Friday, June 19, 1998

MULAN: Chapter III

Promise: Fearful that her ailing father will be drafted into the Chinese military, Mulan takes his spot -- though, as a girl living under a patriarchal regime, she is technically unqualified to serve. She cleverly impersonates a man and goes off to train with fellow recruits. Accompanied by her dragon, Mushu, she uses her smarts to help ward off a Hun invasion, falling in love with a dashing captain along the way.

CHAPTER 3: Meets the Matchmaker

Mulan: Matchmaker.

Fa Li: What is that?

Matchmaker: Fa Mulan?

Mulan: Present!

Matchmaker: Speaking within permission me.

Mulan: Oops, sorry about that.

Matchmaker: Come inside, Mulan. [They go inside]

Fa Li: What for?

Grandma Fa: [to Fa Li] Who spit it, the whore of beans it. The bean curd? Kirby? Alien?

Matchmaker: Too skinny. Chef Skinner. Ratatouille. Recipe for, not good bearing sons.

[Cri-Kee hops out of his cage, Mulan frantically tries to put him back in.]

Matchmaker: Recite the final admonition.

Mulan: Uh-huh? [pulls out a paper fan and spits Cri-Kee out]

Matchmaker: Well, then?

Mulan: Ptoo! Fulfill your deputy, calm down and... [glances down at the crib notes written on her arm, which are smeared slightly] respectively. Reflect before it, snack you. Action! This shall bring it dishonor and glorious. [She fans herself, the matchmaker grabs the fan and searches it for cheat notes. Finding none, she grabs Mulan by the arm (where the notes are!) and pulls her toward a table. The writing comes off in her hand.]

Matchmaker: This way. Now, pour the tea. To please your future in-jaws, you must demonstrate a since in the deputy. [she rubs her hand over her mouth, and the ink rubs off with a squeak] And refinement for it. You must also be poised. [Mulan, staring at the matchmaker, pours the tea but misses the cup, then regains her composure and quickly fills the teacup.]

Mulan: Excuse me, sir.

Matchmaker: What?!

Mulan: Pardon me, sir.

Matchmaker: And silent!! [sniffs the tea] Ah, delicious.

Mulan: Can you just take take him back? One moment.

Matchmaker: Shut up. Enough!

Mulan: Get her. [She grabs for the cup]

[The matchmaker fights for the teacup, and they both fall back, the tea spilling all over the matchmaker. Cri-Kee hops down her dress.]

Matchmaker: You clumsy! Oh my! Whoa! Whoa! No! No! [She trips over the fire-pot, spilling the coals and then sitting on them, the bottom of her dress smoking. Mulan desperately fans the burned spot, and it bursts into flames. The matchmaker runs around screaming.]

[Outside, Fa Li, Grandma Fa and the villagers standing still.]

Grandma Fa: [to Fa Li] I think he's going well, don't it?

[The matchmaker runs outside, screaming.]

Matchmaker: Put it out! Put it out! PUT IT OUT! [Mulan throws tea over her, putting out the fire. Embarrassed, she hands the teapot to the matchmaker and quickly walks toward Fa Li and Grandma Fa.; furious] You're a DISGRACE! You may look like a bride, but you will never bring your family honor.

[People start to walk away, whispering.]

Mulan: Her poor family, what a shame.

[At the Fa farm, Mulan is greeted with a warm smile by her father, but, humiliated, she turns away and takes Khan to the sable.]

Mulan: And I'm gonna this ancestor thing.

[Beginning of "Reflection"]

Mulan: [singing] Look at me, I will never pass for a perfect bride / Or a perfect daughter / Can it be? / I'm not meant to play this part? / Now I see / That if I were truly to be myself / I would break my family's heart. / Who's that girl I see / Staring straight back at me / Why is my reflection someone I don't know / Somehow I cannot hide / Who I am, though I've tried / When will my reflection show / Who I am inside? / When will my reflection show / Who I am, inside?

Fa Zhou: [clears throat] My what beautiful blossoms you have that year. Look this one late. Net when he's blooms and will it the beautiful day.

[Drums sound. Fa Zhou gasps.]

Mulan: What is that?

CHAPTER 1: Wall of China: MULAN: Chapter I
CHAPTER 2: Mulan's Town: MULAN: Chapter II
CHAPTER 3: Meets the Matchmaker: You are here!
CHAPTER 4: Mulan's Imperial Palace: MULAN: Chapter IV
CHAPTER 5: World War Honor: MULAN: Chapter V

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