Original subtitles

Brother!

What is it?

There's a tax.

What do you mean?

She still owes $10,000 US.

But we pay already.

I've got a guy down south that'll pay top dollar for Chinee girls.

We can't.

We'll get him the money.

We find your money.

You never listen.

I had to leave.

Did you finish your courses?

No, I had to pay for the funeral.

I miss him.

Did he say anything?

He said he was proud of you.

Wait here.

It always gets dark here at the same time.

Twelve hours of light and twelve hours of dark.

Every day I wake up and can't wait for the sun to set.

The heat, it eats away at you until there's nothing left.

This is the place, they have work here. Around back.

- You talk with Mrs. Liu? - Yes.

What she say?

Wait here.

I can't breathe in here.

- What's her name? - Zhenzhen.

- Does she speak English? - Yes, I do.

Did you bring any dresses?

I thought there's work in kitchen.

Where's her passport?

I will keep this safe.

Her room and board will have to come out of her wages.

Yes. Thank you.

What's going on here?

Just stay out of her way.

I have to go back to work.

Now, at night?

We are here to work.

I'm not far from here.

I will come check on you.

- Who is it? - Cook.

Come with me.

Clean this out.

What are you doing?

They double charge you.

So you're very clever girl.

Now finish packing these boxes.

Who are you?

Zhenzhen.

Fresh off the boat.

I come last night.

First night's always your hardest.

What do you do?

I work out front.

How long you work here?

Too long.

Gotta go.

Yes?

Mr. Logan, I'm hoping to talk to you.

Can I get advance?

- That's not me. Talk to accounting. - I try already. They say no.

Please.

I'll see what I can do.

You didn't see anything.

- I need help. A next table now reach. - So? Everybody busy.

- Why is nobody in front? - I can't do every table.

Daiyu always complaining.

Change your shirt. There are clean ones hanging in the closet.

Go help Daiyu.

Hi Daddy.

- How are you? - I'm OK.

I hope you don't resent me.

For what?

For wanting you to come home.

Things just haven't been the same since your mom died.

I saw James.

When he was born I was so proud to be a father. To have a son.

Maybe my expectations were too high.

Seeing him now, he's made his own bed.

Look, I thought you might need something to tide you over.

I don't need any of that.

I'm going to be out of town until next Friday. Call Lieutenant Miller.

- I really don't think that's necessary. - Evelyn.

This place is not the same one that you left.

So please, respect my wishes.

Table for two please.

Um, can we get two beers to start?

- Oh, I'm not, I'm not your waitress. - Oh.

Have I seen you before somewhere?

I just start today.

The harder you work the worse they treat ya.

I'm fed up being their servant.

- Why you stay? - It's not that simple.

- Where's Mrs. Liu's husband? - Who knows?

- And her son? - What about him?

- I saw him this afternoon. - You saw him what?

Nothing.

It's better if you keep to yourself about what you see around here.

Oh, here we go. Thank you.

Thank you. Cheers.

What's caught your eye?

That girl. It's, um, something about her.

- Something funny? - Shin.

- Maybe you should take a break. - I'm good for it.

We both know that your mother is who is good for it.

How much money you think she has?

Time for work.

You have to be the first in the kitchen, and the last to leave.

Understand?

Understand?

Now go get dressed.

I heard you been gambling the money you owe me.

I have some.

Some? Does your sister have the rest?

Please, leave her out of this.

Don't mess with me, Wei.

How are you?

Are we staying here much longer?

I asked my boss for the money.

Did he give you anything?

Not yet.

Maybe there is another way.

I will figure it out.

I think we both need to.

Well I haven't seen you in a while. Why you don't come around no more?

I've been away. What, ya forget?

- Daddy doesn't want you to. - Please.

I forgot, I forgot. The truth is out of bounds.

I just came to check on you. You need anything?

We get you some food? Quiet that noisy belly of yours?

Don't concern yourself.

I don't mean it like that, James.

I know that, Evelyn.

Mr. Logan? We talk about advance.

Yeah, well, the thing is, with the price of oil being down times are tough and

people upstairs, they're nervous about giving out advances right now.

Please. My sister, she just come, and she need money.

That's all I can do right now.

How's my little china doll?

I visited your brother.

He doesn't have my money.

What about you? Do you have my money?

Come in.

What is it?

I need money.

- I know how make money. I work hard. - How do you propose to pay me back?

Once, I was pretty like you.

It's easier to get what you want if you make yourself pretty.

There's a dress behind the screen.

Put it on.

Put this on.

Now, look at yourself.

Here you'll make all the money you need quickly.

What other choice do you have?

My brother can never know about this.

This is Zhenzhen. Let's show her how things are done here.

What is this?

I need your phone.

Go ahead.

Wei, I have some money.

Don't worry how I got it.

Come in the morning.

How much is this?

Enough to buy us time.

Where did it come from? I told you not to come to Trinidad.

I worked for it.

Go get these.

Seems like a lifetime ago, huh?

Yeah well, I wanted to talk to you.

OK. What about?

You have to stand on your own two feet, little sister.

What are you talking about?

- I hate seeing you like this. - You never wanna know where daddy get his money from?

Why are you asking me that?

Money is money all the same.

Some money come from spirit. It come good.

And other money, well, it's dirty money. Do you understand what I'm telling you?

- James, you need help. - No, no. It's you.

You have to see what's around you.

- Just hold on, OK? - Sis.

You always try to help 'em, but you can't. And you're foolish to even try.

Coming through? You want something?

Do you have coolie paw paw?

You mean "Old Maid".

Bush medicine. The skin is bitter, but the seeds are sweet.

Try it.

Like it?

You look a mess. Go clean yourself up.

Not so lucky tonight?

- At least your sister is. - What do you mean by that?

I mean the men that get ahold of that pussy are lucky.

She ass don't quit.

Enough of this. Get out! You're bad for business!

Ay, ay. Look who.

Looking for more paw paw?

No, not this time.

You working around here?

In a restaurant down the street. Is that your fruit stand?

Nah, it's my cousin's. Just passing through until I can leave again.

- Leave where? - Out of this place.

I have a boat. It's getting fixed.

Things look kind of rough for you here.

You take passengers?

Hello?

Don't be ashamed.

What do you mean by that?

I'm saying it's not your fault.

Why would it have been my fault?

He called.

What did you tell him?

I told him the truth. I told him you can take care of yourself.

Fēng / Abundance (Fullness)

I'm sorry about your brother, but this is not a hotel. Work goes on.

Get yourself pretty and go upstairs.

In here is like out there.

Be invisible, stay invisible.

The bamboo raft drifts down the river,

the green mountain strides along the banks,

the eagle soars in the sky, braving the storm,

the task rests heavy on our shoulders.

- What's your hurry? - No hurry.

What's in the bag?

Don't mind if I help myself.

Hello.

I'm so sorry.

What is it?

I don't have anywhere to go.

My brother's dead.

- Did anyone see you come here? - I don't know. I don't think so.

You're gonna stay here for now, just until we know it's safe. OK?

- Are you sure? - Yes. I'll figure it out.

- What's wrong? - My father's on that list.

My papers and my money, all of it!

- You mean? - Clients, payoffs, names of girls

dates they worked here, everything gone!

- I need my tax money. - You'll get your fair share.

This has never happened before.

How many girls can you bring me in next month?

Why?

The time has come to get rid of my current stock. Revolt is not far away.

You are not welcome in my kitchen.

Your kitchen?

My kitchen.

You're gonna tell me what I need to know, and I'm gonna leave.

The little china doll is gone.

Lieutenant Miller?

Listen, I have a favor to ask.

Look, your father is a good man. And this don't mean nothing.

There's only two reasons why anyone does anything.

Gain something they want, avoid losing something they think is valuable.

Money pass. You understand? We don't make joke with money.

I think we can keep this between us, assuming you do the right thing.

That's his stuff there.

I'm curious why his sister didn't come herself.

I suggested I would be better received.

You know, Wei mentioned her when he came and asked me for some money.

I suppose it's not easy to come all this way and fight for scraps.

You bring them here. Pay them next to nothing for dangerous work.

I'll leave you to it.