Soldier of Fortune (1955) Movie Script
All ashore that's going ashore
for Hong Kong.
All ashore for Hong Kong.
I think it would be extremely unfortunate
if this were the last time I saw you, Mrs. Hoyt.
My office is across the bay,
Hong Kong side...
on Connaught Road.
My card.
It just might
be useful someday.
Hong Kong is like any other large city-
very difficult without friends.
I suggest you call me before
you come over. I'm not always in.
Mrs. Hoyt.
- Yes?
- I'm Frank Stewart, United States Consulate.
It's good of you
to meet me.
It was a mandate after the storm you started
in the newspapers and with your senator...
but I'm sure
it'll be a pleasure.
Would you come with me, please?
But tell me, Mr. Stewart,
do you have any new information?
I'm sorry. Look, you must realize
there's been very little we can do.
This is a Crown colony, you know.
The British have been most cooperative.
I made an appointment tomorrow morning with
the inspector who found your husband's cameras.
You mean I have to wait
until tomorrow morning?
He's with the marine police.
He's out on patrol now.
I'm sure he'll give you
what information he has.
Inspector Merryweather.
Very nice chap.
However, I think
it's only fair to warn you...
not to expect too much.
The British, naturally,
take a most realistic attitude.
They have made inquiries,
done what they could...
but they are reluctant to force
an issue over a foreigner...
who went into China
without even a visa.
I'm going
to find my husband, Mr. Stewart.
I made a reservation for you
at the Peninsula Hotel.
It's just a short way
from the docks.
- Good morning.
- Oh.
- Anything for me?
- No, General. Business is as usual-rotten.
I thought, perhaps,
with a ship arriving-
If anyone wants a guide,
I'll let you know.
I, uh-I've had
so many obligations lately.
If it is not inconvenient,
I could use a small advance.
It is inconvenient.
Go away.
Don't start telling me about the good
old days when you were a big general.
- Go back to China.
- You know I can't do that.
Then just go away.
I'm busy.
- Goldie.
- Morning, monsieur.
Good morning, Goldie.
Breakfast, quick.
- With plain water, monsieur.
- And make it double.
Goldie, take a bottle of champagne
to the fright wig.
Maybe it'd start her day off right.
But please don't tell her where it came from.
I don't want to
have to talk to her. Hey.
Name?
Goldie,
madame or mademoiselle?
- Just come off ship.
- I can see that.
- She American girl.
- And no man with her?
It just doesn't happen these days.
Find out all about her.
The boy will show you
to your room, Mrs. Hoyt.
Bring down coxswain.
Sampan!
I'll just take a look around.
It might keep me awake.
Go away, policeman.
No trouble here.
I just want to see
your I.D. card.
- I do nothing bad.
- I know.
- Pictures. Me.
- Pretty good.
You should be in films.
- Oh, American man take pictures.
- Really?
You stay out of trouble.
Carry on, 303.
It's almost 4:00.
- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning.
- The lady is waiting, sir.
- I shall never get any sleep.
- The American lady, sir.
- I had completely forgotten.
- Send in those cameras, 303.
- Yes, sir.
- Inspector Merryweather?
- Mrs. Hoyt.
- Good morning.
- How do you do?
Please forgive my appearance. I've been
mucking about the harbor all night.
It's pretty warm for so early in the day.
There's probably a typhoon brewing.
Inspector,
you know why I'm here.
It's unfortunate
about your husband, Mrs. Hoyt.
I wish he'd talked to us before he went into China.
We could probably have discouraged him.
What's wrong with wanting to do
a picture story on life in China as it is today?
- Would you sit down, Mrs. Hoyt?
- Yes. Thank you.
I'd like to point out to you...
the futility of a one-woman crusade
against a whole nation.
Official inquiries from our government
have brought nothing but silence.
But surely there must be some sort
of underground, Inspector.
I'm very junior on this force.
My only connection with this affair is...
I happened to find your husband's cameras
on the junk that took him behind the line.
What about the captain of this junk?
Couldn't we find him and question him?
We did that.
Of course, we could do it again.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of junks,
and they're continually moving about.
Also, the chances are the junk master
might not tell us the truth.
The water people
are very uncooperative...
and worse yet,
a lot of them work for Hank Lee.
- Who's Hank Lee?
- A disgrace to your country.
Why? What does he do?
Unofficially, I'd like to say
your Hank Lee is a gangster.
Smuggling is one
of his lesser vices.
He'd do anything
to make a dollar, and has.
Unfortunately, he's very clever.
We haven't been able to prove a single thing yet.
Well, now, how can he operate?
This is British territory.
A few miles of land, yes,
but just outside, the waters are Chinese.
There they do as they please,
and so does Hank Lee.
Oh, inside the colony
he's very careful.
Could you put me
in touch with Hank Lee?
I'd be the last person in the world
to set you up with Lee.
He doesn't fancy policemen.
Come in.
Thank you.
Those are Lewis's cameras.
ByJove.
Last night, I came across
a sampan girl.
She had some very recent
pictures of herself, most professional.
You know, Mrs. Hoyt, a good policeman
is supposed to stick to the facts...
and ignore the existence of hope.
However, these girls move around a great deal,
but if she's still there, I'll talk to her.
- She may be able to tell us something.
- Thank you, Inspector.
- You're a good policeman.
- My chief might not feel the same way...
so please remember,
I'm acting unofficially.
You might make a few inquiries
at a place called Tweedie's.
It's just up Nathan Road.
Open nights only.
- Your husband went there frequently.
- Thank you.
And so, all women is trouble.
I don't care
if she is queen of Bulgaria...
or head of the Girl Scouts.
I don't mean there is
anything wrong with women.
I like 'em, but not
in my place, understand?
Because a woman alone
is trouble...
and two of them alone
is twice as much trouble...
and three of them alone
can start a riot with a smile.
Now, it ain't their fault.
You take a creature
God put on this earth...
and train her
from the time she can think...
that her only chance
for a decent life...
is to be as attractive
as she can all the time...
and you've
got yourself trouble.
If I was a woman,
I'd be trouble too.
Now, if you try to separate
the respectable troublemakers...
from the unrespectable ones,
you'll just drive yourself crazy.
You understand? How are
you gonna say one woman is wrong...
because she accepts
a slight financial reward...
from a guy
she don't know too well...
and another woman is right
when she puts the bite on her husband...
for a fur coat he can't afford...
so he goes bankrupt and takes
a dive out of the window?
Who's right?
- What will you have, miss?
- Scotch and soda, please.
- Thank you.
- Told them waiters a thousand times...
never to serve no woman
who was alone.
- You know her, Matt?
- I've never seen her before.
- She ain't local.
- Gunner?
- She ain't trouble.
- Who says?
I do. There's no paint on her hull,
and her fingernails ain't red...
and she's having a real drink
instead of a phony orange...
and she ain't paying no attention
to them Aussies at the table.
Maybe she's looking
for somebody.
- Icky?
- Throw her out, I say.
Yeah, I guess I have to.
Let one of'em get away with it,
they'll all come.
Hello, sister.
Kind of in the wrong place, ain't ya?
I don't think so.
Beat it. Now.
Forget the drink.
It's on the house.
Hello, Jane.
Sorry I'm late. I hope you haven't
been waiting too long.
Hi, Tweedie.
Hi, my boy.
Dinner, please.
I'll send the waiter
with the sauce.
Well, whatever your name is,
I don't know whether to thank you or not.
Well, it all depends on how long
you wanted to stay here.
Unescorted women are poison
in Tweedie's place.
So I gathered.
My name is Rene Dupont Chevalier.
I'm a Frenchman.
Ah, there we are.
- I think you'd better leave now.
- Mais porquoi?
You haven't accomplished
what you came for.
You couldn't stay here
without me. Now, look.
A girl like you doesn't come
to Hong Kong alone these days...
unless it's very necessary.
You have much on your mind.
I can see that
by the way you look...
the way you talk and walk...
and I like what I see.
- You missed.
- Oh, many people wear wedding rings.
- But this one means something.
- Ah, so?
- You're a cynic.
- I'm also thirsty.
Where is your husband?
- I don't know.
- Well, this is most convenient.
Will he stay away
like a gentleman?
- He's a prisoner somewhere in China.
- Oh.
I also was a prisoner.
It seems a long, long time ago.
Now I got it!
- Hoyt. He was a photographer, wasn't he?
- You know him?
Well, we had
a few drinks one night.
Chap named
Fernand Rocha was along.
They were making
some plans together.
- Where does this man Rocha live?
- Oh, I don't know.
I- I talk too much anyway.
Now, look.
If you don't mind,
I'm getting kind of little sleepy.
You take care of the thing here
and I'd like to-
Oh!
Uh-uh, sister.
I'll look after this for him.
- Now beat it!
- I will not! Not until I'm ready!
You want me to call the police?
Big Matt, Gunner.
Haul him to the usual place
and let him sleep it off, huh?
You must be real hard up.
- Here.
- I don't need your money.
Tell me, do you know
where I can find a Maxine Chan?
Yeah. She runs a curio shop
on Hangkau Road.
- A lot of junk, but she sells it.
- Thanks.
Did you know Lewis Hoyt?
Hoyt? Used to
recite poetry a lot?
All the time smiling as if he had
some joke he wouldn't tell nobody?
Yeah, I knew him.
Sometimes he was
an interesting problem. He's dead.
You must be mistaken.
You're wrong!
Well, I ain't wrong very often.
People keep me posted.
I sure remember his poetry now
because it was so pretty.
He was awful good at it.
Made up some of his own too.
Very surprising.
Why so interested?
You chasing him for some special reason?
He's my husband.
Oh. Too bad.
Well, you still got
a lot of your life ahead of you...
and a young widow
who is clean and in no trouble-
Tell me exactly how you know
my husband is dead!
If I was to tell you exactly, I'd never learn
anything else, and that I can't afford to do.
Now run along like the little lady
you pretend to be.
You got no idea what a strain
it is keeping a place like this respectable.
- Do you know where I can find a man named Rocha?
- No. Beat it.
- Good morning.
- I'm looking for Maxine Chan.
I'm Maxine.
May I help you?
I'm so glad
you speak English.
I went to school in California.
I was a cheerleader for UCLA.
I know you.
You're Lewis Hoyt's wife.
He showed me your picture, and it was
a smiling picture, so now I recognize you.
Well, I'm glad he did.
That's a healthy sign.
Do not worry
about your husband.
He's a wonderful guy.
He makes everyone around him feel good.
Do you know that
he left Hong Kong?
Oh, no. I've wondered.
For three months now,
I've tried everything to find him.
Can you help me?
I don't know what I could do.
Would a man named Rocha
have any information?
He might.
They spent a lot of time together.
- Where could I find him?
- I don't know.
He used to work for Hank Lee.
- Do you know Hank Lee?
- Of course.
I've heard a lot about him.
What kind of a man is he?
I think he's the most wonderful man
in the world.
Well, how could I approach him?
I'm a-I'm a total stranger.
I was once a stranger to him.
He put up the money
for this shop.
Oh.
I haven't seen him in a long time.
He may be away.
I'll telephone him for you.
Be ready at the hotel.
- He will send a car for you.
- Will you be there?
He didn't invite me.
Thank you, Maxine.
I'm terribly sorry. The sampan girl isn't
there anymore. Probably got frightened.
And there's no way to find her?
There's 2.5 million people in the Hong Kong area.
I'll keep looking though.
You seem to have done a little better.
This car is well-known.
- I'm praying he'll help me.
- He might.
58306, please.
- Hello.
- Gunner? Madame Dupree here.
- So, what's on your mind?
- I'm hungry and I'm broke.
Lots of people are.
I have some interesting
information.
It should be worth
a meal to Tweedie.
- What is it this time?
- I'll tell you when I get the chow.
Hang on a minute. It's Dupree.
She wants to trade
some information for a meal.
Tweedie says chow down.
Well, Mrs. Hoyt,
how nice to see you again.
I must congratulate Hank
for succeeding where I have failed.
- Is Mr. Lee a friend of yours?
- We're associates in a business way.
Don't forget, Mrs. Hoyt,
if you need anything...
I'm at 464
Connaught Road West.
Thank you.
Stick 'em up!
I could have clobbered you,
but there's no fun in shootin' women.
Well, not unless
they steal your cattle.
What's your name, partner?
- Billy Lee. What's yours?
- Jane Hoyt.
- Shake, partner.
- Howdy.
- Say, where do you come from?
- America.
- Killed any Indians?
- Not lately.
Ever ride in a stagecoach?
My daddy says women always ride
in them. It's in the cinema too.
Well, sort of. I've been on a bus.
When I go to America,
I'm gonna arrest all the bandits.
I'll hang the very bad ones
from the trees.
Hey, Billy,
don't be so bloodthirsty.
- Hi, Daddy!
- Hi.
I'm Hank Lee, Mrs. Hoyt.
She says
she comes from America...
but she's never killed an Indian
or a bandit, I bet.
I'm going to buy you a spaceship
just to get you off the subject.
There aren't any Indians
on the stars.
Okay, okay.
Then shoot yourself some Martians.
How can I
when they have no blood?
- Will you tell me how kids know such things?
- I've often wondered.
Well, you should hear his sister.
After listening to her prayers-
Hey, Daddy,
you could too do it.
What are you
doing out of bed?
- You could too do it.
- Do what?
Take a big balloon,
fill it up with dark night air...
and then let it out when you want
to sleep in the daytime.
You go to bed, both of you.
- How many children do you have, Mr. Lee?
- Three.
The oldest boy's going to school
in the States. He's 13, and I miss him.
You know, somehow I-
I didn't picture you as being married.
I'm not. Never have been.
How about a drink?
I have some of the best sherry
you ever tasted.
- Sit over there, please.
- Thanks.
With so many refugees in Hong Kong,
the water supply is very critical.
I don't like to put a strain on it.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Would you like to hear Chicago?
- Chicago?
Sometimes I sit out here alone
and just listen to it.
I had this recording
made specially.
I take it Chicago is your home.
Well, it was once.
I guess it's here now.
Well, you don't seem
very cheerful about it.
You always want
what you can't have.
They did a pretty good job
of this...
except they left out
the steam shovels and the elevated.
Uh, Maxine told me
about your husband.
- Can I talk to you about him?
- If it'll make you feel better.
I was hoping
you could help me.
That's just possible.
Uh, my main business
is helping Hank Lee.
What about the little girl
and Billy and the boy in the States?
Were they just a matter
of helping Hank Lee?
No, Billy was a special case.
Somebody left him at the gate.
I came home late
one night and almost ran over him.
- Naturally, I couldn't leave him there.
- Naturally.
And the little girl,
where does she come from-Mars...
where the people
have no blood?
No, she was born to a pal of mine
in Bangkok. A slight mistake.
The boy in the States,
where does he come from?
Manila. He sort of
attached himself to me.
He was on the streets
right after the war...
eyes bigger than his stomach,
like so many others.
Little beggar was always at my heels
with that "no mama, no papa" routine.
I found out he was telling the truth.
What could I do?
- Were you in the service, Mr. Lee?
- Wasn't everybody?
Tell me something. You planning
on having some more children?
You're talking
to a confused man.
My voice was never made
for singing lullabies.
You know what I like about you?
You're in trouble, and you can still laugh.
That takes something special.
How about some dinner?
The cook bawls me out if I'm not on time.
- I hadn't thought-
- Come on. You'll enjoy it.
New England boiled dinner tonight.
Take you right back home.
Now, what could
a dame like her...
be doing in Hank Lee's
fancy auto?
Talking with a police inspector.
They finally catching up
with Hank Lee?
Don't make sense.
You got any ideas, Icky?
- Icky, you gone deaf?
- Huh?
I say, if the British
are putting the bongo on Hank...
maybe we could appropriate
some of his business.
- You got any ideas?
- Yeah, I got a wonderful idea.
My curiosity won't stand it
any longer.
What are all these books for?
Seasoning with my food.
Except for breakfast with the kids,
I usually eat alone.
I got books all over the house.
They keep me company.
I hope they make me smart,
but I don't know.
I got an awful lot to make up.
Sometimes I think it's impossible.
I never went beyond
the sixth grade.
I'm trying to fix things so I don't
move my lips when I read. That isn't easy.
I live it up pretty well
for a gravel truck driver...
and I own the biggest fleet
of junks on the China coast.
- What do the junks do?
- Carry cargo, naturally.
No use fooling with fishing junks.
They never make any money.
- But your junks do.
- Plenty. Go on. Eat.
I'm not very hungry.
Mr. Lee, I have $7,000.
I'll give it to you the minute
Lewis is over the border.
- I don't want your money.
- Oh, it's not my money.
It was subscribed
in small amounts by his friends.
What kind of a man
has that many friends?
- Lewis's kind.
- Well, $7,000 doesn't mean anything to me.
How about Fernand Rocha
or Tweedie?
Would they be interested?
Lady, you need a protector.
Hello.
- Rita is about to arrive.
- If you're expecting someone-
No. Stick around. We'll watch her entrance.
She kicks up quite a fuss.
Your friend sounds very interesting.
She isn't exactly a friend of mine.
She's too hard on junks.
Come on.
The balcony's the best place.
Rita.
I don't know why
they name them after women...
except they're
sort of unpredictable.
- Will you help me?
- Why should I?
What's the percentage in risking
my neck for another man's wife?
I should have known better.
You know,
for a little while tonight...
I thought
I'd met a real man...
the kind people talk about
and read about, but I was wrong.
You're a shell.
A lonely, blowhard shell.
You fancy yourself
a soldier of fortune...
and you partially get away with it
because you're in a foreign country...
but to me, mister,
you're just a gangster...
a throwback.
I hope you enjoy
living with yourself.
- What are you like when you really get mad?
- You almost found out.
Drop in again when you're ready
to make a deal that might be interesting.
I don't need you.
I'll find him myself... somehow.
I wish you luck.
I ain't going out in this.
It ain't safe!
A body would drown.
No sense in diluting beer
with water.
No!
What's the matter
with you Aussies?
You afraid of a little old wind?
Now, when I used to
fly into Hanoi-
All the wind comes from
garlic-eating Frenchies.
Oh, is that so?
Waiter, another beer.
You gonna let him
get away with that, Percy?
We'll have a drink!
What's the matter?
Are you sick?
Ain't she wonderful?
Ain't she beautiful?
- Who?
- Her.
- You're drunk.
- I ain't drunk. I never been more sober.
- I love her.
- Ain't you never gonna grow up?
If you can't remember your own age,
remember hers.
She's a princess,
a genuine Russian princess.
- Yeah, well, she costs a lot to feed.
- I don't care!
But, Icky, I-
I need time to think.
It's no good being alone
when you're old.
We ain't got time to think.
That there fellow was a pastor once.
All right, Icky.
Ladies and gentlemen.
It may surprise you to know
that before I came to the Far East...
I was a Welsh magistrate-
- Ah, stow it!
- Go home.
And as such,
I am still invested...
with authority to perform
a civil ceremony.
- Ah, sit down!
- Gentlemen!
Gentlemen!
Will you please be so good
as to postpone your disagreement?
Thank you.
It's been some time
since I joined two souls in matrimony.
Icky and Madame Dupree
have sought my assistance-
Wait a minute!
I don't want nothing goin' on
in here that ain't legal.
- Are you sure you know the right words to say?
- Certainly.
Well, go on.
What are you waiting for?
I think we might create an aisle
with the chairs just along there.
Everybody help.
Tweedie, will you give the bride away?
- No.
- Well, someone must.
We want things quite proper.
All right.
Get out of here.
Oh, you-
I want to go
to 464 Connaught Road West.
- Yes, miss?
- I'd like to see Mr. Lee.
- Name, please?
- Mrs. Hoyt.
There's no money in it. Dump it in the sea,
and get those three junks up here from Manila.
- Yes, sir.
- What do you want?
Lady wait outside.
Name Mrs. Hoyt.
Mrs. Hoyt?
Send her in.
Get out of here.
You got a lot of nerve.
- I need it.
- I like nerve.
I've-I've reconsidered
some of the things I said.
- And now you want to do business?
- Yes.
Look at me.
I went everywhere today,
anyplace he might have been...
trying for any bit of information.
I was hoping-
Take it easy.
There's a place
called the Peacock.
Serves the best food in Hong Kong.
The real thing.
- Ever had it?
- No.
Try it with me?
Yes.
I sure like the way
you make decisions.
The Chicago arrives any minute.
I just had a signal.
- Unload it and stand by until you hear from me.
- Yes, sir.
How come you didn't try to stop
that husband from going into China?
It wasn't very bright
of him or you.
I never tried to stop him
from doing anything he wanted to do.
I married him for what he was,
not for what I thought he should be.
Sounds like he could use
a little growing up.
If I'd tried to talk him out of it,
after a while it would be something else...
then something else, until finally,
I might manufacture a man...
I could barely recognize,
and I could never change him back.
Here's the Peacock.
- I hope you worked yourself up an appetite.
- That I did.
- Walking with you is sort of a track meet.
- Oh, poor little girl.
Maybe I'd better carry you
up the stairs.
You'd look pretty silly
if you fell on your face.
I wish you hadn't done that.
Why?
Well, for one thing,
Lewis isn't here to defend himself.
I'm beginning to wish he was.
- That'll be it, Ying.
- When Captain Hank come back? Long time now no come.
Mr. Lee is indulging himself
in the lighter pursuits these days.
You tell him, please,
I keep his cabin nice.
All men like
see Captain Hank.
Cheerio.
And that's my story.
Officially, I'm dead.
The navy was glad
to get rid of me.
I socked an officer
the night the Japs gave in.
- Were you right or wrong?
- You're always wrong when you hit an officer.
You know what I think?
I think you like being in the wrong.
Take that "I'm better than you" look
off your face.
It doesn't suit you.
You're with me now because
you think I can help your husband...
which is just
looking out for yourself.
Well, all right, maybe I will.
I want your husband
out of China more than you do.
I wish he was sitting here right now
so I could stand a chance with you.
I can't fight a ghost.
Now, everything clear?
It's very clear.
Well, now that you know,
we'll let it ride temporarily...
until I see what I can do
about your husband.
- Any complaints?
- No.
- Eating well?
- What difference does it make?
Have you read
the new literature I sent you?
There wasn't anything else to do.
Who writes your stuff-
Harriet Beecher Stowe?
How did it impress you?
I prefer comic books.
As an American,
you, of all people, should know...
that building
a new nation is no joke.
Nations fall when they lose
their sense of humor.
- Who said that?
- I did.
Just dreamed it up.
You have an interesting mind, Hoyt.
Would you give me
a straight answer to one question?
- It depends.
- What would happen to a Chinese...
who entered your country illegally
and photographed military installations?
I did not take
any military photographs.
I came here to get
a scoop for a magazine.
We could possibly
have forgiven you...
if you were not
an army officer.
- As it is-
- That was a long time ago.
I was a shave-tail lieutenant.
The army and I separated permanently.
If you would give me
the full story...
I would do my best to arrange
your early return to Hong Kong.
I've told you all there
is to tell a hundred times.
It was my own idea,
and it looks like I'm stuck with it.
I suggest you think
about your wife...
in connection with telling us
the real reason why you came to China.
I've been thinking plenty about her.
Her name is Jane, isn't it?
No. Matilda.
Your Jane is a most attractive woman.
Where is she tonight?
How would I know?
We are better informed.
She is in Hong Kong
with a man named Henry Lee.
You have been away now
for a considerable time.
Turn the record over
on the other side.
Interesting, isn't it, Lieutenant?
Stop calling me lieutenant.
You will notice that Mrs. Hoyt...
is not exactly grieving
at your absence.
She always liked jokes.
Notice the hands.
She's reaching
across the table, holding his.
Even my limited knowledge
of Americans...
assures me that it is not customary
to hold hands...
during the telling of a joke.
I suggest you visualize her...
say a month from now,
in that man's arms.
See him caress her...
listen to the quick breathing...
and have the courage
to admit...
that in her ecstasy she could
quite possibly forget you ever existed.
The acoustics are terrible in this place.
I can't hear a word you're saying.
Very well.
We have plenty of time.
As you know, we Chinese
are renowned for our patience.
I trust it will not be too many years
before your hearing improves.
Hello, Hank.
What struck this place?
We've been closed for a couple of days.
A little celebration.
Icky got himself married.
He was lonesome, I guess.
People get that way.
You ain't been around
in a long time, Hank.
I might want you to do me a favor.
You still swiping money?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I'm talking about those dollars
the American Chinese send you...
to give to their poor relations
in China.
- I'm just doing those people a favor.
- You take too big a cut.
I got to maintain a lot of contacts,
so I take a little commission.
- You might say I'm just being humane.
- Yeah, you're humane, all right.
It's those contacts I want to talk to you about.
You know a man named Lewis Hoyt?
- Name sure sounds familiar.
- It should.
You told his wife he was dead.
I just felt sorry for her.
You never felt sorry
for anybody.
Why so interested, Hank?
This man a friend of yours or something?
Yeah. And I sure wouldn't want
anything to happen.
I didn't have nothin'
to do with Hoyt!
Then how come you got
the word he was dead?
I get all kinds of odd information.
This is a public place.
People come and they go.
I got ears.
Listen, you're talking to Hank Lee.
- Let me down!
- Tell me where you got the word...
or I'll use you for a shillelagh
and really wreck this place.
All right!
But let me down, Hank!
- How much did Hoyt pay you?
- $500.
Who'd you set him up with?
Lim Chou Wu.
He's got a junk.
He runs money up to Canton
for me once in a while.
- Did you guarantee Hoyt he'd get out of China?
- No, I didn't do that!
Well, maybe I did sort of suggest
that we'd make arrangements later...
but he was awful eager, Hank-
awful eager.
- Who told you he was dead?
- Lim Chou Wu.
- How do you know he isn't lying?
- I don't.
Find out! If he's dead,
I want proof of how he died.
Every last detail-
where and how.
If he's alive, I want to know
where he is... exactly.
- Understand?
- How can I do all that?
Phone me Thursday morning
at 9:00 with the answers...
or I'll buy the firecrackers
for your funeral.
Hank! This is gonna cost
lots of money!
Use those dollars
you got from Hoyt.
Wake up!
Go get Icky away from his bride.
We got a lot to do.
Hello, you little rascal.
- Ooh, Hank!
- How goes business?
I have been praying for you.
- Where have you been?
- Oh, counting my money.
Is there so much
that it takes so long?
I am older by almost a year.
- You look younger.
- You are learning.
Hmm.
I need some information.
I have to find a man in China-an American.
- Oh?
- He may be dead.
Then he should be easy to find
because he will not move.
No, no, not so easy.
He's being held a prisoner.
- He is your friend?
- No. She-
- He is the husband of a woman.
- You sound like a fool.
She's a wonderful woman.
You have needed
a woman too long.
I want you to send inquiries
to your temples on the mainland.
Your priests and nuns
seem to know everything.
Find out where the American is.
If the British find out,
I will have much trouble.
Yes, I know, so be careful.
His name is Hoyt.
He's a maker of pictures.
He crossed the border sometime in June
or late May, according to our calendar.
Now that's all I know,
except that he hasn't any sense.
But if you want the woman,
why do you want the husband?
It has to be done.
You are thinking different
than ever before...
like a chicken
instead of an eagle.
When will you have some news?
- Allow me five days.
- Oh, that's too long.
- Hmm, three days, then.
- Oh, that's better.
But it will cost you more.
Don't waste any time,
little mother.
Your breakfast, monsieur.
Thank you, Goldie.
Bonjour, monsieur.
Oh, bonjour, mademoiselle.
Mais vous parlez Francais-
Oh, don't get excited.
That's all the French I know.
- Please sit down, will you?
- No, thank you.
Do you remember telling me
about a man named Rocha?
- I did?
- Yes, you said you didn't know where he lived.
Peculiar, because I do.
But then I say a lot of peculiar things
when I'm enchanted with a grape.
- Where does he live?
- Macao.
Pretends to run a language school
on the Rue de la Felicidade.
Thank you.
I want to get to Macao
as quickly as possible.
The ferry leaves in 40 minutes.
You could just make it.
- Would you fix my ticket while I make a phone call?
- Certainly.
- It will be $18 first class.
- Oh, yes.
You'll have to hurry.
There we are.
Shall I recommend you
as a guide?
I know it'll be a risk
for you that close to China...
but it may fill your rice bowl.
I shall do it myself.
Give me her ticket.
Remember, General,
our usual commission.
When Mr. Lee returns home,
will you tell him that I've gone to Macao?
Yes. Mrs. Hoyt
will be back tomorrow.
Thank you.
- Madam, your ticket.
- Oh, thank you.
General Po Lin at your service.
May I suggest myself as a guide?
I lived near Macao
some years ago...
and I speak Portuguese
and all Chinese dialects.
I am certain I could make your journey
easier and more interesting...
and my fee is very little.
How much is very little?
I would be quite content to leave it
to your generosity, madam.
- All right.
- Thank you.
Over there-China...
the oldest mother in the world.
It is the womb and the tomb.
All of the emperors
and warlords...
invaders and conquerors
and experimenters...
could not change her
in 10,000 years.
It is my country.
I have become
a garrulous old man.
- Forgive me if I talk too much.
- I like to listen to you.
"Music's golden tongue flattered
the tears this aged man and poor."
Shelley, isn't it?
Or-Wait a minute.
- I'd always get him mixed up with-
- Keats.
I once attempted
to translate him into Chinese.
There were days when
we had leisure for such things.
Uh-
What's the matter?
I believe the engines
have stopped.
The vibration has gone.
Please, please come with me.
Everybody, come inside, please!
The cheek of these chaps,
stopping the ship. What a bother.
Well, after all, they have a perfect right.
These are their waters.
- They don't trouble very often.
- They're probably not interested in us.
- What are they going to do to him?
- I'm afraid we'll never know.
Enjoy Macao, madam.
Remember your friend Po Lin
and do not think all Chinese are barbarians.
- Boa noite.
- Are you Mr. Rocha?
Yes. Please come in.
- Won't you sit down, please?
- Yes, thank you.
You wish to inquire
about language lessons?
I assume you are interested
in Portuguese.
I'm Lewis Hoyt's wife.
I'd like to talk to you alone.
My pleasure.
But you needn't concern
yourself about my guest.
She doesn't understand
a word of English.
I find it more relaxing
not to teach her any.
Mr. Rocha, I'm trying to find out
where my husband is.
There's nothing difficult about that.
He's in Canton.
In Canton? Well, you-
you make it sound so simple...
as if he wasn't
being held a prisoner.
A guest of the government,
you might say.
Of course, certain restrictions
have been placed on his movements...
but if his friends really wanted him out,
it would be a very simple matter.
Oh, now, look, Mr. Rocha.
Two governments have been trying
without results for three months-
I'm afraid they are
too naive, too honest.
Actually, it's only necessary
to arrange the transfer...
of a sum of money
to the proper authorities.
It would be in the nature of a fine
for crossing the border illegally.
How much money?
If you are suggesting
that I act as an intermediary...
I would be most happy
to undertake the task.
Lewis is my friend.
I'm very fond of him.
What guarantee would I have
that Lewis would ever cross the border?
None, Mrs. Hoyt.
In these matters,
one must act on faith...
and then, as you say in America,
keep your fingers crossed.
Of course,
your risk is small.
I would never permit you
to pay the whole sum in advance.
I would suggest a small amount
to show goodwill.
Then the final payment would be
made when Lewis is delivered.
Suppose I gave you
a check for $500?
How soon could you
start to work?
- A check?
- A traveler's check.
Oh. Well, I could start
making phone calls right away.
It would probably take
most of the night...
but I don't mind losing
a little sleep for Lewis.
If you will wait here, I could perhaps
have some favorable word for you in an hour.
She will take you to her room
where you can rest more comfortably.
- Her signature is as simple as her mind.
- Where are you going?
I've observed that
well-financed gamblers seldom lose.
After she quiets down,
give her some tea, then get the rest.
Tell Stoker to come
to my office right away.
People wait for you.
Oh, what's this?
A religious convention?
Well, well, Hank.
This is my old friend Father Xavier.
He has just come
from the mainland.
- Shake hands with a sinner.
- I do so constantly.
He knows where your man is.
There'll be great risk in bringing him out.
Is it so important to you?
- Yes and no. Where is he?
- In Canton.
Our mission was near the place
where the second gate stood in the old city.
- It's now a prison.
- Is he okay?
I should think so.
Thanks. If I can help you
in Hong Kong, let me know.
And thank you, little mother.
Now run along and burn some joss for me.
And, Father, I could use
a good word with your boss.
Remember,
he's yours too, Mr. Lee.
Be sensible.
If you leave him in Canton,
the woman will be yours.
Not the way I want her.
You're pretty smart.
Someday I'll buy you
a Ouija board.
Come in here.
I want the Chicago ready to sail tonight,
crew aboard and provisioned.
I laid off the regular crew.
Find a new crew, and put those long boxes
marked "electrical conduit" on board.
Take the conduit out.
All I want is the boxes.
And put several hundred of those
Japanese watches in my car right now.
- What's the name of our man in Canton?
- Keim.
You're not planning on crossing
the line yourself, are you?
Get word to Keim
to stand by with a truck.
Get me tide and current tables,
also a weather report. What about flags?
We got Chinese, British Nationalist,
Philippine. Take your pick.
- Get me Thailand too. Step on it.
- Yes, sir.
- Lee here.
- Hello, Hank.
It's Thursday morning, and I'm right
on the dot like you asked.
I couldn't find out nothin'
from the junk master about Hoyt...
but I found out somethin'
that'll interest you more.
Rene Chevalier had a friend who came down
on the night boat from Macao last night.
It pays to have friends, Hank.
You ain't never learned that.
Come on. Come on.
Well, this friend of Rene's is
at the roulette table in Macao last night...
only he ain't havin' as good a time
as a sucker by the name of Rocha...
who was tossin' money around
like it was rice.
Rene's friend gets a look
at the signature on a check he cashed.
It was signed "Jane Hoyt."
Now, am I off the hook, Hank?
Tell Rene to meet me in front of the ferry building,
Kowloon side, in 30 minutes.
And he'd better be there, sober!
- Stoker!
- Yes, sir!
Have the Chicago
ready to sail in an hour.
That's impossible.
I have no crew yet.
- Stop whining and get one! Anybody!
- Yes, sir.
- Get in here.
- Is this a one-way or round trip?
Since when did you
have anything to lose?
Captain not here.
That's all right.
I'll take a look around.
Lost something, Inspector?
- That is against the law.
- No.
I'm afraid I'll have to take
this junk into custody until it's removed.
That's a shame.
That's a pretty handy little gadget...
provided you have
enough men to operate it.
But I suppose
you have to do your duty.
Oh, it's good to be
on board again.
Sit down, Inspector. Relax.
Did you ever taste American bourbon?
No, I can't say that I have.
There's two decanters there. The one on
the right was brewed by my maiden aunt.
Pour me one, will you?
This is quite a ship.
I've always been curious about it.
To the queen.
This is scarcely an aperitif.
Your aunt must have been
quite a forceful woman.
You know, I'd like to look in
on America someday.
- Yeah, so would I. Cheers.
- Cheers.
I regret having
to tie up your vessel.
Oh, that's perfectly all right.
I always try to cooperate in any way I can.
Yes, of course.
Wait a minute.
- This junk is moving.
- Make yourself comfortable.
We'll have lunch
in a little while.
If this is an example of your American humor,
I don't think much of it.
- I order you to stop this vessel.
- Sit down.
- I give the orders here.
- Do you realize what you're doing?
- Sure.
- You're holding a crown officer against his will.
Among other things. Oh, by the way,
these are awful good cigars, Inspector.
I never smoke cigars.
Put that gun away.
I can't tell you how pleased I am
to have you on board for a few days.
As soon as we've cleared the harbor,
make yourself comfortable.
That bunk over there is yours. Eat and drink
all you want. Consider yourself a guest.
You must be out of your mind.
You'll have the whole British fleet after you.
- We don't want any trouble out here.
- Neither do I, but I got it.
Yes, sir, I sure do like
your looks, Inspector.
I have a hunch
my aunt would too.
You starting a war
in Portuguese Macao?
I'm just making sure somebody
doesn't declare war on me.
It's an old Yankee custom.
People take advantage of you when you're weak.
I found that out long ago.
Lay off that, will you?
Come on.
- Look here, Lee. I demand that you-
- Now-
Very well. I request
that you put me ashore in Macao.
Improve your mind while I'm gone.
Try those magazines.
- Why can't I go with you?
- Because tonight I need Rene.
Tomorrow night
I may welcome your company.
I wouldn't go
on deck if I were you.
Ying Fai may mistake you for a boarder.
And those stern windows-Forget it.
Unless you're an Olympic swimmer,
we're too far off shore.
Captain Hank,
crew no good water people.
They don't like go Canton.
Maybe give trouble.
Can't you talk 'em out of it?
Make sweet talk?
No can. Much afraid.
They say maybe never come back.
Well, pay 'em off and dump 'em ashore.
We'll sail it ourselves.
No. Ship too big. No can.
You must be getting old, Ying,
older than an old woman.
What are you doing?
Shaving, obviously.
You're a fool if you
go back to the gambling.
You'll lose everything.
You're going with the women.
Jealousy does not become you.
I'll tell the police
where the money came from!
Answer the door.
I'm not here.
Who was it?
Speak up, woman!
What did you tell them?
- I said you were here.
- Why, you-
I did not know it was you, Hank.
You do now.
Where's Mrs. Hoyt?
Who is she?
You cashed her check
at the Central Gambling Hall last night.
Oh, not me.
Is she a friend of yours?
She's sleeping in my room.
Now, Hank, wait a minute.
I can explain.
I did not know she was
a friend of yours. Hank!
- Where's the money?
- In his back pocket, what's left of it.
- Where's your room?
- To the right in the hall. The key's by the door.
Wait outside. I'll want you to take
Mrs. Hoyt to the ferry for Hong Kong.
Get her the best room on board.
And you know what'll happen to you...
if you don't watch her
like a bank vault, sober.
I understand perfectly.
Jane.
Jane. No, no.
It's me-Hank.
Hello.
Why do you come to a place
like this without me?
Are you all right?
Take me away from here.
There are a lot of places
I'd like to take you.
Where?
Anywhere, just so we could
be together for a long time.
I was dreaming about you.
You kissed me.
That almost wasn't a dream.
If we went away together,
the thought of Lewis would go along...
always be with us.
It'd be a poor beginning.
Yes, I guess you're right.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
- Rene.
- Hello, Jane.
Rene will take you back to the hotel.
If you need anything, ask him.
- Well, where are you going?
- After that husband of yours.
If I deliver Lewis in one solid piece...
are you going back
to the States with him?
I'm his wife.
I suppose you think I'm naive...
to believe that a marriage
should be lived up to.
No. It figures.
You know, all my life
I've wanted to meet someone like you...
someone I could believe in.
I was beginning to think
there wasn't anyone.
I never thought
I'd find out the hard way.
Can I trust you to be
a little cagier with this?
Thanks for knowing you.
Get some sleep.
I'll call you at dawn.
I sleep on deck, near you.
- How's your family?
- Rice bowl full.
Ying, what would you do
with the Chicago if she was yours?
- Catch many fish.
- Who would help you?
Wife, sons.
Come by and by, more sons.
Well, if we get back,
the Chicago is yours.
How can be?
You have sons.
My sons won't need
a junk in America.
You go home?
Go on. Get some sleep.
Now that we've had our exercise,
I suppose it would be presumptuous...
to ask whither
this slave ship is bound.
Canton.
I must confess I rather like
your American cigarettes.
A little strong, though,
like your whiskey.
We'll make a Yank
out of you yet.
Quite content as I am,
thank you.
Not to change the subject,
but we have a charge d'affaires in Canton.
- Any hope of putting me ashore with him?
- Nope. I may need you.
- You're putting me in an awful spot, you know.
- I can't help it.
That gun under my cabin needs
a couple of men to get real firepower.
I've always thought a lot
of the English in a pinch.
I'm a policeman,
not a gunner.
- You should have kidnapped the Royal Navy.
- You'll steer.
Anyway, where we're going, the police
that count wear a different kind of uniform.
You're very anxious
to get this fellow Hoyt out of jail.
How'd you know
his name was Hoyt?
Police who really count
know a lot of things.
Most charming wife.
- What's so funny?
- Your face.
So I go along on the expedition.
- You have no choice.
- I shall definitely get the sack.
Then they'll lose a good cop.
Though, as a purely personal matter,
I could do with a little excitement.
Want this pointing at you
or away from you?
Yeah?
All things ready.
Boxes ashore.
Much fog now. Sampan waiting.
Pay girl much money. No speak.
Good. How about Keim?
Waiting shoreside in truck.
Come on.
It's a bit too snuggly
for a chap who's still breathing.
- Lewis Hoyt?
- Now what? More of those question and answer games?
Come. Quick.
- Hoyt?
- You bet.
Get in the truck.
Why'd you guys come after me?
I've been asking myself
the same question.
- You've got a fine wife, Hoyt.
- Is she all right?
Yeah, she's all right.
Ying Fai, go below.
Start the motors.
Inspector, go forward.
Get ready to cut the anchor rope.
Hoyt, come with me.
- Can you read a compass?
- I can follow an aircraft compass.
On a ship, it's just backwards. Stand there
by the tiller. Steer the course I give you.
Inspector, let her go!
Ying Fai, stand by
to take sounding.
Sing out in Cantonese
when you mark less than five fathoms.
Hoyt, did you ever
walk a tightrope?
- I've been on one for the past three months.
- Well, you're on another one.
Nobody in his right mind would try
going down this river at night in a fog.
Mud shoals and rocks on both sides,
mostly unmarked.
If we don't hit something,
we're just plain lucky.
Your name's Henry Lee, right?
How did you know?
They showed me a picture
of you with Jane.
Oh.
They don't miss many tricks.
It wasn't easy to look at.
This compass must have belonged
to Marco Polo. Why don't you buy a new one?
I'm sort of losing interest in junks
and all that goes with them.
Oh? What interests you now?
Don't mind my question.
It's just that I haven't talked to
a real human being for a long time.
Well, if you get out of this,
get yourself a job in a nice, quiet bank.
Not me. Some people
get shot out of cannons for a living.
Some people climb mountains. They want to get
to the top, see what's on the other side.
- It's habit-forming.
- You're gonna put your neck in the wringer again?
Probably. Climb another
mountain somewhere.
Can't help it,
and I might as well face it.
So should Jane.
Uh, now steer 150 degrees.
We oughta be working
around Heddington Island.
A hundred and 50 degrees.
Three fathoms.
I've been thinking
about that picture.
You didn't risk your neck
just to save a perfect stranger.
You must be
pretty stuck on Jane.
You'd better keep
your mind on your compass.
My eyes are taking care of that.
They saw something else in that picture,
because they were trained to see.
How does she feel about you?
Why don't you ask her?
I don't think I'll have to.
Four fathoms.
We've got company-
a patrol boat.
- How close?
- She's not in gun range, but she's coming up fast.
Give me those glasses.
Can you see
Lan Tao Island up ahead?
Yes, on the port bow.
Sorry, old boy. It appears
there may be some skeet shooting after a bit.
- Where are they?
- On the back porch, so step lively.
She's a P.B., and fairly fast.
We can't slug it out with him.
- He carries two machine guns and a deck gun forward.
- Pray for more wind.
His next round will be over
and a third down our throats.
Inspector, go on deck.
Take the tiller.
Let her fall of a little for a fairer wind,
then send Ying Fai down.
- Uncover that gun.
- Well, I'll be.
Biggest thing I ever stole.
Chicago's the fastest junk in China.
If the diesels don't blow up, we might
just leave 'em. But I don't know.
These hold 20 rounds.
You stand by to replace the empties.
Uncover that port.
- Anything ahead?
- Only island.
Go on deck.
Trim sail for the inspector.
The range is too great.
Take a lot of elevation to lob them that far.
Well, here it goes.
- Short, just like I figured.
- Isn't he changing course?
If we can keep him evading
and changing speed, it just might work.
- That was close.
- He'll improve.
Hit the deck!
The time has come to get a little fancy.
You're an awful lot of trouble.
Is there a Band-Aid on this bucket?
I seem to be leaking.
Ying, what's that?
Here's a pain pill.
Swallow it.
It'll make me dopey.
I can still help.
I can load with my right hand.
Come on.
We're back in business.
Captain Hank, water people come.
Tell the inspector to steer
for the middle of them.
Come on. Let's go topside.
I didn't know you had a navy.
I don't. But sometimes
it pays to have friends.
- Is this free air?
- It sure is.
- Your breakfast, monsieur.
- Thank you, Robert.
Announcing
the departure of Pan American Clipper Rainbow...
for Manila and San Francisco...
via Guam, Wake Island
and Honolulu.
Passengers will kindly board
the motor bus at the street door.
Well, off we go.
- Or do we?
- Hmm?
- You don't want to go, do you?
- Well, yes.
You're pretending.
That isn't like you... or us.
I know. I'll work it out.
If there were a door, I'd knock.
Hello!
I thought you went home.
- I got as far as the airport.
- Where's Lewis?
He said he'd write to me...
from wherever the mountains
were the highest.
He also said marriage
wasn't for him.
- Do you still love him?
- I'll always love him.
But I've discovered
there's a big difference...
between loving someone
and being in love.
for Hong Kong.
All ashore for Hong Kong.
I think it would be extremely unfortunate
if this were the last time I saw you, Mrs. Hoyt.
My office is across the bay,
Hong Kong side...
on Connaught Road.
My card.
It just might
be useful someday.
Hong Kong is like any other large city-
very difficult without friends.
I suggest you call me before
you come over. I'm not always in.
Mrs. Hoyt.
- Yes?
- I'm Frank Stewart, United States Consulate.
It's good of you
to meet me.
It was a mandate after the storm you started
in the newspapers and with your senator...
but I'm sure
it'll be a pleasure.
Would you come with me, please?
But tell me, Mr. Stewart,
do you have any new information?
I'm sorry. Look, you must realize
there's been very little we can do.
This is a Crown colony, you know.
The British have been most cooperative.
I made an appointment tomorrow morning with
the inspector who found your husband's cameras.
You mean I have to wait
until tomorrow morning?
He's with the marine police.
He's out on patrol now.
I'm sure he'll give you
what information he has.
Inspector Merryweather.
Very nice chap.
However, I think
it's only fair to warn you...
not to expect too much.
The British, naturally,
take a most realistic attitude.
They have made inquiries,
done what they could...
but they are reluctant to force
an issue over a foreigner...
who went into China
without even a visa.
I'm going
to find my husband, Mr. Stewart.
I made a reservation for you
at the Peninsula Hotel.
It's just a short way
from the docks.
- Good morning.
- Oh.
- Anything for me?
- No, General. Business is as usual-rotten.
I thought, perhaps,
with a ship arriving-
If anyone wants a guide,
I'll let you know.
I, uh-I've had
so many obligations lately.
If it is not inconvenient,
I could use a small advance.
It is inconvenient.
Go away.
Don't start telling me about the good
old days when you were a big general.
- Go back to China.
- You know I can't do that.
Then just go away.
I'm busy.
- Goldie.
- Morning, monsieur.
Good morning, Goldie.
Breakfast, quick.
- With plain water, monsieur.
- And make it double.
Goldie, take a bottle of champagne
to the fright wig.
Maybe it'd start her day off right.
But please don't tell her where it came from.
I don't want to
have to talk to her. Hey.
Name?
Goldie,
madame or mademoiselle?
- Just come off ship.
- I can see that.
- She American girl.
- And no man with her?
It just doesn't happen these days.
Find out all about her.
The boy will show you
to your room, Mrs. Hoyt.
Bring down coxswain.
Sampan!
I'll just take a look around.
It might keep me awake.
Go away, policeman.
No trouble here.
I just want to see
your I.D. card.
- I do nothing bad.
- I know.
- Pictures. Me.
- Pretty good.
You should be in films.
- Oh, American man take pictures.
- Really?
You stay out of trouble.
Carry on, 303.
It's almost 4:00.
- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning.
- The lady is waiting, sir.
- I shall never get any sleep.
- The American lady, sir.
- I had completely forgotten.
- Send in those cameras, 303.
- Yes, sir.
- Inspector Merryweather?
- Mrs. Hoyt.
- Good morning.
- How do you do?
Please forgive my appearance. I've been
mucking about the harbor all night.
It's pretty warm for so early in the day.
There's probably a typhoon brewing.
Inspector,
you know why I'm here.
It's unfortunate
about your husband, Mrs. Hoyt.
I wish he'd talked to us before he went into China.
We could probably have discouraged him.
What's wrong with wanting to do
a picture story on life in China as it is today?
- Would you sit down, Mrs. Hoyt?
- Yes. Thank you.
I'd like to point out to you...
the futility of a one-woman crusade
against a whole nation.
Official inquiries from our government
have brought nothing but silence.
But surely there must be some sort
of underground, Inspector.
I'm very junior on this force.
My only connection with this affair is...
I happened to find your husband's cameras
on the junk that took him behind the line.
What about the captain of this junk?
Couldn't we find him and question him?
We did that.
Of course, we could do it again.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of junks,
and they're continually moving about.
Also, the chances are the junk master
might not tell us the truth.
The water people
are very uncooperative...
and worse yet,
a lot of them work for Hank Lee.
- Who's Hank Lee?
- A disgrace to your country.
Why? What does he do?
Unofficially, I'd like to say
your Hank Lee is a gangster.
Smuggling is one
of his lesser vices.
He'd do anything
to make a dollar, and has.
Unfortunately, he's very clever.
We haven't been able to prove a single thing yet.
Well, now, how can he operate?
This is British territory.
A few miles of land, yes,
but just outside, the waters are Chinese.
There they do as they please,
and so does Hank Lee.
Oh, inside the colony
he's very careful.
Could you put me
in touch with Hank Lee?
I'd be the last person in the world
to set you up with Lee.
He doesn't fancy policemen.
Come in.
Thank you.
Those are Lewis's cameras.
ByJove.
Last night, I came across
a sampan girl.
She had some very recent
pictures of herself, most professional.
You know, Mrs. Hoyt, a good policeman
is supposed to stick to the facts...
and ignore the existence of hope.
However, these girls move around a great deal,
but if she's still there, I'll talk to her.
- She may be able to tell us something.
- Thank you, Inspector.
- You're a good policeman.
- My chief might not feel the same way...
so please remember,
I'm acting unofficially.
You might make a few inquiries
at a place called Tweedie's.
It's just up Nathan Road.
Open nights only.
- Your husband went there frequently.
- Thank you.
And so, all women is trouble.
I don't care
if she is queen of Bulgaria...
or head of the Girl Scouts.
I don't mean there is
anything wrong with women.
I like 'em, but not
in my place, understand?
Because a woman alone
is trouble...
and two of them alone
is twice as much trouble...
and three of them alone
can start a riot with a smile.
Now, it ain't their fault.
You take a creature
God put on this earth...
and train her
from the time she can think...
that her only chance
for a decent life...
is to be as attractive
as she can all the time...
and you've
got yourself trouble.
If I was a woman,
I'd be trouble too.
Now, if you try to separate
the respectable troublemakers...
from the unrespectable ones,
you'll just drive yourself crazy.
You understand? How are
you gonna say one woman is wrong...
because she accepts
a slight financial reward...
from a guy
she don't know too well...
and another woman is right
when she puts the bite on her husband...
for a fur coat he can't afford...
so he goes bankrupt and takes
a dive out of the window?
Who's right?
- What will you have, miss?
- Scotch and soda, please.
- Thank you.
- Told them waiters a thousand times...
never to serve no woman
who was alone.
- You know her, Matt?
- I've never seen her before.
- She ain't local.
- Gunner?
- She ain't trouble.
- Who says?
I do. There's no paint on her hull,
and her fingernails ain't red...
and she's having a real drink
instead of a phony orange...
and she ain't paying no attention
to them Aussies at the table.
Maybe she's looking
for somebody.
- Icky?
- Throw her out, I say.
Yeah, I guess I have to.
Let one of'em get away with it,
they'll all come.
Hello, sister.
Kind of in the wrong place, ain't ya?
I don't think so.
Beat it. Now.
Forget the drink.
It's on the house.
Hello, Jane.
Sorry I'm late. I hope you haven't
been waiting too long.
Hi, Tweedie.
Hi, my boy.
Dinner, please.
I'll send the waiter
with the sauce.
Well, whatever your name is,
I don't know whether to thank you or not.
Well, it all depends on how long
you wanted to stay here.
Unescorted women are poison
in Tweedie's place.
So I gathered.
My name is Rene Dupont Chevalier.
I'm a Frenchman.
Ah, there we are.
- I think you'd better leave now.
- Mais porquoi?
You haven't accomplished
what you came for.
You couldn't stay here
without me. Now, look.
A girl like you doesn't come
to Hong Kong alone these days...
unless it's very necessary.
You have much on your mind.
I can see that
by the way you look...
the way you talk and walk...
and I like what I see.
- You missed.
- Oh, many people wear wedding rings.
- But this one means something.
- Ah, so?
- You're a cynic.
- I'm also thirsty.
Where is your husband?
- I don't know.
- Well, this is most convenient.
Will he stay away
like a gentleman?
- He's a prisoner somewhere in China.
- Oh.
I also was a prisoner.
It seems a long, long time ago.
Now I got it!
- Hoyt. He was a photographer, wasn't he?
- You know him?
Well, we had
a few drinks one night.
Chap named
Fernand Rocha was along.
They were making
some plans together.
- Where does this man Rocha live?
- Oh, I don't know.
I- I talk too much anyway.
Now, look.
If you don't mind,
I'm getting kind of little sleepy.
You take care of the thing here
and I'd like to-
Oh!
Uh-uh, sister.
I'll look after this for him.
- Now beat it!
- I will not! Not until I'm ready!
You want me to call the police?
Big Matt, Gunner.
Haul him to the usual place
and let him sleep it off, huh?
You must be real hard up.
- Here.
- I don't need your money.
Tell me, do you know
where I can find a Maxine Chan?
Yeah. She runs a curio shop
on Hangkau Road.
- A lot of junk, but she sells it.
- Thanks.
Did you know Lewis Hoyt?
Hoyt? Used to
recite poetry a lot?
All the time smiling as if he had
some joke he wouldn't tell nobody?
Yeah, I knew him.
Sometimes he was
an interesting problem. He's dead.
You must be mistaken.
You're wrong!
Well, I ain't wrong very often.
People keep me posted.
I sure remember his poetry now
because it was so pretty.
He was awful good at it.
Made up some of his own too.
Very surprising.
Why so interested?
You chasing him for some special reason?
He's my husband.
Oh. Too bad.
Well, you still got
a lot of your life ahead of you...
and a young widow
who is clean and in no trouble-
Tell me exactly how you know
my husband is dead!
If I was to tell you exactly, I'd never learn
anything else, and that I can't afford to do.
Now run along like the little lady
you pretend to be.
You got no idea what a strain
it is keeping a place like this respectable.
- Do you know where I can find a man named Rocha?
- No. Beat it.
- Good morning.
- I'm looking for Maxine Chan.
I'm Maxine.
May I help you?
I'm so glad
you speak English.
I went to school in California.
I was a cheerleader for UCLA.
I know you.
You're Lewis Hoyt's wife.
He showed me your picture, and it was
a smiling picture, so now I recognize you.
Well, I'm glad he did.
That's a healthy sign.
Do not worry
about your husband.
He's a wonderful guy.
He makes everyone around him feel good.
Do you know that
he left Hong Kong?
Oh, no. I've wondered.
For three months now,
I've tried everything to find him.
Can you help me?
I don't know what I could do.
Would a man named Rocha
have any information?
He might.
They spent a lot of time together.
- Where could I find him?
- I don't know.
He used to work for Hank Lee.
- Do you know Hank Lee?
- Of course.
I've heard a lot about him.
What kind of a man is he?
I think he's the most wonderful man
in the world.
Well, how could I approach him?
I'm a-I'm a total stranger.
I was once a stranger to him.
He put up the money
for this shop.
Oh.
I haven't seen him in a long time.
He may be away.
I'll telephone him for you.
Be ready at the hotel.
- He will send a car for you.
- Will you be there?
He didn't invite me.
Thank you, Maxine.
I'm terribly sorry. The sampan girl isn't
there anymore. Probably got frightened.
And there's no way to find her?
There's 2.5 million people in the Hong Kong area.
I'll keep looking though.
You seem to have done a little better.
This car is well-known.
- I'm praying he'll help me.
- He might.
58306, please.
- Hello.
- Gunner? Madame Dupree here.
- So, what's on your mind?
- I'm hungry and I'm broke.
Lots of people are.
I have some interesting
information.
It should be worth
a meal to Tweedie.
- What is it this time?
- I'll tell you when I get the chow.
Hang on a minute. It's Dupree.
She wants to trade
some information for a meal.
Tweedie says chow down.
Well, Mrs. Hoyt,
how nice to see you again.
I must congratulate Hank
for succeeding where I have failed.
- Is Mr. Lee a friend of yours?
- We're associates in a business way.
Don't forget, Mrs. Hoyt,
if you need anything...
I'm at 464
Connaught Road West.
Thank you.
Stick 'em up!
I could have clobbered you,
but there's no fun in shootin' women.
Well, not unless
they steal your cattle.
What's your name, partner?
- Billy Lee. What's yours?
- Jane Hoyt.
- Shake, partner.
- Howdy.
- Say, where do you come from?
- America.
- Killed any Indians?
- Not lately.
Ever ride in a stagecoach?
My daddy says women always ride
in them. It's in the cinema too.
Well, sort of. I've been on a bus.
When I go to America,
I'm gonna arrest all the bandits.
I'll hang the very bad ones
from the trees.
Hey, Billy,
don't be so bloodthirsty.
- Hi, Daddy!
- Hi.
I'm Hank Lee, Mrs. Hoyt.
She says
she comes from America...
but she's never killed an Indian
or a bandit, I bet.
I'm going to buy you a spaceship
just to get you off the subject.
There aren't any Indians
on the stars.
Okay, okay.
Then shoot yourself some Martians.
How can I
when they have no blood?
- Will you tell me how kids know such things?
- I've often wondered.
Well, you should hear his sister.
After listening to her prayers-
Hey, Daddy,
you could too do it.
What are you
doing out of bed?
- You could too do it.
- Do what?
Take a big balloon,
fill it up with dark night air...
and then let it out when you want
to sleep in the daytime.
You go to bed, both of you.
- How many children do you have, Mr. Lee?
- Three.
The oldest boy's going to school
in the States. He's 13, and I miss him.
You know, somehow I-
I didn't picture you as being married.
I'm not. Never have been.
How about a drink?
I have some of the best sherry
you ever tasted.
- Sit over there, please.
- Thanks.
With so many refugees in Hong Kong,
the water supply is very critical.
I don't like to put a strain on it.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Would you like to hear Chicago?
- Chicago?
Sometimes I sit out here alone
and just listen to it.
I had this recording
made specially.
I take it Chicago is your home.
Well, it was once.
I guess it's here now.
Well, you don't seem
very cheerful about it.
You always want
what you can't have.
They did a pretty good job
of this...
except they left out
the steam shovels and the elevated.
Uh, Maxine told me
about your husband.
- Can I talk to you about him?
- If it'll make you feel better.
I was hoping
you could help me.
That's just possible.
Uh, my main business
is helping Hank Lee.
What about the little girl
and Billy and the boy in the States?
Were they just a matter
of helping Hank Lee?
No, Billy was a special case.
Somebody left him at the gate.
I came home late
one night and almost ran over him.
- Naturally, I couldn't leave him there.
- Naturally.
And the little girl,
where does she come from-Mars...
where the people
have no blood?
No, she was born to a pal of mine
in Bangkok. A slight mistake.
The boy in the States,
where does he come from?
Manila. He sort of
attached himself to me.
He was on the streets
right after the war...
eyes bigger than his stomach,
like so many others.
Little beggar was always at my heels
with that "no mama, no papa" routine.
I found out he was telling the truth.
What could I do?
- Were you in the service, Mr. Lee?
- Wasn't everybody?
Tell me something. You planning
on having some more children?
You're talking
to a confused man.
My voice was never made
for singing lullabies.
You know what I like about you?
You're in trouble, and you can still laugh.
That takes something special.
How about some dinner?
The cook bawls me out if I'm not on time.
- I hadn't thought-
- Come on. You'll enjoy it.
New England boiled dinner tonight.
Take you right back home.
Now, what could
a dame like her...
be doing in Hank Lee's
fancy auto?
Talking with a police inspector.
They finally catching up
with Hank Lee?
Don't make sense.
You got any ideas, Icky?
- Icky, you gone deaf?
- Huh?
I say, if the British
are putting the bongo on Hank...
maybe we could appropriate
some of his business.
- You got any ideas?
- Yeah, I got a wonderful idea.
My curiosity won't stand it
any longer.
What are all these books for?
Seasoning with my food.
Except for breakfast with the kids,
I usually eat alone.
I got books all over the house.
They keep me company.
I hope they make me smart,
but I don't know.
I got an awful lot to make up.
Sometimes I think it's impossible.
I never went beyond
the sixth grade.
I'm trying to fix things so I don't
move my lips when I read. That isn't easy.
I live it up pretty well
for a gravel truck driver...
and I own the biggest fleet
of junks on the China coast.
- What do the junks do?
- Carry cargo, naturally.
No use fooling with fishing junks.
They never make any money.
- But your junks do.
- Plenty. Go on. Eat.
I'm not very hungry.
Mr. Lee, I have $7,000.
I'll give it to you the minute
Lewis is over the border.
- I don't want your money.
- Oh, it's not my money.
It was subscribed
in small amounts by his friends.
What kind of a man
has that many friends?
- Lewis's kind.
- Well, $7,000 doesn't mean anything to me.
How about Fernand Rocha
or Tweedie?
Would they be interested?
Lady, you need a protector.
Hello.
- Rita is about to arrive.
- If you're expecting someone-
No. Stick around. We'll watch her entrance.
She kicks up quite a fuss.
Your friend sounds very interesting.
She isn't exactly a friend of mine.
She's too hard on junks.
Come on.
The balcony's the best place.
Rita.
I don't know why
they name them after women...
except they're
sort of unpredictable.
- Will you help me?
- Why should I?
What's the percentage in risking
my neck for another man's wife?
I should have known better.
You know,
for a little while tonight...
I thought
I'd met a real man...
the kind people talk about
and read about, but I was wrong.
You're a shell.
A lonely, blowhard shell.
You fancy yourself
a soldier of fortune...
and you partially get away with it
because you're in a foreign country...
but to me, mister,
you're just a gangster...
a throwback.
I hope you enjoy
living with yourself.
- What are you like when you really get mad?
- You almost found out.
Drop in again when you're ready
to make a deal that might be interesting.
I don't need you.
I'll find him myself... somehow.
I wish you luck.
I ain't going out in this.
It ain't safe!
A body would drown.
No sense in diluting beer
with water.
No!
What's the matter
with you Aussies?
You afraid of a little old wind?
Now, when I used to
fly into Hanoi-
All the wind comes from
garlic-eating Frenchies.
Oh, is that so?
Waiter, another beer.
You gonna let him
get away with that, Percy?
We'll have a drink!
What's the matter?
Are you sick?
Ain't she wonderful?
Ain't she beautiful?
- Who?
- Her.
- You're drunk.
- I ain't drunk. I never been more sober.
- I love her.
- Ain't you never gonna grow up?
If you can't remember your own age,
remember hers.
She's a princess,
a genuine Russian princess.
- Yeah, well, she costs a lot to feed.
- I don't care!
But, Icky, I-
I need time to think.
It's no good being alone
when you're old.
We ain't got time to think.
That there fellow was a pastor once.
All right, Icky.
Ladies and gentlemen.
It may surprise you to know
that before I came to the Far East...
I was a Welsh magistrate-
- Ah, stow it!
- Go home.
And as such,
I am still invested...
with authority to perform
a civil ceremony.
- Ah, sit down!
- Gentlemen!
Gentlemen!
Will you please be so good
as to postpone your disagreement?
Thank you.
It's been some time
since I joined two souls in matrimony.
Icky and Madame Dupree
have sought my assistance-
Wait a minute!
I don't want nothing goin' on
in here that ain't legal.
- Are you sure you know the right words to say?
- Certainly.
Well, go on.
What are you waiting for?
I think we might create an aisle
with the chairs just along there.
Everybody help.
Tweedie, will you give the bride away?
- No.
- Well, someone must.
We want things quite proper.
All right.
Get out of here.
Oh, you-
I want to go
to 464 Connaught Road West.
- Yes, miss?
- I'd like to see Mr. Lee.
- Name, please?
- Mrs. Hoyt.
There's no money in it. Dump it in the sea,
and get those three junks up here from Manila.
- Yes, sir.
- What do you want?
Lady wait outside.
Name Mrs. Hoyt.
Mrs. Hoyt?
Send her in.
Get out of here.
You got a lot of nerve.
- I need it.
- I like nerve.
I've-I've reconsidered
some of the things I said.
- And now you want to do business?
- Yes.
Look at me.
I went everywhere today,
anyplace he might have been...
trying for any bit of information.
I was hoping-
Take it easy.
There's a place
called the Peacock.
Serves the best food in Hong Kong.
The real thing.
- Ever had it?
- No.
Try it with me?
Yes.
I sure like the way
you make decisions.
The Chicago arrives any minute.
I just had a signal.
- Unload it and stand by until you hear from me.
- Yes, sir.
How come you didn't try to stop
that husband from going into China?
It wasn't very bright
of him or you.
I never tried to stop him
from doing anything he wanted to do.
I married him for what he was,
not for what I thought he should be.
Sounds like he could use
a little growing up.
If I'd tried to talk him out of it,
after a while it would be something else...
then something else, until finally,
I might manufacture a man...
I could barely recognize,
and I could never change him back.
Here's the Peacock.
- I hope you worked yourself up an appetite.
- That I did.
- Walking with you is sort of a track meet.
- Oh, poor little girl.
Maybe I'd better carry you
up the stairs.
You'd look pretty silly
if you fell on your face.
I wish you hadn't done that.
Why?
Well, for one thing,
Lewis isn't here to defend himself.
I'm beginning to wish he was.
- That'll be it, Ying.
- When Captain Hank come back? Long time now no come.
Mr. Lee is indulging himself
in the lighter pursuits these days.
You tell him, please,
I keep his cabin nice.
All men like
see Captain Hank.
Cheerio.
And that's my story.
Officially, I'm dead.
The navy was glad
to get rid of me.
I socked an officer
the night the Japs gave in.
- Were you right or wrong?
- You're always wrong when you hit an officer.
You know what I think?
I think you like being in the wrong.
Take that "I'm better than you" look
off your face.
It doesn't suit you.
You're with me now because
you think I can help your husband...
which is just
looking out for yourself.
Well, all right, maybe I will.
I want your husband
out of China more than you do.
I wish he was sitting here right now
so I could stand a chance with you.
I can't fight a ghost.
Now, everything clear?
It's very clear.
Well, now that you know,
we'll let it ride temporarily...
until I see what I can do
about your husband.
- Any complaints?
- No.
- Eating well?
- What difference does it make?
Have you read
the new literature I sent you?
There wasn't anything else to do.
Who writes your stuff-
Harriet Beecher Stowe?
How did it impress you?
I prefer comic books.
As an American,
you, of all people, should know...
that building
a new nation is no joke.
Nations fall when they lose
their sense of humor.
- Who said that?
- I did.
Just dreamed it up.
You have an interesting mind, Hoyt.
Would you give me
a straight answer to one question?
- It depends.
- What would happen to a Chinese...
who entered your country illegally
and photographed military installations?
I did not take
any military photographs.
I came here to get
a scoop for a magazine.
We could possibly
have forgiven you...
if you were not
an army officer.
- As it is-
- That was a long time ago.
I was a shave-tail lieutenant.
The army and I separated permanently.
If you would give me
the full story...
I would do my best to arrange
your early return to Hong Kong.
I've told you all there
is to tell a hundred times.
It was my own idea,
and it looks like I'm stuck with it.
I suggest you think
about your wife...
in connection with telling us
the real reason why you came to China.
I've been thinking plenty about her.
Her name is Jane, isn't it?
No. Matilda.
Your Jane is a most attractive woman.
Where is she tonight?
How would I know?
We are better informed.
She is in Hong Kong
with a man named Henry Lee.
You have been away now
for a considerable time.
Turn the record over
on the other side.
Interesting, isn't it, Lieutenant?
Stop calling me lieutenant.
You will notice that Mrs. Hoyt...
is not exactly grieving
at your absence.
She always liked jokes.
Notice the hands.
She's reaching
across the table, holding his.
Even my limited knowledge
of Americans...
assures me that it is not customary
to hold hands...
during the telling of a joke.
I suggest you visualize her...
say a month from now,
in that man's arms.
See him caress her...
listen to the quick breathing...
and have the courage
to admit...
that in her ecstasy she could
quite possibly forget you ever existed.
The acoustics are terrible in this place.
I can't hear a word you're saying.
Very well.
We have plenty of time.
As you know, we Chinese
are renowned for our patience.
I trust it will not be too many years
before your hearing improves.
Hello, Hank.
What struck this place?
We've been closed for a couple of days.
A little celebration.
Icky got himself married.
He was lonesome, I guess.
People get that way.
You ain't been around
in a long time, Hank.
I might want you to do me a favor.
You still swiping money?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I'm talking about those dollars
the American Chinese send you...
to give to their poor relations
in China.
- I'm just doing those people a favor.
- You take too big a cut.
I got to maintain a lot of contacts,
so I take a little commission.
- You might say I'm just being humane.
- Yeah, you're humane, all right.
It's those contacts I want to talk to you about.
You know a man named Lewis Hoyt?
- Name sure sounds familiar.
- It should.
You told his wife he was dead.
I just felt sorry for her.
You never felt sorry
for anybody.
Why so interested, Hank?
This man a friend of yours or something?
Yeah. And I sure wouldn't want
anything to happen.
I didn't have nothin'
to do with Hoyt!
Then how come you got
the word he was dead?
I get all kinds of odd information.
This is a public place.
People come and they go.
I got ears.
Listen, you're talking to Hank Lee.
- Let me down!
- Tell me where you got the word...
or I'll use you for a shillelagh
and really wreck this place.
All right!
But let me down, Hank!
- How much did Hoyt pay you?
- $500.
Who'd you set him up with?
Lim Chou Wu.
He's got a junk.
He runs money up to Canton
for me once in a while.
- Did you guarantee Hoyt he'd get out of China?
- No, I didn't do that!
Well, maybe I did sort of suggest
that we'd make arrangements later...
but he was awful eager, Hank-
awful eager.
- Who told you he was dead?
- Lim Chou Wu.
- How do you know he isn't lying?
- I don't.
Find out! If he's dead,
I want proof of how he died.
Every last detail-
where and how.
If he's alive, I want to know
where he is... exactly.
- Understand?
- How can I do all that?
Phone me Thursday morning
at 9:00 with the answers...
or I'll buy the firecrackers
for your funeral.
Hank! This is gonna cost
lots of money!
Use those dollars
you got from Hoyt.
Wake up!
Go get Icky away from his bride.
We got a lot to do.
Hello, you little rascal.
- Ooh, Hank!
- How goes business?
I have been praying for you.
- Where have you been?
- Oh, counting my money.
Is there so much
that it takes so long?
I am older by almost a year.
- You look younger.
- You are learning.
Hmm.
I need some information.
I have to find a man in China-an American.
- Oh?
- He may be dead.
Then he should be easy to find
because he will not move.
No, no, not so easy.
He's being held a prisoner.
- He is your friend?
- No. She-
- He is the husband of a woman.
- You sound like a fool.
She's a wonderful woman.
You have needed
a woman too long.
I want you to send inquiries
to your temples on the mainland.
Your priests and nuns
seem to know everything.
Find out where the American is.
If the British find out,
I will have much trouble.
Yes, I know, so be careful.
His name is Hoyt.
He's a maker of pictures.
He crossed the border sometime in June
or late May, according to our calendar.
Now that's all I know,
except that he hasn't any sense.
But if you want the woman,
why do you want the husband?
It has to be done.
You are thinking different
than ever before...
like a chicken
instead of an eagle.
When will you have some news?
- Allow me five days.
- Oh, that's too long.
- Hmm, three days, then.
- Oh, that's better.
But it will cost you more.
Don't waste any time,
little mother.
Your breakfast, monsieur.
Thank you, Goldie.
Bonjour, monsieur.
Oh, bonjour, mademoiselle.
Mais vous parlez Francais-
Oh, don't get excited.
That's all the French I know.
- Please sit down, will you?
- No, thank you.
Do you remember telling me
about a man named Rocha?
- I did?
- Yes, you said you didn't know where he lived.
Peculiar, because I do.
But then I say a lot of peculiar things
when I'm enchanted with a grape.
- Where does he live?
- Macao.
Pretends to run a language school
on the Rue de la Felicidade.
Thank you.
I want to get to Macao
as quickly as possible.
The ferry leaves in 40 minutes.
You could just make it.
- Would you fix my ticket while I make a phone call?
- Certainly.
- It will be $18 first class.
- Oh, yes.
You'll have to hurry.
There we are.
Shall I recommend you
as a guide?
I know it'll be a risk
for you that close to China...
but it may fill your rice bowl.
I shall do it myself.
Give me her ticket.
Remember, General,
our usual commission.
When Mr. Lee returns home,
will you tell him that I've gone to Macao?
Yes. Mrs. Hoyt
will be back tomorrow.
Thank you.
- Madam, your ticket.
- Oh, thank you.
General Po Lin at your service.
May I suggest myself as a guide?
I lived near Macao
some years ago...
and I speak Portuguese
and all Chinese dialects.
I am certain I could make your journey
easier and more interesting...
and my fee is very little.
How much is very little?
I would be quite content to leave it
to your generosity, madam.
- All right.
- Thank you.
Over there-China...
the oldest mother in the world.
It is the womb and the tomb.
All of the emperors
and warlords...
invaders and conquerors
and experimenters...
could not change her
in 10,000 years.
It is my country.
I have become
a garrulous old man.
- Forgive me if I talk too much.
- I like to listen to you.
"Music's golden tongue flattered
the tears this aged man and poor."
Shelley, isn't it?
Or-Wait a minute.
- I'd always get him mixed up with-
- Keats.
I once attempted
to translate him into Chinese.
There were days when
we had leisure for such things.
Uh-
What's the matter?
I believe the engines
have stopped.
The vibration has gone.
Please, please come with me.
Everybody, come inside, please!
The cheek of these chaps,
stopping the ship. What a bother.
Well, after all, they have a perfect right.
These are their waters.
- They don't trouble very often.
- They're probably not interested in us.
- What are they going to do to him?
- I'm afraid we'll never know.
Enjoy Macao, madam.
Remember your friend Po Lin
and do not think all Chinese are barbarians.
- Boa noite.
- Are you Mr. Rocha?
Yes. Please come in.
- Won't you sit down, please?
- Yes, thank you.
You wish to inquire
about language lessons?
I assume you are interested
in Portuguese.
I'm Lewis Hoyt's wife.
I'd like to talk to you alone.
My pleasure.
But you needn't concern
yourself about my guest.
She doesn't understand
a word of English.
I find it more relaxing
not to teach her any.
Mr. Rocha, I'm trying to find out
where my husband is.
There's nothing difficult about that.
He's in Canton.
In Canton? Well, you-
you make it sound so simple...
as if he wasn't
being held a prisoner.
A guest of the government,
you might say.
Of course, certain restrictions
have been placed on his movements...
but if his friends really wanted him out,
it would be a very simple matter.
Oh, now, look, Mr. Rocha.
Two governments have been trying
without results for three months-
I'm afraid they are
too naive, too honest.
Actually, it's only necessary
to arrange the transfer...
of a sum of money
to the proper authorities.
It would be in the nature of a fine
for crossing the border illegally.
How much money?
If you are suggesting
that I act as an intermediary...
I would be most happy
to undertake the task.
Lewis is my friend.
I'm very fond of him.
What guarantee would I have
that Lewis would ever cross the border?
None, Mrs. Hoyt.
In these matters,
one must act on faith...
and then, as you say in America,
keep your fingers crossed.
Of course,
your risk is small.
I would never permit you
to pay the whole sum in advance.
I would suggest a small amount
to show goodwill.
Then the final payment would be
made when Lewis is delivered.
Suppose I gave you
a check for $500?
How soon could you
start to work?
- A check?
- A traveler's check.
Oh. Well, I could start
making phone calls right away.
It would probably take
most of the night...
but I don't mind losing
a little sleep for Lewis.
If you will wait here, I could perhaps
have some favorable word for you in an hour.
She will take you to her room
where you can rest more comfortably.
- Her signature is as simple as her mind.
- Where are you going?
I've observed that
well-financed gamblers seldom lose.
After she quiets down,
give her some tea, then get the rest.
Tell Stoker to come
to my office right away.
People wait for you.
Oh, what's this?
A religious convention?
Well, well, Hank.
This is my old friend Father Xavier.
He has just come
from the mainland.
- Shake hands with a sinner.
- I do so constantly.
He knows where your man is.
There'll be great risk in bringing him out.
Is it so important to you?
- Yes and no. Where is he?
- In Canton.
Our mission was near the place
where the second gate stood in the old city.
- It's now a prison.
- Is he okay?
I should think so.
Thanks. If I can help you
in Hong Kong, let me know.
And thank you, little mother.
Now run along and burn some joss for me.
And, Father, I could use
a good word with your boss.
Remember,
he's yours too, Mr. Lee.
Be sensible.
If you leave him in Canton,
the woman will be yours.
Not the way I want her.
You're pretty smart.
Someday I'll buy you
a Ouija board.
Come in here.
I want the Chicago ready to sail tonight,
crew aboard and provisioned.
I laid off the regular crew.
Find a new crew, and put those long boxes
marked "electrical conduit" on board.
Take the conduit out.
All I want is the boxes.
And put several hundred of those
Japanese watches in my car right now.
- What's the name of our man in Canton?
- Keim.
You're not planning on crossing
the line yourself, are you?
Get word to Keim
to stand by with a truck.
Get me tide and current tables,
also a weather report. What about flags?
We got Chinese, British Nationalist,
Philippine. Take your pick.
- Get me Thailand too. Step on it.
- Yes, sir.
- Lee here.
- Hello, Hank.
It's Thursday morning, and I'm right
on the dot like you asked.
I couldn't find out nothin'
from the junk master about Hoyt...
but I found out somethin'
that'll interest you more.
Rene Chevalier had a friend who came down
on the night boat from Macao last night.
It pays to have friends, Hank.
You ain't never learned that.
Come on. Come on.
Well, this friend of Rene's is
at the roulette table in Macao last night...
only he ain't havin' as good a time
as a sucker by the name of Rocha...
who was tossin' money around
like it was rice.
Rene's friend gets a look
at the signature on a check he cashed.
It was signed "Jane Hoyt."
Now, am I off the hook, Hank?
Tell Rene to meet me in front of the ferry building,
Kowloon side, in 30 minutes.
And he'd better be there, sober!
- Stoker!
- Yes, sir!
Have the Chicago
ready to sail in an hour.
That's impossible.
I have no crew yet.
- Stop whining and get one! Anybody!
- Yes, sir.
- Get in here.
- Is this a one-way or round trip?
Since when did you
have anything to lose?
Captain not here.
That's all right.
I'll take a look around.
Lost something, Inspector?
- That is against the law.
- No.
I'm afraid I'll have to take
this junk into custody until it's removed.
That's a shame.
That's a pretty handy little gadget...
provided you have
enough men to operate it.
But I suppose
you have to do your duty.
Oh, it's good to be
on board again.
Sit down, Inspector. Relax.
Did you ever taste American bourbon?
No, I can't say that I have.
There's two decanters there. The one on
the right was brewed by my maiden aunt.
Pour me one, will you?
This is quite a ship.
I've always been curious about it.
To the queen.
This is scarcely an aperitif.
Your aunt must have been
quite a forceful woman.
You know, I'd like to look in
on America someday.
- Yeah, so would I. Cheers.
- Cheers.
I regret having
to tie up your vessel.
Oh, that's perfectly all right.
I always try to cooperate in any way I can.
Yes, of course.
Wait a minute.
- This junk is moving.
- Make yourself comfortable.
We'll have lunch
in a little while.
If this is an example of your American humor,
I don't think much of it.
- I order you to stop this vessel.
- Sit down.
- I give the orders here.
- Do you realize what you're doing?
- Sure.
- You're holding a crown officer against his will.
Among other things. Oh, by the way,
these are awful good cigars, Inspector.
I never smoke cigars.
Put that gun away.
I can't tell you how pleased I am
to have you on board for a few days.
As soon as we've cleared the harbor,
make yourself comfortable.
That bunk over there is yours. Eat and drink
all you want. Consider yourself a guest.
You must be out of your mind.
You'll have the whole British fleet after you.
- We don't want any trouble out here.
- Neither do I, but I got it.
Yes, sir, I sure do like
your looks, Inspector.
I have a hunch
my aunt would too.
You starting a war
in Portuguese Macao?
I'm just making sure somebody
doesn't declare war on me.
It's an old Yankee custom.
People take advantage of you when you're weak.
I found that out long ago.
Lay off that, will you?
Come on.
- Look here, Lee. I demand that you-
- Now-
Very well. I request
that you put me ashore in Macao.
Improve your mind while I'm gone.
Try those magazines.
- Why can't I go with you?
- Because tonight I need Rene.
Tomorrow night
I may welcome your company.
I wouldn't go
on deck if I were you.
Ying Fai may mistake you for a boarder.
And those stern windows-Forget it.
Unless you're an Olympic swimmer,
we're too far off shore.
Captain Hank,
crew no good water people.
They don't like go Canton.
Maybe give trouble.
Can't you talk 'em out of it?
Make sweet talk?
No can. Much afraid.
They say maybe never come back.
Well, pay 'em off and dump 'em ashore.
We'll sail it ourselves.
No. Ship too big. No can.
You must be getting old, Ying,
older than an old woman.
What are you doing?
Shaving, obviously.
You're a fool if you
go back to the gambling.
You'll lose everything.
You're going with the women.
Jealousy does not become you.
I'll tell the police
where the money came from!
Answer the door.
I'm not here.
Who was it?
Speak up, woman!
What did you tell them?
- I said you were here.
- Why, you-
I did not know it was you, Hank.
You do now.
Where's Mrs. Hoyt?
Who is she?
You cashed her check
at the Central Gambling Hall last night.
Oh, not me.
Is she a friend of yours?
She's sleeping in my room.
Now, Hank, wait a minute.
I can explain.
I did not know she was
a friend of yours. Hank!
- Where's the money?
- In his back pocket, what's left of it.
- Where's your room?
- To the right in the hall. The key's by the door.
Wait outside. I'll want you to take
Mrs. Hoyt to the ferry for Hong Kong.
Get her the best room on board.
And you know what'll happen to you...
if you don't watch her
like a bank vault, sober.
I understand perfectly.
Jane.
Jane. No, no.
It's me-Hank.
Hello.
Why do you come to a place
like this without me?
Are you all right?
Take me away from here.
There are a lot of places
I'd like to take you.
Where?
Anywhere, just so we could
be together for a long time.
I was dreaming about you.
You kissed me.
That almost wasn't a dream.
If we went away together,
the thought of Lewis would go along...
always be with us.
It'd be a poor beginning.
Yes, I guess you're right.
Come on.
Let's get out of here.
- Rene.
- Hello, Jane.
Rene will take you back to the hotel.
If you need anything, ask him.
- Well, where are you going?
- After that husband of yours.
If I deliver Lewis in one solid piece...
are you going back
to the States with him?
I'm his wife.
I suppose you think I'm naive...
to believe that a marriage
should be lived up to.
No. It figures.
You know, all my life
I've wanted to meet someone like you...
someone I could believe in.
I was beginning to think
there wasn't anyone.
I never thought
I'd find out the hard way.
Can I trust you to be
a little cagier with this?
Thanks for knowing you.
Get some sleep.
I'll call you at dawn.
I sleep on deck, near you.
- How's your family?
- Rice bowl full.
Ying, what would you do
with the Chicago if she was yours?
- Catch many fish.
- Who would help you?
Wife, sons.
Come by and by, more sons.
Well, if we get back,
the Chicago is yours.
How can be?
You have sons.
My sons won't need
a junk in America.
You go home?
Go on. Get some sleep.
Now that we've had our exercise,
I suppose it would be presumptuous...
to ask whither
this slave ship is bound.
Canton.
I must confess I rather like
your American cigarettes.
A little strong, though,
like your whiskey.
We'll make a Yank
out of you yet.
Quite content as I am,
thank you.
Not to change the subject,
but we have a charge d'affaires in Canton.
- Any hope of putting me ashore with him?
- Nope. I may need you.
- You're putting me in an awful spot, you know.
- I can't help it.
That gun under my cabin needs
a couple of men to get real firepower.
I've always thought a lot
of the English in a pinch.
I'm a policeman,
not a gunner.
- You should have kidnapped the Royal Navy.
- You'll steer.
Anyway, where we're going, the police
that count wear a different kind of uniform.
You're very anxious
to get this fellow Hoyt out of jail.
How'd you know
his name was Hoyt?
Police who really count
know a lot of things.
Most charming wife.
- What's so funny?
- Your face.
So I go along on the expedition.
- You have no choice.
- I shall definitely get the sack.
Then they'll lose a good cop.
Though, as a purely personal matter,
I could do with a little excitement.
Want this pointing at you
or away from you?
Yeah?
All things ready.
Boxes ashore.
Much fog now. Sampan waiting.
Pay girl much money. No speak.
Good. How about Keim?
Waiting shoreside in truck.
Come on.
It's a bit too snuggly
for a chap who's still breathing.
- Lewis Hoyt?
- Now what? More of those question and answer games?
Come. Quick.
- Hoyt?
- You bet.
Get in the truck.
Why'd you guys come after me?
I've been asking myself
the same question.
- You've got a fine wife, Hoyt.
- Is she all right?
Yeah, she's all right.
Ying Fai, go below.
Start the motors.
Inspector, go forward.
Get ready to cut the anchor rope.
Hoyt, come with me.
- Can you read a compass?
- I can follow an aircraft compass.
On a ship, it's just backwards. Stand there
by the tiller. Steer the course I give you.
Inspector, let her go!
Ying Fai, stand by
to take sounding.
Sing out in Cantonese
when you mark less than five fathoms.
Hoyt, did you ever
walk a tightrope?
- I've been on one for the past three months.
- Well, you're on another one.
Nobody in his right mind would try
going down this river at night in a fog.
Mud shoals and rocks on both sides,
mostly unmarked.
If we don't hit something,
we're just plain lucky.
Your name's Henry Lee, right?
How did you know?
They showed me a picture
of you with Jane.
Oh.
They don't miss many tricks.
It wasn't easy to look at.
This compass must have belonged
to Marco Polo. Why don't you buy a new one?
I'm sort of losing interest in junks
and all that goes with them.
Oh? What interests you now?
Don't mind my question.
It's just that I haven't talked to
a real human being for a long time.
Well, if you get out of this,
get yourself a job in a nice, quiet bank.
Not me. Some people
get shot out of cannons for a living.
Some people climb mountains. They want to get
to the top, see what's on the other side.
- It's habit-forming.
- You're gonna put your neck in the wringer again?
Probably. Climb another
mountain somewhere.
Can't help it,
and I might as well face it.
So should Jane.
Uh, now steer 150 degrees.
We oughta be working
around Heddington Island.
A hundred and 50 degrees.
Three fathoms.
I've been thinking
about that picture.
You didn't risk your neck
just to save a perfect stranger.
You must be
pretty stuck on Jane.
You'd better keep
your mind on your compass.
My eyes are taking care of that.
They saw something else in that picture,
because they were trained to see.
How does she feel about you?
Why don't you ask her?
I don't think I'll have to.
Four fathoms.
We've got company-
a patrol boat.
- How close?
- She's not in gun range, but she's coming up fast.
Give me those glasses.
Can you see
Lan Tao Island up ahead?
Yes, on the port bow.
Sorry, old boy. It appears
there may be some skeet shooting after a bit.
- Where are they?
- On the back porch, so step lively.
She's a P.B., and fairly fast.
We can't slug it out with him.
- He carries two machine guns and a deck gun forward.
- Pray for more wind.
His next round will be over
and a third down our throats.
Inspector, go on deck.
Take the tiller.
Let her fall of a little for a fairer wind,
then send Ying Fai down.
- Uncover that gun.
- Well, I'll be.
Biggest thing I ever stole.
Chicago's the fastest junk in China.
If the diesels don't blow up, we might
just leave 'em. But I don't know.
These hold 20 rounds.
You stand by to replace the empties.
Uncover that port.
- Anything ahead?
- Only island.
Go on deck.
Trim sail for the inspector.
The range is too great.
Take a lot of elevation to lob them that far.
Well, here it goes.
- Short, just like I figured.
- Isn't he changing course?
If we can keep him evading
and changing speed, it just might work.
- That was close.
- He'll improve.
Hit the deck!
The time has come to get a little fancy.
You're an awful lot of trouble.
Is there a Band-Aid on this bucket?
I seem to be leaking.
Ying, what's that?
Here's a pain pill.
Swallow it.
It'll make me dopey.
I can still help.
I can load with my right hand.
Come on.
We're back in business.
Captain Hank, water people come.
Tell the inspector to steer
for the middle of them.
Come on. Let's go topside.
I didn't know you had a navy.
I don't. But sometimes
it pays to have friends.
- Is this free air?
- It sure is.
- Your breakfast, monsieur.
- Thank you, Robert.
Announcing
the departure of Pan American Clipper Rainbow...
for Manila and San Francisco...
via Guam, Wake Island
and Honolulu.
Passengers will kindly board
the motor bus at the street door.
Well, off we go.
- Or do we?
- Hmm?
- You don't want to go, do you?
- Well, yes.
You're pretending.
That isn't like you... or us.
I know. I'll work it out.
If there were a door, I'd knock.
Hello!
I thought you went home.
- I got as far as the airport.
- Where's Lewis?
He said he'd write to me...
from wherever the mountains
were the highest.
He also said marriage
wasn't for him.
- Do you still love him?
- I'll always love him.
But I've discovered
there's a big difference...
between loving someone
and being in love.