Golden Needles

In China, during the Sung Dynasty,

a single golden statue was cast for the use of the Emperor.

It indicated seven forbidden acupuncture points.

Used in correct sequence,

they brought about extraordinary sexual vigor and youth.

Used incorrectly, they brought instant and painful death.

Stolen, hidden, lost, and rediscovered through the centuries

the statue has come to be known as the Golden Needles of Ecstasy.

It is as beautiful as they say.

It is not a matter of beauty, it is a matter of power.

And a matter of price.

We have come to believe that it's priceless.

Yeah, well, whatever.

All right, here's the $75,000.

That's the balance of our payments as arranged.

We must rearrange it.

Listen, where I come from in Ohio,

when somebody pays you $25,000 down and $75,000 on delivery,

honey, that's priceless.

Uh, 250,000.

200... 200 and...

You're insane.

Would you tell him he's insane?

You don't have to tell him he's insane,

he already knows.

There are other powerful men in Hong Kong, Lin Toa,

did you know that?

And I know one or two.

I didn't get the damn statue.

He wants $250,000 for it.

I see, now I am convinced that it is authentic.

Kwan, I don't have $250,000.

It wouldn't matter.

He would not sell it to you.

Hey, you're starting to sound just like Lin Toa.

He was saying how it was priceless.

It is.

Kwan...

See, I'm in too deep. I owe too much

and my employer isn't going to believe one word of this.

And my employer makes Lin Toa look like Alice in Wonderland.

Kwan, look, I've got to get that statue

and I've got to get it fast.

There's only one man that I know in Hong Kong

who could get in and out of Lin Toa's office alive.

Who is he, Kwan?

He's my partner.

I'm ending all losing streaks around here.

Pung!

Destroy the percentages of this here con game.

There you go.

Pung!

Bo Fong Tan, put it back.

I'm gonna lose if I see his face, I know it, I'm gonna lose.

Fong Tan, put it back!

Come on.

- Is he gone? - Mmm-hmm.

Okay.

For God and country.

Oh, phooey!

You won it, darling.

You feel like messing around a little bit later in the afternoon?

It's all good. I'll get you later.

Lousy pickpocket in there just killed my luck.

Okay.

You know, I was gonna bust you tonight, Fenzie.

I was waiting.

I could hardly wait.

Hey, how much I owe you?

I forget.

Can I buy you a drink?

- All right, I'll have a drink. - What'll you have?

Champagne.

Well, I just... I just lost my champagne money.

I'll have a beer.

Beer, you got it.

Do you want your fortune told?

Oh, Kwan, no.

Fortune tellers make me nervous.

It would be a good idea.

It is better if I'm alone with him.

You can join us later.

Oh, all right, Kwan, anything you say.

But get him.

Yes, I'll try.

Kwan, I can't believe what you're asking me to do.

You know I retired from all that crap.

I have no closer friend in the world.

Look, I'll do it for you and you know that.

But I've got a feeling you're not telling me the whole story.

I know you old man.

You know what they'll do to me if they catch me in there?

I knew I was wrong to ask you this.

It is just that I felt an obligation.

She has been cheated.

I think there's a lady looking for ya.

Ah, how did you know?

Just a wild guess.

Miss Chatworth,

Dan Mason.

Don't get up, I'll come down.

I told her you might not do this, it's too dangerous.

There's nothing any good in this world that ain't too dangerous.

That's not what my mama used to say.

And what'd your momma used to tell you?

Well, she used to say, wear your galoshes,

stay outta trouble.

Well, I've been staying out of trouble lately. And it's real nice.

What do you want?

Hmm. She used to hold my hand. Said, "Don't worry darling, mommy's here."

There's twenty five thousand dollars coming to Kwan.

I can add five more. That makes thirty.

She used to hug me a lot, too,

say, "Everything's all right. I love you."

Look, I'm begging.

Do you like ladies begging?

What do you want?

You got it.

Yeah...

...and thirty thousand American dollars, too.

That must be one bell ringer of a statue.

When was the last time that you hugged somebody and said I love you?

A long time ago.

Do it.

Here? Now?

Right in the middle of it all.

That's not a hug. That's a nothing.

Now,

say, "I love you".

Or I don't go.

I love you!

I love you.

It's not bad.

Just when I was beginning to clean up my act.

Chung Ha, I pay you for protection and I expect protection.

That's the baby.

These are needles.

Yeah, I guess so.

How are you going to ship it to LA, Kwan?

Your employer will receive it in Los Angeles as promised.

If you will wait here for just a few moments.

I need Dan.

Then he can take you home.

Am I gonna take you home?

Mister, definitely.

Okay.

Hey.

Not only that,

thank you.

Your work is done, now mine begins.

The jar will be shaped and fired around the statue

and filled with oil, just like the others.

I'll work all night and it'll be shipped to Jeff in Los Angeles before morning.

Is that all you wanna tell me, partner?

No.

It's not all I want to say.

Please forgive me.

That's okay.

It's okay.

Scotch?

Sure.

What'd you call this?

that's a conversation circle.

So, talk to me.

Hello.

Hello.

Hey, cover yourself up.

Wow. I thought you ordered a shrimp cocktail.

Would you look at that.

All right.

I don't believe that.

You have an American friend named Dan Mason?

Where is he?

Uh, who?

an American, did you say?

Well, what does he look like?

Turn around.

Come on, all the way around.

That's nice.

You're beautiful.

You're really beautiful.

No!

Please, speak softly.

I don't know where he is, you cluck head.

He doesn't even know where he is.

I don't know.

I don't know!

Felicity?

Felicity?

Felicity?

Where are you?

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Where's my money?

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Shit.

Kwan!

Help!

No!

- Kwan? - Lotus.

- What? - Lotus.

- Lotus? - Take care of her.