The Last Rose of Shanghai

Aiyi is nervous about Ernest’s performance. Her advertisement attracted more people to the club. Her head dancer, Lanyu, complains that the troupe isn’t getting paid enough, but Aiyi has unpaid debt from using a loan to fix bomb damage. Three rich teenage boys approach and make sexual comments, implying that Aiyi hired Ernest to sleep with him. Cheng warns them off. Once Ernest starts playing, though, the whole club comes alive. The teenagers are delighted. Aiyi enjoys Ernest’s music and seeing her customers have a good time. The party goes on all night, and Aiyi wishes that she could “jump into [Ernest’s] arms” (85).

Ernest’s music packs the club night after night and Aiyi raises the prices of her drinks. Ernest seems healthy. Sassoon calls to compliment Aiyi on her success. Aiyi daydreams of her club regaining its prior stature and can’t stop thinking of Ernest.

One night, Sinmay asks Aiyi why he is hearing of Ernest’s popularity when Aiyi said that she would fire the pianist. She says that Ernest is good for business. Aiyi has the idea of asking Emily to write an article about Ernest, but they are not friends. She asks Sinmay about Emily, and he brushes off the question.