THE CHESS KING

-a musical comedy-

-with musical book and lyrics-

By

CHANG SHI-KUO and SAN MAO (CHEN PING)

(adapted from the novel Chess King by Chang Shi-Kuo)

(Updated for 2011 production)

Music and Musical Direction

By

LI TAI-HSIANG

Scene and Light Design

By

?

Costume Design

By

Cybele Chang and Gabriel Smith

CHOREOGRAPHY AND MUSICAL STAGING

By

?

ENTIRE PRODUCTION DIRECTED

By

?

CAST

(In order of appearance)

1. Cheng Ling – very likeable, even lovable, a mite chubby, not too secure, about 30 years old. Singing voice for musical comedy

2. Zhang Shi-Jia – metallic-nasal, brash, a success, but always on the brink, about thirty years old.

3. Zhou Pei – hoarse from always pushing, selling, yelling, talking too fast, about thirty years old.

4. Ding Yu-Mei – breathless, coquettish, sweet, pretty, about forty five years old, must sing.

5. The Gobang Kid – sensitive, lonely, slightly large head for his thin, small body, very steady eyes, about 12 years old.

6. Male Announcer – (off stage voice)7. Little girl violinist – (No lines)8. A-Chu – Short and round (imaginary character), sings and moves well.9. Professor Liu – affected, in love with himself, sophisticated, absolutely secure, about

forty years old.10. GaiBuo – tall and thin (imaginary character) – sings and dances well.11. “Far North” – Male and Female Lead dancers (imaginary characters).12. People of Taipei, and the Stock Market;

HuHuei and GaiWen imaginary people; big and small.Adults’ Chorus – Singers/DancersChildrens’ Chorus –Singers/ Dancers.Acrobats.

Note: In what follows the names of imaginary people will be marked in purple, the titles and lyrics of songs in dark blue and major changes deviating from the original script in red.

THE CHESS KINGMUSICAL PROGRAM

ACT I1. Music vibrato under building of city. pp. 6

(a) Taipei is Alive (Song) All-Singers/dancers/adults/children. pp. 72. Cymbal crashes on dialogue (Chart-Graph) – Cheng, visual cue – charts turned right

side up. pp. 93. Reprise-cymbal crashes on dialogue (Chart-Graph), line cue – Cheng: “…trustworthy

we are.” pp. 9-104. Drum roll on dialogue, line cue, Cheng: “excel in all areas, see.” pp. 11

(a) Reprise-cymbal crashes on dialogue, pp. 12(b) Coquettish music under Ding Yu-Mei entrance and 1st speech. Pp. 12(c) Ding music reprise for her exit. Pp. 12(d) Music under Cheng’s speech, line cue, “Won’t even look at him” pp. 13

5. Drum roll in blackout, line cue, Cheng: “Where are you now, Gobang Kid?” pp. 136. Prodigy World(Song), Ding, Children Singers/Dancers, line cue in blackout, Male

Voice, “Prodigy World Singers and Dancers:” pp. 13(a) Music under violin prodigy, visual cue, Zhang lifts hand. pp. 14(b) Music vibrato sustained under lights flashing on at end of violin passage, bells at

the end. pp. 147. Music for Gobang Guess Fingers game, music reprise each time under numbers, line

cues: pp. 17(a) Cheng: “Let’s guess fingers”(b) Cheng: “One More Time”(c) Cheng: “One More Time:(d) Cheng: “Place the first stone”

8. Money Is Freedom (Song), Cheng. pp. 18(a) Music lead in, visual cue, as Cheng crosses away from the Gobang Kid.(b) Cheng soliloquy: “I know what I am”

9. Music under entrance of A-Chu, pp. 19(a) Musical Parade of HuHuei people. Solo instrument, line cue, Cheng: “You? Who

are you?”10. Song of the A-Chu (Song) line cue, Gobang Kid: “Listen, he is singing.” pp. 19-2011. Recitative, Ding, Cheng, Liu, Zhang (Music, free form), line cue, Cheng: “Professor

Liu, this is the Gobang Prodigy.” pp. 21Recitative ends on line cue: Zhang: “I’ll publicize the news” pp. 22

12. Entrance of GaiWen People, Children singers/dancers.), line cue, Cheng: “Can you understand that?” pp. 23Titles Song: (Song) GaiBuo and GaiWen People, Tango rhythm. pp. 24

13. Reprise, Money is Freedom , Cheng, Line cue, Cheng: “When I have enough money” pp. 25

(A) Count to reprise, stock market reports, voices, musical cacophony, louder and louder, finally drowning out Cheng’s voice.

End of Act I

14. ENTR’ ACTE ACT TWO

15. Sustained music vibrato – as Taipei City light up, then dims. pp. 2616. Reprise, Money is Freedom; stock market reports, voices musical cacophony. (As in

end of Act I). Music out on line cue:Cheng: “Let’s fight it!” pp. 26

17. Tale of Gold (Song and dance) Adult singers and dancers. Visual cue for (a) Lead in, Cheng and Zhou embracing and dancing. pp. 27(b) Tale of Gold , line cue, Cheng, Zhou: “We are rich.”

18. THE Far North (Song and Dance) Gai Bwo, children singers and dancers lead male, lead female dancer. pp. 30(a) Bell chime lead in, line cue, Cheng: “to wander forever”(b) Begin lead in without song for entrance of GaiWen People, line cue, Cheng:

“with some of his people”(c) Song and dance.

19. “A-Chu” solo instrument reprise: (a) Line cue, Cheng: “I have hurt him..”, through line cue, Cheng: “What would I be

in that world” pp. 34(b) Line cue, Cheng: “do I have a chance with her?”, though line cue, Cheng: “How

can I understand him if you don’t?” pp. 35(c) Visual cue, A-Chu begins to rotate, through line cue, A-Chu: “Realization!”pp. 36

20. Recitative – Music free form – Reprise pp. 36(a) Line cue, Professor Liu: “U.S. dollars each year”, though line cue, Cheng: “So, we

are back where we were.” pp. 3721. Cymbal Crashes Reprise: Line cue, Cheng: “I came to my office to work on my charts

– remember?”, through line cue, Cheng: “expanding forever…” pp. 38-3922. Good Child ; (Song), Ding YuMei.

(a) Lead in, as Ding crosses D.S. with Gobang Kid, line cue, Ding: “I am so happy to see you.” pp. 41

(b) Good Child Song. pp. 4223. Prodigy World Reprise: Visual cue, lights up full on stage. pp. 4224. Recitative – free form music – Reprise: line cue, Ding: “set up the board for the next

game”, through line cue, Cheng, “he can only blame his technique.” pp. 4325. Prodigy World Reprise: Song and Dance; line cue, Ding: “Welcome our new

champion!” pp. 45

26. (a) Musical Reprise – A-Chu_Fantansy_Parade, line cue, Kid: “Let me take you to the other world, will you?” pp. 47(b)Musical Reprise – Money Is Freedom, visual cue, Stock Market Adult Chorus enter with Zhou Pei. Zhou sings: “Money is Freedom,... Money is Freedom” (very softly.) pp. 47(c) Musical Reprise – Cheng: “I know what I am!”, Soliloquy, soft. pp. 47(d) Musical Reprise – Zhou: “Money is Freedom,… Money is Freedom.” pp. 47(e) Musical Reprise – A-Chu Music Fantasy – on Gobang Kid’s line: “Come with us”(f) Musical reprise – Vibrato – building of Taipei City. Line cue, Cheng: “Right here in the city of Taipei” pp. 48

27. Musical Finale and BowsReprise of “Taipei is Alive” with entire cast.

CURTAIN28. After curtain – one more reprise of “Taipei is Alive!”

Note: Since the Word editor sometimes will reformat a document automatically, causing page numbers to change, the page numbers cited above may be shifted by one or (rarely) two.

Glossary of Music Numbers:

1. “Taipei is Alive (overture),”2. “Prodigy World,”3. “Money is Freedom,”4. “Song of A-Chu,”5. “The Importance of Title,”6. “Tale of Gold,”7. “Time to Remember (needs lyric),”8. “The Far North,”9. “Night Market,”10. “Zebra (needs music),”11. “Good Child,”12. “The Born Winner (needs lyric).”

Note: Lyrics for #7 and #12 are missing. Music for #10 is to be composed.

THE CHESS KING

ACT ONE : Time: Early Evening. (Overture from Act I)

There is no curtain. When seated at the beginning, the audience sees a very dimly lit stage, bare except for some scaffolding upstage, light towers, light strips upstage, and necessary side and upstage masking support of entrances and exits, etc. Suspended above, Left and Right, are two large screens for projection of slides and film. House lights are turned off together with dim light on stage, and a spotlight picks up musical director off-stage down right, who conducts the orchestra in the overture, consisting of the eight major songs of the show.

During the overture, abstract slides are shown on the screens, indicative of the mood of the songs. The concluding number of the overture is Taipei is Alive. During this number and timed with it, a short film-(can be stock footage) appears on the two screens, first showing time-tables, then people arriving in Taipei by plane, train, and bus; taking taxis and buses, and travelling by motorbike, car and bicycle through the streets of Taipei. Shots of traffic on streets, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, memorial halls, Snake Alley, department stores, traffic circles, etc., etc, until finally, all traffic and people arrive at the front of theatre, e.g., The China Sports and Cultural Center!! (Traffic sounds and streets noises throughout film can either be by orchestra or on audio.)

Film and Taipei Is Alive simultaneously conclude the overture. The conductor turns and bows to the applause, but immediately turns back to orchestra while applause is full and cuts through with sustained musical vibrato. His spotlight and one other spotlight have shifted upstage, (stage area itself is now dimly lit again) and high above, picking up two men who unfurl the cyclorama, lowering it to the stage. (If possible, they might be acrobats who lower themselves down on ropes along with the cyclorama.) The cyclorama is secured below on stage and almost simultaneously the total chorus (36 adults and children as needed) begins appearing from right and left, each person carrying a profile cutout of what, when, assembled upstage, will become the miniature city of Taipei in the early evening.

They place the pieces together and exit from the stage – (sustained music vibrato is still

on) – as now the miniature city is lit up in front of the cyclorama. Suspended from balconies, if

possible, are signs of Taipei which are lit up simultaneously. When fully lit the music vibrato is

cut, and there is applause. Again, the conductor cuts through the applause with Taipei is Alive,

the downstage area is lit, and people begin to enter and move about on an imagined sidewalk

upstage of an imagined street on their way home from work. (There are traffic noises

throughout) Types seen on the street, which is in a busy neighborhood and is very colorful

include: vendors -snacks, flowers, birds, fruit, puppets, balloons.. By means of cartoon-like cut-

outs, which they can wear and carry, (and simple props when necessary) the audience

recognizes who they are.

Other people -businessmen, street cleaners, sales girls, police, carpenters, etc.,

assemble from time to time to talk or purchase items. A cut-out of a bus arrives downstage

driven (held) by a bus driver: some people step in (above it) and shuffle off with the bus, only

their feet and heads showing. Someone gets into a cut-out of a taxi, cut-outs of motor-bikes

and cars appear, etc. Politicians with hand posters are there, as well as children who, at one

point, stop traffic to cross the imagined street. The whole stage is alive. People on and off

and on again continuously. Even an acrobat, recognized by several people does his stuff and

exits. At a critical point in the music, a siren is heard and the crowd turns upstage with their

backs to the audience as the music stops abruptly. The orchestra starts the song Taipei is

Alive as the assembled crowd turns facing the audience, starts down, and sings and dances:

TAIPEI IS ALIVE!

Taipei Is Alive!

Taipei Is Alive!

With a Rhythm of its Own-

Pulsating, driving!

Humming, thriving!

Buying, importing!

Selling, exporting!

Building, expanding!

Working, demanding!

Reporting, assuming!

Producing, consuming!

Taipei Is Alive-

With a Rhythm Of Its Own…

People On The Move!

Streets On The Move!

Motor bikes panting –

Bicycles straining –

Taxi cabs honking –

Buses thronging –

Trains and planes –

Arriving.. Departing….

Taipei Is Alive!

With A Rhythm Of Its Own…

A City On The Move!

People On The Job!

I am a peddler of noodles-

I am a Ph.D.

I am a doctor-

Lawyer, banker, waiter,

Businessman, Teacher,

Politician, Mechanic!

Taipei is Alive –

With A Rhythm Of Its Own…

And now –

With promise of night –

Lights come up bright –

There’s – No stop in the beat –

Or the treading of feet.

Some head for home—

Some want to roam—

Some want to pray—

Some want to play!

Taipei Is Alive—

With A Rhythm of Its Own…

T-AI-P-EI! T-AI-P-EI!

Taipei! Taipei! Taipei! Taipei!

Taipei! Is Alive!

At the end of song, applause. Orchestra cuts through applause with a Reprise, as people begin to leave the stage. Then, there is the honking of a real taxi from off stage left, which approaches below the imagined street. Cheng Ling gets out of taxi, begins to cross to right stage through the people as they are leaving. A small cut-out backed set with a chair, chart, desk, telephone on desk, comes on from down right, just in time for Cheng to sit on chair, right center, as stage is now cleared of everyone else.

ACT ONE (Beginning Dialogue)

(Cheng Ling rises from chair, bows to audience and begins.)

Cheng Ling: Good evening. My name is Chens Ling, Fat Cheng to my friends. President Cheng to the office girl. Here is my card. I run an ad agency on Nan Jing East Road. At your service. (Bows again and continues) I've had the agency for many years; our reputation is A-one good. We are specialists in designing all kinds of ads. Business has been very good, and we've expanded quickly.3 years ago when I started the business, I only had one employee; now, we have 4. So, you can see we've grown 100% every year. (Picks up from desk a line graph of his company's increasing business, which he holds upside down; then, he discovers the mistake and turns it right side up.)

(Music under speech. Cymbal crashes on cue. Cheng, pointing to graph)

The first year we had one employee; second year, two employees; now, we have four; next year, we'll have 8; the next, 16; 3 years from now, 32; then 6 4 ; 12 8 ; 256; 512; 1, 02 4 . Developing forever! growing forever! progressing forever! expanding forever!

(Zhang Shi Jia enters running, yelling at Fat Cheng)

Zhang Shi Chia: Fat Cheng, Fat Cheng, I've been looking all over for you! You've been here all this time? Where's the Gobang Kid?

Cheng Ling: I don't Know.

Zhang Shi Chia: The kid has disappeared. You know where he is?

Cheng Ling: I don't know. I don't keep track of him.

Zhang Shi Chia: (Pleading) You have to keep track of him; otherwise, what about me? After all, it's your idea to produce "The World of Prodigies." The talent are all your discoveries. I'm very grateful to you, but you've got to pay attention to details!

Cheng: I don't know where the Gobang Kid is; honestly.

Zhang: You are the only person that can help. I never break promises. I promise, bring me the Gobang Kid, I'll give you a big reward. That's a promise! I have to get back to the T. V. Company, (starts out.) Help! help! (turns at exit) Please help me... I'm counting on you.

Cheng: (Nods yes, Zhang exits, Cheng turns to audience) Do you know who he is? He is s the famous T. V. producer Zhang Shi Jia. The best brain, the best ideas! But he is not as good as me. If not for me, he wouldn't have started the program, "Prodigy world." Strictly speaking, nowadays, whoever has the best ideas gets to be the boss. Right? Ha, ha, ha. (He picks up the line graph chart again. He continues) Zhang Shi Jia wants the Gobang Kid, let him look for him. It's none of my business. (Turns to chart.) Ladies and gentlemen, please look at the growth rate of our company, you'll see how trustworthy we are. (Cymbal crashes on cue)

The first year we had one employee; second year, two employees; now, we have four; next year; we'll have 8; the next , 16; 3 years from now, 32; then 6 4 ; 128; 256; 512, 1,024. Developing forever! growing forever! progressing forever! expanding forever...!

(Zhou Pei rushes onto the stage. He yells at Cheng Ling.)

Zhou: Hey, Fatso, look what you've done. Shit on your Gobang Kid. He's a phony. The stock went down!

Cheng: The stock dropped? That's impossible! The kid told me it would double in value. That's strange. It doesn't make any sense.

Zhou: Shit! How can you talk about sense in the stock market! It goes up -its up -it goes down -it's down! To hell with your logic! Go get the kid... and I mean now!

Cheng: But...but the kid is missing!

Zhou: Missing? Find him! Right now! Don't stand there with that stupid look Fatso! Shit! shit! We'll die if the stock keeps going down! You go find the kid, and I'll try to get rid of the stock. (Shouts to Cheng as he is running off stage) If we don't do something now, we're finished.

Cheng: (To himself.) How can the stock go down. Hey, Gobang Kid, did you trick us? (Turns to speak to the audience.) That crazy man is the sales manager of our company. He's crazy, but actually, he's very talented. He is the whole sales force, all by himself! The company was established by me, Cheng Ling -with the soaring ambition! Last year, to expand the business, we took in two investors, but I'm the real boss. Zhou Pei is really only my assistant. True, he's the

sales manager, and brings in a lot of business. The only problem is he likes to speculate in stock. Strictly speaking, it's not a serious problem. After all, the stock last year, did make some money. Otherwise our company would have been finished.

(Realizing he shouldn’t be saying this, he changes the subject) Ladies and gentlemen, there is nothing wrong with our business or investing in the stock market. In today's business world we have to excel in four areas: Enterprise (drum roll) Production (drum roll) Sales (drum roll), and, Management! (drum roll). And our company does! Look at our growth rate, you'll see we have been successful in all areas. See...

(Cymbal crashes on cue)

Cheng: The first year we had one employee; second year, two employees; now, we have four; next year; we'll have 8; the next , 16; 3 years from now, 32; then 6 4 ; 128; 256; 512, 1,024. Developing forever! growing forever! progressing forever! expanding forever...!

(Ding Yu-Mei runs on stage.) (Coquettish music under.)

Ding: Cheng Ling! Cheng Ling! (breathless) What's the matter with you? Every body's looking for the Gobang Kid and you behave like a bystander. I'm so worried I could die! (Music out.)

Cheng: (Puts down chart.) I'm sorry, Ding Yu-Mei. I'm so glad to see you. What did you say?

Ding: The Gobang Kid is missing! He has to be on television the day after tomorrow. He has to challenge the national Chinese Chess King, Professor Liu, live, on "Prodigy World." Suddenly, he's missing! Nobody can find him!

Cheng: Don't worry, don't worry yu-Mei. I'll find him, for you.

Ding: Really...for me? Cheng Ling, You must find him. If the Gobang Kid doesn't show up, the "Prodigy world" rating goes down, the T. V. Company cancels the program, and I'm out of a job!

Cheng: Take it easy. I promise you -I'll find the kid. See, (He takes out a picture.) I designed this new set of opening credits for the program -just for you.

Ding: Just for me? (Looks at the picture carefully) And this is me? the lead? (Pointing) And this kid with the large head and tiny body does resemble the Gobang Kid. He's so cute! Oh, Thank you. But now, I'm counting on you to find him. I have to go now. (Takes mirror out of her purse and powders her nose) Professor Liu is waiting. He's invited me to go to a night club... (Starts to exit, turns before disappearing, [Reprise of Ding music from the time she starts to exit] waves to Cheng) Bye-Bye. (She exits.)

Cheng: What? Professor Liu is having fun with you, while I have to find the Gobang Kid, No way Yu-Mei! Yu-Mei! (Pathetically)--Yu-Mei….. (Turning to audience.)

Ding Yu-Mei is dancing with Professor Liu, while I have to find the kid for her. Where's the logic? What am I? Cheng Ling with the soaring ambition, am just a plaything of hers. (He thinks, then smiles, walks Down right stage) However, strictly speaking, it has a kind of logic. If I do find the kid, and he defeats Professor Liu, we can really show-up the so-called "King of Chinese Chess"! After that, Yu-Mei won't even look at him!

(Music under.) (Cheng to himself, as lights dim slowly during following speech -pinspot Cheng by the end)

Cheng: Gobang kid, Gobang kid, you with the large head and tiny body - you're really getting us into trouble. Without you, "Prodigy World" wouldn't be in trouble. Zhang Shi Jia wouldn't be desperate; Zhou Pei wouldn't have invested in stock; and our company wouldn't be going brankrupt!. And, Without you, Ding would never have met Professor Liu and I wouldn't be stranded like this! Gobang kid, How can you do this to me?

(He is in pinspot D. R)

(The stage is dark -office R. is removed.)

(The Gobang Kid appears in a circle formed by spot light D.L. Music under.)

Cheng: (D.R. in his spotlight, points to the kid.) There, that’s what he looks like -the Gobang kid. How could such an insignificant little kid get us into such trouble? How did it all start?

(Turns to the audience.) I remember Zhang Shi Jia insisted that I go test the Gobang prodigy. I said to him, what good is a Gobang competition -it has no class. .He said he didn't have any choice, he needed a prodigy fast. "Prodigy World" had run out of prodigies. Even a kid with a nice handwriting was considered a prodigy for the show. He had his back to the wall. And, between us, it was my idea that he start this whole business of "Prodigy World," So, I had to lend him a hand. But where are you, now Gobang Kid?

(Lights out on both Gobang Kid D.L. and Cheng D.R.)

(In blackout a Male Voice says:) (Drum roll in black-out)

Male Voice: Ladies and Gentlemen, this is "Prodigy World!" Miss Ding; Yu-Mei and the Prodigy World Singers and Dancers!

(Lights up)

(Ding Yu-Mei and the children’ Chorus Singers and dancers perform the title song of “Prodigy World.”)

Chorus: Prodigy World! Prodigy World! Prodigy World!

Ding: I'm Ding Yu-Mei. Your hostess for to day

Chorus: And we are the Pro--Di--Gies!

Ding: The world is full of wonder. The world is full of youth

Chorus: We are the wonder! We are the youth! Prodigy World! Prodigy World! Prodigy World!

Ding: We offer skills We offer talent

Chorus: We have the skills We have the talent

Ding and Chorus: For, Prodigies can dance and sing. Play the drum or violin. Do a flip, land in a split. Get right up and be a big Hit! (on musical ritard) For. . .this . ....is Prodigy World! Prodigy World! Prodigy World!

(All perform “prodigy world” number)

(When rehearsal is over, Ding wipes herself with a towel. Children exit. Cheng walks in from R. clapping. Zhang Shi Jia comes on L. stage with a well-dressed little girl.)

Zhang: Ding, this little girl is Pan. She will appear in "Prodigy World" tonight.

Ding: Good. Little girl, what are you going to perform for us?

Zhang: She plays the violin.

Ding: That's great! Little girl, where is your violin? Don't you have it with you?

Zhang: It doesn't matter. She can play without a violin. (He lifts his hand, and the little girl mimics playing violin.) (Beautiful music off-stage. When one passage is finished, both Cheng and Ding look at the rack of lights up stage. They are flashing on one by one.)

Zhang, Ding, and Cheng: (at the same time) One, two, three, four, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! Wowsai! (Musical vibrato sostenuto sustained under. Bells at the end.)

Zhang: Ten. This little girl is a true genius! Great Genius!

Ding: Little girl, you play violin beautifully. It's perfect! Let me take you to be made-up. You'll be even prettier on T.V.(Ding takes the little girl off with her. Cheng has not yet stopped clapping his hands.)

Cheng: Ten! Wowsai! Holy Moses! She gets ten with no violin. What'll happen when she has one?

Zhang: Come on, Fatso, cut it out!

Cheng: Where did you find such an incredible genius? (Zhang whispers in his ear.) So, she's really a fake...

Zhang: Shut-up! If you want to go on working on "Prodigy World," just forget it.

Cheng: Yessir! Like the old saying, "If you make the fake real, the real will become fake, and if you think of nothing as something, something will become nothing." However, strictly speaking, you are right. Take the classic DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER, people love the character labeled as fake, while the real ones only serve as background.

Zhang: Don't be cynical, Fatso. I’m in real trouble this time. The rating of "Prodigy World" is down. If it keeps on going down I won't be in this producer's spot very long, and your favorite girl Ding Yu-Mei will get fired, too.

Cheng: Hey, man, you have to get some real prodigy first of all. Who wants you have to fake ones?

Zhang: We don't have that many prodigies in Taiwan. Just think, if there is one prodigy in every three hundred thousand population, and we have only twenty four million people, we should have about eighty prodigies; that's all! "Prodigy World" has been on the air for forty-five weeks. We've already used up half of our prodigies. How are we going to continue?

Cheng: Don't worry. Don't worry. There are plenty of prodigies in this world. Didn’t you tell me about finding a Gobang Prodigy?

Zhang: That's him. (Turning to stage L.) Come on in, Kid! The kid enters L. They both stare at him.)

Cheng: (To audience) And that was the first time I met the Gobang Kid. (To kid)

(crossing to him) Little fellow, what's your name? (The kid mumbles something; Cheng cannot make out what he is saying, so he asks again. "Little fellow, what's your name?" The kid points to the name embroidered on his uniform, and doesn't seem to feel like talking.)

Cheng: Little fellow; is it true that you never lose in any Gobang game? (The Kid keeps his head lowered, does not respond.)

(to Zhang) This kid! he's like a block of wood! Do you believe that he never loses any Gobang games?

Zhang: Who knows? He said he can also play Gobang with four go-stones in a line, or three go-stones, or two go-stones-or even one go-stone. In other words, he's never lost in one, two, three, four, or five-go-stone Gobang games. He is the expert in these five fields. I don't know what to say.

Cheng: How can you play Gobang with just one go-stone? The one who places the stone first is the winner, right?

Zhang: I don't understand either. I'll find an expert to test him. Fatso, you're my expert, you test him!

(Zhang exits. Cheng turns to the audience, and says,)

Cheng: See, I get all the tough. ones, or his name is not Zhang Shi Jia. Well, I will test him, but only for Ding Yu-Mei... and for the money I make on "Prodigy World."

(Turns to kid.)

Cheng: Little fellow, How about let's play one-stone Gobang?

(The kid nods his head.)

Cheng: Little fellow, is it right that whoever gets to place the first go-stone wins the game? How do we find out who's first?

Kid: (Still with head lowered, mumbles and gestures) Guess-fingers. The winner gets to place the stone.

Cheng: That's easy, O.K. Let's guess fingers! One, two, three! (Music) (The kid wins. Cheng scratches his head)

Cheng: One more time. One, two, three! (Music) (The kid wins again.)

Cheng: I don't get it. Can there be any trick in this? One more time. One, two, three! (Music) (The kid wins again. and possibly keeps on winning several more times.)

Cheng: (Surprised) Did you ever lose a one-stone Gobang game?

(The kid grins, and shakes his head.)

Cheng: Not even once? Really?

(The kid nods, still grinning.)

Cheng: How about this, let's do it the other way round. We still play one-stone Gobang, but the loser in guess-fingers gets to place the first stone.

(The kid does not seem to comprehend his words, Cheng explains again, and the kid nods. Cheng plays guess-fingers with the kid again.) (Musical cues on numbers as needed) (Cheng wins each time.)

Cheng: I see. You can choose to win or lose playing guess-fingers. My goodness, you truly are a prodigy!.

(The kid again grins and remains silent. Cheng scratches his head, and turns to audience.)

Cheng: Ladies and gents, did you see that? He can win all the time, or lose all the time at guess-fingers. What kind of trick is this? Strange? It is strange. I can't figure out how He does it, can you? What do you think? Do you think he can predict the future? Tell fortunes? (Cheng approaches the kid, and gently pats his large head.)

Cheng: (testing him) Little pal, guess what I do for a living?

Kid: (Murmuring) I don't know. Can we play Gobang some more?

Cheng: I know you like to play Gobang. Come on, guess my profession. If you guess right, we'll play Gobang some more. (Pause)

Kid: You are a painter.

Cheng: (Thrown by answer) I...I'm not a painter. You guessed wrong I'm no t a painter. I’m the general manager of an advertising company. Understand?

(The kid lowers his head, and remains silent.)

(Cheng walks away from the kid, then says to audience, (music under)

Cheng: He said I was a painter! How could he know I love painting? He couldn't know that I gave it all up. (Song -"Money is Freedom!”)

Cheng: (sings) I know what I am...

A long time ago...

I made a mistake -ignored my parents…

studied painting in college…I tried hard...

gave exhibitions ... ran galleries...

had a fine reputation... among painters...

Yet, deep down I knew...

Never created anything that ever satisfied me...

gave up...

Dumped my brushes, points, my canvas...

and my so-called works of art...

Money is Freedom...

(Change of rhythm )

Printed a pack of namecards!

With the title: General Manager!

So simple!...

From then on...

People applauded me! People admired me!

They said: What an incredible guy!

An artist and a business man, at the same time!

(Money is Freedom, continued)

Cheng: I will give a farewell exhibition!

But...

I’ll paint only one thing: MONEY!

Money from every country!

Money from all over the world!

Everybody will be thrilled!

For... MONEY MEANS FREEDOM...

I want money!

I want freedom!

I want freedom!

I want Money!

Money, money, money, money!

MONEY IS FREEDOM!

(A-Chu appears on stage at the end of Cheng's song. A-Chu music in. Instead of facing front, A-Chu's face grows upward, so he is always looking at heaven. Cheng is startled by this weird looking A-Chu.)

Cheng: You? Who are you?

(Musical parade upstage of HuHuei people.) (Adult Singers/Dancers)

(The kid suddenly starts to talk.)

Kid: He is A-Chu.

Cheng: A-Chu? What is A-Chu?

Kid: A-Chu is from the HuHuei world. His face always looks up, so he is called A-Chu. Listen, he is singing.

(A-Chu starts to sing.)

“The purple sun is setting toward the west.

Again it is the feasting time.

I look back and see

The lonesome city wall "

(A-Chu finishes his verses. Then, Dance of the HuHuei on repeat verses. Then, reprise with all. Cheng watches in amazement) (The HuHuei people exit on parade music.)

Cheng: What a strange person this A-Chu is. I've never seen anything like this. Little pal, where does he come from?

Kid: If you play Gobang with me, I’ll introduce you to all my friends in the HuHuei world. I've many HuHuei friends. You are going to like them.

Cheng: Could they be stranger than A-Chu? (Says to the audience) Either this Gobang prodigy is crazy, or l am. Did I really see this strange A-Chu? And the others? It must be a hallucination; This Gobang prodigy has mesmerized me! That's awful!

Kid: Could we play Gobang now?

Cheng: (Turns away.) No! No more Gobang! Definitely no more Gobang!

(Zhang and Ding come on stage with Professor Liu.)

Ding: Cheng Ling, look who's here.

Zhang: Fatso, meet Professor Liu,… the King of Chinese Chess... a real celebrity! This is Cheng Ling, general manager; his advertising company works for me on "Prodigy World.” We are honored to have Professor Liu here to instruct our newly discovered Gobang Prodigy.

Ding: Professor Liu, it is impossible for the kid to compete with you. What are we going to do?

Liu: (Grinning) Not necessarily. I never expect to win when playing with young people. I only want to be of assistance to them. I get nothing out of defeating them. But, if they beat me, it makes them famous overnight. So, I would rather let them win.

Ding: Don't talk as if you were an old man. You look so young.

Zhang: Indeed. Professor Liu is an outstanding young man! He has the highest reputation in government circles. He is not only a chess champion, but an expert in irrigation planning. He even runs his own factory. There is nothing Professor Liu is not able to do.

Liu: It's really nothing. Miss Ding is right. I've been teaching for too long, and become accustomed to consider myself as an older man. Please forgive me.

(Cheng sees that Ding is looking at Liu admiringly, and feels uncomfortable. He breaks it up by coughing and points to the Kid.)

(Musical recitative begins.)

Cheng: Professor Liu, this is the Gobang prodigy. He is good in gobang, but, of course, you play better. Want to try him out?.

Liu: There is a certain pattern in playing Gobang. But there is really nothing to it. I will give him instruction when he learns to play Chinese Chess. You can't tell whether the kid is a genius from Gobang. Chinese chess is the better test.

Zhang: Professor Liu, you don't mean you want to quit?

Liu: Ridiculous! Of course not! If this kid is truly good, he should be trained to play Chinese Chess, so we can find out what he is truly capable of.

Cheng: If the Gobang Kid learns Chinese Chess, will you be willing to play three demonstration games with him on T.V.?

Liu: (Laughing) I think you are underestimating the difficulty of Chinese Chess. It is easy to learn, but extremely difficult to master. It takes ten years to become a master player. I, outstanding as I am, do not call myself a master of Chinese Chess.

Zhang: Does this mean, Professor Liu, you will compete with the Kid?

Liu: I'll do anything at Miss Ding's command. Even to playing chess with the Gobang Kid.

Ding: (Smiling) It will certainly be a special event if you play chess with the Gobang Kid, professor.

Cheng: I'll take care of that. I'll train him to play Chinese Chess. In one week, I assure you, he'll be able to challenge Professor Liu.

Zhang: Wonderful! Prodigies of two different generations! This will be a major event. Professor Liu, let me thank you on behalf of the entire T.V. Company. We will put on the Chinese Chess King Competition Program one week from today. Wonderful! "Prodigy World” is saved! I'll publicize the news .

(End of music. Free form recitative.)

(Zhang leaves the stage in a hurry. Liu smiles at Ding, and says fawningly,)

Liu: Miss Ding, I always wanted to appear on "Prodigy World" as your guest. Unfortunately, I considered myself a little too old. Now, you have given me the opportunity.

Ding: Oh, Professor Liu, I'm so honored that we now have a famous Ph.D., true prodigy, master class celebrity on our show!

Liu: Don't say that, Miss Ding. I'm the one that you have truly honored.

(They leave the stage still talking. Cheng is jealous. Ding's voice is heard from Off-stage.)

Ding: (off-stage) Cheng Ling, you can start teaching the kid how to play Chinese chess immediately.

Cheng: (calling after her) I'm not worried. The young prodigy will beat the old prodigy. Just wait and see. (He pats the kid's head.) Little brother, I'm counting on you. I know you can tell the future. If you can predict every move of Professor Liu, we can beat him. Little brother, if you can beat Professor Liu...and become the national Chess King, you'll be famous!

Kid: I only want to play Gobang. Why wouldn't you let me play Gobang?

Cheng: If you defeat Professor Liu, I'll play Gobang with you.

Kid: (Suddenly) Why don’t you go back to painting?

Cheng: (Annoyed) I told you before, I’m not a painter. I’m a business man!... All right, I admit. I’m just a small potato. You hear me? Once you admit that you’re only a small potato, it’s very easy. Can you understand that?

(The kid lowers his head, and says no more. A group of GaiWen People appear on stage.) (Children singers/dancers.) (Music in.)

Cheng: (Startled) Where do these strange people come from? Who are they?

Kid: They are GaiWen People. Their leader is called GaiBuo. They are wanderers from the HuHui World.

Cheng: GaiWen People? Where do they live?

Kid: They used to be a man-eating cosmic race. That's why their planet evaporated; now, they have to wander. For the GaiWen people, like you, there is nothing more important than titles.

They, too, are very successful business people.

(GeiWen People and GaiBuo are dressed in formal business attire, masked, front and back face.)

(GaiBuo is dancing, limbs waving; he opens his large mouth, which is shaped like a funnel, and takes out dollar bills. He leads his small people in song and dance to the "TITLES" song - tango rhythm. During the number, Cheng is moved - tossed around -by singers and dancers. )

Chorus: Everybody loves a title!... Title! Title! Title! Title!...

You can't get by without a title...

So many people...All so pragmatic...

There are bachelors, masters, and Ph.D's!...

There are sages, and super Ph.D's! ... Those driving taxis, are taxi D's!

Those babbling nonsense, are nonsense D's!....(Ritard)

Everybody needs a title ....

Without a title, you can't… get by....

So many people! …. Troubles all start here! ....

Those who make money, are money D’s!

Those who plunder, are Ban-D.I.T’s!

Those who wash dishes, .are Dish D's!

These who steal information, are, intelligence D's! (Ritard)

Everybody loves a title!...

Title! Title! Title! Title!...

Without a title, you can't,… get… by!.. .

(The GeiWen People finish the song, and leave the stage.)

(Simultaneously, Cheng, from sitting position he has been tossed into brushes himself off, rises.)

Cheng: Your GeiWen People really know how to dance and sing. Little brother, you have a wonderful imagination. I just thought of one thing that you might be able to help me with.

Kid: (murmuring) You want me to predict the stock market for you.

Cheng: (Astonished) That's correct! How did you know? Little brother, I'm beginning to admire you more and more.

Kid: I only want to play Gobang. Why won't you let me play Gobang?

Cheng: Don't worry, we will play Gobang again. Didn't you once ask me why I didn't paint again? Please help me just this once. If I can make enough money, I'll be free to go back to painting. Strictly speaking, money is freedom. With money, I can go back to being a painter, and Ding YuMei will recognize my artistic talent. I can paint. I can still paint. I will quit business when I have enough money. (He crosses D.R.)

For, (Musical reprise "Money is Freedom")

Money is Freedom!

Money means Freedom

I want money

I want freedom

I want freedom

I want money

money, money, money, money...

Money is Freedom!

(As Cheng Ling begins to repeat the reprise, running counter to it, a babble of voices, stock market reports on the radio, and a musical cacophony become louder and louder, finally drowning out his voice in a sea of noise. )

(During all above, lights have gradually pinpointed and finally black out on Cheng and the Kid.)

CURTAIN ACT I

ENTR’ACTE

ACT TWO

Taipei City Lights up, then Dim.

At curtain, repeat ending Act I.

Lights pinpoint Cheng D.R. and Kid D.L. Musical Reprise "Money is Freedom", Noise, babble of voices, stock market reports, musical cacophony, etc.

Pin spots out. Kid exits stage L. Lights up on stage. In on the noisy crowd in the stock market (adult singers/dancers.)

At center D.S. Cheng and Zhou Pei.

(Voices continue -sotto voce) (Music out on Cheng’s line -"Let's fight it.”)

Cheng: it's never too late to set rich. Zhou, let's fight it. We buy as much as we can. We buy ten thousand shares immediately.

Zhou: Cheng Ling, that comes to NT$1,200,000 (One million, two hundred thousand NT Dollars!). How can we afford it?

Cheng: Buy now. Pay later.

Zhou: Well, if you insist - (Makes gesture to crowd -gets response . )

Cheng: I trust the Gobang Kid. He would not lie to us.

Zhou: It's the twentieth Century, Cheng Ling. Shit on the Kid's inspiration!

Cheng: Take it easy, man. Buy now.

(loud voices in the stock market... Cheng Ling and Zhou Pei turn and jump happily.)

Zhou: A miracle! What a come-back! Our stock is up and it keeps rising. Wow, I never saw anything like this before. Shit! What a miracle!

Cheng: I told you so-hurry!, buy another five thousand shares, Now!

Zhou: Now, it is impossible. Ceiling high! Shit! Ceiling high! I'll be damned. Cheng, you guessed right. Today we are the pace setters, the crowd follows us. I feel ten feet tall.

(Cheng Ling and Zhou Pei embrace each other, dancing.)

Cheng: We are rich!

Zhou: We are rich!

(Musical cue for number - song and dance.)

Chorus: Well!...Well!...Well!

(All singing "Tale of Gold":)

Chorus: One is eating the other,

Bite, bite, bite,

One is eaten by the other,

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Bystanders stand there laughing,

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Rich, rich, rich.

Gold, gold, gold!

Whether you bite —

Whether you yell —

Whether you laugh –

Or land in hell!

Bite, yell, laugh, hell!

Don't forget to worship the lord!

Gold, gold, gold!

(After the singing, Zhou exits, carried out victoriously on the shoulders of the crowd.) (Cheng x.d.s.)

Cheng: I got it! (crossing d.s.r.) (to audience) Ladies and gentlemen, you saw! The shares kept rising and rising, out of control! The Gobang Kid was right! Now, the money can keep our company going for another two, three years without having to buy any more stock. That prodigy is quite a fortune teller. Do you want to try? No, the prodigy was discovered by me. I shall have to protect him from being used by bad people. He loves Gobang, but I have to teach him chess. Now, if only he could beat Professor Liu and get Ding Yu-Mei back for me, I will allow him to go on playing Gobang forever.

(Ding enters breathlessly. Cheng does not pay any attention.)

Ding: Are you thinking of how to teach the Gobang Kid to play chess?

Cheng: So, it's you Ding. Did you hear? I got rich buying stock! I will take you out to dinner. Let's celebrate.

Ding: (Making a face) I didn’t know you were buying stocks. You have more tricks up your sleeve than Professor Liu.

Cheng: Professor Liu! That old windbag! You were out with him again last night?

Ding: Yes...you're prejudiced against Professor Liu. As a matter of fact, he is a humble scholar.

Cheng: Humble! Book worm! He is a pain in the-neck! Ding... you have to be more careful... Have you forgotten our past?

(Cheng sings “Time to Remember”)

Ding: Of what?

Cheng: (Changing his mind) Listen -Listen -how about tonight? Are you free?

Ding: No -I have a rehearsal for a new T.V. Soap Opera. They want me to be a guest star.

Cheng: Why can't you be their permanent star? Their leading actress?

(Ding looks sad, does not reply.)

Cheng: (Changing the subject) All right then, I will treat you to dinner tomorrow night.

Ding: We'll see. Cheng Ling, do you think ... do you think I have no talent as an actress?

Cheng: Nonsense! I think you are wonderful. Everyone loves you on "Prodigy World."

Ding: That doesn't require me to be an actress. I'm a hostess. To play a lead role as an actress, that would be something.

Cheng: Don't talk nonsense! I know you've got talent. But you also need a good break. Relax, success will come your way.

Ding: How can I relax? Sometimes, I don't even know what I'm doing. (Changing the subject.) Are you still painting?

Cheng: (Surprised) yes, yes. Strange, the Gobang Kid asked about my painting too. Confidentially, I have been painting, but only for my own pleasure.

Ding: How could the Gobang Kid know you are a painter?

Cheng: He guessed it. This child is a true prophet. He's clairvoyant. He can decide whether to win or to lose in a finger-guessing game.

Ding: I didn't know that! (Laughs) So, that's your secret! You made your money with the help of the Gobang Kid?

Cheng: See, you are smart; you certainly do have talent. It’s true, I did use him to make the money, but I swear to you this will be the one and only time. He is only a child. We must protect him.

Ding: Oh well - (Turns away, talks to herself) I wonder if I will…ever be... (sigh) (turns back) Forget it. Cheng, do you think the Gobang Kid will defeat Professor Liu?

Cheng: Of course, he will! The Gobang Kid can predict every move Professor Liu will make. I'll make a plan for him to win the game.

(The Gobang Kid appears D.L. on Stage, head lowered, motionless. Cheng and Ding turn and look at him.)

Ding: What a lovely child he is, that big head on that little body.

Cheng: He doesn't look like a prodigy, does he? But he is a miracle worker. He told me that he can recall his friends, A-Chu, GaiBuo...

Ding: What is A-Chu? What is GaiBuo? Is it Clark Gable?

Cheng: No. Gai-Buo is a member of GaiWen People, who are the eternal wanderers. Their planet was vaporized, so the GaiWen People are destined to wander forever. (Bell chimes.)

(Suddenly, Gobang Kid raises his head, and whispers -"Hush”-- Music cue.) (Music should be solo instrument, flute.)

Cheng: Look, here is GaiBuo, with some of his people...

(GaiBuo on with GaiWen People, Children dancers/singers, 1 male and 1 female adult dancers.)

(GaiBuo sings; GaiWen people dance.)

GaiBuo: In the distant north,

the night with shining stars,

I saw the lady from Munhan,

walking alone on the path,

looking melancholy.

Ah, lady!

Forget your miserable past,

Forget your past hometown,

Let me wrap your moistened clothes,

With my warm tenderness.

Thank you for your kindness,

You kind and gentle sir,

Since I was driven away from Munhan,

I was doomed to wander and wander,

Ah, wander!

I can never forget those happy days,

I could never forget the beautiful hometown,

Even in the middle of the night,

I could never forget my parents.

In the distant north,

the night with shining stars,

I saw the lady from Munhan,

Walking alone on the path,

Looking melancholy.

(GaiBuo and the GaiWen People exit R. Music under exit.)

Ding: Beautiful! Wonderful!

Cheng: You saw them? I thought it was an illusion.

Ding: No, it was not an illusion. Maybe the Gobang kid comes from another world. Perhaps in our world, he is an alien.

Cheng: (crossing to Gobang Kid) Gobang Kid! Gobang Kid! (Ding follows him) Are you an alien? Are you an extraterrestial creature?

(Gobang Kid lowers his head, motionless.)

Ding: He won’t tell you. If I were him, I wouldn’t tell you either. Did you notice, Cheng Ling, there were divine rays shining from Gobang Kid's eyes when he said "Hush"...

Cheng: Sure! His eyes carry lightning wisdom, that penetrate space to far beyond. When I first saw him, I noticed his eyes looked different.

Ding: Oh Cheng... We must take good care of him.

Cheng: Yes, Ding Yu-Mei... We must protect this child against his own visions.

(As they are scrutinizing Gobang Kid, Zhou Pei dashes onto the stage doing the dance of Zorba, clapping his hands 3 times.)

(Gobang Kid off L. on clap.)

Zhou: Fat Cheng, I've got a brilliant idea. A big new deal. We can become rich as Croesus!

Cheng: Zhou Pei, we made a pact. We agreed -no more buying stock!

Zhou: Who said anything about buying stock? You don't like the stock market, forget it! We can start a new business. How about running a polling institute?

Cheng: polling institute? What polling institute?

Zhou: A polling institute for elections! How about it? We start a bona fide research institute. We get pollsters. We conduct a pure and honest business. Other polling institutions try to predict the election results before the election. We do the same, but with us its sure fire! All those gambling organizations will envy us because we know we can predict the election results.

Cheng: Who can predict the election results?

Zhou: The Gobang Kid, of course. Shit! Don't play games with me. Predicting election results is not against the law. We can invite sponsors for our research institute. The world will know about our accuracy in predicting the elections, but they'll never know about the Gobang Kid. We won't accept too many sponsors. Twenty sponsors will be enough. Five million NT Dollars for each sponsor. That comes to one hundred million NT Dollars! Shit! With this idea, we have it made!

Cheng: We are not supposed to take advantage of the Gobang Kid any more. Don't you try any of your funny ideas.

Zhou: Cheng Ling, don't play the saint. You want to make easy money just as much as I do!

Cheng: No! I said, No!

Zhou: (Walking around Cheng Ling) Here comes the saint. Fat Cheng the Saint! Shit! You don't look like a saint to me.

Ding: (stepping forward) Cheng Ling is right. We should not use the Gobang Kid.

Zhou: (Surprised) Wow! Fat Cheng's Miss Ding also doesn't like it? I never could talk business with you. You stay out of it!

Ding: (Hands over ears) I won't listen to you. (starts to cross off-stage) I'm leaving.

Zhou: (running after her, yelling) Wait, wait. Miss Ding, don't be mad at me. Forget what I said. Will you? Wait, Miss Ding...(Both are off-stage)

(Cheng Ling crosses to D.S.R., facing the audience.)

Cheng: See, ever since the Gobang Kid was a little boy, everyone has been trying to use him. Now I understand why he only wants to play Gobang. He only wants to live in peace and harmony with others-and himself. What can he have seen that will happen in the future? Just imagine, if the Gobang Kid can see the future, what a burden it places on that little boy! If you know what's going to happen you can never run away. Knowing the things you must do, you are responsible for the future. No matter how terrifying that future is, you must play out your role in its development. Gobang Kid is only a child, no adult could carry such a burden, how can he be expected to carry this burden? Strictly speaking, it was all my fault. I have misused his clairvoyant gift. I have hurt him...

(Music reprise of Chu solo instrument) (Gobang Kid appears again at D. L . stage; A Chu is with him. Gobang Kid's head is lowered; A Chu with head raised, looking at the ceiling. The two of them remain stationary.)

Cheng: Little prodigy, little prodigy, what are you thinking about? Ah, A Chu is here to. Why did you bring him here? Do you wish to introduce him to me? Little prodigy, you are always imagining going back to your recall world, far away. Away from the future. That world must be full of fun. In that world you can always play the Gobang game. Please tell me, what would I be in that world?

(Music out)

Gobang Kid: You are a painter.

Cheng: What did you say? Maybe, I can be called a painter. What are you saying? I am weak. I am not a determined person. I am a failure. I am a dreamer. Always dreaming that I will quit business after I have earned enough money. Then, I will go back to painting. But, at the same time, I am terrified that the dream might come true. Now, I can make excuses for my poor painting, because I'm involved in business. If I had the time to paint and was still a failure, what will I tell myself then?

Gobang Kid: (In a blurred voice) You are a painter.

Cheng: It's strange, but Ding Yu-Mei is weak in exactly the same way as I am. I guess she is not so sure of herself either. Little prodigy, little prodigy, do I have a chance... with her?

(Music solo instrument reprise)

A-Chu: (Suddenly speaks up, bowing his head) CHU LU RU MU, CHU LU RU MU . . .

Cheng: What is he saying?

Gobang Kid: He is blessing you.

A-Chu: (Bowing again, loudly) With the heart it is DU, without the heart it is WU, From DU to WU, from WU to DU.

Cheng: What does he mean?

Gobang Kid: I do not know.

Cheng: Strange... (Gazing at A-Chu, who is still bowing) Such a puzzle.

A-Chu: CHU LU RU MU, DU WU DU WU.

Cheng: CHU LU, how can I understand him if you don't -(music out) But more important -I want to tell you the truth. Little prodigy, little prodigy, everyone is trying to use you. To be frank with you, I am tempted to use you too. Who else can foretell the future! After the chess game, you must hide yourself, or run away from here so that nobody can find you.

Gobang Kid: (In a low voice) Mom won't let me.

Cheng: What did you say?

Gobang Kid: Mom won't let me go to any recall world. My older brother and sister laugh at me. They do not believe in calling back the world. Do you believe in it?

Cheng: (Laughing, comforting Gobang Kid) Yes, I do.

Gobang Kid: They don't like me playing Gobang all day long. They say I will fail the exam for high school, but I know better. The only thing I like is the Gobang game. Why don't they let me play my gobang?

Cheng: (Gently) You ought to know. They love you, so they won't let you play Gobang. They are afraid of your recall world and what it does to you.

(Music reprise of Chi solo music)

(Gobang Kid lowers his head. The A Chu suddenly rotates endlessly and bows in all directions.)

A Chu: CHU LU RU MU REALIZATION! (Music out)

(Ding and Professor Liu step onto stage. Gobang Kid and A Chu suddenly disappear.) (Ding giggles and waves to Cheng.)

Ding: Hi Cheng, Professor Liu has kindly invited you and I to visit his factory.

Professor Liu: (Humbly) I operate two factories with other partners. The factories are not well organized. Our sales only amount to several hundred thousand U.S. Dollars each year. (Music reprise of Free Form Recitative) A small business. A small business. Will you honor us with a visit?

Cheng: (Sarcastically) Professor Liu, a busy famous man like yourself - a chess player, a teacher, a factory owner. How can you spare the time?

Liu: Thank you for the compliment. But you are the one who is famous, a painter, a business man. Making money while attending to your art, you are quite remarkable.

Cheng: Thank you for the compliment. But I am now engaged only in the design business. Professor Liu, you are a water conservation specialist - who also runs an electronics factory. You are the remarkable one.

Liu: Ha, Ha. Frankly, small business operators like us are the true contributors to Taiwan's rapid economic growth. Without our continuous efforts, how could we secure the export market? As a businessman yourself, you do agree with me, don't you?

Cheng: I am only a small contributor. You are the important one. You do agree with me, don't you?"

Liu: The future is more important than the present. Twenty years from now, maybe we can all be significant contributors. If we try hard, even starting from scratch. I do not love to

accumulate money. But, if I have money, I can be my own boss. Don't you agree?

Cheng: Certainly. Strictly speaking, the rich are their own boss. But, in business, in order to make money, you have to take orders. So, we are back where we were. (Music out)

Liu: (Laughing loudly) You are quite an artist. It is like playing chess with you. In order to win the game, however, you have to sacrifice some pieces. You can win the chess game. We must make money in business. We can take orders at present, but I am confident that I shall be giving orders after twenty years.

Cheng: Twenty years from now, you might be your own boss.

Liu: Ha, Ha! There are only two hundred workers in my factory. A small business. But, in my little world, I am surely the boss. You are not a leader of any group, you don't know the difficulties of leading people. The art of arts is how to make others work for you. As the old saying goes, there are people who use their minds and people who use their strength. A person who uses his strength will always remain a worker. A person who uses his mind will make others work for him. This is an art. The most important lesson in the world cannot be learnt in a classroom.

Cheng: Your theory applies only to business, not to acquiring knowledge.

Liu: It is all the same thing. Take a look at most famous professors, They attend numerous meetings, study abroad, etc.. etc.. How can they spare the time to learn? As a matter of fact, they find students who are willing to do their work, then claim the research as their own. It is the same in China as in other countries. Never do the work yourself unless you have to. This is called the indirect route.

Cheng: It is not the indirect route. It is the direct route to exploitation!

Ding: Enough of that! No more arguments.

Cheng: Who was arguing? Nonsense!

Liu: Ding, our argument was a show, for your sake. Just like two cocks fighting for the favor of a hen. Wo! WO! (Making two wings like a cock and strutting. Ding laughs. Cheng is furious.)

(Cheng crosses D.S.R. and speaks to audience as they FREEZE)

Cheng: Remember, ladies and gentlemen - I came to the office to work on my charts - remember? Developing forever, growing forever, progressing forever, expanding forever... (cymbal crashes reprise) ....when suddenly... (END FREEZE)

(Zhang Shi Jia rushes on stage in a rage.)

Zhang: Fat Cheng, Fat Cheng. Where's the Gobang Kid?

Cheng: I don't know.

Zhang: Bad news Fatso, the Gobang Kid is gone.

Cheng, Ding, and Liu: The Gobang Kid is gone?

Zhang: The Gobang Kid has disappeared. I went to pick his up. His family said he was missing.

Ding: Gobang Kid is gone. Then, what can we do?

Liu: He is gone? Who is going to play chess with me?

Zhang: Our "Prodigy world" is ruined!

(Zhou Pei rushes onto the stage in rage.)

Zhou: Shit on you, Fat Cheng. You are the one to blame. Predict the future! Shit -Its all shit! The stocks have hit bottom. We are finished.

Cheng: The stock went down? Impossible, Impossible!

Zhou: Now, we are finished. Hurry up and go get your prodigy,

Zhang, Ding, Liu, Cheng: The prodigy is gone.

Zhou: The Gobang Kid is gone?

All: Yes he is gone.

Zhou: Shit! Now, our polling institute is doomed!

Cheng: Zhang, you said the Gobang Kid is missing. Did his family see him leave with anybody? Maybe, two oddballs, one tall skinny one, and a short fat one?

Zhang: How did you know?

Cheng: (To audience) I guessed right. They must be A Chu and Gai Bwo.

Zhang: (Desperate) Cheng Ling, Do you know where the Gobang Kid has gone? His family did see two strange oddballs hanging around. Who are they?

Cheng: They are A Chu and Gai Bwo. They come from, the other world.

Zhou: Listen Fat Cheng, you want to keep the Gobang Kid for yourself. Your story is made up for little children, not me. Hurry up and spit the Gobang Kid out!

Cheng: I didn't swallow the Gobang Kid. How can I spit him out? He must have gone away with A-Chu and GaiBuo.

Ding: Cheng is not lying. I saw GaiBuo myself.

Liu: (To Ding) Yu-Mei, Cheng might be crazy because he is jealous of my achievements. You don't have to lie for him.

Ding: No. I'm not lying. I have seen GaiBuo. He was a tall man who could change the color of his skin. When he's happy, he turns orange. When he is sad, he turns blue gray. Very interesting.

Liu: (to audience) I was really hooked on her. I never imagined she was a mad woman. Here is Mr. Clark Gable right in front of her. (Pointing to himself). What is this nonsense about GaiBuo! I feel lucky I didn't succeed in loving her. Or else I might have a half dozen mad children. I can never let that happen. Who would inherit my talent?

Zhang: Fat Cheng, you said the Gobang Kid has gone with A-Chu and GaiBuo. Can you get them back?

Cheng: (Shaking his head) .The Gobang Kid must have gone to the recall world, the other world where he belongs. How can I find him?

Zhang: (Pleading) Cheng Ling, you've got to help. I will be your slave, if only you can get the Gobang Kid back. I promise.

Zhou: (Yelling) Cheng Ling, you fat bastard. I always thought you were sincere and honest. How could I be so wrong. You are a wolf in disguise! A[Chu, GaiBuo, they all sound like bad guys to me.

Zhang: Wait. If I were a bad guy and kidnapped the kid, where would I hide him? (Pause)

Zhou and Zhang: Night market?

All: (together) Night market! Lets go get him!

(Blackout) (People in night market sing “Night Market”.) (The five actors return to the stage.)

Zhang: (pleading with Cheng Ling) Cheng Ling, you must help. The kid is not in the night market. If you can get the Gobang Kid back, I will do anything for you, yes, anything!

(Cheng Ling hesitates. Ding also asks for his help.)

Ding: Cheng Ling, where has the Gobang Kid gone? Please, go and get him ... for me. Otherwise the rating of my show will fall behind the political talk show, and my show is doomed!

(On the right side of the stage, a political talk show is taking place. The talking heads wear black and white clothes and switch sides and clothes during the debate. They sing “Zebra” and dance.)

Liu: (Looking at everyone) Now that the Gobang Kid is gone, the chess game should be canceled. I have won the game without competition. Shame on me. Please excuse me. It's been a pleasure meeting you all.

Cheng: Wait! All right, I'll get the Gobang Kid. He'll play chess with you Professor Liu. You haven't won yet! (He goes D.R. stage) Little prodigy, little prodigy, where are you? I understand you are eager to return to your world. But we all need you here. Please, come back. Will you? Please.

(Gobang Kid appears in his spotlight D.L.)

Zhang: (crosses to him) I found him. I found him.

Zhou: The kid is back. The stock will survive!

Ding: Gobang Kid, you are back. I am so happy to see you. (takes him D.S. center) (Music lead in on cross)

(Spot on Ding and Kid. Spot on Cheng watching stage R.)

(Ding sings "Good Child") (Music)

Ding: The world of today belongs to us,

The world of tomorrow belongs to you.

Good child,

Don't feel sad,

Don't be desperate.

The world of tomorrow

Will be better than today.

The world of tomorrow

Will be better than today.

(“Prodigy World” Reprise Music)

(Lights up full on stage. Zhang leads the kids”Prodigy kids” in setting up the chess game for "Prodigy World". Ding leads Gobang Kid to R. seat, Professor Liu sits L.; Liu and Gobang Kid sitting at opposite sides of the chessboard. Cheng crosses up above table and faces the Kid, Zhang (R. of kid) and Zhou (L. of kid) face the contestants, standing behind their backs, and watch the game. Black out. (Music out) In the black out, Male voice is heard:

Male Voice: Ladies and gentlemen. This-is Prodigy World. Our hostess, Miss Ding Yu-Mei.

(Lights up. In black-out, the Cheer Leaders (Dancers and Singers) are on stage placed behind Liu and the Gobang Kid.

(On lights up, Ding smilingly takes up the microphone, crossing stage to the right. )

Ding: Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, Prodigy World presents a Special Event! We have the honor to present the famous Chess Master Professor Liu. (He rises. Cheers from Liu's Cheer Team), and the Child Prodigy Challenger, The Gobang Kid. (Kid nods his head. Cheers from Kid's Cheer Team), The contestant will play three games. Professor Liu, are you ready? (Liu bows; Team cheers.) Gobang Kid, are you ready? (Kid nods; Team cheers.) Please take your seats for the first game. (Liu and Kid sit.) Quiet please everybody! Quiet please! The match will begin! (She crosses up to R. of Kid)

Cheng: (Watching the game from above table and explaining to the audience) I hope the Gobang Kid will not forget his moves. (Looks at Liu) Now, Professor Liu makes the first move. (To audience) It is just as the Gobang Kid predicted. Gobang Kid jumps the knight. Now, Professor Liu must move his cannon to the center. Yes, he did. Everything is happening as the Gobang Kid said it would. Gobang Kid makes a quick move. Professor is on the way to defeat. (Professor Liu Moves) (Gobang Kid takes the Piece.) Professor Liu lost the piece. I knew it. He lost a knight!

(Liu moves.) (Kid moves.) Gobang Kid's pawn goes deep into enemy headquarters. (They both make moves. Kid removes Liu's Queen.) Professor Liu lost his Queen. (Two more moves.) The King is captured! The Gobang Kid has won!

Ding: The Gobang Kid wins the first game! (crosses D.S.L.)

(Noise, Cheers and movement from both Teams.)

Dins: Please set up the board for the next game.

(Zhang and Zhou set up board. Liu crosses D.S.L.)

(Music, recitative free form)

(Liu sings, “I am a born winner”)

Liu: It's pretty warm here. Why?

Cheng: Old ox is afraid of the heat? Ha, Ha, he is heated inside. He lost his castle, knight and cannon. He is desperate. He feels the heat. He can only blame his technique.

(Music out)

(Liu sits)

Ding: Ladies and gentlemen, the Gobang Kid is really something...He has won the first game. If he wins another game, we’ll all know the true champion! (Pause) The second game will now begin.

(Ding crosses to R. of kid)

Cheng: (Explaining to the audience.) This time the Gobang Kid makes the first move. (Kid moves) He moves his bishop. That's odd. He should have moved his cannon. How could he forget his first move? The prodigy forgot the classic moves I taught him. (Each player makes several moves.) It's wrong. It's not right. One single wrong move loses the game. Now, he'll be ruined.

The Gobang Kid doesn’t know how to play the game. Is it still possible that he will win? Look at the Old Ox, he is laughing so happily. The Gobang Kid is going to lose. (Liu moves.)

Liu: (Standing up and stretching, smiling) Yes, next move should be my winning move. With my expertise, I can let him win the first game, but not the second game. Ha! Hal (Sits…)

Zhang: (to Cheng , in a low voice) What happened? He will lose the second game.

Sheng: Gobang Kid has not followed his classic moves.

Zhang: (Amazed) Why, why doesn't he follow the classics?

(Gobang Kid moves. Liu, on his move , stands up.)

Liu: (Standing) Check mate.

Ding: Professor Liu wins the second game! (crosses D.S.L.)

(Cheers, noise, etc.)

Cheng: (to Gobang Kid) Little prodigy, my friend. Look what you have done. You forgot the classics. What happened to you?

Gobang Kid: (Standing up slowly, calmly) I make my own moves.

Zhang and Zhou : (Amazed) Your own moves? Are you crazy?

Kid: I know what I am doing.

Cheng: He says he knows what he is doing. Leave him alone.

Zhang: Perhaps in the other world he knows what he is doing. Not in this one!

Ding: (On microphone) Ladies and gentlemen, Professor Liu, our master player made a brilliant come back in the second game and defeated the little prodigy. Now, for the most important game. The third and final game! Please set up the board for the third and final game!

(Zhang and Zhou do so.)

Cheng: (As chess moves proceed) We're done. It's all over. He insists on making his own moves. The Old Ox moves his cannon to the center. Gobang Kid moves his knight. Those are not classic moves. The Gobang Kid does not want to rely on his clairvoyant powers. He wants to make his own moves. But does he truly know what he is doing? Can he win this game?

(They sake slower and slower moves.)

Cheng: Look at Professor Liu's forceful attacks. The Old Ox is pushing forward under the cover of the castle. (Chess moves proceed) The Gobang Kid's two cannons force the Old Ox to lose his castle. Wait! Old Ox Hakes a wrong move; his knight is in danger. The tables are turning. Old Ox is forced to lose his knight while the Gobang Kid loses his bishop. The Gobang Kid pushes his two castles for a further attack. A castle on each side is lost! Now, the Old Ox's single cannon is facing the Gobang Kid's single castle. Gobang Kid's two pawns cross the river. The pawns make the checkmate!. Old Ox is defeated. The Gobang Kid is the new champion.

Zhang: The prodigy has won. Gobang Kid has won the game.

Zhou: Gobang Kid has won? Shit! I'll buy the stock back. And Now! (He runs out quickly).

(Professor Liu congratulates Gobang Kid. The kid lowers his head.)

Liu: Good boy, you won! A new talent has appeared on the horizon!

Ding: (ON mike) The Gobang Kid, our child prodigy made it! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome our new champion!

(Audience applauds loudly. Cheers, noise, and into Chorus song and dance reprise of “Prodigy World". Gobang Kid stands motionless throughout.)

(On Mike)

Ding: That's our show for tonight. Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to join us again next week and meet our next prodigy.

(Chorus carries table and chairs and exits on Zhang “Cut”)

Zhang: CUT! That's great! All ends well. (Shaking hands with Professor Liu) Professor Liu, thank you for coming. See you around. (Patting Gobang Kid's head) Good boy. You put on a good show. (To Cheng Ling) Cheng Ling, I'll find some way to thank you - but not now! (Turning to Ding) Ding, for the show next week we have a piano prodigy. He is the son of my God father. Please take good care of him. Piano is not my piece of cake, so....You know what should be done, don't you? Now, please excuse me, everyone. Bye-bye. (Exits)

Cheng: That's Zhang Shi-Jia, our good old Zhang Shi-Jia. (Turns to Professor Liu) Professor Liu, the game tonight...

Liu: It's only a game. It doesn't matter. Nothing serious. I couldn't imagine that the Gobang Kid would defeat me. He's really something. He is no less a talent than I, myself. He's got potential, a good future! Well, now, excuse me.

Ding: Thank you, Professor Liu. I hope you can come to our next show.

Liu: Next show? (Laughing), Well, I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can be a guest star and play another game. Anyway, I know I’m a master; I feel the same, either winning or losing. I'll see you again. (He exits)

(Ding and Cheng Ling, their eyes are on the Gobang Kid)

Ding: What happened, anyway? I was really worried.

Cheng: He wants to make his own moves. He doesn't need his clairvoyant powers. He made his own moves and defeated Professor Liu. He did what he wanted to do. I wish I could believe that that is possible for me.

Ding: And for me.

Cheng: (To Gobang Kid) Child, I promise we'll never bother you again. Please tell me - I hope you can tell me the truth. Can you really predict the future?

Kid: (Raising his head, says clearly). I don't have to predict the future. I can make my own moves. I like playing chess. Can you play the game with me?

Cheng: Yes, of course.

Kid: Let me take, you to the other world, will you?

(Kid takes Cheng’ hand and crosses D.R. Cheng follows to center.)

(Music on A-Chu reprise - imaginary people enter D.R. – Some adults, Children, A-Chu and GaiBuo. Music out.)

(Music reprise "Money is Freedom". Stock Market Adult Chorus enter U.R. with Zhou Pei on their shoulders, go to U.C.)

Zhou: Money is Freedom....Money is Freedom…

(Cheng hesitates, D. stage center. He looks at fantasy characters. He looks at Stock Market Characters. He turns front.)

Cheng: (Music reprise) I know what I am…

Zhou: (music reprise) Money is Freedom...

Gobang Kid: (Chu music) Come with us...

(There is a total freeze. Silence. No music)

Cheng: (To Kid) No! I learned from you. (To audience) I know what I can be! I can make my own moves. (turns to Ding) What about you? Join me - (Hold out his hand to her) We can make our own moves together. Right here in the city of Taipei!

(ALL REPRISE MUSIC SHOULD BE SOFT AND EVOCATIVE)

(Ding joins him.)(Music reprise, vibrato as in beginning)

(Cheng and Ding cross U.R. on diagonal and exit to "Taipei City")

MUSICAL FINALS AND BOWS

"TAIPEI IS ALIVE"

Reprise

CURTAIN

VISUAL PROJECTIONS

ACT I

1. Overtures (Side screens) - Abstract slides on songs; Film strip on Taipei is Alive. pp. 52. (Side screens) -Employee growth chart - Cheng, line cue, Cheng: “So, you can see we've

grown 100% each year." (On above, chart is upside down, he sees - visual cue - turn right side up) Slide out after Cheng: "expanding forever!" pp. 8

3. (Side screens) -Employee growth Chart, line cue, Cheng: "Ladies and gentlemen, please look at the growth rate..." Slide out after "expanding forever!" pp. 9

4. (Side screens) -Employee growth chart - line cue, Cheng: "all areas, See ..." Slide out after Cheng: "expanding forever!" pp. 10

5. (Side screens) -Sound cue, Drum roll in black out, T.V. credits for "Prodigy W orld" , possible commercial. Slide out on Lights Up. pp. 13

6. (Side screens) -Vocal cues On Numbers -in and out - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Numbers bigger on each slide. pp. 14

7. (Side screens) -Line cue in song, Cheng: "Money from all over the world” - Dollar glides Flash. pp. 19

8. (Side screens) - Abstract fantasy color slides, on A-Chu song and dance. pp. 19-209. (Side screens) - Abstract fantasy color slides on GaiWen Peoples entrance. Not on song.

pp. 2310. (Side screens) - Dollar slides, line cue, Cheng: "I want money" first verse. On second

verse, - Stock Market Report slides in. Slides out on total black out. pp. 25

END OF ACT ONE

11. Entre’ Acte: (Side screens) - Abstract slides on songs. pp. 26

ACT II

12. (Side screens) – Repeat slides – Dollar slides, Stock Market Reports, as in end of ACT I. pp. 26

13. (Side screens) – Stock Market In Action slide, (with full light) Slide out on song and dance. pp. 26-27

14. (Side screens) – Abstract fantasy color slide, line cue, after Cheng: "with some of his people” on GaiBuo and GaiWen People song and dance. pp. 30-31

15. (Slide screens) - Abstract fantasy color slide on A-Chu, line cue: Cheng: “I have hurt him” pp. 34 Slide out after line cue, A Chu: “Realization!” pp. 36

16. Possible visual on Ding YU Mei’s song “Good Child” pp. 4217. (Side screens) – Visual of Prodigy World Credits (on black out and Male Voice), after

setting up the game. pp. 42

18. (Side screens) – Pages 42 through 45 – Visuals of Chess Games#1,2,3.19. One screen: Abstract fantasy slide (A-Chu entrance on cross.) pp. 47

One screen: Dollar bills slides on Stock Market entrance.Or: moving around from one to the other, Or: together, including cyclorama or roof – Or: split screens.

Note: Since the Word editor sometimes may reformat a document automatically, causing page numbers to change, the page numbers cited above may be shifted by one or (rarely) two.