Beijing Bicycle (十七歲的單車)

How old are you? -19.

Where are you from? -Shanxi. In Xiyang.

Where? -Xiyang.

Hebei. I'm from Hebei.

What did you do back home?

I was working as a farmer. In an office.

Host. -What?

What kind of host? -Radio host.

When did you arrive? -A month ago.

I came last September.

Are you working in Beijing now?

What kind of job? -Construction.

Construction, farm labor, small jobs.

In medical equipment.

Can you ride a bike? -Yes.

Your name? -Guo Lian-Guei.

Express delivery? -Yes.

I don't know. -I'm not sure.

How much did you make a month? -A few hundred. Almost 1000 yuan.

How much exactly? -600, 700, 800...

From now on, you are employees of Fei Da Express Delivery.

We've cleaned you up and cut your hair...

...because we want to change your image.

We want to help you country kids...

...to fit in society and to represent our company.

Your image is our image.

You have to treasure this wonderful opportunity.

These bikes that we gave you are your livelihood.

These are upscale mountain bikes.

You may not have seen any where you come from.

We are providing you with such good bikes...

...for our company's image, but also to make you more efficient...

...so we can be competitive.

But let me make one thing clear:. these bikes are not gifts.

To start, you'll get 20% of each delivery charge.

We'll keep the remaining 80%%.

Once you've earned enough, the bike will be yours.

Thereafter, we'll go 50-50. It's a new management policy.

Understood?

Behind you is a map of Beijing.

You'll have to know every street...

...every avenue and alley, like the back of your hand.

Think of yourselves as the carrier pigeons of today.

Work hard.

Little Guei.

Tell me... What's this?

They hired you?

Well done. Let me have a look.

Listen to that.

What's it made of?

Stainless steel.

Looks like you found a dream job, Guei.

You'll have to work hard.

It has gears.

I bet you never get tired riding this.

Hungry?

Come in.

Take the bike.

Have some meat. It'll build your strength.

Take a look.

You see that?

City folk...

They're not even happy with a big house.

She never smiles.

If it was me, I'd eat dessert every day.

And spareribs at every meal.

Look, she changed dresses.

Isn't she pretty?

Very pretty.

There's no harm in looking, is there?

Do you know her?

She comes to buy soy sauce all the time.

Did you see that? Those city girls...

They've got tons of clothes.

So wasteful.

Stop staring. It's bad for your health.

Go to work.

Little Guei, when will the bicycle be yours?

Three more days at the most.

You son of a bitch.

You've only been working a month. You're gonna be rich.

Listen...

Here she comes.

Mrs Liu, is it all paid up now?

I told you already. You still owe 70 yuan.

But I counted. It should be enough. -Your counting doesn't add up.

I'll see the manager.

You're so stubborn.

Don't bother trying to see him. He's very busy.

It's only 70 yuan. You can make that in one day.

It's not even the price of a bottle of aspirin.

Come and see me tomorrow. Then the bike will be yours.

I'm telling you, city people are mean.

They play with you when they pay you.

It's no big deal.

They can't cheat you much longer. It's only one more day.

And it's a great job.

You earn a bike in only one month.

The trick is not to let anyone know you're not from here. Understand?

Look at you.

Brush your teeth.

Come on.

And your job lets you see nice places, too.

High class places.

I've heard that there's music playing in hotel toilets.

I wouldn't be able to pee...

Good afternoon, sir. Welcome.

Are you looking for someone? -Mr Zhang.

He's waiting for you inside. -Thanks.

Wait. Your badge.

A customer.

Slippers, sir.

Please follow me.

This way, please.

Are you looking for someone, sir? -Mr Zhang.

This way, please.

Mr Zhang, you have a visitor.

Is that you, Gua? What took you so long?

Let me finish this first.

Where's Gua? And who are you?

Express Delivery.

Express Delivery? What's that?

I'm supposed to see a Mr Zhang.

I'm Zhang. What do you want?

Do you need something delivered? -No.

Does anyone need something delivered?

Leave. You've got the wrong person.

Get lost.

There are tons of Zhangs around. Try Zhang Yimou.

Express Delivery or not, you shower, you pay.

But I didn't come for a shower. I came to see Mr Zhang. He sent for me.

Mr Zhang says it's not true.

I'm from the delivery company. You can check this.

There's no point. -Please, take a look.

You had a shower, so now you have to pay.

But you told me to go in. -That's true.

But since you showered, you have to pay.

But you sent me in to shower. I didn't want to.

I went in and you took my clothes.

You showered and now we have to make you pay.

There's nothing I can do.

Let me go.

I have no money.

What's going on? Let him go first.

Mr Zhang, he had a shower and now he won't pay.

He says he's a courier, looking for Mr Zhang.

I called for him. So you're the one. Thanks, gentlemen.

You certainly took your time.

So you went for a shower? You're a wise guy.

Give me the envelope. -Which one?

The one I gave you.

You're lucky I didn't leave.

Okay. So take this to 123 Wang Fu Jing Avenue, to Mr Li. Got that?

Now run.

He didn't pay. -As if he could afford it.

I can't believe you. You have to deliver it, bike or no.

It's more important than the bike.

Stop crying already.

You're lucky the manager didn't fine you.

This'll be a lesson for you for your next job.

Don't be so stubborn.

I'm saying it for your own good.

Okay, get going.

You're right, of course.

I'm sorry, very sorry.

Yes, yes, all right...

We fired him. Don't worry, it won't happen again.

You can count on us.

You're still here?

Sir, give me another bike.

Don't you get it? I didn't fire you because of the bike.

It's just bad luck that it got stolen.

It was almost yours anyway.

That's all settled.

But you got me into serious trouble.

Did you hear me on the phone? Because of you, I have to grovel.

Lenient customers will only ask for compensation.

Others will want to sue me.

And I can't replace every single stolen bicycle.

Sir, I want to keep this job.

Don't you understand? Are you really that stubborn?

You don't even have a bike anymore.

What if I find it? -What?

I'm sure I can find my bicycle.

Are you crazy or what?

Do you know how many of those there are in Beijing?

I made a mark on it.

You're not so stupid after all. No wonder they say you're stubborn.

If you really did mark it and you can find that bike...

...your determination will get you another chance.

If you find the bike, I'll take you back. Okay?

Do I have your word? -Absolutely.

So your dad finally bought you a bike, Jian?

Not bad.

You didn't steal it, did you?

Stop your bullshit. -What a temper.

Don't go.

My chain derailed.

It is a nice bike.

I have to go.