act two
NANKING – 1937
The second act is different than the first act in that the settings should be imagistic and simple. There should be a sense that this act is muddier, dirtier and indeed a natural type floor covering would add to this effect. It is more theatrical and loose, an act that has more to do with chaos and uncontrollable elements.
SCENE ONE
LITTLE MEI is surrounded by a heap of bodies. Her throat has been slit. Snow is falling, obscuring her face like tears.
LITTLE MEI
Snow falls and I am in Nanking’s wintry embrace.
The cold advances and so,
Girls I knew, women who were strangers.
Soft arms entwined, like schoolgirls on their way to class
What will happen today?
A trickle, a stench, a heaviness never to be undone
Their lives lost protect me now.
I am held in a blanket of bodies,
Piled on top of them, heaped on top of me.
Their blood, it mixes and mingles with mine
Life and deadly wounds indistinguishable.
Their rigid and torn flesh,
Absorbs the piercing eye and point of a passing soldier.
Eighteen times he walks by and I am ever silent.
Alert, their wide eyes remain on call.
There is security among their wounds.
There is safety under their open gaze.
They are my watchers and protectors,
Fallen heroes, my corpsely guards.
Oozing and cast aside,
They open their arms,
And I learn the strength of their embrace.
The bodies close in on LITTLE MEI, who wakes up with a start from her nightmare.
Ah!
SCENE TWO
December 15, 1937, two days after the invasion of Nanking. The attic of Ginling College is filled with hundreds of young women, trying to sleep. Dim, with a shaft of moonlight from a small window. LITTLE MEI, sitting up on a thin pallet, seemingly lying among corpses except in the quiet night, we hear sniffles, coughing, etc.
LITTLE MEI pants and breathes deeply, trying to recover. Voices from the dark.
GIRL ONE
Shhhhhh!
GIRL TWO
Go to sleep!
GIRL ONE
Every damn night! Go back to sleep!
LITTLE MEI
At least I don’t cry all night!
GIRL ONE
Shut up!
After a bit, LITTLE MEI crosses to a bucket barely lit by the shaft of light. She lifts up her skirt, squats over the bucket and starts to pee.
It’s already full!
LITTLE MEI
Well, I have to go!
GIRL tWO
It’s gonna spill everywhere!
LITTLE MEI
I’m not going outside!
GIRL TWO
You’re too ugly for the Japs anyway!
The girls cackle as LITTLE MEI finishes and returns to her pallet. She tries to sleep, but she is cold. ANNA Mallery enters, brushing off snow. She is carrying a lantern and has a pallet over her arm.
ANNA
It’s me, girls. You should take care to be quieter. We could hear you downstairs.
NIKLAS enters, followed by BIG MEI, still wearing his coat.
The other attics are the same, filled to the rafters with girls.
NIKLAS
What about the regular dormitories?
ANNA
No. We’ve learned to empty them at night. We can’t guard them, and the walls aren’t high enough. The soldiers can easily
scale them.
NIKLAS
And have they?
ANNA
Many times, Mr. Hermann.
NIKLAS
It’s only been two days since the invasion!
ANNA
Two long days and nights, Mr. Hermann.
NIKLAS
It’s freezing up here.
ANNA
We warm bricks in the ovens before bedtime.
He reaches down to touch one.
NIKLAS
This one is cool.
ANNA
They go to bed at sundown. It can’t be helped.
NIKLAS
A fire, maybe?
ANNA
They’d die from the smoke. We’ve done all that we can.
NIKLAS
But no blankets. No beds.
ANNA
We’ve saved them for the sick.
BIG MEI is hit with a wave of nausea.
BIG MEI
Excuse me, but…
ANNA
(indicating the bucket) Over there…
LITTLE MEI
It’s already full!
BIG MEI proceeds to throw up noisily as ANNA and NIKLAS exchange looks.
BIG MEI
I’m sorry…
ANNA
Here’s your bed. Try to get some sleep.
NIKLAS
(addressing LITTLE MEI) You, can you move over?
LITTLE MEI doesn’t respond.
Do you understand me? What dialect do you speak?
ANNA
She’s from Shanghai.
NIKLAS
Well, that explains it. (He winks at her.) A city girl. Should’ve known. City girls are the prettiest. How is my Shanghai-ese? Do you understand me now?
LITTLE MEI doesn’t respond to his wink, nor his switch
of dialect.
ANNA
She’s from an orphanage in the French Concession. 3 The Sisters of St. Marguerite evacuated when the Japanese invaded, but she didn’t leave with them. Foolish girl, showed up at the gate weeks after the Sisters arrived by truck. Probably walked the whole way. Stubborn. 4
Mei. Move over! She understands you perfectly.
LITTLE MEI doesn’t budge.
Mei, do as you’re told!
LITTLE MEI moves over, which takes her directly into the shaft of moonlight and beside the bucket. BIG MEI starts to remove the coat.
NIKLAS
You keep it. You need it to stay warm.
ANNA
That isn’t necessary.
NIKLAS
My wife gave it to me, brought it all the way from her last trip to Germany! Go on. It is the finest quality wool!
BIG MEI
Thank you.
She bows low, making NIKLAS uncomfortable.
NIKLAS
It’s just a coat, no need…
ANNA
Good night, girls.
NIKLAS
Good night, Mei, and…
BIG MEI
Mei. My family, they called me Big Mei…
NIKLAS
Big Mei? But—you are little?
BIG MEI
I know.
NIKLAS
(to ANNA) Thirty years in China and I still don’t understand their nicknames!
ANNA just shrugs.
Good night, Big Mei of Nanking. I guess that makes you Little Mei of Shanghai—good night.
ANNA and NIKLAS exit.
BIG MEI
What is this place?
LITTLE MEI
You didn’t see, when you came in?
BIG MEI
I had my eyes closed.
LITTLE MEI
Why?
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann told me to…
BIG MEI starts to heave again and leans over LITTLE MEI to reach the bucket. False alarm. She settles back on her pallet, wrapped in the coat and starts to cry. LITTLE MEI looks at her dispassionately.
I’m going to have a baby!
BIG MEI starts to cry harder.
LITTLE MEI
Don’t…
BIG MEI
My husband…
She scrabbles, as if trying to crawl away.
I have to go back, I have to go back…
LITTLE MEI
Stop it!
BIG MEI cries even harder and louder. Distraught, she is finally feeling the horror she had experienced.
BIG MEI
They’re all gone, they need me, my family… I have to
go back!
BIG MEI starts keening incoherently. LITTLE MEI doesn’t know how to react, except to grab her.
LITTLE MEI
Hey! Hey you! Stop it! Shut up, okay! Shut up!
Listen, listen to me! Do you know what I saw? I was down by the river, where it meets the city wall. Do you know what I saw up on top of the wall?
BIG MEI continues to cry.
Babies. But not normal babies. Small. Some as small as the palm of your hand. Like once, I bit into an egg, but it still had a baby chicken inside. Like that. Babies that were still meant to be inside the egg. A whole line of them, red and covered with snow. A whole army of little babies. Their little fists clenched tight.
She is right in BIG MEI’s face with her fists.
One baby had her fist raised in the air, as if to say, “You forgot about me! Jiu Ming [Save my life]! Jiu Ming [Save my life]! Save my life!”
BIG MEI
Why are you telling me this? Why?
LITTLE MEI
You keep crying like that and the soldiers’ll find this attic and come marching up the stairs. That’s what they do to Chinese babies! Is that what you want? Open your eyes.
LITTLE MEI turns over to try and sleep, but the moonlight is in her eyes. She resigns to laying back, eyes open.
SCENE THREE
The same night. NIKLAS is walking quickly and ANNA is close behind. They are approaching the gates of Ginling College. Chaos, fire and shouting can be heard on the outside. There
is a GUARD posted.
ANNA
Now wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Hermann! You have no authority here! This is not your factory and it most certainly is not Germany.
NIKLAS
Tell me, Sister. If my presence, as a German national, can keep the Japanese from interfering, than you should thank God that I am here!
ANNA
It is God that I am concerned about. My conscience cannot allow me to simply hand over Ginling College!
NIKLAS
Look around! There is no Ginling. There is no Nanking. There are only the thousands of dead and those that soon will be.
NIKLAS yanks on the gate.
Is it secure?
ANNA
It can be locked.
NIKLAS
It’s barely nine feet high. A grown man could climb over
it in minutes.
ANNA
It’s designed to keep schoolgirls in, not soldiers out!
NIKLAS
It’s not high enough.
ANNA
It’s how high it is, Mr. Hermann! I can’t change that!
NIKLAS indicates the GUARD outside the gate.
NIKLAS
And this guard?
ANNA
His name is Zhang.
NIKLAS
Can he be trusted? Can he fight?
ANNA
He was the gardener. He grew nice cabbages.
NIKLAS
But can he fight?
Suddenly the GUARD starts shouting at a passing unseen soldier.
GUARD
(shouting in Mandarin if possible) Hey! Don’t come any closer! You hear me! Don’t come any closer!
NIKLAS yanks open the gate and holds up his lantern, standing in front of the GUARD and protecting him from
the unseen assailant.
NIKLAS
(pointing to the swastika on his sleeve) Germany, do you understand? Germany! Not Chinese! No Chinese! Now get out
of here!
Roughly, NIKLAS pulls the hapless GUARD inside.
(to the guard) Keep the gates locked and stay on the grounds, or you will be dead inside a day. Do you understand?
GUARD
Yes.
NIKLAS
Do you have a gun?
GUARD
No.
NIKLAS
Go get an axe or a rake! Anything you can use as a weapon!
The GUARD hesitates, looking at ANNA.
Go!
He goes.
ANNA
Mr. Hermann. What are you doing?!
NIKLAS
Making Ginling safer. What does it look like I am doing?
ANNA
You can’t— You can’t march in here with orders for my staff—
NIKLAS
Your staff are ill-prepared for the onslaught. Who knows how many more soldiers will be pouring into Nanking. Those that can be armed need to be armed. See that it is done!
ANNA
Mr. Hermann!
NIKLAS
At my house, there are over one hundred women and children in the cellar. I will bring them here at dawn tomorrow.
ANNA
You cannot bring any more women here! What do you expect us to do? We don’t have the room. They will have to go somewhere else!
NIKLAS
Where? Should they remain on my property? Shall I leave them undefended at my house, on grounds without gates or guards? How long can I protect them by myself?
ANNA
I have to think of my students and the Sisters! If we should open the doors to others then it’s likely we’d all perish! We only have facilities for three thousand!
NIKLAS
Ginling can hold many more!
ANNA
We don’t have enough resources, there’s no rice, no coal!
NIKLAS
Then I will find you some. I will find it and carry it here on my back.
ANNA
The attics are overflowing. There isn’t a single bed left!
NIKLAS
What about the classrooms, the chapels or even the grounds?
ANNA
They can’t sleep on the ground. It’s winter!
NIKLAS
I think very shortly, Sister, no one will much care where they sleep. The college is an enclosed compound with stone walls. With wells to draw water. With its own infirmary!
ANNA
How can I help you? I’m already taking care of my girls!
NIKLAS
In the name of God, there are more that need your help!
The ports are captured, the bridges flooding with troops, bands of soldiers rove the streets leaving rape and murder behind. Sister…
Since the city was taken, I have been scouring the streets! I have seen Chinaman after Chinaman carted off like so many dogs! Shot through and dumped in the Yangtze. Entire families ravished and slain, their bowels open to the air. Building after building, body after body…
When I returned to my home… what did I find at my kitchen table? Where once I sat for breakfast, Sister! What did I find, but soldiers lined up, waiting for their turn! Their trousers dragging against their ankles! The blood was not dry. And with my hands, my own hands,
I pulled a monster off a wretched servant girl. She was no more than ten years old.
A refuge, Sister. A camp for the women, the weak. A sanctuary to save Nanking. While there are still some alive to be saved.
IMAGE: A cart filled with women, defeat on their faces, or arms outstretched, Jiu Ming [Save my life]!
SCENE FOUR
Daytime, a few days later. Gardener ZHANG exits out of the gates, chasing the cart.
ZHANG
(in Mandarin) Stop, stop! Let them go! I beg you, let them go!
He is shot and seemingly dies, leaning against a wall. LITTLE MEI and BIG MEI appear out of hiding.
BIG MEI
Is he dead?
LITTLE MEI
He looks dead.
BIG MEI
He was the gardener.
Beat.
We shouldn’t stand so close to the gate. Why did you drag me out here?
LITTLE MEI
Didn’t you hear them? Didn’t you hear them crying?
BIG MEI
Everyone could hear them!
LITTLE MEI
Maybe thirty or forty women, don’t you think?
BIG MEI
I didn’t look.
LITTLE MEI
I did. I wanted to see them. See them with my very own eyes. Look at every single face.
BIG MEI
Why?
LITTLE MEI doesn’t answer.
What if the soldiers decided they wanted us too?
LITTLE MEI
It’s all right. They’ve gone.
BIG MEI
Still!
LITTLE MEI
Still. If they tried, I’d fight. I’d kick. I’d scream. I’d fight them.
BIG MEI
(indicating the corpse) Like he did?
LITTLE MEI doesn’t answer.
Maybe his family will find him. Maybe they’ll find him and bury him.
LITTLE MEI
Maybe they’re dead.
BIG MEI
Well, if they’re not dead, they should be ashamed of themselves. They should come back for him.
LITTLE MEI
They’re not coming back for him. His wife and daughter were in the cart. They’re probably already dead, or wished they were…. Wait here.
LITTLE MEI starts to climb over the fence.
BIG MEI
What are you doing?
LITTLE MEI
Ssssh.
BIG MEI
What are you doing?
LITTLE MEI goes up to the corpse and takes his cap. She tries to remove his shoes. They’re stuck.
Get back here! Little Mei!
Giving up, LITTLE MEI tries to get his coat off, with a little more success. As she tries to work the sleeve off, suddenly the corpse moves. He reaches for her and grabs her arm hard. His mouth open, he lets out a slow, unearthly sound like a demented valve. He dies, still gripping LITTLE MEI. She extricates his hand and makes her way to the safe side of the gate with only the cap.
Are you okay?
LITTLE MEI
(tucking her hair in) Well, it’s better to look like a man isn’t it?
BIG MEI looks at her in shock.
Let’s just go, all right?
LITTLE MEI tries to take BIG MEI’s arm, but she pulls away.
What?
BIG MEI
Don’t—don’t touch me.
LITTLE MEI
What? Why?
BIG MEI
Because, because, he just died… and…
LITTLE MEI
What?
BIG MEI
His spirit is looking for his family, so that he’s remembered. He’ll… he’ll… he will hang onto you…
LITTLE MEI
I don’t believe in ghosts.
BIG MEI
Promise me you’ll pray or light some incense! Pray for this man’s spirit!
LITTLE MEI
I’m not lighting incense for him!
BIG MEI
If you don’t, if you don’t, if he doesn’t feel free, his spirit will stay with you. Like a shadow that hangs on…. Every time you close your eyes, in that space between what is real and what is other, his spirit will be there… they are always there…
A moment as she stumbles into her memory.
The soldiers didn’t knock. They kicked the door down and dragged us out to the courtyard. My husband, Lu. We’ve only been married a year. And his mother and father. And his little brother. We called him Wei-Wei. And their little sister Jie. She was only twelve. Her face, she was so surprised to see the soldiers, she dropped her brush and spilled the ink…. She was so pretty, she was first…
SCENE FIVE
LITTLE MEI is in the chapel, perhaps looking at a statue or image of Mary, cradling Jesus’s body. ANNA enters, carrying pallets for sleeping.
ANNA
I haven’t seen you here for any of the services. We have them every morning.
LITTLE MEI
No, I…
ANNA
I don’t suppose the Sisters in Shanghai allowed you to miss service?
LITTLE MEI
No.
ANNA
Well, would you like to pray together? We can do our prayers in French, if you like?
LITTLE MEI
No, please.
ANNA
Well… then, I will leave you to it. Savour the solitude for now. There’ll be people sleeping here tonight.
Sister ANNA turns to go, leaving the pallets.
LITTLE MEI
Sister Anna, wait. So many people have died. They’re dying every day. And you help them? You’re with them when they die?
ANNA
I try to be, yes.
LITTLE MEI
Even though they’re dead, what happens? I mean, are they still with you?
ANNA
In a way, they will always be a part of me, yes.
LITTLE MEI
So… Sister Catherine, and Big Ears Chen, and Gardener Zhang…?
ANNA
I hold them in my heart, yes.
LITTLE MEI
How?
Instead of answering, ANNA kneels.
ANNA
That’s not a question for me. Come.
LITTLE MEI does not kneel. ANNA does not pray but looks directly at LITTLE MEI.
I know that you are going outside of the gates, Little Mei. One of the nurses saw you, heading towards the river. This will not do.
LITTLE MEI is silent, resistant.
What is wrong with you? Why—why do you do it? You know how treacherous it is! Why take that chance?
LITTLE MEI
I don’t know.
ANNA
You don’t know? Why are you going to the river?
LITTLE MEI
It’s where they dump the bodies.
ANNA
What is it you want? Tell me, so that I can help you. Let me help you. What are you looking for?
A quick and ghostly light up on…
IMAGE: A young Chinese woman on the floor scrubbing, scrubbing endlessly.
LITTLE MEI
(with much difficulty) I don’t know.
ANNA
You’re going to get yourself killed!
LITTLE MEI
Maybe that’s better! Maybe it’s better to be dead!
Suddenly, ANNA slaps LITTLE MEI hard across the cheek.
ANNA
Do not wish your life away so easily! You’re lucky to be alive! Pray! And beg for God’s forgiveness.
LITTLE MEI is in shock from the blow, looking at ANNA.
Child. I’m sorry…
Sister ANNA tries to embrace her, but LITTLE MEI pushes her out of the way and exits.
SCENE SIX
Not a realistic space, but each character in their own reality.
ANNA
Dear Lord,
Give me strength so that I may pass it on. These young women, they’ve lost their families, their homes…. They’ve lost their will, my Lord. We found another girl in the well this morning. Another girl who will never learn the Glory of God.
How can I help them? How can I help them to believe?
LITTLE MEI
I believed my mother, when she told me, “Shh. Go to sleep, Mei-Mei. I’ll be back in the morning.”
BIG MEI
Kwanyin, Goddess of Mercy,
I ran and I hid, but I heard everything…. I know that the spirits of my family are in the deepest of pain. They are suffering. They refuse to rest. They are calling on me to give them peace. Can you help them, Kwanyin? Can you give them peace?
LITTLE MEI
I believe in the road along the river and my strong feet which carried me, when I felt the squish and squelch of who knows underfoot.
NIKLAS
My darling wife, you cannot imagine the horror. The city in which we loved, the city in which our children were born. You would not recognize it. Everything of value is burned or taken by force. The clocks on the walls, dried fish from the stores, and the people…. So many people.
Take care of our children. Tell them that they cannot know me, unless they see what I have seen. My sons, I will write it down for you, my sons, I will write it all down.
LITTLE MEI
I believe, throughout this wretched city, the weeping river is groaning with the bloated.
ANNA
Father, please deliver us from the plague that infects Nanking. To see the crumble, the bodies rotting in the ditch, flesh falling off faces… how many rapes? How many? Jiu Ming [Save my life], they cry! Jiu Ming [Save my life]! Save my life!
The sound of a telegraph.
NIKLAS
Mein Führer. Stop. Important matter to discuss with you. Stop. Please contact me immediately. Stop. Regards Niklas Hermann.
ALL
Stop.
ANNA
We must not lose our faith.
SCENE SEVEN
The campgrounds. NIKLAS is attaching his hand-lettered sign over the official sign that reads “GINLING COLLEGE FOR GIRLS.” ANNA, LITTLE MEI and BIG MEI enter, carrying laundry. BIG MEI is wearing the coat. They stop to read
the sign.
LITTLE MEI
Nanking Safety Zone
Hours of bombing: 9 am – 9 pm
Resumes: 9 pm – 9 am
ANNA
Is this a joke?
LITTLE MEI
Complaints Department Closed
Please contact the Japanese Army.
NIKLAS
A little joke.
He is met with silence.
A bit of fun. We all deserve a little smile. Now that it looks like the Safety Zone will be recognized.
ANNA
So your meeting with the diplomat went well.
NIKLAS
Yes, Fukuyama from the Embassy seemed agreeable, as far I could tell. Yes, we discussed the entirety of the Safety Zone, with Ginling reserved for women and children. Yes.
The sound of a truck at the gate.
LITTLE MEI
The supply truck!
NIKLAS
Perhaps the Japanese Embassy will bestow some treats on us!
ANNA
Not likely.
NIKLAS
Who knows? Miracles do happen.
LITTLE MEI
Hopefully there’s something else besides rice…
BIG MEI
Rice porridge day after day!
ANNA
Yes. Well. Take your complaint to the Japanese.
NIKLAS
Sister, is that a joke?
ANNA
A little one.
NIKLAS
Very little, I would say.
LITTLE MEI stops suddenly, listening.
LITTLE MEI
What is that?
BIG MEI
What?
LITTLE MEI
It’s chickens!
BIG MEI
What!
LITTLE MEI
Chickens! Chickens! Chickens!
NIKLAS
They must be from the embassy!
ANNA
They have chickens, and day after day they only give us rice!
BIG MEI
Chickens!
ANNA
Mr. Hermann, we must try and get a few chickens if we can! Imagine, some nice soup or fresh eggs. It would do us a world
of good.
NIKLAS
Well, then. Let us go and greet the chickens! Bok-bok, girls!
ANNA and NIKLAS exit.
BIG MEI
I’m so hungry!
LITTLE MEI
When was the last time you had meat?
BIG MEI
I can’t even remember!
LITTLE MEI
Wouldn’t you like some chicken feet right now? Or roasted, with crispy salty skin!
BIG MEI
Yesterday, I didn’t make it to the commissary in time and they ran out of rice! There’s so many people now.
LITTLE MEI
I heard ten thousand. There’s no room anywhere, that’s why people are sleeping on the grounds.
BIG MEI
At least they get to have a fire.
LITTLE MEI
I guess. But some have to sleep next to the walls. Do you know what they call that when the Sisters aren’t around? They call it the “lottery.” Because who knows? Your chances aren’t very good.
BIG MEI
Mei!
LITTLE MEI
It’s true!
NIKLAS and ANNA enter with HIRO Fukuyama, a Japanese diplomat. His fine clothing and clean hands are quite a contrast to their appearance.
ANNA
(warning) Girls!
Seeing HIRO, LITTLE MEI and BIG MEI stop and bow their heads.
HIRO
Ah, so this is Ginling. This is where you would like the headquarters of your “Safety Zone.”
NIKLAS
Yes. My apologies, Mr. Fukuyama—if we had known the Embassy was coming…. We would have prepared…
HIRO
I see.
NIKLAS
We are honoured that the Embassy of Japan has granted us permission to establish a Safety Zone.
HIRO
Ah. So. You must understand it is not under my consideration. I speak for the Imperial word of Emperor Hirohito, whose word is absolute. This visit, my report, as well as that of the Lieutenant-General, will inform his final decision.
NIKLAS
Lieutenant-General?
HIRO
(looking off to where the army is assembled) Of the Imperial Army of Japan, Mr. Hermann.
NIKLAS
I understand—we are honoured just the same.
NIKLAS and ANNA give slight bows in their direction.
ANNA
What does it mean? That we must continue to wait for word from Japan—
HIRO
Exactly that. So.
A beat as HIRO turns his attention to the girls. He scrutinizes them.
They are very young.
NIKLAS
Yes…
ANNA
Girls. Why don’t you run along? (as they pick up the laundry) Just leave the laundry. Leave it for later. Go. Go.
They exit.
HIRO
How many are you hosting here, Sister Mallery?
ANNA
We haven’t finished registering everyone. It takes time.
HIRO
How many do you think?
ANNA
At present, I think close to seven thousand. I’m not really sure.
HIRO
Seven thousand? How many were your students, your staff?
ANNA
Again, I’m not sure. I was just a teacher before. Probably three thousand or so.
HIRO
So, the rest… civilians?
ANNA
Yes, women, children with no place to go.
HIRO
There are men here also, no?
ANNA
Yes, but not very many. Members of the staff, men, who work as, as, as cooks, as drivers, gardeners… ah… labourers also! And… men who recently found the Christian faith! There are men on the grounds of Ginling. That’s quite normal…
HIRO
I see.
A moment.
Sister Mallery. As a part of our reports, the Imperial Army requires a visual inspection. We need to see them all.
ANNA
See them all?
HIRO
Everyone. Everyone that you are hosting here in your “Safety Zone” for civilians. Is that not clear?
NIKLAS
Yes. Absolutely. Indeed.
HIRO
Have them assemble.
NIKLAS
Of course. Of course.
ANNA
Mei. Mei! Little Mei!
She re-enters.
LITTLE MEI
Yes, Sister?
ANNA
Venez-ici! Regardez-moi. Ne le regardez pas. Regardez-moi et parlez seulement en français, d’accord? [Come here! Look at me. Don’t look at him. Look at me. Speak only in French, okay?]
LITTLE MEI
Mais—pourquoi? [But—why?]
ANNA
Avertissez les soldats. Dites-leur de se cacher dans les greniers. Vous-comprenez? [Warn the soldiers. Tell them to hide in the attics. Do you understand?]
LITTLE MEI
Oui. [Yes.]
ANNA
Allez. Allez, vite! [Go, now, hurry! Go!]
LITTLE MEI goes.
HIRO
What did you say to her?
ANNA
Only that she should instruct everyone to assemble.
HIRO
But not in Chinese. It was French you were speaking?
ANNA
Just because the city has been invaded, doesn’t mean I can’t keep up with their lessons. Unless Hirohito has a problem with that.
HIRO
No indeed. Emperor Hirohito is keen on language studies. In fact, in my first posting, up north, in Manchukuo, 5 there were a great many foreigners also. I came to know them well. I would watch them. I would listen to them carefully. It was my job to interpret their actions, their motives. I was very good at my job.
Beat.
NIKLAS
Yes, clearly your English is excellent.
HIRO
Then I am making myself clear. Any treachery will be punished by death. Japan has no tolerance for foreign nations interfering in Japan’s affairs.
NIKLAS
We understand.
HIRO looks at NIKLAS and ANNA with a fierce scrutiny.
HIRO
No tolerance. (to NIKLAS) Not for countries with which Japan has diplomatic relations… (turning to ANNA) but especially not for countries with which Japan is not currently… friendly.
Good. Shall we begin the inspection?
NIKLAS
Of course.
ANNA
Perhaps you would like to see the infirmary first…
HIRO looks around, as if searching for something. He spots the hand-lettered sign.
HIRO
What is the meaning of this?
Nobody answers or looks.
What. Is. This?
NIKLAS
Nothing.
HIRO
Is this a joke!?
NIKLAS
Ah. Perhaps. Just a little joke.
HIRO explodes, a bit forced but still with an alarming fury.
HIRO
How dare you mock the Imperial Army of Japan! How dare you!
He tears the sign down and throws the pieces in their faces. NIKLAS and ANNA quickly kneel before him, heads bowed.
Ginling will suffer at your hands! You will receive no shipments of food or coal for three days! Perhaps, after three days of hunger and cold, you’ll take your position a little more seriously. This will go into my report!
He exits in a huff.
(offstage, in Japanese if possible) Leave it, we’re going! Let’s go!
The sound of the truck driving off, into silence. Long pause.
NIKLAS
I guess he’s not doing an inspection.
LITTLE MEI returns out of breath.
LITTLE MEI
Soeur Anna! Je l’ai fait! Les soldats - où est-il allé? [Sister Anna! I did it! The soldiers—where did he go?]
NIKLAS
It’s all right, he’s gone.
LITTLE MEI
What happened?
NIKLAS
My little joke distracted him!
ANNA
Yes, but at what cost, Niklas! You’ve put the college at risk!
NIKLAS
They won’t find them now.
ANNA
It is too dangerous to hide the Chinese soldiers!
NIKLAS
They gave up their arms. They are no more soldiers than we are. They need refuge too.
ANNA
(to LITTLE MEI) Where are they now? In the attics?
LITTLE MEI
Yes, like you told me…
ANNA
Good. Little Mei, go and see if any of them still have their uniforms. These have to be destroyed. Do you understand?
LITTLE MEI
Yes.
ANNA
Get some of the others to help you. Go.
She exits.
Fukuyama brought the army. If they come again, what then?
NIKLAS
Then—we will have to stay ahead of them.
ANNA
No rice, no coal. No chickens.
NIKLAS
No. Come—let us have a look at our stores and see what we can do.
SCENE EIGHT
The grounds of Ginling. LITTLE MEI is wearing NIKLAS’s coat. BIG MEI is quite upset.
BIG MEI
Give it to me! Give it to me!
LITTLE MEI
You left it there!
BIG MEI
I didn’t want it to get wet!
LITTLE MEI
So you should’ve been watching it!
BIG MEI
Give it back! I don’t have anything else!
LITTLE MEI
So—that makes you special? So you deserve to be warm and I don’t?
BIG MEI
But I’m—
LITTLE MEI
Everyone in Ginling has a story. Yours isn’t any different.
BIG MEI
It’s mine! Mr. Hermann gave it to me!
LITTLE MEI
He felt sorry for you! Because you’re pathetic! Hiding like a dog in the outhouse! While your family got slaughtered!
BIG MEI
And what would you have done?
LITTLE MEI
If my family was in danger? I would’ve stood with them! I would’ve ripped flesh in my bare hands! I wouldn’t have run away and let my family die!
BIG MEI is really stung by the comment and goes after LITTLE MEI. A tussle.
BIG MEI
Shut up! Shut up! Give me my coat! You give it to me!
LITTLE MEI
What do you think, because Mr. Hermann gave you this coat… that what? What? There are thousands of girls in this camp! He probably doesn’t even remember your name!
NIKLAS enters.
NIKLAS
Girls, girls, come on. We have a surprise!
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann.
NIKLAS
Yes.
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann, what’s my name?
LITTLE MEI
Yes. What’s my name?
NIKLAS
Why, Mei, of course, you are both called Mei. Why do you ask?
BIG MEI
No reason.
NIKLAS
No, of course. (to BIG MEI) You are Mei of Shanghai… (to LITTLE MEI) and you are Mei of Nanking.
LITTLE MEI
I’m Mei from Shanghai.
NIKLAS
Oh, yes, sorry. Of course you are! The coat…. (to BIG MEI) You gave her the coat…
No answer.
Come on, why don’t we go inside?
BIG MEI
What are we doing?
NIKLAS
You will see.
LITTLE MEI
What’s going on?
NIKLAS
They are waiting for us.
SCENE NINE
Dining hall of Ginling. Bustle of candles and activity. Christmas Eve.
ANNA
Hurry up. You girls are late.
Addressing the assembled, a large portion of the camp.
Thank you for coming. We have invited all of you to dinner, because you have made contributions to life in the camp. Whether you chose to guard the wells, or helped in the nursery, it is you who have made a refuge possible. Our meal tonight will be followed by service. We should all remember the significance of this time of year. The birth of Christ should bring us hope. Tonight we celebrate those who have given us hope, no matter how small.
NIKLAS
Tonight, we have a wonderful repast! Your choice of entrée this Christmas Eve, rice, boiled on a plate. Or rice porridge in a bowl. Or dry, uncooked rice, if you prefer. As an accoutrement, there is a small quantity of salt and a sprinkling of weevils, with a touch of dirt. Enjoy! Please join the queue.
They get in line for the food, except for LITTLE MEI. ANNA approaches her.
ANNA
Aren’t you going to eat?
LITTLE MEI
I don’t want to.
ANNA
You need to eat. You need to stay strong.
LITTLE MEI
I don’t care.
ANNA
Little Mei. I’m sorry that I hit you the other day. It was a moment of weakness. There are many times when I think that I don’t have the strength. It’s easy to lose hope. But that is why we must fight, we must try, with all our being. We must try.
When I asked you to warn the soldiers? You were in great danger, but you didn’t hesitate for a moment. You were very brave. Not many have your strength. It is your strength that will save us all. Hang onto it as long as you can, Little Mei, hang on. You might see a day when war will be no more. God speed that day.
LITTLE MEI
God speed the day.
ANNA
Amen. Come, Little Mei, please, share in the food. It’s for you.
LITTLE MEI does. If possible, ANNA crosses to a piano and starts tinkling a little. BIG MEI is in line for food near NIKLAS.
BIG MEI
Mr. Hermann, do you have children?
NIKLAS
You mean, besides all of you?
BIG MEI
Yes, besides all of us…
NIKLAS
Three boys.
BIG MEI
And they’re safe?
NIKLAS
Yes. Up north. With their mother in Peking.
BIG MEI
Why didn’t you go with them? Where it’s safe? Why are you here?
NIKLAS cannot answer, but just places his hand lightly on BIG MEI’s head, looking at her with mixed emotions.
NIKLAS
I was worried about my servants and my workers. I could not leave them to die. So I stayed. For them, for Little Mei… for you.
Sister ANNA moves off to the piano and begins to sing
“O Holy Night”.
ANNA
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. (continuing under)
NIKLAS
I’m German, but I don’t know what that means anymore.
ANNA
(softly under) Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
NIKLAS
I’m here. This is where I belong. I am Chinese.
ANNA
(softly under) Till He appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
NIKLAS
You gave Little Mei the coat. That’s very kind of you.
ANNA
(softly under) A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
BIG MEI
Yes…
ANNA
(softly under) For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
NIKLAS
She seems cold, but she needs our compassion.
BIG MEI crosses and sits down next to LITTLE MEI, still wearing the coat. During the rest of the song, BIG MEI takes her arm and rests her head on LITTLE MEI’s shoulder. LITTLE MEI doesn’t resist. They sit together, small.
ANNA
Fall on your knees! O, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night! O holy night!
Suddenly, a shrill siren breaks the mood. They race outside.
Planes.
NIKLAS
There!
LITTLE MEI
They’re coming fast!
ANNA
Can you see—Japanese or Chinese?
NIKLAS
Coming from the south, must be Japanese!
The siren changes from warning to urgent.
ANNA
Here they come!
LITTLE MEI
They’re dropping something.
BIG MEI
What is it?
NIKLAS
It’s not bombs!
ANNA
Oh no!
NIKLAS
Cover your nose and mouth!
ANNA
Oh God, go inside! Go!
The girls run off as a rush of planes and paper fall from the sky. Leaflets trickle down like snow or ash. The siren continues underneath.
NIKLAS
A message. From Japan.
ANNA
What does it say?
HIRO appears.
HIRO
“The city of Nanking and its citizens are now officially under the rule of his Imperial Excellency, Emperor Hirohito of Japan.
All citizens must register with the Japanese army. Upon registration, each household will be given a sack of rice. Any enemy soldiers will be imprisoned and treated fairly. Only registrations with the Japanese army will be considered valid.”
HIRO bows his head and the lights go out on him.
NIKLAS
Unbelievable, the nerve!
ANNA
They are making them register all over again!
NIKLAS
No, that isn’t it at all. They want the “rats” to come out
of hiding.
SCENE TEN
Sister ANNA spots someone in the distance.
ANNA
Mr. Fukuyama! Oh no…
She hurries off to warn the girls.
SCENE ELEVEN
In the attic. LITTLE MEI and BIG MEI are looking out the window.
LITTLE MEI
Why are we still up here! The Japanese must be gone by now.
BIG MEI
Sister Anna said to stay hidden!
LITTLE MEI
I hate waiting.
A beat.
My mother, she used to work for the Sisters. As a child, she’d stick me in a wooden bucket for hours while she cleaned the floors. I’d watch her, waiting, as she scrubbed on her hands and knees…
BIG MEI
Where is she now?
LITTLE MEI
I don’t know. One night when I was still small, I heard shouting. My mother and the Sisters. Arguing, because my mother was out all night. I heard the front door slam and she was gone. I thought, sometimes, I saw glimpses of her on the street in Shanghai. One time, I called out and she turned around… it was her, but, but someone pulled her away. Another time, I thought I heard her voice in the front hallway. When I asked the Sisters, they said I was hearing things. But then, the next day they gave me new shoes and a ribbon for my hair…. Where did these things come from? Oh Mei, if she is out there—how will she ever find me here in Ginling?
Suddenly cries of Jiu Ming [Save my life]! from the courtyard.
BIG MEI
What’s going on?
LITTLE MEI
It’s the man from the embassy. He’s still here!
BIG MEI
And girls?! Why are there girls down there?
LITTLE MEI
Oh no! They’re heading towards the gate.
BIG MEI
Oh Kwanyin, save their souls…
LITTLE MEI
How many? How many girls?
A large crash on the grounds.
SCENE TWELVE
ANNA counts slowly, facing the audience, growing increasingly despondent. The dialogue is recent memory. Christmas Day.
ANNA
One.
HIRO
You deluge my staff with paperwork; pleas to protect your young women, petitions for more access to coal, reports on incidents.
ANNA
You can’t help us if you don’t know what we need.
HIRO
Ah. Need. Yes. I would like to propose an agreement. In the spirit of “need.”
NIKLAS
What kind of agreement?
ANNA
Two.
HIRO
Japan has taken Nanking. And with our occupation, a great many soldiers will be stationed here. The Embassy fears that with the rise of the number of soldiers…. The Embassy very much wants to alleviate the number of “incidents.”
NIKLAS
Incidents?
HIRO
Incidents regarding the women.
ANNA
Three.
HIRO
The army, the soldiers, require… recreation… release.
NIKLAS
No, no absolutely not. Get out.
ANNA
Let him finish.
HIRO
There are many girls here. Many you have yet to register. Is there the possibility there that there are “professionals” who have escaped notice?
ANNA
Four.
HIRO
Twenty girls. Of course, we could also do this without your co-operation. But perhaps, it would be… messier.
NIKLAS
No, no. This is outrageous, to be even considering it…
ANNA
Five.
HIRO
We are only seeking twenty working girls, Mr. Hermann. Provide us with the twenty girls and the Embassy will assure that Ginling will be protected from raids.
NIKLAS
We won’t do this! We will not hand over young women to be in your brothel!
ANNA
Six.
NIKLAS
Anna! Consider!
ANNA
(to NIKLAS, low) How much longer can we keep it up? How much longer can we go without sleep trying to guard the grounds? If we guarantee that there will be no more raids? Twenty girls! There are over twelve thousand people in the camp…. If I can save them—
NIKLAS
Anna, you are talking about slavery—
ANNA
Seven.
HIRO
Your decision?
ANNA
Mr. Fukuyama, can you ensure the safety of Ginling?
HIRO
I swear by my name and my ancestors. All measures possible—
NIKLAS
All measures possible—what does that mean?
HIRO
Exactly that, Mr. Hermann.
ANNA
Eight.
NIKLAS
Anna! Do not trust him! God knows what he’s thinking. How will you live with yourself?
ANNA
Content, Mr. Hermann. Content, that over twelve thousand will be safe.
NIKLAS
And what of the twenty? You cannot do this monstrous thing! I will not have any part in this! I won’t!
He exits.
ANNA
Nine.
HIRO
You will ask for volunteers. Perhaps, women who are willing, girls who… worked… in the past.
ANNA
What if there are no volunteers?
HIRO
Then you will have to choose.
ANNA
Me?
HIRO
Would you prefer I did it?
ANNA
Ten.
HIRO
You won’t regret this. Japan will look kindly on your co-operation in this matter, and as I assured you, Ginling will be protected. You should instruct the women to assemble. It is best
to conduct this in a timely fashion.
ANNA finishes counting out the rest of the girls.
ANNA
(with increasing difficulty) Eleven… twelve… thirteen… fourteen… fifteen… sixteen… seventeen… eighteen… nineteen… twenty.
SCENE THIRTEEN
NIKLAS flies in on HIRO and ANNA, heading straight for HIRO’s throat.
NIKLAS
I’ll kill you with my bare hands!
ANNA
What’s happened!
NIKLAS strikes him, viciously across the face.
NIKLAS
A trick!
Again.
A diversion! I’ll kill you! The attics are empty! Empty!
He hits him again. HIRO staggers back.
ANNA
What!
NIKLAS
They took them… they’re gone! While you were entertaining this monster—while he was distracting us—a truck smashed through the east wall! And emptied the attics!
HIRO
No…
ANNA
How many girls?
NIKLAS
At least a hundred!
HIRO
I assure you, I knew nothing of this!
NIKLAS viciously attacks him, his rage from the weeks in the Safety Zone unleashed on the diplomat, in blow after blow.
NIKLAS
You treacherous—
HIRO
(in Japanese) Stop it! I didn’t do it. Stop! Please! I beg you!
HIRO collapses on the floor. NIKLAS takes out his gun and points it at him.
NIKLAS
What have you done? I love this city. I love Nanking.
ANNA
Niklas!
He hesitates and drops his arm. HIRO takes his cue and makes a hasty retreat.
Oh God!
NIKLAS
God is not here.
SCENE FOURTEEN
Dim. Comfort Station. A room with no light and one door. LITTLE MEI is lying down. BIG MEI is thrown in. She is injured and leans against a wall for support.
LITTLE MEI
Mei…
BIG MEI
They didn’t want me, because I’m having a baby. The soldiers don’t want to lie with a pregnant woman.
LITTLE MEI
That’s good—isn’t it?
BIG MEI
Mei… they tried to take the baby…
BIG MEI collapses. LITTLE MEI rushes over.
LITTLE MEI
What…
BIG MEI
They said that there’ll be no more Chinese babies… how can that be?
LITTLE MEI
You’re okay, you’re okay.
BIG MEI
But I can feel it, I can feel it…. Is it blood? Am I having
the baby?
LITTLE MEI
No, no, no, no, no, no.
BIG MEI
Is this blood…?
LITTLE MEI
It’s nothing, it’s sand. It’s nothing.
BIG MEI
But it’s wet, it’s really very wet…
LITTLE MEI
The dirt is wet… it’s nothing…
BIG MEI
There’s a lot of it…. It’s not blood?
LITTLE MEI
No…
LITTLE MEI takes the coat and bundles it, pressing it into BIG MEI’s abdomen, trying to stop the blood.
Come on. Here, hold this. Come on, hold this. Put your hands here.
BIG MEI
I’m holding it. I’m holding on.
LITTLE MEI
Good. Good. Just hold onto this.
BIG MEI is bleeding out. A sudden sharp pain.
BIG MEI
Will you pray for me? There’s no one left to pray for me. Will you help me? If you don’t, my spirit…. Promise me, that you’ll remember me? Promise, you’ll never forget.
LITTLE MEI
I promise.
BIG MEI dies.
SCENE FIFTEEN
Very dim. The Japanese SOLDIER enters, perhaps inebriated. He initially speaks Japanese to her. LITTLE MEI doesn’t speak for the entire scene. He gestures to her.
SOLDIER
(in Japanese) Get up!
He takes the coat off of BIG MEI and tries it on.
Do you understand me? It doesn’t matter.
He runs his hands along her body.
You are not so cold like the others.
Did you see the river on fire today?
It’s water! How can water burn?
“How can a river burn? When it’s filled with bodies!”
We told that joke all day.
He grabs her and holds her close.
We set the river on fire.
It’s dirty. It has to be done.
Your river is filled with filth, so it must be purified.
I can make it run clean…
China will be pure again.
Suddenly he takes out a knife and slits her throat shallowly.
Just in case you cry.
He rips her dress and starts undoing his belt.
SCENE SIXTEEN
NIKLAS
Mein Führer,
ANNA
My Lord,
NIKLAS
I write to you in my position as the highest ranking Nazi official stationed in China.
ANNA
I hardly know how to ask for your guidance.
NIKLAS
It has been two weeks since the Japanese have invaded Nanking.
ANNA
Each day is like a year. I age with each death, each rape, each girl under my care. It was a grave mistake to have all the women in one place.
NIKLAS
I have documented my eyewitness accounts in the following report. The figures are from my personal diary and, I assure you, are no exaggeration.
ANNA
The devil has poisoned thought and reason in this dark place. No one but You should decide who lives or dies. I thought that I could play at being God, and now hundreds are suffering from my arrogance.
NIKLAS
Herr Hitler, I implore you. In the name of humanity, use your influence with Japan and stop this horror. To do nothing, to
say nothing, to condone the wholesale slaughter of civilians and persecution of a people would be our darkest hour.
ANNA
Dear Lord, I do not ask for your forgiveness, for I do not deserve it. I do not fear hell, for I have witnessed Nanking.
SCENE SEVENTEEN
The courtyard.
NIKLAS
What is this? An entire delegation?
ANNA
Did Fukuyama notify you?
NIKLAS
No.
ANNA
They’re coming for us.
NIKLAS
If anything is to happen, let them take me. It was my hand.
As HIRO arrives, we see some bruising on his face and maybe
a bandage.
(steeling himself) Mr. Fukuyama.
HIRO
Mr. Hermann. Sister.
A beat.
I have brought visitors. Dignitaries. My superiors from Japan.
ANNA
I see. Your superiors?
HIRO
Indeed. If you’ll excuse my appearance. There was an… accident.
NIKLAS
Indeed.
At that point, ANNA bows low and NIKLAS follows her lead, making a bit of a display.
HIRO hands them a piece of paper.
HIRO
Congratulations. Japan recognizes the Safety Zone. I have the word of the Emperor that the women of Ginling will no longer be harassed. As compensation for the previous incident, the Japanese government would like to provide you with one hundred sacks of rice and other rations.
NIKLAS
Compensation?
HIRO
Yes. So.
NIKLAS
One hundred sacks of rice.
Beat.
ANNA
What rations, Mr. Fukuyama?
HIRO
There is flour, salt and soybeans to be delivered today by truck.
ANNA
No meat? Some of the young women, they are with child. They need meat.
HIRO
Perhaps we can procure some dried fish, but not for today.
NIKLAS
When then? Where’s the fish?
HIRO
It will arrive on our boats next week. You will accept?
ANNA and NIKLAS nod mutely.
Then our visit is concluded.
He turns to go, but stops, pulling out a book from his jacket.
Forgive me, Sister Mallery, I forgot to return this.
ANNA
Return? I don’t understand.
HIRO
Your French textbook. I’m afraid I don’t have enough time to continue my language studies. (in a lower voice) Il y a des soldats Japonais qui sont très mauvais. [There are Japanese soldiers who are very bad.]
ANNA
Pardon?
HIRO
J’ai moi mêmes des jeunes filles. [I have young daughters of my own.]
ANNA
I see. Yes. Yes, I see.
She takes the book.
If I may, your French is… quite good. Perhaps in the future, we could converse more…
HIRO
Perhaps. Good day.
He exits quickly.
NIKLAS
What did he say? Something about… daughters?
ANNA
(opening the book) Yes… he has daughters…. Look here, he’s drawn a map.
NIKLAS
If this is the river, then this must be Ginling. And that looks like the bridge at Hanchuang.
ANNA
Ils sont ici. Les cadavres. [They are here. The bodies.]
NIKLAS
They are here. The bodies.
IMAGE: The heap of bodies with LITTLE MEI in the centre. They move in on her, crushing, or hugging her, until somehow she emerges physically, rising from the heap.
SCENE EIGHTEEN
Snow is falling.
ANNA
Here, over here. Oh my God… there are so many…
NIKLAS
The bodies are cold.
ANNA
Oh, poor souls…
Finding LITTLE MEI.
NIKLAS
Mei! It’s Little Mei. Help me.
They extricate her.
ANNA
Oh dear…
NIKLAS
They slit her throat…
ANNA
Oh, my poor child…
ANNA touches her face gently.
NIKLAS
She’s warm, her cheek is hot!
ANNA
She’s alive!
NIKLAS
Mei! Little Mei! Wake up. Open your eyes. C’mon!
LITTLE MEI opens her eyes and tries to speak.
LITTLE MEI
I promise…
BIG MEI appears in a ghostly glow.
BIG MEI
Mei, born in a village on the river Qinhua
Married at age fifteen
Widowed at age sixteen
Date of death, December 26, 1937
Japanese Comfort Station, Nanking
Death by bayonet, disembowelment, loss of blood
No children, no surviving family, no future.
BIG MEI exits.
ANNA takes LITTLE MEI into her lap, as if cradling a small child, echoing Mary holding Jesus’s body if possible. LITTLE MEI weeps into ANNA’s embrace.
ANNA
I’m sorry, child, I’m sorry. It’s over. It’s over.
The snow stops and the sun comes out.
SCENE NINETEEN
LITTLE MEI is writing a letter.
LITTLE MEI
Dear Niklas,
Thank you for your letter. I am sorry to hear about the passing of your wife. With the war over, the Americans have finally arrived but I imagine that the Sisters will continue to run the camp as long as they are needed.
I work in the nursery now. There are many newborns left at the gate. It is likely their fathers are Japanese. We try to give them names of hope but there are so many, we easily run out. There are some we named Niklas and of course many more called Anna.
ANNA
Anna Mallery
Born 1886, Michigan, USA
Missionary, teacher and a servant of God
Lived and loved China for twenty-four years
Returned to America, suffering a nervous breakdown
Died 1941, released from this world by her own hand
A soldier of mercy and a casualty of war
Her gravestone reads, “Ginling Forever.”
ANNA exits.
LITTLE MEI
My neck has healed, but still gives me trouble. I must practise speaking before I forget that I have a voice. Much was taken from me, but I did not lose my head. That is a little joke.
When the people here heard of your plight, they wanted to help you. We called you “Living Buddha” and Buddha must not go hungry. Here enclosed are dried fish, flour, soybeans and rice. There is also money, as much as we could collect around camp. We will continue to send these to you as long as you need and as long as we are able.
NIKLAS
Niklas Hermann,
Born Hamburg, Germany, 1882
Engineer, businessman, member of the Nazi Party
Married, and raised his family in China for thirty years
Returned to Germany with evidence of the massacre
Solicited an audience with Adolf Hitler
Arrested by the Gestapo
Released and lived the remainder of his life impoverished,
reviled, a pariah and an outcast.
Survived by his eldest son
Who inherited his father’s diary, locked in a cabinet for many years
Until a young woman implored to see the writings
And who came back day after day
Convinced, Niklas’s son produced a key,
Opened the cabinet and a new chapter was born.
NIKLAS exits.
LITTLE MEI
My friend, thank you for helping us and for trying to tell people what happened here in Nanking.
Signed,
Little Mei,
Born in Shanghai
Abandoned at age five
Schooled and clothed by the Sisters of St. Marguerite
Walked from Shanghai to Nanking to escape the Japanese
Captured, raped and left for dead, December 1937
Survived.
LITTLE MEI exits.