John Wilson - The Third Act

Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, Republic of China
Evening, December 13, 1937

Hill Chao ducks around the corner into the shadow of the narrow alley. Flattened against the wall, he watches the squad of Japanese soldiers march past. Hes in the Safety Zone, but close to the edge, and ever since the Japanese stormed over the city wall earlier in the day, no one is certain they will respect it. Hill is dressed in civilian clothes, but hes of military age, and he knows from the stories his father has told him that this puts him in serious danger.

As soon as the soldiers disappear, Hill darts out into the deserted road. He moves slowly, working his way over and around the piles of rubble and trying to avoid the bodies. He knows there must be people in the undamaged houses on either side, but they are huddled deep inside with the blinds drawn.

Hill has worked his way to the middle of the road to avoid a burning building when a bomb explodes in the next street over. The sound distracts him and muffles the noise of the plane banking along the street behind him. The first he knows of it is when the bullets chip the rubble at his feet. Hill dives to one side as the plane roars above him at rooftop height. He gets a glimpse of the red suns on the wings in the glow from the fire, and then the darkening sky is empty.

His heart thumping, Hill drags himself to his feet and continues cautiously on his way. Despite the danger, he is preoccupied. The past hours have turned his life on its head, and he has some important decisions to make.

Thank God the worst is over.

Neil Peterson stands by the windows at the back of the balcony of the Jinling University theater, staring out over the gaping shells of ruined buildings and Nanjings ancient city walls at the fires roaring across the slopes of Purple Mountain. The smoke from the burning city veils the setting winter sun and adds a sense of foreboding to the view. He shivers and pulls his jacket tight around him.

Lily Chan turns from the flames to stare at Peterson. Because shes almost a foot shorter than the American, she has to look up. Despite how long theyve known each other, his profile, with its aquiline nose and prominent chin, still seems strange to her. Hes good-looking, but his features are too big, making his long face appear cluttered. Sometimes she gazes into the mirror at her own delicate, perfectly proportioned features and wonders, If we ever had children, what would they look like?

Peterson glances down at her. What are you smiling at?

I was just thinking that you look like Leslie Howard in The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Peterson laughs shortly. Me? A British movie star playing a hero rescuing aristocrats from the guillotine in the French Revolution? I dont think thats my role.

Lilys smile fades. Were all destined to play roles hereand you, a playwright, should understand best of all that no one knows what his role will be until the cast list is posted.

It was posted this morning when the Japs came over the city wall. Were to play the part of the defeated. The Battle of Nanjings finished.

Maybe. Lily looks back at the mountain. Why did you decide to stay here?

Why did you? Peterson counters. Anyone with enough money has fled the city.

I have a responsibility to the drama program. I spent years overseas studying Shakespeare so that I could properly introduce his work in China. Should I give all that up now just because of this stupid war? Besides, this is my country. Youre a stranger here, visiting so that you can study Guan Hanqings thirteenth-century plays. You could have left with all the western diplomats, businessmen and journalists.

On the Panay? You may not have noticed, but shes at the bottom of the Yangtze today.

Okay, but your American ambassador and his staff left for Wuhan three weeks ago. Youve had plenty of opportunity to leave. Why didnt you?

In case youve forgotten, Peterson says flippantly, were staging Hanqings Lord Guan Goes to the Feast in a couple of days.

You cant be serious about doing the play with all thats going on!

Why not? Most of the preparations done. The actors are all ready to go, and the dress rehearsals tomorrow afternoon. I admit that a few of the extras have fled, but well round up more. Its not as if they have to act. All they need to do is stand around pretending to be soldiers.

Im not sure that dressing Chinese as soldiers is such a good idea these days.

Theyll be dressed as thirteenth-century soldiers. I doubt even the Japanese will be upset at that. Anyway, Shimadas on board with the whole idea, so hell clear it with the Japanese military.