Tigertail

MANDARIN SUBTITLES IN WHITE

My father died when I was a year old.

My mother did her best to take care of me on her own,

but after she lost her job, she couldn't afford to provide for me anymore.

She left me with my grandparents, who lived in the rice fields,

while she looked for work so we could be together again.

I missed my mother.

I felt alone without her.

So alone that, sometimes,

I saw things because I wanted to see them.

Inspection.

Who lives here?

[ I don't speak Mandarin. Only Taiwanese. ]

[ It's the policy. That's what's spoken now. ]

I'm going to take a look.

Mmm.

[ You sure you don't want us to stay for lunch? ]

Come on. Let's go.

[ There are still dissidents hiding. They could be anywhere. ]

[ The Kuomintang run the country now. We have to follow their rules. ]

[ You can't tell anyone you're living with us. ]

[ Can I go back and look for my mom and dad now? ]

[ I'm not seeing things! They were working in the fields nearby. ]

[ I was running to go meet them, but then I fell down-- ]

[ Your father passed away. Making up stories won't bring him back. ]

[ It won't help your mom get a job back home, either. ]

[ I told your mother when she was your age: ]

[ Be strong. Never let anyone see you cry.]

Sorry I was a little late.

I didn't even know you were in Taiwan until Bobby asked me to pick you up.

How was your trip?

Fine.

[ What's wrong? Why won't you say anything? ]

[ I'm going to get water from the river. ]

[ Not fair! You got a head start! ]

For a few moments, I forgot my loneliness.

Yuan and I spent much of the next year together.

It was one of the happiest times of my life.

After my mother found a job and I moved back to my hometown,

I thought I'd never see her again.

But then, many years later, fate intervened.

One more dance.

I'm going outside to get some fresh air.

Maybe when I come back. Maybe.

She's beautiful.

What the hell is she doing with you?

We met when we were kids, when I was living with my grandparents.

She moved here recently, and it just sort of happened.

Some guys get all the luck.

You have a girl like that, you ask her to marry you.

Her parents would never allow it. They're well off.

I'm a poor kid from a nothing village.

Better have fun with her while you can, then.

I guess so.

I think you'll like this one.

Where'd you learn to dance?

Movies.

What movies?

American movies.

Someday, I'll go there.

I'll bring my mom.

She won't have to work anymore.

Can I come?

Of course.

Who else am I going to dance with there?

Maybe Faye Dunaway.

Never mind. Don't come.

You would only get in the way of me and Faye.

I'm hungry. Should we get something to eat?

Let's go to Yuelu.

No way. That's too expensive.

It's fine. My treat.

I can't let you do that.

I want to take you somewhere special.

We're going to Yuelu.

No more discussion.

You're the most stubborn person I've ever met.

- Mmm? -

Hello. Have you dined with us before?

Yes. Many times.

Really? Then you've seen the menu.

Prices are on the right.

Of course. We come here all the time.

I'm surprised you don't recognize us.

Fine, then. What would you like to order?

We'll start with the fried fish...

and also the bitter melon...

and a bowl of beef noodle soup.

Great. Thank you.

-Is that it? -That's it.

Right away.

Screw that guy.

He doesn't think we can pay? Who is he to judge us?

Is he wrong, though?

Not really, no.

Hey. They've been rude to us all night.

Let's play a trick on them.

No. What are you talking about?

On the count of three, let's run out the door.

-No, come on. -

Get ready. One, two, three!

Hey! Come back, you bastards!

You're crazy.

I want to spend the whole night with you, but I have to go home.

Why don't you ever let me see your place?

It's too fancy.

If I let you see it, you'll want me for my money,

instead of my good looks and charm.

I thought you were sleeping.

Just out with some friends. Go to sleep, Ma.

[ You go to sleep. You have to work tomorrow. ]

So do you. You should rest up,

or else Old Li is going to pick on you again tomorrow.

[ That's because I have to keep stopping my work to help you! ]

[ I was fine before you started working there. ]

Well, we can both agree that we don't like Old Li.

[ Once, I saw him eat a pork bun out of the trash. ]

You didn't do your dishes before you left.

I can help you with them.

No, it's okay.

I'll do it later.

I'm sorry about Grandma.

Thank you.

Are you all right?

Mmm-hmm.

I know this is a hard time for you,

but I really wish you had told me about the funeral.

It was a small ceremony.

She was my grandmother.

You didn't really know her. You never visited.

The last time you were in Taiwan

was when I took you and your brother when you were kids.

That's true.

It's a long trip. Very far away.

And I know you're busy at work.

You never talked much about her.

What she was like.

Are you sure you don't want help with the dishes?

-No. -It would only take me a second.

I'm fine.

Thank you for the ride.

Say hello to Eric for me.

Okay.

My mother and I worked in the factory every day.

It was very hard work.