The action moves back in time to an American mother writing letters to her absent Chinese betrothed, looking forward to when they can be together again. Ultimately, when they marry, the mother loses her citizenship due to the Expatriation Act of 1907. Their child, still an American citizen, is taken away by the state.
“Pandemic” uses music to signal to listeners what the time period is when the action takes place. A sound montage of news announcements juxtaposes the racist abuses endured by Chinese Americans in the 1930s with those of the present day.
Lu wrote “Pandemic” while enrolled in Philadelphia Young Playwrights residency program for young writers. Because it was selected by PYP for a full production, they provided Lu with a professional director, actors, and a design crew.