Free The Other Shore by Gao Xingjian Page A

you really got wine in your pot?
    Card Player:
    Have a taste first.
    Crowd:
    It’s good.
    What aroma!
    Of course, it’s the real thing.
    Let me have a sip.
    It’s worth playing for.
    Card Player:
    In a moment you’ll pick your cards. I’ve shown you my card, all of you have seen it, right? Now you can only look at your own card, no ganging up, that’s a no-no.
    Crowd:
    ( Eager to pick their cards .)
    That’s nothing, it’s fine with me.
    We should play our own games.
    Don’t worry, I won’t look even if you let me.
    Me, I’m honesty personified.
    Integrity comes first, winning and losing second.
    Hear! Hear!
     
    ( Those who have picked their cards are silent. )
     
    Card Player:
    ( To the person who picks first. ) Show me your card. You lose.
    This Person:
    ( Nods. ) What’s the penalty?
     
    ( Card Player takes a piece of paper and spits on it. He sticks the paper onto the cheek of This Person, who mutters something. The Crowd watch and laugh. This Person is relieved and laughs with them .)
     
    Card Player:
    ( Turns to another person. ) My friend, how about you? ( That Person shows his card .) You lose too.
    That Person:
    Well, give it to me.
    Card Player:
    Stick it under your chin.
     
    ( That Person takes a piece of paper, spits on it, and sticks it under his chin. He is somewhat embarrassed, but when he sees the Crowd laughing, he is himself again .)
     
    Third Person (Female):
    It’s fun.
    Card Player:
    ( Turns towards her .) And you? ( She shows her card and hurriedly takes it back. )
    Crowd:
    Did you win?
    You won!
    Did you really win?
    ( She frets demurely and shakes her head. )
    Why aren’t you sticking the paper on your face?
    Stick the paper on, stick it on!
    Come on, it’s the rule, no exceptions allowed.
    If you don’t stick it on, we won’t either.
    Third Person (Female):
    It’s too embarrassing.
    Crowd:
    You think we’re not?
    That won’t do. Stick it on the ear.
    Right, on the ear.
    Stick it on the nose!
    It must be different with everybody, okay? No repetitions.
    Everybody gets one.
     
    ( When the Card Player looks at someone, the person will show his card and then obediently stick a piece of paper on his face .)
     
    Crowd:
    ( Sticking paper to their own faces. )
    Fair and square.
    No doubt about that.
    Nobody tells you to lose, but when you do, you’ve got to take what comes.
    Everyone gets a penalty, everyone sticks a paper on their face.
    If you haven’t got a paper on your face, you’ll look odd and out of place, and people will be afraid of you.
     
    ( The strange-looking, papered faces all turn towards Man. )
     
    Card Player:
    My friend, it’s your turn now.
    Man:
    Idon’t play.
    Card Player:
    Everybody plays, why don’t you?
    Man:
    I find the whole thing very silly. What’s more, I’ve got to go.
    Crowd:
    Yes, that’s right. We should all be going.
    Don’t go by yourself.
    Where are we going?
    Right, where exactly are we going?
    Man:
    In any case I’ve got to go.
    Card Player:
    I’ve got the whole place lit up and I’ve prepared wine. I went through all these troubles just to play cards with you people. I’ve never heard of anyone who comes here and leaves without playing. You shouldn’t have come in the first place!
    Crowd:
    ( Stopping Man .) Play!
    Come on, be a good sport. Don’t be such a party popper.
    Just play one game. Just one.
    Play once and then we’ll go.
    Man:
    Don’t you understand? You’re not really playing cards, he’s playing a trick on you. You can’t win. Your card, yours, and yours are all no trumps, including all the cards still in the deck. The only spade in the deck is in his hand! ( Card Player giggles .) Let’s go! Why waste our time on this guy.
    Card Player:
    There is no such thing as time here. ( He blows on the oil lamp and the light flickers, and it gradually turns brighter again .) There is only eternal light. ( He takes the lamp and shines on everyone from below the chin. The papered faces look like gargoyles .) I’m a