Crime and Punishment Page #3

No one is allowed

to register for you!

We're not going to issue

someone else your business permit.

- He didn't get a permit...

- And you need your scrap permit!

I've got one,

from the commerce office.

Then let me see it!

It's at home!

Go get it. When you come back,

we'll return your cart.

I don't have it on me now.

Then go home and get it.

- Go get it right now.

- I just need some time to...

I don't want to hear it.

Go home and get your permits.

Both of them - your business

permit and your scrap permit.

I said go home!

What are you hanging around for?

- How am I supposed to get home?

- I don't care, just go.

You know you're not allowed

to collect scrap without a permit.

Listen,

can't I just re-register now?

It's too late for that.

You said you had the permits.

So go home and get them.

Both documents - your business

permit and your scrap permit.

Can't I just...

Until you show me those permits,

you can't register.

I don't know who you are,

so bring some ID, too.

- It's at home.

- Come back with those three things.

Go home and get them.

You confiscated my cart.

What do you expect me to do, walk?

- Take a pedicab.

- Sure, like I can afford that.

I started collecting scrap

back in '84.

I've been doing this

for 20 years now.

Then you should know

the rules and regulations

better than anyone, right?

- We expect you to cooperate.

- I am cooperating...

So I shouldn't have

to waste my time

explaining why

you need those permits.

That's why I don't carry them

around all the time,

in case I lose them.

Well, I can't release your cart.

What if you don't come back?

How am I supposed to find you?

Where am I going to go?

I'm around here every day.

If I'm not busy on the farm,

I'm here collecting scrap.

Where else would I be?

Besides,

it's not like I'm a murderer,

running from the law.

I'm a just a junk collector.

Hardly beats begging,

but what else is an old guy like me

going to do?

What choice do I have?

And I've still got to work the farm,

plant and harvest the crops.

So in the slack season

I collect junk

to make a few cents

here and there.

Just enough to keep us

in salt and soy sauce.

No crime in that, is there?

I couldn't run off if I wanted to.

Tell me when to be here tomorrow.

If I don't show up, you can fine me.

It's not like you're never going

to see my face again.

I'm always around.

Go. We have a meeting at 2:00.

You can get your cart

when you come back.

Can I use your phone?

Sure.

What's the number? I'll dial.

559-0497.

Hello?

Who is this?

Just tell them your name.

This is Wang Yufu.

Who is this?

It's too loud. I can't hear.

Who's home right now?

Who?

I can't hear a word he's saying.

Tell him to speak slower.

Or give it to me.

- What's your name?

- Wang Yufu.

Hello, are you there?

Can you hear me?

Yeah.

- What's your name again?

- Wang Yufu.

I've got Wang Yufu here.

- Do you know him?

- Yeah.

How do you know him?

- He's my grandpa.

- Huh?

What?

He's my grandpa.

Oh, he's your grandpa?

- Are there any grown-ups home?

- Yeah.

Can I talk to a grown-up?

Must be my grandson.

- Didn't you recognize his voice?

- You know kids...

Hello, I've got Wang Yufu here.

I'm calling from the border police.

He wants to talk to you.

Here he is.

He's your father, right?

Here, talk to your father.

Is this San'r?

Hello?

Is this Xiao Jun or San'r?

This is San'r.

Listen, I'm at the police station.

They want to see my permits.

My scrap permit, and some ID...

- And your business permit.

- And my business permit.

Can you find them

and bring them down here?

I doubt he can find them.

Can't it wait until tomorrow?

That's what I said,

but they said no

and impounded my cart.

F*** them, those f***ers!

All they do is dick around, anyway.

What difference does a day make?

Shut up!

Those motherfuckers...

- This is unacceptable.

- I said shut up!

Did you hear what he called us?

I won't sit here

and listen to your son insult us.

Get out of here, go.

Go get your permits.

This is unacceptable.

You'll get your cart

when you come back.

You live in Gulouzi, right?

But when you collect scrap

in this town,

you're under our jurisdiction.

You have to follow our rules.

It's not like we're...

If your son has any objections,

he can file a complaint.

We're impounding your cart.

That's all I have to say.

Go get your permits.

Bring your son back with you.

- But it'll cost 20 yuan to get home.

- Just go.

And I can't ride a bike.

You'll get your horse cart when

you come back with those permits.

No permits, no horse cart.

Unless we decide

to kill the old nag.

I have to say

I don't like your son's attitude,

but that's beside the point.

Go and get your permits.

He's out of our jurisdiction,

so there's nothing we can do

about him.

You just bring your permits and ID,

and whatever paperwork you have.

All right? I don't want to waste

any more time talking about this.

All right, I'm going.

Don't worry, he won't bite.

Don't worry.

Come in.

Come in, it's okay.

The little one won't bite, right?

I want you

to look at this permit yourself.

Read it. Tell me what it says.

- What's wrong with it?

- See for yourself.

It's expired.

I pay fees every year,

but the commerce office

never sends me a new permit!

If you don't believe me, ask 'em.

They used to send them, but...

Look at the permit.

Look at it and you'll see.

When does it expire?

Look at the expiration date.

How long is it valid?

Tell me what it says.

You read it and tell me

how long it's valid.

I guess I applied in '94...

or maybe it was '96.

They used to renew it every year...

I'm asking you to read it.

When does it expire?

How would I know?

If you don't know, I'll tell you.

Give it to me

and I'll read it for you.

Who understands this stuff?

See what it says there? See?

"Valid from November 1, 1996

to November 1, 2000."

You hear that? See that?

You can read numbers, can't you?

Know what it says?

The permit's expired.

- How can it be expired?

- It's invalid.

But they never even sent a renewal!

You're supposed to renew it

yourself!

It's not their responsibility.

I don't understand how it expired.

I mean, I pay fees every year.

I just assumed that they'd...

According to this,

you've broken the law.

The police and the commerce office

could ban you from collecting scrap.

Collecting scrap

without a permit is illegal.

Well, that's their problem.

It's not their problem, it's yours!

Your permit expired, and you never

renewed it at the commerce office.

It's your responsibility,

not theirs!

They don't have to remind you.

Well, I don't want

to argue with you.

But the first year...

You're in no position to argue.

All your permits are expired!

You never even showed up

for the annual inspections.

If I wanted to,

I could revoke your permit

right now!

I never got a notice...

You never even showed up

for the inspections, did you?

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