Lilting

This film contains very strong language.

MUSIC: Ye Lai Xiang By Xiang Lan Li

SINGING IN MANDARIN:

IN MANDARIN:

MUSIC STOPS

Hydrangeas.

HE SIGHS

SHE SIGHS

THEY LAUGH

Oh, my God!

Qinqin qinqin qinqin!

THEY LAUGH

KNOCK ON DOOR

DOOR OPENS

Hey, Junn.

-You OK?

-Mm.

I'm just going to change the light bulb for you.

There we are. See you.

DOOR CLOSES

Are you all right? Can I help?

Yeah, I'm looking for a Ms Junn Tan.

-Do you know how I can find her?

-Yeah, she's probably in her room.

Oh, no, she isn't. I saw her outside earlier with Alan.

Every day around this time they meet out there,

spend some time holding hands and snogging.

-Kills me.

-That's sweet.

-Yeah.

How do you know Junn?

I'm a friend of her son's. Kai.

I'm sorry.

-I'll take you outside to see her.

-OK.

-OK.

THEY CHAT QUIETLY

Alan!

Junn, I've got someone to see you.

Hello, Junn.

Hello.

How are you?

I'm...OK.

I'm, um...

..plodding along.

LOUDLY: Is this your friend?

She's not deaf.

Sorry.

It's a nice place.

-How's she been?

-She spends her time in her room.

We take them on trips every few months,

but she doesn't really participate.

There's Casanova here.

They snuggle up pretty much every day.

-My name's Alan.

-I'm Richard.

-How do you know her, then?

-I'm a friend.

Does she have any other family?

FOOTSTEPS

MUSIC: Don't Blame Me by Timi Yuro

# Don't

# Blame me

# For falling in love with you... #

I used to pull the birds with this song.

HE CHUCKLES

It never failed to turn their legs to jelly.

Oh, ho! You see what I mean?

# I cannot help it

# Don't... #

IN MANDARIN:

HE INHALES

DOOR OPENS

PHONE RINGS

-Are you...

-Richard?

-Yes. Are you Vann?

-Hi. Yeah.

-Hello.

-Hi.

-How you doing?

-I'm good, thank you. How are you?

-Yeah, good, thanks.

-Do you want anything to drink?

-Yeah, I'd love a coffee, actually.

-Hi. Can I get an Americano, please?

-Sure.

-I'll have the same, please.

-Of course.

Thank you so much for coming at such short notice.

That's OK. I hope I can help.

I can't remember whether I told you on the phone.

Um... She's the mother of a very dear friend of mine

who died recently, and I felt that...

Well, anyway,

she has met a man,

Alan,

and the problem is,

they don't have any common language,

so I wanted you to translate for them.

-I'm sorry.

-No, don't be. I think, er...

-It'll be lovely, and...

-No, I meant...

-I know.

I know what you meant.

She speaks the four main dialects.

She speaks Mandarin, Cantonese,

-Hokkien?

-Mm-hm.

And...something else that I can't remember.

And a bit of Cambodian and Vietnamese.

-They're Cambodian Chinese.

-Right.

Yeah, she speaks six languages altogether.

-Apart from English.

-Lazy bitch.

HE LAUGHS

So selfish.

Sounds like my mum.

You know, I'm not a professional translator.

-I can speak the languages.

-Fine. I'm just...

I'm grateful that you can help.

I'll try my best.

KAI INHALES

I wish there was a Shazam for smell.

Have you been sniffing other people?

KAI LAUGHS

No.

Sometimes I come across a certain scent, I'd like to know what it is.

We should have your mum over for dim sum.

I can impress her with my Chinese cooking.

She won't like your cooking.

Come on, I'm good.

I know, but she won't admit it.

Mm.

She hates me.

She doesn't.

She's jealous.

I'm her only child. No-one's good enough for me in her eyes.

You're NOT good enough for me.

You have to try harder.

Why? Why am I not good enough?

You'll have to stay in the spare room.

We'll have to pretend we're friends.

I know.

I think I've put her in there too soon.

I don't think sheltered accommodation is good for her.

You should come out to her.

So she can come here and live with us instead.

Stop doing that.

TEASPOON CLINKS

It's like walking back in time.

That's the idea.

Junn.

Um, Junn, this is Vann.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

I was just explaining who I was.

I told her I was your friend.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She asked, how are you?

I'm...

I'm good. Well, I'm OK.

How's she? How's her health?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She's fine.

She's, um...

..so-so.

-Shall we sit down and I can explain to her?

-Mm.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Um...

So this is Vann.

Um...

Sorry, you've already met. Erm...

And she is here to translate

for you and Alan

so that you can get to know each other better.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She's surprised you want to help her.

How does she feel about it?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She doesn't mind.

Can you say to her that I'm sorry

that I didn't come and visit her sooner,

but that there was a lot to do after Kai's death,

a lot of reorganising and so forth,

-and obviously I don't speak Mandarin and she doesn't speak English.

-Er...

-Shall I say that again?

-Um... No, I've got it.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Um, there's still a lot to organise,

but if she would like to come round

one day when she's free,

she could look through his stuff

and take away what she likes.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Are you giving her the belongings you no longer want to keep?

No.

No, they're not his rejects.

They're his things. I'm only keeping what...

You know, they're...

They're Kai's belongings.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She's always free.

-You just have to make a date.

-OK.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She asked, why have you come here?

Well...

Well, I wanted to see how you are.

I think Kai...

I was concerned and I...

I wanted to make sure that you're OK living here without Kai.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She wants to know where Kai's ashes are.

They're at home.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-She wants to have his ashes.

-No.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Why not?

Um, it's just...

SHE SPEAKS ANGRILY IN MANDARIN

You have a house filled with his things.

Why won't you let me have...

her have her son's ashes?

Um, I want to scatter them somewhere,

and I think Kai would like that.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-He was my only child.

-He was my life. He was my hap...

Don't... Don't translate that. She doesn't know.

She doesn't know that we were together.

FOOTSTEPS

Bad timing?

No, no, no. Come and join us.

Alan, this is Vann.

And Vann speaks Mandarin and Cantonese

and she's going to translate for you and Junn.

You brought someone to translate for us?

Yeah.

That's, er... That's very good of you.

-What shall we chat about?

-Er...

anything you want.

Um... What's her name?

Oh, no. I know that already.

Um, actually, I don't,

because we haven't been formally introduced.

Um...how old is she?

Oh, no, that's no good. Er...

Tell her

that she looks lovely.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said thank you.

Did you enjoy Kew Gardens?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

No. No, it was a bit boring.

I'm going to go outside.

JUNN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said it's really sweet that you give her flowers every day.

She appreciates that.

Oh, it's my pleasure.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-Do you like gambling?

-Gambling?

No. No, I never gamble.

It's a waste of money.

I'd sooner spend it on wild sex instead.

HE CHUCKLES

No... No, I'm joking. Don't say that.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

You didn't say that, did you?

-No, I didn't.

-No. No, it's just...

I'm... I'm a bit nervous.

I feel as though I'm on my first date. You know what I mean?

I understand. Just take your time.

-DISTANT:

-What do you do in your spare time?

So you don't mind continuing with this, then?

Of course not.

It's beautiful.

Very romantic.

What will you do?

-What do you mean?

-Will you leave her in the home?

I'm thinking of asking her to stay at mine for a trial period.

I mean...

Actually, I don't know what I mean.

Do you think it's a bad idea?

I don't know.

Would you come over and translate for us one weekend?

-Obviously I'd pay you.

-Of course I can.

You're really thinking of living with her?

Do you think I'm mad?

It would drive me mad,

living with my mum.

Fucking suicidal, even.

Sui-fucking-cidal.

What can I do?

Leave her in the home.

It's not so bad for her to be in there.

I could learn Mandarin.

She could learn English.

That's not going to happen.

SOUNDTRACK DROWNS SPEECH

INAUDIBLE

-Sorry.

-It's all right.

Thank you.

TEASPOON CLINKS

I've been thinking about putting my mum in a sheltered home.

Been reading about this place. It's really interesting.

The decor is made to look like the '50s and '60s

so the elderly can feel younger.

It takes them back to, like, a younger, happier time.

I doubt they'll have mid-century furniture from Cambodia.

Stop being so clever. Always have to have the last say.

-That's not true.

-It's not just the decor.

They actively encourage them to help themselves.

I thought it was because she needed looking after.

See? You're doing it again.

Slight memory loss is not serious.

Her memory loss is not slight.

It's not just the memory loss. It's not even about her memory.

You know this.

-Are you gunning for a fight?

-No, of course I'm not!

You look so conflicted.

Relax your forehead.

HE EXHALES

Here.

Relax it there.

Bring her over to stay with us, then.

Are you mad?

That would be sui-fucking-cidal.

What choice do you have?

How long can you keep this up?

-She has to know. You can't lock her up forever.

-I'm not locking her up!

-For fuck's sake, Richard!

-Sorry, I didn't...

I didn't mean that.

I just... I don't know what to say to you about this any more.

You have my absolute support.

And you know you have to tell her.

If you think about it, we're constantly coming out to people,

so really you should be good at it.

If only she liked you.

Make this a lot easier.

But for some reason, she thinks you're a dick.

You love this dick.

I can't stay too long today, Alan.

OK, well, we'll just do the best we can.

You have a few hours with me.

Then it's back to flirting and kissing, I'm afraid.

Oh. Goody, goody!

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She'd like you to leave.

She feels awkward with so many people watching her.

OK.

Have fun.

Oh, this is just in case I forget.

Er, you know, they're not that important,

but when you leave,

I start wondering whether I'd asked them,

and then I forget to ask them.

Um...

Can I... Can I ask them?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Ask away.

What's her favourite ice cream flavour?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Hm. Qiaokeli.

Chocolate!

That's my favourite too.

We've loads in common.

HE CHUCKLES

What does she prefer - cats or dogs?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-DISTANT:

-Cats.

-Oh, me too. I love cats.

-SPEECH FADING TO QUIET:

-How long has she been over in this country?

Tell her that she's lovely

and she looks really beautiful

and that she smells really nice today.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Xiexie.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

What was that grin there?

She said thank you,

and that you have a nice dimple.

HE LAUGHS

I thought so. She can't keep her hands off it.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Do you have any children?

Two boys, Brian and John.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

JUNN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

When was the last time they visited you?

Er, not for a while. A long time.

Er... We were never that close.

They were closer to their mother.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Why were you not close to them?

-Did you not love them?

-Of course I loved them!

I wasn't a very good father.

They couldn't wait to put me in here.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-Do your children not love you?

-I didn't say that. They...

They...well...

I'm old and clumsy. It seemed to be the best solution for everyone.

Less guilt for them to deal with.

Everybody's happy.

I'm happy, they're happy.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Don't you want to see your grandchildren?

No.

Oh, this isn't going so smoothly.

It's fine. It's...

-part of the process.

-Ha!

Thank you, Mum.

Tell her

I'd like to take her to dinner a week on Saturday.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

I'm a good cook.

It'll be lasagne.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

What are you smiling about now?

Nothing. I told her you'd be cooking Chinese food for her

and that you're a really good cook.

I said lasagne! I only do lasagne.

She hasn't had Chinese food in a long time.

It'll make her feel at home.

She cooks Chinese food every day.

-FADING TO QUIET:

-I'm trying to help you. Junn doesn't like lasagne.

But I... I don't do Chinese.

You can order from a takeaway.

-She's thinking of coming, then?

-Yeah.

Well, what do I order?

Er, sweet and sour thingamabobs,

Shanghai duck, springtime rolls?

No, don't... Don't order those.

I'll get the food for you.

You can have the dinner at mine.

IN MANDARIN:

Hydrangeas.

DOOR OPENS

I just...bought you some fruit.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Xiexie.

She said, "Thank you".

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She asked what you're thinking.

I was just looking at her room.

Kai described the room to me. I was just remembering what he said.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Is that Kai?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Shi.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

He was four or five years old.

She thinks he looks really sweet.

This is for you.

It's Kai's ashes.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

You should have his ashes.

I'm sorry that I...

fought over them with you.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

He was my best friend.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-She knows. He talked about you.

-Really?

Did he tell you about me?

Don't say that.

He loved you very much.

He was always trying to find ways to make your life better.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Why did he put me in here?

It was only meant to be temporary.

Um...

Really, he wanted you to live with him.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

I know.

And you got in the way.

What does she mean?

Is that what Kai told her?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

He wanted us to live together,

but there was no space in your flat.

One of the options, actually, was to...

..to move to another flat...

..and have you live with us.

HE CRIES QUIETLY

Don't say that.

Do you like...

living here?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

That's a silly question.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

THEIR CONVERSATION BECOMES HEATED

SHE SPEAKS ANGRILY IN MANDARIN

VANN REPLIES ANGRILY

What's happening?

What did you... What did you say?

I suggested you could look after her,

that you're practically family

and that you care a great deal for her wellbeing.

-She got angry because...

-SHE COUGHS

I said that you were a good man and she didn't know what that meant,

and she said she doesn't think you two living together is the answer.

What the fuck?

Why did you do that? It was going very well.

I'm sorry.

-I was trying to help.

-Oh, good work!

You said you wanted to give it a trial.

Don't you think I should be part of the conversation?

Of course.

It just happened.

Got out of control.

I'm sorry.

Junn?

Is that your husband?

Ask her.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Shi.

Yeah.

Is her husband white?

He's half French. Cambodian-Chinese French.

When was it taken?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

In Phnom Penh, in 1962.

Have you never been back?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Meiyou.

No.

We should go. This isn't going to work.

Will you please say to her that I'm sorry?

I didn't mean to upset her.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

JUNN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

You're... You're doing it...

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

What are you doing? You're doing it again.

Stop hounding me. She thinks we're together.

Vann, did you tell her that we're not?

-I told her you're gay.

-Vann!

I'm kidding.

I'm kidding!

DOOR CLOSES

Oh, this is what I brought.

-I have those.

-Well, I didn't know, did I?

It's actually really hard to,

you know, cook in someone else's kitchen.

Check you out.

Listen, when you learn to cook as good as me, then you'll understand.

So, what's for dinner tonight?

I thought we could start off

with coriander king prawns

-scented with Longjing tea.

-Fancy.

-Yeah.

Followed by?

Ginger pork stir-fry with a sesame dressing,

-Richard-style.

-Nice. And dessert?

Creme brulee.

From a tub?

Organic, fair trade, free-range.

Wow. Can't wait.

They had their first row yesterday.

-What happened?

-Oh, the usual.

Stubbornness.

Men.

HE LAUGHS

What did Junn do?

Alan pointed out a contradiction in something Junn had said

and then she got all defensive and started to criticise him,

finding inconsistencies in him.

So petty.

I would never do something like that.

SHE LAUGHS

I'm not sure how it escalated so quickly.

She said he touches her too much.

HE CHUCKLES

It's not funny.

Alan was really embarrassed.

And my presence just made it worse for him.

HE LAUGHS Come on!

You're doing such a great job.

Mm.

That was really tasty.

-To us.

-Ganbei.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

What are we having for mains?

Pork. Stir-fried pork.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Thank you.

ALAN CLEARS HIS THROAT

It's so romantic.

-Nice food.

-Thank you.

It don't feel very romantic at the moment.

I feel watched.

Do you mind leaving us?

-But you need me to translate.

-No, we can do without.

IN MANDARIN:

How are they going to understand each other now?

They need me.

What are they saying?

I think Alan's saying,

"Petal,

"I've got a raging hard-on

"and only you, pumpkin, can sort it out." SHE LAUGHS

"Oh, Alan, can I see it?"

"If you behave yourself, darlin', you can have it for dessert."

HE LAUGHS

IN MANDARIN:

You know...

..if I were younger,

I'd have ripped your clothes off

and taken you here, right on this table.

HE LAUGHS

God knows how many slipped discs I'm going to get.

Shall I clear the table?

Did... Did you hear all of that?

You shouldn't creep up on people. It's rude.

-I didn't hear anything, Alan.

-Hm.

Yes, you may clear the table.

-Did you have a nice meal?

-Yeah, until you arrived.

-Easy, now.

-Have you got it?

-Got what?

-You know.

What?

I can't pass it to you. She'll see.

Oh, look.

My mistake. I thought I saw a bat.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-Did you just translate that?

-Yes.

Well, clearly there isn't a bat.

-You shouldn't take that, you know.

-Shush.

Stop whispering. She can't understand us.

Here, there's only half a tablet in here.

You shouldn't be taking any of it, frankly.

-Could kill you at your age.

-Well, it's only in case, you know, I...

In case what? You can't get a Mount Fuji?

HE CHUCKLES

She's Cambodian-Chinese. Now go and get us some coffee.

I'm dead serious, Alan. Maybe you should only take a quarter of it.

OK, time to go.

I need to sleep. I'm shattered.

Junn said your cooking was fantastic.

I'm glad she enjoyed it.

Maybe she'd like to come over to mine for supper one night.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Your date's here! Hi, Junn.

-Hi!

-Hello.

Xiexie.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said dinner the other night was really lovely.

You helped, too. And, er, Richard.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She thinks you both should get to know each other's bad habits.

Really?

OK.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She'd like you to stop pinching her bum.

What?

I-I don't pinch her bum.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-She says you do it all the time.

-Only gentle squeezes.

Anyway, she started it.

I only do it because I... I thought she liked it.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She doesn't like it any more.

Her bum isn't some fruit you can squeeze whenever you want.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-Now it's your turn.

-What?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Are there any habits you don't like about Junn?

Yes, her breath smells.

It stinks of garlic.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-How come it never bothered you before?

-It did, but I...

I had no way of telling her.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

It's good for the heart.

-HE LAUGHS

-Well, it may be good for the heart,

but it definitely ain't good for kissing.

It tastes of rotten cheese.

Actually, it's worse than rotten cheese.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Hmph!

SHE SPEAKS ANGRILY IN MANDARIN

Your whole body smells of urine.

What? Why didn't she mention it before?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She tells you every day. You just don't listen.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

What's going on now?

She doesn't want to do this any more.

She's going to go wash her mouth, and you should go take a bath.

Ah!

Aw, that was supposed to encourage more hair to grow.

You'd have one hairy nipple.

That'd look very weird.

I want to take my mum out the home.

How did it go yesterday?

I tried telling her.

But I couldn't.

I bottled out.

My heart was pounding so fast.

But you were going to tell her.

She blamed you for making me take the bus.

Well, it's not like she needs another excuse, is it?

I want to...

I'm going to bring her back here and tell her.

If she gets mad, she can't storm off.

She'll be stuck with me.

It'll force us to deal with it.

Really?

You're really going to do that?

I've done it already.

She's coming round tomorrow tonight.

Can...

Can you go out for a walk?

I'll give you a call when it's finished.

You want me to walk laps round the block

while you come out to your mum?

KAI LAUGHS

-Is that what you're saying?

-Yeah.

It'll be romantic.

I am fucking romantic.

What if she's not OK?

Then you stay in a hotel.

-Fucking hell.

-She has nowhere else to stay.

It'll be OK, won't it?

Of course.

You two are so alike.

Feel this.

I'm shaking.

I might self-combust.

Just do it.

-Don't think any more about it.

-Yeah.

Yeah, I know. Absolutely.

Smell my armpit again.

I miss it when you do that.

HE CRIES

DOORBELL RINGS

Sorry. Hello.

Come in, come in.

Hi, Junn.

Come through.

I'd completely forgotten about today.

Right, who wants tea?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-Yeah, she'd love a tea.

-Can you come through to the kitchen with me?

-Sure.

-Tell her to make herself comfortable.

We'll be back in a moment.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-There's some stuff I need to clear up upstairs.

-OK.

I'm going to go and do that now. Can you tidy the kitchen?

-You want me to clean your kitchen for you?

-Yeah. Can you?

-Are you serious?

-I'm deadly serious. I'm sorry.

I'll make it up to you. Please, help me?

SHE SIGHS

-You owe me so much.

-Thank you.

THEY CHAT IN MANDARIN

Ah, you have tea.

-Would you like some?

-I'd love some.

What do you think of the place?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

It's nice. She's been here before.

Of course you have.

I forgot.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-She'd like to see Kai's room.

-Sure.

This is Kai's room.

I just moved in here recently.

Um...

This room's bigger and I needed a bit more space.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said you moved in here quick.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She'd like some time alone.

Absolutely.

DOOR CLOSES

WINDOW OPENS

WINDOW CLOSES

WHISPERING: There's this song

that Junn really adores.

Kai said she never gets tired of listening to it.

He was, er...

He was supposed to take it to her,

but he kept forgetting.

Actually, he had it on him when...

when he went to see her.

Anyway, I want to...

I want to find that CD.

What's the song called?

And who's the singer?

And why are you whispering?

HE LAUGHS

WHISPERING: I have no idea why I'm whispering.

THEY LAUGH Um...

It's a really famous song. It's a cover.

OK, well, hum it. I might recognise it.

I don't hum.

-Well, there's no-one listening.

-No.

-I'll ask Junn about it, then.

-Don't ask Junn about it!

I want it to be a surprise.

We'll go to one of the music shops in Chinatown.

I'll recognise it when I see the cover.

OK. We can ask for one of her greatest hits albums.

-I'm sure the song'll be on there.

-I can't remember her name.

Whistle it, then.

HE ATTEMPTS TO WHISTLE

HE LAUGHS

-I told you.

-Oh, my God, can't even whistle!

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Hey, Junn.

PAN SIZZLES

Just making a bacon sandwich. Would you like one?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

No, thanks.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She noticed you're frying the bacon with chopsticks.

She thinks it's lovely.

Yeah.

How else do you fry bacon? I mean...

Impossible without chopsticks.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

How'd you do it before?

I can't remember.

These, um...

These seem perfect for it.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said you have a nice home.

Thank you.

Half - well, most of it was Kai...

Most of it was Kai's idea.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said, um...

She said she can still smell Kai in your room.

Me too.

I smell him too.

MUSIC PLAYS: Sway (Yao Yao Bai Bai) By Yi Min

LYRICS IN MANDARIN TO THE MELODY OF Sway By Dean Martin

I think this is the song that you asked Kai to bring you.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She's been waiting for this CD for so long.

Kai kept promising that he'd bring it

and he kept on forgetting.

Xiexie.

Thank you.

MUSIC STOPS

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She's decided she no longer wants to see Alan.

You're joking?

I thought you were getting along fine.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She said they're very different people.

Well, that's no surprise.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

The differences they've encountered are too rooted.

Root... What? Rooted in what?

I...

Ask her, please, to speak to Alan again

and give him a second chance.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

He is simply who he is.

I am who I am.

What does that mean?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She can't see herself spending the rest of her life with him.

She's doing this to...

-punish me. That's what this is, isn't it?

-Richard.

Say it.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Why are you doing this?

I'm here to help you.

Do you want to live the rest of your life here?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

You don't need to feel sorry for me. For her.

-She doesn't need your help.

-You are so damn stubborn.

I'm trying to help you.

You're making me feel like it's my fault!

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

What are your true intentions?

To help you!

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

-Why are you doing this?

-Stop asking that dumb question! Doing what?

SHE SPEAKS ANGRILY IN MANDARIN

You've taken away my only... Her only...

Me, her, my - which is it? Come on, Vann!

You can't even separate between you and her now.

Whose side are you on?

You've taken away HER only family

and now she's stuck in this awful place.

If you hadn't been so dependent on Kai,

he would never have had to put you in here.

What were you doing? You were...

You were piling on pressure.

What fucking differences can't you work out with Alan?

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

This is your guilt. She doesn't want to be your therapist.

I...

I'm trying to help you.

I'm trying to help you get out of this awful place.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Alan is an old man. You will break his heart.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

If you had adapted to this culture,

then Kai wouldn't have had to look after every facet of your life.

Honestly, your medication,

your bank details, everything! You...

You choked him with guilt!

And who's looking after you now? Kai? No, it's me.

I wonder why that is?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

That's it, run away. That's the solution, isn't it?

I'm sorry.

I just fucked it up.

Her one chance of happiness and I fucking screwed that up.

Fuck!

Just fucking screwed everything up again.

These are all of Kai's things.

Er...

I've probably forgotten something, but...

..if I come across anything, I'll send it on to you.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

How are things between her and Alan?

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

She hasn't seen him.

It never bothered me...

..that she couldn't assimilate into this culture.

SHE SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

It bothered Kai.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

Kai was gay.

I'm his boyfriend.

We'd been together for over four years.

VANN SPEAKS IN MANDARIN

And he was going to tell you the last time that you saw him.

But he got so panicked, he couldn't do it.

He was afraid that you'd love him less.

Stupid.

So he invited you over for dinner the next day,

and he told me

to walk round the block while he came out to you.

And on his way to get the bus...

..he got hit by that fucking cunt of a driver.

IN MANDARIN:

I can't help but wonder...

..what would have happened if I had driven him.

Cos he...

I offered but he liked to take the bus.

I know you miss him.

I don't know what to do.

I miss him tremendously.

IN MANDARIN:

Kai.