Mulan

Soldier:

Ah! [The hawk lets out a call. The soldier walks over to the edge of the wall. A hook comes flying up, followed by many more.]

Soldier:

[Running back to his post] We're under attack! Light the signal!

The door opens, revealing a couple of Huns. The soldier climbs up the ladder.

Soldier:

[lighting the signal with a torch, while staring at the Hun leader; other signals go on all the way along the Great Wall] Now all of China knows you're here.

Shan Yu:

[picking up a flag and toasting it in the signal fire] Perfect.

***

The Chinese General and two soldiers walk into the Emperor's chamber and bow.

General:

Your Majesty, the Huns have crossed our Northern Border.

Chi Fu:

Impossible! No one can get through the Great Wall! [He is silenced with a raised hand from the Emperor]

General:

Shan Yu is leading them. We'll set up defenses around your palace immediately.

Emperor:

No! [Standing up] Send your troops to protect my people! Chi Fu!

Chi Fu:

Yes, your Highness.

Emperor:

Deliver conscription notices throughout all the provinces. Call up reserves, and as many new recruits as possible.

General:

Forgive me, your Majesty, but I believe my troops can stop him.

Emperor:

I won't take any chances, General. A single grain of rice can tip the scale; one man may be the difference between victory and defeat.

***

Mulan:

[Using chopsticks to balance a grain of rice]

Quiet and demure ... graceful, polite, delicate, refined, poised ...

[she picks up a paintbrush and makes a mark on her arm] ... punctual!

[A rooster crows] Aaiee!

[Blowing on her arm] Little brother! Little brother! Little-- [she glances down at a sleeping dog on the floor]

Ah! There you are! [The dog wakes up]

Who's the smartest doggy in the world? C'mon, smart boy! Can you help me with my chores today? [she ties a sack of chicken feed to his back, complete with a pole and a bone attached. Little Brother immediately chases the bone, running promptly into a wall and then out the door, scattering grain everywhere.]

Fa Zu:

[praying] Honorable Ancestors ... please help Mulan impress the Matchmaker today. [Little Brother, followed by a herd of chickens, bursts into the family temple.] Please, please help her.

Mulan:

Father, I brought you some ... Whoop! [bangs into Fa Zu, he catches the tea pot on his cane while the cups hit the ground and shatter]

Fa Zu:

Mulan ...

Mulan:

I brought a spare!

Fa Zu:

Mulan ...

Mulan:

Remember, the doctor said three cups of tea in the morning ...

Fa Zu:

Mulan.

Mulan:

... and three at night.

Fa Zu:

Mulan. You should already be in town. We're counting on you to ...

Mulan:

Uphold the family honor. Don't worry, Father. I won't let you down. Wish me luck!

Fa Zu:

Hurry! I'm going to ... pray some more.

In town

Woman #1:

Fa Li, where is your daughter? The Matchmaker is not a patient woman.

Fa Li:

Of all the days to be late! I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck.

Granny Fa:

How lucky can they be? They're dead. Besides, I've got all the luck we'll need. [Holds up a wicker cage with a cricket inside.] This is your chance to prove yourself. [She closes her eyes and steps off the sidewalk.]

Fa Li:

Grandma! No!

Granny Fa walks across the street; vehicles crash, but she emerges unharmed.

Granny Fa:

Yup! This cricket's a lucky one! [Fa Li sighs.]

Mulan comes riding up on Khan, and hops off.

Mulan:

I'm here! [looks at her mother] What? But, Mama, I had to--

Fa Li:

None of your excuses. Now, let's get you cleaned up.

Begin "Honor to us all"

Woman #1:

This is what you give me to work with?

Well, honey, I've seen worse.

We're going to turn this sow's ear

Into a silk purse.

Mulan:

It's freezing!

Fa Li:

It would've been warm, if you were here on time.

Woman #1:

We'll have you, washed and dried

Primped and polished till you glow with pride

Just my recipe for instant bride

You'll bring honor to us all.

Fa Li:

Mulan, what's this?

Mulan:

Uh ... notes ... in case I forget something.

Granny Fa:

Hold this. [Hands Crickee to Fa Li] We're going to need more luck than I thought.

Woman #2:

Wait and see, when we're through

Woman #3:

Boys will gladly go to war for you

Woman #2:

With good fortune

Woman #3:

And a great hairdo

Both:

You'll bring honor to us all.

A girl can bring her family

Great honor in one way

By striking a good match

And this might be the day

Woman #4:

Men want girls with good taste

Woman #5:

Calm

Fa Li:

Obedient

Woman #5:

Who work fast-paced

Fa Li:

With good breeding

Woman #5:

And a tiny waist

All:

You'll bring honor to us all.

We all must serve our Emperor

Who guards us from the Huns

A man by bearing arms

A girl by bearing sons

Woman #6:

When we're through,

You can't fail

Like a lotus blossom, soft and pale

How could any fellow say, "No sale"?

You'll bring honor to us all!

Fa Li:

There, you're ready.

Granny Fa:

Not yet! An apple for serenity

A pendant for balance

Beads of jade for beauty

You must proudly show it

Now, add a cricket, just for luck,

And even you can't blow it!

Mulan:

Ancestors, hear my plea,

Please don't let me make a fool of me

And to not uproot my family tree

Keep my father standing tall.

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