Little America (2020–…): Season 2, Episode 7 - Paper Piano - full transcript
Yeah, I sent the check
two weeks ago. Yeah.
Hey, hey, boy, boy, boy.
Why are you going so slow?
I was out for half an hour.
You should be done with all this.
- Yes. But to get the consistency...
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And how long that guy has been
there, huh? How long?
I'm so sorry for this wait.
How may I help you?
Yeah. I wanna return this.
Sir, it is not possible to
return it if you eat it already.
This is the policy,
as you can remember.
No, no, no,
because I didn't eat it.
I sampled two
of those drumsticks,
I took half a bite
of this thigh,
and I did not like it.
I'm so sorry for you.
But then why do you keep coming
to buy it?
I thought maybe today
might be different.
Just one second. Thank you.
My friend, is there anything
else I can help you with?
I already told you!
This fricking breast, I
didn't touch it, I didn't eat it.
Maybe that leg bone rubbed up against
that biscuit, so I'll... I'll pay for that.
Okay, okay. I refund you
for one tender and one wing.
All right.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Does this look like
a charity here, huh?
I'm sorry. But he was
driving away other business.
Zahir, get your head
out of cloud, for God's sake.
And stop burning the chicken!
Stand clear
of the closing doors, please.
This is Flushing-Main Street.
You're back
already. What time is it?
8:45. It took me
more than two hours.
There's construction on the 7.
I waited forever.
♪ Construction on the 7 ♪
♪ How much chicken
You burn last night? ♪
I did not burn any.
Just like three or four pieces.
But that crazy guy,
he come again.
I gave him money back
for the white meat,
so you can thank me he won't
come for your shift today.
Hey, I saw another piano.
Just sitting in a hotel lobby,
no one even playing it.
That's three I see this month.
They're everywhere.
New York is crazy.
If I start playing piano
in some hotel lobby,
they'll probably arrest me.
And I don't
have time. I have to work.
Where I'm going to put my mother
when she comes? In the closet?
I don't want my mother
to sleep in the closet either.
Maybe sometimes.
But I still find one
hour per week to practice rubab.
It remind me.
You go too long,
you start to forget.
Maybe I want to forget.
Zahir...
It's been nine months.
Your father would want you
to play.
Hey.
Tell the boss I send my love.
Yeah. I'll
pick up the roses on the way.
Mr. Nadiri? Mr. Nadiri?
Can you tell me why you're here?
What are you doing
in this country?
I just come here for two weeks
for a music exchange.
We played Carnegie Hall.
But while I'm here,
the Taliban is attacking again,
and it is not safe
for a musician to return.
When I was growing up, the
Taliban make it illegal to play music.
Yes. No, I'm aware.
And have you ever committed acts
of terrorism?
No, no. Nothing like this.
I'm sorry. It's not personal.
It's the law. They make us ask.
You said a music exchange.
What instrument do you play?
I played piano.
Oh, my daughter plays piano.
She's studying to be a musician.
Is it possible
you also help with my mother?
I am working double shift,
six days per week,
to save money so she can come.
I understand.
Let's focus on getting
your asylum approved,
then we can start the process of bringing
your mother over to join you. Okay?
Hmm?
Zahir!
Hey, where are you?
Hey! Zahir, where are you?
Picasso, Picasso.
Will it kill you if you go a bit faster?
Why doesn't he bother you?
Because I am... chicken king.
Yo.
Your turn.
Yeah, man, I wanna return this.
Sir, I'm very sorry.
I... I cannot.
Come on, man. You can see, I
haven't touched the tender or the wing.
Look, they're still separated
by the paper.
I cannot today. I will be fired.
Whatever happened to
"The customer's always right"?
I don't know. It's not possible
for someone to always be right.
Yes, it is.
I mean, that's the whole point
of being a goddamn customer!
You know what, man? This is what
is wrong with this goddamn country!
There's no accountability!
Huh? You looking at me?
A corporation has got to protect
its community.
You know I live here?
This is my neighborhood!
Where'd you come from?
You got a problem with me, man.
Look at me!
You got a problem with me!
What'd you say to that guy, man?
He's totally crazy.
Zahir. Zahir!
Zahir!
Hey!
Hey! Let me in!
What's going on in here?
Get down! Get down! Stay there!
Come on, man, I just wanna
tell you that I'm sorry!
I can tell
you're still in there!
Let me in!
Assholes!
We used to play with the bullets
we found in the street.
We went to the roof
to watch the artillery fire.
We were born in a civil war.
We survived two bombings
in our school.
But we nearly get killed for
three and a half pieces of chicken.
When we decided to stay here,
this is not how I thought it would be.
We came here
for the American dream, but...
It's not like
it's even a full chicken.
It's for three and a half pieces
of chicken that...
What?
I need a piano.
How much for this?
- I'm short. Twenty dollars more.
- What?
Um. Oh, yeah.
Okay.
Looks like you have a whole
orchestra there with you.
Now I know why this is so cheap.
You cannot play this.
Okay. Okay. Let's see.
Ah, "Piano tones."
Grand? Classical? Rock? Jazz?
Grand. Good choice. Good choice.
Hmm. Grand.
Um...
You are sure you don't want to
wear something more...
...appropriate for the setting?
Okay. Okay.
Whoo!
Did something change?
No. Well, yes.
Well, maybe.
Thank you.
And also, for seeing me
on such short notice.
You tell me your daughter goes
to a school to study piano.
Do you think it is possible I
also can go to a school like that?
Um...
Well, these schools are
very difficult to get into.
Yes, I understand this.
You would need time
to prepare an audition.
Yes. I will do this.
Well, there is someone I know
who you may be able to play for.
- But how serious are you about this?
- Very.
- Okay, then.
- Okay? Thank you.
And also, about my mother.
When do you think
she'll be able to come?
The process takes time.
We're doing
everything we can right now.
What are you doing?
I don't know what I'm doing.
My audition is tomorrow,
and I'm not prepared.
You're not prepared?
I have seen you prepare so much
even I am prepared.
My mother thinks I have
a contract with the orchestra.
What happens
if I cannot get into a school?
She will come here, and she
will see that I'm making chicken.
She won't see you
making chicken.
She'll see you
burning the chicken.
Zahir, you will
get into that school.
And when she comes, you will
play for her like you have promised.
Now get back to work.
Not too loud.
They're just running behind.
She'll be here in a minute.
Have you heard any more about
my mother, about my progress?
Let's talk
about that after. Okay?
So you have heard something?
We're here for your audition.
Let's just focus on that.
If it's about my mother,
then I need to know now.
There's
just been some policy changes.
How much longer
before I can bring her?
They're classifying
certain countries as...
Look, it could be many,
many years.
Zahir, this is Karen.
She works in admissions
here at the school.
Reena tells me you've prepared
an original composition.
Yes, that is correct.
Do you have a title for it?
It is called
"Poem for My Mother."
Well, I'd love to hear it.
Zahir. Zahir.
So?
What is all this?
We are celebrating your success.
There's nothing to celebrate.
I'm turning it down.
What? W-W-What
you are talking about?
My mother.
They changed the rules.
They're making it impossible for
her to come. I have to go home.
No. No. No, no, no,
no, no, no. You c...
- You can't leave. You can't leave.
- They won't let you back in.
- It's not safe for you back home.
- It's not safe for us here.
We almost got killed
over some chicken bones.
If I stay here...
Zahir, you don't know that.
The only thing for certain is
they change rules
a-and then
they change them again.
You have been lying to your
mother to make her happy, yes?
Now this, the truth, will
make her happy.
This. This is what she wants
for you. Zahir...
Zahir.
Okay?
Crazy.
Yeah?
My mother's recipe.
Zahir, come on.
Eat well.
Dress well. Life is short.
What is this?
I don't know.
My mother always uses
these spices.
I can only make fried chicken.
I can't even do that.
Oh, no more burning chicken.
You are now big musician, yeah.
Hmm?
Mmm.
two weeks ago. Yeah.
Hey, hey, boy, boy, boy.
Why are you going so slow?
I was out for half an hour.
You should be done with all this.
- Yes. But to get the consistency...
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
And how long that guy has been
there, huh? How long?
I'm so sorry for this wait.
How may I help you?
Yeah. I wanna return this.
Sir, it is not possible to
return it if you eat it already.
This is the policy,
as you can remember.
No, no, no,
because I didn't eat it.
I sampled two
of those drumsticks,
I took half a bite
of this thigh,
and I did not like it.
I'm so sorry for you.
But then why do you keep coming
to buy it?
I thought maybe today
might be different.
Just one second. Thank you.
My friend, is there anything
else I can help you with?
I already told you!
This fricking breast, I
didn't touch it, I didn't eat it.
Maybe that leg bone rubbed up against
that biscuit, so I'll... I'll pay for that.
Okay, okay. I refund you
for one tender and one wing.
All right.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Does this look like
a charity here, huh?
I'm sorry. But he was
driving away other business.
Zahir, get your head
out of cloud, for God's sake.
And stop burning the chicken!
Stand clear
of the closing doors, please.
This is Flushing-Main Street.
You're back
already. What time is it?
8:45. It took me
more than two hours.
There's construction on the 7.
I waited forever.
♪ Construction on the 7 ♪
♪ How much chicken
You burn last night? ♪
I did not burn any.
Just like three or four pieces.
But that crazy guy,
he come again.
I gave him money back
for the white meat,
so you can thank me he won't
come for your shift today.
Hey, I saw another piano.
Just sitting in a hotel lobby,
no one even playing it.
That's three I see this month.
They're everywhere.
New York is crazy.
If I start playing piano
in some hotel lobby,
they'll probably arrest me.
And I don't
have time. I have to work.
Where I'm going to put my mother
when she comes? In the closet?
I don't want my mother
to sleep in the closet either.
Maybe sometimes.
But I still find one
hour per week to practice rubab.
It remind me.
You go too long,
you start to forget.
Maybe I want to forget.
Zahir...
It's been nine months.
Your father would want you
to play.
Hey.
Tell the boss I send my love.
Yeah. I'll
pick up the roses on the way.
Mr. Nadiri? Mr. Nadiri?
Can you tell me why you're here?
What are you doing
in this country?
I just come here for two weeks
for a music exchange.
We played Carnegie Hall.
But while I'm here,
the Taliban is attacking again,
and it is not safe
for a musician to return.
When I was growing up, the
Taliban make it illegal to play music.
Yes. No, I'm aware.
And have you ever committed acts
of terrorism?
No, no. Nothing like this.
I'm sorry. It's not personal.
It's the law. They make us ask.
You said a music exchange.
What instrument do you play?
I played piano.
Oh, my daughter plays piano.
She's studying to be a musician.
Is it possible
you also help with my mother?
I am working double shift,
six days per week,
to save money so she can come.
I understand.
Let's focus on getting
your asylum approved,
then we can start the process of bringing
your mother over to join you. Okay?
Hmm?
Zahir!
Hey, where are you?
Hey! Zahir, where are you?
Picasso, Picasso.
Will it kill you if you go a bit faster?
Why doesn't he bother you?
Because I am... chicken king.
Yo.
Your turn.
Yeah, man, I wanna return this.
Sir, I'm very sorry.
I... I cannot.
Come on, man. You can see, I
haven't touched the tender or the wing.
Look, they're still separated
by the paper.
I cannot today. I will be fired.
Whatever happened to
"The customer's always right"?
I don't know. It's not possible
for someone to always be right.
Yes, it is.
I mean, that's the whole point
of being a goddamn customer!
You know what, man? This is what
is wrong with this goddamn country!
There's no accountability!
Huh? You looking at me?
A corporation has got to protect
its community.
You know I live here?
This is my neighborhood!
Where'd you come from?
You got a problem with me, man.
Look at me!
You got a problem with me!
What'd you say to that guy, man?
He's totally crazy.
Zahir. Zahir!
Zahir!
Hey!
Hey! Let me in!
What's going on in here?
Get down! Get down! Stay there!
Come on, man, I just wanna
tell you that I'm sorry!
I can tell
you're still in there!
Let me in!
Assholes!
We used to play with the bullets
we found in the street.
We went to the roof
to watch the artillery fire.
We were born in a civil war.
We survived two bombings
in our school.
But we nearly get killed for
three and a half pieces of chicken.
When we decided to stay here,
this is not how I thought it would be.
We came here
for the American dream, but...
It's not like
it's even a full chicken.
It's for three and a half pieces
of chicken that...
What?
I need a piano.
How much for this?
- I'm short. Twenty dollars more.
- What?
Um. Oh, yeah.
Okay.
Looks like you have a whole
orchestra there with you.
Now I know why this is so cheap.
You cannot play this.
Okay. Okay. Let's see.
Ah, "Piano tones."
Grand? Classical? Rock? Jazz?
Grand. Good choice. Good choice.
Hmm. Grand.
Um...
You are sure you don't want to
wear something more...
...appropriate for the setting?
Okay. Okay.
Whoo!
Did something change?
No. Well, yes.
Well, maybe.
Thank you.
And also, for seeing me
on such short notice.
You tell me your daughter goes
to a school to study piano.
Do you think it is possible I
also can go to a school like that?
Um...
Well, these schools are
very difficult to get into.
Yes, I understand this.
You would need time
to prepare an audition.
Yes. I will do this.
Well, there is someone I know
who you may be able to play for.
- But how serious are you about this?
- Very.
- Okay, then.
- Okay? Thank you.
And also, about my mother.
When do you think
she'll be able to come?
The process takes time.
We're doing
everything we can right now.
What are you doing?
I don't know what I'm doing.
My audition is tomorrow,
and I'm not prepared.
You're not prepared?
I have seen you prepare so much
even I am prepared.
My mother thinks I have
a contract with the orchestra.
What happens
if I cannot get into a school?
She will come here, and she
will see that I'm making chicken.
She won't see you
making chicken.
She'll see you
burning the chicken.
Zahir, you will
get into that school.
And when she comes, you will
play for her like you have promised.
Now get back to work.
Not too loud.
They're just running behind.
She'll be here in a minute.
Have you heard any more about
my mother, about my progress?
Let's talk
about that after. Okay?
So you have heard something?
We're here for your audition.
Let's just focus on that.
If it's about my mother,
then I need to know now.
There's
just been some policy changes.
How much longer
before I can bring her?
They're classifying
certain countries as...
Look, it could be many,
many years.
Zahir, this is Karen.
She works in admissions
here at the school.
Reena tells me you've prepared
an original composition.
Yes, that is correct.
Do you have a title for it?
It is called
"Poem for My Mother."
Well, I'd love to hear it.
Zahir. Zahir.
So?
What is all this?
We are celebrating your success.
There's nothing to celebrate.
I'm turning it down.
What? W-W-What
you are talking about?
My mother.
They changed the rules.
They're making it impossible for
her to come. I have to go home.
No. No. No, no, no,
no, no, no. You c...
- You can't leave. You can't leave.
- They won't let you back in.
- It's not safe for you back home.
- It's not safe for us here.
We almost got killed
over some chicken bones.
If I stay here...
Zahir, you don't know that.
The only thing for certain is
they change rules
a-and then
they change them again.
You have been lying to your
mother to make her happy, yes?
Now this, the truth, will
make her happy.
This. This is what she wants
for you. Zahir...
Zahir.
Okay?
Crazy.
Yeah?
My mother's recipe.
Zahir, come on.
Eat well.
Dress well. Life is short.
What is this?
I don't know.
My mother always uses
these spices.
I can only make fried chicken.
I can't even do that.
Oh, no more burning chicken.
You are now big musician, yeah.
Hmm?
Mmm.