(KIM bursts into the ENGINEER'S shack, carrying TAM)



KIM

Engineer!

Thuy is dead!

he was going to kill my baby and I shot



ENGINEER

you did what?

who is that?

you'll be followed! Get him out of here! Good-bye!



KIM

we must leave!

Tam and I!

we must set off for America tonight



ENGINEER

oh right!

just like that!

tell me how, and while you're at it, tell me why



KIM

I hear the voice of my soldier

telling me to bring... his son



ENGINEER

you're telling me this half-breed brat

is born the son of a marine?



let me see his western nose

this bastard is... the most beautiful sight I've ever seen!

a passport in my hand

my new life can begin

your brat's American

so they must let us in!

in!

the playground of mankind!

the movie in my mind!



I'm your dear brother from now on

and all our family is gone

boy, kiss your brand-new uncle Tran

this kid is okay

he is our entree

to the U.S.A.



with these two little diamonds to bait my hooks

I'll book us on a cruise "boat-people" deluxe

don't worry 'bout the sharks out in the Mekong bay

the pirates taking us are more scary any day



you just stay here and hide

don't show your face outside

take care of our little dear

I will go "engineer"



(He runs out.)



(In the street)



ENGINEER

if you want to die in bed

don't care too much for country

hit the open sea instead

and float there like a cork

uncle ho, ho ho ho ho!

I'll have to call you from New York