Istand alone at twilight under the lamp
The spring wind blows across my face
At 1 7 going on 18, I remain unwed
And then I see the young man
Truly, he is fair and handsome
Hello?
I'll pay you back! Don't worry!
I don't just owe you, I owe many others.
I'm repaying each of you a bit at a time.
Don't keep on bugging me!
I'll soon have the money to repay you.
You can count on it! Okay?
I see him as my groom
Feelings of love fill my heart
Oh, when will the gentleman bring
The spring wind so flowers can bloom
I hear someone at the door
I open it to see who it might be
But I see only the moon laughing at me
I have been deceived by the wind
Auntie!
Good morning!
Come, eat some breakfast!
What are you cooking tonight?
Since Seng's coming home today,
- I thought we'd have a steamboat dinner - That's great!
Today, I bought all the food Seng can't find in America.
Pork ribs from Tiong Bahru
and fish, from Chinatown.
There, the fish is really cheap and fresh!
Wow, that's impressive! You went to so many places!
Hard to imagine
that two years have finally passed
Hopefully now that Seng's back from the US,
he'll be more mature
and won't worry his father so much.
Don't worry! He'll be fine!
Okay, Auntie, I'm off.
- I'll be back at around 7 tonight. - Good!
Your herbal tea!
Everytime like that!
I told you already!
Pack your bag at night!
See, you're late for school again!
You see Steven?
Auntie Bee Leng told me
he scored 1 00 for his spelling!
How come you only got 95?
How will you get into Nanyang Primary?
You watch too many cartoons!
You want to be a road sweeper?
Again!
Don't step on it!
Faster! We're late already!
Pinky, we'll pick you up at 6!
Yes, ma'am.
Pinky, don't forget:
the air-conditioner man's coming later.
- Yes, ma'am. - Okay, bye!
Bye!
In the Subordinate Courts today,
a woman was sentenced to six months' jail
for pouring boiling water on their maid.
The Ministry of Law said it supported
the deterrent sentence as the number of
maid abuse cases in Singapore
continues to rise.
Why are these people like that?
Should I take the PlE or the AYE?
That's something you can decide, right?
I think the PlE...
Can you change the station?
Hey!
This is the song my band used to play
when we were in secondary school!
Alright!
Softer, softer!
Hey! That condominium's been completed!
What condominium?
I told you before:
If I didn't handle the permits for this condo,
Simon Koh would be in deep trouble!
Nice, isn't it?
Should've taken the AYE!
Sorry, Uncle Huat! Traffic jam! Car accident!
Got all the papers?
So you must be happy.
I heard from my dad that your son's coming back from America today.
Two years already! So fast!
I've worked for your father
for over thirty years already!
Then you can retire now!
Madam, your son owes people a lot of money.
So we've got a court order
to seize your goods.
These are court stickers.
You can't remove them
or the goods they're stuck on.
If you do, the court will come after you!
Don't stick those things all over the place!
What the hell are you sticking?
If your son doesn't pay up within 7 days,
we're going to auction off all these things!
You are such a mean person! Get out! Get out!
Don't push me! It's no use!
Just ask your son to clear his debts!
Get out! Get out!
Madam!
Behave yourself!
You bastard! Get out!
I said behave yourself!
Get out! Bastard!
Okay, enough! Hold it!
With a mother like you,
no wonder your son's like that!
May you get run over by a car!
And may your children be born without buttocks!
You can continue watching this TV.
But you can't remove this document!
Do you understand?
Isn't this baby cute?
Why take so many photos of babies?
Hey, now that Seng's coming back,
you'd better marry and have your own!
What's the hurry?
Irene's nearly 30, you know!
What if her baby has problems?
Hey!
Actually, why are you printing the photos?
He can always see them on your blog!
Oh, Seng doesn't like to do that.
Is he for real?
He's studying lT but doesn't like going online?
Hey, if you did the same thing everyday,
you'd get sick of it too.
Mr. Koh, I booked your ticket
to San Francisco already.
Thanks, Mei.
- Can you file this for me? - Sure.
Oh, and your wife called.
What does she want?
Just reminding you that tonight
there's that charity dinner at the Fullerton.
What a waste of time!
Mr. Koh, can I leave early today?
Why?
My brother's coming back from the US,
so my mother's cooking a big dinner.
That's nice.
Whatever my brother does
is always a big deal.
Hang on, when are you going on maternity?
Four more weeks.
I don't know how the hell I'm going to cope without you!
Don't worry, I'll train the temp!
No problem!
Lion City Resorts. Good morning...
Hello?
May I speak to Mr. Gary Leong, please?
Just one moment please...
Thank you.
Hello?
Gary?
Yes?
- It's CK!! - Sorry, who? I don't...
Lim Chee Keong.
Oh! Brother! Holy cow!
Yes, that one! Sec. 3G. How are you, man?
- Okay, like that... - Good, good.
What about you, man?
Me? Getting by.
I say, long time no...
So what can I do for you, man?
Oh, nothing...
Just happened to look through
our old school annual...
Oh no! How embarrassing!
Nonsense!
You look very handsome in your photo!
Hey, Gary, we should get together
for lunch sometime...
I don't believe this, man!
Yeah, it's been over twenty years, you know!
Whatever happened to Chua Kim Soon?
Oh yeah, Chua Kim Soon...
He's a lawyer now.
A lawyer! No kidding!
Actually, I just spoke to him this morning.
You're really on the ball, aren't you!
Well, someone's got to keep in touch, right?
The rest of you fellows are so lousy!
Sorry, man!
How about lunch?
Sure! Come to my office.
There's this fish head curry place...
No problem. I can come to your office.
Hang on...
I just want to check something with you.
Hope you don't mind...
Do you have life insurance?
So it's like that...
What company are you with?
Temasek Life...
I heard you enlisted?
I used to be... I left the army last year.
- Which unit? - Guards.
So how come you...
Oh, time for a change...
Hey, listen. Sorry, man. I'm totally covered.
I have, like, four policies already.
- How about your wife? - Sorry.
Or someone else?
Yes...
Two hundred dollars.
Okay. Good. Bye.
Someone urinated in the elevator again!
Where do these filthy devils come from?
I just can't understand it!
Most people who live in public housing
have no social graces!
Don't be snobbish!
You live in public housing too!
Hey! Bring my pants over here!
Here!
Bloody hell!
Cheapskates!
I didn't even get one number!
The weather's hot.
Drink more herbal tea!
Don't make a mess with your cuttings!
I just swept and mopped the floor!
I can't do this, I can't do that...
Seng will be home soon. Go and shower!
Sweep, mop, shower, herbal tea...
Is there anything else you know?
Ma, we're home!
Ma, I bought some apples.
- Where did you buy them? - Downstairs.
Why? They're really expensive!
Why didn't you go to Pasir Panjang? They're much cheaper there!
Forget it!
Pa.
Oh! Pa...
Ma, let Pinky do it!
There's no need!
Don't you know? I do this work everyday!
It's maid's work!
Pinky! Take over!
Yes, ma'am
Don't worry...
You cook for 6 people.
In Luzon, I cook for 16 people!
He's always like this!
Don't disturb!
It's a mess!
I have a system! Don't mess up my stuff!
This isn't your house!
If you are so hardworking, go clean your own house!
So, any luck today?
It's not that I want to nag you,
but you must try harder.
I don't know if I have
any more old schoolmates left!
What about your old army buddies?
Please! Half of them
are also trying to sell me insurance!
Can you be more thick-skinned?
My salary's not good enough for three of us, you know.
Should have stayed in the army.
Hello! Pa! Ma!
Pa, Ma! Seng's back!
Welcome home!
- CK, how's life? - Oh, like that...
Mr. Graduate, how's America?
It's okay.
Seng! You're finally back!
Ma, how have you been?
Good, good!
Seng! The graduate's come home!
You look fairer.
Fatter too.
I'm not the only one!
Seng, come drink some herbal tea!
Herbal tea! At least let him sit down first!
Right, right! Sit, sit!
Here, Seng.
Thanks, Ma.
Come, Seng!
Drink, Pa!
Don't drink too much!
Eat, eat!
Seng, it's time to get a job.
Pa and lrene spent all their savings on you.
Are you hoping to rely on Pa
someday winning the lottery?
Who are you to give advice?
You're just a secretary!
Never mind! Anyway...
Seng already has a job interview on Monday.
Wow! Is that for real?
I arranged the meeting through email.
Now, American degrees are in high demand.
Congratulations, man.
Thanks.
What did they just say?
Oh, Seng said that on Monday...
Now you've come back,
you can't play the fool anymore, okay?
What if you end up selling insurance
Iike this guy?
Don't make me lose face!
Don't worry, Uncle.
Seng will be alright this time round.
I'll make sure.
Make sure?
Who knows if you'll get the money back!
Of course I will!
Now, lT is really lucrative!
Hard to believe that l, Loh Poh Huat
could send my son to America to study in a university!
Irene also helped!
Right?
Whatever!
Do you all think my boss
is really superior to me?
He just had the money
to get the credentials, that's all!
But I've also helped Seng get his papers!
Seng, make sure you get a good job!
That way you can repay us.
Then I can retire and move to a condo
and get out of this low-class place
where people urinate in the elevator!
It really stinks!
Don't talk so much! Eat!
Come, everyone! Tuck in!
Pa
Soon you won't need to hold your nose
or cut pictures from newspapers
I'll buy you a real condo... a real car!
Car? What kind of car?
Car!
I forgot to put a parking coupon! Sorry!
You're always like that!
Mei, can you please tell Pinky
that after she's washed the dishes,
she must dry them properly.
If she doesn't, they'll grow mouldy.
Ma, Pinky knows what to do.
Here. The $200 you asked for. What's it for?
Have some herbal tea!
I don't want any!
Now that you've all grown up,
no one wants to drink my herbal tea.
Only lrene does!
When she was alive, my mother
used to brew herbal tea for me too.
So, lrene...
when are you and Seng going to get married?
Maybe after he gets a job.
You're not tired of waiting?
Ma, I was just saying...
Since lrene's lent Seng so much money,
it's only right that they get married.
Seng really needed it...
I know!
I'm just saying I couldn't do it...
Before you're even married
you're lending so much money to a man
And even living in his house...
It's right to support your husband!
Ma, Seng's not her husband yet!
Women shouldn't be so stupid!
Do you know why Seng's like that?
Because every time he screws up,
you're both there wiping his backside!
He's a lot better now.
You don't support those who deserve the support.
Who got better grades in school?
But who did you support?
I told you that after you give birth,
I'll help to take care of your baby,
but you said no.
There's no need! I've told you already!
My maid can take care of him,
even teach him English.
I don't want the baby to pick up Hokkien from you!
Seng! Come have some pears.
They're cooling
Where's CK? He's been gone so long!
Seng! Come over here!
Help me pick lottery numbers!
Your studies have cost me so much.
Pick some lucky numbers so I can recoup!
Thirty-eight.
Pa, what's the top prize this time?
Two million.
Wow, so if you win, what will you give me?
You mean it?
Yes!
Thirty-five.
Ma asked me for money again.
For what?
You know...
Do you think Seng
really has a job interview?
Why not? Why would he lie?
Do you think I'm successful?
Of course.
You've got a good job, in a good company.
Yeah.
And I don't have a university degree, right?
Me too.
Mei?
You respect me, right?
Don't be silly! Of course I respect you.
You just have to work harder.
What's this?
I used my phone to take them.
Everyday, I take a photo
to show you what you've missed.
Don't you read my blog?
You've gained quite a bit of weight!
I'm sorry!
I think I bought the wrong size!
Hey, tell me about your life in America.
What's there to say? It's like that...
Didn't you read my emails?
Yes, but your emails are all so short!
Go on! Tell me!
Everyday is the same: study, study...
Show me your graduation pictures?
Tomorrow. I'm tired.
I'm so happy that you're home.
I always knew you could make it.
Seng...
This time...
you really must show them, okay?
Show your Pa.
Then we can get married...
Have a baby...
I can't wait to take photos of you and our baby.
I'll pay you back the money. I promise.
Just earn enough so we can get married.
Everything must be perfect.
I don't want to end up like Pa and Ma.
I'm happy just having you and a family.
Down a bit, down a bit... that way...
Seng's become fairer, don't you think?
No, he's the same as before.
It's good that Seng has come home.
He's been in America for so long
with no one to cook a decent meal for him.
What a country bumpkin you are!
America's so big - there's plenty to eat!
Americans are all so fat and burly!
Haven't you seen them on TV?
Scratch properly! Over there...
Now that Seng's back, he should marry lrene.
If they get married and have a child...
While I'm healthy, I can take care of it.
It's better if they have a son.
Then the Loh line can continue.
I wonder what America's like.
I'd love to see it!
You? Go to America?
Can you survive eating hamburgers everyday?
Can you speak English?
Why did you scratch me so hard?
Okay, enough! You can stop scratching!
I just want to have a look, that's all!
OK! OK! Turn off the lights!
Hurry up!
What are you doing?
Come on... don't be like that!
Don't be a nuisance! What's come over you?
I'm just in a really good mood! Come on!
You're in a good mood, but I'm not!
Disgusting! Go to sleep!
The concept for this development is healthy living.
All our units come
with anti-bacterial air-conditioning
and specially-filtered water.
We've also got a spa village.
How many units left?
- Phase 1 is sold out. - So fast?
It's a Far East Development, so...
But we still have units left in Phase 2.
Thanks.
Come this way.
Nice, isn't it?
Yes, but for what? We can't afford it.
We must know the market, just in case.
Do you want to stay in public housing your whole life?
Auntie, come and see!
Where's Uncle?
He's still not back from work.
Wow!
Nice, isn't it? Just bought it yesterday! It's a designer label!
It's very nice!
But you should've gone to Tiong Bahru
to get Auntie Leong to make you a suit.
Her sewing is really good, and cheap too!
Ma, what do you know!
Seng... say a prayer.
Ma, I don't believe in these things.
You can't say that!
Pray so that tomorrow goes smoothly.
I'll do it!
Be a good boy!
Seng, come here.
This is for you.
Ma, what's this?
You're not earning yet.
This will tide you over.
You're always like this.
Thanks.
Quickly find a job and earn some money,
get married and make me a grandmother.
Do you hear me?
Thanks for coming.
We'll call you next week.
Jeffrey Loh Choon Seng?
Hey, you're not eating?
Oh, getting ready for your wedding, right?
Have you booked the hotel already?
Not yet.
You'd better hurry.
You must book one year in advance!
Linda!
Hello?
It was okay.
I was a bit nervous at first, but
everything turned out well in the end.
It went okay. I'm quite confident.
Okay, I'll see you tonight.
Bye.
So, Mr. Loh, you graduated from...
Dubois Polytechnical University.
In ldaho. USA.
Sorry, is that a poly or university?
In the US, all polys are universities.
Idaho...that's the potato place, right?
Yes.
Mr. Loh, I have to be honest with you.
I've never heard of your university.
I understand... it's very famous in lowa
..or, sorry, ldaho.
But this is Singapore.
I'm not saying your degree is worthless...
Don't get me wrong.
I mean, at the end of the day,
it's a piece of paper, right?
But how do I know...
MlT, Stanford... everyone knows them.
But... you must consider us too.
What do we tell our clients?
Why are you back so late?
I'm a busy man!
Do you think I've nothing to do?
What do you have to do that keeps you out so late?
Don't be such a grump!
Look, I bought you durians!
The weather's so hot,
and you want to eat durians?
What kind did you buy?
Old Lady durians.
They're bitter inside!
Where's Seng?
Did his interview go well?
He said it went smoothly.
So he and lrene went for dinner to celebrate.
Well, then I can rest easy.
I've struck it!
Two million! Two million dollars!
I've won two million dollars!
Much better than home-cooked food!
Okay, presentation, presentation!
Give me a hand!
Don't worry, Auntie, we'll do it.
Seng, you sit down.
Hurry up!
These three condos are all not bad.
This one has a gym, a pool... everything!
But this one, by Far East, is in a more high-class location.
And this one used to be a hotel!
After waiting for so many years
now I needn't live in public housing
with filthy scum who piss in elevators!
What's more, next week,
my boss has recommended me to go
to the Singapore Elite Country Club
for a membership interview!
You think two million can buy you so many things?
Don't you have anything nice to say?
Okay, put it down!
Eat, eat! Order whatever you want!
CK, see?
Buying a lottery ticket
is better than paying for insurance!
Listen, if you both give me a grandson,
I'll give you a big reward!
Thanks, Pa.
What's more, Seng and lrene can get married!
You're my son,
so the wedding has to be a grand affair!
No matter what it costs, I'll pay for it!
Thank you, Uncle!
Pa, there's no need.
Why? You picked the numbers!
Anyway, can you afford it on your own?
If you have money, you mustn't be stingy.
Right, Luan?
Wow! So nice!
Pa, who taught you how to choose jewellery?
Pa's secret!
Come! This calls for a toast!
1, 2, 3... Bottoms... Up!
Do you like your new earrings?
My ears are not pierced.
He never notices.
Uncle meant well.
Don't worry. Next week
I'll take you to get your ears pierced.
Is it painful?
No, it'll be over in seconds!
Pa
I was thinking...
maybe
I should postpone my wedding.
You know the government keeps asking us to be more...
entrepreneurial, right?
So maybe I shouldn't take up this job.
Maybe you could give me money
to start my own business.
What kind of business?
IT consultancy.
Good! It's good to be your own boss!
Why join some company
only to let some rich bastard
tell you what to do?
You be the rich bastard!
How much do you need?
Fifty thousand.
Fifty thousand?
What can you do with fifty thousand?
If you want to do business, you got to do it big!
Don't do small time business!
You'll only make me lose face!
Pa... thanks.
But don't tell lrene yet.
Why?
She'll think I don't want to get married.
Seng...
Bloody bank!
They've turned me down my whole life
but now I'm rich, they give me so many!
Take one!
You're doing business. You'll need it.
Just don't go on a spending spree.
You must pay me back!
I will, Pa.
Seng, don't tell Mei. She's bound to be jealous.
Auntie, be careful of the rain.
Irene, thanks for accompanying me today.
No problem.
What do you think? Nice or not?
Nice.
What do you think?
For my country club interview.
Very sharp.
You're wearing a suit in such hot weather?
Look at you! Sweating like a pig!
Pig, my foot!
It's to impress the club's committee!
They're the kind of people who wear suits!
You don't do any sports,
why do you want to join a club?
You don't know anything!
Come, pretend you're interviewing me!
I'll answer you in English.
If you answer in English,
how will I know what you're saying?
Who cares?
Just ask!
Have you eaten?
They won't ask such stupid questions!
Ask a different one!
Don't you know any other questions?
Do you want some herbal tea?
It has been my lifelong dream
to join this prestigious club.
How come you have so much money?
You haven't even started work yet!
You want to get married, right?
You don't want a nice car?
You want me to borrow CK's old wreck?
We haven't even booked a date! A hotel!
Why must we buy a car now?
Why couldn't you discuss this with me first?
Why? Don't you trust me?
It's not that...
Oh, please! Nowadays
people look at what car you drive,
what house you live in,
what university you go to!
If you want to make it, you've got to
Iook like you've already made it!
Look, don't worry.
I used the credit card to pay for the deposit.
I bought the car for us.
Pa promised me the car.
Worse comes to the worst, he'll pay for it.
I need you to be more understanding.
Please?
When do you start work?
I was thinking...
Maybe I should start my own business.
What?
I was just thinking...
Seng, you have a good job offer,
- Please don't... - Trust me!
Everything's going to be okay.
Hello? Mr. Koh! What?
I'll take care of it. Don't worry.
I understand.
Is she at home?
No problem. What time should l...
Okay, I'll go now. Don't worry. Bye.
She even took money from the safe!
Do you know how much?
No! Why should l?
Have you called the police already?
No.
Okay, I'll call them for you.
Can you call someone to fix the air-conditioner too? It's so hot!
Look at this place! I never expected...
You give them a job! And such a nice place to stay...
And they do this to you!
I understand... it's very difficult.
That's why we try to treat our maid nicely.
In case, you know...
What are you trying to say?
Nothing. I'm just saying...
Who the hell are you to tell me
how I should treat my maid?
You're just my husband's secretary!
Mrs. Koh, I'm just trying to help.
You can help by cleaning up this mess!
Do you have ears or not?
Stupid girl!
Hallo!
Good afternoon, sir. May I help you?
I'm Loh Poh Huat. I'm here for my membership interview.
Oh, Mr. Loh, you're very early.
Why don't you get a drink at our lobby bar? It's air-conditioned.
Can I walk around?
I'll just look around. I don't need a card, right?
No, Mr. Loh, go ahead.
The committee should be ready at 6 o'clock.
- Okay, Thank you. - Have a nice day.
How long has she been like that?
Since we told her the news.
The doctor says that it's shock.
Irene, where can we give our condolence money?
To Mei over there.
Okay, thanks. We'd better go.
Take care, Auntie.
They just won two million dollars.
There's no need to give too much money.
Hi, our condolences.
Hi, Mei.
Uncle Peng! Thank you.
We'll miss your Pa. He was a real character.
Uncle Peng, have a seat.
I'll bring you some drinks and food.
Go and buy drinks. We're running out.
Put it over there! Your stuff's arrived!
Why so late?
Sorry, peak period.
Is everything here?
Sure, go ahead and check!
Thanks for coming. Have more food.
- Is this the paper house we ordered? - Yes.
Is this the best house you have?
A three-storey bungalow.
You ordered the Elite Package, right?
Do you have a condo?
My Pa really wanted to live in a condo.
Seng, don't be crazy!
I only want the best for my Pa. Is that wrong?
My Pa's a rich man.
He deserves the best! Correct?
Sure. But a bungalow beats a condo.
Tell you what, I'll throw in a swimming pool.
- Okay. - You're insane!
And what kind of car is this?
A Mercedes. There's even a chauffeur inside.
- Chauffeur? - There!
There's also a maid, security guard,
Iaptop, VCR... a whole bunch of stuff!
But will your Pa know how to use them in the afterlife?
Pinky, take care of this.
Be careful with it!
Mr. Koh, Mrs. Koh, thank you for coming.
Mei, we're so sorry about your father.
And thank you for your help that day with...
Don't mention it. Did they catch her?
You really have to watch them you know!
Please don't talk about that now!
- How are you coping, Mei? - Okay.
Good. We really miss you back at the office.
It's a madhouse!
The new temp they gave me
is some kind of funny woman!
Huat! Huat!
What's going to happen to us?
Come, that's enough.
Auntie, you must be tired.
I'll take you upstairs to rest, okay?
Jeffrey Loh Choon Seng!
Simon Koh!
- How've you been, man? - Good!
How are you and Mei...
He's my younger brother.
What a small world!
Mei, how come you didn't tell me?
Seng, my boss and his wife.
Jeff and I were in secondary school together.
He was the king!
He's the one I told you about...
Put a potato into the principal's exhaust pipe
and got expelled!
What a hero!
So what are you doing now?
IT. I graduated from the States.
I've got my own company.
Do you have a business card?
I ran out of business cards.
I'll ask Mei to get you some later.
What about you?
I joined my dad's firm
when I came back from Australia.
Actually, we're doing a project around here.
Going to tear these old flats down
and build a shopping centre with luxury condos above.
I didn't know about that.
We only decided today.
We're calling it "Elite Towers".
I'll fill you in when you come back.
I really can't work without your sister.
She's the best.
She helps me in everything!
Let me get you both a drink.
Get one for me too.
Pinky!
No more drinks, ma'am.
It's okay, Mei. We're going off.
We just came here to give you
our condolences and this.
Thank you.
We'll see you back at the office soon, okay?
And Jeff! Let's do lunch sometime.
I'll take you to the Tower Club!
Great! See you!
Don't you know how embarrassing that is?
- What? - Running out of drinks for guests!
Aren't you supposed to be the organized one?
Don't raise your voice at me!
I know you've always had something against Pa!
Watch what you're saying!
With Pa in the coffin,
can you not make us look bad?
You've got some nerve saying that!
Who arranged all this?
Who arranged with the funeral service providers? You?
All you know how to do is point.
Do you think you're the boss?
And spending so much money for what?
You want to save money?
That's why we don't even have drinks!
You think you're rich?
We don't even have Pa's money yet!
That's why you're penny-pinching?
You just want to make Pa lose face!
Who the hell do you think you are?
Talking so big?
What're you talking about?
Ran out of business cards!
You can't find a job, but just can't admit it!
Fuck you!
Why? What happened?
What took you so long?
All the guests have nothing to drink!
Actually, Uncle Peng...
Pa put all the money
in his joint account with Ma...
And now she's in this state.
What can we do?
Did your Pa make a will?
We looked all over and couldn't find anything.
But we found some of his old photos.
He looked like Elvis!
You should have seen him dance!
Just like Elvis too!
Your Pa was a real terror.
That's how he wooed your Ma.
Three of a kind!
They would never tell me these things.
What happens if there's no will?
In that case...
we'll probably need to find a lawyer.
But I think our boss can help.
Or maybe wait till your Ma gets better.
Why? In a hurry to get the money?
What happens if Ma doesn't get better?
He's bought a new car.
What car?
None of your business.
Anyway, car or no car, what's the difference?
The so-called 5C's...
Cash, credit card, car,
condo, country club...
Have you heard of the sixth C?
It stands for 'Coffin'!
We all die in the end anyway.
Hey, I've won! Apologies, apologies...
Again?
Uncle Peng,
did Pa ever speak of us at work?
Yes, he told me once
he took you fishing at Pulau Ubin.
I remember. I was terrified of the worms!
Actually, Pa only took you.
he would never take me.
Football!
He took the whole family to the National Stadium to watch football.
You're right. You, me, and Ma.
You even went when you were in Ma's tummy!
I only went along for the prawn crackers.
Drinks! Melon seeds! Prawn crackers!
Here! The swimming pool I promised!
Can you show him...
Pinky, take this.
Show him where to put...
Hello? Mr. Koh?
Why?
Isn't it in the...
Can't the temp...
I'll try... okay.
I'll be there.
-Excuse me, are you Uncle Huat's daughter? -Yes.
I'm Michelle Tang, of Tang Goh and Partners.
Your father worked for my Dad.
You're Mr. Tang's daughter?
This is from our firm, with our condolences.
Sorry, I have to go now, but... you take care.
Thank you.
Can we talk?
Not now. My boss wants me to go back to the office.
- Huh? How can he do that? - What can I do?
Recalling you from a funeral?
That's even worse than the army!
Put this in the condolence money box.
Pinky has it. I'll be back around 5.
This is really too much!
Oh, please!
Singapore is like that! Everywhere is like that!
There's no choice!
If I don't do it, then I'll also be peddling insurance!
Then what will become of us?
Mr. Koh, I can only be here for an hour.
Sorry, but this new Elite Towers tender is really important!
And the new temp, she's so slow!
Okay, what do you need?
Photocopy this!
Oh, and a cup of coffee.
Mr. Koh, is this really important?
Do me a favour, will you?
I'm sorry, it's just that
it's really inconvenient now!
Look! It's also quite inconvenient for me
for my secretary to take off for a week
while we're in the middle of a
multi-million dollar project
and maybe one whole month later on!
Sorry, but you need to pay the caterer.
I've been waiting here a long time.
Sorry, I forgot to withdraw money. Just a moment.
Pinky! Come here!
There should be more.
There's one more packet.
I'm missing five hundred dollars.
Where is it?
I don't know, ma'am.
Don't do this to me, Pinky. Not now.
I really don't know, ma'am!
What do you mean you don't know?
You've been carrying the box the whole day!
Where is the money?
I don't know, ma'am!
Don't lie to me! I treat you so well
and you try to cheat me!
Ma'am, it hurts!
Give it to me or I'll call the police!
I promise you, I'll call the police!
What's going on? Mei, what are you doing?
She stole the condolence money!
Sir, I never...
There's five hundred dollars missing!
She had the box with her all the time!
Mrs. Koh was right!
You cannot trust these maids...
Mei! It's here!
You gave it to me, remember?
I just forgot to give it to Pinky, that's all!
Why didn't you...
Pinky...
What are you doing?
Shut up! It's all your fault!
You can't just treat people like that!
- What do you know? - Come on, this is crazy!
What's wrong with you? It's just five hundred dollars!
- Just five hundred dollars? - Yes!
That's what you earned last month,
you loser!
Ma...
Ma, can you see me?
Since we were little, you could only see Seng.
I worked so hard, did so much
just to make you look at me for a while.
Don't daughters count too?
Tell me what I did wrong!
You never loved me,
CK is angry at me,
Seng hates me
now even Pinky...
Maybe my baby will also hate me.
Ma, you've got to help me.
If I had more money,
I'd be a better mother.
I can give my baby everything I never had.
I can give him the best...
the best food, the best clothes...
a big house, a big car...
Ma, the baby's kicking me!
The baby's kicking me!
What the hell are you doing?
Talking to Ma.
Don't lie.
You're trying to get money from Ma!
Seng!
Ma, Pa promised me the money!
I picked the numbers!
Pa told me the money was for me to do business!
He said to do it big!
Seng, you've always been given the best.
Can't you share it with me for once?
CK and I are having problems,
I'm about to give birth!
Who says I was given the best?
From young, whatever I did was never enough for Pa!
I know you all look down on me.
Especially you!
In secondary school, I was held back
I flunked out of the polytechnic,
I went to some American university that no one's even heard of!
Ma, give me all the money!
I need it to prove to everyone!
To prove to Pa!
Pa already spent so much
sending you to university in the US
Now you've graduated,
you can get a high-paying job.
I didn't graduate!
I never graduated, alright?
Happy now?
Blew all that money on me, and it made no difference!
I screwed up!
The monk says you both need to go down.
I don't think she hates you.
Then why does she keep saying
such hurtful things to me?
I'm sorry. My Mandarin's not...
... fluent.
Maybe she feels she needs to hurt you before you hurt her.
I would never hurt her!
I wouldn't dare.
Really? You won't dare to have a drink
with strange women in coffee shops?
I'm not that kind...
You Singaporeans are always complaining.
You think your life is tough?
You have nice homes, nice cars...
everything we from China dream of.
If you had to make calls you hate,
to sell insurance no one wants,
you'd complain too!
And for what?
To drive a car instead of taking the bus?
So we can live in a condo?
You buy something
but you always want more!
It never stops!
Sorry.
When you were young, what did you want to be?
A musician.
So why aren't you a musician?
A musician in Singapore?
You can't make money!
I wanted to be a fashion designer.
So why aren't you a... what was that?
A fashion designer.
So why?
No money to learn how to be one.
There! We're the same.
We're not the same!
You've given up your dreams to do
what you don't like for money.
I'm doing what I dislike to earn money
to help me achieve my dreams.
Were you any good as a musician?
No.
I really don't know what I should do!
That's something only you can decide.
Me, I just work with whatever I have
and hope for the best.
Whatever I have...
That will be one hundred dollars.
When I was young,
I went to school in Muar.
In school,
I loved singing.
I even won first prize in a singing contest.
Then I came to work in Singapore.
That's when I met Huat.
I remember...
His hairstyle was just like Elvis.
After work every day,
he'd pick me up from the factory.
He'd take me everywhere.
We'd go dancing...
We went to Ponggol to catch crabs
and play in the sand.
Fort Canning Hill,
Elizabeth Walk,
We'd eat ice balls and satay.
He said he'd take care of me for life.
It's because of his promise
that I married him.
But I don't know what happened to me.
Ever since we got married,
Every morning I'd wake up
and all I'd know
is to wipe the tables,
mop the floor, go to the market,
cook,
and make herbal tea.
I never sang again.
Really! Not even a single song!
It's as if I had never sung to begin with!
I see him as my groom
Feelings of love fill my heart
Oh, when will the gentleman bring
The spring wind so flowers can bloom
I hear someone at the door
I open it to see who it might be
But I see only the moon laughing at me
I have been deceived by the wind
Hello? Hello?
Excuse me, ma'am, do you live here?
I'm from the Court.
I'm looking for Mr. Loh Choon Seng Jeffrey.
I've a court document to be served on him.
Does he live here? Excuse me, ma'am...
I'm looking for Mr. Loh Choon Seng Jeffrey.
Does he live here?
Ma'am, please...
I'm looking for Mr. Loh Choon Seng Jeffrey.
Ma'am, please...
Hello, James? Razak here.
Same as the last time.
The old lady again...
Just get an order
for substituted service.
Safer. Okay, bye.
Phew! I was just about to leave the house.
Luckily I spotted him and hid in time.
What're you smiling at?
Do you find it amusing?
They come looking for me everyday!
It's intolerable!
Ma, I beg you,
I really need Pa's money!
How long do you want me to wait?
Ma!
What's the use of talking to you?
You can't hear me!
Hello? Who's this calling?
Oh, just a minute.
Hello. Yes, speaking.
Yes... okay. Now?
Okay, I'll be right there. Thanks.
That was Pa's old firm.
His boss's daughter asked me to...
No need.
Your father had a will.
But we looked everywhere and couldn't find anything.
Your mother found it and passed it to us.
What?
In fact, she's the one
who asked me to arrange this.
But she... she can't...
If I can just continue...
But my mum, she...
- When did she talk to you? - Seng!
The will was made
before the two of you were born.
My dad helped.
Your father willed everything to your mother.
So...
Well, she wants us to settle his debts
and distribute the remainder.
What debts?
Please, Seng.
Where do you think Pa got the money
to send you overseas?
Savings?
So how much?
After estate duty and lawyer's fees
and taking into account pension,
we're looking at around $1.2 million.
Geok Mei,
your mother wants you to have
$300,000.
And Choon Seng,
your mother wants you to have
a thousand dollars.
Say that again?
Your share is one thousand dollars.
And you can carry on staying in the flat.
I'm already living there!
Seng...
And just one more other thing.
Your mother will be leaving,
And she will contact you once she's ready.
Ma's leaving?
Why is she doing this to me?
Why's she doing this?
All this time, she's been acting!
I'm going to call her...
Seng...
She knows Pa promised me more!
Seng, calm down.
Ma, pick up the phone!
Seng, the baby!
Why is she doing this to me?
I'm going home!
Seng, don't do stupid things!
Geok Mei...
Your mother wants me to tell you not to worry.
She will be alright.
Can you just wait here for a few more minutes?
I need you to sign some things.
What's going on?
Will Ma be okay?
What's she thinking?
I think Ma knows exactly what she's doing.
Hey, now you can quit your job!
How to quit when the baby just came?
And you just got a new job?
And you've been in your old job too long!
Now you can do something different.
Like what?
That's something for you to decide.
Right?
Thank you. I really mean it.
Please take care of yourself.
Irene...
Do you think...
I've been a bad mother?
No, I think you did your best.
I wasn't strong enough,
not good for myself,
not good for anyone.
Auntie, thanks for the money.
Don't mention it.
I should be the one thanking you.
Lending so much money to my son.
I just wish he'd put it to better use.
So what's next for you?
- I'm studying photography. - That's nice!
Maybe I'll visit you in Muar
and photograph your new home.
Come!
I'm always happy to see family.