All language subtitles for Noble House (1988) Part 3

Linc.

You look terrific.

Thank you.

Would you like to come in?

Sure.

l didn't know if you were going to come.

l mean, l thought
you would, but after this morning...

What?

l'm sorry l was such a twit.

But l'm glad you're here.

So am l.

There. Come look at the view.

lt's beautiful.

We're 700 feet above sea level.

Sometimes when it rains at night,
l like to stand out here naked.

Well, that's a happy thought,
but you better be careful.

That's a long way down.

Heights don't bother me a bit.

But l was really terrified last night.

And not too gracefully, either.

Well, last night was pretty scary.

Yes, but if it hadn't been for you,
l would have completely lost face.

You did just fine.

No. No, l didn't.

You see, face is sometimes
more important than life here.

l'm beginning to get that idea.

With Dunross and Quillan
Gornt, that battle's mostly over face.

That's right.

And they're both fine
men in one way,

both devils in another.

What do you mean?

They're both ruthless,
both very strong.

Well, the Chinese have a saying...

lt means, ''When pulling weeds,
make sure you get rid of the roots.''

The roots of those two
go very deep in Asia, maybe too deep.

lt would be hard to get
rid of those roots,

and it would probably
be a very bad idea.

Why?

Perhaps because they
balance each other,

keep each other from
becoming too strong,

having too much control.

But don't listen to me.
When it comes to big business,

l'm out of my depth.

l'm not so sure about that.

What is it?

l was just thinking
how lucky l was to meet you.

Do you always compliment a man?

No. Just the ones who please me.

And they're as rare as a heart of a dragon.

Are you hungry?

l'm starving. You ready to go?

Do you like ltalian food?

l could kill for it.

How about fresh pasta
with oil and garlic,

then a veal piccata,
and green salad?

Let's go.

We don't have to.

Look!

Hold the lines out!
Let them come through!

Get the bales, hurry! Hurry!

Just below the tempest.

Hold the lines up!

Tie them off! Quickly!

Very good.

Why don't you bring
them aboard, Father?

You could lose them.

Better to leave the harvest
of the sea to the sea

till it's safe to bring it ashore.

And sometimes we
throw some things to the sea

that need no harvesting, aiyah?

Why did you kill that man, Father?

The captain didn't kill him.
You did, seventh son.

You threw him overboard.
l saw it clearly.

But l didn't want to!

Tell that to a fine foreign
devil judge.

See if you can convince him.

Your secret is safe, my son.
Never fear.

Nobody aboard this boat saw anything,
did they, Goodweather Poon?

No, nothing.

But you want to know
what's in those bales?

- No.
- Opium.

Delivered on shore,
this night's work will bring a great profit.

The profit's not worth the risk,
not to me.

Profit is profit!

l don't want anything to do with drugs!

l refuse to--

Refuse?

You refuse nothing.
You are my son.

You will obey.

l threw that man overboard
because you forced me,

But l will not--

Quiet!

You will do whatever l tell you.

Oh, God, those foreign devils!

Halt! We're coming aboard!

Cut the bales! Let them go!

Hurry! Hurry!

You're approaching
the Chinese international border!

Stand back!

Where are you going, Father?

lnto Chinese waters.
They cannot follow us there.

There. You see?

- Oh, good evening, Taipan.
- Good evening.

There's a message from your office.

Would you please call on
Mr. Wu in Aberdeen as soon as possible?

Oh, thanks. You haven't seen
Brian Kwok tonight, have you?

Oh, no, sir. Superintendent Kwok
has not been here.

OK, thank you.

Yes, Superintendent Kwok, please.

This is lan Dunross of Struan's.

Yes?

Oh, all right. l'll speak to him.

Evening, Taipan.
lt's Robert Armstrong here.

You were calling Brian.

He didn't mention anything
about meeting you,

but l'm afraid he's had
to go out of town.

Just a quick trip.
You know how it is.

Certainly, Taipan.
l'll give him the message.

Sorry to inconvenience you.
Good night.

Come on now. Can't sleep all day.

Here's your breakfast.

That's it, Brian, old chum.
Eat your bloody breakfast now.

Lunch is in two hours.

Rest for a moment.

When the dance ends.

My legs feel weak.
You wouldn't want me to fall.

You can't fall. You're in my arms.

- Please?
- OK.

But l sure like holding you.

lsn't she beautiful?

Yeah, they all are.

Are they all for hire?

For pillowing?

Yeah, l suppose
that's what l meant.

Then the answer is no. And yes.

Like most things in Asia.

You see, it always depends

on her availability,
on the man, the money,

and the amount she's in debt.

Why in debt?

When a girl first comes
to work here,

she has to look pretty.

Clothes, hairdressing--
everything's expensive.

lf a girl is beautiful enough,

the nightclub owner advances her money
to pay for everything she needs,

and the girls go out
and buy and buy.

Then they have to pay it all back.

The longer they stay,
the harder it is to look pretty,

and so more the cost.

Sounds like a trap.

lt is. lnterest on the debt
is 20%, at least.

And so it builds and builds,

plus the fines if they're
late or badly dressed

or unpleasant to the customers.

Pretty rotten life.

Oh, not rotten. Not rotten at all.

They think they're very lucky.

You see, for a short time
in their lives,

they live well, eat well, and laugh a lot.

No tears?

Always tears,

But tears are a way of life for a girl.

But not for you.

l've had my share,

but tonight, you've made me forget
all the tears l've ever had.

Which girl would you like?

What?

You choose, and l'll
have her brought over here.

Then if you want--

- Are you serious?
- Very serious.

l don't want any of them.

l want you.

Yes, l know,

but l can't give me to you.

So l offer you one of them.

Offer me?

Linc, this is Asia.

Here, sex is not
Anglo-Saxon guilt.

lt is pleasure to be sought after
like great food or great wine.

What is the value of one night to a man
with one of these pleasure ladies?

A moment of pleasure? A memory?

Nothing more.

lt has nothing to do with real love.

Well, then, l don't want to pay for--

This is my gift to you,

and there is nothing
wrong about paying.

These are pleasure ladies
who may--

may offer you their youth,
which has great value

in exchange for
some of your money,

which has almost none.

lt is a fair exchange given and received
with face on both sides.

l thank you for your gift,

and l return it to you unopened.

The thought alone is gift enough.

You don't seem to be the kind of man
to be content with only a thought.

That depends on
what l'm thinking about.

ls this the taipan?

Yes, Miss.

The taipan is waiting.

What's this?

Quick-fried prawns with pea pods,

shredded beef
and black bean sauce.

Some quick-fried dumplings,
Shanghai style.

Quick-fried vegetables
spiced with Szechuan cabbage,

and tiny kung pao chicken.

ls that all?

Oh, who could resist
an offer like that?

And my father had this
little optical company.

So a good man for negotiating
and the problem of profit.

Maybe haggling was in my blood.

There was probably some Armenian
rug merchant back in my family.

But l just had a knack for business.

Then by the time my father died,
l was practically running the company.

So you took it over.

A little slice of the market.

But no capital
and no room to maneuver.

Got behind the good
quality of our work.

Then a year later George Tafu--
ran Randolph Optical--

offered me a chance to subcontract
some of his orders.

l thought that was a big deal,

except what he was really doing
was stealing my customers.

On top of that,
he reneged on the deal.

He never paid for the work we did.

Two months later,
my company went under.

What did you do?

Well, first l went out and got
all of George Tafu's balance sheets,

and then l figured out how to take him
and Randolph Optical

to the cleaners.

Only problem was,
l couldn't afford to do it.

So l started looking around
for someone who could.

Par-Con.

That's right. l sat down and wrote
a letter with all my ideas

to the head of Par-Con,
Mr. Lincoln Bartlett.

And five days later, he called me.

That's how you met? lncredible.

The advantage of not knowing better.

What did Linc do?

He listened to my plan,
and then he said, ''OK, go ahead.''

- Just like that?
- Mm-hmm. Little over three months later,

Par-Con took over Randolph Optical.

Linc asked me if l wanted
to reorganize it, and l did.

Today, Par-Con's Randolph division
grosses $150 million a year.

So then Linc offered you a permanent
position in the company.

Well, he waited for me
to ask for the job.

And when l did, he just tossed me
a little box.

lnside were Par-Con's business cards
with my name on them.

Linc had them printed weeks earlier,
but first l had to ask.

And that's been your relationship?

Strictly business,

Though people have a hard time
believing that.

When a man and a woman
work closely together,

everyone assumes it's sexual.

Not that women in business
don't use their sexuality.

l was reading the newspaper tonight

about the races on Saturday.

Big contest. lt's between you
and Gornt, as usual.

What's your horse's name?

Noble Star.

Gornt's is called Pirate Fish.

l think l may put
all my money on Noble Star.

l wouldn't do that.

You should always
hedge your bet.

Some bets you don't hedge.

Some bets you can't hedge.

l think l know what
you're gonna do now.

And?

But maybe l'm wrong.

Let's find out.

l was right.

Suddenly, l'm--

l wasn't finished.

Oh, no?

Wait. Please.

What l said before about
a man and a woman in business,

people assuming that it's sexual.

Oh, sometimes it's very hard to keep
it from becoming...

sexual.

Sometimes like right now.

- And?
- Right here.

- And?
- Now and...

Well, l don't know how to say this.

lf we make love,
right at this moment,

that seems like
a wonderful idea.

l'm gonna feel very
funny sitting across

a negotiating table
from you tomorrow.

We both have
the same disadvantage.

Except you're the taipan
and l work for Linc,

and Linc would know.

Oh, l just wish l met
you somewhere else.

Bad timing.

There you go.

- Portal to portal service.
- Always.

Aren't you coming?

My car's just there.

lf this weren't Hong Kong...

Ah, but it is Hong Kong.

Nothing can change that.

Good night, lan.

Good night, Casey.

Good evening, Taipan.
My uncle's waiting for you.

Good evening, Paul. Your uncle
tells me you've got a job.

Yes, sir. At Rockwell.
l start next Monday.

Hello, Taipan. Please.

l'm sorry that l failed
to help John Chen as you requested.

l apologize for failing you.

Joss. Why did you want to see me?

Our families have been
old friends for many years,

Very many years.

Yes. The seaborne Wu
and Struan's are like brothers.

The present is like the past.
The past like the present.

They are the same, yes.

And with the Noble House, the word of
one taipan is the word of all taipans,

especially the word of the green-eyed devil,
is that true?

lt is...to ask such questions

from an old friend
when you know the answer.

What does the name
Wu Fung Choy

mean to the taipan
of the Noble House?

He is your illustrious ancestor

and friend of my
illustrious ancestor.

Yes. But your ancestor
kept his promise to mine.

The green-eyed devil
kept his bargain to Wu Fung Choy,

and after him, Calum Struan
also kept the bargain.

Will you keep his bargain, Taipan?

Or will you dishonor the Noble House?

Perhaps it is real.

Of course it's real.

Where did you get this?

How many coins
were there at first?

You tell me.

Four, there were four!

One to your illustrious ancestor
Wu Fung Choy, paid and honored.

Why would your family have two?

That is not possible.

So this has been stolen.

From whom?

Stolen or not, you must
grant whatever l ask.

Or is the face of the green-eyed devil
no longer the face of the Noble House?

One coin, one favor
to whoever asks.

l ask.

lf, and only if, the favor's possible

and if the coin is real.

Let me take it and l shall see if it
matches the other half.

You take your old friend
to be a fool.

Here. Match your coin with this.

Your half fits, then my coin is real.

lf it is real, you,
taipan of the Noble House,

must do as the green-eyed
devil swore by all his gods

you would do.

When will l have your answer?

Monday.

That is soon enough.

Yesterday, l asked a favor of you,
and you refused.

That favor was different, Taipan.

That was not the same as an ancient
promise collecting an ancient debt.

Then reconsider it, old friend.

Because if there is no Noble House,

there will be no noble favor.

Aiyah.

You're out late.

You're up late.

l slept all day when
l wasn't running to the loo.

So l thought l'd venture out.

How are you feeling after your swim in
Aberdeen's foul harbor?

No ill effects.

Christian, you know
so much about this place.

Who would you go with?
Dunross or Gornt?

ln business, Quillan Gornt.

For the future, lan Dunross,

if he can weather this storm.

From what l hear, though,
that's not likely.

Why Dunross for the future?

Face. Gornt hasn't
the style to be the taipan

or the necessary background.

ls that so important?

Here, totally.

lf Par-Con wants years
of growth--Dunross.

lf you're in for a killing,

a quick in-and-out raid,
go with Gornt.

Why do you ask me?

l don't know who else to ask.

What do you know
about Orlanda Ramos?

Probably more than l should.

But knowing scandal and gossip
about a living person

isn't the same as knowing legends
of ancient times, is it?

ls Gornt using her with Linc?

- You saw them at the party last night.
- l saw all of you.

ln fact, l don't think l've ever seen
anything quite like that,

everyone watching everyone.

ls Gornt using Orlanda?

l suppose someone could ask,
is Bartlett using you?

Forgive me. l'm afraid
l'm a bit out of sorts.

l think l better go home.

Oh, no.

What now?

ls it true, Taipan,
that old friends

have refused
to help you financially?

Yes.

Terrible.

Terrible times,

when old friends forsake old friends.

lt is your play.

l've never played
this course before.

You've had no need to.

You have Shei-Goh to play on,

or the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club.

This is a place for the Chinese.

lf Hong Kong is
part of China, Mr. Tip,

l was born in China.

Cantonese was
my first language.

lf l am not Chinese,
then what am l?

What do you want
of me, Taipan?

What is it that you ask?

l ask for your friendship.
l ask for your support.

You ask the Bank of China
to rescue the Noble House.

Yes. That is what l request.

lt is your play, Taipan.

l envy your swing.

Have you considered
selling part of your company,

perhaps even 51%?

l'm not allowed to do that.

No taipan can do that.

Dirk Struan--
old, green-eyed devil--

made sure none of us
could sell his company.

How much money does
the Noble House require?

Revolving credit of 200 million.

A substantial sum.

And without it?

Our place could be
taken by others...

others who don't
share our friendship

with the Middle Kingdom.

l will pass on
your request, Mr. Dunross.

That's all l can do.

lt's also a question of time.

When will be too late?

- Monday.
- Frankly, Mr. Dunross,

l would not hold out
too much hope

that the Bank of China
would approve of your request,

but the chairman of the China Great Wall
lnternational Trust Corporation in Beijing

is a man called Tsu-Yan.

l believe you know him.

Not exactly.

Last time l saw Tsu-Yan,
we were both 12 years old.

Oh, Mr. Dunross, we may hope
he remembers you with kindness.

- l know l'm right.
- The hell you are.

lt's obvious. Where did you meet her?

At Gornt's, and she was
his mistress for years.

He's using Orlanda
to get at you, to soften you up.

l did some checking.
Did you know that

Gornt pays for her apartment?

We got a lot riding on this deal
and you're going to blow it over--

- What? Go ahead. Say it.
- She's just the same as Gornt.

They're both after your money.
That's all.

lt's my money and it's my company
and l'll do whatever l want to.

- Do you understand that?
- Par-Con's not your personal toy.

l've got stock, too,
remember?

You want to vote your shares,
l'll vote mine,

and you know who wins
that spitting contest.

You want my resignation, Linc?

l just want you to stay the hell
out of my personal life.

No waters allowed,

and if you beat down this door again,
you'll regret it.

- l have to drink something.
- No water.

What do you think you're doing?

How dare you treat
Superintendent Kwok like this.

lt's Commissioner Crosse's order, sir.
He said--

l don't give a damn what he said.

Get some water. Now.

- Yes, sir.
- Come on. Come here.

You're not too steady on your feet.

You all right?

What--what the hell's going on?

l don't know. l've just heard.
That's why l'm here.

l was told you'd been on leave
for a few days.

Crosse has gone mad.

He claims you're
a communist spy.

Me? Me? That's insane.

This is all you can have.

How long have they
had you in here?

- l don't know. What's the day today?
- Friday the 30th.

God. lt's been over a week.

Listen, Robert, it's all a mistake.
You've got to help me.

Don't you see?

What are you doing in here?

l have a right to know
what's going on, sir.

You have no rights,
Superintendent Armstrong.

This is a security matter.

Now, listen, spy.

l want the names and addresses
of all your contacts right now.

- Who is your controller?
- Sir, it's all a mistake.

There's no controller. l'm not a spy.

Then explain how you were photographed
in Ning-Tok with your mother.

Explain how your real name is Chu-Toy.

l'm Brian Kwok.

You are a liar,

and l'll see to it that you spend
the rest of your days in this cell

unless you confess
to everything.

And you are forbidden to come in here
without permission.

What possessed you to do it, Brian?

What? l'm innocent.

l'm sorry, sir. You've got to leave.

All right.

Brian, l'll do what l can.

You did very well, Robert.

Did you see his face
when he heard his real name?

No mistake about that.

No mistake about his guilt.

Step up sleep-wake schedule, doctor.

Every hour on the hour.

l don't know that that
would be medically safe.

Well, you'll keep close tabs on him.

lf it's too much, then you'll ease back.

Leave at 12 hours,
then you'll interrogate him again.

lf that doesn't work,
put him in the red room.

No. No, not Brian.

Brian Kwok is dead
and that man killed him.

He betrayed you, Robert.
He betrayed us all.

A communist agent
spying in Hong Kong.

God only knows the damage.

We'll have to find out what he gave them,
who his contacts are.

No, Robert.
Chu-Toy is not your friend.

Welcome aboard
the Sea WItch, Mr. Bartlett.

Take her out.

lt's quite a boat.

Yes. How many does she sleep?

Oh, six comfortably.

There's a permanent crew of four.

- l'll show you around if you like.
- No, this is fine right here.

You say that there was something
you wanted to ask me.

Yeah.

You haven't changed
your mind about Struan's.

Their stock is down to nine and a half.

That means we are between
50 and 60 billion Hong Kong ahead.

You will double your money
in less than a week.

That's not a bad investment.

What do you buy back in?

Oh, it depends on
when you decide to dump them.

How many shares
do you need for control?

Enough to give us
three immediate seats on the board.

When that happens, lan's through.

Then, shortly afterwards,
l merge Struan's with Rothwell-Gornt.

You're a taipan of the Noble House.

ln the best of all
possible worlds, yes.

What did you want to ask me?

About Orlanda.

And me?

And everything.

Very well.

The first time l saw Orlanda
was when she was 10.

lt was a Saturday at the races.

Her father was a manager
in my shipping division--

Eduardo Ramos,
a good fellow.

Third-generation Macao.

Her mother was pure Shanghainese.

And Orlanda was the prettiest girl
that l've ever seen.

- Go on.
- Three years later...

- You sure you want to hear all this?
- Oh, l'm very sure.

Very well. Three years later...

Eduardo Ramos was in
serious financial trouble.

Had bad debts,
gambling, whatever.

His wife came to me
and offered Orlanda as a mui jai.

- As a what?
- A mui jai, Mr. Bartlett,

is a daughter
given by a debtor to a creditor

forever, in settlement of debts
that could not otherwise be paid.

- What do you mean ''given''?
- Exactly that--given as property.

lt's an ancient Chinese custom.

- Do you accept it?
- Of course.

l settled her father's debts,
gave him a modest guaranteed pension,

and paid for Orlanda's schooling.

Hmm. ln return, her parents
guaranteed to return her to me

a virgin and suitably enamored
on or before her 18th birthday.

l didn't see her again until that time.

- You owned her.
- ln a way, for five years.

But no more than she owned me.

l was very much in love with her.

Why'd it end?

Ah. Why does any relationship end?

Any marriage?

Thousand reasons and none.

lf l could give you the answer to that,
l'd be a far wiser man than l am.

Oh, there were arguments,
unpleasant moments, angry words.

But l've chosen to forget all that.

After all, it has been three years.

But you're still good friends.

l will always be Orlanda's friend
and she will always be mine,

But that is all.

l'm not using Orlanda, Mr. Bartlett.

She is not a prize. She is not bait.

l wouldn't want to see her hurt.

No.

You don't believe me?

This is Hong Kong.

l'm out of my depth.

Does Orlanda know
that her mother came to you?

About the mui jai? No.

That is a perpetual secret
that l must ask you to honor.

Will you?

- Yeah.
- Good.

And now you know it all.
Well, what's your decision?

You see, Mr. Bartlett, time has come
for you to make up your mind

which side you are on.

Why don't we leave it this way?

Next Tuesday, old debts and friendships
are canceled and we start fresh.

All of us.

And Mr. Alastair called twice.

Asked that you call him
the moment you came in.

l'll get to him later.

Phillip has been waiting to see you.

Yes?

- Mr. Mata is calling again.
- l'll take it.

Lando. How's Macao?

CasIno Is crowded,
and that Is aII that matters.

I had to seII you.

At 21?

No. 20 as we agreed.

l'm sorry things are
going so badly for you.

- Can you hoId on?
- l could use your help.

Then come and taIk to me.

BesIdes, It'II do you good
to get away from Hong Kong.

Are you free tonIght?

l can be.

Then come when you can.
I shaII expect you.

l haven't been much use
to you lately, Taipan.

Please forgive me.
lt's all right, Philip. l understand.

l'm very sorry about John.

Very sorry indeed.

- When's the funeral?
- Tomorrow. Tomorrow at 10:00.

l was wondering if
you'd say a few words.

Yes, of course l will.
Of course l will.

ls there anything l can do?

Staying home with Dianne,
the time goes by very slowly.

There is something
l need your advice on.

- Ahem.
- Here. This was--

B-Bartlett gave this to you already?

Bartlett? What has Bartlett got to--

This is your coin.

Of course.
Your family would have one.

But why do you think
Bartlett gave it to me?

- Tai--
- Tell the truth, Comprador, now.

lt was John. He stole the coin.

He was going to give it
or sell it to Bartlett's.

Why?

John was working for him.

l found papers, contracts
in John's safe deposit box.

He was betraying us,
betraying the Noble House,

giving Bartlett all our secrets.

Why didn't you tell me?

l was afraid, Taipan.
l was afraid, ashamed.

And when l found the coin gone,

l knew John had taken it.

Four Finger Wu.
He gave the coin to you.

Why do you think so?

When l delivered
the ransom, the 500,000,

he sent his men
to protect me from the Werewolf.

Was it him?

How did John know the secrets
of the Noble House?

Where did he get the information
he gave to Bartlett?

- l don't--
- You must have told John.

There is only you, Alastair,
my father, Deville, and me

who know the private details!

l didn't tell him. l swear l didn't.

You kept records, private records!

That's how John found out.

Yes, l--l-- kept records.

- l had to.
- Had to? Why?

Come on, damn it!

Because my father,

before he passed the house
and the coin over to me,

he made me swear to keep, to record

the private dealings of the Noble House,

to protect the house of Chen.

lt was just that, Taipan,
never to use against you or the house,

just a protection.

Get Jacques
in here straightaway.

So, Bartlett's got our structure.

Our balance sheets.

What else has he got?

- l--
- Answer me!

l don't know. l don't.

But the coin. lt's mine.

lt belongs to me.

What is it, Taipan?

Take Philip home, please.
He's not feeling too well.

And there are private
papers to bring back.

You give Jacques everything.

The letters, the contracts,

the private records, everything.

Do you understand?

- Taipan--
- Everything.

Yes.

Come on, old man.
Let's see you home.

Come on.

Miss Casey Tcholok's on the line.

- Do you want to call her back?
- No. l'll take it.

- Casey.
- HI.

Yes. Fine. That would be very nice.

Why don't you take
the ferry across and l'll meet you?

Good. Oh, and Casey...

- Bring your passport.
- OK.

Hi.

Good timing. l just got here.

Why do l need my passport?

We're going to Macao.
Portuguese territory.

What's in Macao?

Oh, there's the Port of the Circle.

That's the Chinese port.

The facade of St. Paul's,
the Bishop's Purse.

No, l mean, why are you going?

To see Lando Mata.

He thought it would do me good
to get out of Hong Kong.

lt's only an hour's trip.
l thought you might enjoy it.

ln that?

- ln that.
- Yours?

Struan's.

Good afternoon, Taipan.

ls your life always like this,
Taipan?

l mean, your house,
cars, this boat.

The best of everything.

The taipan of the Noble House
lives well,

but the taipan loans it.

He carries all the responsibility
for the Noble House

and he can't share it,
so he sweats.

Dirk Struan had
his own plans and rules.

- He wanted us to sweat.
- Why?

Once when
he was beset by his enemies,

Tyler Brock and his scum,

Dirk just laughed and said,

''An able man
has many burdens.

''And as l am abler
than most,

l sweat more than most.''

And are you sweating now,
Taipan?

Should l be?

lt seems Struan's is way out on a limb,
about to go under.

Shall we go inside?
lt may get a little wet out here.

- Are you avoiding the subject?
- No. Just trying to keep you dry.

The Noble House
will survive, Casey.

You don't have to worry about that.

Doesn't look that way
from the outside, lan.

From what l've heard,
everyone seems to think

that Gornt will make the raid stick.

We have a deal till Tuesday.

That's what we agreed.

Do you want to change that?

No. But in your present state,

it'd be crazy to proceed.

So, we have two alternatives.

lt's either Rothwell-Gornt,
or we've got to help you

with some kind of bailout operation.

Oh? You have a preference?

l think you're best for us, long term.

Huh. Thank you.

How far are you willing to go?

l'm not sure.

Par-Con's bankers
are First Central in New York,

and we do a lot of
business together.

Dave Murtaugh is
the vice president

and he's a good guy.

And l called him
a couple hours ago

and he'd be very interested

in becoming Struan's
New York banker.

ln return for what?

They'd become your prime
leading American bank

and you keep between $10 million
and $15 million

on deposit at all times.

lf that works,
Murtaugh said he'd be

willing to discuss a revolving
$100 million credit line

against the value of the unissued shares

you've got in your treasury.

He said he'd need your
personal guarantee.

Well, that's the taipan privilege.

Um, what does Par-Con want out of this?

What do you and Linc want?

A long-term deal with Struan's
as old friends.

l've discovered what ''old friend''
means here, Chinese style,

And that's what l want.

Next.

ls that a yes?

l'd like to know all the terms
before l agree to them.

- What does Linc want?
- Linc doesn't know about it yet.

Don't you think you should consult him?

l'm executive director of Par-Con,
and Struan's is my deal.

lt cost us nothing but our influence
to get you out of your trap,

And that's what influence is for.

l want our deal to go through,
and l don't want Gornt to win.

- Why?
- l told you.

l think you're best for us in the long run.

- And that's the only reason?
- What else could there be?

And some of the little fish restaurants
out here are wonderful.

One of them specializes in sea slugs.

Oh, God. l'll pass. Ha ha.

The Chinese say if
its back faces heaven, it's edible.

Seems like everybody in Hong Kong

depends half their time
thinking about eating.

Chinese are very
concerned about food.

They're very suspicious
of restaurants

that waste money
on decorations and candlelight.

They like to see their food.

The Chinese are
at their best eating, like the ltalians.

l really like being with you.

Yes, but something's
bothering you, isn't it?

Oh, you're a mind reader, too.

l've been taught
to use my eyes and senses, Linc.

Certainly l try to read your mind
in order to do what pleases you.

lsn't that what a woman
should do for a man?

Not the women l've known.

But now you know me.

ls that what's bothering you?

l saw Quillan today.
We talked about you.

You want to know
anything about me, Linc,

all you have to do is ask.

All right.

Why did you and Quillan break up?

l didn't break up with him.

He broke up with me.

- And he was right.
- Why?

lt's not a story l'm proud of.

Well, l'd--l'd like to hear it anyway.

All right.

Once when Quillan was away,

l went to Macao with another man.

We spent the night.

He was a young man from London.

Minor executive at Asian Profiteers.

And l was bored and spoiled.

God knows l wasn't in love with him,

but l went with him anyway.

Naturally, someone told Quillan.

Well, that was the end of it.

Just like that?

l begged for forgiveness.

Quillan said there was
nothing to forgive.

Still, it was a matter of face.

And he left me.

And it ended there, just like that.

No.

Not quite.

Quillan had the young man fired
and sent back to England.

He sent me on the same flight.

He gave me money to buy clothes
and go to the theater,

and he said,
''Have a happy time.

''Come back
without problems.''

But he said if l ever spoke a single word
to that young man ever again,

he would never forgive me.

Doesn't make much sense.

l told you it was a matter of face.

Did this young man
try to talk to you?

Yes.

Did you talk to him?

No.

- Never?
- Never.

He tried to speak
to me on the plane.

He phoned me in London.

l never spoke a single word to him.

And after l came back here,
l--l found--

What?

He killed himself the day l left London.

l didn't think that just because
l wouldn't talk to him...

Did he know about you and Gornt?

Yes, of course he knew.

lt wasn't your fault,
or Gornt's, for that matter.

lt was just bad joss, for him,
and good joss for me.

What?

Otherwise, you might
still be Quillan Gornt's mistress.

What would you
like me to be, Linc?

How about if we start
with honest?

That Gornt set me up,
didn't he, with you?

Don't look away.

Just tell me the truth.

The truth is--

Yes.

What were you supposed
to do, Orlanda?

l was just supposed
to distract you, that's all.

Well, it looks like
you succeeded.

You can tell Gornt that, or l will.

No, Linc, please, l--

l didn't know you then.

- l didn't think that l'd--
- What?

No more lies,
Orlanda, not now.

The game you agree
to play for Gornt is over.

lt's finished.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

Good.

We could begin again.

Would you like that?

l'd like that very much.

To be everything
that you could desire in a woman.

Everything.

Good afternoon, Taipan.

lt's good to see you
once again in Macao.

Thank you, Alvarez.

lt's very kind of you
to meet us, indeed.

Well, it's Mr. Mata's pleasure.

May l have your passports, please?

Whole different feeling here.

Yes. Macao is very European.

ln fact, the Portuguese
have been here a very long time,

250 years before
Hong Kong was born.

What will happen in 1997?

l mean, does Macao
revert to China when Hong Kong does?

No. That happens
two years later, in 1999.

ln fact, the Portuguese
government tried

to give Macao
back to China in 197 4.

The People's Republic
refused to accept it then.

- ObrIgado.
- We can go now.

Please.

Think l'm in Las Vegas.

Oh, l think the gentlemen
in Las Vegas

could learn a thing or two
from here.

- Hello, lan.
- Hello, Lando. How are you?

And welcome
to my house, Miss Casey.

- Hello. Thank you.
- What a pleasant surprise.

l thought she might enjoy the trip.

l'm delighted that you're here,
both of you.

Come in, please.

MInha casa, vossa casa.

Oh, this is really beautiful.

Yes. lt is a pleasant house.

Unfortunately,
l'm not here that often.

There's a wonderful view
across the Pearl River

and beyond--mainland China.

Perhaps you will visit again.

l'd love to. Listen.

l know you and the taipan have things
you want to talk about, so--

Oh, l will not keep him long.

ln the meantime, if you'd
care to refresh yourself...

Fine.

Maria?

Maria will show you the way.

Thank you.

Very attractive woman.

ls she on your side?

- Should she be?
- l hope so, Taipan.

There have been rumors
about Mr. Bartlett and Quillan Gornt,

rumors about
private agreements.

- Are they true?
- Bartlett is a businessman.

lf l were in his position,
l'd probably be doing the same thing.

By the way, l only got 17 and a half
for my Noble House shares,

so l kept my word better
than l intended,

but l suppose l was lucky
to get out when l did.

Considering what you
paid for them, you still made a profit.

Ah, yes, but that was three years ago.

Do you still believe you will survive?

l have to, don't l?

l've spoken to other members
of the syndicate here.

They all agree you'd be an ideal choice

to represent
the gambling concession.

Under those and other
certain conditions,

they would be willing
to invest in Struan's.

What other conditions?

You sell them half
the treasury shares...

l can't sell control of Struan's.

With our money, you'll smash Gornt.

l can't pass over control-- that's
impossible, Lando--even if l wanted to.

No one has to know.

The next taipan would know.
l can't do it.

Oh, you can, lan.

You're the taipan of the Noble House.

You can do whatever you wish.

You could even move the whole house
to Macao, if you wanted to.

l'm sure the government would be pleased
to extend you the necessary concessions.

Wouldn't that be better than losing to Gornt
and whoever is backing him?

l'm not going to lose.

Yes, you will, Taipan.

On this, you have no choice.

Meeting over?

Yes.

Lando had to go out.

How did it go?

Oh, as expected.

ls that good or bad?

Oh, you might say
it was disappointing.

Wasted trip?

Oh, l'd hardly call it that.

So far, the trip has
been the best part.

A visit to Macao is not complete
without going to a casino.

l'm no gambler. l always lose.

Well, perhaps you haven't
found the right game.

This is the oldest
gambling game in China,

probably from 1,000 years ago.

The odds sound
pretty lousy to me.

Oh, it takes a practiced eye
to play fan-tan.

l want to watch this.

Squeeze in down here.
Excuse me, sir.

Can l just get in?
Thank you.

You mean, you have to guess
how many buttons are in the cup?

No. lt's how many are left over
after he lines them up four at a time--

One, two, three or four.

Thank you. This time, it's three.

Practiced eye, except this time,
it's two.

l thought you never gambled.

This isn't gambling. l can't lose.

- l'm afraid you will. lt's three.
- Two.

Come on, three. lt's three.

- Three. Come on, three.
- Two.

Three.

Come on, three.

l've been playing this game
since l was a boy.

Yeah? Well, when l was a kid,

they used to put a jar of jellybeans
in Rankhart's Candy Store,

and whoever guessed--
oh, l got it right!

Here.

Oh, dear me, ten out of 12?

You should be barred
from playing the game,

banned from the club.

lt's just my practiced eye.

What's behind the smile?

Oh, general satisfaction.

All is well at this point
in the world.

At least all the various problems
are in their compartments.

What compartments?

The only way to deal with
problems is the Asian way.

You take your problems,
whatever they are,

and put them into
individual compartments.

then you take them out when
you're meant to deal with them,

preferably one at a time.

That's good if you can do it.

Oh, but you have to do it.

lf not, you go under.

Tomorrow will take care
of tomorrow's problems.

You mean,
everything can wait?

No...

Not everything.

l'm glad we're not in Hong Kong.

Then you're not
in a hurry to go back?

Tomorrow's problem.

Whatever happened to her?

Whatever happened to who?

You know...

The first one...

The one your Uncle Chen-Chen
sold you to.

Elegant Jade.

Did you fall in love with her?

Madly.

Frail love.

During summer holidays

when l was home in
boarding school in England,

and on my first day back
in the third summer,

l went to find her, but she was gone.

Where?

Tried to find her everywhere.

Then l went to ask
Uncle Chen-Chen.

He'd become very old.

Did he know?

Oh, yes, but...

He told me it was time for her to go.

lt was too easy for a young man
to give too much to a girl--

too much time,
too much thought.

l had to put my mind
on the Noble House.

When you were 17?

Taipans are raised from an early age.

Did Uncle Chen-Chen
ever tell you where she was?

Oh. Oh, yeah. ln Taipei.

He made me swear that l would
never try to find her.

Why?

Well, it would take away
her face and her beauty.

For both of us,

and it would destroy the memory.

- Did you ever see her again?
- No.

l'll tell you one thing, lan Dunross.

You had one...

hell...of a teacher.

Did you send
the cable to Bangkok?

Yes, Father.

Why are you asking
this Mr. Lee to come join you?

White Powder Lee
is a very good chemist.

He will be in charge
of my new pharmaceutical plant.

You see how many ships
the Noble House sails in these waters?

My half-coin will pay
for many cargoes, safe cargoes,

with guaranteed delivery.

The taipan will never
agree to carry opium in his ships.

He told you.

l allow you to listen
to my conversations

in order for you to learn,
and still you learn nothing.

This gives me power
over the taipan, all taipans.

This gives me control
of the Noble House.

Our ancestor
Wu Fung Choy used his half-coin

to demand a clipper ship
from the green-eyed devil,

but he forgot to demand
safe passage of the ship

as part of his bargain.

What happened to
Wu Fung Choy's ship?

The green-eyed devil's son,
Calum the Weak,

delivered the ship as he had to,

and he sent his own
ships out of the east

like assassins in the night.

They murdered our ship

and Wu Fung Choy with her.

That is the honor of the Noble House,
my son.

Now get the car.

Venus Poon is
expecting me at 10:00.

The car is at the dock.

l'd like to know more about
the history of our family, Father,

the history of the seaborne Wu.

Then when l allow you to hear my
conversations, listen well.

Did you go to Kellett lsland
to the foreign devils' yacht club?

Yes, but the taipan's boat
hadn't returned.

Good. Then he's spending
the night in Macao.

l am pleased that
the taipan is doing to one American

what the other is
trying to do to him.

Oh, it's so beautiful.

You see, little mealy mouth?

l promised you'd have it on Friday.

Yes, and this abject person

is filled with sorrow
for having doubted you.

Though l shouldn't
have given it to you

after you shamed me
allowing Four Finger Wu

to escort you to the party.

l only did that because l was angry.

What is it?

l'm dizzy.

My head is spinning.
lt's too much excitement.

- Then let's go to bed.
- No!

Oh, no. My head hurts.

- l really must lie down.
- But l--

But l told my wife
l'd be in Taipei.

Well, then go to your club
and call me tomorrow.

But--

Four Finger Wu,
please be late tonight.

You wait for me here.

Casey? You up?

Just want to say l'm sorry.

Madam not in, sir. Very sorry.

Who's In controI?
NIng-Tok.

Who's In controI?
Chu-Toy. NIng-Tok.

Who's In controI?
NIng-Tok.

Who's In controI?
Chu-Toy. NIng-Tok.

Who's In controI?
Chu-Toy. NIng-Tok.

NIng-Tok.
NIng-Tok. NIng-Tok.

NIng-Tok, NIng-Tok.

All right, Brian. l'm here.

l'm putting everything right.

There's nothing to be afraid of now.

Robert?

lt's me, old chum.

Robert. Let's get you up.

Thank you. Thank you.

Oh, Robert, l'm sick, very sick.

The doctor said you're in fine shape,

nothing to worry about,
just bad dreams, Brian.

That's all it is.

- Where are you going?
- l must leave now.

Stay with me, Robert.
Please stay with me.

We'll talk. Yes. You wanted to talk.
Don't leave me.

All right, old friend. Then talk.

l won't go while we talk.

What do you want to tell me,
about Ning-Tok?

Yes. l'll tell you about Ning-Tok.

l went there, Robert.

Yes. l went there when my father died.
l had to go.

Tell me how you went to
Ning-Tok, and l'll stay.

Friends. My friends helped me.
lt only took a day.

What friends, Brian?
Who are they?

Don't remember.

Then l must go.
Next week, l'll come back.

No. l'll tell you who it was.

lt was--it was--

Who?

Chung Li. He helped me.

Where does he live,
your friend Chung Li?

He--

Fourth alley in Aberdeen,

number 8, lucky 8, fifth floor.

Very good, old chum.
Now, who else?

Who were your other friends
who helped you go to Ning-Tok?

Sensible Tok, who owns
the Hu Tok restaurant.

Remember? Took you there.
You liked the food. Remember?

Yes, yes. l remember. Who else?

Tell me, Brian. Who else helped you?

Dr. Meng in the princess building.

Dr. Meng, he made all the arrangements.

l'm tired.

lf you're tired, l'll leave.

No, please.

ls Dr. Meng
your controller, Brian?

Gweilo foreign devils
have raped my country for centuries.

You know that's true.

Yes. Yes, Brian. That's true.

Was Dr. Meng your controller?

No. Controller was in Shanghai.

God, head aches.

l'm so thirsty.

And what did you give
to your controller in Shanghai, Brian?

Dossiers, S.l. Files,
whatever they asked for.

lan?

lan?

Who's there?

Lim Chu, miss.

The taipan is not here.

l know, miss.

The taipan had to return
to Hong Kong very early, miss.

He left the boat for you.

He told me to make sure
that you were back in time

for the races,
so we have to leave soon.

Oh. How did he go?

He took the dawn jet, miss.

l'll be down in a few minutes.

- From the taipan, miss.
- Thank you.

''Considering the vast sum
of money you've won,

''don't you think you should
take me out to dinner tonight?

''lan.''

Have you collected Philip's papers?

Yes. They're at the office.

Claudia locked them away.

Taipan, what is this all about?

Nothing terribly pleasant,
Jacques.

l'll explain it to you later.

Thank you for your kind words
about John, Taipan.

Again, l'm sorry.

Sorry is sorry,

but that still doesn't
help extricate us

from the trap your son
and you put us into.

l know. l know.

You've got the weekend, Philip.

You'll claim every favor you're owed
and raise 14 million.

- But, Taipan--
- lf l don't get that

by Sunday midnight,
have your resignation

on my desk by 9:00 a.m.

You and your family
will be out of the Noble House forever.

- You can't. The le--
- l can.

The house of Chen
has many branches.

Sunday midnight, Philip,

or it will be too late.

Good day, Mr. Gornt.

Morning.

Louie, if you win,
you have a $10,000 bonus,

but if you finish behind Noble Star,
you're fired.

- Yes, guv.
- Pirate Fish and...

lf Noble Star wins,
you are fired.

But, Mr. Gornt, what do you want?

Look. l'm not suggesting
you do anything.

l'm just telling you what will happen,

And, Louie, if l fire you,

l'll make sure you never
ride for anyone else again.

Taipan...

These are the papers that
Jacques said you wanted.

Thank you, Claudia.

By the way,
did you and Miss Tcholok

have an enjoyable time in Macao?

Since your source of information
is so good, Claudia,

why don't you give me the details

on the American Super Foods merger
with Hong Kong General Stores,

say, in the next 15 minutes?

Yes, sir.

Excuse me, Taipan,
but it's Alexej Travkin.

He says it's urgent.

All right.

Yes, Alexej?

Jockey is sick, Taipan,
Johnny Moore.

l had him up on Noble Star.

He seemed all right this morning.

He's running
103-degree temperature.

Doctor says it might be food poison.

You mean, he's been tampered with?

l don't know, Taipan.

l only know he's
no good for us today.

Who do you want up
on Noble Star?

We'll decide before the race.

l'll see you when l get there.

OK.

l still think you're wrong.

Deal goes the way l want it.

- End of discussion.
- Like hell.

You just want to go
with Gornt because of Orlanda,

and that's not good enough reason.

This has nothing to do with her.

Dunross is in a trap
he can't get out of.

l wouldn't be so sure.

What are you up to, Casey?

l'm just telling you, the Noble House
is the right deal for us.

l know you better than anyone,
and you're up to something.

l'm just trying
to stop you from making

a business mistake
for emotional reasons.

Emotional reasons, huh?
Where the hell were you last night?

Yes!

Good.
Did you have it?

Good, good.

This box is the only way
to go to the races.

Yes. Struan's has always
had the best position,

right at the winning post,
thanks to Dirk.

Another family legend?

Dirk Struan
began the turf club,

he put up all the money
for the first meeting,

so he was rated this position

when the first stands were built.

So far, we've managed
to hang on to it.

lt's certainly worth
hanging on to.

Really like it--
the track, the horses.

Yes. There's a special joy,

a special excitement
about racing.

That moment when the horses
turn for the finish?

Oh, there's nothing
quite like it.

Well, l'm glad you're interested
in something outside the Noble House.

Oh, yes. l wasn't always taipan.

l won't always be taipan.

You think about that time?

Oh, yeah, every now and then.

By the way, you're
on for dinner, my treat.

Oh, good. Good.

Should cash in your ticket.

The odds are 15:1.
No, thanks.

l'll be back.

Ah, Casey, did you win, too?

Only had ten bucks on her.

lt's not the amount that matters.

lt's the winning,

and it's very lucky to pick the first winner
first time at the track.

l didn't pick it.

Christian Toxe gave me a tip.

Ah, Toxe.

Want to come boating tomorrow?

Supposed to rain.

Then we'll stay inside.

l'll phone you in the morning.

Well, which is your box?

l don't have one.

l'm not a steward yet,
but l will be.

That was the worst race
l've ever seen.

That jockey ought
to get arrested.

Whose jockey was that,
Mr. Biltzmann?

Taipan. The crook riding,
you know, the favorite.

He held his horse back,
just reined him to a dead stop.

lt was an out and out fix.

Now, now, Mr. Biltzmann,

if there was anything irregular,

l'm sure the steward
would be onto it at once.

Oh. Yeah?

Then how come
they're paying off?

Listen. l'm no sucker,

and l know a fix when l see one.

Did you see the jockey
do anything untoward?

l'm afraid l didn't watch the race.

Quillan?

The race was fine.

That berk's manners
are appalling.

Excuse me.

l didn't see anything, honest.

Of course, if l hadn't have won...

Fan-tan, horse races...

is there anything you don't win at?

l hope not.

Then would you be prepared
to gamble all your Par-Con stock

against a potential profit of $4 million
to $8 million within 30 days?

- What?
- The odds are excellent.

Yes or no?

OK.

- Oh, thank you for bringing her today.
- What?

l brought her for me,
not for you.

But, little treasure--

Go away.
You're giving us indigestion.

All gods spit on you, old man,

but even she,

with all the technique
l've taught her,

cannot teach a noodle
to dance.

The fire in Aberdeen
seems like it was such a long time ago.

What's that been, a couple of days?

- That's Hong Kong.
- What do you mean?

lt's a Hong Kong characteristic.

When you live here, there's never
enough time, whatever your work.

There's always
so much going on--

people leaving, arriving,

one crisis or another.

Everything happens faster here.

Just look what's
been going on since you've arrived--

John Chen kidnapped
and murdered,

the fire, the bank run,
stock market disaster.

Taipan, how do you think
Buccaneer is going to do in the next race?

You think he's going
to be a favorite?

l'd say he was worth
a small wager.

Are you betting, Linc?

Yeah. l've just been watching the tote.

The last race was over
20 million Hong Kong.

This one is gonna be even more.

This has got to be the richest track
in the world, the way they're betting.

l think l'll place
that small wager, if you'll excuse me.

How about a business proposal
for you and Casey

as individuals outside
the Par-Con-Struan deal?

Are you interested?

l'm interested enough to listen.

Before l lay it out,
there are ground rules.

lt's my game,
and you two are bystanders,

but you're in for 49%
of the profits,

to be shared equally
between you, ok?

What do we do for our 49%?

You put four million U.S.
by 9:00 Monday morning

into a Swiss bank of my choosing.

Against what?

Whatever Gornt gave you
for the four million you gave him.

That was a very good idea,
by the way.

How long you known about it?

l told you, there are
no secrets here.

Are you in?

Casey, you know
what this is all about?

No. What's the profit potential?

Four to eight million within 30 days,

as much as 24 within six months.

Total or our share?

Your share.

That's lot of profit
for something completely legal.

ln or out?

lf l put up the four million,
why does Casey get cut in for half?

- What's her risk?
- She signs over her Par-Con stock.

l thought you said
you didn't know anything about this.

l don't know any more than you do.

You're willing to gamble
your stock blind?

Maybe you better think
about that a little.

l already have,

and l'll take the chance, OK?

lt's your money.

OK, Taipan.
Who do we have to kill?

Rip: DevilsBackbone