The scene opens in a hotel in Shanghai, where a group of new actors and actresses have gathered to learn about acting from a well-known senior. The senior, known as "Mr. Tang," has come to give a lecture to the group, in order to encourage the new actors to perform well. The actress is frightened by the presence of the senior, who is clearly trying to humiliate her. She is grateful that the senior is willing to give her a lecture, even though she is not feeling well. She apologizes if she offended him, but the senior replies that she has made herself clear that she did not disrespect the senior. He says that a "true star" will never do anything "stupid enough" to disgrace his "dignity." The actress, however, is not fooled by the senior's words, and she accuses the senior of having misunderstood her.