The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (2021–…): Season 1, Episode 14 - Episode #1.14 - full transcript

In 1940, a bombing raid on Tel Aviv while Luna is there panics her parents. In 1930, Ephraim hides stolen guns and ammo for his fellow freedom fighters.

Have you heard?

Yes.

Rachelika is afraid
that bombs will be dropped here as well.

And the truth is that I am afraid too.

They're closing all the shops.

Enough, Gavriel.

-There. You see?
-Don't scare her more.

Don't scare her more.

-Where is everyone?
-Becky's in her room.

Luna is too?

Since when have I known
where Luna is or is not?



-Did she say anything in the morning?
-Yes, that she's going to work.

After the bombing
a short while ago in Tel Aviv,

many civilians are coming
to the hospitals,

in hope of finding their loved ones
who were at the bombing area.

Search and rescue forces are trying
to find survivors among the ruins.

I'm going to Mr. Zacks' store.

-What for, Abba? Luna will be back soon.
-Or we'll just sit here?

I guess I'll meet her on the way.

-Abba…
-…coming to the hospitals…

What?

Never mind.

All residents
must enter their homes immediately.

I repeat, for your own safety…

…all residents
must enter their homes immediately.



All residents
must enter their homes immediately.

I repeat, for your own safety,

all residents must enter
their homes immediately.

All residents
must enter their homes immediately.

Many civilians
are coming to the hospitals…

…in hopes of finding
loved ones who were at the bombed area.

-Search and rescue…
-Has Luna returned?

…looking for survivors
among the ruins.

Many citizens are coming
to the hospitals, in hopes of…

What is it, querida?

-…who were at the bombing…
-What's happened?

Tell me.

…survivors among the ruins.

Luna's in Tel Aviv.

What?

Sh--She went this morning,

and said she would be back tonight
and that you wouldn't even know.

What did she go there for?

Sh--She went to a dance competition
at the Eastern Dock in Tel Aviv.

-And she couldn't cancel--
-Alone? Did she go there alone?

I don't know.

Do you hear what's happening
there now, Rachelika?

It's total mayhem!

I didn't know they would bomb Tel Aviv.

I didn't know bombs would fall there!

There, there, there. Shh…
There, there, querida. There.

My daughter-in-law Rosa

has a new baby girl.

She has been blessed by God.

She tried to kill her
when she was in her stomach.

Someone helped her with that.

-God wanted that baby girl to live.
-She's illegitimate.

Hmm.

The daughter of an Arab.

I heard that those who practice Kabbalah

can send destructive angels
to unleash fire.

-It's called "Pulsa deNura--"
-Don't you dare say those words!

-Do you know how to do it?
-I do know one thing, all right?

That girl is protected.
She's being protected up there.

If you even touch her
with your little finger,

you will burn in hell.

Now get out of here! Go away!

God our Lord,
protect us and our seed from fear,

from fright and from harm and damage…

What do you want?

Tell me what you want.

Get out.

Go.

Go!

I just came to clean a little.

Ephraim?

Ephraim?

Ephraim!

-Ephraim!
-Ephraim is out.

-What is this place?
-I talked to people about you.

They know about the Arab you killed,
and the gun you took from the soldier.

They wanna meet you.

Ephraim Siton?

Yes.

Read this.

"I hereby devote my life

to the establishment
of an independent Hebrew nation

in our entire homeland."

"I hereby dedicate my strength
and my capital

to achieve the complete victory."

"I hereby undertake to accept
the supreme authority of Etzel

and swear to obey the command
of its commander, without resistance,

to fulfill my duty in the organization,
in the nation and outside of it."

"I hereby undertake to fastidiously obey

all laws that obligate the soldiers
of the organization,

and also completely accept
all consequences of non-fulfillment."

"Thus it will be,
for I am the protector of Israel."

Best of luck.

Welcome.

Thank you.

When you go out, I want you to tell me
where you're going, please, Ephraim.

Even if it's for a little while,
when you go out, tell me where.

I'm not asking for much.

There is a place,
near Cinema Eden, a bar that's there--

I've heard of it.
Where all the bandits sit.

And what? I'm not a bandit?

They say you're hanging around with them.
The bandits from the Etzel gang.

I hang around with heroes, Rosa.

Just don't let it make trouble for us,
please, Ephraim.

Do you think I'd do anything
bad to you, huh, hermana?

What happened?
You've started drinking coffee?

Yeah, I'm done with Arak. What's that?

What's wrong? Why aren't you at the bar?

That's ammunition.

Bullets for guns and pistols.

And two grenades as well.

If the British find this on someone,
it's a life sentence at best.

You're fresh meat,

still not on their lists,
so you're gonna hide this.

Mm-hmm.

Hide it somewhere close,
but where if the British find it,

you can say, "it isn't mine."

You have such a place?

Ephraim, we paid for these in blood, so…

And don't carry that pistol around.

The British are randomly stopping Jews
and searching them.

You stole that gun
from a British soldier you killed.

Take it only when you need it.

What are you doing here?

Nothing. Leaving.

Yeah, go on.

We have no…

We have no information
about what's happening in Tel Aviv

other than what's being reported
on the radio.

All right? I ask you to disperse.

When we have a list
of the wounded in Tel Aviv,

we will publish it in the newspapers
and on the radio, straight away.

All right?

Hey. Hey, hey, hey.

Excuse me. I have to talk to him.
My daughter was there. Please. I'm sorry.

-Just a second.
-What's going on?

My daughter, she's… she's in Tel Aviv.
I have to know. Maybe something happened--

-Gavriel.
-Please…

Victoria.

What?

Does your daughter also dance there?

What? Yes.

Yes. How did you know?

Perhaps she dances with this lady's son.

-Hmm?
-What?

-If you'll excuse me.
-Luna was there?

-Gavriel.
-Where's David?

At a dance contest.

Tel Aviv?

So he's dancing with Luna.

Your father almost went mad.
He's been looking for you all day.

He looked everywhere for you.
He looked everywhere!

On the streets, at Mr. Zacks'…
What were you doing in Tel Aviv?

Where's Abba?

Your father's gone to the police.

-Why did he go to the police?
-To ask if you are alive or dead.

I'm sorry, Ima, but I'm alive.

Hmm.

She was in Tel Aviv!

I could have not told you at all.

A father's belt is not just
for holding up his pants.

You didn't give her enough
when she was little.

And it's not too late.

I wanna be left
for a few minutes with Luna, alone.

Abba, the bombs fell in the far distance.

I saw nothing at all.
I just heard the booms.

You had nothing to worry about.
It wasn't dangerous.

You were in Tel Aviv with David.

Rachelika ratted me out?

No. I met Victoria at the police station.

She was also crazy with worry.

And, yes…

I thank God you're all right.

Luna, you're at an age when a boy
you hang out with is no small thing.

-I'm not thinking about marrying David.
-Then what for?

What for?

You know, the most important thing to me
is that you're happy.

I won't have you
hanging around with David--

Happy like you're happy with Ima?

You want that for me?
Or like Ima's happy with you?

We are talking about you,
what's best for you.

Ever since I can remember,
I haven't seen you in love.

So why do you think you know
what's best for me

when you didn't know
what was best for you, huh?

Abba, why did you marry her?

Why did you marry her?

She was an orphan… with nothing.
Not even good-looking--

Enough! Enough of this, Luna!
Enough of this!

I deserve to know. I'm your daughter.

And me? I deserve
that you treat me with respect!

I do respect you.

This is how you respect me, Luna?

It's not a coincidence they dropped
bombs there during your escapade.

It's a message from God.

"Honor thy father and mother," he said.
So stay away from Luna Armoza.

What? Why her?
Aren't there enough women in Jerusalem?

-We have a nice time together and--
-Nice? Really?

A girl just goes with a boy
because it's nice?

You realize what it says about her honor.

And what does it say about mine?

A 20-year-old man asking his mother
who he can date?

So who will you ask? Huh?

Who will you ask if not your mother?

What does Luna want with my son?

What are you talking about?

Ah! She didn't even tell you. Tell her.

Tell her who you went with to Tel Aviv.

They were together?

There's only one thing in this world
that you and I agree upon, Rosa.

That these two won't be together.

So tell your daughter
to stay away from my son.

Come, David.

Couldn't those stupid Germans
wait a few hours?

Italians, you mean.

They sent bomber planes
half an hour before the competition.

Aren't you supposed
to drop bombs at night?

Do you know how many people were killed?

Killed where?

In Tel Aviv.

Jews, over 100.

Children and women.

Luna, we're at war now.

The Italians are fighting in Egypt.
It's close. They're together with Hitler.

Have they set a new date?

For what?

The competition.

No.I don't know.

Shit.

You think I don't care?
She keeps me up at night.

A girl her age, if she's not married,
should at least be engaged.

Should we wait?

For her to suddenly come
and say she wants to marry David Franco?

She will not marry David Franco.

I talked to her, Rosa,

and she told me, in her own words,

she doesn't want him.

David, do you love me?

Yes.

I love you too.

Even though you annoy me sometimes.

You annoy me too.

You don't kiss well, you know.

I don't?

Teach me then.

Of course.

Oh. Just before we start,
we must remember, this is not for free.

It's your honor, Gavriel.

The honor of our family.
Why are we waiting?

God forbid, what if something happened
and she will be forced to marry him?

I think you mean, she would be forced.

-You know what I mean, Gavriel.
-God forbid. Lord save us.

The girl has a good head on her shoulders.

She has dignity.

When a cat is in heat in Jerusalem,
even the cats in Tsfat can smell it.

Ah… Basta, Rosa. Don't insult her.

Now is her time for a husband, Gavriel.

You talked to her.

I talked to her.

A donkey.

A burro. She's a stubborn one, huh?

Mi amor…

if you would only listen to me for once.

Okay… What?

Speak up.

Wanna play with me?

Stand there.

This is a pass.

Nice! Now pass to me.

Oh, my God! You're talented!

You know what this ball is called?

It's called a football.

They play it all over the world,
even grown-ups.

The most important rule in football…

never use your hands, just the foot.

Here.

Take it. It's for you.

-Really?
-Really. It's a present for you.

David!

David, come here!

Wait, David.

Don't forget this.

Give it to--Give it back to him.

-Uncle Ephraim gave it to me.
-I told you. Give it to him right now!

Don't trouble the child, Victoria.

It's not his fault.

-All right then. But go inside.
-I wanna play with the ball!

Inside right now, I said!

David, come play with me.

I asked you not to come here.

-I brought this for Matilda.
-No need.

She must be jealous
her brother got a gift and she didn't.

She's little.

I wanna make your daughter happy,
Victoria.

What do you want from me, Ephraim?

Didn't you cause me enough sorrow?

I'd apologize to you,
but there's no forgiving for what I did.

I can try to explain.

Too late for that.

That you can decide after you hear me out,
if you agree to hear me out.

-Uncle Ephraim, let's play.
-Ah. Your mom won't let me.

Ima, come on, please. Ima…

Well, go, go. I'll come soon.

So will you hear me out?

-Is everything all right, Mercada?
-Praise God. How are you?

Praise God.

Well, we can't talk here.
We'll talk somewhere else.

Come. You wanna play?

Again.

I really don't know
why I agreed to come here with you.

You agreed because I asked you to.

Because you also feel
that we should talk about what happened.

There was love between us, Victoria.

A very great love, I'd say.

I don't know about you,
but I still feel it.

So why did you do it?

A few days before
we were supposed to get married, I…

I got an offer that I couldn't refuse.

To join the underground,
to battle the British.

A man approached me,
right here, in this place.

Someone from the Haganah?

More underground than the Haganah.

Much more.

Why didn't you tell me then?

It's still wrong for me to tell you,
but I'm doing it so you forgive me.

I realized,
many nights would go by before…

I would suddenly disappear
without saying anything.

-That God forbid, I could--
-God forbid.

I know how much it hurt
when you lost your husband, Victoria.

I couldn't do that to you again.

And David and Matilda
would get attached to me--

Stop, please. Don't say that.

There's no shortage of young men, hmm…

but eligible young men good enough
for the Armoza family…

-Of whom all of Jerusalem speaks praise--
-Go on, go on, Mrs. Adela.

-Let's move on. All right?
-Oh.

Let me show you.

Here. This is a great young man.

Not even 20, studies medicine at Hadassah.

-He's ugly.
-But he's a doctor.

They say he's a genius.
His father's father is Rabbi Bachar.

He's no Rothschild,
but he has an apartment of his own.

What about the mother?

The mother's from a Kurdish family--

-No, no, no.
-But a good…

Our family does not mix,
especially not with Kurds.

Keep going.

Have you heard of Benjo's shop?

-Benjo and Sons Shoes?
-Yes, it's on Yaffo Street.

He wears glasses.
Their kids could have poor eyesight.

What is it, Adela?

Are there no Sephardic bachelors
who are also… healthy?

Shalom.

Didn't you say
you were working at the store today?

-It's Tuesday. We closed early.
-This is Mrs. Adela Mashiach.

They talk about how pretty she is,
but, hmm…

when you actually see her,
she's like a painting, your daughter.

Querida… go to your room.
I'll talk to you later.

About what?

I said later.

The man who wins her
will be the happiest man in Jerusalem.

So far, you've only brought us
Kurds or glasses.

Only because I always like
to save the best for last.

The man I'll tell you about now
isn't in this book. He's only up here.

Truth is, I'm keeping him
for the finest girl there is, and Luna--

Let's hear it, Mrs. Adela,
because at this rate,

Luna will be an old maid
and will never find a match.

All right.

Coming from Ima, I'm not surprised.

But you?
I really thought you knew me, Abba.

No one knows my daughter better than I do.

-So why a matchmaker?
-It was your mother's idea.

Since when do you listen to Ima?
Abba, you're getting old.

Querida, you're not getting
any younger yourself.

I'm not saying
you'll get married tomorrow,

but we can start looking already--

Start looking? I don't understand.

If you had brought someone serious,

someone you want,
someone who's a real option…

Abba, I had someone serious.

And the first thing I did
was introduce him to you.

He's gone though, querida.

I thought you'd forgotten him.

No.

Hanging around with David Franco…

that's not going to help.

He is not in your league.

I told you, it's nothing. I'll stop.

I'd like to ask you
to listen to me till I finish,

without interrupting.

All right?

You probably don't know the name,

but there's a family in Jerusalem,
Ben Shabat.

-That builds the houses?
-How do you know that?

-I know.
-Money doesn't bring happiness, querida.

Nor does it bring love or joy,
but it's convenient.

-It makes life easier.
-I have nothing against it.

-His name's Yehoram.
-Yick!

I asked you not to interrupt.

He goes to university.
He works with his father.

He has an automobile.

Okay now, show me one boy his age
who has an automobile.

-Because he has an automobile, I have to--
-You don't have to do anything.

Luna, you really don't.

He comes from a very…

very rich family.

I'm just asking that you meet him.

Once.

Then you can decide
whether you want him or not.

If you don't want him, then, uh…

Only what you want.

What do you say, querida?

I love you more than…

anything in the world.

-But no.
-Hmm.

Oh.

You know the contractor Ben Shabat?

Yes. Who doesn't know Ben Shabat?

He has a son named Yehoram.

What about him?

He studied in England,

where the king's children study.

Now he's studying here, at university.

He's in business with his father,
and has an automobile, and he's your age.

Shall I continue?

No.

My family wants to set me up with him.

Why are you telling me this?

You're my friend.
I tell you about things that happen to me.

How would you feel if I told you
I was being set up with someone?

-Um… Does she have an automobile?
-Answer me. How would you feel?

-Let go of my hand.
-How would you feel?

That hurts!

Are you gonna hit me?

Go for it. Hit me.

Stop, Luna.

-What do you mean "stop"?
-No.

-What "no"?
-No.

This can't happen.

Tell me why it can't.

I don't know if I love you.

You love me.

Luna, I can't do this to you.

You'll regret it later.

-It's your honor. You have to save it.
-For who?

For your husband.

Will you tell your husband you're not a…

What will you tell him?

I'll tell him I'm not a virgin.

And then, he won't want you.

Not everyone is as messed up as you are.

Call me whatever you like.

I don't wanna be responsible.

-I don't wanna--
-It won't be your fault.

I've already given my honor away…

to someone I loved more than anything,

who'd be my husband
if he were alive today.

You and Itamar?

Yes.

What?

Only with him?

You're so stupid!

Luna…

I'd like to meet Yehoram Ben Shabat.

Shh…

My darling.

I'm here, I'm here.

Shh!

What is it, darling?
What's wrong? What's wrong?

Shh…

Shh…

Enough now.

Why does she cry all the time?

She has a name.

Her name is Becky.

My love, what's wrong?

What's wrong?

What's wrong, my love?

When Luna would cry, and Rachelika,

I'd rush right to them,
to hold and kiss them.

This one?

I can't stand it.

If her brother wasn't sleeping
in the storeroom,

I'd go sleep there now.

Anything to stop hearing that.

There. She's calmed down.

But I haven't.

Listen, my son.

I'm here. I have no choice.

You should go to Beirut for a while,
bring back some merchandise.

Beirut, Beirut, Bei…

Oh, there's a ship leaving
from Yaffo port next Tuesday.

-When do you wanna come back?
-I'll decide that when I'm there.

How is your youngest doing?

Can you see who she looks like?

Avram, give me the ticket. I'm in a hurry.

I don't have it here, but you're booked.
Don't worry. Come on Sunday.

I'll give it to you,
and then you can pay me.

One more thing, Avram.

Do you happen to know a good jeweler?

Someone decent who sells jewelry,
but, uh, someone who won't rip me off.

Uh…

What kind of jewelry do you mean?

Something very nice.

For a woman.

By the look on your face…

I can tell you're not talking
about your wife.

Bashar, bring the box.

Avram, you're also, uh…
You're very adaptable.

Yes, I'm everything, Gavriel.

Many things you want,
you can find them here.

Thank you.

-Very expensive.
-This tray is for mistresses.

If you want something for your wife,
I have something much cheaper.

-This one is nice.
-This is the most expensive one.

Can I get it engraved?

Absolutely.

-In Arabic too?
-Even in Yiddish.

To Aisha.

-To Aisha, in Arabic.
-Thanks, Avram.

Don't you want to know
how much it will cost?

No matter the cost, I'll pay it.

What an idiot.

Rosa…

I'm out of ice. Go to Yehuda to get some.

I just put Becky to sleep.

Fine. I'm in the kitchen.
If she wakes and cries, I'll hear it.

I'll wait for her to wake up, and--

Rosa, my meat's spoiling.
You have to go now!

Bless you, Ephraim.

God always sends you to me
when I need you.

I'm going to get ice. Can you watch Becky?

Tell me where it is, I'll get it.

You're drunk.

-A little.
-Forget it.

It'll take me longer to explain
than to get it myself.

I'll be right back.

Ephraim.

The children are asleep,
and I'm gonna take a nap too.

What is it? Are you all right?

Forgive me for leaving you alone, my love.

Mercada, couldn't you hear her crying?

Mercada!

-Why are you screaming?
-Didn't you hear Becky crying?

How could I? I'm frying meatballs here.
You know how much noise it makes?

The second I left Yehuda,
I could hear her.

-You ended up going?
-Yes!

So where the hell is the ice?!

The nerve she has.

Where were you?
I told you to watch her, didn't I?

I wasn't gone long.

-Where were you?
-I mean, she…

-Over there.
-Where's over there?

-Right there.
-At Victoria's?

-Yes.
-In her house, you mean?

Shh…

How are you, Rosa?

How's the little one?

-I threw out four pounds of meat today.
-Why? What happened?

We were out of ice.
I asked Rosa to get some, and…

You know what? Never mind.
As long as we may be forgiven.

You should bring some from Beirut.
I hear the ice is great there.

I need to go to the bathroom.

Take her for a bit.

Take your daughter.

Take her.

Bon appétit, everyone.

Why are you standing, Rosa? Sit down.

I was just asking Gavriel
to take Becky for a little while.

How do the Arabs say it?

"Father of daughters."

Give me some.

APPLICATIONS, SWORN AFFIDAVITS

Is it ready?

-The bracelet is ready, but…
-What's wrong?

I was about to close up shop
and rush to your store.

You haven't heard the radio?

What are you talking about?
I don't get it.

The borders are closed.

They've closed the borders
to Jews from the land of Israel.

We can't leave.
Not for Syria, Egypt, and not for Lebanon.

-What's the point?
-Politics.

Did they say until when?

Until when? Only He knows.

Those damn bigshots. Dammit!

We are way too small
compared to all of them.

But look…

It's ready.

Look how nice it is. Here. "Aisha."

On the engraving, I'm not charging you.

Here you go.

AISHA

David?

David, where are you?!

Ima! Ima!

David…

David!

Help me!