In this short scene, we are introduced to a young woman named Shu-Li, who has just returned from a trip to China. She is very excited to be back in the country, but she is also a little worried about her health, as she has just had a baby. She tells us that her stomach has suddenly become inflamed, and she is worried about what will happen to her when she has her period. She begs her father-in-law to take her to a nearby market place, where she will be able to buy some food