TONG

A saga based on true incidents of the time.

Story by: Robert M. Grippo

Screenplay by: Robert M. Grippo

& Christopher Hoskins.

He came to America to succeed. He succeeded to become the leader of one of the most powerful Tongs in New York City circa 1900.

Manchuria, China – Late 1890’s

Quai Su Quan is a farmer as was his father before him and his father before him. He now takes care of his elderly father, the work is hard. Although Quai’s roots run deep through the land he has dreams of success beyond the farm.

Quai is a bit too quick to jump, celebrating a harvest that he has not yet harvested. He and his friends prepare to celebrate one evening with drink and laughter. While doing so at the town meeting place, he is watched by two men with interest. They take notice of Quai’s loyalty to his friends, his knowledge of English, and his eagerness to leave China for success across the world - in America.

He is approached by the two men one day while working in the fields. They come to tell him the “Wise One “ wishes Quai meet with him in Peking. The Wise One is one of the last Manchus in a position of power – The Boxer Rebellion had changed the power structure in China. It is whispered how the Manchu gained his wealth and keeps it, through opium, gambling and prostitution.

Quai Su Quan is brought before the Wise One and is given the chance to make his dreams come true. His loyalty and fluency in English have impressed the Wise One. He will be sent to America – to New York City – “The City of Much Happiness.” And set up in business, all he needs to do is to let the business be used as a front for the opium and other vice that will take place in the back rooms.

The Chinese Exclusion act of the 1880’s stopped the immigration of Chinese to the USA, the only way possible to get any Oriental in the country would be by claiming he was a “paper son.” A son that exists only on paper, in this manner Quai would be allowed in New York City.

Quai arrives in New York City in 1900. Because of the Wise One’s recommendation, Quai is immediately met by Chen Yeow – Chen Yeow is the loyal right hand man to Master Po – the leader of the Hip Sing Tong. The Tongs were worse than the Mafia. They would fight many bitter Tong Wars during the time from the late 1890’s to the 1930’s. Quai meets Master Po and immediately begins working hard in his new home.

Chinatown’s population in 1900 was estimated at 4,000 Orientals, only 150 of these were woman. Thus Chinatown was called “The Bachelor Society,” prostitution and opium were very profitable.

Through a series of good fortune and wise decisions, most importantly the removal of a deceased overdosed man’s body, (the son of a prominent
politician) from the opium den in the rear of the laundry – and saving Po’s life -- Quai rises from laundry-man to Master Po’s bodyguard. When Master Po retires and passes control to Quai instead of Chen Yeow, all hell breaks loose. A ruthless Tong war erupts as Yeow makes Quai his sworn enemy.

Through the bitter years of Tong Wars Quai marries Li the granddaughter of Master Po’s friend and raises a family. Quai becomes the leader of the Hip Sings and finds Chen Yeow now to be a determined enemy as the leader of the rival Tong
of note: the On Leong’s.

Quai’s method of fighting – squatting low to the ground and firing two 45 caliber pistols in a full circle saved his life many times, this came to him instinctively. In China, he needed to protect his father, home, farm and animals, he learned quickly to always be prepared to take any action needed to defend his father and his possessions. In America, this instinct came to him as easily as breathing. During the Tong wars he was hit only once.

His given “paper son” name upon arriving in the USA was Lee Duck, as word of his style of fighting spreads he is given the nickname “Mock Duck.” As his position grows in Chinatown he brings his father over from China but his father is bitterly opposed to his son’s life. Quai and Li are asked to take in a child whose father worked for him, the man was killed in an attack in Chinatown. The child’s (a girl) mother was white and father Chinese. The child’s mother died in childbirth, as did Quai’s mother which helps Quai and Li to decide to take her and raise her as their own.

The city officials were corrupt and were paid off by the Tongs, although they looked the other way, quite often public opinion would finally force the
officials to take action after numerous bystanders were shot and killed in Tong Wars. Quai is forced to leave Chinatown – leaving behind his wife, three sons, the daughter he took as his own and his father.

Two years pass; life goes on in Chinatown although Chen Yeow now owns Chinatown and the On Leongs are leaders amongst the Tongs. Then Master Po is killed, prompting the return of Quai/Lee Duck and a return to the bloodshed. But this time Quai/Lee faces the deck of cards that is stacked against him. His oldest boy is taken and beaten, the government is tipped off by that the girl is not his daughter and she taken away, his father dies and his second oldest is in love with Chen Yeow’s daughter.

He is called to meet Chen Yeow, he is lost, it is checkmate. He is told either he “retires,” or he will lose everything – he has no option. He must walk away from the business that has made his life of success possible. He leaves the meeting with Chen Yeow and walks away from Chinatown never looking back.

It is now 20 years later Quai/Lee is on his deathbed, his three sons and their children around him. The doorbell rings – Li answers the door and is
shocked to see the girl they called Kim – their daughter whom was taken away. She is brought before Quai to show him her husband and to present Quai/Lee his granddaughter held in Kim’s arms.

Quai tells his family “I am Quai Su Quan, I am humbled” as he closes his eyes to eternal sleep.

In China, Quai Su Quan was a young man with dreams of a better life for his father and himself. Although a man of common sense, loyalty and honor, he is quickly seduced by the opportunity that America and the Tongs offer him. His father tried to teach him that with patience comes knowledge of things, what is good and what ultimately is bad, that a path taken in haste will leave behind a path of destruction and waste. Quai/Lee faces many demons as he rises from a laundry man to one who will kill for business and to gain territory in Chinatown. The smoke and incense of the Golden Opium pipe are intoxicating to all who dare to smoke from it. Money and power are the devil’s reward tempting even the pure of heart.

Yet with the love of his wife, his sons and adopted daughter and the wisdom of his father indeed deeply etched into his soul, redemption is finally realized.