Original subtitles

Intheyear2046 every railway network spreads the globe

A mysterious train leaves for 2046 every once in a while

Every passenger who goes to 2046 has the same intention

They want to recapture lost memories

Because nothing ever changes in 2046

Nobody really knows if that's true

Because nobody's ever come back

Except me

If someone wants to leave 2046...

how long will it take?

Some people get away very easily

Others find that it takes them much longer

I forget how long I've been on this train

I start to feel very lonely

As I recall many have gone to 2046

You're the first to come back

May I ask why you left 2046?

Whenever one asked why I left 2046...

I gave them some vague answers

Before...

when people had secrets they didn't want to share

...they'd climb a mountain

They'd find a tree and carve hole in it

And whisper the secret into the hole

Then cover it over with mud

That way, nobody else would ever discover it

I once fell in love with someone

After a while, she wasn't there

I went to 2046

I thought she might be waiting for me there

But I couldn't find her

I can't stop wondering if she loved me or not

But I never found out

Maybe her answer was like a secret...

that no one else would ever know

All memories are traces of tears

Didn't you promise not to come back?

I came to see you

Why?

I have no prospects here

So I'll see how things are in Hong Kong

When are you leaving?

The boat sails in two days

Why are you telling me?

I thought we might go together

You know nothing about my past, do you?

If you'd rather not tell me I don't mind

If you win, I'll join you

She found an indirect way of rejecting me

As I recall...

...that was the very last time we saw each other

Right after that, I left Singapore

I got back to Hong Kong at the end of 1 966

There was riots in Kowloon due to the price rise of ferry ticket

I wasn't sure how long I'd be staying...

So I took a room in a small hotel in Wanchai

I wrote columns for the Newspapers

They paid HK$1 0 per thousand words

It was pretty tough at first

As long as I could make ends meet

...it made no difference what kind of stuff I wrote

'Diary of the Bezooke Hero'

The new star at Club Luk Kwok is Fai Fai!

A knockout beauty with amazing bezookes!

A smash hit with tit-lovers!

Hang on, of course I exaggerate

I can't say her tits are fake, can l?

I soon got used to this kind of life

I became an expert of ladies

Lots of one-night-stands

Never mind

nothing lasts forever anyway

24-Dec-66

Is that really true?

Why would I lie to you?

You really know me?

Weren't you in a show in Singapore in 64?

Yes

You're Lu-lu

I was then

Not anymore

What's your name now?

Why should I tell you?

On Christmas Eve 1 966...

...I ran into a friend from Singapore in a nightclub

We'd been rather close

But that night...

...she'd apparently forgotten me

Have we really met before?

How could you forget?

You said I looked like your last boyfriend

You taught me the Cha-cha

Go on...

You were always dragging me to the casino

You'd hit a losing streak

You owed a fortune

My friends and I paid for your passage to Hong Kong

You talked a lot about your last boyfriend

A Chinese Filipino from a rich family

You planned to marry him

But he died young

You said he was the only love of your life

At this time of year...

I shouldn't bring back sad memories

But do you remember that Christmas night...

we went drinking?

We talked a lot

Was she just pretending she'd forgotten me?

I took her back to her hotel She was drunk

She'd had too much to drink...

...so I left quickly

On my way out I noticed very a familiar number

If I hadn't run into her that night

I wouldn't have seen that number

...and I wouldn't have written '2046'

Can I help you?

Is Miss Lu-lu in?

Lu-lu? There's no Miss Lu-lu here

There was a Mimi...

...but she's moved out

But I was here two days ago!

Do you know where she's gone?

No! What do you want with her?

Nothing, really

I have her key. I wanted to return it

You can give it to me

Thanks

You want to rent the room?

I'm just back from abroad

I don't have my own place yet

If the room's vacant I could take a look

This is just a small hotel

But our residents are all decent people

What's your line of work?

I write for newspapers

Great! A fellow artist!

I haven't always done this

I used to be an artist too

Really?

I took singing lessons in Haerbin

By then, I was a tenor

It'll be a pleasure to have you here

When will you move in?

As soon as possible

But...

2046 has to be redecorated

2047 is vacant

Take a look at it

Never mind

I'll come back when it's ready

Why that particular room?

Maybe it's the number

It has some significance for you?

I'm joking

Tell you what...

Take a quick look at 2047

If it's okay, you can move in

Then switch to 2046 when it's ready

How about it?

Can I see the room?

Of course! Please...

Once I moved in, I found out...

just the night before...

Lu-lu was stabbed by a jealous boyfriend

A drummer from the club

She'd really liked him...

...and compared him with a bird that could never land

For all these years...

She has been looking for her leg-less bird

Most of her affairs ended badly

But she didn't mind sad endings

No matter what happened...

...at least she was always the leading lady

Good!

Sure!

Go!

Let's go!

Let's go!

I'll go with you!

Good. I'll go with you!

Sure!

I understand!

You know what I mean? I know... I understand

I got it!

Can I go?

I can go!

Sure!

I understand!

Got it!

It didn't take long to finish redecorating 2046

But by then I was used to 2047

Sure!

I started hearing a strange voice through the wall

I thought someone had moved in

But it was the daughter of the hotel owner, Mr. Wang

Definitely!

I'm definitely going!

Okay, let's go!

I had no idea what she was saying

The staff told me it was Japanese

It seems she had a Japanese boyfriend

Tell the driver 220 Granville Road

Ge... ran... wei... 220 Granville Road

Turn from Humphrey's Avenue near to Kimberley Road Can you say again?

Don't turn down Salisbury Road Slowly, please...

I'll draw you a map

No, that's my pen!

I'll repeat it once more

Turn from Humphrey's Avenue

Near to Kimberley Road

But don't turn down Salisbury Road

Understand? No

I'll draw you a map No

Granville Road

Turn from Humphrey's Avenue

Don't turn down Salisbury Road

Remember, don't turn down Salisbury Road

His company in Japan had sent him to Hong Kong

When he got here he checked into this hotel

The world is full of men!

Why do you have to choose a Japanese?

Get rid of him!

I will never meet him!

You want my blessing?

Not while I'm alive!

It had been going on for ages

But due to Mr. Wang's opposition

So they had to break up

Can you tell me what you feel?

Do you like me?

Or not?

I'm scared to hear your answer

But I have to ask anyway

Leave with me

Goodbye

The man finally went back to Japan

That's when Miss Wang began talking to herself

Hey, ask your boss to turn it down a bit!

Mr. Chow you'd better ask him yourself

Mr. Chow...

Hasn't he left already?

Why is he back?

I will not see him!

If you won't give him up...

Get out! Go away with him!

I assumed that Mr. Wang played it so loud...

...because he loved his opera

Actually he didn't want anyone to overhear the family matters

What are you doing?

Come back for me when you're a little older!

I said, wait till you grow up!

I like it

Mr. Wang's biggest trouble

...is about his two daughters

The elder one was crazy about her Japanese man

The younger one was precarious for her age

She kept coming into my room for drinks

Then she ran off with

another drummer from a club band

After she left her elder sister got into trouble too

Hey, have a word with your boss for me

I'm a bit late with the rent

Anyway, he has my deposit

Mr. Chow, tell him yourself

He's in a foul mood these days

What's eating him?

First, one daughter ran away

Now the other one's in hospital

That's why he's so angry

Why is she in hospital?

He wouldn't say he was quite strange...

Stay clear of him!

So, that's it?

Anyhow, give him my invitation

It's my father's birthday banquet

He can deduct his gift from the rent I owe

Later they imposed a curfew in Hong Kong

Home-made bombs caused panic

The economy stopped then

I stopped going out

Some thought I was a reformed character

Actually, I was writing

a story called '2046'

All about men and women looking for love...

...risking everything to get to a place called 2046

What's that?

Let's go to...

I made it as bizarre and erotic as possible without crossing the line

The readers liked it

Some didn't take to the science-fiction angle

But all '2046' meant to me was...

...the number of a hotel room

I made up the whole thing

But some of my own experiences found their way into it

People I ran into in the normal course of things...

...turned up in my stories

I felt more and more at ease in my fiction world

Around that time Mr. Wang's music got louder again

More trouble with his two daughters...

But also because of the bad state of the economy

A lot of the rooms were empty

Then in September, the rioting ended

Life went back to normal

Soon, someone moved into 2046

Have you nearly finished?

It's too early in the day for that!

Some of us are trying to sleep!

Peeking?

The woman next door is quite a dish!

What are my chances?

You're off your head!

A father-to-be shouldn't have that on his mind!

Now she's pregnant

My wife won't let me touch her!

Come on

Put in a word for me

Okay...

How much?

How much have you got?

Only $1 00...

Wait for my call

Mr. Chow!

Mr. Chow, a call for you!

Would it be too early, huh?

She's not up yet

Why come over?

I told you, it has to be arranged

She's not some street walker!

A fellow artist like you

Show her a little respect, will you?

Yes, I'll tell you right away!

Miss Bai, your key

You're back, Miss Bai

Who is it?

Who are you looking for?

Mr. Chow suggested I come by...

You're back, Mr. Chow

Did you win on the dogs?

I lost! I won a little

Looking for me?

I think you know this person?

What are you doing in that room?

You said you'd arrange it! I paid you!

When did I say it was this room?

I want this one I said that room

I said this one Your girl's in that room

I said this one How embarrassing! Please excuse him

I told you, the room on the left!

I said I wanted that one! Shut up!

Who is it?

Oh, you again!

I just wanted to apologize for last night

Forget it. Go away

My editor was out of line

But he's not really so bad

Just a bit stingy! Never pays his way!

Always says he's broke when the check arrives

So I thought I'd play a trick on him

At my expense? Didn't you go a bit far?

He only fall for it because you're so beautiful

You're quite a flirt!

Just stating the fact!

A small token of apology

please accept it

I don't want it

You're still mad, aren't you?

Please accept it No!

Come on... No!

It's just a token...

Don't make fun of me. I mean what I say!

Now, get out!

That's good, let it all out

How can I make you feel better?

Slap me again!

Think I wouldn't dare?

Come closer!

Bastard!

Don't be so petty!

That's enough

I'm courteous enough not to slap you again

That doesn't mean you can take advantage!

This time I'll give you face

If there's ever a next time I'll be less polite

It won't happen again

My face is still numb

Accept it!

No!

They're just a token of my regard

I chose them myself

See if you like them

If you don't, just throw them away

Good

I'll leave now

Calm down!

It's none of your business who I dated last night!

Who?

Dabao!

Which Dabao?

The fat one or the skinny one?

From Shanghai or from Shandong?

The trouble is I know so many men named Dabao

How should I know which one you mean?

Yes, I did

What are you going to do about it?

Fine!

I'll be waiting!

Let me just say...

Get out!

You think I can accept this?

Her or me

You'd better choose!

Now get out!

24-Dec-67

You're back early!

It's Christmas!

Shouldn't you behaving dinner with your boyfriend?

What boyfriend?

Then let's have supper!

Come on...

You have so many girlfriends! You need company?

Go out with them!

They all want to be with me but I can't choose

The fairest thing is to see none of them

Come on, no point in staying cooped up in your room

I'm not in a good mood tonight

I might get drunk...

...and slap you again

That's okay

I'm used to it!

If slapping me would make you happy

take that as my Christmas present!

Come on...

Come with me

Let's go!

I didn't expect to spend Christmas like this

What were you expecting?

We'd made plans

He was taking me to Singapore

He says it's warm there at Christmas

So I didn't even pack winter clothes

What I'm wearing now...

...is for summer!

Have you been to Singapore?

I worked there for several years

What kind of work?

One newspaper

Is it fun there?

It's okay

Tell me more

I won't be going...

so I'll just have to imagine it

What do you want to know?

How's the climate?

Pretty warm

All year round

Sometimes you can't tell what season it is

The food stalls are great!

Ping and I ate there after work

We'd eat and drink till dawn

Our landlord was a funny man

Short and fat and he always wore a skirt

what the Malays call 'sarong'

But when you're away from home

...it sometimes gets bored

That was a dull meal!

Another drink somewhere else?

You really like to drink?

It makes things easy

When I'm drunk, I have no worries!

Won't your girlfriends be missing you tonight?

They're not stuck to me!

They see other men too

We just have fun together

They still need to make a living!

I don't get it

Where does all that 'fun' get you?

If you find the right person...

...why waste time on the others?

If I find the right person!

A man like me has nothing much

...except free time

That's why I need company

So people are just time-fillers to you?

I wouldn't say that

Other people can borrow my time too

And this evening?

Are you borrowing me or am I borrowing you?

No difference!

Maybe I borrowed you earlier...

...and then you're borrowing me

Ridiculous!

Don't get me wrong

I don't intend to take advantage of you

If that was what I wanted...

...I had plenty of options

I just want us to be drinking pals

Is that okay?

It's hard

But I'll give it a try

Okay...

Let's try!

Where to? Let's drink!

Mr. Chow, you seem happy tonight!

I certainly am my friends are buying me dinner

This way please...

Ping! Is it someone's birthday?

Better than that Chow has a new girl friend!

Definitely worth celebrating!

Mr. Chow what would you like to eat tonight?

Something expensive!

Snake?

Yes, snake would be good

Snake isn't cheap Sure you'll win the bet?

Shut up! Don't mind him

What'll it be Mr. Chow? Snake!

And a lamb casserole too

And bring Hoi's whiskey

Yes! Good!

Can't let this go to waste it's delicious

Where's your girl, Chow?

It's already 2 a.m. Is she coming?

She isn't coming She can't be coming

I don't think she's coming

It's all your fault

It's because of you that this happened

Why blame me?

You brought this on yourself

You said she was gentle and obedient

Now we know the truth!

I said she was sometimes obedient...

...and sometimes gentle

But she's full of surprises. That's fun

So, what next? Yes, what now?

What's more I can do?

Whatever you feel like doing

And then what happened?

Tell me!

How are you going to thank me?

Pervert!

Open up!

Who is it?

Open the door!

It's late

You played a fine joke on me tonight

I finished work late

Too late to get there

So I didn't come

What's this?

That's your fault too

How could I know you'd stand me up?

I thought I'd wine few hundred

Instead I lost my moustache

This is all your fault

You deserved it

Who pushed you into the bet?

I'll tell you something...

Ping asked me not to show up

Anyhow...

I wasn't that fond of the moustache

You look younger now

Don't you like it?

You're making fun of me!

You tricked me!

I'll get you for this

How will you make it up to me?

At least give me a kiss

You bit me!

Come and get me!

You're in for it when I catch you!

Don't touch me there!

You fool are you going to peel my skin off?

You think you are being merciful?

I am bleeding

I wonder if the weather matters

Just a lamb casserole and I am like this

Do you think I've gone wild?

What? Don't move!

What are you doing?

Shaving you Don't!

Who knows where that shaver's been

It may bring me bad luck

Let's go for Round Two!

I don't want it

Why are you dressed?

I'm going back to my room...

I'm exhausted

This is all I have

Aside from loose change for the bus

Here's $200

Please take it

I don't want it

I wasn't selling

That's not how I meant it

I want to pay for your torn dress

Please take it

I see...

You're afraid I'll cling to you is that it?

Fine...

I'll take $1 0

Think of it as a discount rate

If you ever want to come over again

...I'll charge the same

I'm going back to my room

Come here

Not tonight

Why not?

Not in the mood?

Can't take the strain tonight

Anyhow, I'm a bit short of cash

Never mind, you can owe me

No...

I don't like being in debt

The reception's at 6, dinner at 8

I don't mind if you can't make it just send your gift

No more than you do!

You hold banquets all year round!

I've had four birthday invitations from you this year!

I'll send over some more invitation cards later

Think of people with money...

Write in their names and send them invitations!

Okay. That's settled

Mr. Chow, holding another banquet?

You know we have birthdays in different calendars?

Another of mine has come around

No doubt

Here's one for your boss Alright

Tell him that since we're so close...

He can deduct his gift from the rent I owe

Make sure he gets it Okay

It's late, what's so urgent?

Just got back from Macau

Chow asked me to bring you a present

You two went to Macau?

Yes, we had some days off

So we went to the casino

Oh, it's beautiful

He says he found some money...

...in his pocket

So before losing it all at the tables...

...he bought you a present

Where is he?

Not back yet. You know what he's like

Extravagant at the start of the month

...and broke wall before the end

He made several thousand hosting that party

So now he's really enjoying himself!

Is he there alone?

Of course not! There's a gang of them

He likes company

Was he always like this?

Let's not talk about him Let's have a drink

But I should warn you...

I know you like Chow a lot

Don't waste your time on him

He's not serious!

Guess who?

There's only one possibility!

Let me have a bite first!

What are you doing here?

What am I doing here?

What do you think?

I thought I was pretty wild

But you're much wilder!

Pay up!

I haven't seen you for ages

I've been busy

Liar

Tell me the truth

I am!

Who was that woman the other day?

What woman?

Don't pretend

I saw her leaving your room

Who is she?

A friend

A friend?

What was she doing in your room?

Don't be nosy, alright?

Go back to your room

I have work to do

I won't!

I'm sleeping here tonight

An overnight stay is expensive

No problem

Name your price

I'd pay anything to be with you Every day

Retail is fine

Wholesale is out of the question

Why?

I just don't like it

Could you make an exception for me?

No

You treat all women like this?

Except one

Who?

My mother

I'm serious

I don't mind you having other women

But I won't be treated the same as them

I don't care if you love me or not

I'll love you anyway

Since we got together I haven't brought other men back

I hoped you'd think the same way

Will you promise me that?

No

I see...

Then we're through

I'll never bother you

And I don't ever want you in my room again

Here, $1 0!

Tonight, I'm paying

Thank you!

If you're ever in the mood feel free to come over

I'll charge you the same

Having fun?

What do you care?

You were rather loud last night

I meant to be

You bring back women why shouldn't I have men?

I want to see if you really don't mind

I won't go why don't you come here instead?

Forget it! Don't come!

After Bai Ling moved out...

...she started dating Dabao

And I saw other women too

If our paths ever crossed we'd pretend not to see each other

Rather pathetic, I know

But it was better for us to end it this way

We haven't kept in touch for long

Despite the fact that...

she pops up in my stories

Your change, please check it

Thank you

Are you going out later?

Why?

Could you post this letter for me?

Sure

Then Miss Wang came back

I knew from the familiar sound coming through the wall

Please take me with you!

Good!

What are you doing?

Wasn't I clear?

Don't contact that Japanese man!

Why are you writing to him in secret?

Aren't you ashamed?

Return his letter!

No?

What are you reading?

A martial-arts novel

You like them?

If your friend wants to send you more letters

and you don't want your dad to know

tell him to send them to my room

I'll pass them on to you

She looked happier when she came back this time

We talked more often

Mr. Chow, another letter for you

Another!

Those Japanese girls are so passionate

Let's see each other again

Then

if you still think we shouldn't be together...

...tell me so, frankly

That day, six years ago...

...a rainbow appeared in my heart

It's still there

Like a flame burning inside me

But what are your real feelings for me?

Are they like a rainbow after the rain?

Or...

...did that rainbow fade away long ago?

I'm waiting for your answer

Why do you write all that stuff about sex?

So I won't starve!

Don't you worry about your reputation?

Maybe I'm not such a nice guy

Why not try writing something else?

Who'd read it?

How about a martial-arts novel?

People love them

That's too hard

I tried once co-writing it with someone

We locked ourselves away for months

Just got sore heads

Those were good times...

I like writing too

It's hard to make a living by writing

I just do it for fun

I'll show you some of my stuff

Please do

Here you are, read this first

Wow, you're prolific!

When you've read it tell me what you think

Don't forget to give it back!

Sure!

Have you read my story yet?

I have

What did you think?

I think you should never write another word

Why not?

You're so good

You could put me out of work

The Spider Saga thrusts out his right fist!

Two chopsticks take off like rockets!

They land with explosive force!

Kaboom! The mountain splits apart!

Slow down, I can't keep up

Come on, they' re waiting for it

Alright...

Caught up?

Go on

Where was l?

The mountain splits apart...

Right... The mountain splits apart...

...smashing lron Abacus to the ground!

Iron Abacus?

Isn't he dead?

Is he?

Then make it lron Head

Where did lron Head come from all of a sudden?

Hey, anything goes in martial-arts novels!

Why don't you get some rest?

I'll finish it for you

Okay

It felt like having an assistant

When I was late with my copy I asked her to ghost it for me

She was just a girl...

...but she could write as realistic as the best of us

We got along very well

That was my happiest summer ever

But it didn't last...

I encouraged her to face up to her father

But she didn't dare

She wanted to pay her own way

So I got her a job in the cloakroom at a club

Thanks!

She told her father...

...she was going out with me

Sometimes I found an excuse to pick her up after work

You're here late

If you're ready to go

I have a taxi waiting I can give you a lift back

No thanks

Then I won't wait

Feelings can creep up on you unawares

I knew that, but did she?

She was always asking...

...if there was anything at all that never changed

I could see what was on her mind

I promised to write a story for her based on my observation

Something to show her what her boyfriend was thinking

As a joke...

we thought of calling it '2047'

But maybe I was being too oblique

I'd begun to feel that it wasn't about her boyfriend at all

Rather it was more about me

So I began imagining myself as a Japanese man...

...on a train for 2046...

...falling for an android with delayed reaction

If someone wants to leave 2046 how long will it take?

No one can say

Some people get away very easily

Others find that...

...it takes them much longer

It takes great strength

And it can hurt terribly

I forget how long I've been on this train

I start to feel very lonely

It's rather boring at first

But you slowly get used to it

We have a range of cabin attendants

They can satisfy your every need

They will serve you devotedly

Like an intimate friend

But you must never fall in love with them

Who'd ever fall for an android?

Who can say?

Events can creep up on you...

...without you even noticing

It happens all the time

Paragraph 201 in the Passengers' Guide...

...warns that Area 1224-1225...

...is especially cold

The train heating won't be strong enough

Passengers are advised to hug each other to keep warm

Since I'm the only passenger...

...I hug my android cabin attendant

I wonder if it's her mechanism or just my imagination...

But I sense some responsive warmth in her artificial body

It hurts...

Why do you want to leave 2046?

Do you know...

...what people did in the old days...

...when they had secrets they didn't want to share?

They'd climb a mountain...

Find a tree...

Carve a hole in it...

Whisper the secret into the hole...

And cover it up with mud

That way...

...nobody else would ever learn the secret

I'll be your tree!

Tell me, and nobody else will ever know

I always...

I...

I always...

Very funny! I...

I always...

Whenever anyone asked why I left 2046...

I always...

...I gave them some vague answer

I always...

I once fall in love with someone

I couldn't stop wondering whether she loved me or not

I found an android which looked just like her

I thought the android might give me the answer

1 0 hours later

I have a secret to tell you

Leave with me

I have a secret to tell you

Leave with me

I kept on asking

But she never answered

I began dreaming up excuses for her silence

Do you know the Buddhist canon?

'The 5 Decays of Celestial Beings'?

The 5 Decays of Celestial Beings

It's all about the gods...

and how they go through this process too

Our cabin attendants

are superbly designed

But there's one problem

When they've served on so many long journeys...

...fatigue begins to satin

They might want to laugh...

...but the smile would be slow to come

They might want to cry...

...but the tear wouldn't weep till next day!

This one is falling fast

I think you'd better give up

I grew desperate

I felt like giving up

But I was soon trying again

I have a secret to tell you

Will you leave with me?

I have a secret to tell you

Will you leave with me?

Do you know what people did in the old days...

...when they had secrets?

They'd climb a mountain, find a tree

Carve a hole in it...

I slowly began to doubt myself

The reason she didn't answer...

...was not simply that her reactions were delayed

It's simply that she didn't love me

So at last I got it

It's entirely beyond my control

The only thing left for me...

...was to give up

24-Dec-68

Why are you inviting me to Christmas dinner?

You know how much I'll lose in tips by not working?

Wouldn't it be awful to be alone tonight?

I need company

That means me?

Your boyfriend hasn't written in a while

I told him not to

Anyway, it's hopeless

No point waiting for me

Why is it hopeless? Go and look for him!

If you don't, it really will be hopeless

My dad will never give his consent

If you were him...

...what would you be doing tonight?

Why don't you ask him?

Have you got his phone number?

I can't hear you

Can you speak louder?

I'm already shouting!

I felt like Santa Claus that night

I took her to the newspaper office...

and let her make a long-distance call to her boyfriend

I was happy...

...to see her so happy

In fact, Area 1 224-1 225...

...meant Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On the night before Christmas...

...many people need a bit more warmth than usual

I didn't get that

Maybe that was for the best

1 0 hours later

I realized...

...the reason the android didn't answer...

...had nothing to do with her mechanism wearing out

Nor that she didn't like him

More likely...

...she already loved someone else

Soon after that, she went to Japan

I gave her a copy of my story 2047

I hope she read it

1 00 hours later

1 000 hours later

Love is all a matter of timing

It's no good meeting the right person...

...too soon or too late

If I'd lived in another time or place...

...my story might have had a very different ending

I have to tell you...

Yes?

I'll be away for a couple of days

Please pay my daughter this month's rent

She's back?

Not Jingwen? I mean pay my younger girl, Jiewen

So your worries are over! Going on holiday?

No, I have to go to Japan

But you hate Japanese!

Why go to Japan?

Jingwen is getting married

Congratulations

I wasn't sure whether to go or not

Now I've decided... I just want her to be happy

When do you leave? Can you help me choose a present?

No need for that

She wanted me to ask you something

What is it?

She read your story '2047' She likes it a lot

But she finds the ending too sad

She wonders if you can change it?

I'll see what I can do

An hour later

1 0 hours later

1 00 hours later

Taxi!

I also like the story to have a happy ending

But I don't know how to write it

Some years back I had a happy ending in my grasp

But I let it slip away

Don't turn your back on me!

Has he been here? What's it to you?

While I was depressed I ran into Lu-lu again

She hadn't changed still intensively jealous

You think he's yours?

I thought you knew him well!

That's the way he is!

We've just been amusing ourselves

So control yourself, Missy!

Watching her taught me something

When you don't take 'no' for an answer...

...there is still a chance you'll get what you want

1 8 months later

Hello, is Mr. Chow there?

I know I have no right to ask...

...but they say I need a guarantor

The man who recruits girls

for the nightclub...

...says he knows you

Can you talk to him for me?

No problem

I know the man you mean

I'll see him in a day or two

Why did you choose Singapore?

I don't want to stay here any longer

I've been thinking about it for some time

I went to take a look at the place

Don't drink too much

You don't look well

Don't worry, it won't kill me

You know what?

I came by here at Christmas

I thought I might run into you

Why didn't you call me first?

I don't know

I came on impulse

I don't know why

That night I suddenly missed you so much

Of course, we're drinking pals

Of course you'll miss me

You're right

We're drinking pals

Let's go

Waiter Yes

The check Okay

Where are you staying?

In a hotel, a rather small room

But it's not too bad

I'll see you back

No, thanks

I've just moved in, it's a mess

I'll invite you once it's cleaned up

I'll go first

Seeing how much Bai Ling had changed...

...I was suddenly overcome by a feeling of grief

Indeed, last Christmas...

...I was not in Hong Kong

24-Dec-69

Have you seen Miss Su?

Miss Su... not for some time

Any idea where she might be?

Probably back in Phnom Penh

I didn't want to spend Christmas 1 969 in Hong Kong

So I visited Singapore and went back to the casino

I waited for several days but Black Spider never turned up

No one knew where she was

Some thought she'd gone back to Phnom Penh

Others thought she was dead

Ping and I began working in Singapore in 1 963

When my life lost most of its meaning...

...I started gambling every day

Those were hard times for me

And only one person came to my rescue

A professional gambler

Some said she was a cheat

She always wore black

They called her Black Spider

She kept her black glove on for 365 days of the year

Nobody knew why for sure

Had her hand been chopped off for cheating?

did the glove cover up a fake hand?

Nobody really knew

Why do you wear that black glove?

It's a habit

You're not from here?

I am from Phnom Penh

What a coincidence! I was just in Cambodia

The place is in chaos what were you doing there?

The newspaper sent me

You're a journalist?

Not anymore

Why's that?

They made some changes and I'm now a 'consultant'

On half-pay, with next to nothing to do

So why are you spending your time in the casino?

I tried to win enough to pay my way back to Hong Kong

You lost a lot?

A few thousand

You should never sat foot in a casino in a bad mood

You won't win

I didn't expect to win

I just hoped to get back my stake

If you have any left...

...I can help you

on one condition

When you've got your money back stop gambling

Why are you helping me?

I take a commission

1 0% of whatever I win for you

Think it over

What good to her... were her tiny commissions on my winnings

After that, we went back to the casino night after night

We'd eat at the stall next to the railway station

She won back all the money I'd lost!

Thank you

Don't thank me. It's yours

If you need me again tomorrow...

...I'll be waiting here after dinner

I still don't know your name

It's Su, Su Lizhen

A few years ago I fall in love with another man's wife

Her name was also Su Lizhen

It was because of her that I moved to Singapore

I never dreamed I'd meet another Su Lizhen

I told her a lot about the other Su Lizhen

At first, we kept it secret

But gossip soon spread

Later we moved into a hotel

We had Room 2046

When I think back the whole thing was like a dream

You loved her deeply?

It's history

Let's change the subject

You, what did you do before?

You want to know about me?

Come on, we'll play high-low

If you win, I'll tell you everything

It struck me that her past...

...was like the hand she always kept gloved

A mystery with no solution

Of all the men I've met...

...you've been the best to me

I'm already missing you

Why won't you come with me?

Didn't you...

...promise not to ask?

Hold me

It may be years before we meet again

The night we last saw each other for the last time...

I told her...

take care

Maybe one day you'll escape your past

If you do, look for me

Now it strikes me

that what I told her was actually meant for myself

In love, you can't bring on a substitute

I was looking for what I'd felt with the other Su Lizhen

I didn't realize that myself

But I'm sure she did

When the peony blooms

She stands tall

And then goes away

Does she mean 'No' or 'Yes'?

All for me? You want to get me drunk?

I know you're a good drinker

Let's drink!

As much as we can!

If there's any left over...

...finish it next time you're here

One small thing I have to ask you

Here's some money, please take it

What for?

I know you borrowed from a friend for my plane ticket

Pay him back

If there's any left, pay my rent for me

Where did you get so much money?

An old customer

He's always been fond of me

He treats me well

But he's too old for me so I never paid him much attention

I ran into him yesterday while I was shopping

He insisted on buying me dinner

I needed money

So I went

After dinner, I told him I needed money

He said I could have as much as I wanted

I told him I needed $5,000

At first I planned to save it for Singapore

But I'm using it now

Don't be silly

You're still young You have great prospects

I borrowed the money from my friends

They don't need it back yet

So keep this for yourself

Pay me back later, there's no rush

Why are you so kind to me?

Perhaps it's fate

T oo bad it didn't last

I wish it could have gone on longer

Don't be like this

Let me buy you dinner tonight

Waiter, the check! Coming

No, let me

You're too kind

You've spent enough time and money on me already

I don't want to owe you too much

I need to make a phone call

Please settle the check, I'll be outside

Will you come in?

No, thanks

Get some rest

I'll see you to the airport tomorrow

Please don't

I'll be terribly sad if you're there

Take good care of yourself

Why can't it be like, it was before?

Please don't go

Stay with me tonight

Let me borrow you

Do you remember?

You once asked me...

...if there was anything I wouldn't lend

I've given it a lot of thought

And now I know...

there is one thing

I'll never land to anyone

As I recall...

...that was the very last time we saw each other

I haven't seen her since that night

Why can't it be like it was before?

He didn't turn back

It was as if he'd boarded a very long train

Heading for a drowsy future

Through the unfathomable night

Everyone who goes to 2046 has the same intention

They want to recapture lost memories

Because in 2046...

...nothing ever changes

But nobody really knows if that's true or not

Because nobody has ever come back