[FA ZHOU]
ANCESTORS, HELP THIS GIRL,
HEART A MUDDLE AND HER HEAD A WHIRL.
PRAY THIS OYSTER WILL PRODUCE A PEARL
AND BRING HONOR TO US ALL.

[MULAN]
(gets up)
I won't let the family down. Don't worry, Father.

(MULAN runs off.)

[FA ZHOU]
(calling after MULAN)
I'm not worried.
(looking to ANCESTORS)
I'm petrified.

(FA ZHOU exits.)

[ANCESTORS]
WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO GUARANTEE
THE PERFECT MATCH IS STRUCK,
BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW
SHE'LL NEED A LOT OF LUCK!
(Village Square. The VILLAGE WOMEN rush on. Nervous MAIDENS mill about. FA LI and GRANDMOTHER FA pace anxiously. MULAN runs into the middle of the commotion.)

[FA LI]
Of all the days to be late.

[GRANDMOTHER FA]
I should have asked the ancestors for luck.

[FA LI]
We've got about thirty seconds to get you ready for the Matchmaker.

[MULAN]
Thirty seconds? But Mama, that seems impossible—

(GRANDMOTHER whistles loudly)