''TH REE SEASONS''
You must be Kien An.
Yes, l am.
Follow me.
Here are your things.
You are here on recommendations.
l wish you don't let us disappoint.
l will not sir.
We follow strict here.
lt is import not are violated.
Teacher Dao is no forgiving man.
The bell rings early every morning.
The flowers must be picked and bundled be sold in the city
Teacher Dao takes pride in his flowers.
Customers take pride his flowers.
Thus, you must take pride in his flower.
Try not to think about it.
Don't let the temple distract you.
lt is important to keep busy.
You'll soon forget it there.
lt looks abandoned.
lt is the Teacher's home. He has not left it in years.
The older women say his soul left him long ago.
ls this lade what is there as pretty as a lotus?
Green leaves, white flowers?
Green leaves, white flower,
yellow center.
Yellow centre. . . white flower, green leaves.
lt is near the mud, yet does not smell of mud.
A woman's destiny is like a raindrop.
Some fall in the gutter. . .
some fall in rich ponds.
You buy for me? Chewing gum. . .cigarette?
Hai, l've been waiting all morning. Did you bring the rubbing oil?
Yes, the arm still bothering you, huh?
lf it's not the arm, then it's the back.
Let me have some of that.
Hai, maybe you can put a stop to this debate
What now?
You see that hotel there?
What about it?
l was betitng Minh here.
The towel used in there must have some kind of purfume spare in them.
What is that?
You ever notice the smell?
Everyone we drive from there has a fresh smell.
Like l said, it's the smell of money.
When there's money there's that smell.
Well, it's a waste of money.
We need to work. . .
. . .a whole month to barely afford. . .
. . .their cheapest room.
Four star, five star. . .
. . .they can't match my thousand star deluxe.
What's your thousand star deluxe?
From my bed, l see a thousand stars. No roof, just a thousand stars.
At least you have a bed.
Are you still reading that old book?
You sure are persistent.
You haven't fixed that?
lt's gonna get you one day.
Come back here!
l need a ride! Let's go!
That was close.
What happened?
Just watch the street.
Don't ask questions.
Drop off at the Marqu Hotel.
Damn, my lipstick is all smeared.
They should know better. l never let anyone take me home.
lt was great to see their look on their faces.
Thanks for the fast legs.
Should l wait?
No, lt'll be a while.
l don't mind.
lt'll be hours. l'll get another ride.
Fresh white lotuses!
Wait a minute. . .
Splendid, the white lotuses have arrived.
You must be new.
l've not seen you before.
Yes, sir. l started this week.
These are nice flowers your Teacher sells.
May l have a bundle?
Smells wonderful.
So beautiful. . .How much?
5,000.
Thank you.
You again. Why are you here?
l said you didn't have to wait.
l didn't mind.
You're not expecting more money, are you?
l was just making sure you had a ride.
Alright. Take me to District Two.
Tomorrow l will work a the Majestic.
There are wealthier guest there.
They know how to treat a woman.
l'm tired of cheap bestards.
You got a cigarette?
No.
lt's too damn hot for smoke anyway.
l could be in a cool room now if l wanted to.
l'd just have to do nightovers. l don't though.
Sometimes l wish l could fall asleep on the large bed. . .
. . .and let the air-conditioner run all night until l want to wake up.
That's what they all up there.
l could use a drink right now. l bet you don't drink.
No.
What are you do then?
You don't smoke, you don't drink . . .what the hell do you do?
Besides waiting for pretty girls.
Damn it! Not another blackout!
This the ghird time this week.
lt's damn hot on night like this.
What's the problem?
Where are you headed?
Taking her home.
lt's all right. She lives here.
Let them go!
Our block hasn't been safe during blackouts.
Some streets have it worse though.
Stop at the lamppost ahead.
Yellow center, white flower, green leaves.
lt is near the mud, yet does not smell of mud.
A woman's destiny. . .
. .is like a raindrop
Some fall in gutter. . .
. . .some fall in rich ponds.
Can anyone ever know how many stalks.
. . .are in a rice field?
How many bends are in river? How many layers are in a cloud?
Can anyone sweep the leaves of a forest?
And tell the wind to shake the trees no more.
How many leaves must a silkworm eat. . .
. . .to make a dress of colors from the past.
How much rain must. . .
Don't let them bother you.
For the old woman have sing the same song. They've been here so long
they think they own the lake.
l didn't know.
How could you?
Let's go back to work.
Lack of work makes Mr.Huy look bad to Teacher Dao. . .
. . .thus the punishes severely for it.
After all these years still can't stand this heat.
You just have to not think about it.
Throw up a bag of nut for me!
l'm waiting for the d that corner of ours. . . .
. . .is replaceed by a hotel.
lt's so crowded, we just hve to live with it.
l hope when l'm their age l'm still not waiting around to give rides.
Tell me something.
You ever notice the American over there?
Just him and his cigarettes. . .
Days?
He's been there for weeks. Someone in the hotel told me.
He sits there smoking all day.
He just stares at that restaurant. . .
. . .across from him.
Bet you didn't know that.
that used to be a G. l .A. Bar.
l got stuck driving him aroundtown last week. We went around. . .
. . .looking fo a your woman in a photo. l personally think he's nuts.
Let's go back to our corner and join the guys.
Kien An.
Get dressed.
Teacher Dao would like to see you.
Thank you for coming.
Do not be afraid.
l have a simple request.
Your song from this afternoon. . .
. . .tell me where you learned it?
From my mother.
She sang it to me when l was a child.
l would like you to sing the song.
l don't understand.
You were not brought here to understand.
Your song from this afternoon. . .
l want you to sing it.
Can anyone ever know.
How many bend are in the river?
How many layers are in a monsoon cloud?
Can anyone. . .
. . .sweep the leaves on a forest.
And tell the wind to shake. . .
You buy, you buy?
Stop! Stop!
Hey, Woody!
Pay money!
How much?
When l fall. . . .To Saint Petere
l will tell. Another Marine reporting sir. . .
l've served my time in Hell.
1 st Marine Division, 68-69.
ls this shit for real?
Where did you get this?
l'll give you, 50,000 dong. For the lighter, how much.
Hundred thousand Dong You got to be kidding me. l'll give you 60.
l'll give you.
You know what?
Forget the lighter, he much for all. . .
l'll tell you what, have a seat.
Buku dong.
How long have you been on the streets?
She's here, somewhere.
l've never seen her.
l get a letter thqat her mother had died.
l figured it was time to find her.
She looks like me. Doesn't she?
l just know it's time to find her.
Maybe make some sort of peace with this place.
Go ahead,it's alright.Nobody here gives a shit They're all lost in their own world.
This is just between you and me.
And of course Woody. . .
You're all right kid.
Have you seen my box?
Mr. have you sen my box?
l hope. . .
. .my private thoughts. . .
. . .have been entertaining.
l'm sorry. l will leave immediately.
How much of my work did you read?
Enough.
ls that right?
Enough. . .
. . .to know your pain.
What do you know about pain?
l too have had a hard life.
l too have been alone.
. . .to have children point and mock as you walk down the street?
Or when they see you coming. . .
. . .to have people close their doors and windows?
ls that why you hide the shadwow?
l am not hiding.
They say you have not left this temple in years.
More nonsense!
. . .my ears escape these windows to embrace the songs of the birds.
My nose pierces these walls. . .
. . .and naps in the fragrance of my lotuses.
With every sunrise and sunset. . .
. . .my eyes flutter into the air.
Any my heart. . .
My heart has transcended
. . .above the bondage of man.
Until you have treavelled far.
Don not come back here.
On fully flapping wing fly l .
Chasing chubby, Lazy clouds 'across the sky.
And herding evening breezes through plains and meadows.
To vist the Seas my fluttering sails l see.
Brother to the Marlin together in the night.
Pucking at the moon her refluction in waves.
l raise my bardly which on the rising tides.
Oh rise, gentle sun, golden in your reach.
And weave, dear Moon, your silvery filament.
Unveil away the darkness that over me hangs. . .
One this funered cloth my they ,my Preshiment.
Upon a lake a lotus wish l be.
Scenting the day's breath with fragrance and poetry.
Searching in the wind for traces of my formed spirit. . .
The discovery my reflected present
Can l see. . .
that was the last poet l wrote.
Before l lost my fingers.
You may leave now.
l will lend you my fingers.
You do not want to be bothered with a bitter man's thoughts.
l would not be here if it was bother.
You should leave. .
. . .before others begin to worry.
Wait.
Maybe.
. . .we could start tomorrow.
We shall start tomorrow.
Have you shined any shoes for an American with a wooden case?
l haven't shined one shoe in this rain.
You're not following me, are you?
You said you would start working here.
Yeah, so what?
That didn't mean for you to be here.
Did you wait in front all night?
l just thought you might want a ride.
There aren't too many safe cyclos at this hour.
Yeah, well how do l know you're one of them?
Pull over right here.
This is for you.
Please, l can't take it.
Take it.
l'm usually not so generous.
What are you doing?
lt's too hot to sleep indoors.
You're crazy.
l'd trade places with you anytime.
So pale was the moonlight. . .
. . .it could not shroud the pallid lake.
Yet l found joy. . .
. . .admist searing pair.
to write these words.
. . .is like striking a note.
Plucking a chord. . .
. .vibrating a stream of light.
lt's melody echoes from my forlorn heart.
Did you get all that?
Yes, l have it all.
Good.
That will be enough for now.
l could go on further.
Unfortunately, l cannot.
l am out of words for now.
Do you ever plan on leaving this place?
l sometimes have this dream. . .
l dream my fingers have grown back.
. . .and the swelling or my face has subsided.
l dream that l have with me. . .
. . .a dozen baskets of my best white lotuses.
. . .and travel to the floating market of youth.
As l approach the women. . .
l would free all of my lotuses into the water. . .
. . .and watch them float through the market like a white river.
lt would be then, that l had finally returned home. . .
. . .set free and pure.
Then l would wake up into the black night.
. . .and realize it was simply a dream. . .
. . .one of many that will never be fulfilled.
lt's not too late.
lt is late.
lt is later than you realize.
Don't come back until you find it.
Have you heard? The cyclo race is on after all.
Who's my challenger this year?
You know Khoi over there?
ls he the one to beat?
Not only is he entering, but he's betting he'll beat you.
And you, are you entering?
l don't think so.
You'll think l'm crazy. . .
What did you say?
l said l really enjoy the heat.
To most people it's unbearable.
l remember going to school and wearing a white Ao Dai.
. . .and near our school were rows of Phuong Vi trees. . .
. . .with red flowers that blossom during the warm months.
All the girls would put them in their hair. . .
But if we were lucky, a boy would give them to us.
And we would dry them as bookmarks.
So we wouldn't forget the boy.
You must have gotten a lot of flowers.
Miss. . .How much do you charge?
Charge for what?
. . .and evening with you.
Fifty dollars.
But as you know l don't do overnights.
Why? You have some new clients for me?
No. Curious, that's all.
Hey, don't think l'm going to be doing this forever.
l have plans you know.
There are other ways to make money.
Yeah, Like what?
Like my mother. . .
. . .who died breaking her back for her family.
What did she get out of it?
That's not going to happen to me.
Have you been in one of those hotels?
No.
lt's a different world in there.
They are not like us.
They have a different walk, a different talk.
The sun rises for people like them. Not us.
We live in their shadows. . .
. . .and it grows bigger with each new hotel built.
Next time pay close attention. . .
. . .to who comes through those front glass doors.
How many do you see like yourself?
One day l will remain in that world.
. . .to become one of them.
l'm not sure that's the solution.
Yeah, what do you suggest, marry a cyclo driver?
Here are your flowers.
Thank you.
Could l have some flowers?
You are selling, aren't you?
Yes l figured you want the. . .
Plastic lotuses?
l want no part of it.
They're popular. l've had trouble selling my flowers all day.
l've yet to sell one.
People have been giving in to their convenience.
And they won't wilt or die.
They even spray the flowers to make them smell real. . .
These days. . .
. .that seems to be the trend for everything.
Give me a couple.
How much?
Thank you.
ls that you Woody?
l'm being chased.
Quick, get on.
Causing trouble again?
lt was stolen.
Have you given any rides to an American with a case like mine?
l haven't seen anyone with a case like yours.
And in this rain it's hard to see anything.
Stay out of trouble Woody.
l'll find you if l see him. Go on.
Watchout for the motorbikes.
Don't disturb my restaurant again!
l'm sorry.
Teacher Dao has terminated your meetings with him as today.
Mr. Huy, is something wrong?
. . .for you to write.
How is that possible?
We just started writing. He can't be out of poems.
lt is not for me to question the teacher.
Could l speak to him?
lf you just let me talk to him. . .
l'm sorry but his request is clear.
Enough. l recommend you return to the sleeping hall.
ls everything O. K?
Are you all right?
Please l have to go now.
Hey. lt's you, what are you doing here?
What's the matter kid, you're staring at me like l'm a ghost or something.
Where's my case? You took my case.
Beat it! Quit bothering the customers!
No problem, tell me what he say.
He says you took his case.
What case?
At the bar.
You've got to be joking.
What happened?
He say you make him offer then up and left with his case.
lt anyone ran out it was you kiddo'. l went to the john and when l came back out you were gone.
l don't know anything about any case.
You see. He says he didn't take anything. . .
l'm sorry about your case kid, but this is my last night here.
So l'm going to drink and forget this place.
l want you to leave. .and don't come back here!
l'm glad you could make it.
That's what Binh said last year. . .
. . .right before l beat him.
Brothers and sisters. . .
. . .are you ready for the cyclo race?
Riders, are you ready?
On your mark. Get set. . . Go!
Look, l no longer need a ride from you.
lt's better for both on us.
ls something wrong?
l just won't be needing. . .
. . .a ride anymore, all right?
Did you see me race today?
No.
l won.
Congratulations.
l'll follow you home.
l have 50 dollars.
Should we get started now?
What is this all about?
Open it.
Wait. . .
l want you to put it on without your make-up
Look, what does it matter?
Please, l've already bought this for you.
Walk back and forth for me.
l want you to sleep.
l just want to watch you sleep.
Can l have some flowers?
How much?
5,000 dongs.
Thank you.
Please, sit back down.
Thank you for your coming.
What do you want to drink?
No, thank you.
l umm, l know how difficult this was. . .
. . .to finally agree to meet.
l made any mistakes in my life.
Most of which l'l have to live with.
When a chance comes around to make a wrong, a right.
lt is a difficult things.
About meeting you today l hope l've made a wrong, right.
l'm sorry. They're for you.
l saw you here before.
But that was a long time ago.
l'm not the same man l was then.
A lifetime since then.
l was a young marine. And this is where l met your mother.
Hello.
What are you doing here?
l've. . . l've been waiting at the Hotel but you haven't been around.
Didn't l tell you. . .
l no longer need a ride from you.
Besides, l don't work there anymore,
Please leave.
What do you want from me?
l did what you asked. Why can't you leave me alone?
l want to spend another night with you.
l'll pay you again.
Wait here.
Here, take it. l don't want your money.
l don't deserve it.
We didn't make love.
So you owe me nothing.
You have given me more than you know.
What are you trying do to me.
Why me.
Have you forgetten l've been. . .
. . .with many men?
Not with you the way l have.
Open your eyes Hai.
l am a whore. . .
. . .and you were just cyclo driver.
That's all.
Nothing more.
Please don't make feel what l'm not capable of.
lt's alright. Let her in.
Why?
There was no need if you to know
Why now, when you have fought so long?
Do you words mean nothing to you?
l have hidden from Death long enough.
. . .to welcome it. . .
. . .as my final guest.
Do you know why. . .
. . .the first night were here?
The song you sang in the lake that afternoon. . .
. . .had crossed my ear before
. . .of the women of the floating market of my childhood.
l had forgotten. . .
. . .my youth.
The only time. . .
. . . l was pure and whole. . .
. . .your song.
l would like you to sing. . .
. . .that song one last time.
Can anyone ever know?
How many bends are in river?
How many layers are a cloud?
Can anyone sweep the leaves of a forest?
. . .to shake the tree no more?
How many leaves must silkworm eat. . .
. . .to make a dress of colors form the past?
How much rain must it from the sky. . .
. . .before the ocean overflows with tears.
How many years must moon. . . ln the middle of the night,
the moon come and waits nearby. . .
He who can steal my heart. . .
l will forever sing joyful songs.
Hey Woody!
Come join us!
Are you in? Yeah, l'm in.
Woody! What's talking long?
He will see you now.
Thank you for coming.
Please have a seat.
Thank you, sir.
He wanted you to have this.
The teacher was a handsome man.
When the leprosy spray to his face. . .
. . .it devastated him.
He blamed himself. . .
. . .and lived a life self-punishment.
The photo was taken his 23rd birthday.
Six months later he sent to his compos
The photo has remain hidden until now.
He words will not in on deaf ears.
lf there is anything can do for you. . .
. . .do not hesitate present your request.
here is one thing.
You don't have to pretend any more.