Baghdad Central (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - Episode #1.6 - full transcript
Khafaji is made an offer he can't refuse and plans to get his family out of Iraq unscathed. But will he succeed?
It is time for us to go.
Sawsan. I will find her.
I am close. And, then,
we will leave as a family.
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Unless they think
Mrouj is still here, we cannot go.
Can you help me,
Miss Ford, with Mrouj?
You must know someone who will
rid the world of Inspector Khafaji.
1,000 US dollars.
5,000. Two...
..because that's all I have.
Agreed.
Zubeida Rashid - she could be
the head of the snake.
Find her.
ALARM RINGS
We've got an intruder.
Girl number three.
You do your job, I'll do mine.
You find me Zubeida Rashid.
I'd rather be looking for Temple.
The intruder is here
for one man only.
Goodnight, sweetheart.
I'm sorry, but the store is closed.
HE TRANSLATES IN ARABIC
There will be no more admissions.
SHOUTING
You're going to have to go home,
turn around, come again tomorrow.
This is for your safety!
MUSIC: Nothin'
by N.O.R.E
Inspector.
Out of your comfort zone,
I'd suggest.
I was in the need of a drink.
And I needed to tell you that
someone is trying to kill you.
Oh, that?
Yes, in fact, they tried already,
and failed.
Oh, was that a gut punch?
Think she did her best.
I'll come to the point.
You have my money. I want it back.
You have Sawsan?
Roped and tied and in a very secure
place. You have my money?
Prove to me that you have her.
Let me speak to her.
I'll take that as a yes.
So, we have a deal.
An exchange to arrange.
My money...for your daughter's life.
New phone?
Perfect.
Call me when
you want to do business.
Look forward to chatting.
DOOR SLAMS
DOOR SLAMS
HE GASPS
CLATTERING
Hiya, Mr George Bush. Fuck out!
Tell us where you want us to be,
and when - we will be there.
Thank you.
You should know that I have
read your file, your police file.
They say that Tariq was identified
as a threat to the regime
by his aunt and uncle.
Muhsin, that is not how it happened.
Nidal, I know.
I know this.
It is a lie.
But because it is written...
I am sorry you have had to
live with the burden.
It was me, Muhsin.
I spoke once...
too loudly at my hairdresser's.
And you know how
he was making us all sick...
Maha, there is no blame here.
I knew as soon as
I opened my mouth...
Maha, you did nothing wrong.
I am the traitor here.
I gave everything to the regime,
and...they took my boy.
They denied my wife
any kind of medical treatment.
And still...
..I wore my uniform.
Every memory is stained.
I can trust only you
with the safety of Mrouj.
Only you.
We leave tomorrow.
God willing, I will bring Sawsan
to meet you at the border.
It is arranged.
CROWING
ENGINE STARTS
ENTHUSIASTIC SHOUTING
MUSIC BLARES
Hey!
Good morning. How are you feeling?
She's good. I'm good.
Are we leaving? We are.
I brought you clothes,
but we've got to be quick.
You understand? Yes.
DOOR OPENS
Er, you might want to change
out of sight.
I'll go wait in the hall.
If anyone asks, we're just
getting some air, nothing more.
Good morning, Mrjouj.
Sleep well? Yes.
Er, you had your bloods taken today?
Not yet. OK, well, I'll arrange it.
Just as soon as
you've had your breakfast.
I'll, er, see you later. Yes.
Is she a friend?
My father is busy.
She's kind enough
to visit on his behalf.
You're doing really well,
Mrjouj. Let's keep it up.
HELICOPTER WHIRS OVERHEAD
ENGINE STARTS
HE SIGHS
SHE EXHALES
DISTANT BARKING
ENGINE STOPS
PHONE RINGS
Good morning, everyone...
RINGING CONTINUES
..updates to the, er,
security situation.
The following areas....
Parodi.
I'm outside Zubeida Rashid's house.
Where? What address?
Al-Jadriyah, 329, Street 21.
A raid may be necessary.
Premises are walled.
She's not alone.
OK, good. We're coming now.
I'll be running.
HE SIGHS
I'd almost given up.
Second thoughts, doubts?
Some.
I want to be well...
..but I cannot stay here.
We'll play it cool. Your uncle's
waiting on the other side.
HELICOPTER WHIRS OVERHEAD
FEMALE SOLDIER:
All right, stay in line!
Come along! Have your papers ready!
This young lady was being
treated at the hospital.
She now wishes to leave.
Has she got a pass of surrender?
I... I don't know.
She's Inspector Khafaji's daughter.
She would still have a pass.
Well, can you not just cancel it?
She wishes to leave.
Tell me your name again.
Megan Ford. I work for Frank Temple.
She goes, you sign.
Sure.
GATES OPEN
So, go.
GATES CLOSE
FEMALE SOLDIER: Stay in line, sir!
Stay in line!
Mrjouj... I was beginning to worry.
My car is not far from here.
No more than 20 minutes out, sir.
Omar.
GUN IS COCKED
HE SHOUTS
Why here?
I feel sick.
Don't you fucking dare, Frank.
You get your money
and leave the rest to me.
What about him on the roof?
Big man, big target.
All right, let's go.
I believe this is yours.
How do you want to do it?
You bring her to me...
..I give you your dollars.
Is he with you? I want him gone!
He is not with me.
I want him down
or I will shoot him down!
Then shoot him down!
He is not with me.
Anything untoward happens, your
daughter's the first target, clear?
Very clear.
Let me see inside the bag.
UNZIPS BAG
All of it?
Less 500 or 600. Expenses.
Cute.
Toss it over.
GUNS COCK
Do not engage!
Hold!
I will kill you.
Sawsan, come over here.
Come behind and stay close.
Get ready to ribbon the fucker!
Don't do that. Please!
Please, don't do anything
you'll regret.
All I want is my money
and then I'm gone for good.
The first plane out today.
All I want is for you
to pay for what you have done.
Sawsan, in here.
RAGGED BREATHING
Don't kill me. Don't!
Don't kill me.
HE GROANS
GUNFIRE
FRANK SHOUTS
Frank, get back here now!
Move, Frank, move!
EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE CONTINUES
HE GROANS AND PANTS
They have brought more men than you
said. Five minutes is all we need.
Right, leave it! To the left!
What happens after five minutes?
We are being saved by the Americans.
Where are you?
Almost there.
Almost may not be good enough!
Who the fuck is being shot at?
Captain, we are under attack.
Temple and Evans are here.
They wish to kill Zubeida Rashid.
BEEPING
Fuck!
RUMBLE OF HELICOPTER BLADES
They are almost here.
We cannot sit here
and wait to be shot into pieces!
We will sit here to stay alive.
Do as I say for two minutes, girl!
That is all.
GUNFIRE CONTINUES
Cease fire!
Give me your grenade.
HE PANTS
HE SIGHS
HE EXHALES DEEPLY
SNEEZING AND COUGHING
THEY CALL OUT IN TERROR
HELICOPTER BLADES HUM
Go on.
Everyone out - let's go!
Come on, lads, let's go.
SCREAMING
Omar!
Omar!
Omar!
Sawsan!
Omar!
Aah!
HE SCOFFS
You all fucking kneel!
On the ground!
Get down!
Weapons down. Hands behind your head
and do not move!
Do not fucking blink!
You too, Temple.
We've done nothing wrong here.
If he moves, you have my permission
to shoot him dead. Nothing wrong.
I am a coalition official, senior
official on coalition business.
Weapons down!
Hands behind your head!
We were fired upon
and we returned fire.
Rules of engagement
dutifully observed,
as God and all these good men
are my witness.
Confiscate all IDs and weapons.
Hand tie.
Rules of engagement observed,
Captain.
Khafaji?
Inspector Khafaji? It's Parodi.
Show yourself!
TYRES SQUEAL
OK, secure the weapons. Stick them
in the back of the van.
My bag is on the back-seat.
It's personal.
Into the car, sir.
Where's my bag?
I want my bag found. Where is it?
I want it found. Do you hear me?
Loud and clear, sir.
You lost a handbag. I want it found!
I want it found.
Oi! Oi! You!
Hey!
I want it found!
Fuck!
TYRES SCREECH
We should not have left him.
What should we have done?
Should we have waited
to be arrested?
We should have taken him with us.
Omar gave his life for us to escape.
Escape to where?
We're going to meet Mrouj
and we're going to Jordan.
Together.
It's not what I want.
What is it you want?
Iraq is my home.
You want more
of what you have seen today?
Bloodshed? I want to fight.
HE SIGHS
Fight for who and for what?
I will fight for Sanaa, Zahra,
for Mrouj, Tariq and for Mama.
That's because that is what Mama
would want you to do for sure, huh?
To pick up a gun and kill?
You believe that?
You went to the Green Zone. Why?
To kill Temple?
Yes.
And if you had succeeded, would Iraq
have benefitted from his death?
He deserves to die.
This is my fault. My responsibility,
not Sawsan.
Sawsan chose violence, not you.
He deserves to die.
"Let the Americans come," you said.
"It will mean democracy," you said.
And I believed it.
If it is democracy you want, then
that is what you must fight for.
So stop the car and let me out.
Democracy! Stop the fucking car!
Let me out!
Stop the car!
ENGINE IDLES
DOOR SLAMS
HE SIGHS
ENGINE STOPS
Tariq. Your only son.
Why did you let him be executed?
You were a policeman.
You remained a policeman.
I could not prevent it.
Did you even try?
I could not prevent it.
I begged.
I offered money.
I offered to banish him
from the country.
I...offered my life for his.
I could not prevent it.
I remained a policeman
to avoid arrest
because if I had resigned,
that is what they would have done.
I had a family to take care of.
Protect.
I asked to take his place, Sawsan.
HE SIGHS
CAR DOOR CLOSES
Dust.
A car. There.
Is it them?
Cars.
TENSE MUSIC
They are behind us.
The United States of America.
OVER LOUDSPEAKER: Halt...
HELICOPTER WHIRS
What do I do? I can't outrun them.
We're almost there.
Zubeida, you stop.
TYRES SCREECH
HELICOPTER WHIRS
INDISTINCT MILITARY RADIO
Who's inside?
Professor Zubeida Rashid
is the driver.
My daughter Sawsan
is in the back-seat.
Neither are insurgents.
They can't tell you anything
you don't already know.
You have my word.
You may have noticed
a dead man at the house.
That is Omar.
An Iraqi, of course.
Temple intended to kill us all.
He had kidnapped Sawsan.
Is that so?
Yes, that is so.
Kidnapped for what purpose?
A ransom.
He believed I had stolen the money
he had earned from prostitution.
And did you?
Yes.
To pay for medical treatment.
Over the border?
Yes.
Do you still have it?
No, Temple has it.
No, Temple does not.
I had given him the money
in exchange for my daughter.
I have my daughter.
Have you checked their vehicles?
I'll do that.
Evans claims he was fired upon
and returned fire.
I did not shoot at them, not once.
Will they be charged as criminals?
Not without witnesses.
And with witnesses?
I doubt it.
HE SIGHS
They'll maintain they were fired
upon and, in all likelihood,
be shipped home.
Controversy avoided.
Controversy?
Are we to be arrested?
These aren't the people
we're looking for.
Let's move out.
Move out. Sir!
I don't belong in Iraq.
But if your country
is going to stand a chance,
I can't help believing that
you do, Inspector.
Good luck.
HE SIGHS
ENGINE STARTS
Baba.
Baba?
You cannot force me to leave.
You're right.
I cannot prevent you
from doing what you want to do.
You're right to want freedom.
Which is why I will leave.
Speak out.
For Tariq and Mama.
Living outside of Iraq does not mean
I'm no longer Iraqi.
It does not mean
that I cannot fight.
I WILL make myself heard.
For my sisters and family.
Good.
Perfect.
HE SIGHS
Be brave. Speak up.
And speak out.
HE SIGHS
MROUJ: Sawsan.
Sawsan.
Sawsan...
Sawsan.
OK, flash is working.
That's it.
CAR DOOR OPENS
CAR DOOR CLOSES
Sawsan. I will find her.
I am close. And, then,
we will leave as a family.
Download MyTotal.TV to watch your favorite TV
www.mytotal.tv THE BEST TV APP
Unless they think
Mrouj is still here, we cannot go.
Can you help me,
Miss Ford, with Mrouj?
You must know someone who will
rid the world of Inspector Khafaji.
1,000 US dollars.
5,000. Two...
..because that's all I have.
Agreed.
Zubeida Rashid - she could be
the head of the snake.
Find her.
ALARM RINGS
We've got an intruder.
Girl number three.
You do your job, I'll do mine.
You find me Zubeida Rashid.
I'd rather be looking for Temple.
The intruder is here
for one man only.
Goodnight, sweetheart.
I'm sorry, but the store is closed.
HE TRANSLATES IN ARABIC
There will be no more admissions.
SHOUTING
You're going to have to go home,
turn around, come again tomorrow.
This is for your safety!
MUSIC: Nothin'
by N.O.R.E
Inspector.
Out of your comfort zone,
I'd suggest.
I was in the need of a drink.
And I needed to tell you that
someone is trying to kill you.
Oh, that?
Yes, in fact, they tried already,
and failed.
Oh, was that a gut punch?
Think she did her best.
I'll come to the point.
You have my money. I want it back.
You have Sawsan?
Roped and tied and in a very secure
place. You have my money?
Prove to me that you have her.
Let me speak to her.
I'll take that as a yes.
So, we have a deal.
An exchange to arrange.
My money...for your daughter's life.
New phone?
Perfect.
Call me when
you want to do business.
Look forward to chatting.
DOOR SLAMS
DOOR SLAMS
HE GASPS
CLATTERING
Hiya, Mr George Bush. Fuck out!
Tell us where you want us to be,
and when - we will be there.
Thank you.
You should know that I have
read your file, your police file.
They say that Tariq was identified
as a threat to the regime
by his aunt and uncle.
Muhsin, that is not how it happened.
Nidal, I know.
I know this.
It is a lie.
But because it is written...
I am sorry you have had to
live with the burden.
It was me, Muhsin.
I spoke once...
too loudly at my hairdresser's.
And you know how
he was making us all sick...
Maha, there is no blame here.
I knew as soon as
I opened my mouth...
Maha, you did nothing wrong.
I am the traitor here.
I gave everything to the regime,
and...they took my boy.
They denied my wife
any kind of medical treatment.
And still...
..I wore my uniform.
Every memory is stained.
I can trust only you
with the safety of Mrouj.
Only you.
We leave tomorrow.
God willing, I will bring Sawsan
to meet you at the border.
It is arranged.
CROWING
ENGINE STARTS
ENTHUSIASTIC SHOUTING
MUSIC BLARES
Hey!
Good morning. How are you feeling?
She's good. I'm good.
Are we leaving? We are.
I brought you clothes,
but we've got to be quick.
You understand? Yes.
DOOR OPENS
Er, you might want to change
out of sight.
I'll go wait in the hall.
If anyone asks, we're just
getting some air, nothing more.
Good morning, Mrjouj.
Sleep well? Yes.
Er, you had your bloods taken today?
Not yet. OK, well, I'll arrange it.
Just as soon as
you've had your breakfast.
I'll, er, see you later. Yes.
Is she a friend?
My father is busy.
She's kind enough
to visit on his behalf.
You're doing really well,
Mrjouj. Let's keep it up.
HELICOPTER WHIRS OVERHEAD
ENGINE STARTS
HE SIGHS
SHE EXHALES
DISTANT BARKING
ENGINE STOPS
PHONE RINGS
Good morning, everyone...
RINGING CONTINUES
..updates to the, er,
security situation.
The following areas....
Parodi.
I'm outside Zubeida Rashid's house.
Where? What address?
Al-Jadriyah, 329, Street 21.
A raid may be necessary.
Premises are walled.
She's not alone.
OK, good. We're coming now.
I'll be running.
HE SIGHS
I'd almost given up.
Second thoughts, doubts?
Some.
I want to be well...
..but I cannot stay here.
We'll play it cool. Your uncle's
waiting on the other side.
HELICOPTER WHIRS OVERHEAD
FEMALE SOLDIER:
All right, stay in line!
Come along! Have your papers ready!
This young lady was being
treated at the hospital.
She now wishes to leave.
Has she got a pass of surrender?
I... I don't know.
She's Inspector Khafaji's daughter.
She would still have a pass.
Well, can you not just cancel it?
She wishes to leave.
Tell me your name again.
Megan Ford. I work for Frank Temple.
She goes, you sign.
Sure.
GATES OPEN
So, go.
GATES CLOSE
FEMALE SOLDIER: Stay in line, sir!
Stay in line!
Mrjouj... I was beginning to worry.
My car is not far from here.
No more than 20 minutes out, sir.
Omar.
GUN IS COCKED
HE SHOUTS
Why here?
I feel sick.
Don't you fucking dare, Frank.
You get your money
and leave the rest to me.
What about him on the roof?
Big man, big target.
All right, let's go.
I believe this is yours.
How do you want to do it?
You bring her to me...
..I give you your dollars.
Is he with you? I want him gone!
He is not with me.
I want him down
or I will shoot him down!
Then shoot him down!
He is not with me.
Anything untoward happens, your
daughter's the first target, clear?
Very clear.
Let me see inside the bag.
UNZIPS BAG
All of it?
Less 500 or 600. Expenses.
Cute.
Toss it over.
GUNS COCK
Do not engage!
Hold!
I will kill you.
Sawsan, come over here.
Come behind and stay close.
Get ready to ribbon the fucker!
Don't do that. Please!
Please, don't do anything
you'll regret.
All I want is my money
and then I'm gone for good.
The first plane out today.
All I want is for you
to pay for what you have done.
Sawsan, in here.
RAGGED BREATHING
Don't kill me. Don't!
Don't kill me.
HE GROANS
GUNFIRE
FRANK SHOUTS
Frank, get back here now!
Move, Frank, move!
EXCHANGE OF GUNFIRE CONTINUES
HE GROANS AND PANTS
They have brought more men than you
said. Five minutes is all we need.
Right, leave it! To the left!
What happens after five minutes?
We are being saved by the Americans.
Where are you?
Almost there.
Almost may not be good enough!
Who the fuck is being shot at?
Captain, we are under attack.
Temple and Evans are here.
They wish to kill Zubeida Rashid.
BEEPING
Fuck!
RUMBLE OF HELICOPTER BLADES
They are almost here.
We cannot sit here
and wait to be shot into pieces!
We will sit here to stay alive.
Do as I say for two minutes, girl!
That is all.
GUNFIRE CONTINUES
Cease fire!
Give me your grenade.
HE PANTS
HE SIGHS
HE EXHALES DEEPLY
SNEEZING AND COUGHING
THEY CALL OUT IN TERROR
HELICOPTER BLADES HUM
Go on.
Everyone out - let's go!
Come on, lads, let's go.
SCREAMING
Omar!
Omar!
Omar!
Sawsan!
Omar!
Aah!
HE SCOFFS
You all fucking kneel!
On the ground!
Get down!
Weapons down. Hands behind your head
and do not move!
Do not fucking blink!
You too, Temple.
We've done nothing wrong here.
If he moves, you have my permission
to shoot him dead. Nothing wrong.
I am a coalition official, senior
official on coalition business.
Weapons down!
Hands behind your head!
We were fired upon
and we returned fire.
Rules of engagement
dutifully observed,
as God and all these good men
are my witness.
Confiscate all IDs and weapons.
Hand tie.
Rules of engagement observed,
Captain.
Khafaji?
Inspector Khafaji? It's Parodi.
Show yourself!
TYRES SQUEAL
OK, secure the weapons. Stick them
in the back of the van.
My bag is on the back-seat.
It's personal.
Into the car, sir.
Where's my bag?
I want my bag found. Where is it?
I want it found. Do you hear me?
Loud and clear, sir.
You lost a handbag. I want it found!
I want it found.
Oi! Oi! You!
Hey!
I want it found!
Fuck!
TYRES SCREECH
We should not have left him.
What should we have done?
Should we have waited
to be arrested?
We should have taken him with us.
Omar gave his life for us to escape.
Escape to where?
We're going to meet Mrouj
and we're going to Jordan.
Together.
It's not what I want.
What is it you want?
Iraq is my home.
You want more
of what you have seen today?
Bloodshed? I want to fight.
HE SIGHS
Fight for who and for what?
I will fight for Sanaa, Zahra,
for Mrouj, Tariq and for Mama.
That's because that is what Mama
would want you to do for sure, huh?
To pick up a gun and kill?
You believe that?
You went to the Green Zone. Why?
To kill Temple?
Yes.
And if you had succeeded, would Iraq
have benefitted from his death?
He deserves to die.
This is my fault. My responsibility,
not Sawsan.
Sawsan chose violence, not you.
He deserves to die.
"Let the Americans come," you said.
"It will mean democracy," you said.
And I believed it.
If it is democracy you want, then
that is what you must fight for.
So stop the car and let me out.
Democracy! Stop the fucking car!
Let me out!
Stop the car!
ENGINE IDLES
DOOR SLAMS
HE SIGHS
ENGINE STOPS
Tariq. Your only son.
Why did you let him be executed?
You were a policeman.
You remained a policeman.
I could not prevent it.
Did you even try?
I could not prevent it.
I begged.
I offered money.
I offered to banish him
from the country.
I...offered my life for his.
I could not prevent it.
I remained a policeman
to avoid arrest
because if I had resigned,
that is what they would have done.
I had a family to take care of.
Protect.
I asked to take his place, Sawsan.
HE SIGHS
CAR DOOR CLOSES
Dust.
A car. There.
Is it them?
Cars.
TENSE MUSIC
They are behind us.
The United States of America.
OVER LOUDSPEAKER: Halt...
HELICOPTER WHIRS
What do I do? I can't outrun them.
We're almost there.
Zubeida, you stop.
TYRES SCREECH
HELICOPTER WHIRS
INDISTINCT MILITARY RADIO
Who's inside?
Professor Zubeida Rashid
is the driver.
My daughter Sawsan
is in the back-seat.
Neither are insurgents.
They can't tell you anything
you don't already know.
You have my word.
You may have noticed
a dead man at the house.
That is Omar.
An Iraqi, of course.
Temple intended to kill us all.
He had kidnapped Sawsan.
Is that so?
Yes, that is so.
Kidnapped for what purpose?
A ransom.
He believed I had stolen the money
he had earned from prostitution.
And did you?
Yes.
To pay for medical treatment.
Over the border?
Yes.
Do you still have it?
No, Temple has it.
No, Temple does not.
I had given him the money
in exchange for my daughter.
I have my daughter.
Have you checked their vehicles?
I'll do that.
Evans claims he was fired upon
and returned fire.
I did not shoot at them, not once.
Will they be charged as criminals?
Not without witnesses.
And with witnesses?
I doubt it.
HE SIGHS
They'll maintain they were fired
upon and, in all likelihood,
be shipped home.
Controversy avoided.
Controversy?
Are we to be arrested?
These aren't the people
we're looking for.
Let's move out.
Move out. Sir!
I don't belong in Iraq.
But if your country
is going to stand a chance,
I can't help believing that
you do, Inspector.
Good luck.
HE SIGHS
ENGINE STARTS
Baba.
Baba?
You cannot force me to leave.
You're right.
I cannot prevent you
from doing what you want to do.
You're right to want freedom.
Which is why I will leave.
Speak out.
For Tariq and Mama.
Living outside of Iraq does not mean
I'm no longer Iraqi.
It does not mean
that I cannot fight.
I WILL make myself heard.
For my sisters and family.
Good.
Perfect.
HE SIGHS
Be brave. Speak up.
And speak out.
HE SIGHS
MROUJ: Sawsan.
Sawsan.
Sawsan...
Sawsan.
OK, flash is working.
That's it.
CAR DOOR OPENS
CAR DOOR CLOSES