Intheyear2046 every railway network spreads the globe
A mysterious train leaves for 2046 every once in a while
Every passenger who goes to 2046 has the same intention
They want to recapture lost memories
Because nothing ever changes in 2046
Nobody really knows if that's true
Because nobody's ever come back
Except me
If someone wants to leave 2046...
how long will it take?
Some people get away very easily
Others find that it takes them much longer
I forget how long I've been on this train
I start to feel very lonely
As I recall many have gone to 2046
You're the first to come back
May I ask why you left 2046?
Whenever one asked why I left 2046...
I gave them some vague answers
Before...
when people had secrets they didn't want to share
...they'd climb a mountain
They'd find a tree and carve hole in it
And whisper the secret into the hole
Then cover it over with mud
That way, nobody else would ever discover it
I once fell in love with someone
After a while, she wasn't there
I went to 2046
I thought she might be waiting for me there
But I couldn't find her
I can't stop wondering if she loved me or not
But I never found out
Maybe her answer was like a secret...
that no one else would ever know
All memories are traces of tears
Didn't you promise not to come back?
I came to see you
Why?
I have no prospects here
So I'll see how things are in Hong Kong
When are you leaving?
The boat sails in two days
Why are you telling me?
I thought we might go together
You know nothing about my past, do you?
If you'd rather not tell me I don't mind
If you win, I'll join you
She found an indirect way of rejecting me
As I recall...
...that was the very last time we saw each other
Right after that, I left Singapore
I got back to Hong Kong at the end of 1 966
There was riots in Kowloon due to the price rise of ferry ticket
I wasn't sure how long I'd be staying...
So I took a room in a small hotel in Wanchai
I wrote columns for the Newspapers
They paid HK$1 0 per thousand words
It was pretty tough at first
As long as I could make ends meet
...it made no difference what kind of stuff I wrote
'Diary of the Bezooke Hero'
The new star at Club Luk Kwok is Fai Fai!
A knockout beauty with amazing bezookes!
A smash hit with tit-lovers!
Hang on, of course I exaggerate
I can't say her tits are fake, can l?
I soon got used to this kind of life
I became an expert of ladies
Lots of one-night-stands
Never mind
nothing lasts forever anyway
24-Dec-66
Is that really true?
Why would I lie to you?
You really know me?
Weren't you in a show in Singapore in 64?
Yes
You're Lu-lu
I was then
Not anymore
What's your name now?
Why should I tell you?
On Christmas Eve 1 966...
...I ran into a friend from Singapore in a nightclub
We'd been rather close
But that night...
...she'd apparently forgotten me
Have we really met before?
How could you forget?
You said I looked like your last boyfriend
You taught me the Cha-cha
Go on...
You were always dragging me to the casino
You'd hit a losing streak
You owed a fortune
My friends and I paid for your passage to Hong Kong
You talked a lot about your last boyfriend
A Chinese Filipino from a rich family
You planned to marry him
But he died young
You said he was the only love of your life
At this time of year...
I shouldn't bring back sad memories
But do you remember that Christmas night...
we went drinking?
We talked a lot
Was she just pretending she'd forgotten me?
I took her back to her hotel She was drunk
She'd had too much to drink...
...so I left quickly
On my way out I noticed very a familiar number
If I hadn't run into her that night
I wouldn't have seen that number
...and I wouldn't have written '2046'
Can I help you?
Is Miss Lu-lu in?
Lu-lu? There's no Miss Lu-lu here
There was a Mimi...
...but she's moved out
But I was here two days ago!
Do you know where she's gone?
No! What do you want with her?
Nothing, really
I have her key. I wanted to return it
You can give it to me
Thanks
You want to rent the room?
I'm just back from abroad
I don't have my own place yet
If the room's vacant I could take a look
This is just a small hotel
But our residents are all decent people
What's your line of work?
I write for newspapers
Great! A fellow artist!
I haven't always done this
I used to be an artist too
Really?
I took singing lessons in Haerbin
By then, I was a tenor
It'll be a pleasure to have you here
When will you move in?
As soon as possible
But...
2046 has to be redecorated
2047 is vacant
Take a look at it
Never mind
I'll come back when it's ready
Why that particular room?
Maybe it's the number
It has some significance for you?
I'm joking
Tell you what...
Take a quick look at 2047
If it's okay, you can move in
Then switch to 2046 when it's ready
How about it?
Can I see the room?
Of course! Please...
Once I moved in, I found out...
just the night before...
Lu-lu was stabbed by a jealous boyfriend
A drummer from the club
She'd really liked him...
...and compared him with a bird that could never land
For all these years...
She has been looking for her leg-less bird
Most of her affairs ended badly
But she didn't mind sad endings
No matter what happened...
...at least she was always the leading lady
Good!
Sure!
Go!
Let's go!
I'll go with you!
Good. I'll go with you!
Sure!
I understand!
You know what I mean? I know... I understand
I got it!
Can I go?
I can go!
Sure!
I understand!
Got it!
It didn't take long to finish redecorating 2046
But by then I was used to 2047
Sure!
I started hearing a strange voice through the wall
I thought someone had moved in
But it was the daughter of the hotel owner, Mr. Wang
Definitely!
I'm definitely going!
Okay, let's go!
I had no idea what she was saying
The staff told me it was Japanese
It seems she had a Japanese boyfriend
Tell the driver 220 Granville Road
Ge... ran... wei... 220 Granville Road
Turn from Humphrey's Avenue near to Kimberley Road Can you say again?
Don't turn down Salisbury Road Slowly, please...
I'll draw you a map
No, that's my pen!
I'll repeat it once more
Turn from Humphrey's Avenue
Near to Kimberley Road
But don't turn down Salisbury Road
Understand? No
I'll draw you a map No
Granville Road
Turn from Humphrey's Avenue
Don't turn down Salisbury Road
Remember, don't turn down Salisbury Road
His company in Japan had sent him to Hong Kong
When he got here he checked into this hotel
The world is full of men!
Why do you have to choose a Japanese?
Get rid of him!
I will never meet him!
You want my blessing?
Not while I'm alive!
It had been going on for ages
But due to Mr. Wang's opposition
So they had to break up
Can you tell me what you feel?
Do you like me?
Or not?
I'm scared to hear your answer
But I have to ask anyway
Leave with me
Goodbye
The man finally went back to Japan
That's when Miss Wang began talking to herself
Hey, ask your boss to turn it down a bit!
Mr. Chow you'd better ask him yourself
Mr. Chow...
Hasn't he left already?
Why is he back?
I will not see him!
If you won't give him up...
Get out! Go away with him!
I assumed that Mr. Wang played it so loud...
...because he loved his opera
Actually he didn't want anyone to overhear the family matters
What are you doing?
Come back for me when you're a little older!
I said, wait till you grow up!
I like it
Mr. Wang's biggest trouble
...is about his two daughters
The elder one was crazy about her Japanese man
The younger one was precarious for her age
She kept coming into my room for drinks
Then she ran off with
another drummer from a club band
After she left her elder sister got into trouble too
Hey, have a word with your boss for me
I'm a bit late with the rent
Anyway, he has my deposit
Mr. Chow, tell him yourself
He's in a foul mood these days
What's eating him?
First, one daughter ran away
Now the other one's in hospital
That's why he's so angry
Why is she in hospital?
He wouldn't say he was quite strange...
Stay clear of him!
So, that's it?
Anyhow, give him my invitation
It's my father's birthday banquet
He can deduct his gift from the rent I owe
Later they imposed a curfew in Hong Kong
Home-made bombs caused panic
The economy stopped then
I stopped going out
Some thought I was a reformed character
Actually, I was writing
a story called '2046'
All about men and women looking for love...
...risking everything to get to a place called 2046
What's that?
Let's go to...
2046
I made it as bizarre and erotic as possible without crossing the line
The readers liked it
Some didn't take to the science-fiction angle
But all '2046' meant to me was...
...the number of a hotel room
I made up the whole thing
But some of my own experiences found their way into it
People I ran into in the normal course of things...
...turned up in my stories
I felt more and more at ease in my fiction world
Around that time Mr. Wang's music got louder again
More trouble with his two daughters...
But also because of the bad state of the economy
A lot of the rooms were empty
Then in September, the rioting ended
Life went back to normal
Soon, someone moved into 2046
Have you nearly finished?
It's too early in the day for that!
Some of us are trying to sleep!
Peeking?
The woman next door is quite a dish!
What are my chances?
You're off your head!
A father-to-be shouldn't have that on his mind!
Now she's pregnant
My wife won't let me touch her!
Come on
Put in a word for me
Okay...
How much?
How much have you got?
Only $1 00...
Wait for my call
Mr. Chow!
Mr. Chow, a call for you!
Would it be too early, huh?
She's not up yet
Why come over?
I told you, it has to be arranged
She's not some street walker!
A fellow artist like you
Show her a little respect, will you?
Yes, I'll tell you right away!
Miss Bai, your key
You're back, Miss Bai
Who is it?
Who are you looking for?
Mr. Chow suggested I come by...
You're back, Mr. Chow
Did you win on the dogs?
I lost! I won a little
Looking for me?
I think you know this person?
What are you doing in that room?
You said you'd arrange it! I paid you!
When did I say it was this room?
I want this one I said that room
I said this one Your girl's in that room
I said this one How embarrassing! Please excuse him
I told you, the room on the left!
I said I wanted that one! Shut up!
Who is it?
Oh, you again!
I just wanted to apologize for last night
Forget it. Go away
My editor was out of line
But he's not really so bad
Just a bit stingy! Never pays his way!
Always says he's broke when the check arrives
So I thought I'd play a trick on him
At my expense? Didn't you go a bit far?
He only fall for it because you're so beautiful
You're quite a flirt!
Just stating the fact!
A small token of apology
please accept it
I don't want it
You're still mad, aren't you?
Please accept it No!
Come on... No!
It's just a token...
Don't make fun of me. I mean what I say!
Now, get out!
That's good, let it all out
How can I make you feel better?
Slap me again!
Think I wouldn't dare?
Come closer!
Bastard!
Don't be so petty!
That's enough
I'm courteous enough not to slap you again
That doesn't mean you can take advantage!
This time I'll give you face
If there's ever a next time I'll be less polite
It won't happen again
My face is still numb
Accept it!
No!
They're just a token of my regard
I chose them myself
See if you like them
If you don't, just throw them away
Good
I'll leave now
Calm down!
It's none of your business who I dated last night!
Who?
Dabao!
Which Dabao?
The fat one or the skinny one?
From Shanghai or from Shandong?
The trouble is I know so many men named Dabao
How should I know which one you mean?
Yes, I did
What are you going to do about it?
Fine!
I'll be waiting!
Let me just say...
Get out!
You think I can accept this?
Her or me
You'd better choose!
Now get out!
24-Dec-67
You're back early!
It's Christmas!
Shouldn't you behaving dinner with your boyfriend?
What boyfriend?
Then let's have supper!
Come on...
You have so many girlfriends! You need company?
Go out with them!
They all want to be with me but I can't choose
The fairest thing is to see none of them
Come on, no point in staying cooped up in your room
I'm not in a good mood tonight
I might get drunk...
...and slap you again
That's okay
I'm used to it!
If slapping me would make you happy
take that as my Christmas present!
Come on...
Come with me
Let's go!
I didn't expect to spend Christmas like this
What were you expecting?
We'd made plans
He was taking me to Singapore
He says it's warm there at Christmas
So I didn't even pack winter clothes
What I'm wearing now...
...is for summer!
Have you been to Singapore?
I worked there for several years
What kind of work?
One newspaper
Is it fun there?
It's okay
Tell me more
I won't be going...
so I'll just have to imagine it
What do you want to know?
How's the climate?
Pretty warm
All year round
Sometimes you can't tell what season it is
The food stalls are great!
Ping and I ate there after work
We'd eat and drink till dawn
Our landlord was a funny man
Short and fat and he always wore a skirt
what the Malays call 'sarong'
But when you're away from home
...it sometimes gets bored
That was a dull meal!
Another drink somewhere else?
You really like to drink?
It makes things easy
When I'm drunk, I have no worries!
Won't your girlfriends be missing you tonight?
They're not stuck to me!
They see other men too
We just have fun together
They still need to make a living!
I don't get it
Where does all that 'fun' get you?
If you find the right person...
...why waste time on the others?
If I find the right person!
A man like me has nothing much
...except free time
That's why I need company
So people are just time-fillers to you?
I wouldn't say that
Other people can borrow my time too
And this evening?
Are you borrowing me or am I borrowing you?
No difference!
Maybe I borrowed you earlier...
...and then you're borrowing me
Ridiculous!
Don't get me wrong
I don't intend to take advantage of you
If that was what I wanted...
...I had plenty of options
I just want us to be drinking pals
Is that okay?
It's hard
But I'll give it a try
Okay...
Let's try!
Where to? Let's drink!
Mr. Chow, you seem happy tonight!
I certainly am my friends are buying me dinner
This way please...
Ping! Is it someone's birthday?
Better than that Chow has a new girl friend!
Definitely worth celebrating!
Mr. Chow what would you like to eat tonight?
Something expensive!
Snake?
Yes, snake would be good
Snake isn't cheap Sure you'll win the bet?
Shut up! Don't mind him
What'll it be Mr. Chow? Snake!
And a lamb casserole too
And bring Hoi's whiskey
Yes! Good!
Can't let this go to waste it's delicious
Where's your girl, Chow?
It's already 2 a.m. Is she coming?
She isn't coming She can't be coming
I don't think she's coming
It's all your fault
It's because of you that this happened
Why blame me?
You brought this on yourself
You said she was gentle and obedient
Now we know the truth!
I said she was sometimes obedient...
...and sometimes gentle
But she's full of surprises. That's fun
So, what next? Yes, what now?
What's more I can do?
Whatever you feel like doing
And then what happened?
Tell me!
How are you going to thank me?
Pervert!
Open up!
Who is it?
Open the door!
It's late
You played a fine joke on me tonight
I finished work late
Too late to get there
So I didn't come
What's this?
That's your fault too
How could I know you'd stand me up?
I thought I'd wine few hundred
Instead I lost my moustache
This is all your fault
You deserved it
Who pushed you into the bet?
I'll tell you something...
Ping asked me not to show up
Anyhow...
I wasn't that fond of the moustache
You look younger now
Don't you like it?
You're making fun of me!
You tricked me!
I'll get you for this
How will you make it up to me?
At least give me a kiss
You bit me!
Come and get me!
You're in for it when I catch you!
Don't touch me there!
You fool are you going to peel my skin off?
You think you are being merciful?
I am bleeding
I wonder if the weather matters
Just a lamb casserole and I am like this
Do you think I've gone wild?
What? Don't move!
What are you doing?
Shaving you Don't!
Who knows where that shaver's been
It may bring me bad luck
Let's go for Round Two!
I don't want it
Why are you dressed?
I'm going back to my room...
I'm exhausted
This is all I have
Aside from loose change for the bus
Here's $200
Please take it
I don't want it
I wasn't selling
That's not how I meant it
I want to pay for your torn dress
Please take it
I see...
You're afraid I'll cling to you is that it?
Fine...
I'll take $1 0
Think of it as a discount rate
If you ever want to come over again
...I'll charge the same
I'm going back to my room
Come here
Not tonight
Why not?
Not in the mood?
Can't take the strain tonight
Anyhow, I'm a bit short of cash
Never mind, you can owe me
No...
I don't like being in debt
The reception's at 6, dinner at 8
I don't mind if you can't make it just send your gift
No more than you do!
You hold banquets all year round!
I've had four birthday invitations from you this year!
I'll send over some more invitation cards later
Think of people with money...
Write in their names and send them invitations!
Okay. That's settled
Mr. Chow, holding another banquet?
You know we have birthdays in different calendars?
Another of mine has come around
No doubt
Here's one for your boss Alright
Tell him that since we're so close...
He can deduct his gift from the rent I owe
Make sure he gets it Okay
It's late, what's so urgent?
Just got back from Macau
Chow asked me to bring you a present
You two went to Macau?
Yes, we had some days off
So we went to the casino
Oh, it's beautiful
He says he found some money...
...in his pocket
So before losing it all at the tables...
...he bought you a present
Where is he?
Not back yet. You know what he's like
Extravagant at the start of the month
...and broke wall before the end
He made several thousand hosting that party
So now he's really enjoying himself!
Is he there alone?
Of course not! There's a gang of them
He likes company
Was he always like this?
Let's not talk about him Let's have a drink
But I should warn you...
I know you like Chow a lot
Don't waste your time on him
He's not serious!
Guess who?
There's only one possibility!
Let me have a bite first!
What are you doing here?
What am I doing here?
What do you think?
I thought I was pretty wild
But you're much wilder!
Pay up!
I haven't seen you for ages
I've been busy
Liar
Tell me the truth
I am!
Who was that woman the other day?
What woman?
Don't pretend
I saw her leaving your room
Who is she?
A friend
A friend?
What was she doing in your room?
Don't be nosy, alright?
Go back to your room
I have work to do
I won't!
I'm sleeping here tonight
An overnight stay is expensive
No problem
Name your price
I'd pay anything to be with you Every day
Retail is fine
Wholesale is out of the question
Why?
I just don't like it
Could you make an exception for me?
No
You treat all women like this?
Except one
Who?
My mother
I'm serious
I don't mind you having other women
But I won't be treated the same as them
I don't care if you love me or not
I'll love you anyway
Since we got together I haven't brought other men back
I hoped you'd think the same way
Will you promise me that?
No
I see...
Then we're through
I'll never bother you
And I don't ever want you in my room again
Here, $1 0!
Tonight, I'm paying
Thank you!
If you're ever in the mood feel free to come over
I'll charge you the same
Having fun?
What do you care?
You were rather loud last night
I meant to be
You bring back women why shouldn't I have men?
I want to see if you really don't mind
I won't go why don't you come here instead?
Forget it! Don't come!
After Bai Ling moved out...
...she started dating Dabao
And I saw other women too
If our paths ever crossed we'd pretend not to see each other
Rather pathetic, I know
But it was better for us to end it this way
We haven't kept in touch for long
Despite the fact that...
she pops up in my stories
Your change, please check it
Thank you
Are you going out later?
Why?
Could you post this letter for me?
Sure
Then Miss Wang came back
I knew from the familiar sound coming through the wall
Please take me with you!
Good!
What are you doing?
Wasn't I clear?
Don't contact that Japanese man!
Why are you writing to him in secret?
Aren't you ashamed?
Return his letter!
No?
What are you reading?
A martial-arts novel
You like them?
If your friend wants to send you more letters
and you don't want your dad to know
tell him to send them to my room
I'll pass them on to you
She looked happier when she came back this time
We talked more often
Mr. Chow, another letter for you
Another!
Those Japanese girls are so passionate
Let's see each other again
Then
if you still think we shouldn't be together...
...tell me so, frankly
That day, six years ago...
...a rainbow appeared in my heart
It's still there
Like a flame burning inside me
But what are your real feelings for me?
Are they like a rainbow after the rain?
Or...
...did that rainbow fade away long ago?
I'm waiting for your answer
Why do you write all that stuff about sex?
So I won't starve!
Don't you worry about your reputation?
Maybe I'm not such a nice guy
Why not try writing something else?
Who'd read it?
How about a martial-arts novel?
People love them
That's too hard
I tried once co-writing it with someone
We locked ourselves away for months
Just got sore heads
Those were good times...
I like writing too
It's hard to make a living by writing
I just do it for fun
I'll show you some of my stuff
Please do
Here you are, read this first
Wow, you're prolific!
When you've read it tell me what you think
Don't forget to give it back!
Sure!
Have you read my story yet?
I have
What did you think?
I think you should never write another word
Why not?
You're so good
You could put me out of work
The Spider Saga thrusts out his right fist!
Two chopsticks take off like rockets!
They land with explosive force!
Kaboom! The mountain splits apart!
Slow down, I can't keep up
Come on, they' re waiting for it
Alright...
Caught up?
Go on
Where was l?
The mountain splits apart...
Right... The mountain splits apart...
...smashing lron Abacus to the ground!
Iron Abacus?
Isn't he dead?
Is he?
Then make it lron Head
Where did lron Head come from all of a sudden?
Hey, anything goes in martial-arts novels!
Why don't you get some rest?
I'll finish it for you
Okay
It felt like having an assistant
When I was late with my copy I asked her to ghost it for me
She was just a girl...
...but she could write as realistic as the best of us
We got along very well
That was my happiest summer ever
But it didn't last...
I encouraged her to face up to her father
But she didn't dare
She wanted to pay her own way
So I got her a job in the cloakroom at a club
Thanks!
She told her father...
...she was going out with me
Sometimes I found an excuse to pick her up after work
You're here late
If you're ready to go
I have a taxi waiting I can give you a lift back
No thanks
Then I won't wait
Feelings can creep up on you unawares
I knew that, but did she?
She was always asking...
...if there was anything at all that never changed
I could see what was on her mind
I promised to write a story for her based on my observation
Something to show her what her boyfriend was thinking
As a joke...
we thought of calling it '2047'
But maybe I was being too oblique
I'd begun to feel that it wasn't about her boyfriend at all
Rather it was more about me
So I began imagining myself as a Japanese man...
...on a train for 2046...
...falling for an android with delayed reaction
If someone wants to leave 2046 how long will it take?
No one can say
Some people get away very easily
Others find that...
...it takes them much longer
It takes great strength
And it can hurt terribly
I forget how long I've been on this train
I start to feel very lonely
It's rather boring at first
But you slowly get used to it
We have a range of cabin attendants
They can satisfy your every need
They will serve you devotedly
Like an intimate friend
But you must never fall in love with them
Who'd ever fall for an android?
Who can say?
Events can creep up on you...
...without you even noticing
It happens all the time
Paragraph 201 in the Passengers' Guide...
...warns that Area 1224-1225...
...is especially cold
The train heating won't be strong enough
Passengers are advised to hug each other to keep warm
Since I'm the only passenger...
...I hug my android cabin attendant
I wonder if it's her mechanism or just my imagination...
But I sense some responsive warmth in her artificial body
It hurts...
Why do you want to leave 2046?
Do you know...
...what people did in the old days...
...when they had secrets they didn't want to share?
They'd climb a mountain...
Find a tree...
Carve a hole in it...
Whisper the secret into the hole...
And cover it up with mud
That way...
...nobody else would ever learn the secret
I'll be your tree!
Tell me, and nobody else will ever know
I always...
I...
I always...
Very funny! I...
I always...
Whenever anyone asked why I left 2046...
I always...
...I gave them some vague answer
I always...
I once fall in love with someone
I couldn't stop wondering whether she loved me or not
I found an android which looked just like her
I thought the android might give me the answer
1 0 hours later
I have a secret to tell you
Leave with me
I have a secret to tell you
Leave with me
I kept on asking
But she never answered
I began dreaming up excuses for her silence
Do you know the Buddhist canon?
'The 5 Decays of Celestial Beings'?
The 5 Decays of Celestial Beings
It's all about the gods...
and how they go through this process too
Our cabin attendants
are superbly designed
But there's one problem
When they've served on so many long journeys...
...fatigue begins to satin
They might want to laugh...
...but the smile would be slow to come
They might want to cry...
...but the tear wouldn't weep till next day!
This one is falling fast
I think you'd better give up
I grew desperate
I felt like giving up
But I was soon trying again
I have a secret to tell you
Will you leave with me?
I have a secret to tell you
Will you leave with me?
Do you know what people did in the old days...
...when they had secrets?
They'd climb a mountain, find a tree
Carve a hole in it...
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I slowly began to doubt myself
The reason she didn't answer...
...was not simply that her reactions were delayed
It's simply that she didn't love me
So at last I got it
It's entirely beyond my control
The only thing left for me...
...was to give up
24-Dec-68
Why are you inviting me to Christmas dinner?
You know how much I'll lose in tips by not working?
Wouldn't it be awful to be alone tonight?
I need company
That means me?
Your boyfriend hasn't written in a while
I told him not to
Anyway, it's hopeless
No point waiting for me
Why is it hopeless? Go and look for him!
If you don't, it really will be hopeless
My dad will never give his consent
If you were him...
...what would you be doing tonight?
Why don't you ask him?
Have you got his phone number?
I can't hear you
Can you speak louder?
I'm already shouting!
I felt like Santa Claus that night
I took her to the newspaper office...
and let her make a long-distance call to her boyfriend
I was happy...
...to see her so happy
In fact, Area 1 224-1 225...
...meant Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
On the night before Christmas...
...many people need a bit more warmth than usual
I didn't get that
Maybe that was for the best
1 0 hours later
I realized...
...the reason the android didn't answer...
...had nothing to do with her mechanism wearing out
Nor that she didn't like him
More likely...
...she already loved someone else
Soon after that, she went to Japan
I gave her a copy of my story 2047
I hope she read it
1 00 hours later
1 000 hours later
Love is all a matter of timing
It's no good meeting the right person...
...too soon or too late
If I'd lived in another time or place...
...my story might have had a very different ending
I have to tell you...
Yes?
I'll be away for a couple of days
Please pay my daughter this month's rent
She's back?
Not Jingwen? I mean pay my younger girl, Jiewen
So your worries are over! Going on holiday?
No, I have to go to Japan
But you hate Japanese!
Why go to Japan?
Jingwen is getting married
Congratulations
I wasn't sure whether to go or not
Now I've decided... I just want her to be happy
When do you leave? Can you help me choose a present?
No need for that
She wanted me to ask you something
What is it?
She read your story '2047' She likes it a lot
But she finds the ending too sad
She wonders if you can change it?
I'll see what I can do
An hour later
1 0 hours later
1 00 hours later
Taxi!
I also like the story to have a happy ending
But I don't know how to write it
Some years back I had a happy ending in my grasp
But I let it slip away
Don't turn your back on me!
Has he been here? What's it to you?
While I was depressed I ran into Lu-lu again
She hadn't changed still intensively jealous
You think he's yours?
I thought you knew him well!
That's the way he is!
We've just been amusing ourselves
So control yourself, Missy!
Watching her taught me something
When you don't take 'no' for an answer...
...there is still a chance you'll get what you want
1 8 months later
Hello, is Mr. Chow there?
I know I have no right to ask...
...but they say I need a guarantor
The man who recruits girls
for the nightclub...
...says he knows you
Can you talk to him for me?
No problem
I know the man you mean
I'll see him in a day or two
Why did you choose Singapore?
I don't want to stay here any longer
I've been thinking about it for some time
I went to take a look at the place
Don't drink too much
You don't look well
Don't worry, it won't kill me
You know what?
I came by here at Christmas
I thought I might run into you
Why didn't you call me first?
I don't know
I came on impulse
I don't know why
That night I suddenly missed you so much
Of course, we're drinking pals
Of course you'll miss me
You're right
We're drinking pals
Let's go
Waiter Yes
The check Okay
Where are you staying?
In a hotel, a rather small room
But it's not too bad
I'll see you back
No, thanks
I've just moved in, it's a mess
I'll invite you once it's cleaned up
I'll go first
Seeing how much Bai Ling had changed...
...I was suddenly overcome by a feeling of grief
Indeed, last Christmas...
...I was not in Hong Kong
24-Dec-69
Have you seen Miss Su?
Miss Su... not for some time
Any idea where she might be?
Probably back in Phnom Penh
I didn't want to spend Christmas 1 969 in Hong Kong
So I visited Singapore and went back to the casino
I waited for several days but Black Spider never turned up
No one knew where she was
Some thought she'd gone back to Phnom Penh
Others thought she was dead
Ping and I began working in Singapore in 1 963
When my life lost most of its meaning...
...I started gambling every day
Those were hard times for me
And only one person came to my rescue
A professional gambler
Some said she was a cheat
She always wore black
They called her Black Spider
She kept her black glove on for 365 days of the year
Nobody knew why for sure
Had her hand been chopped off for cheating?
did the glove cover up a fake hand?
Nobody really knew
Why do you wear that black glove?
It's a habit
You're not from here?
I am from Phnom Penh
What a coincidence! I was just in Cambodia
The place is in chaos what were you doing there?
The newspaper sent me
You're a journalist?
Not anymore
Why's that?
They made some changes and I'm now a 'consultant'
On half-pay, with next to nothing to do
So why are you spending your time in the casino?
I tried to win enough to pay my way back to Hong Kong
You lost a lot?
A few thousand
You should never sat foot in a casino in a bad mood
You won't win
I didn't expect to win
I just hoped to get back my stake
If you have any left...
...I can help you
on one condition
When you've got your money back stop gambling
Why are you helping me?
I take a commission
1 0% of whatever I win for you
Think it over
What good to her... were her tiny commissions on my winnings
After that, we went back to the casino night after night
We'd eat at the stall next to the railway station
She won back all the money I'd lost!
Thank you
Don't thank me. It's yours
If you need me again tomorrow...
...I'll be waiting here after dinner
I still don't know your name
It's Su, Su Lizhen
A few years ago I fall in love with another man's wife
Her name was also Su Lizhen
It was because of her that I moved to Singapore
I never dreamed I'd meet another Su Lizhen
I told her a lot about the other Su Lizhen
At first, we kept it secret
But gossip soon spread
Later we moved into a hotel
We had Room 2046
When I think back the whole thing was like a dream
You loved her deeply?
It's history
Let's change the subject
You, what did you do before?
You want to know about me?
Come on, we'll play high-low
If you win, I'll tell you everything
It struck me that her past...
...was like the hand she always kept gloved
A mystery with no solution
Of all the men I've met...
...you've been the best to me
I'm already missing you
Why won't you come with me?
Didn't you...
...promise not to ask?
Hold me
It may be years before we meet again
The night we last saw each other for the last time...
I told her...
take care
Maybe one day you'll escape your past
If you do, look for me
Now it strikes me
that what I told her was actually meant for myself
In love, you can't bring on a substitute
I was looking for what I'd felt with the other Su Lizhen
I didn't realize that myself
But I'm sure she did
When the peony blooms
She stands tall
And then goes away
Does she mean 'No' or 'Yes'?
All for me? You want to get me drunk?
I know you're a good drinker
Let's drink!
As much as we can!
If there's any left over...
...finish it next time you're here
One small thing I have to ask you
Here's some money, please take it
What for?
I know you borrowed from a friend for my plane ticket
Pay him back
If there's any left, pay my rent for me
Where did you get so much money?
An old customer
He's always been fond of me
He treats me well
But he's too old for me so I never paid him much attention
I ran into him yesterday while I was shopping
He insisted on buying me dinner
I needed money
So I went
After dinner, I told him I needed money
He said I could have as much as I wanted
I told him I needed $5,000
At first I planned to save it for Singapore
But I'm using it now
Don't be silly
You're still young You have great prospects
I borrowed the money from my friends
They don't need it back yet
So keep this for yourself
Pay me back later, there's no rush
Why are you so kind to me?
Perhaps it's fate
T oo bad it didn't last
I wish it could have gone on longer
Don't be like this
Let me buy you dinner tonight
Waiter, the check! Coming
No, let me
You're too kind
You've spent enough time and money on me already
I don't want to owe you too much
I need to make a phone call
Please settle the check, I'll be outside
Will you come in?
No, thanks
Get some rest
I'll see you to the airport tomorrow
Please don't
I'll be terribly sad if you're there
Take good care of yourself
Why can't it be like, it was before?
Please don't go
Stay with me tonight
Let me borrow you
Do you remember?
You once asked me...
...if there was anything I wouldn't lend
I've given it a lot of thought
And now I know...
there is one thing
I'll never land to anyone
As I recall...
...that was the very last time we saw each other
I haven't seen her since that night
Why can't it be like it was before?
He didn't turn back
It was as if he'd boarded a very long train
Heading for a drowsy future
Through the unfathomable night
Everyone who goes to 2046 has the same intention
They want to recapture lost memories
Because in 2046...
...nothing ever changes
But nobody really knows if that's true or not
Because nobody has ever come back