Blessed Roman
By
Michael Vishnevetsky
All rights reserved to
Michael Vishnevetsky
vishmish1@gmail.com
Chapter 1: Beginning
EXT. NEGEV DESERT, RAMON CRATER, ISRAEL - NIGHT
It is a full moon. The moon is very big. The moon is above a
crater in the desert. It is a clear night and numerous stars
are seen in the skies. In the midst of the crater 7 rows of
chair are arranged. 18 chairs in every row. All the rows of
chairs are separated into 2 big sections with a space in the
middle, i.e. 2 blocks of 7 rows with 9 chairs in each row.
People sit on the chairs. There are many young men and women
in their 20s and 30s amongst those people. There are also
some elderly people as well. They are seen here and there. 8
people in the first row are elderly people. Some people in
the crowd are black, some are Asian, some people are white.
They are all mixed in the crowd in a random way. They
are dressed in different, but elegant, night dresses and
suits. Some men wear ties, some don’t, but all look very
elegant. Some men and women wear different traditional folk
costumes: Ukrainian, Russian, American, Jewish Orthodox,
Arabic, Brazilian, Georgian, Greek, African, Japanese,
Iranian. In the first row all the men and women are dressed
in European, western elegant night dresses and suits. In
other rows here and there are seen people wearing their
national folk costumes. All the people sit quietly and look
in front of them with a keen interest and fascination, as if
they wait for a concert to begin. They keep absolute
silence. A flat desert surface and a huge moon are seen
behind the people. Hills are seen at the far left, far right
of the people.
EXT.CHILDREN PLAYGROUND, BELTSY, MOLDOVA - NIGHT
Winter. Snow. 4 children aged from 6 to 8 are playing
snowballs at the playground. One of the smaller children
hits a taller boy with a snowball. The taller boys screams
in Russian:
TALLER BOY
(screams in Russian)
Zhid! He is a Jew boy! Let’s beat
him up!
The 3 boys throw the smallest one - a blond guy with blue
eyes - on the ground into the snow and punch and kick him.
They see that the little boy’s mother is running towards
them, they laugh and run away from the grounds. The little
boy stands up on his feet. He is crying. His mother comes,
comforts him, and tells him
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
ROMAN’S MOTHER
(speaks Russian)
Roma, Romochka, my dear, I am here,
I am here with you, please don’t
cry. We’ll leave this place, we’ll
go to our country. They hate us
here, because we are Jews, but no
one will hurt you in Israel. We’ll
come back home. Israel is the home
of all Jews. Israel is our real
home.
The little boy listens curiously to his mother’s words and
gradually calms down.
INT. BARUCH’S FLAT, JERUSALEM, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Baruch, 32, a strongly built black man, sleeps in his bed.
The phone by the side of his bed rings. Baruch reaches the
phone and sits up in the darkness. A man’s voice is heard on
the phone.
ANGELA’S DAD
(OS)
Hello Baruch. My name is Vitaliy. I
am Angela’s dad. I am calling you
from Moldova.
BARUCH
Hello Vitaliy.
ANGELA’S DAD
Angela has disappeared. We don’t
know where she is, we lost
connection. She told us you are a
good man and a real friend. Please,
help us find her.
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEL AVIV - DAY
Michael, 35, white man, dark hair, dark eyes, sits by the
table. Igal, 45, dark skin, sits at another desk in the same
room. A laptop computer and a photo of a smiling young woman
are on his desk. Michael listens to the music, that is heard
in the office, via his laptop. The music is Alfred
Schnittke, Declaration of Love. Michael turns off his laptop
and puts it into a wall safe.
3.
INT. TEL AVIV, POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY
Michael is in another office. He sits opposite his boss,
Gennady, 40, white, bold, short man.
GENNADY
(speaks Russian)
What’s your progress about the
warehouse organization?
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
We are watching them. We have their
phones bugged. It seems they are
more serious than we thought in the
beginning. There is some evidence
now that they run a ring of
brothels.
GENNADY
(speaks Russian)
I want to see arrests soon. Inform
me on a daily basis.
Michael stands up and walks towards the door. As he walks to
the door the boss speaks again
GENNADY
(speaks Russian)
And Michael, this is your first
case being in charge of the entire
investigation. Don’t mess it up.
The boss begins to work with the papers on his desk. Michael
walks out of the office.
Chapter 2: Baruch
INT. PROFESSIONAL BOXING GYM, NEW YORK CITY, USA - NIGHT
A busy boxing gym, people train in the rings and all around
the gym. It is possible to see Baruch in the picture,
wearing a track suit. He jumps a skipping rope in a very
fast pace and for a long time. Ilan, 25, white, Israeli and
Ran, 24, another white Israeli train nearby Baruch. Baruch
and the two guys exchange some jokes in Hebrew language.
Obviously, all three of them are Israelis.
Baruch speaks to the two other Israeli guys as he jumps.
BARUCH
(Speaks Hebrew)
Look at that Russian over there. He
is so fat I can punch him three
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
BARUCH (cont’d)
times and run away before he starts
moving.
The two others guys laugh at his joke. The Russian begins to
notice they are cracking jokes about him, and shows some
signs of dissatisfaction with this situation.
ILAN
(speaks Hebrew)
Baruch watch out, the Russian is
dissatisfied. I am not sure what’s
bigger - his fat or his
dissatisfaction.
All the three laugh again. The Russian approaches the three
of them and speaks to Baruch.
RUSSIAN BOXER
Yo, Jew-boy, you’re a funny guy,
aren’t you? You Jews are funny
guys... They bomb your cities, back
there and you shit your pants, but
here you are all suddenly heroes...
Baruch is furious and tries to get to the Russian guy, but
the two other Israelis hold him.
BARUCH
You motherfucker, I will rip your
heart out...
RUSSIAN BOXER laughs at him and goes away. He enters the
ring opposite a Mexican looking guy. The three Israelis
watch the Russian in the ring. After only several punches
the Mexican has to retire, as he cannot hold the punch power
of the Russian boxer. The Russian looks at Baruch, smiles
and leaves the ring and the training space.
INT. CHANGING ROOM IN THE SAME BOXING GYM - NIGHT
Baruch and the two other Israelis come out of the shower,
change, shave, use perfume. Some other people who were in
the changing room leave and the Israelis are left alone.
Shuki, 58, white Israeli, suddenly walks in. He wears a deep
blue suit and a tie. His name is Shuki. As he enters the
three Israelis focus their attention on him. Ilan and the
man in suit exchange smiles.
SHUKI
(Speaks Hebrew)
I’ve heard about this situation
with the Russian a few minutes ago.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
SHUKI (cont’d)
Generally, Baruch you’ve been
having problems with various people
and it’s not good for us, it’s not
good for our team. You know I try
to promote your interests, but it’s
very hard when you behave in such a
way. Don’t forget I pay for your
training and for this training
space. Also the fight you all had
last Saturday in that night club...
what was it called?... doesn’t
matter. You (speaks to Ilan) broke
a nose of a normal American guy,
and you, Baruch, you broke some
guy’s teeth. You think that if I am
a lawyer and I am quite senior I
can get you out of any trouble? In
Israel I sure can, but here is
America, and sometimes even I am
powerless in this empire.
Shuki’s cell phone rings. He answers in Hebrew.
SHUKI
(speaks Hebrew)
Yes Mr. Prime-Minister, I will most
certainly examine this. I will talk
to you. Sure... before the nearest
cabinet meeting on Monday. Yes...
the weather here is wonderful,
thank you. To bring you something
from New York? Alright, I will...
you take care too.
Shuki closes the conversation and continues to speak to the
three Israelis in the changing room.
SHUKI
(speaks Hebrew)
This conversation began on an
unpleasant note, and I hope we
won’t be having such conversations
anymore. After all we aren’t in a
kindergarten, aren’t we?
Now listen to me carefully. I have
arranged a big fight. Prize money
is 100,000 USD. The opponent is an
American guy named Matthews. He has
a straight record of 12 wins
without any loses. He is a young
rising star and the press and many
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
SHUKI (cont’d)
important people are watching
him... So one who wins him will
immediately become a star on his
own. Now, the only thing to decide
is who of you two will fight the
guy.
Shuki turns to Ran, the third guy.
SHUKI
(speaks Hebrew)
You are lighter then the guy, so
you are out of question.
Shuki turns to Baruch and Ilan.
SHUKI
(speaks Hebrew)
And for you two, you both start
preparation for the fight, have
some sparring fights in the gym. I
will decide by Saturday and will
let you know.
Shuki leaves. Baruch is sitting on the bench, he leans his
head against the wall and stares in the space with a
motionlessness glance. The two others have finished their
grooming and packing and are ready to leave.
ILAN
Baruch, man, common let’s go. Some
very attractive chiquitas wait for
us in the club.
BARUCH
You go ahead, enjoy. I’ll pass
today.
ILAN
Well, man, suit yourself, but you
don’t know what you’re missing.
Baruch smiles. The two others leave.
INT. THE FLAT WHERE BARUCH AND TWO OTHERS LIVE, NY - NIGHT
It is still dark outside. Baruch sleeps in his room. His
room is tidy. There is a picture of him with his parents and
three siblings together in the Israeli desert. All Baruch’s
family on the picture are black people. The two others sleep
in their rooms, the doors of their rooms are open. Bottles
of liquor and beer cans are all over the floor in the living
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
room and in the rooms of the two Israelis. Ilan sleeps with
a woman in his bed. She is almost entirely naked and also
asleep. Baruch’s alarm clock is on and Baruch gets up. He
puts on a track suit and goes to the bathroom. As he walks
he sees the pictures of the celebration the other two guys
had that night. He comes out of the bathroom, puts his
running shoes on, connects small headphones to his cell
phone, puts the headphones inside his ears and goes outside.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE BUILDING, NY - NIGHT
It is dark and cold. Baruch is running the streets of New
York. He is listening to the music while running. The song
that is playing is Stain’ Alive by Bee Gees (1977). After
some time he runs along the river and enters a big park.
Baruch carries on running. Sometimes he accelerates and
sometimes he runs up and down the hill. Occasionally, he
uses a small hard rubber ball, that boxers often use in
training. He hits it with his palms, the ball falls down and
jumps back quickly, and Baruch hits it again. Sometimes he
hits the ball against an occasional wall and catches it
again. He is sweating massively. He is out of the park and
now running the streets again. It is still dark. Suddenly he
sees two men attacking a woman in a small alley behind
industrial buildings.
EXT. A SMALL ALLEY BEHIND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, NY - NIGHT
As Baruch approaches the two men and the woman, he sees that
a shorter man holds a small, but a dangerous knife against
the woman’s face, and the taller man undresses her. The
shorter man leaves the woman, and directs himself and the
knife in his hand towards Baruch.
THE SHORT MAN
You blakie stay away, stay away
blakie. Carry on running.
As the shorter guy speaks he makes small steps towards
Baruch and moves his left hand with the knife as if he
wanted to stab him in his face. Baruch also makes small
moves towards the guy, and as he moves he reaches for the
rubber ball in his pocket. When the distance amongst them is
about 2 meters (7 feet) Baruch throws the ball into the
short man’s head. The guy is shocked and covers his face
with right hand. The knife falls down from his left hand. At
the next moment Baruch throws a short left hook to the guy’s
head. The short guy falls down. The woman uses the fact that
the attention of the taller guy is now on Baruch, kicks the
taller guy between his legs. The taller guy falls on his
knees and holds his crotch with his hands. Baruch punches
him with a slight left jab on the chin. The guy is knocked
out, falls down and barely moves. The short guy is also
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 8.
trying to stand up, but cannot do it. The woman stands
nearby and looks shocked and amazed. She is slightly
shaking.
BARUCH
Let’s go.
Baruch sees that the woman is shaking, so he holds her by
her shoulder and they leave the scene together.
INT. COFFEE SHOP, NY - NIGHT
Baruch and the woman sit by the table in a coffee shop.
They are drinking coffee and Baruch is also having carrot
juice. The woman is about 30 years old. She is tall, blond
and attractive. She looks East European and speaks with a
slight accent. Now she is relaxed and looks quite interested
in Baruch. She wears a necklace with the name Angela on it.
ANGELA
You were wonderful back there. You
saved me. I am scared to think what
they would have done with me,
hadn’t you appeared from nowhere
like a real knight. You are my
knight now. What’s your name my
knight?
BARUCH
Baruch... and you...
ANGELA
Angela.
She shows him her name on the necklace. He smiles.
BARUCH
...Angela, you weren’t that bad
yourself...You are a natural
fighter.
ANGELA
So, let me guess. You run at 5 am,
you play with a rubber ball, you
punch faster than I can see and
harder then they can handle. I
guess you are a... brain surgeon.
BARUCH
Well, of a kind... but I faint when
I see blood, so my medical career
didn’t really work out.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
ANGELA
Go ahead, ask me...
BARUCH
We have known each other for about
an hour. Isn’t it a bit too early
to ask you the big question...
ANGELA
You must be wondering what I was
doing back there in the alley at 5
am.
BARUCH
It crossed my mind...
ANGELA
So I want you to know. I am a
caregiver. I work with a number of
clients at their homes. Sometimes
my shift ends in the night and then
I walk back home. That’s precisely
what I was doing when the two
gentlemen tried to get my
attention. And then you appeared my
knight... Well, I must go now.
BARUCH
Can I have your phone number? We
can catch a movie or Yankees
game... You like baseball?
Angela smiles. She takes a pen out of her purse and writes
down her cell number on a napkin and gives it to Baruch.
Then she stands up and leaves the coffee shop. She touches
her hair as she leaves.
INT.THE FLAT WHERE BARUCH AND TWO OTHERS LIVE, NY - DAY
Baruch is at his home. He prepares lunch. He eats alone.
Ilan and the woman who was him come out of Ilan’s room. They
got up just now.
BARUCH
(speaks to Ilan)
I am going to sleep, be quiet.
ILAN
You should have slept in the night
as all normal people did. But you
must have hit the road at 4 am
instead, and it was most probably
the same road as always?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
Ilan and the woman laugh. The woman is playful with Baruch,
but he isn’t interested and leaves to his room. He closes
the door and hears laughter and noise from the living room.
He sets an alarm clock, takes his earplugs from the small
nightstand by the bed and inserts them inside his ears. It
is obvious that he uses them on a regular basis. He then
goes to sleep.
INT. THE GYM, NY - NIGHT
This time the gym is very busy. People train everywhere.
Ilan and Baruch are in the picture. Ilan works on a right
uppercut technique with the third Israeli guy. Baruch works
a double end bag. The Russian boxer is working a heavy bag.
Shuki sits in the corner of the gym. Another man, Yair, 45,
white, short dark hair, dark skin, physically-strong, looks
like a former special forces, is sitting with him. He wears
jeans, a colorful t-shirt and a military-style jacket. They
watch the action in the gym and especially Baruch and Ilan.
Every once in a while they talk to each other. It is
impossible to hear them talking, but it seems that they
agree. The other guy, Yair, says something and Shuki nods in
agreement. Shuki shows Ilan to come and says something to
him. Ilan approaches Baruch.
ILAN
Shuki wants us to have a small
sparring. Let’s go.
Baruch and Ilan enter a ring. People who trained in the ring
leave, but stay near it to watch the action. Some other
boxers in the gym also come to watch. In the midst of them
is the Russian boxer. Baruch and Ilan touch gloves and start
boxing. Very quickly Ilan starts throwing hard and fast
punches, sometimes in combinations, combining the right
uppercut, which he has been practicing before. Baruch moves
fast on his feet, defends very well. He is very well covered
with his gloves, moving his upper body all the time. It is
very hard to hit him, and most of the Ilan’s punches to the
head miss the target. Baruch works the jab and quite
frequently connects with Ilan’s head. Baruch punches aren’t
hard. It is clear he doesn’t want to hurt Ilan and is just
playing with him, showing all his weaknesses. Ilan’s main
weakness is defense as he moves slowly on his feet and is
stiff in his upper body. His punches are hard but he cannot
connect efficient punches with a faster and more fluent
opponent like Baruch. Ilan is punching as hard as he can and
is trying to knock Baruch out. They carry on this way until
Shuki says
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
SHUKI
Stop. Enough. Now each have a round
with the Russian.
Shuki looks at the Russian boxer. The Russian boxer readily
moves into the ring, as if he was waiting for this
challenge. Baruch enters the ring first. The Russian’s style
is similar to Ilan’s style. Baruch punches are now much
harder than with Ilan. He connects a few good punches to the
body and to the head. The Russian has a good stamina and
strong chin and he is still boxing, but it is clear that he
is no real threat to Baruch. Baruch throws a big right hook
and the Russian is shocked.
SHUKI
Stop, Now Ilan.
Ilan enters the ring. The Russian is shocked after the
sparring with Baruch. However, the Russian hits Ilan with
some strong punches. Ilan returns strong punches and their
sparring is a ’slugfest’. Ilan hits his right uppercut, it
hits the chin of the Russian and he is out. The boxers
around the ring look disappointed and go on to their
training. Shuki and the man with him quickly talk to each
other and both nod in agreement. Baruch is smiling. Shuki
and the other man leave the gym. Baruch puts on an elegant
trousers, shoes, shirt and jacket. He looks in a mirror. He
is satisfied with his looks.
EXT. RIVER BANK, NY - NIGHT
Baruch walks by the river bank. He stops, reaches for his
cell phone, takes out of his pocket the napkin with Angela’s
phone number and dials. Angela answers.
BARUCH
Hi Angela, it’s Baruch.
ANGELA
O, Baruch! It’s good that you’ve
called.
BARUCH
I’ve finished training for today. I
want to go to a dance club. It’s a
nice place, here in Manhattan. I go
there sometimes. I thought maybe
you would like to join me.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
ANGELA
Wow! I just love dancing! I did
ballroom dancing throughout my
teenage years. I didn’t know your
are a dancer. What kind of dances
do they in that club?
BARUCH
Everything, disco, 70s, 80s,
ballroom dancing, tango. Whatever
you like.
ANGELA
Great! Sure I will join you. I can
be there in an hour. Is it OK?
BARUCH
Sure. I’ll wait for you inside.
Write down the address.
ANGELA
Good! See you soon...
Baruch stops a taxi and gets inside it.
DANCE CLUB, MANHATTAN, NY - NIGHT
The dance club is quite busy, but there is a lot of space
and a lot of light. It looks like the disco of the 70s. The
lights are low and a lot of disco-colors lights. Line
dancing is going on. There is a woman instructor standing in
front of the crowd showing them the moves. There is a bar at
one side of the space. In one of the corners of the space -
by the side of the bar - some tables and chairs are
arranged. There are mirrors at both sides of the space.
Baruch and some other men and women stand aside by the bar
and look at the dancers. Some are having drinks. From time
to time Baruch looks at the entrance door.
Angela enters the club. She looks extremely attractive,
wearing a night dress and a make up. Baruch stands up and
waves to Angela. She stands at the entrance and looks for
him. Baruch smiles and approaches her.
BARUCH
Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous.
If I didn’t know it were you, I
wouldn’t recognize you.
ANGELA
Thank you.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
They join the dancers and repeat the moves that the
instructor and the others make. The music playing is Abba
(Benny Andersson, Bj;rn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson), Dancing
Queen. Baruch and Angela look at each other, smile, laugh,
and dance. The song is over and the instructor says
DANCING INSTRUCTOR
Take a break folks! We’re back in
5!
Disco music is playing. Some dancers carry on learning
moves, some stand aside, some go to the bar and have drinks,
some move to the rest zone with tables in the corner. Angela
and Baruch have a small talk that is not heard, then they
split. Angela goes and sits by a small table and Baruch goes
to the bar. Baruch brings two cocktails and two chasers of
vodka to the table. Baruch sits opposite Angela by the
table. Angela and Baruch take begins drinking their
cocktails.
BARUCH
(speaks Russian and points at
the chasers)
It is vodka. I love vodka.
ANGELA
For an American, you have a lot of
knowledge of Russian.
BARUCH
I have some very good Russian
friends. I am Israeli and many
people from Russian origin live in
Israel.
ANGELA
You are Israeli?? I would never
tell. You look and talk one hundred
percent American.
BARUCH
Well, I was born in Gary, Indiana -
here in the States. My parents, my
siblings and me - all converted to
Judaism. We immigrated to Israel
when I was 15 and have lived in
Israel since then. I am here - in
the States - only for my boxing
career. All the big fights are
here.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
ANGELA
Baruch is an interesting name. I
looked it up and found that it
means ’blessed’ in Hebrew.
BARUCH
That’s right. Blessed. I am Baruch
Appleman - a blessed apple man here
in the blessed Big Apple.
ANGELA
I am Angela Skomorokh. And where
about the Big Apple do you live, a
blessed apple man?
BARUCH
I live with two other Israeli guys
in Manhattan. They are also boxers.
Our manager rents a flat for us.
But enough about me. Tell me about
yourself. I guess you are Russian.
ANGELA
Well you’ve guessed correctly. I am
from Moldova. I came here to work
two years ago. Our country is very
poor and there are no prospects for
a philology and Russian literature
graduate.
BARUCH
Wow, philology... L’chaim! Na
zdorovie!
He drinks the entire shot, Angela drinks a little bit and
puts it down. The dancing instructor comes back to the
center of the floor and announces
DANCING INSTRUCTOR
And we are back! Come on! It’s my
personal absolute favorite!
The music is I will survive (Freddie Perren and Dino
Fekaris, performed by Gloria Gaynor). Angela and Baruch look
at each other and leave the table, walking hand in hand to
the center of the floor, joining the rest of the dancers.
They dance together with the rest of the dancers. The dance
ends and another music is playing now. Angela and Baruch
come back to their table. Both are laughing.
ANGELA
You are quite a dancer. We can
perform dancing shows together.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
BARUCH
Good idea. We’ll do once when I
retire from boxing. What do you say
if we go for a walk. It looks so
beautiful outside.
ANGELA
Let’s do it! Let’s go crazy
tonight, go to the very edge of
life, and let’s start by taking a
walk outside!
They leave the dancing club. Dances in the club carry on.
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE, NEW YORK - NIGHT
Baruch and Angela watch a breathtaking scenery of a New York
night from the Brooklyn Bridge. Angela feels chilly. Baruch
takes off his jacket and puts it on Angela’s shoulders. They
come close to one another and they kiss. The are kissing for
a while. Baruch puts his arm around Angela’s waist. They
watch the scenery.
INT. THE GYM, CHANGING ROOM - DAY
Baruch comes to the gym and goes to the changing room. As he
approaches the changing room he overhears a conversation
between Shuki and Ilan. They don’t see Baruch and don’t know
that he can hear them. Baruch hides in a small side-room. It
is dark inside the room in which he hides.
SHUKI
...sure my boy, sure. You are doing
well. You are ready. I tell you
what I see. You are strong. Your
right uppercut is devastating. What
you did to the Russian was
absolutely fantastic. Do you trust
me?
ILAN
Yes, I do.
SHUKI
You know that I know a thing or two
about boxing.
ILAN
I know. You were the best Israel’s
ever had.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
SHUKI
I was Israeli champion, for God’s
sake! Now listen to me carefully.
The fight is in a month from
now and I will make sure that our
black friend - Baruch - comes
nowhere near carrying our national
flag on this holy land of New York.
After you win, I will start
arranging your next fight, and your
next fight will be for the North
American championship.(Suddenly) Do
you know Roman Goldman?
ILAN
I’ve heard of him. Isn’t it that
Russian fighter who lives in
London?
SHUKI
Yes, only that he is Israeli. Not
like you and me clearly, but still
an Israeli. He lives and trains in
London, but before that he lived
and trained in Tel Aviv, and even
before that he was born in a small
Jewish town in Moldova. Now he also
wants to challenge the champ. You
do your part and win Matthews...
and I will do mine. You are like a
son to me.
Shuki taps Ilan on his shoulder and leaves the changing
room. Baruch is inside the small side-room. He cannot stand
still and is moving across and around the room in rage.
Baruch sees how Ilan crosses from the changing room to the
training space. Baruch picks up his bag from the floor and
storms out of the gym. He sees nobody on his way. Once he is
outside the gym he starts running, with his bag hanging
behind him. People look at him, but he just carries on
running.
INT. THE FLAT WHERE BARUCH AND TWO OTHERS LIVE, NY - DAY
Baruch comes to the flat. He picks his things and packs them
into a suitcase and into his two bags including one sports’
bag. He then leaves the flat. On his way out he puts the
keys inside the mail box. He leaves the building.
17.
EXT. ON THE STREETS, NY - NIGHT
Baruch walks the streets and comes to the coffeehouse where
he and Angela drank coffee after they first met. Baruch
enters the coffeehouse, buys a coffee and sits down. He then
takes his cell phone and dials Angela.
ANGELA
Hi Baruch! I was just thinking that
you might call now. Next moment I
see your call. What a coincidence!
How are you?
BARUCH
Not so good, Angela, not so good.
ANGELA
What happened Baruch? You make me
worry...
BARUCH
Apparently my manager and at least
one of my flatmates are scumbags.
I’ve left that flat, so now I am
not entirely sure where I will live
and what I will do with my life
here in New York.
ANGELA
Come over to my place. We’ll think
something out.
BARUCH
You are not joking, are you?
ANGELA
You are in trouble, why would I be
joking about such matters? Come
over immediately. Write down the
address: 204 Livingston Street,
apartment 26B, Brooklyn. O, and
don’t eat on your way here, I have
just made a nice meal. I hope you
will like it... Do you eat
everything? I know that Jewish have
their own rules about food.
BARUCH
I am a vegan. That’s how our
community is. Expect me soon.
18.
EXT. OUTSIDE ANGELA’S BUILDING, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - NIGHT
Baruch comes out of the taxi, enters the building.
INT. ANGELA’S BUILDING, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - NIGHT
Baruch goes up the stairs until he reaches the right door.
He rings the doorbell. Angela opens the door. She smiles at
him.
Baruch enters.
INT. ANGELA’S APARTMENT, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - NIGHT
ANGELA
Come on in! Make your self
comfortable.
Angela shows Baruch around the apartment. It is a modern
style, nicely arranged two bedroom apartment. Angela shows
Baruch one of the bedrooms and tells him
ANGELA
Put your things here. Now wash your
hands and come to the kitchen,
dinner’s ready. No meat, just
vegetables and tofu.
INT. ANGELA’S KITCHEN - NIGHT
There are remains of the dinner, glasses and an open bottle
of red wine on the table. Angela holds a glass of wine,
drinks wine and smiles. She looks at Baruch.
ANGELA
It is indeed an awful story. How
people nowadays can be so
chauvinist and racist? But look at
the bright side. You are now in a
good company, you are with me now.
I won’t let you drown in this New
York ocean. You can stay with me in
this flat. There is plenty of space
and you will have a room of your
own. After a while you will most
probably find a job, but don’t take
any hasty decisions. No hurry! We
will float together on the surface
of the Hudson!
Angela and Baruch are laughing.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
ANGELA
You must be tired. Let’s go to
sleep. There is another bathroom in
your room, so you’ll be comfortable
there.
Baruch readily rises from his chair, kisses Angela goodbye,
and goes to the room which Angela has prepared for him. He
takes a shower and goes to bed. Lights off. Only a moonlight
is seen from the window in the room.
INT. BARUCH’S ROOM IN ANGELA’S FLAT - NIGHT
Angela comes quietly into Baruch’s room. She wears extremely
sexy underwear. She slips gently into his bed, under the
blanket and lies next to him so to let him feel her
presence. He opens his eyes and sees her.
ANGELA
I was feeling chilly so I came...
BARUCH
You did good.
He kisses her passionately and spins her around the bed so
she is now underneath him.
INT. ANGELA’S FLAT - DAY
Baruch is still asleep. Angela is awake and fully dressed.
Angela kisses Baruch and goes out of the apartment. When she
shuts the door Baruch gets up and comes to the window in the
living room. He watches Angela on the street. A luxury car
with a driver picks her up. The car stops, Angela gets
inside it and the car disappears in the morning traffic.
Baruch comes to the kitchen and sees a breakfast arranged
for him on the table.
EXT. THE STREETS OF BROOKLYN, NY - DAY
Baruch walks the streets of Brooklyn. As he walks his cell
phone rings. He sees an incoming call from Shuki. Baruch
doesn’t answer. He keeps on walking and sees a big advert on
a building. The advert says: ’Peter’s Boxing Bootcamp, $10
cash for a class’. He enters the building.
INT. BROOKLYN BOXING BOOTCAMP GYM, NY - DAY
In the building Baruch sees an announcement saying that the
boxing classes are on the second floor. He goes to the
second floor and opens the door. He sees a middle aged white
man instructing 2 men and a woman about the basics of the
boxing standing and movement. The man sees Baruch, tells his
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
trainees to carry on and comes to Baruch. The man is limping
slightly.
BARUCH
Hello! I am Baruch Appleman.
PETER
Hello! It is nice to meet you
Baruch I am Peter Mancini. I am the
coach. What can I help you with?
BARUCH
Peter, I am a professional. But now
I’ve got no job and no place to
train. Have you got a job for me?
PETER
If you aren’t looking for big
money, I will let you train a
morning group and, of course, you
will be able to train here for free
yourself anytime you like. There
are bags and gloves. Every class is
$10 cash and we’ll split your class
50-50. Have we got a deal?
BARUCH
It’s a deal.
They shake hands.
PETER
People in the morning group are
mainly all kind of college
students, white collar
professionals and managers, who
want to relieve their stress before
a stressful day. Don’t forget they
don’t do boxing professionally,
just for fun. Safety’s first and
always make sure they put headgear
and mouth guard piece when they
work with each other. You never
work with them yourself. Is it
clear?
BARUCH
All’s clear.
21.
INT. SPORTS BAR OPPOSITE THE BOOTCAMP GYM - NIGHT
Baruch enters the bar. It is quite busy. He sees Peter
sitting by the table and watching a large TV screen showing
a boxing fight. Peter sees Baruch and waves at him. Baruch
approaches Peter.
BARUCH
Hi Peter! Am I being late? have you
been waiting for long?
PETER
No, you are fine. I came a bit
earlier. Let’s grab a beer?
BARUCH
Sure.
PETER
You sit down and I’ll bring it.
It’s my treat tonight. See it as
your employee’s bonus.
Peter goes to the counter to get two beers. Baruch smiles
and sits down. He looks around and starts watching the fight
on the screen. Peter comes back with two pints of beer in
his hands. He puts them on the table and sits down. He takes
his beer and says
PETER
Cheers!
BARUCH
Cheers!
PETER
You are doing a great job. Trainees
just love you.
BARUCH
Well that the very least I can do.
You gave me a job that I love, so I
am doing it just right.
They drink beer and watch the fight in silence for some
time. Then Peter says:
PETER
(pointing at the screen)
What are you saying about it?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
BARUCH
Both are slow and out of shape. The
taller guy has a good right hand.
but doesn’t use it too often. The
smaller guy leaves his body open
too often. My guess the taller guy
will win by TKO around the 5th
round. Probably with body shots.
PETER
That’s right, that’s right. Well
that’s clear you know a few things
about boxing. So how come you don’t
have a place to train and a good
promoter?
BARUCH
Apparently my manager doesn’t like
people of color and prefers whites
when he makes professional choices.
So I left. Now I work with you.
PETER
Unfortunately, I personally cannot
promote you too far.
BARUCH
The job you gave me and the beer
you bought me is enough for me...
Both smile.
BARUCH
But tell me your story.
PETER
There isn’t much to tell, really. I
grew up in the Mancini family here
in Brooklyn and we were four
brothers. I am the oldest brother.
As teenager I did amateur boxing
and even competed at the Golden
Gloves. When I was 18, I joined the
marines. In the marines, I carried
on with boxing and fought in
military championships. I was even
the marines’ champ. I spent all my
time in the marines, training
either military or boxing. I didn’t
marry. Then one day during a covert
operation near the Cuban coastline
I got shot in the leg, and the
bullet damaged my knee. That’s why
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
PETER (cont’d)
I’ve been limping ever since. I had
to quit from the military and from
active boxing. I came back to
Brooklyn, to the flat that my
parents left me. The military pays
me a good pension, so I don’t
struggle financially. I used some
of the military money and opened
this bootcamp gym. And that’s it...
Watch! You were right. Its’ 4th
round and it’s all over. Baruch is
a Jewish name isn’t it?
BARUCH
It is. Actually I am Jewish. I grew
up in Israel.
PETER
That’s interesting, I would’ve
never guessed that. Have you heard
about the Israeli who is supposed
to fight Matthews next Friday?
BARUCH
Actually, I have. In fact I was
supposed to fight Matthews, and the
manager of that Israeli guy is the
same manager I was telling you
about.
Peter shows he is astonished by this.
PETER
I know him. Shuki Colman. It’s good
that you’ve left him. The man is a
scumbag. There is only one language
he understands - money.
BARUCH
How come you know him?
PETER
He got my younger brother - Thomas
- killed.
Baruch is amazed and looks at Peter.
PETER
Thomas was always a rebel. He was
the youngest one and always wanted
to prove us - the older brothers -
that he is a real man. Just like me
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
PETER (cont’d)
he did amateur boxing and was
thinking to turn pro. But then he
met this Shuki guy. Shuki convinced
him to do illegal fighting. I tried
to talk him off this, but he was
determined. They put a former pro
champ against Thomas. He never had
a chance.
ANGELA’S FLAT - NIGHT
Baruch comes back home from the meeting with Peter in the
bar. He opens the door with his own key, enters the flat,
and sees Angela sitting on the sofa and reading The Count of
Monte Cristo. When Baruch enters Angela stands up and comes
closer to him as they speak.
BARUCH
Why aren’t you sleeping? I was sure
you would be sleeping by now.
Angela slowly comes forward towards Baruch. They smile at
each other.
ANGELA
I’ve been waiting for you. Have you
eaten?
BARUCH
Before I went out I had the cabbage
soup that you made, and I loved it.
ANGELA
What you call a cabbage soup is
called shchi and it is a
masterpiece of Russian culinary. An
art transferred from generation to
generation of female branch of the
Skomorokh family... This ancient
art...
Angela already stands with Baruch and hugs him. They hug
each other.
BARUCH
What a nice little speech!
Angela hits him lightly in his chest with her little fists
in a humorous way.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
ANGELA
’A little speech’? You will pay for
this you little villain...
He smiles at her and kisses her. They kiss.
ANGELA
(in the midst of kissing)
... and what an admirable villain
you are...
Angela makes a break in kissing.
ANGELA
(suddenly)
Baruch, I am in trouble. I am in a
very big trouble.
BARUCH
What’s happened?
ANGELA
I fell in love with you.
BARUCH
I am in love with you too, but I
don’t think it’s a big trouble.
ANGELA
Shuki Colman is my boss. He can do
anything he wants to me. He made me
do this, to make you fall in love
with me.
Baruch makes a few small steps back and stands still. He
looks at Angela with a motionless glance.
ANGELA
I am not a caregiver. I am a former
prostitute. I was an elite
prostitute. He brought me to the
States from Moldova. Now I work as
supervisor. I supervise other girls
and make deals with important
clients. If I stop doing it, he
would put me in prison for
solicitation of prostitution and
illegal stay in the US.
Angela is crying.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 26.
BARUCH
Why did he want you to make me fall
in love with you?
ANGELA
He wants you to fight in his
illegal fighting business. He runs
illegal gambling on underground
fist fighting. He knew you would
never agree to do this. So he
wanted to make you fall in love
with me, to show you that I am in
trouble and need money, and you
would have had no other option but
to turn to him for money. He would
have told you then that you could
earn your money in illegal fights
for him.
BARUCH
Did he have sex with you?
ANGELA
Yes. He always has sex with the
girls whom he brings to his
network. There was a period when I
was his exclusive lover.
BARUCH
And now, do you have sex with him
now?
ANGELA
No.
BARUCH
So our meeting back there was just
a stage play? And those rapists of
yours were just actors?...
Angela indicates that he is correct.
BARUCH
Why are you telling me all this?
Shouldn’t you be carrying on with
your plan? What was it that you
were supposed to do at this stage?
To let me think that you are in
trouble and need money, wasn’t it?
ANGELA
Baruch, I love you. I am sorry. I
am so sorry. You don’t know how
sorry I am.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 27.
Angela makes small steps towards Baruch, but Baruch turns
around and walks to another room. Angela sits down on the
sofa, takes the book that is on the sofa and cries. After a
minute Baruch walks out of the room with his suitcase and
enters the living room. He walks towards the door out of the
flat. Angela tries to stop him, but he comes out of the flat
silently and shuts the door behind him. Angela falls down
near the door and cries.
INT. SPORTS BAR OPPOSITE THE BOOTCAMP GYM - NIGHT
Baruch and Peter are sitting in the sports bar, having beers
and watching boxing fights on TV. They are sitting very
close to the TV so they here the sound that follows the
video on screen and listen to the broadcaster.
PETER
By the way, I asked around about
people who could promote you. My
brother - Paul Mancini - he is in
various types of business including
boxing promotion. He knows people
who could arrange you a fight. Are
you interested?
BARUCH
Am I interested?! Are you kidding?!
Sure, I am interested!
Peter points to the screen.
PETER
The Israeli comes out.
On the screen Ilan comes out to the ring, followed by Yair,
the military-style guy. Matthews comes out too, followed by
his coach. The broadcaster:
BROADCASTER
The fight is on! Ilan Ben Zion
attacks Matthews with all kind of
punches. It’s a furious attack.
They’re trading punches. What a
first round we are having here! A
great left hook and Matthews is
down. He gets up... He’s made the
eight count. Ben Zion continues
with his attack. All the punches
are getting through. Another big
right uppercut and Matthews is down
again. He is trying to get up...
No, he cannot make it. It’s all
over. Referee has stopped the fight
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 28.
BROADCASTER (cont’d)
and a very good decision by the
referee. What a tremendous win by
the young Israeli. We will
certainly be watching this exciting
fighter in his next fights.
PETER
Alright, it’s all over. Let’s go
home. We need to arrange you with a
stretcher bed.
Baruch and Peter leave the bar.
Chapter 3: Roman
INT. BOXING GYM, LONDON - NIGHT
A boxing gym in London. Coach Garry Waterman, 57, is inside
the ring with Roman Goldman, 31 years old. Roman is a blond
guy with blue eyes. They train in the ring using boxing
pads. Coach Waterman puts the pads in different positions
while attacking Roman, and Roman reacts with defenses and
counterattacks.
WATERMAN
(speaks with a
British-English-London-posh
accent)
What’s happening with you? You are
slow and out of focus. Let’s call
it a day. Get some rest. I’ll meet
you at the airport tomorrow.
Roman leaves the training space and goes to the changing
room.
EXT. LONDON STREETS - NIGHT
Roman walks the streets of London. His clothes are very neat
and seemingly expensive. He wears a
modern-English-gentleman-style suit on. It’s raining. He
sees different people around him. English people of various
ages near the pubs and coming out of the pubs, many of them
are drunk, some drunken quarrels with the bouncers, some
foreign tourists who take pictures and look astonished by
the streets of London, locals of Indian and Pakistani origin
dressed in their traditional clothes. Russians and Poles,
also drunk, speaking Russian and Polish. Very posh English
gentlemen and some ladies on a ladies’ night out. Roman
keeps on walking from north to south, and reaches the Thames
near the Tower Bridge. He stops and stands by the river
bank. He takes a look around him. He looks at the water and
the lights around him.
29.
EXT. AN APARTMENT BUILDING, CENTRAL LONDON - NIGHT
A cab stops opposite the entrance to the building. It is
raining. Roman comes out of the cab and walks to the
entrance door. The cab leaves. Roman gets to the second
floor and opens a flat door using his own key. A young woman
of Asian Chinese appearance sits on the floor of the living
room surrounded by books, laptop, notes, coffee mugs. She is
watching a cartoon on her laptop.
ROMAN
You are watching a cartoon. Again.
Maybe I should watch a cartoon too.
SHUO
You can join me, if you wish.
Roman comes and stands by the window. He is looking outside.
It is rainy and windy and there are very few people outside.
ROMAN
Are you going to stay up all night
again?
SHUO
I have no other choice. All the
nights until I submit my thesis
will now be sleepless.
Roman sings quietly an English variation of the famous
Soviet song from the Soviet film named Two soldiers and
performed in the film by the actor and singer Mark Bernes.
Shuo looks at him and listens to him singing.
ROMAN
(singing quietly)
It is a dark night outside.
Bullets are whistling all over the
steppe, only wind’s humming in
overhead wires, only stars dimly
twinkle.
It is dark in the night, and I
know, me dear, you don’t sleep, by
the cradle you sit, wiping away
your tears.
I love the depth of your eyes so
much, I would love to kiss them
right now. But a dark night
separates us, my dear,the dangerous
black steppe is between us.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 30.
SHUO
Wow! This is so beautiful. What is
this song?
ROMAN
It’s a song from a Soviet movie. My
mom used to sing it to me, it was
our cradlesong.
SHUO
Are you going to sleep now?
ROMAN
Yes, Shuo, I am. I and Garry should
be at Heathrow about 11am
tomorrow.
SHUO
Well, then I tell you goodbye now.
I will be leaving early in the
morning. I won’t be waking you up.
The very best of luck in your
fights. Don’t forget to write me
postcards, and bring me some sweets
from the States.
ROMAN
I will.
Roman goes to the bedroom. There are two separate beds in
the bedroom. One is Roman’s bed and the other one is Shuo’s
bed. Roman stands and watches the scenery outside the
window.
INT. LOBBY, HOTEL ALBERT, NY - DAY
Shuki sits in a comfortable chair in the lobby of Hotel
Albert, where Roman Goldman and Garry Waterman live. He sees
Roman and Waterman coming from the stairs and walking
towards the doors. He rises from the chair and approaches
them. He talks to Roman:
SHUKI
(speaks Hebrew)
Roman, my name is Shuki Colman. I
am a businessman and Adviser to
Israeli Prime Minister, and I would
like to personally welcome you here
in New York.
ROMAN
Hello Shuki, I have heard about
you. How can I help you?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 31.
SHUKI
I want to talk to you. Privately.
Roman turns to Waterman.
ROMAN
Go ahead, I will catch you in the
gym.
WATERMAN
Don’t stay here for long.
ROMAN
I won’t.
Waterman leaves the lobby. Shuki and Roman go to the corner
of the lobby and sit on the sofa. No one is around them.
SHUKI
So... Roman, I am not only an
Israeli bureaucrat. I am also a
boxing manager, promoter, and a
businessman. We are both Israelis
and here abroad we should be
helping each other. You’ve lived a
long time abroad, outside Israel,
but I am sure you remember that we
always stick together - that’s our
strength, that’s what makes us so
strong.
ROMAN
I do know this, but I don’t
understand how we can help each
other.
SHUKI
Clearly, you are my kind of person.
We are alike, you and I. I, just
like yourself, always want to
quickly come to the essence of
things, to the very core. I will be
frank and open with you. Let me
start by saying that I have watched
you and your career for a few years
now. I must say that I am
absolutely proud that a fellow
Israeli is so successful. You
haven’t lost a single fight! On the
other hand, I am a bit worried
about you. You are 31 years old,
but you have never had a really
strong, top class opponent. You are
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 32.
SHUKI (cont’d)
only now arriving to the States to
upgrade your opponents. Don’t you
think it’s a bit too late?
ROMAN
Why are you telling me all this?
SHUKI
Please, Roman, don’t get me wrong.
I am saying this thing to you
because I want you to be
successful. Knowing that I’ve
helped a fellow Israeli, a strong
and proud guy like yourself, who is
well-known and successful abroad,
will be my greatest reward. Believe
me, I need no other reward. Of
course, I am a businessman and a
lawyer, but as an Israeli, as a
Jewish, as a human being my highest
happiness is when other Israelis,
people just like yourself, are
successful. That’s the reason why I
work with the government. I am
always in positions of influences,
where I can contribute to my
country, to my people, have impact
on their lives and improve them.
Hadn’t I such a motivation, I would
immediately resign from all
official positions. Believe me,
without this work in the government
I would earn much more money. This
job takes a lot of my time and my
energy, but the monetary reward is
very small. If I took private
clients in my law office instead, I
would be much better off.
ROMAN
But what you want from me?
SHUKI
I want to help you, and I want you
to help me. I also want to take
care of your future, and when I say
it I don’t mean for a year or two,
but for a life time. I also want
you to be successful in Israel, in
your own country, to live and
prosper there.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 33.
ROMAN
Alright, and how do you want to do
this?
SHUKI
I will be frank with you. I am also
the manager of Ilan Ben Zion.
You’ve probably heard of him. He is
also a challenger for the North
American championship belt. It may
seem that I might want to damage
you, because you and Ilan are
rivals, but it would be a very
simplistic view. It could be true,
hadn’t we all be Israelis and
hadn’t I want the very best for
you. The truth is that I am an
experienced person and someone who
wants the best for you both. I feel
like we all are on the same team.
You can get seriously hurt, and I
don’t want it to happen. Besides,
he is 23, you are 31. You’ve never
had real opponents, he has. If he
is successful in taking the North
American Champion belt he will have
plenty of time to become a world
champion, but you don’t have such
time. Just think about it for a
moment, an Israeli professional
heavyweight Champion of the World!
It will bring such an immense
feeling of achievement and national
pride to our country, to all the
Israelis. That’s what we need as a
country. But if you fail now, you
will lose everything. I see that
you make too many mistakes in the
ring, way too many mistakes for top
level. You aren’t fast enough and
your defense isn’t good enough. You
will start losing very soon. That’s
why I think you should consider my
offer.
ROMAN
And what this offer would be?
SHUKI
First of all, I will arrange you a
sparring fight with a former North
American Champion. Nobody except
you and your coach and me should
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 34.
SHUKI (cont’d)
see this fight. We can do it in
your gym. This will give you the
feeling of what you are going to
face, and whether at all it is what
you want for yourself. And remember
that this is a former champ. The
others who are now active are much
better and are much tougher.
Second, I offer you to become a
member of a private business run in
Israel, by some people whom I know
and trust. They need just a man
like you, and I am happy to help
them and you.
ROMAN
What is this business?
SHUKI
They do all kind of things. They
run shops and warehouses, they are
in entertainment business, they
provide consulting to important
businessmen and supervise a large
number of small businesses. They
now need a new supervisor, and I
think you will fit perfectly. You
are clever, you can speak Hebrew,
English and Russian. You have great
potential for business and I am
sure you will fulfill it.
ROMAN
And if after the sparring that you
will arrange for me, I will decide
to carry on with my boxing career?
SHUKI
I will totally understand it and
respect your decision. I will
support you in any way that will be
in my power.
ROMAN
Alright, I will think about it and
let you know.
SHUKI
Don’t think for too long. I will
need time to arrange it. It would
be best if you told me by the end
of this week.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 35.
ROMAN
Alright.
Shuki gives Roman his hand, they shake hands, and Roman
leaves the lobby. Shuki sits down and watches Roman’s back
as he leaves.
THE GYM WHERE ROMAN AND WATERMAN TRAIN, NY - DAY
Roman enters the gym. Waterman is already there. They are
standing by the ring side and talking. A number of other
people train in the gym. No one can hear them.
WATERMAN
Who was that guy and what did he
want from you?
ROMAN
His name is Shuki Colman. He is a
big shoot businessman in Israel. He
is also the manager and promoter of
Ilan Ben Zion. He offered me to
arrange a sparring fight with a
former North American heavyweight
champion.
WATERMAN
And what do you think about this
offer?
ROMAN
I think we should agree to it. It
would give me some serious
experience.
WATERMAN
I don’t like the guy. I think you
should stay away from him, but the
fight that he offered might not be
a bad idea after all. Think of this
sparring fight as preparation. This
is precisely what it is -
preparation.
ROMAN
Alright.
Roman goes to the changing room to change. Waterman stays by
the ring side.
36.
INT. THE GYM WHERE ROMAN AND WATERMAN TRAIN, NY - NIGHT
Roman and Waterman are in the gym. They are in the ring
working the pads. Shuki, Yair - the military-style man to
whom Shuki was talking when he was watching Baruch and
Ilan’s sparring - and a big black guy of about 35 years old,
dressed in a track suit - the former North American champion
- approach the ring. The hands of the former champion are
wrapped with boxing wraps.
SHUKI
Are you ready?
WATERMAN
Yes, we are ready.
SHUKI
Let’s start.
Yair helps the former champion to put his gloves on. Once
the gloves are on, the former champion enters the ring. Only
Roman and the former champion are in the ring. They come to
the middle of the ring and touch gloves. Then they go to
their corners.
SHUKI
Begin!
The fighters approach each other and begin fighting. The
first punches come from Roman. The former champion protects,
moves, but doesn’t punch. The former champion looks sharp
and relaxed, Roman on the contrary, seems stressed and
tensed. The former champion tries to work the jab, Roman
protects but moves his hands up and down too much. Roman
protects, but it seems that his defense is too exaggerated
for the type of small punches the former champ throws. The
first round ends without big punches getting through to
either of the fighters.
SHUKI
Stop. End of first round.
The boxers come to their corners. In Roman’s corner Waterman
treats him and talks to him. In the former champ’s corner
Yair helps him with water and ventilates him with a towel.
SHUKI
Second round. Begin.
The boxers come to the center. Roman carries on with his jab
and occasionally tries to add a quick right cross. The
former champion protects, but suddenly he throws a big
overhand right hook which hits Roman’s chin. Roman is
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 37.
shocked but carries on with the fight. He moves, works the
jab. The former champion throws a right cross to Roman’s
body, gets closer to him and begins a devastating left-right
hand combination of 5-6 punches including left and right
hooks, and uppercuts and finishing with a big right cross.
All the punches are getting through and hit Roman. Waterman
throws in the towel and storms into the ring separating
between Roman and the former champion. Roman is clearly
shocked and hardly understands where he is. Waterman
supports Roman. The former champion steps down from the
ring. Shuki smiles and looks at Roman. Roman sees how Shuki
looks at him. Their glances cross. Shuki, the former
champion, and the military-style guy are leaving the gym.
They are smiling, talking to each other with excitement.
Shuki uses his hands to show the other two the big right
hook that made the main damage to Roman. They all laugh as
they leave.
INT. HOTEL ALBERT, ROMAN’S ROOM, NY - DAY
Roman inside his room. He packs his suitcase. Waterman comes
inside his room. He shows Roman to the watch as if to say
that Roman is late for the training. Roman finishes to pack
his suitcase. Waterman sees that Roman is packing his
suitcase and stands still amazed. Roman takes his suitcase
and walks to the exit. When he stands near Waterman he tries
not to look him in the eyes.
ROMAN
No hurt feelings, Garry. I am
sorry.
Roman looks around the room as if to check whether he left
anything behind and comes out of the room, leaving the door
open. Waterman stands alone and looks at the door.
EXT. NORTHERN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Roman is driving a blue Mercedes in Tel Aviv, Israel. He is
driving in a very posh area of the city - Ramat Aviv
neighborhood, near the sea. He wears jeans, t-shirt and
sports shoes. A music is playing inside Roman’s car. The
music is Symphony No.3 Poco Allegretto, Brahms. He parks his
car near a very elegant 5-floor building. Roman comes out of
the car and comes to the entrance door. He pushes an
intercom button. There is a CCTV camera that is directed
towards Roman.
MALE (OS)
(speaks Russian)
Who is this?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 38.
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
It’s me, Roman. Open the door.
INT. LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN NORTHERN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
The door opens and Roman enters the building. He enters the
elevator and pushes the button 5, the last floor. The
elevator door opens and he comes out of it. Just in front
his face there is another door. Somebody’s eye is seen
looking at a huge peephole on Roman. The door opens, it is
opened by the man who was asking Roman who he was at the
entrance to the building and the same one who watched Roman
at the peephole. The man is Denis, white, 25, blond, blue
eyes, handsome, strongly built, with a sleeveless black vest
and a red butterfly tie. The man opens the door kindly,
greats Roman with a big smile and lets Roman come into the
space. He has well developed muscles. He smiles at Roman.
INT. LUXURIOUS SPACE INSIDE THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN
NORTHERN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Roman enters a large living room of a luxury apartment. He
is at the left side of a large rectangular floor with a
relatively high ceiling. The walls and the ceiling are
decorated with reproductions of classical Michelangelo
paintings: The Creation of Adam, Crucifixion with Mary and
John, The Dream of Human Life, The Creation of the Sun, Moon
and Vegetation, at the right near corner a reproduction of
the statue of David stands. The space looks like a concert
hall or a theater stage. At the near right corner, at the
other end of the wall of the entrance door a large sound
system stands. There are deemed lights inside the space,
with more light at the centers of action - the middle-right
side of the floor and less light, almost darkness at the
left side of the floor. There are two other doors besides
the entrance door. One of the other doors is opposite the
entrance door, at the left far side of the space. Another
door is behind the piano at the right far corner of the
space. There is a large black Steinway piano at the right
far end of the floor. Angela sits behind the piano facing
the floor and the entrance door. She wears an elegant long
purple night dress and high heel shoes. There is a big open
window on the left side of the room, and a similar window at
the right side of the room. The right big window is also
open. There are three white men, 45-50, standing in the
darkness by the left window, at the middle of the left side
of the space. They are dressed casually, t-shirts, short
sleeve shirts, jeans, short trousers, sports shoes. They are
holding glasses of brandy and whiskey in their hands, and
occasionally having a drink. At the middle of the right side
of the space beneath the right window Alonso, a black man,
30, stands on his knees facing the middle of the floor. He
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 39.
wears a traditional Japanese samurai dress of a blue color.
His hands are tied behind his back, his legs are also tied
and bamboo leaves are stuck inside his mouth. The man can
neither move, nor speak. There is a large dagger lying on
the floor in front of the man. Some small trees and plants
stand around the man making the impression that he is in a
grove. Once in a while sounds of wild animals and birds are
heard at the background. Almost at the center of the floor,
nearer to its right side, Ben Zadok, a short white fat man,
50, stands with his back towards the entrance door where
Roman stands. The man is at 45 degrees to the wall of the
entrance door. He wears nothing at the top side of his body,
and only tight red underwear at his lower part. He is
barefoot. A woman stands on her knees in front of the man.
Her name is Inga. She is 25, white, tall, slim, blond,
attractive, East European appearance, wearing makeup, black
high heel shoes, an English schoolgirl’s skirt, no
underwear, and a brown, but mostly transparent, bra,
covering her large breast. Roman sees the profiles of the
fat man and of the woman standing in front of the fat man.
The woman is looking at the face of the fat man. There is
silence for 3-4 seconds, and nobody moves. Angela starts
playing Mendelssohn’s Wedding March on the piano. The fat
man takes his underwear down below at the level of his
knees. The woman in front of him begins to perform oral sex
to the fat man. As she does so the black man tied on the
right side of the space begins to show signs of distress. He
is trying to move and talk, and to attract the attention of
the woman, but he is unsuccessful. The woman pays no
attention to him, and is very much focused on what she is
doing. The man who opened the door looks at Roman and
smiles. Then he continues to watch the action at the middle
of the room. The men on the left side stand quietly and have
their drinks. After about a minute, once Angela completes a
full musical phrase, the fat man takes a small step back.
Angela stops playing the piano. No body moves, except the
tied man on the right, he is trying to talk and move, but is
unsuccessful. The fat man waits for a 2-3 seconds then he
slaps the woman in front of him. Angela stops playing. There
is a pause for a second or so. The woman stands up, looks at
the man, she is taller than the fat man, she turns around
and bends down. The fat man takes her skirt up and begins
having sexual intercourse with the woman. Angela is now
playing Brahms, Symphony 3, Poco Allegretto. It is now
possible to see the faces of Inga and Ben Zadok as they have
sex. The fat man - Ben Zadok - is making wild noises,
roaring like a bear. Inga is seemingly enjoying herself. She
bites her lips, licks them, her mouth is half open, she
closes and opens her eyes. The fat man controls the movement
with his hands, pushing and pulling the woman once and
again. Roman sees the back of the fat man and the face of
the woman between the fat man’s legs and between her legs.
The fat man accelerates, he screams and ejaculates into the
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 40.
woman. Angela stops playing. There are only sounds of
wildness, birds singing from ’the grove’ around the tied man
on the right. The fat man leans on the woman’s back and
breathes heavily. He falls down on his left side, taking the
woman with him. Both of them lie down without moving. After
a few seconds the fat man gets on his feet. The woman is
still lying down. The fat man stands and looks at the tied
man on the right. Suddenly, the woman points at the tied man
and screams to the fat man
INGA
Kill him! He saw me being
disgraced! You must kill him
now!
Angela begins playing Mozart, Alla Turca (Turkish March).
The fat man takes the dagger from the floor, approaches the
tied man, and takes the bamboo leaves out of his mouth, so
the tied man is now able to speak. The fat man talks to the
tied man
BEN ZADOK
Your wife told me to kill you. What
would you like me to do with her?
ALONSO
Just leave us. Leave her, and go,
please. I want everything to be as
it was before we came here, before
we met you.
BEN ZADOK
Alright. I will leave you two
alone.
Ben Zadok turns around, still holding the dagger in one
hand, and speaks to the woman
BEN ZADOK
But can everything be the way it
was before? I know, you know, she
knows (points at Inga). Maybe it
would be best for all of us if she
left with me.
INGA
Nothing can be the way it was
before. One of us three must die.
Here and now.
ALONSO
(speaks to the woman)
Inga, let him go. I love you. We
will resolve our issues. I know
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 41.
ALONSO (cont’d)
that I didn’t pay you as much
attention as I should have. Only
now is that I feel how much you
mean to me. I know I didn’t agree
to it before, but I agree now.
Let’s do it. Let’s attend family
counseling.
INGA
I should have listened to my
mother. She was always right. You
aren’t a man. You are pathetic.
Suddenly Angela speaks to Ben Zadok from her seat behind the
piano
ANGELA
If either of you was a man, you
would fight for the right to be
with her.
ALONSO
(speaks to Ben Zadok)
Let’s do it. Untie me. I am ready
to fight.
Ben Zadok hesitates for a moment, he looks around him, looks
at Roman - Roman indicates that it is alright to fight. Ben
Zadok then looks at the three men at the left side of the
space. The man that stands in the middle, Avi, 50, white,
tall says
AVI
(speaks Hebrew)
Do it, Ben Zadok! Show them what
are you made of!
The other two also confirm that it is alright to fight.
Denis - the man who let Roman into the space - looks at
Roman as if asking whether the fight is allowed. Roman
indicates that it is alright. Then Ben Zadok comes to the
tied man and cuts the ropes with the dagger. He then throws
the dagger away. It falls on the floor between him and Inga.
Alonso gets up and approaches Ben Zadok. Alonso begins to
hit Ben Zadok in his face. He advances as he hits, and they
move on the line between the windows, beginning to come
closer to the left window and the three standing men. Then
Ben Zadok begins to hit Alonso in the face with one punch in
a turn, left, then right, then left again, and so on. Alonso
makes steps backwards and Ben Zadok makes steps forwards as
he carries on hitting Alonso. They are now very close to the
right side window. They are both amidst ’the grove’ plants
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 42.
on the right side of the space. Alonso is almost
unconscious. He tries to strangle Ben Zadok pushing on his
neck with both hands. Alonso’s upper body leans over the
window. Alonso is hanging with his back over the window.
Angela keeps playing the Turkish March. It seems that the
next moment Alonso is going to fall out of the window, when
blood begins to drop on Alonso’s face out of Ben Zadok’s
neck. Ben Zadok stops hitting Alonso and falls on top of him
motionless. Next moment the body of Ben Zadok begins to
slide over the top side of Alonso. Inga pushes the body by
its legs out of the window. As she pushes, it is possible to
see the dagger in the back side of his neck, Inga holding
his legs and getting them up in the air, dispatching the
body out of the window. Her face and arms are covered in
blood. Ben Zadok falls out of the window. Angela carries on
playing the Turkish March. Alonso gets on his feet. He and
Inga hug and kiss. Their faces are red, covered in blood.
ROMAN
(speaks Russian to Denis)
They don’t need family counseling.
They should be just fine.
Roman runs towards them. Denis runs behind Roman. The three
men at the left side also make steps towards the middle of
the floor, Avi is in front.
ROMAN
(yells at Inga)
What did you do? You know what will
now happen to us all?
EXT. BACK SIDE OF THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN NORTHERN TEL
AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Ben Zadok lands on his belle on the grass behind the
building. He falls between two special forces policemen. The
policemen wear all the equipment of the special forces of
police ready to enter a hostile location to make arrests and
hold their guns ready. One of the policemen spins the body
of Ben Zadok around. The policemen see the face of Ben
Zadok. He is smiling. The blade of the dagger is seen out of
his neck. One of the policemen talks into a radio device
saying:
POLICEMAN
(speaks Hebrew)
Angel One, we have a dead body. I
repeat, we have a dead body.
43.
INT. A CAR IN FRONT OF THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN NORTHERN
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Igal sits inside the car, at the driving seat with radio
device in his hand. Another policeman with all the special
forces equipment sits at the back seat.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew)
Michael, be careful. God bless!
INT. STAIRCASE OF THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN NORTHERN TEL
AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Michael and five more special forces policemen stand at the
staircase in front of the entrance door to the flat where
Roman and the rest are situated. Michael wears civil
clothes, jeans and t-shirt. On top of the t-shirt he wears a
bullet-proof vest. He holds a short automatic hand gun in
his right hand. The other policemen who are with him at the
staircase are equipped precisely like those who were at the
back side of the building and witnessed the fall of dead Ben
Zadok with the dagger in his neck. Michael holds a radio in
his left hand. Two policemen who are with him finishing to
put small explosives on the door.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew into the radio)
Got it, out.
He then speaks to the policemen who are with him.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Let’s go! Blow the door up.
All 7 of them at the staircase take a few steps back and
hide behind walls. One of the policemen pushes the button of
a small device and the explosives are engaged. The door
falls into the apartment.
INT. LUXURIOUS SPACE INSIDE THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN
NORTHERN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Immediately with the fall of the door, Angela stops playing
and disappears into the door that is behind her. Michael
storms inside the apartment, sees Angela’s disappearance,
and quickly moves towards the people concentrated at the
right side of the space. The policemen follow Michael. Roman
and Denis try to fight back, but they are quickly put on the
floor by the policemen. The three men, Inga and Alonso don’t
resist and let the police put handcuffs on their hands and
take them out of the flat. After them Roman and Denis are
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 44.
led, also in handcuffs. Three policemen escort them out.
When they lead Roman out, Michael and Roman see each other
and look each other in the eyes.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew to the
policemen leading Roman)
Put this one inside my car.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew to one of the
the two remaining with him
policemen)
You, check the left door (points at
the left door). You, with me.
Michael and another policeman behind him open the right door
and follow the staircase that leads down. It leads under the
building into an underground parking.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew into the radio
device)
Has any car left the underground
parking?
IGAL
(OS, speaks Hebrew)
Negative.
POLICEMAN
(OS, speaks Hebrew)
I found nothing at the left door.
Michael and the policeman following him quickly inspect the
parking. Michael notices a side door. They open it and see a
corridor behind it. They follow the corridor and find a door
at the end.
EXT. ON THE STREET, OUTSIDE THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN
NORTHERN TEL AVIV - NIGHT
They open the door and see that it leads to the street. They
see a blue family car with wide tires and a silver line
under the doors turning into another street in 200 meters of
distance.
45.
INT. A CAR IN FRONT OF THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN NORTHERN
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Michael, Igal, Roman and another policeman are inside a
police car. Igal is driving, Michael is in the front
passenger seat. The policeman sits behind Michael and Roman
sits behind Igal - the driver. Michael turns back and looks
at Roman. Roman looks at Michael. Michael turns back and
looks in front of him.
Chapter 4: Michael
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEL AVIV - DAY
Michael sits at his desk in his room at the police
department. Roman sits in front of him, at some distance
from the table. Both are unshaved and wear the same clothes
they wore the last evening when Roman got arrested (scene 42
- Romans arrest). Roman is dressed the same jeans and
t-shirt he was wearing the previous night. They look at each
other in silence. Michael switches on music on his laptop.
It plays Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 21, Andante. Roman looks
at Michael, stands up and makes a few small steps towards
Michael.
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEL AVIV - DAY
Michael and Igal inside their office. They sit behind their
desks.
IGAL
The knife with which Ben Zadok was
murdered has disappeared. It has
disappeared out of the laboratory
in the building in the course of
the last night. They are now
investigating who could have taken
the knife. You know that we’ve got
no case without the knife.
Michael switches on music on his laptop. It plays Schubert,
Ellen’s Third Song (Ave Maria).
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEL AVIV - DAY
Michael and Igal inside their office. They sit behind their
desks. Now Inga sits in front of them. She wears the same
clothes she wore the previous evening when Ben Zadok got
killed. Music is playing on Michael’s laptop. It plays
Schubert, Ellen’s Third Song (Ave Maria).
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 46.
A mix of short scenes follows, each time only one person is
sitting in front of Michael and Igal, and answering their
questions. The first one is Inga.
MICHAEL
Inga, tell me, please, are you and
Alonso really married or was it
just a stage play for entertainment
of the guests?
Igal offers Inga a cigarette. She takes it and he lights it.
She smokes.
INGA
We are really married. We’ve been
married for 5 years. We got married
in Moldova. We met in the theater.
Inga disappears. Now Alonso sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
MICHAEL
How did you come to Israel?
ALONSO
I and Inga - we are both actors.
Our theater brought Othello to
Israel. We played the lead roles.
After the tour we decided to stay
in Israel illegally. Out theater
left. We stayed.
Alonso disappears. Now Avi sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
MICHAEL
Tell me, Avi, were you a frequent
visitor to the club where we got
you arrested?
AVI
It was my first visit there. Ben
Zadok brought me there. He had told
me that it’s an experimental place
for drama lovers; exciting dramas
played each evening like if they
were real. And you can be part of
the action. You act together with
the actors and alter the script as
you go. No script writers. No
directors. No limits. It’s a total
theater. I love theater and decided
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 47.
AVI (cont’d)
to come and see for myself. From
what he’d told me, I gathered that
he was a frequent visitor there.
Avi disappears. Now Denis, the man who opened the door, sits
in front of Michael and Igal.
MICHAEL
How long did you work in the club
for?
DENIS
I worked there for two years.
MICHAEL
Did Avi come there a lot?
DENIS
Sure. He and Ben Zadok came there
almost every week. Some time twice
a week. They were our best clients.
Both liked to stage dramas with
Inga. Sometimes they both had sex
with her at the same time. I think
it was ’Servant of Two Masters’.
They are big shots in the high tech
industry. Ben Zadok also had real
estate and land businesses. The two
others who came with Avi that
evening were new to the club, but I
heard that they belonged to a
well-known family of Israeli
mobsters.
Denis disappears. Now Alonso sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
MICHAEL
Who killed Ben Zadok?
ALONSO
I think he slipped.
MICHAEL
Slipped on the knife or out of the
window?
Alonso disappears. Now Avi sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 48.
AVI
Both. The floor was very wet
because of all the fights that the
actors staged. Ben Zadok also
fought as part of the action and
things got a bit outta control. He
slipped and fell out of the window.
But you must have the knife that
he slipped on? If you suspect a
murder you could surely conduct a
thorough fingerprints examination.
I saw it on TV crime-series.
Avi disappears. Now Inga sits in front of Michael and Igal.
MICHAEL
Sorry that I ask it so directly,
but do you have problems in your
marriage?
INGA
I am attracted to talent in men.
That’s what drives me mad. Not the
money. Not the political
domination, houses, cars, or
muscles. I love their sole. The
power that is inside. When I
married Alonso I thought he was a
genius. A genius actor. I believed
that professional success is very
important. We come from a poor
country, we wanted to succeed
abroad. In Hollywood perhaps.
Before we came to Israel Alonso
traveled to Hollywood and tried to
get parts in films. Then he
traveled to New York and tried to
get parts in major theater
productions. He failed. It was
clear that he wasn’t that genius I
thought he was when I married him.
He convinced me to stay in Israel,
when our theater left. He said we
could make it here, but he didn’t
have a better idea then to join
this stupid circus. We entertained
guests and I quite often had to
have sex with them. I began to
enjoy it. I liked the way he looked
at me when I had sex with them.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 49.
Inga disappears. Now Denis sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
MICHAEL
Who killed Ben Zadok?
DENIS
It was an accident. He had too much
to drink and fell out of the
window.
Denis disappears. Now Inga sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
MICHAEL
If I am correct it was Akutagawa’s
’In a grove’ the thing that you
staged that night.
INGA
You are right. It was my best role
ever.
Inga disappears. Now Denis sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
MICHAEL
What was Roman’s role in this
enterprise?
DENIS
We do have a deal, don’t we? I talk
and you let me go in the end.
MICHAEL
Your lawyer has already been in
touch and it’s a sealed deal now.
You can check with him. If you
want, we can put it off the record
until you confirm the deal with
your lawyer.
DENIS
He is supervisor. He moved from one
club to another and resolved
difficult issues with the clients.
Sometimes payment arrangements.
Sometimes debt collection.
Sometimes security issues. He
checked that the managers didn’t
steal money. They have a network of
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 50.
DENIS (cont’d)
about ten places in Tel Aviv. He
supervised it all. Angela - she
managed our branch. They are
relatively new in the business -
they came just half a year ago. He
and Angela - they were very
friendly. They came together from
the States to run this business.
I’ve heard that they were put here
by the big boss. No one knows who
he is.
MICHAEL
Even you?
DENIS
Even me.
Denis disappears. Now Inga sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
INGA
No, never. Roman was always
extremely respectful to me and
Alonso. Never even slightly he let
us feel wrong or bad about our
situation or ourselves.
MICHAEL
Angela - was it the name of the
woman who managed the club?
INGA
Yes, she is also from Moldova, like
me and Alonso. Actually Roman was
also born in Moldova. Of course, he
left Moldova when he was just a
child.
MICHAEL
He and Angela - did they have
intimate relationship, you think?
INGA
Certainly not. They were friendly.
Very friendly. But then she was
friendly with me too. We spoke a
lot with her. She shared her dreams
with me. I can say we were quite
close. She is really in love with a
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 51.
INGA (cont’d)
man who left her. He is also a
black man, like Alonso. He lives
here in Israel. That’s why she came
to Israel. She could have stayed in
the States, and not put herself at
risk at all. She could have gone
back to Moldova. She is strong,
clever, and beautiful. She would
have managed.
Inga disappears. Now Alonso sits in front of Michael and
Igal.
ALONSO
No... I regret nothing. I know she
loves me. I love her.
INT. POLICE CAR - DAY
Michael, Roman, Igal, and two other policemen in uniform are
inside the police car. Igal is driving. Michael switches on
the radio. It plays Schubert, Serenade. They arrive at the
same luxurious building where the murder of Ben Zadok took
place the previous evening. Igal parks the car in front of
the building.
MICHAEL
Alright. We’ve arrived.
He looks at Roman.
MICHAEL
We are going to the scene. You will
show us everything that happened
last night.
Michael, Igal, Policeman, and Roman come out of the car and
walk to the building.
INT. LUXURIOUS SPACE INSIDE THE LUXURIOUS BUILDING IN
NORTHERN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - DAY
Michael, Igal, Policeman and Roman are inside the luxurious
space. Roman walks around the space talking and pointing to
the points where various people were standing the previous
night. Michael and Igal ask questions and Roman answers.
Roman walks around and shows them with his hands different
places in the space. Their conversation isn’t heard. Roman
comes to the right near corner where the large sound system
stands. Michael switches the system on and it plays
Schubert, Serenade. It is possible to hear the music. Roman
comes to the point in the room where piano is situated. The
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 52.
others follow him. Now it is possible to hear what they are
saying.
ROMAN
Angela was sitting here. And
suddenly she says: ’You should
fight for her. If you were real men
you would fight for her’. Then they
began fighting.
MICHAEL
And how Ben Zadok got the dagger
inside his neck?
ROMAN
Well, that’s the interesting point.
Roman moves around the piano coming nearer to the door that
behind the piano. He points to the window at the right side
of the space, from which Ben Zadok fell out.
ROMAN
When Angela suggested they should
have a fight, he picked the dagger
from the floor, came to Alonso and
untied him with the dagger. Then he
threw the dagger into Alonso.
IGAL
What happened next?
ROMAN
The dagger missed Alonso and flew
out of the window.
IGAL
How come it ended inside his neck?
ROMAN
Have you heard of the ’boomerang
effect’?
IGAL
Unintended consequences of an
attempt to persuade resulting in
the adoption of an opposing
position instead.
ROMAN
Precisely.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 53.
Suddenly, Roman opens the door behind the piano, quickly
enters inside and shuts the door behind him. Michael, Igal
and Policeman take their guns out and run towards the door.
Michael pushes the door, but to no avail. The door is shut.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew to policeman)
You run downstairs from the main
entrance and run around the
building. If he doesn’t stop -
shoot him.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew to Igal)
Let’s get to the roof, maybe we
will see him from there.
The policeman exits via the entrance door. Michael and Igal
enter the left door, opposite the entrance door. It leads to
another room, where a spiral staircase is situated. They
move via the those stairs and come out to the roof where a
big penthouse is arranged. There is an infinity pool,
jacuzzi, sunbeds, bar, plants. They come to the edge of the
roof and see Roman, running on the street behind the
building. He is running towards a car. It is the same blue
car with wide tires and a silver line under the doors that
yesterday was turning to a different street when Michael and
another policeman tried to follow the route of Angela’s
escape. There are about 20 meters for Roman to cover to the
car. Igal makes a movement with hand in order to begin and
aim at Roman, but Michael stops him.
MICHAEL
I’ll do it.
Michael aims his gun at Roman. Roman runs towards the back
right door of the car. Michael waits for a second. About 5
meters remain between Roman and the car.
IGAL
Michael, shoot, he is getting away,
shoot, Michael!
Michael shoots three shots. All of them hit the roof on the
right edge of it - between the back seat and the front seat.
Roman enters the car and the car gets away very quickly. It
is no longer possible to shoot, because cars are coming the
other way and there are pedestrians on both side of the
street.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew to Michael)
He got away.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 54.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew to the radio
device in his hand)
Attention, attention! All units in
Northern Tel Aviv! We have an
escape! A white male, blond, blue
eyes, 30 years old, 1 meter 90
centimeters, 100 kilograms, last
seen as passenger in a blue family
car with wide tires and a silver
line under the doors. He might be
dangerous.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew to Michael)
What’s happened to you? From this
distance you could have hit an eye
of a fly. How come you missed?
Michael doesn’t reply. Igal leaves the roof. Michael takes
off his clothes and enters the pool, taking a short dip
inside it. He comes out. He takes a clean towel that lies on
a sunbed and puts his sun glasses near the sunbed. Michael
pours himself a drink of gin and tonic from the bar and puts
a slice of lime inside, takes a few sips from the glass. His
telephone rings. Michael doesn’t answer and puts the
telephone near the sound system on the table by the pool. He
switches on the sound system. It plays Mozart, Piano
Concerto No. 21, Andante. He lies down on a sunbed by the
pool, puts his sunglasses on, and has another sip from the
glass. The phone is ringing constantly.
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEL AVIV - DAY
It is a big office with a large window. Gennady - Michael’s
boss - sits behind his large table. Michael sits in front of
Gennady’s table. At the side of the room three chairs and
three people sitting on them. One of them is Igal. He is
dressed casually. Two others are white people in their 40s,
dressed officially.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Good morning, Michael. We have
gathered here today to conduct an
official hearing into your
professional future with the
Israeli Police.
Gennady points at the people sitting to his right.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 55.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
You know Igal. The two other
gentlemen are from the Internal
Investigations Department. They
have conducted an investigation,
regarding the escape of Roman
Goldman in the course of an
ordinary investigative experiment
carried out under your command.
Here is their report.
Gennady shows a folder lying on his table.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
You were supposed to receive a copy
of the report. Have you read it?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Yes, I have.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Good. Then we can move straight to
the main points. As you have
certainly seen - the report’s
findings and conclusions don’t only
focus on the situation with
Goldman’s escape, but with your
entire functioning as a police
detective.
Gennady opens the report and goes over some of it’s pages.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
You began working at the Israeli
police after the end of your
military service. It was 9 years
ago. In the military you were a
sniper, and finished your service
in the rank of Captain. You fought
in Southern Lebanon and
participated in other military
operations. Actually, you served
together with Igal, who also became
a detective - one year after you.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 56.
IGAL (cont’d)
Michael was my Commander in the
army and he brought me to the
police.
Gennady looks through the report and continues:
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Yes... You were chosen an
Outstanding Officer of your
military unit on a number of
occasions.
Remind us, please, why did you end
your army service and joined the
police?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
According to the army regulations,
I had to be promoted in order to
stay in service. Promotion meant
becoming Company Commander. That’s
not something my commanders were
interested in.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
You joined the police force as a
sniper. After two years in the
service you graduated from a
Masters program in Criminology at
the University of Tel Aviv. About
the same time you were promoted to
the position of Detective. You’ve
served in that position and haven’t
been promoted since then. That’s
the story of your service. Is it
correct?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Yes.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Before the Goldman case, you’ve
never been in charge of an entire
investigation. Is it correct?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 57.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
It is correct.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
It was your first time and,
obviously, it ended very badly. At
the first stage of the
investigation you did well. You
consulted me every day at that
period. With my help, you managed a
number of detectives, including
Igal. This led to gathering enough
information to make successful
arrests. I gave you the order to
make arrests and you were able to
carry this out. It should be
noticed, however, that even at that
point one woman was able to get
away.
Gennady looks at the internal investigation people and they
node in agreement.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
In the course of an investigative
experiment you took Goldman to the
crime scene in order to reconstruct
the events and to get his testimony
at the scene. You didn’t take
correct caution measures and he was
able to escape. He escaped at the
precisely same way as the woman who
escaped when you arrested Goldman.
What does it mean? It means that
you didn’t do your homework, didn’t
learn your lesson and didn’t listen
to my instructions.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
You gave me no instructions.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Why are you arguing with me again?
Even now you are not listening to
the things we want you to learn.
When Goldman were getting away Igal
wanted to shoot him, but you didn’t
let him do so. You took the shoots
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 58.
GENNADY (cont’d)
yourself. Given your qualification
as a sniper you should have
undoubtedly hit him. However, you
missed the three shoots that you
took. How can you explain this?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
I don’t know. Maybe I am not as
good a sniper anymore. I haven’t
practiced for a long time.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Summing up the Goldman case, we can
conclude that you don’t fit being
in charge of investigations. You
have never been promoted as a
detective because I and your other
superiors don’t trust you.
Reflecting on your personality, I
can only repeat the same things
that I told you before - you don’t
communicate well with your
superiors. You are arguing a lot,
believing that only you know what
the right way is. You are
opinionated and stubborn. You don’t
take advice that I provided you
with, which ultimately led to the
failure. This failure is entirely
your responsibility. Having
considered your entire career path,
your personal qualities and results
in the light of the Goldman case,
we should, definitely, fire you.
Taken in account Igal’s testimony
in your favor, and your past in the
military and in the police we have
decided that you could stay and
serve in the police in the capacity
of a traffic officer.
Michael stands up and walks towards the door.
GENNADY
(speaks Hebrew)
Where are you going? We are not
done yet.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 59.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew, as he walks to
the door)
Yes, we are. I resign. So long and
thanks for all the fish!
Gennady and the officials look at each other. The are
confused. Michael walks out of the door. Igal runs after him
into the corridor.
INT. CORRIDOR, POLICE DEPARTMENT - DAY
Michael walks the corridor. Igal runs behind him.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew)
You know I did everything that I
could.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
I know. You know why they had let
me go.
IGAL
(speaks Hebrew)
I know. Nobody likes people like
you. Well, maybe only I do.
They shake hands. Michael walks the corridor, turns to the
staircase and disappears. Igal stands in the corridor and
looks at the point where Michael was a second ago.
EXT. THE HILLS NEAR RACHAIYA-AL-WADI, SOUTHERN LEBANON -
1998, DAY
Summer 1998. Michael is 19 years old, Igal is 29 years old.
They are snipers. They are lying in two different hideouts.
About 400 meters of distance separates them. Both are
dressed in a khaki-colored uniform. The uniform has neither
tags nor ranks on it. Their faces are covered with khaki
colors. They don’t move and watch through the optical scopes
of their rifles. It is almost impossible to see them without
knowing that they are there. They slightly and slowly move
their weapons - they are looking for their target. Times
passes - the sun is seen in different angels in the sky and
shadows and light look different as time moves. They have
been lying there for the entire day. It is a hot day and
drops of sweat are seen upon their faces. They don’t move.
It is sunset. Suddenly the sunlight falls on something that
reflects it and twinkles. Michael sees this reflection and
sees that it is a Lebanese sniper and his scope. The other
sniper seems to have found a target. Michael sees the right
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 60.
side of the other sniper’s face. Michael sees that the other
sniper is beginning to squeeze the trigger of his rifle.
Michael shoots first. The other sniper is hit in his head
and is dead, but he falls on his rifle and another shot is
heard. Michael sees a group of about 7-8 fighters running
towards the other sniper. He hears two shots and sees two of
them falling. The others lye down. Michael slowly spins his
head and looks at Igal’s hideout. He sees Igal rising and
beginning to move south towards Israeli border. Those
fighters who were lying down begin to rise and preparing a
two mortars for shooting. Another fighter shoots a heavy
machine gun trying to kill Igal. The mortars are also aimed
at Igal. Michael shoots and kills the fighter on the machine
gun. Igal continues to move. He runs and uses the hills to
get out of the fire line. Once the first mortar is ready for
shooting Michael shoots at the fighters. Each time they are
ready and try to put a bomb inside the mortar Michael
squeezes the trigger and another man falls down. Those who
are still alive decide to change the direction of the mortar
and aim it toward Michael. They don’t see him precisely, and
they aim the direction of the mortars based on their feeling
of the origin of the fire that comes upon them. Michael
rises from his hideout and begins to move towards the
border. Igal is now in a safe place - far enough, so mortars
cannot hit him. Igal sees Michael running. Igal opens a
light military communication device and goes on air.
IGAL
(speaks in Hebrew)
Grandma, grandma, here is Angel
One. Done. I repeat: done. Need
emergency evacuation. Over.
GRANDMA
Angel 1, copy that. Come back.
Out.
The fighters shoot a machine gun and mortars in Michael’s
direction. Igal is on one knee. He aims at the fighters and
shoots. Michael is lying down behind a rock and doesn’t
move. The fighters fall one after another hit by Igal’s
fire. An Israeli military helicopter is seen in a safe
distance from the shooting. It shoots missiles towards the
fighters and the place where they were is now only smoke,
fire and pits. Michael rises and runs towards the
helicopter. Igal also runs towards the helicopter. The
helicopter comes very close to the ground and closer to
them. Michael and Igal get inside the helicopter and it
flies away to the South.
61.
INT. POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEL AVIV - DAY
The beginning of this scene is precisely the same as scene
47. This scene is scene 47 plus its continuation. Michael
sits at his desk in his room at the police department. Roman
sits in front of him, at some distance from the table. Both
are unshaved and wear the same clothes they wore the last
evening when Roman got arrested (scene 44 - Romans arrest).
Roman is dressed the same jeans and t-shirt he was wearing
the previous night. They look at each other in silence.
Michael switches on music on his laptop. It plays Mozart,
Piano Concerto No. 21, Andante. Roman looks at Michael,
stands up and makes a few small steps towards Michael.
Michael looks at him and also stands up. Michael goes around
the desk. Michael shows Roman with his hand that they should
keep silent. They come very close to one another, standing
in the middle of the room. Their faces almost touch each
other. They stand for a second. They hug each other. A big
hug with both arms. They stand and hold each other. Michael
takes his valet out of his trousers’ pocket. He opens it and
takes a photograph out of it. Teenagers Michael, Roman and
Baruch are on the photo. They laugh and hug each other.
Michael is 15, Roman and Baruch are 12. Michael and Roman
look at the photo. Michael comes to the door, opens it and
looks into the corridor. He checks both sides of the
corridor. Then he locks the door from inside and shows Roman
to sit on a chair standing by the right side wall. Roman
sits down and Michael sits down on the chair standing next
to Roman’s chair. They sit side by side on the chairs,
facing the wall opposite them.
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
Roma, what’s happened? I was sure
you were in London, carrying on
with boxing.
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
Misha... I don’t know what’s
happening. Half a year ago I was in
New York, I was getting ready for
the North American Championship. I
trained with Gary Waterman. Now I
am a criminal. Do you sometimes
feel that you are a phony? That
your entire life is phony? It’s
like we live to make somebody say
we are OK. I just couldn’t bear it
anymore. You know what I mean?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 62.
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
I do.
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
Have you had such a feeling?
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
Yes.
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
What you do with it?
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
I shoot my way through the
darkness. Like in Lebanon. I told
you all the Lebanon stories when we
were drunk, at that bar in London.
Actually, I tell those stories
every time I am drunk enough.
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
Misha... Believe it or not, but the
time we spent with you in London
was the best time of my life in the
last 15 years - since I left
Israel.
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
Roma, who killed Ben Zadok?
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
Inga killed him.
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
Who is Angela?
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
Angela escaped. She is Baruch’s
lady. They are really in love. She
was supposed to seduce Baruch and
to lead him into illegal
underground fighting.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 63.
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
Who for?
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
The same one who gave me this job.
Shuki Colman. He is the boss. He
brought Angela to the States from
Moldova. She was a prostitute, but
she is brilliant. She was his
lover. Then he promoted her - she
became supervisor. He sent her to
Israel with me - to support this
bizarre network of
theater-brothels.
MICHAEL
(speaks Russian)
Where is Baruch?
ROMAN
(speaks Russian)
Baruch is in Israel. He went back
to his parents in Jerusalem. Angela
visited him a few times, and I
think he forgave her.
Misha, I’ve got this dream almost
every night now. I see people. I
don’t know who they are. They are
sitting in the desert. I also sit
with those people. I see my
girlfriend, Shuo. She is sitting
next to me. These people, they are
dressed elegantly and sit there in
absolute silence under the huge
moon and the shining stars. They
are waiting for something. I don’t
know what they are waiting for. I
just keep thinking what they are
waiting for. It’s all the time on
my mind. You know, I do all kind of
things, and what’s on my mind? What
those people from my dream are
waiting for. What do you think they
are waiting for?
Chapter 5: Baruch, Roman, and Michael
64.
INT. A SMALL BOXING GYM, ISRAEL - NIGHT
Year 1995. Roman and Baruch are 13 and Michael is 16 years
old. Roman is almost 6 foot tall and 77 kilogram of weight.
Roman trains with a coach. The name of the coach is Naum
Bank. He is a white man, 60 years old, with white hair, a
white mustache, and a red face of an alcoholic. Michael and
Baruch work the bags while Naum and Roman are working the
pads. Naum wears a track suit and Roman wears light short
trousers and a sleeveless shirt. Naum has boxing pads on his
hands. He attacks Roman with the pads and Roman protects.
Occasionally, Naum puts the pads for Roman to attack and
then Roman throws fast and heavy punches into the pads. Naum
gives Roman one particular combination to work on at a time.
Between the combinations Naum explains Roman what punches
the combination comprises of. However, Naum’s vocabulary
regarding punches and movement is limited to only one word.
This word is: ’dyk’. When he wants Roman to throw a jab he
says: ’dyk’. When he wants Roman to throw a right hand cross
he says ’dyk’ to and shows himself a right hand cross. When
the combinations comprised of a number of punches he says:
’dyk-dyk...dyk... dyk-dyk’ - which in this case means: left
jab right cross - right slip - and left jab and right cross
again. Then when Naum wants Roman to perform right uppercut
- left hook - right cross - left hook - he would say:
’dyk-dyk...dyk-dyk’. All Naum’s explanations are coupled
with him jumping up and down on his feet and throwing his
arms with the pads on in order to show the punches he wants
to see. When they are done with pads, Naum shows Roman to
the boxing bag, gives him instructions, e.g.: ’dyk-dyk...
dyk... dyk-dyk-dyk’, and goes to his corner in the gym. Once
he stops jumping he hardly walks. He has suffered a few
heart attacks and a number of strokes. His steps are tiny
and he makes one at a time. He can hardly breathe as he
moves. When he riches his corner in the gym he takes a
plastic bag with a bottle inside it and drinks it hiding so
Roman wouldn’t see him drinking. Roman of course sees him
drinking. When Naum is done drinking he returns back to
Roman in the same way, doing tiny slow steps. When he begins
to show Roman new combinations he jumps again and moves his
arms in fast punches followed by ’dyk-dyk...dyk-dyk-dyk’...
NAUM BANK
(speaks Russian to Michael and
Baruch)
You two! Go home!
Michael and Baruch take remove the gloves and put them
aside, take their bags and step out of the gym. Naum and
Roman continue their training in the same way. ’Dyk-dyk-dyk’
is heard.
65.
EXT. STREET, ISRAEL - 1995, NIGHT
It is dark outside. Michael is 16 and Baruch is 13 years
old. They go back home from training. They are dressed in
track suits and carry sports bags across their shoulders.
They are about 100 meters away from the gym, where they were
training a few minutes ago. A group of 6 hostile teenagers
aged from 14 to 16 come toward them. They are well-dressed
according to fashion of that time. They are dark skinned and
hot-tempered.
The hostile teenagers scream
HOSTILE TEENAGERS
Russians - go back to Russia!
MICHAEL
Fuck yourself.
The leader of the teenagers runs towards Michael and jumps
in the air as he tries to slap Michael with a big right-hand
slap. Michael moves his body and head to the right, away
from the attacker and the hand doesn’t touch him. Two other
teenagers bully Baruch. Baruch is very scared, he is
’frozen’ and cannot move. Two other teenagers watch the
action from the side, scream insults at Michael and Baruch
and encourage their friends to take more resolute actions.
Suddenly another one joins the attack on Michael. He carries
a knife in his hand. He jumps and tries to hit Michael with
his knife. Michael moves on his feet and stays away of the
attack. Suddenly, the attention of the attackers moves to
another angle. As they spin their heads, Baruch and Michael
also look at that direction. They see Roman. He is running
out of the gym and is coming towards them. He is with his
boxing gloves on. He says nothing. Nothing at all. No sound.
He removes his gloves as he runs, and throws them down. As
he approaches the hostile teenagers are horrified. When
Roman is almost as near as to start throw punches the
hostile teenagers begin to run away. Roman does a few more
steps after them, but they ran fast. As they run away they
scream:
HOSTILE TEENAGERS
Stinky Russians! You won’t escape
us next time!
INT. BARUCH’S FLAT, JERUSALEM - NIGHT
Baruch sleeps in his bed. A phone by the side of his bed
rings. Baruch reaches the phone and sits up in the darkness.
Baruch switches a small lamp by his bed side. A man’s voice
is heard on the phone.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 66.
ANGELA’S DAD
(OS)
Hello Baruch. My name is Vitaliy. I
am Angela’s dad. I am calling you
from Moldova.
BARUCH
Hello Vitaliy.
ANGELA’S DAD
(OS)
Angela disappeared. It’s been more
than a year now that we don’t know
where she is. We lost connection.
It was very hard to find your
contact details in Israel. You
changed your mobile number... She
told us you are a good man and a
real friend. Please, help us find
her.
Baruch disconnects the conversation. He sits motionlessly
for a few seconds. The he looks at the other side of the
bed. Angela is lying there and looking at him.
ANGELA
Who was it?
BARUCH
It was your dad. They are worried
about you.
ANGELA
I am also worried about them. I am
so worried. I hope I we will visit
them soon.
BARUCH
I know. We will do it soon. Very
soon.
BARUCH
Let’s sleep. Tomorrow we are
getting up early.
Baruch switches off the light. They lie down in the
darkness.
67.
INT. CAR, ISRAEL - DAY
Michael and Baruch are inside the blue car with wide tires
and a silver line under the doors. It is the same car that
was turning to another street when Angela was escaping from
the luxurious building in Northern Tel Aviv on the eve of
Ben Zadok’s death, and the same car that waited for Roman
when he was escaping the same building in the course of the
investigation experiment. Baruch is driving. He parks the
car. A prison building is seen beyond the car park and the
fence. There is a signboard on the entrance gate saying:
’Welcome to Maasiyahu Prison’.
EXT. OUTSIDE MAASIYAHU PRISON, RAMLE, ISRAEL - DAY
Baruch and Michael come out of the car. It is possible to
see now that it is the blue car with wide tires and a silver
line under the doors. They walk towards the visitors passage
into Maasiyahu prison. The guards ask them whom they want to
visit, who they are, ask for their visit permit and personal
IDs. After personal body check for prohibited objects the
guards let them pass into the visitors’ area.
INT. ROMAN’S CELL, MAASIYAHU PRISON, ISRAEL - DAY
Roman and five other inmates are seen in a prison cell. They
sweat, it is obviously very hot. The cell is very small and
there is hardly enough space for everybody. Roman lies on
the top level of a metal bunk bed along one of the walls in
the cell. There are two more bunk beds in the cell and a
small window near the ceiling. The window is blocked with
bars from both sides of it. Roman is reading a book in
English language. The book is called Rashomon and Other
Stories. The other inmates play shesh besh - backgammon,
drink tea, talk to each other.
INMATE 1
It is Saturday today, it is so
good.
INMATE 2
It is very good. What do you like
the most about Saturday?
INMATE 1
It is the freedom that I like about
Saturday. We don’t work on
Saturday. We can read, have tea,
talk or sleep or do sports
training.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 68.
INMATE 2
By the way, what’s about the
completion of the gym that they are
building here in the prison?
INMATE 1
I’ve heard it’s supposed to be
completed by the end of this month.
Roman, will you teach us boxing
when the gym is done?
INMATE 2
Leave Roman alone. In one month
Roman is going to be a free man.
Unlike us.
INMATE 3
Roman, tell us, are you going back
to boxing when you come out?
ROMAN
I am. The major thing is to come
out. Once I am out I will start a
new life. I will do things
differently, not in the same way I
did them before.
INMATE 4
Tell us about the book you are
reading. We like it when you tell
us about the books you are reading.
ROMAN
This book is called Rashomon and
Other Stories by a Japanese author
named Ry;unosuke Akutagawa.
INMATE 5
What is Rashomon?
ROMAN
It is the southern gate of the
ruined city of Kyoto in Japan. The
story that I am reading now is
probably the most famous story by
Akutagawa. It is called In a Grove.
It is about a husband and wife who
travel to another city. On their
way they meet a robber; they meet
him not far from a grove. However,
the husband and wife don’t know
that the man whom they have met is
a robber. This robber notices the
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 69.
ROMAN (cont’d)
woman and he wants to have sex with
her. He tells the man that he has
some very good swords hidden in the
grove and if the man comes with him
to the grove he would sell them
cheaply. The man comes with the
robber and they go into the grove.
There is silence in the cell. All the inmates are listening
to Roman with obvious interest in the story.
INMATE 2
What happens next?
INMATE 4
What happened after that? Did he
have sex with that woman?
ROMAN
Yes, he did. Once in the grove, he
wrestled with the man and managed
to tie him and stuck bamboo leaves
into his mouth so he wouldn’t be
able to speak or scream. Then he
asked the woman to come into the
grove...
Roman keeps talking, the other inmates listen to him
carefully. Roman’s words are not heard.
A prison officer opens the door of the cell. All the inmates
look at him. He says:
PRISON OFFICER
Roman Goldman,you’ve got visitors.
Come with me. You have half an
hour.
Roman looks surprised. Roman comes out of the cell and waits
by the wall with his face to the wall. The prison officer
locks the door and he and Roman go to the visits’ area.
INT. VISITS’ AREA, MAASIYAHU PRISON, ISRAEL - DAY
Roman sits on the one side of a table and Baruch and Michael
sit on the other side. Some other prisoners and their
visitors also meet at other tables arranged in the space.
Prison officers stand from all sides of the space watching
the prisoners and their visitors.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 70.
MICHAEL
Eventually I find you here.
ROMAN
I guess it is my karma. They took
me on the very next day. It was an
ordinary driving license check.
They gave me two years. But they
are reducing me half a year for
good behavior.
MICHAEL
When you escaped they investigated
me, and I had to resign. I am
unemployed now. They watched me for
a month after I resigned from
service. They don’t watch me
anymore, but you never know who may
be interested in you and me. We’ve
kept a low profile, and we have to
carry on this way.
ROMAN
Sure.
BARUCH
When are you getting out?
ROMAN
In one month. What do you suggest
that we do? You have a plan, don’t
you?
MICHAEL
Speaking of karma, I say we should
go to the source. We are the source
of our problems. Colman took
advantage of our problems, our
pride and our fears. But let’s be
frank, if it wasn’t him, it would
have been somebody else. We must
fight back. Colman’s playing
dirty. His way is not our way. We
must keep it clean, and deal with
our own lives in the way we can.
And, yes, we can.
BARUCH
That’s right.
(Speaks to Roman)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 71.
BARUCH
We’ve all got hurt. Misha also got
hurt. You yourself know what Angela
has gone through. We were thinking
with Misha and we have an idea.
ROMAN
What’s your idea?
MICHAEL
We are arranging a fight for Baruch
in New York. Baruch’s got friends
over there who want to pay their
debt to Colman. You remember the
story about Thomas Mancini?
ROMAN
The young guy who got killed in
illegal fighting in New York,
wasn’t it?
BARUCH
That’s right. The interesting point
is that Colman was running that
illegal fighting. He practically
got Thomas killed by matching him
with a man with whom Thomas had no
chance. I think Colman did it on
purpose. A murder in fighting is
good to attract attention and
gamblers. He wanted me to fight in
that business too.
MICHAEL
Peter and Paul Mancini are the
older brothers of the late Thomas
Mancini. Peter Mancini is a former
boxer and Paul Mancini is a
mobster. He is also in the boxing
promotion business. They are good
friends of Baruch, and they are
interested to get even with Colman.
They agreed to arrange a good fight
for Baruch in New York. A lot of
media attention will be attracted
to that fight. Baruch is an
interesting guy - both Israeli and
American and represents Israel.
BARUCH
When I win the fight, all the media
will listen to me. They will listen
to us. We will start talking about
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 72.
BARUCH (cont’d)
Colman. About what he did to Thomas
Mancini, to me, to you, Roma, to
Angela.
MICHAEL
What are you saying, Roma?
ROMAN
Let it be.
They carry on talking, but their conversation isn’t heard.
EXT. SEA SIDE BEACH, ISRAEL - NIGHT
It is dark outside. The stars are shining. Roman and Baruch
are running on the beach. They are doing boxing roadwork
exercises and sometimes one of them carries the other one on
the shoulders and in the arms. Michael also runs with them,
but hardly manages to keep up with their pace. They look at
Michael, then they catch Michael and throw him far into the
sea and run away. Michael comes out of the sea and chases
them furiously. They run faster so Michael isn’t able to get
them. All three of them are doing shadow boxing, skipping
rope, push-ups. Roman and Baruch work with each other on
combinations and on defense with their gloves on - Roman
attacks and Baruch protects by moving his head, body and
moving on his feet. Michael attacks Baruch, Baruch protects,
Roman explains Baruch how he should protect better. Their
conversation isn’t heard. They come to a boxing bag that
hangs nearby on a public sun shelter. Roman and Baruch hit
the bag from two different sides, Michael holds the
stopwatch and looks at it. Michael hits the bag, Roman and
Baruch are watching and making fun of the way he punches.
Michael doesn’t see them. Then he sees them and shows to
them his right shoulder, saying that it is his injury that
prevents him to punch normally. They are mocking his injury.
The sun rises. They are facing the sun and doing push ups.
Roman and Baruch cannot do any more push ups and fall down.
Michael carries on doing push ups. They are sitting on the
beach and watching the rising sun. It’s about 7 am. They
talk and laugh.
Chapter 6: Baruch, Roman, Michael, and Angela
INT. CAR, HIGHWAY TO AIRPORT, ISRAEL - DAY
Michael, Roman, Baruch and Angela are in Michael’s car.
Michael is driving. Michael switches on the radio in the
car. It is playing Mozart, Symphony No. 40 in G minor, 1st
movement. Angela is dressed as Jewish ultra-orthodox woman.
Michael hands Angela a blue passport with a plane ticket
inside it.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 73.
MICHAEL
(speaks to Angela)
You are Sarah Bat-David. You live
in New York. You are going home to
reunite with your family. You’ve
spent the Passover here in Israel
with your relatives from Bnei Braq.
The name of your relatives is
Cohen. You have a husband - Moshe
and five children. Their names:
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah and
Jonah. All boys, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
years of age. You came here by a
taxi, from Bnei Braq. You packed
your bags alone and no one gave you
anything to take with you on board.
The bags were with you all the
time.
ANGELA
Alright. You think I will be OK?
MICHAEL
You will be just fine. They don’t
like Arabs, blacks and Russian
Israelis. They particularly dislike
nervous people. I am not sure what
their problem with the nervous
people is. Most of the nervous
people I know are nervous about
their own health problems, because
somebody told them something they
didn’t like, because somebody cut
them off at the highway, about
somebody who didn’t let them park
at the parking lot, somebody
overtook them in the line, somebody
in the shop or at work. On the
other hand, most of the serial
killers and terrorists whom I met
in my practice were extremely calm
people. Sometimes are even very
nice. The knowledge that you are
going to meet the guards and they
are going to suspect you is by
itself irritating. They ask you
something irritating and you get
nervous. The more nervous you get -
the more they suspect you. The more
they suspect you - the more nervous
you get. It’s a wicked circle.
Eventually you shake from nerves
and out of fear and they see that
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 74.
MICHAEL (cont’d)
you are certainly their type. You
are nervous, shaking and sweating.
What it means? You must be a
terrorist. Or at least a nuclear
weapon smuggler. They are doing
profiling and your are their
profile, and you don’t want to
disappoint them. You want to make
them happy. You see that they just
love themselves, because you are
nervous. You see that they are
really determined that they’ve
nailed you, they’ve got you,
they’ve got the-big-Carlos-the
Jackal-the-terrorist who escaped
from the high-security prison in
Paris or at least Osama Bin Laden,
before he was dead. You want to
blow up a plane just to make them
happy. You see? Look at me: I am
good, I live up to your
expectations. By the way Baruch, I
once flew with my army commander.
His name was Hussein. He was a
Druze and Major in the Israeli
Defense Forces.
ANGELA
What is a Druze?
MICHAEL
It’s a people and a religion. The
Druze people look like Arabs and
speak Arabic, but they have
religion of their own. The Israeli
Druze are loyal to the country of
Israel and serve in the armed
forces. They are always loyal to
the land. When the rulers change
they are loyal to the new rulers,
as long as they are let them live
on their land. Anyhow, they asked
him, who he was and why he wanted
to get in the plane. The guy
answered them that he wanted to get
in the plane, because he was flying
to Europe for vacation, as a
tourist, together with us, other
Israeli army officers. I think they
didn’t believe him, because he got
really irritated and told them ’Do
you know who I am? I am an army
Major!’.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 75.
BARUCH
What happened next?
MICHAEL
They took him to a small room and
did him internal anus check. They
do it if they really-really suspect
you. They really-really suspect you
when you are really-really nervous.
He came back very silent, very
serious, very calm, and very quite.
He told us that in the small room
besides him an entire soccer team
of Israeli Arabs underwent an
internal anus check. They flew to
Europe to represent Israel at the
European League.
BARUCH
Great. I flew a couple of times out
of this airport, but now I am
feeling nervous.
MICHAEL
Remember one thing only. Don’t be
really-really nervous.
(speaks to Angela)
If they ask you anything in Hebrew,
say ’Beseder’.
INT. THE CAR ENTRANCE, BEN GURION AIRPORT, ISRAEL - DAY
The guard stands with his automatic weapon. Michael opens
his window and stops the car. Michael smiles at the guard.
THE GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Where do you arrive from?
The guard looks inside the car. He looks carefully at each
one of the passengers.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
From Tel Aviv.
THE GUARD
(speaks Hebrew to Angela)
Is everything alright, miss?
ANGELA
(speaks Hebrew)
Beseder.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 76.
THE GUARD
Have a nice flight.
EXT. BEN GURION AIRPORT, ISRAEL - DAY
Angela comes inside the airport. She doesn’t look at the
guard standing at the entrance doors and the guard doesn’t
pay any attention to her and she comes inside.
Baruch comes second. He smiles at the guard at the entrance
door. The guard is taking Baruch to the side and talks to
him. Their conversation isn’t heard. Then he looks at
Baruch’s passport and writes the details inside a journal.
He gives the passport back to Baruch. Baruch goes inside the
terminal.
Roman comes third. He doesn’t look at the guard at the
entrance door. The guard stops him and asks him something.
Their conversation isn’t heard. The guard says something
into the radio device and two other security people, dressed
in similar dark suits, come from inside the airport terminal
and escort Roman into the terminal.
Michael comes the last. He smiles at the guard. The guard
stops him.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Where do you come from?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
From Tel Aviv.
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Are you traveling alone?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Yes.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Show me your passport.
Michael shows him his passport. The guard looks at Michael’s
passport.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 77.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Where are you flying to?
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
To New York.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Why are you flying to New York?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
For tourism.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
How long have you lived in Israel
for?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
For 25 years.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Where were you born?
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
In Moscow.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Did you pack the bags yourself?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
I did.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Did anybody ask you to take
anything on board?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 78.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
No.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Where did you come from?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Tel Aviv.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Are you traveling alone?
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Yes.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Do you carry a knife or a gun?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
No.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Perhaps it’s slipped your mind and
you do carry a knife?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
No.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
How long have you lived in Israel
for?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
For 25 years.
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 79.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Are you certain you don’t carry a
gun or a knife? Something small for
self defense? Maybe a screwdriver?
You know how it is.
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
No.
The guard takes a few small steps back and says something
into the radio device. It’s impossible to hear what he
says.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks to Michael)
Why are you traveling to New York?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
For tourism.
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
What do you know in New York?
MICHAEL
(speaks Hebrew)
Statue of Liberty, Broadway...
Some other people pass via the entrance gate. The guard pays
no attention to those people and is focused on Michael only.
EXTERNAL AIRPORT TERMINAL GUARD
(speaks Hebrew)
Not much. You are going to New York
and you don’t know much it. Well,
you must proceed with them now.
The guard shows at the two other people, dressed in similar
dark suits, with radio devices on them, both are white,
about 25 years old, one is a man and another one is a woman.
Like the first guard their focus is entirely on Michael.
They don’t look at other people around them. They show
Michael inside the terminal. They go to the left side of the
line of passengers waiting for security interview and
scanning of their belongings. All the people approaching the
end of the line are met by security agents in dark suits.
Each agent speaks to each passenger or a group of
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 80.
passengers. After a small conversation, that is not heard,
an agent puts a sticker on the passengers’ suitcases, shows
the passengers to the scanning machine, and turns to next
passengers. The passengers that have finished talking to an
agent take their belongings to the scanning machine. After
the scanning machine they go to the to the check in desks.
Angela is very advanced at the passengers’ line. Not far
from the line, Roman and Baruch stand, each one surrounded
by two similar security agents. Baruch is in his white
underwear only. His bags are open, all his personal
belongings are thrown out of the bags. Roman’s bags and
belongings are also thrown out of the bags, but he is fully
dressed. Michael and his agents stand not far from Roman and
Baruch and their agents, so all the conversations between
Michael, Roman, Baruch and their security agents are heard
to all of them. They are also heard to the passengers in the
line. Some of the passengers look at Baruch. Especially a
group of elderly white women showing a keen interest in him
an his outfit. One of the passengers in the line is a tall
man, dressed in a long dark warm raincoat. He is sweating,
but stands calmly and doesn’t move too much. No body is
paying any attention to this man.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
So you are telling you are Jewish.
Is it right? Are you Ethiopian?
BARUCH
Yes... no. We are descendants of
the tribe of Judah. I am not
Ethiopian.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
Yes or no? How long have you lived
in Israel?
BARUCH
I’ve lived here since I was 5 years
old, with exception of two years
that I spent in New York. So I’ve
lived in Israel 25 years, and 2
years I’ve lived in New York.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
Who did you arrive to Israel with?
BARUCH
I arrived with my family and the
rest of our community, but it was
when I was 5 years old.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 81.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
What this community would be?
BARUCH
We are The African Hebrew
Israelites of Jerusalem.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
Alright... Hebrew Israelites of
Jerusalem...
Baruch’s female agent begins to write things down.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
How many people are in your
organizations?
BARUCH
It’s not an organization. It’s just
people. Black people, living here
for tens of years, according to our
interpretation of the Old
Testament. Many of us live in our
community center in Dimona.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
Why then the organization is called
Black Liberation of Jerusalem?
Shouldn’t it be the Popular Front
for Liberation of Dimona? Why did
you leave Israel?
BARUCH
I didn’t leave Israel.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
You said that you lived in New
York.
BARUCH
I am a professional boxer and I
have to spend time in New York,
because all the major boxing fights
are in New York.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
So you did leave Israel... What
training did you receive?
BARUCH
You know boxing bags, sparring
fights...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 82.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
Weapon training?
BARUCH
No.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
Who did you come in contact with in
New York?
BARUCH
I came in contact with many people.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
You came in contact with many
people... Some of them were
probably Arabs... Did any of them
ask you to take something on board
with you?
BARUCH
It was two years ago. Maybe some of
them were Arabs. No, they didn’t
ask me to take anything on board.
Baruch’s Female Agent writes things down.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
(writing things down)
Some of them were Arabs...
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
Do you carry any weapon on you?
BARUCH
No.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
You know how it is, something small
for self defense. Maybe a gun? A
knife?
BARUCH
No.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
A screwdriver?
BARUCH
No.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 83.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
Did you fight in Afghanistan?
BARUCH
No.
BARUCH’S MALE AGENT
In Iraq? Chechnya? Gaza Strip?
Southern Lebanon?
BARUCH
No.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
Where were you born?
BARUCH
In Gary, Indiana, United States.
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
What are the goals of your
organization?
Baruch doesn’t answer.
The female agent takes a few steps back and speaks into the
radio device. Two other security agents come. Baruch’s
Female Agent shows them to Baruch and says
BARUCH’S FEMALE AGENT
You need to follow these people for
a more thorough investigation.
Baruch is leaving, led by the two other security agents. One
of them wears rubber gloves as they walk away.
Roman and Michael stand each with their own two security
agents, also male and female agents, very similar to those
of Baruch.
ROMAN’S MALE AGENT
How long have you lived in Israel?
ROMAN
I came to Israel when I was 7. I
lived in Israel until I was 16. I
came back two years ago.
ROMAN’S FEMALE AGENT
Where did you live between the age
of 16 and 31?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 84.
ROMAN
I lived in London, the United
Kingdom.
ROMAN’S MALE AGENT
Why did you leave Israel?
ROMAN
I am a professional boxer, I signed
a professional contract in
London.
ROMAN’S FEMALE AGENT
Why in London? Why not here in
Israel? My brother is in
kickboxing, and he is here in
Israel.
ROMAN
There is no professional boxing in
Israel. It’s totally a different
level.
ROMAN’S MALE AGENT
So Israel isn’t good enough for
you, is it?
ROMAN
It’s my country. I love Israel.
There is no professional boxing in
Israel.
ROMAN’S FEMALE AGENT
Why did you come back to Israel?
ROMAN
I came back and tried to work in a
different line of work.
ROMAN’S MALE AGENT
Where have you spent the last two
years?
ROMAN
I spent most of them in prison.
ROMAN’S FEMALE AGENT
What for?
ROMAN
For solicitation of prostitution
and human trafficking.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 85.
ROMAN’S FEMALE AGENT
Do you carry a gun or a knife?
Something small?
ROMAN
No.
Two other security agents come.
ROMAN’S MALE AGENT
A screwdriver perhaps?
ROMAN’S MALE AGENT
(points at two other security
agents)
You need to follow them now.
Roman is led away by the two newly-arrived security agents.
One of them wears rubber gloves as they walk away.
Michael talks to his agents.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
Do you work?
MICHAEL
Unemployed.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
Where did you work?
MICHAEL
I was a police detective.
MICHAEL’S FEMALE AGENT
Why don’t you work anymore?
MICHAEL
I was promoted so fast that I
decided to resign. I decided to let
go, and live my life to the full,
to enjoy myself. I am going to New
York.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
Are you laughing at us?
MICHAEL
No.
MICHAEL’S FEMALE AGENT
Where were you born?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 86.
MICHAEL
In Moscow.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
Did you serve in the Soviet army?
MICHAEL
No. I was 12 when we came to
Israel.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
Did you serve in the Israeli army?
MICHAEL
Yes, I was a sniper.
MICHAEL’S FEMALE AGENT
Were you? Do you carry a gun?
MICHAEL
No.
MICHAEL’S FEMALE AGENT
Are you traveling alone?
MICHAEL
Yes.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
Why are you traveling alone?
MICHAEL
I guess there is no one who wants
to travel with me.
MICHAEL’S FEMALE AGENT
You don’t travel with the group of
Israelis going to New York?
Points at a loud group of people in their 40s and 50s
standing in the passengers’ line.
MICHAEL
No.
MICHAEL’S FEMALE AGENT
Why not?
MICHAEL
I don’t know them.
Two other security agents come.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 87.
MICHAEL’S MALE AGENT
(points at two other security
agents)
You need to follow them now.
MICHAEL
(while being led by the two
newly-arrived security agents)
But why? Tell me why? I am a
Captain of the Israeli army, I am a
sniper for God’s sake! I was a
police detective!
Michael is led away by the two newly arrived security
agents. One of them puts rubber gloves on as they walk.
INT. AIRPORT TERMINAL, PASSENGERS SECURITY CHECK - DAY
Roman and Michael are standing and waiting for Baruch. They
pack the things that were thrown out of the suitcases by the
agents back to their suitcases. They also pack Baruch’s
things.
MICHAEL
Imagine, we now walk into his small
room, and we see Baruch with a red
ball inside his mouth...
ROMAN
Why, did you have the ball? Here he
comes.
Roman points at Baruch coming back from the small room.
Baruch is very calm and quite. He comes close to Roman and
Michael and says
BARUCH
We will never speak about it. And
no, there was no small red ball...
Never!
MICHAEL
Never!
ROMAN
Never!
They take their belongings and join the passengers’ line
waiting for their luggage scanning test. Once they’ve joined
the line they see Angela has passed the check in and is now
walking towards the exit to the gates. As she walks they see
that two security agents come and take her away.
88.
INT. SMALL ROOM IN THE AIRPORT TERMINAL, ISRAEL - DAY
Angela followed by two security agents is led to a small
room via service corridors behind the main passengers’
routes. She holds a small book of Jewish prayers in her
hands. The guards open the door and let Angela come in. Once
she is in the room, they shut the door and await at the
corridor. There is a woman in police uniform in the small
room, and Angela. The woman sits behind a desk. The woman
indicates to Angela to take a sit opposite the desk. Police
woman writes something in her journal, then she looks at
Angela.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
Sarah Bat-David?
ANGELA
Yes.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
May I see your passport?
ANGELA
Certainly.
Angela hands her passport to the police woman. The police
woman looks carefully at Angela’s passport and at Angela.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
Where are you flying to?
ANGELA
To New York.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
New York - it is where you live,
isn’t it?
ANGELA
Yes, it is where I live. I live in
Brooklyn.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
Are you married, Sarah?
ANGELA
Yes, I am married.
During this conversation the police woman constantly checks
Angela’s passport and checks details in her journal.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 89.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
And you have children?
ANGELA
Yes. Five boys.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
You must have hard times
remembering their names and dates
of birth.
ANGELA
O no, not at all! It’s such
happiness having kids. Have you got
any kids?
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
Not yet. I am not married.
ANGELA
Let me pray for your successful
marriage and outstanding
fertility.
Angela opens a small book of prayers and begins to pray.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
Thank you very much! What a
wonderful woman you are! But
listen, we brought you here because
of something else.
Angela stops praying and looks at the police woman.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
A man is flying on this flight,
whom we need to watch. You fit
perfectly to be our collaborator on
the flight. You are attractive and
he might try to harass you
sexually.
ANGELA
Who is this man?
Police woman shows her a number of photos of a white man in
his sixties.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
He is a Member of the Knesset. We
have been covertly investigating
him for a while. He is suspected of
sex offenses against women. We want
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 90.
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM (cont’d)
you to watch him and at the end of
the flight to let us know whether
he has tried to harass you or other
women on board. Are you ready to
collaborate with us?
ANGELA
Well, I am ready, but I am not sure
I am such good a detective....
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
You needn’t do anything, just watch
him.
ANGELA
How...
POLICE WOMAN IN SMALL ROOM
We will find you.
INT. AIRPLANE - DAY
It is day outside the airplane’s windows. The stewardesses
stands in the ail. Roman, Baruch and Michael are sitting in
one raw. They look at each other, then they look at the
entrance door to the plane. All the passengers are ready in
their sits. The passengers also look around themselves, look
at the stewardesses, at the windows and at the entrance door
to the plane. Angela enters the plane, followed by a
security agent. They find her a place near the Member of the
Knesset who is being covertly investigated. It is in the
business section that is in the front section of the plane.
Roman, Michael and Baruch look at each other with relief and
smile.
INT. AIRPLANE - NIGHT
It is night outside the airplane’s windows. The member of
the Knesset who is being covertly investigated is sleeping,
being absolutely drunk. He is surrounded by eight empty
cocktail glasses. He is snoring loudly. Angela holds a
cocktail in her hand. She finishes the one that in her hand,
and shows the stewardess to approach her.
ANGELA
Could you, please, bring me another
Cosmo? And some more black caviar,
please?
STEWARDESS
Sure. But is caviar kosher?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 91.
ANGELA
According to our rabbi it is. It’s
too pity that the Member of the
Knesset couldn’t carry on. He was
good laugh.
STEWARDESS
It is a pity, he was certainly good
fun.
The stewardess takes the empty glasses around the snoring
member of the Knesset and walks away. Then she comes back
bringing black caviar and another Cosmopolitan cocktail and
puts everything on the table next to Angela.
ANGELA
Thank you.
STEWARDESS
You are very welcome.
The stewardess goes away.
INT. NEW YORK AIRPORT - DAY
Angela walks through the arrivals corridor. Michael, Roman
and Baruch walk behind her. A security guard dressed
precisely like the Israeli security guards in the Israeli
airport approaches her.
SECURITY GUARD
I am with the covert investigation.
Did he behave well?
ANGELA
Like an angel.
Roman, Michael, Baruch and Angela walk to the meeting area.
Peter Mancini and Paul Mancini, 43, white male, are waiting
for them. Peter is dressed in a light gray suit and a gray
hat. Paul is dressed in a black suit and a black hat. Angela
walks towards them, behind her are walking Baruch, Roman and
Michael, in this order.
INT. A BIG SPORTS ARENA, NY - NIGHT
It is a fight night in New York. In the ring a big black man
awaits his opponent. Baruch comes out to the ring where his
opponent already stands. Baruch comes out to the tunes of
the song Jerusalem of Gold (Yerushalayaim shel Zahav) - the
song and its words are heard in the arena. Some people in
the crowd are holding flags of Israel and some of the people
stand up, mistakenly taking the song for the Israeli
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 92.
national anthem. Baruch comes out followed by Roman and
Michael. As they walk to the ring they see Peter and Paul
sit in the first row. they smile at them and show them
thumbs up.
The announcer announces the fight.
ANNOUNCER
Ladies and gentlemen! Before our
main event this evening, we are
going to watch a fight in the
heavyweight division. Fighting out
of the red corner, holding a
professional record of 10 wins, 2
losses and 1 draw, a native of New
York City - Charles ’The Chief’
Robinson! Fighting out of the blue
corner, undefeated in 6
professional fights, out of them 4
by the way of knockout, coming all
the way from Jerusalem, Israel -
Baruch ’The Blessed’ Appleman!
The announcer leaves the ring. Fighters approach the center
of the ring and they receive instructions from the referee.
They move to their corners. The bell rings and the fight
begins. Baruch is very fast, he moves and punches very
quickly. He is very elusive as he moves his upper body, and
moves on his feet very quickly. His opponent tries to hit
Baruch but misses most of the time. Baruch moves and hits,
and most of his punches hit the target. It is clear that
Baruch is a better boxer of the two. First round ends. Roman
talks and instructs Baruch in the corner, while Michael
dries Baruch’s head with a towel, gives him water and
ventilates him.
ROMAN
Stay focused, keep moving. He is a
pro he won’t give it to you without
a fight. He is going to punch
combinations and attack you wildly,
you meet him with right cross and
then work the body. You are taking
it!
The bell rings and the second round begins. Everything
happens like Roman predicted. The opponent attacks Baruch
wildly. Baruch counters with a right cross, but some of the
opponents punches hit Baruch. The punches are hard, but
Baruch takes them calmly, throws in a right cross which hits
the target and hits the body with two fast left hooks. The
opponent falls down and is trying to breathe. The referee
starts counting, but the opponent begins to breathe again
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 93.
after 10 seconds. It’s a knockout. The referee raises
Baruch’s hand. Roman and Michael jump into the ring, doctor
examines Baruch’s opponent and indicates that he is alright,
other officials enter the ring. Michael carries big flag of
Israel and hands it to Baruch. Baruch raises the flag in his
hands and waves it. He smiles a big smile. People in the
crowd applaud, some people are crying. Peter comes inside
the ring and hugs Baruch.
Chapter 7: Baruch, Roman, Michael, and Angela
INT. CHANGING ROOM AFTER FIGHT - 10 MINUTES LATER
Roman, Baruch, Angela, Michael, and Peter and Paul are
inside the changing room. They laugh and celebrate.
Shuki and Yair - the military-style guy enter the room.
Everybody look at them.
SHUKI
I am so sorry to spoil your little
celebration. You, blackie, aren’t
supposed to fight in New York. Be
certain I will make sure you won’t
do it again. And you, Roman, you
owe me money. You were supposed to
watch this bitch (points at
Angela)...
Baruch makes a move towards Shuki, but Yair takes out a gun
and points the gun towards Baruch first, then he moves the
gun and looks at each one of the present in the room. Angela
holds Baruch.
SHUKI
Neither you, nor this crazy bitch
were supposed to ruin my business,
which you successfully did. Your
problem Roma is that you’re a
loser. You failed even in managing
a small business back there in
Israel.
Shuki looks at Angela.
SHUKI
And you thought you could run away
from me, you, stupid Moldovan
bitch?
Peter is not far from Yair. He looks at Michael. Michael
indicates to him with his eyes not to do anything.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 94.
ROMAN
Alright, you are right. I am a
loser. And how much money do you
think I owe you?
SHUKI
Not much, just the loses that you
caused me. Lets say 1 million US
dollars will do.
ROMAN
I haven’t got such sums of money.
Neither do they.
SHUKI
You’ve always been a
naive-stupid-Russian-son-of-a-bitch.
I know you haven’t got such sums of
money. You will repay me in a
different way. I have arranged some
gambling on a bare-knuckle gypsy
fighting. The gambles come from
some very serious people. They have
their fighter. They saw the blackie
(points at Baruch) and they want me
to arrange a fight between them. He
fights and that’s it, you owe me
nothing anymore. The fight ends
when one of the fighters stops
moving.
ROMAN
Baruch is injured. Tell them I will
fight instead.
BARUCH
Roma...
SHUKI
(speaks to Roman)
You will fight?
Shuki thinks for a moment.
SHUKI
Why not? I think they will like you
even better. So meet us at the
deserted factory in Brighton Beach,
tomorrow, 8 pm. Just to make sure
you don’t do nothing stupid we are
taking her with us.
95.
Yair holds Angela and brings her in front of him. His hand
is around her neck. The gun points at Baruch. Shuki, the
military-style guy and Angela leave the room.
INT. CHANGING ROOM AFTER FIGHT - SAME TIME
There is silence in the room.
MICHAEL
(asking Roman)
What do you think?
ROMAN
I’ll fight and we’ll get Angela
back.
PETER
I know the place he was talking
about. It’s a good place for us.
BARUCH
What’s so good about it?
PETER
One wall of that factory is broken.
I know the place well. Not far from
that factory a residential building
stands. There is one very nice
Russian-Jewish family originally,
from Odessa, who live there. Their
kitchen window is at the third
floor, and it faces the broken wall
of the factory in the distance of
about 400 yards.
BARUCH
How does it all help us?
PETER
It sounds to me that it might not
be as smooth as he wants you to see
it. If I were you, I would prepare
for all kind of surprises.
BARUCH
What are you saying really?
PAUL
Peter is saying that Michael should
be at some distance in a hidden
place watching all the action
through his scope, and a car should
be waiting for you two (he points
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 96.
PAUL (cont’d)
at Baruch and Roman) with a good
run-away driver. The family I was
telling you about owe me and Peter
a big favor, so they will be happy
to let Michael lie down by their
kitchen window.
PETER
And I’ll be the driver.
MICHAEL
That’s all good, but where will I
get a scope from?
PAUL
Leave it to me. What type of rifle
you worked with in Lebanon?
Chapter 7: Baruch, Roman, Michael, and Angela, again
INT. APARTMENT IN A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING, 300 METERS AWAY OF
THE DESERTED FACTORY - DAY
Peter and Michael come to the residential building opposite
the deserted factory. They walk the stairs to the third
floor and Peter rings the doorbell. A woman of about 60
years old opens the door. She is happy to see Peter.
TSILYA
Hello Peter! How good to see you!
And your friend too! Come on in,
come on in. You must be hungry! We
are eating now, join us. Sorry, we
didn’t know when to expect you, so
we just started without you. My
Grisha he is always hungry, you
know him Peter... O! Something
burning...!
Tsilya storms away into the kitchen. Peter and Michael come
in and Peter shuts the door.
PETER
(speaks to Michael)
Don’t pay attention, she is always
like this. But never, never refuse
any food they offer you.
Michael and Peter follow Tsilya’s path to the kitchen. The
kitchen is full of all kind of food smells. Tsilya stands by
the gas cooker and oven and cooks a few dishes at the same
time. All the dishes smoke and make noise of cooking. Two
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 97.
men are sitting by the table. The men are Tsilya’s husband
Grisha - a man of about 60, their son Nathan - a man of
about 30. There is an open bottle of vodka on the table and
various dishes including herring and Russian traditional
holodets - meat jelly.
GRISHA
Come in, sit down, eat with us.
Tsilya give them chair. You never
do the right things at the right
time!
TSILYA
I married you it was definitely the
wrong thing at the wrong time.
Grisha gives his hand to Michael and they shake hands and
say their names. Tsilya brings two extra chairs and
immediately comes back to the cooker and oven. Grisha pours
vodka for himself and for Nathan. He wants to pour some for
Michael and Peter but they show that are not going to drink.
Grisha shows that he understands. Tsilya puts some more
dishes from the oven and the cooker on the table. Tsilya
also sits down by the table and they all begin to eat.
Grisha pours vodka frequently, including to Tsilya.
GRISHA
I am telling Michael that you Peter
did us a big favor. When those
Russian newcomers came to our shop
and wanted protection money - we
would have gone out of business.
They don’t know how to work. They
don’t understand that one should
live and let others live. But, you
know the way they are, they want to
be fat, but they don’t want anybody
else to be fat.
TSILYA
Look who is talking. You are fat as
Borka - the pig of our neighbors in
Odessa. Borka ended badly. How many
times I tell him, go and some
pilates or yoga, but he just sits
here and eats. Just like Borka...
GRISHA
Don’t speak rubbish. Don’t pay
attention to her. I am in the shop
all the days, so when I am finally
home I want holodets, not pilates.
Well, only Peter and Paul saved us
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 98.
GRISHA (cont’d)
back then. When I lived in Odessa,
I would have never imagined that in
America I would be saved by Peter
and Paul.
PETER
So everything good with you and
Paul?
GRISHA
You ask... Wonderful! He knows the
business and he respects me and
our needs. Yes,I pay him a little,
but I get so much in return. No
problems with bureaucrats, no
problem with criminals, no problem
with IRS, no problems with
suppliers. Heaven! You are St.Peter
and he is St.Paul! I stand up and
drink for you standing!
He stands up and drinks standing. Tsilya and Nathan also
drink. Tsilya is crying.
GRISHA
Don’t pay attention she always
cries when she drinks.
TSILYA
(starts crying)
Wheres are those days? Where are
you my dear mom and dad? Where are
you know? I love you so much...
GRISHA
Don’t worry we’ll meet there in the
end.
Grisha laughs, Tsilya cries, Nathan eats, Peter and Michael
watch them. Grisha begins to sing ’Song about Hares’ from
the Soviet film Diamond Arm in Russian and performed in the
film by the actor Yuri Nikulin. Tsilya immediately joins him
in singing and laughs. Grisha, Tsilya, Nathan and Michael
all sing the song together. Grisha and Tsilya dance.
GRISHA
Well. That’s it. We are leaving you
now.
Tsilya and Nathan leave the room and go to the entrance
door.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 99.
GRISHA
I almost forgot.
Grisha riches behind the fridge and takes out a long flat
case. He hands the case to Michael.
GRISHA
Make the best of it.
Grisha shakes hands with Michael and Peter. Together with
Tsilya and Nathan they leave the flat.
INT. GRISHA’S AND TSILYA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Michael and Peter stay in the kitchen. They switch the
lights off. Then they remove all the food from the table and
put it on the cooking table near the oven. They open the
window and move the table towards the window. Peter brinks
blankets from another room and puts them on the table.
Michael opens the case given to him by Grisha. He takes out
the rifle. It has a big night vision scope on it. Michael
tries the rifle. Michael lies down on the table with his
rifle and watches the factory through the scope.
MICHAEL
Excellent. It has night vision too.
PETER
You can see the floor through the
broken wall.
MICHAEL
Yes, we can!
Michael comes off the table.
PETER
Alright. You are set. You know what
to do. I’ll get going. I’ll see you
soon.
MICHAEL
Thank you, Peter. Thank you very
much.
Peter leaves the flat. Michael sits down on a chair in the
darkness, watching the outside scenery, and listens to music
coming out of his cell phone. The music Alfred Schnittke,
Declaration of Love.
100.
EXT. DESERTED FACTORY, BRIGHTON BEACH - NIGHT
Michael lies down in his ’nest’ and watches the factory -
whats happening inside and around it through his scope. The
car with Peter, Baruch and Roman stops by the factory. Roman
and Baruch come out of it. The car with Peter inside it
stays in it’s place.
Roman and Baruch enter the space of the deserted factory.
It’s a big space without a roof, and with walls from three
sides of it. The fourth wall is broken. There are some
broken windows. Opposite the broken wall a number of benches
are arranged and comfortable chairs are set. Some very
important people sit on the benches and on the chairs. They
smoke cigars, drink whiskey, talk and laugh. Bottles of
whiskey and baskets of fruits are arranged on the tables
beside the sitting area. Except those important people,
there is Shuki, Yair and 3 more military-style guys with
weapons. Yair holds Angela and points a gun towards her.
Roman and Baruch enter the space from the side of the broken
wall. As they come closer they look at Angela and see that
she is held with a gun. Michael watches all this from his
point at the building, about 300 meters away. Michael sees
the backs of Baruch and Roman. He doesn’t see their faces,
unless they turn around, but he does see the faces of Shuki,
military types, and the important people in the siting area.
Baruch stops. Roman makes a few more steps toward the ring
which is set in the middle of the floor. There are some
lights in the space, but they aren’t strong enough, so
everything seems a bit deemed. From the door on the left
side of the wall opposite the broken wall, behind the seats
of the sitting area, a strong white man comes in. He is
covered in tattoos that suggest his belonging to neo-Nazi
organizations. He is wearing black trousers, a groin
protector on top, and light sneakers on his feet. He enters
the ring. Roman also puts a groin protector and enters the
ring. The other fighter is much taller and heavier than
Roman. He also looks more athletic and generally stronger.
SHUKI
Begin!
The fight begins cautiously. Roman watches his opponent, the
way he moves, and looks for his weak spots. The opponent
throws a number of punches at Roman from a long distance.
Some of them hit Roman’s face, and his nose starts bleeding.
There is no other noise except of the sound of the punches
and movement of the fighters. Roman begins to work left jab,
and quickly moves away on his feet. After a few jabs, his
opponent becomes outraged and throws himself into a big
attack on Roman. Roman moves aside and counters with a few
very powerful hooks to the body and heady of his opponent.
The opponent is shocked but carries on some wild attacks and
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 101.
throws huge punches at Roman. One of the big punches lands
directly on Roman’s chin and shocks him to the core. His
teeth are bleeding and he can hardly see where he is. But he
is clam in this situation. His opponent sees that Roman is
disoriented and he starts to throw many fast and powerful
punches. Roman stands and begins to thrown big punches back
at his opponent. Both sides are getting a lot of punches
into their heads and bodies. Roman moves under his
opponent’s arm, hits a hook to the body then a hook to the
head followed by another hook to the head. By the second
hook his opponent has already lost consciousness, and Roman
finishes him off with a right cross to the chin. His
opponent falls down on his back, tries to move, but he
cannot. All the important people applaud Roman. Shuki shines
and looks at the important guys with apparent respect and
awe. They transfer cash from one to another, and Shuki also
gets some of the cash. But even those who pay Shuki seem
satisfied. They tap him on the shoulder and shake hands with
him. He is shining and smiles to the important guys. One
after another all the important people leave. Shuki, Angela,
Yair, 3 more military looking guys remain on the side of the
wall opposite Michael’s hideout. Roman steps out of the ring
and comes closer to Yair - to the one who holds Angela. When
Roman stops moving he stands precisely on the line between
Michael’s rifle and Angela. Michael sees only Roman’s back
and cannot see Yair.
MICHAEL
(quietly to himself)
Roma, I cannot see, I cannot see,
Roma...
ROMAN
That’s it. We want to leave. I owe
you nothing anymore. Neither do
Angela and Baruch. We want to leave
now.
SHUKI
You know, I had my money on you.
Somewhere deep down I knew you
could make it. You were great.
People like you now. I think we’ll
do it again soon, and until then
I’ll keep Angela with me.
Roman jumps forward and throws a short left hook to Yair’s
head. Yair falls down and doesn’t move.
Angela starts running towards Baruch and the broken wall.
Michael can see her face in the scope. Baruch runs forward
towards Angela.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 102.
SHUKI
Shoot her!
Roman sees that the guy standing next to him stands a bit
behind and begins to aim at Angela’s back. Roman runs
towards that man. Michael shoots the two other military
looking guys with weapons and they fall down. Michael cannot
shoot the third military looking guy who is the nearest to
Roman because Roman is running towards him and once again
blocks the line between Michael and the guy. The guy shoots
and hits Roman. Roman makes one more step. The guy shoots
again and hits Roman again. Roman makes one more step. The
guy shoots again. Roman falls down. Michael now sees the guy
clearly and shoots one shot which hits the guy between his
eyes. The guy falls. Michael sees what’s happening through
the scope. Shuki escapes the space through the door in the
back wall. Baruch runs towards Roman, holds his head and
cries. Angela stands behind them from the side and also
cries. Michael puts the rifle down on the window seat and
says
MICHAEL
Roma, I cannot see, I cannot see,
Roma, I cannot see, Roma, Roma,
Roma...
As he says it he begins crying. Tears come out of his eyes
and his entire body shakes.
EXT. NEGEV DESERT, RAMON CRATER, ISRAEL - NIGHT
The beginning of this scene is precisely the same as the
first scene. It is a full moon. The moon is very big. The
moon is above a crater in the desert. It is a clear night
and numerous stars are seen in the skies. In the midst of
the crater 7 rows of chair are arranged. 18 chairs in every
row. All the rows of chairs are separated into 2 big
sections with a space in the middle, i.e. 2 blocks of 7 rows
with 9 chairs in each row. People sit on the chairs. There
are many young men and women in their 20s and 30s amongst
those people. There are also some older people as well. They
are seen here and there. 8 people in the first row are
elderly people. Some people in the crowd are black, some are
Asian, some people are white. They are all mixed in the
crowd in a random way. They are dressed in different, but
elegant, night dresses and suits. Some men wear ties, some
don’t, but all look very elegant. Some men and women wear
different traditional folk costumes: Ukrainian, Russian,
American, Jewish Orthodox, Arabic, Brazilian, Indian,
Georgian, Greek, African, Japanese, Iranian. In the first
row all the men and women are dressed in European, western
elegant night dresses and suits. In other rows here and
there are seen people wearing their national folk costumes.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 103.
All the people sit quietly and look in front of them with a
keen interest and fascination, as if they wait for a concert
to begin. They keep absolute silence. A flat desert surface
and a huge moon are seen behind the people. Hills are seen
at the far left and the far right of the people.
Now it is possible to see what in front of the people is. It
is a symphonic orchestra and a director that stands in front
of the orchestra with his back to the crowd. The musicians
are dressed to perform their best concert. There is a flat
space of desert of about 10 meters between the crowd and the
orchestra. Left to the director, facing the crowd stands a
woman solo violinist. She is dressed in red elegant night
dress. The director makes signs to the orchestra and the
musicians begin to play Csardas, Vittorio Monti. The solo
violinist joins in.
Two people - a man and a woman - stand up from the crowd,
from two different sides of the crowd. It is possible to see
their backs. They walk and come to the flat space between
the crowd and the orchestra and walk towards each other from
both sides. It is now possible to see that these people are
Inga and Alonso. They are dressed in a night dress and an
elegant suit. They begin to dance.
In the 3rd row it is possible to see Michael. He is very
happy to see the two dancers and wants to join in. He looks
around him and sees a beautiful, red haired young lady next
to him. Michael asks her to join him and she readily agrees.
They join the dancers and dance too.
Now it is possible to see Roman in the crowd. He is sitting
in the 5th row, in the side. Shuo sits next to him. They
come out and join the dancers in a dance of their own.
Now all the people begin to stand up and join the dancers.
All people dance. Some are in pairs, some are in groups.
Some hug each other and jump in traditional dances.
The end.