The three men and Mother stand at the door of the apartment.
IBRAHIM
Mother, I think everything is in order. I will try to call you if I am going to be late for dinner.
MOTHER
(concerned)
Ibrahim, I will be waiting to hear from you. I love you, son.
IBRAHIM
I love you, too, Mother. Don’t be concerned. Gentlemen, are there any documents I should bring with me, about the business?
ADDEM
No, sir, that won’t be necessary.
INT. POLICE STATION INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
Ibrahim sits in the questioning room while the three detectives look at him through the one-way glass window.
ADDEM
I will go first. I will ask all the basic questions and try to gain his confidence. I will not mention that we know Nafisi is alive at this time.
Addem enters the room with a tea tray. He places the tray on the table and pours tea into two glasses, one of which he gives to Ibrahim. He turns on a tape recorder on the desk.
IBRAHIM
Thank you for the tea. I usually have my second cup about now. I hope your tea is as good as that from the restaurant near me.
ADDEM
I don’t know that much about tea, Mr. Al-Yamani. What I do know about is that these rioters are trying to tear this place apart. There is no fucking way I am going to let that happen. I will stop whoever I have to using whatever tools I have available to me. Foreigners are causing a lot of this trouble. We know that you are from Iran, that you are a Jew, and that you hold resentment towards this government because of the death of your wife.
IBRAHIM
(angrily)
And child! My wife and child! If we had been treated like normal Syrian citizens they would still be alive now. You expect me to accept their deaths with a smile on my face? I am a generous, forgiving man. I try to avoid thoughts of the past. I try not to carry my anger openly or to act against the government that is responsible for their deaths but as long as this government and its employees insist on treating anyone who is slightly different as an enemy, then I will not stand by and sing their praises. It has nothing to do with my religion. I have many Muslim customers and friends with whom I have the most cordial relationship. I respect everyone’s right to believe what they wish and I do not treat them badly because their beliefs are different. Is it asking too much for the government to exert its powers to have its employees behave in a fair and open manner? As to my being from Iran. There are a great number of people in this country who were born in Iran but now feel at home in Syria. I love this country and its culture except when that culture tries to exclude me as a full member.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM OF THE INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
Kuzbari and Alexei sit watching the questioning through the one-way glass.
KUZBARI
Addem is good. It didn’t take him long at all to stir the traitor up. It’s like watching someone poke a scorpion with a stick and then the scorpion stings the stick. He will wear him down and make it easier for me. Al-Yamani has already said enough to send him to prison for a very long time. You cannot libel a government and expect to be treated like a loyal citizen.
INT. JEWELERY SHOP SHOW ROOM - DAY
Amir, the 22-year-old son of Basil is polishing the showcase glass when the front door chime sounds. He looks at the monitor to see who is at the door then goes to open the door. Qamar and Shazadi enter the store.
AMIR
Good morning, ladies, how may I be of service to you?
QARAM
We would like to speak to Mr. Al-Yamani.
AMIR
I am Amir Al-Yamani but you probably mean my uncle, Ibrahim. I am afraid he is not in today.
SHAZADI
Yes, your uncle mentioned he was training you to manage the business. The shop looks in very good order so he is training you well. When can we see your uncle?
AMIR
I wish I could tell you but I don’t know when he will be back.
QAMAR
Is he sick? He seemed so well the last time we were in here.
AMIR
I can’t say how he is. The police took him away to question him three days ago and we have only heard from him once since then. We don’t know why they are holding him.
QAMAR
We are sorry to hear that. I had ordered a pendant with a black stallion for my daughter. Do you know if it is ready?
AMIR
Yes, it arrived two days ago. Let me show it to you and see if you approve. Excuse me a moment.
Amir goes to the back room for the pendant.
QAMAR
That is very strange about them arresting him. Do you think your husband can find out about it?
SHAZADI
I am certain he can but the question is if I should ask him. He has been in such bad spirits lately that it might do more harm than good to ask. I will see how he behaves tonight.
Amir returns with the pendant and places it on the counter under a bright light. Qamar looks at it and laughs in delight.
QAMAR
Oh, it is beautiful! My daughter will love it!
Shazadi takes her jeweler’s loupe from her purse and holds it close to the pendant, examining the workmanship and the quality of the jewels.
SHAZADI
Yes, Mr. Al-Yamani, it is a lovely piece of work. You must pass our compliments on to the craftsman who made it, and to your uncle.
AMIR
I will have to take your word on the quality. I don’t know enough yet about the jewelry itself to be able to judge. I have been concentrating on the financial aspects of the business.
SHAZADI
Maybe I can help you there. Your uncle had mentioned he needed to educate you on jewelry. I myself know little about the business but I do know a bit about the quality of jewelry. It is a hobby of mine since many years. I would be glad to come by and give you some lessons. When would be a good time?
AMIR
My problem right now is that I am still attending classes so I do not even have time to keep the shop open all the time.
SHAZADI
I have more than enough time to take your place in the shop for a few hours now and then. I enjoy being around fine jewelry. My friend here Qamar will vouch for my honesty.
QAMAR
(laughing)
Mr. Al-Yamani, Shazadi is the wife of a high government minister who oversees the security of this whole country. If she is not to be trusted, no one is.
AMIR
Mrs.... I am afraid I did not get your names.
SHAZADI
I am Shazadi Taja and my friend is Qamar Al Utari.
AMIR
Mrs. Taja, I would certainly appreciate your help in the shop. I don’t know how much I should pay you though.
SHAZADI
Let’s just say if I see a piece of jewelry I particularly like you can give me an employee’s discount on it.
AMIR
You mean like cost plus 10 per cent?
SHAZADI
I see you have a good sense for the business. Yes, that sounds very fair. And maybe you can sell some of the pieces in my personal collection that I am no longer interested in. Do we have a deal?
AMIR
As far as I am concerned, we do. Of course, when my uncle returns you will have to deal with him.