

(AMA runs down runway and out)

Six dollars for my daughter. Six dollars for my daughter.

(LOW BA & FOUR POLICEMEN enter from
left, up runway)

Low Ba

What's up? What's up?

Chang

Drowned.

Low Ba

Where?

Second Boatman

Out there.

Low Ba

Who?

Second Boatman

The American.

3-5

Low Ba

The American? Whose boat?

Second Boatman

I don't know.

Low Ba

You don't know, eh?

(To various boatmen)

Whose boat? Whose boat!

(FIRST POLICEMAN gives him the fragment of Ho Sung's oar which is lying on stage. LOW BA looks at it)

Ho Sung.

(To Ho Ching Ling)

Where is your husband? WHERE IS YOUR HUSBAND?

Ho Ching Ling

I don't know.

Low Ba

You don't know, eh?

(To various boatmen)

Where's Ho Sung? Where's Ho Sung?

(The landing party, headed by JOHNSON, enters from right)

Johnson

(Xing to Low Ba)

Where's the boatman?

Low Ba

I don't know.

3-6

Johnson

You don't know, eh?

(Grabs Pei Fu)

Where's the boatman?

(Throws him back into the crowd
and grabs Chang)

Where's the boatman?

(Throws Chang back into crowd)

Dumb, eh! I'll club a couple of heads around here and then
I'll find out where he is.

Low Ba

Mr. Hall drowned there.

(Pointing to water)

Johnson

Shut up, you!

(Calls off right)

(TWO SAILORS carry in HALL, the
REPORTER with them from right.

REPORTER takes picture)

(They lay Hall on the ground and
try artificial respiration)

Sailor

No use, sir. He was lying in the bottom.

Johnson

Dead. All right, take him away. Signal sergeant, signal
the boat.

Sailor

Sorry, sir. We haven't any flags along.

3-7

(JOHNSON rips off Chinaman's jacket and tears it in two. Hands it to Sailor)

Johnson

Ready.

Sailor

Aye, sir. What shall I say, sir?

Johnson

(Dictating as SAILOR wigwags)

Hall -

Sailor

Hall -

Johnson

Found dead -

Sailor

Found dead -

(Siren from the ship)

Ho Ching Ling

They're coming -- coming.

Pei Fu

Cannons coming.

(COOLIES start to break for freedom)

(POLICE and SAILORS herd them into a group center)

## SCENE FOUR

### SCENE:

Aboard the Destroyer.

COOPER at rail listening.

Captain

(In front window in pilot house)

That will do.

(SAILOR goes to foot)

(Very excited, shouts angrily, pacing bridge)

My guest! An Anglo-Saxon! A white! They've forgotten with whom they're dealing.

Cooper

Yellow apes! Lousy dogs! Dynamite under their tails!

Captain

(On gun turret R)

Lieutenant!

Cooper

(Salutes)

Aye, sir.

Captain

(Comes down ladder R)

CHANGE LIGHT CUE

Gear for action.

Cooper

(At door R)

Aye, sir.

4-5

Smith

Today it's Hall, tomorrow...I... The day after, you.

Mrs. Smith

Oh, my dear what a horrible idea. How can you--

Smith

They're getting too damned insolent. They'll murder missionaries. Murder merchants. Boycott Japanese. Did you read that a Chinaman boxed a European's ear in Peking?

Mrs. Smith

No?

Cordelia

Why?

Smith

Because they won't let the yellow scum into European parks.

Lousy syphilitics!

Mrs. Smith

Jack! Please, - remember the child.

Smith

I've been in China twenty five years. I've worked like a horse. I risk rheumatism and yellow fever. And now I find myself at the mercy of a gang of pickpockets. I expect a knife in my ribs at any moment.

Mrs. Smith

(To him)

Oh, how right you are.

Cordelia

(To him)

Have a whiskey, Father, and calm down. (X to rail R)

4-6

### Smith

I tell you this is the end. We've coddled these Chinese too long. We must show our fists or some day every European will be rooted out.

### Cordelia

(At rail R)

Look at the boatload of people coming out from town.

Mrs. Smith

(Goes up L)

Captain, Captain! The Chinese are attacking us!

(To rail L, followed by SMITH)

### Cordelia

It looks more like a besieging horde of Europeans attacking us.

### Cooper

(To door R)

Johnson, squad of men to receive guests.

(Voice answers: "Aye, sir")

### Missionary

(Comes aboard, followed by MRS. TOURIST and TOURIST and MR. & MRS. RAMON)

Pardon me for coming here, Lieutenant, but I believe it is not quite safe for me in town.

### Cooper

(Top of gangway)

Quite right. You stay with us.

(JOHNSON & MEN enter to gangway and stack luggage)

4-7

Missionary

(Xes to Smiths meeting C)

What a misfortune! Poor Mr. Hall. They say they tortured and tormented him a long time before they hurled him into the water.

Shall this crime remain unpunished?

Mrs. Smith

When I think that *you* might...

Missionary

Frightful! Horrible! Horrible!

The Tourist

(Going up gangway.)

What are you dragging those hat-boxes for?

His Wife

How could I leave my hats with these yellow murderer's?

Tourist

Is this a time...

Cordelia

Don't you know a woman cares more for her hat than her head?

Tourist's Wife

(To Cooper)

I'm sure the Captain will forgive us. Won't you Captain?

You are our only protection.

Tourist

(To Cooper)

Lieutenant, is it true that three Americans were murdered- in broad daylight?

(Xes to Smith)

4-9

Mrs. Tourist

(In his arms)

You'd have been sorry then!

Cordelia

(To Cooper)

Poor dear, he'll have to play Chinese caveman with her.

(COOPER top of Gangway thru this
scene)

Reporter

(Rushes in - going from couple to
couple to Mrs. Tourist)

Say I saw you taking pictures on the quay this morning. Give
them to me! Will you? Oh boy what a story!

Mrs. Tourist

When I photographed that boatman I just knew he was a murderer.

Mrs. Ramon

(Xes to Mrs. Smith)

Really? Do you often have warnings? You know I - My husband
often marvels at the way my dreams come true. Don't you,
Louis?

Mr. Ramon

Absolutely, Cherie.

Reporter

(To Smith)

Say what do you think of that fool Hall - can't swim and
starts a row in a boat.

(All offended at remark)

4-10

Smith

Sir, I find your remark extremely uncalled-for.

Mrs. Smith

They simply martyred him.

(All form group, isolating REPORTER)

Reporter

Martyred?

Mrs. Tourist

They say they gouged his eyes out!

Tourist

They burned the soles of his feet with hot pokers.

Missionary

They defiled him.

Reporter

Gentlemen, if you'll allow me...

Mrs. Tourist

They say they put his eyes out.

Mrs. Ramon

And burned the soles of his feet with a poker.

Missionary

They maimed him frightfully.

Reporter

(Trying to get into group)

If you'll allow me, people---

Smith

(Beside himself - Yes to R of group)

Not a word, sir!

(CAPTAIN appears on bridge)

4-12

Mr. Smith

Ten.

Captain

I'll be more moderate. Two Chinese shot for every white man dead. That's my protest.

Cordelia

I thought we didn't jest in China.

Captain

I am not jesting.

Cordelia

But you must be. It's ludicrous, monstrous! You can't sentence two innocent humans to death and not be jesting.

Smith

Quiet, child. Quiet. I have thousands of pounds invested in that town.

Captain

What do you know of our precarious position? How long do you think it would take *these* sea brigands to overrun our ship and annihilate us? We are one small unit a thousand miles up the river from Shanghai. A thousand miles of hostile country teeming with enemies between us and the sea.

Cordelia

Oh, come now, don't let's be that ridiculously British. Enemies? Those gentle frightened people?

Captain

Do you know what keeps these gentle quiet people from attacking us? Fear and respect. How engendered? By having been more re-

4-13

lentless than they when we were forced to be. I'm an old China
hand; I know the game. Two Chinese shot for every white man
dead in twelve hours, and we'll be safer afterwards than we are
now. I've cowed China before and I can do it again. If I can't
his Majesty's navy has no place for me.

Cordelia

There's a new China here which you don't know and if you go to
using your cannon I hope they give you a jolly good run for
your money.

(Exits up left)

Smith

New China. Old China. China is China, and I should begin,
if I may suggest it, captain, by bombarding the coolie quar-
ters of the city.

Captain

There's plenty of time for that if they won't listen to reason.

Smith

Thank you. Thank you, Captain. You are an officer and a gentle-
man.

(Applause)

Cooper

(Reporting)

The Mayor of the city of Wan Sein is here requesting an audience,
sir.

Captain

Will you go below, please, ladies and gentlemen and be easy.

(DAOYAN, accompanied by an interpreter
in European dress appears. INTERPRETER

4-15

Interpreter

There is no question of insult.

Captain

Insult to him is an insult to my country.

Interpreter

But Mr. Hall was an American.

Captain

That makes no difference.

Interpreter

Do you insist that there has been a crime?

Captain

I do.

Interpreter

The Daoyan of the City of Wan-Sian assures you that this
case will be vigorously investigated.

Captain

I don't want your investigation.

Interpreter

The Daoyan repeats that he is sorry.

Captain

Sorry! Humph! As a man of war, sorrow
doesn't impress me. You think you can
wipe out Europeans without paying for
it? No, No indeed.

I am forced to demand indemnity for the crime. We want this
murder avenged.

Interpreter

Avenged? How?

4-16

Captain

In the first place, the coffin is to be followed to the cemetery by all the wards of the city. Secondly, the city is to erect a stone cross on the grave. Thirdly, the dead man's family is to be indemnified.

Interpreter

Has he left a family?

Captain

You don't ask questions. You do as you're told.

Interpreter

(Talks to Dayon and gets answer)

Let me explain to you, Captain, that the Daoyan considers your terms a deep insult to the city of Wan-Sian but he is prepared to accept them to avoid further complications.

Captain

Fourthly...

Interpreter

Was that not all?

Captain

Isn't the murderer to be punished?

Interpreter

The investigation will be prosecuted with the utmost speed.

Captain

The murderer is to be executed no later than six tomorrow morning.

Interpreter

Without due process of law?

4-17

Captain

That doesn't concern me. You can have a trial if you like.

Interpreter

But suppose the guilty man cannot be found by the morning--

Captain

Oh, I see. Very ingenious. It won't work, my friend. If the murderer is not found then two men of the Boatmen's guild of Wan-Suean are to be executed.

Interpreter

Battleship
Even the captain of a destroyer must set limits to his demands.

Captain

None of that to me. I will tolerate no disrespect. At what university did you learn to talk like that? You study at our expense and then you want to murder and not pay for it.

Interpreter

It is not your money, that paid
for my education, it's ours. Boxer
indemnity - !

Captain

That will do.

Interpreter

(Again to Daoyan and back to Captain)

We cannot accept your terms.

Captain

You will accept them.

4-13

Interpreter

We will protest.

Captain

After the execution.

Interpreter

We will appeal to the socialist Prime Minister of your government.

Captain

Will you interpret this to your Daoyan? I know of no socialist prime minister, only his Majesty's prime minister.

Interpreter

It is hard for us to deal with you.

Captain

Sorry. Then our forward guns may make it easier for you.

Interpreter

That is murder.

Captain

(To Cooper at Gangway)

Lieutenant, you will bombard as follows: factories and warehouses first, then the Daoyan's resident, then the pilots' quarter, and then a general bombardment of the town.

Cooper

Aye sir. Gun crew, strip for action.

(Guns are lowered. COOPER Xes to R. of them near turret)

Interpreter

(Xes to Captain)

You have forgotten where you are, Captain.

4-20

Captain

(COOPER & JOHNSON relay order to sailor)

Man telegraph office.

(COOPER & MATE repeat his words)

No telegram to be sent without my permission.

(MATE carries out orders)

Reporter

(Xes down to Captain)

May I have your O.K. on this?

(Hands him a telegraph
form)

Captain

(Reads, we hear only
disconnected phrases)

.....beastly murder...A signal for a
general slaughter of Europeans...The
Captain commanding our brave and ener-
getic forces has set a twenty-four hour
limit...That will do. Here's my card,
so you can get into the telegraph
office.

(REPORTER into door R)

Boy, whiskey!

Cooper

(Getting report from
sailor. Reporting)

Your commands have been received and are

4-21

being carried out, sir.

Captain

(COOPER repeats each command)

Gun crew stand by - prepare forward guns for action.

All hands stand by for orders to bombard.

(Starts out)

(BOY runs to gangway - men catch him
and carry him back to desk)

Cooper

(As boy is brought to Captain)

Spy, sir.

BOAR DECK

Captain

Scared, probably. Watch him anyway.

(Out L)

SCENE FIVE

Cooper

Gun crew - action.

(Sailors clear deck and strip guns)

Train guns for general bombardment of the town.

Sailor

(As guns move to position)

Aye sir!

Cooper

Stand by.

(BLACK OUT ship lights)

JUNKS CLOSE IN

## SCENE FIVE

### SCENE:

Dim up forestage to Mark.

On the Quay.

The BOATMEN, waiting for the boat that will bring Daoyan and Interpreter back from the Destroyer. Their mood is mute, dreary, oppressed.

A BLIND BEGGAR enters, chanting curiously: "Give to me - give cold rice - give cold tea, rags, torn rags, give to me."

The boat with the DAOYAN and the INTERPRETER docks.

As DAOYAN enters, all rise and bow.

LOW BA to runway L.

A-FO to 1st step L.

The BOATMEN crowd around the Daoyan.

Daoyan

(To a policeman)

In whose boat was the American?

Low Ba

In Ho Sung's boat.

Daoyan

Arrest him.

(CROWD moves slightly)

Low Ba

He ran away, Daoyan.

5-2

Daoyan

Lock up his wife and children!

Low Ba

At once, Lord Daoyan.

Daoyan

Let them look for his hiding place.

A-Fo

They don't know either.

Daoyan

Let them shout through the whole town that he is to surrender.

One can't let a whole city be destroyed. That cannot be.

A-Fo

Did you say a whole city?

All

 DESTROYED!

Interpreter

They won't dare.

Daoyan

They will dare. They dared twenty six years ago. They will
dare today. Their cannons do not fear our bamboo sticks.

Interpreter

Times have changed. We will scream out to the whole world.

Daoyan

(Yes to Interpreter)

And not one sound will be heard.

5-3

Interpreter

Then we must lose no time in sending a telegram to Peking.

(CROWD reacting with hope)

We will have an answer by evening. Have you your seal?

Daoyan

Yes, write immediately.

(INTERPRETER moves R. sits edge of runway)

(Motions crowd around him. Some onto lower platform.)

(To the Boatmen)

Tomorrow is the American's funeral. We will accompany the coffin.

(CROWD opens up. Those on lower platform move L. ALL murmur)

A-Fo

The coffin of the man who tried to strike Ho-Sung dead?

Daoyan

Yes, and we will erect a stone cross on his grave.

All

A stone cross!

Second Boatman

He tried to smash Ho-Sung with his oar and did not want to pay him a few cents for rice.

Daoyan

Ho-Sung should have demanded less. Ho-Sung should have demanded, **nothing**.

5-5

Coolie

I work here. You have no right!

Sailor

Where do you work?

(SAILORS take possession of the telegraph office under the leadership of an officer)

Interpreter

(Hesitates, seeing what happened to Coolie. Looks at Daoyan)

(To the guard)

I wish to send an official telegram from the Daoyan of the city.

Sailor

Get back.

Interpreter

Let me through immediately. This is our telegraph office.

It does not belong to you. Stand back!

(SAILOR throws him down the steps)

(He drops message)

Give that to me. It is mine.

(Lying at the foot of the steps,

SAILOR returns. INTERPRETER is thrown back again. SAILOR stands over him)

Are you human?

5-6

(MATE picks up telegram which
INTERPRETER dropped in falling and
hands it to Johnson)

Johnson

(Reading telegram)

"We are victims of an atrocity at the hands of British battle-
ship without any provocation. British have threatened to
annihilate city if we do not murder two Chinese citizens by
morning. Protest to authorities and send help or nothing
will save us from destruction."

Well, I'll be damned. I'll give this to the Captain.

(Exits)

(ALL murmur, stop and watch REPORTER
on entrance AND XES)

(The REPORTER hurries in up runway
and shows the GUARD his pass from
the Captain)

Reporter

From the Captain. Urgent telegram.

Sailor

Yes, sir. Step right in.

(Salutes)

(COOLIE Xes to bale and sits)

Pass him.

5-9

(OLD MEN to position and prayer)

(3 MEN turn, shake fists at ship)

Chang Yuen

(Enters on runway L. shyly, motions)

Chang to her)

Chang! Chang!

Chang

(Hurries to her L.)

What has happened?

Chang Yuen

I am afraid. Why do you not come home? Have they not found

Ho Sung?

Chang

Not yet. You go home and wait. The Honorable Gods will
defend us. They never deceive the unfortunate... Is our
little son already asleep?

Chang Yuen

He's asleep and smacking his little lips...

And when autumn comes you will color hen's eggs red
again: our little ancestor will have a brother.

Chang

Grandmother says: when you give a man his first child,
you give him a living doll: when you give him a second
child and you give him Heaven, - but you, you gave me
heaven the very first time.

5-10

Pei Fu

Chang, Chang!

Chang

I must go to the others now. When the sun rises bring my
boy here.

Chang Yuen

I will come.

(Exits U.L.)

(CHANG rejoins group and sits)

Pei Fu

My eyelids have been twitching for days. I fear misfortune.

Chang

Say the rest...You feel evil coming to our city, don't you?

Pei Fu

Unhappy city of Wan Suean.

Second Boatman

First famine, then a flood, and now...

Chang

There are more beggars than rice-grains; the rice plants are
dry as straw.

Second Boatman

And a boatman's hands are cheaper than a handful of rice.

(HO CHIN LING and her little son, in
chains, are led in by LOW BA and his
men.)

Low Ba

(Makes sign to Policemen)

Order!

S-13

PRAYERS

## Pei Fu

A-Fo, our eldest left with the Daoyan and does not return.
And as he went his face was pale as sea-foam.

## Third Boatman

All the foreigners are on the cannon ship. They have taken
everything with them, - all they own -

## Pei-Fu

(ALL bow and nod and pray)

Evil is coming. We will atone for the sins of past lives.
Heaven is sending a great punishment.

## Fourth Boatman

Not one of the foreigners used a Chinese boat.

## Chang

When that ugly woman who comes to christen us saw me she
screamed as if I wished to murder her. And her husband
beat me with his cane as though I were to blame for her
screams. These yellow-haired apes, eat our meat and fish.
They steal our land and now they want to kill us.

## Second Boatman

Are we murderers? All we want is a few coppers that our arms
may be strong enough to move the oar.

## Pei Fu

Sorrow is coming.

## Chang

Why have all the foreigners gone to the boat? I can't
understand it.

(A-FO appears walking slowly from L.)

5-14

(ALL sit up and all eyes are on
him. He stands silently)

Fourth Boatman

A-Fo has come.

Pei Fu

What have you to tell us, A-Fo?

Chang

Why are you silent?

Second Boatman

Has something bad happened?

Chang

Won't you speak, A-Fo?

A-Fo

Listen to me.

(Up to inside group L.)

No more words now. Silence. Death. -

(ALL rise but COOLIE)

Chang

Death? For whom?

A-Fo

For us.

Second Boatman

What for?

A-Fo

For our brother.

Chang

Speak more plainly, A-Fo.

STOP
PRAYER

5-15

A-Fo

The wicked Captains say that Ho-Sung killed the American.

Second Boatman

He lies.

A-Fo

The captain says it is so...therefore we must die.

Third Boatman

Who?

A-Fo

Two boatmen of our guild.

(CROWD reacts)

Pei-Fu

(Rises)

Did the Daoyan say so?

A-Fo

Yes.

Second Boatman

(Turns front)

Let the Daoyan die.

Third Boatman

(Turns front)

Let them behead Ho Sung...he is the guilty one.

Pei Fu

He is not to blame.

5-16

Chang

(Rises and Xes to A-Fo)

Of course, he's not to blame. He wanted his ten cents. He
did not want to give up his oar, he quarrelled with the
American, the American fell into the water. If they want to
kill anybody, let them kill Ho Sung's wife. Let them kill
Ho Sung's child - Why us?

(Walks R.)

Second Boatman

We killed no one. No one can touch us.

Chang

(Xes back to A-Fo)

Did you tell that to the Daoyan?

A-Fo

No.

Chang

Why not?

A-Fo

If we do not give two boatmen to be killed they will burn
down the city with cannon tomorrow.

(ALL: "Burn it, burn it!")

Chang

Burn it? Burn it?

(Back away)

A-Fo

Yes. And they won't stop till they have burned the whole
city and killed every citizen.

5-17

(CROWD reacts: "No, they can't do it!" "What, burn it?" "They won't do it!")

Pei-Fu

Oh, I know their cannon. I know it; I have seen them burn
cities. I have seen shafts of fire rise above our cities
and black smoke rolling through the streets.

Chang

(Turns to group)

Let us run away now. We are innocent. Let us run. Take
our families. Everything - wives, children with us.
Come on, come on!

(CROWD splits toward R. and L.)

(COOLIE stops crowd R.)

A-Fo

Brothers!

You have forgotten that they are watching us.

(CROWD looks round)

None of us would get out-side the city.

Chang

You only say that to stop us from going. You are in a plot
with the Daoyan. You are a traitor.

(ALL start)

2 Boys

(2 steps from Right)

Traitor!

5-18

A-Fo

I have come to you. I am one of you. We are all equal
before misfortune.

Second Boatman

(Backing off L.)

Then let the Daoyan arrest and execute anyone he likes.

A-Fo

The Daoyan says...choose among you.

(GROUP choose - build)

Decide on the victims.

Chang

(In despair, beats his head against
a stone. Xing A-Fo to wall R.)

Victims? I won't. No, no! I haven't killed anyone.

I won't!

(Sits at back C.)

Third Boatman

You are the eldest of the Guild. Let them kill you.

Pei-Fu

We are all equal.

Chang

Why should they cut off my head in place of his? Am I
the murderer?

(ALL look to one another, moving
slightly)

Coolie

Listen, people.

5-19

Coolie (Cont'd.)

(Xes to back of crowd)

Listen, Ho Sung is a worker. You are workers. They will kill you in his place. To them one worker is as good for death as another.

Chang

(A-FO starts across to Chang)

(To Coolie)

Why must one man die for another? Why? Why?

A-Fo

(To Chang)'

We are brothers. When one of us is in trouble, we are all in trouble. If one of us must die we are all prepared to die.

(ALL turn to one another)

Chang

(To A-Fo)

When one man is sick we feed his family, when he meets misfortune we take the rudder from his hands...But to die?

Die for another? Die!?

(Drops on ground)

(A-FO puts hand on his shoulder)

Coolie

(ALL turn to Coolie)

Yes - die! I know lands where poor unhappy coolies like ourselves suffered and died for each other. And so they found the strength to conquer. I have seen it.

5-20

Pei-Fu

There is no such thing.

(ALL turn away)

Coolie

There is. There, poor coolies like
ourselves chased out their oppressors.

First Boatman

Is that true?

Coolie

Yes - Other tyrants tried to kill them
in revenge for the tyrant they had
killed. The coolies did not run.
They fought.

Second Boatman

What for?

Coolie

For their lives. And they elected
Coolies like themselves to be their
mandarins.

Chang

They fought for their lives.

Coolie

No, not only for theirs.

Chang

For what then?

Coolie

For you.

5-21

All

For us?

(ALL turn to him)

Coolie

Yes, they starved and died for you, coolie of Wan-Suean.

Learn from them.

Learn to die for each other.

(ALL look at COOLIE)

(CROWD murmur and mumble)

Chang

These are tales, pretty fairy-tales.

Pei-Fu

(To Chang)

Do not scorn legends. No wave without wind. Legends are
always true.

Chang

And meanwhile we must die.

Bonze

(Enters from U.L. ALL turn to
him)

I have an amulet against death. Bullets can not harm you and swords will be leap aside in order to spare you. This amulet has been consecrated by a holy prayer... "Tion te, tiomen kai, di ta, di men lau."

If you buy an amulet, you will conquer.

This amulet can save you.

5-22

Coolie

I am not (ALL turn to him) I am only afraid of having my head
Don't listen to him. His amulets are a cheat. In the grave
and your poor soul must Bonze headless all over the world.
one must (Back 2 steps) soul. It can't stay headless. It is
Holy amulets! sets sick.

Coolie

they

(Yes to above) Listen, people will not help us win,
causing speech they only make coolies more stupid.
No, no, I won't. I won't. Bonze have a ... a little son ... he
smiles so prettily. He Holy Amulets! to the boat every
day. I haven't killed Chang. Not what is that?

(Yes to him)

If you have faith in your amulets put on Boatman's clothes -
Are they coming to kill like ours -
and bare your neck for the axe tomorrow.

runway)

Bonze

(Horrified)

INTERPRETER)

The axe?

A-Fe

Already?

Coolie

Yes, the axe. Go for us.

Chandt)

Bonze

(Trots off)

They will not put faith in holy things.

(Prays and runs off U.L.)

Coolie

Do you see people - do you see.

(Sits close to group)

5-23

Pei-Fu

I am not afraid of death. I am only afraid of having my head chopped off. They put your head by your feet in the grave and your poor soul must wander headless all over the world. One must not insult the soul. It can't stay headless. It is unhappy, it gets sick.

Chang

(Xes to above Coolie during preceding speech)

No, no, I won't. I won't. I have a ... a little son ... he smiles so prettily. He brings my lunch to the boat every day. I haven't killed anyone. No! What is that?

(PEI-FU to back L. of Chang)

(Hysterically)

Are they coming to kill us so soon?

(ALL fall back below drop in
runway)

(Enter the INTERPRETER)

A-FO

Already?

(The sound of music comes from
the ship)

(ALL turn to ship)

(CHANG rises)

5-24

Interpreter

The Daoyan is going to the Captain once more. We will beg,
we will plead. Come with us, A-Fo.

(A-FO Xes Interpreter to edge
of dock)

Chang

(To Interpreter, stops him and
brings him down to edge of plat-
form)

Student, tell them that I have strong arms - feel it -
that I will row them very carefully in my boat, and ask
no money.

Everybody

So will I. I, too.

Second Boatman

Kiss their feet, fall on your faces before them, cry, plead!

Chang

Why should we die? - For whom?

Pei-Fu

Student, tell them they mustn't cut heads off. Let them
strangle or hang us.

Chang

Tell them I have a son...

Third Boatman

Ask them why we must die?

Pei-Fu

Tell them not without a head!

6-2

Mrs. Tourist (Cont'd)

It's almost like a song, isn't it?

Ramon

China is very beautiful -- especially a hundred feet from
the shore.

Mrs. Ramon

Oh, how I long for Paris. Wherever I go -- the more beauti-
ful it is -- the more homesick I am for Paris. The French
people do not travel much. Paris is for them the whole
world.

Mr. Tourist

You ought to come to the Middlewest of America sometime.

Mrs. Ramon

Is it beautiful there?

Mr. Tourist

Well, we don't have Chinese junks all over -- we've got
the beauty of activity -- of accomplishment -- of comfort
and luxury -- and we've got a sound growing culture.

Mrs. Ramon

After all, the basis of beauty is culture.

Mr. Tourist

Of course, life would be empty without culture.

Reporter

Of course I see through it, but newspapers don't want the
truth. They want the kind of stories their readers want to
read. If I sent back two stories telling the truth about
China there'd be a new correspondent here by aeroplane.

6-3

Cordelia

Doesn't it make you writhe to come here to write stories you
could write at your desk in New York?

Reporter

It used to -- but I've come to the conclusion that I didn't
make the world. I just work in it.

Mrs. Smith

Your mother must be desolated at your long absences. Such
dreadful lonely work. You give up so much -- you men of
the sea.

Cooper

Lonely in China? At Shanghai there's more sport than I ever
had in England. If I could only be attached permanently in
Shanghai I wouldn't care if the Chinese problem lasted for
fifty years.

Mrs. Smith

But the danger about you -- constantly.

Cooper

Just a little thick, that's all. The only thing I really
mind is spending the summer up river. Last year I was over
three months without a set of tennis -- or a ride in the
park.

Mrs. Smith

Poor boy.

Mr. Smith

Ladies and Gentlemen. The Captain..

(All drink)

6-4

Mr. Smith (Cont'd)

A braver defender no one ever had. We found the Chinese de-
voured by poverty. We spent the best years of our lives bring-
ing Industry to them. We found them making one cent a day - -
we pay them ten cents a day. They ought to crawl on their
bellies to thank us. And if we had more men like the Captain,
they would.

Missionary

Moreover, we found them wallowing in Heathenism. Our missions
have brought them the salvation of Jesus Christ. Do they ap-
preciate his grace? No, they chase His ministers from them with
barbarians knives.

Tourist

We found them in medieval ignorance. We give them universi-
ties. For that gift alone they should be humble, grateful.
They are barbarians who are incapable of assimilating the gifts
of civilization.

Mrs. Tourist

I hate to say what I am going to say, because I for one, want
to think that God made all people equal. But there is a limit
to our patience. And now when these heathens whom we are educat-
ing and spiritualizing raise their hands against their teachers
we must be severe with them for their own sake, for their own
salvation, that they may learn the humility of which our sa-
vour spoke.

Missionary

Amen.

6-5

### Smith

Believe me, my friends, weak measures will only make us ridiculous here. Not generosity as before, -- but dollar for dollar and blood for blood! That alone can be our program in China.

### Mrs. Ramon

You Americans should close your hospitals until they have acknowledged their shameful atrocity and repented. In the name of my country, Captain, in the name of your ally and friend, -- in the name of France, I thank you for your protection from these murderer. You have been a very brave, a very gallant soldier - sailor, officer.

(Applause)

### Captain

Our governments have sent us here to do our duty.

### Reporter

(With a wink at Cordelia)

The hearts of all the civilized world are all with us tonight. In the ministries, in the embassies, in the bank, in the offices, in the universities, on ocean liners, in Pullman cars, in all the newspapers -- in short wherever the white race, Queen of the Universe is assembled, they are all with us, --

### Mrs. Tourist

In our hour of mortal danger.

6-9

Captain

(In pilot house)

What - again! Speed them up. I've only got five minutes.

Cooper

The Captain will receive them.

(The DAOYIN & INTERPRETER and A-FO
appear. )

(INTERPRETER R. of C. DOYIN in front
of A-FO. A-FO head of gangway)

(The BOY appears on bridge, listening)

Captain

(Enters door L. At rail down L)

Well! What do you gentlemen wish?

Interpreter

The Daoyin of the City of Wan-Suean permits himself the liberty of intruding upon you once more at this inconvenient hour in order to...

Captain

To tell me my ultimatum has been accepted.

Interpreter

The Daoyin implores the Captain most earnestly....

Captain

It's marvelous to see how your tone
has changed. The Daoyin realizes that
a crime has been committed?

6-10

Interpreter

The Daoyin begs the Captain for one thing only: Do not execute the innocent citizens of our town.

Captain

Hm...I don't want to kill innocent men.

Interpreter

The Daoyin is prepared to give any satisfaction you desire.

He is prepared to make any guarantee you demand that such things shall not occur again.

Captain

Very nice of him.

Interpreter

He hopes that your graciousness will not permit these innocent men to be killed. They have wives, little children...Li Tai, the merchant is prepared to pay immediately any indemnity you name in place of the executions.

Smith

(To the Captain)

We might think that over, Captain.

Captain

I do not bargain over my commands.

(To Smith)

Good night.

(SMITH goes)

6-11

Interpreter

The Daoyin has humbled himself and accepts the humiliation
of pleading for your mercy on his knees.

(The DAOYIN kneels, the INTERPRETER
remains standing. The CAPTAIN stares
at him. The INTERPRETER slowly kneels)

Captain

(Takes a piece of paper out of his
pocket)

Is this your telegram?

Interpreter

(Pause)

Yes.

Captain

Do you admit that it is a lie and a contemptible libel on
His Majesty's navy?

Interpreter

(Conquering himself)

I admit it.

Captain

Don't you also think that I would be right in demanding of
the city courts, that a certain student be given fifty stripes
on the sole of the feet for this shameless libel?

Interpreter

You are right.

6-12

Captain

You must be tired from kneeling, Daoyin. Please rise.

Time for bed.

(Starts to go up Left)

Interpreter

And the boatmen?

Captain

They shall not have their heads chopped off.

(The three jump up joyously. Joy)

I shall permit them to be hanged.

(A-FO shouts wild curses)

Who is that?

Interpreter

A boatman.

The eldest of the boatmen.

Captain

What does he say?

Interpreter

He says that he will not lick the feet of murderers.

Captain

Get out!

(The CHINESE get into boat. Everyone goes. CAPTAIN exits R)

DIM WHITE

(The BOY comes slowly, Xes bridge

LIGHT.

to L. up ladder and to top of pilot house, singing a sad tune, mechanically, while great tears roll down his cheeks - he fastens a rope to a rod