Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing Page #2

I'd left by then. I was in England in 1939.

Where were you in 1940?

- Italy.

- I was in Malaya.

It seems that destiny never put us

anywhere together at the same time.

Perhaps destiny intends

something for us at last.

Oh, I don't think so.

I don't think destiny intends anything for us.

Of that I'm quite sure.

(firecrackers exploding)

(shouting)

- What's all the noise about?

- A cloud has threatened the moon.

We must make a great noise

to frighten it away,

or the year will be unfavourable.

- You don't really believe that, do you?

- Of course.

If we didn't believe the unbelievable,

what would happen to faith?

(firecrackers continue)

You see, the cloud was frightened away.

It is a good omen.

I wonder if there are men on the moon

who celebrate an Earth Festival

and shout to keep the clouds away from us.

I should like to think so.

That's Maxwell Luderman

over there, the industrialist.

He's just back from Beiping.

I've been trying to get to him for a statement.

Is he really the third-richest

man in the world?

First.

If you want an interview,

why not ask him now?

Oh, I don't think he likes correspondents.

And anyway, I'd like to finish up

our own little interview.

Am I being interviewed?

I want to know why you're so sure

that destiny has nothing in store for us.

Well, I'm interested only

in one thing:
Medicine...

and because I know myself.

You sound secure. I doubt

whether anyone is that secure.

I have known but one man in my life.

My husband. He was a nationalist general.

Captured and shot by the Communists.

I believe in the human heart now

only as a doctor.

I bet you're a good doctor.

But I still think that destiny might have

something in store for us after all.

- Why?

- Because you've retreated to a tower,

and the only trouble with an ivory tower

is it's a temptation to lightning.

Lightning will not strike me, Mr Elliott.

Your honourable fish, sir.

Thank you for the moon

and the honourable fish

and the lovely evening.

You're entirely welcome.

I don't know when I've

enjoyed an evening as much.

I don't know when I've

enjoyed an evening as much.

- Good night.

- I want to tell you something. I'm married.

- I knew you were married.

- And you still went out with me?

If you were happily married

there could be no danger,

and if you weren't,

it could make no difference.

Will I see you again?

Uh... I think not.

I think so. I'll call you about next Wednesday.

- Good night, Suyin.

- Good night.

- Good morning, Dr Sen.

- Good morning, Dr Han.

(speaking Cantonese)

You combine artistry with medicine, Dr Han.

Oh, no. Just with love and sympathy.

(speaking Cantonese)

It's a great privilege to watch you.

(speaking Cantonese)

Ten days ago we didn't think she would live.

Look at her now. She will be walking soon.

Have her parents or family been located?

No, but the police are still searching.

However, with a million refugees

from China in Hong Kong now,

and more arriving each day, it is like

looking for a needle in a haystack.

And more arriving each day, it is like

looking for a needle in a haystack.

Why do they leave China?

What can they expect to find here?

- A home.

- Their home is China.

We'll mend her bones, make her well enough

to send back into the streets to starve.

Oh, no. Not Oh-No.

Someone will give her a home.

Dr Han, Mr Palmer-Jones

would like to speak with you.

Thank you.

Who will in Hong Kong give her a home?

- Or any of the others like her?

- Oh, you can't tell.

I might adopt her myself.

- Good morning, Mr Palmer-Jones.

- Dr Han.

My wife says that nobody has

been near her this morning.

I'm sorry. I suppose we are late. The wards

are so crowded, we haven't caught up yet.

- Do you visit the wards first?

- As a rule.

I see. Well, would you, as a rule,

be so kind as to look in on my wife first?

Patience is not one of her virtues.

- I'll go in and see her now.

- Thank you.

(sighs)

Good morning, Mrs Palmer-Jones.

Oh! Oh, I certainly am glad

to see you, Dr Han.

The person who brought my breakfast

didn't speak one word of English.

Was it a nice breakfast?

The only thing that was hot

was the orange juice.

I'll have your tray removed.

- Ah, the arm looks better.

- Doesn't feel better.

There's hardly any swelling left.

Imagine being bitten by

a centipede in this day and age.

Imagine being bitten by

a centipede in this day and age.

- It's so undignified.

- And painful.

I can give you one cheerful bit of news.

- Oh?

- You may go home tomorrow.

Oh, no, no, I can't. I can't possibly.

My living room is being painted

and it won't be dry for a week.

- We'll make arrangements.

- Thank you. You're a dear.

I must do something for you.

What would you like?

- A bigger hospital.

- Huh?

You mustn't bite people, Rosie Wu.

I had to give the man an injection.

It was quite painful.

Come on.

Suyin, are you going to town this afternoon?

No, it's my Wednesday off.

I think I'm going to dinner. Why?

I was going to ask you to buy me

some snails for my new goldfish.

(man) Dr Han, telephone.

- Won't the pet shop send them?

- It hardly seems worth it for two snails.

- Dr Han here.

- Suyin, Mark.

I said I'd call about Wednesday.

I hoped we could dine together tonight,

but I have to fly to Singapore

on an assignment.

I'd postpone it, but the airline

schedule doesn't work out.

Oh, yes, I understand.

- If I'm back next week, can we dine then?

- Well, we'll see.

When I called you earlier,

they said you were doing a hysterectomy.

- What's a hysterectomy?

- Nothing that would interest you.

- You don't mind my calling when I'm back?

- No. No, I don't mind at all.

Do call when you get back.

Will two snails be enough, John?

Hmm? Oh, yes, yes, ample.

Suyin.

Suyin! Are you not Suyin?

Oh, I know you.

You're Suzanne.

We went to convent together.

- Yes.

- How nice!

I was sure it was you. Come sit with me.

Another cup, please.

You recognise me after all this time?

Well, you've dyed your hair, but I know you.

That proves you remember me.

Now tell me about yourself.

It's been so long,

yet it all comes swiftly back.

I remember the morning you kicked

the mother superior in the shins.

I did not kick Mother Superior.

It was Sister Angela.

And she limped into chapel

to pray for your soul.

And I'm afraid she did not pray hard enough.

What has happened to you

since convent days?

I went to a Chinese university for a while.

I toured Europe. I married.

My husband was killed.

I finished medicine in England.

I'm now a resident doctor

here at the Victoria Hospital.

You never married again?

No, as a Chinese widow,

I have become completely unfeeling.

I'm afraid my heart is safely dead.

Well, I have to be in love to go on living.

Now it's an important Englishman.

I pass for English now.

I hope you won't give me away.

Oh, Suzanne, you should

be proud to be Eurasian.

And proud of your Chinese heritage.

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