All language subtitles for S06E07 - Ah Sing vs. Wyoming

[ theme music playing ]

I'm just as anxious
as you are

to avoid
a range war, John,

but I'm not backing
away from it, either.

Slow it down, Sy.
Let's find out
what it's about

before we make a war.

What about it?

There's no question
about it.

They're fencing
Moosehead Pass...

from here, across the banks
of the Sweetwater,

all the way to
Cajon Bluff.

Is it possible
they just intend

to fence off
a section or two?

The wagons are dropping
wire and fence posts

every 100 yards
across the neck.

They got
two crews working,
diggin' postholes.

One side
and the other.

I told you, John.
They're closin' the pass.

They're cutting us off
from our summer pasturage
up on the hills!

And I say we ought to
do somethin' about it!

Hold your horses.Hold your horses?!

That's the same advice
you've been givin' us
for months.

We knew that Carter was
fixin' to cut off the pass.

We knew it and we could've
stopped him.

But every time
we started to move in,

you said, "Hold your horses,
hold your horses.

Take your time.
Don't get your bile up."

There was nothing
for us to do

until they actually
started fencing.

It doesn't
make any difference
who owns that land,

just as long as we have
the easements.

You recognize any of the crew
workin' on the fence?

No, I didn't.

It was Carter.
Who else would it be?

I don't know.

He's been trying to freeze us
out of the hills for years.

He had some nesters
file for the land,

and then he bought up
their claims.

Do you think otherwise?

No, it's him.

Then what are we gonna
do about it?

Can we get to the hill
pastures any other way?

I don't think so.
To get around
the escarpment,

you'd have to detour
the herds over 200 miles...

Excuse me a minute.

THE VIRGINIAN:
And even so, goin' around...

What is it, Libby?
I'm awfully busy.

Ah Sing is leaving.

He's outside.

You say good-bye for me.
I can't leave now.

But, Granddad--

Stace, I'll be right back.

Heh. Well...

it looks like there's
only one answer, gentlemen.

Well, Ah Sing,
I see you're all set.

Yes.

All ready.

I wish you'd
change your mind.

No, Mr. Grainger.

It very important I go.

We'll miss you.

I don't know what
I'm gonna do around here

for a good meal
after you're gone.

Ha.

Within a week,

you'll be crawling around,
just screaming for food.

Any time you get hungry,

you come to Ah Sing's
new restaurant

in Medicine Bow.

You fill up enough
to last whole month.

That doesn't sound so bad.

If you have any problems--

Thank you.

No problem.

Well...

good luck, then.

Very grateful, Mr. Grainger.

And to you,
Miss Elizabeth.

All we did
was to get fat
on your cooking.

You gonna
drive him in?

Mm-hmm.Fine.

Well, good luck again.

Thank you,
Mr. Grainger.

All set?

And just as fast as
they sink those posts,

that's how fast
we yank 'em out.

And that'll settle that.

You do that,
and we'll wind up

having a full-scale
range war on our hands.

That doesn't scare me.

Well, that
scares me.

Anytime I find myself
on the wrong side
of the law,

I'm going to be scared.

Muscle isn't going
to win this fight.

Anybody ever know
a case where it did?

I think a couple of us
ought to ride into
Medicine Bow

and talk to Tom Manstead.

Say that again.

We need legal advice.

From Manstead?Yes.

You can't be serious.

Have you see him
lately, John?

No, I haven't.
Not lately.

How about that
new fella in town?

Luke Evers--
kin of Charlie Ralston.

Supposed to be
pretty sharp.

Manstead's always
done our business.

I'll talk to him.

You may talk,
but that's no guarantee
he'll hear you.

I say that--We know what you say.

Now, you listen.

I've got more at stake here
than all the rest of you
put together,

and I'm not
being stampeded.

I want to know
where I'm going
and when I'm going.

Come on, Sy.

We're both
on the same side.

It's just that
I want some action.

You'll get it,
I promise.

You'll see Manstead,
huh, John?

It'll be
my responsibility.

Is this it?

Rent very low.

I should think so.

Fix it up, make it look
all very fine.

But it would take
a miracle.

Miss Elizabeth...

you know of
Great Wall of China?

Of course.

Big wall.The biggest.

You know how
it get started?

No.

Fellow like me--

he come along,
move one rock.

Soon this be
best restaurant
in Medicine Bow.

Everything prosper.

You'll see.

When bride comes
from Canton,

she be very proud
of husband.

I be big businessman
in Medicine Bow!

Hello,
Miss Elizabeth.

Hello, Emmett.

I don't believe
I'd stay in here
if I were you.

That roof looks like
it's hangin' by a whisker.

A very thin whisker.

Yeah. Heh.

Oh. Mr. Ryker.

How you like
my restaurant?

Ah, well, it's, uh...

fine. It's fine.

Listen, Ah Sing,
you know you're gonna
need a license

to open up in here.

License?Yeah.

That's a town ordinance.

How do you
get license?

You just apply for it at
the Justice of the Peace.

That'd be Milo Temple.

He's around the corner
and up the main street.

Must have license?That's right.

Fine. I get license.

All right, fine.

Nice to see you,
Elizabeth.

Bye-bye.

Ah, Sing,
I have to go, too.

You have our best wishes.

That make biggest rock
very light.

I call it...

"Ah Sing
American Restaurant".

Why not "Ah Sing's
Chinese Restaurant"?

No, no. Then people
say it run by foreigner.

He's probably
at the watering hole.

[ glass clinks ]

What's the matter, Tom?Hmm?

Oh, I dropped my glass.

Are you all right?

No, I'm sick.

I've been sick all week.

It's in my chest.

Like--
[ coughs ]

Like hot coals
burning inside.

Have you seen
the doctor?

Doctor.

We have a serious
problem, Tom.

Hmm.

"The world uncertain
comes and goes."

That's what
Emerson says.

I'm not interested
in your problem.

We need you.

Heaven help you if you do.

Now get out of here.

We were counting on you.

You were?

I can't solve
my own problems.

What do I want
with yours?

I don't work here anymore.

Let me be.

I'm sorry, Tom.

When you bottle it,
let me know.

Well, I guess it'll
have to be Luke Evers.

The Cattlemen's Association

has over 85,000 head
in the valley.

How many do you suppose
they'll have next fall

if Carter fences that pass?

By August, the valley stock
will be feeding

on caked mud and rotweed.

That pass
has to be kept open

if the herds are to survive.

I told you before,
and I'll tell you
again, Evers--

I don't think
I have jurisdiction
in this matter.

I'm sure you do,
Mr. Temple.

Just because
you say it's so
doesn't make it so.

Not that I'm not
sympathetic, Mr. Grainger.

But I make it a rule to
stick to my own business.

I can't argue with that.

People who try and get
high and mighty,
put on airs,

cause most of the trouble
in the world.

This is a federal matter.

I'm nothing but
a Justice of the Peace.

For this whole district?

Yes, sir.

Moosehead Pass
is in your district.

Now, look, young man,

I know what I can do,

and I think I know
what I can't do.

I can issue licenses.

I can judge minor crimes
and misdemeanors.

I can do some marrying
when I'm asked.

That I know I can do.

But you're gonna have
a tall time convincing me
I can do more.

Especially issuing
a restraining order

dealing with
a federal matter.

The governor the territory
has signed your warrant

as Justice of the Peace.

That he did.

How come the word "peace"?

What?

Why the word "peace"

in "Justice of the Peace"?

Must have meaning,
or it wouldn't be there.

My clients are decent,
hard-working,

law-abiding citizens--
you know that.

For years,
they've had an easement

that permits them
to get their cattle
through the pass

to summer pasture.

Fencing that land is illegal,
yet it's happening.

And every rancher
in the valley

stands to lose 60% to 70%
of his herd.

You expect them
just to sit by--

That's for a federal
judge to decide.

There won't be a circuit
sitting in Medicine Bow
for three months!

And we can't wait
that long.

And we don't intend to.

Mr. Temple...

if you let
that fence go up,

you'll be responsible
for as bloody a range war

as ever hit these parts.

Peace. You're a Justice
of the Peace.

And the only way
there'll be peace

is if you sign
the restraining order

preventing that fence
from going up.

Suppose I sign the order.
Who'll pay any
attention to it?

If you sign the paper,
Mr. Temple, I'll serve it.

I don't know.

Mr. Temple...

we've come up with a way
to keep the lid on things.

Maybe it's a technicality,
maybe it's good law,

but it's the only way
to keep the peace.

All we're asking is that
you grant my clients relief

until it can be
settled in court.

It's a temporary injunction.

That's all it is.

You're a mighty
persuasive arguer,
Mr. Evers.

I'll take that
for a compliment.

There's your paper.

I hope
it does the trick.

Ah, you did
a top-notch job, Evers.

Thanks, but we're
not in the clear.

This is only
the beginning.

Carter will fight
this injunction
tooth and nail.

If I'm gonna serve
these papers today,
I better get started.

Well, Ah Sing...

I thought you
were hard at work
at your restaurant.

No restaurant.What do you mean?

No license.

Are you coming, John?Just a minute.

What's this
about a license?

I go in to get license.

Man said,
"You no get license."

Well, that's ridiculous.

Luke!Yeah.

Since when do we have
to have a license

to open a restaurant
in Medicine Bow?

I wouldn't know.

Well,
let's find out.

Forget something,
Mr. Grainger?
No.

I ran into Ah Sing
outside.

He used to work for me.

He said something about
being refused a license

to open a restaurant.

That's right.

I don't understand.

There's a local ordinance

that says that no one
can operate a restaurant

located in a frame building
without a license.

Never heard of it.

Oh, yeah. It was passed
about six years ago--

right after that fire
that nearly wiped out
Main Street.

I see.
A fire ordinance.

Exactly. Frame buildings
must be inspected

and a license issued.

So, what's the problem?

Who said
there was a problem?

Ah Sing.
Isn't that building safe?

Mr. Grainger,
a public official

doesn't have
the freedom of decision

that a private
businessman has.

There are certain
procedures that need
to be followed.

Sometimes
it takes a while.

What you're saying is
that you haven't
gotten around

to inspecting
that building yet.

You can put it that way
if you want.

Good. Ah Sing will be
glad to hear that.

Thank you.Not at all.

There's no problem,
Ah Sing.

I get license?Sure you will.

Oh, thank you,
Mr. Grainger.

You coming?Right away.

Good luck.

What do you want?

A license.
Mr. Grainger said that--

I don't care what he said.
You're getting no license.

I told you before,
and I'm telling you again.

We don't want your kind
doing business
in Medicine Bow.

Now get out.

Libby, you ought to
be in bed.

I thought you might
like some hot coffee
and sandwiches.

That sounds good.

Is there any trouble
at the pass?

Not yet. But don't
count your chickens.

They've stopped
digging postholes,

but it's not over
till we go to court.

I was worried
about a range war.

So was I, a little.

Oh, you had a visitor.Yeah?

Ah Sing.

He's having the grand
opening of his restaurant,

and he came out
especially to invite us.

Then he got his license?

That's wonderful.

Here that, Stace?

We're all going
to the opening of
Ah Sing's restaurant.

Great. I could use
a good meal
for a change.

Really? Well, so much
for your coffee
and sandwiches...

Mr. Grainger.

[ overlapping chatter ]

Mr. Grainger,
don't you love
exotic food?

Yes, ma'am. Just as long
as there's a big slab
of ham on the plate.

[ laughs ]

Mrs. Evers, how do you
find Medicine Bow?

Well, in the morning,
I just brush away
the lilacs,

and there it is.

[ laughter ]

I shouldn't say this
in front of your husband.

He might raise his fees.

But he's just done
an excellent job for us.

We're very much
impressed.

Luke's a fine lawyer.

Thank you, ma'am.

And when Wyoming
becomes a state,

he'll be
a fine governor.

And then
a brilliant senator.

Where does he go
from there?

Well, Luke is
native born.

And by that time,
he'd be over 35.
He's qualified.

[ all laugh ]

Ah!

First must say--

very happy all of you
come to grand opening.

Hope you come next time,
when you pay for meal.

[ laughter ]

Now, must explain dish.

In China, cooking
is very ancient

and honorable art.

Father once said to me,

"Belly is nest
of happiness."

You all agree?

Now, for grand opening...

Ah Sing say, what is
most famous dish?

Peking Ja.

Peking duck.

For Peking duck,
must have cinnamon,

ginger, soy sauce,

coconut, and rice wine.

Also need duck.

[ laughter ]

These things pretty hard
to find in Medicine Bow.

Ah Sing substitute.

I substitute for cinnamon,
ginger, soy sauce,

coconut, rice wine--

I substitute carrots,
potatoes, and onions.

[ laughter ]

Find no duck.
Substitute nice,
big piece of meat.

That's why Ah Sing
famous Peking duck

look little bit like
good, old-fashioned
American...

beef stew.

[ laughter ]

Hello, Emmett.

Come on, sit down.

Have yourself some
naturalized Chinese duck.

I'm afraid not.

You never got
that license.

Very sorry. No license.

Yeah, well,
I'm sorry, too.

You'd better
come with me.

You're not serious,
Emmett.

I sure am.

What's gotten
into you?

Look, Mr. Grainger,
don't make me the villain.

I'm just doing my job.

Temple came over
to the office not more
than ten minutes ago

and handed me
this bench warrant
for his arrest.

So don't talk to me--
talk to Temple.

It's my duty,
as I see it.

And I'm not the one to
shirk responsibilities.

The fact of
the matter is,

we don't want his kind
doing business
in Medicine Bow.

His kind?You know what I mean.

No, I don't know
what you mean!

Not until you come
right out and say it.

Don't you read
the west coast papers,
Mr. Grainger?

They're full up
with accounts of
frightening things

happening
in San Francisco.

See for yourself.

It isn't right that
such things go on
in an American city.

Tong wars
and opium dens...

bringing in
those concubines.

What are you
talking about?

Chinese!
It's all in there.

What's that got to do
with Ah Sing?

He's one.

One what?Chinese.

Well, we understand
your concern, Mr. Temple.

Certainly it's a problem,
and a serious one.

But, in few of Ah Sing's
fine record,

the fact that he's been
employed at Shiloh
for years

and has caused
no trouble--

I can't make exceptions.

You've got to give him
his license.

After all, we're not
asking that you flood
the town with Chinese.

It's one man,
one restaurant.

And that opens the gates.
Always does.

Opens the gates to what?

A one-man tong war?

It's my duty to protect
this community

from the evil
these heathens spread
wherever they go.

I think we'd
better go now.

Go, nothing. I'm going nowhere
till this is settled.

I want to talk to you,
Mr. Grainger...right now.

Please.

Now, cool down.

That man's an idiot.

You're not going
back in there.

As your legal adviser,
I'm saying let
matters rest.

And let Ah Sing
stay in jail?

For the time being.Why?

Because you're all
at the mercy of
Milo Temple.

Because it's obvious
that he's excited

about this
Yellow Peril thing--

nonsense or not.

And if you do anything
to help Ah Sing,

he's gonna wipe out
that restraining order.

And then
where will you be?

I want Ah Sing out.

Now, wait a minute, John.

Are we gonna leave
a fine human being

sitting there in jail,

being denied the privilege
of making a living

by the bias
of a stupid bigot?

It's not that important.

What is important?

We're paying Evers
for his advice.
You just heard it.

It's rotten advice.

It's the best
I can offer.

Do you know what's
at stake here, John?

You, probably more
than all the rest of us.

You said so yourself.

Are you gonna throw it
all away just for...

Go on, go on.
For one Chinaman!

For one man--
Hindu or High Church.

The fact of the matter is,

that every rancher
in this valley
can be ruined

if Temple reversed himself
on that restraining order.

Don't you agree, Evers?

And he'll do it.

Now, let it be.
That's my advice.

You're not off and alone
on this, John.

You're carrying
us all with you.

Now, we've got
something to say.

And you say...

Forget it.

My first pie.

How does it look?Scary.

Yes, later maybe.

Don't you feel well?I feel fine.

What's wrong, then?

Logic.

That's what's wrong.

Sometimes a man can get
himself trapped my logic.

You have to be sensible.

You have to be reasonable.

Oh, yes.

Logic is what separates
the man from the beast.

Well, today I separated
myself from the beast...

by turning my back on
someone who needed help
desperately.

It was reasonable.
It was logical.

Oh, yes, it was
the sensible thing to do.

Scurvy, but sensible.

I don't see what else
you could've done.

You don't?

Well, I'll show you.

Get the rig.

What for?

We're going back to town.

Tom, get up.

Huh?

Tom!

Do you hear me?
Get on your feet!

Why?

Because you've got
work to do.

Go away.

Give me a hand, Stace.

I'll--I'll sue you
for this, Grainger.

I'll get you for
everything you've got!

Kidnapping, assault--

I'm surprised
at you, Tom.

In Europe, people
spend fortunes

to get soaked
in hot springs.

You're getting
the treatment
for nothing.

You can't do this!Why not?

Well, because it's, uh...
undignified.

Help! Help!
Get me out of here!

I'm drowning!

[ splashing ]

Help!
Get me out of here!

A man hates
what does him best.

Please! Help!

It's a sobering thought.

Let me help you, Tom.

John, I--I've got
to have a drink.

You're doing fine.

I'll do anything
you tell me to.

You tell me,
and I'll do it.

Only--Only I've got
to have a drink.

Another 24 hours,
you'll have it beat.

Another 24 hours,

I'll be a howling maniac.

I'll get you some coffee.

I'm dying, and you're
offering me a lily.

You're doing great, Tom.

Just great.

Thank you.

Good morning.Good morning.

Good morning, Tom.Good morning.

This'll make you
feel better.

A man wasn't meant to take
so much sobering so fast.

All right, John.
You've made your point.

Do we understand
each other?

You're gonna get
Ah Sing out.

I'm not vindictive,
Manstead.

I have nothing against
this Ah Sing.

It's nothing personal.

How much bail?Not a cent.

I'll release him
into your custody
pending trial.

Only just make sure
he doesn't try

to open that restaurant.
That's all.

All right.

Why don't you give him
the license?

Hasn't this thing
gone far enough?

Now, I want you
to understand--

you're released
in my custody.

That means I'm
responsible for you.

You can't leave Medicine Bow
without permission.

And don't get
into any more trouble.

My license.

That'll be up to
the judge to decide.

When?

When he gets here.

Meantime, as I said,
no trouble.

[ knock on door ]

Would Mr. Evers
be in, ma'am?

Yes.

I'm Milo Temple.

How do you do?
Please come in.

Hello, Mr. Temple.
Nice of you to call.

Come in, sit down.

Thought I'd have
a word with you.

I have some things
to do in the kitchen.

It's perfectly all right
for you to stay, Mrs. Evers.

What's your connection
with John Grainger?

My connection?

Is he your client?

No, I'm retained by the
Cattlemen's Association.

Good.

Do you think
I'm acting wrong

in not giving
this Ah Sing a license?

I believe that
what I'm doing is right.

That's your privilege.

Grainger's retained
Tom Manstead

to represent Ah Sing
before the circuit judge.

I want you
to represent me--

that is, the district.

Against Ah Sing?

I'll appoint you
special prosecutor.

A big title...

to make up
for a small fee.

I'm a little surprised.

I think you're
a good lawyer.

I think you'll do
a good job.

Well, um...

I'd like
to think about it.

You do that.

Nice to
meet you, ma'am.

My pleasure.

Thank you.

Bye.Good-bye.

Special prosecutor?

I don't know, Lucy.

Well, why not?

It's not going
to sit well with
John Grainger.

Well, is he
so important?

Important enough.

Most people in town
agree with Mr. Temple.

Do they?

It's the kind of thing
that makes them
feel important.

If they don't have
a real sinner,
they invent one.

Lucy the cynic.

And they have votes.

John Grainger--
as big as he is--
only has one.

You didn't think
we were gonna
starve him, did you?

Well, I wasn't sure.

Strange things have
happened in this town.

Hey, Ah Sing. I brought you
something to eat.

Thank you,
Miss Elizabeth.

Imagine, putting him
in jail for trying to
open a restaurant.

I'm surprised
he's not in chains

and stretched out
on the rack.

[ laughs ]

My chicken's not nearly
as good as yours,

but I'm learning.

It very delicious,
I'm sure.

How long do you expect
to keep him here?

He can leave now
if he promises

not to try to open
his restaurant.
How about it?

Must open restaurant.

Wife come pretty soon.

No business...
can't support wife.

Mm-hmm. There you are.

Well, the door's open
anytime you want to leave.

You're always welcome
back at Shiloh.

Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.

But I promise wife...

I have my own business.

Tell me about her.

Oh. She pretty.

Not too tall.

Small.

Black eyes,
long black hair.

Skin...smooth and soft.

Like silk.

She sounds lovely.

Also, she very obedient.

How long has it been
since you've seen her?

I never see her.

You've never seen her?

No. I order her
from marriage broker

in San Francisco.

But if you've
never seen her,

how do you know
she's all these things?

Pretty and small

with black eyes
and long black hair.

Because marriage broker--
he very reliable.

Ah Sing--

Miss Elizabeth,
you come again?

Of course.

Ah Sing,
why don't you promise?

Making promise
is like making child.

If you make promise,
you must honor it.

I'll rule
on the motion.

Now, whoever gave
these deeds originally

had the right to give them
only in accordance

with the intent
of the original
congressional act.

Such intent
is clearly contained

in this official
government poster--

"Subject to cattle
passage easements
now in existence."

It is my decision
to uphold the action

of Justice of the Peace
Temple,

and make permanent
the temporary injunction
hitherto granted.

So ordered.

Great job. Great job.

Congratulations.Thank you.

Oh, darling,
I'm so happy.

JUDGE: Next case
on the calendar.

Whew. It must be
100 degrees in here,

so let's get on
with it, shall we?

Oh, yes, it's this
Ah Sing matter.

Who represents
the defendant?

I do, Your Honor.

Thomas Elliot Manstead
for the defendant.

And for the district?

Luke Evers for
the district, Your Honor.

Oh.

You're a busy man,
Mr. Evers.

Yes, sir.

Bring in
the prisoner, please.

Will you gentlemen
approach the bench?

Ohh. Must we go through
with all this?

I'm about to pass out
from this heat.

Why don't you stipulate
your client guilty,

and I'll go easy?

Uh, no, sir.

We're entitled
to our day in court.

Yeah.

Well...

[ whispers ]
Try and make it fast.

TOM: And we contend,
Your Honor,

that the ordinance
in question--178B--

was originally placed
in the books

as a means of reducing
the threat of fire
in the community--

a wholly laudable
and legitimate purpose.

However,
nothing in the ordinance

vests in the Justice
of the Peace

the discretion
to withhold a license

once the premise
has passed inspection

by the proper authorities,

and is shown to represent
no hazard

to either public
or private property.

There is a--
There are a number of--

Uh, there are
innumerable citations

I could use to uphold
the contention.

I have one right here,
Your Honor.

I'll find it in a minute.

Uh, it's--
It's the case of--

JUDGE: Mr. Manstead,
you've made your point.

You say the Justice
of the Peace has no
discretionary power.

All right.
Why belabor the point?

Is there anything else?

Well, uh...

no, Your Honor.

I mean, yes. Uh--

Your Honor, I--

The, uh--

The defense rests.

Mr. Evers?

If Your Honor pleases,
I'll be very brief.

[ sighs ]

Representing this district
of the territory of Wyoming,

I'll be content to recall
the defendant to the stand

and ask him
three simple questions.

You're still
under oath, Mr. Sing.

Mr. Ah.

Sing first name.

Chinese do it
backwards.

Oh. Mr. Ah.

Ah Sing,
three questions.

One--before you opened
your restaurant,

were you told
that you were required
to have a license?

Yes.

Two--did you get
a license?

No.

Three--nevertheless,
without a license,

did you open
your restaurant
to the public?

Yes.

As Your Honor has said,
why belabor the point?

We rest.

Very well, Mr...
Mr. Ah.

You may step down.

Very nice
meeting you, sir.

That Evers is as smooth
as silk, isn't he?

[ judge bangs gavel ]

JUDGE: Will the defendant
please rise?

Ah Sing,
I find you guilty

of violating
city ordinance 178B,

and I fine you $50.

However, in view of
your previous good record,

I suspend the sentence.

Court's adjourned.

Don't understand.

You're free.
You can go.

I get license?

No. No license.

He'll explain.

It means you're free,
Ah Sing.

You don't have to
go back to jail.

But I get no license.

No restaurant.

You'll come back
to Shiloh.

We'll be grateful
if you would.

I'm sorry, Mr. Grainger.
I didn't enjoy doing that.

I think you did.

[ knock on door ]

I'm not home.

Have a drink with
a rotten lawyer.

Will you spare it?

You did all right.

Oh, yeah. Fine.

The cards were stacked.

Yeah. And I was
the joker--

oozing words like
a punctured sausage.

I was bored
listening to myself.

Well, it's over.
Plain and simple.

But it's not that simple.

I don't think you know
what that decision
meant today.

Maybe even Temple
doesn't know.

But for now on,
he has the right
to withhold a license

from anyone
he doesn't like,

for any reason
he chooses.

Well, I guess he always
had that right.

The law is on the books.

Yeah, but it's a bad law.

Discriminatory.
No due process.

Violation of the 5th
and 14th Amendments.

Why didn't you say that
at the trial?

Because that wasn't
the case we were trying.

At least I didn't
think so at the time.

Granddad, he's back.

Who's back?

Ah Sing--
he's back in jail.

I've done my best to
keep you out of trouble.

But this time, I'm afraid
you've gone too far.

You're on your own.

Please, Granddad.
That's not fair.

Nobody can put himself
above the law.

But he doesn't
understand.

It's high time
he learned.

Mr. Grainger...

very important
you understand.

Ah Sing not like you,

Miss Elizabeth,

or Mr. Temple.

You have never been
stranger in foreign land.

So, I want house...

family...business.

Ah Sing very willing
to work for this.

My hands different
from yours, Mr. Temple?

Nothing personal--
I told you that.

But restaurant
very personal.

Only chance
not to be stranger.

Why can I not have
restaurant?

If I do not fight,

I do not deserve
restaurant.

There are lots of business
in Medicine Bow.

None need license.

Only Ah Sing need license.

Why?

Why, Mr. Temple?

Does law say...

no license to anybody
with pigtail?

Does law say no license

to anybody with
little silk hat?

Does law say no license

to man with
last name first?

Or first name last?

No. Law say give license

to anybody willing to work.

Ah Sing work.

If I could wear my skin

like I wear my shirt,

I'd take it off...

and show you my heart.

Just like yours,
Mr. Temple.

I never give up fight,
Mr. Grainger.

Can't we make
an appeal?

You want to do that?Yes.

You said we had the law.

I said it.

If you want to win,
get another lawyer.

I'm not up to it.

I think you are, Tom.

Will you do it?

I'll give it a try.

Ah Sing?

You're going to have
your restaurant.

You'll see.

How long?

Not long.
Not long at all.

Ah Sing...

you are a great cook.

No, no more.
That's enough.

If I had a couple of more
prisoners like you,

my middle would just
get up and walk away
on its own.

[ chuckles ]

What'd you
call that stuff?

Very low-class dish.

Called chow mein.

Chow mein, chow mein.

It mean "beggar's hash".

Well, the beggars
in China

must be the fattest
beggars in the world.

There you are.
You're just in time.

Mr. Grainger,
pull up a chair and have
some beggar's hash.

No, thanks.
We have to get over
to Temple's office.

We just dropped by
to tell Ah Sing
the bad news.

We lost our petition.

I'm sorry. I really
thought we'd win.

No license?

I'm afraid that's
the end of it.

Why?We lost our fight.

Thank you, Mr. Grainger.

But Ah Sing not lost fight.

Be reasonable,
Ah Sing.

What are you
going to do?

What are you going
to fight with?

Old grandfather once said,

"Best fighter is man
who overcome enemy
without a blow."

Tomorrow I make you
Peking duck.

All right,
that sounds great.

How you want it?

Beef or ham?

Well, there it is.

What a victory.

The whole majesty
of the law.

The judicial might
of the territory...

over one little
Chinese cook.

Congratulations.

You're not a good
loser, Manstead.

And I never want to be.

Well...

guess that finishes it.

Proud of yourself, Temple?

Not all that proud.

In fact, I've been
doing some thinking.

This Ah Sing
isn't a bad sort.

I mean, he's not like
what I read in the papers

about opium smokers
and slave runners.

Maybe we ought to
write finish to this.

Meaning?

What the devil?
Let's give him
his license.

That's great.

You're not giving
anyone a license.

This has gone too far.

I fought to hold back
that license, and I won.

And nothing's changed.
If he wasn't fit to operate
a restaurant before,

he's not fit now.

That's Temple's decision.

It's out of his hands.

I'm just trying to show
a little compassion.

Compassion my eye!

You give Ah Sing
a license now,

you're saying
that holding it back
originally was wrong.

That you were wrong,
I was wrong,

Judge Maybury was wrong,
the Circuit Court of Appeals
was wrong,

and all the people
in this town who backed you
originally were wrong.

You're not big enough
for that, Temple.

You're not making fools
out of all of us.

If you try to issue
the license now...

I'll get a court order
to prevent it.

And I'll make
that order stick.

Most people are driven
to drink for a reason.

Unhappy childhood,

denied love,
business failure.

None of that with me.

Heh. I can think of
no good, sensible reason

for my drinking.

And that's what
drives me to drink.

Well, John...

it was nice
being sober with you.

You put that glass
to your lips,

and I'll strangle you.

Why?

Three little words.

The Supreme Court.

Go home.

What about it?

You're crazy.Can we do it?

No.Why?

It's ridiculous.

Tell me why!Because--

Because
the Supreme Court--

The Supreme Court
of the United States?

I just couldn't do it.

I've fuddled
this case twice.

What are you tryin'
to do to me, John?

You said we had the law.

The Court of Appeals
says we haven't.

What about
the constitutional issue?

Forget it.

Discrimination?
No due process?

Violation of the 5th
and 14th Amendments?
Your own words!

You can't take
a case like this
to the Supreme Court--

a restaurant license.

Forget about the case.
What about the principle?

I just couldn't do it.
I haven't got it in me.

You tell me this--
do you believe

that Ah Sing
has the right to
open a restaurant?

A right guaranteed
by the Constitution?

Yes.

You believe that
in your heart and soul?

Yes!

The fight it through!

Without this!

I'm worn out.

Never knew there were
so many places to see
in Washington.

I feel as though
I've walked my legs
to the kneecaps.

I think I'll turn in.
How about you?

Oh, when I'm tired,
I'll go to sleep.

It's gonna be a long,
hard day.

John, stop
nursemaiding me.

All right, Tom.

I'll see you for breakfast
in the dining room.

Right.

LUCY: Mr. Manstead?

I'm Lucy Evers.

Oh, yes, yes.
Good evening.

Are you sitting
here alone?Yes.

Luke and I are
having a late supper.
Won't you join us?

Well, uh...

thank you.
I'm afraid not.

Mr. Manstead,
just because you and Luke

are on opposite sides
in a lawsuit

doesn't mean you have
to be enemies.

I insist.Well, uh--

After all, we Territorials
have to stick together...

now, don't we?

Hello, Tom.Hello.

Darling, I asked
Mr. Manstead to join us.

By all means.

I don't want
to interrupt.

You're not,
I assure you.

Waiter, another
glass, please.

Please, sit down,
Mr. Manstead.

Thank you.

This certainly has
Medicine Bow beat
to a hollow.

But don't you ever
tell anybody I said that.

No.

Tom, you all set
for the big day?

Oh...

as ready as I'll ever be.

I wanted
to tell you--

I was there
when you were both
admitted to practice

before the Supreme Court.

I was very proud.

A long step from
the Seventh Circuit.

Yes.

I'd like
to propose a toast.

To the two shining
legal lights

in the territory
of Wyoming.

Tom.

Wake up!

Do you know
what time it is?

We have less than an hour
to get to court.

Let me alone.

Get up.

I'm sick.

You're sick?

I'm the one that's sick.

Sick of playing nursemaid
to a witless,

spineless specimen
of a man.

Look at you.

I can't make it.

Get up.

I'm over my head,
and I know it.

I haven't got
the guts for the job,
and that's the truth.

Maybe.

But we've come too far
to be turning back.

We're lost before we start.
Don't you see that?

All I can see is a glob.

A jellyfish.

And if I have to shove
a poker down your throat

to give you backbone,
I'll do it.

You're going into court.No!

Oh, yes, you are.

I'm not letting you crawl
into a hole and disappear.

Now, you get up.

Get up and get dressed!

Ah Sing vs. Wyoming,

in appeal from
the Circuit Court,

Territory of Wyoming.

May it please the court...Yes?

Your Honor,
Mr. Thomas Manstead,

representing the plaintiff
in this action,

is not yet in court.

Might we have
a short adjournment?

We have a crowded calendar.

I'm afraid
that's not possible.

I'm certain he'll
be here shortly.

JUSTICE: Counsel for
the petitioner not present.

We will dismiss the action.

GRAINGER: Just a minute,
Your Honor, please.

The counsel for
the petitioner is here.

Mr. Manstead, how dare you
enter this chamber

in such a state?

You are in contempt
of this court...

a disgrace to the bar.

And you leave us
no choice but to dismiss
this action forthwith.

Your Honor--We will hear no more.

You will hear more, sir.

Please, Your Honor.

Censure me, disbar me,

hang me up
by the fingernails--
I don't care.

But I beg you--
do not dismiss this case.

We have no alternative.

You're in no condition
to argue this action.

I don't have to be.
The truth, the morality,

the justice
of the issues involved

are beyond argument.

Your Honors, please...

do not judge this case--
or any case--

by its advocate.

Why--Why are we here?

What is this all about?

Why do we take the time
of this august tribunal

to plead the case
of a little man
of Chinese descent--

refused a license
to operate a restaurant

in the town of Medicine Bow,
territory of Wyoming? Why?

Because it is not
his case alone.

It is the case
of all people

denied an inalienable right

by willful
and arbitrary action

by a public official.

They must be protected,

they must be shielded
from such matters.

And--And where
can they look...

for such protection,
for relief?

Where else but to
the Constitution of
the United States?

The ethic, the soul,
the morality

of the American system.

And to this court,

wherein resides
the great responsibility

to see that
impartial justice is done.

Your Honors,

it is unlawful to deny a man
the right to work

because of the accident
of his birth.

The end being unlawful,

it is equally unlawful
to use any means

to accomplish
that unlawful end.

Your Honors...

this is the supreme truth.

Something that is
morally wrong...

can never be legally right.

We won.

What does it say?
Read it.

"Ah Sing
vs. Wyoming,

an appeal
from Circuit--"

Wait a minute, Stace.
Let Tom read it.

Now, just give us the meat.

"Though the law
on its face be fair,

"it is applied
and administered

"with an evil eye
and an unequal hand.

"This discrimination
is therefore illegal

"and is a denial

"of the equal protection
of the law

"and a violation
of the 14th Amendment

"to the Constitution.

"To this end,
the Circuit Court is reversed,

"the imprisonment
of the petitioner is illegal...

and he must be discharged."

We won! We won!

Get license?

You bet you get
your license.

Then get restaurant?

Yes.

All right?

Yes.

Thank you.
You splendid lawyer.

No more splendid
than my client.

Very grateful,
Mr. Grainger.

We're all very happy
about this, Ah Sing.

EMMETT: I'm not.

I'm gonna miss
his cooking.

Wife come soon.

All invited to wedding.

Going to have Peking duck--
with duck!

Small, dark eyes,

long, black hair.

She's just
what he ordered.

Isn't she lovely?

[ theme music playing ]