Original subtitles

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

...how about sleeping arrangements?

You think the boss is strict?

It won't matter, you won't understand a word anyway.

Relax, you're here now.

Hold this, I'm going to the toilet.

Filipino?

I'm going home.

Dado.

You were farting all night.

Jerk, that was Merv.

Ease up on those hot pot dinners man.

You hear about Carros?

What about him?

Gone.

What?

Vanished.

Vanished?

Ducking deportation.

Why, what did he do?

Missed curfew again; strike three, done.

Later.

You seeing Anna?

I've got a date too - with Celia.

Celia?

From the club, last Sunday.

The one in white boots.

You got her number?

Yup.

She actually gave it to you?

Of course.

Hello Celia.

Hi, it's Manuel.

Who?

Manuel, we met at the club last Sunday.

Which club?

The Copa.

Come on...

The name's Manuel; ring a bell?

I don't remember yourface.

Of course not.

You were mobbed by fans.

Will you be at the Copa tomorrow?

Don't know, can't say...

What are you doing after church?

Don't know, may go to Wan Wan.

Great!

See you there.

Why?

No reason. I just want to talk to you...

...be yourfriend.

Fine, whatever.

Yes!

The kids wouldn't stop crying.

The couple was at it again, yelling at each other.

My ears hurt when they curse in Chinese.

I hear you.

The boss stormed out,

then Ma'am left with the kids.

And that's why...

I'm off tomorrow. What do you want to do?

What about her?

They'll be back by then.

You sure?

They'd better. I haven't had a day off, in two months.

Where do you want to go?

Let's go to Danshui.

Danshui?

You don't want to see yourfriends?

No.

Tomorrow, just the two of us.

Okay.

Take care.

Hey Sweetie.

Papa?

How are you baby, I miss you.

Do you miss Papa?

I miss you Papa.

It's my birthday next week.

Can I get a Barbie?

Of course, I'll get one tomorrow.

Let me speak to Mama.

Brother, it's Jessica.

Tina was taken to the hospital.

In the meantime, I'm here with Sabrina.

What happened?

I can do it, yeah, I can, I can...

Shit.

Boss...

Moron...

Moron...

You again?

Sorry boss.

Haven't I warned you about being late?

How're we supposed to run this huge factory

if everyone acts like you?

Please.

You're late.

Sorry.

Please...

Carros.

You know Carros, Carros Romeo?

Carros, my friend.

Betel nut...

Gin!

Again?

Man, how come you always win?

Come on, come on, pay up.

Where's Dado?

Check the roof.

Who's winning?

Who looks happy?

He cheats.

I knew it!

You were late?

Three minutes over.

He wasn't going to let me in.

Careful now,

you're cutting it fine!

Did he write you up?

A bag of betel nut took care of that.

Tina was in an accident.

What happened?

Atricycle knocked her down.

She okay?

I think so.

They say it isn't serious.

That's a relief.

You know what's missing here.

A couch.

Simple, classy but comfortable.

Right here.

We get home from work...

We can lie back, gaze at the stars, sip cold beer...

Delicious!

Perfect!

Manuel...

Wake up! We'll be late.

Bus! Hey bus!

Manuel, stop the bus.

She said yes?

No, but it was the kind of 'no' that doesn't really mean no.

You know?

I don't.

I played it real cool, got her curious.

And, made sure, I hung up first.

I said, I gotta go.

Celia, see you when I see you.

It's all confidence.

With women, you have to take the lead.

Where're you taking her?

My Dad always said,

"To part a woman's legs, first fill her stomach!"

I'm buying her a steak dinner.

You're loaded.

I've saved up.

For special occasions: A steak dinnerfortwo.

Just you two?

Why do I have to take you?

Steak dinners are expensive.

I've nevertasted the steak here.

You want a taste?

Come along.

Taste it if you like.

One condition: Fill her ears with good things about me.

Say I'm hard working,

loving,

responsible,

dedicated...

Dado?

Dado?

You want me to lie?

Text from Carros, he's hiding out.

Where?

Nearthe church.

Maybe we'll run into him.

Tina, I'm sorry.

Why?

For leaving. I shouldn't have left you.

Dado, we're okay, stop worrying so much.

Nothing's changed here...

You okay now?

Tina, is yourwaist still twenty-nine?

Fool, why do you ask?

Carros?

Carros!

Hey, it's that guy.

There, he's looking for Celia again.

Where is he going?

Watch, he's coming back.

I hope he doesn't come near us.

Uh-oh, here he comes...

Have you seen Celia?

Do you know where she is?

Hey Celia, he's looking for you.

Celia, here you are.

I'm Manuel. We spoke on the phone last night.

We met at the Copa last Sunday.

I've been thinking about you since.

Do you know Celia likes Mango ice?

Really?

Mango ice?

The one on Ling Sheng North. Get three.

Three!

- Manuel, I just saw Carros get arrested! - Not now, not now!

Thanks, you can take it from here.

Where's Celia - the girl sitting here?

She left.

Where's Celia?

Beats me.

She's not here.

I thought we had a date.

Where is she?

Don't take it personally, Manuel.

Hey, what about our Mango Ice?

Here, I hope you get diarrhea.

Jerk!

Suzie's got new earrings.

A birthday gift from Jose.

I'd like a new pair.

Dado, think I should?

Dado...

Are you okay? You're not listening.

Is there a problem?

Sorry.

Why are you so weird today?

No Anna, I'm really sorry.

It's okay.

What's wrong?

Let's end this.

Huh, what do you mean?

Let's break up.

Are you kidding?

You're not kidding.

Why?

I can't do this to my family anymore.

But you can do this to me?

You can hurt me...

on my birthday?

That's right; it's your birthday.

I'm sorry, I forgot.

Fine, fine...

Grandma, wait here.

You know what.

You're a moron.

Moron!

Nobody decent does what you did today.

You couldn't wait?

You couldn't let this day pass?

Anna I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...

Stuff your sorry!

I wanted to be happy, on my birthday.

For once, just today.

I waited all day for you to wish me.

Happy Birthday.

We've been overthis many times,

I don't want this couch!

If we don't want the couch...

I've told you over and over.

Red doesn't work in our new place.

Anna called me a moron.

Celia made me look like one.

I want to go home.

Well, Carros is definitely going home.

Wait.

Anna called you a moron?

What exactly did you do?

I broke up with her, on her birthday.

You broke up - on her birthday?

You knew it was her birthday?

I'd forgotten.

Wait, wait a minute.

Let me discuss this with my wife.

Don't smoke!

Can't you see I'm pregnant?

Please don't smoke.

Calm down, my dear.

Again.

You broke up on Anna's birthday?

You didn't know it was her birthday?

It's an expensive couch; such a waste to get rid off...

You think this couch is expensive, and I'm cheap then?

Look.

A couch.

God is telling us something.

Dado. Come, sit.

Maybe it's damaged.

Damaged? It's in perfect condition!

They'll come back for it?

You saw them leave it. Why will they come back for it?

It's really nice, why throw it away?

Dado, let's take it back to the dorm.

Don't look at me like that.

Picture this: You're back from work.

You're tired, so tired; you can't blink, let alone think.

But it's alright, you have a beer in your hand.

Taiwan beer, but it'll do. Ice cold!

The entire rooftop to yourself...

But something is different- new.

A couch!

Sit, go on put up yourfeet.

Now, look up. Not bad, eh?

Night sky, sparkling!

You ask yourself,

"If that's Heaven I'm looking at, then where am I?

Or, if I'm already in Heaven, then what is that I see?"

You done?

Dado.

Let's take this baby home.

Do it yourself.

Don't tell me you don't want it, Bro?

You know you want it.

Manuel, how do you plan to take it back?

This is it.

Nice, three thousand.

That's too much.

Gas is expensive.

One thousand.

Tell you what, since we're friends,

two thousand cash, up front.

Do it.

That's two thousand.

Okay, here's the deal:

I'll give you a thousand now,

the rest next week, on pay day.

I need the money now, for gas.

I don't have two thousand.

Two thousand in cash, here and now!

Eitherthat, or I'm gone.

You're wasting my time, see ya.

Why didn't you pay the man?

I didn't have the two thousand.

Then, what do we do with this?

Let me think.

Flip it.

No, no, no.

Come on higher, push, push...

No, no, no.

That way, follow the bus route.

No, we should go this way.

Huh?

Look at Taipei 101.

See how big it is now?

We've got to make it this small.

What?

On the bus overthis morning,

it was this tiny- remember?

And as we got closer- it got bigger.

So, to get back to our dorm,

we've got to shrink it.

Got it?

Which way now?

That way.

Follow the bus route.

Right.

This way, it'll be quick.

What the hell, Manuel?

It's a shortcut.

This is illegal.

Trust me. Make it quick.

This is illegal.

Hurry, before the cops spot us.

There's a car coming.

Just do it.

Manuel, my slipper.

What?

What slipper?

That one!

This is stupid.

Good thing you didn't get run over.

I almost did.

I'm still exhausted.

Imagine: The height of summer, night...

Manuel, fantasize again?

A gentle breeze...

Son-of-a-bitch!

Fucking shit! Damn rich people!

That's enough, it wasn't his fault.

Only people with tiny dicks have big cars.

...so, we're on the rooftop...

Clear sky, twinkling stars.

I'm on my guitar; you're on the drums.

Like old times.

Holding Ice cold Taiwan beer...

Taiwan Beer, why not San Miguel?

San Miguel? It's easy to find Taiwan beer here.

If you're going to fantasize, at least go all the way.

This is my fantasy, you go make your own.

Let's go back to my Taiwan beer...

When we get back, I shower, change and eat.

Then I'Iljust stretch out on this baby and chill.

Getting ahead of yourself again, Manuel?

What just happened?

We got hit! You just kept going...

The light was green; it's not my fault!

Help him up...

Let's move him to the side.

We'll put him there...

...and leave.

Come help me.

Boss... you okay?

I think he's hurt bad.

You live in Taiwan: Speak Taiwanese!

I'll accept Mandarin...

Don't speak that ABC shit to me...

We're sorry, we didn't mean...

This is all yourfault.

Manuel, he's losing it...

I'll clock him!

Running around with that couch, jumping innocent people.

Stop that!

- I will hurt you... - How're you going to compensate me?

I think he's drunk.

- You looking for an ass-whupping? - Get way from me!

- Pay up, pay up right now! - Don't let him scare you, we've done nothing wrong.

Pay up dammit! I said pay me.

Let me at him.

- You, get up. - Pay up, pay up...

That's enough!

Out of my way, I'll kick his sorry ass.

Stop it. Manuel.

Here come the cops.

- Hey, what's all this? - We're going to get deported!

Sir, are you okay?

Listen Ms. Policewoman.

These migrant workers, hit me with that couch.

Look at my scooter, it's broken.

Make them pay.

We didn't...

Stop it!

I didn't. Him! Drink. Drink, drink, drive, drive...

How much did you drink?

Nothing...

It was my kid's birthday, barely a tiny sip.

Pay for my scooter, or I'll kill you!

EVERYBODY TO THE STATION NOW!

What a gorgeous police officer.

Why don't we have beautiful cops like her, back in the Philippines?

You want to buy her a steak dinnertoo?

This is a good couch, comfortable.

You know why?

Because a couch...

...is a couch.

Not like the old chair I have at home:

Hard and uncomfortable.

So I say- be what you've got to be.

Am I right?

I'm sure they think we stole it.

Who, the cops?

Don't get paranoid now.

They have our papers.

They'll see we've got clean records.

I don't want to go to prison.

Relax, nobody's going to prison.

Don't you start with me!

What are these two doing with such a nice couch?

Did they steal it?

Sure, they'll ship it to the Philippines.

Check, maybe someone's filed a missing couch complaint?

You're probably right.

I can't get deported.

Sabrina's starting school.

I'm an idiot.

I always get caught up in your ridiculous schemes.

Dado, stop!

Most important now,

how're getting our couch back?

That asshole cop has his eye on it.

He can have it.

No friggin' way, it's mine!

Manuel Dela Cruz?

Diosdado Tagalog.

That's me, it's Tagalog.

Thank you.

You can go.

You go.

Thank you.

Bye bye.

Excuse me boss...

You can't have my couch, halfwit.

Be quiet!

He's a bit slow.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Dado.

What?

What do you think Celia's singing at karaoke?

How would I know?

I'll bet it's "Touch Me Tonight."

I am hungry.

Manuel, I said, I am hungry!

Don't blame me; yourtiming sucks.

I could have been eating a slice of Anna's birthday cake.

And right about now, I should be eating steak.

I'm sure there's a 7-11 around here.

I love their sushi.

You're Filipino, right?

What are you doing out here?

And you're Ilongga? Speak Ilonggo?

They need help?

Don't know.

Ask.

...truck...

Truck?

...truck!

- What's happening? - Let's give them a ride home.

Sure.

Okay. Let's go.

Manuel, why are they leaving?

Such a nice couple...

Sure, but where are they going?

See, they have a truck...

Good, and...?

They said we could use it tomorrow forfree.

Sweet!

They offered us a ride back...

Great!

But we'd have to leave the couch and come back for it tomorrow.

So of course, I said no.

And so they left.

Are you nuts?

We could be back in the dorm!

This couch is a gift from God.

We've got to carry it back!

You should've let me go with them.

You can stay. I want to get back on time.

Now you'll get me in trouble.

Relax.

We'll make it; leave it to me.

I want to go home, I want to go home...

Dado, chill.

Calm down, you're hungry.

Your sugar level is down.

Please don't be mad.

I'll get yourfavorite burgerfrom 7-11.

Bro, do you have fifty dollars?

Just kidding, my treat.

Smart man, Dado.

My couch, my couch...

You were trying to get rid of the couch?

I was hungry, Manuel.

You know I can't go long without food.

Don't pull a stunt like this again.

Hey, at least we have a ride now.

Manuel, where are we?

Where are we?

Don't repeat my question.

Didn't you watch where we're going?

I fell asleep.

This is a recycling factory.

Come, help me.

Where is Taipei 101?

Where is Taipei one-zero-one?

Ah, 101, overthere.

It's there.

Where?

There.

That's a wall!

Thank you sir.

Let's go!

Don't act up now.

Not with that ugly, sourface.

You went against God's plan, and now look, you get us lost!

If we'd carried the couch and walked, we'd be nearthe dorm by now.

You're blaming me? I'm leaving!

Don't do this Bro.

I don't want to end up like Carros.

You don't even know where we are.

I know the way, trust me.

Besides, it's only three o'clock.

Already? We've wasted too much time!

Leave the sofa, come with me.

Let's go.

You go, if you want to.

You really want to miss curfew?

We're almost there.

Almost where?

I have a family.

I can't afford to play 'fast and loose'.

I play 'fast and loose'?

Leave then.

Manuel!

Go!

I'm impressed, Dado.

Shut up.

Stealing from kids. Didn't know you had it in you.

Well, you didn't stop me.

Let's tie this up.

Dado, something's up.

You're right.

Up there on the roof.

You watch out!

I'll get up there and flay you alive!

Bastard, come down this minute.

Every day with the drama...

You want to jump, jump then!

Fine, I'Iljump for you!

Don't come near me.

I willjump.

Sofa. Use sofa!

It's mine, this is mine.

Help me.

What is she doing?

I don't know.

Move! Get that couch away.

Coming through... get the couch!

Up there, shoot the kid.

Let me go.

The kid's safe.

Thank god.

Let me ask the nurse for directions.

Now, what?

Have you tried betel nut?

Can I get a fifty?

Are you nuts? No!

It's just fifty, come on.

I've spent so much on you today.

Getting you hamburger and dried mango...

I only have a hundred left.

Nice couch.

Give me my change.

Once this sofa is up on our roof,

I'm charging anyone who wants to sit on it.

One-hundred-dollars-a-pop.

And me?

Half price, you pay only fifty bucks.

What now?

Fine, twenty-five.

Okay- free.

What else?

This is 'our' couch.

I get half!

No way.

No way?

Dado, you're an ass.

Wait!

Hold on...

Wait, wait.

Come on, come on.

Where are you from?

Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines?

What do you want?

Where did you get this chair?

Is she speaking English?

This one, where did you get this chair?

You think this is live, Dado?

Are you a thief?

I don't understand a word.

I don't like her. Let's go.

Where are you going?

When I count to three - run.

One, two, three... Run, run...

Don't run. Come back.

...they in frame? Pan right.

Now: Three, two, one, go...

This pair of Indonesian migrant workers, and their couch, saved a boy's life.

We followed this pair...

from the scene of the attempted suicide, all the way to Keelung today.

But now...

These images, from the Qidu industrial area however, raise troubling questions.

Are we witnessing a robbery?

Are these two petty theives, or are they heroes?

And finally, what is it about this couch

that makes these migrant workers risk deportation over it?

I wonderwhat Miss Betelnut likes?

Dado.

What?

What should I get the Betelnut girl?

Would you hurry up?

Dog!

Run, run, run. Dog, dog...

...hurry, hurry...

...he's coming...

...leave the sofa, drop it...

Get that dog away from me.

Why me?

You know I'm scared of dogs.

Get rid of the dog.

This is your idea, remember?

You're the one with dogs back home.

Find a way; get rid of the damn dog.

Are you kidding?

You want to do this?

Okay, you do it!

Dried mango for a dog, you serious?

It's a dog - stupid.

I am not stupid, you are!

Thanks to you, we won't make it back to the dorm.

You think this is stupid? Then leave.

Yeah, I want to go home,

I miss my family.

Then what are you doing here?

You dragged me here.

I don't believe this! You came with me.

You know why you're here?

Because you've got nothing going on in the Philippines!

That's not true.

Yeah? Then get rid of the fucking dog!

So we get to the river before sunset.

Or better yet, cut and run.

Cut and run from Taiwan, like you did with Anna!

Don't say that.

I have a plan.

Then prove it.

Show me some balls.

No balls, no balls, no balls...

Enough!

Loser.

Loser, loser, loser...

Alright, alright, I'll deal with it!

You happy now?

See, it's shallow.

It's shallow, I told you.

You're right.

Can a Sunday get any betterthan this?

No, this is it.

The couch, it'll get wet.

Dado, it's getting wet.

What, what happened?

Raise it, it's getting wet.

This isn't shallow, it's deep.

I didn't expect the bottom to drop out.

Lift, lift it up, lift...

Is it soaked?

You' re a liar, Manuel.

How could I have known?

Up, up, more, more...

You take too many short cuts.

It's getting wet!

You and your precious couch!

Higherthere.

A bit more...

...bit more...

I could've been swept away, drowned!

I choked on water.

Sorry.

Let's go.

What about the couch,

the rooftop,

the ice-cold beer,

the star-lit nights?

I lied.

We're not going to make it.

I know.

Let's go home.

Relax, take a break.

Anna, it's me Dado.

Happy, happy Birthday.

Thank you.

I'm sorry I hurt you.

Anna, you there?

Since I met you, life in Taiwan has been easier.

Just got off the phone with Gus.

My dear husband was drunk as usual.

He doesn't even know where our son is.

Anna...

We're okay Dado.

Life is short; I'll take all the joy I can get.

Thank you Anna.

Thank you very much.

You still rememberthat tune?

Of course.

How can I forget, it was our band's first song.

Remember, when I put the band together?

You played so hard-to-get.

You were such a nag.

Come on, you wanted in.

Not with you all love-struck and dazed.

I was in love, when?

When aren't you in love?

Okay, what was the band called?

Christina!

I rest my case.

She was fine; who wouldn't fall for her.

So you admit it?

Wonderwhere she is?

You asked the very same question when she stood you up at our big gig.

Thanks for reminding me.

You're a real friend.

You are a lucky man my friend.

Blessed.

You have Anna.

Afamily back home...

Me, I got nothing.

No Christina.

No Celia.

No family.

Nobody. Just me.

The bottle...

This sea breeze is the best.

What do you want to do for dinner?

How about a squid adobo?

Let's swing by the market; I'll cook.

I could go with chicken adobo too.

Or maybe pork adobo?

Sure.

No, we've been eating too much pork.

We're too young for a heart attack.

So, what do you want?

Something healthy, like adobong water spinach.

Adobong water spinach sounds good.

Vegetarian!

A dog, a dog. Keep him away.

You up for dog adobo?

...we'll lease a warehouse,

put up a furniture factory, sell around the world.

Furniture, great idea.

Export, make lots of money...

Exactly.

We can get all the Filipinos to buy.

Genius!

You export so you can sell to everyone, not just Filipinos!

We'll make mad, mad, mad...

Dollars!