Coma
(News on radio)
-Hello -Hello to you too
We don't have cheese?
I put butter and jam for you
I ask "We don't have cheese?" and you say "I put butter and jam for you"
well would you like me to go get you some?
no need!
(sarcastically) It might damage the cells of his multi million dollar brain
Cheese makes people dumb
Saleh!
Shut this thing off and let us enjoy our tea
I was listening to that
You?
But you already know about everything in advance
and for this poor guy, the days he listened to the radio are long gone
the Iraqis also used to listen to the radio, but that ended too
and now we are listening to the radio in the morning in the hopes that it will bring us some kind of good luck
seems America has changed you, no?
me? I am only your guest for a few days anyways
wait
Is your hope in that letter of invitation you received from that American university?
Or in the 1 or 2 thousand dollars your "dear" mom and uncle sent you to buy a ticket?
Sit back down!
Let these last few days pass with peace and joy
Will you sit or should I get up?
I'm awake. Thanks
Hello to you too
(sarcastically) I see you are full of joy this morning
I'm good. How are you?
You can't talk right now, right?
no
Is 9 o'clock good?
Yes, that's good. I'll come pick you up
say I love you
Um...of course, of course
Goodbye
Why don't you let her go continue with her life?
Giving people's daughter pointless hope has consequences
Yes, it has been discussed.
Now we are waiting for the response
Honestly, I don't know. It's not up to just me alone. There are other brothers as well
Their opinions are important as well
Hold on a moment please
Hello...yes...thank you
thank you...yes
yes, of course. It's solved. I've already taken care of it...yes, don't worry
When should I pick you up?
I don't think it will take longer than an hour
As soon as it gets stamped, it's done.
It's the next intersection, don't miss it
Let's see if this time our request finally accepted or if they find another excuse
Did you get the stuff your mom said?
First I'll get the tickets, then I will get that
What was that!?!
For god's sake, look at their roads
Look there
If you want, I'll come with you
No, don't worry
Call me when you're done so I can pick you up
Amir, for god's sake don't say anything
What's wrong brother? Is it the usual questions?
You want to know how this young lady is related to me, correct?
I only serve for my people
Really? I see...
so you want to serve the people
Amir!
Look, my brother...50 meters over, there is a huge hole in the middle of the street
If a motorcyclist, like yourself, falls into it, he will be killed
now if you want to serve, get somebody to fix it
a few meters over there, there are also a few young guys killing each other in a fight
If you hurry now, you might be able to save one of them
Now do you really want to serve or stand here and waste my time and your time?
Amir, please, stop
You go do your work, I'll pick you up in an hour. Go ahead
Hello?
Hi mom, how are you?
Are you a lion or fox? (an old saying)
I'm a lion...(keeps talking)
Can I see your registration?
Really mom?
Your letter from the university just came right now.
They said they will cover all your expenses, plus another $1500 a month
Also, from the beginning you can begin working too
Wow, sounds great! Thank you to them
Did you translate your documents to get the approval?
Yes, as usual, they came up with another excuse and said to get it stamped first
Hello?
-Hello? -Yes mom
-What happened? Why did it get disconnected? -I don't know. Their cellphones are like all their other things in this country
-For god's sake, be careful so that these last few days pass with happiness -mom, don't worry so much. I get it...
-What time is your flight? -Okay, I'll call and tell you the flight time -Hello? Hello?
How is Arezoo? Hello?...hello?
Come on...move!
What's your problem?
In case you're not aware, you're in the middle of the street
What's wrong with you?
What do you mean "What's wrong with you?"...you've blocked the street
You know what? In that case, my car broke down
Go! go!
Hello? Amir? Is everything alright?
Yes...everything's alright...everything's alright
(guy in background) No, I swear on your life. My teeth hurt so I put a gauze with alcohol on it, and now they say I drank alcohol...yes, yes...come soon and get me
(guy in background) Yes, on your way also get me some lime juice
Did you write it?
Amir Moradian, son of Reza, year of birth 1978...
Do you have anyone to come bail you out in the meantime?
What happened to the old man?
Pray that he'll stay alive
-Excuse me where is Officer Negaban's room? -Over there -thanks
Amir
You brought it?
Whoever I called, I couldn't
I had no choice other than to call your dad
What are you doing here!?! Go wait outside!
I will wait until Amir comes
Seems you don't understand. You being here itself is a crime. if they ask, how will you say you are related to him? Go ahead
(an officer being paged at the police department)
-What happened? -The guy is in the I.C.U, he went into a coma
Until his family gives an official forgiving consent, Amir is caught up in this mess
You go ahead and do your work, so you don't have to be stuck here with him
But sir, we've done all our work so we could go together
You talk as if I am the one who hit the guy with a car
Listen, I won't let this take too long. I will take care of all of this and ensure Amir comes after you
I will wait so we can go together
Why don't you understand ma'am? We are talking about an official consent and these sort of things...If the guy dies, Amir is a murderer. And if he is even lucky that the guy dies
Otherwise, we all have to serve the guy's family in the hopes that when he dies, we will get the consent
-You go home, I'll call you after -I won't go anywhere without you
Sara...here, it is in the parking by the police department
-What about you? -Me?
For now, in this mess, instead of worrying about me, my dad is worried about the broken glass of his precious car
-Excuse me ma'am -yes? -where can I see the doctor of the old man who was hit by a car today?
The room on the right, upstairs
You don't come, wait here
(someone being paged at the hospital)
I.C.U
You have a patient here?
my dad
What happened to him?
They hit him with a car
When?
You're being insistent
This morning, in the middle of a public street
If I find this guy...
Who?
That rich brat who ran over my dad
but if you find out that the other guy did everything in his power to save your dad
It still doesn't make a difference?
It makes no difference
but I'm sure that right now he is just as upset as you
Excuse me
Mr. Prince...
how do you know the other guy did everything in his power?
Believe me when I say I didn't see him
rich brat!
Leave him alone you psycho!!!!
Amir!
Who was that?
Call me at 9 at this number 7308341 -Hassan
9 o'clock
Hello, may the work be easy
Hello to you
Can I speak a few minutes to Mr. Moradian?
He has a guest right now, you are?
I'm his daughter-in-law
(a religious book about a mullah)
I gave my word that once this is all taken care of, I will send him to come
For what else are you here right now?
Are you sure this will all be taken care of?
What if the son doesn't give an official consent?
Is the guy even dead for the son to give a consent? The son is in no position right now
As long as the guy is alive and breathing, nobody else can do anything on his behalf
-but the guy himself can't make a decision. -It's the law
The law is right too...
Let's say the son gives a consent, and tomorrow his dad comes out of the coma and says, "Why the hell did you consent my death?"
What happens then?
I know, from the very beginning you were against Amir coming to America
This situation has nothing to do with what I want
Yes, it does. You have the power to do whatever you want.
My daughter, why don't you get it? Amir has been prohibited departure outside the country
You give me your word to take care of everything and send him?
I promise. I give you my word
Then I will take your word for it
Trust me, my daughter. In fact, trust me very much
This time of yours when you used to do everything you wanted has passed
Yesterday morning I told his father that it's best to do a surgery, but now that they are not in a good financial state for surgery, he has to be careful to not be so stressed
Stress for a patient that has heart problems is like poison
If when he was a child and had a throat ache, they had worried about him, his heart wouldn't be infected now
Unfortunately, many people don't know that being uneducated and not knowing enough can cause harm to their children
In the meantime, he should take his medication and vaccinations, and hopefully one day we can do surgery on his heart
So for now, we'll cancel it
Yes
How about Ms. Shahriar?
She is still going
When should I reserve for you?
I don't know
To be honest, I want to cancel my ticket. I need the money
Amir
What if you don't come?
Impossible
It might be later than we expected, but I will come for sure
What if your visa expires? Right now they are really picky in giving American visas to Iranians
What kind of law is this?
The guy has to die before his son gives consent?
If he even gives a consent
Hopefully the guy dies soon, no?
I don't know.
Today someone said one of their family members was in a coma for 3 years
Amir
What?
Do you love me?
Why do you ask?
I want to be sure that you'll come
Be sure of it
...because...umm
Okay then. I don't want a serious goodbye, because we are going to see each other very soon
Why did all this suddenly happen?
Mr. Karimi?
Get up sir. Get up I want to talk for a moment
I am Moradian. I am very sorry about this situation
However, it is something that has happened. You and I can't do anything about it
Your father was old anyways
Don't worry.
I am looking out for you
I will visit you again soon
sir
(Hassan has scratched Mr. Moradians car)
For god's sake be careful
You too
Goodbye
I was getting ready. I was supposed to leave the country, but unfortunately, suddenly this happened
I didn't come here to get an official consent from you.
I'll give whatever you want, I'll do whatever you want, just for god's sake forgive me.
Today your "dear" dad tried to bribe me. He thought I can be bought
so I made his car look really pretty
What's wrong? You're in pain?
No, this isn't real pain
Do you even know what pain is?
You haven't experienced my kind of pain yet
My situation is in some ways like yours. For me, my dad has been in a coma for years. His presence makes no difference for me.
Who is it?
Who are you? Take your hands off!
You are really a worthless person
Look! I got a nicer one
I wasn't trying to bribe you. I gave the money because I saw you are poor, otherwise I would have had you hanged!
I only came here to tell you I know people like you very well. I know what is in your mind, but get it out of your mind
If you're doing this for me, I don't need you to do anything for me!
He is not well
You want a consent, huh? Keep dreaming!
At the hospital I wanted to help him! If it was you, would you expect such a response?
You don't even want to know what I would do if I was in his place...
Do you want to see a doctor?
Leave it!
Suddenly you think we are like cousins? Just leave!
Saleh?
SALEH!
Yes sir?
Where were you? Why is the telephone disconnected?
Unfortunately the telephones in the whole neighbourhood are disconnected right now
What's up with this? One day it's the power, one day it's the water, and now the telephone
(sarcastically) It's "the nation of rose and nightingale"...
Why am I even saying all this to you?
Those who should listen, refuse to hear the truth
Where is his majesty going?
To Mr. Astollah's house
Really?
He is going to have a meeting on how to solve the nations problems, I know
Yes?
If you still had a chance for me to use my influence and connections to solve your problem for you, you destroyed that chance tonight
Tell the girl to move on with her life over there
You are our guest here for a long time
but you gave Sara your word!
These days who cares about promises? The world has changed! Forget about your trip Mr. Amir!..
Okay! I'm coming!
Wow! How rude you are
Do you want to crash the party of some of the rich, powerful, religious men of the country tonight?...
What is that?
I'm never returning to that home
Do you want to start with this one? It looks like your dad's car
We will definitely start with this one
Are you serious!?!
You're awesome!
Quick! Quick! Take out the screwdriver. Two screws up, two screws down, unscrew them.
Quick! Quick!
-unscrew the ones on the bottom -It's done
Pull the stereo out, pull it out!...Here, this one's for your dad.
Let's go
-Quick! -I'm on it
You don't know how much I enjoy it when I see these people freaking out
The are so rich, but you take their stereo and they want to kill themselves...spill it here
-Spill it all out... -When we listen to their music, we will see how they are in their free time Hassan...
Amir!!!!
Hassan?
huh?
-Are you awake? -Yes
What time is it?
Exactly 10 minutes to 11
10 minutes to 11...it means it is 10:20 in the morning in America right now
Nice...your brain is a computer
-Hassan? -huh?
Look at that star
Let me sleep
Please, look for me
Which?
That one...the one that is sparkling
-yes -that's our star. Mine and my finacee, Sara's
Very nice, nice
I miss her so much...
Is it possible that all this will be over soon, so I can go be with her again?
Will your dad let you go?
He's against me going, because he doesn't have anybody other than me
He know that if I go, I will marry Sara, so he tries his best to prevent me from going, because it's not good for him if I marry her.
During the Shah's regime, Sara's dad worked in the palace for the Shah. After the revolution, he fled from Iran
Sara and I met when she came to Iran for the first to get back her father's property and money
Guess where
Probably the amusement park
The amusement park?...no
We met in the middle of the street when she was arguing with an officer
nice...wait, are you serious?
Yes, because I saw that she was the most innocent person being arrested in the street
and now that we want to marry, my dad won't let us. He says, "It's a sin for my son to marry this person's daughter"
Do you have any relatives there?
Yes, my mom and sister have been there for years
My mom had a problem with my father's job. My dad's entire life was "to fix the country"
My mom used to tell him "You don't need to fix the country, you should fix your own life first"
They argued everyday, until one day my dad got up and saw that my mom and sister had left
My uncle has been there for years, so he was able to take them there and support them
My mom says, "When I was in Iran and saw your dad, that's when I realized the reason why the country's problems can't get fixed"
Now that they are there, they sent me a few invitation letters to see maybe I can go too
Really? Why do they want you so bad over there?
I don't know. They say I have the brains
Last year I got the gold metal in mathematics
I've also done an experiment and wherever I take it here, they make fun of me
but when I sent it there, they accepted me in a heartbeat
nice
I don't even have a single star in 7 skies. As soon as I opened my eyes, my parents were both poor workers
When my mom died, I went to Japan for two years. I worked there. Not really work, we burned dead bodies
They paid well there, but it wasn't what I wanted to do. For each body they paid 10 000 yen
but if while being burned, the body sparked, they gave us another 10 000 yen and said it went to heaven
The next day, I bought fireworks and put them in the bodies. They eventually found out and they deported me
I always longed for two things in life: one, a cool, loyal friend which I never had. The second one a nice, red car to take up hill and go skiing
You really had no one in your life?
No, not really, but there was a lady in Japan who paid us, but I forgot about her and came back to Iran
now here there is a girl. I really like her. Everyday I stand outside her university and put flowers for her. A few days ago I put my phone number under her windshield
Before you hit my dad
I still haven't heard back from her
This is my fate brother Amir
It's probably the hospital
Hello...yes? Why don't you talk? Are you deaf?
You left your number on my windshield
Quick, come here, it's the girl
Yes, go ahead
Are you Mr. Hassan?
Yes, go ahead
Who was the guy who picked up the phone?
That was our worker
May I ask, you are?
You didn't recognize?
no, should I?
My name is Maryam. You left your phone number on my windshield
Yes, yes...How are you? Why so late?
I called a few more times, but no one picked up. May I ask what is the meaning of this?
The meaning of what?
That everyday you come in front of the university and put flowers under my windshield but you don't show yourself
well, putting flowers is not bad. I thought that if the scent is in your car, you will see that there is somebody who likes you very much
but the difference between me and other young guys is that my conscience wouldn't allow me to step on your dignity
anyways, it's possible for a young, timid guy to really like a beautiful and classy women like yourself, right?
It seems you are not as timid as you say. If you allow...
May I ask, what are you studying?
English
Fantastic
what?
What do you study?
I am studying medicine
Excellent
so, let's make a plan for the night after tomorrow night
Okay 7 in the evening then
Great! How about the coffee shop near the university?
sounds good. See you then
see you
Why did you set up the date at the I.C.U?
I.C.U?...not I.C.U! I said "See you"...See you means "I will see you"
You have a date the night after tomorrow
Let it go! I'm not like this. Medicine? Do I look like a doctor?
You have two days to become one
Ready?...1, 2...1,2..
Hello? Yes?
Can you hear me fine?
Yes, okay...
What happened? Why didn't she come?
She'll come, don't worry
What time is it?
I don't have a watch
Is that her?
God help me, it's her!
alright! don't panic! You look so good, all eyes are on you
You really mean it?
Don't look! Don't move so much! Just don't forget, whatever you like, if she asks you, tell her the opposite; say "I don't like it"
Why?
Don't you want to seem high class?
Right! Yes...
Wait, so you mean I'm this low class?
Sit straight!...She's walking towards you, bring the flower up, bring it up!
-Hello -Hello
-For you -Thank you very much
welcome
sorry about the delay
Don't even mention it sister
Why don't you take off your hat?
umm, it's we...I mean, it's wet. I took a shower
You doctors are so interesting
I'm flattered
What can I get for you?
Café Glacee.
-coffee shop -What the hell is coffee shop?
say cappuccino
capo...no...ummm
say cappu...ccino
cappuccino
You've never heard cappuccino before?
cappuccino I said
What?...You've never heard of it?
Just go now
He keeps looking...
To be honest, I expected to see someone with huge reading glasses
I didn't expect for you to look like this
like what?
like this...really different from a typical medical school student
I didn't think you'd look like a movie actor
Thank you very much. I can tell you are into movies, cinema, and things like that
yes, very much. How about you?
Yes, I have a lot...ummm I mean, an interest in these kind of things
Especially fighting movies and karate. You know the ones with Jackie Jone, where they go...
shhh...that's enough
I mean...I actually don't like these kind of movies at all
I'm exactly the same
so doctor, tell me more about yourself
What should I say, sister?
I'm not really much of a talker
-I mean... -say, I like to write more. I worry that if I talk too much, I'll stop my writing
ummm...I like to write more. I mean, I take words to the pen. I worry if I talk too much, I'll stop my writing
so you're also a writer?
What an interesting person you are! Have published anything yet?
Currently I am still working on my last movel
Not movel, novel...
movel?...
novel...have you seen some people say movel instead of novel these days?
You are so funny, so what is it called?
what?
well, your novel
Just say a name already
you incompotent
You're the incompetent!...
Just say, "Incompetence"
It's "Incompetence"
pardon?
Yes, that's the title of my novel
What an interesting title. What is this novel of "Incompetence" about exactly?
Well, it's similar to the novels of the writer Sadegh Hemayat
Hemayat?
Hedayat, you idiot! Hedayat!
no
What can I say to you writers?...Now it's Hemayat...what's next?
Don't turn around but this guy has been staring at me since I arrived. Can't he see you're here?
Hello?
hello?
Anyways forget it, what term are you in now? How many terms have you finished?
hello?...
You said there was a guy staring at you; where is he sitting?
It's nothing. Just let it go
I won't harm him. I just want to talk to him. I want to see why he's staring. Does he not have a mother and sister himself?
That's him?
You stay here, I'll handle it
Hassan, for god's sake no
Why not? Us doctors, it's our job to help sick people
Pretty boy, get up
Let's see, why are you staring at someone else's girl? Don't you have a mother and sister?
tone it down a bit; don't make a scene
-I'm sure it's a misunderstanding. Let's talk about it outside -Let go! Get out
I'll be back before your coffee shop gets cold