[Intro] [Fast Vintage Pop Intro] (Sweet melodic singing) Three nights in a hotel, barely sleeping. She went out for food and got stopped by the police. The officer took her ID, checked the computer, then looked at her. “Your family reported you missing.” “How long?” “Three years.” She stared at him. She had a job, a place to stay, a normal life. Missing? Then he told her to call home. “Do I really have to?” [Verse 1] [Driving Motown Beat] Her mother picked up and the questions started immediately. Where are you? Are you okay? When are you coming back? She said she was fine. Coming home was negotiable. If they wanted her back, they had to listen first. The officer stood beside her through the call. By the time she hung up, the missing person case had turned into a deal. [Pre-Chorus] (With backing strings) A few days later she was back in Tainan. Her parents thought life could go back to normal. Then they arranged a blind date. She wasn’t worried. Her friends were. [Chorus] [1960s Girl Group Harmonies] (First friend voice) “Don’t talk too much.” (Second friend voice) “Just sit there and look nice.” (Backing vocals) “Smile.” “Act innocent.” “Don’t argue.” “And please don’t tell him exactly what you think.” (Main female vocal) She stared at them. “So I pretend I have no personality and hope he falls in love with the furniture?” Silence. “You really think talking is that dangerous?” Their faces said yes. She thought they were exaggerating. [Verse 2] [Upbeat Retro Rhythm] She showed up, smiled, and tried to behave. At first he sounded normal. Then he asked if she cooked. “Sometimes.” “Would you cook every day after marriage?” She kept quiet. Then came children. Her job. Living with his parents. Taking care of them. Before dinner was half finished, she understood why her friends wanted her quiet. Then he smiled. “What kind of wife do you think you’d be?” “Probably a terrible one.” He laughed like it was a joke. She wasn’t joking. [Bridge — Rap] [Dramatic Horn Section] She put the glass down. “Okay, my turn.” He smiled. That was cute. “You want me to work, cook, raise the kids, take care of your parents, and shut up when you come home late?” His face changed. “Then what the hell are you doing?” He started talking about being the man of the house. She stared at him. “That’s it? You’re the man?” He went quiet. “Wow, congratulations.” She leaned back. “So I make my own money, handle the house, raise your kids, look after your parents, and your contribution is what, having a penis?” Now he looked offended. “You don’t need a wife. You need a maid, a nanny, and probably your mother.” He tried to interrupt. “And you want all three for free?” She grabbed her bag. “Fuck, no wonder you need a blind date.” [Final Chorus] [Sweet 1960s Girl Group Harmonies] Her friends were right. She could keep quiet. She just didn’t always feel like it. One stupid question on the wrong day could change the whole dinner. She didn’t need a long speech. One sentence could do the job. (Backing vocals) “Please, just don’t talk.” (Main female vocal) Dramatic? Maybe. Depends on her mood. [Outro] [Classic Big Band Finish] Later her friends asked, “What did you say?” “Not much.” She told them what happened. One friend covered her face. “I told you not to talk.” She shrugged. “I barely did.” Then smiled. “They weren’t protecting me. They were protecting you.” [Big Brass Hit] [End]
