Workers (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Cross a river in the same boat - full transcript
You should notify your insurance company.
What insurance company? I don't have one.
Your truck isn't insured?
Well, I... I got the compulsory insurance.
In that case, I'll pray hard if I were you.
Why? Can't you guys help me?
We're just the police, we're not God.
But if we do find your truck
we'll make sure you get it back.
-So go look for it! -No, look at the time now.
But I live out of my truck.
Where am I going to sleep tonight?
I have a load of recyclables in my truck.
It's worth quite a bit.
The thief has to pay me back, right?
Yeah, that's provided we catch him.
Thieves Market
Slow down, stop scurrying around.
-What are you looking for? -My tools.
They cost money.
So much for living it up and going to the sauna.
You've lost everything now.
Your truck, your home... everything!
Hey, you had a good time there.
You said your back felt better.
Found it.
Don't all tools kits look the same?
How do you know this is yours?
I have my ways.
My goddess watches over my tools.
You're right.
-How much is this? -NT$2,000.
NT$2,000? I bought it for NT$8,000!
Who sold this to you?
Go away if you're not buying anything.
Don't waste my time.
Bloody hell!
I hope that bloody thief gets run over
by a truck and rot in hell!
Aren't you going to buy it?
Buy back what was stolen from me?
Are you crazy?
I'm not rewarding that bloody thief.
But everything here is stolen goods.
Fine, I'm not buying anything here!
Can you afford a brand new set?
That thief is real smart.
Not only did he steal your tools
he got a truckload of recyclables too.
If the police do find him, he might just say
he found the truck in a scrap yard.
What the hell?
Are you saying my truck is such a clunker
it belongs in a scrap yard?
No, you're reading too much into it.
I know you're in a bad mood. Come on.
I'll treat you to pork rib soup.
I know a place that's cheap and generous.
With free soup refills.
-I want dessert too. -Sure.
I'll throw in a winter melon tea too.
Count me in!
No way! Pay for your own share.
Black coffee with sugar.
Beef burger, double cheese.
You remember.
I remember this too.
You kept this?
My husband saw it.
He couldn't believe this is your handwriting.
He wants you to be our child's godfather
and teach her to write.
Being the godfather means
you'll be obliged to keep our child safe.
And you won't be gallivanting around
with her mother in tow.
My handwriting is too girly.
Even my nephew teases me about it.
Your husband can't possibly
want me to teach your kid to write.
It is a little girly for a man's handwriting
but it's perfect for a girl's.
You're expecting a girl?
Your husband must be crazy
wanting a construction worker
as his daughter's godfather.
What's wrong with being one?
It's not so different from what I do
running a restaurant.
Just that you work at a construction site
while I slave away in the kitchen.
And don't forget, we used to go out.
When you put yourself down
you're saying I have poor taste in men.
Here.
-Write it again. -What for?
You wrote this for me.
Now write one for my daughter.
Why do I have to do that?
As a promise to your goddaughter.
I haven't agreed to be her godfather.
Are you saying no?
To my dearest goddaughter
Promise me this.
You're my child's godfather now.
So no more speeding on your motorcycle.
Keep it under 60km/h.
You must come visit during the holidays.
Don't forget presents on her birthdays.
And...
you're going to teach her to write.
Proper stuff, mind you. Nothing silly.
I'll always be here for you.
Love, your godfather.
That's NT$100.
Here's your receipt. Thank you.
Please come again.
Welcome.
That cashier's the girl I told you about.
Woah!
So she's the little hooker?
What is she doing here?
She's acting all proper
so no one knows her mum's a hooker.
Maybe working here helps with her business.
-Yeah, I bet! -Let's go.
This is buy-one-get-one-free.
Would you like to get one more?
Do your johns buy you and get your mum for free
or is it the other way round?
That's a good one.
Come on... hurry up.
What the heck? That stinks!
I'm so sorry.
I thought that was a bug in your hair
but I think it's chewing gum.
What?
-It's stuck. -Don't yank it out.
Your hair will come out too.
Yeah, you'll end up with a bald spot.
What do I do?
Bug spray. And chewing gum.
How much is it?
Would you like another bug spray?
There's a 25% discount for a second bottle.
Will you catch a movie with me instead?
I don't know Yu's shoe size.
So I bought her a pair in every size.
With her foot still in a splint
she needs shoes with thicker and harder soles
to prevent further injury.
Her canvas shoes are a little too flimsy.
Get her to change into these.
You'll make a great dad.
So...
what made you decide to keep Yu?
Her dad was my patron at the bar.
It was love at first sight.
He came back the following day
and asked if I had the guts to marry him.
I told him the next day
that I do, if he does.
But we never did get married.
He promised me he would clean up his act
and get a proper job
when our child was born.
But he got arrested
on the day I was due.
He was given an eight-year sentence.
My doctor said I had to get a C-section
because I've had too many abortions.
I guess that's my life.
He broke out of jail once to visit Yu.
He stuck around for a bit.
And then one night he heard police sirens
and he jumped out the window.
I never saw him again.
I couldn't take care of Yu
with the hours I keep at the bar.
So I quit my job
and went freelance.
I thought about getting a proper job
at a factory or something.
But Yu was born with G6PD deficiency
and had jaundice.
She needed blood transfusions.
We were in and out of the hospital.
Her medical bills piled up.
I needed money.
So I became a hooker.
Now that Yu's older
you know what my biggest fear is?
I'm scared that she would despise me
and not want me as her mum.
Hey, Chang.
Aren't you industrious?
Why are you still working at this hour?
I have to.
Chang, you're a contractor.
You don't have to do this yourself.
A contractor?
I'm more like a glorified foreman.
Good workers are hard to find.
It's so competitive out there
but I don't want to short-change my workers.
So I have to take on side jobs
to pay my workers their usual wages.
If only our bosses
were half as decent as you are
we'd have a much easier life.
Well, we're all in the same boat.
You sure you don't want to crash at my place?
Or you can spend the night at my place.
No, it's fine.
Your wives are around and... you know...
I'd feel more at ease on my own.
Hey, Quan!
Rise and shine.
Time to wake up.
Wake up...
Is that your money? Put it away.
Hell! Someone took me for a beggar.
Here. Your breakfast.
Hey, Chang.
It's Sunday. Why are you working?
Make hay while the sun shines.
I couldn't get the tiles to stay on
because it has been raining.
I must get it done now while the sun is out
to earn some pocket money.
Chang, did you draw that?
It's cute.
Of course not. This was done by an artist.
-You mean, that's art? -Yeah.
I can draw some for you too.
I'm pretty sure I can do that.
Yeah, I'm sure you're the next Van Gogh.
Go sit under that tree and start drawing.
I'll do the tiles for you later.
Ali Baba?
Oh, I didn't see you there.
How old are you, sweetie?
Why aren't you in class?
What does your daddy do?
Ming-qin doesn't talk much
but he works hard.
He's diligent and down-to-earth.
He doesn't drink or smoke or gamble.
I thought all blue-collar workers
smoke, gamble and drink.
Not everyone.
And chew betel nuts.
Not him. He most definitely doesn't do that.
But he does the rest?
Yeah.
Would you kick those habits if you got married?
I don't know. I've never been married.
What's your idea of an ideal wife?
Someone ugly.
How much do you earn?
Enough to feed myself.
But not enough to feed your wife?
I don't know. I don't have one.
This is the most awkward blind date I've been on.
Did the less awkward ones work out?
I know you hate this.
I don't like playing matchmaker either.
I'm only doing this because
Ming-qi begged me to find you someone
so you'd leave your ex-girlfriend alone.
Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here
watching you insult her.
I'll buy her dinner to apologise for my behaviour.
As if she would go out with you again.
I'll apologise to her later.
You must be hungry after all the talking.
Here. Dig in.
No offence
but you're not very good at matchmaking.
Oh, shut up!
Here, little boy.
You can have this.
-Thank you. -Bye.
You should find yourself a wife.
You'll make a good father.
But not a good husband.
My wife would need to take care of my dad.
You and your brother really are poles apart.
He's impossibly positive
while you're impossibly negative.
What's the police here for?
To check for illegals?
Come on... hurry!
99, 77! The police are here!
Hurry... hide!
Go... go!
Quan!
Come here!
-The police found your truck. -Really?
Did you report a blue pickup truck stolen?
-Yeah! -Your licence?
This is great!
Here.
We found a truck
matching your description nearby.
Please come with us.
Sure.
Watch your step, Officer.
It's dangerous here.
Ming-qi?
-Ming-qi! -Oh, hell...
-Where's our title deed? -What?
The title deed! Stop playing dumb.
Where's our title deed?
Keep it down, we're working here.
Oh, you don't want your co-workers to know?
Then you shouldn't have taken the title deed!
Where is it?
-I don't have it. -Then where is it?
Ming-qin!
Ming-qin!
Tell me, Ming-qin.
Is our title deed with you?
Don't bother him. He doesn't know.
He doesn't? Then who does?
Quit asking. I'll figure something out.
What did you do with our title deed?
And why is there NT$700,000
lying around at home?
Have you been gambling?
Of course not!
I don't gamble or go to hookers.
You know that.
What you're doing is no different!
In fact, it's worse than gambling!
A gambler might still win from time to time
while you're just flushing money down the drain!
Where the hell is our title deed?
How selfish can you get?
That land is all we have to leave to our son.
Now you've squandered it away!
You call yourself a father?
Just shut it. I'll fix it.
You'll fix it?
When have you ever done that?
I need to clean up after your dad
and now, you too!
Stop yelling at me!
We'll talk about this at home!
I'm never going back home!
Mei-feng!
That crazy woman really upped and left me.
I don't know where the hell she is.
She has the money for the caregiver.
She took the money for our title deed too.
The caregiver won't come unless I can pay her.
It takes two days to get a new caregiver.
I'm dying here.
She even signed the divorce papers
and had them mailed over.
Count your blessings that you're single.
Women can really drive you up the wall.
Go home if you're tired.
I can take care of Dad.
-Aren't you tired? -I'm fine.
I don't get it.
You aren't that much younger than I am.
You work night and day
but you never seem to tire.
I'm not running around
trying to make a fortune like you are.
Don't rub it in.
Hey, do you know what's a Black Molly?
Are you talking about amphetamine?
I overheard Monkey and the guys
talking about buying Black Mollies.
They said if you took that
you could work for hours without getting tired.
Listen, I don't want you touching that stuff.
You know I don't get along with Monkey.
I wouldn't even sit at the same table with him
let alone buy anything with him.
Keep it that way.
Still, you should take better care of yourself.
Worry about yourself.
You're in worse shape than I am.
We're at the hospital anyway
why don't you see a doctor? I'll pay for it.
It's not about the money.
What is it then?
I'm afraid once I get hospitalised
I'm never getting out.
What the heck are you talking about?
I mean it.
The lunches we get at the construction site
are always cold and stale.
It tastes horrible
but it's all we get to eat
so we pile on the pickled vegetables
and drench everything in soy sauce.
That's what we eat every day, for years
and we wind up with high blood pressure
or even heart disease.
The doctors say no cold drinks and no alcohol.
But how do we work under the hot sun
without an icy drink to cool us off
or some alcohol to warm us up when it gets cold?
All that drinking
is bad for our liver and kidneys.
And then there's the aching limbs and back
from all the hard labour.
Our bodies are a wreck.
I know what the doctor will say.
The thing is, we can't afford to rest.
So what's the point of seeing a doctor?
They'll just give us painkillers.
Don't you agree?
Jun-jie!
Hey, Uncle.
You're still a growing boy.
Why aren't you eating?
I ordered beef, it's your favourite.
I've already eaten.
-With Yu? -Yeah.
-What did you eat? -Frozen dinner.
That's enough for you?
Or you don't need food now that you have love?
What are you talking about?
You fancy her, don't you?
-I guess. -What do you mean you guess?
Either you do or you don't.
I do!
What do you like about her?
True love doesn't need a reason.
You've watched too many movies.
Don't give me that nonsense.
Do I have "Smack me" written on my head?
I just want you to know
her family background is a little complicated...
Yeah, I know.
Her mum's a hooker.
By the way, Uncle...
what is it like to visit a hooker?
How often do you do it?
Do you only go to Yu's mum?
Or do you go elsewhere too?
I read that they're very skilled. Is it true?
We're talking about you, not me!
Me?
But I don't visit hookers.
I'm...
I'm talking about you and Yu.
We're great.
It doesn't matter to me what her mum does.
Yu's working hard and saving up
so that her mum doesn't have to
be a prostitute anymore.
What if your friends find out...
what your girlfriend's mum
does for a living?
Won't you feel embarrassed?
Anyone who mocks me for this
or looks down on my girlfriend
isn't my friend.
But, Uncle...
when Yu saved up enough
to get her mum out of prostitution
you won't be able to go to her anymore.
Wouldn't that make you sad?
What are you talking about?
How dare you make fun of me!
Hello, Ming-qi?
Superintendent!
How many wads of cash do you have there?
Yeah, it's payday.
So buck up and work hard.
Good morning, Superintendent.
Morning? It's almost lunch time.
You're looking good today, Superintendent.
Nothing escapes your eyes.
I came from the barbershop.
I'm attending a wedding tonight
I can see you're in a good mood.
Here.
Count it.
It's fine. We go way back.
I trust you.
Chang is a lucky man
to have a smart wife like you.
Come here, Frog.
This is yours.
Big Feet? Come here.
Three wads of cash for you.
Sir, this is short by one note.
Really?
-Mrs Chang. -How could that be?
I think you should count it.
He has been shortchanging us.
That cash counter is no good.
Mrs Chang.
Where's Ming-qin and Ming-qi?
Their dad passed away last night.
Dad!
Come on, Mei-feng.
Here, get up.
What happened?
Why didn't you call me?
I wouldn't have known
if our neighbour hadn't told me.
I came back as fast as I could.
You've made me a heartless daughter-in-law.
No, you're not.
You're divorcing me.
You're not his daughter-in-law anymore.
You have no obligations to us now.
This is all your fault!
I only wanted a divorce
because you keep lying to me!
Dad...
Did you leave because I wasn't here
to take care of you?
I didn't know this would happen.
Please forgive me.
Dad, I didn't mean for this to happen.
This is all my fault.
It's all my fault...
It's not your fault.
You didn't do this.
Don't cry.
It's my fault.
I've let everyone down.
Dad left because I let him down.
Ming-qin.
Have you eaten?
Ming-qin.
Let's go catch a movie.
What's wrong?
You're covered in sweat.
I just wanted to take off your wet T-shirt
before you catch a cold.
I dreamt about my dad.
It's all right.
He missed you and paid you a visit.
Tell him you're fine.
Ask him not to worry.
It's all right now.
Did you hear that?
No.
What is it?
Ming-qin?
What did you hear?
Tell me.
What's this?
You made this for me. Don't you remember?
Ming-qin, it's...
What are you looking for?
Ming-qin, tell me what you're hearing.
Ming-qin... come down.
Ming-qin, you...
What's wrong?
Ming-qin, there's nothing in there.
Ming-qin, it's a battery. It's just a battery.
Ming-qin... Ming-qin!
Ming-qin, what are you doing?
No, Ming-qin... no!
What are you doing?
Ming-qin...
There's nothing in there.
What are you doing?
That's just a teddy bear!
Ming-qin... stop it.
Ming-qin!
Calm down! Are you crazy?
Ming-qin!
It's all right...
It's all right.
It's all right...
What's wrong?
I need to pee.
Go back to sleep.
Dad.
How are you over there?
You're free now.
You're done with this world.
Not me.
I'm still struggling over here.
You know what?
This leg of mine...
can forecast the weather.
It aches when it's hot out.
It aches when it's cold.
Sometimes it goes numb
and I can't even stand up straight.
And my eyes are no good.
Sometimes I see static.
Everything looks dark and foggy.
They say no ironworker lives past 70.
Well, that's for the best.
Our eyes would be shot to hell
and our lungs rotted by then.
But, Dad...
I can't die just yet.
Jun-jie is still a child.
I need to be around for him.
And Mei-feng has been through so much.
I really want to give her a better life.
Dad.
Help me this once.
I swear I'll quit for good after this.
Just let me win the lottery once.
Just once.
Please.
Just this once.
Betel nuts for you, handsome?
Where's the girl who works here?
Oh, Lulu? She quit.
-Why? -She got married.
I heard her boyfriend proposed to her
and she said yes right away.
Her boyfriend?
-She had a boyfriend? -Yeah.
He drives a car with a sunroof.
I see you have a sunroof too
but yours is a little too big.
Did he buy her that bag?
This bag?
Yeah, he did.
That's how he got to be her boyfriend.
So, handsome, betel nuts for you?
Can I have that?
Sure, if you buy NT$200's worth of betel nuts.
Hey, don't you want your betel nuts?
I think we should
buy our lottery tickets elsewhere.
The boss here has never won squat.
I doubt we will.
Just buy the same numbers as me.
Really?
Listen.
This is the time and date that my dad passed on.
I told him if he cared about me at all
he'd let me win big, just this once.
I'm sure your dad will bless you.
You're going to strike the lottery.
I'm going to buy the same set of numbers.
Boss!
Are you here to buy a hope too, Quan?
This evening's game. Red Sox versus Dodgers.
Five to one. NT$20,000.
Don't do anything rash. Wait!
You owe the superintendent money.
You should use this to pay him back
or you'll never clear your debt.
Yeah, I know. I'll win this one
and pay him back in full.
NT$20,000 is no small sum. Save it up.
Don't gamble it away.
This is not fair.
It's "buying a hope" when you do it
but when I do it, it's gambling?
Because you're betting too much money.
-That makes it gambling. -Yeah.
And you have to get the score right to win.
The odds are stacked against you.
-Hear that? -Yeah, I know.
-Don't do it, Quan... -No!
Don't stop me!
I'm betting every dollar I have!
I want to see how rotten my luck can get!
That's how women are.
Them with their designer handbags.
I'd be OK with it if she had gotten married
because she met the right man.
But she married him for a bag.
I could have gotten her one too
but she didn't give me the chance.
That is what riles me.
Listen, Quan.
No woman marries a man for a bag.
Take my wife for example.
She has a sharp tongue, but a soft heart.
She appreciates it when you're good to her.
That's how women are.
It has nothing to do with bags.
If she can feel your love for her
she'll love you for life.
No, it depends.
Some people say you're better off
buying a sports car than getting a wife.
Women these days want to live the high life.
They're not going to rough it with you.
Exactly! Well-said!
It's not enough to just have a car.
It has to be a luxury car like a Benz
a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a Jaguar or a Maserati
if you want those women to get in.
Look at me, I have a set of wheels
but I'm still as single as it gets.
Drink up. It'll help you sleep.
I went on a blind date once.
I told the girl I drove
and suggested we go for a spin.
Well, she blew me off.
I know it's because she took one look at my truck
and decided I wasn't good enough for her.
I could tell.
I'd get a nice car too, if I could afford it.
I'm not stupid.
But the price of everything is going up
while I'm earning minimum wage.
Buy a car? Fat hope!
It's not just cars.
House prices are skyrocketing too.
We should consider ourselves lucky.
You bought a house years ago
and my dad left me one.
It makes my blood boil just talking about it.
I've had my house for almost 30 years.
Now they want to demolish the place
and they want us gone.
But it's your house. How can they do that?
There was talk of redeveloping my neighbourhood
but for years, nothing happened.
Now, they're suddenly pushing for urban renewal.
I'll end up a holdout if I don't move.
Drink up, it'll help you sleep.
Then just be a holdout. It's no big deal.
There was a holdout
at my previous construction site.
They complained endlessly
about the scaffold and the noise
and kicked up such a fuss
that the developer had to give them
NT$30,000 a month to pacify them.
They have a developer to dole out compensation.
My neighbourhood voted for the redevelopment
So there's no one to compensate me.
In fact, I have to pay out of my pocket
to build a new house.
How the hell am I going to
get the money to do that?
I can hardly make ends meet as it is!
Give me a break, man.
These people think money grow on trees.
How about getting a loan?
Not going to happen.
I'm still paying off my current loans.
No bank will give me another loan.
If I really want money
I'll have to kill myself for the insurance payout.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
It's all right.
How's your foot?
Much better.
What are you doing?
Hop on.
-No. -Come on.
Your foot is going to take forever to heal
with all that walking you do.
Hop on. I'll carry you.
But I'm really heavy.
You can't be heavier than my grandpa.
And I could carry him.
Come on.
It's OK. Put me down.
I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath.
You're puffing and panting
like an old steam engine.
What?
It's your turn to carry me next time.
Sure.
I'll aim for the top row.
One, two, three!
Which one would you like?
The red one.
Is it good?
Why have you gone all quiet?
I think I saw my mum.
Your mum?
Stop turning around, I'm getting dizzy.
Where's your mum?
Over there. With the red bag.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Hi, Ms Li. I'm Yu's friend.
I'm Jun-jie.
Hi.
I'll walk her home later. So don't worry.
Bye.
Your mum looks so young.
She's so different from my mum.
Oh, you're such an idiot.
Did you turn up the gas?
The water's not heating up.
That's part of my plan.
The longer the water takes to heat up
the longer I get to stay here.
You're here with me.
I'm going to make this moment last.
Want to join me?
You wish!
If my boss finds out
you're the one racking up his water bill
and docks my pay
I'll make you pay.
Hey, it's cold!
You can always fudge the truth.
Tell your boss a customer was washing his car.
I'm freezing... man, I'm freezing!
I'm so cold.
Use this.
It's new. I haven't used it.
It doesn't smell of me.
Well, you held it in your hands.
And I didn't wash my hands!
Superintendent!
Why did you confiscate all of Clam's equipment?
It's none of your business.
His wife was here.
She said you haven't paid Clam for his work.
His workers have been badgering her
for their wages.
Clam's in the hospital, he hasn't been working.
Of course he's not getting paid.
But he worked for a few days
before he got hurt.
You should pay him for that.
Pay him? He should be paying for my losses!
Your losses? What bloody losses?
What losses are you talking about?
This project is insured.
The insurance company will compensate you
when there's an accident on-site.
So why are you being such an asshole?
Stop taking advantage of us!
We know you've been shortchanging us.
We just didn't want to call you out on it.
Things aren't easy for any of us.
We should be helping each other out.
But not you. You think you're smarter than us!
That you're better than us!
Everyone here knows we have worksite insurance
but you pinned the losses on Clam anyway
and confiscated his equipment.
That's not right at all!
You don't get to treat us like shit
just because we didn't go to school much!
You order us around when you need us
and kick us aside when you don't!
Why are you yelling at me?
I have my difficulties too.
I don't give a shit about your difficulties!
Do you know the bus company
sicced the police on me?
I'm sorry, Superintendent.
We have trouble at home.
He's in a foul mood.
Please don't hold it against him.
I don't own this construction site.
I'm just middle management.
Hey, Chang...
I can't afford
the medical fees.
The superintendent refused to pay us.
How did his wound turn septic?
Because he's diabetic.
Are we transferring him to a bigger hospital?
How? They don't have any money.
The superintendent didn't pay him.
His workers aren't getting paid.
His wife doesn't have any money.
That's why I was so mad at the superintendent.
Clam told his wife to sell his equipment
to pay his workers.
But that rat confiscated all the equipment.
That bastard.
Chang.
Mrs Chang.
I don't know what else I can do.
Please...
Please help us.
Please...
What insurance company? I don't have one.
Your truck isn't insured?
Well, I... I got the compulsory insurance.
In that case, I'll pray hard if I were you.
Why? Can't you guys help me?
We're just the police, we're not God.
But if we do find your truck
we'll make sure you get it back.
-So go look for it! -No, look at the time now.
But I live out of my truck.
Where am I going to sleep tonight?
I have a load of recyclables in my truck.
It's worth quite a bit.
The thief has to pay me back, right?
Yeah, that's provided we catch him.
Thieves Market
Slow down, stop scurrying around.
-What are you looking for? -My tools.
They cost money.
So much for living it up and going to the sauna.
You've lost everything now.
Your truck, your home... everything!
Hey, you had a good time there.
You said your back felt better.
Found it.
Don't all tools kits look the same?
How do you know this is yours?
I have my ways.
My goddess watches over my tools.
You're right.
-How much is this? -NT$2,000.
NT$2,000? I bought it for NT$8,000!
Who sold this to you?
Go away if you're not buying anything.
Don't waste my time.
Bloody hell!
I hope that bloody thief gets run over
by a truck and rot in hell!
Aren't you going to buy it?
Buy back what was stolen from me?
Are you crazy?
I'm not rewarding that bloody thief.
But everything here is stolen goods.
Fine, I'm not buying anything here!
Can you afford a brand new set?
That thief is real smart.
Not only did he steal your tools
he got a truckload of recyclables too.
If the police do find him, he might just say
he found the truck in a scrap yard.
What the hell?
Are you saying my truck is such a clunker
it belongs in a scrap yard?
No, you're reading too much into it.
I know you're in a bad mood. Come on.
I'll treat you to pork rib soup.
I know a place that's cheap and generous.
With free soup refills.
-I want dessert too. -Sure.
I'll throw in a winter melon tea too.
Count me in!
No way! Pay for your own share.
Black coffee with sugar.
Beef burger, double cheese.
You remember.
I remember this too.
You kept this?
My husband saw it.
He couldn't believe this is your handwriting.
He wants you to be our child's godfather
and teach her to write.
Being the godfather means
you'll be obliged to keep our child safe.
And you won't be gallivanting around
with her mother in tow.
My handwriting is too girly.
Even my nephew teases me about it.
Your husband can't possibly
want me to teach your kid to write.
It is a little girly for a man's handwriting
but it's perfect for a girl's.
You're expecting a girl?
Your husband must be crazy
wanting a construction worker
as his daughter's godfather.
What's wrong with being one?
It's not so different from what I do
running a restaurant.
Just that you work at a construction site
while I slave away in the kitchen.
And don't forget, we used to go out.
When you put yourself down
you're saying I have poor taste in men.
Here.
-Write it again. -What for?
You wrote this for me.
Now write one for my daughter.
Why do I have to do that?
As a promise to your goddaughter.
I haven't agreed to be her godfather.
Are you saying no?
To my dearest goddaughter
Promise me this.
You're my child's godfather now.
So no more speeding on your motorcycle.
Keep it under 60km/h.
You must come visit during the holidays.
Don't forget presents on her birthdays.
And...
you're going to teach her to write.
Proper stuff, mind you. Nothing silly.
I'll always be here for you.
Love, your godfather.
That's NT$100.
Here's your receipt. Thank you.
Please come again.
Welcome.
That cashier's the girl I told you about.
Woah!
So she's the little hooker?
What is she doing here?
She's acting all proper
so no one knows her mum's a hooker.
Maybe working here helps with her business.
-Yeah, I bet! -Let's go.
This is buy-one-get-one-free.
Would you like to get one more?
Do your johns buy you and get your mum for free
or is it the other way round?
That's a good one.
Come on... hurry up.
What the heck? That stinks!
I'm so sorry.
I thought that was a bug in your hair
but I think it's chewing gum.
What?
-It's stuck. -Don't yank it out.
Your hair will come out too.
Yeah, you'll end up with a bald spot.
What do I do?
Bug spray. And chewing gum.
How much is it?
Would you like another bug spray?
There's a 25% discount for a second bottle.
Will you catch a movie with me instead?
I don't know Yu's shoe size.
So I bought her a pair in every size.
With her foot still in a splint
she needs shoes with thicker and harder soles
to prevent further injury.
Her canvas shoes are a little too flimsy.
Get her to change into these.
You'll make a great dad.
So...
what made you decide to keep Yu?
Her dad was my patron at the bar.
It was love at first sight.
He came back the following day
and asked if I had the guts to marry him.
I told him the next day
that I do, if he does.
But we never did get married.
He promised me he would clean up his act
and get a proper job
when our child was born.
But he got arrested
on the day I was due.
He was given an eight-year sentence.
My doctor said I had to get a C-section
because I've had too many abortions.
I guess that's my life.
He broke out of jail once to visit Yu.
He stuck around for a bit.
And then one night he heard police sirens
and he jumped out the window.
I never saw him again.
I couldn't take care of Yu
with the hours I keep at the bar.
So I quit my job
and went freelance.
I thought about getting a proper job
at a factory or something.
But Yu was born with G6PD deficiency
and had jaundice.
She needed blood transfusions.
We were in and out of the hospital.
Her medical bills piled up.
I needed money.
So I became a hooker.
Now that Yu's older
you know what my biggest fear is?
I'm scared that she would despise me
and not want me as her mum.
Hey, Chang.
Aren't you industrious?
Why are you still working at this hour?
I have to.
Chang, you're a contractor.
You don't have to do this yourself.
A contractor?
I'm more like a glorified foreman.
Good workers are hard to find.
It's so competitive out there
but I don't want to short-change my workers.
So I have to take on side jobs
to pay my workers their usual wages.
If only our bosses
were half as decent as you are
we'd have a much easier life.
Well, we're all in the same boat.
You sure you don't want to crash at my place?
Or you can spend the night at my place.
No, it's fine.
Your wives are around and... you know...
I'd feel more at ease on my own.
Hey, Quan!
Rise and shine.
Time to wake up.
Wake up...
Is that your money? Put it away.
Hell! Someone took me for a beggar.
Here. Your breakfast.
Hey, Chang.
It's Sunday. Why are you working?
Make hay while the sun shines.
I couldn't get the tiles to stay on
because it has been raining.
I must get it done now while the sun is out
to earn some pocket money.
Chang, did you draw that?
It's cute.
Of course not. This was done by an artist.
-You mean, that's art? -Yeah.
I can draw some for you too.
I'm pretty sure I can do that.
Yeah, I'm sure you're the next Van Gogh.
Go sit under that tree and start drawing.
I'll do the tiles for you later.
Ali Baba?
Oh, I didn't see you there.
How old are you, sweetie?
Why aren't you in class?
What does your daddy do?
Ming-qin doesn't talk much
but he works hard.
He's diligent and down-to-earth.
He doesn't drink or smoke or gamble.
I thought all blue-collar workers
smoke, gamble and drink.
Not everyone.
And chew betel nuts.
Not him. He most definitely doesn't do that.
But he does the rest?
Yeah.
Would you kick those habits if you got married?
I don't know. I've never been married.
What's your idea of an ideal wife?
Someone ugly.
How much do you earn?
Enough to feed myself.
But not enough to feed your wife?
I don't know. I don't have one.
This is the most awkward blind date I've been on.
Did the less awkward ones work out?
I know you hate this.
I don't like playing matchmaker either.
I'm only doing this because
Ming-qi begged me to find you someone
so you'd leave your ex-girlfriend alone.
Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here
watching you insult her.
I'll buy her dinner to apologise for my behaviour.
As if she would go out with you again.
I'll apologise to her later.
You must be hungry after all the talking.
Here. Dig in.
No offence
but you're not very good at matchmaking.
Oh, shut up!
Here, little boy.
You can have this.
-Thank you. -Bye.
You should find yourself a wife.
You'll make a good father.
But not a good husband.
My wife would need to take care of my dad.
You and your brother really are poles apart.
He's impossibly positive
while you're impossibly negative.
What's the police here for?
To check for illegals?
Come on... hurry!
99, 77! The police are here!
Hurry... hide!
Go... go!
Quan!
Come here!
-The police found your truck. -Really?
Did you report a blue pickup truck stolen?
-Yeah! -Your licence?
This is great!
Here.
We found a truck
matching your description nearby.
Please come with us.
Sure.
Watch your step, Officer.
It's dangerous here.
Ming-qi?
-Ming-qi! -Oh, hell...
-Where's our title deed? -What?
The title deed! Stop playing dumb.
Where's our title deed?
Keep it down, we're working here.
Oh, you don't want your co-workers to know?
Then you shouldn't have taken the title deed!
Where is it?
-I don't have it. -Then where is it?
Ming-qin!
Ming-qin!
Tell me, Ming-qin.
Is our title deed with you?
Don't bother him. He doesn't know.
He doesn't? Then who does?
Quit asking. I'll figure something out.
What did you do with our title deed?
And why is there NT$700,000
lying around at home?
Have you been gambling?
Of course not!
I don't gamble or go to hookers.
You know that.
What you're doing is no different!
In fact, it's worse than gambling!
A gambler might still win from time to time
while you're just flushing money down the drain!
Where the hell is our title deed?
How selfish can you get?
That land is all we have to leave to our son.
Now you've squandered it away!
You call yourself a father?
Just shut it. I'll fix it.
You'll fix it?
When have you ever done that?
I need to clean up after your dad
and now, you too!
Stop yelling at me!
We'll talk about this at home!
I'm never going back home!
Mei-feng!
That crazy woman really upped and left me.
I don't know where the hell she is.
She has the money for the caregiver.
She took the money for our title deed too.
The caregiver won't come unless I can pay her.
It takes two days to get a new caregiver.
I'm dying here.
She even signed the divorce papers
and had them mailed over.
Count your blessings that you're single.
Women can really drive you up the wall.
Go home if you're tired.
I can take care of Dad.
-Aren't you tired? -I'm fine.
I don't get it.
You aren't that much younger than I am.
You work night and day
but you never seem to tire.
I'm not running around
trying to make a fortune like you are.
Don't rub it in.
Hey, do you know what's a Black Molly?
Are you talking about amphetamine?
I overheard Monkey and the guys
talking about buying Black Mollies.
They said if you took that
you could work for hours without getting tired.
Listen, I don't want you touching that stuff.
You know I don't get along with Monkey.
I wouldn't even sit at the same table with him
let alone buy anything with him.
Keep it that way.
Still, you should take better care of yourself.
Worry about yourself.
You're in worse shape than I am.
We're at the hospital anyway
why don't you see a doctor? I'll pay for it.
It's not about the money.
What is it then?
I'm afraid once I get hospitalised
I'm never getting out.
What the heck are you talking about?
I mean it.
The lunches we get at the construction site
are always cold and stale.
It tastes horrible
but it's all we get to eat
so we pile on the pickled vegetables
and drench everything in soy sauce.
That's what we eat every day, for years
and we wind up with high blood pressure
or even heart disease.
The doctors say no cold drinks and no alcohol.
But how do we work under the hot sun
without an icy drink to cool us off
or some alcohol to warm us up when it gets cold?
All that drinking
is bad for our liver and kidneys.
And then there's the aching limbs and back
from all the hard labour.
Our bodies are a wreck.
I know what the doctor will say.
The thing is, we can't afford to rest.
So what's the point of seeing a doctor?
They'll just give us painkillers.
Don't you agree?
Jun-jie!
Hey, Uncle.
You're still a growing boy.
Why aren't you eating?
I ordered beef, it's your favourite.
I've already eaten.
-With Yu? -Yeah.
-What did you eat? -Frozen dinner.
That's enough for you?
Or you don't need food now that you have love?
What are you talking about?
You fancy her, don't you?
-I guess. -What do you mean you guess?
Either you do or you don't.
I do!
What do you like about her?
True love doesn't need a reason.
You've watched too many movies.
Don't give me that nonsense.
Do I have "Smack me" written on my head?
I just want you to know
her family background is a little complicated...
Yeah, I know.
Her mum's a hooker.
By the way, Uncle...
what is it like to visit a hooker?
How often do you do it?
Do you only go to Yu's mum?
Or do you go elsewhere too?
I read that they're very skilled. Is it true?
We're talking about you, not me!
Me?
But I don't visit hookers.
I'm...
I'm talking about you and Yu.
We're great.
It doesn't matter to me what her mum does.
Yu's working hard and saving up
so that her mum doesn't have to
be a prostitute anymore.
What if your friends find out...
what your girlfriend's mum
does for a living?
Won't you feel embarrassed?
Anyone who mocks me for this
or looks down on my girlfriend
isn't my friend.
But, Uncle...
when Yu saved up enough
to get her mum out of prostitution
you won't be able to go to her anymore.
Wouldn't that make you sad?
What are you talking about?
How dare you make fun of me!
Hello, Ming-qi?
Superintendent!
How many wads of cash do you have there?
Yeah, it's payday.
So buck up and work hard.
Good morning, Superintendent.
Morning? It's almost lunch time.
You're looking good today, Superintendent.
Nothing escapes your eyes.
I came from the barbershop.
I'm attending a wedding tonight
I can see you're in a good mood.
Here.
Count it.
It's fine. We go way back.
I trust you.
Chang is a lucky man
to have a smart wife like you.
Come here, Frog.
This is yours.
Big Feet? Come here.
Three wads of cash for you.
Sir, this is short by one note.
Really?
-Mrs Chang. -How could that be?
I think you should count it.
He has been shortchanging us.
That cash counter is no good.
Mrs Chang.
Where's Ming-qin and Ming-qi?
Their dad passed away last night.
Dad!
Come on, Mei-feng.
Here, get up.
What happened?
Why didn't you call me?
I wouldn't have known
if our neighbour hadn't told me.
I came back as fast as I could.
You've made me a heartless daughter-in-law.
No, you're not.
You're divorcing me.
You're not his daughter-in-law anymore.
You have no obligations to us now.
This is all your fault!
I only wanted a divorce
because you keep lying to me!
Dad...
Did you leave because I wasn't here
to take care of you?
I didn't know this would happen.
Please forgive me.
Dad, I didn't mean for this to happen.
This is all my fault.
It's all my fault...
It's not your fault.
You didn't do this.
Don't cry.
It's my fault.
I've let everyone down.
Dad left because I let him down.
Ming-qin.
Have you eaten?
Ming-qin.
Let's go catch a movie.
What's wrong?
You're covered in sweat.
I just wanted to take off your wet T-shirt
before you catch a cold.
I dreamt about my dad.
It's all right.
He missed you and paid you a visit.
Tell him you're fine.
Ask him not to worry.
It's all right now.
Did you hear that?
No.
What is it?
Ming-qin?
What did you hear?
Tell me.
What's this?
You made this for me. Don't you remember?
Ming-qin, it's...
What are you looking for?
Ming-qin, tell me what you're hearing.
Ming-qin... come down.
Ming-qin, you...
What's wrong?
Ming-qin, there's nothing in there.
Ming-qin, it's a battery. It's just a battery.
Ming-qin... Ming-qin!
Ming-qin, what are you doing?
No, Ming-qin... no!
What are you doing?
Ming-qin...
There's nothing in there.
What are you doing?
That's just a teddy bear!
Ming-qin... stop it.
Ming-qin!
Calm down! Are you crazy?
Ming-qin!
It's all right...
It's all right.
It's all right...
What's wrong?
I need to pee.
Go back to sleep.
Dad.
How are you over there?
You're free now.
You're done with this world.
Not me.
I'm still struggling over here.
You know what?
This leg of mine...
can forecast the weather.
It aches when it's hot out.
It aches when it's cold.
Sometimes it goes numb
and I can't even stand up straight.
And my eyes are no good.
Sometimes I see static.
Everything looks dark and foggy.
They say no ironworker lives past 70.
Well, that's for the best.
Our eyes would be shot to hell
and our lungs rotted by then.
But, Dad...
I can't die just yet.
Jun-jie is still a child.
I need to be around for him.
And Mei-feng has been through so much.
I really want to give her a better life.
Dad.
Help me this once.
I swear I'll quit for good after this.
Just let me win the lottery once.
Just once.
Please.
Just this once.
Betel nuts for you, handsome?
Where's the girl who works here?
Oh, Lulu? She quit.
-Why? -She got married.
I heard her boyfriend proposed to her
and she said yes right away.
Her boyfriend?
-She had a boyfriend? -Yeah.
He drives a car with a sunroof.
I see you have a sunroof too
but yours is a little too big.
Did he buy her that bag?
This bag?
Yeah, he did.
That's how he got to be her boyfriend.
So, handsome, betel nuts for you?
Can I have that?
Sure, if you buy NT$200's worth of betel nuts.
Hey, don't you want your betel nuts?
I think we should
buy our lottery tickets elsewhere.
The boss here has never won squat.
I doubt we will.
Just buy the same numbers as me.
Really?
Listen.
This is the time and date that my dad passed on.
I told him if he cared about me at all
he'd let me win big, just this once.
I'm sure your dad will bless you.
You're going to strike the lottery.
I'm going to buy the same set of numbers.
Boss!
Are you here to buy a hope too, Quan?
This evening's game. Red Sox versus Dodgers.
Five to one. NT$20,000.
Don't do anything rash. Wait!
You owe the superintendent money.
You should use this to pay him back
or you'll never clear your debt.
Yeah, I know. I'll win this one
and pay him back in full.
NT$20,000 is no small sum. Save it up.
Don't gamble it away.
This is not fair.
It's "buying a hope" when you do it
but when I do it, it's gambling?
Because you're betting too much money.
-That makes it gambling. -Yeah.
And you have to get the score right to win.
The odds are stacked against you.
-Hear that? -Yeah, I know.
-Don't do it, Quan... -No!
Don't stop me!
I'm betting every dollar I have!
I want to see how rotten my luck can get!
That's how women are.
Them with their designer handbags.
I'd be OK with it if she had gotten married
because she met the right man.
But she married him for a bag.
I could have gotten her one too
but she didn't give me the chance.
That is what riles me.
Listen, Quan.
No woman marries a man for a bag.
Take my wife for example.
She has a sharp tongue, but a soft heart.
She appreciates it when you're good to her.
That's how women are.
It has nothing to do with bags.
If she can feel your love for her
she'll love you for life.
No, it depends.
Some people say you're better off
buying a sports car than getting a wife.
Women these days want to live the high life.
They're not going to rough it with you.
Exactly! Well-said!
It's not enough to just have a car.
It has to be a luxury car like a Benz
a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a Jaguar or a Maserati
if you want those women to get in.
Look at me, I have a set of wheels
but I'm still as single as it gets.
Drink up. It'll help you sleep.
I went on a blind date once.
I told the girl I drove
and suggested we go for a spin.
Well, she blew me off.
I know it's because she took one look at my truck
and decided I wasn't good enough for her.
I could tell.
I'd get a nice car too, if I could afford it.
I'm not stupid.
But the price of everything is going up
while I'm earning minimum wage.
Buy a car? Fat hope!
It's not just cars.
House prices are skyrocketing too.
We should consider ourselves lucky.
You bought a house years ago
and my dad left me one.
It makes my blood boil just talking about it.
I've had my house for almost 30 years.
Now they want to demolish the place
and they want us gone.
But it's your house. How can they do that?
There was talk of redeveloping my neighbourhood
but for years, nothing happened.
Now, they're suddenly pushing for urban renewal.
I'll end up a holdout if I don't move.
Drink up, it'll help you sleep.
Then just be a holdout. It's no big deal.
There was a holdout
at my previous construction site.
They complained endlessly
about the scaffold and the noise
and kicked up such a fuss
that the developer had to give them
NT$30,000 a month to pacify them.
They have a developer to dole out compensation.
My neighbourhood voted for the redevelopment
So there's no one to compensate me.
In fact, I have to pay out of my pocket
to build a new house.
How the hell am I going to
get the money to do that?
I can hardly make ends meet as it is!
Give me a break, man.
These people think money grow on trees.
How about getting a loan?
Not going to happen.
I'm still paying off my current loans.
No bank will give me another loan.
If I really want money
I'll have to kill myself for the insurance payout.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
It's all right.
How's your foot?
Much better.
What are you doing?
Hop on.
-No. -Come on.
Your foot is going to take forever to heal
with all that walking you do.
Hop on. I'll carry you.
But I'm really heavy.
You can't be heavier than my grandpa.
And I could carry him.
Come on.
It's OK. Put me down.
I'm fine. I just need to catch my breath.
You're puffing and panting
like an old steam engine.
What?
It's your turn to carry me next time.
Sure.
I'll aim for the top row.
One, two, three!
Which one would you like?
The red one.
Is it good?
Why have you gone all quiet?
I think I saw my mum.
Your mum?
Stop turning around, I'm getting dizzy.
Where's your mum?
Over there. With the red bag.
What are you doing?
What are you doing?
Hi, Ms Li. I'm Yu's friend.
I'm Jun-jie.
Hi.
I'll walk her home later. So don't worry.
Bye.
Your mum looks so young.
She's so different from my mum.
Oh, you're such an idiot.
Did you turn up the gas?
The water's not heating up.
That's part of my plan.
The longer the water takes to heat up
the longer I get to stay here.
You're here with me.
I'm going to make this moment last.
Want to join me?
You wish!
If my boss finds out
you're the one racking up his water bill
and docks my pay
I'll make you pay.
Hey, it's cold!
You can always fudge the truth.
Tell your boss a customer was washing his car.
I'm freezing... man, I'm freezing!
I'm so cold.
Use this.
It's new. I haven't used it.
It doesn't smell of me.
Well, you held it in your hands.
And I didn't wash my hands!
Superintendent!
Why did you confiscate all of Clam's equipment?
It's none of your business.
His wife was here.
She said you haven't paid Clam for his work.
His workers have been badgering her
for their wages.
Clam's in the hospital, he hasn't been working.
Of course he's not getting paid.
But he worked for a few days
before he got hurt.
You should pay him for that.
Pay him? He should be paying for my losses!
Your losses? What bloody losses?
What losses are you talking about?
This project is insured.
The insurance company will compensate you
when there's an accident on-site.
So why are you being such an asshole?
Stop taking advantage of us!
We know you've been shortchanging us.
We just didn't want to call you out on it.
Things aren't easy for any of us.
We should be helping each other out.
But not you. You think you're smarter than us!
That you're better than us!
Everyone here knows we have worksite insurance
but you pinned the losses on Clam anyway
and confiscated his equipment.
That's not right at all!
You don't get to treat us like shit
just because we didn't go to school much!
You order us around when you need us
and kick us aside when you don't!
Why are you yelling at me?
I have my difficulties too.
I don't give a shit about your difficulties!
Do you know the bus company
sicced the police on me?
I'm sorry, Superintendent.
We have trouble at home.
He's in a foul mood.
Please don't hold it against him.
I don't own this construction site.
I'm just middle management.
Hey, Chang...
I can't afford
the medical fees.
The superintendent refused to pay us.
How did his wound turn septic?
Because he's diabetic.
Are we transferring him to a bigger hospital?
How? They don't have any money.
The superintendent didn't pay him.
His workers aren't getting paid.
His wife doesn't have any money.
That's why I was so mad at the superintendent.
Clam told his wife to sell his equipment
to pay his workers.
But that rat confiscated all the equipment.
That bastard.
Chang.
Mrs Chang.
I don't know what else I can do.
Please...
Please help us.
Please...