All language subtitles for Noble.House.1988.BRRip.720p.E2_track3_und

- Hello, Taipan.
- Good evening.

- You're right on time.
- How has your day been?

- Up and down. How was yours?
- It's busy, but we're getting there.

Our head counsel
and tax attorney, Seymour Steigler,

is coming on Thursday.

We went over some
of the details on the phone.

He doesn't think
there'll be any problem closing it.

Good. What type of
food would you like for dinner?

- How about Chinese?
- Sorry?

You've got to be more specific.

That's like saying
you want European food.

Well, egg roll, sweet and sour,
chop suey, fried rice.

Just no snake
or dog or anything like that.

Snake is very good in season,

especially the bile
mixed with tea,

and a little young chow dog
stewed in oyster sauce.

Oh, no. Have you eaten--

They tell me it was true.
But don't worry.

Tonight it'll be
egg rolls and chop suey,

if we can find someone
who knows how to make it.

Would you like to
see something first--

something I think
may stimulate your appetite?

What's that?

Gold.

99. 99% pure...

in the regulation
35-ounce bars.

25 bars per crate.

Six crates times...

You're looking at almost
two and a half million bucks.

Yes. In the old days,
gold in Hong Kong

was mostly in what they called
smuggler bars.

They weighed
just a little over six ounces,

and a good
courier could carry over 200 of them,

or so they tell me.

Seems that everything
here has a story attached to it.

Well, Hong Kong
may not have a very long history

compared to Europe
or the States,

but it's all quite colorful.

Quite wonderful, too.

The charm of Hong Kong
must be getting to you.

- Everything about it.
- OK if I pick it up?

Help yourself.

Real money.

Yes. Gold does have
quality of permanence.

This yours?

No. All of this belongs to
Lando Mata's Macao gambling concession.

He's shifting it from
here to Victoria Bank.

Does that mean
Ho-Pak's going belly up?

Gold gets moved
around all the time.

I don't suppose Struan's
has much money tied up here.

There are many banks
in Hong Kong.

We deal with quite a few of them.

I could use a bottle of beer.

This much money
makes me real thirsty.

But you promised
you'd take me.

My wife changed her mind.

Now she's going, so I can't.

But everyone will
be at the party.

I have to go.
Tell your wife to be sick.

Oh, my little flower heart--

You promised.

I'll see you afterwards.

Afterwards I'll be tired.

First you promise me a mink coat
and you never gave it to me,

and now you won't take me to
Tsu Chu Te's party?

You don't love me anymore.

Of course I love you.

Don't I pay for this
apartment, your clothes?

I'll accept
Four Finger Wu's invitation.

That's what I'll do.

What? That foul old man?
Has he been--

At least he doesn't
break his promises.

And he invited me
to Tsu Chu Te's party.

You won't go with him. I forbid it.

Where's my mink coat?

Probably on your wife's back.

I told you.

It'll be ready Friday.

Promise on all the gods?

I promise!

There.

Oh, now you've given
me a headache.

Oh, you poor man.

I'll make it better for you.

Oh...

You're getting to like it here.

Anything in particular
change your mind?

Why?

You're starting to make
me nervous, Casey.

How?

Just for the way you
look at lan Dunross.

You could keep your
eyes on him all night.

What are you,
my father all of a sudden?

No, your boss.
You work for me, remember?

And I do a damn good job.

And that's the way
I want to keep it.

This is a business trip.
It's not a romantic holiday.

I don't want your emotions
interfering with my plans.

Kind of overreacting,
aren't you?

Yeah. Maybe I am.

But no romance,

especially not with lan Dunross.

Pick another guy,
another time, another place.

You're the boss.

You bet I am.

How's my investment
this morning?

She's a fine horse,
Mr. Gornt.

Yeah.

What's so bloody important?

Did you see the way
Noble Star charged the wire?

It's 6:30 in the morning, Brian.

I've been up all night,
Robert, working for both of us,

so I thought you could
buy me some dim sum for breakfast.

Working? When?
At the taipan's party?

I heard you were
there the other night.

It's all work, isn't
it, whatever we do?

Besides, lan's a friend.

Oh, you and your bloody friends.

All right, let's have it.

What did you hear?

There's a $100,000 reward
waiting for whoever finds John Chen.

Offered by whom?

That's the part I didn't get,
but $100,000, Robert.

There's got to be
something special about John,

Or John's got something
that's very special to someone else.

If it's true.
And you woke me up for that.

I woke you up
because I was hungry

and it's your turn to buy.

Oh, you're a terrible man.

She's a trier.
Noble Star is a real trier.

What about Saturday?

I'll be very unhappy if Noble Star
loses to Pilot Fish.

Mr. Gornt has a good horse there--

a serious threat.

I want Noble Star to win, Alexej.

In that case, I suggest you ride
Noble Star yourself, Taipan.

I'm considering it.

I would not advise it.

I know.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Come on, girl.

You called this meeting,
Mr. Bartlett.

You convinced me, Mr. Gornt.

I'm not quite sure
how you pulled it off,

but the Ho-Pak
is looking very dead.

And the Noble House
is still alive, thanks to you.

Yes, I heard you
closed your deal with Dunross.

In principle.

But not in fact?

What are you saying, Mr. Bartlett?

How's your cash flow?

I've already told you.

I'm 20 times stronger
than Struan's.

If you were 20 times
stronger, Mr. Gornt,

you'd be the Noble House.

I asked you a serious question.

Either give me a serious answer,

or drop me off at the next corner.

All right. What exactly
do you want to know?

And if Victoria Bank
went against him

and there was nowhere else
that Dunross could get credit,

it would only be a question of timing.

The right moment,

and Noble House would
be wide open for a takeover.

Where the hell did you
get all this information?

I got Struan's balance
sheets for the last seven years.

That's impossible.

You want to bet?

No. No, I don't.

Where is your executive
vice president? Shouldn't--

Casey's not in on this, not yet.

Besides, I'm the boss
of Par-Con.

I never doubted that, Mr. Bartlett.

What do you have in mind?

A raid on the Noble House.

- It's been tried before.
- Not by me.

What do you want me to do?

The same thing
you did with Ho-Pak.

I want you to start rumors.

As soon as the market opens,
you sell Struan's short.

Let everybody know that the price
of the Noble House stock

is gonna drop like a supermarket sale.

It'll make Struan's
the special of the day,

marked down $10 a share.

And what will you do?

Nothing. Simple as that.

For you, perhaps.

I'll be the one that'll be exposed.

It'll be my money at risk.

Now, I may despise lan Dunross,

but I don't think he's a fool,

and I'd never underestimate him.

If I sell Struan's short and
Dunross can keep the stock from falling,

then I'm the one that's vulnerable.

Not if I cover all your losses.

All?

I pay all the losses
and take half the profit

for today, tomorrow,
and Friday.

If we don't have him on the run
by close of business Friday,

we've failed, but if
Dunross is ready to go,

I'll pull the rug out from under
the Noble House on Monday,

and it'll fall.

If you're willing
to do this to Dunross,

how do I know
you won't do it to me?

I'll put four million in any Swiss bank
you name by 10:00 this morning.

That's 31 million Hong Kong,

which sure as hell is enough
to cover any losses.

Four million. No strings, no paper,
no promissory note.

Just your word.

My word?

It sounds too good
to be true, Mr. Bartlett.

Where's the catch?

First you do a deal with Dunross.

Now you give me
the chance to destroy him.

Is it something personal?

Just business, Mr. Gornt.

I don't owe Dunross anything,

and he doesn't owe me.

I'll think over your proposition
and give you an answer by noon.

Now, Mr. Gornt.
Right now or not at all.

The Bank of Switzerland and Zurich.

Account number 181819.
I'll write that down for you.

No need. The four million
will be there by 10:00.

And if we fail?

I'll lose my money.
A rig's always a gamble.

But the odds are right,
and so is the timing,

and I've seen enough
of Hong Kong to know

it has its own special rules,

and there's no way I'm gonna
learn those in a week.

But why should I,
when I got you?

Look over there, inspector.

The old woman.
The old amah.

What do you make of that, sergeant?

I don't know, sir.

But it's the third time.

The old amah points to someone
who's just come out of the bank,

and he goes off.

Then he comes back again
and slips her something.

I think it's money.

Keep your eye
on the old woman.

- What are you doing here?
- Nothing. Nothing at all.

Why are you giving
this man money?

Is he accosting you?
Is he trying to squeeze you?

He--he's my cousin,
and I owe him $500, and I paid him.

You have a lot
of cousins, don't you?

- Turn out your pocket.
- Why?

I haven't done anything wrong.

You can't search me
without a warrant. I know the law.

Then we'll search you
down at the station. Come on.

I only get some
money from the bank.

I saw the old man
run down the alley, inspector.

If I'd gone after him,
this one would have run away.

That's a lie. Why would I run?
I have done nothing.

Let me see your I. D. card, please.

Why? You think I am an illegal?

I lived here for three years.

You see?

Where are you from, Ah Tam?

My village was Ning-Tok.

That's near Canton, sir.

My family lived there ten years ago.

My father owned the pharmacy.

I know the pharmacy.
I remember when your family moved away.

You see? Ning-Tok
was a wonderful village,

not like this foul place.

Why did you leave? Because
your son wanted to come here?

My son? I have no son.

Then who was that young man
you were talking to?

A friend.
A very important person.

Why is he important?

Oh, he knows important people.

Who does he know, elder sister?

He knows...

The Werewolf.

You are making this up.

Would I lie to someone
from our own village, huh?

Where the hell have you been?

You told Dunross you'd meet
him at the stock exchange 45 minutes ago.

I had an early meeting.
Ran a little late.

Meeting with who?

Quillan Gornt.
Your coffee's cold.

Gornt. What for?

Insurance.

Against what?
The Struan deal is closed.

Yeah, but it's not signed.

We know the Noble House
has no cash reserves,

and Dunross may not
have the money flow

to come up with
his half of the deal.

And Gornt will?

What is it, both ends
against the middle time?

It's much better than that.

Gornt is gonna
start selling Struan short.

I've backed him for four million.

He's feeling very brave.

$4 million?

It's a bargain.

They go to war.
We own the battlefield.

All we got to do
is wait till Monday.

If Gornt wins, we win.
If Dunross wins, we win.

I mean, either way,

we become the Noble House.

Ah, my old friend.

It is a sad time.

If the son of Noble House Chen
can be kidnapped, then who of us is safe?

I must find John.

Of course. You have
a father's heart. Come.

When did you receive
this new letter?

This morning.
It was postmarked Aberdeen.

It insults my honor
that this Werewolf

would even come here
to mail his filthy letter.

What did it say?

Tonight.
He wants the money tonight.

500,000.

Where?

Man Mo Temple.

I'm to take a taxi, then walk across
the street and go down the steps.

The Werewolf
will be watching me.

So will my men, to protect you.

This Werewolf could take the money
and kidnap you as well,

but my men will make sure
that does not happen.

- What time?
- 9:00.

My men will be waiting.
Don't worry.

How can I repay you
for your kindness?

Between us, old friend,

there are no debts.

Good God. Look at that.

Struan's are off
three and a half points in one day.

Yes. It looks as if
the rumors were right again.

Yes, but everyone's
heard about the Par-Con deal.

It's going to fall through.

Sell 100,000 Struan's.

Mr. Gornt, don't
you think that your--

No. Now please do what I ask.

You were right about
selling Ho-Pak short,

but Ho-Pak's not
the Noble House.

Richard Kwang was
without resources.

But the taipan will get
all the support he needs.

Times change.
People change.

If Struan's have extended themselves
and can't pay,

Well, my dear fellow,
this is Hong Kong,

and I hope the buggers
go to the wall.

Make it 200,000.

You're wrong this time.

Then go to hell.

I'm British. I'm going to heaven,
didn't you know?

But if you say sell, then I sell.

- Sorry we're late, Taipan.
- My fault.

Somebody's selling you short.

And guess who.

Quillan Gornt seems
to be adventurous today.

- What are you going to do?
- Play the game.

Are you going
to go to that party tonight,

the one at the
floating restaurant?

The Floating Dragon, yes.

It's Shi-teh T'Chung's annual charity bash.
Would you like to go?

- We've been invited.
- Then why don't I send a car for you?

We can have a drink at the Great House
and then go down to Aberdeen together.

They look pretty friendly.

Suppose the Struan-
Par-Con deal doesn't fall through.

I said it will.

You could get badly
burned, Mr. Gornt.

If the price of the stock doesn't drop,
it'll cost you a fortune.

Buy or sell, the broker
makes a quarter of 1%.

Yes, Mr. Gornt, if the client pays.

Are you suggesting
my credit isn't good enough?

No. No, of course not.

Good. Then kindly
sell another 300,000 Struan's.

Now, Mr. Stern.

I want to see it on the board today.

If Struan's gets brought down,
the whole market could fall.

There would be an
adjustment, that's all.

Adjustment?
lt'll be a bloodbath.

Thousands of investors
will be wiped out--

Look, I really don't
want a lecture on Hong Kong economics.

Now, if you won't
carry out my instructions,

I will take my business elsewhere.

It's your money, Mr. Gornt.

But there's never been
500,000 Noble House shares

on offer in the history
of the exchange.

They could suspend trading.

Then I suggest that you hurry up.

I have 300,000 Struan's.

We buy!

All my shares?

Yes.

Yours and all the rest.

With what?
It's almost $18 million cash.

The Noble House
is good for that and millions more.

Has anyone ever doubted it?

I doubt it.

I'll sell short again tomorrow.

It's a bad day for the Noble House,
Taipan.

There have been worse.
Thank you for coming.

You think my boat
has too many ears?

It's beautiful here.

You will help Philip tonight
when he delivers the ransom?

We will make sure
that he receives what he pays for.

But you did not ask me here
to talk of John Chen.

No. Listen, old friend.

I have never sought
a favor from you before.

Oh, a long line of
your taipan ancestors

have sought plenty favors
and made great profits

from my ancestors.

I want to borrow $40 million.

Then you are speaking
to the wrong man, Taipan.

40 million?

How could a poor old
fisherman like me have such cash?

More came out of
the Ho-Pak yesterday, old friend.

Aiyah! Curse on all those
who whisper false information.

At what interest?

Highest interest.

I will ask among my friends.

Perhaps they can help.

Perhaps we can help together,

but perhaps my friends
will seek a favor in return.

- What kind of favor?
- The Noble House has many ships.

My friends have cargo
that needs to be carried privately.

Not the white powder.

Perhaps they could
even raise 100 million if Taipan agreed.

The white powder
is terrible joss.

All drugs are terrible joss.

My ancestors, old green-eyed devil
and the terrible Hag,

both put a curse
on those who deal in the white powder.

I don't fear curses,
even from them.

Ships of the Noble House
will never carry narcotics, old friend.

There can be no
bargain for that.

Then, Taipan, do not expect
water from an empty well.

There's nothing to worry about.

- Gornt's up to his tricks, that's all.
- It's not just Gornt, lan.

It's the Ho-Pak and the way
the whole market is reacting.

I've started transferring
my accounts to New York.

What else have you heard?

You know me. I'm just more cautious
than you, Taipan.

The cost of my money
comes very high.

No more than mine.

Have you heard something?

Another 600,000 Noble House shares
will be on offer tomorrow.

- The price will fall.
- Who's selling?

The Chinese. They're very nervous here.
You should be prepared.

- Prepared? In what way?
- What would Dirk Struan do?

He's perpetual. I'm temporary.

What about your shares?
You've got 300,000.

Plus. And they're not on offer.

I bought at 16, remember?
When you first went on the market.

So I'm not worried yet.

Perhaps Alastair Struan was right
when he advised against going public.

Noble House is only vulnerable
because of that.

Without going public, we could never
have survived the disasters I inherited.

We shall never know that, shall we?

Never know if your decision
was the only one possible.

But if you resign,
it will no longer be your problem.

- No. I can't.
- Come now, Taipan.

Be sensible. Even if the Noble House
survives this attack,

there will be others.

Your predecessors
resigned when they were in less trouble.

I'm sorry, that's not possible.

Why? Because you swore an oath
to an unknown, unknowable God

in whom you don't believe?

On behalf of a murdering pirate
who's been dead over 100 years?

For whatever the reason,
the answer is thank you... No.

- You could lose the whole company.
- No.

That is not going to happen.

If joss is against you and you fail,

my offer to head the
new syndicate stands,

but only for the next two weeks.

I shall have to sell my stock at 21.

Below 20, not 21.

It will go that low?

20 is better than 21.

Yes.

We shall see what tomorrow brings.

- Hello, Taipan.
- Casey.

- Mr. Mata.
- Ms Casey.

I wish you good joss, lan.

Take care.

Where's Linc?

Oh, he's tied up on the phone,
talking to the States.

Said he'd meet us later
at the Bloody Dragon.

I hope your offer still stands.

There's a modest bottle
of champagne waiting on ice.

Lead me to it.

While I think of it, Lim Chu,

if I want some
foreign devil's car interfered with,

- I will order it.
- Yes, Taipan Boss.

That means now, tomorrow,
and every tomorrow after that.

The Noble House
has always survived

by holding greater honor
than its enemies.

OK, that's enough.

Kill the mic.

That was great, whatever
you were talking about.

- What a nice surprise.
- For both of us.

Been on the phone for hours,

just came out for a walk
and let my ears cool off.

Who was that you were interviewing?

Sir Shi-teh T'Chung.

He's giving his annual charity party

at the Floating Dragon
in Aberdeen tonight.

Aren't you going?

I don't know.
Casey's going with lan Dunross,

which leaves me without a date.

Unless, uh... You wouldn't happen
to be free this evening?

I'm going to the party.

But I don't have a date either.

I knew something wonderful
was going to happen today.

Well? Tell me the rest of it.

Oh, it's a long story.

Besides, Lim Chu shouldn't have
told you the story.

Oh, it was my fault.

There was a picture
of you when you were a teenager

with an old Chinese man,
and I just asked who he was.

Lim Chu started grinning
and said to ask you about...

Uncle Chen-Chen.

Who was he and what's
so funny about him?

It was a long time ago, Casey.
Hong Kong was different then.

Who is Uncle Chen-Chen?

A family retainer.

- He sold me.
- What?

He sold me when I was 14.

Sold your what?

My virginity.

To who?

Well, it was sort of an auction.

Every pleasure house
in Hong Kong

bid for the privilege
of servicing the first pillow time

of a future taipan,
the great-great-great-grandson

of the green-eyed devil himself.

You've got to be kidding.

Uncle Chen-Chen made
20,000 Hong Kong on the deal.

What about you?

I didn't find out what had happened
for ten years.

What was her name, the lucky girl?

She was called Elegant Jade.

Why?

Just wanted to know
if you remembered.

Give me the bag.

What? Who are you?

I'm the Werewolf.
Now give me the bag.

Here. Now, where is my son?

Just keep walking.
Don't look around.

But my son! You promised!

Hey, hey, where's the bag?

They--they took it!

Open it.

It worked, Father. Chen Pay.

You should have seen his face.

He was so frightened.

Did you look inside the bag?

Is the money there?

There was no time.

We come back here
fast as we could.

In one step,
we have reached heaven.

Where's
number one son Chen?

We don't know any
number one son Chen.

Where is
number one son Chen?

He's dead.
We buried him. I swear.

Where? Where?

Near the old Sha Tin Road.

Listen, we'll split
the money with you.

Just answer the question,
you son of a whore,

or I'll slit your tongue.

Where is number one
son Chen's things?

Things he had with him?

We sent everything
to Noble House Chen.

Everything except for
the money he had, I swear.

It's true.
Everything he told you is true!

Who killed him?
Who killed number one son Chen?

He did. He killed him!

Hit him with a shovel.
It wasn't our fault.

What else did you take
from number one son?

His watch. My father
stole his watch.

There! There it is!

Nothing else?

Nothing!

Shall we cut these ones, too?

No. Not yet.
Here, you take this one.

"This number one son Chen

"had the stupidity to try to escape.

"No one can escape
the Werewolf.

"All Hong Kong beware.
My eyes are everywhere. "

What is this?

My father was gonna make us
dig number one son up

and put that on his chest,

and put his body beside
the old Sha Tin Road.

Sounds like a good idea.

And when you start to dig,

make sure you find him quickly

or your eyes
won't be anywhere.

What do you make
of that, Taipan?

Four Finger Wu
and his new crumpet.

I'd say there was
hope for all of us.

She's incredibly beautiful.

Venus Poon.

She's what I guess
you would call a TV starlet.

Casey, let me introduce you
to Richard Pugmire

of Hong Kong General Stores

and Charles Biltzmann
of American Super Foods.

Gentlemen, Casey Tcholok.

Par-Con, nice to meet you.

I've heard a lot about
you and Linc Bartlett back home.

All good, I hope.

Is it true what I've heard,
Richard,

that General Stores
and Super Foods are merging?

There are no secrets
in this bloody town.

Should be finalized
by the end of the month.

How do you think
your horses are gonna do this Saturday?

Think your Noble Star
can catch Quillan Gornt's horse?

We'll certainly be trying.

I thought all the races
here were fixed.

If you can prove that,
I'm sure the stewards would like to know.

Until you can prove it,
Mr. Biltzmann,

I'd advise you to be
somewhat more cautious

about making such comments.

Charles was only joking, Taipan.

Yes, I'm sure he was.

You weren't very friendly.

You don't have to be
friendly to everyone.

And tomorrow, everything will settle down,
I guarantee you.

The Ho-Pak's as solid today
as it's always been.

Just certain foul people
spreading rumors.

Oh, there are a lot
of foul people around.

And if you wouldn't
quote an article explaining that

in the next issue
of the China Guardian--

Oh, there will be
an article, Richard, you can count on that.

Favorable, I hope.

Accurate. Or at least
as accurate as I can make it.

Of course, we cannot ignore

what's been happening
at your Aberdeen branch.

A few noisy,
impatient people, that's all.

More than a few.

I drove out there this morning.

There must have been
at least 500.

Well, I wasn't there.

And at the other branches?
Sha Tin? Bangkok?

Well, I haven't got the exact figures,

but you know how
these things get exaggerated.

Well, I heard there were still hundreds
of people waiting at closing.

Richard, have you spoken
with Victoria about assistance?

I can assure you there is no need.

The Ho-Pak can handle...

Yes, the Ho-Pak can handle what, Richard?

A positive article
in the Guardian

would be most helpful,
Christian.

If there's anything
I can do to persuade you--

You can tell me the truth.

These people are out to ruin me.

Which people exactly?

I don't know.

God, do you think
they'll ever feed us?

Last year was a bore,

but I think Sir Shi-teh
is gonna break his own record.

I hear that you and Dunross
went on a buying and selling spree.

Pity I missed it.

Well, you'll get
another chance tomorrow.

Mmm. 500,000 of his own stock.

Can the Taipan pay for it?

Don't ask me. Ask his banker.

You know better than that, Quillan.

Bankers are pledged to secrecy.

Did you see that darling
Four Finger Wu had on his arm?

Wasn't that Richard Kwang's
plaything?

Looks like Richard's losing
more than his bank.

Oh, God, if they don't
feed us soon, I'm leaving.

You must learn
to be more patient, Jason.

That's quite a dress.

I'm glad you like it. It's new.

For the occasion?

You might say that.

Mr. Tip, it seems to be
your week for parties.

I thought that is your
responsibility, Mr. Dunross.

Tip Top-Toh represents
the Bank of China here in Hong Kong.

How do you do?

I'm Casey Tcholok.

Very interesting name.

Tcholok? Originally
it was Tcholokian.

My grandparents
came from Romania.

Did you say the Bank of China?

Mm-hmm. Does that surprise you?

Why, I didn't realize--

that the People's Republic
of China had a bank?

Here, I mean. In Hong Kong.

We have for many years.

A bank and much more.

After all, Hong Kong is China, too.

I was troubled to learn
of your difficulties today, Taipan.

Oh, a temporary storm.

I'm sure the Noble House
will weather it.

Hope so.

If the Noble House totters,

the whole economy of Hong Kong
will be strained.

Really? Why should
that worry you?

Oh, it does, Ms. Tcholok.
It worries us very much.

Just as a parent worries
about an absent child.

They should have a lottery...

Guess what time dinner is finally served
against the whole bundle.

Where is your spirit
of charity, Bruce?

After all, this is
a charitable event.

Yes. This year, dinner seems
to be turning into breakfast.

Some people aren't waiting.

There's Linc.

And Orlanda Ramos.

- Do you know her?
- Only by reputation.

Good or bad?

That depends on
your point of view.

Orlanda was Quillan Gornt's friend
for quite a few years.

You mean his mistress?

Yes, I suppose that's a word,

but it was all very discreet.

Does the taipan know?

Ha ha! My dear, this is Hong Kong.

Everybody knows.

I wouldn't be too sure of that.

Excuse me.

Hello, Orlanda.
Fantastic dress.

Running a little
late tonight, Boss?

Orlanda said there was no point
in getting here early.

Shi-teh's parties are famous
for starving guests.

It's nice to see you again, Casey.

Are you enjoying Hong Kong?

I'm afraid I haven't
seen much of it yet.

Well, I'd love
to show you around,

and if you want to go shopping...

Casey doesn't have a lot of free time.
I keep her pretty busy.

Now that you mention it,
I could do with some time off.

- Not on this trip.
- Oh, that's not fair, Linc.

At least let me have Casey
for an afternoon.

We'll see how things go.

I'm starving.

I warned him to eat something
before we came.

Aah! No, my arm!

Good night.
Take care of yourself.

Good night.

Say hello to Chong for me.

Taipan, if you don't mind,
I think I'll forego the meal.

No, no, I'll see you in the morning.

I think a little intervention
might be in order.

Americans are dreadfully
susceptible to temptation.

Yes, I'll see to that.

- Good night, Jacques.
- Good night.

Hello, Taipan. Are you going
to wait it out?

Orlanda's been telling us
about this fish restaurant here in Aberdeen.

You want to join us?

- No. I'm afraid I'm here for the duration.
- Noblesse oblige?

- Is that your motto, Taipan?
- Well...

- What is it?
- French.

Oh, it means, "At any cost,
I will do my duty. "

I've always wanted to learn French,

but then, English, Portuguese, Mandarin,
and Cantonese are all I can manage.

Well, that's pretty good.
I can only speak--

Fire! Fire! Get out!

Hold on, everyone!
Please! Don't panic!

There's plenty of time!
Don't push!

There's no danger yet!

Look for another way out of here.

OK, there may be a door
to the half deck down the back.

Remain where you are.

A boat will take you off.

We have room for everyone!

Do not push!

We'll be all right, Orlanda.

I don't give a damn!

Just get a photographer
here right now!

Then call for the fire department!

Stupid sod.

There's nothing out there.
Not a damn thing.

No roofs, no ladders, nothing.

- We can jump if we have to.
- Jump?

Yeah. No sweat, kid.

I can't swim.

Stay put.

Cut off! No way down!

Whew.

Fine time, my friend,
to get the hell out of here!

I should rather think so. Quillan!

- How you doing, Casey?
- OK.

- Out you go.
- When you go.

Take Orlanda.

Come on.

Everyone, this way.

Come on.

I've lost my purse.

You can get another one. Let's go.

All on the top deck,
abandon ship! Now!

Those last explosions
could have blown our bottom out!

Come on!

After you, Taipan.

Passengers on the bottom deck,
we will come alongside.

Do not jump.

We're gonna have to jump, Christian.

Into Aberdeen? You must be bloody
joking, old chap.

If you don't bounce off
all that bloody efluvia,

you're sure to catch
the bloody plague.

There's no choice.
How deep's the water here?

Must be 20 feet or more.

That's enough.

This lady is with child.

- Hi. Can you swim?
- No.

We're out of time.

Casey, you go first. Wait below.

OK, ready.

Just hold your breath, honey.

I don't know where
my husband is.

Well, when everyone
started running...

Honey, why don't
we just go--

Why don't we just go
see if we can find him?

Say, did you see the way
that Casey zipped out of her dress?

Not a bad figure.

Not bad at all.

Quillan! Come on, get up, quick!

Come on, lad. Come on.

- Are you OK?
- Yeah. Yeah, I'm all right.

You could have left me there.

But since you didn't,
I sell again tomorrow.

By next week,
you should be finished.

Jolly good luck.

The idea of burning to death
or drowning with you

fills me with equal dismay.

What else did number one son
Chen have with him, huh?

Nothing.

We tell everything we know,

How Chen wrote first letter. All of it!

Two motherless liars!

Which one of you helped
the old man kill him, huh?

- We're innocent!
- He did it!

Do you believe these two, huh?

You, get in the hole.

Put your face in the dirt.

I spit on all your generations.

And you...

On my mother's head,
I'm innocent.

You wouldn't know
your mother if you--

What is that string
around your neck, huh?

Aiyah...

All gods belch
in Tsao Tsao's face.

Look what we have found.

- Morning, superintendent.
- Morning. Are you sure it's him?

Oh, yes, sir. It is John Chen.

Apparently the body was left here
sometime during the night.

There's a note on his chest
from the Werewolf.

Nothing has been touched.

Have your men sweep the area
100 yards either side.

And get some men
over to these farms.

Maybe someone
saw something and--

Get him the hell out of here.

And we have the Par-Con deal.

Perhaps after last night,
Gornt won't continue to sell.

Hmm. He'll sell.

What do we do?

Unless we can buy
every share of Noble House stock,

we're in very great trouble.

You're almost two minutes late.

Oh? Sorry.

I don't seem to be able
to get through to you about punctuality.

It's impossible to run this company
without executive responsibility.

If you're late one more time,
you lose your yearly bonus.

Sorry.

I want you to take over
our Australian branch from Bill Foster.

Yes, certainly. I'd like that.

Good. Be on a flight tomorrow.

Tomorrow? That's impossible...

I realize that, but I want you
to go tomorrow.

Stay two weeks,
then report back to me.

- Do you understand?
- Yes, I understand,

But what about Saturday?

I wanted to see Noble Star run.

I want you in Australia.
Tomorrow.

Foster's failed to get possession
of Woolara Properties.

Without Woolara, we've no charterer
for our ships.

Without the charterer of our ships,
our present banking arrangements

are null and void.

You have two weeks
to correct that fiasco

and report back to me.

And if I don't?

If you're not on that flight tomorrow,

you're out of Struan's
as long as I'm taipan.

Good.

If you succeed with Woolara,
your salary's doubled.

Anything else, sir?

Yes. Don't be late for the plane.

Everyone's so happy
you weren't hurt last night, Taipan.

Thank you, Mary.

I'd say it was good joss.

But Mr. Gornt wasn't hurt, either.

The draft of the Par-Con
contract is on top,

plus the most pressing letters

and a list of your
appointments for today,

at least, the appointments
I know about.

Call Tip Tok-Toh's office at the Bank
of China

and ask if I can meet him first thing
tomorrow morning.

He can name the place.
Say it's urgent.

Use a favor if you have to.

Were you expecting Superintendent Kwok
this morning?

No.

- Brian.
- Can I talk to you for a moment, Taipan?

- Privately.
- In my office.

John Chen's dead.

They found him early this morning
at Sha Tin.

Head bashed in.

Oh, dear God.

Oh. Poor John.

Werewolf left a note
saying he was killed

because he tried to escape.

Not that that means anything.

Have you told Philip and Dianne?

Right before I came here.

Do you know, he paid the ransom
last night. 500,000.

Yes. Yes, I knew he was going to.

And still they killed John?

Is there any information?
I mean, do you have any ideas?

Of who this Werewolf is?
No. Nothing.

If he takes the money and hides,
we'll probably never find him.

No. No, I suppose you won't.

Sorry to bring bad news,
but I thought you should know.

Yes. Thanks, chum.

Why don't you meet me
for a drink tonight?

I think we both
could use a little time off.

A good idea.

But it'd have to be late.

- How about the Regent at 10:30?
- You're on.

- And thanks again.
- OK.

Poor John Chen.

What a bloody waste.

Here you go. Thanks.

Come in, Linc.

My house is yours.

You sure?

Old Portuguese custom.

Please.

This is very nice.

I like it.

And quite a view.

You could see all of Kowloon
before Sinclair Towers was built.

That's the block straight ahead.

We had the best view in Hong Kong.

Did you know
Struan's owns Sinclair Towers?

No.

I think he and Dunross
had it built just to spite Quillan.

He used to own
the penthouse here.

Gornt? That's a pretty
expensive gesture, even for Dunross.

He probably made a profit on it.
The taipan usually does.

I'm glad you called.

I'm glad you invited me over.

I won't be a minute.

Do you live here alone?

I live with my maid.

She's out shopping.

How do you like your coffee?

Black.

You look happy.

We were.

Do you leave this out
for any particular reason?

Left it out because
there was no reason to hide it.

Quillan was the first
man in my life.

You don't have to explain.

I know I don't, but I'd rather tell you
about it than have you wonder.

I was in love with him for five years...

from the time I was 17.

Now?

Now I'm 25.

We've been apart for three years.

I don't love him anymore,
but he's still my friend.

Quillan pays for this apartment.

He's a generous friend.

Yes. Generous and caring

and all the things
a friend should be.

Look, l--I want to be
honest with you, Linc.

I'm--I'm not ashamed about my
relationship with Quillan,

and there are no regrets,

but this is Hong Kong.

I'd rather you heard it from me

instead of whatever gossip
you're bound to hear.

That's fair enough.
It's even better than fair.

Besides...

I'm your responsibility now.

How so?

According to Chinese custom,

you've interfered
with joss, with fate.

You interfered with the gods last night
by saving my life.

Without you, I could've died,

but that would've been
up to the gods to decide.

But by saving me,
you took over their responsibility,

so now you have
to look after me forever.

That's good, wise, Chinese custom.

OK. You're on.

Except now I formally release you.

My Chinese half releases you.

Perhaps I don't want to be released.

Linc, wait.

- Please. Not now.
- Why?

Because--because
I don't want an affair.

Orlanda.

It's the first kiss
I've had in three years.

Sorry you didn't enjoy it.

I did.

That's the problem.

But an Asia girl,

especially a Eurasian girl,

finds out very quickly
that men want her pillow,

and that's all they really want.

And I can't do that.
I have to be in love.

And I'm not in love
with you, Linc.

I'm not in love with anyone.

I think you're
a very attractive man.

l--I like you.

Abject apologies.

Refused.

You have nothing
to apologize for.

Maybe I do.

Also refused.

Good. How about
dinner tonight?

- It's best if--
- I'll be here at 8.

You pick the restaurant.

No. Let--let's just
say good-bye now.

Yeah. You just said hello.

I'll see you at 8.

It's best not.

Maybe.

But why don't we
let the gods decide?

Sorry to be so long.

Bloody traffic's
jammed for bloody miles.

That's all right, sir. I've sent Sergeant Mark
over to watch her flat.

- The old woman is still there.
- Ah, she'd better be.

She's the only lead we've got.
Lucky you found her.

Yes, if you happen to think
there's a grain of truth in what she said.

You don't think so.

You know the Chinese, sir,
especially the old amahs.

Not the most truthful
people in the world

I've had the privilege to meet.

How long you been
out here, inspector?

Four and a half years, sir.

Long enough to make you
an expert on Chinese veracity.

Come on. We'll take my car.

I take it my lady's still inside, sir.

Yes, inspector. That's the only
entrance to the building.

- Has she gone out at all?
- Yes, sir.

She walked over to the Ho-Pak Bank
and waited for about 20 minutes

but the Werewolf suspect didn't arrive
so she walked back here.

Very good, sergeant. Carry on.

That's one, sir.

Sorry to interrupt, madam,
but we have a search warrant.

Search? Search what?

If you are looking for the gambling den
on the fourth floor,

it's got nothing to do with me.

Enough. Is this the woman?

Yes, superintendent.

Ah Tam, you are under arrest.

Me? I've done nothing.

I'm not illegal.

l--I'm a law-abiding citizen.
I have papers.

Quiet, or we'll take you
to our headquarters,

and surely the judge
will want you kept in custody.

Now... What do you know
about the Werewolf?

Me? Werewolf? Nothing.

Why should I know
about the foul kidnappers?

And what has he to do with me?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

I want the truth. Now.

I'm just a respectable amah
who does her work and nothing else.

How could this old, poor...

Elder sister,
I suggest you talk quickly and openly.

We know everything already.

- What do you want with me?
- The truth.

Take her to the station.

- She'll talk there.
- Torture? You want to torture...

- Come along.
- No. Please.

Then when will
the Werewolf come back?

This afternoon?

You went to the bank to meet him again
this morning.

- No.
- I saw you, elder sister. I followed you.

People of the same village should
stick together, aiyah?

People from the same village
should not tell each other lies.

Tell me the truth, elder sister.

Tell me the truth or
we'll take you to the station.

I don't know anything.

He was just someone I met.

And he said the Werewolf
was his friend.

- But I knew he was lying.
- How did you know?

A friend of the Werewolf
would be very rich.

A friend of the Werewolf
would wear silk clothes

and have a gold watch.

She doesn't know anything, sir.

She knows more than
she'll ever tell us.

What are you looking for?

You won't find Werewolf there.

Hey. You can't.

We have a search warrant.
Now be quiet.

Where'd you get this purse?
Did you steal it?

No. It was a gift
from my mistress in Ning-Tok.

She gave it to me
the day before she died.

Ning-Tok?
Where is that?

Outside Canton, sir.

Her family came from
the same village many years ago.

Outside Canton.

This purse looks too expensive

to have come from
a small village In mainland China.

But it's true.

You can just open it and see.

Where were these photos taken?

In Ning-Tok?
Outside Canton, in China?

Yes, yes. In my village.
In Ning-Tok.

Brian?

Casey, are you up?

Up and ready. How are you?

I'm terrific. Let's go over
that paperwork.

Steigler's plane
gets in around noon.

I wanted to get those contracts
nice and legal by tomorrow morning.

It's going to be late.
I already checked with the airline.

Should be here around four.

You don't leave anything
to chance, do you?

I'll just get my notes.

Our names are in the paper.

I know. I read it earlier.

lan called. Said he tried
to reach you, but...

there was no answer.

Yeah? What'd he have to say?

Just wanted to know
if we were all right.

Where have you been?

Woke up early, so I called Orlanda
to see how she was

and she invited me to breakfast.

- Oh. I take it she's fine.
- Yeah.

Did you know she used to be
Quillan Gornt's mistress?

Orlanda told me all about it.

- And?
- What?

First you show up
with her last night, and now a breakfast.

What's that got
to do with you, Casey?

You're the one
who said this was a business trip,

not a romantic
holiday, remember?

No emotions interfering
with your plans.

Another time, another place.
Ring a bell?

I know exactly
what I'm doing.

Famous last words. Linc...

- Casey, enough.
- She was Gornt's mistress.

Don't you think that's
a little too convenient?

Should've seen the way
he was watching the two of you last night.

So what?

Relax.

If I play the music, Gornt'll dance.
It's nothing to be worried about.

No, I can think
of a whole list of things.

Suppose lan finds out about the four
million you wired to Gornt's Swiss bank

and pulls out of the deal.

Right now, Dunross can't afford
to pull out anything.

The taipan's all gift-wrapped
and waiting to be delivered.

To you or to Gornt?

Either way, it's the same thing.

In the end... we're gonna be
the Noble House

and I'm gonna be the taipan.

Taipan Linc Bartlett.

How about that?

And when were
these photographs taken?

I told you.
Six years ago in Ning-Tok.

The lady in the photograph?

My mistress. She gave me
the purse on her deathbed.

Last night, you said it was
the day before she died.

Now, which is the truth?

l--I don't remember.

And the man?

Who is the man
standing beside her?

Her son. Her son who lives
across the sea, in the north.

The north of the land
of the golden mountains.

You're lying again.

No. That is her son Chu-Toy.

He was born in Ning-Tok.

I helped deliver him
with my own hands.

I remember when they send
him away from Ning-Tok

to this foul place
when he was just a boy.

Why? Why was he sent here?

To go to school.
The government send him.

Chu-Toy was very smart.

We didn't see him again
for, oh, many, many years.

Until his father was dying.

Chu-Toy had become a man.

But I still recognized him. Yes.

Six years ago.

Was that the only time
Chu-Toy returned?

Yes, it was only once.

The once of the photograph.

His mother insisted.

She wept and begged him
to have the picture taken.

So Chu-Toy let her
have her way as a dutiful son should.

And after that?
After the photograph?

Oh, he went away in a big car
and we never saw him again.

Not even when his mother died
and gave me her purse.

Are you sure the man
in the photograph is the same Chu-Toy

who was sent away
to school in Hong Kong?

Of course I'm sure.

Please, can I go home now?

I've told you everything.

17. 50?

Struan's have never
been below 25 since they went public.

You were right, Mr. Gornt.

Absolutely dead-on right.

Yes.

And look at that.
Another 300,000 shares on offer.

What a day.

Yes?

- Are you sure?
- Yes...

The Ho-Pak's finished.

- They closed their doors.
- Yes, I know.

The head office in Central
is still open,

but they'll have to liquidate.

God. Poor Richard Kwang.

Yes. Pity.

Are you going to buy, lan,
or just let your stock plummet?

Oh, Quillan.

How'd you do on the day?

Oh, very well, thank you, lan.
Very well. Yes.

My partners and I
are quite satisfied.

Oh, you have partners?

Oh, yes.

One doesn't
mount a raid on Struan's lightly.

One needs very substantial
financial backing.

- And you do?
- Well, fortunately, Struan's

is roundly detested
by a lot of good people.

Well, yes, lan,
my backing is impressive.

I'm sure if you knew who it was,
you would agree with me.

You're finished.

A man can get burned
by selling short

in such a volatile
market, Quillan.

Don't you think so?

Well, it sure as hell isn't like
the New York stock exchange.

Are you selling short,
Mr. Bartlett?

Not personally. Not yet.

Well, you should. A lot of money
to be made in a falling market.

So I hear.

And a great deal of money
will change hands

with control
of the Noble House.

What do you think of
a raid, Hong Kong style?

A raid is a raid wherever,

but you never know until you've won
and all the votes are counted.

As lan said, sometimes
you can get burned.

So what are
you gonna do about Gornt?

I'm going to wait.

It's an old Chinese custom. Patience.

But if Gornt wins, we have no deal.

I understand that quite clearly.

Could he? I mean, can Gornt
really get control of the Noble House?

No, not actually.
But with enough stock,

he can force his way
onto the board

and appoint other directors
to help him disrupt and destroy.

And his only purpose
is to destroy.

Because of the past?

Partially. The stakes are high.

Face is involved. Huge face.

And this is Hong Kong.

Here, the strong survive
and the weak perish.

But you have come for profit,
and profit you will have,

- one way or the other.
- Yeah.

I have another appointment.

We'll talk to you later.

Bye.

Can't tell how much he knows.

Or doesn't know.

Nope.

What's the point
of playing games,

the way you and Gornt
were doing?

- Isn't that a little--
- A little what?

Tacky.

I never said I had a lot of class.

Robert. What are you doing here?

Oh, I feel rotten.

Drinking on duty.

I just had them sent up.

Here.

What's the problem?

I did a white room
interrogation of an old amah.

Give me the creeps.
Cheers.

It's as if you're thirsty.

What old amah?

Oh, there was
something about her

knowing our friend
the Werewolf.

It was all a pack of lies at first.

And then?

Come on. Drink up
and we'll go and have a whiskey.

Bad.

All right. Let's go.

The old amah,
she finally told the truth.

You know how it is. You catch
the lies eventually if you're patient.

I'm fed up with lies.

She's from Ning-Tok.

That's a village
outside Canton in mainland China.

You ever hear of it?

There are lots of villages
in mainland China.

What's so special
about that one?

Ning-Tok?

Oh, that's a name
I'll always remember.

In a bad way, old chum.

Come on. I'll buy.

Oh, just a minute.
I've got to make a call.

Look at you,
in such a bloody hurry.

You did very well, Superintendent.

Did I, Commissioner?

Yes. Very well.

No. No, I don't think so.

You must be very tired.

Very tired of these sort of things.

I think about it and it
still seems impossible.

Brian a communist mole?
It doesn't make sense.

Except for the evidence.

Theoretically, Brian Kwok
was born in Hong Kong.

His passport has no visa
to mainland China,

nor was he ever
in Ning-Tok, yet here he is.

But Brian's been my friend.

There is no Brian Kwok.
There is only Chu-Toy.

You must realize that.

Yes, I know you believed
he was your friend,

but the Chinese are the most
patient and secretive people on earth.

Aren't they?

Brian would've become assistant
commissioner in a few years.

Precisely, and think
what that would have done to us.

I know how betrayed
you feel, Robert.

Personally betrayed.

And I'm delighted to tell you
that you have the honor

of beginning
the interrogation.

No. I can't.

We'll set him up for you,

but you're the one
for the coup de grвce.

I want to know everything.

- Get someone else.
- Don't be so bloody boring, Robert.

Chu-Toy, alias Brian Kwok,

is an enemy agent
who has eluded us for years, and that is all.

No, no, I can't interrogate.

Dear fellow, you can and you will.

You're the only one who can.

After all, you know him well,

and Brian is far too smart
to be caught like an amateur.

Break him, Robert.
Break him and do it very quickly.

There are a couple
of clauses I want in just to protect us.

I don't want this
deal renegotiated, Seymour.

I want it wrapped by Tuesday.
No complications.

What about Rothwell-Gornt?

Best I should feel him out, huh?

What'd I just say?

OK. OK.

You leave Gornt and Dunross
alone, Seymour.

Hong Kong's more complicated
than we thought.

Leave Gornt and Dunross
to Casey and me.

You just deal with their attorneys.

You'll see Struan's attorneys
in the morning.

The taipans told them
it's top priority.

I should be. My down payment
gets Dunross off the money hook.

If he survives.

Here today, gone tomorrow.

Hey, that must've been some scare
on that burning boat.

Story made the New York papers.

Anything else for me?

- That's it for now.
- OK. I'm gonna take a shower.

Wash some of the airplane off.

Sure. Go ahead.

- If you're not doing anything for dinner--
- I'm busy.

Why don't you give Casey
a call later?

OK.

Thanks a lot.

Oh, come on.

Take Seymour out
and show him around.

He can show himself around.

It's up to you. I gotta change.

- Where are you going?
- I think I may have a date.

Oh?

Have a swell time.

Damn tramp. I should've drowned her
while I had the chance.

- Taipan's office.
- Is he in, please?

- This is Casey Tcholok.
- One moment.

- Hello, Casey.
- Hello, lan.

- Is there a problem?
- Oh, no, no, no.

I was just wondering if you wanted
to have dinner tonight.

I'd love to.
It would have to be late.

Oh, late would be
fine for me.

I'll send a car.

I'll wait for the car.

- I'll see you then.
- Bye.

Well, the client's in fine shape,
Superintendent. Physically.

His blood pressure and heartbeat
are nicely up, but...

That's what's to be expected.

- A two-hour cycle?
- Yes, on the half-hour.

Wake, sleep, wake, sleep.

By this time tomorrow,
he'll think he's been In there for 1 2 days.

If he can stand it.

Who'd have imagined Brian
would've turned out to be a spy?

He was always so smart.

Let's hope the poor
bugger's not too smart.

The sooner he talks, the better.

Are you doing the interview yourself?

It's on the damn door.
Can't you bloody read?

Yes, sir. I'm sorry.

I just--well, I knew
he was your friend and--

Yes, it's time for his shot anyway.

Damn you to hell, Brian Kwok.

Damn you to hell.

Listen, Werewolf Dung.

I want to know where
you got the coin from.

The half coin.

I told you.

My father gave it to me.

I'm tired of his lies.

Cut off his ears.

It was number one son Chen.

I took it from him.

Who killed number one son Chen?

I did.

I hit him with a shovel. Please.

Don't hurt me anymore.

Disgusting coward.

Silence him.

What should we do
with this worthless dog?

He's told the truth at last.

Call my son.

Young Choy does not
enjoy this matter.

It's time he grow up.

Time he knew
how to treat enemies.

Time he knew real values,

not ill-omened, stink-wind,
golden mountain values.

My son has forgotten
who he is. Call him.

Seventh son, your father wants you.

Is he dead?

Not yet. What a dirty,
motherless whore.

To kill number one son Chen
and then take the ransom.

Disgusting.

More terrible to get caught, aiyah?

Give Goodweather Poon a hand.

What?

You have vomit in your ears?
Give him a hand!

What do you want me to do?

Take his legs.

Put him overboard.

Father, he's not dead.

Put him over the side!