All language subtitles for Noble House (1988) Part 1

Good evening, Mr. Dunross.

- Taipan sent for me.
- Yes, sir.

Working late tonight, Claudia?

Mr. Dunross, the taipan say
you should go right in.

Good evening, Taipan.

You're early.

Five minutes early is
on time, Taipan.

lsn't that what
we've been taught?

Filthy night.

Midnight.

Come in.

Ah, Philip.
On time, as usual.

Thank you, Taipan. l brought my son
John as you requested.

Good evening, sir.
l am honored to be here.

Here it is our custom
that there be a witness

For the handing over
from taipan... to taipan.

lt's always
our current comprador,

and on this occasion,
his son and heir.

Well, let us
get on with it.

lan Struan Dunross,
l ask you formally,

do you want to be
taipan of the noble house?

Yes, sir.

Here. Read it aloud.

30th of August, 1841.

ls this Dirk Struan's
handwriting?

Aye, it's his hand
and his words.

Read them.

''My legacy shall bind every
taipan that succeedeth me

''and he shall read it aloud
and shall swear before God

''in front of witnesses
in the manner set forth

''by me, Dirk Struan,
founder of Struan and Company,

''to accept them and to ever
keep them secret

''prior to taking
to himself my medal.

''This is my legacy.

''First, there shall be
only one taipan at one time,

''and he hath total, absolute
authority over the company.

''Whatsoever he orders,
it shall be obeyed.

''His power in the company
is absolute.

''Second, the taipan alone
chooses his successor,

''who must be kinsman to the Clan
Struan by birth or marriage.

''Third, at each taipan's retirement,
which will be solely his own decision

''and be at a time
when it pleasures him,

''he shall take no more
than ten parts of every 100

''of all value for himself.

''Fourth, each taipan shall
approve the election of the comprador.

''who shall in perpetuity
be from the house of Chen.

''Last, the taipan shall swear
his successor, whom he alone

''chooses in the presence
of the comprador,

''using the words set down under
my hand in our family Bible.

''Here in Hong Kong
this 30th day of August

''in the year of our lord 1841.

''Signed and sealed.

''Dirk Struan.''

Put your hand on it.

Do you, lan Struan Dunross,

kinsman to the Struans,
swear before God

that you will obey the legacy
of Dirk Struan,

assuming all
his promises, responsibilities,

and obligations
without question?

l swear before God.

And do you solemnly
vow before God

in the presence of Alastair McKenzie
Duncan Struan, 11th taipan,

and Philip Chung Shin-Chen,
fourth comprador,

that you will also
be bound before God

to all of this legacy?

l solemnly vow,
so help me God.

Now...lt's done.

Well, l'd like to be
the first to wish you well, Taipan.

Anything l can do
to help, you have.

And l am honored
to be second.

Congratulations, Taipan.

Thank you.

All of you.

By custom, l become
chairman of a London subsidiary,

but you can terminate
that anytime you wish.

lt's terminated.

Whatever you say.

You will be much more
useful to Struan's

as deputy chairman of
the first Central Bank of Edinburgh.

Struan's goes
public next year.

Public?

No. We've always been
a private company

with no stockholders
prying into our private affairs.

lan, for God's sake--

lt's the only way
we can survive.

The only way
we can raise the capital we need.

Once you open Struan's
to the public, Taipan--

Please forgive
my son, Taipan.

Perhaps his American education was not
the wisest decision l have made for him.

Or perhaps
he should remain here

instead of returning
to the United States.

What do you think, John?

l would prefer to return, sir.

l'll have my doctorate in a couple years
and l've worked very hard.

Then it's up to you, Philip.

Typhoon?

''Lasting Cloud'' is due
to dock tomorrow night.

Aye, but she'll be held somewhere
off the Philippines.

Captain Moffitt's too canny
to get caught in a storm like this.

l don't agree.

Moffitt likes hitting schedules.

This typhoon's on schedule.

- ''Lasting Cloud'' better not get caught.
- Why?

We've got a new
computer onboard

and £4 million worth of jet engines.

Uninsured.

Or at least we're
carrying the paper.

Well, it was that
or lose the contract,

and it's a chance
to double our money.

Besides, the decision
had to be made, and l made it.

That was your privilege.

But there's a lot
of risk in one ship.

Well, there's damn little
l can do about it now.

Philip, these are some
private matters.

Will you excuse us, please?

Certainly, Tai--

Mr. Struan.

l shall be wherever
you need me, Taipan.

Sending John to an American university
was a total blunder.

He'll never be as good
as his father.

lf l were you, l'd have
Philip start training some other relative.

There's no need.

Philip is Struan's last comprador.

We longer need an intermediary

between the Noble House
and the Chinese.

The idea's outdated.

The formal system
ends with Philip.

ls there anything in the Noble House
you're not going to change, Taipan?

l'll change anything
that needs changing to save Struan's,

and that may be quite a lot
after the mistakes you've made.

Now, what are these
private matters?

Open the Bible and you'll see
what you've inherited.

Now read your destiny, Taipan.

''l swear by the lord God
that whomsoever has

''the other half of
any of these coins,

''l shall grant him
whatsoever he asks.

''Dirk Struan.''

Signed by every taipan
since him.

Add your name after mine.

And if l don't?

You'll sign, by God,
or another man will.

The curse goes
with the blessing.

Take it all or take nothing!

''Fang-Shoi, paid in full
18 June 1845.

''Calum Struan.

''Sun Chen-Yet, paid in full,
October 10, 1911, Hag Struan.''

Who has the other
two halves?

You'll sign blind
like all the other taipans before you.

Now, answer
my question, damn you.

The answer, Taipan,
is that l don't know.

And now you can pray
with all your soul

that you never find out,
because you're bound by Dirk's promise

just as l have been.

lt's your phone now. Not mine.

Dunross.

Telex for Taipan.

No. Mr. Alastair Struan has retired.

l'm the taipan of Struan's now.

Yes. lan Dunross.
What does the telex say?

Yes.

lt's all right.

l understand.

That was from our office in Taipei.

''Lasting Cloud'' has foundered
off the coast of Taiwan.

They fear she's gone down
with all hands.

Hi. lt's a wonderful party.

Yes. Thank you.

Hello, JohnJohn.

Quite a party this year, Taipan.

Yes. Philip outdid himself.

l can think of better ways for
Struan's to spend their money.

Mm. You're beginning to
sound like a banker, Paul.

Would that Victoria Bank
could afford a little time for a celebration.

Oh, yes, we can. But from what
l've been hearing, you can't.

You should know
better than to believe the rumors.

Enjoy yourselves.

Damn sight more than rumors.

Even with the market
fluctuating the way it has been,

we haven't dropped a point.

You know what, Philip?

When John comes home,
you ought to put him with us for a while.

Seriously. lt'll be an
invaluable experience.

- l'm sure it would be.
- Mention the idea to him.

When is he arriving?

Probably next week.
He hasn't let us know exactly.

lt was good of you
to come, Mr. Tipp.

l hope l can assume the
Bank of China approves of this occasion.

You may assume whatever
you please, Taipan.

Since you were kind
enough to invite me,

l could hardly refuse, could l?

ln any event, l'm always
pleased to see you.

After all, China is China,
the Middle Kingdom.

We of the Noble House
have always considered China

to be the mother and father
of our home here.

Your home.

Our land.

Temporarily
administered by the British.

Hong Kong is and always was earth
of the Middle Kingdom.

What do you forecast
will happen in 1997

when the treaty making
Hong Kong a British colony expires

and all this
reverts to us

and Hong Kong becomes
truly part of China once again?

1997 will take care of 1997.

Old friends will still
need old friends.

As l am your guest
today, l will not disagree...

But...but should
old friends fail you,

how will you remain
the Noble House and for how long?

And, um, what
about Noble Star?

Well, that's the taipan's
best horse, if you ask me.

But can she run
against Pilot Fish?

That stallion's good,
but not in the same class,

unless there's
an act of God or the devil.

And there's always that to consider.

Tell me, Linbar,
is there any truth

in the gossip that your
taipan's pulled off a marvelous deal,

yet another rabbit
out of the battered old hat?

Who has put that
into your ear?

Only the last five people
l've spoken to today.

l was waiting for you
to take your turn.

Then l'm afraid you'll
have to keep waiting.

Race tips are the best
l can manage,

and no one's been known
to win a bundle on my expert advice.

Though, Buccaneer
is worth a bet.

Here we go.

May l have your attention, please?

Thank you.

Believe me, l won't
make a very long speech.

But, as Struan and Company
celebrates its 150th year,

there are a few things
l would like to say,

some of which may interest
some of you.

First of all, we've always
been a Hong Kong-based company.

And we shall remain
a Hong Kong-based company.

As a firm demonstration
of that,

while other companies have been
making foreign investments

because of these uncertain times,

Struans has been searching for
an investor to come here to Hong Kong.

And so, l'm very pleased
to announce on this occasion

that Struan's is
about to expand--

a multi-million dollar expansion

with the investment of Par-Con
lndustries of Los Angeles, California.

Par-Con?
That's Lincoln Barlett.

The man's raided a dozen
companies in the past two years

and taken over most of them.

Dunross can't be
that big a fool.

Hello, Philip.

- How are things?
- Robert.

l didn't expect
to see you here.

Well, your airport
contact mentioned

to immigration that you were coming
to meet a special plane.

Yes, but that doesn't
usually bring out

the head of the criminal
investigation department.

Oh, l was just passing by
and thought l'd lend a hand,

bypass all the red tape for you.

lt's the least we can do
for the Noble House.

l sent a constable to take
your car to the gate.

lt'll be waiting
at the gangway for you

and your guest
from Par-Con.

lf you'd like to
go up and greet your guests.

Thank you.

No trouble at all.

Good evening.
l'm Philip Chen of Struan's.

l've come to meet
Mr. Bartlett.

And me.
l'm Casey Tcholok.

Linc, Philip Chen's here.

Mr. Chen.

lt's a real pleasure.

l've certainly heard
a lot about you.

- You have?
- Yeah.

Hey, we got a little
surprise for you.

Ran into him in L.A.
and we offered him a lift.

Hey, John.
Your father's here.

Hi, Dad.

- How could you do this?
- What?

l just wanted
to surprise you.

And, indeed, you have.

Be in my office first
thing tomorrow morning.

Welcome to Hong Kong.

lf l could have
your passports, please.

- Of course.
- Thank you.

Get these stamped,
Sergeant Lee, and quickly, please.

Yes, Superintendent.

- Superintendent?
- Armstrong.

Superintendent
Robert Armstrong, Chief of C.l.D.

Do you greet all private
planes, Superintendent?

Only the special ones.
You're very well informed, Miss.

- lt's part of her job.
- The car is right over here.

Please.

What's that smell?

Oh, that's Hong Kong's
very own, Mr. Bartlett.

That's the smell of money.

And the taipan wondered if 10:00
tomorrow would be convenient.

- lf that's too early?
- 10:00 will be fine.

This is your first
trip to Hong Kong, Miss tcho--?

Please call me Casey.
lt's easier.

And yes. First time in Hong Kong.
First time in Asia.

And for you, Mr. Bartlett?

Never got past Hawaii before,
but l'm sure l'll enjoy it.

Exactly what does
taipan mean, anyway?

Taipan means ''supreme leader''
in Cantonese.

The person with
the ultimate power.

The European heads
of all the old trading companies

are all taipans
to the Chinese.

But even among taipans,
there is always the greatest--

the Taipan.

And that's lan Dunross?

That is the taipan
of the Noble House.

l hope your accommodations
will be satisfactory.

l'm sure they're very nice.

Shall l send a car
for you in the morning?

Say at 9:45?

Don't bother. l think
we can find our own way.

Thank you for
everything, Mr. Chen.

Hi.

These two in here.
The rest over there.

Oh, wait a second.

- Here.
- Thank you, sir.

l hope you have
a profitable stay.

lt will be profitable,
pal. Take my word for it.

And l thought l had
the bridal suite.

What do you think?

l think our Mr. Dunross
knows what brand of beer you drink.

What else do you
think he knows?

More than you want him to,

- But not everything.
- Nope.

What do we know
about him?

Want to review his bio?

You know what l mean.

Charming, good at his job,

maybe even brilliant,
and tough--

ruthless if he wants to be.

l wouldn't like him
for an enemy.

Sometimes an enemy is
more valuable than a friend.

This is his home turf, Linc.
He knows the game better than we do.

Yeah. We learn fast. Go on.

Let's see...

lan Struan Dunross.
That makes him family.

Born Hong Kong. Oxford grad.

Fluent in Chinese--
Mandarin and Cantonese dialects.

Wife died nine years ago.

He likes fast horses and fast cars.

Taipan.

Sounds a lot better than boss.

Don't start getting ideas.

We make this deal, turn
it around a few times, and go home.

lsn't that what you said?

Nothing long-term.

What's the matter, Casey?
Don't you like Hong Kong?

lt's a great place to visit,
but l wouldn't want my money here

when the Chinese come knocking
at the door with an eviction notice.

1997's still a long ways away.

Folks around here
don't think so.

Have you looked
at the cash flow out of this place?

What do you think
brought me here?

Don't worry.
l know exactly what l'm doing.

l hope so.

How do you want
to handle this 10:00 meeting?

l don't. You handle it.
l'll wander in later.

Long day.

Yeah.

Hello, Mr. Dunross.

Hello. We've never
met, have we?

No. But we're about to.

- l'm Casey...
- Miss Tcholok. Of course.

l had a rather deranged
call from Philip Chen last night.

Something about
refusing to be picked up.

Philip was afraid
that you and Mr. Bartlett might get lost.

Where is Mr. Bartlett,
by the way?

Linc will be coming later.

He asked me to handle
this first meeting.

l hope that won't
upset things too much.

lf it does, we'll try
to accommodate the problem.

Would you and Mr. Bartlett care to be
my guests at the races on saturday?

l think that would be lovely.
But l'll have to check with Linc--

- when he arrives.
- When he arrives.

After you, Miss Tcholok.

Try Casey. lt's easier on the jaw.

Why is the front door
at an angle?

Sorry?

The front entrance to the building.

lt seems to be
at a slight tilt, not quite straight.

l was wondering why.

You're very observant.

The answer's feng shui.

When the building was put up, someone
forgot to consult our feng shui man.

That's the man who makes
sure you're building

on the earth dragon's back
and not on his head.

- What?
- Oh, yes.

You see, every building
in all of China

is built on some part
of the earth dragon.

To be on his back is perfect.
But if you're on his head, that's very bad.

And if you're on the dragon's eyeball,
that's really terrible.

When the feng shui man
was finally consulted,

he said we were just fine,
right on the dragon's back,

but the devils were
getting in the front door.

So we shifted the angle slightly,
and now all the devils are deflected.

Tell me the real reason.

That is the real reason.

Feng shui.

You really believe that?
Devils and dragons?

l believe none of it.

But when you're in China,
it's always best to act a little Chinese.

Morning, Taipan.

Morning. Marie, this is
Miss Casey Tcholok.

Will you please show her
into the boardroom?

Yes, sir. Shall l?

No. There's no need
to announce her.

l'll see you later.

This way, Miss.

Hello, Taipan.

And what did you
and Miss Casey Tcholok

talk about in the elevator?

l'm surprised
you don't already know.

My sources of information
are not that good.

But almost.

What's she like--
Miss Casey Tcholok?

Attractive.

Confident. Very observant.

Philip wasn't too keen on her.

He said she was like
California fruit--

great to look at
but no taste.

Philip's a snob.

Oh. And he asked whether
you've heard from John.

John? No. Why?

Philip said he was
due in the office first thing this morning,

but there's no sign of him.

And there's no answer
at his flat.

You know how John came home.

Yes, l know. Philip called me
last night. He was very upset.

Claudia, let me know
as soon as John arrives.

l'd like an explanation of why
he was on Bartlett's plane.

l repeat. We can better any arrangement
you can make with Struan's, Mr. Bartlett.

Any arrangement.

Dollar for dollar, Mr. Gornt.

Precisely.

Now, it's no secret that our companies
are very serious rivals.

But we can outbid Struan's
and outmatch them.

l can arrange our share
of the financing within the week.

And l can set up
our joint company under Hong Kong law.

That means
a maximum tax of 16.5%.

That's a lot better
than the United States.

- Oh, much better.
- Well?

How can we seal
our relationship?

First l have to find out
what Struan's are after.

l started negotiating
with them, and l don't like

changing airplanes
in mid ocean.

Oh, l can tell you exactly
what they're after--

profit for them and to hell
with anybody else.

The deal we've discussed
is very fair.

They invented Hong Kong rules.

Do you know what they are?

No. Tell me.

Anything is legal, so long
as you don't go to jail.

- And they're pushing that these days.
- And you don't?

Oh, we do what we have to.

One of these days,
l'm going to take Struan's down.

lf you can, why haven't you
done it before?

Oh.

lt's been my company's
intent for many, many years, Mr. Bartlett.

l nearly had them three years ago

when their previous taipan's
joss ran out.

Joss? What's joss?

Oh, joss is a Chinese word
for luck or fate.

And a bit more.

You'll find that we are
very superstitious here.

Joss is terribly important.

lt's like timing.

Alastair Struan's joss ran out.

He had a disastrous year.

Struan's nearly
went under then,

but Dunross squeezed out.

He went right to the very edge,
but he got away with it.

He won't get away with it again.

lf l were you
and wanted to take Struan's,

l'd join with another
company here, say, Asian Properties.

Go in strong.

ls that what you want to do?

Take Struan's?

- ls that possible?
- Yes.

But not with Asian Properties
as a partner.

Their taipan, Jason Plumm,
he's got no guts.

You'd need me.

Now, it's no secret
that l detest Struan's generally

and lan Dunross personally.

How serious are you?

l'll tell you after
l've seen Dunross.

And are you going
to suggest to him that the two of you

can swallow Rothwell-Gornt?

My purpose here is to make
Par-Con international.

Up until a short while ago,
l'd never heard of Struan's or you.

Very well, Mr. Bartlett.
We'll leave it at that.

Whatever you do
will be interesting.

But remember
you're in Hong Kong, Mr. Bartlett.

You're not in Los Angeles or
Chicago or New York.

We do things differently here.

Would you like
a small demonstration?

Very much.

There's a small Chinese bank here--
the Ho-Pak.

lt's run by a man
called Richard Kwang.

Oh, it's not like
the Victoria.

lt is small but solid.

l'd place it somewhere
in the middle of the list.

And there are 125 licensed banks
here in Hong Kong.

Now, l will start
a run on the Ho-Pak by this afternoon.

How can you do that?

You weren't
listening, Mr. Bartlett.

This is Hong Kong.

Once, on a rainy afternoon,

there was a bus queue
standing outside a bank.

Somebody in the building
opposite looked out of the window

and he thought that the line
was waiting to get into the bank.

So he rang a few friends,
warned them to get their money out.

And they rang a few friends.

And, in a few hours,

what was imagined
became real.

Yes, Mr. Gornt?

Call my stockbroker.

Tell him to start
selling Ho-Pak short.

20,000 shares.

- Right away, Mr. Gornt.
- That's all it takes?

That and a few phone calls.

The right phone calls.

ls this just to impress me,
Mr. Gornt, or is there profit

hiding behind the gesture?

Oh, yes.

Here in Hong Kong,
profit is our pleasure.

You'll discover that soon.

Why not another bank?
Why pick on the Ho-Pak?

Because it is vulnerable,

and because l don't
particularly like Richard Kwang.

Excuse me, Mr. Gornt.

Ms. Ramos is here.
Could you spare her a few minutes?

Are we concluded?

Yeah.

Send her in.

Well, l hope we can have
dinner together sometime.

Right.

Hello, Quillan.

Sorry to interrupt.

But l just got back
from Bangkok.

- l wanted to say hello.
- l'm glad you did.

This is Linc Bartlett
from America.

- Orlanda Ramos.
- Hello.

Hi.

Oh. Linc Bartlett.

The American millionaire
with his own jet.

What?

Don't look so surprised,
Mr. Bartlett.

Hong Kong is just a village.

Everyone gossips.

And it's my business
to know these things.

l'm the society reporter for one
of the Chinese television stations here.

Perhaps you'd like
to do an interview.

Not in Chinese.

The language of your choice.

Orlanda Ramos. Spanish?

Portuguese. From Macau.

Sorry to have broken
into your meeting.

No. l was just leaving.

Mr. Gornt, l'm sure
that we'll talk soon.

- l'm sure we will.
- Ms. Ramos.

Bye.

Nice-looking man.

He's a cocky American beggar
who needs to be taken down a peg.

ls that what
you want me to do?

Not at all.

l want you to distract him.

l want you in his thoughts.

Make him fall in love
with you, Orlanda.

ls that all?

Succeed with Bartlett,
l'll give you a present--

a new Jag.

What's so important
about Linc Bartlett?

Why is he so important to you?

Sorry.

l shouldn't have asked.

Mr. Plumm is here, sir.

Here. Go and buy yourself
a new dress.

And Orlanda...

l wouldn't like Bartlett
to know about our arrangement.

Nor would l.

Jason, old boy, do come in.

Sorry to keep you
waiting and worrying.

Well, what happened?

Bartlett suggested a raid.

On Struan's?

Then l'm in.

Provided l get control
of Struan Ships,

their Hong Kong property operation,

and 40% of their holdings in Thailand
and Singapore.

You must be joking!

But you need me.

You and Bartlett can't
pull this off on your own.

Besides, you won't be
satisfied just with destroying Dunross.

You want the whole pie and
a stake in the American market.

- And you?
- No.

We know where
our toast is toasted.

We're content
to tail along behind.

We don't want to be
a Noble anything.

- ls it a deal?
- No.

The offer's good for a week.

That should give you time
to make up your mind.

l'll think about it.

Oh, by the way,

l would unload my Ho-Pak
stock if l were you.

Ho-Pak?

But that's a blue chip.
That hasn't been down in years.

What have you heard?

ls Richard Kwang in trouble?

Just a little advance warning, Jason.

Will l see you
at Dunross's party tonight?

Good god, Quillan.

You're not going
to accept in person?

Oh, l wouldn't want
to miss the last great party

of Struan's' last taipan.

Taipan? Mr. Linbar's here.

- Any word from John Chen?
- No.

But l just had another
interesting call.

lt seems that Mr. Bartlett went
to Rothwell-Gornt

this morning for a private meeting
with Mr. Gornt.

Are you sure?

Oh, yes. Very sure.

He's on his way here right now.

Send Linbar in, please.

Mr. Linbar.

You look too happy.

What's the deal?

Par-Con will commit up
to 40 million in cash,

according to the lady.

And when l asked her
when Bartlett would confirm the deal,

the little scrubber had
the bloody cheek to say,

''Oh, it's confirmed now.
l can commit up to 40 million

''without consulting him
or anyone.''

Do you think that's possible?

l don't know.

lt sounds too good.

Tell me about Casey.

What's she like?

Well, she's good at figures.

Fast and confident.

And she's the best-looking bird

l've seen in years.

What's her weak spot?

lmpatience.

She wants to belong,
to be one of the boys.

l'd say her Achilles heel is she desperately
wants acceptance in a man's world.

No harm in wanting that.

Like the Holy Grail.

This way, please, sir.

Hello, Mr. Bartlett.

Taipan is expecting you.

Straight down the corridor.

That's pretty good service.

We try, Mr. Bartlett.
We always try.

l can see that.

Mr. Bartlett.

Mr. Bartlett.

Welcome to Struan's.

l'm lan Dunross.

Won't you come in, please?

Quite a view from up here.

How's the meeting going?

Quite well,
as l understand it.

My fellows seem to be
very impressed with your Ms. Tcholok.

Casey knows
her facts and figures.

She said she can finalize
everything herself.

Can she, Mr. Bartlett?

Yeah. She can negotiate
and settle up to 40 million. Why?

Nothing. Just wanted
to find out your form, that's all.

Please sit down.

Lunch won't begin till 12:40.

ls that tradition?

Yeah. l'm afraid so.

We have a lot of them here.

So, tell me about
yourself, Mr. Dunross.

Oh, come now, Mr. Bartlett.

l'm sure there's nothing l can tell you
that you don't already know.

l doubt that.

Your father was taipan here once.

Yes. He was very good.

- At first.
- And then?

Ah, a skeleton
so early, Mr. Bartlett?

Well, briefly, we had
a rather long, tedious,

drawn-out difference
of opinion.

Eventually, he handed it
over to Alastair Struan,

my predecessor.

With the understanding
that eventually the job would go to you?

No. lt doesn't work that way.

The taipan chooses
his own successor.

Why were you chosen?

l was well-trained for the job.

By your father?

My father wanted me
to be worthy to become taipan one day.

Although he never thought
l'd amount to much.

Sounds like my old man.

Such are the things
that spur us on, Mr. Bartlett.

Listen, why don't you call me Linc,

and why don't l call you lan?

We just drop this ''Mr.'' business.

All right.

Linc.

That's better.

Ok, lan, let's put it
on the table.

l want into Asia, and you
need to get in the States,

ls that a fair statement?

- l think that's fair.
- l got what you lack.

- And you got what l lack.
- Yes.

And now what we both
lack is lunch.

Well, l'm always ready to eat.

Thank you.

Ah, where's Philip?

He begged off.
Something at home.

Oh. Gentlemen,
Lincoln Bartlett. Jacques Deville.

- Linbar Struan.
- Pleasure.

How you doing, Casey?

Just fine, thanks.

We've come up with a proposal
for your consideration, Mr. Dunross.

Yes, l have the outline of it.

How does it sound?

lt sounds as if you
can proceed on the assumption that,

in general terms,
it's acceptable.

That's a pretty
cautious answer, lan.

There may be a few
legal problems to be ironed out.

No. l already checked
with your attorneys.

Our attorneys?

Yes. l had them review
our joint hypothetical needs--

yours as well as ours--
and they had no problems.

Anything wrong with that?

No, no. Not at all.

lt's just that it's
very adventurous of you.

Casey likes to cover
all the bases.

Evidently. My compliments.

Can you finalize
by next Tuesday?

l'll let you know tomorrow.

Shall we?

Thank you.

Mr. Bartlett, why don't you
sit opposite Ms. Tcholok?

Some people are surprised
that l have a woman as my negotiator.

Are you?

No, actually, this company
was once run by a woman--

- The Hag.
- The Hag?

Hag Struan.

Our eternal boogie man.

Who was she?

Calum Struan's wife.
He was Dirk Struan's son.

Her real name was Tess.

She was the daughter
of Dirk's most hated enemy--Tyler Brock.

Calum and Tess
eloped, the story goes,

when she was beautiful, sweet 16,

and he heir to the Noble House.

Legend has it that
she ruled Calum all his life

and tyrannized the Noble House
until the day she died at age 92.

Toothless, hairless, vicious and dreadful
to her very last day.

So you call her the Hag?

Everyone did. She went round in a long,
black dress and wore a funny hat

with a huge, moth-eaten feather

and carried
a black walking stick.

There wasn't anyone
who wasn't totally terrified of her.

What she was, Linbar?
Your great-great-grandmother?

Oh, good lord, no. l'm not
descended from Dirk's line.

l'm descended from Rob Struan,
Dirk's half-brother and partner.

Only the taipan is descended
directly from Dirk.

You can see the family's
resemblance.

- How?
- From the family portraits.

lf you and Casey would like
to be my guests tonight,

l'll show you
the whole gallery.

l'm having a small party,
and l think you may enjoy it.

lt's terrific.

What time?

l'll have a car
fetch you at 8:30.

Fine.

l'd like to take
a look at Dirk Struan.

ls there a portrait
of the Hag?

Oh, two, in fact. lf you like--

What's the matter?

That's one of our house rules.

No phone calls during lunch

unless it's an emergency.

lt's for you, Taipan.

Hello.

What?

No. No. No. l'll be right there.

Uh, Linbar, have Claudia cancel
my afternoon board meetings, will you?

Yes, Taipan.

That was from Philip.

l'm afraid John's been kidnapped.

Struan and Company,
may l help you?

l've just seen Dunross's car leave.
Do you know where he's going?

No, sir. l'm afraid
l don't know the answer to that.

But l can certainly try to find out
if you can call back later.

Find out as soon as possible.

Thank you, sir. Bye-bye.

Taipan, l cannot believe that
this has happened to us.

My poor John.

l'm very sorry, Diane.

You know we'll do
everything we can.

Have you called the police?

Philip did.

You all right?

l...Yes.

Where's the letter?

ln there.

They sent John's wallet
and his keys.

When you called the police,
who did you talk to?

Brian Kwok.

l don't know
what to do, Taipan.

The only thing you can do.
Pay the ransom.

They want $500,000.

They could have
asked for a million.

Yes. You're right, of course.

Still, it is a lot of money.

lt's John we must
worry about, not the money.

- Mrs. Chen.
- Yes. Come in, please.

Brian. Robert. Thank you
for coming so quickly.

Bad news. l'm very
sorry, Philip.

Yes. Thank you.

ls that the box? How did it arrive?

lt was hand-delivered.

One of the servants
answered the door.

There was a young man
on a motorcycle.

All he said was, ''There's a parcel
for Mr. Philip Chen'' and went away.

There's a ransom letter inside.

Who's touched this?

l opened it, and only me.

You didn't remove anything?

No, of course not.
Why would l remove anything?

This one's for you, Brian.

''Mr. Philip Chen, l beg to inform you
that l'm badly in need

''of 500,000 Hong Kong currency,
and l hereby consult you about it.

''So wealthy that it is like plucking
one hair from nine oxen.

''Being afraid that
you might refuse,

''l, therefore, have no alternative
but to hold your son hostage.

''l send you your son's wallet and keys
as proof of his situation.

''You will hear from me very soon,
and if you smoothly pay the money,

''the safety of your son
will be ensured.

''lf you fail to do this,
your son will learn

''the true meaning
of cruelty, pain, and death.

''By the Werewolf.''

Sounds fairly serious.

You heard of this Werewolf?

lt doesn't ring any bells.

We'll run it through the computer.

lf Mr. Werewolf has
a history, we'll find it.

You didn't see or talk to John again
after his arrival?

- No.
- Taipan?

l haven't seen him at all.

What are you getting at?

Oh, just that John flew in
on Mr. Bartlett's plane.

And well, l was wondering
if there's any connection.

And then no one
mentions it again?

As if it didn't even matter.

John Chen is kidnapped,
and it's...

''Oh, dear. Well, let's
get back to business.''

That was the most
cold-blooded demonstration

l have ever seen.

Nothing cold-blooded
about Dunross.

Did you see the look
on his face?

l don't know.

But l get the feeling
there's something we don't know.

Maybe bringing John back with us
wasn't one of my brighter ideas.

lf Dunross suspects--

We can kiss this deal good-bye.

Not necessarily.

He needs us more
than we need him.

Now, it's just not gonna be
as easy as l thought it'd be.

What do you mean?

Nothing. Forget it.

Linc, is there
something l don't know?

Relax.

You had all those
meetings with John Chen privately.

l said relax.

lt should be an interesting
party tonight.

Wait your turn, please.

l'm here to see Mr. Kwang.

Never mind. There he is.

Philip, what
a terrible thing to happen.

Poor John. l could hardly
believe the news when you phoned.

Oh, never mind this.
Just nervous customers.

You know how these
damn rumors get started.

This is to John's
safe deposit box.

You must let me
open it as a favor.

- That's against--
- you must!

Well...Under the
circumstances. Hurry!

- Please.
- But this will remain...

Absolutely private, richard.

l'll--l'll be outside.

Thank you.

My god.

What on earth?

Be quiet and listen.

John has betrayed us.

He has betrayed the family.

What are you saying?

l took John's safe deposit key
from his key ring,

And l persuaded Richard Kwang
to let me open the box.

- Look.
- What is this?

A contract John signed
with Par-Con a year ago.

He's been working for them,

giving them private information
about the Noble House.

No.

Here's a copy of a memo
from John to Lincoln Bartlett

with a list of all
the important stockholders

and their secret holdings,
including mine.

Now listen to this.

''l can guarantee that
you will have no trouble

''in any takeover
Par-Con cares to mount

''if you agree
to give me 3%

''of the new Par-Con Asia
Trading Company.''

Oh, my God, Philip,

if the taipan finds out,
he will ruin us.

You've got to burn everything.

When could John have--

Oh, my God,

he came home for
your birthday in March.

Yes, and this
was his present.

My son is a traitor
to all his ancestors,

to the house of Chen.

- Oh, no.
- What?

Get the servants into the back room
and close the curtains.

- But--
- Now!

Yes.

Oh, my son, my son...

All gods curse you to hell.

Father...

Curse those seabirds
that fly over my head.

The taipan is coming now.

You have good eyes,
seventh son,

but when he arrives,
you will call me Uncle,

just one of many uncles,
understand?

Yes, Father, but don't you--

Why do you think that
l have given you your name

and spent so much money
to have you learn

to be like the people from
the Golden Mountain?

To help the family, Father.

Then go and greet
the taipan,

and after that,
listen...carefully.

Good afternoon, sir.

l'm Paul Choy, Mr. Wu's nephew.

My uncle is waiting for you.

Nice to meet you, Paul.

Hello, Taipan.
lt's good to see you.

Long time, no?

Too long, old friend.

Please.

Have you heard the news
about John Chen?

Oh, yes. Bad charts
for the house of Chen,

Very bad charts.

Ransom note was signed
''The Werewolf.''

Have you ever heard
of such a name?

Werewolf?

That is a new name
for my ears.

Perhaps if you asked
among your friends,

your friends who hear
almost everything.

That is a possibility.

How much is
this Werewolf asking?

$500,000.

Aiyah! How noble house Chen
must be suffering.

This has been a bad day.

Tomorrow could be worse.

Yes, for all of us.

Tell me what you've heard
about the Ho-Pak bank.

Are they finished?
ls Banker Kwang ruined?

The Ho-pak
has always been sound,

but l heard the stock
has been sold short.

Curse all banks.

l will ask my friends
about this Werewolf.

Thank you, old friend.

Could you get
the boat, please?

Certainly, sir.

On reflection, l suggest you put
your nephew with Rothwell-Gornt--

better for him, better for us.

l want you to gather
all my captains,

Goodweather Poon,
and Two Hatchet Tok.

Have them here by sunset

and then write a letter
to the noble house Chen.

Tell him that my men
will protect him, if he likes,

when he goes to pay
the Werewolf's ransom.

Yes, Father, but why should you

concern yourself
with this Chen business?

lt's not our family's affair.

Listen, my young fool.

Everything l do
is for our family.

lt is not John Chen
l want to find.

lt is what he has.

The house of Chen
has no secrets from me, my son.

What does
John Chen have?

Hmm, something.

Something that will
give me great power,

Power to control
the Noble House.

- Hello, Martin.
- Hello, Miko.

Just a small party?

Oh, put on your best smile,

and everyone will
think you're friendly.

- A drink, madam?
- No, thank you.

Let's go do it.
Divide and conquer.

Ah, Casey,
good to see you.

- Where's Linc?
- Working the room.

This is quite a house.

Well, it goes with the job,
Taipan's residence.

lt suits you somehow.

That couldn't be true
for many men.

ls that a compliment?

No. l'd say it's more in the area
of naked admiration.

Have you any news
about John Chen?

No, but we're hoping
to hear soon.

There's someone
l'd like you to meet.

Christian...

Were you summoning me,
Taipan?

l'm gonna do you
a very great favor, Christian,

and introduce you
to this lady.

Christian Toxe, editor
of the ChIna GuardIan,

may l present
Miss Casey Tcholok,

Vice President of Par-Con?

Oh, this is a favor.
Miss Tcholok, l'm enchanted.

How very nice to meet you.

lf there's anything Christian
doesn't know about Hong Kong,

it isn't because he
hasn't tried to find it out,

So l'm leaving you
in very good hands.

- See you later.
- Oh.

Well, where shall l begin?

Whose family tree
shall l reveal to you?

How about lan Dunross?

Still can't get over the fact that you
speak better Cantonese than l do.

Starting to think
you're almost Chinese.

Well, part of me is.

Well, part of your brain, anyway.

Any word on John Chen?

Oh, nothing.

lt's a little odd, don't you think,

his being kidnapped just a few hours
after his return?

Maybe, but l can't think
of a better victim

than the son
of noble house Chen,

Unless, of course, someone
decides to kidnap you.

Well, don't think l'm worth
much of a ransom these days.

l think you're
just saying that to fool the cogs, lan,

but l wouldn't worry
too much about that.

After all, l keep my eye on you.

Oh, is that supposed
to make me feel safe or nervous?

Who knows? Perhaps
a little bit of both.

- Whitmore.
- Ah, Mr. Bartlett.

How are you? Let me introduce
Paul Havergill of Victoria Bank

and Richard Kwang of the Ho-Pak,

one of our finest Chinese banks.

- Hello.
- Gentlemen.

We've just been discussing
a small run on the Ho-Pak today.

Perhaps you've heard.

Yeah. Nothing serious,
l assure you, Mr. Bartlett.

ls Miss Tcholok here?

She's inside. lt's a nice party.

Yes, very.

lf l can be of any assistance to you
while you're here

or if Richard
can help you,

please don't hesitate
to call on either of us.

You see, Mr. Bartlett,
in banking,

we are all
friendly competitors.

Why do the Gornts
hate the Struan's so much?

Not certain of all the reasons--
thank you--

but l suspect it goes back
all the way to Tyler Brock.

Have you heard of him?

He's Hag Struan's father, right?

You obviously know the history.

Rumor has it--
and it is only a rumor--

that the Gornt family
are Brock's descendants.

Where did it all start between Tyler Brock
and Dirk Struan?

When Dirk was a boy,

he was an apprentice seaman
on Tyler Crock's ship.

Brock flogged young
Struan unmercifully

then left him for dead
somewhere on the China coast.

Dirk was 14, and he swore
before God and the devil

that he'd return the beating
but with a cat o' nine tails.

As far as l know, he never did.

Dirk was killed
in a typhoon in 1841.

Brock lived
for another 22 years,

Though he died penniless,
thanks to his own daughter.

The Hag.
Quite a lady.

She plotted
against her own father

and brought him down.

Brock lost everything--
ships, his property, his wealth--

and Struan's position
as Noble House was safe.

Tyler Brock died
swearing revenge.

So, if Quillan Gornt
is really related to Tyler Brock--

that would explain
many things.

Bet you can't
do that again.

How much?

lt's nice to see you again,
Mr. Bartlett.

Don't you like the party?

Oh, the party is fine.

l just saw this beautiful table,
and l couldn't resist.

- l'm Linc Bartlett.
- l'm Lando Mata.

Are you a gambler,
Mr. Bartlett?

No. l'm only an amateur.

You play?

l'm afraid billiards
is not my game.

Orlanda, if you'll excuse me,

l must pay my respects
to the taipan.

Mr. Bartlett.

Pleasant surprise
to see you here.

Hong Kong is very small,
Mr. Bartlett.

lt's almost impossible
not to see familiar faces.

You mean, because
l'm a friend of Quillan's?

- l'm Lando's date tonight.
- Just tonight?

He's an old family friend.

We're both originally
from Macau.

Too bad he doesn't
play billiards.

l worked my way through
college shooting pool.

Lando only plays games
he knows he can win.

He owns one of the largest
casinos in Macau.

lf you're a gambler,
you should go see it while you're here.

lt's only a short trip.

l only play games
l know l can win, too.

l caught a glimpse
of your associate.

She's very beautiful.
ls she your mistress?

Casey is my executive
vice president.

Everyone is
speculating about it.

The two of you are quite
the talk of Hong Kong.

Don't believe the gossip.

l'm very particular
about what l believe.

That's the only way
to survive out here.

Funny little man,
but his sources of information

are really first-class.

The ChIna GuardIan is a pretty
reliable magazine.

Maybe it's because
Christian Toxe has a Chinese wife

that he's so well tapped in.

ls she here? l'd like to meet her.

Well, she's always
invited, of course,

but she never comes.

lt's face, to save
her husband's face.

Why, because it's
a mixed marriage?

God, what's that
bastard doing here?

Excuse me.

l thought l'd drop by.
l hope you don't mind.

Not at all.

- Bad joss about John Chen.
- Yes.

You know, l have
always envied you this house.

lt really is quite beautiful,
quite beautiful.

Excuse me.

Did you want me
to join you?

l believe you two
know each other.

No. We've never met,

but of course l know
who Mr. Gornt is.

Ah, let me introduce you
formally.

Quillan Gornt, taipan
of Rothwell-Gornt,

Miss Casey Tcholok
of Par-Con lndustries.

l've heard a lot about you,
Mr. Gornt.

From the wrong
sources, l'm sure.

Perhaps, you'll let me
tell you our side of the legends one day.

How long are you staying,
Miss Tcholok?

That's up to my boss
Linc Bartlett.

Oh, l know Mr. Bartlett.

ln fact, we had
a meeting this morning.

You did?

He didn't mention it to me.

Oh. Well, l'm sure he will.

Once negotiations begin,
you'll find

that we can better any offer
that Struan's can make,

Any offer.

That decision is
up to Linc, not me.

Yes. l know.

l just wanted to tell
you personally, lan,

that we're in
the same market.

Then we shall see,
won't we?

We shall see who makes
the best deal.

lf you'll excuse me...

Yes. Don't worry about us.

We can look after ourselves.

What was that,

a formal challenge
to battle?

All life is a game,
Miss Tcholok,

only here in Hong Kong,
we play by different rules.

Let's go and find
your Mr. Bartlett, shall we?

l wanted to say
hello to him.

How do you explain
that, Jacques?

You're better at
guessing than l am,

but for Gornt to show
his face in this house?

lf the ghosts were asleep,
they're certainly awake now.

Awake and angry.

Makes it $10.

l'm afraid
l'll have to owe it to you.

l thought a lady had
to pay her gambling debts at once.

Linc, Quillan Gornt
wanted to say hello.

- Evening, Mr. Bartlett.
- Hello, Orlanda.

Mr. Gornt, didn't expect
to see you here tonight.

Oh, l'm always invited
to lan's parties,

just as he is always
invited to mine.

Of course, we never go.
Except tonight.

Casey, this is
Orlanda Ramos.

l was just showing her
the finer points of billiards.

How do you do?

Lando must be wondering
where l am.

So nice to meet you.

l thought it only fair
to notify Dunross of our intentions.

l'm sure he knew already.

And l'm sure he'll appreciate
your consideration.

Hardly, Mr. Bartlett, hardly.

lf you two are free
at the weekend,

perhaps you'd care
to come out

and spend the day on my boat Sunday,
if the weather is fine.

That's very kind
of you.

l won't be staying for dinner--
thank you, lan--

but thank you so much
for your hospitality.

Miss Tcholok,
Mr. Bartlett.

l'll walk out with you.

Gentlemen.

Have you made
a deal with Gornt?

No, not yet.

But you have examined
the possibilities.

Well, l'm in business
to make money, same as you.

Yes, but there
are ethics involved.

Hong Kong ethics?

How long you been
dealing with Gornt?

Few weeks, but you can agree
to our proposal right now.

You said Tuesday.

l'll tell you Tuesday.

Until that time, l have the right
to deal with Gornt

or anyone else,
for that matter,

but if you accept
our offer now,

the deal is closed, and, frankly,
l'd rather deal with you.

- Why?
- Because...

You're the Noble House.

Gornt isn't.
He wants to be.

But you are,
at least for now.

We've managed to stay on top
for the past 150 years.

We plan to stay there.

And l think you will...

provided you can come up
with the 24 million cash you need

to pay off your 3 January notes
to Orland lnternational.

Hmm, you seem
to be particularly well-informed.

Well, l can do better than that.

You've got 8.4 million

in consolidated corporate losses
so far this year

against a written-up paper profit
of 15 last year.

Do you want me to go on?

No. That won't
be necessary.

l don't suppose you want to tell me
who in my company is your informant.

Why would l need a spy?

All that information's
available from banks,

if you know how to dig
and who to ask.

ls that--Now, that has
got to be Dirk Struan.

- Yes.
- There's a hell of a resemblance.

My offer is firm till Tuesday.

midnight Tuesday.

Midnight Tuesday.

One minute
into Wednesday,

and all debts and friendships
are cancelled,

and you may need friendship
more than you think.

More inside information?

lf l were you, lan,
l'd close this deal tonight.

- l'd close it right now.
- Right now?

l want 14 million U.S.
on signing.

Casey offered 4,
and your man Deville

said that would be acceptable.

lt isn't. 14 million is.

No deal.

Very well.
Let's return to the party.

Wait.

All right.

14 million,
contracts next Tuesday.

That'll give me time
to get my tax people here.

- Well?
- l accept.

- Are we agreed?
- lt's Casey's deal.

You mind shaking with her?

A taipan deals
with a taipan on closing.

lt's an old Chinese custom.

ls she the taipan
of Par-Con?

No. l am, but l want
her to close it.

- l promised.
- l repeat...

Who's the taipan
of Par-Con?

A promise is a promise.

You, of all people,
should understand that.

Yes.

Tell Casey
l'll meet her here.

lt's Tyler Brock.

Sorry.

Didn't mean
to make you jump.

l didn't
hear you come in.

lt's a bit melodramatic,
isn't it,

leaving the knife
like that?

Hag Struan did it.

She ordered it left that way.

She hammered it into the wall
with a cricket bat

and cursed before God
and the devil

anyone who took her knife
out of her wall.

- Why?
- Pleased her.

She was taipan.

- Seriously, why?
- l was serious.

She hated her father,
and she wanted us all

to be reminded
about our heritage.

This is her. lt was done just after she and
Calum were married.

There's also another one
done a couple years later.

What about
when she was older?

No portraits survived.
She destroyed them all.

ls that jade?

Emeralds.

Dirk Struan willed her
the necklace

on the condition
that it never left Asia

and was passed down
to the wife of each taipan.

Hag Struan kept
the necklace all her life,

and when she died,
she ordered it buried with her.

And was it?

Must've been worth a fortune.

What a waste.

No.

She kept Sstruan
as the Noble House of Asia

for almost 75 years.

She was the taipan,
the real taipan.

Although others
had the title,

it was Hag Struan who kept
faith with Dirk's legacy.

An emerald necklace
isn't much, compared to that.

Besides, it was probably
pirated from the treasury

uf some mandarin who
stole it from someone else.

We have a deal to shake on.

- No. Sorry, but l have to cancel out.
- What?

Linc agreed
to the 14 million up front.

l didn't, so you'll
have to close with him.

He's waiting in the bar.

Besides, a taipan should
deal with a taipan, no?

ls this your idea or his?

- Does it matter?
- Very much.

lf l say it
was Linc's idea, he loses face,

and if l say it was mine,

he still loses face
in a different way.

You're very generous, Casey.

Yes.

We're all bound
by saving face,

one way or the other.

Come on.

Stop, damn you. Come on!

Bloody lan Dunross.

Of course, Dunross
could've buggered my brakes.

At a party with all
those guests around?

Oh, come on, Quillan.

Even lan bloody Dunross
wouldn't go that far.

You're wrong.

For all his Scots cunning,
he's an animal

of sudden,
unpremeditated action,

And that's his failing.

What did the police say?

Oh, all l told them was
that my brakes had failed.

There was no need to involve
those nosy buggers,

At least not yet.

We certainly don't
need the police to wash our linen,

however droll, do we?

No.

The peak is no road
to lose your brakes on.

Must've been
very unpleasant.

Do you really believe
in this whole plan?

ln the next
ten days, Jason,

you and l are going
to pluck the Noble House

like a dead duck.

ls Bartlett in,
l mean, really in?

He will be.

The prize is too great
for him to resist.

And if Struan's manages to get
a desperation loan,

borrow enough money, or extend
their line of credit, then what?

Struan's won't be
increasing anything.

Take my word for it.

With Mr. Linc Bartlett's
money to back me...

Quillan, you're not
making any sense.

lf Dunross wants to extend,
he'll ask the Victoria Bank,

and Paul Havergill
will have no choice

but to put it
to a vote of the board,

and you know
as well as l do Struan's has the votes.

This time, they won't.

Richard Kwang
will vote against them.

Have you gone bonkers?

For God's sake, Richard Kwang
isn't even on Victoria Board.

He will be, and Dunross

will never expect
an attack from there.

What in hell are you up to?

You'll find out in time.

Oh, one other thing--
Victoria doesn't have

a regular board meeting scheduled
for a couple of weeks.

l know that, but all it takes
is a phone call from Dunross,

and Havergill calls
a special meeting.

He won't. Trust me.

Then, by God,

l think this time,
you may have done it.

You're damn right,
l've done it.

l'm in...

for 25% and a seat
on the board.

- Ten.
- 15.

Agreed. Shall we put
that in a memo?

Perish the thought.

Nothing in writing
till after the funeral.

Down with
the Noble House.

Straight down to hell.

- Have you decided anything?
- Uh-uh.

Why do l feel so uneasy?

Maybe it was something you ate.

Listen, Linc.

l know you're the boss
and you make the decisions, but--

- Would you relax?
- Relax?

Suppose the taipan
finds out John was working for us.

The Struan deal is closed.
We shook on it.

Besides, he needs it
more than we do.

Linc, l know you
don't have to tell me everything, but--

That's right.

But what was John Chen going
to give you that was so important?

- A coin.
- What?

- Actually, half a coin.
- Are you kidding me?

Maybe l am.
Now forget all about it.

Get Seymour Steigler on the phone
for me, will you?

You forget how to dial?

What the hell is eating you?

Have you made a deal, any deal,
with Quillan Gornt?

No. Gornt wants
to raze Struan's

and asked if
l wanted to play.

And you said...

l said--l said
l'd think about it.

By all gods, let's just go

if the bank doesn't open
in the next ten seconds.

Stop. Get back
in line, please.

Queue up or go home.

lf you don't form a line,
l will have the bank closed,

and none of you will get inside,

and none of you
will get your money,

so please get back in line.

Come on. Move!

l haven't got all day.

You want to close
all your Ho-Pak accounts?

Yes. Now.

But we haven't--

l want my money now,
cash or bullion now.

- Don't you understand?
- Yes, sir.

l can give you
a cashier's check.

l want money,
understand? Money!

Yes, sir, but
that much cash--

My cash, you miserable worm.
Now give it to me.

Cashier's check
is just the same, Uncle.

We can take it
to the Victoria,

and they will
honor it instantly.

- l can guarantee.
- Shut your mealy mouth!

And what if this--this--this
cashier's check is no good?

What then, Nephew?

lt is good, Uncle,
and it is the quickest way

for you to remove
your money from this bank,

and wouldn't it be better to have
the money out as fast as possible?

Yes. l want it fast.

What?

All right. Make the check...

Yes, sir.

And make sure that every
last penny is there.

Yes, sir.

$53,778,627.08.

Come here, old woman.
l want to talk to you.

- Why?
- Just come here.

- What's in the bag?
- What bag?

- This bag.
- This? Nothing. Just my shopping.

l saw you come out of the bank.

- How much money have you got in there?
- No! No.

Oh, please...

$756.

- What are you, a beggar?
- My money.

My cut now is 20%.

- Five.
- Ten.

Six.

You are strong and young.

The strong must protect
the old and weak, aiyah?

True, true. Very well. 7%.

You owe me eight cents out of that.

Yes. l know.
Now run along, old woman.

l have more important
things to do.

You must be very important.

l can tell.

More important than you think.

Have you heard
of the Werewolf,

the one who has kidnapped
the son of noble house Chen?

Aiyah! ls that you?

That's...a close
friend of mine.

The brave have great friends,

and if you are brave enough
to want another customer,

l see a easy one.

Who?

He was in the queue before me,

and the man withdrew $8,000.

Which one? Where is he?

15% share?

Seven l took for you.
Seven l give you.

Now where is he?

You see that man
in a gray suit

with a big, black bag?

Hai, poon.

God of gamblers,
come sit on my shoulder.

Let him in.

- Did you mail the letter?
- l got everything.

What took you so long,
smallpox kin?

l had to wait for the bus, father.

Water. l need water.

Give him a drink,
dog-eared Chen.

Oh, water.

Come on. Sit up.

Hey, what's that
around your neck?

Nothing.

Let me see it.

Wait! Enough.

Only meant to bend
his head a little.

l think he's dead.

You killed him.

High-born fellas
must have soft skulls.

What's he have
around his neck?

lt's just an old broken coin.

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