The Peasant Prince by Di Cesare Eva;Eldridge Sandra;McGarry Tim;

Author:Di Cesare, Eva;Eldridge, Sandra;McGarry, Tim;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Currency Press

Scene Sixteen

Houston International Airport.

We can hear planes landing, airport ambience.

A recorded announcement comes over a loudspeaker: ‘Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Houston International Airport. China Airways Flight 675 from Beijing has arrived at Gate 15. Flight from Beijing disembarking at Gate 15.’

We see CUNXIN enter the gate lounge. He looks disorientated and is reading his Chinese/English dictionary.

BEN and CONSUL ZHANG (pronounced: Jung) both enter hurriedly.

BEN: Cunxin! Ni hao. Ni hao, Cunxin!

CUNXIN: Mr Ben!

BEN: Welcome to America. Cunxin, I’d like you to meet Consul Zhang, from the Chinese Consulate here in Texas.

CUNXIN: Zhang lingshi nin hao.

CUNXIN and CONSUL ZHANG shake hands and share a greeting in Mandarin.

CLARE DUNCAN enters, hurriedly, out of breath, carrying a cowboy hat, a gift for CUNXIN.

CLARE: That parking lot was so full. [Noticing CONSUL ZHANG] Oh, Consul Zhang. So very lovely to see you again.

CONSUL ZHANG: Mrs Duncan.

Ben: Cunxin, this is Clare Duncan, President of the Houston Ballet.

Clare: For you.

She puts the cowboy hat on CUNXIN’s head.

We’re so privileged to have you here at the Houston Ballet.

CUNXIN: Xie xie.

Clare: How was your flight?

CUNXIN: My first time in an aeroplane.

Clare: Oh, honey. That is precious.

CUNXIN: Xie xie.

Clare: Ben’s told us what a fabulous dancer you are.

CUNXIN: Xie xie.

Clare: You’ve travelled halfway across the world.

CUNXIN: America is very green.

Clare notices CUNXIN’s Chairman Mao pin.

Clare: Oh, what’s that pin?

CUNXIN: Our beloved Chairman Mao.

Clare: Oh, that’s so cute. You must be so tired, Mr Cunxin.

Ben: It’s Cunxin, and Li is his surname.

Clare: Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr Li.

Ben: Do you mind if people call you Li?

CUNXIN: Li? It’s okay. Li.

Clare: Oh good. We’re gonna get on like a house on fire, Li.

CUNXIN: House on fire?

Ben: It’s an expression. Don’t worry. I can’t wait to get you to the studio and introduce you to the company.

Clare: I’ll go and bring the car around.

Ben: Let’s get your other bags at the carousel.

Ben and Clare go ahead while CONSUL ZHANG and CUNXIN remain.

CONSUL ZHANG: Cunxin, a word.

CUNXIN takes off his cowboy hat.

CUNXIN: Yes, Consul Zhang.

CONSUL ZHANG: These foreigners … they’re different from us.

CUNXIN: Yes, very different.

CONSUL ZHANG: They’re not to be trusted. You are representing China, and when you return home we expect you to have made us proud.

CUNXIN: I will work very hard.

CONSUL ZHANG: Remember you are a Chinese citizen. You follow Chinese laws, not American laws. Ni bu hui tian mafan ba. Li Cunxin, you won’t cause trouble now, will you?

CUNXIN: Yes, Consul Zhang.

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