The Offerings Page #2

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I've been so depressed.

All I can think about

is you.

I know you haven't

been yourself lately,

but I'm still here for you.

We can work this out.

Please, just, when you

get this, call me.

I need to hear your voice

so I know you're okay.

I love you, Alyssa.

[fire crackling]

[speaking Chinese]

[murmuring]

[door opens]

Alyssa, come.

Come.

Go ahead,

throw some in.

It's just Joss paper.

What are you doing?

What is all this?

Tonight is the second night

of the Chinese Ghost Month.

We must make offerings

to the spirits

to appease them

each night.

Are you trying to scare me?

Oh, no. No.

Chinese people believe

a lot of things.

Every year

in the Chinese calendar,

the seventh month is known

as the Chinese Ghost Month.

It's believed that

during these 30 days,

the gates of hell

are opened

and the souls of the dead

are allowed

to roam the earth.

Most spirits are content

with just visiting

their relatives,

but some... those who didn't

receive a proper burial,

or suicides, seek someone

to take their place in hell.

Lost souls, you mean?

Why burn money

and incense?

The sweet smell helps

the spirit to find food.

The more you burn,

the more prosperous.

And these are hell notes.

We offer this

to our dead ancestors

to make sure that they have

good things in the afterlife.

I didn't realize that

Chinese had such beliefs.

Not all Chinese do.

But there are still

people

who believe

in the ancient way.

In China, it's taken

very seriously.

Important business meetings

are rescheduled,

weddings postponed,

no one swims,

the streets are empty,

and no one goes out

after dark.

I should go inside now.

It's late.

I didn't scare you,

did I?

No.

Good night.

Good night.

[whispering indistinctly]

[strange howling]

[whispering voices]

[woman speaking in Chinese]

[sobbing,

continues in Chinese]

[whispers fade]

No!

No!

That's for the ghosts!

That's bad luck!

I'm sorry, Miss Wu.

I thought it was trash.

Be quiet! Go back inside.

[speaking Chinese]

[continues in Chinese]

Ah!

[slithering]

[Woman, echoing]

Alyssa.

[thudding, scraping]

Alyssa...

[creaking]

Alyssa.

[whispering voices]

[footsteps]

[gasping]

[scraping]

Alyssa.

Alyssa.

Alyssa.

Aah!

[panting]

Alyssa.

Are you okay?

[panting]

[whistling]

Alyssa?

I'm going into town

for a while,

and I'll be back later.

Did you finish

the laundry?

Yes, it's drying now.

Good.

You work so hard.

Why don't you

finish up out here

and take the rest

of the day to yourself?

Thanks. I have a book

I've been wanting to get into.

You should.

Take a walk.

I'll we back later.

Okay.

Bye.

[door closes]

[Man]

Hey! What are you

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