Pacific Overtures (1976 TV Movie)

Alvin Ing: Shogun's Mother, Observer, Merchant, American Admiral

Quotes 

• Shogun's Mother : It's the day of the rat, my lord. There are four days remaining, and I see you're entertaining, but we should have a chat, my lord. To begin, if I may, my lord; I've no wish to remind you, but you'll notice just behind you there are ships in the bay, they've been sitting there all day with a letter to convey and they haven't gone away, and there's every indication that they're planning to stay my lord. Have some tea my Lord, some chrysanthemum tea, it's an herb that's superb for disturbances at sea. Is the shogun feeling better? Good, now what about this letter? Is it wise to delay my lord? With the days disappearing might we benefit from hearing what the soothsayers say, my lord?

• Shogun's Mother : It's the day of the ox, my lord. Only two days remaining, and today already waning, I've a few further shocks my lord. To begin, let me say, at the risk of repetition, there are ships in the bay, and they didn't ask permission but they sit there all day in contemptuous array, with a letter to convey, and they haven't gone away, and there's every indication that they still plan to stay, and you look a little gray, my lord... Have some tea, my lord, some chrysanthemum tea, while we plan if we can what our answer ought to be. If the tea the shogun drank will serve to keep the shogun tranquil I suggest, if I may, my lord, we consult the confucians, they have mystical solutions, there are none wise as they my lord.

• Shogun's Mother : It's the day of the tiger, my lord. Only two days remaining, and I'm tired of explaining, there are ships in the bay, with a letter to convey, they're on permanent display, and we must take some position, or the southern coalition will be soon holding sway my lord, and we'll all have to pay, my lord. Have some tea, my lord, some chrysanthemum tea, it's a tangled situation as your father would agree. And it mightn't be so tangled if you hadn't had him strangled, but I fear that I stray my lord. I've a nagging suspicion that in view of your condition what we should do is pray, my lord.

• Shogun's Mother : It's the day of the rabbit, my lord. There's but one day remaining, and besides the fact it's raining, there are ships in the bay, which are sitting there today, just exactly where they sat, on the day of the rat - Oh, and speaking of that my lord... my lord?

  [the Shogun dies] 

  Shogun's Mother : The blossom falls on the mountain/ the mountain falls on the blossom/ all things fall...

  [the Shoguns stirs] 

  Shogun's Mother : Sometimes. As I started to say, my lord. When the ships came our way on that first disturbing day, and I gave consideration to this letter they convey, I decided if there weren't any shogun to receive it, it would act as a deterrent, since they'd have no place to leave it, and they might go away, my lord. Do you see what I say, my lord?

  [the shogun gasps] 

  Shogun's Mother : [nods]  In the tea, my lord, the chrysanthemum tea, an informal variation on the normal recipe. Though i know my plan had merit it was slow in execution, if there's one thing you inherit, it's your father's constitution, and you're taking so long, my lord. Do you think I was wrong, my lord?

  [the Shogun gasps for air] 

  Shogun's Mother : No, you must let me speak, when the shogun is weak, then the tea must be strong my lord... My lord?

  [the Shogun dies] 

  Shogun's Mother : The blossom falls on the mountain/ The mountain falls on the blossom/ all things fall.

• American Admiral : Please hello! America back! Commodore Perry send hello. Also comes memorial plaque, President Fillmore wish bestow! Emperor read our letter? If no, Commodore Perry very sad. Emperor like our letter? If so, Commodore Perry very merry, President Fillmore still more glad! Last time we visit, too short. This time we visit for slow. Last time we come, come with warships, now with more ships, say hello! This time request use of port. Port for commercial intention, harbor with ample dimension!

  Abe - First Councillor : But you can't...

  American Admiral : Only one little port for a freighter.

  American Admiral : But you can't...

  American Admiral : Just for fun, be a sport!

  Abe - First Councillor : Maybe later...

  American Admiral : But we bring many recent invention! Kerosene and cement and a grain elevator, a machine you can rent called a 'train.'

  Abe - First Councillor : Maybe later...

  American Admiral : Also cannon to shoot, big loud salute, like so!

  [cannon fires] 

  American Admiral : Say hello!

  [cannon fires again] 

  American Admiral : [Abe signs the treaty] 

  American Admiral : Treaty meet approval? If no, Commodore Perry very fierce - Disregard confusion below, President Fillmore now name Pierce. Good, at last agreement is made! Letter will let us come again. First result of mutual trade, Commodore getting letter letting, counselor getting fancy pen!

• American Admiral , British Admiral , Dutch Admiral , Russian Admiral , French Admiral : Ah detente! A detente! That's what everybody wants/ You should want/ a detente/ makes a nation like a brother/ We'll be here/ every year/ to protect you from each other, and to see you aren't signing foreign treaties and detentes! Please hello, we must go, but our intercourse will grow/ through detentes/ as detente/ brings complete cooperation/ By the way, me we say, we adore your little nation, and with heavy cannon wish you an unending Please Hello!