Golden Orchid
by Jack Fritscher and Jean Wang
Golden Orchid is a screenplay I wrote in the mid-1990s about a woman history nearly erased twice — once by her own time, and once by ours. Her name was Sai Jinhua, a Chinese courtesan who rose, by wit and self-possession rather than birth, to become the wife of a Qing dynasty envoy and a fixture of fin-de-siècle Berlin society. I built the film around a framing device I loved: an old, poor widow in 1936 Beijing, cornered by two journalists and a young photographer hungry for her life story, telling it to them — and to us — in her own voice, on her own terms, sixty years compressed into a single afternoon of memory.
What drew me to her wasn’t the exotic surface of the story but the woman underneath it — a girl who watched her father collapse and die mid-performance, who was later mythologized, fairly or not, for supposedly helping save Beijing lives in the chaos after the Boxer Rebellion, and who ended her days in genuine poverty despite having once moved among generals and diplomats. She’s never a victim in her own telling, even when the facts around her are tragic — a lost child, an assassination, a fortune that simply evaporated. The screenplay was set up for production in China, with all the excitement that implies, before the deal fell through, the way film deals so often do.
The title Golden Orchid is her name in translation; but the line that I like best is one she speaks near the very end, reaching for the one thing perpetually out of reach — “‘Water from the Moon’… is… something… anything… we can never have!” It’s as close as I’ve come to writing a woman’s whole life into a single image. The full screenplay is available below to read or download.
This screenplay carries two names because it began as two people’s work. Jean Wang, a classmate of mine in a screenwriting course, brought me an outline and the industry contacts that gave the project real momentum toward production; I took her premise and wrote the finished screenplay from it. We share credit on the script itself. I’ve long since lost touch with Jean and don’t know where she is today, but the collaboration is part of this story’s history, and her name belongs beside mine wherever Golden Orchid appears. In transparency, I am posting this so Jean Wang can contact me.
Also Available as PDF
GOLDEN ORCHID
by Jack Fritscher and Jean Wang
EXT. THE MOON GATE OF SUZHOU — EVENING
Opening title credits appear over this Moon Gate and continue over the following action and dialog.
Subtitle on screen reads SUZHOU PROVINCE, CHINA, 1892
The sounds of actors playing to an outdoor audience can be heard.
EXT. BACKSTAGE — EVENING
Opening title credits continue to appear over this action and dialog.
A troop of provincial players prepares for the evening performance amid background music and fireworks. Backstage, a final ray of the setting sun catches GOLDEN ORCHID, age 12, delicately painting the bridge of her FATHER’s nose using a brush made memorable with red silk strings. Her MOTHER looks on, pleased. Merriment underscores her father’s comic reputation, but Golden Orchid remains intently serious. Fanfare sounds loudly from the stage. Her Father kisses her hand and exits out to the stage over the shoulder of Golden Orchid who tangles the pretty red silk strings from the brush in her delicate fingers.
ANGLE ON STAGE FROM BACKSTAGE GOLDEN ORCHID’S P.O.V.
On the stage, Golden Orchid’s clown-father performs the comic role in the play titled, “Make a Composition.” The audience cheers. Golden Orchid moves closer to the stage, shy, hiding in the wings, watching her father. She notices her father looks funnier than ever. She can’t help smiling the smile that breaks her seriousness. Suddenly, her father turns his back to the audience for three beats beyond comedy. The audience shouts, boos, throws vegetables at the stage. Golden Orchid registers helpless terror and confusion. Her father turns toward her to turn back to face his audience. The paint on his face is smeared. Suddenly blood spurts out of his nose, mouth, eyes. He collapses on floor. Golden Orchid runs to kneel next to him. Chaos is all around her stillness. She drops the brush with the red silk strings.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Father!
The last of the sunset across the stage fades on screen to blood red.
EXT. PEASANT COTTAGE OF GOLDEN ORCHID — EVENING
Subtitle on screen reads BEIJING, CHINA, 1936
Early evening mist gathers along the path leading to the cottage from which an older woman’s voice–hoarse but sweet–can be heard singing along with a traditional tune of Suzhou Province played on a gramophone. Occasional sprinkles fall from the approach of a drenching rain storm.
Abruptly, the tranquillity of the scene explodes into a blinding white, screen-filling flash of magnesium and the loud popping sound of a camera. The gramophone jumps its grooves and lurches down in speed as if someone inside the cottage bumped it.
JOURNALIST #1
(Speaking to nervous FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHER who indicates her camera flash shot off accidentally)
I warned you not to frighten her. She is old. She is honorable. Save your film.
JOURNALIST #1 approaches door and is about to ring the rusty door bell when a woman’s voice calls out suspiciously from behind the door.
GOLDEN ORCHID (O.S.)
Who is it? Coming! Coming!
Golden Orchid pulls the door open to reveal her 58-year-old face. A second magnesium flash illuminates her so brightly she covers her face which is still very beautiful. The female photographer pretends a mock apology. The gramophone squeaks out another sound then dies. The sound of thunder rumbles in the dusk.
JOURNALIST #2
Please excuse our young photographer.
JOURNALIST #1
Madame, forgive us. But you are Mrs. Envoy, Golden Orchid?
JOURNALIST #2
You are the wife of the former Envoy to Germany, the honorable scholar, Hong Wenqing?
A gust of wind brings sudden rain. JOURNALIST #1 and JOURNALIST #2 and the FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER crowd past Golden Orchid into her cottage. Golden Orchid, rather resigned, with a gesture, allows them to pass.
INT. BEIJING, PEASANT COTTAGE OF GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
GOLDEN ORCHID
(With weary good humor)
Please, come in…Now that you are in. I tell you young gentlemen always “no,” but young gentlemen have never understood “no.”
(To the young female Photographer)
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
And you! These days young women are so will full…I like that. You, sit down. Here. By me.
The journalists and photographer laugh nervously. They are obviously over-eager to get their story. They employ the shameless enthusiasm of the young.
JOURNALIST #1
Tell us, please, Mrs. Envoy, about the German General Waldersee…and his nephew, Maximilian of Coberg.
JOURNALIST #2
…and how you saved so many thousands of Chinese lives in Beijing during the revolutionary summer of madness.
JOURNALIST #1
You are China!
Golden Orchid, does a double-take of disbelief at the blatant flattery. She conveys she has not lost her sense of humor and that she is nobody’s fool.
JOURNALIST #2
Mrs. Envoy, you are history itself!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Phuuu! I have been swept away by history.
JOURNALIST #1
You marched into history. You were the wife of the Chinese ambassador to Germany. You knew the Empress Dowager.
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
In the Paris newspapers, they printed your photograph. You danced with the foreign barbarians in Berlin.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Ah! I was no more than a sing-song girl on a flower boat in the old time before the world changed…
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
(Intoned with a bit of self-righteousness)
Madam, the law now forbids a woman to be a man’s concubine. You were accused of conducting “whore diplomacy.” I hope you have regrets!
The two male journalists give the impertinent photographer a disciplinary look to soften her lack of tact. Golden Orchid breathes out a small huff of comic recognition that in matters of control nothing ever changes. At this point, she takes subtle but firm charge of these eager young journalists.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I was a concubine. Not a whore. I have no regrets, only memories, but…
(Golden Orchid, confidant of her well-trained skills at beguiling conversation, teases, with subtle pleasure, the curiosity of these three young people)
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
…you can’t possibly want to hear.
JOURNALIST #2
Mrs. Envoy, please, we have brought some food, some cakes, some drink…
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Sweetly ironic)
You want to wine and dine me? Ah, what’s the harm. I’m as poor as proud. Sit down. Rainy nights are long. I will entertain you. Born an actress, I will die an actress, but I assure you I am far from dead. Once upon a time in the world, in the old way the world was, it was my turn…
EXT. THE COURT YARD OF GOLDEN ORCHID — AFTERNOON
Subtitle on screen reads SUZHOU PROVINCE, CHINA, 1892.
A statue of KUANYIN, GODDESS OF MERCY, overlooks the poverty of the court-yard laundry which is a casually beautiful place of a hundred wooden poles and colorful clothes. Golden Orchid singing a pretty little song to herself carries a bucket of water to her MOTHER who squats by the well pounding wet clothes. Mother looks old, worn, and crushed by the three burdens of widowhood, of a pretty daughter (age 15) with no future, and of a disobedient son (age 18) who has an unfortunate authority as “the man in the house.” Golden Orchid and her mother survive by washing other people’s clothes. Their brother and son, LAI SHENG, is as handsome as his sister, Golden Orchid, is pretty; he has taken up the newly introduced habit of smoking cigarets and he squints his dazzling bright eyes against the smoke. Lai Sheng leans against a wall watching Golden Orchid. He always seems to be hiding something up his extraordinarily long sleeves where his hands are molding a piece of clay which he turns into a life-like girl figure that he places on a stone table.
LAI SHENG
(Peering like a pimp at his sister)
Women on whore boats earn much money every day.
Golden Orchid and mother are shocked.
MOTHER
Sorry to say you’re my only son.
Golden Orchid throws a wet towel at the clay figure which she knocks over. Lai Sheng merely smiles. Mother struggles to stand up.
MOTHER (CONT’D)
If your father were alive…
GOLDEN ORCHID
O-mi-ta-fu! May he rest in peace.
LAI SHENG
I’m the man now.
Mother slaps him.
MOTHER
Beast!
Mother falls to the ground. Golden Orchid rushes to her and dares to cast a warning look at her brother.
LAI SHENG
(Quite the unperturbed worldly boy)
Someone must earn money for this family. Who better than she?
MOTHER
(Beside herself with rage, facing the statue of Kuanyin)
Goddess of Mercy! What sin I committed that makes our family having such a beast!
EXT. THE MOON GATE OF SUZHOU — DAY
On a kiosk near the famous Moon Gate, hang newspapers in many European languages. An English newspaper headline reads CHINA-GERMANY ACCORDS. It has rained during the night. The street is wet. Dressed all in white, Golden Orchid steps through the circular opening in the huge stone Moon Gate. In a grassy park, three children fly kites. One kite is red, white, and blue suggesting an American presence; a second kite resembles the British flag; the third kite flies the heraldic German eagle. Golden Orchid walks down the cobbled street of a fashionable neighborhood populated with upper-class Europeans. Two German ladies, dressed in the Parisian style, stand chatting outside a French restaurant. A French couple–a man and a woman–emerge laughing gaily from the restaurant. The French woman carries a new hat box. The French couple exchange pleasantries with the two ladies. The four speak a combination of German and French “hello’s,” then laugh and speak English. The French gentleman, taken by the beauty of Golden Orchid, who is passing along the sidewalk, turns as Golden Orchid walks by. As he turns, his umbrella catches the skirt of one of the women, and they all laugh. The gentleman walks to the kiosk to buy a foreign newspaper, and the three ladies look approvingly after the young, beautiful Golden Orchid.
EXT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, IN FRONT OF DOOR — DAY
The street is wet from the night rain. Lai Sheng stands near the front door of the brothel smoking and betting with other hustling young men who carry sedan chairs. Fu Jia Ban, the most famous brothel in Suzhou, is quiet after a night of business. The prostitutes and whore masters, maids, and servants are still asleep as the sun approaches noon. One of the sedan men points down the street and whistles a cat call at the girl approaching up the street stepping around the rain puddles. Lai Sheng shoves the sedan man. The girl, dressed in plain white clothes, is Golden Orchid.
LAI SHENG
I warned you not to be late!
In the brilliant blue noon sky, a high-flying single red kite, symbolizing China, has broken loose from its string, and wafts slowly, delicately downward.
Golden Orchid walks resolutely past Lai Sheng without acknowledging him. At the door itself, she stops. Lai Sheng, a big man in front of his pals, pushes Golden Orchid through the door. Immediately inside, they meet MOTHER FU who walks around Golden Orchid making careful assessment. Lai Sheng is eager to be gone.
MOTHER FU
(Unable to take her eyes off Golden Orchid)
Lai Sheng, you are blind, perhaps as a brother should be.
LAI SHENG
Yes, Mother Fu.
Mother Fu hands him a bag of money and laughs at his eager greed.
MOTHER FU
Take your pay. If you could truly see your sister, you would have described her far better. Had you described her as she truly is, Mother Fu would have paid you twice your price and still been happy. You failed to value the only property you had to sell.
LAI SHENG
(Obscenely)
Kiss me, Mother Fu!
MOTHER FU
(Sarcastically)
I like boys like you. You will come to no good, and you will spend all your “hard-earned” money here at Mother Fu’s brothel.
Mother Fu touches Golden Orchid’s cheek.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
I will teach you, mmmm, all the ways to outsmart men.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — BEFORE DUSK
Almost ritualistically, Golden Orchid stands before a long mirror wearing a long silk dress with jade adornments on her head. Mother Fu, the procuress herself, is so taken with the possibilities of Golden Orchid that she is completing the styling of Golden Orchid’s black hair with an exquisite comb. A servant girl, CUI’ER, stands aside waiting, learning as Madame Fu divides Golden Orchid’s long hair into three parts with a bone fork. MAID SERVANT #1 stands near by.
MOTHER FU
I look at you and I see money. Good thing! Never have I spent so much money to buy a girl. I only spent five to six hundred taels of silver for Tao Hong and Gui Hua. Even high-and-mighty Miss Wen Xiang not over one thousand.
Several drops of water fall on the neck of Golden Orchid who seems to flinch.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Don’t move! I must create your “look.”
Through the window, a golden beam of setting sun shines on the dead-calm face of Golden Orchid. Curiously, she seems a ghost of her lively self. Cui’er stands idly by holding a wooden bowl. No one notices that from both long white sleeves of Golden Orchid’s dress two streams of deep red blood have begun to drip.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Living on our profession, we must ingratiate ourselves with our customers…Yes. You are a clever girl. No need to say more.
Mother Fu turns away, rummaging for something. Golden Orchid sways a bit.
MAID SERVANT #1
New girl! Better your brother sold you to one man as first wife, or as concubine. You see I’m right. Mother Fu will sell you to many men.
Golden Orchid feels dizzy, sways a bit more, but pulls her demeanor together.
Mother Fu, hearing everything, turns back with a bejeweled hair pin which she places in Golden Orchid’s hair.
MOTHER FU
Ignore the empty-headed one. She is prostitute. You are not. You are qingguang. She is experienced in sexual union. You are not for sleeping with customers. You are company for dinner, for mah jong, for laughter.
MAID SERVANT #1
You not for making funs. When men stroke at you, you polite. Not dodge. You smile. You call Mother Fu. Mother Fu call me. I making funs.
CUI’ER
As qingguang, concubine, you should not come to such grief. Qingguang best remains virgin girl. Qingguang not whore.
Golden Orchid turns pale. Her sleeves are dripping blood.
MOTHER FU
When I decide you have your day of coupling, I will choose a handsome young rich lord to satisfy you.
Golden Orchid can stand upright no longer and faints to the floor. Cui’er sees the blood, screams, and drops the wooden plate.
CUI’ER
Ah! Golden Orchid!
Mother Fu looks down in disdain and turns hostile.
MOTHER FU
You shameless bitch! Want to take my money for nothing. No way! Even if you die, I will have your corpse receive customers.
Five prostitutes enter in disarray and disbelief. The prideful MISS WEN XIANG’s face, prominently discovered among them, sneers competitively down at the spectacle of Golden Orchid lying on the floor.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
(Beginning to wrap Golden Orchid’s wrists)
Little Miss, you will learn to give the world its money’s worth.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — DAY
In from another room floats music. It is the same simple melody Golden Orchid sang in the laundry yard of her mother. Perhaps it is her musical signature. In a medium shot that reveals only the upper half of her reclining body, Golden Orchid, with wrists wrapped, blotted still with blood, lies on a bed with tears on her face. The camera pulls back to reveal Mother Fu sitting in attendance while Cui’er, who has become Golden Orchid’s body servant, continues gently to bind Golden Orchid’s feet in the traditional manner.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — LATE AFTERNOON
Red candles burn around Golden Orchid who sits up in her bed. Mother Fu has brought in her FORTUNE TELLER who sits next to Golden Orchid’s bed with Mother Fu.
MOTHER FU
The Fortune Teller knows everything.
FORTUNE TELLER
(Kindly)
Tradition is the past. The future is life. The Tao teaches that you must give up ingenuity.
MOTHER FU
The Fortune Teller means you should grow up!
FORTUNE TELLER
Ah, my little Orchid, you must learn that life is always preferable to death.
Bells in the window sway and tinkle.
MOTHER FU
(Exasperated)
Don’t confuse the little laundress.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am not a stupid girl. I can read books and write letters and play music.
FORTUNE TELLER
You will be a great lady in China and beyond, in the ocean world.
MOTHER FU
(Muttering to herself)
When little pigs fly!
FORTUNE TELLER
Learn everything. Forget nothing. Your head will rule your heart. But you must take care. Your journey will carry you far…
MOTHER FU
…and tonight, Little Miss, your journey will carry you to the Flower Boat!
EXT. GUAN QUIAN JIE — EVENING
At dusk, Guan Quian Jie shines with the rays of the setting sun. Golden Orchid, riding in a sedan chair carried by two men, is elegantly dressed in white silk clothes and trousers. Her make-up is no more than lipstick. Her perfect shining hair is pinned with a jadelite clasp. She wears a simple jasmine flower pinned on her temple. Mother Fu and Cui’er follow along. Golden Orchid’s eyes are ice-cold. They travel from screen right to screen left past the Moon Gate leaving the gates beauty stand alone three final beats on screen.
MOTHER FU
(Encouragingly)
Orchid! Don’t take things so hard. You have tried dying once and did not die. You should not be headstrong anymore. With my protection, you will not come to grief.
EXT. RIVERSIDE DOCK — EVENING
In a setting of great beauty, music mixes with laughter. The sedan chair arrives at the dock on the river where several luxurious flower boats, or whore boats, float at anchor awaiting the nights’ clientele. Mother Fu fusses as a male servant helps Golden Orchid exit the sedan chair. Immediately, Golden Orchid sees, across on another parallel dock, her brother Lai Sheng lounging like a young gangster. Lai Sheng looks up, sees her, and laughs. Golden Orchid ducks behind the protection of Mother Fu who, pushing eager men aside, escorts her toward a boat. Near Golden Orchid’s white trouser legs, there is a splash of mud in the water which Golden Orchid side-steps. The mud misses Golden Orchid and spatters the white tunic of a male servant. Mother Fu guides Golden Orchid by the elbow out of harm’s way and onto the boat.
MOTHER FU
You see? I protect you as my first daughter.
Both women turn and see Lai Sheng standing still, staring at them. He inhales a cigaret and throws it into crystal river where he then stoops to dip his muddy hand to wash it. The two women turn away from Lai Sheng and make their entrance onto the gaily decorated flower boat which is hosted by a man named HOST HUEY.
HOST HUEY
Here comes Miss Golden Orchid!
INT. THE FLOWER BOAT — EVENING
Accompanied by Mother Fu, Golden Orchid enters the main cabin. She is cold as ice while Mother Fu smiles from ear to ear, saying hello to absolutely everyone. Prominent among the four guests playing mah jong is an imperious young man, MASTER WU. He is imperious in the way of a typical playboy dressed in luxurious clothes with diamond rings on nearly all of his fingers. Nearly everyone in the cabin is set abuzz by the entrance of Golden Orchid. Master Wu sits without turning his head, feigning to be oblivious to the presence of Mother Fu, whom he knows well, and of Golden Orchid whom he knows not at all. Host Huey, seeing there are only two call girls sitting with the four mah jong players, carries a steaming white towel on a silver tray to his number one patron, Master Wu.
HOST HUEY
(Whispers over the steaming white towel)
Behold the Ice Princess!
Master Wu takes the hot towel, pushes Host Huey smartly away, and wipes his hands deliberately slow. Host Huey signals to Mother Fu, who playing docile and obedient, bows and scraps her way to Master Wu in a theatrical style so clever he knows her insouciance but can do nothing about it. Mother Fu in this way thrusts Golden Orchid full into view for Master Wu’s first sight of her.
MOTHER FU
Master Wu, the girl comes out for the first time.
MASTER WU
Mother Fu, all your girls come out for the first time.
MOTHER FU
Master Wu, forgive her if she does something wrong.
MASTER WU
(Casting his first look at Golden Orchid speaks coldly, but with freshly sparked lust)
Mother Fu, tell her to sit down.
Mother Fu makes great business telling Golden Orchid to sit by Master Wu who ignores the two women and insouciantly tosses a domino into play. Golden Orchid with great dignity sits down quietly beside young Master Wu who looks up at Mother Fu who has moved to the side. Cui’er keeps her place behind Golden Orchid standing in attendance on her new mistress.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
Are you still here? You have nothing to do now.
MOTHER FU
Yes, sir! Yes, sir!
MASTER WU
So go prepare the next sweet dish, before I tire of this one.
Mother Fu pats Golden Orchid on the shoulder and exits from the cabin. Only now does Master Wu actually look at Golden Orchid.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
Looks pretty.
Master Wu pushes down his dominos.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
I win.
HOST HUEY
When beauty arrives, luck turns in the young master’s favor.
The players mix the dominos again.
MASTER WU
Are you lucky? Do you bring luck? What’s your name, Princess?
Golden Orchid coldly refuses to respond.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
(Raising his voice a little)
What’s your name?
Cui’er touches Golden Orchid’s shoulder gently.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Golden Orchid.
MASTER WU
A good name, but not a whore name.
HOST HUEY
Master Wu, this girl is not a prostitute.
MASTER WU
Not yet.
HOST HUEY
Young Master, you are student of female beauty. She is a new kind of girl. Aloof. Distant.
MASTER WU
Cold.
HOST HUEY
Poetic. Fresh.
MASTER WU
(Playing a domino)
Amateur.
The other guests cheer. Suddenly young Master Wu is on a winning streak.
HOST HUEY
Lucky.
MASTER WU
People say you cut your wrists.
Golden Orchid maintains her silent dignity. Master Wu throws his dominos down again. The guests all cheer him.
HOST HUEY
Win again. See! Lucky lady!
Master Wu turns to Golden Orchid and for the first time registers how beautiful she actually is. He takes her hand gently.
MASTER WU
Let me have a look.
Golden Orchid stiffens in her chair. Master Wu slowly pushes up her sleeve revealing her scar.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
Truly you cut your wrists. Deeply. You are lucky.
Cui’er looks worried. The crowd of guests is excited watching for new gossip as Master Wu’s lust mounts at the new sight of Golden Orchid. He pushes her sleeve up her delicate arm.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
(Tracing Golden Orchid’s pulse)
Lucky to be alive. So…alive!
Golden Orchid’s face retains complete composure. Master Wu, having looked at her scar and found her pulse, continues a teasing push of her loose sleeve up to reveal the beautiful drape of her bare arm.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
Why kill yourself when all anyone wants you to be is a woman.
Master Wu, with one hand on her elbow, guides Golden Orchid’s wrist slowly to his lips and kisses her scar. Golden Orchid shivers. The guests are awestruck and almost silent. Master Wu looks with deep carnal desire into Golden Orchid’s face and pulls her wrist again to his lips. She pulls reflexively back.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
Rebellious!
Golden Orchid pulls her arm free of his grasp and slaps him across the face. The guests shout at this shocking behavior. Cui’er throws her own hands over her own face. Master Wu, jumping up in embarrassment, tips over the mah jong table. The two other call girls scream. Master Wu grabs the nearest one and kisses her hard on the mouth. He holds the girl out at arm’s length exhibiting her smeared lustre. He looks directly at Golden Orchid who stands facing him.
MASTER WU (CONT’D)
I like wild girls. But what are you? An untouchable doll!
Mother Fu rushes in.
MOTHER FU
Oh, yes, please, young Master. She is an untouchable whore…
HOST HUEY
…an untouchable whore…
MOTHER FU
…and you are a gentleman. Please understand…
Master Fu’s friends young and old work to mediate the tension.
FRIEND #1
She’s a whore on a whore boat!
FRIEND #2
She’s inexperienced. She’s not even a whore on a whore boat!
FRIEND #3
You can spill your seed over a whore, but you can’t spill your honor.
They all laugh a little–then laugh purposely more heartily to diffuse the situation. Golden Orchid stands in their midst watching them, learning, remembering this as a night of lessons.
MOTHER FU
Be quick to apologize to Master Wu.
Golden Orchid radiates refusal.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
(To Cui’er)
Call Miss Wen Xian to come.
Cui’er runs out.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
When Miss Wen Xian comes, Master Wu, she will help you melt your anger.
Mother Fu takes the elbow of Golden Orchid and walks her across the room, past Master Wu, and toward the door.
MASTER WU
Bring her back when she has some experience!
Master Wu’s friends laugh. One athletically pantomimes the ritual moves that soon will become identified as typical of young Boxers. At the door, Golden Orchid exiting meets MISS WEN XIAN entering. Miss Wen Xian throws Golden Orchid a haughty look. Mother Fu tries to hurry Golden Orchid through the door. But Golden Orchid shakes Mother Fu’s hand from her arm and exits so elegantly that the guests all look at each other. Master Wu kisses the inside wrist of Miss Wen Xian.
HOST HUEY
(Beginning applause)
…Ho! Our young master is always lucky!
All the guests applaud.
EXT. RIVERSIDE DOCK — NIGHT
Mother Fu, leaving the flower boat, catches up to Golden Orchid. Mother Fu pushes her and Mother Fu herself climbs into the sedan chair causing Golden Orchid, hobbled by her newly bound feet, to run after her in the night. Mother Fu spies Lai Sheng holding onto some cheap girl in the shadows by the sedan chairs. Lai Sheng looks up to see his sister Golden Orchid shuffling by at the moment Golden Orchid sees him. Their eyes meet.
MOTHER FU
(Laughing into the beautiful night sky)
Ha-Ha! Ha! Ha-Ha!
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, CORRIDOR AND COURT YARD — MORNING
Miss Wen Xian exits from a room where behind her young Master Wu is revealed rising from the bed as Mother Fu bustles about in the room. Miss Wen Xian leans on the second-floor corridor railing and looks down into the open-air court yard, where, in the center, Golden Orchid kneels on a washboard where she has spent the night in punishment.
MISS WEN XIAN
(Surprised, but pleased at the sight of Golden Orchid, she calls over her shoulder)
Mother!
Mother Fu, in the room with Master Fu, perks up at the call of her name, takes a basin full of dirty water, comes out of the room, and splashes the basin down on Golden Orchid.
MOTHER FU
Good morning, laundry girl!
Golden Orchid shivers and raises her head to see Mother Fu, Miss Wen Xian, and Master Wu, dressed to leave, standing at the railing. Golden Orchid’s eyes, full of hatred, burn with some conclusion she has realized. Mother Fu and Miss Wen Xian accompany Master Wu down the stairs.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
She has knelt for the whole night. Mother Fu always satisfies the honor of her gentlemen visitors.
They pass Golden Orchid and stand at the back gate of Fu Jia Ban where the two women see Master Wu off, and turn back, walking slowly past Golden Orchid.
MISS WEN XIAN
(Slightly mocking the departed Master Wu with her petulant little hand waving)
Good-bye, Master Wu. Good luck! Good-bye! Good riddance!
MOTHER FU
Wen Xian, go sleep some more.
As Miss Wen Xian passes the kneeling Golden Orchid, she sneers her characteristic sneer. Golden Orchid suddenly stands up startling Miss Wen Xian and Mother Fu. Her face is clear and resolved. The cruel punishment has taught her to begin to protect herself.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Kneel down, laundry girl. I haven’t told you to stand.
Golden Orchid turns and walks three confident steps toward Mother Fu and Miss Wen Xian. Her bound feet are featured as being no impediment. Golden Orchid looks directly at Mother and speaks with withering sarcasm.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You can, I suppose, afford to provide me with all the outfit of a prostitute!
Mother Fu’s mouth hangs open. Miss Wen Xian covers her own mouth in shock.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
You want your money’s worth? You think that cheap Miss Wen Xian is a prostitute? You want a real prostitute? I’ll show you how to be a real prostitute! Smart! Rich! Fortune Teller’s journey begins with one step.
Golden Orchid puts one bound foot solidly forward.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
I want everything fit for an emperor’s prostitute…and not a single piece left out.
Golden Orchid smiles a lovely smile of absolute scorn at Miss Wen Xian.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
Cheap goods have little value.
Mother Fu and Miss Wen Xian look at each other in astonishment.
MOTHER FU
(To both women)
What are you young girls coming to?
MISS WEN XIAN
(Mocking Golden Orchid’s decision about her new status)
Good-bye, Miss Virgin Qingguang!
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — EVENING
Mother Fu and Cui’er finish dressing Golden Orchid in the “bridal dress” of a whore. She is beautiful, touching, calm, and aglow.
MOTHER FU
You will like young business-man Chow. He’s rich, pays plenty.
CUI’ER
Miss Golden Orchid, are you happy or sad?
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Looking into mirror)
Aren’t we playing a comedy?
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, “BRIDAL CHAMBER,” — NIGHT
A thousand red candles burn brightly all around the room. Covered with a red scarf, Golden Orchid sits straight up in the “bridal chamber” bed. She stares at the not-unromantic-looking, BUSINESS MAN CHOW, who, as the paying “whore master,” will play the “groom,” to initiate her into “womanhood.” Chow throws an extra sack of coins on the table. He expects Golden Orchid to admire his money and his body. He preens with a tad of vanity. Golden Orchid deftly disguises her grin that recognizes Chow is full of himself. He is caught up “playing” the “whore master” as if the “Bridal Chamber” is a stage at the opera. His strong arm slowly pulls off Golden Orchid’s veil. Through a peep-hole in the wall, the eye of Mother Fu watches unseen. Golden Orchid, painted white around the eyes and nose, smiles at the whore master.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, CORRIDOR — LATER
Golden Orchid’s laughing from behind the “Bridal Chamber” door causes the two prostitutes leaning against the door to eavesdrop to call three more prostitutes to join them. Mother Fu also hears the wild laughter and runs to the closed door. The door opens fast, comically, and young business man Chow, the “whore master,” comes running out carrying his robes. Golden Orchid’s laughter continues, ambiguously. Is she mirthful or hysterical? Mother Fu and the five prostitutes rush through the door into the “bridal chamber.” Mother Fu, having witnessed the “wedding,” laughs in amusement, but plays along.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, “BRIDAL CHAMBER” — CONTINUOUS
Mother Fu and the prostitutes register shock. Golden Orchid with white paint on her face is laughing wildly, brandishing the make-up brush with the pretty red silk strings which was a gift from her father. Golden Orchid brushes her face in pantomime.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Laughing)
Make-believe!
Mother Fu and the others look in astonishment. The prostitutes shiver. Golden Orchid, suddenly serious, stops laughing, and looks at them, pulling herself up to imperious dignity. All their eyes are shocked and frightened. No young girl on the night of her initiation has ever acted so in control of herself.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
(Very unexpectedly)
Is that all there is to a whore master?
A regretful expression crosses Mother Fu’s face.
MOTHER FU
This is the end of summer. We’ll see who laughs come the end of winter.
EXT. THE MOON GATE OF SUZHOU — EVENING
Time passes on the Moon Gate. The trees show “autumn” which dissolves to a light dusting of snow. A silhouetted form of a woman passes by in the evening snow. This dissolves into a warm spring, then summer.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, COURT YARD — EVENING
In the summer evening, the Fu Jia Ban servants light the glass and gauze lanterns early. Yellow lights glow from each room and make the people look romantic. A pair of Chinese Naval officers in uniform walk across the court yard. The floors of the corridor are brightly polished. Colorfully dressed prostitutes sit with alluring smiles teasing the cruising customers. Flirtatious laughter and coquettish sings comes from various rooms. Whore masters come and go. Maid servants and girl servants carry plates of candy and fruit.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, MAIN STAIR CASE — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid, at the top of the stairs, leaves her room, and descends the stair case elegantly. Her shining hair is worn in a bun with expensive clasps. She wears a white silk dress and trousers with an embroidered short coat. All eyes follow her. The two Chinese Naval officers nod to her. She smiles to everyone but to no one in particular. Cui’er meets Golden Orchid at the bottom of the stairs and follows her to the brothel door. They pause a moment. A visible sedan chair awaits them outside the door. Mother Fu approaches her and bows deeply without ridicule.
MOTHER FU
In Suzhou, you are the most famous prostitute.
Walking triumphantly past Mother Fu, Golden Orchid approaches the sedan chair. The full moon of summer hangs low in the branches.
MISS WEN XIAN
(Sticking her face into the conversation)
In Suzhou, you are the best, ha!…actress!
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Directly to Miss Wen Xian)
And in all China, you are the best acrobat!
Seen through the door way, Golden Orchid climbs into the sedan chair and disappears. Mother Fu waves her hands to shoo Miss Wen Xian back to a young customer who looks like a recruiting poster for the Boxers.
EXT. QI ISHAN TANG, DOCK — NIGHT
The full moon is seen twice, as a “Double Moon,” simultaneously through the trees and reflected in the still river. A thin mist rides the water. The dock and lagoon are filled with many anchored whore boats from which comes much music and laughter. Six European men, and one very chic European woman, walk elegantly by smoking seven cigars. Two prostitutes, laughing, escort Golden Orchid, assisted by Cui’er, off a beautifully appointed whore boat. The four women walk along the dock amusing themselves with gossip of the evening.
A green official sedan chair stops at the steps leading up to the dock. An obviously successful middle-aged man, about fifty, climbs off the sedan chair. He is the famous scholar and writer HONG WENQING. He is handsome, thin, and elegant. Hong Wenqing walks up the steps to the dock.
Neither Golden Orchid or Hong Wenqing is aware that destiny is about to enter their lives.
Overhead, fireworks light up the moon-bright sky. Hong looks skyward. Golden Orchid, immediately seeming separate from the three women she’s with, also looks skyward. As the fireworks fall, they leave only the “Double Moon,” and at the very same moment, Hong Wenqing sees Golden Orchid who sees him. In the sky, more fireworks light the faces of the revered scholar and the beautiful woman who destined to be his wife. They do not speak. They pass by each other on the maze of the dock. Their eyes say everything. A peal of laughter from a near-by whore boat sounds. Going down the dock, Hong Wenqing cannot take his eyes from Golden Orchid. Coming up the dock, Golden Orchid’s eyes follow Hong Wenqing. Golden Orchid’s graceful nature shows none of the affectations of a prostitute. Looking at the beautiful lady, Hong is suddenly aware that he is misbehaving. He smiles. She smiles. He laughs. They are passing again, on different levels, on the maze of the docks, as Golden Orchid heads for the shore and Hong Wenqing heads for the boat. Golden Orchid, moving away, “accidentally” snags her silk handkerchief on a railing and moves on pretending not to notice. Hong Wenqing reaches over to pick up the handkerchief. He looks up. Already, she is disappearing in a sedan chair, with Cui’er tagging along. Hong Wenqing smells the silk handkerchief. Bells jingle on the flower boat to which he had been headed. The servant on the flower boat waves his hands to the guests on board.
SERVANT
Here comes Lord Hong!
INT. THE WHORE BOAT — CONTINUOUS
Hong Wenqing walks onto the boat greeting his friends. Someone invites him to sit at the first table. He is a very important man in China.
VARIOUS FRIENDS
Come, come! Wenqing sit here!
Exquisite dishes set the table. Hong Wenqing entering makes the company into four men and four prostitutes in the luxurious cabin. Three of the prostitutes sit beside the first three men assembled. The fourth prostitute, singing in a soft voice while playing a qin zither, sees her customer, Hong Wenqing enter, and she flatters him with a smile that is pretty enough, but not nearly so beautiful as the smile of Golden Orchid who has clearly set Hong Wenqing on a happy, nervous edge. Although Hong chats and jokes with his companions, he is absent-minded.
The flower boat leaves the dock and drifts down the shoreline catching up with–and keeping pace with–Golden Orchid who travels by sedan chair on the path along the river. The eyes of the predestined lovers–in important alternating close-ups, meet, lock, and smile. Then the boat passes under a bridge. When it comes out on the other side, the sedan chair in which Golden Orchid travels has disappeared. Hong Wenqing realizes in dismay: he’s in love! Already he misses the girl! He breathes the night air through her red silk scarf which he places deep in the right pocket of his trousers. Who is she? His friends continue to socialize around him, but he is aloof as the flower boat pull up to Taizi Dock.
INT. THE WHORE BOAT, TAIZI DOCK, CHANGMAN GATE — CONTINUOUS
All the sounds of a party gaining steam fill the whore boat as it joggles into the Taizi Dock. Whores from the boat rise to exit at the same time that fresh whores enter from the dock. Bells jingle. Whores merrily compete for the gentlemen on board. One of the men is young Master Wu. From out of the crowd of entering whores appears Golden Orchid accompanied by Cui’er. Master Wu is surprised at how great is Golden Orchid’s popularity and power. He looks lustfully at her, but she ignores him as if he were dead. Golden Orchid hands out small favors and charms to the lesser prostitutes as she walks, in all her new fame and daring power, up to Hong Wenqing. She is a beautiful show boat. She knows the life-span of a prostitute is short and must be fast to be successful. The actress in her makes her daring!
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Putting on a show to spite Master Wu and seduce Hong Wenqing)
Sir, have you seen my red silk handkerchief?
Servants pouring tea back away. Hong Wenqing is more tempted than embarrassed as he touches at the tip of the red silk scarf peeking out of his trouser pocket. The guests grow very interested in this “pas de deux.”
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
I have wondered why my red handkerchief suddenly disappears…and then…
(reaching over to touch the tip of the scarf in Hong Wenqing’s pocket, she begins to pull the scarf slowly from his trousers)
suddenly…reappears…without any reason.
As Golden Orchid pulls the scarf long and slow from Hong Wenqing’s pocket, the crowd makes sexy sounds.
CROWD
OoooooooeeeeeEEE!
GOLDEN ORCHID
(pulling the red scarf almost the whole length out of the pocket)
Thank you, my Lord, for rescuing this red…silk…hand…ker…chief for…me!
(flipping the whole of the handkerchief back teasingly to Hong Wenqing)
Perhaps…soon…you dare to return it to me.
Golden Orchid smiles, turns, and most gracefully exits the cabin of the whore boat. Everyone applauds wildly. Hong Wenqing sits agog. Clearly he is smitten. Cui’er puts her hands over her face; she is thrilled by Golden Orchid’s boldness. The crowd makes catcalls of approval. A silly prostitute makes fun of Master Wu by pulling a handkerchief around his neck. Cui’er puts two silver dollars under a tea plate.
CUI’ER
(Trying to achieve some propriety)
Money for the cabin seat.
As Cui’er exits, Hong Wenqing, ignoring the commotion, sits wrapping the red silk handkerchief thoughtfully around his hands. He smiles. He laughs. He is in love. He looks out the cabin window and see Golden Orchid stretching out her graceful arm to touch some tassels of a big red lantern. She pulls a tassel down, holds it a beat, then releases it sharply, causing the big lantern to jump up and down. Hong Wenqing is rapt by her.
CUT TO:
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, CORRIDOR — LATER
Mother Fu’s face in close up appears in the darkness. She is pulling closed the door of Golden Orchid’s room.
MOTHER FU
(Very happy with herself)
Fate so quickly!
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — MOMENTS LATER
Joyous amid a thousand red candles, later that same night, in the bed, kneeling up, facing each other, Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing embrace and kiss passionately. The genuine feeling is that this sudden love is the real thing in romance.
HONG WENQING
(Deeply)
I love you, Jinhua!
GOLDEN ORCHID
I love you too.
They hold each other close and kiss.
HONG WENQING
Jinhua. Marry me!
GOLDEN ORCHID
(In tight embrace)
My Lord!
Music washes over the tender scene. Love clearly elevates Golden Orchid above all the other women at the Fu Jia Ban brothel. She glows. Her glow makes the screen luminous.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE MOON GATE OF SUZHOU — MOMENTS LATER
Just before dawn, the full moon is setting over the Moon Gate. A lone girl sits near a small circular bowl full of water. She casts a stone into the still water and watches the circles widening out to the rim of the bowl where the water cascades over the edge.
EXT. CHINESE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, BIG ENTRANCE — MORNING
Exiting the government building, a very happy Hong Wenqing walks out the door, and down the steps with important Chinese friends who are obviously congratulating him. Several Europeans enter and exit the big entrance. Some wear business suits; some wear uniforms; a German missionary with a group of small European children troops past. Three women dressed in becoming Paris fashions stand chatting. A smiling European military officer in uniform, obviously German, comes out the door, and down the steps, and courteously shakes the hand of Hong Wenqing.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, MOTHER FU’S PRIVATE PARLOR — AFTERNOON
MOTHER FU
(Smiling knowledgeably in tight close-up)
Fortune Teller says, “Fate happens quickly.”
HONG WENQING
That’s what makes it fate, Mother Fu.
MOTHER FU
You are the scholar, Hong Wenqing. You are rich and your honorable family is highly favored by the government. In a house such as mine, I hear much information and many rumors.
HONG WENQING
That is why I hold your house in such respect. You yourself are thought honorable.
MOTHER FU
Rumors speak more truth than Fortune Teller. You are destined to great things for China. Or else, why do you need Golden Orchid? You have a first wife.
HONG WENQING
Yes, a first wife.
MOTHER FU
You also have a second wife.
HONG WENQING
Yes, a second wife…and from her a son.
MOTHER FU
So…Mother Fu thinks you maybe hide reasons you take Golden Orchid in…ummm…marriage as your concubine, eh?
HONG WENQING
My reason is no secret.
MOTHER FU
Your number one wife and your number two wife maybe not so good wives. Some women marry because they are not clever. Golden Orchid is smart girl, learns quick. She has written you poems, yes?
(Then, as if telling an amusing secret)
Be careful of your papers…She reads!
HONG WENQING
(Gesturing as if his two wives are so-so, okay)
Yes…I love Golden Orchid.
MOTHER FU
How much you love Golden Orchid? How much value you take her as third wife, as concubine?
Hong Wenqing laughs, kisses Mother Fu’s head, takes her hand and leads her toward the door.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Golden Orchid is good girl, beautiful girl. She loves you too…You never hurt her, right? Her heart? You give her everything?
Hong Wenqing throws open the door leading from Mother Fu’s private parlor to the balcony at the top of the stairs leading down the main stair case.
INT. FU JIA BAN BROTHEL, CORRIDOR AND COURT YARD — CONTINUOUS
HONG WENQING
EVERYTHING!
Hong Wenqing laughs joyously at Mother Fu’s pleased reaction to the frenzied busy-ness in the court yard below which is piling up with row upon row of extravagant betrothal gifts. Everyone is happy. HONG SHENG, butler of Hong Wenqing’s family, directs two lines of servants carrying even more gifts. A crowd of prostitutes and servants looks on with admiration. Golden Orchid’s brother, Lai Sheng, has crept in with the servants carrying gifts, and he is seen standing off to the side, where he pockets a bauble or two for himself. Hong Wenqing gestures for Mother Fu to continue down the stairs to mingle with the members of the Hong Family household servants who are arranging the lavish displays of gifts upon long tables. Hong Wenqing stands near the top of the stairs. He is quite pleased with himself as a bride-groom to be. In the courtyard below, Hong Sheng begins to read aloud the list of gifts delivered to Miss Golden Orchid.
HONG SHENG
(Speaking more off screen than on during the simultaneous action between Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid)
Master Wen Qing presents to Miss Golden Orchid a few poor wedding gifts. Four pearl necklaces, seven jade hair clasps, a pair of S-shaped golden earrings, a pair of silver-shaped earrings inlaid with diamonds, a pair of dragon-coiled gold bracelets, a pair of gold finger rings, ten shoe-shaped gold ingots, two silver dinner sets, a pair of large silver vases…
Hong Wenqing looks across the court yard to the balcony at the top of the opposite stairs. At the open door of her room, Golden Orchid, brilliantly beautiful, stands smiling at the activity below, but more, she looks directly across at her lover, Hong Wenqing. A maid stands next to Golden Orchid and pins one last pearl flower in her hair. As Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid look intently at one another, they lock eyes and their eyes stay locked together as both begin their descent down the opposite staircases, to approach each other more closely.
HONG SHENG (CONT’D)
…a set of silver inlaid lacquer ware, a Thailand silver Buddha, ten jade animals, two jade mouth pieces for long-stemmed pipes, ten bolts of brocade, two pearl hair clasps, an ancient bronze mirror, a blue-and-white porcelain brush boat, a brush with a blue-and-white porcelain handle, an earthenware cricket container inlaid with silver wire…
Hong Wenqing stands on the bottom step of his stairs. Golden Orchid stands on the third step from the bottom of her stairs. They keep their true-love eyes locked on each other over all the action in the courtyard.
HONG SHENG (CONT’D)
…a bronze hand warmer, a Fuzhou dressing lacquer box, four decorative wall hangings, a zitan wood brush pot, a bronze censor with gold and silver inlay, a folding fan, a handscroll of four poems for Chen Jiru…
The people in the court yard have grown progressively silent as the two lovers stand on the stairs.
HONG SHENG (CONT’D)
…painting and calligraphy from four generations of the Wenqing family, an English jewel box inlaid with gold…
A pretty-faced young servant girl picks up the jewel box, opens the top, and the sweet music of a waltz pours out. The young girls have never seen a music box and the foreign tune it plays captivates them. Two slightly older, more knowledgeable prostitutes begin to waltz, European-style, as kind of a wedding party joke; other young girls mimic them, and most of the females begin to try to waltz. Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing use this distraction to walk meaningfully towards one another across the court yard, through the waltzing girls.
HONG SHENG (CONT’D)
(Watching his master closely, and speaking with careful humor)
…and one red sandalwood box with fifty red silk handkerchiefs!
Golden Orchid laughs at Hong Wenqing’s wonderfully sentimental joke as he sweeps her up into his arms. Cui’er pulls at the red handkerchiefs and throws them into the air above the dancing girls. The whole court yard applauds. They kiss. Music swells.
INT. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRADITIONAL WEDDING — DAY
The face of Golden Orchid dominates this fully traditional wedding that is incredibly beautiful and sumptuous. The sounds are of happy people and traditional music. Off to the side, in noticeable attendance is a European couple: the wife is dressed according to Paris fashion, and the husband has a subdued air of a decorated diplomat. They smile and obviously enjoy their entre to the wedding feast. Hong Sheng, the butler, seems especially careful to make sure a servant cares for the foreigners. Hong Sheng also pays attention to Hong Wenqing’s number one wife, FIRST MADAM, and number two wife, SECOND MADAM, who sit apart, but seem content with this new “third” wife. Other wise, the whole celebration centers around Golden Orchid and her groom, the most honorable Hong Wenqing. Also in attendance is the son of Hong Wenqing, HONG LUO, and his wife, NEW MADAM.
INT. HONG’S MANSION, THE BRIDAL CHAMBER — NIGHT
A statue of Kuanyin stands among red candles glowing in the bridal chamber. On the wall hangs the great character “Happiness.” The bride groom sits watching his bride walk slowly around the chamber singing, slightly and sweetly to him, melodic catches of some sweet aria from a Kun Qu opera. The front of Golden Orchid’s garment is half open. As she walks past, Hong Wenqing unfastens several more of her buttons.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Whispering)
Eyes look love to eyes which speak love again.
They kiss.
EXT. STREET NEAR CHANGMAN GATE, NEAR EUROPEAN MISSIONARY CHURCH — NIGHT
A very short threatening scene. Twenty young men run quickly through the Changman Gate and past a small white-frame European church with a cross on top. Many of them carry torches. Looking out from a small window in the church, observing the young men, is the face of an old Christian missionary. In the face of MISSIONARY SEEK, and in the face of his wife, MRS MISSIONARY SEEK, who moves in behind him to look out the window, there is ambiguity: who are these young men? Are they Good? Bad? Are they a fore-shadowing glimpse of the young Boxers whose politics oppose the foreign influences on China? As the young men run away, one burning torch is tossed through the air onto the steps of the mission. A Chinese servant runs out with water and douses the flame. The night closes in very dark. The son of the missionaries, JUGO SEEK, runs out to help extinguish the flames.
INT. HONG MANSION, COURT YARD — MORNING
The morning is very bright. At a window, Golden Orchid, with a kerchief in her hand, looks out into the street to see below a joyous marching group of young men. (Are some of their faces, perhaps, the same young men as last night?) They wear dark red-purple jackets, black belts, and red flowers on their braids. They carry happy flags and gauze lanterns with painted characters that read “Number One Scholar.” Butler Hong Sheng walks up to Golden Orchid, sees the parade rushing by outside, and allows his face to shadow with concern.
HONG SHENG
The young!
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am as young as those boys.
Hong Sheng leads Golden Orchid toward the sitting room by passing through the court yard of Hong’s mansion, which is a typical Suzhou garden featuring pavilions, terraces, storied buildings, flowers, and trees.
HONG SHENG
Your youth, Madame, does not threaten China.
Golden Orchid often stops to smell the flowers. She is very happy in this strange, new luxury. Several old servants spy at her from across the court yard.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Ah, yes…but do I threaten Number One Wife, or Number Two Wife?
Hong Sheng waves the old servants away.
HONG SHENG
Only Number Two Wife, Madame.
INT. HONG MANSION, SITTING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Hong Sheng leads Golden Orchid into the very large, and very dark sitting room. A very big painting hangs in the center. Under the painting is a square table. Off to each side, sit two armchairs, each pair of armchairs with its own teapot. Alone and obviously lonely, Hong Wenqing’s Number Two Wife, SECOND MADAM, who is not happy about being age thirty-eight, sits in the right armchair with a cat in her arms. She frequently strokes its hair and makes over it.
To the left, Hong Wenqing’s daughter-in-law, YOUNG MADAM, sits isolated. She is an obscure, dull girl, but very healthy for bearing babies. She is obviously pregnant.
This household is full of tension between competing females. Golden Orchid enters, a bit nervous, and curtsies gracefully.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Madam…I am your humble servant.
The daughter-in-law drops the English music box which rolls across the floor, stops, and begins to play. The daughter-in-law intends to pick it up, but stops.
SECOND MADAM
Idiot! She’s about to give birth!
Golden Orchid, somewhat embarrassed, goes, with a smile, to pick up the music box.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
What new-fangled foreign gadget is that? Let me have a look…
(She corrects herself while laughing)
Actually, I’m not the Madam. I am the Second Madam…
(She reaches for the music box)
…the Madam one step ahead of you, Third Madam.
ANGLE ON FROM P.O.V. OF FIRST MADAM’S OPIUM PORCH
Angle reveals nothing more of First Madam than the back of her head in a cloud of smoke looking out at the conversation continuing.
BACK TO SCENE
Golden Orchid is taken aback. Second Madam takes the music box, opens it. Music starts. Second Madam studies the music box carefully.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
(Haughty, sarcastic, jealous)
Third Madam’s “treasures” are very different.
(pointing to Young Madam)
This is my daughter-in-law, Young Madam “Snake Eyes”! Ha, ha, ha!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Young Madam.
The Young Madam nods dull, embarrassed “hello.”
SECOND MADAM
She’s from wealthy family, ha! Hong Sheng, take new Third Madam to see Number One Madam. First Wife of Hong Wenqing.
As butler Hong Sheng approaches, Golden Orchid notices for the first time that there is another room, a porch, on the left side of the sitting room.
INT. HONG MANSION, THE OPIUM PORCH — CONTINUOUS
On the porch, under a window, First Madam, lies on a mahogany couch. Hong Sheng leads Golden Orchid to First Madam. Second Madam follows at a not so discreet a distance.
HONG SHENG
First Madam, New Madam has come to see you.
First Madam is busy burning prepared opium paste. She coughs. Golden Orchid is shocked, but understands immediately how to begin to handle the power struggle among these women. A SERVANT GIRL kneeling next to First Madam is burning small balls of roasted opium. First Madam coughs again. Golden Orchid nods commandingly at the servant girl who draws a spittoon from the bedside, and holds it for First Madam who sits up, spits, and lies down again.
FIRST MADAM
(Whispering to Golden Orchid like a household spy)
First Madam is old woman now. She’s same age as husband Hong Wenqing. Your husband.
(Evil as a bitch)
How old you? We same age maybe?
First Madam, recovering, sees the apparition of the beautiful young Golden Orchid. Bells tinkle. First Madam smiles and lifts her arm in the direction of Golden Orchid.
FIRST MADAM (CONT’D)
Ah, New Madam! How beautiful you are!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Madam!
SECOND MADAM
(Barely disguised contempt)
First Madam has foreigner habit of smelling too many “poppies”…when she should be running household.
FIRST MADAM
(With some humor to Golden Orchid)
Second Madam is like middle child of three children. She is not the most honorable…and she is not the youngest.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am happy, First Madam, that you are not without humor.
FIRST MADAM
Ancient wisdom says the first virtue of a wife is humor.
First Madam’s kind look puts Golden Orchid at ease. First Madam takes a slip from the servant girl and picks up a small prepared opium paste. She roasts it on a beautiful small opium lamp.
FIRST MADAM (CONT’D)
Opium is no good. You young people should never take it.
INT. HONG MANSION, GARDEN ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Hong Luo, the twenty-year-old son of Hong Wenqing, watches unseen through a screen at a window that looks onto the Opium Porch. He coughs quietly.
INT. HONG MANSION, THE OPIUM PORCH — CONTINUOUS
GOLDEN ORCHID
You are right, Madam.
FIRST MADAM
Opium so good you should never try it once.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Bending to assist First Madam)
How may I help you?
Golden Orchid adjusts the cushions for First Madam. Hong Sheng enters and is intercepted by Second Madam. Hong Sheng whispers in her ear.
SECOND MADAM
(With glee)
Ha! Trouble already. In-laws arrive. New Madam’s family have come to pay a visit
Golden Orchid reacts happily, but amazed, as Hong Sheng ushers in her mother and her brother, Lai Shang.
FIRST MADAM
(To Second Madam)
You are bad in-law. These, good.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Mother!
Hong Sheng ushers Golden Orchid’s mother and brother to the opium couch. Golden Orchid embraces her mother, and merely casts a glance at her brother, as if to say, You got me into all this. Her mother, with hair shining, wears new satin clothes. She stands attentively between Golden Orchid and First Madam.
SECOND MADAM
Ha! The air drips with tension. I like such entertainment.
MOTHER
(Trying to break ice with First Madam)
How are you? Madam, you really have good luck. My daughter is good luck girl.
FIRST MADAM
Sit down. Please sit down.
MOTHER
(Not daring to sit as long as Second Madam stands, uneasy)
It’s okay. It’s okay. I stand.
Golden Orchid kindly motions for her mother to sit. Golden Orchid looks at her brother, who is nervously molding a girl-doll in clay under his sleeves. She gives him a commanding nod to exit. At this point, Golden Orchid conveys that she is taking control of this visit and this household. Golden Orchid waves to Hong Sheng. Lai Shang shows his contained anger and exits.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Please tell the servant girl to pour the tea. We should use the red lacquer tea service.
FIRST MADAM
(Approvingly)
Golden Orchid, you are a lovely new wife.
The Second Madam stands indignant.
MOTHER
Your servant is as pretty as all the girls in Suzhou.
The servant girl pours the tea and exits.
SECOND MADAM
(To Mother of Golden Orchid)
Take your seat!
Mother smiles at Second Madam, and starts to sit, but when she see that Second Madam remains standing, she dares not to sit and hastens to stand.
MOTHER
I’m used to stand. It is alright to stand.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Perturbed at the insult to her mother, but with dignified imperiousness)
You. Second Madam. Sit! I have dealt with woman like you before. And I do it no more! I said, Sit.
Second Madam is so shocked, she sits obediently wondering why she is sitting.
FIRST MADAM
Ha! Like dog! She sits. First time. Good…Now, Mrs. Mother Golden Orchid, please sit down.
Golden Orchid herself sits down, triumphant among the three other women. Butler Hong Sheng smiles in understanding.
HONG SHENG
(To Golden Orchid)
Madam, will there be anything else?
INT. HONG MANSION, GARDEN ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Hong Luo, the only son of the Hong family, is twenty and very much enamored of Golden Orchid whom he watches through a window as she continues sitting with the other women on the Opium Porch. His eyes are big and wet with love. Lai Sheng enters and immediately sizes up the situation.
LAI SHENG
(Lighting cigaret)
You are peeping at the New Madam!
HONG LUO
No! I…My eyes water. I have bad asthma.
LAI SHENG
You are the…honorable…son of Hong Wenqing. Not so very honorable peeping at your father’s new concubine.
HONG LUO
Who…who are you?
LAI SHENG
According to family seniority, you should call me “Uncle.”
Hong Luo wheezes with serious asthma.
LAI SHENG (CONT’D)
Someday, boy, “Uncle” will let you peep. I will take you to a whore boat. Peep! Peep! Peep!
Lai Sheng blows cigaret smoke in face of Hong Luo who chokes.
LAI SHENG (CONT’D)
You like my sister…Ha!
INT. HONG MANSION, CORRIDOR OUTSIDE LIBRARY — AFTERNOON
On a window appears yellow rain. Golden Orchid, walking while reading a book, has no idea that she is followed by Hong Luo who ducks from corner to corner. At the library door, she stops, and looks around. Her face indicates she might have seen something. There is a quick glimpse of Hong Luo. Golden Orchid puts her index finger to her lips and smiles. She realizes that her beauty and presence have given her power over the whole household of the Hong Family. She walks to the library door and enters.
INT. HONG MANSION, LIBRARY — CONTINUOUS
The sound of rain continues inside the rich two-storied library filled with shelves of books. A wooden ladder leads to the second floor whose shelves spill over with books, parchments, and scrolls. Golden Orchid runs her delicate fingers over books which she obviously loves. Hong Wenqing, reading upstairs, looks down upon her. In his seat, he ducks back into shadow to watch her through the book shelves. He is playing an amorous game. Golden Orchid picks up a European book at random. She is not interested in it. She tosses it aside. Hong Wenqing frowns. Golden Orchid climbs the stairs up the ladder, and walks to the end of the second-floor book shelves. There is a small window. She pushes it open and looks far away into the yellow rain. Moments pass. She turns and takes a deep breath as she bumps into Hong Wenqing who has sneaked up behind her.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Breathless)
My Lord! You scared me to death!
HONG WENQING
Jinhua! Women are not allowed to enter this library. You come in. You must pay the fine.
GOLDEN ORCHID
How are you to fine me then?
HONG WENQING
I will require you to read one book a day.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Laughs while playing with her handkerchief)
I already read two books a day.
HONG WENQING
Then I must be neglecting you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I would like to be your “Number One Scholar”!
Hong Luo has been peeping all this time through the darkness.
HONG WENQING
First you must recite a poem for me. Show me what you have taught yourself.
Golden Orchid pouts her small, pretty lips. She looks at the ceiling, pretending her poem is hard to remember.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
(Playing the lover’s game)
Alright. If you can’t remember, don’t pretend to.
GOLDEN ORCHID
What if I can recite it? Then you will be fined.
HONG WENQING
You may entertain me, or you may fine me…as you like.
Pleased with her way with her husband, Golden Orchid smiles and clears her voice. She recites the poem obviously imitating Scholar Hong Wenqing when he recites poems.
GOLDEN ORCHID
“poem.”
During the poem, she sees Hong Luo peering down at them. This time she becomes a bit angry, and, without Hong Wenqing noticing, she gives Hong Luo the “evil eye” and he skulks quietly away.
HONG WENQING
Jinhua, you are most clever. How will you fine me?
GOLDEN ORCHID
We could go back to our room, or…
Golden Orchid kisses Hong Wenqing who kisses her back, lightly. At the end of the library, Hong Luo runs out the door in despair. With privacy, Golden Orchid leans into Hong Qing. They embrace. The book shelves shake. A book falls open to a reproduction of a French painting of classic lovers of Greece or Rome.
EXT. CHINESE GOVERNMENT BUILDING, BIG ENTRANCE — DAY
Hong Wenqing exits the building alone. He is a happy man. A male secretary runs out the door behind him and gives him a very official-looking package he left behind. Europeans go in and out of the building. A newspaper kiosk is hung with headlines in a variety of languages, “FOUR POWER PEACE PACT SIGNED!”
INT. HONG MANSION, GOLDEN ORCHID’S DAY ROOM — AFTERNOON
In close-up on parchment, there are brush strokes. Golden Orchid is painting. Second Madam peeks in, frowns, and goes away unnoticed. Golden Orchid sits at a long table opposite a window. Her great concentration breaks on seeing Hong Wenqing enter. She laughs a surprised scream, and hurriedly tries to cover her painting with a “forbidden” French fashion magazine which she feels she must quickly cover.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Don’t look at it, my Lord. You will laugh.
Hong Wenqing places his official package prominently on the long table, but no attention is paid to it.
HONG WENQING
Let me see it. I must see.
Golden Orchid surrenders easily, and Hong Wenqing pretends to look “serious as a scholar,” but quickly breaks into admiration of the painting.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
You are so full of talents. Truly, you paint this fragrant thorough wort so vividly…
(Enthusiastically, and with true admiration)
…Sign your name on it and give it to me.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You really want it? You’re not making fun of me?
HONG WENQING
I swear I really want it.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My Lord, everything I have is already yours.
HONG WENQING
No, Third Wife. My first love.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Thank you, my Lord.
HONG WENQING
Sign, please. In turn, I will sign my recipient name to show that this is presented by you willingly, and not stolen from you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Laughing)
My Lord is most gracious.
HONG WENQING
Turn around, please.
Golden Orchid kisses him quickly and lightly on the cheek and turns her back to him. Both faces face forward. Hong Wenqing reaches into his pocket and pulls out a dazzling three-strand pearl necklace that close-up defines the sensuality of Golden Orchid’s extreme beauty. She touches her hand to her throat. The two hold a beat. The fragile moment is broken by the shouting from outside.
INT. HONG MANSION, COURT YARD — CONTINUOUS
As a MESSENGER rushes into the court yard shouting, the house hold staff comes out to meet him. Second Madam, holding her cat, appears on the balcony over the court yard. She looks very disheveled, as if she just rose up from her bed full of cats–one of which she carries in her arms.
MESSENGER
The Imperial Envoy comes! Hurry! The Imperial Envoy is…
The IMPERIAL ENVOY with full entourage enters through the gate into the court yard.
INT. HONG MANSION, GOLDEN ORCHID’S DAY ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Through the window over the long table in the day room, Golden Orchid, her hand still touching the pearls, sees the commotion below. She half turns to Hong Wenqing with a curious expression. He is smiling enigmatically.
INT. HONG MANSION, COURT YARD — MOMENTS LATER
With one wife on each of three separate balconies watching the action below, Hong Wenqing, amidst some ceremony, accepts a formal packet graciously from the Imperial Envoy. His servants bow very deeply to show much respect. On the balcony with Second Madam stands the asthmatic Hong Luo and the very pregnant Young Madam “Snake Eyes.”
INT. HONG MANSION, SITTING ROOM — EVENING
The entire Hong Family, much distressed, is assembled. Hong Wenqing stands near the official package. The Second Madam is crying and holding her cat. The pregnant Young Madam is twisting her hair which has come undone. Hong Luo stands next to Young Madam, coughing, and peering at Golden Orchid who sits quite elegantly, toying with her pearls. A bound book, which she had been reading, sits in her lap. She has seated herself near the distraught First Madam whom she occasionally comforts.
HONG SHENG
(Holding an official scroll)
A great honor has come to the household of the Lord Hong Wenqing, China’s new ambassador to Germany, France, and Russia!
(He makes a toast to his master)
Ken-pai!
Hong Sheng exits. First Madam shows her worried misgivings. The Second Madam’s crying sets the pregnant Young Madam crying. Hong Wenqing patiently listens to the wailing which significantly grows in raucous, almost comic intensity.
SECOND MADAM
Foreign devils, I say! Foreign devils!
FIRST MADAM
Our Hong Family has never committed a sin to deserve this.
HONG LUO
Chinese dynasty covers vast territories. China has no need to talk to foreign powers.
FIRST MADAM
Why the Empress Dowager choose our Lord to go to land of Europe?
HONG LUO
Foreigners spy on our richness.
SECOND MADAM
They have sharp guns and opium.
HONG LUO
They have strong warships. I think these foreigners force China to send envoys to their countries.
SECOND MADAM
Good Chinese want to keep China away from the hairy barbarians.
HONG LUO
Many students protest the devil’s guns and gods.
FIRST MADAM
Why Empress Dowager do this?
SECOND MADAM
They force Chinese to be servants to their hairy foreign bodies.
YOUNG MADAM
(Holding her pregnant stomach, crying)
Foreign missionaries eat Chinese babies.
Hong Wenqing is exasperated by the crying. He looks at Golden Orchid who sits comforting First Madam. Golden Orchid smiles enigmatically. Hong Wenqing shrugs his shoulders and turns to First Madam who is smoking her pipe.
HONG WENQING
I must keep my mind open and clear. I am a scholar, not a diplomat. The government asks me to be the first ambassador to Germany and Russia. I must serve China’s best interests. I must deal with the foreigners to protect China.
Hong Wenqing looks meaningfully past Golden Orchid and directly at First Madam, with some real sign of tenderness for this drugged woman who is his first wife.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
I am only sorry, First Madam, you must go with me.
FIRST MADAM
(Panicking up from her drug-state)
Ahhhh! My Lord. This is not possible. I’m so old. How could I go to those barbarous countries. Ahhh! My Lord! Foreigners kiss each other when they meet.
Hong Wenqing, playing a quiet game of elimination, looks directly at Second Madam.
SECOND MADAM
(Alarmed)
Ah, no! They’ll rape me!
YOUNG MADAM
No! They’ll rape me!
Golden Orchid blushes at the exaggerated foolishness of these household women.
SECOND MADAM
First Madam is right.
Hong Wenqing looks at Golden Orchid. She sits very calmly.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
I’m used to stay here with First Madam. Ayy!
Golden Orchid touches her delicate hand to the new pearls lustrous around her beautiful neck.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Quietly, a bit frightened, but resolute)
I’ll go…where you go.
EXT. SHANGHAI WUSONGKOU, JINLIYUAN DOCK, OCEAN LINER SAXON, DECK — DAY
Over a very tight face shot of MADAME VON MUELLER, a big, very loud blast from a huge steamship horn reverberates heavy bass to treble around an exaggerated and unflattering close-up of the German matron face of Madam Von Mueller. Madam Von Mueller looks strict and commanding, and her face is a shock to see up close as the steamship horn continues its blast. Madam Von Mueller looks meaningfully down her nose, from where she stands on the deck of the German steamship, the ocean liner, Saxon…
The sound heard in the remaining ship’s horn blast is of gulls crying overhead. The roar of the dock below comes up.
EXT. SHANGHAI WUSONGKOU, JINLIYUAN DOCK — CONTINUOUS
Title on screen reads SHANGHAI 1895
The dock is very busy, because the ship, SAXON, is scheduled to steam out of port. Horse hooves clatter along the busy dock. Wheels of carriages, turning fast, pass rickshaw pullers running quickly in worn shoes that reveal their toes. There is even one automobile. Very fashionably dressed Europeans, many of them seemingly diplomatic officials, step down from various modes of transportation converging in a sociable, yet hasty, embarkation mood. They are followed by Chinese coolies shouldering their luggage and carrying their baggage. Nearby, a tall Indian policeman, his head wrapped in a red turban, stands quiet as a sentinel in all the activity. His sharp eyes are scanning all the Chinese whose reaction is to cringe. At another nearby position, three young Chinese men, with red head-bands stand with their arms on their hips; they also watch the crowd who try to avoid the young men’s hard stares. A European woman carries a baby with a bottle-nipple in its mouth. The baby spits the nipple to the ground. The Indian policeman steps over, picks the nipple up, and hands it to the woman. She thanks him politely, but she doesn’t take it. The Indian policeman stands embarrassed with the nipple in his hand. A rickshaw puller kneels to clean his rickshaw. The police suddenly kick the puller who jumps to pull his rickshaw and run away past the three young Chinese men in red head bands. The sound of sirens fills the air. The ship’s steam horn sounds very loudly.
ANGLE ON
Over all this activity stands the stern face of Madam Von Mueller.
BACK TO SCENE
Entering the far-off gate of the dock are two green sedan chairs followed by a dozen carriages.
ANGLE ON
MISSIONARY SEEK, his wife, MRS. MISSIONARY SEEK, and their son, JUGO, a young missionary of twenty-five, walk up the ramp to the ship. They are dressed in severe black clothes. They carry their own luggage. They are observed by the three young men in red head bands. Walking behind the Seek Family is a blonde young woman, SOFIA LUDWIG. She is twenty-two, mildly aristocratic, but dressed rather simply when compared to the other Europeans. She carries her own small suitcase, and is acquainted with the Seek Family.
P.O.V.
Madam Von Mueller watches from the rail. People come to the railing near her. The Seek Family and Sofia head toward her. The crowd on deck is beginning to react to the arriving delegation of Chinese officials including Hon Wenqing and Golden Orchid.
BACK TO SCENE
The sedan chairs stop at the gang way to the ship. Butler Hong Sheng goes to the chairs and draws back the curtains. Hong Wenqing exits and looks about reservedly. At this moment, the rather sinister INTERPRETER HE moves up to Hong Wenqing and points the way. Hong Wenqing does not move.
INTERPRETER HE
Your Excellency!
HONG WENQING
Interpreter He! I am more scholar than an Excellency.
INTERPRETER HE
(Smiling duplicitously)
As your interpreter, Excellency, I shall interpret you to excellence.
HONG WENQING
(Jovially)
We scholars, Interpreter He, have a proverb that says “All translators are traitors.”
INTERPRETER HE
Forgive your humble servant, Excellency. I shall never betray your words in translation.
HONG WENQING
He, I was joking. If you are to interpret me, you must learn my temperament.
Golden Orchid exits her sedan chair. On seeing so many Europeans, she can’t help smile. She is radiant. She is brilliantly dressed and wears many head ornaments. Three embarking British travelers smile their approval chin first. Golden Orchid, suddenly aware of her allure, becomes reserved, but experiences her first real understanding of her attractiveness. She walks carefully to Hong Wenqing, and she looks up into the tall face and pinched features of Interpreter He. The horn on the boat blasts again. On the dock, and on the ship deck at the railing, the Europeans stand in amazement.
ANGLE ON
PASSENGER #1
Was fur ein schoenes…She is so like a doll.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Young man, don’t deceive yourself with fantasies. China is a country we Germans hardly understand.
BACK TO SCENE
Interpreter He leads Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid, attended by Hong Sheng and an Attache, walk up the gang way to the ship. Interpreter He seems to catch the attention of the three young men in red head bands. Cui’er and other servants follow behind Golden Orchid who walks carefully up the gang way. Above their heads, a green sedan chair floats up, wondrously, up, up through the air, hoisted past the faces of the amazed Europeans on deck.
Golden Orchid’s face, close-up, shines with a sense of adventure.
INT. SAXON LINER, DINING SALON — EVENING
A European chamber ensemble plays dinner music. The dining salon is crowded with happy voyagers on their first night at sea. Madam Von Mueller sits in apparent discomfort at a table by herself. Close-by, the Seek Family sits at a table, saying grace, and preparing to eat. Sofia enters, alone, looks at both tables and makes up her mind. She passes the Seek Family and nods very politely. She approaches Madam Von Mueller.
SOFIA
Madam Von Mueller, Guten Abend. We met earlier outside the captain’s quarters. May I join you.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Please, my dear…
SOFIA
Sofia Ludwig, Madame.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Ah, yes, Sofia. What a pretty name. But be forewarned, Mademoiselle Ludwig, I fear I haven’t my sea-legs yet…That Seek boy has his eye on you.
SOFIA
Madame, your company is much preferable.
At other tables, other passengers are already seated for dinner. Two of the tables are European families traveling with several children.
BOY #1
(Childishly entranced)
The Chinese! The Chinese!
BOY CHILD #1’s mother gestures to quiet him, but every eye in the dining salon turns to the door where the five male members of the Chinese delegation, dressed in a modest Chinese fashion, enter and formally are ushered to tables. One of them is Interpreter He. There is an almost audible sigh in the room as Hong Wenqing follows his entourage into the salon. Hong Wenqing is very distinguished. He wears the Qing Dynasty’s official costume. Two tables of Europeans break into an admiring quiet, and brief, applause.
A German, BUSINESS MAN VOGEL, sits himself down in one of the empty chairs at Madam Von Mueller’s table.
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
Ausgezeichnet!…Quite a show. Our German Imperial uniforms cannot compete with that new Envoy to Berlin.
Hong Wenqing sits at the table of Chinese gentlemen. Hong Sheng stands behind Hong Wenqing waiting.
SOFIA
(Amused, distancing the table mate)
Why, Madam Von Mueller, must we compete over everything that’s beautiful?
MADAM VON MUELLER
(Discomfited with indigestion)
…Because, Fraulein, we are German.
I am curious, however. Where are the Chinese women?
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
I have the same thing been asking myself.
SOFIA
The Chinese custom, for the women, is not to be seen.
MADAM VON MUELLER
I confess. I know nothing of Chinese customs. In China, Sofia, you have lived. I merely visited Shanghai for a month.
At Hong Wenqing’s table, some concern crosses the men’s faces as they look down at the place settings on the table. Hong Wenqing motions to Hong Sheng who leans over and answers. Interpreter He, trying to impress, picks up a fork and studies it. The others watch him. He quickly sets the fork down. It is obvious the men are informed, but unsure, of the European dinner service. Almost at the same moment, the waiters begin to serve the western food. The men on the staff of Hong Wenqing look ever so slightly embarrassed.
BOY CHILD #1
Oh, look at the lady!
GIRL CHILD #1
She must be the queen of China!
Golden Orchid, dressed in the Chinese manner to match the dignity of Hong Wenqing, walks demurely into the salon. As she walks to Hong Wenqing’s table, a hush follows her. Two or three tables patter out slight applause as if to welcome her. Cui’er, terrified, walks behind Golden Orchid.
MADAM VON MUELLER
I must say I am impressed. Who are they?
SOFIA
He is Hong Wenqing, the first Envoy from China to Germany, and to Russia.
MADAM VON MUELLER
And the young beauty is his daughter? His wife?
SOFIA
She is Golden Orchid. She is…the Envoy’s…concubine.
Madam Von Mueller is a bit taken aback. Business Man Vogel grins at his private interpretation of the idea.
At Hong Wenqing’s table, Golden Orchid is seated by three enthusiastic German waiters. She smiles at her husband, and to all his entourage. Interpreter He looks indignant. He is angry that this woman does not know her place.
HONG WENQING
Interpreter He, sit down!
Golden Orchid picks up her fork, confidently, and looks directly at Interpreter He.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Smiling)
My husband and I are so happy we had three months to prepare for our journey.
The gentlemen at Hong Wenqing’s table are sophisticated, educated, and prepared for their mission of diplomacy. Their demeanor indicates, as they begin to eat, that they are happy to have someone to guide them at table. Golden Orchid sits among them like a flower in bloom. Hong Wenqing looks at Golden Orchid with great love and admiration.
Madam Von Mueller smiles at Sofia.
MADAM VON MUELLER
A concubine?…Really! That’s not quite a wife?
SOFIA
In China, she is a concubine. In Germany, she is his wife.
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
Either way…she’s a great beauty…for a Chinese girl, gar nichts?
Madam Von Mueller and Sofia stare daggers at Business Man Vogel. At the Seek Family table, some unheard words have been spoken. The Seek son, Jugo, throws his napkin on the table, pushes his chair back, and exits the dining salon. His parents continue to eat quietly as if nothing can be done. Golden Orchid also notices the discord.
MADAM VON MUELLER
There’s trouble in that family.
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
I once knew a missionary’s son. I could tell you stories…
SOFIA
Danke sehr, Herr Vogel.
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
The Chinese use opium.
SOFIA
Bitten Sie, nicht zu sprechen.
MADAM VON MUELLER
She is a lovely woman. I should like to meet this Mrs. Envoy, Golden Orchid.
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
Forgive me, Madam, but those people at that table are Chinese. Very rich. Very upper-class Chinese. They are foreigners. Only here to look down on us.
SOFIA
(Satirically)
Perhaps they are spies…
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
I was going to say that myself.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Herr Vogel, you are a ridiculous man….Sofia, perhaps tomorrow, when I feel better, the Captain will introduce us to…
SOFIA
(Eagerly)
The Chinese Envoy?
MADAM VON MUELLER
No, dear. The Chinese Envoy’s…
BUSINESSMAN VOGEL
Concubine!
MADAM VON MUELLER
(Very in control)
…Wife!…The Chinese Envoy’s Wife.
Madam Von Mueller rises with Sofia. She puts her arm through Sofia’s arm, and, together, they walk with quiet elegance through the dining salon, past the orchestra. Golden Orchid takes a brief, but definite notice of these two European ladies who seem to interest her greatly. Her eyes follow them out the door.
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, GOLDEN ORCHID SUITE — NIGHT
Moonlight glows white in the big circle of the port hole before which Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing stand in warm embrace. The port hole’s circularity recalls the Moon Gate of Suzhou and serves as frame behind and around the almost-silhouetted couple. Hong Wenqing is obviously proud of Golden Orchid’s skill and grace in entering a “forbidden” foreign culture event.
HONG WENQING
I love you, Mrs. Envoy.
(He kisses her)
I love you, Golden Orchid.
(He kisses her again)
I love you, Jinhua.
(She kisses him back)
EXT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, THE PROMENADE DECK — DAY
The Seek Family has joined Madam Von Mueller and Sofia who are walking Madam Von Mueller’s small dog. They pass a three-piece German oom-pa-pa band. The older three people walk together. Jugo tries to walk closely with Sofia who keeps her polite distance. As this group of five walks by the glass window of a luxury parlor, they see Golden Orchid seated elegantly. Hong Wenqing stands behind her talking to Interpreter He. Golden Orchid is reading, but looks up, sees Madame von Mueller and Sofia, and smiles through the glass. The two women return the smile.
MADAM VON MUELLER
The Envoy’s Wife is a beautiful flower in a hot house. She never walks out on deck.
The oom-pa-pa music ends abruptly with this cut.
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, THE LUXURY PARLOR — CONTINUOUS
Over a delicate Chinese instrument playing music, Golden Orchid smiles again at the passing group of Europeans. Hong Wenqing notices them. Interpreter He despises them. He also wants to control Golden Orchid and shape her behavior. Hong Sheng always keeps his dignity.
INTERPRETER HE
(With snide innuendo)
The German women are athletic…always outside like horses.
HONG WENQING
Tomorrow night, Interpreter He, you shall have much to interpret. We wish to begin meeting our fellow voyagers. At a small supper. Mrs. Envoy is very clever at arranging social affairs.
Interpreter He rolls his eyes toward the ceiling and bites his tongue.
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, LOBBY OUTSIDE THE PURSER’S OFFICE — EVENING
The PURSER stands surrounded with an assortment of twenty cooks, waiters, and maids. They are abuzz speaking in French, German, and English at the news the Purser tells them. Behind the Purser, his door is half open with a sign on it that reads, “PURSER,” and under that, “KARL KLEINSCHMIDT.”
PURSER KLEINSCHMIDT
Calm down! Calm down! We have almost twenty-four hours. We have the finest kitchen on the sea.
FRENCH COOK
No, Monsieur Kleinschmidt…I think I only cook the French cuisine. No Chinese banquet. I am artiste!
GERMAN COOK
Ha! Francois! I am twice artiste! I am German. I cook German. No foreign food.
PURSER KLEINSCHMIDT
You are French. You are German. They are Chinese. Crepes versus strudel versus rice. Food to an appetite is food!
FRENCH COOK
Not if you’ve dined in Paris!
Everyone laughs.
PURSER KLEINSCHMIDT
The Chinese Envoy has graciously offered the services of his kitchen staff…and his master chef.
The French cook and the German cook react. The waiters are amused.
PURSER KLEINSCHMIDT (CONT’D)
You will assist and you will learn. The Chinese Envoy has also ordered his servants below decks to unpack the most precious dishes. An interpreter will be provided, and the young Mrs. Envoy will, I am told, most likely keep an eye on the preparation of the feast.
FRENCH COOK
Oui! The young Chinoise madame! Tres magnifique!
PURSER KLEINSCHMIDT
Yes! Quite! Mrs. Envoy, is a person perhaps more important than we know! She is the wife of the Chinese ambassador to Germany, France, and Russia. I expect nothing less from you than excellence!
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, MADAME VON MUELLER’S SUITE — NIGHT
Madam Von Mueller walks alone through her suite. She is watched only by her little dog. She is very uncomfortable. The chairs, tables, desks, even the bed, all seem to get in her way. There is a knock on her door. She opens it. The little dog wags its tail from its bed.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Sofia, Gruess Gott! It’s you.
SOFIA
(Holding out two bottles)
I have both German bicarbonate and Chinese medicinal herbs.
MADAM VON MUELLER
(Bumping into a chair)
I am so out of my element. Which should I take?
SOFIA
(Comforting)
Why don’t we sit together and I’ll prepare you a little of each.
MADAM VON MUELLER
You’re a dear. You know so much about China, and the Chinese…and traveling German ladies. By the way, how is that strange boy, the missionary son of Missionary Seek?
SOFIA
Madam Von Mueller, you must not tease so.
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, GOLDEN ORCHID SUITE — NIGHT
Golden Orchid sits facing into a large round mirror where her face is beautiful in the warm light. She is humming the same sweet song she sang as a very young girl in her mother’s laundry court yard. Deeper in the mirror stands the image of Hong Wenqing.
CUT TO:
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, GOLDEN ORCHID SUITE — CONTINUOUS
The port hole glows with moon light. The only sound is Golden Orchid’s voice which turns to great music. The moon light brightens slowly to bright dawn.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Look, my Lord! The West!
Music washes across, modulating through the scene, into appropriate music for the next scene.
EXT. THE STEAM SHIP SAXON, THE BOW– DAY
The huge liner, the steam ship, Saxon, symbol of the Industrial Age booming through Europe, cruises steadfastly on the sea, away from China, toward Germany. Ocean spray booms against the ship. Alone, mysterious, Translator He walks the deck ominously.
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, THE CAPTAIN’S PRIVATE DINING ROOM — EVENING
A single qin zither plays. Golden Orchid’s demurely smiling face is close-up and held. Gradually, in pull back, the handsome, laughing, CAPTAIN DAVID FELLHAUER is revealed sitting next to Golden Orchid on her left. Hong Wenqing, smiling, sits on her right. Interpreter He, reduced to an important subliminal, stands behind Hong Wenqing. Butler Hong Sheng stands behind Golden Orchid. The splendid supper is an extravagant Chinese feast suitable to the rich interior. Captain Fellhauer’s private dining room seats twenty guests comfortably. It is smaller, and more intimate even than the first-class dining salon. Madam Von Mueller and Sofia Ludwig are seated near the top of the captain’s table. Missionary and Mrs. Seek and their son, Jugo, are also prominently in attendance. Even the bourgeois Business Man Vogel, very pleased he has been invited, sits as the man needed for two spinsterish ladies. Other European couples, fashionably dressed, fill out the seats. Three British gentlemen, two in their twenties, and one in his forties, sit in the company of their traveling companion, a bohemian British girl, age twenty-two. All four are aristocratic, stylish, and noticeable. The quartet are artists well aware of the fin de siecle. The two younger gentlemen are WILLIAM ASBURY and EDWARD WEDDING. The older gentleman is CHARLES GRACE. The Bohemian girl, HELENA THACKERAY, has a small reputation as a singer. Only two of the guests are also Chinese. They are minor, but important, male officials in the delegation of Hong Wenqing, and they are accordingly dressed “officially.” Effortlessly, Golden Orchid, without speaking, graciously presides over the elegant meal whose color, textures, and design hold the Europeans enthralled. Only once or twice, has one or another of these travelers from China not been adept with chop sticks. Subtly, Golden Orchid gestures for a gold knife and fork and spoon be given to Business Man Vogel. The sound of conversation and laughter mixes with spying glances of intrigue. No one has ever seen a Chinese woman with so much charisma. Helena Thackeray is perhaps a bit jealous. Everyone is feeling formally comfortable.
CAPTAIN DAVID FELLHAUER
The end of the century ticks over the map of Europe, Mr. Envoy. You come to us Germans at a magnificent time. We have new factories making steel twenty-four hours a day. In Hamburg, our harbors are filled with ships. In Berlin, we celebrate an electrical exhibition. This is, for Germany, a new age.
(He raises his glass)
Long live the German Emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm, the Second.
HELENA THACKERAY
(Gaily)
Long live Kaiser Willie’s grandmother, Queen Victoria.
EDWARD WEDDING
(Tipsy)
Long live Kaiser Willie’s niece, the future Empress of Russia, the Tzarina Alexandra….It’s the latest gossip.
SOFIA
(Earnestly)
Long live Kaiser Willie’s ally, Emperor Franz Joseph, the Second, of Austria.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Mr. Envoy! Mrs. Envoy! In Europe all the royal families are cousins and allies. This dynasty marries that dynasty. Well, of course, you have a dynasty in China.
CAPTAIN DAVID FELLHAUER
Long live the Dowager Empress of China.
Hong Wenqing is, among all this familiar humor, a bit taken aback. Golden Orchid plies her talents which she learned as hostess of a sing-song boat.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Marriages between dynasties make difficult politics.
(She smiles)
Even in China.
WILLIAM ASBURY
Well said, don’t you agree, Mr. Grace?
CHARLES GRACE
Madame Wenqing will be a success as Madame Envoy.
(He toasts Golden Orchid)
MISSIONARY SEEK
May I, a poor missionary, interject…that authoritarian dynasties remain monarchies only by the grace of Almighty God?
JUGO SEEK
My father forgets about the worship of military power…and about the people who allow themselves to be ruled.
EDWARD WEDDING
Young Missionary Seek, do I detect a bit of socialist in you? You sound like a German Catholic, not a German Protestant.
JUGO SEEK
I am a nationalist. I believe in the purity of Germany…
HONG WENQING
Then why, may I ask, do you live in China, turning Chinese from their ancient religion to yours?
JUGO SEEK
…as I believe in the purity of China.
Golden Orchid, sensing a need to break the tension, gives a look to Madam Von Mueller who gives a look back. Simultaneously, both women laugh, and mock the “serious” level of male conversation. Sofia picks up the laugh. Then Helena joins in. All the women are laughing at the men who sit rather stunned at, and greatly disarmed by, this female bonding response. As the laughter cascades down, it begins again; the women laugh gaily. Golden Orchid smiles. Hong Wenqing, first among the men, offers a lost expression, and then smiles.
CHARLES GRACE
Madame Envoy will be quite the success!
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, MADAME VON MUELLER’S SUITE — MOMENTS LATER
Golden Orchid, Madam Von Mueller, Sofia, and Helena enter still laughing. Cui’er follows quietly. Golden Orchid is more reserved, but they are, for a moment, all girls together.
HELENA THACKERAY
What a brilliant time!
MADAM VON MUELLER
I haven’t felt this good since we left Shanghai.
SOFIA
Madam Von Mueller has these…moods…
MADAM VON MUELLER
…Headaches.
Golden Orchid looks with interest about the suite.
MADAM VON MUELLER (CONT’D)
Oh, Madame, don’t be concerned. Really.
Golden Orchid moves gracefully through the suite. She takes a large vase of fresh flowers to the sink, pulls out all but two, which she arranges quickly. She places it “just so” on a table, and points to Cui’er.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(In Chinese)
“Move that chair. Move it out of the path. Clear the way.”
MADAM VON MUELLER
Whatever is she doing?
SOFIA
She wants to move the furniture.
Sofia rings for the porter who responds almost instantly with a knock on the door which he opens. Outside, in the hall, Interpreter He walks slowly past as the porter enters and closes the door.
HELENA THACKERAY
Who doesn’t? Ugly! Ugly! Ugly! Everything made by machine.
SOFIA
(In German, to the porter)
“Move that chair…”
(She looks at Golden Orchid)
Yes, Madame Envoy! I will be glad to translate whenever you wish.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You speak excellent Chinese!…
(In Chinese)
“Tell him to balance the chairs on each side of the window, so that Madam Von Mueller can face the sea without obstruction.”
SOFIA
(Repeats the direction in German)
Also, mach schnell. Madame, Mrs. Envoy thinks your balance…your headaches…will be better with the furniture arranged so. And the flowers.
HELENA THACKERAY
Have you noticed how everything is overdone?…Of course, you have!
(Growing quite droll)
Mrs. Envoy, you should make a call on Queen Victoria! Simplify things.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Perhaps, dear Sofia, you might teach me German. I think without your help to do so, our dynasties might collide.
Golden Orchid and Sophia smile at Helena as Madam Von Mueller walks across to the window and looks out across the deck to the moonlit night.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Mrs. Envoy, I am impressed at your talent for…
(Slipping to French)
…arrangement!
INT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, GOLDEN ORCHID SUITE — MOMENTS LATER
Golden Orchid enters the suite. Cui’er can be seen in the hall before the door closes. In the suite the lights are low. Hong Wenqing is waiting.
HONG WENQING
Mr. Envoy is very thankful to Mrs. Envoy.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Pleasing Europeans is no more difficult, I think, than pleasing rich customers on a sing-song boat.
HONG WENQING
Those days are long forgotten.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Shyly,)
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
(slyly, coyly)
Danke schoen, mein lieber Herr!
They kiss.
EXT. THE STEAMSHIP SAXON, BREMERHAVEN, DOCK — MORNING
Title on screen reads GERMANY, APRIL 1894
As the horn of the steam ship sounds, the green sedan chair swings through the air from the ship to the busy dock where the chair is lowered onto a waiting train. Walking under a huge sign that reads “BREMERHAVEN”, the entire Chinese Delegation precedes Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid down the gang way, through clouds of white steam and sooty smoke. Golden Orchid covers her mouth and nose with a handkerchief against the industrial pollution. They head toward the waiting train.
INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
Butler Hong Sheng seats Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing in an elegant private compartment.
HONG WENQING
(Reassuring Golden Orchid)
Never fear, Jinhua! Berlin will be more lovely than this harbor. But take a good look. This busy port is the real Germany. The reason for such industry is my mission.
A knock on the compartment door interrupts them. It is Hong Sheng with a copy of the fashionable newspaper “The Paris Herald” which he pulls from hiding under his long sleeves and gives to Golden Orchid. The headline reads “ACTRESS SARAH BERNHARDT CONQUERS PARIS!”
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
You must be discreet with your reading.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Gently, wisely)
My Lord, even more important than the industrialization of shipping is the value of a shawl draped across a grand piano.
Rhythmically, the train compartment lurches and the train chugs out of the station. Golden Orchid watches out the window as Germany begins to pass by. Hong Wenqing holds her hand tenderly.
EXT. TRAIN, GERMAN COUNTRYSIDE, TUNNEL — LATER
The trains travels through the springtime woods of Germany. As the train approaches a tunnel, the dark circular tunnel references the Moon Gate of Suzhou.
INT. TRAIN, HALLWAY OUTSIDE COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — NIGHT
Translator He knocks on the door of the compartment occupied by Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing. Hong Wenqing, roused from sleep, opens the door himself.
HONG WENQING
Interpreter He! It’s late.
INTERPRETER HE
You must listen, Excellency.
Hong Wenqing does not like Interpreter He’s tone. Hong Wenqing steps into the hall way and closes the door behind himself to protect Golden Orchid. Hong Wenqing for the first time begins to see Interpreter He in a new light.
HONG WENQING
I must listen?
INTERPRETER HE
Before we reach Berlin.
HONG WENQING
German air agrees with you…and I don’t particularly like it, Interpreter He.
INTERPRETER HE
Never interpret an interpreter.
HONG WENQING
Am I to believe you are something other than an interpreter?
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid’s face, suddenly awake, always vigilant, overhears the conversation outside her door.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN, HALLWAY OUTSIDE COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
INTERPRETER HE
She’s eighteen years old.
HONG WENQING
She’s my wife.
INTERPRETER HE
She’s your concubine.
HONG WENQING
She’s Mrs. Envoy.
INTERPRETER HE
She’s Chinese…a female.
HONG WENQING
(Very respectfully)
The Dowager Empress is…a Chinese…female.
CUT TO:
INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid smiles.
INT. TRAIN, HALLWAY OUTSIDE COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
INTERPRETER HE
I will tell the Dowager Empress you said so.
HONG WENQING
You are no threat to me in Germany. I am sent to Europe by the Empress Dowager to do my job. Golden Orchid, my wife, will help me.
INTERPRETER HE
Good night, Excellency.
INT. TRAIN COMPARTMENT, GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
Hong Wenqing sits on the bed.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Quietly)
This train takes us, my Lord, on a narrow path dangerous with enemies and trouble. I wonder: will we see home again?
EXT. TRAIN, GERMAN COUNTRYSIDE, TUNNEL EXIT — CONTINUOUS
The train rushing out along the track roars loud.
INT. BERLIN, ANHALT RAILWAY STATION, PLATFORM — DAY
Overhead, above the train, hangs a huge sign that reads “BERLIN”. Golden Orchid, sitting inside her compartment, presses her face against the window. In her hand, she holds the pearls Hong Wenqing gave her as if those pearls are her unassailable integrity. Steam engulfs passengers and workers bustling about on the platform. The Chinese Embassy in Berlin has decorated the platform with dragon flags of the Great Qing. Many Chinese officials stand ready. Two servants enter carrying a table for burning incense. Everyone lines up alongside COUNSELOR HUANG. Several Berlin reporters and a German photographer are set up and ready to see this new ambassador to Germany.
Hong Sheng exits the train, carrying a small cloth-covered bench in his hand. Bending over, he carefully wipes the water off the steps.
Hong Wenqing appears at the door, and stands. A white photo flash explodes. The Chinese Embassy officials are slightly disturbed, but calm down at a look from Hong Wenqing who is commanding in his entrance. Hong Wenqing is a force to be reckoned with. Hong Sheng places the cloth-covered bench at the door.
Golden Orchid appears next to Hong Qing. Three successive white photo flashes light up the faces of Chinese delegation arriving as well as of the Embassy staff. The moment is fixed in time as if some ancient spirit is invoked. People hold their breath, unsure of what to do.
COUNSELOR HUANG
Kneel down!
Officials kneel. TANG SONGNIAN stands. A colleague pulls his sleeve and he kneels resistantly. Interpreter He, close up, smiles approvingly. Hong Wenqing approaches the incense burner and begins putting on the incense. Golden Orchid stands, alone, vulnerable, beautiful, at the train door. Her eyes scan the crowd as if she expects enemies. Tang Songnian cannot stand the pressure.
TANG SONGIAN
I will not kneel. I am the military attache of the Great Qing. How can I kneel to a prostitute.
A Chinese bodyguard and a German police officer escort the German reporters quickly away. The photographer pops off one last shot with his flash as other German Polizei dismantle his photo set-up. The Chinese do not make any movement. Everyone watches the triangle of energy from Tang Songnian to Hong Wenqing to Golden Orchid.
HONG WENQING
How you deal with Mrs. Envoy tells me how you will deal with me.
Golden Orchid walks off the train. Everyone stares as she walks directly to Tang Songnian. She speaks directly, daringly, of him, to him, about him in the third person.
GOLDEN ORCHID
The Military Attache must kneel to the Envoy, the representative of Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager…
Golden Orchid puts her folded fan on Tang Songnian’s shoulder and stares pleasantly into his eyes. Everyone is shocked by her bold move. Tang Songnian is agape, tongue-tied. Golden Orchid exerts pressure on her fan, pressing down on his shoulder. People stare at Golden Orchid’s put-down of rebellion; or is it a courtesan’s bold invitation? Golden Orchid adds great ambiguity into her beauty with this gesture. Tang Songnian begins to sink to his knees. As he does so, a ceremonial singer wails out the first line of a “Song of Welcome.”
COUNSELOR HUANG
Carriage! Call the carriage!
Golden Orchid stands, memorizing the face of the Military Attache who is to her just another man. Hong Wenqing touches her arm and they walk together past the carriages, through the crowd that parts for them, to the broad street. Tang Songnian starts to rise, but senior officials force him down.
INT. STREET OUTSIDE ANHALT STATION, BERLIN — DAY
Heavy rain falls. Hong Wenqing escorts Golden Orchid to the public street. Hong Sheng rushes to them with Cui’er and they hold two huge green umbrellas over Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing to keep them dry. The Chinese people are confused. They run alongside the couple. In the street, pedestrians, passengers in carriages, and people at windows stare at the almost magical procession down the street. Finally, Counselor Huang and the others catch up to them and kneel in the street in the heavy downpour. The Embassy carriages arrive. They are virtually surrounded by the demands of their culture. Hong Wenqing escorts Golden Orchid into the lead carriage draped with a dragon flag. The German citizens of Berlin, observing this, applaud the storm and drama of the new diplomatic couple.
EXT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN — CONTINUOUS
The rain falls in sheets across the porch where the servants watch the arrival of the Embassy carriages. STEWARDESS ZHANG stands stalwartly at the door. She, obviously, manages the household of the Embassy. Stewardess Zhang smiles a knowing smile. Under her breath, she speaks to the other servants.
STEWARDESS ZHANG
(Rather imperiously)
Hmmmph! I’ll not be the first who does not welcome this forward new madam.
The carriages pull up under the porch. Hong Wenqing exits the carriage with Golden Orchid. Counselor Huang leads them past Stewardess Zhang who bows appropriately.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, HALL ON FIRST FLOOR — CONTINUOUS
The servants make a great welcome. They steal looks at Golden Orchid. The great hall is resplendently lit. Candles shine in chandeliers next to gas lights and a few decorative electric lights. Black cloth is curiously draped over niches in the walls and over the handrails at various points on the grand staircase.
HONG WENQING
What is this black? Is this a gift you’ve wrapped? Or is this bad luck.
COUNSELOR HUANG
Your Excellency, to find a suitable embassy in Berlin is not easy. German law forbids us to change the structure or installations of any building.
HONG WENQING
(Amused)
What on earth are you hiding?
COUNSELOR HUANG
Excellency, I apologize.
Hong Wenqing gestures to Butler Hong Sheng who pulls loose the black cloth that looms up over the post on the stairs balustrade. The black cloth falls revealing a half-naked female statue. The women servants are shocked. Golden Orchid, with a hint of smile, puts out her hand to Cui’er who registers dismay. Tang Songnian and other male servants laugh. Hong Wenqing does not like their innuendo.
HONG WENQING
Replace the cover.
Several servants cover the statue.
COUNSELOR HUANG
The Germans are very stubborn. We are not allowed to move the statues even if we buy them. Foreigners are not reasonable.
HONG WENQING
We are the foreigners. We know little of their taste, customs, and language.
Golden Orchid starts toward the stairs. Stewardess Zhang watches her.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, MAIN STAIRS — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid walks across the hall floor. She nods to Cui’er. Then she nods her head at one, then two of the younger servant girls who look petite as South China girls. She passes the stocky-built Stewardess Zhang, and “insults” her by not acknowledging her with so much as a look. Stewardess Zhang looks at Tang Songnian, and they both look at Interpreter He, whose functionaries they are. Interpreter He stands with no expression on his face. Obviously, Golden Orchid climbing the stairs has chosen some servants over others. As Golden Orchid reaches the top of the stairs, Stewardess Zhang slams shut the folding X door of an elevator that climbs noisily up the wall to the second floor.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GOLDEN ORCHID’S SUITE — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid meets Stewardess Zhang at the door. Stewardess Zhang escorts Golden Orchid and her servants into the room.
STEWARDESS ZHANG
This embassy is a quiet embassy.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(To Cui’er)
Open the window.
STEWARDESS ZHANG
This window never to open.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Why ever not?
STEWARDESS ZHANG
River down below window. Last madam did not like the smell of the river. You can open windows on this garden wall.
Cui’er takes the measure of Stewardess Zhang who looks threateningly at Cui’er.
STEWARDESS ZHANG (CONT’D)
Breakfast is at seven. Lunch at twelve. Supper at six. Don’t be late.
Stewardess Zhang walks across the room, bows, exits, and closes the door.
CUI’ER
Madam, was Stewardess Zhang talking to me?
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Amused)
No. She was talking to me.
CUI’ER
But, Madam, she never addressed you as “Madam”.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I’m sure the stewardess fancies herself quite the revolutionary.
Golden Orchid walks to the windows on the river-side of the room and pulls them all open. The melody of an accordion wafts almost unheard up to the window. Golden Orchid looks out. Below, a German river, seen with almost Chinese delicacy, runs into the evening sunset. Golden Orchid, with the river and sunset framed in the window behind her, holds her signature pearls and turns to Cui’er.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
I promise I shall make us all very happy here.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, HALL CLOSET — CONTINUOUS
Interpreter He stands in the small room of the embassy closet whose inside wall has been fixed with a small peep hole grille which allows a hidden point of view into Golden Orchid’s suite (but not her bedroom itself). Interpreter He, dressed in black, very subliminally, twists a small red band around his hands. He is quite satisfied with himself.
INTERPRETER HE
I promise I shall make you miserable.
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, PORCH, STEPS, CORRIDOR TO AUDIENCE HALL — AFTERNOON
The carriage of the Chinese Embassy, making a very grand entrance, pulls up to the full-dress splendor of guards, servants, and officers of German protocol. The German Imperial architecture, the uniforms, the music coming from inside the palace all cause a trace of doubt to pass across the face of Golden Orchid as she exits the carriage with Hong Wenqing and Interpreter He. The three of them, followed by five other Chinese embassy officials, make their way up the steps, and begin to their walk down the corridor to the audience hall where Hong Wenqing will present his credentials to Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany. The Belle Epoque styles of Paris are the fashion rage, and Europe is one vast playground.
Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid speak in low voices to each other, with only Interpreter He able to converse with them, as they proceed formally through the crowded corridor toward the audience hall.
HONG WENQING
Germany seems very secure in itself.
INTERPRETER HE
Excellency, at this time, Europe is a vast decadent playground, and Berlin is the host of the party.
HONG WENQING
Nevertheless, this young German Kaiser Wilhelm is strong enough to stand in the world well into the next century.
INTERPRETER HE
The Kaiser’s ambitions are limitless.
GOLDEN ORCHID
And what are the young Kaiser’s ambitions?
HONG WENQING
That’s what you and I are here to find out.
INTERPRETER HE
Be aware, Excellency, that Germany wants China as its number one customer for steel and trade. Germany knows China is rich.
HONG WENQING
But, Interpreter He, why should China be wary?
INTERPRETER HE
Excellency, you must keep China free of all foreign influences…Look! See for yourself these guardians of their decadence.
Interpreter He, very indelicately (trying to embarrass Golden Orchid), draws attention to the marble statues of male and female nudes that at this point line the corridor. Golden Orchid is a bit intimidated, but Hong Wenqing’s sense of humor relieves her.
HONG WENQING
(Ironically)
Why are these beautiful statues not fashionably draped in black cloth, Chinese style?
Interpreter He winces at the remark, but the entrance to the Imperial Audience Hall grows ominously closer and closer, Golden Orchid’s sense of anxiety grows as she is about to cross the actual threshold into the western world.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My Lord, I must return home. I dare not such a show.
HONG WENQING
Mrs. Envoy, my love, you are about to conquer Germany.
At that moment, Golden Orchid, retreats into a certain taught timidity. She takes off her left ear ring and cups it close-up in her hand.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My Lord, I have lost one of my ear rings.
Hong Wenqing looks at her skeptically.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
My Lord, I will not go in. You go yourself.
Golden Orchid intends to turn back.
INTERPRETER HE
I will gladly escort Madam Envoy back to the Chinese Embassy carriage.
HONG WENQING
Nonsense. You are my honorable wife. You are also the excellent actress. The play is about to begin.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am nothing but a Chinese girl from Suzhou.
HONG WENQING
Precisely. A beautiful Chinese girl can conquer the German empire. An opponent’s strength can be used against him.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Everything moves…so fast…in the west!
At this very moment, two German Imperial Guards open the huge doors to the Imperial Audience Hall.
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, AUDIENCE HALL — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing stand, for everyone at court to see, in their official Chinese robes. The courtiers in the audience hall exhale an almost audible sound of approval.
CEREMONIAL OFFICIAL
The Chinese Envoy, the Honorable Scholar Hong Wenqing, and His Wife!
Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid walk to the throne where the thirty-year-old KAISER WILHELM II sits with his young wife, the GERMAN QUEEN. Kaiser Wilhelm is the grandson of England’s Queen Victoria; and he is cousin to Alexandra, Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, who is about to become engaged to Nicholas Romanov, who will become Czar Nicholas II of Russia. Kaiser Wilhelm is famous for his love of uniforms, his wicked tongue, and his political designs on Austria and the rest of Europe. He is the last of a long line of German emperors, and in 1916 will plunge Europe and the rest of the world into World War I. The world of the German court which Golden Orchid enters is giddy with success, power, and athletic positivism.
The German Queen wears a Chinese pearl and jade necklace. Next to the Queen stands Missionary Seek. The Kaiser smiles delightedly at Golden Orchid. All eyes are upon her. None of the Europeans has ever seen a Chinese ambassador’s wife.
The audience reception hall is large and filled with aristocrats and their wives. Also in attendance is Queen Victoria’s son (and spy) the PRINCE OF WALES who will become King Edward the Seventh of England; his sense of personal style will introduce “The Edwardian Period.” Sofia Ludwig and Madam Von Mueller are visibly present and obviously happy to see Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing. Discovered close-up in the audience hall is GENERAL WALDERSEE, The Chief of General Staff of the German Army, with his wife, the BARONESS VON WALDERSEE, who before her marriage was the German actress known as HENRIETTE Mendel. General Waldersee’s dashing young nephew, MAXIMILIAN, is quite visibly present. The audience hall is full of youth, money, fashion, romance, and intrigue. Even Interpreter He realizes this European court is a much faster track than he is accustomed to, yet he is not about to let Golden Orchid out from under his close scrutiny.
Kaiser Wilhelm, overwhelmed by his attraction to Golden Orchid stands up. His Queen registers this, and she herself stands up.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
(Whispering to his wife)
Kaiser Wilhelm looks as if he wants to…conquer China.
MAXIMILIAN
(Having overheard)
The Kaiser has excellent taste…in foreign culture.
Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid are presented personally to the Emperor and his wife. Hong Wenqing hands his portfolio to a German official. The credential is a big imperial envelope made of yellow satin and embroidered with a golden dragon.
HONG WENQING
Your Majesties, by Imperial Order of the Chinese Emperor and the Empress Dowager, I wish your Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, good health and a long life…
Golden Orchid suddenly remembers she is wearing only one ear ring.
HONG WENQING
I also wish the relations between our two countries…
Golden Orchid just as suddenly reaches to her left ear where there is no ear ring.
HONG WENQING
will always be friendly.
Golden Orchid lowers her hand, palming the ear ring she has been holding. A look of embarrassment begins to cross her face.
The Queen smiles happily at the new couple. At the same time, Golden Orchid can’t help showing the Queen the ear ring.
KAISER WILHELM
Please convey to your Emperor and Empress Dowager my wishes for lasting peace between Germany and China.
The Queen brightens up and smiles again as if she herself has suddenly realized something from this well-styled Chinese woman, the wife of the envoy.
QUEEN
This is the way we are…
The Queen removes her own left ear ring and drops it into a dish held by her lady-in-waiting.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
…here in Berlin.
Golden Orchid smiles. Hong Wenqing senses some understanding has passed between the two women. The Kaiser is a bit perplexed. Interpreter He has seen it all and is not happy. Missionary Seek whispers to Mrs. Missionary Seek who removes her left ear ring. Almost immediately as the news of the Queen’s gesture is whispered among the court, the ladies begin to remove their left ear rings.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
Do not let us overwhelm you with our German enthusiasm.
The gentlemen, acknowledging the role of women, let these two graceful women ease them all into the kind of conversation and small talk that leads to understanding and eventual decisions of policy.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
(Touching her bosom)
Perhaps you noticed this necklace? It is Qing Dynasty. In your honor, wife of Wenqing. Missionary Seek identifies it as a national treasure.
Interpreter He seethes with barely concealed anger at Missionary Seek who has taken such valuables out of China.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
May I present Missionary Seek.
MISSIONARY SEEK
We welcome you to Germany as you have welcomed us to China.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your wife and your son, Jugo, are well.
A German footman strikes a gong signaling that a brief entertainment is about to begin. Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing are led toward the Kaiser and the Queen. At that very moment, General von Waldersee and his wife, Baroness Henriette von Waldersee approach, and in a formal, yet happily casual way, the Waldersees are introduced to Golden Orchid and Hong Wenqing.
GERMAN NOTARY
General Waldersee, Chief of General Staff of the German Army, and, his wife, Henriette Mendel, Baroness von Waldersee.
Henriette greets Golden Orchid by removing her own left ear ring. She smiles.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Enchanting, my dear!
GENERAL WALDERSEE
You must also meet my nephew, Maximilian von Coberg…
General Waldersee looks to see where Maximilian stands off across the room. Suddenly, the announced entertainment begins, cutting off the conversation. But across the crowded room, the handsome young German officer, Maximilian von Coberg, stands out and alone. It is apparent he is seeing Golden Orchid for the first time. It is also apparent that Golden Orchid sees him looking at her. No one else notices as the dancer runs onto the floor.
The female dancer, barefoot, and dressed in gossamer swathes of white cloth, dances, after the mode of Nike, Goddess of Victory. She is absolutely dedicated to, and inspired by the conquer-or-be-conquered music of the German composer Richard Wagner. Toward the end of her actually rather brief solo, she pulls out a red scarf and waves it as she dances.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
(Whispers to Golden Orchid)
The dancer is American, you know.
The dancer waves the scarf–only coincidentally–in a way reminiscent of the way Golden Orchid used her red silk scarf on Hong Wenqing, and the way he gifted her with one hundred red scarves. In addition the red scarf is wrapped briefly around the head in a way that presages the headgear of the Boxers.
SOFIA
(Moving up to Golden Orchid)
She’s considered quite revolutionary.
The dancer concludes. During the applause, as during the dance, Golden Orchid has become increasingly aware of Maximilian. The court clears a bit. The Kaiser and Queen remain on their throne. The courtiers move about.
Madame von mueller joins Sofia and Henriette and curtsies to Golden Orchid next to whom stands a Second Chinese Interpreter.
MADAM VON MUELLER
My compliments, Mrs. Envoy.
Madame von mueller takes off her left ear ring.
MADAM VON MUELLER (CONT’D)
You have instigated a new style.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Continuing to regard Maximilian)
Madam Von Mueller!
MADAM VON MUELLER
Here at court in Berlin, they are starved for any new fashion from France, England…China!
The German courtiers stare at Golden Orchid.
SOFIA
You are, of course, the first Chinese woman anyone here has ever seen.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
The last Envoy never permitted his wife to go anywhere.
Maximilian makes his way to the women and, as he bows to Golden Orchid, the women step back a pace.
MAXIMILIAN
The beauty of China is its mystery.
Maximilian smoothly guides Golden Orchid as he speaks toward the Queen who leads them all to the palace garden where the spring sun shines through the buds on the branches. With the whispering Second Chinese interpreter in tow, the royal party breaks out into the light of the garden. Missionary Seek cuts in near Golden Orchid and only subliminally suggests that translation is needed.
EXT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, GARDEN — CONTINUOUS
MAXIMILIAN
You are the Golden Orchid of China.
MADAM VON MUELLER
(Laughing)
Oh, Max!
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Rather properly)
I am the Envoy’s wife.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
This is Maximilian of Hesse-Darmstadt, the nephew of my husband, General Waldersee.
SOFIA
Max is my third cousin.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Maximilian is your fourth cousin twice removed.
SOFIA
We went to school together. Don’t take him seriously. He was only good at math…and fencing.
MAXIMILIAN
And soldiering. My cousin, Sofia, thinks because she is a Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt she can say and do anything she wants.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Princess? Of Hesse…Hesse…
SOFIA
Hesse-Darmstadt. Our castle is not far from Berlin. I’m afraid my cousin Max makes himself foolish.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Oh, no.
Shepherded by Missionary Seek, the young trio of Golden Orchid, Maximilian, and Sofia meets the Queen at the garden where the Queen takes a position that puts Golden Orchid at her side while they walk through the garden, almost propelled to a camera set up where German ladies in waiting, wearing sunshades, stand around the camera man. Madam Von Mueller is always part of this group.
QUEEN
Der Kamera ist etwas neues, something new, yes, this camera?
GOLDEN ORCHID
A pretty toy, I think.
QUEEN
But a powerful toy. Come. See.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Thank you, Your Highness.
QUEEN
(Enthusiastically)
Mrs. Envoy, you are the first Chinese envoy’s wife we have met.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Self-deprecatingly)
A pretty toy, I am, no more, I think.
QUEEN
Perhaps a powerful toy. You have all the power of the very young.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am eighteen.
QUEEN
Would we were eighteen again.
The ladies all laugh. The Queen takes a position in front of the camera and motions for Golden Orchid to join her, all the while talking during the activity of the photographic session. Two servants hold giant umbrellas to keep the sun off the Queen and Golden Orchid until the camera is ready
QUEEN (CONT’D)
The former Envoy’s wife was always sick. And you are so young, beautiful, and healthy.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty, the former wives were not sick. They were not allowed and not willing to take part in activities …among outsiders.
Several ladies-in-waiting keep tugging at the Queen’s dress as they arrange her Highness for the camera.
QUEEN
Odd! But, of course. We are outsiders to you…mmm…These constant costume changes at court. We can only admire you who began as an actress in the theatre…
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty, I was a very good actress.
QUEEN
(To the Baroness von Waldersee)
Henriette! Oh, there you are. Henriette was also an actress, before she married our dear General Waldersee.
(To Maximilian)
And, you, young man, you’re nephew to the General, yes? We should commission you in the army. We see you as a lieutenant.
MAXIMILIAN
Your Majesty!
QUEEN
(To Golden Orchid)
Then, Mrs. Envoy, tell us why you came to China.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty, as wife of the Envoy, I am able to make my country more understood in the world.
QUEEN
We hope the same for ourselves. Come, come.
The Queen motions to everyone to move away so the photograph can be taken of her and Golden Orchid who stands quite honorably and favorably next to the beautiful German Queen.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
Madame von mueller tells us that your talents at arranging furniture for good health are even more extraordinary than the expected Chinese talent for flower arranging.
GOLDEN ORCHID
The arrangement of things…a rock…a chair…a window…is a Chinese art I would gladly show your Majesty. The art is called feng shui.
QUEEN
As a German, we are interested in health. As a woman, we are interested in…
(Shifting to French)
…arrangement!
All the ladies-in-waiting wearing sunshades giggle. Golden Orchid smiles as the European sense of humor comes clearer to her.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
We think you plan to influence more than how we wear ear rings.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty.
QUEEN
(Arranging herself, stiffly for the photograph)
We do invite you to the palace some quiet afternoon to rearrange our…private…rooms. Verstehen sie?
The two servants holding the umbrellas, at a hand signal from the Queen, remove the umbrellas.
GERMAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Eins. Zwei. Drei!
Golden Orchid puts her hand to her signature pearls.
She and the Queen are caught in a lovely luminescence of phosphor, as if the photograph is part of some wonderful daytime fireworks display.
The ladies in the sunshades applaud.
QUEEN
(Privately to Golden Orchid)
Now…you are entering the blood stream of history. Be very careful…
(Looking at Maximilian)
…in what you arrange.
The Queen touches her left ear, takes that single ear ring, and places it in the palm of Golden Orchid’s hand. The ladies-in-waiting applaud. Madam Von Mueller, Sofia, and Maximilian smile at a distance. Missionary Seek stands satisfied at the side. Golden Orchid’s face glows with the triumph of the afternoon…and its adventurous promise.
Inlaid very adroitly, as if from a distance, comes the melody of Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde”.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, MAIN STAIRS — LATER
Golden Orchid follows Hong Wenqing up the stairs. As she passes each black-draped statue, she pulls off the black cloth, drops it on the stairs, and continues on up to her suite.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, HALL ON FIRST FLOOR — MORNING
Standing at the foot of the stairs, Golden Orchid looks at the assembled staff who are very surprised and embarrassed. She gestures very gracefully toward the undraped statues. She gestures again very gracefully toward all the servants including Stewardess Zhang and Interpreter He. Finally, she gestures again, at herself.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Any questions? This embassy is an open embassy. Open!
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, MAIN STAIRS — AFTERNOON
German servants from the Kaiser’s palace are delivering a huge piano to the Chinese embassy. They strain to hoist it carefully up the stairs. Its strings make almost sounds of the Chinese qin zither. Golden Orchid watches intently.
Stewardess Zhang and Interpreter He climb into the main hall’s industrial-like elevator that climbs the wall. Interpreter He is in a snit.
INTERPRETER HE
The piano is a gift…to the concubine…from the German Empress.
The elevator bumps its way to the second floor where the workmen carrying the piano are arriving.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GOLDEN ORCHID’S SUITE — NIGHT
Golden Orchid finishes lighting the hundred or more red candles she loves. She glows in the shadows next to Hong Wenqing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You are tired, my Lord. Germany makes you tired.
HONG WENQING
The Emperor wishes me to travel, with General Waldersee, to Hesse-Darmstadt for a meeting with the German High Command.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My Lord…Hong, I…don’t want you to go. Don’t speak, please. I know you must go, but my heart speaks love to your heart.
Behind Golden Orchid is the framed photograph taken earlier with the German Queen.
HONG WENQING
I love you, Jinhua. You should not have married an old scholar more than twice your age.
GOLDEN ORCHID
In Europe, many girls marry older gentlemen. Especially in Paris.
HONG WENQING
We poor Chinese are here in Berlin only three months. Already, you speak German. You receive gifts from the Queen. You know the gossip from Paris. And they call you “Souzhie”.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Endearingly)
I am lucky. That makes you, husband, a lucky husband.
HONG WENQING
Kiss me, Souzhie! Souzhie! Souzhie!
Golden Orchid falls in Hong Wenqing’s arms laughing. Hong Wenqing smiles into the darkness around them. He changes the mood.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
Missionary Seek must go back to China.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Back to China so soon? And what of Mrs. Missionary Seek? Oh, back to China too? And what of their son, that boy…
HONG WENQING
Jugo. He stays here in Berlin. Some say he is a revolutionary.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Some say he is a spy.
HONG WENQING
In Berlin…
Together, Hong Wenqing and Golden Orchid finish the sentence.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
…everybody’s a spy!
GOLDEN ORCHID
…everybody’s a spy!
Again, they laugh and fall into each other’s arms with a kiss.
EXT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, MAIN STAIRS — MORNING
Golden Orchid kisses Hong Wenqing at the top of the stairs. Stewardess Zhang watches. They walk down the stairs together. Tang Songnian watches. Hong Wenqing is dressed for travel. The embassy carriage waits. Interpreter He watches. They touch hands. They look with understanding at one another. Hong Wenqing leaves. Golden Orchid walks slowly up the stairs.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GOLDEN ORCHID’S SUITE — EVENING
At twilight, rain falls on the window over the river. Food sits uneaten on a tray. Golden Orchid sits on the floor with the “I Ching”. Stewardess Zhang enters without knocking, and sees the “I Ching”.
STEWARDESS ZHANG
You find good luck or you find bad luck?
Golden Orchid simply ignores her.
STEWARDESS ZHANG (CONT’D)
I thought so.
Stewardess Zhang exits. Golden Orchid tosses the “I Ching” one more time.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, HALL CLOSET — CONTINUOUS
Interpreter He spies on Golden Orchid. Interpreter He sees her reach for the cup that Stewardess Zhang has delivered. He laughs.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GOLDEN ORCHID’S SUITE — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid drinks from the cup, looks at the “I Ching”, and then drinks again. She rises, walks to the window, turns and walks to her bed, where she lies down.
INT. INNER CAVE OF CONSCIOUSNESS, GOLDEN ORCHID — NIGHT
Golden Orchid rises into a fevered sleep where she approaches and enters the deepest heart of darkness. All her fears fight with all her good sense. She is delirious. Repeatedly, the image of Kuanyin, Goddess of Mercy appears in this dream. Mother Fu appears against images of Golden Orchid’s Brother, the squawking Second Madam, the three young men with the red head bands, her dying father on stage in full ceremonial costume, the dancing American girl, Interpreter He, Stewardess Zhang, the steam ship, the train compartment, Hong Wenqing, Maximilian, Hong Wenqing in trouble, Mother Fu and Stewardess Zhang, the Fortune Teller, Hong Wenqing riding in a carriage in frigid cold snow that is so bright it is blinding.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GOLDEN ORCHID’S SUITE — MORNING
Unconscious, Golden Orchid wakes to find Sofia sitting on the bed shaking her.
SOFIA
Wake up, Souzhie…Souzhie, wake up. Are you alright? That strange stewardess of yours let me in. “Open embassy,” she kept saying. “Open embassy.” Does she always laugh that way?
GOLDEN ORCHID
Sofia. Oh! It’s morning.
SOFIA
And you’re late and lazy. We must continue our German lessons.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Ooooh. Not today.
SOFIA
Today, we are to begin our music lessons.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I had the strangest dreams…the most fitful sleep.
SOFIA
You look wonderful, Souzhie, but….Are you alright?
GOLDEN ORCHID
I think so. Yes. Call for some tea. I must bathe. This is such a strange feeling. I remember dreaming, but I don’t remember what I dreamed. I’m fine. You have some tea. I’ll bathe.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, MUSIC ROOM — AFTERNOON
Sofia dances with Golden Orchid. She is teaching Golden Orchid how to waltz. Following Sofia’s direction, a prissy young European man, hired by Sofia, plays the piano. Golden Orchid learns the steps quickly.
GOLDEN ORCHID
The music goes faster and faster.
The sound of this waltz music from the piano continues through the following scenes in quick montage.
INT. BERLIN, LADIES’ FASHIONABLE DRESS SHOP — AFTERNOON
The sign in the window reads “BON MARCHE DRESSMAKER, MILLINER, & TAILOR”. The window is crowded with an over-abundance of fashionable shoes, hand bags, and hats. Golden Orchid, dressed in the Chinese manner, enters the shop with Sofia. In the shop, they meet Henriette von Waldersee and Madam Von Mueller. The music plays over their conversation. Henriette von Waldersee is trying on a dress made for her. It is Parisian in the Belle Epoque style. Off to the side, a Japanese diplomat, with his young son, is looking in the mirror at his new frock coat. He throws a chilly look at Golden Orchid who ignores him. The tailors cater to the women. In an inevitable moment, everyone turns to Golden Orchid.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Oh, no. I couldn’t. What would my husband think.
Golden Orchid is walked up three steps toward the wide door of a fitting room. The curtains on the wide door are swept closed. The music continues. A small “fashion show” is anticipated.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BERLIN, LADIES’ FASHIONABLE DRESS SHOP — MOMENTS LATER
The curtains on the wide door of the fitting room are swept open. Golden Orchid stands at the top of the steps, framed in the door way. She wears a red off-the-shoulder dress for the opera that is perfection in the cut, and in the fit.
EXT. BERLIN, LADIES’ FASHIONABLE DRESS SHOP — MOMENTS LATER
Golden Orchid, again dressed in the Chinese manner, exits with a box. She is accompanied by Sofia, Henriette, and Madame von mueller who also carry boxes. As they exit, the women are very amused.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Souzhie, you have a taste for design.
In the window, three shop clerks, are removing all the final clutter of shoes, hand bags, and hats, leaving in the big window, only one beautiful shoe sitting in splendid isolation on a red velvet box. The lighting on the shoes is superb. Golden Orchid smiles modestly.
Across the street, standing in the shadows, stands Jugo Seek.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Isn’t that the son of Missionary Seek? Whatever is he doing here?
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
I hear that Missionary Seek is less a missionary and more a spy.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Perhaps, Henriette, I should not hear every kind of small talk.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Forgive me, Souzhie, I forget you are the Envoy’s wife.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GARDEN ROOM OFF HALL ON FIRST FLOOR — AFTERNOON
Inside the main front door of the embassy, Golden Orchid is directing the placement of a new statue of Kuanyin. It is a gift from Maximilian who stands next to Golden Orchid. During their conversation, they move from the door way into the garden room. She awaits Hong Wenqing’s imminent return from his journey.
MAXIMILIAN
Thank you for accepting my gift.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Kuanyin is also the Goddess of the Doorway. My husband, when he returns today from Hesse-Darmstadt, will be pleased.
MAXIMILIAN
(Imploringly)
Souzhie…
GOLDEN ORCHID
Max…Maximilian, please, no. Have respect. Stewardess Zhang! Set up the tea service.
Golden Orchid takes a flat tray and smooths the sand. She takes three small smooth rocks, a small block of jade, and a pearl, and arranges them to illustrate her remarks.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
Master Hong will arrive at any moment.
MAXIMILIAN
(Whisper)
I love you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I have arranged a thousand obstacles to stop you…This rock is German granite.
Stewardess Zhang enters with the tea service. Golden Orchid, referring ambiguously both to a fourth rock, a piece of German granite, and to Stewardess Zhang, as she places the granite in an obstructed position on the sand.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
Here is Number One Obstacle.
Maximilian and Golden Orchid both laugh. Stewardess Zhang makes no expression. Maximilian, as if he were playing chess, picks up the small piece of granite, “crowns” the other rocks, and sets the granite next to the pearl.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, MAIN STAIRS — NIGHT
Very late at night, lightning and thunder from a heavy rainstorm light up the statue of Kuanyin in the entry hall. Rain runs down the front doors. A carriage pulls up. A servant run to the door. Figures approach. The door opens. Hong Wenqing enters. Interpreter He follows. Part of the embassy staff rouses itself. Golden Orchid, dressed all in white, appears at the top of the stairs. She sees Hong Wenqing. His head is bandaged.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Hong!
She runs down the stairs. Her dressing gown billowing out behind her. She runs to Hong Wenqing who can barely stand. She throws her arms around him, and they sink slowly to the floor.
HONG WENQING
Jinhua!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Hong, I love you.
(Looking at the staff)
What happened? Call Doctor Rothberger. Telephone him. At the German Imperial Palace. I love you, Hong.
INTERPRETER HE
The Envoy was attacked outside of Berlin when we stopped to rest the horses.
GOLDEN ORCHID
He! You fail to protect the Envoy? Hong!
(She kisses him tenderly)
INTERPRETER HE
The Envoy long ago stopped listening to my wisdom.
HONG WENQING
Don’t worry, Jinhua. I’m alright.
GOLDEN ORCHID
What happened?
(To Butler Hong Sheng)
Carry his Lordship to my room.
Golden Orchid never lets go of Hong Wenqing’s hand as he is carried upstairs. She shouts at Interpreter He.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
You betray the Envoy. You will betray all of us.
INTERPRETER HE
I am no traitor. The Envoy was struck in the head with a sword.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Whose sword?
TANG SONGNIAN
A revolutionary’s sword.
GOLDEN ORCHID
German?…or Chinese?
Golden Orchid continues up the stairs holding on to Hong Wenqing.
HONG WENQING
It’s only a scratch.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My husband! I dreamed violence touched you.
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, CHINESE EMBASSY BOX — NIGHT
From on stage, the diva can be heard singing the aria from “La Wally”. Together as a magnificent couple, the distinguished Envoy Hong Wenqing sits next to Golden Orchid. Hong Wenqing wears a black tuxedo. A small bandage is fixed to his left temple. His hair has turned noticeably gray. Golden Orchid sits absolutely brilliantly in the red opera dress she wore in the dress shop.
CUT TO:
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, KAISER WILHELM BOX — CONTINUOUS
Next to Kaiser Wilhelm and the Queen sits Madam Von Mueller who is looking about the theater at the social scene. Everyone is sneaking peeks at Golden Orchid.
QUEEN
Golden Orchid wears our fashions better than we do.
Kaiser Wilhelm looks approvingly in the direction of Golden Orchid.
QUEEN (CONT’D)
The Kaiser has much respect for her husband. Apparently the man is as good a diplomat as he is a scholar.
CUT TO:
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, WALDERSEE BOX — CONTINUOUS
General Waldersee sits with Henriette and Maximilian. The older couple notice that Maximilian cannot take his eyes off Golden Orchid.
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, CHINESE EMBASSY BOX — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid, close-up, is radiant. She projects dignity and force.
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, WALDERSEE BOX — CONTINUOUS
MAXIMILIAN
China!
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, CHINESE EMBASSY BOX — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid remains in radiant close-up. The aria reaches crescendo and ends with much applause.
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, MAIN FLOOR AND BOXES — CONTINUOUS
The entire crowd in the opera house turns, from applauding the stage, to looking up at the Chinese Embassy Box. Cheering begins.
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, CHINESE EMBASSY BOX — CONTINUOUS
Hong Wenqing notices the cheering crowd and leans toward Golden Orchid.
HONG WENQING
My beautiful wife, you have conquered Germany.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Sizing up the situation)
No, my Lord, Germany applauds your diplomacy.
Hong Wenqing stands, holds out his hand to Golden Orchid. She stands. Her signature pearls glisten at her throat. All of Berlin is at her feet.
INT. BERLIN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, KAISER WILHELM BOX — CONTINUOUS
KAISER WILHELM
She is truly the Chinese Envoy’s wife.
EXT. BERLIN, STREET — NIGHT
Close-up, Golden Orchid, dressed in western clothes, walks along the side walk. The oom-pa-pa of the beer halls washes over the street. Golden Orchid looks up as she passes a prostitute lighting a cigaret. Golden Orchid walks quickly away as if she has a destination. Nevertheless, German men try to speak to her.
GERMAN MAN #1
Hey, mein Liebchen! My darling!
GERMAN MAN #2
Are you lonely? She is like a lost cat.
GERMAN MAN #3
She’s oriental. Diese Fraulein ist orientalisch!
GERMAN MAN #1
Liebchen! Liebchen! Are you looking for your emir of Baghdad?
From the shadows, another man runs out and grabs her. She is pulled back into the dark by a temptation she has not been able to resist. She is a very young woman married to an older man who is often absent traveling.
MAXIMILIAN
Souzhie!
Maximilian kisses her.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, KITCHEN — DAY
Close-up the tea pot for boiling water blows its whistle. Interpreter He reaches for the pot and looks very satisfied with the temperature.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, STUDY OF HONG WENQING — AFTERNOON
Hong Wenqing sits with the German Missionary Seek, Mrs. Missionary Seek, and their son, Jugo. Golden Orchid attends pleasantly.
HONG WENQING
Missionary Seek, your sudden need to return to China causes me to consider your request for a visa.
MISSIONARY SEEK
Honorable Wenqing, our mission suffers greatly these days. In China, as in Germany, there is much political unrest.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My husband, as you know, has suffered at the hands of a German nationalist.
MRS MISSIONARY SEEK
The Germans want no Chinese. The Chinese want no Germans.
MISSIONARY SEEK
We are all God’s children.
HONG WENQING
How is it, Missionary Seek, that you have spent more than forty years in China?
MISSIONARY SEEK
Doing God’s work.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You are so skilled speaking Chinese, sir, that many people in Germany and China think you are Chinese.
HONG WENQING
I am concerned for your safety, Missionary Seek. And for that of your wife and son.
MRS MISSIONARY SEEK
Honorable Wenqing, please permit us to return to China. We are only happy there.
MISSIONARY SEEK
Yes, Excellency, we are happy in China. Just as Mrs. Envoy is happy in Germany.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Then, by all means, my Lord, let the Missionary Seek Family return to China.
HONG WENQING
Agreed. Please see my secretary as you leave. You can thank my wife that the matter is so simple.
Hong Wenqing stands. The Seek Family stands and walks to the door.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
Jugo!
JUGO SEEK
Yes, sir?
HONG WENQING
(Jovially)
You mind your manners.
Jugo bows his head, blows his hair up from his face, and smiles. The Seek Family exits.
GOLDEN ORCHID
The Seek Family are German spies, you know.
HONG WENQING
I know. Hmph! Here among the foreigners I have learned to trust no one from our own embassy kitchen all the way to the Kaiser himself.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Soon Germany’s demands will offend every great power, including China. I fear the German temperament. I do not want to remain in this foreign land.
HONG WENQING
You have worked your charm on the German court.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Women survive on information. While you talk and talk and talk with the husbands, I listen to the wives of the aristocracy, the military, and the German industry. What their wives do not tell me, their mistresses do. I enjoy Germany, but I love China. I work Germany the way I work a whore boat.
HONG WENQING
Jinhua, you must forget those days.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Forget? Two years ago, I was a sing-song girl. Interpreter He remembers. The embassy staff calls me your concubine.
HONG WENQING
Jinhua, I call you my wife.
Golden Orchid begins crying. Hong Wenqing quickly checks to make certain the door is closed.
HONG WENQING (CONT’D)
Jinhua, what is wrong? Nothing can be so bad. You are homesick.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am pregnant.
HONG WENQING
I have hoped so.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Have you, my Lord?
HONG WENQING
I am an older man and I have hoped so. My son by Second Madam will not remember to worship properly his ancestors. You make me very happy. You are the good daughter of Suzhou. You are the good wife who brings new live to the honorable dynasty of Qing.
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, MAIN BALLROOM — NIGHT
Christmas trees and lights festoon the ornate ballroom. The court orchestra plays traditional German Christmas carols in waltz time. Boys and girls sit around the Christmas tree. Golden Orchid, dressed Parisian style, sits with Madam Von Mueller. Several boys dressed as tin soldiers shoot their pop guns at one another. Interpreter He is in attendance with Hong Wenqing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I speak German so quickly that our Chinese interpreter cannot tell anything I say!
MADAM VON MUELLER
The Kaiser and the Queen are so happy you agreed to come. This is such a happy Christmas for Germany.
Sofia joins Golden Orchid.
SOFIA
An engagement is an occasion to rejoice.
MADAM VON MUELLER
(Knowingly)
As is a pregnancy. My dear, I am so pleased for you and Mr. Envoy.
SOFIA
Madame von mueller, shh! Souzhie won’t want everyone to know.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Sofia won’t tell you this, Souzhie, but I’ll tell you. Sofia will be traveling to Russia for the wedding.
SOFIA
Alexandra is my cousin.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Yes, yes! Your Hesse-Darmstadt family with all the cousins.
SOFIA
My cousin Maximilian thinks so highly of you I think he’s in love with you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
No, no. Nonsense. You are a romantic European!
MADAM VON MUELLER
And you’re a romantic Asian! I’m old. I know. It’s the same the whole world over.
SOFIA
Love rules the world. This afternoon the next Czar, Nicholas of Russia, proposed marriage to my cousin, Alexandra, Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt. She will be the next Czarina of Russia.
MADAM VON MUELLER
Alexandra is first cousin to the Kaiser.
GOLDEN ORCHID
So through this marriage of the Russian Nicholas to the German Alexandra, the Kaiser will have a permanent peace with Russia…on Germany’s eastern front.
Maximilian walks up to the ladies who are sitting by a big colorful ball of the world which he sets gallantly spinning.
MAXIMILIAN
Chopping up the globe again? Dear ladies, it’s Christmas!
SOFIA
Oh, Max! Look, the footmen are lighting more candles.
MAXIMILIAN
(Whispering to Golden Orchid)
I want to dance with you.
MADAM VON MUELLER
You want to dance with all of us!
The orchestra strikes a fanfare. Across the room, the Kaiser and the Queen look on as through the entrance comes the twenty-six-year-old NICHOLAS ROMANOV with the twenty-one-year-old ALEXANDRA on his arm.
GOLDEN ORCHID
They are a truly golden couple.
The courtiers break into courteous applause as the newly engaged royal couple begins a Christmas waltz.
MADAM VON MUELLER
They are perhaps too gentle for this court.
Nicholas and Alexandra are joined by other dancers.
SOFIA
Cousin Alexandra was raised in England at the court of her grandmother, Queen Victoria. She speaks and thinks in English.
MAXIMILIAN
Tell us, Souzhie. Do you think your thoughts in German yet?
GOLDEN ORCHID
I speak in your German…slowly, but I think in my Chinese…quickly!
MADAM VON MUELLER
Clever girl! Keep them guessing who you are.
MAXIMILIAN
(Very formally)
May we dance, Souzhie?
Golden Orchid turns to Hong Wenqing with a questioning look. Hong Wenqing is intense in a conversation with an important-looking German official dressed in black. Hong Wenqing smiles and waves.
CUT TO:
INT. BERLIN BASEMENT, DIRTY ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Tang Songnian, wearing a red head band, and a red waist band, is completing the construction of a small bomb made from three sticks of dynamite.
CUT TO:
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, MAIN BALLROOM — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid waves to Hong Wenqing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I have never danced European dances in public.
SOFIA
Souzhie, don’t be shy. I taught you well.
MADAM VON MUELLER
A Christmas waltz.
Maximilian takes Golden Orchid by the hand and leads her to the dance floor. Nicholas sees Golden Orchid and mentions her to Alexandra who looks and smiles.
MADAM VON MUELLER (CONT’D)
No one has ever seen a Chinese woman dance.
Golden Orchid gracefully follows Maximilian as they waltz around the floor. Courtiers buzz and make pretty applause.
CUT TO:
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, MAIN BALLROOM — CONTINUOUS
Close-up, Hong Wenqing continues to talk animatedly with the man in black. For a moment, he looks up and sees Golden Orchid waltzing gracefully. He turns from the man in black and smiles at his lovely wife. Golden Orchid sees him and smiles back.
CUT TO:
INT. BERLIN BASEMENT, DIRTY ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Tang Songnian snaps the bomb parts into place, stuffs the bomb into a hand valise, and looks up, smiles, pulls on a winter jacket, and exits out the door of the room.
CUT TO:
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, MAIN BALLROOM — CONTINUOUS
The waltzing continues to a happy conclusion. Golden Orchid walks over to Hong Wenqing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My Lord, I am so happy. So happy with you.
Golden Orchid secretly touches her stomach and smiles.
HONG WENQING
You carry the future of the Qing…My Jinhua, I must see to urgent telegrams from Beijing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I’ll go with you. I’ll leave too.
HONG WENQING
No, my dear, you stay.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Let me walk you to the carriage.
Golden Orchid waves to the ladies and to Maximilian and walks Hong Wenqing through several hallways to the door.
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, PORCH, STEPS, CORRIDOR TO AUDIENCE HALL — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid walks Hong Wenqing through the corridor to the door of the porch.
HONG WENQING
You’ll freeze, Jinhua. A cold Christmas in Germany is no place for a Golden Orchid.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My Lord, I love you. Auf wiedersehen.
HONG WENQING
(In Chinese)
I love you. Good-bye!
CUT TO:
EXT. BERLIN STREET, AT IMPERIAL PALACE — CONTINUOUS
In the dark street, Tang Songnian approaches the bright lights of the palace where a diplomat is saying farewell.
CUT TO:
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, PORCH, STEPS, CORRIDOR TO AUDIENCE HALL — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid kisses Hong Wenqing good-bye.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I never like to see you leave on urgent missions.
HONG WENQING
Go to the window where you will be warm.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I’ll watch the carriage until you’re out of sight.
HONG WENQING
I’ll see you in the morning.
Hong Wenqing goes down the steps to the waiting black carriage as Golden Orchid goes to the palace window. She waves as Hong Wenqing turns to wave at her as he climbs into the carriage.
CUT TO:
EXT. BERLIN STREET, AT IMPERIAL PALACE — CONTINUOUS
Tang Songnian readies his black bag as the carriage pulls away from the German Imperial Palace.
TANG SONGNIAN
Say “good-bye” to whore diplomacy!
The carriage comes close to the wall where Tang Songnian hides in ambush.
CUT TO:
INT. GERMAN IMPERIAL PALACE, PORCH, STEPS, CORRIDOR TO AUDIENCE HALL — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid sees the carriage driving out into the dark night. Then, suddenly, the carriage explodes in a fire ball. Debris flies through the night air. The Christmas music stops. Golden Orchid screams. The courtiers come rushing to her. Outside in the night, palace guards are blowing sirens, and an ambulance pulls up to the scene of the carriage sitting in the burning snow. Interpreter He walks up to the crowd at the window, sees Golden Orchid.
INTERPRETER HE
(Feigning sincerity)
How lucky the lady!
FADE OUT:
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, GOLDEN ORCHID’S SUITE — LATER
Golden Orchid is completely distraught, crying, sweeping the perfect arrangements of feng shui to the floor, tugging at her pearls, touching her stomach, falling back on the bed.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Mother! My Mother! Mother Fu!
At the door way, Stewardess Zhang stands holding a cup and pitcher on a tray. Behind her stands Interpreter He who prods her toward Golden Orchid. Stewardess Zhang approaches Golden Orchid on the bed and offers her a cup to drink. Golden Orchid looks at it…pushes it away…looks at it again…takes it…and throws the cup across the bedroom. Stewardess Zhang is insistent. Golden Orchid falls back on the bed. Stewardess Zhang looks back at Interpreter He who comes in and stands behind Stewardess Zhang. Golden Orchid fails to see him in the half-light. Interpreter He moves Stewardess Zhang’s arms and pours from the pitcher to the cup, and moves the cup to Golden Orchid’s lips. Golden Orchid touches her pregnant stomach, cries out, and drinks. The liquid runs down her beautiful face like red blood staining her white shirt. She falls back and convulses, grabbing her stomach. She screams, moans, and passes out.
INTERPRETER HE
This will make one less German bastard.
INT. CHINESE EMBASSY, BERLIN, HALL ON FIRST FLOOR — DAY
Golden Orchid sits, arranged with a simple black suitcase, on a chair in the middle of the grand hall. She wears a simple black Chinese outfit. Her face is pale, drained, with no make-up. She has dark circles under her eyes. A servant scurries up the stairs. The classic statues are once again wrapped in piles of black cloth. A clock ticks with a huge sound. Interpreter He, almost gleefully kicking the skirts of his long robe, strides across the second floor balcony, walks into the elevator, and rides it, creaking and squawking, all the way to the first floor of the hall. Golden Orchid never so much as looks at him.
INTERPRETER HE
Three weeks since Envoy Hong is dead.
Interpreter He walks to a near-by statue and adjusts the black cloth covering it with much satisfaction.
INTERPRETER HE (CONT’D)
His concubine had a most provocative year in Germany. The Dowager Empress is not impressed by such “whore diplomacy.” You are being returned to China in disgrace. You are in deep shame.
Interpreter He walks over to Golden Orchid who does not look at him and who does not resist him.
STEWARDESS ZHANG
(Entering and exiting)
The carriage is ready for the Anhalt Railway Station.
Interpreter He points at Golden Orchid’s small hand bag, then takes it.
INTERPRETER HE
These pearls you need no more.
Interpreter He wraps the pearls around his hand and studies them.
INTERPRETER HE (CONT’D)
These pearls are…very…Chinese…or are they…very…European. Mmmmm! One cannot be too careful these days….as one cannot be too careful with the unborn child of a whore concubine who does not know her place!
Golden Orchid’s face remains impassive. One tear, shaped like a pearl, translucent as a pearl on her skin, escapes her eye and runs down her cheek.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Quietly)
You killed Hong Wenqing.
INTERPRETER HE
You are an agent provocateur.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You killed the child of Wenqing.
Interpreter He laughs and tucks the pearls into his pocket.
INTERPRETER HE
I killed the unborn German bastard of Maximilian, the German Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt.
GOLDEN ORCHID
No. You killed the unborn Chinese child of the Qing dynasty.
INTERPRETER HE
Once an actress always the whore.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Actress, yes! Whore, once! Liar, never!
INTERPRETER HE
Sing-Song Girl, the carriage arrives for your grand exit.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I was never unfaithful to Hong Wenqing. If you had looked at the face of that little lost baby, you would have seen the face of China!
EXT. BEIJING, CITY SQUARE– AFTERNOON
Subtitle on screen reads “CHINA, THREE MONTHS LATER”
Nightmare-like close-up of shaking colorful DRAGON HEAD pulls back to reveal parade-demonstration of Boxers exercising.
INT. CHINESE IMPERIAL PALACE, THRONE ROOM — NIGHT
Equal in size and threat to the dragon head, the Empress Dowager’s face and head ornaments sit in extreme close-up.
EXT. RAILWAY — MORNING
A locomotive is running head-on from afar. On the locomotive are flying eight national flags. Obviously EUROPEAN SOLDIERS ride on top the cars and hang from the windows. The locomotive charges by in an explosion of power.
EXT. CHINESE IMPERIAL PALACE, EMPRESS DOWAGER’S ANTE-ROOM — AFTERNOON
Against the brilliant yellows and cobalt blues, Interpreter He stands triumphant in colorful robes. He is obviously very satisfied with himself. Behind him, just visible, at some distance in the interior, the EMPRESS DOWAGER sits.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
Master He, how faithful a servant you are. Envoy Wenqing was too free with his wife. An ambassador wife is only an adornment. Scholar Wenqing should have remained a scholar.
INTERPRETER HE
Wenqing took his wife seriously. This Golden Orchid met in audience with the King of Germany.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
Never has a Chinese wife behaved so.
INTERPRETER HE
Miss Golden Orchid invited foreigners into our embassy. She danced in foreign clothes.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
What a shame for China in Europe. We have enough trouble with the Koreans.
INTERPRETER HE
Foreigners say China carries on with “whore diplomacy”.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
We must punish the little bitch.
INTERPRETER HE
The Great Qing, the foreigners say, relies on a prostitute. China must not lose face.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
We must give her forty strokes.
IMPERIAL EUNUCH
The Dowager Empress has thanked you with this honorable promotion, Master He.
INT. BEIJING, LAUNDRY, A SMALL ANONYMOUS ROOM — NIGHT
As a young, but tired, Chinese woman winds up a phonograph that has lost its speed, Golden Orchid sits in a small crowded room which is part of a laundry like her mother’s. Two European nuns work quietly to symbolize that Golden Orchid keeps open contact with both Chinese and Europeans. Golden Orchid is dressed simply. She sits forlornly. A small child crawls up into her lap. Golden Orchid holds the child. As the record on the phonograph picks up speed, Golden Orchid begins the first line of a lullaby.
EXT. RAILWAY — MORNING
The roaring train flying eight European flags roars past, leaving only the faces of three Chinese peasants staring, looking very bewildered with anxiety.
INT. BEIJING, CITY SQUARE, — AFTERNOON
Interpreter He stands on a raised temporary stage watching the scene below. Interpreter He and three other men, obviously dressed in cobalt blues and golds represent the Empress Dowager. In the square, below Interpreter He is a crowd of young Chinese men and young Chinese women. They are the Fighters of Yihetuan, the Boxers who are in open rebellion against European influences on China. They wear red head bands and red belts around their waists while they practice shadow boxing in the street. Under a canvas made of reed mat, there is an altar made up of five tables with a piece of red cloth around the feet of the tables. Candles light the Boxer altar on which are placed the five pictures of the Supreme Being. In the center of the pictures is Yuanshi Taizun. The left picture is Guan Ping with a seal in his hand and Yang Zongbao holding a flag of command. On the right are WuSong who killed a tiger and his sister-in-law; and Huang Tianba who is saluting with hands folded in front of his face. Two large flags are stuck on the two sides of the boxing altar. The flags snap in the breeze. On one of the flags is written: “LONG LIVE THE QING! KILL THE FOREIGN DEVILS”. On the other flag is written: “BOXERS RULE THE WORLD”. The fighters, led by a sturdy Boxer athlete, EN HAI, are practicing boxing. They are shouting slogans in a chorus with INTERPRETER HE who is speaking. INTERPRETER HE allows the two IMPERIAL SECRETARIES to rouse the crowd of Boxers.
INTERPRETER HE
Heaven assist you Boxer patriots, Yihetuan! Foreign devils invade China. Foreign missionaries preach Jesus. Foreign priests teach Catholicism. Foreign devils want Chinese to cheat Heaven. What about respect for Buddha! And remembering ancestors!
EN HAI
Cleanse China now!
IMPERIAL SECRETARY #1
Foreign females have no morals. Foreign men lack integrity. Foreign devils are not humans!
IMPERIAL SECRETARY #2
China needs no army! China needs you, Yihetuan!
CROWD
Cleanse China now!
IMPERIAL SECRETARY #1
Drive foreign powers out of China! It’s easy to kill foreign devils.
IMPERIAL SECRETARY #2
Destroy railway. Cut the wire telegraph. Sink their ships.
IMPERIAL SECRETARY #1
Terror to Germany! Terror to Russia and France! Destroy America and Britain.
EN HAI
Terror!
CROWD
(Chanting)
Terror! Terror! Terror!
IMPERIAL SECRETARY #2
No foreign devils must survive!
INTERPRETER HE
Yihetuan! Unite China under the Great Qing! Create Peace and Order!
The crowd watching becomes very excited. They shout and box.
EXT. RAILWAY — AFTERNOON
As the train, flying the eight European flags, comes slowly along a treacherous piece of railroad track in difficult terrain, Boxer fighters of the Yihetuan jump up from both sides of the railway, shouting, carrying swords and spears in their surprise attack on the train which slows to a stop. Heroic fighting, on both sides, breaks out. One young German officer shouts the call to arms. It is Maximilian.
MAXIMILIAN
Komm! Du! Du! Macht schnell!
Maximilian disappears in the smoke and fury of fighting bodies as twenty Boxers rush across the train.
EXT. BEIJING, ALLIED COMPOUND, GYMNASIUM PORCH — MORNING
Just past dawn, the Kaiser’s GERMAN AMBASSADOR KLINDER begins his morning constitutional exercise on a gymnasium porch equipped with medicine balls, Indian clubs, and light weights. Two young German soldiers stand by as sentinels. Sofia steps in with her morning coffee to watch. FRAU KLINDER joins Sofia.
SOFIA
Guten Morgen, Frau Klinder. Your husband makes a very fit new German ambassador.
A third German, a young Kommandant, KLEINSCHMIDT, who is stripped to the waist, winks at Sofia as he steps about punching the air with his boxing gloves. He is the new sparring partner for Klinder. He smiles at Sofia.
FRAU KLINDER
My husband’s handsome new partner seems to want to spar with you.
Sofia smiles back giving an indication of incipient new romance. Between Klinder and Kleinschmidt a dozen light punches are exchanged amidst much feinting and bravado as GENERAL WALDERSEE comes through the door holding a telegram.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
The Boxer Chinese have attacked our Allied train from Shanghai.
Not comprehending immediately, Kleinschmidt socks Klinder who falls to the floor.
FRAU KLINDER
You idiot! No one touches my husband, the German ambassador!
EXT. BEIJING, CITY SQUARE — NIGHT
Boxers have built a fire in the square. Red lanterns hang everywhere. Some buildings around the square are burning. Twenty bodies, Chinese, hang by the neck from sign posts. At one window, several Boxers appear and throw first a Chinese man and then a Chinese woman out the window. The man and woman each have a rope around the neck and the rope catches their fall and strangles them. The Boxer crowd cheers.
OLD CHINESE MAN
Chinese killing Chinese!
YOUNG BOXER #1
They dirty Chinese. They servants to European embassy.
YOUNG BOXER #2
Patriot Chinese kill traitor Chinese.
In custody, Golden Orchid, in torn simple clothes, sits in the square on a wooden bench. All around her, the demonstration rages. To the left, seven Chinese men are lined up against a store front that on the plate glass window reads “PARIS MILLINERS”. Ten Boxers formed into a firing squad shoot the seven men who fall as the glass window breaks into a thousand pieces. The European hats in the window are slashed to pieces.
Golden Orchid is treated roughly and led to a vantage point and forced to watch the initiation of men and girls into the Boxer group. She is threatened by the wild young men, athletic and stripped to the waist. Their knives put her in deep jeopardy. The very handsome Boxer athlete, En Hai, comes up to her, intent on killing her, but she looks him so hard, so deliberately in the face, he backs off.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(With the daring that is survival)
Kill me. Show me you can kill someone who is already dead.
Golden Orchid falls to the ground in despair.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
Must I live forever?
The crowd roars, turns in one direction, and opens a path. Golden Orchid sees that the crowd has captured Missionary Seek, Mrs. Missionary Seek, and Jugo Seek who are pushed roughly through the crowd.
YOUNG BOXER #2
Foreigner missionary spies!
YOUNG BOXER #3
Kill all the foreign hairy ones!
The Seek Family suddenly sees Golden Orchid who sees them. As Mrs. Missionary Seek shouts toward Golden Orchid, Mrs. Missionary is clubbed from behind and is killed. The crowd roars, puts a noose around Missionary Seek’s neck, and hoists him kicking and screaming up a lamp post. In the confusion, Jugo Seeks seizes his opportunity, grabs a knife, kills a Boxer, and runs toward Golden Orchid.
GOLDEN ORCHID
What kind of German are you? Have you come to kill me or save me?
Before any resolution, the crowd surges, and Jugo Seek disappears. Suddenly, there are shots and an explosion.
YOUNG BOXER #1
The Allies! The Germans! The French! The Americans!
The crowd of Boxers disperse in a hundred directions. Golden Orchid is suddenly alone in the middle of the wrecked and smoldering square hung with flickering red lanterns and dead bodies. In the smoke, she sees a male face.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Hong Luo!
HONG LUO
I have searched everywhere for you. I want you. Now.
Hong Luo takes her arm and guides her. She is beyond feeling. She walks slowly off in despair.
INT. BEIJING, RESIDENCE OF WENQING, ENTRY PARLOR — LATER
The Beijing residence of Hong Wenqing is very formally different from the prettier house in Suzhou. Even the interior of the house shows some of the damage of the street rebellion. The Second Madam, Hong Luo’s mother, admits Hong Luo and Golden Orchid into the house, and slams the door, pulling the curtains against the sounds of street fighting.
SECOND MADAM
Look at the slut my son drags home.
Golden Orchid notices and touches the statue of Kuanyin whose head has been broken and obviously repaired. Second Madam directs the two into another room.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
Look, First Madam! My son, Hong Luo, brings home the Consort of Europeans.
INT. BEIJING, RESIDENCE OF WENQING, MAIN PARLOR — CONTINUOUS
The YOUNG MADAM, “Snake Eyes”, sits trying to play the piano given to Golden Orchid by the German Queen. FIRST MADAM lies on a bed smoking opium. YOUNG MADAM hits very discordant notes.
FIRST MADAM
Ay! Golden Orchid! You have not been here…where you belong…at residence of our dead Hong Wenqing.
First Madam draws deep on her opium pipe. Hong Luo looks at Golden Orchid with fresh lust.
HONG LUO
(Whispers)
Misfortune becomes you.
SECOND MADAM
He left you no money…
Golden Orchid looks knowingly–knowing better, but too tired and worn to care. Off to the side is a shrine: a photograph of Hong Wenqing surrounded by the smoke of constantly burning incense.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
…well, no more than…a hundred taels of silver.
HONG LUO
You are a golden prostitute. My father’s concubine. I hold the money…
SECOND MADAM
…but we must decide your future.
HONG LUO
Are you to remain here in Hong Wenqing’s house, or are you to go back…
HONG LUO (CONT’D)
…to the whore boat.
The Young Madam strike a series of discordant notes.
YOUNG MADAM
(Screeching)
You have eyes for your father’s concubine!
FIRST MADAM
Stop! Enough!
SECOND MADAM
That piano. Such foreign gifts put us in danger. You caused Hong Wenqing to be killed.
YOUNG MADAM
She’s a whore. A foreigner devil whore.
FIRST MADAM
Come, Orchid. Sit with me. I tell you a secret.
Golden Orchid smiles with some happiness at the invitation of the kindly First Madam. She sits obediently next to the old woman.
FIRST MADAM (CONT’D)
You have filial piety. Yes? No? Maybe.
HONG LUO
If you choose chastity, we give you charity.
FIRST MADAM
No more flower boat. No more prostitute. You stay here. You serve Hong Wenqing’s family. I teach you secrets…
(Smoking the pipe)
…I teach you secrets of the poppy.
Golden Orchid resists and begins to stand independently when Hong Luo grabs her arm.
HONG LUO
Young golden bitch, the family has decided. You have no money.
SECOND MADAM
(So arch as to be ironic)
Hong Wenqing did not leave you fifty thousand taels of silver.
Second Madam makes a triumphant face.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
You are trained to serve. You will be to Wenqing Family Number One Servant.
HONG LUO
You have no family but Hong Wenqing’s family.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I have my mother in Suzhou.
HONG LUO
You have a new master now.
FIRST MADAM
Girl, girl. I teach you how to cook the opium paste on the fire.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You people are disgusting.
FIRST MADAM
You will forget to remember.
SECOND MADAM
We are disgusting?
Second Madam very slowly and dramatically pulls open a screen behind First Madam.
SECOND MADAM (CONT’D)
We are disgusting? Then what about your degenerate brother.
Golden Orchid is shocked to see the partly obscured face of Lai Sheng through the opening. Hong Luo propels Golden Orchid through the door toward her brother.
INT. BEIJING, RESIDENCE OF HONG WENQING, BATH — CONTINUOUS
Revealed immediately is the brother of Golden Orchid, Lai Sheng, who is sitting in an ornate bath of steaming water. She shakes Hong Luo’s hand loose and walks directly toward her brother. He looks up at her. His hand comes up with the stem of an opium pipe. With sleepy humor, he acknowledges Golden Orchid.
LAI SHENG
(Slowly, lasciviously)
Sister!…You come back home…You bring more taels of silver?…Heh! Your mother-in-law, First Wife Wenqing, give me bad habits I like.
HONG LUO
Your brother is a bit of a pervert.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Where is our mother?
LAI SHENG
Our mother?…mmm…she dead.
Golden Orchid breaks away, screaming, and runs toward the door which she opens. Chaos rules the street, but she runs out through the confusion.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY — DAY
On horseback, German Ambassador Klinder, escorted by Kommandant Kleinschmidt, and four young German horse troopers, is riding through the Dongdan Archway. Frau Klinder rides in an open sedan chair carried by bearers sympathetic to the Boxers. Out of the entrance of Zongbu Alley six Boxer fighters attack. The leader is En Hai. They pull all five horse troopers from their saddles and kill them.
BOXER ASSASSIN
Death to the German Envoy!
The Boxers lift Ambassador Klinder up above the crowd for the spectacle of the final kill.
Two Boxer girls, along for the assassination, unfurl a white banner painted with red letters: “KILL ALL FOREIGNERS”.
Klinder is dropped in the dirt. Frau Klinder sits in the middle of the carnage, holding Ambassador Klinder, and screaming as the Boxers run away and the crowd withdraws.
INT. BEIJING, ALLIED COMPOUND — MOMENTS LATER
A German horse trooper gallops in. He hands General Waldersee a note. The Baroness Henriette von Waldersee stands next to him in shock. Sofia runs in. Three small European children run in after her and hide in her skirts.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
This is a declaration of war.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
God in Heaven, help all the children!
Pandemonium breaks loose in the Allied compound. In an instant, more horse troopers ride out toward Dongdan Archway.
EXT. BEIJING, STREET OUTSIDE MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL — NIGHT
Golden Orchid sees the sign “SUZHOU BROTHEL”, looks at a sheet of paper, crosses the deep-shadowed street, and walks in through the door. From the street, through the glass, Mother Fu can be seen hugging the tired form of Golden Orchid.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — MOMENTS LATER
Mother Fu is washing Golden Orchid’s face as she half-sits in Mother Fu’s lap.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Chinese killing Chinese. Allies killing Chinese. Chinese killing Europeans. Boxer rebels killing everybody.
MOTHER FU
You must face death…in the face.
Sound of qin zither.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I’m in shame. I have suffered prison, and cruelty, and, worse…
MOTHER FU
Sleep now. Sleep now.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, LARGE BATH — NIGHT
Golden Orchid kneels in front of statue of Kuanyin, burns incense, and gently cuts her hair. She climbs into a huge bath, amid clouds of incense, for her obviously ritual cleansing. When she climbs down into the tub, she takes a tray filled with sand, smooths it, and deftly arranges three stones and a pearl. As she picks up the pearl, she looks at it, holds it in her hand, picks it up carefully, and kisses it. Then in a long floating shot she sits in contemplation in the deep water.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, GOLDEN ORCHID’S ROOM — MORNING
A rooster crows. Golden Orchid stirs in her sleep on the bed. While she sleeps, Maximilian leans in over her face, kisses her tenderly, and she wakes, sees him, and smiles.
MAXIMILIAN
Shh…Souzhie. We’re both refugees. Shh…Shh…I’ve been cut off from the Allied Compound. General Waldersee is there…with Henriette and Sofia.
Mother Fu has been standing near-by.
MOTHER FU
Please, Sir. Let me attend to your wound.
Maximilian has a small bloody flesh wound on his side.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Maximilian!
MAXIMILIAN
From a Boxer’s knife I barely escaped.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Soothingly)
Ohh…Ohh…you’ll be alright. Won’t he, Mother Fu.
MOTHER FU
Mother Fu will take care of you both.
Mother Fu reaches down and takes the single pearl Golden Orchid has been holding in her hand while she slept. Mother Fu studies it carefully.
INT. CHINESE IMPERIAL PALACE, EMPRESS DOWAGER’S ANTE-ROOM — AFTERNOON
Interpreter He sits at his desk fingering the signature pearls he took from Golden Orchid.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S BROTHEL, SMALL PAGODA — EVENING
Golden Orchid and Maximilian are finishing a “mock” waltz to the tune Golden Orchid half-talks and half-sings. They laugh. Maximilian’s side hurts.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Both sides think we’re both spies?
MAXIMILIAN
We’re caught between two worlds.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Each night I wonder. Am I paying enough attention. Will I really remember all this?
MAXIMILIAN
I’ll remember all this. In hiding with you.
Maximilian kisses her. She resists, gives in a little, and resists.
MAXIMILIAN (CONT’D)
You want to resist me so Chinese.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You want to conquer me so German.
MAXIMILIAN
Souzhie….Jinhua!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Max!
They kiss, but Golden Orchid, overcome with a thought, breaks away.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
I have to go home…to find my mother. I have to go home to Suzhou.
EXT. BEIJING, STREETS — MORNING
Blazing hot sun. Orange sand sifts down through the air. The streets are full of wreckage and survivors. Several dead bodies are being removed. Three drunken Boxers careen into the street from a very cheap brothel. Golden Orchid with Maximilian makes her way down the street. Maximilian is, almost comically, disguised as a Chinese peasant version of Mother Fu. Suddenly, as they come to the square, a face jumps up at Golden Orchid. He is a very young BLOND GERMAN SOLDIER, no more than a boy. Golden Orchid is startled. The young German soldier falls back, to his knees; he is tied and held captive with three other young blond German soldiers.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(In German)
Who is your general?
BLOND GERMAN SOLDIER
You speak German? My general is Waldersee.
A Boxer comes up to see what’s happening, slaps the soldiers across the face, and motions for Golden Orchid to go away. As Golden Orchid turns into the Square of the Red Lanterns, her face is horrified.
BLOND GERMAN SOLDIER (CONT’D)
They are German Jesuit priests. We are next.
EXT. BEIJING, CITY SQUARE — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid sees five men in a range of ages, stripped nearly naked, and nailed to crosses standing in the square. As she and Maximilian move on through the scene, the Blond German Soldier is being dragged toward a waiting cross surrounded by Boxer rebels. She gasps. She cries out.
MAXIMILIAN
Don’t speak German. They’d kill us both.
She can do nothing. She crosses with Maximilian through the square and disappears into the golden dust and heat as the hammering begins.
INT. NIGHT TRAIN TO SUZHOU — NIGHT
Golden Orchid has fallen asleep against Maximilian. This train car crammed with Chinese escaping the blood bath in Beijing causes Golden Orchid to look around.
GOLDEN ORCHID
So many refugees. Everywhere. Refugees. Prisoners. Hostages. This is the work of men, of money, of politics. My dead husband, Honorable Hong Wenqing, the famous scholar…what would he say about all this?
INT. BEIJING, IMPERIAL PALACE, INTERPRETER HE’S QUARTERS — NIGHT
The room is perfect: yellow, cobalt blue, richly appointed. An imperial eunuch is exiting having handed Interpreter He a note.
INTERPRETER HE
That Chinese concubine…that whore of the Germans…hmmph! As I thought. Fools are laughable. So easy to catch. Everyone on the run always runs home…to mother.
In pull-back, it is revealed that Interpreter He has a guest. She is the prostitute, the ironic Miss Wen Xian, who was displaced two years before at Madam Fu’s Brothel by Golden Orchid.
MISS WEN XIAN
That Orchid-Orchid girl really bothers you…
(Taunting, teasing)
She is so young for you. So sweet.
INTERPRETER HE
Tonight will hear the death song of the Fabulous Concubine.
Interpreter He pulls out Golden Orchid’s signature pearls and dangles them in front of the lustful and greedy eyes of Miss Wen Xian.
MISS WEN XIAN
They’re beautiful.
INTERPRETER HE
They’re hers.
MISS WEN XIAN
They’re mine.
He lasciviously drapes the pearls across Miss Wen Xian’s breasts. Miss Wen Xian slips her head through the pearls and brings her face up to the face of Interpreter He.
MISS WEN XIAN (CONT’D)
Tonight I’ll be what you want. Tonight I’ll be…her…for you.
INT. THE MOON GATE OF SUZHOU — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid leads Maximilian in the brilliant night light through the Moon Gate and past the European Millinery Shop whose window has a sign that says “FOR RENT.”
INT. SUZHOU, HOUSE OF MOTHER OF GOLDEN ORCHID — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid opens the door. Revealed immediately is her brother Lai Sheng sitting in a huge laundry tub of steaming water. She walks to him, looks at him. He looks up at her. His hand comes up with the stem of an opium pipe. He recognizes Golden Orchid.
LAI SHENG
(Slowly, lasciviously)
Sister!…You come back home…You bring money?…Heh! Your mother-in-law, First Wife Wenqing, give me bad habits I like.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Where is our mother?
LAI SHENG
Our mother?…mmm…she dead.
Golden Orchid hides her face in the arms of Maximilian.
INT. BEIJING, ALLIED COMPOUND — NIGHT
General Waldersee stands smoking, looking at the sky aglow with the flames of rebellion. At his side, very worried, stand Henriette and Sofia. Outside the compound walls, there are shots and shouting. Off to the side, a group of German soldiers sit nervously around a soft lamp light. One of them plays, on a lonely harmonica, a recognizably German tune of longing.
SOFIA
Maximilian has been missing for six days…a whole week tomorrow!
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Tomorrow, maybe, the Allied troops will arrive, maybe, and end this siege…
(Quietly)
…and send these pagan Chinese rebels …to their pagan hell.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, ROOM OF MASKS — NIGHT
Close shot of a red mask is alarming. Golden Orchid and Maximilian stumble into Mother Fu’s brothel. She takes them into her Room of Masks. A thousand faces hang on the wall like the spirits of ancestors, the gods of magic. To the side, the Fortune Teller sits, surrounded by red boxes, and working the “I Ching.” Mother Fu serves the returning pair hot tea. Golden Orchid is tending to Maximilian’s wound which appears much better.
FORTUNE TELLER
You have the power to heal.
Mother Fu looks at him the way a woman might look at an old lover who repeats himself.
MOTHER FU
You don’t have to be a fortune teller to tell that.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Genuinely amused)
Thank you, father Fortune Teller, all the same.
INT. BEIJING, IMPERIAL PALACE, INTERPRETER HE’S QUARTERS — MORNING
Interpreter He walks furiously back and forth past the seated Miss Wen Xian whom he addresses sharply.
INTERPRETER HE
Miss Wen Xian! Golden Orchid, I think, will now go to your mistress, Mother Fu. You go spy!
Miss Wen Xian gathers herself up with an attitude that changes as she becomes amused at the possibilities.
INTERPRETER HE (CONT’D)
And leave the pearls here.
EXT. BEIJING, STREET OUTSIDE MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL — MOMENTS LATER
Miss Wen Xian makes her way through the streets, passing random acts of violence, now very clearly motivated by hunger and thirst. Obscured in one back alleyway, German soldiers make sport with two unwilling Chinese girls. Farther, outside Mother Fu’s brothel, a Boxer rebel leans carelessly against the wall near the door of the brothel. As Miss Wen Xiang pounds on Mother Fu’s door, hungry children pull at her clothes. She pushes them away and shoves one with real venom to the ground. He is a boy ten-year-old boy who “makes a mouth and mouth sounds” at her.
INT. BEIJING, ENTRY ROOM INSIDE MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL — CONTINUOUS
As Mother Fu lets Miss Wen Xian in, several small children, dirty and emaciated, rush in around her ankles. There is much noise.
MISS WEN XIAN
Ay! They stink!
MOTHER FU
They are hungry children. The city is full of the hungry children of murdered parents.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, ROOM OF MASKS — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid and Maximilian look up startled at the sounds that mean danger. The Fortune Teller simply sits on his red boxes.
A small HUNGRY GIRL CHILD runs from the entry room into the Room of Masks and sees Golden Orchid and Maximilian. She stares wide-eyed saying nothing. Golden Orchid reaches for what small food they have and breaks a crust off and gives it to the girl-child who stares so hard she seems to question why this is happening. There is a long moment of acknowledged danger. Beat. Beat. Beat. Everyone freezes, except for the children who continue to make hungry mewing noises in the entry way.
The child, to whom Golden Orchid has given the bread, looks at the bread and at the roomful of masks and in very tight close up screams as ear-shattering loud as she can.
HUNGRY GIRL CHILD
Ayyyyy!
INT. BEIJING, ENTRY ROOM INSIDE MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL — CONTINUOUS
MISS WEN XIAN
Who’s hiding in there?
Mother Fu and Miss Wen Xian struggle. The children grab at Miss Wen Xian and put her off balance. Mother Fu is able to knock Miss Wen Xian on the floor without Miss Wen Xian knowing exactly how she fell. The screaming child comes running out of the Room of Masks, steps on Miss Wen Xian, and runs out the door.
MISS WEN XIAN (CONT’D)
Who are you hiding in there?
The hungry children pounce on Miss Wen Xian much to the satisfaction of Mother Fu who throws a few bread crusts into the fray to stall, and distress, Miss Wen Xian as much as possible. Finally, Miss Wen Xian picks herself up, adjusts her hair, shoves Mother Fu aside, and barges into the Room of Masks.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, ROOM OF MASKS — CONTINUOUS
Miss Wen Xian is certain she will discover Golden Orchid. She is brought up severely short when she finds no one in the Room of Masks but the old Fortune Teller who looks quizzically at her. Miss Wen Xian begins to tip over the red boxes, searching in them and behind them. Suddenly all the children in the entry hall run in, see the masks, scream, and run out, leaving Miss Wen Xian and Mother Fu standing in the room with the Fortune Teller.
MISS WEN XIAN
Guard! Guard!
The Boxer guard from outside the door blows his whistle and comes running in. Three other Boxers run in and can be seen from the Room of Masks searching Mother Fu’s Brothel quickly and thoroughly. They throw up their hands, make nasty grunts, and exit. Miss Wen Xian is beside herself. Mother Fu struggles with Miss Wen Xian who sees Mother Fu is trying to retrieve Golden Orchid’s pearls. Mother Fu wins the struggle. Miss Wen Xian kicks a red box.
MISS WEN XIAN (CONT’D)
Suspicious! You want the pearls of concubine Golden Orchid because she’s hiding here.
MOTHER FU
All you think is jealousy and revenge. Shame on you, girl. I want the concubine pearls to buy food. You see children starving.
(Too inviting to be real)
You stay, Miss fancy Wen Xian. You help me cook.
Miss Wen Xian screeches in frustration and runs out into the street. Mother Fu turns around with satisfaction and looks at the Fortune Teller.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Missionary says, “I find a pearl of great price.” But where is she?
Mother Fu opens a red box. Inside is another red box. She opens it. Inside is another red box. She opens it. Out pops Golden Orchid dragging a bewildered Maximilian.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
You went to Germany and became “The Great Golden Orchid”, but you have not forgot where you came from the stage trained by your father, our noble friend.
The Fortune Teller smiles. Mother Fu embraces Golden Orchid. She puts the signature pearls over Golden Orchid’s head. Outside, the constant gunfire has started again.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Now you get past fear. I fix you up. You go visit Master Wu.
Golden Orchid looks puzzled, then dubious.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
Yes…you insult Master Wu on whore boat three years ago. Now Master Wu very important man. I fix you up so Master Wu will like.
EXT. BEIJING, ALLIED COMPOUND, GYMNASIUM PORCH — DAY
Frau Klinder paces back and forth in front of five ambassadors sitting in front of five flags: Germany, Britain, France, Russia, and the United States.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
This civil war in China now expands to involve Germany and all the European Allies.
German soldiers fire shots from the roof of the Allied compound out over the walls.
FRAU KLINDER
Envoy Klinder, my husband, the German ambassador to China has been assassinated. The Chinese have committed an act of war. My husband is a cousin of the German Kaiser and the German Queen.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Frau Klinder, we must be calm. The Chinese people did not kill your husband. The rebel Boxers killed your husband.
FRAU KLINDER
The Empress Dowager supports the Boxers! Ja!…I want German vengeance. I want China destroyed.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Mein Gott! Kill or be killed!
INT. BEIJING, IMPERIAL PALACE, EMPRESS DOWAGER’S ANTE-ROOM — DAY
Against the brilliant yellows and cobalt blues, Interpreter He stands again triumphant on this spot. This time he is twice as close to the Empress Dowager who looms, just visible, but huge behind him in the interior throne room of the palace. A richly uniformed military advisor stands next to Interpreter He.
INTERPRETER HE
The Dowager Empress approves escalation.
INT. BEIJING, MASTER WU’S BUSINESS OFFICE — AFTERNOON
Outside gunfire and shouting can be heart. Inside, lunch has just been served. Golden Orchid looks amazingly beautiful. Her signature pearls suit her look and her mood. Master Wu is flourishing obviously. He has an electric fan turning its blades. The office drips with symbols of international business of the “IMPORTS+EXPORTS” variety. Master Wu’s male vanity shoots up to the preening stage because of Golden Orchid favoring him with a visit, but neither moves so much as an eyebrow during the almost ritual luncheon conversation.
MASTER WU
China’s favorite export has returned. None the worse for…adventure.
(He looks at her cunningly)
Exactly…what is it you want? You know you can probably have it.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I have friends who are Chinese, and friends who are European. They all suffer in this rebellion. Children are starving. Old people are murdered.
MASTER WU
Now that the Dowager Empress has thrown her support to the young Boxer rebels what are we to do?
GOLDEN ORCHID
We are on the back of the tiger…
MASTER WU
Yes…
GOLDEN ORCHID
..and we must get off.
MASTER WU
What do you suggest?
GOLDEN ORCHID
You make your fortune. You import to China and export to Europe and America.
MASTER WU
And I want no politics to interfere with my business.
GOLDEN ORCHID
A smart businessman is worth two politicians.
MASTER WU
We must all pass tests.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Must we?
MASTER WU
Let me be frank. I would like to be your new Hong Wenqing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Sir…Hong Wenqing was my honorable husband, and I am his faithful widow.
MASTER WU
I can make you in China what you were in Germany. A first wife.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You think I am here for that.
MASTER WU
Riches bring honor. As my wife, you can go directly to the Dowager Empress.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You are a business man. You and your kartel make your fortune trading with international countries. It’s in your interests to end this rebellion.
MASTER WU
The Dowager Empress is not called “Old Buddha” for nothing. She is a hard woman…like you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am not hard. I am sometimes foolish enough to be strong. Like you. I know what I must do.
MASTER WU
You are famous for your actions.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My honorable husband, the scholar Hong Wenqing, taught me the saying: Defeat your enemy by using their strength against them…And you and your cartel must help.
EXT. BEIJING, EAST OF THE CITY, DONGZHIMEN — DAY
Artillery shells of the Eight Allied powers fall on the tower of Dongzhimen. The fighters of Yihetuan and soldiers of the Qing, who are defending the city, fight with the Allied soldiers who are attacking. Soldiers rise and fall one after the other. Both sides sacrifice themselves.
INT. BEIJING, RESIDENCE OF WENQING, MAIN PARLOR — AFTERNOON
Golden Orchid is trying to calm the women who are frightened by the rebels in the streets. Sounds of fighting can be heard. Hong Luo dresses himself for the streets and runs out, leaving Golden Orchid to comfort First Madam, Second Madam, and Young Madam.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S BROTHEL, SMALL PAGODA — NIGHT
Very late at night, Mother Fu stands with Maximilian.
MOTHER FU
In all this confusion, you can escape back to your General Waldersee.
MAXIMILIAN
But what about Golden Orchid?
MOTHER FU
Tell General Waldersee what Golden Orchid would tell him. Tell him that in such war, such cruel war, no one wins. Everyone suffers. People are starving. Tell him to stop.
EXT. BEIJING, STREET NEAR CITY GATE OF XIZHIMEN — DAY
Golden Orchid walks with Cui’er. The noon sun is dazzling white in the summer heat. Orange sand sifts through the air. The dusty road is extremely crowded with old and young refugees carrying iron cauldrons on their heads, rice bags in their arms, and chickens and ducks in their hands. Everyone flees in one direction: westward. Golden Orchid, flustered, is removing her head ornaments and ear rings. She passes a small boy carrying a colorful kite and holding on to his mother’s clothes. Bullets are flying overhead. Often, people fall to the ground dead. A bullet hits the small boy. His kite is trampled.
Three carriages rush by the refugees. Two are ordinary carriages and one has an iron net around it. The carriages have no top. Their curtains and paint are all cobalt blue. When the last carriage, with its tail sewn shut with reed mats, passes by Golden Orchid, the blue curtain rises and an old woman’s head can be seen. It is the Empress Dowager wearing the Han costume. The eyes of the two women meet. Neither turns away from the other until the carriage passes through.
An Allied shell hits a building near Golden Orchid. Everyone screams. Golden Orchid drops one ear ring. She looks but cannot retrieve it in the confusion. The terrified rush of refugees nears the city gate. The refugees in front suddenly stop and fall back. The crowd is shocked to find two foreigners’ bodies, a civilian woman and a German soldier, hanged on a flag pole. Two foreign horses lie on the ground twitching. Hysteria breaks out. Some run toward the huge gate, because the gate is closing. Refugees in the front, at the gate, are shot. The crowd rushes to a dark archway. Golden Orchid and Cui’er are caught in the crush. As the city gate is closed, the blue sky outside disappears, and black smoke billows back at the city. The refugees scream.
A group of German soldiers shout wildly and encircle the refugees. Icy light reflects from the German helmets and bayonets. The Germans lower the corpses of the two hanged Europeans, and cross their chests with the “Sign of the Cross”. The German soldiers drive some of the refugees to the foot of the flag pole like animals to be slaughtered. The people squat down. A young officer, with golden hair and blue eyes, faces the Chinese coldly. He stares at Golden Orchid who is frightened. The young officer orders the soldiers to separate the men and women. The refugees try to resist, but bayonets and rifles separate them. The tense German soldiers look through a group of Chinese men who lower their eyes. A shabbily dressed man is pulled from the crowd and brought to the flag pole. A piece of red cloth is found on his body. The Young German Officer turns red in the face.
YOUNG GERMAN OFFICER
Boxing bandit!
The Young German Officer shoots the man who falls instantly into a pool of blood. A woman dashes up and throws herself grieving over the dead man. A second Chinese man rushes in a panic toward the gate. His long pigtail swings wildly.
GERMAN SOLDIER #1
Halt! Halt!
A German rifleman shoots the Chinese man with the pigtail. Another German soldier pulls a red scarf from the man’s dead body. Everyone begins screaming lamentations. The Germans shoot a volley to the sky. The crowd becomes deathly still. The German soldiers begin searching the crowd for red belts and red cloths. When they find a red belt, they shoot. Everyone is horrified at the blood bath. Golden Orchid begins to rise as a distinct person in the crowd, but Cui’er pulls her back down.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Cui’er! Someone must speak out!
CUI’ER
No, Madam, don’t let anyone know you speak German.
The Germans find more red belts and shoot the people who wear them.
YOUNG GERMAN OFFICER
Boxing bandits!
As the German soldier comes near, Golden Orchid stands up.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(In German)
No! Stop! Not Boxing bandits! Good Chinese!
GERMAN SOLDIER #1
Look! The little empress speaks Deutsch!
GOLDEN ORCHID
The red belt is not for Boxers. The red belt is good luck to avoid evil spirits in Chinese twelve-year cycle.
The German soldiers stop and stare.
GERMAN SOLDIER #1
She is a trickster. Shall I shoot her?
YOUNG GERMAN OFFICER
How does a dainty Chinese girl speak German?
GERMAN SOLDIER #1
Kill the bitch! She’s a spy.
Allied guns fire across the city. Refugees scatter out of the way as German horse troops ride into the street before the gate. General Waldersee on a white stallion leads them. He surveys the scene. His horse rears up. Golden Orchid recognizes him and takes a step toward him. General Waldersee sees Golden Orchid. They stare at one another in a frozen moment of time. Instantly, Maximilian rides up, sees the situation, and leans into General Waldersee.
MAXIMILIAN
Yes, she is Golden Orchid. As I warned you. Do not show you know her. Boxers kill Chinese spies and collaborators.
General Waldersee gives direct orders to Young German Officer.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Let her go.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Very intense)
No! Let all these people go!
General Waldersee throws her a glance. Maximilian smiles and urges General Waldersee on.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Let them all go.
General Waldersee turns and leads the troops galloping out. The refugees crowd around Golden Orchid, kowtowing, crying, praying, thanking her for saving them.
CHINESE ELDER
You are Kuanyin herself. You are the Goddess of Mercy. You are the patron of the Gate of Xizhimen.
Off in the distance, Bach’s “Mass” is intoned.
INT. BEIJING, CATHOLIC CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE — NIGHT
Bach’s “Mass” continues. A group of British Sikh soldiers rush into a Catholic church destroyed by artillery fire. Fires still burn in corners. The floor is covered with corpses. Some are foreigners, but most are Chinese.
EXT. BEIJING, STREET — NIGHT
Bach’s “Mass” continues. Soldiers of the Allied forces are plundering the city. Everywhere there are fires, shots, and shouting in the Beijing night.
EXT. BEIJING, CITY SQUARE — DAY
Bach’s “Mass” continues. Allied soldiers, pulling down the red lanterns hanging in the square, shoot to death a row of Chinese in Yihetuan costume.
INT. BEIJING, LAUNDRY, A SMALL ANONYMOUS ROOM SET UP AS A HOSPITAL — AFTERNOON
Bach’s “Mass” continues. Golden Orchid and Cui’er have set up a small hospital. Six European nuns and two Catholic Jesuit priest attend to medical needs and serve food to the gathered crowd. They listen to the gunfire outside. They are surrounded by two dozen children, by twenty old people including two British women, and by seven injured men, including one young European who is the BLOND GERMAN SOLDIER who was crucified.
BLOND GERMAN SOLDIER
(Softly to Golden Orchid)
Thank you for coming back to save me.
EXT. FORBIDDEN CITY, YI LUAN HALL — EVENING
Bach’s “Mass” continues. The Allied forces are attacking the clearly identifiable Yi Luan Hall in the Imperial Palace.
EXT. BEIJING, STREET OUTSIDE THE LAUNDRY — AFTERNOON
Bach’s “Mass” continues. Golden Orchid, with Cui’er, is rescuing women and children, pushing them quickly down the street toward her make-shift shelter They pass by a high terrace. In front of a gate of a burnt court yard lies a dead child. The ground is soaked with blood which clings to their shoes. Cui’er cries out in distress at the sight. On a Chinese scholar tree, at the same gate, is hanged an old man who is neatly dressed with a yellow mandarin jacket and a string of coral. On the ground lies an official cap with a precious stone and peacock feathers on top.
CUI’ER
Your husband was once such a scholar.
Golden Orchid looks tenderly at her faithful servant and together they hurry the crowd of refugees down the street past a shop with the sign “DESHOUZHAI GRAVE CLOTHES SHOP”. The sign and shop have been scorched by fire, but not destroyed. A horse made of colored paper lies by the gate. Funeral wreaths are scattered on the ground. The boss of the shop stands at the door holding a wind-proof lantern that also says in blue letters, “GRAVE CLOTHES”. The Boss is happy as a lunatic.
GRAVE CLOTHES BOSS
Will you buy your grave clothes now! Hee! Hee! Hee!
Cui’er pushes the man aside. The refugees cower away from this spectre of death.
Suddenly, from the opposite direction, a team of German soldiers, led by a German Lieutenant is driving a group of Chinese men to come head-on with Golden Orchid. She stops with Cui’er at her side. Some men in the crowd were rescued by Golden Orchid at the city gate and they recognize her. They fall and kneel down in front of her, and she cannot move.
REFUGEE MAN #1
Goddess of Mercy, help us.
REFUGEE MAN #2
You saved us before. Save us now.
The German soldiers try to drive the men back, but the men keep running back desperately and they kneel to Golden Orchid and kowtow repeatedly. Shots are fired.
Cui’er rises up and falls back mortally wounded.
The whole crowd of Chinese men, women, and children begin to cry out pitifully. Golden Orchid moves to the dying Cui’er and kneels and cradles her head. Cui’er smiles and dies. Golden Orchid has had enough. She sets her face and, kneeling in the blood and dirt of the street, addresses the German Lieutenant in charge.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Lieutenant, in the name of Kaiser Wilhelm, the Second, Emperor of Germany, I command you. Stop this atrocity. In the name of the German Queen, I beg you. Take me to General Waldersee.
(To the Chinese refugees)
Go! Now!
(To the Lieutenant)
I command you. I am the widow of Hong Wenqing, Envoy to Germany…I am…Golden Orchid.
INT. BEIJING, IMPERIAL PALACE, INTERPRETER HE’S QUARTERS — DAY
Imperially robed, Interpreter He sits in front of a camera on a tripod as the photographer works under the camera’s black cloth. Interpreter He is listening to Miss Wen Xian who is smoking a cigaret. Miss Wen Xian has obviously been talking endlessly and he is not pleased.
MISS WEN XIAN
…and not only is your little Orchid-Orchid more popular than you! She has more lives than a cat.
Interpreter He slaps Miss Wen Xian across the face.
MISS WEN XIAN (CONT’D)
Ha! As long as the Empress Dowager is hiding from the Allies, you are too weak to hurt a fly!
(Tapping her cigaret ash)
Your power is like ash. Tap! Tap! Tap!
INT. FORBIDDEN CITY, YI LUAN HALL — AFTERNOON
The eight generals of the Allied forces meet in Yi Luan Hall enjoying the spoils of war. The room, slightly ransacked, is beautiful. Frau Klinder is in attendance. The generals sit as Frau Klinder paces the room.
FRENCH GENERAL
We must take even stronger measures to punish the Boxer bandits…
AMERICAN GENERAL
…and the princes and ministers who support them.
FRAU KLINDER
The Empress Dowager! That old woman should bear full responsibility for this rebellion. The Empress Dowager killed my husband, Ambassador Klinder. I want you gentlemen to act!
At this moment, a noise from the hall interrupts Frau Klinder.
GERMAN SOLDIER #2 (V.O.)
Madam, please halt. You cannot enter.
Golden Orchid sweeps beautifully through the door. She is a vision of the real China in her full suit of ceremonial robes of the Qing. She is dressed as a second-rank woman with phoenix hat, satin cloak, and scarlet silk skirt with twenty-four ribbons. Everyone is surprised. The generals rise.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Madam Envoy, Golden Orchid!
Golden Orchid comes straight to the point.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Frau Klinder, I am sorry. You lost your German husband in China as I lost my Chinese husband in Germany.
FRAU KLINDER
Both our husbands were killed by Chinese.
GOLDEN ORCHID
General Waldersee, put a stop to this war. The Boxers do not represent China. They are rebels against the true China.
FRAU KLINDER
I want the head of the Empress Dowager on a plate.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Frau Klinder, bitte. The Allies intend only to protect the safety of their envoys and their foreign nationals.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My husband, Hong Wenqing, your friend, would say to you, “Help the Chinese people. Help your soldiers who are also suffering.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
We are here to restore order.
FRAU KLINDER
Murderers! Assassins! Barbarians!
GOLDEN ORCHID
My husband, the scholar Hong Wenqing, would say to you, “Never work against the people.”
FRAU KLINDER
I have seen your savage people!
As if in refutation, the beautiful Golden Orchid turns to the standing generals and walks past each one looking intently in their faces, allowing them to study her face for its true virtue. As she stops at the last general, General Waldersee, the room is absolutely quiet.
FRENCH GENERAL
(Gallantly)
In this way, General Waldersee, did Helen of Troy launch a thousand ships.
FRAU KLINDER
She’s a spy. The whore works both sides.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Firmly)
Generals! Gentlemen! Do your countries wish to fight and die in China. Or do your countries wish to enjoy China as a great market place for foreign business.
FRAU KLINDER
Don’t listen to this actress.
(Intently face to face)
You are truly…a concubine whore prostitute!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Madam, you are just me in German clothes!
EXT. BEIJING, A MAIN STREET — DAY
Golden Orchid rides on horse back with General Waldersee through city streets occupied by Allied soldiers. With three other generals, they are on an inspection tour.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Over there, at the end of that block. At the Dongdan Archway. That is where Germany is building a monument to be dedicated to honor the memory of Envoy Klinder.
A group of Allied soldiers is plundering a food shop. A chain gang of Chinese men works off to the side under German direction.
GOLDEN ORCHID
General, you are restoring order? Your soldiers are as hungry as the Chinese they plunder.
General Waldersee signals for the German soldiers to stop their thieving. They obey, begrudgingly. Golden Orchid rides on with the generals. Rounding a corner, they see a dozen German soldiers forcing two sweating Chinese men to carry a sedan chair back and forth, running. In the chair rides a squealing pig. The soldiers find this very amusing. General Waldersee is embarrassed.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
War begins with flags and ends, you see, with no more than bullies.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Mrs. Envoy, Golden Orchid, you ask mercy for them?
GOLDEN ORCHID
Must women always ask mercy of men?
GENERAL WALDERSEE
The Dowager Empress is a woman. She treated you without mercy.
GOLDEN ORCHID
In adversity, I learned the quality of mercy.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Release them.
The German soldiers do as ordered. They look at each other, smile, and wink that they recognize that Golden Orchid has strong power over their general. The pig jumps out of the sedan chairs. One of the soldiers raises his rifle and shoots the pig. The pig makes a horrible shriek and lies in a pool of blood, twitching. Hungry Chinese children run up to watch.
GENERAL WALDERSEE (CONT’D)
Now they will fight over who eats the pig.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Exactly the way the Allies fight over China. The success of one general comes from ten thousand corpses.
Golden Orchid gallops off leaving the party of generals standing on prancing horses in the crowded street.
CHINESE WOMAN
Look! That girl! On horseback! She is the magnificent concubine!
A Chinese man working on a German punishment gang looks up. His face is dirty. It is Hong Wenqing’s son by Second Madam, Hong Luo. Hong Luo spits. He looks at the man chained next to him. He is Golden Orchid’s degenerate brother, Lai Sheng.
LAI SHENG
My sister, your Third Madam, rides a high horse.
Lai Sheng also spits. A gruff, tough, blond German sergeant looks at the two shamed men and then he spits.
EXT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL — AFTERNOON
Chinese cavalry, many Yamen runners, and sedan chairs are tightly jammed in the street as Golden Orchid rides up and dismounts. Everyone is solicitous of her. Mother Fu hurries out.
MOTHER FU
Minister Li has come to call on you.
Mother Fu escorts Golden Orchid into the brothel.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, ROOM OF MASKS — AFTERNOON
The entry hall is full of people spilling into the inner rooms.
MOTHER FU
Minister Li Hongzhang is the highest statesman in all of China. He is plenipotentiary for peace talks.
Minister Li is eighty years old and mentally and physically exhausted. Seeing Golden Orchid, he rises and then kneels before her. Golden Orchid looks upset.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You hold the highest position at court. Your knees are extremely precious. You must not kowtow to me.
LI HONGZHANG
I am not kneeling for you. I kneel for an array of ancestors of the Great Qing and for 400 million people in distress.
GOLDEN ORCHID
What do you think I am?
Golden Orchid helps the old gentleman to rise to his feet.
LI HONGZHANG
In your hands lies the safe return of the Empress Dowager.
Li Hongzhang suffers a coughing fit. Mother Fu stands ready with hot towels. A servant pounds his back. He recovers.
LI HONGZHANG (CONT’D)
China is now a weak nation…divided inside in civil war…attacked outside by the Allies.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Forthrightly)
Perhaps the Empress Dowager should not have supported the Boxer rebels in their nationalism.
LI HONGZHANG
The foreigners ask reparation for their businesses and churches destroyed by the Boxers. They ask 450 million taels of silver.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Then let every person in China pay one tael.
LI HONGZHANG
The Empress Dowager now regrets she favored the rebel Boxers. The Empress Dowager will pay the tax, but the Empress Dowager cannot pay with her life. She is old.
GOLDEN ORCHID
She is Old Buddha.
LI HONGZHANG
She wants to return from exile. She–perhaps, perhaps, perhaps–will make a formal apology to the European nations.
GOLDEN ORCHID
What am I to do, and why should I do it?
LI HONGZHANG
Do what I, an old man, cannot do. I am Old China of the North. You are New China of the South. Do what a young woman can do.
GOLDEN ORCHID
The Empress Dowager assassinated my husband. She named me “whore” and she ordered Master He to shame me in prison. Forgive me, Excellency. I hate her the way Frau Klinder hates her.
LI HONGZHANG
I beg you…for the sake of China… to mediate peace talks with the foreign powers.
MOTHER FU
(Wisely, gently)
You speak their language. You know their customs.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
The German Queen herself told you that you were entering the blood stream of history.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Resisting)
I am not a monument, Excellency. I am a girl.
MOTHER FU
Golden Orchid, sometimes destiny kneels down begging in a brothel.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Ah, I understand…And a good whore does her job!
INT. BEIJING, ALLIED COMPOUND — EVENING
Sofia and Henriette von Waldersee stand near General Waldersee who is sitting with Frau Klinder.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Impossible! The Empress Dowager cannot pay with her life. Exile for her is the most punishment Germany can expect.
FRAU KLINDER
That spy-whore diplomacy! Mrs Golden Envoy, has undue influence on you, nicht wahr?
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Frau Klinder!
FRAU KLINDER
Ja! Everyone knows it.
SOFIA
Bitte! Everyone knows Golden Orchid.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
I make no explanation for my actions. I have done what a general does. At all times, the interest of the state is above any personal interest.
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Or personal vengeance…Frau Klinder! Shame! You make a bad situation worse!
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Henriette!
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Frau Klinder, grief makes you hate. Hatred makes you muddle-headed.
FRAU KLINDER
Nein! Don’t you speak to me like this. Nein!
HENRIETTE VON WALDERSEE
Ja! I speak to you woman to woman, Frau Klinder. You are the one who exerts undue pressure. Ja! On the Allied authorities. You cripple the cause of peace.
FRAU KLINDER
China’s best destiny is the expansion of Germany. These pagan Chinese, by God, must be taught a good sound Christian lesson.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S NEW BROTHEL, ROOM OF MASKS — EVENING
General Waldersee, Maximilian, and Master Wu sit with Golden Orchid. Mother Fu and the Fortune Teller sit aside in attendance. A small but very striking altar to the memory of Hong Wenqing stands beneath an impressive statue of Kuanyin. The large photograph of Hong Wenqing causes the honorable scholar’s face to watch out over the conversation in the room. A small pile of three books sits next to the photograph. The books are the works of Confucius, Buddha, and Lao-Tze. Golden Orchid takes the books and sets them on the floor in front of her for all to see.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My husband, the scholar Hong Wenqing, remains my teacher….Confucius, Buddha, and Lao-Tze
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Hong Wenqing was a great scholar.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Mother Fu is my mentor. Against my better judgment…
(Amused)
…mmmph! Mother Fu advises me to walk this path to the end.
MAXIMILIAN
Frau Klinder should have such a mentor.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Frau Klinder has the Kaiser’s ear. She pushes her power around me. Her grief has made her a German imperialist.
MAXIMILIAN
…But you have caught the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.
(Visible emotion passes through his being)
Golden Orchid, you…are…loved.
MOTHER FU
Nations push nations…and the kartels push everyone, eh, Master Wu?
GENERAL WALDERSEE
The Kaiser and the German Queen are very grateful to you. You have saved so many German children, women, and men. Germany desires peace with China.
GOLDEN ORCHID
But Frau Klinder wants blood.
MASTER WU
Our Chinese kartels desire to open our markets to Germany. The Empress Dowager…well, that Old Buddha lives in exile. She is the past. China’s future rests on trade. Imports. Exports.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Frankly, Golden Orchid, the peace talks have stalled. Frau Klinder has roused feelings of German pride…She works to undo your accomplishments with Master Li Hongzhang. She has the same power in China that you once had in Germany.
MAXIMILIAN
Frau Klinder champions conquest and revenge. And you…you champion diplomacy and mercy.
MASTER WU
The people call you “Kuanyin.” You are so like the Goddess of Mercy herself.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(With self-effacing humor)
From whore boat to nunnery in five years! Ha!
MOTHER FU
Germany and the Allies have executed thousands of Boxer rebels. The Empress Dowager has repented. She has apologized for her political mistake.
MASTER WU
The Empress Dowager’s life is safer in exile.
GOLDEN ORCHID
…I smell a scapegoat. Who is it?
MASTER WU
One En Hai. A local athlete. A leader of the Boxer rebels.
MOTHER FU
This En Hai, of course, claims he is innocent.
MAXIMILIAN
En Hai was captured by the Allies and identified by Frau Klinder.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
The Boxer En Hai is to be executed in three days.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Where?
MAXIMILIAN
In the Dongdan Archway at the entrance of Zongbu Alley.
MASTER WU
On the very spot in the commercial area where Ambassador Klinder was assassinated.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
A stone tablet, a stone memorial to Ambassador Klinder will be dedicated…
GOLDEN ORCHID
…At the same time? At the same place?
MASTER WU
But, of course. A ritual act!
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Ironically)
Yes, of course. Politics demands a little bread, a little circus. Open trade demands a little blood sacrifice.
MOTHER FU
And what about this scapegoat, En Hai? Do we know him? Does anyone know him?
MASTER WU
What is to know? We pin China’s sins to his back, punish him, and wash away our sins away.
GENERAL WALDERSEE
Believe me, Golden Orchid. This is in the interest of the people…of China and Germany.
Golden Orchid touches the three books in front of her. She reaches to the side and places the “I Ching” book with the other three.
GOLDEN ORCHID
General Waldersee, tell me. What does your wife, my friend, Henriette think of Frau Klinder’s demands?
GENERAL WALDERSEE
My wife thinks the same as you, but with Frau Klinder she carries no force.
GOLDEN ORCHID
And you think I do?
GENERAL WALDERSEE
In the name of the German Queen who loves you, will you handle Frau Klinder? We must normalize relations.
MOTHER FU
Golden Orchid realizes this truth.
Mother Fu points to a tray filled with smoothed sand and arranged with several stones. Mother Fu takes Golden Orchid’s beautiful signature pearls and slowly drapes them down among the rocks onto the sand so that the pearls define and connect the rocks.
MOTHER FU (CONT’D)
The diplomacy of her husband, the scholar Hong Wenqing,
(Wrapping the first rock and the second rock)
China’s envoy to Germany,
(Touching the third rock)
will not be complete…if a Chinese wife
(Touching the fifth rock)
cannot speak to a German wife.
The signature pearls now lie perfectly arranged as if they were in an international jewel merchant’s Paris window.
EXT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY — DAY
The sign on the impressive building reads “IMPERIAL GERMAN EMBASSY.” Faint, exotic music can be heard from inside. The camera moves slowly up the building, crossing up past German flags, and stops on a second-story window where the face of Frau Klinder can be seen.
INT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, SITTING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR — CONTINUOS
Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Bachiana brasileira no 5: Aria – Cantilena” plays on the phonograph in the second-floor sitting room of the German Embassy where Frau Klinder stares out the window. Frau Klinder wears European clothes, but she has dressed her hair somewhat in the Chinese fashion. She wears a red Chinese robe. A photograph of Ambassador Klinder sits on a table. Frau Klinder holds blood-red rosary beads which she fingers nervously.
FRAU KLINDER
Heilige Maria, Hail Mary, full of grace…Heinz! Kommen sie hier! We feared the Chinese would attack our embassy. Look! She’s here…again!
Heinz looks out the window. Golden Orchid is approaching the embassy.
FRAU KLINDER (CONT’D)
Send her away again. Two days in a row. This concubine is a whore without portfolio…Close the curtain.
INT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, FOYER — CONTINUOUS
The music of “Bachiana” from upstairs can be heard. Heinz opens the door to see Golden Orchid standing alone on the porch. He is struck by her beauty. He shakes his head “no” and slowly closes the door.
INT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, SITTING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR — LATER
The “Bachiana” continues. The Bavarian clock on the mantel chimes nine o-clock. Frau Klinder has just finished eating supper. She walks to the window, pulls back the curtain, and is taken aback at seeing Golden Orchid standing lonely vigil in the moonlight.
FRAU KLINDER
Was fur eine Frau, what kind of woman stands vigil in the moonlight.
EXT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, FRONT ENTRANCE — LATER
The “Bachiana” continues to be heard from inside the embassy. Golden Orchid sees Frau Klinder pacing to and fro behind the window. The time is summer. Heat causes the bright moon into partial hiding behind the clouds. A sprinkle of rain hits the dusty court yard. Golden Orchid takes a large umbrella and opens it. She stands, sheltered, in the rain pouring down in the moonlight. From atop the German embassy, a clock chimes the hour of ten o’clock.
INT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, SITTING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR — LATER
Frau Klinder puts another record on her phonograph and fidgets with pretty little collectibles on the mantel where a Bavarian clock rings eleven o’clock as she moves across the room, pours herself a Per Nod, and stands looking down into the court yard where she sees Golden Orchid standing in the pouring rain. Frau Klinder makes her state of mixed emotions clear. The presence of Golden Orchid makes her nervous. She looks at her glass of Per Nod.
FRAU KLINDER
I am not a barbarian.
(Then decisively)
I am the German Envoy’s wife…Heinz!
EXT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, FRONT ENTRANCE — LATER
The embassy chimes ring twelve times as Golden Orchid stands in the rain which has begun to pour even harder. Golden Orchid sees a light appear as the front door of the embassy opens. Heinz beckons for Golden Orchid to approach. She does not hesitate. She picks up a Chinese valise from the ground. She walks up to the porch, hands her umbrella to Heinz, and the door closes. Lights come on in the windows heading up to the second floor.
INT. BEIJING, GERMAN EMBASSY, SITTING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR — MOMENTS LATER
Heinz ushers Golden Orchid into the sitting room where Frau Klinder stands. Golden Orchid sets the Chinese valise on the floor. Familiar with one another, neither woman sees any need for a greeting.
FRAU KLINDER
You were standing in the rain.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You invited me in from the rain.
FRAU KLINDER
In Berlin, you were famous for standing in the rain. Oh, yes. I remember…When first you arrived by train in Berlin…
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Smiling)
…My husband, the Envoy, and I walked in the rain from the Anhalt Station through the streets.
FRAU KLINDER
You set the fashion then. Walks in the rain. One ear ring. Not two. Robes–such as this one I wear.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Sometimes, Mrs. Envoy, the fortunes of nations ride on the whims of women.
FRAU KLINDER
Women “so wie”, so like your Empress Dowager.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Madam, for all of China, I make humble apology that your husband is dead. I have little love for the Old Buddha Dowager.
Frau Klinder remains strong, but weeps lightly, sincerely. Golden Orchid opens her small Chinese valise and takes out two small statues, one of Kuanyin and one of Kuan Yu. They are exquisite figures of art representing religion. Golden Orchid presents them to Frau Klinder.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
Please accept my humble gifts.
FRAU KLINDER
How beautiful. Thank you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
These figures are Kuanyin and Kuan Yu.
Golden Orchid places the two statues prominently on a table where they watch over the women’s conversation. Frau Klinder obviously finds them attractive.
FRAU KLINDER
I called you names before. I am the one to apologize. You too are a widow.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Thank you, Madam. So much…I also have for you a telegram dictated by the Empress Dowager herself…from her exile in Sianfu.
FRAU KLINDER
Tonight a telegram. Tomorrow a monument at the Dongdan Archway.
(Bitter with sorrow)
Where will all this wonderful Chinese luck end!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Luck is in the peace treaty China and Germany must sign together.
FRAU KLINDER
My patriotism is second to none. I have already sacrificed my husband…You should understand assassination.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I do, Madam. Envoy Klinder and Envoy Wenqing between them balanced peace and trade, war and human dignity.
Golden Orchid moves to the statues and places one on either side of the photograph of Envoy Klinder.
FRAU KLINDER
(Rising in an aria)
Human dignity? The German flag has been insulted. Missionaries killed. Women defiled. For fifty-five days, we Europeans and Americans were besieged by your Boxer rebels in the Allied compound….Fifty-five days of Beijing in the dusty orange heat of summer!
(Catching her self-control, holding her rosary)
My religion counsels me to overcome my hate for the Empress Dowager. I …am…sorry. I…don’t…hate …you…people. You Chinese.
GOLDEN ORCHID
And China does not hate Germany. You must understand, please, that China, like Germany, was victimized by the Boxer rebels. Now China is to be punished? Your Allies want reparations of 450 million taels of silver. The Americans demand China give free and open ports. China is no nation’s concubine.
FRAU KLINDER
I’m a shop-keeper’s daughter, Mrs Envoy, and a business man’s wife. I am not naive. I know this is about money.
(Suddenly distracted by grief)
We had no children.
GOLDEN ORCHID
A husband’s death is a thousand sorrows.
FRAU KLINDER
Tomorrow, after the Klinder monument is dedicated at the Dongdan Archway, I will begin to fade away. I am thirty years older than you…You young people are a different race.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I promise you, Mrs Envoy Klinder, that I will build an altar to honor those who die with no descendants.
Golden Orchid touches each of the two statues she brought as gifts.
GOLDEN ORCHID (CONT’D)
This figure represents Kuanyin, Goddess of Mercy. This is Kuan Yu, God of War…How you choose will be how you and Envoy Klinder are remembered.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, KLINDER TABLET — DAY
Close shot of the handsome face of the instantly sympathetic En Hai, the local athlete who is the accused assassin of Envoy Klinder. Behind his head stands the monument known as the “KLINDER TABLET”. The Tablet is garlanded with flowers and flags. A photographer with a tripod camera shoots photograph after photograph of Europeans standing in front of the Klinder Tablet. Firecrackers explode and pop. Sofia and Henriette pose for a photograph with Frau Klinder and Golden Orchid. Sofia reacts to the sound of the firecrackers.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, SMALL THEATRICAL STAGE — CONTINUOUS
Off to the side a theatrical group, reminiscent of the theatrical troop owned by Golden Orchid’s father performs an elaborately costumed, and obvious, pantomime of the already legendary life of Golden Orchid. A girl-actress watches as her actor-father’s face explodes with blood, he dies, and she is forced to kneel and wash laundry until her evil brother sells her to a whore boat.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, KLINDER TABLET — CONTINUOUS
Frau Klinder, observing the stage performance, comments to Sofia and Henriette.
FRAU KLINDER
Can our civilization in the west ever understand the masks of China?
Golden Orchid puts her hand to her mouth. The actor on stage playing her father has pulled her attention. Memory swells up. Her beautiful eyes are bright with tears which she conceals.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Whispering to the sky)
Father! Mother! Home!
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, THE STREET — CONTINUOUS
A group of twelve uniformed soldiers of the Allied Forces carrying rifles are escorting En Hai to the center of the Arch. The well-built En Hai is stripped to the waist, and his hands are tied behind his neck with a rope that is looped about his neck. He is spit upon. The crowd of Europeans and Chinese in the street and square are in one accord as if they are at a festival. A few Chinese in the crowd are skeptical.
CHINESE ELDER #2
En Hai, the athlete, is a scape goat. As if he killed Klinder.
CHINESE WOMAN #2
Our High Court could not hand over the Empress Dowager to the foreigners.
YOUNG BOXER IN DISGUISE
Old China must save face…
A young Chinese woman, the WIFE OF EN HAI, twenty-two and attractive, makes her way through the crowd, leading a young male child, age five.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, IMPERIAL REVIEWING STAGE — CONTINUOUS
On the Imperial Reviewing Stage, in the middle of the crowd, Interpreter He, ceremonially garbed in imperial gold and cobalt blue, watches as if he were the Emperor himself. At his side, stands Miss Wen Xian. Next to them, stands Master Wu.
MISS WEN XIAN
You are lucky that is not you out there who is to be executed.
INTERPRETER HE
(Smiling)
The sun is so very bright. Look at all those foreign pigs gathered at the Archway. Germany is to be consoled by the Klinder Tablet. Ha, ha, ha.
MASTER WU
China is a vast reservoir of wealth, Excellency. The foreign traders come to drink.
INTERPRETER HE
Then let us distract these thirsting barbarians with entertaining spectacle that hides the true face China.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, KLINDER TABLET — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid continues to stand with Frau Klinder at the center of the crowd. Sofia and Henriette von Waldersee stand with Golden Orchid and Frau Klinder. Mother Fu and Master Wu stand back in the shade of the Archway. General Waldersee and Maximilian, on great white horses, ride up to the group of women, and take off their hats, flourishing them at Frau Klinder and Golden Orchid. The Wife of En Hai makes her way toward Golden Orchid, rushes up to Golden Orchid, and kneels at her feet. The Europeans are stunned. Frau Klinder is especially disturbed.
WIFE OF EN HAI
Please, Goddess of Mercy. You have saved thousands of lives. Chinese and European. Save my husband, En Hai.
Immediately, German soldiers come and drag the Wife of En Hai away from Golden Orchid. Her five-year-old boy, however, stands directly in front of Golden Orchid. He looks hard at her. She looks at him. Their eyes lock for three beats and all the sound around them falls away and only a far-off qin zither can be heard. Golden Orchid falls to her knees to embrace the boy-child. He spits in her face and runs to his mother who has been turned loose by the German soldiers into the crowd in the direction of the Allied soldiers.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, CENTER OF SQUARE — CONTINUOUS
The Allied soldiers, with multi-national flags flying, have strung the athlete En Hai up by his arms and are whipping his back and chest. The Wife of En Hai rushes up and throws herself against En Hai’s chest to stop the beating. Soldiers pull at her. The Son of En Hai comes running up, very close, but afraid to join his parents. Golden Orchid comes running over.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Stop this! Stop this!
GERMAN OFFICER
(Not understanding)
Yes, Madam. Pull that woman off the prisoner.
WIFE OF EN HAI
Let me go! Let me stay with my husband.
GOLDEN ORCHID
No! Herr Officer. You stop this cruelty.
Everyone is watching. Golden Orchid walks to the Wife of En Hai who clings to the bound body of her husband. The Wife of En Hai does not comprehend. She beats out with the fist of one hand at Golden Orchid. The Son of En Hai joins in, scratching and hitting at Golden Orchid. The Wife of En Hai spits at Golden Orchid.
WIFE OF EN HAI
Can you save my husband?
GERMAN OFFICER
(To Golden Orchid)
Stand back or I will shoot you.
WIFE OF EN HAI
You are no longer Chinese patriot. You are the foreigners’ whore.
At that moment, everyone stops, stunned, turned on the ambiguity of everyone being confused about Golden Orchid.
GERMAN OFFICER
(To Golden Orchid)
Stand back. I do not know your identity or your allegiance.
Faces in the crowd are amazed.
THREE CHINESE WOMEN
(In chorus)
Golden Orchid! She is Golden Orchid. She is the patron of mercy!
The Wife of En Hai struggles free of the soldiers and throws herself up against En Hai.
WIFE OF EN HAI
Take a good look, husband, at your son.
En Hai says nothing. Tears roll down his cheeks. Golden Orchid fights back her tears, standing, held at gun point by the German Officer.
WIFE OF EN HAI (CONT’D)
(Close in to her husband’s face)
Don’t blame me. I don’t want you to be killed by foreigners.
EN HAI
Uuuuh!
En Hai, upon uttering his cry, slumps, still tied up, against his wife. She steps back. A knife is in En Hai’s chest.
WIFE OF EN HAI
(To her son)
Your father is dead.
The Chinese crowd is screaming. The Europeans stand stiffly in the background. The Wife of En Hai takes her son’s hand and walks to Golden Orchid.
WIFE OF EN HAI (CONT’D)
Look at her, my son. She is a traitor bitch. These rich concubines turn China out to whore for the foreign devils.
Again, the Son of En Hai and Golden Orchid stare at one another.
WIFE OF EN HAI (CONT’D)
Remember the face of Golden Orchid.
The soldiers drag the Wife of En Hai and the Son of En Hai away into the crowd. Frau Klinder runs up escorted by Maximilian who takes Golden Orchid in his arms.
FRAU KLINDER
One day soon, Golden Orchid, they will all rise up and kill us all.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY, IMPERIAL REVIEWING STAGE — CONTINUOUS
INTERPRETER HE
China is now officially open for business. Ha, ha, ha.
INT. BEIJING, MOTHER FU’S BROTHEL, SMALL PAGODA — LATER
All is peace and quiet. Mother Fu sits off in the next room.
MAXIMILIAN
I love you, Jinhua. Marry me. Come back to Germany with me and be my wife.
Maximilian takes Golden Orchid in his arms and kisses her ever so tenderly. Golden Orchid is deeply moved. Her eyes brim with tears. She pulls her face back from Maximilian. Their bodies still touch.
MOTHER FU
(Interjecting in close up)
You two want water from the moon.
Golden Orchid gently shakes her head “no” and lays her head on Maximilian’s chest.
INT. CHINESE IMPERIAL PALACE, EMPRESS DOWAGER’S SUNSET PORCH OVERLOOKING A MAGNIFICENT STAGE — AFTERNOON
Title on screen reads EMPRESS DOWAGER’S PALACE, FORBIDDEN CITY, AUGUST 1902
The Imperial procession comes slowly to palace. The EMPRESS DOWAGER, followed by Emperor Guangxu, rides her sedan chair into the Wumen in the Forbidden City. Her sedan chair is carried by eight eunuchs in formal attire. Four eunuchs of the fifth rank are in front, and twelve eunuchs of the sixth rank bring up the rear. Everyone in the procession is carrying respectively: clothes, shoes, combs, different size mirrors, brush and ink sticks, yellow paper, tobacco, and water pipes. The old minister Li Lianying follows the Empress Dowager as she walks out onto the Sunset Porch where Golden Orchid waits for the audience to which she has obviously been summoned.
On this upper level, silhouetted against the blood-red of the setting sun sit these two personages, close, but with distinct distance between them. Clearly, they are Golden Orchid sitting with the Empress Dowager, but both are made equally into eclipses of the blood-red sun that hangs forever behind them.
Below them, but not in silhouette, actual imperial servants walk back and forth carrying objects while the Empress Dowager speaks to Golden Orchid.
As the sun sets during their conversation, the disappearing brightness reveals a magnificent stage between the sunset porch and the setting sun. On this three-story stage, final preparations are being made for the evening’s performance by the Beijing Opera of “Mount Dingjun”.
As the sun sets, the lanterns on the porch are lit, and the stage lamps begin to glow bright in the twilight in the background. Everything is rich, luxurious, extravagant, beautiful.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
Today marks our return from sixteen months of exile in Sianfu. It is said you saved many Chinese people…It is said you saved our life.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty, you are too gracious.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
My first day home. Now I have a good look at you. You are so very young. So very beautiful. What is your age?
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty, I am twenty-three.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
I have to thank you. Even your enemies agree that you helped saved the Great Qing two years ago. The foreigners want my head, but thanks to you I sit here steady on the throne. You understand foreigners?
GOLDEN ORCHID
As the wife of your Envoy to Germany, I had to be up to the mark. I did not want the foreign courts to laugh at China.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
Tell me. Which is better? The foreign opera, or our Beijing opera?
GOLDEN ORCHID
I love whatever your majesty loves.
Two loud claps signal that the opera performance on the stage which is now brightly lit is about to begin within minutes.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
You have been in the limelight. No one else in China has ever been so in the foreigners’ limelight.
The Empress Dowager signals for a blue chair to be brought for Golden Orchid to sit in to watch the Beijing opera.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
Golden Orchid, you sit in my chair.
Golden Orchid hesitates. Servants look startled.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
Nobody in the palace dares to sit in my chair. Sit down.
Golden Orchid walks with reverence and awe to the chair and sits down.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
Even the Emperor and the young Empress have never sat in my chair.
Golden Orchid stands up with some small degree of alarm. Servants stare.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
But you can sit in my chair.
Golden Orchid sits again. This time confidently, as if she is remembering the courts of Europe.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Thank you, your Majesty.
The Beijing Opera, with gongs and drums and lights, draws attention to the beginning of the evening performance. The actors take their places on the stage.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
This opera, “Mount Dingjun”, is my favorite opera.
The performance on stage grows in excitement that is reflected in the faces of both Golden Orchid and the Empress Dowager. Each woman secretly peeks glances at the other. The Empress Dowager is jealous of Golden Orchid’s beauty, youth, and fame, because she owes her return to the throne to the young woman who was the Envoy’s wife. Golden Orchid has veiled emotions, because she knows the Empress Dowager in some way agreed to the death of Hong Wenqing. The opera progresses.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
(Speaking during opera)
You are the widow of the Envoy Scholar Hong Wenqing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Yes, your Majesty.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
You have much limelight.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Yes, your Majesty.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
You like this part of the opera where the old man sings?
GOLDEN ORCHID
I venerate my elders, Majesty, as I venerate my ancestors.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
Then I grant you a great gift of one thousand taels of silver.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your Majesty! But I have only small needs.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
Too much limelight. You did splendidly.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Thank you, your Excellency.
EMPRESS DOWAGER
You should not stay here in the capital city any longer. You are exiled.
Golden Orchid is shocked. She begins to rise from the chair. The Empress Dowager times her surprise to string out the agony to torture the sensitive Golden Orchid. Catches of opera wash up and over the two women.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
Sit! Sit in my chair!…
(Pause for opera)
You must be taught obedience.
(Pause for opera)
When the opera is finished, you are banished to exile.
(Pause for resounding opera)
You must be forgotten…even as your legend grows.
Golden Orchid’s face turns stone cold pale. Her features lock. She stares straight ahead at the stage. On the stage the opera builds to a dramatic climax.
EMPRESS DOWAGER (CONT’D)
One thousand taels of silver makes you the highest priced whore in China.
EXT. SHANGHAI, XIAFEI ROAD — NIGHT
Title on screen reads “SHANGHAI 1910”
On Xiafei Road, the “future” has arrived. An elevated tram car rattles by above a cinema marquee that lights the street with its sign “DAN GUANG CINEMA”. Three music-makers with drums and whistles play a merry melody to attract people to the cinema. Down the street, electric lights shine in every shop. Golden Orchid walks on to Xiafei Road. She wears white silk pants and a beige silk jacket. She is very focussed, as if she knows the neighborhood well. An automobile passes her. Sweet sounds of singers come from the second-story windows of a night club. A young and vigorous rickshaw man runs by pulling a pretty young lady wearing a sleeveless jacket. She displays her bare legs. In another cart, a man is pushing six girls down the street. Golden Orchid walks past an Indian policeman who has a red cloth wrapped round his head. A poor couple is pulling a night-soil cart with handkerchiefs tied over their mouths and noses. In front of a small grocery, and electric light spills a pool of brightness down on a young man who wears a peaked cap. A cigaret hangs in his mouth. As Golden Orchid walks by him, he whistles. Golden Orchid raises her hand and waves her fingers at him as if they both are part of the Xiafei Road neighborhood. From overhead, a passing tram car drips water. From first floor windows, five or six whores with heavy makeup lean on the windows making gestures and calling out to entice patrons.
From a near-by ballroom, the music of the tango can be heard.
In a pharmacy window is a western advertisement sign of a woman in a bathing suit selling a venereal disease medicine. A bright, clean automobile drives by, just missing Golden Orchid. The car hits a peddler with a cart full of tangerines. The peddler falls on the ground. The car stops and the big head of a GERMAN DRIVER sticks out of the window.
GERMAN DRIVER
(In German)
God damn you!
Golden Orchid hears the German.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(In German)
You should be ashamed.
The Indian policeman comes over, raises his truncheon, and begins to beat the peddler. The car drives off. The tango music becomes more insistent. The peddler escapes trying to pick up his tangerines. Golden Orchid shakes her head, looks around, surveys the context of the busy street. She smiles and looks up at a brightly lit sign that makes the second-story glow. The tango music comes from the open windows. The bright sign reads “GOLDEN ORCHID BALLROOM”. Golden Orchid walks in the open door and up the stairs.
INT. SHANGHAI, GOLDEN ORCHID BALLROOM — CONTINUOUS
Mixed couples of every kind dance with varying degrees of skill to the tango played by an Argentine band of touring musicians. The air is sexy, hot, and smokey. Several sailors dance with some of the hostess girls who are “Taxi Dancers”. Golden Orchid is greeted warmly. She is obviously in charge. She walks to the cash box, opens it, counts the money, smiles at the Doorman, and walks past a mirror where she observes her trim figure as she moves to the bar. She sees a floozy whore has taken a seat. As Golden Orchid moves in on the whore, she pushes the whore toward the door.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(With a serious sense of humor)
Here’s your jacket. Here’s your hat. What’s your hurry. Good-bye. You go back to street. This ballroom is respectable. No whore house.
WEI SILING, a man who is forty, watches Golden Orchid with admiration. Golden Orchid turns to Wei Siling and smiles. Wei Siling walks toward Golden Orchid who is walking to the center of the ballroom floor. The Argentine band leader strikes up a fresh, hot tango rhythm that causes the other dancers to look, stop, and watch Golden Orchid and Wei Siling perform a dance that suggests they have danced intimately on many occasions. When the dance is complete, the other dancers applaud lightly, politely, and the Argentine band leader strikes up a waltz with his tiny band which sounds rather good. Golden Orchid and Wei Siling go together to a table on a platform, near the door, where Golden Orchid can watch the crowd. On the table is a wide bowl of carefully smoothed sand on which a piece of jade sits next to a single pearl. Golden Orchid re-arranges the jade and the pearl.
WEI SILING
Jinhua. How many times have I asked you to marry me?
GOLDEN ORCHID
Once a week for three years…
(Studying the bowl)
You are jade. I am pearl. Nothing moves. Look how smooth is the sand.
WEI SILING
Marriage would give you face.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Face? So long ago I lost face I have no need of face.
WEI SILING
Marriage will restore your virtue.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Chiding)
Wei Siling, I never lost my virtue.
WEI SILING
You said you’d marry me the day I could take you back to Beijing.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Ironically)
I said: “That will be the day”.
Wei Siling pulls an official government envelope from his suit coat pocket.
WEI SILING
This government envelope is addressed to the “Honorable Merchant”, yours truly, “Wei Siling”. I answered the edict summoning men of worth to serve China.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You are a man of much worth.
WEI SILING
You can be the wife of the new Mr. National Senator.
GOLDEN ORCHID
How much worth did you “donate” for this honor?
WEI SILING
No money. No land…No strings.
(Hesitantly)
I did infer that I am about to be married, and…
GOLDEN ORCHID
Why am I suddenly suspicious?
WEI SILING
…and that the legendary Golden Orchid is about to be my wife.
Golden Orchid takes the letter and reads it quickly.
GOLDEN ORCHID
You forget that your Golden Orchid is banished in exile from the capital city.
WEI SILING
That was long ago. That was the will of the Empress Dowager, not the will of the people.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I cannot compete with that “Golden Orchid” who is a legend.
WEI SILING
Marry me, and “Golden Orchid” disappears under the wedding veils, and, like magic, the “Honorable Mrs Wei Siling” appears.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Marriage is like a red Chinese box.
WEI SILING
Is that a saying of Confucius?
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Laughing)
It is a saying of Mother Fu…On the outside of the red box, I will be “Mrs Wei Siling”.
(Changing facial expression)
On the inside of the red box, I will hide “Golden Orchid”.
WEI SILING
Then you will marry me?
GOLDEN ORCHID
“Golden Orchid” likes you enough to marry you. “Mrs Wei Siling” may even learn to love you.
WEI SILING
I am a lucky man with a lucky lady. We will have luck and happiness.
GOLDEN ORCHID
In the capital city, we will need luck, happiness, and…a sharp stick!
WEI SILING
You love government life, don’t you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Like an addict loves opium.
WEI SILING
Beijing, then, is my wedding gift.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I think if you had not secured this national senate seat…, well, I was afraid I’d die in exile. I would never again in this life go to Beijing.
WEI SILING
This time, Mrs. Wei Siling, I will not let you suffer through politics.
Wei Siling reaches into the bowl of sand and moves the jade next to the pearl. He kisses Golden Orchid’s beautiful hand. Golden Orchid’s face looks like she thinks she might have found a new home.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My mother would have approved of you.
INT. SHANGHAI, PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO — MORNING
A magnesium flash explodes with a pop. Golden Orchid stands relaxed with Wei Siling as their wedding photographs are taken. Golden Orchid wears a beautiful wedding garment. Wei Siling is dressed in formal Chinese robes.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Thank you.
WEI SILING
You honor me too much, Madam. I should be thanking you.
A final flash pops and explodes, fixing the image of the couple.
INT. BEIJING, WEI LING’S HOUSE, PARLOR — AFTERNOON
Close up stands a wedding photograph exactly the same as the photograph taken in the previous shot. The photograph sits on the piano on which Golden Orchid is playing a waltz while she hums little German oom-pa-pa syllables. She is a bit nostalgic, and justified, because Germany has this day been defeated in the Great War in Europe. She is thinking of her European friends.
An array of the day’s newspapers lays across the piano and on the floor. The headlines announce the defeat of Germany in the Great War: “GERMANY SURRENDERS”, “GREAT WAR ENDS,” “PEACE IN EUROPE”, “KAISER HUN DEFEATED”.
The title on screen reads BEIJING 1918
Wei Siling enters.
WEI SILING
Today’s victory proves how skillful you were. The Allies and America stopped the German conquest of Europe the way you stopped them in China.
Golden Orchid shakes her head, shaking off the compliment. She changes her tune on the piano to a pretty Chinese melody that is not German. Wei Siling crosses, and kisses her hair.
WEI SILING (CONT’D)
Mrs. Wei Siling, you play very well.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Not well. I know.
(With a bitter smile)
I know myself very well. I am getting old.
(Picking up a newspaper)
I won’t have my self-confidence much longer.
Wei Siling carries Golden Orchid’s signature pearls.
WEI SILING
Golden Orchid must always wear her pearls.
Wei Siling tenderly slips the pearls over Golden Orchid’s head. The pearl fall gracefully on her bosom.
WEI SILING (CONT’D)
I love you, Jinhua.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I love you, Wei.
WEI SILING
(Looking at his European watch)
We’re late. The minister expects us at the Dongdan Archway. For the New Monument ceremony.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Ah, yes! Another command performance. I love it when “we” turn into “them.”
WEI SILING
When the private couple, you and I, turn into the public couple, National Senator and Mrs National Senator.
GOLDEN ORCHID
We play our parts so well.
INT. BEIJING, CHAUFFEURED AUTOMOBILE — MOMENTS LATER
Golden Orchid rides with Wei Ling in the back seat of their chauffeured automobile. From inside the car, they observe that the streets are crowded with people. Horns honk. Newspaper kiosk headlines read, in various languages, “GERMANY DEFEATED” and “GREAT WAR ENDS! and “PEACE IN EUROPE”.
WEI SILING
Today is a wonderful day. Victory!
GOLDEN ORCHID
I never thought the world would come to this.
French soldiers in French uniforms rush past the car windows, celebrating with the Chinese people the defeat of the German expansionist empire.
WEI SILING
The French suffered so many losses from the Germans…
GOLDEN ORCHID
Wei! Look! The Klinder Memorial Tablet!
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, ENTRANCE OF ZONGBU ALLEY — CONTINUOUS
French soldiers shoot rifles and pistols at the Klinder Tablet which crumbles slowly away under their long barrage. Off to the side, stands a ceremonial stage decorated for the day with a banner that reads “MONUMENT TO THE VICTORY OF JUSTICE”. The crowd surges around the new monument (which is covered with billowing white sail cloth) in wild abandon. The chauffeured car, with Chinese flags on each front fender, moves slowly through the people. Many people, seeing the car, let it pass untouched. In fact, they stand back, French and Chinese alike, and salute the passing vehicle which drives directly into the Dongdan Archway.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE — CONTINUOUS
As Golden Orchid and Wei Siling exit the car, a handsome young man of twenty-two, the unidentified, grown SON OF EN HAI begins to walk in step with them as they walk toward and up the stairs to the stage. In body and face, the SON OF EN HAI, is obviously a noticeably attractive person. They pass one, then two, then three photographers who shoot off popping shots. Obvious, when they walk out on stage is a motion picture camera set up on a high stand.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE, THROUGH MOVIE CAMERA LENS — CONTINUOUS
Golden Orchid and Wei Siling receive much applause. Golden Orchid sits down as Wei Siling begins to speak. His voice sounds with an echo the way voices sound in early electric sound speakers.
WEI SILING
Today is a day for history. Today the “Klinder Tablet” gives way to the “Monument to the Victory of Justice.”
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE — CONTINUOUS
The SON OF EH HAI edges closer up into the crowd who stand on the stage around the notables who are seated on chairs on the stage.
WEI SILING
In the year of Gen Zi, eighteen years ago, we Chinese could not escape the national burden the Germans demanded of China. Rebellion led to war which led to murder and starvation. One young Chinese woman captured our hearts, gave us courage, and carried us through crisis…
WOMAN ON STAGE
((Whispers to Golden Orchid)
Everyone knows who you are. You are the lady of mercy.
Golden Orchid shrinks back from the inevitable weight of legend and history. Above the crowd, several colorful kites float in the blue sky.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I pray to the gods this is not the bad old days come back again.
WEI SILING
I present to you, the patriot woman, the woman who loves the Chinese people, the former Mrs Envoy Hong Wenqing, now Mrs Senator Wei Siling, my wife, Golden Orchid!
The band begins to play. The motion picture camera is turning. Golden Orchid stands to much applause.
A Chinese actor in full costume off to the side stamps his left foot down and stands on his left leg as he raises his right knee up and his right foot out. The actor is costumed and his face is painted identically to the way Golden Orchid’s actor-father was costumed the night he died on stage.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE, THROUGH THE MOVIE CAMERA LENS — CONTINUOUS
In the same identical movement, but repeated in black-and-white slow motion, with the real sound drawn down to very slow sound that makes a basso roaring sound, the Chinese actor in full costume, again stamps his left foot down and stands on his left leg as he raises his right knee up and his right foot out.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE — CONTINUOUS
The crowd cheers. The SON OF EN HAI edges farther out on to the stage. The politicians all stand to applaud Golden Orchid. Golden Orchid moves gracefully to the microphone. Flashes pop off from the photographers. Smoke swirls around in the confusion on the stage. Much cheering is punctuated with the sound of firecrackers exploding on long strings. The microphone squeals.
GOLDEN ORCHID
I am not good at speaking…Everyone must share in responsibility for the destiny of one’s country.
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE, THROUGH MOVIE CAMERA LENS — CONTINUOUS
Close up of Golden Orchid in black and white as seen by flickering movie camera.
GOLDEN ORCHID
How can a Chinese refuse to help other Chinese?…The past was my turn to help the Chinese people…
EXT. BEIJING, DONGDAN ARCHWAY, CEREMONIAL STAGE — CONTINUOUS
GOLDEN ORCHID
Now it is your turn. The Chinese people must always help the Chinese people…Never work against the people…Thank you.
The crowd grows enthusiastic with cheers and chanting of the name “Golden Orchid.” The face of the SON OF EN HAI glistens with nervous sweat. It is obvious he has a gun, a small pistol, inside his coat.
CROWD
Golden Orchid! Golden Orchid! Golden Orchid!
Golden Orchid waves bravely. The actor in full costume, who, suddenly, appears to look like the stage actor, the father of Golden Orchid, hands her a small national flag on a stick.
GOLDEN ORCHID
(Very quietly)
Father? You remind me of my father.
CHINESE ACTOR
(Speaking low in this almost mystical moment)
Daughter, you are China’s daughter.
She waves the flag to many cheers. She smiles and begins to walk from the microphone to Wei Siling. From the other side of the stage, the SON OF EN HAI walks quietly, then more boldly toward Golden Orchid. His face drips with sweat. His small gun is now visible in his hand. It is quite clear that the SON OF EN HAI means to shoot Golden Orchid specifically.
A kind of slow-motion intense “ballet” of ambiguity starts here.
Wei Siling sees the gun and stands up, pushing into Golden Orchid. The SON OF EN HAI is startled. He sees the married couple, Wei Siling and Golden Orchid, standing close together, so close they seem as one person. The SON OF EN HAI looks directly into the face of Golden Orchid.
SON OF EN HAI
Whore concubine traitor!
The SON OF EN HAI fires his gun directly into the couple. All the crowd freezes, pulls back, leaving only the married couple standing in tight embrace. Then slowly, very slowly, as a couple in tight embrace of love and death, Golden Orchid and Wei Siling sinks by slow degrees to their knees, and then slowly, as the crowd watches hypnotically, they fall on the stage floor, and do not move.
SON OF EN HAI (CONT’D)
(Shouting)
I am the son of En Hai! I avenge my father’s death. Death to the whore concubine.
Soldiers, police, and guards grab ahold of him, wrest away the gun, pinion his arms, and stand with him arrested as they all freeze on stage watching.
CHINESE OFFICIAL
They are dead. The Senator! Golden Orchid!
WOMAN ON STAGE
Golden Orchid! Goddess of Mercy. No!
The Chinese actor, in ceremonial garb, walks over to the fallen couple, kneels, gently examines the two bodies. The tension is unbearable. The actor lowers his head to the fallen couple. He very carefully rolls the dead body of Wei Siling over, and bends to the body of Golden Orchid.
CHINESE ACTOR
Daughter!
The Chinese actor raises up the shoulders of Golden Orchid. Taking her body, he stands up. Everything freezes in ambiguous tension.
WOMAN ON STAGE
She’s alive. Golden Orchid lives!
On stage and in the crowd there is much consternation as it becomes clear that Wei Siling was shot, and Golden Orchid was not even injured. Golden Orchid breaks free of the actor holding her, falls to her knees, and cradles the head of the dead Wei Siling in her arms. Her face is overcome with sorrow. Wei Siling’s blood streams down through her hands like the blood stream of history the German Queen predicted Golden Orchid would enter.
INT. BEIJING, PEASANT COTTAGE — NIGHT
The two young males, Journalist #1 and Journalist #2, and the young FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER sit spellbound by the story concluded by Golden Orchid. The rain outside has turned from a drenching storm to a gentle but steady shower seen through the windows and heard on the roof.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Your wine makes this story spill out. You will forgive me.
JOURNALIST #1
No, Mrs Envoy. History has not swept you away.
The Female Student Photographer keeps looking at the faces in the photographs that Golden Orchid has arranged around a small altar.
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
I photograph faces, Mrs Envoy. Tonight I studied your face.
GOLDEN ORCHID
This is the face I have saved.
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Forgive me, for the comments I made before…hoping you had regrets…as if I was cursing you, my elder.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Elder, yes. Ancestor, no. My one regret is my lost child. That was the one mistake the politicians made.
JOURNALIST #2
What precisely do you mean?
GOLDEN ORCHID
When I lost my child in Berlin, the night my first husband was assassinated…
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes?
GOLDEN ORCHID
The politicians who killed my child in my belly…That loss of my child made me fearless.
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
Your motivation became clear to you.
GOLDEN ORCHID
Oh, yes. I was motivated by “Water from the Moon”.
JOURNALIST #1
“Water from the Moon”?
GOLDEN ORCHID
You have not heard that old proverb? “What you want is like water from the moon”.
JOURNALIST #2
(Laughing)
Is it from Confucius?
Golden Orchid and FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER look knowingly at each other, roll their eyes and, bonding, laughing, speak simultaneously.
GOLDEN ORCHID
No, it’s from…MOTHER FU!
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
(Simultaneously)
…MOTHER FU!
Golden Orchid and the FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER touch shoulders laughing. The two male journalists sit there.
JOURNALIST #1
I don’t get it.
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
You…are…such…BOYS!
GOLDEN ORCHID
Such…lovely…BOYS!
Golden Orchid and the FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER laugh again.
JOURNALIST #2
I think this is more the special stuff that women know. Yes?
Golden Orchid is suddenly serious. She reaches out and takes the hands of JOURNALIST #1, JOURNALIST #2, and the FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER, and holds them as if they were all her family.
GOLDEN ORCHID
My children. I once promised to build an altar for people who died without descendants.
Golden Orchid gestures to the photographs sitting about a dish of arranged stones on sand. Incense is burning. The photographs are of Hong Wenqing, Wei Siling, Madam Von Mueller, Sofia, and a newsclipping photo of Maximilian with the Kaiser and the German Queen. In the back sits a photograph of Frau Klinder.
JOURNALIST #1
To have no children is, forgive me, bad luck.
GOLDEN ORCHID
So everyone knows…and so, I tell you. “Water from the Moon”. Remember that. “Water from the Moon”. If you remember me, remember that.
FEMALE STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER
But Mother Orchid, what is “Water from the Moon”?
GOLDEN ORCHID
My darling! My dears!
(A far-away look)
“Water from the Moon”…is…something…anything… we can never have!
THE END