Eat a Bowl of Tea

NEW YORK CHINATOWN

Haven't been too lucky, huh?

Seventy-five.

Years back...

...the Chinese came to America...

...leaving their women behind.

They thought they were going to get rich.

And. They'd. Go back to China and. Be big shots.

But it seld. Om worked. Out that way.

Then, the U. S. Exclusion laws came d. Own on them.

They were treated. D. Ifferently from the rest of the immigrants.

For 60 years, the Chinese could. N't become citizens...

...and. No Chinese woman could. Come to America.

Not even a wife.

Not even a d. Aughter.

Chinatown was d. Ying.

The men just kept getting old. Er.

Their sons could. N't find. Women to marry.

And. There were no families.

Well...

...the second. World. War changed. All that.

China became America's ally.

Congress passed. New laws.

The old. -timers could. Become citizens...

...just like everybod. Y else.

And. The boys who fought in the U. S. Armed. Forces...

...could. Go back to China...

...take a brid. E...

...and. Bring her to America.

So one d. Ay we were d. Ying off, and. The next thing you know...

...everybod. Y's talking about arranging marriages for their kid. S...

...and. How many grand. Child. Ren they were going to have.

You got a letter from your wife.

You're sending all this money to your wife?

You sent some last week already.

No wonder I don't see you around my club.

All this land your wife is buying in China...

...the Communists are gonna take it anyway.

Remember that.

"Dear husband: All is well here.

But I think it's time...

...for our son to come home to find a wife.

You promised you would talk to your friend...

...who has a daughter back here in our village..."

That's enough. I know what she's gonna say.

He just came out of the Army, my boy.

Two years ago.

Don't you start up on me.

Just write.

Now...

"Dear wife:"

Blah-blah-blah-blah.

"I'm fine."

Blah-blah-blah.

"Very busy.

Business is..."

Very good?

- Excellent? - No, no.

So-so.

Otherwise, I gotta send her more money.

Hello, Lee Gong.

Letter to my wife.

Me too.

Thank you.

You got time for a drink?

- Why not come to my laundry? - Fine.

There's something I want to talk to you about.

I have something to talk to you too.

Come on.

Last night, at the Chinese Elk Club...

...this guy falls over dead in the middle of a card game.

- Never got to see his grandchildren. - What grandchildren?

You know, in a manner of speaking.

Same thing is gonna happen to me.

I only got one son and he acts like there's no tomorrow.

Ben is a good boy.

Did I tell you I saw him the other day?

I went to the place where he works.

In Hoboken? What were you doing in Hoboken?

I had some business.

Ben Loy is very nice and very polite.

That worthless kid.

He seems very smart.

I hope that one day your boy finds a nice young lady.

You know, Lee Gong...

...I always hoped he could marry a girl from back home.

Like your daughter.

Yeah, time flies.

My daughter is already a grown woman.

Let's have a drink.

- I'd like to get you... - Really?

...on a slow boat to China.

All to myself, alone.

I wanna see that place again where you was raked by gunfire.

You do? Hold on.

- It's way in the back there. - Come on.

Good morning.

What's the matter with the water at your place?

The water heater broke down.

Do I have a pimple behind my ear?

No. It's a bit red, though.

Where have you been?

I've been looking all over for you.

I was at a club. It's a sort of youth group.

Youth group?

Youth group, my ass.

You're not a youth anymore.

Now...

...I want you to fix this place up.

This is my place now, Dad.

I wanna talk to you.

What about?

I have a ticket for you.

A ticket?

You're gonna take a trip.

And when you come back...

...you're gonna be a big man.

Come back from where?

You're so skinny!

Remember your...

I'm your Aunt Gim.

I'm going to be your Mui-Yan.

What's "Mui-Yan"?

I asked her to be your matchmaker.

It's just an old custom.

You wouldn't know this kind of stuff.

Mr. Big Shot, did you bring your Army uniform?

You'd look even better in that.

Step aside! Step aside!

Who's this?

You'd better watch it. She's their matchmaker.

What's up?

Nothing, but the girl's mother is a little worried.

She's heard that these GI's who come back to get married...

...are all either lepers or cripples...

...who have to wear fake arms and legs.

Hey, he understands what you're saying.

I told her this is just a rumor. But she simply won't believe me.

Well, you tell that woman my son is a healthy boy.

His four limbs are just fine.

We can't take your word for that.

Take a good look.

Flesh and blood.

Of course, he has great legs. She should have believed me.

How embarrassing!

Is this from you?

That's from Dad.

- It's a waffle iron. - Waffle?

What the hell is a waffle?

It's something you eat.

Eat?

Put it in that cupboard.

Tell him to send the electricity next time.

He sends me this fancy junk...

...so he won't have to come back himself.

He's turned into an old man.

It's been over twenty years.

You tell him...

...if he's so concerned about me...

...to come back and see me.

Over 20 years.

Twenty years.

You must have a lot of boyfriends, then.

Boyfriend?

You are America, sex crazy.

I can't believe you and Dad are putting me through this.

I think this may be a big mistake.

You haven't even met the girl.

If you don't like this girl you can pick somebody else.

Right. I pick Rita Hayworth, but I'll settle for Betty Grable.

We don't have to hurt their feelings.

You can say I've got a wooden arm and I didn't tell you.

Seriously, Mom.

All this is just an excuse for me to come home and visit you.

My goodness! What are you doing here?

Come, have a cup of tea.

Mr. Wang, I don't believe you two have met.

Mr. Wang, meet my niece, Mei Oi.

"Mei Oi" in Chinese is "beautiful love."

I keep telling you he knows Chinese.

Hi there, Miss Lee!

I am very happy to meet you, Mr. Wang.

Your English is swell.

Okay, that's enough. We have to go.

I hope we will meet again.

You bet. Absolutely.

What are you doing an hour from now? Or tonight?

You want to get married? I do.

Don't get too excited.

We haven't compared your horoscopes yet.

Trust me.

If you really love the girl...

...you should consider taking her with you to America.

When your father left, I was here all by myself.

I've lived like a widow for all these years.

The old way was no good, believe me.

I guess I thought you liked it this way.

In those days, with the immigration laws...

...we didn't have a choice.

I wish I could give you some advice about marriage.