Is this you?
Hmm.
"...inform you... that under these circumstances...
"currently owe, or as a property...
"we request that you vacate the property immediately."
Mother whores! Goddamn it!
Mr. Barmeeny is here.
Oh, Mr. Barmeeny.
My name is Behrani.
Colonel Massoud Amir Behrani.
I wish to speak with Mr. Walsh, please.
I'm Connie Walsh. This is my office, Colonel.
Please come in.
I'm sure our letter came as a shock to you, Colonel.
The situation is this: Pacific County has made a number of mistakes.
First, they levied a tax on my client which she did not owe.
Second, they evicted her for nonpayment. And third, they auctioned the property.
- Unfortunately, this is where you come in. - But I now own the house.
I paid for it in cash. I have a bill of sale. Here, please.
Would you sell the county back the house?
They would make it as comfortable a transaction as possible.
Please listen to me very carefully. The only comfortable transaction possible
is if the county tax office paid to me $1 74,000.
Mr. Behrani, you only paid a quarter of that amount.
The market can already pay me this. Good morning, Miss Walsh.
Wait, please.
From a legal standpoint, you are in the right.
But the true owner of this house is living in a motel, Mr. Behrani.
All her belongings are locked in storage.
Why should she wait to get back into her home that was wrongfully taken?
Just because you want to turn a profit.
Things are not as they appear.
It is a matter of necessity for me and my family.
I'm sorry. I do not have a choice in this matter.
Hey.
This is a surprise.
Good one or a bad one?
It's good. It's good.
What happened to your foot?
Oh, l, um...
I stopped by my house, and they were doing construction on the roof.
I stepped on some nails.
Thanks for letting me ride along today, Mr. Burdon.
So, how's the El Rancho?
I'm not there anymore.
I'm staying at the Bonneville now.
I don't know it.
You're looking at it.
I haven't had a drink in three years, Lester.
Oh, I'm sorry. I... I should have asked. I didn't know.
No, it's okay.
The fog's coming in.
[man over walkie-talkie, indistinct]
I'd like to ask you a personal question, if I could.
Okay.
Just get it over with.
Why is your husband no longer with you?
I wanted kids.
He didn't want kids.
But I guess if he really wanted me, he would have wanted them, too.
I think he's a fool.
Maybe we should find you a place to stay.
Do you remember the beauty of the Caspian Sea, Esmail?
The water like glass.
The beach sand like gold.
[Nadi] It is beautiful here.
Massoud, when must we move again?
Not too soon.
Perhaps once we get a buyer, we will tell them to wait until autumn.
Would you prefer that?
I will do as you wish.
There was this little runt of a guy.
Kept beating up his wife. Except she wouldn't press charges.
We'd show up, and there they'd be at the door
Iike Romeo and Juliet, arm in arm.
She had welts and bruises all over.
So, one night we get called out there again,
and I slipped down their hallway and stuffed two eight-balls in his closet.
Turns out he was on parole.
He goes back to jail, she's safe, and I slept like a baby.
Did I just lose you?
No.
I'm sorry. I, um...
To tell you the truth, I think the wine's distracting me.
- I'll send it back. - No, it's fine.
- You sure? - Yeah.
See, when I think of my sobriety, I don't think about wine.
Alcohol was never a problem.
Well, you're a grown woman.
Cheers.
[กำ Nadi singing in Farsi]
- What are your kids' names? - Nate and Bethany.
Nate is four. Bethany is nine.
- Where is your house? - In Millbrae.
In a housing development called Palomino Meadows.
You have to drive through it to get to the mall.
Yeah, I know where that is.
God, I've probably driven by it a dozen times.
I've probably even seen your wife.
- Carol. - Yeah. Carol.
[clears throat]
- What's your situation, Les? - I married my best friend.
And for seven of the last nine years,
I haven't wanted to give her more than a hug or a peck on the cheek.
That's my situation.
- What about her? - It's not the same for her.
Do you want to come inside?
Massoud.
We are blessed.
- What time is it? - It's 1 0:00.
Oh, God.
I should have been home hours ago.
I'm sure Carol called the department.
I'm sure they asked her if I was feeling any better.
Things are finally in motion.
I'm finally gonna get it over with.
It?
Telling her the truth about how I feel.
How do you feel?
I feel found.
[doorbell rings]
[door buzzes]
Well, Kathy, bad news.
The county's done their part, but the new owner won't go along.
He's asking for four times what he bought it for.
We can sue the county, but it'll take months.
Do you mean that...
I can't legally get my house back?
It would've been a lot easier if you'd just opened your mail.
You can't expect the law to work miracles.
I don't expect miracles. I expect you to do your fucking job.
I don't know what I'm doing sitting here talking to you.
And as you see, very excellent rooms.
It is cool inside, even during the day.
And from the widow's walk, sunsets are quite beautiful.
There is very little fog in this area.
- When would the house be available? - Not until autumn.
- We would need time to find a new home. - That might work for us.
[Esmail speaking Farsi]
Yes. She has come for a tool her boyfriend carpenter may have left behind.
I have been expecting her. One moment, please.
I am happy you came. Please, this way. I will show you.
My family knows nothing of this. I'd like for it to remain so.
You have me confused with someone else.
I'm quite certain I know who you are.
I'm Kathy Nicolo.
I know my lawyer talked to you, Mr. Bahrooni,
- but I thought we could meet face-to-face. - My name is Behrani. Colonel Behrani.
Colonel Behrani, I'm sorry.
My father left this house to me and my brother.
Tell this to the bureaucrats at the County Tax Office.
They have made a mistake, not l.
They said they'd give you your money back. You've put that deck on.
I'm sure they'd repay you for that.
I'm sorry, but I've nothing more to say.
Why should I be penalized for their incompetence?
You should sue them for enough to buy ten homes.
I'll even sell you this house for the right price. That's all I require.
I don't know where he left his hammers. I've nothing more to say.
Let go of me.
You can't expect to just move in here and make money off of this.
This is my house.
I lived here, and you stole this house from me,
you son of a bitch!
This is a stolen house!
He's trying to sell you a stolen house!
What'd you tell your kids?
I told them the truth.
My old man walked out on us. I swore I would never do that to my own.
What happened?
My lawyer couldn't get the house back.
So I went to see the owner.
- And he put his hand on you? - It's okay. Don't worry about it.
That's not right.
He's got no right to do that.
Who is this guy?
His name's Behrani. He's a colonel.
Behrani? What country is he from?
I don't know. But his wife hardly speaks any English.
Maybe they haven't been here that long. Maybe they don't know their way around.
- What are you doing? - I'm gonna pay 'em a visit.
Officers tend to listen to other officers. It's worth a shot.
What if he doesn't listen?
Then I'll make him listen.
[horn honking]
Oomadan! Oomadan!
Little bird.
Little bird! Little bird!
Welcome to our new home.
- Does it go down the hill? - It is an investment property, Soraya.
Like our second home on the Caspian.
It's an investment home.
[speaking Farsi]
[Nadi] Let us go to the roof porch, for the view.
[speaking Farsi]
[Lester] Jesus, look at them.
What are they celebrating, stealing a woman's house?
Fuck these people.
You're a very wise man, Genob Sarhang,
to live in such a place that gives you a view of God's wonders.
[tires screeching]
[doorbell rings]
Did you post that sign, sir?
Yes. Is there a difficulty, officer?
And that's your sign at the bottom of the hill?
Yes.
Please, come in, officer.
I am new to the area. Is a permit required to post signs?
Not on the house.
- But the utility pole's city property. - I see.
Very well. I will put the sign elsewhere. Thank you for informing me.
[chuckles] You're a long way from home, aren't you?
This is my home. I am an American citizen.
Were you a general?
I was a colonel.
Officer, what more can I do for you?
What's your name?
Massoud Amir Behrani.
And the names of your family?
Why do you need the names of my family? What is your name, Officer?
Deputy Sheriff Joe Gonzalez. Let me ask you a question.
Are you selling this house on your own?
I do not wish to offend, Officer,
but if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.
Civil code 1 1 01.
Yes, you have informed me.
I suggest you come with me to witness the removal of the sign.
No, I'm talking about the disclosure law, Colonel.
You, as the owner, have the obligation to tell all prospective buyers
anything about the property they have a right to know.
I do not understand.
- You sure about that? - Are you interrogating me, Mr. Gonzalez?
I don't know. You tell me. I understand your friend, the Shah, made a habit of it.
I don't know who you think you're speaking to, but I've had enough.
You have done your job. Now you may leave.
You're used to giving orders, aren't you? Let me get right to the point here.
Pacific County has offered you money. They don't want any trouble.
The only one that seems to want trouble is you.
You don't want to do the right thing,
which is to sell this house back at the price you paid
so it can be returned to the real owner.
The real owner, Mr. Behrani. Now, that just won't wash.
I have more than one contact at lmmigration.
People get deported every single day.
There are a lot of things I can do, Colonel.
I suggest you call the movers, so I won't have to.
What happened?
Well, the guy's obviously not right off the boat.
I think you're right.
He probably buys up seized property to make a killing.
I set him straight. I think he'll listen.
He will.
So, what do we do now?
I mean...
Look at us. We're both homeless.
Listen. My friend has a cabin a few miles south.
We can stay there.
Give to me an answer, Behrani. What did that man say of deporting?
- He said nothing, Nadi. - Do not lie to me! I heard him.
Who was that man? Tell to me, Behrani.
What have you done?
It's none of your business what I have done.
Have you no faith in me, no respect? That man said I must remove the sign.
- Coward! Liar! - [Esmail] Mawmawn,
You kasifliar!
It is your fault we were forced to flee from lran.
- It is your fault we are here. - Mawmawn!
Yours and your Savak friends!
Mawmawn!
[speaking Farsi]
How long can we stay here?
Until we get things figured out.
You hungry?
I could eat.
Do you still love her?
Look, it's just...
it's not her.
She's a good person. A good mother.
Would this have happened anyway...
even if you hadn't met me?
Yes.
I miss my dad.
He worked really hard for that house.
It took him...
thirty years to pay it off.
And it took me eight months to fuck it up.
Hey. Hey.
Come here.
We're gonna get your house back.
Soon.
When this is all done, I promise,
I'll move you back in myself.
My son.
Do not follow the example of your father one day when you are married.
Do not do as I did last evening.
Do not be disrespectful, son. Look at me.
Bawbaw,,, were you a Savaki?
No.
I only bought fighter planes for Shah-jahn.
- Why did that man say we'd be deported? - I do not know.
But we are American citizens.
We own this house. They can do nothing to us now.
I feel bad for that lady, bawbaw-jahn,
The woman's house was taken from her because she did not pay her taxes.
That happens when one is not responsible. Do you understand?
Do not feel bad.
Americans do not deserve what they have.
They have the eyes of children who are forever looking for the next distraction,
entertainment, sweet taste in the mouth. We are not like them.
We know rich opportunities when we see them and don't throw away God's blessing.
You know I must raise money for your education.
I can get another paper route.
Man meedoonam,
azizam,
I know.
You are a kind child.
Quickly becoming a man.
You have my respect for your heart.
Soon all this will be over.
Bawbaw-jahn,
Thank you.
[door opens]
Hey.
Have a good day at work.
You need to see what you're doing to this family, Les.
Look at your children, at the damage you're causing.
- This is not the time for this, Carol. - When is the time?
When I'm not on my way to work.
Stop it!
Do you want to get arrested? Is that what you want?
You want to arrest me? God, go ahead. Arrest me in front of our children.
[crying] Daddy, please.
[child] Please!
Oh, God, I didn't mean to do this.
Don't go. Please, don't go.
We checked, and we have no Joe Gonzalez on the force.
Did he have anything else on him that might help us to lD him?
We have hundreds of deputies in the department.
He wore a golden star,
a badge with two pistol barrels crossed...
and letters of gold spelling F-T-O.
There are only eight field training officers in the department.
Tell me if you see him here.
Yes. That is him.
That is the man who threatened me.
It's Burdon.
You're completely confident this is the officer?
I'm sorry this happened to you, sir.
I can promise you, it won't happen again.
[car door closes]
Hi.
What do you think?
I cleaned the whole place.
What's wrong?
Kath, I need to go home for a while today.
I need to go home and explain things to Carol better,
to Nate and Bethany.
I should be home when they come back from school.
- You just said "home" three times. - It is my home.
At least until we make another one.
- Are you coming back? - In a couple of hours, three at the most.
I'll understand if you don't.
I don't deserve you.
Of course you do.
Fuck.
I told the kids that this was just temporary, you were taking time off, like a vacation.
I didn't know what else to tell them.
Tell them the truth, Carol.
[phone rings]
Hello?
[man] Deputy Lester Burdon?
Hello.
- Deputy Lester Burdon? - Yes?
Lieutenant Alvarez with lnternal Affairs. Dispatch yourself to my office immediately.
Can it wait till I'm back on duty, sir?
No, deputy, it cannot, Be in my office in 45 minutes,
or you can come in tomorrow and drop off your badge,
[clicks, dial tone]
[rings]
[Nadi] Please, a moment. Wait.
Oh , excuse for me, please.
Oh , I am sorry for keeping you to waiting.
How is your foot?
- Better. Thank you. - Oh.
Can I come in?
- Please, come in. - Thank you.
I grew up in this house.
It's the house my father left to me and my brother when he died.
The county evicted me from this house by mistake,
and your husband bought it,
and now he won't sell it back for less than four times what he paid.
I don't want to argue with him. You know, I really don't.
It's just that if this goes to court, it could take...
- They are to deport us? - I don't know.
You must see. They will kill us.
They will shoot my children.
Hey. Hey.
You don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?
Please, you are a very nice girl.
Please, you write for me everything.
I want for to understand,
for discussing with my husband.
- Okay? - Okay.
Do you think you can frighten me with your stupid deputy coming here telling lies?
- [speaking Farsi] - What do you think I am?
- Do you think I'm stupid? - Don't!
In my country, you'd not be worthy to raise your eyes to me. You're nothing!
- [Nadi] Nakon! - Tell your deputy friend
his superior officers know everything.
You tell him that. This is our home!
- Please... - Our home!
[speaking Farsi] Please stop!
Please to stop, Behrani.
- [man] Kathy? K, is that you? - Yeah.
Mom said you sounded strange on the phone,
What's going on?
I need help. I really need some help.
What's wrong?
Do you think you could just come out here?
Please?
K,
K, I'm sorry, I just got a real shit storm here,
We just got the new models in, there's inventory,,,
[to co-worker] I'll be right there, Just give me a second here,
I just feel lost, Frankie.
You know? I just, um...
I just feel lost.
Look, Ma and the aunts will be out there on the 1 8th,
They can help you, bring you back, straighten you out, Okay?
I'm sorry, K, but I gotta go, Okay?
Okay.
Y eah.
All right, Chin up, baby sister,
I'll call you later,
Okay. Hey, don't tell Mom , all right?
[clicks, dial tone]
Okay, bye.
Fuck.