面纱- Hello - HelloSay, I was wondering what?Sorry I was wondering if you'd like to danceWhy not?Kitty, who was the young man you were dancing with last night?Which one?Quiet, serious-looking oneOh, him- I suppose you invited him, mother - I don't know who you're talking aboutI invited himHis name is Fane and he's a doctor He manages a government laboratoryin Shanghai - A civil servant?In any case He called around last SundayWe had a long chat I told him to come back anytimeIt's not often that you like any of my young menWell, do you like him?- Not really - What's wrong with him?- Is he in love with you? - I don't knowI thought by now you'd know when a young man was in love with youThe point is whether I'm in love with him, and I'm notYou'd better be careful, young lady Time can run out, you knowOh, stop it, mother HonestlyThe very idea that a woman should marry any Tom, Dick, or Harryregardless of her own feelings is simply prehistoricHow much longer do you expect your father to go on supporting you?- Hello - Hello LI was I was just comingYour father invited meI'm going outMay I join you? Right on timeWhat is it exactly that you do?I'm a bacteriologistThat must be fascinatingYou have no idea what that is, do you?No, I'm afraid notNo There's no reason you shouldI study the microorganisms that carry diseaseCharmingNo, it's not, actually It's the oppositeShall we step inside?Do you like flowers?Not particularly, noWell, I mean, yes But we don't really have them around the houseMother says, "why purchase something you can grow for free?"Then, we don't really grow them eitherDoes seem silly, really To put all that effort intosomething that's just going to dieI'd like to say something to youI came to see you to ask you if you'll marry me You could knock me down with a featherCould you not tell that I'm in love with you?You never showed itOh, Iwell, I wanted to It's difficult IBut there it isRightI'm not sure that's very well putNo, it's not You see how clumsy I am I I'm terrible at these sorts of thingsBut the thing is, I've got to get back to China very soonI don't have time to be cautiousI've never thought of you in that way- I improve greatly upon acquaintance - I'm sure you doI'd do anything in my power to make you happyAnything at allI think you'd like ShanghaiIt's quite exciting, it isLots of dancingSurely you're not expecting me to answer this secondI don't know you at allYes Ye well, we had the highest of hopesbut no expectation that he'd ask her so soonYes A lovely late autumn weddingOh, she's done very well for herself, has my DorisAt least one of them's made a successNo, I gave up on Kitty ages agoYesYes Well, I know you understandYesWell?Is it smaller than youimagined?I'm not sure what I imaginedDon't you have a piano?No I don't play the piano- Who is it? - It's ICome inJust wanted to see if you were all settledSo, then, you're comfortable, then? Do you need anything?No I'm fine Thank youGood GoodI am so happy you're here- Shall I shut the lamp? - What for? I must shut the lampIt's raining cats and dogsI said, it's raining cats and dogsYes, I heard you- You might have answered - I'm sorryL I've gotten used to not speaking unless I have something to sayIf nobody spoke unless they had something to saythe human race would soon lose the power of speechWalterI'm sorryYou're right What?What shall we do? Shall we?Shall we play a game?You don't like the games I play They bore youNonsense Let's play cardsDo you think you'd enjoy a night out?We have an invitation for Saturday night- From whom? - The TownsendsDorothy TownsendDo you not like her?I've only met her once, but there's no reason for her to put on such airs- Does she? - Yes I have no idea whyBecause she was, what, married to a vice consul?Honestly, they're absurd, this Shanghai setMother wouldn't dream of asking half of them to dinnerI'm taking that black fiveWell, it's all right I thought you might enjoy itbut we certainly don't have to goI don't care either wayGo where?- Kitty Fane? - Hello, Dorothy- I'm so glad you could come - This is walter- I'm pleased to meet you - This is my husbandCharlie, stop talking and greet our guests- You know Mr Fane - Charlie- It's Dr Fane, darling - Oh, dear- I do beg your pardon, Dr Fane - Not at all- And this is Dr Fane's wife, Kitty - Mrs Fane- Mr Townsend - I do apologize, Dr FaneI assumed you worked with charlieOh, no Nothing so glamorous I'm at the civil Laboratory Oh, the government lab? How fascinatingAre you enjoying it?I've never seen anything like itEvery gesture has a meaningSee how she covers her face with the cloth?She is mourning her misfortuneWhat happened to her?She was sold into slaveryCondemned to a life of drudgery and despairin a strange land far from homeSee the chains?They represent the heavy bondage of her poor trapped soulfrom which there is no escapeAnd so she weepsShe weeps for the lively, vivacious girl she once wasthe lonely woman she has becomeand most of all, she weeps for the love she'll never feelfor the love she'll never giveIs that really what she's saying?Actually, I haven't a clue what she's on about I don't speak chineseWhat was that?Perhaps it was the amahThey've gone- He heard us - Who?WalterWalter What if it was?- For all he knows, you were taking a nap - With my doors locked?Kitty, dear, you need a drinkEven if it was, my impression is he'll do nothingThat's flatteringHe knows as well as anyone there's nothing to be gained by making a scandalHas it occurred to you that my husband is in love with me?I have a feeling you're about to say something awfulIt's just that women are often under the impressionthat men are much more in love with them than they really areI wouldn't delude myself fora second that you were in love with meNow there you're wrongDo you like your present?It's good enoughCharlie? Do I make you as happy as you make me?Of course you do, darling- Hassan? - Yes?- Who brought this package around? - Dr Fane- When? - While you sleepingIt's nearly middayWe could stop up here under the treesbut I'd like to press on if it's all right with youCertainly my comfort's of no concern to youRight Then we'll continueCharlie Townsend, pleaseCharles TownsendI need to see youKitty, I can't possibly see you I've got a meeting in an hour at the clubWhat is it?I have to goWhat are you doing home?I'm sorry, there's something I need to speak with you aboutActually, I was just about to take my bathI'm afraid it's rather important, darling Can't waitSit downDo you know a place called Mei-tan-fu? NoWell, it It was in the papers the other dayIt's a small town on a tributary of the Yangtze River, in the interiorThey've had an outbreak of cholera thereIt's the worst epidemic anyone's seen in a long timeThe chinese medical officer has diedThere's a convent of French nuns trying to run the hospitalThey're doing the best they can, but people are dropping like fliesI have volunteered to go and to take charge- Why? - Because they need a doctorBut you're not a doctor You're a bacteriologistI'm an MD The fact that I'm foremost a scientistis actually all to the good in this caseWon't it be awfully dangerous?I suppose it might, yesNow, Mei-tan-fu is a -day journey You can go by rail for the first partBut after that it's carriage, and then we'll have to take a sedan chairWho's we?- Why, you and I, of course - You're not expecting me to come tooI hoped that if I was going, you would want to goSurely it's no place for a woman It would be madness for me to go- Why should I? - To cheer and comfort me?No No, I won't goIn fact, it's monstrous of you to even ask meFine Then I shall petition for divorce tomorrowI'm afraid that you havethought me a bigger fool than I amI don't know what you're talking aboutDon't you?I am divorcing you for adulteryI am naming charles Townsend as your loverI'm sorry, walter I realize this is very unpleasantBut, please, let's not make this uglier than it needs to beBy all means What is it that you propose that we should do?You could let me divorce you quietly You divorce me?- On what grounds? - That's what a gentleman would doGive me one reason to put myself to an inconvenience on your accountPlease, walter, don't be so hatefulWe didn't mean to hurt anyoneBut charlie and I have fallen in love- He wants to marry me - Really?I knew that you weren't the cleverest girlbut I didn't know you were actually a foolYes Well, if it makes you feel better to hurt me, then go aheadBut you might as well get used to it We love each otherAnd we're sick to death of the secrecy and compromise and the restNow you curse the day that you ever met meStop mocking meThere's no other response for such pathetic behaviorIt's comicWhen I think about how hard I have tried to make you happyDebasing myself, acting as though I was as thrilled as you by the latest gossip- I don't have to listen to this - And as ignorant of the world as you areIf you interrupt me again, I'll strangle youSit downI knew when I married you that you were selfish and spoiledBut I loved youI knew that you married me only to get as far away from your mother as possibleand I hoped that one day there'd be something moreI was wrongYou don't have it in youIf a man hasn't what's necessary to make a woman love himthen it's his fault, not hersEither wayTomorrow morning we are to leave for Mei-tan-fu, or I shall petitionYou can't be serious about taking me into the middle of a cholera epidemicDo you think that I'm not?My GodThat's what you want, isn't it?Do you really think charlie will let you do this?I don't think charlie has very much to say about itEverything you said is trueEverythingI married you even though I didn't love youBut you knew thatAren't you as much to blame for what's happened as I?All rightHere's what I'll doGentlemen, we all have assets to protect hereUnfortunately, Mr Nagata's actions have created a rather urgent situationIt was an unfortunate but unavoidable incident- Your foreman shot a worker - He was an agitatorHe was a chineseYou may have suppressed a very small strikebut in doing so, you have started a very large demonstrationI need to use your pen, please- Here you are, miss - Thank youWhat about support from chiang Kai-shek? Where does he stand?He's a nationalist He will stand on the side of the chineseThat's why they call themselves nationalistsExcuse meMr TownsendI think you underestimated the situationI have three of my mills shut down because of walkouts- There is talk about boycotts - What do you propose?A handful of municipal soldiers is hardly a show of forceIf you'll excuse meMrs Fane What a pleasant surpriseYou've rescued me from a pack of wild boresI wouldn't have come if it wasn't necessaryAre you all right?I needed to see you I'm sorryKitty, this is not the most opportune time for me tocharlie He knowsRightAfter you, Mrs Fane- Hello, charlie - Hello, George- Hello, Townsend - PardonHe wants a divorceYou didn't commit yourself, did you?- Acknowledge anything? - No- Are you sure? - Quite sureWell, this is a bloody scrape we're inHe says he has proofWe deny it He can't prove anythingBesides, it wouldn't do him any good to create a scandalBut there isn't going to be a scandalWalter's agreed to let me divorce him quietlyThat's not so terrible, is it?- Will you hold me? - Ofcourse I willOh, GodCharlie?His offer comes with a condition- I'm not a rich man - He doesn't want your moneyHe's agreed to let me divorce him if Dorothy will agree to divorce youAnd ifwhat?If you'll promise to marry meYou know, darling, whatever happens, we must try to keep Dorothy out of itWhat do you mean? We can't only think of ourselvesI know Dorothy Nothing in the world will induce her to divorce meYou don't want to divorce her- It's not a question of my marriage - Then what is it?Do you have any idea of the importance of my station here? If I werewhy are you laughing?I don't think walter intended for one minute to divorce meHe knew you'd let me down- Try to understand - I understand, all rightKitty Kitty, please We'll work this out, I promise- I'm coming with you - Good I thought you mightI suppose I needn't take more than a few summer things? And a shroud?I've told Hassan what you'll need She's packing alreadyI wouldn't touch that if I was youThey may have died in that bedThis can be your roomYou must be the doctor's wifeI've just met your husband and invited myself to dinner I've kept the watsons' cook for you She's not badShe'll have to do as your amah as wellWe're a little short-handed hereSorry, my name is waddingtonOh, yes, of course Kitty Fane- I'm the deputy commissioner - PleaseI believe you're one of our neighborsOnly neighbor, I'm afraid Last one standingAnd watson was the missionary living here?Yes Nice fellow American Lovely familyI'll show you their graves tomorrow, if you likeHow kind of youI hope your journey wasn't too arduousWe've been traveling for two weeksTwo weeks?- What did you do, swim? - No, we didn't come upriver- Came overland - Whatever for?Well, we wanted to take in a bit of the countrysideGet a bit of sun Didn't we, darling? Anyone for a cocktail?Here's luckI was told I might get some help from the local army officerColonel Yu, is it?Good luck with him He's not fond of us BritishListen, I'll warn you, things are pretty dicey even out hereI'm afraid that if the cholera doesn't get us, the nationalists mightTried to get those nuns to go but they refusedThey all want to be martyrs, damn themWell, why have you stayed?I was posted here Simple as thatI was shocked to hear you'd volunteeredOpportunity for researchI couldn't pass it upYes And you?I don't suppose you've come to Mei-tan-fu for the researchMy husband's the scientistIndeedDid you have any reaction to the inoculation?- You have been inoculated? - Yes, of course No guarantee The watsons were inoculatedand it didn't do them much goodOh, have you brought any gramophone records?- No, unfortunately not - PityI'm sick of all mineListen What's all that?Across the river Trying to frighten off the spirit of deathI'm going to town in the morning, have a look aroundI expect you'll want to rest I can inoculate you in the evening- Will you be doing yourself?- No, I don't think so- You needn't bother with me, then - Suit yourselfTell me, walteris it a long, drawn-out affair, dying of cholera?No All of the fluid goes out of you in the first hoursYou die of dehydration, actually So it's messy and very painfulBut it is relatively quickGood nightIt's rather unfortunateI thought perhaps that you and your wifeyou'd like to take precautions in case you'd have to leave this placeDo you think all this is really necessary?You can see the pictureI thought you'd like to put your wife's mind at rest from this situationThis is colonel Yu He's the KMT's manHe's posting one of his men here at the houseAm I a prisoner?No It was Mr Waddington's idea, actually- He feels we should take precautions - Precautions against what?A few days ago, British troops opened fireon a group of chinese workers who were demonstrating in ShanghaiEleven were killedWe've only just heardThose were plastered around the town last nightI shouldn't worry too muchEven the nationalists are afraid of choleraDo they take that water from the well?Can I see where they get their drinking water?Well, for starters, we've got to stop people from using this welluntil I can test itDo you understand?Yes, I understand, Dr FaneI received my military training in MoscowIf you don't like English, we can speak RussianEnglish will be fine Thank youHere You have seen cholera before, yes, doctor?- At the laboratory, of course - No, I mean in a patientNo I haven't had the chance, actuallyWell, I'm not a clinician Did they not tell you?I'm an infectious-disease specialist- Shall we? - After you, doctorNo, it's all right I'm all rightAll right, let's goI don't need youGo backMr Waddington?I'm looking for Mr WaddingtonWait here All right?Hello?Mr Waddington? Mrs Fane?Good morningWhat can I do for you, Mrs Fane?I found a record for youStravinsky Very modern Thank youWas there something else?Yes I was wondering if you could tell me when the post comes throughIt's for ShanghaiUnfortunately, since the cholerathe cowards won't venture past the river portBut leave it with meA local trader I know is making the trip on FridayTownsend- Charlie Townsend? - YesHe's an acquaintance of my husband- Do you know him? - Years agoWe were both assigned to the consulate in ShanghaiCharming wifeYes They're very popular, aren't they?He'd made a science of popularity- So you know his family? - Well, well enough I like DorothyYes, I understand they're quite the devoted coupleOh, he had his little flirtationsNothing seriousI once heard her say she found it most unflatteringthat the women who fell for her husband were so consistently second-rateWell, enjoy the recordMrs Fane?The letterRightYes, it suddenly occurred to me that Friday's much toolateThanks all the sameCan you pass the salt, please?I'm sorry, did you say something?Could you pass the salt?Thank youSo this is how it's going to bePassing her evenings in silenceWalterWalterI wonder if you haven't gone insane- She's not cooking it - Leave it Leave itThank youAre you looking to kill yourself?Town well's contaminatedThis is dirty It's dirtyWhat?Mr Waddington?Mrs Fane? Mrs Fane?Mrs Fane?Come away Come awayWhat's the matter with Te-Ming?You have the dead man on youThey're very superstitious,aren't they?She's lost three children and a husband to the choleraSo you can hardly blame herYou know, this is no place for a womanWhen they telegraphed me that you were coming out, I was astonishedI imagined you might be a grim-visaged old nursewith thick legs and a moustacheI came into the bungalow and there you werefrail and tired and very unhappyIt was a long journey But you're unhappy nowAnd it occurred to me that you and your husband might be madly in loveand you'd simply refused to stay behind- That's a reasonable explanation - YesBut it's not the right oneDo you know what I find strange?That your husband should never look at youHe looks at the walls, the floor, his shoesHe has a great deal on his mindYes, I'm sure of itDr Fane?Dr Fane?Oh, GodAll rightWhat are you doing?Martini?Yes?I'm the bearer of a message from the Mother SuperiorWho?The nun who supervises the orphanage and the hospitalI didn't know she was aware of my existenceWell, apparently, Mr Waddington has spoken of youShe would very much like to meet the loving, loyal wifeof the compassionate Dr FaneRight Then I must prepare myself for the charadeShe does understand if youdon't want to venture into the center of the epidemicIf you're not afraid, why should I be?I forgotWalter? Oh, my GodYou're drunkDon't expect anything grandThey're miserably poorHelloIt is a great pleasure to make the acquaintanceof the wife of our good and brave doctorLovely to meet you tooMr WaddingtonYou must eat the madeleineSister St Joseph made them for you herself this morningSo tell me, Mrs Faneto which faith do you subscribe?Excuse meWe attended services Not religiously Regularly You could say I'm a member of the church of EnglandWhich is an inoffensive way of sayingyou don't quite believe in anything muchYou're very prettyAnd very youngI assure you I'm not I feel ancientIf Mrs Fane would like to see over the convent and orphanageI shall be glad to show herAloneWe keep the older girls busy with sewing It keeps themoccupiedAnd earns money for the conventThat one won't allow us to baptize herOur music roomSister MaryseSister Dominique was our pianistShe died last week CholeraThrough there is the infirmaryIt is not a sight one would wish to seeShall I call Dr Fane out to see you?No You needn't disturb him Now, with the epidemic, we have even more to care forThis baby was brought in this morningAnother orphanShe says Dr Fane loves babiesHe spends as much time as he can helping them out in the nurseryMrs Fane?Mrs Fane?You all right?YesIt's nothing, only foolishnessWhat do you want?Sorry- I brought you your supper - All right Just leave it thereIs there something else?What's that you're doing?I am testing the nitrate levels of a local tomatoWhy?Why?Can't possibly interest youWell, enjoy your supperWalterWhat do you propose we should do if we get through the epidemic?I have no ideaBut I don't think any good will come of talking about a situation we should forget- But you don't forget - Please I really must workWon't you listen to what I have to say?All right If you insistIt's just, todayhaving been at the convent, with those nunsWhat have they done, converted you?No They spoke of you- And it made me feel - what?It made you feel what?- I think I've been afraid of you - Well, you should havebeenExcuse meIf I can't work, I'm going to bedI know you're angry at meBut if we could just try and talk aboutHonestly, I don't understand youWhat is it that you want from me?Perhaps I just want us to be a little less unhappyYou're mistaken in thinking I amI have too much to do to think of you very much That's exactly what I'm trying to say I feel uselessWhat do you propose that I do about that?For God sakes, will you stop punishing me?Do you absolutely despise me?- No I despise myself - Why?For allowing myself to love you onceHelloI'm very well And you?For you And youI hope I haven't come at an inconvenient timeSister Maryse died last nightI've just written to inform her parentsI'm so sorryBut it is sinful of me to grievewhen I know that her good and simple soul has flown straight to heavenHow can I help you?Well, I'm sure that with the sister's deathyou must be even more short-handedYou see, I was wondering if I could come to the conventand do anything, just Just to help outMy dear child, don't you think you've done enoughcoming here with your husband?I've been here a monthand, believe me, I have nothing to do from morning till nightPerhaps I could help with the sisters in the hospitalThat is impossibleCholera is a terrible thing to seeBesides, what would happen if you should fall ill?I'd be happy to scrub the floorsAnything Just something to feel usefulThat will not be necessaryThe orphans scrub the floorsNo, no, it is our business and our privilege to do such thingsBut there is always more to do each dayHave you spoken to your husband of your wish?YesI don't know what you're sayingI also found traces in the river, downstream from the burial grounds- You've checked these results? - I tested it three times Well, that's it, thenI would recommend barricading the bathing areaCut off all access to the riverHow far do you expect people to walk for water?I've no idea Upriver, at least a half-mile above the burial ground- That's too far - NeverthelessI agree with Dr Fane It's necessaryAlso, I thought we'd agreed to post a directiveto dispose of the corpses immediatelyWe've done that alreadyIf you don't enforce it, then it doesn't matterFamilies are hiding bodies for days- They bury them too close to the river - I understandYou don't have to explain it twiceColonel, I respectfully requestthat you order your soldiers to enter these people's homesand remove the bodies by force if necessaryIt's all rightHello I understandThe spirits need access to the water I understand thatI just want to move a few of these so they don't live in the waterHe said they're under the protection of their warlordIf he wants to move the bodies, he will send his own soldiersIt isn't the best time for a western woman to explore a chinese town by herselfOh, do be quietAs if you care whether I'm killed by nationalists or boredomBesides, I wasn't aloneI was with my gallant protector, Sung chingBy the way, you might be happy to knowthat I am just as useless to the nuns as I am to youI shut off the town's only water supply todayWhat will you do?I have no ideaThen I suppose we're both uselessAt last, something in commonDr Fane We've both been caught out in the weather Not now, sorryI beg your pardon?- Counting - Counting?We'll camp here tonightWhat makes you think this warlord will cooperate?I don't think he willSo, what do you plan to say to persuade him?I don't knowThese men are like animals They have no visionThey only have hunger and strengthMen like this have held the real power in China since I was young。
