Do you speak French?
Of course you do.
Come on, say something.
This part of town, it's so dull.
Come to the French district. It's much more fun.
There's more enjoyment, more laughter.
Come on.
Come with me. I'll pay you enough.
You won't regret it.
I'm expected at my work.
They won't miss you tonight.
I'm a rich man.
Really? I didn't know rich men rode the tram.
Everyone rides the tram.
I saw T.V. Soong himself on the tram the other night.
Besides, I have a limousnie.
It's waitnig just here. At this next stop.
A chauffeur, everything.
Get off and I'll take you where you're going.
Come on.
Some other time...
Hey, don't go!
Don't you know what time it is? Stop the chat!
Lights!
May I look?
Go ahead.
Thank you. this is my friend, Thomas Crane.
How are you gentlemen?
Although it's many years too late, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart
for your dedication in finding a just solution to our nation's problems.
Mr. Jackson has been a true friend
to all Chinese people.
A just solution to your nation's problems.
Blind men have very good ears.
Even if you speak Chinese.
Thibaut de Passavant, he's here in Shanghai.
Sister Anastasia told me yesterday after church.
Thibaut de Passavant? What a charming man.
Beautiful man.
-You certain he's here in Shanghai? -Snster Anastasna was qunte sure.
He arrived at least four months ago. He's posted to the French Consulate.
I wnsh we could see him, but he can't come here.
Olga, dear, I've been thinking about this. Things are so different.
Perhaps we should pay a call on Thibaut.
No, dear. No, no. I don't think so, no.
It would be for him to call on us. That's the correct way.
Yes, yes, of course...
but it is all so different these days.
-So perhaps we could call on him instead. -No, dear, no. That's not correct.
We can't call on him first, and he can never call on us here.
-Peter, dear, what is your opinion? -Dear, no. We can't see him.
That's an end to nt.
Please don't distress yourself, Aunt Vera.
Once we get to Hong Kong, our friends will visit us again...
you'll give recitals, there'll be card parties, everything as it used to be.
What's the matter?
The Oblomovs.
When they were here, they were having to live just like us.
Now look at them, living the life they used to live.
How do you know that?
They wrote to us.
Ania nicoleyava wrote to us.
You read her letter.
Do you want me to read it to you again?
Mama, where's Ania's letter? Where did you put it?
She took the trouble to write to us just to tell a pack of lies.
Don't you worry, Aunt Vera.
Once we get to Hong Kong, thnigs will be the way they should be.
What a relief that will be.
To be rid of the shame that's been brought on our family.
It's a mercy my son didn't live to see this.
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine. I just need a little air.
Is Katya all right?
She's enjoying herself.
Here.
sit down.
Relax.
Please excuse me. I have to finish these jackets by 5:00.
Yes, of course.
right, it's open.
Mr. Matsuda.
The bartender.
I first came across him last summer in a place off the Avenue Joffre.
And as for the strongarm boys, the bouncers...
well, I spent a long time hand-picking them.
Different boys that I had seen ni different places.
I'd always kept them in mind, the ones that I knew I'd one day want to use.
I think that outright violence...
will destroy a perfectly blended mood in seconds.
But a vague and ever-present possibility of violence...
that's something else, and that can be effective.
W¡th a good strongarm team you could do it.
I was always convinced of that.
You brng in the rougher elements, but then you keep them under control.
The other important ingredient is, well, what do you call it?
Sexuality?
The vague promise of an intimate encounter?
You have to judge it finely, though.
You have to choose women with real care.
So that lady...
she's a Russian?
Perhaps an aristocratic lady who chose to give up her homeland?
Chose?
No.
-That is why you named this establishment. -Yeah, you got it.
She is the Countess Sofia Alexeyevna Belinskya.
She has everything that I wanted for this place.
She has the allure, the tragedy, the weariness.
She knows that history has no place...
for her kind anymore.
She's perfect.
My centerpiece.
You must be a happy man, Mr. Jackson.
In a little over a year, you've managed to realize your dream.
I thought for a while that I had...
that I had really achieved what I'd always wanted...
but I was never quite happy.
For a long time, I couldn't put my finger on it.
I just knew, I just knew that something.... There was something missing.
And just a few days ago, I realized what it was.
There's no political tension in here.
You are saying that without this political dimension...
-your establnishment-- -No, it'll never be more than a confection.
Just a pretty confection, you know.
A few Chinese Reds.
Some of their Nationalnst enemies and maybe a few of your countrymen.
Maybe some of mine.
I can see it. I can see it all in here.
But right now, I just can't see a way forward.
How do you get such people in here all at the same time?
I mean, a fellow can't just take a gun and force them to come in.
Mr. Jackson, please be careful.
-No, no, no. Stop. -All right.
How often do I have to tell you I can get around fine?
Yes, but not this morning. The men have moved everything.
-It's all different. -Good, well, you've warned me.
Now sit down and carry on playing.
I just need something to sit on.
Watch out.
That woke me.
I'm sorry, I didn't know you were still here.
Why are you sleeping here again anyway?
You have a nice house to go to.
And you slept in your clothes again.
And what about you? Why aren't you at home in your bed?
There's no bed for me till morning, and my daughter....
Sorry, I was forgetting our agreement.
I've told you, there's no agreement.
I just sand once I thought that we'd get on best...
if we confined our friendship to within these walls.
And I'd say that's worked out pretty well so far.
And for you to hear about my life beyond this place...
I suppose it spoils your picture of me...
that perfect one you have inside your head.
I don't know what's gotten into you this morning.
Playing the piano first thing, and now all this talk.
I'm sorry. I didn't know you were upstairs.
Forget it. Anyway, it's a nice way to be woken up.
What you were playing, it sounded pretty.
You know, I've known you a whole year, and I had no idea you played so well.
My Aunt Vera taught me.
She was wonderful pianist.
I've forgotten so much.
Our friends used to send their children to her for lessons.
I don't even know if she could still play now.
She hasn't touched a piano for years.
I'm sorry. I should go.
My bed will be ready now, and I need to sleep.
It's my intention.
Let me out!
Where's my family?
My family is in there.
Three years already.
In some ways it seems much longer.
Daddy, can I ask you something?
A promise?
As for the....
...give you the privilege of taking ¡t away, sir.
Lovely scarf...
Iovely coat...
120 pounds.
It's a lovely price.
Are you sure it would sell?
Tell me about your English teacher.
He was from England. He was not as strict as Mrs. Henderson.
And you should work more on your reading.
Mary, what do you think?
And then she wouldn't be so cross with you.
I'd be locked up if I told you what I was thinking.
Hello?
Hello? How do you do?
Katya.
Come on, Katya.
Katya, come on.
-That was him, wasn't it? -Come on, Katya, we'll be late.
The blind man.
-That was our blind man, wasn't it? -Yes.
Come on, Katya.
Why didn't he speak to us?
He just didn't.
You said he was a nice man.
He is a nice man.
Then why didn't he speak to us?
Come on, Katya. Mrs. Henderson's waiting.
Katya!
Hello?
And he looked at me again and said, "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. "
He said, "You don't half look bad, you don't. "
I said, "Who do?" He said, "You don't. " I said, "I do?"
He said, "Yes, you do, you don't. "
Katya!
Well, young lady. How are you?
Katya.
Mama says you are sometimes bad-tempered.
Why...
I suppose she might be right.
Is that why you don't speak to us just now?
I guess it wasn't very good-mainered of me. I'm sorry.
Mrs. Henderson is teaching me to read and write English.
-One day I'll write you a letter. -Write me a letter?
Can't be the only reason you're learning English, can it?
But I must write you a letter. It's very important.
Why is it so important that you wrnte to me, my dear?
Because you must take us on a boat trip.
-Boat trip? -Up the river.
-To Soochow. -Katya, that's enough.
A boat trip to Soochow?
will you take us? Me and Mama and Aunt Vera?
Come, we must go.
-Goodbye, blind man. -I'll see you later.
Can I ask you something?
-Sure. -A promise.
Well, depends what it is.
When I'm grown, and I'm married...
and I have children of my own...
promise you'll stay with us.
Promise you'll live with me forever.
Don't you think your husband will have something to say about this?
No.
Please promise me.
All right.
If that's what you want.
He said, "Which ain't?" I said, "That ain't. "
He said, "That ain't?" I said, "Yes, it is, it ain't. "
I said, "But be careful when you try her, she's a flyer...
"¡f you buy her, you've a bargain. You can take the tip from me. "
He said, "What makes you say so?" I said, "Say so, I should say so. "
You know, Olga, dear, I do wonder if we are making a mistake.
About what?
You know about what.
Thibaut de Passavant.
-After all, he is an ambassador now. -No, just a consul, dear.
Peter, dearest, what is your view?
Should we not pay a little visit to the French Embassy?
It's a consulate.
It's only a consulate, dear.
Olga, dear, there are large beans, and there are small beans.
In my view, a bean is still a bean....
Sofia.
will you deal the hand, please, now?
I need to speak to you.
Last night, while you were out, I found Katya playing with your rouge.
She put some on her face.
So? Children have to play.
Your rouge.
Aren't you horrified?
We've talked about this before. You have to be more strict.
In the evening, when you are dressed like that, you're not to let Katya near you.
-But how can I? She's my daughter. -Don't you see where this is leading?
Do I have to spell it out?
If you love her, you'll know what I'm saying is right.
What do you say?
I suppose you're right.
Then you have to do your part.
She's not to come near you when you're like that.
Grusha, I'll do as you say. You're right, I see it.
But you must promise me something.
If something happens to me, will you love her?
I mean, treat her gently and kindly at all times?
You swear to me now you will. Swear it.
Of course I will.
She's my brother's child. She looks like him. his eyes--
Swear you'll love her and be gentle to her.
I swear it.
Thank you.
Thank you, Grushenka.
Papa!
You're late.
No, my darlings, this isn't so late.
Very good. Show it to your mama.
Mama? Mama?
Let me in!
Come here, Katya.
Let me in! I've made you a new painting.
-Why have you locked it? -Katya.
Come here.
She's busy.
Let me see.
It's beautiful. Is it a soldier?
Is this one of our dear Czar's guards?
What a funny uniform he's wearing.
Come on.
You want me?
-No, no. -Come back.
Well, you're very quiet tonight.
I was just wondering if, when I'm too old to be here like this...
if my daughter will be here instead, in my place.
I was just thinking, that's all.
-Well, I'm sure that she-- -But you don't want to hear this kind of talk.
We have our agreement after all...
and I'm sorry about what happened at the cafe this afternoon...
disturbing you like that when you're enjoying your radio.
You and your daughter, do you walk that way often?
-Through Frenchtown? -Yes.
I sit in that cafe a lot.
Not always outside like that but l....
I'm there a lot.
Fine.
Mr. Jackson?
Please excuse me.
But I was told I might find you here.
Mr. Matsuda, won't you join me for coffee?
No, thank you. But if you'll excuse me...
I shall impose myself on you for just a moment.
Please, come and sit down.
Mr. Jackson.
I've been thinking about your establishment.
What you said that evening I visited you there.
-About it missnig-- -Political tension, you called it.
How to bring political tension to your establishment?
The idea struck me at the time as a little eccentric.
But it has ntrigued me ever since.
I believe there is a way.
And what is that, Mr. Matsuda?
I'm in touch with a certain person...
a Chinese gentleman who exercnses a degree of influence in Shanghai.
It is possible he might be able to assist.
How exactly would he do that?
My acquaintance is in a position...
to persuade many people to do what he requests.
You mean that he's a hood?
You might say so.
And he can persuade the various factions that I want to come into my place?
Snmply an idea.
Why would he want to help me?
Why? Because....
Because l, in turn, have the means to persuade him.
What kind of work is it that you do, Mr. Matsuda?
Please, I would very much like to help you.
Particularly now that I can see what you might achieve.
It could be something quite wonderful.
I would suggest you introduce first some communists.
Not, of course, known members of the Party. This would be too much.
I can suggest certain people to you.
MagaZine editors, writers...
men suspected of communist links.
Then, after some time, when our Red friends are comfortably installed...
you could then introduce certain individuals associated with the Kuomintang.
Please give these two camps plenty of time to get used to each other.
And only then you might add some Chinese soldiers...
a few Japanese merchant sailors...
perhaps one or two Japanese businessmen.
But please be cautious.
This will be a most difficult balance to achieve.