(CHRIS and JOHN return)



CHRIS

we could not find her anywhere

honey, what's wrong?



ELLEN

Kim was here

the one who had to tell her was me



JOHN

oh, my God, it's my fault



CHRIS

I knew we were gone too long!



ELLEN

no, I think it's exactly what I had to see

you said you lived with her, that's all you were

only one thing you left out is that you loved her



CHRIS

it was just two weeks, that was years ago



JOHN

nothing's changed for her



ELLEN

don't explain

there's nothing you can say

it's like she's gone insane

she tried to give away

her own child



JOHN

she wants your son to be an American boy



ELLEN

don't you see, she still thinks she's married to you

you must tell her she's not, she must hear it and soon

'course that only depends if it's true



CHRIS

please don't doubt me Ellen: you're my wife

lots of guys came back and had no life

I had you



ELLEN

you can say what you want but she's borne you a son

in your nightmares the name that you shouted was hers

you've been with me two years and not shared things you've done

don't hold back

let me see

is it her now

or me?



CHRIS

let me tell you the way it was

back when I was a different man

back when I didn't have a clue who I am

the feelings locked behind a dam

that kept me there in Vietnam



there in the shambles of a war

I found what I was looking for

Saigon was crazed, but she was real

and for one moment, I could feel



I saw a world I never knew

and through her eyes I suffered too

in spite of all the things that were

I started to believe in her



so I wanted to save her, protect her

Christ, I'm American, how could I fail to do good?

all I made was a mess, just like everyone else

in a place full of mystery that I never once understood!

I wanted back a world I knew

the story of my life began again

with you



ELLEN CHRIS

it's all right now, that's all through oh Ellen, I should have told you

we'll get past this, start anew will you ever trust me again?

all I want all I have

in my life in my life now

is you is you



JOHN

now listen guys

it's not so easy

there is this kid

who looks just like you

hey, I think it's great

you have each other

but he exists

you have to face it



I run a camp that is filled with bui-doi

looking for the fathers that they may never find

you don't have a complicated choice with this boy

do you want to take him out or leave him behind?



CHRIS

he's my son

I won't abandon him

except that, Jesus Christ, John

there is also Kim

what of her?



ELLEN

if it was only Tam

I'd take him now

he is your son

we'd make it work somehow

but Chris, she still loves you

how can I have her near?



CHRIS

there's no choice

I think the answer's clear

they'll have to stay in Bangkok

we'll support them here



ELLEN JOHN

I think this is the answer Listen, you didn't see what's in that girl's head



CHRIS AND ELLEN

for now this is the answer I hope you are both proud of what you've just said



ELLEN

it's done



CHRIS

it's done



CHRIS AND ELLEN

it's planned

the girl is smart

she'll understand



KIM

(walking around the streets of Bangkok)

you must take Tam with you



CHRIS AND ELLEN

in Bangkok, he will go to American schools



KIM

I won't break my promise to my son



CHRIS AND ELLEN

they will start a new life



KIM

you will take Tam with you



CHRIS AND ELLEN

we'll provide for their needs



JOHN

you are talking like fools!



KIM

you won't forget Tam is a part of you



CHRIS, ELLEN, JOHN

we will (you should) do what is right

right for him

right for us

right for Kim



KIM

I still taste your kisses

your voice sings in my ear

you can betray what we were yesterday

but you'll come back tonight for him



(KIM returns to the bar. THE ENGINEER comes out with TAM.)



ENGINEER

come on, come on, your recitation

describe your reconciliation

I hope before his stimulation

he bought our little group vacation



KIM

in all his dreams he saw our baby

and he's teaching him to fly

paper dragons in the sky



ENGINEER

yes, papers, what's the situation?

we'll need our cards for immigration

no tricks, I've got my reputation

don't want no phony complications



KIM

no, no

he's coming to us tonight

pack your things

get yourself arranged

while I change for my last performance



ENGINEER

me, Chris and you

what a menage!

Bangkok can screw!

bon voyage!