Dramatis Personae:Ma Lu a loner and rhino keeper obsessed with his neighbor, Ming Ming, whose unrequited love drives him to extremes.Ming Ming Malus neighbour, a produt o! her time, materialisti and modern, hopelessl" in love with a man who mistreats her.#ei$i Malus !riendDaxian Malus !riend, a wiseare and hooligan.%oothbrush & salesman be!riended b" #ei$i, Daxian and Malu.#ong #ong & %' produer with a "nial realists take on love.Lil" & %' produer and !riend o! #ong #ong who !alls in love with #ei$iP()L)*+,On stage: A woman, Mingming, is blindfolded and tied to a chair. A young man, Malu, is sitting beside her.Malu: Dusk is the worst time !or m" vision. M" e"e wanders to the bus" street. &ll - see are prett" girls. %he buildings and streets are shi!ting in and out o! !ous. its like being in a movie:/oure standing on the orner o! the stairs. %heres a strange, !ragrant sent. -ts a little warm. -t smells strange. -ts onl" when it brushes against "our bod" that "ou notie that "oure r"ing. %hats when it all started.-ve got a !riend, %oothbrush. #e wants me to believe in m"sel! onl" when -m in a rut, like when %ulas pushing his wa" through the &!rian savannah. 0ut - know our situations are not the same. /oure not the same. /oure unique, so!t, lean like the sk". M" Mingming, how an - evermake "ou understand1 /oure like a warm glove, an ie2old beer, a shirt laundered in the sun, a never2ending dream./oure sweet and distressed, with !resh hope daubed upon "our lips. /our !reshness and hope make "ou unpreditable, like a wild beast. inesapable, like the suns ra"s. phon", like a shameless starlet. ruthless, like the starving.- want to give "ou a home, be the !ather to "our hild. - want to give "ou ever"thing "ou want. 3hen "ou wake up - want to show "ou sunlight, want to aress "our bak, make "ou spread "our wings to heaven. 4ant "ou !eel how strong m" desire rushes toward "ou, rises over the top o! "our !eet, submerges "our legs and ompletel" drowns "ou1 - think o! "ou. - open m" mouth wide, bra$enl" long !or "ou. long !or "our hair, !or "our e"es. long !or "our hin, "our breasts, "our splendid waist and stomah, the sent di!!used through "our pores. - long !or the wa" "ou wring "our hands when "oure sad. /ou have the !ae o! an angel and the heart o! a bith.- love "ou. - trul" love "ou !rom the bottom o! m" heart. - love "ou madl". - !latter "ou shamelessl". - swear to "ou m" eternal love. 3hatever - an do -ll do it. #ow an - possibl" make "ou understand that - love "ou this muh1 5ilentl" bear it and swallow m" tears1 5hout it at the top o! m" lungs until -m hoarse and ollapse !rom exhaustion1 4urse m"sel! bitterl" be!ore the mirror1 (ush into "our o!!ie and knok "ou to the !loor1 *o to universit", get a PhD and beome an author1 *ive m"sel! up !or lost and be pitied b" others !rom now on1 4hek intoa mental hospital and love "ou until - atuall" have a breakdown1 *et lovesik1 )r should - set m"sel! on !ire beneath "our window1 Mingming, tell me what - should do. /oure smart, lever, quik2witted and silver2tongued, !oolish be"ond ompare. M" love, m" Mingming . . .&t -The entirety of the back of the stage is filled by a base of an enormous clock that towers, unseen, into the sky. A group of people is gathered in front of it.The group sings with one voice.%his is an age o! too man" things%his is an age o! too muh emotion%his is an age o! too muh knowledge%his is an age o! too muh in!ormation%his is an age o! intellet and reason%his is an age o! sinerit" and pragmatism3e have too man" tasks to do3e have too man" things to learn3e have too man" voies to listen to3e have too man" desires to !ul!illLove is a andle, giving "ou light,5nu!!ed out with one gust o! wind.Love is a bird in !light, deorating the sene*one with a hange in weather.Love is a !reshl" blooming !lower, thrilling with its sent,3ithered a!ter Ma".Love is a rainbow, a multitude o! splendid olours,& twinkling hoax, evaporated b" the !irst ra"s o! the sun.Love is so wonder!ul, but deliate to the touh.Love is so wonder!ul, but deliate to the touh.Crowd: 0e!ore the arrival o! the new entur", we want to organise the wealth o! the world.0e!ore the arrival o! the new entur", we want to sweep awa" all the useless 6unk.0e!ore the arrival o! the new entur", we want to overthrow all unrealisti thought.0e!ore the arrival o! the new entur", we want to disard all the weak things.Master of Ceremonies: 3e will welome the oming o! the new entur" with a giant lok, unequaled in si$e an"where in the world. -t will stand tall and !irm, indestrutible, an expression o! humanit"s wisdom and strength. %he atmosphere around the onstrution site is tense but merr". Designers and labourers are working overtime. the it"s residents have gathered aroundthe site !or a long time, not daring to leave. ,ver"one is 6o"ousl" inspired b" our pioneering work. %he"re exited be"ond belie!7Resident A: )ne hundred kilograms, the seond hand alone is one hundred kilograms. %ime has never !elt so heav".Resident B: %hats the mirale o! modern tehnolog". ,ah gear has been supplied b" the 8ational 5pae &dministration and is entirel" made !rom titanium to resist, warping b" the great hanges time brings to the world9an" warping would be dishonourable. -t is a monument to our people.Resident C: ,ah urve is metiulousl" arved. ,ah target will go down in histor".Resident D: #undreds o! people were born in this entur". the best poems o! our most outstanding poets to die this entur" will be engraved on the dial.Resident E: & :; "ear2old poet 6ust killed himsel! so that his works would be hosen.Resident F: %his is our o!!ering to the approahing new entur", a giant lok unparalleled in the world, designed entirel" b" us, built ompletel" b" us.Resident G: )n it we should write that this is the r"stallisation o! human wisdom.Resident A: - suggest we write that it is the Resident D: & neighbour o! mine promised to give me !i!t" thousand /uan i! - seretl" arve his initials on the bak o! the big hand.Resident E: /ou wouldnt dare7 /ou gu"s would be destro"ing something that will be a ultural reli in two hundred "ears7Resident F: - want to seretl" arve m" name beside eight olok, that wa" - an leave m" name to the ages.Resident G: - want to arve m" lovers name on its base, and beside it arve a heart to show our enduring love.The crowd looks in unison at the side of the big clock.Crowd: Love is so wonder!ul, but deliate to the touh. Love is so wonder!ul, but deliate to the touh.&t --Malus home. a!ian is playing with a deck of cards in his hands. "ei#i and Malu are sitting beside him.Heizi: -s he oming or not1Malu: #ow do - know1Heizi: 4all him7 #ow an he let a woman ome between !riends7Daxian: $a!ian takes a card with his hand.% Look here, look here. %his side is red, this side blak, - blow on it, and red beomes blak. #e", look over here7 $a!ian works his trick. Malu and "ei#i look on without interest.%Daxian: ,h1 #ow about it1Heizi: 3hat did Aiaoshi sa" exatl"1Daxian: #e said hed be over in a bit.Heizi: &!ter this were not inviting him to pla" an"more.Daxian: Bine. $"e con&ures another trick.% 3ath this, wath this7Heizi: $To Malu.%3hat does that new hik -ve seen "ou with do1Daxian: #e"7 Dreamer7 /ou listening1Heizi: - also want to beome somebod" with something to do7 -m asking "ou Malu.Malu: - think shes a seretar" in an o!!ie.Heizi: Did she tell "ou that1$Malu shakes his head.%Heizi: %hen how do "ou know1Malu: 5he smells like a photoopier.Heizi: /oure kidding7Malu: - an determine a persons status, pro!ession, and what the"ve 6ust done, all !rom the smells the" give o!!. Dont believe me1 %ake a whi!! o! Daxian. Do "ou smell that hospital smell1 8o matter how muh lemon2sented washing powder or industrial2strength soap he uses, hell never wash it o!!. %he smell has alread" soaked into the revies o! his bones, seeping out ever" minute o! the da".- an smell those o!!ie workers who arr" the smell o! photoopiers and air onditioners. those small time businessmen whose bodies reek o! smoke. even housewives 6ust out o! the kithen, dolled up in their latest mall purhases and spra"ed with per!ume still ant mask the smell o! oil" smoke in their hair. &nd then there are the hookers. ,ah one arries the sent o! a Cohns astringent sperm on her bod". - an even tell !rom somebod"s breath what the" had !or lunh: Bish2!lavoured pork, spi" tripe, mushrooms and vegetables . . .Heizi: &ll that with "our bulbous nose1Daxian: %he use!ulness o! the nose isnt determined b" its appearane, but b" its !untion.Malu: %hats right7 People have standards !or testing e"es and ears, and i! the" !ail them, the" think that the"re disabled, whih in!luenes their work, whether the" go to universit", even their attitude about li!e. %here are man" olour!ul terms to desribe disabilities o! the e"es and ears: blind, dea!, olour blind, but theres no suh term !or a disabled nose. & stu!!ed nose onl" desribes the s"mptom o! a old, whih an be easil" ured with some 5uda!ed. & ompetent, outstanding nose has never reeived an" attention.Daxian: -ts 6ust like that rhino Malu looks a!ter. #is e"es are no good, but his nose is !antasti.Heizi: -tll soon math a dogs nose.Malu: %ake "oursel! !or example. $To "ei#i% /our hair alwa"s arries smell A. /ou should wash "our hair a!ter "ou !ool around with someone.Daxian: (eall"1 Let me smell.$a!ian turns to chase after "ei#i. Theres a knock at the door.%Heizi: Dont mess around7 )pen the door alread". Aiaoshis here. Lets pla" poker7A toothbrush salesman entersSalesman: #ello *entlemen. -m in advertising at the #uihen 4ompan". &llow me to take a !ewseonds o! "our preious time. )n the eve o! the ?@st 4entur" we are happ" to invite "ou to learn about our ompan"s new high teh produt: the Diamond 0rand2Diamond Patterned2Diamond %oothbrush, a revolution in health are. People dont know it, but ever" da" a!ter the" brush their teeth, bateria quikl" !lourishes in their mouth reating tooth dea", ausing halitosis and tartar build up. 3hat an "ou do about it1 %he onl" sure2!ire ure is to use our ompan"s Diamond 0rand2Diamond Patterned2Diamond %oothbrush ever" morning and ever" night. /oull exterminate an" hane o! bateria !orming, !reshen "our breath, and never get tooth dea". Birst thing in the morning, brush "our teeth and leave the house with dignit". -n the evening, brush "our teeth and kik start "our sex drive. 5ine this is the !irst toothbrush examined and veri!ied b" the 4hinese Dental &ssoiation it an prevent avities ver" e!!etivel". &t the same time, it is the onl" toothbrush veri!ied and reommended b" the 4hinese 4ommitteeo! Preventative Mediine. - dont want to mislead an"one here, m" testimon" is onl" to tell "ou about a suess thats worth" o! true elebration. 3here does this happiness ome !rom1 %his gentleman has asked a good question. %he #uihen 4ompan" is running a =present, o!!er and give> ustomer appreiation ampaign to thank the good iti$ens o! 0ei6ing !or bu"ing our Diamond 0rand2Diamond Patterned2Diamond %oothbrush. 5o what does =present, o!!er and give> mean1 %his gentleman has asked another good question. =Present, o!!er and give,> meansthat we present, o!!er and give "ou two Diamond %oothbrushes !or !ree. 4ome on gentlemen, lets brush our lives lean and soar to another world7Daxian: *ot it. *ive me two.a!ian and "ei#i take toothbrushes from the salesmans outstretched hand.Daxian: )D. *et out.Salesman: -ts like this gentlemen. 3e present, o!!er and give "ou two toothbrushes, and "ou bu" one Diamond 0rand %oothbrush, !or a total o! @: "uan . . .Heizi: 8ope, we dont want the third. %wo are enough.Salesman: 8o, its not like that. /ou dont understand what - mean.Daxian: /ou give, we want. 3hat else is there to understand1Heizi: *ive me two more, he still doesnt have an". $"e says motioning toward Malu sitting motionless by the table.%Salesman: -ts not like that.Daxian: 3ait, wait, wait. - want to ask "ou something. /ou gu"s are running a =present, o!!er and give> ustomer appreiation ampaign, right1Salesman: (ight.Daxian: -m a ustomer, right1Salesman: (ight.Daxian: - want these two toothbrushes, )D1Salesman: )D.Daxian: 5o whats the problem1 *et out o! here. 3eve got things to do.Salesman: -ts not like that, mister.Daxian: #ow is it not like that1$The salesman looks at the three guys.%Salesman: -m not selling them. *ive me bak the toothbrushes.$a!ian and "ei#i grow impatient. Malu speaks.%Malu: )ne toothbrush is @: "uan1$The salesman looks at Malu thinking he can speak sensibly to him.%Salesman: $Toward a!ian and "ei#i% Perhaps "ou two didnt get m" meaning. $"e rushes over to Malus side% - am the advertising representative !rom #uihen 4ompan". 3e are urrentl" onduting a ustomer appreiation ampaign. 3e give "ou two !ree toothbrushes. "ou bu" one toothbrush, whih makes three toothbrushes !or a total o! @: "uan . . .Malu: 3ait a minute. Didnt "ou 6ust sa" that one was @: "uan1Salesman: &nd we give "ou two !or !ree.Malu: 3e onl" want the !ree ones. 3e dont want the ones that ost mone". &re "ou stupid, or 6ust retarded1Salesman: 0rother, - made a mistake. Look, its not eas" !or me to do business. -! "ou reall" want them, "ou give me @: "uan and "ou take all three.Malu: #old on, hold on. - 6ust want to ask, how muh is one toothbrush1Salesman: 5ixteen.Malu: &nd three1Salesman: 5ixteen.Malu: Do "ou think -m an idiot1 - onl" want one1 Do "ou understand that or not1 4an "ou ountor not1 )8,. 8ot %#(,,. #ow muh1 4are!ul what "ou sa". -m running out o! patiene.Salesman: -! "ou want one - an 6ust give "ou one, )D1Malu: 8ot )D. 3h" would "ou give me one !or !ree1 - dont even know who "ou are1 Didnt "ou insist on oming in here1 Didnt "ou insist on selling toothbrushes1 -ll bu" one, but !irst - want toknow how muh one is1Salesman: 3e are onduting a ustomer appreiationEMalu: Dont start with that again7 - 6ust want to know how muh one is7$The salesman bursts out crying%Salesman: 0rother, -ve made a mistake. -ve got FG "ear2old parents at home.Malu: 3hat are "ou r"ing about7 -t was "ou who wanted to ome in here and sell toothbrushes.- 6ust want to know how muh one is.Daxian: Borget about it.Malu: 8o. 3asnt it "ou, who 6ust toda" learl" said, =Dont think 6ust do1>Salesman: - made a mistake.Malu: 3hat mistake1 3hat mistake did "ou make1Salesman: -ll give "ou all the toothbrushes. Cust let me go.Malu: /ou want to go. -ts not that eas"7Salesman: - made a mistake. -ll never ome again.Malu: 3here did "ou make a mistake1 /ou didnt make a mistake7 - 6ust want to know how muh !or one toothbrush7 )ne toothbrush7a!ian and "ei#i pretend to restrain to enervated Malu. The salesmans face is drawn. "e goesin front of the table and fishes out toothbrushes from his bag.Daxian: Malu, !orget about it7Malu: 8o7Daxian: %oothbrush7 $calls toward the salesman% -m talking to "ou. 5it down7a!ian pushes Malu into a chair. The salesman sits down obediently.Daxian: #ei$i, deal the ards.The four people sit in a circle. "ei#i deals the cards.Heizi: %ake "our ards, %oothbrush. $'rom now on they call the salesman Toothbrush%Toothbrush: 0rother, please7Daxian: %aaaaake them7Toothbrush: &h . . . what are we pla"ing1Heizi: Pinohle.Toothbrush: #ow muh are we pla"ing !or1Heizi: #ow muh have "ou got1Toothbrush: - dont have an" mone", onl" toothbrushes.Daxian: Bine, well use toothbrushes. %ake the ards7Toothbrush gradually regains his composure.&t ---The rhinoceros enclosure.Malu: & ton and a hal! o! ha". Bood intake has dropped a little. De!eated !ive times. 4olour: 0lakish "ellow, normal. %rotted around outside !or !our hours. %ula, are "ou unhapp"1 /oure like a poet, alwa"s unhapp". 3hat have "ou got to worr" about1 /oure a blak rhino. /oure noteven on the endangered list. - reall" dont know whats going on in that big brain o! "ours. /ou dont get along with the white rhino, and "ou dont have a good relationship with the hippo. %here are no oxpekers to help "ou to eat the tiks. Dont - give "ou a shower ever" da"1 /ou probabl" dont even know about oxpekers do "ou1 /ou were too "oung when the" took "ou !rom the wild. /ouve !orgotten how terri!"ing the savannah an be. -! - tell "ou about it, would it make "ou happ"1 %he new rhino enlosure is almost !inished. %he $oo has set aside some mone". %he"re preparing to bu" another rhino7 Ma"be it will be a prett" one, a sex" &!rian !emale rhino7 5he wont be like that white rhino %ana. -t will be a real blak rhino7Ma" @:, @ 5hhh.E&t '--Toothbrush: Pa" me7 - bought eah o! "ou a one hundred /uan =0ig 4lok> lotter" tiket. - dontwant the !ull pri$e mone" i! an"one wins. - onl" want hal!.Heizi: *iving "ou one perent would depend on m" having a onsiene. /ou an ount on me not to ough it up.Toothbrush: )ne perent o! !ive million is onl" !i!t" thousand7Daxian: /ou ran an errand and "ou think that eah o! "our two dogs legs is worth ?J grand1Toothbrush: Malu, pa" me7Malu: - didnt tell "ou to bu" me one.Toothbrush: 4olletive ation7Malu: - dont want one. -t violates m" priniples.Toothbrush: /ou still have priniples1Malu: )! ourse - do. 8ot ever"one is like "ou, 6ust doing whatever !eels right.Toothbrush: 0ut that is m" priniple.Malu: -n an" ase, - dont want one. -m not !ated to have good !ortune. - also dont want to put an" mone" into that luk" bastards poket.Toothbrush: #ow do "ou know that "oure not that luk" bastard1Malu: Me1 Me1 Me, a gu" who looks like this1 %ake a look at "ourselves in the mirror. Do "ou see "our nose and those e"es1 Do "ou look like a winner1Heizi: %hats right7 3hat Malu said makes sense. *ive me m" mone" bak7Toothbrush: 8o wa"7Daxian: /ou might not be luk", but does that mean that the three o! us arent luk" either1 3e alread" agreed, regardless o! who wins, he has to give some to ever"bod". +nderstand1 Malu, pa" up7 $Malu grudgingly gives Toothbrush -.. /uan%Daxian: %ake "our lotter" tiket7 -s that the same hewing gum that she was hewing in her mouth all those weeks ago1 3h" havent - seen "ou hew a new piee1 3hats made "ou so patheti1 -! we win that mone" then ever"bod" an do what the" want to do7 %ell me, what would "ou do1Heizi: ,at.Daxian: &n"thing else1Heizi: (est, then eat again.Toothbrush: -d tell Aiao Ping to pak her bags and -d !ind another girl7Daxian: &!ter "ou win, the girls will stare at "ou like !lies do rotten meat.Malu: $*ooks at the lottery ticket in his hand% -d bu" an &!rian !emale rhinoeros !or %ula, then -d leave this plae.Daxian: Leave1 3here would "ou go1Malu: - dont know.Daxian: - dont think "ouve got an"where to go to.Heizi: -s Aiao Ping pregnant1Toothbrush: 8onsense.Heizi: - saw her throwing up in the restaurant that time.Toothbrush: %hat beause "ou sat down in !ront o! her right a!ter shed !inished eating looking at "ou also makes me want to vomit.Heizi: - do what1Toothbrush: -ts not possible that shes pregnant. -n these twent"2odd "ears -ve never been able to !inish inside.Malu: 3h" not1Toothbrush: -t started with a !ear o! knoking her up. &!ter that - 6ust beame used to it. 8ow, - ant hange even i! - tr". - alwa"s hurriedl" suppress it on the inside, but on the outside - alwa"sappear happ".Daxian: 3ith that kind o! attitude, sooner or later, humanit" will ome to an end. Do "ou think *od designs that kind o! exerise !or "our pleasure1 %he pleasures are meant to enourage "outo ontinue "our line o! desendants. the more pleasure, the greater the number o! ones desendants. 8owada"s, all an"one wants to do is seek pleasure. the" dont want to take an" responsibilities.Heizi: Malu, did "ou have a look at that book =@GG 4ourtship 5kills & Love %raining Manual1>Toothbrush: *ive me a look. =(equest a song !or her on the radio. 5end her !lowers on 'alentines Da", her birthda", or on an" ordinar" da".> -ts too lihe7 Malu, what are "ou doing looking at this stu!! !or1 -! "ou wanted to know how to woo a girl so badl" wh" didnt "ou ome tome1Daxian: Let me see. 3hats the meaning o! this part "ou tiked1Malu: *ive it to me.Daxian: /ouve alread" tiked some items, =3rite her some love poems or op" a love poem to give her.> /ou ant be serious about !ollowing these, an "ou1Heizi: Bor sure "ouve alread" written her a poem7Toothbrush: /ouve de!initel" written one !or her7Daxian: -t de!initel" went like this . . . . . .The rou# of them:- am a strong blak rhino,M" skin is an inh thik,M" !avourite plae is the bog,M" to" is a !oot long.- am a sex" rhino,M" horn is used as an aphrodisia,M" large breasts are known !ar and wide,)ur love is like the stor" o! Keus and Leda,-ve prepared !resh mud !or "ou,Bresh !lowers to sleep with.Heizi: &ll that !or a woman that smells like a photoopier.Malu: /ou prett" !emale beast, "ou reall" like it dont "ou1 /ou want to shout, to shake heaven and earth dont "ou1 5hout7 Make an e!!ort to shout7 /oure a tramp. &lthough "ouve got lean ha" to lie in, "ou onl" want "our stinking bog, dont "ou1 3ell i! "ou like !ilth" mud then -ll give "ou !ilth" mud7 -! "ou like being despiable, we an be despiable together. )pen "our mouth7&t '---The rhinoceros enclosureMalu: %ula, -ve got some bad news !or "ou. %he management didnt bu" a !emale blak rhinos. %he" want to bu" a male white rhino so that the" an have more white rhinos in the !uture. Ma"be the" thought "oure alread" too old, that "ou ouldnt possibl" help add a little blak rhinoto the $oo. - !eel sorr" !or "ou. /ou havent even had a hane to partake in the mating ritual. )nl" male rhinos that have gone through this ritual an be real rhinos. )nl" then an "ou have awoman who loves "ou. 0ut "oull never have suh a hane.&t -AMalu provokes +hen 'ei. A group of +hen 'eis friends grab Malu and dump him in the mud. Malu slowly sinks into the mud.&t AMinmin: 3hats with "ou1Malu: - looked !or him.Minmin: 3ho1Malu: %hat person "ou like.Minmin: 3hat did "ou do1Malu: - told him to treat "ou well, or leave "ou.Minmin: 3hat did he sa"1Malu: - wanted him to know how to treat "ou well.Minmin: -ll tell "ou how hell treat me. #e will treat me even worse. Moreover, now he wont leave me 6ust to show us that hes someone who will never hange.Malu: -m going to look !or him again.Minmin: Do "ou dare1 Do "ou want to get beaten up again1Malu: %he" will get bored o! beating someone up ever" da". %herell ome a moment when hes alone. thats when -ll get him.Minmin: Bine. *o. 0ut dont show "oursel! to me again. $Malu stands by the door% Bine. 5it down. 3ipe "our !ae. /oure bleeding. $)he helps Malu straighten his hair%Malu: &ll white things beome as blak as ink and !eel in!erior next to "ou. &ll ignorant birds andbeasts are in extreme despair sine the" ant speak "our name . . . . . .Minmin: 3hats that1Malu: & poemMinmin: & poem1 3hih poem1Malu: )ne - wrote !or "ou.Minmin: /ou write poems1 $)miles%Malu: Ma"be its onl" good enough to arve into a rhinos hide, but - wrote it.Minmin: 'er" lovel". -s there more1Malu: &ll white things beome as blak as ink and !eel in!erior next to "ou. &ll ignorant birds andbeasts are in extreme despair sine the" ant speak "our name . . . . . - havent !inished writing it "et.&t A-Malus "ouseMinmin: *et up7 *et up la$"bones. - have something good to eat7Malu: 3hats going on Mingming1 4ake1Minmin: Bor "ou.Malu: 4ake at midnight1 3h"1Minmin: 8o reason. Do "ou want some1Malu$ -! "ou want me to eat it -ll eat it.Minmin: %hats a good bo". -s it good1 - ordered it when - got o!! work. -ts got !resh ream and !ruit.Malu: HnodsI 3hose birthda" is it1 -snt "ours in )tober1Minmin: -ts "ours7Malu: - was born in the winter.Minmin: $0ently% 3hat a !ool. /ou even !orget "our own birthda".Malu: Bine. 3hatever da" "ou sa" m" birthda" is on, thats when it is.Minmin: Mmm, -ve also got this7Malu: 3hat1Minmin: & gi!t7Malu: Bor me1Minmin: Mmm. )pen it.$Malu opens the wrapping paper and removes a wallet%Minmin: $+oyly% Do "ou like it1Malu: - like it.Minmin: (eall"1Malu: (eall".Minmin: %hen wh" dont "ou give me a kiss1$Malu doesnt believe her. "e looks at Mingming. )he approaches him.%Minmin: - ran to ever" store. - wanted to give "ou something "ou ould use ever" da", something that "oud look at !requentl", something that eah time "ou looked at, eah time "ou pulled out, would make "ou think o! me.Malu: Mingming.Minmin: - waited !or "ou !or a long time. - started looking !or "ou !rom the window at dusk. %he sound o! eah !ootstep daned upon m" nerves, turning me into a lea! in the wind, trembling in the air, shivering with old. - thought "oud ome and eat dinner with me, or that "oud ome a!ter dinner. and even i! "ou didnt ome a!ter dinner, "ou would ome a!ter going out to drink with "our !riends at the pub, shooting the bull, !lirting with some girl . . . - waited, waited and waited, - knew that "oud ome !or sureEMalu: - know -m having a dream, but it doesnt matter i! its real or not, or i! - wake up !rom the dream. so long as "oure here, - dont are.Minmin: Promise me that "ou wont leave me, and that "ou wont let me leave "ou.Malu: - wont leave "ou, and - wont let "ou leave me.Minmin: 8obod" believes in promises an"more. & promise, giving !lowers, taking someone out !or dinner, theres no di!!erene. its 6ust a wa" to express ones !eelings.Malu: -m di!!erent !rom them. -ll show "ou how -m di!!erent !rom them. Cust wait and see.Minmin: $sings%5mile at me, like were meeting !or the !irst time,5peak to me, even i! "our vows hange tomorrow,,n6o" me, on this li!e we have no holdMiss me, in that "ear "ou began to !eel old.Mingming and Malu make loveMinmin with Malu:&ll light ra"s surge toward me,- breathe up all the ox"gen,&ll ob6ets have lost their weight,-ve alread" walked to the end o! eah road.&t this time a person annot speak,%he best thing to do is be silent&t this time a person annot speak,%he best thing to do is sigh&t this time a person annot speak,%he best thing to do is r"&t this time a person annot speak,%he best thing to do is !l"&ll sener" beomes indistint,&ll arms turn into wings,&ll memories are replaed,-ve alread" walked to the end o! eah road.M" shadow runs, -m unable to move,/oure smiling at me !rom the end o! all roads.M" shadow runs, -m unable to move,/oure smiling at me !rom the end o! all roads . . . . . .&t A--a!ian is telling a story to "ei#i and Toothbrush.Daxian: %here was this "oung man who was plagued b" terrible nightmares that le!t him in extreme ph"sial pain.Heizi: 3hen1 3hen did this happen1Toothbrush: 3ho ares7 &ll stories start like this.Daxian: #e !eared sleep. !eared that in his dreams a large demon would apture him. #e sought all kinds o! medial advie. #e ran into a prophet and told him about his pain. %he prophet told him that the dream is another realit", and that i! he shouts, =-m having a dream7> at the most ritial moment, the nightmare will end. %he "oung man returned home, making a pointto remember the prophets advie. %he urtain o! night slowl" desended and the "oung man !ell asleep. 5uddenl", in his dream the demon harged him with a broadsword. %he "oung man was terri!ied and tried to hide when suddenl" he remembered the prophets words. &nd, 6ust as he was about to be aptured b" the demon and run through with the sword, he shouted, =- am having a dream7> &nd he awoke. 5urprisingl", l"ing next to him was the demons sword. 0etter "et, it was ompletel" inlaid with 6ewels. Brom that point on the "oung man began to like having his nightmares. #e would grab treasures !rom the dream and then reite the inantation to awaken. #e sold the treasures and li!e graduall" beame good !or him. )ne da" he dreamed that the demon ame looking !or him. %he demon asked the "oung man not to take an"more things !rom the dream sine hed taken almost all the treasures !rom the dream palae. %he big demon guaranteed him that i! he omplied with the request, hed let him en6o" !ond dreams. %he"oung man agreed, and !rom that night onward he had a wonder!ul dream eah night. %he" were so wonder!ul that he beame unwilling to wake up, until the onl" thing he wanted to do eah da" was sleep and have beauti!ul dreams. )ne da", in the dream garden, he saw an outstandingl" beauti!ul woman, and ouldnt help !alling in love with her. #e remembered the inantation, took a hold o! the woman and shouted, =-m having a dream7> #e waited to wake up.%he woman sat at his side looking at him adoringl". Brom that da" on the "oung man never dreamed again. #e didnt have nightmares and he didnt have wonder!ul dreams. %he dream kingdom had expelled him.&t A---Malu: ,ver"thing is !inished. &ll the pain ended in that !lash. & woman an make "ou think that the entire world has !illed up with sunlight. /ou an run, "ou an 6ump, "ou an even !inish inside her an unountable amount o! times7 - was even allowed to !l"7Minmin: 3hat are "ou doing here making suh a raket this earl"1Malu: Mingming, were "ou awakened b" the noise1 *et up "ou la$"bones. -ll bu" "ou break!ast.Minmin: /oure trul" nuts7 HMingming turns round to leave. Malu sweeps her o!! her !eet and spins around with her in his arms.IMalu: #e" sleep" head, "ou little koala, "ou little !ox. /ou still want to sleep, still want to sleepEEMinmin: 3hat are "ou doing1 Let go o! me7$Malu isnt listening. Mingming struggles with all her might. )he raises her hand and suddenly slaps Malu. Malu lets go of Mingming in surprise.%Minmin: &re "ou ra$"1Malu: 3hats the matter1 3h" arent "ou happ"1Minmin: Dont bother me. - want to sleep.Malu: $)topping Mingming% Mingming, what happened1Minmin: /oure still asking1 Brom now on please restrain "oursel!, otherwise "ou will embarrass us all.Malu: 3hat did "ou sa"1Minmin: 3hat else do "ou want me to sa"1 3e are neighbours. /ou usuall" look a!ter me. - am ver" grate!ul. 0ut thats all. Dont do an"thing to embarrass us again.Malu: Mingming . . . . . .Minmin: - dont know good !rom bad. 8obod" ares about m" good intentions. %alking about this so earl" is too ridiulous7 - want to sleep.Malu: 3erent "ou the one with me last night1 /esterda", didnt "ou pla" the temptress1 #ow is it possible that this pair o! e"es, this !orehead, these two happ" lips, that spoke so man" sweet words and hone"ed phrases next to m" ear, that have been kissed b" me so man" times . . .Minmin: 3hat nonsense are "ou talking about1 Dont drag me down into "our dirt" dreams7Malu: &m - having a dream1 -mpossible. %he warmth o! "ou bod" still lingers between m" !ingers. /our !ragrane still envelopes meE..Minmin: -ve got nothing - an possibl" sa". $)he wants to leave%Malu: 3ont "ou admit it1 /ou want to let me believe that all this never happened, that all that happened was onl" a dream1 7Minmin: 3hat do "ou want to make me believe1 Do "ou want me to share this ra$" !antas" with "ou1Malu: 4ra$" !antas"1 3hats this1 Hli!ts the ake with wedges missingI 3hat is this1 7Minmin: 3as it "our birthda"1Malu: Do "ou want to drive me ra$"1 7 /ou want to see me drop o!! the deep end1 Bine. 3heres the wallet1 %he wallet1 3here did the wallet go1$Mingming wants to leave. Malu holds her%.Minmin: Let go o! me. 3hat do "ou want to do1 7Malu: 3hat do - want to do1 - told "ou that -m not the same as the others. - alwa"s keep m" word. - will never leave "ou. - also wont let "ou leave me7Minmin: #elp7$a!ian, Toothbrush and "ei#i rush onto the stage and pull Mingming away from Malu.%Daxian: Malu7 3hats with "ou1 4alm "oursel!7$Malu lets out a cry as hes dragged away by the group.%&t A-'Malu sits without making a sound, e!tremely pu##led and in despair.Daxian: &re "ou nuts1 ,ven i! "ou wanted to rape her "ou have to wait until night to do it. 3hat a shame. %he !at that the polie hasnt aught "ou "et means "oure luk".Toothbrush: Leave him alone. #es in heat. #es the same as %ula on the &!rian savannah. #ehad no idea what he was doing.Heizi: &ll !or a woman who smells like a photoopier.Daxian: %he root o! all these problems stems !rom valuing one woman above another one. -n this in!ormation age with so man" possible hoies, the word =ommitment> an basiall" be thought o! as a kind o! mental disease. Borget her.$The three e!it.%Malu: Borget her1 Borget her and - wont have to su!!er an"more. Borget her and - wont !eel an" more pain. Borget her. Borget her. Borget the things "ou dont have. Borget the things that others have. Borget the things "ouve lost and the things "oull never have. Borget hate. Borget humiliation. Borget love Borget it all like the rhinoeros !orgets the savannah. like the water!owl !orgets the lake. like a person in hell !orgets heaven. like an amputee !orgets that he one ran like mad. like the !allen lea! !orgets the wind. like %ula !orgets !emale rhinos. Borgetting is the onl" thing regular people an do. 0ut -ve made up m" mind. -ll never !orget her.&t A'Minmin: #is e"es have the expression o! a doe. his tenderness is that o! some tame animal. Brom his e"es - an see that this tenderness goes against his will. -t appears that hes reali$ed this himsel! and is ashamed, so he displa"s roughness, like a little beast snarling at the sk", putting on a de!iant air.Malu starts to sing. 10lass 2oman3Malu:/ou never knew that,/ou are m" longed !or loudless da",M" sudden rainstorm./ou never knew that,/ou are m" long endured hunger,%he air upon whih - depend./ou never knew, m" darling,Ma"be "ou will never knowEE/ou are di!!erent, unique, so!t, lean like the sk"./ou are m" warm glove, m" ie2old beer./ou arr" the !ragrane o! a shirt laundered in the sun, a never2ending dream./ou are haste, naive, like glass,8othing an dirt" "ou,8othing an hange "ou.M" love, m" love, m" love,Ma"be "ou will never know . . . .Minmin: #ow should - sa" it1 - love "ou extremel". =,xtremel".> > Love.> %hese words, one said, are so empt", the" are unonvining. %oda", when - got up - thought desperatel" o! how to !ind something that would prove that - love "ou, something that nobod" would question. 0ut theres nothing, nothing . . . - thought about that evening on the roo!. /ou were sleeping like a hild, breathing ver" lightl", ver" peae!ull". - was admiring "ou, shamelessl" looking at "ou, anddrew near to "ou. - greedil" drew eah o! "our breaths into m" lungs. %hat was summer. )utsideit was ver" peae!ul, like we were the onl" two people in the world. - grew euphori !rom "our breaths. -n m" heart - thought that we were one. & person an live on arbon dioxide as long as there is love.&t A'-$Malus house, night%Malu: )ne sheep, two sheep, three sheep, !our sheep . . . . . . -m alwa"s waiting, alwa"s tr"ing to !all asleep, 6ust like that "oung man with the nightmare. #ow do we know that our dail" li!e isnt being dreamt !rom another bed in another world1 -! "ou ould onl" stand be!ore me one more. i! - ould onl" hold "ou in m" arms one more, - would rather sleep !orever than be awake. 5leep . . . . . . 5even sheep, eight sheep, nine sheep . . . . . .$Mingming appears in front of Malus bed.%Malu: /ouve ome. %his reall" must be a dream. Bine with me.$Malu suddenly grabs hold of Mingming and shouts%Malu: - am having a dream7 - am having a dream7Minmin: 3hat are "ou doing1Malu: /oure here1 Dont leave me, never leave me7 8ever7&t A'--Daxian: 8othing but a tall tale, 6ust like 4asanova. -s Malu the onl" one in the world with urges1 5o what, the rest o! us 6ust have to satis!" ourselves1Heizi: ,ver" evening he goes to attend a omputer lass.Toothbrush: &nd ,nglish lasses.Heizi: )n 5unda"s he goes to driving shool.Toothbrush: ,ver"da" he arries his brie!ase to work.Heizi: #e wrote a proposal to the $oo diretor !or a omputer to help him monitor the rhinos.Daxian: 3ith an appended version in ,nglish.Toothbrush: #e probabl" wears a suit when he gives the rhino a bath7Daxian: #e also omposes poems.Heizi: #e also pla"s the piano.Toothbrush: 4hews gum.Daxian: 5ings serenades.Heizi: &lwa"s hanges his soks.Toothbrush: %akes a dail" bath.The Crowd: -ts ompletel" insane7Toothbrush: 3e must help him or hes done !or.Heizi: -ve enouraged him to relax, but he said hes never lived like this be!ore. #e told me to take it eas". #e said that eventuall" - would also meet a woman whose beaut" would kill me. %hat worried me, beause -m a!raid that no one will ever want to kill me !or as long as - live.Daxian: %his is our good !ortune. Dont be in!luened b" Malus misleading omments. Love is like a omed", sports, pop musi the"re all prett" muh the same: to make people happ" andrelaxed.$"ong "ong and *ily enter.%Hon Hon and !il%: #i. 3ere #ong #ong and Lil".Daxian: 3ho are "ou1Hon Hon: 3hat would a love stor" have to sa" i! it were all happ" and relaxing !rom the beginning to the end1 3hat would be interesting about a soap opera then1 &nd then, what would we have to do eah evening1!il%: -n brie!: /ou love him, he doesnt love "ou. #e loves "ou, "ou dont love him. %wo people who !all in love are doomed to separate.Daxian: Do "ou two work !or a television station1Hon Hon and !il%: 3ere #ong #ong and Lil".Toothbrush: -ts what -ve been looking !or.Daxian: 3hat1Toothbrush: 5omething to treat Malus sikness with.Heizi: %he"re too muh7 #es not that sik.Toothbrush: Pik one that suits Malu.Heizi: &nother one1Toothbrush: -t depends on whih one Malu pre!ers. $+laps% &ttention. Pa" attention. 3ould the two andidates please prepare themselves, the per!ormane is about to start. %he plot o! the soap opera is this: )ne harater is alled Malu. #es a "oung man who has !allen in love with his beauti!ul neighbour, a "oung seretar".Hon Hon: 8ame1Toothbrush: Malu.!il%: 3e mean the seretar"s name.Toothbrush: 3ho ares what shes alled1Heizi: Mingming, her name is Mingming.Toothbrush: $)hoots "ei#i a look% Malu has !allen in love with Mingming, but Mingming doesnt love him.Hon Hon: 5he loves another person, but that person does not love her.Heizi: #ow did "ou know1!il%: &ll soap operas are like that.Toothbrush: Malu is in a lot o! pain. -t nearl" drives him ra$". %he question in !ront o! us is howshould Malus harater plot develop1$"ong "ong and *ily simultaneously bu## in to answer.%Hon Hon: #e meets a good girl who alwa"s ares !or him . . . . . .!il%: . . . . . . #elps him. 3arm up his !ro$en heart again. . . . . . .Hon Hon: -ts a rain" da". %he girl goes to deliver Malu some !ood. 5he slips and !alls on the road, in6uring her leg . . . . . .!il%: -ts a snow" da". Malu is knoked down b" a truk as he rushes into the street to save a "oung hildEHon Hon: %he girl drags hersel! on her in6ured leg to Malu. Malu is moved b" the girl overedin mud. #e grasps her hand . . . . . . .!il%: Malu remains unonsious in the hospital. #e mutters Mingmings name. 3e wait !or him to open his e"es. #e slowl" raises his e"elids and !inds another girl beside himE EHon Hon: %his is where another emotional plot twist begins. &t this moment theres an unexpeted event. . . . . . .!il%: %he girl has been wathing over him !or three da"s without resting her e"es. Malus heart is!illed b" another kind o! love, but there are man" setbaks be!ore their love is !ul!illed . . . . . .Daxian: /oure both masters.Heizi: 4ould we hear one !irst, then the other1Toothbrush: 3hat are we 6udging on1 %he"re equall" mathed.Daxian: %he deision is reall" tough.Heizi: - thought that the stor" where Malu resues the hild and is knoked down b" the truk wasnt desribed well.!il%: 3hat do "ou mean it wasnt desribed well1 4lose2up o! a honking truk. 4ut to the pani2striken !ae o! a hild. 4ut to Malu pushing the hild out o! the !rame !ollowed b" a sharp braking sound. 4ut to a lose2up o! the truk driver and pan down to Malu l"ing in the street.Daxian: %he onl" thing we dont know is i! Malu is willing to get hit b" a truk.Toothbrush: - also think that the girl with the in6ured leg doesnt reall" need to !all down and hurt hersel!. 5he an 6ust spread some Merurohrome on her leg to make it look blood". 3hat do "ou think1Heizi: /ou know, that #ong #ong, she suits Malu. Lil" suits me.Toothbrush: *ood. 8ow the 6udges hand out the marks: 8umber one reeives Daxian: 4ut7 (oll redits and sponsors. %hats a wrap.$"ong "ong stops, moves off from the s4uare.%Toothbrush: 8o wa". - dont believe Malus li!e an be more exiting than a soap opera.&t A'---Malu: - said that i! - ant !ore m"sel! to be alm, to temper m" worship o! "ou, then - ouldnt see "ou again. 8ow - an do it. 0e!ore, - didnt think that a persons desires ould hange the olour o! the sk", the shape o! an ob6et or, ause a dream to be tangible. 0ut now - know its beause m" desires werent strong enough. Mingming, please never be mad with me again, ma"be -m 6ust a natural born lunati.Minmin: -s it raining outside1Malu: Doesnt look like it "et.Minmin: 5till not1Malu: 0ut ever"one on the street is arr"ing umbrellas.Minmin: %he" never look at the sk". %he" 6ust listen !or the hane o! rain on the news. #ow stu!!" its beome. %he thunders been rolling !or so long and still no rain7 %his kind o! weather alwa"s gives me ravings. - an never settle down. Li!e alwa"s returns to the wa" it was. ,ah da" m" ph"sial strength is sapped !rom merel" walking !rom this end o! the room to the other end. -m starting to have di!!iult" sleeping well. -m !ull o! desire !rom head to !oot. -ts not beause - have !eelings !or a man, but beause - desire one. 0eause o! this desire - dont knowi! -m oming or going, and - ant sleep. -ts terrible7 - alread" ant bear to be alone or pass onetranquil night a!ter another. M" bod" is in turmoil. %hat path o! lawn has been wet !rom the L@stuntil toda", a total o! seven da"s. -ts too terrible.Malu: &re "ou sik1 #ow man" da"s have "ou not gone to work1Minmin: -t doesnt matter. -ll see it through. M" manager is quite partial to me. %alk to me a bit. #ow is "our %ula1Malu: 8ot too good. Doesnt want to move and is eating less than be!ore. 5ome people are ver"easil" !rightened when "ou approah them. Ma"be its old, but its onl" ?G "ears old, its onl" a middle2aged rhinoeros.Minmin: Ma"be its lovesikness.Malu: Ma"be - gave it to him.$Mingming smiles.%Minmin: %his . . . - want to give "ou this. $,uts the wallet from that night into Malus hand. Malu looks at it in disbelief, puts it up to his nose and sniffs.% %hat da" was 4hen Beis birthda". -waited long into the night !or him to ome but he never ame. &t that point - gave ever"thing to "ou: %he ake, the present and m" passion.Malu: /oure sa"ing - wasnt dreaming1Minmin: Cust believe "ou were dreaming, all those things dont belong to "ou an"wa".Malu: %hen what about "esterda"1 /esterda" evening1Minmin: 3hat about "esterda" evening1Malu: /ou ame to me1 )r did "ou not1Minmin: 3hat are "ou talking about1Malu: Damn. /ouve messed me up7 #ow an "ou do that1 7Minmin: &re "ou re!erring to that night1Malu: (ight.Minmin: /ou didnt like it1Malu: 8o7 - reall" dont know i! its "ou who is ra$" or i! its me.Minmin: -ts not important. -ts all !inished now.Malu: 3hats !inished is "ou and that gu". 8ow we an begin.Minmin: %here is no =we.> &!terward theres onl" =me.>Malu: - wont leave "ou, and - wont let "ou leave me.Minmin: Dont tr" to ompete with me in speaking sweet nothings.Malu: 3ait and see, 6ust wait and see.&t A-AMalu has cleaned himself up and is dressed nicely. "ei#i and a!ian stand beside him.Malu: &ll white things beome as blak as ink and !eel in!erior next to "ou. &ll ignorant birds andbeasts are in extreme despair sine the" ant speak "our name . . . . .Heizi: #ow long are "ou going to repeat those two lines1Daxian: #e 6ust !inished writing them. #e hasnt !igured out what omes next so all he an do is mumble them over and over again.Heizi: #ow boring. Listening to it makes m" ears ith. HPulls out a math and piks at his earI Dont touh me7 Move awa" !rom me a bit.Daxian: Dont worr". - wont touh "ou.Heizi: %hen move awa" !rom me a bit, "ou make me nervous.Malu: $'inally comes up with the ne!t line% &t eah intersetion the polie hange the light to green in order to let "ou pass throughEDaxian: $Taps "ei#i with his arm% #e", thats not bad.Heizi: $)houts% )ww7 - told "ou not to touh me7Daxian: - !orgot.Heizi: /ou !orgot7 -m going to be dea!7 Dont touh me again7Daxian: 3ont happen.$"ei#i doesnt trust him and moves off a ways. Toothbrush runs in madly.%Toothbrush: &nother ones gone ra$", another one. Daxian, do "ou know what happened. #ei$i7 H#ei$i stands with his bak toward the others, piking his ear. %oothbrush smaks him on the bak. #ei$i ries out pain!ull". %oothbrush pa"s him no attentionI Malu7 Do "ou know1 Do "ou know1Daxian: 3hos gone ra$"1 /ou1Toothbrush: #ong #ong.Heizi: $+overs his ears and comes over. 'rom now on he always picks at his ear as if he cant hear. 5n a loud voice.% 3ho1Toothbrush: Muiet7Heizi: 3hat did "ou sa"1Toothbrush: Muiet down7 ,arl" this morning #ong #ong ame to !ind me and poured out her heart shes !allen in love with Malu7 %he whole morning - was selling e"ebrow twee$ers and wherever - went she !ollowed me, - nearl" pluked her e"ebrows lean o!! . . . . . . $5mitating "ong "ong% =%ell me again, tell me again7 %ell me how impressive Malus e"ebrows are, how attrative his teeth are, how sex" his leg hair is> . . . Malus sikness hasnt been ured, and nowshes gone ra$" too.Daxian: %hats to sa" Malu isnt onl" sik, but also ontagious. $)miles%Heizi: 3hats so !unn"1 -! - have to listen to him sing that song again -m going to go ra$" m"sel!. -m leaving.$'rom outside the gate "ong "ong calls out, 3 Malu, its me, "ong "ong.3%Toothbrush: Borget it. %he lunati is here. -m gone.Daxian: -m also out o! here.$The group e!its. 6nter "ong "ong. )he acts out the scene of delivering food to Malu on a rainyday and in&uring her leg as she slips and falls onto the road.%Malu: 3h" did "ou ome here again1 7Hon Hon: )ur stor" still hasnt ome to its end.Malu: Didnt - alread" tell "ou that -m not interested in "our stor"7 %his nonsense o! delivering !ood in the rain and slipping, this in6uring "our leg . . .Hon Hon: -! "ou dont like it we an hange it to another kind o! stor"7 8o matter what this stor" is better than the one where "ou save the hild and get hit b" the truk, isnt it1Malu: 3h" do - have to get hit b" a truk1Hon Hon: %hats 6ust one possibilit", in li!e, an"thing an happen.Malu: /oure sa"ing that an"thing an happen in a soap opera.Hon Hon: 3hats more, ma"be "oull wake up tomorrow morning and !ind that "ou love me the most.Malu: /oure 6oking.Hon Hon: %he audiene wont like "ou i! "ou dont hange "our lovers. )r "oull beome more miserable when "ou reali$e that the seretar" "ou love has no sense o! honour, looks up to the rih but down upon the poor, lives above her means, ends up having an a!!air with her boss. thats when "oull learn !rom the pain!ul experiene that #ong #ong is as pure as the driven snow . . . . . .Malu: 8onsense7Hon Hon: #ow is it nonsense1Malu: 5pare me the su!!ering o! "our vulgar soap operas7 Dont "ou ever dare slander Mingmingwith that pak o! lies again.Hon Hon: #ow did - slander her1 Cust a moment ago when - ame up here - saw her getting out o! some gu"s Meredes with m" own e"es. -n her hand she was holding a big gi!t. #e looked like he was older than her big brother, but "ounger than her !ather. 5he told me hersel! that he was her boss.Malu: 5he spoke to "ou1Hon Hon: - onl" are about how the plot develops, so naturall" - asked her a !ew questions. 5he admitted that the" were lovers, and added that he has a wi!e.Malu: Li!e an reall" imitate a soap opera.Hon Hon: Li!e alwa"s imitates soap operas. -! "ou dont believe me "ou an go ask her "oursel!. 5hes beome so used to it she doesnt even tr" to hide it. 5he 6ust takes it !or granted.Malu: -m not the kind o! person that an 6ust go and ask her. Perhaps be!ore -d have gotten so mad that -d have gone ra$". 0ut now . . . is this real1 )r is this still one o! "our soap operas1 -ts all the same to me. -t wont make me hange m" mind even slightl".> - wont leave "ou, and -wont let "ou leave me.> 3ait until - know what makes "ou happ", then "oull be mine !orever. -m 6ust missing a little bit. /oull wait !or me !or sure.$6!its%Hon Hon: #ong #ong, "oure luks run out. /ouve !ailed. %o think, me, #ong #ong, who struggled in the entertainment business !or deades. who nobod" ould ome lose to in one bithiness, two harm, or three purit", has suddenl" !ound hersel! !alling !or someone who ares !or a blak rhinoeros. - never thought -d see the da". 5top, stop, stop . . . -m o!!7&t AAMany people are standing in a row. The photographer is ad&usting his camera in preparation. Toothbrush, a!ian, Malu and everyone are all well7dressed. "ei#i, wearing a black tu!edo, stands in the middle. The brides place is vacant.Toothbrush: - agree marriage is the onl" wa" to put hair on his hest. Brom this point o! viewit seems like marriage has at least one redeeming point.Malu: 5ome people reah the end o! their mission in li!e quiker than others.Toothbrush: - thought !ul!illing ones mission well was more important than !ul!illing it quikl". #ei$i is too impatient. #e ant wait !or the pie to ool and ut a slie, hes got to wol! it down in one gulp . . .$The gathering looks at him. Toothbrush reali#es that hes said something wrong%%hats great7Heizi: Lil" sa"s that we should marr" quikl", that our marriage will ross the enturies, and our hild will be born in the new entur".Daxian: & rabbit runs home, a ship returns to port, now 4hina has lost another rake.Malu: 'er" good.!o"e Counsellor: 5oiet" has rid itsel! o! another destabili$ing !ator.Daxian: 'er" good.Dire&tor: %his is whats alled =turning ideas into realit".> -ts the onl" negative point about thosewho believe in experiening things !irsthand.Heizi: 3h" isnt Lil" out here "et1Dire&tor: &ording to most women, the wedding eremon" is a guaranteed opportunit" !or her to pla" the leading role, so naturall" shes going to make ever"one wait a little while.Heizi: -n a little while the"ll announe the winner o! the =0ig 4lok> lotter" tiket7Toothbrush: /ou think "ou an get both a prett" wi!e and a load o! ash1Heizi: -ts alled =double happiness7>Toothbrush: %he sa"ing is: =luk" in love, unluk" at ards1>$"ong "ong, in a bridesmaids dress, runs onto the scene.%Hon Hon: 5hes oming. 5hes oming. %he bride is oming.$The gathering stands and separates to let *ily through. )he wears a cutting7edge wedding dress.%Gatherin: %rul" beauti!ul7!il%: - ant !ind m" earring7 #as an"one seen m" earring1'hotora#her: *ather round, gather round. /ou didnt have them when "ou were born. Lets take the piture.!il%: -m missing an earring. -ts a diamond earring7Heizi: Lets take the pitures !irst.!il%: 3hat did - 6ust sa"1 M" earring is missing. -! - havent got m" earring how an - take a piture17!o"e Counsellor: %his is what - was 6ust talking about the bride and grooms !irst quarrel. Look at them. %he"re !ighting over who will wear the pants in the !amil".$"ong "ong is constantly trying to stand beside Malu. Malu shuns her.%Heizi: - was wrong. -ll take "ou to bu" a new one in 6ust a bit.$"ei#i and *ily return to the group.%'hotora#her: *ood, good. ,ver"one pa" attention. Look here7 Look a bit happier7The gathering stands ga#ing at the photographer while he smiles e!aggeratedly. The music starts. The gathering begins to sing in chorus.%his is an age o! too man" things%his is an age o! too muh emotion%his is an age o! too muh knowledge%his is an age o! too muh in!ormation%his is an age o! intellet and reason%his is an age o! sinerit" and pragmatism3e have too man" tasks to do3e have too man" things to learn3e have too man" voies to listen to3e have too man" desires to !ul!illLove is a andle, giving "ou light,5nu!!ed out with one gust o! wind.Love is a bird in !light, deorating the sene*one with a hange in weather.Love is a !reshl" blooming !lower, thrilling with its sent,3ithered a!ter Ma".Love is a rainbow, a multitude o! splendid olours,& twinkling hoax, evaporated b" the !irst ra"s o! the sun.Love is so wonder!ul, but deliate to the touh.Love is so wonder!ul, but deliate to the touh.As soon as the flash goes off everyones face lights up and they rush over to the side of the stage.Dire&tor: 8ow we greet the arrival o! the new entur". 3eve suess!ull" !inished building the worlds largest lok. -t stands rok2solid, indestrutible, a mani!estation o! humanit"s wisdom and strength. %he lotter" tikets issued in its name have alread" brought in !ive million /uan. & mirale will our toda". & mirale will our at this moment. #ow man" hundreds o! millions o! pairs o! e"es are ga$ing at us right now, ga$ing at this spot, wathing this mirale drawing loserand loser1 +pon whose head will the worldl" pri$e !all1 3ho will be the new entur"s luk" one1 7Resident A: -! - win the mone" - will build the =4entur" o! #ope> shool in m" hometown.Resident B: -! - win the mone", -ll use all o! it to build up a relationship between the new entur" and extraterrestrials.Resident C: -ll ontribute m" meager strength toward !ighting air pollution.Resident D: -ll use it all to ompletel" repa" a debt.Resident E: 0u" diamond earrings7Resident F: *o abroad.Resident G: 0u" a house.Resident H: 0u" a pile o! 'iagra.$rum roll.%Dire&tor: %he mirale, we are about to reeive the mirale.$On the screen numbers begin to flash, finally stopping on a number. Malu &umps out from the crowd. "e walks slowly up to the raised platform. The crowd all raise their heads and look on dully.%Malu: )ne has to believe in mirales. $8aises the lottery ticket in his hand. The crowd cheers. Malus friends holler wildly.%Heizi: -ts Malu7 -ts Malu7!il%: 3hat a great da"7Daxian: -m in the proess o! omputing the probabilities7Hon Hon: - love "ou7Toothbrush: %he sa"ing is: =luk" at ards, unluk" in love7>Heizi: - also want to be unluk" in love7Dire&tor: Luk" gu", whats "our name1Malu: Malu.Dire&tor: 4ongratulations.Malu: %hanks.Dire&tor: &!ter are!ul examination it is without a doubt that Malus lotter" tiket is indeed the winner. #eres !ive million /uan in ash7$Malu receives a bo!. The crowd cheers.%Dire&tor: Ma" - ask "ou what "our plans are !or the mone"1Malu: #onestl" speaking, the mone" isnt o! muh use to me . . . . . .Heizi: *ive it to me7Malu: & total o! one tenth. - promise to give m" best !riends a portion . . .$"ei#i, Toothbrush, and a!ian cheer.%Malu: . . . . . . Bor %ula the rhinoeros -ll bu" an &!rian !emale rhinos so he an have a ompanion.Dire&tor: %hats ertainl" an imaginative idea. &n" others1$Malu doesnt reply. )uddenly he picks up the money and dashes off.%Crowd: 3heres he going1 3heres he o!! to1Dire&tor: Bollow him. *et the amera on him.Daxian and the rest: Malu7 3ait7Hon Hon: M" shoe, m" shoe !ell o!!7!il%: 3ho stepped on m" skirt7Crowd: 3here is he going1A: #es going to hide the mone"7B: #es tr"ing to avoid a debt1C: #es tr"ing to avoid lending it out7Dire&tor: $8uns and talks at the same time% #es alread" run aross !ive avenues, leaving the rowd behind him. Cudging !rom the wa" he 6ogs, !rom his posture and his ph"sial strength, some experts suspet that he is a hampion marathon runner. 3e are diligentl" olleting bakground material on Malu. Malu has now turned down an alle" and arrived in !ront o! a building. #es going upstairs . . . . .Malu: Mingming, open the door. -ts me Malu7 Mingming7Dire&tor: $6!citedly% #es knoking on a door. #es alling a persons name7 $The crowd pursues him, panting.%Malu: Mingming, an "ou hear me1 -ts me, Malu, open the door7 - told m"sel! that i! - an make "ou happ", then - wont ever have to leave "ou, and that - wouldnt let "ou leave me. -ve been preparing !or a ver" long time. -ve studied the omputer, ,nglish. - even !inished a training ourse on love. 8ow - !inall" have enough mone". Mingming, the mone" is useless, but i! it an make "ou happ" then it does have a use. -ts all "ours7$The crowd cheers.%Dire&tor: 3ho is Mingming1 3ho is Mingming1 Muik, get me bakground material7Malu: 3hat are "ou all heering about1 3h" are "ou heering1 M" hearts heering so muh its about to burst, but - dare sa" that we are not heering the same thing7 0elieve me, heaven !avours the brave and the strong, those !ull o! a!!etion !or another. -! "ou love something, desiresomething, believe me, 6ust go love it, 6ust go desire it, so long as "our desire is strong enough "ou are invinible7 Mingming, - want to give "ou happiness7 & happiness like no one has ever known7$Mingming appears in the window.%Minmin: - dont want it.Dire&tor: 3hat did she sa"1 3hat did she sa"1 - ant hear learl".Minmin: /oure rih. the others are also rih. 3h" should - want "our mone" when - dont even want to give "ou the things "ou want !rom me1Malu: 8o, - dont want an"thing !rom "ou. - must give "ou something. - must give "ou happiness.Minmin: %hanks, but "ou go and use it !or "oursel!.Malu: 3hat1 3hat are "ou sa"ing1Minmin: - said - dont want it "our mone" or "our happiness.Malu: 3h"1Minmin: /oud better go use the mone" to do things that make "ou happ".Malu: %he onl" thing that makes me happ" is "ou7Minmin: %hen - reall" dont want it.Malu: 3h"1 Didnt "ou tell me that "ou didnt need mone", that "ou didnt like mone", that "ou ould get mone" b" being someone elses mistress1 3h" is m" mone" an" di!!erent !rom theirs1Minmin: - dont want "our mone". 4an "ou !ore me to take it1 -m willing to be a whore in order to get mone", but its got nothing to do with "ou. - ant bear the pure look on "our !ae. - dont love "ou. - dont want to hear "ou pour out "our heart out into m" ears ever" da". - dont want it beause - dont want "ou to have this power over me. Do "ou understand1$Mingming walks away from the window.%Malu: %hen what use is it to me1Daxian: Dont listen to her7 -! some people are so naturall" despiable, that the" turn the good intentions o! someone into shit, then the best thing "ou an do is to treat them like shit.Toothbrush: (ight7 5hes worthless. ,ven i! she swears she loves "ou, "ou should never believe her. 3hat an attitude7Malu: &ll the smells have vanished. %he sent o! lemon hewing gum, the sent o! photoopier on her bod", the smell o! the leather wallet. M" nose ant smell a thing. -m starting to doubt m"sel!, starting to doubt the love - have !or her, starting to doubt ever"thing. . . 3hat is there to show me -m still me1 3hat is there to show me -m still alive1 %his isnt a question o! whether tolove or not, but a kind o! ontest. 8ot a ontest between her and m"sel!, but a ontest between ever"thing and me. %hat - never had an"thing isnt important, but now that - reali$e -ve lost. - have to tuk m" tail between m" legs and obe". - will alwa"s ompromise with li!e, beome 6ust another normal person in "our e"es, onl" take those things whih li!e gives easil". %o struggle !or happiness in the shadows is meaningless. -d rather do nothing.Heizi: Bool.Malu: $Toward Mingmings room behind the window% Mingming, - know, that !or me this is a lot o! mone" and that to others its mere hange. 0ut the" ant ompare to me in one thing: - ouldgive it all up !or "ou. the" ant.$Malu finishes his speech and gently lays down the bo! of money. 6!its. The crowd watches him dumbfounded, then suddenly surround the bo!.%&t AA-The rhinoceros enclosure.Malu: &ll the other rhinos have gone. Dont "ou !eel lonel" here1 %he new rhinoeros enlosure is prett" good, spaious, bright, well ventilated. %ana, the white rhino has settled in down there. %heres a newl" purhased male rhino that is ver" gentle and "oung. #e spends ever" da" uriousl" looking the plae over, making are!ul advanes toward %ana. Dont "ou want to go have a look1 &ll "ou have to do is go niel" into that age !ull o! apples and bananas. the"ll lose the door and take "ou over there. 3h" do "ou alwa"s go up to the age and turn awa", not willing to go in1 %he"ve alread" been waiting !or a whole month. - an tell that the"re starting to lose their patiene. %he diretor said that i! "ou are still unwilling to go into the age b" tomorrow, hes going to get the tranquilli$er gun. Look, this gun here7 Do "ou want people to treat "ou like this1 Poor %ula. - know "ou dont get along with an"one, 6ust like me and Daxian, %oothbrush and the others. 3e onl" sta"ed together out o! boredom. 0ut now the"re onvined that -m a lunati and dont even give me the time o! da". /ou should be more like the other rhinos and bow to "our destin", then "ou wont be depressed. #ow hard is it to obe" destin"1 - think most people 6ust naturall" do that. 5o long as others do it "ou should 6ust do the same and itll all be !ine. %hats wh" were not welomed b" others. 3e should probabl" use the tranquilli$er gun. - also thought about giving up man" times, but when - thought about it, m" bod" began to ahe all over. )ne - reali$ed that this pain would never leave me, one - reali$edthat m" e"es would beome li!eless beause o! it, - got sared. Loving her was the best thing -ve ever done.$Mingming enters.%Malu: Mingming.Minmin: -m leaving. - ame to sa" goodb"e.Malu: /oure leaving1Minmin: #eaven !avours the brave, the strong, those who are !ull o! a!!etion !or someone.Malu: /oure going to go look !or that gu"1Minmin: - also thought about giving up man" times, but when - thought about it, m" bod" began to ahe all over. )ne - reali$ed that this pain would never leave me, one - reali$ed that the expression in m" e"es would beome li!eless beause o! it, - got sared. Loving him was thebest thing that -ve ever done.Malu: 3hat are "ou sa"ing1Minmin: - 6ust heard "ou sa" that a moment ago.Malu: %hen "ou understand1Minmin: - understood the whole thing.Malu: /ou still want to leave1Minmin: -m leaving.Malu: %hen "ou didnt understand. - wont leave "ou, and - wont let "ou leave me7 $Malu suddenly lunges at Mingming. "e grabs some rope to tie her up. Mingming struggles with all hermight.%Malu: - told "ou that -m the kind o! person who alwa"s keeps m" word. %hat night it was "ou who pleaded with me to never leave "ou, and not let "ou leave me, so "ou shouldve reali$ed earlier that "ou ant esape me. -ll hase "ou to the ends o! the earth7 Dont struggle. 5truggling is useless. 3e are doomed to die together7Minmin: /oure a lunati. Let go o! me. Do "ou still not understand1 - dont want to be with "ou7 #elp7 5omebod" help me7$Malu stops her from struggling and strikes her hard on the neck. Mingming passes out and collapses into his chest.%&t AA--Mingming is blindfolded and tied to a chair. Malu, is sitting beside her.Malu: Dusk is the worst time !or m" vision. M" e"e wanders to the bus" street. &ll - see are prett" girls. %he buildings and streets are shi!ting in and out o! !ous. its like being in a movie:/oure standing on the orner o! the stairs. %heres a strange, !ragrant sent. -ts a little warm. -t smells strange. -ts onl" when it brushes against "our bod" that "ou notie that "oure r"ing. %hats when it all started.#ow an - possibl" make "ou understand that - love "ou this muh1 5ilentl" bear it and swallow m" tears1 5hout it at the top o! m" lungs until -m hoarse and ollapse !rom exhaustion1 4urse m"sel! bitterl" be!ore the mirror1 (ush into "our o!!ie and knok "ou to the !loor1 *o to universit", get a PhD and beome an author1 *ive m"sel! up !or lost and be pitied b" others !rom now on1 4hek into a mental hospital and love "ou until - atuall" have a breakdown1 *et lovesik1 )r should - set m"sel! on !ire beneath "our window1 Mingming, tell me what - should do. /oure smart, lever, quik2witted and silver2tongued, !oolish be"ond ompare. M" love, m" Mingming . . .$Malu takes off Mingmings blindfold. Tula cries out directly in front of Mingming.%Minmin: 3hat are "ou doing1 *o awa"7 *et rid o! this rhinoeros7Malu: %his is %ula, m" best and also m" last ompanion. Mingming, - want to give "ou ever"thing, but - dont have a thing in the world. - want to give it all up !or "ou, but -ve got nothing to give up. Mone", status, glor". without these kinds o! things m" little bit o! sel!2respet means nothing. -! this were the Middle &ges, - ould go be a knight and write "our name in eah it" that - onquered. -! this were the desert, - would drain m" last drop o! blood to moisten "our parhed lips. -! - were an astronomer, theres be a star named Mingming. -! - were a poet, all sounds would sing !or "ou. -! - were a 6udge, -d be guided b" "our likes and dislikes. -! - were a priest, there would be no better heaven than "ou. -! - were a sentr", eah harater o! "our name would be m" password. -! - were a deposed emperor, -d ignore the sneers o! the people to see "ou one last time. -! - were a killer who killed without remorse, the" would beg "ou to ontrol me. 0ut -m nothing, 6ust an average person. 3hat an an ordinar" person like me do !or"ou1$Malu suddenly pulls out a knife and plunges it into Tula9 :lood wells up and spurts forth. Tula lets out a terrified howl. A violent rage fills Malu. Mingming screams and shouts at the top of herlungs.%Malu: Dont be a!raid, %ula, - want to take "ou awa", up above the pond, up above the glen, aross the mountains and the !orest, aross the louds and the sea, aross the other side o! thesun, aross those gossamer louds, aross the boundless limits o! the starr" universe and plae"ou above li!e itsel!. -n !ront o! "ou is the vast &!rian savannah. %he setting sun hangs !rom the gira!!es prolonged nek. & m"riad o! li!e glows with the approah o! the rain" season.$Malu lifts the gun and kills Tula. Tulas giant body slumps and slowly falls over. Mingming watches in panicked silence as Malu takes a knife and moves toward Tula. Taking the knife, he plunges it in and pulls out Tulas bloody heart.%Malu: %hese are the last things - an give "ou, %ulas heart, and me. 4an "ou aept them1 Mingming, m" dear, gentle, sweet . . .$Mingmings face is full of tears. )he cannot speak.%Malu: &ll white things beome as blak as ink and !eel in!erior next to "ou. &ll ignorant birds andbeasts are in extreme despair sine the" ant speak "our name. &t eah intersetion the polie hange the light to green in order to let "ou pass through.&ll per!etl" aligned ompasses point out "our position to me./oure the wind that leaves no trae/oure the wind that brushes over m" bod"/oure the wind that never reveals a thing/oure the wind thats ever"where- love "ou so muh Mingming.$Malu grasps Mingming.%Minmin: /ou !inished writing "our poem. -ts beauti!ul, what a shame.$A searchlight suddenly shines in. A siren wails. Many people rush into the rhinoceros enclosure. They look upon the scene dumbfounded, not actually daring to approach.%'oli&e: Malu, release the hostage immediatel". (aise "our hands in the air and surrender. 3eve got "ou surrounded7Heizi and the others: Malu7$Malu all is aloof to what is happening around him. "e hugs Mingming Mingming sits motionless; her eyes stare off into the distance. )he suddenly starts to sing.%Minmin:5mile at me, like when we met !or the !irst time5peak to me, even i! "our vows hange tomorrow#old me tight, on this night thats so old%hink o! me, in that "ear "ou began to !eel old%he "ears that will pass will pass,-n the end it will onl" be me b" "our side.%he "ears that will pass will pass,-n the end it will onl" be me b" "our side.5mile at me, like when we met !or the !irst time5peak to me, even i! "our vows hange tomorrow#old me tight, on this night thats so old%hink o! me, in that "ear "ou began to !eel old.Minmin and Malu:/ou were di!!erent, unique, so!t, lean like the sk"./ou were m" warm glove, m" ie2old beer./ou arried the !ragrane o! a shirt laundered in the sun. "ou were a never2ending dream./ou were haste, naive, like glass./ou were haste, naive, nothing ould dirt" "ou./ou were haste, naive, nothing ould hange "ou,5unlight passed through "ou and hanged its diretionM" love, m" love, m" love, m" love.End