Cao Yu's plays

Author: Cao Yu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: Zhou Ping, I think I'll go to the mine tomorrow. Zhou Puyuan, have you finished handling the company's affairs on your side? Zhou Ping, almost done. I'd like to ask Father for some real work to do. I don't want to just look at it and be done with it. Zhou Puyuan (pauses, looks at Ping) Can you handle the hard stuff? If you do it, do it all the way. I don't want my son to be talked about by others. Zhou Ping hasn't been comfortable working here these last two years. He really wants to go to the countryside in the interior. Zhou Puyuan Let me think about it. – (pauses) You can leave tomorrow. What kind of work will it be? I'll send you a telegraph when you get to the mine. [Four-Fang enters through the dining room door, holding a bowl of Pu-erh tea. Zhou Chong (hesitantly) Dad. Zhou Puyuan (knowing he has a new scheme) Hmm, you? Zhou Chong I want to discuss something very important with Dad. Zhou Puyuan What? Zhou Chong (lowers his head) I want to set aside some of my tuition fees. Zhou Puyuan Oh. Zhou Chong (gathering courage) I want to give a portion of my tuition fees to— Zhou Puyuan (Four-Fang pours tea, placing it in front of Puyuan) Four-Fang, – (to Chong) Wait a moment. – (to Four-Fang) Did you make the medicine for Madam? Lu Si-Fang has made it. Zhou Puyuan Why didn't you bring it? Lu Si-Fang (looks at Fu Yin, saying nothing) Fu Yin (noticing the ominous signs around) She poured it for me just now, but I didn't drink it. Zhou Puyuan Why? (pauses, to Four-Fang) Where is the medicine? Fu Yin (quickly) I poured it out. I told Four-Fang to pour it out. Zhou Puyuan (slowly) Poured it out? Oh? (slower) Poured it out! – (to Four-Fang) There's still some medicine left in your jar. Zhou Puyuan (softly) Bring it here. Fu Yin (resisting) I don't want to drink this bitter stuff. Zhou Puyuan (to Four-Fang, loudly) Bring it here. [Four-Fang walks to the left to pour the medicine. Zhou Chong Dad, Mom doesn't want to. Why do you have to force her like this? Zhou Puyuan You and your mother don't even know what's wrong with your illness. (lowers his voice to Fu Yin) If you drink it, you'll be completely better. (seeing Four-Fang hesitate, points to the medicine) Take it to Madam. Fu Yin (reluctantly) Alright, let's leave it here for now. Zhou Puyuan (unhappily) No. You should drink it now. Fu Yin (suddenly) Four-Fang, take it away. Zhou Puyuan (suddenlyly) Drink it. Don't be stubborn, in front of such a grown child. Fu Yin (voice trembling) I don't want to drink it. Zhou Puyuan Chong'er, take the medicine to your mother. Zhou Chong (resisting) Dad! Zhou Puyuan (glaring) Go! [Chong reluctantly brings the medicine to Fu Yin. Zhou Puyuan says, "Please, Mother, drink it." Zhou Chong (holding the bowl, hands trembling, looks back, loudly) Dad, don't do this. Zhou Puyuan (loudly) I want you to say it. Zhou Ping (lowers his head, comes to Chong, whispers) Listen to your father's words. You know your father's temper. Zhou Chong (helplessly, tears in his eyes, towards his mother) You drink it, for me, just a little, otherwise, your father's anger won't subside. Fu Yin (pleadingly) Oh, can't I wait until tonight? Zhou Puyuan (coldly) Fu Yin, a mother should always think of her children. Even if she doesn't take care of herself, she should set an example of obedience for her children. Fu Yin (looks around, glances at Puyuan, then at Ping. Picks up the medicine, tears welling, then sets it down again) Oh, no! I can't drink it! Zhou Puyuan Ping'er, persuade your mother to drink it. Zhou Ping Dad! I— Zhou Puyuan Go, go to your mother! Kneel down, persuade your mother. [Ping walks to Fu Yin's side. Zhou Ping (pleadingly) Oh, Dad! Zhou Puyuan (loudly) Kneel down! (Ping looks at Fu Yin and Chong; Fu Yin's face is streaked with tears, Chong trembling) Kneel down! (Ping is about to kneel) Fu Yin (looking at Ping, not waiting for him to kneel, urgently) I'll drink it, I'll drink it now! (takes the bowl, drinks two sips, tears welling up again as she glances at Puyuan's stern eyes and the troubled Ping, swallowing her anger, drinks it all in one gulp) Oh (crying, runs out of the dining room to the right) [After a while. Zhou Puyuan (glances at his watch) Three minutes left. (to Chong) What did you say earlier? Zhou Chong (raises his head slowly) What? Zhou Puyuan You said you'd set aside some of your tuition fees? – Hmm, what about it? Zhou Chong (softly) I don't have anything to do now. Zhou Puyuan Is there really nothing new to discuss? Zhou Chong (crying) Nothing, nothing, – Mom is right. (runs to the dining room) Zhou Puyuan Chong'er, where are you going? Zhou Chong Upstairs to see Mom. Zhou Puyuan Did he just run off like that? Zhou Chong (suppressing himself, walks back) Yes, Dad, I'm leaving. Do you have any instructions? Zhou Puyuan Go. (Chong walks two steps towards the dining room) Come back. Zhou Chong Dad.