Script

SIDE 1

Punctual!!

Was it tidy? No. What about a good sense of humor? That should be on the list...

(MUSHU crows like a rooster. Now MULAN gets it.)

Punctual! Ai-ya, I'm late!

(FA ZHOU enters, walking with a limp.)

Mulan, hurry. The Matchmaker does not like to be kept waiting. You might not want to anger the one who is deciding your future.

Don't worry father.

(she points to her head)
I've got it all up here!

Yeah.

(points to his hand)
And here.

(points to his arm)
And here.

(points to his ankle)
And here!

I promise to uphold the family honor.

(MULAN begins to run offstage.)

Mulan!

(points in the other direction)

The Matchmaker is that way.

Right.

(changes direction)

I mean, left.

(As MULAN runs out, she trips and falls.)

SIDE 2

(OLDER YI steps forward to accept the orders, but before he can take them, YOUNG YI takes the orders from CHI FU. He bows to his father.)

I will serve the Emperor in my father's place.

The Fa family!

(FA ZHOU moves to accept his orders. MULAN runs and stands between her father and CHI FU.)

No! Father, you can't go!

(turns to CHI FU)
Please, sir, my father has already fought bravely. He still suffers from a battle injury. His leg-

Silence!

(to FA ZHOU)
You would do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence.

Mulan, you dishonor me.

(FA ZHOU accepts his orders from CHI FU then collapses in pain.)

Father!

(MULAN tries to help him, but FA LI holds her back.)

Leave me alone, child! I'm fine.

(FA ZHOU struggles but rises on his own.)

Report tomorrow at dawn to the Wu Zhong Camp!

(The ENSEMBLE provides drums as CHI FU, the CHINESE SOLDIERS and the VILLAGE MEN exit.)

It's not fair. You shouldn't have to go. There are plenty of young men to fight for China!

It is an honor to protect my country and my family.

But as the youngest isn't it my place to serve?

Mulan! I know my place. It is time you learned yours.

(FA ZHOU exits.)