John Woo's Once A Thief Episode 8: Drive, She Said Voiceover: Put yourself in love's place and ask yourself the question...what do I want? Along the sandy shore she strolls, a goddess in the bloom of day. And to her bosom men are drawn, and still she strolls away... away. One of yours? One of mine. The part I liked best was all the s's together in the first line. Alliteration. Damned by faint praise. Victor Mansfield. I'm on my way. "Along the shandy sores she strolls," "godless in the broom of day." poetry isn't easy. [ speaking foreign language ] I don't understand sauerkraut. Well, it's pickled cabbage. What's to understand? But why would anybody eat pickled cabbage? Well, you like pickled eggs, don't you? Only with beer. Rabbit's on the move. Ok, copy that. I'll get closer to him. Lucky boy. [ static ] Get down! Music: Man, if we could Search, search Man, if we could search for evermore Man, if we could search for evermore What the hell is going on? I think someone tried to shoot me. Music: Man, if we could Search, search Rabbit's gone. What? Rabbit we can find any time! I think the important thing is that someone tried to shoot me. I mean, that's kind of important. Music: Man, if we could search for evermore Man, if we could search for evermore Five of our agents have been assassinated in the past few months. Apparently, Victor was to have been number six. Where's the luck? All the victims were male. No female agents have been targetted. Gender-specific hits -- very politically correct. This matches a similar wave of killings a few years ago, all unsolved. At the time, security chief Krone headed the investigation, until he went stark raving mad and retired. Li Ann, you will contact him. Gee, thanks. Don't mention it. What about us? My fellow directors and I have all agreed that until further notice, all male agents will be grounded. Grounded? What? Someone's trying to kill us. You can't ask us to do nothing. Watch me. Oh, dobrinski. Hate it when you're happy. Means I won't be. Agent Dobrinsky is, as of this moment, in charge of your personal safety. Mac's apartment has been secured. Mac's apartment-- No. And the three of you will stay there. Ohh. Thank you. You can't do this to me, you know. So it's just you and me. Um...not quite. Murphy and Camier will be joining us. [ whistling ] [ whistling ] Are we sure we want to kill him? He insulted the innkeeper's daughter. I will not tolerate defamation of the female character. As you know, men, we must have discipline. Belaqua, if you please. Wait for it. As Lao Tsu once wrote, "make no effort and the world will come to you." He was one smart guy, that Lao. Do you like women, Belaqua? Sir? Women. Well, I guess I do. I love women. They're so...soft. And pretty. Ah. There he is. Adjust bearing, 2-8-0. Fire for effect. Did you see that, sir? I got him! I got him! One shot. Yes. Unfortunately, you were less accurate with Victor Mansfield. Doubtless you were distracted by the female allure of the lovely Li Ann. Yes, sir, that was it. For she embodies grace. And in her eyes the light of life itself burns bright, just like the moon. Oh, that is marvellous, sir. I know. I just don't like the last bit, just like the moon. Well, how about "like the stars in space"? Space rhymes with grace. Yes, well, I might have written that if I'd been 5 years old. One doesn't need to qualify the location of the stars. Of course they're in space. Oh, Betty. How's my beautiful girl today? You know, Belaqua, there's nothing quite like owning a tank. She is a jewel, sir. A man must have his passion, a love that he can trust never to betray him. I would never betray you, Mr. Love. What? Nothing...sir. Very well. You have the list of agency safe houses? I downloaded it this morning off their mainframe. Good. Stay alert. All secure. Anybody for hopscotch, maybe checkers? Stop it. Hey, be nice to the babysitter. I cannot believe she did this to me. Boys, boys, boys, let's be civilized. We're going to be here awhile. I ever tell you about the time I caught a walleye the size of a small pig? I fought that sucker for over an hour. Hey, put that back. You don't like me, do you? What was your first clue? And you don't like Vic either. Oh, that's kind of... a mutual thing. Mmm. Sometimes I love this job. No, no, no! I won't go in there! You can't make me! aah! Oh! Ok, you made me. the agency agreed that when I retired, I would never have to come back here again. See, my therapist, he says I have a, a, a, a psychological thing about this place. What is that thing? It's a, it's a...stress. But I'm fine now. See? I enjoy salsa dancing, Sit down, Krone. I knew too much. If you knew what is really going on in this world, you'd be hearing voices too. Waylan. Hmm? No harm is going to come to you. I just need you to look at some surveillance photographs. Waylan, it's happening again. How many dead so far? Five...and counting. I'm not in the game any more. I enjoy salsa dancing. I know. Look, krone, please, just take a look at these. Oh, bingo. Bingo, bingo, bingo. Bingo. What's the matter? Who is it? It's bingo! Bingo Belaqua. And that can mean only one thing. Nicholas Love is behind this. Who? Nicholas Love. Bingo Belaqua is his faithful servant. His Dobrinsky. Love was my director at the agency. I was considered his, uh, protege. Nicholas love. 15 years loyal service in the field -- made agency director in '86. Retired? No, he quit. There were, um, internal problems which need not concern you. There was always something odd about him. Yeah, he needed to enjoy the salsa dance. Odd enough to kill only male agents? It would seem to be so. So what do we do? Oh, we get Love. We just need to find out his location. Krone... No -- there's no way on earth I can find that out for you. You see, my sanity is at stake. I could see about having your pension reinstated. Ok, sure. Wait, if Love is out killing our male agents, wouldn't Murphy and Camier be on his list? We don't fit his criteria. Yes, since they're only assassins, the agency considers them expendable. [ phone ringing ] Yes? I see. No, I understand. One of our safe houses blew up. Agents Patrick and Conaire are no longer with us. She moves the breath of angels to sound in song and praise, And splendid is her voice at night and sometimes in the days. Li Ann, my waif, my loved one, I will be with you alone, For all the days of song and praise, When at last you have come home. Great rhyme, sir. I don't know how you managed to rhyme days and praise twice, but it works. I'm inspired by Li Ann, by the loyalty I can instil in her. Right. So I blew up a safe house and killed two agents. Mmm. Well done, by the way. Thank you. But I'm beginning to wonder, why am I doing this? Because I've been betrayed. Someone must pay. [ crunching ] Can you keep it down, please? Yeah, no problem. Is this a chair? Don't touch anything. [ sighing ] This is so humiliating. It's worse for me, believe me. Oh, yeah? Yeah, bad enough I got Dobrinsky here, who hates my guts, having a grand old time at my expense -- then there's you wearing a hole in the carpet. Breathing my air. Ok. You got a problem with me? Mm-hmm. What is it? Come on, I know there's-- what is it that burns you about me? I know there's something. Might as well tell the world. You really want to know? Try me. Ok, you're a goof. A goof. Mm-hmm. Is that the best you can do? 'Cause I got millions for you. All right. Self-centred, irresponsible, egotistical, immature, argumentative, lazy-- I am not argumentative. Yes, you are. Me? Yes. No, I'm not. Yes, you are. Shut up. You shut up. Shut up...jerk. Excuse me? I've had some of my wardrobe delivered here. Why? Well, uh, Krone may know where Love is, but he wouldn't tell me over the phone, so... we're meeting him later at the Lubyanka, for salsa night. There's no salsa night at the Lubyanka. Oh, there is now. You salsa? Do you see anything you like? You're lending me some of your clothes? Think of it as bonding. I love these. Actually, I did have something in mind for you. Krone's late. He'll be here. I'm sure I was followed. By who? Spies! Where is Love? I talked to Knott, who talked to Hamm, who talked to Mr. and Mrs. Tough, who talked to boss Croker, but none of them knew. So I tried Estragon, who put me on to Vladimir, who knew lady Alba, who knows Otto-- Is there a happy ending to this story? Yes, there is, but it's a long story, and it must be told. You look after him. Let's dance. We do not enjoy the salsa. Fine. But keep an eye on yonder macho man over there. I think we may have a problem. I'll create a diversion. I'm sure you will. Martin. Oh, how I enjoy her salsa! She's with me. That man is no gaucho. How dare you call yourself a gaucho! Bingo. [ screaming ] Let's just slip it in and see what happens, shall we? Good lord. What on earth? Charades. Ah. Two words. First syllable. Rain? Sleet? Volcanic ash? If he knows Love's location, why doesn't he tell? Oh, he is, in his own inimitable way. Snow. Second syllable. Waltz. Viennese waltz. No, no, no, it's American. 34 to 40 measures per minute. 50 to 60 measures per minute. Viennese. Count them. Boom cha cha, boom, cha, cha, boom, cha, cha– Ball! Snowball. Snowball's the ticket, it appear Second word. Body. Of water. Sounds like...ache. Lake. Snowball lake! Um, it's a town about 200 miles north of here. What? This is too easy. Love got to Krone's sources. We're being set up. What do we do? Oh, we get in the car and drive. Ah, music. Super. You get to sleep in your own bed, have a nice shower, nice shave, and we got to sit here and listen-- [ techno music playing ] Uncle Catherine and the Brainwomen. Marge's Protrusion. Oh, I like them. Obey, Conform, Swim. What? I haven't heard of-- I haven't heard of any of these bands. That surprises me. if it's older than five minutes-- elevator music. Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Miles Davis... Never heard of them. Listen to this. Dobrinsky, what kind of music do you listen to? Marching bands, mostly. Ma-- Aagh, how do you turn this-- I can't think! [ playing theme from Carmen ] A truer word has never been spoken. Listen, we got to get out of here. We got to back up the director and Li Ann. Now, we get him over here and we sucker him, all right? Work with me. He's just peeved, because I stole his girlfriend off him, that's what it is. The thought of him and Li Ann living together, that thought just gets me. We had a good thing till you came and destroyed it. Are you still living in denial? She went with you because she thought I was dead. All right? I mean, how many times do I have to say that? You keep thinking that, man, if that's what makes you happy. Yeah, well, I know Li Ann, and I know that she loved me. She was slumming. Slumming? So she wanted to pick up her life with a high-class sophisticate like yourself with a red pick-up truck and one pair of pants? She loved me, not my pants. Will you shut the hell up? The key word in both cases, fellas, is loved, past tense, as in she loves you no more. Nice work, ace. We had him. Cool car. [ laughing ] This mode of transportation does little to aid the ulcerated squamous epithelium that so nettles me on occasion. That's hardly an historic point of interest, Mr. Camier. Aren't you aware Mr. Gast drove this across the Pont D'avignon during the second great war? Mr. Gast? A close gentleman acquaintance of grandmama Murphy's, and quite possibly my true grandpapa. The whiff of scandal permeates the house of Murphy. But surely you test me. had Mr. Gast driven this infernal machine across it, he would have plunged into the Rhone. My point exactly. This very machine was fished from that very river, along with Mr. Gast and his case of stolen champagne. Ergo, the occasional bumpity-bump. You couldn't recondition it? Oh, yes, and I suppose you'd have me stick a fox tail on it. It's a complete original. I will not tamper with it. You could at the very least have lubricated it. You might have thought of that yourself, Mr. Camier. She weaves shapeless webs in dark nooks, on golden sands and crystal brooks, with silken lines and silver hooks. Now, that's poetry. It's Donne, you dunce. It's over? Donne. Overdone? Just Donne... John Donne. Oh. The poet. Oh. Shut up. She caresses you into bliss, but her venom-laced kiss... Seeps under your skin and soon you will perish. Is that that Donne guy again? No, Nicholas Love, after the spirit of Donne. Wh-wh-wh... what does it mean, exactly? It's about treachery, a woman's betrayal. You're talking about her again. [ hissing ] I just wanted to tell you that they're on their way. It's time to go. [ giggling ] The male of the species... in all its glory. It's too bad. They must have shown promise in the beginning. You think? Well, you never know the way these things are going to turn out, right? I mean, take Mac and Vic, for instance, your partners. I mean, they couldn't be more different from each other, right? Like night and day. But they both remain quintessentially male. Meaning? They're uncomplicated, blustery, pig-headed, impulsive. Such boys. And I'm not forgetting that you apparently loved them both. Yeah, well, I, uh... Well, this ought to thrill the locals. You gonna finish that beer? I'm going to break this he bottle over your head, how'd that be? Stop drawing attention. I'll stand, thank you. So what appears to be the strategy of attack? Her nibs believes that once we arrive in town, Love will come to us. I'm disinclined to disagree with her. Agreed. Now, with Love... it's a question of insanity. Not to mention a complete lack of understanding and judgment. You really think Love's that dangerous? How else to explain the state of affairs we find ourselves in? You have to put yourself in Love's place and ask yourself the question, "what do I want?" Companionship? Revenge? Once you know the answer to that, you can predict what Love will do. Hey, girls, I'm Ray. I hear you chicks like pork. I beg your pardon? Pork. 'Cause you see we do it better here than anywhere. Specially than the city. That's where you're from, I'm guessing. What's the matter, girls? Don't you like country boys? Oh, we like country boys just fine. Well, now, you got some meat on you, don't you, little lady? Did you just call me a little lady? I was just noticing that you ladies seem to be lacking in male companship. Assuming, of course, that interests you. Actually, not at the moment. Now, you're not as cold as your little friend, are you, honey? I can be. You got to get a little more pork now and again, fill out them shoulders-- aagh! I don't think so. Nothing personal, Ray. We just don't feel like dancing. All right, boys, they say they're ready to tango! I'll take the big guy. And who do you think that would be? Ha, ha, ha, you want a piece of me, little lady? You're sure they can handle it? [ laughing ] ha. This is the big one. Music: Down to the wire, boy... Saturday night We're pouring fuel on the fire, boy Just another sinner on a fender singing tenor In a honky-tonk choir [ groaning ] [ grunting ] Saturday night It's our turn to shine, boy Just another sinner on a fender Singing tenor in a honky-tonk choir Well, I'm a honky-tonk choirboy I sing tenor in the honky-tonk choir... [ groaning ] We're getting tired Saturday night We're pouring fuel on the fire, boy Just another sinner on a fender Singing tenor in a honky-tonk choir Yeah, just another sinner... [ clucking ] [ shrieking ] Splendid display. Pinpoint acc-- Oh, sorry. He had that coming. But whatever's happened to Miss Tsei? Love and Belaqua. If it's any consolation, Li Ann was bait from the very beginning. How do you know that? Because I know what Love wants. As to procedure? Love will call. There's so much to talk about. Yet all I want is to be by your side. Beauty, loyalty, faith, wisdom, love. And punctuality. This is all I require from you. Let's talk about betrayal and war. War? The great warrior marches without moving, rolls up his sleeve without showing his arm, captures his enemy without taking him captive. Do you know who said that? Lao-tsu, chinese taoist philosopher. Do you also know that he had a permanent case of hiccups? Very few people know that. What do you want? I want you to be my daughter. I want you to love me and cherish me and never, ever betray me. unlike my first daughter... [ insect buzzing ] your director. Be my daughter, Li Ann. Only never betray me. that's all I ask. That's it. I'm getting out of here. I don't think so. Sorry. We're not really going to shoot each other. Are we? We're not kidding. Neither am I. Ok. Have some cabin fever here, guys. Need something to relieve the strain. Any ideas? Oh, this is better. Yeah, that's much better. Hello. Ah, my protege. She who darkened my soul. How's it going? Oh, pretty much as you planned. Yes, it is, pretty much. Of course, I'm trusting that you won't spoil the party by not showing up. Oh, I'll be there. I just want to know one thing. Why kill our male agents when it's really me that you wanted? To get at you, my darling. And to take from you what you stole from me. my faith in loyalty and duty. Uh-huh. Not much of a plan is it, Nicholas? Perhaps you should sit. Touch me again and I'll cut your head off. We are 5 kilometres north of snowball lake road on rural route 3. Li Ann says hello. Then this was all about you and the Director. It's about betrayal! Why can't any of you get it into your head? Yes, my dearest Li Ann. It is about a daughter's betrayal of her father. What are you talking about? She was my protege at the agency. I hand-picked her. I nurtured her. I loved her. I did everything for her. But then vile rumours began to surface. It was whispered by some that I had become too extreme in my approach to the spy game. Some whispered that I was no longer fit for the job. And instead of coming to my defence, your director betrayed me and helped them to push me out. She destroyed me. Then, uh, what do you want with me? Everything. Alert the men. Nicloas: For he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow, for he's a jolly good fellow. And so say all of us. There's the tent. And there's his weakness. See you at Christmas. The men are in position, sir. The prisoner is secure. She's here. I can feel her. I better... I guess I better... Guard the prisoner, you gormless, gargantuan git. Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. Gotcha. No matter what happens... I will never let you be his daughter. Merry Christmas. You think you can make him love you? I know what you're doing. You can't fool me. He must be so grateful to have such a loyal servant like you. Well, yes...and no. Ohh! Hello, Bingo. Bye-bye, Belaqua. [ gunshot ] Shall we? Let's shall. Yes, let's. Bingo, you booby. [ shouting ] [ tank engine ] Betty? Betrayed by beautiful betty? You came. You nearly destroyed me once. You betrayed me. Betrayed you? Nicholas, you need help. No, I don't. Come back to me. Our work wasn't finished. You just killed a whole bunch of our agents. I don't really feel like cutting any deals. Come on down from there, Nicholas. You know I can't do that. And I know you won't fire. Love! Love! Love! Are you all right, my dearest love? Bundle them up for me, will you, gentlemen? Along the shandy sore he stro-- Cool tank. Now, let me guess. Love said that I was his protege and that I betrayed him. Yeah. You think I'm capable of that? Yes. Yes. However... the truth is that, in this case, at the time that he was thrown out of the agency, the man was quite certifiable. Were you his protege? Well, it was a little more... never mind, let's not even go there. So why does he think you betrayed him? My opinion on his mental health was sought out, and I expressed my belief that I thought he needed some time off -- it was true. It wasn't betrayal. Actually, I'd been covering his butt for the better part of a year at that time -- he refused the paid leave. As a matter of fact, it was right around that time that the first batch of male agents were killed. No one suspected him? No, other than Krone. He wasn't talking -- he didn't let his suspicions be known at that time. This place seems to do bad things to people. So, I haven't seen the boys around today. No, and I'm rather enjoying the peace and quiet. Where are the boys? Oh, they're under Dobrinsky's watchful eye. And I'm sure they're having a wonderful time. [ laughing ] Mac: [ brawling ] hey, hey, hey, knock it off! Dobrinsky: will you two shut up?