Original subtitles

In China, during the Sung Dynasty,

a single golden statue was cast for the use of the Emperor.

It indicated seven forbidden acupuncture points.

Used in correct sequence,

they brought about extraordinary sexual vigor and youth.

Used incorrectly, they brought instant and painful death.

Stolen, hidden, lost, and rediscovered through the centuries

the statue has come to be known as the Golden Needles of Ecstasy.

It is as beautiful as they say.

It is not a matter of beauty, it is a matter of power.

And a matter of price.

We have come to believe that it's priceless.

Yeah, well, whatever.

All right, here's the $75,000.

That's the balance of our payments as arranged.

We must rearrange it.

Listen, where I come from in Ohio,

when somebody pays you $25,000 down and $75,000 on delivery,

honey, that's priceless.

Uh, 250,000.

200... 200 and...

You're insane.

Would you tell him he's insane?

You don't have to tell him he's insane,

he already knows.

There are other powerful men in Hong Kong, Lin Toa,

did you know that?

And I know one or two.

I didn't get the damn statue.

He wants $250,000 for it.

I see, now I am convinced that it is authentic.

Kwan, I don't have $250,000.

It wouldn't matter.

He would not sell it to you.

Hey, you're starting to sound just like Lin Toa.

He was saying how it was priceless.

It is.

Kwan...

See, I'm in too deep. I owe too much

and my employer isn't going to believe one word of this.

And my employer makes Lin Toa look like Alice in Wonderland.

Kwan, look, I've got to get that statue

and I've got to get it fast.

There's only one man that I know in Hong Kong

who could get in and out of Lin Toa's office alive.

Who is he, Kwan?

He's my partner.

I'm ending all losing streaks around here.

Pung!

Destroy the percentages of this here con game.

There you go.

Pung!

Bo Fong Tan, put it back.

I'm gonna lose if I see his face, I know it, I'm gonna lose.

Fong Tan, put it back!

Come on.

- Is he gone? - Mmm-hmm.

Okay.

For God and country.

Oh, phooey!

You won it, darling.

You feel like messing around a little bit later in the afternoon?

It's all good. I'll get you later.

Lousy pickpocket in there just killed my luck.

Okay.

You know, I was gonna bust you tonight, Fenzie.

I was waiting.

I could hardly wait.

Hey, how much I owe you?

I forget.

Can I buy you a drink?

- All right, I'll have a drink. - What'll you have?

Champagne.

Well, I just... I just lost my champagne money.

I'll have a beer.

Beer, you got it.

Do you want your fortune told?

Oh, Kwan, no.

Fortune tellers make me nervous.

It would be a good idea.

It is better if I'm alone with him.

You can join us later.

Oh, all right, Kwan, anything you say.

But get him.

Yes, I'll try.

Kwan, I can't believe what you're asking me to do.

You know I retired from all that crap.

I have no closer friend in the world.

Look, I'll do it for you and you know that.

But I've got a feeling you're not telling me the whole story.

I know you old man.

You know what they'll do to me if they catch me in there?

I knew I was wrong to ask you this.

It is just that I felt an obligation.

She has been cheated.

I think there's a lady looking for ya.

Ah, how did you know?

Just a wild guess.

Miss Chatworth,

Dan Mason.

Don't get up, I'll come down.

I told her you might not do this, it's too dangerous.

There's nothing any good in this world that ain't too dangerous.

That's not what my mama used to say.

And what'd your momma used to tell you?

Well, she used to say, wear your galoshes,

stay outta trouble.

Well, I've been staying out of trouble lately. And it's real nice.

What do you want?

Hmm. She used to hold my hand. Said, "Don't worry darling, mommy's here."

There's twenty five thousand dollars coming to Kwan.

I can add five more. That makes thirty.

She used to hug me a lot, too,

say, "Everything's all right. I love you."

Look, I'm begging.

Do you like ladies begging?

What do you want?

You got it.

Yeah...

...and thirty thousand American dollars, too.

That must be one bell ringer of a statue.

When was the last time that you hugged somebody and said I love you?

A long time ago.

Do it.

Here? Now?

Right in the middle of it all.

That's not a hug. That's a nothing.

Now,

say, "I love you".

Or I don't go.

I love you!

I love you.

It's not bad.

Just when I was beginning to clean up my act.

Chung Ha, I pay you for protection and I expect protection.

That's the baby.

These are needles.

Yeah, I guess so.

How are you going to ship it to LA, Kwan?

Your employer will receive it in Los Angeles as promised.

If you will wait here for just a few moments.

I need Dan.

Then he can take you home.

Am I gonna take you home?

Mister, definitely.

Okay.

Hey.

Not only that,

thank you.

Your work is done, now mine begins.

The jar will be shaped and fired around the statue

and filled with oil, just like the others.

I'll work all night and it'll be shipped to Jeff in Los Angeles before morning.

Is that all you wanna tell me, partner?

No.

It's not all I want to say.

Please forgive me.

That's okay.

It's okay.

Scotch?

Sure.

What'd you call this?

that's a conversation circle.

So, talk to me.

Hello.

Hello.

Hey, cover yourself up.

Wow. I thought you ordered a shrimp cocktail.

Would you look at that.

All right.

I don't believe that.

You have an American friend named Dan Mason?

Where is he?

Uh, who?

an American, did you say?

Well, what does he look like?

Turn around.

Come on, all the way around.

That's nice.

You're beautiful.

You're really beautiful.

No!

Please, speak softly.

I don't know where he is, you cluck head.

He doesn't even know where he is.

I don't know.

I don't know!

Felicity?

Felicity?

Felicity?

Where are you?

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Where's my money?

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Shit.

Kwan!

Help!

No!

- Kwan? - Lotus.

- What? - Lotus.

- Lotus? - Take care of her.

What you mean? What are you talking about?

Lotus.

- Take care of her. - I will. Don't worry about it.

Kwan, you're gonna be able to take care of her yourself.

You're gonna be all right. I'm gonna get you to a hospital.

Kwan? Kwan.

Kwan.

The last words he spoke were about you.

He asked me to take care of you.

That's what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna take care of you, Lotus.

No, I mean it.

I'm gonna continue Kwan's business and I'm gonna make a lot of money

and you can bet on it.

What say, friend?

You want some champagne?

Why you always getting in fights?

Everybody from Jersey City gets into fights.

Hey, I'm gonna hop a plane over to LA and see our buddy, Jeff.

You got any regards?

Tell him he owes me eighty bucks at 18 percent interest for two years.

You're never gonna get it.

They hurt you, didn't they?

Yeah, they hurt me.

Why'd they do it to you?

I don't know. I just don't know.

They thought I knew what you was up to.

I tried to tell them you don't even know what you're up to.

What are you up to, Danny?

I don't know.

I guess I'm just a Hong Kong whore.

Well, I'll see you, Fenzie.

Danny, don't ever come back here, huh?

Make some sense out of your life the way Jeff did.

Be smart, one time.

I'll be back.

I'm so happy to know you, Mr. Mason.

Oh, hi. You wanna tell me who you are?

No.

But I'll tell you what I know.

Are you familiar with acupuncture?

Sure, yeah, well, a little. But aren't you gonna tell me who you are?

No, but I'll tell you where I'm going.

- Los Angeles, with you. - Oh,

I have a ticket on the 11:00 plane and I'm sitting next to you.

- We're going in my car, huh? - Do you mind?

Oh, no, lady. No, hop in.

Centuries ago our warriors found that if they were pierced by arrows

in certain areas of their bodies, they felt much better than ever before.

Medical men kept records of these puncture points.

The statue is the key to the proper use of the needles.

Its obvious great value

has brought with it a violent and bloody history.

So you see,

the statue belongs to my government.

Ah, so, you're a cop? Uh-huh.

That statue belongs to anybody who possesses it,

if I understand your history correctly.

My government is very adamant about this matter.

We shall match any amount of money that is offered to you.

Any amount? That's a deal.

I shall see you at your hotel this afternoon.

Oh man, I wouldn't have believed it, Dan. You let that one get away.

What was it? Too small?

Oh, I didn't let it get away. I'm just saving her for lunch.

No, no, no, no. You're just getting old and soft. Look at that belly.

What the hell are you talking about? What belly?

That belly.

It's been bad, huh?

Yeah.

I loved that old man.

So did I.

Ever since those first days when the war was over

we got to Hong Kong, he was the one.

He taught me more about antiques and the antique business

than anybody in this country knows.

Antiques are the best con game in this world. You're a natural.

Which reminds me, I've got some news about the antique business.

Yeah, what?

There was a little bit of robbery on those crates you sent.

What?

Oh, they didn't get away with it, they just tried to.

But they really made a mess of it.

Oh, yeah? What about those jars of oil?

They busted one of them and I sent the other two out.

What was in the one they busted?

Oil, what else?

You sent those other two out?

Of course, why not?

Why not? Ever since we've been kids you been asking, "Why not?"

You just never change, do you?

Oh, yeah.

Will somebody please close the door? I feel a draft?

Who's that?

I think it's a phantom.

Aw now, what are you doing in my bathroom, huh?

Hey, where's my money?

Hi.

I'm in your bathtub because I was waiting for you and I got bored.

I've always been able to handle boredom much easier in the bathtub.

Dan, I'm sorry I disappeared, I had to.

There was no way of explaining it.

I've got your money or I wouldn't be here, would I?

- Where is it? - It's at Winters.

That's one of the places we sent the jars.

Right, and he got the jars and he wants to pay himself.

How did she disappear from you, Dan?

Ah, he was sleeping like a baby.

I told you, you were getting old.

Oh, no, he's not getting old.

He's gettin' new. He's getting brand new.

You better believe it.

Come on, Dan. I couldn't help it. I had to.

I believe her.

Would you please get me a towel?

You're not gonna do anything that may distract me.

I'm just gonna sit here and watching you,

looking at you, until I get my money.

This way through the garden, it's quicker.

To your right, down the hallway to the library.

You know, I think this man has some money.

I agree.

Wow!

There is jar number two.

Yeah.

But, where are all the people?

Oh, shit!

Dan, what is it about you, man, that girls keep disappearing?

I'm gonna put that girl in chains next time.

You won't have to chain her.

No, you will see her again.

I just wanted to surprise you.

It was perfectly amazing.

You know, I sat there, absolute stillness.

You never even saw me.

You didn't. You looked at me twice, and you never saw me.

Oh, I'm delighted it worked. I never did it before.

No, gentlemen, it isn't madness.

It's just that suddenly.

I feel very, very old.

And when you get old, you know,

you struggle about for any kind of amusement,

and the longer you live,

the harder it is for you to stay amused.

That's one of the great, I think, pities of life, eh?

Now, I've collected everything in the world.

Look, look.

Hey, but, but collecting things isn't enough,

and playing games isn't enough,

being funny isn't enough.

And even power is a pain in the ass.

Now, I try to be nice and generous.

And you wait anxiously for the promised land

and the promised packages.

And lo and behold, they arrive.

And your heart begins to pound like it did when you were very young.

And you very carefully unwrap the great Christmas present

under the great Christmas tree and then...

Well, it isn't there.

It isn't there.

I thought it would work because I trusted her.

And do you know why I trusted her, huh?

Because she has no soul.

Oh, I gave the lady $300,000.

You know what she brought me?

She brought me aromatic oil.

I am aware that there is an energy crisis, but

it's a little absurd, don't you agree?

Mistaken jars, mistaken people.

Mistakes.

Well, I tell you, that all mistakes

are gonna end within 24 hours.

Now, you'll get me the statue and the needles

and bring them to this specific spot.

And if you don't...

You will be subtracted from this good earth.

You there, if you think that I exaggerate,

I don't.

Begins now, immediately.

You only have 24 hours and when I count to 10,

I want you to be out of this house and on your way.

Hey!

One,

two, three, four

five, six...

You looked at me twice and you didn't know I was there.

Well...

Seven, eight, nine, ten.

Are they gone?

Yes.

No, no, no, none of that.

For the kind of money I'm paying you, you can talk English.

It is difficult to comprehend.

Why you allowed that woman to go

even though you know, she lied and betrayed you.

Maybe you're right.

Well...

I think Dan Mason really cares for her.

So if we pick her up

and Mason believes she's in danger, we might stimulate some activity.

Have her followed.

My men are following her.

Good. Good. Good.

And you gave her $300,000.

Yeah.

And I only asked for 250.

The statue would have been yours so easily.

If only you had come to Hong Kong yourself.

No, no, no, I never travel. Never. I hate it.

I don't like dealing directly like this.

And all this for something, that might bring a smile from a lady.

Oh, it's nothing as frivolous as that.

It's time.

My dear fellow, I simply do not care to die.

300,000 bucks. What do you do with all your money?

Well, I owed it and I had to pay it back.

She owed it. She had to pay it back.

I lost it.

She lost it.

- I'm saving it for a rainy day. - Oh.

The last five years have been a rainy day

and this is a ticket out for me. I retire.

Kwan gets killed.

Fenzie gets beat up.

But you, you get a ticket out. That's beautiful.

The important thing is not who's got what, but how do we get the statue?

Which means, find out where Bobby sent out the third jar.

Yeah, right.

Lady.

Would you mind going somewhere and disappearing?

I want to talk to Jeff alone.

Go on.

Scram! Beat it!

I want to talk to Jeff alone.

Come on Dan, cool it.

I'll wait for you.

Don't hold your breath.

Hey, listen, you better get yourself together.

Because if you lose that temper of yours the way I know you can,

we're both goners.

I happen to know a couple of customers.

So, if this antique thing is what it's supposed to be,

we both can make a lot of money.

A lot.

Yeah, why not.

- Hey, why not now? - Let's do it.

Let's go.

Hey!

Hey!

Taxi!

Taxi.

Damn.

Felicity.

Felicity!

Felicity!

I'm Su Lin.

Where'd you come from?

How'd you know who I am?

- You're a friend of Dan Mason. - Yeah.

So am I. I was going to see him.

He's not here.

I know. I saw him go by.

But I think I can find him.

Yeah. Uh, how do you happen to know Mr. Mason?

In Hong Kong, I'm his employer.

Ah, that's funny.

- So am. - Oh.

Hey, it's great. You've been doing all right.

Yeah. Not bad, huh?

Come on in. Meet my partner, Bobby.

Hey, Bobby.

Bobby?

Hey, Bobby?

Is he dead?

Yeah.

That's Lin Toa.

Who's Lin Toa?

He killed Kwan.

I have to call the police.

Have somebody to take care of Bobby.

Do you have the address where the last jar of oil was sent?

Yeah, I'll get it.

There's somebody out front.

I'll get it.

We just met Lin Toa outside your hotel.

He was about to kidnap your friend here.

Dan, I had no idea he was in the States.

I don't even know why?

That's God's honest truth.

Look, Winters must have bought Lin Toa.

I know where they sent the jar, some kind of health club.

It has to be in this place.

What now?

Hold on.

Oils from the Orient.

The formula's a 1000 years old.

Soothing, isn't it?

Soothing and revitalizing.

What do you men want?

A jug of oil was delivered here in the last day or so.

That's her.

It's empty.

Well, of course, we're nearly out.

It's under the stairs in the hallway.

Are you two supposed to bring it in?

Hey, Jeff, that's it.

Let's get the hell out of here.

You get that bunch, Jeff.

Get out. Get out of here!

If there is one thing in the world worse, than a middle man,

it's a middle woman.

Felicity, my dearest.

You could have given $250,000 to Lin Toa and kept $50,000 for yourself.

But no, because you're too greedy.

And you forced me to break an ironclad rule, never to deal directly.

It's very dangerous.

Do you realize that without middle men,

the entire business structure of this world would crumple.

Come on.

Om.

And now...

My friend, Claude, he's been with me for 30 years.

He saved my life many times.

And he has volunteered to verify this great statue.

And I want to thank him publicly from the bottom of my heart.

The greatest acupuncturist in the United States.

Mistake.

It should have been the greatest acupuncturist in China.

What now?

What?

Well?

The statue is not authentic.

Oh. Oh, God.

God, that's strange.

How deadly strange.

That's twice I've played the fool with this audience.

You know, there is a saying...

"...That God forgives and men forget."

I'm feeling very God-like today.

I forgive you,

I wanted it to be a happy ending. I'm just hopelessly American.

So let me invite all of you to return to Hong Kong if necessary,

you're free to go and find the statue.

And if you do,

all will be forgiven.

Please go.

That bastard knows where it is.

Keep track of him.

I told you Winters took the money back, every cent.

Aw, you're full of it.

Do you think I'd still be here if I had $300,000?

Look, I don't want to hear it. I've heard it all from you.

One lie, on top of another lie, on top of another lie.

I'm just trying to tell you a way to stay alive.

- It's all I'm trying to do. - Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Sorry. I'm sorry.

I just want to get my hands on that statue.

I want to keep my eyes on you at all times. That's all I want.

I'm hungry for all this.

I'm hungry for all this Hong Kong crap food.

I can't live without...

You want some of this?

No!

I thought I told you to get smart.

Huh? This one time, but you're just too damn dumb.

Now, I'm telling you, just stay the hell out of here.

I'm back in one piece and so is my place.

Oh, to hell with it. I'll never amount to anything, anyway.

Would you know a girl named Lotus?

Hundreds of them.

Well, this one was always with Kwan.

I mean, I know I saw her at the funeral, but...

I don't know where she lives.

- Is she tall for a Chinese and beautiful? - Yeah.

Try Kwan's boat boy at Aberdeen Harbor.

May I offer you tea?

No. No thank you.

Lotus, like I said at the cemetery,

Kwan asked me to take care of you and that's what I want to do, but...

Right now, I need some help.

Maybe...

Did Kwan give you anything to hide?

In here.

I should have destroyed it.

I thought to sink it to the bottom of the harbor.

And then no more people would be harmed.

But, it's not the object itself which is evil,

only the men who try to own it.

Kwan was not evil.

Kwan was a fine man

but he thought the statue could bring him the youth he sought.

He could not understand that all I wanted was his love.

He had a copy made of this statue from old photographs.

Let's get out of here. There's gonna be some trouble.

No.

You go.

Dan, that crazy son-of-a-bitch is gonna kill you.

Call in.

Su Lin!

Why are they chasing him?

They said he killed a child.

That's a lie.

Are you all right?

I've been cut.

Headquarters. Headquarters.

Headquarters.

Get off! Get!

No child has been Killed. No child has been Killed.

No child has been Killed.

No child has been Killed.

Hey!

Shit!

- We'll follow behind you. - I'm okay.

Hey! Wait a minute!

Hey, Felicity. Wait a minute!

Hey. Su Lin!

All right.

Hey, you owe me 30,000 American.

You'll get it.

All right.

Felicity.

- Felicity, you all right? - Yeah. Let him in.

You sure you're okay?

Never mind.

- $30,000. - Yeah.

How could you be so dumb?

I mean, I almost got killed.

I mean, it's worth a million.

How are we gonna live on that?

Come here.