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Stockade (2023)

Pop Goes the Weasel?! Thriller & Mystery Movie Collection.
(Psychological/Film Noir/Mystery/etc.)

Stockade (2023)

Post by bunniefuu »

[ceiling fan whirring softly]

[phone vibrating]

[phone keeps vibrating]

Mom.

-Hi, Mom.

-[mom over phone] Hi.

It's okay.

Bye.

[somber music playing]



[woman speaking in Arabic]

So, please, no candy. Okay?

Bye.

-Hello.

-Noor!

[laughs]

[birds chirping]

[phone vibrating]

-Wow, what a surprise!

-[man] [indistinct]

[man over phone] [indistinct]

Do you like the show?

[man over phone] [indistinct]

Someday you'll come

to my solo show, I hope.

[man] [indistinct] always fun.

I know, a group show is good.

[man] [indistinct]

What's that?

[man] [indistinct]

Well, yeah,

I'm always looking for ways

to make extra money.

[man] [indistinct]



[muttering]

Hmm. Okay.

Hey, Judy. How are you?

Uh, thanks again

for willing to help out

with all the visa stuff.

So I'm wondering

how long do you think

my recommendation letter

is going to take?

Uh, my lawyer is asking

to submit them ASAP.

Uh, so yeah, please let me know.

And thank you.

Bye.

[muttering indistinctly]

[sighs]

[plucking chords]

[plucking stops]

[emotional piano instrumental]



[doorbell ringing]

[door buzzing]

-Oh, hi. Come in.

-Hey. Thanks.

-Can I take off my mask?

-Sure.

Thanks.

-Sorry about the mess.

-Oh, it's not messy at all.

So what happened to your foot?

Oh, God, I fell down the stairs.

Almost broke my back.

But thankfully

it's just a sprained ankle

-and a ripped tendon.

-That must hurt.

Usually when I see those

it's a high heel accident.

Well, I don't remember

wearing high heels lately,

but you never know.

They wanted me

to go on opioids at first.

I said no, but then

a few days in I relented.

And now I seriously hope

I get hooked.

No, you don't.

-Would you like some tea?

-Uh...

-I can make it.

-Yeah, no, don't, you sit.

I'll make it.

So what's this favor

that you want from me?

Ah, yes.

All right, well...

As you can see,

I'm not very mobile at present.

So I'd like you to take

package up for me to Kingston.

Kingston? Where is that?

Upstate, Hudson Valley.

It's about two hours

from the city,

not far from Woodstock.

And what is it

that you want me to take?

Well, I can't really tell you.

That sounds sketchy.

I'm not being a drug courier.

No, no, no, no.

Nothing like that.

Hm. So what is it?

Well, I can't honestly tell you.

And that's why I thought of you,

because I always thought of you

as a very discreet person.

Well, I'm not

going to be discreet

if it's something ill*gal.

-You know my status.

-Absolutely.

I'm in the middle

of my artist visa application,

and I'm not risking

getting deported for this.

Yes, I'm aware of that.

But it's nothing like drugs.

It's urgent, and it's valuable.

You'll go up to Kingston.

A colleague of mine

will come round

and pick up

the package from you.

He'll bring it back

the next day,

and all you need to do

is come back to the city

and return it to me.

So I'm spending

the night up there.

Yes, I have a place there.

You can stay there.

It's not much there,

but it's very comfortable.

-Is it safe?

-Very safe.

There's an old lady

who lives upstairs.

I don't think

she'll be there all week.

It's very quiet.

Hm.

Great. So how much money

are you offering me for this?

Well, let's just say

I'll make it worth your while.

How much?

I don't really want to get into

the financials of it,

but I'll make sure

it makes a huge dent

in whatever you pay for rent.

And that's another reason

I thought of you.

I know you're

tight on funds these days.

But you'll have to travel.

By bus.

You are vaccinated, right?

-Yeah, sure.

-Excellent.

[knocking]

[sighs]

-Who is it?

-Marta.

Marta, you could have called.

-I'm busy.

-Oh, I've called many times.

Texted, too.

You're ghosting me.

Thought that was

a teenage thing.

But I guess with you,

teenage behavior

is what you're good at.

How's your foot?

Still there.

And who are you?

Marta, Ahlam. Ahlam, Marta.

Please don't make yourself

too comfortable.

All right.

Um, Ahlam was

one of Dwight's students.

Dwight Malakian.

You remember him?

The bad painter. I remember him.

Oh, the good painter, actually.

That's not what you used to say.

[chuckling]

What do you think, Ahlam?

Dwight was a-- I mean,

he was a very good teacher.

We have different styles.

But yeah, he taught me a lot.

You're very diplomatic.

Oh, I forgot. I was making tea.

-Do you want some?

-No.

I'm here

to pick up a check, Paul.

Are you his new girlfriend?

[Ahlam grunts]

-What for?

-What for?

I've been calling

and texting you

about this for weeks.

-Are you senile?

-I'm not his girlfriend. Uh-uh.

Uh, how do you know, Paul?

I used to be married to him.

Well, I don't know.

Maybe I am losing it slightly.

But how much, and what's it for?

Dillon's tuition

installment is due,

and it can't be late this time.

Yes, but the last time

I called the person,

I got an extension.

That's how you handle

everything, don't you?

-Yeah.

-You're still an adjunct.

What is up with that?

You can't get an extension

on incompetence, Paul.

It's not exactly my fault.

It happens to be an epidemic

in academia in this country.

But you can publish.

How are you

ever going to get tenure

anywhere if you don't publish?

Well, the short stories I wrote

seem to be well received.

God, that was like

over 20 years ago.

-[Paul] Oh, 20.

-You can't rest on your laurels.

Where's your

great American novel?

Do people still write those?

Do they even read them?

And why would I write

something like that?

-I'm not really even American.

-[Marta] Oh, please.

You've been in this country

for over 30 years.

You know what?

Why don't you go back

to South Africa?

I really think

you'll be happier there.

[Paul]

Yeah, happy, happy.

Well, happiness

is like the weather.

It's not something

you live in pursuit of.

-[Marta's phone ringing]

-That is a stick or a bone.

-Whatever.

-[Paul] Whatever.

When can I expect

the next payment?

Uh, next week

or if things go well,

-the week after that.

-Oh, the week after that

and the week after that

and the week after that.

You know what?

You're hopeless.

-Thank you. Thank you very much.

-I gotta go.

That'll do nicely.

How do you like your tea?

[door shuts close]

I'll do without it.

Okay, but you'll come back

tomorrow morning

and pick up the package,

will you?

-Yeah.

-Great.

Cat position.

Okay.

[inhales sharply]

[exhales sharply]

-[woman coughs]

-[Ahlam laughs]

[moody music playing]



Ahlam?

-Hi.

-Zora.

Hi, what are you doing here?

I live here. You?

Yeah, me too.

In Greenpoint.

-Nice.

-Yeah, it's a tiny place.

Well, that's New York.

It's so funny how we never

run into each other.

-I know.

-Where are you going?

-Upstate. You?

-Bizarre. So am I.

-Hm. Where?

-New Paltz.

Oh, wow.

-What are you doing there?

-Wow.

You're curious all of a sudden.

[Ahlam scoffs]

What do you mean?

Well, we were in school

for like, what, three years?

-You barely even asked my name.

-I knew your name.

And we just never took

classes together.

Still, I felt really avoided.

I didn't know

you wanted my attention.

So, are you going to tell me

what's going on upstate or what?

I'm part of a crew

painting a mural in New Paltz.

In Paltz. Hm, uh.

-Is that next to Kingston?

-Yeah.

-Is that where you're going?

-Yeah, just one night.

Uh, I don't know

anybody up there.

Maybe we should hang.

-What, today?

-Yeah.

There's this cool Japanese

restaurant in Rosendale.

Maybe we can,

later on, meet there.

Rosendale.

Is it close to Kingston?

-Yeah, pretty close.

-How do I get there?

You came all the way

from Lebanon,

-and I'm pretty sure

you can figure it out.

-Okay.

-Get a car.

-Yes, ma'am.

There's somebody

picking me up in a few blocks.

-I need to go.

-Oh, lucky you.

-I'm taking the bus.

-Oh, good luck with that.

-Oh, wear your mask.

-Okay.

Oh. What's your number?

-[indistinct]

-[indistinct] Perfect.

-I'll text you.

-Yeah. Take care.

-Bye.

-See you later.







Oh, sorry.

-Hello.

-Hi.

[suitcase wheels rattling]

[birds chirping]

[door latch rattling]

[door creaks]

[door latch rattling]

[quiet music building]

[drawer clattering]

[bubble wrap rustling]

[suspenseful music playing]

[doorbell rings]

-Richard?

-Where's Paul?

He didn't tell you?

He had an accident.

-An accident?

-Uh-huh.

Nice meeting you.

But he sent me instead.

-Do you have it?

-Yes.

I have your package.

He didn't tell me

somebody else would be here.

I'm here.

I'm sorry that he didn't.

-I'll go get it for you.

-Hold it.

You can't give it to me here.

Would you let me in, please?

I'd really rather

I just hand it to you.

No, I need to go inside.

-Okay, you have a mask?

-I can't put one on.

Hope you're not

one of those anti-vaxxers.

Well, I thought

I was in my own space.

Well, it's Paul's space,

isn't it?

-I'm vaccinated anyway.

-Me too, but...

I need to use your restroom.

Down the hall to the left.

So I'll come back

tomorrow around noon.

-Great.

-What's your name again?

-Ahlam.

-Ahlam?

That's "dreams."

Nice name.

-You speak Arabic?

-[Richard speaks Arabic]

Where are you from originally?

-Lebanon.

-Beirut?

-Yes.

-I spent some time there.

Great city.

It is great. It's home.

There's a lot

going on there right now.

They've seen worse.

I have to go now.

Great meeting you.

[clock chiming]

[prudent music playing]

[music stops abruptly]

[Zora]

How's your portfolio?

[Ahlam] Not so great, I mean,

I just got out of art school.

-Do you have any shows lined up?

-Nope.

Is this an interrogation?

How many shows have you been in?

A bunch.

Some from back in Lebanon

and a couple here.

-The ones that we did

in art school.

-Mm-hmm.

I'm really happy

that the final group show

got reviewed.

That was really cool.

They said

very nice things about you.

Oh, thanks.

I mean, it's not like

they're gushing you, girl.

Oh. Whatever.

What about

that honorable mention

you got on that

thing on Staten Island?

Oh, yeah.

I put it down on my resume.

What type of visa do you have?

I'm a citizen.

I came here with my family

when I was in high school.

Hm.

Is that why you were

ignoring me?

What?

Is it because I'm Iranian?

I know a lot of Lebanese

don't like Iranians.

I mean, I'm really

not like that, you know.

I try to separate

the people from politics.

I just don't understand

why we weren't friends.

I mean, you just created

very different arts.

You're sort of a minimalist.

I mean, every time

I walked by your studio,

it was very organized.

Yours was always a mess.

No, it was not.

I knew where everything was.

Hey, listen, so the visa people

are looking for

some kind of fancy internship?

So, do you know of anything?

I can ask my boss

at the Children's Museum.

I'm pretty sure

we can use a lot of help

with the kids in the workshop.

Really? That would be great.

Because, you know, it has to be

something in my field.

So, that's perfect.

It qualifies.

How are you supposed to survive

on only an art job?

I guess

you got to be a rich kid.

-Hm.

-[Zora chuckles]

Well, working at the museum

is not going to pay you well,

but it's way less sketchy than

whatever you're doing right now.

I don't know,

being a courier or something.

Whatever I'm doing right now

pays a month's rent

in just two days,

and I don't have to sleep

with anyone or deal drugs.

Is that how you decide

if a job is decent?

Just kidding.

How's your family back home?

I heard a lot of things.

I'm so sorry.

How are you paying

for your lawyer?

I mean...

it's part of the problem.

I owe her money.

How else do you think

I'm up here

doing this stupid, strange job

waiting for a weird guy

to return a package?

You know where that stuff

is from, right?

-What?

-The stuff you're transporting.

No. Iraq, maybe?

-Syria?

-Yeah, that's right.

My cousin was over there.

-Where?

-Uh, Iraq. Doha, too.

He was in the Air Force.

-U.S. Air Force?

-Yeah.

There's a whole black market

of these antiquities.

He knew people who were dealing.

Oh, like who?

Americans, Europeans,

local people,

probably even Lebanese.

People have been looting

and selling

these antiquities for years.

I mean, most of the sh*t

in the Western museums

have been looted.

Yeah, but, you know,

if you do it now,

it's considered ill*gal.

That's why that Richard dude

was very cryptic.

I think

he's some kind of an expert.

Expert? Like an archaeologist?

Why else would he be returning

the package the next day?

Like, he's getting it

appraised or something?

Exactly, like, Sabine

gets some carbon dating test.

Do they get the results

within 24 hours

-for that kind of thing?

-I don't know.

Do you want to get out of here?

Let's get the check.

Oh, it's on me.

-I've got a car, too.

-Wow.

[Ahlam chuckles]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Zora] I'm not going

to stay long, but...

[Ahlam] Okay.

As long as you like, darling.

[car honks]

-So, uh...

-So you're staying here?

-Yeah.

-A new house.

[Ahlam whispering indistinctly]

Wow, Paul.

Look what I found. Arak.

-Arak Saggi?

-Yes, exactly.

-Would you like some?

-Oh, sure.

Yes, ma'am.

[both speaking in Arabic]

How do you say "cheers"

in Farsi again?

[both speaking Farsi]

So how'd you get that mural

[indistinct]?

You should have taken

that class with Larry.

Larry got you that job?

Mr. Go-Deeper?

How are you

supposed to go deeper

when he gives you two days

to create a painting?

I'm sure that he created

his masterpieces in two days.

He's not that bad.

-Do you like it?

-Really strong.

Here's a Richard.

Department

of Ancient Near Eastern Studies.

Oh, my God.

That's him. Good finding.

I'm going to get some ice.

He's an Assyriologist.

Do you know anything

about Assyriology?

Zora?

Zora?

[tense music]

Hello?

Hello?

[Ahlam gasps]

You scared me! [Ahlam chuckling]

[both giggling]

Wow. Where'd you find this?

[seductive music playing]



[music fades]

[footsteps rustling]

Hey. Good morning.

-[indistinct]

-I gotta go work on the mural.

I'll come by

later this afternoon, okay?

Okay.

I need to get back to the city.

Well, maybe I can

give you a ride

at least part of the way.

-[Ahlam grunts]

-I'll call you.

Have a good day.

[door creaks open]

[door shuts close]

[insects chirping]

[clock chiming in the distance]

[Paul over phone]

Hi, I'm sorry I can't take

your call right now.

Leave a message

and I'll get back to you.

Paul, it's Ahlam again.

Have you been

receiving my texts?

Richard hasn't arrived yet

and I really need

to get back to the city.

I can't stay here another night.

Please call me back

or give me Richard's number

so that I can call him.

Yeah, thanks.

[muffled thud]

Richard?

Richard!

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Hello. Have you seen

a tall man with a hat?

No, I saw no one.

[intriguing music building]

Hey, you've reached Zora.

I'm not available.

You know what you gotta do.



[music fades]

[knocking]

[ominous music building]

[music fades]

Hey, you've reached Zora.

I'm not available.

You know what you gotta do.

Zora, can't you pick up

the phone, please?

Richard hasn't arrived yet.

You're picking me up

after work, right?

Just, I thought

you'd be done by now.

Please let me know. Thanks.

[doorbell chimes]

[knocking]

[doorbell rings]

Hi, is Paul home?

Uh, no, and who should I say

is looking for him?

-Didn't you just say

he isn't at home?

-That's what I said.

Well, then how can you tell him

that someone's looking for him?

I'll just tell him

when I see him.

-Later.

-Oh, so he'll be here soon?

I didn't say that.

I just might see him later.

Can I take a message?

What are you,

an answering service?

Excuse me?

I'm really busy right now,

so if you're

not going to tell me

what you want or who you are,

I'm afraid

you're just going to have to go.

Maybe I can wait

for Paul inside.

Uh, no, you can't wait

inside his house.

Paul won't mind.

We're very good friends.

-He won't mind.

-Well, I mind.

I don't even know you,

so how about you

just leave him a note?

How do I know

he's going to get it?

Well, you're just

going to have to trust me.

I don't know if I can do that.

Okay, well then, goodbye.

That is so rude to close

the door on my beautiful wife.

What are you doing here?

You can't be here.

[man] The door was open.

What are you doing

inside Paul's house?

He's not here?

Oh, wait. Are you a squatter?

No, no, I'm friends with Paul.

He asked me to come up here.

[laughs] That's really funny.

Paul is our friend, too.

And we're supposed to

meet him here.

Now, you say

you're a friend of his,

and yet you have no idea

where he is.

I didn't say that.

Where the f*ck is he?

Get out of this house!

What are you going to do?

Call the police?

Listen,

Paul has something of ours,

and we're here to get it back.

And I think you know exactly

what I'm talking about.

That's why you're not

going to call the cops.

Oh, come on.

Let's just toss this place.

Hey, you can't do that.

-[man] Closet.

-Please, don't.

Are you going to just start

wrecking Paul's place now?

Man, you talk too much.

You know what we're looking for.

So, it'll be

much easier for you

-if you just hand it to us.

-Yeah, I mean,

Paul's got to have a stashing

place around here somewhere.

-Will you stop interrupting me?

-I'm not interrupting you.

-Jesus.

-Yes, you are.

Actually, I know of a place.

See?

A little cooperation

goes a long way.

Yeah, it sure does.

-[woman] [indistinct]

-Yeah, of course you do.

-You always make it happen.

-I know. Kudos to me.

[man] Yeah, kudos to you. Fine.

Uh, great!

Hi.

[Ahlam grunting in effort]

Help!

Does he have anything to drink

in this dump?

[phone buzzing]

[woman] So, tell me again

about this Richard guy.

Like I told you,

I delivered the package,

he picked it up,

and he was supposed to

bring it back today.

And we're supposed to believe

that you don't know anything

about the contents

of the package.

It's the truth.

This is ridiculous.

She knows a lot more

than she's telling us.

You thirsty?

Keith, can you

bring me some water?

Can you cut those things

off her wrists?

[indistinct]

[woman] Here.

-Paul's not showing up.

-Or Richard.

[eerie music building]

[door creaks open]

[music continues]

[voice distorted]

It'd be so much easier for us

if you would drop the bullshit

and tell us where it is.

I don't know where it is.



Open the door.

I got this.

And watch the [indistinct].

There we go.

[Ahlam grunts]

[music fades]

[ominous music building]

-[woman] Hi.

-[Ahlam grunts softly]

What did you do to me?

Oh, you passed out.

Do you have a condition?

No. You put something

in my water.

Where am I?

Well, you'll be safe here.

Safe?

How long will I be here?

Well, that depends

on whether you tell us

what we need to know.

And if you do,

you can leave tomorrow.

I already told you everything.

Okay.

You hungry?

[Ahlam whimpering]

[door shuts close]

[door lock rattles]

[tense music playing]

[music fades]

[muffled conversation

in the distance]

[Ahlam panting]

[grunts in effort]

[panting]

[grunts quietly]

[grunting in effort]

Yes.

[exhales sharply]

[grunting in effort]

[distant clattering]

[footsteps thudding]

[panting]

[Ahlam panting]

[tense orchestral music playing]



[music fades]

[insects and birds chirping]

[traffic din]

[phone buzzing]

[phone keeps buzzing]

-Hello?

-[man] Hi, is this [indistinct]?

Oh, hi.

[man] I know I'm early,

but I'm downstairs.

Judy told me I could

swing by, right?

I thought it was tomorrow.

-Can you see me now?

-Sure, I'll be right down.

Wonderful.

-Hi. Linton Ulmer.

-Hey.

Ahlam. Judy said

you were coming tomorrow.

I told Judy

I was dropping by today.

Can't wait to see

what you're up to.

Please, come in.

-Nah.

-Okay.

Uh, my studio's

at the top of the stairs.

[ominous music playing]

[stairs creaking]

Excuse me.

-It's this way.

-Okay.

Sorry,

I'm not ready for visitors.

Looks like you're busy.

-You also live here?

-Kind of.

No, I just rent

the studio space here.

Uh, it's just

in the middle of...

that one.

Burning the candle

at both ends, huh?

Working against the clock

to meet the deadline.

-Show's next week, right?

-That's right.

I'll have everything.

I hope I'll be ready.

I'll have a lot of

new work for the show.

Wasn't Basquiat

famous for doing that?

-What?

-You know, Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Wasn't he known

for his drug-fueled binges?

Frantically painting

just before a show?

I don't know.

Probably an urban myth.

Judy said you insisted

on a studio visit

to get first dibs

on a painting or two.

I'm not a pessimist

or anything,

but I'm sure you can get

whatever painting you want

at the opening.

From what I've seen

of your work online, I--

I like it a lot already.

Can I see another piece?

Sure.

I know someone

who's a big fan of your work.

Yeah? Who's that?

Paul Tanning.

How do you know Paul?

We're both collectors.

Paul's a collector now?

He's more into antiquities.

[Ahlam chuckles]

[Ahlam clears her throat]

What's so funny?

Have you been in touch

with Paul?

I talked to him a few weeks ago.

He mentioned you,

your work, your upcoming show.

And I contacted Judy

to set up a studio visit.

But I haven't been able to get

in touch with him since then.

Do you know where he might be?

I thought

you were in touch with him.

I was.

You know, he's...

he's been away, abroad.

But he's back in town now.

And we have some outstanding

business to attend to.

Have you tried his apartment

in the East Village?

He doesn't appear

to live there anymore.

Well, would you like to see

another painting?

Sure.

I do need to find Paul.

You're not the only one.

Why do you need to reach Paul?

What do you think?

[tense music playing]

[bar din]

Hello. Do you mind if I steal

her for a second?

I will.

[indistinct]



[indistinct conversation]

Very nice to meet you.

[indistinct] Thank you.

-Thank you.

-[indistinct]

Actually,

I haven't eaten all day.

-Oh, sh*t!

-No, I'm good.

Excuse me.

Ahlam.

Zora.

What are you doing here?

Judy's a friend.

I'm having a show

at her gallery.

Oh. Well, that's great.

Do you work here?

Well, you know,

it's just a catering job.

I'm going to get some more.

Why'd you disappear on me?

What happened?

I disappeared?

I tried calling you many times.

Someone stole my phone.

The same people you were with

in that pickup truck?

Pickup truck?

The last time I saw you,

you were driving up

in a pickup truck.

I don't remember that.

Were you drunk?

You know,

Richard never showed up.

What happened to you?

I found myself

stuck in a basement.

I managed to run away.

[man] Are the bathrooms in here?

Uh, they're actually down there.

What? You were in a basement?

Why didn't you get back to me?

I tried to call you many times.

-I wrote you.

-I left the next day.

-Something came up.

-Yeah?

Yeah, I got a residency.

It was a last-minute

cancellation.

-That sounds convenient.

-No, it's true.

I left a mural job and I just

flew out the next day.

-Where to?

-Korea.

-Wow.

-Yeah, the residency

was in South Korea

and it was actually very nice.

I wish you'd return my calls.

I missed you.

I thought you ditched me.

I didn't ditch you.



Zora, we need canopies.

Yeah, yeah.

I gotta go, sorry.

-Okay. Uh--

-Ahlam.

I need to show you this.

I'm working this event

tomorrow night.

He's the guest speaker.

I have to go to this.

Are you sure?

-[waiter] Zora.

-I really have to go.



[music fades]

There's a lot of people inside,

but he hasn't shown up yet.

-He has to show up, right?

-Right.

I mean, he has to come

through here, I'm sure.

So, when are you going to

tell me about Korea?

What? Kingston

wasn't important for you?

No, you're wrong.

Of course it was.

I wouldn't have told you about

Richard being here if it wasn't.

So, what's going on?

I wasn't alone in Korea.

-I'm getting married.

-Married?

Yeah. It happened fast.

-Maybe too fast.

-Wow.

Congrats.

I'm actually

leaving New York next week.

And your art?

You're just going to

give everything up?

Why would I give up my art

if I'm getting married?

You don't know me after all.

I would never do that.

Good luck.

[indistinct conversation]

Richard!

We met in Kingston, remember?

I remember. Ahlam.

Dreams.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

Uh, sure.

Why don't you guys go ahead

and I'll-- I'll--

-catch up to you

in a minute, okay?

-Okay.

You never showed up.

Do you mind if we go inside?

I did show up,

but you weren't there.

I waited for you,

but these people came

and took me away.

They took you away?

They said

they were friends with Paul,

that the package

belonged to them.

-But who were they?

-Short guy with mustache.

Your age.

-With his wife.

-I don't know these people.

Why didn't you show up?

I didn't have your number

and I couldn't reach Paul.

-Have you reported this

to anybody?

-No.

I know what's in that box.

I'm not going to get mixed up

with a sketchy relic.

-No, that's not the case.

-Oh, yeah?

Paul was in the hospital

that day.

With a kidney stone.

-Oh.

-Yeah,

they had to go

zap it with a laser.

You can understand

why I wasn't going to

just return the package to you

without checking with Paul.

I think I saw you that day.

In the afternoon.

I didn't come back

to the house until the evening.

You know,

I tried to reach Paul all day.

-Did he get it back?

-He did.

I took it into the city myself.

I kept my end of the bargain.

-He got the authentication.

-He owes me.

-Do you know where he is?

-No.

-So how are you

going to find him?

-I don't know.

Do you know Linton Ulmer?

Linton Ulmer?

He came by my studio,

looking for Paul.

Paul owes Linton money,

just like he owes you and me.

I've got a speech to give.

[woman speaking indistinctly

in the distance]

[tense music playing]

-Hi.

-I remember you.

-Is Paul here?

-He doesn't live here anymore.

Where does he live?

To tell you the truth,

I don't know.

He was in London for a while.

-I'm not sure he's still there.

-Can I come in?

So, you're here now?

I thought you were divorced.

Yeah, well,

things evolve, don't they?

In what direction?

Well, the place looks the same.

I haven't been able

to make it my own yet.

Do you know when Paul

will be back?

No idea.

You live here now?

For now.

Do you know

how I can reach Paul?

No, I don't.

You live in his apartment,

but you can't get a hold of him.

Maybe I don't want

to get a hold of him.

I have the lease now.

I'm going to have to put

all of his crap in storage.

Maybe I should

just throw it out.

Someone told me

Paul is already back in town.

As far as I know,

Paul is not in New York City.

Anything else I can do for you?

If I may ask,

when was the last time

you talked to Paul?

When he left town

after he got sick.

-Sick?

-Yeah, he was in the hospital.

He had a kidney stone

right after I met you.

He had those

torn ligaments in his ankle

and a kidney stone.

I'm aware.

You're aware?

What else are you aware of?

-All sorts of things.

-All sorts of things.

You should stop protecting Paul.

I think you should

get out of my house.

[street din]

[Paul] Hi, I'm sorry, I can't

take your call right now.

Leave a message

and I'll get back to you.

[somber music playing]

[music fades]

[Marta arguing indistinctly]

[indistinct]

[indistinct]

[indistinct]

-[Marta] It's never

[indistinct], Paul.

-[Paul] [indistinct]

[footsteps receding]

Marta?

Marta?

Who the f*ck are you?

You don't have to be so violent.

Do you have any idea

what happened to me?

-What do you mean?

-I could have been k*lled.

Who knows what those people

could have done to me.

-Those people? Which people?

-Your friends in Kingston.

You owe me something.

You heard about my kidney stone,

or so I've been told.

Oh, that explains

why you vanished into thin air.

Well, I couldn't exactly

answer inquiries

while I was in hospital,

now could I?

There's always

something wrong with you.

I'm making some tea,

would you like some?

I don't want your f*cking tea!

The Assyrian came down

like the wolf on the fold.

His coats were gleaming

in purple and gold.

Can you stop with that bullshit?

Your friends drugged me,

kidnapped me,

and then held me in a basement.

I am very sorry about that.

Are you sure you won't take any?

Why were those people

at your house?

They weren't

supposed to be there.

And I was not

supposed to meet them.

That's not what they said.

It's true,

I was supposed to go up there

and take the relic to Richard.

Instead,

you got me to go for you.

Well, you recall

what condition I was in.

With my ankle,

I couldn't really go up there.

And if I'd known Keith

was going to show up,

I would've organized

things differently.

Organized?

Keith and relics,

those two don't fit together.

Keith worked in Iraq.

He picked up the relic

over there

and sat on it for a while,

and then he came to me

asking me to sell it,

and I decided to help him.

How nice of you.

You know

Richard's looking for you.

He'll get his money.

Everyone will get their money.

I want my money now.

That's the least you can do

to make things right.

I don't have it.

I know you went abroad

to sell the relief.

I haven't sold it yet.

The provenance

has to be established,

the licensing set up.

You clearly have no

idea how this works, do you?

Just because

you turn people into mules

doesn't mean

they think like them.

I have a very interesting

lawyer who'll track you down.

Now why would you do

something like that?

You're involved

as much as any of us,

and with your visa situation,

you could end up

deported or worse.

I got my visa. I have rights.

And you...

are probably guilty

of extortion, conspiracy,

false imprisonment, as*ault,

trafficking of non-citizens.

Not to mention

mental and physical abuse.

That's quite a charge sheet.

But I have

nothing to do with that.

Let's see what my lawyer

has to say about that.

Come on, Paul.

You're involved

in all sorts of ill*gal stuff.

They'd love to take your money

and put you away.

I mean, you're all

just tomb raiders,

ripping off the cultures

of other countries.

Yes, but without those

relocated treasures,

the world wouldn't see

such beautiful artifacts.

Those beautiful artifacts

aren't going to make it

to the museum.

They're just going to be

hung on the wall

of a rich guy's mansion.

I don't have the money.

You're full of sh*t.

I know you gave up your job.

Maybe even this apartment.

I don't know about your ex-wife.

Who are you?

Two can play at this game.

[Ahlam clears her throat]

I have a solo show,

and you're going to buy my art.

You're going to buy it.

Maybe then we'll be even.

When is the show?

[pleasant piano instrumental]

-Bye.

-Bye.

[beeps]

[piano music continues]

[music fades]

Those two are already sold.

-Who bought them?

-A guy named Paul Tanning.

You know him?

No.

Well, he bought your paintings,

but he couldn't make it

to the opening tonight,

unfortunately.

Are you ready?

I was born ready.

That's what I like to hear.

[both chuckling]

Thank you for everything.

You're welcome.

[Ahlan] Mmm.

Are you happy

with how everything is hanging?

-Beautiful.

-Good.

People are going to be

here soon,

but there's one buyer

who's already here.

Camille.

Come meet the artist.

Hi.

Do you remember me

from Kingston?

-Of course.

-[Judy] You two know each other?

We met briefly.

Last summer.

[Judy scoffs]

What a coincidence.

Well, my friend Paul

told me about you.

I saw your work

and I really like it.

Thank you.

Which one did you buy?

I bought this one over here.

[intriguing music playing]

It's a small world, isn't it?





[music fades]