The Willows by the Western Gate
ACT ONE
Scene One
The interior of the home is, at the moment, darkened
by a scrim. But the lights are flickering within the safe, sparsely furnished
room at the end of the monastery. WAN LEI, a handsome young man about 20,
is sitting on the bed, book in hand, desperately attempting to study. Near
him sits YANG, a monk of an indeterminate age, engrossed in a prayer book.
The music is lovely and serene. Suddenly WAN slams his book shut.
WAN
How can I bother about the examinations
When there is such a moon!
YANG
Your father would be most disturbed.
YANG
MEILAN
WIDOW CHENG
MEILAN
WIDOW CHENG
There is the Widow Cheng!
Something is wrong!
Come, we must help.(THEY scurry from the room.)
WIDOW CHENG
Meilan, please!WIDOW CHENG
(stopping suddenly)
The river Hsiang!
What village did the bandits destroy?BEITESEN
Lingung.
BEITESEN
WIDOW CHENG You wicked girl!
That is the third time you have frightened us
In the past month!But, madam, it is better to be prepared… BEITESEN
(YANG and WAN rush from the monastery door.)YANG Widow Cheng! What is wrong?WIDOW CHENG
It is nothing.
Forgive us, kind Yang.
It is nothing
But the imagination of our servant girl.
(Bowing with embarrassment, taking Meilan's hand)
Come, daughter.
(sharply, as she sees BEITESEN gazing longingly at Wan)
Beitesen!(THEY retreat back into the house. WAN stares after them.) WAN Her name?Widow Cheng. YANG
WAN The daughter, old fool.Meilan. YANG
(tasting it upon his lips) WAN
Meilan.
LIGHTS SLOWLY DIM
![]()