The Watch (腐蚀 Corrosion)

THE WATCH

Adapted from the works of Panteleev

Directed by Zuo Lin

Featuring the Children's Chorus from the Shanghai City Orphanage

Hey, Calf. Over there.

What's the matter with the boy?

- Won't drink his milk. - I'll get him something else.

Baby's being silly.

He won't eat good food.

What do you eat?

Don't tease her, Little Mouse.

What's your name?

I'm Cuicui.

My grandpa fixes watches in the alley.

How old are you?

None of your business.

She's just like my younger sister. She's dead now.

Don't talk nonsense.

Really, Big Cat. I'm not lying.

So, Cuicui, is he your brother now?

You call him that. Brother Calf.

Brother Calf.

Look, this little monster won't eat his chicken leg.

I don't care anymore.

No time to wait on you. I'm going upstairs to make lunch.

Little fellow, you won't eat your chicken?

Give it to me. Okay?

Calf, maybe if you cry, he'll give it to you.

Cry.

Fine, I'll cry.

Mother Zhang, is someone here?

No, madam.

Oh, three little street urchins.

Mother Zhang, close the door.

Madam, have pity.

Madam, spare some leftover rice.

Madam, madam.

No, get away.

Mother Wang, we have plenty of rice. Go cook some.

No we don't.

None, I tell you.

None at all.

That's the girl's father, Master He.

Don't know how to take care of a child?

You just made him cry.

Don't cry.

I'll give you this.

What are we going to do, master?

What's wrong?

The little guy knocked out the glass from the watch.

It's all right.

Let the old man in the alley repair it.

How can we trust him?

Well, master, Old Wan is very honest.

He has worked in the alley for ten years.

Here, give me the watch.

Grandpa Wan, could you match the glass case of my watch?

This little baby is very naughty.

We don't know how he broke it.

I don't have such a glass.

I'd have to cut a new one.

Come back tomorrow morning, Madam Wang.

Sorry, I can't have such a valuable watch held overnight here.

He's our master.

Mr. He, don't worry. I won't lose it.

Master, you can trust him.

No, this watch has been passed down from

generation to generation.

How would you be able to compensate me if you lost it?

Master, with all due respect.

I cannot repay the loss if I signed away my life.

Master, they are grandfather and granddaughter.

This is my granddaughter, Cuicui.

She sleeps here and cannot go outside. Right, Grandpa Wan?

Yes, if we could, we would have run away a long time ago.

All right, you must have it ready by 9 AM tomorrow.

Please hand it over.

Go away, kid. What's your business?

Elder brother, don't go.

Elder brother?

Elder Brother Calf says I'm like his younger sister who died.

Big Cat, that watch looks just like the one we saw

in the alley. The spitting image.

If we had such a watch,

we could buy a good meal.

You little hooligans.

Little Mouse, when I become rich,

I must take you to dinner.

Brother Calf.

Cuicui.

So this is your big brother.

Good morning.

You are probably a little hungry.

Cuicui, could you split that sugar cane with your big brother?

Take it.

Go on.

Right here.

Hey, old man. Do you fix the watch?

Soon, sir. Just a little while.

A little while? I wanted it done by morning.

Soon, sir. Soon.

Bullshit. Who has time to wait? I need to get to work.

Mr. Ding, go back and tell Madam we've cancelled.

Madam, you see?

He still hasn't fixed the watch.

After you're done shopping,

come back and get it from him.

I want it back immediately, you hear?

Little rat, get away. Why do you hang around here

all the time? What nerve!

You steal from my home? Where are your parents?

Why would you steal a small bicycle wheel?

You have no family education!

Who are you to talk? Preaching your tripe?

You are the real thief.

What are my baby's pedals doing in your backyard?

My daughter took it to play with. How can that be stealing?

For play? Let her father buy one of her own.

Is it that big a deal for her to play with it?

Play with your own child.

Why look down upon us?

You're so poor, you stir-fry your shoe laces.

So we're not as rich as you.

You're full of hot air, bitch.

Good morning.

You are probably a little hungry.

Cuicui, could you split that sugar cane with your big brother?

Hey Big Cat, Little Mouse.

Where did you go?

I'll show you something neat.

What?

Nothing.

Must be something.

Come on, Calf. Show me.

It's nothing.

Don't talk bogus.

Who's talking bogus?

In your hat. I know it. Give it up.

Whip it out.

Get a load of this.

Don't make a sound, Mouse.

Let's go under that car.

You've shamed me.

I've shamed you? How?

Okay, Okay, the kids were just playing.

Don't be angry? Let's go home and give it a rest.

Shameless things.

Grandpa Wan, did you find the right glass casing?

Well... come here.

Grandmother Wang, the glass case is difficult to match.

I worked all night.

Where...?

What is it?

I clearly put it right here.

Cuicui, have you seen it?

No, Grandpa.

Did you take it out to play with?

No.

This is not good.

How much is it worth to pawn it?

Why pawn it?

Pawn it for money.

If I get rich, you must take me out to eat.

You promised, didn't you, Calf?

Yeah.

Madam. Madam.

What is it?

Master's watch has been lost.

If we pawn it, how much would you split with me?

I'll treat you to a large meal.

Is that all?

How can it be so simple?

Then what do you want to do?

We split it three ways - equal parts.

Right, three equal parts.

Shit, I stole the watch.

Why should I divide it like that?

Didn't we agree we were all together?

No matter who took it, we will split it three ways.

Who said that?

You bastard. You eat your words.

Who's a bastard?

You know who's a bastard.

You. - Want a piece of me?

What about me?

Don't you cheat me. You shameless old man.

I know your tricks. You lying thief.

You can't call me names, Madam.

Oh, I intend to call the police.

Mother Wang. Go call the police.

Why linger here?

Madam, don't take that tone. We'll find out the truth.

Why are you interfering.

I knew it. You're in cahoots with him.

You can't be trusted.

Police! Police!

Don't shout. We'll go to the station.

And I did not steal your watch.

Let's go.

Grandpa, Grandpa.