Ming
How is this possible?! What happened to your panda?
It's easy. When I start to get emotional, all I do is imagine the people I love most in the whole world. Which is you guys.
Ming
Oh. Oh, Mei-Mei.
So, now that that's settled, I just have one teeny-tiny favor to ask.
Ming
No. Absolutely not.
What?! But this is once in a lifetime!
Ming
Mei-Mei, it's one thing to stay calm at home or school, but a concert? You'll get whipped up into a frenzy and panda all over the place.
I won't, I won't! I promise! You saw me keep it in!
Jin
Ming, maybe we should trust her.
Ming
It's them I don't trust! Look at those glittery delinquents with their… [shudders in disgust] Gyrations. Why on earth do you want to go so badly?
Like I said, I just want to broaden my musical horizons.
Ming
This isn't music, this is filth! And it's not worth jeopardizing your life over. Right, Jin?
Jin
Uh--
Ming
See? Your father agrees. No concert, and that's final.
Okay, well, thanks for listening. Good night. [picks up her 4-Town CDs and radio, and walks to her room with an annoyed scoff]
Ming
What was that? Am I the only one who sees the danger here? There's no way she could keep her panda in. And $200?! For what?! Who do they think they are, Celine Dion? [the phone rings and Jin gets up to answer it] Hmph. Unbelievable. I saw that look. Where does she get that from? Treating her own mother like that.
Jin
Hold on. Ming, it's your mother.
Ming
I'm not here! [lays down on the sofa, curling in a fetal position, then takes the phone out of Jin's hand; shakily] Mother. Hello. [on speaker] How's everything in Florida?
Grandma Wu
Ming. I know about Mei-Mei.
Ming
I was just about to call you, but everything's fine. [hesitantly] I'm gonna handle the ritual on my own.
Grandma Wu
The way you "handled" Mei-Mei being on the news?
Ming
No one knows anything. They barely saw her!
Grandma Wu
I'm on my way... with reinforcements.
Ming
NO, I CAN HANDLE IT! I CAN... [Grandma Wu hangs up]
