Original subtitles

Master szutu, please

Violet, sissy, peach, Scarlet

Fleur, pinkie, soleil, pommy, silouette

master tsou, this way

beauty, orchid, coquette,

moon, Fleur, wind dancer

in that Yung hsien hall

master ho hsi, hunan hall

Fleur, soleil, Pearl, gem, Scarlet

"I am mou lien-hsien"

"I miss sentimental courtesan mai chiu-chuan"

"She's admirable in sound and personality”

"Peerless in talent and appearance”

"As we are separated from each other”

"I keep cool at night alone in a boat"

"Look at the swallows against the setting sun”

"Buried in thinking along against the window"

"I hear the sounds of the fallen petals of wu-tung"

"The sight of the withered Willow in cold mist"

"Adds further to my sorrow"

"Pity me pining after you in melancholy”

"facing the moon in sorrow"

so many sentimental people

master 12 is not himself

Young master

chen-pang, why so late?

How many deer organs

have you sold?

You must be joking

master 12, why so late?

Chen-pang, there's a virgin courtesan at yi hung

and became a prostitute

she's ideal for you

I've already sent for her in your name

who was that singsong girl?

"So many sentimental people”

hear that?

Master, let's go

where are you going?

Soleil and Scarlet are here

Master

master, sorry, we're late

small thing

our two friends are

both lonely

that's serious

Scarlet, be master lei's companion

soleil, be master chen's companion

master ho hsi, our girls have said "yes"

master 12, I'm soleil

she lost her virginity a month ago

How fragrant

she knows you like eau de Cologne

thank you, master

so yun piao-piao does care for me

thanks for your tips, master

he really is generous

of course, he's known for his generosity

Masters

let me drink to you all

before leaving

Well, let's drink

Fleur

Fleur, a guest

who's it?

Master chen

which one?

That one who was at kam ling restaurant last night

I don't know him

madam, turn him down for me

yes

let me see what kind of a role it is

yun piao-piao's being publicized again

when will be your turn?

Moon, lend me some Rouge

help yourself

now you've lost

I've lost several times

pay up, no more nonsense

which card, if not this?

Come on, shuffle, quick

Fleur

Remember me?

I can't see clearly at a close range

last night

"facing the moon in sorrow"

I was only taking a moral holiday don't you mind?

No. I even don't knit my brows

had I got

so close to you

would you have avoided me?

If you did, you're not the girl I want

master chen, do you rank 12 or 2?

Second

what do you do?

Grocery

you're a big boss

you've been with me for quite a while

I'll come back after I finish playing mahjong

Where's your "garoupa"?

He's waiting alone

no one but me is waiting alone

chiu hasn't been here

for a month

get secretary chen to write a letter

how?

Just say you've bought cough syrup for him

and ask him to take care of himself

that will do

My mammy always wants me to peel oranges

and feeds her with them

do you have to feed your sister?

I have no sister and no wife

what about your younger sister?

I have no younger sister and no wife

sorry, I don't like oranges

Want to smoke opium?

No, I want to be sober with you

have you made up?

What's there to see? Excuse me

my sisters want me for another 4 rounds

Why keep the door open?

I enjoy seeing you pacing up and down

why so many corridors here?

Are you following me?

No, I'm waiting alone

what?

Your girls always keep the guests waiting

till they flare up without any pent-up

they are dubbed "fried garoupas”

this way?

"The cool wind has faith"

Fleur

Fleur

master 12 again

Fleur, come here at once

look, master 12 is sitting up above

look upward

put it here

Fleur, look, master 12

this pair of scrolls is from master 12

beautiful

take a look at the inscription

really interesting

Be careful

I saw this imported bed

it costs $200

too expensive!

Be careful

where's Fleur?

Must be seeking divination at wen wu temple

mind the pillar

the young boss of that grocery shop?

Why don't you disassemble it first?

Master chen wants it transported in original packing

a prostitute's every man's wife

this bed can admit many men

don't say that

Fleur, your guest

is full of gimmicks

right

Fleur, Fleur

open the door

the bed's coming soon

Fleur, come up at once

come up and pull

I've been a procuress

for over 20 years

I've never seen

a more considerate guest

than him

You really have a way with girls

You have many different looks

what are they?

Heavy, light makeup, male makeup, no makeup

also, like a fancy moon or a separated flower

which type do you prefer?

I like them all

I like them either separated or together

which is the real one?

My answer may scare you

a real thing is the most ugly

I want to see it because I love you

I want to see a special type

which one?

I'll tell you later

You're evil

I know

Not yet off duty?

Coming soon

several dropouts from the miss hk beauty pageant

are blowing the lid off the scandals

you'd better take care of yourself tonight

chu

I bought something for you

give it to me tomorrow it's cumbersome

It's in my drawer

Why didn't you

ask me about

my favorite color?

Your shoes are worn out

Keep away

your feet stink?

Did you ever smell them?

Thank you

excuse me

go home early

Sir

what can I do for you?

I want to put up an ad for a missing person

wait

How do you want it to be worded, miss?

Master 12, 3811

waiting at same place-Fleur

master 127?

3811, waiting at same place

like this?

$15 per column for classified,

$110 per sq in for others

minimum 3 sq in,

that's $330 per day

how big is 3 sq in?

Like this

so small? Any bigger size?

It's a matter of luck

don't spend so much for a big size

he'll read it for sure

put down your name, address,

tel no. & ID no

pay in advance

in advance

yes

Sorry, I didn't bring enough money

I'll come again, okay?

It's closing time now come early tomorrow

anyway it's already full for tomorrow

the ad will appear only 2 days after registration

2 days?

No way. Have you waited long?

It's now 19...

1987

Are you alright?

What day is today?

6-mar

day after tomorrow is march 8?

I'll come again tomorrow

What's your surname, sir?

Yuan

thank you, mr yuan

What a coincidence, mr yuan

did I scare you?

Yes

sorry

I didn't know you were behind me

my feet are light

what do you mean?

I lost my way

where are you going?

Shek tong tsui how can I get there?

It's far get there by car

you can call a taxi from here

over there you can take a mini-bus

I live in shek tong tsui

really? Formerly I lived there too

now Hong Kong's changed now

you come from above?

The way you look shows it

where you come from?

Down below

you come from below? It must be hard then

no

You can call a taxi from here

excuse me

aren't you returning to shek tong tsui?

I want to have snacks

You're not going to shek tong tsui?

No

Why?

I want to follow you

let's get down to a chat

why are you following me?

I'm not the type of girl you've in mind

what girl?

A maniac

Fleur, I don't know you

I don't know or care who you are

you came here to put up an ad for someone

and to pick me up

no, to follow me

you're like a hound dog

what on earth do you want?

I'll return home

in a minute

how much to have one's fortune read?

You want to have your fortune read?

Character analysis

$20-%$30 will do

have you got enough money?

No

Formerly someone offered 1 hunchback &

2 parcels for touching my hand

what?

$500, 1 hunchback for 5

and 2 parcels for "00"

never heard of it

did you let him do it?

He also offered the same

for touching my ear

well, I'm fed up with it

the balance's enough for your carfare

I'll repay you

Hold it

Any business?

Sit down

how much for character analysis?

$20 for one character

draw one character

what do you want to predict?

A missing person

An

Let me prophesy for you

An means good luck

really?

Yes, an means you'll get news

you'll find him very soon

is he still alive?

Yes, one sun here and another there

it means sunshine he must be on earth

in Hong Kong?

Yes

Mr yuan, is this tram for shek tong tsui?

Yes

what's your relationship with master 127?

My close friend

what do you mean?

They call it darling nowadays

his name's chen-pang, last name chen

the young boss of 3 medicine shops

when was that?

He belonged to a family of 12?

No, in fact he ranks 2

his elder brother died early

it was the vogue to have a big family

so they made his rank 12

your last name?

What's your rank?

I only have one sister

females have no family rank

you may be called yuan 11 or master yuan

sounds like a dialogue in an obsolete cantonese movie

yes where's tai ping theatre?

I used to see

shows there

have we passed it?

Pulled down already it's now a commercial arcade

I saw chen pao-chu

at tai ping theatre

which chen pao-chu?

You don't know her?

Ever seen her show?

No, I saw cantonese opera only

kam yip kok,

chan sai-Mei, etc

we used to take the stall seats

$3 for one ticket a row of concubine chairs

we were the fans of no. 5

There was a sister called Violet

they jeered at her

for being his fan

no. 57?

Who's no. 5? When was that?

I was only 23 years old then

you say it's now 19877

already more than 50 years then

what are you saying?

Are you out of mind?

Who are you?

You're not human

you're a ghost why keep following me?

You said we'd meet again if fate willed it

I want to meet a human being,

not a ghost

I bear you no grudge

I came to see you right away from below

where?

Hell

I committed suicide with master 12 and

promised to meet again in hell

but I arrived first

and failed to meet him

so I've come up to look for him

will you do me a favor to find him?

Why do you pick me to help you?

I was a child whore at 16

my first night was very expensive

then I became

a courtesan at yi hung

there were

4 other brothels

which were called four kings

I failed the school cert exam in history

that's march 8,

our death anniversary

I'll find him for sure this time

will you admit me for 2 days

till we meet?

I'll repay your favor

in a next life

how can I admit you?

Come home with me?

You live in shek tong tsui too?

As a ghost, you can live anywhere

for stray ghosts maybe

I'm fed up after over 50 years

an ad costs $330

can you afford that?

You still owe me $50

Formerly people paid to touch my neck

I don't want to touch it

Here we are?

Please go

I beg you

Why are you crying?

This is shek tong tsui, isn't it?

All changed

it was the old-established

kam ling restaurant here

kam ling

Over here were yi hung

Why are you laughing?

Look, yi hung brothel is now a kindergarten

We promised to meet here

wonder if he could find his way here

Why do you agree to admit me?

You're not horrible and you're pitiable

you're soft-hearted?

So was master 12

ting, I'm chu

chu, where are you?

The trouble is I have to get data

I can't come back early

they defamed

each other

where are you?

What's it? Happy?

Leave me to sink or swim

to stay with me,

something will happen

something wrong with me tonight

what?

I brought a female home

what?

I bought a female back

what's wrong? You're romantic tonight

you've come up

with lots of ideas

yes, I'm nervous

I wish I could rush home

to find out the truth

you're understand then I can't make it clear now

just wait

never mind the copies? Bye-bye

you haven't eaten for over 50 years

hungry?

Why didn't you tell her

you brought a ghost home?

She won't believe it

did she believe you brought a female home?

Anyway, she'd talk back what every I tell her

coke, foreign wong Lao kut

how long have you known each other?

Four years

why don't you marry her?

Maybe there's no pressure

how long have you known master 12?

Six months

why didn't he marry you?

Why did you commit suicide?

Because his family objected

I'm not hungry but feel like eating

Chu

chu

she's not human

no, she's a ViXen

you have the nerve to bring a girl in

stop acting now

she really is a ghost

she spat out apple I fed her

and even the black juice

a ghost can smell, but not eat

Chu

he said you're a ghost

I'm Fleur

please put down your head and comb it

I can't

why play a ghost then?

Can you go through this wall

or hold your tongue out to rinse?

Can you suck blood?

Chinese ghosts don't suck blood, do they?

Chinese ghosts

bask in macho spirit

don't you?

No

You are the dumbest ghost

the way you look

is nostalgic, or

ghost-like, to put it more plainly

when did you die?

1934

that was more than 50 years ago

the quality of this shroud is not bad

no change in 50 years

it has remained intact

after 50 years

dare you go to bedroom with me?

What are you doing?

A post-mortem

Strip have you got bras of the "30" s?

She really has no heartbeat

why are you bringing in a ghost?

Miss chu, just call me Fleur

"a sad life in a lonely boat"

"Look at the pair of swallows against the setting sun"

I'll go and see your mother tomorrow

I'll tell her

we're a good pair

impossible

you have a nice mouth

my mouth is a bit twisted

that'll make us

a good combination

ever heard of a fat husband for a thin wife

or an ugly wife for a handsome husband?

Your bad mouth for my good mouth

come, let's make a comparison

don't!

What did your mother say?

She told me to help her wear earrings

madam, Fleur is here

auntie

erh, bring tea

master wen, please wait

yes

please come in

Sit down

Fleur, you're a wonderful girl

last night chen-pang told me

you wanted to see me alone

it's my first time

I know this is typical

of you courtesans

auntie, please excuse my rudeness

don't be formal

I like girls who are brave

have tea

erh, bring some refreshments

have some tea

It's nice

have you ever drunk this?

Hangchow girls pick tender tea leaves

before ching ming and bring them home

nurtured by sweat inside their breast

it's called breast lung ching ever heard of this?

The highest quality

comes from virgins only

so neither you nor I can pick it

nor do they

Auntie, chen-pang and I love each other

a girl of my background

can't expect much

I only want to become an honest woman

since you're so frank, let me be frank too

we chens have kept ourselves quite alone

he has a cousin shu-hsien

wish they could get married soon

could start his own business

our ancestors now all depend on him

we'll see if you should join us

I know a girl of your personality won't change

chen-pang is only 24

I only worry he may change

you know men well

I'm sure he won't change either

so much the better I'm happy for you

master wen

what?

Auntie

wait a minute

her fabric on you

is not beautiful

Fleur, want to try it on?

I've found a house in pa fa street

we're moving in tomorrow

Can't I just touch the ear?

No

How about smelling that cheongsam dollar?

Two for the calves

One for the toes

not enough

your money to be spent on young lovers?

I don't know

They say others can't sleep on this bed

except master 12

I have slept on it

I haven't

How much do you want?

We can sleep on the floor

Creased

creased new dresses are more comfortable

how about old ones?

Thrown away

how about men?

The same

Don't worry, you have many different looks

I can't fling all of you away

Uncle hua

keep this for ginseng

why should a decent family man learn acting?

I've had an aptitude for acting since childhood

chen-pang rehearses his voice regularly

be a good foundation is essential for acting

be following uncle hau,

he may rise above the herd some day

life is drama and drama is life

acting reflects

the different facets of life

but after acting, you can't help

for instance,

a pupil must do household chores

for his master

before learning

they're too many to enumerate

you may not stand such an ordeal

like a piece of Jade,

he needs tempering

let me hear your vocal cords

sing a song

Can you sing come home?

Stop

"Why don't you come home?"

"Cuckoos sing, sobbing under the peach-blossom"

"Too sad, too sad"

"cuckoos sing, lamenting the miserable world"

Good

"The master is humiliated by a girl at the border”

who's master 127

can't you identify him? That

his makeup beguiles me

it's an ordeal

you've to undergo years of ordeal

Everybody

yes

come with me

Is the intruder demon fan li-hua?

Precisely

be smart to dismount and surrender

you must be hsueh ting-shan

I meet you here

for a predestined match

I bear you no grudge

watch out

Sit down

Next time use our own

theirs is bad for skin

chen chen-pang, visitors

Father, mother

shu-hsien

uncle, auntie

Auntie wants me to come with him

chen-pang, come back with me

come back at once

forget your relationship with her

wait till he finishes this act

stay out of our family affairs

Chen-pang, you're on

come out quickly

come out

hurry up

come out

Fleur, I know you're understanding

leave him now he'll come back for sure

I understand my son well

if you don't leave him

he'll eventually come back to me

Master, keep calm

a son's

a son

you can't tie him up

even with a rope

Buy at that stall at the theatre entrance

it looks fine, but the Rouge has to be changed

A beauty with a silk tie

it's opportune to find a good husband

your dream boded well for

the arrival of a son

we got this when we first met

I had my personal fortune read

the interpreter said it meant an ideal match

it's a divination of his quality

a mutual wish can be fulfilled

start from the very beginning

don't seek to embrance a slender waist early

dance to the air of flute

this is also a divination of high quality

the interpreter said wedding could be expected

but we had to be patient

The road is fraught with obstacles

don't get lost in bewilderment

a dignitary will guide the course

it's rejoicing to get out of the trouble

this 1s a divination of medium quality

Since I became a child courtesan

I sought divinations

twice a month

up to now there have been over 200 slips

most of them portended well

now I have got you

so my life has been worthwhile

day two, march 8,

1934, 11 pm

we committed suicide in yiu hung brothel

they say we have

to close next year

why did you commit suicide for romance?

We wanted to be with each other forever

I haven't got money for the advertisement yet

don't worry

it will appear tomorrow

tomorrow at 11 pm you'll see him

3811, same old place, right?

It's dawn. Are you afraid?

I don't know

Mr yuan, miss chu, thank you

it's nice to be close to "yi hung"

He watches her

going to the brothel everyday

she should take him away,

human or ghost

the earliest up

to 1938 only

where can I get that for 1934?

The shop was shing fung and the boss was chen shing fung

his son is chen chen-pang people called him master 12

it was the reign of hsien feng then

you know him?

No

But I still remember the shop

we were still young then

about 8 or 10, I think

it's said raw opium killed his son

heavens! And I couldn't get a sniff

maybe my grandpa knows it

ask him for me

he's dead

buddy, give me a newspaper

yes

just published with the latest news

thank you

Look

The ad appears in all major papers in hk

master 12 must find his way here

Fleur

what are you doing?

The macho fire is strong

you were alright last night

I've been here for 3 days

you can go back after seeing master 12

lift me up

use this cosmetics, they won't fade

This way?

Apply it hard several times

Would we become a

"fried garoupa"?

No

What would you do

if master 12 should get reincarnated

into a rat or a garoupa?

Impossible

wish there would be

no cat or dog now

what time is it now?

Five minutes to eleven

would he be late?

He's always punctual

bad, he's changed into a female

how funny she's dressed

yes

What time is it now?

Half past eleven

He seldom comes late

She's very weird

"throwing" eyes at you?

No, at you

no

Weird, but terribly pretty

she's your type go ahead

she's your type

What time is it?

10 minutes to twelve

Fleur

Obviously not 11 o'clock 8th march

could 3811 be his ID card number?

An ID card number has 6 numerals

maybe four letters in the centre

simple, I'll check the registers

no

That would only complicate matters

besides a birth certificate

or an ID card

it could be the number of his bank ac

also a tax bill, a car licence, a credit card

even a TV set or a fridge

even that pair of sports shoes has a number

one is weighed down by so many numbers

there's yet another possibility

he could live at no.3, block 11, 8th floor

either in Princess Margaret rd

or des voeux rd

it could be a telephone number too

and the number of a bleeper

a bleeper? That's easy

there are not too many paging stations in hk

mr yuan, I'm 3811

$1,000, $2,000 for 1 night leave word there

please call 3811

leave your name and telephone number

call 3811, my last name is yuan

what now? A bleeper call doesn't work

She's sobbing

let her have her way

Fleur, I know the chance is slim

we'll find him plenty of time

we yearn to see master 12 too

She envies me

of course she does, my being so nice to you

your being so nice to me?

No?

She said a lucky woman

had a good husband

an unlucky one became a whore

one man all lifetime, isn't enough

if I had known master 12

I would have

loved him

would you like Fleur?

Speak up

don't keep quiet

she's terrific, I can't stand her

I want only you

Would you commit suicide for me?

Would we be that romantic?

Just answer me

no. What about you?

No

Want to buy antiques?

I passed her

when going to or from work

but I've never thought of anything for you

see if they've got a rough box

a Rouge box? How vulgar?

Would we be

master 12 and Fleur?

Boss, how much is this Rouge box?

Rouge box? Sorry, only an Indian scent bag

1934, the year Fleur died

boss, what's "bone"?

The former newspaper for pen pals

it was a gossip paper about courtesans

it's now 50-year old

formerly it was 1 cent each now it's valuable

Famous courtesan Fleur of yi hung commits suicide for love

what do these mean?

Master 12 is still alive

He's still alive

you said he committed suicide with you

why did the papers report a check up

he's swallowed opium plus sleeping pills

he said himself he'd taken opium

but not sleeping pills

why?

Who gave him?

I did

I yearned to die myself

I was afraid he might not die of opium

leaving me behind in hell

I wouldn't let him live with shu-hsien

Would you help shu-hsien wear earrings?

Yes

I would even pick her ears

and thinking of you, while doing it

would you help shu-hsien wear a gown?

Yes

I'd even help her button

but thinking of you, while doing it

I can't bear seeing you suffer at the theatrical troupe

you won't see it any more

are you regretting now?

So much the better for us

we can be with each other forever

The wine had sleeping pills?

I put them in advance

how many?

40

Did he drink it alone?

He drank 3 glasses, I, one

One more

Chen-pang

Today's march 8

it's now 11, 3811

chen-pang, remember this number?

If we should change

or forget in a next life

the number will

remind you of me

and me of you

Don't be afraid let's go together

Why didn't you tell him

it had sleeping pills?

I was afraid

why did you make him drink?

He was afraid

But he can't get away anyway

why is he still alive?

If he was true, he could die one more time

but he preferred to live to leave me behind

Why?

Why did he stay alive?

Fiddlesticks, who's willing for you

he sacrificed everything for you

but you suspected him and poisoned him

he'll die, eating or not eating

it was murder

would he die for you?

You are really devious

he won't see you again now

you're a murderer

I must find him

he won't see you, nor do I

go now

chu, don't

let me alone

don't

let me alone

Fleur

Fleur

you want to ruin her?

You think she's a good sort?

Sorry

She's not coming

who?

Both Fleur and master 12 are not coming

what are you waiting for?

You

you may be

saying "keep out"

but you have a soft spot

you'll finally have to help

I'm very positive about it

I shouldn't have forced

Fleur away

there won't be another Fleur at this age

fate's unkind for women

I envy her

I admire her

I daren't do what she did

never give a thought to it

yes, we're laymen only

just count the good, happy days

not more romantic ideas of death

life is precious

Fleur didn't come up

if she died, was I the indirect cause of it?

"Fate has kept us apart”

"we sob after parting at the terrace”

"Like drizzles, tears keep falling till dawn"

"shan-pai's alone in a desolate room"

"love-sick, I'm in infinite sorrow"

"ying-tai!"

"You've not answered my echo”

Fleur

Fleur

you forgot your purse?

Are you going to wait for master 127

he's up above

"three years' company ended in a romance”

Ils he master 12°?

Miss chu,

angry with me?

If I were you, I'd have done the same

to a coward like him

Where have you been? We were worried

try my best to find

the macho fire's strong I'm tired

never thought it ended like that

Providence, I call it

but I am really mollified

am I looking ugly?

You're going back, aren't you?

You'll forget everything

after taking this

content myself with reincarnation

Let me

answer the call

Sorry, miss ling

I've just returned from overseas

why did you want to see me?

Are you chen chen-pang or master 127

why do you

want to see him?

I'm a reporter of entertainment paper

we have a new column

on interview of ex-actors

we write about their past

I'd like to interview him

what's your relationship with him?

Nil

he was an ex-actor?

He was only a petty actor

where's he now?

Go to the studio

he often hangs around there

he was waiting to play the lead role

playing a minor role in the studio?

That's too good for him then

mammy told me he spent my grandpa's fortune

before I was born

is your mammy named chen shu-hsien?

How do you know? She died long ago

Good

okay, director?

Ok

Pal, more wind, more smoke

hung, let's do it again

your role's a swordsman and a ghost

fly like a swordsman does

and act horrible like a ghost

it's hard. Take it

a swordsman and a ghost? How?

Mr chen chen-pang

mr chen chen-pang

where is mr chen chen-pang?

I don't know

Are you mr chen-chen-pang?

No

You know where mr chen chen-pang is?

This hand is a sure loss

do you know mr chen chen-pang?

No

Master chen 12

no

Master chen 127?

You know him?

He boasted

he had 3 shops

I had 5 shops

where's he?

As extras, we just squat anywhere

Is that he?

Formerly a vip, now small fry

are you sure it's him?

Thank you

for finding him for me

really him?

I'll never forget your favor

do you want to take him away?

See you next life

Fleur

"The setting sun shines at the swallows"

Thanks for remembering me

I've kept this Rouge box for 53 years

take it

I won't wait any more

"Promises vanish like smoke"

"love, burning love,”

"can hardly last forever"

"Into the ocean goes my bucket of water called love"

"how I wish it would last forever"

"with the two of us in this imperfect world"

"age may alter our visage but never our love"

"I pray for a day of reunion”

"when you would desert me no more"

"when you would"

"be arrested by love"

"tell me when will be that day"