Go Back to China (2019) Movie Script
1
[joyful music]
You don't actually
have any work experience.
No, but I just
graduated from Fordham.
-How long ago?
-About a year ago.
So what have you
been doing since?
Uh, I've been working on
my own collection,
which takes up a lot of my time.
What about internships?
Isn't that just a way
for companies to exploit
people for free labor?
So how do you expect
to get any experience?
By getting a job?
How do you support
yourself exactly?
My dad helps a little.
A lot. [chuckles]
Well, thanks for coming in, uh--
We'll be in touch after
we've reviewed all candidates.
Okay. Thank you.
Um--
I'm not getting this job, am I?
[sighing] Excuse me?
This is my sixth
interview this month.
Everyone says they'll get in
touch, but then they never do.
Look, I know I don't have
any work experience,
but how am I supposed to get any
experience if I can't get hired?
All I need is a chance.
I have great ideas.
I can bring
so much to your brand.
Look, your drawings aren't bad.
That's what got you in here,
but you think you can waltz out
of fashion school
and get a job designing.
Girls intern for years
just to get an assistant job.
Daddy may have paid
your way through school,
but out here in the real world
you have to work your way up.
So I guess you won't be
getting in touch?
Good luck, Sasha.
[phone chiming]
Sasha, it's Dad.
Please, call me back.
[quirky music]
Hey, watch where you're going.
Oh, my god.
I'm so sorry about that.
People come here
and ruin everything.
-Excuse me?
-Why don't you just
go back to China?
Fuck you, I'm American.
[upbeat pop music]
-Hey, Sasha, how are you?
-Argh!
Just terrible!
Oh, I'm sorry, but I know just
the thing that'll cheer you up.
-These just arrived
this morning.
-Oh! Thank you.
This is exactly what I need.
[phone ringing]
[sighing]
OK. So that'll be 1500.
Thank you.
[door opening]
[keys jingling]
[phone ringing]
-Hi, Mom.
-Happy birthday.
-Thank you.
-Did you get my present?
I'm opening it now.
[gasping] Woo!
Oh, Mom, these are beautiful.
-Do you like them?
-Yeah, I love them!
But you shouldn't have, these
look like they cost a fortune.
It's okay, you deserve it.
-How was your interview today?
-Argh!
-Awful!
-What happened?
The lady was totally
judging me for still
being supported by Dad.
I was like, "Well, if you would
just give me a job then
I wouldn't need to be."
I'm so sorry, honey,
but you're so talented.
I'm sure somebody
will see that soon.
-I have no doubt.
-And Dad won't stop calling me.
Maybe he just wants to
wish you a happy birthday.
Ha! Like he remembers.
Plus it's been weeks now.
Why don't you just
call him back?
Because I don't know how many
different ways I can tell him
I don't want to
go back to China.
Are you sure you
don't want to consider?
-Just a little?
-Mom, I want to work in
high fashion.
Dad makes tacky toys that sit
next to the toothpaste aisle
at Walgreens.
Your sister Carol has been
working for him for years.
-She seems happy.
-Half-sister.
Plus, I don't really want to
talk about this right now, Mom,
and I have a party
to get ready for.
[scoffing] You party too much.
-It's my birthday.
-Okay, fine.
-Have fun.
-I will. Thank you. Bye.
[upbeat techno music]
Oh, looking sharp.
[Henri] Welcome, Sasha.
-We are all set up for you.
-Oh, thank you, Henri.
You're the best.
Hey, Ladies!
[all cheering]
Thank you so much for coming.
Who want shots?
[all] Happy birthday!
Oh my god, this is so fun.
["Rock This"
by Jason Jaxx & Ricky]
Hoo!
-[cork popping]
-[cheering]
[screaming]
-[yawning]
-I'm sorry. I told them that
-you wanted hip-hop
and Britney.
-It's fine.
-I just--
-Whenever you're ready.
Thank you, Henri.
Oh, no. You shouldn't
have to pay, no.
You guys, you are my guests
and my guests don't pay.
-You're so sweet.
-Thank you, Sasha!
-Thank you, guys.
-Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Thank you so much
for coming out.
Thank you for having us.
[girl] Happy birthday.
Ugh, I'll be very hungover.
I can tell you that right now.
Excuse me, Miss Li. May I talk
to you alone for a moment?
Oh, whatever you have
to say to me,
you can say it from over there.
I'm sorry,
but the card didn't work.
What? Oh, excuse me.
Excuse me.
But that's not possible.
I don't know, it was declined.
-Can you try it again?
-I've tried several times.
Do you have
another card by chance?
[chatter in background]
No, that's the only card
that I brought.
Well, how exactly will
you be paying the bill tonight?
[sighing]
[exhales] Um, one second.
Hey, guys. I'm so sorry
about this, but, uh--
There is like an issue
with my card.
Do you guys mind, um,
chipping in for the bill?
-Yeah, totally, yeah.
-Yeah, it's your birthday.
Oh, no.
It happens.
-It's your birthday.
-Thank you.
Sorry.
Happy birthday.
[Sasha] I'll totally make this
up to you guys, I promise.
-I'm sorry.
-[girl] Don't worry about it.
Thank you, Ms. Li.
[pop music]
[whirring]
[phone ringing]
Thank you for finally
returning my calls.
What is happening with my credit
card? Did accounting forget to
like pay the bill or something?
Actually, I blocked it.
Why would you do that?
You just humiliated me in
front of all of my friends.
Have you thought
more about my proposal?
How many times do
I have to tell you? No.
You have been out of school
for almost a year now.
-What do you do all day?
-It's not like I haven't
been looking for work.
How could you have blown through
half your trust fund already?
-So? It's my money.
-Not anymore.
What is that supposed to mean?
I'm cutting you off.
-[scoffing] What?
You can't do that.
-I already did.
Do you know how hard I worked
to save that money for you?
The hundredth time, Dad.
I have been looking
for work every single day.
And as soon as I get a job,
I will pay you back.
Or you can come back
to China and help with
the family business.
Why would I want to do that?
If you do a good job
after one year
I give you your money back.
[scoffing] Oh, my god.
This is not really happening.
Just think about it.
I don't need to think about it.
There's no way in hell I'm going
to work for you in China.
Go ahead, cut me off.
I don't need your money anyway.
Thank you for
a great birthday, Dad.
[Sasha yelling]
[Sasha] Can you believe
how unfair my dad is being?
Like there's no fucking way
I'm going back to China.
Isn't China supposed to be
really nice these days?
Maybe Shanghai
or Beijing, but this is
like some small factory town
in suburban Shenzhen.
Well, if you don't mind me
asking how much money are we
talking about here exactly?
A million dollars.
Shut the fuck up!
A million dollars?
Um, I'll move to China
for a million dollars.
-Right?
-I mean, it's not
the whole million.
-I already spent half of it.
-On what?
I mean, hello, rent here
is not exactly cheap.
Plus we're drinking
a $300 bottle of wine.
-A million, girl?
-A million dollars
is not a lot these days.
It's not like my dad
is some kind of billionaire.
He runs a toy factory and it's
not even like Mattel or Hasbro.
I mean, still it's just a year
and then after that you can
pretty much do whatever you
want with that kind of money.
Yeah, I wish I had a dad
who would just give me
a million dollars.
Yeah, well, I wish I had a dad
who wasn't such an asshole.
All right,
Sasha, is something going on?
[calm pop music]
So--
For the longest time, I thought
I was my dad's only daughter.
And then one day out of the
blue, my "sister" Carol shows up
and it turns out he had
this entire other family
before us and didn't
bother saying anything.
And then he moved my mom
and me to California
and basically just left us here.
I saw him once a year
if even that,
and then he knocked up
a sample girl at his factory
and divorced my mom.
So yeah, if he's going to treat
my mom and me like shit,
then why should I do
anything for him?
[girl] I'm so sorry, Sasha.
No, it's okay. We all
have daddy issues.
-Yes, we know that.
-That's the truth.
-[clock ticking]
-[knocking on door]
-Oh hi, Ashly.
-Oh, sorry to wake you, Sasha.
-Oh, no, it's fine. What's up?
-Your rent check bounced.
[scoffing] what? I mean,
that's not possible.
Oh, um, actually,
it's just a misunderstanding.
-I'll fix it.
-Okay, no problem.
-Okay. Thanks.
-Thanks.
-[door slamming]
-[keyboard clacking]
I'm sorry, Sasha. Your father's
frozen all of your assets.
What? Can he even do that?
Since he's the trustee
in your accounts, yeah.
[scoffs]
What am I supposed
to do for money?
Maybe you can
consider getting a job?
[phone rings in background]
But you don't have
any work experience
or restaurant experience.
No, but it's a hostess job.
How hard could it be to stand
there and greet people?
Well, thanks for coming in.
We'll keep in touch
once we've reviewed
all the other candidates.
Thanks.
Great!
[phone rings]
-Hi, Mom.
-I don't want you to worry,
-but your father--
-What happened?
His office just informed me that
there will be no more alimony
-until you accept his offer.
-Are you kidding?
-Can he even do that?
-Sasha, I'll figure
something out.
[scoffs] No, you know what?
I'll call him right now.
Don't do anything
on account of me.
Look, I'll handle it.
[dialing]
-[dad] Yes?
-You cut off Mom too?
What is wrong with you?
You don't want to
contribute to this family,
why should I continue
supporting the two of you?
How is she supposed to
survive without any alimony?
Then maybe she should
have learned a skill
and gotten a job.
She spoiled you too much.
[scoffing] Well,
at least she was around.
Some good tactic.
You are unbelievable.
This is your last chance, Sasha.
You can either come home
and help out or you can
figure out
how to support you
and your mother on your own.
What would it be?
[uplifting musical build up]
Uh...
I can understand Chinese.
I just don't speak it very well.
Can you understand English?
Yeah, what else is new?
[joyful music]
[traffic noises]
[calm music]
[soft dramatic music]
Uh, okay.
Hello, ma'am. My name is Maria.
Welcome home.
This is not my home.
-Okay. I show you to your room.
-Okay.
-Holy shit. Is that
an elevator? What?
-[Maria chuckles]
Ma'am, here's the AC
if you get hot or cold
you can adjust it here.
Do you need anything else?
-No, you can go. Thank you.
-Okay.
[oriental music]
Someone has an emperor complex.
[chuckling]
Okay.
[gasping] Oh, my god.
[camera shutter clicks]
[sighing]
Goddamn communist China.
[sighs]
[door whirring]
[crickets chirping]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Ma'am, dinner's ready.
Okay. Can you just give me,
uh, a minute?
[Maria] Okay, ma'am.
Thanks.
Sasha, you're back.
Yep.
-Say hi.
-Hi.
Wow, look at you guys,
you're all grown up.
I've been in California.
Actually, can you guys
understand me?
Yeah, I understand English,
but how come you can't
speak Chinese?
I moved to the U.S.
when I was really young.
So my Chinese is not good.
-Do they live here?
-No.
-They live with their mom
and her new husband.
-[door slams]
[woman] Sorry, I'm late.
Work was nuts.
-Sasha.
-Hey, Carol.
Oh, look at you. I haven't
seen you since my--
[chuckles] See, you should
come back more often.
Even your own sibling
don't recognize you.
Um, I'm here now, aren't I?
[string chamber music]
Everybody, sit down.
Oh, sorry, Carol. Let Sasha
sit there. She's the VIP today.
-Of course, Dad.
-Sasha, you sit here.
[sighs]
[clinking]
Five years ago when
I renovated this house
my friends used to say,
"Mr. Lee, why do you need
such a big house?"
And I would say, "Because I have
lots of children."
It was always my dream
to have all my children
living under the same roof.
Except Sasha was
the missing piece,
but today
the Li family is complete.
So, can we toast Sasha
and welcome her home?
-[all] Welcome home!
-[glasses clinking]
[string chamber music]
Hi, I'm Sasha, and you are?
-Hi, I'm Lulu.
-And Lulu is?
She takes care of me.
Like how Maria
takes care of you?
No. Different way.
Does she live here?
Yes, she lives here.
And who are you?
My name is Aaron.
-I'm brother of Lulu.
-Do you live here?
Uh, yeah.
-Sasha, how was your flight?
-It was fine. Do you live
here too?
No. I have my own place.
Carol has her own place?
I should be able
to have my own place.
Don't you think
you have bled through
enough money already?
Don't you think I'm too old
to be living with
my father and a bunch
of strangers?
You are not in a position
to make any demands.
Carol bought her home with
the money she earned
working for me.
It's just a very small place.
In dollars it's not worth
much of anything at all.
[dad] Are you forgetting
why you're back here?
Because you cut me and mom off
and forced me to.
-You want to pick a fight
first day you're back?
-I think I'm full.
Good night.
It's okay, I'll go talk to her.
Eat.
[knocking on door]
-Leave me alone.
-[Carol] It's me.
Come in.
Are you okay?
I hate it here.
It's only been a day.
I've been here for ten years.
Oh, god, I don't know
how you did it.
Look, Dad and I had our
fair share of fights
in the early days too,
but you're lucky, he's actually
mellowed out a lot since.
This is him mellowed out?
Yes. He told me I could
no longer be his daughter
if I didn't come back
and work for him.
Oh, my god, there's no rules
and you can only pass on
your business to your children.
He's not an emperor.
-Have you seen this place?
-[Sasha scoffs]
-Do you have to live here?
-No, thank god.
By the time he finished
renovating, I had already moved
into my own place with Scott.
[smacking lips] Hey,
I'm sorry about Scott.
It's fine. It was amicable.
Hey...
Who is that
Lulu girl downstairs exactly?
-Who do you think?
-[scoffing]
She better not be
wife number four.
-She looks like she's my age.
-Actually, she's 22.
Ew!
But I think Dad's
learned his lesson now.
It's much cheaper to pay them as
girlfriends than his ex-wives.
Why does her brother live here?
Oh, well, that is just
part of their arrangement.
Dad pays for him to go
to school and in exchange
she "takes care of him."
[exhaling] Great.
So he's going to pay for
his girlfriend's brother
to go to school, but he's
going to cut me off completely?
[sobbing]
I don't want to be here.
I hate Chinese food.
I want to go back to L.A.
No one has avocados.
[sobbing]
-Good morning, ma'am.
-Good morning.
Come, have some breakfast.
Oh, um, do we have anything
else for breakfast?
-What's wrong with congee?
-I don't do carbs
in the morning.
Oh, tell Maria what you want.
Um, can I please do an egg white
omelet with spinach?
I'm sorry ma'am
we're all out of eggs.
[banging] How can you be
out of eggs?
I'm sorry, sir. I use it
all up for dinner last night.
I will buy more later today.
My daughter comes all
the way back from America,
you don't have eggs for
her breakfast?
I'm really sorry, sir.
I go to store now.
No, that's too late, Maria.
We have to go to work.
Dad, it's fine. I'll eat
the congee. It's okay.
Go!
[quirky music]
And you, when we get to
the factory, try and look happy.
I don't want them to see
you acting like this.
My life is over.
How am I supposed to act?
[lively music]
[whimsical music]
[applauding]
[all applauding louder]
[keyboard clacking]
-Good morning!
Here is your desk.
-[Sasha] Aah.
Don't get too comfortable.
You won't be working
from there today.
What?
Where am I working from, then?
And you will attach the tag
to the toys like her.
-A monkey could do this job.
-Then you will fit right in.
[whimsical music]
I have no idea how
you guys do this all day.
So, how was
your first day of work?
Have I told you lately
that I hate you?
-What is this for?
-Pay.
What? This is
only like 15 bucks.
Yes, and this is what
they earn here in a day.
But that's basically
like slave labor.
Can't apply your American
standard of living to China.
-Come on. Let's go eat.
-What about Carol?
Just busy preparing
for the sales meeting.
-I want you--
Here you take this.
-No.
No, no, take it. Take.
Bye.
[lively music]
Dad, can't we afford a place
a little less ghetto?
Stop being such a princess.
-I never had any food
when I was growing up.
-Here we go again.
Nobody ever took care of me.
You kids have everything
given to you. What have you
done with it?
At least you got to choose what
you want to do with your life.
You know how many people
would love to be in the position
that you're in right now?
To be working in a toy factory
in China? Um...
-No one.
-What's wrong
with a factory in China?
It pays for everything you have,
including your useless
fashion degree.
Gee, well, I'm so sorry that
paying for your child's
education was such a burden.
I paid for your education,
because it is my duty
as a father.
Now is your turn
to pay back to the family.
What about your duty to actually
spend time with your kids?
Oh. Don't you think I wish
I had more time to spend
with my family?
Don't you think my workers wish
they had more time to spend
with their children?
It's a sacrifice we had to make
to support our families.
Eat.
[grunting]
[phone chiming]
Where is everyone?
Maria has the day off,
your dad is playing golf
-and Alan has tutoring.
-[phone chiming]
-So it's just you and me?
-Yeah.
[water bubbling]
Hey, do you want
to get out the house?
But I already washed
my hair this morning.
Oh, but this is so much more.
You'll see.
Okay.
[Chinese pop music]
-Nice, right?
-Yeah.
I've never received service
like this at any salon before
and my haircuts cost
like 200 bucks.
What? All this is
only 15 renminbi here.
-That's only like eight bucks.
-Yeah.
[scoffing]
[phone chiming]
You certainly
seem to be popular.
Oh, that's just my WeChat.
You should join,
everybody's on it.
I have it on my phone. I just--
I don't know how to use it.
Here, I'll show you.
[phone clicking]
-Okay, now we're connected.
-Cool. Thanks.
So, is this what keeps you
on your phone all day?
Well, it's so boring
around the house.
-I don't have
anything else to do.
-Yeah, no kidding.
Would you ever want to get like
a job or something,
so you can get out of there?
Yes, but boss won't let me.
I mean, he is my job.
Ew.
I know what you must
think of me, but I never
even finished high school.
There's not much I can do.
Taking care of boss
isn't that bad.
And he pays me pretty well.
Besides, my brother
was born illegally.
He doesn't really have
many options in life.
Wait, what do you mean?
The one child policy.
The second child cannot
be registered officially
and cannot go to public school.
Without boss sending him
to private school,
he would have no future at all.
-So you're doing all of
this for your brother?
-Yes.
What about after all of this?
What do you want to do with
your life then?
Probably come back here.
-Wait, is this
how you met my dad?
-Yes.
Wow.
[dad] Right?
Look at this one.
[toy snoring]
-[snoring]
-[laughing]
Poor Santa, had to OD to get all
the toys ready for Christmas.
So that's our Christmas line.
What do you think?
Thank you, Teddy, for another
entertaining presentation
as always.
Can we quote anything for you?
Um-- [sighing]
Okay, uh, this one.
And this one, and...
What do you think
of snoring Santa?
-[scoffing] No.
-Hmm.
Okay, that's it. Thank you.
Oh, can we show you something
else here? It's not a problem.
Teddy, I'm going
to be frank with you.
The collection this year is
not the strongest we've seen.
Especially compared to
some of your competitors.
The colors and the accessories,
it all feels kind of dated.
You used to have
the coolest products.
Then you became one of
those wheezy Chinese guys
that keeps knocking
each other off.
You know, but they can
do it for less than you.
Thank you for being honest.
I'm sorry to disappoint
you this time,
but we will make improvements
before you come next time.
-Looking forward to it.
-We'll walk you out.
-That wasn't good, huh?
-Um-hm.
-[grunting]
-[clattering]
[toy playing Jingle Bells]
-[thudding]
-Get me the designer!
[toy snoring]
Boss wants to see
the both of you.
[steps approaching]
-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.
Do you like working here?
-[both] Yes, sir.
-Then, why do you humiliate me?
-We're not humilia-- no.
-We are sorry, sir.
Do you think I like
begging for orders?
You think I like be reprimanded
by the bloody buyer
who hates your shitty stuff?
-Look at this fabric.
Look at it! What you've done?
-Dad, stop.
We have just a few meetings
left to pitch for Christmas
and if they all go like today,
this factory will have
to close down.
All the workers will have
to go back to their farms.
Is that what you want?
-[both] No, sir.
-Then you will work overtime
until you come up with
a decent Christmas collection.
-Do you hear me?
-[both] Yes, sir.
Get out.
Can you clean up, please.
Somebody get me a coffee!
-Hello.
-Hey, ma'am.
[announcement in Chinese
on speaker]
Why don't you try
a hipster Santa?
-What do you mean?
-Do you know what
a hipster looks like?
-[chuckling] Not really.
-Here. Let me show you.
[keyboard clacking]
Argh! Even Google's
blocked here?
-Yes.
-Yeah.
-So what do you guys
use for searches?
-Baidu.
Oh, my god. How are we
supposed to design anything
if you have no access
to the outside world?
-Yes.
-Tell me about it.
It's been a struggle.
Here. Let me show you.
[pencil scratching]
[gentle music]
-Oh, ma'am. That's,
that's really good.
-[Ernesto] Yes.
I guess I did learn a thing
or two at fashion school.
[designers chuckling]
-So...
-That's right.
Do we know anything
about [indistinct] in a circle?
We've just to lower the figure
and people will take it
a little more seriously.
[dad] Yeah, but I wish
to have more colors.
-Hi, Dad.
-Sasha, have you got
the inventory done?
It's okay, Carol. Yes,
Sasha, what do you want?
I was just in the design studio.
Their techniques
are really good.
It's just that the designs
are old-fashioned.
The buyer was right.
They're cooped up in here
in the middle of
China every day.
I mean, no wonder nothing
they design is on trend.
They don't even
know what the trend is.
How are they supposed
to come up with fresh
and innovative designs this way?
What are you suggesting?
Let me take them out
to Hong Kong
and do some market research.
-And blow some money?
-We'll just be window shopping.
I think it'll be really good for
them to see what the trends are
this season.
We've got a lot of deadlines
coming up. We can't afford
to have the designers take
the day off and just
go shopping.
Why are you guys
so resistant to new ideas?
Fine. Keep selling
dated toys. See if I care.
-[clapping] Okay.
-Really?
-Can I have some money?
-Are you serious?
You canceled
my credit card, remember?
-Okay, get some petty cash
from accounts.
-Thank you.
Dad.
-Yes.
-I proposed the same
thing years ago.
You always dismissed it
as a waste of time.
[sighs] Don't you remember
what the buyer was saying?
Competition is getting
tougher and tougher.
I just thought, should I check
with her design background?
She might come up with something
that will turn things around.
Yeah.
["All My Friends" by ZBRAS]
This is my life
This is your life
Anything can happen
Anything can happen
We are, we are, we are gold
Me and me and all my friends
Oh! Feelin' wild
Feelin' free
Look at all
Of these possibilities
The world is ours
Nothing' we can't do
Look at all
Of these possibilities
-See what you did.
-Delete that immediately.
Mm.
I'm so tired of Chinese food.
-This is not what we eat
at the factory.
-[chuckling]
-Is it bad?
-Oh.
-So bad you wouldn't even
call it food, really.
-[chuckling]
-Oh, I'm sorry.
-No, it's not your fault.
So, how long have you guys
been working for my dad?
-Eight years.
-Five.
What? How have you survived?
I mean, in case you haven't
noticed, he's a terrible boss.
We don't mind really,
he's not always like that.
Yeah, we're just
happy to have a job.
There's no way we can make this
much money in the Philippines.
Last year my mom got sick
and he gave me the money
to bring her here in Hong Kong
to see the best specialist.
He paid for the whole treatment.
I was working at another company
in China, but they laid me off.
I begged boss
to give me a chance
so that I can continue
to send my kids to school.
Boss only needed one designer,
but he hired me anyway.
Wow, I had no idea.
-Do your kids live here?
-Uh, no, they're back home
in the Philippines.
Why don't you
just bring them down here?
There's no one
to take care of them.
At least back home, my mom
could take care of them.
What, is there no daycare
in China?
Yes, but I couldn't
afford it, really.
-Why? How much is it?
-It's around 2,500
renminbi a month.
That's like-- $300?
That's not that bad, is it?
-Maybe not for you but, uh--
-That's like two thirds
of our salary.
-Yes.
-Oh.
Almost everyone in the factory
has to leave their kids at home
and most of them come
from the villages up north.
-How often do you guys get
to see your children?
-Once a year.
Yeah, when we go home
during Chinese New Year.
-That's it?
-Uh-hum.
Well, I mean I guess, it's kind
of the same for me and my dad.
[guitar playing]
Dad.
-Hey, how was Hong Kong?
-What are you doing?
Well, just fooling around.
I didn't know you played
the guitar.
You didn't know
your dad was in a band?
-[scoffing] What? When was this?
-A lifetime ago.
-Ha, we even went touring.
-Shut up.
Why'd you stop pursuing it?
Well, when I met Carol's mom
I had to settle down,
so I got a proper job.
-Selling toys?
-That's right.
And I became the number-one
salesman in that company.
-The lady buyers, they loved me.
-Ew.
Uh-uh, I honestly think
if it wasn't for Carol,
I might still be there.
Why? What does Carol
have to do with it?
I became a father.
So I thought, start
my own business
to provide better
for the family.
Cool, yeah?
-Sure. Cool.
-[both chuckling]
[whimsical music]
[Sasha] I see a pastel trend
kind of happening.
Maybe we should do some
animals in like pastel pink
-or pistachio,
something lighter.
-Um-hmm.
[Jose] Ma'am, what do you think?
[Sasha] Honestly,
it's still kind of traditional.
Maybe we should give it
like a kawaii look.
Do you know what that is?
-Uh, can you sketch?
-Yeah.
Let's sketch something.
[joyful music]
So maybe...
something like this.
-It's really good, ma'am.
-Really?
[chuckling] Yeah. Ernesto.
-[bell ringing]
-Oh, yes.
[Jose] Right? [chuckles]
Ready for lunch?
Uh, I think I'm going to
eat in the canteen today.
I don't know if that's
such a good idea.
Well, if it's good
enough for the workers,
it's good enough for me.
It's not really how we do
things around here.
Okay, lighten up, Carol.
Fine. Suit yourself. When are
the drawings for clients
gonna be done?
-Tomorrow, ma'am.
-You said that yesterday.
I need them before the end of
today. Do you understand?
Yes, ma'am.
Are you sure you want
to eat with us?
Yeah, I mean,
it can't be that bad, yeah?
[intense music]
[lively music]
[Chinese chatter]
-What kind of meat is this?
-Uh...
Actually I don't want to know.
Mm. Very chewy.
-Mm-hmm.
-And bland.
That's why we take
this everywhere.
Yeah, we used to get a piece
of fruit after each meal
-and it was something fresh
that we looked forward to.
-They cut it out.
-There's no budget.
-That's not right.
-Has my dad eaten
here before?
-No.
How about Carol?
-[both] No.
-We spent more time
with you in the last few weeks
than all the years
that Carol has been here.
[scoffing] I guess Carrol
doesn't really socialize
with the workers, huh?
-You're much nicer than Carol.
-She is just as scary
as boss sometimes.
She's not always like that.
[background chatter]
[jolly music]
Dad, we should serve
better food in the cafeteria.
It's basically tasteless mush.
Who told you to eat there?
They should get
a side of vegetables
and Ernesto said that they used
to get a piece of fruit, too.
-So trivial.
We run the big picture.
-Yeah, but you're the boss.
You know, it reflects badly
on you if the food is so gross.
Besides, I mean, better food
leads to better morale.
How much could it possibly be
to just have like one
extra apple a day?
If you're too cheap to do it,
then take it out of my paycheck.
Really? How much do you
think your paycheck is exactly?
Please.
Please.
[laughing] How about
the video of this guy?
-See? Everyone loves you.
-[Jose] Look at that.
-[Jose] Who doesn't
love fruit, right?
-It's nothing.
[Jose] Very good.
-Sasha, you have some designs?
-Yes.
So the designers and I have
been working on
some new concepts for Christmas.
And this is
what we came up with.
What do you think?
A sloth for Christmas?
And the colors feel
more like Easter?
-Yeah shouldn't they
be red and green?
-Says who?
I mean, pastels are
really in right now.
And so are woodland creatures.
No one says that you can't
sell sloths for Christmas.
We could make up our own rules.
-I suppose we can
give it a try.
-Really?
Yeah, a bit different. Is what
the customers want, right?
-[bell ringing]
-[dad] Okay, boys,
you can have lunch.
So, where do you want
to go to lunch?
I think I'm gonna eat
in the cafeteria today.
You don't have
to keep going there, you know.
No, I know, but the food
has gotten so much better.
Have fun, you guys.
I guess it's just us.
Do you really think
Sasha's designs are sellable?
Well, like I said,
let's give it a try.
Got nothing to lose, right?
Clearly though, whatever we've
been doing, stopped growth.
Dad, last year
was hard on everybody.
It wasn't just us.
The business will rebound.
I remember when I first
started the business.
I was making 20, 25 percent
profit on each toy.
Today, we've been lucky
if we can make ten percent.
You know, I worked
so hard all my life.
What if it all comes to nothing?
Dad, what are you talking about?
You've accomplished
so much with your life.
No, real success is
when the father can pass on
a thriving business
to his children.
Don't you think that puts
a lot of pressure on your kids?
Pressure comes from having
to provide a livelihood
for 500 workers.
Being head of a business is not.
[gentle music]
My favorite.
-Mr. Reindeer here comes
in different sizes.
-Right.
-And so does Santa,
as you can see.
-I see. Very nice.
And here is our new collection.
Is very close to my heart.
-You know why?
-Why?
Because my daughter Sasha
designed the whole collection.
Oh, that's nice.
You must be so proud.
Well, she studied fashion
in the U.S.
This is why her color
combination, are very special.
Don't you think?
[clicking tongue] They are
different and fresh.
I'll give you that.
Personally, I think they're
great, but I don't think
our customers will be
quite open to it.
This is for
our Christmas promotion.
So I think they would expect
to see a little bit of
red and green in
their Christmas toys.
Oh, well,
we have that over there.
-With all due respect.
-Sasha.
Department stores
are all chasing
unexpected color
palettes right now.
And you guys are
the oldest and largest
gift chain in the United States.
I mean, you set the trend
and others follow.
Consumers don't know
what they want
until you show it to them.
-I'm sorry about--
-No, it's fine.
You know what?
Quote me the entire collection.
[exhales]
Thank you so much.
-Would you like to see more?
-Please, let's take a look.
[camera clicking]
[gentle music]
Good job today.
Thanks.
[machine whirring]
-Yeah, this color is very good.
-I like the mouth.
-Yeah.
-Sasha.
-Dahlia's has placed an order
for your collection.
-AW! What?
-Let me see.
-200,000 pieces.
-That's huge.
-Thank god. Just what we need.
Oh, Carol, um, I think
this is a good time
for Sasha to take over
the Dahlia's account.
Oh, well, I've been taking
care of them for ten years.
I know, you've done a good job,
but I think she can take on
more responsibilities.
-Yeah, you're right.
-Really?
Thank you. I won't let you down.
Can we go out
and celebrate tonight?
Carol you're 34,
go out if you want. Go.
Okay, let's do it.
-What'd you have in mind?
-Hong Kong.
[upbeat pop music]
[Carol and Sasha chattering]
-Your turn.
-Oh, no, I can't.
Oh, come on, Carol,
live a little.
When was the last time
you had a shot?
-Honestly can't remember.
-Take the shot.
Very good. Yes.
[chuckling]
-Yes!
-Oh, my god.
Seriously.
what have you been doing
for fun all these years?
Well, I met Scott right away.
So, that helped.
-Oh, so that's why
you stayed here for so long.
-Partly.
Hey, so what, what
happened with you guys?
I'm-- I'm sorry,
I didn't reach out when I heard.
Well, the official story is
that he wanted to leave China
-and I wasn't ready to.
-And the real reason?
We wanted to have a family,
but I just couldn't
make it happen.
Oh, I'm sorry.
This whole time I thought
Scott just wanted to go
back to the US.
We were trying for years.
-Kind of came up with
this crazy theory.
-What?
I thought it had
something to do with Dad.
What? Like he was such
a shitty father that now
you can't have children?
I know that it sounds crazy,
but I just thought it was like
karmic payback for
all the kids that he--
-You know.
-What?
-You know.
-No, what?
-He got rid of.
-What?
Uh, I'm sorry,
I thought that you knew.
When did this happen?
He had a lot of girlfriends
while he was married.
So just do the math.
[scoffing]
Wow.
Hey...
My mom never really
told me the full story.
Was dad still married to
your mom when he met mine?
Yeah.
-My god. I'm so sorry.
-It's okay.
I mean,
it's not your fault, but...
how could you not have known?
I mean, honestly,
until you guys came to
stay with us that summer,
I had no idea that Dad had
like this whole other family.
Just kind of the reason
they got divorced.
And then we ended up
moving to New York, so...
Wow, for what it's worth,
he did the same exact
thing to us.
I barely saw him once
we moved to California, so.
Karma.
Sorry that we weren't
closer when we were growing up.
-But hey, we got each other now.
-We do.
[clinking]
[pencil scratching]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Oh hi, Dad.
-What are you drawing?
-Just doodling some
Easter designs.
-They look cute.
-Yeah, I'm just playing around.
-Here.
-What's this?
-Dad?
-It's your money.
I'm giving it back to you.
-I don't know
if I can accept this.
-What, after everything
you don't want your money back?
I don't feel
like I've earned it.
I mean, the year
isn't even up yet.
Oh, well, never mind.
I can see you have grown so well
into the business already.
Please keep it. You earned it,
but promise me
-don't blow it like before.
-[chuckles] Okay.
-Good night.
-Thanks, Dad.
[door closing]
[gentle music]
Oh. You know what?
I think it might
actually be cuter if we use
this fabric for the scarf.
What do you think?
Oh, it's fine. I mean,
I'll email the buyer
and let her know
it's a better design choice.
I'll get the sample approved.
Don't worry.
[scoffing] Hey, I'm
in charge of this work.
-So it only matters
what I say. Understand?
-Okay.
Gotcha!
-[laser shooting]
-[explosions]
Sucker!
[videogame beeping]
Christian?
[videogame beeping]
[Christian sighing]
Sasha, Dior and Christian
are going to come
and stay for a while.
-Is that okay?
-Yeah, of course.
Why, did something happen?
Their mom is going to America,
to have the new baby.
Oh, you guys are going to have
a new sibling! Are you excited?
[videogame beeping]
Okay.
Ha!
Excuse me?
[Christian] Yeah,
I win again, loser!
-Epic! Take that, sucker!
-Christian!
-[machines hissing]
-Here you go. The PPS,
all ready for production.
Yeah, but the customer signed
off on it. So it's fine, see?
Why is everyone making
such a big deal out of
one little piece of fabric?
The customer signed off on it.
Now, just go and order
all the materials, okay?
I don't understand
why my collection
failed testing?
Let me see a sample.
When did this scarf fabric
got changed to this?
I changed it on
the pre-production sample
just cause it looked better.
Yeah, but we stopped using
this fabric
because the sequins are
a potential choking hazard.
-Oh, I didn't know.
-Why didn't you check with us
-first before you changed it?
-I-- I--
-Is there a problem?
-Yeah, Sasha's collection
failed testing.
-Why?
-She changed
the fabric on the scarf.
Who told you to make a change?
I just thought
it looked prettier. I'm sorry.
Shit. I have to check
on the fabric.
[thudding and whirring]
-Hey!
-I'm so sorry for this mistake.
Can we switch back
to the original fabric?
I can email the client
and let her know.
It's not that simple.
We have already ordered
all the fabric.
If we start over now,
we will miss our ship date
and they will make us pay
for the air freight.
-I'm sorry.
-Now I have to work out
how to clean up your mess.
Carol, please don't yell at him,
okay? It's not his fault.
It's mine.
You have to hold
the staff accountable
when they screw up.
They're not your friends.
You sound like Dad,
what's gotten into you?
Sasha, we're running a business
here. This isn't
your personal playground.
[muffled speech]
What'd you guys decide?
We're gonna send a sample with
the original scarf to retest.
But wouldn't the toy itself
technically still be unsafe?
These tests are
just formalities.
It's highly unlikely
that somebody would actually
choke on one of the sequins.
But wouldn't we still be
lying to the customer?
It's not a big deal
if no one gets hurt.
[melancholic music]
[lively music]
[whirring]
[hissing]
[scratching]
[toy laughing]
Happiest monkey on Earth.
-[laughing]
-[door slamming]
[stammering]
-I'm sorry.
-No worries. I'll just
look around by myself.
-Get rid of her!
-Hi. Dior, come on,
-not in the showroom, okay?
Let's just take this outside.
-[door slamming]
So sorry.
She just started running as
soon as we got out of the car.
-Just get out of here.
-Come on, Dior, let's go.
I'm so sorry.
Kids, they are very spoiled.
Shouldn't you be
checking in on her?
-Dior, just stop it.
-Dior!
This is not how
a good girl behaves.
Oh, so he can do this in
the office, but I can't?
-Who told you to copy him?
-Aren't we supposed
to learn from our parents?
The good parts.
Just because he's acting like
a baby doesn't mean you have to.
-[thudding]
-You are embarrassing yourself
in front of the whole office.
-Look, everyone's watching you.
-I don't care!
What do they expect when
I have a father like that?
He never taught me
any manners, okay?
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
He wasn't there for me
and Carol, and you don't see us
going around the office
throwing a tantrum, do you?
At least he didn't give
you guys back.
What? What are you
talking about?
Dad actually won the kids
in the custody battle.
What? What judge
would award him the kids?
-Oh.
-But after a month
of living with them,
Dad realized he couldn't
possibly take care of them.
-So he gave them back
to their mom.
-Really?
Hey, I'm sorry, kiddo, at least
he actually fought for you.
-That has to count for
something, right?
-I'm not stupid.
I know he did it
to get off paying child support.
Look, when I was your age
Dad left my mom to go
live with Sasha's mom.
For the longest time I thought
I had done something wrong
to make him leave
and go have another family.
But I grew up. I got over it.
You can let your parents'
divorce hang over your head
for the rest of your life
and use that as an excuse
for everything that goes wrong
or you can choose not to let it
define who you are.
She's your daughter too,
take some responsibility.
You already screwed up
your last two families.
Christian and Dior are young
still, so there's time
but you don't want them
growing up resenting you
or worse, feeling indifferent.
Yes, Dad, she's acting out
because she feels neglected.
Sasha and I both know
firsthand how that feels.
You have to start
connecting with her now
before it's too late.
[lively music]
Yes. Yes, I understand. Yes.
Carol, Sasha, get over here.
I just had a call from Dahlia's.
-Is something wrong?
-A kid choked on some loose
sequins from the scarf.
-Oh, my god. Are they okay?
-Yes.
They had to recall the whole
stock including the ones
without the scarf.
-Shit.
-We are now on the black list.
-They will never do
business with us again.
-Sorry.
I have kept this business
going for 34 years
and you...
have destroyed it in one.
Dad, Sasha's new, there's no way
that she could have known.
I'm not the one who decided
to fake the test result.
And you're not to blame?
Dad, let's try to figure out
how to resolve this issue
instead of just attacking Sasha.
There's nothing to resolve.
Let's just close
down the company.
Isn't that what you want?
No, why would you say that?
You never wanted to come back
in the first place.
You know how hard
all my workers have to work
so you can have your high life?
Yes, I know how hard they have
to work and I feel like
I've tried my best to help them.
Your little stunt have just
cost their annual trip home.
-What are you talking about?
-I'm canceling
their bonuses.
Dad, there's got
to be a better way.
No other way.
We have to cover the cost.
I wish I never asked you
to come back in the first place.
You are nothing
but a selfish, spoiled brat,
totally useless and will always
be a disappointment to me.
[sad music]
[scoffing]
[gasping]
[Carol] Sasha!
-What are you doing?
-What does it look like?
Sasha, don't act so rashly.
You know Daddy didn't mean it.
Stop defending him all the time.
Look, I know that he crossed
the line this time,
but if you stay,
we can try to work it out.
Honestly, Carol, I don't know
how you've put up with him
for this long.
Sasha, this was supposed
to be my last year.
-What are you talking about?
-I've been wanting
to leave for some time now,
but Dad convinced me to stay
and help you get through
the year first.
[sighs] What is this,
some daughter swap program?
Look, if you leave now,
then I will really be
stuck here forever.
Carol, look, I'm sorry that
Dad has manipulated you for
the past ten years.
I'm sorry you think you can't
leave unless I stay, but you're
a grown woman.
Stop asking everyone for
permission on how
to live your life.
You don't think that I wanted
to have my own life too?
But Dad needed help.
So I stepped up.
I put ten years of my life
into this family business.
-It's time that
you contributed too.
-I came back, didn't I?
Only after I convinced
Dad to cut you off.
Wait, what?
I'm sorry, Sasha. It was
the only way to get you
to come back.
How could you do that to me?
I just wanted you to see
what it was like for me
for the last ten years.
Do you know how hard I worked
while you just partied away
all that hard-earned cash,
money that I helped Dad make?
It is not fair, Sasha.
Dad threatened to disown me
if I didn't come back
and work for him,
but he let you just stay in L.A.
and do whatever you wanted?
-He's always loved you more.
-Oh, my god, Carol, get over it.
He's a shitty Dad to me too.
I have never once
tried to compete with you.
I would never try
to sabotage you like this.
You know what the sad thing is?
I thought getting reacquainted
with you is the best part of
this whole experience.
I didn't realize I was just
a part of your sick little
revenge plot.
Sasha, that's not
what I intended at all.
Well, Dad's all yours again.
Have fun taking care of him
for the next ten years.
I'll just get out
of the way so you can
be his favorite daughter.
[suitcase rolling]
[sad music]
[sobbing]
Hey, Sasha, where are you going?
-I'm, uh, going back to America.
-For how long?
For a while.
You're not coming back, are you?
-I'm sorry.
-We're gonna miss you.
I'm gonna miss you, too.
I'm very sorry, but I gotta go.
[melancholic music]
I brought food for you.
You must be starving.
-Hmm. How long was I out?
-You've been sleeping all day.
-How do you feel?
-Tired.
And like I let everyone down.
Oh, honey. Don't blame yourself.
Your father has no filter.
-He always talks
without thinking first.
-I know.
But also the workers.
I mean, because of me none of
them are going to be able
to go home.
If there's one thing I learned
from being married
to your father,
it's that despite
all his flaws, down deep, deep
deep down inside,
he really does have
a kind heart.
He won't let the workers suffer.
He'll figure out
a way to pay them.
I hope so.
-You know what's weird, Mom?
-What?
I actually kind of liked China.
-I know.
-And now I don't know
what I'm gonna do next.
You just got back.
Give yourself a break.
You'll figure out
your next steps soon enough.
Yeah.
[melancholic music]
[TV playing in background]
[sighing]
[melancholic music]
[chiming]
[shutter clicking]
Uh, what are you doing
with these?
They're being recalled
for safety issues.
-So, what happens to them now?
-Going into the dumpster.
Really? But so much
work went into them.
Yeah. I'm just following orders.
Can I buy them from you?
Umm...
-Yeah, have them.
-Really?
-Yeah. Happy holidays.
-Thanks.
[pencil scratching]
[phone chimes]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[phone rings]
Now that we have lost Dahlia's,
we need to secure new accounts,
even if we have
to lose money doing it.
Once they are loyal
we've got them.
That's the way you do it.
Problem with you,
you never listen to me.
You always cook too high.
We can't survive like that.
Soon everyone will be going to
Indonesia to buy their toys.
Dad...
Can we ever talk about anything
other than just business?
[background chatter]
Have you spoken
to Sasha at home?
Yeah.
I worked so hard to give
you girls the good life.
It's not appreciated.
You just complain
I don't spend
enough time with you
and run off
at the first small row.
I don't understand why
I do this for my family.
Maybe you shouldn't be
mixing family with business.
The family was the reason
I started the business.
You can keep telling
yourself that
but you did it
because you were ambitious.
No, I was fulfilling
my responsibilities.
You want to talk about
responsibility to the family?
Well...
How about, don't cheat?
How about, don't have a daughter
with another woman
when you already have one?
How about, don't abandon
your family in the first place?
I never abandoned you.
You moved another woman
into our home
and you had a baby with her.
Do you have any idea
how that made me feel?
My entire life I have felt like
-I am second best to Sasha.
-But that's not true.
You are my first child.
Nobody can ever take your place.
You told me that
you would disown me
if I didn't come back
and work for you,
but you let Sasha
do whatever she wanted.
Only because I expected
so much more from you.
I have always thought
you'd be the one to take over.
Dad...
I want to go back to
just being your daughter.
You are my daughter.
What are you talking about?
No, I'm your employee.
I've been your employee first
for the last ten years,
and I'm tired of it.
I don't want our only
conversation to be
about business.
I came back because I wanted
to make up for lost time.
But I think it actually might be
better for our relationship
if we don't work
together anymore.
Our business is
a family business.
No.
It's your business, your family
owes you absolutely nothing.
I think you can think of
a qualified person or two
to hand it over to.
[sighs]
Girl.
Why have you been ignoring us?
[Sasha] I'm sorry
I've been MIA.
I've just been too embarrassed
to get in touch
after everything
that happened in China.
These are so adorable. I can't
believe that you designed them.
Yeah, Sasha, you should be
really proud of yourself.
I mean, look at these sketches.
They're, they're really good.
I mean, none of it
matters anyway.
Because I insisted on
using that stupid scarf,
they're all just gonna
end up in the dumpster.
And my father's company
is blacklisted
and his workers are
losing their bonuses.
That's not right.
I mean, if the scarf is
the only issue,
why don't they just cut it off?
Yeah, just do that and then--
I don't know,
at least donate them
or something.
Yes. So many kids would
want one. I want one.
But it's their corporate policy.
So like what can I do about it?
[sighs]
You know, my niece's best friend
is this really huge toy
influencer on YouTube.
She's eight years old and she's
got like ten million followers.
-Damn.
-Wow.
Do you think if she reviewed
them that would change things?
Oh, yes, a hundred percent.
I mean one review from her
and every kid in America
is going to want your toy.
And then Dahlia's
will have no choice
but to keep these on the shelfs.
Girl, we are totally going
to get you out of this mess.
Oh, my god,
that would be amazing.
I'm gonna message her right now.
Girl, what are friends for, um?
We're gonna have to cut
off so many scarves.
-So many scarves.
-[laughter]
The week your collection
was set to be recalled,
we suddenly got bombarded
with calls for them.
That's quite a coincidence,
wouldn't you say?
Hmm. I guess it is.
So, after much
internal discussion,
we've decided to put
them back on our shelves.
-Really?
-Not doing so is creating
a whole new set
of PR problems for us.
But we still do have
an obligation to ensure
our customers' safety.
-So, we've decided to cut off
all the scarves.
-Of course.
I trust that you will take care
of the labor and retest fee?
I'm sure we can
work something out.
[Dahlia] It's been really good
seeing you again.
[Sasha] Yes, thank you
for having me.
-Listen, I heard what happened
between you and your dad.
-Yeah.
-I really hope you two
can work things out.
-Me too.
But if you are looking for work,
I think we may have
something for you.
-Really?
-Yeah, we could use someone
with your design
and manufacturing experience.
-Just think about it.
-I will. Thank you.
[melancholic music]
-[phone rings]
-Hello, this is Dahlia's,
how may I direct your call?
[phone rings]
-Hello, this is Sasha.
-[woman] Hi someone's
here to see you.
Um, okay, I'm coming right up.
Carol.
-What are you doing here?
-Sorry to barge in
on you like this,
but I had a stopover
and thought I'd get in touch.
Do you want to grab lunch?
Um, yeah, let me
just grab my stuff.
-[soft music]
-[background chatter]
-So Dahlia's, huh?
-Yeah, it was a surprise
to me too.
It's pretty cool you were able
to save the order.
That's the least I could do
after I screwed everything up.
-Do you like it there?
-Yeah, actually I do.
I guess I had to go back
to China to finally land
a job here.
I'm glad something good came
out of that whole experience.
Yeah, I guess I have you
to thank for that, right?
Sasha, I'm so sorry
about... everything.
It's fine. I'm sorry too
for the way we ended things.
Can we just go back to
the way that things were?
Yeah, of course.
So, um--
-I finally left the company.
-Oh, my god, what happened?
You were right. It's time for me
to do something for myself
for a change.
-Good for you.
How is Dad taking it?
-Surprisingly well,
but I do feel bad
leaving him behind like this
when the company's
at an all-time low.
And then almost losing
their bonus, really put
everyone on edge.
I'm afraid that a lot of people
aren't going to return in
the New Year.
And Dad will really be
screwed next year.
-Well, it was so good
seeing you.
-Yeah, you too.
-What are your plans now?
-I have absolutely no idea.
And I wouldn't
have it any other way.
I'm really happy for you.
-Take care of yourself.
-You too.
[both grunting]
-Bye.
-Bye.
[lively music]
[machines hissing]
Sasha, what are you doing here?
Uh, on a pre sourcing trip with
Dahlia's. I thought I'd stop by.
Ah, yes, I heard you got
the job. Congratulations.
Thank you.
-I'm sorry that
I ran out like that.
-Oh, no, I should be sorry.
I should never
have said those things.
-I didn't mean them, but I'm
sure you understand.
-I do.
So I heard morale has not
been high at the factory.
They got their bonus back.
They were there.
I have an idea for
how we could boost morale.
You want to add dessert
to their lunch now?
Why don't we provide
on-site childcare
-so they don't ever have to
leave their kids behind again?
-With what money?
-My trust fund.
-Oh, no, that's ridiculous.
That money is for your future.
I don't deserve that money.
They do.
They've worked much harder
and much longer than I have.
They shouldn't have to only
see their kids once a year.
-Yeah, but this is
business, not personal.
-It's personal for them.
They're hard-working people
just trying to support
their families,
and that's how
you started, remember?
And you were able to
achieve that pretty quickly.
But then you wanted more,
you wanted the nicer car,
the bigger house,
the younger wife.
When is it ever enough?
Especially when the people
who got you here
can barely make ends meet.
All they want is a chance
to provide for their kids.
They shouldn't have to
sacrifice their families
in order to do it.
[emotional music]
You know what?
You are stubborn
and hard-headed,
but I have never felt more
proud of you than right now.
[cheering]
-So, Dahlia's, huh?
-Yeah.
-Are you mad?
-No, I'm not mad.
Okay, I thought you might be
cause I'm not helping out
with the family
business anymore.
I can still manage.
Then why was it so important
for me to come back?
All that talk about
giving back to the family.
Oh, you think I made
you come back for me?
-[scoffs] Yes.
-Oh, no, no. I made you
come back for you.
Is so that I can
teach you business.
So you can have work experience.
That is more valuable than
any trust fund I can give you.
Of course, I would like
to hand the company down
to you and Carol,
but if you girls don't want
to do it, nothing I can do.
So I was thinking maybe
I can help come up with
toy ideas for you,
while I'm in L.A.
-as a freelancer, you know?
-Is that what you want to do?
-Yeah, I'd really like that.
-What about your job?
-I can always sketch after work.
-Well, that would be wonderful.
-Nothing would make me happier.
-Oh, Dad.
-So, is this a good time
to discuss my rate?
-Rate? What rate?
What? You actually
want to be paid?
-Dad, yes, of course
I wanna be paid.
-Oh, sorry.
[Sasha] You just taught me
all I know about business.
I don't work for free. L.A. is
very expensive, you know.
In China fathers don't have
to pay daughters, okay?
Yes, but I'm American.
So I think you have to.
[Dad] All in the family
and you have to pay each other.
[both chuckling]
["Rich girl" by Pomplamoose]
You're a rich girl
And you've gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
You can rely
On the old man's money
It's a bitch, girl
And it's gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
Say money, but it won't get
You too far, get too far
Don't you know
Don't you know
That it's wrong
To take what is given you
So far gone, on your own
You can get along
If you try to be strong
But you'll never be
Strong cause
You're a rich girl,
And you've gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
You can rely on
The old man's money
You can rely on
The old man's money
It's a bitch, girl
And it's gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
Say money, but it won't get
You too far
Get you too far
High and dry
Out of the rain
It's so easy to hurt others
When you can't feel pain
And don't you know
That a love can't grow
Cause there's too much to give
Cause you'd rather live
For the thrill of it all
You're a rich girl
And you've gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
You can rely on
The old man's money
It's a bitch, girl
And it's gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
Say money but it won't get
You too far
Say money but it won't get
You too far
Get you too far
And you say you can rely
On the old man's money
You can rely on
The old man's money
Oh, you're a rich girl
A rich girl, a rich girl
Rich girl, rich girl
Oh, you're a rich girl
Oh, you're a rich
Rich girl, rich girl
[music]
[joyful music]
You don't actually
have any work experience.
No, but I just
graduated from Fordham.
-How long ago?
-About a year ago.
So what have you
been doing since?
Uh, I've been working on
my own collection,
which takes up a lot of my time.
What about internships?
Isn't that just a way
for companies to exploit
people for free labor?
So how do you expect
to get any experience?
By getting a job?
How do you support
yourself exactly?
My dad helps a little.
A lot. [chuckles]
Well, thanks for coming in, uh--
We'll be in touch after
we've reviewed all candidates.
Okay. Thank you.
Um--
I'm not getting this job, am I?
[sighing] Excuse me?
This is my sixth
interview this month.
Everyone says they'll get in
touch, but then they never do.
Look, I know I don't have
any work experience,
but how am I supposed to get any
experience if I can't get hired?
All I need is a chance.
I have great ideas.
I can bring
so much to your brand.
Look, your drawings aren't bad.
That's what got you in here,
but you think you can waltz out
of fashion school
and get a job designing.
Girls intern for years
just to get an assistant job.
Daddy may have paid
your way through school,
but out here in the real world
you have to work your way up.
So I guess you won't be
getting in touch?
Good luck, Sasha.
[phone chiming]
Sasha, it's Dad.
Please, call me back.
[quirky music]
Hey, watch where you're going.
Oh, my god.
I'm so sorry about that.
People come here
and ruin everything.
-Excuse me?
-Why don't you just
go back to China?
Fuck you, I'm American.
[upbeat pop music]
-Hey, Sasha, how are you?
-Argh!
Just terrible!
Oh, I'm sorry, but I know just
the thing that'll cheer you up.
-These just arrived
this morning.
-Oh! Thank you.
This is exactly what I need.
[phone ringing]
[sighing]
OK. So that'll be 1500.
Thank you.
[door opening]
[keys jingling]
[phone ringing]
-Hi, Mom.
-Happy birthday.
-Thank you.
-Did you get my present?
I'm opening it now.
[gasping] Woo!
Oh, Mom, these are beautiful.
-Do you like them?
-Yeah, I love them!
But you shouldn't have, these
look like they cost a fortune.
It's okay, you deserve it.
-How was your interview today?
-Argh!
-Awful!
-What happened?
The lady was totally
judging me for still
being supported by Dad.
I was like, "Well, if you would
just give me a job then
I wouldn't need to be."
I'm so sorry, honey,
but you're so talented.
I'm sure somebody
will see that soon.
-I have no doubt.
-And Dad won't stop calling me.
Maybe he just wants to
wish you a happy birthday.
Ha! Like he remembers.
Plus it's been weeks now.
Why don't you just
call him back?
Because I don't know how many
different ways I can tell him
I don't want to
go back to China.
Are you sure you
don't want to consider?
-Just a little?
-Mom, I want to work in
high fashion.
Dad makes tacky toys that sit
next to the toothpaste aisle
at Walgreens.
Your sister Carol has been
working for him for years.
-She seems happy.
-Half-sister.
Plus, I don't really want to
talk about this right now, Mom,
and I have a party
to get ready for.
[scoffing] You party too much.
-It's my birthday.
-Okay, fine.
-Have fun.
-I will. Thank you. Bye.
[upbeat techno music]
Oh, looking sharp.
[Henri] Welcome, Sasha.
-We are all set up for you.
-Oh, thank you, Henri.
You're the best.
Hey, Ladies!
[all cheering]
Thank you so much for coming.
Who want shots?
[all] Happy birthday!
Oh my god, this is so fun.
["Rock This"
by Jason Jaxx & Ricky]
Hoo!
-[cork popping]
-[cheering]
[screaming]
-[yawning]
-I'm sorry. I told them that
-you wanted hip-hop
and Britney.
-It's fine.
-I just--
-Whenever you're ready.
Thank you, Henri.
Oh, no. You shouldn't
have to pay, no.
You guys, you are my guests
and my guests don't pay.
-You're so sweet.
-Thank you, Sasha!
-Thank you, guys.
-Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Thank you so much
for coming out.
Thank you for having us.
[girl] Happy birthday.
Ugh, I'll be very hungover.
I can tell you that right now.
Excuse me, Miss Li. May I talk
to you alone for a moment?
Oh, whatever you have
to say to me,
you can say it from over there.
I'm sorry,
but the card didn't work.
What? Oh, excuse me.
Excuse me.
But that's not possible.
I don't know, it was declined.
-Can you try it again?
-I've tried several times.
Do you have
another card by chance?
[chatter in background]
No, that's the only card
that I brought.
Well, how exactly will
you be paying the bill tonight?
[sighing]
[exhales] Um, one second.
Hey, guys. I'm so sorry
about this, but, uh--
There is like an issue
with my card.
Do you guys mind, um,
chipping in for the bill?
-Yeah, totally, yeah.
-Yeah, it's your birthday.
Oh, no.
It happens.
-It's your birthday.
-Thank you.
Sorry.
Happy birthday.
[Sasha] I'll totally make this
up to you guys, I promise.
-I'm sorry.
-[girl] Don't worry about it.
Thank you, Ms. Li.
[pop music]
[whirring]
[phone ringing]
Thank you for finally
returning my calls.
What is happening with my credit
card? Did accounting forget to
like pay the bill or something?
Actually, I blocked it.
Why would you do that?
You just humiliated me in
front of all of my friends.
Have you thought
more about my proposal?
How many times do
I have to tell you? No.
You have been out of school
for almost a year now.
-What do you do all day?
-It's not like I haven't
been looking for work.
How could you have blown through
half your trust fund already?
-So? It's my money.
-Not anymore.
What is that supposed to mean?
I'm cutting you off.
-[scoffing] What?
You can't do that.
-I already did.
Do you know how hard I worked
to save that money for you?
The hundredth time, Dad.
I have been looking
for work every single day.
And as soon as I get a job,
I will pay you back.
Or you can come back
to China and help with
the family business.
Why would I want to do that?
If you do a good job
after one year
I give you your money back.
[scoffing] Oh, my god.
This is not really happening.
Just think about it.
I don't need to think about it.
There's no way in hell I'm going
to work for you in China.
Go ahead, cut me off.
I don't need your money anyway.
Thank you for
a great birthday, Dad.
[Sasha yelling]
[Sasha] Can you believe
how unfair my dad is being?
Like there's no fucking way
I'm going back to China.
Isn't China supposed to be
really nice these days?
Maybe Shanghai
or Beijing, but this is
like some small factory town
in suburban Shenzhen.
Well, if you don't mind me
asking how much money are we
talking about here exactly?
A million dollars.
Shut the fuck up!
A million dollars?
Um, I'll move to China
for a million dollars.
-Right?
-I mean, it's not
the whole million.
-I already spent half of it.
-On what?
I mean, hello, rent here
is not exactly cheap.
Plus we're drinking
a $300 bottle of wine.
-A million, girl?
-A million dollars
is not a lot these days.
It's not like my dad
is some kind of billionaire.
He runs a toy factory and it's
not even like Mattel or Hasbro.
I mean, still it's just a year
and then after that you can
pretty much do whatever you
want with that kind of money.
Yeah, I wish I had a dad
who would just give me
a million dollars.
Yeah, well, I wish I had a dad
who wasn't such an asshole.
All right,
Sasha, is something going on?
[calm pop music]
So--
For the longest time, I thought
I was my dad's only daughter.
And then one day out of the
blue, my "sister" Carol shows up
and it turns out he had
this entire other family
before us and didn't
bother saying anything.
And then he moved my mom
and me to California
and basically just left us here.
I saw him once a year
if even that,
and then he knocked up
a sample girl at his factory
and divorced my mom.
So yeah, if he's going to treat
my mom and me like shit,
then why should I do
anything for him?
[girl] I'm so sorry, Sasha.
No, it's okay. We all
have daddy issues.
-Yes, we know that.
-That's the truth.
-[clock ticking]
-[knocking on door]
-Oh hi, Ashly.
-Oh, sorry to wake you, Sasha.
-Oh, no, it's fine. What's up?
-Your rent check bounced.
[scoffing] what? I mean,
that's not possible.
Oh, um, actually,
it's just a misunderstanding.
-I'll fix it.
-Okay, no problem.
-Okay. Thanks.
-Thanks.
-[door slamming]
-[keyboard clacking]
I'm sorry, Sasha. Your father's
frozen all of your assets.
What? Can he even do that?
Since he's the trustee
in your accounts, yeah.
[scoffs]
What am I supposed
to do for money?
Maybe you can
consider getting a job?
[phone rings in background]
But you don't have
any work experience
or restaurant experience.
No, but it's a hostess job.
How hard could it be to stand
there and greet people?
Well, thanks for coming in.
We'll keep in touch
once we've reviewed
all the other candidates.
Thanks.
Great!
[phone rings]
-Hi, Mom.
-I don't want you to worry,
-but your father--
-What happened?
His office just informed me that
there will be no more alimony
-until you accept his offer.
-Are you kidding?
-Can he even do that?
-Sasha, I'll figure
something out.
[scoffs] No, you know what?
I'll call him right now.
Don't do anything
on account of me.
Look, I'll handle it.
[dialing]
-[dad] Yes?
-You cut off Mom too?
What is wrong with you?
You don't want to
contribute to this family,
why should I continue
supporting the two of you?
How is she supposed to
survive without any alimony?
Then maybe she should
have learned a skill
and gotten a job.
She spoiled you too much.
[scoffing] Well,
at least she was around.
Some good tactic.
You are unbelievable.
This is your last chance, Sasha.
You can either come home
and help out or you can
figure out
how to support you
and your mother on your own.
What would it be?
[uplifting musical build up]
Uh...
I can understand Chinese.
I just don't speak it very well.
Can you understand English?
Yeah, what else is new?
[joyful music]
[traffic noises]
[calm music]
[soft dramatic music]
Uh, okay.
Hello, ma'am. My name is Maria.
Welcome home.
This is not my home.
-Okay. I show you to your room.
-Okay.
-Holy shit. Is that
an elevator? What?
-[Maria chuckles]
Ma'am, here's the AC
if you get hot or cold
you can adjust it here.
Do you need anything else?
-No, you can go. Thank you.
-Okay.
[oriental music]
Someone has an emperor complex.
[chuckling]
Okay.
[gasping] Oh, my god.
[camera shutter clicks]
[sighing]
Goddamn communist China.
[sighs]
[door whirring]
[crickets chirping]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Ma'am, dinner's ready.
Okay. Can you just give me,
uh, a minute?
[Maria] Okay, ma'am.
Thanks.
Sasha, you're back.
Yep.
-Say hi.
-Hi.
Wow, look at you guys,
you're all grown up.
I've been in California.
Actually, can you guys
understand me?
Yeah, I understand English,
but how come you can't
speak Chinese?
I moved to the U.S.
when I was really young.
So my Chinese is not good.
-Do they live here?
-No.
-They live with their mom
and her new husband.
-[door slams]
[woman] Sorry, I'm late.
Work was nuts.
-Sasha.
-Hey, Carol.
Oh, look at you. I haven't
seen you since my--
[chuckles] See, you should
come back more often.
Even your own sibling
don't recognize you.
Um, I'm here now, aren't I?
[string chamber music]
Everybody, sit down.
Oh, sorry, Carol. Let Sasha
sit there. She's the VIP today.
-Of course, Dad.
-Sasha, you sit here.
[sighs]
[clinking]
Five years ago when
I renovated this house
my friends used to say,
"Mr. Lee, why do you need
such a big house?"
And I would say, "Because I have
lots of children."
It was always my dream
to have all my children
living under the same roof.
Except Sasha was
the missing piece,
but today
the Li family is complete.
So, can we toast Sasha
and welcome her home?
-[all] Welcome home!
-[glasses clinking]
[string chamber music]
Hi, I'm Sasha, and you are?
-Hi, I'm Lulu.
-And Lulu is?
She takes care of me.
Like how Maria
takes care of you?
No. Different way.
Does she live here?
Yes, she lives here.
And who are you?
My name is Aaron.
-I'm brother of Lulu.
-Do you live here?
Uh, yeah.
-Sasha, how was your flight?
-It was fine. Do you live
here too?
No. I have my own place.
Carol has her own place?
I should be able
to have my own place.
Don't you think
you have bled through
enough money already?
Don't you think I'm too old
to be living with
my father and a bunch
of strangers?
You are not in a position
to make any demands.
Carol bought her home with
the money she earned
working for me.
It's just a very small place.
In dollars it's not worth
much of anything at all.
[dad] Are you forgetting
why you're back here?
Because you cut me and mom off
and forced me to.
-You want to pick a fight
first day you're back?
-I think I'm full.
Good night.
It's okay, I'll go talk to her.
Eat.
[knocking on door]
-Leave me alone.
-[Carol] It's me.
Come in.
Are you okay?
I hate it here.
It's only been a day.
I've been here for ten years.
Oh, god, I don't know
how you did it.
Look, Dad and I had our
fair share of fights
in the early days too,
but you're lucky, he's actually
mellowed out a lot since.
This is him mellowed out?
Yes. He told me I could
no longer be his daughter
if I didn't come back
and work for him.
Oh, my god, there's no rules
and you can only pass on
your business to your children.
He's not an emperor.
-Have you seen this place?
-[Sasha scoffs]
-Do you have to live here?
-No, thank god.
By the time he finished
renovating, I had already moved
into my own place with Scott.
[smacking lips] Hey,
I'm sorry about Scott.
It's fine. It was amicable.
Hey...
Who is that
Lulu girl downstairs exactly?
-Who do you think?
-[scoffing]
She better not be
wife number four.
-She looks like she's my age.
-Actually, she's 22.
Ew!
But I think Dad's
learned his lesson now.
It's much cheaper to pay them as
girlfriends than his ex-wives.
Why does her brother live here?
Oh, well, that is just
part of their arrangement.
Dad pays for him to go
to school and in exchange
she "takes care of him."
[exhaling] Great.
So he's going to pay for
his girlfriend's brother
to go to school, but he's
going to cut me off completely?
[sobbing]
I don't want to be here.
I hate Chinese food.
I want to go back to L.A.
No one has avocados.
[sobbing]
-Good morning, ma'am.
-Good morning.
Come, have some breakfast.
Oh, um, do we have anything
else for breakfast?
-What's wrong with congee?
-I don't do carbs
in the morning.
Oh, tell Maria what you want.
Um, can I please do an egg white
omelet with spinach?
I'm sorry ma'am
we're all out of eggs.
[banging] How can you be
out of eggs?
I'm sorry, sir. I use it
all up for dinner last night.
I will buy more later today.
My daughter comes all
the way back from America,
you don't have eggs for
her breakfast?
I'm really sorry, sir.
I go to store now.
No, that's too late, Maria.
We have to go to work.
Dad, it's fine. I'll eat
the congee. It's okay.
Go!
[quirky music]
And you, when we get to
the factory, try and look happy.
I don't want them to see
you acting like this.
My life is over.
How am I supposed to act?
[lively music]
[whimsical music]
[applauding]
[all applauding louder]
[keyboard clacking]
-Good morning!
Here is your desk.
-[Sasha] Aah.
Don't get too comfortable.
You won't be working
from there today.
What?
Where am I working from, then?
And you will attach the tag
to the toys like her.
-A monkey could do this job.
-Then you will fit right in.
[whimsical music]
I have no idea how
you guys do this all day.
So, how was
your first day of work?
Have I told you lately
that I hate you?
-What is this for?
-Pay.
What? This is
only like 15 bucks.
Yes, and this is what
they earn here in a day.
But that's basically
like slave labor.
Can't apply your American
standard of living to China.
-Come on. Let's go eat.
-What about Carol?
Just busy preparing
for the sales meeting.
-I want you--
Here you take this.
-No.
No, no, take it. Take.
Bye.
[lively music]
Dad, can't we afford a place
a little less ghetto?
Stop being such a princess.
-I never had any food
when I was growing up.
-Here we go again.
Nobody ever took care of me.
You kids have everything
given to you. What have you
done with it?
At least you got to choose what
you want to do with your life.
You know how many people
would love to be in the position
that you're in right now?
To be working in a toy factory
in China? Um...
-No one.
-What's wrong
with a factory in China?
It pays for everything you have,
including your useless
fashion degree.
Gee, well, I'm so sorry that
paying for your child's
education was such a burden.
I paid for your education,
because it is my duty
as a father.
Now is your turn
to pay back to the family.
What about your duty to actually
spend time with your kids?
Oh. Don't you think I wish
I had more time to spend
with my family?
Don't you think my workers wish
they had more time to spend
with their children?
It's a sacrifice we had to make
to support our families.
Eat.
[grunting]
[phone chiming]
Where is everyone?
Maria has the day off,
your dad is playing golf
-and Alan has tutoring.
-[phone chiming]
-So it's just you and me?
-Yeah.
[water bubbling]
Hey, do you want
to get out the house?
But I already washed
my hair this morning.
Oh, but this is so much more.
You'll see.
Okay.
[Chinese pop music]
-Nice, right?
-Yeah.
I've never received service
like this at any salon before
and my haircuts cost
like 200 bucks.
What? All this is
only 15 renminbi here.
-That's only like eight bucks.
-Yeah.
[scoffing]
[phone chiming]
You certainly
seem to be popular.
Oh, that's just my WeChat.
You should join,
everybody's on it.
I have it on my phone. I just--
I don't know how to use it.
Here, I'll show you.
[phone clicking]
-Okay, now we're connected.
-Cool. Thanks.
So, is this what keeps you
on your phone all day?
Well, it's so boring
around the house.
-I don't have
anything else to do.
-Yeah, no kidding.
Would you ever want to get like
a job or something,
so you can get out of there?
Yes, but boss won't let me.
I mean, he is my job.
Ew.
I know what you must
think of me, but I never
even finished high school.
There's not much I can do.
Taking care of boss
isn't that bad.
And he pays me pretty well.
Besides, my brother
was born illegally.
He doesn't really have
many options in life.
Wait, what do you mean?
The one child policy.
The second child cannot
be registered officially
and cannot go to public school.
Without boss sending him
to private school,
he would have no future at all.
-So you're doing all of
this for your brother?
-Yes.
What about after all of this?
What do you want to do with
your life then?
Probably come back here.
-Wait, is this
how you met my dad?
-Yes.
Wow.
[dad] Right?
Look at this one.
[toy snoring]
-[snoring]
-[laughing]
Poor Santa, had to OD to get all
the toys ready for Christmas.
So that's our Christmas line.
What do you think?
Thank you, Teddy, for another
entertaining presentation
as always.
Can we quote anything for you?
Um-- [sighing]
Okay, uh, this one.
And this one, and...
What do you think
of snoring Santa?
-[scoffing] No.
-Hmm.
Okay, that's it. Thank you.
Oh, can we show you something
else here? It's not a problem.
Teddy, I'm going
to be frank with you.
The collection this year is
not the strongest we've seen.
Especially compared to
some of your competitors.
The colors and the accessories,
it all feels kind of dated.
You used to have
the coolest products.
Then you became one of
those wheezy Chinese guys
that keeps knocking
each other off.
You know, but they can
do it for less than you.
Thank you for being honest.
I'm sorry to disappoint
you this time,
but we will make improvements
before you come next time.
-Looking forward to it.
-We'll walk you out.
-That wasn't good, huh?
-Um-hm.
-[grunting]
-[clattering]
[toy playing Jingle Bells]
-[thudding]
-Get me the designer!
[toy snoring]
Boss wants to see
the both of you.
[steps approaching]
-Yes, sir.
-Yes, sir.
Do you like working here?
-[both] Yes, sir.
-Then, why do you humiliate me?
-We're not humilia-- no.
-We are sorry, sir.
Do you think I like
begging for orders?
You think I like be reprimanded
by the bloody buyer
who hates your shitty stuff?
-Look at this fabric.
Look at it! What you've done?
-Dad, stop.
We have just a few meetings
left to pitch for Christmas
and if they all go like today,
this factory will have
to close down.
All the workers will have
to go back to their farms.
Is that what you want?
-[both] No, sir.
-Then you will work overtime
until you come up with
a decent Christmas collection.
-Do you hear me?
-[both] Yes, sir.
Get out.
Can you clean up, please.
Somebody get me a coffee!
-Hello.
-Hey, ma'am.
[announcement in Chinese
on speaker]
Why don't you try
a hipster Santa?
-What do you mean?
-Do you know what
a hipster looks like?
-[chuckling] Not really.
-Here. Let me show you.
[keyboard clacking]
Argh! Even Google's
blocked here?
-Yes.
-Yeah.
-So what do you guys
use for searches?
-Baidu.
Oh, my god. How are we
supposed to design anything
if you have no access
to the outside world?
-Yes.
-Tell me about it.
It's been a struggle.
Here. Let me show you.
[pencil scratching]
[gentle music]
-Oh, ma'am. That's,
that's really good.
-[Ernesto] Yes.
I guess I did learn a thing
or two at fashion school.
[designers chuckling]
-So...
-That's right.
Do we know anything
about [indistinct] in a circle?
We've just to lower the figure
and people will take it
a little more seriously.
[dad] Yeah, but I wish
to have more colors.
-Hi, Dad.
-Sasha, have you got
the inventory done?
It's okay, Carol. Yes,
Sasha, what do you want?
I was just in the design studio.
Their techniques
are really good.
It's just that the designs
are old-fashioned.
The buyer was right.
They're cooped up in here
in the middle of
China every day.
I mean, no wonder nothing
they design is on trend.
They don't even
know what the trend is.
How are they supposed
to come up with fresh
and innovative designs this way?
What are you suggesting?
Let me take them out
to Hong Kong
and do some market research.
-And blow some money?
-We'll just be window shopping.
I think it'll be really good for
them to see what the trends are
this season.
We've got a lot of deadlines
coming up. We can't afford
to have the designers take
the day off and just
go shopping.
Why are you guys
so resistant to new ideas?
Fine. Keep selling
dated toys. See if I care.
-[clapping] Okay.
-Really?
-Can I have some money?
-Are you serious?
You canceled
my credit card, remember?
-Okay, get some petty cash
from accounts.
-Thank you.
Dad.
-Yes.
-I proposed the same
thing years ago.
You always dismissed it
as a waste of time.
[sighs] Don't you remember
what the buyer was saying?
Competition is getting
tougher and tougher.
I just thought, should I check
with her design background?
She might come up with something
that will turn things around.
Yeah.
["All My Friends" by ZBRAS]
This is my life
This is your life
Anything can happen
Anything can happen
We are, we are, we are gold
Me and me and all my friends
Oh! Feelin' wild
Feelin' free
Look at all
Of these possibilities
The world is ours
Nothing' we can't do
Look at all
Of these possibilities
-See what you did.
-Delete that immediately.
Mm.
I'm so tired of Chinese food.
-This is not what we eat
at the factory.
-[chuckling]
-Is it bad?
-Oh.
-So bad you wouldn't even
call it food, really.
-[chuckling]
-Oh, I'm sorry.
-No, it's not your fault.
So, how long have you guys
been working for my dad?
-Eight years.
-Five.
What? How have you survived?
I mean, in case you haven't
noticed, he's a terrible boss.
We don't mind really,
he's not always like that.
Yeah, we're just
happy to have a job.
There's no way we can make this
much money in the Philippines.
Last year my mom got sick
and he gave me the money
to bring her here in Hong Kong
to see the best specialist.
He paid for the whole treatment.
I was working at another company
in China, but they laid me off.
I begged boss
to give me a chance
so that I can continue
to send my kids to school.
Boss only needed one designer,
but he hired me anyway.
Wow, I had no idea.
-Do your kids live here?
-Uh, no, they're back home
in the Philippines.
Why don't you
just bring them down here?
There's no one
to take care of them.
At least back home, my mom
could take care of them.
What, is there no daycare
in China?
Yes, but I couldn't
afford it, really.
-Why? How much is it?
-It's around 2,500
renminbi a month.
That's like-- $300?
That's not that bad, is it?
-Maybe not for you but, uh--
-That's like two thirds
of our salary.
-Yes.
-Oh.
Almost everyone in the factory
has to leave their kids at home
and most of them come
from the villages up north.
-How often do you guys get
to see your children?
-Once a year.
Yeah, when we go home
during Chinese New Year.
-That's it?
-Uh-hum.
Well, I mean I guess, it's kind
of the same for me and my dad.
[guitar playing]
Dad.
-Hey, how was Hong Kong?
-What are you doing?
Well, just fooling around.
I didn't know you played
the guitar.
You didn't know
your dad was in a band?
-[scoffing] What? When was this?
-A lifetime ago.
-Ha, we even went touring.
-Shut up.
Why'd you stop pursuing it?
Well, when I met Carol's mom
I had to settle down,
so I got a proper job.
-Selling toys?
-That's right.
And I became the number-one
salesman in that company.
-The lady buyers, they loved me.
-Ew.
Uh-uh, I honestly think
if it wasn't for Carol,
I might still be there.
Why? What does Carol
have to do with it?
I became a father.
So I thought, start
my own business
to provide better
for the family.
Cool, yeah?
-Sure. Cool.
-[both chuckling]
[whimsical music]
[Sasha] I see a pastel trend
kind of happening.
Maybe we should do some
animals in like pastel pink
-or pistachio,
something lighter.
-Um-hmm.
[Jose] Ma'am, what do you think?
[Sasha] Honestly,
it's still kind of traditional.
Maybe we should give it
like a kawaii look.
Do you know what that is?
-Uh, can you sketch?
-Yeah.
Let's sketch something.
[joyful music]
So maybe...
something like this.
-It's really good, ma'am.
-Really?
[chuckling] Yeah. Ernesto.
-[bell ringing]
-Oh, yes.
[Jose] Right? [chuckles]
Ready for lunch?
Uh, I think I'm going to
eat in the canteen today.
I don't know if that's
such a good idea.
Well, if it's good
enough for the workers,
it's good enough for me.
It's not really how we do
things around here.
Okay, lighten up, Carol.
Fine. Suit yourself. When are
the drawings for clients
gonna be done?
-Tomorrow, ma'am.
-You said that yesterday.
I need them before the end of
today. Do you understand?
Yes, ma'am.
Are you sure you want
to eat with us?
Yeah, I mean,
it can't be that bad, yeah?
[intense music]
[lively music]
[Chinese chatter]
-What kind of meat is this?
-Uh...
Actually I don't want to know.
Mm. Very chewy.
-Mm-hmm.
-And bland.
That's why we take
this everywhere.
Yeah, we used to get a piece
of fruit after each meal
-and it was something fresh
that we looked forward to.
-They cut it out.
-There's no budget.
-That's not right.
-Has my dad eaten
here before?
-No.
How about Carol?
-[both] No.
-We spent more time
with you in the last few weeks
than all the years
that Carol has been here.
[scoffing] I guess Carrol
doesn't really socialize
with the workers, huh?
-You're much nicer than Carol.
-She is just as scary
as boss sometimes.
She's not always like that.
[background chatter]
[jolly music]
Dad, we should serve
better food in the cafeteria.
It's basically tasteless mush.
Who told you to eat there?
They should get
a side of vegetables
and Ernesto said that they used
to get a piece of fruit, too.
-So trivial.
We run the big picture.
-Yeah, but you're the boss.
You know, it reflects badly
on you if the food is so gross.
Besides, I mean, better food
leads to better morale.
How much could it possibly be
to just have like one
extra apple a day?
If you're too cheap to do it,
then take it out of my paycheck.
Really? How much do you
think your paycheck is exactly?
Please.
Please.
[laughing] How about
the video of this guy?
-See? Everyone loves you.
-[Jose] Look at that.
-[Jose] Who doesn't
love fruit, right?
-It's nothing.
[Jose] Very good.
-Sasha, you have some designs?
-Yes.
So the designers and I have
been working on
some new concepts for Christmas.
And this is
what we came up with.
What do you think?
A sloth for Christmas?
And the colors feel
more like Easter?
-Yeah shouldn't they
be red and green?
-Says who?
I mean, pastels are
really in right now.
And so are woodland creatures.
No one says that you can't
sell sloths for Christmas.
We could make up our own rules.
-I suppose we can
give it a try.
-Really?
Yeah, a bit different. Is what
the customers want, right?
-[bell ringing]
-[dad] Okay, boys,
you can have lunch.
So, where do you want
to go to lunch?
I think I'm gonna eat
in the cafeteria today.
You don't have
to keep going there, you know.
No, I know, but the food
has gotten so much better.
Have fun, you guys.
I guess it's just us.
Do you really think
Sasha's designs are sellable?
Well, like I said,
let's give it a try.
Got nothing to lose, right?
Clearly though, whatever we've
been doing, stopped growth.
Dad, last year
was hard on everybody.
It wasn't just us.
The business will rebound.
I remember when I first
started the business.
I was making 20, 25 percent
profit on each toy.
Today, we've been lucky
if we can make ten percent.
You know, I worked
so hard all my life.
What if it all comes to nothing?
Dad, what are you talking about?
You've accomplished
so much with your life.
No, real success is
when the father can pass on
a thriving business
to his children.
Don't you think that puts
a lot of pressure on your kids?
Pressure comes from having
to provide a livelihood
for 500 workers.
Being head of a business is not.
[gentle music]
My favorite.
-Mr. Reindeer here comes
in different sizes.
-Right.
-And so does Santa,
as you can see.
-I see. Very nice.
And here is our new collection.
Is very close to my heart.
-You know why?
-Why?
Because my daughter Sasha
designed the whole collection.
Oh, that's nice.
You must be so proud.
Well, she studied fashion
in the U.S.
This is why her color
combination, are very special.
Don't you think?
[clicking tongue] They are
different and fresh.
I'll give you that.
Personally, I think they're
great, but I don't think
our customers will be
quite open to it.
This is for
our Christmas promotion.
So I think they would expect
to see a little bit of
red and green in
their Christmas toys.
Oh, well,
we have that over there.
-With all due respect.
-Sasha.
Department stores
are all chasing
unexpected color
palettes right now.
And you guys are
the oldest and largest
gift chain in the United States.
I mean, you set the trend
and others follow.
Consumers don't know
what they want
until you show it to them.
-I'm sorry about--
-No, it's fine.
You know what?
Quote me the entire collection.
[exhales]
Thank you so much.
-Would you like to see more?
-Please, let's take a look.
[camera clicking]
[gentle music]
Good job today.
Thanks.
[machine whirring]
-Yeah, this color is very good.
-I like the mouth.
-Yeah.
-Sasha.
-Dahlia's has placed an order
for your collection.
-AW! What?
-Let me see.
-200,000 pieces.
-That's huge.
-Thank god. Just what we need.
Oh, Carol, um, I think
this is a good time
for Sasha to take over
the Dahlia's account.
Oh, well, I've been taking
care of them for ten years.
I know, you've done a good job,
but I think she can take on
more responsibilities.
-Yeah, you're right.
-Really?
Thank you. I won't let you down.
Can we go out
and celebrate tonight?
Carol you're 34,
go out if you want. Go.
Okay, let's do it.
-What'd you have in mind?
-Hong Kong.
[upbeat pop music]
[Carol and Sasha chattering]
-Your turn.
-Oh, no, I can't.
Oh, come on, Carol,
live a little.
When was the last time
you had a shot?
-Honestly can't remember.
-Take the shot.
Very good. Yes.
[chuckling]
-Yes!
-Oh, my god.
Seriously.
what have you been doing
for fun all these years?
Well, I met Scott right away.
So, that helped.
-Oh, so that's why
you stayed here for so long.
-Partly.
Hey, so what, what
happened with you guys?
I'm-- I'm sorry,
I didn't reach out when I heard.
Well, the official story is
that he wanted to leave China
-and I wasn't ready to.
-And the real reason?
We wanted to have a family,
but I just couldn't
make it happen.
Oh, I'm sorry.
This whole time I thought
Scott just wanted to go
back to the US.
We were trying for years.
-Kind of came up with
this crazy theory.
-What?
I thought it had
something to do with Dad.
What? Like he was such
a shitty father that now
you can't have children?
I know that it sounds crazy,
but I just thought it was like
karmic payback for
all the kids that he--
-You know.
-What?
-You know.
-No, what?
-He got rid of.
-What?
Uh, I'm sorry,
I thought that you knew.
When did this happen?
He had a lot of girlfriends
while he was married.
So just do the math.
[scoffing]
Wow.
Hey...
My mom never really
told me the full story.
Was dad still married to
your mom when he met mine?
Yeah.
-My god. I'm so sorry.
-It's okay.
I mean,
it's not your fault, but...
how could you not have known?
I mean, honestly,
until you guys came to
stay with us that summer,
I had no idea that Dad had
like this whole other family.
Just kind of the reason
they got divorced.
And then we ended up
moving to New York, so...
Wow, for what it's worth,
he did the same exact
thing to us.
I barely saw him once
we moved to California, so.
Karma.
Sorry that we weren't
closer when we were growing up.
-But hey, we got each other now.
-We do.
[clinking]
[pencil scratching]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Oh hi, Dad.
-What are you drawing?
-Just doodling some
Easter designs.
-They look cute.
-Yeah, I'm just playing around.
-Here.
-What's this?
-Dad?
-It's your money.
I'm giving it back to you.
-I don't know
if I can accept this.
-What, after everything
you don't want your money back?
I don't feel
like I've earned it.
I mean, the year
isn't even up yet.
Oh, well, never mind.
I can see you have grown so well
into the business already.
Please keep it. You earned it,
but promise me
-don't blow it like before.
-[chuckles] Okay.
-Good night.
-Thanks, Dad.
[door closing]
[gentle music]
Oh. You know what?
I think it might
actually be cuter if we use
this fabric for the scarf.
What do you think?
Oh, it's fine. I mean,
I'll email the buyer
and let her know
it's a better design choice.
I'll get the sample approved.
Don't worry.
[scoffing] Hey, I'm
in charge of this work.
-So it only matters
what I say. Understand?
-Okay.
Gotcha!
-[laser shooting]
-[explosions]
Sucker!
[videogame beeping]
Christian?
[videogame beeping]
[Christian sighing]
Sasha, Dior and Christian
are going to come
and stay for a while.
-Is that okay?
-Yeah, of course.
Why, did something happen?
Their mom is going to America,
to have the new baby.
Oh, you guys are going to have
a new sibling! Are you excited?
[videogame beeping]
Okay.
Ha!
Excuse me?
[Christian] Yeah,
I win again, loser!
-Epic! Take that, sucker!
-Christian!
-[machines hissing]
-Here you go. The PPS,
all ready for production.
Yeah, but the customer signed
off on it. So it's fine, see?
Why is everyone making
such a big deal out of
one little piece of fabric?
The customer signed off on it.
Now, just go and order
all the materials, okay?
I don't understand
why my collection
failed testing?
Let me see a sample.
When did this scarf fabric
got changed to this?
I changed it on
the pre-production sample
just cause it looked better.
Yeah, but we stopped using
this fabric
because the sequins are
a potential choking hazard.
-Oh, I didn't know.
-Why didn't you check with us
-first before you changed it?
-I-- I--
-Is there a problem?
-Yeah, Sasha's collection
failed testing.
-Why?
-She changed
the fabric on the scarf.
Who told you to make a change?
I just thought
it looked prettier. I'm sorry.
Shit. I have to check
on the fabric.
[thudding and whirring]
-Hey!
-I'm so sorry for this mistake.
Can we switch back
to the original fabric?
I can email the client
and let her know.
It's not that simple.
We have already ordered
all the fabric.
If we start over now,
we will miss our ship date
and they will make us pay
for the air freight.
-I'm sorry.
-Now I have to work out
how to clean up your mess.
Carol, please don't yell at him,
okay? It's not his fault.
It's mine.
You have to hold
the staff accountable
when they screw up.
They're not your friends.
You sound like Dad,
what's gotten into you?
Sasha, we're running a business
here. This isn't
your personal playground.
[muffled speech]
What'd you guys decide?
We're gonna send a sample with
the original scarf to retest.
But wouldn't the toy itself
technically still be unsafe?
These tests are
just formalities.
It's highly unlikely
that somebody would actually
choke on one of the sequins.
But wouldn't we still be
lying to the customer?
It's not a big deal
if no one gets hurt.
[melancholic music]
[lively music]
[whirring]
[hissing]
[scratching]
[toy laughing]
Happiest monkey on Earth.
-[laughing]
-[door slamming]
[stammering]
-I'm sorry.
-No worries. I'll just
look around by myself.
-Get rid of her!
-Hi. Dior, come on,
-not in the showroom, okay?
Let's just take this outside.
-[door slamming]
So sorry.
She just started running as
soon as we got out of the car.
-Just get out of here.
-Come on, Dior, let's go.
I'm so sorry.
Kids, they are very spoiled.
Shouldn't you be
checking in on her?
-Dior, just stop it.
-Dior!
This is not how
a good girl behaves.
Oh, so he can do this in
the office, but I can't?
-Who told you to copy him?
-Aren't we supposed
to learn from our parents?
The good parts.
Just because he's acting like
a baby doesn't mean you have to.
-[thudding]
-You are embarrassing yourself
in front of the whole office.
-Look, everyone's watching you.
-I don't care!
What do they expect when
I have a father like that?
He never taught me
any manners, okay?
Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
He wasn't there for me
and Carol, and you don't see us
going around the office
throwing a tantrum, do you?
At least he didn't give
you guys back.
What? What are you
talking about?
Dad actually won the kids
in the custody battle.
What? What judge
would award him the kids?
-Oh.
-But after a month
of living with them,
Dad realized he couldn't
possibly take care of them.
-So he gave them back
to their mom.
-Really?
Hey, I'm sorry, kiddo, at least
he actually fought for you.
-That has to count for
something, right?
-I'm not stupid.
I know he did it
to get off paying child support.
Look, when I was your age
Dad left my mom to go
live with Sasha's mom.
For the longest time I thought
I had done something wrong
to make him leave
and go have another family.
But I grew up. I got over it.
You can let your parents'
divorce hang over your head
for the rest of your life
and use that as an excuse
for everything that goes wrong
or you can choose not to let it
define who you are.
She's your daughter too,
take some responsibility.
You already screwed up
your last two families.
Christian and Dior are young
still, so there's time
but you don't want them
growing up resenting you
or worse, feeling indifferent.
Yes, Dad, she's acting out
because she feels neglected.
Sasha and I both know
firsthand how that feels.
You have to start
connecting with her now
before it's too late.
[lively music]
Yes. Yes, I understand. Yes.
Carol, Sasha, get over here.
I just had a call from Dahlia's.
-Is something wrong?
-A kid choked on some loose
sequins from the scarf.
-Oh, my god. Are they okay?
-Yes.
They had to recall the whole
stock including the ones
without the scarf.
-Shit.
-We are now on the black list.
-They will never do
business with us again.
-Sorry.
I have kept this business
going for 34 years
and you...
have destroyed it in one.
Dad, Sasha's new, there's no way
that she could have known.
I'm not the one who decided
to fake the test result.
And you're not to blame?
Dad, let's try to figure out
how to resolve this issue
instead of just attacking Sasha.
There's nothing to resolve.
Let's just close
down the company.
Isn't that what you want?
No, why would you say that?
You never wanted to come back
in the first place.
You know how hard
all my workers have to work
so you can have your high life?
Yes, I know how hard they have
to work and I feel like
I've tried my best to help them.
Your little stunt have just
cost their annual trip home.
-What are you talking about?
-I'm canceling
their bonuses.
Dad, there's got
to be a better way.
No other way.
We have to cover the cost.
I wish I never asked you
to come back in the first place.
You are nothing
but a selfish, spoiled brat,
totally useless and will always
be a disappointment to me.
[sad music]
[scoffing]
[gasping]
[Carol] Sasha!
-What are you doing?
-What does it look like?
Sasha, don't act so rashly.
You know Daddy didn't mean it.
Stop defending him all the time.
Look, I know that he crossed
the line this time,
but if you stay,
we can try to work it out.
Honestly, Carol, I don't know
how you've put up with him
for this long.
Sasha, this was supposed
to be my last year.
-What are you talking about?
-I've been wanting
to leave for some time now,
but Dad convinced me to stay
and help you get through
the year first.
[sighs] What is this,
some daughter swap program?
Look, if you leave now,
then I will really be
stuck here forever.
Carol, look, I'm sorry that
Dad has manipulated you for
the past ten years.
I'm sorry you think you can't
leave unless I stay, but you're
a grown woman.
Stop asking everyone for
permission on how
to live your life.
You don't think that I wanted
to have my own life too?
But Dad needed help.
So I stepped up.
I put ten years of my life
into this family business.
-It's time that
you contributed too.
-I came back, didn't I?
Only after I convinced
Dad to cut you off.
Wait, what?
I'm sorry, Sasha. It was
the only way to get you
to come back.
How could you do that to me?
I just wanted you to see
what it was like for me
for the last ten years.
Do you know how hard I worked
while you just partied away
all that hard-earned cash,
money that I helped Dad make?
It is not fair, Sasha.
Dad threatened to disown me
if I didn't come back
and work for him,
but he let you just stay in L.A.
and do whatever you wanted?
-He's always loved you more.
-Oh, my god, Carol, get over it.
He's a shitty Dad to me too.
I have never once
tried to compete with you.
I would never try
to sabotage you like this.
You know what the sad thing is?
I thought getting reacquainted
with you is the best part of
this whole experience.
I didn't realize I was just
a part of your sick little
revenge plot.
Sasha, that's not
what I intended at all.
Well, Dad's all yours again.
Have fun taking care of him
for the next ten years.
I'll just get out
of the way so you can
be his favorite daughter.
[suitcase rolling]
[sad music]
[sobbing]
Hey, Sasha, where are you going?
-I'm, uh, going back to America.
-For how long?
For a while.
You're not coming back, are you?
-I'm sorry.
-We're gonna miss you.
I'm gonna miss you, too.
I'm very sorry, but I gotta go.
[melancholic music]
I brought food for you.
You must be starving.
-Hmm. How long was I out?
-You've been sleeping all day.
-How do you feel?
-Tired.
And like I let everyone down.
Oh, honey. Don't blame yourself.
Your father has no filter.
-He always talks
without thinking first.
-I know.
But also the workers.
I mean, because of me none of
them are going to be able
to go home.
If there's one thing I learned
from being married
to your father,
it's that despite
all his flaws, down deep, deep
deep down inside,
he really does have
a kind heart.
He won't let the workers suffer.
He'll figure out
a way to pay them.
I hope so.
-You know what's weird, Mom?
-What?
I actually kind of liked China.
-I know.
-And now I don't know
what I'm gonna do next.
You just got back.
Give yourself a break.
You'll figure out
your next steps soon enough.
Yeah.
[melancholic music]
[TV playing in background]
[sighing]
[melancholic music]
[chiming]
[shutter clicking]
Uh, what are you doing
with these?
They're being recalled
for safety issues.
-So, what happens to them now?
-Going into the dumpster.
Really? But so much
work went into them.
Yeah. I'm just following orders.
Can I buy them from you?
Umm...
-Yeah, have them.
-Really?
-Yeah. Happy holidays.
-Thanks.
[pencil scratching]
[phone chimes]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[message alert]
[phone rings]
Now that we have lost Dahlia's,
we need to secure new accounts,
even if we have
to lose money doing it.
Once they are loyal
we've got them.
That's the way you do it.
Problem with you,
you never listen to me.
You always cook too high.
We can't survive like that.
Soon everyone will be going to
Indonesia to buy their toys.
Dad...
Can we ever talk about anything
other than just business?
[background chatter]
Have you spoken
to Sasha at home?
Yeah.
I worked so hard to give
you girls the good life.
It's not appreciated.
You just complain
I don't spend
enough time with you
and run off
at the first small row.
I don't understand why
I do this for my family.
Maybe you shouldn't be
mixing family with business.
The family was the reason
I started the business.
You can keep telling
yourself that
but you did it
because you were ambitious.
No, I was fulfilling
my responsibilities.
You want to talk about
responsibility to the family?
Well...
How about, don't cheat?
How about, don't have a daughter
with another woman
when you already have one?
How about, don't abandon
your family in the first place?
I never abandoned you.
You moved another woman
into our home
and you had a baby with her.
Do you have any idea
how that made me feel?
My entire life I have felt like
-I am second best to Sasha.
-But that's not true.
You are my first child.
Nobody can ever take your place.
You told me that
you would disown me
if I didn't come back
and work for you,
but you let Sasha
do whatever she wanted.
Only because I expected
so much more from you.
I have always thought
you'd be the one to take over.
Dad...
I want to go back to
just being your daughter.
You are my daughter.
What are you talking about?
No, I'm your employee.
I've been your employee first
for the last ten years,
and I'm tired of it.
I don't want our only
conversation to be
about business.
I came back because I wanted
to make up for lost time.
But I think it actually might be
better for our relationship
if we don't work
together anymore.
Our business is
a family business.
No.
It's your business, your family
owes you absolutely nothing.
I think you can think of
a qualified person or two
to hand it over to.
[sighs]
Girl.
Why have you been ignoring us?
[Sasha] I'm sorry
I've been MIA.
I've just been too embarrassed
to get in touch
after everything
that happened in China.
These are so adorable. I can't
believe that you designed them.
Yeah, Sasha, you should be
really proud of yourself.
I mean, look at these sketches.
They're, they're really good.
I mean, none of it
matters anyway.
Because I insisted on
using that stupid scarf,
they're all just gonna
end up in the dumpster.
And my father's company
is blacklisted
and his workers are
losing their bonuses.
That's not right.
I mean, if the scarf is
the only issue,
why don't they just cut it off?
Yeah, just do that and then--
I don't know,
at least donate them
or something.
Yes. So many kids would
want one. I want one.
But it's their corporate policy.
So like what can I do about it?
[sighs]
You know, my niece's best friend
is this really huge toy
influencer on YouTube.
She's eight years old and she's
got like ten million followers.
-Damn.
-Wow.
Do you think if she reviewed
them that would change things?
Oh, yes, a hundred percent.
I mean one review from her
and every kid in America
is going to want your toy.
And then Dahlia's
will have no choice
but to keep these on the shelfs.
Girl, we are totally going
to get you out of this mess.
Oh, my god,
that would be amazing.
I'm gonna message her right now.
Girl, what are friends for, um?
We're gonna have to cut
off so many scarves.
-So many scarves.
-[laughter]
The week your collection
was set to be recalled,
we suddenly got bombarded
with calls for them.
That's quite a coincidence,
wouldn't you say?
Hmm. I guess it is.
So, after much
internal discussion,
we've decided to put
them back on our shelves.
-Really?
-Not doing so is creating
a whole new set
of PR problems for us.
But we still do have
an obligation to ensure
our customers' safety.
-So, we've decided to cut off
all the scarves.
-Of course.
I trust that you will take care
of the labor and retest fee?
I'm sure we can
work something out.
[Dahlia] It's been really good
seeing you again.
[Sasha] Yes, thank you
for having me.
-Listen, I heard what happened
between you and your dad.
-Yeah.
-I really hope you two
can work things out.
-Me too.
But if you are looking for work,
I think we may have
something for you.
-Really?
-Yeah, we could use someone
with your design
and manufacturing experience.
-Just think about it.
-I will. Thank you.
[melancholic music]
-[phone rings]
-Hello, this is Dahlia's,
how may I direct your call?
[phone rings]
-Hello, this is Sasha.
-[woman] Hi someone's
here to see you.
Um, okay, I'm coming right up.
Carol.
-What are you doing here?
-Sorry to barge in
on you like this,
but I had a stopover
and thought I'd get in touch.
Do you want to grab lunch?
Um, yeah, let me
just grab my stuff.
-[soft music]
-[background chatter]
-So Dahlia's, huh?
-Yeah, it was a surprise
to me too.
It's pretty cool you were able
to save the order.
That's the least I could do
after I screwed everything up.
-Do you like it there?
-Yeah, actually I do.
I guess I had to go back
to China to finally land
a job here.
I'm glad something good came
out of that whole experience.
Yeah, I guess I have you
to thank for that, right?
Sasha, I'm so sorry
about... everything.
It's fine. I'm sorry too
for the way we ended things.
Can we just go back to
the way that things were?
Yeah, of course.
So, um--
-I finally left the company.
-Oh, my god, what happened?
You were right. It's time for me
to do something for myself
for a change.
-Good for you.
How is Dad taking it?
-Surprisingly well,
but I do feel bad
leaving him behind like this
when the company's
at an all-time low.
And then almost losing
their bonus, really put
everyone on edge.
I'm afraid that a lot of people
aren't going to return in
the New Year.
And Dad will really be
screwed next year.
-Well, it was so good
seeing you.
-Yeah, you too.
-What are your plans now?
-I have absolutely no idea.
And I wouldn't
have it any other way.
I'm really happy for you.
-Take care of yourself.
-You too.
[both grunting]
-Bye.
-Bye.
[lively music]
[machines hissing]
Sasha, what are you doing here?
Uh, on a pre sourcing trip with
Dahlia's. I thought I'd stop by.
Ah, yes, I heard you got
the job. Congratulations.
Thank you.
-I'm sorry that
I ran out like that.
-Oh, no, I should be sorry.
I should never
have said those things.
-I didn't mean them, but I'm
sure you understand.
-I do.
So I heard morale has not
been high at the factory.
They got their bonus back.
They were there.
I have an idea for
how we could boost morale.
You want to add dessert
to their lunch now?
Why don't we provide
on-site childcare
-so they don't ever have to
leave their kids behind again?
-With what money?
-My trust fund.
-Oh, no, that's ridiculous.
That money is for your future.
I don't deserve that money.
They do.
They've worked much harder
and much longer than I have.
They shouldn't have to only
see their kids once a year.
-Yeah, but this is
business, not personal.
-It's personal for them.
They're hard-working people
just trying to support
their families,
and that's how
you started, remember?
And you were able to
achieve that pretty quickly.
But then you wanted more,
you wanted the nicer car,
the bigger house,
the younger wife.
When is it ever enough?
Especially when the people
who got you here
can barely make ends meet.
All they want is a chance
to provide for their kids.
They shouldn't have to
sacrifice their families
in order to do it.
[emotional music]
You know what?
You are stubborn
and hard-headed,
but I have never felt more
proud of you than right now.
[cheering]
-So, Dahlia's, huh?
-Yeah.
-Are you mad?
-No, I'm not mad.
Okay, I thought you might be
cause I'm not helping out
with the family
business anymore.
I can still manage.
Then why was it so important
for me to come back?
All that talk about
giving back to the family.
Oh, you think I made
you come back for me?
-[scoffs] Yes.
-Oh, no, no. I made you
come back for you.
Is so that I can
teach you business.
So you can have work experience.
That is more valuable than
any trust fund I can give you.
Of course, I would like
to hand the company down
to you and Carol,
but if you girls don't want
to do it, nothing I can do.
So I was thinking maybe
I can help come up with
toy ideas for you,
while I'm in L.A.
-as a freelancer, you know?
-Is that what you want to do?
-Yeah, I'd really like that.
-What about your job?
-I can always sketch after work.
-Well, that would be wonderful.
-Nothing would make me happier.
-Oh, Dad.
-So, is this a good time
to discuss my rate?
-Rate? What rate?
What? You actually
want to be paid?
-Dad, yes, of course
I wanna be paid.
-Oh, sorry.
[Sasha] You just taught me
all I know about business.
I don't work for free. L.A. is
very expensive, you know.
In China fathers don't have
to pay daughters, okay?
Yes, but I'm American.
So I think you have to.
[Dad] All in the family
and you have to pay each other.
[both chuckling]
["Rich girl" by Pomplamoose]
You're a rich girl
And you've gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
You can rely
On the old man's money
It's a bitch, girl
And it's gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
Say money, but it won't get
You too far, get too far
Don't you know
Don't you know
That it's wrong
To take what is given you
So far gone, on your own
You can get along
If you try to be strong
But you'll never be
Strong cause
You're a rich girl,
And you've gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
You can rely on
The old man's money
You can rely on
The old man's money
It's a bitch, girl
And it's gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
Say money, but it won't get
You too far
Get you too far
High and dry
Out of the rain
It's so easy to hurt others
When you can't feel pain
And don't you know
That a love can't grow
Cause there's too much to give
Cause you'd rather live
For the thrill of it all
You're a rich girl
And you've gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
You can rely on
The old man's money
It's a bitch, girl
And it's gone too far
Cause you know
It don't matter anyway
Say money but it won't get
You too far
Say money but it won't get
You too far
Get you too far
And you say you can rely
On the old man's money
You can rely on
The old man's money
Oh, you're a rich girl
A rich girl, a rich girl
Rich girl, rich girl
Oh, you're a rich girl
Oh, you're a rich
Rich girl, rich girl
[music]