Speaker 1: My name is Trim and this is Saigon, the story
Speaker 1: of my family and of the country that shaped us.
Speaker 1: The United States will not stand by and allow any power, however,
Speaker 1: great take over another time.
Speaker 2: O allow.
Speaker 3: God, who got from natural excursion, has brought only.
Speaker 1: Come you to get out with you wand a bad
Speaker 1: very babler sounds babler.
Speaker 3: That can be no peace without justice, and that can
Speaker 3: be no justice without peace.
Speaker 2: Chapter one.
Speaker 1: In nineteen thirty five, a tennis match was played in
Speaker 1: Saigon Serk sportieth, but it was far from an ordinary
Speaker 1: tennis match. It was the final of the Saigon City
Speaker 1: Championship and the first time ever a Vietnamese national had
Speaker 1: qualified to play against the French champion, Jewel Pino. Only
Speaker 1: a few years earlier, our French rulers had needed tanks
Speaker 1: and artillery to defeat a proud Vietnamese resistance demanding independence,
Speaker 1: and after gaining victory, they guillotined over two hundred Vietnamese insurgents.
Speaker 1: But the widespread desire for independence had not been defeated.
Speaker 1: It had only been silenced, and now behind the genteel
Speaker 1: mask of a tanness match, it exploded to the surface.
Speaker 1: There are two young men in the crowd watching the game,
Speaker 1: an American and a Frenchman. They had been childhood friends
Speaker 1: and had met again after eleven years. That very morning,
Speaker 1: in fact, when the American whose name is Joseph, arrived
Speaker 1: at the Continental Palace hotel in Saigon.
Speaker 4: Bonjour, I have a room booked. The name's Joseph Sherman. Joseph, I, yes, Joseph,
Speaker 4: But my god, it really is you.
Speaker 5: So good to see you again, Mona mee.
Speaker 6: God.
Speaker 5: You haven't changed the.
Speaker 4: Beats, neither of you. But how did you even know
Speaker 4: I was coming?
Speaker 5: You made the morning's papers look Senator Sherman's returns to
Speaker 5: Saigon ten years after tragedy.
Speaker 4: Let me see that. Okay, well that's unexpected.
Speaker 5: It made me think about well they were good times,
Speaker 5: but about your father too. What about coffee du cafes?
Speaker 5: You believe? Yes? Now, what are you to, Joseph? Tell
Speaker 5: me everything.
Speaker 7: I'm actually here writing a piece for the chronicle. But honestly,
Speaker 7: what I really wanted to do was having excuse to
Speaker 7: come back.
Speaker 5: What about you now? I'm with the Jean de Marie.
Speaker 7: The Gendarmerie. I never saw you as a policeman. You're
Speaker 7: always a bit of a rebel.
Speaker 5: I'm the sort of Frenchman who wants to keep law
Speaker 5: in order by embracing Vietnamese culture, not fighting it.
Speaker 7: See that sounds like Paul I knew when I was Gosh,
Speaker 7: what were we fifteen sixteen.
Speaker 5: On that hunting trip. I just turned sixteen.
Speaker 4: Pretty young when you think about it.
Speaker 5: Well, there have been some exciting times while you've been away.
Speaker 4: You mean the battle for independence.
Speaker 5: Yes, that was ugly. Luckily we brought everything back under control,
Speaker 5: though I'm.
Speaker 7: Sure you did, although I doubt you've really changed the
Speaker 7: way the Vietnamese feel.
Speaker 5: No, but we have stopped the violence. They're learning to
Speaker 5: be civilized now. In fact, you should come out to
Speaker 5: the circus partif today there is a tennis match on
Speaker 5: the men's singles final. Actually, May, what's the time we
Speaker 5: have to go now? Absolutely more drink up. The whole
Speaker 5: city is treating this tennis match like a proxy fight
Speaker 5: between the locals and their French masters. That's how they
Speaker 5: express their feelings. Now, you see on the tennis court,
Speaker 5: much more reasonable and in fact, you love this the
Speaker 5: local boys. Tran Van Kim.
Speaker 4: You mean our Kim. It's a skinny, shy kid who
Speaker 4: followed us everywhere.
Speaker 5: That's him.
Speaker 4: That's incredible. I'd be good to see him again.
Speaker 5: He's become quite a plain boy.
Speaker 4: You don't say.
Speaker 5: And you remember Kim's sister.
Speaker 4: Land, Yeah, and she never said much. She's a little girl.
Speaker 5: Right, Well, she's a real beauty now shes suplay. Come on, we're.
Speaker 4: Here, well, Land, you sounds smitten.
Speaker 5: She's twenty now and she wears the Audai like an angel.
Speaker 5: So beautiful. Well, a man can dream, Joseph and plan,
Speaker 5: but I have to impress her father more than her.
Speaker 5: That's the first step. Yes, of course, this way, members enclosure.
Speaker 4: Excuse him?
Speaker 5: What yes, JEPPI.
Speaker 8: Captain of course, excuse enjoy the match.
Speaker 4: Your name obviously opens gates.
Speaker 5: It's because of my father than me. Oh, he's in
Speaker 5: the administration.
Speaker 4: What's happening over there?
Speaker 5: That's him. That's Kim in the middle of all those
Speaker 5: young women. I told you he's a bit of a playboy.
Speaker 4: Now it's not a skinny, shy kid anymore.
Speaker 5: Well not anymore. Oh, we're over here. Excuse me to play?
Speaker 2: Thank you?
Speaker 5: Excuse him.
Speaker 1: They threaded their way to the members enclosure, which was
Speaker 1: a roped off section of the best seats square, Joseph Land.
Speaker 9: It is Joseph, isn't it Joseph Sherman.
Speaker 5: You remember him?
Speaker 9: Of course, I've read you were back. Oh, and such
Speaker 9: a pleasure to see you again, Monster.
Speaker 7: Devo likewise likewise, but you were just I never would
Speaker 7: have recognized you.
Speaker 9: Yes, I was just a little girl when you were
Speaker 9: here the first time. But it's so good to see
Speaker 9: you again.
Speaker 4: Sorry, I'm amazed you remember me.
Speaker 9: You made quite an impression a teenage American boy who
Speaker 9: was so kind to his friend's little sister.
Speaker 4: Good. I hope seeing me again doesn't spoil the memory.
Speaker 9: No, on the contrary, So can you watch the.
Speaker 5: Match with us, Lamb, I would love to. Well, let
Speaker 5: me present Joseph to your father and we'll be down
Speaker 5: in a minute.
Speaker 9: I'll save us some seats.
Speaker 5: Well.
Speaker 4: Well, yeah, you were right.
Speaker 10: She's beautiful, I told you, and in need of a
Speaker 10: good French husband, according to her father, Monsieur tan van
Speaker 10: Hue And oh, come on, I'll introduce you.
Speaker 5: He's over there with my father. Father Monsieur, please allow
Speaker 5: me to introduce Joseph Sherman out here from the United States.
Speaker 3: But not the senator's youngest. So you're back after all
Speaker 3: this time. What a pleasant surprise. What happened on that
Speaker 3: trip was so tragic.
Speaker 4: Yes, it was a tragedy, but time heals all wounds.
Speaker 4: Maybe maybe do you still take coups out hunting?
Speaker 3: No? No, I never did.
Speaker 5: After No, my father's now the deputy chief of.
Speaker 4: Congratulations.
Speaker 7: Though, I imagine keeping the peace and Saigon is a
Speaker 7: tough job.
Speaker 3: Well, it's simply a question of balance, monsieur.
Speaker 11: Ah, you're too modest, monsieur. It is only through your
Speaker 11: constant vigilance that our streets are peaceful and the people
Speaker 11: prosperous and pleased.
Speaker 3: To hear you acknowledge her efforts.
Speaker 11: But of course, the civilizing influence of French culture has
Speaker 11: helped all of Vietnam.
Speaker 3: I wish you could explain that to your younger generation.
Speaker 11: Time they will learn to appreciate what France has given us.
Speaker 3: Well, I'm not sure they want to, or maybe they can't.
Speaker 3: Your son went to Paris and all he learned was
Speaker 3: how to play tennis as afuce women.
Speaker 5: Maybe any how to eat well. You cannot have acquired
Speaker 5: the physique has now from rice and moods.
Speaker 3: Anyway, this afternoon will be interesting. Let's see if your
Speaker 3: boy can addle pressure. I hope he knows who he
Speaker 3: is up against today.
Speaker 11: Of course, Monsieur Pinot is the champion. My boy just
Speaker 11: wants to put up a good showing.
Speaker 5: Come on, Joseph, they're getting ready to start. We should
Speaker 5: find our seats.
Speaker 12: Father, enjoy the game, monsie okay out.
Speaker 1: Gonzilo Pino began the game strongly with fast serves down
Speaker 1: the middle of the tegue. But while he quickly raced
Speaker 1: to a three love lead, those who knew the game
Speaker 1: soon saw a pattern developing.
Speaker 5: These rallies are getting longer.
Speaker 9: Yes, I think my brother is fitter.
Speaker 1: Soon it was five to four, and although Pino was
Speaker 1: serving for the set, fatigue was taking its toll and
Speaker 1: Pino's mistakes were mounting.
Speaker 7: Such you could feel the crowd behind him.
Speaker 4: Vietnam out to win this set.
Speaker 1: Kim did when the first sat and quickly established a
Speaker 1: lead in the second. As the French champion, Monsieur Pino
Speaker 1: grew more and more exhausted, until finally, on one point,
Speaker 1: he dived to reach the ball and crashed heavily to
Speaker 1: the ground.
Speaker 4: I think gets his knee.
Speaker 5: Hopefully he can run.
Speaker 4: What Why is the crowd so angry? Kim's playing wonderful tennis.
Speaker 5: He's sitting the ground strokes from one corner to the other.
Speaker 5: He's making Pino run when he's injured.
Speaker 4: He's playing well. What's wrong with that? Isn't that the point?
Speaker 9: The problem is he's humiliating his opponents and whipping up
Speaker 9: the crowd.
Speaker 4: Now, what's going on? What are they saying?
Speaker 5: There's some trouble in the crowd. They're chanting old French
Speaker 5: are dogs. The umpire needs to stop the match, Aret match, monsieur.
Speaker 5: Oh my god, what's happening. I've got to go and
Speaker 5: help break it up. It's getting ugly. I don't think
Speaker 5: you should be here, Joseph. Can you escort us?
Speaker 4: Of course, Len you know the way.
Speaker 13: Yes, that's up outside.
Speaker 1: Joseph hailed a horse drawn malabar.
Speaker 12: Uh.
Speaker 4: Where are we going, land.
Speaker 5: Squad?
Speaker 4: Let me help you there you go.
Speaker 9: Thank you, mister Sherman for being kind enough to take
Speaker 9: care of me. I'm sorry you had to see such
Speaker 9: ugly things happen. Unfortunately, the hearts of many Vietnamese are
Speaker 9: filled with hatred.
Speaker 4: Not at all.
Speaker 7: I'm glad to help man, and I have to say
Speaker 7: I I envy Paul.
Speaker 9: You envy.
Speaker 2: Oh.
Speaker 9: Oh, no, Captain de Voix is a good friend, mister Sherman.
Speaker 9: But that is all.
Speaker 4: Oh well, he's he's very fond of you, he told
Speaker 4: me so, and.
Speaker 9: My father admires him greatly. He believes he's a fine
Speaker 9: young man. Yes, yes, he will be most unhappy with
Speaker 9: Kim Paul will be no, my father, he will be
Speaker 9: very upset. Oh, please stay with me until he returns home.
Speaker 4: Oh, yes, of course, it will be my pleasure.
Speaker 9: Please this way.
Speaker 4: Oh, this is beautiful man, Thank you.
Speaker 9: How long will you be staying in Psycho sureman?
Speaker 7: Oh well, I was heading to Hanoi on Tuesday, so
Speaker 7: at the moment, only two or three days. But I
Speaker 7: could extend that Hanoi. Yes, I've been granted access to
Speaker 7: the court records of earlier Vietnamese emperors. I'm here to
Speaker 7: write a feature article on Vietnam.
Speaker 9: Oh, but after the tragedy of your first visit.
Speaker 7: That wasn't Vietnam's fault. That was all my father's doing.
Speaker 7: He dreamt he he was a great white hunter, that
Speaker 7: he could be the king of the jungle and shoot
Speaker 7: his way through a herd of wild bison. He was
Speaker 7: warned to be careful and he wasn't. So yes, he
Speaker 7: cost him his life.
Speaker 9: So sad for a young boy to lose his father.
Speaker 5: Thank you.
Speaker 7: I I remember you cried for him.
Speaker 9: No, I cried for you, the little boy who lost
Speaker 9: his father. Joseph. There's something I've been meaning to ask you.
Speaker 14: Yes see, I will do it all again tomorrow. I
Speaker 14: want you all you want to do. Father, any French slave,
Speaker 14: we miss you.
Speaker 6: No miss you, and it is about respect.
Speaker 15: Mister Sherman, you just leaveing, monsieur, thank you for looking
Speaker 15: after my daughter, my pleasure.
Speaker 9: I will see you out.
Speaker 4: Mister Charman, thank you.
Speaker 8: I won that game.
Speaker 14: Father.
Speaker 8: I want it be honest, Kim.
Speaker 15: You want it for you. You only pretend to be
Speaker 15: a committed nationalist.
Speaker 8: I am a committed nationalist.
Speaker 4: You're a privileged playboy.
Speaker 15: The privilege I have bought you mean that you don't
Speaker 15: have to work for anything. You can just eat and
Speaker 15: train and then win a tennis match so you can
Speaker 15: sleep with all the women you want.
Speaker 11: You dress it up as nationalism.
Speaker 14: All I wanted to do was to embarrass the French
Speaker 14: dogs who have robbed our country.
Speaker 11: Nonsense.
Speaker 15: Do you think I'm blind? You have endangered our business
Speaker 15: and our family for nothing, for cheap sex. You hide
Speaker 15: behind these slogans of nationalism, but you have no real
Speaker 15: commitment to that cause at all.
Speaker 11: You have not shown any real commitment to anything.
Speaker 15: I have bred a shallow, selfish sun who cannot make
Speaker 15: any sacrifice at all. Yes, losing today would have been
Speaker 15: a sacrifice. Yes, it would have been a sacrifice for
Speaker 15: your family.
Speaker 6: Leave my house, get out, ah.
Speaker 15: Father, Ah, none.
Speaker 11: I trust you enjoyed the afternoon with Captain Devereux.
Speaker 9: Very much, and mister Sherman was also kind to me.
Speaker 11: I hope Captain Devereux did not consider Kim's actions reflected
Speaker 11: any any United Family posture.
Speaker 9: No, Father, not at all. He knew how upset you
Speaker 9: would be, and I thought it best to offer no comment,
Speaker 9: not without hearing your advice first.
Speaker 11: It's very wise, mane. It is important you stay in
Speaker 11: Captain Devereux's favor.
Speaker 9: Yes, of course, father, What was that Kim? Should I
Speaker 9: go and check?
Speaker 15: No, do not see him. He is leaving this house,
Speaker 15: leaving he treats the family, He treats me with total
Speaker 15: contempt ever since he got home from Paris, and after
Speaker 15: today and all that complete disrespect, he has to.
Speaker 9: Go I understand. Is there anything else I can do
Speaker 9: for you? Father?
Speaker 5: No, I have business to attend to.
Speaker 11: We dine at six.
Speaker 1: This was a family divided in a country divided, and
Speaker 1: their paths would soon be swept up in the hurricane
Speaker 1: of history.
Speaker 11: Three thousand three, Duty.
Speaker 5: Old on import.
Speaker 8: I thought you'd be here. I told you to go. Huh,
Speaker 8: and I will when I'm ready.
Speaker 5: Hey, Hey, what are you doing?
Speaker 15: H is that is that blood on it?
Speaker 4: You've got blood everywhere.
Speaker 5: Don't worry.
Speaker 8: I'm going, but not without a gift. Something you can
Speaker 8: remember me by.
Speaker 11: What What is this?
Speaker 8: Your future? The family heritage?
Speaker 11: What have you done?
Speaker 5: My manhood?
Speaker 1: And Mensieur Hugh realized the bloody mess in the bag
Speaker 1: was his son's screwtum he had castrated himself.
Speaker 14: No, you don't think I can make a sacrifice. You
Speaker 14: don't think I'm serious about a free Vietnam.
Speaker 8: Well this is me.
Speaker 5: This is what I am now.
Speaker 14: So you just go on hiding here in fear of
Speaker 14: being a problem.
Speaker 5: You'd this.
Speaker 8: He's of the family, father, not me. Goodbye.
Speaker 1: It was the last time Kim would ever see his father,
Speaker 1: and the impact of that explosive afternoon would ripple down
Speaker 1: the years in ever expanding ways. Never again would one
Speaker 1: tennis match change so much for so many.
Speaker 11: Saigon is a production of Thoroughbred Studios, gold Hog Productions
Speaker 11: and iHeart Podcasts, starring Kelly, Marie Trent and Rob Benedict.
Speaker 11: Based on the best selling novel Cygone by Anthony Gray,
Speaker 11: It is created for audio by Greg Hadrick and Jeremy Fox,
Speaker 11: written by Greg Hadrick and directed by John Scott Dryden.
Speaker 11: Original music is by Sasha Putnam, with additional performances by
Speaker 11: Normgnir and Letty big Cheer. Editing and sound design is
Speaker 11: by Elouise Whitmore. The series producer is Emma Hern. The
Speaker 11: producer in Vietnam is Fatmung Mihen. The executive producers are
Speaker 11: Jeremy Fox, Greg Hadrick, John Scott Dryden, Howard Stringer and
Speaker 11: Jason English.