l wish l could tell her...
...you can't solve problems over the phone.
You have to talk, face to face.
lt that fails, you can punch him on the nose.
l keep my thoughts to myself.
But somehow, she appears to be able to read my mind.
l think you're right. Let's go.
Blondie, l know you're there Come out ifyou've got the guts
We're gonna torch the place on the count ofthree.
One, two, three
Wrong floor
Blondie Come on out
3 seconds and you burn One, two, three
Let's try the next floor.
ls that a wig?
No way, it comes with age
Looks blond, not grey. You related to Blondie?
l don't know any Blondie.
Her nickname's 'Stowaway' Well?
- Funny name - ls she your chick?
Leave me alone, you loonies
Pervert Follow her...
- ls Blondie your daughter? - No.
l can see a resemblance. You've forgotten her?
- Think hard - Leave it
We searched high and low all night.
l don't think she knows where this blondie lives.
l give up.
Everyone protects her, hides her away. Where the hell is she?
Why won't anyone help me?
The slut
lt's not fair What kind of game is this?
l'm not playing anymore
You must have slept with her.
l bet you have, but you won't admit it. Right?
You on vacation?
Think the whole world's on your side, bitch?
Blondie
You slut You dare show your face? You're finished
You bitch Slut Tramp
Fuck you You bitch
Where does all this energy come from?
Stop eating - watch the door.
Blondie could show up any minute now.
She comes here with her dad.
How do you spell 'Blondie'?
Oh, what the hell...
Listen to this.
l, Blondie, a.k.a. Stowaway, behaved in an ugly & shameless way.
l'm returning Johnny Kwong to his rightful girlfriend Charlie Young.
l hereby terminate all relations with him.
Our signatures binding until death. Great. You think so?
l'll make Blondie sign this.
Must get her fingerprints and l.D. number on it.
Get her dad as a witness. photograph them together.
Blondie?
You're Blondie?
Yeah, so what?
Hey, you Blondie?
l'll fucking chop you into little pieces
They say women are made ofwater.
So are some men.
Most folk experience first love in their teens.
l was a bit older.
Maybe l'm too choosy.
On May 30th, 1 995...
...l fell in love for the first time.
lt was raining that night.
l looked at her...
...and had this feeling like l was a store.
...and that she was me.
Without any warning, she suddenly enters the store.
l don't know how long she'll stay The longer the better, of course.
When did you last wash? You need a bath.
Huh? You stink all over
When did you dye your hair?
They say love can change a man.
l find myself looking handsome and becoming more charming.
Suddenly, l discover my hair's turning blond.
Perhaps it's because my mum was Russian.
Dad speaks in a Taiwanese dialect...
...which no on can understand...
...because of his strong Russian accent.
Hello? Chungking Mansions.
Who's speaking? Blondie?
On June 22nd, 1 995...
...the ltalian team Sampdoria came to play in Hong Kong.
l took Charlie to the match.
She's a fan of Ruud Gullit.
She was ecstatic that night.
She insisted in staying on after the game.
lt's not right What was the point of playing?
They had the better team. Our boys were outclassed
There's no miracles in this world. Fat chance
Do you know why l came?
l was actually hoping for a miracle.
Johnny's a great fan of Gullit.
l thought he would come.
He wouldn't have had time. He's getting married tomorrow.
Guess why l was yelling and waving...
...and acting crazy earlier? l hoped he'd see me on TV.
He promised me he'd come So why didn't he?
l realise that she still misses Johnny, but it hurts me.
But l'm an optimistic person. lt's said...
...nothing remains the same forever.
But will it apply to Johnny and Charlie?
Time will tell. l suppose.
Perhaps l'm being a bit too optimistic.
A few days later, l invited her to another match.
She didn't turn up.
l really thought she'd soon get over Johnny.
How wrong could l have been? lt was me she got over.
l stayed on after the match.
As the stadium lights dimmed. l redlised she wouldn't show.
l'm heartbroken. Not a hope
They say 'love hurts'...
...but it's different with me.
Something strange happens. My hair changes colour.
Just like with my first love.
l also realised how irresponsible l had been in the past.
l shouldn't have taken over other people's shops...
...the way l did.
Every shop must have its own feeling.
This realisation cheered me up and prompted me...
...to change my life.
Welcome.
Just for one.
We'll have a new menu next time you come.
Am l keeping you?
Get a glass. Be my guest.
How's business?
What's it cost to set up a place like this?
Hi, there. You interested in a business?
Just wondered how much a place like this cost.
At least a million.
When you live out of a suitcase...
...you don't need a place ofyour own.
Things have changed, though.
Got to start planning ahead.
l had a good chat that evening.
He even offered to help me...
...if l started up my own place.
- Another beer? - Why not?
What are you really worth?
l'd stayed away from the bar for some time.
l couldn't bear hearing that song.
But some things you can't escape from.
So, after that evening, l never went back.
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
- Okay? - Good.
How are you?
Dad's fine. No need to worry.
l know it's your birthday soon.
Sorry l can't be with you.
ls mum feeling better now?
ls your sister okay? Doing well at school?
How was that?
Sato-san loves his family very much.
Before his present job he used to be a film director.
So whenever he has family business to talk about...
...he just makes a video recording.
l'm sure his son gets great pleasure in receiving the tapes.
l'd like to do the same...
...but who would l send the tapes to?
l can't really send them to myself.
Maybe l could be like Sato-san's son...
...and imagine the happiness he gets from the tapes.
How much for a double room?
With twin beds?
Yes...
Twin room - four fifty.
Too damned expensive.
You've got to be kidding.
Forget it
Calm down...
Stop filming Go to bed
That's enough Go on, get out of here
Later that night...
...l caught dad having a sneak look at the tape.
He really enjoyed it.
My memory's not that good. but...
...l did remember that it was his 60th birthday.
God knows why. But he gets great amusement watching it.
And l do know that he's happy.
Silly devil...
Working with someone for a long time...
...you're bound to be influenced in some way.
l know that fragrance...
...but l'm not used to smelling it on other women.
This suits me just fine.
lt's shrunk a bit, though.
l always thought the perfume was a bit overpowering.
l smelt it on this other woman this afternoon.
She wants to see you.
l fixed up a meeting.
Will you go?
l think you should go and get things sorted out.
Perhaps it's not such a good idea.
Anyway, l thought you'd go.
This is for you.
l'd like...
...a packet of crisps.
Not the red pack, the yellow
They sit there together for ages.
l wonder what they're talking about?
Meanwhile the rain keeps bucketing down.
lt's raining so heavily, how will l get home by myself?
And just when l need a raincoat...
...he appears at my side.
l hope the rain...
...will never stop.
l'm not coming in.
Then why walk me home?
You could've let me walk
l was going to do that anyway.
You trying to be funny?
Oh, what the hell Just fuck off, will you?
We came to an agreement.
l never agreed anything
You insisted on seeing her, not me What d'you want from me now?
You think l'm stupid? Oh, get lost
You're a cheat and a liar
Give me your hand...
Why?
l've left my mark, okay?
You may forget my face, but you won't forget my bite
l'm easily recognised, though...
...by the mole on my face.
lf a woman with a mole on her face ever comes up to you...
...it could be me.
Will you remember that?
l'll remember.
Will l remember her?
Actually, it's not important.
For her l was an oasis in her journey through life.
l hope she soon reaches her destination...
...and finds her soulmate for life.
We all need a partner.
When will l find mine?
Are we will partners?
l don't know how to answer her question.
l've come to look at partners from a new angle.
As a business partner, she's perfect...
...but not one you could spend your life with.
l'm terminating our business relationship.
Do me one last favour, will you?
l don't know why l agreed.
Probably because it's a last favour.
l want to place an advert for my friend.
l want the front page.
The best thing about my job - l don't have to make decisions.
Who's to die, when and where, it's all been planned by others.
l'm a lazy person.
l like others to arrange things for me.
But l've been doing some thinking lately.
l feel the need for change.
Whether it's right or wrong...
...l must make a decision for myself.
'Being photographed will shorten your life'.
Seems there's some truth in it.
One evening, dad was taken ill.
l took him to hospital.
A little later, he passed away.
Thanks to him, all my life...
...l've always felt like a little boy.
He was always there to sort out my problems.
Packing his things away that evening...
He was always there to sort out my problems.
Packing his things away that evening...
...l felt grown-up for the first time.
l didn't want to be grown-up... ...l just wanted dad with me.
When l left the hotel...
...l took the videotapes with me.
l watched them over and over again.
Watching dad cooking made me very happy.
l know l'll never taste his steaks again...
...but l'll never forget just how they tasted.
Oh, hell, it's you again
Not the hair Leave it...
l'm happy to be your client.
Did l ever refuse?
l didn't, did l?
Just look at me Let go of me...
My wife's visiting China...
...and l've some business to attend to.
Give me three hours and l'll be back.
Three hours, okay? Three hours...
Two hours?
Two hours and l'll be back. Deal?
Trust me. We're old friends, aren't we?
People cross all the time. Two hours...
Trust me, you have my word We're like brothers, right?
You want it written in blood?
You're kidding, right?
Leave it out...
Just one hour, okay?
Don't do this... have mercy... Wait...
Can l have some small change, please?
Thanks.
l'm downstairs already.
l'm waiting for you. 'Bye.
Talk about bad timing...
Shortly after dad died, Sato-san returned to Japan.
l haven't got much money saved...
...so l can only do what l'm best at - being my own boss.
l'm being very cautious this time.
l pick only the stronger ones.
Ones that won't get hurt easily.
Take this one for example. guts of steel.
Saves a lot of hassle.
Sometimes l run into old acquaintances.
Some haven't changed at all.
Others l hardly recognise.
l'm always glad to see them...
...even though they may not remember me.
Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule.
On August 29th, 1 995...
...l ran into my first love again.
l don't think she recognised me.
l guess l'm more handsome now.
- You're late. - Sorry.
- What's up with him? - l've no idea.
lt turned quite cold that evening.
l hadn't expected winter to come so soon.
l'm not used to this kind ofweather.
lt seems to have been a long winter.
Although l eat well every day...
...l still feel cold.
l've got used to working alone.
Occasionally l do work with others...
...but not on a regular basis.
l've learnt to be more careful.
For instance, l won't work in hotels any more.
And no more checking out rubbish bins.
l firmly believe...
...one mustn't get emotionally involved with one's partner.
We rub shoulders with many people every day.
Some may become close friends, or confidants.
That's why l'm always optimistic.
Sometimes it hurts.
Not to worry - l try to stay happy.
That night, l saw that woman again.
l knew we'd never be friends or confidants...
...we'd let too many chances pass us by.
Nothing happened, there was no chemistry.
Maybe it was the weather...
...but that night l found her very alluring.
l'm about to leave, l ask him to take me home.
l haven't ridden pillion for a long time...
...nor have l been this close to a man in ages.
The road home isn't very long...
...and l know l'll be getting off soon.
But at this moment, l'm feeling such lovely warmth.