The Big Boss (唐山大兄)

- Uncle, is this it? - Yes, this is the town.

Not much further to go. So, I guess we'd better get started.

Sure.

It's a big town and busy.

But remember, it's quite different to back home.

So, be careful. Don't get into any fights.

Nobody is going to bail you out here. You're completely on your own.

Yeah, I know.

The heat's making me real thirsty. There, let's get a drink, huh?

- Two. - Yes.

- Nice and cold. - Mm-hm.

Right, come on.

Hey, fix me a drink with ice.

Hot ice.

If you can fix that, I'll pay you double what you usually charge. Hmm?

Quite a cute chick, huh?

Say, that's right. Not bad, quite cute.

- (Woman) Leave me alone! - (Thug 2) Let's have a look at you, baby.

Come on.

- You stay still. - (Woman) Stop it!

Remember your promise.

Come on, let's have a little look at the merchandise.

- Don't play hard to get! - Dumplings! Dumplings!

Nice hot dumplings! They're hot and fresh!

Not bad. Thanks! All of them!

- That's a dollar. - What?

You've gotta pay me for all the dumplings!

What? You cheeky brat! Get outta here! Go on! Beat it!

- What's wrong? - They stole my dumplings and beat me up.

- Hmm? - Why'd you beat the kid up?

Mind you own business!

- Huh? Hsu Chien! - You mean cousin Chien?

Yeah.

You there! Hold it!

Hsu Chien!

Oh, Uncle!

Uncle, good to see you.

Just arrived. Came up on the morning ferry.

- Now, meet your cousin here. - Oh, you mean...?

- Cheng Chau-an. - Oh, good to see you.

- Oh, it's Uncle! - Uncle!

Hey, come on.

- Hi, there! - Hi!

- Hi. - Good to see you.

- How do you do? - This is my nephew, Cheng Chao-an.

- My name's Ah Shan. - I'm Ah Yen.

- I'm Ah Wong. - And I'm Ah Pei.

I'm Ah Chun.

My name's Ah Kun.

I'm the smart one, the one with the brains.

- Cheng Chao-an. - Right, now let's all go sit down.

- Hey, fetch Uncle's things in. - I'll get them.

Over there. Have a seat.

- Come in, fellas, sit down. - Yes.

Well, Uncle, how are things back in the old country?

Not good. We've had an awful lot of bad floods recently.

Caused no end of damage. And quite a few people drowned, too.

- Uncle, have some tea. - Hey, now, look at that, huh?

She's grown real pretty, hasn't she?

- Er... - This is our younger sister, Chow Mei.

And this is your cousin, Cheng Chao-an.

- How do you do? Have some tea. - Thank you.

Uncle, tell me, now, how's old Mr Cheng?

Oh, poor guy. He got TB. Died five months ago.

He left a big family.

Uncle, what about the Chan girl, Yu Fang?

Yu Fang? She left home last year, met this stranger and married him.

Uncle, do you remember old Mr Wang here?

He went back home last month. Said he was gonna try and find himself a wife there.

- Did you see him? - Old Wang?

- Yeah. - No, I didn't.

- And who can afford a wife these days? - Hmm...

That big tea house that used to be next door went bankrupt last month.

No business. Everybody pulling out.

All heading for the towns, because there's no hope for them on the land.

You're all better off down here, I tell you.

- (All) Yeah, yeah. - (Hsu) I guess we are, sure.

Well, I wrote and told you why I was coming down here.

Yes, I know, I know.

There weren't any jobs to find up there for my nephew here.

Don't you worry, it's all fixed up. I've spoken to the factory manager.

I'm taking Cheng up with me tomorrow morning.

- Thanks very much. - Chow Mei, go buy some food and drink.

- We'll have a party tonight. - Yeah, that's a good idea!

- Thank you. - Yeah, celebrate.

MANLI ICE FACTORY

Okay, okay.

Now, just remember what I told you.

What you have to, you tell them. But no more.

Hmm...

Hey! They're coming now!

- Come on! - Hey, come on.

There you are. How are you?

- I'll take him in to meet the manager. - Thank you.

- Now, you take him over there. - Alright.

My father says this shipment's important, so get it out quick.

Sure. We'll fix it tonight, and get it out tomorrow.

- No problem at all. - Hmm...

- Well, I'll get back. See you soon. - Sure. Thanks a lot. Thanks.

Please.

Thanks again. See you later. Goodbye.

Hsu Chien! Is this the friend you told me about?

That's right. This is Cheng Chao-an, my cousin.

- Er... the manager. - Hello, there.

I'm very glad that you could come along.

We need some more help here. So, then, you can start tomorrow.

Thanks. You heard? You start work tomorrow.

Good. Thanks a lot.

Please don't mention it. That's what relatives are for.

And now that's been settled, let's go live it up. (Laughing)

- That looks like Mrs Ma. - Hmm?

- (Crying) - Mrs Ma, why are you crying like that?

Somebody bother you?

You tell me, I'll go fix them.

Your husband?

We don't have even enough to eat at home, but he has to go gambling.

Let's go and take a look, see what's happening.

Hmm...

COME IN AND GET RICH

Come on, place your bets!

Hey, Ma!

- Hey, Ma, you lost? - Yeah. Everything.

At this table? Let's take a look.

Last bets, last bets!

- Banker wins! - Oh!

Look. You still wanna play?

- What? Loaded dice? - Hey, come on, cool it. Cool it, man.

You wanted to play. They didn't force you.

Come on.

- We want our money back! - (Angry shouting)

- (Man) Cheating again! Loaded dice! - (Man 2) Hey, where's my money?

Let that be a lesson. In future, you don't gamble.

Here's a few hundred bucks to tide you over.

- Oh, no, I... - Pay me back later.

No particular hurry.

But remember now, no more gambling, eh?

- Thank you. - Go on home.

Thank you.

Hmm?

It's just a small place, and the work's quite hard, too.

But still, the pay isn't bad.

But if you can stick it out for five years, you could save quite a lot.

Enough to start up your own business here in a small way.

Hey, you!

Alright, keep out of this.

These fellas are out looking for trouble, but I'll handle them.

Alright, you, you're gonna get a lesson!

We're gonna teach you to mind your own business!

Yeah? Just the six of you?

Well, it's your funeral. Try it on.

Get going! Go on!

You know, you fight pretty good.

I promised not to, though.

And my mother gave me this, so I'd remember my promise.

Hey, time to get up now! Hurry up!

Hsu will now look after you. But be careful, though.

He's tough, and he likes nothing better than a good fight.

And if you don't watch it, you might get dragged in with him.

I won't, I promised ma.

I gave her my word, so don't you worry.

Good. I'll be going, then.

- Take care of yourself. - Yeah.

Bye, Uncle!

Hey, what's wrong?

Why don't you speak? I like to make friends.

There's no reason to be shy.

I'm not gonna harm you.

Hey, why don't you answer?

I'm talking to you!

Tell me where you live.

Hey, come on. Stop playing so hard to get, will you?

Let go!

Not until you talk to me.

Cousin Cheng!

Cheng! Help!

I better go.

Hey, you there!

- Come to work? - Yeah.

See the foreman first, then check in.

- Which one is he? - The one standing over there.

Come on, move!

The fat one. See?

With a beard and a pigtail.

What do you want? Who are you?

My name's Cheng. Cheng Chao-an.

Are you the fella Hsu brought along to see the manager yesterday morning?

Mm-hmm.

In future, get here on time. You understand that?

- Yeah. - Well, get to work. There's lots to do.

Don't just stand there. Be careful of that!

Get it moving! Don't just stand there!

Alright, what's wrong?

- Do you want the job? - Er...

What do I do?

Go and help them. Go on!

Let me.

What's this, eh?

Hey! You leave that! Get back!

Hey, I'm sorry.

Hold it!