TWO KINDS

BY

JENNA YOUNG

BASED ON A SHORT STORY

BY

AMY TAN

1. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO RESTAURANT: WILLOW TREE CHINESE

CUISINE- AFTERNOON

SUYUAN WOO 37, Chinese, heavy facial expression, young face

but eyes aged beyond her years. Strands of hair loosely

stick out from her messy bun.

She dashes out of the restaurant taking off her apron and

rushes straight towards the bus stop.

2. INT. SAN FRANCISCO BUS- CONTINUOUS

Suyuan stands near the front of the bus clutching tightly to

the pole.

CLOSEUP on her hands. Wrinkled, dry and ruff with a jade

wedding ring.

INSERT: THROUGH THE BUS WINDOW: SIGN- "FAIRMOUNT ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL"

JING-MEI WOO 9, Suyuan’s daughter, pigtails with bangs cut

straight across her forehead. Her deep brown, almond eyes

stand out in her youthful pale round face.

She enters the bus along with her purple backpack doubling

her size. She grasps her mother’s hand.

Montage of the city through the bus window -Ends with

the sign Filbert Street with their apartment complex hiding

in the corner.

3. INT. APARTMENT- ENTRYWAY

TRACKING SHOT

Suyuan and Jing-Mei enter closing the rusty, creaking door

behind them. As they shuffle through the narrow, snug

hallway we see various Ripley’s Believe it or Not articles

on talented children filling up the empty spaces on the

wall.

4. INT. APARTMENT. DINING/LIVING/KITCHEN

Jing-Mei lugs her backpack onto the dining table where piles

of school books, workbooks, and dictionaries, are spread

out.

Suyuan struts pass Jing-Mei and tosses her white, warned

out, fleece knitted sweater onto the kitchen counter next to

a pile of Chinese take-out boxes.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

Suyuan and Jing-Mei routinely wash their hands in the

kitchen sink as they glance over at MR. CHONG’S home through

the window.

INSERT: GARAGE SALE SIGN

JING-MEI

Mama? Mr. Chong isn’t moving...is

he?

SUYUAN

Of course not! Who will watch you

when mama go to work? -Karen went

to college so he sell her old

items.

Suyuan strides towards the table and picks up a geography

workbook and grabs the red pen behind her ear.

Jing-Mei continues to gaze through the window.

SUYUAN

Jing-Mei? Finland? What is capital

of Finland?

JING-MEI

Mama can we go to the garage sale?

SUYUAN

Not until you finish daily brain

medicine. - What is capital of

Finland?

Jing-Mei stomps towards the table and slumps herself on the

chair. She pauses and thinks as she rests her head on the

table.

Suyuan scans down the list and circles Finland. Pursing her

lips, she tosses the workbook to Jing-Mei.

JING-MEI

Uhmmm... Sacramento is the capital

of California?

SUYUAN

Jing-Mei- this is no game. You

continue this attitude then double

brain medicine for you.

Mother tears out quiz 27 from the math workbook. She reaches

in her pocket of her oversized ragged and washed out

traditional red blouse covered with yellow flowers and

starts the timer.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

Jing-Mei stretches out her stubby fingers and reaches for

the pencil. She franticly begins counting.

Moments later the timer goes off. With only 3 more problems

left, Suyuan draws a huge red X over quiz 27.

SUYUAN

You practice more! These books are

no good- Mr. Chong must have books

for sale.

Jing-Mei rolls her eyes and exits as Suyuan neatly stacks

the school books aside.

5. EXT. MR.CHONG’S GARAGE SALE. DRIVEWAY- LATER

MR. CHONG, mid-50’s, Chinese American born, retired piano

teacher, slender with thick coke bottle glasses magnifying

his eyes.

MR. CHONG

My darlings! Welcome, please dig

through anything you like!

SUYUAN

How lovely. Jing-Mei need lot of

school supplies!

Suyuan approaches two plastic folding tables filled with

various items. She digs through piles of warn out sweaters

and reveals her treasure of books and school supplies.

Jing-Mei spots a piano in the back corner of the garage.

She skips to the piano and playfully pushes her tiny fingers

along the keys pretending to be a famous pianist.

Suyuan freezes, her eyes enlarge with a blank stare as

everything in her hands falls back into the pile.

FADE TO

6. FLASHBACK. 1939 CHINA. EXT. CHINESE TEMPLE GARDEN- DAY

Suyuan’s husband, CANNING 27, dressed in military clothes,

sits on the piano bench and grabs Suyuans hands.

Suyuan stands looking down into Canning’s dreary, tired, and

upsetting eyes.

Moment of silence

DIALOGUE IN CANTONESE

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

CANNING

Suyuan... before I head off to war,

I want to share with you my final

piece dedicated to you.

Suyuan takes a deep breath and slowly exhales as tears run

down her cheeks.

Canning pulls Suyuan close to him as she sits by his side.

He delicately places his hands on the piano keys.

PIANO MUSIC BEGINS TO PLAY

Suyuan places her hands over her heart as she fully embraces

these last moments with him.

INTO VIEW: a flag of the Republic of China standing tall as

it ripples in the wind over the piano.

PIANO MUSIC FADES AND BLENDS WITH-

O.S. JING-MEI PLAYING THE PIANO

LAP DISSOLVE

7. CONTINUED. PRESENT. MR.CHONG’S GARAGE SALE

Close-up on Suyuan’s glossy-eyed expression.

b.g. Playful, loud pounding on the piano.

Suyuan returns to full consciousness and embarrassingly

picks up the items back up. She warmly smiles at Jing-Mei

and struts towards her as she searches for the price tag.

Suyuan flags Mr. Chong over.

SUYUAN

Mr. Chong, the piano- how much?

MR. CHONG

Suyuan- unfortunately the piano is

not for sale... but Jing-Mei is

free to play whenever she wishes!

Jing-Mei, overhearing Mr. Chong, quietly closes the piano

lid.

SUYUAN

Oh... thank you- Well this is nice

garage sale you have. Karen’s old

school supplies is good for

Jing-Mei.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

Mr. Chong politely smiles and places the items in a plastic

bag.

Digging through her faded silk coin patch, Suyuan collects

$7.50. just short of 10 cents.

SUYUAN

Please excuse me... I be right

back-

MR. CHONG

Suyuan, $7.50 will do! Your visit

and Jing-Mei’s piano skills is

already more than enough.

SUYUAN

(grasping Mr. Chong’s hands

out of gratitude)

Thank you so very much Mr. Chong.

8. INT. APARTMENT. BEDROOM- NIGHT

Mother tucks Jing-mei into bed and kisses her forehead. She

switches the lights off and patiently sits at the edge of

the bed.

Minutes later, the sounds of DEEP BREATHING strengthen.

Suyuan slowly stands up and approaches her dresser. She

fumbles her hands on the wall and switches on the desk lamp.

She opens the top drawer and takes out an old, dusty, wooden

box. She sits down and leans against the bed. She opens the

latch as tears run down her face. Suyuan places the box

close to her chest as she weeps into the night. The bed

begins to shake from Suyuan’s deep mourning.

Jing-Mei awakens and catches a blurred vision of Suyuan

quickly but gently closing the top drawer

Lights shut off.

9. NEXT DAY. INT. MR. CHONG’S HOUSE- EARLY MORNING

Sound of KNOCKING on the door.

MR. CHONG

(Opens door and rubs eyes)

Suyuan...?

SUYUAN

Mr. Chong, so very sorry to bother

you...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

MR. CHONG

Is everything okay?

SUYUAN

I need to ask a big favor...

(beat)

I must work longer hours until late

evening this month- Can Jing-Mei

stay here after school days until I

return?

MR. CHONG

Why, it will be my pleasure!

SUYUAN

Mr. Chong...

(beat)

Oh... I can’t thank you enough!

MR. CHONG

Now that i’m home alone, it will be

great company to have her over.

SUYUAN

(Smiles and hands over bag

full of books and school

supplies)

Jing-Mei’s daily brain medicine.

MR. CHONG

Ahhh yes, always keeping her

on her toes!

SUYUAN

(hands over her knitted

sweater and spare key)

In case Jing-Mei gets cold. Oh and

here is spare key if Jing-Mei needs

anything else.

MR. CHONG

Alright Suyuan, have a great day at

work and i’ll see you tonight.

10. INT. FARMOUNT SCHOOL. 4TH GRADE CLASSROOM. MORNING

b.g. children giggling, chattering, and shuffling around.

MRS. GORDON is tall and lean, wearing a colorful, long flowy

dress complimenting her spunky personality.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

MRS. GORDON

Good morning ladies and gentlemen!

Please sit down, we have a very

exciting assignment today!

Jing-Mei, sits in the first row directly in front of MRS.

GORDON. She is slightly outcasted as she sits patiently

while students continue shuffling around.

MRS. GORDON

(claps hands)

Now class, I would like each of you

to think about one special person

in your life who has inspired you

the most and why.

Jing-Mei sits with perfect posture and raises her hand with

a big smile.

MRS. GORDON

Yes...Jing-Mei?

JING-MEI

My mama because she always takes

care of me and always works hard.

Students roll eyes and quietly snicker.

MRS. GORDON

(Clears throat and raises

voice)

That is such a beautiful answer

Jing-Mei. Thank you for sharing!

Anyone else?

Mrs. Gordon’s voice fades as we focus on Jing-Mei. She looks

down at her desk in embarrassment.

11. INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA - NOON

Jing-Mei walks to the back corner with her head down and

sits at the empty table.

She pulls out a container filled with her mother’s leftover

Chinese food from the restaurant.

A group of girls sitting at the table across from her make

disgusting faces and plug their nose.

Jing-Mei pulls out a book and opens it to cover up her

food. She peeps over the book and observes the girls.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

Four young girls with french braided blond and brown hair

with matching polka dot pink dresses giggle as they play

with their look alike barbie dolls. Cheese pizza and

chocolate milk from the school cafeteria is spread across

the table.

Jing-Mei embarrassingly looks down at her food. She grabs

her chopsticks and scarfs down the noodles as fast as she

can to prevent the strong, pungent, Chinese smell from

spreading.

12. INT. WILLOW TREE CHINESE CUISINE-NOON

The back kitchen is filled with hot steam. It is compact,

dim, and chaotic.

b.g. Loud Cantonese orders is yelled across the kitchen from

the cashier to the chef.

Sweat drips down Suyuan’s face. Dark circles weigh down her

weary, heavy eyes. They release drops of water as she yawns

excessively.

Suyuan’s apron is soaked with sweat, hot soapy water, and

grease stains. She removes brown rubber gloves off her

hands.

CLOSEUP on her wet soapy hands. Her palms and fingers are

shriveled up like mushy raisins.

She exhaustingly bends down releasing the pressure from her

weak, shaking legs.

A new batch of greasy pans and woks are thrown in the sink.

She wipes the sweat off her forehead and looks at the clock.

She puts the gloves back on and continues washing.

13. INT. MR. CHONG’S HOME - AFTERNOON

Jing-Mei playfully dances around Mr. Chong’s home and

guiltily indulges in cookies.

She notices the books on the table but proceeds to the piano

and runs her fingers along the keys.

Mr. Chong smiles and sits down with her as he begins

teaching her the key of C.

DISSOLVE TO

9.

14.MONTAGE: SPLIT SCREEN: MR. CHONG TEACHING JING-MEI THE

PIANO AND SUYUAN WORKING. 2 WEEKS.

15. 2 WEEK LATER. INT. MR. CHONG’S HOUSE- AFTERNOON

Jing-Mei arrives and runs straight to the piano.

b.g. piano music

MR. CHONG

Jing-Mei, how about we go for a

nice walk outside?

Jing-Mei nods her head in approval and as she continues

playing the piano.

Mr. Chong grabs Suyuan’s sweater. A note pad falls out. He

picks up the notepad.

INSERT: NOTEPAD WITH SUYUAN’S HANDWRITING: "STEINWAY PIANO

GALLERY- STEINWAY MODEL O (5’10") GRAND PIANO"

He pauses and stares at Jing-Mei on the piano.

Jing-Mei stops playing the piano and looks over at Mr.

Chong.

JING-MEI

Did I do something?

MR. CHONG

(Walking towards Jing-Mei)

No-no my darling of course not.

(beat)

Come on let... let’s get some fresh

air now.

Mr. Chong places the jacket on Jing-Mei as they exit.

16. EXT. SAN FRANCISCO MARKET STREET. AFTERNOON

Mr. Chong and Jing-Mei walk down Fairmont street and enter

the street market where stores line up on each side.

Mr. Chong’s eyes enlarge as he looks across the street.

INSERET: SIGN- STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY

Mr. Chong grabs Jing-Mei’s hand as they head towards the

piano store.

10.

17. EXT. STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY STORE

Mr. Chong locks his eyes on a beautiful shiny piano through

the sparkling glass window.

INSERT: LABEL - STEINWAY MODEL O (5’10") GRAND PIANO $450

Mr. Chong looks down with disappointment as he brushes his

hands through his thin hair.

b.g. piano music

Mr. Chong is startled.

Jing-Mei is playing on the display piano outside of the

store. A handful of people gather to watch her.

Mr. Chong struts towards Jing-Mei to stop her but is

surprised by the large applaud by the crowd she has

attracted.

Jing-Mei smiles with excitement as she continues to run her

fingers up and down the piano. Several people throw money on

top of her mother’s knitted sweater that she placed on top

of the piano.

Mr. Chong is astonished as he watches from a distance. He

glances through the window of the store and sees the workers

applauding Jing-Mei.

18. MONTAGE: JING-MEI RAISING MONEY THROUGH STREET

PERFORMING. 2 WEEKS.

19. 2 WEEKS LATER MR. CHONG’S HOME- AFTERNOON

Mr. Chong opens a bag full of money labeled garage sale. He

takes out the money and combines it with the money Jing-Mei

raised.

They count up the money and eagerly smile at each other.

20. INT. SUYUAN’S APARTMENT- LIVING ROOM- EVENING.

Suyuan enters with the smell of a musky oder of Chinese food

hovering into the open space.

Her eyes lay on the slick, shiny, black grand piano. Her

mouth drops open. She places her hands over her heart and is

speechless.

MR. CHONG AND JING-MEI INTO FRAME. Jing- Mei runs into her

mother’s arms. She smiles as she breathes in her mother’s

scent of hard work.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

Suyuan distractingly pats Jing-Mei on the back as she

confusingly stares at Mr. Chong.

MR. CHONG

You said to use the spare key if

Jing-Mei needed anything.

SUYUAN

Mr. Chong... Please I can’t-

(beat)

MR. CHONG

Miss. Jing-Mei Woo has earned this

piano herself and I decided to go

back to being a piano teacher just

for her.

SUYUAN

Jing-Mei...?

JING-MEI

Mama, Mr. Chong helped me! I’ve

been playing by the market street

and raised some money for us to buy

the piano you wanted!

SUYUAN

I don’t understand- How this

happen?

MR. CHONG

Your daughter has natural talent.

Suyuan is left speechless. Her face brightens with joy as

she hugs Mr. Chung.

SUYUAN

(leans in and whispers)

Thank you.

FADE TO BLACK

21. NEXT DAY. SCHOOL- DAYTIME

Mrs. Gordon begins her lesson.

Jing-mei stares off into blank space. Her elbows are placed

on the desk as her hands cradle her round chubby cheeks. She

closes her eyes as she begins drifting off into a daydream

as a famous pianist.

12.

22. DAYDREAM INT. PARAMOUNT THEATER

We are looking into JING-MEI’S vision.

Crowds fill up the thousands of rows of lined benches. The

glamorous and lavishing decorations of golden chandeliers

and trophies perfectly compliment the deep royal blue

curtains lining the stage and the maroon carpet beneath

Jing-Mei’s feet.

She bows in front of the crowd full of flashing camera

lights and cheering from across the entire theater.

Jing-Mei begins playing the piano.

b.g. piano music begins to fade.

MRS. GORDON (O.S.)

Jing-Mei?... Jing- Mei?-

23. CONTINUED. INT. CLASSROOM

Jing-Mei snaps out of her daydream and embarrassingly hides

behind her book.

MRS. GORDON

Jing-Mei, honey... is everything

okay?

JING-MEI

Oh Mrs. Gordon- I’m going to be a

famous pianist!

MRS. GORDON

What great passion you have! I

would love to hear you play

Jing-Mei.

Mrs. Gordon takes out a flyer and hands it to Jing-Mei.

MRS. GORDON (CONT’D)

I mentioned earlier today in class

that we will have a Farmount talent

show coming up. Would you like to

share your talents with your

classmates?

JING-MEI

Yes! Mama is going to be so happy!

Mrs. Gordon smiles and writes Jing-Mei’s name on the list.

13.

24. INT. APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM -AFTERNOON

Jing-Mei struts past the dining table full of books and

dashes to the piano. She opens the piano book and begins

playing.

Mother leans against the table and closes her eyes and

smiles.

SUYUAN

Beautiful Jing-Mei...

JING-MEI

I almost forgot mama, Mrs. Gordon

wants me to play piano for the

talent show!

SUYUAN

Jing-Mei that’s wonderful-

(beat)

I know just the perfect song!

Suyuan exists and comes back with a sheet of music that is

wrinkled, faded, and torn down the middle. She places it on

the piano.

Mother, overly excited, hovers behind Jing-Mei.

SUYUAN

Book is too easy for you. This song

more challenging.

INSERT: MUSIC SHEET: TITLE "PLEADING CHILD" (Flats and

sharps jumble in a pile of black scribbles)

Jing-mei squints her eyes and leans closer to the music

sheet. Compuzzled, she attempts to play.

Suyuan begins clapping to the beat of the song.

Jing-Mei, distracted, messes up.

Mother turns the metronome on and begins counting out loud.

SUYUAN

1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and!

Slightly rushed, she begins to mess up on the keys. Mother

leans over her shoulder and places red x’s on the notes.

SUYUAN

G, E, B, E, B flat, I repeat FLAT!

B FLAT!

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

JING- MEI

Mom stop! You’re messing me up! I

can play by myself at my own speed.

SUYUAN

You just have to try harder!

JING-MEI

Forget it I don’t want to play

anymore-

SUYUAN

There only two kinds of daughters.

Those who obedient and those who

follow own mind! Only one kind of

daughter can live in this house.

JING-MEI

You mean those who ARE* obedient

and those who follow THEIR* own

mind.

Suyuan nods her head and exits while mumbling in Cantonese.

Jing-mei rolls her eyes and sighs in relief of her mother’s

disappearance.

Suyuan heads to the kitchen and heats up left over Chinese

food from work. While setting up the table, she begins to

recognize the melody of the song as Jing-Mei improves.

Suyuan leans against the counter, closes her eyes and smiles

as the tune brings back memories.

25. NEXT DAY. INT. APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM - DAYTIME

Mr. Chong arrives for piano lessons.

Jing-Mei hands him the Pleading Child music sheet for help.

He squints his eyes and pulls the sheet of music away to get

a better focus on the notes.

MR. CHONG

Pleading Child? hmmm-doesn’t ring a

bell...

JING-MEI

It’s mother’s music. She wants me

to play it for the talent show.

MR.CHONG

It is on the challenging side but

let’s see what you have.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

Jing-Mei places her fingers on the keys and begins to play

the first three lines of the song. She continues and messes

up. Jing-Mei confusingly looks up at Mr. Chong for help.

MR. CHONG

Magnificent...

(beat)

Adjusting his hearing aids, Mr. Chong begins to teach the

next line.

MR.CHONG

One and two and three and four and!

He begins to play the notes for Jing-Mei to copy.

She presses down on the keys but is too fast for her to

memorize. She continues with the beat of his counting.

(b.g. mixture of notes jumbles together)

MR. CHONG

You’ve got it, I see you have been

practicing with the metronome!

Jing-Mei pauses and stares at Mr. Chong in confusion.

He continues to play the notes for Jing-Mei to copy again.

She continues pressing her tiny fingers on the notes she can

remember to the beat of Mr. Chong’s pen tapping.

26. MONTAGE PRACTICING PLEADING CHILD WITH MR. CHONG

27. 3 WEEKS LATER. INT. APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM

Suyuan arrives home and sees Mr. Chong and Jing-Mei

practicing Pleading Child.

SUYUAN

Getting ready for talent show

tomorrow?

MR. CHONG

Oh Suyuan, Jing-Mei has been doing

such a great job!

SUYUAN

Ohhh how wonderful!

Suyuan smiles at Jing-Mei, but Jing-Mei does not return the

smile and looks in confusion at the music sheet.

Mr. Chong heads out.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

b.g. Suyuan on phone inviting friends to talent show.

Jing-Mei, nervously continues to practice.

b.g. Horrible keys play at the end of the song.

Mother is startled by the ear piercing music and gets off

the phone.

JING-MEI

I hate this. I don’t even want to

go anymore!

SUYUAN

You just need to practice more-

Practice makes perfect.

Jing-Mei rolls her eyes.

SUYUAN

Jing-Mei- no attitude! TRY HARDER!

28. MONTAGE OF JING-MEI MESSING UP THE ENDING.

29. DAY OF TALENT SHOW. INT. FAIRMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-

MULTI PURPOSE ROOM- EVENING

Mother struts to the front and squeezes between LAN and

LIEN, her friends from Jing-Mei’s tutoring classes.

LIEN

My daughter gain fame as

Chinatown’s Littlest Chinese Chess

Champion. All day no time to do

anything but dust off her winnings.

You lucky you don’t have this

problem.

MOTHER

My problem worse than yours. If I

ask Jing-Mei to wash dishes, she

hear nothing but music. It’s like

you can’t stop this natural talent.

The talent show begins and the crowd applauds.

A young girl, age 6, dressed in a hot pink ballet leotard,

tutu, and pink slippers walks on stage.

The room is silent, pitch black with spotlights shining on

her.

Jing-Mei swallows hard as the nerves begin to hit her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

She performs a graceful ballet dance.

The audience is in awe as Jing-Mei nervously looks back at

the crowd.

The young girl bows and heads back to her seat and the next

student comes on.

A boy age 8 stands straight with his violin.

He passionately plays an elegant song stealing the crowd’s

heart.

Jing-Mei’s hands start to sweat. She takes a deep breath and

shakes the nerves out of her hands.

He bows as the crowd stands and cheers.

The boy struts back to his seat. There is a silence in the

room. Jing-Mei looks back at the crowd.

Suyuan waves the talent show program in the air and points

straight at Jing-Mei.

Jing-Mei’s mouth drops open. She quickly stands up. She

loses feelings in her legs as she clumsily trips while

walking up the stage.

Mother stands up and applauds loudly for all to hear.

Jing-Mei’s face turns pale as she approaches the wooden

piano and looks at the foreign keys. She places her fingers

on the keys and nervously begins playing.

We hear the double echo of notes bouncing throughout the

church.

Sweat drips down Jing-Mei’s forehead and her fingers begin

to slip of the keys.

Her eyes begin to moisten and her anger begins to ripen.

Terrified of the audience full of her classmates, teachers,

parents, and her mother, she continues to play the notes on

the piano from what she can remember.

She abruptly stops at where she left off from the unfinished

ending.

She pauses and the crowd waits silently for more notes. The

room is dead silent.

She looks into the crowd and sees her mother’s glassy-eyed

look. Jing-Mei quickly stairs down at her hands and freezes.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

Mrs. Gordon nervously stands up and claps to break the still

silence in the room.

MR. CHONG

"Bravo! Bravo! Well done!"

Jing-Mei stands and takes another glance at her mother’s

quiet blank look, as if she lost everything. Jing-Mei’s

lips quiver as she tries to hold in her tears.

The crowd claps weakly. She looks down at her feet and

struts back to her seat.

30. INT. APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM - AFTER RECITAL

Jing-Mei stares at her mother, waiting for her to yell.

Suyuan is kept silent.

JING- MEI

I’ll never be the the kind of

daughter you want me to be-

(beat)

I wish I weren’t your daughter and

I wish you weren’t my mother!

Mother freezes in shock. She stares at Jing-Mei in silence.

Jing-Mei bites her tongue and looks away towards the piano.

She stares at her mom’s reflection through the piano and

watches her mom disappear into their room.

DISSOLVE TO

31. 15 YEARS LATER. INT. APARTMENT.NOON

Jing- Mei, now in her mid twenties, her round pale cheeks

are sunken and she has grown up into a young women,

resembling her mother.

Her eyes are red and swollen from the mourning of Suyuan’s

passing.

She is brought back to her childhood apartment to collect

Suyuan’s special outfit and personal possessions for her

funeral.

She opens the door and instantly her heart drops and tears

run down her cheeks.

TRACKING SHOT

We follow her through the apartment as various books,

workbooks, Ripley’s Believe it or not magazines fill the

room.

19.

She takes a deep breath and holds herself together as she

exits.

32. INT. APARTMENT. BEDROOM- CONTINUOUS

Jing- Mei enters the bedroom they shared for fifteen years.

She clears her throat and and looks up at the ceiling using

every fiber of her being to hold in the tears.

She opens the top drawer of Suyuan’s dresser. She pulls out

her oversized red blouse with yellow flowers and the warned

out knitted sweater.

She holds them close to her as she breathes in the last

remaining Chinese scent of Suyuan’s hard work from Willow

Tree.

Looking deep into the drawer, she notices an old, intricate

wooden box. She slowly takes it out and closely examines its

exterior. She takes a deep breath and sits against the bed.

She flips the latch and opens the lid.

INSERT: A PHOTO.

Young women, pregnant, sitting on the piano bench with a man

dressed in a military uniform. She notices the red silk

blouse with golden flowers. Her eyes widen and her jaw

drops.

JING-MEI

(flips to the back and reads

in Cantonese)

1940 China, Canning 32, Suyuan 27,

Jing-Mei 5 months.

Shaken by the photo, she digs further into the box and finds

a music sheet torn in half.

JING-MEI

Perfectly Contented- Composed by

Canning Woo.

The weight of this heavy missing piece birthing into her

life leaves her motionless.

33. INT. APARTMENT. LIVING ROOM- CONTINUOUS

Grasping tightly onto the music sheet, she dashes to the

piano.

The piano stayed untouched since the day of the talent show,

with layers of thick, gray dust piling one on top of

another.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

She wipes the thick layer of dust off the lid and looks at

her reflection-

She opens the lid and finds the crumpled up Pleading Child

sheet waiting for her. She smoothes out the sheet and lays

it flat on the piano stand. She take the Perfectly Contended

sheet and slowly matches the puzzle pieces together.

Jing-Mei takes a deep breath and places her hands on the

keys as she begins to relearn the Pleading Child piece.

RUSTY PIANO MUSIC FADES

MATCH DISSOLVE TO

34. SUYUAN’S FUNERAL- EVENING

Jing-Mei, dressed in all black, sits in front of a piano and

delicately places her fingers on the cold keys.

b.g. THE BEGINNING OF PLEADING CHILD PLAYS

INTO VIEW

The photo of Suyuan pregnant next to Canning on the piano

enlarged in a frame near the alter.

PAN

The audience stands in honor with Jing- Mei’s husband, two

young daughters with pigtails and bangs cut straight across,

and Mr. Chong in the front row.

b.g. BEAUTIFUL TRANSITION TO THE END OF PERFECTLY CONTENDED

FREEZE FRAME: THE SHEET OF MUSIC

The two halves are part of one song.