Original subtitles

Some call it a myth,

but too many see the power it holds.

On the next Nightmare, coming up.

Again?

So young.

Don't be afraid. Help is here.

You're going to be okay.

I guess I'm going to acquire a taste.

It says here the fire was suspicious in origin.

Smell gasoline in there.

You know, we're only a block away. Why don't we swing by?

Why? Oh, come on, man. What kind of self-respecting hero doesn't want to

visit the scene of his latest triumph?

No.

Ten minutes, Thomas.

Come on.

I'm telling you, that was Bryony's car.

They said EPD must have a dozen by now.

Oh, Bryony, we look... Wow.

Well, surprise, surprise.

Uh, this is Detective Leslie Yee. Hi, I'm Robin Jordan.

Hi.

Hi, Johnny. So nice to meet you, Johnny. Nice to meet you. Leslie is here on

temporary assignment from Honolulu PD.

She's teaching us how to police the Chinese community more effectively.

So, uh...

What are you guys doing here? Oh, we were just passing by and Johnny insisted

on stopping.

Uh, yeah.

Are you on this case?

Mm-hmm.

After all, my favorite vigilante was involved.

Oh, who, that, uh, night man guy?

Mm-hmm, who else?

He was the hero who rescued the girlfriend?

Well, let's not hold men's ceremony just yet.

For all we know, he started the fire in the first place. Oh, come on, he doesn't

kill innocent people. That we know of.

Besides, this victim wasn't anything but innocent.

Victor Lai, second-in-command to Eddie Chin, Chinatown's most notorious

mobster. You think it was a hit? Could be. A rival gang, or maybe Victor got a

little too ambitious and maybe sent a message.

Well, the girlfriend has a different theory.

She believes Victor was killed by the executioner of the gods.

Excuse me?

In Chinese mythology, the god of fire is also the executioner of the gods.

He is sent to Earth to destroy humans who offend them.

His name is Jukyung.

There's a hot leaf.

Why would she think that?

Well, she said Victor had recurring dreams about Jukyung, including one last

night. Tell them how this Jukyung travels.

He flies down from the heavens in the form of a dragon.

Of course. How else?

So, uh, reliable sources tell me that you're the top musician in town.

You should come by the House of Soul sometime.

It's a date.

I'm looking forward to it. Good.

Well, you better hit it.

Go break the bad news to Eddie Chin.

Oh, and then check to see if there were any dragon sightings last night.

Listen, I'm sorry about coming on to join you like that. I didn't realize you

two had a thing going.

What are you talking about?

Who said the other thing, Lauren?

No one said, but there were signals.

Oh, well, not for me. I mean, John's a nice guy and great-looking and all that,

but he's a saxophone player, I'm a cop.

You know.

Then there's not even a chance?

It never works, so why even go down that route?

I see.

So, if I decide to take an interest...

Uh, hey, you're both consenting adults.

There's Eddie Chin's place.

Jade Palace.

What is it, a restaurant?

Uh, no, I...

Come down and have a drink with us.

No thanks.

Isn't that part of your job? That and showing up to your accent?

We don't work here.

Oh, right.

Bodies like that. You don't work here. Come on. You're a big buck.

Why don't you start your shift a little early?

You need somewhere to stuff yourself.

How about where the moon don't shine, hmm?

Cut the crap. It's just a little broad.

You mean cut the crap to see little police lieutenant.

Here, check my ID.

You see that?

Yes, ma'am. Good, good. I suggest you remember it.

Back to your Shirley Temple.

Charming clientele.

Yeah, tomorrow's Captain of Industry.

Or here's the Eddie.

Cops.

Lee Chin. Lieutenant Brunk.

Detective Yee.

We're here about this July.

I heard.

Such a tragedy. We were very close.

Yeah. Thick as seed.

Oh, very droll, Lieutenant.

I suppose you want to know my whereabouts last night.

I was here.

Dozens of witnesses.

Present company included.

How about around 3.30 this morning?

Ooh.

Just one witness.

Yeah, he was with me.

Definitely with me.

Don't suppose you know of any enemies Victor might have had?

No. Sweet guy like that, how could he have any enemies?

Right.

Well, thanks for your cooperation.

You know, Lieutenant, whenever you get tired of playing cops and robbers, come

see me.

I can guarantee you triple what you're making now.

Either one of you.

Wouldn't work out, Eddie.

I mean, guys like you are the reason I enjoy carrying a gun.

That set was amazing.

Even better than the last one.

Thanks. You're welcome.

Can I get you a drink?

No, thanks.

I'll stick to my water.

Did you see that?

They've been flirting with each other all night.

That's all right.

So, Johnny hasn't exactly been in a romantic mood since he lost his father.

Well, I mean, this is a good thing, then.

I think it's a sign he's getting on with his life, actually.

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess. It's just kind of sudden, you know?

So how long is your assignment here?

Two more weeks.

Two more weeks.

Not much time.

For what?

Well, for, uh... Whatever.

So glad you want to get to know me better.

Yeah. It's been a long time since I felt anything.

I know.

Brian, you told me about your father.

I'm so sorry.

You know, on any rational level...

It doesn't make sense for us to start something we can't finish.

Not everything has to be rational.

Well, we don't have much time.

I want to know everything about you.

What if you don't like the real me?

Just, uh, nothing.

Nothing.

What's that?

What the hell is that?

It's Jokul. What? The Fire God.

You're saying the whole thing was a hallucination?

Mostly, yeah. You see, you were inhaling fluorobenzolate, which was leaking from

the chemical company, but it was swift.

And the fire?

That was real.

But caused by the same gas, which is also highly flammable.

Lucky for you, the company had already discovered the leak and notified

emergency services.

They were on their way up here when the fire broke out.

Not that they expected to find people parked in such an isolated spot in the

middle of the night.

We were admiring the view.

Right.

And then he thought you saw Leslie as a fox.

How will we ever figure out the complex symbolism of that movie?

What's going on?

I'm kidding.

A fox.

No wonder Briony made fun of you. She wasn't there. I was.

And you don't buy her explanation?

I don't know.

It all seems logical, except for Leslie looking like a fox.

I'm getting a bad feeling.

You picking up evil vibes?

I don't know.

But I do want to find out more about this Chute Young legend.

Leslie has a local contact that's some kind of expert.

One of the priests who runs the city's main Daoist temple.

He's very knowledgeable about Chinese culture.

He's like our man.

So how'd you hook up with him?

Oh, I was looking for someone to introduce me to the local Chinese

community. He volunteered.

He's very nice. You'll like him.

A little young, isn't he?

Is that jealousy I hear?

No. No, I was expecting more of a gray-bearded old wise man.

In its simplest terms, the Tao is merely the way.

From the way arises yin and yang, the two opposing yet interconnected forces

of the universe.

Now, from these two come three, heaven, earth, and humanity.

Then the myth-like Chu Jiang, the fire god, arrives from Taoism, for the most

part. Although the Chinese people have adapted stories and legends from

Buddhism and Confucianism as well.

And I'm not sure myth is the best way to describe Jukyung.

It's a little like talking to Christians about the myth of Jesus.

Sorry, no offense.

I'm taken.

But bear in mind, there are many Chinese people with the absolute belief in the

existence of their gods.

But then, Jukyung is as real as you are.

Okay, Lieutenant.

Sorry I'm late.

My fault.

Hmm. Why am I not surprised?

Anyway, you're just in time.

I just got the arson investigator's report on the Victor Lye fire.

What's he got to say?

It definitely was arson.

The ignition source was too hot to occur naturally. It had to be something like a

blowtorch. Larger.

His best guess would be a military-type flamethrower.

That's not good news.

Hit man with a flamethrower.

So we need some scum driving around town with no conscience on a carload of

jellied gasoline.

Like a rolling napalm bomb.

Yeah. Well, I'm going to check the National Crime Computer to see if

there's been any other recent murder using this M.O.

Of course, there's one possible ignition source that the arts investigator never

even considered.

Yeah, what's that?

It's a pill. The Winged Dragon?

Right.

Tell you what.

Why don't you and John work that angle?

Draw.

You feel me, person?

It's the same as last time. The box base was turning over hers.

This time I wasn't whacked out of sensory gas.

So what do you think is causing you?

I don't know.

What's happening?

Victor Lai all over again.

Except this time it's just some poor guy who ran a little business.

I don't get it.

Not a likely target for a mob there.

Okay, so my theory's out the window, but the alternative is a hell of a lot

worse. Instead of a dangerous but predictable contract killer, We got some

friggin' firebug who randomly torches people instead of places.

Later. Yeah.

Gwen must be behind this.

Headfirst Club.

I want a surprise.

Trouble?

We'll see.

There'll be no gang wars in this city.

We appreciate your taking time to see us again. Especially when you're this busy.

I have excellent helpers to assist me.

Is it always like this?

Unfortunately not.

When the gods get angry, the people get frightened and return to worship again.

Something I don't understand.

I can see why they would think that shoot young would punish a lowlife like

Victor Lai.

But why an ordinary citizen?

Things aren't always what they seem.

Mr. Wong was more than your local...

Acupuncturist.

He's right, Johnny.

I've heard rumors that Wong was the numbers runner for Eddie Chin.

No wonder Eddie was so paranoid.

Excuse me.

Detective Yee?

Yeah, all right. I'll meet you there.

Excuse me. I have to meet Lieutenant Bronco at the Jade Palace.

Thanks for your help.

Thank you.

We're working on it. Classic Japanese cinema.

Okay.

Why? To help you.

How?

Well, those visual disturbances you've been having when you see Leslie as a

fox. Well, I remembered a scene from Akira Kurosawa's classic film, Throne of

Blood. It's the one he based on Macbeth. Great flick.

The way he constructs the scenes and his shots. Yeah, yeah.

Right, right. Anyways.

At the end of the film, when the good guys catch up to the Lady Macbeth

character, she changes into a fox to escape.

You see, the fox has special significance in Asian mythology.

Worth a shot?

Eddie's not here.

Where is he?

Hiding.

His last murders really got him spooked.

Why?

He can afford to hire as much muscle as any of his rivals.

That's just it.

He doesn't think this was one of his rivals.

Because Long was too small a part of his operation to be the target?

If Eddie isn't worried about a turf war, then why... Wait a minute.

You're not trying to tell me Eddie Chin believes in all this vengeance of the

gods, mumbo jumbo. Look, I'm not saying Eddie's religious or nothing.

He's just not taking any chances either.

Be a heck of a sale.

We'll go check it out.

What's up? Put those credit cards away. There's no sale.

We're all buying gold because of Jokyo.

What? They're afraid of his anger, so they're making offerings at the Taoist

temple.

Traditionally, gods preferred gold to cash, so... Interesting.

Let's interview the owner. Then I'd like to have a little chat with that priest.

One cell? Mm-hmm.

Thought you weren't interested in mythological mumbo-jumbo.

Well, I'm not.

But I've been ignoring a major component of any criminal investigation.

Motive.

As in, who stands to profit from these crimes?

You suspect oneself.

Collecting piles of gold.

True.

All right.

Here it is. All the 411 on fox spirits.

Fox spirits?

Yeah. You see, in many Asian mythologies, the fox is considered the

cleverest of all animals.

As in, flies are fox.

Brilliant, really.

If I could finish, the fox is always striving to become human, and when it

does, it's almost always as a beautiful woman.

But it's an evil beauty who enjoys leading men to their ruin.

So you think Leslie is a fox spirit leading me to ruin?

I'm not making any judgments here. I'm just sharing information.

I mean, Leslie certainly is beautiful.

Hmm. It also says here that they have a hard time maintaining their human form

when they drink alcohol.

I don't suppose Leslie drinks, does she?

No. What else?

The hardest part for them to disguise is their tail.

And I suppose you've gotten a good look.

This is getting ridiculous.

See? You try and help someone, and all they do is give you grief.

I really didn't think it would take this long to track one fellow down.

He wasn't at the Templars' quarters, so his mother's just the only other thing

we've got.

Take the next right, then the first left.

Is it?

I thought it was a narrow street.

Excuse me, Lieutenant.

Detective Yee.

Johnny.

Are we still on for the night?

Sure, but I may be a little late.

The lieutenant and I just met with Eddie Chin, but we've got one more subject to

interview.

Why don't you call me after you get off duty and look up?

All right, it sounds good.

What?

What was that?

What is it?

What's the story, Nance?

We found some personal items. No bodies. The car was empty when it went out.

Anybody see what happened?

No witnesses yet. No sign of Lieutenant Bronco or Detective Yee.

How did one Sal find out so fast that he was a suspect?

He spoke to this one when they came looking for one Sal.

He just tipped him off.

To what? He wanted to talk to him?

How does that translate into being a suspect?

Ladies.

Well, if it isn't the fire god, Chuck Young.

Ah, banter.

I have no time for banter.

Who else did you tell your suspicions to?

How pure is that?

I think Deborah in her views may prove to be more fruitful.

Take a next stop.

Let me see him explain that.

Johnny? Yeah?

Come and take a look at this.

Thought I was wasting my time, huh? We'll check that.

Who is it?

That's the Honolulu police ID for Detective Leslie Yee.

No, it's got to be a mistake.

I could double check, but that's right out of her personnel file.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

Leslie had an alibi for the second incident. Me.

She was at the club that night.

She must have one or more accomplices. But she's been with me constantly, and I

didn't pick up any evil vibes.

You know, as a fox spirit, she probably has the power to block you.

Whatever she is, she's how we find Briony.

Where do we start?

I've planned this for three years.

But it took me to really make it happen.

Are you sure no one suspects anything?

I was with that lieutenant the whole time.

She didn't tell anyone else that she suspected you?

Then we succeeded.

Almost.

Load up the gold and on our way out of town.

We'll drop Lieutenant Bronco off.

Off the Bay Bridge.

See anything?

No.

But the moon's rising, so I want one of you at this window for the rest of the

night.

You got it, boss.

Is Eddie around?

Hey.

You out there?

Yeah, go ahead.

No sign of Eddie here.

Never mind.

I got him.

Hey.

Monkey!

Monkey!

You again. What do you want?

The two policewomen. Where are they?

I don't know.

They were fine when they left here. Ask Mr. Lin, the jeweler across the street.

Why? They went to see him after they left here.

He lives above the shop. Just ask him.

It's your lucky day.

Mr. Lin!

Mr. Lin!

Hi.

I'm sorry to be bothering you so late, but I need to talk to you about those

two police women you met today.

Thank you.

Mr. Lin said that Briony seemed very interested to find out the reason all

the gold was being purchased was for offerings at the temple.

And the person who's profiting from this is the man who runs the temple.

One thousand. He's only a few blocks from here. Meet me there. Yeah.

That's it.

Not necessarily.

Step right up boys.

Time to go.

Are you an imposter?

Or a traitor?

An imposter?

The best you've ever seen.

Let's go.

You know, it's the funny thing about this situation. It kind of makes me feel

like you have nothing to lose.

Nice timing. Yeah.

I'm going up to Ledley.

Raleigh, did you find Briony?

Yeah. She's with me.

Then I'm going after Wen Sao. Okay.

There.

What was that?

A fox.

Now

you're

mine.

Thanks for the good news, Briony. Talk to you later.

What's the good news?

They've located the real detective, Leslie Yee.

Some local psych ward.

Temporary amnesia.

She knows she was about a couple hours ago.

What do they think happened to one's own?

Well, they think he was a rogue priest who got dive-bombed by some winged

dragon named Choo-Yum.

Nice job.

Where are you going?

Get a fork.

Chukion. Right.

What does the police report say?

They think the fuel tank on the flamethrower leaked, caught fire, went

south, panicked, and fell off a cliff.

Could have happened.

Still wondering about his partner in crime.

You know, she was no more his partner than she was yours. You see, thought

spirits delight in fooling and ruining all men.

She got hers.

Yeah. You sure about that?

Oh, yeah.

We caught her. Forced her to transform to escape. You see, once a thought

spirit gives up her human form, she can never have it back again.

You know, speaking of beautiful spirits, you never did tell me how close you and

Leslie... Let her go.

Let her go.

Okay.

I guess there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our

philosophy.

Fortune cookie?

Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5.

You've been hanging out with your team.