(A generously proportioned private dining room in a restaurant in Chongqing. The students and the Instructor sit along a long rectangular table. Jiang Qing sits at the head. A lavish selection of starters has just arrived.)
Jiang QingEnjoy!
(The students help themselves to the dishes.)
Jiang QingAnd please make sure you try the fūqī fèipiàn.
The New StudentWhat does that mean?
Jiang QingTry it first.
The New StudentDelicious.
Jiang QingThese are a husband and wife's lung slices. They were breathing together. And now you can inhale their breaths.
(A beat.)
Jiang QingFood is about love.
(Another beat.)
Jiang QingChina is about love.
The InstructorThank you for this extraordinary treat, Madame Mao.
Jiang QingFor you, Comrade Qing.
The Other StudentsHot! Hot! Hot!
The First StudentI have always been drawn to spice.
Jiang QingGood for you.
The InstructorComrade Qing, why don't you tell us a little more about your splendid revolution?
Jiang QingThis great city played its own role in it. People were not afraid. The Yangtze can tell you.
(A beat.)
Jiang QingOur revolution was the most ambitious project in human history — to transform not just the state, but the people. We did not change laws. We changed minds.
The First StudentA million of those minds were just extinguished.
Jiang QingFor those, it was the only change possible.
The InstructorAt the Institute, we believe in the power of education. But everything has its limits.
Jiang QingChina has no limits. Look at it today. Look at this city. The biggest city in the world. When I was born, it was a mere river town.
(A beat.)
Jiang QingThere are people who think I failed. But without me, none of this would be here.
The New StudentIf I may ask, Comrade Qing, what are your thoughts on Europe?
Jiang QingEurope is a Disney park. Did you try the century eggs?
The New StudentNot yet, but let me have one.
(He takes a century egg and eats it.)
The New StudentUm... um... It's an acquired... it's very tasteful.
Jiang QingOf course it is an acquired taste. You can speak freely here.
The First StudentYour revolution was about acquiring taste.
The Other StudentsHot! Hot! Hot!
Jiang QingSwitzerland is different, of course. You have your mountains and your Rütli Oath.
The Instructor"Wir wollen sein ein einzig Volk von Brüdern,
In keiner Not uns trennen und Gefahr."
革命大联合
The New StudentWhat a fascinating parallel.
The First Student(whispering) You speak Mandarin?
The New Student(whispering back) I do.
Jiang QingOur two nations should form an alliance. I shall talk to Beijing later tonight.
The InstructorAnd I will talk to the Director.
Jiang QingWhy didn't you bring your permanent resident? Didn't he always want to go to China?
The First StudentHe has a chest infection.
Jiang QingGive him my greetings. And my wishes for a speedy recovery.