There is the Tong war flag.
Didn't you see it, my friend?
They didn't wait long.
And the murdered Hop Li not even cold in his casket.
What now, old one?
The fortune sticks speak very plainly tonight.
And what do you see that I cannot see?
I see another procession.
And I see you, Sun Yat Ming.
Riding in front of it in a rattan casket.
Just as Hop Li rode tonight.
Your sticks lie.
No Lim Sing Tong bullet will find my heart, old one.
Fate strikes out of the dark.
With no warning.
No tingling of bells when the man is guilty.
I've heard enough of your wagging tongue.
Here.
Get out.
Put it off. In the gutter.
It's a foolish man who believes the fortune sticks lie.
Well?
The honorable Hatchet Man from Sacramento is here.
Send him in.
Wong Lo Get is as prompt and unfailing.
As the stroke of his hatchet.
This is no time for formal greetings, my brother.
I've already has several on my way here but fortunately they missed me.
Tonight.
You will be the bearer of a greeting.
Which must not miss.
Here is the name of the man who murdered our Tong brother Hop Li.
In cold blood.
Not Sun Yat Ming the soup merchant? - Yes.
He is my closest friend.
A murderer is nobody's friend.
Sun Yat Ming a murderer?
Why, we were boys together.
Came over on the same boat from China.
The scar you see.
Is a bond of our blood brotherhood.
His and mine.
I can't do this thing.
Don't you understand?
I can do it.
Such a thing is impossible.
To kill one's best friend.
I refuse to do it.
You must get someone else.
Someone else?
To do your sworn duty?
Your arm is not your own.
But the Tong's.
And an oath to The Tong.
Is an oath before your honorable ancestors.
And therefore I ..
Sun Yat Ming.
Feeling an omen of death upon me.
Do hereby make my last Will and Testament.
Before the great Lord Buddha.
And my honorable ancestors.
To my friend Wong Low Get of Sacramento.
I bequeath my business.
And all my worldly possessions.
To him also ..
I give my daughter.
Sun Toya.
And ordain that she become his wife.
When she is of legal age.
That is all.
Just record the date and I will sign it.
[ Door knocks ]
Are you expecting someone?
No, no. Are you?
You know very well that I am.
You are not going to let them in, are you?
The one I am expecting comes through doors without knocking.
My poor house is honored.
As I am to enter it.
Come in, my friend.
Come in quickly.
Hurry.
A man's doorstep is not a healthy place ..
To receive guests .. tonight.
You are just in time.
Time?
For what?
To see my Will.
But.
But not the notary who recorded it I'm afraid.
You were making your Will?
Leaving all my worldly goods to you my friend.
Just as you knocked on my door.
I hope you are not a bad omen.
But, why tonight?
In times like these.
All men should have their houses in order.
But come, sit down. You look tired.
[ Child's singing ]
My little Toya.
[ Chinese singing ]
My little Toya is six now.
You will hardly know her.
I have also left her to you my friend.
To become your honorable wife.
When she is of age.
Come. Some hot tea.
I have just brewed it.
Why didn't you write me of your intended visit?
I feel humiliated that my poor house is not prepared to welcome you.
Sometimes it is better that the eye should not see what the hand is doing.
Is your visit a secret then?
Not from you.
This tea is from home. In China, my brother.
It tastes and smells of the green hilltops where we were boys together.
Now.
Tell me. What brings you here so mysteriously?
I am the Hatchet Man of the Lim Sing Tong.
I will .. close the door.
If you please.
You will be good.
To my little Toya?
And never teach her lips ..
The song ..
Of sorrow.
Upon my oath.
Before the great Lord Buddha.
Before great ..
Lord Buddha.
Who smiles so serenely.
At our fear of death.
I am ready, my friend.
And I forgive your innocent hand ..
It's stroke of justice.
The flowers you ordered are here. And also ..
Mr Nog Hang Fah is outside.
Nog Hong Fah?
Did he see them arrive?
Both the flowers and the jewellers car, I'm afraid.
Then I might as well show him the watch now and get it over with.
You sign it for me.
My poor office is honored.
Won't you sit down please?
Thanks.
I prefer a straight back.
Such as I am used to.
Oh, you can finish those notes later, Miss Ling.
Don't forget to phone your broker, Mr Wong Get.
Also, you have an appointment regarding that overcharged duty at the port.
Alright. Cancel it.
I am making no appointments for this evening.
The store will be closed also.
Today is Toya's birthday.
Chinese girls have legs you see. Just like their white sisters.
That is a fact that we of old China hardly knew before.
America has taught us many other things.
Equally as foolish.
How women are being spoiled.
By indulgence and freedom.
This little indulgence was brought to seal Toya's betrothal.
I pity the man who marries her.
The name of the bridegroom is on this parchment.
Doe Toya know about this?
And you gave her father your oath to do this thing?
I gave my oath to bring her nothing but happiness.
I watched her grow from a little bud into a beautiful flower.
I loved her when she was a child.
Now that she's a woman.
I still love her.
Love is as useless as wings upon a cat.
To find love.
Is like catching the four winds of heaven in one's hand.
Still .. I hope for her consent.
Consent? - Yeah.
From a woman?
Times have changed for us, you see.
Typewriters and adding machines replace the old paintbrushes.
In the old days.
Toya would have been taught to bind her feet and stay at home.
Quite true.
But now the days are spent in learning more useful things.
At school.
Oh boy, is this keen.
You like it? - And how.
Why did you come off then?
Can't. Can't dance by going backwards.
Oh, that school stuff won't get you anywhere.
What do you know about it?
I had a couple of years of it back east.
Where? - New York.
New York?
Ah gee, no wonder you're such a swell dancer.
You're not so bad yourself.
Thanks.
When I'm dancing, I just forget everything.
Music just does something to me.
Toya .. 4 o'clock.
So soon?
That's that. - What's your hurry?
I must go home, silly.
When am I going to see you again? - How do I know.
It's getting late.
Quick, Toya. - Okay.
Well. Goodbye.
Giving me the air, huh?
No, I'd like to do this again .. maybe.
You ever get out at night?
I should say not.
Pretty strict at home, huh?
Goodbye.
So long.
You've got your nerve.
Sure.
What of it?
So long, kid. See you around.
Oh. Look, Wah Li.
Now there will be a marriage soon.
A marriage?
Moon butterflies are always a sure omen.
I just caught the loveliest moth.
It was white with crimson flashes on its wing.
Wah Li said was a Moon Butterfly.
It was beautiful.
Any more beautiful than my little Toya?
It is written that flattery is an abomination that nears immodesty.
It is also written that today is your birthday.
Diamonds.
For me?
Like everything else I have.
But you've done so much for me already.
That little smile is all I need to repay me.
Oh, you are a dear.
I have something else here.
What a gorgeous jade.
It was my mother's betrothal ring back in China.
It is also for you if you will accept it.
Oh, I understand.
American ways haven't made me forget my duty to my father.
Wait.
Duty is not consent.
Things are different since your father stated his wishes concerning your future.
Now.
I must have your answer.
But I am perfectly willing. - No, no.
There is an old Chinese proverb that says ..
That one must think right and think left.
For when your answer is given ..
It is a pledge before your ancestors and the great Lord Buddha.
I am older than you.
But I love you too much to bring you anything but happiness.
You have decided?
That the crescent moon is very beautiful.
Life will be very sweet.
With you as my Lord and master.
You consent to be my wife?
My father's wish.
Is also mine.
A prayer to the full moon, oh most excellent Buddha.
The full of the moon when I shall take this pure white lotus bud for my bride.
And to who has leaped the dragon gate ..
My oath again that I will bring her nothing but happiness.
Here are the moon cakes.
Oh, are they good?
Moon cakes bring love to the house.
And many men children.
What is it, Wah Li?
The Tong war flag.
I want you all to go right back. There is nothing to be alarmed about.
There is no danger whatsoever.
Hello?
At once?
I'll be right over.
Wong, what's the matter? What is it?
Nothing important, darling. Nothing important.
Something has happened. All those shots I heard and the sirens.
Perhaps someone else is getting married. - Don't be silly. I'm frightened.
There is nothing to be frightened about my dear.
Except perhaps the digestion of our guests.
With all those delicacies you helped prepare.
Now you go in and join them. And play hostess for a while.
Where are you going?
I am going right across the street to Tong headquarters.
So it was the Tong that just telephoned? - Oh, just some business that's come up.
Then the flag I saw does mean something - What flag?
Wah Li said it was the Tong war flag.
Have they hung that old relic out again?
I'll see about it and I'll be right back.
With my official position in the council ..
It may be rather awkward now that I have a wife to keep me at home.
Then it is war.
All of us but one have agreed.
Then I must be that one.
The Bing Foo Society upon whom you wish to declare war is an outlawed Tong.
In the business of racketeering.
To use an apt American expression.
Exactly.
But who is to punish them if we don't?
Again let me remind you that times have changed.
Tong wars are dead.
Very strange talk from an honorable hatchet man.
My hatchet has been buried for over ten years.
And you will be buried with it if we remain idle any longer.
My chair and your chair.
Will soon be as empty as Chew Hung's here.
His murder tonight is the second.
You and I are next.
Unless we pay the tariff on our goods demanded by these Sacramento brigands.
Do you suggest that we should pay this blackmail?
I suggest that we should arbitrate.
I have already sent for several ..
Experienced arbitrators from the East.
Call these ..
Gentlemen in.
Fast-shooting arbitrators.
With bullets for their arguments.
Such a war as you plan would spread to every Chinatown in every American city.
It would bring disgrace to the glory and honor of China.
Just wholesale murder with paid killers to profit by it.
You will change our honorable Tong into a gang.
With gang rule.
Instead of the righteous laws of ancient China.
Let us negotiate with Sacramento.
Before we do this horrible thing.
Then, if there is no other way.
Even my honorable hatchet might be dug up.
There is another reason for the presence of these ..
Arbitrators from New York.
We are targets.
And therefore need ..
Bodyguards for our persons.
The idea of a hatchet man requiring nursemaid to protect him is ridiculous.
Boys.
Just little boys.
So here's the little thief who's stolen my heart and business all morning.
Oh, I bow in terror, oh Lord master.
You may lift your guilty eyes for punishment.
To kiss a woman in public. It is written in ..
Yes I know, but I find the newer customs far more refreshing than the old ones.
Oh, you are a honey.
Oh, Miss Ling.
What is a honey? - A sweet popper, sir.
What?
I'll tell you.
Yes.
No, it doesn't mean anything like that.
Close your eyes.
Who are Nog Hong Fah's new boyfriends?
He calls them his bodyguard.
Then what I read in the paper is true. There is going to be a Tong war.
No. No, my dear. The papers are taking things too seriously.
Tong wars are dead.
Then why these bodyguards?
Oh, just a childish idea of Nog Hong Fah's.
He is getting old.
However, don't be surprised if you find one out in the car.
A bodyguard for me?
Yes. I just had to humor the worthy Nog Hong Fah.
He is president of the Tong, you know.
And.
He has a bad liver.
Now I understand, and I'm not a big afraid.
Goodbye.
Give the guy a break, will you Tony. - Okay, pal.
Hello sweetness.
Well, what are you doing here?
Just a little matter of business.
What sort of business?
Well, you can call it guard duty if you like.
I'm a rich guy's protector.
Oh.
Hey, you can't come in here.
I am in. - Then you'll have to get out.
Why?
This car is waiting for somebody.
Oh yes?
Look, you'd better beat it, Hon. I'll see you later.
Did you hear me? This car don't belong to me.
No. It belongs to me.
Oh, I get you.
It looks like your boyfriend is plain in luck, huh?
Are you?
What could be sweeter than having somebody like you to guard?
I'm afraid you will see very little of me, mister ..
Just call me "Harry".
And what's your name, sweetness?
Mrs Wong Lo Get.
Mrs .. M-R-S.
But this arbitration has proved a flat failure.
Even our messages remain unanswered.
Except for further demands and threats.
This lack of courtesy is not after the Chinese manner.
Some outside influence must be mixed up in all this.
Nevertheless, you and I will pay dearly if this ..
Arbitration continues any longer.
Have you heard from your clerk, Chung Ho ..
Since he disappeared so mysteriously?
Chung Ho has his orders.
Someone must be sent to Sacramento.
One of us who is threatened.
And as President of the Tong I give you the chance ..
To do the arbitrating which you yourself proposed.
I will go tomorrow. - Very well.
And allow me to propose.
That you take your hatchet with you.
[ Telephone ]
Yes?
Yes, certainly. I will call him.
It is for you. - Yeah?
And if it's another big Tong meeting, I'm going to start a war of my own.
Hello?
Yes?
[ Chinese language ]
Right away. I'll be right over.
You're not going out again before dinner?
I must.
It was Chung Ho.
About a lighter of silk which we expected today.
Where is it?
In our warehouse down at Pier 26.
There is something more you're not telling me.
No, no, no. Nothing to worry your little head about.
But I am worried.
I don't want you to go down to those docks all alone.
Ah, but you're forgetting that great big bodyguard of mine down there.
Oh, you know perfectly well he just sits in the store day and night.
Oh no, sometimes he plays cards.
I do wish you'd take him with you tonight.
Would it make you happy if I do?
I shall be very unhappy if you don't.
Well then, he goes with me if I have to carry him.
I'm sorry to interrupt your game but my wife says I need an extra shadow.
Where to, Mr Wong Get?
It is written that a shadow follows.
Find Nog Hong Fah.
Tell him I'm carrying my hatchet with me to Sacramento.
Your hatchet?
Yeah. He'll understand.
Well. You seem to be very much on the job.
It's what I'm being paid for.
Did Mr Wong Get send you up here?
No.
You look like a million.
You ought to dress like that all the time.
I dress to please my husband. Not his employees.
That's the girl.
What does that remind you of?
Don't it make you want to go places and ..
Do things?
Not at all.
Now is that being a pal?
Look, sweetness.
Wong won't be back again for hours.
What do you say we beat it out and have a little dance?
Just you and me. - Are you crazy?
Sure.
Let's be crazy together.
Please go away.
What for?
Because I want you to.
You don't want anything of the kind.
You want to dance.
With me.
I will never dance with you again.
Never?
Never.
You wouldn't like to make a little bet on that, would you?
I don't gamble.
You know why, don't you?
Because you are afraid.
I'm not afraid of anything or anybody.
Not even .. yourself?
You are not going to kiss me. I won't let you.
When you change your mind ..
Give me a buzz.
One round-trip ticket to Sacramento. - Certainly.
I can take your bags, sir?
No, I'll carry this.
[ Chinese language ]
Hey, hey. Listen.
Cut out this Chink lingo.
Talk United States.
There is nothing else to talk about, Mr Malone.
My countrymen and I have reached an agreement.
What about me?
You would hardly hold out against the whole Bing Foo council.
An agreement without me don't mean a thing.
I'm running this show.
Then it is only you who will cause further trouble.
That's it. What about it?
Nothing.
I just wanted to know.
Well you know now.
And it means .. come through.
I'm sorry that I wasted your time.
What are you staring at?
It isn't rudeness.
Just admiration for one who is so clever.
If you keep your head.
Huh?
You should go far.
Don't worry.
Enter my poor house.
Your friend En Hai must have left to celebrate his freedom.
You may go too, Charlie.
I hope our war hasn't been too dull for you, boys.
Oh, I won a grand .. in I.O.U.s.
Good luck to you my boy.
The same to you, Mr Wong.
This .. this white meddler made some trouble?
It is hard to reason with a snake.
You have sharp arguments.
For such a peaceful arbitrator.
You may return these to the Tong arsenal, my friend.
And I hope the rust will dull their edges before I must dig them up again.
Come.
A cup of tea will turn our heads back to the business of peace again.
Toya?
Where are you? Toya?
My wife must be out celebrating.
It looks as though someone has been celebrating quite freely here.
What's the matter, kid?
Nothing, Harry.
You sure?
Uhuh.
What are you crying for?
Just happy, I guess.
That's all.
Not .. afraid, are you baby?
Kiss me.
I tell you what we can do.
If this place is getting on your nerves.
Let's clear out of here and go to New York.
What do you say?
I'm a big-shot in New York.
I’ll show you the swellest time you've ever had in your life.
You weren't made to be an old man's doll, darling.
You need somebody like me.
Somebody more your own age.
Somebody who knows how to ..
Make you happy.
Come with me.
Please.
Wong, listen.
What are you going to do to him?
Kneel before the great Lord Buddha.
You can't take the law in your own hands like this.
We are in America.
Tonight we three are in China.
Down on your knees.
Wong, you wouldn't do a thing like this. You couldn't.
It would be a murder .. no Wong!
You promised me nothing but happiness.
You promised before the Lord Buddha.
And will this man's life bring you happiness?
I love him.
Nothing but happiness.
There is the prayer which I offer to the Buddha.
The night you promised to be my wife.
Now you must offer one.
My wife's happiness is now in your hands.
I'm giving her to you.
Come Eh Hai.
The prayer.
Your oath.
And if you don't keep it.
The great Lord Buddha will find you where ever you are on the face of this earth.
That's all.
Go.
Then you have all signed?
We cannot trade with a man ..
Who has lost our respect.
Then the name of our former brother Wong Low Get ..
Is stricken from our records.
Put this on our bulletin board.
And send copies of it to our headquarters in Sacramento ..
Seattle, Portland ..
Chicago and New York.
The Gods are kind.
I've searched for you everywhere.
When fortunes go, the soil remains.
It is our heritage, Wah Li.
I have a letter.
For me?
From my little Toya, I think.
It is from China.
En Hai was deported.
Toya had no birth certificate.
So they sent her with him.
Sent my wife to China? - Yes.
The government deported them.
He was selling opium, I heard.
And they caught him.
You want to take them out?
You are lucky they ain't sold.
There you are.
Just as good as new.
How much?
Fifty coppers.
I am a stranger in your city.
Your shoes look as though you were a stranger in many cities.
Do you know anything about the street of red lanterns? Number 7.
Number 7? On the street of the red lanterns?
That is a tea house. Where men drink.
And smoke the pipe of golden dreams.
Could you direct me there?
You?
Only rich men are welcome there.
Not beggars like you and me.
You must find another place for what you seek.
I am looking for a man.
No men live in that house.
Only Madam Si-Si.
And her serving girls.
Whereabouts is this place?
Just around the corner.
I know, for I mend all the small slippers ..
For their tired little feet.
And don't blame me my foolish friend if they kick you out into the gutter.
The hatchet!
Take it away .. take it away!
Oh.
You.
You wake up now?
What time is it? - The moon is up.
Why didn't you wake me up before?
You pay to dream. - Not for nightmares.
Get my coat and shoes. I'm getting out of here.
Always .. always after your wife.
Why don't you let me alone.
I tell you, I haven't got her.
I know, En Hai.
And so I have come for you.
Wong!
Wong.
Go to the door.
Quiet, mind you.
Look out in the hall and tell me if you see anybody.
Hall and balcony, both empty.
I knew it couldn't be real.
I think maybe you had some more bad dreams.
Yes?
Perhaps I'm going crazy.
They are waiting.
For me?
After what I've done to you ..
After what En Hai has done to you.
A couple more of these and I'm through.
I'm going to cut out.
Oh, Wong.
Open the door! - That's Madame Si-Si.
She'll never let me go.
I'll see about that.
Open the door.
There is the man that left the table and came upstairs.
So, you are the trespasser who takes my private rooms without paying.
I am no trespasser.
Everything will be paid for before I leave your honorable house.
Come, Toya.
One of my serving girls.
Back to your work!
My honorable patrons are waiting.
What my wife does .. is my business.
And her own.
Your wife, huh?
Well, what next?
Our departure from your most honorable house.
A thief, eh!
Come, Li! A thief is in my house.
Yes, come! A thief .. a thief!
Is it stealing to take one's own?
A woman is the property of her husband under the ancient Chinese law.
Remember that, old mother of a foolish tongue.
You lie! I paid good money for her. She is not your wife.
I paid good money for her to work and serve for me.
You lie!
An honorable hatchet man does not lie.
A hatchet man?
Now, you are the honorable hatchet man?
You will be the Emperor next.
No.
Only an honorable hatchet man.
With the badge of my ancient craft to prove it.
Anyone can carry a hatchet.
Even a liar.
That golden dragon's head on the far wall.
The center of its right eye.
And I have another one.
For thick skulls of doubting fools.
Sharper than the first.
But what of the silver I paid for her?
What of that?
Collect it from him who sold her to you, without the right.
Only I advise you to see him tonight.
For I am coming back to collect another debt he owes.
Pull that hatchet out of the wall.
You cheated me.
You sold me a servañt you had no right to sell.
The wife of a hatchet man!
Fifty pieces of silver you took from me and now she's gone.
What am I going to do?
Answer me.
Answer me!
[ Madame Sî-Sî screams! ]
"The Lord Buddha will find you no matter where you are on the face of this earth."
* steve d *