Sweet Degeneration (放浪)

Shao-lian

Can you hear it? The pretty music?

I hear it.

"Chuen-sheng discharged - coming home today"

Hello?

It's me.

I'm caught in traffic.

I'll try to hurry.

Yes... as fast as I can.

See you soon.

Is it a crime to change lanes?

- No! I'm just... - You're just what?

Hey! You're the one who crashed into me!

Well, you didn't bother...

to turn on your signal!

What a mess! Leave it alone!

Gimme a break, lady!

Why you beastly little...!

Be reasonable!

First you hit my car, and then you're rude!

Is Chuen-sheng here?

Not yet.

He must be celebrating with friends.

Let him. I don't care.

Don't! He can do it himself.

I'll just tidy up his bed.

You've spoiled him rotten.

What?

A snake!

Don't be afraid.

He's a god's foot soldier.

He won't hurt you.

Don't worry.

He's only passing through.

A snake? He'll make us rich!

What's the zodiac number?

Six.

Of course.

So it'd be zero and what?

Zero and six, dummy!

Let's read the fortune!

Okay. But not here.

Ah-chiuan, Ah-tion!

Here!

I know.

Clean this stuff up. Watch out for the snake!

Chuen-sheng will stay with me... in your old room.

It's too cramped here.

He should be grateful just to have a bed.

So... you're finally home.

You're drunk.

Friends took me out.

Just as Ah-fen thought.

She was just here.

You coming right back right after she left.

What's wrong? Too small?

Or you hate being with a geezer?

Then go to your sister's.

See if I care.

I'm fine here.

You don't have to lie.

Don't want her to take care of you?

Or are you afraid of her?

Burn incense for your ma and tell her you're home.

You'd better go to Ah-fen's.

We'd just butt heads if you stay.

You're out of the army.

Now you have to get a real job.

That damn horn of yours!

It's totally useless

for making a living.

Damn good-for-nothing!

The number you have dialed is not in service

Pick a card!

Remember it.

Room 707.

Take it easy on me!

Who's being hard? C'mon! One more!

Drink up!

So junior here plays the horn?

Yeah... they say.

Really? Great!

At a funeral, you gotta play a dirge, man.

That's your job. I'm through finding you work!

No telling what you'll do.

The valves on this leak. Can you fix it?

Nice horn.

No problem. I'll fix it.

How much for a new one?

Well...

A hand-made one goes for NT$150.000 or so.

We got a good one.

Want to see?

He likes to show his treasures off.

Better not look. It'll tempt you.

Think how many dirges we'd have to play to buy it.

It drives me nuts!

It's got a great tone.

My oh my!

Such a naughty boy!

I smell like whisky, don't I?

Return the key for me.

I'll buy some cigarettes and meet you.

I'll wait downstairs. Come right back, okay?

That's enough. Let go.

Hello.

Hello?

The cell phone you have is mine. Don't hang up!

Hello? Yes, I want you to return it.

You told callers what!?

That I moved to Vancouver?

You've got nerve!

Ah-hai?

Oh, it's you. I thought Ah-hai had come back.

Ah-hai?

Who's he?

How old is he?

About 30, I guess. Looks older though.

Used to be a laborer.

A dump truck driver?

I don't know.

Did you fix it?

I'm doing it now.

Not up there. Just play down here.

"Help wanted Salary: NT$200,000"

I saw your ad in the paper.

Thank you.

Is this Mr. Yeh?

Hello? Who is this?

This snoring...

I can't sleep, so I thought I'd call.

Don't you listen to your messages?

That's not true! I left three of them.

Don't lie, or I'll tell people you're in Vancouver.

Why not cancel your cell phone account?

Your husband says he'll report me to the police.

That's right... your husband.

The phone belongs to your husband?

We're not divorced yet.

Never mind him.

And don't say I'm in Vancouver.

Yes.

Yes. Just as we agreed.

Why the divorce?

Marriage isn't for me.

I'm happier by myself.

No, I don't.

I don't need a lover.

How dare you threaten me?

I'll throw the phone away!

Call if you want to talk.

If he threatens me again

I really will throw the phone away!

Ah-fen...

It's your brother.

Are you there? I found a job.

I'll work hard.

Tell Dad

not to worry.

I'll get by.

Ah-fen.

I'll pay money down on a place for Chuen-sheng.

He'll work if he has a loan to pay.

It's no use.

If he doesn't work

we'll be left holding the bag again.

Don't do it.

It's wasting time.

I pray to the Buddha.

I pray for help every day.

When all else fails

it's best to leave it to the gods.

Here. Have the rest.

Hello.

Is the manager in?

You mean Mr. Liao?

Yes.

Do you have an appointment?

Here's my card.

And these are magazines we publish.

I'm sure he'd like to see them.

No salesmen.

Finding work is a matter of luck.

Of course talent helps, too.

Has that guy Ah-hai been around?

Not lately.

He comes and goes without any warning.

He does just what he likes.

Ah-hai plays the sax like the wind.

You don't see many horn players like him.

He plays in the strip joint.

Go ahead... take it out. No charge.

Going home?

Your dad's taking a nap.

Take care of it.

What?

The cell phone.

No need to cancel.

But the bill...

We'll get the phone back.