New Gold Mountain (2021) s01e03 Episode Script

1
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 murdered that woman.
That's where the blame needs to go.
Wasn't them, those kids we killed.
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 killed her?
(SOFTLY) He didn't kill 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 gun.
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 murder
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?
Murder 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 shoot 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.
Whores 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 murder
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 fuckin' 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 shooting of the outlaw.
What the fuck 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 killed. 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 killed her? The outlaws?
Moonface.
What? Moonface?
Chinee man.
It was a Chinee man who killed 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 murdered woman.
Surely that story is done now
that the killer 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 bastard.
What the fuck 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 fuck 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 shit, 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)
(GUNSHOT)
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 bitch'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.
Fuck off.
She was!
Fuck
She was!
Look at 'em.
Slant-eyed fucks,
fouling up their water.
Have you seen the shite they eat?
Bringing fuck-knows what
diseases in.
Well, your dick rash
might have been your own doing.
When do we get a fuckin' break,
though, eh?
Our fuckin' people.
(PIANO PLAYS)
LOLA: Welcome, everyone.
Esteemed ladies and gentlemen.
Hey!
You speak fuckin' 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 fuck 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.