Wanhua, my nephew:
By the time you get this letter
your uncle may have breathed his last.
Starting with your grandpa,
the Mei family has sung opera,
serving the palace and the people...
careful never to incur catastrophe.
Who dares not wear red for the Empress Dowager's birthday?
You have some nerve.
My aunt just passed away.
I'm still in mourning.
Ouch! Sir.
Beat me. I deserve it.
Because of this, they put a paper yoke on me.
Sir, please don't make me wear this.
Just beat me and be done with it.
Move!
What's happening to me?
Rip the yoke and you die.
Yes, sir.
Even stars of the opera
are being looked down upon.
I don't want you to be beaten,
and then have to say,"well done",
or to wear such a yoke of shame.
Wanhua, open up.
Master Shisan is here to see you.
What did your uncle's letter say?
Quit the opera, leave this "garden".
Take your final bow.
Turn your back on the stage forever.
We want Mei Lanfang,
or our money back!
Ten Years Later - The Republican Period
Look at this, what can we do?
Hurry.
What a mess.
Hurry, go.
Yes.
Hearing my love passed the exam.
And was Number One in the Court.
I prayed for him at the temple.
And went to Hongdong as another man's concubine.
Mr. Song.
What is this?
You've got to hurry up.
The audience at Virtue Hall is about to riot.
You want to go now?
Yes.
Mr. Wang will kill you.
Oh, no.
No way.
She gave me a bowl of soup,
and I passed it on to him.
Oblivious to pending disaster,
he drank it and made a sound,
then collapsed to the floor.
He bled and bled until he died.
Is Mei Lanfang coming or not?
Give us our money back.
What's this blood?
Wanhua.
Wanhua,
You're a star.
Soldier on.
How's your foot?
It's okay.
Huifang.
What is it?
I've been waiting for you. Come with me.
The opera's only half through.
Didn't you have to rush somewhere afterwards?
I'm going to a lecture.
I'm afraid not.
I've promised Master Lu.
C'mon.
Go on.
Wanhua.
Sir, I finally got him for you.
Wanhua,
come and sit.
Or... sit here.
I said sit here.
Understand?
Master Shisan is here.
Bless you Master Shisan! Fortune and health to you!
Too kind. Thank you.
Please, this way.
You're late, Master Shisan.
Chairman Feng.
Yes, yes, yes.
You invited me here tonight.
Yes, yes, yes.
You've honoured me.
Yes... I mean, the honour is ours.
So I thought,
a wash and shave would be in order.
But guess what?
When the hot towel covered my face, I fell asleep.
Come, let me introduce you.
He can be quite eccentric.
He's very important.
What's his background?
He's a magistrate. Educated overseas.
Is there a lawsuit involved, then?
Please welcome our speaker,
Magistrate Qiu Rubai.
Tonight is just a casual chat.
As it's just a chat, if I say something wrong,
please stand and refute me.
Similarly, if I think what you say is baseless,
I'll argue back.
This gentleman...
Comes for the lecture. So why so tardy?
If your audience came late, could the opera begin?
You're right. I am so sorry.
Who does he think he is?
I loved going to the Peking opera in my youth.
But there was something I could never understand.
Why does makeup in Peking Opera
make facial expressions so rigid?
Later I worked it out.
It's to suppress the expression of emotion.
Female characters paste locks of hair over their cheeks. Why?
It's to stop them from laughing heartily.
A discreet smile is fine.
The official characters all hold their belts.
That shows you how to posture.
Opera is tied up in rules.
In a word, hidebound.
What're you saying? This is...
The truth.
Mr. Qiu, you invited us to refute you.
I'd rather pay you a compliment.
You truly understand opera.
Even a rank outsider knows,
that the makeup conveys dignity and seriousness.
And that's why,
actors have no freedom in Peking opera.
They let themselves be caged.
But what about their emotions and sensuality?
Their happiness, anger, grief and joy?
It's all hidden away.
I must compliment you again.
Such a magisterial interrogation of the opera.
Shows its crimes are truly great.
Chinese should give up opera.
Why go?
But you can't keep them away.
The theatres are packed to the rafters.
You can't chase them away.
Are there people who don't go? Sure.
Those who don't get it.
Young Fei.
Yes?
That was rude.
Oh, sorry.
In Peking opera,
characters should be flesh and blood.
Actors mustn't stick to the old ways
both on stage and in life.
Unlike the heroine Su San...
they shouldn't have to suffer.
Allowed only to petition, but not to rebel.
With obedient heroines like Su San,
Chinese women were taught to follow the rules.
Whereas great theatre shows
how to break rules.
Mr. Qiu!
Mr. Qiu,
Your lecture was so interesting.
You made such profound points.
Profound?
Why do they seem so obvious to me?
Here are two tickets to an opera.
I'd be honoured if you'd come.
Chairman Feng.
Yes?
You know what?
What?
That friend of yours,
he's... how should I put it?
A good-for-nothing.
His words may be unpolished but his logic is sound.
It's time opera reforms itself.
Really?
What's Wanhua up to?
Teaching the magistrate how to speak Chinese.
Oh?
See you later.
Hey!
Tell Wanhua not to hang around that Qiu fellow.
Featherbrain!
You ought to see Mei Lanfang perform.
He's on soon. Pity, tickets are hard to come by.
I have two right here.
Announcing Cai Yuanpei!
Liberals like Cai Yuanpei and Hu Shi are here.
Announcing Imperial Scholar Zhang Zizhi!
The new and the old, they're all here.
All here to see Mei Lanfang.
Chairman Feng.
Announcing President Yuan Shikai!
Master Shisan.
Sit down.
A sudden stirring...
desires impossible to deny.
Mr. Qiu,
what you think?
Isn't he...,
more like a woman than the real thing?
With no true love yet found.
My youth...
Mr. Qiu, Mr. Qiu.
Hush.
Well...
It did fly!
No one knows
the passions of my sleep.
I must act proper and shy.
Dear Mr. Mei Lanfang,
it was my first time seeing you.
I'm spellbound.
Like everyone,
I'm unsure if I think of you as a man...
or a woman.
It seemed the act of applauding,
revealed some secret in my heart.
Only one whose mind is clean and pure,
could express passion in such an exquisite manner.
I've made a study of the theatre overseas.
If there's anything I can help you with,
just say so and I'll be there.
Ma, please try some of this.
Master.
A Mei Lanfang is at the gate.
He's asking for you.
I see.
Mei Lanfang?
The Mr. Mei of our acquaintance
is no singer.
Of course not.
Tell him I can't see him.
That's simple enough. Really!
He left without saying where.
Hard to say when he'll return.
Wanhua, try again another day.
I want him to be my mentor.
Since he's not home.
Please tell him.
I received his letter
and thank him.
See you.
First you don't even like opera.
Now you're writing fan letters.
Fine. You court him. He comes.
And you avoided him.
I have no idea what's on your mind.
You think I'm like that Master Lu?
I'm a decent person.
My motivation is pure.
Master, this takes me back 10 years.
Seeing the robe the Empress Dowager gave you,
still compels me to my knees.
Enough ass-kissing. What's up?
It's like this.
Master Chen is not well enough to sing.
Perhaps Wanhua could take his place.
Wanhua, looking for someone?
Master.
My life has been so lonely and hard.
I was orphaned when just a boy.
Mr. Mei Lanfang
Liu Yingchun waited 18 years for her man's return.
Now that he's at the door...
How come she is more like a corpse,
sitting there perfectly still?
Wanhua.
Yes?
What's so urgent that
Mr. Qiu writes as soon as the opera's over?
Master,
I want to discuss something with you.
Young Fei.
Yes?
Where's the little gift I prepared for Wanhua?
I'll get it.
Now I'm relaxed, we can talk.
Master, I've been thinking...
Hold on.
You want to make some changes, yes?
To give your character more movement, yes?
Tell me.
You're right.
Wanhua,
the focus should be on me.
Master, about the opera...
I could visit you tomorrow at noon
to talk it through.
I need to nap at noon to sing at night.
What about the afternoon?
I do my mental preparation then.
Master would like you to have this.
Enjoy it.
Master.
Then tomorrow I'll do as I wish on stage.
You'd dare?
I married a girl...
See that? Nothing's changed.
From the Liu Family Village.
But her parents thought me too poor.
They chased us out from the family home.
Husband and wife, condemned to roam.
Until we found a broken down shack.
It was tough, with just clothes on our back.
I'd no choice but to bid my wife farewell.
And turn to the soldiering life.
Friends well met and rebellions quelled,
They shouldn't be applauding yet.
With the king to the capital I did go.
And asked for leave three days ago,
to return for my Liu Yingchun.
My wife, it seems you can't believe your ears.
Come, let's count,
it's been eighteen years.
Master.
Are you happy now?
Master, you were wonderful.
We're truly of one mind.
Am I an old conservative?
Absolutely not!
I don't care about traditions.
I care about the lack of
respect in which we are held.
If you change things on a whim,
they'll say we're capricious, unreliable.
But reform isn't mere capriciousness.
They despise us.
Right?
That's irrelevant.
The opera is all that's real.
Forget it. Can't be done.
But you see how great the results are.
No one can stop greatness from shining through.
No one's stopping anyone from shining.
Master.
I fear you two will soon come to blows.
We'd really become a joke.
How's this for a solution?
You each perform three shows
for the people of Peking.
You do yours the new way, Master sticks to the old.
It's not about sticking to old ways!
True. I mean each does it his own way.
And it'll be clear...
who, uh, who gets...
the better box-office.
I can't challenge the Master.
Isn't that what you did on stage just now?
Young Fei, I consent.
It's up to Wanhua now.
Wanhua,
you don't have to do this.
You can just buckle down and continue as before.
Master is happy to lead you down your path of glory.
Thank you for your support.
Wanhua, is that a yes or a no?
Wouldn't it be a challenge?
Didn't I just thank Master for his support?
He agreed.
I thought he wouldn't agree.
You think I'd challenge a kid?
Not unless you were afraid of him.
Well?
Those changes were brilliant.
Listen up!!
No need to talk behind my back.
I'm not afraid.
I'm telling you all straight up.
From now on I'm devoting myself
to Mei Lanfang's career.
I'm with the opera now. I'm done with all this!
Uncle.
Sir, what is it?
Wanhua? I'll see you later.
What's up?
Uncle, my dear uncle.
Did you really throw away your career?
Sir, this is a grown-up matter.
So this is what grown-ups do.
Grandma is so angry she's fallen ill.
Five generations of court officials,
and now we produce a loser.
Wanhua,
I need to see my mother.
I heard everything.
It's true.
I did quit.
Now I'm free.
These are sworn brothers from ancient times.
Because their country has fallen,
they wouldn't eat food grown on enemy soil.
And starved together up on the mountain.
You and I are like those brothers.
As your sworn brother my first hope
is to see you defeat Master Shisan.
The victor won't be you but this new era.
Your time has come.
The papers say Mei Lanfang
accepts the challenge.
So they told the press
before they told me.
Yes.
Right.
This Mei Lanfang thinks he's really something.
Barely out of diapers and already challenging you.
Victory will be as easy as crushing a bedbug.
Ma San. Get to the point.
It's like this.
I've put together a bet.
Oh,
Gambling on us, are you?
What's this?
Put your imprint here. If you win
we'll cut you in at forty percent.
Ma San.
If you want to bet on rooster or cricket fights, fine.
If your cricket wins, it doesn't demand a cut.
If it loses you don't pay compensation either.
Nicer than betting on a living person.
Fifty-fifty, then.
You could lose if it's not a martial role.
But you'll need to do acrobatics.
You haven't performed any of that for a while.
Oh?
Where's that little gift for Ma San?
You're too kind.
Where'd it go?
It was just...
Isn't it over here?
Please forget I said that.
I haven't agreed, you know.
You think I'd really do this for money?
I want to show opera fans what I'm made of.
I, Master Shisan.
No one is your equal.
Enough, enough.
The Empress Dowager had reason to bestow those gifts.
Young Fei.
Bring me my ink and seal.
Master Shisan,
opera king, come see him fight and sing!
Well?
Not there.
He's already made up. Where could he have gone?
The curtain goes up in ten minutes.
Congratulations.
The theatre is jam-packed.
Wanhua's is only two-third full.
Two-third.
Couldn't be.
Wanhua, what are you doing here?
I can't remember a single line.
The princess has stolen a pass for me,
happiness wells up in my heart.
At the palace gate I call on the guard.
Prepare my steed,
I'll ride beyond the wall.
I think
the problem lies with the program.
You know what I really want to perform?
A Strand of Mourning.
But that's not only a new opera,
but a tragedy. People spend money on tickets.
They want a laugh and be entertained.
No one has dared to perform A Strand of Mourning,
for fear of poor box office.
I lost today's round. I'll take my chance.
It's too risky.
Success comes from risk taking.
What if it flops?
This is a serious contest.
Didn't Brother Qiu say my time has come?
Young Li.
Yes?
Raise that lintel. Two inches.
Okay.
Hanju.
Yes?
Plaster every street, every alley with these posters.
Don't stop till the sun comes up.
Spread the word at the universities.
Mei Lanfang is to debut a modern tragedy.
Once they see it they'll know
that Mei is with them in spirit.
And they should stand by him.
You're lecturing.
We just want them to come.
That's easy enough.
Master Mei, can we really sell out tonight?
What story does the opera tell?
It's a new one.
Come see Mei Lanfang
debut a modern tragedy.
Couple in arranged marriage die for love!
Master Shisan, opera king...
Get lost.
I've been so sick,
what's this strand of mourning in my hair?
Miss, are you feeling better?
I am back in the world
But your husband, he has passed away.
My husband has passed away?
Looking after you, he grew ill, and died.
Looking after me,
he grew ill and died?
Yes.
No! Heaven help me!
I scorned him as stupid,
yet he was the noblest of men.
How can I ever repay him?
Ma San.
Look. Only sixty percent full.
Great. I just lost two courtyard houses.
And I thought him invincible. The old bastard.
My prince,
in the netherworld wait for me.
I'll follow you there,
joining you in death.
Master Mei! Master Mei!
Thank you, thank you.
Everyone looks over here.
Huifang.
Wanhua, you were fabulous.
But I didn't put a foot wrong.
Ha.
If that's so, why'd you lose?
Ma San!
The stage deserves respect.
I won't tolerate its desecration.
Ma San.
In any case, there'll be no show tomorrow.
Sing again and I'm out another few thousand.
Don't think to stop me.
You lost. What's the point?
Losing makes me even more determined.
Then you'll have to compensate me.
Ma San.
Fine.
Master, he's talking a lot of money.
We should think it over.
By coincidence
I need it tomorrow morning.
It couldn't worth more than me.
See this?
Yeah.
The Empress Dowager gave me this jade ornament.
Oh.
It's yours.
Okay.
I've another gift from her at home.
You've seen the robe in the glass case.
You can have that too.
Is that enough?
Without your jade and the imperial robe,
you won't be yourself, surely.
You're on good terms with Mei's family.
I never told you.
But I went to their house.
His grandmother was beside herself.
She won't let him sing tomorrow.
So you went to see his family.
Yes.
No need to go crawling to Mei Lanfang.
Just show me some respect.
And we'll let bygones be bygones.
What do you say?
Ma San,
I've given you face.
Bow to me again and we'll call it quits.
Master,
one has to bow sometime.
Especially when living in a house with low ceilings.
I choose when to bow!
Ma San, come back.
Take that chair with you.
You dirtied it by sitting on it.
Fine!
You're tough.
Why else would they say you're invincible?
Don't forget,
I want my money first thing tomorrow.
Ma San.
I'll see myself out.
Get out!
You'll see.
Master.
Young Fei.
Yes, sir.
You really went to Mei's house?
Master, let's not sing tonight.
Up to you.
Your decision, nothing to do with me.
Master,
please allow me to offer a word of advice.
We're among friends. Let's lay it on the table.
You have no choice.
Face or survival? You can only choose one.
If you really don't care about survival, sing tonight.
Are you trying to frighten Wanhua?
Has he ever lacked courage?
Don't stop him.
Waste of time.
No one's talking me out of performing tonight.
You're back.
Yes.
Have a seat.
It seems that Master Shisan's whole life
has been in preparation for tonight.
Wanhua,
there's no shame in losing, only in being afraid.
Brother, should I sing?
I don't know.
Master,
you can polish it.
Petals fall, petals fly,
petals fill the sky.
The General is a tiger among men,
but sadly, he's growing old!
Pure of essence, pure they stay,
into dirt they must not fall.
Spring goes, loveliness fades,
people and flowers are lost to all.
I must take the town within ten days.
Hold the seal of the general in my hand.
If in ten days I can't conquer this land,
my head from the gate should sway!
Come, bring my horse, and we'll go!
I will conquer Dingjun Mountain!
Wanhua.
Master.
Sit.
Thanks.
What's up? You came without changing?
Wearing your costume into the real world
can sully the character you play on stage.
Don't do it again.
Oh.
They're still waiting for you to take your bows?
Yes.
Our performance of Fen River Bay was so good.
I know.
We did it brilliantly.
Your performance was absolute perfection.
Absolute perfection?
If Fei hadn't read Mr. Qiu's letter to you,
I wouldn't have known what you were going to do.
Wanhua.
You'll be very successful, world-famous.
Do your best to raise our status
in people's eyes.
I've fought for this my whole life
and failed.
I heard you're getting married.
I've a gift for you.
It's in the other room, in the box.
Go get it.
Master Shisan!
'King of Actors'
Zhifang,
I didn't know that you've come.
There's soup for you.
Drink it all up.
Don't slurp so loudly.
I watched you taking your bows.
Bowing is enough,
no need to wave at them.
I only signed a memorandum
with the American promoters.
But it's still legally valid.
That's why it's scary. He can't change his mind now.
It's up to Wanhua,
and he still hasn't agreed.
But it was his idea to tour.
Why wouldn't he agree to go?
It's Mei Lanfang's tour. You're not him.
I'm his sworn brother.
I've already convinced the bank's board...
into lending him ¥ 100,000 for expenses.
But we'll have to mortgage his house.
The paperwork is a mere formality.
I still need Wanhua's approval before signing.
But what if the tour's a flop?
Be positive.
That way you won't fail.
That's how you triumphed over Master Shisan.
Didn't we agree not to bring that up again?
It's hard to forget
the day the Master died.
Mr. Fei had gone to fetch a doctor.
Later Mr. Fei told me...
Master was hanging on for me, not the doctor.
He sat there and then he was gone.
Mr. Feng, Brother...
Yes?
Will that happen to me too?
Mrs. Song.
Yes?
There's talk of mortgaging this house.
Oh?
Why are there so many westerners in the audience?
They must be American guests of Brother Qiu.
Did he consult with you first?
Does it matter? An audience is an audience.
But did he consult you?
Zhifang.
Never mind. You get ready.
Zhifang, you're here.
Mr. Feng, Brother Qiu.
Yes?
Your plan to stake this house on the American tour.
I've read it.
Let me value what we have first.
If the final sum...
can cover your ¥ 100,000 loan.
Then no problem. We'll sign.
And if it doesn't?
Then I am sorry,
leave our house alone.
I wouldn't want Wanhua to sleep on the street.
It's just a formality.
Then why don't you mortgage your house?
If I could, I'd have done so already.
You're different.
You gave up everything for him.
Wanhua can never repay you for that.
That's why you dared organize this behind his back.
Here.
As his wife you should keep the big picture in mind.
True.
That's why our home is one continuous feast.
At which all walks of life,
stars, has-beens...
the poor, the rich, friends and strangers...
just sit down and eat at will.
Every special occasion,
we give stage veterans fruit and mooncakes,
lucky money at New Year. I haven't missed one.
All because I don't keep the big picture in mind!
Zhifang, you've got a sharp tongue.
Mr. Feng,
I also need to borrow some money.
Don't you keep all our money too?
What are you implying?
I have Wanhua deposit his money in our bank
so that he can earn the most interest.
He can deposit or withdraw at any time.
He's free to do whatever he likes.
Since the day I married him,
I've never seen him free
to do anything.
I'm off.
The westerners who came today told me,
news of your American tour,
has already made headlines in New York.
Mr. Feng, Brother, don't force me.
Wanhua?
Where's Wanhua?
The orchestra's been playing for ages.
I thought he was with you.
He's gone.
We'll excuse ourselves.
Good for nothing.
Mr. Feng's having a party tomorrow. You coming?
I don't need to follow you everywhere.
Oops, I forgot the towel for our feet.
Venerable Master Mei, I'll see you in.
Please, no need.
But what did you just call me?
Aren't you Venerable Master Mei Lanfang?
Master Mei will do.
Master Mei.
Thank you.
Were you waiting for someone else?
My uncle.
I'll go get him in a moment.
Are you in the opera as well?
Sort of. Just a handmaiden to the 'painted faces'.
In a moment I'll introduce you to some people.
Brother Feng, this is Miss Meng.
Wanhua, are you kidding? "Miss Meng"?
Try "Emperor Dong", the opera's top male impersonator!
Meng Xiaodong?
Yes.
Mr. Feng, I'm not that well known.
Master Mei wouldn't have heard of me.
You're really very famous.
It's only that we've never met.
Actually, I once took a photo with you.
That counts, doesn't it?
Of course.
I'd just finished opera school.
Our entire class posed for a photo with you.
Miss Meng has an excellent memory.
Brother.
Yes.
You're Mr. Qiu.
Qiu Rubai.
They say you're Master Mei's mentor.
I wouldn't presume.
Friends, brothers...
We are missing a player for the bearded role.
Luckily Xiaodong is here.
Come, Xiaodong.
What about an excerpt from Lost Battle?
I'd rather sing Plum Dragon Town.
Oh?
But I need a Phoenix Li.
Pick someone then.
Master Mei.
What is Plum Dragon Town,
but Frolicking Dragon Teases the Phoenix.
Crescent moon o'er the land does shine.
Where's your home, o soldier of mine?
Miss, don't ask from whence we roam.
Where he lays his head is a soldier's home.
When you're not made up,
you look like a man to me.
When you are not made up,
you look just like a woman.
What nonsense.
Anyway, one of you is a man
and the other a woman.
It depends on whether you're on stage or off.
Miss, don't ask from whence we roam.
Where he lays his head is a soldier's home.
The soldier's ways are too carefree,
Brother, you asked for Lost Battle.
Yes?
But she insists on Frolicking Dragon.
Don't tease nice girls like me.
Nice girl, bad girl, I wouldn't dare,
but for the blossom you have in your hair.
It's in at such a jaunty angle,
suggestively it there does dangle.
Of my crab-apple flower
a joke you make.
This flower I will throw away,
and never wear another, from this day.
Phoenix Li, don't be like that,
a flower shouldn't lay on the floor like a mat!
Pick up the flower for this soldier man.
Come... I'll dress your hair as best I can.
Wear this
crab-apple blossom.
I came specially to hear you sing.
I didn't imagine I'd be singing with you
Or sheltering you with my umbrella.
But to be honest,
you didn't sing as well as I expected.
I couldn't concentrate.
I'm not worth your attention, is that it?
That's not what I meant.
Then what did you mean?
You two will perform together,
it's settled.
If that's what you wish.
Good.
If Master Mei isn't willing, then forget it.
I am willing.
He's got no sense of humour.
It's time we were off.
Okay.
Mr. Qiu,
perhaps you could be my mentor too.
You're good.
Miss Meng!
Mr. Feng.
Jasmine tea?
Lovely.
Careful, it's hot.
Madam, the Master borrowed someone's umbrella.
It's been here for days. I'm afraid it'll get taken.
Put it over there.
Yes.
Mr. Feng, you're here.
I'm here for my lesson.
Tonight's the last show. I should get there early.
This entire month of rehearsals and shows,
there's not a day you didn't go early.
The box office has been great.
Can it possibly flop?
In a show that features the best in opera
I should check it out myself.
I've been too busy up till now.
Go on then,
return that umbrella to its owner.
Master Mei, you're early.
You're not too late yourself.
Why don't you go in?
I'm waiting for the key.
Oh! It is open...
Then I'll see you on stage.
See you on stage.
I've brought you a flower.
I'm really quite hopeless.
It's men who give women flowers.
Never the other way round.
But the one you
You've already thrown it at me nine times.
And others before me too.
For the last show tonight,
wear a new one.
Just don't thank me.
Or I'll take it back.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
A woman's nails are long,
but these can't reach you.
I have to tell them,
it gets better every night.
Girl, you don't miss a trick. Touch the rough hands.
I wouldn't know. It's my first time.
I order you!
You want me to touch your hand?
Yes.
In that case
I won't!
Why not?
Stretch your hands out flat.
Fine, flatter still.
I'll touch touch touch, I will...
Ha ha ha
You're so right.
There's real emotion there.
Didn't I say that?
Nice girl, bad girl, I wouldn't dare.
It's in at such a jaunty angle,
suggestively it there does dangle.
Of my crab-apple flower.
A joke you make.
This flower I will throw away
and never wear another, from this day.
Zhifang, you're angry with me.
You shouldn't make fun of him.
You make it hard for them both.
Of course they act with real feeling.
You wouldn't want them to fake it, would you?
Come... I'll dress your hair as best I can.