Original subtitles

Which floor?

Third... fifth floor.

- Let's go. - This place sucks.

- Here's Number 13. - Yeah.

- Two more floors to go. - All right.

- I can't catch my breath. - Shit. You should quit smoking.

Fourteen, 15.

- Over there. - Is it the one we just passed?

Ming Ding

- Ming Ding, wake up. - Someone's there.

Ming Ding.

- Damn. Everyone's still in bed. - Who are you looking for?

Ming Ding.

Is Ming Ding here?

What do you want?

- What do you want? - Out of the way.

- Check that room. - What are you doing?

We're looking for Ming Ding. None of your business.

- Is that Ming Ding? - No.

- Ming Ding - What are you doing?

He's outside.

- There. - There he is.

- Bring him out. - Get up.

Go to your room. This is none of your business.

Sit down.

Ming Ding, do you know why we're here?

You know why we're here today?

Do you know that Mr. Jiang wants to double your debt?

I don't know what you're talking about.

You don't know?

You need an explanation?

Okay, wait.

I had to send some money home to China.

I've been here six months and haven't sent a dime back to my wife.

The whole reason I came here was to make money.

The interest Mr. Jiang charges makes it impossible to save anything.

That's your problem.

When you borrow money, you have to pay it back.

The interest and due date were set.

Mr. Jiang isn't running a charity.

- I just couldn't make my last two payments. - Stop acting.

Where's the money?

- In the refrigerator. - The refrigerator?

Are you trying to keep it fresh?

There's no money.

No, the other one.

Got it.

- How much is there? - About a grand.

Where is the rest?

I told you I don't have it right now.

Don't act.

This is the deal.

You give us $800 tonight

or your debt is doubled.

$800 by tonight, then we'll talk about a new payment plan.

A little lesson so you'll never forget your payment.

- Don't hit me. - You won't forget to pay again.

- Don't move. - Don't hit me. Please.

$800 tonight.

Let's go.

See you tonight.

Keep it down.

We only have $500. Cheng asks you to be careful.

- You're welcome. - Oh, thank you.

Damn. You trying to kill me?

What's wrong? A little edgy this morning?

Nothing.

Rough night?

Me too.

On the phone with my wife last night.

Thousands of miles away,

on the other side of the earth, and we still find a way to fight.

That stinking bitch said...

she said...

that I'm not focused.

That stinking bitch. Always yapping. So annoying.

Is your wife the same?

Oh, by the way.

I just found a new phone card.

250 minutes for two dollars. Here.

It's the Asia Universal card.

She's pretty cute, huh? Look.

Are you all right?

You know, calling cards are a booming business.

I heard about one guy who sells 20,000 of these things a day.

20,000 cards a day.

Rich overnight.

I have to look into this.

Make a killing.

Let me ask you.

How's your payment going?

I'm almost done with it.

Four to five months. Then I'm done.

How long did it take you?

Around four years,

because I spent extra money

on the trip to Europe.

Then from England to here.

Why do you ask?

No reason. Just curious.

Your payments going all right?

All right.

Looks like it will rain all day.

You two are earlier than me today.

- Time to work. - Yep, time to work.

Ma, defrost the shrimp and don't forget to cut the broccoli.

The keys.

- Good morning. - Morning.

- Big Sister, good morning. - Good morning.

Big Sister, don't forget to order pork tonight.

Ma, get the flour.

Young, get the MSG.

Slowly...

Slow down.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

- Can't get it up? Impotent? - Fuck you.

Wait.

What's wrong with you?

Can you lend me some money?

How much?

$300.

Why do you need to borrow money?

It's an emergency. Just lend me some money.

I just sent money home this morning.

I only have $150 left.

Tell me why you need money.

- Will you lend it to me or not? - I didn't say I wouldn't.

- Why do you need the money? - Why so many questions?

I owe money to a loan shark.

Why do you owe them money?

Why do you owe them money?

- Are you gambling? - No.

I'll tell you another time.

Let's go.

Will you lend me the money or not?

What are you going to do for the other $150?

Do you want to borrow from Big Sister, Ma or Wei?

Don't tell them.

Why not?

I just don't want them to know.

Go. Just go.

I got it.

Big Sister, when is your daughter coming to visit?

Not for a while.

- When is your wife coming over? - I'm not married.

Today you're not married, right?

Small house special Lo-Mein.

Make it spicy.

So how did you get yourself into this?

I borrowed money from those guys.

Why?

I wanted to pay back my family in full.

What's your problem?

Because they already had my brother's debt to deal with.

It's tough on them.

What's the interest?

Thirty percent.

Thirty percent? Are you crazy? Why didn't you do the math?

I thought I did.

I don't know what you're doing.

Families are expected to borrow money for the debt.

You're not expected to pay it back right away.

You have to figure out a way or you'll be in debt forever.

I know.

So, what are you going to do?

The most tips I've ever made in a day is $90.

Take my deliveries today.

- What? - Make all the deliveries today.

- No, I feel bad. - It's all right.

Do all the deliveries.

Really?

Really.

I'm fine.

Plus, I don't want to work in this weather.

It's good that it's raining.

More rain, more deliveries.

The more rain, the better.

- More deliveries, more money. - Delivery.

What are you doing there?

You're taking up space.

Two Mexican squid with extra shrimp.

Did you know that-

Big Sister.

Eating too many carrots will turn the whites of your eyes orange?

Right, eat more.

Why are you here all day?

Don't you have deliveries to make?

Ming is doing them.

Why is Ming doing all of them?

He needs the exercise to lose weight.

- I think you're the one who needs exercise. - Fuck you.

Look at your stomach.

So, did Lin-Xing call you again?

Yeah, last night.

Is he here?

No, he's still in China.

Has he gotten a green card yet?

No, he's still trying.

Getting the illegitimate marriage?

He doesn't have the money for that.

How much does that cost now?

$40,000.

$150,000?

$40,000.

$40,000.

Isn't that expensive?

No, that's cheap.

Doesn't he have the money?

He has 120,000 to 130,000 yuan.

But he spends a lot of money on those name-brand clothes.

Just a pair of underwear costs him around 600 yuan.

Hey, don't knock it.

Underwear is the most important article of clothing on a person.

It says the most about you.

Boxers, tighty whities or thongs.

Wei, are you wearing your thong today?

Do your work.

Just kidding.

Seriously, I've been saving for two months.

Two months.

- Big wonton soup. - Two months?

It will take you forever.

No, not forever.

Maybe a couple more years.

How long did it take the boss to get this place?

Ten years.

Ten years? Pretty good.

Perfect. I've been working for four years. Six more years and I'll be a boss too.

I won't forget you guys when I'm the big boss.

Wei, you'll be my restaurant manager.

No, not manager. The chef.

We'll see.

Ma, you'll be my chef. Screw Wei.

Sounds good to me.

- Delivery. - Ask Ming.

Ming is out on a delivery.

Big Sister, you're coming with me, right?

Go, go, go.

Big Sister, you're going to be my restaurant manager, right?

There are too many orders, I have to help. But I will take it slow.

Why did you mess up my order?

What are you talking about?

I have to make two trips because you messed up the order.

Psycho, I don't know what you're talking about.

The delivery I just made. The guy didn't want chicken.

Ask Big Sister, I followed the order.

I can't afford a mistake today.

What are you talking about? I'll redo your order.

Are you deaf? How did you mess up chicken and beef?

I don't think you're cut out for this. Why don't you go back to China?

- You have a hearing problem? - Watch your attitude.

- Watch out, I'll smack you. - Psycho.

If you don't want to work, go back to China. New guy.

- What do you mean "new guy"? - Don't fight.

He didn't do it on purpose. Just a little mistake.

Stop fighting. Get out if you want to fight. I can't hear a thing.

He can't afford a mistake today. What the hell does that mean?

Ming, why do you look sad? What's on your mind?

Fuck.

Fuck.

How can you see it?

Don't worry, I'll fix it for you.

Just wait over there.

Who broke it?

It doesn't go down.

What the hell. Is it broken?

I'll fix it in no time.

Okay, okay.

Small fried rice, no vegetables.

Only one dollar?

Not even one dollar.

Sometimes just a few coins.

It'll get better later.

To your next customer, say...

What? I don't want to.

He'll give you a bigger tip.

You have to smile.

Your eyes have to smile. Your eyes are not smiling.

Damn, you're crazy.

You want to make money. You have to try harder.

You have to smile.

Didn't you hear?

How can I smile when I'm in a bad mood?

Big Sister always says...

You're nuts.

So you have to smile.

No.

I don't think that will help.

- Trust me. - Okay.

- That's how I do it. - I'll try my best next time.

You have to do it.

You never listen to me.

Ming, delivery.

Remember to smile...

Fine, I will.

I put it there.

Why?

Because there wasn't any room.

Really?

Really, there wasn't any space.

Why didn't you make room?

I told you there was no room.

Make room if there's no room.

What's the big deal?

Guys, please. Every day. I'm getting a headache here.

It's not a big deal. He just likes to fight.

I like to fight with him.

If he didn't mess up my system, I wouldn't care.

Is it that hard?

Cooked food on the top.

Raw beef on the second shelf.

Raw chicken on the third shelf.

Chopped vegetables on the bottom shelf.

I know. You've told me many times.

But there was no space.

Is your brain in your ass?

Didn't you think of making room?

Yes, I thought of it. Then I thought it would be more fun to piss you off.

My cousin should be arriving in the States at the end of the month.

- Really? - Is he going to do it Ma style?

"Don't send me back. Communism is so bad. I can only have one kid."

You don't understand.

You guys got here before 9/11.

It's much harder after 9/11.

Ming, you got here after 9/11?

Yeah.

He didn't get caught.

Really?

Must've had a good smuggler.

Where did you come in?

- Canada. - Really, Canada? Not bad.

Ma wasn't that lucky.

Ma's boat got nabbed off the California coast.

Yeah.

We all had to apply for political asylum.

So you got traveling papers?

Yeah. While I wait for a hearing.

When is the court date?

End of the month.

You're going to California?

No. Are you kidding me?

I'll wait for the next amnesty program in a few years.

No trip to any court.

You'll wait forever.

Small broccoli chicken.

Broccoli chicken.

Yesterday a black guy was here to sell a bike again.

- Which one? - Which black guy?

Number 100. Who knows?

There was a black guy here last week. He was trying to sell me a bike.

The bike he tried to sell me was the one stolen from me last time.

- It was your bike? - Yeah.

It's all your fault.

Why?

Why?

The blacks rip a bike off from one restaurant

and then sell it to another restaurant.

And because you buy them, you create the demand.

Of course it's your fault.

So we should spend $100 on a new bike every time we get ripped off?

Wonton soup. Large, not small.

Boneless chicken and roast pork fried rice.

Hurry up, I have other orders.

No, I don't know.

Those are extra.

It's hot, open the door.

Young, still sleeping? Take this delivery.

Ming is out and I have too many orders. Take some deliveries.

Fuck.

Don't you knock first?

One fried rice.

Delivery.

Ming, spread the menus.

I don't have time today.

You still have to do it.

What's wrong with Ming today?

Stop fighting with him!

I'm not fighting with him.

You were the same as him when you first got here.

Knew nothing. Only thinking about the money.

Just trying to be nice.

I can take your picture.

When you call me, your picture will appear.

- I don't know this brand. - Your brand is shitty.

I can't read it.

My brand is better. Look. Picture.

What's going on with you? Did you fall into a puddle?

Look at him.

Ming, delivery. Next door.

One hour to go. You'll be fine.

A boat straightens its course when it gets to a bridge.

It stopped raining.

Two spring rolls.

Fuck you.

That bitch at 845 West End.

Bald bastard, I'll slap you.

One case of chicken. Three cases of chicken wings.

Two cases of broccoli. Three pounds of bean sprouts.

Three pounds of noodles. One dozen scallions.

One dozen packs of tofu.

One hundred pounds of pork.

Give me a cigarette.

Where is Ming?

I don't know.

You've been yapping and smoking all day. Don't you have deliveries?

There's something wrong with my bike. I have to get a new one tomorrow.

Did he get himself into trouble?

He has a big bruise. I saw it.

Did he get into a fight?

I don't know.

How would I know?

You're so close to him. Why wouldn't you know?

Since when do you care about Ming?

Small broccoli chicken.

Is he in trouble?

It's none of your business.

- Why do you have that attitude with me? - Attitude?

For three years, I've had nothing but attitude from you.

Don't talk to me about attitude.

If Ming is in trouble...

Hurry up, small broccoli chicken.

Forget about it. There's no problem.

Don't worry.

Aren't you coming over to help?

Fried rice.

10 A, Next door.

Number 250.

Oh, this pack scared me.

Who took the hot sauce?

Not me.

What the hell, blaming me for everything.

What's wrong with you?

I told you.

Things always work out.

This is called, "A boat straightens its course when it gets to a bridge."

Do you agree with me?

That's life.

Philosophy.

Sometimes...

I wish I'd never come here.

It would be great to be home with my wife and my son.

I got here before my son was born.

He never saw his father.

It will all pay off.

I hope so.

Don't think too much.

Four years isn't that long.

Look at me, I'm almost free of debt.

I can bring my wife and kids here soon.

You'll be okay, too.

Time flies.

Flies fast.

Ming, your money.

Young, your money.

Young, only $15?

That little?

Ming, you made a lot of money.

A lot of money.

Ming, do you want to take this delivery?

Two small broccoli chicken and a fried rice.

- Noodle? - No.

- Wonton skin? - We have that.

- We don't have fries, right? - Yes.

We don't need flour? How about wine?

Yes.

Two bags of rice. Three tins of oil.

One dozen bottles of wine. One case of soy sauce.

One case of flour.

One case of MSG. Two cases of shrimp.

- Are you going out? - No, I don't want to.

I've been in Chinatown for more than 10 years.

Not Chinatown. You should go somewhere else.

Like New Jersey or the casinos in Connecticut.

I don't have money for gambling.

Gamble away.

I told him I'm taking a day off.

Is your daughter also taking tomorrow off?

Today and tomorrow.

Her job is a little more relaxed.

A little more relaxed.

Working in a Japanese restaurant is easier.

More money?

Yeah, she makes more money.

You should go work there then.

I don't want to work there.

- Why not? - I don't like waitressing.

Be here earlier tomorrow.

How early?

You have to make chicken halves and chicken wings.

Be here earlier tomorrow.

Hey, Ming, shut the gate.

Did you check the stoves and the lights?

Yeah, everything is turned off.

Okay. Let's go.

- Good-bye. - There goes another day.

Tomorrow I'm off. See you all the day after tomorrow.

- Ming, are you coming? - I have a stomachache. You go first.

All right, hurry home and sleep.

Don't think too much. See you tomorrow.

Hey.

How much do you need?

- What? - How much do you need?

How did you know?

It wasn't hard to figure out.

I'll pay you back.

Don't worry. Take your time.

I've been there. I know what it's like.

All right, see you tomorrow. I'm headed to the subway.