The People’s Republic of Desire

73 The Soap Opera Business

Lulu quits her job.

In the following weeks, her life has changed dramatically. She unplugs the phone, declines all invitations to parties and dinners, and hides at home. I take a few days off and spend time with her. We rent soap operas from Blockbuster. With a bowl of instant noodles and a cup of coffee on the stand next to her sofa, we watch the videos around the clock, living in a fantasy world that takes Lulu away from reality.

Yes, soap opera is Lulu's way of escaping. First of all, there is no more bombardment with news of devastating wars or terrible diseases. Second, instead of getting herself into real cat-fights, dirty tricks, office politics, or heartbreaking relationships with men, she watches other people suffer. Their torment makes her feel not too bad about her own situation.

Third, soap operas are silly and melodramatic, and it doesn't matter if they are Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Chinese, American, or Mexican. As she cries and laughs over their silliness, she feels she outsmarts them.

Lulu's favorite genre is kung fu soap operas such as The Water Marshals and The Eagle-Shooting Heroes. Kung fu stories always have beautiful settings in a desert or near a lake or forest that is totally different from the concrete jungle she lives in. They are always about integrity, honor, chivalrous knights, and the sacrifices of the ancient Chinese. These are the precise qualities that modern people lack. At times, the scenes and the fights are violent, but they are aesthetically violent.

One time, as we see a duel on screen, Lulu says, "I wish to have a duel with Jenny."

"It would perhaps be more honorable than behind-the-back mischievousness," I say.

Because Lulu has rented so many videos and DVDs, Blockbuster sends her a free gift. It's Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad series workshop. Lulu watches it for the sake of practicing her English and as a change of pace. But soon, she is captivated. In the video, Mr. Kiyosaki talks about the cash-flow quadrant and the differences between an employee and a business owner, and he explains why most employees go from job to job while others quit their jobs and go on to build business empires. According to the legendary Robert Kiyosaki, one can get rich as a business owner, but only be a member of the middle class as an excellent employee. He encourages people to find their own business models rather than relying on big corporations for financial freedom. Lulu is totally inspired and cheered up by this god-sent video.

"I'm on the right track to financial freedom by quitting my job. I should have my own business and be my own boss," she tells me. "My next step is to find the business. That is to say, what can I do?"

I look at the piles of videos and DVDs on the carpet of her living room, and have an idea,

"What about manufacturing soap operas? Isn't our life like a soap opera? The parties, the dinners, and the dates we've had."

"Sounds wonderful! But it probably would take me ten years to finish it."

"But remember what Jenny told you? The only thing China doesn't lack is people," I say to her.

"Yes, you are so right, Niuniu. If I can hire a team of writers to work with me, we can form several production lines. Networks need content to fill in their time slots. We can even go international since we can sell the rights to other countries!" She yells happily.

Lulu is a go-getter. A week later, she asks me to accompany her to meet a producer in the lobby of the Shangri-la Hotel. The producer is a good-looking, well dressed, smooth man in his forties. Lulu tosses around her ideas for the soap opera. He says he wants to hear more, and they can meet the next day.

Lulu arrives at the hotel the next day and rings him in his room. He says, "Come upstairs." Lulu gets suspicious. It's a gorgeous room and he's got wine, soft music, and cheese and crackers. After three glasses of this marvelous California mountain chablis, the man puts his hand on her thigh and his other arm around her. Lulu moves away.

"Is this also part of your job?" she asks him.

"Yes," he answers.

"Do you feel ashamed?" she asks.

"I love women. My job allows me to meet lovely women like you. It's a privilege. Why should I feel ashamed?"

"I love your honesty. Welcome to my first reality TV show!" Lulu points at the concealed camera she just set up while he was opening the wine in the kitchen. The man stares at the small red light, dumbfounded.