01x03 - Shame

[bunniefuu]

And I was to meet our new surveyor,

Ah Yong. He failed to attend.

A Chinese surveyor on his own

things can go wrong.

Hey! I know you, don't I?

Don't think so.

Annie worked here too?

She was seeing someone.

From the way she talked,

it was someone that she loved.

Said that she was enfant.

Pregnant?

So I sent her to Grayson.

I've never met the woman.

She came to you for a service.

We'll not be meeting again.

A white man m*rder*d that woman.

That's where the blame needs to go.

Wasn't them, those kids we k*lled.

I was with one when he died.

Said he saw a Chinaman.

That was in her things.

Yeah, I engraved that.

Yeah, some of my best work,

I reckon.

And who paid for it?

Cheung Lei has asked me

to go over the numbers with her.

You know what to say.

You're not sick?

Medicine from Wu.

It's nothing.

(WATER SPLASHES)

Hello.

Can I help?

So?

I don't know.

You trust him too much. We should

send him back to Zhongguo.

He's my brother. We make sure.

That he loved her or k*lled her?

(SOFTLY) He didn't k*ll her.

Even if he didn't, he's to blame.

Lei has been asking for him.

To go over the books.

That's in hand.

How much gold are we getting

from the new seam?

Haiyaa With our gear?

Each day, two coach fares

to Melbourne and back.

But if we had more men,

and blasting powder

It's too loud.

Halve the water ration,

until production goes up.

Do it.

(MEN CONVERSE SOFTLY

IN CANTONESE)

..a fat fool. (GIGGLES)

..discrepancy.

When things don't add up.

Indeed.

Ballarat appears

to magically produce more gold

from the moment

I began watching the books.

A number of unproductive mines

have reached workable seams, so

We took opium together once.

Then when did your brother

meet him? Why would he?

We were told the surveyor

reports to your father.

I've seen accountants

less skilled than you

rise to the top

of our Hing Dai Wui.

And I've seen others with

the blood puddled around their feet

before they realise

their throat is slit.

I understand you and your men

are looking for work. I can help.

Water?

Back home, our clans have had

our disagreements.

But this is a new land.

A fresh beginning.

The new gold seam is a great

opportunity for you and your men.

(SPEAKS IN HAKKA)

Half.

Thirty or nothing.

SPRUIKER: Evening Examiner!

Here now.

It's so fresh,

mind your fingers for the ink.

Patrick Thomas,

hero of Ballarat town.

Put a face to the name.

Justice at the end of a g*n.

Every detail legal to print

and a few more

that ain't besides.

That's it. Sold out, folks!

Sold out. All gone.

All you need is a bloody m*rder

a week and you will be solvent.

The Evening Examiner's running

pictures now. Can we do that?

Easy.

With 60 quid for a new platen.

Belle!

As I said, always hard at work.

I am.

Is this a personal call or?

Oh, I thought I'd take the

opportunity to introduce you to

(SPANISH ACCENT)

Contessa Maria Dolores Montez.

If you could get to the point

In my travels on the Continent

Warsaw, Dresden, Munich

and acclaimed performances for the

heads of state, I found myself

In Ballarat.

I have agreed to help the Contessa

arrange a private performance this evening,

for the most important

members of town.

And a preview

in your publication, perhaps.

Well, ladies must stick together.

I'm afraid that

doesn't make it news.

And this is?

m*rder and bloodshed?

You'd prefer a list of recipes

and a cross-stitch pattern?

We live in a sewer. Do I need

to be reminded of it every moment?

Perhaps just a bit of culture?

A woman died.

And life goes on.

I don't need a lecture about that.

If you'll excuse me,

I have work to do.

MAN: Come in here

and collect your reward?

Suppose you think you're some

champion of the people now?

Wouldn't have to be

if you did your job.

Bit of a coincidence, though.

Them two boys

cutting her open like that.

You just ride out

and sh**t them dead.

Don't quite square up with me.

Does it square up with you, Weesel?

Don't square up

with me neither, sir.

Are we done?

Almost forgot.

This was on her, too.

Pennyroyal, it's called.

wh*res use it.

And which of you handsome men

is from the press?

(CROWD LAUGHS)

You, there!

Is that Patrick Thomas?

Indeed it is, in the flesh.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the Patrick Thomas.

Hero who avenged his wife's m*rder

in a gunfight with

the blood-thirstiest of desperados.

And, no doubt,

appreciator of the dramatic arts.

(IRISH ACCENT)

You've knocked me off the front page.

So be a f*ck' doll and play along.

(SPANISH ACCENT) A free ticket

for the man who risked his life

for the honour

of the woman he loved.

(CROWD CHEERS)

And a half-price for the man

who cheers the loudest.

Hip, hip

CROWD: Huzzah!

Hip, hip

CROWD: Huzzah!

You there, Mr Thomas.

May we talk?

You have my condolences

for your wife's death.

I just have a question.

You're that Chinese protector,

ain't you?

Why don't you go bother them?

Were there any Chinese involved?

In what?

The sh**ting of the outlaw.

What the f*ck are you talking about?

My mistake.

Though, please.

You have my condolences.

Payment is in advance.

The rash is on my arm.

Diagnosis requires data.

Is that why they brought

the lady's body to you?

That's what it says in the paper.

Sensationalist drivel.

Dead and good riddance

is all needs to be said.

You knew her.

The type.

And what's that?

For the ignorant,

one human is like another.

However, science reveals

we are separate species.

The thickened nerves

of the black, for example,

allow them to feel less emotion,

withstand pain.

Even the removal

of an arm or leg.

They continue

as if it were a scratch.

And what's this to do with the woman?

When the species mix,

the result carries

the lowest traits of both.

You think she mixed with a black?

There are other options.

But like I said,

I only knew her

Type. Yes.

Miasmas, foul smells,

no doubt from your mode of living,

have lodged

in your circulatory system.

There is only one cure.

(CLANKING)

You happy with that?

That's a fair price.

Ready for another?

Too right, love.

Need a couple to face this lot.

I'm looking for Rosie.

What for?

I thought maybe

she hadn't told me everything.

Maybe. But she ain't here.

Where, then?

Tuesday,

she's with the celestials.

Chinese?

You wouldn't catch me at it.

How well did Rosie and Annie Thomas

know one another?

Pretty good, I'd say.

They met down at that camp.

They've just arrived. Leader says

they're from Buckland River.

How did everything go

with Cheung Lei?

I threw her off.

What do we do with them?

Give them food.

Put them to work.

Where?

We wanted more men.

Put them to work in the new mine.

If they work hard

keep a secret

maybe they can still

make their fortune.

WOMAN: You asked for me?

I need to find a fella.

A tracker.

Was helping a white woman

who got k*lled. Might be shot.

What you want him for?

Someone lied to me.

Made me do something.

I need to know the truth.

Tom's a bad fella.

Tom?

Where is he?

He went to work for the white cops.

Stay away.

He's nothing but trouble.

I just want to know where he is.

(COUGHING)

Tom

Just water.

(SIGHS) Who are you?

That mob over there hate me.

Why not you?

You want something?

A story.

What happened to the woman?

The white woman who died.

Why do you care?

People believe what version

of the truth that suits them.

I'm sick of that way.

(COUGHS)

Tom

Durrumang!

My name is Durrumang!

Durrumang.

I took her.

Two of them and me.

Then the whitefellas came.

They shot

They k*lled her? The outlaws?

Moonface.

What? Moonface?

Chinee man.

It was a Chinee man who k*lled her.

Excuse me,

I'm looking for a woman who

Excuse me, do you speak English?

Does ANYBODY speak English?

Ah, excuse me. Hello.

Do you speak English?

English I can help with,

Mrs Roberts.

But possibly not

what you are looking for.

You know my name, um, Madam

Cheung.

A lady who owns her own newspaper

becomes known.

You are looking for?

Rosie.

She

..provides a service.

The name is unfamiliar.

Fetch the headman.

Tell me

do many English women

run their own businesses?

It's not unheard of, though

it's not without its difficulties.

Life is difficulties. But you

are free to do as you wish?

More or less.

In China, a widow is expected

to marry her husband's brother,

in order to fulfil

her responsibilities.

Responsibilities?

Childbirth.

It is considered our highest value.

And you disagree?

One is worth what one is worth.

An ounce of gold here has a different

price in Melbourne in London.

It changes every day.

Tell me

did you marry for love

or necessity?

I thought we loved each other.

For a time.

It was his business too, is it not,

that you continue?

Is it what you have wished

for yourself?

Well, no one ever survived on wishes.

Indeed not.

Miss Belle

Have you tried ting tong mein?

Your husband,

he was considered important?

Amongst some.

"A great man", people would say.

Many still do.

And in private?

He was not the same.

Men do not love things.

They only fear

losing what they have.

From the outside,

it looks the same.

Until you learn.

Our headman arrives.

As if on cue.

Miss Belle needs your help finding

an enterprising young woman.

The name?

Rosie.

For what reason?

She knew the m*rder*d woman.

Surely that story is done now

that the k*ller has been announced

and the outlaws

brought to justice.

Do you know where she is or not?

Right this way.

Thank you.

(MUFFLED LAUGHTER)

Knocking's customary.

You never told me you provided

service for this camp.

They bathe more than once a year.

They ain't drunk out of their skull

half the time.

Why did you lie about

how well you knew Annie Thomas?

I didn't.

I just didn't mention everything.

That you and her were friends?

Friends is a stretch.

She talked to you about

her pregnancy. What else?

None of that's my business. Why

was she out in the bush that night?

All I know is she was running away.

With her lover?

She was scared.

Might be.

Of who?

That, I don't know.

But if I had to guess, maybe

something to do with that Grayson.

Something that he knew.

You think it's wise

to open old wounds?

You misunderstand

the purpose of the news.

And you misunderstand

my responsibilities.

Well, enlighten me.

I'm the headman of this camp.

If there's more to come about

what happened to that woman, I

Annie?

Yes, Annie.

I'd be the first to want to know.

The truth.

And doubly so if it has anything to

do with this camp or anyone in it.

This is my job.

I can help.

But I need to know what's going on.

The man Rosie mentioned, Grayson,

he's the doctor

who gave Annie the pennyroyal.

Pennyroyal?

It's an abortifacient.

It gets rid of the baby.

What did he tell you?

He's not forthcoming.

But perhaps

if he were more relaxed

How?

I've been invited to a performance

tonight at the theatre.

Grayson will more than likely

be there.

Then I can come along, too.

We can work on him together.

It's evening wear.

I have a suitable jacket.

Then I'll meet you there.

Good, then.

Good, then.

(KNOCKING)

MAN: Open up!

Open up, it's the police.

I hereby charge you

..with being a sober b*stard.

What the f*ck do you want?

Listen listen.

Me and you didn't get off

to a good start.

You'll be facing a bad end

if you don't f*ck off!

I took the measure of you.

I was wrong.

Takes a man to own up

to his mistakes, now, don't it?

All of us workers

have got to stick together.

All of us on our own ain't worth

a sh*t, but united we're strong.

And for that

we could use a man like you.

And aye. Looks like

you could use some company.

Eh?

(CRIES IN PAIN)

(g*nsh*t)

Ah Sun

I need to talk to you.

Good.

I have something to tell you.

I asked around, like you said.

It was Ah Yong.

The surveyor. He was

sleeping with the white lady.

He bought her gifts.

The box must be his.

I spoke to the engraver

who inscribed it.

He said it was you.

No, he must be confused.

We both have glasses, so

Stop.

Stop lying.

I'm not.

You believe I'm the only one

who can see through this?

What do you think will happen to you

if the 'gwailou' find out?

Do you?

You looking for

that dead b*tch's husband?

(CHUCKLES)

Already speaking ill of the dead.

The likes she cavorted with,

I'll speak how I want.

Oh, yeah?

Who was she cavorting with?

One of them darkies.

What you talking about?

The tracker.

I saw her paying him off,

the day she disappeared.

Which darky?

You're late.

I wasn't sure you'd make it.

I appreciate your patience.

Your ticket.

Come on.

(VIOLIN PLAYS)

Cognac, sir.

Thank you.

Mr Shing.

An unexpected pleasure.

Allow me.

Very kind.

Make sure

that man's drink stays filled.

The weather has been inclement.

Thank you.

Looking forward

to the Lola Montez show?

Saw a rehearsal this afternoon.

You have no idea.

Belle!

You came.

Oh. And I see

you've brought a companion.

Uh we're not together.

Commissioner.

Um, Mr

Wei Shing.

Yes.

Reverend, Louis, George! Come, come.

This is the one I was telling you about.

Well dressed.

You say he talks?

I spent some years in the employment

of an English merchant in Canton

during the spring of

(LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE)

Wonderful wonderful.

(BELL RINGS) Shall we,

my dear? Yes yes, yes.

Gentlemen.

Thank you.

Shall we?

MAN: She was the love of my life.

f*ck off.

She was!

f*ck

She was!

Look at 'em.

Slant-eyed f*ck,

fouling up their water.

Have you seen the shite they eat?

Bringing f*ck-knows what

diseases in.

Well, your d*ck rash

might have been your own doing.

When do we get a f*ck' break,

though, eh?

Our f*ck' people.

(PIANO PLAYS)

LOLA: Welcome, everyone.

Esteemed ladies and gentlemen.

Hey!

You speak f*ck' English here.

Tonight

I bring to you a dance

that I performed

for King Fredrick Wilhelm IV

and Tsar Nicholas I

at the Neues Palais in Potsdam.

Very well.

Go f*ck your dead mother.

I call it

(AUDIENCE GASPS)

..the Spider Dance.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding,

but it seems as if

The spiders are crawling

into her clothes, forcing her to

My goodness.

Disgusting harlotry.

Oh oh, my goodness.

(APPLAUSE INCREASES)

You're very kind.

Oh, it's you.

And you.

What do you want?

Dr Grayson, the pennyroyal

you gave to Annie

I've spoke to the women who recommended

you to Annie for just that purpose.

If you'd prefer, I can simply print

every detail, including your part.

Or perhaps you have things wrong.

He clearly doesn't know.

She asked me

for an abortifacient.

I gave it to her. That's all.

Then why was she scared?

Don't play the ingenue.

She was obviously afraid the birth

would expose her lover as a Chinese.

I'm sure you can't know for certain

that she had a Chinese

She asked how the miscegenist brat

would turn out.

It's hardly difficult to puzzle.

And I was more than happy

to offer an alternative.

Good eve.

The man is delusional.

He's

How did he recognise you?

Maybe he had me confused with

another You really think me such a fool?

No, I I think if you thought

about it a little longer

Be honest!

Just once.

What do you think will happen

if you write Annie Thomas

had a Chinese lover?

People will know the truth.

People will die.

Someone has!

You don't care about Annie.

You don't care about Chinese,

you care about yourself.

I care about the truth.

You cannot print that story.

And I will not

be ordered about by anyone.

Then you're right.

I do think you're a fool.

Ah Sun!

Where is everyone?

You cannot win.

We leave or we're both dead.

You really were

disappointingly easy.