The Troubleshooters,' by Wang Shuo

22 CHINESE EDUCATION AND SOCIETY
BAO KANG: (Beaming with pleasure) That’s fine. This approach is a lot more
reasonable; I’ll get the air conditioner, they’ll get the idiot cameras. Go ahead
and prepare the budget. I’ll pay you later.
Yu GUAN: When you come back to pay, will you bring a copy of each of your
novels with you? Although you’ll decide which of them will win an honor, I’d
like to read them. I’m sure I’ll enjoy them even though I don’t know much about
literature. In fact, I’ve never been face to face with an author before today.
BAO KANG: (With reservations) Sure. I can even autograph a copy for you. My
most famous novels are, The Legend of the East Empress and I May Say I Don ’t
Want to, but I’ll Still Talk about the Writer’s Union.
Yu GUAN: Cool! They must all be quite exciting.
Yu GUAN gives BAO KANG a contract.
BAO KANG: Are you asking for my autograph?
Yu GUAN: Well, yes, in a way I am. This is our prelmnary contract; the permanent
one will be ready later on.
9 ENTRANCE TO 3-T COMPANY / EXTERIOR / DAY
Yu GUAN escorts BAO KANG to the door; the latter is suddenly seized with
great anxiety.
BAO KANG: What will we do if the established Writer’s Union authors won’t get
off of their high horses and accept our prizes?
Yu GUAN: (Comforting) Don’t worry about that! To accept or not is their business;
however, if they refuse us, we will try every means to coerce them into
accepting the prize.
BAO KANG: Thank you! I really appreciate your help!
BAO KANG warmly shakes Yu GUAN’S hand and sets 08
BAO KANG: A candle can’t be bright wthout first being lighted. Your remarks
have enlightened me.
Yu GUAN: Please don’t mention it. It’s our company’s policy to assist people
like you, with an exalted self-vision and no method to fulfill it.