Mahjong (麻將)

Chen, a billionaire in Taipei, has disappeared.

They say he's run up debts of billions!

This time, the gangsters are also hunting him.

They think the best way to force him out of his hiding place

is to kidnap his son.

What's up, boss?

I'm sure the kid is one of the four in the van.

I found it out myself.

For sure. The guy they laid off told me.

You know, the kid stole this van.

No mistake!

I guarantee!

Shit, two of them are getting off.

Which should I follow?

Right, it's gotta be one of the two

in the van.

What happens when I catch him?

Kill him?

Blackmail is no longer fashionable?

What is it if it's no longer called "blackmail"?

What?

What's "accounts receivable"?

MAHJONG

Produced by Atom Films

Producer: Yu Wei-yen

Cinematography: Li Yi-hsu, Lee Lung-yue

Sound: Tu Duu-chih Edit: Chen Po-wen

Director and Screenplay: Edward Yang

Quick! Out of here!

Whoa, you really...

I can't believe what I just saw.

Boss, I don't know how to tell you this.

Sure that was the right car?

Who else but Jay would drive a pink Mercedes?

Jay!

Hey, Ginger! Fabulous outfit!

Oh. I want you to meet my new friend Hong Kong.

Hong Kong? How did you ever get a name like that?

Doesn't he look like one of those good-looking young boys from Hong Kong?

John, this is Jay.

- Master hair designer, best in town. - Hey.

Right, Jay?

Hong Kong's working for me at the salon.

He has the best pair of hands in the business.

Let him have a few moments with your hair.

I just love your red hair.

Jesus, Jay. Give me a break.

Those golden pubes are doing fine.

Not long ago, she was happy to get 20 US dollars for spreading her legs.

She's still in that line of work?

Get real, honey.

She's upgraded from economy

to business class now.

But it's still the same flight.

Ten years ago,

she came to Taipei with the magician David Copperfield.

Then she decided to stay.

This lowly showgirl has opened her own escort service.

Mucho dinero!

Hey, Jay! Who are you with? Want to join us?

Alison, I want you to meet my new friend Hong Kong.

You're from Hong Kong?

- No. - Hasn't even done his military service.

No traveling for this boy. He's too young.

Hong Kong... Great name.

That's where we met.

Markus designed my new salon.

Right now he's the hottest designer in town.

Since he arrived here,

his market price has gone up with his dick.

You know what he is?

He's a bit player in a comedy

but thinks he's the star.

If it weren't for Alison's family connections,

he'd still be on the dole in London.

Do you know why they come to Taiwan?

They're rejects from their own stinking countries!

Start acting like hotshots.

Honey, see 'em for what they are.

Hey, Jay! Come here!

Hey! Be right over!

- Ginger! - Hi!

- You look great, Ginger. - She knows.

Thank you. So do you.

- Thank you, Markus. - So, what's the word?

Mm, stock market sucks. Real estate's slow.

I'm thinking about going into China.

- And doing what? - You'll soon find out.

Wholesome family entertainment, I'm sure.

Are you bringing David Copperfield to China?

Hey, where's Red Fish?

Fuck!

Are you getting the hots for her?

She's giving me the eye.

I've seen her around. That's Alison.

The gweilo 's her boyfriend?

Just a foreign reject acting like hotshot.

He kissed her! Instant bad luck.

Did you find Jay's car?

Sure, it's now a crumpled tin can.

You're ace!

Hey!

Hey, Jay!

Thanks for rescuing me.

I was dying of boredom.

Did you drive tonight?

Why? That car-accident prediction again?

Well, no. Little Buddha just saw your aura.

Wouldn't want you in the car if it happened.

He's never wrong.

Ohh. Screw it, I'm going to die anyway.

Drink while the cup's full.

Hey, Jay. Luen-Luen here was once my classmate.

It's his first time here.

Great, a new recruit.

Hey. You think I should worry about my car?

No worries.

Luen-Luen used to be a garage mechanic.

He'll help.

Fabulous. You should have told me earlier.

Your first time here?

Heard of the Beatles?

Their guitars and stuff are all here.

Waiter, another round on me!

- Drink while the cup's full. - Right on, right on.

Wait a minute. Why don't you go talk to him?

He looks like a stranger to me.

What's wrong with a stranger? I just met you an hour ago.

- I'll talk to him later, when he is alone. - Wait a minute. Wait--

- What did you say your name was? - Marthe.

- Marthe. - Marthe? Marthe. Good.

Look, Marthe, what's the problem?

You just came all the way from Paris to see him.

I left a big job on my desk to bring you down here.

Now you're just going to walk away?

I didn't tell him that I was coming.

- If he didn't remember me... - Oh, look, look, come on.

Don't make a big story out of it. I've gotta get back to work.

Trust me, it'll be fine. It'll be like he never left you.

Come on. Come on.

Markus!

Look who I found.

- Marthe! - Ginger, Alison.

She just showed up at the office looking for you.

Sure. Uh... Ginger, Alison, this is Marthe.

I told you about Marthe.

- No. - Am I interrupting something?

No, not at all. Please, join us. David, you're staying too, right?

No, gotta finish that south elevation by tomorrow.

- See you all later. - Uh, David, hold on a minute.

I'll be right back.

Which one do you like?

I can introduce you to them.

Mm.

I'll be perfectly okay.

Nothing's gonna happen to my car.

That Little Buddha. I'm not superstitious.

Drink up, Hong Kong.

Cheers!

I ain't Hong Kong. I'm Luen-Luen.

Yeah, that Luen-Luen's got something.

Hong Kong, get me a date with him sometime.

You're drunk.

I'm as sober as a judge.

Watch, I'll count to you to prove it.

One...

two...

three...

- Come on, turn around, turn around. - ...four...

- Just count to three. - ...five... You bet.

One...

two...

three.

Well?

Eh? Hong Kong?

Hong Kong!

What's wrong?

Nothing's wrong.

How many girls have you got stashed around?

What am I supposed to do? Why did you bring her here?

All she had was the office address and a passport.

The only one she knows in this town is you.

- What was I supposed to do? - Christ, David. What are you, stupid?

You're supposed to work for me.

Did you get her pregnant? You're gonna be a father?

Oh, no, no. I just arrived from Paris.

Today? You mean just now?

Oh. Just to go to school here?

Oh, no, no. Just to see Markus.

I used to know him.

- From London. - Really?

But maybe you're, um...

- You are his girlfriend now, yes? - No, no! Not me.

Marthe. Marthe!

- May I have a word with you? - I can't stay.

I will wait for Markus at my hotel.

Here is my address. Will you please give it to him?

Marthe...

You seem like a nice girl, Marthe. Can I tell you something?

- Yeah. - I think I know what you're doing here.