Boat People Page #4

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What does he expect to see in the N.E. Z?

This Japanese fancies himself

as a revolutionary.

I think he's trying to stir sh*t.

You can't take the camera.

I have special permission.

I don't care if you do.

Look after it for me.

Will you come back?

Of course. We're going to

open a stall together.

I'm sorry!

None of your business.

Get on... right, off you go!

Leave me alone!

Hey, he has a fever.

Is there a doctor here?

Yes!

Where's the doctor?

Report first.

Right now!

To Minh, what is it?

What happened?

He needs a doctor!

What are you doing?

Let him go.

Who's that guy?

A Japanese reporter. The Cultural Bureau

gave him a pass.

You're kidding!

What's To Minh been doing?

His leg is still bad.

I gave him special convalescence leave

How come he's worse than before?

It's all over for us, Ah Thanh.

Don't be dumb!

Doctor...

You're flooding the place.

He's in agony!

I'll do what I can. Where's the pain?

His wound is inflamed.

Hold him still.

No anaesthetic?

You go to town to buy it.

He's alright now.

Easy-exit money?

What do you think your life is worth?

Why did I let you go for treatment?

Back outside!

I don't care who you are,

Japanese reporter.

The Cultural Bureau has

nojurisdiction here.

Leave now.

I've seen all I want.

Sh*t, I can have you charged

as an accomlice.

She asked me to give this back to you.

She says she has go to Miami,

to run your bar...

until she's 70.

She got the money for Ah thanh too.

You must find a way to escape.

It's New Orleans.

Right!

Mr. Akutagawa,

you should have warned me.

Welcome.

I'm just passing.

On my way back from visiting No.15.

Good, I'll go wake the children.

The old man passed on.

They're such good boots.

Too good to be buried with him,

don't you agree?

You're back.

Didn't expect to see you again.

Sit down

and have a coffee, Mr. Akutagawa.

You went to my home?

Did Mum tell you I was here?

Is Second Brother asleep yet?

He's always wanting to play

with your camera.

So I put it

by Dad's memorial tablet.

Mrs. Pham has just opened

this coffee stall.

I'm selling sugar-cane the day,

and helping here at night.

I'm saving,

so that Mum can see a doctor

Don't worry yourself about

us and more.

You don't want to send us to

the N.E.Z. Any more?

No!

Where are we going?

I'm taking you home.

I want to come to your hotel.

Why?

I've never been to one.

Pretty good here.

So this is what hotels are like.

Cam Nuong. I promised to help you

start a stall.

Should be enough here for that,

and for the doctor.

But promise you won't go back

to the coffee-stall.

Promise me. Not to the

"chicken farm" eother.

I can earn a lot more at the coffee-stall.

Alright, I know, I won't go there again.

Is it true that Japanese men

beat their wives?

Who told you that?

Everyone says so.

Not true!

I want to use the toilet.

Low water-pressure. Must flush twice.

Okay!

Why are there beer-cans in the tank?

The waiter hid them there.

There're black market.

Do you want one now?

What are you doing?

I must wash my feet.

Why?

I'll get bed-clothes dirty.

Are you crazy?

You could almost

be my daughter.

I'm taking you home.

What is it?

Oh, it's you. The Commander took

your gold leaf.

What do you want?

If that shits, I'll make you eat it!

This is for you, plus this.

To cover me and Ah Thanh.

The usual deal, half in advance.

Heard any bangs recently?

No refund if Ah Thanh

blows himself up.

Don't you worry, we'll make it.

When's the next boat?

You're lucky. Three days from now.

Two dead, one seriously injured, sir.

You six, move the bodies.

You! You!

Why me?

You're later, that's why!

You!

Just three more days, Ah Thanh.

Hey, Cam Nuong!

I made two dollars more today.

You're a good businesswoman!

You smoke?

Ah Nhac taught me to.

Mr. Akutagawa!

I was just looking for you!

What is it?

Only five days left on your visa.

Shall I get it extended for you?

No need,

I've got what I want already.

Thank you!

Right, well, I won't keep you.

Well?

He's going to leave.

What about his photos?

You're leaving?

Ah Thanh... Ah Thanh...

You alright?

You guys seen enough?

Back to work.

On to the truck.

Nothing to see, back to work.

Ah Thanh!

What the hell is all this noise?

The cash?

And Ah Thanh's share?

I reserved him a place.

It's all here!

Tell the boat's captain I sent you.

He'll let you on.

Wait for me! I'm from No.15!

Wait!

Wait! Wait for me...

Over here!

Hold me.

I want to have salted egg.

Mr. Akutagawa has invited

for western food.

I don't like western food.

Don't be silly, you've

never tried it.

Over here!

Are we late?

No, I just got here.

Sit down!

I want salted egg.

Don't play with your knife. Be good.

I've already ordered

roast chicken, fried fish

soup, and ice cream.

How's that? Alright?

Waiter, can we have the

three lunches now, please.

Right away.

Got enough money left

to pay for all that?

You've given me most of

what you had.

Don't worry, I have some savings!

Good day!

You startled me.

I forgot there was a compatriot around!

- Let have breakfast together.

- Can I?

Please take a seat.

These are your little

Vietnamese friends?

Sister and bother. She's Cam Nuong,

he's Van Lang.

This is my Japanese friend, Inoue-san.

Do sit down

I'm very happy to meet you.

Want a beer?

No, I have work to do.

You went to another N.E.Z.?

How was it?

I was tricked.

How about your photo-project?

They're the reality.

I envy you, going home.

Goodbye, little friends.

- Is he from Tokyo too?

- Yes.

Is that what you do in Tokyo?

Yes, we do that in Tokyo all the time.

The Japanese like bowing.

But I can't

describe Tokyo to you.

You'll have to come to see for yourselves.

Uncle, where is the roast chicken?

Come home with us.

Leave me alone.

You're old enough to walk by yourself.

Don't worry, I don't mind.

See. He likes carrying me!

Clear away!

What's happening?

Where are you taking my mother?

Ask your mother to tell you!

Mommy!

Speak up, admit what you are.

Confess to your daughter

and your neighbours.

Prostitute! You weren't ashamed

to break the law!

Why be ashamed to admit it openly?

Mommy!

Mommy!

Say goodbye to Mommy.

Mommy, goodbye!

Although your mother did wrong

the country would have let her

reform herself.

She should not have evaded

her responsibilities.

You don't have to worry about your future.

The country will put your brother

in an orphanage.

And you will get priority to move

to a N.E.Z.

It's alright, it's Officer Nguyen.

He's drunk too much.

Tonight is his last dinner here.

Tomorrow he transfers to the N.E.Z.

At Mao Nam.

To do what?

Depends on Hanoi.

If he's lucky, he'll be a Commander.

How is Cam Nuong?

They need to get out of Vietnam.

Can you help them?

There's a boat every day.

I know one captain.

But it'll be expensive.

Take my camera and lens.

Must be worth a few thousand.

But it must be by the day after tomorrow.

I'm leaving then.

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