COMEDIC PLAYSCRIPT
Revised version
By August Lum
PREFACE
I wrote this play hoping to use it for the annual drama competition held in the school. The script turned out to be plotless and eventually, a later script, Our People Have Returned, was used as a replacement. The basis for this script was Celebration.
In this revised edition, I have given each of the main characters certain traits that make them distinctive in the play. Descriptions of these can be found under the CHARACTER STUDY section.
Note: some of the names of the characters have been derived from the writer’s classmates for more originality. In fact, their methods of speech came about after close studies of the writer’s classmates.
CHARACTERS
Chong Tang (the son)
Jasmine (the daughter)
Mr Loke
Mrs Loke
Lau Pok (Mr Loke’s boss)
Wan Ping (Lau Pok’s daughter)
Chu Xian (Jasmine’s friend)
Zhu Mei (Jasmine’s friend)
Li ‘En (Chong Tang’s friend)
Bernard (Chong Tang’s friend)
Mr Birch (party host)
Mrs Birch
Gurmit Singh
PM Goh Chok Tong
Millennium Party revellers (about 7)
Birch party guests (about 4)
Waiter
Total cast number: 26
MUSIC
For the Birch’s party:
Light classical music
For Millennium Swing Party:
Pop/Rock/Popular/Disco Music
First Song after countdown:
Auld Lang Syne
SYNOPSIS
ACT I: THE LOKE HOUSEHOLD
Both Chong Tang and Jasmine want to go to the Millennium Swing Party at Orchard Road, but their parents, Mr and Mrs Loke, want them to attend a private function organised by the Birches. Both Chong Tang and Jasmine feign sickness to excuse themselves from the function. In the end, Mr and Mrs Loke leave for the party, leaving the children at home. Chong Tang and Jasmine sneak out of the house to join their friends at Orchard, but neither brother nor sister knows each other’s New Year’s Eve plans.
ACT II: THE BIRCH’S RESIDENCE
At the Birch’s residence, Mrs Loke nearly creates humiliation by mentioning about Mr Birch’s great-grandfather and how angry Malay chiefs in Perak murdered him in the last century. Mr Loke meets his boss - affectionately known in the company as “Lau Pok” - and his ratty daughter, Wan Ping. They begin to chat freely, until Wan Ping complains that the function is getting boring as the guests all discuss topics that she herself didn’t understood. She wants Lau Pok to bring her to the Millennium Swing Party. Lau Pok only relents reluctantly when her daughter screams loudly - so as to save his face. Lau Pok forces Mr and Mrs Loke to go along with him by using the threat of firing Mr Loke if he didn’t comply.
ACT III: THE MILLENNIUM SWING PARTY
Chong Tang and Jasmine are enjoying themselves, dancing away happily with their friends. Unexpectedly, they bump into each other in front of the stage. Chong Tang asks Jasmine what she was doing here, and Jasmine asks the same question. They decide to party away the night together. Suddenly, Chong Tang spots Mr Loke, Mrs Loke, Lau Pok and Wan Ping heading towards them. They try to move away, but are blocked by a group of dancers. Chong Tang and Jasmine turn back their heads, and notice that their parents are getting closer. They decided to act fast. Chong Tang exchanges his black jacket with Jasmine. Jasmine gives him her pink sunglasses. They put on their disguises. Then they tell their friends not to reveal their names. Then they try to act normal by dancing and ignoring the approaching group.
Unfortunately, a party reveller in front shifts backwards, knocking into Chong Tang. Chong Tang falls backwards and bangs into Mr Loke. Mr Loke gives a shout of surprise. Chong Tang immediately turns around and apologises - in a high - pitched ‘female’ voice. Mr Loke finds it very strange: a girl with a hairstyle of a boy. Chong Tang immediately replied, “It’s the newest and most fashionable hairstyle.”
Mr Loke shrugs, and moves on with his wife, boss and Wan Ping. Mr Loke had only taken two steps ahead when he hears Bernard say, “Come on. Chong Tang. Let’s move to another spot.”
Chong Tang hisses angrily at Bernard to tell him to keep quiet. Mr Loke turns back to demand from Bernard what he had previously uttered. Chong Tang jumps to Bernard’s defence and reveals himself. Seeing that Mr Loke is about to blow his top, Jasmine decides to give the game away. Both children plead for forgiveness, but Mr Loke is adamant about punishing them. Lau Pok steps in to tell his sad story; how his tyranny had ruined his marriage. M Loke realises that he has gone much too far in refusing to allow his children any freedom, and apologies. He allows his children to rejoin the party. Everybody joins in the countdown together and sing “Auld Lang Syne” to welcome the new Millennium.
CHARACTER STUDY
Mr Loke
Mr Loke is a character who feels strongly for tradition. Chinese traditional values call for obedience, filial piety, respect for parents, honesty and a whole lot of other virtues that stem from the teachings from Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tse et cetera.
Mr Loke can be described as a ‘puppet’: in front of his children he acts as he is in control. On the other hand, his boss, whom he looks up to for his rice bowl, manipulates him. The contrast is evident in Acts 1 and 2.
He finally realises that he should give his children some freedom, rather than restrict them from doing their own things.
Mrs Loke
Mrs Loke acts as a sort of mediator between her husband and her children. Sometimes she sides with her husband. At times, she defends her children. But she does consider the circumstances before taking sides. She is also a faithful wife and doting mother.
The Loke children
Chong Tang and Jasmine are ordinary children who enjoy going to parties and hanging out with their friends, as most teenagers would do. Due to restrictions imposed by their father, they have to resort to lying in order to achieve their goal - which in this case is the Millennium Swing Street Party.
They are also natural actors, from being able to fake illnesses to disguising themselves so as not to be spotted by their parents.
Lau Pok
Lau Pok is Mr Loke’s boss. He is introduced in the Act 2, when the Lokes arrive at the Birch’s party. Lau Pok has a hearty and outgoing attitude. He spoils his daughter, Wan Ping, affectionately, going to the extent of accommodating her request to go to the Street Party (in reality, he wanted to save himself from embarrassment). He knows how to manipulate Mr Loke, and his own actions have a profound impact on the latter, whether on business or domestic matters. His open-mindedness can be compared to Mr Loke’s narrow vision; Lau Pok is ready to welcome and try out all sorts of things.
Wan Ping
Wan Ping is a termagant - a spoilt brat. She knows that her father, Lau Pok, has a soft spot towards her, therefore she uses that weakness to her own advantage. Whenever she makes a demand for something, she raises her voice. She doesn’t care whether she will be embarrassed in public - all she knows is that she will ultimately achieve her goal.
The Birches
The Birches are upper-class people; the lavish New Year’s Eve party they that hold is a proof of that. Mr Birch comes from the top ranks of the company that both Mr Loke and Lau Pok work for. Lau Pok may have been Mr Loke’s superior, but Mr Birch is the head above everyone else. He is a very gracious host, but does not take too lightly to unpleasant remarks about himself and his family – that is very natural, I should say, and not exclusive.
HOW THE IDEA AND STORY CAME ABOUT
In 1999, I went to watch a production of Johann Strauss’ operatta Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by the Singapore Lyric Theatre. The plot of the story follows as such:
I have to admit that plot can be rather confusing and complicating, with conspiracies here and there.
ACT I
Adele, the maid of the Eisenstein household, receives a letter from her sister Ida, who invites her to attend a ball at Prinz Orlofsky’s palace. She knows that the Eisensteins would not let her take the night off, so she hatches a plan that her Aunt is ill and that she has to go away for the time being.
Mrs Rosalinde Eisenstein herself is very distraught over the fact that her former boyfriend, Alfred, is outside the house serenading to her. To make matters worse, he climbs into the house! She hides Alfred before her husband, Gabriel von Eisenstein, returns home.
Gabriel Eisenstein arrives home with his lawyer, Dr Blind, in tow. Eisenstein is angry with Blind because of the latter’s incompetence, which resulted in Eisenstein having to spend eight instead of five days in jail for some minor offence. Blind leaves after a barage of insults are hurled at him. Dr Falke, Eisenstein’s old friend, arrives at the house to persuade Eisenstein to attend the same ball given by Prinz Orlofsky. Dr Falke hoped to use Eisenstein’s presence at the ball to get his revenge – Dr Falke had once been a victim of Eisenstein’s practical jokes when he had been left behind on a public square by Eisenstein after being drunk. He was mocked since he had been dressed in a bat suit for the party the previous night. Now, Dr Falke had hoped to turn the tables on Eisenstein. Eisenstein finally agrees to go to the party. As soon as they have left, Alfred appears wearing Eisenstein’s dressing gown. The prison governor, Frank, arrives to arrest Eisenstein. Instead, he takes Alfred away – by mistake.
ACT II
Dr Falke arrives at Prinz Orlofsky’s party with Eisenstein. They are joined by two ladies, Adele and Ida. Adele introduces herself as an aspiring actress by the name of Miss Olga in order to fool Eisenstein. But both recognise each other as they are not disguised, and engage themselves in banter. Eisenstein’s alias is the Marquis de Renard. Unknown to him, the prison governor has also come to attend the party, and he calls himself Chevalier Chagrin.
As part of his revenge, Dr Falke has invited Rosalinde to the ball to embarrass Eisenstein. Eisenstein has no idea that the so-called ‘Hungarian Countess’ is actually his wife since the latter is masked. Attracted by her beauty, he proceeds to flirt shamelessly with her, and tries to seduce her with his watch. Rosalinde succeeds in taking away Eisenstein’s watch. At six in the morning, Eisenstein and Frank take their departure, with the excuse that they have their respective duties to attend to.
ACT III
In prison, Alfred, who has been arrested under the pretext of ‘Eisenstein’, is singing away, and Frosch, the drunken gaoler, is very much irritated. Frank returns to the prison, and is surprised by the entrance of the sisters Adele and Ida. Frank signals Frosch to bring the women to another part of the prison, just as Eisenstein arrives to report for his detention. The two men are surprised to see each other, and reveal their true identity. Frank is confused over the fact that he had already arrested ‘Eisenstein’, and yet Eisenstein is standing right before his eyes! Just then, Dr Blind, the lawyer, arrives. Eisenstein takes the chance to disguise himself as Blind by stripping the lawyer of his wig and gown.
Rosalinde arrives to bail Alfred out. Little does she realise that the lawyer was actually her husband in disguise. Eisenstein became furious and jealous when he saw the proceedings. He interrogates Alfred and Rosalinde on the topic of their affair. He finally reveals himself, and is about to swear revenge on Rosalinde when she produces the watch. It is Eisenstein’s own watch, and there and then he realises that the Countess he had tried to flirt with was actually his wife! The misunderstanding is cleared up when Dr Falke arrives with Prinz Orlofsky, and Dr Falke explains that everything was part of his revenge on Eisenstein for that previous incident.
(Adapted from the Synopsis from the booklet of the Singapore Lyric Theatre’s production of Die Fledermaus.)
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ACT I: THE LOKE HOUSEHOLD
Setting the stage:
A small table is placed on stage right. There is a telephone, a telephone book and a small photograph of Confucius on the tabletop. A lamp (those with a tall support from the ground) is placed to the side of this table. The lamp is left switched on throughout the entire scene.
• CURTAINS OPEN.
(Mr and Mrs Loke enter stage left and stand at centre stage. They are all dressed up, ready to leave for the Birch’s party.)
Mr Loke (calls loudly): Children! Are you ready yet? It’s almost half-past seven!
(There is no answer. Mr Loke calls again.) Children! (Still, there is no answer. Exasperated, he screams) CHONG TANG! JASMINE!
(Chong Tang enters stage left, bending at an angle of 90 degrees, clutching his stomach, moaning, “Oww, oww, oww…” as he walks towards centre stage.)
Mr Loke (sharply): What’s the matter with you?
Bernard (still clutching stomach): Stomachache… oww, oww, oww! (Whines)
Mr Loke (irritably): Go and apply some medicated oil! And hurry! We’re running late!
Chong Tang: Father, may I not go to the Birch’s party?
Mr Loke: Certainly not! All four of us have been invited. It is courtesy that the whole family goes! Confucius once said - (Raises a finger in the air, and waves it about as he paces about the stage in the same mannerism as a traditional Chinese scholar would do) Filial piety is of utmost importance. Whatever the father says, the son has to obey.
Chong Tang: Why is Confucius so sexist? What about the daughter?
Mr Loke (stops suddenly, and snaps): Quiet! It is rude to interrupt! (Resumes pacing about) Confucius once said that children should never interrupt when grownups are talking.
Chong Tang: But I’m not a child anymore!
Mr Loke (stops again): Silence! Children should never answer back to their parents. (Resumes pacing) Confucius once said that children should give utmost respect to their parents.
Chong Tang (exasperated) But - (Hesitates - suddenly he does not know what to say) But wouldn’t I look an awful sight? Imagine me shaking hands with Mr Birch with my body bent 90 degrees. (Stares at Mr Loke’s trouser zipper) Mr Birch will think that I am looking at his pants zipper because he has not zipped it! And, what if halfway during the party, I have to keep saying, “Excuse me, but I need to go to the toilet because I have a stomach-ache.”
(Remains on stage)
Mrs Loke (tries to smile at her husband to pacify him): I think he had better rest at home.
Mr Loke (hesitantly): Okay, considering the fact that Jasmine has to go. (Turns towards stage left and yells) JASMINE!
(Jasmine enters stage left, touching her head, walking unsteadily.)
Jasmine (in a weak voice): Oh, Pa, my head doesn’t feel good.
Mr Loke (exasperated): Now WHAT’S wrong with you?
Jasmine: I feel giddy…feel like fainting.
Mr Loke (slaps his forehead in disgust and yells): Jeez! First that brother of yours, now you!
Mrs Loke: Now, now, dear… (Raises her finger in mockery of Mr Loke’s imitation of Confucius) Confucius once said that men shouldn’t swear. It is a vice to utter vulgarities.
Mr Loke (sheepishly – unable to believe that he had been mocked in return by his wife): Right dear. You’re very right. (Goes to kneel down in front of the photo bearing Confucius and kow-tows. As he does so, he speaks) Great Saint, please forgive me! Oh, I have let you down again! Clean my sins, ye saviour!
Mrs Loke (ignoring Mr Loke, goes to put a hand around Jasmine’s shoulder): Then you’d better stay at home and rest, dear.
Jasmine (nods and looks at the floor. In a weak and tired voice she speaks): I think I should. (Looks up again and manages a weak smile) You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll go to the Millen - I mean, doctor, later.
(By this time, Mr Loke has risen from the floor.)
Mr Loke (palms outstretched, angrily) Hello! Girl! It’s New Year’s Eve! Where can you find a doctor on this day?
Jasmine: At the hospital. (Giggles) Just joking. I’ll take some aspirins later. I’m going back to my room now.
Chong Tang: Me too.
Jasmine: Enjoy yourselves.
Chong Tang: Don’t forget to bring back those pastries.
Mrs Loke (kindly): Have a good rest, dears. We can’t afford to have you absent on the first day of school.
(Both Chong Tang and Jasmine exit stage left. Chong Tang still bends at an angle of 45 degrees and clutches his stomach. Jasmine walks unsteadily, hand on her head.)
Mr Loke: Look AT our children! How the heck - I mean, how do they take care of their body nowadays? They hardly exercise at all! That Chong Tang: he only knows how to play chess everyday until his brain grows bigger and his body becomes smaller! And that Jasmine - she’s a real bookworm. Read, read, and read every day until she doesn’t know how to walk steadily. (Sighs) What KIND of children do we have now?
Mrs Loke (humouring her husband): Grown-up children?
Mr Loke (unwittingly): What else? Who do you think they are? Four-year-old kids? No way! They should know how to make decisions for themselves! They should be able to do things independently! We shouldn’t force them or make decisions for them anymore!
Mrs Loke: Then why did you make our children come along with us? If you want them to be independent you should’ve let them have their own plans for tonight!
Mr Loke (virtually screaming)
No! They will adhere to what I say. Because Confucius says that children are to obey every single word that their parent says! (Points finger straight up into the air) Even if I tell them to go and die, they must go and die!
Mrs Loke
CHOI!
(At this moment, there is a low rumble of thunder. A look of horror is etched across Mr Loke’s face. He quickly gets down on his knees and kow-tows in front of the Confucius portrait.)
Mr Loke: Great Saint, I am sorry for what I have done. I promise that I will never curse and swear again!
(Another roar of thunder)
Mrs Loke (pantomimes looking out of the window): My, my, it’s going to rain soon. We’d better hurry dear. Stop praying and get up!
Mr Loke (still on the ground, looks up at his wife): Confucius hasn’t forgiven me!
Mrs Loke: Confucius is not a deity, you numbskull! He’s a scholar! Now hurry up or we’ll be late!
(Both Mr and Mrs Loke exit stage right. The sound of a door closing is produced from backstage. Lights dim and completely extinguish. The lamp is the only source of light.)
(A few seconds after Mr and Mrs Loke exit stage, Chong Tang enters stage left wearing a black jacket. His body is still bent at 90 degrees and is clutching his stomach. He looks around quickly. When he sees that the house is deserted except for him and his sister, he quickly straightens his body and rubs his back as his body had been bent for a long time. He then walks briskly across the stage to the telephone on stage right. He opens the telephone book.)
Chong Tang (flips through the pages quickly and mutters as he does so.): Li ‘En…Li ‘En…Li ‘En…ah-ha! 270 8001. (Picks up the phone and dials the number. Waits for a while before speaking into the receiver.) Hello? Li ‘En? Yes. Chong Tang. You ready to go down to Orchard Road? … For what? You don’t know why you’re going down to Orchard Road? Stupid Boy! (Puts his free palm outwards, as if in astonishment) Tonight’s the Millennium Swing Party! (Pause, and then leans forward and squints) You’re in the toilet? Are you going to bathe? (Regains normal posture) You’re making chocolate cake? (Cocks his head forward) Okay. Meet you outside the Orchard MRT at 8:45. (Hangs up. Flips through the telephone book again, muttering) Bernard…Bernard…Bernard…Where the heck is Bernard’s number? (Continues flipping) Ah-ha! (Runs his fingers along his chin) 382 5883. (Picks up the receiver and dials the number. Waits for a moment before speaking). Hello? Bernard? Chong Tang here. What? You’re making chocolate cake? Li ‘En is also doing the same thing as you. (Cups his other ear - the reception is not very good) What? Speak louder! Oh, you’re helping your mother to bake a chocolate cake. For what? (Pauses) I see. The cake is for the First Breakfast of the Millennium. (Looks at his watch) 8:45. We’re meeting at 8:45. (Pauses).Too early? What are you talking about? The party starts at nine! (Pauses)
Don’t you want to stand somewhere near the stage? Remember, boy! Your favourite Gurmit Singh will be performing! (Places free hand on hips) Okay. So 8:45 outside the Orchard MRT station. Yes. Bye. (Hangs up). Okay. Time to go. Guess I’ll have to come back before Father and Mother return. (Shuts the telephone book, chuckles to himself and exits stage right.)
(A few seconds after Chong Tang has left the stage, Jasmine enters stage left, with a pair of pink sunglasses on her head. She still walks unsteadily, hand touching her head. Suddenly, she becomes alert and looks around. Seeing that the house is deserted, she walks briskly to the telephone. She opens the telephone book.)
Jasmine (muttering as she flips the pages quickly) Chu Xian…Chu Xian…Chu Xian…yes! 442 1391. (Picks up the receiver and dials the number. Waits for a moment before speaking.) Hello? Chu Xian? Yes, Jasmine here. (Pause) Of course I’m ready. (Giggles) We’ll meet outside the C.K. Tang departmental store. Yes. At 8:45. The party starts at nine, so we can get a good place close to the stage. (Pause) I’m going to call Zhu Mei now. OK? Bye-bye! (Hangs up. Flips through the telephone book again and mutters) Zhu Mei…Zhu Mei…Zhu Mei…ah! 746 7135. (Picks up the phone and dials. Waits for a moment before speaking into the receiver.) Zhu Mei? Is that you? Yes. This is Jasmine here. (In a surprised tone) You’re leaving for Orchard Road soon? (Excitedly) Great! Chu Xian and I will meet you outside the C.K. Tang departmental store at 8:45. Yes. C.K. Tang. (Clenches her free fist excitedly) Okay. See you later. Bye. (Hangs up. Shuts the telephone book and exits stage right, humming “Stand by Me”.)
• CURTAINS CLOSE
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ACT II: THE BIRCH’S RESIDENCE
Setting the Stage:
Three chairs are placed centre stage. Lau Pok sits on the right-most chair, with Wan Ping standing beside him. Both are holding glasses filled with drinks. The other party guests - 4 of them, are standing and chatting away behind. Classical music is being played in the background. (Refer to MUSIC on Pg 1.) Mr and Mrs Birch stand at stage right, welcoming and shaking hands with guests.
• CURTAINS OPEN
(Mr and Mrs Loke enter stage right and approach the Birches.)
Mr Birch: Why, how nice to see you two! (Shakes hands with Mr and Mrs Loke. Mrs Birch follows.) We haven’t met for a long time! How long was that?
Mr Loke: Probably a year.
(Both men laugh.)
Mr Birch (sighs in wonder): How fast time passes. It’s already New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow, we’ll be in the year 2000. Say, where are your children?
Mr Loke (curtly): My son has got a stomachache; my daughter feels giddy. (Shakes his head in disgust) Such useless people. Can’t even be bothered to exercise.
Mr Birch
Well, you should motivate them and set an example by going out to exercise. What sports do you do?
Mr Loke: Ah…ah… (Fingers his tie nervously, and makes funny shapes on his mouth by shifting his jaws uncomfortably.) Walking. Yes. Walking. I always walk from my flat to my car at the car park every morning. In the evening, I walk from my car back to my flat again.
Mr Birch: Oh, yes, walking. What wonderful exercise. I sail. I go out to sea every Sunday morning on my private yacht. Just like my great-grandfather.
Mrs Loke: Wasn’t your great-grandfather James Wheeler Woodford Birch, the first Resident of Perak?
Mr Birch (surprise that such a topic would be mentioned): Why, of course.
Mrs Loke (turns away from Mr Birch and as she speaks, her tone gets angrier still): He was that arrogant and impatient man who was scornful of Malays and eventually was murdered by angry Malay chiefs at Pasir Salak, right?
(In time with Mrs Loke’s dialogue, Mr Birch’ s eyes first widen; stunned. Then he unwittingly lets his wineglass tip 180 degrees upside down, and all its contents spill out. As Mrs Loke adds on and on, his cheeks bulge and his face becomes red with fury.)
NOTE: All this has to be timed to coincide with Mrs Loke’s dialogue; so Mr Birch has to do the last action by the time Mrs Loke finishes her dialogue.
Mr Loke (grins sheepishly at Mr Birch): Pardon my wife, Sir, she has gone a little cocky today. It could probably be the Millennium Bug thing.
Mrs Loke (protests sharply): I did not –
(Before she can finish, she is pulled away by Mr Loke.)
Mrs Loke (suddenly seems to regain her ‘consciousness’, and looks back at her husband, still rather stunned.): Why, yes.
(Mr and Mrs Loke leave the couple alone and walk somewhere between stage right and centre stage. Mr and Mrs Birch welcome the next couple.)
Mr Loke (places his face close to Mrs Loke’s, glares at her and whispers angrily): Do you know that you nearly humiliated me? Why did you have to say this his great-grandfather was murdered?
Mrs Loke (apologetically): I’m sorry, dear. It’s just that I’m a history buff and I always get excited by historical names and events.
Mr Loke (pulls his face away from Mrs Loke’s.) Never mind. (In a quicker and much more interested voice) By the way, how did you know that Birch’s great-grandfather got murdered?
Mrs Loke (pleased): I’m a history teacher. Remember?
Mr Loke: Oh, yes.
(Mrs Loke looks forward and spots Lau Pok sitting on the chair, talking to his daughter, Wan Ping.)
Mrs Loke (leans close to her husband, while having her eye fixed onto Lau Pok): Isn’t that your boss, hubby?
Mr Loke (looks towards where Mrs Loke is pointing, and replies glumly.): It is.
(At this moment, Lau Pok turns back his head and spots Mr Loke)
Lau Pok (exclaims in a hearty manner): Ah! Ah Loke! (Laughs and waves his hand) Come, come and sit down here. Yes. You and your beautiful wife.
(Mr and Mrs Loke go over to the chairs and sit. Mrs Loke takes the left-most chair while Mr Loke takes the chair in the middle, in between Lau Pok. Lau Pok addresses Mrs Loke.)
Mmm. You’re so gorgeously dressed tonight. (In a singsong voice) You are sooooo beautifuuuuuuul. (Produces a raspy kind of laugh. Takes Mrs Loke’s hand and kisses it – as Mr Loke stares wide-eye at the scene unfolding before him. His face turns a shade red.)
Mrs Loke (giggles): Hee, hee, hee, hee… (Turns away shyly)
Mr Loke (still staring at his wife’s hands): Uh, Boss…
Lau Pok: Tsk! I told you not to call me Boss. Call me Lau Pok.
Wan Ping (laughing): You can call him “Tau Pok” or “Pok Khai”. Better still: “Mee Pok”.
Lau Pok (in a light-hearted manner, towards Wanping): Tsk! So rude!
(Mr Loke takes a sip of his drink, all the while staring at Lau Pok’s hands and Mrs Loke’s hands.)
Wanping (cheekily): Wah, trying to impress your future wife huh?
(At this point of time, Mr Loke spits his drink out violently. His eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.)
Lau Pok: Cheah! How can I take liberties with Uncle Loke’s wife? (Remove his hands from Mrs Loke’s immediately and discreetly. Turns towards Mr Loke) Hor, Ah Loke? (Gives him a little nudge, and then laughs again.)
Mr Loke (still wide-eyed): I see you’ve become an Anglophile – you have adopted the practice of kissing women’s hands – when you once told us that you came from a family that upheld traditional Chinese culture and values?
Lau Pok: Ho, ho, Ah Loke! We must be more open-minded! Expose ourselves to the world and embrace everything with affection - including your sweet wife.
(This time, Mr Loke shows no reaction.)
Lau Pok (takes a sip of his drink): You have a much too narrow vision, Ah Loke. (Raises the other free finger and waves it about as he speaks.) As Confucius once said: “The frog in the well does nothing but look up at the sky.”
Mr Loke (looks at the sky, ponders, and looks back at Lau Pok again): Confucius didn’t say that.
Lau Pok: Never mind. But trust me, you must learnt to enjoy other things, and not just stick to your own realm.
(A waiter enters stage left carrying a tray with a plate containing potato chips. He approaches the Lokes.)
Waiter (addresses Mr and Mrs Loke): Potato chips, Sir, Madam?
(Mr Loke shakes his head in rejection. Mrs Loke take three chips and thanks the waiter.)
Lau Pok (takes a sip of his drink): Where are your children?
Mr Loke (gives an exasperated sigh and shakes his head): Where else but home of course? They’re not feeling well.
Lau Pok: Listen to me. They should drink more fruit juice. It’s good for their health. They should also take Vitamin C. Must drink more water, understand? If they have the cough, they should refrain from eating chicken. You must make them exercise more regularly. Understand?
Mr Loke: Yes, Boss. (Lau Pok glares at him, mouth puckered up like a bulldog’s. In return, Mr Loke outstretches both palms in an effort to ‘fan’ the heat about to implode within Lau Pok.) Okay, okay. Lau Pok.
Wan Ping: You know, Pa, you look like my Chinese teacher at school.
Lau Pok: Is your Chinese teacher male or female?
Wan Ping: She’s a female.
Lau Pok: Then how would I look like your Chinese teacher, Girl? I’m a man. A man cannot be a woman.
Wan Ping: I know that, Pa. (Shakes Lau Pok’s arm rapidly.) Pa, I want to go to the Millennium Swing Party.
Lau Pok: Not now, girl.
Wan Ping: It’s very boring here! You people keep talking about things that I don’t understand! I want to go and dance!
Lau Pok: Later, gir -
Wan Ping (shouts): Now!
Lau Pok: Be patien -
Wan Ping (screeches): NOW!
(There is a sudden silence. Several Party Guests look in their direction, and then begin muttering and beckoning towards the main characters. Lau Pok is embarrassed.)
Lau Pok (puts the glass down): Okay, okay. Let’s go now. I’ve had enough of you.
Wan Ping (grinning over victory): Pa is so good.
Lau Pok (touches Wan Ping’s nose affectionately): Of course, Sweetie Pie (Turns to Mr Loke) My daughter wants to go to the Millennium Swing Party at Orchard Road. You must come with us. You and your beautiful wife.
Mr Loke: I don’t really like crowded places -
Lau Pok: Oh, for goodness, learn how to relax! I bet you stress yourself out too much at home. Right, wife-of-Ah-Loke?
Mrs Loke: It should be very true.
Mr Loke (in a complaining tone): But-
Lau Pok: Have you forgotten what I have told you? You must be open-minded! Go and try out! You may even enjoy yourself! (Points towards stage right) Now quick, leave!
Mr Loke (complains again): But-
Lau Pok (sharply): No buts! Either you come or you’re fired!
Mr Loke (unhappily yielding to his boss’ will): Okay, okay
(The Lokes, Lau Pok and Wan Ping rise from their chairs and walk over to shake hands with Mr and Mrs Birch, wishing them good night and a Happy New Year. Then they exit stage right.)
• MUSIC STOPS.
• CURTAINS CLOSE.
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ACT III: THE MILLENNIUM SWING PARTY
Setting the Stage:
A makeshift stage, complete with steps leading from the actual stage floor, is set onto centre stage. A large white screen is suspended from the ceiling and 2m above the stage. The words SWING SINGAPORE - MILLENNIUM COUNTDOWN PARTY are flashed on the screen.
PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL NOTES
• Party revellers are to wear dark-coloured clothes, otherwise the glaring effects of bright clothes will cause them to stand out more than the main characters, hence distracting the audience from the story.
• Multicoloured flashing lights are to be turned on at the start of Act III. The colour of these lights should be of darker shades, such as blue, green and dark red. Party Revellers will then dance under these lights. For the main characters to stand out, will the producers please request for two pure white spotlights to be trained on the characters as they move about the stage, so that they will stand out to the audience on an otherwise crowded stage.
• The first piece of music, TARZAN AND JANE, is played at high volume.
(Party Revellers enter the auditorium through the entrances at the back, run down the aisles, making a lot of noise and spraying confetti all over the place, and finally climbing onto the stage. They begin to dance to the music. After a while, Gurmit Singh climbs up onto the makeshift stage. Pure white spotlight is trained on him.)
• MUSIC VOLUME IS LOWERED.
Gurmit Singh (excitedly and dancing around as well.): Whoa, everybody! Welcome to the Swing Singapore Millennium Countdown Party. (Looks at his watch) It’s nine o’clock now. In three hour’s time, we’ll be counting down together to welcome in the New Year. That’s right! It’ll be year 2000 at midnight. And within this three hours, there’ll be loads of programmes and performances. Best of all, you get to dance! (Shouts loudly into the microphone) Enjoy yourselves, people!
(Gurmit Singh throws his arms into the air and yells a “Woo!” Party Revellers, still dancing, clap and cheer vigorously. Gurmit Singh leaves the makeshift stage.)
• MUSIC VOLUME IS INCREASED.
(At this moment, Chong Tang, Bernard and Li ‘En enter stage right, behind Party Revellers [Party Revellers’ fronts are facing the tables] and ‘dance’ their way through to stage left.)
• MUSIC VOLUME IS DECREASED AT THIS POINT OF TIME.
Li ‘En (excitedly, eyes wide open, pointing at the empty spot.): Eh, look! There’s an empty spot over here. (Beckons to Chong Tang and Bernard.) Come, come! Let’s dance here!
(The three of them resume their dancing. A while later, Jasmine, Chu Xian and Zhu Mei enter stage right behind the Party Revellers. They move to a spot on stage right.)
Jasmine: Ah, this is a good place! We can watch all the performances from here.
(All dance for a while. Then, Jasmine, Chu Xian and Zhu Mei move to centre stage. Almost at the same time, Chong Tang, Bernard and Li ‘En shift from stage left to centre stage. Suddenly, Chong Tang bumps into Jasmine.)
• NOTE: Both Chong Tang and Jasmine exclaim their respective dialogues simultaneously.
Chong Tang (angrily without looking up)
Blinded numbskull!
Jasmine (hysterically; near the point of screaming)
MOLEST!
Bernard (stepping right up next to Chong Tang)
Eh, Chong Tang, how could you do something so indecent? (Turns to look at the ground, wages finger and sighs) I’ve known you for so many years, and now you have finally shown your true self! I’m so disappointed – I’ll pretend I didn’t know you at all – (turns away – coincidentally, Li’En steps on his foot. Bernard looks up at Li’En immediately and speaks in a disapprovingly tone) Hey, what’s the meaning of this –
Li’En (rather unhappily)
Shut up! Can’t you see what’s going on?
(Both look at Chong Tang and Jasmine, who have begun posing as stiffly as statues and are staring at each other – in astonishment. Chong Tang stares wide-eyed at Jasmine. Jasmine stares back, also wide-eyed, at Chong Tang. Both are silent. Then, Li ‘En stands between them and waves his hand up and down in front of Chong Tang’s and Jasmine’s faces.)
Li ‘En (continue waving his hand and turning his head left and right at intervals to look at both of their faces): Eh, are you okay?
(Chong Tang grabs Li ‘En’s hand and pushes it away, continuing to stare at Jasmine even as he does it.)
Chong Tang (finally speaking…and still staring at Jasmine.)
What ARE you doing here?
Jasmine (still staring at Chong Tang): What ARE you doing here?
Chong Tang (eyes still fixed on Jasmine): I asked you first.
Jasmine (eyes still fixed on Chong Tang): I asked you - second. (Breaking out of trance) Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be at home, resting with a stomachache? What if you do it on the road, right in front of everybody?
Chong Tang (breaking from his initial shock, and crossing his arms): And aren’t you supposed to be at home, resting since you feel giddy? What if you faint, right in front of everybody?
Jasmine (defiantly): Well, I’m fine.
Chong Tang (retorts sharply): Well, I’m fine TOO. (Turns away and looks at his surroundings.)
Aw, cut the crap. Let’s dance.
Jasmine (stops staring as well. Speaks in a rather high-pitched and unhappy voice since she had been “accused” by her brother of lying): Fine, fine!
(All resume dancing)
(A little while later, Lau Pok, Mr Loke, Mrs Loke and Wan Ping enter stage right. Wan Ping is dancing as she moves through the crowd, as she leads the group, followed by Lau Pok, Mr Loke and Mrs Loke. Mr Loke keeps covering his ears as he walks, and keeps shooting dirty looks of disapproval to people who were blocking his way, or dressed in outrageous clothing. The group moves to stage right, where they stay and watch the stage. Wan Ping is still moving her body in tune with the music. Meantime, Jasmine happens to turn to her right. She spots Mr and Mrs Loke and gasps. She quickly turns to Chong Tang.)
Jasmine (grabs Chong Tang’s arm and rattles off urgently.): Chong Tang! Mummy and Daddy are here! What should we do?
Chong Tang (hisses angrily): Don’t ask me! I’m the dumb-ass in the family! I went to EM3 like those kids in Jack Neo’s movie! I was discriminated! You – you went to EM1! Later you went into the Gifted Programme while I went into Normal stream! So what is it now? Are you trying to extract a stupid answer from me, and then you humiliate me by offering a better solution? Are you implying that I am stupid or what? (Chong Tang stops suddenly and takes deep breaths. His voice becomes calm once more. Places his hands – palms facing Jasmine - in front of him as he speaks.) Really, really. Don’t ask me. I thought you read lots of books? You should know what to do.
Jasmine: I don’t always find escape plan in books!
(Touches her chin thoughtfully, eyes focused on nowhere. Chong Tang’s arms are akimbo, and he looks at her, waiting for an answer to appear.)
Chong Tang: Well?
Jasmine (looks up at Chong Tang and rattles off the words): The only thing I know what to do is… (Leans forward in exasperation and hisses) ESCAPE!
Chong Tang (in a deadpan tone – thinking that Jasmine’s plans are rather unremarkable): That’s it?
Jasmine (virtually tearing her hair): Duh!
(Chong Tang, Bernard, Li ‘En, Jasmine, Chu Xian and Zhu Mei begin to move towards stage left. But Party Revellers on stage left refuse to give way and thus block the group’s path. The group try to squeeze through, but find it impossible. Jasmine turns back her head. Wan Ping, Lau Pok, Mr Loke and Mrs Loke begin moving FROM stage right TO stage left.)
Jasmine (speaks rapidly and urgently): What should we do? They’re approaching us! (Tears her hair again and wails) We’re going to be dead! It’s a catastrophe! The end of the world is here! We’re doomed!
Chong Tang (stops walking and turns around to face Jasmine): Don’t talk so fast like a machine gun! And please, shut up! Let me think of a way out!
Jasmine (arms akimbo, training her eyes on Chong Tang, and cocks her head sideways, as if she is very impressed with Chong Tang): Oh, so now you’re the one with brains.
Chong Tang: I didn’t say that I had brains. I said I have one brain. If you have more than two brains then you’re a freak. (Laughs)
Jasmine: Just shut up and do something! (Turns her head back) They’re just behind us!
(Wan Ping, Lau Pok, Mr Loke and Mrs Loke are at centre stage now.)
Chong Tang (in a mocking tone): So, Smart Little Girl, what do we do now?
Jasmine (touches her chin once more very thoughtfully, eyes focussed on the ground. Then she looks up at Chong Tang and raises her finger to make a point.): Change clothes.
Chong Tang (opens his eyes wide and tilts heads forward in astonishment): You don’t expect me to strip myself here, do you?
Jasmine (screws her face to give the look that she is really disgusted with Chong Tang’s imprudence): Of course not, idiot! What I mean is that I’ll take your jacket and you’ll take my sunglasses.
Chong Tang (in disgust, and strokes his arms as if they had goose pimples): But your sunglasses are pink! It’s so girlish!
Jasmine (hisses urgently): Do it or Daddy will catch you!
Chong Tang (rather reluctantly): *Tsk* Okay, okay.
(Chong Tang takes off his black jacket and passes it to Jasmine. Jasmine takes off her sunglasses and passes it to Chong Tang. They put on their new disguises. Wan Ping, Lau Pok, Mr and Mrs Loke have arrived at stage left. They move behind Chong Tang, Jasmine and their friends. Suddenly, a Party Reveller in front of Chong Tang shifts backwards and knocks into Chong Tang. Chong Tang hits Mr Loke.)
Mr Loke (angrily): Hey! Watch it!
Chong Tang (turns around and speaks in a high-pitched female voice): Oh, so sorry, Sir.
(As he speaks, he keeps bowing to Mr Loke quickly.)
Mr Loke (in a calm voice, palms facing outwards in a gesture to beckon Chong Tang to stop.): Okay, okay, stop it. I accept your apology. You’re forgiven.
Chong Tang (continuing into falsetto): No sir, my mother says that I must bow and apologise profusely, then the apology will be accepted.
Mr Loke (rather irritably and loudly): Yes, yes, you’ve apologised profusely enough! Now, for goodness, stop it!
Chong Tang: Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.
Mr Loke (adjusts his glasses and squints to study Chong Tang’s pink sunglasses and hair): Just a minute. Why do you have a boy’s hairstyle when you’re a girl?
Chong Tang: Ooh. This is the newest and most fashionable hairstyle today, Sir. We girls now like to dress like boys.
Mr Loke: I see. Well then, Happy New Year. I hope that you’ve made your mother proud.
Chong Tang: Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.
(Wan Ping, Lau Pok, Mr and Mrs Loke continue moving towards stage left. Chong Tang breathes in and out deeply, in relief. The crowd is getting noisier. Bernard, having experienced the near-miss of Chong Tang bumping into his parents, decides that they should move to another spot to avoid the same kind of trouble.)
Bernard (starts to push through the crowd first, before turning back and shouting to the others in order to be heard above the din.): Let’s move to another place! Chong Tang? Li’En?
(At this moment, Mr Loke stops walking. He turns around. Mrs Loke stops walking. Then Lau Pok. Then Wan Ping.)
Chong Tang (freezes and sucks breath sharply): You IDIOT! (Emphasis on the word ‘IDIOT’.)
Mr Loke (swimming through the crowd): Who called the name “Chong Tang”? (By some coincidence, he points towards Bernard.) You!
Bernard (eyes dart around the surroundings hurriedly): Huh? Who? (Makes eye contact with Mr Loke – gives the look of innocence) Were you talking to me, Sir?
Mr Loke (suspiciously, arms akimbo): Obviously. I recognise your voice. You were the one who called Chong Tang. (Raises finger towards the ceiling) I swear by God that it was you!
Bernard (places both hands in front of him in defence): No…no…it wasn’t me!
Mr Loke (voice increases in volume): Don’t lie, Boy! I don’t like people who lie!
(Some of the Party Revellers begin to look in their direction.)
Bernard (in a very scared voice): I…I…
(Chong Tang decides to step in to Bernard’s defence)
Chong Tang (in his normal voice): It is I, Papa. (Takes off his sunglasses)
(Mr Loke stares at Chong Tang. Chong Tang’s face is expressionless. There is silence between father and son.)
Mr Loke (still staring hard, and speaking in a low, growling tone): What are you doing here?
Wan Ping (tugs a little at Mrs Loke’s sleeve): Aunty, what’s going on?
Mrs Loke (puts her finger to her lips to hush Wan Ping): Shhh! He’s going to steam up.
(Both groups are watching Mr Loke; not one dares to move. The other dancers are oblivious to this scene. Mr Loke clenches his left fist, then his right. His shoulders shift upwards slowly, up to cheek level. He begins to show his teeth and growl. His glares become sharper. His head is lowered.
Suddenly…
Jasmine hurries in front of Chong Tang.)
Jasmine (cries): Forgive me, Daddy! It was my fault too! I lied to you!
Chong Tang (craning his neck over Jasmine’s shoulders): Why didn’t you ask him to forgive me as well?
(Jasmine is much too terribly upset to reply Chong Tang. She just keeps crying.)
Mrs Loke (trying to soften up the tense situation by laughing a little and injecting some humour): Uh…Ah Loke, it’s hot down here. Why not go to CK Tang and cool off a little?
Mr Loke: Stand aside! (Brushes Mrs Loke aside rudely) This is between my children and me! (Glaring at the children and raising his finger slowly and stiffly) For fifteen years, I have tried to educate my children. I myself have set a good example by lying to nobody and I expected my children to follow. I have been filial to my parents and my parents-in-law – I obey every word that they say, and I expect my children to follow in my footsteps over that matter! (Lowers his finger slowly again) But my children my disappointed me!
Jasmine (still in tears): We’re sorry, Daddy!
Chong Tang: Yah – please forgive us, Papa!
Jasmine: We promise not to do such a thing again!
Mr Loke (shaking his head):
Confucius once said, “To lie is a great sin.”
Wan Ping (voices her thoughts out of the blue): Teacher didn’t teach us that.
Mr Loke (glances up at Wan Ping): Never mind; lying a great sin anyway. (Looks back at his children and keeps shaking his head while he talks) You have disappointed me. You have angered me tremendously. You have brought me beyond my limits. I shall not hesitate to mete out punishment!
Chong Tang and Jasmine (stare at each other in horror, and cry together): NO!
Chong Tang (pleading for his life): Please, Papa, don’t!
Jasmine (hands on her head in horror): You cannot do that, Daddy!
Mr Loke (growls): Who says that I can’t? Come home with me now!
(Party Revellers begin to shift away to isolate the characters. Mr Loke ignores them and attempts to lunge forward and grab Chong Tang and Jasmine’s arms.)
Mrs Loke (stunned and quite angry that her husband is about to do the following): NO! (Rushes out and grabs Mr Loke’s arms to restrain him) You can’t do this in public! You cannot punishment them out here in front of everybody!
Mr Loke (yells back – catching the attention of some Party Revellers): As if I care that they lose their dignity right here and then!
Lau Pok (arms akimbo): Ah Loke! This is going too far! How could you be so autocratic over your children?
Mr Loke (very forcefully): I believe that as a parent I should be paternalistic! I am doing this for their good! I want them to be raised up using traditional Asian values! And I want them to carry on this tradition! (Breathes deeply and angrily)
Lau Pok: I know that you love you children deeply and you want to educate them. But you must not manipulate them like puppets! Look at me. I used to be like you – that was when I had a wife. (Lowers his head upon mentioning her.)
Wan Ping (looks up at Lau Pok suddenly in shock; her mouth gapes like a goldfish. Urgently, she speaks): What about Mama?
Lau Pok (Wistfully): I ruled over her like a tyrant. I told her how much she should spend; I dictated what were the things she should or should not buy; I was always calling her to make sure that she did not get into trouble and that she did the tasks I asked her to do. It was a mistake. A big mistake. Soon after she give birth to my daughter, she told me, “Here, take your child. Manipulate her too. I’ve had enough. I’m leaving.” (Breathes in deeply) So we were divorced. Back then I was both sad and angry. I was angry that she left me like that. Yet I thought that I had never treated her as a proper loving wife before; I deserved it that she left me. I told myself, I could not let this happen again; I didn’t want my despotic attitude to take her away from my life again.
Wan Ping (begins to cry and hits Lau Pok repeatedly): You caused Mama to leave! I hate you! I HATE YOU! (Leans onto Lau Pok and continues crying. Lau Pok simply stands there like a statue and sobs openly. Mrs Loke bends down to comfort Wan Ping.)
Mr Loke (turns to look at his children. They are looking at the ground, unable to make visual contact with him. There is silence between them at first. Then, he begins to speak slowly, softly): I’m sorry.
(Chong Tang and Jasmine look up at him.)
Mr Loke (much louder than before): I’m sorry. (Silence between them) I’m very sorry that I have treated you like that. I should give you some freedom; your life should be colourful. You should choose your own paths and not stick to whatever I tell you. I have really been much too authoritarian.
Chong Tang: Pa-
Mr Loke: I have been much too crazy over traditional values. Yes, they are applicable in today’s society, but I have realised that still, you should be allowed to live a life. Enjoy your youth as much as possible; when you reach my age, you will be bogged down with lots of things. (A moment of silence again) Go ahead. Enjoy yourselves.
(Chong Tang and Jasmine are still quiet; still unsure.)
Mr Loke (kindly): Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. Dance the night away.
Lau Pok (managing a smile): There’s that. You’ve become open-minded, Ah Loke. (Wipes away his daughter’s tears and gives her a hug to comfort her.)
Mr Loke: Yes, Bos-
Lau Pok (arms akimbo immediately and glares at Mr Loke): HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO –
Mr Loke (shields himself from Lau Pok’s reprimand with both hands over his head): Yes, Lau Pok. Sorry, Lau Pok.
Lau Pok (calms down): That’s much better.
Chong Tang (goes up to hug Mr Loke): Thank you Papa.
Jasmine (also gives Mr Loke a big hug): Oh, thank you so much, Daddy!
Mr Loke: You’re all welcome, my children.
(All are dancing. For once, Mr Loke joins in a little. Following that, Gurmit Singh climbs onto the makeshift stage.)
• MUSIC VOLUME REMAINS LOW.
Gurmit Singh: All right, people. It’s nearly twelve o’clock! In fact, it’s only ten minutes away. So, let’s now call upon our Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong, to come up on stage for the transition into the New Millennium! Mr Goh, please! (Everybody applauds. PM Goh Chok Tong enters stage left and climbs onto the makeshift stage. He shakes hands with Gurmit Singh.) Now, the Millennium is only five minutes away! Any resolutions before the New Year arrives? (Bends down to place the microphone near Party Revellers.)
Party Reveller A: Singapore will continue to prosper!
Party Reveller B: I hope that my family will lead a comfortable and happy life!
Party Reveller C: I hope for the best in the new Millennium!
Gurmit Singh: Okay, folks! Time’s nearly up. One minute to go. (On the screen, the numbers, starting from ten, flash in descending order.) Thirty seconds left… (Clock keeps ticking) Twenty seconds… (Watches the clock) Twelve, eleven… (The crowd joins him in counting down. Countdown Clock activated.)
Everybody (hollers in crescendo)
TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX! FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! (Confetti is thrown everywhere - on the stage, and onto the audience.)
• AULD LANG SYNE IS PLAYED. MUSIC VOLUME LOUD.
(Everybody joins in the singing of Auld Lang Syne)
Should all acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind.
Should all acquaintance be forgot,
And days of Auld Lang Syne.
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear,
For Auld Lang Syne.
We’ll drink a cup of kindness yet,
For Auld Lang Syne
(Everybody cheers and applauds loudly.)
Jasmine (happily): This is really a great way to usher in the New Year!
Chong Tang: Yeah. So fun!
Lau Pok: Come! Let’s wish everybody a Happy New Year!
Mr Loke: But, Boss – (sticks out his tongue in mistake) I mean, Lau Pok -
Lau Pok
No buts! Just do as I say or you’re fired!
Mr Loke
Okay. But I want to dance.
Lau Pok (laughs heartily): Oh-ho! I see! Eh, Ah Loke, you have suddenly become so enthusiastic!
Mr Loke (grinning): Of course. (Raises his finger in the air) As Confucius once said –
Jasmine (groans): Oh no!
Chong Tang (pleads): Please, Papa, not again!
Mr Loke (continuing from where he had left off): In every person’s life, one has to be open-minded!
Wan Ping: Huh? Did Confucius said that?
Lau Pok (leans out to make direct contact with Mr Loke. Points a finger at himself): No, no, I said that. Not Confucius, but me.
(Everybody laughs. Turn to face audience. All speak together.)
Everybody
WISHING EVERYBODY A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY YEAR 2000! HAPPY MILLENNIUM!
• CURTAIN FALLS
• NOTE: The following is optional: the production may wish to have confetti or balloons dropping from the stage ceiling on the cast to evoke the party atmosphere.
@@@THE END@@@
