Noble Page #3

into my hands.

I'll hoist up,

no bother.

There you go.

Let go of me.

I'm over now.

Come on back down here

for a second, young one.

Let go of me

I said.

I'd love to look up

what's up your skirt there.

Let go of me I said!

No! No!

We'll just have a bit

of fun, that's all.

Let's get rid of her quick.

Should we toss a coin,

lads?

Head or tail, huh?

Grab her legs,

that's it.

Leave the girl,

will you?

You've let me down

very badly.

And I want to know why?

So you better have something

very good in store for me,

to make it up to me,

all right, God?

I do think

you are a good worker.

It's just you can't go missing

for all that time

without so much

as a by your leave,

and expect your job

to be here

whenever you pop up again.

That's just not the way

the world works.

Sweet Jesus!

I need to find a way

to help these kids.

Bui doi, the dust of life.

That's what I was once,

just like Tao and Han and Lam

and thousands of other kids.

I can't afford

to make anymore mistakes,

or I'll get

kicked out of this country.

I need you

to tell me what to do.

I'll tell you what.

I'll walk, you lead.

Kahm uhn.

This is private

property. Can I help you?

Sorry, the kite

came over the wall outside.

Thank you

for returning it.

Is this a school?

No, it is

a government orphanage

of Binh Dai district,

private property.

Thank you.

Is it ever possible

to visit the children?

Sometimes...

but strictly

with permission.

Right,

who do I apply to

for permission?

Me.

The evasive agent

arrange.

Up here all the children

brought to us

severely malnourished.

Are you a wealthy woman,

Mrs. Noble?

I wish

I could say that I was.

Our history

is full of foreigners

who thought

they could help.

Maybe we don't need

anymore disappointment.

I understand that.

What is it that you intend

to do for the sweet children?

I don't know yet

exactly.

That is a good start.

When I was much younger

I had a dream

about your country.

I don't know why.

No doctor or psychiatrist

could explain

why I became obsessed

with a country

that I wouldn't have been able

to show them on a map.

Madame Linh,

this may sound mad to you,

but today, right here,

I have my explanation.

Come and see me

again tomorrow.

Thank you.

Good morning, Christina,

or should I say

good afternoon?

That was a long sleep

you had.

Well, rest, recuperation,

get you back

to the full of your health.

That's what we're about here.

So let's just get you

signed in, will we?

A little bit like a hotel.

Now.

Just here.

What age are you,

Sister Laura?

Thirty-one. Why?

Did you always

want to become a nun?

Always.

What about you, Christina?

Did you ever think

about a vocation?

Never.

Sorry I had to bring you

to the nuns, Christina.

It's the only place

that'd take you in.

There was no way they would

let me visit you before now.

"Three months of rest,

no excitements. "

I told them

I wasn't exciting.

"Come back in 3 months,

not before. "

I think

you saved my life, Joan.

This lot are grand,

not like those kind

of lunatics.

I'm forgiven so?

Just about.

I'm going

to England, Shoes.

Getting out of this

kip of a place.

Where will you go to?

Birmingham, I've a brother

who lives there.

Would you come with me?

I have no penny

to go with.

I'll lend you the money.

You can pay me back

when you get a job.

What do you think?

Will there be

any excitements?

There will be, loads.

Sister Laura, please!

Don't be ridiculous,

Christina.

What's wrong with me

going to England?

There's nothing

for me here.

Would you have some common

sense for God's sake.

What do you mean?

You are going

to have a baby, Christina.

Me?

Yes.

Why else do you think

you're excused

from heavy cleaning work?

And you get second helpings

at dinner

whenever you want them.

He's called Thomas,

after my dad.

Hello, Thomas.

He's gorgeous, Shoes.

So I picked up

the ferry tickets yesterday.

What's your plan

for Saturday?

I'll tell them, I'll take him

out in the pram

for a couple of hours.

That's my usual.

Then I'll get the bus

to northwall.

I'll meet you there

at 5 o'clock.

Don't you dare

be late now.

I'll go without you.

I will.

Someone's moved Thomas.

Was he taken to the nurse

to be weighed again?

Calm down, Christina.

Tell me where he is,

Sister Laura, please.

Thomas isn't here anymore. It's

in his best interest. Where is he?

You're only 17.

You haven't got a husband.

What's that got

to do with this?

Thomas has gone

to a good Catholic family

where he'll get

the very best of care.

So when do I get to see him?

Well, I'll go and get

my things together.

He's been adopted, Christina.

What?

But you can't do that.

But you signed the papers,

that first day you came here,

do you not remember?

No.

No, oh, my God.

Oh.

I forgive you for that,

Christina.

I don't know what to say

to you except that...

now we both know

what it's like to lose a son.

I'm not being blasphemous.

I'm not comparing

myself to you.

It's just that first

I believe,

but now I won't be

able to keep going.

I won't survive.

I hope you're gonna explain

this to me, very bloody soon.

So until then you're gonna

have to listen to me

swear and curse and shout,

and I won't be asking

for your forgiveness.

Sorry about that.

This is the name

of the government department

you must contact.

It is forbidden

for any foreigner to work

in Vietnam

without a red stamp.

Mm-hmm.

Ask for Mr. Ku

and mention my name.

I will, thank you.

And if you want to help

the street children,

you will need

to understand their dangers.

I would like you

to meet Trung.

He will show you what I mean.

I've never

had a bodyguard before.

I never been

a bodyguard before.

What do you normally do?

I used to be

a duck farmer.

A duck farmer?

Yes, duck is big business

in Vietnam.

Quack-quack,

chop-chop.

I feel safer already, Trung.

What's this building

used for?

Not used.

Hello.

It is not usual

to give a work permit

to a foreigner like this.

I do appreciate that,

and I'm grateful

for your consideration.

What will you bring

to Madame Linh?

I will bring hard work,

and passion,

love for the children,

my heart.

Your heart?

And money, I hope.

Oh, yes, and money.

Where will you get

this money from?

You let me worry about that,

Mr. Ku, I have my ways.

Is there anything else

that you would like to say

before we make our decision?

Would you mind

if I sang you a song.

A song?

It's an Irish tradition.

I just give you

the one verse, okay?

Come over the hills,

my handsome Irish lad

Come over the hills

to your darling

You choose the road, love,

and I'll make a vow

That I'll be your true love

forever

Thank you.

Thank you for your application,

Miss Noble.

We are interested

in what you say

and we like the way

that you say it.

You're very kind.

We will give you

a work permit.

Oh, that's brilliant.

For 3 months.

Three months?

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