The Maid

When was she born?

THE MAID

I remembered the beginning.

I was only 18.

I had never been away from home before.

I was so frightened,

to be suddenly alone in a strange, new city,

far away from my friends and family.

When I was a small girl,

my mother used to say to me,

some day you will leave this place and see the world.

I did not believe her then,

but here I am, in Singapore,

a place I have always heard about.

The buildings,

the beautiful streets.

Everything is so clean and wonderful.

This was my new home and the start of my new life.

And I remember telling myself,

there is really nothing to frightened of.

Good afternoon sir. Good afternoon ma'am.

My name is Rosa Dimaano.

Did you win big time?

Nope.

How could you not have won?

No wonder,

three against one.

Your new maid? Very pretty.

You should be wary of pretty maids.

Don't talk nonsense.

I'm calling!

Old Zhang,

if you are ever dissatisfied with your maid,

You can always send her to me.

You daredevil.

If you take her home, your wife will kill you.

Rosa, don't let them frighten you.

They are all my friends.

Who's the one frightening her?

Your English is scary enough.

You mean your English is great?

We perform Chinese opera.

Our group is very old and very famous.

You know Chinese opera?

Come, let's sing something.

Some music please.

Before the month of May...

Do you like it?

Next time I'll teach you.

Game!

What luck! You are always winning.

Old Zhang,

Old Zhang, don't forget about rehearsals the day after tomorrow.

I am not senile yet.

Last chance.

Do you want to take her home?

Stop the idle banter.

Your wife is waiting for you.

Goodbye, Luan.

Goodbye. Take care.

Put the box down.

Today is the first day of the Chinese Seventh Month,

also called the Hungry Ghost Month.

At the beginning of the Seventh Month, the Hell Gate opens

and all the hungry ghosts come out.

Also during the Seventh Month, we Chinese don't do many things.

When we go swimming, we come home before the sky is dark.

And one thing you must remember.

If you walk alone,

and someone calls out to you, don't turn back.

What happens if I turn back?

Stop talking like that. Don't frighten her.

Eat.

Nice?

Eat more, eat more.

How old are you?

18 years old.

Your father and mother are in the Philippines?

They died a long time ago.

I live with my uncle and my brother in Bicol.

Your brother,

how old is he?

7 years old

I am sorry, ma'am!

I am so sorry!

Never mind, never mind.

It's dirty. Throw it away.

I will make another one for you.

Come, come in.

This is your room.

Tomorrow morning, sir and I will go out.

You stay at home, ok?

Yes, ma'am.

It's late. Go and sleep.

Calling all spirits,

help yourself to this money.

You go your way and I'll go mine.

Please leave us alone.

Luan, we need more paper money. Go get more.

Ah soon!

Don't be afraid.

This is my son. He's like a small boy.

I think he wants to give you a present.

Why do you give people a dirty thing like that?

Ok, stop fooling around. Let's go in.

Let's go.

Sir and I are unlucky.

We had a baby too late in our lives.

When Ah Soon was born,

the doctor said there was something wrong with his head.

Other people's children grow up,

go to school,

get married,

have their own babies.

But my Ah Soon,

He will always remain a small boy.

Go and change.

Yes, ma'am.

What is it, Ah Soon?

What's that?

Ok,

now what?

Pretty!

Pretty!

Pretty!

Ah Soon, stop playing. Time for bed.

Ah Soon, come to bed.

Don't want to sleep.

Pretty!

It's late already. Don't be a nuisance.

Don't want to sleep.

Ah Soon, be good.

Come to bed.

Rosa,

it's late, go and sleep.

Why did you sweep that?

Cannot!

That was meant for the ghosts!

You can't step on it and you must never touch it!

It will bring you bad luck!

I'm sorry, ma'am.

So sorry, sorry. She's not aware.

Please forgive her.

Please bless and protect my family.

She's not aware. Please forgive her

Please don't be mad.

Rosa,

are you ok?

Darling,

my darling,

you'll be successful some day.

All officials will flatter you.

Your family fortunes will grow,

and you will prosper.

When you take part in the imperial examinations,

everyone far and near will come to congratulate you.

The gong sounds once, then twice.

Guns will sound throughout the city,

Your family fortunes will grow,

and you will prosper.

When you take part in the imperial examinations,

everyone far and near will come to congratulate you.

Good morning, sir.

Excuse me.

Where is the nearest mailbox?

I don't have a stamp.

Thank you.

I don't have money now but I can pay you later.

Our Father, who are in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

You don't have a stamp.

Go get one from the drawer.

Thank you, sir.

Where did you go?

I'm sorry. I went to post a letter.

How do you know where the postbox is?

I asked the mailman.

You cannot talk to strangers.

Next time you want to post letters, I will post for you.

This is your first time in Singapore.

You don't know what kind of people are out there.

People may cheat you.

Do you understand?

Yes, ma'am.

Further more, it's the Hungry Ghost Month now.

You must be careful.

Later, sir and I are going out. You come and help us.

Yes, ma'am.

Watch it.

Is everything loaded?

Yes.

Rosa,

take this.