Summary
Prologue
Wang, a destitute water seller, seeks shelter for three distinguished gods who
have arrived on Earth to find virtuous people. However, his requests are
declined by everyone. Wang himself lives under a bridge and has no place to
offer. Eventually, he asks the town's prostitute, Shen Teh, who agrees to host
them. The next morning, Shen Teh tells the gods that despite her efforts to be
good, she cannot make a living. The gods decide to compensate her for the
lodging when they depart.
Scene One
Using the gods' payment of a thousand silver dollars, Shen Teh purchases a
small tobacconist shop. She hopes to do good through her business, but soon
people begin to exploit her kindness. The former owner, Mrs. Shin, begs for
rice and money. An elderly couple, who initially took Shen Teh in when she
arrived in the city but later evicted her due to her inability to pay, now ask
for shelter for themselves and six relatives. They criticize Shen Teh for being
too generous and suggest she should claim a relative owns the store to deter
people. Shen Teh uses this excuse multiple times, especially when the landlady,
Mrs. Mi Tzu, demands six months' rent in advance. The couple's relatives
convince the landlady that Shen Teh's cousin, Shui Ta, is actually in charge.
Despite believing Shen Teh will soon lose her business, the elderly couple
continues to exploit her hospitality. Shen Teh fears losing her shop.
Interlude
The gods assign Wang the task of looking after Shen Teh and reporting on her
progress.
Scene Two
In the morning, the elderly couple’s family wonders where Shen Teh is. In her
absence, her cousin, Shui Ta, arrives with a carpenter. Shui Ta informs them
that Shen Teh will not be returning and demands they leave. Shui Ta handles
several business matters and has the couple's family arrested. When Shui Ta is
unable to convince the landlady to exempt Shen Teh from paying six months' rent
in advance, a policeman suggests that Shen Teh marry to raise the necessary
capital for the shop. They compose a personal ad to attract a suitable
match.
Scene Three
In a public park, Shen Teh encounters a young pilot, Yang Sun, who is about to
hang himself. As it begins to rain, they seek shelter together. Sun confides
that he cannot find a job, while Shen Teh admits she has worked as a
prostitute. Sun starts to appreciate Shen Teh, but he tells her he could never
love her.
Interlude
The gods visit Wang for an update. Wang informs them that Shen Teh is in love
with Sun and has remained virtuous. He also mentions that Shui Ta has been
uncharitable, which displeases the gods.
Scene Four
A group of individuals whom Shen Teh has assisted gather outside her shop. Shen
Teh spent the night with Sun and forgot about paying her shop's rent. A carpet
dealer and his wife lend her the 200 silver dollars needed for the payment.
Upon leaving the carpet dealer’s shop, Wang shows her his injured hand, broken
by the wealthy barber Shu Fu. Despite numerous witnesses to Shu Fu’s offense,
none are willing to support Wang’s account. Angered, Shen Teh orders those
waiting to leave. Sun’s mother, Mrs. Yang, approaches Shen Teh, explaining that
Sun requires 500 silver dollars to secure a pilot’s job. Shen Teh immediately
hands over the 200 silver dollars from the carpet dealer and promises to find
the remaining amount.
Interlude
Shen Teh discloses that she is actually Shui Ta.
Scene Five
Shui Ta is managing the shop when Yang...
(This entire section contains 1562 words.)
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Sun arrives, seeking the additional 300 silver dollars to obtain his job. Sun even proposes marrying Shen Teh. Shui Ta suggests he return the 200 silver dollars and assist Shen Teh with the tobacconist business, but Sun insists on selling the shop for 300 silver dollars instead. Shui Ta agrees until Sun reveals his plan to leave Shen Teh with nothing once he secures his job. Shui Ta demands the return of the 200 silver dollars, but Sun refuses. Realizing that Sun does not truly love Shen Teh, Shui Ta becomes wary. Mrs. Shin brings Shu Fu, the barber, to the shop. Shu Fu, who admires Shen Teh, offers the use of some vacant buildings to shelter her homeless guests. When Wang and a police officer enter, Shui Ta denies that Shen Teh witnessed Wang's injury. After they leave, Shui Ta informs Shu Fu that Shen Teh is no longer involved with Sun and will be away for a few weeks. Shui Ta then retreats to the back room. Shu Fu expresses his desire to be with Shen Teh, and when Yang Sun appears, the barber tells him that he and Shen Teh will be married. However, when Shen Teh emerges, Yang Sun manages to win back her affections, and Shen Teh confesses her love for him, not the barber.
Interlude
Shen Teh appears in her wedding dress and addresses the audience, revealing
that the carpet dealer is ill, and his wife urgently needs the money back.
Although Shen Teh loves Yang Sun, who now has the money, she is conflicted
about what to do.
Scene Six
At the wedding, Yang Sun complains to his mother that Shen Teh has asked for
the 200 silver dollars to be returned. Mrs. Yang reassures him that she has
sent for Shui Ta. Shen Teh initially thinks everything is fine until she
realizes that Yang Sun and his mother are delaying the wedding for Shui Ta's
arrival. Yang Sun is upset because he doesn't have the 200 silver dollars Shen
Teh requested and is frustrated that Shui Ta will not be bringing 300 silver
dollars. Shui Ta never shows up, and the couple does not get married.
Interlude
The gods appear to Wang in a dream. Wang is concerned that Shen Teh has lost
love because of her attempts to be good, but the gods dismiss his worries,
believing that goodness will ultimately prevail.
Scene Seven
Shen Teh plans to sell her business to repay the carpet dealer. Shu Fu offers
her a blank check to keep her business afloat, but she refuses to use it. Shen
Teh reveals she is pregnant and worries about her child's future. Despite her
own struggles, Shen Teh gives Wang her cart, one of the few possessions she has
left, so he can sell it and afford to see a doctor.
Some members of an elderly couple's family ask if they can store some stolen tobacco in her back room, and Shen Teh agrees. Later, she decides that to ensure her child's survival, she must become Shui Ta again. As Shui Ta, her alter ego, she takes control of the situation and stops Shen Teh’s charitable actions. Shui Ta decides to open a tobacco factory, using the elderly couple's tobacco as stock and employing the homeless guests as workers. He uses the blank check to save the business.
Interlude
Wang informs the gods that he has seen Shen Teh in distress in a dream, but the
gods remain unsympathetic.
Scene Eight
Shui Ta's tobacco factory is flourishing. Mrs. Yang explains to the audience
how Shui Ta saved her son by giving Sun a job in the factory and deducting the
200 silver dollars still owed to Shen Teh from his wages. Although Sun
initially dislikes the work, he eventually excels and becomes the overseer.
Scene Nine
While managing Shen Teh’s shop, Shui Ta has become quite overweight due to Shen
Teh’s pregnancy. Shui Ta/Shen Teh has managed to repay the carpet dealer and
his wife, though they have already lost their store. Mrs. Shin now realizes
that Shui Ta is actually Shen Teh. Sun enters, noting Shui Ta’s erratic mood,
and attempts to discuss business but is brushed off. Wang arrives, inquiring
about Shen Teh’s whereabouts, worried that something bad has happened to her.
When Wang accidentally reveals to Sun that Shen Teh is pregnant, Sun becomes
furious. Shui Ta retreats to the back room and weeps like a girl. Sun overhears
the crying and assumes that Shui Ta is keeping Shen Teh captive in the back
room. The police arrive and arrest Shui Ta.
Interlude
Wang informs the gods that Shen Teh is missing and her cousin has been
detained. The gods decide to step in.
Scene Ten
In the courtroom, the three gods preside over Shui Ta’s hearing. Everyone
present believes Shui Ta will be acquitted due to his connections. Attendees
speak highly of Shen Teh’s goodness. While some praise Shui Ta as an honorable
businessman, most accuse him of ruining their lives. The virtues of Shui Ta and
Shen Teh are debated by all who have been affected by them. Shui Ta agrees to
confess, but only if the courtroom is cleared of everyone except the gods. Once
alone, Shen Teh removes the mask and clothing that transform her into Shui Ta.
She explains to the gods the difficulties she faced as Shen Teh, being taken
advantage of by everyone. The gods show no sympathy and wish her luck as they
return to heaven, telling her that if she remains good, everything will turn
out well. Shen Teh is left to continue on her own.
Epilogue
A player steps in front of the curtain and apologizes to the audience for the
untidy ending.
