LITTLE MEI
Chickens! Chickens! Chickens!
NIKLAS
They must be from the embassy!
ANNA
They have chickens, and day after day they only give us rice!
BIG MEI
Chickens!
ANNA
Mr. Hermann, we must try and get a few chickens if we can! Imagine, some nice soup or fresh eggs. It would do us a world
of good.
NIKLAS
Well, then. Let us go and greet the chickens! Bok-bok, girls!
ANNA and NIKLAS exit.
BIG MEI
I’m so hungry!
LITTLE MEI
When was the last time you had meat?
BIG MEI
I can’t even remember!
LITTLE MEI
Wouldn’t you like some chicken feet right now? Or roasted, with crispy salty skin!
BIG MEI
Yesterday, I didn’t make it to the commissary in time and they ran out of rice! There’s so many people now.
LITTLE MEI
I heard ten thousand. There’s no room anywhere, that’s why people are sleeping on the grounds.
BIG MEI
At least they get to have a fire.
LITTLE MEI
I guess. But some have to sleep next to the walls. Do you know what they call that when the Sisters aren’t around? They call it the “lottery.” Because who knows? Your chances aren’t very good.
BIG MEI
Mei!
LITTLE MEI
It’s true!
NIKLAS and ANNA enter with HIRO Fukuyama, a Japanese diplomat. His fine clothing and clean hands are quite a contrast to their appearance.
ANNA
(warning) Girls!
Seeing HIRO, LITTLE MEI and BIG MEI stop and bow their heads.
HIRO
Ah, so this is Ginling. This is where you would like the headquarters of your “Safety Zone.”
NIKLAS
Yes. My apologies, Mr. Fukuyama—if we had known the Embassy was coming…. We would have prepared…
HIRO
I see.
NIKLAS
We are honoured that the Embassy of Japan has granted us permission to establish a Safety Zone.
HIRO
Ah. So. You must understand it is not under my consideration. I speak for the Imperial word of Emperor Hirohito, whose word is absolute. This visit, my report, as well as that of the Lieutenant-General, will inform his final decision.
NIKLAS
Lieutenant-General?
HIRO
(looking off to where the army is assembled) Of the Imperial Army of Japan, Mr. Hermann.
NIKLAS
I understand—we are honoured just the same.
NIKLAS and ANNA give slight bows in their direction.
ANNA
What does it mean? That we must continue to wait for word from Japan—
HIRO
Exactly that. So.
A beat as HIRO turns his attention to the girls. He scrutinizes them.
They are very young.
NIKLAS
Yes…
ANNA
Girls. Why don’t you run along? (as they pick up the laundry) Just leave the laundry. Leave it for later. Go. Go.
They exit.
HIRO
How many are you hosting here, Sister Mallery?
ANNA
We haven’t finished registering everyone. It takes time.
HIRO
How many do you think?
ANNA
At present, I think close to seven thousand. I’m not really sure.
HIRO
Seven thousand? How many were your students, your staff?
ANNA
Again, I’m not sure. I was just a teacher before. Probably three thousand or so.
HIRO
So, the rest… civilians?
ANNA
Yes, women, children with no place to go.
HIRO
There are men here also, no?
ANNA
Yes, but not very many. Members of the staff, men, who work as, as, as cooks, as drivers, gardeners… ah… labourers also! And… men who recently found the Christian faith! There are men on the grounds of Ginling. That’s quite normal…
HIRO
I see.
A moment.
Sister Mallery. As a part of our reports, the Imperial Army requires a visual inspection. We need to see them all.
ANNA
See them all?
HIRO
Everyone. Everyone that you are hosting here in your “Safety Zone” for civilians. Is that not clear?
NIKLAS
Yes. Absolutely. Indeed.
HIRO
Have them assemble.
NIKLAS
Of course. Of course.
ANNA
Mei. Mei! Little Mei!
She re-enters.
LITTLE MEI
Yes, Sister?
ANNA
Venez-ici! Regardez-moi. Ne le regardez pas. Regardez-moi et parlez seulement en français, d’accord? [Come here! Look at me. Don’t look at him. Look at me. Speak only in French, okay?]
LITTLE MEI
Mais—pourquoi? [But—why?]
ANNA
Avertissez les soldats. Dites-leur de se cacher dans les greniers. Vous-comprenez? [Warn the soldiers. Tell them to hide in the attics. Do you understand?]
LITTLE MEI
Oui. [Yes.]
ANNA
Allez. Allez, vite! [Go, now, hurry! Go!]
LITTLE MEI goes.
HIRO
What did you say to her?
ANNA
Only that she should instruct everyone to assemble.
HIRO
But not in Chinese. It was French you were speaking?
ANNA
Just because the city has been invaded, doesn’t mean I can’t keep up with their lessons. Unless Hirohito has a problem with that.
HIRO
No indeed. Emperor Hirohito is keen on language studies. In fact, in my first posting, up north, in Manchukuo, 5 there were a great many foreigners also. I came to know them well. I would watch them. I would listen to them carefully. It was my job to interpret their actions, their motives. I was very good at my job.
Beat.
NIKLAS
Yes, clearly your English is excellent.
HIRO
Then I am making myself clear. Any treachery will be punished by death. Japan has no tolerance for foreign nations interfering in Japan’s affairs.
NIKLAS
We understand.
HIRO looks at NIKLAS and ANNA with a fierce scrutiny.
HIRO
No tolerance. (to NIKLAS) Not for countries with which Japan has diplomatic relations… (turning to ANNA) but especially not for countries with which Japan is not currently… friendly.
Good. Shall we begin the inspection?
NIKLAS
Of course.
ANNA
Perhaps you would like to see the infirmary first…
HIRO looks around, as if searching for something. He spots the hand-lettered sign.
HIRO
What is the meaning of this?
Nobody answers or looks.
What. Is. This?
NIKLAS
Nothing.
HIRO
Is this a joke!?
NIKLAS
Ah. Perhaps.
Just a little joke.
HIRO explodes, a bit forced but still with an alarming fury.
HIRO
How dare you mock the Imperial Army of Japan! How dare you!
He tears the sign down and throws the pieces in their faces. NIKLAS and ANNA quickly kneel before him, heads bowed.
Ginling will suffer at your hands! You will receive no shipments of food or coal for three days! Perhaps, after three days of hunger and cold, you’ll take your position a little more seriously. This will go into my report!
He exits in a huff.
(offstage, in Japanese if possible) Leave it, we’re going! Let’s go!
The sound of the truck driving off, into silence. Long pause.
NIKLAS
I guess he’s not doing an inspection.
LITTLE MEI returns out of breath.
LITTLE MEI
Soeur Anna! Je l’ai fait! Les soldats - où est-il allé? [Sister Anna! I did it! The soldiers—where did he go?]
NIKLAS
It’s all right, he’s gone.
LITTLE MEI
What happened?
NIKLAS
My little joke distracted him!
ANNA
Yes, but at what cost, Niklas! You’ve put the college at risk!
NIKLAS
They won’t find them now.
ANNA
It is too dangerous to hide the Chinese soldiers!
NIKLAS
They gave up their arms. They are no more soldiers than we are. They need refuge too.
ANNA
(to LITTLE MEI) Where are they now? In the attics?
LITTLE MEI
Yes, like you told me…
ANNA
Good. Little Mei, go and see if any of them still have their uniforms. These have to be destroyed. Do you understand?
LITTLE MEI
Yes.
ANNA
Get some of the others to help you. Go.
She exits.
Fukuyama brought the army. If they come again, what then?
NIKLAS
Then—we will have to stay ahead of them.
ANNA
No rice, no coal. No chickens.
NIKLAS
No. Come—let us have a look at our stores and see what we can do.
SCENE EIGHT
The grounds of Ginling. LITTLE MEI is wearing NIKLAS’s coat. BIG MEI is quite upset.
BIG MEI
Give it to me! Give it to me!
LITTLE MEI
You left it there!
BIG MEI
I didn’t want it to get wet!
LITTLE MEI
So you should’ve been watching it!
BIG MEI
Give it back! I don’t have anything else!
LITTLE MEI
So—that makes you special? So you deserve to be warm and I don’t?
BIG MEI
But I’m—
LITTLE MEI
Everyone in Ginling has a story. Yours isn’t any different.
BIG MEI
It’s mine! Mr. Hermann gave it to me!
LITTLE MEI
He felt sorry for you! Because you’re pathetic! Hiding like a dog in the outhouse! While your family got slaughtered!
BIG MEI
And what would you have done?
LITTLE MEI
If my family was in danger? I would’ve stood with them! I would’ve ripped flesh in my bare hands! I wouldn’t have run away and let my family die!
BIG MEI is really stung by the comment and goes after LITTLE MEI. A tussle.
BIG MEI
Shut up! Shut up! Give me my coat! You give it to me!
LITTLE MEI
What do you think, because Mr. Hermann gave you this coat… that what? What? There are thousands of girls in this camp! He probably doesn’t even remember your name!
NIKLAS enters.
NIKLAS
Girls, girls, come on. We have a surprise!
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann.
NIKLAS
Yes.
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann, what’s my name?
LITTLE MEI
Yes. What’s my name?
NIKLAS
Why, Mei, of course, you are both called Mei. Why do you ask?
BIG MEI
No reason.
NIKLAS
No, of course. (to BIG MEI) You are Mei of Shanghai… (to LITTLE MEI) and you are Mei of Nanking.
LITTLE MEI
I’m Mei from Shanghai.
NIKLAS
Oh, yes, sorry. Of course you are! The coat…. (to BIG MEI) You gave her the coat…
No answer.
Come on, why don’t we go inside?
BIG MEI
What are we doing?
NIKLAS
You will see.
LITTLE MEI
What’s going on?
NIKLAS
They are waiting for us.
SCENE NINE
Dining hall of Ginling. Bustle of candles and activity. Christmas Eve.
ANNA
Hurry up. You girls are late.
Addressing the assembled, a large portion of the camp.
Thank you for coming. We have invited all of you to dinner, because you have made contributions to life in the camp. Whether you chose to guard the wells, or helped in the nursery, it is you who have made a refuge possible. Our meal tonight will be followed by service. We should all remember the significance of this time of year. The birth of Christ should bring us hope. Tonight we celebrate those who have given us hope, no matter how small.
NIKLAS
Tonight, we have a wonderful repast! Your choice of entrée this Christmas Eve, rice, boiled on a plate. Or rice porridge in a bowl. Or dry, uncooked rice, if you prefer. As an accoutrement, there is a small quantity of salt and a sprinkling of weevils, with a touch of dirt. Enjoy! Please join the queue.
They get in line for the food, except for LITTLE MEI. ANNA approaches her.
ANNA
Aren’t you going to eat?
LITTLE MEI
I don’t want to.
ANNA
You need to eat. You need to stay strong.
LITTLE MEI
I don’t care.
ANNA
Little Mei. I’m sorry that I hit you the other day. It was a moment of weakness. There are many times when I think that I don’t have the strength. It’s easy to lose hope. But that is why we must fight, we must try, with all our being. We must try.
When I asked you to warn the soldiers? You were in great danger, but you didn’t hesitate for a moment. You were very brave. Not many have your strength. It is your strength that will save us all. Hang onto it as long as you can, Little Mei, hang on. You might see a day when war will be no more. God speed that day.
LITTLE MEI
God speed the day.
ANNA
Amen. Come, Little Mei, please, share in the food. It’s for you.
LITTLE MEI does. If possible, ANNA crosses to a piano and starts tinkling a little. BIG MEI is in line for food near NIKLAS.
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann, do you have children?
NIKLAS
You mean, besides all of you?
BIG MEI
Yes, besides all of us…
NIKLAS
Three boys.
BIG MEI
And they’re safe?
NIKLAS
Yes. Up north. With their mother in Peking
.
BIG MEI
Why didn’t you go with them? Where it’s safe? Why are you here?
NIKLAS cannot answer, but just places his hand lightly on BIG MEI’s head, looking at her with mixed emotions.
NIKLAS
I was worried about my servants and my workers. I could not leave them to die. So I stayed. For them, for Little Mei… for you.
Sister ANNA moves off to the piano and begins to sing
“O Holy Night”.
ANNA
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. (continuing under)
NIKLAS
I’m German, but I don’t know what that means anymore.
ANNA
(softly under) Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
NIKLAS
I’m here. This is where I belong. I am Chinese.
ANNA
(softly under) Till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
NIKLAS
You gave Little Mei the coat. That’s very kind of you.
ANNA
(softly under) A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
BIG MEI
Yes…
ANNA
(softly under) For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
NIKLAS
She seems cold, but she needs our compassion.
BIG MEI crosses and sits down next to LITTLE MEI, still wearing the coat. During the rest of the song, BIG MEI takes her arm and rests her head on LITTLE MEI’s shoulder. LITTLE MEI doesn’t resist. They sit together, small.
ANNA
Fall on your knees! O, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night! O holy night!
Suddenly, a shrill siren breaks the mood. They race outside.
Planes.
NIKLAS
There!
LITTLE MEI
They’re coming fast!
ANNA
Can you see—Japanese or Chinese?
NIKLAS
Coming from the south, must be Japanese!
The siren changes from warning to urgent.
ANNA
Here they come!
LITTLE MEI
They’re dropping something.
BIG MEI
What is it?
NIKLAS
It’s not bombs!
ANNA
Oh no!
NIKLAS
Cover your nose and mouth!
ANNA
Oh God, go inside! Go!
The girls run off as a rush of planes and paper fall from the sky. Leaflets trickle down like snow or ash. The siren continues underneath.
NIKLAS
A Nanking Winter Page 7