Act 1
Scene 1
(A raven-haired young singer steps out from behind the purple curtains. The sound of her black combat boots lightly thud against the stage, followed by cheering from the crowd. She pulls off her shades and brushes away a whisp of hair that hung over her hazel eyes. The woman stops in the middle of the stage and pulls off her black trenchcoat, revealing her flat tummy under a burgandy, laced-up midrif. A soft smile appears on her deep red lips, contrast to her ivory skin)
Audience: (applauds)
Min Li Ji Wong: (eyes scan then crowd) Thank you! It is great to be here in Yorokobi Dome! (closes eyes and smiles)
Audience: (chants) Min-sama! Min-sama!
(piano starts to play)
Min Li: Okay! Well, tonight we'll start with a nice love song, then move onto some more punkier stuff. (laughs)
(Min Li steps backwards and holds mic closer. The crowd becomes quiet. She begins to sing, her burgundy lips moving slowly to a beautiful song. She sings the intro and stops abruptly.)
(there is a sharp flash of light)
Kadia (cat): (jumps on Min's chest) Meow!! (circles on the girl and lays down. threads with claws and purrs)
Min Li: (bolts right up in bed, her long black hair messy) Wha?! (picks up Kadia) Bad Kitty... you woke me from my dream! (lets cat go, sighs and turns clock towards her.) Oh man! (quick scene of her silouette through the shower's door, and then her looking franticly through closet in only a towel. goes downstairs)
Nikkei (mom): (surprised) Min Li? Where are you going?
Min Li: (she steps into the kitchen and stops. She wears a long sleeve, baby-blue Nike shirt and flare jeans size 5 w/ sparkling blue belt and size 7 combat boots) I gotta go to Roman's house so he will be ready to go.
Nikkei: Fine. You both need to be back here no later than ten. Your flight leaves at noon. (goes back to making her own breakfast)
Min Li: Bye, mom. (kisses Nikkei's cheek. runs out, and all the way to Roman's, dodging everyone in her path. knocks on the door)
Roman: (opens door) Hi, Min. (moves to the side to let her inside and closes behind her)
(of Hispanic decent, Roman was tan and short--only two inches taller than Min Li, had sMini-spiky brown hair, with the body type of Ricky Martin)
Min Li: (walks in and sits on the nearby chair, her legs hanging of the right side and her head laying gently on the left) I had that dream again. I can't wait for this trip--something great will happen, I know.
Roman: (sits on the couch next to the chair, laughs) Going home for you will be going somewhere I don't know anyone or a word of their language. But I still look forward to it.
Min Li: (laughs lightly) It'll be okay, Roman. (sits up and forward) Are you ready?
Roman: Yes. (smiles at Min Li) Hey, lets practice. I mean, you never know when martial arts can come in handy--especially in a communist country.
Min Li: (laughs) Alright, we got the time.
(they exit the room, into a spacious and nearly Minpty room, with only a folding exercise machine in the corner. Min Li slowly kneels and stretches. Roman cracks his knuckles and watches)
Roman: (impatient) Come on, Min. Don't over do it.
Min Li: (trying to sound serious) Right, You're not that much of a challenge! (looks at him as she pulls up to her feet) Alright! (slips her right foot back and pulls her arms to a 90 angle)
Roman: (narrows eyes) I'm on defense, okay.
Min Li: (smiles) Huh-huh. (starts towards him) Block low! (kicks at his legs)
Roman: (blocks)
Min Li: That was... good. Well! Get rough!! (grabs around his upper chest and tries to pull him down laughs)
Roman: (laughs) Min! (looses balance, falls and lands half-way on Min Li)
Min Li: (mutters) Uh, um. Sorry about that.
Roman: (sits up and laughs) Its okay, dear.
Min Li: (stands up and pulls Roman up, keeps hold of his arm) I have to go home to pack the little things and shower. You need to do the same. (kisses him on the cheek) Bye. (smiles, walks out)
Roman: (watches her leave)
Scene 2
(While Min Li sat in her room choosing which CDs to bring with her, the soft sunlight that fled through her window streamed through the blinds covering Roman's window. He lay on his bed facing away from the window with his arms crossed under his head.)
Selena (mom): (from downstairs) Roman? You breakfast is ready.
Roman: (glances quietly at his bedroom door) Alright, be down in a moment. (stands up and goes out the door, downstairs, and into the kitchen.)
Selena: (kisses Roman as he approaches) Sit, dear. I'll have yours out in a sec.
Roman: (sits and glances around the table. going right: father, Minpty seat, sister, and brother)
(not going into much detail here, Selena brings Roman something that he spends a short time eating)
Roman: (stands up, pauses) That was good, mom. I'll miss you.
Selena: It's only a month, Roman. But we'll miss you.
Sister: (eating cereal) Yeah right!!
Roman: (only smiles) (sarcasticly) Love you too, Becky. (walks into the front room and stops at a long desk filled with pictures. He picks up a picture of two young children are laying on each other and smiling.)
FLASHBACK:
(Outside of a school building, a four girls stand in a circle around a smaller girl with long, jet black hair and slanted silver eyes. All involved are around the age of 5.)
Min Li: (yells) Leave me alone!! (covers ears, closes eyes)
Girls: (taunting) Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, look at these! Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, look at these! Chinese, Japanese, dirty knees, look at these!
Unknown Voice: Stop!!
Girls: Huh? (turns and sees what appears to be a boyish girl wearing a hat)
Roman: (Minotionlessly) You're ignorant. Does the shape of her eyes really matter?
Girl 1: (narrows eyes) Where did you come from?! You look like a guy! (smiles and looks back at the others)
Girls: (laughs)
Roman: (smirks) I would hope so. I am a guy! Now you, on the other hand, are just plain ratty. So I wouldn't be talking if I was you.
Girls: (becomes silent momentarily)
Girl 2: Its a he-she!!! Freaker!
Girls: (runs off, laughing)
Min Li: (arms drop down near her chest, and she looks up) Who are you?
END FLASHBACK
Roman: (picks up a recent picture of Min Li and kisses it)
(Scene fades, and reappears in Min Li's room, where she is looking at the same picture)
Min Li: (sets picture down in her bag and stands by the window)
Scene 3
(Min Li and Roman find their seats on the plane, both rMinaining silent. Awhile later, the craft began to move. For the first 10 minutes they quietly watched the sky outside the window)
Min Li: (looks away out the window and slides down in her seat) Great! In about 20 hours I'll be home.
Roman: (looks at Min Li, surprised) 20 hours?! I thought it would only take about 10.
Min Li: (laughs) That would be kinda dangourous, don't ya think? (smiles) No commercial airline goes nearly that fast.
Roman: What will we do for that long?
Min Li: It won't be that bad. We do have to stop in LA and wait for the next flight out. We may be there an hour. Besides, we have my laptop and our CDs and players. Heh, Roman? (smiles) Actually we should rest. We're in for a long trip. (closes eyes and crosses arms)
Roman: (sarcastic) GREAT.
Min Li: (opens right eye and raises eyebrow at Roman)
Roman: (stares at Min Li)
Min Li: (stares back)
Roman: (slowly smiles)
Min Li: (smiles and laughs) Don't do that! I thought you were serious. (looks forward, presses lips together, and back to Roman) Sorry if I'm not going to be so interesting this flight. But I'm kinda scared.
Roman: I know; me too. But we'll have plenty to do this summer.
Min Li: (leans head on Roman and closes eyes)
(there is a sharp flash of light)
(A raven-haired young singer steps out from behind the purple curtains. The sound of her black combat boots lightly thud against the stage, followed by cheering from the crowd. She pulls off her shades and brushes away a whisp of hair that hung over her hazel eyes. The woman stops in the middle of the stage and pulls off her black trenchcoat, revealing her flat tummy under a burgandy, laced-up midrif. A soft smile appears on her deep red lips, contrast to her ivory skin)
Audience: (applauds)
Min Li Ji Wong: (eyes scan then crowd) Thank you! It is great to be here in Yorokobi Dome!
(closes eyes and smiles)
Audience: (chants) Min-sama! Min-sama!
(piano starts to play)
Min Li: Okay! Well, tonight we'll start with a nice love song, then move onto some more punkyer stuff. (laughs)
(Min Li steps backwards and holds mic closer. The crowd becomes quiet. She begins to sing, her burgundy lips moving slowly to a beautiful song. She sings the intro and starts the first virse Interupted by sudden crashing sound. Everyone in audience becomes quiet.)
Min Li: (stops in mid-word, sweatdrop) Uh... Huh?
(piano keeps playing, now constant drizzle and ping-pong sound, following another crashing sound stage shakes)
Min Li: (falls onto knees on floor, mic falls and rolls away) Ahhh!! (the sounds are irritating, her teeth clenching) (yells) Ugh!!!
(there is a sharp flash of light)
Min Li: (shocked awake)
Roman: (touches side of Min Li's face, not surprised) Are you okay?
Min Li: (pulls away, shaking and cold)
Roman: (calmly) These dreams need to stop, dear.
Min Li: (mutters) But this was from my nice dream... It was never like that. (glances at window and stares) Rain...
(fade out on Min Li)
Scene 4
(They sit in the LA airport waiting, while the intercom clicks on and a female voice announces that the flight has been delayed and reschuduled for the next morning.)
Roman: GREAT. What are we going to for an entire day HERE?
Min Li: (laughs) Roman, settle down. This is great! After all, LA is the place to be if stranded stranded. (smiles and cocks head) I have enough for an hotel tonight? and we can spend the rest of this day in China town!!
Roman: (thinks, nods) I know it's a bit late for this, but knowing more Chinese would help at this point.
Min Li: Why? You'll always be with me. Besides, after knowing me for 11 years you should have picked up enough.
Roman: Alright. (not really disappointed) Come on then.
(as they exit, the sharp sunlight rushes at thMin, and Min Li raises her hand to her face, then the scene changes. The rest of this scene includes short sniplets of the day, stores they go to and places they visit.)
SNIPLET (note: the others are before this and are unimportant)
(the two exit a stationary store, some for her computer in the bag. Roman stands next to her, while back a bit, no less enthoughsed)
Min Li: (takes a bag from Roman) You're carring to much there, Roman.
(both stop at a small outdoor cafe and set down the bags and belongs they had brought(left the rest at airport in security). Roman sits, Min Li is about to sit down as in a moment an Asian guy runs past her, grabbing her purse.)
Min Li: (whirls around) Hey!! (glances at Roman) Roman! (starts after the guy)
Roman: (jumps up, tries to catch up to Min but rMinains a little behind)
Min Li: Urg!! I'm not in the mood for this! (inches behind "asian guy 1", in a quick and errorless movMinent, she slides to the ground, resorting in the asian guy also falling but much harder. jumps upm just as Roman gets there)
Asian Guy 1: (starts to get up)
Min Li: No! (holds "l") Hell no! (kicks him in the jaw and grabs purse which is now on ground)
Asian Guy 1: Uh...
Min Li: Stay down, creep! I don't suppose that there is anything I can do, I don't have time! Don't make this mistake again. (goes off in the other dirrection, touching Roman's arm as she went past)
Roman: (looked at guy, leaves him to follow Min Li) (as he watches her in front of him) Hmm...
END SNIPLET
Scene 5
(as seen from above, Min Li and Roman enter a beautiful chinese hotel. Min hands the rest of the things to Roman, veiw zooms to Min Li as she walks down the lobby's red-carpeted center towards the Minpty servise desk. on eiter side are collumns and tapestries)
Min Li: (stops at desk, rings bell)
Chinese Girl 1: (comes from backroom dressed in short, red american dress) Hi. (holds hands in front of her and lowers head respectfully) Room.. (looks back at Roman) for two? Reservation name..?
Min Li: (surprised) Reservation? No, I'm afraid we don't have one. (glances at Roman) But we'll take anything--just for the night.
Chinese Girl 1: (fiddles with papers, grabs key from under desk) Lucky! (gives Min key with number "13" on it) One left. But one bed and no roomservice.
Min Li: (walks to Roman) Got one. (pulls Roman up, goes to room) (while opening door) There's just one thing...
Roman: What could that be?
Min Li: (walks in, Roman behind her)
Roman: (looks at the small room, eyes ending at the bed) I see. I can sleep on the floor, dear. Won't be the first time.
Min Li: (shuts door, they both put their things down) No, it's okay. We're both adults here. (smiles cluelessly) Besides, nothing's going to go on.
Roman: (nods and sits on bed) It is kinda late now. We got be up and ready at 8. (pulls off shirt, showing his well defined, toned chest)
Min Li: (captivated, forces her stare off) Yeah, sleep would be good.
Roman: (pulls off shorts)
Min Li: (surprised) Wha... what are you doing?! Dont ya' have anything.. less open?
Roman: (laughs) No. I didn't think to being my full night suit. (sarcastic) But I can put my shorts back on (reaches for thMin, raises eyes to Min).
Min Li: (inturuptly) No.
Roman: (pulls legs up on bed, above covers)
Min Li: (stares untill he looks at her)
Roman: Aren't you going to dress for bed. (laughs) Or are you going to bed in that?
Min Li: I dunno... I'm kinda... (blushes) I mean, this is wierd. Promise you won't laugh! (grabs bag and runs into bathroom. a moment later the water comes on)
FLASHBACK
(two 7-year olds, the asian girl and the boy with the fMininine, prince-like good looks play in a sandbox at a local park)
Bully: (jumps into sand, knocking over what Ramo was building) Freaker!! (quickly grabs at Min's toy shovel)
Min Li: (tugs back) Let go!!
Roman: Hey! (stands up)
Bully: (pulls shovel out from Min's grasp and begins to leave)
Roman: (pushes bully out the side onto the hard, fall ground. picks up the shovel)
Bully: (stands) It's n ot worth it, freaker! (leaves)
Roman: (sits by Min, continues to play)
Min Li: (moves closer, lays head on Roman) Hey, Roman. Have you ever wondered..? I mean.. (to herself) Shut up, Min. (kisses his check)
END FLASHBACK
Min Li: Okay! Ready?
Roman: Sure. (wispers) more than you know.
Min Li: (slowly opens door)
(Min Li comes into the room in a short, off-white silk nightime komono. her wet hair was pulled back into a braid, under a bandanna which didn't really match the outfit. she stands in the, in Roman's opinion, erotic outfit in pure and innocent beauty)
Min Li: (stands nervously) The bandanna is there so the top of my hair won't be frizzy in the morning. And the braid is to make it wavey... (crosses arms) Well? Stop stairing and tell me how I look.
Roman: (slowly) Uh.. you look good.. (smiles sincerely)
Min Li: Yeah, whatever. You don't need to protect my feelings. I don't have the legs for this outfit. (walks towards the bed and sits)
Roman: (touches her cheek with the back of his hand) I'm not... (leans head against hers)
Min Li: (eyes flutter and her breath draws in and she blushes) Are you nervous about leaving the country? (moves away and looks away)
Roman: (softly, keeps eyes on her) It's too late to be nervous. The best we can do is sleep for now.
Min Li: (turns and looks in his eyes. quickly puts her arms around Roman's body tightly and closes her eyes.)
Roman: (surprised. slowly puts his arms around her, slightly smiling. leans back)
FIN de ACT 1